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NEWS: Erdington Fire Service and working fire engine at Summer Fun Day on Erdington High Street – Saturday 26 July

Fire Service and working fire engine at community evemt / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Fire Service

Words by editorial team

Erdington Fire Service will be coming to the Summer Fun Day on Erdington High Street this Saturday (26 July), giving locals a chance to meet the team and explore a real-life working fire engine.

A crew from Erdington Fire Station, situated on the corner of Orphanage Road and Edwards Road, will be driving the fire engine onto the High Street for 2pm.

Parked up alongside B&M Superstore, children and families attending the Summer Fun Day event will be invited climb aboard and explore the fully kitted emergency response vehicle.

Working fire engine out on call / Photograph from Adobe Stock Images

Fire crew will also be offering helpful advice and guidance around issues including fire safety and safer driving. The team will also be offering support around water safety – as concerns over children and young people plating around open water are heightened in the summer months.

A spokesperson from Erdington Fire Station confirmed: “[Erdington Fire Service] will be attending in the afternoon from about 2pm.

“We will be showing children around the appliance (fire engine) and giving out advice around home fire safety, safer driving and water safety.”

Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) is organising it’s second Summer Fun Day event on Erdington High Street – running from 12noon until 4pm on Saturday 26 July.

The event is part of a wider year long programme of activity in the Town Centre, in line with the Erdington BID’s LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign.

Completely free to attend, the Summer Fun Day will offer free games and activities for children – alongside a range of stands and stalls from local groups and services.

Face painting at Erdinigton BID’s Summer Fun Day in June / Photograph by Selina Gooden

Young people will be able to get their face painted free of charge, with free arts and crafts sessions also being run by local creative group Arts All Over the Place.

Inclusive sports charity Make A Change will also be running games that people of all physical abilities can enjoy, including wheelchair basketball and soft play archery – helping to promote inclusivity through sport and encourage physical activity.

There will also be a free bouncy castle for young people to enjoy, with event staff on hand to keep all the activities safe and make sure everyone gets a go. Very small children will be able to enjoy the front space of the bouncy castle, under supervision of a parent or carer.

Bouncu Castle at Erdington BID’s June Summer Fun Day / Photograph by Darren Dodd

The Summer Fun Day will also have a series of tabletop displays and stalls from local community groups, engaging with local people and letting them know about the community activities and services in their area.

Attending the Summer Fun Day on Saturday 26 July will be Erdington Litter Busters, Short Heath Fields Trust, Erdington Lunar Society, Erdington Local, and members of the Erdington local police force.

There will also be displays from POMOC – a local charity that represents Erdington’s Eastern European community, and Incredible Surplus – offering some free food and snacks, as part of their mission to challenge food waste.

Stalls from local community groups and services at Erdington BID’s June Summer Fun Day / Photograph by Selina Gooden

Then, once the outdoor activity has finished at 4pm, there will be a special free live music event held inside Oikos Café – as New Zealand blues rockers Lazy Fifty will be performing live, as part of the citywide Blues and Jazz Festival.

Taking inspiration from the stalwarts of 70’s British rock such as Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin, the Lazy Fifty gig will be completely free to attend – with tickets allocated at the door at Oikos on a first come first served basis.

Erdington BID is organising a yearlong programme of events and activities as part of its LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, encouraging people to celebrate the positives of the Town Centre and to and support local business on and around the High Street.

New Zealand blues rockers Lazy Fifty – performing a free live gig at Okos Cafe on Saturday 26 July

A spokesperson from Erdington BID told: “The first Summer Fun Day in June was a really lovely day, with a great atmosphere and lots of fun for local families and children.

“We’re excited to be back on the High Street for another free and family focused event on Saturday 26 July – and hope to see lots of smiling faces again. And a few painted like tigers and butterflies.”

They added: “Erdington High Street, as with High Streets across the country, has seen businesses rise and fall over recent years – with both shoppers and retailers moving online.

“But the community spirit is as strong as it has ever been, and the BID events are all about breathing life back into our Town Centre.”

The first Summer Fun Day was held in June, with another free event planned for Erdington High Street on Saturday 23 August.

Erdington BID is supported by local businesses and retailers, raising extra money for the Town Centre through from community events and fundraising.

PICTURE GALLERY: Games and activities at Erdington BID’s first Summer Fun Day / Photographs by Selina Gooden and Darren Dodd

For more information about the LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, or any events and activities in the Town Centre, please email Erdington BID at: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk

For more information on Erdington BID visit www.erdingtonhighstreet.co.uk

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ERDINGTON POLICE: A Message from Sargeant Gary Grove

Sgt Gary Grove standing by patrol vehicle on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police

Words by Sgt Gary Grove

It’s a busy time for our dedicated Erdington officers as we continue to work hard to make the area as safe as possible.

I’d previously updated you on our new Community Engagement Hub at the heart of the High Street, which was formally opened by Operation Fearless, alongside Paulette Hamilton MP and our community partners.

As ever, we’re welcoming your feedback and thoughts on any issues in the area and how we can work together to tackle them – and the hub should be a place for you to speak to dedicated officers about any concerns.

We’re targeting those looking to cause harm in the area, and we recently arrested a man after seizing several dangerous weapons, another wanted for a serious assault, and two more who were wanted on recall to prison.

We’re also aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in The Feldings, and we’re actively patrolling there as we look to disrupt it. Again, if you have any reports or information about ASB – please do let us know.

We’ve also had complaints from residents about problem vehicles and I’m pleased to say our team recently recovered one van which shouldn’t have been on the road, and recovered another which had been stolen.

Our patrols will continue as we support the Safer Streets Summer campaign, and it’s always a pleasure to join partners and our dedicated Street Watch volunteers. If you’re interested in joining us – please get in touch.

Stay safe.

Sgt Gary Grove.

For more on the police and crime in Erdington visit www.westmidlands.police.uk/area/your-area/west-midlands/birmingham/erdington 

You can also follow the Erdington police team on Twitter www.x.com/ErdingtonWMP

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Free summer activities for families and young people with Urban Devotion Birmingham

Families and young people enjoying summer activities with Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB) / Photograph supplied by UDB

Words by Emma Winmill, Co-Director at Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB

Looking for free, fun things to do in Erdington this summer? Urban Devotion Birmingham is here for you all year but in summer we have a range of activities for children, young people, and families to bring people together.

There’s plenty happening right on your doorstep. We have a variety of drop-ins to play games and sports, play PS5, get creative with crafts, enjoy some food, and connect with friends in a safe and welcoming space – all for free.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been before. Bring your friends or come on your own. You’ll always get a warm welcome.

As well as drop-ins we’re running The Leap: a group just for Year 6s who are about to start secondary school. It’s a chance to build confidence, make friends, and get ready for what’s next. You’ll need to sign up, so click on the QR code (above) or head to our website to do so.

We know that having somewhere safe to be, with people you trust, makes a difference – not just in summer, but all year round. So come and see what we’re about.

Scan the QR code (above) for more details – and keep an eye on Instagram and Facebook (@urbandevotion) for any last-minute updates or plans.

We look forward to seeing you!

For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org

Urban Devotion Birmingham is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Safety on the Vale

Chief Executive Officer of The Pioneer Group and Compass Support, Simon Wilson / Photograph by Phil Greig – supplied by The Pioneer Group

Words by Simon Wilson, Chief Executive Officer – The Pioneer Group & Compass Support

Earlier in June, we were pleased to share the results of our latest Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs), which show how you feel about the services we provide.

I’m proud to say that overall satisfaction has risen to 83.9%, a result that reflects the hard work of our teams and the valuable feedback you’ve shared to help us improve. While this is encouraging, we know there’s still more to do to be the best landlord we can be.

One area where we’ve seen a notable improvement is in satisfaction with how we handle anti-social behaviour (ASB). This remains a key priority for us, and we’ve taken steps to strengthen our response.

We’ve invested in a major upgrade of our CCTV system across Castle Vale, which plays a vital role in helping to tackle ASB and keep our neighbourhoods safe.

To date, 96% of the CCTV upgrade has been completed, and in 2024/25 alone, the system helped us capture 456 incidents. This has allowed us to work closely with our local neighbourhood policing team, who we’re proud to host in our building on the Vale.

This technology not only supports enforcement but also acts as a deterrent, helping partners respond more quickly and effectively when issues arise.

We’re continuing with this work and making sure everyone feels safe and supported in our community. Thanks to your feedback, we’re able to shape our services and deliver the best outcomes possible.

For more on The Pioneer Group visit www.pioneergroup.org.uk and for more on Compass Support visit www.compass-support.org.uk

The Pioneer Group and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Celebrating and exploring the importance of a good neighbourhood

Witton Lodge Community Association Chie Officer, Afzal Hussain, outside Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association

We all know neighbourhoods matter; they always have and always will.

Neighbourhoods have a profound impact on our daily lives and experiences, and a good neighbourhood is essential for our communities to thrive.

At Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) alongside our focus on communities, neighbourhood quality and safety has been at the heart of our work for over three decades. We have taken this commitment to the next level by bringing our communities together with leading academics to create a Decent Neighbourhood Standard.

Our ambition remains the same – to create neighbourhoods that are safe, inclusive, and sustainable. Through this initiative we aim to create a universal but adaptable standard that can be applied to both new and existing neighbourhoods.

This will help identify local priorities, guide policy and investment decisions that are actively shaped, influenced, supported, and led by local communities.

The success of Operation Fearless, a recent initiative by West Midlands Police, had a remarkable impact on community safety in and around Erdington High Street. And recent community activities organised by Erdington BID builds on this success.

At WLCA, we remain committed to supporting these efforts, through our services at our Erdington Wellbeing Hub, and our plans to transform the former Erdington Baths into a dynamic enterprise facility.

Over the coming months we will exploring how the Decent Neighbourhood Framework can be used to engage local communities, policy makers and investors to ‘lock-in’ improvements and continue the development of Erdington as a place that we’re all proud of.

For more on Witton Lodge Community Association, visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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FEATURE: When Sheila met John, who once met… Ozzy Osbourne

Ed’s note… this feature was recently published on the LOCAL AMBASSADORS pages in the July/August Erdington Local newspaper/.

But in light of the news that Ozzy Osborne has passed away we are publishing it online today – it paints a poignant picture of the man behind the rock star, whilst celebrating his lineage and links with North Birmingham.

R.I.P. Ozzy – a prince (of darkness) amongst men, who stayed grounded and respectful to his roots whilst becoming one of the most recognised rock icons in history. Our thoughts and condolences to his friends, family, and loved ones.

_________

Ozzy Osbourne at HMV Birmingham (now closed) on Corporation Street – during Scream tour, June 2010 / Photograph by Paul Ward

You may have heard, a local band done good recently played their farewell gig at Villa Park…

To celebrate Erdington’s links with Black Sabbath, LOCAL AMBASSADOR Sheila Pennell dug out an article she first published in The Oldie Magazine – telling the story how Erdington local John Slatford knew Ozzy Osbourne before he became the founding frontman for Heavy Metal, an international superstar, and self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness.

Words by Sheila Pennell – written on behalf of John Slatford

“A boom-baby, born before the NHS, I grew up in the slums of Aston in Brum – as did John ‘Ozzy’ Osbourne. And in the late 1960s/early 70s, I’d drink beer and play snooker with Ozzy, his dad Jack and uncle Jim – also known as Ozzy – along with my own dad Frank at the Brookvale Park Social Working Men’s Club.

“My dad had been friends with the Osbourne family for years, and before the war lodged with Jim and Violet Osbourne, along with a woman known as ‘Old Lady Osbourne’ in Turfpits Lane, Erdington.

“I’d go listen to Ozzy’s band in their earlier incarnation as the Rock/Blues band ‘Earth’ at Henry’s Blues House on a Saturday night at the Crown Pub in Brum’s city centre.

“Later, Ozzy invited me to the first ever Black Sabbath concert at Birmingham Town Hall. Others invited included his mother Lily and father Jack, who had paid for the venue, Uncle Jim and Aunt Violet, my mom and dad, my wife Kath, plus my Uncle Joe. John had organised that we’d have the Dress Circle to ourselves and all the men were dressed in suits and ties.

“The paying public were few in number, and initially sat in the ‘cheap seats’ on the steps of the organ behind the stage. And this wasn’t surprising as only those of us who’d known the earlier band would have heard of them.

“Once Sabbath started their act and the audience realised that the more expensive seats on the ground floor were empty, there was a mad rush as they climbed over the dividing barriers to occupy them.

“Some of the invited family ‘guests’ complained that ‘the music was a bit loud’, never having heard a band like Sabbath before.

“Part of the band’s image was a result of Ozzy’s father Jack, an engineer by trade, making their original large crosses out of aluminium sheet. Amazing he could do that, as he never even repaired his own spectacles, which were held together with an Elastoplast. He claimed this allowed him to adjust the frame when playing snooker – something he was very good at – unlike [Ozzy].

John Slatford, who grew up with Ozzy in Aston and then moved to work and live in Erdingotn – where he still lives today / Photograph supplied by John Slatford

“One bizarre happening in the early days was when Freddie Harris, the Concert Secretary of the working men’s club, asked Ozzy’s Dad if he could ‘book the band for one of the Saturday night dances’. As the couples attending expected Waltzes, Quick Steps and Tangos it was no big surprise that Black Sabbath was never booked again.

“I always found Ozzy a laid-back easy-going guy, and believe him when he says the nearest he ever came to Black Magic was a box of chocolates! John was just a regular young man with a wicked sense of humour who liked a pint with ‘just an interest’ in heavy rock. I’d say nothing like the man he became. It seems the years of drugs and alcohol abuse have taken their toll.

“At the launch of the band as Black Sabbath, [Ozzy] gave me the first ‘off the press’ publicity photo. He signed it and gave me a copy of their first album, which I have to this day. I took it home, played it, and thought that the first track was a micky-take. It had church bells, torrential rain, along with thunder and lightning.

“When I told [Ozzy], he was far from impressed. He told me quite firmly, ‘it was supposed to be serious’.”

Black Sabbath promotional picture, signed by Ozzy Osborne for John Slatford / Photograph supplied by John Slatford

 

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OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington

Paulette Hamilton MP (centre) with Linda Hines (centre left) and Afzal Hussain (centre right) from Witton Lodge Community Association, alongside local police officers, at the launch of the Community Pod on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

Words by Paulette Hamilton MP

Summer is here, and it’s been wonderful meeting so many of you recently, including at my pop-up surgery during the Summer Fun Day on Erdington High Street.

We officially opened the new Community Pod on the High Street, a fantastic space for the Police and local groups to work together.

Residents have asked me whether this replaces a front desk at Erdington Police Station. It does not. Last year, Simon Foster, our Police and Crime Commissioner, confirmed that a front desk will reopen at Erdington Station, and that commitment still stands. I’ll share an update as soon as I have it.

It was also a pleasure to visit Sainsbury’s in Castle Vale to see how they’re offering affordable, healthy food options, a small but important step in tackling food inequality in our community.

Paulette Hamilton MP by Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in London / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP

In Parliament, I’ve been standing up for Erdington. Over 11,000 PIP claimants and 3,000 carers in our constituency were at risk from welfare changes.

I joined more than 120 Labour MPs in demanding protections. We pushed back against Clause 5, which would have imposed harsher eligibility thresholds, and we secured vital exemptions for existing claimants. A hard-fought win.

On assisted dying, I voted against the bill. While I respect differing views, I believe the core issue is chronically underfunded palliative care. Until every terminally ill person has access to dignified, high-quality support, changing the law risks leaving the vulnerable behind.

From local policing to fair welfare, I’ll keep fighting for every corner of Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale and South Oscott.

For more on Paulette Hamilton MP for Erdington visit www.paulettehamilton.org

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OPINION: Jack Brookes, local campaigner for Reform UK in Erdington

Jack Brookes on the campaign trail for Reform UK in the Birmingham, Erdington by-election 2022 / Photograph supplied by Jack Brookes

Words by Jack Brookes

Is the UK an island of strangers?

Well… initially, according to Starmer, we are an island of strangers; then he backtracked after apparently going full “Enoch Powell”.

However, by Starmer’s own definitions, he is now far-right; don’t forget his handling of the Axel Rudakubana Southport Massacre last year as well as his denial of the existence of the mass rape gangs. Therefore, Starmer should be in prison by his own UKSSR logic.

Furthermore, due to the following, we are an “island of strangers”: immigration without integration; deliberate divisions sown during COVID; a tax and welfare system that punishes the “alarm clock” class, whilst rewarding people that are able to work but choose not to work – this is wrong, regardless of nationality or immigration status. The mixture of ghettos and not knowing your neighbour means that we are no longer united.

There is more that unites us than divides us. Someone from another country could be the best friend you ever had or the love of your life – I learned this from my time at university. But, for a society to function there must be fundamental common ground otherwise nations collapse – as we can see with the UK.

Loneliness is killing us. If you haven’t seen that old boy from around the corner recently, go and knock on his door and see if he is okay.

Call that friend or family member that you have not spoken to in a while, it could literally save a life.

Say hello to a stranger once in a while.

For more on Reform UK’s Erdington branch visit www.donate.reformparty.uk/birmingham-erdington

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OPINION: Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

(L-R) Cllr Robert Alden adn Cllr Gareth Moore with speed camera as part of community speed watch on Kingsbury Road / Photograph supplied by Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore

Words by Erdington Ward Councillor Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

Cllr Gareth Moore and I have been working with residents and the Police to tackle speeding, dangerous driving and excessive noise from motor vehicles.

As part of this campaign, it has seen residents and ourselves joining the Police on a recent community speed watch on Kingsbury Road.

We continue to push the Council to approve our bid for road safety improvements on Spring Lane, which we have submitted. If approved this would see speed cushions introduced and raising the crossing to help improve safety.

We are delighted to announce that this week the Council has now agreed to introduce average speed cameras onto the Fort Parkway to tackle speeding cars there.

Racing cars in the evening is one of the causes of vehicle noise audible in the local area all too often. These cameras will help both improve the safety of the road and reduce the vehicle noise.

Sadly, however, the Council continue to refuse the request for average speed cameras on the Chester Road that we have been campaigning for.

This is despite a number of tragic incidents on the road in the last few years and of course both a park and school being alongside the road. Again, we continue to push the Council to change their mind and also introduce average speed cameras along this road.

As always if we can help with anything locally please just let us know on Gareth.moore@birmingham.gov.uk or Robert.alden@birmingham.gov.uk

For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

 

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OPINION: A View from the Vale – a message from Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin

Cllr Ray Goodwin on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour

Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reminded—again and again—why I’m so proud to represent Castle Vale.

Our community is full of everyday heroes. From the volunteers in our foodbanks, to the youth workers creating safe spaces, to the neighbours looking out for one another – you are the heartbeat of this estate. It’s not about politics, it’s about people.

I’ve been out and about, listening to your concerns and working with local partners to tackle the things that matter most: rising living costs, mental health support, youth engagement, and the need for decent, affordable housing. One issue I know has been a major concern is dangerous street racing.

Thanks to pressure from residents and our work alongside West Midlands Police and the City Council, we’ve have seen enforcement action take place.

I’ve also raised the issue directly with highways and community safety teams to push for longer-term solutions – because our roads should be safe for everyone, day and night.

I want to thank everyone who’s taken time to speak with me at community events, clean-up days, forums, or even just out on the street. Your voices guide the work I do. I’m not here to make promises I can’t keep – I’m here to listen, to act, and to stand alongside you.

Castle Vale is strong because you are strong. And as your councillor, I’ll continue doing everything I can to support a community that believes in fairness, compassion, and opportunity for all.

We are Castle Vale – and together, we are stronger.

For more on Cllr Ray Goodwin www.facebook.com/thisiscastlevale