Words by Tracy Fisher
On Saturday 30 August, Castle Vale Community Festival returned to Farnborough fields – as organised by The Pioneer Group and Compass Support.
Despite the wind and rain, The Pioneer Group reported over 1,200 Castle Vale locals and visitors attended throughout the event – enjoying a free fun-filled afternoon exploring a variety stalls, activities, and entertainment.
Laura Grigg, Compass Support Community Hubs Manager, told Castle Vale Local: “This is a great opportunity for the whole community to come together, and we have got quite a few of our partners here today… it’s an opportunity for people to highlight what they do in the community.”
The festival also offered local businesses the chance to showcase their work. Rachel Beard, who runs Raquel’s Decoupage and Crafting, told: “I’m based on Castle Vale [and] I just love coming out and meeting the community.”
She added: “It’s about meeting people, making connections and just having a good vibe on the day; it’s just brilliant to be here”.
Activities and attractions included the Animal Man, aka Nature’s Burrows, who proved popular with young and old alike.
Paget Rangers FC offered youngsters free football coaching sessions, and there was live music from Birmingham Irish Pipes and Drums, alongside face painting, soft play and bouncy castles for children.
Luke McClean, from YoungStars Community Hub, said: “We’ve been going around speaking to all the community, meeting some of our obviously regulars who come to youth club [and] advertising a little bit about what we do.”
McClean also praised the YoungStars dance acts who demonstrated their talents in the main arena to the sounds from festival hosts, Switch Radio.
Mid-afternoon, crowds suddenly dispersed and made a dash for the start of the annual Colour Run.
Castle Vale resident Tiffany, who brought along her family to the event and took part in the Colour Run, summed up what the festival means for locals.
She explained: “It’s brilliant they brought the festival back to Castle Vale; it’s a great turnout, lots to do and the colour run was good fun.”
PICTURE GALLERY #1: Castle Vale Community Festival / Photographs by Tracy Fisher
PICTURE GALLERY #2: Castle Vale Community Festival / Photographs by Darren Dodd
For more on The Pioneer Group visit www.pioneergroup.org.uk and for more on Compass Support visit www.compass-support.org.uk
The Pioneer Group and Compass Support are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.
