Team players celebrate on outdoor lawn at Erdington Court Bowls Club / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
An open day at Erdington Court Bowls Club (ECBC) is hoping to attract new members to the sport and “defeat the killer armchair” that stops too many people from enjoying regular exercise – according to a club spokesperson.
Held on Monday 26 May, the free to attend event will give Erdington locals the chance to have a go at lawn bowls on a full sixed indoor pitch, with the hope they will take up the sport as a regular activity.
EBCC boasts a wide range of facilities, with both indoor and outdoor lawns, enabling people of all ages and abilities to take part in the sport – whatever the weather.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic alone, over £150,000 has also been fundraised by ECBC to allow people with a range of physical confidence to take an active part in the club and encourage a variety of new members.
Support has come from funds including the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS), facilitated by Witton Lodge Community Association on behalf of Birmingham City Council and partners.
Fundaraising at Erdington Court Bowls Club – with Paulette Hamilton MP (centre left) and Ray Woods (centre right) holding a cheque / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
The longstanding club also hosts a range of social events and activities for the local community, hoping to challenge social isolation through a healthy and interactive pastime.
The clubhouse has a bar and lounge area, and regular events such as the club’s popular Bowl for Health programme – which combines an hour of bowls on the indoor court with a social event afterwards – have been providing extra sessions for people living with Parkinsons diseases and brain injury.
The Erdington club was also recently shortlisted for two awards in the prestigious Bowls England National Awards 2025, sponsored by AVIVA.
ECBC, which was founded 100 years ago this year, was recognised for its work encouraging new members to the sport and supporting the wider community with a nomination in the ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ category.
The second nomination is for Club Charity Trustee and lead on community affairs, Ray Woods, who has been celebrated as an ‘Unsung Hero’ for his tireless work at the century old club.
A collage of members and activities at Erdington Court Bowls Club / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
A spokesperson for ECBC told Erdington Local: “The open day a part of our campaign to defeat the killer armchair and celebrate our centenary at the same time. It is a chance for people of all ages to try a new sport and meet other people at our club – which is open the whole year round.”
They added: “Too many people now spend hours sitting in armchairs watching sport or flicking through mobile phones – but not being active themselves. We want to reverse that trend and offer local residents of all ages the chance to try bowls for themselves in our full size indoor arena.”
The Erdington Court Bowls Club open day on 26 May is part of the nationwide Big Bowls Weekend, where over 800 bowls clubs across the country will be organising events to promote the sport and encourage new members.
Erdington Court Bowls Club is situated on Bowling Green Close, off Goosemoor Lane, in Erdington.
Rose Hanks in official racing attire / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Earlier this year, Erdington’s pioneering TT sidecar racer Rose Hanks passed away. A stalwart in the male dominated sport, Rose Hanks became the first female competitor to stand on the winners’ podium at an Isle of Man TT – inspiring women and girls everywhere to take up motor racing.
LOCAL AMBASSADOR and journalist, Sheila Pennell, interviewed Rose for a feature in Yours Magazine some years ago – and with fresh quotes from her family, and some kindly donated photographs, Sheila has put together a special feature remembering the life and achievements of this exceptional woman.
With thanks to the Hanks family.
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Words by Sheila Pennell / Pics donated by the Hanks family
Erdington’s dare-devil sidecar racer, Rose Hanks, passed away peacefully in February this year, aged 86. Her achievements in the sport, including becoming the first female rider to stand on the winners’ podium at the Isle-of-Man TT, were featured in the Radio 4 show Last Word with input from her daughter, Julie Hanks-Elliott.
Julie’s twin daughters, Jamie and Bobby, are ensuring that today’s growing female interest in TT and motorcycle sports will live on – with Julie currently competing at the World Women’s Road Race Championships.
Rose Hanks (left) with grandaughter Jamie (middle) and daughter Julie (right) / Pic supplied by Hanks family
The Hanks motorcycle dynasty had humble beginnings, starting life after the war when Fred Hanks and his wife Maizie opened Fred Hanks Motorcycles at 247 Slade Road, Erdington.
Fred decided ‘motorisation’ was going to be the future, and ran the Slade Road store with his two sons – Norman who often raced with Rose, and Roy who was the one who finally won her heart.
However, being a woman in a male dominated sport at the time garnered attention from some more surprising places.
Rose remembered: “When the Duke of Edinburgh passed on, I had an urge to look through my scrap book and reminisce about the time I met him at the TT races in 1968 – and, in typical Prince Philip style, he asked ‘if I ever scraped my bottom on the ground’ as he presented my award. I blushed and replied that the double rubbers protected us quite well.
“What a vivid memory – I was the first woman to take a place on the winner’s rostrum in 65 years of racing. I’d won second place in the sidecar 750cc Race.”
A young Rosetta Barty / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks was born Rosetta Barty, in Bedworth, in 1938. The oldest child, Rose was soon followed by six sisters and two brothers, and it was in her family home where her interest in motorbikes began. “My Dad always had motorbikes, and I started to love them so much I can remember every registration number,” admitted Rose.
“To get away from all the kids at home, I moved to Birmingham. I worked as a gas welder, making hoods for sports cars – but hankered after a bit more excitement in life.
“Then one day a friend, Ken West, took me out to an airfield. He’d bought a scramble outfit and said ‘Rose, come on, sit in and have a try’ – and I never looked back. In that position, low down and keeping the bike balanced, you ‘look forward’ all the time.”
Rose Hanks and Norman Hanks racing / Pic supplied by Hanks family
But as the racing bug took hold, Rose built ambitions that were more than just getting out of the house – and soon she would get to start living her dream.
“My ambition was to ride in the TT. And in the TT Jubilee year, 1967, I got my big break – the chance to ‘passenger’ for a local chap, Norman Hanks. Well, we had engine problems and came 27th, but it turned out the ‘top prize’ was just twelve months away.”
Rose continued: “Dozens of weekends away came and went. Norman and I entered events all over the country – Mallory Park, Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Oulton Park, Cadwell Park – gaining some wins, vital experience, and a few lucky escapes with our lives along the way.
“The word ‘passenger’ might make it sound easy, but I had to lie flat on the straights and put my weight where it was needed on the bends.
“1968 was the first year of the TT’s 750cc Sidecar class and, riding a 750cc BSA with Norman, we came second. Our time for the three laps – 113 miles – was 1.21.44.0, our speed 83.1 mph – only a point or two behind the winners Terry Vinicombe and John Flaxman. I’d secured my place on the winners’ rostrum; I could hardly believe it.
“The other sidecar crews gave me a bouquet and I was taken on to Hillberry to be presented to Prince Philip. The American and Canadian Division of the Women’s International Motorcycle Federation presented me with a trophy too.”
Rose Hanks meeting Prince Phillip / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Despite a recognised dare devil on the track, Rose was to face other obstacles as a woman racing on a notoriously mal dominated track – and racing at a time when conversations about equality in sport were only just beginning to happen.
She remembered: “The headlines that year in the national press wouldn’t go down well nowadays. ‘Housewife stars among the 130 mph men’; ‘A wife doing a man’s job’; ‘A rider for the girls to root for’, and ‘A woman’s world now’.”
But Rose’s legacy lives on, both on the track and at home, inspiring her daughter and granddaughters to compete in motor sports as they grew to love what is now a family tradition.
After her mum passed away, Rose’s daughter Julie Hanks-Elliott, paid a final tribute to LOCAL AMBASSADORS: “When I was born, Dad said perhaps best mum stay home more. I’m not sure if she did, but she made a brilliant job of everything – even when her knees started to go.”
Julie added: “We miss her terribly but are so proud of her achievements. The rest of us live – and still do – within five houses of each other in Erdington. The Hanks-Elliott dynasty will race on. Mum has inspired us all.”
PICTURE GALLERY: Rose Hanks and family
Rose Hanks meeting Prince Phillip / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks and Norman Hanks racing / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks in official racing attire / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Roay and Rose Hanks celebrate 50 years of TT racing / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks (left) with grandaughter Jamie (middle) and daughter Julie (right) / Pic supplied by Hanks family
A young Rosetta Barty / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks's graddaughter,Jamie, racing aged 14 / Pic supplied by Hanks family
Rose Hanks, taken a few years before her death / Pic supplied by Hanks family
The Recovery Foundation exhibition of participant’s artwork at Secret Arts Studio Space, Erdington / Photography by Emma Bown
The Recovery Foundation, a mental health charity based in Erdington, has been supporting local residents for the past five years by offering a range of free services aimed at improving wellbeing and building resilience.
Over the last half decade, the charity has become a key resource for individuals facing mental health challenges, helping them find hope and strength during difficult times.
in 2025, The Recovery Foundation will mark its fifth anniversary, a significant milestone for an organisation that began with a clear mission to provide accessible and person-centred care.
Today, The Recovery Foundation supports over 100 people each week through its various services, all of which are designed to meet the needs of those experiencing mental health difficulties.
The Recovery Foundation founder, Emma Sitole (left) at exhibition of participant’s artwork at Secret Arts Studio Space, Erdington / Photography by Emma Bown
Emma Sithole, CEO of The Recovery Foundation, said: “We are celebrating our five year anniversary this year, and are in the midst of organising a celebratory event for this.
“It’s been an incredible journey and we are so glad to see the positive impact we’ve made on people’s lives in Erdington.”
The charity provides several key services designed to offer practical support, build confidence, and improve mental wellbeing.
One of the core services are the Hope Groups, which run over four weeks and help individuals explore what ‘’ means to them and how they can maintain it through challenging times.
Hope Group participant holding journal used as part of The Recovery Foundation sessions / Image supplied by The Recovery Foundation
The groups are facilitated by trained staff with lived experience of mental illness, ensuring that participants are supported by people who understand their struggles. Attendees can join the groups either in person or online.
One service user commented: “I left each session of the Hope Group feeling great and thinking more positively.”
Another service user, added: “The group gave me the space to feel heard and understood in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Coming together to talk and share our issues has really helped. I have already recommended this group.”
The Recovery Foundation also runs Rainbow Minds Matter, a similar programme tailored specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community.
It provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to discuss mental wellbeing, again facilitated by staff with lived experience.
Woodland Wellbeing session at Pype Hayes Park / Image supplied by The Recovery Foundation
The charity also offers the Creative Arts Programme, which offers participants the chance to engage with arts and crafts in a relaxed and informal setting – as well as Woodland Wellbeing, a six-week programme that combines nature and wellbeing.
Woodland Wellbeing is set in Pype Hayes Park, as activities such as natural crafts around the campfire take place for participants to build connections and friendships while enjoying the outdoors.
This has helped the charity to reach a diverse group of individuals, who may otherwise have struggled to find support.
The Recovery Foundation remains committed to expanding its reach and providing vital support to the local community.
With plans to continue growing its services and celebrating its achievements, the locally based charity looks forward to another five years supporting people in Erdington and neighbouring areas.
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
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 our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: hema@erdingtonlocal.com
Graphic of proposed Starbucks drive-thru development for 428 Tyburn Road, as submitted to Birmingham City Council / Pic taken from planning application
Birmingham City Council (BCC) has recently refused a planning application to turn an old builder’s merchant yard, on an empty site connecting Tybrun Road and Wheelright Lane, into a drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop.
Plans submitted the council officers early this year by Godwin Developments, who officially own the land at 428 Tyburn Road, were rejected by BCC over concerns ‘the proposed development would result in harm to the area’s visual amenity and residential amenity,’ as stated in the planning department’s final report.
Whilst making their decision, BCC explored the impact of the proposed ‘erection of a single story building’ on the surrounding businesses and residential dwellings, as well as the ‘associated parking’ to support customer to the drive thru – which could have seen up to 20 standard parking bays and four points for charging electric vehicles.
Charging station for electric vehicles / Pic taken from Adobe Stock Images
A previous application to turn the neighbouring site at 430 Tyburn Road into a multi-point charging station for electric vehicles was given the green light by Birmingham City Council in 2023, despite resident’s concerns and objections led by Mick Brown (Gravelly Hill, Labour).
The Godwin Group, which has registered offices in both Birmingham and London, had announced their plans for a ‘a brand-new coffee drive thru’ at the 428 Tyburn Road site in June 2024 – heralding the development as ‘contributing to the visual uplift and natural surveillance’, whilst also bringing 30 jobs to the area.
Layout of plans for propsed Starbucks drive-thru at 428 Tyburn Road, as submitted to Birmingham City Council / Taken from planning application
Releasing information about the proposed coffee shop project on their website, Simon Handslip, Managing Director of Commercial Development at Godwin, said: “[The Starbuck Drive-Thru] is expected to serve not only passing traffic and pedestrians using Tyburn Road, but also the local community, the nearby industrial estates and plentiful retailers in the area.
He added: “This application is one of many similar commercial schemes we are currently progressing with well-known national and international brands. We have a huge appetite for similar sites nationwide and seek partnerships with real estate and retail brands to bring forward new roadside schemes paired with EV charging.”
But in the Council’s Final Decision notice, officers found the development would “fail to visually integrate within its surroundings or enhance the character of the surrounding area”, adding the coffee chain outlet “would be an incongruous addition to the street scene” and “have an adverse impact on the surrounding public realm.”
Layout of plans for propsed Starbucks drive-thru at 428 Tyburn Road, as submitted to Birmingham City Council / Taken from planning application
However, following BCC’s decision to refuse the planning application for 428 Tyburn Road, effectively halting plans, a spokesperson for Godwin Developments explained they were still looking to push the project over the finish line.
They told Erdington Local: “Despite the recent rejection of our plans by Birmingham City Council, we are still actively progressing the redevelopment of the former builder’s merchants yard on Tyburn Road into a new drive-thru Starbucks store.”
They added: “Following productive discussions with council officers, we are currently refining our proposals to align with their requirements. We are confident that this development will not only enhance the area’s visual appeal but will also serve the needs of the local community and customers of the adjacent 24-bay EV charging hub.”
Godwin also own the remaining retail units at what used to be the Central Square shopping precinct on Erdington High Street – having sold the remaining land to a London based property firm, Castle Haven Developments, who previously told Erdington Local they are looking at using the site for residential development.
Bins and bin bags uncolllected on Mason Road, Erdington / PIc by Ed King
On 11 March 2025, hundreds of council refuse workers took industrial action, joining the Unite the Union picket line and effectively halting the collection of household rubbish and recycling across the city.
The issues were similar to those Unite members voted to strike on in June 2017, September 2017, December 2018, and February 2019, as was the media fallout that followed – with pictures of rubbish piling up on city streets and reports of “rats the size of cats” in the national press.
Erdington Local takes a look at the history behind the revolving door bin strikes that have come back to haunt, and taunt, Birmingham City Council, and asks – what keeps going wrong with Birmingham’s Waste Management Service?
‘Cat-sized rats are attacking our cars’, ran the BBC headline, framing an article published on 26 February this year.
Two weeks later and a reported 350 Birmingham City Council (BCC) refuse workers would go on strike, leaving bin bags to pile up on city streets and vermin of all shapes and sizes to burrow their way into the conversation.
“The rats are huge,” explained one local resident, when quizzed further by the BBC reporter, “they are like small cats and their tails are really chunky.”
A media monster is born. Or reborn. And the Labour run council is once again at war with Unite the Union. But why is Birmingham back in crisis over its bin collections? And why is one of the largest trade unions in the UK, and a onetime close Labour ally and donor, now bringing the city to its knees? Again.
Bins and bin bags uncolllected on Mason Road, Erdington / PIc by Ed King
The answer to this immediate problem can be found from looking through the last decade of how Birmingham City Council has wrestled with Unite – the union who represent the majority of council employers working in the Waste Management Service.
The Birmingham bin strikes are viewed by many as a case of history repeating itself, and in order to successfully to navigate a future path the council must learn from its mistakes of the past.
In 2017 it was the threat of losing 107 Grade 3 Leading Hands roles from the waste collection trucks, workers with a safety brief who were paid more than their counter parts, and today it’s the Waste Recycling and Collection Officer (WRCO) role.
The Leader of Birmingham City Council has changed too, but it is the actions of Birmingham Labour a decade ago that lie at the root of this dispute.
According to one senior member of Unite the Union’s West Midlands branch, commenting anonymously for fear of reprisals, the rot began to set in when Sir Abert Bore was replaced by Cllr John Clancy as Council Leader in 2015 – seeing a man The Birmingham Post once dubbed a “leftwing firebrand” handing the reigns to a Mancunian lawyer turned Brummie councillor.
According to our source, Unite top brass were rattled by the new tone of Clancey’s Cabinet, and the “dominance in Birmingham” the union had previously enjoyed was perceivably under threat. Whereas in the salad days of Sir Bore’s administration Unite could “just [go] to him and we’d have got what we wanted” they now faced elected officials who would not “bow to that pressure.”
Birmingham’s a big patch for many civic partners and showing strength in the face of administrative action is an important vertebra in the backbone of any West Midlands union official. Especially if your workforce is employed by the council.
At the time of the first bin strike in 2017, Unite had brought in Howard Beckett as Regional Director, who our source explains had been “sent to the West Midlands to make a name for himself”. The then General Secretary, Len McCluskey, was set to step down and top tier Unite members had their eyes on the job. And for Beckett, argues our source, the Birmingham bin strike “was his baby.”
So, when in spring 2017 a proposed restructuring of the Waste Management Service – in an effort to save £5m in operational costs – called for the redundancy of 107 Grade 3 Leading Hands roles, Unite, led by Beckett, went on the attack.
Birmingham City Council argued they had to restructure, as they still do today, over concerns of equal pay – with potential liabilities across the 12000 strong Council workforce a dangerous thundercloud on the horizon.
(That burst on 5 September 2023, bringing with it unprecedented cuts to Council services, sales of public assets, and a near 20% rise in Council Tax over two years.)
And whilst back in 2017 BCC claimed they were offering equivalent roles or severance packages to anyone made redundant, as again they still do today, Unite stuck to their stance the redundancies were unlawful. The Council disagreed, so Unite the Union members working in Waste Management were balloted over industrial action and went on strike starting 30 June 2017.
Initially Cllr Clancey attempted to placate Unite with the now infamous ‘beer and sandwiches’ deal, where he met with union officials through the national Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) on 15 August 2017 to sign off a settlement.
But without official Cabinet support, BCC’S then interim Chief Executive, Stella Manzie, called on the Leader to “‘not progress the proposal” and return to the negotiating table.
Fostering a direct relationship with Unite, Cllr Clancy candidly informed Howard Beckett via text that he was “working most of every day to outflank inappropriate [city] officers” and how “a pincer manoeuvre from others will help specifically to do this”.
Then on 31 August 2017, John Clancy texts Howard Beckett again, explaining “the mood [in Birmingham Labour] has changed drastically” and it is “inevitable” that the “redundancies will have to go ahead straight away”. A curious division of loyalties that would begin the corrosion of the senior council officials, elected or not, and send the city further into bin collection chaos.
On 1 September, Unite the Union members working in Waste Management went on strike.
Ten days later, on 11 September, John Clancey resigned as Leader of Birmingham City Council.
Birmingham City Council Town House / Image from Adobe Stock
BCC and Unite would end up arguing it out in the High Court – where one judge commented in September 2017, after the redundancies were eventually blocked: “How a public body with 12,000 employees can operate sensibly with this degree of chaos between its senior personnel is remarkable.”
And it is here the game of cat and mouse, or perhaps rat, would repeat over the next two administrations.
Erdington MP Paullette Hamilton sat on Clancey’s Cabinet at the time. She explains: “You have to understand, formally, nothing was passed by cabinet. John Clancy went into a meeting… with the unions, [and] decisions were taken at the time. But the other members of the cabinet were not there.”
She adds: “The point was [John Clancey] didn’t understand what a Cabinet structure meant. He felt being the Leader he could go away and do what he felt was right and the Cabinet would just fall in line. And unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”
Jump forward to today’s widely reported on rubbish and the argument over restructuring the city’s Waste Management Service remains much the same, as does the outcome of such a service deadlock. Piles of black plastic bins on the pavement and the circling folklore of vermin big enough to bite your pet Poodle.
Unite is now run by Sharon Graham, who was elected as General Secretary in 2021 and – in an open letter to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner – has stated the “current escalation [in the dispute] increasingly looks like a declaration of war on these [Birmingham City Council Waste Management] workers”. Tough but consistent rhetoric.
There are some more positive noises being made today, however, with Birmingham City Council declaring the situation a “major incident’ and “public health crisis’ – paving the way for BCC to instigate contingency plans and bring in external help to literally clean up the mess.
Rubbish and waste increasing, uncollected due to workers strike UK / Image from Adobe Stock
This also allows Birmingham City Council to seek support from central government, and, as some around the campfire predict, take a more aggressive stance against the union who has blocked them over Waste Management reform for the last decade.
And this has been mirrored recently in Westminster. Following reports striking workers were blocking the waste collection trucks leaving a plant in Tyseley, the Health Minister, Wes Streeting, told: “I understand industrial disputes happen. I understand people have the right to withdraw their labour. That’s part and parcel of industrial relations in our country. But what is not acceptable is allowing these sorts of… unsanitary conditions… to occur on people’s streets.”
But one thing’s for sure, the bin strike debate is keeping our local Council Chamber full of fireworks and festivities – with one plucky member of the public dressing up in a full body rat costume to ask their question about taxes on pest control at the Full Council meeting on 8 April.
Shots were fired over strategy too, with Birmingham Conservatives Leader Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward) challenging the current Birmingham Labour Leader, Cllr John Cotton (Glebe Farm and Tile Hill Ward) over his management of the crisis.
In a barbed exchange in the Council Chamber, Cllr Alden quizzed when there are “over 21000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish [on Birmingham streets] and pest control experts… warning the city could face a rat epidemic” why weren’t opposition leaders being brought in to help find a solution.
Cllr Robert Alden in exchange with Cllr John Cotton over waste managemnet startegy at Full Council meeting on 8 April / Image taken from BCC webcast
After initially responding it was “absolutely appropriate” the Gold Command – a special taskforce set up to tackle the issue – were “reporting into the political leadership of this council at regular intervals”, Cllr Cotton became visibly more irate at the “heated rhetoric” coming from his Conservative counterpart.
In a curt and final riposte, Cllr Cotton quipped he was “not going to get involved in… party banter and nonsense” and that “the priority here is to reach a resolution to this dispute.” A possibly welcome tough line as wider negotiations continue both in and outside the Town House.
There are signs the end will come, and BCC have been using the public health agenda to bring in temporary support whilst the strike continues. So bins are being emptied.
But whilst the Cabinet Member for Digital, Culture, Heritage, and Tourism – Cllr Sulaman (Hall Green North, Labour) – is confident Birmingham will still be seen as “a clean, welcoming, and exciting destination,” the embarrassing media cycle continues.
Cllr John Cotton in exchange with Cllr Robert Alden over waste managemnet startegy at Full Council meeting on 8 April / Image taken from BCC webcast
Over in Erdington, however, people have been showing the national press a positive display of community in the face of adversity – as those living in the B24 and B23 postcodes so clearly showed in another recent time of crisis.
In a visit to a mobile rubbish collection point on Grange Road, as piles of rubbish are being set alight in other areas of the city, the BBC reported how in Erdington “the scene is all very well-mannered”. All this North Birmingham constituency needs now is a Vera Lynn song on repeat and a good stock of tinned food.
And the “120 new vehicles with state of the art technology that will truly modernise the service” promised by the Council Leader, if they have a spare afternoon.
A blank calf in the grass at The Ring, Perry Common / Pic supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association
Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) are running a competition to give an Erdington creative the chance to design one of the iconic calf sculptures in the upcoming ‘Bulls in the City’ charity arts trail.
Looking for designs that incorporate references to Erdington and ‘capture the pride, spirit, and charm of their neighbourhoods’, WLCA will be inviting people to submit their artwork by 25 April – with a winner announced by 30 April.
The competition is open to people of all ages and abilities living in Perry Common, Erdington, Stockland Green, Pype Hayes, Gravelly Hill, Castle Vale, or Kingstanding.
Templates for the calf sculpture, based on the bronze bull statue outside the new Bullring markets, can be downloaded from the WLCA website, with the winning design completed by professional artists from Reilly Creative.
WLCA have generously sponsored one of the calf statues, which will be installed alongside 84 other calves and 40 larger bull statues across the city this summer – before being auctioned off in a special charity event.
A decorated calf next to the original bull statue outside Birmingham Bullring / Pic supplied by Bulls in the City
Following on from ‘The Big Hoot’ in 2015, which saw 89 individually designed and decorated owls installed across the city, the ‘Bulls in the City’ project will be using the Birmingham bull mascot as it’s muse – with each sculpture raising thousands to support Birmingham Hospice, which rely on charity and donations to stay open.
Erdington has been the home to one of Birmingham Hospice’s facilities for decades, widely remembered as John Taylor Hospice and situated on Grange Road.
An important part of the local community, previous charity fundraisers for the hospice have created widespread support – with The Swan pub generating over £5000 in February through hamper raffles, toy drives, clothes collections, and book sales.
By bringing Erdington into the citywide ‘Bulls in the City’ project, WLCA hopes to give Erdington locals a chance to show their love for their community and raise money for the cherished care facility.
A blank calf at Witton Lodge Community Association / Pic supplied by Witton Lodge Community Association
Jo Townsend, Communications & Community Engagement Manager at WLCA, explained: “We are thrilled to support Birmingham Hospice and join the herd for this fantastic initiative… we’re delighted to bring a calf into our community, offering one lucky resident the chance to have their design featured on it.
“We can’t wait to see the creative submissions and look forward to selecting a winning design that truly represents the wonderful community spirit of Erdington.”
Rebecca Richards, Senior Events Manager at Birmingham Hospice, added: “Due to the national funding crisis affecting all hospices in the UK this year, it’s more important than ever we raise vital funds and awareness for our charity.
“Bulls in the City will be fantastic for our charity, but it’s also a great opportunity for local businesses to get involved in what is set to be the biggest and best art trail our city has ever seen.”
For more information about the ‘Bulls in the City’ design competition contact Witton Lodge at (0121) 382 1930 or email jessica.fisher@wittonlodge.org.uk
Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group meeting at High Croft Community Centre / Pic supplied by Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group
The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group, is a group for men looking to improve their health and wellbeing, who meet monthly at Highcroft Community Centre – located at 485 Slade Road, opposite Stockland Green Methodist Church and Stockland Green School.
Focused on providing a supportive and inclusive environment, the group aims to tackle the stigma surrounding men’s health, particularly mental health, and encourages men to actively take charge of their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Founded as a Community Interest Company (CIC), the group offers a range of activities from fitness classes to workshops and educational events, all designed to provide men with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to live healthier lives.
The group is committed to ensuring that men feel empowered to talk openly about their health and to foster a sense of community among participants.
Derrick Gidden, Chairman, said: “We want to create a space where men can feel comfortable talking about their health, without the stigma that often surrounds it.
“By sharing experiences and learning together, we can all improve our health.”
The group’s regular meetings at the Highcroft Community Centre have become a central point for local men seeking both social connection and valuable health resources.
Meetings feature expert speakers, covering topics such as stress management, physical fitness, and mental resilience.
These sessions encourage men to take small, manageable steps towards improving their wellbeing, making healthy living more accessible to all.
The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group also organises physical activities to encourage men to stay active – including walking groups, football sessions, and fitness classes.
Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group meeting at High Croft Community Centre / Pic supplied by Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group
One of the group’s key initiatives was the Prostate Cancer Awareness Evening, which took place on 22 November 2024, at the Lighthouse Young People’s Centre in Birmingham.
This event brought together local men and women to learn more about prostate cancer, a health issue affecting thousands of men across the UK.
The evening featured expert presentations from Aidan Atkins from Tackle Prostate UK, Lindsay Thompson from Infopool, and Junior Hermans from Prostate Cancer UK’s Black Men’s Health Advisory Group.
After the event, Junior Hermans explained: “Prostate cancer isn’t just a men’s issue; it affects families and communities.
“By coming together to share knowledge and experiences at events like these, we can empower everyone to take proactive steps in their health journey.”
Sign outside High Croft Community Centre, Slade Road / Pic supplied by Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group
This event is just one example of the Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about men’s health issues and to create spaces where men can engage in conversations about topics that are often overlooked.
Its proactive approach has led to growing participation and a strong sense of community among its members.
The group is eager to welcome new participants, including local men looking for support, fitness opportunities, or simply a place to connect with others, with its diverse range of activities and resources.
For more information about the Men’s Health and Wellbeing Group, please visit their website at www.menshealth-wellbeing.co.uk
Watch out for more COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT features from Erdington Local, online and in our monthly newspaper.
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 our Community Reporter Hema Chumber at: hema@erdingtonlocal.com
Paulette Hamilton MP with police on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
Three years ago, when I was first elected, I made a promise, to tackle the crime and antisocial behaviour plaguing Erdington High Street.
Today, I’m proud to report that Operation Fearless, launched in January with £880,000 in funding from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, is delivering incredible results.
At my latest High Street meeting, Inspector Shameem Ahmed provided a detailed update on multiple arrests and seizures – proof that our community’s persistence is paying off.
Traders who once lived in fear now speak of real transformation, something I saw firsthand during my walkabout with Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and DS Jim Munro last week.
Paulette Hamilton MP with Inspector Shameem Ahmed at a meeting about crime on Erdington High Street, held at St Barnabas Church / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
But while we celebrate progress, we cannot ignore the recent knife attack in Kingstanding. My heart goes out to the victim, and I pray they make a speedy recovery.
As someone who has recently spoken in Parliament about rising knife crime and as an aunt whose own family has felt its devastating pain, I’m calling for action. That means tougher measures and longer-term, sustainable funding for initiatives like our Violence Reduction Partnership.
Beyond crime, as Chair of the Hospices APPG, I’m also fighting for dignity in dying. Places like John Taylor Hospice in Erdington provide incredible care, yet rely too heavily on charity. They deserve long-term funding, and I’m determined to keep pushing to make that happen.
Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott are stronger when we stand together. We’ve already shown what we can achieve, so let’s keep pushing forward.
Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Cllr Robert Alden outside a mobile waste collection unit on Grange Road, Erdiington / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
As we enter April, Erdington and Birmingham have been facing a bin strike for over three months due to the dispute between two parts of the Labour movement.
Across the City there have been hugely concerning scenes of dumped rubbish sometimes piled up to shoulder height, blocking pavements and carriageways, while the papers have reported that rats are growing as large as cats and spreading exponentially.
That’s why, while the Labour Council failed to lead, as the opposition the Local Conservatives published our plan to end the strike and clean up the city.
We also called on the Council to declare a public health emergency, to ask neighbouring councils for help clearing up the 21,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish on the streets and we have offered as the opposition to join the gold command major incident board of the Council, putting residents first to help Labour end the crisis they created in Birmingham.
A massive thank you to local residents and everyone volunteering with Erdington Litter Busters and local friends groups helping to keep our area clean.
While press coverage around the world has highlighted rubbish issues in communities and at Mobile Collection sites across the city, Erdington’s recent visit passed with praise from the media for how calm and well-mannered it was and that there were no piles of dumped waste.
Once again, together as a community, we’ve shown why Erdington is such an amazing place to live.
Words by Steph Porter / Pic supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB)
Friends playng at youth group run by Urban Devotion Birmingham / Pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham
Friendship is a vital part of life.
Having people to share experiences with and talk to creates a sense of belonging that can be deeply grounding. Not only does friendship support social wellbeing, it’s also linked to improved brain function, lower anxiety, and even longer life expectancy.
For many young people, friendship is everything – messages from friends that wake them up, football at break, deep conversations at lunch, time in the park, or evenings at their local youth club. It’s how they explore the world, build social skills, and develop a sense of self.
You rarely see young people alone, and that’s something to be celebrated. We want young people to experience the joy and growth that comes through connection.
Recent programmes like Adolescence on Netflix have highlighted just how formative these years are, and how vital it is for young people not only to experience healthy friendships, but also to have safe, trusted adults walking alongside them as they navigate the highs and lows of growing up.
Of course, friendship isn’t always easy. Peer pressure, feelings of exclusion, and the pressure to fit in can make it complicated.
That’s why, at UDB, we are passionate about creating spaces where friendship can truly thrive, whether that’s in our clubs or out in the community.
We’re also committed to being a listening ear when young people face worries or fallouts, and we’re privileged to walk alongside them as they figure out this essential part of life.
