Summer WYRLEY 2017 WHISPERS Something To Shout About

Welcome Welcome to the new look Wyrley Whispers Newsletter. You may have seen the Perry Common Matters Newsletter, which focuses on the news, events and activities taking place in Perry Common. And we thought, Wyrley Birch may like the same.

So here it is. In this edition we have included a mixture of interesting Saving the Lakeside Centre stories, about the exciting events that have been taking place and As you may have heard, the Lakeside Local representatives met with what will be coming up. Children’s Centre is one of 26 across the MP Jack Dromey, who has given his city which City Council has full support and is doing everything he There’s also a quick introduction proposed to close. As the only community possibly can to help keep Lakeside open. from the different organisations facility in the area, we have all been doing that are working in the estate – and our very best to save it. The delegation also met with Labour’s for your chance to get involved Shadow Education Secretary Angela and make a big difference too! Thank You to everyone who signed the Rayner and Tim Roache, petition to save Lakeside, with over 900 General Secretary of the So sit back and enjoy - and let us signatures collected in 4 days. This really GMB Trade Union. know if you have any suggestions made a big impact when staff from the for the next edition. Lakeside Centre, residents and local We will keep you organisations presented the petition at updated. Friends Of Wyrley Birch Downing Street.

What’s In This Edition

Say Hello Introducing The Team What’s To Wyrley Who Are Working On In McBear Face Hard In Wyrley Birch Wyrley Birch Page 2 Page 4 Page 8 The Big Summer Clean-Up At Witton Lakes

It’s great to welcome our newest local resident Not so much a Spring Clean but a big Not even the bottom of the lakes were – and he’s already been making a big impact. Summer Clean. left untouched - as keen canoeist, Dave Billingham, spent the day on the ‘Wyrley McBear Face’ named after Wyrley Birch, 37 ‘Community Champion’ volunteers water. is getting lots of attention outside St Barnabas from Severn Trent Water got their Church in Erdington High Street. hands dirty and collected 55 bag-fulls Dave’s fantastic voluntary project of rubbish and other interesting items ‘Birmingham Lakes; Litter Picks and He is a mixture of designs by local people from Dave Billingham with his caonoe (above) from Witton Lakes. Trips’ is seeing him travel across the Wyrley Birch, Perry Common and Some of the Community Champion Volunteers hard at work (below) city, to clean up lakes and waterways, – and is one of 100 bears forming a trail around They were joined by Keep Britain Tidy removing all manner of rubbish using the city as part of the Big Sleuth Project. ‘Waterside Care’ who helped clear his trusty canoe. the whole area and also planted 1000 ‘Wyrley’ is holidaying in Erdington for 10 weeks throughout the summer and early Yellow Rattle Wildflowers with the As a reward for all their hard work, the autumn before moving to his permanent home at the Velvet Community Orchard in Friends Of Witton Lakes, all helping volunteers partied the evening away Witton Lakes. to improve the area for wildlife and in the park in a giant marquee. They also bringing even more colour to the were all very careful not to drop any Witton Lodge Community Association You can find Wyrley McBear Face park – enhancing the array of existing litter! has purchased Wyrley McBear Face, so outside St Barnabas Church, Erdington wildflowers on show. that we can all enjoy him for years to High Street, B23 6SY – and why not come (as with ‘Perry’ – the big owl follow the full trail. Collect a free outside Perry Common Community Hall leaflet from the Lakeside Centre, the on Witton Lodge Road). Orchard Tearoom at Witton Lakes, Perry Common Library and Perry Common The money raised from the sale of the Community Hall. bears will go to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

What Young People Say “ “ “ A Bear-illient Time At Witton Lakes You may have seen Dawn working I have been coming here This club takes us out on the I would have nowhere to express in Wyrley Birch. It’s great that the since 2013 and it is a part road and gives us something myself and make friends. Bears were the theme of the A big Thank You to the young people she is working with of my family to look forward to! Nowhere to get good advice day at the Teddy Bears Picnic in enthusiastic team of volunteers at the Youth Club have asked us ” ” and be together with friends to include a few of their thoughts July. With everything from having from The Challenge Network Girl, Age 16 Brandon, Age 15 Colin, Age 16 ” about using the Lakeside Centre. a picnic (with your teddy bear of (and Birmingham South and course), designing your own teddy, City College), the Friends of prize raffles to win a teddy bear; Witton Lakes and everyone Afternoon Tea & More Big Plans Ahead and if this was not enough, there who came along to help on were also real life teddy bears the day. At The Orchard Tearoom For The Orchard roaming around – keeping an eye on those picnic baskets! If you’re in Witton Lakes and fancy a sit What you see today at the orchard is only the down, cup of tea and slice of cake, then the new start of exciting plans to transform it into an Orchard Tearoom is the place to go. impressive Eco Hub (Environmentally Friendly To add to all this fun, the park Community Space). was given over to a wide There’s a ‘natural’ play area for the variety of activities, with children and outdoor seating to enjoy Witton Lodge Community Association is the warm weather – when we have any! working to secure funding to create the Eco Hub; a bouncy castle, hook a And being within the Velvet Community Orchard transforming the former park-keepers cottage duck, an events field full of (a real life Orchard here in Wyrley Birch); there is a into a brand new community space with cafe, play activities, ice cream, fun eco great opportunity to have a look around, see what’s area, office space – all powered by growing and learn about nature. renewable energy. crafts and lots more.

The Tearoom is located at the Velvet Community If we are successful, The Velvet Community Orchard Orchard in Witton Lakes, by the this amazing space dividing path between the two lakes. will sit within was open for everyone to have a mature gardens look around and the Tearoom did It’s open every and linked to a roaring trade; refreshing all those Monday: 12 - 4pm the flourishing thirsty children and parents. Friday: 9am – 12 midday. Velvet Keep checking the notice boards Community And for those who wanted a drink and www.wittonlodge.org.uk for the Orchard. of a different kind, we had our very latest events taking place at own stocks – where you could throw The Orchard Tearoom, including Dawn’s fantastic We will keep you Afternoon Teas. updated! wet sponges at brave volunteers. As the largest landlord in Wyrley We are Birch, BCC’s Housing Department is made up of a wide variety of committed to the continuous improvement of nationalities and backgrounds, currently the area. based at three locations in North Birmingham; in Kingstanding (Warren Road), Pheasey and Wyrley Wyrley Birch has recently benefited from being one of the few Birch (at the Lakeside Centre). We do a wide variety of work parts of the city to have new social housing built, which is helping and run a number of projects including: to transform the area. ‘Elevate Youth Café’ – School Years 7 – 11, every Monday 6pm–7.3pm (during term time) at Lakeside Children’s Centre: We have also made efforts to improve the environment; organising rubbish There’s a mixture of chill out time with tuck, activities; including music and and litter collections and working with partner agencies to tackle fly tipping. food, board games, games console and fun, trips out and lots more. We But we need your help to build on this positive work. Please do not leave your explore life, faith, teach new skills and make new friends. rubbish to build-up and report any concerns regarding fly tipping or illegal Meet the Team dumping to us. We have a good number of young people who come every week. Whether we As you may know, the number of estate based staff has fallen in recent years are rock Here’s a few words from the organisations and unfortunately the T Blocks no longer have a Concierge Scheme. climbing in the Peak District or running a crazy game, Its all FREE!

who are working in Wyrley Birch, delivering This means that we can no longer do a lot of things we have done historically. Oasis Express Lunch Club, Friday’s 12 – 1:3pm at Lakeside Children’s The staff that are left are working flat-out to provide a service and I know Centre: is an opportunity to have a light lunch at a reasonable price and projects and helping make Wyrley Birch an that the majority of residents appreciate their efforts. You can play your enjoy a lovely atmosphere. You can come along with friends or come and part by helping keep Wyrley Birch clean and green. make new friends. It’s run by a great team of volunteers who love to even better place to live. welcome people and provide fantastic food! You can contact us by calling 121 33 1111 or by visiting our website: For more about us call 121 35 965 www.birmingham.gov.uk or see www.elimlifechurch.co.uk. Witton Lodge Community Rob Spencer, BCC Housing Officer Pastor John Skelton Association run lots of projects Kingstanding locally – from our Jobs and Skills work EL LE HRH Neighbourhood Police Team are R H A Y L (including the Job Club at Lakeside), a wide array working with our partners across Birmingham to of community events, Living Well (healthy living) and help and support our Wyrley Birch community. environmental projects (including our plans to transform the Velvet Community Orchard into a new Environmentally Although our service is going through a particularly challenging Friendly Community Space). time at the moment, we are committed to working alongside our community and partners to continue to increase community spirit You may have also seen us at Perry Common Library, where we through events and anything else that the community wants. have been able to open it for an extra day a week, on Friday’s, where we run a number of helpful services. We are also dealing more effectively with residents who do not abide by their Tenancy Agreements or the law and disrupt other members of our community. We own 187 properties for rent, in Perry Common, where we have steered the transformation of the area over the past 23 years and We always look forward to taking part in and being involved with the really want to use our experience to improve the facilities in the organisations, who deliver local events and enjoy being a key member of the Friends Of Wyrley Birch. estate.

If you would like to know more about our work within Wyrley Birch and want to To find out more see our website at get involved, please contact us at [email protected] www.wittonlodge.org.uk, call 121 382 193 or come Follow us on Twitter @KingstandingNHT into our office at Perry Common Community Hall, Please join our two way messaging system. Here you can message us and 87 Witton Lodge Road, B23 5JD, between we will message you with crime info, prevention advice, event info and 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. lots more. W LE Y ASSA Please join up at www.wmnow.co.uk At UDB we love Wyrley Birch! Sergeant Helen Carver Whether we’re delivering activities Kingtanding Neighbourhood Police Team alongside the lake (occasionally even ‘in’ the lake!), helping out at the Orchard, running Girls Group at the Orchard Café, holding our drop in clubs at WES LAS LE We Lakeside or just walking the streets – for us it’s all about the are an enthusiastic group of local people who are passionate people we’ve got to know. about our local area. We were formed in We are a resident-led charity based in Perry Common and we spend 2009 to help look after Witton Lakes. We have a most of our time working with children and young people in community wonderful park right here on our doorstep, with 2 and school settings. Over the years we have frequently popped over to freshwater lakes, a lovely Community Orchard and Wyrley Birch, but for the past few years we have had more of an active Tearoom, beautiful wildflowers and wonderful open space with fascinating wildlife. presence here. A bunch of our team – Dawn, Ryan, Liam, Izzy, Emma and others – are really committed to doing what we can to support your We originally set up the group because our local park was simply amazing community. not getting the attention it deserved. Through our hard work and enthusiasm, we are really making a big difference. This then is an invitation to you. We work with children and young people You may have also been to one of the many events we hold in the but also with families, so if you have thoughts, ideas or suggestions park throughout the year. about how we can do this better we would really love to hear from you! To help make a difference and find out more, check out our Facebook page at The best way to keep in touch with what we do is to like us www.facebook.comFriendsofWittonLakes on Facebook – facebook.comurbandevotion – or have or speak to Linda Hines, Chair Of FOWL on a chat with our team when we’re around on 796 386252. Wednesday afternoons. Linda Hines The UDB Team Chair Of Friends Of Witton Lakes RA E RHA RES W LAES WL Help With Jobs And Skills Job Club At The Lakeside Children’s Centre Witton Lodge Community Association is This 1930s art-deco library really is a magnificent Perry Common Library delighted to say that, thanks to the support of building and offers a great selection of books, If you’re looking for free jobs and skills Witton Lodge Community Association’s Jobs local councillors and partnership working with computers (please advice, right here in Wyrley Birch, then look & Skills Team, will be available for all sorts of Now Open On Fridays Library Services, we pre-book) and other services and activities no further than the Lakeside Centre. useful advice about anything employment have been able to open Perry Common Library throughout the week. related, including: for an extra day every week. Every Wednesday morning between Come in and say hello. We are always looking 10am – 1pm, Paul or a member of • CV advice • Confidence Building With help from the Witton Lodge staff and an for volunteers to help us at the library too! • Interview Skills • And much more enthusiastic team of volunteers, the library is • Jobsearch open for everyone to use and enjoy, all day on To find out more call Lauren on 0121 382 1930, • Applying for No appointment is Friday’s. email [email protected], Youth training courses needed, just drop in. or come into the library on Friday’s. Promise Plus Are you aged 16-29 and not in work, education or training? Living in Birmingham or Solihull? Want to get a job? Gain new skills in a friendly environment? If yes, then we can help. • Meet with our • Opportunities to take • Work experience experienced advisors in part in a wide variety of opportunities. a 1-2-1 session to discuss activities to boost your your support needs. confidence, skills and gain practical experience.

Employment focused sessions to help you search and apply for suitable vacancies.

But don’t take our word for it, here are a few words from young people who have taken part already: Peter From September, there will be a They’re just waiting on the toys to brand new nursery, right on our “Before I came, I was really nervous. A Wonderful be delivered. Ifrah By coming to these sessions, I really doorstep. The ‘Blue Sky Nursery’ feel I boosted my confidence. is due to open at Wilson Stuart “It has been really good. I have New Nursery The nursery will be open from It’s been good to meet new people School, Perry Common Road – come out of my comfort zone. I 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. and I’ve learnt a lot of job skills.” and is just a short walk through have gained new confidence and Right On Our Witton Lakes. learnt how to communicate with Contact Gisela Costa (Nursery new people.” Manager) on 0121 373 4475 Doorstep This beautiful, brand new venue or visit the blueskynursery.co.uk, will cater for 2, 3 and 4 year olds For more information about any of these sessions, to find out more. and will offer up to 30 hours of please contact the Job & Skills Team on 0121 382 1930, free childcare per week! email [email protected] or come into our office at Perry Common Community Hall 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

And We’re Bringing Our Health Works Housing Advice To A Andrew, age 49, who is now a Forklift Truck Driver at Jaguar Land Venue Near You Rover says: As with Job Club, Witton Lodge’s FREE Housing Advice sessions have been really popular. “I’m very happy to get back into work again and making new friends. The employment The 1-2-1 sessions are an excellent opportunity to speak advice from Health Works has been brilliant. Helping You To Live Well Do You Have Any Old with a housing specialist about any questions and issues you have relating to housing: the bidding process, The sessions are relaxed; there’s no pressure It’s not only Jobs & Skills that Witton Lodge can Photos Of Wyrley Birch? application form and much more. like there is at the Job Centre and you get to learn help with. Our Living Well Team can offer advice about the different ways of learning things. I would and support in many areas that can make a big The sessions take place at the following times: recommend this to everyone.“ difference to your life – and if we can’t help, we Have you ever wondered what Wyrley Birch was like 50, 30, 20 or even 10 years ago? We have can point you in the direction of someone who The last Friday of the month 2pm–4:30pm at Perry too! Witton Lodge really does have something for everyone. can. Common Library, College Road (at The Crossways), B44 Our Health Works is a great way of getting back into employment 0HH. (This is a drop-in session: no need to book). if you have additional health needs or want to get back into That’s why we’re asking if you have any old and We can offer ways of improving your health employment after a career break. without medication in a friendly and relaxed interesting photos of Wyrley Birch and the sur- Every Friday 1pm-3pm at Perry Common Community Hall, 87 Witton Lodge Road, B23 5JD. environment. rounding area. It would be great to see and be • We start with 1-2-1 sessions to discuss your needs. able to share them in the next newsletter. To book an appointment please contact: • Group sessions to meet with other people and develop employability skills. Call our Team on 0121 384 2702 or email Alisha (our Homes & Property Officer) on • Work experience and volunteering opportunities. [email protected]. Please contact James Carless on 0121 382 1930 0121 382 1930, email [email protected] • Access to local employment and development opportunities. You can also ask about the service at your or email [email protected] if or come into our office at Perry Common Community Hall, • Employment focused activities to help you search and apply for suitable jobs. local GP surgery. you have any and to find out more. between 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri LAKESIDE CHILDREN’S CENTRE ORCHARD TEA ROOM ELIM LIFE CHURCH SYCAMORE COURT PERRY COMMON COMMUNITY HALL Lakes Road At The Velvet Community Orchard 120 Warren Road 46 Buxton Road 87 Witton Lodge Road Wyrley Birch (through the green gates by the dividing Perry Common Perry Common B23 7UH Kingstanding, B44 8QD B23 5GA B23 5JD path between the two lakes) Tel: 0121 350 9650 Tel: 0121 386 6150 Witton Lakes, B23 7XX Tel: 0121 386 4724 Tel: 0121 382 1930 www.perrybarrchildrenscentres.org.uk Tel: 0121 382 1930 www.elimlifechurch.co.uk www.wittonlodge.org.uk www.wittonlodge.org.uk www.wittonlodge.org.uk

MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY

Elevate Youth Café (School Years 7-11) Oasis Express Lunch Club (over 55s) Monday Wellbeing Red Hot Chilli Steppers Walking Group 6pm–7:30pm (Term Time Only) 12 midday 2pm - 4pm 11am TUESDAY TUESDAY Needles & Pins TUESDAY 1pm Little Chatterboxes Age Concern Day Centre Slimming World 9.30am – 11am (By Referral Only) 10am - 2pm 7pm Elevate Youth Group (Age 11 - 16) 6pm (Term Time Only) Bingo Coffee Afternoon + Crèche WEDNESDAY (at Lakeside Children's Centre) 6pm - 8pm 1pm - 2:30pm The Orchard Tearoom is open Aikido Monday’s 12pm – 4pm TUESDAY WEDNESDAY Ring Of Sound Choir 7:30pm Friday’s 9am – 12pm Luncheon Club (over 55s) 7pm - 8pm Job Club 11am Please call 07960 386 252 or Councillor Surgery 10am – 1pm email [email protected] (Labour Councillor Des Hughes) Elim Foodbank 7pm - 8pm After School Club (Key Stage 2) URBAN DEVOTION BIRMINGHAM WEDNESDAY Hope House,148 Witton Lodge Road 12 midday 2nd Wednesday of the month 4pm – 6pm Perry Common , B23 5AP Knitting Group Tel: 0121 350 9370 WEDNESDAY THURSDAY Baby Massage www.urbandevotion.org 10:30am – 12 midday Times Variable (By Referral Only) English Language Class Pain Clinic 9:30am (Term Time Only) Film Club 9:30am - 1pm FRIDAY 1:30pm – 3:30pm (by GP appointment only) THURSDAY Oasis Express – over 55s Lunch Club THURSDAY Job Club 12 midday – 1:30pm Little Seeds Toddler Group 1pm - 4pm Morning Session: 10am Extend Exercise Class Under 5's Stay & Play Afternoon Session: 12:45pm 10am - 11am 9.30am – 11am Slimming World 5pm (1st Session) Elim Foodbank Men’s Club MONDAY 10am - 1pm 7pm (2nd Session) Please contact us about the other 12 midday services we offer throughout the week, FRIDAY including: The Underground – School Years 4-6 FRIDAY Fifty Shades Of Green Gardening Club 3:30pm – 4:45pm 1:30pm - 3pm Slimming World • United Support Group - monthly for The Underground, St Martin’s Church Centre, Oasis Express Lunch Club (Over 55s) parents of children with ADHD and 140 Perry Common Rd, B23 5AP FRIDAY 10am Autism 12 midday • Adoption and Fostering (at Lakeside Children's Centre) • Foundation Years Parenting The Underground – School Years 7-11 Age Concern Day Centre Councillor Surgery 5pm – 6:15pm 10am – 2pm Support - Incredible Years Parenting Elevate Youth Club (Age 11 - 16) (Conservative Councillors Programme The Underground, St Martin’s Church Centre, 7:30pm (Term Time Only) Gary Sambrook / Ron Storer) 140 Witton Lodge Road, B23 5AP Avon Bingo Please be aware that due to the 6:30pm - 7:30pm 6pm – 8pm (every two weeks) 2nd Friday of the month ongoing consultation about the UDB Café – ages 16-19 future of the Lakeside Centre, we are 6:30pm – 7:30pm Please note that all activities at only able to announce a schedule of Quiz Night activities until 31st October 2017. Hope House, 148 Witton Lodge Rd, B23 5AP Sycamore Court should be pre-booked. Please call 0121 386 4724 to find out more. 7pm on the following dates: TUESDAY · Friday 15th September PERRY COMMON LIBRARY · Friday 20th October College Road (at The Crossways) Girls Group – School Years 4-6 · Friday 17th November Perry Common 4:30pm – 5:30pm

B44 0HH Velvet Community Orchard, Witton Lakes, Help Us Make Wyrley Birch · Friday 15th December Tel: 0121 464 0481 B23 7XX (The Big Christmas Quiz) www.libraryofbirmingham.com Girls Group – School Years 7-9 An Even Better Place To Live 6pm - 7pm Velvet Community Orchard, Witton Lakes, B23 7XX You may have noticed different local The Friends Of Wyrley Birch, has been set up, so that organisations working together to make residents and organisations can work together going forward. WEDNESDAY Wyrley Birch an even better place to be. But we cannot do this alone. If you would like more information please call Linda Hines Junior Club – School Years 4-6 on 07960 386252 or email [email protected]. 4pm - 4:45pm Opening Times Lakeside Children’s Centre To make a real impact, we need your help. Mon: 9am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm As a resident of Wyrley Birch, we need to You won’t need any qualifications or experience, Thurs: 10am – 1pm & 2pm – 6pm know your thoughts about the area and just a passion for your community. Fri: 9am – 1pm & 2pm – 5pm Senior Club – School Years 7-8 Sat: 9am - 1pm & 2pm - 5pm 5pm – 5:45pm what you would like to see.

MONDAY HOPE Kids - Reception - Year 6 5:15pm – 6:30pm Knit ‘n’ Natter Every month at The Net, 159 Witton 1pm – 3pm Lodge Road, B23 5AR

THURSDAY Session take place on the following dates: · 6th September Ancestry Group · 4th October 11am – 12 midday · 1st November The Wyrley Festival Of Fun · 6th December Reading Group THURSDAY 3:30pm – 4:30pm SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER (3rd Thursday of every month) 67 Boys – Boys In School Year 6 4pm – 5pm 12 - 3pm At Witton Lakes FRIDAY The Underground, St Martin’s Church Centre, 140 Witton Lodge Rd, B23 5AP Jobs & Skills Support Come along for an afternoon of fun for all the family. 9am – 1pm Football – School Year’s 7-11 There will be fun activities at Witton Lakes and 5:30pm – 6:30pm Living Well Support The Velvet Community Orchard, with: Witton Lakes, by Perry Common Road, B23 7AS 2pm – 5pm • A Giant Car Boot Sale • Inflatable Mega Slide • Donkey Rides • Housing Advice Surgery 2pm – 4:30pm • Kayaking On The Lake • The Owl Man (with his beautiful birds of prey) • (Last Friday of the month) • Climbing Wall • Fun Games Activities at The Velvet Community Orchard • Hog Roast • SATURDAY *Times and dates of these And lots more…

Young People’s Tuition listings are subject to change. You can book a place at the Giant Car Boot Sale. It’s £10 for a car and £15 per van. 2:45pm – 4:45pm Please check with the Call Linda on 07960 386252 or email [email protected]. individual venue to confirm.

Produced by Witton Lodge Community Association  WittonLodgeCommunityAssociation Perry Common Community Hall, 87 Witton Lodge Road, Perry Common, B23 5JD  www.wittonlodge.org.uk wittonlodge If you have any suggestions and articles for the next edition, please contact James Carless on 0121 382 1930 or email: [email protected]