February 2013- we have now paid the rate demand to BCC of £575.57 as a result of a kind donation to Aston Vision Association. We will resume publication of the Birchfield Bugle should further funding become available from our Community First application.
Due to the demand, which we dispute, for £575.57 from Birmingham City Council to pay rates on a rent free room kindly given by St Teresas Parish, at 311a Wellington Road, occupied to do Community work between August 07 to October 09,there will be no further community announcements on this site. Voluntary work seems to very costly not only in terms of time given over to services which the council should have supported, but in actual hard cash that had been allocated to Community Reachout (Birchfield Bugle). Thanks for your support over the years, but this may be our last communication,sorry.
Aston Vision Association-publishers of Birchfield Bugle, and this Web site.
Seating has been kindly arranged by the locals for you to come down and view their grot spot.
This is Church Vale,Handsworth, B20 Dumping site,we need this to stop. Who are the culprits? by the 10th August, these bins had been removed and NO TIPPING signs erected, but still feeble minded local idiots are dumping.
Why cannot the Council provide effective INFORCEMENT and take these idiots to court !
Council bid to revamp waste collections – July 27, 2012 Posted in: Cllr McKay, News Birmingham
City Council will maintain weekly collections and modernise its refuse and recycling collection service by introducing wheeled bins to improve recycling rates if Government funding is awarded to the city.A multi-million bid is being prepared as part of the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Weekly Collection Support Scheme, worth £250million across England.The proposal, due before the council’s Cabinet on July 30, will enhance services and help meet the challenges of the planned growth of Birmingham by up to 10,000 homes per year, an ageing vehicle fleet and the need to modernise the depot infrastructure.Evidence from other authorities shows that recycling performance improves when wheeled bins are introduced* and the council’s bid aims to build on this by rolling out an incentive-based recycling project for the whole of Birmingham.
Welcome to our local FLORAL FILTH Trail
July 20th 2012
take the number 11 bus to Perry Barr, St Teresa's Church stop for a really
fascinating filthy trail of disgarded trash next to our beautifully planted wild foliage.Watch out for details of other Scenic Filth Spots in Birchfield coming soon..........CHURCH VALE ?
so pop along soon before it disappears, some hopes I hear you say !
Update 13th October 2012- Chain Link fencing has been removed in places, but the litter still remains, what was the point of that we wonder?
"The Birchfield estate is located in inner city Birmingham, approximately 3 miles north of the city centre. It is a residential area and is principally a local authority 1960’s housing development. It has a
population of 7,689 people."
Big Lottery wants to spend 1 Million pounds here.......perhaps a COMMUNITY CENTRE, your views welcome..........
Community Leaders show Chris Church (third left) from the Big Local around our area
Left to right,Raj Rattu,Denise Forsyth,Chris Church, Jimoh Folarin (vice chair Birchfield Neighbourhood Forum)
photo by Mike Tye (chair Birchfield Neighbourhood Forum)
http://birchfield.org.uk/2012/06/06/jubilee-party-rained-off-but-saved-by-holy-trinity-vicar/
JUBILEE STREET PARTYS BLUES just wont go away
Tues 5th 8pm another message from a contact form:
Name: Whatonearth? Subject: Noise violation Message:
Why has there been constant extremely loud base music playing from the
crown and cushion for two whole days!?! I live good distance away and I
can still hear/feel it with all my double glazed windows closed! Surely
this can be stopped? I dread to think what the summer will be like when
it's too hot to close the windows! This area really is going downhill !
Sad that the authorities won't help!
Web Master "we are sorry to hear about your distress, the Monday Party Noise has been identified as coming from Ashcroft Grove, todays Noise was from the C&C, your complaint will be sent to the local councillors"
received Monday 4th June 18:00 A message from a contact form:Name: Unhappy resident Subject: Street Party
Message: Hate to say this but there is a Party that is doing my head in, constant thud thud thud has spoilt my day,hope it doesn't ruin my evening as well ! is it Crown & Cushion or somewhere off Birchfield Road
Due to rain the Haughton Road street party was cancelled, but because of the kindness of Rev Eve Pitts of Holy Trinity Church,who offered the use of her Church Hall, all that turned up enjoyed a splendid party.Shame that she is seen as an "outsider" by those who make the rules for Neighbourhood Forums. She lives on the wrong side of Birchfield Road, even though her Parish and school is in the forum area.We think she should be made a Honourary Member at least !
we are trying to organise this for Sunday 3rd June, but are running into difficulties with a Mr Gupta from Birmingham City Council insisting we have Insurance in place before he can authorise the closure of Haughton Road. We would wonder if he has seen this information from OXFORD CITY COUNCIL
Council drops need for insurance News homepage 20/05/2010 16:57:37 Oxford City Council has decided to drop
its requirement for Public Liability Insurance for street parties to encourage residents to organise them.
We have now paid the Public Liability Insurance at a cost of £79.50 !!!!!! so less buns for the children !!!!
Lozells & East Handsworth Neighbourhood POLICE Team held their community meeting on Monday 28th May at 6:30pm at the Westerings Community Room
which is located on Grosvenor Road @ Westminster Road, and was attended to overflowing by folk from our area.
This is Councillor Quinnen (left) with local residents at Villa Cross filling a street planter on 12th April. We did ask if the one near Wellington Road Post Office (Leslie Road) could be similarly planted up but to date we have had no response from the Council.....shame, we are willing...what about a Flash Plant-up folks? The one nearest to Big John's needs desperately weeding
24 March 2012- Shocking state of local underpass between the One Stop shopping Centre and
Birmingham City University, view video report here
UPDATE 13th OCTOBER 2012-still the same if not worse, hold your nose as you descend into the cess-pit of a subway...................
No not the million pounds for Birchfield, but drug money seized by local police
"The Birchfield estate is located in inner city Birmingham, approximately 3 miles north of the city centre. It is a residential area and is principally a local authority 1960’s housing development. It has a
population of 7,689 people."
Big Lottery wants to spend 1 Million pounds here.......perhaps a COMMUNITY CENTRE, your views welcome..........
Birchfield residents come from the neighbourhoods of the Birchfield district of the East Handsworth and Lozells ward,in the Perry Barr Constituency of Birmingham City council. Wellington,Birchfield,Westminster,Stamford, the Birchfield Estate, Calthorpe, Turville, Haughton, Havelock, Livingstone,Leslie,Willmore,Churchill,Hutton,Grosvenor,Wilton,Church Vale,Maxwell Avenue,Lea Hill and Putney Roads. Old Mill Close, Westminster Cresent, and the side roads off the main ones.
If you feel you want to be included then please feel free to make contact
our Blog can be found here http://birchfieldresidents.posterous.com
http://birchfieldresidents.posterous.com/pages/mystery-coats-of-arms-in-local-wall-with-mott
£231,000 drug and cash haul following Lozells raid
POLICE in Lozells have arrested a man and seized thousands of pounds worth of cash and drugs in a dawn raid this morning (Thursday 15 March).
Officers, acting on tip-offs from the public, entered the house on Frances Road, shortly before 5.30am.
A 24-year-old man who was at the address at the time was arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply class A drugs. He remains in police custody.Following a search of the property, officers recovered approximately 1.5kg of suspected heroin and crack
cocaine worth approximately £31,000.Approximately £200,000 of cash was also seized.
News of the success comes during a local blitz on drug dealers.
Yesterday Wednesday 14 March), the same officers raided a house on Church Street, Lozells, and recovered a large amount of herbal cannabis, an extendable baton and £1,000 of cash. A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and possession with the intent to supply class B drugs. He was later released on police bail pending further inquires.
On Tuesday (13 March), officers from the Lozells and East Handsworth neighbourhood policing team executed simultaneous dawn raids at Arden Grove and Leonard Road, Lozells.At the first address, officers forced entry and seized a quantity of
herbal cannabis and cannabis resin along with £4,000 in cash. A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent
to supply class B drugs and later charged with this offence.At the Leonard Road property, the team recovered a quantity of herbal
cannabis and heroin. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with the intent to supply class B drugs. He was later charged with this offence.
Sergeant Lucy Bird led the drugs bust and is delighted with the results. She said: "The seizures secured this week are a great result for local people who have had enough of drug dealers operating on their streets and bringing shame on the law abiding majority and criminality to the area."Local people who recognise the harm such offences are having on their neighbourhood and have been incredibly supportive."Having seen our tough stance, they are coming forward to offer additional information which has led to today's operation."I would like to thank all of those people who have taken the time to contact us and share what information they have.
"We believe the domino effect we're seeing on drug dealers in the area will
continue and I would urge anyone with information which may help us rid Lozells of these people to come forward and speak to us."
Anyone with information on those responsible for drug crime in their neighbourhood should call police on 101. Alternatively, people who do not want to speak with police officers directly can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For advice on support services available to drug users and their families in Birmingham, call the Birmingham Drug and Alcohol Action Team on 0800 0730817. Sergeant 20040 Lucy Bird
This is a message from the Lozells & East Handsworth Neighbourhood Team.
As the warmer weather approaches, we traditionally see an increase in Burglaries. With this in mind, I would like to take this oppourtunity to remind you of the importance of making sure your property is secure at all times.
We will be holding a street action day on Wednesday 14th March at 12pm on Church Vale in Handsworth.
You will be able to speak to your local neighbourhood officers who can offer crime prevention advice and materials. There will also be
representatives from your local housing associations.If you wish to contact us for any further info, please dial '101' and the extension number '7862 6710'
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE meetings for the Birchfield area Monday 27th February 2012
at 6:30pm at Westerings Common room, corner Grosvenor with Westminster Roads
Launch of new BIRCHFIELD Neighbourhood Forum for our area.Thursday 23rd February 2012, 6:30pm at CMAT Centre, 16 Grosvenor Road,B20 3NP
Did you have your say on the proposed closure of WESTMINSTER Road at its junction with Wellington Road?
The proposal reference 2011/07420/PA was passed by Planning Officers, it did not even make the Planning Committee !
Clear-up EVENT this Saturday 26th November in Haughton Road, B20 3LD 10.30 to 12.30 -free cup of soup !
http://www.lovewhereyoulive.org/find-places-and-events/birchfield,-birmingham-.aspx
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Wednesday 9th November 2011, 10am in the Livingstone Road Allotments Community Hut, entrance on Livingstone road, opposite the Broadway Dance school. Let us know if you want to stand for election.Come and learn more about our activities especially the new Allotment Well Being project
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE meetings for the Birchfield area
Monday 21st November 2011
at 6:30pm at Holy Trinity School, Havelock Road.
Vote for Perry Hall Park to win £25,000 for Sports facilities- but before 18th November-click here
110 on Friday 18th, but Rectory Park, Sutton Coldfield,has 356
LATEST NEWS received from Neighbourhood Police Team-
A BLITZ on drugs in Lozells and East Handsworth is gathering paceAt 6.30am today (16/02/12) officers from the Lozells and East Handsworth neighbourhood policing team executed a warrant at a house on Alfred Road following a tip-off from the community.Following a fingertip search of the property, officers recovered approximately 200 wraps of suspected heroin, a large bag of suspected powdered heroin, approximately £3000 cash, and a firearm.A 40-year-old man who was in the property at the time was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply and firearms offences.Yesterday, the team also raided properties on Robert Road and Westminster Road recovering cash, drugs and associated drug dealing paraphernalia. Two men were arrested and were later released on police bail pending further enquires.Sergeant Lucy Bird who led the action, said: "As a result of our action, and with the communities support, we're seeing a domino effect on suspected drug dealing across the city. One raid is leading to another and another. Local people who recognise the
harm drug dealing is having on their neighbourhood have been incredibly supportive.Having seen our tough stance, they are coming forward to offer additional information which we hope will lead to further raids in the very near future."Anyone with information on those responsible for drug crime in their neighbourhood should call police on 101. Alternatively, people who do not want to speak to officers directly should contact the independent charity.Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. For those using drugs, information on support services in Birmingham is available by calling 0800 073 0817.Many ThanksLucy Sergeant 20040 Lucy Bird
On 22/10/11 Lozells and East Handsworth Neighbourhood Team conducted a bus operation on Wellington Road in company with National Express Bus Inspectors to reduce crime, disorder and anti social behaviour on the bus networks in the area, and to provide reassurance to local residents. In total over 60 persons were stop checked for failing to obtain a valid ticket and Fixed Penalty Notices were issued. Most of those stopped were known to the police. Two of the persons stopped were of interest to Immigration so details have been passed on. One male was arrested during the operation for Possession of Offensive Weapon after a knuckleduster was recovered during a search.
More from our new Sargeant
With the clocks recently going back and the darker nights firmly upon us, officers in Lozells and East Handsworth would like to encourage local residents to think about their home security.
Statistics show that burglary offences traditionally rise during the winter months, with many people leaving their proprty insecure or failing to follow a few easy to apply crime prevention techniques.
To help secure your home during the winter months, please consider the following advice.
Consider purchasing a timer switch for your lights. These are inexpensive and ensure homes are not left in darkness to alert burglars to an empty property. - Always ensure that windows and doors are securely locked when ot in use. An opportunistic burglar only needs a few seconds to enter an insecure property and steal your belonging.
- Remember to cancel any milk or newspapers that you usually have delivered if going away for a few days. A burglar may notice these and be alerted to an empty home.Keep sheds, out houses and garages locked - your tools could be used to break into your home.
- Neighbourhood Watch is an effective way to keep your home and local community safe. You can find details of how to join or set up a scheme from the partnerships officer at your local station. Please call 0345 113 5000 for details.
Sergeant Lucy Bird, responsible for policing in Lozells and East Handsworth, said: "Figures have just been released to show that there have been 2,300 fewer victims of burglary so far this year compared to last. By following the helpful advice above, you can help us to further reduce this figure and ensure that your home remains as safe and secure as possible this winter."
For more crime prevention advice, daily police updates and interaction, please visit us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/brumpolice.
For further advice about keeping your home secure, please visit: www.safer-homes.org
West Midlands Police has launched two hotline numbers for members of the public to contact them with information on the disorder which broke out in parts of Birmingham last night( Monday 8th August). Detectives will be manning a freephone number 0800 096 0095 and local rate 0207 158 0125 from 1.30pm on Tuesday August 9.
Chief Inspector Matt Markham, said:
“We’ve published CCTV images on our website of suspects we believe were involved in the disorder.
“If anyone recognise anyone in the images, or has information relating to the disorder or offenders, then I’d encourage them to contact either hotline number immediately so we can bring offenders to justice.”
Detectives are also keen to hear from any members of the public who may have recorded footage of the disorder on CCTV cameras or mobile phones.
BIRCHFIELD NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM meeting
Tuesday 23rd August 2011 at 6:30pm at The Westerings Community Room
(Grosvenor Road entrance @ Westminster Road)
Spread the Word! Lozells, Birchfield and Handsworth People’s Conference
PEOPLES CONFERENCE to discuss community issues in Handsworth, Saturday 9th July at City College, Soho Road, 10.30am to 2pm
Planning Application to CLOSE access to WESTMINSTER Road from Wellington Road
Site: Westminster Road/Wellington Road, land at, Handsworth, Birmingham, B20Proposal:Erection of 11 new dwelling houses, new access road and associated landscapeand parking and stopping up of access between Wellington Road andWestminster RoadThe above application was accepted by the Council on 19/04/2011. We are interested in your comments onthe application reference 2011/02475/PA –preferably before 31 May 2011.
BRMB WALKATHON passes through Perry Barr May 8th
-watch on 
watch slide show on UTube
Former Birmingham Lord Mayor dropped as Labour local election candidate by James Cartledge, Birmingham Post Mar 31 2011
STREET ACTION DAY Wednesday 30th March, 10am-2pm meet corner Hutton Road with Westminster Road
Still waiting for photographer Carl to return our tapes so that we can show you a few video clips, they have been requested many times...............
Brag's Free Event has been great success 
Yvonne Wager, our Council Support Officer (right) with Barbara Petris our chair sit spellbound by the young talent .
on the 10th March at the Banqueting suite on Birchfield Road for the Celebration of
BIRCHFIELD'S GOT TALENT
FREE FOOD MENDHI FACE PAINTING ENTERTAINMENT
It was your chance to celebrate Birchfield's talent and make new friends,were YOU there ?
A day in the life of
Handsworth PRACTICAL CARE PROJECT
is shown in this short video by Simon Baddeley,
who features in the current edition of the Birchfield Bugle
17th January 2011 The "NIBBLER" starts work on our LAST MAST Tower
January 13th 2011, council rubbish bags still uncollected from Wellington Road. 4pm.
So much for BCC promise to clear all bags by end of weekend.
December 2010
Below we show you an email that was sent by one of our members to CENTRO.
We thought you might like to see what we have to put up with in Birchfield.
In fact this Information display was noticed out of action even before August, actually after the last May Bank holiday.
Sent: Wed, 1 December, 2010 20:02:48 Subject: Travel WM - Bragg Rd, Birmingham
Dear Councillor Adams
On the 26th August 2010 I reported through Councillor Hunt (Deputy Lead) that the RTI display at the bus stop on Birchfield Rd at the junction with Bragg Rd, Perry Barr - Birmingham, was not working. On the 27th August Councillor Hunt kindly forwarded a reply he had received from Guy Craddock at Centro to say that Gary Leek at Centro would investigate and take the necessary action.
On the 11th September I asked Councillor Hunt for an update - no reply. A subsequent telephone message went unanswered.
Today is 01st December 2010 - and the display remains unfixed. Since being broken down in August - passengers have been deprived of live travel information - and you will no doubt be conscious of the frustration that this causes as well as other problems.
This situation is totally unacceptable. I do not know where the fault lies or want to attribute blame - but simply to know when this fault will be repaired and service resumed. It is vital that service organisations such as Centro do not neglect smaller issues like this which are not higher level policy matters.
We await their reply on the intended action
Thank you for contacting Centro
Date: 7/December/2010
Please find below my response to your enquiry
Real Time Information (RTI) Fault
Thank you for your emails received on 1 and 2 December 2010,
regarding the faulty RTI display at Birchfield Road/Bragg Road.
I was sorry to learn that you had originally reported this fault in
August 2010 and that this screen was still faulty on 1 December 2010.
took this matter up immediately and I am pleased to advise you that
this unit was fixed on 2 December 2010.
Please accept my apologies for the delay in rectifying this problems.
If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
me again.
Kind regards
Angus
Adams
Chairman
Check this out.... Be Heard in Birchfield the Neighbourhood Manager's Site,
http://birchfield.org.uk
COUNCIL'S SPEEDWAY MADNESS Sorry to announce that the Perry Barr Speedway Club have been granted permission to pollute our peace permanently. The Birmingham City Planning Committee have decided to allow them 2 years to fit silencers, meanwhile listen out for more noise disturbance on a Wednesday night, Bank holiday and Sunday meetings. This is despite objections from locals, especially those suffering in Nash Square and students
Delighted local plot holders and some of the Team 54 young people from Birmingham Metropolitan College who volunteered to work with the Princes Trust on this project. This will be a really important community facility and we are very grateful for their hard efforts, well done Team 54! They well deserve their C&G certificate 'Contributing to the Community'. Also thanks to local Councillor Hussain (below) for coming along to open up the hut. Invitation to Grand Opening 10am Friday 19th March at New community Hut by Livingstone Road Allotments entrance. This has been redecorated by a team of local youth working with the Prince's Trust. Refreshments available, come and see all their hard work.
© photo by Birchfield Bugle
16 February 2010 The DEMOLITION has started, nice Hoardings (paid for by Urban Living), but
Are up to their same old tricks of retro-consultation? OK we know the guy on the left is Urban Living Chief Executive Adnan Saif, and Councillor Lines of Regeneration is in the middle but who is Robin Powell the mystery guy on the right? A city auditor maybe ? No he is Managing Director of DSM Demolitian and used to work for the Council 25 years ago as a demolitian officer, maybe one of the local apprentices working on the site will follow in his footsteps in years to come. There will be more detail on the proposed redevelopment to follow in the next edition of The BIRCHFIELD BUGLE our local residents newsletter. We will also tell you more about the BERG group set up by the council to give local residents a say in the design process of the New Birchfield estate. Here they are discussing proposals at a recent meeting, so perhaps not the "retro-consultation" that we feared.
Residents around the table with Council and other officials
this is the Council's video link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWbUjzCKiSI
ggggggg