Reform candidates on campaign trail in Kingstanding, ahead of May ’26 Local Elections / Photograph supplied by Reform UK Erdington Branch
Words by Councillor Jex Parkin and Councillor John Lambert
We’ve been digging into the condition of Kingstanding’s roads after regularly hearing from residents about potholes and poor road surfaces.
Our Freedom of Information request has revealed which Kingstanding roads generated the greatest number of highways enquiries between 2023 and 2026. These include reports and repair jobs relating to issues such as potholes, damaged carriageways and footways.
Hawthorn Road recorded 291 enquiries, followed by Warren Farm Road with 277, Kings Road with 146, Hurlingham Road with 124 and Finchley Road with 114.
Residents regularly tell us about potholes and poor road surfaces, so we wanted to establish exactly where the problems are being reported most often. These figures give us a much clearer picture.
We will now be taking the worst-affected roads back to the Council, asking what action is planned and pressing for proper repairs where problems are recurring.
We have also continued to challenge Birmingham City Council over its approach to national flags. Threats, intimidation and criminal behaviour should always be dealt with, but we do not believe the Union Flag or St George’s Cross should themselves be treated as the problem.
Finally, a useful date for the diary. After your Reform councillors pushed for a Mobile Household Recycling Centre visit to Kingstanding last month, residents told us how useful they found the service.
We are therefore pleased to see further visits scheduled for Kingstanding Wellbeing Centre, Dulwich Road, on 23 September from 7:30am–12:30pm, and again on 17 October from 8am–midday.
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September.
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Cllr Ray Goodwin outside Spitfire House on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
Words by Councillor Ray Goodwin
As the television show goes, Last of the Summer Wine has finally come to an end — and as we move into autumn, our thoughts are turning towards the winter ahead.
For many residents, winter can be difficult. Rising household costs, the pressures of keeping homes warm and the challenges faced by those already struggling mean our focus now has to be on making sure people know where they can turn for help and support.
That work will involve not only our fantastic partner organisations, including Spitfire Services, Upcycle Birmingham and Pioneer Housing, but also the community itself. Castle Vale has always been strongest when residents are placed at the heart of what we do. That will be particularly important over the coming months.
Our recent community festival was a fantastic example of that spirit. It was an amazing day that showcased the very best of Castle Vale — our people, organisations and the incredible community pride that exists here.
But we shouldn’t kid ourselves. We still have some stubborn issues to tackle.
The rollout of the waste pilot is becoming increasingly frustrating. At times, it feels like we are playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. Just when one problem appears to have been dealt with, another seems to pop up.
We need to keep pushing for solutions, listening to residents and holding those responsible to account.
Castle Vale is an amazing community. This autumn and winter, we need to make sure we continue putting that community at the centre of everything we do.
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September.
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Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) is calling out for volunteers to help with a clean up of the Central Square atrium on Thursday 24 September – starting from 12 noon.
If you have a couple of hours to spare, and would like to help make the High Street a bit brighter anc cleaner, then please head over to Central Square at midday on Thursday – or email Erdington BID at: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk
The Central Square clean up team will be sweeping up rubbish from the concourse, wiping down the pillars, and putting up battery powered fairy and festoon lighting.
Hand crafted decorations made by Arts All Over the Place / Photograph by Ed King
Once cleared, the BID and any volunteers will then assist Arts All Over the Place – a local arts and crafts group – to hang handmade decorations they have been producing in weekly workshops at their community space in Central Square and from the High Street Hut outside Wilton Market.
All equipment will be provided, and Erdington BID will arrange for light refreshments for all volunteers from shops and outlets on Erdington High Street – such as House of Chai or the recently opened Love Patties.
Hand crafted decorations made by Arts All Over the Place / Photograph by Ed King
A spokesperson for Erdington BID told: “Sometimes a good clean up can make a place that feels forgotten come back to life, and we want to see Central Square become the hive of activity that it once was. So come and join us – great a broom and a bin bag and let’s do something positive.”
They added: “Erdington High Street is facing two possible futures, and we firmly believe there is enough community spirit to make it a bright one. But we need to chip in; we need to see and say the positive more than the negatives. And if we do it together it will transform our Town Centre.”
CELEBRATE ERDINGTON – events and activities across the Town Centre from 27-31 October
The Central Square clean up and hand craft decorations are part in preparation for a weeklong programme of events and activities taking place at Central Square from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October, as part of the CELEBRATE ERDINGTON October programme.
Arts and crats workshop at the High Street Hut – led by Arts All Over the Place, as part of the CELEBRATE ERDINGTON programme of events and activities / Photograph by Ed King
CELEBRATE ERDINGON events will also be taking place at St Barnabas Church, Oikos Café, the High Street Hut, and on the wider pedestrianised area from B&M down to the Village Green.
On Saturday 31 October, there will also be a special Halloween themed High Street Community Market – with a friendly competition for the best dressed ghouls and goblins.
Poster for weekly arts and crafts sessions at the High Street Hut – led by Arts All Over the Place, as part of the CELEBRATE ERDINGTON programme of events / Photograph by Ed King
CELEBRATE ERDINGTON is a campaign to encourage positive engagement around Erdington Town Centre – led by Erdington BID and supported by local community groups and partners including Erdington Lunar Society, Erdington Artists Conversations, Erdington Arts Forum, PFG Consultancy, and Arts All Over the Place.
CELEBRATE ERDINGTON is further supported by Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Erdington Local is expanding its LOCAL AMBASSAODRS team and will be looking for new members to join their free monthly creative writing and community journalism workshops.
Held at Oikos Café on Erdington High Street, on the last Saturday of each month – between 11am and 1pm, the next LOCAL AMBASSADORS workshop will be on Saturday 26 September.
The workshops are completely free, and no previous experience is necessary – just a keen interest in creative writing, journalism, and media.
All ages are welcome to attend the LOCAL AMBASSADORS workshops, although under 16s will be asked to attend with adult supervision.
Places are limited and will be allocated ahead of each workshop, with free refreshments provided.
The Erdington LOCAL AMBASADORS are a group of writers and creatives who are regularly published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper – submitting stories and features about everything from UFOs and gothic fiction to local profiles, local sports teams, mental health, community events and activism.
The monthly workshops are led by Portland Jones, who currently writes a regular series in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper about living with unseen disabilities – as well as working with new and emerging writers, helping them shape their stories and navigate the editing process.
LOCAL AMBASSADORS pages in Erdington Local – May to June ’26 edition
Portland lives with prosopagnosia – a serious memory impairment she now has after suffering an undiagnosed stroke – and also runs the Inkwell Writing Group, using creative writing to help people in recovery.
During the LOCAL AMBASSADORS workshops, Portland will help those taking part to find what interests them – and learn how to tell their stories to other, in a way that grabs a reader’s attention.
Inviting people to join the workshops, Portland explains: “Your voice matters. Get involved by writing for your local newspaper and help shine a light on the people, places, stories, and issues that matter most in your community.”
She adds: “You will find out how to spot local stories that matter, how to write clear news reports and community features, understand the basics of local journalism, and work with others to celebrate and support your area.
“Meet new people, build your confidence, and tell the stories that make our community special.”
LOCAL AMBASSADORS pages in Erdington Local – August, September ’26 edition
The LOCAL AMBASSDORS workshops will also feature guest speakers from the local media and creative industries, as well as a look at the history of news and journalism and where digital media could take journalism in the future.
There will also be practical exercises with attendees set mini-assignments, where the LOCAL AMBASSADORS will go out and actually report on a local news story.
There will also be a chance to have your work published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper, helping to build a portfolio for anyone looking to take their writing and journalism to a more professional level.
Oikos Cafe on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King
LOCAL AMBASSADORS is hosting its monthly workshops at Oikos Café on Erdington High Street to support the CELEBRATE ERDINGTON and LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaigns – encouraging positive engagement in Erdington Town Centre.
For more information, or to secure a place at the LOCAL AMBASSAODRS workshop on Saturday 26 September email: la@erdingtonlocal.com
James Cockerill and Frankie the dog / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
Words by Nicola Murray
James Cockerill was 21 when he was diagnosed with cancer.
After beating it initially, it came back as stage four just before the start of the first lockdown. James decided to get a dog, Frankie, who was around 16 weeks old.
While Frankie was beginning her new life, James was facing his own battle. Eventually, he underwent a stem cell transplant that, thankfully, was successful in getting rid of the cancer.
But receiving the all-clear brought on its own unexpected challenges.
James & Frankie company logo
“It was harder after getting the all-clear because of the constant fear that the cancer would come back,” said James. “I would stand in front of the mirror for hours and hours prodding at my neck for signs that it had come back.”
He was struggling, until one night Frankie intervened. “She came up to me and started barking at me,” tells James. “Then every time I touched my neck, she would grab my hand.”
For James, Frankie gave him something that cancer had taken away: a sense of purpose.
“It wasn’t the drugs that saved my life, it was Frankie,” he adds. “She gave me something to get up for.”
It was this experience that would ultimately change the direction of his life.
Frankie the dog snuggling with toys / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
Once his body had recovered, James began a dog training business, James and Frankie.
Over half of his clients are from Erdington, where he has family and spends much of his time; often sparking conversations with fellow dog owners.
With the business, his motivation was not simply to teach obedience, but to help owners understand their dogs on a deeper level. James believes that dogs can often be misunderstood, with behaviours dismissed as stubbornness or boredom when they may actually be signs of fear or stress.
His approach, which he calls the Communicative Learning Theory, focuses on understanding the reason behind the dog’s behaviour before trying to change it. He doesn’t believe in aversive training. “My training is about learning a different language. Not Commands. Not Corrections. Communication,” he says. “Understanding why your dog is scared or anxious helps build a stronger connection.”
James’ philosophy is explored further in his book, Beyond Obedience, which he said he wrote to “raise awareness to the alternative approaches to dog training.”
For James, this philosophy is personal.
Frankie as a puppy / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
When Frankie first arrived, she was frightened and shy and would hide from anyone carrying a walking stick. On her first holiday to Newquay, she was particularly scared of people carrying surfboards. Rather than simply correcting her behaviour, James adapted his approach to understanding why she was reacting that way and why she had these fears.
Today, Frankie would be unrecognisable from that frightened rescue dog.
“She is the most confident, independent and funny dog you could meet,” tells James.
This experience has also inspired James to work with rescue organisations, including Paws Help in Burton and Brighter Days Rescue in Penkridge, supporting dogs that have been displaced by war, as well as dogs that have been abandoned or abused.
“I want to help give all dogs a chance at a better life because Frankie saved mine.”
Frankie as a more mature dog / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
James has seen first-hand how dogs can benefit the mental health of owners. He has seen how dogs have helped his clients too, especially with grief.
Research supports the idea that pets play an important role in people’s wellbeing. The PDSA’s 2021 PAW Report found that 87 per cent of pet owners agreed that having a pet made them mentally healthier.
For James, the bond between dog and owner is something that should not be underestimated. “Dogs are part of the family,” he states, “not just a pet.”
James reiterates the importance of patience when it comes to building a connection with your dog. “You need time to understand each other,” he adds. “Dogs are not judgemental, so we should see them the same way.”
A psychological study from 2018, published in BMC Psychiatry, corroborates this. It found that pets are ‘non-judgemental’ and that they ‘provide unconditional love and affection.’
James and a grown up Frankie playing in the snow / Photograph supplied by James Cockerill
Looking to the future, James is hoping to expand his business and is looking for land to create a permanent base for clients, and where he can continue to do what he loves.
But despite his lofty ambitions, his message remains simple.
“Progress isn’t linear. You have good days and bad days, and your dog would never abandon you because you’re having a bad day. Sometimes a dog doesn’t just live with you. Sometimes a dogholds you together.”
Paulette Hamilton MP at constituency office in Erdington / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP’s constituency team
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words by Paulette Hamilton MP (Birmingham Erdington, Labour)
Protecting our communities remains one of my top priorities, and this summer I’m stepping up my campaign to stop more family homes being lost to poorly managed HMOs and fight for stronger safeguards against exempt accommodation.
Here’s an update on the work I’m doing on your behalf.
I’ve recently been made aware of a planning application for a new 7-bedroom HMO on Tyburn Road. Our area already has far too many poorly managed HMOs, and I don’t believe we need another. That’s why I’ve launched a campaign opposing this application.
I’m also continuing my fight to close the loophole that allows some failed HMO applications to become exempt accommodation.
If you’d like to support these campaigns, please sign my Tyburn Road HMO and exempt accommodation petitions at www.paulettehamilton.org
It was wonderful to welcome so many residents to my recent community coffee morning at Maryvale Community Centre in Oscott. These coffee mornings are a great opportunity to hear your concerns, answer your questions and discuss the issues that matter most.
Paulette Hamilton MP at Maryvale Communty Projectr / Photograph supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP’s constituency team
I look forward to my next coffee morning on 14 August in Kingstanding as I continue meeting as many of the 122,000 people I represent as possible.
Finally, I hope you’re enjoying the summer holidays and spending quality time with family and friends.
With the Government’s August free bus travel scheme for children aged 5 to 15, I hope many families have been able to make the most of the opportunity to explore and enjoy everything our region has to offer.
Cllr Ray Goodwin on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words by Councillor Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale Ward, Labour)
We are now four weeks into Birmingham’s new household waste collection pilot, and while there are some positive changes, there are still significant issues that need to be addressed.
I have been speaking to residents across Castle Vale who genuinely want this pilot to work. They welcome the return of recycling collections, weekly food waste collections and additional street cleansing.
But many are frustrated that they are still waiting for bins to be delivered, while others have told me that their bins have not been emptied as expected.
Four weeks in, these problems should be being resolved. Residents should not be left wondering when their bins will arrive or whether their waste will be collected.
I will continue speaking to residents and raising these issues with the Council. I want this pilot to succeed, but that means listening to residents and putting things right when they go wrong.
There is also some positive news. I’m pleased that the Mobile Tip Truck is returning to Castle Vale on Monday 24 August at Castle Pool car park.
This is another useful service that helps residents dispose of unwanted items responsibly and keeps waste off our streets.
Cleaner streets are something we all want. Residents are doing their bit — now the Council needs to make sure the service delivers for them.
I’ll keep listening, keep raising the issues and keep pushing for Castle Vale.
Reform candidates on campaign trail in Kingstanding, ahead of May ’26 Local Elections / Photograph supplied by Reform UK Erdington Branch
This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 14 August. Be the first to get your local news delivered through your door, support independent community journalism, and email us at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com
Words by Councillor Jex Parkin and Councillor John Lambert (Kingstanding Ward, Reform UK)
There is something deeply insulting about suggesting thousands of people across Erdington voted the way they did because they suddenly became racist.
They didn’t.
They voted because they are fed up.
Fed up with immigration they believe is out of control. Fed up with pressure on housing and public services. Fed up with Birmingham’s finances. Fed up with broken promises, rising costs and neighbourhoods that too often feel neglected.
And fed up with politicians who only seem to discover these concerns after an election defeat.
Nobody should defend racism. If someone genuinely abuses another person because of their race, that is disgraceful.
But there is a world of difference between racism and asking legitimate questions about immigration, borders, housing, public services and the pressures placed on local communities.
That distinction matters.
Because if every uncomfortable question about immigration is dismissed as racism, politicians never have to answer it.
If every criticism of Labour is dismissed as hatred, politicians never have to accept responsibility.
And if every Reform vote is explained away as bigotry, perhaps nobody in Labour has to confront the uncomfortable truth.
People voted Reform because they wanted change.
Oscott, Kingstanding, Perry Common, Pype Hayes and Stockland Green did not collectively lose their minds.
They exercised their democratic judgement.
The answer isn’t to insult them, patronise them or lecture them.
It is to listen.
Because when politicians start blaming the voters rather than asking why they lost them, they haven’t learned the lesson.
Shisha Shop at 280 High Street, Erdington, with shutters down after Closue Order issued / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
Words by Erdington Local Editorial Team
Shisha Shop by Six Ways Island has been officially closed down, after West Midlands Police and Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards found the business was selling illegal vapes.
Promoting itself as offering ‘E-Cigs, Tobacco, Shisha & Accessories’, the business located at 280 High Street, Erdington, was targeted as part of the Operation Fearless initiative that started in Erdington Town Centre in January 2025.
Having accumulated enough evidence to establish the independent retailer was selling illegal vapes, West Midlands Police and Trading Standards finally secured a Closure Order from Birmingham Magistrates Court to force down the shutters on 11 August 2026.
Under Section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, a Closure Order can be issued to shut down a business for up to three months if it is believed anyone at the address ‘has engaged, or is likely to engage, in criminal behaviour on the premises’.
Operation Fearless and Council notice on shutters at Shisha Shop, 280 High Street, Erdington / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
The enforcement at 280 High Street, Erdington, was based on evidence gathered by Operation Fearless and enacted as part of Operation Cloud.
Public Health were also consulted, likely due to the potential health risks around the sale of illegal vapes, which are produced and sold without regulation.
Illegal vapes have been known to contain excess levels of nicotine, exceeding the legal UK limit, and can emit hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein from cheaply produce heating coils.
A study into the dangers of illegal vapes at the University of Dery also found the under the counter products can contain dangerous levels of lead, nickel, chromium, and cadmium – which can impair brain development.
Erdington Wrad Councillor Robert Alden on Erdington High Street with police / Photograph supplied by Cllr Alden
Following the closure of Shisha Shop, Erdington Ward Councillors Robert Alden and Gareth Moore told local residents through social media: “We have been pushing for tougher enforcement on Erdington High Street from Birmingham Police and Birmingham City Council, therefore we are delighted to see this enforcement action being taken.”
They added: “We will continue working with the Erdington BID to help hold the Council and Police to account and ensure that the enforcement action needed is taken to keep our High Street safe for local residents.”
Erdington Town Centre and BID Manager, Ed King, also told: “The sale of illegal vapes and smoking related products pose a real threat to people’s health – as well as the potential for children to access products legitimate and ethical business would not sell to them.
“Any business on Erdington High Street selling illegal products must stop or be forced to stop. It’s that simple.”
They added: “Operation Fearless showed what robust policing in the area can achieve, but when they left some of the problems started to return – with no effective strategy in place for the local team.
“Although, thankfully, Erdington’s new Sargeant [Sgt Millard] is now in post and has been rebuilding a strong Neighbourhood Police Team – cracking skulls and just getting on with the job.
“Erdington BID, working alongside Councillor Alden and Councillor Moore, will do everything to support Sgt Millard and her team – and we hope West Midlands Police are prepared to do the same.”
(l-r) Erdington Neighbourhood Police Seargent Millard, Town Centre Manager Ed King, Erdington BID events team and Community Market stall holders / Photograph supplied by Erdington BID
Directors of M1 Shisha Shop Ltd and A1 Shisha Shop Ltd, both registered at Companies House as retailers with the trading address 280 High Street Erdington, were issued with the official closure order.
Two Directors of Starborn International Limited, a property firm based in West London, were also issued with the closure order – alongside two further individuals, one based in Great Barr and one in Erdington.
On Friday 14 August, Northside Welcome Centre will celebrate 20 years of community support and services.
Located at 176 Streetly Road, Stockland Green, the local community hub runs a varied programme of activities to encourage social inclusion, positive health and wellbeing, and learning new skills.
The weekly calendar hosts sessions including exercise classes, advice surgeries, walking groups, coffee mornings, arts and crafts and computer skills workshops.
Through funding from the Erdington Neighbourhood Network Scheme (ENNS), which supports many community groups and projects across the constituency, Northside Welcome Centre has also recently launched a Cooking Club – where a professional chef will lead workshops on how to prepare food that helps challenge arthritis and inflammation.
Promotional poster for Cooking Club at Northside Welcome Centre
The Cooking Club will run alongside a series of weekly session giving advice on how to manage arthritis and promoting good joint health – as well as a regular gentle movement class to encourage suppleness and mobility.
Held on Tuesdays and Thursday, the new programmes are being promoted as part of Northside’s ‘Move well, eat well, live well’ project – with all activities funded by the ENNS.
Launched in 2006 by Sikh Nari Manch UK, Northside Welcome Centre grew from the registered charity’s work supporting women in the local Sikh community.
Craft and knitting session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre
Sikh Nari Manch UK was founded in 1998 by Bibi Gurdev Kaur OBE, but built the Northside Welcome Centre so it could operate a wider network of support and services for all faiths and genders.
A spokesperson from Northside Welcome Centre told: “Since opening Northside Welcome Centre in 2006, we have been proud to provide a welcoming space for local people, offering activities, friendship, wellbeing support and opportunities to bring our community together.”
They added: “Over the past 20 years, thousands of local residents have benefited from the Centre and we are looking forward to celebrating this journey with our volunteers, Centre users, supporters, partners and funders.”
Computer and digital skills session at Northside Welcome Centre / Photograph supplied by Northside Welcome Centre
The 20-year anniversary celebration on 14 August will take a look at the centre’s two decades of support, with special recognition of Northside’s volunteers and supporters.
There will also be live Indian classical music and Tabla, as well as a special lunch for invited guests.
