We’re always looking for more news about our neighbourhood. Please feel free to send events and information through our contacts page. Otherwise enjoys the news items below and browse the links and categories on your right.
Murder of Avtar and Carole Kolar- Appeal for information
Posted on 13th January 2012 by Jo BurrillFollowing the senseless and violent murder of Mr and Mrs Kolar on Wednesday 11th January, West Midlands Police have released the following appeal for information:
We would appreciate if you could share this message with family, friends and your local community.
Independent charity Crimestoppers have offered a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in connection with the murders of Carole and Avtar Kolar. Read the rest of this entry »
Social Media Surgeries in Lozells and Birchfield 2012
Posted on 21st December 2011 by Jo BurrillThe Social Media Surgeries taking place in the area in 2011 have been lots of fun and it looks like both ‘surgeons’ and ‘patients’ have got a lot out of it.
We now have dates set for 2012 which you can see here:
http://www.socialmediasurgery.com/surgeries/lozells-and-birchfield
Please note, stemming from feedback from local people who can’t make the daytime events, the surgeries will alternately take place in the morning 10-12 or the evening 6-8. No surgeries will take place in August and December 2012.
This post tell a little bit more about what a social media surgery is.
If I don’t see you before, have a peaceful Christmastime and a Happy New Year!
Jo
Community Cash Awards for young people led projects from Princes Trust
Posted on 16th December 2011 by Jo Burrill
www.princes-trust.org.uk
The Prince’s Trust Community Cash Awards are a fantastic grant funding opportunity for young people inBirmingham.
The Prince’s Trust funds youth-led projects across England and Wales that deal with a local community need, with clear benefit to that community. Past awards have included funding for starting up youth cafes, asylum seekers improving perceptions in the community through Read the rest of this entry »
Burglaries: Public meeting and tips to beat the burglars
Posted on 14th December 2011 by Jo BurrillMessage from Saeed, co-chair of Lozells Neighbourhood Forum:
“Your local Policing team and the Lozells Neighbourhood Forum are holding a community awareness raising meeting for anyone living or working in the community to find out about how we can ‘beat the burglars’.
There has been a spike in burglaries across our area again (we had a previous surge in May early this year). I know this is a concern for a number of local neighbourhoods too.
The full details of the meeting are:
Date:
Thursday 15th December 2011
Time:
6pm – a warm cuppa with biscuits & a chance to meet others
6.30pm – 7.30pm meeting (we will start and finish on time)
Venue:
St Pauls & St Silas Church Centre, 80 Lozells Road, Lozells, Birmingham, B19 2TL.”
Some tips for keeping your home and belongings safe:
Burglary Crime Prevention Advice
• Always lock doors and windows securely. Even if only going out for a few minutes.
• Keep valuables out of sight and ensure curtains are closed once it gets dark.
• Consider purchasing timer switches for your lights or leave a couple of bulbs on when heading out after dark.
• Install a burglar alarm as a visible deterrent.
• Ensure that sheds, garages and other out-buildings are securely locked.
• Cancel milk / newspaper deliveries if you are away from home for any considerable time.
• Never leave car keys or important documents near doors, letterboxes or windows.
• Always check before opening your door to strangers. If in doubt, keep them out.
Inside a burglars mind
• Burglars are usually opportunistic criminals that look out for insecure homes.
• A building that presents itself as unoccupied or insecure is far more likely to be targeted by a burglar than a home that is properly secured.
• Burglars usually break into homes which they believe offer the best opportunity to carry out their crime undetected.
Things a burglar may lookout for
• Ground floor windows left open.
• Side gates left open or insecure.
• Ladders left outside, allowing burglars possible access to otherwise inaccessible windows.
• Garden sheds left insecure.
• Easy access to garden tools that could be used to force entry into your home.
• Unlit houses with curtains open after dark.
Keeping your keys safe
• Never leave spare keys concealed near your door. Burglars know all of the hiding places.
• Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing house keys securely and away from doors.
• Never label your keys. If they were stolen or lost, a criminal could easily find your home and know which keys to use.
Make it look like you are at home
• Consider purchasing timer switches to turn lights on and off if you are not home.
• Encourage trusted neighbours to park their car on your drive if you are out.
• If heading out in the evening, make sure your curtains are closed and leave a light on.
• Ask trusted neighbours to remove any post or deliveries from your porch area if not at home.
Keeping your keys safe
• Never leave spare keys concealed near your door. Burglars know all of the hiding places.
• Prevent letterbox burglaries by storing house keys securely and away from doors.
• Never label your keys. If they were stolen or lost, a criminal could easily find your home and know which keys to use.
Going on holiday?
• Cancel deliveries such as milk & newspapers.
• Arrange for trusted neighbours or family members to keep an eye on your home.
• Always remember to set your burglar alarm.
• If you have family members living nearby, give them a spare key and ask them to open / close curtains and put the light on regularly.
Any Questions?
• For daily updates from local officers, please join @brumpolice on twitter.
You can view more home security advice online.
Street Action Day – Haughton Road, Birchfield – This Saturday
Posted on 22nd November 2011 by Jo Burrill
Come along to join local residents and organisations for a street action day- this Saturday 26th November from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
We will be meeting at the top of Haughton Road in Birchfield (where Haughton Road meets Westminster Road) at 10.30am.
We will be knocking on doors to meet our neighbours, talking to people about rubbish collection and recycling, local upcoming events, picking litter and reporting any environmental issues we see.
Lozel residents, local environmental and street champions, neighbourhood police, Midland Heart and people from Birmingham City Council Perry Barr constituency will all be coming along.
Come along and say hello!
If you would like to join us, remember your warm clothes and gloves if you have them!
Free IT classes in Birchfield – drop in or book a place now
Posted on 22nd November 2011 by Jo Burrill
- Computer
Want to learn some basic computer skills in a relaxed and friendly environment?
Freshwinds and Birchfield Children’s Centre are running classes to teach basic IT skills –
- · How to operate a computer – using a mouse and keyboard
- · How to send a receive emails and attachments
- · Searching the internet
- · Being safe on the Internet
- · Accessing information and Public services on the internet
Every Thursday
Starting on Thursday 1st December from 12.30pm to 3.00pm.
At: Birchfield Children’s Centre, 1 Haughton Road, B20 3LE
Free to everybody no matter your benefits or immigration status.
Ring 0121 675 0967 to book your place or just come along.
Advice for people about Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance
Posted on 21st November 2011 by Jo Burrill
Birmingham Citizens Advice Bureau have circulated information and advice for people who have been told that they do not qualify for the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) when transferring from Incapacity Benefit.
Advisors at all four of the Birmingham bureaux (City Centre, Tyseley, Northfield and Kingstanding) can provide advice and assistance to anyone affected by the reassessment of people on Incapacity Benefit. People affected are encouraged to seek advice, regardless of which stage in the process they are at.
Know your community? Community Worker positions x 3 Closing date: 29th Nov
Posted on 21st November 2011 by Jo Burrill 
The Near Neighbours Programme in Birmingham is looking to appoint:
3 x “Near Neighbour Community Workers” to work in Ladywood, Hodge Hill and Birchfield.
The post holder will Read the rest of this entry »
Part-time worker required for Wellbeing project – Interviews on 14/11/11
Posted on 31st October 2011 by Jo BurrillBIRCHFIELD RESIDENTS ACTION GROUP
are looking for a
PAID WORKER (self-employed) to co-ordinate the activities of a
WELL BEING Project,
funded by the Irish Fund of Great Britain.
on the Livingstone Road Allotments, Birchfield, Birmingham, B20.
£290 a month for 1 year, 7 hours a week.
For more information Contact Mike Tye on 07791 379 939
Interviews week beginning 14th November
Birchfield Residents Action Group (BRAG) have an allotment at Livingstone Road Allotments which Read the rest of this entry »
Stay safe and secure this winter – Useful advice from your neighbourhood police
Posted on 26th October 2011 by Jo Burrill
Stay safe and secure this winter - Advice and information from Lozells and East Handsworth Neighbourhood police
The clocks go back on Sunday and the nights are getting darker as we head for wintertime. Officers in Lozells and East Handsworth would like to encourage local residents to think about their home security.
Unfortunately, burglary offences traditionally rise during the winter months. To help secure your home during the winter months, please consider the following advice: Read the rest of this entry »