Balsall Heathan # 261 Dec 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust
Balsall Heathan # 261 Dec 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust
Balsall Heathan # 261 Dec 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust
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The <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
No. <strong>261</strong><br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2006</strong><br />
January 2007<br />
FREE<br />
<strong>Heathan</strong><br />
<br />
Local News & Features<br />
es
Christmas <strong>Dec</strong>orations<br />
Every year each class at Tindal make their own decorations and this year the<br />
display was spectacular. Made as hangings, the decorations are based on hoops,<br />
which each class then adorn with features of Christmas. Once completed the<br />
Christmas chandeliers are hung from the ceiling of the main hall and create a<br />
wonderful display of creativeness and colour.<br />
Big thank you to Dot<br />
Pupils and staff at Tindal Primary School recently gave a big thank you to Dot<br />
for her long service over the years. Dot who is 83 years old and has been<br />
voluntarily working at the schools playroom and crèche for over 24 years is to<br />
retire before the New Year.<br />
example to us all”.<br />
Julie Doran, coordinator for Tindal Association for School and <strong>Community</strong><br />
said of Dot, “She<br />
has never had a<br />
day off work<br />
and we’ll miss<br />
h e r<br />
tremendously.<br />
She is a shining<br />
When asked what she would miss about volunteering at the school<br />
Dot said, “It’s been a pleasure to be with the kids, I am going to miss<br />
them so much”. However, when asked what she would now do<br />
with her free time Dot replied, “I’ll probably come and see the<br />
children”.
The <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
<strong>Heathan</strong><br />
Your <strong>Community</strong> Newspaper<br />
Healthy Living<br />
In this months edition the <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Healthy Living supplement<br />
provides <strong>Heathan</strong>s with a recipe for staying fit and active. Clifton children<br />
show how just a small donation by the majority can lead to a better<br />
Christmas for a minority and if your feeling under the weather then<br />
there are some handy tips for getting better quickly.<br />
Showing how it’s done<br />
Two elderly residents show how being active and being involved with<br />
the local community are an elixir for life. In the case of Dot aged 83, 24<br />
years of volunteering at Tindal, have given her a wonderful experience<br />
and provided thousands of children with the wisdom of her many<br />
years. While for May aged 86, her 26 years of volunteering have shown<br />
how her dedication to her community has helped to improve not only<br />
the environment but also the quality of life for her neighbourhood.<br />
Tindal’s extend learning<br />
Tindal School this month set the pace for enhancing their approaches<br />
to health and learning. By being one of a select few schools throughout<br />
the country to achieve the coveted Healthy Schools certifications, Tindal<br />
show how working with parents and children to design education and<br />
service delivery can be a recipe for success.<br />
Thank you<br />
The <strong>Heathan</strong> would like to thank all of its contributors and volunteers<br />
for all their hard work this year, and wish all of its readers a very merry<br />
Christmas and a happy New Year.<br />
Newsdesk 0121 464 4376<br />
Editor<br />
Peter Cole.<br />
Reporters Peter Cole.<br />
Contributors Dick Atkinson & Chris McGuinness<br />
Director Anita Halliday.<br />
Photography Peter Cole & Emily Colwell.<br />
Distributors <strong>St</strong>. Paul’s <strong>Community</strong> <strong>Trust</strong> staff, The West Midlands<br />
Probation Service, The <strong>Balsall</strong>Heath Forum, May Pearson<br />
& Ann Molloy.<br />
Graphic Design Peter Cole.<br />
Design/Layout Peter Cole.<br />
Printed<br />
by Clarkeprint Ltd.<br />
<strong>St</strong>. Paul’s <strong>Community</strong> Development <strong>Trust</strong><br />
The <strong>Balsall</strong> <strong>Heathan</strong> is published by <strong>St</strong>. Paul’s <strong>Community</strong> Development <strong>Trust</strong>.<br />
<strong>St</strong>. Paul’s <strong>Community</strong> Development <strong>Trust</strong> is a charity (number 508943) and company<br />
limited by guarantee. The <strong>Heathan</strong> is not run for profit and is financed by sponsorship,<br />
advertising and the assistance of charitable trusts.<br />
The <strong>Balsall</strong> <strong>Heathan</strong> is distributed free to 6000 homes in the area.<br />
The Editorial Board welcomes contributions from all who live in, work in or<br />
are concerned for the welfare of the area. They are delighted to have<br />
the help of volunteers with any aspect of running the paper. Please call us<br />
on 0121-464 4376<br />
Please send your news and views to The Editor, <strong>St</strong>. Paul’s Centre, Hertford <strong>St</strong>reet,<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath, Birmingham, B12 8NJ. Tel: 0121-464 4376. Fax: 0121-464 2555<br />
Email balsall.heathan@stpaulstrust.org.uk<br />
26 YEARS OF<br />
NEIGHBOURHOOD<br />
WATCH & STILL GOING<br />
STRONG<br />
Local resident May Pearson had cause for a double celebration<br />
recently. For the last 26 years May has been a member of the<br />
Brunswick Road Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and in recognition<br />
of her contributions to improving safety in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath was<br />
presented with an award.<br />
Georgina<br />
Johnstone,<br />
<strong>Community</strong><br />
Partnerships<br />
Officer at<br />
Belgrave Road<br />
Police <strong>St</strong>ation<br />
presented May<br />
with a special<br />
certificate and<br />
thanked her for<br />
all her hard work.<br />
Georgina said,<br />
“May has been a<br />
wonderful<br />
Neighbourhood<br />
Watch Coordinator,<br />
she<br />
keeps me<br />
informed of<br />
everything<br />
happening in the<br />
area. The<br />
information she<br />
has provided has<br />
aided many<br />
officers in their work. May has many stories to tell about the work<br />
she has done over the past 26 years, including meeting the Duke of<br />
Edinburgh and David Cameron. We are not the first to award May<br />
for the work she has done, her wall is decorated with various awards<br />
for her contributions to the community.“<br />
May who was overwhelmed with the award said: “It will take pride<br />
of place in my house. I am very grateful for the award and hope that<br />
my contributions over the past 26 years have made a difference in<br />
my community. I have worked with many police officers over the<br />
years, all of whom have been very supportive of everything I have<br />
done and continue to do“.<br />
This award helped make a special day even more special as it was<br />
presented to May on her 86 th birthday. The <strong>Heathan</strong> would like to<br />
take this opportunity to thank May for all of her years of helping us<br />
with our deliveries and to wish her a very, very happy birthday.<br />
Congratulations May.<br />
Do you need help promoting<br />
your services?<br />
Prior to May’s birthday she suffered an illness that left her in need of<br />
help. It was during this time that May noticed how difficult it was<br />
to find any services for the elderly in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath. If your<br />
organisation offers help and assistance to the elderly then the <strong>Heathan</strong><br />
would like to hear from you. Contact Peter Cole on 0121 464 4376<br />
or email: balsall.heathan@stpaulstrust.org.uk
CHRISTMAS CRACKDOWN ON DRINK AND DRUG DRIVERS IN THE<br />
WEST MIDLANDS BACKED BY FORMER DRINK DRIVE OFFENDER<br />
A FORMER drink drive offender has backed this year’s drink/<br />
drug drive campaign, hoping his story will prove a deterrent to<br />
others.<br />
into a telegraph pole on Hamstead Road while over the limit.<br />
Not only did he damage his car and injure himself he lost his<br />
licence for a year.<br />
West Midlands Police are running the annual Christmas drink/<br />
drug drive campaign, during which they will be conducting<br />
random roadside stop-checks across the region throughout the<br />
Christmas and New Year period.<br />
Officers are warning drivers that if they are foolish, selfish or<br />
reckless enough to drink and drive or take drugs and drive,<br />
they will be caught, arrested and banned - hopefully before<br />
they kill themselves or someone else.<br />
As part of the ongoing work by police to reduce the number of<br />
road traffic casualties, officers will be breath testing suspected<br />
drink drivers and taking a hard line with drug drivers. Drug<br />
driving is becoming a significant growth area as the cause of<br />
road traffic collisions. During the West Midlands Police summer<br />
drink drive campaign 14 per cent of the people arrested<br />
that were drug tested, proved positive for class A drugs. Research<br />
shows male drivers in their 20s and the over 50s are most<br />
likely to offend.<br />
John Karatazas is a previous drink drive offender from<br />
Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. Two years ago he crashed<br />
<strong>St</strong>. John and <strong>St</strong>.<br />
Martin’s Christmas<br />
Fête<br />
The Parish of Saint John and Saint Martin’s Church celebrated<br />
their Christmas Fête on Saturday 2 <strong>Dec</strong>ember. Over 100<br />
parishioners and other members of the community joined<br />
together for an afternoon of fun and festivity.<br />
Guests were treated to entertainment from the schools of SS.<br />
John and Monica and <strong>St</strong>. Martin’s whose dance displays left<br />
the crowds cheering and clapping for more. The entertaining<br />
atmosphere was also achieved by raffles and tombolas that<br />
offered fantastic prizes, most of which were donated by<br />
Parishioners and friends, including a very large iced cake made<br />
by June Beard, a long-standing member of the Parish.<br />
John said: “I am deeply remorseful for my actions. I had the<br />
good luck to crash into a telegraph pole and not a family with<br />
children. I was covered in blood from the head down. I hope<br />
my story stops others from drinking and driving.”<br />
PC <strong>St</strong>eve Rogers, from the force’s Road Policing Unit, said:<br />
“Drink driving is an issue all year, but with the more relaxed<br />
atmosphere during the festive season, the temptation to offend<br />
becomes greater. We urge people not to put themselves, their<br />
friends, family and the public at risk by drink or drug driving.<br />
Remember - even if you were drinking alcohol the night before,<br />
you can still be over the drink drive limit well into the<br />
following day”.<br />
“Why not nominate a designated driver to stay sober to drive<br />
your group home or get a taxi or a bus back? If you are a<br />
passenger refuse to get a lift home with someone you know has<br />
drunk too much or taken drugs.<br />
“While we will deal with offenders firmly, the important message<br />
is think before you drink before you drive.”<br />
War 2 and served the community as school classrooms from<br />
1940 to 1966. Since this time it has been used by <strong>St</strong>. Paul’s<br />
<strong>Community</strong> <strong>Trust</strong>, as a centre and a workshop to help those in<br />
need.<br />
Saint John and Saint Martin’s Parish Priest, Father Dominic,<br />
would like to say a big thank you to all the workers, organisers,<br />
donors and all those who supported the Fête including the<br />
children, parents and teachers of the two schools.<br />
The Christmas Fair raised a grand total of £2200, which will<br />
go towards the replacement of the prefab building that stands<br />
at the back of the church. The prefab was built before World<br />
Mess of the month<br />
This month the <strong>Heathan</strong> brings you a picture of a delightful collection<br />
of plastic bottles with a large piece of glass. <strong>St</strong>rewn amongst this<br />
detritus are scraps of paper and plastic bags. Situated by a playing area<br />
just off Tindal <strong>St</strong>reet the rubbish collection is perfectly situated for<br />
rats and small children.<br />
Not far from this is an untaxed vehicle with sharp metal protruding<br />
from its front and rear with spare parts arranged neatly inside.<br />
Do you have a better candidate for mess of the month? If so contact<br />
the <strong>Heathan</strong> and let us know by ringing 464 4376.
eating, with the third being physical activity (in school and<br />
clubs). The final area is economic health and well-being, which<br />
examines caring for pupils and providing skills for the pupils’<br />
futures.<br />
Tindal leads by<br />
example<br />
In November Tindal Primary School became one of a select few<br />
to be awarded the National Healthy Schools Award. The award<br />
was presented by the Lord Mayor at a special ceremony at the<br />
Council House. As part of the ceremony, four of the successful<br />
schools gave a short presentation showing the work that they<br />
had completed to enable them to achieve this award.<br />
In order to qualify for the award Tindal Primary School had to<br />
pass an assessment, which examined four areas covered by the<br />
Healthy Schools <strong>St</strong>andard, a status which the school had already<br />
successfully attained in 2003.<br />
Under the new initiative, the Healthy Schools Award covers<br />
four aspects. The first area of these is Personal, Social and Health<br />
Education (PSHE), including Sex and Relationship Education<br />
(SRE) and Drug Education. The second area covered is healthy<br />
In 2003 Tindal staff and governors wrote a new scheme of<br />
work for PSHE, Citizenship and SRE. The parents were<br />
involved in this work and their input was important to the<br />
development work of establishing an SRE curriculum. Tindal<br />
is very proud of the successful way in which SRE was received<br />
by parents of a predominately Muslim school and how it is<br />
being taught.<br />
Pupils, staff, parents and governors have been involved in many<br />
decisions relating to health issues in the school. One key area<br />
that has enhanced the school’s environment has been the<br />
development of the dining room. Its redecoration with new,<br />
more sociable round tables, the purchasing of new plates and<br />
bowls; the inclusion of a salad cart, and an improved healthy<br />
menu have all helped to make lunch times both healthy and<br />
enjoyable.<br />
One of the pupils, Shayma, who attended the ceremony, said<br />
of one of the benefits resulting from the initiative, “We are a<br />
healthy school. We have more activities like hoops for playtime<br />
and healthy dinners”.<br />
A further benefit that has arisen from the school’s focus upon<br />
health in a learning environment has been the development of<br />
indoor rowing sessions, which have been made possible due to<br />
funding provided by the Heart of Birmingham Primary Care<br />
<strong>Trust</strong>.<br />
Head Teacher Susan Skillet said of the school’s achievement,<br />
“This would not have been possible without the dedication of<br />
everyone concerned and we are delighted to have achieved this<br />
award”. The school plans to continue to develop and improve<br />
the health of its pupils and to be successful in completing a<br />
future reassessment in 2009.<br />
Tindal Radio Active<br />
Action<br />
As part of the extended schools initiative Tindal Primary School<br />
plans to setup a Saturday club. The club which will be called<br />
Tindal Radio Active Action and which it is hoped will start in<br />
the New Year will provide a venue for families and young people<br />
who are interested in radio controlled fast cars.<br />
Each team will be given a remote controlled car to build,<br />
maintain and race. Through this initiative, the organisers aim<br />
to introduce the participants to future technology. As part of<br />
the project the cars will be powered by hydrogen fuelled power<br />
cells and solar power charging technology.<br />
Such is the drive to succeed in setting up the project that even<br />
if an application to Awards For All is not successful the organisers<br />
are determined to find a means of making the project reality. If<br />
you would like to donate any remote controlled cars or<br />
equipment then contact either Richard Mann or Julie Doran<br />
on 440 5648.
Raising Awareness<br />
Islam Awareness Week took place between Monday 20<br />
November and Sunday 26 November. The week is designed to<br />
raise awareness of Islam and remove any misconceptions people<br />
may have about Islamic faith.<br />
The Islamic Society of Britain initiated Islamic Awareness Week<br />
in 1994 in response to a report by the House of Commons,<br />
which showed that there was a lack of understanding in relation<br />
to Islam and Muslim faith. The Islamic Society of Britain hope<br />
that by focusing on the history and diversity of Islam they can<br />
create better relations, develop tolerance, respect and harmony<br />
in society.<br />
Each year since 1994, the Islam Awareness Week has presented<br />
a number of themed events highlighting the multiplicity of<br />
Islam and the contribution of Islam to society. Past events have<br />
included ‘Fasting to Remember’, which encouraged non-<br />
Muslims to join in the experience of fasting and ‘Your Muslim<br />
Neighbour’ which highlighted the<br />
contribution of Muslim citizens in<br />
British Society.<br />
Getting Ahead<br />
Way Ahead, based at the old Clifton Junior School on Clifton Road is launching a new course aimed at young people aged<br />
between 13 and 19. The Way Ahead Personal Development Course for young people begins on 15 th January 2007 and runs for<br />
eighteen weeks.<br />
The Personal Development Course is specially designed for young people who are<br />
not in education, training or employment or who are at risk of exclusion. The course<br />
is aimed at improving young people’s confidence and self-esteem and is designed to<br />
encourage young people to make career choices and develop essential life skills.<br />
<strong>St</strong>udents will have the opportunity to gain National Open College Network (NOCN)<br />
qualifications in sport, self-awareness, music production, teamwork, creative arts and<br />
film and video production in a friendly and welcoming environment.<br />
The Way Ahead project was set up in January 2000 as a Neighbourhood Support<br />
Fund Project, with the aim of supporting young people who are experiencing a<br />
variety of problems in their lives. Way Ahead continues to achieve this aim by<br />
offering a range of short courses, such as The Way Ahead Personal Development<br />
Course for young people.<br />
This year’s event was themed ‘One<br />
World’. The Birmingham Awareness<br />
campaign was launched at the Al Faisal<br />
restaurant in Sparkbrook and was<br />
attended by faith leaders from<br />
throughout the country. Other events<br />
which took place throughout the city<br />
were aimed at showing how each person,<br />
regardless of faith, can join together to<br />
dispel the myths about each other’s<br />
beliefs and join together in harmony to<br />
work together and safeguard the one<br />
thing we all have in common, the planet.<br />
For more information please contact the Way Ahead team on 0121 464 8739 or<br />
email wayahead@st.paulstrust.org.uk.<br />
The Way Ahead Project would like to say a big thank you to Abdullah Carpets on<br />
Taunton Road, <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath for their very kind and generous donation of carpet for<br />
the project. The carpet has been used in their new music sound booth that the<br />
students attending the Way Ahead Personal Development Course for Young People<br />
will be able to enjoy in the New Year.
….Your health magazine<br />
<br />
PULL OUT AND KEEP<br />
The effects included paralysis of a limb or one side of<br />
the body and disturbances of speech and vision or in<br />
the case of a heart attack it can cause severe damage<br />
to the heart and surrounding valves and blood vessels.<br />
Currently with long term medication and speed of<br />
treatment, instant death from stroke and heart attacks<br />
is more often prevented. However the occurrence of a<br />
stroke or a heart attack is on the increase. And in<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath!<br />
Who is most at risk?<br />
by Chris Mcguinness<br />
Welcome to the <strong>Dec</strong>ember edition of <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath’s<br />
Healthy Living Supplement. In this edition I would like<br />
to make the local people aware of their own current<br />
health situation by emphasising the point that there<br />
are TWO NUMBERS EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW!<br />
(That particularly at this time of year can quite easily<br />
rocket!)<br />
HYPERTENSION<br />
When the Healthy Living Centre was launched in 2003<br />
statistics from HOBTPCT (Heart of Birmingham<br />
Teaching Primary Care <strong>Trust</strong>) told us that residents in<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath would on average die 7 years younger<br />
compared to residents in Sutton Coldfield. The average<br />
age for a man dying in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath was 67 and a<br />
man in Sutton Coldfield was 74.<br />
However since then statistics have changed. Men in<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath, now have a life expectancy of 69. That’s<br />
fantastic we think? Then think again! A man in Sutton<br />
is now averaging 76 before he says his last good byes,<br />
so the Gap is not closing, why?<br />
Life expectancy may be on the rise, but quality of life<br />
is on the decline. It seems that we are living for longer<br />
and have become a “pill ‘l fix it” society. This affects<br />
not only our quality of life but also our independence.<br />
The main medical conditions (ILLNESSES) on the<br />
increase are cerebrovascular disease (STROKE) and<br />
cario vascular disease (CVD).<br />
These conditions are a common cause of death and<br />
disability, especially in older people but remember it’s<br />
not exclusive to older people. Predisposing factors<br />
include:-<br />
Hypertension<br />
Atheroma<br />
Cigarette Smoking<br />
Diabetes mellitus<br />
Excessive alcohol consumption<br />
<strong>St</strong>roke occurs when blood flow to the brain or heart is<br />
suddenly interrupted, causing hypoxia (lack of oxygen).<br />
Family history is a high indicator of your level of<br />
risk<br />
The risk is increased if you’re a man and your father or<br />
paternal male relatives have had a stroke, so for<br />
example your father’s father, or father’s brother.<br />
If you suffer from Diabetes Mellitus<br />
As a diabetic, changes occur in blood vessels that<br />
are sometimes beyond the control of medication or<br />
diet. The changes can cause damage to blood vessels<br />
therefore causing pressure of blood flow to increase or<br />
decrease or become erratic.<br />
TWO NUMBERS YOU SHOULD KNOW, AND IF YOU<br />
DON’T, FIND OUT!<br />
If you have Hypertension, (high blood pressure)<br />
95% of all cases are described as an essential<br />
condition for other diseases. Meaning other conditions<br />
might not have occurred without its presence. The<br />
World Health Organisation defines high blood pressure<br />
as a persistent reading of 160/90 and over. Average<br />
blood pressure is 120/80 for men but lower in women.<br />
Hypertension is diagnosed when the pressure is raised<br />
over three consecutive readings.<br />
Smoking<br />
Without doubt this is one of the dominant factors in<br />
causing diseases associated with stroke and CVD<br />
such as atheroma and hypertension. Atheroma is<br />
caused when plaques (plaques is a term used as a<br />
waste product for blood) deposit themselves within the<br />
lining of arteries. Atheroma is the name given to either<br />
a partial or total blockage of the artery. The waste<br />
products from smoking turn to fatty plaques in the blood.<br />
WE’VE SEEN THE ADVERT, it’s not an exaggeration.<br />
Obesity<br />
Again it’s lifestyle related. Cholesterol in fatty foods<br />
can also leave fatty deposits (plaques) in the blood<br />
vessels, (veins or ateries) which again can cause<br />
atheroma or hypertension. The heart will also have to<br />
work harder the heavier you are, which in turn will
Lecithin – to control fat and cholesterol which can<br />
otherwise form deposits in arteries (plaque) that causes<br />
restricted blood flow.<br />
B Complex – to help feed the nerves and relieve<br />
stress, especially useful when stress is one of the<br />
factors involved.<br />
Nettle Tea – Can lower Blood Pressure caused by<br />
nervous tension.<br />
VIRUS<br />
Definition<br />
increase the demand for oxygen and without doubt<br />
increase the pressure of the blood supply. If there are<br />
plaques deposited in the blood vessels then the<br />
pressure of the blood supply is increased again. This<br />
is how hypertension is caused.<br />
<strong>St</strong>ress<br />
<strong>St</strong>ress and anxiety cause chemical and hormonal<br />
reactions within the adrenal gland, which in turn will<br />
cause the heart to beat faster. The highest pressure<br />
peak is reached in the evening after a day’s work. This<br />
coupled with sheer exhaustion, physical or mental,<br />
may cause undue rise and falls in blood pressure which<br />
is strenuous for the heart to tolerate. This may be a<br />
temporary adjustment due to a current situation,<br />
however the gradual increase of stress over a period of<br />
time can an increase the resting heart rate, making<br />
the lower figure in a blood pressure reading higher.<br />
So the two numbers you should know will<br />
SAVE YOUR LIFE OR EVEN THE QUALITY OF LIFE!<br />
Suggested Products available at Health Food Shops.<br />
Please seek advice before purchase by GP, Health<br />
food sales advisor and pharmacist.<br />
Calcium and Magnesium – deficiencies have been<br />
linked to High Blood pressure.<br />
Rutin Tablets – helps strengthen capillaries so<br />
improving circulation. Should be taken with Vitamin C<br />
for maximum effectiveness.<br />
Hawthorn – has mild blood pressure lowering effects.<br />
Garlic – to lower blood pressure and also reduced<br />
cholesterol content of blood.<br />
Green Tea – has been shown to help reduce blood<br />
pressure.<br />
A virus is an infectious agent; often highly host-specific<br />
(absorbing a weakened cell or a compatible cell in the<br />
body) consisting of genetic material surrounded by a<br />
protein coat, and is not visible by the human eye.<br />
Role in human health<br />
Viruses<br />
that infect<br />
humans<br />
cause<br />
damage<br />
to the<br />
infected<br />
cells,<br />
resulting<br />
i n<br />
outward<br />
symptoms<br />
seen as<br />
human<br />
disease.<br />
Human<br />
viruses gain entry into the body using various routes.<br />
Some viruses are transmitted through skin-to-skin<br />
contact, such as herpes simplex 1, the virus that<br />
causes cold sores. Others are transmitted through<br />
exposure to infected blood, the mode of transmission<br />
of the hepatitis B virus. Some of the most easily caught<br />
viruses, such as varcella-zoster, the virus that causes<br />
chicken pox, are transmitted through water droplets<br />
suspended in the air. The virus is transmitted when<br />
the droplets are breathed in and come in contact with<br />
the respiratory tract of the new host.<br />
Gastrointestinal viruses are transmitted through<br />
exposure to waste products containing virus particles<br />
that has contaminated water or food, and entry into<br />
the host's digestive tract through the mouth. Rotavirus,<br />
a cause of a diarrhoea illness common in children, is<br />
transmitted in this manner. Sexually transmitted<br />
viruses move from host to host through sexual contact
and enter the body by the genitourinary route. HIV<br />
and human papilloma virus (HPV) are examples of<br />
viruses that are sexually transmitted.<br />
After gaining entry into the host, the response at a<br />
cellular level to the viral infection varies with the type<br />
of virus and the virulence of the strain. Thus, the<br />
response can vary from no apparent change, to<br />
detectable changes in the cell, known as cytopathic<br />
effects (CPE), to loss of growth control or malignancy.<br />
Virulence refers to the ability of a virus to cause disease<br />
in a host.<br />
Common diseases and disorders<br />
Several hundred different viruses infect humans. The<br />
viruses that occur chiefly in humans can be categorized<br />
as respiratory, enteric, exanthematous, hepatitis, or<br />
persistent. The most common respiratory viruses<br />
include the rhinoviruses (the common cold) and the<br />
influenza viruses. Common enteric viruses include<br />
polioviruses (now rare because of vaccination),<br />
coxsachie viruses (herpangina), and epidemic<br />
gastroenteritis viruses such as rotaviruses. Rubeola<br />
(measles) and rubella (German measles) are two<br />
common exanthematous viruses.<br />
Treatment<br />
Most viral diseases have no cure, so treatment involves<br />
easing symptoms and allowing the body's immune<br />
system to eliminate the virus. Viruses are not affected<br />
by antibiotics, which target bacteria. However, a handful<br />
of anti-viral drugs have been developed and many more<br />
are in the developmental and drug trial stage. In general,<br />
the development of anti-viral drugs has been hampered<br />
by the parasitic relationship between viruses and their<br />
hosts. It has been difficult to find pharmacological<br />
means to kill the virus without harming the host. The<br />
speed of viral infection has also been a problem, as<br />
viral numbers are so high by the time the infection has<br />
symptoms, the drugs have little effect.<br />
The body fights viruses by increasing its white blood<br />
cells. If you can imagine a PACMAN video game,<br />
that's a simple way of describing the actions of killing<br />
viruses. As described, a virus will enter the body in a<br />
number of ways. With the common cold or flu the<br />
virus is air-bourne, so generally we would inhale the<br />
virus. The virus would then occupy a cell in the body<br />
that would usually be weak. As the virus mutates with<br />
the cell it becomes stronger and has the ability to<br />
multiply giving us our symptoms, i.e. running nose,<br />
sore throat, chesty cough, etc.<br />
The bodies' white blood cell production then kicks in<br />
and this is where we get the PACMAN effect. The<br />
white blood cells travel along to the affected areas<br />
forming a mouth like opening. It then absorbs the<br />
virus cell. The virus cell is now trapped within the White<br />
blood cell and eventually dies. As the White Blood<br />
cells are working hard at killing the viruses, you will<br />
feel very tired and run down. So how do we ensure<br />
that we are protected against viruses in the first place?<br />
On the bright side, winter doesn't necessarily have to<br />
equal days of colds and flu's. In fact providing your<br />
immune system is ticking away nicely viruses are<br />
harder to catch than you think.<br />
If your have a poor diet, you stand a significant chance<br />
of getting typical viruses like the common cold. So<br />
before you reach for the medicine cabinet, get into the<br />
kitchen and check out what's in the cupboards. It<br />
might surprise you what potions you could concoct.<br />
1. For ultimate winter immunity, stock up on some<br />
staple must haves. For good defence against<br />
winter ills, garlic is number one. The rest of its<br />
family - like onions and leeks - are also very<br />
valuable.<br />
2. Zinc is another important immune booster. You’ll<br />
find it in nuts, seeds, whole grains, red meat,<br />
shellfish and oysters. (Not many oysters in <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
Heath I’d say, but just in case.) Selenium is also<br />
in nuts, lentils, oily fish and wholemeal bread and<br />
that too is very good for boosting your immune<br />
system.<br />
3. Omega 3 is found in oily fish such as Mackerel,<br />
but if you are a vegetarian add Flax seeds to your<br />
food. It will do the same thing.<br />
4. For starving off colds and boosting your circulation,<br />
fresh ginger, garlic, chilli and some curry spices<br />
will do the job well. (I’m sure <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath will<br />
have an endless supply!) Turmeric is actually used<br />
by herbalists as an antiviral remedy. All of these<br />
herbs and foods act as natural decongestants, so<br />
are very good for catarrh. If you’re not a fan of<br />
curries, then horseradish and black pepper will<br />
also act as a good decongestant.<br />
5. Soup is a must and for good reason too. It’s very<br />
warming and a good way for getting all your<br />
vegetables in a flavoursome way. It’s a good one<br />
for children who have trouble with eating<br />
vegetables. Homemade soups are the best, and<br />
don’t forget your garlic and ginger.
Avoidance Tactics<br />
Some foods are less friendly than others when it comes<br />
to immunity. Sugar is one that will decrease the<br />
function of the immune system, so try to avoid it,<br />
especially refined sugar. So drinking a hot toddie<br />
(whiskey or Brandy) will not really help with colds or<br />
flu. The fact that they're hot will soothe, but the sugar<br />
content will affect the immune system.<br />
Animal fats are another. When animal fats such as,<br />
butter, ghee, lard and some cooking oils are consumed,<br />
they congest the Lymphatic system, causing an<br />
obstruction to the White Blood Cells. Imagine the<br />
Lymphatic system is the M42, consumed animal fat<br />
is rush hour traffic, a cold virus is a bad accident and<br />
NEW YEAR, NEW<br />
START ALL ROUND<br />
FOR WOMEN IN<br />
BALSALL HEATH<br />
In the New Year a new health and fitness course will<br />
be running for young women aged 11 – 25. It starts on<br />
Tuesday 9 th January 2007 at 4.30pm – 6pm. The first<br />
venue will be the Saheli Hub on the corner of Court<br />
Road and Edward Road. There are only 16 places, so<br />
please contact Chris McGuinness on 0121 440 6311 /<br />
07951734762 for further information on how to reserve<br />
a place.<br />
Also in the New Year, Food Net will be running a Size<br />
Down Club for ladies only, at <strong>St</strong>rensham <strong>Community</strong><br />
Flat (the corner of <strong>St</strong>rensham and Edgbaston Road).<br />
The class will run every Monday afternoon from 1pm –<br />
3pm and will start on Monday 15 th January 2007.<br />
white blood cells are the ambulances. Your body's<br />
ambulances are not going to get through to absorb<br />
the cold virus. So warm wholesome low fat foods and<br />
drinks (plenty of non sugary drinks) will help you to<br />
increase your immune system in the early days of a<br />
cold or flu.<br />
Extra Help<br />
If you do feel that you're slowly giving in to the battle of<br />
your immune system versus the air-bourne virus, then<br />
reach for the vitamin C - 1000mg is the recommended<br />
level for helping decrease the duration of a cold. Zinc<br />
supplements can also help prevent germs from staying<br />
around, but also echinacea can help stimulate white<br />
blood cells into action.<br />
Heath Healthy<br />
Living Centre and<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath<br />
Forum begin their<br />
campaign to<br />
collect festive food<br />
parcels for those<br />
people who live in<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath who<br />
might be elderly,<br />
alone and even<br />
sick during the<br />
holiday season.<br />
We had an<br />
amazing day on<br />
Friday 8 th<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember. Every<br />
Child at Clifton<br />
Junior and Infant<br />
school took part in<br />
a festive fitness day and donated at least one food<br />
item for the parcels. In total, Clifton Junior and Infant<br />
school have collected over 1000 items. This will help<br />
us create approximately 100 parcels. We hope to<br />
match that fantastic achievement through festive fitness<br />
at Selly Park Technology College and Jakeman<br />
Nursery, taking place on <strong>Dec</strong>ember 18th. If you would<br />
like to contribute you can drop your donations off to<br />
the Tree Nursery on <strong>St</strong> Pauls Road, or contact Chris<br />
McGuinness on 0121 4406311 / 07951734762 and she<br />
will arrange a collection. If you know an elderly person<br />
in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath who is sick or alone during the holiday<br />
season then please also contact Chris McGuinness<br />
who will ensure that the person receives a festive parcel.<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Healthy Living Centre would like to wish<br />
everyone in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath and all <strong>Heathan</strong> readers, a<br />
very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.<br />
<strong>St</strong>ay Healthy! x<br />
And Finally. It’s that time of year again when <strong>Balsall</strong>
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Forum Focus<br />
The Baths and Civic<br />
Centre for <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath<br />
by Chris McGuinness<br />
One hundred years ago, the Moseley Road Library was built. It was<br />
an era when the book ruled and everyone needed to read and write to<br />
get on. But, most people could not afford to buy their own books.<br />
At the same time, the Baths were built next door. It was an era when<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath’s terraced houses had no bathrooms or hot water of<br />
their own. Swimming was a mechanical ‘up and down the lane’ thing<br />
and people needed a baths’ to get clean in not a leisure centre to enjoy<br />
and get fit in.<br />
At the same time, Edward Road Police <strong>St</strong>ation was built. It was a<br />
time when it made sense to arrest criminals and take them to the<br />
‘nick’. In those days, crime prevention was an instinctive reflex of the<br />
whole community, so the criminal stood out and could be dealt with.<br />
Today, we need a community safety centre.<br />
Far more recently the Health Centre was built at the back of the<br />
Baths and opposite the police station. Even so, health was seen as a<br />
thing the doctor and the centre did, not what was a key part of<br />
everyone’s responsibility. Today, we need a Healthy Living Centre,<br />
not a Sick Centre.<br />
The costs<br />
Recently, the Baths nearly closed and a campaign was launched by<br />
those who swam in it to ‘save it’. At first glance, this makes sense. It<br />
would cost £17,000,00 to save it for the purposes for which it was<br />
built originally 100 years ago. But, it could cost £5m to construct a<br />
new, modern, purpose built swimming centre. Pause for thought.<br />
The Primary Care <strong>Trust</strong> is about to spend £1m on refurbishing the<br />
Health Centre and make it more ‘community friendly’. Some also<br />
feel the need for a brand new, modern Safety Centre, less an old<br />
fashioned ‘nick’, more a confidence boosting facility which encourages<br />
residents to prevent and design crime out of <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath.<br />
So, some are asking: why not construct a new, purpose built, swimming<br />
facility where the ‘nick’ now stands and join-up the functions of<br />
literacy, communications, safety and health where the Health Centre,<br />
Baths and Library now stand. That is, let’s join-up the needs of<br />
<strong>Heathan</strong>s and locate them in a modern Civic Centre.<br />
A Civic Hub<br />
want to preserve the old, single purpose, swimming use in the old<br />
buildings.<br />
The architectural merit, even iconic status of the building was well<br />
made at the meeting. But, the case for simply renovating the baths in<br />
their original glory was not. It was just asserted and taken for granted.<br />
Residents from <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath wanted to explore the options outlined<br />
above. But, they were given little time, less facts and the meeting<br />
closed with the organisers saying that they would set up their working<br />
party anyway.<br />
Whilst most of the Baths present users were pleased with this outcome,<br />
most residents from <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath were very dissatisfied, felt railroaded<br />
and excluded by the organisers. The next day they told the<br />
<strong>Heathan</strong> that they will now take their own local soundings. They will<br />
set up an inclusive, multi-agency group to explore the options and<br />
agree a cost effective credible way forward. They say they are happy to<br />
include representatives from Moseley/Kings Heath and the users,<br />
but will not be dictated to by them or taken for granted.<br />
Can Super Nanny stop antisocial<br />
behaviour?<br />
In times past, the extended family helped parents to bring up children<br />
well. It taught them right from wrong and to grow into mature, caring<br />
adults.<br />
In today’s world the family has shrunk often to the single parent<br />
whose own parents did not use good parenting skills. So, many people<br />
simply don’t know how to discipline their children. Without discipline<br />
they can run wild, terrorise a whole street, even a whole neighbourhood.<br />
The TV programs ‘Super-Nanny’ and ‘Little Angels shows just how<br />
skilled, caring, adults who use ‘tough love’ can help the unskilled<br />
parents of naughty children to teach them how to behave. So, the<br />
Government has made funds available to train and deploy a bevy of<br />
Super Nannys. At £30-40k a Nanny, some say this is too much.<br />
But, guess what can happen if a naughty child of, say, 5 and their<br />
parent(s) are left unaided until she/he is 16 years old?<br />
The costs can be astronomical and include:<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
Damage to property and local spirit.<br />
Social services time.<br />
Probation and courts time.<br />
Police time.<br />
Time in detention/prison<br />
It is almost unbelievable that these costs can rise to way over £100k<br />
per year per person orup to £1m over a 10 years period.<br />
The proud, self-respecting neighbourhood of <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath yearns<br />
for a hub, a focal point which could attract attention, visitors and be<br />
fit for modern purpose. Further, many local groups lack meeting and<br />
other facilities. So, local community leaders are saying: “Let’s have a<br />
feasibility study and development plan which:<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
Gives the swimmers a new, modern, facility for a possible £5m.<br />
Integrates the functions of safety, health, fitness, literacy and civic<br />
pride.<br />
Is cost effective and can be maintained<br />
Is fit for modern purpose and is sustainable for the next 50 years.<br />
Turns old buildings into a modern icon.<br />
Can be managed locally not by remote authority.<br />
At a meeting called by a little group of Bath users and Martin Mullany,<br />
a Moseley Councillor, those present were invited to set up a ‘Save the<br />
Baths’ Action Group. The above views and those of a Consultant<br />
employed by the Council were ignored in favour of those who simply<br />
The cost of one Super Nanny’s time (10 hours per week at £40 per<br />
hours for 8 weeks) £3.2k. Just compare £3.2k with £1m. No contest.<br />
So, many people in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath and elsewhere are saying: Lets have<br />
1 Super Nanny per Neighbourhood, a kind of friendly parent support<br />
worker. As they say: ‘A stitch in time saves time.’ Or, in this case, a<br />
very big communal headache and an awful lot of money.<br />
A Financial Ferret for the Forum<br />
The Forum has been pressing Government to work out how much a<br />
neighbourhood like <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath costs the taxpayer each year. It<br />
wants to know how much is spent on health, housing, benefits,<br />
police, environmental services, parks and so on.<br />
It’s a surprise, but nobody knows what this figure is. Budgets for<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath (and other neighbourhoods) are entwined in for larger<br />
budgets which deliver one-size-fits-all services over far larger areas.<br />
Because nobody knows, it follows that no one person or body is
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Forum<br />
Focus Continued<br />
responsible for accounting for or delivering that budget. Little wonder<br />
that services are not good and that the customer/resident in <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
Heath and other neighbourhoods can’t easily influence them.<br />
Both Government and the Council are waking up to the fact that<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath’s question ‘what does our neighbourhood cost the<br />
taxpayer?’ is important. If we can find out the answer and create a<br />
neighbourhood budget and spend it under the watchful eye of an<br />
allert neighbourhood manager, services should improve. More, maybe<br />
parts of it could be better spent by local voluntary groups and/or, the<br />
Forum.<br />
So, H.M.Treasury are seconding a senior Civil Servant to work with<br />
the Forum and its partners to answer those questions and recommend<br />
new ways of budgeting for services at neighbourhood level. The<br />
Government’s ‘financial ferret’ will first visit <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath in the<br />
New Year. Local people are already joining the queue to meet the<br />
Ferret who the forum have already nicknamed Freddie. For example,<br />
some want him to look at the way the Baths are managed, others the<br />
way that parks and car parks are maintained or, rather, not maintained.<br />
Do you have a question for Freddie the Ferret? Watch this space! The<br />
implications for neighbourhoods are as profound for neighbourhoods<br />
as was LMS for Schools.<br />
Communal Meal and Fireworks<br />
The Forum’s communal meal ended, quite literally, with a bang. Ian<br />
Edwards and <strong>St</strong> Paul’s staff’s firework display lit up the night sky in a<br />
never ending series of stars, cascades of many colours and some of very<br />
loud bangs. Each multi-coloured cascade was greeted with a series of<br />
oooos, ahhhhs and applause from the 1000 strong crowd.<br />
The evening started with 500 people gathering in Clifton old building<br />
for a balti meal by Hamid, entertainment from Chris McGuinness<br />
and her troop of young dancers and singers from the Yemeni Women<br />
and Children’s Society. There were so many people there that the<br />
queue for food seemed to stretch for ever. But, Hamid and his wardens<br />
coped magnificently and all 500 people had been served within 20<br />
minutes.<br />
Those present were young and old and from all parts of the community.<br />
Kamran’s volunteers were there. Queensbridge school had a presence<br />
and the photos of their environmental improvement work were on<br />
display and admired by all. Indeed, there was someone from just<br />
about every section of the community. While the fireworks were<br />
magnificent and the food was excellent, most people remarked about<br />
the warmth and spirit of the gathering. “This is special”, said Imran.<br />
“You don’t get this anywhere else. This is <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath at its best”,<br />
said Johan. “When can we do it again?” asked Ted. When indeed!<br />
The <strong>Heathan</strong> has asked the Forum to consider organising another<br />
event in the New Year or Spring. We’ll keep you posted.<br />
Traffic Calming<br />
Gwen and Edna pinned local Councillor Dilawar Khan down and<br />
introduced him to local residents. They were concerned by the death<br />
of a young man at the junction of Edward Road and Hallam <strong>St</strong>reet.<br />
They pointed out to him that an accident occurs at this and other<br />
nearby junctions every week. “It is only a matter of time,” Gwen said,<br />
“Before there is another death or maiming, something must be done”.<br />
Councillor Khan promised to get the relevant officers to draw up<br />
traffic calming plans and will present these to Edna, Gwen and other<br />
residents in <strong>Dec</strong>ember for their approval or otherwise.<br />
Edna and Gwen said: “We’ve got the bit between our teeth. We won’t<br />
let go until we have stopped this madness. Councillor Khan is a good<br />
man. He is helping a lot which shows that progress can be made.”<br />
A tale of two schools<br />
<strong>St</strong>aff and pupils from Barnt Green School in the Lickey Hills<br />
visited Tindal Primary School recently as part of a school<br />
exchange initiative. Every year Barnt Green School spend a<br />
week examining art and culture from around the world in<br />
order to gain a better understanding. This year pupils and staff<br />
from both schools took turns to play host to each other and<br />
give insights into their cultural backgrounds.<br />
In July parents of children at Tindal School cooked a variety of<br />
different dishes from around the world for the pupils and staff<br />
at Barnt Green to sample. In addition, Tindal staff and pupils<br />
wore costumes from around the world. The return visit last<br />
month saw pupils from Barnt Green School explaining what<br />
Christmas meant to them, carrying out joint physical education<br />
and music lessons and visiting Tindal’s Black History exhibition.<br />
Year six pupils from Tindal provided guided tours and the<br />
Barnt Green delegation introduced everybody to their daily<br />
routine entitled ‘Wake and Shake’.<br />
As a result of the exchange pupils from both schools have begun<br />
emailing each other and during the summer of next year both<br />
schools plan to have a picnic at the Lickey Hills. A year four<br />
pupil from Barnt Green called Joe said of Tindal School, “It was<br />
the best biggest school I have ever been to”.<br />
Head Teacher Susan Skillet said, “The exchange was a good<br />
contrast, the children really enjoyed learning about each other”.<br />
Gesture of Good Will<br />
Representatives from Ramallah, a town in Palestine visited <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
Heath in November following an invitation from the<br />
Birmingham Ramallah Twinning Initiative. The project, which<br />
was created by a group of people from Birmingham, was<br />
organised following a visit by some of its members who felt the<br />
people of the town would benefit from closer links with their<br />
home city.<br />
As part of the visit, the Ramallah visitors met staff at the <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
Heath Children’s Centre who had collected money during the<br />
summer for the nurseries in the Palestinian town to buy toys<br />
and equipment. Representatives of the Ladypool Business<br />
Association met with the visitors to discuss possible opportunities<br />
between Ramallah and Birmingham. The Chair of Ladypool<br />
Business Association Mr Yaqubali said of the project, “It is hoped<br />
we can establish a link between two countries to help local<br />
traders. We will be a bridge between two nations to overcome<br />
deprivation. This is a very positive move to have these people<br />
here to develop an understanding”.<br />
Supporters for the project hope to see better links between<br />
health and education professionals. The better links are in<br />
addition envisaged to be of benefit to the business community<br />
in Ramallah. According to the visitors from Ramallah, around<br />
45,000 Palestinians are currently on the waiting list for visas to<br />
leave. They<br />
believe a<br />
means of<br />
combating<br />
this exodus<br />
would be to<br />
increase the<br />
size of<br />
business<br />
a n d<br />
employment<br />
opportunities<br />
in their<br />
home town.
Heath Forum. Can’t people at the Forum see not only the<br />
architectural and historical significance of this building but the<br />
importance of the baths now, and their even greater importance in<br />
the future as a centrally placed accessible health and fitness facility.<br />
To continue on this collision course with local people will not do<br />
the reputation of the Forum any good whatsoever.<br />
<br />
<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
It was great to see such a good turnout at the meeting this week to<br />
form a ‘Friends of Moseley Road Baths’. This building is<br />
tremendously important to our community, and nationally has<br />
great historical significance. How wonderful it would be to have<br />
both pools and the slipper baths fully restored.<br />
But it was sad to hear people saying that residents of <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath<br />
don’t care much for the pools and the slipper baths. If any residents<br />
feel the same way about the Baths as I do, please can I ask them to<br />
come to the next meeting and make their voices heard. We have a<br />
real treasure here, let’s not give it up!<br />
I hope that you will be advertising the next meeting for the Friends<br />
of the Baths in the <strong>Heathan</strong> - maybe our <strong>Community</strong> Wardens can<br />
help publicise it?<br />
Yours<br />
Nicky Barron<br />
Springfield Avenue<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
I was so annoyed by the meeting organised by the Baths Campaigners<br />
that I must write to you.<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> <strong>Heathan</strong>s were not given a look in the meeting was nothing<br />
but a promotions exercise for them and their Architect friends from<br />
elsewhere. We were given no options, no facts, no detail of the<br />
consultants report.<br />
One person even described the Baths as being for ‘Moseley and<br />
Kings Heath.’ I beg your pardon! They are a <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath assets<br />
and any future use and management must be firmly placed in local<br />
hands – once we have been treated with respect and given all the<br />
facts and all the options.<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
Raja Amin<br />
Hallam <strong>St</strong>reet<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
We attended the recent meeting to set up the Friends of <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
Heath Baths group. We would like to thank the organisers for a<br />
very informative evening which highlighted the architectural and<br />
historical significance of the baths. We are certainly in favour of<br />
keeping both baths and the slipper baths open, as it seems were the<br />
majority of the people present at the meeting.<br />
However there were a few voices who came along to convince us all<br />
that we should forsake this treasure of a building in exchange for<br />
some new build soulless swimming baths either at Aston University<br />
or Kings Heath! This would of course make the Baths building<br />
available for some other use; the primary one being put forward<br />
was a Civic Centre, or in other words a new base for the <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
Whilst there may be a real need for the Forum to relocate from the<br />
Tree Nursery, they should be seeking an alternative venue or is it<br />
not possible for them to occupy some of the space upstairs?<br />
We urge all residents and pool users to join the Friends of the<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Baths and help us to secure this essential service in an<br />
area that has so many health issues.<br />
Kath and Russ<br />
Whitby Road<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath is too often short changed by the system. For example,<br />
we still have not received the money we need to put us straight<br />
after the Tornado.<br />
So, I was shocked by the neo-colonial attempt by people from<br />
Kings Heath and Moseley to usurp our Baths and belittle the role<br />
of <strong>Balsall</strong> <strong>Heathan</strong>s in their upkeep and use.<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath has pulled itself up by the bootstraps and deserves<br />
these buildings to be made fit for modern purpose. We wouldn’t<br />
mind people from elsewhere visiting and using them. But, the last<br />
thing we need is them taking them over and telling us what they<br />
will do with them.<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
Mohammad Mahboob<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
Car drivers in Ladypool Road, Moseley Road and Edward Road<br />
are becoming a real menace. So many drivers seem possessed with<br />
a Toad of Toad Hall mentality:”Honk, honk, get out of my way, I’m<br />
an important person. It is my right to run you over.”<br />
Can we please have a traffic-calming plan, which echoes the excellent<br />
one worked out by the Cannon Hill people, but for the whole of<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath? If we don’t do this, more people will be maimed or<br />
killed.<br />
Please help,<br />
Mrs P.J. Dunwoody.<br />
Roshven Road.<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
In the last edition of the <strong>Heathan</strong> there was a report of a traffic<br />
calming plan being designed by residents and the Cannon Hill<br />
Forum. That’s great. What would be even better would be if the<br />
drivers who use the roads in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath learnt to drive, the<br />
police stopped turning a blind eye to right turns down Edward<br />
Road off Moseley Road, that the police stopped people when they<br />
saw them using mobile phones, 4 by 4 drivers stopped bullying<br />
other car drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and when car drivers<br />
parked they left space on pavements. I could mention more but I<br />
think that would make the police look like they don’t do anything.<br />
Annoyed
Dear Editor,<br />
Just a short letter to praise the work of two Wardens who fitted<br />
smoke detectors in my home on Monday 13 th November.<br />
Your colleagues, two gentleman, had visited me a couple of weeks<br />
previously, but at the time had just run out of detectors. Nevertheless,<br />
they had a look and assessed my needs, and left details of how they<br />
could be contacted should I be at home again on a Monday or<br />
Tuesday.<br />
On Friday 10 th November I arranged a day’s holiday (for unconnected<br />
reasons) for Monday 13 th November, and telephoned your colleagues<br />
on Saturday 11 th November, leaving a message on their answer machine.<br />
They called by twice on Monday when, unluckily, I had just gone out<br />
temporarily, but left me a note. I called them on my return, and they<br />
visited within 20 minutes and fitted two new smoke detectors for me.<br />
They were informative, helpful and polite, a credit to your service.<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
D. Wilkinson<br />
Speedwell Road<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
For all those who missed the communal meal event in Clifton old<br />
building at the end of November. Let me tell you about it.<br />
I wouldn’t have imagined the event will attract about 300 - 400<br />
hundred people from diverse backgrounds and in all ages. It was<br />
great! It was great to see everyone come together to enjoy the meal<br />
and the fireworks.<br />
The Forum not only lit up <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath with fireworks but they lit<br />
up the peoples faces with joy and happiness. They brought back life<br />
to our community.<br />
During the end of the event I heard comments like, “When is the<br />
next event?” So, how about. When shall we do it again? Soon, I hope.<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
Nowrah Abdul<br />
Dear Editor,<br />
I’d like to comment about the most recent Communal Meal,<br />
entertainment and Firework display.<br />
The meal and entertainment for 400 people was excellent, well<br />
organised and very enjoyable. The fireworks lit up the sky for 1,000<br />
people and were wonderful.<br />
But, what impressed me most was the community spirit, which<br />
everyone contributed towards. It was warm, tangible and worth its<br />
weight in gold. The Forum is to be congratulated. This was a wonderful<br />
effort.<br />
You’ve now got to do it again and again to show other neighbourhoods<br />
how to follow suit. If you can do that you will have made a major<br />
contribution to Social Cohesion!<br />
Shokhat Ali<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Council Services<br />
Housing Department<br />
Repairs 24 hours 0800 0733 333<br />
Applications/Transfers 303 4005<br />
Council House Purchases 303 7926<br />
Private Tenancy Officers 303 5070<br />
Rent Arrears 303 3324<br />
Empty Properties 303 5070<br />
Unkempt Gardens 303 5070<br />
Environmental Services<br />
Environmental Health 303 6007<br />
Pest Control (Rats) 303 9800<br />
Antisocial behaviour 303 1111<br />
Noise & Nuisance Team 303 6007<br />
Refuse Collection & <strong>St</strong>reet Cleaning 303 1112<br />
Pothole Reports 303 6644<br />
<strong>St</strong>reet Lighting 303 6000<br />
Social Services<br />
Social Services Department 303 7070<br />
Social Security (Poplar Rd. & Coventry Rd.) 722 7000<br />
Social Security (Moseley Rd. & Northfield) 766 4300<br />
Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit 464 7000<br />
Council Tax (Billing & Account enquiries) 303 1113<br />
Education and Employment<br />
Education Department (General enquiries) 303 2590 / 2872<br />
<strong>St</strong>udent Grants 303 3648 / 3647<br />
Sparkhill Job Centre (<strong>St</strong>oney Lane) 480 3500<br />
T.U.C. Centre for the Unemployed 771 0871<br />
Gas, Water, Electricity<br />
British Gas (Transco) 0845 609 1122<br />
Gas Escapes 0800 111 999<br />
Gas Repairs (Council Tenants only) 333 7433<br />
npower Electricity Emergency 0800 328 1111<br />
Severn Trent Water 0800 783 4444<br />
Police<br />
Main Switchboard 0845 113 5000<br />
Edward Road 626 4467<br />
Health<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Health Centre, Edward Road 446 2300<br />
Mobarak Health Centre, Cannon Hill Road 440 4666<br />
<strong>Community</strong> and Advice Services<br />
Access for All Disability Resource Centre, Bierton Rd, Yardley 789 7365<br />
Apna Ghar Asian Elders Centre, 21 Clevedon Rd. 440 2266<br />
Assemblies of the First Born Heritage <strong>Community</strong> Project 753 0068<br />
C.A.S.A Project 440 5022<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Church Centre Elderly Care 440 1138<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Employment Training Scheme 464 8660<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Forum, <strong>St</strong> Pauls Road 446 6183<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Library 464 1962<br />
<strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Practical Care 440 6644<br />
Birmingham Asian Business Association, 249 Ladypool Rd. 693 3101<br />
Birmingham Enterprise, 249 Ladypool Road 446 4444<br />
Birmingham Ethnic Education and Advisory Service 359 3339<br />
Birmingham Independent Living Project, 249 Ladypool Rd. 693 9050<br />
Calthorpe Park Playcentre, Edward Rd./Cheddar Rd. 446 4047<br />
Friends Institute, 220 Moseley Rd. 440 4873<br />
Empty Homes Project (to report empty houses) 303 5341<br />
Good Neighbour Centre, George <strong>St</strong>. 440 7548<br />
Highgate Family Support Centre, Conybere <strong>St</strong>. 440 6788<br />
Islamic Resource Centre 440 3500<br />
Jericho <strong>Community</strong> Project, Edward Road 446 4258<br />
Pride of Jephthah, Unity House <strong>St</strong> Pauls Road 440 3000<br />
Run A Muck 449 1991<br />
South East Birmingham Credit Union 444 4114<br />
Sparkhill Centre, 447 <strong>St</strong>ratford Road 772 2427<br />
<strong>St</strong>. Paul’s Venture & Malvern <strong>St</strong>reet City Farm 464 1888<br />
Wayahead 464 8739<br />
Yemeni Advice & Cultural Centre, Joseph Chamberlain College 446 6621<br />
Yemeni Day Centre, 106 Alcester Road 442 5027<br />
Yemeni Centre, 244 Edward Road 249 3945<br />
Yemeni Welfare & Training Centre, 147 Kyrwicks Lane, Sparkbrook 773 7664<br />
Neighbourhood Offices<br />
Sparkbrook, Greencoat House, <strong>261</strong> <strong>St</strong>ratford Road, 303 7070<br />
Sparkhill ,641 <strong>St</strong>ratford Road, 303 0722<br />
Sports & Leisure<br />
Asian Arts & Cultural Society 440 1519<br />
Birmingham Sports Centre, <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath Road 464 6060<br />
Midland Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park 440 4221<br />
Tickets 440 3838
Joyeux Noel!<br />
Born in <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath and proud of his families links to the community,<br />
Noel Murphy recently took the step to have a tattoo stating the very<br />
same inscribed upon his arm.<br />
Noel who was born at 32 George <strong>St</strong>reet which was knocked down to<br />
make way for a vicarage a few years after his birth has lived in and<br />
around <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath all of his life. Noel said of his early years, “I was<br />
born in George <strong>St</strong>reet, the rent was a £1 a week and the mice were<br />
thrown in for free”.<br />
It took Noel a number of years to decide to have the tattoo and in<br />
August he took the big step. Noel’s association with <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath<br />
can not only be traced back to having lived the majority of his life in<br />
the area but also to his relatives who he visited as a child on Clifton<br />
Road. Now living in Edgbaston Noel misses the community of his<br />
beloved <strong>Balsall</strong> Heath, “I miss all of my friends. Where I live nobody<br />
speaks to each<br />
other. Over<br />
time you<br />
become part of<br />
the fixtures<br />
and fittings<br />
and I am part<br />
of <strong>Balsall</strong><br />
Heath”.