A Lickey End school has donated some of its harvest festival grocery collection to the victim of a distraction burglary in Stirchley earlier this week, after a thief left him without cash to buy food.
A man tricked his was into 85 year old Mr Hudson’s house on Monday, saying he needed to use the toilet. While in the house, the man looked around and stole cash, leaving Mr Hudson without money to buy food until his next pension.
On hearing about the burglary, Lickey End First School headteacher Neil Rintoul had a selection of essential items delivered to Mr Hudson.
He said: “When we heard about the pensioner’s plight we were delighted to be able to help. The spirit of the harvest festival is about appreciating what we have, as well as helping those who are less fortunate.”
Mr Hudson said: “I would like to thank the police for their help and the children and staff of Lickey End First School for their kind donation.”
West Midlands Police are investigating the burglary and said on their Facebook page: “Well done to the school and children for coming together to help a member of the community in need!”
From next Monday (17th October) work will begin on resurfacing the Park and Ride car park at Kings Norton railway station.
Commuters are being reminded that there will be reduced parking and no access to the station from Pershore Road South.
Key information:
Dates: Works begins on Monday 17th October and will take up to two weeks, completing on Friday 28th October.
Motorists: are asked not to leave their vehicles parked overnight and to allow extra time to park and ride.
Pedestrians: There will be reduced access to the station for pedestrians
Cyclists: will only be able to use the bike stands by the front of the station building.
Alternative parking: can be found at neighbouring Longbridge, Northfield and Selly Oak stations.
Blue badge holders: should use Longbridge, Northfield or Selly Oak as there will be no disabled parking spaces available at Kings Norton for the duration of the works
Bus routes: If you prefer to ditch the car and use the bus, 18, 19, 45, 47, 49 and 146 bus services stop outside Kings Norton station. Timetable information
The work is being carried out by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Pete Bond, director of transport services for TfWM, said: “We apologise in advance for any inconvenience these works may cause but they need to be done and once complete will enhance the station environment.
“Motorists can also play their part by arriving in good time to get a free parking space or by considering using public transport to get to the station.”
Six year old Persian Dutton is a well known smiley, happy face around Northfield and, here at B31 Voices, he’s one of our heroes!
Persian met Peppa Pig at Northfield Shopping Centre last year – as he celebrated 1 year in remission!
Persian has battled cancer since the age of 2 and today – 2 years into remission – he runs the Great Birmingham Mini Run for his friends at Birmingham Children Hospital who are still fighting the fight.
Persian and mum Kate, who will be running with him today, received help from the hospital when he was diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer at the age of just 2. They both feel immensely grateful to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for their support over the years, during Persian’s brave fight with cancer and, later, supporting them with his autism.
Persian and one of his heroes: Northfield PCSO George Homer. Click to see Persian’s Make a Wish day
Thankful mum, Kate, said: “I will always be in debt to this amazing place that really is a home away from home – not just for the children but for a parents and families to. We want to say thank you for saving Persians life, we want to run in memory of our friends who have gained their wings and we want to support our friends still fighting.”
“Persian [is] doing this to help his friends who are still fighting.. To make their fight easier.”
And Kate thanked local people for their support. She said: “We have had so much amazing support from our local community over the years, I want to show just how far my lil warrior as come – with thanks to each and every person who as been there for us.
And Persian is definitely Kate’s hero too: “I am blessed to be your mommy and you amaze me everyday.”
Run like the wind, Persian and enjoy your day, both!
Students at a Longbridge college had road safety messages delivered to them by emergency services this morning, with a demonstration of a road traffic collision in the college car park.
West Midlands Police, Fire and Ambulance Services reconstructed a crash scene outside Bournville College, allowing students to see them in action.
Earlier in the morning, road safety messages were delivered to students as part of a Crash Reduction Event.
Thanks to Cllr Andy Cartwright and Cameron McVittiefor images – click to enlarge
A local senior firefighter has received an award for his heroic actions while on holiday in Mexico earlier this year.
Lee Baker, Station Commander at Woodgate and Bournbrook community fire stations, was awarded the Act of Bravery Award at the Brummies, a glittering awards ceremony celebrating the pride of Birmingham. The awards honour achievements in courage, caring, compassion and community.
Lee rescued four people who were struggling in the sea while walking on a beach in Puerto Vallarta with his wife.
He was approached by a Mexican woman who told him her family members were having difficulties in the water.
Lee & his family at the awards ceremony
Lee first helped a lady who had been struggling to stand in the strong current to walk out of the water. He then swam out to a teenage girl who was struggling and screaming. As he was bringing her back to shore, Lee also pushed a younger boy to safety ahead of him.
After putting the girl in the recovery position on the beach, Lee then helped with the rescue of a fourth person.
Chief Fire Officer Phil Loach praised Lee’s actions. “It is an amazing story, which typifies the selflessness of our firefighters who are never really off duty, even on holiday. We’re extremely proud of Lee. His award is extremely well deserved.”
Councillor John Edwards, Chair of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority, added: “Lee encapsulates everything that is great about the remarkable staff who work for West Midlands Fire Service.”
The Brummies, organised by the Birmingham Mail in association with Virgin Trains, were presented at the city’s Town Hall.
“Each year we are humbled by the achievements of our winners,” said Mail Editor-in-Chief, Marc Reeves. “This year’s stories are both emotional and inspirational.”
Massive congratulations, Lee, you were always our hero! :)
Are you a Birmingham City Council tenant? Did you know you can get home contents insurance for less than £1 a week?
At B31 Voices we often speak and offer advice to families who are not insured and are devastated by losses through burglary or fire. Some hadn’t got round to sorting out home insurance and some simply couldn’t afford it. It’s easy to put it off when you have lots of other pressures, but can leave you with nothing should the worst happen.
Cllr Andy Cartwright has informed us that Birmingham City Council have an arrangement with RSA Insurance, meaning council tenants can take out home insurance for as little as 83p a week, with no excess and weekly, monthly or annual payments.
Cllr Cartwright (Longbridge, Labour) said: “I often support families in distress after losing all their belongings, I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure you’re insured. I urge all council tenants to make use of this scheme.”
Twin brothers from Birmingham, who suffered sexual abuse as teenagers in a children’s home in Northern Ireland, are camping on The Green in Kings Norton as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the need for proper support for victims of abuse.
Bobby and Joe Blair were taken into foster care at Rubane House in County Down in 1977, where they were beaten and subjected to sexual abuse.
They waived their right to anonymity to tell their story the The Irish Sunin 2015, after giving evidence at the Historical Abuse Inquiry in Northern Ireland.
Now, to raise further awareness, the brothers are camping out through the winter, planning to eventually take their campaign to Westminster.
A 21 year old man is in hospital this morning, with life threatening injuries, after a stabbing in Selly Oak yesterday evening (Monday 24th October).
Officers search for evidence at the scene in Raddlebarn Road, close to the junction with Elm Road | Image snappersk
The incident happened at around 6.40pm with the man suffering multiple stab wounds.
Raddlebarn Road remains closed between Elm Road and Willow Road this morning while forensic experts examine the scene.
Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
A taxi driver was left shaken but unhurt after being robbed at knifepoint in his car after attending a bogus pick up in Bartley Green late last night.
The driver, from Elite Taxis in Northfield, was called to a pick up at an address in Corn Mill Close, off Mill Lane, at around midnight on Thursday 27th – Friday 28th October.
The call turned out to be bogus with four young men waiting in the street for the taxi to arrive.
Two men got into the car. One grabbed the car keys and took £125 cash, a phone and a taxi data device.
West Midlands Police said that the driver was punched and threatened with a knife but the knife was not used and he escaped injury.
A police dog unit tracked the offenders into Senneleys Park but they made off from the scene.
Police enquiries are ongoing and there have been no arrests as yet.
Anyone with any information is urged to call West Midlands Police on 101 quoting log number 10 28/10. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Motorists are advised to be vigilant after reports that lit fireworks have been thrown at moving vehicles in the Weoley Castle / Selly Oak / Shenley area.
Numerous people contacted us yesterday evening (Thursday 27th October) to say that they had seen lit fireworks being thrown at their cars or others as they drove on Shenley Fields Road.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman today confirmed that they had received several calls but that offenders had left when officers arrived to check the area.
Police also confirmed another reported incident where lit fireworks were thrown from a moving car at others driving by in Weoley Castle Road at around 10pm on Wednesday (26th October) evening.
There have been other anecdotal reports of fireworks being thrown from and at cars around the area, including around Popes Lane in Kings Norton last week.
In response to the reports, Lee Baker, Station Commander at Woodgate and Bournbrook community fire stations, said: “West Midlands Fire Service always advise sensible & safe use of fireworks. We see an increase in anti-social behaviour & injuries resulting from misuse. Reports of fireworks being targeted at moving vehicles increases the danger of serious injury. This impacts on all communities, young & old alike. Please be considerate of others.
“We are working with partners & businesses on the sale of fireworks to limit concern. Inappropriate sale & use can lead to enforcement action.”
Anyone with any information on these or similar incidents is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101.
If you witness activity which could put others at risk – such as anyone throwing lit fireworks at moving vehicles – please call police immediately on 999
Fireworks should not be sold to anyone under the age of 18. If you believe you know someone is doing so, please contact Birmingham Trading Standards on 03454 040506 or email tradingstandards@birmingham.gov.uk
A suspected car thief has been arrested after the car he was believed to have stolen got stuck down a footpath in a desperate effort to evade pursuing West Midlands Police officers.
The incident happened this morning, Monday 31st October.
After a short pursuit around Weoley Castle, the silver Ford Focus drove down an alleyway on Corisande Road, ending up getting stuck on an overgrown dirt footpath.
Officers from Birmingham South response police followed on foot and arrested a “well known local offender” after finding him hiding in bushes nearby.
West Midlands Police have said that they made 7 arrests and 10 motorbikes were seized following chaos caused by a ‘Halloween Ride Out’ across the city last night (Monday 31st October).
And a senior officer has said that, after examining evidence gathered, they “will not hesitate to respond with more arrests and bike seizures.”
‘Halloween Ride Out’ causes chaos
Car damaged during the ride out | West Midlands Police
Large groups of riders on motorbikes, scramblers, mopeds, quad bikes etc took to the streets of South & Central Birmingham and Solihull on a ‘Halloween Ride Out’. Many rode unregistered, uninsured bikes, some without lights or helmets. It was reported that riders – some wearing masks – were weaving through traffic, on the wrong side of the road, pulling wheelies at speed. Some also reported that fireworks were thrown by the riders and damage was caused to other vehicles.
The video above, taken by a firefighter at Kings Norton Fire Station, shows a large group of the riders travelling through Cotteridge and towards Northfield.
“Huge challenges for police”
Chief Inspector Jack Hadley admitted that dealing with the riders was challenging for the police. He said: “It is very difficult to plan for outbursts like this: it’s not a conventional, planned event and we saw small groups of bikers speeding off in all directions. It is very hard for officers to try and contain that activity.”
Stingers used
He said that ‘stingers’ were used to disrupt the riders but this had to be done very carefully and only in certain circumstances due to the risks to the rider and the officer deploying the device.
Chief Inspector Hadley said: “This wasn’t a rally of bike enthusiasts – this was loutish, criminal behaviour. Bikers were riding without lights, at speed, dangerously, pulling wheelies in the street, mounting pavements and damaging vehicles. […] with road users and pedestrians put at risk and a nuisance caused in residential areas.
Bikes seized by West Midlands Police
He added: “This kind of ‘event’ is outrageous and totally unacceptable and I sympathise with any members of the public that were inconvenienced” and said that, depending on evidence from the event, more arrests would be made and more bikes seized.
On the night, five men and two male youths were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, causing a public nuisance and motoring offences. A total of 10 bikes – including scramblers, mini motos and quad bikes were seized, with early enquiries suggesting that at least three of the them had been reported stolen.
Antisocial Behaviour
Up to 100 masked riders surrounded a police van in Chelmsley Wood, kicking the wing mirrors and trying to smash the windows but they drove off when police back-up arrived.
Police also received a report that riders obstructed a fire engine trying to attend a call out.
Readers reported many other instances of antisocial behaviour locally in what seems to have been a busy Halloween for emergency services. One reader reported that a group of five masked people had been seen to smash car windows in Franklin Road, Bournville.
Over the last week or so, we have heard reports of stones and eggs being thrown at cars and houses, some causing damage, in areas including Longbridge, Selly Oak, Ley Hill and Weoley Castle. Last week lit fireworks were thrown from cars and at moving vehicles in Weoley Castle Square and Shenley Fields Road.
Tackling bike crime
West Midlands Police are tackling illegal and anti-social biking with a dedicated operation.
Chief Inspector Hadley said: “[…] earlier this year we arrested several people during a series of warrants and seized bikes. More warrants were carried out in the last few days – and a suspected gang ringleader arrested – and searches carried out in locations suspected of housing stolen bikes. I would ask members of the public to help us to target this kind of behaviour.”
West Midlands Police are urging that anyone who suspects that someone is using a bike illegally – or has a stolen bike – to report it by calling 101 or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111
A new national digital theatre programme for schools was launched this morning at Shenley Academy by Sir Lenny Henry.
Image Jack Southwold & Ian Long
The National Theatre’s On Demand in Schools aims to make theatre more accessible to students of all ages by making acclaimed curriculum-linked productions available, free of charge, to every school across the country.
At today’s launch of the Primary programme, Sir Lenny met pupils from Shenley Academy in Northfield who have been benefiting from the Secondary programme since it launched a year ago.
Ian Horgan, Assistant Principal at Shenley Academy said: “We have been using On Demand in Schools for the last year and in that time pupils and teachers have found it a brilliant resource. Flexibility in lesson planning is important for any school and the programme means teachers can study key scenes with students or show the full production over a number of lessons. As specialist software is not required to watch the plays and streams can be viewed on multiple devices, we are able to use the service across a number of subjects to support lessons in every year group.”
Sir Lenny Henry said: “The National Theatre was founded with a mission to educate as well as entertain and many of us working in the arts can remember an experience at school – a theatre visit, an inspiring teacher, meeting a professional artist – as the ignition to their career or enduring passion for the art form. If we can engage school children in the arts from an early age, the evidence tells us that they will have an interest in, and desire to, engage in the arts throughout their lifetime.”
Image: Johan Persson
The first primary age production, suitable for Key Stage 2, to be made available is Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure Treasure Island. On Demand in Schools is intended to compliment trips to see live performances, enabling students to study plays day-to-day in their classroom. The plays are recorded in high definition in front of a live theatre audience by the National theatre’s award-winning NT Live team. Available exclusively to UK schools, comprehensive learning resources produced by teachers and leading artists support each play; teachers can show the full production or watch key scenes over a number of lessons.
Alice King-Farlow, Director of Learning at the NT, said: “On Demand in Schools Secondary has seen over a third of state schools across the UK sign up to the initiative in just one year. That success (and demand) has confirmed our belief that teachers and schools across the UK are passionate about giving young people access to inspirational theatre and embedding the arts as a vital part of the curriculum. We are thrilled to be launching On Demand in Schools Primary and offering children of all age ranges access to world-class theatre in a curriculum-linked, classroom setting.”
Shenley Academy students & staff with Sir Lenny Henry
Birmingham Community Matters (BCM) is a new support network for small community organisations.
Started following a discussion at a Birmingham Partners event, BCM aims to create a network of organisations and individuals who can share knowledge and experiences to support each other at events similar to Social Media Surgeries.
This Thursday (10th November) there will be an info meeting at Stirchley Baths at 6pm. If you are a small organisation who would like support, or are experienced in community organisations and can offer support, you may be interested in popping along to this event to hear more, discuss and help shape how this could work.
This Saturday (12th November) sees the first Remembrance event in the newly developed Longbridge Town Centre.
The Art of Remembrance event – organised by Friends of Longbridge Open Spaces and God’s Heart for Longbridge – is an opportunity for the people of Longbridge to come together as a community and remember the fallen in a more informal setting.
The event will be held in Austin Park between 2pm – 3pm and attendees are asked to gather outside Park Point (next to the Cambridge pub)
Hope & peace
Attendees will have the opportunity to tie ribbons – with messages of hope or peace – to a tree, while a live brass band plays. At 2.45pm, there will be a short Act of Remembrance, including a minute of silence for the fallen.
God’s Heart for Longbridge is a group of churches from the local area who are working together to be a visible Christian presence in the local community. They offer a chaplaincy service to Bournville College and local businesses as well as providing opportunities for people who do not regularly attend church to experience Christian faith, community and heritage together.
‘Stand together… to remember’
Representing the group, Rev. Sheri Gidney said: “Through both the creative activity and the short Act of Remembrance there will be opportunity to commit ourselves to hopeful, peaceful living as we go forward.
“Whether you have lived in Longbridge all of your life and have witnessed its change and development or whether you have recently moved to the area, come and stand together young and old, come and meet each other, come and take time to remember.”
The Friends of Longbridge Open Spaces project has been facilitated by Longbridge Public Art Project (LPAP) and developers St Modwen, and this is the first of several community events to be planned for this year.
Claire Farrell, Artistic Director of WERK who run LPAP, said: “The God’s Heart for Longbridge Remembrance event provides an opportunity for people living, working and visiting Longbridge to pay their respects to the fallen, with a live brass band set to play along with what will be a poignant ribbon display in tribute to the many local servicemen who lost their lives.”
Andrea Clarke, Property Manager at St. Modwen, said: “Remembrance Day provides a rare opportunity for people to stop their busy lives for just a few moments to remember the sacrifice that our sailors, soldiers and airmen made, and continue to make, in order to ensure our safety, and we fully support this year’s Remembrance event at Longbridge Town Centre.
“As the new community at Longbridge continues to grow and thrive, we are encouraging more local people to host their own community events such as this. To that end we are supporting the FLOS programme, developed through LPAP, to kick-start this new initiative, which we hope will be carried on by the local community for years to come.”
Event details:
When: 2pm – 3pm Saturday 12th November 2016
Where: Park Point, High Street, Longbridge, Birmingham B31 2UQ
Who: All ages welcome
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God’s Heart for Longbridge include: Longbridge Baptist Church, Longbridge Methodist Church, St John Fisher West Heath, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Rubery, Holy Trinity Lickey and St Catherine’s Blackwell, St Michael’s Cofton Hackett and St Andrew’s Barnt Green, St Bartholomew’s Allens Cross, St John the Baptist Longbridge and St Stephen’s Rednal.
Many of the churches will be holding a Remembrance service the following morning, where you would also be very welcome.
For further details, contact the Secretary, Rev. Colin Corke
Tel 0121 475 3484
West Midlands Police are investigating after a 36 year old man was taken to hospital in a ‘serious condition’ after being stabbed yesterday afternoon (Thursday 10th November).
Officers were called by West Midlands Ambulance Service to Coriander Close in Northfield / Frankley just after 4.30pm and the man attended hospital in a ‘serious condition’.
A West Midlands Police spokeswoman confirmed this morning that the man had sustained stab wounds and that his condition today was stable, with his injuries were not thought to be life threatening.
Some local residents reported hearing gun shots around the time of the incident. The police spokeswoman said that officers were investigating these reports but would not confirm if shots had been fired.
West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed they attended an injured man in nearby Crychan Close at around 4.35pm. A spokesman said: “Ambulance staff arrived to find a man, believed to be in his 30s, who had suffered stab wounds.
“The man, who was fully conscious, was treated at the scene for back injuries, before being transported to hospital for further assessment.”
A police cordon remained in place around a house in Coriander Close this morning and enquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or, alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
You can get many things in a subscription box these days – flowers, tea, seeds, beauty products, wine and there’s even a weekly gourmet cheese toastie subscription box called ‘Cheese Posties’! (We’re subscribing to that one!)
And now Dan Bridgewater, from Rednal, has managed to come up with a fresh, fun and quirky idea for a new subscription service.
Buckt is based on the idea of a bucket list and the Ultimate package will deliver up to 10 activities to try to the doormats of subscribers every month – including tickets, discounts, challenges & invitations. There will also be a Membership package, which will digitally deliver discounts, vouchers and challenges.
Cover photo: founder Dan completes a bungee jump
Buckt founder Dan Bridgewater
Dan, a former pupil at Colmers School, came up with the idea of Buckt when he was going through a difficult time personally and feeling despondent. He decided to write a bucket list to refocus himself on the positive things to come in his future.
He said: “I realised that bucket lists were more than just a list of things to do, but represented freedom, living, escape from mundanity. This, combined with an interest in the subscription box model, led to a moment of inspiration, and Buckt was born.”
National brands including Planet Ice, HeliAdventures, YogaHaven and Golfbug have already signed up to be included and many more are to be confirmed ready for the January 2017 launch.
Dan is looking forward to a positive future with Buckt. He said: “I’m really excited about what we can do with Buckt. The brand is quirky and innovative, meaning we can try new ideas and really make it something unique. We recently completed research and 94% of respondents said they ‘like’ or ‘really like’ the idea, so I’m confident it’s going to be a hit”.
We wish Dan all the best with his new business. You can support Dan & Buckt by donating to the Crowdfunder (closes 28/11/16) if you can.
Event details:
