Berkswell returned to league action this weekend after making their way to the semi finals pf the Warwickshire Cup the weekend before. Steve Wake reports on another success in Berkswell’s battle to overcome the handicap of a 15 point deduction from their 2011/12 league campaign, a punishment meted out by the league for a pitch battle that errupted during a home game last season.
Midlands West Division 2 (South)
Berkswell & Balsall – 19 Banbury – 8
An opening try from flying winger Phil Allport and two penalty-tries were enough to give Berkswell victory, but fall short of gaining the bonus point. The B’s performance was a little flat throughout the game, as they came up against a Banbury side who had improved since the side’s earlier meeting in October. There was no shortage of effort from either team, but handling errors and poor ball retention meant that sustained creativity in the opposition half was lacking.
Berkswell dominated most of the first half, but turned around only nine points up. Banbury gave a good account of themselves after the break and, although the result was never in serious doubt, gave Berkswell some nervous second half moments.
Read the rest of this entry »
Balsall Common residents association newsletter
David Felthouse
BalsallCom.Com have made the latest version of the residents association newsletter “The communicator” available online. Click this link to view it online.
David Felthouse does a stirling job in assembling this valuable community resource that many of us receive by email. Some highlights in this month’s edition:
- How to register for the NHS dentist at the new Riddings Hill Health centre,
- Crime in the Village: Antisocial youth on station road, suspected alcohol and drug misuse and burglary.
- Expansion of area: Riddings Hill social housing and Kenilworth Road garden grabbing.
Obituary and Tribute to Ian Keith Huckerby – 01/10/1941 to 22/01/2012
Notes from a friend – a tribute by Craig Burgess followed by many more, by many more…
Ian Keith Huckerby – 01 October 1941 to 22 January 2012
Ian Huckerby with his loving wife Sue
Balsall Common finds many of its’ souls mourning the loss of a much loved family man and community figure, following the departure of Ian K Huckerby, in the early hours of Sunday 22nd January 2012.
Ian Huckerby was known to many in the village for his 24 years of dedicated and unstinting service as Youth Manager at Berkswell Cricket Club. He was deeply admired and respected by many children, parents and players past and present, both at Berkswell and Warwickshire County Cricket Club. To many cricketers, Ian’s contribution went way beyond cricket and his loss has been deeply felt.
School league tables place Heart of England school third in the borough for A-Level results
Mr Mackereth, Headmaster of Heart of England School
Just released secondary school league tables for 2011 reveal the brilliant news that Balsall Common’s Heart of England ranks third in the Solihull borough for A-level results (and even better, second if you count only state schools). For GCSE results, the school modestly moved up one place to 10th compared to 2010.
We invited Headmaster Mr. Andrew Mackereth to comment on the results: Read the rest of this entry »
Ian K Huckerby – 01/10/1941 to 22/01/2012
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of a great servant of the community in the early hours of Sunday morning. Ian Huckerby was well known to many people in the village for his 24 years of unstinting service as Youth Manager at Berkswell Cricket Club. He was deeply admired and respected by many children, parents and players at the club and on a wider level through his sterling work with youth players at Warwickshire County Cricket Club. To many cricketers, Ian’s contribution to their lives went way beyond cricket itself and his loss has been deeply felt. BalsallCom.Com will be publishing an in depth tribute in due course and residents are invited to contribute their reflections.
In the meantime we are able to report Ian’s funeral will take place at Oakley Wood Crematorium next Friday, 3rd February 2012.
Read the rest of this entry »
Rugby: Berkswell through to Warwickshire Cup semi finals
Steve Wake reports on Berkswell & Balsall’s Warwickshire Cup Quarter Final victory over Silhillians on Saturday 21st January 2012:
Silhillians – 17 Berkswell & Balsall – 34
Read the rest of this entry »
Pinocchio pantomime in Balsall Common
Balsall Common’s thespian group Centre Stage are holding their annual family pantomime ‘Pinocchio’ at the Heart of England school from next Friday 27th January 2012.
Rugby: BBC Coventry & Warwickshire’s team of month Berkswell earn narrow victory
Steve Wake reports on Berkswell’s hard fought victory over Barkers Butts on Saturday 14th January 2012 in their West Midlands Division 2 South encounter. Berkswell’s remarkable season won official recognition as their first XV have flown up the table having begun the season with a 15 point handicap, punishment meted out for their involvement in a mass brawl during a game last season:
