The Balsall Heathan community newspaper is the longest standing publication of its kind in Birmingham. It was established in 1973 and is still published on a monthly basis. The newspaper began its history through a campaign to save a local nursery and proved to be such a hit, that it continues to this day. It’s a great read!
The Heathan provides a mouthpiece for interested groups, local residents and individuals and actively promotes local interest and pride in the local community of Balsall Heath.
You can contact the Heathan via email: balsall.heathan@stpaulstrust.org.uk
Telephone: 0121 464 4376 or Fax: 0121 464 2555
The deadline for submitting text for the next issue is September 3rd at 12 noon.
Around The World
In 5 Days
by Ashley Chander
An international fair at Park Hill School was the culmination of a weeklong series of culturally focused activities. Parents and staff gave children the flavours and excitement to be found through exploring the cultural diversity within their own school. The final day provided everyone with a round trip ticket to fun activities and a taste of the culinary delights experienced throughout the week.
Seeing The Wood
For The Trees
A one off taster session for a forest school initiative, which took place last year during a summer playscheme, has become a runaway success. Forest School leader Gareth Burt who devised the scheme now runs the project for several schools in the area.
Eggstra, Eggstra, Read all About It!
By Ian Eggwards
On the run up to Easter, children at Jakeman Nursery took part in an eggciting competition to decorate an egg or an Easter Bonnet.
The event was organised by Yesmean Akthar of the Friends of Jakeman, who egged the children on to use their skills to produce a piece of artwork or a craft. Over 140 budding young artists and their parents produced some eggstremely creative pieces.
In The Park
After Dark
This year’s In The Park After Dark (ITPAD) event in March was the most successful so far, with Balsall Heath Park seeing its fourth “late winter” celebration organised by its active Friends group. Since 2007 the event has developed and expanded to include a number of separate strands.
New for 2010 was the illuminated, animated robot (also the Friends committee chair) who acted as a master-of-ceremonies for the evening, letting people know when and where activities were taking place. This was a rather busy task, with a lot to pack into the evening.
A Bite to Eat
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then the owners of the Al Barakah Lebanese Bakery at the corner of Edward Road and Mary Street are truly flattered. In the three months since the family run business opened its doors for the first time there have been at least two other local businesses attempting to emulate their success.
OFFICERS ON A DRIVE TO REDUCE MOTORING OFFENCES
A police crackdown on drivers breaking the law in Balsall Heath, Sparkhill and Sparkbrook has been hailed a success by both officers and members of the local community.
What A Good Read!
Both staff and children from Park Hill School celebrated World Book Day by dressing up as characters from their favourite children’s books with prizes being offered for the most inventive costumes. Throughout the week there were activities to encourage enjoyment in reading such as the ‘Match the teacher to their favourite book’ competition, the ‘Get caught reading’ raffle, buddying up of older children with younger children to read, school governors coming into read with children and class teachers reading to different classes.
Biggest Walking Bus
Children and staff at Ladypool School attempted to get into the Guinness Book Of Records recently by taking part in the world’s biggest walking bus.
Britain in Bloom 2009
The organising group for the Balsall Heath ‘in bloom’ project began their work in the autumn of last year and decided to concentrate on three main themes, firstly to try and raise funding though sponsorship to help with purchasing better quality products and plants, secondly to involve all the schools in the project and lastly to focus on a much smaller judging route.
HAT TRICK FOR BALSALL HEATH
Britain In Bloom 2009 resulted in being a bumper year for Balsall Heath.
Two pupils, Rukhsar and Akhsar from Tindal Primary School returned from the Britain In Bloom presentation ceremony in Pershore with a Silver Gilt award, a major improvement on last year’s Silver award
Islamic Help Celebrate Eid
Representatives of Islamic Help from Sultan Bahu Mosque helped bring Eid cheer to elderly residents throughout Balsall Heath this autumn. Over 100 food hampers consisting of basic necessities such as fruit, vegetables, juices, tea bags, coffee, sugar, energy saver light bulbs, beans and a lot more and funded through the Mosques congregation were put together by members of the Tyga Youth Group.
Not Just Cricket
Warwickshire County Cricket Club moved a step closer to beginning work on their redevelopment of the cricket ground following approval from Birmingham planners recently.
A Visit From Over Seas
A group of policy-makers from Germany visited St Martin’s Youth and Community Centre, to gain an understanding of the youth service within the Highgate area.
International Women’s Week
The 13th March marked the official date for International Women’s Day celebrations in Balsall Heath. It was a time to celebrate the considerable role that women have played, and continue to play, in shaping history.
Africa Week
Djembe drums were beaten, rhythmic steps were danced and melodic voices were heard during the educational week that took place at Heath Mount Primary.
Tel: 0121 464 4376 administration@stpaulstrust.org.uk
St. Paul's Community Development Trust
Hertford Street
Balsall Heath
B12 8NJ
Registered in England & Wales: 1429707
Charity No: 508943