Tag: Love Your Local Community

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NEWS: Erdington BID to host free Summer Fun Day on Erdington High Street – Saturday 26 July

Promotional poster for Erdington BID’s Summer Fun Day on Saturday 26 July

Words by editorial team

Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) is organising it’s second Summer Fun Day event on Erdington High Street – running from 12noon until 4pm on Saturday 26 July.

Following the success of their first event in June, Erdington BID will be bringing back the summer fun in July – with free games and activities for children, alongside a range of stands and stalls from local groups and services.

Completely free to attend, there will be face painting, arts and crafts sessions, and a bouncy castle for young people – all paid for by the Erdington BID, as supported by local retailers.

Families and young poeple enjoying the bouncy castle at Summer Fun Day / Photograph by Darren Dodd – supplied by Erdington BID

The event will be held in the same location, on the pedestrianised area of Erdington High Street in between the entrances to Wilton Market and the new B&M Superstore.

A family friendly day out, Erdington BID is organising the Summer Fun Days as part of the LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign – to bring a programme of events back to Erdington Town Centre and give local families something fun to do on the High Street that won’t cost them a penny.

Alongside the children’s games and entertainment, local community groups and service providers will have information displays and engagement activities – including Erdington Litter Busters, Erdington Lunar Society, Short Heath Fields Trust, Aquarius, and Witton Lodge Community Association.

Face painting at Summer Fun Day / Photograph by Selina Gooden – supplied by Erdington BID

West Midlands Fire Service will also be bringing a real-life fire engine from the local station, on site between 2pm and 4pm – with adults and children alike invited to get up close and personal with the emergency vehicle, to meet the fire fighters, and learn about fire safety.

Then, once the outdoor activity has finished at 4pm, there will be a special free live music event held inside Oikos Café – as part of the citywide Blues and Jazz Festival.

New Zealand blues rockers Lazy Fifty will be performing live, taking inspiration from the stalwarts of 70’s British rock such as Black Sabbath and Led Zepplin. Free to attend, tickets will be allocated at the door at Oikos on a first come first served basis.

Stalls from local community groups and services at Summer Fun Day / Photograph by Selina Gooden – supplied by Erdington BID

A spokesperson from Erdington BID told: “The first Summer Fun Day in June was a really lovely day, with a great atmosphere and lots of fun for local families and children.

“We’re excited to be back on the High Street for another free and family focused event on Saturday 26 July – and hope to see lots of smiling faces again. And a few painted like tigers and butterflies.”

They added: “Erdington High Street, as with High Streets across the country, has seen businesses rise and fall over recent years – with both shoppers and retailers moving online.

“But the community spirit is as strong as it has ever been, and the BID events are all about breathing life back into our Town Centre.”

Children’s free arts and craft sessions at Summer Fun Day / Photograph by Selina Gooden – supplied by Erdington BID

Another Summer Fun Day is being organised on Erdington High Street for Saturday 23 August.

Erdington BID is organising a yearlong programme of events and activities as part of its LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, encouraging people to celebrate the positives of the Town Centre and to and support local business on and around the High Street.

PICTURE GALLERY: Check out our photographs from Erdington BID’s first Summer Fun Day

GALLERY #1 / Photographs by Darren Dodd – supplied by Erdington BID

Gallery #2 / Photographs by Selina Gooden – supplied by Erdington BID

For more information about the LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign, or any events and activities in the Town Centre, please email Erdington BID at: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk

For more information on Erdington BID visit www.erdingtonhighstreet.co.uk

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OPINION: Erdington Cllr Robert Alden, Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

(l-r) Cllr Moore and Cllr Alden on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives

(Ed’s note… this column was written the June/July Erdington Local newspaper and first published, in print, on Thursday 12 June.)

Cllr Gareth Moore and I have been continuing our campaign for West Midlands Police to reopen a public front desk at Erdington Police Station. Having recently secured the additional Police team for the ward, we are clear that this is best complimented by the reopening of the front desk for at least part of the week.

While the Police pod placed on the High Street is nice to support community groups, it is clearly not a replacement for a Police Front Desk. Therefore, we have again written to the West Midlands Police Chief Constable, calling on him to reopen the front desk.

Other things we’ve been doing for residents recently include campaigning against a planning application to convert four much needed bungalows behind 41 Deakin Road into care homes, tackling dumped rubbish and missed bin collections, securing a further visit from the Mobile Waste Trucks for residents to be able to get rid of rubbish during the strike, and supported community events like the recent volunteers day as well as much more.

We also spoke at a recent licensing review meeting against Drinks 2 Go, where we were calling on the Council to close the premises. Sadly, this was rejected by the Council, who added a further condition on the premise.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who took part in the first Love Your Local Community High Street Litter Pick. It is hugely appreciated.

For more from Erdington’s Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Jones visit www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews

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NEWS: Free and family friendly Summer Fun Days on Erdington High Street – Saturday 21 June

Words by editorial team

Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) will be hosting the first in a series of Summer Fun Days on Saturday 21 June, held between 12noon and 5pm on Erdington High Street by the entrance to Wilton Market.

Completely free to attend, the family friendly day will have stalls from local community groups, live music, arts and craft activities, and free children’s games and entertainment – such as animal face painting and a bouncy castle.

There will also be an ice cream van stationed at the event, making sure people have something cold to enjoy as the summer weather heat up – with seating, shade, and free water also available.

The Summer Fun Day will be situated on the pedestrianised area of Erdington High Street, near the entrances to Wilton Market and the new B&M Superstore.

A group of children playing in a bouncy castle / Photograph taken from Adobe Stock Images

All children’s games and workshops will be free of charge, with those attending asked to stay with their young people whilst they are enjoying the activities.

Being organised as part of the Erdington BID’s Love Your Local Community campaign, which is encouraging people to focus on the positives of the Town Centre – and to bring in a programme of community events and outreach activities – further Summer Fun Day events are planned for July and August.

Alongside the children’s games and entertainment, there will be a variety of stalls from local community groups and support services.

Children enjoying free arts and crafts on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton will be hosting a ‘pop up’ surgery, inviting local people to have a face to face session with the local Member of Parliament – outside of her regular sessions across the constituency

Erdington Local will be inviting people to go in front of the camera at their Vox Pop stand – recording short interviews with members of the public, asking them about what they feel is good and bad in the Town Centre.

Arts All Over the Place will be running free arts and craft workshops for children and young people, getting them making and creating their own designs in supervised sessions – with all the materials provided.

Live music will be played throughout the day, from musicians and singers from the Erdington Arts Forum.

Children enjoying free arts and crafts on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

People will also get the chance to learn more about volunteer activities and support services across Erdington, with special displays and information from local groups including Erdington Litter Busters, Short Heath Fields Trust, FC Elite, Erdington Redeemed Church of God, and Aquarius.

Then at 2:30pm, all eyes will turn to the international art project Mothers Without Hands as they hold a special procession down the High Street – starting from Oikos Face and heading towards St Barnabas Church.

Led by renowned Birmingham based artist Tereza Bušková, the parade will feature a specially made headdress as it’s central theme – which has been adorned by items crafted over a series of sessions with local creative community group, Arts All Over the Place.

Mothers Without Hands procession in Walsall Town Centre – led by international artist Tereza Bušková / Photograph supplied by Mothers Without Hands

The Mothers Without Hands project – raising awareness of violence towards women and girls, through performance and art inspired by traditional Czech Republic folklore – has held previous events across Europe and the UK, coming to Erdington Town Centre on the final part of its international tour.

Following the first Sumer Fun Day on Saturday 21 June, Erdington BID have planned more events on Saturday 26 July – in conjunction with the Birmingham Blues and Jazz Festival – and again on Saturday 23 August, kicking of the Bank Holiday Weekend.

The events are being organised as part of the LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY (LYLC) campaign, which hopes to encourage people to celebrate the positives in and around the Tonw Centre – and across the Erdington constituency.

Volunteers collecting rubbish on Erdington High Street at the first LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY litter pick on Saturday 7 June / Photograph by Ed King

The LYLC campaign has already started a programme of community litter picks to help tidy up Erdington High Street, with their first ‘pick’ help on Saturday 7 June and supported by many local residents and groups.

Erdington BID is looking for more active community members to join the LYLC campaign and be part of future activities.

Erdington BID is funded by annual levies from local retailers and business in the Town Centre, and further supported by external funding, grants, and donations.

A spokesperson from the Erdington BID told: “With the support of the local shops and businesses, the Erdington BID is excited to host our Summer Fun Days across the coming months – bringing some free and family friendly events to the High Street.

“We’re also looking at more events in autumn and around Christmas, as well as more community litter picks and other outreach activities to celebrate the Town Centre.”

They added: “We’d love to see everyone come out and have some fun on Saturday 21 June, and support the shops and retail communities that are the heart of our Town Centre.”

Anyone wanting more information about the LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY campaign please email the Erdington BID at: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk

For more information on Erdington BID visit www.erdingtonhighstreet.co.uk

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NEWS: Join the ‘Love Your Local Community’ litter pick on Erdington High Street – Saturday 7 June

Volunteers picking up litter / Photograph taken from Adobe Stock Images

Words by Erdington Local editorial team

Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) is calling out for local volunteers to join their ‘Love Your Local Community’ litter pick on Erdington High Street – on Saturday 7 June.

With the litter pick itself running from 1pm until 3pm, volunteers are invited to meet at Oikos Café from 12:30pm – allowing some time for teas and coffees, paid for by the Erdington BID, before heading out across the High Street.

The ‘Love Your Local Community’ litter pick on Saturday 7 June will be focusing on the areas around the Village Green and the entrance to Wilton Market, with pickers also heading up to the shops on Erdington High Street towards St Barnabas Church.

Erdington Town Centre sign with rainbow splash / Photograph by Ed King

All equipment will be provided by the Erdington BID, with all ages welcomed – although younger people and those under 16 should be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Anyone interested in joining the ‘Love Your Local Community’ litter pick has been asked to email the Erdington BID in advance at: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk

Volunteers can also turn up to support the litter pick at Oikos Café from 12:30pm on Saturday 7 June – although equipment cannot be guaranteed for anyone who has not given advance notice.

Once the litter pick has finished, all the volunteers who took part will be invited back to Oikos Café for some well-earned refreshments and to enjoy some social time together – as a thank you gesture from the Erdington BID for their time, help, and support.

Erdington Litter Busters on Slade Road, Erdington (Photograph by Ed King)

Active volunteers and members of local community groups, including the Erdington Walking Group and Erdington Litter Busters, have already shown their support – with organisers looking for more proactive people who can help clean up the High Street on Saturday 7 June.

A spokesperson for the Erdington BID told: “Our High Street needs a bit of a spring clean, and we’re looking for some positive and proactive litter pickers to come and join us for a couple of hours on Saturday 7 June.

“There will be time to socialise too, with some drinks and refreshments at Okos Café for anyone who can help out and get involved.”

The special Town Centre tidy up is being organised as part of the Erdington BID’s ‘Love Your Local Community’ campaign, which is encouraging people to take positive action to support Erdington High Street – as supported by Erdington Local.

The BID spokesperson added: “We know there are challenges to High Streets across the city, with the problems in Erdington Town Centre sadly also facing many communities around Birmingham and beyond.

“But Erdington has a community of active volunteers and passionate local residents that you don’t see elsewhere – and we’re looking to use that incredible people power to make some real and positive changes to Erdington High Street.

“There has been too much focus on the negatives, and we want to turn that tide and do something wholeheartedly positive.

“So come down, get involved, and Love Your Local Community with us. Be part of the change and part of Erdington’s future.”

Sign in one of the green spaces cared for by Erdington Litter Busters (Photograph by Ed King)

The BID is also organising a series of Summer Fun Days on Erdington High Street, giving local families a chance to enjoy some free children’s games and activities over the coming months.

The first Sumer Fun Day will be held on Saturday 21 June, with more planned on Saturday 19 July and Saturday 23 August. Erdington BID is looking for volunteers to help support the family friendly events and the wider ‘Love Your Local Community’ campaign.

Erdington BID is funded by annual levies from local retailers and business in the Town Centre, and further supported by external funding, grants, and donations.

Anyone wanting more information about the Erdington High Street litter pick on Saturday 7 June, or the wider ‘Love Your Local Community’ campaign, please email the Erdington BID at erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk

For more information on Oikos Café, including contact details and location, visit www.oikoscafe.co.uk

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NEWS: Free family summer fun days on Erdington High Street – Saturday 21 June, 19 July, 23 August

A group of children playing in a bouncy castle / Photograph taken from Adobe Stock Images

Words by Erdington Local editorial team

A series of free family summer fun days are being held on Erdington High Street, to help promote the Town Centre and give local families some free activities over the coming months.

Taking place on the third or fourth Saturday of each month, the first event will be held on Saturday 21 June – running from 12noon until 5pm, outside the entrance to Wilton Market.

(N.B. This event was originally planned for 31 May but has been moved due to uncertain weather conditions.)

The summer fun days will be completely free to attend and suitable for children and adults of all ages.

Children with animals face painting / Photograph taken from Adobe Stock Images

Organises have told there will be a variety of family friendly games and activities taking place across the afternoon – including a bouncy castle, animal facepainting, street sports, live music, and arts and crafts for young people.

Local community groups and support agencies will also have stalls at the events, informing local people about the activities and services in their area – as well as looking for new volunteers.

There will also be food and drink available, although these will cost depending on the individual stall holders.

Following the first event on Saturday 21 June, further summer fun days will be held on Saturday 19 July and Saturday 23 August.

Live music and familles on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

Weather permitting, all the events will take place on the pedestrianised area in between Wilton Market and the old Coop Supermarket – which will soon be reopened as a large B&M store.

A ‘wet weather plan’ will also be in place to move suitable activities to a sheltered location, if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Completely free to attend, the events are being organised by the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) as part of their ‘Love Your Local Community’ campaign – which hopes to encourage people to celebrate all the positive changes in Erdington Town Centre.

Young people and familles enjoying arts and crafts on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

The Erdington BID is also organising other ‘Love Your Local Community’ events to help support the Town Centre – including a special High Street Community Litter Pick on 7 June.

A spokesperson for the Erdington BID told: “These events are a thank you to all the local people who support the High Street, and an invitation to come and enjoy an afternoon in the Town Centre.

“We love Erdington High Street and want to celebrate all the positive things about our Town Centre.”

“With all the extra police attention Erdington High Street has recently had, and continues to have, crime and anti-social behaviour have dropped massively in the Town Centre.”

Young people and familles enjoying arts and crafts on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

They added: “Erdington has a big heart and a bright future, and whilst we recognise there have been challenges, we’re asking people to focus more on the positives rather than repeat the old negative narratives.

“Now is our chance to ‘Love Your Local Community’ and bring some fun back to the High Street.”

Erdington BID is also on the lookout for volunteers who want to help support the activities in and around the Town Centre, working alongside the Town Centre Manager, Street Wardens, and High Street Police team.

Stalls on Erdington High Street / Photograph by Ed King

For more information on the summer fun days look out for updates on the Erdington Local website, social media, and within the monthly newspaper.

To find out more about volunteering with Erdington BID, and supporting the activities in and around the Town Centre, please email: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.com – or click on the logo below.