Staff and students at Queensbury School wiht decorated ‘calf’ for Bulls in the City 2025 Art Trail / Photograph supplied by Queensbury School
Words supplied by Queensbury School
(Ed’s note – this BACK TO SCHOOL article was first written for the Erdington Local printed edition and published on 15.05.25)
Queensbury School was thrilled to welcome John from Birmingham Hospice, who spoke to our Key Stage 3 students about the exciting Bulls in the City project — a vibrant public art initiative that brings creativity, culture, and community spirit to life.
As part of this city-wide campaign, our students will design and decorate a life-sized bull sculpture to be featured in the upcoming Bulls in the City art trail.
John shared the meaningful mission behind the project, which aims to raise both awareness and vital funds for Birmingham Hospice.
Blank Bulls in the City 2025 Arts Trail ‘calf’ with designs at Queensbury School / Photograph supplied by Queensbury School
The initiative has sparked our students’ imaginations, encouraging them to collaborate, explore local history, and express themselves through bold, creative designs.
From researching the city’s cultural ties to bulls to painting intricate patterns, they are embracing the opportunity to contribute to a cause that blends art and compassion.
Be sure to look out for our school’s bull on display — a true testament to the power of young creativity and community connection! You might just spot a bull proudly decorated by the talented young artists of Queensbury School!
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 [email protected]
The Swan on Erdington High Street / Image supplied by Stonegate Group
The Swan pub recently raised over five thousand pounds to help support John Taylor Hospice in Erdington.
The popular local boozer organised a series of fundraising events to raise money for Birmingham Hospice, the charity which manages end of life and palliative care facilities in both Erdington and Selly Oak.
Events including hamper raffles, toy drives, clothes collections, and book sales, saw The Swan raise a total £5,140 from generous regulars and local residents.
Fundraising sign / Image supplied by the Stonegate Group
Throughout January, staff at The Swan also gave up alcohol in bid to raise even more funds for the hospice charity, with bar top collection buckets getting a steady stream of donations.
Staff at The Swan thank the generosity of the Erdington community, with many local residents and pub regulars having personal connections to John Taylor Hospice.
Pub operator Wayne Hinton told: “To see the community come together to support such an important charity was a heartwarming and prime example of what makes the Erdington community so brilliant.
“The hospice is very close to all of us in the area and I’d like to personally thank every single person who has been generous enough to give money to a fantastic cause.”
He added: “A huge thanks must also go to our own staff who have not been afraid to get stuck in, raising a huge £5,140, and we’re not going to stop there! We have plenty more fundraising efforts to come in the coming months so watch this space!”
The Swan, located at 65 Erdington High Street, is a longstanding and popular community pub, operated as part of the Stonegate owned Craft Union Pub Company.
Drinks on draught / Image supplied by the Stonegate Group
Recent fundraising efforts are part Craft Union’s ‘Make it a Million’ campaign, which started in 2024 and aimed to raise £1 million for local causes through its network of over 600 pubs across the year.
At the time of writing the national portfolio of pubs and licenced had raised approximately £972,660 during the twelve month campaign, with staff at Stonegate’s support team contributing a further £96,813.
Paulette Hamilton MP attending Remembrance Day event at Abbey Primary School / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
(Ed’s note – this column was written for the Erdington Local printed edition and first published on 20.12.24)
Last month has been one of celebration, remembrance, and important parliamentary debates. I was delighted to join the 30th anniversary celebrations of Witton Lodge Community Association, a cornerstone of our community.
Their remarkable achievements over three decades are a testament to the strength and power of what local communities can achieve by working together.
On Remembrance Day, I had the privilege of joining Abbey Primary School for a heartfelt ceremony to honour those who gave their lives for our freedoms. Their moving tribute reminded us of the sacrifices that form the foundation of our liberties today.
In Parliament, the Assisted Dying Bill sparked an emotional debate. After much thought, I voted against the Bill, with 70% of the constituents who contacted me urging the same. As a former NHS nurse, I firmly believe in the dignity and value of every life.
Paulette Hamilton MP in Westminster, London / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
I remain deeply concerned about introducing such a law, particularly when our NHS is already overstretched. I am committed to championing improved palliative care, working with Hospice UK, Birmingham Hospice, and others to ensure no one is left without the support they need at the end of life.
November also marked 50 years since the Birmingham Pub Bombings, a heartbreaking chapter in our city’s history. I have written to the Home Secretary, calling for justice for the victims and their families.
As we approach the festive season, I wish everyone in Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Every year in the UK, a staggering 8 million real Christmas trees are tossed aside, contributing approximately 12,000 tonnes of waste to our landfills. This Christmas, we wanted to provide some eco-friendly tips for disposing your Christmas tree which are guaranteed to put you on Santa’s nice list!
Number One – Re-using your Artificial Trees
Artificial trees are made from a combination of materials and therefore cannot be recycled. Re- use your artificial trees as long as you can!
Number Two – Re-planting Trees
Mark out the area where the tree’s roots will spread, adding an extra 1–2 ft. Dig a hole that’s 2–3 times the width of the tree’s root ball and 1–2 in less deep than the height of the root ball. Please be aware that Christmas trees grow to an average 1 foot in height per year but this can vary from with different types.
Number Three – Recycling Trees
Trees can also be disposed of at any of the city’s five Household Recycling Centres:
• Sutton Coldfield, B75 7BB
• Perry Barr, B42 2TU
• Castle Bromwich, B35 7AG
• Tyseley, B11 2BA
• Kings Norton B30 3JT
Number Four – Recycling Real Trees
Birmingham City Council offers a free Christmas tree recycling service from December 26 to January 31, trees can be dropped off at parks across Birmingham from 9AM – 4PM. The nearest drop off point for Erdington residents is: Sutton Park, Visitor Centre, adjacent to Town Gate, B74 2YT.
Volunteers on the Treecycling campaign with Birmingham Hospice
Number Five – Christmas Tree Collection – Birmingham Hospice
The Birmingham Hospice has organised a Christmas tree recycling programme called Tree- cycling. On the 11th and 12th of January, Birmingham Hospice’s volunteers will collect and recycle Christmas trees in return for a donation.
They will be covering the following postcodes: B13, B14, B15, B17, B26, B27, B28, B29, B30, B31, B32, B38, B90, B91, B92.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
