Where's Father Harry now?

Trading at Birmingham Sunday Carboot, Wholesale Market

It has been said that Father Harry Clarke, a Catholic priest from Stockport, introduced the car boot sale to the UK as a charity fundraiser, after seeing a similar event or trunk fair in Canada while on holiday there in the early 1970s.

Carbooters Mecca to close

For over forty years there's been a Carboot on the site of the Wholesale Market in Birmingham, but with plans to move the Wholesale Market to Witton, what will happen to the carboot?

Help for Hedgehogs

One of our People's Heritage Co-operative members has been exploring the heritage of Brandwood End Cemetery.  The Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery have done extensive work to highlight the heritage of the Cemetery, including the Gothic Chapels and the stories behind so many of the graves, particularly War Graves.  However, this project focused on an important part of our natural heritage - the humble Hedgehog.  Rachel shares her work:

Mr Griffin from St Albans RC School receives a hedgehog friend from Julia from the Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery.

Back in February I wrote on my work blog about an exciting HEDGEHOG related project that I had in the pipeline.  Well, the film has been launched in local schools – and it’s going down a storm with the kids who made it, their classmates, teachers, parents and the super people who worked on the project.

The film is the culmination of a partnership between Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery, The Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country, Birmingham City Council Park Rangers and pupils from St Albans RC Primary School and Woodthorpe JI School to give 'Help for Hedgehogs'!

The short film was made by pupils at both schools, and I gave hands on support along the way, as well as editing it all together. It is packed with information about how YOU can help encourage hedgehogs into your own garden and neighbourhood. Hedgehog numbers have declined dramatically in the past 50 years - unless communities take urgent action we may witness their terminal decline in our lifetime.

This project has been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, and took place between August 2016 and July 2017.

"Really enjoyed my child taking part in the hedgehog project.  It has made us all curious as a family to do our bit to help the hedgehogs, but also spread the word to others.  This project has built confidence and self esteem in the children, strengthened relationships for all involved, promoted curiosity in nature and started a very special journey for children, families, schools and their communities.  It is a joyous project that should be rolled out and continue to be funded to help many more.  Thank you."

Moseley Road Baths granted a reprieve

We're very pleased to hear that Moseley Road Baths in Balsall Heath has been granted a reprieve.  The building, which was scheduled for closure this month, has been given a stay of execution until March 2018.  The hope is that this will allow adequate time for a coalition of community and heritage organisations to work alongside Birmingham City Council to create an organisation able to take on the running of the building.  All partners are committed to a continuation of public swimming at the building, ensuring that the local community can continue to swim there, as they have for almost 110 years.

For the full details of the decision go to the Friends of Moseley Road Baths website.