BIG MEADOW
The Parish Council will be working with Leaves of Green to start the improvements over the winter months.  The first step is to ensure safe parking for a limited number of vehicles. As per the plan shown at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, this will be along the path, under the trees, within a delineated area, leaving plenty of green space for recreation and enjoyment of the riverside. The second phase will be to look at ways of enhancing the riverside area: no parking, space for picnicking (no BBQs) and enjoying nature by the river. Developments will be posted on the website as they are approved by Council at its monthly meetings.

PARISH COUNCIL SURGERY
Takes place on the second Saturday of the month from 10am – 12pm at the Parish Council Office, Bramley Way.  A great opportunity to raise concerns directly with Councillors or simply have a chat of what you would like to see done to benefit/improve the village. Please do take advantage of this way of meeting your Councillors if you are unable to attend Parish Council meetings or prefer a less public space.

BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE – HELP REDUCE FOOD WASTE
This excellent community service is available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10.30am – 11.30am and Wednesdays 5.30pm – 6.30pm at the Methodist Church. The Community Fridge is open to everyone, not just those in need. It is about stopping good food from being thrown away. Want to volunteer for this essential local service? Please contact Hilary at admin@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk.

CITIZENS ADVICE - BIDFORD OUTREACH
The First Thursday of the month in the Parish Council Room (in the library) 10am–1pm. Please note you must pre-book.  This provides essential advice in these difficult times and is carried out in complete confidence. Please note the library is closed on Thursdays. To book a slot, please call 0808 250 5715.

WARM HUB
This excellent community service takes place at the Crawford Memorial Hall every Wednesday from 10am – 12pm, run by a team of hardworking volunteers dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of residents. Now in its fourth year, a new service has been added; hot food is now available. So, if you are feeling lonely, need company and a bite to eat, go to the WARM HUB.

CONCERNS/ISSUES
If you have a concern or issue about anything within the Parish, please use the Love Clean Street App and send by email info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the Clerk on 07718 628925 or by email as above. Please don’t post on Social Media (Bidford Forum) as this is not monitored by the Parish Council and, therefore, may be missed and remain unanswered or unsolved.

WEEKLY EVENTS

• Mondays 10.30am–11.30am STORYTOTS Bidford Community Library
• Mondays 10.30am–12.30pm DEMENTIA CAFÉ Westholme Court
• Mondays 10.30am-11.30am BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Mondays 1pm–2.30pm ARTY AVON Church Hall
• Tuesdays 10am-11.30am ARTBASE IN PERSON ART CLASSES Church Hall
• Tuesdays 10.30am-11.30am BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Wednesdays 10am–12pm WARM HUB Crawford Memorial Hall
• Wednesdays 5.30pm-6.30pm BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Thursdays 10am-11.30am THE JOLLY TEAPOT Church Hall
• Thursdays 10.30am-11.30pm BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Fridays 10.30am-11.30am BIDFORD COMMUNITY FRIDGE Methodist Church
• Fridays 6.30pm for 7.15pm BINGO EVENING Bidford Bowling Club – all welcome

MEETINGS

• 9^th December and 12^th January at 7.30pm Planning Consultative Committee Meetings
• 16^th December and 20^th January at 7.30pm Parish Council Meetings

All meetings, which are open to the public, are held at the Parish Council Meeting Room, Bramley Way, B50 4QG. It is at these meetings that decisions that directly affect our village and our local community are made – so be part of it and come and see it happen.

BIDFORD EMAIL INFORMATION
Want to know what is happening in the village every week? Nothing easier, simply sign up by emailing the Clerk at info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk and your name will be added to the Weekly Email Information list to receive an email regarding upcoming Events and Notices. As Your Call Magazine is bi-monthly, this is a good way to ensure you are up to date with everything local.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Another way the Parish Council is trying to keep the local community informed is by the use of Social Media. Please follow us via Facebook (Bidford on Avon) Twitter (@Bidford_PC) and Instagram (bidfordpc). A lot of information and updates are published through social media, so do make sure you follow us to stay informed.

PARISH COUNCIL CONTACTS

• Clerk to the Parish Council – Mrs Elisabeth Uggerløese
• Administrative Assistant (Part time) – Hilary Wren
• Parish Council Office is located in Bramley Way and is open to the public 10am-1pm. If you are unable to attend during this time, please contact the office to make an appointment
• Tel:  01789 778653/07718 628925 Email: info@bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk Website: www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk
• Parish Councillors – a list of Parish Councillors can be found online at www.bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/councillors.htm

BIDFORD VILLAGE MARKET
This market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, between 9am and 1pm,  in Bidford High Street, next to the War Memorial.  It is made up of small local businesspeople, selling their produce, arts and crafts, between 12 – 20 stalls per month. We regularly have the local Farm Shop, Bakery, Gluten Free bakes, Local Honey and beeswax products, plants and vintage clothes & ceramics, as well as craft stalls selling jewellery, crotched items, ceramics, Nerdy Tortoises (? Come and find out…) bath products and wax melts/diffusers. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust are with us to advise on how best to look after our wildlife in the different seasons. We offer one FREE stall per month to a local charity for fundraising purposes. Our Christmas Market (7^th December 2024) is always a celebration and has Entertainment all morning, including the school choir, Bidford Area Community Choir, Alcester Victoria Silver Bank and the White Hart Morris Men. We have 20+ stalls booked, with some fabulous ideas for Christmas presents, and taking orders for Christmas baking. Bidford Community Fridge will be running a couple of games to fundraise for the fridge and giving out leaflets about their new opening times from January – including opening the Community Café.  We will have Alcester & Bidford Rotary Club serving Hot Chocolate and Mince Pies, and maybe even a visit or two from Santa! FREE Parking is signposted from the main road. It’s going to be fun, so come and join us!

Elisabeth Uggerløese – Clerk to the Parish Council

PS. Keep an eye on the What’s On page of the website (bidfordonavon-pc.gov.uk/whats-on/) for events. They will also be advertised on Social Media.