Private option the likely way forward for Vale Stadium

The Council is likely to recommend that Vale Stadium should be developed by a private investor, a public meeting at Spitfire House heard last night. Erdington Senior Manager Chris Baker put forward a series of options, including setting up a local trust to manage the stadium, and inviting private companies to get involved.
In summing up the mood and feelings of the meeting, Neighbourhood Manager Steve Clayton concluded that the preferred option was to invite private companies to get involved. 38 people attended the meeting, which at times produced heated comments and responses from individuals who believe that Castle Vale has been short changed.
Some residents continue to believe that a figure of £380,000 available via the Council for spending on the stadium is way short of the amount originally left by the Housing Action Trust when it disbanded in 2005.
The meeting was called to gauge local opinion about how to develop the stadium, following the collapse of the ’soccer village’ project, a public private partnership which has been abandoned after four years of difficulties.

Vale Stadium public meeting

Plans for Vale Stadium following the collapse of the public private partnership deal will be discussed at a public meeting at Spitfire House in the High Street tomorrow (Tuesday 10th November) at 5.30pm.
Steve Clayton, Castle Vale’s Neighbourhood Manager, and Chris Baker, Erdington Constituency’s Senior Manager will be attending.
The meeting is being hosted by the 2005 Group. Ian Bingham, spokesperson for the group, estimates that the meeting should last between 1 -1.5 hours.

Vale FC up to 2nd place

A 3-1 victory at Pershore moved Vale FC up into 2nd place in the league today. Aaron Smith, Power and Ellis scored for Vale.

JKS managed a 2-2 draw at home to Knowle, thanks to goals from Cheslyn and Wilson.

Pype Hayes spectacular success

photos by Clive Edwards

Thousands of people flocked to Pype Hayes for the annual bonfire and firework display last night. A Council spokesperson said that they hoped for 30,000 people to attend during the evening, though without turnstiles, and with free entry, exact figures are little more than optimistic guesswork. But the many thousands of people of all ages who attended witnessed an impressive, well organised and well managed spectacle.

New media survey for 13-25 year olds

The Young Foundation( based in London, named after sociologist Michael Young) is asking young people to complete an online questionnaire.
It is aimed at 13-25 year olds around the world to better understand how young people use information and communication technologies (ICTs).
Please click here to access this survey. It should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Narrow win for Vale

The Dosthill keeper saves a Simeon Smith header. Strike partner Aaron Smith keeps a close watch.

Castle Vale FC moved up into 4th place of the premier division with a narrow 1-0 victory over Dosthill at Farnborough Road Stadium last night. Top scorer Simeon Smith netted the only goal of the evening with a fierce shot from the edge of the area.

St Gerards closed for pupil funeral

St Gerards School will be closed on Friday 6th November for the funeral of Katie Shugar, a pupil at the school who died last week following an asthma attack.

Arsonists burnt out

The spate of car arson on the Vale stadium car park has stopped in recent weeks, Sergeant Sarah Tambling told the Police Tasking Meeting yesterday afternoon. Three significant arrests have been made and two people are in custody in relation to the incidents.

Abuse for trolley collectors

Sainsbury’s staff have faced abuse from some residents when they have called to retrieve shopping trolleys that have been taken from their store. Some residents have told the collectors that they are not allowed onto their property to retrieve the trolleys.
Store manager Sharon Neil says that theft of shopping trolleys is an ongoing problem for the store. Shopping baskets are also being stolen. Out of a batch of 180 baskets bought by the store in recent months, only two remain.
Sainsburys are seeking legal advice about how to deal with persistent offenders.
Residents who want to report a dumped or stolen trolley should call the store on 0121 776 7425.
CVCHA officer Sarah Wager told today’s The Tasking Group Meeting at the CVCHA offices attended by local police and community representatives.

German Christmas market

The ninth annual German Market opens in Birmingham next week. The Frankfurt Christmas Market will be based in and around Victoria Square and will be open for seven days a week from 10am to 9pm from November 12 to December 23.