Other Side of Solihull Page 3 JUNE
Other Side Of
l Vision of new
academy page 3
2015
l Rise in foodbank users page 5
Solihull ‘Tragic loss to the whole community’ l Happy ending for music man page 4
Castle Brom, Kingshurst, Chelmsley Wood, Smith’s Wood and Marston Green
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TRIBUTES have poured in for a much-loved Marston Green woman, who died after being attacked in her own home earlier this month. Retired teacher and churchwarden Anne Dunkley suffered fatal head injuries during a disturbance on Friday, June 5. Her nephew, Gareth Emery, 24, has been charged with murder. Friends and neighbours have been left shell-shocked by the pensioner’s death; the 67-year-old was well known in the village and described by those who knew her as “a pillar of the community.” Following the tragedy, bouquets were piled outside Mrs Dunkley’s Elmdon Road address, while parishioners at St Leonard’s Church gathered for two remembrance services. Hundreds of people, including many of the pensioner’s former pupils, left message of condolence on the St Leonard’s Facebook page. Mrs Dunkley was a longstanding member of the congregation and had been a church warden for seven years.
Anne Dunkley and, right, flowers have been left at the Elmdon Road home Dave Alexander wrote: “A huge, tragic loss to the whole community. Anne will be greatly missed, and fondly remembered in our hearts our minds and our prayers.”
Fury at failure to act on crossing petition WORRIED mums and dads are urging Solihull Council to install a crossing outside a special school in Smith’s Wood. Parents are angry that the local authority is yet to act on a petition presented last year, which raised concerns about the safety of children attending Merstone School. Locals are worried that the lack of a crossing on Windward Way is putting pupils at risk. While the council conceded that it would be appropriate
to build a zebra crossing, the authority is struggling to find the money to complete the project. Green Party councillors have now backed parents’ calls for action, with fears that the plans will not be implemented until next year at the earliest. A Solihull Council spokesman said: “The council is exploring future funding opportunities for the crossing and will continue to liaise with parents, councillors and representatives from nearby schools.”
Emma Betts said the death of such an inspirational woman was a “tragic loss.” “[She] was a fountain of knowledge and was always available to share her knowledge or experience or to lend a helping hand.” As well as teaching at Fordbridge Community Primary and Hatchford Primary in Chelmsley Wood, many locally knew Mrs Dunkley from her long involvement with the girl guides. Donna Llewelyn said: “I’ve grown up knowing Anne. I met
her when I was about seven in brownies, then into guides. We had so much fun doing all the activities set for us. “A lovely, wonderful lady who is going to be missed by so many people. You were always there to help others - so passionate with everything you did.” Emery, of Clinton Road, Shirley, has also been charged with assaulting a 38-year-old man. Appearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court he spoke only to confirm his name and address and was remanded in custody.
Denise’s just desserts for charity A SUPERMARKET worker will be taking a dip in a bath of custard this month to raise vital funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Denise Danks, from Chelmsley Wood’s Asda store, is raising money for the charity in memory of a young woman from Marston Green. Journalism student Tahlia Banks, 20, died of cystic fibrosis in April this year and the store is keen to raise awareness of the condition – which affects over 10,000 people in the UK.
Page 2 Other Side of Solihull
Woeful public transport IT strikes me that politicians from all the major parties never talk enough about transport. The simple act of getting to places is something that people worry about a great deal and the problems created by traffic jams, roadworks and buses that just don’t turn up are a source of daily frustration. It’s strange then that MPs only tend to talk about transport policy in terms of multi-billion pound projects that will have little or no benefit to most communities around the country. The debate about whether to expand Heathrow or Gatwick is of little interest to those living in North Solihull, who are probably more concerned by how long it takes the
economic merits, of HS2 at least, are a source of considerable uncertainty, I don’t think the concerns about the woeful standard of public transport are confined to those living in B37. It is in fact a national problem.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR No 71 to wind its way to Solihull town centre. By a similar token, HS2 is hardly a priority for the people of Chelmsley Wood. In fact the only reason the ruinously expensive rail link is on residents’ radar is because the trains will pass within a whisker of Yorkminster Drive.
The general standard of service is hardly going to persuade more people to leave their cars at home and for those who have no choice but to catch buses and trains, the status quo seriously limits their job opportunities (as well as making Monday mornings a proper pain in the arse.)
Some may say that the Government can’t afford to be parochial and must concentrate on projects which will be of benefit to the entire country’s prosperity.
If the Government is serious about tackling unemployment and helping the environment, it may want to take the passengers of the No 71 more seriously.
But aside from the fact that the
Introducing
STONE GRIFFINS: Local Landmark
I’d know that stony gaze anywhere! We’d certainly hope so. This is one of six statues which have stood for decades on a walkway near Yorks Wood Nature Reserve.
Out & About MARSTON Green & District Lions will be holding a tea dance in Chelmsley Wood. The free event will be taking place at the Banbury Club on July 6, from 2-4pm. The afternoon of sequence dancing is being supported by Aura Dance Studios.
Meet the Tweeter
They look good for their age… That’s because the local residents’ association recently won a £10,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore the creatures to their former glory, after the elements had started to wear away the stonework. So why are they back in the news now? Residents are eager to find out more about the history of the statues, which at one time stood on the roof of the Lewis’ department store in Birmingham. Rumour has it that they were made in the late 1800s and gifted to the city by the Tsar of Russia, but locals need help separating the fact from fiction and finding out once and for all where the creatures came from.
Month in Numbers 3096 speeding tickets were issued on the stretch of M6 near Castle Bromwich in just 12 months. Glenis Slater has become the 62nd Mayor of Solihull. She can expect to attend some 2,000 engagements over the next 12 months. UKIP councillor Debbie Evans claims to have received over 100 complaints from patients about the poor quality of service at Kingshurst Medical Practice. @SolihullYC Followers: 197 Tweets: 127 Content: The official account of Solihull Youth Council, giving a voice to local young people. One to Follow? Essential if you’re a teenager living locally. This group represents you!
Then & Now Late 2014 – The original date given by Birmingham City Council for the completion of major roadworks along the Chester Road. October 2015 – The month that highways bosses now expect the improvement project to be finished.
David Irwin
Other Side Of
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l Jail for careless driver A CASTLE Bromwich man has been jailed for two years and eight months for causing a serious collision in Chester, which left a woman badly injured. Steve Hubbard, 30, of Hawthorne Road, pleaded guilty to causing injuries by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drugs and getting behind the wheel without a licence or insurance. The head-on collision happened on September 8 last year.
l Ted keeps his job CASTLE Bromwich councillor Ted Richards has retained his position as the cabinet member for transport. The well-known member has held the brief since the Tories took back control of Solihull Council four years ago.
l Poor election turn-out THE number of people who voted in North Solihull was far lower than other parts of the borough. Kingshurst and Fordbridge had the worst turn-out of all 17 wards that make up Solihull, with just 48 per cent of the electorate participating in the recent council elections. The best figure recorded locally was in Castle Bromwich, where 65 per cent of voters made the trip to the polling station.
l Drop in crime figures THE amount of burglaries in Marston Green has dropped by 40 per cent, the local police team has confirmed. Sergeant Ellen Beedham said that there were 17 offences reported in February, March and April, a noticeable reduction compared to the previous quarter.
l Cooks Lane head retires ANN Jones, the long-standing principal of the CTC Kingshurst Academy, is to retire at the end of this academic year. She has been at the Cooks Lane school since it opened in 1988 and has served as principal for the past 14 years.
Other Side of Solihull Page 3
Academy approved but fears of flooding remain AMBITIOUS plans to build an engineering academy in Chelmsley Wood were finally given the green light last month.
An artist’s impression of the new engineering academy.
The WMG Academy, offering courses for more than 600 teenagers, will be built on land adjacent to Kingshurst Brook. But the decision by Solihull Council to rubber stamp the project has sharply divided local opinion. Business leaders believe that the academy will give young people the skills that are in desperate demand at companies including Jaguar Land Rover. A spokesman for the academy said: “With an ethos of being ‘businesslike and business led’, the academy will provide students with relevant GCSE and A level qualifications, specific engineering qualifications and an impressive range of partner companies will ensure that students leave prepared for the world of work.”
FACTBOX l The new campus will accommodate 640 14 to 19year-olds.
Kate Tague, who will be appointed as executive principal, said she was “absolutely thrilled” the scheme had been given the go-ahead.
l The academic year will run for 40 weeks, with the site open 7.30am-6pm during term time.
For residents however, there were serious misgivings about the choice of location for the new, three-storey building.
l 55 members of staff will be employed at the academy.
The patch of grassland, which had previously been earmarked for local housing, is a notorious floodplain. Fordbridge Parish Council said that a number of properties in nearby
Conway Road already suffered from subsidence and objected to the development “in the strongest possible terms”, fearing it would make the problem worse.
Other concerns were centred around the loss of open space and greater congestion on local roads. One petition, signed by more than 30 people – called for an alternative site, such as the old Chelmsley Wood Library, to be considered. Resident Marie Hodgetts said: “Not sure how much more development the area can take without everywhere grinding to a halt.” Despite these fears, the planning committee accepted the argument that the academy would boost the employment prospects of local young people.
Missing cat discovered 15 miles from home A MUCH-loved moggie, who disappeared from Chelmsley Wood earlier this year, has turned up almost 15 miles away.
AN EXPLODING can of deodorant caused a kitchen fire in Chelmsley Wood.
They concluded that despite the objections, the scheme would not have an unreasonable impact on the community.
Precious’ owners were heartbroken when the black and white cat vanished on March 20 and had all but given up hope of finding her.
A family of five fled their maisonette in Wheatcroft Drive, following the incident on May 27. The blast was powerful enough to rock the walls of the property. Crews from Bickenhill Fire Station said that a spark from the fridge may have ignited gas leaking from the container.
The facility, which will be modelled on an existing campus in Coventry, is expected to welcome its first students in September next year.
But more than two months after she went missing, the intrepid pet was found more than half an hour’s drive away.
l Bursting can blamed for home blaze
Abduction terror for teen - witness appeal POLICE are appealing for help following the attempted abduction of a teenager in Chelmsley Wood last month. The 16-year-old girl was making her way home along Moorend Avenue, near the junction with Ely Close, just before 8pm on Saturday, May 30 when a man spoke to her. She ignored him and carried on walking, but he followed her and grabbed her coat, pulling her towards his car. Luckily the teenager was able to break free and run home, where she contacted police. PC Gareth Bowen, from Solihull Police, said:
“Fortunately the teenager was unhurt but she was left shaken by the incident and frightened to go out alone. We’re asking for anyone who has seen a dark grey, two-door car, with silver tape on the passenger side window and at the bottom of the door to contact us.” The man is described as black, in his late 20s or early 30s, with a slim build and a shiny bald/shaven head and full beard. He was wearing a black T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information should call PC Bowen on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Owner Millie Capewell said she was shocked that Precious had travelled so far from home. “She had to be trapped to catch and was presumed a feral cat because of how dirty grey she was. My daughter is overjoyed she’s home.” It’s not the first time that a local pet has been reunited with their owners after an extended “holiday”. In 2011, a Staffordshire bull terrier called T-Bone, who had gone missing in Chelmsley Wood five years earlier, was discovered on the No 37 bus.
Page 4 Other Side of Solihull
Fairytale finish for former Solihull student’s musical dream
Daniel Hall And right: The cast of The Clockmaker’s Daughter. Picture by Poppy Carter
Once upon a time Daniel created his happy ending A FORMER student at a North Solihull secondary school has brought a musical to the London stage. Daniel Hall, whose passion for drama began at the CTC Kingshurst, co-wrote and created The Clockmaker’s Daughter, which started a six-week run at the Landor Theatre last month. The show, which draws inspiration from the classic fairy stories of Hans Christian Andersen and The Brothers Grimm, took a little over a year to
turn into a fully-cast performance. For 28-year-old Daniel it’s the culmination of a journey which started with appearances in school productions of The Sound of Music and Forbidden Planet. After leaving the CTC 10 years ago, he trained at the Birmingham School of Acting, before moving down to London. The Clockmaker’s Daughter was a joint project between Daniel and his friend Michael Webborn; the pair
wrote the show in a Solihull shed in the space of just a few weeks. They eventually struck a deal to debut the musical at the Landor, a venue which has played host to a number of productions which have gone on to enjoy considerable success. Daniel said he was inspired to write something original because he was worried about the proliferation of jukebox musicals and adaptations of existing work.
AN ARMED robber threatened a shopkeeper with a gun before taking money from the till.
Eyewitnesses to the robbery, which happened at around 7am, should call police on 101.
l On the move NATIONAL estate agent Connells are moving into the centre of Castle Bromwich. The chain will be renting the premises at the junction of Hurst Lane and Chester Road, which is presently occupied by Halls Florist & Garden Centre.
“The advance sales have been great and we hope we have a good run at the Landor to see where we can take it from here.” The Clockmaker’s Daughter runs at the Landor Theatre, Clapham until July 4. To book tickets call 020 7737 7276 or visit www.landortheatre. co.uk
NEC date to help plan your future
l Gun horror at store The raid happened at the Nisa store on Bosworth Drive, Chelmsley Wood on April 6. Police said the suspect, who brandished what was thought to be a handgun, was white, 5’ 10” tall with a slim build.
“We wanted to do something new,” he admitted. “It’s very much in the spirit of the old fairytales and I think there’s something distinctly British about it.
Recipe collection for cancer charity funds THE Marston Green Marie Curie Fundraising Group have produced a charity cook book. Villagers have clubbed together to donate their favourite recipes with all proceeds helping to support those who are battling a terminal illness. The book is £3.50 and is available from Ian Fletcher (0121 684 0707) or Pauline Campbell (0121 779 4907). You can also pick up the book at Hairs and Graces, in Land Lane.
THE Solihull Apprenticeship Show will return to the NEC early next month. The event will give school-leavers and young adults the opportunity to chat to employers and current apprentices about the opportunities available. Last year’s event at the Renewal Christian Centre was attended by 1,800 people and an even bigger crowd is expected this time – prompting the move to a more spacious venue. Employers already confirmed to take part include Jaguar Land Rover, John Lewis, BT and Premier Inn. Organisers are hoping to press home the message that apprenticeships can be an excellent way to enter many industries, at a time when the cost of higher education is continuing to spiral upwards. The show is on July 9 and runs from 1.30-7pm. To find out more visit www.solihullforsuccess.com
Other Side of Solihull Page 5
Dramatic rise in folk using foodbank service THE number of residents who have had to turn to a foodbank in North Solihull has more than doubled in the past 12 months. The Kingfisher Foodbank, in Smith’s Wood, has reported that almost 1,600 people made use of the facility during its second year of operation. This is over twice the number who received rations during the previous 12 months, and suggests many families are struggling to get by, even as the UK economy continues to recover.
in the space of 12 months.
‘It is a sad state of affairs when there are so many people in crisis who continue to need our assistance’ Kingfisher’s management group, said: “We are delighted to be able to help our community in this way. “It is a sad state of affairs when there are so many people in crisis who continue to need our assistance.”
Rev Jo Johnson, chairman of
The foodbank is registered with the Trussell Trust,
a national charity, and provides tinned food and other produce to families across the local area – a network of 59 voluntary and statutory agencies support the project. Almost half those who received the emergency supplies were children. The local picture is reflected nationwide; across the UK more than a million people received at least three days’ food from Trussell Trust facilities
Adrian Curtis, the charity’s foodbanks director, said: “It’s difficult to be sure of the full extent of the problem as Trussell Trust figures don’t include people who are helped by other food charities or those who feel too ashamed to seek help. “It’s crucial that we listen to the experiences of people using foodbanks to truly understand the nature of the problems they face; what people who have gone hungry have to say holds the key to finding the solution.” For more information on Kingfisher visit http://kingfisherfoodbank.weebly. com/
Increase in bad behaviour CASTLE Bromwich residents remain concerned about anti social behaviour around the suburb. At a meeting last month, the parish council noted the growing problem of flytipping, teenagers drinking in alleyways and reports of drug use and sexual activity in Birmingham Road. A lot of the concerns are centred around the village green, although a previous attempt to make the area “an alcohol free zone” was rejected by the authorities – who had argued that there were sufficient powers in place to deal with the problem. The council is now asking police to investigate ways to crack down on the number of offences and has urged residents to report their concerns to officers, to help build up a comprehensive log of incidents.
Pigs’ heads dumped - man charged A MARSTON Green man accused of dumping pigs’ heads outside an Islamic centre has been remanded in custody.
charged with leaving the four severed heads on the doorstep outside the venue in Hermitage Road, Solihull, on April 12.
Carl Stephens, of The Radleys, has denied committing the raciallyaggravated public order offence.
Magistrates this month committed the case to Birmingham Crown Court and the next hearing is scheduled for September 18.
The 34-year-old has been
Art attack at Kingshurst YOUNG people have produced this colourful mural to hang in a local shopping precinct. The artwork will adorn the wall near the post office on Kingshurst Parade.
Page 6 Other Side of Solihull
Former councillor says: ‘I’ll be your Boris’ A FORMER Kingshurst councillor has hinted he would be interested in becoming the first “Mayor of the West Midlands”.
The Mayor would have a similar role to London’s own Boris Johnson, assuming wide-ranging powers over policing, infrastructure and local government.
Labour’s David Jamieson has suggested he will consider putting his name forward for the job, joking his wife would be happy to have him out the house.
The Government has said such an individual would be necessary if the Midlands was to assume more powers from Westminster.
Mr Jamieson, who since losing his council seat has taken the job as the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, would be seen as a strong contender for his party’s nomination.
This has posed a problem for local councils, as the public previously said an emphatic ‘no’ to installing a directly-elected Mayor in Birmingham three years ago.
l Chelmund’s Day CHELMSLEY Wood residents will once again be celebrating the rich history of the local area with the return of the popular Chelmund’s Day event. Morris dancing, music, birds-of-prey and a whole host of games will be among the attractions. This year’s event will be taking place at Bishop Wilson School on July 11, from 11am-3pm.
Royal coup for college THE Queen’s cousin was recently invited to officially open Solihull College’s Woodlands Campus. HRH The Duke of Kent was taken on a tour of the site last month, meeting staff, students and Meriden MP Caroline Spelman. During the Royal visit, the Duke visited the college’s advanced manufacturing centre and was shown the facilities which are used
The Duke of Kent to prepare students for a range of careers.
Traffic chaos blamed on new road layout
At the conclusion of the visit, he was asked to unveil a special commemorative plaque.
RESIDENTS have criticised a £1.3million improvement scheme, claiming that it is “causing chaos” in the centre of Castle Bromwich.
John Callaghan, Principal of Solihull College, said it had been a great honour to welcome Royalty to the campus.
Work was recently completed on the Hurst Lane Place Project, which has seen a raft of changes, including a new crossing and a couple of raised mini roundabouts.
“We are extremely proud of our fantastic facilities at Solihull College and the opportunities that we can provide for students aspiring to have careers in engineering. We believe that it is our job to help provide the next generation of skilled employees through our many courses.”
Solihull Council has said the scheme will make the shopping area safer for pedestrians and stop speeding vehicles on the Chester Road.
from people who obviously never use this stretch of road. I’ve changed my route to work now because of this.” Graham Gorton had similar reservations, describing the changes as “idiocy”. “The narrowing of a major road like this is causing chaos at peak times. Agree that pedestrian safety was a concern but there are better solutions than this. What exactly is the use of a 30 foot wide pavement?”
But the work, which was started in October last year, has drawn a lot of criticism from motorists, who claim that the changes to the road layout have only increased queues around the Morrisons supermarket.
Another resident, Cherryl Jones, said the scheme needed to be reviewed.
After the local authority invited people’s comments, many residents took to Facebook to register their concerns.
“Accidents will happen and it won’t look so ‘pretty’ then.”
Gary Smith said: “Shocking planning
“Congestion combined with poor lines of sight for drivers approaching the roundabouts from any direction make this section of road a minefield.
A separate part of the scheme, which saw the creation of more parking
spaces, has been rather better received – following many years of complaints that there weren’t enough bays available for shoppers. Solihull Council has insisted the changes had been introduced following consultation with residents and said that previously some pedestrians were having to cross three lanes of traffic unaided. Councillor Ted Richards, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: “As a councillor and resident of Castle Bromwich I am really pleased with what the Hurst Lane Project has achieved. “The area has become safer for pedestrians and motorists alike and it has been great to see local people being able to get safely to and from the shops without danger.” To have your say on the changes, complete the online survey at www. surveymonkey.com/r/ hurstlaneplace.
Other Side of Solihull Page 7
A month on from the General Election, Other Side of Solihull looks at how the policies that will define this Parliament will affect local people…
Threat of HS2 line remains THE shadow of the high-speed rail link still hangs over Chelmsley Wood. The HS2 line will pass within a few hundred metres of Yorkminster Drive and concerns remain about noise levels, the loss of open space and major disruption during the construction process.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin confirmed earlier this month that building work would start on the London to Birmingham line in 2017. Between now and then expect some heated debate about the compensation package for those on the front line of the development.
Spare room subsidy is here to stay
Risk of depleting housing stock in ‘right to buy’ idea ONE of the most contentious policies of the new Parliament is undoubtedly the plan to give housing association tenants the “right to buy” their homes.
AN EMPHATIC victory for the Conservative Party will have killed off any hope of the so-called “bedroom tax” being repealed over the next five years.
The Government has said that the change would give over a million people the chance to buy their property at a discount price. But there are concerns about the consequences in an area like North Solihull, where there is already a chronic shortage of affordable housing. The Prime Minister has insisted that measures will be put in place to ensure that every home that is sold off will be replaced, but this is unlikely to reassure borough councillors – or those already on the housing list.
Cuts: jobs and services in jeopardy PRESSURE on central government finances will see further reductions in local government money, which will in turn mean tough decisions for the borough’s councillors.
European question... in or out? WHAT has Brussels ever done for Bosworth Drive? That’s the question that will be debated locally at the forthcoming referendum on whether or not Britain should remain part of the European Union. The crunch vote could come as early as next spring. Pro-European politicians will be quick to draw attention to how much EU money has been put into developments locally. Millions of pounds was ploughed into parts of the Regeneration scheme and more recently the borough council received a grant to help fund the new North Solihull Cycle Route. But with two UKIP councillors now elected in Kingshurst & Fordbridge, will these arguments cut through?
One of the biggest controversies over the policy came in Kingshurst, after local woman Stephanie Bottrill (pictured) took her own life and left a suicide note which directly blamed the policy.
How and where Solihull Council will implement the cuts is unclear at this stage, but undoubtedly there will be an impact.
While her death in 2013 became emblematic of the strain that the charge had put on many households, an inquest into her death later found that the mum-of-two had a long history of depression and her brother played down suggestions that the bedroom tax was to blame.
As OSOS reported in our last issue, the local authority is already contemplating a switch to a fortnightly bin collection and other cost-cutting measures could see the council reviewing library opening hours, youth facilities and road improvement schemes. It’s not unreasonable to suspect that a protest or two will take place on the steps of the Council House...
The spare room subsidy, as it is properly known, is charged to council and housing association tenants whose homes are underoccupied.
A demonstration against cuts in 2012
Tax plan: mixed blessings CHANGES to tax and welfare benefits will bring mixed blessings for residents in some of North Solihull’s most deprived wards.
mean that many will benefit from plans to change the law so that those on minimum wage no longer pay income tax.
Those living in the three regeneration wards – Chelmsley Wood, Smith’s Wood and Kingshurst & Fordbridge – earn an average of £470-500 a week. This will
Conversely, plans to cut the welfare budget by £12billion are likely to hit many people hard. Although details about where the axe will fall remain sketchy.
Nonetheless, it was suggested last autumn that over 100 tenants in Solihull were still trying to downsize because they could not cope with the extra cost.
Page 8 Other Side of Solihull
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