Monthly Archives: November 2020

Business, News

Give a gift of care for Sutton hospice

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  • St Giles Hospice Clinical Director Katie Burbridge with the Merry Messages poster
    St Giles Hospice Clinical Director Katie Burbridge with the Merry Messages poster

Call to support Katie’s Christmas appeal

St Giles Hospice is asking people to come together and give the gift of care this Christmas by supporting Katie’s Christmas Appeal.

The charity has two local hospices, one in Lindridge Road Sutton and the other in Lichfield, together with shops in Mere Green and Boldmere.

Even though we can’t currently all meet up in person as we usually would, St Giles hopes local families, businesses, schools and groups will feel a little closer to each other this festive season by signing up to take part in its simple, fun and COVID-19-safe fundraising activities.

The hospice has launched Katie’s Christmas Appeal to support its work caring for patients living with a terminal illness, and their families, at the end of a year in which it has been forced to close its shops during two national lockdowns and cancel most of its organised fundraising events – including its popular annual Christmas Fair.

The campaign is named after Katie Burbridge, the Clinical Director at St Giles Hospice. Katie said: “Our care doesn’t stop at Christmas time. This festive season our staff will be creating special memories with patients and their families – for many of whom, this Christmas may sadly be their last.

“The cost of providing inpatient care on Christmas Day alone is over £16,000. It’s only thanks to the generosity of our supporters that we can give the gift of care. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for allowing us to be there for local people at this really important time of year.”

Among the campaign’s suggested activities are making a donation and donning festive knitwear for Jolly Jumper Day on December 11; chipping in and writing a note on the Merry Messages poster in lieu of Christmas cards and keeping kids amused by donating and downloading Olly’s Christmas Activity Pack.

Or fundraisers can use the props provided to post an Elfie Selfie (#StGilesElfieSelfie); take part in a Secret Santa Swap by donating to St Giles the funds they would usually spend on a secret Santa gift; or support ‘Donate Your Christmas Plate’ by making a donation to help fund Christmas meals for hospice patients.

Elinor Eustace, Income Generation Director at St Giles Hospice, said: “With the cancellation of so many events throughout 2020, we’re all the more determined to have a ‘cracking’ Christmas this year!

St Giles Hospice in Lindridge Road, Sutton Coldfield, will be taking part in the activities

“We may all be socially distanced at the moment, but we hope that people will have lots of festive fun as they raise much-needed funds and update their St Giles Christmas Stocking Totaliser poster along the way. They can use our festive-themed fundraising ideas in or out of work, or with family and friends.

“Our fundraising team are always on hand to help with ideas and support, and we look forward to seeing your own personal touches too. Whether you do your bit in a novelty knit, or donate your Christmas plate, please support us this festive season and help make Christmas count for our patients and their families – we’ve never needed you more than we need you today.”

Supporters who sign up for a Festive Fundraising Pack will receive a list of fabulous fundraising ideas, a Merry Messages Poster, cut out props for their Elfie Selfie, and a St Giles Stocking Totaliser to help them keep track of their progress. Printed packs are also available on request, which include a money box, for a recommended donation of £5.

Anyone wanting further support can email the St Giles fundraising team on fundraising@stgileshospice.com or call 01543 432538. They will be happy to provide fundraisers with additional materials, such as a collection tin, cardboard collection box or St Giles piggy bank.

For further information about the appeal or to request a fundraising pack visit www.stgileshospice.com/how-you-can-help-us/fundraise-with-us/christmas-appeal/

News

New EE mast sparks local anger

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The old mast standing in front of the new, much taller mast at Walsall Road

Four Oaks residents are up in arms after the completion of a huge new telecoms mast, saying the site looks like a ‘bomb site.’

The towering EE mast at Walsall Road near The Crown pub on Walsall Road, has recently been completed after the firm’s successful appeal. Much to the annoyance of many neighbours, who are annoyed at the ‘mess’ left after the previous mast was not removed.

Their annoyance has been echoed by Four Oaks ward councillor Maureen Cornish who described it as a ‘frustrating situation.’ She has also launched and enforcement complaint to tidy up the site.

The work was completed during October, and will provide the latest 5G communications across the area, with the 50ft.

Councillor Cornish

 The development proposed is a proposed telecoms upgrade with monopole, c/w wrapround cabinet at base and associated works. 

The new mast was initially refused planning permission by Birmingham City Council, who said the main issue is the effect of the proposed development on the visual amenity of the area, with particular regard to the proposal’s scale and siting, but MBNL (EE Ltd and Hutchinson of 3G UK LTD) launched an appeal under  under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 against a refusal to grant planning permission. 

 The appeal was upheld by Andrew McGlone an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local resident Patrick James, from Four Oaks Common Road, described the scene as an unsightly mess.

He said: We all understand the need for better communication, but the area has been left in a right state, a bit of a bomb site really, not to mention the disruption while the work was carried out.”

 Councillor Cornish, Shadow Cabinet Member for Education Skills and Culture at Birmingham City Council, said she had launched an enforcement complaint over the what has been left at the site.

She added: “The Telecommunication installation at the Crown Pub has and still is a frustrating situation. Residents do not object to providing 5G but the number of boxes  and the disgraceful appearance is unacceptable. I have been working with planning officers over a number of weeks requesting the situation is rectified.

My meeting, held last week, has produced the following: ‘The appeal file for the new mast and plans show that the old mast and some of the existing cabinets should be removed  once the new mast is in place.’

“It may be that, due to Covid the removal of old cabinets have been delayed. I have registered an enforcement complaint and they will be in touch and keep me updated.”

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News

Sutton remembers fallen heroes

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Rev Canon Adrian Leahy leads the Remembrance ceremony at All Saints Church
By Bill McCarthy

A Remembrance Sunday with a difference was celebrated with a small but poignant ceremony at All Saints Church, Four Oaks.

Reverend Canon Adrian Leahy gave a short tribute and prayer in memory of the fallen in a ceremony attended by just a handful of people, where previously there would have been hundreds, in a service hampered by Covid 19 lockdown restrictions.

He then laid a wreath, as did a representative from Sutton Coldfield Town Council and the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands.

A bugler then played the last post before a two-minute silence was held in memory of the fallen British and Commonwealth servicemen and women.

The Remembrance ceremony takes place on the Sunday closest to the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month when the First World War armistice was signed.

Rev Leahy concluded with some of the words from a poem from Robert Laurence Binyon:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Rev Leahy said the event had proved a challenge with the Covid restrictions in place.

He said: “The hardest thing for me is seeing that church door behind us closed and the grounds almost empty where there would normally be hundreds of people.

“I’m pleased we were able to put something together and am grateful to those who took part.”

He also praised the efforts of Scouts and Guides who had managed to help decorate the church grounds with plastic poppies along lawn edges, wrapped around a large tree and a number of painted memorial stones at the foot of a tree in the church grounds..

Despite the restrictions, Rev Leahy said he was still managing to conduct services with the help of a loudspeaker and Zoom connection and said he was grateful for everyone’s patience.

All Saints Church is on the corner of Bellwell Lane and Walsall Road, for information, visit www.allsaintsfouroaks.org.uk

News, Schools, Sport

Martha’s England Lionesses pride

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A Sutton Coldfield football manager has spoken of his pride after a former player was selected for training with the England Lionesses under-16 squad.

Fifteen-year-old Arthur Terry School student, Martha MacPhail, who started her career as the only girl in manager John Watts’ under-7s Sutton Coldfield Town Juniors football team, was selected to attend the England Lionesses U16 residential training camp at St George’s Park National Performance Centre in Burton.

Martha plays for Aston Villa Women’s Regional Talent Centre U16s and is also part of the newly-formed Villa Women’s Academy talent day release programme. The sporty Year 11 student undertook intense match training, including strength and conditioning, along with education workshops around performance psychology.

Now manager of the successful under -16 Sutton Town team, John paid tribute to his former player. He said: “Martha’s ability was clear to see from as young as four years old. Luckily for me, my son is her best friend, there was no way in the world she was playing for any other team but ours.

“What set her apart from any other player was her ability to quickly pick up and use a complex skill successfully and consistently during a game. The praise she received in those five years from opposing team mangers and parents alike is unquantifiable. Such wonderful technique and superb agility only scratch the surface of what is incredible young lady.”

Versatile Martha, who plays in various positions, said:  “I was pleased to have been selected for the camp this time round, given the current climate with Covid. It’s been hard keeping fit throughout the last six months, but I have been focused on my goals and hopefully I’ll be rewarded with an England call up one day!”

But the modest youngster added that her foremost goal was forging a career with Aston Villa first.

During her training, Martha was assigned time to complete her school work. Aston Villa Women has launched a dual career pathway, a programme to support future stars of the game to manage elite football expectations and studies so that players are well qualified individuals.

Cristina Torkildsen, Youth Technical Director at Aston Villa Women’s Football Club, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of Marty for her international call up, she deserves it and has worked incredibly hard to achieve this.

“Marty has been in and around England Camps for the last few years, but this was her first England U16s Training Camp and that’s a recognition of the great work she has put in over the last few years and beyond. Marty has a huge personality with bags of potential and we have no doubt that this was the first of many – hope she enjoyed every second.”

Martha, who was previously selected to attend an England Women’s U15 training camp, started her career with Sutton Coldfield Town Juniors Football Club U7, before moving on to Aston Villa Women, Birmingham City RTC and Birmingham Women.

Arthur Terry School PE teacher Donna Horspool said: “Martha’s dedication and attitude towards chasing her dreams is exemplary, she is a fabulous role model around school and deserves the success she is receiving.”

She added that Martha has “contributed significantly” to the success of Arthur Terry School’s football team, helping them to be crowned Birmingham School Futsal Champions, Erdington and Saltley Cup Champions, West Midlands County Cup Champions and English Schools Quarter Finalists. Martha is also an integral member of the West Midlands Schoolgirls County Team, working tirelessly to help them reach the semi-final of the National Cup.

Samantha Kibble, headteacher of Arthur Terry School, which is part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), said: “We’re delighted that Martha was chosen to train with England at this level. This honour is testament to her hard work and talent. She is incredibly gifted and dedicated, both as a player and as a student, and we were all cheering her on at home.”

Sutton Coldfield Town Juniors Football Club and Sutton Coldfield Town Football Club have formed a working partnership to provide ‘Football for All’ and become one of Birmingham Football Associations new HUB CLUBS and achieve the COMMUNITY CHARTER STANDARD. 

Sutton Coldfield Town Football Club provide an opportunity for everyone to enjoy playing and taking part in football related activities. The two clubs have, for a long time, been successfully representing Sutton Coldfield in junior and senior football but have now found the formula to work together to promote football across the community for the benefit of all abilities and give progression opportunities for players to move from junior to senior football. 

Sutton Coldfield Town Juniors Football Club currently run 18 junior teams (aged 7 to 16) from their ground at Bishop Walsh School and run a Saturday morning soccer school for girls and boys. Teams can play in the Central Warwickshire league at the weekend – and they have the opportunity to progress into the higher level Junior Premier League. Players can also be selected to join the Sutton Coldfield Town Academy teams where promotion into the under 18, under 21 and senior team is now a real opportunity.