Birmingham Half Marathon

Karen will be doing the Birmingham Half Marathon on the 23rd October 2011. She will be raising money for the British Lung Foundation. Karen said "the training has been hard and I haven't done half as much as I should have as fitting it in with my work has been quite difficult but I will do my best to finish". If you would like to sponsor her see http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KarenHamilton or look out for her on the route!

Welcome to our wardens

New lake on River Tame at Perry Hall Park mid-August,
showing growth of wildlife and plants on shingle island

We now have two new officers working on the ground in our community.

* Deborah Parsons, environmental warden. Deborah's already been busy tackling problems such as: abandoned skips, dumped shopping trolleys and flytipping.

She is one of Birmingham's most experienced and effective wardens and has powers to prosecute for dog fouling and litter dropping. She's also got a reputation for helping and will be working with residents on neighbourhood clean-ups and other local issues - as well as working closely with the local cleaning team You can contact her on deborah_parsons@birmingham.gov.uk or try to leave a message on 303 9812. Or simply call or email your local councillors, councillors@perrybarr.com

* Richard Weaver, park ranger. Richard is based in Perry Hall Park and will be working with the friends group there. But his brief also includes developing activity in our other parks, especially Perry Park and Kingdsown Park. Both posts are funded from the community chest which means Deborah and Richard are totally committed to Perry Barr ward - and will be accountable to the local community at community meetings.

Councillor Ray Hassall, Perry Barr ward committee chair, said: "I'm delighted to welcome these two officers and hope local people will get to know them and help them make our area a better place to live.

"Both will be working closely with the local police on issues such as anti-social behaviour and dog problems."

SUPER SURGERY PLAN

COLLECTING VIEWS
Local health officials are proposing to request planning permission for a new super-surgery for GP services at 481 Walsall Road (on the corner of Perry Park Crescent). The development would include 58 assisted living dwellings for the elderly. It will also mean three of our local GP practices move on to the one site:

•  Tower Hill Medical Centre
•  Great Barr Surgery, Thornbridge Avenue 
• High Trees Surgery, Walsall Road.

 We've been asking local residents what they think about this and replies have been coming back with a whole range of views.

 Here's some pros and cons:

•  Getting there on foot: harder for many, easier for some; 
• Getting there by car: many people will have to u-turn at Tower Hill and at Rocky Lane;
• Car parking: may be easier than at Tower Hill, depending on spaces ;
• Getting there by bus: about the same as Tower Hill and Hightree. The 51 and 952 stop close by. 
•  Medical services: we're told that some out-patient clinics and other services from hospital may move there - so this may be easier for some ;
•  Assisted living homes: this must be a plus for our community; 
•  Improved premises. Great Barr and High Trees are said to need 'major renovation'. 

 We'll be questioning the developers aat the next Perry Barr ward committee on Thursday October 13th. It's at 7pm at Perry Hall Methodist Church, Rocky Lane and all are welcome to come and participate. We'll be looking in detail at traffic implications and what might be done about them.

Councillor Ray Hassall, chair of the ward committee, said: "This will be a massive change in local GP services, which could deliver big improvements, and until recently only a handful of residents had been consulted. There are many issues to consider, especially making traffic access safe.

"There are also a number of people, especially the elderly and disabled, who are concerned they may now find it a struggle to get to their doctor's. We want to know what will be done to help them."