Awards on display at first Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards gala event / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Words by Tracy Fisher
On 19 March, the first Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards gala event was held at Lift Greenwood (formerly Greenwood Academy).
Also known as the Hearts of Castle Vale Awards, the event was the culmination of a campaign to recognise individuals who work tirelessly to support the local community – as organised by local landlords and estate stakeholder, The Pioneer Group (TPG).
After weeks of public nominations and voting, the Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards winners were presented with their certificate, trophy, and badge in front of an audience of local residents, community groups, and invited guests – with Lift Greenwood Assistant Principal, Trevor Evans, and local resident Tai Colman hosting.
Lift Greenwood Assistant Principla Trevor Evans announcing winners at first Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards gala event / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
With all winners announced on the night, the audience was also made up of other hopefuls waiting to hear their name potentially called out.
The evening further presented a dance troupe performance from local youth group YoungStars, as well as a song by the winner of the 2025 Castle Vale’s Got Talent competition, Brooke Haynes.
The Pioneer Group launched the Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards on 26 January, with support from Nationwide Windows and Doors – who also support the Christmas celebrations on the estate.
TPG encouraged local residents to put forward names of individuals, groups, or organisations worthy of nomination for one of six categories available – reflecting their contribution to the local community.
Audience at first Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards gala event / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Winners from each category were presented with their awards, followed by a video montage of why they deserved to win the accolade. For winners unable to attend the gala event a representative accepted the award on their behalf.
After her name was called out, Alice Rawlins, who won the Community Connector Award, told Castle Vale Local: “[I’m] stunned actually. I didn’t expect it at all. They were all sneaky, making videos and saying they were other things. So yeah, a big surprise”.
The Volunteer Award was awarded to Sonia Carr for her work in the Upcycle Café. She said: “It was a surprise for me, I didn’t think I would get one actually. But I’m really pleased and grateful to everybody who nominated for me.”
Skylar Orme-Joicey winning Young Ambassador Award / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
The youngest of the award winners was Skylar Orme-Joicey, who won the Young Ambassador Award. At just twelve years old, an inspiration for other young people in the Community, Skylar told Castle Vale Local: “It feels really good. I like helping the community, and winning awards”.
Laura Grigg, Community Hubs Manager from The Sanctuary Community Centre, who was a driving force behind the project, explained: “It’s been fabulous, been humbling to actually hear the stories, we’ve heard stories about things going on that we would never have known apart from this event.
“It truly shows, community is so strong on Castle Vale and just need to be rewarded for the hard work that they do”
Audience at first Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards gala event / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
She added: “We’re hoping to make it bigger and better next year; we started with six nominations this year… so we’re hoping to go all out next year and truly recognise everything that’s good.”
The full list of categories and winers for the first Castle Vale Community Hearts Awards are: Unsung Hero Award – Wayne Haynes, Duty to the Community Award – Lee Crofts, Good Neighbour Award – John Shearer, Young Ambassador Award – Skylar Orme-Joicey, Volunteer Award – Sonia Carr, Community Connector Award – Alice Rawlins.
VE Day 80 year anniversary decoration at YoungStars Community Hub / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Words by Tracy Fisher
(Ed’s note – this feature was first published in the Erdington Local newspaper on 15 May 2025. To be the first to get your copy of Erdington Local delivered to your door each month, email [email protected] for more details.)
As the country and Commonwealth celebrated the 80 year anniversary of the Victory in Europe Day, when Hitler’s Germany surrendered to the Allied forces – ending World War Two – bunting, decorations, and Union Flags could be seen all over the streets and houses of Birmingham.
But not many places in the second city were so important to the war effort as Castle Vale, which produced many of the Spitfire Fighters and Lancaster Bombers that successfully defended our skies during the Battle of Britian and beyond.
Castle Vale resident and daughter of a Navy serving family, Tracy Fisher, explores the pivotal military history and proud legacy of the Castle Vale estate.
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Silhouette of sculpture at Spitfire Island / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
From Spitfire Island to Farnborough Road, between the crofts and walks that entwine our community, lies the remarkable history of Castle Vale.
On 8 May 2025 people celebrated the 80 year anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE day) marking the German surrender and end of World War Two. But nestled amidst its street names and shops is a constant reminder of Castle Vale’s deeply rooted aviation past and crucial contribution to our armed forces during the six year conflict with Germany and the Axis powers excluding Japan.
So let me take you back… The year, 1943.
Three years on from the Battle of Britain and factory workers are busy on the production line located at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory (CBAF) – the current site of Jaguar Land Rover. The war effort continues at pace with an estimated weekly rollout of 320 Spitfires and production of the first Avro Lancaster Bomber.
Chief Test Pilot Alex Henshaw and his team of 25 test pilots carry out the necessary flight tests to ensure that aircraft waiting in the hangars are ready for combat, then ferried to various locations by the women of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). Imagine the rumble of the Spitfires and Lancaster Bombers, the smell of aviation fuel, the heavy noise of the propellers as they prepare to depart from the runway, taking to the skies above the Vale.
Look up, do it now and imagine what it would’ve looked like, how it felt to be there.
It is testament to the men and women of the CBAF that by the end of the war the factory produced around 12,000 Spitfires and 350 Lancaster Bombers, a contribution that enabled Allied forces to defeat Germany.
People celebrating VE Day 80 year anniversary at The Meeting Cafe / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
As victory in Europe was declared on 8 May 1945, jubilation on the streets of Britain and Allied countries ensued. Dancing, street parties, moments of joy and tears for those who came back from war, those who sacrificed their lives, and the six years of sacrifice made by those at home – but despite everything, still a community.
Fast forward 80 years, and I find myself asking ‘is it possible to mirror that same pride the country felt in 1945 among our own community today?’ Coming from a military family – with my father, uncle, and aunt all having served in the Royal Navy and WRNS – I would say a similar sense of local pride was echoed when my Uncle David Hughes, who grew up on Castle Vale, came back from the Falklands War in 1982 having served on HMS Fearless.
The bunting was proudly displayed, ‘Welcome Home Dave’ read the huge handwritten sign strewn across the front of the house. Neighbours, friends, and family, all welcoming him back home safely.
As with every war or conflict, whether it is 80 years ago or more recent, what often binds a community together is a shared history and mutual respect.
(l-r) Cllr Ray Goodwin and Castle Vale veteran Frankie Ward display VE Day 80 year anniversary commemorative flag in Centre Park / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Having seen active service in Afghanistan, Frankie Ward, a Castle Vale Army veteran, believes that “as tensions rise worldwide, we need to remember the old wars such as World War One and World War Two so we don’t fall into the same mistakes again,” adding that Castle Bromwich Aerodrome “played a pivotal role in this country’s history where Spitfires and Lancasters had their final tests done before they went to defend Britain.”
He continued: “The flying of the Union Flag would highlight what this area stood for and the great foundations of the previous use of this land”.
Frankie’s proposal, backed by Cllr Ray Goodwin (Castle Vale, Labour) finally happened on the morning of the VE Day 80 year anniversary – as a Union Flag, bearing an image of a Spitfire, was hoisted and is now proudly flying high in Centre Park.
I had the privilege to spend time with staff and cadets from 165 Squadron Castle Bromwich Air Cadets, to the celebrate their VE Day 80 year anniversary – as they held their own unit ‘street’ party, complete with bunting, food, games, and a DJ playing music from the 1940’s.
165 Squadron Castle Bromwich Air Cadets / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
The wartime festivities continued into the evening, ending with a rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ and several cadets dancing together, keeping in with the spirit of the occasion.
It was clear that local military pride remains high among the younger generation. On the importance of celebrating and remembering not only VE Day but also more recent conflicts, one female cadet told: “It is important to commemorate those across Europe instead of just in the UK, as a person not from the UK.”
I also asked if any of them would consider joining the Armed Forces in the future, with another cadet saying she wanted to “carry on the legacy of family”.
As the years pass by, the way each generation remembers past wars and conflicts will inevitably change. But how we recall these events to future generations is equally important.
Even the youngest of Castle Vales’ residents enjoyed some VE Day fun during the 80 year anniversary celebrations – at a special event held at the YoungStars Community Hub – with games, food, music, and by creating their own artwork to commemorate the occasion.
Girl dressed up for VE Day 80 year anniversary celebration at YoungStars Community Hub / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Luke McClean of YoungStars explained: “As Castle Vale played a vital role in World War Two, we believe it’s crucial to teach [young people] about their inheritance and what came before them.”
He added: “It is great for us to show before and after photos of Castle Vale, showing them what our estate used to look like [and] sparking interesting conversations between the kids. It has been great to see how invested they have been.”
So, celebrate and remember those who served, and continue to serve on the ground, ocean and skies. They will never be forgotten; there will never be goodbyes.
PICTURE GALLERY: VE Day 80 year anniversary celebrations on Castle Vale / Photographs by Tracy Fisher
