Erdington’s creative and wider community have been reeling from the shocking loss of one of their most cherished members, and a man whose murals and paintings brought joy to so many.
Bunny Bread (Rudel James – aka Create Not Destroy) passed away in late October from a surprise and fatal heart attack.
Erdington resident and multi-media artist – with talents in photography, videography, aerosol art, illustration, music, and murals – Bunny Bread began his creative journey in the mid 1980’s.
Skilled in capturing the characters he saw in the world around him, Bunny’s work represents a beautiful gallery of creativity and community, from musicians and performers to the individuals that shine their light on the everyday streets.
Bunny Bread’s mural of Louvina Moses on Coton Lane, Erdington / Photograph supplied by Bunny Bread
In Erdington, one of Bunny’s best loved pieces is the large mural of Louvina Moses, on Coton Lane – just off Erdington High Street.
The piece was commissioned as part of the ‘Queens of the Commonwealth’ programme – supporting a special documentary celebrating 22 women who migrated to the UK from Commonwealth countries, produced ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022.
When interviewed by Erdington Local in October 2022, Bunny told: “I spent as much time on the ground chatting to people than I did up the ladder painting. People were so interested what I was doing, normally they would walk past me without giving me a second glance but when I start painting murals people are suddenly interested.”
He added: “There is a real appetite for art in Erdington, through our [Artists Conversations] group we know there is talent in the area and art can make a difference. I want art to become part of Erdington, like how the murals and art really are part of Brixton; there is no reason why Erdington cannot be the Brixton of Birmingham.”
Bunny Bread mural / Photograph supplied by Bunny Bread
Following the news of his death, messages of love and condolences flooded social media.
The Erdington based Birmz is Grime collective posted: “Great loss to this world. Rest in peace Bunny. Thank you for leaving the world a bit more brighter. Was lucky enough to call this guy a friend.”
Lincoln Moses MBE, son of Louvina Moses, expressed his “regret to announce the passing of Bunny, the esteemed graffiti artist” who painted the widely loved portrait of his mother.
Co-founder of Erdington Litter Busters (ELB), Dawn Edwards, expressed the local community group’s “sincere condolences”, and praised “this very talented and thoughtful man who loved working with and in the community”.
Bunny had been commissioned by ELB to paint a mural celebrating the local volunteer community, situated on Minstead Road.
Extended family of Louvina Moses pose for group photo in front of her mural, painted by Bunny Bread, on Coton Lane, Erdington / Photograph supplied by Bunny Bread
Erdington Arts Forum also dedicated part of their November Evening of Creativity (EoC) showcase to Bunny Bread, at Oikos Café on Friday 21 November.
EoC co-founder, Claire Marshall, who was working with Bunny on a three part art installation at the Peddimore development in Sutton Coldfield, told: “Rudel James (Bunny Bread) of Create Not Destroy was one of the most incredible human beings.”
She added: “He created his best work from capturing the essence of a person or place and amplifying the beauty. It’s such a loss to not have more of his creativity, and the work he leaves behind is a gift for our communities.”
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 News desk at: [email protected]
Cllr Alden taking part on local community gardening / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
Words byErdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Cllr Gareth Moore and I have been continuing to push the Council to back our plan to end the bin strike, balance the Council’s books and clean up the city.
Locally we have been continuing work with partners to try and secure investment into the High Street, getting dumped rubbish cleared, like the recent rubbish dumped overnight in the car park at Rookery Park and planting daffodils to help ensure Erdington is looking bright in the new year.
This includes on the grass verge at the junction of Arthur Road, Moor End Lane and Holly Lane.
Across Erdington we are really fortunate to have wonderful community groups like Erdington Litter Busters who do so much work maintaining and enhancing green spaces, including in this location and the central reservation on Sutton New Road.
Cllr Moore at St Barnabas Church for Remembrance Sunday service / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
As we do every year, earlier this month we also joined residents at St Barnabas Church for the Remembrance Sunday service and to lay a wreath in memory of those gave their everything so we may live free.
Now more than ever we must remember what they fought for and ensure their sacrifice was not in vain and is not forgotten. It was a moving service as always and thank you to the church for hosting and local schools for the events they did to explain Remembrance Day to their school kids.
With Christmas approaching we wish everyone in Erdington a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous new year!
Erdington Litter Busters community litter pick / Pic by Ed King
50% of adults across the UK will be volunteering and giving their free time to local endeavours this year, according to a survey conducted by the National Lottery Community Fund. And Erdington is heavily supported by a widespread array of community groups – bolstering the constituency with everything from litter picking to providing mental health care services.
But the line between Birmingham City Council’s civic duty and the goodwill of local residents has never been thinner, with several longstanding volunteers feeling the city should be more involved.
With Volunteer Week 2025 just over six months away, Erdington Local kickstarts a series of stories, features, and profiles celebrating our local volunteers and community groups.
One of the silver linings from the Coronavirus pandemic was the rise in people volunteering and setting up constituted groups, supporting their community with everything from food distribution to art therapy, domestic violence outreach to keeping the High Street safe. Amidst the fear and suffering, the brightest side of human nature also shone – with many individuals and groups continuing their community work well after the masks came down and the High Streets opened back up.
But beneath the altruism and community spirit that brought so much good over recent years, with half the UK population now looking at volunteering and 14% of them doing so for the first time, there is a growing argument that mismanaged local authorities are pulling back on their statutory obligations as prominent community groups pick up the civic slack.
Kaleidoscope volunteer at Central Square, Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King
Volunteer Week 2025 starts in June 2025, where people across the country will be encouraged to throw their hat in the ring and get involved in local agendas for free.
Launching a series of articles on the build up next June, Erdington Local asked some existing volunteers and community groups – many of whom rely on the free time given by others – if they felt their support work was properly appreciated by the local authorities.
________
Lemia, The Shed – Elim Life Church: “We are running a community outreach activity which has invited several volunteers and we still need more to function fully. Therefore, we do appreciate the presence of the volunteers.”
________
The Recovery Foundation exhibition at Secret Arts Studio Space, Central Square, Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by The Recovery Foundation
Emma Sitole, The Recovery Foundation: “Here at The Recovery Foundation we have seen first-hand how charities and voluntary, grass roots organisations are working hard to support our local community. An already overstretched NHS is struggling to cope with the rise in referrals for mental illness and so the third sector steps up. We see this as a privilege, but it’s not without its challenges.
“To be able to support our community is something we love doing. The Recovery Foundation is built on hope and, to end on our favourite quote ‘Hope, the only thing that by giving away, you get more of.”
________
Portland Jones, InkWell: “We provide writing sessions for people in recovery from addictions, trauma or life-changing events. What we offer is a different way of meeting people; it is recreational but with additional benefits. It’s a new hobby, a new outlet. Our byline is sharing strength through writing.
“Do we pick up the slack left by other providers? I think what we do is supplement what others do. This is almost a continuation of the recovery process, meeting with people with the same lived experience, who fully understand what you are going through.”
________
Adam Khan at LGBTQ+ rally in Mexico / Pic supplied by Adam Khan
Adam Khan, LBGT+ activist: “Volunteering helps empower communities to overcome barriers and inaction from other providers and institutions creatively.
“Volunteering helps with community cohesion as it builds trust within the community, and often provides the catalyst needed to provide much-needed provisions for communities, especially for those who feel that they have been left behind due to austerity or lack of commitment from local authorities and the government.”
________
First meeting on Save Short Heath Playing Fields campaign, on Short Heath Playing Fields / Pic by Ed King
Stephen Hughes, Short Heath Fields Trust: “We have only secured a one-year licence with Birmingham Education Department… under this licence Shirt Heath Fields Trust (SHFT), in partnership with FC Elite, now cut the grass, paint the lines and maintain the playing fields. But still, due to Birmingham City Council’s financial situation, we are waiting and fighting to secure the long-term future of Short Heath Playing Fields (SHPF).
“Local councillors Jane Jones and Amar Khan (Stockland Green, Labour) and neighbouring councillor Jilly Bermingham (Perry Common, Labour) say they’re supporting what SHFT are doing at Bleak Hill Park and SHPF, but what are they actually doing?
“The simple answer is nothing, while SHFT is working hard to develop sport and secure the future of SHPF and struggle to raise funding because we don’t have a long-term lease, these councillors have done nothing.”
________
Rev. Emma Sykes by St Barnabas Church, Erdington High Street – Pic by Ed King
Rev. Emma Sykes, St Barnabas Church: “We are consistently seeing an increase in numbers of people accessing our community hub for support and signposting to other agencies and support services. There are several areas where we pick up the slack.
“We are constantly dealing with and supporting people with complex mental health issues. We provide a place where [addiction] support services can come and meet with their service users – we are able to provide a safe and free meeting point.
“We are often engaging with both the victims and perpetrators of anti-social behaviour and are able to liaise with the police to aid in reporting offences.
“We regularly are engaging with people who need help with poor housing – SIFA are based with us most Friday afternoons to offer housing support – and our Friday Warm Welcome attendance has increased significantly over the last few weeks and we envisage it will increase further as the colder weather sets in.”
________
Harold MacDonald-Taylor (3rd right) with Erdington Walking Group (EWG) at Perry Common Library / Pic supplied by EWG
Harold MacDonald-Taylor, volunteer: “I recently volunteered to help out with ‘tarting up’ the outside of the old Erdington Swimming Baths, with Witton Lodge Community Association – who paid for all the materials, wooden planters, soil, bark, plants, shrubs, floor chippings, paint, brushes, etc.
“As well as enjoying the fresh air, exercise, and general banter with the other volunteers, I couldn’t help but notice just how many passersby would go out of their way to come over and say thanks for our efforts.”
________
Cathy Crossley, Arts All Over the Place: “There are at least three volunteers working away each week, setting up, making tea, welcoming folk and clearing up. Some teach skills to others, from crochet, to how to manage their phone etc.
“The volunteers say it’s a great way of building their confidence and helping them gain experience which could be included on a job application.”
________
Evening of Creativity live streaming at Secret Arts Studio Space, Central Square, Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King
Jobe Sullivan, Ceol Agency: “We’ve had some volunteers who have donated 100s of hours over the seven years I’ve been around. That being said, sometimes just one volunteer donating one hour, or literally donating resources, can give you such an incredible will and desire to keep going and can really rally the group.”
“Volunteers that come to mind are Rob Tanley for his tireless work setting up the Erdington Traditional Irish Music Sessions, Mig Braithwaite (sp) for extending this into another, first Sunday session, and Tamara Francis, one of our longest serving camera-volunteers. That’s regular, monthly graft for the community.”
________
Zuzanna Kiewel, POMOC: “POMOC, a non-profit organisation that organised Eastern European migrants towards justice, safety and community cohesion.
“We have been slowly building our base of Polish migrants in Erdington, aiming to develop a campaign that would eventually involve all residents and create bridges for understanding between different marginalised groups.”
________
Fundraising at Erdington Court Bowls Club / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
Ray Woods, Erdington Court Bowls Club: “To me volunteers are golden nuggets. They should be treated with respect – and a thank you costs nothing.
“Our Club has no paid staff – we are all volunteers. Some do more than others, but every little bit of help counts when you have a large facility like ours to run.
“At a time when City Council facilities are being cut back, more volunteers than ever are needed in all sorts of ways in the community – including our Club.
“Volunteering can be a great way for younger helpers to build up their CV’s for future employment.”
________
Erdington Litter Busters community litter pick / Pic by Ed King
Erdington Litter Busters: “Volunteering is not only good for the community but can improve a person’s physical and mental health and wellbeing. It encourages someone to learn new skills, to make new friends and above all to give something back to society.
“Getting out into the local area will develop a sense of connection to others, enhance one’s confidence, improve how things work for the better and above all, show commitment.”
PICTURE GALLERY: Community groups and volunteers from across the Erdington constituency
Fundraising at Erdington Court Bowls Club / Pic supplied by Erdington Court Bowls Club
Evening of Creativity at Secret Art Space Studios as lockdowns ease-min
First meeting on Save Short Heath Playing Fields campaign, on Short Heath Playing Fields / Pic by Ed King
Erdington Local is looking to expand its network of COMMUNITY ANCHORS, volunteers, and community groups. If you are an active member of the local community we want to hear from you.
Please email our Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS correspondent, Hema Chumber: [email protected]
