BOSF Conference 2013

This packed event was attended by delegates from groups across the city and was enthusiastically received. Here is what happened on the day…

Saturday 22nd June 2013 at The MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

Programme

11.00 – ‘Just a minute’ speakers corner session – sixty second presentations of successful activity from five of the groups present.
11.10 – Current Position in Parks – Darren Share – Head of Parks
11.30 –  Creating Biophilic Cities – Nick Grayson – Climate Change & Sustainability Manger
11.50 – Birmingham Open Spaces Forum AGM
12.10 – Networking Lunch – join your contractors and park managers for discussions about individual sites or visit a networking table to discuss the following topics:
• Ian Kennedy Websites
• BCC Rangers
• Wildlife Trust – Nature Improvement Area
• Constituency Park Managers
• Grounds Maintenance Contractors
1.20 – Just a minute’ speakers corner session
1.30 – Nature Improvement Area – Simon Atkinson Wildlife Trust
1.45 –  Active Parks – Karen Creavin – Head of Sport and Physical Activity
2.05 –  Birmingham in Bloom – Jenny Brewer & Carol Miller – Moseley in Bloom Gary McManus – Birmingham Parks & Nurseries Manager
2.50 ‘Just a minute’ speakers corner session
3.00 – Networking – join your contractors. park managers & rangers for discussions about your individual sites

The feedback received from everyone who attended was very positive. The venue, speakers, food and usefulness of the day all scored in average 4.5 or more out of 5.0. The main comments received that we need to act on where concerning the size of the room. We need to look for a larger venue next time as we are growing very large!

Some of the comment about the usefulness of the day included:
“Excellent use of my time, I learned so much. The most good natured conference I have ever been to. Thank you”
“Great – my first attendance, I will definitely come again if invited”
“Definitely a good use of time. Great networking ideas – facts & figures etc.”

The presentations on the day were looking at how we could improve the future of Birmingham’s Parks and Open Spaces by:

• tackling the current economic climate and how it is effecting our open spaces by Darren Share
• how we can work together to tackle the issues facing us by the Natural Capital City Model by Nick Grayson,
• through healthy activities by Karen Creavin
• through improving habitats for Wildlife from the Wildlife Trust’s Nature Improvement Area
• and the benefits both groups and the city as a whole can receive from sharing best practice and advertising our hard work through Britain in Bloom and other avenues. Ideas were given to us my the Moseley in Bloom group and we saw how successful Birmingham has been in Britain in Bloom and at the Chelsea Flower Show.

“It was good to hear other groups stories & the vision of Birmingham”
“Superb, inspiring, informative, clear”
As always, our “Just a Minute” slots proved very popular as most of the groups present took the opportunity over the day, to stand up and share their successes and ideas with everyone present.
We at BOSF hope that you enjoyed the day and we look forward to seeing you at future conferences.