Solihull
DECEMBER 2017
Other Side Of
Merry Christmas to all our readers
Castle Brom, Kingshurst, Chelmsley Wood, Smith’s Wood and Marston Green
Revised road layout causes gridlock havoc EXCLUSIVE
Grace, aged five, makes the most of the wintry weather. Picture by Caroline Lear.
Angel of the North!
NORTH Solihull experienced one of the heaviest snowfalls for decades earlier this month. The borough was covered in a blanket of white, which brought delight and disruption in equal measure. Turn to page 6 for more of your snow pictures.
TRAFFIC problems on a main route through North Solihull are now leading to nearby workers handing in their notice, councillors were warned this month. At the recent Full Council meeting, Chelmsley Wood resident Fran Rickard said local people were having to contend with continuous disruption along the A452 Chester Road. Previously a stretch of the road was reduced from a dual carriageway to a single lane, a cycle lane installed and three new pedestrian crossings added. While Ms Rickard said she understood the reasoning from a road safety perspective, she was concerned that the changes had led to major congestion – with tailbacks stretching all the way to Birmingham Business Park. Major jams are also reported on neighbouring routes including the Collector Road, Moorend Avenue and Coleshill Heath Road, with fears the situation could get even worse when construction work on HS2 begins. “The vehicles are actually sitting idling most of the day, especially in the rush hour,” said Ms Rickard, who lives in Tay Croft. “I’ve lived in the borough for 47 years and have worked at Birmingham Business Park for 20 years and I really do know this area well. What used to take me ten minutes to get to work now takes up to 40 minutes both ways.” She told members that the noise, delays and traffic fumes were having a major impact on local people, and indeed some staff employed at nearby companies were quitting their jobs because of the time their commute was taking. “What I’m asking is can the road layout be revisited and returned to a dual carriageway?” Councillor Chris Williams (Green, Chelmsley Wood) had introduced Ms Rickard at the meeting and took to Twitter to thank her for raising the issue. Solihull Council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, Councillor Ted Richards, said he recognised “how important the A452 in this location is”. “We are aware there are currently localised congestion issues. The council has successfully secured £200,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority to undertake a corridor enhancement study.” The research will help identify priority schemes which might ease the traffic, although Coun Richards said it was imperative that steps taken to solve short-term issues didn’t cause further problems down the line. The study is expected to be completed by the spring of next year.
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Page 2 Other Side of Solihull
Snow wonder we’re caught out! IT’S always the same. A bit of bad weather inevitably seems to send Britain into a blind panic... It’s rather depressing that a country which survived the Luftwaffe is today brought to a grinding halt by a few centimetres of snow. When temperatures plummeted earlier this month, services in North Solihull – and the wider Midlands – were quickly paralysed. The entire bus network shut down, schools were closed the following day and the bins once again went unemptied. People were quick to voice their frustration on social media and jokes about a rush on Tesco to stock up on baked beans and bog roll were soon doing the rounds. If there is one thing you can say
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR for the UK, we haven’t lost our sense of self-deprecation. We sort of know we’re rubbish when it comes to wintry conditions. Is the reputation deserved? Yes and no. It’s true that other countries in Europe cope rather better than we do, but they tend to be more used to proper snowfall. In the likes of Sweden and Germany, for instance, it’s common practice for drivers to go as far as to change their tyres at the start of the winter.
l MP backs animal cruelty bill MERIDEN MP Caroline Spelman has spoken in favour of proposals to usher in tougher punishments for animal cruelty offences. A draft bill unveiled by the Environment Secretary Michael Gove would increase the maximum prison sentence for those who mistreat animals to five years (it is just six months at present). Dame Caroline said: “Animals are sentient beings who feel pain and suffering, which is why I will support the Government’s proposals to ensure that this principle is effectively written into law in order to protect their welfare.”
For Britain – where you might go an entire year with barely a flake falling – these sort of precautions would be rather overdoing it. The problem is of course that when the conditions are a bit treacherous we’re simply not ready to deal with it. It’s true perhaps that schools could try a bit harder to stay open and it wouldn’t hurt drivers to make sure there’s a shovel in their boot during the colder months... But maybe we shouldn’t be too hard on ourselves. It’s not our fault that our climate is rather kinder than in other parts of the continent, leaving us in a sort of No Man’s Land in terms of what would count as appropriate preparations. Anyway, at least the children had a good time of it!
l Free festive film night KEC Church Centre will be hosting a family ‘film night’ with a festive theme. The Cooks Lane venue plans to screen The Polar Express on December 21 (from 4-5.30pm). Admission is free.
l Burglary: Witnesses appeal POLICE would like help tracing those responsible for a burglary in Clayton Drive, Castle Bromwich earlier this month. The break-in happened overnight on the weekend of December 2-3. A rear window was smashed at the victims’ home, with the burglars stealing items including car keys and two laptops. Anyone with information should call officers on 101.
l School will hire warden IT has been revealed that Castle Bromwich Junior School will be looking to appoint its own lollipop person to help keep pupils safe. We revealed in last month’s edition that Solihull Council had taken the decision to axe the crossing warden on Hurst Lane North, as part of a wider costcutting exercise. Now the school itself has sent out a message to parents confirming it intends to hire someone to continue the patrol on a full-time basis.
Solihull Editor: David Irwin Design: Justine Flavell Get in Touch: Facebook.com/ NorthSolihull
@North_Solihull
Email - theothersideofsolihull@ gmail.com
Introducing:
?? What the...? We don’t actually know. This odd-looking object was spotted floating over Castle Bromwich on Sunday, December 3. A real-life UFO? UFOs – plural. There were three of them flying in formation, heading in the direction of Hodge Hill. Our eyewitness says he spotted them around 12noon and
l Panto time at Arden Hall CASTLE Bromwich Theatre Group are busy rehearsing for this year’s pantomime. Oh yes they are! The troupe will be performing Sleeping Beauty – the timehonoured fairy story – at Arden Hall (from January 17-20). Tickets are available on 07505 521 309.
Other Side Of
YOUR SAY:
“...Putting in a single carriageway, getting rid of the dual carriageway and adding new junctions. Not sure what they expected to happen?” – Mark McCausland on the Chester Road congestion.
managed to snap this slightly blurry image. Were they party balloons, drones or some sophisticated system that Father Christmas has devised to deliver his presents? They’re certainly less bulky than a sleigh. The truth is out there... You said it, we’re just not quite sure what it is. Answers on a postcard please.
Anniversary
Year in Numbers • Caroline Spelman ratcheted up a majority of 19,198 at the June General Election. • Protestors claimed that continued council funding of Meriden Adventure Playground would cost each taxpayer just 27.5. pence (less than the price of a Freddo) • More than 30,000 people read our story on cuts to North Solihull bus services!
Out & About THE new set of bells at St Mary and St Margaret’s will ring for Midnight Mass. The Christmas Eve service begins at the Castle Bromwich church from 11.30pm.
December 2005 – Solihull Council trumpets DocSpot – its exercise referral scheme. It says that more than three times as many residents from North Solihull’s ‘regeneration wards’ have signed up compared to the borough as a whole.
Other Side of Solihull Page 3
Loopholes to blame for loss of green belt MARSTON Green is now almost “totally surrounded” by industrial development, borough councillors were warned this month. Local woman Pat Preece called for greater protection of the green belt, amid concerns that swathes of open space are being built on in and around the village. Addressing Full Council on behalf of residents, Ms Preece spoke of fears that there were too many
Moat House Farm, one of the sites lost to development in recent years
loopholes in the laws put in place to prevent urban sprawl. “There is a get-out clause and this seems to be to use the words ‘only in exceptional circumstances’ as an excuse whenever a decision is made to build on green belt land. “It’s truly amazing how many exceptional circumstances there are in Solihull MBC.” Noting that the village already experienced gridlock on a regular basis, Ms Preece said that
Truly amazing folk create 300 hampers for area’s needy GENEROUS residents have turned out in force to support the North Solihull Christmas hamper appeal. Almost 300 boxes were packed full of food stuffs and are to be delivered to elderly and vulnerable residents in the run-up to December 25. A whole range of businesses and organisations threw their support behind the campaign, which is now in its third year. Among those singled out for praise include pupils at Fordbridge and Coleshill Heath Primary Schools, the Bosworth Community Centre and Bickenhill and Marston Green Parish Council. In a statement on Facebook, the organisers said: “You are all truly amazing. Thank you so much.” Pictured: Staff and customers from the Coventry Building Society, in Chelmsley Wood, supported the campaign.
other developments in the pipeline would only make matters worse. These include Arden Cross, a 4,000 home development near Stonebridge, and the 24-7 warehouse distribution centre to be built on land off Blackfirs Lane. “Given the imminent development of these projects we would like to propose to the council that the needs of the environment should take first priority. At the moment, the well-being of the citizen comes last.” In an effort to address the problem, she said that residents were in favour of setting up a committee, comprising of both local people and borough and parish councillors, to promote green development. The task force they are proposing would also focus on the preservation of ancient trees and efforts to create more walking routes between the village’s green spaces. Councillor Ian Courts, cabinet member for managed growth, insisted that the local authority had often resisted attempts by developers to push for “massively increased” housing targets. “I would expect that every member here would share my concern, and this council’s concern, for protection of the green belt,” he said. “It is a legal obligation that Solihull has to cater for its housing need and indeed it also has to make a contribution for some of its neighbours who are unable to deal with their own housing growth.” Coun Courts noted that the latest version of the borough’s Local Plan would see the removal of around two per cent of the green belt - well below the proportions set to be sacrificed by the likes of Birmingham and Manchester.
Police ranks depleted by savage cutbacks
David Jamieson
THE West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has rubbished claims by the Government that overall crime is falling. David Jamieson, a former councillor for Kingshurst and Fordbridge, gave a stark assessment of the challenges facing officers when he addressed Solihull Council this month. He revealed that since 2010, the force’s budget had been cut by £145million (around a quarter of the total) and it had lost around 3,000 staff (two thirds of whom were uniformed officers). “Sometimes you will hear government ministers say that crime is reducing, well you just have to go around your own ward and ask that question...
“Crime is not reducing. Some crimes have reduced, some have increased and some crimes have increased in importance.” The Commissioner also took a number of questions from borough councillors on matters of concern locally. Coun Mark Wilson (Green, Smith’s Wood) wanted to know why it was that crime was on the rise. While Mr Jamieson said that there was perhaps a greater willingness for people to report certain incidents – such as sexual offences – cuts had also played their part. “The blue line is thinner than it was. That’s just a fact. We’ve got 3,000 fewer people now working on crime in the West Midlands than we had seven years ago, so that must be a contributory factor to it.”
Page 4 Other Side of Solihull
A year in the life of North Solihull JANUARY:
frustrated by the regular bike rallies taking place on the dual carriageway. There was also a lot of noise being made about dog mess, with the revelation that it cost Solihull Council £80,000 a year to empty the bins.
keep the playground open. As the month drew to a close, allotment holders in Kingshurst were left fuming by a spate of arson attacks on the site.
IT may have been a mild winter, but as the year began the police Other Side O received a frosty reception in Castle f Bromwich. Scores of residents had packed Page 4 Page 7 into a parish council meeting to confront an inspector over rising levels of crime in the suburb. We revealed how one family had been left furious after masked men had tried to break in while their M COUNCIL tax bills were teenage daughter was alone in the hiked up by borough house – only for officers to stand councillors, as the local down the emergency response. authority admitted it was e th om From calls for more boots on the JANUARY: Film fr struggling to meet the rd wa Ho by ot ground, to a ban on trainers in the 1930s, sh n mounting costs of social to rs Ma classroom – the CTC was unamused Baylis, showed care. s. wa it after more than 100 students turned Green as Rather more up in casual footwear. A prank note AVE O appetising than a rates april: residents rallied to was apparently to blame. rise was the food cooked up by Marston save adventure playground. There was also anger among AY GROU customers at HSBC, after the bank confirmed it would Green school chef, Jose Davies Kochakkadan, who made it to the final stage of the National School Chef be closing the Castle Brom branch in the summer. of the Year Awards. Over in Chelmsley Wood, residents in Lambeth After many years of hard work, the Three Trees Close implored the council to end the uncertainty Centre celebrated the official opening of its revamped over the future of their bungalows. STREET Associations set up in Smith’s Wood and premises... While in more cheerful news, old film footage other local communities were hailed for bringing Although later in the month, the community venue discovered in a loft shed light on life in Marston neighbours together. was left baffled by an apparent complaint to the Green many decades ago. There was rather less good feeling in Cooks Lane, police about a poster advertising a screening of the where a learner driver’s test was brought to an abrupt film 1984! end after it emerged the instructor’s car wasn’t Chelmsley Wood residents learned that the HS2 rail development, which will rattle past Yorkminster Drive, insured. Two sisters from Chelmsley Wood were somewhat had finally received the green light. ONCE again residents were concerned about overluckier, after they won £300,000 on a scratch card And we uncovered statistics which revealed that development - with Smith’s Wood councillor Mark – receiving their winnings despite ripping the ticket people living in Smith’s Wood and Kingshurst were Wilson arguing it would be “a calamity” if Auckland during their celebrations. among the most likely in Solihull to be involved in a Police appealed for help in solving a terrifying Hall closed its doors. road accident. robbery, in which an 88-year-old man from Smith’s The possible loss of Bosworth Wood playing fields Wood was threatened by intruders in his own home. was also causing concern, with local mum Stacey There was also a plea for help from a Castle Lanchester suggesting this would spell the end for a Bromwich family, who had lost a treasured timepiece junior football club. in a burglary. Elsewhere on the estate, it was confirmed that the POLITICIANS crossed swords over the possibility of In what proved to be one of our most viewed Sports College had decided to close its sixth form in Solihull releasing more land for housing – always a stories of the year, National Express confirmed response to a dwindling roll-call. concern in the densely populated wards locally. sweeping changes to North Solihull’s bus network – a Boy racers were back in the news, with those living From green belt to blue beds, denim move which infuriated many near the Collector Road growing increasingly fibres were used to prepare the ground for passengers. a number of a new wildflower beds in Claims that f North Solihull. Other Side O areas including Castle Bromwich takeaway Lime Kingshurst had Page 4 Page 3 Pickle announced it was naming a dish been “cut off” in memory of regular customer Alan by the shakeWatkinson on who had died in a road up would crash. continue to There was a terrific response to the be heard launch of the B37 Project – a Chelmsley throughout Wood arts initiative which briefly the year. occupied an empty unit in the town’s shopping centre. Residents also rallied behind the Meriden Adventure Playground, which was reeling from the news that Solihull Parade’s double Council was to withdraw funding. delight We visited the facility to meet parents may: One of our most viewed turned to re d en ek we s lar 1940 and volunteers and formally launched stories of the year – sweeping s. may: The popu en Hall Gard ch wi om changes to the buses. a campaign encouraging people to help Br le Cast
So
APRIL 2017
lihull Six months to keep play zon Six months to e keep play z March: one Castle Brom, Kingsh
urst, Chelmsley Wood,
Smith’s Wood and
Marston Green
The ongoing battle against off-roa d bikes
Arts initiative arrives in Chelmsley Wood
S
UR
PL
ND
PARENTS, childr en and volunteers are among those to have thrown their weigh t behind a campaign to keep COMMUNITY Meriden Adven groups, ture residents and Playground open. councillors from across The future of the political the awardspectr winning facility have emphasised um was placed the in serious doubt importance of after the playground. Solihull Counc il announced The Community that it would only continue Action Network (CAN) funding for anothe was r six among the organ months. to express concer isations Supporters were n about dismayed the council’s by the move, handling which has of the situati on, left the playgro und facing said it was “extreand a monumental mely disappointed fight to ” by the become self-su recent decisio fficient n. between now A spokesman and when the local author closure of the said: “The ity support adven comes to an end playground [would ture in September. a disastrous effect ] have on the area and Opposition counci result in llors huge have “called-in” social and the decision costs to Solihu financial and a meeting ll. This will be held decision is short-s on April 24 to ighted consider and reflects a whether the issue clear lack should be Parents and childr of understandi referred to Full ng and en at Merid Council. hundreds of indiffe en Adventure rence towards visitors durin Playground In the meantime, g the Easte North Solihu – which has more than 1,000 r break. ll and its welcomed been signed by petition letters residents.” local people have urging the counci current timeta Lottery fundin Councillor Chris ble. g and its popula l to rethink its Williams rity has snowb past ten years. (Green, Chelm And the playgro alled over the sley und has also thrown argued the facility Wood) head-long into Several hundre itself a search to find d youngsters saved the council far can visit each alternative funding. Ali Wood, periods and the day more during the chair of the Meride busy site has been money than Adventure Playgro credited with was n tackle anti-social und Association helping while Coun Debbiinvested, behaviour locally. said there had e Evans been overwhelming (MAPA), Councillor Ken (UKIP, Kingsh support from Hawkins, cabine urst & local people. t member for the environ Fordbridge) said ment, housing “Our main worry and “gutted” that she was is how little time regeneration, we have to sort funding has acknowledged was being withdr something out,” the playground is said. “I think she awn. a valuable resourc if there When Other e and said efforts would Side of years to put someth was a couple of be made in the Solihull visited ing together we coming month the would be able s to help MAPA during the Easter facility to do it, but six develop a business plan. holidays, months doesn’t give us several parent He very much time s praised of any such propos suggested the lack at all. “We are trying the services availab al at present would to make clear make it difficul the consequences Michelle Moult le. t for the local for the commu author on, to commit additio ity nity if this from Water Orton closes down. nal funds. We’re really a , has “I’m not entirely ‘village hub’, been visiting get to know the happy about this we with her son families and we [decision]... but Franky, aged to other service refer them on also I have to eight, for the s.” take consideration past three years. the financial constra into The playground budgets of this was set up in ints and “He just loves council.” 2007 with the it here,” If you can help help of Big she said. “It’s in any way, email co.uk or contac very, very aliwood@blue t the playground impor yonder tant . to have via their Facebo Send your storie ok page. something like s or subscribe this.”
– theothersid eofsolihull@gm ail.com
May:
February:
April:
urst, Chelmsley Wood,
Smith’s Wood and
MAY 2017
Solihull
Row over school funding grows
n: General Electio g locally? Who’s standin
Marston Green
Shake-up leaves bus d users strande
Castle Brom, Kingsh
ation think the consult s,” she said. “I sorts of reason badly run.” to Cooks Lane. process was very have been quick longer travel down for further various parties No 94 will no g Politicians from are still pressin dramatic row. However, locals sley “chaos” could fear that a wade into the (Green, Chelm concerns that amid cause ughton BUS passengers ents, will Macna es adjustm local servic Councillor Karl suffer particularly 4. shake-up of Solihull who Kingshurst would the No 71, 56 ensue from June has set up a those in North Wood) said that losing Nicola Roberts l and work. problems for the changes – against the Local resident of the badly following s to get to schoo ok group to protest ous” extension Facebo “tortur a ted rely on route after dedica of anger and 59 and seeing r an outpouring to Birmingham. a double-decke changes. There has been are run by ng changes to No 55 service int related to here is that buses announced sweepi he Her original compla start to use Tile Cross Road National Express “The main problem motive is profit,” which will last month. ed the change nies whose main No 14 service gs in the network late private compa Road – she describ into public meetin ”. and Chapelhouse ted in routes, People have packed urst and Tile Cross and a said. t waiting to happen about this and not really interes Kingsh as “an acciden concerns “As a result they’re specific journeys don’t make Chelmsley Wood, so sly had major been launched. were have obviou where s “I there day, of found As a result, it’s or times number of petition r of concessions into it, I soon them money. for all when I looked has made a numbe somewhere cing these changes get to about announ The operator easy angry notably often many people backlash – most the problematic following the in the day but t of the fact that again in to take accoun a school service getting back home the evening. rt really “Public transpo y owned needs to be publicl ‘service and run on a than ‘forprovision’ rather profit’ basis.” n, Caroline Spelma to be currently seeking n’s MP re-elected as Meride “dismayed” said she had been of pair 72, a No the WHAT at changes to have a jokers! she has said will which on Marston Comedy double significant impact act Laurel and Green. duo said Hardy – or a al Express has Nation rather s it had who looked that the change of t accoun like them – were laid out took the er use”. entertaining “changing custom which has crowds at Castle In a message shelters around Bromwich Hall in up put been this ny said: Gardens earlier the area, the compatimetables d month. “New and update counter The funnymen are designed to the congestion were among increasing traffic ters parade of charac and delays.” d in who had dresse for e period costum m the venue’s 1940s lihull@gmail.co weekend. theothersideofso
s or subscribe Send your storie
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Other Side of Solihull Page 5
June:
and a brutal robbery took place outside the village’s One Stop store. Better news came when Kingshurst Caterpillars, a local nursery, secured a £50,000 grant from Children in Need, and another popular event took place at The Green, in Meriden Park. And St Mary and St Margaret’s Church rang the changes, with the culmination of the long-running project to restore its bells.
MERIDEN MP Caroline Spelman was returned with a handsome majority, although Conservatives nationwide were stunned after losing seats. During the campaign we attended a hustings at Chelmund’s Cross, with the audience there whipped into a frenzy over the EU, foreign policy and ailing public services. Other Side of Solihull also spoke to some of those behind a campaign to improve levels of funding for cash-strapped schools in Solihull. 4 Other Side of Solihull This month also saw a Page flurry of enquiries from NOVEMBER residents in local high- OSOS looks at those battling to be your next MP : The Co AS pupils returned to school mmunity was set rises, who feared for Action N up with after the six-week break, etwork a h mission e l their safety following ping res sta idents r parents at Marston Green problems esolve l tement of the tragic fire at ong-runn Infant Academy had to ing London’s Grenfell adjust to the introduction Tower. of tough new parking In a grim money restrictions. coincidence, a blaze for Children in Need. Mums and dads were also increasingly had in fact broken Elsewhere in the village, news broke that a former frustrated by the fact that youth services out on the roof of charity boss was facing jail for his part in a major in and around North Solihull continued to Chestnut House a fraud which had hit Birmingham Dogs Home. dwindle. We ran a special report on the few weeks before The Three Trees Centre played host to an event with controversy. the conflagration a difference, when it staged a “death cafe”, a session Elsewhere, Caroline Spelman refuted in Kensington, but designed to promote discussion about a traditionally claims that the north of the borough had the flames were taboo topic. been singled out for a disproportionate fortunately dowsed. For soap fans there was no reason to be shy about amount of new homes – though The hustings, taking As the year place less than a week the arrival of EastEnders star Jake Wood, who was before polling day, will she admitted she felt the Babbs Mill be one of the last reached its booked to flip the switch at the Chelmsley Christmas opportunities for the development was a mistake. five hopefuls to sway half-way point, undecided voters lights. It emerged that councillors were poised june: caroline spelman was North Solihull also to sign off savage cuts to the crossing welcomed Radio 4’s returned as our mp. patrol budget – with the facility in Hurst Any Questions and Lane North among those set to be axed. saw a flurry of arrests following a major disturbance in Troubling new data suggested that Solihull was the Chelmsley town centre. most polarised council area in the country, with one FED-up residents in Marston Green got in touch with Smith’s Wood councillor calling for more to be done us to complain about planning chiefs’ handling of an to address the gulf in living standards. unpopular development in Blackfirs Lane. In another political development, it was announced Following a survey of hundreds of locals, the newlythat plans to create a new constituency – dubbed created Community Action Network vowed to take AFTER a series of delays – which left local residents Chelmsley Wood and Solihull North – had been action to tackle long-standing concerns in and around deeply frustrated – plans to revamp the ageing dropped. Meriden, it seems, will remain. Fordbridge. Kingshurst Parade finally moved forward. Castle Bromwich Singers celebrated their 50th year Fall out continued from the Grenfell Fire tragedy, with a Christmas concert produced by Stella Aston - a with increasing calls for Solihull Council to install local woman who had been involved since the group’s sprinkler systems in every single tower block. very first meeting! Steve Sandford from Chelmsley Wood needed More details emerged about the plans to recreate WE revealed the extent of the housing crisis in nerves of steel after he had to deliver his baby Meriden Park’s much-missed Bogey on the Stick areas such as Chelmsley Wood, with one councillor daughter by the side of the Collector Road! sculpture. revealing that many local families were regularly From a new arrival to a long-awaited reunion, There was alarm that a fund which helped charities, reduced to tears by their difficulties. Andy Steggles returned from the US to meet the man including Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, was to be There was, however, some good news with the and woman who had saved his life when he fell into restructured by the local authority. official opening of a new facility in Ipswich Walk to Hatchford Brook as a toddler. The final Full Council meeting of the new year saw assist those facing homelessness. Castle Bromwich residents were growing residents lambast congestion problems on the Chester In Marston Green, parishioners at St Leonard’s increasingly anxious about plans by Birmingham Road, through Chelmsley Wood. Church unveiled plans to install a memorial window Airport to change flight paths over the suburb. in tribute to much-loved member of the local If that noise wasn’t enough, a fresh spate of community Anne Dunkley. incidents involving offA little over a year on from its road bikes racing around Kingshurst residents lose installation, Solihull Council hailed Other Side Of faith in the police amid crime parks and side streets wave – ‘foot patrols are the success of a new speed camera non-existent and officers led to renewed calls for fail to act when offences erected on the Bradford Road. are reported’ action. A more sombre anniversary was marked by Dawn Lewis who appealed for help in tracing a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of her KINGSHURST was left husband Giovanni 12 months earlier. reeling following the And Sophie McEvoy, from Marston death of 20-year-old Green, had her dream come true Callum Lees. A young man when her idol Craig David agreed to was subsequently charged perform at her wedding. with murder. Such were the fears about violent crime on the estate, an urgent meeting was organised IN an important milestone, the at St Barnabas Church opening of Chelmund’s Court care to provide locals with an august: the murder of a young home marked the end of the final man sparked concern over opportunity to air their phase of the Chelmund’s Cross violent crime in kingshurst. concerns. DECEMBER: St ella Aston, development. who has been with In what proved to be Castle Bromwi Residents in Marston Green turned Singers for ch a difficult month, a man 50 years. out to cheer on Team Rickshaw, who rode through also lost his life at Marston Green Railway Station the village as part of a One Show challenge raising
September:
Caroline Spelman
Tom McNeil
Leslie Kaye
Alison Gavin
Antony Rogers
The Battle of Chelmund’s
CANDIDATES standing in the “The message I’ll be spreading General Election will in have She said: Meriden... is that we should chance to put their invest today “Whether case directly for a fairer tomorrow,” it’s speaking to voters at a special he tweeted debate in out against racism, advocating earlier this month. Chelmsley Wood. the living wage or defending Mr McNeil will be hoping our NHS, the The hustings, taking place that local Green Party has a proud less than anger over school funding, history of bold a week before polling day, cuts in thinking that our country will be one policing and concerns now needs.” over the NHS will of the last opportunities UKIP’s candidate is Leslie for the five rack up votes in areas where Kaye, who hopefuls to sway undecided Labour is hoping voters. to capitalise on concerns support has been in steady over In Meriden, the constituen decline. HS2 and development cy which in local parkland, includes North Solihull, although the national polling Conservative suggests Caroline Spelman is the that much of the party’s clear favourite support base – having turned a wafer-thin has flocked to the Tories. majority in 1997 into a close to “I will work hard to represent 20,000 vote your advantage two years ago. views and interests in Westmins ter, not Perhaps surprisingly, given like other parties, to impose the Westminster extent to which the Tories policy on Meriden,” he have put said. the emphasis on Brexit The Lib Dems will be pinning negotiations their nationally, Mrs Spelman hopes on local businessm has thus far an Antony fought a campaign very Rogers who is described much centred by local activists on local issues. as having “great initiative and drive.” In a pitch to voters, she Meriden has not traditional said: “With ly been your support, I will continue fertile ground for the party to fight The Green Party have also and at for fairer school funding, backed a present they don’t have to protect the candidate from the election a single Meriden Gap - which remains two years councillor in the constituen ago, confirming that teacher under cy. That said, pressure for development, Alison they may defend local find themselves best placed Gavin will stand again. NHS services and, work to draw support from the to make sure no While the party holds every sizeable minority one feels left behind or council of voters who supported disadvantaged in seat in Chelmsley ‘Remain’ in the Wood and Smith’s our community.” EU referendum. Wood, it has fared less well in Her main challenger is likely M The hustings will take Parliamentary elections to be place at the and lost its Labour’s Tom McNeil, a Three Trees Centre on lawyer and human deposit last time. Mrs Gavin Friday, June rights activist who was also is confident, 2 (6.30-8.00 the party’s however, that their message pm). Questions can be candidate in the 2015 General can submitted in advance to resonate on the doorstep. Election. alan@3trees. org.uk
December:
July:
October:
AUGUST 2017
Solihull
Castle Brom, Kingshurst, Chelmsley Wood, Smith’s Wood and Marston Green
August:
Flowers line the pavement in Haselour Road, Kingshurst, XIFSF $BMMVN -FFT XBT GPVOE XJUI GBUBM XPVOET FBSMJFS UIJT month. A police investigation into his death continues.
‘We’re scared out of our wits’ RESIDENTS who have lived in Kingshurst for decades have told a public meeting that crime on the estate has never been as bad as it is now.
Scores of people had packed into St Barnabas Church to voice concerns about the police response; claiming that foot patrols were nonexistent and that officers had failed to act when offences were reported. This month’s meeting had been organised by Meriden’s MP, Dame Caroline Spelman, amid rising anxiety within the community. While the murder of 20-yearold Callum Lees had been widely publicised, various other incidents were highlighted during the course of the 90 minute event.
These included a young man being threatened with a meat cleaver outside KFC, flagrant drug dealing and incidents of pensioners being deliberately knocked over by bikes. Coun Debbie Evans (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) said that residents had lost faith in the police. “There was an incident on the Parade involving knives. They phoned 999 and it was engaged. “When they finally got through it took [officers] half an hour to get there, by which time the kids had gone. “I have lived on Kingshurst for most of my adult life and I have never known anything like this.” One resident claimed to be “scared out of their wits” while
another spoke of her frustration that concerns did not appear to be acted upon. “I have lived here for 52 years...I like this community and I have always been quite proud to say I come from this area, until now.” As tensions boiled over, a panel which included Dame Caroline, Solihull Chief Insp Colin Barnes and representatives from Solihull Council sought to reassure the audience. Chief Insp Barnes insisted the force would act on reports from the public, although he admitted that cuts had affected police responses. Echoing comments made at a meeting in Castle Bromwich back in January, he acknowledged there
had been a particular shortage of call handlers. “We have been aware of the issues with the 101 [non-emergency] number for a few months and that we couldn’t always get to the calls. “We have known this on the front line for a while and it took a while for that to filter up the chain of command. “There has been a recruitment drive and I hope that is starting to pay dividends.” Official figures suggest crime rates in Kingshurst have been erratic over the past five years, with a fall in offending some years and a rise in others. t $PODFSO PWFS DVUT UP ZPVUI services – Page 3
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November:
Page 6 Other Side of Solihull
White out! Chelmsley Wood from above. Photo by Frances Palmer.
Photo by Grace Zhang
THICK snow fell on North Solihull this month, with several inches of the white stuff covering the local area. The wintry conditions - which saw temperatures drop to well below zero delighted families, but also caused a good deal of disruption. Schools were closed for two days, local bus routes were suspended and Solihull Council cancelled bin collections. During the cold snap we asked for your photos and were inundated with images. Here are some of those you sent in.
Alcott Wood. Photo by Linzie Phillips.
Prince plays in Castle Brom. Photo by Michelle Moran.
Chelceii Murray’s picture of Birmingham Business Park Poppy, aged two, and friend. Photo by Scarlett Elaura Price.
Justin Bradbury, aged seven, with Olaf the Snowman.
Other Side of Solihull Page 7
Life expectancy lower in our deprived wards PEOPLE in the most deprived wards of North Solihull still live an average of 11 years less than residents just a few miles away. A Solihull Council report – which offers a snap shot of living standards in the borough – confirms there continues to be a massive gulf between different parts of the local authority area. Despite a concerted effort over the course of the past decade or so to promote public health campaigns, the document acknowledges that “good health and wellbeing is not consistent across the borough”. The so-called “Regeneration area” – Chelmsley Wood, Smith’s Wood and Kingshurst & Fordbridge – tend to have a younger population overall (with a greater proportion of under 19s). But the life expectancy here is still typically over a
Students gain a taste of United Nations negotiations FOUR schools from North Solihull were among those who came together to take part in a Model Climate Conference The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Stuart Davis, welcomed the students to the Civic Suite for the discussion session. Pupils from the CTC Kinghurst Academy, Grace Academy, John Henry Newman Catholic College and Park Hall Academy, joined representatives from Lode Heath and St Peter’s. The event was organised by the charity Interclimate Network, which works nationwide to raise awareness about the environmental dangers to the planet. The conference aimed to give students the experience of what it feels like to negotiate at the United Nations. The pupils received background papers and a country that they would represent at the conference. Following the discussions, pupils were tasked with coming up with a series of pledges that they will have to persuade their school to sign up to. These included creating art pieces using only recycled materials, hosting Great British Bake Off-style competitions using only Fairtrade ingredients and working to make sure their school becomes more energy efficient.
‘The disparity in life expectancy between the north and south of the borough is historic...’
Coun Ken Meeson
decade less than in the more affluent wards. By the same token, disability and underlying health problems strike far earlier in the north. While those in Solihull’s better-off areas can
No needles on this Christmas tree! A TOWERING fir made in Marston Green took pride of place at the recent Coleshill Christmas Tree Festival. The tree, strung with hundreds of handknitted decorations, was first unveiled at St Leonard’s Church last year. Earlier this month it was transported to St Peter and St Paul’s over the border in Warwickshire and took several days to assemble. Its tour of the region is expected to continue in 2018, with an appearance at St Mary and St Margaret’s, Castle Bromwich.
expect to enjoy 65 years of good health, those in the Regeneration area often see a decline in their mid 50s. The report also emphasises the fact that despite Solihull’s reputation as one of the West Midlands’ most prosperous communities, it contains pockets of deprivation which are among the worst in the country. Indeed, 16 out of 29 neighbourhoods in North Solihull (around half the total) rank among the ten per cent most impoverished in the country. The council’s own findings fly in the face of a separate report, published earlier in the month, which suggested that social mobility in Solihull was far higher than other parts of the region. In response to the concerns about the continuing inequality, Coun Ken Meeson, cabinet member for children, education and young people, insisted that efforts were ongoing to address the problem. The tree “The health of some stands of our residents remains some below an acceptable 23ft level,” he said. tall and “We are working it took with key organisations around 12 to ensure that everyone months to in Solihull has an equal knit all chance to be healthier, the happier, safer and more pieces prosperous. “The disparity in life expectancy between the north and south of the borough is historic and dates back to before the northern wards first became part of Solihull borough.”
Warning over computer con SCAMMERS posing as telecoms engineers are reportedly ringing homes in North Solihull. Police have confirmed reports from residents in Chelmsley Wood, Fordbridge and Marston Green, who are being called by conmen posing as workers from BT Openreach. The crooks claim that they have identified a problem with the homeowner’s computer and try to cajole their victim into giving them remote access to the machine. Their hope is to gain access to online bank accounts.
Other Side Of
Solihull ONLINE For more news, views and events from around North Solihull, visit northsolihullnews.blogspot.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @North_Solihull