Lozells gears up for weekend fun

Jul 26 2007 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail

ORGANISERS are hoping the rain will not spoil an all-day family festival of fun and community activities planned in the city on Sunday.

Lozells and East Handsworth Family Festival hopes to build on the success of last year's event when local people enjoyed a fun day in St George's Park in Wills Street.

The event has been organised by the Lozells Neighbourhood Forum together with the Lozells-based Bangladeshi League.

It is also being supported by West Midlands Police who will have three local officers there who hope to launch a series of camping expeditions for local youngsters.

The three officers, PCs Nigel Smith and Shelly Darragh, along with Police community support officer Dave Mogridge, have all recently taken an outdoor leadership qualification.

The Lozells and East Handsworth ward has given them a grant to buy tents, rucksacks, camping burners and other equipment to take city youngsters on camping trips.

PC Darragh, said: "We are grateful to the ward for the support they have given us and we look forward to using the equipment on trips to broaden youngsters' horizons and encourage a healthy lifestyle."

The festival, running from 11am to 6pm, will include a stage with a line-up of musical talent to show off the "Lozells factor" including the reggae band Just Us and Bollywood musicians Bengali Dance.

Nawaz Ali, chair of the organising committee, said: "We are delighted to be holding our festival once again.

"We hope everyone has a great day and I want to thank everyone for their support. It just shows that Lozells is a community of great spirit."