COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Midlands Veterans Club The newly established Midlands Veterans Club (MVC) based at Banners Gate Community Hall, a fifteen minute walk from Kingstanding Circle, is reaching out to local Armed Forces veterans in the area who would like to meet like-minded people for ‘banter, laughter and support’. Adjusting from military to civilian life can be challenging, even years after service many still miss the comradeship and military banter. With an estimated 17,770 veterans living in the Birmingham area, according to the 2021 Census, local veteran clubs are vital support networks. Founder of the MVC, Walsall born Gary Hall is a former 1st Battalion Staffordshire Regiment soldier and served two tours of Northern Ireland. Having left the Army due to family illness and bereavement, he later served with the Army Reserves attached to 143 Plant Squadron Royal Engineers as a Sapper. After joining West Midlands Police (WMP) as a Traffic Warden, he later transferred to the Royal Military Police and eventually rejoined WMP as a Constable, with a career spanning almost 24 years. “The veterans club was something I had wanted to do for a while,” told Gary, “I reached out to two friends who had served in the military and we formed the club…” For the full story read Kingstanding/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community… @BhamCityCouncil This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Erdington Historical Society - keeping Erdington’s wartime story alive Walking through Erdington today it’s easy to miss the traces of the Second World War. A few scraps of concrete near Marsh Lane, a memorial tucked behind St Barnabas Church, bomb-scarred bricks at Stockland Green Methodist Church. As Armistice Day approaches, the Erdington Historical Society (EHS) is working to make sure the town’s wartime story isn’t forgotten. The society was originally founded in July 1950 but lasted only around four years. It was then reformed in 1985 and has run ever since. Members meet on the second Tuesday of every month at St Barnabas Church in Erdington Town Centre. Doors open at 6:30pm for tea and coffee, and then a speaker will begin at 7pm. Check out their website to see what topics they are covering in upcoming months. “We’re keen to preserve our legacy,” says Paul Perkins, a member of the research team and acting Treasurer. “Erdington is not very well documented compared with the major cities, so I try to spread our history as much as I can…” For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community… @BhamCityCouncil This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Castle Vale’s rich military history still remembered today As the country comes together for Remembrance and Armistice Day, it is tradition to pause and reflect, walking in the shoes of those we have never met. Yet Castle Vale’s residents do this every day with the estate’s rich military history beneath their feet. Aviation has been at the core of Castle Vale’s history since 1909 as a privately owned aerodrome built on grassland. It wasn’t until the start of World War One in 1914 that the aerodrome was requisitioned by the government for use by the Royal Flying Corps. Over the next decade Castle Bromwich Aerodrome (CBA) would be home to a further nine RAF Squadrons including 605 Sqn Auxiliary Air Force, which was formed as a Bomber Unit on 5 October 1926. The squadron, now 605 Sqn Reserves, is based at RAF Cosford and recently celebrated the centenary of its formation. The Squadron Standard remains laid up at St Cuthberts Church on Castle Vale… For the full story read Castle Vale/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community… @BhamCityCouncil This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

OPINION: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington One issue I have always been passionate about is building a care system that works for everyone. Growing older shouldn't mean worrying about whether you can afford the care you need or being forced to sell your family home to pay for it. That is why I welcome the Prime Minister Andy Burnham's commitment to creating a National Care Service, with free personal care based on need rather than ability to pay. I know how important good care is when a loved one becomes older and more vulnerable. I lost someone close to me in September, so I understand personally how much families rely on a care system that is there when they need it. The NHS is one of Labour's proudest achievements, founded in 1948 on the principle of healthcare free at the point of use. I believe social care must work alongside it as an equal partner, particularly as our population grows older… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/opinion-a… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @PauletteHamilto @brumlabour @ErdingtonCLP @BhamCityCouncil

OPINION: Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Moore - Erdington, Local Conservatives Cllr Gareth Moore and I continue to raise residents' ongoing issues with the Council's fortnightly bin collection and food waste pilot. We continue to demand the City Council scrap their fortnightly collections and reinstate weekly bin collections. This month we met with Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Katie Lam MP, to discuss issues in Birmingham including the scourge of badly run exempt accommodation. We explained our campaign calling on the Government to change the law to make exempt accommodation need planning permission so that it can finally be controlled, its growth stopped and local family housing saved… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/opinion-c… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @bobby_alden @BCCTories @ErdingtonTories @BhamCityCouncil

OPINION: Councillor Ray Goodwin - Castle Vale, Labour Castle Vale has always been a community that punches above its weight. As we move into autumn, I am reminded once again that our greatest strength is our people. Our recent community festival was a fantastic example of what makes the Vale special. It brought residents, local organisations and community groups together, showcasing the pride, talent and determination that exist across our neighbourhood. We should never underestimate the power of bringing people together. However, there is still work to do… For the full story read Castle Vale/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/opinion-c… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @raymondg1969 @brumlabour @ErdingtonCLP @BhamCityCouncil

OPINION: Councillor Jex Parkin and Councillor John Lambert - Kingstanding, Reform UK £20 Million. Your Neighbourhood. Your Say. Politicians have a remarkable talent for telling communities what they need. Asking first? Apparently, that’s the radical bit. Kingstanding South-East could receive up to £20 million over ten years through Pride in Place. Better parks? Safer streets? Somewhere for young people? Bringing neglected buildings back to life? But whose priorities should come first? And here’s something important: you don’t have to live here to have a view. Live in Kingstanding? Work here? Run a local business? Shop here, enjoy a pint at the pub, use local facilities or visit relatives? If you have a connection to Kingstanding South-East, we want to hear from you… For the full story read Kingstanding/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/opinion-c… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @ReformErdington @reformparty_uk @BhamCityCouncil

ERDINGTON POLICE: Partnership working to seize goods on Erdington High Street Operation Fearless and Erdington neighbourhood officers have been working with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards team to seize thousands of pounds worth of illicit goods from Erdington High Street. Since launching in Erdington in January 2025, Fearless has maintained a presence there, and now has a renewed commitment to tackling High Street organised crime. On three days in early October, Fearless officers and neighbourhood policing colleagues attended three separate stores on the High Street, carrying out searches of the premises and linked vehicles. With Trading Standards, they seized a total of more than 150,000 illicit cigarettes, as well as thousands of packets of hand-rolling tobacco, and other unlicensed and counterfeit goods such as tablets and energy drinks. The value of the goods seized stands at more than £150,000, and an investigation into the shops and those involved is continuing… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/erdington… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @ErdingtonWMP @BrumPolice @WMPolice @WestMidsPCC @BhamCityCouncil

BACK TO SCHOOL: Sports, smiles, and success - Year 6 triumphs at Griffin Sports Festival On Thursday 1 October 2026, some super sporty people from Year 6 went to the Pingles Stadium in Nuneaton to compete in the Midlands Hub Griffin Sports Festival (GSF)! It was a beautiful day with no rain and enough sunshine to keep us all warm. In total, eight different Griffin schools taking part, each with a team of 18 pupils. Going to GSF is a massive proud tradition for our school, and going to Pingles Stadium to compete is an exciting rite of passage when you get into Year 6! We practiced so hard at school beforehand, taking part in after school clubs and lunchtime games to try and improve our skills. At the stadium, we took part in so many amazing sports like running, handball, football, and athletics. We even took part in a long jump where we had to run and jump into a sandpit, and a 400m run around the huge track, which was very tiring… For the full story read Castle Vale/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/back-to-s… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @chivenorp @BhamCityCouncil

COMMUNITY ANCHORS: Autumn - a season for kindness and consideration Autumn can be beautiful; crisp mornings, multicoloured leaves, watching the squirrels burying their nuts in the park. But it also means colder nights, waking up and getting home in the dark... things that can bring a sense of heaviness. A sluggishness that suggests that humans, like bears, should be preparing to hibernate. As nice as that sounds, it's not a realistic option to all hunker down under our duvets until the daffodils start to appear. So what do we do? At UDB we encourage the children and young people we work with to be aware of how they are feeling, the impact of those feelings on their behaviour, and develop skills to help them handle those feelings when they come. Something that's good for all of us to do… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/community… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @urbandevotion @BhamCityCouncil

NEWS: Celebrate Erdington with free events and activities across Erdington High Street this half term holiday Erdington High Street will be hosting a series of free events and activities from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October, as part of a weeklong programme to give local families, shoppers, and visitors to the Town Centre something to do across the half term holidays. Arts and crafts sessions, creative writing workshops, poetry workshops, free face painting, free portrait illustrations, a live music jam, a local history slide show, and stalls from local crafters and traders will be just part of what’s happening - with pop up events in Central Square and around the High Street Hut, outside the entrance to Wilton Market. Locals can also contribute to the A to Z of Erdington, which is being compiled by PFG Consultancy and will be released as a coffee table book and online gallery in the New Year, at daily workshops being held by the High Street Hut from 12noon to 4pm. There will also be free teas and coffees at both locations each day, with hot food also being served at Central Square - encouraging Erdington locals to sit and socialise on the High Street, whilst enjoying the free entertainment. The week will culminate in a special Halloween themed High Street Community Market, taking place on the pedestrianised area between B&M and the Village Green - with stalls from local traders and community groups, alongside a range of free children’s activities… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/news-cele… @artsalloverthep @ErdingtonLocal @ErdingtonArts @ErdingtonTories @BhamCityCouncil @WestMids_CA Erdington Local also publishes a monthly newspaper - be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and SUBSCRIBE LOCAL at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

FEATURE: Celebrate Erdington - a campaign of events, activities, and a call to arms for more positivity across the Town Centre Celebrate Erdington is a campaign to bring more events and activities to Erdington Town Centre, with a weeklong programme of free family entertainment running across the autumn half term holiday - led by the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID), Arts All Over the Place, and partners from the Cultural Action Area. But behind the bunting and banners is a call to arms, a rallying cry for more positivity about Erdington High Street - with everyone asked to help change the negative narrative and become a torch bearer for the heart of B23… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/cover-sto… @BhamCityCouncil @WestMids_CA Erdington Local also publishes a monthly newspaper - be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and SUBSCRIBE LOCAL at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com

LOCAL PROFILE: “Politics shouldn’t come into it” - Martin Holcombe, Chief Executive of Birmingham Settlement and Chair of Kingstanding’s Pride in Place Board Martin Holcombe is Chief Executive of Birmingham Settlement, leading one of Birmingham oldest charities across the third sector seas for over two decades. And with centres in Kingstanding, Newtown, and Ladywood, the impact it has had both locally and across the city is significant. But now he has another precarious and powerful balancing act, as the recently appointed independent Chair of the Pride in Place Board for Kingstanding - overseeing £20m of investment into the B44 postcode. Erdington/Kingstanding Local caught up with Martin Holcombe to find out more about the past, present, and possible futures that surround him now - and what could be on a bright horizon for the north Birmingham suburb… For the full story read Kingstanding/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-pro… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @PauletteHamilto @ReformErdington @mhclg @BhamCityCouncil

BACK TO SCHOOL: Slide into learning at Chivenor Primary school's new nursery! From the moment you walk through the doors of the new Chivenor Nursery it is obvious that it has been created with children at the centre of every decision. Before even setting foot in the main rooms, the Mini Griffins and Little learners are given the option to either climb down the stairs, or to take the blue slide down to their learning - The slide generally wins! The nursery rooms have been created to be calm and peaceful, creating an environment where young children can build confidence, make new friends, and develop key early skills through hands on play. Outside there is a courtyard for children to continue their learning under the elements and a newly fenced off area has also been created on the school's grass as an extension to their outdoor space… For the full story read Castle Vale/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/back-to-s… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @chivenorp @BhamCityCouncil

LOCAL POLITICS: A message from Paulette Hamilton, MP for Erdington Protecting our high streets and keeping our neighbourhoods safe are among my top priorities. Residents have told me that Erdington High Street, Slade Road and Hawthorn Road deserve thriving local businesses that serve our community, not a concentration of betting shops, vape shops or rogue operators. That is why I welcome the Government's plans to give councils and local people a stronger say over what opens on our high streets, alongside tougher action against criminal businesses. Locally, I met Sergeant Millard to discuss the action needed on Erdington High Street. The recent closure of a shisha shop found to be selling illegal vapes shows what can be achieved when police, Trading Standards and the community work together. But one closure is not the finish line. I will continue pushing for more visible policing and sustained action to make our streets safer… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-pol… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @PauletteHamilto @brumlabour @ErdingtonCLP @BhamCityCouncil

LOCAL POLITICS: Councillor Jex Parkin and Councillor John Lambert - Kingstanding, Reform UK We've been digging into the condition of Kingstanding's roads after regularly hearing from residents about potholes and poor road surfaces. Our Freedom of Information request has revealed which Kingstanding roads generated the greatest number of highways enquiries between 2023 and 2026. These include reports and repair jobs relating to issues such as potholes, damaged carriageways and footways. Hawthorn Road recorded 291 enquiries, followed by Warren Farm Road with 277, Kings Road with 146, Hurlingham Road with 124 and Finchley Road with 114. Residents regularly tell us about potholes and poor road surfaces, so we wanted to establish exactly where the problems are being reported most often. These figures give us a much clearer picture. We will now be taking the worst-affected roads back to the Council, asking what action is planned and pressing for proper repairs where problems are recurring… For the full story read Kingstanding/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-pol… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @ReformErdington @reformparty_uk @BhamCityCouncil

LOCAL POLITICS: Councillor Ray Goodwin - Castle Vale, Labour As the television show goes, Last of the Summer Wine has finally come to an end — and as we move into autumn, our thoughts are turning towards the winter ahead. For many residents, winter can be difficult. Rising household costs, the pressures of keeping homes warm and the challenges faced by those already struggling mean our focus now has to be on making sure people know where they can turn for help and support. That work will involve not only our fantastic partner organisations, including Spitfire Services, Upcycle Birmingham and Pioneer Housing, but also the community itself. Castle Vale has always been strongest when residents are placed at the heart of what we do. That will be particularly important over the coming months… For the full story read Castle Vale/Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/local-pol… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @raymondg1969 @brumlabour @ErdingtonCLP @BhamCityCouncil

CELEBRATE ERDINGTON: Help us decorate Erdington - join the free arts and crafts at Central Square today from 12noon to 2pm Come and help us decorate Erdington Town Centre by making your own pieces of street art and crafty decorations - at a free arts and crafts session in Central Square today. Led by local creative group Arts All Over the Place, the fun and family friendly workshop is part of the CELEBRATE ERDINGTON campaign - bringing events and activities to the Town Centre. Led by Erdington Business Improvement District, with support from local community groups and stakeholders, the CELEBRATE ERDINGTON arts and crafts session are using recycled and second-hand materials to bring splashes of colour to the High Street. All materials are provided with Arts All Over the Place giving you hand hint on how to make your decorations - which will go on display around Central Square. CELEBRATE ERDINGTON is also planning a weeklong festival of events for the October half term holiday - with activities held across the High Street from Tuesday 27th to Saturday 31st October. LOVE YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY / CELEBRATE ERDINGTON ----- CELEBRATE ERDINGTON is a campaign led by the Erdington Business Improvement District (BID) and local partners to promote more positive engagement on Erdington High Street and across the town centre. Follow the campaign on Facebook @CelebrateErdington Or email Erdington BID for more information - or to become a CELEBRATE ERDINGTON volunteer: erdingtonhighstreet@hotmail.co.uk ------------ @BhamCityCouncil @WestMids_CA

LOCAL POLITICS: Councillor Robert Alden and Councillor Gareth Moore - Erdington, Local Conservatives Over the summer Cllr Gareth Moore and I have continued our work for more police and investment into Erdington High Street. We have written to senior police officials and held meetings with the local police team and the Council about the need for both more officers on the beat locally on our streets in Erdington, and for the City Council to carry out more enforcement of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) on Erdington High Street. It is positive that in the last few weeks our excellent local Police team has been given additional officers, allowing greater patrols locally, and the Council has agreed additional patrols to enforce the High Street PSPO. But we will not be settling for just this and will continue to push for Erdington to have the level of policing we need… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/opinion-c… This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 18 September. To be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and support independent community journalism, SUBSCRIBE LOCAL and email for more information at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @bobby_alden @BCCTories @ErdingtonTories @BhamCityCouncil

NEWS: Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team seize drugs and illegal tobacco from raids across the High Street Erdington’s Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) has been cracking down on crime across Erdington High Street, seizing significant amounts of drugs and illegal tobacco products in two raids carried out last week. The first raid saw officers target a known hotspot in between The Swan pub and Borshch Electrical where police believed drug dealing was taking place. During a high impact broad daylight bust, the NPT and supporting officers seized 27 wraps of what are suspected to be cocaine and heroin. A spokesperson for the local force confirmed: “One man was given a community resolution, and an investigation into the drugs is continuing.” Then on Thursday 1 October, in a combined effort with Trading Standards and support from Operation Fearless, the Erdington Neighbourhood Police Team raided on a High Street shop suspected of selling illegal cigarettes. Carrying out the warrant to search the premises and vehicles connected to the retailer, officers discovered more than 50,000 cigarettes and over 2,500 grams of hand rolling tobacco believed to be contraband. Police seized the illegal tobacco products, estimated to be worth more than £40,000, alongside a vehicle they believe was connected to the crime. Working further with Birmingham City Council’s Trading Standards and Operation Fearless, the Erdington NPT are now looking to seek approval from the courts to close the shop… For the full story read Erdington Local: erdingtonlocal.com/news-erdi… Erdington Local also publishes a monthly newspaper - be the first to get your LOCAL NEWS delivered through your door and SUBSCRIBE LOCAL at: subscribe@erdingtonlocal.com @ErdingtonWMP @BrumPolice @WMPolice @WestMidsPCC @BhamCityCouncil