Travellers move back onto family park for third time in weeks
A large group of travellers have set up camp at popular family park for the third time in weeks.
A convoy of caravans and other vehicles started driving onto Swanshurst Park on the outskirts of Moseley and Billesley on Wednesday, May 21, settling on the field near the play park.
The Friends of Swanshurst Park said members had notified the council with a view to initiating eviction proceedings.
READ MORE: Major Midlands A-road near hospital blocked due to crash
READ MORE: Armed police scramble to hospital over man armed with crossbow
READ MORE: Victims of deadly 'mistaken identity' petrol bomb attack say 'this fire was meant for someone else'
An event scheduled for the community tomorrow, Saturday, May 24, was also cancelled.
The Friends group posted on Facebook: "We are cancelling our balsam bashing session this Saturday as the travellers are very close to the area we would be working.
"We will rearrange another date and post details as soon as it has been decided."
This is the third traveller incursion in the park since April with volunteers clearing up the mess left behind.
A Birmingham City Council spokesperson said previously " Birmingham City Council is committed to actively protecting its land and will take steps to recover this land where unauthorised encampments encroach upon it.
'The council has useable transit sites and plots for use by the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller community – which is in line with Government policy – and details of the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment carried out and updated in 2019 can be found on our website."
Stu Johnson wrote on Facebook: "I saw them arriving while I was on the bus earlier - going onto the pavement by the entrance to the car park, driving along the pavement then onto the grass once they've passed the trees.
"Needs to be more logs or railings I'm afraid."
Mary Hart said: "There have been three lots of travellers this year on Swanshurst.
"Each time a different group. Last time there were two groups at the same time. The clean-up is mostly done by volunteers with help from the council."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
County Durham mum who lost son, 14, in river tragedy re-issues water safety plea
The mum of a County Durham teenager who lost his life in a river tragedy has reissued an urgent warning about water safety following the death of a man in the River Tees. The death of 20-year-old Jacob Rutkowski from Darlington on Friday (June 20) has reminded mum-of-four Fiona Gosling from Crook of her own heartbreak. Fiona's son Cameron was just 14-years-old when he jumped into the River Wear near Bishop Auckland on July 5, 2015, unaware of any risks he would face in the water. Cameron Gosling, 14. Cameron's heart stopped beating when he entered the river, because he had not acclimatised to the temperature and he died of what is known as cold water shock. Since his passing, Fiona has used Cameron's story to educate thousands of children about water safety - but has admitted that this latest incident in Gainford, near Darlington, has reminded her of her own grief. Fiona told The Northern Echo: "I saw the story online yesterday when it all started to evolve, and watched it happen. I tend to do that if something big is going on. "Then, it was about 10.55pm when I saw the post go up from police saying they had found a body." Mother Fiona and son Cyle Gosling who campaign for Cold Water safety. She added: "As soon as you hear about anything like this, it takes you right back to where you were when it happened to you. "It makes me sit down and go through all of Cameron's things and I'll go on my social media page to see if there is anything I can share. "But it is hard - it's really hard." News first broke of an incident in Gainford yesterday when the air ambulance, mountain rescue crews, police helicopter, paramedics and fire crews all rushed to the rural village at about 2.30pm. LIVE: Tributes paid to Jacob Rutkowski after River Tees tragedy - updates Police cordoned off an area where ambulance incident response teams and the fire service water unit parked up, blocking access to the river banks after reports of concerns for a man in the river. Fiona Gosling delivering a school assembly. Tragically, Durham Police later confirmed that they had found a body in the river. Tributes have since been paid to Jacob Rutkowski; described as a "beautiful soul" as his family try to raise funds to pay for his send off. But this latest tragedy has made Fiona, 48, worry that her pleas to stay safe in the water are going unheard. She added: "I do tend to just sit back and think, have we missed something? You do tend to feel a little bit guilty and think: 'is your message not getting out to the right people?'"? "This is something that can be avoided. As soon as the heatwaves start, I can just sense what is going to happen. "I always think that it's going to be a very long few months and we'll see so many tragedies not only with youngsters but people in general who aren't aware of what is going on around them in the water." Cameron Gosling, 14. Fiona then re-issued a plea to anyone thinking of taking a dip to cool down this summer - regardless of their age or experience in the water. She said: "Know your points of entry and points of exit - and never go swimming on your own. If you are swimming and you feel something isn't right, you know your own body. Read more: Rivers deaths fall after campaign in memory of teenager Cameron Gosling Mum honoured for water safety campaign after death of son Cameron Gosling Mum warns schoolchildren of cold water shock on anniversary of her son Cameron Gosling's tragic river death Young footballers' tribute to Cameron Gosling Friends of river tragedy teenager Cameron Gosling make hard hitting water safety campaign video "I would love to say to people 'don't go in the water', but we live in a country that is surrounded by water. I do want to stay away, but I know that's never going to happen. "The water is going to be cold - just because we have hot weather does not mean the water is going to be warm. "Watch out for everyone around you. Be aware that water does not discriminate. "It will take old, young, swimmer, non-swimmer - it does not care. You have to be really careful."
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Grieving mum told 'move 200 miles from city' as she mourns loss of beloved husband
A grieving mum vowed to live in a tent rather than split her family up - after Birmingham Council identified a new home for her nearly 200 miles from the city. Mum-of-four Geraldine White was stunned to be told she was a potential match for a new home in Hartlepool after her family were forced out of their previous privately-rented home. They had to quit the property in Nechells as they mourned the loss of Geraldine's husband Martin, who died days into the the New Year. READ MORE: Boy, 16, arrested as armed police swoop on Small Heath street where 'gun seen in car' Despite being bounced between a hotel in Walsall, a hostel in Tyseley and even a night sleeping rough in their shed, Geraldine refused the move to the north-east, which would have only included her and her youngest son. But she said a council worker still tried to tempt her - telling her: 'You'll be by the beach'. The authority denied a formal offer was made but said "all-time high" demand for homes in the city "severely restricted" what it could offer. "I'd rather buy a tent and camp on a piece of grass," Geraldine said. "All I have left is my family. "It's breaking my heart. We haven't been able to grieve properly. I've lost my home and my husband and If I wanted to sit beside his grave, I'd have to travel all the way down from Hartlepool." Of the Hartlepool offer, a journey of some 187 miles, she said: "The woman was very abrupt, I said I couldn't move there because it was nowhere near my family, my son's school.' She said: 'But you'll be by the beach.'" Geraldine said the upheaval around their housing meant her children, aged between 17 and 33, had been 'unable to grieve' their beloved husband and father, who died after setting himself on fire. The couple had been celebrating with a friend and two sons when the harrowing incident took place. She recalled: "I saw was a ball of smoke and saw him standing there. He'd got a lighter and set himself on fire." Warned of a four-hour wait for an ambulance, the family rushed him to hospital themselves but nothing could be done and he died on January 3. Geraldine said "nobody knew" why the incident took place. But she stressed it wasn't suicide. "We were in a rented property, we were trying to save up and move somewhere. We were trying to find somewhere smaller." While the family were arranging Martin's funeral, bailiffs turned up at the property as the landlord was served a High Court writ. She said: "We had to get out that day. We had nowhere to go. "Me and my daughter slept in the shed that night. The next day, we went to a Travelodge in Walsall." Now, the family are bidding on three-bed homes where they can "all be together". She added: "I'm not asking for a fancy house, we all want to be together. "The stress is mounting. There's only so much you can handle. I'm trying to stay as strong as I can because I'm trying to sort things out. But everywhere I turn, I'm hitting a brick wall. "We're such a close knit family, with what's happened it's made us even closer. The trauma we've been through, we just want some normality - whatever normal is." Birmingham City Council said: "The country is in the grip of a severe national housing crisis and demand for accommodation in Birmingham is at an all-time high. "The accommodation shortage severely restricts what options we can offer to people in need, and we know many people across the city are in difficult situations and facing a long wait for a home. "The council's housing service looks at all options for suitable homes and we focus on matching families to properties which are both affordable and provide a positive environment for them, meeting their specific needs. "Geraldine was initially placed as a potential match for a property outside Birmingham, however after discussions with the housing team, it was determined the property was not suitable, so an offer was not made. We understand Geraldine is in a difficult situation and are working with her to find suitable housing for herself and her family." Have you been affected by this? We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sunflower Trail to return 'bigger and brighter than ever'
Fields of gold are set to bloom once again this summer. The Dorset Sunflower Trail will return for its fifth year in August 2025, offering visitors the chance to wander through acres of sunflowers in full bloom while supporting the Dorset County Hospital Charity. Located on Maiden Castle Road near Dorchester, the trail is set against the backdrop of England's largest prehistoric hill fort and easily accessible by public transport or car. Hazel Hoskin, organiser of the Sunflower Trail, said: "The 2025 Dorset Sunflower trail is shaping up to be bigger and brighter than ever. "Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll, photograph, and immerse themselves in the serene beauty that makes this trail such a unique spectacle." This year's theme, 'Save a Life,' focuses on raising awareness and funds for critical healthcare programs. Visitors can take part in well-being activities, learn about life-saving health initiatives, and support the Dorset County Hospital Charity's Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. Event highlights include art displays, a 'Sunflower Stride and Fun Run,' storytime sessions, pilates in the fields and music evenings as the sun sets over the sunflowers. The trail also champions local businesses and makers. READ: Dorset hut-makers win four-star award at RHS Chelsea Flower Show The Sunshine Shack will be stocked with sunflower and bee-themed items, handmade crafts, candles, jewellery and textiles. Food options will include home-bred pork sausage rolls, cheese straws, cakes and both hot and cold drinks. Picnic spots will be dotted throughout the trail for visitors to relax and soak up the scenery. Designed to be accessible and family-friendly, the event features two separate trails to ensure everyone can enjoy the sunflowers. Tickets will go on sale in July. To stay updated, follow Maiden Castle Farm on Facebook or visit The event thrives on community involvement and offers several ways to participate, whether through sponsorship, volunteering or sharing artistic talent. Organisers encourage businesses, individuals and groups to get involved by contributing to the visitor experience or sponsoring elements of the trail. All funds raised will support the Dorset County Hospital Charity's Emergency and Critical Care Appeal. The Dorset Sunflower Trail 2025 is supported by Maiden Castle Farm, Dorset County Hospital Charity and the wider community.
