CELEBRATING A DECADE OF FAMILY SUPPORT

April 25 2006

A community hall, which has been at the centre of family life for a decade is to celebrate its anniversary. Phoenix Hall, in Bordesley, was opened by Government Minister, John Gummer 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.

On June 21 this year, exactly ten years to the day that Phoenix Hall was officially opened, everyone who played a part in the regeneration of this Heartlands community, will meet to celebrate.

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 will host a day of activity and entertainment.

The Lord Mayor Elect, of Birmingham, Councillor Mike Sharpe, has been invited to unveil a commemoration plaque. Bournville Village Trust, will supply and plant a tree in the grounds. Children from Kingston Day Nursery, will plant flowers in the surrounding landscaping.

Entertainment will be provided by a choir from St. Andrews Junior School, the Ladies Sikh Choir and Birry and Drumnation who learnt his drumming and poetry skills at Phoenix Hall ten years ago.

Children will be invited to enter a competition to name their favourite building in Bordesley and entries will be judged in June, by Carmel Quigley, Kingston Day Nursery Manager, who has a road named after her in Bordesley Village.

Dr. Carl Chinn will be hosting a radio show about the history of the area. An exhibition of photographs will be displayed throughout the day and the local community will be encouraged to share their memories of old Bordesley.