Profile picture opf Sgt Millard / Photogrpah supplied by West Midlands Police
Words by Seargent Claire Millard – Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team
As the nights (sadly) start to draw in and we say goodbye to the warmer weather and the demands that summer places on us, I wanted to update you on our policing plans for Erdington High Street.
Our team works hard across the area to listen to your concerns, respond to your issues, and proactively tackle crime – and we know how important the High Street is to so many residents.
With a Dedicated Neighbourhood Officer, PC Boyle, already working specifically on the High Street, and another in PC McDowell having recently joined our team, you can expect to see a high-visibility presence up and down the High Street, with our team ready to act to address crime and anti-social behaviour, while continuing to protect those who are vulnerable.
Police questioning suspect in rdington Town Centre / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
As ever, we are grateful to you for the information you provide to us. With this, we can better shape our plans and understand the issues affecting the High Street, and the wider area.
With that in mind, I’ll be alongside some of our team at St. Barnabas Church on Friday 25 September to have a pop-up Police Station between 2-4pm to listen to what you have to tell us, and I’d be delighted to see as many locals there as possible.
We do have several plans in place for the coming months to disrupt criminality and target offenders, and as ever I will keep you updated as these progress.
Thank you for your continued support in making Erdington as safe and welcoming as possible.
James Cockerill and Frankie the dog / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
Words by Nicola Murray
James Cockerill was 21 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
After beating it initially, it came back as stage four just before the start of the first lockdown. James decided to get a dog, Frankie, who was around 16 weeks old.
While Frankie was beginning her new life, James was facing his own battle. Eventually, he underwent a stem cell transplant that, thankfully, was successful in getting rid of the cancer.
But receiving the all-clear brought on its own unexpected challenges.
James & Frankie company logo
“It was harder after getting the all-clear because of the constant fear that the cancer would come back,” said James. “I would stand in front of the mirror for hours and hours prodding at my neck for signs that it had come back.”
He was struggling, until one night Frankie intervened. “She came up to me and started barking at me,” tells James. “Then every time I touched my neck, she would grab my hand.”
For James, Frankie gave him something that cancer had taken away: a sense of purpose.
“It wasn’t the drugs that saved my life, it was Frankie,” he adds. “She gave me something to get up for.”
It was this experience that would ultimately change the direction of his life.
Frankie the dog snuggling with toys / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
Once his body had recovered, James began a dog training business, James and Frankie.
Over half of his clients are from Erdington, where he has family and spends much of his time; often sparking conversations with fellow dog owners.
With the business, his motivation was not simply to teach obedience, but to help owners understand their dogs on a deeper level. James believes that dogs can often be misunderstood, with behaviours dismissed as stubbornness or boredom when they may actually be signs of fear or stress.
His approach, which he calls the Communicative Learning Theory, focuses on understanding the reason behind the dog’s behaviour before trying to change it. He doesn’t believe in aversive training. “My training is about learning a different language. Not Commands. Not Corrections. Communication,” he says. “Understanding why your dog is scared or anxious helps build a stronger connection.”
James’ philosophy is explored further in his book, Beyond Obedience, which he said he wrote to “raise awareness to the alternative approaches to dog training.”
For James, this philosophy is personal.
Frankie as a puppy / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
When Frankie first arrived, she was frightened and shy and would hide from anyone carrying a walking stick. On her first holiday to Newquay, she was particularly scared of people carrying surfboards. Rather than simply correcting her behaviour, James adapted his approach to understanding why she was reacting that way and why she had these fears.
Today, Frankie would be unrecognisable from that frightened rescue dog.
“She is the most confident, independent and funny dog you could meet,” tells James.
This experience has also inspired James to work with rescue organisations, including Paws Help in Burton and Brighter Days Rescue in Penkridge, supporting dogs that have been displaced by war, as well as dogs that have been abandoned or abused.
“I want to help give all dogs a chance at a better life because Frankie saved mine.”
Frankie as a more mature dog / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
James has seen first-hand how dogs can benefit the mental health of owners. He has seen how dogs have helped his clients too, especially with grief.
Research supports the idea that pets play an important role in people’s wellbeing. The PDSA’s 2021 PAW Report found that 87 per cent of pet owners agreed that having a pet made them mentally healthier.
For James, the bond between dog and owner is something that should not be underestimated. “Dogs are part of the family,” he states, “not just a pet.”
James reiterates the importance of patience when it comes to building a connection with your dog. “You need time to understand each other,” he adds. “Dogs are not judgemental, so we should see them the same way.”
A psychological study from 2018, published in BMC Psychiatry, corroborates this. It found that pets are ‘non-judgemental’ and that they ‘provide unconditional love and affection.’
James and a grown up Frankie playing in the snow / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
Looking to the future, James is hoping to expand his business and is looking for land to create a permanent base for clients, and where he can continue to do what he loves.
But despite his lofty ambitions, his message remains simple.
“Progress isn’t linear. You have good days and bad days, and your dog would never abandon you because you’re having a bad day. Sometimes a dog doesn’t just live with you. Sometimes a dogholds you together.”
St Barnabas Church, Erdington Town Centre / Photograph by Ed King, Erdington Local
Words by Shaun Hand
The Community Hub at St Barnabas Church on Erdington High Street is one of the Town Centre’s most prominent local support services. As part of the Local Community Safety Partnership, it plays a vital role in supporting some of Erdington’s most vulnerable residents. In some instances, it can even help change their lives.
Community Hub Manager, Natalie, tells about the Hub’s remarkable transformation. “The job advert I responded to was for a Café Manager,” she explains, “And it was a commercial café when I started, but we weren’t meeting the community’s needs that way. So, we decided to close and reopen as a hub [and now] we offer drop-in sessions for everyone of all ages and all support needs.”
That was back in June 2023. And today, the Community Hub offers a varied programme of support and engagement – from sessions for babies and pre-schoolers, through to over-50s fitness groups, they’ve got just about everyone covered.
Community engagement inside St Barnabas Church Community Hub / Photograph supplied by St Barnabas Church Community Hub
Importantly, St Barnabas Community Hub is also there for those in need of more pressing support.
As Natalie explains: “On Tuesdays, we have Birmingham Minds come in; we have our Wellbeing Café every Wednesday. We’ve had Severn Trent come and talk about how they can help those on low incomes to reduce their bills.
“The NHS come in and do pop-ups so people are aware of their healthcare rights. The Witton Lodge Association, one of our biggest partners and supporters, do pop-up clinics around mental and physical wellbeing.
St Barnabas Church Community Hub Manager Natatlie (second left) with local police and partners / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
“In September, we’re running a mental-health group with Two Ten Therapy to help people connect, express themselves and grow through different tools.”
Food is still part of their offering, too, with free hot food available every Friday, 2-4 pm. “We do jacket potatoes, chicken and rice, pizza, soup,” she continues. “We had 86 people here last Friday.”
But Natalie’s role has certainly evolved from the one she applied for. “I’m a ‘signposter’,” she explains. “Depending on the issues that people present with, which can be varied, we give them details of support services that offer alternatives for those self-medicating with alcohol or drugs due to trauma.”
St Barnabas Church Community Hub hosting day of engagement with members of the Local Safety Partnership Team / Photograph by Ed King, Erdington Local
One example of this in action is Benjamin Lacey, who’s in recovery from alcohol misuse and now a valued volunteer and welcomer at the Hub. “St Barnabas listened to me when I was in crisis,” he tells. “I was able to talk openly, with no judgement, which was start of my journey to know that it’s OK to live again.”
To this end, St Barnabas Community Hub extend their offer of help through the chance to volunteer for more like Benjamin.
As Natalie explains: “Participants come in and ask to volunteer, so we look to see what their strengths are and what they’re comfortable with. Listening is key, so volunteers sit and listen to people.
“They might just be a friendly ear or they might be able to identify support needs. You don’t get that everywhere because not everyone has time, but these people do.”
For more information on St Barnabas Community Hub call (0121) 306 4820 or visit www.stbarnabaserdington.org.uk/communityhub
If you know of a community group or individual that deserves a COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT shone on them, please email us at: community@erdingtonlocal.com
Outside of Castle Pool, Castle Vale / Photograph by Ed King, Erdington Local
Words by Shaun Hand
Back in 2013, when Birmingham City Council announced their plans to close Castle Vale’s swimming pool on Farnborough Road, long-time local resident Amanda Cutler started a petition to save it. She couldn’t have known then that she and her family would end up helping to run it.
“An asset transfer [taking over full responsibility for the site] was the only way we could save the pool,” she explains today. “So we went through that and formed the Castle Pool Community Partnership. We carried on running it, unpaid, for three years. We were the only ones in Birmingham doing that at the time.”
Amanda Cutler (right) and staff member at Castle Pool / Photogroah by Ed King, Erdington Local
Local estate stakeholder, Spitfire Services, were on hand to oversee the complicated process and have been supporting subsequent fundraising endeavours.
But today the running of Castle Pool remains a family affair, with Amanda, her two sons, her nephew, and two volunteers sharing the lifeguard and teaching duties.
They offer swimming for adults, 12-1 pm Monday-Wednesday, but their main focus is on providing swimming lessons for children, including disabled children, on Saturday mornings and during the school holidays.
Signage by swimming pool at Castle Pool / Photgraph by Ed King, Erdington Local
“Pools are closing all over the place,” Amanda tells. “And kids need swimming lessons, especially with all the drownings lately, but lessons are expensive. Because of where we are, we offer them at £5 per week.
“We don’t do ourselves any favours at that price, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, and the people here love it. It’s a family environment. All the local disabled schools come to us.”
Amanda goes on to outline the stark reality of being responsible for a former Council asset; it costs a lot of money to run and maintain. Local schools hire the pool for lessons, and swimming clubs such as S4, Boldmere, and Kingsbury hire it in the evenings.
But even with that money going straight back into running the pool, more is needed to fund much-needed refurbishments on the 43 year old building.
Safety equipment hung up poolside at Castle Pool / Photograph by Ed King, Erdington Local
Castle Pool Community Partnership recently won some funding that allowed the plant room — the invisible machinery that keeps the pool clean and safe — to be updated. However, as Amanda also explains, there’s still a lot to do.
“The major work downstairs is done, but upstairs needs upgrading,” she says. “We need new changing rooms, new doors, new toilets. We keep it as clean as we can, but it’s an old building. Everything’s dated.”
The outdated plant room also meant the pool had to keep shutting because of old, failing equipment, and then close completely for it to be replaced, meaning loss of income. Amanda is therefore constantly on the lookout for anyone willing to help or lend a hand.
“We never have any complaints about the teaching,” she says. “But we do need to update the place, so we need funding, donations… someone who can help us out with some new doors. Anything.”
Ousdie of Birmingham Settrlement Sports and Community Centre, 600 Kingstanding Road / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Settlement
Words by Shaun Hand
Most Kingstanding locals will already know of Birmingham Settlement. After all, it’s one the city’s oldest charities, working to build and improve the wellbeing and financial resilience of communities across North Birmingham – with centres in Newtown, Ladywood, and Kingstanding.
But what people might be less aware of is just how many activities and classes for all ages the charity organises at their Sports & Community Centre, located at 600 Kingstanding Road.
Lizzie Forrester, the charity’s Income and Communications Manager, talked through it all. “The centre looks unassuming from outside, but it’s like a rabbit warren inside,” she laughs. “There are a lot of rooms and there’s always a lot going on. We’ve got separate projects for different age groups and different needs.”
The Kingstanding Road building was formerly leased to the Council and known locally as the 610 Community Centre (despite actually being at No 600) but in recent years, it’s ended up back in Birmingham Settlement’s capable hands.
“We’ve redeveloped it and broadened its remit for the wider community,” Lizzie says. “There are over 30 activities for kids, OAPs, families, and disabled people.
Young people engaged in sport as part of Saturday PlayZone session at Birmingham Settlement Sports and Community Centre / Photgraph supplied by Birmingham Settlement
“We’ve got two large halls at the centre. One is a community gym, and one’s an activity room, which can also be hired out for children’s birthday parties.” She goes on to list an impressive array of activities on offer, from sports to craft to bowls to dance.
“We’ve also got a new pitch out the back, funded by the Football Foundation’s PlayZone initiative” she adds. “Here, there’s a weekly family sports session as well a walking netball and girls’ football. It’s also used by kids attending the centre’s summer club.”
But it’s not just sports that’s happening in the grounds. A new green space is also being developed at the centre. The ‘Garden & Grow’ group, made up of local residents, meets weekly to help grow veg.
Garden & Grow volunteers / Photograph supplied by BIrmingham Setlement
Lizzie continues, “They’ve just had their first harvest, with potatoes, tomatoes and beans.” Handily, then, the centre also offers cooking classes. Lizzie tells there are also plans to put a pond on the site: “We want to put more wildlife in, to help people enjoy nature.”
Incredibly, despite Birmingham Settlement receiving no statutory funding, all of the activities on offer at the Kingstanding centre are free to participate in — although a fully voluntary £2 donation from those who feel they can afford it is always welcome.
The charity’s money principally comes from other funding initiatives and the money raised by their charity shops, sponsored walks and runs, and other events.
This means very little of what Birmingham Settlement does in Kingstanding could happen without volunteers. “They form a big part of what we do,” Lizzie explains. “Thanks to Lottery funding, we’ve recently appointed a Volunteer Coordinator.
“At Kingstanding, we’re keen to help support people into volunteering. Three or four of our local volunteers have ended up becoming employed by us.”
If you are from a community group or an active volunteer anywhere in the Erdington constituency then we want to hear for you. Please email: community@erdingtonlocal.com
Paulette Hamilton MP at constituency office in Erdington / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP’s constituency team
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP (Birmingham Erdington, Labour)
Protecting our communities remains one of my top priorities, and this summer I’m stepping up my campaign to stop more family homes being lost to poorly managed HMOs and fight for stronger safeguards against exempt accommodation.
Here’s an update on the work I’m doing on your behalf.
I’ve recently been made aware of a planning application for a new 7-bedroom HMO on Tyburn Road. Our area already has far too many poorly managed HMOs, and I don’t believe we need another. That’s why I’ve launched a campaign opposing this application.
I’m also continuing my fight to close the loophole that allows some failed HMO applications to become exempt accommodation.
If you’d like to support these campaigns, please sign my Tyburn Road HMO and exempt accommodation petitions at www.paulettehamilton.org
It was wonderful to welcome so many residents to my recent community coffee morning at Maryvale Community Centre in Oscott. These coffee mornings are a great opportunity to hear your concerns, answer your questions and discuss the issues that matter most.
Paulette Hamilton MP at Maryvale Communty Projectr / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP’s constituency team
I look forward to my next coffee morning on 14 August in Kingstanding as I continue meeting as many of the 122,000 people I represent as possible.
Finally, I hope you’re enjoying the summer holidays and spending quality time with family and friends.
With the Government’s August free bus travel scheme for children aged 5 to 15, I hope many families have been able to make the most of the opportunity to explore and enjoy everything our region has to offer.
(l-r) Cllr Moore and Cllr Alden on Erdington High Street / Photograph from Erdington Local archives
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words byCouncillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Moore (Erdington Ward, Local Conservatives)
Cllr Gareth Moore and I have been clear that we believe weekly bin collections should remain – at the elections Local Conservatives pledged to save them if we took control of the Council.
Sadly, we did not and the new Green/Lib Dem/Independent administration has gone ahead with trialling scrapping weekly bin collections in North Birmingham, and later the rest of the city.
Over the last few months’ Local Conservatives have been leading the push for weekly bin collections to be reinstated including challenging the Leader and Cabinet Members at the City Council.
In addition, we have been working with residents to raise issues that have existed in the rollout of the service across our local area as well.
Gareth and I have been reporting missed collections, bins that have not been delivered and taking senior officers on site visits locally to show the Council issues on roads which are simply not suitable for the new scheme.
Such examples include flats on Avalon Close, Hepburn Edge and Somerton Drive, amongst other roads, where residents are not allowed or don’t have the space to store the increased number of bins.
We are updating residents on our Facebook page – www.faceboo.com/ErdingtonNews – with all the latest on the changes to the bins and our campaign to reinstate weekly bin collections.
If you are experiencing issues in Erdington please contact Gareth (gareth.moore@birmingham.gov.uk) or myself (Robert.alden@birmingham.gov.uk) and we will try to help.
The Council can also be contacted on EngageWithWaste@birmingham.gov.uk with issues relating to the bin rollout.
Cllr Ray Goodwin on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words by Councillor Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale Ward, Labour)
We are now four weeks into Birmingham’s new household waste collection pilot, and while there are some positive changes, there are still significant issues that need to be addressed.
I have been speaking to residents across Castle Vale who genuinely want this pilot to work. They welcome the return of recycling collections, weekly food waste collections and additional street cleansing.
But many are frustrated that they are still waiting for bins to be delivered, while others have told me that their bins have not been emptied as expected.
Four weeks in, these problems should be being resolved. Residents should not be left wondering when their bins will arrive or whether their waste will be collected.
I will continue speaking to residents and raising these issues with the Council. I want this pilot to succeed, but that means listening to residents and putting things right when they go wrong.
There is also some positive news. I’m pleased that the Mobile Tip Truck is returning to Castle Vale on Monday 24 August at Castle Pool car park.
This is another useful service that helps residents dispose of unwanted items responsibly and keeps waste off our streets.
Cleaner streets are something we all want. Residents are doing their bit — now the Council needs to make sure the service delivers for them.
I’ll keep listening, keep raising the issues and keep pushing for Castle Vale.
Reform candidates on campaign trail in Kingstanding, ahead of May ’26 Local Elections / Photograph supplied by Reform UK Erdington Branch
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words by Councillor Jex Parkin and Councillor John Lambert (Kingstanding Ward, Reform UK)
There is something deeply insulting about suggesting thousands of people across Erdington voted the way they did because they suddenly became racist.
They didn’t.
They voted because they are fed up.
Fed up with immigration they believe is out of control. Fed up with pressure on housing and public services. Fed up with Birmingham’s finances. Fed up with broken promises, rising costs and neighbourhoods that too often feel neglected.
And fed up with politicians who only seem to discover these concerns after an election defeat.
Nobody should defend racism. If someone genuinely abuses another person because of their race, that is disgraceful.
But there is a world of difference between racism and asking legitimate questions about immigration, borders, housing, public services and the pressures placed on local communities.
That distinction matters.
Because if every uncomfortable question about immigration is dismissed as racism, politicians never have to answer it.
If every criticism of Labour is dismissed as hatred, politicians never have to accept responsibility.
And if every Reform vote is explained away as bigotry, perhaps nobody in Labour has to confront the uncomfortable truth.
People voted Reform because they wanted change.
Oscott, Kingstanding, Perry Common, Pype Hayes and Stockland Green did not collectively lose their minds.
They exercised their democratic judgement.
The answer isn’t to insult them, patronise them or lecture them.
It is to listen.
Because when politicians start blaming the voters rather than asking why they lost them, they haven’t learned the lesson.
Seargent Claire Millard from Erdingotn’s Neighbourhood Police Team / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words by Seargent Claire Millard, Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team
Tackling anti-social behaviour on the High Street is one of our team’s top priorities – and as I’ve mentioned before on these pages, we’re continuing to work hard with our partners to find a solution and prevent it from happening.
This work has stepped up during the school holidays, and we’ve made sure to carry out regular, high-visibility patrols to reassure those who share our aim of making the High Street as safe and welcoming as possible.
Police questioning suspect in Erdington Town Centre / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
These patrols include interaction with young people and business owners, and I’m pleased to have heard such positive feedback from locals that they are feeling safer on the High Street.
As ever, what’s important is for the local community to share any intelligence and information with us. Often, no matter how small the issue may seem, we can use this information to adapt our patrol plans and operations to make sure we’re having the maximum impact we can.
We know there’s more work to do on the High Street, and our work is continuing.
What I can guarantee is that we will continue to hold regular police surgeries and information events to offer you a chance to raise any concerns and share intelligence with us – and in turn our team will update you in more detail on how our policing plan.
Safer Towns Summer, which continues, allows us to focus even more on this vital area which we should all be proud of.
