ROC Erdington Event

Sunday the 24th July saw Brookvale Park host a community day to remember, organised by Stockland Green Neighbourhood Sergeant Simon Hensley to celebrate;

• The conclusion of the Land's End to John O'Groats cycle relay challenge,
• The Cross Channel Kayak Challenge
• The official launch of the free@last canoe club on Brookvale
• The second overnight spaghetti camping event and the tie in with the year anniversary of the start of the Olympics 2012

The weather was in fine form and the community turned out in their droves to see the attractions.

Free@last had a stall to showcase the new Canoe Club and were on hand to tell interested people about what dates and times the provision will be running, they also had trained instructors available in case anyone wanted to 'have a go' and it's a good job they did! In the end tickets had to be issued as people were queuing five deep to get on the water, over the day we had 250 people try their hand at kayaking! That's not bad for the launch of a fledgling canoe club!

Other attractions included;

• A pilot for the West Midlands first Redeeming our Communities Cafe
• The Midnight bus
• Face painting by the Lock Gallery owner Emma O'Brien
• The British Canoe Union (Kayakings governing body)
• West Midlands Canoe Centre Shop
• Various Arts & Crafts stalls
• Childrens soft play area
• Fairbridge were also present conducting consultation around the Old boat House restoration Project
• Friends of Witton Lakes
• BBQ food by professional chef John Ruddock
• Coaching from Birmingham Mets basketball team
• BRMB's street angels
• and many many more

Overall the day was fantastic and it was great to see the community unite in celebration of the natural resources at their finger tips in the form of the park and the lake, I have high hopes for the canoe club and the potential ROC Cafe and the impact it will have on the community.

Further meetings are scheduled to look at making the Redeeming our Communities Cafe a permanent project developing partnerships between Redeeming our Communities, West Midlands Police, the Christian Police Association, West Mids Fire & Rescue Service, Brookvale Sailing Club, Friends of Brookvale Park and a number of other community members, organisations and faith groups.