Words & pics by Ed King
A free summer holiday Fun School Sports Day is being held on Short Heath Playing Fields on Saturday 19 August, running from 12noon to 4pm – organised by Short Heath Fields Trust (SHFT).
Open to children of all ages, organisers are inviting local families to take part in a day a community sports, games, and outdoor activities.
Classic school sports day games will be held – such as three legged, sack, and egg and spoon races – alongside more contemporary children’s sports, including soft archery and badminton.
All games will be free to enter and take part in, with stalls selling local gifts and refreshments available at The Womble Tea Tent. There will also be a raffle or tombola to help raise money for SHFT – the community group that fought to save, and now manages, the beloved local green space.
SHFT was formed in 2020 to protect Short Heath Playing Fields from development, after Birmingham City Council (BCC) tried to push through plans for an 84 strong housing estate on the urban parkland – amidst widespread local objections.
After a long fought battle with BCC, on 8 June this finally year SHFT signed a license agreement giving them official responsibility of the playing fields until 31 May 2024.
Championed for its importance to the local community, used by individuals and families for outdoor and wellbeing activities, the cherished parkland on Short Heath Road has hosted regular events for local residents – including the annual Pumpkin Hunt, which sees hundreds attend from all over the constituency.
With the UK Met Office predicting a comfortably sunny day on Saturday 19 August, event organisers are hoping the Short Heath Playing Fields Fun School Sports Day will offer more local families a chance to enjoy an active day together without breaking the bank.
A spokesperson from SHFT told: “SHFT have always believed that free events for the children of our community are important.
“Crucially, a free event like our Fun School Sports Day will mean all kids can join in and their parents/carers don’t need to pay a penny for it – unlike a visit to a zoo or adventure park.
“It’s all about inclusivity, and every child deserves to have FUN.”
For more on the Short Heath Playing Fields Fun School Sports Day, click here to visit the event’s Facebook page.
For more on Short Heath Fields Trust visit www.shortheathfieldstrust.godaddysites.com