Urban Walk: Bordesley Village Children’s Services, Emmeline Road, Bordesley Village

Jul 24 2009 By Mohini Howard

BORDESLEY Village is a recent development built in the 1990s and, I admit, I was dubious about such a recent set-up and how it would look and feel.

In my jaded mind I had conjured up images of failed social engineering experiments from the 1960s. I imagined homes and neighbourhoods wasted and neglected, watched over by despairing inhabitants. But, when I went along to the Bordesley Village Children’s Services this week to set-up a walking group. I found a charming and charismatic group of enthusiastic local mothers from across the globe, who wanted to get out and explore their surroundings together, and have a good natter. I was thrilled.

I could walk with this group and we could talk about our lives, where we came from and, well, anything at all. It felt close knit and there was a real sense of belonging and comfort. I was in heaven. As you know, I love walking and talking. I can’t wait to see them again ready to feel the warm glow of community spirit and to embrace a sense of nostalgia for a time and place forgotten from my own childhood days. It’s great what a simple walk can do!

Start: Bordesley Village Children’s Services, Emmeline Road, Bordesley Village
Duration: 20 Minutes

1. From the corner of the building on Kingston Road, cross the road.

2. Turn right and then left into St. Andrew’s Road.

3. Enter Kingston Hill Local Park.

4. Walk around the park to see the various stone pieces and the main central ‘stone circle’ in the middle.

5. Exit and retrace steps back to the centre.

* Mohini Howard is the Birmingham Coordinator for the Ramblers’ Get Walking Keep Walking project, funded by BIG Lottery Fund. Details at www.getwalking.org.uk