Recycling week

Another week, another worthy title for the week. 2nd -6th June is Recycling Week.
Birmingham City Council has announced that it has increased recycling rates by over 8% in the last 12 months. Apparently the Council is managing to recycle 27% of waste.
More can be done, it urges, reminding us that the average UK household throws away a third of its food uneaten.

Skills for Jobs keeps going till July

Castle Vale TRA, who are located on the first floor of Spitfire House, above the Library, want to inform residents who are looking for work or training that their Skills for Jobs programme will be continuing to take new clients until at least the end of July.

Skills for Jobs is designed to help people who have been out of work for a year or more, and are on work-related benefits, such as Job Seekers’ Allowance (residents should contact the Tenants and Residents Alliance for a full list). The programme works with residents to help them to identify and then address the barriers that are preventing them from getting a job or becoming self-employed.

It’s a completely free service, and anyone interested should contact Nikki, Sally or Grant on 0121 747 5932 or just pop in for more information.

200 from 2005 for Tracey

Jean Downey, Chair of the 2005 Way Forward Group, handed over a cheque for £200 to Tracey Wilson, winer of the prize draw at the recent open day to publicise the work of the voluntary and service organisations in the area. Jean said: “Congratulations to Tracey who won £200 at the 2005 Group Open Day Event at Castle Vale School. If you would like to get involved or any more information about the 2005 Group please contact Ian Bingham on 0121 748 8114 or see further editions of the Vale Mail for updates.”

City Centre road closures for week-end

SATURDAY/SUNDAY /MONDAY – 31ST MAY/ 1ST JUNE 1ST / 2ND JUNE 2008.

There will be road closures this weekend on Snow Hill Queensway between St. Chads Queensway and Colmore Circus. Snow Hill Queensway will be closed in both directions between 01.00 hours on Saturday 31st May until 03.00 hours on Monday 2nd June. The City Centre can be accessed from the Queensway by the alternative route of St. Chads Queensway, Lancaster Circus, St. Chads Queensway, Whittal Street, Weaman Street, Colmore Circus, Colmore Row. The Queensway can be accessed from Colmore Circus by the alternative route of Colmore Row, Newhall Street, Edmund Street, Margaret Street, Gt.Charles Street, Paradise Circus, Gt. Charles Street, St. Chads Circus.

One in three pensioners missing out on benefits – TRA

Castle Vale Tenants & Residents Alliance are urging the estate’s older residents to check to see whether there are benefits that they are entitled to but not claiming.
Company Secretary Grant Williams said “Trying to get by on a pension can be difficult for many people, but around one in three older people don’t claim the benefits that they are entitled to, and which could make a big difference to their lives.  These benefits are entitlements, not charity. They are part of what we pay tax and National Insurance for.  Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, Council Tax Benefit are all claimable by many more people than actually do claim them.  Some benefits can even be backdated, which can mean a tidy lump sum for some people.”

“Residents should also be aware that in the autumn the Government are reducing the length of time which some benefits can be back-dated from a year to just three months, which is an even more important reason to check what you might be entitled to.”

 

Open Day for girl soccer players – 7th June

Castle Vale JKS are holding an Open Day for Girls Football on Saturday the 7th June from 10.30 till 12.30 at the playing fields on FarnboroughRoad. All girls from school year 3 to 8 are welcome to attend. JKS currently run a Girls Under 12s team and want to expand to also include a Under 10s and 14s.

Players are advised to bring plenty to drink and wear appropriate clothing. Sessions are taken by qualified FA Coaches who are CRB checked. It’s free to take part.

Gold and Silver for School Trampoliners

 teacher Kay Friday with some of her trampoline stars

Tyler Perks won an individual gold medal at the annual trampolining competition organised by Castle Vale School for seven local schools, the largest number in the competition’s history. (Click here for photos)

Demi Leigh-Short won the Under 15s silver medal, and Leanne Jones took bronze. In the team events, the Under 15s and the Under 13s both won silver medals.

 

 

Hat trick of wins for Mitchell

Castle Vale’s 16 year-old snooker star Michell Mann enjoyed his third success in less than two months on Friday night, taking the Premier League  Singles Trophy at the Hall Green Stadium Snooker Centre. Mitchell scored a 104 break in his first frame of the evening, and won the final in less than an hour with just two visits to the table.

Knives and drugs haul at New Street

British Transport Police have released details of ‘Operation Shield’, a three-hour security operation  at Birmingham New Street Station. Passengers were encouraged to walk through metal detectors and past a drug sniffer-dog, resulting in the following haul between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday evening:

• 19 year old man was found in possession of Cannabis and was cautioned
• 25 year old man from Gloucester was cautioned for carrying an offensive weapon
• 17 year old youth from Wolverhampton was cautioned for possession of a bladed article
• 21 year old man from Birmingham was cautioned for carrying an offensive weapon
• 25 year old man was spoken to about carrying a Stanley knife.
• Two people were given fixed penalties for ticket related offences.

 

Lord Mayor hopes for Spectacular Fireworks

The Lord Mayor’s Spectacular tomorrow (Monday 26th) at Cannon Hill Park will be hoping for dry weather so that the Midlands Heat of the British Fireworks Competition won’t be a damp squib. The Fireworks will start once darkness falls, according to event organisers. Competitors have to present a ten-minute display of fireworks and pyrotechnics. The winner goes through to the National Finals.

The three competitors this year at Cannon Hill Park are:

Dragon Fireworks
Sandling Fireworks
Essex Pyrotechnics

The Spectacular starts at 2pm, with dancers (including performers from Castle Vale), live music, tea with the Mayor, the Book Bash, soccer, and a schedule of various activities.

Entry is £3.00,with concessions, including a deal of £10 for a family of five.