This is really an opportunity to meet other people in your community and have great fun making singing. If you’ve yet to come to one of the rehearsals, come along every Wednesday between 5.30-7pm at Rookery School, Rookery Road,Handsworth, Birmingham B21 9PY. The 25th September will be the next rehearsal.
From November the Handsworth Community Choir group will start working towards Christmas concerts. On Wednesday 18th December 2013, there will be a Christmas Community Concert at the school, and on Tuesday 22nd December, the choir may be peforming at Symphony Hall again!
Holyhead School in Handsworth, celebrated in style as the 11-19 Academy formally opened its brand new sixth form block.
The official ceremony was performed by Birmingham city councillor Sybil Spence, a long-time supporter of the school, who cut the ribbon at the Milestone Lane site.
The new sixth form block cost around £1.5 million and was completed in July, having taken six months to build. The opening ceremony was held in the company of distinguished guests, governors, staff, parents and students.They were entertained by dancers and the school’s jazz band, which achieved fame after being invited to play at the Johan Sebastian Bach Musikschule in Vienna, Austria, in April.
The assembled visitors then listened to speeches from former Holyhead students, all of whom sang the praises of the school and the opportunities it had given them to thrive post-16.Holyhead principal Martin Bayliss said: “We began to deliver post-16 education onsite in 2008 with just 13 pioneering students.
This year sees around 200 sixth formers on roll. No wonder the school is a popular choice for 16-year-olds!”He added: “This year’s A level results were outstanding with 100 per cent pass rate. Students applying to university from the school all gained places, with many about to attend Russell Group establishments – the top universities in the UK.”The Sixth Form Open Evening for students wishing to join in September 2014 will take place in the new block on Thursday 17 October from 6pm. The new Sixth Form prospectus is now available at www.holyheadschool.com .
“Young people in our city, hold the keys to Birmingham’s future!”As a young Handsworth resident, I work alongside 8 other passionate young people, as a member of the United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP) representing Ladywood and Perry Barr. Youth members of the UKYP in Birmingham represent young people from a range of different backgrounds but together we make one team and work to improve our city. We are a small team of young people but we all share the same visions and goals, which is to make our communties better for all the future leaders of our city – young people.
The UKYP is the largest democatic youth led organisation run by young people for young people! Just last year we had over 250,000 young people take part in the largest youth ballot votes in the UKYP Make Your Mark Ballot papers, these are very important as they decide the caimpaign that is debated by young people in the House of Commons on the 15th of November – this has now been launched.
Five topics form a shortlist of 15 will be debated by elected MYPs in the chamber, chaired by The Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons.
UKYP will again be working in partnership with Parliament Week and BBC 3’s Free Speech programme to promote the topics to schools and the public.
This is the 2012 UKYP debate in the House of Commons, watch and really understand the magnitude of our work.
To show you just how powerful the voice of youth is, just listen to a passionate UKYP member on the 2012 House of Commons debate.
In order for me to help represent young people, I need to reach out to as many young people in OUR area. But I can not do it alone, so I am asking for your support! The deadline is October 12th 2013. If you feel inspired to get in touch 😀
Award-winning jazz and hip hop star Soweto Kinch opens our first ever show in The REP’s newest space! Check it out.
After celebrating its centenary in Spring, Birmingham Repertory Theatre re-opens to the public this September with a new 300-seat studio theatre created through partnership with the new Library of Birmingham.
With an incredible season of entertainment for you, the first production in their new theatre, The STUDIO, will be the world premiere of The Legend of Mike Smith, written by and starring the Birmingham born MOBO award-winning musician Soweto Kinch. Be taken on a journey through the seven deadly sins, with jazz improvisation, a driving hip hop score and choreography from a pioneer of British Hip Hop culture, Jonzi D.
A world premiere is also the first production in The DOOR as one of the most exciting young poets and writers working in Britain today, Kate Tempest, presents her new play Hopelessly Devoted. Telling the story of music and its redemptive power, the show combines lyrical fireworks with exhilarating live music.
In his first stage role at The REP, Martin Shaw returns to his home city to play the lead role in a new version of Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men and Collective Artistes present Zhe, a show based on the true-life stories of two British Africans living at the crossroads of culture.
For Christmas, Bryony Lavery and Jason Carr’s adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns to The REP in a new staging. Plus, twenty years after its debut flight, The Snowman soars back to its Birmingham home.
The REP’s artistic director Roxana Silbert says of the re-opening season:
“This is an historic occasion and I’m thrilled that we are back home. We’re re-opening the theatre with an exhilarating season of classics, new work, great hits, fantastic names, an extraordinary range of local talent and some brilliant collaborative and contemporary theatre making.
We’re heralding a new beginning and we can’t wait to welcome audiences through our doors”
DAY of action carried out yesterday (13 August) by police officers tackling issues identified by the community of Handsworth has seen seven people arrested
The day began with three drugs warrants in Newcombe Road, College Road and Herbert Road where drugs and paraphernalia were seized and recovered.
Fines warrants in partnership with Her Majesty’s Court Tribunal Service (HMCTS) were next on the agenda with more than 40 premises visited leading to the arrest of seven people who were taken directly to Magistrates Court.
Four on-the-spot payments were also made leading to the recovery of over £3,000 of outstanding payments.
The afternoon was devoted to speedwatch where officers, working with members of the community, stopped 18 vehicles on the Walsall Road and Queslett Road, which resulted in six speeding tickets and 12 warnings issued.
As a persistent problem in the area, anti-social behaviour patrols were carried out throughout the day at identified hot spot locations.
Various licensed premises were also visited by officers, checked and given advice when selling alcohol, to ensure that underage drinkers were not served.
Inspector David Keen who organised the day of action said: “The day has proved to be a success, bringing perpetrators in the area to justice and making sure that the people in Handsworth continue to enjoy to live here in safety.
“Whilst we are doing these activities on a daily basis, we really wanted to show the community some of the activity that we carry out to tackle local concerns and I think that this action-packed day has done this.”
For further information on the day’s activities, please visit our social media pages on www.facebook.com/brumpoliceand www.twitter.com/brumpolice
Birmingham Settlement is holding a FREE funding fair for ANY groups and organisations interested in gaining some funds to help support their activities. Lunch will be provided for FREE.
The event will take place on: Wednesday 21st August 1.00pm – 3.00pm at Centre for the Aston Family (359-361 Witton Road, Aston, B6 6NS). Plus this is an opportunity to speak to Birmingham Settlement’s Fundraising and Communications Officers.
Confirmed funders include:
Sported
Hertiage Lottery Fund
The Big Lottery
Lozell’s, Birchfield and Handsworth Community First
Birmingham and Black Country Community Foundation
If this is something that your local group or organisation is interested in, book now, e-mail louise.bunn@bsettlement.org.uk or call 0121 250 0752.
You are invited to come along to your local Neighbourhood dialogue event to help develop a strategy that identifies improvements at a neighbourhood level. It is vital that residents and agencies are engaged in the process so please come along and make your views count. The idea is to create a vibrant energy that encourages dialogue and joint action with local residents, businesses, investors and service providers on the needs, opportunities and priorities in each of the city’s neighbourhoods.
For the Handsworth area your nearest dialogue event is to be held on Saturday 3rdAugust 2013 from 9.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. in the Community Room at Laurel Road Community Centre, Laurel Road, Handsworth, B21 9PB. If you wish to attend the Handsworth dialogue please confirm by email fairbrum@birmingham.gov.uk by Friday 2nd August 2013.
If you are unable to make your local event you can have your say by attending other dialogue events listed below to be held across Birmingham:-
Tuesday 6th August 2013 4.00 – 7.30 p.m. @ St Barnabus, Over Green Drive, Birmingham, B37 6EY. Book by Monday 5th August.
Thursday 8th August 2013 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. @ Mere Green Centre, 30A Mere Green Road, Four Oaks, B75 5BT. Book by Wednesday 7th August.
Monday 12th August 2013 1.00 – 4.30 p.m. @ Quinborne Community Centre, Ridgacre Road, Quinton, B32. Book by Friday 9th August.
Tuesday 13th August 2013 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. @ Sparkbrook Community & Health Centre, Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, B11 1LU. Book by Friday 9th August.
Wednesday 14th August 2013 9.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. @ Stirchley Community Centre, 1326 – 1344 Pershore Road, B30 2XS. Book by Monday 12th August.
Thursday 15th August 2013 1.30 – 5.00 p.m. @ Ward End Library, Washwood Heath Road, B8 2HF. Book by Tuesday 13th August.
Friday 16th August 2013 1.00 – 4.30 p.m. @ Stechford Cascades, Studio 1, Station Road, Stechford, B33 8QN. Book by Wednesday 14th August.
Tuesday 20th August 2013 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. @ The Factory (Young PeoplesEvent), 5 Devon Way, Longbridge, B31 2TS. Book by Friday 16th August.
Thursday 22nd August 2013 12.30 – 3.30 p.m. @ Newtown Community Centre, Newbury Road, Newtown, B19 2SW. Book by Tuesday 20th August.
Thursday 29th August 10.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. @ Hawkesley Community Centre, 51 Edgewood Road, B38 9RN. Book by Tuesday 27th August.
Stuck for something to do with the children over the Summer holidays? Then it might be worth taking a look at the activities listed below:-
Handsworth Park playday on Wednesday 7th August from 12.00 midday – 4.00 p.m. for children age 5 – 13 years. This event is FREE and offers fun, child led activities. A team of playworkers will be situated in the park with play equipment.
Soho House Musuem, Soho Avenue, B18 5LB – come along and join in various craft activities running every Friday from 26th July to 30th August from 1.00 p.m. – 3.00 p.m. This is suitable for all ages although if your child has disabilities please call (0121) 554 9122 for further information. The cost is £1.00 per child although normal (adult) admission charges apply to the house. To see details of craft acivities provided visit www.bmag.org.uk/soho-house
Summer Family Big Brum History Buz – come and join a fun filled family day onboard the Big Brum Buz. This is an opportunity to travel the city and see some of our historic gems with a child friendly tour. There will be singing and quizzes and trails and a warm welcome at the Heritage Sites. The event is running on Friday 9th August and Friday 23rd August. The open top bus tour will leave Visctoria Square, Birmingham at 11.30 a.m. and will call at Sarehole Mill and Sosho House. Tickets are £8 for adults and free for children. Entry at Sarehole and Soho is included in the ticket price. The bus will arrive back at Victoria Square at 4.00 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult. If your child has disabilities please call (0121) 303 1966 for further information. Pre book only via BMAG Box Office on (0121) 303 1966. Please note that you can bring picnics but refreshments area available at the sites.
Over the Summer Holidays there are a number of local holiday playschemes in the Handsworth area:
D’vine Chance Kidz Playscheme at Laurel Road Community and Sports Centre, B24 9PB. This sports and activities programme is for children age 3 -14 and will take place between Monday 29th July – Friday 23rd August from 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. The cost is £57.00 per week and all children must be registered at Laurel Road Community and Sports Centre. For full details please call (0121) 675 6716.
Hanstead Hall Inclusion Programme at Hamstead Hall School, Craythorne Avenue, B20 1HL. The scheme includes sports, outdoor activities, arts and crafts, drama, dance, cookery and bike riding. This will take place between Wednesday 24th July – Saturday 31st August from 10.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. for children age 5 – 16. This scheme can cater for children with disabilities and costs from £10.00 per day. For full details contact Julie Gibson or Joe on (0121) 386 7510.
Handsworth Playscheme, Handsworth Playcentre, Grove Lane, B20 2HF. The scheme includes arts, sports, tabletop games, dressing – up and use of Hnadsworth park. This will take place between Wednesday 24th July – Friday 23rd August from 8.30 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. for children age 5 – 13. This scheme may cater for children with disabilities. For further details ring (0121) 554 6238.
Seven Up Playscheme – This playscheme takes place at Hamilton School on 6th, 7th and 8th August and moves to Rookery Childrens Centre, Rookery Road on the 13th, 14th,15th, 20th, 21st and 22nd August from 10.30 a.m. – 1.30 p.m. This scheme is for children age 8 – 11 and can cater for children with disabilities. A small donation is requested. For further details ring (0121) 441 2207 or mobile 07934914573.
Handsworth Playscheme, Handsworth Seventh Day Adeventist Church, Hutton Road, B20 3RD runs from Monday 29th July – Friday 2nd August from 9.30 a.m. – 3.00 p.m. for children age 5 – 11. Activities include table tennis, Wii, snooker,football, arts and crafts and board games. Cost is from £5.00 per day. For further details contact Karen on 07453993156 Monday to Friday’s only.
