News and Diary Dates Diary Dates Sunday, April 23rd - Circle Cinema The film, chosen by member ballot, will be The Banshees of Inisherin (15). Directed by Martin McDonagh, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Kerry Condon and nominated for 9 Oscars. Two lifelong friends find themselves at an impasse when one abruptly ends their relationship, with alarming consequences for both of them. Doors open at 6:15pm for a 7:15pm screening. Tuesday, April 25th - Heritage Talk The BCS Blue Plaque Legacy by John Gale, designer of Birmingham Civic Society’s Blue Plaques and a member of the BCS Heritage committee. 7pm start. Sunday, May 7th - Coronation Celebration 11:00: Children's Fancy Dress and Maypole Dancing at Nettlefold Garden. 12:30: Unveiling of Jubilee Bench, junction of Margaret Grove/Moor Pool Avenue. 13:00: Big Lunch at Moor Pool Hall. Music and Entertainment. BYO picnic. Sunday, June 25th - Circle Cinema Chosen by member ballot, the film will be Respect (12). Directed by Liesl Tommy and starring Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker and Marlon Wayans. Following the rise of Aretha Franklin's career from a child singing in her father's church's choir to her international superstardom, the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice. Doors open at 6:15pm for a 7:15pm screening. Tuesday, June 27th - Heritage Talk The History of Mary Quant by Ruth Lowe, one of the country’s major collectors of Mary Quant fashion and accessories working in conjunction with the 2019 Mary Quant touring exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum currently touring the world and in Shanghai. 7pm start. Tuesday, July 25th - Heritage Talk Wythall Transport Museum by Denis Chick, WTM Press Officer and Volunteer. 7pm start. Tuesday, September 26th - Heritage Talk Key Hill Cemetery by Josie Wall . 7pm start. Tuesday, October 24th - Heritage Talk Louisa Ryland and Cannon Hill Park by Irene De Boo. 7pm start. Sunday, December 17th 2023 - Seniors' Lunch Details nearer the date Saturday, January 27th 2024 - Residents' Association AGM 12:15pm in the Main Hall after the coffee morning. Quick links: Reading Group Wildlife Group Circle Cinema Heritage Festival Moor Pool Heritage Trust Moor Pool in Bloom Regular Events The estate has a wide range of active clubs and societies that are open to residents and non-residents. Full details here. Coffee Mornings Coffee mornings are held on the last Saturday of the month (excluding August & December), 10:30 - 12:00, in the Lower Hall (or Bowling Club at times of fine weather). All are welcome and, as usual, any donations of cakes will be gratefully received. News Sheila Retires MRA committee members presented Sheila Preece with a box of fresh flowers to mark her retirement on 30 September as Moor Pool Hall caretaker after 17 years service to the community. The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service We are delighted to announce that, thanks to all our members, volunteers and supporters, Moor Pool Heritage Trust has been selected as a recipient of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) 2019. This unique UK national honour recognises the outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups of volunteers; it has an equivalent status for voluntary groups as the MBE for individuals. Simon Sterling (Chair) Further details and a full list of the winners of this prestigious award. Moorpool Players After nearly 40 years entertaining Moorpool and Harborne, their excellent production in May 2016 of "Talking Heads" will be their last. A letter from John Healey and Norma Mason explain the decision. There will be a grand sale of furniture, costumes and props later in the autumn. Circle Cinema The Circle Cinema are the winners in a competition sponsored by BFI and Saville Audio Visual. A Grand Inaugural Launch of the Circle Cinema was over the weekend of June 4th and 5th 2016. Full details of their upcoming schedule and membership forms here. Moor Pool Heritage Trust Acquires Community Facilities The Moor Pool Heritage Trust (MPHT) is delighted to announce that as of 19th December 2014, we have now completed the acquisition of the Moor Pool community facilities from Grainger Plc. We could not have done this without the fantastic support of our residents and the wider local community in helping raise the £325,000 required. To all of you who supported us, we say a huge thank you on behalf of the Trust. Also, to all our volunteers – we are indebted to you for the time, energy, enthusiasm and skills you have committed to the project. We look forward to ensuring that these heritage facilities are restored and remain a critical part of the community for future generations. The Trustees, Moor Pool Heritage Trust The Moor Pool Heritage Trust now owns the Spinney Garages The Moor Pool Heritage Trust completed the ownership of the Spinney garages from Banner Homes on Friday 4th October. This marks a landmark step in the Trusts overall plan to take on ownership of the local community facilities for the benefit of the community. The completion of the ownership of the Builders Yard will probably be next followed by the allotments. The rents from the garages at the Spinney and Builders Yard will provide a long-term income stream for the Trust as part of its comprehensive business plan. The Trust would like to express its thanks to Banner Homes and to Trustee Becky Phillips who has spent considerable time and effort seeing through the legal work required. Rob Sutton Chair MPHT Moor Pool Heritage Trust achieves charitable status Unfortunately just too late for the public meeting at the Moor Pool Hall on the 23rd July, the Trust has received confirmation from the Charity Commission that the company has achieved charitable status and has been entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1148252. This is an important step forward. It will enable the Trust to reclaim tax on donations significantly increasing their value. It will open up a far greater number of grant providers who only deal with organisations with charitable status. It gives recognition to the aims of the Trust and enhances the Trusts credibility. Coffee Mornings The Residents' Association held their first Coffee Morning on Saturday, January 19th 2008 and this proved to be extremely popular. It was attended by over 60 residents of all ages and even showed a modest profit (although this was not the primary intention). It ihas now become a regular monthly event. Held in the Lower Hall, 10:30 - 12:00, on the last Saturday of the month (except in December), all are welcome and any donations of cakes will be gratefully received.