May 2016 Tyburn Mail Complete Edition a5a29

Taylor Sheldon Page 6

THE MET GALA JOBS:

Readers’ Letters

Page 4 Unhappy councillors

PAGE 21

The brothel keeper, Boaty McBoatface and other weird elections Page 9

The saints of St Chads Page 18

Farage comes to town.. with Heseltine and Paddy Page 3

May 2016 Issue 53

DELIVERED FREE MONTHLY TO ALL HOMES IN TYBURN updated daily online at: tyburnmail.com

Kay’s Music with Brookly: History Page10 DRAKE

Page 8

DAN DAZZLES

Morale ‘at all time low’ - primary school

Page 19

We have the hygiene report on the takeaway with a

ZERO rating

Page 16

CASTLE VALE’S GOT TALENT: photos on pages 19, 20 and 23 Page 1 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Cut-price ‘Right to Buy’ threat to social housing

A local flat worth £85,000 has recently been bought for just £25,000 under the government’s Right to Buy Scheme.

One local housing boss says that a house that would sell at £110,000 on the open market could be sold at a 70% discount for just £33,000 It’s almost daylight robbery, with the housing associations as victims. They are losing homes that they have managed for families for decades. But the housing associations will get some of that money back. Local councils are having to foot the bill by selling off their best homes on the open market once they become vacant. So the council’s housing stock will decrease, along with the stock owned by the housing associations. It’s another step in the drive to cut down the influence and authority of local councils. Schools have been taken off their hands as academy chains

take over. Now housing stocks are being cut so that private landlords and the open market can take over. Shelter reckons that Birmingham Council will need to sell over 1,000 homes per year on the open market to make up the money that they will need to give local housing associations who lose homes as more ten-

ants exercise their right to buy. One local housing association in Tyburn reckons that it is currently losing 12-15 homes per year as residents buy them on the cheap. That figure could rise to 25 homes per year if the government is successful in its bid to extend the Right to Buy scheme under the Housing and Plan-

ning Bill. “It’s not a good situation,” says Pioneer boss Peter Richmond. “Government policy seems to be intent on getting rid of social housing.” The plan is to raise £4.5bn nationally, and almost £150 million for Birmingham. Some councils will suffer more than others. Shelter estimates that Birmingham will be the hardest hit council in the region, and will need to sell 1,190 per year.

....One local housing association in Tyburn reckons that it is currently losing 12-15 homes per year as residents buy them on the cheap..... At the other end of the scale, Coventry will need to sell just three homes per year. Shelter estimates that the Right to Buy Scheme could force the sale of 23,500 council homes across the country in just one year. The average council in the West Midlands could lose 234 homes each year, raising £28.5 million across the region to help out housing associations. The Right to Buy scheme is giving a boost for individuals who pick up a bargain. But in the long term, it may create a housing shortage in a particular area of the market - the ed market that caters for the most vulnerable and least wealthy. The shrinking of the social housing sector will force more people who cannot afford to buy their own homes to rent from private landlords.

Buskers

Pleasing performers or pavement pests? Should street buskers be banned? Or do they provide harmless entertainment for shoppers and tourists?

Birmingham Council is asking the public for their views. The consultation marks a more liberal approach to the busking community, who were in danger of being banned as unwanted pests. “There has been a rise in the number and variety of busking acts we see in Birmingham and with some acts a rise in the negative impacts they have had on the public, businesses and residents of the city,” according to the city council. “This is mainly around noise – both in of volume and the duration of performances,” says the consultation document. “In 2015, the council consulted on a blanket control for much of the street entertainment via a Public Space Protection Order, but the overwhelming response to the public consultation was not in favour of such a step. “The only option we can see open to the Council is to look at the impacts caused by some individual buskers rather than the collective, i.e. if an individual is acting in an anti-social manner, the Council can require them to modify their behaviour so it does not impact negatively upon others.”

Big guns in town for Euro debate

Nigel Farage will be speaking at a public debate in Sutton Coldfield next month.

He will be one of four of the UK’s leading politicians taking part in a European Referendum Debate at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall on 11th June. Former Deputy Prime Minister Michael Heseltine (now Baron Hes-

eltine) will be speaking in favour of staying in the European Union – the YES vote. He will be ed by Paddy Ashdown (Baron Ashdown), former leader of the Lib Dems. Nigel Farage wants Britain to leave the European Union. He will be ed by Birmingham Edgbaston Labour MP Gisela Stuart. Tickets, costing £1 will go on sale from the Conservative Constituency

office in Sutton Coldfield on 23rd May. The Referendum, to be held on Thursday 23rd June. The question will be: Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union? Votes will be gathered at 12 centres across the UK. The final result will be announced on Friday 24th June, from Manchester Town Hall. Page 2 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Tribute to night club Castle Vale Community Choir ‘Generations’ will be performing at St Barnabas Church on Saturday 28th May in Erdington as part of a tribute to a famous old rock music landmark. The concert will be a tribute to the former ‘Mothers’ night club in Erdington which hosted most of the big rock bands including the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Move and Fleetwood Mac. The church and café will have guest appearances, and stalls including memorabilia. The free event runs from 10.00am til 4.0pm with the community choir singing at 12noon and 1.30pm The choir is led by local resident James O’ Hare

Cost of a vile text message A man has been ordered to pay compensation for sending an offensive text message.

Tyburn beauty: a Canada goose swims serenely past the yellow rippled reflections on the canal from ambulances stationed near Tyburn Island. The Birmingham and Fazeley canal was an 18th century HS2 - a controversial project aimed at speeding up travel between cities - in this case, Coventry and Birmingham. Recent improvements to the towpath have made this a popular route for cyclists into the city centre.

E’s are good Birmingham’s health boss Dr Adrian Phillips says that smokers should be offered e-cigarettes to help them quit smoking. He s a 200-page report from the Royal College of Physicians which says there is very strong evidence that e-cigarettes are ‘much safer’ than smoking and aid quitting. The report goes onto say that with the right checks and measures, vaping could improve the lives of millions of people. New laws come into place on 20th May 2016 for the production and distribution of ecigarettes.

100+ year-old facing under age sex charges

A man who is over 100 years old is due to appear at Birmingham Crown Court next month to face 29 sex offence charges.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in the 1970s. All cases involve under-age sex. Two of the alleged victims are female, one is male. One of the female victims was aged between 4 and 9 years at the time of some of the alleged offences.

I’M OFF...STED Willmott boss Mandy calls it a day after inspection disaster

Arthur Terry group steps in to lead school into a ‘positive new era’

Pictured right: Mandy McCrohon Inset: Tracy Peters

Spare a thought for Mandy McCrohon. She ed John Willmott as head of the English Department in 1993, and worked her way up to being boss of the whole school. Now she is a victim of a harsh and unforgiving Ofsted tyranny which seems to demand régime change as often as it moves its own goalposts. Mandy McCrohon announced her decision this month, following the school’s disastrous Ofsted inspection

last term. The inspection team had concluded that the school is inadequate, and its leaders do not have the capacity to improve. Ofsted reported that poor standards of teaching and disruptive pupil behaviour had contributed to the school’s decline. The school’s benchmark GCSE results have fallen by 20% in the past four years, from 66% down to 46% last summer (5A*-C es including English and maths). John Willmott School is now in special measures. Ms McCrohon will leave her post at the end of term. She will be replaced by Tracy Peters,

who has been t headteacher of Stockland Green School. The school is now being advised by the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, an academy provider for three secondary schools, including Coleshill, Stockland Green and Arthur Terry. It also includes Brookvale, Hill West, Mere Green and Slade primary schools. It is almost certain that John Willmott School will eventually become one of the ATLP academies. Mrs Peters said: “There is a challenge ahead, but the picture is already improving and we hope to be able to share more progress over the coming months.” ATLP has recently put in a new leadership structure, and has made some key teaching appointments. They interviewed for a new deputy headteacher last week. Richard Gill, headteacher of Arthur Terry School, will become the ATLP organisation’s Chief Executive Officer in September. “This is a new era for the school and for the partnership and everyone is fully embracing these changes,” he said.

Dale Robert Saunders aged 33 of Ryland Road in Tyburn itted sending the text to his female victim on 15th April. He pleaded guilty to an offence under the Malicious Communications Act which forbids the sending of a message that is indecent or grossly offensive for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient. Magistrates ordered him to pay £85 in compensation, and to be placed on a community order for 12 months.

Ofsted’s verdict on John Willmott School ♦The school has declined since 2013, and leaders are not good enough to improve the school. ♦Teaching is poor and shows little sign of improvement. ♦Large numbers of pupils are significantly underachieving in maths and science. ♦Some teachers in science have inadequate knowledge about their own subject. ♦Some students show little respect for the environment because they drop litter at breaktimes and when they are moving between lessons. Others put graffiti on furniture. Some choose to ignore instructions from staff when moving between lessons. ♦Too many pupils do not attend lessons on time. A significant minority walk slowly between classes and many stop to chat. ♦Too many pupils are underachieving, especially the most able ♦Teaching is inadequate ♦Pupil behaviour is poor. ♦Too many lessons are disrupted, often by girls, because some pupils lose interest and do not consistently pay attention. ♦Governors are not doing their job of holding the school to . But the school has made changes, and say that the evidence of results already confirmed suggests that this year’s GCSE results will be some of the school’s best ever. Page 3 Tyburn Mail May 2016

LETTERS

Stop making personal insults Dear Editor

Now the elections are over, I wish to thank everyone who voted for me on May 5th and to all those who have continued to their Liberal Democrat candidates across Birmingham. Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners are committed to dealing with community issues all year

round, not just at election time, and we will continue to work as hard as ever to improve the quality of life for local residents. Normally after an election, I would also wish to thank my fellow candidates for a hard but fair contest. Unfortunately this time I was the subject of a personal attack by the Conservatives who accused me of not giving 100% to Tyburn Ward. I want to thank those residents who ed

Public had right to know about Lib Dem candidate Dear Editor,

I would like to thank everyone who voted and stood in the recent election for Tyburn Ward. It was a clean election and indeed was commented as so by the candidates at the count. It is therefore with great sadness that the Lib Dem candidate has apparently taken some offence at a leaflet distributed by our campaign. This leaflet highlighted the achieve-

False claims

During the recent election I saw a leaflet outlining the action taken by one political party regarding the removal of the travellers from Pype Hayes Park in April 2016. While I do not doubt that they were aware of the tres; I actually saw

ments I have had for the local area in recent years including campaigning against unwanted development on Hansons Bridge and Woodlands Farm Roads, fighting a 24 hour Macdonalds on the Chester Road, planting trees in local parks, carrying out local clean ups and pushing for improvements to our local canal network amongst many other things. The other story on the leaflet highlighted that the Lib Dem candidate was not only seeking election in Tyburn Ward but also

the travellers enter the Park on the night of the 20th and like my fellow Tyburn Cllr Mike Sharpe, I immediately ed the local Police and City officers requesting that action was taken to remove the travellers. Fortunately due to the intervention of Mike and myself, speedy action was taken to end the tres and to the relief of local people the travellers were removed from the Park on the evening of the 22nd. Neither Mike nor I would wish to claim credit for things we had not done, only that local people are aware of the full facts of the matter.

Traffic signal timings need to be changed Hi I don’t know if this will do any good, I’ve noticed the crossing signals

me in response to this attack. I have never been anything other than fully committed to being a strong voice for Tyburn Ward against the out of touch and incompetent Labour council and the Tory government which has done so much damage to our area with unfair cut after unfair cut. Personal attacks on other party candidates have never been my style. I will of course criticize political failures and my Labour and Tory opponents make plenty of those but negative campaigning against individuals should have no place in politics. Thank you again to all those Tyburn residents who ed me. Ann Holtom Liberal Democrat

What about life beyond Vale? Dear Sir / Madam It is nice to have this free news paper.

But most pages are about Castle Vale,

hardly any thing is mentioned about Birches Green, Erdington Hall and Pype Hayes. Would it be better if you called the paper Castle Vale News not Tyburn News. Yours faithfully Mr S Young Pype Hayes.

Got a job to ? It’s FREE in Tyburn Mail

seeking election for Sutton New Hall Ward, on the Sutton Coldfield Town Council. Therefore the Lib Dem candidate was seeking to be elected in two different wards in two different local authorities on the exact same day. While she may feel it is ‘dirty’ to let residents know that one of the candidates wanted to be elected elsewhere, I think residents had a right to know if the winning candidate would be solely focused on improving our local area or not. Yours Sincerely Clifton Welch Tyburn Ward Conservative Candidate

While I will be producing a full “thank you” leaflet in the coming weeks, I would like to take this opportunity to quickly thank all those Tyburn residents who voted for me in the election earlier this month. Alongside my fellow Councillors Mike Sharpe and Lynda Clinton, I am determined to show you that your confidence was justified, as together we continue to move forward in representing the needs and aspirations of all the residents of our ward. Councillor Mick Brown

outside the Jaguar take forever to change - at least two minutes. They’ve obviously been set up to favour cars over pedestrians. I see teenagers getting off the bus, then running across three lines of traffic because they take so long to change. Someone’s going to be knocked down. Details by email

Call Frank Kennedy 07770 895413 or email the details to [email protected]

Next edition is published 20th April

Good report for Little Folk

A nursery based at Gunter School in Pype Hayes has been rated as good by Ofsted. The inspection team published their verdict on Little Folks Day Nursery and Out of School Clubs this week after visiting the site in April. “Staff provide children with a wide range of activities and experiences,” says the report. “They take into children’s interests and complement what children learn at school. Children are confident and motivated to play, explore and continue their learning.” “Children behave very well. Staff are good role models and dedicate time to reminding children of their behaviour expectations and the club rules. Children play well together.

“They learn to respect each other, adults and the nursery environment.” The centre, run by Mishi Nurseries, has 43 children on roll, aged 4-11 years. Ofsted comments: ♦ Children’s physical well-being is effectively promoted. ♦Staff teach children about being healthy and keeping themselves well. They offer children a range of nutritious meals. ♦Staff understand how children learn. They help children continue to build on the skills they need to complement their learning at school. ♦Staff are encouraging and interact positively with the children. They effectively encourage children to participate in the routines and activities of the club.

Tyburn beauty: A lone figure reads quietly on a

tranquil afternoon in the daffodil and daisy adorned Sorrell Park, Pype Hayes. Above: the glorious May blossom above the park entrance in Tyburn Road Page 4 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Page 5 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Manus X Machina Fashion in the age of technology at Met Gala Taylor Sheldon

ly’s Burberry gown which flaunted a gorgeous cape which flowed across the carpet behind her, embellished in an elegant floral design. The dress itself was a beautiful, feminine, pale pink shade and the slit in the skirt revealed the underskirt, which was slightly darker, but the change in texture added an extra glamorous focal point. But let’s talk about Taylor Swift!

However, what everyone wanted to see was how the designer made the dress so that it would glow in the dark. The glow made the dress look as

though it had hundreds of stars twinkling throughout the skirt and then had bold strikes of light through the details at the top of the dress. Another eye catcher was Blake Live-

Tyburn Mail’s award winning

fashion journalist One of my favourite events that I look forward to every year to flick through the photos of glammed up celebrities is the Met Gala. The carpet has saw a mix of both timeless and outrageous outfits strut down it and after the beauty of last year’s Met Gala I was excited to see

Out of all the celebrities her look has changed the most compared to last year’s Met Gala where she flaunted a very girly and chic pink gown with neat, loose waves in her hair and a classic red lip. But this year she went for a gothic vibe in a silver mini dress and an extravagant pair of knee high heels (which I absolutely adored). This ensemble matched with her new blonde do and vampy lip showed another, edgier, side of Taylor that we don’t normally get to see!

what this year would bring with their theme of Manus X Machina; Fashion in the age of technology. I think everyone was dazzled by Claire Danes’ Cinderella like dress by Zac Posen which literally put her in the spotlight. The strapless blue gown featured a very voluminous, floor length skirt – which all by itself was gorgeous to look at.

castle vale’s fun run... back with a twist! distance - 5k

(or 10k if you go round twice!)

entry fee - £10 all profits going to ed by

our first ever community pursuit saturday 18th june 2016

just for fun or to show the world what you’re made of book online at www.deepfitnesspursuit.weebly.com (booking fee applies)

or in person at greenwood academy community hub Page 6 Tyburn Mail May 2016

MENT

PLEASED TO THE HILT

JLR multi storey car park will delight residents, says Councillor Jaguar has been given the go-ahead to build its new multi-storey car park on the site of the former Showcase cinema and Frankie and Benny’s restaurant. The five-decked car park will eventually have room for 2,761 vehicles for employees and factory products. The current car park holds 1,122 vehicles. spaces for ease of entry and exit in the new car park will be given to car sharers with three or more engers. The site will have traffic lights to control the flow of traffic onto Kingsbury Road. Labour councillor Keith Linnecor (Oscott ward) praised the design of the site. Erdington Conservative Councillor Bob Beauchamp said: “The sooner this is there, the better the whole area will be. It’s known to be an awkward area as far as traffic is concerned.

Bring it on.” Mike Sharpe, who chairs the Planning Committee that approved the JLR proposals this week, said: “The

people of Castle Vale and Pype Hayes will be pleased to the hilt when this is built.” Residents of Pype Hayes and Castle Vale have complained for

several years that JLR employees are parking along roads on their estates and causing congestion and access problems.

Rose-tinted glasses: blue skies, no traffic congestion in either direction... yes it’s Tyburn Road, an architect’s version of the JLR multi-storey car park in the distance Top: aerial view of multi-storey car park

Ofsted royalty says well done to Kingsbury Not only has Kingsbury School got out of special measures, it even received a letter from the country’s top inspector confirming the news.

Sir Michael Wilshaw’s letter to headteacher Mark Rhatigan congratulated the school on their achievement. The school was put in special measures two-and-a-half years ago and has been subject to six interim inspection visits and reports. The letter says: “I hope you, your staff and governors are celebrating the success of all the efforts made on the journey out of special measures, which may well have included some difficult times.” Kingsbury was placed in special measures after failing an Ofsted inspection in December 2013. A year later, in December 2014, Ofsted felt that the school was still not making enough progress. A new headteacher, Mark Rhatigan, was appointed in February 2015, and Ofsted reports in March and June that year noted “reasonable progress.” Confirmation that the school is now out of special measures comes at a time of change for the school. Kingsbury is to become part of the Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust in September, and is likely to have a new name and a new uniform to coincide with its academy status. Page 7 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Back with a splash

Mick wins as three out of four don’t vote

.....One Dance struck me as soon as I heard it......

Brookly Taylor

Tyburn Mail’s music journalist

Mick Brown (Labour) won the May local election in Tyburn.

Drake is back at it again. After the hit that was ‘Hotline Bling’ he’s hit us with another song that you just cannot control yourself to.

When I first heard Hotline Bling, I shrugged and thought it’s okay. Two days later, I was singing it constantly and loving all the meme videos made of Drake’s dancing. Drake didn’t let that ruin his spirit, because he has brought us another album in 2016 to show he isn’t going anywhere. One dance struck me as soon as I heard it, as soon as I heard... “Baby,...” I was dancing. It’s one of the first Drake songs

He is one of three councillors, along with Labour’s Mike Sharpe and Lynda Clinton, for Tyburn ward on Birmingham Council until the re-organisation in 2018. UKIP’s Andrew Garcarz tied for second place with Clifton Welch (Conservative). Fewer than one on four of the electorate in the area voted. The number of votes cast was significantly lower than for the 2014 election, and considerably below the figure for last year which coincided with a general election.

that I’ve instantly loved the second I heard it. I hear it everywhere I go, and its currently number 1 in the Official UK top 40 singles chart. This is Drake’s 5TH WEEK in the singles chart. Coming from his slow, relaxed songs like Marvin’s Room, and

Make Me Proud, we have a star. I would say if you haven’t heard One Dance already, then listen, but it’s impossible. You’ve all heard it, and I’m sure most of you love it just as much as I do right now. If you haven’t heard Drake’s

new album, ‘Views’ it’s currently on Apple Music right now, check it out! Let me know what you think at thewanderingwriter.blogspot. co.uk Thank you so much for reading.

RESULTS FOR TYBURN WARD Mick Brown (Labour ) 1,780 votes Andrew Garcarz (UKIP) 747 Clifton Welch (Conservative) 747 Ann Holtom (Lib Dem) 318 Giovanni Esposito (Green) 86 Marie Emma O’Connor (TUSC) 54 30 papers were spoiled. Tyburn has a total electorate of 16,443 The voter turnout for the ward was 22.88% 3,762 votes were cast in the ward. In the local elections last year, 8,527 people voted in Tyburn. That day coincided with the general election. In the Tyburn ward elections in 2014 a total of 4,061 people voted.

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WEIRD ELECTIONS A seven-year-old dog named Duke was elected mayor of Cormorant, a small town in Minnesota,USA. The 12 residents each paid one dollar to cast their vote, The Good Knight Sir Nos Dar from the Monster Raving Loony Party stood for election this month (May 2016) in the Pelsall ward of Walsall. His real name is Mark Beech. He also stood for the MRLP in 2015, in the Aldridge/ Brownhills ward, but he delivered 5,000 campaign leaflets in the wrong area. One of his campaign policies was to ban all right turns. A clown won an election to get into Brazil’s congress in 2010. His name was Tiririca - Portugese for Grumpy. His real name was Francisco Silva and he won over a million more votes than the runner-up. Grumpy told voters that he knew nothing about politics. He won again in 2014.

Brothel keeper Cynthia Payne (centre) hit the headlines in the 1980s when she stood as an MP for the Payne and Pleasure Party. She wanted to change Britain’s sex laws. She was put on trial for running a brothel, and entertained the court, and made plenty of headlines, with her evidence that included details of visits from celebrities, vicars, police officers and politicians who visited her pleasure parlours. She was jailed, but her imprisonment caused outcry as the public claimed she was harmless.. Screaming Lord Such started his career as a pretty good rock musician. He worked with rock legends Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. His real name was David Edward Sutch. He made regular headlines as the leader of the Monster Raving Loony Party. He dressed in outrageous Mad Hatter style clothes as he stood next to serious politicians for photo opportunities. His jovial exterior covered an inwardly sad man. He hanged himself in 1999, grief-stricken after the death of his mother.

Football mascot H’Angus the Monkey was elected Mayor of Hartlepool in 2002. His real name was Stuart Drummond, but his Saturday afternoon job was to dress up as a monkey for the Hartlepool FC faithful. They urged him to stand as Mayor - he took up the challenge, and won. It was no fluke. He won again in 2005 and 2009. The first Mayor to be elected three times. Then the good people of Hartlepool decided they needed no more Mayors. So H’Angus hung up his ermine robes, safe in the knowledge that he was Hartlepool’s one and only elected mayor.

when angry rock band Rage Against the Machine won the battle for Christmas top spot. The campaign was started by a facebook in Essex. It launched a public vote to stop Simon Cowell’s X Factor protégé Joe McElderry getting the No1 spot. Rage Against the Machine’s song ‘Killing In The Name’ contained the immortal line: “Fxxx you, I won’t do what you tell me.”

BOATY VOTERS

The joke that’s gone too far Over 124,000 people voted to call a new ship Boaty McBoatface. Millions vote weekly for mediocre performers on Britain’s Got Talent. But when it comes to voting for a public representative for the region’s police force, almost 70% of people didn’t bother. And 30,000 of those who did get to the ballot box in the West Midlands (12,000 from Birmingham) incorrectly followed the instructions to place one, or two crosses in the right boxes. Their votes were ‘spoiled’. The voting paper was badly designed, and the chance to make two votes on one piece of paper came as a surprise to many. The publicity given to the campaigns, and to the election, was miserably poor. It was as though no one was really that bothered. The result of this exercise in public apathy is that Labour’s David Jamieson has been re-elected as the public’s representative for West Midlands Police. He will be paid £100,000 per year for his efforts. He does not have to appoint a deputy. But he has one, all the same. Yvonne Mosquito is paid £65,000 per year as PCC deputy. She also receives an allowance of over £16,200 for being a councillor for Nechells, and an allowance of £12,500 for chairing a council scrutiny committee. She is currently suspended from her PCC job for allegedly interfering inappropriately in a murder case. Has such behaviour turned people

In the 40 PCC elections across England and Wales, Conservatives won 20, Labour 15, Independent 2 and Plaid Cymru 2. 33 men won; 7 women. Just one winner was from the Asian community.

away from ‘democracy’? Are we a nation of cynics? A committee of MPs has been asked to consider the question, in the light of the Boaty vote. The public vote for the Boaty McBoatface saga was first put forward by Warwickshire man James Hands. It was meant to be a good humoured retort, and snub to an invitation to participate in the naming of a £200 million scientific exploring vessel. The name raised a smile. But when the National Environment Research Council ignored the vote, and named the new vessel after Sir David Attenborough, the stupidity of the Boaty McBoatface brigade was laid bare. This 15,000 ton ship will be ready by 2019 to explore polar regions. It will be named in recognition of the immeasurable services of one of Britain’s greatest contributors to knowledge about nature, wildlife and the environment. Now aged 90, Sir David’s lifetime’s work has educated and delighted generations of television viewers. He did not win the public vote - he came 4th. But good sense prevailed, and the public vote was ignored. The selected entry, RRS David Attenborough, came in fourth place in the public voting, just above “RRS It’s Bloody Cold Here,” “RRS Usain Boat,” and “RRS Boatimus Prime.”

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Page 9 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Got a job to ? It’s FREE in Tyburn Mail 07770 895413 or email the details to [email protected]

Call Frank Kennedy

Pop-up cop shop

Next edition is published 18th May

KAY’S HISTORY

A monthly series of ancient facts by local history enthusiast Kay Hunter who lectures on his subject in Birmingham and West Bromwich. Kay also broadcasts on 107.5 Switch Radio

Everything stops for tea (Or so it should)

Afternoon tea, became symbolic of English domesticity, decorum and civility recognized throughout the world.

Originally the preserve of the aristocracy, afternoon tea, became popular in the eighteenth century as a fashionable event. Usually served between two and five pm, which consisted of cakes, pastries and delicately cut sandwiches accompanied by tea, in silver or bone china tea services and cake stands. Women would change into their finery for tea which could be taken either on the lawn or in the drawing room. Today, afternoon tea is still popular and served in reputable tea rooms

and establishments. Twinings have sold tea since 1706.

Sergeant Neil Powers, with Wayne Griffiths, Security Programme Manager for the Post Office

Sergeant Neil Powers and his neighbourhood police team will be setting up a temporary police desk in Castle Vale Post Office in Tangmere Square each month. Sergeant Powers says that the idea is to give local residents a chance to

Old police station, new justice system Castle Vale’s old police station in Valencia Croft is to become the centre for a new approach to dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour across Birmingham.

English etiquette or a dieter’s nightmare?

have a conversation with of the police team. The post office on Kingsbury Road will also be used as a pop-up station. Up to 30 post offices in Sandwell and ten in north Birmingham will take part in the pilot scheme designed to give customers a chance to raise any concerns in a relaxed environment and get to know their community police team.

The building, now known as The Green House, has been used for several years by Pioneer’s Estate Services team. They will continue to use the buildling sharing it with a newly formed Restorative Justice team. Pioneer, the parent company of Castle

Vale Housing, will host the project at Valencia Croft. It will involve police officers and civilian co-ordinators, and is part-funded by proceeds from crime via the Police and Crime Commissioner. Restorative justice involves the victim and the offender agreeing to get together to discuss the specific crime or anti-social behaviour. With the help of mediating experts, they agree a solution. Offenders are less likely to re-offend if they are dealt with by restorative justice, say the experts. The RJ system has been trialled in

Neighbourhood officers will tour participating branches on a rota basis and spend up to two hours chatting with visitors and ing on crime prevention advice. The “Adopt a Post Office” project could be rolled out to all parts of the region. Birmingham North Chief Inspector Mark Ward heads up the pilot. He said: “We’ve analysed footfall data at regional post offices and will be timing our pop-up surgeries to coincide with the busiest periods, such as pension day. “People may have something on their mind they’d like to discuss with an officer but don’t go out of their way to visit a police station or call 101 as they don’t feel it’s significant enough. “This isn’t about having a front-desk operation on the High Street and is not designed to be a crime reporting facility. “The aim is to reach residents we might otherwise struggle to engage with…we’ll be ing on important information like warning against distraction burglary, bogus callers and Courier Fraud.” Adopt a Post Office has been successfully introduced in other parts of the country, including Merseyside and Northern Ireland. Post Office Security Programme Manager, Wayne Griffiths, added: “Not only does the initiative create greater visibility for officers in their local community it also provides reassurance to staff and customers and is a visible deterrent to criminals.” The six-month pilot project is expected to run until the end of September. various parts of the country, and in parts of Birmingham. It could deal with issues including noise, verbal abuse, harassment, threatening behaviour, physical violence, drug and substance misuse, litter, rubbish, fly-tipping, hate related crime, vandalism and criminal damage. Jon Dickin Community Manager of the Pioneer Group says “The Restorative Justice Process allows victims the chance to tell perpetrators the real impact of the ASB and gives the perpetrators a chance to understand the impact of their actions and to do something to repair the harm they have caused. “Restorative Justice holds people directly able for their actions and can help victims move on with their lives.”

Page 10 Tyburn Mail May 2016

NEWS and views from

MENT

TOP CLEAR

Castle Vale Community Housing: 11 High Street, Castle Vale, B35 7PR 0121 748 8100 repairs 0121 748 8101 (24 hrs) [email protected]

Forget Clarkson, Hammond & May, the Vale has its own team of speed freaks and petrol heads! Gez & Adrian (pictured) are part of our Community Caretakers team, their job is to keep the estate clear of rubbish, pavements swept,

blocks inspected and weeds terminated! The team have a range of equipment with the sweepers pictured being their favourite mode of transport. They have recently reviewed the way they work and have managed to gain an extra

45 hours to enable them to complete area blitzes, and are constantly upskilling themselves to be able to do more for our residents. If you do see the team cleaning the streets be sure to say hello…but no autographs please!!

Page 11 Tyburn Mail May 2016

MENT

NEWS FROM CASTLE VALE COMMUNITY HOUSING

It could be you! Could you design the face of digital? We are running a competition for a local resident to design a mascot or character that represents Castle Vale going digital…we have 3 prizes (vouchers of the winners choice). The winning design will be used for all digital promotion across the estate! You could see your design on flags, banners, posters, tshirts…or maybe

brought to life! You can draw it, paint it, build it or design it on a PC….get creative! The competition is open to anyone under the age of 18 (groups are more than welcome to submit entries) and it must feature our company logo. Design templates are available, just Becki on 0121 748 8134 or 07956 007696

Closing Date Thursday 2nd June, judging will take place on Friday 3rd June at The Sanctuary

Page 12 Tyburn Mail May 2016

MENT

NEWS FROM CASTLE VALE COMMUNITY HOUSING

Social Value Activity Grants

We received a number of applications for our activity grants which are to help residents from Castle Vale either set up new projects or get involved in new activities. The aim of the grant is to provide opportunities for one off activities to take place that are organised by residents, for residents of Castle Vale. One of the conditions of the grant is to provide a photograph or ‘selfie’ and we have a great example here:

Hi Becki Some of our students have been selected to represent England in the Dance World Cup in Jersey this includes children from Castle Vale…how amazing! With the money you have kindly granted we have been able to purchase costumes and equipment for the World Cup, however these will be reused by all other children within the dance school for competitions and shows – we are still using costumes from over 10 years ago so these are well needed! You have made a dance school very happy – thank you! From all at Spotlight Stage School

Due to limited funding we are unable to accept applications if you have already been successful in securing one previously. If you would like to find out more, please email [email protected]. uk or call Becki on 0121 748 8134.

Phoenix Court is feeling blue…. Readers may recall we recently held a consultation with our residents in Phoenix Court; the question was asked ‘to paint or not to paint’. Residents voted to paint and chose the colours, after 2 hours of debates over greens and yellows the colours were chosen and our contractors Ian Williams tackled the

mammoth task of painting feature walls, doors, glossing handrails alongside transforming the outside of the building…great…or so we thought! One dreary cold afternoon the residents of the top floor all got together and decided to tell us they really didn’t like the bright yellow

that had been chosen… so the consultation process started again and the chose a brilliant blue. Ian Williams’ army of painters set to work again transforming the yellow floor to blue and the residents are happy again! In fact they are all Super…. With the recent change

process implemented within The Pioneer Group CVCH have recruited a Super Warden at Phoenix Court, Jane Croke has super powers, she takes on all the residents’ concerns and worries and uses her super powers to ensure

they are happy and kept up to date with everything happening within their scheme, she has also been the port of call for all of the contractors helping coordinate the painting and fob replacements!

Page 13 Tyburn Mail May 2016

@The Sanctuary 0121 748 8111

Queen’s Party in the park – Fun family day with free entry COMING SOON – SUNDAY 12TH JUNE

Attractions, food and entertainment at Centre Park, Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale to celebrate the Queen’s 90th Birthday. There will be a hog roast, traditional games, inflatable rides and music provided by Generation’s Choir to name just a few. No need to pre-book, just come along from 10am.

Ageing Better in Tyburn

Car boot at The Stadium

What a weekend we had! On Saturday 14th May, around 100 people came out in the sunshine, some arriving as early as 7am to buy and sell items including clothing, jewellery, household equipment and DVDs. There was even a stand devoted to British classic – the Tombola.

The car boot was held in aid of Ageing Better, a Birmingham wide campaign looking to bring about positive change to the health and wellbeing of people over the age of 50. There were over 25 tables, each raising £5 for the charity.

STARTING FRIDAY

10th JUNE 5.30pm-7.30pm KombatKids is a professionally run school that specializes in children only classes from 4 to 18 years. KombatKids has a dedicated team of instructors teaching in many areas of the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Worcestershire. All instructors are Dan grades. They all hold valid Enhanced Disclosure Checks (DBS), First Aid Qualified and NSPCC Basic Awareness in Child Protection Certificates. KombatKids is d to the English Karate Federation (EKF) which enables us to enter both National/International competitions of the highest standards. With opportunities for children to enter selections for the EKF England squad. Should your child wish to take up a sport which is a disciplined martial art, learn Japanese terminology and benefit from regular exercise then look no further as KombatKids has a reputation in providing quality martial art tuition. How to your child: Online: www.kombatkids.com Telephone: 07730899722 Email: [email protected] Text: Child name, birth date & location (The Sanctuary, Castle Vale) to 07730899722 Page 14 Tyburn Mail May 2016

www.facebook.com/fantasyyt

A year of celebrations marking our 50th anniversary and our move to pastures new in 2017

If you have ever been a pupil, member of staff or have a link with Castle Vale/Greenwood our facebook page to keep up to date on our plans

www.facebook.com/castlevalememorylane

Signpost Jungle Community Council Road signs should point the way,

not block the view, say road bosses Councils now have powers to tear down pointless road signs that are an eyesore and distract drivers.

The number of signs on our roads, more than doubled from 2.45 million in England in 1993 to an estimated 4.57 million in 2013. Now simpler rules have been brought in to give councils the power to take down unnecessary signs. Signs that say ‘new’ layout ahead will have ‘remove by dates’ on the back so they are not needlessly left in place for years. New roundabout signs should be re-

moved after three months. The government’s Transport Department has appointed Sir Alan Duncan MP to lead a task force that is looking at removing pointless signs. “Too many signs look ugly and stop drivers seeing only essential messages,” is the message from the Department of Transport. “Cutting the number and size of signs will help reduce unnecessary eyesores for all road s and local residents,” says a spokesperson. The new measures will save councils £30 million in running costs by 2020, according to the Transport Department.

Black-tie ball with Brum Lord Mayor

Birmingham Lord Mayor’s Ball will be held on Friday 24th June in the Banqueting Suite of Birmingham Council House. Tickets for the black-tie event cost £85 per head. It includes a threecourse meal and live entertainment. It’s being held on the eve of Armed Forces Day, and has a military theme. Lord Mayor elect, Cllr Carl Rice, said:

“This event is one of the highlights of the year in Birmingham and, as well as ing a number of good causes right here in Birmingham, I can promise the guests a wonderful evening. “So if you’re looking to entertain clients, make new s from across the city or simply have a great night out, this is the perfect event.” Tickets are available now through Eventbrite

for Castle Vale

Want to find out more? Castle Vale is a special area where the community makes sure that their voice is heard and attract services to suit their needs.

With budget cuts happening across many public services, rent reductions impacting on services the local housing association is able to provide and the end of the Castle Vale Endowment Trust getting closer and closer, it is getting harder to ensure that Castle Vale’s community needs are met. Over the past year of the 2005 Group and Neighbourhood

by Carla Belle Neighbourhood Partnership Board Partnership Board (NPB) have been discussing whether it is a good time to investigate whether a Community Council would be a good idea for Castle Vale. A Community Council may be a positive solution as it would give residents more control over services, ensure that their views are listened to, make sure that residents are consulted and get a say on matters that are really

important to them!

A steering group has been set up to look at the Community Council idea in more detail.

This group will be finding out more information about how a Community Council is set up and what the pros and cons are of having a Community Council in Castle Vale. This information will be shared with the community to ensure that every one gets a say in whether we as a community go ahead and progress the Community Council idea further.

How important is it to you to have your say on the future of Castle Vale? The steering group is open to anyone who lives, works or has an interest in Castle Vale and will be meeting monthly to explore the idea further. If you would like to the CV Community Council Steering Group or want to find out more, please Carla Belle, Neighbourhood Partnership Project Officer, on 0121 748 8189 or [email protected]. Page 15 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Slow Deep clean kitchen down and buck up on food in city hygiene standards Inspectors not impressed by local takeaway

Signs are being put up this week around Birmingham’s city centre roads, urging motorists to keep their speed down to 20mph.

The new lower speed limit is not yet enforceable by law. Council transport boss Ann Shaw says: “We know from the first phase of the scheme there is some uncertainty over the law when this work starts. “In the interests of transparency and openness, we want to be clear the new slower limits are NOT enforceable until the scheme is complete in the city centre pilot area. “We hope motorists will use the signage popping up as an early reminder to cut their speed and get into the good habits that will make the city centre an even more welcoming and inviting place to be. “The move isn’t about a war on motorists or raising revenue. It is based on one simple statement – slower is safer.”

Euro YES will rely on young, says MPJack, 67

Europe loving Labour MP Jack Dromey is worried that young people have not ed for the Euro referendum. 18-24 year-olds are more likely to vote to stay in Europe than those aged over 65, says the 67 year-old Erdington MP who s the REMAIN camp. “Young voters will be key to securing a ‘Remain’ vote on 23rd June but around one in four 18-24 year-olds have still not signed up to vote,” said Mr Dromey. “And I saw first-hand, when I debated against UKIP on Europe at Birmingham University, the overwhelming for Britain to remain in Europe. Over 70% said ‘yes’. “Ensuring the 413 young ed voters in Erdington use their vote

A fast food takeaway has been told to improve its hygiene. Birmingham food hygiene inspectors visited Chicks Chicken and pizza food takeaway on Farnborough Road in the afternoon of 18th January this year and gave the place the lowest possible rating. They demanded that urgent action was taken, and that the kitchen

Clean and proud of it, says chip shop boss The

manager of the Castle Vale Fish Bar says that the hygiene rating they have been given is unfair. Vedat Okaner, the manager of the High Street chip shop, says that the Council hygiene rating was reduced to a Grade 1 after a second warning for not recording food temperatures. “The rating has nothing to do with the hygiene of the shop,” says Vedat. “This place is spotless. “In 2013 we won an award for the cleanest chip shop in Britain. “We are always cleaning this shop, twenty-four seven.” Vedat says that he now takes daily recordings of food temperatures, and is ready to invite inspectors to visit the premises again.

was given a deep clean within 48 hours. The owner of the takeaway refused to give details of the inspection report. Tyburn Mail has now received the full details, following a freedom of information request to the city council. The report sets time limits for each instruction. It warned Chicks’ owner that he must:

♦ Ensure all food handlers are trained in food hygiene ♦ Provide a documented food safety management system ♦ Monitor and record temperatures of fridges, freezers, cookers and food ♦ Provide dedicated hand wash basin for use in the kitchen ♦ Ensure that there is an adequate supply of soap and towels for the next month will be vital to the outcome of this referendum and future of our country. “EU hip is vital to young people’s futures. “Nearly twice as many 18-24 year olds back voting to Remain than those aged 65, but they are only half as likely to say they will definitely vote.” UKIP campaigner Andrew Garcarz takes a different view. “My overwhelming concern for our youngsters is that by voting for the UK to remain a member of the EU, they will be fighting for a future in an economy where uncontrolled EU migration only serves to depress wages and limit opportunity,” says Pype Hayes resident Mr Garcarz, who is also chair of UKIP for the West Midlands. “Multinationals and corporates seek to employ low skilled migrants on low wages with zero hours contracts. “We must do our best to inform our younger generation of the threat that the EU represents to their and our future. “A vote to remain, is not a vote for the EU as it exists now, it is permission to go wholeheartedly into full and irreversible integration.”

wash basin ♦ Provide a lobby between the kitchen and the toilet area - an extract fan is not sufficient ♦ Undertake a deep clean of the kitchen, paying particular attention to the difficult to reach areas such as under preparation tables, wall-floor junctions and hand surfaces. ♦Ensure food is stored in accordance with manufacturers instructions,e.g

frozen chips in freezer, chicken nuggets in fridge/freezer as appropriate. ♦ Ensure deliveries are put away promptly. ♦ Ensure adequate separation between raw and ready-to-eat foods in fridges. Birmingham Council issues a rating of zero -5 for food outlets across the city. All outlets ought to reach grade 5, according to the Council. A zero rating requires urgent remedial action.

DON’T TREAD ON HORNY BEETLE Keep a lookout for antlered creepy

crawly, say endangered species experts Help save the UK’s largest land beetle by recording your sightings.

The stag beetle’s numbers are dwindling across Europe. Their big enemies are cats, magpies and humans. In parts of Britain stag beetles are already extinct. This spring, People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is asking the public to record any sightings of stag beetles by taking part in their annual Great Stag Hunt. Stag beetles emerge from midMay onwards, and live in gardens, parks, woodland edges and traditional orchards. They are prevalent throughout southern England and coastal areas but there have not been many sightings in the Midlands. PTES want to hear from people living

in areas that border the stag beetles’ known range. Stag beetles can reach up to 75mm in size, which makes them second largest of all UK beetles after the water beetle, but also easy to spot! For the majority of their life cycle, stag beetles remain underground as

Vedat hopes that they will restore a high rating to the premises after their next visit. “We had a 5-star rating before, but that was moved down to 4-star when we did not record food temperatures. The second warning moved us down to a 1 star.” The chip shop has not yet had a reinspection.

larvae, feeding on rotten wood. They can remain as larvae for as long as seven years, and once fully grown they build a large cocoon in the soil where they pupate before finally metamorphosing into their adult, more recognisable, form. Last year’s Great Stag Hunt saw 5,796 recorded stag beetle sightings, including 901 sightings in Hampshire. Beetle spotters are asked to record any sightings of stag beetles online at www.ptes.org/stagbeetles. Laura Bower, Conservation Officer at PTES says: “The Great Stag Hunt has involved thousands of people over the last 20 years. “Now is the right time of year for people to start recording sightings of stag beetles, as they emerge from mid-May onwards. “Gardens in particular are very important habitats, as stag beetles rely on decaying wood in with soil to feed on as larvae. “Volunteers can help by retaining dead tree stumps or building a log pile in their gardens to ensure there is a good supply of dead wood for female stag beetles to lay their eggs in. “We hope to see more volunteers ing this year’s Great Stag Hunt to help reverse their population decline.”

Page 16 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Erdington wins back its abbey and train station Commission backs down after public outcry

It makes sense to call a train station by the name of the place where its built.

You get off at Birmingham New Street and you knwo where you are. But when the map-makers decided to put Erdington Station in Small Heath - just so that Birmingham could cut down on its number of councillors well that was going down the wrong track. Erdington Abbey was also going to find itself in Small Heath, too - an abbey in a heathen land.... not, it’s not going to please the Catholic congregation. Public outcry has caused the mapmakers to change their plans and put the station and the abbey back in Erdington. Small Heath is the poorer, but justic has prevailed. But those changes are not enough to make everyone happy. Councillor Robert Alden is still fuming. “The commission’s new draft proposals have still broken the Erdington Parish Boundary to the North ripping out parts of Erdington history like the old Tram Terminus, the only remaining Erdington Coat of Arms and the

Yenton Pub,” says the boss of Birmingham’s Tory group. “In Pype Hayes the parish border has been broken with Birches Green being separated from Pype Hayes for the first time in history. “In Oscott Ward an area that has always been in Oscott has been ripped out of the ward and put into Kingstanding, while the Kingstanding High Street, Kingstanding Royal Mail Office and Kingstanding Tesco have been left in Oscott not reunited in Kingstanding Ward. “The community of Gravelly Hill is still not being recognized and in the Perry Common area, Perry Common is still split in two and requires you leaving the ward to go between the north and south of the ward. “The boundary Commission had an unprecedented level of responses, more for the North Birmingham area alone, than they normally receive for a whole Council. “It is disappointing that they have generally ignored local residents requests for communities to be properly represented. “While it is good that they have restored the Erdington Abbey to Erdington, by refusing to reconnect the Par-

.......And the train now arriving at Erdington Railway Station.... is in Erdington, ...... not Small Heath ish boundary they are leaving s of the Church out of the ward.” Robert added “I urge residents to write into the commission asking for them to respect the will of local residents and make changes as asked for by the local community in the North Birmingham Community Together submission”. A new six-week public consultation on the recommendations started on 10th May and will end on 20th June 2016. Over 2,000 local responses were received on the Commission’s original recommendations.

They caused the Commission to change its original plans. Now, more suggestions are being invited. The Commission’s new recommendations propose that Birmingham City Council should have 101 city councillors in the future, nineteen fewer than the current arrangements. The recommendations also outline how those councillors should represent 41 single-member wards and 30 twomember wards across the city. The full recommendations and detailed interactive maps are available on the Commission’s website at www. consultation.lgbce.org.uk and www.

lgbce.org.uk. Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are now asking local people to have a look at the revised recommendations and to tell us where they them and, if not, to put forward alternative suggestions. “The Commission will consider all submissions received during this consultation before we finalise them in September.” The Commission’s report and interactive maps can be found on its website at: www.lgbce.org.uk

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Page 17 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Gold-hearted garage owner

A kind-hearted local businessman has donated over £800 to help out a local church.

Shailesh Parekh, who owns the Midland Link Autocentre and Nisa shop on Tyburn Road has helped the of St Chad’s Church to buy kitchen equipment for their community. He has given them the cash to buy a brand new cooker and dishwasher worth over £850.

Linda Parker, from the t Church Committee at Stoneyhurst Road said: “This is a wonderful gesture. He is so kind. “He has helped us raise funds before, and I asked him, jokingly, if he could help us with some kitchen equipment. And look what he’s done. It’s fantastic.” The new equipment will help out with many of the church events. of the church committee

provide a cooked meal each week for around 25 senior citizens. “Playgroups, and youth organisation Urban Devotion also use the facilities,” said Linda, “and we hire out the centre for events like christenings, baptisms and parties, so these new kitchen facilities will be so helpful to the whole community. “We have a good congregation of around 30 people here. “Shailesh is not a member of our

church, but he has been incredibly good to us. We are so grateful to him.” Shailesh is a man of modesty aswell as generosity. “The money is provided via the Nisa Make a Difference Locally Fund,” he explains. “Customers to the store pay a penny or two extra on some items and the money is saved up to go to good local causes.”

Gnome man’s land Gardeners are a bit old fashioned

Nearly 70% of gardens in the Midlands are stuck in the past.

No place for gnomes, say 37% of modern gardeners Almost 64% of the region’s homeowners itting their outdoor space has been influenced by previous decades. A nationwide survey of homeowners with gardens revealed that in the Midlands, 68% of gardens’ main features pre-date the 1990s, with 80s wooden slatted fences (42%), 60s manicured lawns (41%) and 50s concrete paths (24%) featuring most prominently as design hangovers from the past. The region’s homeowners have been slow to adopt 21st century garden design, with contemporary features such as raised vegetable beds (13%), mixed native hedging (10%), fire pits (6%), and artificial grass (3%) each present in only one third of gardens. While almost 41% of respondents in the Midlands said their garden is the most important feature of their home, only 20% are most likely to feel pride when thinking about or looking at their garden.

Shailesh Parekh, with the helpers and of the Lunch Group at St Chad’s Church Centre. Inset: Shailesh with Linda (left) and of the Lunch Group committee in the kitchen with food prepared with the new equipment

School walk makes for happy kids

Parents say their children are happier if they walk to school, according to a survey published by charity Living Streets. Almost half of parents said that they saw an improvement in their child’s happiness after the walk to school. Just 46 per cent of primary school children walk to school compared to 70 per cent of their parents’ generation, according to Living Streets experts. Congestion and unsafe driving outside the school gates overwhelmingly deter parents from getting their children to walk to school. Vehicles driving too quickly was their greatest worry when it came to the school run and a third cited overcrowding (33 per cent) and unsafe parking (37 per cent). Aggression was also a factor with 28 per cent experiencing it, either from other parents or local residents. Page 18 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Morale ‘at all-time low’ School with suspended headteacher still in limbo Morale at St Barnabas School is at an all-time low, according to one employee who has ed Tyburn Mail. The staff have been kept in the dark about the school’s future, even though it is almost nine months since their headteacher was suspended. Heather Powell has been suspended since the start of the academic year in September 2015, following the discovery of financial irregularities. But staff and parents have not been told whether she is ever coming back, or if the school is likely to for a new headteacher for next year. The situation is impacting on the children, according to the member of staff who ed Tyburn Mail. “Year 6 Sats results this year will be shocking,” said the employee who wished to remain anonymous. The employee gave a startling

, claiming that younger staff at the school are not being properly ed, and that special needs children are suffering. Claire Cowlard is the current acting headteacher, but she is trying to juggle two jobs - she is also headteacher of St Francis School in Bournville. The employee who spoke to Tyburn Mail says that the leadership team at the school are struggling, and that suspended headteacher Heather Powell was taking time off, and finding the

job too much for her, especially the istration work. The school had been slipping before her suspension. Governors have refused to comment on the situation, while the investigation is still underway. Tyburn Mail believes that governors feel they cannot comment, nor make arrangements for the headteacher’s return or replacement, until the time allowed for the headteacher’s appeal has elapsed.

Ebay snobs ‘Gents’ beats ‘mens’ watches, and ‘authentic’ fragrances top ‘genuine’ ones

A “gent” can expect to pay twice as much as a “man” and “authentic” products fetch up to 50 per cent more than “genuine” ones. Researchers at Birmingham City University trawled more than 68,000 items listed and sold on ebay to find out how online sellers choose to describe their products. The studies, which spanned more than 15 million words, revealed patterns in language which significantly changed the price buyers could expect to pay for similar goods. Among the results it was shown that “men’s” watches sold for an average of £30 while “gents’” went for £70, and fragrances labelled “genuine” fetched £21 but “authentic” ones set buyers back £34. Similarly, s paid nearly three times as much for “on-ear” headphones as “in-ear” headphones (£25 to £71) while a watch with “resistance” can expect to attract nearly 50 per cent more than a “resistant” watch (£85 to £59). Grammatical errors such as missing apostrophes and internet speak were also found to have a negative impact on the price products sold for. Researchers Andrew Kehoe and Matt

Gee from Birmingham City University’s School of English were behind the study. For this project, product listings were ed from eBay over a 70 day period before being analysed using

WebCorp’s specialist tools. Research also found that antique sellers were the most likely to use a personal connection to sell products with words like “I”, “me” and “my”, appearing more frequently than in any other category and making up 20 per cent of the most popular words used. Elsewhere used car sellers were found to shy away from the term “secondhand” with only nine instances of the phrase found among nearly 1,000 sold. Instead traditional car sales speak was found, with phrases like “honest”, “reliable”, “clean” and “reluctant” all among the top .

What’s in a name? That which we call perfume, by any other name would smell as sweet. But it will fetch more money on ebay of you describe its scent as ‘authentic’

The popular and very beautiful Alison Hammond, one of the judges at the Castle Vale’s Got Talent Show this month. The vibrant television presenter proves that you don’t have to be stick-thin to be stunning.

Sexy or sexist?

A poster in Birmingham City Centre is being labelled as sexist by a local academic. The huge ad features a close up of a woman’s rear with the text: “We’re getting ready to reveal our fabulous new rear..! (entrance)… Pert and perfect by June.” There are four posters featuring women, and one featuring a man. Birmingham City University lecturer Charlotte Barlow says: “This type of campaign objectifies and sexualises women, encouraging them to

be viewed as sex objects, and should not be tolerated. “The fact that the model’s ‘rear’ is the only part of her body that we can see reinforces the status of women’s bodies as objects for the male gaze.” “Campaigns like this arguably perpetuate street harassment and sexual harassment”, added Dr Barlow. “Street harassment is a daily reality for many women and this objectification of women’s bodies reinforces the idea that this is acceptable, when such behaviour should not be tolerated and rather viewed as part of a wider continuum of sexual harassment and ‘everyday sexism’.” Tyburn Mail readers were quick to respons online. “Yaaaawwn…..go shave your armpits wench. Sex sells….get over it.,” said one unsympathetic reader. “What a bummer. I’ll bet her classes are a real barrel of laughs,” remarked another. Page 19 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Castle Vale’s Got Talent 2016

Taylor Jay Evans

XCell

Daniel McVey won Castle Vale’s Got Talent, and he deserved to.

Courtney Hackett Jamie Brookes

Abigail Fearby

Daniel McVey Kyle Harris

He sings well, and with ion, and has great stage presence. He’s been unlucky not to win in previous years. But persistence pays, and this time, the likeable Greenwood pupil came out on top. Last year, his brother and niece won the trophy. Ste and Skye McVey performed in this year’s show as the judges retired to make their decision. That McVey family could populate a talent show all on their own. This was the eighth year of the competition. Often, there is a stand-out group of performers bound to take the top four places. Not so this time. The depth of talent was remarkable. At least ten acts were good enough to get into the top spots. Some, such as Taylor Jay Evans, Courtney Hackett, Charlotte Tomkins, Kaisey Reilly and Sadie Horton can count themselves very unlucky not to have got their hands on one of the trophies. It must have been a close thing. Laura Selina took second place, with Kayleigh Cooper in third, and Xcell in 4th place. They were all excellent. Special awards went to Wings, the spectacularly costumed and brilliantly choreographed musical act, and to Kyle Harris. Desist

Kayleigh Cooper

Laura Silina

Wings

Sadie Horton

Page 20 Tyburn Mail May 2016

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KES SERVICES

Hastingwood Industrial Park, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands, B24 9QR

PLUMBER/FITTER required for catering equipment installation. Might consider somebody that is interested in learning the trade but must have some experience. Must drive and have a CSCS card, you don’t need your own vehicle as we can put you on our van insurance. Wages negotiable depending on experience. We work all over the UK and we do some out of town work but we cover hotels and expenses. Past applicants need not apply. Please ring 0121 386 6849 and ask for Julie Clancy Please leave your name & phone number or email your CV to [email protected].

Urgently Require: Customer Service Co-ordinator up to £19K permanent B37 Area 10 x Full Time Customer Service Advisors £7.20ph, B46 Area Varied hours available: 9pm – 5pm, 10am – 6pm, 12pm – 8pm Monday through to Friday. 5 x Part Time Evenings Perm (4pm/5pm until 8pm) £7.20ph B46 White Goods Engineers up to £22Kwith Bonus, B37 Area Financial Controller up to £40K B46 Area German Speaking Customer Service Advisor £15K B46 Interested please Amanda or Lizzy on 0121 647 1086/1085 or Email your CV to [email protected] please advise which position you are applying for:

Persimmon Homes Central, based in Castle Bromwich, require:

Sales Advisors and Trainee Sales Advisors Operating on site to negotiate and ister the sale of houses, meet and advise customers, give home demonstrations and meet sales targets, including reservations and legal completions. You will be required to work weekends and bank holidays, hold a current driving licence and have your own transport. The successful candidate will have a confident manner, excellent communication and organisational skills and willingness to learn. You will be required to complete, and maintain a CSCS card. Competitive Salary and Benefits Package Please apply in writing with current CV to The Sales Director, Persimmon Homes Central, Tameside Drive, Birmingham, B35 7AG Other positions available (site and office): www.persimmonjobs.com

Got a job to ?

It’s FREE in Tyburn Mail 07770 895413 or email the details to [email protected]

Call Frank Kennedy

Next edition is published 15th June Page 21 Tyburn Mail May 2016

LOCAL DEMOCRACY PAGE Your councillors, campaigners and candidates

“Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets” - Napoleon Bonaparte

Construction woes for local residents

contractors on the former Cincinnati works site. Clifton

by Robert Alden

Conservative campaigner and Erdington Councillor

I have been working with popular local campaigner Clifton Welch over the last few weeks to tackle the issue of inconsiderate

Let’s set record straight

Councillor Mike Sharpe Tyburn Ward Labour

I would just like to set the record straight after receiving a leaflet delivered by the Tories during the

Thank you Clifton Welch

Conservative campaigner Thank you very much to everyone who voted for me in the recent elections.

While I did not win this May we again made progress closing the Labour majority. This was the last set of elections that will be fought on the current boundaries. Going forward Tyburn ward will be broken into three single member wards of Castle Vale, Tyburn and Pype Hayes. Therefore it is highly likely from the next election Tyburn will cease to

and I have reported the contractors to the City Council planning enforcement team for breach of planning conditions and also ed the contractors, Galliford Try, themselves. The level of noise, traffic, air pollution and rubbish being released across the local area combined with very early starts in the week and weekends, long before the work is meant to start each day is making local residents lives a misery. We will be chasing the Council, soon if they have not resolved the issue by the deadline they gave us of the 24th May, if action is not taken to redress the situation urgently as it is totally unacceptable for residents to have to put up with this going forward.

run up to the election.

I certainly did not see them the night the Travellers arrived at Pype Hayes Park. I sat outside the park till 11.30pm and I was in constant with the council, police, and friends of the park. I am proud to say all organisation worked together to get the Travellers off the park and to get the area cleaned up. I have started working with the Council to see how we can best stop this happening again, each time the Travellers are on the park it costs us money to clean up the area and to put right any damage they cause. I will be arranging a meeting with the Council and the Friends of Pype Hayes Park at the earliest opportunity. Protecting our park is not easy but together with my colleagues, Councillor Lynda Clinton and recently reelected Councillor Mick Brown we will work together with all agencies and especially the local community. If you would like to me please do so on 07713982258.

have three Labour Councillors. This May the Tyburn Ward had a Labour majority of around 900 but the proposed Castle Vale ward only had Labour ahead of the Conservatives by 200. While the proposed Pype Hayes Ward actually voted for the Conservatives by a majority of 100. Therefore in 2018 the elections across the current Tyburn Ward will be a completely different kettle of fish and residents will have the prospect of their vote really counting in of who can win the ward. In the coming year I will be continuing to campaign for Tyburn Ward all year round, continuing to carry out local cleans help residents with unwanted developments and other such campaigns. If there is anything I can do to help you or anything you want my help to campaign on please let me know by ing me on [email protected] , 07505745808 or by writing to Tyburn Conservatives, 96 Orchard Road, Erdington, B24 9JD.

Local democracy is the winner, but for how long? Ballot papers were checked and counted, councillors appointed; electoral democracy has been enacted and delivered. But we face a far more important decision on June 23rd when we vote to determine Britain’s future as an independent, democratic, sovereign nation, free to enact our own laws, enforce our Supreme Court’s decisions and elect our own political representatives.

The EU today is unrecognisable from the ‘Common Market’ we thought we were ing in 1973 and David Cameron’s renegotiation for contin-

Andrew Garcarz UKIP Sutton Coldfield & Erdington, Chair

ued hip in a reformed EU is a sham; he asked for very little and got even less. With each new treaty, the EU is evolving into a full-blown political

and economic super-state, with its own Parliament, Flag, Anthem, Police Force, Judiciary, Currency, Central Bank, Foreign Office, President, Border force and soon, its own Armed Forces. Do we really want to be a part of the ‘United States of Europe’, ruled from Brussels by unelected, unable and undemocratic EU Commissioners? Are we content to be a star on someone else’s flag? Or do we want to keep our independence, our democracy and our proud heritage based on 800-years of common law enshrined in the Magna Carta, to live in a sovereign, self-determining country, a country that our forebears fought and died for in two world wars, the country that gave democracy to the World? The choice is ours to make; Vote to leave the EU

Should we stay or should we go?

Having just had the local Council and Police and Crime Commissioner elections, things will soon be winding up again for the European referendum in June. The question here is would Britain be better outside the 28 member union, just as it has coped with being outside the 19 member Eurozone? My own view is that there is no clear “best” option and everyone will have their own take on the matter. However, I would like to make three quick points:-

1. Some people believe that the European regulations will disappear if we leave, but many of them have already been ed into UK law and that is unlikely to change. 2. If we do vote to leave, Britain could become a “bit part player” in the global market, and while we would still be a large economy we may no longer be a favoured destination for foreign investors. 3. People also forget that so much research, into such conditions as cancer and Alzheimer’s is funded by

US IN A BOAT!! National Drowning Event at Castle Pool

Councillor Lynda Clinton Tyburn Ward Labour

Just how important was child safety in and around water on the 25th April? Well around 100 adults turned up with their children from toddler to

teenager to listen, learn and take part in the exciting event. West Midlands Fire Service Rescue Team worked with our Ducklings to appreciate the dangers whilst enjoying the freedom of being confident and safe. Volunteer youngsters were rescued both in and out of the water and the event was rounded up by them all being taken around the pool in the dinghy. As you can see from the picture, us adults enjoyed a trip too! There is a video of the event available and

Councillor Mick Brown Tyburn Ward Labour EU grants, and leaving would bring complexity and uncertainty. Of course for every reason to stay you can find one to leave, and at the end of the day it’s a decision we all need to make based on our own view of what is important for us, our families and our country. anyone wishing to view it can me on 07727 923071. If you missed this event, we are hoping to hold another in June so watch out for more information. Keep safe – Both in and out of the water.

Page 22 Tyburn Mail May 2016

Tough for talented dancers Dancer Emily Seeney had plenty of fans in the audience as she delivered a stylish performance in the Castle Vale’s Got Talent finals. It’s difficult for individual dancers to make their mark with the judges. It’s usually the singers who get the glory. Emily, along with Sadie Horton who puts in a brilliant performance every year, and dance group Desist, have to be content with the iration of the audience. It’s been six years since an 8 year-old dancer called Jak Tuite won CVGT. Jak’s been a hard act to follow!

Audience loves Hammad

Brave teen Hammad Tahir won the hearts of the audience at the finals of Castle Vale’s Got Talent. Hammad has some difficulties with communication because of a stammer. Before and after his performance, it was clear to the audience that Hammad struggles a little with his speech. But the Year 8 pupil performed a rap song that he had written himself. It was a fluent, ionate and dynamic performance. Faultless. The 13 year-old beamed with delight as the judges praised his singing and songwriting skills.

Page 23 Tyburn Mail May 2016

The back page WALLOP!

Song for Villa

CRASH!

BANG!

Walmley all-rounder Tom Burton smashed the Leamington bowlers to all corners of the ground and beyond in his innings of 76. Walmley won the game by 75 runs.

LOCAL FOOTBALL ROUND-UP

Paget’s 2016 pick-me-up Highs and lows for Concordes Paget Rangers have been in impressive form since the start of 2016. The Midland League Division Two club had struggled early

in the season, but since the turn of the new year, they have won 12 of their 15 league games. Paget finished in 4th place in their league, despite losing their final game of the

season to table-topping Alvis Sporting Club. Paget chalked up 16 wins from their 26 league games, and ended with a goal difference of 31. Top goalscorer for Paget

Par-three paradise

Club striker and skipper The fleet-footed Gabby Now looks like a barrel, He rolls, and is flabby.

was Mark Bellingham, with 36 goals, followed by Danny Carter, who netted 28 times. Dean Morris was third on the list with eight goals for the season. Castle Vale Concorde ended up bottom of the Premier Division of the Festival Sunday league. The newly promoted team had struggled all season, managing 3 wins and 2 draws from their 18 fixtures. It was a different story for Concorde Utd, two divisions below. They topped the Sen-

ten referred to as the’ Augusta’ of the midlands. Golf societies from all over the midlands took part, in a straight knockout competition, all battling it out to win the first prize, a golf trip to Ireland for two. Myself and my playing partner Brendan O’Reilly reached the semi final before being knocked out on a play off hole, by the George Inn Golf Society from Daventry, who incidentally went on to win in the final.

Big Joleon Lescott Has got a new car His own hobbling legs Won’t get him very far.

ior Amateur One Division, with 14 wins and 2 draws from their 18 league fixtures. They had a staggering goal difference of 60, and hit double figures on three occasions. They beat Horizon 11-0 in April, and Great Barr Rangers All Stars 10-0 in February. But the biggest hammering of the season was saved for FC Elite in December. The game ended 13-1 to Concorde.

In a Tenerife gutter Jack Grealish sleeps, pissed His career is on hold And his talent is missed Remi Garde was a flop He took Villa to bottom He did nothing for months And is now long forgotten. The Champions League Is awaiting Bacuna Pigs flying overhead Could well happen sooner.

On the 26th-29th of July 2016 the Farmfoods British par 3 Championship takes place at Nailcote. The event will be hosted for a ninth consecutive year by Tony Jacklin CBE. The prize fund has now risen to £50,000 compared to £5,000 nine years ago. Some of the names who have taken part in this pro-am event include Paul Lawrie, Ian Woosnam, Sam Torrance, Charley Hull and reigning Masters champ Danny Willett.

Tony Roche

NZogbia’s job Was to work in attack He took lots of money, And gave nothing back. The stadium echoes With boos from the fans Their players the target At a club with no plans. Cissokho and Richards Gestede and Sinclair The club will be better When you are not there. The fans deserve more But Lerner is blind To the banners and protests He seems not to mind....

Tyburn Mail’s golf writer On the 23rd of April 2016, I took part in a unique golfing experience, the ‘Midlands Golfer Par 3 Masters’ at the beautiful Nailcote Hall in Berkswell, Warwickshire. The event hosted by Midlands Golfer magazine, and special guests Club Choice Ireland, is played each year on

....That the Championship Is where Villa will play And the jaws of League One Open wider each day.

the 9 hole, par 3 Cromwell course, in the wonderful surroundings of Nailcote Hall Golf & Country Club. Dont let the 9 hole par 3 fool you. This is as tough as it gets, and is of-

Nailcote Hall welcomes visitors all year round, so if you want a fun golfing experience, wether that be just you and a friend, or a golf society give it a try, you wont be disappointed.

Next Issue of Tyburn Mail:

Fat Alan May 2016

Some of the nations best loved sporting and tv personalities will be taking part in the celeb-am competition. To get your tickets go to britishpar3. com or Nailcote Hall

15th June 2016

Tyburn Mail is online and updated daily at: tyburnmail.com Page 24 Tyburn Mail May 2016