Annie Blindell has lived here since 1980. Her voluntary involvement has spanned setting up the local branch of the Campaign to Free the Birmingham 6, supporting the training of local women to become plasterers. But her honour this evening is Annie’s contribution to Pitsmoor Credit Union. And in between she’s managed to squeeze in some paid hours to balance the books of Burngreave Messenger.
For a good few years, the Pitsmoor Credit Union has merged with Sheffield Credit Union but Annie still spends a couple of half-days every week looking after the interests of the former Pitsmoor members. She also runs the weekly junior savers scheme at Firshill School and visits local house-bound savers. It goes without saying that Annie is not the sole collector and organiser of the Credit Union in Pitsmoor – Len and Hazel are still active at Christ Church for example – but it’s her underpinning contribution that is the glue that holds things together.
At a time when the economic crisis is likely to affect people in Burngreave very severely, it’s the skills and commitment of people like Annie that will be a real asset to us.