Full January 2016 Edition

Tyburn Mail January 2016

DELIVERED FREE MONTHLY TO ALL HOMES IN TYBURNupdated daily online at: tyburnmail.com Ja

nuar

y 20

16

Issu

e 49

The architects who cannot spellPAGE 3

Readers comments online and facebookPage 4

Vandals at the allotments

PicturesPage 20

Music with Brookly:JustinPage 8

New nursery Page 2

News of even more de-lays to the Spitfire Island roadworks brought an angry reaction from local residents and motorists.They are fed up with noise, traffic congestion and repeated failures by constructors to keep to their dead-lines. (see Readers Comments Page 4)The work on the actual island will not be finished until February; much of

the other work will be completed this month.The original deadline of summer 2015 seemed hopelessly optimistic. The next deadline of Christmas 2015 suffered a similar fate.Before the work started, in 2013, the governments Department of Trans-port had promised to provide a maxi-mum of 8.328 million towards the full scheme cost of 11.703 million. That total figure will have risen con-siderably because of the delays. But despite requests from Tyburn

Mail, the Council has not yet been able to provide a final figure for the total cost. More importantly, they have not yet said who will pay the extra bill.Dawnus, the construction company behind the project, has blamed in-clement weather and problems with utility companies for failing to keep to its deadlines. The bad weather excuse is proving hard to swallow for many observ-ers. Snow, ice and frost were absent throughout the final months of 2015.

The utility companies include gas, water and electricity providers, and a variety of internet and broadband providers who need to divert under-ground cables, and whose schedules have proved difficult to co-ordinate.A spokesperson for the City Council said today: The works have slipped slightly and are now due for comple-tion this month, with some resurfac-ing and traffic signalling due for com-pletion in February.

Works that will be carried out in January are:Bagot Island works completion of all works including new pedestrian guardrails, footway surfacing, relo-cating the bus stop on Eachelhurst Road, and improvements to ensure the bus gate operates correctly in-cluding monitoring of its use.Kingsbury Road completion of

the new drainage, and completion of the new crossing.Sainsburys Junction completion of the junction and crossing points, commissioning of the new traffic sig-nals.Spitfire Island completion of the new drainage, kerbs, and ducting, fi-nal surfacing around the new island, finishing off in the central island.M6 Junction 5 Commissioning of traffic signals.

Works that will be carried out in February are:Spitfire Island final surfacing of footways and commissioning of the new traffic signals and toucan cross-ings.Landscaping works will take place during the winter months throughout the scheme which is in accordance with the planting season.

How much longer?

Our School:We love it, say pupilsThe stars of television documentary Our School say they are enjoying watching the series, even though they look a lot younger.The pupils are now in Year 8 at Green-wood Academy; the filming was done throughout their second term at the school when they were in Year 7.The 30-minute episodes are popular events locally, and are broadcast weekly on national television. All my family watch it, says Archie. Even my Nan, and she never watches television normally.This week, we were treated to Taylor Jays (very) early morning meeting with Principal Harry French. Next week (Tues-day, 5pm, CBBC) features pupils Izaak and Misty.The final two episodes in April will fea-ture the Castle Vales Got Talent Show of 2015.

Pictured in front of the Our School wall at Greenwood Academy: Archie Duffill, Libby Short, Dominique Jeffs, Spencer Dabbs, Lucy Harman, Courtney Anderson

Football Association

1.5m cash boostPage 24

After 20 months, patience is wearing thin with the Chester Road and Junction 5 delays, noise and disruption... and missed deadlines

JOBSPage 21

Kays HistoryPage 10


Priming PrimarkPrimark is set to open its new store at The Fort Retail Park in March 2016.Its been a long and slow process. The giant retailers had submitted their plans for the new store over 18 months ago to the city council.The store will be next to WH Smith and will span the site of three former shops and will have a bigger flo-orspace than any other store at the

shopping centre.It will occupy the area left vacant by Game, HMV and Home Sense. The Game store has been vacant for al-most three years, HMV has been closed for two years, and the Home Sense store closed in April 2014.Plenty of shoppers have been patient-ly awaiting the opening. Since Tyburn Mail first reported plans for the new store, it has been one of the most visited news items on the newspapers website.Primark are a British-owned low-end fashion store, founded in Ireland, cur-rently with 169 stores in the UK.

McDonalds on Chester Road will be allowed to open throughout the day and night.The Councils planning commit-tee have done a U-Turn on their previous decision to deny the gi-ant fast-food chain 24/7 opening on the Pype Hayes site. The restaurant will no longer have to close between 11pm and 6am.Erdington councillor Gareth Moore (Conservative) spoke against the plans. He said that 24/7 opening would have a substantial impact on the local residents. Councillor Martin Straker Welds (Labour, Moseley and Kings Heath) and Councillor Mohammed Azim (Labour, Sparkbrook) said that they would be in favour of allowing the 24/7 opening, for a trial period of one year.

West Midlands Police had originally raised objections to the plans because of potential noise and disturbance to local residents.

The decision comes as a blow to lo-cal residents , and also to campaign-ers who feel that there are too many fast food restaurants in the area. De-spite the efforts of schools to provide healthy diet options for children, the roads home are punctuated with fast food outlets.Castle Vale has this year seen the opening of Chicks in Farnborough Road and Dixy Chicken on the High Street. Further along the road from McDon-alds, in Pype Hayes there is a row of ten retail outlets opposite the park. Five of the outlets are fast food chains.

Fashion store for early spring

All night burgers

Plenty of choice: Council says yes to 24/7 opening at McDonalds near Tyburn Island (above). Further up the road, five out of ten of the shops are fast-food outlets (below)

LETTER from Terry Sexton, 696 bus driverThank you all for the won-derful presents and cards. I will miss you all.I was asked to do The Valley in May 2003 and was told at the time that if the passengers did not like you, they would let you know. As I was still there 12 years later then I guess I was ok.If you see a lonely old man sit-ting on the bench at Sainsburys, then dont pass him by as it may be me.I made a lot of friends over the

years but unfortunately lost a few as well. I had some great times and good laughs and I will miss you all. You will always be in my mind and my heart with lots of wonder-ful memories to see me through my retirement.If you look after the next driver even half as well as you looked after me, they will be very happy.Love you all

Terry

Magistrates have jailed a persistent shoplifter who stole over 700 of per-fume from Boots two days after Christmas.The fragrance thief nicked the goods while she was already serving a sus-pended sentence for thieving.Nicola Louise Curley, aged 37, of Quorn Grove in Tyburn had previously stolen goods worth 155 from Asda in Minworth last January.She had also snatched electrical items worth 270 and a DVD player worth 100 in two separate visits to Sains-burys in Castle Vale last April.Magistrates had previously ordered her to attend a thinking skills course to try to put a stop to her shoplifting. They also gave her a suspended pris-on sentence as a further deterrent fol-lowing her next thieving spree. But magistrates finally lost patience after they heard that she had stolen perfume worth 160 from Boots in Erdington less than two weeks into the New Year.Curley has now been given a 16 week prison sentence.

Jail after Thinking Skills failed


A row of five Victorian shops and homes in Erdington High Street may have been saved from demolition.The City Councils planning committee refused to sup-port a bid to knock down the buildings and replace them with a modern build-ing which has the charisma of a matchbox according to Councillor Peter Osborne.

The five shops, with gabled roofing, were originally built between 1889-91. The old-est surviving business is the Mermaid Fish Bar.MADE architects, based in Solihull, had put in plans to replace the buildings with a three-storey building of three shops and twenty-six apart-ments.But the plans met with hos-

tile criticism from committee members.Councillor Gareth Moore de-scribed the new plans as out-rageous. The existing build-ing is a key historical asset whereas the planned build-ing is a hideous contempo-rary block, he said.The committee heard that 102 residents had signed a petition in favour of sav-

ing the old buildings from demolition even though they are not listed under protected buildings.The committee did not completely reject the pro-posals. They advised the archi-tects to reconsider and amend their plans.

Should old buildings make way for new?

Ancient Erdington shops saved by plannersModern design has charisma of a matchbox

Its a problem faced by plan-ning committees across the nation. Should they preserve the countrys heritage and history, and protect old buildings from demolition?Even though the buildings are worn out, under-used and will cost thou-sands to repair ? Should they replace them with modern, water-tight, energy-effi-cient, functional and state-of-the-art buildings that look clean, make better use of space, and will serve the local community. These Erdington shops have served, in their time, as a draper, an ironmonger, a confectioner, a printer, a tobacconist, a hardware dealer, a toyshop and a tripe deal-

er. The names themselves remind us of bygone times, when small neighbourhood businesses thrived and before huge commercial chain stores took over our high streets and out-of-town shopping centres.The heritage study of the buildings describes them as a visble remind-er of a crucial period in the history of Erdington and the development of greater Birmingham.But they are not listed buildings.Councils have to decide which of our ancient and ageing buildings should be preserved to remind us of our past. And which should be knocked down to make way for the new. Historic England, a govern-ment department, registers impor-tant buildings on its list, and labels them as Grade I (exceptional inter-est), and Grade II (special interest). The row of shops on Erdington High Street is not on this list.

Tripe dealer and toymaker

We all make spelling mis-takes but you might expect an official report from an architect company to spell the word premises cor-rectly.The document presented by the ar-chitects responsible for Erdingtons new High Street building has spelt it as: permisses.That is just one of several glaring er-rors that suggests minimal attention to detail.The 20-page document has an aver-age of only 50 words per page, plenty of white space and large diagrams.But the document is littered with spelling mistakes, gobbledygook and plain bad grammar.

Founded by Naveed Ahmed, the MADE architects brag that their team is young and creative. The document that was put before the Birmingham Council Planning Committee was embarrassingly shabby. Spelling errors in the document in-clude:asumes, simplyfied, concists, completly, puctuated, caracter, eisting, negleted, controling, allu-minium (twice) enhace, pallet (for palette), compliment (for comple-ment)

Even in passages where the spelling is accurate, the words often mean very little. Take this gem of a sen-tence for example:

The design approach has not been to work from the outside in, or simi-larly from the inside out but to take a considered approach to the internal spaces and the external aesthetics as a whole.They say their plan aims to create a pleasant environment that reflects the use, history and aesthetics of the building context.

Architects in need of spelling lessons

Choice: Victorian shops or modern purpose built matchbox design

Castle Vales new nursery site opened its doors to toddlers and parents this week.Its a satellite centre of the Nursery in Yatesbury Drive, labelled as outstanding by Ofsted in all of their last three inspections.The new building is based on the Greenwood Academy site, in the Astral building. Sally Leese, the headteacher of Castle Vale Nurs-ery and Childrens Centre, will be in charge of both sites. She says she is delighted with the new rooms at the Astral.We needed them, said Sally, because our Yatesbury Avenue site is full to the brim. This new site will mean that other youngsters in Castle Vale will be able to join us.The new centre has room for 20 youngsters in the morning, and 20 in the afternoon sessions. Its been refurbished with funds from Greenwood Academy. Their principal Harry French would like the new nursery site to be available for young children of his staff, too.It will cater for youngsters aged 2-5 years. Par-ents who are interested can contact Sally and her team at their main site in Yatesbury Avenue.

The new nursery site is looking to recruit an apprentice: Turn to page 21 for details

New nursery site for Castle Vale toddlers

Headteacher Sally Leese (right) with teacher Rachel Uredi (seated) and teaching assistant Lisa Spilsbury


LETTERS n comments

SELL YOUR HOUSE

Financial difficulty?Facing repossession?

No equity?CALL JENNY TODAY ON 0121 285 3108

Tyburn Mail online

Have your say in the readers

comments sectiontyburnmail.com

Spitfire Island roadworks missing yet more dead-lines has got people hot under the collar. Here are some of the printable comments:

Paul: Ive worked on Spitfire Island as a ground worker and theres not a lot a can really say good about it apart from some of the lads were good grafters and it was a very slow process. Waiting too long for permits and wrong layouts having to be done more than three times . Its all down to management and engineering.

Dean Ronayne Absolute pxxx take man, whos paying for my new clutch and the fuel that Im burning sitting in pathetic traffic whilst the lazy compa-ny workers sit on their fat axxxs eating KFC or McDonalds all day every day!

David OToole Absolutely took the hit and miss from day 1

Sean Flynn one guy works and 11 guys look on .

Teresa Breen How can they blame bad weather they are never around long enough; only close roads and annoy residents

Lisa Barrett A joke really is and dan-gerous round that island came across yesterday one pulled out In front of me and to brake hard had my daugh-ter in car never even acknowledged what he had done. Lazy xxxx at Sains-burys cafe shoving their faces all day long but we have to suffer in the crap traffic and ppl using estate as cut through queuing outside my house most mornings a pxxx take

Lin Shaw This is a joke, I use the Chester Road everyday at different times, the only time when there is no travel hold ups is when I go down at

4.30 a.m.!! Just get it finished.

Martin Jones One of the worst new road layouts ever ....whats with the chicane coming from the spitfire upto the tyburn......and has been said be-fore ....rarely see anyone working anyway

Simon Walker Absolute joke they need to be hit with a big penalty they seem to do work on roads wot we thought theyd finished months ago

Liz Cotterill So are they paying a fine for not completing on time. May be they will get done before Feb or the summer the way they are going

Gary Kilday The road markings are a joke does anybody check the highway work I havent seen anybody who grafts the time it has taken I could have relayed the M6 north to south twice over BCC / Amey you are a joke .

Wayne Smith this is a joke Ive driven past in heavy traffic then I see a group of workers doin xxxx all

Emma Louise Jevons This is getting ridiculous! And I hate coming round that island at the moment. Also, road

marks: Im sure someone was on drugs doing them.

Shelly Norman Ebanks Why does it 4 fluffin men to hold a shovel? All they seem to do is walk the same stretch of pavement .

Craig Rooney Even when complete its going to be like its always been; the island is a joke

Sandra Jevons Well when the work is being done by the invisible men what do we expect. Cant see them finishing before May. So frustrating.

Kat Jones Thats still a mess; its been months since I saw it all torn up

Frustrated Brummie: What an abso-lute joke Fine them on a daily ba-sis, they will soon get things moving!! They might of finished by now if there was ever more than two people work-ing rather than wandering round in Hi Viz jackets! I hope that Dawnus never get another contract like this, they are a bunch of clowns who are taking the proverbial out of us all

Mr P: Rain, presumably. We may not have had massive floods, but we havent escaped scot-free and the ground has been quite wet and boggy in places. And that can be far worse for road and other building works than snow and ice, as infamously seen with the construction of the M62

READERS RESPONSESPick of the month from Tyburn

Mails online and facebook pages

Dear Readers,As Chair of Governors it was fantastic to see the schools recently reported performance scores show how the hard work of the entire school staff group led by Darren Mann is starting to produce re-sults.Using a Values Education approach to learning the school is committed to nourishing and nurturing all its

children, while ensuring they take on board a view of education which sees it as a pleasure not a chore.While there is still much more to be done, I am amazed at the progress Chivenor has made over the last two years, and look forward to continuing to watch the whole school community go from strength to strength.

Mick BrownChair of Governors at Chivenor School and Labour Councillor for Tyburn Ward

Dear Readers

The ATC is 75 this year.On 7th February 2016, the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing will kick off its 75th celebrations with a Church parade at Coventry Cathedral.The event is open to all ex cadets and staff of 165 Sqn, so if you would like to attend, please email me at [email protected] event starts at 16:00 on 7th Febru-ary and it would be great to see as many people as possible.

Kind Regards,

Flt Lt Simon JenningsOC 165 (Castle Bromwich) [email protected] us on Facebook 165 (Castle Bromwich) Sqn News

Poem for 2016Forget the things thatThrough the yearContrived to make you sadRemember only happy daysOn which your heart was gladFresh courage takeCast out your fearAnd bravely meetAnother year

Tom Walker

80 years for me - 45 of them on the Vale May your God go with you

Top marks for Chivenor

Coventry Cathedral celebrations for 75 years of air cadets

McDonalds on Chester Road is being allowed to open 24/7NIMBY: I am glad its been allowed to open 24 hours.As I dont live on its doorstep I wont get any more lit-ter outside my home and I can now have a coffee before 6 in the morning. Happy days.

Anonymous: A council with no back bone yet again well the extra services to clean up the extra mess please dont come to us with high council tax bills as we get sod all for what we pay anyway.

The Reds: Trust the Council!

Not only noise and disturbance to lo-cal residents but also litter. People buy the food and drinks and then proceed to drive to a quiet road or grove and eat and drink and then throw the rub-bish out of the car onto the road. This happens where I live.Perhaps the Council will send out ex-tra road cleaners and litter pickers around the local area. Oh, silly me, no they wont as they will claim no funds to do so. Amazing how funds are found when it suits them.

Vandals have caused ex-tensive damage to the al-lotments in Castle Vale.Veg grower: People pay to work these plots. And work hard to grow a few veg for mindless so called bored teen-agers to repeatedly damage the site. About time something was done to make the allotments secure.

AK: Why are Castle Vale people pay-ing for CCTV around Castle Vale and things like this still going on ?????

On plans to demolish five Victorian shops in Erding-ton High Street, to be re-placed by a new building

MC Hammer: What a great idea. Leave up 5 (yes five !) ramshackle old dwellings that will require hundreds of thousands of pounds to upgrade or upkeep, rather than provide 26 new dwellings in an area where housing is at a premium..lets face it, they aint exactly Downton Abbey are they ?

Wayne: You can not knock them down! Bxxxxy ridiculous to knock buildings that old down. All people think about is money and not archi-tecture nowadays.

more comments


Monday 25th January - Friday 29th January 2016

Book yourappointment

today!

Email us at [email protected] or call us on 0121 464 6101 to book your appointment

See our fantastic Sixth Form Centre, meet subject teachers and interview for a placeCome and see why Greenwood Academy Sixth Form is right for YOU!

Sixth Form Week

Prime Minister David Cam-eron has suggested de-molishing 100 slum hous-ing estates and rebuilding them.But he will need to put a lot more money on the table if he is serious about the plan.Mr Cameron has suggested that 140 million is available to renew the 100 worst housing estates in Britain.That compares badly with the 200

million set aside to regenerate one single housing estate - Castle Vale - 20 years ago.How long before a television news crew visits Castle Vale to give an ex-ample of a beacon of regeneration excellence?The 12-year Castle Vale project of the 90s and 2000s was also the brain-child of a Conservative leader. Marga-ret Thatcher was Prime Minister at the time of the initial plans. Her govern-ment listed just six areas across the

country to be torn down and re-built, perhaps to try and show a caring so-cialist side to the Iron Ladys charac-ter.One of the keys to the Castle Vale success was the establishment of a mini council a housing action trust (HAT) that planned and managed the project. For just over a decade, Castle Vale broke free from the chains of Bir-mingham City Council.After the project was finished, Chief Executive Angus Kennedy said that he and his team were helped by having plenty of money (almost 200 mil-lion) and plenty of time. He is now Dr Angus Kennedy OBE, and has since worked as a professor at University of Central England, and as the boss of a Peterborough housing regeneration project.If Prime Minister Camerons plans get any further, Dr Kennedy may well be called upon for his advice.

Want to copy Vale? Youll need more money, Mr Cameron

Castle Vale stables are set to be taken over by a local organisation. The Community Envi-ronment Trust, based at Whittle Croft in Castle Vale, is going to sign up to a five-year lease, at the City Councils request.The legal details of the plans have not yet been finalised, and the five-year lease may be extended, but a spokesperson for the CET has con-firmed that the deal will go ahead. It is another stage in the Councils desire to shrink, and to get rid of some of its responsibilities by off-loading them into the hands of local communities. The CET are the coun-cils preferred choice because they are a properly constituted organisa-tion with a good track record.The stables have room for 15 hors-es. The council will continue to re-ceive rent from the horse owners via the CET.A CET spokesperson said that they are keen for the deal to go ahead so that they can protect the use of the land and its adjoining paddocks for horses. CET members felt under some pressure to sign up to the deal because they were worried that, if the stables and its land were put out to tender by the Council, another organi-

sation might have other ideas for the land use.The CET spokesperson said that the idea had been under consideration for some time, but that the pressure to seal the deal has intensified in re-cent months because of the councils budget problems.

Council ready to hand stables over to community trust

View of Castle Vale, from the top of one of its two remaining high-rise flats


Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is celebrating 25 years of its life-saving service in 2016 and would like to hear from former volunteers, fundraisers, employees and anyone who has been airlifted by the charity since 1991. On the 21st May 1991, a handful of people formally launched a new air ambulance service called Air 5 at Hagley Hall in Worcestershire. In October of the same year, Air 5 moved its airbase to RAF Cosford in Shropshire, where the charitys air operations hub still remains today. In 2009 the organisation changed its name to Midlands Air Ambulance Charity aiming to increase the affiliation between the service and the communities it serves. Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has responded to over 43,000 mis-sions since 1991 and now operates from three airbases strategically located across the Midlands. Jason Levy, fundraising and marketing director for Midlands Air Ambu-lance Charity, says: In our 25th anniversary year, we want to acknowl-edge the people who have supported the charity over the years. With no Government or National Lottery funding, our lifesaving service has only remained operational thanks to the hard work and generosity of everyone involved. If you are a former volunteer, fundraiser or employee of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity or if you have been airlifted by the charity and would like to share your story, please call 0800 840 2040 or email [email protected] For more information on how you can help to fund a Midlands Air Am-bulance mission please visit www.midlandsairambulance.com

2016 has just hit us, and all artists have been fighting for No.1 in the Charts for Christmas and for 2016. Our Christmas No.1 and our 2016 no.1 is LOVE YOURSELF JUSTIN BIE-BER. The song has such a beautiful title, and message itself. The video to the song itself speaks on a different level, and the actors in the video show such powerful form of emotions that portray effectively the message Justin Bieber was trying to get an emotional message across to his audience. This is Justins 4th week in the charts, and is the only 1 of his three brilliant number ones out of sorry and what do you mean? still in the top 5 charts. Although Adele is still going strong in the top 5 in the charts, so nice try biebsBUT Adele isnt going ANY-WHERE!But, if it wasnt for all of the Bieber

fans, our favourite grimestar STORMZY wouldve been so much closer to the top of the Christmas charts with his singleSHUT UP! Reaching no.8.Are you happy with our number one? I am content, but I do love a bit of Stormzy. Even at Christmas! Although Justin Bie-

ber came a long way from baby and his cheesy pop songs to less cheesy pop songs and more dance tracks. If you wish to share your opinion on the Christmas No.1 single then find me on my blog at www.blogspot.co.uk/wan-deringwriterr

Love yourselfBrookly TaylorTyburn Mails music journalist

Do you need extra careat home?Our friendly, qualified staff provide:24 hour personal care, including:

Social care, sitting service, laundry services, cooking, housework and much more.

For further information call:0121 296 6483 or 07584 904131Or email: [email protected] .uk

A 42 year-old Tyburn man was fined just 20 for being caught in possession of cannabis last month. The paltry sum may have raised eyebrows - are magistrates going soft on drug users. Compare this with the fate of several train travellers in the same week. Several of them clocked up fines of 220 each

for travelling without a valid ticket.The fines system operated by magistrates court is regularly updated and based on a complex set of procedures. The fine will depend on several factors, including the offenders income.The court has to decide the offenders culpabil-ity - i.e. what role they played in the drug crime. Then they have to work out the potential harm the offence may have caused. Producing the drug is more serious than possession. Intending

to supply the drug to others is also more serious.Possessing cannabis can lead to a maximum two-year prison sentence. But magistrates are ordered to reduce the sentence if any of the fol-lowing apply:

No previous convictions or no relevant or re-cent convictionsRemorseGood character and/or exemplary conductOffender is using cannabis to help with a diag-nosed medical conditionDetermination and/or demonstration of steps having been taken to address addiction or of-fending behaviourSerious medical conditions requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatmentIsolated incident

Age and/or lack of maturity where it affects the responsibility of the offenderMental disorder or learning disabilitySole or primary carer for dependent relatives

Magistrates are also ordered to consider whether the defendant pleaded guilty, thereby accepting responsibility for the crime and avoiding wasting the courts time and money.If the defendant was helpful to the prosecution magistrates are also likely to look on the case more leniently. And they are urged to consider the totality prin-ciple - If sentencing an offender for more than one offence, or where the offender is already serving a sentence, consider whether the total sentence is just and proportionate to the offend-ing behaviour.

Air Rescue team wants your story

Tyburn Mail ONLINE Have your say in the readers comments section

tyburnmail.com

How much for being caught with cannabis?


As modern fast food res-taurants open across Tyburn, one traditional transport cafe has closed its doors after over 80 years of service.

The Drome caf and fish bar on Kingsbury Road has closed down. The owners said that they were finding it difficult to get the business to make ends meet. It served its last meal on Christmas Eve.Part of the site will shortly become a carwash. The caf site may be used as a food outlet in the future, say the tenants, but the familiar yellow and red menu signs have now all been re-moved from the building.

Mike, Lynda & Mick Wish you a Happy, Healthy & Safe 2016

Tyburns Labour Action Team Straight Talking, Honest Politics

More than ever, areas like Tyburn need Labour Councillors to stand up for them against a Tory Government that is penalising hard working families with their unfair cuts. Since they got into Government in 2010 they have taken 366 million off Birmingham, and the reality here in Tyburn is that we now have 151 less per household for the service you have told us you need.

Your Labour councillors will stand up against the Tory Westminster Government, but with more cuts being forced upon Birmingham City Council vital local services are being threatened and could make local people suffer. The next few years wont be easy and tough decisions will have to be made, but we will work hard to protect services where we can.

Mick Brown said: Along with your Member of Parliament, Jack Dromey, we will be there when you need us to fight your corner against this unfair and unjust Tory Government. Mike, Lynda and I will do our best to stand up for the vulnerable, for local jobs, safer communities and for young people. We know Tyburn deserves better!

End of road for Drome

BLAME GAME

Labours John Clancy (above), Birminghams new Council Leader, has been fronting a series of public meetings to explain forthcoming budget cuts. He plans to increase council tax and make thousands redundant. But its the governments fault, he says. Here is Tyburn Mails short version of the arguments, in the blue corner, and the red corner.

Government says:We cannot afford to give you as much money as we used to. You must cut your spending.Most private industries have had to cut back since the recession. Public services must do the same. Councils can budget better and raise some of their own money. They can increase council tax, sell

some buildings and land, and charge for some services.We all have to spend within our means. Birmingham has provided poor services and has spent beyond its means. Its record in recent years is very poor.

John Clancy and his Birmingham Labour team say:Budget cuts have hit Birmingham harder than every other council in the country. We have more vulner-able people than most other cities. Unemployment here is higher than every other city, including London. Poverty is high.

Services are needed. We will raise council tax and sell off some land and assets, but that will not make much differ-ence to our budget. You threaten to take us over if we do not improve. But your cuts have caused our failures.


Call Marina on07880 616472

D&D female DECORATORS

KAYS HISTORYA monthly series of ancient facts by local history enthusiast Kay Hunter who lectures on his subject in Birmingham and West Bromwich. Kay also broadcasts on 107.5 Switch Radio

Kay will be giving a history lecture for the Two Towers Brewery in the Gunmakers Arms, Bath Street, at 7 00 pm on the 26th

January. Entrance is free and is open to the public.

A vagrant was found dead beneath a ragged haw-thorn bush, which was an ancient boundary mark. Commonly standing upon the border line between the Parishes of Sutton and Perry. The point was raised as to which Par-ish should bury him. Neither was willing to undertake the responsibility, and after considerable delay and arbitration, it was decided that each Parish should bear half the cost.

It is commonly assumed that the loca-tion of the vagrants burial was within the vicinity, of the Beggars Bush pub-lic house New Oscott Sutton Coldfield.

However, this could be open to con-jecture.A century of Birmingham life 1741- 1841.

Burial site for a dead tramp: how a New Oscott pub got its name


NEWS and views fromCastle Vale Community Housing: 11 High Street, Castle Vale, B35 7PR 0121 748 8100 repairs 0121 748 8101 (24 hrs) [email protected]

ADVERTISEMENT


NEWS FROM CASTLE VALE COMMUNITY HOUSINGADVERTISEMENT


@ The Sanctuary 0121 748 8111 We are now part of the Birmingham Business Charter

for Social Responsibility

An innovative new part-nership will give residents more opportunities to ac-cess work. The Get Healthy Get Working project has been designed by a partnership of Castle Vale Neighbourhood Partnership Board, Compass Support and the TRA.The programme will support people who are out of work for health related reasons providing a personalised coaching programme with added support to improve health, provide practical sup-port, and ultimately, to job op-portunities.

The partnership working be-tween Compass and TRA is key to the delivery of the pro-ject and its future develop-ment we want to help peo-ple to identify and overcome barriers enabling them to be work ready says Compass Support Employment Adviser Rob Harris.This exciting programme that offers a range of support in-cluding a One Pot cooking programme where each week, participants learn how to pre-pare a nutritious, low cost meal.

ESA Get Healthy, Get Working

Great news!

We now have the Matrix Standard ac-creditation across the whole of Com-pass Support. The award means that the quality of information and guidance we give to our customers meets with the stand-ards set by this nationally recognised body. The assessment included compiling detailed information on the types of services we offer, and meeting with customers and our working partners about their experience and views on the services we provide. A special thanks to customers and partners for all their support to en-able us to achieve this.

Striving to gain this accreditation for our business is one of the many ways that we ensure we are giving the best quality service that we can to our cus-tomers.

A group of kind hearted local young people made and delivered over 20 Christmas hampers, even holding a short carol concert at Phoenix Court. Five young people wanted to wish a Merry Christmas to the wider Castle Vale community by providing the thoughtful gifts to local residents.The plan started back in the sum-mer months with a young leaders project a programme designed to train the next generation of volunteers and empower young people to play a positive role in their communities. As a follow up to the training course the

young people were encouraged

to think of an idea to help their community and so a plan was hatched. It was put into action during the youth zone drop in at Greenwood Academy supported by Compass Support.Young people were able to get the support of students and parents at the academy and even staff at Jaguar Land Rover, who gener-ously added to the significant col-lection of goods.The whole project was designed to showcase the positive role young people play in communi-ties which is often hidden be-

hind negative stereotypes, the young people felt they were able to meaningfully contribute and personally benefit from the sense of satisfaction and achievement. This has been amazing; its felt so good to know we are helping others said one young person, It gives you a warm feeling when you see how much its appreci-ated commented added another.Plans are already in place to continue delivering inter-gener-ational work around the estate with the group already planning a games afternoon at a local hos-pice following an invite from the residents.

Good Tidings We Bring Compass Support and Greenwood Academy young people spread Christmas cheer to older members of the community

MATRIX


2014

Could this be your first step to something big?Last year Ste McVey and his 9 year old daughter Skye

took the prize. Ste had previously made the final 4 times and is a great demonstration of how hard work and

perseverance pays off!

2015 was a great year.....this year will be the BEST EVER

Make 2016YOUR YEAR

Saturday 12th March 2016 - 10:30am - 12:30pmGreenwood Academy, Farnborough Road

Auditions All acts must register their entry by NOON on Friday 11th Marchemail [email protected]

or call 0121 464 6101

Open to individuals and groups from Castle Vale and surrounding areas - all ages and any talent!

2015 Winners

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is currently consulting local people on its draft propos-als for new ward bounda-ries across Birmingham. The consultation closes on 8th February 2016. The Commissions draft recommen-dations propose that Birmingham City Council should have 101 city council-lors in the future: nineteen fewer than the current arrangement. The propos-als mean those councillors would rep-resent 53 single-member wards and 24 two-member wards across the city. The recommendations propose changes to ward boundaries across Birmingham. Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: We are asking lo-cal people to log on to our website to have a look at our proposals for new boundaries across Birmingham. We are keen to hear what local people think of the recommendations and to tell us if they agree with the pro-posals. If you dont agree with the boundaries we have drawn, we would like to hear your alternatives. Our review aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in elections to Bir-mingham City Council. This means

that each councillor represents a similar number of electors so that everyones vote in council elections is worth roughly the same regardless of where you live. We also aim to en-sure that the councils wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of local communities across Birmingham. We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole of Birmingham or just a part of the city. Local people can visit the Commis-sions interactive consultation portal at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk to look at detailed maps of the Commis-sions proposals and get all the advice

they need to make a submission dur-ing the consultation. The full recommendations and de-tailed maps are also available on the Commissions main website at www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/west-midlands/west-midlands/birmingham. Hard copies of the Commissions re-port and maps have also been made available to view at council buildings. Write to:The Review Officer (Birmingham)LGBCE14th floor, Millbank TowerLondonSW1P 4QP

Or email: [email protected]

New shape for Birmingham: Have your say on the ward boundaries for councillors

Apples, conkers and blos-som are some of the de-lightful products of nature that hang from our trees. And dog poo. In plastic bags. The latest addition to our branches comes courtesy of dog walkers who are tidy enough to scoop uo their pets excrement, but loopy enough to hurl it into the trees where it stays through wind and rain for all to see.One local resident was so infuriated when he watched a dog walker hurl his doggy back tree-wards that he phoned the local police to complain. They told him to contact the council.The council told me that they cant do them for dog-fouling because the owners have picked up the mess, said Mr Brown.From now on its a litter problem. Mr Browns stories of irresponsible dog owners are extensive. He says that local dog walkers near the childrens play area in Farnbor-ough Road regularly throw their filled dog bags into the bushes. He cleared up 21 dog bags on one occasion from the hedgerows.The problem is that there are no dog-bins for the bags, he said. The dog owners think they have done their bit by cleaning up the mess, but then they just throw the bag away. Some of the dog walkers are using nappy sacks and plastic bags that are non-biodegradable; so they would stay stuck in the trees for years if no one moved them.The worst offenders are the owners

who do nothing about their dogs mess. Its amazing how many dog walkers get called on their mobile phones just as their dog relieves himself, he says.One of the pathways near the site is used so often as a dogs toilet that its now known by the locals as Shxx Al-ley.

Shxx Alley

Dog excrement hanging in a bag from a tree near Castle Vales Conservation Area


The run up to Christmas was a very busy time with no rest for the Fu-tures team at Greenwood Academy. Compass Supports careers expert Dood has now finished interviewing Year 11 students and is working with year 12 and 13 before giving more support to those who have not decided upon their pathway after their GCSE exams. A number of students have start-ed to apply to stay in the Green-wood Sixth Form and we expect to have a strong cohort for 2016.Students have been on several trips. Year 9 and Year 11 recent-ly visited Worcester and Bristol Universities. Both were very different trips, with students finding the Bristol visit quite challenging.

Both events have made it clear that University pathways are without doubt a very viable op-tion for our students. However, they were left in no doubt about the importance of high level GCSE passes, out-standing Personal Statements and effective research to find the right option for both course and location.The Academy also ran a trip to the Skills Show, the largest ca-reers fair in the UK. This gave students the chance to find out information about a huge variety of career paths available to them and the chance to gain hands on experience.The start of 2016 has also been very busy with more trips planned and a mock interview day for Year 11 on the horizon. We look forward to working with Compass to give our students many more opportunities.

Path to success

The Social Snappers is a group of photography enthusiasts in Castle Vale.Organiser Rebecca Bembridge says: The group are a mixture of residents from across the estate with mixed abilities in photography. Some are just learning and have joined from a recent digital arts project that was supported by the Butterfly Effect. Some have been attend-ing sessions for a few years now and have ex-pertise in different areas. The group are very diverse and welcome new

members to join them at their social gatherings and encourage people to check them out on facebook by searching Social Snappers, where they share their work and organise photo walks. The group will be meeting at The Digital Hub fortnightly, starting on Monday 25th January 10.30-11.30 anyone is welcome to join. For more information people can contact Re-becca Bembridge on 0121 748 8134 or 07956 007 696.

Social Snappers: new camera group

for Castle Vale

by Nick CheeseGreenwood Academy

Hands-on experience at the Skills Show

A Birmingham City Universi-ty criminologist is celebrat-ing after being nominated in the 2016 British Muslim Awards. Dr Imran Awan, Deputy Director of the

Universitys Centre for Applied Criminol-ogy, is nominated in the category of Ser-vices to Education, which recognises the achievements of people who dedicate their lives to children and young people, showcasing valuable work and innovation in UK classrooms. In recent months, Awans research into anti-Muslim hate crime hit the national news, revealing shocking racist attacks and incidents where the public refused to help, including a woman having alco-

hol poured over her whilst travelling on a train.My research on Islamophobia aims to raise awareness of the issue and also to give a voice to victims of anti-Muslim hate crime., said Awan.The fourth annual British Muslim Awards ceremony is on 28th January in Birming-ham. Other award categories include Charity of the Year, Muslim Woman of the Year and Best at Sport.

Award for Muslim terrorism expert


Mondays 6:30pm - 7:30pm*Tuesdays 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Wednesdays 6:30pm - 7:30pm*Thursdays 6:30pm - 7:30pmFridays 6:30pm - 7:30pm*

Saturdays 9:00am - 10:00am

***BY POPULAR DEMAND***Extra Circuit Sessions Added for 2016 Since 2015

Greenwood Community Hub has supported more than 10

individuals or organisations to start new groups on

Castle Vale.If youd like to talk to us about If youd like to talk to us about your idea becoming the next BIG thing - GET IN TOUCH! 5 Per session

(deals available for block bookings)

*New sessionsstarting from February 1st

www.greenwoodacademy.org email [email protected] Telephone 0121 464 6101

Whats new in 2016?Do you run a group or activity

that could make use of our facilities?Call us on 0121 464 6101

We are home to allsorts of activities from

Football to Fitness,Dance to Drama,

Gymnastics toMartial Arts.

Join In! Join In!

Grants of up to 2,000 are available for projects that involve volunteers helping to improve the local environment.The next rounds of applica-tions are now open for Tame Valley Wetlands community grants programme.Its a partnership scheme supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund which is being administered by the Heart of England Community Founda-tion, and is offering grants to community projects that involve volunteers and aims to improve the Tame Val-

ley Wetlands area covering parts of Birmingham, North Warwickshire and south-east Staffordshire- both for people and wildlife.Rita Gries, Tame Valley Wet-land community and events officer said: In the last round of applications we were thrilled to award over 7,000 to five great projects from organised litter picks and information boards to environmental arts and crafts sessions. All the projects funded will make a real difference to their local environment and

we look forward to see-ing what range of projects we get in this round of applications.The programme is open for applications from January 12th until 20th June 2016 and it is a requirement for those applying to provide match funding.

Cash boost for green volunteers from Wetlands

Grants of up to 2,000 are available

For moreinformation please go to www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk

or call 024 768 83262Flowers for

all occasionsFREE local delivery service

Call 0121 747 336507745 706914 403 Tangmere DriveCastle Vale B35 7PR

In the last three months of 2015 over 60 people were ar-rested for firearms related offences in Birmingham.At least 23 weapons were seized from the hands of of-fenders who, police say, are not afraid to use them.Police are still claiming that gun crime in the city is not as bad as it used to be.

Whilst this spike is a real concern its important it is seen in the context of dra-matically falling levels of gun crime across the city over the last decade, says As-sistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes.It is a fact that the number of firearms related incidents last year is less than half the number it was during the same period 10 years ago.

City has two gun crime arrests every three days West Midlands Police have a

new chief constable as of 9th January. Dave Thompson, formerly of the Greater Manchester police team, has said that he will mod-ernise the force. He says that he plans to arm of-ficers ....... with smart phones linked to police systems that will allow them to access informa-tion while en route to emergen-cies or at crime scenes.He will outline his plans for the West Midlands Police Force in a speech on 28th January.

New police boss set for big speech


The times they are a-changin in Castle Vale.Bob Dylan wrote that song in 1964, as a deliberate attempt to create grass roots change. And 2016 IS a time of change for Castle Vale. The cuts faced by all public and voluntary sector services (not least the Police, the Council, Castle Vale Housing) are being felt by us all and weigh most heavily on the shoulders of the most disadvantaged and poor-est in our society.In spite of this austerity, though, there is evidence of successful com-munity and citizens actions all over Birmingham and in Castle Vale in particular. Residents here have cam-

paigned over many years to improve local facilities for local people and I am proud and privileged to have worked with these great people to support that grassroots change. It is 12 years since the Castle Vale Neighbourhood Partnership Board (NPB) was set up with funds from the Regeneration Programme which transformed Castle Vale from an es-tate where no one wanted to live to a neighbourhood which is now de-sirable, clean, safe, generally well looked after and where people care for one another. Those funds have now run out and can no longer fund the position of the NPBs Neighbourhood Manager, so although, sadly, I will be moving on, the Neighbourhood Partnership Board will continue, with support from the Pioneer Group. Lord Rooker

has agreed to stay on as chair and my colleague and local resident Carla Belle will provide administrative sup-port. But I truly believe that there is a better way forward to protect that fragile social fabric from the effect of the economic cuts and build on the achievements of the last 12 years. A new Community Council could se-cure a more sustainable future for the neighbourhood it is basically a layer of local government closest to the people it serves. It is like the Neighbourhood Partnership Board but even more democratic, and is le-gally able to raise resources itself. It can charge a precept (an additional element to the council tax) con-trolled by local people and spent on what local people want- to replace services like community wardens, for instance, or community grants, as the Endowment Trust Fund resourc-es also disappear. How much would it cost? Not much more than a loaf of bread and much less than a packet of fags a week per household So Come gather round people, wherever you roam.you better start swimmin or youll sink like a stone, for the times they are a changin

COME GATHER ROUND PEOPLEFarewell message from departing neighbourhood manager

Hedgehogs are endangered in the UK and their numbers are dwin-dling fast from over 36 million in the 1950s to under one million today. Sadly people are the main threat to the hedge-hogs survival and there are many things we can do to keep these lovely creatures alive. We can create wild areas of overgrowth with shrubs and bushes in our garden for hedgehogs

to make a nest.We can make a 5 square gap in fences or under gravel boards so that hedgehogs can roam be-tween gardens looking for food.We can look out for hedgehogs when driving at night as many are squashed by cars.We can check for hedgehog nests before us-ing gardening equipment as many are killed by strimmers and we can put out food and water for any passing hedgehog.Claire Hunt, founder of Snuffles your local hedgehog rescue says; In winter the hedge-hogs natural food supply of beetles, caterpillars and earthworms are going deeper underground and arent readily accessible for the very hungry

hedgehog. Hedgehogs are nocturnal and sleep during the day and come out at night. They are wild crea-tures and should never be treated like domes-tic pets. It is really important not to disturb a sleeping hedgehog but if you see one wandering around during the day it needs emergency care otherwise it could die. They eat meat based dog or cat food in jelly not gravy or meat based cat biscuits and dont forget a fresh bowl of water

every night. Please dont feed them bread or milk as this will make them very ill. You could also make or buy a hedgehog feeding station to stop cats, dogs or foxes getting at the food. Put the food in a quiet and secluded part of the garden near gaps in fences or hedges and who knows you may be lucky enough to see a hedge-hog visitor.For further information visit our website www.snuffles-rescue.com

Keep hedgehogs safe this winter

by Bridget HarperSnuffles Hedgehog Rescue

After 20 years working in Castle Vale, in-cluding the last six as Neighbourhood Man-ager, Ruth Miller will be leaving the estate at the end of this month. Here, Ruth says her farewell, and makes the case for an elected Community Council for Castle Vales future

St Marys Church in Pype Hayes are providing a game of skittles and a fish and chip supper. The event takes place on Saturday 30th January at 7pm at a cost of 5 per person and 3 for the under 11s. Contact Thelma Sharpe on 373 4370 to buy a ticket or book a place.

Fish, chips and skittles evenings

TyburnMailonline at

tyburnmail.com


Christian Spiritualist Church of Aquarius C.S.C.A.

AA NNeeww CChhuurrcchh,, ffoorr aa NNeeww DDaayy

SSeerrvviicceess ffoorr JJaannuuaarryy -- MMaarrcchh 22001166 WWiitthh EEnnlliigghhtteennmmeenntt TThhrroouugghh

CCllaaiirrvvooyyaannccee With Guest Medium

MMoonnddaayy 2255tthh JJaannuuaarryy TTiimmee:: 11..3300 -- 33ppmm SSuunnddaayy 77tthh FFeebbrruuaarryy TTiimmee:: 66 -- 77..3300ppmm

MMoonnddaayy 2299tthh FFeebbrruuaarryy TTiimmee 11..3300 -- 33ppmm SSuunnddaayy 66tthh MMaarrcchh TTiimmee:: 66 -- 77..3300ppmm

@@ TThhee SSaannccttuuaarryy TTaannggmmeerree DDrriivvee BB3355 77PPXX FFeeee:: 33..0000

FFrreeee RReeffrreesshhmmeennttss

Enquires on: 0121-747-1194

A former boss of Birmingham City Council has re-signed just days after being made a Dame in the New Years Hon-ours list, despite a succession of high profile fail-ures.Lin Homer, tagged Dame Disaster by the Daily Mail, was Chief ex-ecutive of Birmingham

City Council between 2002-2005.She was criticised for her performance as returning officer in a 2004 election involv-ing Labour candidates. Hundreds of votes had been miscounted the Electoral Commissioner said that the episode would shame a banana republic.She then went on to higher things, and took charge of immigration at The Home Office. Her

department was criti-cised for catastrophic leadership failure by a House of Commons Select Committee.She was then given a top job at the tax of-fice Her Majestys Revenue and Cus-toms. Her department was criticised for poor customer service by the UK Audit Office, and was labelled woe-fully inadequate by a Select Committee.

Bats, otters, sand martins and snipe could soon be the new midfielders on former football pitches at Kingsbury Water Park.The waterlogged sports fields at the country park are to be made into a

community wetland for wildlife.The project will see the creation of reedbed, ponds and a sand martin bank, as well as the restoration of rare floodplain meadow that could house some of the countrys priority conservation species.A new raised viewing platform with outdoor seating area will also be con-

structed, providing a vantage point for visitors to watch wildlife and act-ing as an outdoor classroom for local schools, says Tracey Doherty from Tame Valley Wetlands.Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has been given a cash boost of 50k from Biffa Awards to fund the project, as part of the Tame Valley Wetlands Land-scape Partnership Scheme.

In otter news....

Ex Brum boss quits days after award

Castle Vale will have its own councillor after 2018. The Birmingham boundaries are being adjusted so that the number of councillors across the city can be cut. Tyburn will be split into three areas: Castle Vale will be one, Pype Hayes another, and the combined area of Birches Green and Erding-ton Hall will be another.Tyburn will continue to have three councillors, but each one will be allocated to - and voted in by the residents of - that particular area.There is a council election this

May (2016) at which Labours Mick Brown is up for re-election. It will only be for a two year term, be-cause the big re-organisation for all councillors across Birmingham will take place in 2018.There will be plenty of in-fighting across the city between rival coun-cillors. Hodge Hill is already seeing a battle to oust its long-standing councillor Anita Ward. More battles will be waged in the coming months. Tyburn looks like one of the areas least affected by the changes. But which of the three councillors will go for Castle Vale and which for Pype Hayes.... that has yet to be decided. And will Erdington Hall residents ask for a councillor who reflects the ethnic diversity of that area? And will the other political parties feel that they can target one of the three smaller areas and break the Labour stronghold in Tyburn?

Who will be the chosen councillor?

Snipe up here

Football field could become Otter man empire

Greenwood Academy boss Harry French says that banning high energy drinks has had a good effect on many pupils at the school.A letter sent out in December ad-vised parents that pupils would no longer be allowed to consume high energy drinks on the Green-wood premises. The decision was in response to an in-crease in the number of students who had been bringing in bottles of energy drinks and bottles of fizzy pop, some of which contain over 100 grams of sugar.NHS research tells us that the sugar in these drinks is producing a short-term energy boost and then very quickly lowering mood, said a letter to par-ents. The impact is an increase in lethargy

throughout the day and a reduction in concentration and productivity as well as causing a risk of long-term damage to health. This action is being taken alongside a widening of our healthy eating curriculum to help support students understanding of the consequences of a poor diet and encourage better dietary habits.

Mr French says that the school has also seen the benefit of encourag-ing children to eat a proper meal at lunchtime. Greenwood has introduced a split lunchtime, so that year groups carry on lessons while others have their lunch break, and vice versa. It allows the school to provide a longer lunch break for each year group so that they can sit down to a proper meal each day. A large number of schools across the country have taken similar action over the past 12 months.The schools efforts to promote healthy eating seem to be in conflict with the policy of the Citys planning committee, which has allowed two more fast food outlets to open within walking distance of the school during the past six months, and this month has allowed 24-hour opening to the local McDonalds fast-food restaurant.

Drinks ban is big boost for pupils

School tries to keep diets healthy as fast-food outlets flourish

Advice from the NHSPotential risks associ-ated with energy drink consumption include:caffeine overdose (which can lead to a number of symptoms, including palpita-tions, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, convul-sions and, in some cases, even death)type 2 diabetes as high consumption of caffeine re-duces insulin sensitivitylate miscarriages, low

birthweight and stillbirths in pregnant womenneurological and cardio-vascular system effects in children and adolescentssensation-seeking behaviouruse and dependence on other harmful substancespoor dental healthsomewhat ironically, given their association with sporti-ness, obesityEnergy drinks also contain a variety of other ingredients, such as guarana, and the ef-fect of long-term regular con-sumption of the combination of the substances in energy drinks is unknown.

Junk food tv ads target childrenChildren are being encour-aged to eat junk food by tel-evision ads, according to the British Heart Foundation.Up to 1.2 million children aged 4-15 watch X Factor. There were 13 junk food ads in one episode.

Junk food ads are banned by Ofcom during childrens viewing hours, but are allowed later in the evening when children are still watching. Peak viewing for children is now be-tween 7 -8pm, say researchers.

Around 36% of Year Six children in the West Midlands are obese or over-weight, the BHF claimed last week. Thats a total of 23,500 obese chil-dren aged 10/11 in the region.


A local dog-walker watched in horror as a fellow dog-walker allowed his pet ter-rier to slaughter a squirrel in a local park.Dog-lover Jeanette Kirby said that she was disgusted by the dog-owners at-titude to the cruel killing in Pype Hayes Park.The owner just watched as his border terrier chased the squirrel round the tree, caught it, picked it up in its mouth and killed it, said Jeanette.It was absolutely appalling. I felt so sick.The dog owner did nothing. He just had a smirk on his face and said that his dog does it all the time.He then asked me What do you want me to do about it?Put the dog on a lead, I told him.Jeanette says that she phoned the po-lice to report the incident, but was told that squirrels are regarded as vermin.Jeanette herself owns six dogs and ex-ercises them regularly in Pype Hayes Park.None of mine would behave in that way, because I would not let them, she said.RSPCA officials have reassured Jean-ette that they will be keeping an eye on the park in the future.The Animal Welfare Act of 2006 stipu-lates that it is an offence to cause un-necessary suffering to any kept animal, including a captured wild animal.

Squirrel horror

Vandals have struck at Castle Vale allotments twice in one week. The callous wreckers broke through the fences of the Farnborough Road site and worked their way round the perimeter of the allotments, destroying at random. They smashed greenhouse windows, battered down shed doors, daubed graffiti and damaged tools, furniture and fa-cilities at the site. Heartbroken allotment owners have reacted angrily at this latest attack. We had four years without any problems, said one of the gardeners. He is well into his seventies, and wanted his name kept secret because he was afraid that his shed might be targeted in the future. In the last 12 months, we have had around five or six of these attacks, he said.Police have been called on each occasion, but have had no success in tracking down the culprits.One of the sites hit this time was the shed set up by the Community Environ-ment Trust for working with local children. Castle Vale Allotments has 42 of its 50 sites occupied. But organisers fear that the spate of vandalism, along with rising rent costs might cause some people to pack up their remaining tools and leave. Rents for a council allotment patch at the site are around 90 per year, and set to rise.We lost six gardeners last year, said one of the local gardeners.Many of us are pensioners, but there are some younger ones, too, said one

of the allotment holders.We spend hours here. But incidents like this cost us a lot in repairs. I cant un-derstand why they do it. They havent stolen anything. They just seem to enjoy breaking things and spoiling peoples enjoyment.Police say they have spoken to a teenager who was caught throwing stones at the sheds in the afternoon following the criminal damage. He is not from the Castle Vale area. Police have not yet linked him to any previous incidents.

Fury as vandals wreak havoc on local gardeners

Smashed glass and shattered windows at the childrens shed, run by the Environment Trust

The shattered remains of a glass table from one of the allotment sheds.

A padlocked door hangs wrenched off its hinges by vandals

The vandals have left their mark with graffiti signatures on shed walls and glass windows

Proud of their work: vandals leave a scruffy signature on the greenhouse window

The concrete support for this gardeners water tap was shattered by vandals at a previous attack.

The funeral of PCSO Malcolm Bull will take place at St. Pe-ters and Pauls Church in Ty-burn at 11.30 am on Tuesday 26th January 2016 and then 1pm at Sutton Crematorium. Malcolm had been with the police force for 18 years, and served in the Birmingham north neighbourhood po-licing team in recent years. He lost his battle with cancer earlier this month.

Funeral for Erdington police officer

Grey squirrel: precious or pest ?


Advertise in Tyburn MailCall Frank Kennedy 07770 895413

100mm x 50mm, 100 x 100, quarter, half or full page ads.

We will design if you request.

JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS JOBS

Do you want to make a differ-ence in someones life? Help support our clients to remain comfortable and independent at home. Caring and compassion-ate home care staff are needed in Erdington ,Bromford,Fort and Castle Vale area.We offer Flexible hours to suit your commitments.Free training Free ongoing supportDuties includeDriving ,medication, meal preparation, cleaning,personal care as examples.Rate of pay 7.25 per hour during weekdays.8 per hour during the weekend.Contact us [email protected]

EMPLOYMENT FAIROnWEDNESDAY 27th JANUARY 2016 (10AM 2PM)At 79 MARSH LANE. ERDINGTON BIRMINGHAM B23 6HY

WE ARE RECRUITING EMPLOYMENT BENEFITSCARE ASSISTANTS GUARANTEED WORKING HOURSTEAM LEADERS COMPREHENSIVE INDUCTIONCARE COORDINATORS FULLY FUNDED TRAININGFIELD CARE SUPERVISORS COMPETTIVE PAYHOME CARE SUPPORT MILEAGE ALLOWANCEWORKERS TELEPHONE: 0121 373 3633 WEBSITE: WWW.HOMEBASEDCARE.CO.UK EMAIL:[email protected]

Nursery School Apprentice Aged between 16 to 24 yrs.16-18 years - 3.87 per hour 18-20 years - 5.30 per hourOver 21 years - 6.70 per hour

5 days a week Monday to Friday, 36.5 hours a week.Castle Vale Nursery School and Childrens Centre Satellite SiteContact: [email protected]

HR Employment Bureau Ltd Happy New Year

We Urgently Require:

Customer Service Administrator 18K (12 Month Contract). Bromford Area.

Helpdesk Executives 18K Coleshill Area - Temp to Perm

Accounts Administrator 18K Temp to Perm - Coleshill Area

Full time Customer Service Administrators

Part Time Evenings Customer Service Administrators

Weekends Customer Service Administrators

All Permanent positions in the Coleshill Area.

Customer Service Advisors NEC Area - Temp to Perm 16,500

All Immediate Starts.

Interested please contact Amanda or Lizzy on 0121 647 1086/1085 or Email your CV to [email protected] /[email protected]


LOCAL DEMOCRACY PAGEYour councillors, campaigners and candidatesThere aint no sin and there aint no virtue. Theres just stuff people do. Its all part of the same thing.

And some of the things folks do is nice, and some aint nice, but thats as far as any man got a right to say. John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath 1939

It was heartening to see Birminghams new Council leader joining forces with other councils across the country to challenge Tory plans to see council ten-ants lose the right to life-time tenancies. The Tory plan unveiled last month could if it becomes law, impact on many Tyburn families currently on the councils housing waiting list; as it pro-poses that all new tenants be given short term leases of between 2 and

5 years, after which they will face a reassessment which could see them forced to leave their home.Like many councillors, I see this as an attack not only on opportunities for the next generation; but on the many young Tyburn parents that I meet on modest incomes, struggling to get de-cent accommodation for their children and looking to plan for the familys fu-ture.

One of the worst parts of the Tory plan is that it may punish families who improve their situation, but still cant afford to buy, but still may have to up-root their children.While people with existing lifetime ten-ancies will not be directly affected, this Tory plan could see the removal of the bedrock on which many Birmingham people have built happy lives for their families.

This Government has said that areas like Birming-ham must bear the full force of cuts. We are told that balancing the books is the priority.Yet what does the Government see as their priority in Birmingham - not the sick, the elderly the unemployed the homeless, small businesses and high streets... No, their priority is to change all the Council electoral boundaries in this City! At present each ward (like Tyburn)

has a team of 3 Councillors who work together for the benefit of that area. In the new proposals, the wards will be split so that Castle Vale will only have one Councillor, Pype Hayes one and Birches Green/Erdington Hall also one. This may seem attractive as the cur-rent system can seem confusing. However it will leave each Councillor representing 7,000 8,000 people

one of the largest electorates per councillor in the country. Overall, the number of Councillors will be reduced.This may be ok in leafy Sutton Cold-field, but in Tyburn we face a huge task in just dealing with the effects of

cut backs which hit the weakest hard-est - and we have some of the most deprived people in the City.This re-organisation will be hugely expensive and the costs will go on for years, The service that we as Councillors can provide will be undermined. I for one, would be very sad to see the break up of our team that has served Birches Green, Castle Vale, Erdington Hall and

Pype Hayes during some very chal-lenging years.The re-organisation has been driven from London for party political advan-tage, but it will not be London that picks up the tab, it will be everyone in this area and in this City.

Happy New Year! Readers will recall from previous edi-tions of the Tyburn Mail that Cllr Rob-ert Alden and I have been campaigning against the proposed 24 hour use of the MacDonalds on the Chester Road for the last 8 months.In December residents were given a hope that the application would be refused after the City Council Planning Committee, chaired by Tyburn Labour Councillor Mike Sharpe, deferred the application for refusal.Shockingly this month when the appli-cation was brought back, every Labour Councillor, that had previously voted with the Conservative and Lib Dem Councillors on the Committee to reject the application, changed their minds and voted to approve the application. This was despite the fact residents had made it clear about the negative im-pact this would have on local residents living around the site.It is very disappointing that in this instance the Council has refused the pleas of residents and have instead ap-proved something against the wishes of local residents. Just as the Planning Committee did back in December when they approved building on the former Cincinnati site despite residents objec-tions.

Happy New Year!Over the last two years local campaigner Clifton Welch and I have carried out a number of clean ups on our local ca-nals, following requests from residents. We have been pushing the Council to

maintain the paths around our canals and keep the land clear of fly tipping. However, we shouldnt just settle for that.The canals have the potential, to be a real community asset. That is why Clifton and I have launched a campaign to not only en-sure better maintenance of them but also for funding to improve the look of the local canals to offer residents a real community asset turning our

canals from relics of our industrial past to a green and blue lung running through the heart of our local com-munity. If we can help you with anything else or you would like to join us on our next clean up please contact myself and local campaigner Clifton Welch by calling 07505745808, emailing [email protected], or writing to 96 Orchard Road, Erdington, B24 9JD

Project to improve our canals

by Robert AldenConservative campaigner and

Erdington Councillor

Councillor Mike SharpeTyburn Ward Labour

London happy to punish Birmingham

I for one, would be very sad to see the break up of our team that has served Birches Green, Castle Vale, Erdington Hall and Pype Hayes during some very challenging years.

Tory threat to family homes

Councillor Mick BrownTyburn Ward Labour

...it may punish families who improve their situation, but still cant afford to buy...Canal lock near Kingsbury Road,

opposite Cincinnati building

2016 is shap-ing up to be a busy political year with Local Council, Police & Crime Commis-sioner and Sut-ton Town Council elections on 5th May and the EU referendum like-ly to be in either June or July.

We need your help and support to elect UKIP candidates to fairly represent the many thousands of voters in Tyburn, Erdington and Sutton who chose UKIP in last years elections.Flip-flop, left-right politics have led to the virtual bank-ruptcy of Birmingham City Council. Its appalling record on child protection,

elderly care, the radicalisation of inner-city schools and cuts in pub-lic services are things we should be ashamed of. Its time for a change. A vote for your local UKIP candidate in May is a vote for change.If you want to know the truth about Britains membership of the EU ahead of the once in a life-time chance to decide the future of our country, we are holding several referendum road-shows in the coming weeks.

1st February at 7:30 pm: Caro-line Stephens, Leave.EUs Cam-paign Manager is speaking at the Plough & Harrow, Slade Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 5PF

11th February at 7:00 pm: West Midlands UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge is speaking at the Trinity Centre, Church Hill, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield. B72 1TF

21st March at 7:30 pm: West Mid-lands UKIP MEP Jill Seymour is speak-ing at the Trinity Centre, Church Hill, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield. B72 1TF

Admission to all these events is free, but spaces are limited so please email [email protected] or phone 077755 18044 to reserve your place

Clifton WelchConservative campaigner

U-turn on promise

Andrew GarcarzUKIP Sutton Coldfield

& Erdington, Chair

Council shames us


Awards for Chivenors top pupils

Chivenor School rewarded its best performing pupils of the term in a school assembly, resplendent with Christmas jumpers. Teachers from each class selected the star pu-pils who had best lived up to the schools values through the autumn term.Pictured above are: Mea Bailey, Angel Delaney, Khianna Edwards, Natalie Brave Gomes and Ki-era Shough. Pictured right are: Eloise Henry with Nanny Michelle MillarBelow left are: Leoni Williams with Mom Matrina Knight; and below right are: Reo Smith, Andrea Lunn (Nanny) and Callum Gillick


Next Issue of Tyburn Mail: 17th February 2016Tyburn Mail is online and updated daily at: tyburnmail.com

The back page

Benefits of golf club custom-fitting

90% of amateurs use golf clubs that do not suit their game-Nick Faldo 2003.From beginners to pros, all golfers will benefit from hav-ing their clubs custom fitted.Lois Hopkins, a certified Callaway, Ping, Mizuno and Titleist custom fit-ter, formerly of American Golf Sutton Coldfield, and now assistant manager at AG 3 Hammers Wolverhampton says, We at AG provide a free cus-tom fitting at all of our stores.We follow a 7 step fitting process which consists of,1) Consultation2) Static measurements4) Irons/Driver recommendation 5) Shaft recommendation 6) Grips7) Other game improvement prod-ucts.Pop in and see Lois at AG 3 Ham-mers, Wolverhampton or try your nearest AG store, Europes number one retailer.

A local bowls club is hosting a free legal drop-in service for its members and the public.Sutton & Co Solicitors have launched the service at Erdington Court Bowls Club. This follows their decision to become a sponsor of the Club for 2016.The service deals with a range of legal issues including wills, lasting powers of attorney, probate, residential sales and purchases, employment law, debt recovery, landlord and tenant issues and general litigation.Manjit Talwar, Corporate Accountant

for Sutton & Co Solicitors said, We are delighted to be sponsoring the Club their indoor facilities are per-fect. Members and the public can drop in for a free initial consultation to access the range of legal services which we provide. We look forward to supporting and working more closely with the Club in 2016.The service will operate as follows: from 9:45am to 12:15pm on Friday 22nd January 2016, Monday 25th January 2016 and Friday 5th Febru-ary 2016.

Club members Nick King and Joyce Terry with L2R Manjinder Talwar, Manjit Talwar and Jas Dubb from Sutton & Co Solicitors

Castle Vale stadium could be in for a 1 million cash boost if talks with the Football Association and City Council are successful. Its a big if but Pioneer boss Pete Richmond is confident that the deal can go ahead. The FA have agreed to put in 70% of the money as part of the Parklife pro-

ject to help grassroots football at three sites in Birmingham.Now Birmingham organisations have to find the other 30% for the sites.One of them is Castle Vale Stadium. Pioneer and other local organisations are ready to provide money to back up the FAs cash funds for this site, but the City Council must now declare that it is ready to fund the other two sites in Birmingham that will form part of the Parklife Hub. Its a case of all for one and one for all. If the other two sites do not get

the go-ahead, the FA will pull out of the deal.And if the deal does not go ahead, Pio-neer may call time on its management of the stadium and playing fields, and end their 25 year-lease by handing re-sponsibility for the site back to the city council.The FA Parklife deal will take the sta-dium off Pioneers hands.The three stadia will be run by a Trust appointed by the FA. Pioneer, as part of their cash input, would expect a place on the Trusts board, so that they could assure pitch opportunities for lo-cal teams.The FAs Parklife project has estab-lished similar facilities in two cities: Sheffield and Liverpool. Both of those city councils have seen the deal as an opportunity to develop their football pitches.Pete Richmond says that he is hopeful that Birmingham Council will see the same way forward.The talks between the FA, Pioneer and

the City Council have been taking place for several months. Pioneer (then CVCHA) took over the running of the stadium and fields just over two years ago, on a 25-year lease with an opt-out clause after two years. The Council have allowed an exten-sion to the two-year break clause, on the basis that talks with the FA for the sites development are progressing. But time is running out, and the Coun-cil has to make a decision soon.Will it be able to find some money to trigger the 70% of funds from the FA? Or will the Council say: sorry, we have had to make so many cuts in so many services, we cannot afford to offer any money for this project?Peter Richmond feels that the Council can be persuaded, not least because they have been encouraged by the government to consider working in partnerships with other organisations to provide services that they on their own cannot afford.

FA cash for Vale Stadium if Council joins Parklife plan

Sutton legal team bowls into court

Frozen pitches caused all Midland League football matches to be postponed last weekend.

Paget Rangers were due to play at Fairfield Villa in the second division. It was Pagets third successive post-ponement; they last played a fixture on 19th December.

Paget postponementsCongratulations to Tracy Halloran of Castle Vale. Last months competition winner. Tracy wins a dozen Titleist golf balls.

Tony Roche Tyburn Mails golf writer

Product Review

Stampyourballs.com

We all know marking your golf ball is important.Stampyourballs is an easy and affective way to mark your balls.Currently stampyourballs has over 200 designs to choose from. They look great and add that special touch to your ball.My score /5

Product Review

Twisted Frog

From tees to ball markers, hats and towels, pitch repair-ers Twisted Frog have de-signed and manufactured, a new range of innovative golf accessories to bring function and enjoyment to any round.Add a flash of colour and quirkiness to your golf collec-tion.My score /5

Have Aston Villa got any chance of staying up? We will know better after the game at the Hawthorns.Two decent league performances at home need to be followed up with a win against the Baggies if Villa are to stand a chance of Premier League sur-vival.Villa have found some form in the past two league games, both at Villa Park.In four days, they had taken four points from two teams in the top half of the table. One of them - Leicester - were top of the table, and they looked second best to Villa in the second half.Can they keep it up, and snatch three points from the Hawthorns cauldron?

West Broms 3-0 defeat at South-ampton last week was the fifth time this season they have let in three goals. Four of those three-goal landslides were in August and September. It hasnt happened for almost four months, so Pulis will have been very disappointed with his teams efforts at St Marys.His disciplined team is slowly working its way towards safety. Johnny Evans and Gareth McCauley are one of the best central defensive partnerships in the league.

I was at the Stoke v Arsenal game last Sunday. Six years ago, the talented Aaron Ram-sey almost had his career ended by a bone-shattering tackle from Stokes gi-ant centre back Ryan Shawcross. How sickening it was to hear the Stoke fans chant: Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp. Arsene Wenger suggested after the game that those fans might be ashamed of themselves later on. Lets hope so. Perhaps the match sponsors who voted Shawcross as man of the match might reflect on their decision, too. Goalkeeper Jack Butland was clearly Stokes best player. I hope that the match sponsors genu-inely felt that Shawcross was Stokes best player, and had not been influ-enced by a desire to appease the mo-ronic chanters.

View from the Hawthorns press box

West Brom will decide Villas fate

Full January 2016 Edition

Documents

Transcript of Full January 2016 Edition