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.
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.
Erdington Town Centre sign by Six Ways Island / Photograph by Ed King
Ed’s note… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper, out on shelf from 18 June.
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Words by Ed King – Erdington Town Centre Manager
After taking over as Town Centre Manager in March 2025, I spent the first six months meeting with the local Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) and officers from Operation Fearless.
It was an exciting time, with high profile policing in Erdington Town Centre and extensive media coverage about the impact the near million-pound police initiative was making.
And it was working, too.
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street during initial launch – Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
But as a rising balloon gets higher in the sky, the easier it can burst. And with a loud pop and dull thud, once the team left Erdington all the good work achieved by Operation Fearless came hurtling back to earth. £880,000 to disrupt the problem. Or move it from Iceland to Borsch Electrical.
So, excitement turned to frustration. Then anger, as I watched revolving door sergeants and inspectors leave no visible strategy, or police officers, on the ground. And for the next six months I had more meetings, and more frustration, mostly ending in the words: “…just do your job.”
Now I don’t know how to run a police force as much as I know how to fly a plane, which (you should know before taking your seat) I don’t. At all. We’d crash before take off.
(l-r) Street Pastor talking to Designated Nieghbourhood Officer on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
But what I meant was the answer – to me, and to the entire retail, consumer, and residential community in Erdington Town Centre – was simple. Regular, physical, uniformed, and active police presence on Erdington High Street.
Building a network and building trust. Doing their job. Or rather, being left alone, and in place, to do their job continuously. Simple.
And whilst I don’t know how many annual salaries the cost of Operation Fearless could have paid for, I do know without an effective handover to the NPT it counted for nothing.
Sergeant Millard (far left) with members of Erdington BID and local stall holders at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph by Ilona Zielinska
I also know, have met, and have seen doing their job, we have some excellent officers working the Erdington patch. The problem is they’re seldom left there for long, and after a list of false starts and promises from those above them you start to switch off.
Then, after the second sergeant in under a year had signed up and signed off, I got a call from Detective Chief Inspector Askew – a copper’s copper who led Operation Fearless, and one of the only boys in blue I still allowed myself to trust.
“There’s a new sergeant coming to Erdington… give her a chance, you’ll like her. She gets the job done.”
Sergeant Millard (third from left) standing outside St Barnabas Church with of the police and local community stakeholders / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
Ed’s note… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper, out on shelf from 18 June.
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Operation Fearless showed what high impact policing can do, after it launched in Erdington Town Centre in January 2025 and bit off a chunk of crime from the battle-weary High Street.
But since then, the remaining Neighbourhood Police Team has seen a revolving door of officers, sergeants, and inspectors come and go, leaving little but public mistrust and criminal hubris to fill in the void.
Enter Sergeant Claire Millard, who cut her teeth in the London Met and is now heading up Erdington’s local police force.
Erdington Local went for a coffee and a chat with Sgt Millard on Erdington High Street, to find out who she is, how she operates, and why things might once again be starting to change for the better.
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Profile picture of Sergeant Millard / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
Words by Shaun Hand
I meet Sergeant Millard at Oiko’s Café on Erdington High Street, her arrival heralded by high volume banter from two smokers outside The Swan pub across the concourse. Sgt Millard smiles and acknowledges the loud ladies in question, taking it all in her stride, and we sit down with a coffee. Over the background hum of Oiko’s lunchtime trade and the occasional crackly chatter from Sgt Millard’s radio, we start at the beginning.
“I’m from East London, Walthamstow,” she explains, her Estuary accent undented by five years in the Midlands. “And where I grew up, you had two choices: you either did the bad stuff, or you got out…
“I realised quite early on that it was all down to the choices that I made. It didn’t matter what type of environment you grew up in or what your background was, you had the ability to make those choices.”
“And if you saw it through,” she adds, “even in the hardest times, there was always something positive you could do.”
Having considered careers in policing and education, Millard initially pursued the latter, planning to become a secondary school teacher – “If you get people young, you can educate them [and] give them the right advice” – but by the time she went back to college, to re-sit the necessary exams and take an access course, she was a single mother in her late twenties, balancing parenthood and studies with 12 hour shifts as Deputy Manager in a local bookies.
Police from Operation Fearless questioning local man / Photograph supplied by West Midlands Police
It was a customer in the betting shop who told her about the Metropolitan Police’s then-latest recruitment drive, and despite having secured a university place to study in Canterbury, Claire Millard decided to apply for a place on the force. And she got in.
“I’ve found my hands are less tied [as a police officer] and I can be more honest,” she says of her deciding to channel her passion for helping young people through policing. “And they can relate to that. I can say to somebody, ‘If you want to end up in custody, carry on. But talk to me to like a human being, and we’re going to walk away from this and forget about it.’”
After seven-and-half years of working for the Met in Barking & Dagenham, as a schools officer and responding to 999 calls, Millard relocated to the West Midlands, working on complex investigations at West Bromwich before being promoted again to her current position as the Sergeant responsible for Erdington’s Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT), which she took up in January this year.
As well as getting up to speed on what her predecessors had put in place, or not, the now Sgt Millard said she also had to learn “how best to reach the local community. What to do and what not to do, which is key in a place like [Erdington].”
“Partnership work is key here, too,” tells Sgt Millard, who has already established more of a relationship with local stakeholders than both of her predecessors combined – according to those we speak to. “Most people want Erdington to be a nice place, a safe place. Somewhere you could not just come and grab something and run off again, but actually spend time here: sit outside, have a coffee, meet friends.”
Police car attending crime scene / Photograph by Ed King
An admirable approach to neighbourhood policing, and one that – on paper at least – would seem to work. But the tacit implication is that despite a well-publicised investment of £880,000 and double dose of Operation Fearless, alongside other promises that failed to materialise (the fabled ‘High Street Police Team’ being one) people in Erdington Town Centre still don’t feel able to do those things.
So, what does the area’s new police sergeant see as the reasons, and the answers?
“Unfortunately, the High Street has its…” She pauses.
While our conversation generally flows freely, a chat straying into everything from ‘90s reggae to the Irish spelling of names, Sergeant Millard becomes very considered when answering questions about her approach to policing in Erdington.
“I don’t like to say that it’s the homelessness or the street drinking, because those people are vulnerable within themselves. But sometimes… the loud music puts people off; [As well as] the kids, and adults, on bikes or e-scooters.”
And of what happened before Sgt Millard caame into post, she admits, “Operation Fearless leaving left a massive gap”, but also that, “Them coming back [in April 2026], and introducing the Neighbourhood Team the way I’ve done, has hopefully built more confidence back.
“But we need to hold that now. We need to show what we’re doing is going to work.”
(l-r_ Street Pastor talking to Designated Nieghbourhood Officer on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
The impression Sgt Millard gives, from her working-class background, her passion for education and helping young people, and her approach to local policing, is that she’s not a mandarin – full of well-meaning theory, but no real-world experience.
But nor is she a Clint Eastwood type, riding in to ruthlessly clean up the town on her own. She’s far more pragmatic and community minded.
“This High Street’s got to be about all of us,” she explains. “We (the police) can uphold the law and we can get involved, but we need to make this a better place for everybody, and it’s going to take all of us to do that.
“Teenagers are welcome to be here [as long as they’re] respectful about it. And that again comes down to education.”
Sergeant Millard is full of praise for local groups in the area too, particularly the Erdington Street Pastors, Erdington Litter Busters, and the Erdington Business Improvement District.
“There are so many people here that want to make a positive difference,” she adds, before coming back to how, under her watch, the police going to play their part.
“We want to create the Street Watch again,” continues Sgt Millard, “where we get some of the High Street owners involved. I think there was one, but it hasn’t [continued], and I don’t know if that’s through lack of trying or just lack of interaction.
“But we now have a Dedicated Neighbourhood Officer (DNO) just for the High Street who’s willing and able to do whatever he can to get things up and running.”
Erdington Police Station / Photograph by Ed King
And what about the old-fashioned ‘boots on the ground’ style of policing so many yearn for? “That’s on my wish list,” she responds firmly. “What I would really like is to have [at least] two officers visible on the High Street, Thursday through to Sunday, ten ‘til six. Just so there are two bobbies [always on patrol] at the busiest time.”
At the moment, however, Sergeant Millard believes her Neighbourhood Police Team are three officers short. “I’ve got vacancies I’m hoping to fill,” she explains, wanting to get officers on the High Street in time for the six-week school holidays.
And whilst funding is usually the biggest stumbling block in local police teams, and Sgt Millard accepts “the world’s a different place now”, there is still hope West Midlands Police higher ups will agree securing the legacy of Operation Fearless is worth the investment.
And some things do stay the same, Sgt Millard’s common-sense approach to community policing being one of them.
Police patroling Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
“It’s not rocket science,” she says. “It really isn’t. It’s about having bobbies on the street; somebody you can turn to. You know their name and if you have a problem, you can speak to them. You haven’t got to go through 111.
“Obviously, if it’s an emergency dial 999. But if you have a worry or a concern, you know that Andy (PC Boyle, one of Erdington’s DNOs) is going to be on your street or in the community hub, and you can pop your head in and say, ‘I’ve had this happen; it’s slightly worrying.’ And you can get advice on what to do next.’”
After an hour’s honest conversation, and continued radio chatter, Sgt Millard’s phone also pipes up. Her advice is needed on an ongoing case. “I’ve got a lot to do,” she admits of her new role. as she rings off and gets ready to head back to Erdington Police Station.
“But if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.”
Sergeant Millard (far left) standing outside Creative and Community Hub on Erdingotn High Street – with members of Erdingotn BID and local stall holders at Erdington High Street Community Market / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
PICTURE GALLERY: Policing in Erdington Town Centre – from the launch of Operation Fearless to present day / Photographs by Ed King, West Midlands Police, and supplied by various local stakeholders
On Saturday 28 February, between 11 am and 3pm, Oikos Church and Café will be hosting a free Community Fun Day outside their venue on Erdington High Street – with stalls, games, live music, family friendly fun, and a special Community Meal.
The special event is to celebrate the 10 and 15 year anniversaries of the Church and Café respectively, and the many years that Oikos has been a vibrant and cherished part of the Erdington community.
Ahead of the anniversary Fun Day celebrations, Nicola Murray shone our COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT at this long standing and well loved local stakeholder.
Words by Nicola Murray
A decade of coffee and community is being celebrated on Erdington High Street as Oikos Café marks its 10 year anniversary, as well as 15 years of Oikos Church serving the area.
Since opening its doors in 2006, Oikos café has grown into far more than a place to eat and drink, it has become a vital “third space” – a place between home and work where connections are formed and cemented.
Pastor Dan Mandley, who has been part of Oikos since its origin, says the vision was always people focused. He explains the church “started the café because we love the Erdington community, we see that there is a great need for a space where people can come and just be, and be known.”
Outside of Oikos Cafe on a sunny day on Erdington High Street / Yellow Mustard Photography
To mark the milestone, Oikos will be hosting a free Community Fun Day on Erdington High Street, outside the café, to “celebrate all of the amazing people of Erdington.”
This event will bring people together through food, activities and family entertainment. The celebration is designed as a thank you to the community that has supported Oikos Café over the last 10 years – and the people they have reached through their church over the last 15 years.
Community focus is what makes Oikos shine, with many customers remarking it is what sets the café apart. Loyal customers often call it “one of the best things about Erdington,” reiterating the café’s reputation as a social anchor on the High Street.
It has become a real community hub where people feel known, and a part of something bigger.
Staff serving inside Oikos Cafe on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Yellow Mustard Photgraphy
Over the years, the café has opened its doors to a variety of groups and events. “It has been so great to see so many different groups using the space, from the Women’s Institute to schools and music groups,” said Mandley.
Oikos Café plays a significant role as a flexible venue where different parts of Erdington life intersect and are celebrated.
One of the main highlights of the decade has been its regular and free Community Meal, held on the last Thursday of each month.
“It is an evening where we feed over 100 people from all walks of life and backgrounds,” adds Mandley. “The diverse community of Erdington is represented on these evenings and people get to know each other; many friendships have been made off the back of those events.”
The success of Oikos Café would not be possible without their volunteers, who have been central to making the vision of Oikos a reality.
Oikos Café reflects the church’s long-term commitment to Erdington. In a time when many public social spaces are disappearing, Oikos has left its mark on the community.
There are over 30 volunteers every week that make the café function. Over the past decade, more than 250 volunteers have offered their time, supporting everything from events to daily hospitality.
The café has helped offer paid work, and the ability to develop skills.
Outside of Oikos Cafe on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Yellow Mustard Photography
And as the 10 and 15 year celebrations begin, the focus is not only on the past but the future, “We have loved doing it over the last 10 years and we are looking forward to the next 10 years” Mandley remarked.
The Oikos anniversary Community Fun Day will be held on Saturday 28 February, between 11am and 3pm – outside Oikos Church and Café on Erdington High Street.
The event is partnering with the Erdington BID as part of LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – with support from Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the Mayor’s Market Fund.
On Thursday 29 January, Oikos Café opens its doors for its first free Community Meal of 2026 – cooked and served by volunteers from Oikos Church.
Located at 58 Erdington High Street, opposite The Swan and near the Village Green, Oikos Café serves meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks from 9am to 4pm from Mondays to Saturday.
Held on the third Thursday of every month, the free Community Meal invites people in from 5pm until 6:30pm – with the first event taking place on Thursday 29 January.
Community Meal at Oikos Cafe and Church on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Yellow Mustard Photography
Delivered as part of Oikos Church’s ministry – using their time and resources to reach out to the local community and build positive relationships – the Community Meal is a friendly and popular event that brings people together from all over Erdington
Local families and individuals of all ages are invited to drop in at any point for a healthy hot meal and a chance to sit and chat in the café.
One Erdington local told: “Oikos do a great job with their Community Meal, it’s a lovely atmosphere and the food is always a hearty homecooked meal. There’s no judgement or pressure and it’s a really mixed crowd of all ages and stages.”
They added: “I love going, and even though I go on my own I’ve started to make friends from some of the regular faces you see there. It’s a truly special event.”
Staff and volunteers serving inside Oikos Cafe on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Yellow Mustard Photography
Oikos Café and Church are a longstanding and cherished part of the High Street community, having opened their doors 10 and 15 years ago respectively.
To celebrate the double anniversary, Oikos will be hosting a special Fun Day community event on Saturday 28 February – held outside their venue on Erdington High Street.
Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) will be supporting the Oikos anniversary events as part of their ongoing LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, celebrating all the positive aspects and community of Erdington Town Centre.
Outside of Oikos Cafe and Church on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Yellow Mustard Photography
A spokesperson for Erdington BID told: “If anyone ever asks me to sum up the community spirit in Erdington, I tell them about the Oikos Community Meal – it’s a really special event, delivered from a place of absolute love and goodwill.
“It also tastes great and is genuinely a lot of fun.”
They added: “Oikos Church and Café are fundamental part of Erdington Town Centre and amazingly supportive of our local community – they do so much for so many, we are truly blessed to have them on our High Street.
“It is with great pleasure and friendship that we will join them at their upcoming anniversaries on the High Street – we hope everyone else will come along on Saturday 28 February and join in the celebrations too.”
(l-r) Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore at the Erdington Town Centre Christmas Lights Switch on event / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
Words byErdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
Christmas time in Erdington is a wonderful time of the year, with all the excellent Christmas community events that residents put on.
This year, as always, we have tried to support as many of them as possible. Events such as the Abbey Church Christmas Fayre show Erdington at its finest as residents come together to celebrate a time of hope and salvation.
Cllr Gareth Moore and I also had the honour of helping Father Christmas switch on the Christmas lights on the High Street as well.
Thank you to all the residents, volunteers, charities, schools, churches and the Erdington Business Improvement District for all their efforts arranging Christmas events, Santa’s sleigh and grotto. It is really appreciated.
(l-r) Cllr Alden, Mrs Claus, Santa Claus, Cllr Moore at the official Christmas Light Switch On event on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Business Improvement District
Away from Christmas we have continued to push for Erdington to get the level of police needed to cover the High Street and the residential areas. We are seeing an extra two officers joining the local team in January, however we will not be stopping there and will continue to push for further support.
We also raised the need for more support for areas like Erdington at the recent Full Council meeting. We’re also continuing to demand the front desk at Erdington Police station is reopened as well.
Finally, we’ve been chasing the Council about the urgent need for them to fix potholes on roads such as Gravelly Lane, Chester Road and many others.
Cllr Gareth Moore and I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit https://www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews
City Meats and Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) are giving one lucky local family the chance to have a packed Christmas cupboard this year for free – with a competition to win a special Christmas Hamper worth £130.
But hurry, as this yummy yuletide competition is only open this weekend – so get your entries in before midnight on Sunday 21 December if you want to bin in the draw to win a slap up Christmas dinner for free.
Specially prepared by City Meats, the longstanding Erdington butchers who have been trading for over 45 years and are a well-known family run business on Erdington High Street, the City Meats Christmas Hamper will include joints of beef, pork, lamb, gammon, a turkey crown, and jumbo packs of bacon and sausages.
The City Meats Christmas Hamper will be enough to feed any Christmas dinner table, with loads left over for the New Year.
City Meats signage and counter in Wilton Market, Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
All you have to do is send your name and address (including your postcode) along with a contact telephone number to mystory@erdingtonlocal.com – with the subject heading ‘CHRISTMAS HAMPER COMPETITION’.
You can also enter by coming to the Erdington BID Winter Warmer Fun Day on Saturday 20 December, between 12noon and 4pm, and submitting your details to staff at the Winter Warmer food and drinks tent next to Santa’s Grotto – just outside the entrance to Wilton Market.
The lucky winner will be selected at random, with names pulled out of Santa’s hat, and issued a special token to claim the Christmas Hamper direct from City Meats – which can be collected anytime up to 4pm on Tuesday 23 December.
Sign promoting Christmas offers at City Meats, Wilton Market – Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
The only rules to enter this festive online competition are that entries need to be made by families with at least one child aged 16 or under – who live in the Erdington constituency.
Before claiming their prize, the winner will be required to provide Erdington BID with photographic ID and proof of address, as well as proof of their family status.
A spokesperson for the Erdington BID told: “Christmas is a festive and fun time of year, but it can be a big expense too – especially if you got several hungry mouths to feed on Christmas Day.
“So, at the Erdington BID thought we’d spread a little yuletide cheer and give Erdington locals the chance to win a bumper Christmas meats hamper for free.”
Sign promoting Christmas offers at City Meats, Wilton Market – Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
They added: “City Meats have been serving this community for over 60 years and are one of our longest High Street traders, and a belly busting hamper form them seems like the perfect Christmas gift for one lucky Erdington family.”
City Meats have been serving good quality fresh meats for just under half a century and are a well-established family business on Erdington High Street.
Always promoting special offers and family sized deals, to help your Christmas budget go a little bit further City Meats are currently offering: 3 packs of pigs in blankets for £10, 3 packs of gammon for £10, a jumbo leg of lamb for £23, half turkey crowns for £18, packs of turkey drumsticks for £6, any joints of any meat for £16, and special Christmas deals on ribs of beef.
Christmas charity donations box on counter at City Meats, Wilton Market – Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
Head into City Meats and speak to Frank, Dave, Emma, or any staff member and see what you can get cooking from your local butcher this Christmas.
The City Meats Christmas Hamper competition is organised as part of the Erdington BID LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, celebrating all the positives of Erdington Town Centre and Erdington High Street.
City Meats can be found at the entrance to Wilton Market, Erdington High Street, Birmingham B23 6RP – to contact the butchers directly you can call 07976 696 724.
Santa will be back in his Grotto on Erdington High Street for two last chances to visit ahead of Christmas Day – on Friday 19 December (between 3pm and 6pm) and Saturday 20 December (between 11am and 3pm).
Hoping to meet as many Erdington children as possible, before he has to fly off across the world delivering presents, every child coming into the Grotto will get a chance to have their phot taken with Santa – and receive a special free gift.
Santa’s Grotto on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Business Improvement District
Single child tickets are priced at £5 (including a photo opportunity and free gift), with discounts for families of over two children visiting the Grotto at the same time. No advance booking is necessary, with payments made on the day.
Organised by the Erdington Rotary Club and Erdington BID, all money raised at Santa’s Grotto will go back into supporting local projects and Erdington High Street.
Santa has been in his Grotto for the last two weekends, having already met hundreds of local children and families.
Families queing to visit Santa’s Grotto on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Business Improvement District
Ahead of the last weekend he will be back in his Grotto, Santa told Erdington Local: “Ho, ho, ho… we’ve had a lot of fun on Erdington High Street this Christmas – and there’s still time for you to come and visit my Grotto this weekend, before I have to get the reindeers and presents ready for all our Christmas deliveries.”
He added: “Christmas is a time for friends, family, and community, and however you celebrate the festive season, from everyone at the North Pole – and on Erdington High Street – we wish you a very merry Christmas.”
Free Christmas treats and children’s activities at Erdington BID’s Winter Warmer Fun Day on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Business Improvement District
On Saturday 20 December, Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) will also be organising another Winter Warmer Fun Day community event, taking place around Santa’s Grotto and the Christmas Tree – by the entrance to Wilton Market and B&M Superstore.
An afternoon of free family fun, from 12noon until 4pm there will be a bouncy castle (children only), arts and crafts workshops, and a children’s face painter.
The Erdington BID Winter Warmer tent will also be giving away free hot chocolate, hot drinks, and Christmas treats to those coming out of the Grotto and enjoying the activities.
Children enjoying arts and craft workshop at Erdington BID’s Winter Warmer Fun Day on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Business Improvement District
Then at 4:30pm, a special Christmas Lantern Parade will be held – starting from the Village Green and walking to the Christmas Tree and then back to the Green.
Beautifully decorated lanterns and illuminated props will be paraded along the High Street by local children and volunteers, with live music and a Christmas sing-along to keep the crowds engaged and welcome in the Winter solstice.
Over the past few weeks, local children have been decorating the special Christmas lanterns in arts and crafts sessions – as part of the previous Winter Warmer Fund Days on Erdington High Street.
Children decorating lantern for Christmas Lantern Pararde at Erdington BID’s Winter Warmer Fun Day on Erdington High Street / Photograph supplied by Erdington Business Improvement District
All ages are invited to come and celebrate the last Santa’s Grotto, Winter Warmer Fun Day, and watch the beautiful Christmas Lantern Parade on Saturday 20 December – with free Santa’s hats for the first 50 people attending the Parade.
Erdington High Street’s Christmas and community events are being organised as part of the Erdington BID’s LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign – and are part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
PICTURE GALLERY: Santa’s Grotton and Winter Warmer Fun Days on Erdington High Street
Erdington Town Centre will switch on its Christmas lights this Saturday (6 December) at 5:30pm.
Local families, residents, shoppers, and visitors to the Town Centre are invited to come to this free event and help celebrate the start of the Christmas season on Erdington High Street.
The lights will be switched on at 5:30pm by Santa and the Erdington Ward Councillors, Robert Alden and Gareth Moore – from a raised platform by the Christmas Tree on Erdington High Street, outside B&M and Wilton Market.
From 5pm, there will also be a special Christmas sing-along service led by the SoS Choir – arranged and performed by members of the Erdington Arts Forum.
Everyone is invited to join in with classic Christmas songs and carols such as ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’, and ‘Away in a Manger’.
And as a Santa’s hat tip to the Midland’s, the SoS Choir will also be singing the Slade Christmas classic ‘So Here it is Merry Christmas’ – with buddy Noddy Holders getting a chance to clear their vocal pipes with a festive “IIIITTTTSSS CHRISSSMAASSS…”
Organised by the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID), there will be song sheets available for anyone unsure of the words – and a free Santa’s hat for the first 100 people, to keep them a little warmer on this winter’s evening.
Erdington BID’s hardworking elves will also be serving free hot chocolate, hot drinks, mince pies, and some special Christmas treats – to add a little more festive cheer, as the SoS choir leads the High Street into Christmas.
Hoping everyone will join him on Saturday 6 December, Santa has a special message for Erdington: “Christmas is coming and we want to start spreading some festive cheer across Erdington Town Centre.
“So, come and join us by the Christmas Tree on Erdington High Street this Saturday (6 Dec) for the official Christmas lights switch on and carol service, and grab a free mince pie whilst you’re with us.
“It’ll be a lot of festive fun and everyone is welcome – no matter which list your name is on this year.”
A spokesperson for the Erdington BID added: “Christmas is a time to celebrate community, to reconnect with old friends and take a little time to make new ones.
“Erdington has an amazing community spirit, whatever the time of year, and we hope everyone can come along on Saturday as we brighten up the darker nights and spread a little festive cheer across Erdington Town Centre.”
Erdington local can also see Santa at his Grotto on Erdington High Street, on Saturday 6 December (11am to 3pm), Saturday 13 December (11am to 3pm), Friday 19 December (3pm to 6pm), and Saturday 20 December (11am to 3pm).
Single child tickets are priced at £5 (including a photo opportunity and free gift), with discounts for families visiting the Grotto at the same time. No advance booking is necessary, with payments made on the day.
Organised by the Erdington Rotary Club and Erdington BID, all money raised at Santa’s Grotto will go back into supporting local projects and Erdington High Street.
To further celebrate the festive season, Erdington BID are organising a series of special Winter Warmer Fun Days on Erdington High Street – held every Saturday on the run up to Christmas Day (6, 13, and 20 December) from 12noon to 4pm, by Santa’s Grotto and the Christmas Tree.
Following on from the series of community events held over the summer, the Erdington BID Winter Warmer Fun Days will bring back a day of free children’s games and activities to the Town Centre – including a bouncy castle and arts and crafts workshops.
There will also be a chance for Erdington locals – of all ages – to design their own Christmas decoration or lantern, which will be displayed during a special light parade on Erdington High Street on 20 December and welcome in the Winter Solstice.
Erdington High Street’s Winter Warmer Fun Day and Christmas events are being organised as part of the Erdington BID’s LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign – and are part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, as Santa opens up his Grotto on Erdington High Street and welcomes young people and families to help him kickstart the festive season.
Located outside the entrance to Wilton Market, opposite the Christmas Tree, Santa’s Grotto will be open on the following days:
Saturday 6 December (11am to 3pm)
Saturday 13 December (11am to 3pm)
Friday 19 December (3pm to 6pm)
Saturday 20 December (11am to 3pm)
And no matter what list you might be on this year – naughty, nice, or a little of both – everyone visiting Santa’s Grotto can get their picture taken with the big man in red and receive a free Christmas gift to take away.
Santa Claus preparing for Christmas, surrounded by presents and holiday decorations / Image from Adobe Stock
There will also be free hot chocolate, teas, coffees, mine pies and other Christmas treats for everyone as they exit the Grotto – served by the hardworking elves from the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID).
Single child tickets are prices at £5 (including a photo and free gift), with discounts for families visiting the Grotto at the same time.
No advance booking is necessary, and payments can be made by card or in cash on the day.
Organised by the Erdington Rotary Club and Erdington BID, all money raised at Santa’s Grotto will go back into supporting local projects and Erdington High Street.
Santa will be also sticking around for a special appearance on Saturday 6 December – to join the Erdington Ward Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore as they switch on the Town Centre Christmas lights at 5:30pm.
To celebrate the festive season, Erdington Business Improvement District are organising a series of special Winter Warmer Fun Days on Erdington High Street – held every Saturday on the run up to Christmas Day (6, 13, and 20 December) from 12noon to 4pm, by Santa’s Grotto and the Christmas Tree.
Following on from the series of community events held over the summer, the Erdington BID Winter Warmer Fun Days will bring back a day of free children’s games and activities to the Town Centre – including a bouncy castle and arts and crafts workshops.
There will also be a chance for Erdington locals – of all ages – to design their own Christmas decoration or lantern, which will be displayed during a special light parade on Erdington High Street on 20 December and welcome in the Winter Solstice.
A spokesperson for Erdington BID told: “Christmas is a time to celebrate community, and we hope to see everyone on the High Street this December to enjoy a bit of free festive fun and welcome in the yuletide.”
They added: “Santa will be with us every weekend until Christmas Day, and there will be a lot of free games and activities – and mince pies – for everyone to enjoy.
“Come down and celebrate Christmas every Saturday in Erdington Town Centre and help us warm up the winter months.”
Erdington High Street’s Winter Warmer Fun Day and Christmas events are being organised as part of the Erdington BID’s LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign – and are part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
