West Midlands Police are investigating after making three arrests when a sports car was stolen from its owner by force in Stirchley last night. 

The car was stolen at around 11.10pm last night (Wednesday 5th July). As the 48 year old woman parked her Peugeot RCZ in Alexandra Road, she was approached by men who demanded her keys.

The woman was assaulted with a baton – she was not seriously injured but suffered minor injuries and was very shaken by her ordeal.

West Midlands Police have confirmed this morning that there was no suggestion that she was threatened with a handgun and none was recovered.

The offenders made off in the car but traffic and firearms officers tracked the vehicle to Cotteridge in the early hours of this morning (Thursday 6th July). Following a pursuit around Kings Norton, the car was stopped by a stinger deployment and when it collided with railings in Watford Road, Cotteridge, close to the junction of Northfield Road.

Three 17 year old lads were arrested on suspicion of robbery – two from the vehicle and one hiding in a garden in nearby Midland Road.

West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Jim Colclough, said: “The woman was set upon as she parked her car – understandably she was shaken-up but thankfully not seriously hurt.

“We had mobile patrols across Birmingham looking for the stolen car and two hours later one of our units spotted it and called in additional support as it was pursued.

“The stolen car was brought to a stop safely and all three quickly in police custody…a great result!”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Family and friends of the man who died as a result of a stabbing in Bartley Green on Monday (3rd July) have launched crowdfunding pages to help raise money for his funeral. 

West Midlands Police have announced a third man has been arrested, and have named Alex Leonard – 22 and from Bartley Green – as the man who received a single stab wound to the chest in the incident in Woodgate Gardens at around 11pm. Alex sadly died soon after in hospital.

Fundraisers

Two crowdfunding pages have been launched to help with funeral costs – one by a work colleague and close friend of the victim’s mother, and the other by his younger cousin. 

Click to read their appeals and donate:

Arrests

A post mortem has confirmed that Alex was killed by a single stab wound to the chest.

A 16 year old lad was arrested shortly after the incident on Monday and remains in custody, with detectives having been given extra time to question him.

A 21 year old man was arrested the following day (Tuesday 4th) and has since been released without charge.

A third man, aged 18, was arrested yesterday (Wednesday 5th) on suspicion of murder and is still being questioned.

Appeals for information

Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield said: “Investigations are continuing into the tragic death of Mr Leonard. I wish to express my gratitude to the local community who have been very supportive of this investigation but I do believe there are still others who will have relevant information and would still like to hear from anyone who saw what happened and has not yet spoken to us and ask they get in touch as soon as possible.”

Earlier this week, local neighbourhood Superintendent Mat Shaer said: “We do not believe this to be gang-related, but are aware of some anti-social behaviour concerns within the area which we are addressing.”

Supt Shaer appealed to the public to be vigilant and for this who would carry knives to think twice. He said: “We are putting a lot of work into tackling knife crime and ask that the public remains vigilant, reporting any concerns they have in their area. I would remind those who carry knives that they not only increase the risk of harm to others, but also to themselves.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call the police on 101 ext 863 3039. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

Read more on the incident

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As industrial action by Birmingham’s refuse collectors continues, hundreds of streets are being left with their rubbish collections being missed.

Why?

Unite members voted by 90 per cent for strike action over proposed job cuts to the city’s waste and refuse service, and proposed changes to working patterns and staffing levels.

Commenting after the ballot in June, Unite regional officer Lynne Shakespeare said: “The council’s actions have managed to combine financial incompetence in the waste management team and now they have started bullying our members as the bosses attempt to cut full-time jobs.

“The council wants to axe 122 waste collection jobs after a woefully inadequate consultation with the unions.”

However, Jacqui Kennedy, Birmingham City Council’s Corporate Director for Place, said: “Our proposals are all about improving services for the people of Birmingham – with no job losses. In fact, we’re creating up to 246 full-time permanent roles and that will lead to better-trained staff that better understand Birmingham and want the best for our city.”

Action

Workers are currently returning to base for breaks and refusing overtime.

Further strike action is set to take place on Tuesday 11th July then every weekday from Friday, July 14 to Friday, August 4 with workers stopping for 2 hours a time.

Effects

Talks are ongoing between the council and union representatives. It is unclear how these talks are going but – according to the Birmingham Mail – Unite have now announced further strikes of two hours every week day for two weeks.

With rounds taking longer, it seems the same households – toward the end of rounds – have been having their collections missed on more than one occasion.

A source told B31 Voices that workers have now been asked to clear backlog before scheduled rounds. Hopefully, this will mean that collections will take place for all, but may be a day (or few) late!

See our tips on what to do if your collection is missed

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Tips if your collection is missed:

Please note: these are just tips to improve your chances – during industrial action there are no easy answers and much uncertainty!

• Report as a missed collection on your scheduled collection day only. You can do this online
• Leave your bins out for collection – Birmingham City Council say they will collect missed bins as soon as possible.

• If your bins have been missed more than once and you have extra waste: make sure you’ve recycled as much as possible and place any remaining extra waste in well secured black bags (double bagging would be an idea!) at the SIDE of your bin. Refuse collectors don’t normally collect extra waste but if it is as a result of exceptional circumstances (e.g.. Christmas, bad weather, missed collection) it should (could?!) be taken (maybe?!). Keep an eye on your extra bags in case of splitting and re-bag as needed! (See right!)
• Consider a trip to the tip: Lifford Lane recycling centre is open from 8am until 8pm Monday to Friday and from 8am until 6pm at weekends through the summer months. Check the webcam to avoid queues!
• Make sure your bins stick to the rules! Refuse collectors can refuse to empty it if it fits any of the tick boxes on their list (see below) – especially during a period of industrial action. So, make sure it’s not too heavy, tightly packed, or containing things it shouldn’t! And make sure the lid is snuggly closed!
• Cross your fingers…!

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A 16 year old lad has today (Friday 7th July) been charged with the murder of stabbing victim Alex Leonard.

Alex, 22, from Bartley Green, sadly died as the result of a single stab wound to the chest after an incident in Woodgate Gardens on Monday (3rd July).

The teenager, also from Bartley Green, is set to appear before Birmingham Magistrates tomorrow.

Two men – aged 18 and 21 years – who were previously arrested have been released with no charge.

Detective Inspector Caroline Corfield said: “Our investigations continue and I’d urge anyone who witnessed the stabbing, or has information they think could help the enquiry, to get in touch if they have not yet spoken to the police.”

Information can be given on 101 ext 863 3039 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Alex’s family and friends have launched crowdfund appeals to assist with his funeral costs. 

Cover image by Jamboo998 on Flickr

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A man was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury when his car was in collision with another in Rubery yesterday evening (Monday 10th July).

The two cars – a white Audi and a black car – collided at the junction of Leach Green Lane and Leach Heath Lane at around 7pm.

After being extracted from the car, the man – a passenger – was given pain relief, immobilised and taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for assessment.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said that a woman and her baby, the occupants of the other vehicle, were checked over by paramedics and discharged at the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the accident, and has not yet done so, can contact West Midlands Police on 101.

Cover image by West Midlands Ambulance Service

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Four teenagers have been arrested following a pursuit in Northfield in the early hours of this morning (Thursday 13th July), after a woman in her 60s was the victim of a carjacking in Balsall Heath during the previous night.

The woman’s car was stolen as she waited at traffic lights in Belgrave Middleway in the early hours of Wednesday morning (12th July)

.@BSresponse are assisting West Mercia colleagues following a pursuit with a stolen car….4 males detained!!! pic.twitter.com/nx0DLQK3dK

— Ch Insp Jack Hadley (@JackHadleyWMP) July 13, 2017

Police patrol officers spotted a group of youths driving around the Northfield area in a VW Golf at around 1am this morning.

The officers tried to pull over the car, the driver refused to stop and was pursued into Central Avenue in the Turves Green area.

Four teens left the car and ran off. Officers on overnight patrols spotted a group of male youths at around 1am driving around the Northfield area in a VW Golf.

The car refused to stop and was pursued into Central Avenue, Turves Green, where the teenagers ditched the car and ran off. Following a pursuit – involving officers from both West Midlands and West Mercia Police forces and air support – three lads were arrested in Longbridge Lane by officers chasing on foot.

A fourth teen was tracked and detained by a police dog and handler in gardens behind the Cooperative store in Turves Green.

All four youths – two aged 15 and two 16 – have been arrested on suspicion of car-jacking.

Detective Sergeant Phil Poole – who is leading West Midlands Police’s investigation into a series of car robberies in Birmingham – said: “This was a brilliant piece of police work that’s led to the arrest of youths we suspect of being involved in car-jackings.

“An officer spotted the youths in the Golf and was immediately suspicious; it turned out their hunch was spot-on as the car was stolen and being driven on false plates.

“We got police back-up to the scene quickly and contained the area. Three were arrested very quickly and a police dog tracked to a fourth suspect who was lying low in a garden.

“We have made close on 30 arrests now in relation to car robberies in south Birmingham over the past few months. Many of these are teenage boys – but age is no excuse and we will push for strong court sentences on anyone committing these types of offences.”

All four suspects are in police custody and will be questioned today. Anyone with any information is asked to call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

From today (Friday 14th July), Birmingham City Council refuse collectors will strike for 2 hours EVERY week day, increasing the pressure on council bosses to reach a resolution with the Unite union.

We understand that crews are currently running between 2 to 4 days behind on scheduled collections (varies depending on crew) with thousands of homes missing collections daily. This delay looks set to increase as industrial action continues.

A source within the service tells us that talks between council & union representatives are set to continue on Monday.

For now, keep reporting your missed collections online and leave your bins out.

As crews are now clearing backlog before doing scheduled collections, rubbish that’s built up over recent weeks should get cleared – as long as it meets collection guidelines.

If rubbish includes extra bags, it’s uncertain whether collectors are obliged to take it. Readers report mixed reactions to extra bags with some crews taking them and some not.

If amassed rubbish has built up and collectors have refused to take it, consider asking your local councillor for help. Enter your postcode on the main Birmingham City Council website for contact details – please bare in mind they will be receiving a lot of requests for help at the moment!

Read more:

Industrial action sees hundreds of streets with missed rubbish collections 

What to do if your rubbish collection is missed 

A sex offender who preyed on young women in Selly Oak wearing a gorilla mask has been handed a lengthy jail sentence by Birmingham Crown Court today (Friday 14th July).

Elvis Sidaway, 53 – a registered sex offender from Edgbaston –  was jailed for 21 years and will remain on the Sex Offender Register for life.

Sidaway terrorised the student community, targeting lone young women on their way home in the early hours of the morning, while wearing a gorilla or ‘Yoda’ mask between November 2016 and January 2017.

West Midlands Police increased patrols in the area, checked CCTV images, and urged women to be vigilant and not to walk alone in the dark after a series of sexual assaults were reported in the Selly Oak, Edgbaston and Quinton areas.

Victims reported being grabbed and threatened with a knife or other weapons – including firelighters – by the masked attacker before being sexually assaulted.

In the early hours of 4th February, police spotted a blue Peugeot 207 in Dartmouth Road, Selly Oak. Vehicle checks led detectives to Sidaway, who matched descriptions given by victims.

The vehicle was spotted again in Selly Oak twenty-four hours later and Sidaway was arrested. A search of his car revealed condoms and a black firelighter. A search of his home address uncovered more evidence: a craft knife, black gloves and another firelighter.

Sidaway, a paint mixer, pleaded guilty to 5 counts of sexual assault by touching at an earlier hearing. This week’s trial saw him face further charges to which he pleaded not guilty – rape and 3 counts of possession of a knife.

However, a jury took just two and a half hours to find him guilty of all charges.

After the hearing Detective Sergeant Laura Harrison, from the force’s Public Protection Unit, said: “I am pleased with the sentencing today. Sidaway caused a whole community to question their safety. I hope this will reassure his victims and the wider student population that a dangerous man is no longer a threat to them.”

DS Harrison said that West Midlands Police had worked closely with The University of Birmingham and Birmingham City Council to catch the offender and share safety messages to students and other young women in the area.

She said: “We have since set up a stronger network of information sharing so that we can understand how best to communicate with the student population and work with them to keep them safe.”

A spokesperson for The University of Birmingham said: “The University of Birmingham would like to thank West Midlands Police for its work in this case. The University works very closely with West Midlands Police to keep our staff and students safe both on and off campus.

“Student and staff safety is of paramount importance to the University and we regularly review our wide range of safety measures and initiatives in consultation with the Police and other authorities.”

The Unite union have revised their strike plan for refuse collectors and accused Birmingham City Council of ‘game playing’ and seeking ‘conflict’ as the council withdraw from talks to resolve the issues surrounding current industrial action. 

121 redundancy notices served

Talks between the two parties began last week but on Friday (14th July) the council went ahead with the plans and handed redundancy notices to 121 refuse collectors.

After massively overspending on refuse collection last year, council bosses are seeking to make changes, claiming it will mean a more modern and efficient service, relying much less on expensive overtime and agency staff.

One of the main issues was that, according to Unite, city bosses were to axe 121 full time permanent refuse collectors, as their role was to be downgraded, expecting them to do the same job for less pay.

The workers and union claim that the role – which involves management of the crew at the rear of the collection truck and linking with the driver – is vital to the health and safety of the whole crew.

The 121 were offered a downgraded contract for the same role within the refuse collection service. The council claim that workers have been offered existing jobs elsewhere within the council for their current grade should they chose to take them, saying that no jobs are being lost. However, the 121 redundancy notices were issued last Friday, despite union requests for the council to engage in ‘meaningful negotiations’.

In fact, Birmingham City Council have said that 246 permanent, full time roles are being created. However, many of these have been filled by agency staff who have already been working on temporary contracts, some for many years.

In the meantime, despite the council’s claim that agency staff use will be reduced in favour of permanent contracts, the local authority is currently advertising for staff on temporary contracts on a local agency website.

Revised strike plan

In light of the council’s withdrawal from talks and continuation with changes, Unite said it had ‘little option’ but to step up industrial action with a further series of daily one and two hour stoppages throughout August.

The new strike hours are:

There will also be an overtime ban in place with workers also returning to depots for all lunch and tea breaks in line with Birmingham city council’s hygiene rules.

Council have ‘sought conflict’

Unite regional officer Lynne Shakespeare said: “We met with council bosses last week in the hope of agreeing a form of words that would enable us to enter into meaningful negotiations to resolve the dispute.

“That goodwill was not reciprocated by council bosses though, who instead engaged in game playing and withdrew from the process before proper talks could get underway.”

And she claimed the council were seeking ‘conflict’ by continuing with its plans for redundancy and service changes.

‘Council to blame for missed collections’?

She said: “The blame for any missed collections rests squarely with council bosses who have shown themselves incapable of running the service, let alone capable of making any meaningful or positive changes to it.”

Ms Shakespeare went on to urge the council to reconsider engaging with the union in ‘meaningful negotiations’.

Read more:

Industrial action sees hundreds of streets with missed rubbish collections 

What to do if your rubbish collection is missed 

Birmingham City Council has won two High Court injunctions preventing traveller encampments for two years on four public spaces in Birmingham, including 3 in the south west of the city.

The injunctions were granted yesterday (Monday 17th July) at Birmingham High Court by by the Honourable Mr Justice Morris and will stay in force until July 2019.

Under mounting pressure to deal with repeated incursions into public parks across the city, this is the first time the council has used injunctions to prevent unauthorised encampments on council-owned land. The council’s Environmental Health department applied for the injunctions after recent encampments where residents complained of anti-social behaviour and the council were left with hefty bills to clean up the resulting fly-tipping.

What the injunctions mean

The injunctions ban households from setting up, joining or being a part of encampments any of four named sites across Birmingham:

• Hazelwell Park in Stirchley
• Perry Park and Alexander Stadium
• Selly Oak Park
• Selly Park recreation ground

Anyone who breaches the orders:

• may be arrested
• will be guilty of contempt of court
• may be fined, have their assets seized or face imprisonment.

Injunctions for further sites?

Mark Croxford, Head of Environmental Health at Birmingham City Council, said: “We have succeeded in getting two High Court injunctions which ban any encampments from moving onto four of the city’s parks and recreation grounds for two years, until July 2019.

“This is a new tool for us to use to prevent anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping associated with unauthorised encampments. We will monitor the impact this has on the four sites and may look at taking similar action on other locations affected by repeat incursions.”

Kings Norton Park has joined Birmingham’s list of 17 Green Flag parks, being awarded the symbol of Britain’s best green spaces for the first time.

Kings Norton Park joins 16 other Birmingham parks and crematoria which have all retained their Green Flag status, including: Cotteridge Park, Kings Norton Cemetery, Lickey Hills Country Park, Selly Oak Park and Northfield’s Victoria Common.

Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, a Green Flag signifies that a space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Councillor Lisa Trickett, cabinet member for clean streets, recycling and environment at Birmingham City Council, said: “I am delighted that so many of Birmingham’s green spaces have yet again been recognised for their exceptionally high standards with these prestigious Green Flag awards […]

“Our parks and green spaces are part of what makes our city so great and are essential to our quality of life, whether they are encouraging people to get active, fit and healthy, or simply providing a peaceful space for quiet reflection and remembrance.”

Cllr Trickett recognised that council employees, community groups and volunteers all play a vital role in maintaining the city’s green spaces.

Well done to all the staff and volunteers who make our parks such fantastic spaces for our communities to enjoy!

Special congratulations to council staff, Friends of Kings Norton Park and everyone else who has given time to maintaining and improving Kings Norton Park!

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A woman in her 20s has been rushed to hospital this morning (Wednesday 19th July) after being anaesthetised at the scene of a serious collision in Shenley Fields.

The collision – which happened just before 6am according to witnesses — took place in Shenley Lane at the junction of Shenley Fields Road.

The woman was initially attended by a police officer and an off duty GP. West Midlands Ambulance Service sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic to the scene.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff found a small blue car with substantial damage to the driver’s side and a Jaguar car with front nearside damage.

“The driver of the blue car, a 20-year-old woman, was initially unconscious. Ambulance staff worked with firefighters to extricate the woman.”

After being assessed by the trauma doctor on scene, the woman was anaesthetised and taken to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with a suspected head injury.

The 54-year-old man driving the Jaguar had managed to get out of the vehicle himself. He was assessed after complaining of muscular chest and right arm pain and discharged at the scene.

No further information is available at present but we will update as we can.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or either car beforehand can call the West Midlands Police Collision Investigation Team in 101

We wish the lady and her family and friends all the best.

A Northfield couple are today celebrating an amazing 70 years of marriage! 

Denis, 91, and Anne, 90, Cutler were married at St Laurence Church in Northfield on the 19th July 1947 aged just 21 and 20. They have lived in the area all their lives, with Northfield being their home for the past few decades.

We are told that Denis is a big B31 Voices fan and keeps up to date by following our Facebook page on his iPad!

Denis was a manager at Compressor Accessories in Kings Norton. Clearly a man of great dedication, he began work there at the age of 14 and until his retirement after 50 years of service to the same company!

Anne, 90, was a buyer at Courtaulds, a clothing manufacturer, and retired in 1987.

The Cutlers have 3 children – Lynne, Meryl and Michael – as well as 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Over the weekend, Denis and Anne enjoyed a special celebration with their family and friends, which included a rather personal and special trip down memory lane to the ‘beach’!

The couple’s granddaughter, Frances Saddington, said: “From all the family and friends who have had the honour and pleasure of being in your lives and sharing special memories over the past 70 years, we wish you a very Happy Anniversary and we love you to the moon and back!”

Happy Anniversary, Denis and Anne! We hope you enjoy many more! ❤️

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Discount grocery retailers Aldi have submitted a planning application for a proposed store in Rednal.

Regeneration

The site sits next to Longbridge McDonalds on Bristol Road South and is a piece of currently derelict land which falls within the area of the Longbridge Area Action Plan, the plan set out for the regeneration of the area.

The plans are for a 1254sqm store with car park.

Previous consultation

Aldi originally consulted local residents in September 2015 about the possibility of a store on the site.

At that time, a spokesperson for the company said: “We are excited about the prospect of a new store for residents in Rednal. The proposal would deliver investment and create much-needed jobs for the local area.”

Comments on the B31 Voices website and Facebook page were mostly positive about the proposals at the time of the consultation.

Competition

There is already an existing Aldi store 2 miles away in Northfield and Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco and Farmfoods, as well as Marks and Spencer, all have stores within a mile of the proposed Aldi site. Morrisons is currently undergoing a major refit.

Have your say

You can view the plans in full on Birmingham City Council’s planning website.

Try this link or visit eplanning.birmingham.gov.uk and search for application number 2017/03370/PA

All comments must be submitted by 17th August 2017

A man is in hospital this morning and an investigation is underway after a shooting incident in Frankley last night (Wednesday 26th July). 

According to a statement from West Midlands Police, the man was shot when a firearm was discharged by a West Midlands Police firearms officer during the incident.

The incident happened at around 9pm in an alleyway between Hereford Close and Blackdown Close.

Another man has been arrested for suspected firearms offences.

A large area around Hereford Close and Blackdown Close remains cordoned off this morning, with Armed Response Vehicles still on site within the cordon.

A second scene was cordoned off in nearby Epping Close – we do not have confirmation that this scene is linked.

A full investigation into the incident is underway. A police spokesperson confirmed that the officer’s body worn video camera was on at the time and that: “the matter has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC)”.

Anyone with any information or who witnessed the incident can call West Midlands Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org 

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West Midlands Police have arrested four people for drug and firearm offences following an incident where a man was shot by police in Frankley yesterday (Wednesday 26th July).

‘Critical but stable’

The man – in his early 40s – remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition this evening.

The incident happened at around 9pm in an alleyway between Hereford Close and Blackdown Close. A single shot was fired by one officer.

Four arrests

A 21 year old man was arrested at the time on suspicion of firearms offences.

West Midlands Police have this evening confirmed three further arrests – two men (17 and 20) and a woman (53) who have all been arrested in relation to drugs offences.

A large area around Hereford Close and Blackdown Close remained cordoned off this morning, with Armed Response Vehicles still on site within the cordon.

A second scene was cordoned off in nearby Epping Close – we do not have confirmation that this scene is linked.

Single shot fired by one officer

The incident is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who said that initial information available to them indicated that armed police were in the area responding to intelligence received relating to firearms offences. They confirmed that evidence suggests a single shot was fired by one police officer and said that a police firearm has been secured.

Incident caught on officer’s body worn camera

The IPCC confirmed that they are gathering evidence from the scene, conducting door-to-door enquiries locally and will be reviewing police body worn video footage which captured the incident.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell, who has been at the scene today, said: “We will be carrying out a thorough, independent investigation into this serious incident, as is appropriate when police use potentially lethal force. We are making contact with the man’s family and will ensure they are updated on the progress of our investigation.”

17 years since police in West Midlands last shot anyone

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson said, “An incident like this is extremely rare in the West Midlands and, as such, I will be monitoring the situation closely. This is the first time West Midlands Police has shot someone since 2000. I scrutinise police use of force closely and I will continue to do so. Police use of firearms is closely monitored and regulated.”

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Young people from The Factory Young People’s Centre put on a great show at an event to showcase their talents last week.

The Treblemakers event saw performances from young people who had been attending ‘choir’ sessions, alongside dancers – who all attend the youth centre – and guest singers from the E. R. Mason Youth Centre in Birmingham.

Most of the performers had been attending the Mouths From the South sessions at the centre. The group was run by youth worker Jo Burrows, who is passionate about singing and was part of Birmingham City Council’s choir which featured on the BBC’s ‘The Choir’ with Gareth Malone in 2014.

A temporary project, Mouths from the South welcomed young people of all musical abilities to enjoy fun sessions, building great supportive relationships with others and building confidence.

Compered by Jo (with her dry sense of humour!), The Treblemakers event at The Factory was a great place to test out their newly developed performance skills as the project drew to a close.

Most of the young people had never performed in front of others before and nerves were fraught as they took to the stage for the first time. However, with encouragement and support from their peers, all pulled off their performances for a fantastic show!

Dancers, Ryan, Ryan and Josh were joined by others to showcase their skills and Josh bravely performed a solo dance piece.

Four very talented young ladies from the E R Mason Youth Centre in Birmingham also performed.

Cllr Ian Cruise (Independent, Longbridge) attended the event. He said: “It was a privilege to attend the TrebleMakers performance.  Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to see the amazing Young People of South West Birmingham engaging with our brilliant youth workers and putting on an awesome performance of music and dance.

“People are quick enough to be negative about our local area, but last nights event showed the positives and how creative and engaging the Young People of South West Birmingham are.”

Cllr Cruise thanked staff and volunteers for engaging with young people and putting on the event. He said: “I will be speaking to the Head of Youth Services and the Chair of the Community Safety Partnership to ensure funding is sought for this excellent project to continue.”

It was great to see the young people being so supportive of each other and having so much fun with music and dance! We wish them all the best and hope future funding can be found to bring back Mouths from the South!

Well done, all!

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Building contractors working on the upgrade of a local supermarket arranged a treat for local school children on their last day of term.

ISG are currently doing major works on the Morrisons superstore in Rubery and this has caused some disruption for many children and families who use an entrance in Morrisons car park to access the Colmers Farm Primary School site and the store.

The company paid for an entertaining morning for all 420 pupils (and staff!), with Fairytale Party Planners – a local business run by Vickie and Chloe Wilkes – providing bouncy castles, face painting, balloon modelling, mascots and discos.

ISG will also be helping out by giving the school’s toilets and headteacher’s office a fresh lick of paint over the summer.

Morrisons Rubery Community Champion Jane Williams said: “Our wonderful building contractors ISG gave the children an amazing morning of fun.

“The school and parents have taken the disruption of our refit well and, when I heard that school funding meant no school trips this year, I spoke to site manager Alun who asked me to organise something for them.”

Jane added: “Thanks to ISG and Fairytale Party Planners for organising such an amazing morning for the children.”

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With over 1500 bicycles stolen in Birmingham last year, Northfield based Cycle South Brum, with the help of Northfield Police, have released a video of top tips for keeping your bike safe.

Based in Northfield Ecocentre, Cycle South Brum promote cycling for all. They deliver maintenance workshops and cycling lessons for all ages and abilities., including one to one sessions for adults and children on the Autism spectrum or with Dyspraxia or Hypermobility.  They also hold group rides with fun activities and have some bikes to hire so you can take part even if you don’t own a bike.

For more information on workshops, courses and activities, visit the Cycle South Brum website