Neighbours' Day Sports Spectacular to Celebrate Community Spirit in Birmingham
As part of European Neighbours' Day, Birmingham based Mercian Housing Association - in collaboration with Birmingham City Council and Midland Heart - held a fun packed feast for the eyes and ears at Holte School in Lozells yesterday.
The event, to celebrate community spirit and pride for all local residents, had the theme of Urban Sports. Mercian Housing wanted to show the community that inner city living doesn’t exclude anyone from taking part in activities and growing up in an economically deprived area doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve your dreams!
Opening with an inspiring speech, the Lord Mayor Elect, Councillor Chauhdry Rashid said, “Housing is a subject close to my heart and is what brought me in to politics in the first place. Even in this day and age, there are still people in Birmingham living in non-decent homes and it is our job to change that. We should all be proud of this great city!”
Hosted by Yas Alexander from New Style Radio, Birmingham’s local community radio station, the day saw demonstrations from some great, local sporting talent including; Joe Davies and his incredible soccer skills and kick boxer Kash ‘The Flash’ Gill and pupils. Other big names who attended on the day are former WBO Heavyweight Pele Reid and ex Aston Villa Player Mark Walters.
Children got a piece of the action on the bungee trampoline and climbing wall and dancers entertained the crowds well in to the afternoon, with Capoeira, an amazing Brazilian martial arts/dance, Bboys Attic with an incredible street dance display and Nachda Sansaar - Bangra dancers and drummers, who ended the show with a bang!
Mercian shared-ownership resident, Louise Hazel-Massaguoi, who attended the event with her two children, said of the day, “The kids have looked forward to this event all week. It has been the only thing that’s been on in the holidays to entertain them, so thank you Mercian! They have really enjoyed it, especially the bungee trampoline!”
For interested residents, there were also stalls with information available from health organisations including; British Heart Foundation, Blood Donor Service, Health Exchange, Working Links, the local Fire Service, Community Police and advice for first time buyers on getting onto the property ladder from Mercian’s HomeBuy agency. The newly launched Aston Pride Mobile Broadband Centre Bus was also there, focussing on helping local people find employment.
Clare Collinson, Customer Involvement Officer at Mercian Housing and one of the event organisers said at the event, “Events like today are a wonderful opportunity for local community members to get together in a fun, relaxed atmosphere and get to know their neighbours. Mercian is proud of their communities, we are working hard to ensure that all our residents can access services, advice and wonderful shows like the one today, regardless of where they live or what their circumstances may be. It was great to see fantastic community spirit shown by everyone throughout the whole day.
The event highlights Mercian’s commitment to developing communities’ people take pride in, by providing a great opportunity for residents to meet their neighbours and build stronger links with local people, service providers and Mercian staff.
-ENDS-
Press Enquiries please contact Vicky Jones on 0121 377 88 99 or vjones@mercian.org.uk.