Hippo drone

This is the new, low cost, West Midlands Police Drone. It is funded by the proceeds of Crime Act, which gives a project the right to be funded in this way, provided it is not for typical expenditure, or staff use. These drones will be used to target criminals, as they have a high definition camera, and are backed up by thermal imaging. This will enable more ground to be covered in a way that would be very expensive with the normal helicopter. I understand that with the force aircraft, you have spent £10,000.00 a few moments after take off! There are three drones  in the background which are controlled by seven trained pilots who are also policemen. The site to see what the drones are used for is on Twitter – @DronesWMP.

 

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Birmingham 2022

Celebrating the handover from the Australian Commonwealth Games organisers to Birmingham, we gathered in Victoria Square as a diverse city to make a song and dance about it! Figured from the top left is the drone which took photographs of the whole scene ending with #BRUM. Shuttlecock to the right, and a model  bird in the jacuzzi – spot it among the giant plants.

Dangerous Tree

This is a Canadian Pine in Fradley Close. It will be reported as a potential hazard to the neighbouring houses, and hopefully the owner will be required to cut it down.

Pussycat on my shoulders!

In all my forty years of canvassing I have never been fully befriended by a cat! I talked in cat language to “Foxey” who lives in Kipling Road. An exceedingly good cat! She jumped up on a fence, then across onto my shoulders. It was so incredible I had to have a selfie so that I could prove it was no story I had made up. She then enquired as to my health – see below!

Duncan Cadbury at the Pavilion

Duncan Cadbury, a scion of the family, and present chairman of Bournville Village Trust gives the slogan to which we must aspire to fulfill, talking to Peter.

 No one should be forced to live in a place where they cannot grow a rose!

A statement by George Cadbury – the founder of the Garden City Movement – Philanthropist and Businessman.

Sajid Javid at Rowheath House

The Minister stopped to meet some of the residents at Rowheath House, who were very pleased that he had taken time off to see them. Rowheath House is a residential facility, backed by a small estate of Bungalows which cater for more than 60 people. They are going to have a new pool table on the second floor which will particularly appeal to the male residents, and it is all supervised overall by Leslie, who, though newish to the job, controls a tight and well run facility.

Sajid Javid at Rowheath

The Minister for housing communities and local government came to see the magnificent Rowheath Pavilion in Bournville, part of the Bournville Trust Estate. Especially well run by Catherine (talking to Saaj) this is one of the finest social facilities in the whole estate. Indeed it is the only one with a licence – although the coffee is so superb that is not necessary! I think he enjoyed the experience!