Organise for playing out

Ride for Hope 21st Sept

The procession down Kings Heath High Street for Hope Fennell was bigger this year, with around 400 cyclists and pedestrians taking to the street.

We were there with all our children, who all understood why.  For Jago it reminded him of when he was hit by a bus (minor injuries only), and said he felt people were doing it for all children.  Arthur couldn't understand why nothing had changed.  Freya is just coming to terms with what 'dead' means.

Nazan Fennell, mother of Hope, led the procession.  When we stopped for a few minutes at the crossing Hope died at, she managed to negotiate with the Police officer attempting to clear the road, even after he described it as a 'publicity stunt'.  Hope's friends from school gathered by the ghost bike, while we all waited a short while.  My children were getting a bit impatient, but no one was prepared to move until Nazan said so.  I'm not sure how long we were there for, obstructing the traffic.  As we stood there, I think the police expected the crowds to slowly melt away, but there was a sense of solidarity holding us together, mixed with frustration.

Find out more about Hope Fennell and the Livein Hope campaign or contact khresforum@gmail.com - also see http://hallgreenarts.blogspot.co.uk/p/car-culture.html

Other useful links:

• http://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/rhiaweston/road-safety-procession-to-be-held-on-sat-21st-in-birmingham-in-hope-fennells-name#.UjoFSpKtYBY.facebook
• http://www.b14news.co.uk/protest-march-for-teen/
• http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/mum-hope-fennell-stops-kings-6076170
• http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/hope-fennell-tragedy-mp-urges-6028675
• http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/hope-fennells-killer-driver-jailed-5849881
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-21380645
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-15663711
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2415859/Hope-Fennell-death-Lorry-driver-crushed-13-year-old-girl-truck-texted-girlfriend-released-just-THREE-months.html

Moseley Folk 2013

Another fantastic line-up this year as folk festival seems to ever grow.  The fields were re-jigged  a bit to compensate for the ever growing numbers - a nice touch to have live music in the beer tent, with the occasional dance routine breaking out across the queues.  Extras like children's activities and other stuff has always been good at #mofo, and this year saw the Morris hay-down get a bit wild right though to the evening, as the hay kept flying.  All the bands say this is their favourite festival - maybe they would wouldn't they?  But I think it'd be hard to top the lovely laidback family atmosphere Moseley Folk does so well.

Here's a few of my photos from the day.  Only managed to photo Kate Rusby from the stage - see links below for more and better photos






Useful links:

• http://www.moseleyfolk.co.uk/
• http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music/review-moseley-folk-festival-5829389

Fantastic Moseley Folk festival

Great to be at folk festival this year - we were making willow wands as part of the ever growing family activities at mofo on all three days.  Great bands,as always, and it seems to get bigger and better!

see http://www.moseleyfolk.co.uk/

A few of our photos: