Issue 4 Spring 2011
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
HOHIssue04Final:HOH 05/05/2011 15:53 Page 2 Issue 4 Spring 2011 A community magazine for Handsworth Sufi Music at Holyhead School Read the amazing story about Charlie and Black Patch Local People Get Active in Handsworth page 12 The future of Hawthorn House We talk to Nu Century Arts page 10 Banner Theatre Interview page 6 HOHIssue04Final:HOH 05/05/2011 15:53 Page 3 Become a Community Journalist Editorial Update We Need You! The community journalism project is going from strength to We are still looking for contributors, photographers, strength as we now have a core team of talented and designers, and anyone who wants to take part to help find knowledgable journalists to generate content for both the the best and most interesting stories in Handsworth. It magazine and the blog. doesn’t matter if your reading and writing skills are not that great, as we just need people with good ideas and the We’ve been a bit quiet on the Hands on Handsworth blog imagination to find stories and make Hands on Handsworth since taking it over from Tracey but we will be uploading a a magazine everyone wants to get their hands on. lot more content over the next couple of months. Tracey Thorne (ex-Handsworth Neighbourhood Manager) left her If you would like to be a part of the team, have ideas for post in March 2011 and we wish her well in her new role, stories or would like further information then please contact although she will still be part of the steering group and play Karl Greenwood at [email protected] an integral role in the project. City College in Handsworth have kindly donated a temporary office space for the journalists to use as a place to research, carry out tasks and write and develop stories for the magazine. We would like to thank Anthony Gribben, Hands on Carole Douglas and the rest of the staff at City College for helping us set up the office which can now be used by the journalists. Handsworth There are still lots of things to do and things that are needed for the project such as new computers and equipment but Get in touch with your News, Views, we will take it step by step and with the support of local Comments and ideas for Stories. people and organisations we can only improve and look for ways to continue the project after August 2011. Contact us at: Hands on Handsworth c/o City College (Handsworth Campus) The Council House Soho Road, Handsworth Birmingham, B21 9DP or email [email protected] Copies of Hands on Handsworth are available at Handsworth Library and other venues - get in touch if you can’t find a copy. HOHIssue04Final:HOH 05/05/2011 15:53 Page 1 Historic Contents Handsworth Handsworth’s heritage gives all the opportunity to Hawthorn House 2 walk in the footsteps of founders of the Industrial Revolution thanks to the new Handsworth Heritage Trail. The Trail showcases the historic Local Opportunities 3 buildings across Handsworth and provides an ideal opportunity to promote Handsworth to local people and attract new visitors to the area. Talking About My Generation 4 The Trail leaflet includes a colourful Heritage Trail Map, a Heritage Quiz and a brief history of the sites that can be seen on the Trail. The route takes in Face-to-Face or Phone-to-Phone? 5 historical sites such as Soho House, the home of the famous industrialist Matthew Boulton, St Michael’s Church, designed by the architect William Bourne Art For Change 6 and Handsworth Park created in the 1800s. The Heritage Trail has been designed with the option Flaming Brilliant 8 of three parts to the walk, which members of the public can take in for free at anytime once you have a copy of the leaflet. Access to some of the buildings Nu Century Arts 10 is only available at set times so it is advisable to check beforehand. Let’s Get Physical 12 Copies are available at various BMAG outlets including Soho House & Museum and Handsworth Library. Or you can download a copy Green Thinking 14 from www.handsonhandsworth.info Black Patch 15 Say Arts 16 St John Wall Make the News 17 Supported by: 1 HOHIssue04Final:HOH 05/05/2011 15:53 Page 2 Hawthorn House Rescue Plan Birmingham City Council has withdrawn Hawthorn House developing the business plans of the Trust and another from auction to allow for further expressions of interest from interested party: a local Sikh gurdwara, which also plans to community organisations. The Grade 2 listed building, which retain the building for community use. The decision to pull lies between Hamstead Hall Road and The Spinney, the property from auction has angered property developers previously served as a library. It has been closed since the who were keen to develop the site. Another local property, beginning of the year. Councillor Randall Brew, Cabinet Milton Grange, was also removed from auction at the same Member for Finance, removed the house from auction time and transferred for community use. following representation from Hawthorn House Trust, one of the interested groups. Hands on Handsworth understands The council said that its decision to allow community groups the Trust wanted more time to develop its business plan. more time to develop their business plans does not indicate any bias towards their bids. A spokesman for the council The Trust plans to use the Georgian mansion to house a mix said, ‘The property is being withdrawn from auction because of community and commercial services. Councillor Narinder the council wants to further review its potential future use, Kooner, who has worked closely with the Trust on its plan, but no final decisions have been made in favour of any said, ‘We are delighted that he has given us this opportunity proposals.’ to develop our bid. We have a strong case.’ She added that the Trust had the support of all three local councillors. Last Words: Lauren Archer month a ward committee made grants towards the costs of Photos: Michael Deacon 2 HOHIssue04Final:HOH 05/05/2011 15:53 Page 3 Local Opportunities for Local People The WEA (Worker’s Educational Association, West Midlands), in conjunction with Benson, Hamstead Hall and Handsworth Clusters, have successfully managed to recruit 40 parents for their TRIF (Tackling Racial Inequality Fund) civic community volunteer programme. The parents have been recruited from James Watt Primary School and Hamstead Hall Cluster schools and to date, 33 parents have been successfully placed in a number of local organisations and Primary Schools. These volunteer placements will give those parents valuable hands on A busy MCB workshop at James Watt Primary School experience in roles such as teaching assistants, dinner supervisors and office administration to name a few. Be in a Soho Road Documentary Alongside these placements training Do you want to get involved with a individuals or families. For example workshops were offered to introduce possible documentary about Soho you may work in a business on the and raise awareness on organisation Road? Soho Road, a lively mum and family, protocols, confidentiality, managing a young entrepreneur who loves to children’s behaviour, practical parent Wild Pictures is an independent drive their sports car, maybe you helpers, CV writing, WEA volunteering documentary company based in work for your dad in his shop? and ICT for beginners. North London who specialise in high Maybe you’re a bus conductor, end access based documentaries locksmith, car dealer etc...these are The local partners that have actively for all the major broadcasters. just a few examples! The main thing supported the parents within their Recent productions include a series we are looking for is people who organisations at present include: about Wormwood Scrubs and would be happy for us to film them James Watt Primary, Foundry Primary, Holloway on ITV1, The Zoo - a series and what is going on in their lives.” St James Primary, St Clare’s Primary, about life at London Zoo and they Cherry Orchard Primary, CEAL, EDAS, are currently making ‘Life and Death “This is in development and we have Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, WEA Babies’ – about the neo-natal unit in not been commissioned by a Adult Education, Brookfield Primary Liverpool for ITV1. broadcaster as yet but we hope that and Holyhead Secondary School. This by meeting some great characters is an exciting initiative for the Emma Goodard, Head of and making a ‘taster tape’, we might community who have been given a Development says about their new be able to get this idea off the golden opportunity to take part in idea: “We want to do a documentary ground!” some exciting volunteering roles in series about Soho Road - exploring Birmingham. The WEA has a waiting the lives of people and families that Interested? Then get in touch. Maybe list for parents who would like to take live and work in and around the you know some great personalities part in future volunteering area. We are interested in people or characters Wild Pictures should programmes. from all walks of life, all ages and be speaking to? ethnic backgrounds for a warm, Contact intelligent portrait of Britain’s most Contact Veena Gogna on 0121 5510657 or culturally diverse road.” Please email Emma Goddard Sylvia Johnson-Davis on 0121 464 4736 directly at [email protected] for further information. “We are looking for all sorts of or ring Karl Greenwood at Hands On characters, and these can be Handsworth on 0121 533 7195. 3 HOHIssue04Final:HOH 05/05/2011 15:54 Page 4 Talking About My Generation A passion for politics isn’t for everyone and to some it may be perceived to be boring, too complicated, Some of the questions from irrelevant, or just simply not interesting.