Birmingham Bike Polo Chat & BS Thread

Maybe we could go and play in the new library - there seemed to be lots on lights and space in there when I visited at the weekend. I noticed you can also drink beer on the roof terraces.

Vicki from Hall Green District Office just phoned me back and said that she has managed to find out who is responsible (Parks Department, Simon Cooper) and that he will put in a request for the work to be done. She also said if nothing's happened in 4 weeks I should tell her and she'll chase it. I think I might give them a week and then phone him myself!

Also that is an excellent suggestion about the Library of Birmingham, I'm in!

My favourite response yet:

"I well remember a very happy weekend break at school playing very informal bike polo
I did not know that it is a recognised game – I should like to see it
Calthorpe park is no longer in Edgbaston Ward following ward boundary a few years ago – it is now in Sparkbrook
James Hutchings"

Tell him he's welcome to come watch but he'll need a touch to actually see it.

My favourite response yet:

"I well remember a very happy weekend break at school playing very informal bike polo
I did not know that it is a recognised game – I should like to see it
Calthorpe park is no longer in Edgbaston Ward following ward boundary a few years ago – it is now in Sparkbrook
James Hutchings"

send him a link to the bhbpa website and ask him to forward it on to the relevant ward for you.

actually don't, cos the Birmingham Bike Polo website has expired. Bummer.

This one sounds promising, even if only because she didn't Kathryn me. (Sorry I will stop posting soon. I've just run out of work so I'm killing time!)

Dear Kat,

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’m referring this to the District Head for Sparkbrook who is well appraised on issues around Calthorpe Park and the courts.
I’m really interested to hear about the Bike Polo and regret that I wasn’t aware of it. It’s exactly the kind of activity we are committed to seeing being developed and encouraged in the Parks. Also, and against the backdrop of Birmingham’s successful Cycle City Ambition funding from government, there is all the more argument for us to back your activity in particular. From community safety and health and wellbeing perspectives there is also really good justification for us financing this.

If you leave it with me I will investigate what can be done to improve the lighting which exists and also get hold of a proper briefing about the use of the area. I should be more aware of it than I am.
In the interests of follow-up, could I ask that you send me a reminder email sometime in the next week should you not have heard back from me before then.

Kindest regards

Councillor Victoria Quinn

I am disgusted that you have had more replies than me.

Good work Kat. Shes sounds approachable - maybe with all this cash around they'd stick some lights up at Highgate?

If you have some free time - can you use CAD? I've got some surveys which need drafting up?

I got this

Many thanks for bringing this to my attention. I’ve had two other concerns about this same issue today and have requested information on why it has been allowed to get to this stage and what the blockages might be in ensuring the repair.

I will get back to you as soon as I receive this information, but you have my assurance that we will do all that is possible to ensure this is re-instated as soon as possible.

Kind regards

Councillor Victoria Quinn
Sparkbrook Ward (Labour)

My favourite response yet:

"I well remember a very happy weekend break at school playing very informal bike polo
I did not know that it is a recognised game – I should like to see it
Calthorpe park is no longer in Edgbaston Ward following ward boundary a few years ago – it is now in Sparkbrook
James Hutchings"

Is that an email from someone trapped in the 1930s?

Also, how did you waste time before joining the forum?

Is that an email from someone trapped in the 1930s?

Also, how did you waste time before joining the forum?

http://gofugyourself.com/

Also this forum is not what was helping me waste time, it was all the delicious council related admin. Mmmmmmmmm admin!

Did someone say wasting time
?

Also, text based Jaws adventure game anyone?

Also - for anyone that didn't turn up last night - all of the lights at Calthorpe were off yesterday. Can we get some more emails sent?

Yeah lets blame Kat.

No one else suggested blaming me!?

So far this morning people do not seem to need my help at work so I've e-mailed Victoria Quinn and Tony Kennedy again. After 9, I will try and phone the Hall Green District office again, and also Simon Cooper if I can find a number for him. (He is the person from Parks they told me was looking at it).

Although if I keep getting blamed for things I might stop trying!

You're a hero Kat!!!

Maybe the other light was off last night as they had to take the bulb out so they could take it to B&Q to see if they have one which matches?

Maybe the other light was off last night as they had to take the bulb out so they could take it to B&Q to see if they have one which matches?

You jest but I did kind of say that in my (incredibly long e-mail) to imply that it seems a bit dodgy that we've complained and now nothing works! I think the Hall Green Office didn't want to deal with it any more so they've given me Simon Cooper's (Parks guy who is responsible) direct number. I've left him a voicemail and e-mailed him already.

I'm ready for a war of attrition!

I've invited Nick along to any practice but told him he should come to the tournament. Anyone want to do some sound-biting?

Hi,

 My names Nick and I've just started at Birmingham City University  studying Visual Communication. I'm currently working on a magazine  project, where I'm looking to put an article together about bikes and  the hidden communities brought together by them.

I was lead to your companies website after looking at the LFGSS forum, in particular polo i was wondering if you could help me discover a bit more about this and potentially put a feature together.

Thanks

I just emailed my contact at the Birmingham Mail. If my understanding of the role of the press in a free, democratic society is correct then the problem will be resolved tout suite.

just you wait till they start picking on your dad....

There'll be loads of us standing around at the tournament - the best bet is for him to come to us and ask what he needs to know.

Well done Kat (and Chris) your hard work is appreciated even by me, and I think 'democracy' and 'free press' are a waste of time.

This guy is apparently responsible and he has made the school boy error of putting his phone number in his e-mail signature. I'll give him until Monday before phoning.

Dear Kathryn

I am looking into this and will respond as soon as there are any developments.

Regards

Zhor Malik
Pavilion Manager
Hall Green District
Local Services Directorate

Tel: 0121 446 5173
Fax: 0121 446 5173

Let the faxing commence!