Posted by Tracey Thorne on September 1st, 2010
The University of Birmingham will be opening an exhibition tomorrow at Handsworth Library, Soho Rd, Handsworth between 6 & 8pm. The exhibition will concide with the passing of 25 years since the Handsworth distrubances, which have commonly been used to represent the area in a negative light, this showcase how different practitioners from within Handsworth have sought to represent the rich diverse life in the area through photography.
The exhibition opens tomorrow night but will be at Handsworth Library for several weeks for people to view
If you’re interested in attending contact Kieran Connell at kieranconnell@fastmail.co.uk or 07815531689
Tags: Birmingham University, handsworth library, Photographing Handsworth Exhibition
Posted in Handsworth, Make a contribution | No Comments »
Posted by Tracey Thorne on August 10th, 2010
Come along on the 20th August between 12 & 4pm to a free health event for all the family at Soho House. This event is part of a wider Health & Heritage Project that is going on in Handsworth connected to health inequalities and will give local residents a chance to share their stories about health in the past & now.
I am really looking forward to seeing Julia Hyland form Birmingham University, History of Medicine Unit who will be bringing to life through her horrible make up demonstrations diseases from the past. We will have various other fun activties like the popular smoothie bike where you can make your own smoothie by peddling the bike.
We have several health service providers coming along so you can find out about some local health services as well as the chance to sign up to Be Active if you haven’t already.
Tags: Be Active, Birmingham Univeristy Medcine Unit, Handsworth, Health & Heritage Project, Health Inequalities, Healthy Histories Community Fun Day, Healthy Histories Community Healthy Fun Day, Julia Hyland, Soho House
Posted in Events | 1 Comment »
Posted by Tracey Thorne on August 9th, 2010
I was appointed as neighbourhood manager in September to co-ordinate delivery of neighbourhood management in Handsworth up until 31st March 2011. Handsworth as benefited from having a neighbourhood manager as part of Birmingham City Council’s first pilot for the citywide neighbourhood programme.
What this means is that in priority neighbourhoods there is a dedicated resource through a neighbourhood manager whose job it is to focus work on improving key issues that impact on the lives of local residents e.g. environmental issues.
It is a fantastic opportunity to work with local residents and service providers to try and find some local solutions to local problems. As part of this work since September I have been out and about around Handsworth talking to local residents and services to map out a neighbourhood plan.
The plan has been produced to set out how, through neighbourhood management, we aim to improve the quality of life of residents in Handsworth up to the March 2011 and sets out a vision for more sustained change. Engagement and feedback from local residents is really important to this process to ensure that we achieve some real improvements.
This plan is based on what local residents and service providers have told us are the important issues in Handsworth. Part two of the plan sets out a programme of activities to be delivered by a range of identified partners. The programme of activities will be reviewed and updated regularly, with the support and involvement of residents and service providers.
Feedback and thoughts about this plan, local issues and progress in Handsworth is welcome this can be done by attending one of the Resident Network meetings held each month or by contacting me on 303 3401 or email tracey.thorne@birmingham.gov.uk
Handsworth Neighbourhood Plan Part 1 2009-2011
Handsworth Neighbourhood Plan Part 2
Tags: Birmingham city council, Handsworth, Neighbourhood manager, Neighbourhood plan, Priority neighbourhoods
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Posted by Tracey Thorne on August 3rd, 2010
Tags: Birmingham Sports & Cultrual Day, Handsworth park
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Posted by Tracey Thorne on August 3rd, 2010
In may the first edition of the Hands on Handsworth Magazine was published. I got lots of postive feedback about the magazine and residents continue to be interested in getting a regular local publication with news and stories about Handsworth.
I am interesting in getting ideas for this next edition and welcome contributions of stories & photos from the community. If you’re interested please drop me an email (tracey.thorne@birmingham.gov.uk) or cal me on 0121 303 3401.
Are you interested in being a community journalist or photographer? Or would you like to be part of an editorial team?
The next edition will be published in September
Hands on Handsworth Magazine
Tags: community journalists, Hands on Handsworth Magazine
Posted in Hands on handsworth Magazine, Handsworth, Make a contribution | No Comments »
Posted by Tracey Thorne on July 30th, 2010
Last Saturday Cllr Paulette Hamilton and I went along to the Uplands Allotment to present the Pride in Handsworth Award that they won back in May. The Uplands allotment is one of the biggest allotments in Europe. I was blown away with the passion that people have for it and the hours that people spend on their plots. This isn’t just a hobby for some of the allotment holders but a way of life.
Brian featured in the photo below has 3 plots and proudly talked about the three generations of his family that have used the plots, his son now being the youngest.
Cllr Paulette Hamilton & allotment holder Brian
We were met at the allotment by Dorothy Wallace one of the committee members who gave us a great tour of the site and ensured we left with a big bag each of fresh produce. The allotment has a small shop in the clubhouse which sells produce & seeds on a saturday.
Cllr Hamilton & Dorothy Wallace in the Uplands Shop
Allotments did decline for some years accross the country but there now seems to be a new energy for growing your own produce. For more information about the benefits of allotments visit the FoodVison Website Every plot at the Uplands is taken and covers a vast site in the corner of Handsworth. This interest has spread accross Handsworth where residents have fought for several years to get the Jubliee Allotments open and ready for use. Nick Booths “How they Influence me ” short film highlights the residents campaign featuring allotment campaigner Simon Badderley.
Walking round the allotments you meet some quite amazing people all so passionate about their allotment. I was quite amazed at the size of some of the plots and quite envious about the fabulous range of produce…really gets your taste buds going. Barington Osbourne world famous chef is just one of the allotment holders that your likely to bump in to down there. It is a real education I love gardening and cooking but I struggled to know what osme of the crops were all looks alot different in the ground.
Later on in our tour we met Neville the chair of the Uplands Allotment Commitee who accpeted the Pride in Handsworth award presented by Cllr Paulette Hamilton.
Cllr Hamilton was delighted to present the Uplands with this award and congratulated them on their hard work.
Upland Allotment annual Garden Show is due to be held on 11th Sept great chance to go along have some food, check out the plants and take in the wonderful vibes.
Tags: Allotments, Cllr Paulette Hamilton, Food vision, Nick Booth, Pride in Handsworth Awards, Simon Baddeley, Uplands allotment, Victoria Jubliee Allotments
Posted in Make a contribution, Safe, clean & green | No Comments »
Posted by Tracey Thorne on July 25th, 2010
Photographer Larrie Tiernan recently took some stunning photos at the Simmerdown Reggae Festival in Handsworth Park on the 17th July. Visit his flickr account to view all images
Tags: Handsworth park, Larrie Tiernan, Reggae, Simmer down festival
Posted in High Quality of life | No Comments »
Posted by Tracey Thorne on July 21st, 2010
Last Saturday Birmingham City Councils Fleet & Waste Management Team funded by the Lozells & East Handsworth Ward Commitee carried out a clean up of Baker Street car park. This site has suffered from a lot of littering and dumping of rubbish for years. Despite this it is well used which I think is a sign of how useful it is to the local centre.
Litter in Baker Street Car Park July 2010
It is such a shame that so many people have dropped litter and dumped rubbish leaving an area that really lets down the local centre. Plans are underway to revert it to a pay & display car park with CCTV cameras that will make it easier to take enforcement action against anyone illegally dumping. This month enforcement work by wardens will start where anyone dropping litter could be fined £75.
Local traders are supportive of this change and welcome improvements to the local centre. Hopefully the car park will stay clean and people can enjoy the local area shopping in a clean & safe environment.
Any thoughts or comments on car parks locally are welcome post here or email me!
Please report any dumping using the Birmingham City Council website
Tags: Baker Street Car Park, Fleet & Waste Management, Lozells & East Handsworth
Posted in Handsworth | 1 Comment »
