Writers

I’M ON THE BUS….

by Ann Froggatt

There was a time when we British were famous for our reserve. We were usually polite, but any conversations with strangers were generally confined to the weather. We didn’t give away too much about ourselves.

That was before the mobile phone. Now, it’s taken for granted that you can say whatever you like, almost anywhere you happen to be, in the hearing of anyone else, regardless of that person’s feelings on the matter. Courtesy and privacy are dead - long live the mobile.

Evidence of this massive behavioural shift was demonstrated, loudly, by a young woman on a bus recently. In the space of three stops, we learned that she thought she might be pregnant, that she had an appointment with her doctor at three o’clock that afternoon, that she was dreading it, that if she was pregnant it was someone else’s fault for giving her wrong dates - and that she was going to demand a termination.

There was no way anyone could have avoided hearing her. It was not just embarrassing, it was also insulting. She was completely indifferent to the feelings of people on that bus, who had to endure the intimate and sordid details of her private life. Maybe she was just so wrapped up in herself and her problems that she wasn’t aware of the effect she was having; but we were literally her captive audience for a while, and though it was a great relief to get off the bus and escape, what she had said wasn’t easy to forget.

You can exhibit your bad manners and worse judgement on the internet, of course, via sites like YouTube - and many who should know better have done so - but those who watch and listen to you have chosen to do so. The point about using mobile phones to other people’s discomfort is that it infringes their right to a bit of peace, just as surely as loud noise from the neighbours does. I look forward to a time when it’s “text only” on buses - but I ’m not holding my breath. Just my ears.

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POLITICAL ACTIVISM OR CRIMINAL VANDALISM?

By SCOTT BALDWIN

click photos to enlarge
THERE has been sighting of new graffiti on the estate, including one very political slogan that has been appearing in various locations around Castle Vale. The slogan that reads “No Blood for Oil” can be interpreted to relate to the current situation in Iraq. Other statements which include “Why do we kill people, who kill, to show killing is wrong?” have been spray painted on walls and in parks for the past few months. Some people have referred to the person responsible for the graffiti as a “Political Activist” but PC Hupperdine from Sutton Coldfield’s Criminal Damage Unit, says: “It certainly sounds like there is a political slant on the graffiti but the upshot is, from a police point of view, it is criminal damage and someone has to pay to have the graffiti removed. Someone’s out of pocket because their property has been defaced.” “We are tackling the anti-social behaviour, we have regular patrols and all the shops are quite pro-actively targeted to make sure they are not selling alcohol or spray cans.” “In terms of prevention, we organise graffiti clean up days with the local authorities, we have done about four now in the last six months and then we identify particular premises that are repeated targets such as the swimming baths.” PC Hupperdine encourages residents who see any groups of youths that they think are acting anti-socially to call the team, as it could become something more serious and if they can get there and nip it in the bud and disperse them, they can disrupt any further actions. In March 2007 a report on the area demonstrated that 20 to 25% of the crimes committed were criminal damage, but due to the joint efforts of the Criminal Damage Unit and other agencies, there has been a reduction of 1000 crimes within the last year.

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A DISPERSER WITH SOME BITE!

By SCOTT BALDWIN

A NEW device has been installed outside Sainsburys in an attempt to disperse the crowd of teenagers that hang around outside the front entrance at night.

The device known as a Mosquito is designed to emit high frequency sound waves that are uncomfortable to the teen’s ears, thus encouraging them to move elsewhere.

The Mosquito, once installed, emits a high-pitched sound at 17 kilohertz, similar to a constant buzzing of an insect, which proves to be a great annoyance to teenagers or anyone younger, but leaves most over 25 years of age, unaffected. This is due to Presbycusis, a normal loss of acute hearing that occurs with advancing age.

Although the sound wave’s frequency is only meant to be heard by people under the age of 25 years old, some adults, over the age, are saying that they are able to hear them, which is an annoyance to them as well.

Mosquito devices have been sold around the world since its launch in 2005. Police forces and small businesses have praised the Mosquito device and say it has improved business and community trouble spots.

But there has been some controversy in the media of late, with some people saying that these types of devices are against the youths’ human rights. Steven Hemming of Hawkinge Drive disagrees and says: “If the teens aren’t up to no good then they wouldn’t mind and if the device cuts down on crime then it’ll encourage people to shop later of a night.”

This opinion differs to that of Emily Wright’s of Stornoway Road, who says: “I don’t think it’s fair to put these devices up, we are not causing any troubles. We are just hanging out with our friends.”

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Paris Council did not have enough local support by Sion Simon MP

This government has a genuine desire that neighbourhoods should, if they wish, have the power to create their own community or parish councils. There is not an inclination to impose parish councils on neighbourhoods, as some in Castle Vale had suspected might happen.
What is required is some degree of support for the idea. Not ridiculously overwhelming support, but enough support to indicate a level of desire and probable engagement. That is why the petition required to create a parish council is merely a stepping stone in the process. It won’t guarantee a parish council – it just guarantees the attention of the Secretary of State.
It would hardly be democratic if only ten percent of local people could impose on the rest of the community a body that would have its own tax raising powers. When Birmingham City Council conducted its own extensive consultation, the results did not indicate overwhelming support for the formation of a parish council; in fact the opposite was the case with only 75 in support of the proposal and over 600 against.
Castle Vale is the resounding success it is, not because of what the government has done to it, but because of what its own people have done for it. It’s what you do with a community that counts.
That is why, ultimately, the decision about the parish council wasn’t really made by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The decision was actually made by the people of Castle Vale, whose voice has so often in the past proved to be the voice of reason. It is their voice that the government has chosen to listen to.
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Open My Eyes by David Townsend

As an ‘oldie’ I don’t like going back too often to talk about the times of the forties and fifties - things were not easy but during the war (1939-45) years in particular, there was a spirit of community and caring and sharing that I would like to see more of on this estate. Having said that I remember my old maths teacher used to say to the class I was in, “When you say your prayers tonight, say: ‘Lord, open my eyes that I may see the obvious’ and it will help you.”
Well, as I was good at maths I didn’t say that prayer! However, 60 years on I still remember it because I say it often because I lose things and/or forget where I’ve put things. Also, I wouldn’t go to bed these days without praying and giving the Lord thanks for health, strength, food, clothing, warmth, etc. It makes me realize just how tremendous our senses are. Just think how much they add to life! Eyes to see, ears to hear, as well as taste, smell and touch.
So, as we enter another year, I want to suggest that we remember my old maths teacher’s prayer and appreciate what we have in ourselves and what we have around us here on Castle Vale.

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WATCHING by Ann Froggatt

One of the few consolations of winter is the chance to see unusual birds in the garden. Since mid-November a great spotted woodpecker has been visiting our peanut-feeder. This is a very handsome bird with markings so vivid you couldn’t possibly mistake it for anything else. It’s fascinating to watch the huge feet gripping the feeder as its powerful beak hammers away at the peanuts. All the smaller birds hang around waiting to hoover up the bits.

During the really cold spell before Christmas we were lucky enough to see two blackcaps, which should have migrated to Africa weeks before. They were feasting on orange firethorn berries and bits of apple we’d put down for the blackbirds and thrushes.

firethorn berries (pyracantha)

All you need for this free entertainment is a bird-friendly garden. Firethorns (pyracantha) are brilliant. They grow quickly and produce masses of white blossom in the spring, which turns into large sprays of colourful berries just as most other plants are dying. Other advantages: thorns that can deter intruders, and evergreen leaves - no mess to clear up, and cover for small birds.

You don’t need expensive equipment. A few peanuts (unsalted!), a few seeds, some bits of apple, a fatball hung up somewhere sheltered are all the extras they’ll want. You can buy sunflower seeds or hearts, wild-bird seed and a variety of titbits but they’re not vital. What’s important is that your birds know they can rely on there being something for them every day.

A robin comes to our back door at least once a day for crumbs of cheese!

A bird-friendly garden is not an immaculately tidy one. If you have a corner where a few weeds can grow undisturbed, and where you can put a few twigs, old leaves or grass-cuttings, it will provide a home for the insects that birds need to feed on. If you’ve got a garden like this, you can sit by the window in comfort on the worst of days and enjoy the simple pleasure of watching birds.

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On the local bus

by David Townsend

We are well served on the estate with various bus services, with Birmingham, Sutton and Solihull within easy reach. I particularly like travelling on the no.638 to Erdington. It is like a local ‘village’ bus especially on the 9.30a.m. Many ‘regulars’ get on and greet one another warmly. As one who has lived here 20+ years I find it interesting to get to know some of the regular characters and here are just a few recent incidents.

1. Mary gets on and I usually joke about her Irish eyes smiling; she’s a really lovely person (I now call her Queen Mary!) and she treats the bus drivers to cakes and sausage rolls (as for me, I just give them Mars bars).

2. Jean sat next to me the other day and as we chatted she said that she had raised 5 children on the estate and all were grown up and doing well. She had 18 grandchildren (that’s a lot of presents and cards to buy!) What good news to hear.

3. My big ears heard a snippet of conversation the other day (it was Ann speaking) something like ‘…they went to California to get a dog..’ I thought that’s familiar, because in 1947 I moved from Small Heath to California! I thought it was at the end of the world, but it’s by Weoley Castle on the west side of Birmingham. But in fact, it was the beginning of a walk of faith with Jesus because through friends I went to the little Methodist chapel there - the best thing I have ever done!

So you can see from the above, it is interesting travelling on this bus - the bus drivers are helpful and friendly aswell. Only today ‘Queen Mary’ got on, but her usual place was taken and she had to sit at the back, but she(and others) greeted me. And on top of all this, each ride is free as an OAP.

See you on the bus!

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