Category: News

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NEWS: Bungalow fire on Tangmere Drive puts two Castle Vale residents in hospital

Concerned Castle Vale locals gather whilst emergency services attend incident at Tangmere Drive bungalows / Photograph supplied by local resident

Words by Ed King

A fire that ransacked three bungalows on Tangmere Drive in Castle Vale yesterday has put two local residents in hospital.

Both initially attended to at the scene by ambulance crews a man was treated for a “medical incident” whilst a woman was also treated for “potentially serious injuries”, before being dispatched for hospital care.

No further casualties were reported, and it is believed the two people conveyed for hospital care are in a stable condition.

At around 1:15pm on Thursday 13 August, fire was seen coming out of the front of a bungalow on Tangmere Drive, before quickly spreading to the two neighbouring premises.

Local residents called the emergency services, who attended the scene and quickly controlled the blaze before it spread further.

Fire at Tangmere Drive bungalows / Images supplied by local residents

The properties are owned and managed by The Pioneer Group, Castle Vale’s largest social landlord with over 2500 residential homes in its portfolio.

In a public statement issued at 5:25pm on the day of the fire, The Pioneer Group stated their “staff have been on site supporting those affected” and asked for “members of the public to avoid the area if possible.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service told Castle Vale Local: “We were called to a fire on Tangmere Drive in Castle Vale, Birmingham at 1.24pm and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a critical care paramedic to the scene.

“On arrival, crews found a man who was treated for a medical incident and conveyed to hospital. A woman was also treated for potentially serious injuries and was also conveyed to hospital.”

Fire Service responsing to blaze at Tangmere Drive bungalows / Images supplied by local residents

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service added: “Shortly after 1.20pm on Thursday (13 August), we responded to Bond Drive, Castle Vale, Birmingham.

“Five fire engines and two brigade response vehicles attended, arriving to find a house fire in a single-storey terraced bungalow. The fire had spread to two neighbouring properties.

“Two casualties were treated by paramedics at the scene. Police colleagues attend to assist with traffic management.

“Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and at present, one fire engine remains in attendance damping down hotspots.”

Damaged roof at one of the bungalows on Tangmere Drive / Photograph supplied by local resident

Occurring on one of the hottest days on record, the fire at the residential properties came only a few weeks before a suspected arson attack saw a large part of Castle Vale Meadows destroyed – with police believing the dried out nature reserve was deliberately set alight.

The cause of the fire at the Tangmere Drive properties has yet to be confirmed.

Castel Vale landlords, The Pioneer Group, further asked for “people to avoid speculation” whilst the incident is investigated by the responsible authorities

Fire destroys bungalows on Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale – footage supplied by local residents

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NEWS: Northside Welcome Centre in Stockland Green celebrates 20 year anniversary of community support

Outside of Northside Welcome Centre at 176 Streetly Road, Stockland Green / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

Words by Ed King

On Friday 14 August, Northside Welcome Centre will celebrate 20 years of community support and services.

Located at 176 Streetly Road, Stockland Green, the local community hub runs a varied programme of activities to encourage social inclusion, positive health and wellbeing, and learning new skills.

The weekly calendar hosts sessions including exercise classes, advice surgeries, walking groups, coffee mornings, arts and crafts and computer skills workshops.

Through funding from the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS), which supports many community groups and projects across the constituency, Northside Welcome Centre has also recently launched a Cooking Club – where a professional chef will lead workshops on how to prepare food that helps challenge arthritis and inflammation.

Promotional poster for Cooking Club at Northside Welcome Centre

The Cooking Club will run alongside a series of weekly session giving advice on how to manage arthritis and promoting good joint health – as well as a regular gentle movement class to encourage suppleness and mobility.

Held on Tuesdays and Thursday, the new programmes are being promoted as part of Northside’s ‘Move well, eat well, live well’ project – with all activities funded by the ENNS.

Launched in 2006 by Sikh Nari Manch UK, Northside Welcome Centre grew from the registered charity’s work supporting women in the local Sikh community.

Craft and knitting session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

Sikh Nari Manch UK was founded in 1998 by Bibi Gurdev Kaur OBE, but built the Northside Welcome Centre so it could operate a wider network of support and services for all faiths and genders.

A spokesperson from Northside Welcome Centre told: “Since opening Northside Welcome Centre in 2006, we have been proud to provide a welcoming space for local people, offering activities, friendship, wellbeing support and opportunities to bring our community together.”

They added: “Over the past 20 years, thousands of local residents have benefited from the Centre and we are looking forward to celebrating this journey with our volunteers, Centre users, supporters, partners and funders.”

Computer and digital skills session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre

The 20-year anniversary celebration on 14 August will take a look at the centre’s two decades of support, with special recognition of Northside’s volunteers and supporters.

There will also be live Indian classical music and Tabla, as well as a special lunch for invited guests.

For more on Northside Welcome Centre visit www.northsidewelcomecentre.co.uk

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NEWS: Old School Sports Day on Short Heath Playing Fields on Saturday 22 August

Words by Ed King

On Saturday 22 August, an Old School Sports Day will be held on Short Heath Playing Fields – harking back to the days when the beloved green space was used by local schools in the area.

Free to attend and take part in, and open to families from across the constituency, the event runs from 12noon to 4pm – with entrance to the playing field found on Short Heath Road.

Organised by Short Heath Fields Trust (SHFT), the family event will feature classic school sporting competitions – including an egg and spoon race, a sack race, and a three-legged race.

Children taking part in an egg and spoon race / Image from Adobe Stock Images

Sports Day Races will be held for children, where young people can take part in some friendly competition and win a prize.

There will also be soft archery, soft ball games, volleyball, a bouncy castle, and more family friendly entertainment.

Refreshments will also be available at the event, including the Short Heath Wombles Tea Tent and an ice cream van – alongside a range of  stalls from local traders and crafters, such as personalised gifts and pamper hampers from local entrepreneur Leanne’s PJ Hampers.

Chair of SHFT, Steve Hughes, told Erdington Local: “These free community events at Short Heath Playing Fields give children and their families the chance to come together, have fun and make great memories.”

Short Heath Fileds Trust volunteer helping to maintain neighbouring Bleak Hill Park / Photograph by Ed King

He added: “We hope our events can raise funds to help us keep future events free, maintain Short Heath Playing Fields and continue improving Bleak Hill Park for the whole community to enjoy.”

SHFT was formed by a group of local residents back in 2020 to fight Birmingham City Council (BCC) plans to develop a housing estate on the cherished green space, which many Erdington locals would have used for their actual school sports days many years ago.

Local residents meeting on Short Haeth Playing fields during campaign to save the green space / Photograph by Ed King

Successful in their campaign, SHFT now have a licensing agreement in place with BCC to maintain the parkland and host community events – such as the Old School Sport Day, which is held every year.

SHFT also organises an annual Halloween event and Pumpkin Hunt on the playing fields, which attracts hundreds of ghouls and goblins from across Erdington every year.

To find out more about the Old School Sports Day on Saturday 22 August, click here to visit the Facebook event page.

For more on Short Heath Fields Trust visit www.shortheathfieldstrust.uk

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ERDINGTON POLICE: Safer Towns Summer – How we’re working to keep Erdington safe this summer

Words by West Midlands Police

This year, we have launched our Safer Towns Summer initiative, and in Erdington this includes efforts being stepped up to reduce violence and anti-social behaviour, tackle town centre crime, solve problems, and provide visible reassurance.

We know that you feel safest when you can see our officers out and about, and understand the work that is being done to protect the community.

The initiative is running until the end of September, and we’ll be keeping you updated as it progresses.

Safer Towns Summer isn’t about introducing something new; it’s about sharing more of an insight into the work that happens every day, in Erdington and across the West Midlands, to reassure that we’re listening to your concerns and acting on your behalf.

Sign at the entrance to Erdington Town Centre by Six Ways Island / Photograph by Ed King

With warm weather, longer days, and lighter nights, we know that issues around anti-social behaviour continues to cause concern for residents, and our patrols will take action against that, as well as drug-dealing, and street drinking.

We’re also working closely with local businesses, as we understand the impact that retail crime has on them. By working with them, we hope that we can tackle crime like shop theft and keep retail workers safe.

We’re also working closely with our partners to directly address some of the causes of this crime and build on the work of dedicated local neighbourhood officers.

We’ll keep you up to date on our social media channels and WMNow as we work to make our area the safest and best place it can be.

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 SPOTLIGHT: CAMEO – a welcoming social group that brings older locals together

Members of CAMEO taken during group excursion / Image taken from Erdington Local archives, from feature on community groups supported by the ENNS

Words by Shaun Hand

For 25 years, Erdington’s CAMEO group has been helping retired local residents to connect, stay active, and keep learning.

Erdington Local spoke to Volunteer Co-ordinator Angela Richards to learn more about the group, how it works, and what their plans for the future are.

“We’re not just a group that sits down,” tells Angela. “CAMEO is for older people who still want to contribute; who still want to learn and do things.”

The volunteer-run group, whose name stands for ‘Come and Meet Each Other’, convene every Tuesday morning, from 10am until 12pm, in the church hall at the back of Six Ways Erdington Baptist Church on Wood End Road. Meetings include refreshments, quizzes, guest speakers, and more. The group also organise regular daytrips, both locally and further afield. All for just £2 per week.

Angela first became involved with CAMEO because her mother, Gloria, was one of the group’s original volunteers. “I used to go and pick her up,” Angela explains. “And then I got involved, doing little things like helping to find activities and speakers.”

Image of senior adults in a social setting / Image taken from Adobe Stoke Images

Fast-forward to today, and CAMEO enjoys a wide range of both activities and guest speakers. The weekly meet-ups start with a chat over tea and toast. As Angela says, “It’s a chance for people who feel lonely or isolated and want to meet up, talk, and do things with people of a similar age. Some members are bereaved and dealing with loss, and this is the only chance they get to sit and socialise with others.”

Physical health is also important, with sessions including some light chair exercises and health-focused talks from speakers such as Dr Jha of Kingsbury Road Medical Centre. In some instances, these talks can prove potentially life-saving.

Six Ways Baptist Church, where CAMEO hold regular meetings / Photograph by Ed King

After one on sepsis, Angela herself realised that, “I was able to highlight someone who wasn’t well. She went into hospital, and it turned out she did indeed have sepsis.” There are also visits from staff at Wheelwright Road Pharmacy, offering tests on things like blood pressure and eyesight.

Beyond the church hall, the group also gets out and about. Upcoming daytrips include a visit to the National Memorial Arboretum at the end of July and the Trentham Estate in September. They also stay closer to home, organising trips to local garden centres and the like.

You get a lot for a couple of quid a week, then. But as Angela points out, it couldn’t happen without extra funding.

Angela Richards accepting award from Care UK at Elederflower Grange opening event / Photograph by Shaun Fellows (Shine Pix Ltd) and supplied by Care UK

When I speak to her, she’s keen to thank the Sutton & Erdington Lions Club for nominating her for her (well-deserved) £500 award from Care UK’s new Elderflower Grange care home on Orphanage Road – “a wonderful, forward-thinking establishment” – which will help CAMEO continue their incredible work.

Further support has come from the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme.

“I just want people to be aware there are good things going on in Erdington,” Angela says. “Especially for older people.”

CAMEO is one of the finest examples.

For more information on CAMEO contact Angela Richards directly on 07342 154 267 or by emailing angelarichards82@yahoo.co.uk

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: community@erdingtonlocal.com

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NEWS: ‘Engage with Waste’ team back in Erdington Town Centre to talk about new household waste and recycling collections – Wednesday 29 July

Words by Ed King

Birmingham City Council’s Public Participation Team will be back in Erdington Town Centre on Wednesday 29 July, to talk to local residents about the proposed changes to household waste and recycling collections.

The team will be meeting members of the public at the High Street Hut – the wooden chalet on the pedestrianised area of Erdington High Street in between B&M and Wilton Market – from 12:30am to 4pm.

There is not advance booking required, with the team talking to Erdington locals on a first come first seen basis.

Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) will be setting up some additional seating and cover, as well as free bottle of waters, so people can wait in comfort to be seen and allow more residents to have a chance to engage with the Council.

Engage with Waste team on Erdington High – 16 July / Photograph supplied by Erdingotn BID

The ‘Engage with Waste’ Public Participation Team first came to Erdington High Street on 16 July, as part of an ongoing public consultation campaign ahead of the proposed changes to household waste and recycling collections.

The team are also looking for feedback from members of the public about the upcoming changes to waste and recycling services, which they state could “directly shape” how the services are to be delivered.

(Please note, the Public Participation Team are not responsible for any policy making, legislation, or disputes over working practices, employment status, and pay.)

Mini bins as part of Engage with Waste display / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID

A spokesperson for the Public Participation Team told Erdington Local: “We are really pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Erdington residents directly about the upcoming changes to their waste and recycling services.

“Our goal is to help everyone understand the new weekly food waste collections and the return of recycling services, which now include additional recycling capacity.”

They added: “We are here to support the community with any questions they might have, and importantly, to gather their feedback. Listening to Erdington residents will directly shape how we communicate and roll out these services across the rest of the city.”

Birmingham Council House taken from behind Heras fencing in Victoria Square / Photograph by Ed King

Birmingham City Council has been in an ongoing dispute with Waste Management works and the unions that represent them, especially Unite the Union, since January 2025.

(Click here to read Erdington Local’s feature ‘What a load of rubbish – a look at the history of Birmingham’s battle over bin bags’ – first published in April 2025.)

Following the recent Council Elections in May, the minority coalition – led by Cllr Roger Harker (Lib Dems) and Cllr Julien Pritchard (Greens) – announced a new schedule of household waste and recycling collections, although many outside the Cabinet raised concerns over a lack of consultation on the new policy.

Birmingham City Council is subsequently rolling out a public engagement campaign across the city, to talk directly to Birmingham residents about the proposed changes.

For more on waste and recycling services across Birmingham, visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20009/waste_and_recycling

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NEWS: ‘World’s biggest tent pegging show’ comes to Ward End Park on Sunday 26 July

Words by Ed King

What organisers are promoting as the ‘world’s biggest tent pegging show’ is set to take place at Ward End Park on Sunday 26 July, brought to Birmingham by the Prince Malik Ata Tent Pegging Association (PMATPA).

Completely free to attend, and a fun day out for all ages, the tent pegging event starts at 11am and runs throughout the day.

Public parking is available at Wood End Park, with the ground accessible by the No 94 and No 95 buses on Washwood Heath Road.

Being held in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the tent pegging event on 25 July will bring together skilled riders from across the country – competing for the coveted ‘Tent Pegging Memorial Cup 2026’.

The West Midlands Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Dame Beverly Lindsay DBE OD OBE, will also be in attendance at the event.

Malik Ata at Horse and Cattle Show in Lahore, Pakistan / Photograph by Malik Amin Khan

Alongside the ten pegging competition, organisers are promoting a variety of attractions and activities – including horse riding demonstrations and a traditional cavalry display.

First played in the 4th Century BC, the sport requires riders to gallop at speed towards as small ‘tent peg’ embedded in the ground – the rider must make contact with the ‘peg’ and lift it from the ground using a sword or lance.

Reported to have evolved from the Indian and Pakistani subcontinent, the sport came from skills learned by cavalry in combat, where they would train to attack the soft flesh on the feet of elephants used in battle.

Requiring immense precision, ancient cavalry riders would charge the elephant and strike the vulnerable flesh behind the toenails of the big beasts – who would then rear up and throw their riders to the ground.

Horse show organised by the XIII British Corps at Ecoivres, 20 June 1917 / Copyright © IWM

The term ‘tent pegging’ also derives from similar pre-dawn raids made at enemy encampments, where the riders would pull the literal tent pegs from the ground and collapse the messes and sleeping quarters of their opponents before attacking.

An official Olympic sport in Asia, tent pegging now is one of the ten equestrian disciplines and held it’s first ‘World Cup’ in Oman in 2014 – where South Africa beat the host nation to take home the inaugural championship cup.

The recognised international governing body of tent pegging is International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) which has its headquarters in Muscat, Oman – with branches across the world in England, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and India.

Wood End Park / Still image taken from video by Birmingham City Council

The official governing both in the UK is the British Tent Pegging Association (BTPA), with the sport further championed in Britain by the Prince Malik Ata Tent Pegging Association – named after the first elected President of the Equestrian & Tent Pegging Federation of Pakistan, and one of the ITPF founders.

Tent pegging in the UK has grown from just a handful of riders in 2006 to now boasting over 25 clubs across the country.

To learn more about tent pegging in the UK visit www.britishtentpeggingassociation.co.uk

 

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NEWS: Erdington High Street Community Market on Saturday 25 July – 10am to 4pm

Words by Ed King

Erdington’s High Street Community Market is back on Saturday 25 July – with stalls and children’s games open to the public from 10am to 4pm.

Held on the pedestrianised area in between Wilton Indoor Market and B&M Superstore, the Community Market will bring back some of its favourite regular local traders – joined by some new stalls – selling arts, crafts, toys, clothes, and homemade cakes, brownies, and sweet treats.

The free bouncy castle will be open to children from 10am to 4pm, with a free face painter decorating young face from 11am to 2pm.

Children enjoying a free bouncy castle at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ilona Zielinska

Arts All Over the Place will also be back with their arts and crafts stand – offering a peaceful time out for both young people and adults, in a shady corner of the High Street.

Live steelpan drum music will be played by Jamani, giving Erdington High Street some calypso vibes as people have a relaxing browse across the stalls and local businesses.

Browsing the stalls at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ilona Zielinska

Erdington Business Improvement District will also be offering free bottled water from the High Street Hut through the event, with the occasional free ice cream handed out to attendees during the day – helping everyone stay cool in the summer heat.

Click here to visit the Facebook event page for the Erdington High Street Community Market on Saturday 25 July.

Having a cuppa and a natter at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ilona Zielinska

The Community Markets are organised by the Erdington BID, with support from Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority – as part of the BID’s LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY and Celebrate Erdington campaigns, helping promote Erdington Town Centre.

A spokesperson from Erdington BID told: “Our July High Street Community Market will be mark six months since we started these monthly events, and it has been an absolute joy to see people come into Erdington Town Centre and have a fun afternoon together.

“Plus, the stalls are selling some truly unique gifts – from local traders and crafters – which you simply won’t find anywhere else.

“So, if you’re looking for a special birthday present or gift, then you should definitely come down and check out what’s on offer.”

Browsing the stalls at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph byBianca Pirvuceanu

Erdington BID is also building a group of local volunteers, to help support events and work on other activities that support Erdington Town Centre – such as community litter picks, gardening, and outreach work with local care homes and residential centre.

Anyone interested in volunteering should email: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk

PICTURE GALLERY: Erdington High Street Community Markets / Photographs by Ilona Zielinska, Ed King, Darren Dodd, and Bianca Pirvuceanu

For more from the Erdington Business Improvement District visit www. erdingtonhighstreet.co.uk

Or follow Celebrate Erdington on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CelebrateErdington

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NEWS: Council hold public engagement sessions about household waste and recycling collections in Erdington Town Centre – Thursday 16 July

Words by Ed King

Birmingham City Council’s Public Participation Team will be in Erdington Town Centre on Thursday 16 July, inviting members of the public to talk to them about the upcoming changes to household waste and recycling collections.

The team will be situated on the pedestrianised area of Erdington High Street, by the wooden Community & Creative Hub in between B&M and Wilton Market, from 10am to 1pm.

Additional seating and cover will be provided by Erdington BID, allowing more people to have a chance to engage.

The Council team will then move over to Erdington Leisure Centre, setting up an information stand inside the sports facility by the reception, for an afternoon engagement session from 2pm to 5pm.

Both sessions are completely free to attended and require no advance booking, with members of the public attending seen on a first come first served basis.

Uncollected rubbish outside residentail properties in Erdington Town Centre / Photograph by Ed King

Please note, the Public Participation Team will be able to answer questions people may have about the recently announced changes to waste and recycling collections – but are not responsible for any policy making, legislation, or disputes over working practices, employment status, and pay.

They are also looking for feedback from members of the public about the upcoming changes to waste and recycling services, which they state could “directly shape” how the services are to be delivered.

A spokesperson for the Public Participation Team told Erdington Local: “We are really pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Erdington residents directly about the upcoming changes to their waste and recycling services.

“Our goal is to help everyone understand the new weekly food waste collections and the return of recycling services, which now include additional recycling capacity.”

Birmingham Town House as seen behind Heras fencing / Photograph by Ed King

They added: “We are here to support the community with any questions they might have, and importantly, to gather their feedback. Listening to Erdington residents will directly shape how we communicate and roll out these services across the rest of the city.”

Birmingham City Council has been in an ongoing dispute with Waste Management works and the unions that represent them, especially Unite the Union, since January 2025.

Although the issue – reportedly about equal pay, job descriptions, and a number of potential redundancies – persists from previous Labour administrations and goes back to as far as 2017, when John Clancy was then leader of the Council.

(Click here to read Erdington Local’s feature ‘What a load of rubbish – a look at the history of Birmingham’s battle over bin bags’ – first published in April 2025.)

Following the recent Local Election in May – where the Birmingham Labour Group lost control of the Council – a minority coalition was formed between the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and some independent councillors, with Cllr Roger Harmer (Lib Dems) voted in a Council Leader.

Shortly after taking office a new schedule of collections was announced, with many members of opposing parties complaining the was inadequate consultation and the new policy was forced through.

Birmingham City Council is now rolling out a citywide engagement programme, talking to members of the public about the proposed changes to their household waste and recycling service.

For more on waste and recycling services across Birmingham, visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20009/waste_and_recycling

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NEWS: Spring into Summer Festival returns ‘the ring’ on Witton Lodge Road – Saturday 13 June

Words by Ed King

Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) are inviting local residents and families to Spring into Summer, as their annual community festival returns to Perry Common on Saturday 13 June.

Held between 12noon and 3pm on ‘the ring’ – the municipal circular parkland on Witton Lodge Road – the community event is free to enter, with some activities charged at only £1.

Full of family friendly fun, the summer festival will host a range of children’s games and activities – including a super slide and a bouncy castle.

Super slide at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Special ‘learn to ride’ sessions will also be held on the paths within the parkland, teaching young people how to cycle and encouraging them to find their feet – on two wheels.

Young David Attenbououghs and Jane Goodalls will also have the chance to get up close to nature and explore the world of ‘Mini Beasts’ in the ‘Bug and Insect Corner’ – introducing children to the natural world that crawls around under their feet.

Stalls at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Local services will also be present, offering advice and guidance to local residents – alongside a chance to explore a real life fire engine and police vehicle with members of the local police and fire service also engaging with public at the event.

Held every year, the Spring into Summer Festival is a family favourite on the Perry Common calendar – attended by hundreds of people from across the local area and beyond.

Organised by WLCA, who run the neighbouring Perry Common Community Hall, the annual event is part of a year round programme of events and support services from the Perry Common based community and housing association.

Local crafts at previous Spring into Summer Festival / Photograph supplied by WLCA

Paul Tse, Flourishing Communities Development Officer at WLCA, told: “Spring into Summer has become one of our community’s best loved traditions so it’s a great pleasure for us to be able to bring it back again for people to enjoy.

“It brings people together in a way which celebrates the wonderful community spirit we have here in Perry Common.”

He added: “As always, we are thankful for the support and hard work of our fantastic partners, St Martin’s Church, The Friends of Witton Lakes, Urban Devotion Birmingham and The Net Pentecostal Church, for helping to put the event together.”

For more on WLCA and links to their wider programme of events and services visit www.wittonlodge.org.uk

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