Tag: St Cuthbert’s Church

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OPINION: A View from the Vale – a message from Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin

Cllr Ray Goodwin outside Spitfire House on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour

Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin

October and November have been months of reflection, change, and community spirit in Castle Vale. As we move from autumn into winter, we’ve continued to see that spirit of unity and progress shine.

October kicked off with another successful Mobile Tip Truck event, helping residents tackle fly-tipping and keep our streets clean.

It’s always inspiring to see so many people come together, showing real pride in our community. When we work side by side, we not only improve our environment but strengthen our connections.

Community safety remains a priority. Following concerns about antisocial behaviour and off-road biking, I’ve been working closely with local police, housing officers, and partners to ensure everyone feels safe.

I’ll continue pushing for quicker responses and stronger enforcement.

Exciting news: the rebuilding of our parks will soon begin. These green spaces are vital to families, children, and older residents alike, offering places to relax and connect.

(l-r) Cllr Ray Goodwin and local veteran raise ‘Lest We Forget’ flag in Centre Park on Remembrance Day / Photograph by Tracy Fisher

On Remembrance Sunday we attended the Remembrance Day service at St. Cuthbert’s Church, which bought the community together, and at 11:00am on the eleventh month we stood together as a community to raise the flag and honour those who served and sacrificed.

It was a meaningful moment of reflection and unity.

As the festive season approaches, we look forward to the Christmas tree light switch-on and supporting the Christmas Toy Appeal. Together, we’ll ensure that every child in the Vale has something special to look forward to.

Castle Vale is a place of determination, unity, and hope. Together, we’ll face whatever comes next.

For more on Cllr Ray Goodwin www.facebook.com/thisiscastlevale

 

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Local heroes remembered – Chivenor Primary’s moving poppy display

Chivenor Primary School pupils and teacher in front of Remembrance Day poppy display / Photograph supplied by Chivenor Primary School

Words by Chivenor Primary School

(Ed’s note – this BACK TO SCHOOL article was first written for the Erdington Local printed edition and published on 18.11.25)

Chivenor Primary School has unveiled a deeply meaningful display to mark Remembrance Day, ensuring the sacrifices of past generations are not forgotten.

The tribute holds extra resonance for the local area, which is historically significant: Castle Vale was home to the Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory, producing over half of all Spitfires built during World War II.

Every child at the school contributed to a magnificent wall display featuring a silhouette of the iconic Spitfire aircraft surrounded by hundreds of individually crafted poppies.

Fr Jules Mambu and Chivenor Primary School pupils by veteran’s memorial at St Cuthbert’s Church, Castle Vale Photograph supplied by Chivenor Primary School

The vibrant tribute faces the busy local roundabout, offering a powerful, visible reminder to the local community as they pass by. This collaborative project allowed every student to directly participate in honouring veterans and those who served.

In a further act of remembrance, the school’s Head Boys and Head Girls proudly represented the school. They visited the nearby St Cuthbert’s Church, where they solemnly laid a poppy wreath at the war memorial nestled in the church garden.

This Proud Tradition reinforces the strong community ties and commitment to teaching respect and history.

To complete their efforts, the school also donated a giant poppy, which is now on display at The Sanctuary, Executive Head Lisa Guest commented: “The children have shown immense respect and pride in creating these tributes. It’s a vital part of their education to understand the importance of Remembrance Day.”

The Chivenor Primary displays serve as a moving testament to the community’s commitment to memory, courage, and peace.

For more on Chivenor Primary School visit www.chivenor-gst.org

Chivenor Primary School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.

If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local, please email: [email protected]

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NEWS: Remembrance Sunday events and commemoration services across Erdington

Words by Ed King

On Sunday 9 November, communities across the country will stand together in solidary to honour the men and women from Commonwealth states who lost their lives in the First World War.

Held annually on the closest Sunday to Armistice Day, on 11 November, Remembrance Sunday is “a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life” – as described by the British Legion.

In Erdington Town Centre, a special holy communion remembrance service will be held from 10:30am at St Barnabas Church on Erdington High Street – a two hundred year old place of workshop that also houses many Commonwealth War Graves in its churchyard.

Commonwealth War Grave at St Barnabas Church in Erdington Town Centre / Photograph by Ed King

A spokesperson for St Barnabas Church told: “This Remembrance Sunday, we come together to honour those who gave their lives in service. Please join us as we remember. All are welcome.”

Over in Kingstanding, a commemorative march will begin at 9:45am from No1 Public House on the corner of College Road and Hurstwood Road.

The march will walk under a mile to St Martin’s Church on Witton Lodge Road, for a special commemorative service, before heading back to No1 Public House for Laying of the Wreaths and the Last Post – a buffet and refreshments will also be provided.

Clifton & Alex from No1 Public House explained: “We look forward to seeing many of you there for this solemn occasion as we remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we have today.”

On Castle Vale, a Remembrance Sunday commemorative service will be held at St Cuthbert’s Church on Castle Vale High Street – with local Councillor Ray Goodwin laying a wreath at the armed service personal memorial at 11am.

On Tuesday 11 November at 11am, Cllr Goodwin will also be raising a flag in Centre Park, in between Yatesbury Avenue and Tangmere Drive, marking the official Armistice Day anniversary and further commemorating those who fell in the Great War.

The First World War, also known as the ‘Great War’, began on 28 July 1914 and continued for over four years, finally ending at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.

Cited as one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, the war claimed over 40million military and civilian casualties and radically changed how battles were fought in the field.

Ever since the armistice on 11 November 1918, countries and Commonwealth states across the world have marked the occasion with commemoration services and events, as well as displaying red poppies – symbolising the prominence of the flower which grew out of many of the war’s worst battlegrounds.

Remembrance Day wreaths adorn the National War Memorial steps in London / Photograph from Adobe Stock Images

In Birmingham City Centre, the main Remembrance Sunday service will be held opposite St Paul’s Cathedral on Colmore Row – with a march starting at 10:30am.

A subsequent service will begin at 10:55am – led by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, and joined alongside the Lord Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE, and the Bishop of Birmingham the Rt Reverend Dr Michael Volland.