£30k Lloyds TSB cash boost for Birmingham’s Switch Radio

107.5 Switch Radio, the community radio station broadcasting from Castle Vale to north east Birmingham, has been awarded a grant of £30,000 by the Lloyds TSB Foundation to involve unemployed people in training and volunteering with the radio station over a two year period.
Station Manager, Neil Hollins said “Radio is a great way to develop peoples’ skills and confidence so we hope to use the project to support them back in to work or other training. In the current climate, it’s particularly tough to generate funding so to attract support from one of the biggest grant making trusts in the country is fantastic.”

Man accused of possession of sawn-off shotgun is banned from Castle Vale

A 21 year-old man, now living in Druids Heath, has been banned by Birmingham Magistrates from visiting Castle Vale as part of his bail conditions before his trial at Birmingham Crown Court in November.
Daryl William Jones is accused of being in possession of a sawn-off shotgun on 24th July at Cosford Crescent in Castle Vale with intent to cause a member of the public to believe that unlawful violence would be used against him or another.
His bail conditions mean that he is to be electronically monitored and put under curfew from 7pm till 7 am daily. He has also been forbidden from making contact with three people named by the court.

Youth cautioned for Tangmere assault

Police have confirmed that they were called to a house in Tangmere Drive shortly before 3pm last Saturday to deal with a report of an assault. A 17 year-old youth from Erdington was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a 40 year-old man. The youth was given a police caution.

Flashback—when lightning sparked soccer tragedy

Poster advertising a testimonial game at St Andrews following the Tony Allden tragedy

Castle Vale FC play Heather St John in the Tony Allden Memorial Cup tonight at Heather’s ground in Leicestershire.
The story of Tony Allden is a sad one. He was playing for Highgate United at their Solihull ground in the FA Amateur Cup Quarter Finals against Enfield in 1967. To get this far was a remarkable achievement for Highgate, and a crowd of 2,000 turned up to watch the game despite the murky weather.
The rain came, and so did thunder and lightning. One bolt of lightning flashed across the field and a number of players collapsed. Tony Allden, Highgate’s centre back, had been hit.
The spectators, including many young children, were horrified.
Allden was rushed to hospital, unconscious, and died the next day.
By the time of the replay, the media coverage of the freakish tragedy had generated huge interest in the game.
It was played at Villa Park in front of 31,000.
Since 1970, the Tony Allden Cup has been played between the Midland Combination champions and the winners of the Challenge Cup.

Firearms and drugs raid in Tangmere

Police have confirmed that they raided a house in Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale in the early hours of yesterday to exercise a firearms warrant. Two 21 year-old males were arrested. One has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He was remanded in custody. The other has been charged with production of cannabis, and has been bailed.
Police teams were at the Tangmere Drive house from 6.30am till mid afternoon, with specialist forensic teams. The front door of the house has been replaced this morning.

Vote now: Neighbourhood Elections

The voting period for Neighbourhood Partnership Board Resident Members is from 1st -22nd August.Two places are up for election – three candidates have been nominated. They are: Tracey Barrington, Chris Evans and Sue Spicer.
Voting forms are being sent out to those on the public version of the electoral register. If you have not received a voting form by 3rd August, and would like one, call the election helpline on 07874 657290.

Carnival stalls for hire

Stalls for the Castle Vale Carnival next month in Centre Park are available at £10 for a 3 x 3 metre patch, say the Events Committee. A stall space with table and chairs provided costs £20 for the event which runs from 11am-4pm on Sunday 14th August.
Booking forms are available from CVCHA on 0121 748 8122.

Suspended sentence for drunk driver

A 41 year-old Castle Vale man has been given a 12 week prison sentence , suspended for 12 months for driving under the influence of alcohol. Birmingham Magistrates heard that he had an “extremely high level of alcohol” in his body at the time of the offence, he was driving erratically, and had previous offences related to alcohol misuse. He was driving without insurance, and refused to give a blood sample. He was ordered to pay costs of £105, and was banned from driving for 32 months.

Television fines

In separate cases at Birmingham Magistrates Court, three Castle Vale women aged 50, 45 and 34 respectively have all been fined £175 with £75 costs for using a colour television set without a licence. A 32 year-old Castle Vale man was fined £50 with £75 costs for using a colour television set without a licence.

Crown Court for cannabis farmer

A 55 year-old Castle Vale man has been ordered by Birmingham Magistrates to appear at Birmingham Crown Court next month to face charges of cultivating 20 cannabis plants and dishonestly using electricity. He is charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Theft Act.