JQNF Newsletter June 2009

Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood News June 2009

Welcome to the newsletter of the Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum.

The Forum is the independent voice of the growing community of residents living in the Jewellery Quarter. We are here to help represent local residents, make sure that we have a say in issues affecting life in the Quarter and make the Quarter an even better place to live.

In this edition…

Learn about the new Jewellery Quarter Farmers Market launching on 4th July, 24 Carrots!

An update on the World Heritage Status bid

Adopt a green space at the JQ cemeteries

News from the JQ Regeneration Partnership

A NEW WEBSITE FOR THE JQ A new website for the Jewellery Quarter has been launched, packed full of information about living, shopping, visiting and working in the JQ. It is the place to find out more a bout the Quarter and to sign up to the mailing list for local news and events.

www.jewelleryquarter.net

JQNF Public Meeting Red Baboon bar 21 Ludgate Hill

7.00pm Thursday 11th June Come to our next public meeting to hear more about the latest news in the Quarter… including an update on planning, regeneration and community news, and the exciting plans for the launch of the JQ Farmers Market… and have your say.

We hope to see you there!

JQ Neighbourhood Forum

June 2009

Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries‌ adopt a green space The vast majority of people living in the Quarter do not have their own garden or green space and we have been approached by Friends of Key Hill & Warstone Lane Cemeteries about the idea of adopting a green space in one of the Cemeteries.

Friends of Key Hill & Warstone Lane Cemeteries would allocate a memorial space where there is no obviously living relative. You would then be sent a brief 'adoption' form from Bereavement Services and Friends of Key Hill & Warstone Lane would give you a list of flowers that you can plant (they could also supply them if you need) together with the history of the person buried at that location.

Apart from the modest cost of buying a few flowers or bulbs, there are no other costs involved and it is an excellent way of both keeping fit and securing a slice of local history.

Both Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries are Grade II listed and supporting this scheme is a great way of helping the community and getting some fresh air and exercise. Warstone Lane Cemetery is accessible from Warstone Lane or Vyse Street. Key Hill Cemetery is currently only accessible from Key Hill (off Hockley Hill) but following completion of works to its main entrance it can also be accessed by turning right at the bottom of Pitsford Street.

If you are interested, contact Sue Jones on 0121 551 2109, email thefriendsofkeyhillcemeteryorg.uk or write to 37 Quayside, Hockley, Birmingham B18 5SQ.

JQ WORLD HERITAGE - FIRST STEPS Work has begun towards a possible bid for coveted United Nations (UNESCO) World Heritage status for the Quarter. A steering group met in March at the Assay Office including local groups from business, public sector and the Neighbourhood Forum. English Heritage also involved.

English Heritage already recognises the Quarter English Heritage as a unique industrial/manufacturing/craftwork district, with a distinct character in its surviving 18th, 19th and early 20th century squares and streets. If a Government consultation (soon to be completed) opens up the World Heritage bidding process, the steering group aims to work on a City-funded bid backed by the JQ Regeneration Partnership.

There are some tough hoops to jump through, as World Heritage status is the highest global cultural designation, with only 26 UK sites enjoying the accolade. Going for the status is like aiming for Olympic gold and JQNF welcomes the bid idea as a chance to create a more joined-up approach to improving/conserving what’s best in the JQ. It could also bring closer together the range of heritage, tourist and retail attractions in the Quarter and promote them more effectively.

For more info contact Neighbourhood Forum rep Phil Davis at pdavis01@tiscali.co.uk

JQ Neighbourhood Forum

June 2009

Around the Quarter An update from the Jewellery Quarter Regeneration Partnership Cemeteries Work on the refurbished pillars and gates in Key Hill Cemetery is almost completed and further improvements are planned. Key Hill Cemetery is located by walking through an alleyway from Hylton Street or walking down Pittsford Street and turning right. It really is worth a visit when the weather is fine and we are also developing a scheme for residents to adopt a memorial. This will be a chance to get a bit of fresh air and exercise and have your own mini garden to attend whilst adopting a slice of history – Friends of Key Hill have a record of the majority of people buried in Key Hill which includes a number of famous political figures and inventors!

Connectivity We have nearly completed a relighting scheme for Livery Street and Lionel Street and this is in preparation for the opening of a new pedestrian link from Snow Hill Station in July. Additionally, we are developing a package of improved signage into and around the Quarter.

We are also progressing plans to improve the route from Paradise Forum through to Summer Row particularly given the concerns of safety issues for what should remain an important route into the Quarter over the next few years.

Discount Card We are putting finishing touches to a discount card where offers will be available to card holders on our website. These offers will include restaurants, bars, jewellery shops and other businesses – we hope every resident will have the opportunity to be given a card. Please visit the new website, www.jewelleryquarter.net, because it is YOUR website as well as a website to attract visitors and investment to the Quarter.

Golden Square Six shortlisted architects prepared designs for the Golden Square project, which is the area in front of the Big Peg. A jury, including a representative of the Neighbourhood Forum, judged these designs. A consultation day was also held to give the local community the chance to see the designs and have their say. An announcement on the winning architect is expected soon. We will then progress negotiations on funding packages, for which the support of the community will be vital. Find out more at goldensquarebirmingham.com.

Health Centre The original GP Practice is still interested in moving into the Quarter but are becoming increasingly concerned about the ever growing number of delays. Whilst there has been some limited movement on the original Morris Homes site in Warstone Lane, we still have grave doubts about their ability to deliver. Consequently we have also opened discussions with another nearby developer. It is expected that the situation will crystallise either way within the next couple of months.

In Bloom Proposals are being developed for ‘In Bloom’ and this includes our support for the Neighbourhood Forum's Farmers Market Initiative. We hope to also encourage balcony gardening for those lucky enough to have some sort of space.

Jewellery Quarter Neighbourhood Forum Representation We have recently undertaken a survey that shows that only 44 apartment blocks out of 144 have any sort of representation or contact. The Neighbourhood Forum have a list of all those apartment blocks where some sort of contact is still needed so if you can help please contact the Neighbourhood Forum as soon as possible.

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter The extension is now open and if you have not already been to the Museum it is well worth a visit - admission is free!

St Paul's Square The proposals to light the trees in St Paul’s Square in a similar way to the scheme successfully implemented in St Philips Churchyard is now being progressed. It is hoped that the tree lighting will be in place within the next month. The lights will be switched on from dusk until midnight during the winter period.

JQ Neighbourhood Forum

June 2009

Launching the Jewellery Quarter Farmers Market!

Saturday 4th July Big Peg Car Park We are thrilled to announce that the Jewellery Quarter’s first Farmers Market will be on Saturday 4th July.

The 24 Carrots Farmers Market will be located on the car park in front of the Big Peg on Warstone Lane, with over 30 stalls taking part, and will be officially opened by local councillor Kath Hartley.

Also taking place on 4th July is the Jazz Festival, the Matthew Boulton Festival, a Jewellery Market in St Paul's Square, vintage transport, museum and gallery events, and open workshops. Transport is provided between the events and activities in St Paul's Square and the market at the Chamberlain Clock Tower.

The 24 Carrots Farmers Market has been organised by a group of Jewellery Quarter residents. The goal is for the market to become a fully self-funding social enterprise, providing regular monthly markets and special one-off events that benefit the area and community. All surpluses will be re-invested back into the development of the market and the improvement of the area for the benefit of the community.

The farmers market aims to provide an irresistibly exciting central place for people to meet friends and families, share good food and have fun in style, whilst also supporting local businesses by increasing the number of visitors to the JQ, providing a wide range of fresh, local produce from farmers, local schools and neighbourhood allotments, supporting healthy eating initiatives, and building a stronger community.

Future markets are planned for 19th September, 17th October, 21st November and 5th December.

Please come along on Saturday 4th July to support the Market and find out more at 24carrots.org.uk.

Get In Touch with the Neighbourhood Forum We want to hear from you. Do you have any questions or ideas about life in the Quarter?

Would you like to get involved with the Forum? What do you like to read in our newsletters?

Please get in touch with us by emailing getintouch@jqnf.co.uk, calling or texting 07980 728303 or writing to JQNF, 206 Wexler Lofts, 100 Carver Street, B1 3AQ.