Working to protect and enhance the Lickey Hills and their environs
It is with great sadness that we have to inform you all of the death of Rob Amos. Rob was a hard working member of the LHS committee for many years and along with his wife Peggy, was a great supporter of the Society. Rob was actively involved in the local community in so many ways. He was a leading member of the team responsible for the annual Barnt Green Fireworks display amongst many other interests and activities. Rob will be sorely missed by the many people who have had the privilege of knowing and working with him. Rob was a great man who has contributed so much to the community, especially in the Lickey, Barnt Green areas and beyond. Our thoughts and prayers are at this time with Rob’s wife Peggy, his family and his many friends.
Congratulations to Vicci, a member of the Ranger Team in the Country Park who married Dave Guest on December 28th. We wish Vicci and Dave a long and happy life together.
As mentioned in the last Newsletter, congratulations to Ranger Dave Beardsmore on being shortlisted for the Employee of the Year as part of the Birmingham City Council’s ‘Chamberlain Awards’. The awards ceremony was held just before Christmas in the Great Hall of Birmingham University. Although Dave did not win, he should be very proud that his nomination was shortlisted.
Congratulations to Darren Share, Head of Parks at Birmingham City Council who was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Darren grew up in Lickey and Cofton Hackett and went to Waseley Hills High School. His love of parks came from exploring the Lickeys and Cofton Park as a child. Darren has worked for the council for 30 years, starting as an apprentice. As well as being responsible for all the green spaces across the city and a 300-strong parks team, Darren has also headed up Birmingham’s Chelsea Flower Show exhibits and the Britain in Bloom entries, gaining success in both.
We are delighted to announce that Dave has been shortlisted for the Employee of the Year as part of the Birmingham City Council’s ‘Chamberlain Awards’. Many of you know Dave but you may not realise how much work and effort he puts in behind the scenes to promote play across the city, to forward the work of the Northfield Ranger Hub and to support the wider community across Northfield district.
Since the city’s Play Service closed, Dave has been a constant voice and advocate for play within the city and for play in parks. Dave sits on and attends the West Midlands Play forum as a representative of
Birmingham City Council. This group was set up to make sure that play stayed on the city’s agenda and Dave has made sure that this has happened.
For the last 3 years, Dave has organised and run National Play Day. This year nearly 500 children turned up at the Lickeys to take part in a range of outdoor activities, Dave didn’t just organise the event, he ran some of the activities and all of this was achieved with no budget.
Given the challenges the Parks Department faces, Dave is always proactive, looking at ways to support the community and the wide range of events that take place. Many people assume that Dave is a “Rangerâ€, but as a Ranger Warden, most of the work that he does is way beyond what is expected of him. Dave constantly puts the work of the Northfield Hub, the Ranger Service and the local community first which is why we feel that he richly deserves the Employee of the Year Award.
Voting has now ended but we congratulate Dave on his nomination and we wish him every success.
© 2024 The Lickey Hills Society