Senior business people in Longbridge have donned their gardening gloves in support of a community gardening project which will see parts of Longbridge train station transformed into a ‘community garden’.

‘Wild Longbridge’

The initiative, entitled ‘Wild Longbridge’, has been launched by Longbridge Public Art Project (LPAP) and is being delivered in partnership with Northfield Ecocentre and London Midland to explore how planting, growing and eating can be a shared activity that enhances built and social environments.

Want to get involved in the Wild Longbridge Project?!

Senior business people get their hands dirty

Representatives from leading companies based at Longbridge, including St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist and developers behind the £1 billion Longbridge project; Marks & Spencer, which opened its largest store in the Midlands in November last year; Boots Pharmacy and London Midland, current rail operators at Longbridge train station, all gave up part of their afternoon last month to help clear existing scrub land and plant a new wildflower meadow.

‘Gateway to Longbridge’

Mike Murray, development director at St. Modwen, said: “The train station is, for many, the gateway to Longbridge – it’s the first impression people get when they arrive. Yet until LPAP and its team of volunteers started work a few weeks ago, the station embankments were surrounded by overgrown hedges and scrub, offering little in the way of colour, and were simply unattractive to visitors.

“Coming here today, it’s already clear to see just how much work has been done to clear the site, and the new wildflower meadow we have helped plant today will begin to enhance the station through colour and nature providing a real focal point for people arriving at Longbridge – I look forward to watching the changes unfold as the project continues, and the community come together to adopt this station as their own.”

Art, design, ecology, community

Over the last four years, the LPAP project – which is being delivered by social arts organisation WERK and supported by developer St. Modwen – has developed a diverse portfolio of projects in response to Longbridge. Exploring both the area’s heritage and its future, the project has hosted over 135 events, including an International light & art festival.

Artist Cathy Wade, who is leading the work at Longbridge train station as part of her ongoing LPAP residency, said “Wild Longbridge proposes that we can change the landscape we commute in, such as a train station, through the creation of a community garden. This project will develop through a series of art, design and ecology events that blend planting and growing as landscaping and art.”

Michael Addison, Director of Northfield Ecocentre, said: “We are excited to start a journey of creative urban planting and food growing across Longbridge as part of our wider ‘Incredible Edible’ longer term project in the area.”

Mark Fruin, Store Manager at M&S Longbridge, added: “It’s been great to get stuck into a project that will make a difference to the local community travelling in and out of Longbridge. We can’t wait to see the new community garden complete and in full bloom.”

Throughout the project, the partnership will be planting a diverse range of fruit bushes, fruit trees and herbs as well as building a variety of bug and bird homes which will support future biodiversity and encourage new forms of wildlife in the area.

As part of the community garden, LPAP and Northfield Ecocentre are also creating volunteering opportunities in planting, growing and habitat creation. This will form part of Northfield Eccocentre’s long-term initiative to work with disadvantaged young people in the local area by encouraging the development of new skills, including food growing, carpentry and design, team working and problem solving, and the understanding of ecosystems at a local level.

GET INVOLVED:

LPAP’s Stephen Burle said: “Thanks to the contributions of local businesses and residents,  we made great progress with our last day of platform clearing on the 19th May working towards creating a micro wild flower meadow this summer.

“With the help of volunteers from local businesses and residents, we are planning a big push to complete the first phase of this ongoing work at the station by finishing off a section on the platform by clearing and sowing of the wild seeds.”

When: Wednesday 22nd June (10am – 2pm) & Saturday 25th June (10am – 4pm)
Where: Meet at the LPAP |SPACE at 9.45am (Unit 5, 5 Longbridge Lane B31 2TS – next to Queen’s Chippy) If you arrive later, pop down to Platform 2
What: You will be given a full health and safety induction to each session and tools will be provided. You just need to be prepared with suitable work-boots for a gardening environment (please avoid trainers or soft canvas shoes) and suitable clothing.

For more information and to get involved with the ‘Wild Longbridge’ community garden initiative please contact Stephen Burke, LPAP Communications & Project Assistant, on 07845 764 751 or email stephen@werk.org.uk For more information on Longbridge, visit: longbridgebirmingham.co.uk

After months of talking about In or Out, Leave or Remain, it’s almost time to cast our votes. 

In the words of one of our most successful European exports, 80s Eurovision winners Bucks Fizz, it’s time for Making Your Mind up (we are so very, very, very sorry!)

If you’re not quite decided, after you’ve enjoyed the fabulous video above (*cough*), have a read of these short 100 word contributions from some of our local politicians, explaining why they’re LEAVE or REMAIN. (More will be added as they come in.)

Take our poll

—

LEAVE

Keith Rowe, UKIP candidate / spokesman: “I want our laws made by a Government which we elect or remove. EU laws are made by unelected commissioners.

“We pay billions to be a member of the EU as well as the cost of regulations on small businesses. Our money should be kept for the NHS, housing, education. It should be our Government’s choice where it is spent.

“I have no problem with immigrants or immigration but our Government should say who comes and how many. We are currently discriminating against people from outside the EU.

“Britain could be so much better off controlling its own affairs.” Take our poll

REMAIN

Cllr Steve Bootton & Cllr Julie Johnson, Weoley, Labour: “Voting to remain – it’s a vote for jobs, skills, investment, consumer and workers rights.

Richard Burden, MP for Northfield, Labour: “I will vote to remain part of the EU on Thursday. I will do that for local people’s jobs, for our security and for future generations. It makes no sense to risk their future.

“In the 21st century, big issues such as migration, climate change or terrorism, cannot be tackled effectively by countries on their own. That’s not a choice. It is reality. The EU is far from perfect but by leaving the EU we would be left on the side lines – affected by the big decisions but not able to influence them. Confidence in our country means leading in Europe, not leaving it.” Take our poll

Cllr Ian Cruise, Longbridge, Independent: “People comment on how much money we give to the EU – but what do we get in return.  Being in the EU benefits Birmingham.  The Convention Centre, Barclaycard Arena, Victoria and Centenary Square’s and the Bull Ring were built thanks to large amounts of EU funding – money we would not have received from UK government.  The Council receives a lot of skills and training funding from the EU, helping many people in Northfield and Birmingham gain qualifications and skilled jobs.  EU funding has helped the city become world class, attracting tourists and new businesses.  Birmingham has a lot riding on the referendum results. I’m voting to REMAIN.”

Cllr Peter Douglas Osborn, Weoley, Conservative: “I am sympathetic to the Brexiteers and understand their motivation. They are proud of the country that we used to have, but forget the enormous changes that have occurred – changes we were frequently warned about. Now we have a different state with areas that are unrecognisable to its original inhabitants. Today we are faced with different problems, and Europe is the bond that is strong enough to fight against the proven enemies of peace today – Russia, and the militant “Islamic state”.  Our city’s middle letters give us a clue  – BirmINgham! Our country predicts:  BRITA – IN” Take our poll

Cllr Carole Griffiths, Longbridge, Labour: “Jobs, skills and opportunities are best if we are in the EU.

“Security is best if we remain.

“The 48% of our exports go to the EU. We receive fair prices for our imports that come from the EU.

“We need to balance the autonomy we desire with the co-operation we need.

“Many of our great UK companies will suffer if we pull out. This will leave us with less businesses and choice than before.

“We need to be part of the EU and trade with the world. Be part of a big organisation instead of a tiny Island.

“We need to negotiate a better deal from within, not outside.” Take our poll

Margaret Okole, Secretary, Birmingham Green Party: “EU “red tape” actually protects workers’ rights, maintains high standards on safety and pollution. Leaving the EU risks taking us down the American route of total dominance by corporations. Our present government is the worst in the EU for pussyfooting round tax avoidance and courting the Chinese rather than defending our steel industry. We have the most centralised and unrepresentative government of any EU country and it’s our own government’s policies which have caused our problems, so leaving won’t solve them. We need to join forces with the peoples of Europe to defend our public services and restore democracy.” Take our poll

How are you likely to vote?

B31 Voices has been inundated with queries about what is popping up next to the A38 / Lickey Road island in Longbridge, with the appearance of a giant white crane and concrete construction quickly beginning to take shape.

Longbridge developer St Modwen is delivering a purpose built accommodation block for military medical staff working for the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) at the city’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Giant crane

A 40 metre tall white tower crane has been set up and will be on site for seven months to help with the construction of the 6 storey building. Work has started on the concrete central core – which will hold staircases, lifts and service shafts.

Moulded concrete construction

The process includes the use of slipform construction – a specialist technique that sees wet concrete pumped into the top of the core “mould” that continually moves around three metres upwards each day, enabling the core’s walls to harden before they slip free from below the “mould”.

Longbridge developer St. Modwen is delivering the building on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and Galliford Try is the contractor.

Modern facilities

The RCDM building will include 180 en-suite bedrooms and an all-ranks mess facility, bar area, gym, office and guards site. A pedestrian and cycle path will pass under the A38, linking the site to Austin Park, facilities in Longbridge town centre and transport links.

Mark Batchelor, construction manager at St. Modwen, said: “The arrival of the crane and the construction of the building’s core mean that members of the public will quickly see this significant building for RCDM staff take shape.

“To ensure that it is built to time and budget, we are using slipform construction for the core, meaning it should complete within just two weeks – far quicker than using traditional methods. It also frees up the tower crane to start erecting the main in situ concrete frame and walls as soon as possible.”

Sinead McGoldrick, DIO’s Project Manager, said: “We are delighted to see that construction work on the accommodation is continuing apace. The crane is a real symbol of work getting underway.

“This facility will provide the high-quality accommodation that our dedicated military medical staff deserve. They currently live in numerous houses across the city, so this will create a central base that promotes a sense of belonging and teamwork.”

The first occupants will move in to the building next summer.

The country is waking up this morning to the news that 52% of the electorate voted to leave the European Union in yesterday’s referendum.

Most voters in the West Midlands region also opted to leave, with a vote for leave of 50.5% in Birmingham and 55% in Bromsgrove.

Turnout across Birmingham was 63.7%

Results:

West Midlands Region as a whole
Votes cast: 2,965,369
Remain: 1,207,175
Leave: 1,755,687

Birmingham
Votes cast: 451,316
Remain: 223,451
Leave: 227,251

Bromsgrove (Includes Rubery)
Votes cast: 58,855
Remain: 26,252
Leave: 32,563

Full results for other areas in the West Midlands Region

Swimming pools at Northfield Leisure Centre are to remain closed for the foreseeable future after a chlorine resistant parasite was found in the small pool.

The pool was closed for cleaning on 14th June after a child defecated in the training pool and microbiology tests on the water and filtering systems were carried out.

Chlorine resistant parasite

Tests on samples from the small teaching pool have now returned positive for cryptosporidium, a parasite which is resistant to chlorine and can cause severe diarrhoea alongside other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dehydration and fever. Most people recover from symptoms well by drinking plenty of fluids, but those with weakened immune systems may suffer complications.

The tests were carried out as a precaution after cryptosporidium was found at Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre in Kings Heath in May, closing their pool, which is set to reopen tomorrow (Saturday 25th June) after being closed for over a month.

Apologies

A spokesperson for Northfield Leisure Centre said: “The swimming pools at Northfield Leisure Centre will remain closed until further notice after independent tests unfortunately detected the presence of Cryptosporidium in the teaching pool water. We are still awaiting the test results for the larger pool.

Northfield Carnival returns this weekend with a range of fun and entertainment for all ages in Victoria Common between 12 and 5pm on Saturday 2nd July.

The main arena will deliver entertainment, introduced as always by the Moonlighting Roadshow, and this year includes displays of falconry, vikings, pipe band, gymnastics, limbo, African drumming, music, dance & more.

Stiltwalkers and a street magician will entertain carnival goers and there will be circus skills and African drumming workshops.

Northfield Arts Forum will be running their popular Arts Village with lots of free activities. There will be free sports activities with the Friends of Victoria Common, a tea tent provided by Northfield Baptist Church and a jobs fair.

There will also be mini rides, zorb balls, a climbing wall, archery, inflatables, an obstacle course, go karts, pony rides and stalls.

Full line up:

From Northfield Police:

Officers from the Northfield district neighbourhood team are cracking down on illegal use of mini-motos and off-road bikes which are being used anti-socially and in some cases, putting lives at risk.

The team have seized 10 off-road motor bikes and issued a number of section 59 warning notices to riders in recent months.

Police have the power to seize bikes and cars which are used in a way which causes harassment, alarm or distress even if the motorist has tax and insurance.

A warning is given first but if that fails to be effective and the vehicle is used in an anti-social manner again, it will be seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act.

Vehicles can also be seized if the rider is not insured, or has no road tax.

Inspector Dean Gordon from the Northfield neighbourhood policing team said: “This type of anti-social behaviour is a real cause of concern for the local community and we would like to reassure you that we continue to take this matter extremely seriously.

“We would like to thank you for the information you have given us to help identify those responsible. We urge anyone who has information and hasn’t yet being in touch to call us on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“We are committed to working with partner agencies and you to tackle this issue.”

What does the law say?

In law, off road motorbikes are regarded as motor vehicles which must be constructed to a specific standard in order to be ridden on a public highway. Most off road motorbikes do not meet this standard. Visit the Department for Transport’s website for more information.

In addition to meeting construction requirements, off road motorbikes also need the following if they are to be used on a public highway:

• DVLA registration (log book)
• Road tax
• A valid MOT
• Fitted with lights
• Fitted with registration plates
• Type approval

The rider must also:

• Be aged 17 or over (or 16 if the vehicle meets the definition of a moped)

• Hold a valid driving licence

• Have valid motor insurance

• Wear suitable safety equipment (e.g. a motorbike helmet)

If the above conditions are not met, it is illegal to ride an off road motorbike on the road.

Anyone with any information on antisocial or illegal use of bikes locally is asked to call their neighbourhood team on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Plans for the new Northfield Leisure Centre have been submitted to Birmingham City Council for approval. 

Members of the public can have their say on the plans until 14th July 2016.

The leisure centre’s pools are currently closed after chlorine resistant bug cryptosporidium was found in the system.

Brand new facility

The current leisure centre and pool building will be demolished, starting in September this year. Work on a new building at the current site will commence in November, and it is anticipated that the new centre will open in April 2018.

The facility will include a 6 lane 25m pool, a learner pool, changing facilities, a fitness suite, a dance studio and a community room.

As part of the plans, some current features will be lost: there will be no steam or sauna facilities and no ICE gym – one of three gyms equipped for young people 8-16 across Birmingham. The main pool will be 25m long, compared to the current 30m pool.

Location debate

A long and heated debate and consultation on the location of a new build centre followed Birmingham City Council’s decision to build a new facility back in 2014. Options included the current site, the Longbridge redevelopment and Prices Square in the centre of Northfield.

A decision was made in March last year that the new build would go ahead on the current site.

Alternative facilities during rebuild

The running of the site, along with 7 others, has now been taken over by the Serco managed Birmingham Community Leisure Trust and the centre will remain operational until demolition in September.

Tiverton Pool in Selly Oak, earmarked for closure, will be kept open as an alternative facility while the Northfield new build takes place.

Historic landmark lost

The history of Northfield baths:

• Northfield baths opened on 8th May 1937 and were the first in Birmingham to be built solely for the purpose of recreation.
• The building was designed by Henry Simister for the Birmingham Baths Committee. There were two pools, as there are now, with a large cafe overlooking.
• The fitness suite was added in the 1980s.
• The refurbishment in 2003 was the last major spend on the building.
• Situated opposite the Black Horse on Bristol Road South, the building is considered a local landmark.

Although the landmark facade of the building is to be lost, proposed plans include retaining some of the key features of the building – such as the weather vane – in the landscaping around the new centre.

When plans were released in March, Northfield MP Richard Burden said: “I am disappointed that it looks like the facade of the current building is not being retained. It is an important local landmark and that will be lost even if the new pool preserves a few features from the old one. It looks like the loss of the facade is down to shortage of space on the existing pool site. This was one of the reasons I supported building a new leisure centre somewhere else – like Northfield’s Price’s Square just up the road. That option wasn’t to be, though, and we need to make what has been agreed work as well as possible. The key thing is that Northfield needs a quality new pool and leisure centre, and it is getting one.”

Improved facilities?

A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said: “The £8million investment into rebuilding the Northfield Leisure facility is expected to support wider regeneration in the area, as well as greatly enhance the health and fitness provision for local residents by making sporting activity and swimming more accessible to a greater number of people wanting to enjoy an active lifestyle.

“The community area will offer a great space for hosting community functions and events in a safe, secure and modern environment.”

Northfield MP Richard Burden said: “The Council promised to build a new pool and leisure centre in Northfield and these plans show they are as good as their word.

“So I want to congratulate the council on its investment – particularly when the city is suffering such big cuts from the Government.”

Your views

Plans can be viewed and commented on via the Birmingham City Council planning site until 14th July 2016.

Click images to view larger:

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has approved an application to close Bournville School’s sixth form. 

Proposed sixth form closure

Plans to close the Sixth Form were first consulted on in late 2015 as the school, run by Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust, faced a challenge to reduce debts of £750,000. With just 74 sixth form students at the time but places for up to 250, the school said that sixth form provision had become unsustainable.

Petition and support

On hearing of the proposals, pupils of the school, supported by families and the local community, started a petition which gained over 500 signatures. Alongside the petition, pupils decided to support the academy with over 100 year 11 pupils choosing to apply to study A levels at Bournville. 55 applications were also received from young people at other schools.

Short lived “victory”

Campaigning students claimed “victory” back in January when the school announced it was shelving the plans to close the sixth form due to the support it had received from pupils, families and the community.

“No longer financially viable”

However, as this academic year comes to a close, Head of Academy Nicola Gould says that not enough students have applied for September 2016, with only 30 saying they would definitely continue their studies there.

Mrs Gould said: “The figures mean the sixth form is therefore no longer viable financially.

“If the sixth form had continued, the class sizes would have been too small for effective learning and some students could have been denied the opportunity of studying their desired subjects.

“Therefore, we have had to make the very difficult decision to end our sixth form provision, which means that we will no longer recruit students to Year 12 from September 2016.”

Current Year 12 students will continue their Year 13 studies at Bournville in the 2016/17 academic year and will therefore be the final cohort of sixth form students at the academy.

“Loss and sorrow”

Mrs Gould added: “We understand that this news will come as a great disappointment to existing students, as well as those living within the community who hold this school close to their heart due to its proud history of strong and traditional values.

“As someone who has worked at this school for more than 20 years, I too share their sense of loss and sorrow. However, we put our students at the heart of every decision we make and their future success is the centre of our focus. We are a school with high expectations and one of our core values is to strive to provide our students with the quality education that each one of them deserves.”

Support for students as some prepare to study some subjects at other schools next year

Unfortunately, the school will not be able to teach physics, biology, chemistry, French or Spanish next year to those currently studying the subjects in Year 12. These subjects will be delivered at other local schools, through The Oaks Collegiate, a partnership of secondary schools in the area.

Mrs Gould said that students would be fully supported to complete their A Level studies. She said: “I want to reassure those pupils affected by this decision that we are fully committed to supporting them and to work with them to find the most appropriate place for them to continue their education. I would like to personally thank our parents and staff for their continued support.”

Andy Bird, CEO of Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust, said: “I would like to stress that this decision was not made lightly. It followed in-depth deliberation and it was a decision which was reached collectively by the school, the Trust’s Board of Directors, the Head of Academy and the school’s Academy Association.

“We are working closely with the Department for Education, as well as a number of schools with sixth forms and other further education providers in the area, to ensure our pupils secure the right outcomes for them.”

Birmingham Community Leisure Trust and Birmingham City Council have today confirmed that swimming pools at Northfield Leisure Centre will NOT reopen until after the current building’s demolition and redevelopment, after a chlorine resistant bug was found in the water.

The gym will remain open until 22nd July, when the building will close for an £8 million rebuild.

The pool was closed for cleaning on 14th June after a child defecated in the training pool and microbiology tests on the water and filtering systems were carried out.

Chlorine resistant parasite

Tests on samples from the small teaching pool have now returned positive for cryptosporidium, a parasite which is resistant to chlorine and can cause severe diarrhoea alongside other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, dehydration and fever. Most people recover from symptoms well by drinking plenty of fluids, but those with weakened immune systems may suffer complications.

The tests were carried out as a precaution after cryptosporidium was found at Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre in Kings Heath in May, closing their pool for over a month. There have been no known cases of illness linked to Northfield.

‘Not an easy decision’

Brian Taylor, Chairman for Birmingham Community Leisure Trust said: “This was not an easy decision to make but, having estimated it would take at least five weeks, and potentially in excess of one hundred thousand pounds, to restore the water quality, it just doesn’t make sense to invest this time and money. This is compounded when considering that the pools would only be open for perhaps a couple of weeks after the works before the building was due to close to be demolished to make way for the new leisure centre. We apologise to all those inconvenienced by this decision and will be contacting all our customers about alternative provision.

“While Northfield Leisure Centre will close its doors slightly earlier than expected, when it reopens in spring 2018 residents will be able to enjoy a fantastic, modern facility with enhanced health, fitness and community provision, which will also help support wider regeneration in the local area.”

A local man has launched a campaign to get a sauna and steam room included in plans for the £8 million rebuild of Northfield Leisure Centre.

Tristan Harris has started a petition so users of the facilities can put their views to Serco Group PLC which is overseeing the redevelopment project.

‘Downgrading of services’

Mr Harris said that, during a consultation about the future plans for the centre at The Factory in Longbridge two years ago, attendees were assured that all the facilities in the current Northfield Pool and Fitness Centre would be available in the new leisure centre.

He said: “Myself and a lot of others I know have been using the sauna and steam room for decades and, after the assurances we were given during the consultation, everyone assumed a sauna and steam room would be included in the plans for the new one.

“But, to our dismay and disappointment, when the proposals were put on display, there was no sauna and no steam room – I use the facilities three or four times a week – sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the evening and there are always a number of different people in there.

Sign the petition

“I admit it is excellent news that Northfield will be getting this new multi-million pound leisure centre but a lot of people like myself, because of Serco’s proposals, see this as an actual downgrading of services.

“If these plans stay the way they are, we will finish up with less facilities than we have at the moment and I feel the decision not to include a sauna and steam room will also have a detrimental effect on visitor numbers.

“Already a number of people I know have told me they will not bother returning to a centre which does not have a sauna and steam room.”

Sign the petition

Nearest sauna: 11 miles to Erdington’s ‘Turkish Suite’

There is a sauna and steam room at Tiverton Road but, when the new Northfield Leisure Centre opens, that building will close. The nearest Birmingham Community Leisure Trust centre with sauna and steam room facilities then will be 11 miles away in Erdington.

Mr Harris added: “I had a look at the Erdington centre and it has a whole ‘Turkish Suite’ with three hot rooms of various temperatures, sun loungers, two steam rooms, one dry sauna and a plunge pool – all we are asking for is one sauna and one steam room – that’s a third of what they have in Erdington.

“Currently the sauna and steam room are at the end of the pool and, looking at the new plans for the new Northfield Leisure Centre, there is more than enough room at the end of the pool to have a similar arrangement there.

Sign the petition

“I’m hoping as many pool, sauna and steam room users will join me and add their name to the petition and write to Birmingham City Council about these much-needed facilities that should be available in the new leisure centre.”

As part of the plans, there will also be no replacement of the ICE youth gym, a facility equipped specifically for 8-16 year olds.

If you support Mr Harris’ campaign, you can sign the petition below or call into The Clock Cafe to sign the paper copy. The petition will close on July 12th.

For more details on the full plans and how to submit your views, see Have Your Say: Planning application for new Northfield Leisure Centre & Pool

See also: Northfield Leisure Centre pools WILL NOT REOPEN until after redevelopment after chlorine resistant bug found

Residents were concerned yesterday morning when they awoke to find armed police at a Rubery home in the early hours. 

A 35 year old man from Knowle was arrested when West Midlands Police executed a warrant at a home in Honeysuckle Way, off Rubery Lane, at around 4.30am on Thursday (30th June).

The man appeared in court this morning (1st July) charged with four counts of conspiracy to supply a class A drug, two counts of money laundering and conspiracy to sell a prohibited weapon.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Crown Court in July.

A local councillor has called a public meeting to address local concerns after a housing developer submitted a planning application to demolish a two hundred year old local pub to make way for a small housing development.

Built in 1811, The Cock Inn in Rubery Lane is the oldest pub in Rubery. It has been vacant for around two years and is sadly falling into a state of disrepair.

It is said that the RAF were billeted at The Cock Inn during WWII and operated barrage balloons at Rubery Quarry, to protect the factories in Longbridge.

Now developers Malvern Estates PLC, alongside Unique Pub Properties PLC, are seeking permission to develop the former coaching inn as part of a proposed housing development. The development would consist of 8 detached and 4 semi-detached homes with a private access drive running adjacent to Rubery Lane.

Now, Councillor Andy Cartwright (Labour, Longbridge) has arranged a public meeting to discuss the plans for the site and ways the heritage of the site could be retained for the future.

Residents wishing to discuss the issues surrounding the development are invited to the meeting:

• When: 6.30pm Tuesday 5th July 2016
• Where: Deelands Hall, Deelands Road, Rubery B45 9RR

To view the plans and submit your views, visit Birmingham City Council Planning Online Application number: 2016/03617/PA Consultation closes 14th July 2016

A consultation is underway on legislation which will dictate how a new West Midlands Mayor and Combined Authority will work.

Seven local authorities in the West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton) have already negotiated a devolution deal with the government which will see the creation of a West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Mayor.

The Mayoral WMCA Functions Scheme is the legislation that says how the Mayor and the WMCA will make decisions, who will be responsible for what and how the Mayor will work with the WMCA board.

Findings from this consultation will help inform the decision making of the Secretary of State and Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) before an Order could be laid before Parliament. The Secretary of State will look at whether the Scheme promotes efficient and effective governance and its impact on local community identity.

The consultation and supporting documents is available on the West Midlands Combined Authority website. 

Those wishing to submit their views can complete an online survey.

The consultation will also be available in hard copy upon request at libraries and some council public buildings across the region.

Councillor Bob Sleigh, Chair of the WMCA, said: “The idea of a mayor for the WMCA area is to provide a strong voice for the region. They would also be an ambassador for the area, selling it on the global stage. They would be the point of contact when the Government want to speak to ‘the West Midlands’ and be responsible for driving the Devolution Agreement within government and the region.

“The detail in the Functions Scheme should demonstrate that we have given much thought to how a Mayoral WMCA will work effectively to deliver the Devolution Agreement.

“I encourage residents, businesses, community groups and partners from across the region to complete the consultation and have their say.”

The family of a Frankley woman who is stuck in a hospital in Cuba are desperately trying to raise the funds needed to get her home after her holiday insurance providers refused to pay out, claiming her policy was invalid.

Dream Holiday

Sheila Dumbleton, 57, from Frankley went to Cuba with her husband of over 30 years, retired builder, Ray, 69 on the 6th June. Sheila and Ray planned to celebrate her birthday with a dream holiday in the sun.

Rushed to hospital

However, on the 6th day of their 2 week holiday, Sheila fell ill and was rushed to the Hospital Universitario Lenin in Holguín, Cuba, having difficulty breathing. She was diagnosed with internal bleeding and had to have emergency surgery to stop the bleed.

After an apparently successful operation, Sheila began her recovery.

Unfortunately, Sheila suffered complications during her recovery, developing pneumonia and suffering a stroke. Anxious family members at home in the UK feared the worst.

Thankfully, two weeks later, Sheila has now regained consciousness and is back on the road to recovery.

Insurance worries

It’s a difficult enough time for Sheila and Ray’s family and friends with her in hospital so far away and communication with the hospital being hampered by language barriers.

However, an added worry for them all is that Sheila’s medical insurance company, White Horse Insurance, have said that they will not be paying out for her medical care.

Sheila’s daughter Erica said that Sheila paid for top level insurance for her holiday and informed them of her Type 2 Diabetes, paying a higher premium. However, Erica says the company claim that Sheila failed to disclose other underlying conditions – conditions which Erica says Sheila was not aware of.

A spokesman for White Horse Insurance Ireland DAC said:”We were very sorry to hear of Mrs Dumbleton’s circumstances. Regrettably, as Mrs Dumbleton’s medical history was not disclosed, her claim was not covered by her insurance policy.”

The spokesman added: “We would like to stress to all holidaymakers how important it is to fully declare any pre-existing medical conditions or on-going medical investigations when buying travel insurance.”

With a bill already over £20,000, increasing at a rate of around £900 a day, Sheila will need to remain in hospital in Cuba until she is stable enough to return home.

Support from local MP

After being contacted by the family and B31 Voices, Northfield MP Richard Burden is looking into Sheila’s case and offering support to the family where he can.

Mr Burden said: “My team and I were first made aware of Sheila’s situation on Monday. Since then we have been in contact with Sheila’s daughter, Erica, and are liaising with the family, the insurers, and the Cuba Desk at the Foreign Office. At this time it would be inappropriate to comment further but we are doing our best to support the family in what is a very difficult time.”

The family are desperately trying to raise the funds needed to get Sheila and Ray home with a Go Fund Me page and have organised a family fun day, car wash and BBQ fundraiser on 17th July.

New family member to meet!

Sheila has 2 sons, a daughter, 4 grandchildren and has just become a great grandmother. Erica said: “Since being in Cuba she has become a first time Great Grandmother to a beautiful baby girl Evie, who was born 6 weeks premature and on my mums birthday.”

All the more reason to get Sheila home!

Go Fund Me Page

Fundraising event:

Local people have come forward to help a Frankley family who lost everything in a house fire last week (Wednesday 6th July), many of them complete strangers. 

Everything destroyed in fire

Single dad Frank Campbell and 5 of his children – Sheleka, Tamara, Celeste, Lanceford & Precious (14-20) – have had to move out of their home after the fire. The fire was started upstairs in the property by a mobile phone charger, causing fire and smoke damage to all their belongings throughout the upstairs and water damage downstairs. Thankfully, no-one was hurt in the blaze.

‘Pillar of his community’

Frank teaches GKR Karate to all ages at Deelands Hall in Rubery, Allens Cross Community Centre in Northfield and Oddingley Hall in West Heath.

Family friend Natasha Dawson wrote on her crowdfunding page: “Frank Campell is a pillar of his community. He volunteers four days a week teaching children and adults Karate under the umbrella of GKR Karate.

“Not only does he teach but he also goes above and beyond for his students, offering them both emotional and physical support. He has steered many of our children away from mischief, directing their energy into something that has taught them respect, discipline, self-worth and confidence.”

Donations and support

Maria, who runs Oddingley Hall Community Centre, started a collection of items for the family after being approached by friend Sarah McBride. Household items from towels to beds have been donated.

Many people on the B31 Voices Facebook page pledged to drop items in to Oddingley Hall to help the family. Jane Williams, the Community Champion at Morrisons Rubery, has offered the family £50 of underwear and pyjamas etc to help.

If you have any items you would like to donate, you can take them to Oddingley Hall, to see if they can be used. The hall will be open to collect donated items on Monday 11th July between 5pm and 7pm. You can contact Wychall Farm Family Club at Oddingley via their Facebook page.

If you would like to offer a cash donation to help the family, a donation page has been set up by family friend Natasha Dawson.

Thank you

The Campbells said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed by the help and support that we have been given, thank you just isn’t enough. We are so blessed to have you in our lives.”

Maria from Oddingley Hall said: “The response is overwhelming. What a great community we live in.”

A massive THANK YOU to you all! We wish all the best for Frank and his family.

Want to help: 

• Item collection: Monday 11th July 5-7pm at Oddingley Hall, Oddingley Road, West Heath B31 3BS
• Natasha Dawson’s Just Giving page

West Midlands Police are investigating after a man was shot in Selly Oak last night.

The incident happened in Tiverton Road, close to the junction with Bristol Road, at around 11.30pm on Sunday 10th July.

The man, 27, suffered a single shot to his upper arm through the window of his car and was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Inspector Richard Marsh, from West Midlands Police CID, said: “We believe this to be a targeted attack and fortunately the man’s injuries are not life threatening.

“We have conducted a detailed forensic search of the area and the road has now been re-opened.”

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has information to assist the enquiry is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

A new charity which has just moved into Birmingham is seeking volunteers for its Northfield based service, supporting women back in to work.

Smart Works is a UK charity that supports unemployed women into work by providing clothing, advice and interview training. The charity’s London based operation worked with around 2000 women last year and Smart Works also operates in Reading, Edinburgh and Greater Manchester.

Now, Smart Works is aiming to empower unemployed women in Birmingham, from its premises based in Northfield. The free service, which has a 60% success rate, will begin in late July. Each woman who attends Smart Works Birmingham will receive a complete interview outfit, personally styled for them and theirs to keep, followed by one to one interview training. High quality clothing is donated by other women or retailers, and styling and training is delivered by a skilled volunteer team.

Rebecca Debenham, Chair of Smart Works Birmingham and Chief Executive of Northfield Community Partnership said: “Bringing the Smart Works service to Birmingham will provide a valuable and unique service for women in our city.  There are many support services available, but nowhere can they get the focused two-hour service to provide them with the right outfit for their job interview, combined with coaching to give them the confidence to succeed.  I was so pleased to find the Smart Works service to plug this gap and am looking forward to bringing it to life in our area.”

Volunteers:

If you are passionate about empowering women from the local community, have excellent people skills and either have a passion for fashion or have HR or recruitment experience and are able to commit one day a month or week as a volunteer, Smart Works Birmingham would like to hear from you. 

Drop in to the Volunteer Open Day on Tuesday 12th July, 3 – 6pm at Smart Works Birmingham, 695 Bristol Road South, Birmingham, B31 2JT If you can’t make it but would like to offer your help, email birmingham@smartworks.org.uk

Clothing donations:

Smart Works Birmingham are also looking for donations of high quality, clean, interview appropriate women’s clothing in all sizes, bags and shoes. If you have any items that you’d like to donate, get in touch at birmingham@smartworks.org.uk

Sad news received today that a Frankley woman who was stuck in a hospital in Cuba after she became seriously ill on holiday has passed away.

The family of Sheila Dumbleton, 57, had been fundraising to get her home after her holiday insurance providers refused to pay out, claiming her policy was invalid.

Our thoughts are with husband Ray, children Erica, Lance and Graham and all of her family and friends at this very difficult time.

Donations towards paying off Sheila’s medical bill and bringing her and Ray home can still be made on the Go Fund Me page.

—

Dream Holiday

Sheila went to Cuba with her husband of over 30 years, retired builder, Ray, 69 on the 6th June. Sheila and Ray planned to celebrate her birthday with a dream holiday in the sun.

Rushed to hospital

However, on the 6th day of their 2 week holiday, Sheila fell ill and was rushed to the Hospital Universitario Lenin in Holguín, Cuba, having difficulty breathing. She was diagnosed with internal bleeding and had to have emergency surgery to stop the bleed.

After an apparently successful operation, Sheila began her recovery.

Unfortunately, Sheila suffered complications during her recovery, developing pneumonia and suffering a stroke. Anxious family members at home in the UK feared the worst.

Sheila regained consciousness and seemed to be back on the road to recovery but has now sadly passed away.

Insurance worries

An added worry for Sheila’s family is that her medical insurance company, White Horse Insurance, have said that they will not be paying out for her medical care.

Sheila’s daughter Erica said that Sheila paid for top level insurance for her holiday and informed them of her Type 2 Diabetes, paying a higher premium. However, Erica says the company claim that Sheila failed to disclose other underlying conditions – conditions which Erica says Sheila was not aware of.

A spokesman for White Horse Insurance Ireland DAC said:”We were very sorry to hear of Mrs Dumbleton’s circumstances. Regrettably, as Mrs Dumbleton’s medical history was not disclosed, her claim was not covered by her insurance policy.”

The spokesman added: “We would like to stress to all holidaymakers how important it is to fully declare any pre-existing medical conditions or on-going medical investigations when buying travel insurance.”

Since Sheila’s passing, the family need to find the money to pay £20,000+ medical bills and get Ray and Sheila back to the UK.

Support from local MP

After being contacted by the family and B31 Voices, Northfield MP Richard Burden had been looking into Sheila’s case, offering support to the family where he could and liaising with her insurers and the Foreign Office.

On hearing of her passing, Mr Burden said: “Following the sad news that Sheila Dumbleton  has died, I have asked the UK foreign Office Minister to ensure that consular staff give as much advice and assistance to the family as they can.

“I am told that Sheila’s husband Ray wants to get back to the UK as soon as possible to be reunited with his family and I can obviously understand that. I am sure there will still be issues to resolve regarding both the repatriation of Sheila’s body and here is the outstanding question of the medical bills.

“However, none of this should be allowed to overshadow the human side of this tragedy. That is why I hope everyone will work to ensure that Ray can get to get back to his family as soon as possible.”

Sheila has 2 sons, a daughter, 4 grandchildren and had just become a great grandmother. Erica said: “Since being in Cuba she has become a first time Great Grandmother to a beautiful baby girl Evie, who was born 6 weeks premature and on my mums birthday.”

Our thoughts are with husband Ray, children Erica, Lance and Graham and all of her family and friends at this very difficult time.

Donations towards paying off Sheila’s medical bill and bringing her home can still be made on the Go Fund Me page.

Rest in peace, Sheila

Fundraising to get Sheila and Ray home

Go Fund Me Page

Fundraising event: