Many people have commented to me about how neglected Fox Hollies Park has looked recently. Litter is a major problem and Westley Brook is poorly maintained, often flowing over the bridge when there is a lot of rain. Anti social behaviour can be a problem at times and the lighting was recently badly damaged (now repaired).

A group of residents, supported by the police and council officers are trying to turn things round. The aim is to set up a Friends of Fox Hollies Park group – to organise activities in the park, which will encourage it to be used as it should be, as a valuable resource for the community, and to keep it cleaner than it sometimes has been. We may also be able to look at bidding for extra facilities.

Its early days but a number of things are being planned:

* The Park will participate in the Active Parks and Park Lives schemes, with support from Birmingham Open Spaces Forum. This should bring a number of keep fit activities to the park including Tai Chi and a range of fun games and sports for people to get involved in.

* A monthly litter pick is being organised – the next one starts at 11am on Saturday 26th July at the car park by the play area off Gospel Lane.

* The police are doing their best to deal with the problem of motor bikes being ridden (and sometimes burned) in the Park. They can’t be there all the time so if you see it going on, or have any information about this problem please let them know on 101 (non urgent issues) or 999 (urgent issues), or you can contact me and I’ll forward the information to them. The police are also being very supportive in helping to get the ‘Friends Of’ group going and I’m very grateful for their efforts.

If you want to get involved in any way, please let me know and I can pass your details on. This is a great initiative and I’ll be giving it all the support I can.