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| Hutton Hall, June 2011 Hutton Hall has sat at the heart of the Hutton Estate in Washwood Heath for several decades. Initially a meeting venue for local tenants, it became a base for a variety of local groups and services, but latterly a target for graffiti and vandalism. A few years ago a local resident, Masood Yasin, approached Birmingham City Council to question the quality of what Hutton Hall was offering the local area and to propose a community-led regeneration of the building. To their credit City Council officers together with Business in the Community and the law firm Eversheds worked with the local organisation Masood Yasin now runs - Comm:Pact - on a bold initiative. Since 1st April 2011 Hutton Hall has been transferred from the City Council to be managed by Comm:Pact on a 25 year lease. As can be seen from the photograph above compared to the one below taken in 2008 the exterior of the building has been transformed.
The art work now adorning the building was designed in conjunction with local residents to reflect Hutton Hall's Birmingham location, local heritage, the colours of the fabrics used in Asian fashion, the names of organisations working in the building and iconic images of contemporary life.
In coming months Hutton Hall hopes to extend the activities currently on offer which include: twice weekly sewing classes organised by the women's group Amina; Zumba classes; a play scheme for children aged 6-11; and a weekly health project run by Kidney Research UK. Given the age profile of the locality, strengthening services for young people is a priority. The sports court at the back provides the land, but as many organisations are asking at the moment: who will provide the financial and human resources? |
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Hutton Hall: Transfer and Transformation
