Balsall Heathan # 257 Jul 2006 - St. Paul's Community Trust

The Balsall
No. 257
July 2006
FREE
Heathan
Your Community Newspaper
Local News & Features
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STANHOPE HALL YOUTH
& COMMUNITY CENTRE
FEED THEMSELVES – FOR
JUST 10p A MEAL!
Resourceful youngsters at Stanhope Hall rustled up tasty daily
meals to feed up to 20 of them – for a total of around £10 per
week.
Highgate Community Project submitted four of their recipes
to the ‘Brummie Kitchen Project’, which is producing a book
full of the city’s favourite nutritious food.
they cook for each other and I educate them about what’s
healthy and economical.
“We’ve developed our recipes, which are mainly vegetarian
because a lot of the young people do not eat meat. We have
only about £10 a week to spend, so we use a lot of ingredients,
like rice, pasta, tinned vegetables and sauces, that are cheap to
buy. Ideally we’d like to get in fresh vegetables and fruit but we
just don’t have enough money for that.”
One group of members of the youth club – some older boys
on a first aid course – are given £10 a week for food by the
Matthew Boulton College and they have been donating that
to buy in provisions for everyone.
Monica said: “There’s been some rivalry to come up with
dishes – and they all enjoy taking turns in our very small
kitchen to rustle up the food for everyone else. It’s good,
particularly for the lads when they move on to live on their
own, to know they won’t starve and can feed themselves,
provided they buy in the basics such as pasta and rice, at the
beginning of the week. And it’s a lot healthier than living on
take-aways.”
Dr Jacky Chambers, director of public health for Heart of
Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust, said: “It’s wonderful
to find a group of young people enjoying cooking and coming
up with recipes that are fun, multicultural and economical to
prepare. I’m full of admiration for the ingenuity of the young
people and the community worker at Highgate Community
Project.”
The ‘Brummie Kitchen Project’ which is being run by the
Birmingham’s Nutrition and Health Task Force for Children
and Young People, with the support of public health
practitioners across the city.
Community groups, schools, colleges, businesses and
members of the public generally are being invited to come up
with their healthiest, tastiest recipes and food tips.
Highgate Community Project’s entries include one dish –
dumplings with beans – that can feed 10 to 15 young people
for a total of only £1.10.
Their other recipe suggestions are:
· Pasta with tuna, feeding 17 to 20 young people for £2
· Tuna and rice, costing £2.40 to feed 15.
· Penne pasta with cheese, for 17 to 20 people at a cost
of £2.60
A Visit to the Seaside
A call for a trip to the seaside by pupils on the Tindal Primary
School Council led to a fantastic day out for everyone who
took part recently. The trip, which required six coaches for the
309 people who attended, saw pupils and parents enjoying
glorious weather while building sand castles and riding horses
on the stunning beaches at Porthcawl in South Wales.
Organised by Tindal Association for School and Community
(TASC) the day trip was partly paid for through financial help
provided by Balsall Heath Housing Co-op and Focus
Housing. Aziz Coaches provided further help on the day
making the whole journey a pleasure.
Julie Doran from TASC said of the day out, “We had a brilliant
day and nobody wanted to come home”.
Around 20 young people, aged eight to 20, attend Highgate
Community Project’s youth club, at Stanhope Hall Youth &
Community Centre, Ketley Croft, Highgate, every day in the
week. But, because the youth club does not start until 5.30pm
and many of them arrive straight from school, they are often
very hungry.
“Some of them live miles away and can’t go home to eat
before they arrive, so I started preparing food for them,” said
Monica Lee, Birmingham City Council community worker.
“But I couldn’t keep doing that myself, so gradually the young
people started helping me – and now I just supervise while

The Balsall
Heathan
Your Community Newspaper
This year the Carnival was a huge success despite the warm weather
and the football as you can see from the centre page spread. It seemed
as though everyone arrived at the carnival from Balsall Heath apart
from a group of lads who found themselves in Inverness. Arriving
in Pickwick Park a week later the group of fifteen dedicated cyclists
were met by a large crowd applauding their fund raising efforts. This
summer Heathans of all ages can look forward to two more local
events: Monkey Business in Balsall Heath Park and a new event in
Nelson Mandela Park, the Balsall Heath Youth Festival.
The Heathan wishes to congratulate those local people who have
been involved in running such successful inclusive events. Well done!
Youth Festival
16 th August
12-4pm
Nelson Mandela Park
Stoney Lane/Br
ane/Brunswick Road
Come and experience
NUTZ (A crazy football competition)
Big Dave and a Fire Engine
Grafitti artists
Food
Events
Quad Biking
Entertainment
Mini Fun Fair
Contact Balsall Heath Forum on 446 6182
Newsdesk 0121 464 4376
Editor
Peter Cole.
Reporters Peter Cole.
Contributors Sajid Khan & Dick Atkinson.
Director Anita Halliday.
Photography Beth Wilkinson, Peter Cole & Phillip Riley.
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
New Website For
Balsall Heath
A charity which was set up to improve the life chances of
future generations of Balsall Heathans re-launched its web
site recently. The new St. Paul’s Trust website offers users a
fast alternative to finding out about services on offer not
just within St. Paul’s but also through Sure Start Balsall
Heath and a growing list of other organisations.
The website has been designed to allow staff at St. Paul’s
easy access to update the web pages through the use of a
new content management system. This approach allows
each department to update their individual section with
ease and ensures that users of the site are able to find out
about the services on offer at the Venture, Nursery, Youth
Base or School at the click of a button.
The website has now become a further service offered by
St. Paul’s allowing not just Balsall Heathans’ to benefit
from some of St. Paul’s resources, but organizations too.
An example of how organizations can benefit is through
the ability to download resources from the Development
Agency area of the site, which provides support for local
organizations. You will also be able to download the latest
or archive editions of the Balsall Heathan Community
Newspaper.
If you would like more information on how your group
could use this facility visit the website
www.stpaulstrust.org.uk or contact David Lane at St. Paul’s
on 0121 464 8660, email david.lane@stpaulstrust.org.uk.
Heritage Community
Organisation
Present an
AFRICAN – CARIBBEAN FUND
RAISING CULTURAL EVENT
Saturday 9 th September 5:30pm
At Birmingham Sports Centre
Balsall Heath Road
Dishes from around the world
Live Entertainment
Soloists
Jazz Band
Dancers
Fashion Show
Steel Band
Adults £20
Under 12’s £10
Contact:
Assemblies of the First Born, Alfred
Street, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B12 8JL.
Tel: 07973699 332

Balsall Heath Forum Focus
Balsall Heath Forum AGM
Over a hundred people attended the Balsall Heath Forum’s Annual
General Meeting and enjoyed a communal meal and dancing
performed by Desi Nach. The following people were elected
Mary Beasley
Muneer Begum
Gwyneth Carragher
Hannah Hodacs
They join existing elected members who are:
Raymond Douglas
Iram Weir
Abdul Mukhtadir
Abdul Mosabbir
Shokat Ali (Big)
Alison Stunt
Danny Bailey
Dalal Olewa
Mohammed Amin
Nabeela Abdul
Santhi Raja Karuna
Steve James
Saira Hussain
Johda Singh
Andy Donovan
During the day 553 votes were cast.
The first meeting of the new Executive will co-opt 6 new members
and elect a Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.
David Cameron’s Lecture
The King’s Christian
Centre in Ombersely Road
was packed for David
Cameron Chamberlain
Lecture. The audience was
made up of a mixture of
residents, city officers and
opinion formers from all
walks of life.
They heard a thoughtful
lecture about the new
compassionate
Conservatism. David
Cameron stressed the need
for people to take greater
responsibility for
themselves and each other.
Today’s society needs a
little less of a Welfare State
which just does things ‘for’
people and more of a
Welfare Society in which people also do things for each other.
While the lecture made a good contribution to the Chamberlain
series, it is also clear that Labour now have a fight on their hands. It
looks as if the Conservatives are determined to make a good contest
of all future elections. In September and October the past conservative
leader, Ian Duncan Smith and the Chair of the Parliamentary Labour
Party Hazel Blears, will give lectures.
Guide Neighbourhoods
Balsall Heath and Castle Vale have long been recognised by the
Government and the Council as neighbourhoods which are able
to guide others along the path to renewal.
Birmingham’s Strategic Partnership has recently identified 6
neighbourhoods this year to be joined by 5 next and 4 the year
after to trial Neighbourhood Management practices. Both Castle
Vale and Balsall Heath have been asked to help to kick-start and
guide this Rolling Programme of Vibrant Villages. It could
eventually result in 40-50 of Birmingham’s most deprived
neighbourhoods being renewed in the same way that Balsall Heath
and Castle Vale have recovered.
This is recognition for all the hard local work, which has been put
into Balsall Heath and could result in Birmingham getting ahead
of the national field of good renewal practice.
By Danny Bailey
The Neighbourhood Wardens
The Balsall Heath Warden project has now been in operation for 6 years.
The first 3 of these years the funding for the 5 Wardens came from the
Government. Since then it has come from Housing Associations, the
Housing, Parks and Environment Departments, Health, Fire Service and
Police who all benefit from the work that they do.
Like elsewhere, the Wardens are employed by the residents Forum. They
all live locally and happen to be devout Muslims. They work shifts. So,
some are on duty in the evening and at weekends when they patrol the
streets, attend to low level safety issues and generally help and reassure
residents and work closely with the police, schools, faith and residents
groups. Crime has fallen considerably since they started and the public’s
sense of safety has risen dramatically.
A particularly important development is that volunteers supported by the
Wardens now open the front door of Edward Road Police Station most
afternoons. Other volunteers staff the CCTV room and monitor the 15
powerful cameras which constantly keep an eye on much of Balsall
Heath. The Wardens have not only won the support and praise of local
people, they have caught the national eye and are often quoted by
Government sources as an example of good practice.
So, it is particularly sad that one person has chosen to publish false
information about them. In recent weeks, (1) schools have received a
letter falsely accusing a warden and implying they should stop using their
services (2) residents and officials have received a pamphlet falsely accusing
them of being spies.
The schools and offices have passed these publications to the wardens and
their employers who have passed them onto the police and solicitors for
them to take action to protect the wardens. Elsewhere, such accusations
would spread conflict and disharmony. In Balsall Heath they will be
disregarded and treated as being silly because the Wardens are held in such
high esteem.
Saheli
On Saturday 24 th June, Saheli Women’s Group launched their Saheli
Adventure Hub. Over 130 guests came to celebrate Saheli’s success, after
their 8-year battle to address the needs of local women for ‘culturally
sensitive ‘ provision.
The group was set up through the Balsall Heath Forum’s capacity building
programme. Members of Saheli are all local women, who live in Balsall
Heath. Through a feasibility study commissioned by the Group in 1998
they established the needs of 236 local women, who wanted a ‘women
only’ health and fitness facility ‘run by women, for women’ in Balsall
Heath.
The Group became a registered charity in 2002 and bid for a health and
fitness facility as part of the Balsall Heath Healthy Living Centre (HLC)
initiative, this was partly successful as it supported the cost of workers for
Balsall Heath, but not a facility. Through Connexions and the Local
Network Fund support they set up sporting activities for young girls aged
13-18 who went rock climbing, skiing, canoeing and bike riding
A unique partnership with South Birmingham College, provided a space
for piloting the gym and the Healthy Living Centre supported the group
with qualified staff. Saheli Women’s Group were then able to ‘pilot’ their
idea of a women only gym. Starting with one day a week in April and the
demand grew until the centre was packed 5 days a week.
Saheli Women’s Group secured half a million from the New Opportunities
and Sport England Active England Programme in 2004 to convert the
space into a fully functioning gym with a wooden sprung floor for aerobics
and exercise sessions, changing rooms, showers and toilets and seventeen
exercise machines.
Project Manager Naseem Akhtar said “We have worked hard to provide
opportunities for local girls that we never had when we were young, our
struggle has shown that the best ideas, are always by the community for
the community”.
The Saheli Adventure Hub is open for women only Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday and Friday and men only days are on Wednesday between 9 am
– 7pm. Telephone Shebina Gill Adventure Hub Manager 0121 446 6137

Community Advocacy Support Advice project (C.A.S.A)
Employment opportunities
Housing Crisis & Welfare Benefits
Intervention Worker
Hours:
16 hours/week
Main purpose:
To provide a fully accessible Housing & Benefits Crisis
intervention service as part of the Advice Centres advice &
advocacy project.
This is a project composed of this post a part-time Project
Manager, Debt & Benefit crisis intervention worker, and a
part-time Administration Worker.
Salary:
£22, 200 pro rata for 16 hours (£9,600)
Holidays:
Entitlement to 10 working days paid holiday/year, inclusive
of bank holidays.
Debt/ Welfare Benefit Crisis Intervention
Worker
Hours: 16 hours/week
Main purpose:
To provide a fully accessible debt & Benefit service as part
of the advice centre’s Advice and Advocacy project.
This is a project composed of this post a part-time Project
Manager, Debt & Benefit crisis intervention worker, and a
part-time Administration Worker.
Salary:
£22,200 pro rata for 16.00 hours (£9,600)
Base for the Post:
Highgate
Holidays:
Entitlement to 10 working days paid holiday per year,
inclusive of bank holidays.

Project Manager
Hours:
9.5 hours/week
Main purpose:
To develop and update the project objectives and plans as defined
in the Strategy Documents and supervise members of staff and
cover absences of the Project coordinator.
The Strategy Documents consist of:
Budget
Target Product Profile
Project Plans
Project Rationale.
Salary:
£30,724 pro rata for 9.5 hours (£7,891.00)
Base for the Post:
Highgate
Holidays:
Entitlement to 10 working days paid holiday/year, excluding of
bank holidays.
Administrative Support Worker
Hours:
20 Hours a week
Main purpose:
To maintain and develop administrative systems to support the
Advocacy & Advice Project, to undertake reception duties,
Salary:
£17,985 pro rata for 20 hours (£8,999)
Base for the Post:
Highgate
Holidays:
Entitlement to 10 working days paid holiday/year, excluding of
bank holidays.
All applications to be returned by 11th
August 06
These posts are funded over a 3-year
period
on a year by year basis
Healthwatch
The Healthwatch Project began its operations in January 1995 in Sparkhill in an
attempt to address some of the inequalities in health needs. Since then it has gone
on to train over 300 local volunteers, helping them to empower patients, give
patients choice, help provide protection for patients, support patient advocacy
and give patients the right to redress.
The Volunteers Services aims to promote community involvement in all aspects of
health and its activities. It provides the opportunity for individuals to develop their
knowledge on a wide range of health issues, which can then be communicated
within their local community setting. A further positive aspect of adopting this
approach is that the volunteers and health professionals are able to access a wider
target audience which can include sections of the community that have previously
proved inaccessible.
Through building a network of local volunteers who act as health messengers for
their community the volunteers are able to give culturally sensitive lay advice on
health related issues and so promote greater involvement.
Previous volunteers have benefited through gaining not only new skills but have
also developed their knowledge about health issues and have gained access to
further training. This in turn has led to many entering full time employment while
others have gone on to pursue their interests through further education. Healthwatch
enables volunteers to take a more active role in their community and play an
important part in helping to shape the service provided by the Heart of Birmingham
Teaching Primary Care Trust.
If you would like to find out more about Healthwatch and how you can become
involved in the Volunteers Services then call into the Edward Road Health Centre
or telephone 446 2300.
From Inverness to
Pickwick Park
Kamran and fifteen teenagers from the local Sultan Bahu Trust
undertook a very special task in July. Some of them went to
Inverness, then cycled the 500 miles back to Balsall Heath. Their
aim? To raise funds to build an orphanage in earthquake devastated
Pakistan. The amount raised? Thirty thousand pounds.
As if this was not enough, ten of them then took the money to
Pakistan and spent several days there helping to build the orphanage.
On arriving in Pickwick Park after their epic journey they were
greeted by a large crowd of family, friends and admirers at a mini
– carnival.
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,
Re Motorised Scooters – A Nuisance
Our lives are being made a total misery by a few inconsiderate
individuals on Brighton Road. Young adults are riding at least three
scooters on the pavement causing an absolute headache for the
majority who after a hard day’s work are looking to relax in their
homes.
The scooters are in full force from 5pm till very late most weekdays
and now weekends and the culprits do not give a damn for the
turmoil they are causing to the majority who are trying to enjoy
their quality of life! Balsall Heath is far from a solid community
and the community is disintegrating and we are very worried that
this anti social behaviour will take hold and become deep rooted.
We also fear that very soon the issue will become a ‘hot issue’
resulting in a nasty accident or altercation.
The police appear to know what’s going on, but just ignore the
problem. Our elected councillors get our votes and are then not
seen for ages. Our street wardens are quick enough to turn up if a
resident leaves a dustbin bag out earlier than usual and warn us to
take them in till the appropriate time, but when we have a real
issue to deal with and that requires attention no one is about.
Please, please, please help!
It’s fair to say the fairly new inhabitants of Brighton Road are
mostly to blame, not all of them though. A total disrespect for
others only breeds doom and gloom for an area which I thought
was above other areas in the city. Unfortunately Balsall Heath is
rapidly descending into chaos, well our roads are in any case.
Concerned Residents

Dear Editor,
I have received a disgusting pamphlet which has also been given to my neighbours.
It tells a series of lies about good people and projects. In particular, it accuses the
Neighbourhood Wardens of being ‘spies’.
At first we laughed. But, then we got worried. What if someone believes this
nonsense? They might attack the Wardens. So, could you please print the truth and
take action with the police and other authorities.
Yours sincerely,
Mr J. Carrington
Editor’s comment
The authorities are aware of this item as it has been handed to the police and
solicitors and the necessary action will be taken. Meanwhile, just ignore it.
Dear Editor,
Thanks for organising the meet the ‘Three Councillors’ event in Clifton
School. It was very useful to hear their views and to pass on ours.
Please do it again.
Yours sincerely,
Mr Khan
Oldfield Road
Editors comment. The Balsall Heath Forum plans to hold a similar
event in September/October.
Dear Editor,
Now that the Summer holiday is approaching and the often familiar sight of
children playing on the roads will come to mind, I would like to find out what the
timetable looks like, if there is one, in terms of making Runcorn Road a one way
street following the success in minimising car accidents on other roads where this
had been the case, such as Durham Road to name one amongst many.
Considering I have lived on Runcorn Road for over 17 years, I know through
talking to many residents that this initiative would be most welcomed. Also, if
there were a petition to be signed many residents would jump on this long-awaited
opportunity. Having a one way street had its many advantages such as the road
would be safer for drivers, households and children. Since there would be less
vehicles moving on the road, it will reduce the car accidents/crash when two
vehicles are trying to squeeze through a tiny space for example, particularly in
Autumn and Winter when the days are shorter and there are less daylight hours
and reduced visibility and in the Summer when there are more kids more often on
the roads.
Also, as there is an increase in the number of vehicles (mostly cars) on the roads
partly due to learners passing their tests, there is less an less space to accommodate
for this upsurge. As a driver, I often find it difficult to get access to my rear garden
gates as other drivers haphazardly park outside and thereby blocking my legitimate
access, this could be replicated for other residents living in the avenues. It is
important to note that parking by such drivers is done despite the fact that there
is a clearly displayed sign ‘Residents Parking Only’.
Someone might say maybe I’m not a proficient driver and hence I find it difficult
to manoeuvre from one to the other via Runcorn Road. This is not true as I know
people who have driven for years yet still have bad experiences driving through
this small straw. Vehicles parked on both sides of the pavements and especially
after six o’clock in the evening when people have returned from work and on
weekends, hamper efforts of many drivers and cyclists who attempt to move
along on this road. It is ironic that at this time, children have returned from school
and many come out and play between these cars and on these pavements.
Moreover, households would feel safer since joy riders, car-theives, and perhaps
even burglary would go down also, as the chances of moving vehicles through a
One-Way traffic might make it difficult for these people to get away, compared to
having two available exits.
Finally, on behalf of the concerned Runcorn Road residents who feel very
passionately about changing this road into a one way street, I would like use these
invaluable pages of our respected ‘Balsall Heathan’ Monthly Newspaper to voice
my feeling on this issue. Feedback and updates are most welcomed.
Yours
A humble Runcorn Road resident.
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.
Council Services
Housing Department
Repairs 24 hours 0800 0733 333
Applications/Transfers 303 4005
Council House Purchases 303 7926
Private Tenancy Officers 303 4155 / 4747
Rent Arrears 303 4085
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
MEB Emergency Calls 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 Jungle, 100 Mary Street 446 4798
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

y Martyn Reeve
More to Moor
Street?
Consultants have now started work on investigating the possibility
of re-opening the Camp Hill railway line for passenger services.
The re-opening of this line for commuters would enable railway
stations to be re-built at Balsall Heath, Moseley, Kings Heath and
Stirchley. A consultancy firm called Halcrow have been
commissioned to carryout the feasibility study with Centro and
the City Council jointly funding the project.
In September West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority will
receive an interim report, which will then be closely followed in
December by a final report. Within both documents the consultants
will examine the implications of creating two links at Camp Hill
so that the railway line connects directly into Moor Street station.
They will then go on to examine potential locations for new stations.
Finally they will look at the economic benefits of re-opening the
line to passenger services.
Respect!
St. Paul’s Junior Drama group have just completed a mini-tour of
Balsall Heath and Moseley, performing in five primary schools to a
total audience of around 800. With funding support from Local
Network Fund the group devised three sketches about issues that
affect primary school children. The action takes place in three
scenes; a bus stop, a classroom and a home and is united by a
theme…respect. In each of the scenes things don’t go too well for
the participants and the audience are invited to help put things
right. The pieces were based on improvisation and only loosely
follow a script, each performance being different to the last. They
were helped by a lovely set built for them by Sara Renolds.
This study is a pre-requisite for any bid to the Government for
funds to re-open this line for passenger services. Currently the
Camp Hill line is used to carry freight and Virgin trains from New
Street station to Bristol. Stations at Cartland Road, Kings Heath,
Moseley and Brighton Road were closed in 1941 and never reopened.
It is expected that it will cost in the region of £10 million
for each new station with the cost of the two rail links estimated
at £40-£50million per link. Councillor Mullaney has already asked
Highway Engineers to investigate the possibility of widening the
railway bridge on Kings Heath High Street to road traffic allowing
a bus-rail interchange to be built. It is estimated that the cost of
widening the bridge will cost approximately £10million.
MONKEY BUSINESS
BALSALL HEATH PARK
SATURDAY AUG 19 TH
1-5 PM
BOUNCY CASTLE, RACES, FOOD, MUSIC
INFORMATION, STALLS, TOG O WAR AND
MORE.
UNVEILING OF PLAN FOR
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARK
oF
FRIENDS BALSALL HEATH PARK
The shows were very well received by enthusiastic audiences at St.
Martin De Porres, Percy Shurmer, Tindal Street, Clifton Junior
and Park Hill. This group took on a very difficult task and produced
excellent performances. Thanks to L.N.F, all the schools involved,
parents, carers and helpers and anyone else who gave us a hand.
Several older members are leaving the group in July so there will be
some places available. If you are aged between 8 and 11 and
would like to be in a drama group then call 464 4376 and ask for
Martyn. You don’t have to pass an audition and you don’t need to
have any previous experience, you just have to be interested and
enthusiastic.