LORD MAYOR OF BIRMINGHAM UNVEILS PLAQUE TO CELEBRATE A DECADE OF FAMILY SUPPORT

June 22 2006

As one of his first duties, as the new Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Mike Sharpe unveiled a plaque in Bordesley Village, Birmingham.

Karen Turvey, Centre Manager at Phoenix Hall thanks the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mike Sharpe for unveiling a plaque to celebrate ten years of serving the local community in Bordesley Village

The commemoration celebrated the tenth anniversary of the opening of a community hall in Bordesley Village. Phoenix Hall was opened by Government Minister, John Gummer on the exact date, June 21st, in 1996, to provide a place of support for families moving into the UK's first new urban village.

The community hall has played a crucial role in supporting local families by providing playgroups, before and after school club, senior citizens' lunch groups, Youth Club and Adult Education to name but a few.

Everyone who played a part in the regeneration of this Heartlands area, met to celebrate with the local community.

Originally funded by the now defunct Heartlands Development Corporation and by Birmingham City Council, managed by Bournville Village Trust and supported by the Bordesley Village Community Association, Phoenix Hall hosted a day of activity and entertainment.

Roger Cadbury, Chair of Trustees, for Bournville Village Trust helps 3 year old Reuben Foley plant marigolds at Phoenix Hall in Bordesley Village, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary of serving the local community

Following the plaque unveiling, Roger Cadbury, Chairman of Bournville Village Trust, planted a tree in the grounds. Then children from Kingston Day Nursery, St. Andrews Road, planted flowers in the surrounding landscaping.

Entertainment was provided by a choir from St. Andrews Junior School, and Birry who learnt his drumming skills at Phoenix Hall ten years ago. Birry, who is now a well known Birmingham poet and has performed all over the world, has dedicated his latest verse to the local community hall, which helped him on the road to success.

Carmel Quigley, Kingston Day Nursery Manager, who has a road named after her in Bordesley Village, judged a colouring competition where local schoolchildren named their favourite building in the area. The most popular building chosen was Phoenix Hall and runner up was the Clock Tower at St. Andrews School.

An exhibition of old photographs was displayed throughout the day.