For Footsteps Summer 2026 Faith Walk, on 9th August we joined up with Hodge Hill Church and its Old Rectory Community House. After a wonderful shared community lunch, we took a walk in the heat wave across Hodge Hill Common, led by Jenny from Friends of Hodge Hill Common and Rev Al Barrett.
We learned that the common is dry acid grassland, an ecologically valuable habitat which is uncommon in Birmingham, with some planted trees and colonising scrub and saplings. We were saddened to see large areas of burnt grass form recent grass fires.
Friends of Hodge Hill do a great job with the community in keeping the Common litter, and we helped out by picking up the odd piece of litter we could spot and a recent accumulation around a park bench. Footsteps’ Fizz commented,
‘I love what this idea has brought out people coming together, enjoying each other’s company, having a laugh, and also giving something back to our community through a little litter picking.’
Al Barrett commented on the lunch we shared together,
‘there is not much that happens in Hodge Hill that doesn’t involve food!’
Pascale who was visiting from Coventry said,
‘I enjoyed meeting you all yesterday and found the walk, led by Jenny, informative and interesting. I’m sorry about the fires on the common. Let’s hope there won’t be any more. Thank you for welcoming me and for the delicious lunch.’
A great day out with our friends in Hodge Hill and many thanks to Fizz for organising.
Header photo: Pascale Eyre; gallery photos: Fanniza Begum.