Recycled Teenagers Contribute to Local History Project

Published by Dan Kendrink for Quicksilver PR in Communities

Proud pensioners from Wyrley Birch have recorded their memories of the estate with a local historian, who is compiling an oral history of Kingstanding.

Historian Chris Hillcox met the pensioners group – known as the recycled teenagers – at Lakeside Children’s and Family Learning Centre, on Friday 19 August, to discuss how the ward has changed since the 1930s.

The 38-year-old passionate historian also gave a presentation on the growth of Kingstanding, 80 years ago, including photos of how the area used to look and other residents’ memories. The event was organised by social enterprise Enta, which runs the popular community centre.

When complete, Chris’ year-long project, called Voices of Kingstanding, will provide a social history of the ward made up of real-life accounts and reminiscences from local residents.

Robbie Lea-Trengrouse, one of Enta’s UK Online tutors, who arranged the event, said: “Our recycled teenagers have always been very active and when they heard about this history project they were really keen to be involved.

“It’s a fantastic project and the idea of recording the changing face of Kingstanding has really caught the imagination. I think that many people will be really surprised about the history of the area they live in and how diverse it is.

“As a social enterprise, this is exactly the sort of community event that Enta is keen to support and it will be fascinating to see Chris’ final history of Kingstanding.”       

Enta is a social enterprise and training provider and, as well as the Lakeside Centre, also runs Little Mill Nursery and Top Lock Cafe, at Mill Wharf. In addition, it offers conference and catering facilities - including a halal kitchen – as well as a landscaping and construction service.

For more information on the Lakeside Children’s and Family Learning Centre call on 0121 386 6150.