Tag: Yatesbury Avenue

Posted on

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.

Posted on

NEWS: Castle Vale residents raise concerns after fire nearly causes “massive explosion” around Yatesbury Avenue

Words by Ed King

Residents around Yatesbury Avenue on Castle Vale are voicing their concerns after a fire in a communal storeroom nearly caused a “massive explosion”, in an area that is routinely used as a “smoking den” by local youths.

The outside storage area that was found alight serves the properties around 431 Yatesbury Avenue and is adjacent to the building’s plant room, which houses all the mechanical and electrical hubs that bring heating and power to the surrounding flats.

The blaze, which sent flames licking around the door, was caught by local residents before it spread. Emergency services were immediately contacted and the fire was subsequently extinguished by West Midlands Fire Service.

But people living in the area are fearful that next time they won’t be so lucky and told how the fire “could have destroyed half the properties around the area.”

The storage room, which can be accessed from the street, has reportedly become a place where children described as being around school age “hang out and smoke” and “do antisocial behaviour basically”.

Reports have also come from local residents that the neighbouring plant room and other municipal storage areas have been broken into, without anyone as of yet reprimanded for the vandalism.

Local residents have banded together to try and curb the nuisance and antisocial behaviour, but following the recent fire there are heightened concerns for public safety.

One local resident, who is worried over the potential damage that could have been caused but understands the lack of provision and support for young people in the area, told Castle Vale Local: “I have concerns about kids going into residential areas and using as a place to hang out.

“The fire could have spread and right next to it is the plant room where all the boilers are, and that could have caused a massive explosion.

“It could have destroyed half the properties around the area.”

They added: “It makes me feel very concerned, to be honest. There’s been a lot of reports about kids running around and causing a load of trouble, but nothing’s being done – no one’s being held accountable for it.

“We need to start getting the parents involved, because these kids are running around with no accountability.”

Following the fire, a spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service confirmed: “The incident involved a fire in brick-built bicycle storage building, between two properties. The fire specifically involved several chairs stored in the building.

“One hose reel jet was used to extinguish the fire. Crews also made further inspections, using a thermal image camera, to ensure there was no fire spread, or hotspots, in the void above the building.”

Calling on help from their local elected official, concerned residents reached out to Councillor Ray Goodwin to address the issue.

Cllr Goodwin told Castle Vale Local: “I am deeply concerned that a few individuals could have caused untold damage to the properties where the fire was.

“I have contacted the police and Castle Vale Community Housing to ask that the CCTV on the estate is looked at so arrests can be made and to stop this happening again.”

Also recognising the need for better youth provision and collective responsibility, he added: “We need more detached youth work to engage with young people and deter them from crime.”