Manor resident Laura Swindell was fed up of her neighbourhood getting a bad reputation so she decided to show it was a great place to live by organising an old-fashioned knees-up.

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Laura, aged 26, decided life was getting too gloomy with the credit crunch and rising household bills and wanted to put a smile back on people's faces.

So along with neighbour Zoe Nockall she organised a big bash for everyone living on Queen Mary Grove.

More than 60 people enjoyed the party, which finished with a fireworks display.

Laura said: "It was absolutely fabulous, a lot better than I imagined. We partied into the night and finished about 10pm.

"It really bought everybody together. One family moved on to the street less than a month ago and didn't know anybody but they were talking away to everyone and loved it.

"I asked if they were glad they had moved here and they said it was brilliant.

"Another young family had never really spoken to anyone but enjoyed it so much they are planning a party at their house. I would recommend a street party to anyone, it was great."

Attractions included a bouncy castle, bingo, a free raffle and apple bobbing. A DJ played music for the kids and golden oldies and songs from the war for the pensioners.

It was a huge community effort as everyone chipped in, bringing food and drinks to share.

Laura said: "The food was amazing," said Laura. "One person brought a big pan of curry, someone else brought chilli, someone did some homemade soup and my mum made a load of fairy cakes.

"People also brought sausage rolls, pasta, jacket potatoes and cakes - we were overrun with food.

"One neighbour donated the fireworks and another loaned the bouncy castle so everyone chipped in."

Local shops also gave their support. Fancy Pants fancy dress shop at Manor Top loaned a Dora the Explorer outfit for free, Asda at Handsworth gave residents £50 to spend in store and Vantage chemist at Manor Top donated several raffle prizes.

Landlords People for Places housing association donated money which residents spent on a marquee. And two community police officers called by every half an hour to check everything was okay.

The party was such a success, neighbours are now begging Laura to organise another one at Christmas.

Laura, who is due to start university in September to train as a nurse, said: "We will definitely do it again next year but people are begging me to do one at Christmas.

"They want a Santa, roast chestnuts, mulled wine and carols! If I have time I am happy to do it.

"It took a lot of planning and we really worked our boots off.

I didn't have chance to eat on the day and only had one drink as I was running about so much but it was all worth it just to see everybody's faces.

"If I can organise one at Christmas, I definitely will."

Local councillor Jenny Armstrong, who lives just around the corner, was at the party.

She said: "I really love living in the area and it doesn't deserve its bad reputation. The street party was an inspirational effort by Laura.

"It shows the neighbourhood has a lot of good people working together to make it a real community."



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