Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) are inviting local residents and families to Spring into Summer, as their annual community festival returns to Perry Common on Saturday 13 June.
Held between 12noon and 3pm on ‘the ring’ – the municipal circular parkland on Witton Lodge Road – the community event is free to enter, with some activities charged at only £1.
Full of family friendly fun, the summer festival will host a range of children’s games and activities – including a super slide and a bouncy castle.
Super slide at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Special ‘learn to ride’ sessions will also be held on the paths within the parkland, teaching young people how to cycle and encouraging them to find their feet – on two wheels.
Young David Attenbououghs and Jane Goodalls will also have the chance to get up close to nature and explore the world of ‘Mini Beasts’ in the ‘Bug and Insect Corner’ – introducing children to the natural world that crawls around under their feet.
Stalls at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Local services will also be present, offering advice and guidance to local residents – alongside a chance to explore a real life fire engine and police vehicle with members of the local police and fire service also engaging with public at the event.
Held every year, the Spring into Summer Festival is a family favourite on the Perry Common calendar – attended by hundreds of people from across the local area and beyond.
Organised by WLCA, who run the neighbouring Perry Common Community Hall, the annual event is part of a year round programme of events and support services from the Perry Common based community and housing association.
Local crafts at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Paul Tse, Flourishing Communities Development Officer at WLCA, told: “Spring into Summer has become one of our community’s best loved traditions so it’s a great pleasure for us to be able to bring it back again for people to enjoy.
“It brings people together in a way which celebrates the wonderful community spirit we have here in Perry Common.”
He added: “As always, we are thankful for the support and hard work of our fantastic partners, St Martin’s Church, The Friends of Witton Lakes, Urban Devotion Birmingham and The Net Pentecostal Church, for helping to put the event together.”
For more on WLCA and links to their wider programme of events and services visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk
Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
The head of the of the Birmingham Liberal Democrats group, Cllr Roger Harmer (Acocks Green), was voted in as Leader of Birmingham City Council at a Full Council meeting yesterday.
Convening in the Council chamber at 6pm on 5 June, all 101 councillors from across the city were invited to attend and vote for the individual they wanted to take up the top job – which brings with it a special Responsibility Allowance of £56,579 on top of the Basic Allowance granted to all councillors of £19,952.
The vote for Council leader was called after no party managed to secure a majority in the recent Local Elections held in May 2026, with no majority coalition subsequently formed.
Official prepare to vote for city leader in Birmingham Council Chamber / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Harmer was nominated by Birmingham Green Party leader, Cllr Julien Pritchard (Druids Heath & Monyhull), as part of a minority coalition between the two parties and independent councillors from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
Also nominated, by members of their own parties, were the leader of the Birmingham Local Conservatives Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington) and the leader of the Birmingham Reform UK group Cllr Jex Parkin (Kingstanding).
Following the nominations, a 20 minute recess was taken before the three candidates were allowed five minutes to address the chamber and deliver a speech as to why they would be right person to form a Cabinet and lead the city’s elected officials.
Cllr Roger Harmer addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Speaking in the order they were nominated, Cllr Harmer was the first to address the chamber, presenting a “coalition built on partnership” and asking those present to allow him to establish a Cabinet that would “put right the failures of the past” – seemingly referring to the 14 year long Labour run administration which ended with the city effectively declaring bankruptcy and an unresolved bin strike.
Addressing the city’s elected official next was Cllr Robert Alden, who began by declaring Birmingham “the greatest city in the world” before reminding the room and those hoping to govern that “just blaming the failures of the last 14 years will not be accepted” by the city’s residents.
Cllr Robert Alden addresses chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
Cllr Alden further warned against the “frankly geographical [political] spilt across the city” following the recently Council elections, which saw concentrations of elected councillor from both political parties and independents in certain areas of Birmingham.
“None of us have a majority,” added Cllr Alden, “and no one over the next four years [until the next Council elections] should forget that.”
Cllr Alden’s speech received applause from across the Birmingham Council Chamber.
Last to address the room was the recently appointed head of Birmingham’s Reform UK group, Cllr Jex Parkin, who leads the lion’s share of Birmingham’s elected officials – overseeing 23 councillors, four more than Birmingham’s Green Party which sits as the second political group in the city.
Cllr Jex Park sits with Birmingham Reform councillors in Birmingham Council Chamber ahead of vote for city leader / Photograph by Ed King
After describing how Birmingham is still “deciding how we interpret on of the most significant results”, which also saw the Birmingham Labour Party lose 48 councillors, Cllr Parkin called for “co-operation across all political boarders” and warned against a “chaotic coalition of musical chairs.”
Leader of both the largest and newest political party in the city, Cllr Parkin closed his argument by listing the attributes that Birmingham Reform councillors could bring to their potential governorship of the city, and declaring “life experience beats political experience each and every time.”
Councillors present were then asked to voice their votes for the Council Leader, a process which had been postponed after the previous Full Council meeting in May ran out of time due to the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor Zaker Choudhry.
After the results were counted, Cllr Roger Harmer won with a clear majority of 40 votes – against 19 votes for Cllr Robert Alden and 18 votes for Cllr Jex Parkin.
Birmingham City Council House, as viewed behind Heras fencing / Photgraph by Ed King
Analysis of the results showed that the Liberal Democrats and Green Party has used their party whips effectively, retaining support from all their elected officials – alongside those from the Better Birmingham Independent Group.
The Birmingham Local Conservatives group also received votes from all its 16 councillors, alongside additional support from independents Cllr Amar Khan (Stockland Green) and Rinkal Shergill (Holyhead).
Birmingham’s Reform UK party however only received 18 votes from its body of 23 councillors, with their recently elected Kingstanding Councillor Graham Green absent from the meeting.
Of the last two remaining Labour councillors in the Erdington constituency, Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale) abstained and Cllr Mick Brown (Gravelly Hill) was absent.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also received one vote, although it was not officially counted in the final results.
Elderflower Care Home are inviting families and potential residents to have a first look at their new facility on Orphanage Road in a special ‘Open weekend’ this weekend.
Guided tours of the grounds and facilities will be held between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June, with no obligations or costs attached.
Visiting members of the public also invited to join enjoy complimentary refreshments during their tour, including freshly baked cakes by Elderflower’s own chef.
Click here to make a booking to view the facility over the ‘Open weekend’, or contact Elderflower Grange directly by calling (0121) 756 8225 or emailing: [email protected]
Landscaped gardens at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
Recently opened, the new 77 bedroom care home sits amongst landscaped surroundings and has its own onsite accessible bar, restaurant, cinema room, hair salon, multi faith room, music room, and a special reminiscence room.
Operated by the award winning Care UK, Elderflower Grange is the newest facility in the region from the longstanding care home provider – which also operates Bishop’s Manor and Mercia Grange in neighbouring Sutton Coldfield, both boasting a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
A spokesperson for Elderflower Care Home told: “Elderflower Grange is a brand new, purpose-built care home in Erdington. Our dedicated and experienced team will provide a full range of care services with the flexibility to meet every need.”
Cafe at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
They added: “We pride ourselves on the transparency of our care quality and fee information – ensuring you can trust us to care from that very first step.”
Situated at 86 Orphanage Rd, Erdington, Elderflower Care Home offers residential care for over 65s – alongside extra special care for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
The facility also offers respite and convalescence care, for short term stays and supporting people coming out of hospital, as well as palliative and end of life care.
Lounge area at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
Elderflower Care Home is operated by Care UK, which started out as Anglia Secure Homes in 1982 and changed its name to Care UK in 1994. One of the largest housing and residential care providers in the country, Care UK run over 160 care home across the UK – including
In 2025, Care UK was recognised by winning over 30 industry awards both nationally and regionally, including ‘Care Home Group (Large)’ at the 2025 National Care Awards for the second year running.
Landscaped gardens at Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road / Image suppiled by Care UK
The organisation was also the winner of both the Nursing Times and Caring UK awards in 2023, and was recognised by the Care Home Awards ‘gold winner’ in their ‘Outstanding Larger Group Care Provider’ category.
Elderflower Grange will further be celebrating their official launch event on Thursday 2 July, with local legend and Aston Villa football star Tony Morely as the event’s special guest.
Erdington High Street Community Market returns to the Town Centre on Saturday 30 May – celebrating its fourth event, taking place on the last Saturday of every month.
Held on the pedestrianised area in between Wilton Indoor Market and B&M Superstore, the event will run from 10am to 4pm – with a range of stalls selling arts, crafts, toys, clothes, and homemade treats from local traders and crafters.
There will also be a variety of free children’s fun and games at the Erdington Market, including a bouncy castle, face painting, temporary face tattoos, and two arts and crafts stands – with one even offering a peaceful time out for adults, from local community group Arts All Over the Place.
Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ilona Zielinska
The LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY hub will also be offering some free soft drinks and water bottles, whilst talking to those attending about some exciting new events and activities coming to Erdington High Street later this year.
Completely free to attend, there is no charge to attend the Erdington High Steet Community Market or for any of the activities on offer.
The Community Markets are organised by the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID), as part of their ongoing LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign – with support from Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority through the Shared Prosperity Fund and Mayor’s Market Fund.
Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ed King
A spokesperson for Erdington BID told: “We launched the Erdington High Street Community Markets in February this year, and the events have been absolutely fantastic – with some really unique and creative stall holders, all from in and around Erdington.
“They are a lot of fun, for both adults and children, and a really wonderful way of the Erdington community to come together and enjoy and afternoon on the High Street.”
Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ed King
They added: “This month, in May, we’ve got a few more stall coming along – as the Community Market is picking up interest from new traders and people looking to try their hand at a pop up stall.
“The market is growing, and we would love to welcome more people down to the High Street to have a browse and a bite to eat and join us in celebrating our fantastic Erdington community. See you on the High Street this Saturday [30 May].”
Erdingotn High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ed King
Taking place on the last Saturday on each month, the Erdington High Street Community Markets launched in February 2026 and has seen hundreds of people enjoy an afternoon in Erdington Town Centre.
Regular stall holders are joined each month by new traders, selling unique gifts, local crafts, original artwork, and mouthwatering cakes, desserts, and home recipes that you won’t find anywhere else.
Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ed King
Check out our picture gallery below, showing some of the highlights from previous Erdington High Street Community Markets.
The Erdington High Street Community Markets are run as part of the Erdington BID’s LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, to welcome local people and visitors into Erdington Town Centre.
LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY presented a series of community events across 2025, including three ‘Summer Fun Days’ from June to August and three ‘Winter Warmer’ events throughout December.
Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ilona Zielinska
The LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign is also building a group of local volunteers, to help support events and work on other activities that support Erdington Town Centre – such as community litter picks, gardening, and outreach work with local care homes and residential centre.
Anyone interested in volunteering through the LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, or information about the wider events and activities being delivered though the Erdington BID, should email: [email protected]
PICTURE GALLERY: Erdington High Street Community Markets / Photographs by Ilona Zielinska and Ed King
Spurgeons showcase event and community baby shower at Lakeside Children’s Centre / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Words by Witton Lodge Community Association
A showcase event celebrating the early impact of the North Locality Infant Mortality project was held last Thursday (21 May).
Just seven months into its ambitious 18-month journey, the project is already proving to be a lifeline for expectant mothers across Erdington.
Supporting Mums
Funded by the Fairer Future’s Fund and overseen by Witton Lodge Community Association, the initiative is being delivered by Spurgeons. It provides holistic support for the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of mothers during the most transformative chapter of their lives.
To celebrate its early success, Spurgeons hosted a vibrant showcase event and community baby shower at its base at Lakeside Children’s Centre. Local partners including Birmingham and Solihull NHS Trust Integrated Care Board (ICB) alongside midwives, breastfeeding support groups and pregnancy specialists were in attendance.
Spurgeons showcase event and community baby shower at Lakeside Children’s Centre / Photograph supplied by WLCA
Formal presentations were given by Jonathan Wiggin, Head of Services at Spurgeons, Phil Johns, Chief Strategy Officer at ICB and Waheed Saleem, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at Witton Lodge Community Association.
Infant Mortality Rates
“Infant mortality was identified as a key priority for the North Locality through the co-production process that Witton Lodge Community Association led last year,” said Waheed.
“Working with partners and local communities, we developed a targeted project to support high-risk pregnant women in the three Erdington wards with the highest infant mortality rates.
Waheed Saleem talking at Spurgeons showcase event and community baby shower at Lakeside Children’s Centre / Photograph supplied by WLCA
“The project provides one-to-one support through pregnancy support workers, helping women to reduce key risks during pregnancy. This includes encouraging early attendance at appointments, supporting women to stop smoking, helping with weight management, and providing practical financial support for essential everyday items that can make a real difference for new mothers and their babies.
“We are pleased to be working with Spurgeons to deliver this important project. As the Family Hub in Erdington, Spurgeons is well placed to continue supporting mothers and families beyond pregnancy, offering a wide range of services for children, young people and families up to the age of 19.
“The project has been supported by MMP GP Partnerships, midwives, health visitors and community groups. This joined-up approach is vital if we are to tackle infant mortality, reduce inequalities and ensure families receive the right support at the right time.”
Impressive Early Impact
The project is achieving a good level of success with its impact and reach already returning impressive numbers, such as:
45 individuals received Health & Wellbeing Support (including breastfeeding & morning sickness advice)
57 community sessions delivered including baby & antenatal groups and baby showers
72 individuals received Benefits & Welfare Support including advice around baby banks, food bank referrals and supplying baby essentials
25 individuals supported by the Safer Sleep Scheme
61 women now feeling more confident with their parenting skills
37 travel vouchers issued to support attendance to antenatal appointments
60 women received postnatal support to help reduce feelings of isolation and boost confidence
78 women have reduced stress and anxiety following support from Pregnancy Support Workers
Natalie Haymes, Community Liaison Lead and Pregnancy Support Manager for Spurgeons in Erdington, said: “By fostering a network of care that addresses everything from emotional resilience to physical health, we are not just supporting individuals we are building a fairer, healthier future for the next generation of our community.”
To find out more about the great work being delivered by Spurgeons in the local community please visit their website HERE.
For details on support activities being delivered at the Witton Lakes Eco Hub, click HERE.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Self-professed patriotic campaigners from Kingstanding have started an online petition to see a commemorative statue of King Charles I officially erected at Kingstanding Circle, as a replacement for the unauthorised flag displays.
Legend has it Charles I reviewed his troops while standing on a neolithic barrow north of present-day Kingstanding Circle, in the run up to the first major clash of the Civil War, the Battle of Edgehill.
Artist’s impression of King Charles I commanding his forces at the Battle of Naseby in 1645 / Image taken from Adobe Stock ImagesSean Keatley of Raise the Colours Kingstanding, who have been responsible for the proliferation of Union Flags and St George’s Cross flags around the ward, says the story of the troop review “adds character to our community” and “connects us to our country’s rich historical tapestry”.
Charles I statue and Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square / Photohraph taken from Adobe Stock Images
Keatley says that growing up locally, he often wondered why there was no monument to King Charles, given the name of the area, and argues Kingstanding deserves the equivalent of Brownhills’ 40 foot Tin Man or Spitfire Island in Castle Vale. His vision is of a statue similar of Charles I on horseback in scale and style to the one in the centre of London, at the top of Whitehall.
Now he is looking to amass support for the statue and has told media if approval is given to the monument the sea of St George’s Cross and Union flags on the Circle could “come down permanently”. Raise the Colours’ Chris Davis adds that “having something a lot more permanent would be a lot more fulfilling”.
For several months, the Kingstanding ‘flaggers’ have played cat and mouse with Council workers and anti-flagging activists over the display around Kingstanding Circle – with local residents debating if the campaign represents patriotism or jingoistic aggression.
Some even call the campaign racist in its intent, echoing the historic concerns over cultural division in Kingstanding – where the British National Party candidate Sharon Ebanks was nearly elected as local councillor in 2006.
(L-R) Sean Keatley, Chris Davis from Raise the Colours Kingstanding by Kingstanding Circle / Image supplied by Sean Keatley
But Keatley insists things have moved on in the last twenty years and believes “we should be able to celebrate our history and our culture.”
“If we aren’t doing anything to celebrate it, it’s being taken away,” he adds.
Raise the Colours Kingstanding is optimistic about the statue, after receiving support from several candidates in the recent local elections. They now hope to progress the idea with the ward’s new Reform councillors, including the Birmingham group’s newly appointed leader, Jex Parkin.
Reform UK Deputy Leader, Richard Tice, who visited during the local elections campaign, “is in full support of our movement and what we stand for”, Keatley adds, and he’s waiting to see if Tice “will help us make it happen”.
Keatley suggests funding could come from the £20 million awarded to Kingstanding under the Government’s Pride in Place scheme.
Announced by the Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton in September last year, after funds were released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Pride in Place will see £20m come into Kingstanding over the next decade – with £2m allocated for projects annually.
Following an open application process, Birmingham Settlement boss Martin Holcombe has been appointed Chair of the Pride in Place Board that will oversee spending – with additional members being made up from local stakeholders and residents.
Hamilton says she is proud to have secured the funding and decisions on spending must be community-led. “This funding should reflect the priorities of local residents, whether that is investing in youth services, safe and welcoming spaces for older people, improving parks and public spaces, or indeed proposals such as a statue of King Charles I,” she confirmed.
Charles I (1600-1649) on engraving from the 1800s – as published in London by L.Tallis / Image taken from Adobe Stock Images
But historians warn that claims about Charles I’s presence at Kingstanding should be treated with due scepticism.
Professor Andrew Hopper, a Civil War specialist who grew up in Solihull, says he knew the story years ago, “but only from ‘tradition’ and oral sources”. Professor Hopper adds that enthusiasm for a Charles I statue is ironic, given Birmingham’s noted Parliamentarian sympathies in the Civil War and the sack of the city by Prince Rupert – an incident recalled by several Erdington Local readers.
After reading about Keatley’s petition on Erdington Local’s social media, James Wells from Erdington Lunar Society posted: “Let’s commemorate someone who attempted to take our democratic rights away, caused a civil war that divided the country and whose son viciously attacked Birmingham who supported the parliamentary side. I don’t think so.”
Artist’s impression of King Charles I commanding his forces at the Battle of Naseby in 1645 / Image taken from Adobe Stock Images
Doyen of Birmingham history Carl Chinn says a more prosaic explanation is that the name comes from a ‘standing’ – a hunter’s station – which Chinn thinks is plausible given the area’s proximity to Sutton, a royal chase.
Meanwhile researcher Ronald E. Crook once documented the word ‘king’ was common in the names of local fields before the Civil War and that there are stories linked to the Kingstanding barrow about a medieval Danish king’s exploits too.
Claire Almond, Teaching Assistant at Chivenor Primary School, at the Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon 2026 / Photograph supplied by Chivenor Primary School
Words and photograph supplied by Chivenor Primary School
Usually found guiding the youngest learners at Chivenor Primary School, teaching assistant Claire Almond demonstrated a powerful lesson in perseverance by completing a half marathon on Sunday, 10 May.
Almond tackled the gruelling 21-kilometre Leeds Marathon course to raise vital funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research, a cause close to her heart.
The challenging route began and ended at Headingley Stadium, the hallowed home ground of the late rugby league legend Rob Burrow. For Almond, a dedicated women’s rugby player, Burrow’s courageous battle with the neurodegenerative condition served as a profound inspiration.
Runners running in the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon 2023 / Photograph from Adobe Stock Images
After witnessing the impact of the disease on the sporting community, she felt compelled to trade her rugby cleats for running shoes to make a difference.
Almond’s journey to the finish line, which she completed in an impressive two hours and twenty minutes, is particularly remarkable given her recent start in the sport.
Having only begun running last summer through the NHS ‘Couch to 5K’ program, the transition to a half marathon represented a monumental leap in distance and endurance. “I never even thought I’d be able to run 5 kilometres, let alone 21K,” Almond shared, reflecting on her rapid progression from novice jogger to long-distance fundraiser.
Her grit and determination have resonated throughout her community.
The children and staff at Chivenor Primary School are incredibly proud of Claire’s fantastic achievement.
By pushing her physical limits, she has not only raised essential funds for MND research but also provided an inspiring example of dedication for her students.
Chivenor Primary School is part of Griffin Schools Trust, for more information visit www.griffinschoolstrust.org
Chivenor Primary School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom. If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local, please email: [email protected]
Residents at Phoenix Court on Yatesbury Avenue, Castle Vale, have started a petition calling for extra security in their building – following concerns regarding a tenant who has been charged with firearm and weapon related offences, and who is currently registered as living in the over 55’s housing complex.
The tenant in question is being processed through the Birmingham courts for a list of offences relating to threatening behaviour, firearms and weapons.
According to the court listing, they are facing the following charges: threat to damage / destroy property, [possession of] a firearm without a certificate, [possession of] an offensive weapon in [a] private place.
It is further believed that threats to endanger life were made by the tenant towards at least one staff member at Phoenix Court.
Sign outside Birmingham Crown Court (Photograph by Ed King)
As part of their initial bail conditions, the tenant facing the charges was reportedly blocked from entering municipal areas at Phoenix Court or entering the building unsupervised.
However, according to other residents at Phoenix Court the problem tenant has been tailgating people entering the housing complex and bypassing the front door security locks.
After raising concerns over safety at a recent meeting with the estate management team, worried residents are now circulating a petition asking The Pioneer Group, who own and operate Phoenix Court, to “arrange for a security person in the front entrance… until [the tenant is] incarcerated or evicted from [their] flat.”
Police tape cordoning off road (photograph by Ed King)
The tenant identified in the petition has previously been at the centre of various disturbances, including a dramatic armed police response in June 2022 after it was believed they then too had a firearm – where other Phoenix Court residents were held under “siege” whilst the police cordoned off the housing complex and made their arrest.
One resident told Castle Vale Local: “After that siege, four years ago, [they] shouldn’t have been allowed back in here – a block full of vulnerable people.”
They added: “You don’t know what [they] can be capable of, [they] threatened to blow [a staff member] in [their] car.”
British armed police officer (Photograph taken from Adobe Stock Images)
Owned and managed by The Pioneer Group, Castle Vale’s largest social Housing landlord, Phoenix Court houses around 60 elderly residents – encouraging independent living and community, within a supported accommodation setting.
The Route2Wellbeing website describes Phoenix Court as “a personalised approach supporting the wellbeing of older people by promoting independence through the development of friendships, reducing isolation and offering a wide range of activities and opportunities that promote wellbeing and increased quality of life.”
After receiving the petition from Phoenix Court residents, on Friday 22 May a spokesperson for The Pioneer Group told Castle Vale Local: “We are aware of an ongoing issue involving a tenant at Phoenix Court.
“We are working closely with tenants to ensure the building remains safe and are taking the appropriate course of action to address the situation.”
They added: “As an added reassurance, we have arranged for a security guard to be present during the evenings over [the Bank Holiday] weekend. We also have CCTV in place both internally and externally, with our teams actively monitoring and reporting any sightings.
“We have been in contact with the police, who have reassured us that they will carry out additional internal patrols.”
Residents confirmed a security guard was present over the Bank Holiday Weekend, but at the time of writing has not returned to the front entrance of Phoenix Court.
Castle Vale Local has further reached out to The Pioneer Group about potential cost implications over additional security and the housing provider’s eviction policies and process.
The tenant facing charges is scheduled to reappear in court in June.
Castle Vale Local will continue to follow the story.
West Midlands Police (WMP) are appealing for information from any witnesses, following a fatal crash between two cars by Chester Road train station on Bank Holiday Sunday (24 May).
In a statement issued by WMP, the force told: “It’s believed a grey Kia Sportage had collided with a wall and a Honda Jazz” on the Chester Road.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 9:20pm where officers confirmed the driver of the Kia Sportage had tragically lost his life in the collision, whilst the passenger in that vehicle was taken to hospital “as a precaution”.
A third man, the driver the Honda Jazz, was also taken to hospital with injuries that WMP stated “aren’t believed to be life threatening”.
Police tape cordoning off road (photograph by Ed King)
Officers investigating the road traffic accident are asking anyone who was in the area at the time to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), and to check CCTV, Ring doorbells, or dash cam footage for anything that may help with their enquires.
An appeal issued by WMP confirmed: “We’re appealing for witnesses and footage after a fatal collision in Erdington.
“We were called to Chester Road, near Chester Road Train Station, at around 9.20pm [on 24 May] to reports of a collision.
“It’s believed a grey Kia Sportage had collided with a wall and a Honda Jazz.
“The driver of the Kia, a man aged 33, was tragically confirmed dead at the scene.
“His family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”
Chester Road Train Station (Image taken from Google Maps)
They added: “Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage from around the area, and anyone who saw the crash should get in touch with us.
“You can call 101 or speak to us via Live Chat on our website, or email SCIU directly at [email protected]”
After the accident, reports on social media claim the Chester Road was closed from the interchange with Boldmere Road right up to the four way traffic lights by Sutton New Road – with the police, ambulance, and fire service all at the scene.
Messages of condolences flooded the internet for the young man who lost his life, with those who were at the “awful scene” expressing concern for anyone affected.
It is reported trains were blocked for stopping at the Chester Road station whilst initial investigations took place, but at the time of writing normal service has been resumed.
(L-R) WLCA Chair Linda Hines MBE and WLCA Chief Officer Afzal Hussaon by sponsored Bulls in the City statue
Words by Witton Lodge Community Association
Perry Common Community Hall was recently filled with warmth, laughter, and togetherness to mark Linda Hine’s 75th birthday. Many of us know that Linda Hines MBE (to give her full title), as Chair, has been the heart and backbone of Witton Lodge Community Association for over three decades.
Linda is among those committed people who work tirelessly to improve their neighbourhoods and bring communities together.
Linda’s remarkable journey began with her standing with neighbours to keep their community together during the demolition and redevelopment of their homes; and helping to establish Witton Lodge Community Association. It is powerful reminder of what is possible when local people unite behind a shared purpose.
Across our communities, there are others like Linda: residents, volunteers, staff and local leaders who give their time and care to support others. They organise activities, listen, provide services, and create spaces where people feel safe, valued, and connected.
In an increasingly fractured world, where pressures on communities continue to grow, this work has never been more important. These everyday acts of leadership and solidarity build trust, strengthen relationships, and keep our neighbourhoods and communities connected and resilient.
Their impact can be seen in thriving community spaces, opportunities for young people, and the sense of belonging that brings people together.
(L-R) Framed picture of WLCA Chief Officer Afzal Hussain and WLCA Chair Linda Hines MBE at gala event
As we celebrate Linda’s contribution, we also salute those who are actively playing their part. If you’re inspired to make a difference, now is the time to get involved.
Whether it’s volunteering your time, supporting a local initiative, or simply checking in on a neighbour, every action counts in building stronger communities.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Click on the image below to read Witton Lodge Community Association’s COMMUNITY ANCHORS news, first published in the May to June ’26 Erdington Local newspaper.
