Castle Bromwich Festival

The CBYCP Shop

The Castle Bromwich Youth and Community Partnership aims to listen to the community and undertake projects that residents of all ages feel will improve the locality in which we live. In order to do that, it will be necessary for us to raise funds. We will do this in a number of ways, but it has become possible for us to raise some funding by getting commission if people access and buy from a number of popular online sites through a dedicated "shop". Retailers range from M&S, Asda, Amazon through to a range of popular insurers, high street names and BT Broadband. It seems foolish not to try and derive some revenue that can be used to benefit Castle Bromwich residents from sites that we may already be purchasing from.

The CBYCP Shop (www.buy.at/cbycp) links to all the normal retailer sites. There is no extra cost to purchasers. Indeed, there may be additional discounts or special offers. When qualifying purchases are made using this portal Castle Bromwich Youth & Community Partnership (CBYCP) will get a small commission from the retailer. CBYCP does not endorse any retailer or product that happens to offer a link.

We would stress that CBYCP is a non-profit making organisation that will use all funds raised on community projects and activities. It is important to stress that no individuals associated with it will profit in any way from the revenue generated. They are all volunteers.

We hope that you will take a look at the huge range of retailers that can be accessed through http://www.buy.at/cbycp and by using the links, help CBYCP to undertake community projects that will be enjoyed by Castle Bromwich residents.

It's a Knockout - Saturday 12th September Lanchester Park

Can you rise to the challenge, have a great day out and help to raise money to fund local community projects? Then you'd better put Saturday, September 12th in your diary as that's the day that Castle Bromwich Youth & Community Partnership will be hosting a community festival and Castle Bromwich will see its very own It's a Knockout Contest. Some of you may remember the 1970s It's a Knockout hosted by Stuart Hall on TV or the Royal It's a Knockfrom the 1980s. Now's your chance to have your own go. So start getting your team together and join in the fun. Entry is free, but teams are asked to raise sponsorship which will be used by the Partnership to fund future community projects and activities. Teams should consist of 10 team members. Anybody under the age of 16 requires parental consent to participate and teams should not mix adults and children together for safety reasons. Further details and entry forms can be obtained by emailing inspirationalley@castlebromwich.net or downloading from www.castlebromwich.net

Celebrating Local Heroes

(Margaret & Albert Turner with daughter Helen & Son-In-Law Ian)

A lifetime of selfless dedication by a Castle Bromwich couple to the community has been recognised with them being named as two of the Birmingham Evening Mail’s Local Heroes. At an Awards Ceremony held in Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens and compeered by Carl Chinn, Albert and Margaret Turner MBE were presented with their award by Jason Donovan who said, “It’s an honour to be surrounded by ordinary people who have done extraordinary things. It carries far more weight than something like singing and dancing.”

The awards recognised that heroes come in all forms from the bravery of people who have stood up for what is right and refused to give in to threats and violence, to a young child who saves his father’s life by responding appropriately to a life threatening fit, to an elderly couple who have spent their lives helping other whilst expecting nothing in return. Margaret and Albert Turner have devoted more than sixty years to giving to the community, serving as Parish Councillors, running Castle Bromwich Age Concern and assisting with the Acorns Children’s Hospice. Despite both being in their 80s, they still devote their time to organising events and running weekly lunch clubs and activities for the elderly. On receiving the Award, Albert said, “We’re not old. We’ll carry on for as long as we can because we don’t want our life times work to go to the scrap heap.”

Parish Councillor Eric Knibb who nominated the couple for the award said, “It is an honour to know Margaret and Albert. They have been a great support to me and my wife, always a willing pair of ears and a repository of sound advice. They lead by example and have inspired us and others to devote more time to the community.”

On accepting the award, Margaret recalled how her father introduced her to community service when having completed a secretarial course, he suggested it was time to put her shorthand skills into practice by taking minutes for the parish council meetings he attended. Margaret and Albert’s dedication has also inspired their daughter Helen and son-in-law Ian to contribute to the community by completing a sponsored round Britain drive which raised over £8000 for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.

After nearly sixty years of marriage, Margaret and Albert have become an unbeatable partnership. Holding hands with his wife, Albert said, “That’s what’s important, being together and doing things together.”

Where There's a Will

The graves of test pilots and war heroes are among those being uncovered in a clear-up of the closed graveyard in Castle Bromwich. After local residents expressed grave concerns about the over growth, the need to take shears and personally cut the grass around the graves they were tending and the general neglect of the grave yard, Solihull MBC’s Castle Bromwich Neighbourhood Team responded by organising a clear-up sponsored by the Probation Service. Thanks must go to Alison Lush Neighbourhood Manager and the Probation Service for the fantastic results achieved by their efforts. Already it can be seen that the graveyard which had become an area prone to vandalism and anti-social behaviour is being transformed into an area of civic pride with visitors commenting on the improvements and spending time viewing the graves and learning about the lives of those who have gone before us. A number of people have already expressed a desire to assist in the clear up and maintaining the graveyard in the future.

The results of one weekend of clearing have been quite remarkable with many graves being uncovered and the graveyard looking better than it has for years. It is hoped that further work will be undertaken to clear up the remaining overgrowth and graffiti. .Solihull MBC maintains responsibility for tending the grass, but is unable to weed, plant or maintain individual graves. Hopefully in future it will be possible to organise an adopt a grave scheme with local groups and individuals maintaining the once neglected graves. None of this would affect the rights of anyone with a relative whose grave they would prefer to maintain themselves.

It is also hoped that some of the younger people assisting in the clear up will recognise that the life and freedoms that we enjoy today would not have been possible without the sacrifices made by those who went before us. The courage of these people should not be forgotten, and should be used as an example of what can be achieved by the individual in the face of adversity.

Many users of the graveyard have expressed their thanks for the work that has been undertaken. Among them was Mr Terry Mobley who expressed his delight at the improvements to the graveyard when he visited his father’s grave on a visit from his home in Dorset. Mr Mobley’s father was a Wing Commander in the RAF who having served in many areas around the world, finally plunged to his death during a local air show in 1950. Mr Mobley stated the hope that when he next visits the remaining over growth will have been cleared and he will be able to view his grandfather’s grave which is currently obscured.

Less welcome were the actions of some individuals who chose to drag the removed over growth awaiting collection over one of the graves causing great distress to the relatives of the person buried there. However, a group of pupils from Park Hall School showed that it is not only those that have gone before us that we should be proud of, but also many of the young today, by volunteering to remove all the vegetation awaiting disposal to a place well away from any of the graves and temptation and carrying out the task in a manner that showed great respect for the dead and consideration for their relatives.

The gravestone of one of the pilots reads, “Faced danger and passed from the sight of men by the path of duty and self-sacrifice. Let those who come after see that his name be not forgotten.” Everybody who has seen what has been achieved has expressed the hope that the work will continue and that his grave and the graves of all others buried there are maintained and treated with respect and that their names and lives will be remembered.

Traffic Calming Gives Residents the Hump

Motorists and their passengers jolted and jarred by the speed humps in Green Lane and concerned about the safety issues around the junction of Hurst Lane North and the Chester Road have joined forces to express their concerns to Solihull MBC and to press for changes to the road traffic management around Castle Bromwich.

Chris Birch’s open letter published in August’s Gazette regarding the traffic issues in the area elicited a deluge of responses from residents all keen to support his call for change. At a public meeting with Soilhull MBC Ward Councillors and Officials, residents expressed the view that, whilst they had no desire to dump the bumps in Green Lane, they were unfit for purpose and created as many problems as they solved. Many residents stated that the bumps had become a public nuisance causing injury and discomfort to elderly and sick passengers, increasing pollution as cars decelerate to cross them and accelerate away, causing damage to cars and lengthening journeys and diverting traffic to parallel roads in an effort to avoid them.

Residents also pressed for changes to the traffic management around Hurst Lane North and the Chester Road. Concerns were expressed about dangers of cars queuing to enter Morrisons’ Petrol Station, the parking difficulties in the Service Road and the movement of traffic in and out of the side roads.

Council Officials also listened to requests for a pedestrian crossing outside Arden Hall to facilitate the elderly and children’s ability to cross the road in safety, but stated that a crossing would not be possible in this location due to statutory regulations on design; although they would consider whether alternative road adaptations could be utilised to facilitate safe crossing.

Solihull MBC has agreed to look at the road bumps in Green Lane and the Hurst Lane North – Chester Road area to see if any improvements can be made and will report back on their findings. It is hoped that the Council will agree to hold another public meeting to discuss and consult on the way forward.

Anyone wishing to add their voice to the campaign should contact Chris Birch at birchcj@aol.com

And then there were none... park benches that is

In the South of the borough of Solihull, green spaces and parks invite you to wander, sit, socialize and enjoy the environment with plenty of benches and seating to encourage you to tarry a while. In the North, the story is somewhat different with seating limited and gnarled chunks of metal sticking out of the pavement. These are the two sides of Solihull; the economic disparity can be seen in something as simple as finding a place to sit.

In Castle Bromwich, seating is limited, parks around Solihull have seats conveniently placed to allow the elderly to stroll and rest frequently as needed. In Castle Bromwich, the seating in the park by Arden Hall is insufficient to cater for the needs of the elderly who need frequent stopping points. Until today, there were four benches on the Green but all placed around the flower bed at the top and nothing to allow the elderly or infirmed to rest as they walk around the Green. Today, even the four benches have disappeared, someone having apparently used an angle grinder to remove them during the night.

I have long queried the lack of benches and I have consistently been told that they are discouraged because youths hang out on them late at night and this makes some people feel unsafe and creates a disturbance. If this is true, it seems a shame to me that we allow the elderly and disabled in our community to have their lives restricted because of the behaviour of a few. To me, restricting seating that would allow the vulnerable to participate more fully in life is a form of discrimination and also sends out the wrong message to the community and the wrong doers, who are seen to be winning and restricting the lives of others.

I don’t have all the answers to the problems of vandalism and anti-social behaviour, but, one thing I do believe is that the answer is not to close anything that causes a problem or restrict seating. Why should the majority suffer for the actions of a few? If we are not careful, and we carry on in this vein, Castle Bromwich will soon start to look like the Bronx. The steel fencing with spikes is already starting to proliferate, the locked gates and denial of access to public amenities is increasing. There has to be a better answer.

Respecting The Dead

"I have moved. New address: cemetery. I'm looking forward to visitors." — Newspaper ad by Roland Jacob (1950-2006), Switzerland.

Call me old fashioned, but I think we owe the dead a measure of respect, so the state of Castle Bromwich graveyard is something that I find hard to tolerate. About a year ago, Eric and I cleared up his family's grave, where his Grandfather and Great Grandparents are buried; and investigated the possibility of establishing an adopt a grave scheme to try and tidy up and restore some of the other graves and the over growth. This was not to be, as we were advised that health and safety regulations and legal ramifications of us undertaking a tidy up made such a scheme ill advised.


I was momentarily stalled, but following approaches from several residents and a search of the internet which revealed that our graveyard is referred to in derogatory terms on numerous sites, I have renewed my attempts to get it cleared up and properly maintained.


What makes it particularly poignant is that Castle Bromwich was home to the RAF, an early plane building factory and later the Spitfire factory and as such the graveyard has a number of war graves for the pilots who flew the earliest planes built and spitfire pilots who lost their lives during WW1 and WW2. Most are foreign nationals. When I look at most war graves such as those in Arlington cemetery in Washington DC or the European War Graves, they are immaculately maintained. Compare this with the graves in our graveyard and I really think we should be ashamed. We owe these men some respect for the price they paid, respect that they are just not getting.

It's Good News Day in Castle Bromwich

Why is it that when I open a newspaper I only see headlines about some disaster, murder, act of anti-social behaviour or political upheaval? To me such news items engender in us a sense of fear and panic and constant reporting of bad news without balancing it with some good news is breeding a perception of crime that is greater than the reality. Focusing on everything that’s wrong in Castle Bromwich is starting to make people think negatively about the community, and helpless to do anything to change things.

I’m not totally naïve; I know that there are many things that need improving or putting right. I know that achieving the improvements won’t be easy and will take time. My family has been the victim of crime and has suffered because of the failings of our local institutions. Indeed, the effects on us as a family have been quite devastating and we are still trying to piece our lives back together as a consequence of it. But, I want to believe that goodness also exists. I want to have faith in kindness and honesty, and I do see all this around me. I want to believe that as individuals, we can do small things that will make a difference and after spending time with a few of the community groups, I know that we can.

So, I’d like to take this opportunity to make this a good news day and share with you some of the local heroes, who contribute so much to improve the lives of people in Castle Bromwich but whose actions often go unacknowledged and unnoticed. Through portraying these groups and individuals, I hope to give you confidence that you too can make a difference in the community.

As the parent of a teenager, I know that the future of our community depends upon us providing our children with the best foundation possible for adult life and as such the role played by schools and youth groups in Castle Bromwich is crucially important. I have very personal experience of some of the very worst and the very best of what is occurring in one of the schools. Whilst I would normally hesitate to single out individuals in what has to be a team effort, the actions of a few people who have gone above and beyond what anybody could expect to help my family have to be noted.

My first local hero is therefore Tracey Alexander, the Exam Administrator at Park Hall School. I know that Tracey thinks that she only does her job, but she goes way beyond that. Tracey has helped me to achieve what I was told was impossible and without all her efforts my son would not have got his GCSEs last year. He has been signed off school sick for the past three years and it is Tracey who has helped me to gain the dispensations needed for him to access his exams and gain special consideration when he’s been unable to sit them.

Several people have mentioned to me that Janice Hirons, the Chair of Governors at Park Hall School, should also be on my list and having personally benefited from her help and dedication, I have no hesitation in mentioning her here. Janice devotes many, many hours to ensuring that she carries out her role to the very best of her abilities. Everyone I spoke to mentioned that she is totally committed to the well being of the children and the betterment of the school.

Castle Bromwich Junior School recently said goodbye to a teacher who had made a unique and highly individual contribution to the school for nearly thirty years. I am told that Ken Simpson had a magic touch with children and motivated them to be the very best that they could be. Ken believes that all children shine at something and he gave them the opportunity to be brilliant and make their own contribution in their own way. He did not limit his activities to his work in school but worked outside of school with a local group to enable children’s participation in drama, dance and arts activities.

But, schools are not the only influence on our children’s lives and many of the activities they undertake in their own time depend upon the voluntary help and commitment of others. It would not be possible to mention in this article everyone who contributes to making these things possible, but despite the fact that most of these activities are a team effort, there are always people who stand out as being the driving force that motivates others to believe that they can achieve. One such person is Simon Cardall. Simon spent many years serving the community as a Parish Councillor, and is now devoting his time to driving forward the Scouting movement in Castle Bromwich. He encourages each and every Scout to participate and contribute in whatever way they wish.

Castle Bromwich Cricket and Sports Club is also on a mission to encourage our children to participate in sport and have established partnerships with local schools to encourage Castle Bromwich youngsters to take part in the Cricket and Tennis activities that they have on offer. Every Saturday morning three local youngsters, Grace Healy, Clare Moylan and Sarah Alexander assist in a mini-tennis project run by the club. Without the help of these girls the club would not to be able to cater for the number of youngsters that it does. I am informed that two other youngsters who are worthy of special mention are Gemma Poller who has been a Guide Leader for 12 years and Tom Anderton who has for several years assisted with the Beavers at the Scout Hut off Danzey Green Road.

Given the high profile that anti-social behaviour of the young gets in the press, I was particularly keen to highlight these positive aspects of today’s youth and there are many more examples of the youth of Castle Bromwich making a positive contribution to the community. Chris Beebee was only nine when he first joined the Castle Bromwich theatre group. Today, he is still helping them out despite having a busy professional career running his own business. He gives freely of his time to stage manage their shows because he just loves to help out. If Chris has a fault, it’s that he just doesn’t know when to say no and is often seen helping out his old school and other local groups, all free of charge. Although Chris’ own productions are usually sell outs, they are not principally about profit, he just loves to see people enjoying themselves and a packed hall full of people laughing and singing along just makes his day.

Any community will always be judged by the manner in which it treats the most vulnerable within it, the sick, and the elderly. Castle Bromwich can be proud of the efforts of many of its residents in this respect. Margaret and Albert Turner have been champions of Age Concern for many years. Now in their 80s, there is scarcely an aspect of Castle Bromwich life that hasn’t benefited from their efforts. Both have served as Parish Councillors and both still work tirelessly for Age Concern and Acorns. But, their willingness to help goes far beyond the visible input of their charity work. Margaret and Albert are always a willing pair of ears to anybody who needs a sounding board or who needs support. Quiet and humble, they don’t seek recognition for their own efforts; their focus is always on what they can do to help others. Friends in Retirement also provide a wealth of activities and support for people who might otherwise spend many lonely hours on their own. All these activities and functions require volunteers to give of their time freely to enable others to benefit.

Alan Craske was another name that was put forward by practically everybody. Alan has been involved in many aspects of Castle Bromwich life over the years helping and assisting on carnival committees, presiding as President of Castle Bromwich Theatre Group, becoming involved with Castle Bromwich Hall Garden Trust and taking part in sponsored charity rides from John O’Groats to Lands End, and between St Petersburg and Moscow to raise money for charity. Although I don’t know Alan personally, I’m told that he is completely unassuming seeking only to make the community a better place to live.

Another individual who deserves to be singled out for their contribution to the community is Ted Richards. Ted has served the community for many years firstly as a Parish Councillor and then as a Borough Councillor. If I ever mention to anybody that I have a problem with something in the village, I’m told, speak to Ted, he’ll sort it for you. Whilst this might not always be possible, it is clear that Ted Richards does indeed go out of his way to achieve the very best for Castle Bromwich and its residents. He’s not only a Councillor, he’s a Councillor who cares, and who always has the interests of the community at heart.

Similarly, Beryl Kellie has made a great personal contribution to the community over many years improving the lives of many individuals with her efforts. Beryl was a founding member of the Whateley Green WI. who saw a need for an evening group to cater for the needs of the growing Castle Bromwich population. Everything else she has achieved started from there, and over the years she has served the community as a Governor at Park Hall School, and as a Parish and Borough Councillor. Beryl has made things happen in the community, she’s seen a need, she’s provided for that need.

My husband’s family has lived in Castle Bromwich since the nineteenth century and are very proud of their heritage. It would seem only right therefore, that I acknowledge the work of people who have given of their time and efforts to ensure that our village heritage is conserved and recorded for the benefit of not only local residents but also the Nation. I am told that Jerry Dutton was largely responsible for ensuring that an Archaeological Dig took place when the Collector Road was built. Over the years he has painstakingly recorded the history of Castle Bromwich for future generations. Colin Green also needs to be mentioned for his work in recording the village heritage and for establishing a resource of heritage photos recording the changing nature of life and buildings.

Finally, the work of a large number of volunteers who have given of their time to renovate and conserve Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens needs to be acknowledged. Their efforts, over many years, have provided Castle Bromwich with a national treasure that will be enjoyed for many years.

My fear when I first started writing this article was that I wouldn’t be able to find enough positive things in Castle Bromwich to write about. In fact, my difficulty has not been in finding something to include, it has been in deciding what to leave out. There are so many people in Castle Bromwich contributing quietly and consistently to making this community a better place to live that I can only give you a flavour of what is happening. The people and groups I have highlighted show what is possible. They don’t allow people to tell them something can’t do done or isn’t possible; if something is needed they find a way to make it happen. There are many other people making similar contributions, from the elderly ladies who I’m told regularly clear up the litter by the Spitfire pub to the pupils from Park Hall School who have spent time helping Age Concern with organising quizzes and bingo.

Castle Bromwich Junior School - Things to Shout About

Castle Bromwich Junior School is amassing an impressive record of sporting achievements. On Wednesday 23rd April the school netball team played Alcott Hall Primary in the netball league final and added another trophy to the school's cabinet by winning the match.

On Saturday 19th April, their 4 a side girls' football team won the North Solihull football knockout tournament and the boys' team also reached the final only narrowly missing out on winning.

On the 14th April Castle Bromwich Junior School became the Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Regional Champions at Sports Hall Athletics for 2008. Representing Solihull the school team of 29 children competed against 7 other schools representing other areas across the region. In an amazing afternoon of high drama the team came from behind to register a fantastic victory against some outstanding athletes from the other schools. It was a very competitive event, but cheered on by an enthusiastic group of supporters/parents, the team demonstrated a huge range of personal qualities to register one of the best victories that the school has had in a history of achievement in this competition. The level of skill, determination, teamwork and sheer grit made everyone proud of the team's achievement. Their last win in the regional final was in 2005. Well done to the whole team and their coaches Mr May and Mr Bird.

What has Wembley got to do with Castle Bromwich?

Thursday afternoon, April 24th the phone rang, and somebody asked to speak to my husband as he'd won tickets to Wembley to see the under 18 Centenary Shield Schools' International on Saturday April 26th. I as usual thought it was a joke, but it turned out to be true, so Eric and I spent the Saturday at the new Wembley stadium watching football. I hate football, but much to my surprise I loved the day.



The new Wembley stadium is superb, although you need to empty your bank account if you want to eat or drink. Before the actual International match there was the finals of four ESFA National Primary Competitions and it was nice to watch youngsters enjoying themselves and the pride with which they represented their schools. Solihull Schools were represented and came 3rd.


There was also between match entertainment and a Celebrity match between England and Scotland, not that I recognised many of the celebrities, Angus Dayton and Sir David Frost were about my limit.


I went to keep Eric company, not expecting to enjoy myself, but although, I confess to not concentrating on the football, there was plenty going on to keep me entertained and I managed to take nearly 500 photos. It was a long and tiring day, we both managed to get sun burnt, but it was a much needed diversion from the myriad of more stressful and frustrating elements of our lives.

So, why am I bothering to tell you all about this on a blog that is after all about Castle Bromwich? Having travelled so far from home, Eric and I were sat at Wembley Station waiting for a train to take us back to my brothers when somebody greeted Eric by name. It was the Headmaster of Castle Bromwich Junior School where Eric is a Governor. 34 children, teachers and parents from the school had also spent the day at the stadium. The photos below show that they too enjoyed themselves.

Local Heritage Project Appeals for Photos

Local Heritage and History Project Needs Your Photos

May is Local and Community History month aiming to raise awareness of history in a local setting and getting people involved and contributing. Local Scrapbooker, Terrie Knibb, who has received national acclaim for her work, having been previously named UKS Scrapper of the month and featured as Guest Designer on several international scrapbooking portals, will be exhibiting some of her local heritage layouts in Castle Bromwich library between May 16^th and May 30^th.

Terrie has recently embarked upon a major new project to scrapbook the heritage of Castle Bromwich for future generations. Terrie explains that her interest in Scrapbooking came about because of her own research into her family history. Whilst uncovering little bits of information about her family’s past, she longed to know more about the people they really were, their thoughts, their opinions, where they stood on the issues of the day, what they had to eat. Determined that her own descendants would not want for such information about her own life, Terrie started to record the details of her daily life and beliefs in her scrapbook pages.

Over the years, Terrie’s interests have expanded slightly, and her current project aims to record the past and present life of Castle Bromwich. In order to achieve her aim, Terrie is looking for residents of Castle Bromwich to supply her with copies of photographs that show how life in Castle Bromwich was lived in the past and is lived today together with permission for her to use them in her layouts and to display them where appropriate. At present Terrie is hoping to compile a subsection of the project which consists of weddings and brides of Castle Bromwich through the ages, so copies of any wedding photos that you feel able to provide, together with the details of any people in the photos, would be gratefully accepted.

Terrie has also been working on another subsection of the project showing the activities of local community groups in Castle Bromwich. Again any photos that would assist in this aspect of the project would be gratefully received.

Terrie stresses that she would like to receive copies of photographs that cover all aspects of Castle Bromwich life, occupations, furniture styles, clothing, transport etc. together with any little anecdotes that will help to give them meaning. She has recently researched into the effects of the flu pandemic in 1918-19 because of the devastating effect that it had on her husband’s family, testimony of which is displayed in the local graveyard and has incorporated her research into a Scrapbook layout featuring her husband’s Great-Aunt who died as a result of the pandemic. . If anybody has similar stories of this or any other event, please share them with her. If any other local Scrapbookers would like to assist in this project, further details can be obtained from Terrie Knibb by emailing her at castlebromwich@live.co.uk The project will consist of traditional paper based Scrapbooking, Digital layouts and Hybrid layouts.

Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens by David Adams

Since the walled gardens of Castle Bromwich Hall were “rediscovered” in the early 1980s and the establishment of a Trust for their restoration and maintenance in 1985, a large number of unselfish people have given up their valuable time and money to ensure that this unique part of both our local and national horticultural heritage remains available for the enjoyment, and education of both the local and national community.

Not all of these people were from this actual local area and, with the passage of time; many of the earliest enthusiasts are, unfortunately no longer with us. They are much missed. It is always invidious to single out individuals from what is, essentially, very much a team effort, but it would be impossible not to mention the contribution of Mrs Anne Kendrick, the original Chairman of the Trust, Mr Gary Lawlor, an early Director, Mr Wal Mortiboys who was the first Church trustee and Mrs Sheila Aucott the earliest Chairman of the invaluable Friends of the Gardens.

Those of us who have taken up the responsibilities of these pioneers do not seek accolades but we desperately need more help from younger people to carry on the work of keeping this wonderful resource running. Despite considerable advertising efforts, we sometimes find a lack of awareness of our very existence and what we have to offer to visitors and volunteers. We need more people to offer their time and talents. We will find a job for you and we will always give any training needed, in any skill, not just gardening.

Please come to our events or just come and look around, but always remember those who work in their own time to make your visit interesting and enjoyable and consider joining us.

Why do we need a parish council? - A Personal View by Terrie Knibb

Think of a Parish Council and you might conjure up an image of Vicar of Dibley type meetings in a Church Hall, full of squabbling men in tweed jackets and elderly women in brogues who have no conception of the reality of modern day life. The government, however, sees them as the future of local community governance. So, what is the truth? Are Parish Councils a level of bureaucracy too far or do they have an important role to play? Can a Parish Council do anything that a Borough Council can’t do cheaper and better?

Castle Bromwich Parish Council was formed at a public meeting on 21^st December 1894 as a requirement of the 1894 Local Government Act. Nearly 114 years later it is still serving the community. Despite being referred to as a Parish Council, it has no direct relationship with the Church and consists of 15 Councillors who serve the community without pay, allowances or gratuities.

Parish Councils have few duties, but do have the ability to exercise a wide range of powers. As the lowest tier of Local Government, they are the closest to the people that they represent. As a result, they have considerable freedom to choose a role that best meets local needs. Generally, the powers of a Parish Council cover community responsibilities rather than statutory provisions such as highways, education, refuse collection etc. Some focus on their representative role, campaigning on local issues and lobbying other agencies to take action. Others carry out an enabling role, funding local projects and organisations. Others provide services and amenities, from allotments to bus shelters; football pitches to museums, tourist information to play areas. Many carry out a mixture of these and other roles.

Castle Bromwich Parish Council owns Arden Hall, Arden Hall playing fields and Sports Pavilion, Whateley Green, the Village Green and War Memorial, Bradford Gardens and Hob Farm open space and is responsible for their financing and management. The land for the Village Green was given to the Village by Viscount Newport in 1895. During 1993/94 the Council took on the challenge of improving the visual amenities of the Village by introducing an ornamental flower bed on The Green. The extensive land owned by the Parish Council by Arden Hall is well used by local sports clubs who use it for Cricket, Tennis and Football. The play equipment was replaced during 1992 to meet new safety standards and is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure its continuing safety and appropriateness. The Youth Council has recently undertaken a survey to determine what facilities are now required for the twenty-first century. At the same time, the Cricket and Sports Club has obtained grant and sponsorship funding from organisations such as SITA to upgrade the Council owned facilities at the Pavilion and is providing voluntary labour to ensure its renovation is progressed quickly and to a high standard.

The provision of Arden Hall itself was funded by the Community who raised the finance needed by a levy on the precept along with various fund raising activities. It was officially opened on Saturday 2^nd October 1965 and quickly became the home base for many of the village organisations which had for many years used the Victory Hall for their meetings. The hall has expanded over the years to cater for the needs of a changing community. In 1975 two extensions were added to the building and a further expansion programme took place during the 1980s resulting in a first floor extension that provided an additional room and Council offices which were opened on 15^th November 1986. Arden Hall is now used by a wide variety of organisations including theatre groups, the Women’s Institute, Blood Donors, a wine club, history society and retirement clubs. In addition, it is available to hire for family occasions, theatre productions and concerts, business meetings and a wide variety of other purposes.

As the first tier of local government, the Parish Council also plays a vital role in representing the interests of the community. It is consulted on development plans for the area by the Borough Council and works in close collaboration with the police and the Solihull MBC Area Neighbourhood team to identify problem areas and implement solutions. Members represent the Council and parishioners on various outside bodies and Trusts to ensure that the voice of Castle Bromwich is heard and that the Council is aware of all local developments.

However, the ability of Castle Bromwich Parish Council to remain strong and to be needed depends upon its relationship with its parishioners. It needs to know what you want to change and what you want to keep. It needs the views and the opinions of all the Community. Parish Councils offer a real opportunity for local people to have a say and influence the decision making, but only if they truly know what the local people want. We live in a changing world and change brings both threats and opportunities. Castle Bromwich needs to minimise the threats and make the most of the opportunities. I believe that a Parish Council can help the community to do that, but only if it is responsive to the views and needs of its parishioners. So ask yourself, how do you want your parish to shape up in the future? What do you want to preserve? What do you want to change? What would you like to introduce? What would you be happy to see the back of? Think about it and then let your Parish Council know.

Solihull MBC is currently formulating its Sustainable Communities Strategy which seeks to create places that people want to live, meets diverse needs, is sensitive to the environment and contributes to a high quality of life. I believe that Castle Bromwich Parish Council should be seeking to achieve the same within its own areas of responsibility. It can only do this if we all tell it what we want from the community in which we live. So, yes, I do believe that we need a Parish Council, but I also believe that the Parish Council needs to involve and listen to the parishioners and not act in isolation.

To quote Judge John Prophet, “The Parish Council is one of the great survivors in our governmental institutions. It was the only council not abolished under The Local Government Act 1972 and has now been in existence for over 100 years. Long may it prosper as an admirable example of the benefits to our governmental system of local decision-making by elected representatives of the people.”

So take this opportunity and tell Castle Bromwich Parish Council what you would like to see happen in Castle Bromwich. Tell it what you think should happen with Arden Hall. Should it be renovated and modernised? Should it be knocked down and rebuilt? Does Castle Bromwich need it at all? Is it ok as it is? What do you think should happen with the playing fields at Arden Hall? Do they meet the needs of your children? Is something else required? Think carefully about everything you want from your Parish and then let your Parish Council know so they can act with the knowledge of what the people it represents truly want and the greater opportunities that the backing of the community gives it for funding through grants and sponsorship. Then, and only then, will Castle Bromwich once again become a place that people aspire to live in.

Arden Hall Bridal Fayre

Arden Hall was the place for all future brides to be on Sunday March 30^th as it hosted its second Bridal Fayre. Following the success of its first Bridal Fayre held in 2007, Castle Bromwich Parish Council was not prepared to rest on its laurels and built upon its past experience to present a fantastic opportunity for brides to be to gather information from the exhibitors on products and services that will make their day special. Such was their success that the hall buzzed with activity and at the end of the day both visitors and exhibitors went away exhausted, but happy.

During the course of the day there were two fashion shows presented by Mark Daniels on behalf of Manor Park Brides; whilst other exhibits included photography, dress making, florists, caterers, cakes, cars, entertainment and much more; and for those weary of walking and talking, refreshments were on hand.

Castle Bromwich Parish Council plan on making the Bridal Fayre an annual occurrence at Arden Hall and the next event is planned for March 2009.

When the Spanish Lady Visited Castle Bromwich

Like most places in England during 1918, Castle Bromwich was visited by the Spanish Lady, as the flu pandemic was known. For my husband’s family it was to have tragic consequences to which the local grave yard bears testimony. I know anecdotally that his Great-Grandmother and Great-Aunt both definitely died as a result within a day of each other during the Autumn wave of the virus, and there’s a very high possibility that it also claimed the life of his Great-Grandfather whose death is officially recorded as Bronchitis in March 1918.

Now as Britain prepares for the possibility of another flu pandemic, sparked in all possibility by a sudden mutation in the Avian flu virus H5N1, evidence from this last global tragedy might well prove crucial in providing answers that will prevent a similar disaster. I’d like to say that this is why I dragged Eric along to a local history talk on the effect of the 1918 pandemic in Warwick on Tuesday, so I’d have answers to ensure our safety and good health should a new pandemic occur. But that wouldn’t be true, it was because I’m just sad like that and I wanted to understand what it would have been like for my husband’s family living through that period.

Nationwide the pandemic caused 240,000 deaths, in Warwickshire alone 2,400 people died as a result. Worldwide it is estimated that between 40 and 100 million people died.

Official advice was given out via the newspapers which suggested that everyone should:

• Breathe through the nose
• Wash inside the nose morning and night drawing the liquid through the back of the nose and spitting it out through the mouth
• Sneeze night and morning
• Gargle with a weak solution of potash and common salt
• Avoid indiscriminate expectoration as dirtiness favours infection
• School closures were left to local authorities
• Keep in bed till the infection is gone
• Keep children away from patients
• Boil handkerchiefs
• Disinfect all areas
  

Doctors and pathologists of the period had seen flu before, but they knew they were dealing with something unique in 1918. On initial infection, the symptoms were much the same as any other flu, but a proportion of people who succumbed to the virus didn't improve as expected on the fifth or sixth day, and in fact they got worse. Doctors noted an unusual feature of the disease that spelt grave danger. Those patients who developed a lavender-grey hue over their face and ears, or heliotrope cyanosis as it is called, were facing imminent death. Pathology reports from 1918 describe very distinctive changes in lung tissue that were the likely cause of death in many victims and probably contributed to the heliotrope cyanosis. Healthy lung tissue is like a sponge filled with air, but in flu victims the lungs were filled with fluid containing red blood cells and immune cells – causing death by asphyxiation.

One newspaper report suggested that one doctor tried to treat this lack of oxygen circulating around the body by inserting tubes into a man’s chest to enable him to pump in oxygen from a cylinder. The report states that he left a nurse supervising the procedure who unfortunately fell asleep. When she awoke, the report claimed that the man had swollen up like a balloon, but with no lasting ill effects, the treatment apparently worked and he survived.

Another unique feature of the 1918 flu pandemic was the age profile that it attacked. The first wave of flu, at the start of 1918, was largely only fatal in the very young and the elderly. In the middle of 1918 there was a sudden change and the virus began killing healthy adults between the ages of 25-40. And then by 1919 the virus had reverted back to its old ways, targeting the very young and the elderly. This strange pattern of virulence is one of the mysteries of the great flu pandemic of the First World War.

Unlike today, when reports of bird flu infections are broadcast round the world in minutes, in 1918 there was no early warning system, no vaccine and no way of telling who might be next.

No one knows precisely where, when or how the 1918 pandemic began. The first recorded case came on March 8 1918 at Camp Fuston, in Kansas. However, British army medical reports suggest the virus could have been circulating in hospital camps in northern France as early as the winter of 1917, infecting soldiers weakened by three years of fighting and exposure to mustard gas. The first wave coincided with the arrival in Britain of American soldiers and spread outwards from the ports following the transport lines, particularly those of the railway. But it was the second wave, between September and December 1918, and the third wave, between February and April 1919, which were to prove devastating.

The flu pandemic left barely a family untouched. It is reported that it drove many a woman to suicide following the death of their husbands. Why it occurred and why it ended is still something of a mystery, although there are many theories. “The disease simply had its way. It came like a thief in the night and stole treasure.”

In the Pink - A Day for Women in Aid of Breast Cancer

The Community Church Castle Bromwich is holding a day of events for women in the Victory Hall On April 26th between 10am and 4pm. Entrance is free, although a charge will be made for each activity and refreshments. Crafts, beauty treatments, jewellery, well woman advice, lunches and lots more will be available.

The National Autistic Society - Birmingham Help Programme

This programme, which runs for 6 sessions, is for parents or carers of children aged between 5 and 11 years and who have received a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) within the last 18 months.

Dates of sessions:
Tuesday 3rd June 10.30am - 2.30pm
Thursday 5th June 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Monday 9th June 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Thursday 12th June 10.30am - 2.30pm
Monday 16th June 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Tuesday 17th June 10.30am - 2.30pm

Venue:

The Bordsley Centre
Stratford Road
Camp Hill
Birmingham
B11 1AR

To book a place on this programme please phone: Lorraine McAlister on 0115 847 3530

I can highly recommend attendance at this programme, having attending it previously shortly after my son was diagnosed. Not only does it give invaluable advice, information and suggest coping strategies, but it also gives you the opportunity to meet other parents with children with similar needs and difficulties and helps you to feel less isolated and share ideas on what works.

The programme sessions cover:

• An introduction to the programme
• Understanding autistic spectrum disorders and your child's diagnosis
• Communication and social interaction
• Strategies for behavioural support
• Educational issues
• Legislation and rights, partnerships and support networks

There is no cost to parents and lunch will be provided for day sessions and light refreshments will be available for evening sessions.

Two members per family may attend, or one family member and a friend. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Castle Bromwich Parish Registers

For those people researching Castle Bromwich families I came across this useful site with details of the Parish Registers.

April Snow in Castle Bromwich

I don't pay much attention to the weather forecast. In fact, I've been so busy recently that I rarely watch tele. So, it was with great surprise this morning that I opened the curtains to see beautiful bright, sunny blue skies and thick snow covering the ground, trees, plants and cars.

I remember a lot of snow from my childhood, but it's something that seems rare these days and April is a little late for it, isn't the phrase April showers rather than April snow? It didn't remain long, but it was beautiful whilst it did.

Over the last few days the weather in Castle Bromwich has been diverse to say the least. Friday was really warm. Eric had a hospital appointment in Solihull and the sun shining through the car windscreen was so hot we had to turn the air conditioning on. Yesterday was grey and miserable with heavy rain and hail stones and today bright sunshine and thick snow.