The Balsall Heathan - St. Paul's Community Trust

The Balsall
No. 297
September 2010
FREE
Heathan
Your Community Newspaper

Success At
Tindal
An Ofsted inspection at Tindal Primary School just
prior to the summer took the school out of the ‘improve’
category and lifted them to satisfactory. All of this was
achieved through a commitment to improve the schools
standing. The efforts of parents, teachers, pupils, staff and
partner organisations resulted in inspectors stating that;
“This is a satisfactory school
where the head teacher and
staff work hard to drive
improvement…”
The whole child
Improvements in the
academic arena were not the
only areas that received praise
from inspectors. The levels
of community involvement,
effectiveness of care, guidance
and support and effectiveness
of how the school promotes
community cohesion
all added to the schools
effectiveness. Pupils feelings
of safety within the school
and their contributions to
both the school and the
wider community were seen
as further evidence of the
schools commitment to each
child as a whole.
Beyond the core
Examples of how pupils at
the school benefit from extra
curricular activities can be seen in the schools involvement
in a range of activities outside of the school environment.
When the Midlands Arts Centre was reopened following
its extensive refurbishment pupils from the school took
part in an oral story telling project. Recordings were made
of the pupils reading a story which visitors to the centre
now listen to on portable devices as they tour the grounds.
Leading the way
The school embraces opportunities to develop the children
and one such opportunity, which they grasped, with both
hands was to be one of only two schools in Birmingham to
take part in a special pilot scheme called ‘Mini Mentors’.
The scheme which saw pupils in years 1 & 2 being trained
to become mentors for others is expected to be adopted
nationally within other schools.
Healthy body and a healthy mind
A commitment to encouraging healthy living is a key
message within the school. Initiatives like ‘Fitness
Fortnight’ where pupils spend two weeks taking part in
a range of sporting activities and which finished with a
school sports day with house teams competing against
each other help to promote this aspect of their education.
As well as fitness the children and their parents worked
with a local intuitionalist
to learn about and cook
healthy meals in an initiative
called “Cooking with Kids”.
Similarly a trip to Villa
Park for the ‘Villa Vitality’
programme saw a select
number of pupils learning
about healthy lifestyles
and how to make sensible
choices.
Encouraging respect for the
environment has always
played a part in the schools
day to day activities and
so every year the school
through its pupils takes pride
in the appearance of their
school and the local parks
demonstrated through their
continued involvement in
the Balsall Heath Britain In
Bloom entry.
Thinking outside the box
The school enjoys challenges
and so does it’s pupils. For
the girls the chance to be
inventors and then engineers
proved to be a major hit especially with their construction
of a giant bubble machine. This year it is the boys’ turn and
excitement at the prospect of building their inventions is
clear to see.
Designing solutions to problems can also be found in the
recently established Parent Consultation Group, which has
proved a real boon to the school. Coupled with the school
council the school is now in a position to tackle problems
with the added benefit of help from all of its community.
The recent improvements are a commitment by the
whole school to rise to the challenges that lie ahead and
are an indication of the determination that Tindal has to
continue to further it’s success.

What to
do with
leaves
by John Newson
Trees drop leaves every autumn. It is nature’s way of
removing carbon from the air and making soil.
You could put leaves into green plastic bags and put them
out for the Council to collect and compost (collection
alternates weeks with the recycling boxes). Please do not
add rubbish to the bag, and do leave it open. Or take them
to the Council’s site at Tyseley with other unwanted items.
It may be easier to sweep leaves into the flowerbed and tread
down. On a lawn, the mower will shred the leaves as you
cut the grass, if you leave the box off. Earthworms will pull
them down, enriching the soil. Dead leaves could go with
green waste and food waste in a compost bin.
Newsdesk 0121 464 4376
Editor
Peter Cole.
Reporters Peter Cole.
Contributors Louise Allen, Pat Wing, Gareth Retallic, John Newson,
& Dick Atkinson.
Director Anita Halliday.
Photography Peter Cole & Rosie Dickson.
Distributors St. Paul’s Community Development Trust staff, The
West Midlands Probation Service, The Balsall Heath
Forum & Ann Molloy.
Graphic Design
Design/Layout
Printed
Peter Cole & Rosie Dickson.
Peter Cole.
by Clarkeprint Ltd.
St. Paul’s Community
Development Trust
You can use leaf
mould in place
of peat for seeds
and pots. This
leaves the carbon in
the peat bogs, where it
should be. To make your
own leaf mould, construct a tube
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
on the ground
from chicken
wire. Tread the
leaves down
then leave
them for 2
years (peeing
on them
helps with
breakdown).
They would
also break
down in a pile
of plastic bags
(with holes for
drainage). A
free fact sheet
on making
leaf mould
can be had
from Garden
Organic (www.
gardenorganic.
org.uk) or me
John Newson
440 7919 BHIOP@jericho.org.uk
There is a business in Birmingham that makes logs to burn
from dead leaves (www.leaflog.com). Others sell machines
to make your own logs. However, be aware that only
approved smokeless fuels and types of wood burning stoves
can be used in the city (Council Environmental Protection
Unit: 0121 303 9900)
The worst approach is to burn leaves on an open bonfire.
This is like smoking a thousand cigarettes, releasing cancercausing
fumes and particles to your neighbours and passers
by. The Council fines people for doing this. To report a
nuisance fire ring 0121 303 9900.
The Balsall
Heathan
Your Community Newspaper
Read the
Balsall Heathan
online at
www.stpaulstrust.org.uk

Sparkbrook neighbourhood
policing team.
We asked, you said, we did!
The residents of Calthorpe Park told us that they were
concerned about drivers using the bus lane on Belgrave
Middleway. Your team therefore carried out an operation and
Crime prevention corner
There have been a few burglaries in Sparkbrook and Balsall
Heath over the last few weeks. Whilst there is no reason for
you to worry, we want to give you some advice to reduce your
chances of being burgled.
Please be assured that your local officers are working hard
investigating the incidents and will do everything in their power
to bring the offender to justice. We are patrolling both in
uniform and in plain clothes to catch the burglars in the act.
In the meantime there are a number of steps that you can take
to help prevent becoming a victim of crime.
• In just under one third of burglaries, thieves gain access
through an open window or door. Make sure doors and
windows are locked, especially when leaving the house.
• Secure your doors. Check the condition of the frames and
glass panels. Fit devices such as chains and door viewers.
• When you are out, leave a light on to give the impression
that there is somebody at home. Timer switches can be
fitted to operate radios and lights when you are out.
• Use your burglar alarm if you have one.
• Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place, such as
under the doormat or in a flowerpot – a burglar will look
there first.
• Make sure that your sheds and garages are secure. Always
lock ladders and tools away to stop a burglar using them.
For more information please visit our website at www.westmidlands.police.uk.
Here you will find contact details for your
local neighbourhood policing team as well as other useful crime
prevention information.
If you have seen anybody acting suspiciously in your street
recently then please let us know. Any information that you
have might help us catch the burglar, so please give us a call
on 0345 113 5000. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers in
confidence on 0800 555 111.
issued over 200 tickets to drivers who were illegally using the
bus lane from Horton Square onto Belgrave Middleway. We will
continue to monitor this in a bid to stop motorists using these
lanes illegally.
The residents of Farm Park have expressed concerns about
motorists speeding around the roads of Sparkbrook. Your
team have been tackling speeding motorists on Sampson Road,
Henley Street and Montgomery Street. A number of motorists
have received a fine and points on their driving licence and some
have been summonsed to court.
During August, your team carried out traffic operations in Balsall
Heath and Sparkbrook. During the operations 152 vehicles
were stopped by officers and 29 vehicles were seized for having
no insurance. Four arrests were made during these operations
for various offences. Your team are tackling uninsured vehicles
in our neighbourhoods and are committed to taking them off
the road.
We will continue to listen to your local concerns and take action
to make our community a safer place to live, work and visit.
Do you ‘like’ Birmingham
East Police?
Would you like regular updates from your local officers? Want
to know where you can meet them, and see some of the
initiatives they are working on? Then why not become a fan of
Birmingham East Police?
Signing up to the new Facebook site means that the work that
officers are doing in your neighbourhood, appeals and initiatives
will be delivered directly to your news feed.
www.facebook.com/birminghameastpolice
Amateur boxing night
On Friday 3 September, West Midlands Police and Birmingham
Amateur Boxing Club held a charity night at the Centennial
Centre, Edgbaston. This charity night, organised by the
Sparkbrook neighbourhood team, featured live boxing events.
The night was a great success and raised over £5,000.
The money is being donated to the boxing club so they can
carry out refurbishments at the boxing gym on Stratford Road,
Sparkbrook. The gym, which is run by coach Frank O’Sullivan, is
a fantastic establishment which has been open for over 50 years
teaching boxing and fitness to the communities
of Sparkbrook.

Control Your
Energy Bills
COME AND JOIN THE FUN!
By Gareth Retallick
If your home is energy efficient it will cost less to run and be
more comfortable, both cooler in summer and warmer in
winter. A small outlay now could save thousands of pounds
over the coming years. With rising gas and electricity prices,
you could save you up to £300 a year.
Older buildings usually have solid walls and older style
windows, whereas newer ones have cavity walls and
modern window frames. Heating systems range from coal
fires and stand-alone heaters to centralised systems with
sophisticated controllers. Heating requirements can vary
from elderly and families needing heating 24 hours a day, to
young professionals who only use it early morning and late
evening. Features like these all influence the potential and
cost of energy improvements.
Efficient glazing and draught exclusion can save up to £140
a year.
Insulating the loft can cut energy bills by up to a third.
Updating your boiler and heating system can significantly
reduce energy bills, and depending on your circumstances,
the work could be done for free.
Improvements in lighting technology means low-energy
light bulbs and appliances use up to 80% less energy.
Changing or replacing old with new can save up to £7 a
year, per bulb, and they can last up to 12 times as long.
The Home Energy Advice Scheme run by Moseley CDT
offers local, free and independent advice. We can tell you
about any grants to which you may be entitled.
To make an appointment please call 0121 449 8585 or
email: Energyadvice@MoseleyCDT.com
See our website www.MoseleyCDT.com/ node/85
Neighbourhood Tasking
Your next Neighbourhood Tasking Meeting will be held
on Tuesday 28th September at 7pm at Clifton Junior
School, St. Paul’s Road, Balsall Heath.
Please come along to the meeting and help us identify
what is important to you! If you are unable to attend
the meeting please contact your team of PCs and police
community support officers (PCSOs) in one the following
ways:
Telephone: 0345 113 5000 ext 7825 6952
Email: sparkbrook@west-midlands.police.uk
WHEN ARE THEY?
2 SATURDAY am and pm CLUBS
(at Balsall Heath & Erdington venues) (AGES 8-12)
SUNDAY CLUB (AGES 8-12)
MONDAY EVENINGS CLUB (AGES 15-19)
TUESDAY EVENINGS CLUB (at Balsall Heath venue) (AGES 12-19)
TUESDAY EVENINGS CLUB (at Erdington venue) (AGES 12-19)
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS YNOT (AGES 15 -19)
Children can attend ONE session per day depending on their level
of need
WHERE ARE THEY?
BALSALL HEATH
and
ERDINGTON
WHAT HAPPENS THERE?
We take part in many activities indoors…
Arts and Crafts
Sport
Group Games
Garden fun
Music making
Parties
We also go on great trips out…
Bowling
Swimming
Shows
Travelling by public transport
Cafes and restaurants
Parks and Playgrounds
TELL ME MORE…
At the start of each term we create a timetable in consultation with
the children.
We have a team of specialist and experienced staff and a key
worker system so you and your child will know exactly who is
working with them for the term. It is our aim to provide a play and
activity focused, friendly environment, valuing the children and
young people who attend.
YNOT? is a club for teenagers led by teenagers! There is loads
of choice and we may go out and about for a meal, going to see a
movie or even going to shows and dancing! There are opportunities
to talk about teenage issues and just time to chill out away from
home!
For further information on this service, including any charges that
may apply and current availability
Phone Play Team ON 07791149874
Please apply via the referral form on www.resourcesforautism.org.
uk or telephone the number above for a referral form to be sent out
to you.
Funded by Birmingham City Council Short Breaks
CHARITY NUMBER 1061253,
COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NUMBER 3326332

Thank you very very
much!
As part of the Eid celebrations representatives of the Sultan
Bahu Mosque through the hard work of the members of
the Tyga Youth Group once again handed out over 100
food hampers to local elderly residents on behalf of Islamic
Help. The food hampers which consisted of basic necessities
such as fruit, juices, vegetables and much more are part of
their commitment to bring cheer to the wider community
throughout the year.
Representatives of Belgrave Middleway Shelter and Mary
Street Residents Association gave a big thank you to everybody
concerned in making it possible. Further thanks were given
to representatives at the Balsall Heath Forum for assisting.
Choose the right
Way Ahead
Bored? Fed up? Not to sure what to do with your days? Aged 16-
25 and claiming benefits?
Then Way Ahead could be just what you’re looking for.
We offer an alternative education course aiming to help you focus
on where you want to go in life. We understand that everyone
learns at their own pace and that you may want to explore all the
options before settling on one. You may have an idea of what you
want to do with your life but no real idea of how to go about it. Or
you may have loads of ideas and no set plan for what you want to
do. Whatever stage you are at Way Ahead is here to help you grow
in confidence, share with others and gain nationally recognised
qualifications whilst you learn.
You will work with youth workers who will have an understanding
of how difficult it is for you to get motivated in a tough jobs
market and you’ll meet other young people who are in similar
positions to yourself.
You will have the opportunity to work on a design project that will
stir your creativity, gain qualifications in Creative Design, Gaining
Skills for Employment, Career Preparation and much more.
You will learn in a safe, interactive environment with full one to
one and group support where we will work with you to form an
individual development plan and support you at every stage.
If you are interested in joining the 10 week course or would like
more information then don’t hesitate to get in contact with Katie
Harris or Thieba Bibi.
Way Ahead, Room 16, Old Clifton Building, Clifton Road,
Ballsall Heath, B12 8NJ.
0121 464 87 39
Monday to Thursday 9.30-5.30
Friday 9.30-4.00

Friends of Moseley
Road Baths
Memories and
Memorabilia Day
The Friends of Moseley Road Baths will be holding their third
annual Memories and Memorabilia Day on Saturday, October
30th (the 103rd birthday of Moseley Road Baths) from 11:30am-
4:30pm. The venue will be the Mary Street Church Centre,
corner of Edward Road/Mary Street, Balsall Heath (around 400
yards from the baths).
This year’s Memories and Memorabilia Day forms an important
element of Pool of Memories, the three-year history project for
which the group has received a Heritage Lottery Fund Your
Heritage grant.
There will be displays about the building’s history, featuring a
selection of the photographs, reminiscences and artefacts already
collected as part of the project. Visitors will be encouraged to
recount (and record) their own memories and bring along their
own memorabilia for inclusion in the growing Pool of Memories
project archive.
Representatives of the Victoria Baths Trust in Manchester
(www.victoriabaths.org.uk) will present an illustrated talk about
the past, present and future of these glorious Grade II* baths
(winners of the BBC’s inaugural Restoration series in 2003) and
the equal of our own favourite water palace! There’ll also be
Bargains Galore
Balsall Heath shoppers have been given the chance to pick up a
few vintage bargains with the opening of new charity shop on
Edward Road. The Jericho Foundation shop was opened on July
15th with staff and volunteers welcoming in a crowd of local
residents eager to take a look inside.
The items on sale on the opening day ranged from jewellery and
ornaments to books
and furniture. With
the shop reliant on
donations, the variety
of goods for sale will
continue to vary
and offer shoppers
a new experience
every time. With a
strong commitment
to helping to
improve the working
conditions within
the developing
world and achieving
s u s t a i n a b l e
improvements for
their communities
the shop is a source
of many Fair Trade
a chance to discover more about the activities of various local
history organisations in the area as well as information about
swimming sessions at Moseley Road Baths.
As in previous years, there’ll be guided tours of the Baths
(including parts of the building currently closed to the public
such as the Gala Pool and ‘slipper’ baths), taking place at Noon,
1:00pm and 3:15pm. Advance booking is advised, if the demand
of previous years is anything to judge from!
For a full programme of events and activities please visit our
website (www.friendsofmrb.co.uk) and to book a tour please
e-mail memories@friendsofmrb.co.uk or telephone 07967 093
256.
Admittance to Memories and Memorabilia Day is free although
donations to the Friends of Moseley Road Baths group are most
welcome. Refreshments will be available and there is car parking
space at the Church Centre.
goods. As well as providing an income to help the charity
continue to provide its range of services the shop provides some
of the staff that are on the Future Jobs Fund initiative with the
chance to gain valuable retail experience.
Volunteers have always played a valuable role within the
organisation and will continue to do the same with the shop. With
five regular volunteers and many more helping when they can
there are still chances for people to volunteer and gain experience
as well as help the charity. The shop is open 11 am to 6pm
Monday to Saturday and donations are always welcome. Shop
manager Aishah
Siddiqqh said, “This
shop is a wonderful
opportunity both
for those who are
receiving their work
experience and for
the customers who
receive absolute
bargains”. If you
would like to find
out more or want
to make a donation
and need further
information then
call 440 7919.

Water
Savers
by Pat Wing, Neighbourhood
Manager
Records for heat and lack of rain were broken in the first half
of 2010, with grass turning brown and plants struggling.
Then we had heavy downpours. Balsall Heath Forum is
preparing for a more difficult climate in future with the help
of a grant to put in ‘Water Savers kits’, from Birmingham
’s Climate Adaptation Partnership. The kits will include
rain butts and pipes to divert from gutters on buildings.
Together they will add up to Balsall Heath’s own reservoir.
We won’t have to use drinking water from the tap to keep
plants alive in future summers. Thousands of litres of rain
will be stored, instead of adding to flooding problems.
The Forum is looking for suitable sites on public spaces and
public buildings. Any suggestions are welcome - contact
Howard Meek 0121 446 6183
An Exceedingly Good
Competition
Can you bake? Do you like cake? Do you ever put these two
passions together and reap the rewards in the form of lovely
tempting delights on a plate best consumed with a cup of tea or a
glass of milk to wash it down with? If the answer to the majority
of these questions was yes then prove your metal and put your
apron on for a cake baking competition to sort out the true bakers
from the fakers! We can all talk about how good our best cake
recipes are but what will the judges think?
How to enter
It couldn’t be simpler. Find the recipe. Buy the ingredients.
Grease your baking tin and get cooking. There are two categories.
The first is for your big cakes that have to be sliced in order to
eat them. These can include such culinary delights as gateauxs,
fruitcakes and sponges. The second category is for the individual
small cakes with the size being based on an individual portion
with examples being angel drops, fairy cakes and fondant fancies.
It costs £2 to enter and there are two first place prizes. The cakes
will need to be ready for judging on 16th October at the St. Paul’s
Trust’s special 30th anniversary ‘Autumn Fair’.
If you would like further information and an application form
then please contact Peter Cole on 464 8787.
During the early 70s Balsall Heath residents and their friends
were of the opinion that things needed to happen in order for the
area and the lives of its people to improve. For those reasons an
organisation, made up of separate parts but comprising of similar
aims was born. That organisation was St. Paul’s Community
Project. Started on St. Paul’s Road and hence its name the
organisation began by using a terrace house as a school, a disused
church hall as a nursery and a piece of wasteland as an adventure
playground. Now with over 120 members of staff, several sites,
vehicles and a host of different services the organisation has
become one of the largest in Balsall Heath.
Now St. Paul’s Community Development Trust is celebrating
its 30th anniversary. Over the coming months through a series
of different events, which it would like the community it serves
to come and enjoy, the organisation will be celebrating this
milestone. Some of the events are featured in this edition of the
Balsall Heathan and many more due to a lack of space are not.
So to find out more about what is happening keep looking out
in the upcoming editions of your Balsall Heathan Community
Newspaper. If you can’t wait that long to find our what happening
then why not pay the Trust’s website a visit at www.stpaulstrust.
org.uk

Balsall Heath Forum Focus
Let a thousand
flowers bloom
The hanging baskets started in Homer Street. They moved to
Moseley Road, and then Edward Road and the Church Centre and
now reach right round Kinver Croft. There are some 300 of them, all
planted with flowers grown in the Tree Nursery and all watered and
lovingly tended by residents, shop keepers and voluntary agencies.
They have become a major talking point. Residents and visitors alike
comment on them – as did the Britain in Bloom Judges. Danny
Bailey, Chair of Kinver Residents Group said: “They bring out the
best in people. Those who just grumbled before and didn’t speak to
you now come out, help with the watering and talk. It’s great.”
So, the baskets and planters don’t just look good. They do you
good. They raise local spirits. That’s really good news. More! Streets
without baskets and planters are saying: ‘Count us in. Can we be
included next year?’ So, before long, the whole of Balsall Heath will
not just be a sea of yellow daffodils in spring but a riot of colour all
year round. Let a thousand flowers bloom!! Flower power works!
The Gardening Competition
In August two judges toured the 60 plus gardens which had been
entered into the Gardening Competition. Their task was difficult.
To judge the winners and single them out from a first class range
of entries was nearly impossible.
But, after much
deliberation the winners
were as follows:
Best Garden
• 1st place – Joan
Baker
• Joint 2nd place –
Rangzeb Ramzan &
Habib Choudary
• Commended –
Mary Bennet & Jim
Thompson
Best Hanging Basket
• 1st place – Shirley
Bedford
• Joint 2nd place –
Mary Bennet & Jim
Caffer Key
• Commended –
Winnie Henry
Best Vegetable
• Joint 1st place – Ivan
& Winnie Henry
• Commended –
Evelyn Bishop,
Mala Begum, Habib
Choudary & Jim
Thompson
Some gardens are spell-binding
One of the judges said: “The judge’s task is difficult, for the
standard of entry rises every year. Just walk round the area and so
many gardens, baskets and vegetables just take your breath away!”
Edgbaston Cricket Club
The conflict between the club which wants to maximise its earning
potential and residents who want a quiet and peaceful life remains
unsolved.
The 20/20 and other games attract large crowds, noise and horrendous
parking problems. Between games, discos and other events there
is noise created that continues well into the night. No doubt that’s
good for the club’s bank balance. But, it spells congestion, noise and
nuisance to very many residents.
At first, the club argued that only a few vocal residents were concerned.
But, there is increasing evidence that it accepts that major parts of
Balsall Heath, Moseley and Edgbaston are being affected adversely by
it. Discussions between the club and residents are underway. Let’s hope
that they can find a way forward, which satisfies both club and residents.
A plan for Moseley Road
The Moseley Road runs through the middle of Balsall Heath. As well
as residents from the neighbourhood, hundreds of commuters to and
from the City Centre pass along it every day. So, it should be the focal
and central feature of the area. But, while the spirit of the area has been
improved, the Moseley Road still staggers and leaves much to be desired.
The new College is a great asset. Lidl and other growth points are also
assets. But, the Baths and Library look uncared for and ill-used and
too many buildings and patches of land are empty and not used at all.
So, both local activists and City Centre planners feel it is time to form
a ‘Moseley Road Development Plan.’ The plan should accentuate the
existing growth points and begin to develop the glaring deficiencies
in the road.
The Development Department, Balsall Heath Forum, Friends of
the Baths and other interested parties will be invited to meet in the
autumn to put together a road development plan and find ways of
implementing it. Would any interested parties please contact Rosie
at the Balsall Heath Forum on 0121 446 6183.
Special CCTV Cameras
There have been several well-attended meetings about the newly
erected CCTV cameras. These are designed to help to counter
terrorism. But, the lack of consultation before the erection of them
has made many residents unhappy and resulted in requests to take
the cameras down. That’s why they are all now hooded and unused
while a consultation is held to determine whether they should be left
up and used or taken down.
All residents are urged to express a view on the future of these
cameras. But, in future, it is hoped that all those in authority learn
this lesson: before you introduce any new scheme, please consult
local people and gain their view. It may both save you a lot of time
and a lot of money.
Government Visits
The Balsall Heath Forum has been asked to expect a series of visits
from Government Ministers in the autumn period. Nick Hurd’s visit
on September 9th is reported below. But, visits are also expected from
Caroline Spelman, Greg Clarke and the Prime Minister. It seems that
Balsall Heath’s piloting of the Big
Society is attracting a great deal of
interest as Ministers and Officials look
to it to define in detail what it means
and how it can be developed in many
neighbourhoods throughout the land.
Nick Hurd M.P (Cabinet Office)
Visits Balsall Heath
Nick Hurd is the Cabinet Office
Minister with special responsibility for
the Big Society, he visited Balsall Heath
on September 9th. He met key active residents from all 4 corners of
Balsall Heath. He asked them how they had transformed the area and
how other neighbourhoods could replicate that success.

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Please send your letters to: The Editor, The Balsall Heathan, c/o
St. Paul’s Community Development Trust, Hertford Street, Balsall Heath, B12 8NJ
Dear Editor,
There were a few pictures in the Birmingham Mail Extra last month to
mark the 5th Anniversary of the tornado that hit Balsall Heath. One of
them was captioned “Wrecked: The scene from the air of Alder Street,
Sparkbrook”. If we forget the fact that it is Alder Road not Street, I think
Alder Road is Balsall Heath and the A-Z agrees! The recent Forward
magazine had Kafe Karachi as being on Ladypool Road, Highgate (This is
a city council publication).
These are not the first times I’ve noticed the papers, radio and TV report
on something that has happened locally and they say it was in Sparkbrook,
Highgate, Moseley, Sparkhill or Edgbaston and I think hang on a minute
I’ve always thought of that as being Balsall Heath.
Where does Balsall Heath start and finish? Is this the problem? Has Balsall
Heath lost its identity? When I moved here there were signs on Mosley
Road to show you were entering Balsall Heath (You can see the metal
work that one of these signs hung from by the bus stop opposite the skate
park/old bus garage) and people seemed less proud of the place then than
they do now should these signs be replaced? I see there are welcome to
Moseley ones sponsored by a local business.
H. Williams
Balsall Heath/Moseley border!
MATHS, ENGLISH &
SCIENCE SATS & GCSE
ESOL up to Entry 3/
Level 1
Mobile: 07719 178 257
Email:
info@milohhometutoring.orgWe
site:
www.milohhometutoring.org
Dear Editor,
Thank you Pat Wing for doing a marvellous job for Britain in Bloom.
Thanks also to the work force from the Tree Nursery who did a long and
hard job to make Balsall Heath really clean, I only wish they could do it
every week to keep it tidy, lets hope the judges were impressed with your
efforts. I think Kinver Croft and the area deserves a gold award.
Thanks to Rev Catherine Grylls we had a good performance by the
Queensbridge School. I wish to thank all the schools, which took part,
they do amazing work teaching the children how to grow vegetables.
Percy Shurmer School gave us a wonderful lunch prepared by the children
from their vegetable garden; it was a great treat to have fresh greens and
fruit.
Well done to everyone involved for giving us a lovely day.
E Shaw
The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of
the editor or the publishers. Letters may be edited for publication.
Letters will only be considered for publication if accompanied by a name and
address. These can be withheld if requested. The Balsall Heathan will not
publish anything it deems to be unlawful, libellous, defamatory or obscene.
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 9900
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 0345 113 5000
Balsall Heath Station 626 1738
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
Cats, 110 Edward Road 440 1007
Balsall Heath Church Centre Elderly Care 440 1138
Balsall Heath Forum, St Pauls Road 446 6183
Balsall Heath Children’s Centre 464 6349
Balsall Heath Library 464 1962
Birmingham Asian Business Association, 249 Ladypool Rd. 693 3101
Birmingham Drugline 632 6363
Birmingham Enterprise, 249 Ladypool Road 446 4444
Birmingham Ethnic Education and Advisory Service 359 3339
Birmingham Independent Living Project, 249 Ladypool Rd. 693 9050
British Yemeni Forum, 102 Edward Road 446 5330
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
Jericho Foundation, Edward Road 440 7919
Kings Christian Centre 440 4447
Pathways For People 446 5122
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 Day Centre, 15 George Street 440 1044
Neighbourhood Offices
Sparkbrook, Greencoat House, 261 Stratford Road, 303 9110
Sparkhill ,641 Stratford Road, 303 0722
Sports & Leisure
Moseley Road Baths, Moseley Road 464 0150

A professional and friendly staff team provide a safe and nurturing
environment and believe in the importance of your child’s happiness,
learning and development.
Planning within the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, we provide
free play opportunities and focused activities to encourage each child’s
learning and development.
We are ofsted registered and eligible for the Nursery Education fund.
We have achieved the silver Quality Framework award and are currently
working towards the ‘Quality Together’ scheme.
St Paul’s Nursery now has 2 sites:
St Paul’s Nursery at Balsall Heath Children’s Centre site, Malvern Street,
Balsall Heath 0121 464 1886
We are a 58 place nursery providing full and sessional care and learning
for children aged 3 months to 5 years. Our chef provides a balanced diet
which meets the needs of all dietary requirements, with all meals and
snacks prepared on site using fresh ingredients. Open from 8am to 6pm
St Paul’s Nursery at St Barnabas site, St. Barnabas Church Hall, Ladypool
Road, Balsall Heath 0121 675 3467
We are a 24 place nursery providing sessional care for children aged 2
- 5 years following school term time only. Sessions are from 9am - 12pm
and 1pm to 4pm. Healthy drinks and snacks are provided.