Balsall Heathan # 266 Jun 2007 - St. Paul's Community Trust

The Balsall
No. 266
June 2007
FREE
Heathan
Local News & Features
es

Methodist Church
Concert
A packed house at
the Moseley Road
Methodist
Church Concert
was treated to a
varied array of acts
recently when the
Church held its
annual church
fundraising event. The line-up which included jokes, poems,
solo singing performances and choirs from all over the city
provided the
audience
with a fun
packed
evening. As
well as live
entertainment,
w h i c h
included the
Churches’ own Gospel Choir the audience had the chance to
saviour a stunning meal at the end.
Celebration
This year the Mosley Road
Methodist Gospel Choir
celebrated their 10 th anniversary.
As part of the celebration,
members of the choir, their
families and friends were treated
to a special celebratory cake
made by Sylvene Flaherty. The choir, which comprises of around
12 members, visits the Queen Elizabeth Hospital every
Christmas to sing carols and often sings at other churches and
concerts to help with fundraising for other groups. It’s youngest
member Rosalie Marshall said of the choir, “I like to express my
creativity and its one way that we get to express the cultural
backgrounds of the members of the church. It’s a means of
expressing my faith through my singing”.
Outdoor challenge
2007
By Alex Vannelli
Jakeman Early Years Centre won a national competition that
will enhance the outdoor area for their children recently. The
national competition, held by Nursery World magazine, saw
over 400 nurseries throughout England compete for a prize
worth £13,000.
The competition, which focused upon the benefits of outdoor
play, used a series of questions about good practice to gauge the
level of understanding of the entrants. In addition the
competition required that the entrants demonstrate an
appreciation for the use of imagination. As part of their entry
Jakeman Nursery listed many of their past achievements to
date including a ‘Secret Garden’ project, a “Dora the explorer”
project to motivate the children’s interest and enjoyment with
the natural world also the centre has started its children on
growing and cooking organic fruit.
The questions that the nurseries were asked were based on
what the project had done and what they were planning, their
reasons for entering and how winning would help the project.
Jakeman Early Years Centre gave a superior set of answers and
included how the project currently involves parents/carers,
governors and the local community in their work, and that this
more importantly would continue. At half term Mrs Chaudri
was informed that Jakeman had won and the play area was
going to be improved.
The prize included £10,000 worth of shade sails from “keep it
kool” and £1000 worth of resources from NES Arnold who
provide educational tools as well as advice and support from
Learning through landscapes and finally an annual subscription
to Nursery World. The prize is planned to start on July 20 th
with the installation of four shade sails and will be in place for
September 2007.
Mrs Chaudri said about the achievement “We are extremely
pleased with the result of the competition and we believe this
will not only make the area look better it will give the children
hours of fun and education. This would not have been possible
without everybody helping and I would just like to thank
everyone concerned”.

The Balsall
Heathan
Carnival
Your Community Newspaper
If you have thought about having a stall at this years’ Balsall Heath Carnival
but haven’t gotten around to doing so then you will need to contact the
Carnival coordinator soon as spaces are going quickly. This year the theme
of the carnival is ‘A Fairy Tale Of Balsall Heath’, and was selected by pupils
at Clifton School. If your group can create a float or walking procession
based on the theme then there is still time to join in and show off your
creative skills.
Success
Children at Jakeman Nursery had reason to clebrate recently when the
Nursery won a national competition with a prize worth £13,000. A further
success in Balsall Heath was achieved by residents who live near George
Street Park when their dream of a wild flower conservation area became
reality and provided a wonderful display of natural beauty.
Speak Out!
Have you ever wanted to make a complaint but never known who to
complain to or wanted to thank someone for their hard work but you
weren’t quite sure who to thank? Well at 6pm, July 12 th at Clifton Junior
School many of the agencies that provide services for Balsall Heath will
offer residents the opportunity to meet them. It is a chance to raise issues
and concerns that affect your area and to find out about services you may
not have known about.
Newsdesk 0121 464 4376
Editor
Peter Cole.
Reporters Peter Cole & Alex Vannelli.
Contributors Nicky Barron, Lori Gillespie & Dick Atkinson.
Director Anita Halliday.
Photography Peter Cole & Alex Vannelli.
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
POLICE, PARTNER
AGENCIES &
COMMUNITIES WORKING
TOGETHER
Since Neighbourhood policing has been
implemented in this area Police Officers and
partner agencies in South East Birmingham
have been meeting regularly with
community members. The purpose of
the meetings has been to allow residents
to air their concerns and set tasks to
resolve the problems
they have
experienced.
Police Sergeant Hanif Ullah said: “This
is an ideal opportunity for the
community to meet police officers and
partner agencies to raise concerns, the
partnership approach enables us to
implement a shared solution to a
problem.
“Partner agencies include; housing,
Birmingham city council,
environmental health, street wardens,
education, anti-social behaviour
unit, licensing and many others.
Community members get the
opportunity to meet with the
person or agency that will be
responsible for providing solutions to their
concerns.”
The next neighbourhood-tasking meeting is planned for
12th July 2007 at 6pm at Clifton Junior School, St Pauls
Road, Balsall Heath.
Balsall Heath Children’s
Centre Small Grants Fund
Balsall Heath Children’s Centre is a government funded initiative,
which aims to work with and support local parents, carers and
families with children under 5’s to ensure that they receive a
better start in life. Balsall Heath Children’s Centre will work in
partnership with local agencies, parents and services to meet the
needs of families within the community.
The Small Grants Scheme is an excellent opportunity for local
organisations to apply for funding to develop or expand existing
services that aim to improve or enhance the lives of Children’s
Centre families, as identified within the Centre’s Development
Plan.
Grants of between £200 to £5000 are available.
For further details or to request an application pack please contact
Fuazia Azad Early Years Manager on 0121 464 6349.

Are you in a
Mixed Faith
Family?
A New Project in the Warwick
Religions and Education
Research Unit (WRERU) at the
University of Warwick is
Looking for Volunteers
by Elisabeth Arweck
There are little solid statistics on the number of mixed faith or
interfaith marriages, yet every faith community is aware that such
marriages are on the rise, particularly among young adults. Some
evidence of their existence and the issues which arise from religiously
mixed families can be found in web chat rooms where
contributors discuss mixing and meshing traditions in wedding
ceremonies, holiday celebrations, and child-rearing.
Further evidence can be found in the arts, in particular in literature
and drama. For example, Brick Lane, a novel set in the Bangladeshi
Muslim community in East London, shortlisted for the Booker
Prize, is informed by the author’s own dual heritage. Monica Ali
grew up as the child of a Bengali Muslim father—who wished her
to be a ‘good Bengali girl’—and an English mother. Another example
is Child of the Divide, a recent play by Sudha Bhuchar, cofounder
of Tamasha Arts and co-winner of the Asian Women of
Achievement Award in Arts and Culture. The play tells the story of
a small Hindu boy who is taken in by a Muslim family in the chaos
of border crossing between India and the newly formed Pakistan in
1947. Having been brought up a Muslim he eventually finds himself
confronted with his Hindu roots and needs to decide what he
wants to be.
While some people are sceptical and even negative about the mixed
faith background of children who grow up in interfaith families,
others see it as an enrichment, fertile ground for creativity, and fine
examples of successful resolution of conflict. However, there is no
conclusive sociological evidence that children raised with two faiths
are any better or worse off than children raised in a single faith.
Academic research in this area is scant, with some notable exceptions,
such as Abe Ata’s work on Christian/Muslim Intermarriage
on the West Bank and in Australia. Hence the project at the
Univerasity of Warwick. It seeks to investigate how children, whose
parents have different faith backgrounds (Christian, Hindu, Muslim,
or Sikh), form their own religious identity.
The three-year study (June 2006–May 2009) is funded by the Arts
and Humanities Research Council. The research team is building
on previous studies of religious nurture in examining the factors,
which influence young people’s religious identity, allegiance,
activities, and beliefs in relation to their parents’.
As many schools have become increasingly diverse in terms of pupils’
ethnic and cultural backgrounds, questions about the role, that
upbringing and teaching play in young people’s religious identity
formation are of great importance. Such questions are all the more
significant given widespread assumptions about the discrete nature
of religious and cultural communities and their related faiths, which
do not allow for the more plural reality of many families and
individuals. Interfaith families are ‘obvious’ examples, which
demonstrate that faith and religious identity do not necessarily
come in neat categories. All this has implications for the way in
which religious education is constructed and taught in schools and
the way in which educators approach individuals from various faith
communities.
The research team would welcome any relevant information and
contact with members of mixed-faith families. Please get in touch!
elisabeth.arweck@warwick.ac.uk
Tel. 02476 528 434
POLICE OFFICERS TEAM
UP WITH AUTO REPAIR
SERVICE TO CRACK CAR
CRIME
By Lori Gillespie
POLICE Officers from Balsall Heath neighbourhood are teaming
up with a nationwide auto repair service to provide anti-theft
screws to drivers.
The special screws replace traditional screws in car number plates
to make it extremely difficult for them to be removed.
Number plate theft is becoming a nationwide problem, enabling
criminals to ‘clone’ other cars. Innocent motorists can incur
speeding fines, parking tickets, congestion charges and other
offences as a result. It is hoped that by making the number plates
harder to remove, the chances of becoming a victim of this type of
crime will decrease.
Auto repairers Kwik Fit volunteered their services and fitted the
anti-theft screws for anyone living in the area on 30th May at Aldi
in Sparkbrook for free of charge.
As well as fitting the anti theft screws, motorists were able to pick
up security marking pens to mark valuables in their car, such as
radios and sat nav systems.
PC Christopher Brown, running the initiative, said: “We want to
make it hard for thieves and every crime prevention method taken
is a step towards reducing the chances of becoming a victim.
“Kwik Fit have kindly agreed to support us in this initiative by
fitting the screws while officers gave further crime prevention advice
and literature to those who attended.”
THEFT OF LEAD
The price of scrap metal has rocketed in the last year. As a consequence,
there has been a spate of thefts in the area. Offenders are
stealing the lead from the roof of people’s homes.
Often the victim is not aware of the theft until their roof starts to
leak. There have been a number of reported incidents and there
are possibly many more that have gone unreported or unnoticed
until the winter weather sets in.
If you see anyone acting suspiciously please call Belgrave Road
Police Station on 0845 113 5000 or in the case of an emergency
call 999.

Wildlife gardening
By Alex Vannelli
Gardening is a delightful hobby.
We choose plants for their
vibrant colours, architectural
beauty or scent and the result is
always unique. But there is
another benefit to gardening.
Through providing shelter for
wildlife, choosing certain kinds
of plants, and looking after your
garden in a particular way, you
can encourage another whole
display of colour, movement and
sound.
Once you get started, wildlife
gardening becomes much more
than just making friends with the
local wildlife. It’s a way of
connecting to the whole web of life. Years ago, the countryside was
rich in wild plants and animals but today that’s no longer true.
Many of the creatures that thrive in gardens are having a hard time
in their old haunts, for example frogs, goldfinches and sparrows.
What gardeners do to help makes a real difference. And for the first
time, there’s firm scientific evidence to show what really works to
attract wildlife. The key features are trees, dead wood, water, and a
wide variety of plants, all shapes, colours and sizes. Once we provide
these simple needs, we can see gardens not just as our outdoor
rooms, but as an interconnected network of green patches that
together amount to a very special nature reserve.
George Street Park
A good example of wild
flowers that are providing a
riot of colour can be found
in George Street Park in
Balsall Heath. Last spring,
local residents and children
who were concerned about
the use of weed killer spray
sowed wild flower seeds in
a flowerbed next to the
children’s play area. However a mistake on the part of the City
Council almost prevented the wonderful display when weed killer
was once again sprayed on the area selected for the flowers to grow
in. With help from the probation service and the city council the
mistake was rectified and new seed including cornflowers,
chamomile, field poppies and corn cockles were sown once again
by the residents. Now all the work that has gone into establishing
the wildflower area provides a home for wild life. This project has
helped the local environment by encouraging bees, hoverflies,
beetles and butterflies
which are all important
food sources for bats and
birds as well as important
pollenators for food crops.
In the autumn the residents
plan to shake the wild
flower seeds on to the
ground and let the whole
process start again the
following year. Plans for the
future of this newly created
conservation area include
establishing a native
hedgerow to compliment
the flowers.
Look out for these butterflies in your
garden:
Holly Blue: feeds on the flowers and
small buds of holly or ivy
Peacock: these butterflies feed mainly
on the common nettle
Red Admiral: Adults drink nectar
from flowers: buddleia is a favourite.
Feeds on rotting fruit in autumn.
Caterpillars eat stinging nettles.
Home composting
Growing numbers of gardeners have
recognised the benefits of home
composting. In fact the number of UK
households composting both kitchen
and garden waste has increased by nine
per cent, to nearly a quarter (23 per
cent) of the population over the past
seven years and this trend looks set to
continue. It is a very simple process
and anyone that wants to recycle their
waste into garden compost can follow
this process and help recycle unused
waste and help the wildlife ecosystem.
Finding a site for your bin
Site your bin on a level, well-drained
spot. This allows excess fluid to drain
out and makes it easier for helpful insects such as worms to get in and
get working on breaking down the waste contents. Placing your bin
in a partially sunny spot can help speed up the composting process.
Ingredients
Like any recipe, your compost relies on the right ingredients to make
it work. Good things you can include: vegetable peelings, fruit waste,
teabags, plant prunings and grass cuttings. These are considered
“Greens.” Greens are quick to rot and they provide important nitrogen
and moisture. Other things you can compost include cardboard egg
boxes, scrunched up paper and fallen leaves. These are considered
“Browns” and are slower to rot. They provide fibre and carbon and
also allow important air pockets to form in the mixture. Crushed
eggshells can be included to add useful minerals.
Certain things should never be placed in your bin. No cooked
vegetables, no meat, no dairy products, no diseased plants, and
definitely no dog poo, cat litter, or baby’s nappies. Putting these in
your bin can encourage unwanted pests and can also create odour.
Never put weeds in your bin it helps them grow, youll never get rid of
them.
Getting the mix right
Glorious compost lies in getting the mix right. You need to make sure
you keep your Greens and Browns properly balanced. If your compost
is too moist, add more Browns. If it’s too dry, add some Greens.
Making sure there is enough air in the mixture is crucial. Adding
scrunched up bits of cardboard is a simple but effective way to create
air pockets that will help keep your compost healthy, mixing is another
good way. After approximately 6-9 months your compost will be
ready.
The final product
Finished compost is a very dark brown, almost black soil-like layer
that you’ll find at the bottom of your bin.Its texture is unusual, quite
like a sponge and is rich in nutrients. Some bins have a small hatch at
the bottom that you can remove to get at the finished product, but
sometimes it’s easier to lift the bin or to tip it over to get at your
compost. Laying the finished compost onto your flowerbeds greatly
improves soil quality by helping it retain moisture and suppressing
weeds. Composting is the easiest way to make your garden grow
more beautiful.

y John Khan
For many people on a Friday night the takeaway menu from
the local Chinese makes its regular appearance and the usual
dish gets selected. However making it yourself can be one of
the most satisfying experiences you can have. So for this month
I will show you how easy it is to make a tasty sweet and sour
sauce with chicken in batter.
Sauce
500ml Pineapple juice
50g Tomato ketchup
125ml Vinegar
100g Sugar
50g Tomato puree
1tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Onion sliced
25g Ginger
Sauce extras
50g Fresh/tinned pineapple
1 Onion cut into large cubes
1 Green pepper
1 Red pepper
1tbsp Corn flour/arrowroot to thicken
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 chicken breast, cut into cubes
100g Plain flour
Batter
200g Plain flour seasoned with salt and pepper
10g Yeast (easy blend yeast)
250ml Water or milk
salt
What would you want to do in
Seven Streets Park?
Come and give your opinions about how Seven Streets Park between Runcorn Road and
Clifton Road can be improved! A public consultation together with games and play for
children is taking place on Sunday the 1st of July between 11am and 2pm with everyone
welcome. Funding made available by the
City Council to the sum of £8000 will be
used to improve the park. The Runcorn Road
Residents Group who are organizing the
consultation event hope to develop some
interesting proposals which if necessary may
result in applying for more funding.
Commitment to the park on the part of local
residents has already made improvements
through a series of park cleanup events,
which have helped to maintain the
flowerbeds and remove dumped rubbish.
1. Dissolve the yeast into a small amount of tepid water
and leave for one hour in a warm spot. To make the
batter sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Make a well
in the flour and then add the yeast and the liquid.
Gradually fold in the flour and mix into a smooth
mixture. Allow to rest for a further hour before using.
2. Mix together the sauce ingredients in a saucepan and
bring to the boil. Simmer gently for 10 minutes and
sieve. Return the sauce to the saucepan. Mix the corn
flour/arrowroot in a cup with a small quantity of
water and add to the sauce. Add the extra sauce
ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Coat the chicken in the plain flour and dip into the
batter mixture. Heat up some oil in a saucepan and
add the chicken in small amounts and cook until
golden brown. Repeat this until all the chicken is
cooked. Drain the cooked chicken on kitchen paper
towels then serve the chicken and pour the sauce
over the top.
This dish can be served with boiled rice. For an alternative to
chicken why not try using fish.

On Her Majesty’s
Service
Bigger and Better
Members of St. Paul’s
FC bid a fond farewell
to a valued member of
their team recently when
their goalkeeper joined
the Royal Navy. Aaron
Bradley who played with
St Paul’s F.C senior team
for two seasons as their
goalkeeper had served
the team well throughout
his stay with the club.
Aaron has now gone on
to continue his
reputation as a good
defender at HMS
Raleigh in Plymouth.
Assistant coach Mical
Humes said of Aaron,
“He will be greatly
missed by all of the team,
we wish him well in his
new chosen career”.
Over the course of the last two seasons the club has
developed and has improved its position within the
Amateur Football Association league finishing in 6 th place
this season, an improvement on the season before. As
well as improving their standing within the league the
team attended a special charity 5aside football event held
at Star City where they won the tournament outright,
which gave the team an added incentive.
by Nicky Barron
STOP PRESS
A poster has been STOLEN from the community notice
board outside the shop on the corner of Oldfield
Road and Kingsley Road in Balsall Heath. The poster
was entitled ‘Save Moseley Road Baths - 100 years serving
South Birmingham’.
Residents are unsure as to whether the poster was stolen
by someone who wanted to be a ‘Friend of the Baths’
and display it in their own window, or by someone who
is opposed to this resident-led campaign. ‘I don’t want
to be paranoid’, one concerned resident said, ‘but with
the way things are round here, you just don’t know whom
to trust’.
All other posters in the notice board were untouched.
The club recently held their annual award ceremony at
the Birmingham Sports Centre and celebrated all the
hard work of the players. As well as paying tribute to the
players for their outstanding efforts the team also thanked
Patsy Stewart who washes their kit each week and Chris
McGuinness from the Balsall Heath Healthy Living
Centre who has sponsored the team for the last two
seasons through financial donations which have helped
them to purchase their kits. A further thank you went to
the Grounds Manager Zhor Malik at the Calthorpe Park
Recreation Centre.
The team have now started to plan for the next season
and intend to begin training throughout the summer in
preparation. By maintaining and improving on fitness
levels the team intend to let their football do the talking
and therefore win the league.
Head Coach Errol Thomas said of the achievements to
date, “The
team have
been excellent.
This has all
been achieved
through
commitment
and hard work
and I am proud
of them”. If
you would like
to sponsor the
team or make
a donation
then contact
Mical Humes
on 0121 464
4376.

Balsall Heath Forum Focus
The Abdullah Tapes
As most readers will now know, Abdullah, one of the Balsall Heath
Forum’s Neighbourhood Wardens played host to David Cameron,
Conservative Party leader in May. Abdullah took him to a derelict
council car park, which he helped to clear, visited a local school and
served in several corner shops. So, the Balsall Heath Forum asked
Abdullah: “What was it like to spend 2 days with David Cameron,
have him sleep in your house, meet your relatives and friends and
show him Balsall Heath?
“If was a fantastic opportunity”, Abdullah said. “It gave dozens of
people the chance to show Cameron what life was like in Balsall
Heath, warts and all”. Abdullah went on to say that Cameron asked
sensible questions, listened carefully to the replies, then made
perceptive comments.
“Was it worth it or was it a hassle? We asked Abdullah. “I’ll tell you
what was a hassle”, he said. “The press and media. Cameron kept
them away while he was here, so he met us all privately. But, after he’d
gone, they found out and all wanted to be in on the act. While some
were O.K, most wanted to know silly things like: Did he snore? Did
he lift the toilet seat? I told them to ask sensible questions and began
to realise that being a politician is not easy”.
“How was Cameron with your relatives in your home?” we asked,
“Just like a local friend”, Abdullah said. “He blended in, had no side
on him, didn’t make assumptions. He chatted like a normal human
being”. We asked Abdullah, what were the 3 most remarkable features
of the visit?” He said:
“Was it all worth it?”, we asked Abdullah? “Sure”, he said. “It was a
real privilege showing the person who could be our next Prime Minister
round Balsall Heath. Shop keepers and ordinary residents took real
pride out of the event.
When David’s office were asked what he had gained from his visit and
from Abdullah. “Priceless”, they said. “He now knows far more about
Islam and other faiths and how they are part of the solution, not the
problem. Birmingham Council is to be praised for supporting this
unique community. Its clearly where the future is to be found. He’ll
be back”.
Dear Abdullah,
Thank you so much for letting me stay with you and your family last
week and for looking after me so well. I really am most grateful to you
for all you did for me during my stay in Balsall Heath, and for your
generous and warm hospitality.
I found the whole two days most enlightening and it really was so
helpful for me to have you to shepherd me round the many local
places of interest and the various community activities that I was able
to visit.
I particularly enjoyed spending time with you and your family in your
home and at your shop, and would be most grateful if you could pass
on my thanks and very best wishes to all your family, particularly
Shahida, who did so much to make me feel so welcome.
Thank you, once again, and please do stay in touch.
“First, the visit to my son’s school. He talked to my son and all the
kids at the school like he was their uncle. He was amazed that my
kids are Muslims but that they go to a Jewish school. I was really
proud of my son who said: “Its great, all the Holy Books are like one.
They all say, “Love one another, be kind”.
“Second, David served in several local shops and learned that local is
good and that the relentless march of the supermarket needs to be
resisted. Otherwise, it can take the friendship and meeting place of
the corner shop out of local neighbourhoods and weaken them.
Abdullah said, “Many people were sceptical about his visit, and when
I asked the owners of Raja brothers if I could bring David to visit
them and their shop they asked: “Why, what does he want to visit us
for?” However, when they agreed and met him they said how down to
You were all really kind and it was such an enjoyable experience.
David Cameron
Regarding David Cameron stay
The reason why David wanted to come and stay at my uncle’s was to
get a first-hand experience through the eyes of a British Asian family
that has lived in the community for the last 40 years. How did the
local community get rid of prostitution and drug dealers when the
police refused? How cohesive are different faiths? How can a
neighbourhood recover? He did not arrive with an MI5 escort or
press.
He learned that we see ourselves as local brothers and sisters not
Jews, Muslims, Black or White. These are the words that divide
communities. We in Balsall Heath have the same common goal to
live in peace and harmony and to respect each other irrespective of
faith and colour.
To cut a long story short we were successful in getting rid of all the
vices and then building one new community. David wanted to learn
about how we had done this. My cousins all go to a Jewish school.
Muslim and children of other faiths play together in school. So, why
can’t the rest of us get along? I am proud to live in Balsall Heath, I
believe we have the most multi faith area in the whole of the UK if not
the World and we have never had any violence between faiths or
nationalities.
earth he was. Its not just that he got to know Muslims better, we got
to know him better in return.”
“Third, David helped to recover a lost car park and pitch which
belonged to the Council but which were poorly maintained. He saw
that local people could do this with passion and pride far better than
the local council bureaucrats, David said, “I’m convinced local is
best. If we want Vibrant Villages we’d better put ownership in the
hands of the locals”.
David saw this himself, and he talked to local people, asked them if
they had any questions and listened to their answers. Those he met
felt that he is the most down to earth and genuine person that has
ever visited Balsall Heath. He has a great quality in that he LISTENS
to the view of people and did not promote himself. I meet a lot of
footballers, TV presenters and Actors who pass through my shop and
David is the most genuine person I have ever met. During his two day
visit he humbly spent time recovering an old football pitch and a car
park.
So, I say: David, congratulations on becoming the first politician who
has come as his real self to Balsall Heath and having the time and
patience to listen to us and see how we all live in solidarity and to take
our lesson and to spread our story that if “they in Balsall Heath can do

it so can you all!” We are all British, irrespective of faith or race and
we all have a common goal to live in peace and harmony as brothers
and sisters. We have and still can all make a difference.
We can make our Community and Country perfect. Use us. Use our
example.
Mohammed Raza
Balsall Heath resident.
Summer Planters
The Forum’s Green Team have just finished replacing the spring plants
in the large wooden planters with summer ones. They now have the
task of watering them through the long, hot, days of summer.
If any resident or shopkeeper would volunteer to help them in this big
task, their efforts would be gratefully received. The team are not
suggesting that volunteers look after all the planters, merely the one
nearest to your house or shop. Anyone interested should phone Carrie
on 0121-446-6182.
Ladypool Road – developments
The Council has made £1m available for developments in the Ladypool
Road to help with its post – tornado recovery. The money is to be used in
3 ways as follows:
●
●
●
£400k for shops to make improvements to their fronts Shops
and restaurants are asked to apply for sums of up to £50k.
£200k for marketing the area to the outside world.
£400k for general environmental improvements, say, to the
street furniture or Balsall Heath park. Suggestions welcome.
The Way Ahead
Project
Helping Young
people Succeed
The Way Ahead Project has gained funding from the
Young people’s fund to support young people move into
work or training.
Way Ahead offer young people the opportunity to develop
their skills in a creative young person centred environment.
Want your music on the Internet?
· Lay down your own tracks
There is no time limit on these improvements, which are expected to take
place over the next 12 – 24 months.
Power to the people
Since visiting Balsall Heath and staying with Abdullah and his family.
David Cameron has written a number of articles and made speeches
explaining the impact this had on him.
He wrote in The Observer (May 13 th ) that: “Asian families are
incredibly strong and cohesive and have a sense of civic responsibility
which puts the rest of us to shame. I found myself thinking that it is
mainstream Britain which needs to integrate more with the British
Asian way of life, not the other way around. If we want to remind
ourselves of British values – hospitality, tolerance and generosity to
name just three – there are plenty of British Muslims ready to show
us what these things really mean.”
Then, in the Sunday Times (June 3 rd ) he wrote about his: “Belief in
social responsibilities: that people are more likely to feel part of their
community if they feel real control over its future ... I want to give
everyone in our country .... much greater control over what happens
to their lives ... Power to the people is one of the most deeply held ...
ideas and in the weeks ahead we will start to show how we plan to
extend it”.
At a conference in Cambridge both Labour’s Liam Byrne, Ruth Kelly
and Conservative’s David Cameron spoke about the need to strengthen
people’s sense of British identity: Writing in the Birmingham Post
(June 1 st ) Liam Byrne said: “we need to celebrate some of the things
we are proudest of in this country ... what we have in common”.
· Add beats or live instruments
· Mix down using the latest digital programmes
e.g. Cubase
· Cut your own CD
· Share it with the world on the web!
Ever wanted to create a short film or animation?
· Here’s your chance – follow the process through
· Developing ideas
· Story board your film
· Write scenes – direct them or even star in them
· Create a documentary or an animation using
computer technology or still frame
Make your career decision
· Follow the beyond sixteen module which will
help you make career choices and give you
key skills which employers want and need.
Many more modules all accredited by the Open
College Network.
If you are aged 13 – 25 then it could be for you – no
entry requirement no cost!
Call Way Ahead on 0121 464 8739
email wayahead@stpaulstrust.org.uk
Or call in
Way Ahead
Hertford Street
Balsall Heath
Birmingham
B12 8NJ
Way ahead is part of St.
Paul’s Community
Development Trust.

Dear Editor,
In reply to Steve James letter about Moseley Road baths.
As a resident of Balsall Heath and a supporter of Friends of the Baths,
I can assure him that we are not just about nostalgia.
Can I ask Steve where he thinks our children in local schools such as
Tindal, Heath Mount and Clifton are going to learn to swim if we do
not have a pool in the area?
As a keen swimmer myself I would love to see an Olympic Pool in
Birmingham but NOT at the cost of a much needed and used local
facility,
Jenny Austin
Harbury Road B12
Dear Editor,
MILOH
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Specialising in Maths and English
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ESOL up to Entry 3/Level 1
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Mr LM Jordan 07719178257
E-mail miloh1234@hotmail.cu.uk
A BIG THANK YOU!
There are knights on white chargers, (or at least in a white minibus!),
alive and well in Balsall Heath, ready to ride out to rescue
damsels, (and even ladies of later years), in distress.
I recently had a difficult situation at my house requiring specialist
help and tools, neither of which I had at the time. In desperation, I
rang the Forum for advice, or a telephone number to help.
Unexpectedly and without me asking, aid was despatched immediately
in the form of Hamid accompanied by a willing visitor from Holland.
In time, with much patience and perseverance they managed to
overcome the problem to my great relief. This was all the more
appreciated because they were expected somewhere else for a
celebration and were being much delayed by helping me.
I was more grateful than I can say and I wish there were more people
around like them. Thank you SO much!
An extremely appreciative local resident.
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

A question of
cultural identity
or family values?
mac presents an innovative and daring new piece of
work, laying bare the foundations of family and
community relations. Fusing recognisable elements
of Western love stories with captivating South Asian
dance styles, Find Me Amongst The Black tells the
story of a young Asian woman who falls in love with
a black man. The consequences for her and her family
are profound, divisive, and extreme.
Featuring a powerful cast of dancers, with music from
reknowned artists Tigerstyle, Writer Parv Bancil
(Ungrateful Dead, Crazyhorse and Made In
England) and Director & Choreographer Darshan
Singh Buller (Phoenix Dance Company, Rambert,
CandoCo) create a dark vision of segregation through
a compelling series of twists and ground breaking
choreography against a multimedia backdrop created
by designers KMA.
Created as a response to the Birmingham riots of
2005, Find Me Amongst The Black brings issues
that are woven in to the very fabric of our society to
the forefront for discussion.
Louder Than Words, an exhibition exploring the
issues of identity and appearance by Barbara Walker
is now at mac, running until 12 August.
Beauty Queen, a film which investigates and analyses
the 2005 Birmingham Riots will be screened at mac
8pm on 3rd July.
For bookings and information on any of these events,
please visit:
Website - www.macarts.co.uk
Telephone - 0121 440 3838 mac Information &
Ticket Office