Tag: Witton Lodge Road

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NEWS: Evacuated Perry Common residents allowed home after “suspicious items” found during raid on Hastings Road

Words by Ed King

Police car outside residential address on Hastings Road, Perry Common / Pic by Ed King

Perry Common residents have been allowed back home after being evacuated early today, following the discovery of “suspicious items” at a residential address on Hastings Road – just off Witton Lodge Road.

At around 9am on Thursday 20 March, locals living on and around Witton Lodge Road were asked by police to quickly vacate their homes, to make way for a bomb disposal unit which had been brought in to investigate findings of an early morning raid.

Concerns were raised by the police after a “pre-planned warrant” was executed in the early hours and officers found objects that may have been linked to explosive devices.

After cordoning off Witton Lodge Road, from Perry Common Community Hall up to College Road, police at the scene evacuated all residents – with some seeking refuge at Perry Common Hall, whilst others rested at the  popular Jacy’s Café on ‘the ring’ or waited on the central grassy area.

Police searching residential address on Hastings Road, Perry Common / Pic by Ed King

After a few hours, at around 11:15am, the police tape was finally lifted and residents were allowed back to their homes – with some having had to leave so quickly they were still in dressing gowns and pyjamas.

Residents with mobility issue were also asked to move, with police at the scene helping those that needed it to reach a safe place beyond the cordoned off area.

One local resident told Erdington Local: “The police knocked on our door and at first just wanted us to stay indoors, but then they came back not long afterwards and said we had to leave.

“It was still morning, and I hadn’t got dressed yet – it’s just a good thing it’s a nice {sunny] day.”

Police officers remained at the Hastings Road address, after evacuated residents were allowed back to their homes.

And whilst the officers at the scene were able to confirm there was no threat to public safety, the uncertainly about what caused the road closure and mass evacuation remained a mystery for most of those affected – with some residents reporting the army had been drafted in and others stating an old WWII bomb had been discovered.

Police removing bags of items seized from residential address on Hastings Road, Perry Common / Pic by Ed King

Erdington Local saw officers from both the local police teams and specialist units oustide and searching an address at Hastings Road – on the corner of Witton Lodge Road and opposite Story Wood Primary School – and removing several bags of items from the residential address and loading them into the back of unmarked police vehicles.

The neighbour of the Hastings Road address that was the focus of police activity, told Erdington Local: “I don’t know what happened, they just knocked on my door this morning at around 9am and told me I had to leave.

“I wasn’t given any information… [all the residents] were just told we had to leave [our homes].”

She added: “I’m allowed back in now, but they’re still here [and searching the address]. And I still don’t know what’s been going on next door.”

Police outside residential address on Hastings Road, Perry Common / Pic by Ed King

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police confirmed: “A cordon was put in place this morning after suspicious items were discovered during a pre-planned warrant at an address on Hastings Road.

“This cordon has now been lifted after the Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team confirmed there was no risk to the wider public.”

They added: “Nearby residents who were evacuated as a precaution have now returned to their homes, and we thank them for their patience.”

Police search a residential address on Hastings Road in Perry Common following mass evacuation

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NEWS: Residents evacuated on Witton Lodge Road amidst reports of bomb squad investigation

Police blocking off entrance to Witton Lodge Road by Perry Common Hall / Pic by Ed King

Words by Ed King

Residents on Witton Lodge Road were evacuated from their homes this morning amidst reports of the army and bomb investigation personnel attending the scene – with the area from Perry Common Hall to College Road cordoned off.

Police cars could be seen blocking the entrance to Witton Lodge Road by Perry Common Hall, with a bomb disposal unit seen further behind the police tape with several officers investigating.

Local residents at the scene told Erdington Local that police had knocked on their doors earlier this morning telling them to stay in their houses, before returning some minutes later to ask they fully evacuate the area.

Police blocking off entrance to Witton Lodge Road by Perry Common Hall / Pic by Ed King

Concerned locals then gathered around the grassy roundabout – colloquially known as The Ring – as well as local cafes and shops. Some residents were reportedly given refuge at Perry Common Hall as police and investigating officials conducted a search of a residential address.

“I had a knock on the door this morning,” told a resident from Witton Lodge Road, “with the police telling me to stay inside – then after a while they came back and told us to leave. I hope my cats are OK.”

Another family were also turned out of their house without knowing why, with one member still in their dressing gown as they stood behind the police cordon.

“I was heading to work at about 8:45am and I saw a few police,” confirmed one woman. “Then by the time I’d got back the whole road [from The Rin to College Road] had been asked to leave their houses.

Jacy’s Cafe on Witton Lodge Road / Pic by Ed King

Jacy’s Café on Witton Lodge Road housed several residents as they waited to be allowed back home, with many taking the time to grab a breakfast and check out if friends and neighbours were OK. Staff at the café, a popular local eatery, had not been told much information by local law enforcement but were keeping concerned residents safe and well fed.

Whilst Erdington Local were at the scene, at around 11:15am, police started taking down the blue and white tape and letting residents back into their homes – with officers at the scene stating there was no threat to public safety.

Police removing cordon and letting residents on Witton Lodge Road return home / Pic by Ed King

A spokesperson from West Midlands Polcie confirmed to Erdington Local: “We’re currently dealing with an incident at Witton Lodge Road. We will provide more details as soon as we can.”

Erdington Local has asked West Midlands Polcie for any further information they can release.

At the time of writing, all police cordons had been lifted on Witton Lodge Road and residents had returned to their homes

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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Urban Devotion Birmingham – empowering local youth and communities

Words by Hema Chumber

Urban Devotion Birmingham team photo outside Hope House / Image supplied by UDB

Urban Devotion Birmingham (UDB) is a Christian charity working in North East Birmingham, with a mission to empower young people and their families. Founded in 2003, and officially registered as a charity in 2005, UDB supports over 2,500 individuals each year.

The charity aims to help those it engages with to become confident, well-rounded individuals, while building strong and supportive relationships within the community.

It runs various programs, such as drop-in clubs, mentoring, therapeutic support, detached youth work, and educational services in schools. UBD also runs faith-based groups for those who want to explore spirituality, aiming to help young people become confident and well-rounded individuals.

Urban Devotion Birmingham in session at St Barnabas Church, Erdington / Image supplied by UDB

Urban Devotion Birmingham is based at Hope House, 148 Witton Lodge Road in Perry Common – but its services span across several areas of the community, including Pype Hayes, Stockland Green, and neighbouring areas.

One of UDB’s key vehicles for outreach is its Mobile Youth Venue – a converted van that travels to different locations in the community during the week. This mobile service makes youth programs more accessible to young people by meeting them where they live and spend their time.

Amy Heyes, Co-Founder of UBD, said: “Our work is about removing the obstacles that hold people back. The children and young people of Erdington are brilliant, and we love getting the opportunity to support them as they grow.”

Urban Devotion Bimringham in kayacking session / Image supplied by UDB

Amy added: “At UDB, we believe that everyone has something to contribute, and we want to encourage people to play their part – our work wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated team of staff and volunteers, who are all central in helping to provide the services we do, to the local community.

“We welcome any one who’s interested in getting involved to stop by Hope House and say hello, our friendly team are always up for a chat.”

A parent, whose child attends many sessions at the charity, also told: “I don’t know what my boys would have done without UDB – they wouldn’t have had the experiences they have had here, without them.

“It’s a fun and inclusive environment for children and young people, especially to meet new people and make friends. It’s like a family here, and my boys love being a part of the UDB family.”

Urban Devotion Birmingham team next to Mobile Youth Venue / Image supplied by UDB

UDB’s focus is not just to provide services to the community. With a strong emphasis on empowerment from a young age and creating opportunities, the charity also works to ensure young people are playing an active role in shaping their futures.

Volunteers play an essential role in the charity’s work, from mentoring young people to helping run events and practical activities like transport or gardening.

Those who wish to support Urban Devotion Birmingham can also donate goods and help in spreading the word about their work.

For further information on Urban Devotion Birmingham and a calendar of its upcoming events and programmes, please visit www.urbandevotion.org or call 0121 350 9370.

Click here to follow UDB on Facebook, X, and Instagram

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]

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COMMUNITY ANCHORS: The Underground – a safe space for Perry Common youth

Words & pics supplied by Urban Devotion Birmingham

Urban Devotion Birmingham youth worker at The Undergroud, St Martain’s Church, Perry Common

Since 2004, The Underground has been a safe, welcoming space for young people in Perry Common to socialise, make friends, and engage with the UDB team.

Located beneath St Martin’s Church on Witton Lodge Road, the space is used by Oscott Academy during school hours, while UDB hosts various youth activities in the evenings. Young people can grab a toastie, play in the sports hall or hang out in our youth space.

We spoke to some regular attendees, asking why they come to The Underground and what they enjoy about it. Their answers varied: “To make new friends,” “It gives me something to do,” and “It makes me feel safe.”

They enjoy the food, toasties, sports, and the chance to “see some friends every week.” One young person shared how the space has “helped with my self-control” and how UDB is always there to support them when they feel sad or angry.

We believe it’s vital to offer young people safe, drop-in activities where they can feel relaxed, heard, and have fun.

We all crave spaces where we feel we can belong, and we feel privileged to be able to provide those spaces to many young people throughout Erdington.

Our sessions at The Underground are open to different age groups:

  • Mondays from 3:15pm-4:30pm for school years 3-6
  • Mondays from 5:00pm-6:00pm for school years 7-9
  • Wednesdays from 6:00pm-7:00pm for school years 9-13

For more details and to see where else we run drop-ins check out our QR code (above).

For more on Urban Devotion Birmingham visit www.urbandevotion.org

Urban Devotion Birmingham is a key partner in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme, supporting independent local and community journalism.

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NEWS: Nature Day event on 14 September to help safeguard the future of Perry Common Meadows

Words by Ed King

A recently formed community group is inviting local residents and environmental enthusiasts to a special event celebrating Perry Common Meadows and to help safeguard the future of the urban oasis.

Friends of Perry Common Meadows are organising a Nature Day on Saturday 14 September and are encouraging people to join the conversation about how the green space is managed and developed.

Originally planned and promoted for the Earthwatch Tiny Forest in the middle of the Meadows, the Nature Day will now be held at St Martin’s Church on The Ring – in the centre of Witton Lodge Road, Perry Common.

Organisers have advised for those coming from further afield but looking for a more environmentally friendly way to attend the event, the Number 7 bus will drop passengers directly in front of St Matin’s Church.

Running from 11am to 2pm, the Nature Day will feature family fun activities with an environmental focus – including guided nature walks, a plant swap, and a wildflower seed bomb making workshop.

There will also be storytelling, face painting, subsidised refreshments with food for £1, and a Perry Common Meadows consultation where those attending can ‘have your say’ over the future of the local green space.

Friends of Perry Common founder, Stephanie Boyle, who established the group in 2023, told Erdington Local: “The Friends of Perry Common Meadows is a relatively new group and we’re hoping to develop the Meadows into a people-and-nature-friendly wildish green space, building on what’s already there.”

Stephanie Boyle has been a prominent promoter of environmental issues across Erdington, and organised the Eco Together workshops at the Eco Hub in Witton Lakes last year – a specially designed ten week course about environmental understanding and action, as commissioned by Witton Lodge Community Association.

She added: “To help this along we’re putting on a Nature Day on Saturday 14 September so local people can have their say about how the Meadows develops, while also having fun outdoors and engaging with nature at the same time.”

Also at the Friends of Perry Common Meadows Nature Day will be a programme of live music with a Celtic slant, including a performance from local multi-instrumentalist and hammered dulcimer player Jobe Sullivan, and Bodhran and Ukulele workshops courtesy of the Birmingham Irish Association.

The event will also feature a sneak peak of the upcoming Celtic Journeys, a new concert series soon to be coming to Erdington.

Situated between Perry Common Road and Witton Lodge Road, Perry Common Meadows is home to many local animals, wildlife, and is a hotbed of urban nature.

Friends of Perry Common Meadows are hoping the Nature Day will bring the local community into the conversation about how the area is protected and maintained, helping keep the natural asset safe for generations to come.

For more information please contact Nature Day event organiser Stephanie at [email protected]