Goosemoor Lane News
(Unofficial news for Goosemoor Lane, Short Heath, Erdington, Birmingham B23 United Kingdom)

Saturday 30th November 2024 Edition

Additions? Comments? Queries? Corrections? - email Gary O'Brien at - gary_obrien_99@yahoo.co.uk

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Driving Licence Found

To the woman who presumably dropped her driving licence on the pavement on Goosemoor Lane recently (near the Gravelly Lane end) - it got put through the front door of the address on nearby Johnson Rd that was written on it (there was no answer at the door) - so hopefully that was that. 

  

 

Goosemoor Lane - road closure (partial) - pruning of trees. 66 bus diverted
Scheduled to last until November 21

https://one.network

Nothing about the 66 bus though - normally is diverted down Jarvis Rd - https://disruptions.tfwm.org.uk

 

Previously vacant lot near the Goosemoor Lane/Sycamore Rd junction is now Royal Tyres
No website yet but here is the estate agent webpage - www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/commercial/to-let/177-goosemoor-lane-erdington-birmingham-b23/hub2218071

Hole in the side of Cranleigh House tower block on the Topcroft estate B23

(sent to the Council etc)

About 2 foot x 2 foot.

(On the side facing Cayton Grove - doesn't seem to be serious though).

Underneath the lightning conductor which has come away from the stone wall - so maybe from a strike (there has been lightning in the area recently).

It seems like foam insulation underneath is now exposed - which will certainly let in rain.

I checked all the other tower block lightning conductors (Cranleigh House and the adjacent Repton House seem to have 4 each) - but the other 7 seem ok.
 

Paulette Hamilton MP (Case Ref: PH9634) - "Thank you for contacting me regarding the hole in the side of Cranleigh House .... I have written to Birmingham City Council to raise your concerns. As soon as I receive a response, I will be in touch to provide an update."

paulette.hamilton.mp@parliament.uk

Boldmere Christmas Festival
Christmas Lights Switch on is scheduled to take place on Sunday 17th November from 1pm to 6pm with Christmas Lights Switch on at approximately 5:15pm.

(At the Jockey Rd end of Boldmere Rd not the Chester Rd end)

More - www.boldmere.org/community-festivals/christmas-2024/

St Mary’s College in Oscott is open to the public

Chester Rd (near the College Rd junction), Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 5AA

(You don't have to be a Roman Catholic but it helps)

Tour dates - www.oscott.org/visit-us

Workplace Fatality

A man has died after an incident at a builder's yard involving a forklift truck. Emergency services were called to the yard in Station Rd, Erdington, close to Summer Rd and Short Heath Rd, shortly after 10am on Tuesday September 17.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/tragedy-man-dies-erdington-builders-29952628


 

Traveller caravans in Short Heath Park - response from cllr Robert Alden

"Thank you for your email to Councillor Alden, who is currently away from the office and will be made aware on his return. In the meantime, I can advise that Councillor Moore had been making enquiries with the Council’s enforcement team who have advised that the encampment need to leave by today so it is being monitored."

 


 


Fix My Street round up;

Anderson Rd (Short Heath) - pothole - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5657674

Beech Rd/Sycamore Rd junction (Short Heath) - potholes - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5715297

Burlington Court (Short Heath) - flytipping (might be a private road - can't be explored via Street View anyway which usually means that) - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5677839

Burlington Court (Short Heath) - street light not working (ditto) - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5848899

Chester Rd (Short Heath/Sutton border) - footpath linking Chester Rd to Marston Rd (leads to the train station) has a dip which floods after rain & is very muddy either side meaning it cannot be passed without going through the water or the slippery mud - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5630065

Dovedale Rd (Perry Common) - flytipping - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5690613

Erdington Oaks play area next to Repton House (Topcroft estate) - 2 broken swings and a broken zipwire - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6257783

Goosemoor Lane (Short Heath) - flytipping - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5584557

Goosemoor Lane  (Short Heath) - column of Lamp 1 is bent - reported for repair.

Goosemoor Lane (Short Heath) - dog constantly yelping - a dog is left in the garden yelping for hours and most times it starts at 6am - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6272936

(I think that is a longstanding issue down by the Gravelly Lane end - so it might be that the map is marked in the wrong place. Update - it was by the Gravelly Lane end and some residents have told me that the dog has now gone - and yes the issue had been going on for years).

Gravelly Lane/Chester Rd junction (Pavilion Housing - Short Heath) - complex is full of flytippjng - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5745026

Gravelly Lane/Goosemoor Lane junction (Short Heath - adjacent to the shop) - fencing around this area has been removed, lots of hazards if children were to go in there, big paving slabs balancing on top of each other - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5745021

Gravelly Lane/Station Rd/Norfolk Rd junctions plus into Norfolk Rd - road surface is very uneven with potential pot holes starting to appear - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5757056

Gravelly Lane (Short Heath) - blocked drain with water flowing out - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5760025

Hastings Rd (Perry Common) - king size mattress dumped on pavement - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6166319

Hawthorn Rd (Perry Common) - public "beach" (bench) needs replacement coach bolts - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6136611

Hawthornbrook Way (Oscott) - drain cover missing - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6228869

Jarvis Rd (Short Heath) - rubbish dumped in gully by St Margaret's Church from Somerset Rd - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6200853

Johnson Rd (Short Heath) - potholes - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5600899

Kittiwake Drive (Perry Common) - kids playing football on the road till late night (there are parks nearby - an age old problem nationally of course) - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6036867

Ridgeway (Perry Common) - flytipping, 3 bed bases, fridge freezer, car tyre, loads of wooden pallets all left in different spots - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6141285

Short Heath Park - flytipping (area marked on the map is the Goosemoor Lane/Court Lane corner) - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5584566

Short Heath Rd/Hailsham Rd/Court Lane - blindspot for pedestrians (on a bus route too) - needs a zebrra crossing etc - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6170705

Somerton Drive (Short Heath) - flytipping - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6193472

Thomas Walsh Avenue (Short Heath) - overgrown bushes and grass blocking the pathway - www.fixmystreet.com/report/6135951

Tulip Close (Perry Common) - flytipping - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5758172

Wareing Drive (Oscott) - fridge dumped - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5663514

Witton Lodge Rd (Perry Common - near Gretton Rd junction and on that side) - a hot spot for rubbish next to the bus stop as there are no bins present? - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5594426

Witton Lodge Rd (Perry Common) - a lot of rubbish dumped opposite the bus stop by the Spinney - www.fixmystreet.com/report/5832512

Erdington general election result;

Paulette Hamilton (Labour) - 14,774 votes
Jack Brookes (Reform UK) - 7,755 votes
Steve Knee (Conservative) - 5,402 votes
Karen Trench (Green Party) - 2,452 votes
Shaukat Ali (Independent) - 2,250 votes
Ann Farzana Aslam (Liberal Democrats) - 1,128 votes
Corinthia Ward (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition) - 37 votes

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/birmingham-erdington-general-election-results-29465125

Birmingham Adult Education Service - courses September to December 2024
Local venue - Erdington Centre, 101 Sutton New Rd, Erdington, B23 6RE. Tel: 0121 464 6190

(Check the course venues in the last column on the right)

Schedule - www.learnbaes.ac.uk/images/Pdfs/2024-25_Course_Brochure_WebVersion.pdf

Sign outside the Evans cash and carry on Goosemoor Lane

 

Ladders Of Opportunity Bursary - established in memory of Erdington MP Jack Dromey and Stockland Green Councillor Penny Holbrook

Aims to provide vital support for individuals aged 16 to 25, empowering them to overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational and career aspirations.

This initiative will provide bursaries of up to £1,000 to support learning or pathways into work for young residents in the Erdington Constituency.

More - https://wittonlodge.org.uk/2024/05/20/bursary/

Lost dog: gold Shih Tzu (female) - Short Heath Rd area

Poster etc - www.doglost.co.uk/dog-blog.php?dogId=191308

Sign in Jim Duffel butchers on The Ring (Witton Lodge Circle)

Northside Welcome Centre schedule

Bashed fence at the 7/65 bus terminus Spinney - on the to city side - Council response below

"Your service request does require attention but is not an immediate hazard and has therefore been included in our programme of repairs, usually this will take place within the next six months. We aim to provide a full response within 28 days following the completion of our investigation, however if you still haven’t received a full response after this period or require an update then please use our online form quoting reference ROS020935."

Mystery surrounds what turned the water bright red after the 'strange happening' at Perry Common Meadows - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/strange-happening-water-turns-red-28509147.amp

Motorcyclist Injured In Crash - Witton Lodge Rd.

October 9.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/oscott-crash-leaves-motorcyclist-hospital-27874165

Chester Rd/Gravelly Lane Junction Traffic Protest

Campaigners took the streets of Erdington demanding urgent action to tackle dangerous driving. The public protest was held at the junction of Gravelly Lane and Chester Rd on Saturday 30 September, where a cyclist was tragically killed in a hit-and-run in May this year.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/campaigners-protest-fatal-hit-run-27828446



Pedestrian suffers 'serious injuries' in Court Lane crash
A pedestrian was taken to hospital with 'potentially serious injuries' after he was struck by a car in Erdington. Police and paramedics were called to Court Lane, at 1.20pm on Wednesday (August 23), and initially treated the male patient at the scene.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/pedestrian-suffers-serious-injuries-erdington-27579365

Council throws out application for HMO - 120 Gravelly Lane

(By the Norfolk Rd junction and on that side) -

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/delight-council-throws-out-application-27502109

CCTV Appeal - minor crash on Goosemoor Lane;

"Did anyone see anything or have any ringdoor/dashcam footage by any chance??? I was driving up Goosemoor Lane B23 towards Court Lane (9th August) approx 11.30am by the park green railings when a guy in a white van (daughter caught it was a 20 plate) drove too close to me coming in the opposite direction smashing my wing mirror off & damaging down the side of my car, I stopped & so did he, but as i was about to get out he then took off so I turned the car around & tried to catch him up but he took off at speed & them must of shot up a side road & disappeared."

Contact - Swestwood1977@yahoo.com
 

(There was an unrelated crash on Goosemoor Lane down by Cookes Furniture the same day I think - certainly a couple of crashed cars were parked there the following day).

Speed Detecting lines were in the road on Goosemoor Lane - by the Kirkwood Avenue junction. They were only there for a few days though.

Houses Of Multi-Occupancy (HMO's) In The Area

The recent public meeting at Six Ways Baptist church about HMO's in the area was as you'd expect standing room only - they said 150 people were there but it seemed more like 200 to me - so the police and Council etc are in no doubt whatsoever about resident's anger and experiences - both were there - but I think we should also now allow them some time to improve things - obviously though feel free to keep putting stuff on here about the problem.

See the latest plan here.

A disused pub in Erdington could become a 10-bed house in multiple occupation (HMO) under new plans. The Royal Oak on Marsh Lane was put up for sale in July 2022, with the developer seeking to quickly bring the vacant pub back into use.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/vacant-erdington-pub-could-become-27163202

Some work has been going on with Lamp 17 on Goosemoor Lane - by the electricity substation.

Residents Survey - Paulette Hamilton MP wants to hear from local people in Erdington, Kingstanding, and Castle Vale. Please complete and submit the online residents survey below.

Here - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSca4T778-pHaCCfD5vA8AHnXYQ6RnyBIL5CRirZlQezU8fMVw/viewform

Paulette Hamilton MP will be hosting another Big Conversation (community meeting with police etc) later in the spring. For more information visit - www.paulettehamilton.org


Rosie Mac's (Rose and Crown) pub on Gravelly Lane

 

Idea to re-route the 7 bus (Perry Common to city) in Newtown - NX Bus response;

Ref: NE58329109.

"Thank you for your suggestion regarding service 7. We are aware of the issues at Alma Street due to parked cars, and have previously considered re-routing the outbound service via Milton Street as you suggest, however this was discounted at the time as we generally prefer to align routes in either direction where possible for consistency, but also as this would result in less opportunities for interchange with service 8A/8C at Newtown. However we will engage with drivers and review our data to establish the length of delays and whether this option can be reconsidered."

(Alma Street used to have a large factory called Crocodiles but it has been replaced by housing. However there were no garages provided so residents now park in the street. Before, two 7 buses could easily pass each other along what was an empty street, but now even one bus struggles to move along there in either direction. Also the road curves so bus drivers can't see each other coming).

Lost: brown Patterdale Terrier dog (female) in B23 - https://doglost.co.uk/dog-blog.php?dogId=183431

The old Cross Keys pub (Sutton Rd/Station Rd junction B23) is now either an actual mosque or there are preparations going on to make it one -
https://erdingtonislamicfoundation.org/projects/


Some Bits And Pieces;

The children's play area at the junction of Anstey Fields and Goosemoor Lane is being improved by workmen.

There is some roadwork and pavement digging going on opposite Cookes on Goosemoor Lane - being done by BT I think.

The burger bar trailer down by the church had a Council enforcement notice stuck on it, and it has now gone. A separate burger trailer has now (legally) appeared outside the Topcroft Rd shop.

The old painter and decorator company building on Court Lane by the Guthrum Close junction has been demolished. I'll try to find out what will replace it.

A house alarm was going off every day at the Goosemoor Lane and Kirkwood Avenue junction for some reason. It seems to have sorted itself out now though.

Update - care home plans on Goosemoor Lane


Solar lighting not working on the footpath in Short Heath Park - reported.

Video - Court Lane B23 - Fire Service attending a call out - 8/11/2022 (seemed like a false alarm).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGAO_4_qkI8

Kevin McCaughey RIP
Kevin McCaughey (who ran the Topcroft
Rd shop with his wife Kitty in the 1970's) has died.

It was a few months ago but I've only recently found out.

More - https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/mccaughey/5041642

The World Soup Kitchen (WSK) helps the homeless and less fortunate by providing freshly prepared, hot meals at soup kitchens in London and Birmingham. In the capital they cover Peckham, Harlesden and Hackney - and in Birmingham in Erdington.

They distribute care packages across the 2 cities, which contain everyday toiletries and accessories tailored to the weather conditions. Due to limited funding and volunteers, they run 1 soup kitchen at 1 location every few weeks on a turn-by-turn basis. The medium-term goal is to be serving all 4 locations once a week, simultaneously by the end of 2023.

More - www.theworldsoupkitchen.org.uk

Recent local Planning Applications

Application Number Site Address Development Description Status Date Received Application Decision
2022/03073/PA 248 Court Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5RH Erection of 4.3 metre deep single storey rear extension. Maximum height 3.5 metres. Eaves height 2.7 metres. Registered 11-04-2022  
2022/02675/PA 54 Anderson Rd, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6NN Change of use from residential house (Use Class C3) to childrens home (Use Class C2) Registered 29-03-2022  
2022/02451/PA 69 Dean Rd, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6QE Retrospective change of use from residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to supported living accommodation (Use Class C2) Registered 22-03-2022  
2022/02350/PA Cookes Furniture, 28 Goosemoor Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5PW External alterations to front elevation and change of use from warehouse floor space (Use Class B8) to retail floor space (Use Class E) Registered 18-03-2022  

Source - www.birmingham.gov.uk/planningonline

Proposal to turn the mini-island at the junction of Goosemoor Lane & Sycamore Road back into a T-junction. Email me if you want more on this.




Jack Dromey dead - Erdington MP

More - https://uk.yahoo.com/news/labour-shadow-minister-jack-dromey-162800503.html

Result of the Erdington by-election;

Paulette Hamilton (Lab) 9,413
votes (55.51%)
Robert Alden (C
on) 6,147 (36.25%)
Dave Nellist (TUSC) 360 (2.12%)
Jack Brookes (Reform) 293 (1.73%)
Siobhan Harper-Nunes (Green) 236 (1.39%)
Lee Dargue (L
ib Dem) 173 (1.02%)
Michael Lutwyche (Ind) 109 (0.64%)
Mel Mbondiah (CPA) 79 (0.47%)
Thomas O’Rourke (Ind) 76 (0.45%)
Sir
Nos Da The Good Knight (Loony) 49 (0.29%)

Source - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/full-results-erdington-election-after-23284253

New Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton failed to declare housing firm link in £1.5m council debate

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/new-mp-paulette-hamilton-fails-23462123

Video - House of Commons tributes to Erdington MP Jack Dromey

From Wednesday 2 February

12:43:57 to 14:07:40

Here - https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/b4316f22-6d42-4b27-baf1-0d36e204957e

Save Erdington Market campaign - Barnabas Rd B23 6SH

Fighting to save the historic old Erdington market from closure. A local community led campaign to save and secure the needed repair and refurbishment this community space deserves.

More;

saveerdingtonmarket@yahoo.com
www.facebook.com/SaveErdingtonMarket/

Some of the solar powered lights on the path in Short Heath Park are not working - reported.

96 Bus Changes
As of Sunday 2nd January 2022, most route 96 journeys on weekdays and Saturdays will be operated by Diamond Bus instead of National Express. However National Express will continue to run this service on weekday and Saturday evenings and on Sundays on behalf of Transport for West Midlands.
If you have a NX bus pass, this will not be valid on Diamond buses. You can upgrade to an nBus pass so you can travel on both operators. If you want to do this please call the number on the back of your Swift card. If you only need to use Diamond services please buy your pass through them

More - https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/services-timetables/96-kingstanding-chelmsley-wood

Stockland Green councillor Penny Holbrook has sadly died suddenly - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-59380511

Crash at the Gravelly Lane/Station Rd junction (26/10/2021) - no reports of injuries

Power Cut - 27/9/2021

It varied across the area - in parts of Short Heath and Perry Common it was from around 10.30pm to 11.15pm.

Travis Perkins builders merchants are moving from the Goosemoor Lane site in Erdington to Minworth
From the company;

"Yes this is correct - the new branch opens on the 1st September in Minworth and the Goosemoor Lane closes on 27th August."

Rosie Forknall - Tool Hire Manager, Travis Perkins, Minworth Branch.
Email: rosie.forknall@travisperkins.co.uk

Editions of this magazine are in St Martin's Church in Perry Common (by The Ring) and in Witton Lodge community centre and Perry Common library etc.

 

Events at St Martin's church in Perry Common (by The Ring)

More - www.ctheking.co.uk

 It is by the alley that leads to Gravelly Lane past the pub.

(There is no carpark for that house at present and one if built in the small front garden would only hold about 2 cars. And there are already parking issues caused by Cookes and its delivery lorries on the other side of the road from there. The proposed Goosemoor site is a small semi detached house).

The Goosemor Lane Website is 20 Years Old In July 2021
Yes it started in June 2001 - it began as as a project when I went to a community meeting in the area about all the trouble and I was the youngest person there! I thought that a least something telling local kids where all the youth clubs were etc might make things better - it might at least engage them. (Also there seemed a policy at the time to play down trouble generally across the country and I wasn't happy about that seeming situation and so set up the information website to challenge it).

(Think the date on this poster is 25/6/2021 -  25/8/2021 hasn't arrived yet)

 

Lorries delivering to Cookes Furniture and Travis Perkins Builders Merchants - how much of a problem in the road?
I don't live near either business, but some who do have told me that the delivery lorries are causing all sorts of problems for them, even damaging parked cars etc. The situation isn't entirely the fault of the 2 business, but let me know and I'll see what can be improved. gary_obrien_99@yahoo.co.uk

Goosemoor Lane blocked in both directions at the bend by roadworks - Fri 21/5/2021.
But the Council didn't tell the bus company, Travis Perkins builders merchants, or Cookes Furniture (or residents) in advance - and so articulated lorries are getting stuck there (due to entering the road at the wrong end for where they want to get to - the currently blocked bend is right in the middle) and the bus company didn't put signs on bus stops in advance either.

The roadworks were completed later the same day.

Traffic island built at the junction of Beech Rd and Sycamore Rd


 

New off-licence on Witton Lodge Rd opposed (junction with Flackwell Rd)
The opening of a new off-licence in Erdington would 'decrease public safety and increase the risk of harm to children', it has been claimed. An application has been made by the Grant Witton Lodge Convenience Store for a licence to sell alcohol from 6am to 1am Monday to Sunday, something the police have objected to over concerns around crime and disorder.

Local councillors Robert Alden (Cons, Erdington) and Gareth Moore (Cons, Erdington) have also written to the council voicing their objection, stating concerns around child safety.

However the applicant has hit back, presenting what they say is a petition by local residents to support the application with more than 500 signatures.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/crime-disorder-child-safety-fears-20328055

Video - man in underwear flees police across gardens in Erdington. No exact location given - certainly suspicious (he had a missing girl in his house when the police came and ran away when dressed like that) but police say no crimes committed;

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/watch-man-pants-escaping-police-20276045

From Erdington Conservatives;

More - www.erdingtonconservatives.org.uk

'Mini forest' of 600 trees springing up in Erdington (Perry Common)

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mini-forest-600-trees-springing-19944549


 

 


Workmen have been pruning the sycamore trees on Goosemor Lane and some pot holes have been filled too.

New street lamps have been put on the Topcroft estate - including in some of the alleys where existing lamps were dull or have failed - so they are better lit up now.

Petition - Save Short Heath Playing Fields - www.change.org/p/birmingham-city-council-birmingham-education-department-bob-beauchamp-jack-dormey-save-short-heath-playing-fields

More - www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/people-1/shortheath-s77/

Save Short Heath Playing Fields group on Facebook - www.facebook.com/groups/1007069176404521/

Cross Keys pub earmarked to become homeless hostel - High Street/Station Rd junction

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/former-erdington-cross-keys-pub-18355218

I got this from a local church in Perry Common;

"I have created a WhatsApp group to keep everyone connected at St Martin's church. People chat to each other through it daily and every Tuesday from 10 till 12 we have a virtual Place Of Welcome where we all come together and play games (Virtually). This week we played Dingbats and it was hysterical, it helped many with their isolation. If you have a phone that WhatsApp can be downloaded on to and you would like to join, please send me your mobile phone number and I can add you to the group. Also. if you know of anyone else who is struggling with isolation and would like to chat with others to feel connected, send me their name and mobile number and I can welcome them in to."

stmartinsscp@yahoo.com

Database of relevant churches - check for a (virtual) Place Of Welcome scheme in your area - www.placesofwelcome.org.uk

Goosemoor Lane Church Starts Online Services
Just dropping you a line to inform you of our new online church service - well, we're actually about to broadcast on episode 5 now, so not that new! It goes without saying that we are living in very challenging times and all of us have been impacted to varying degrees. There are many in the Goosemoor Lane community whose faith is an integral part of their life but find themselves no longer able to attend their place of worship and meet with others. They may be looking for ways of maintaining their connection with other believers or there may be others who would not usually attend a church but are curious and would find an online experience an appealing way of "dipping their toe in the water".

THE SUNDAY CONNECTION is a pre-recorded production premiered each Sunday @12pm, typically lasting around 30min. Viewers will be presented with inspirational singing/music, personal expressions of gratitude, a public health message and a short message of hope and encouragement.

Anyone interested can watch by going to - www.newlife.org.uk/watch

Our next episode broadcasts at 12pm this coming Sunday (previous episodes are available to watch on the same page). Just dropping you a line to inform you of our new online church service - well, we're actually about to broadcast on episode 5 now, so not that new! It goes without saying that we are living in very challenging times and all of us have been impacted to varying degrees.

Erdington high street magazine - March 2020 - http://erdingtonhighstreet.co.uk/magazine/

Power cut on part of Goosemoor Lane - again
(16/2/2020) - same fault as on election night by the look of it (underground cables by the Kirkwood Avenue junction) - workmen were out all night in the rain fixing it.

2 new sets of goalposts are up in Short Heath Park - by the side bordering the allotments - see how much they get used and how long before vandals tear them down.

General Election Result - Erdington

Labour - Jack Dromey. Votes: 17,720

Conservative - Robert Alden. Votes: 14,119

The Brexit Party - Wendy Garcarz. Votes: 1,441

Liberal Democrat - Ann Holtom. Votes: 1,301

Green - Rob Grant. Votes: 648

A Walk Across Birmingham Via Sutton and Erdington
On Sunday 24th November 2019, two members of the Erdington Walking Group walked from one end of Birmingham to the other. They chose the longest possible route - estimated to be 18 miles.

Gary O'Brien and Selina Gooden started at the Four Oaks end on the Staffordshire border by the BBC transmitter - and made their way on foot via Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield town centre, Wylde Green, Erdington Aston, Birmingham city centre, Lee Bank, Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Bournville, Northfield, Longbridge, Rednal, and finally to Cofton Hackett on the Worcestershire border.

See just a few attached photos to illustrate the point - we took so many that the phone battery went flat - but surely you already know what the Mothers old concert hall on Erdington High Street looks like without needing the picture of me photo-bombing it with my bald patch just to show my Warriors jacket again? ("I want everyone to know that The Warriors were there")

Feel free to request a picture of a particular part of the route and I'll stick it on the thread if we took a picture there.

We did it to raise awareness of Diabetes, The Birmingham Air Raids Remembrance Association, Suresearch (a mental health research group at the University Of Birmingham), and the Birmingham Branch of The UNA (a group which supports the work of the United Nations).

It was also done to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1979 movie The Warriors, where a group of young men had to make their way from one end of New York to the other, and met a woman who decided to accompany them - hence the jacket that Gary wore (and by co-incidence Selina taking part).

(Gary attempted to mimic Nikola Tesla's famous "wireless electricity" experiment by placing a light-bulb in the ground yards from the BBC transmitter - but it failed to illuminate! An electrical engineer might know exactly why not but it seems that modern transmitters aim most of their energy at the horizon not ground level).

Selina struggled on the final stretch up the long hill from Longbridge past the car factory, but made it with some encouragement from Gary. It took 8 hours (including posing for pictures) and the Autumn day start caused by organising delays sadly meant that it ended in darkness.

Anyone else attempting the walk might want to choose a Summer day so that they are always in daylight, and consider walking it the reverse way in order to get the hills of Rednal, Longbridge, Northfield and Selly Oak etc done at the start (the Mere Green and Four Oaks stretches are basically flat). Women will generally find it harder to do than men.

More about walking for health can be found at - www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/

You can follow the same route online is a far less exhausting but picturesque way via Google Street View - the A5127 from the junction with the A4026 into Birmingham city centre - on to the A38 and then the B4120 and the border is mere yards before the B4096 junction (Rednal island) by the Lickey Hills - the idea was to make it to that island but Selina was utterly spent at the border point itself but managed a big smile for the camera.

The Warriors movie opening credits showing their initial outward journey (on a Subway line a bit like our Cross City Line) before heading back in the movie itself (New York City is about 35 miles across compared to Birmingham seemingly being only 18) - www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsgtl6MF8RU

The Warriors movie end credits at their destination on the other side of New York City (obviously don't watch if not wanting to know which of them made it safely across until watching the movie - it is a bit like The Magnificent 7) - sadly due to the fading light and clouds we couldn't get a final shot of the entire city of Birmingham from nearby Beacon Hill at The Lickey Hills - Selina couldn't go another step anyway and only just made it to the border as it was and almost gave up entirely merely yards from it - www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYh0XAoIi1U

Save Erdington Library - I'm not aware of any new threat but someone has set up a petition - www.change.org/p/british-government-save-erdington-library-birmingham-please-sign-this-petition

West Midlands Railway - Adopt A Station scheme
The Adopt A Station scheme enables individuals or groups to adopt their local railway station and contribute to its use and welfare. Stations can become beacons of hope and revival for local communities and volunteer efforts can help restore their place as central to local life. Our Adopt a Station scheme enables individuals or groups to adopt their own local railway station and work with us as the Train Operating Company, playing an active role in reviving and enhancing their local Station. Railway Station volunteer activity provides a positive outlet for local energy to contribute to improving towns and villages and these community partnerships can be transformational for both economies and societies.

Friends of a Station come together to plant, paint, create, improve and promote and great friendships can be made with station staff, other volunteers and members of the wider community. The rewards are evident in commuters and passengers’ responses and the visible upgrades which are uplifting to witness.
As a company we are committed to getting closer to the communities we serve as this will result in us building a better railway. We are aware that we are merely custodians of much-cherished national community assets and we want to work with local people to use stations and train services to reflect and enhance community pride and prosperity.

If you are interested in adopting your local station and would like the Adopt A Station Start Up Pack, please email: fay.easton@wmtrains.co.uk

More - www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/adopt-station

Places Of Welcome are run by local community groups who want everyone in their neighbourhood to have a place to go for a friendly face, a cup of tea and a conversation if and when they need it - www.placesofwelcome.org.uk

The nearest;

North Birmingham Vineyard Church, Living Well Centre, 480 Chester Rd, Birmingham B73 5BP www.nbv.org.uk
St Margarets Church, Jarvis Rd, Short Heath B23 5RR
St Michael's Church, Church Rd, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield B73 5RX www.stmichaels.org.uk

Methodist Church, Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5UB www.boldmeremethodistchurch.org

Northside Welcome Centre, 176 Streetly Rd, Erdington, Birmingham B23 7AL www.northsidewelcomecentre.co.uk

St Martin's Church, 140 Witton Lodge Rd, Perry Common, Birmingham B23 5AP
Six Ways Erdington Baptist Church, Wood End Rd, Erdington, Birmingham B24 8AD www.sixwayserdington.org.uk

Sutton Coldfield Baptist Church, Trinity Hill, Sutton Coldfield B72 1TA

Whats App group set up for Goosemoor Lane by a resident - https://chat.whatsapp.com/invite/F0JML6DM9kS9LeYZhtsRJ8

Big crash on Chester Rd - in the Yenton or Gravelly Lane area - September 26 - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/three-including-teenager-seriously-injured-16983298

Police probe as woman found dead inside house on Summer Road
The 54-year-old was discovered with multiple serious injuries and was confirmed dead at the scene by an ambulance crew just before 9.30am on Friday morning (September 6). The woman’s death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are on-going to establish what happened between 6pm last night (5 Sept) when she was last seen and this morning. Anyone with information should contact police via Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote log 639 of 6/9.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/police-probe-woman-found-dead-16876572

Sign Put Up - Goosemoor Lane

Sign put up by a clearly exasperated resident at the junction of Goosemoor Lane and Court Lane - it is possible to mistake their back garden for a field etc if you are not local - however there are dog bins yards away in Short Heath Park so there is no excuse really - generally speaking this is less of a problem than years back?

The Aston Villa SupportersTrust invites all groups, whether they are official or unofficial supporter clubs, local community groups, websites, social media groups/channels or any other type of fan groups to become official partners - https://villatrust.org.uk/join-us/become-partner/

Child injured in rush-hour head-on crash near Erdington Train Station. Tuesday 9/7/2019 - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/child-injured-rush-hour-head-16517178

Petition : put CCTV cameras in Brookvale Park play area - https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/cctv-cameras-in-brookvale-play-area.html

Potholes top of Sycamore Road junction Chester Road. They have been there for some weeks now - www.fixmystreet.com/report/1669653

Oasis Academy school in Short Heath (Sheddington Road) offers a food bank, free school uniform shop, hot meals in the holidays - and even gives away leftover school dinners - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/leftover-school-meals-handed-struggling-16057259

Erdington Oaks Play Area Is Now Open

Refuse Bins Problems - yes there still is a strike - the black bags have been taken reasonably on Goosemoor Lane but many weeks have passed since the recycling was taken - https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20009/waste_and_recycling/99/report_a_missed_bin_or_sack_collection

Street Lights out;

Lamp 13 Goosemoor Lane (by the bend) is out - reported

Lamp 7 on Steel Maitland Avenue is out - reported

Steel Maitland Avenue (number 1) and Jarvis Road (number 3). Council response - "One of my Street Lighting Team has now assessed the street lights in question. Their investigation identified that the street lights are not maintained under the Highways Contract; as such, my team is not authorised to carry out any work on them. I am, however, working with my colleagues within Birmingham City Council to identify who is responsible for the street lights in question, and arrange for them to carry out the required work."

Lamp 12 Goosemoor Lane B23 was out - fixed

Hole in the pavement at the base of Lamp 10 on Topcroft Rd B23 - reported

Petition - let children play at Boldmere Gate (in Sutton Park) : give them a play area - www.change.org/p/sutton-coldfield-town-council-let-children-play-at-boldmere-gate-give-them-a-play-area

Planning permission applications;

2018/02510/PA - Erection of two storey side and rear and single storey rear extension - 304 Court Lane, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5LQ

2018/04123/PA - Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness for the proposed erection of a single storey rear extension - 51 Somerset Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 6NQ

2018/03918/PA - Erection of single storey front and side extensions - 23 Osprey Road, Birmingham B23 5JQ

2018/03564/PA - Erection of single storey rear extension and garage conversion to habitable room with associated roof alterations to side - 26 Hidson Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 7DY

2018/03376/PA - Application for a Lawful Development Certificate for the proposed detached outbuilding and a dormer window to rear - 96 Dean Road, Birmingham B23 6QF

2018/01993/PA - Demolition of existing garage and utility room and erection of detached bungalow - 26 Pattison Gardens, Erdington, Birmingham B23 7NQ

2018/02911/PA - Erection of two storey side and rear extensions and single storey side extension - 54 Kirkwood Avenue, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5QQ

2018/03130/PA - Erection of two storey side and rear and single storey rear extension - 33 College Farm Drive, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5YE

2018/03323/PA - Erection of two storey side and single storey rear extension - 23 Griffin Road, Birmingham B23 7EE

2018/02589/PA - Erection of single storey front and rear extensions - 25 Low Wood Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6HE

2018/00531/PA - Installation of dormer window to rear - 56 Kirkwood Avenue, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5QQ

2018/02596/PA - Display of one non-illuminated directional sign - Land at the junction of, College Road and Perry Common Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23

2018/00625/PA - Erection of single storey rear extension - 9 Osborne Road South, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6TT

Link for more info - https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20160/planning_applications/64/weekly_list_of_received_planning_applications

Mac - the "Greensleeves" ice-cream man of Erdington - R.I.P.

Mac Leask was an ice cream man for 5 decades in the area and his funeral was recently.

Reading all the media stories though, I had no idea exactly which driver they meant (none mentioned the tune the van played and only mentioned him working across Pype Hayes).

If the online video works, here is the van playing the tune at the head of his funeral cortege - https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/ice-cream-van-funeral-procession-14659875

("Oh - the ice cream van that played `Greensleeves' - that one!")

I heard that one all the time across Erdington - not just in Pype Hayes like the media are saying - but no more though sadly.

Here is another (slower) version of Greensleeves from You Tube, said to be composed by King Henry VIII - hence the picture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wARiOb80Zr0

That tune - familiar now? Surely we all heard it across the Erdington area for years?

Potholes have been there for months - Hurstwood Rd - https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/1314369

Paint all over road/Rubbish been left in road - Finsbury Grove - https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/1300655

Air Ambulance Landed In The Area After Man Falls From Ladder In Boldmere
A man had to be airlifted to a major trauma centre after suffering significant multiple injuries in a fall. The ambulance service received a call at 5.24pm on Friday afternoon after the man suffered what is understood to be a fall from a ladder in Church Road, Boldmere. The Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire was called to the scene and landed in a field at the back of Littlecote Drive and a land ambulance also attended - https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/man-airlifted-multiple-serious-injuries-14564451

Issues With A Bus Stop On Gravelly Lane
Re the 96/66 to Erdington bus stop on Gravelly Lane by the Oliver Rd junction (by the row of shops) - am getting messages that too many cars park right there during the day and so the elderly/buggies etc can't easily get on or off the buses - does anyone have more comments about it before I take it up with the bus company and council etc?

From Erdington Tories;

The Tories are delivering a magazine in the area called Erdington News in order to get their message/propaganda across - https://www.facebook.com/ErdingtonNews/

Street Associations - aiming to stimulate and facilitate the restoration of true community, and communal values, particularly those necessary to support true community. A small core group (maybe 6-8 people) meets over a coffee maybe four or five times a year to come up with ideas and then makes things happen.

Getting started is easy - put a letter around inviting residents who want to see more community spirit to come together for an evening (in someone’s house, in a pub, hall, or under a gazebo on a green). Discuss the idea. If people are keen, ask for volunteers to join a core group and take it forward from there, together.  It just takes someone to take the initiative.

The intention is to work with people of goodwill from all faiths and none, together with local councils, housing associations, the health sector, police and other stakeholders, together to affirm and realize the vision of restoring true community to every resident on every street.

More - http://streetassociations.org

/

Cross City Line rail route suspended as lorry crashes into bridge - again. (31 Jan 2018).

The bridge strike happened in Summer Road, Erdington.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/live-updates-cross-city-line-14227165

3 road accidents - 7/2/2018. Goosemoor Land on the bend. At the Maxted Rd/Witton Lodge Rd junction. On Hawthorn Rd too - vague details though.

Power Cut - Entrance of St Thomas Road and Slade Road cordoned off as smoke rises from pavement in underground fire - triggering local electricity power cut - Tues 3/4/2018

Power cut Jan 24 (2018) in part of the B23 area

Power Cuts - past list - I do list them when they occur in the area, here are the ones from the last few years that I know of;

There was a power cut Tuesday (6/9/2016) in the B23 area from around midday to 2.15pm

Jaffray Road had a power cut - 13/7/2016. Back on the same day

Goosemoor Lane. This was on Saturday 5th June 2015 from around 9.50am - 10.35am.

Spread out over a few minutes round about midnight Sunday 15th February 2014 and Monday 16th February 2014 - on/off, on/off, on/off etc.

Power Cut - Gravelly Lane - Monday 3/2/2014. It affected one side by the junction with Station Road (the off-licence, grocery store, Chinese takeaway, lamp-posts and nearby housing for about 6 houses up etc). An electricity van was there with workers digging up the pavement. I don't know if that was the cause, the repairers, or arranged beforehand. An odd time to do it deliberately if that was the case.

Electricity Power Cut - Goosemoor Lane - 4.50pm on Thursday 1/8/2013. Was out for about 1 hour.

Power cut on Monday 5/3/2012

Power cut on the night of 4-5/10/2011

Power surge on Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning 21/22 December 2010

Power cut - New Year's Day 2009

"UFO's" overhead in Erdington were actually just some F15 fighter jets
The pictures are online and there were many witnesses in the area, but the "UFO's" seen overhead in Erdington early on Monday 12/2/2018 were actually just some American air force fighter jets flying to Wales and back from a base in East Anglia - not ET or the Russian air force etc.

So don't worry, the Yanks are on our side - well they are for now anyway. Donald Trump might Tweet a change soon though - after all he's inconsistent with everything else he Tweets so why not that too. We'll be able to fight back with those aeroplanes we don't have on our aircraft carriers.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/f-15-fighter-jets-training-14279411

Cyberbullying facts and statistics for 2016/2017 - https://www.comparitech.com/internet-providers/cyberbullying-statistics/

Washing machine and printers dumped by garages and sofa bed dumped behind Norfolk House (on Westland Close) - https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/1163404

Man suffers fractures in Erdington struggling for TWO hours before 999 call
The man is believed to have fallen from a loft at a property off Gravelly Lane and then ‘shuffled’ to his front door (November 18th 2017).

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/man-suffers-fractures-erdington-struggling-13934109

Yet another car crash
At the junction of Goosemoor Lane and Top Croft Road - apparently just after 7am on Sunday 15th October. A car (seemingly coming from the Gravelly Lane direction) collided with a lamp post and the Top Croft street sign on the pavement before ploughing into the front garden fence of a house there - anyone standing on the pavement at the time would've been badly injured, or worse.

Stag spotted in Witton Lakes - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/rspca-erdington-stag-deer-weird-13680937

From Severn Trent Water;

Court Lane - sewer upgrade. 8th December is now the estimated end date

Work will start at the beginning of August to update the sewer pipes. Please note that we will need to close Court Lane (Chester Rd end) to all through traffic during this time - https://www.stwater.co.uk/in-my-area/planned-improvements/chesterroaderdington/chester-road--erdington/

(Court Lane is open again now - they are working in the gap between the Londis shop and the Greyhound pub)

Nine people evacuated after blaze breaks out at Fish 'n' Chip shop in Flackwell Road
The fire happened at Cod Fellas Fish 'n' Chips on Friday (August 25). Eight people were evacuated from the Hairways hair salon next door as well as one resident from a flat above the chip shop.

Read more at - http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/nine-people-evacuated-after-blaze-breaks-out-at-codfellas-fish-n-chips-in-flackwell-road-erdington/story-30495571-detail/story.html

Man injured in three-vehicle crash - Turfpits Lane
The collision happened in Turfpits Lane, near to the junction of Jerry's Lane, at around 7pm on Tuesday (August 22).

Read more at - www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/man-injured-in-three-vehicle-crash-in-turfpits-lane-erdington/story-30492971-detail/story.html

Website for the new Erdington Leisure Centre - www.birminghamleisure.com/erdington_lc

Pot holes on Gravelly Lane - www.fixmystreet.com/report/1100608

Yet Another Accident - Sunday 30/7/2017 around 3.30pm
A car came down from the direction of Court Lane (in the rain) and crashed on the Goosemoor Lane bend. Police and an ambulance were in attendance.

 

(For news of the recent fatal accident and resulting resident actions etc see the Crime page)

Good Neighbours Day in 2018 - social network Nextdoor has teamed up with Neighbourhood Watch and a charity called The Challenge to call on the government to create an official national Good Neighbours Day in 2018 - www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40811530

The walkway between Jarvis Road and Baldmoor Lake Road (called Erdington Gardens) is open again (it is a slight maze with at least one cul-de-sac etc) and it will be opened to road traffic at some point - www.erdingtongardens.co.uk

Erdington Massives Facebook page - this group is about all things ERDINGTON! Did you grow up there? Do you have any photos, Good memories or anything to share about ERDINGTON? Let this be the place where we look back and archive and reminisce on this great town in a positive way - www.facebook.com/groups/Erdingtonmassives/

Bath dumped in front of residents garages - South Grove - https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/1057779

Enstone Road street lamp uprooted - fixed

Keep Left Signs Update
(Some of this damage may be accidental/high winds, not vandalism). 2 keep left signs were uprooted on the Bend

 

The stretch of pavement by Lamp P2 on Somerton Drive is uneven - utility workers dug it up - they say it is now even again but is it? Elderly and partially sighted people live along that stretch of road and struggle to walk along it. It certainly has a hump and a dip. Reported.

 

 

End of an area - the last of the 5 brick-based trees by the Court Lane junction has gone. There were put in during the 1930's but one by one over the last 40 years or so have gone.

The Rose And Crown pub is now called Rosey Macs - https://www.facebook.com/michelle.edwards.18488169

Alley Boarded Up
Both ends of the alley on Goosemoor Lane alongside the church has been boarded up - might be temporary whilst the new houses are completed off Jarvis Road

Dog fouling reported on Abbeyfield Road - www.fixmystreet.com/report/989592 - and Dean Road - www.fixmystreet.com/report/986626

Clean up requested of Dean Road, Oliver Road, Johnson Road - www.fixmystreet.com/report/1000094

New 65 bus timetable  - http://nxbus.co.uk/files/NX-West-Midlands/current_timetables/2017-timetables/B065_26Feb2017.pdf

Perry Common regeneration enters final phase
A major project to regenerate Perry Common has taken a step nearer completion with the beginning of the final phase of the development.

More - http://birminghamnewsroom.com/perry-common-regeneration-enters-final-phase/

The Tories have got new lamps for Jarvis Road/Norfolk Road and had a clean up of The Ring/Witton Lodge Road. They have organised a local survey as well - www.erdingtonconservatives.org.uk/roberts-local-residents-survey

Jack Dromey MP campaign - WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE OLD BATHS ON MASON ROAD?
A small group of residents are keen to try to keep the building as an Arts and Community Centre for the people of Erdington - run by the community for the community.

Please take a moment to complete this survey to help us see if this is possible - www.jackdromey.org/mason_road_swimming_baths

Freed swan trapped on Erdington building site in Dovedale Road could have ‘starved to death’

Read more at - http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/swan-trapped-on-erdington-building-site-in-dovedale-road-could-have-8216-starved-to-death-8217/story-30041726-detail/story.html

(Many of the roads in Perry Common are named after birds - so a nice coincidence there)

AUTIS is a community charity group to support & spread awareness of Autism
Support meetings are held on Tuesdays from 9.30 -11.30, all welcome including children

Highcroft community centre, Erdington, Birmingham B23 7NG

More - https://www.facebook.com/autisuk/

There are two potholes next to each other just after the lights on Gravelly Lane travelling towards the Chester Road. Cars are swerving into oncoming traffic to avoid the potholes making it very dangerous for road users - www.fixmystreet.com/report/968043

Constant parking on yellow school zig zags on Witton Lodge Road outside of Storey wood school. Also blocking driveway - https://www.fixmystreet.com/report/969544

Photo of this reportPhoto of this report

 

There is a mattress and other rubbish in The Spinney - www.fixmystreet.com/report/961139

From Erdington Conservatives;

"We have recently been informed that the Labour controlled City Council are putting together proposals to build on yet more of Erdington's green open space. The area they are looking to build on is the public open space between Kirkwood Avenue and Littlecote Drive. This area is where Birmingham trees for life have planted tress in recent years.

Robert on a recent visit to the public open space off Kirkwood Avenue. We have made it very clear that we oppose any such plans to build on our green space, which is a valued local facility. The Council's house building body, Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust, has expressed an interest in building houses for potential sale or rent - we do not believe that this is appropriate. Therefore we have set up a petition to demonstrate to the City Council the strong feelings we have towards this proposal."

More;

https://twitter.com/erdingtontories
https://www.facebook.com/erdington.conservatives
https://www.erdingtonconservatives.org.uk/

Birmingham Trees for Life, www.btfl.org.uk

Might be linked to this - Travis Perkins says 600 jobs at risk amid branch closures - www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37701427


Gravelly Lane gym denied Planning Permission for longer opening hours - http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/puregym-8217-s-plan-to-open-its-sutton-coldfield-site-24-7-rejected/story-29818582-detail/story.html

Road accident - Goosemoor/Sycamore junction
Tue 18/10/2016 around 3.50pm. A white van was heading along Goosemoor Lane towards Court Lane. It got to the mini-island and slammed its brakes on (due to the usual confusion at that island probably) and was rear-ended by a car. No injuries it seems.

Nextdoor phone app - free, private social network for your neighbourhood. It is the best way for you and your neighbours to hear what’s happening in your local community.

More - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/nextdoor/id640360962?mt=8

The Aviva Community Fund offers you the chance to get funding for an important cause in your community. We want you to submit a local community project and tell us what a difference these much-needed funds could make. Get enough votes from your friends, family and supporters and you could reach the finals, where our judging panel picks the winners and awards the funds - https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/acfcms/get-involved

A YOUNG boy has died following a collision with a bus in Erdington
The eight-year-old was cycling along Wilton Road at around 3.15pm on Monday (August 15) when he was in collision with a bus. Police are now appealing for witnesses to come forward and anyone with information is urged to call the Collision Investigation Unit on 101.

Read more at - www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/boy-dies-after-bus-accident-in-wilton-road-erdington/story-29625094-detail/story.html

Erdington District Committee meeting video - Tuesday 26th July 2016

It lasts 1:24:45 - http://birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/237014

(There are some intermittent sound issues - I think microphones were being switched on and off at the wrong times)

Round Up
Virgin Media cabinet knocked over at the junction of Jerrys Lane and Raford Rd - reported. A replacement roundabout sign is on Lamp 21 Goosemoor Lane by the Sycamore Road junction. Lights now put in the alley leading between Goosemoor Lane and Gravelly Lane (they have no numbers - I'll raise that when one fails). Pelican crossing put in on Gravelly Lane by the Rose and Crown pub. The electricity substation on Goosemoor Lane by Short Heath Park has new railings.

Three piece suite dumped - Abbeyfield Road - www.fixmystreet.com/report/870880

Erdington was on TV - BBC Panorama - Why We Voted to Leave: Britain Speaks
At just under 19 minutes in, Erdington is featured. I don't know that very opinionated guy and I've never supported an open door policy with Poland etc either, but I say this - the demise of Erdington high street is mainly down to the Fort and Beggar's Bush and the Internet etc. All those shops at the Six Ways end were boarded up before the Poles had them

www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_942163995&feature=iv&src_vid=o7kjg4nXsYA&v=Fw3bsXLN5Tg

Football executive Greg Dyke, over his efforts with organisers to modernise TV football - "Old men are dangerous. They always want the past - and the past doesn't exist anymore."

John Major clearly meant that in the Referendum, he should have said it actually.

A small post office has opened in the One Stop shop on Jerrys Lane
27 - 31 Jerrys Lane, Birmingham, West Midlands B23 5NX

www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder

www.onestop.co.uk/store_locator.php

Vandalised Swing In Short Heath park

From Street Life;

"Hi - just reported the tyre swing to the council clearly been vandalised it has been noted and one of the local rangers should be out soon .... stay safe people"

www.nxbus.co.uk/eastbirmingham

Large Recycler Box Gone - Gravelly Lane Junction
The very large blue Recycler Box is gone for some reason at the Goosemoor Lane/Gravelly Lane Junction. It was emptied once a fortnight and was always full by that time

The Referendum Result
 
Ward Remain Leave Total % for Leave
Erdington ward 4,467 6,217 10,684 58.19
Kingstanding 2,857 7,038 9,895 71.13
Stockland Green 4,233 5,087 9,320 54.58
Tyburn 3,222 6,793 10,015 67.83
Sutton Four Oaks 7,629 7,519 15,148 49.64
Sutton New Hall 6,023 7,510 13,533 55.49
Sutton Trinity 6,859 7,916 14,775 53.58
Sutton Vesey 7,485 6,991 14,476 48.29

The full result across Birmingham - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/eu-referendum-results-your-area-11536368

(Across the city essentially the chiefly multicultural areas and the very affluent areas voted Remain - and everywhere else voted Leave)

Led light out again, South Grove (off Gravelly Lane) - www.fixmystreet.com/report/842523

Pot-hole in Goosemoor Lane in the road outside 124 (near the Bend) - fixed

 

Hole Opens Up In Erdington Garden

Susan Bree in her Erdington garden where a 12ft hole has appeared

An Erdington mum has spoken of her shock after a huge 12 foot HOLE opened up in her garden - after she prodded the earth with a shovel.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/mum-left-shocked-giant-12-11388996

Fatal road accident - Court Lane/Goosemoor Lane junction - police appeal for witnesses

A pensioner hurt in a car smash in Erdington on Sunday (May 15th 2016) has died in hospital. The 84-year-old was a passenger in a white Hyundai i10 turning out of Goosemoor Lane on to Court Lane just after 3pm when it collided with a white Seat Leon. The impact resulted in both vehicles mounting the pavement and striking a lamppost. The woman suffered serious head and internal injuries and she was pronounced dead in hospital

Officers arrested the Seat Leon driver on suspicion of dangerous driving; the 29-year-old man, from Erdington, has been bailed till a date in July pending further enquiries. A 50-year-old woman who was driving the Hyundai at the time remains in hospital in a stable condition having suffered multiple fractures.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log reference 1354 of 15 May 2016.

More;

www.west-midlands.police.uk/latest-news/news.aspx?id=4539

www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/Pensioner-dies-injuries-suffered-Erdington-car/story-29279377-detail/story.html

Help stop the closure of Erdington Methodist Church Pre-School

Furious parents have slammed a decision to close a popular preschool in Birmingham which has been running for over 40 years. A petition has been launched to keep the Erdington Methodist Church pre-school open.

www.change.org/p/erdington-methodist-church-committee-help-stop-the-closure-of-erdington-methodist-church-pre-school

www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/parents-lead-fight-save-birmingham-11363143

House On Church Road (Boldmere) Struck By Lightning - 7/5/2016 (no-one hurt)

(So obviously this is the Church Rd by the football ground not the one off the High Street) - a family’s home in Church Road, Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield, was plunged into darkness as the roof went up in flames. Around 25 fire-fighters were sent to the scene at around 7pm on Saturday

The damaged roof in Church Road, Boldmere.

More
www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/families-flee-homes-church-road-11301553

This appeared on an online forum;

"As well as this house, all the electricity and phones went off at the retirement apartments

Lots of older people were left stranded - no lifts and no one on site to sort the mess out

Mother in law who is 89 still has not got her phone on

The automatic locks and lifts failed

It was chaos and worrying that Churchill failed to have a plan in place

BT were a disgrace and due to their automated system we could not report it or find out if they even knew about it

They would only send an engineer to a specific flat at the charge of £129.00

So we tried Open Reach - what a farce they kept cutting the calls

Of course the out of hours emergency care is via Careline - telephones so not much use with no electricity to run the system"

More;

www.churchillretirement.co.uk/retirement-apartments-for-sale/west-midlands/steeple-lodge/

www.streetlife.com

Fly tipping along Enderby Road (off Witton Lodge circle). Continuous fly tipping occurring along Enderby way, broken glass, rubbish bags, rubble etc - www.fixmystreet.com/report/822318

Numerous pot-holes on the mini roundabout with Goosemoor Lane and Sycamore Lane - www.fixmystreet.com/report/817484

Petition to save the Boldmere Adult Education site from developers - http://suttoncoldfieldlocal.co.uk/boldmere-adult-education-site-petition-195172/

 

Dumped Fridge/Freezer - Gravelly Lane

Photo of this report

"This fridge freezer has been there for a week now. It could be waiting to be picked up but surely it is dangerous to leave it there with the doors still attached, a child could climb in and be trapped."

More - www.fixmystreet.com/report/801811

NO again to High Street shops plan
Plans to demolish five historic shop buildings in Erdington High Street have again been refused by the Council’s planning committee. The plans were first turned down in early January, and came back to the committee unchanged for a second attempt. But they were given a short shrift. Councillor Gareth Moore described the plans for the new building as “hideous and out of character with the rest of Erdington High Street.” Councillor Bob Beauchamp described the proposed new building as an abomination.

More - http://tyburnmail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/15-4.pdf

From Erdington Conservatives;


"NEW SIGNS ON STREETS POP UP - Residents had been in touch with the local campaign team Bob, Gareth and Robert to ask what the black poles appearing in a number of roads across Erdington were for. Bob said "the Council has installed them for directions on a number of new cycle routes across Erdington Ward".

Hundreds of new trees have been planted this winter across Erdington by Birmingham Trees for life, including on Kirkwood Avenue Park.

A planning application for the Leopard Pub on Jerry's Lane has been submitted. Sadly the application is to turn the site into flats with a large extension to the side. Previously they had permission to build houses, which would have been better for the area. Robert has objected to the application to the Council."

More - www.erdingtonconservatives.org.uk

Recent Street-Lamp News
Bowling Green Close is getting a new set of street lamps - work has already started.

Lamps 5 and 7 Littlecote Drive are out - from the Council - "Lamp columns at the above location are not on land which is Highway Maintained at Public Expense (HMPE) and does not form part of the Birmingham Highways Maintenance and Management Service. I have therefore referred your enquiry to the Highways Team at Birmingham City Council to establish ownership and responsibility and they will respond to you"

Lamps 4, 10 and 19 on Somerton Drive all had some drama or other with them - fixed except that Number 19 still has a bushy tree obscuring it

Lamp 3 Amber Court blinks - reported

Lamp 1A Jerrys Lane is still out

Unnumbered lamps on St George Avenue still out

Didn't take long, one of the solar park-lights has had oil poured over it. Still works though.

Lamp P6 on the Top Croft estate (by what is coined the North Maisonette Block) is still out, reported again.

Lamp PAA1 (or something) at the side of the South Block on Top Croft - is missing it's head!

At the bottom of Court Lane between Short Heath Road and Marsh Lane is an alley with a lamp obscured by shrubbery etc. Reported.

The specific Council webpage for reporting broken lamps etc is - www.birmingham.gov.uk/streets or ring 0121 303 6000 or email - streetlighting@birmingham.gov.uk

From Erdington Tories;

NEW CROSSING FOR GRAVELLY LANE - Gravelly Lane will be getting a new crossing outside the Rose and Crown pub as part of a series of improvements that will also see the alleyway between Gravelly Lane and Goosemoor Lane. The alley will be resurfaced and have lights added. Bob said "We have requested that the lights have covers added to protect the neighbouring houses from any light invasion. Hopefully the new crossing and resurfaced alley should be a benefit for local residents"

CRANLEIGH AND REPTON HOUSE WORK ALMOST COMPLETE - Bob, Robert and Gareth have been tracking the work over the last year work on Cranleigh and Repton Houses on the Toperoft estate to improve the energy efficiency of the tower blocks for local residents. The scheme is providing external wall insulation, Ecopod communal heating systems and new windows for both towers. Gareth said "the blocks are looking really great."

More - www.erdingtonconservatives.org.uk

Recent local planning applications;

2016/00176/PA - Church Of Christ, Goosemoor Lane B23 5PN - Erection of single storey rear extension and conversion of existing room to toilet block.

2016/00723/PA - 15 Oliver Road B23 6QD - Installation of step lift to front

2015/09462/PA - Baldmoor Lake Road, Land to the rear Former Court Lane allotments - Non Material Amendment to approval 2015/03116/PA for the re-siting of windows (staircase/ landing) on front elevation to Plots 58, 59, 81 & 78, amendments to Plots 17-21 (Blocks 51 & 52) to allow a widened side access and bay window to Plot 21 (Block 51) and alterations to car parking bays together with the installation of a sub-station to the south eastern part of the site.

2016/00409/PA - La Fitness, 366 Gravelly Lane B23 5SB - Application for Lawful Development Certificate to confirm opening hours 0630-2200 hours Monday to Friday and 0800-1600 hours on Saturday and Sunday in association with Gymnasium.

2015/10315/PA - 56 Jerrys Lane B23 5NX - Erection of single storey rear and two storey side extension

More - www.birmingham.gov.uk/planningapplications

Online videos - Erdington District Committee meetings

26 January 2016 - http://www.birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/207664

24 November 2015 - http://www.birmingham.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/199696

(The agendas are on the right of the screen)

Contact Sarah Stride - 0121 303 0709 or 0121 464 4243

X Marks The Tree - lots of trees in the area now have blue crosses sprayed onto them - presumably to signal to workmen the ones to be pruned.

More new trees - and a park bench - we've more new trees in the park and and on the land at the back of the woodyard - and a bench has appeared alongside the path in the park

Proposed New Council Ward Boundaries In Erdington - More
Birmingham residents: have your say on new council ward boundaries - We are asking local people and organisations to comment on our draft recommendations for new ward boundaries across Birmingham.

We have an open mind about further suggestions from local people to change and improve these recommendations. We will consider all the submissions we receive whoever they are from and whether your evidence applies to the whole of Birmingham or just a part of the city.

Below, you can see our proposals for new ward boundaries. You can compare our proposals (in red) to the existing boundaries (in blue) and search across the whole of Birmingham, even down to street level. You can also click on any ward to find out how many voters are included in it and how many councillors we propose should represent it.

You can submit comments to us or upload a document by clicking on the 'Have your say' link at the top of the page. You can also draw your own boundaries and annotate the map by clicking on the button.

There is plenty of information to help you make a submission in the 'Useful links' section at the bottom right of the page.

This consultation closes on 8 February 2016.

More - https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/5688

(You can see that Goosemoor Lane would `move' into the newly created Short Heath ward. Some of the top end of Court Lane would `move' from the Kingstanding ward to join us in Short Heath. Goosemoor Lane wouldn't be in the same Ward as Erdington High Street anymore - which would stay in the Erdington ward)

North Birmingham Community Together;

We write asking you to support our alternative proposals to the boundary commission for the layout of the Council wards in the North Birmingham area. As you may have seen in the papers, the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBCE) are proposing to break up local wards in our area. We are a local group of residents putting through an alternative proposal with the support of community groups, more than 10 so far!

Our proposals would keep Goosemoor Lane in Erdington.

The new wards they suggest have no relation to the actually local community/area. For example they propose a Perry Common Ward that does not include the Court Farm area off Witton Lodge Road, but does include Wyrley Birch which requires you driving through 4 wards to get to the rest of the proposed ward! While in Erdington they are proposing to remove the area around Station Road and Gravelly Lane. This would mean Erdington Police Station, Erdington Railway Station, Erdington Abbey, Erdington Royal Mail Sorting Office, Osborne School and the old Erdington Cottages would all be taken out of Erdington! In Pype Hayes, they break the link with Birches Green and include part of Erdington round the Yenton and they split the Gravelly Hill Community across two wards.

We are contacting local community groups to ask for your support in getting the LGBCE to adopt our changes that only affect the area north of the M6 and south of Sutton Coldfield.

What we are asking you to do:-

1) We are asking community groups to back our proposals, and allow us to list them as supporting us on our website.

2) We are asking groups to write in support of our proposals, to the LGBCE by emailingreviews@lgbce.org.uk and stating you ask them to change their proposals for the north Birmingham area to be:-

A Pype Hayes Ward including Birches Green, a Castle Vale Ward, a two member Erdington Ward, a Perry Common Ward, a two member Gravelly Hill Ward, a two member Kingstanding Ward, a Stockland Green Ward and a two member Oscott Ward.

3) To sign our petition at https://northbirminghamtogether.wordpress.com/2016/01/04/sign-our-petition-to-save-our-local-communities/

Fox attacks cat - Streetly Road
A report came to me from a cat owner in the Streetly Rd area of Erdington whose animal was being attacked/menaced by a fox at night recently in their garden. Such attacks are rare but there are ongoing studies and advice etc -  www.vethelpdirect.com/vetblog/2013/02/14/urban-foxes-attacks-on-cat/

Dropped Kerb
A dropped kerb has been put in on both sides of Goosemoor Lane at the Court Lane junction

Dumped Rubbish on Pavilions Car Park - Chester Road/Gravelly Lane junction - www.fixmystreet.com/report/745508

New Young Trees On Goosemoor Lane - the labels are confusing though!
(Google can't make up its mind if Corylus Colurna or Corylus Columa is the correct name - the label on one tree says Corylus Columa but Google when entered suggests Corylus Colurna. It'll become clear when it grows up!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corylus_colurna

http://tcpermaculture.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/permaculture-plants-hazelnuts-aka.html

(I think that lower website has simply mis-spelled the tree name)

Request for more tarmacking of the grass verge - Short Heath Road near the Court Lane junction - www.fixmystreet.com/report/741026

Lorries in the area
The new estate being built by Jarvis Road has led to loads of lorries trundling along Jarvis Road and along Topcroft Road onto Goosemoor Lane. I'll keep an eye on it but we'll probably have to put up with it - the estate won't build itself.

Win a holiday to Portugal by shopping at One Stop on Jerrys Lane
Fill in your details below to enter into our prize draw across our stores nationwide to be in with a chance of winning a holiday to Portugal!

How to enter:

Enter the first 13 digits of the barcode from your receipt
Fill in your details below & click submit

More - www.onestop.co.uk/winaholiday/

From Erdington Conservatives;

Robert, Gareth and Bob (pictured left with a local resident on Perry Common Rec) have had travellers, which had broken onto both Perry Common Recreation Ground and Pype Hayes Park in recent months, moved on. Your campaign team contacted the Council quickly to have them moved on and then get the sites cleared up and demanded they are secured. Bob said "they left behind dozens of bags of rubbish. It is disappointing that Council contractors failed to lock the gate at Pype Hayes and left a hole in the fence at Perry Common Rec (which is behind Turfpits Lane) enabling them access".

Bob and the team have had the mini round-about and approach to the junction of Court Lane, Anderson Road and Somerset Road, resurfaced and repaired.

The demolition of the former Clover Hotel site on Chester Road has nearly finished with building work for the new care home due to start in the new year.

Robert, Gareth and Bob have reported the broken bollard on Jerrys Lane, by the junction with Sheddington Road for repair

More - www.erdingtonconservatives.org.uk

Some of the drains in Goosemoor Lane and Top Croft Road have been cleared, but some reason not all of them

White van on Goosemoor Lane by the alley leading to Gravelly Lane
White van registration FD 53 YHX - seems like an abandoned vehicle - heavy damage to the front left wheel - reported for investigation

From Erdington Conservatives - petition for an Erdington Conservation Zone

The Conservation zone would be focused on the historic (mainly) Victorian heart of Erdington that built up either side of the railway station and if possible will be extended to included the arts and craft homes built interwar as Erdington expanded. The area will cover at least around Gravelly Lane and the roads off, down Station Road and then around the Edwards, Orchard, Arthur Road area including the roads off, running down the High Street to the area around Church Road/Trafalgar Road.

Popular local Councillor Bob Beauchamp said "Erdington has lost too many historic and beautiful buildings over the years. It is vital that we make sure what is left is protected and preserved. A conservation zone would help this happen".

To support Robert, Bob and Gareth's campaign for an Erdington Conservation please fill in the petition :- www.erdingtonconservatives.org.uk/news/conservation-zone-petition

Unofficial cones placed along the curbs restricting parking along Witton Lodge Road - Thursday and Fridays - www.fixmystreet.com/report/718558

A grit container has appeared in Kirkwood Avenue near the Goosemoor Lane junction

Harry Kirkham inquest: Erdington road tragedy involving police car was ‘unavoidable’ jury concludes - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/harry-kirkham-inquest-road-tragedy-10353205

From Erdington Conservatives - the former Court Lane Allotments site - update;

Fire - Witton Lodge Road
Three people were rescued from a fire in Perry Common after a car was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Wednesday October 14. Emergency services received a 999 call at around 1.35am after a private motor vehicle was found ablaze on Witton Lodge Road. A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said that the fire was thought to have been accidental.

Read more: www.greatbarrobserver.co.uk/people-rescued-Perry-Common-car-engulfed-flames/story-27981680-detail/story.html

2 road accidents on Goosemoor Lane in the last few days;

Erdington crash biker thrown 100ft by impact - a biker injured in a crash in Erdington was thrown almost 100ft by the impact. The man, believed to be in his 20's, was left with head and leg injuries following a collision with a car at the junction of Sycamore Road and Goosemoor Lane.

It happened just after 3pm on Friday (2/10/2015).

Police officers gave the motorcyclist emergency first aid until paramedics arrived. He was airlifted to Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital with a head injury, stomach pain, a fractured upper leg and knee and a suspected fractured pelvis. The car driver of the car, a man in his 60's, was shaken but unhurt.

More - www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/erdington-crash-biker-thrown-100ft-10184735

(Part of a stone garden wall on Sycamore Road at that junction was knocked down by that one)

An accident on Gravelly Lane was partially blocking the road at the Goosemoor Lane junction
.

That was on Monday 5/10/2015 at around 8.30am.

Source - www.facebook.com/thetraveltom

The Goosemoor Lane pavement has been marked with white paint at several points indicating pending repairs

WHEELIE BIN CHAOS. From Erdington Conservatives;

"Gareth, Robert and Bob have described the recent wheelie bin roll out as a 'nightmare' following many residents across Erdington having two months of missed collections and failed assisted collections. Since wheelie bins have been introduced locally Robert, Gareth and Bob have dealt with hundreds of requests for help with missed collections and assisted collections. Bob said "Robert, Gareth and I are in daily contact with the depot to try and get these unacceptable problems resolved for local residents. We continue to bring this up with the senior officers and cabinet members, demanding action for residents". Robert has been helping residents across Court Farm, eg on Court Farm Road, to get their refuse collected following the failing roll out of wheelie bins."

Orchard Road, Erdington B24 9JD (
mob) 07557 287 435 Gareth.moore@birmingham.gov.uk Robert.Alden@birmingham.gov.uk https://twitter.com/@erdingtontories

Chester Road crash (by Grange Road). No-one hurt.