UDB Cooking Club at Lakeside Children’s Centre / Photograph supplied by UDB
Words by Ash Porter, Volunteer Co-ordinator at Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB)
In the heart of the Wyrley Birch Estate there is a wonderful children’s hub called Lakeside Children’s Centre and on Tuesday afternoon you’ll find the place overflowing with UDB’s team running sessions.
From 3:30pm-4:30pm there’s a brilliant children and families session. Here our team create a safe space for families and primary school children to play, eat our famous toasties, and create lasting friendships.
Our young people in secondary school have their own space from 5:00pm-6:00pm where they too are welcomed and have a space for themselves. These sessions are both free, and open access. We’d love to see you there.
We also run two developmental groups, Cooking Club and SPARK, aimed at young people we work closely with.
At Cooking Club they’ve learnt how bake plenty of sweet goods, but more recently have stepped into learning to prepare full meals. Last Christmas they were involved in cooking a Christmas dinner for over 50 people from the community.
SPARK is a music-based activity, where some of our young people are exploring their musical skills and even learning to write their own songs. One girl, when she first joined SPARK, was shy and could barely even sing out loud to the group. A few months later, she signed up to sing at her school summer showcase.
As young people learn tangible skills and are encouraged in their endeavours. We see them grow as people and in their self-esteem. On Tuesdays at Lakeside, we see transformation, one life at a time.
If you’re ready to shine a deserved light on the incredible work volunteers do in our community, you need to join us for an essential information session on the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) —the highest and most prestigious honour a volunteer-led organisation in the UK can achieve!
This special event is free to attend and will be held from 1-3pm on Monday 20 October – at Hays, One Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6AJ.
To book your place at this event please click HERE.
The session is brought to you in partnership by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) and Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) and will be a definitive guide for understanding and securing this ultimate recognition for Birmingham’s finest volunteer groups.
This session is the perfect way to learn more about the KAVS, including:
The criteria that makes a volunteer group eligible.
How and who you can nominate to receive this esteemed lifetime recognition.
Hearing directly from BVSC and WLCA about the significance of this award and the nomination process.
KAVS is issued once a year to celebrate groups that have made a significant impact and a lasting difference to people and places. Previous sessions, like one recently held at Perry Common Community Hall, have highlighted the prestige and legacy of the award for the groups that receive it.
If you are a Birmingham resident, or work in the city and know of any amazing volunteer groups who deserve this recognition, this is your chance to give something back to the unsung heroes who work so hard and tirelessly to make life better for all of us.
For more information on the KAVS, visit the official website at www.kavs.dcms.gov.uk
To book your place at this event which takes place at Hays, One Colmore Square Birmingham B4 6AJ, from 1-3pm, please click HERE.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Paulette Hamilton MP has secured £20m for investment into Kingstanding, as part of the £5bn nationwide ‘Pride in Place’ initiative announced by Government today.
The fund will be allocated across 10 years, with Kingstanding benefitting from an annual £2m pot of money to invest in local infrastructure and projects – such as renovating derelict buildings and shops, and reopening youth centres.
The money will be governed locally, with a with a board of local stakeholders and individuals overseeing how and where it is spent – chaired by Paulette Hamilton MP and including local residents, councillors, and community leaders.
Many Kingstanding locals have been campaigning for the equipment at Conker Island to be replaced and for the public play area to be improved, which is one local regeneration project that could be supported by the ‘Pride in Place’ funding pot.
Paulette Hamilton and Yvette Cooper at Conker Island in Kingstanding, campaiging for Erdington, Birmingham by-election in 2022 / Photograph by Ed King
Other local concerns that could be addressed with the funding could include challenging crime and anti-social behaviour, preserving and maintaining green spaces, and boosting retail hubs and outlets.
The investment will also come as part of a wider plan to empower local communities to have more control over how local assets are used and the types of businesses that move into their area.
At the time of writing, the Government has not confirmed when the local Pride in Place board will be formed – or when the money will be made available to spend on regeneration and projects in Kingstanding.
The ‘Pride in Place’ programme will support the Community Right to Buy initiative – a part of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which gives community groups a head start on building a business case for asset transfers.
The Government programme will also boost local powers to enforce Compulsory Purchase Orders on derelict shops and abandoned buildings, forcing absentee landlords to sell neglected properties so they can be brought back into public use.
Paulette Hamilton and PCC Simon Foster at Kingstanding Crime Conference / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Paulette Hamilton MP, who has campaigned for the funding, said: “I promised to fight for investment in our area, and I am proud to have delivered on that promise.
“After securing nearly a million pounds for Operation Fearless in Erdington, I’ve now secured this £20 million for Kingstanding, a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
She added: “But the decisions on how it’s used must come from you, the residents of Kingstanding, who know our community best.”
In a statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the ‘Pride in Place’ initiative will see 339 “overlooked areas” receive millions in funding over the next decade.
The MHCLG wants the money to help “breathe new life into neglected communities” and encourage areas to “come together, rather than be divided” and choose “renewal… over decline”.
Road sign for Kingstanding and Sutton Coldfield / Photograph by Ed King
The department further stated the fund “lets local people call the shots” and would help in “restoring local pride” and support residents who want to “reclaim their streets.”
Steve Reed MP – the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government – confirmed “£20m pounds is coming to Kingstanding, thanks to your Labour MP Paulette Hamilton.”
He added: “That’s a huge amount of money [and it’s] going to make such a difference to the area, but best of all its local[s] who will decide how it will get spent.”
Steve Reed MP – the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
West Midlands Police (WMP) have appealed for witnesses after a woman suffered “life threatening injuries” following a road traffic collision on Marsh Lane, on Tuesday 23 September.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 5:15pm yesterday evening, after reports that a car had struck a pedestrian.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) reached the scene minutes after being called, sending an ambulance crew – with a paramedic officer – and a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic.
Close up of MERIT badge on emergency response vehicle / Photograph supplied by WMAS
According to WMAS woman was found with “serious injuries” and emergency crews administered “specialist trauma care” at the scene before moving her to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman told: “On arrival, crews found the pedestrian, a woman, had suffered serious injuries.
“She received specialist trauma care from ambulance staff before being taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital with MERIT travelling on board to continue treatment.
They added: “There were no other patients.”
Rear view of ambulence in transit / Photograph supplied by Adobe Stock Images
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and has been helping police with their enquiries, who are now calling on any members of the public for further information.
Specially trained officers have also been supporting the woman’s family.
A statement issued from WMP confirmed: “We’re appealing for the public’s help after a serious collision that has left a victim with life-threatening injuries.
“We were called to Marsh Lane, Erdington, at 5.25pm, yesterday (23 Sept), after a collision between a car and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a woman in her 20s, was taken to hospital and remains in a serious condition.”
They added: “Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are currently working to establish exactly what’s happened and are appealing for anyone with any doorbell footage, or anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting incident number 4152 of 23 August.
Alternatively, anonymous reports can also be made through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
Family after taking part in the Colour Run at Castle Vale Community Festival ’25 / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Words by Tracy Fisher
On Saturday 30 August, Castle Vale Community Festival returned to Farnborough fields – as organised by The Pioneer Group and Compass Support.
Despite the wind and rain, The Pioneer Group reported over 1,200 Castle Vale locals and visitors attended throughout the event – enjoying a free fun-filled afternoon exploring a variety stalls, activities, and entertainment.
Laura Grigg, Compass Support Community Hubs Manager, told Castle Vale Local: “This is a great opportunity for the whole community to come together, and we have got quite a few of our partners here today… it’s an opportunity for people to highlight what they do in the community.”
The festival also offered local businesses the chance to showcase their work. Rachel Beard, who runs Raquel’s Decoupage and Crafting, told: “I’m based on Castle Vale [and] I just love coming out and meeting the community.”
She added: “It’s about meeting people, making connections and just having a good vibe on the day; it’s just brilliant to be here”.
Activities and attractions included the Animal Man, aka Nature’s Burrows, who proved popular with young and old alike.
Paget Rangers FC offered youngsters free football coaching sessions, and there was live music from Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums, alongside face painting, soft play and bouncy castles for children.
Luke McClean, from YoungStars Community Hub, said: “We’ve been going around speaking to all the community, meeting some of our obviously regulars who come to youth club [and] advertising a little bit about what we do.”
McClean also praised the YoungStars dance acts who demonstrated their talents in the main arena to the sounds from festival hosts, Switch Radio.
Mid-afternoon, crowds suddenly dispersed and made a dash for the start of the annual Colour Run.
Castle Vale resident Tiffany, who brought along her family to the event and took part in the Colour Run, summed up what the festival means for locals.
She explained: “It’s brilliant they brought the festival back to Castle Vale; it’s a great turnout, lots to do and the colour run was good fun.”
PICTURE GALLERY #1: Castle Vale Community Festival / Photographs by Tracy Fisher
PICTURE GALLERY #2: Castle Vale Community Festival / Photographs by Darren Dodd
The Pioneer Group and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.
Erdington’s long running arts and music showcase, the Evening of Creativity, was launched back in May 2017 by the Erdington Arts Forum. The idea was simple, to bring art and music into a public setting, and deliver a creative live programme led by the artists themselves.
But what started as a passion project soon became an internationally recognised platform for Erdington’s homegrown creative talent artists – giving them the chance to perform alongside a variety of acts from across the world.
Having never missed a month – not even during the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread lockdowns – the Evening of Creativity is now one of the longest running live events in Birmingham and another bright feather in the cap of Erdington’s proud creative heritage.
Evening of Creativity at Oikos Cafe / Photograph supplied by Erdington Arts Forum
“It came from frustration really,” explains Jobe Baker Sullivan, Erdington multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of the Evening of Creativity (EoC) events. “It came from a place saying we can have this, but you need to put the groundwork in. You need to work for it.”
A talented Erdington musician, who struggled finding supportive venues on the “quite fallow ground” of his home turf, Jobe came up with the idea for a regular arts and music showcase event whilst attending a jazz festival at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC).
“We can have this,” he told his longstanding creative collaborator, Claire Marshall, was the MAC’S Creative and Partnership Director at the time. And three weeks later the pair had programme their first ever Evening of Creativity, to be held at Okios Café on Erdington High Street.
“I didn’t want it to be just another consultancy, or a dry meeting,” explains Jobe, “where people who don’t practice the arts tell you how to run arts – because they’re sitting on a fund. I wanted it to be arts in action, very directly, where everyone can access it.”
He adds: “It was my way of rebelling against what I refer to as the ‘lanyard wearers’, who are the people who tell us how to do arts between 9-5pm. Then go home and don’t think about it anymore.”
Evening of Creativity at Oikos Cafe / Photograph supplied by Erdington Arts Forum
May 2017 saw their opening night at Oikos Cafe, presenting a varied line up of music, poetry, and arts that would become the EoC trademark.
Jobe and Claire looked at venues across the Erdington constituency they could host further EoC events in, but it seemed the first cut was the deepest. On 19 September Oikos Café will open its door for the hundredth consecutive EoC event, with all taking place at the Erdington High Street café apart from the series of socially distanced live streams that got them through the Covid pandemic.
“We tried [running EoC events] in various places,” tells Jobe, “but we realised that it was Oikos who were going to continue to provide the care and in-kind support we really needed. Oikos just got it.”
In the past eight years, the Evening of Creativity has brought artists from across the works to join local musicians form in and around Erdington. And whilst Jobe feels “it’s too early to tell the impact the Evening of Creativity will have” on the performers cutting their teeth at the events, the list of luminaries they have had on their stage is impressive.
It’s also too long to list here, but let’s just say it includes a BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year and four Birmingham Poet Laureates.
Xhosa Cole performing at the Evening of Creativity, at Oikos Cafe / Photograph supplied by Erdington Arts Forum
But one of the proudest achievements for the team behind the Evening of Creativity events, aside from its uninterrupted tenure, are the opportunities it creates – both on stage, and off.
“The fact that there’s a team… that we’ve grown from just a grass roots live presentation,” explains Jobe, “and now there’s a live stream, sound recording, lights… and there are so many ways for people to get involved. This is something really special.
“It is unlike any other open mic night; it brings all this opportunity,” he adds, “and this is a great achievement. It is truly a community event.”
Evening of Creativity hundredth show – Friday 19 September
The Evening of Creativity (EoC) celebrates its hundredth show on Friday 19 September 2025.
On this very special anniversary, the long running arts and culture showcase will be welcoming back some old faces and introducing you to some new ones, performing live at the EoC’s regular home turf venue on Erdington High Street.
Birmingham’s alt-folk fourpiece, Kings of Spain will be playing a unique headline live set with blues and soul influences. Current lineup features John McElwee (aka Mac) as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Deryck Wilson on bass, Stephen Thorne on percussion, with harmonies and backing vocals from Melonie Paige-Gibbins.
Evening of Creativity at Oikos Cafe / Photograph supplied by Erdington Arts Forum
International performance artist and visual creative Tereza Bušková will be coming back to Erdington, soon after her Mothers Without Hands project, to showcase a special film at the Evening of Creativity’s hundredth show.
Moseley born and bred gospel singer Sandra Daniels, and one of the first ever artists to perform at an Evening of Creativity, will be bringing her powerful vocals to the EoC stage – singing live with an ensemble of local musicians and multi-instrumentalists.
Come and join the local artists, musicians, and audience members as the EoC ushers in its hundredth consecutive event since its launch back in 2017.
Date: Friday 19 September Times: Doors open from 6pm, with performances and music running until 9pm Ages: All ages are welcome Venue:Oikos Café, 58 High St, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 6RH Tickets: £5 / Bought in advance through Eventbrite – or pay on the door. Donations also welcome
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PICTURE GALLERY: Evening of Creativity from 2017 to 2025
The Evening of Creativity hundredth show will be held at Oikos Café on Erdington High Street, on Friday 19 September – as promoted by the Erdington Arts Forum.
Guess what’s making its long-awaited return to thrill and delight all in one night?
That’s right, the beloved Witton Lodge Community Quiz – held at Perry Common Hall on Friday 3 October, as organised by Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA).
So, dust off thinking caps and refill your lucky pens for some quizzical fun with friends, family and neighbours.
After an absence of more than three years our popular brainteasing bonanza is back bigger and better than ever.
Running from 7pm to 8.30pm, this is your chance to enjoy a laugh-out-loud evening for young and old alike. You can expect rounds packed with fun twists and cheeky surprises.
So why not come and pit your wits against some of our community’s very own Stephen Fry’s and Carol Vorderman’s.
Perry Common Community Hall / Photograph by Ed King
The Witton Lodge Community Quiz is £2 per person with payment on the door. Teams of up to six people are allowed with children aged under 10 admitted free.
You can’t afford to miss the quiz that’s more than just a night of questions and answers, it’s a night of connection, laughter sprinkled with a little friendly competition.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a leading partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Inspector Hayley Thompson (photograph supplied by WMP)
Words by Inspector Hayley Thompson
Hello, I’ve recently taken over as the new Inspector for Birmingham East, covering Erdington and surrounding areas. I’ve taken over from Inspector Christian Forder, who has done a fantastic job leading the team here and I’m proud to be building on the strong foundations he’s laid.
It’s only my first week, but I’ve already been out and about, meeting the teams and getting stuck into conversations about what really matters to our local communities.
I’ve spent over 20 years in policing, most recently as a Response and Neighbourhood Inspector across Solihull and Birmingham and I’m bringing all of that experience with me into this new role.
I know that shop theft and antisocial behaviour on the High Street remain key concerns. These are priorities for us too, and we’re committed to making the area safer and more welcoming for everyone.
Last week, Operation Fearless returned to the High Street for a day of action. With support from student officers, the team detained two men wanted for theft and enforced the Public Space Protection Order. They also spent time engaging with residents and local businesses — a great example of partnership in action.
I know trust in policing is built through consistent action and honest conversations. That’s what I’m here to do. I want to listen, learn, and work with you to make Erdington a place we’re all proud of.
Thank you for your continued support. I’m looking forward to what we can achieve together.
(l-r) Cllr Clifton Welch and local campaigner Alex Richards / Photograph supplied by Cllr Clifton Welch
Words byCllr Clifton Welch
On Saturday 30 August I received an incredible warm welcome from the organisers of Together in the Community at their fun day on Conker Island. This was their 16th year of holding this event and I was proud to be told I was the first ever Kingstanding Councillor or MP to ever attend.
Together in the Community raise funds to support underprivileged families, homeless and the elderly across Kingstanding and they are doing a wonderful role.
They always require extra help so if anyone would like to volunteer please get in touch with me and I will pass your details on. I should also give a shout out to Kingstanding Inn who gave up their car park for the day.
On Friday 5 September I was back with Together in the Community for their fortnightly food bank. Alex Richards the Local Conservative Campaigner and I joined the volunteers as they assembled food parcels. It was a wonderful to see such commitment to the community.
Along with other parts of Birmingham, the last month has seen a significant rise of Union Jack and St George’s flags being flown across Kingstanding, most notably Hawthorn Road and Chingford Road. I personally love to see our two national flags on display.
I love my country, our proud history and our culture and these flags are a symbol of our proud history and culture. It should not be a problem flying these flags in our own streets and we should install the love and pride in our country to all generations.
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin – standing on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
This past month in Castle Vale has been one of the busiest I can remember, but also one of the most rewarding. Every week has reminded me just how special our estate is, and how lucky I am to serve such an incredible community.
At the heart of my work has been the drive to make Castle Vale cleaner and greener. From joining residents at community litter picks to working with partners on environmental projects, I’ve seen the pride people take in their neighbourhood. That same determination is guiding our efforts to tackle rising energy costs, as I explore ways we can help residents reduce bills and make homes more sustainable.
One of the highlights of the month was the Castle Vale Community Festival. It was fantastic to see families, neighbours, and friends coming together to celebrate what makes this estate unique – its energy, diversity, and spirit of togetherness. Events like this show Castle Vale at its very best.
We’ve also taken time to reflect and remember, particularly through the commemoration of VJ Day. Standing alongside residents to honour those who served was humbling, and it reminded me how important it is to inspire the next generation of leaders here in Castle Vale.
It’s been a busy month, but if anything, the pace is only increasing. I know big things are coming for our community, and I’m determined to keep putting Castle Vale first – always.
