On 11 November at Kings Rise Academy, students gathered to honour Remembrance Day, paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in war.
At 11 o’clock, the whole school observed a two-minute silence, where we all stayed quiet to show our respect for the soldiers who fought for our country. Many of us wore poppies as a way to remember the bravery of those who sacrificed so much.
Year 6 played a special role in the ceremony by reading a poem dedicated to the fallen. The words of the poem were powerful and moving, making us think deeply about how much was given up by people who came before us.
Listening to it, we felt proud, and it was like we were all saying thank you in our own way.
Mrs Noonan (head teacher) reminded us that this day is important to help us understand the meaning of remembrance and why we should never forget those who protected our future. Standing together in silence, it was clear that everyone felt the importance of this moment.
Kings Rise Academy’s ceremony showed that as a school, we are grateful for the sacrifices made for us, and we will always honour those who gave everything.
Kings Rise Editorial Team: Sienna Mills (Y5), Zaneta Onojah (Y5), Liyana Walters (Y5), Riley Mortiboys (Y5), Hiba Ahmed (Y4), Ehichoya Jason Obor (Y5).
On Friday 18 October, Year 4 children from Kingsthorne Primary School went to Twycross Zoo on a coach. When they were there, they saw lots of different animals – read some of their experiences and memories from the days below.
Rainbow Lorikeets:
“The rainbow lorikeets were one of the first animals we saw. They are rainbow birds with tongues instead of teeth. We got some disgusting yellow food and went to the exhibition. At first, the rainbow lorikeets where nowhere to be seen but then they kept coming and coming! They were attracted by the awful looking food!”
Orangutans:
“The orangutans were so big and orange it was quite scary! They had a big play enclosure with lots of equipment for them to climb, swing and jump off. Maybe we could have some of that for our playground…”
Butterflies:
“The butterflies are kept in a warm enclosure because this is more like their habitat at home. They were really bright and colourful and ate very sweet fruits. Up close, you could see how delicate their wings are.”
Other memories from the day:
“We were lucky enough to see bonobos, guerillas, rhinos, penguins and cheetahs too.”
“It was a great day at the zoo and when we got back on the coach to return to school we were tired but very happy!”
Thank-you to all of the Y4 children that contributed to this article, including: Zofia, Almamo, Layla, Kobie, Alis, Rim, Rebecca, Khadeza, Anomika, Jessie-Ann, Pernell, Lincoln, and Amelia.
Kingsthorne 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: edking@erdingtonlocal.com
Notice of application for a Bingo Premises License at 90-92 High St, Erdington / Pic by Ed King
Regional gaming company Shipley Estates Limited, who also trade under the names Shipley’s and Shipley’s Gaming, are looking to relocate one of their Erdington outlets to a larger premises on Erdington High Street.
The Tamworth based company, which has seven premises across the Midlands registered with the Gambling Commission, have applied to Birmingham City Council for a Bingo Premises License allowing them to operate from the old Costa Coffee site at 90-92 High St, Erdington.
Under the Gambling Act 2005, a Bingo Premises License prevents anyone under 18 years of age from visiting the premises and forbids any bingo activity between 12midnight and 9am.
However, according to the UK Gambling Commission it does allow “access to gaming machines”, such as slot machines, with “no restrictions”.
The old Costa Coffee outlet on Erdington High Street / PIc by Ed King
Shipley Estates Limited currently hold two licences for premises on Erdington High Street – as identified by the Gambling Commission UK – and have stipulated that if their application for a Bingo Premises License at 90-92 High Street, Erdington, is successful then their current Adult Gaming Premises License at 243 High Street will be “surrendered”.
However, local residents and officials are concerned the move to a larger premises could bring a rise in anti-social behaviour and negatively increase the gambling provision in an area that already has eight operating outlets.
The growing fears about the rise in gambling and gaming outlets on Erdington High Street have further been magnified as more family focused businesses continue to shut up shop, with the Co-op supermarket being the last to announce it will be leaving the High Street.
Last year, BoyleSports UK won their appeal to open a second gambling outlet on Erdington High Street after Birmingham City Council’s Planning Department initially blocked the application following widespread objections from local residents.
L-R, Cllr Gareth Moore and Cllr Robert Alden on Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King
After hearing about the new Bingo Premises Licence application from Shipley Estate Limited, Cllr Gareth Moore (Erdington Ward, Conservatives) told Erdington Local: “We oppose the application to convert the former Costa unit into a gambling unit, by relocating a store from further down the High St.
“While this is not an increase in the number of units, across the whole High Street, this is replacing a smaller shop with a larger one and so will likely increase the amount of betting machines operating and importantly will also lead to a concentration of gambling shop units in the same location.”
He added: “There is already a betting shop next door and another four doors up, very close to this location and therefore the clustering of gambling units close to each other in the pedestrian part of the High Street could increase ASB and crime”.
Cllr Robert Alden (Erdington Ward, Conservatives) also told us: “Due to this increase in size of the unit, clustering impact on this part of the High Street and the loss of one of the larger retail units left in Erdington High Street.
“We urge residents to object to this application by emailing the [Birmingham] City Council licensing team at licensing@birmingham.gov.uk”.
Notice of application for Bingo Premises License on display at 90-92 High Street, Erdington / Pic by Ed King
Objections to the Bingo Premises License application can be made in writing, via email or standard mail, to Birmingham City Council by 5 December – with anyone who lives “sufficiently close” to the premises or who is “likely to be affected” by the proposed activities on the site invited to make official representations.
Likewise, anyone who has “business interests that might be affected” by the licence is also invited to make representations.
Broken police tape on Castle Vale High Street / Pic by Ed King
Concerns are growing across Castle Vale as multiple reports warn the Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) currently situated on the estate could be moved to Erdington Town Centre.
Over the past few weeks, Castle Vale Local has been told by several sources close to the local police that the Tyburn NPT – who operate community policing on and around Castle Vale and Tyburn Road – will be relocated to the Erdington Police Station on Sutton New Road.
If this takes place it will base the Tyburn NPT outside of the geographical area they police, with the nearest boundary line to Erdington Police Station being Kingsbury Road – a six minute drive and 22 minute walk away.
Castle Vale Local first contacted both West Midlands Police (WMP) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) about the issue on 25 September, with WMP stating “all enquiries regarding Estates is dealt with by the [O]PCC”.
Police investigating violent attack on Castle Vale / Pic supplied by local resident
On 26 October, the OPCC initially confirmed “there are no plans, at this point, to relocate [the Tyburn NPT]” but kept the option open “if operational requirements change”.
With continuing external reports confirming the move, on 9 October the OPPC directed enquires back to WMP stating it was “an operational policing matter”. In return, WMP doubled down on the unchallenged fact the Tyburn NPT currently “remain at their Castle Vale base” but crucially did not directly address any future plans of relocation.
After repeated calls for clarification, the latest statement issued, from Superintendent Emlyn Richards, told Castle Vale Local: “The Tyburn neighbourhood policing team remain based in Castle Vale, however, our lease on their office expires in 2025.”
They added: “Understandably we’re exploring all possibilities to ensure good value for public money balanced our commitment to delivering effective policing.”
However, Castle Vale Local has been told members of the Tyburn NPT had already met with The Pioneer Group regarding their lease on The Greenhouse – the office space given to them at a significantly reduced rate – and have yet to resign since it expired in March 2024.
We have further been told by senior officers at TPG the “core terms of the lease remain the same – share of service charges and peppercorn rent (i.e.no rent)” in a continued effort by the local housing association to keep visible policing on the estate.
The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer, Simon Wilson / Pic supplied by The Pioneer Group
In a joint letter to the Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster and West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford, written and signed by The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer Simon Wilson and Councillor Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour), the local stakeholders “express[ed] our concerns” about the “proposal to relocate” the Tyburn NPT “from Castle Vale to Erdington”.
The letter continued to address the “negative impact” such a move would have on Castle Vale, and how the lack of “visible policing” could clear a path for “levels of crime that… plagued the community for many years”.
It also highlights “a very genuine concern” over “the lack of engagement with partners” around such significant changes to community policing.
In the recent West Midlands Police Neighbourhood Policing Ambition document, setting out the regionwide approach until 2026, the introduction from Chief Constable Craig Guildford states the “fundamental… continuing value the we, as a force, place on neighbourhood policing”.
The forward continues to outline how the new “neighbourhood policing model [will] ensure we remain connected and engaged with our communities [and] continue to work with partners” – a sentiment reiterated throughout the sixteen-page mission statement.
On the West Midlands Police website, the page dedicated to the Tyburn NPT states the first action taken to tackle crime in the area is “Joint activity with partner agencies”.
Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) / Pic supplied by Birmingham Labour
In a statement made to Castle Vale Local, Cllr Ray Goodwin told: “I am deeply concerned to have spoken to a number of stakeholders who have had it confirmed [that there will be] the withdrawal of the Neighbourhood Policing Team from Castle Vale – despite receiving assurances from West Midlands Police… there are no plans, at this point, to relocate.
He added: “I will, alongside other partners, be seeking an urgent meeting with West Midlands Police to challenge this decision on behalf of the community in Castle Vale.”
The Pioneer Group Chief Executive Officer, Simon Wilson, also went on record with Castle Vale Local stating: “[The] Pioneer [Group] have only ever sought for WMP to pay their share of service charges for use of space in our building and not charged rent. This was to help ensure we could keep the neighbourhood policing team located on Castle Vale.”
He added: “I understand (Police and Crime Commissioner) Simon Foster has raised the issue with Chief Superintendent Richard North and [I] await a full response to the concerns raised on behalf of the Castle Vale community.”
Police on Farnborough Road, Castle Vale / PIc by Ed King
The threat of losing the local policing team from Castle vale is also concerning residents in the area, including people at the retirement housing community Phoenix Court, on Yatesbury Avenue, which was recently broken into in broad daylight with thieves stealing hundreds of pounds worth of electrical equipment form the downstairs community rooms.
One Phoenix Court residents told Castle Vale Local: “We were told that policing on The Vale was going to be more noticeable, now the Vale will become a no-go area with crime getting out of hand.”
Another resident added: “With no visible policing I think youth crime will increase, and police response times will be lengthened. All police resources appear to be going into Erdington High Street leaving nothing left for Castle Vale.”
Castle Vale Local will continue to follow this story, with both WMP and the OPCC routinely approached for comment.
Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association
Witton Lodge Community Association Chief Officer Afsal Hussain on Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
Every year, Remembrance Weekend pulls us into a shared pause, as we honour the sacrifice of those who stood in harm’s way for the sake of our tomorrow. It is a time when history reminds us of the profound cost of freedom and the resilience of the human spirit. We remember them. Always.
I had the privilege of attending a remembrance service alongside veterans, communities, and dignitaries, where we gathered to pay our respects. And in remembering them, we renew a promise: to cherish the peace they fought for and to strive for a world where such sacrifices are no longer necessary.
The Autumn 2024 budget gave us a sense of direction and priorities of this new government. Whilst there were some welcome measures, such as investing in our public services, increasing the national living wage, and the earnings threshold for carer’s allowance; the wider economic environment remains challenging.
Locally, the Council’s financial position, unfortunately places further strain on community and youth services, and we will be redoubling our efforts through local and city-wide partnerships, such as B:CAN to work together to minimise the impact of cuts and provide alternative ways of delivering services that are community led.
The Ladders of Opportunity Bursary is just one example how we can invest in future generations. This fantastic initiative, is dedicated to supporting the youth of Erdington with funding and mentorship, helping them achieve their dreams.
I recently had the immense pleasure of meeting the young people who were awarded the bursary. The room was filled with ambition and energy, with aspirations that spanned a wide range of careers and enterprises.
A big thank you to our generous funders: BMet, IM Properties, The Pioneer Group, Urban Devotion and Witton Lodge Community Association. For the year ahead we will be seeking additional partners to expand the fund, levelling the playing field, and supporting more young people who haven’t always had the best start in life.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Words by Simon Wilson, Chief Executive Officer – The Pioneer Group & Compass Support
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
Towards the end of the summer, we asked our residents, stakeholders and members of the wider community to tell us what the most important services are that we provide and what makes a great landlord.
You responded to that call, and we have received lots of interesting feedback from across the community.
You told us that CCTV and The Sanctuary are the most important services that we provide In Castle Vale, promoting community safety and enabling residents through a range of employment, family, youth and health and wellbeing support services.
Our tenants told us that safe and well-maintained homes were most important to them, followed closely by good communication and customer service.
I’m not sharing this because these themes are new to us, or unexpected. We have made the decision to invest in CCTV and services for residents as well as a range of improvements in the fabric of our homes over the life of our last corporate plan because we knew then that these things are important.
However, all the feedback that we’ve received will be used to shape our next corporate plan that will set the direction for our business until 2030.
We will be renewing our focus on great customer service, improving communication and our digital platforms and continuing to invest in the homes and services that you’ve told us matter most to you.
The Pioneer Group and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.
Words by Steph Porter / Pic supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB)
Volunteers with Urban Devotion Birmingham
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
What did you used to want to be when you were older?
As a child, I wanted to be a teacher. Then, I wanted to be a stage manager in a theatre. Next, a social worker. Now, I’m a youth worker.
In 2023, The Prince’s Trust released new research on young people and aspirations, stating that since 2021, 57% of young people have lowered their long-term aspirations. A mind blowing and heart-breaking statistic suggesting another impact of COVID-19, the cost-of-living crisis and other experiences on young people today. But why do these correlate?
I wonder if, for young people, the priorities have changed. Their dream jobs become insignificant in light of looking after their family, their mental health, and experiencing life in the present when so many aspects of their worlds have changed so drastically in the last five years.
At UDB, we are all about helping the young people of Erdington to hope and dream again. The first step to envisioning your future is knowing you have a voice in it, believing that you were created for something more than your current context.
Our youth volunteer program seeks to do this by giving opportunities to young people to grow and develop their skills by working with children and helping run events in their local area.
The program also includes leadership development and one-on-one mentoring, enabling the young people to discover more about themselves and in turn, discover more about their future.
If you’re passionate about helping young people to dream again, please get in touch.
My name is Sergeant Reeves, and I am excited to introduce myself as the new Sergeant of the Erdington Neighbourhood Team.
Firstly, I want to say thank you to Sergeant James Hurdrige for all his hard work over the past year in looking after Erdington.
Allow me to provide you with a brief summary of my background. I have been working with West Midlands Police for 19 years, starting as a Special Constable in 2005. Following that, I transferred to Warwickshire and served an additional seven years there.
In 2007, I joined West Midlands Police full time and began working as a call handler and front office staff member. Over time, I progressed to the role of dispatcher until 2018 when I became a Police Officer.
Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with various neighbourhood teams, and I am now eager to take on the responsibility of overseeing the Erdington area.
However, I want to emphasise that while my team and I will be responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, we cannot do it alone. We rely on the support of our partner agencies and, equally importantly, the collaboration of the community.
We require your support in reporting matters so that we are aware of any issues within your community. Please be aware we may not be able to attend all reports, this may be due to other commitments. By informing us of problems in your community can assist us in providing supporting evidence to facilitate us requesting additional patrols from other departments.
By working together as a community and actively looking after our area, we can create a better and safer place to live.
I am excited about the opportunity to serve as your Sergeant and contribute to the safety and well-being of the Erdington community.
Your active participation and collaboration are essential to achieving our shared goal of creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone. I look forward to working with you and getting to know the community better.
Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
L-R Cllr Gareth Moore and Cllr Robert Alden outside St Barnabas Church / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
This Remembrance Sunday Cllr Gareth Moore and myself, as we do every year, joined parishioners at St Barnabas Church for their Act of Remembrance and to lay wreaths remembering those who gave their everything so that we could all live free.
We owe so much to those who gave up their lives both during the two world wars and also in other conflicts defending freedom and democracy and we should never forget their sacrifice.
Thank you to everyone across North Birmingham who took part or organised Acts of Remembrance this year.
It is a wonderful testament to our local community here in Erdington that we still have events like Remembrance Sunday and Walk of Witness each year.
Elsewhere this month we have been continuing our campaign to try and save Erdington Library from the bankrupt Labour Council’s attempts to shut down services in suburbs like ours.
Sadly, the Council has now announced a new plan which will see Erdington Library lose a day a week opening time, without any other library in the north gaining that day.
We have been clear to the Council that Erdington Library, as a key part of our High Street and community, should remain open full time. It is a valuable resource for young and old alike helping those without internet or book access, etc to be able to do more.
We will continue to oppose the Labour Council’s slashing of our valuable local resources.
Jack Brookes, Erdington parliamentary candidate for Reform UK, on the campaign trail in 2022 by-election
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 15.11.24)
“Great news! What? The Dacia Sandero… no. The Donald is back!”
Even before stepping back into the White House, as the 47th President, the world has gone calmer. There is a great chance for Anglo-American alliance to write a new and positive chapter.
Peace? After calling out war dog Dick Cheney’s daughter to fight in the war herself… check! (Love that I said a similar statement two years ago in the by-election in regards to war)
Sound economics? After bringing in Rand and Ron Paul – End the Fed – into the fold… check!
The end of woke politics? After calling for an end to the sterilisation of child… check!
Make America Healthy Again? With the no nonsense and hench RFK at the wheel of the tank… check!
Judge a man by whom he surrounds himself with. Trump wants his people to win. Starmer wants us to die. Just simply look at what this government has done to the farmers. Everything is by design; the establishment are not stupid.
Be Peacefully Ungovernable (a PUG). Grown your own food. Keep cash. Use gold and sliver. Tax strike where possible. We come out of the tyrants’ games and we make the enemy keep us playing – let them try, they will not break us!
The solutions are there. We are winning and we will win. Remember what the brave gave their lives for, and it was not for what is happening right now. Do not let their sacrifice be in vain.
