Witton Lodge Community Association Chief Executive, Afzal Hussain, outside the Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
Words by Witton Lodge Community Association
(Ed’s note… this column was written the June/July Erdington Local newspaper and first published, in print, on Thursday 12 June.)
June has launched Erdington into summer with a host of exciting and memorable events which celebrate the strengths of our community.
Volunteers Week started the ball rolling, giving us the chance to thank all the wonderful people who give their time to support their communities and our work at Witton Lodge Community Association. Our volunteers are the bedrock of who we are and what we do. It was a privilege to recognise their efforts during a special ceremony held at Perry Common Community Hall.
If you would like to find out more about volunteering opportunities or any aspect of our work, please get in touch with us.
Most of you will be aware of Operation Fearless, a West Midlands Police operation launched to tackle and reduce crime on and around Erdington High Street. The campaign also saw businesses and community groups work together to create a safer High Street.
Building on this initiative, we warmly welcome the series of community events organised by Erdington Business Improvement District (BID), where families can enjoy activities, games and entertainment along Erdington High Street – a throwback to the summer community carnivals of yesteryear.
Over the years, through the launch of the Erdington Wellbeing Hub, and the refurbishment of the former Erdington Baths we continue to play our part in helping to restore the vibrancy to the High Street.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Witton Lodge Community Association Chief Officer Afzal Hussain outside Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association
Erdington Baths, a cherished community landmark, proudly marks its 100 year anniversary this month. This historic site has been a cornerstone of local sports, recreational, and social life for generations.
Many of you will know about Witton Lodge Community Association’s ambitious plans to refurbish and repurpose the facility as a Community & Enterprise facility, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for future generations.
Since its closure, the building has deteriorated significantly and the first phase will involve undertaking essential repairs, repairing the roof, and ensuring the building’s structural integrity. This will be followed by transforming the main reception area and pool hall into co-working spaces, studio pods, events, and meeting rooms.
Earlier this month we were able to undertake strip-out works to enable further detailed structural surveys to be undertaken.
This builds on the creation of the pocket park which has improved the external frontage of the building, and we remain hopeful that we will be able to appoint a main contractor later in the year to commence the substantive works.
For those of you that venture to Witton Lakes, you will notice that the Makers Yard in the grounds of the Eco Hub is nearing completion, and residents will shortly be able to participate in range of new activities, including carpentry and horticulture taster courses.
Additionally, we have initiated improvements to the car park at Witton Lakes, to enhance accessibility and the visitor experience.
Against a tough backdrop, we remain committed to investing locally, celebrating all that is great about our area, and demonstrating the #PowerOfCommunity.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Erdington Walking Group at Witton Lakes / Photograph supplied by EWG
Words by Hema Chumber
The Erdington Walking Group (EWG) has become a staple for local residents looking to get active, enjoy the outdoors, and connect with others.
Founded by Selina Gooden in June 2019, the group started with just six members and has steadily grown as more people have discovered the benefits of walking together.
Usually running from January to November, the group offers regular walks on Mondays and Thursdays.
The Monday evening walks are from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, while Thursday walks are bi-weekly at the same time. These times are chosen specifically to accommodate those who may work or are parents, ensuring that everyone has the chance to participate.
Erdington Walking Group at Witton Lake / Photograph supplied by EWG
The walks take place in local parks and green spaces, including Witton Lakes, Rookery Park, Perry Common Meadows, and Sorrell Park. These venues offer a variety of scenic routes, accessible to people with different fitness levels – and participants are encouraged to enjoy nature and the outdoors, as well taking part in healthy physical activity.
But the group isn’t just about walking.
Over the years, EWG has organised a range of social events that complement the outdoor activity, from trips to see live jazz at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, to kayaking outings, art gallery visits, and even a Christmas meal for members.
Selina Gooden, founder of Erdington Walking Group, said: “I try to add at least one new experience each year for the group, to keep things interesting and varied, like a new social event or a new area to walk in.
“I’ve always enjoyed fitness since a young age, and I knew this because I was always playing sports.”
Erdington Walking Group taking part in the 10k Birmingham Wellness Walk charity fundraiser for Diabetes UK / Photograph supplied by EWG
The social aspect of the group has been key to its growth over the years, so far. Beyond the physical benefits, EWG provides a space for people to come together and form new friendships.
This inclusivity has meant people from all walks of life have been able to join in, whether they are looking to stay active or simply meet others in the community.
Selina added: “We also like to take part in things that are different to the usual walks, because this keeps everyone engaged and excited about coming along.
“Our walking group likes to connect with local services as well, so we can work together and help each other out.
“Looking after the Erdington community is key for us, and this will strengthen our relationships.”
Erdington Walking Group and partners outside Erdington Library / Photgraph supplied by EWG
EWG have also used their regular walking session to highlight local causes, such as supportring the campaigns to save Erdington and Perry Common libraries in the face of potential Council closure.
The group also hosted a special walk from Erdington Swimming Baths to the Erdington Court Bowls Club, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the two local community hubs (check out our PICTURE GALLERY below).
Erdington Walking Group offers local residents a simple way to get active, enjoy nature, and build relationships – whilst also supporting the local causes and campaigns.
With its continued growth and its commitment to variety, the cherished group is set to remain a key part of Erdington’s local community for years to come.
Erdington Walking Group celebrate 100 year anniversaries of Erdington Swimming Baths and Erdington Court Bowls Club / Photographs supplied by EWG
Erdington Walking Group celebrate 100 year anniversaries of Erdington Swimming Baths and Erdington Court Bowls Club
For more information on Erdington Walking Group, or to get involved with the activities available, please email [email protected]
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 Reporter Hema Chumber at: [email protected]
Words by Afzal Hussain – Chief Officer of Witton Lodge Community Association
Witton Lodge Community Association Chief Officer Afzal Hussain outside Wellbeing Hub on Erdington High Street / Pic by Ed King
The clearance and strip-out works at the former Erdington Baths on Mason Road mark an important milestone in its transformation into the Enterprise Hub.
This crucial step allows us to conduct in-depth surveys that will support our vision of creating a vibrant space for budding and local entrepreneurs, and the wider community.
The Pocket Park, established through community efforts, has already enhanced the area’s appeal, and we are grateful to Erdington Litter Busters for their continued care of this green space.
At Witton Lodge Community Association, collaboration is at the core of our work. This ethos has driven the creation of the Birmingham Community Action Network (B:CAN), a partnership of 21 trusted community anchor organisations across Birmingham.
B:CAN serves as both a safety net and a springboard for residents, offering support in areas such as welfare, energy efficiency, health, employment, and volunteering.
With an impressive collective reach of over 18,500 residents monthly, B:CAN is dedicated to transforming lives and neighbourhoods to make life better for everyone in Birmingham.
This initiative demonstrates the #PowerofCommunity. It says there is another way, a better way, that works with the grain of community.
Witton Lodge Community Association is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.
Words by Ed King / Pics by Joe Marchant (images under copyright)
Witton Lodge Community Association (WLCA) are putting the call out for people to help them with the ongoing regeneration of Erdington Swimming Baths, turning the century old pool into a new Erdington Enterprise Hub.
Looking for volunteers to join them at two sessions on Friday 6 September, one held at 10am-12pm and another between 1-3pm, WLCA will be working on renovating the main site entrance on Mason Road.
The jobs at hand include tending to the ‘pocket park’ that now decorates the frontage, a special urban oasis set up to bring the outside of the old Swimming Baths back into community use whilst the Enterprise Hub building work inside continues.
WLCA are looking for help turning the spoil, planting new plants, and painting the wooden planters.
Volunteers will also be asked to help lay ‘eco-rubber’ to the flooring in the morning session and add the finishing touches in the afternoon, depending on the weather conditions.
A full briefing will be given at the start of each session, with all necessary equipment provided. People are asked to bring clothes they can comfortably work in and will be suitable for the day.
WLCA will also provide a special lunch and refreshments for the group of local volunteers.
Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to register their interested with WLCA by emailing their Head of Programmes and Partnership, Waheed Saleem, on [email protected] – or by calling WLCA on (0121) 382 1930.
Witton Lodge Community Association recently secured £4m to start the ambitious Enterprise Hub project from the West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council, which has been in planning stages since before the Coronavirus pandemic.
‘Phase One’ of the development, which will futureproof the old Erdington Swimming Baths building by turning it into a creative hub for local businesses and entrepreneurs, was officially launched on Thursday 18 July.
Speaking at the ‘Phase One’ launch, WLCA Chief Officer, Afzal Hussain, told: “We’ve got the funds secured; we’ve got the plans in place, we’ve got the teams in place, we’ve got the community on side… it feels great. It feels great that we’re able to take that next step.”
Birmingham City Council Leader John Cotton, who gave a public address to attendees, further told Erdington Local: “It’s so incredibly exciting for Erdington, clearly this is about bringing a heritage asset – something at the heart of the community – back into use.”
He added: “I think this also pays tribute to the tremendous assets that we have out in our community – organisations like Witton Lodge that have been driving this forward and are rooted in the heart of our communities.”
