ErdingtonLocal

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-spot…

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This article was first published in the Erdington Local monthly newspaper on 16 October.

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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-spot…

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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-spot…

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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-mess…

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-counci…

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