Balsall Heathan # 261 Dec 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust

The Balsall
No. 261
December 2006
January 2007
FREE
Heathan
Local News & Features
es

Christmas Decorations
Every year each class at Tindal make their own decorations and this year the
display was spectacular. Made as hangings, the decorations are based on hoops,
which each class then adorn with features of Christmas. Once completed the
Christmas chandeliers are hung from the ceiling of the main hall and create a
wonderful display of creativeness and colour.
Big thank you to Dot
Pupils and staff at Tindal Primary School recently gave a big thank you to Dot
for her long service over the years. Dot who is 83 years old and has been
voluntarily working at the schools playroom and crèche for over 24 years is to
retire before the New Year.
example to us all”.
Julie Doran, coordinator for Tindal Association for School and Community
said of Dot, “She
has never had a
day off work
and we’ll miss
h e r
tremendously.
She is a shining
When asked what she would miss about volunteering at the school
Dot said, “It’s been a pleasure to be with the kids, I am going to miss
them so much”. However, when asked what she would now do
with her free time Dot replied, “I’ll probably come and see the
children”.

The Balsall
Heathan
Your Community Newspaper
Healthy Living
In this months edition the Balsall Heath Healthy Living supplement
provides Heathans with a recipe for staying fit and active. Clifton children
show how just a small donation by the majority can lead to a better
Christmas for a minority and if your feeling under the weather then
there are some handy tips for getting better quickly.
Showing how it’s done
Two elderly residents show how being active and being involved with
the local community are an elixir for life. In the case of Dot aged 83, 24
years of volunteering at Tindal, have given her a wonderful experience
and provided thousands of children with the wisdom of her many
years. While for May aged 86, her 26 years of volunteering have shown
how her dedication to her community has helped to improve not only
the environment but also the quality of life for her neighbourhood.
Tindal’s extend learning
Tindal School this month set the pace for enhancing their approaches
to health and learning. By being one of a select few schools throughout
the country to achieve the coveted Healthy Schools certifications, Tindal
show how working with parents and children to design education and
service delivery can be a recipe for success.
Thank you
The Heathan would like to thank all of its contributors and volunteers
for all their hard work this year, and wish all of its readers a very merry
Christmas and a happy New Year.
Newsdesk 0121 464 4376
Editor
Peter Cole.
Reporters Peter Cole.
Contributors Dick Atkinson & Chris McGuinness
Director Anita Halliday.
Photography Peter Cole & Emily Colwell.
Distributors St. Paul’s Community Trust staff, The West Midlands
Probation Service, The BalsallHeath Forum, May Pearson
& Ann Molloy.
Graphic Design Peter Cole.
Design/Layout Peter Cole.
Printed
by Clarkeprint Ltd.
St. Paul’s Community Development Trust
The Balsall Heathan is published by St. Paul’s Community Development Trust.
St. Paul’s Community Development Trust is a charity (number 508943) and company
limited by guarantee. The Heathan is not run for profit and is financed by sponsorship,
advertising and the assistance of charitable trusts.
The Balsall Heathan is distributed free to 6000 homes in the area.
The Editorial Board welcomes contributions from all who live in, work in or
are concerned for the welfare of the area. They are delighted to have
the help of volunteers with any aspect of running the paper. Please call us
on 0121-464 4376
Please send your news and views to The Editor, St. Paul’s Centre, Hertford Street,
Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12 8NJ. Tel: 0121-464 4376. Fax: 0121-464 2555
Email balsall.heathan@stpaulstrust.org.uk
26 YEARS OF
NEIGHBOURHOOD
WATCH & STILL GOING
STRONG
Local resident May Pearson had cause for a double celebration
recently. For the last 26 years May has been a member of the
Brunswick Road Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and in recognition
of her contributions to improving safety in Balsall Heath was
presented with an award.
Georgina
Johnstone,
Community
Partnerships
Officer at
Belgrave Road
Police Station
presented May
with a special
certificate and
thanked her for
all her hard work.
Georgina said,
“May has been a
wonderful
Neighbourhood
Watch Coordinator,
she
keeps me
informed of
everything
happening in the
area. The
information she
has provided has
aided many
officers in their work. May has many stories to tell about the work
she has done over the past 26 years, including meeting the Duke of
Edinburgh and David Cameron. We are not the first to award May
for the work she has done, her wall is decorated with various awards
for her contributions to the community.“
May who was overwhelmed with the award said: “It will take pride
of place in my house. I am very grateful for the award and hope that
my contributions over the past 26 years have made a difference in
my community. I have worked with many police officers over the
years, all of whom have been very supportive of everything I have
done and continue to do“.
This award helped make a special day even more special as it was
presented to May on her 86 th birthday. The Heathan would like to
take this opportunity to thank May for all of her years of helping us
with our deliveries and to wish her a very, very happy birthday.
Congratulations May.
Do you need help promoting
your services?
Prior to May’s birthday she suffered an illness that left her in need of
help. It was during this time that May noticed how difficult it was
to find any services for the elderly in Balsall Heath. If your
organisation offers help and assistance to the elderly then the Heathan
would like to hear from you. Contact Peter Cole on 0121 464 4376
or email: balsall.heathan@stpaulstrust.org.uk

CHRISTMAS CRACKDOWN ON DRINK AND DRUG DRIVERS IN THE
WEST MIDLANDS BACKED BY FORMER DRINK DRIVE OFFENDER
A FORMER drink drive offender has backed this year’s drink/
drug drive campaign, hoping his story will prove a deterrent to
others.
into a telegraph pole on Hamstead Road while over the limit.
Not only did he damage his car and injure himself he lost his
licence for a year.
West Midlands Police are running the annual Christmas drink/
drug drive campaign, during which they will be conducting
random roadside stop-checks across the region throughout the
Christmas and New Year period.
Officers are warning drivers that if they are foolish, selfish or
reckless enough to drink and drive or take drugs and drive,
they will be caught, arrested and banned - hopefully before
they kill themselves or someone else.
As part of the ongoing work by police to reduce the number of
road traffic casualties, officers will be breath testing suspected
drink drivers and taking a hard line with drug drivers. Drug
driving is becoming a significant growth area as the cause of
road traffic collisions. During the West Midlands Police summer
drink drive campaign 14 per cent of the people arrested
that were drug tested, proved positive for class A drugs. Research
shows male drivers in their 20s and the over 50s are most
likely to offend.
John Karatazas is a previous drink drive offender from
Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. Two years ago he crashed
St. John and St.
Martin’s Christmas
Fête
The Parish of Saint John and Saint Martin’s Church celebrated
their Christmas Fête on Saturday 2 December. Over 100
parishioners and other members of the community joined
together for an afternoon of fun and festivity.
Guests were treated to entertainment from the schools of SS.
John and Monica and St. Martin’s whose dance displays left
the crowds cheering and clapping for more. The entertaining
atmosphere was also achieved by raffles and tombolas that
offered fantastic prizes, most of which were donated by
Parishioners and friends, including a very large iced cake made
by June Beard, a long-standing member of the Parish.
John said: “I am deeply remorseful for my actions. I had the
good luck to crash into a telegraph pole and not a family with
children. I was covered in blood from the head down. I hope
my story stops others from drinking and driving.”
PC Steve Rogers, from the force’s Road Policing Unit, said:
“Drink driving is an issue all year, but with the more relaxed
atmosphere during the festive season, the temptation to offend
becomes greater. We urge people not to put themselves, their
friends, family and the public at risk by drink or drug driving.
Remember - even if you were drinking alcohol the night before,
you can still be over the drink drive limit well into the
following day”.
“Why not nominate a designated driver to stay sober to drive
your group home or get a taxi or a bus back? If you are a
passenger refuse to get a lift home with someone you know has
drunk too much or taken drugs.
“While we will deal with offenders firmly, the important message
is think before you drink before you drive.”
War 2 and served the community as school classrooms from
1940 to 1966. Since this time it has been used by St. Paul’s
Community Trust, as a centre and a workshop to help those in
need.
Saint John and Saint Martin’s Parish Priest, Father Dominic,
would like to say a big thank you to all the workers, organisers,
donors and all those who supported the Fête including the
children, parents and teachers of the two schools.
The Christmas Fair raised a grand total of £2200, which will
go towards the replacement of the prefab building that stands
at the back of the church. The prefab was built before World
Mess of the month
This month the Heathan brings you a picture of a delightful collection
of plastic bottles with a large piece of glass. Strewn amongst this
detritus are scraps of paper and plastic bags. Situated by a playing area
just off Tindal Street the rubbish collection is perfectly situated for
rats and small children.
Not far from this is an untaxed vehicle with sharp metal protruding
from its front and rear with spare parts arranged neatly inside.
Do you have a better candidate for mess of the month? If so contact
the Heathan and let us know by ringing 464 4376.

eating, with the third being physical activity (in school and
clubs). The final area is economic health and well-being, which
examines caring for pupils and providing skills for the pupils’
futures.
Tindal leads by
example
In November Tindal Primary School became one of a select few
to be awarded the National Healthy Schools Award. The award
was presented by the Lord Mayor at a special ceremony at the
Council House. As part of the ceremony, four of the successful
schools gave a short presentation showing the work that they
had completed to enable them to achieve this award.
In order to qualify for the award Tindal Primary School had to
pass an assessment, which examined four areas covered by the
Healthy Schools Standard, a status which the school had already
successfully attained in 2003.
Under the new initiative, the Healthy Schools Award covers
four aspects. The first area of these is Personal, Social and Health
Education (PSHE), including Sex and Relationship Education
(SRE) and Drug Education. The second area covered is healthy
In 2003 Tindal staff and governors wrote a new scheme of
work for PSHE, Citizenship and SRE. The parents were
involved in this work and their input was important to the
development work of establishing an SRE curriculum. Tindal
is very proud of the successful way in which SRE was received
by parents of a predominately Muslim school and how it is
being taught.
Pupils, staff, parents and governors have been involved in many
decisions relating to health issues in the school. One key area
that has enhanced the school’s environment has been the
development of the dining room. Its redecoration with new,
more sociable round tables, the purchasing of new plates and
bowls; the inclusion of a salad cart, and an improved healthy
menu have all helped to make lunch times both healthy and
enjoyable.
One of the pupils, Shayma, who attended the ceremony, said
of one of the benefits resulting from the initiative, “We are a
healthy school. We have more activities like hoops for playtime
and healthy dinners”.
A further benefit that has arisen from the school’s focus upon
health in a learning environment has been the development of
indoor rowing sessions, which have been made possible due to
funding provided by the Heart of Birmingham Primary Care
Trust.
Head Teacher Susan Skillet said of the school’s achievement,
“This would not have been possible without the dedication of
everyone concerned and we are delighted to have achieved this
award”. The school plans to continue to develop and improve
the health of its pupils and to be successful in completing a
future reassessment in 2009.
Tindal Radio Active
Action
As part of the extended schools initiative Tindal Primary School
plans to setup a Saturday club. The club which will be called
Tindal Radio Active Action and which it is hoped will start in
the New Year will provide a venue for families and young people
who are interested in radio controlled fast cars.
Each team will be given a remote controlled car to build,
maintain and race. Through this initiative, the organisers aim
to introduce the participants to future technology. As part of
the project the cars will be powered by hydrogen fuelled power
cells and solar power charging technology.
Such is the drive to succeed in setting up the project that even
if an application to Awards For All is not successful the organisers
are determined to find a means of making the project reality. If
you would like to donate any remote controlled cars or
equipment then contact either Richard Mann or Julie Doran
on 440 5648.

Raising Awareness
Islam Awareness Week took place between Monday 20
November and Sunday 26 November. The week is designed to
raise awareness of Islam and remove any misconceptions people
may have about Islamic faith.
The Islamic Society of Britain initiated Islamic Awareness Week
in 1994 in response to a report by the House of Commons,
which showed that there was a lack of understanding in relation
to Islam and Muslim faith. The Islamic Society of Britain hope
that by focusing on the history and diversity of Islam they can
create better relations, develop tolerance, respect and harmony
in society.
Each year since 1994, the Islam Awareness Week has presented
a number of themed events highlighting the multiplicity of
Islam and the contribution of Islam to society. Past events have
included ‘Fasting to Remember’, which encouraged non-
Muslims to join in the experience of fasting and ‘Your Muslim
Neighbour’ which highlighted the
contribution of Muslim citizens in
British Society.
Getting Ahead
Way Ahead, based at the old Clifton Junior School on Clifton Road is launching a new course aimed at young people aged
between 13 and 19. The Way Ahead Personal Development Course for young people begins on 15 th January 2007 and runs for
eighteen weeks.
The Personal Development Course is specially designed for young people who are
not in education, training or employment or who are at risk of exclusion. The course
is aimed at improving young people’s confidence and self-esteem and is designed to
encourage young people to make career choices and develop essential life skills.
Students will have the opportunity to gain National Open College Network (NOCN)
qualifications in sport, self-awareness, music production, teamwork, creative arts and
film and video production in a friendly and welcoming environment.
The Way Ahead project was set up in January 2000 as a Neighbourhood Support
Fund Project, with the aim of supporting young people who are experiencing a
variety of problems in their lives. Way Ahead continues to achieve this aim by
offering a range of short courses, such as The Way Ahead Personal Development
Course for young people.
This year’s event was themed ‘One
World’. The Birmingham Awareness
campaign was launched at the Al Faisal
restaurant in Sparkbrook and was
attended by faith leaders from
throughout the country. Other events
which took place throughout the city
were aimed at showing how each person,
regardless of faith, can join together to
dispel the myths about each other’s
beliefs and join together in harmony to
work together and safeguard the one
thing we all have in common, the planet.
For more information please contact the Way Ahead team on 0121 464 8739 or
email wayahead@st.paulstrust.org.uk.
The Way Ahead Project would like to say a big thank you to Abdullah Carpets on
Taunton Road, Balsall Heath for their very kind and generous donation of carpet for
the project. The carpet has been used in their new music sound booth that the
students attending the Way Ahead Personal Development Course for Young People
will be able to enjoy in the New Year.

….Your health magazine
PULL OUT AND KEEP
The effects included paralysis of a limb or one side of
the body and disturbances of speech and vision or in
the case of a heart attack it can cause severe damage
to the heart and surrounding valves and blood vessels.
Currently with long term medication and speed of
treatment, instant death from stroke and heart attacks
is more often prevented. However the occurrence of a
stroke or a heart attack is on the increase. And in
Balsall Heath!
Who is most at risk?
by Chris Mcguinness
Welcome to the December edition of Balsall Heath’s
Healthy Living Supplement. In this edition I would like
to make the local people aware of their own current
health situation by emphasising the point that there
are TWO NUMBERS EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW!
(That particularly at this time of year can quite easily
rocket!)
HYPERTENSION
When the Healthy Living Centre was launched in 2003
statistics from HOBTPCT (Heart of Birmingham
Teaching Primary Care Trust) told us that residents in
Balsall Heath would on average die 7 years younger
compared to residents in Sutton Coldfield. The average
age for a man dying in Balsall Heath was 67 and a
man in Sutton Coldfield was 74.
However since then statistics have changed. Men in
Balsall Heath, now have a life expectancy of 69. That’s
fantastic we think? Then think again! A man in Sutton
is now averaging 76 before he says his last good byes,
so the Gap is not closing, why?
Life expectancy may be on the rise, but quality of life
is on the decline. It seems that we are living for longer
and have become a “pill ‘l fix it” society. This affects
not only our quality of life but also our independence.
The main medical conditions (ILLNESSES) on the
increase are cerebrovascular disease (STROKE) and
cario vascular disease (CVD).
These conditions are a common cause of death and
disability, especially in older people but remember it’s
not exclusive to older people. Predisposing factors
include:-
Hypertension
Atheroma
Cigarette Smoking
Diabetes mellitus
Excessive alcohol consumption
Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain or heart is
suddenly interrupted, causing hypoxia (lack of oxygen).
Family history is a high indicator of your level of
risk
The risk is increased if you’re a man and your father or
paternal male relatives have had a stroke, so for
example your father’s father, or father’s brother.
If you suffer from Diabetes Mellitus
As a diabetic, changes occur in blood vessels that
are sometimes beyond the control of medication or
diet. The changes can cause damage to blood vessels
therefore causing pressure of blood flow to increase or
decrease or become erratic.
TWO NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW, AND IF YOU
DON’T, FIND OUT!
If you have Hypertension, (high blood pressure)
95% of all cases are described as an essential
condition for other diseases. Meaning other conditions
might not have occurred without its presence. The
World Health Organisation defines high blood pressure
as a persistent reading of 160/90 and over. Average
blood pressure is 120/80 for men but lower in women.
Hypertension is diagnosed when the pressure is raised
over three consecutive readings.
Smoking
Without doubt this is one of the dominant factors in
causing diseases associated with stroke and CVD
such as atheroma and hypertension. Atheroma is
caused when plaques (plaques is a term used as a
waste product for blood) deposit themselves within the
lining of arteries. Atheroma is the name given to either
a partial or total blockage of the artery. The waste
products from smoking turn to fatty plaques in the blood.
WE’VE SEEN THE ADVERT, it’s not an exaggeration.
Obesity
Again it’s lifestyle related. Cholesterol in fatty foods
can also leave fatty deposits (plaques) in the blood
vessels, (veins or ateries) which again can cause
atheroma or hypertension. The heart will also have to
work harder the heavier you are, which in turn will

Lecithin – to control fat and cholesterol which can
otherwise form deposits in arteries (plaque) that causes
restricted blood flow.
B Complex – to help feed the nerves and relieve
stress, especially useful when stress is one of the
factors involved.
Nettle Tea – Can lower Blood Pressure caused by
nervous tension.
VIRUS
Definition
increase the demand for oxygen and without doubt
increase the pressure of the blood supply. If there are
plaques deposited in the blood vessels then the
pressure of the blood supply is increased again. This
is how hypertension is caused.
Stress
Stress and anxiety cause chemical and hormonal
reactions within the adrenal gland, which in turn will
cause the heart to beat faster. The highest pressure
peak is reached in the evening after a day’s work. This
coupled with sheer exhaustion, physical or mental,
may cause undue rise and falls in blood pressure which
is strenuous for the heart to tolerate. This may be a
temporary adjustment due to a current situation,
however the gradual increase of stress over a period of
time can an increase the resting heart rate, making
the lower figure in a blood pressure reading higher.
So the two numbers you should know will
SAVE YOUR LIFE OR EVEN THE QUALITY OF LIFE!
Suggested Products available at Health Food Shops.
Please seek advice before purchase by GP, Health
food sales advisor and pharmacist.
Calcium and Magnesium – deficiencies have been
linked to High Blood pressure.
Rutin Tablets – helps strengthen capillaries so
improving circulation. Should be taken with Vitamin C
for maximum effectiveness.
Hawthorn – has mild blood pressure lowering effects.
Garlic – to lower blood pressure and also reduced
cholesterol content of blood.
Green Tea – has been shown to help reduce blood
pressure.
A virus is an infectious agent; often highly host-specific
(absorbing a weakened cell or a compatible cell in the
body) consisting of genetic material surrounded by a
protein coat, and is not visible by the human eye.
Role in human health
Viruses
that infect
humans
cause
damage
to the
infected
cells,
resulting
i n
outward
symptoms
seen as
human
disease.
Human
viruses gain entry into the body using various routes.
Some viruses are transmitted through skin-to-skin
contact, such as herpes simplex 1, the virus that
causes cold sores. Others are transmitted through
exposure to infected blood, the mode of transmission
of the hepatitis B virus. Some of the most easily caught
viruses, such as varcella-zoster, the virus that causes
chicken pox, are transmitted through water droplets
suspended in the air. The virus is transmitted when
the droplets are breathed in and come in contact with
the respiratory tract of the new host.
Gastrointestinal viruses are transmitted through
exposure to waste products containing virus particles
that has contaminated water or food, and entry into
the host's digestive tract through the mouth. Rotavirus,
a cause of a diarrhoea illness common in children, is
transmitted in this manner. Sexually transmitted
viruses move from host to host through sexual contact

and enter the body by the genitourinary route. HIV
and human papilloma virus (HPV) are examples of
viruses that are sexually transmitted.
After gaining entry into the host, the response at a
cellular level to the viral infection varies with the type
of virus and the virulence of the strain. Thus, the
response can vary from no apparent change, to
detectable changes in the cell, known as cytopathic
effects (CPE), to loss of growth control or malignancy.
Virulence refers to the ability of a virus to cause disease
in a host.
Common diseases and disorders
Several hundred different viruses infect humans. The
viruses that occur chiefly in humans can be categorized
as respiratory, enteric, exanthematous, hepatitis, or
persistent. The most common respiratory viruses
include the rhinoviruses (the common cold) and the
influenza viruses. Common enteric viruses include
polioviruses (now rare because of vaccination),
coxsachie viruses (herpangina), and epidemic
gastroenteritis viruses such as rotaviruses. Rubeola
(measles) and rubella (German measles) are two
common exanthematous viruses.
Treatment
Most viral diseases have no cure, so treatment involves
easing symptoms and allowing the body's immune
system to eliminate the virus. Viruses are not affected
by antibiotics, which target bacteria. However, a handful
of anti-viral drugs have been developed and many more
are in the developmental and drug trial stage. In general,
the development of anti-viral drugs has been hampered
by the parasitic relationship between viruses and their
hosts. It has been difficult to find pharmacological
means to kill the virus without harming the host. The
speed of viral infection has also been a problem, as
viral numbers are so high by the time the infection has
symptoms, the drugs have little effect.
The body fights viruses by increasing its white blood
cells. If you can imagine a PACMAN video game,
that's a simple way of describing the actions of killing
viruses. As described, a virus will enter the body in a
number of ways. With the common cold or flu the
virus is air-bourne, so generally we would inhale the
virus. The virus would then occupy a cell in the body
that would usually be weak. As the virus mutates with
the cell it becomes stronger and has the ability to
multiply giving us our symptoms, i.e. running nose,
sore throat, chesty cough, etc.
The bodies' white blood cell production then kicks in
and this is where we get the PACMAN effect. The
white blood cells travel along to the affected areas
forming a mouth like opening. It then absorbs the
virus cell. The virus cell is now trapped within the White
blood cell and eventually dies. As the White Blood
cells are working hard at killing the viruses, you will
feel very tired and run down. So how do we ensure
that we are protected against viruses in the first place?
On the bright side, winter doesn't necessarily have to
equal days of colds and flu's. In fact providing your
immune system is ticking away nicely viruses are
harder to catch than you think.
If your have a poor diet, you stand a significant chance
of getting typical viruses like the common cold. So
before you reach for the medicine cabinet, get into the
kitchen and check out what's in the cupboards. It
might surprise you what potions you could concoct.
1. For ultimate winter immunity, stock up on some
staple must haves. For good defence against
winter ills, garlic is number one. The rest of its
family - like onions and leeks - are also very
valuable.
2. Zinc is another important immune booster. You’ll
find it in nuts, seeds, whole grains, red meat,
shellfish and oysters. (Not many oysters in Balsall
Heath I’d say, but just in case.) Selenium is also
in nuts, lentils, oily fish and wholemeal bread and
that too is very good for boosting your immune
system.
3. Omega 3 is found in oily fish such as Mackerel,
but if you are a vegetarian add Flax seeds to your
food. It will do the same thing.
4. For starving off colds and boosting your circulation,
fresh ginger, garlic, chilli and some curry spices
will do the job well. (I’m sure Balsall Heath will
have an endless supply!) Turmeric is actually used
by herbalists as an antiviral remedy. All of these
herbs and foods act as natural decongestants, so
are very good for catarrh. If you’re not a fan of
curries, then horseradish and black pepper will
also act as a good decongestant.
5. Soup is a must and for good reason too. It’s very
warming and a good way for getting all your
vegetables in a flavoursome way. It’s a good one
for children who have trouble with eating
vegetables. Homemade soups are the best, and
don’t forget your garlic and ginger.

Avoidance Tactics
Some foods are less friendly than others when it comes
to immunity. Sugar is one that will decrease the
function of the immune system, so try to avoid it,
especially refined sugar. So drinking a hot toddie
(whiskey or Brandy) will not really help with colds or
flu. The fact that they're hot will soothe, but the sugar
content will affect the immune system.
Animal fats are another. When animal fats such as,
butter, ghee, lard and some cooking oils are consumed,
they congest the Lymphatic system, causing an
obstruction to the White Blood Cells. Imagine the
Lymphatic system is the M42, consumed animal fat
is rush hour traffic, a cold virus is a bad accident and
NEW YEAR, NEW
START ALL ROUND
FOR WOMEN IN
BALSALL HEATH
In the New Year a new health and fitness course will
be running for young women aged 11 – 25. It starts on
Tuesday 9 th January 2007 at 4.30pm – 6pm. The first
venue will be the Saheli Hub on the corner of Court
Road and Edward Road. There are only 16 places, so
please contact Chris McGuinness on 0121 440 6311 /
07951734762 for further information on how to reserve
a place.
Also in the New Year, Food Net will be running a Size
Down Club for ladies only, at Strensham Community
Flat (the corner of Strensham and Edgbaston Road).
The class will run every Monday afternoon from 1pm –
3pm and will start on Monday 15 th January 2007.
white blood cells are the ambulances. Your body's
ambulances are not going to get through to absorb
the cold virus. So warm wholesome low fat foods and
drinks (plenty of non sugary drinks) will help you to
increase your immune system in the early days of a
cold or flu.
Extra Help
If you do feel that you're slowly giving in to the battle of
your immune system versus the air-bourne virus, then
reach for the vitamin C - 1000mg is the recommended
level for helping decrease the duration of a cold. Zinc
supplements can also help prevent germs from staying
around, but also echinacea can help stimulate white
blood cells into action.
Heath Healthy
Living Centre and
Balsall Heath
Forum begin their
campaign to
collect festive food
parcels for those
people who live in
Balsall Heath who
might be elderly,
alone and even
sick during the
holiday season.
We had an
amazing day on
Friday 8 th
December. Every
Child at Clifton
Junior and Infant
school took part in
a festive fitness day and donated at least one food
item for the parcels. In total, Clifton Junior and Infant
school have collected over 1000 items. This will help
us create approximately 100 parcels. We hope to
match that fantastic achievement through festive fitness
at Selly Park Technology College and Jakeman
Nursery, taking place on December 18th. If you would
like to contribute you can drop your donations off to
the Tree Nursery on St Pauls Road, or contact Chris
McGuinness on 0121 4406311 / 07951734762 and she
will arrange a collection. If you know an elderly person
in Balsall Heath who is sick or alone during the holiday
season then please also contact Chris McGuinness
who will ensure that the person receives a festive parcel.
Balsall Heath Healthy Living Centre would like to wish
everyone in Balsall Heath and all Heathan readers, a
very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
Stay Healthy! x
And Finally. It’s that time of year again when Balsall

Balsall Heath Forum Focus
The Baths and Civic
Centre for Balsall Heath
by Chris McGuinness
One hundred years ago, the Moseley Road Library was built. It was
an era when the book ruled and everyone needed to read and write to
get on. But, most people could not afford to buy their own books.
At the same time, the Baths were built next door. It was an era when
Balsall Heath’s terraced houses had no bathrooms or hot water of
their own. Swimming was a mechanical ‘up and down the lane’ thing
and people needed a baths’ to get clean in not a leisure centre to enjoy
and get fit in.
At the same time, Edward Road Police Station was built. It was a
time when it made sense to arrest criminals and take them to the
‘nick’. In those days, crime prevention was an instinctive reflex of the
whole community, so the criminal stood out and could be dealt with.
Today, we need a community safety centre.
Far more recently the Health Centre was built at the back of the
Baths and opposite the police station. Even so, health was seen as a
thing the doctor and the centre did, not what was a key part of
everyone’s responsibility. Today, we need a Healthy Living Centre,
not a Sick Centre.
The costs
Recently, the Baths nearly closed and a campaign was launched by
those who swam in it to ‘save it’. At first glance, this makes sense. It
would cost £17,000,00 to save it for the purposes for which it was
built originally 100 years ago. But, it could cost £5m to construct a
new, modern, purpose built swimming centre. Pause for thought.
The Primary Care Trust is about to spend £1m on refurbishing the
Health Centre and make it more ‘community friendly’. Some also
feel the need for a brand new, modern Safety Centre, less an old
fashioned ‘nick’, more a confidence boosting facility which encourages
residents to prevent and design crime out of Balsall Heath.
So, some are asking: why not construct a new, purpose built, swimming
facility where the ‘nick’ now stands and join-up the functions of
literacy, communications, safety and health where the Health Centre,
Baths and Library now stand. That is, let’s join-up the needs of
Heathans and locate them in a modern Civic Centre.
A Civic Hub
want to preserve the old, single purpose, swimming use in the old
buildings.
The architectural merit, even iconic status of the building was well
made at the meeting. But, the case for simply renovating the baths in
their original glory was not. It was just asserted and taken for granted.
Residents from Balsall Heath wanted to explore the options outlined
above. But, they were given little time, less facts and the meeting
closed with the organisers saying that they would set up their working
party anyway.
Whilst most of the Baths present users were pleased with this outcome,
most residents from Balsall Heath were very dissatisfied, felt railroaded
and excluded by the organisers. The next day they told the
Heathan that they will now take their own local soundings. They will
set up an inclusive, multi-agency group to explore the options and
agree a cost effective credible way forward. They say they are happy to
include representatives from Moseley/Kings Heath and the users,
but will not be dictated to by them or taken for granted.
Can Super Nanny stop antisocial
behaviour?
In times past, the extended family helped parents to bring up children
well. It taught them right from wrong and to grow into mature, caring
adults.
In today’s world the family has shrunk often to the single parent
whose own parents did not use good parenting skills. So, many people
simply don’t know how to discipline their children. Without discipline
they can run wild, terrorise a whole street, even a whole neighbourhood.
The TV programs ‘Super-Nanny’ and ‘Little Angels shows just how
skilled, caring, adults who use ‘tough love’ can help the unskilled
parents of naughty children to teach them how to behave. So, the
Government has made funds available to train and deploy a bevy of
Super Nannys. At £30-40k a Nanny, some say this is too much.
But, guess what can happen if a naughty child of, say, 5 and their
parent(s) are left unaided until she/he is 16 years old?
The costs can be astronomical and include:
●
●
●
●
●
Damage to property and local spirit.
Social services time.
Probation and courts time.
Police time.
Time in detention/prison
It is almost unbelievable that these costs can rise to way over £100k
per year per person orup to £1m over a 10 years period.
The proud, self-respecting neighbourhood of Balsall Heath yearns
for a hub, a focal point which could attract attention, visitors and be
fit for modern purpose. Further, many local groups lack meeting and
other facilities. So, local community leaders are saying: “Let’s have a
feasibility study and development plan which:
●
●
●
●
●
●
Gives the swimmers a new, modern, facility for a possible £5m.
Integrates the functions of safety, health, fitness, literacy and civic
pride.
Is cost effective and can be maintained
Is fit for modern purpose and is sustainable for the next 50 years.
Turns old buildings into a modern icon.
Can be managed locally not by remote authority.
At a meeting called by a little group of Bath users and Martin Mullany,
a Moseley Councillor, those present were invited to set up a ‘Save the
Baths’ Action Group. The above views and those of a Consultant
employed by the Council were ignored in favour of those who simply
The cost of one Super Nanny’s time (10 hours per week at £40 per
hours for 8 weeks) £3.2k. Just compare £3.2k with £1m. No contest.
So, many people in Balsall Heath and elsewhere are saying: Lets have
1 Super Nanny per Neighbourhood, a kind of friendly parent support
worker. As they say: ‘A stitch in time saves time.’ Or, in this case, a
very big communal headache and an awful lot of money.
A Financial Ferret for the Forum
The Forum has been pressing Government to work out how much a
neighbourhood like Balsall Heath costs the taxpayer each year. It
wants to know how much is spent on health, housing, benefits,
police, environmental services, parks and so on.
It’s a surprise, but nobody knows what this figure is. Budgets for
Balsall Heath (and other neighbourhoods) are entwined in for larger
budgets which deliver one-size-fits-all services over far larger areas.
Because nobody knows, it follows that no one person or body is

Balsall Heath Forum
Focus Continued
responsible for accounting for or delivering that budget. Little wonder
that services are not good and that the customer/resident in Balsall
Heath and other neighbourhoods can’t easily influence them.
Both Government and the Council are waking up to the fact that
Balsall Heath’s question ‘what does our neighbourhood cost the
taxpayer?’ is important. If we can find out the answer and create a
neighbourhood budget and spend it under the watchful eye of an
allert neighbourhood manager, services should improve. More, maybe
parts of it could be better spent by local voluntary groups and/or, the
Forum.
So, H.M.Treasury are seconding a senior Civil Servant to work with
the Forum and its partners to answer those questions and recommend
new ways of budgeting for services at neighbourhood level. The
Government’s ‘financial ferret’ will first visit Balsall Heath in the
New Year. Local people are already joining the queue to meet the
Ferret who the forum have already nicknamed Freddie. For example,
some want him to look at the way the Baths are managed, others the
way that parks and car parks are maintained or, rather, not maintained.
Do you have a question for Freddie the Ferret? Watch this space! The
implications for neighbourhoods are as profound for neighbourhoods
as was LMS for Schools.
Communal Meal and Fireworks
The Forum’s communal meal ended, quite literally, with a bang. Ian
Edwards and St Paul’s staff’s firework display lit up the night sky in a
never ending series of stars, cascades of many colours and some of very
loud bangs. Each multi-coloured cascade was greeted with a series of
oooos, ahhhhs and applause from the 1000 strong crowd.
The evening started with 500 people gathering in Clifton old building
for a balti meal by Hamid, entertainment from Chris McGuinness
and her troop of young dancers and singers from the Yemeni Women
and Children’s Society. There were so many people there that the
queue for food seemed to stretch for ever. But, Hamid and his wardens
coped magnificently and all 500 people had been served within 20
minutes.
Those present were young and old and from all parts of the community.
Kamran’s volunteers were there. Queensbridge school had a presence
and the photos of their environmental improvement work were on
display and admired by all. Indeed, there was someone from just
about every section of the community. While the fireworks were
magnificent and the food was excellent, most people remarked about
the warmth and spirit of the gathering. “This is special”, said Imran.
“You don’t get this anywhere else. This is Balsall Heath at its best”,
said Johan. “When can we do it again?” asked Ted. When indeed!
The Heathan has asked the Forum to consider organising another
event in the New Year or Spring. We’ll keep you posted.
Traffic Calming
Gwen and Edna pinned local Councillor Dilawar Khan down and
introduced him to local residents. They were concerned by the death
of a young man at the junction of Edward Road and Hallam Street.
They pointed out to him that an accident occurs at this and other
nearby junctions every week. “It is only a matter of time,” Gwen said,
“Before there is another death or maiming, something must be done”.
Councillor Khan promised to get the relevant officers to draw up
traffic calming plans and will present these to Edna, Gwen and other
residents in December for their approval or otherwise.
Edna and Gwen said: “We’ve got the bit between our teeth. We won’t
let go until we have stopped this madness. Councillor Khan is a good
man. He is helping a lot which shows that progress can be made.”
A tale of two schools
Staff and pupils from Barnt Green School in the Lickey Hills
visited Tindal Primary School recently as part of a school
exchange initiative. Every year Barnt Green School spend a
week examining art and culture from around the world in
order to gain a better understanding. This year pupils and staff
from both schools took turns to play host to each other and
give insights into their cultural backgrounds.
In July parents of children at Tindal School cooked a variety of
different dishes from around the world for the pupils and staff
at Barnt Green to sample. In addition, Tindal staff and pupils
wore costumes from around the world. The return visit last
month saw pupils from Barnt Green School explaining what
Christmas meant to them, carrying out joint physical education
and music lessons and visiting Tindal’s Black History exhibition.
Year six pupils from Tindal provided guided tours and the
Barnt Green delegation introduced everybody to their daily
routine entitled ‘Wake and Shake’.
As a result of the exchange pupils from both schools have begun
emailing each other and during the summer of next year both
schools plan to have a picnic at the Lickey Hills. A year four
pupil from Barnt Green called Joe said of Tindal School, “It was
the best biggest school I have ever been to”.
Head Teacher Susan Skillet said, “The exchange was a good
contrast, the children really enjoyed learning about each other”.
Gesture of Good Will
Representatives from Ramallah, a town in Palestine visited Balsall
Heath in November following an invitation from the
Birmingham Ramallah Twinning Initiative. The project, which
was created by a group of people from Birmingham, was
organised following a visit by some of its members who felt the
people of the town would benefit from closer links with their
home city.
As part of the visit, the Ramallah visitors met staff at the Balsall
Heath Children’s Centre who had collected money during the
summer for the nurseries in the Palestinian town to buy toys
and equipment. Representatives of the Ladypool Business
Association met with the visitors to discuss possible opportunities
between Ramallah and Birmingham. The Chair of Ladypool
Business Association Mr Yaqubali said of the project, “It is hoped
we can establish a link between two countries to help local
traders. We will be a bridge between two nations to overcome
deprivation. This is a very positive move to have these people
here to develop an understanding”.
Supporters for the project hope to see better links between
health and education professionals. The better links are in
addition envisaged to be of benefit to the business community
in Ramallah. According to the visitors from Ramallah, around
45,000 Palestinians are currently on the waiting list for visas to
leave. They
believe a
means of
combating
this exodus
would be to
increase the
size of
business
a n d
employment
opportunities
in their
home town.

Heath Forum. Can’t people at the Forum see not only the
architectural and historical significance of this building but the
importance of the baths now, and their even greater importance in
the future as a centrally placed accessible health and fitness facility.
To continue on this collision course with local people will not do
the reputation of the Forum any good whatsoever.
Dear Editor,
It was great to see such a good turnout at the meeting this week to
form a ‘Friends of Moseley Road Baths’. This building is
tremendously important to our community, and nationally has
great historical significance. How wonderful it would be to have
both pools and the slipper baths fully restored.
But it was sad to hear people saying that residents of Balsall Heath
don’t care much for the pools and the slipper baths. If any residents
feel the same way about the Baths as I do, please can I ask them to
come to the next meeting and make their voices heard. We have a
real treasure here, let’s not give it up!
I hope that you will be advertising the next meeting for the Friends
of the Baths in the Heathan - maybe our Community Wardens can
help publicise it?
Yours
Nicky Barron
Springfield Avenue
Dear Editor,
I was so annoyed by the meeting organised by the Baths Campaigners
that I must write to you.
Balsall Heathans were not given a look in the meeting was nothing
but a promotions exercise for them and their Architect friends from
elsewhere. We were given no options, no facts, no detail of the
consultants report.
One person even described the Baths as being for ‘Moseley and
Kings Heath.’ I beg your pardon! They are a Balsall Heath assets
and any future use and management must be firmly placed in local
hands – once we have been treated with respect and given all the
facts and all the options.
Yours sincerely,
Raja Amin
Hallam Street
Dear Editor,
We attended the recent meeting to set up the Friends of Balsall
Heath Baths group. We would like to thank the organisers for a
very informative evening which highlighted the architectural and
historical significance of the baths. We are certainly in favour of
keeping both baths and the slipper baths open, as it seems were the
majority of the people present at the meeting.
However there were a few voices who came along to convince us all
that we should forsake this treasure of a building in exchange for
some new build soulless swimming baths either at Aston University
or Kings Heath! This would of course make the Baths building
available for some other use; the primary one being put forward
was a Civic Centre, or in other words a new base for the Balsall
Whilst there may be a real need for the Forum to relocate from the
Tree Nursery, they should be seeking an alternative venue or is it
not possible for them to occupy some of the space upstairs?
We urge all residents and pool users to join the Friends of the
Balsall Heath Baths and help us to secure this essential service in an
area that has so many health issues.
Kath and Russ
Whitby Road
Dear Editor,
Balsall Heath is too often short changed by the system. For example,
we still have not received the money we need to put us straight
after the Tornado.
So, I was shocked by the neo-colonial attempt by people from
Kings Heath and Moseley to usurp our Baths and belittle the role
of Balsall Heathans in their upkeep and use.
Balsall Heath has pulled itself up by the bootstraps and deserves
these buildings to be made fit for modern purpose. We wouldn’t
mind people from elsewhere visiting and using them. But, the last
thing we need is them taking them over and telling us what they
will do with them.
Yours faithfully,
Mohammad Mahboob
Dear Editor,
Car drivers in Ladypool Road, Moseley Road and Edward Road
are becoming a real menace. So many drivers seem possessed with
a Toad of Toad Hall mentality:”Honk, honk, get out of my way, I’m
an important person. It is my right to run you over.”
Can we please have a traffic-calming plan, which echoes the excellent
one worked out by the Cannon Hill people, but for the whole of
Balsall Heath? If we don’t do this, more people will be maimed or
killed.
Please help,
Mrs P.J. Dunwoody.
Roshven Road.
Dear Editor,
In the last edition of the Heathan there was a report of a traffic
calming plan being designed by residents and the Cannon Hill
Forum. That’s great. What would be even better would be if the
drivers who use the roads in Balsall Heath learnt to drive, the
police stopped turning a blind eye to right turns down Edward
Road off Moseley Road, that the police stopped people when they
saw them using mobile phones, 4 by 4 drivers stopped bullying
other car drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and when car drivers
parked they left space on pavements. I could mention more but I
think that would make the police look like they don’t do anything.
Annoyed

Dear Editor,
Just a short letter to praise the work of two Wardens who fitted
smoke detectors in my home on Monday 13 th November.
Your colleagues, two gentleman, had visited me a couple of weeks
previously, but at the time had just run out of detectors. Nevertheless,
they had a look and assessed my needs, and left details of how they
could be contacted should I be at home again on a Monday or
Tuesday.
On Friday 10 th November I arranged a day’s holiday (for unconnected
reasons) for Monday 13 th November, and telephoned your colleagues
on Saturday 11 th November, leaving a message on their answer machine.
They called by twice on Monday when, unluckily, I had just gone out
temporarily, but left me a note. I called them on my return, and they
visited within 20 minutes and fitted two new smoke detectors for me.
They were informative, helpful and polite, a credit to your service.
Yours sincerely,
D. Wilkinson
Speedwell Road
Dear Editor,
For all those who missed the communal meal event in Clifton old
building at the end of November. Let me tell you about it.
I wouldn’t have imagined the event will attract about 300 - 400
hundred people from diverse backgrounds and in all ages. It was
great! It was great to see everyone come together to enjoy the meal
and the fireworks.
The Forum not only lit up Balsall Heath with fireworks but they lit
up the peoples faces with joy and happiness. They brought back life
to our community.
During the end of the event I heard comments like, “When is the
next event?” So, how about. When shall we do it again? Soon, I hope.
Yours sincerely,
Nowrah Abdul
Dear Editor,
I’d like to comment about the most recent Communal Meal,
entertainment and Firework display.
The meal and entertainment for 400 people was excellent, well
organised and very enjoyable. The fireworks lit up the sky for 1,000
people and were wonderful.
But, what impressed me most was the community spirit, which
everyone contributed towards. It was warm, tangible and worth its
weight in gold. The Forum is to be congratulated. This was a wonderful
effort.
You’ve now got to do it again and again to show other neighbourhoods
how to follow suit. If you can do that you will have made a major
contribution to Social Cohesion!
Shokhat Ali
Council Services
Housing Department
Repairs 24 hours 0800 0733 333
Applications/Transfers 303 4005
Council House Purchases 303 7926
Private Tenancy Officers 303 5070
Rent Arrears 303 3324
Empty Properties 303 5070
Unkempt Gardens 303 5070
Environmental Services
Environmental Health 303 6007
Pest Control (Rats) 303 9800
Antisocial behaviour 303 1111
Noise & Nuisance Team 303 6007
Refuse Collection & Street Cleaning 303 1112
Pothole Reports 303 6644
Street Lighting 303 6000
Social Services
Social Services Department 303 7070
Social Security (Poplar Rd. & Coventry Rd.) 722 7000
Social Security (Moseley Rd. & Northfield) 766 4300
Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit 464 7000
Council Tax (Billing & Account enquiries) 303 1113
Education and Employment
Education Department (General enquiries) 303 2590 / 2872
Student Grants 303 3648 / 3647
Sparkhill Job Centre (Stoney Lane) 480 3500
T.U.C. Centre for the Unemployed 771 0871
Gas, Water, Electricity
British Gas (Transco) 0845 609 1122
Gas Escapes 0800 111 999
Gas Repairs (Council Tenants only) 333 7433
npower Electricity Emergency 0800 328 1111
Severn Trent Water 0800 783 4444
Police
Main Switchboard 0845 113 5000
Edward Road 626 4467
Health
Balsall Heath Health Centre, Edward Road 446 2300
Mobarak Health Centre, Cannon Hill Road 440 4666
Community and Advice Services
Access for All Disability Resource Centre, Bierton Rd, Yardley 789 7365
Apna Ghar Asian Elders Centre, 21 Clevedon Rd. 440 2266
Assemblies of the First Born Heritage Community Project 753 0068
C.A.S.A Project 440 5022
Balsall Heath Church Centre Elderly Care 440 1138
Balsall Heath Employment Training Scheme 464 8660
Balsall Heath Forum, St Pauls Road 446 6183
Balsall Heath Library 464 1962
Balsall Heath Practical Care 440 6644
Birmingham Asian Business Association, 249 Ladypool Rd. 693 3101
Birmingham Enterprise, 249 Ladypool Road 446 4444
Birmingham Ethnic Education and Advisory Service 359 3339
Birmingham Independent Living Project, 249 Ladypool Rd. 693 9050
Calthorpe Park Playcentre, Edward Rd./Cheddar Rd. 446 4047
Friends Institute, 220 Moseley Rd. 440 4873
Empty Homes Project (to report empty houses) 303 5341
Good Neighbour Centre, George St. 440 7548
Highgate Family Support Centre, Conybere St. 440 6788
Islamic Resource Centre 440 3500
Jericho Community Project, Edward Road 446 4258
Pride of Jephthah, Unity House St Pauls Road 440 3000
Run A Muck 449 1991
South East Birmingham Credit Union 444 4114
Sparkhill Centre, 447 Stratford Road 772 2427
St. Paul’s Venture & Malvern Street City Farm 464 1888
Wayahead 464 8739
Yemeni Advice & Cultural Centre, Joseph Chamberlain College 446 6621
Yemeni Day Centre, 106 Alcester Road 442 5027
Yemeni Centre, 244 Edward Road 249 3945
Yemeni Welfare & Training Centre, 147 Kyrwicks Lane, Sparkbrook 773 7664
Neighbourhood Offices
Sparkbrook, Greencoat House, 261 Stratford Road, 303 7070
Sparkhill ,641 Stratford Road, 303 0722
Sports & Leisure
Asian Arts & Cultural Society 440 1519
Birmingham Sports Centre, Balsall Heath Road 464 6060
Midland Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park 440 4221
Tickets 440 3838

Joyeux Noel!
Born in Balsall Heath and proud of his families links to the community,
Noel Murphy recently took the step to have a tattoo stating the very
same inscribed upon his arm.
Noel who was born at 32 George Street which was knocked down to
make way for a vicarage a few years after his birth has lived in and
around Balsall Heath all of his life. Noel said of his early years, “I was
born in George Street, the rent was a £1 a week and the mice were
thrown in for free”.
It took Noel a number of years to decide to have the tattoo and in
August he took the big step. Noel’s association with Balsall Heath
can not only be traced back to having lived the majority of his life in
the area but also to his relatives who he visited as a child on Clifton
Road. Now living in Edgbaston Noel misses the community of his
beloved Balsall Heath, “I miss all of my friends. Where I live nobody
speaks to each
other. Over
time you
become part of
the fixtures
and fittings
and I am part
of Balsall
Heath”.