Members of the Armed Forces will be able to get a free hot breakfast at Tesco New Oscott cafe to mark the Armed Forces Day celebration on Sunday.
As a thank-you for their service, on Sunday 30 June, all serving Armed Forces personnel, regulars and reservists can present their MOD90 identification card at Tesco New Oscott café in Sutton Coldfield and get The Breakfast, The Veggie Breakfast, The Vegan Breakfast, Sausage Bap, Veggie Bap or the Bacon Bap for free.*
It’s the third year of offering the free breakfast, and this year it has been extended to veterans with a valid Veteran’s ID card. The promotion is limited to one free breakfast per cardholder.
Ashwin Prasad, Group Chief Product Officer at Tesco and Exec Sponsor of the Armed Forces Network, said: “As the largest private employer of Armed Forces veterans in the UK we feel a close affinity with Armed Forces personnel. Everyone loves a free breakfast and it’s a nice way of thanking them for their service.”
Rhys Little, Chair of the Armed Forces Network at Tesco, said: “We take great pride in our connection with the Armed Forces. We’ve received the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme twice now – in 2016 and 2020 – and we were also the first retailer to sign the Armed Forces Covenant in 2014.”
The YMCA Sutton Coldfield team marked Founders Day at their town HQ
YMCA Sutton Coldfield marked Founders Day which celebrated 180 years of the YMCA movement by inviting local people to celebrate with them
YMCA Sutton Coldfield, based on St Bernards Road in the town, has been around for more than 100 years.
Each year it supports around 800 young people and adults through various services, including housing, support for young carers, youth work and disability.
The organisation was created from humble beginnings in 19th century London by 22-year-old draper George Williams.
He joined forces with a group of friends to organise the first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets of London.
And 180 years on, YMCA has grown to serve more than 65 million people across 120 countries, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.
YMCA Sutton Coldfield marked the occasion of Founders Day by inviting the community to celebrate with them.
Recently-completed renovation work was also unveiled.
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust funded extensive work to The Lodge including replacing its roof and widening the doorway at the top of the ramp for wheelchair access.
The Youth Work room and the ‘Pod’ have been redecorated to create modern youth work spaces including a gaming area and dedicated podcast space funded by Comic Relief.
The Sensory room has been updated following a donation from parents of young people using the services.
The resident’s kitchen was refurbished by a group of volunteers led by Clare Whalley of Meta4 Business Coaching.
Rachel Dutta Choudhury, bid writing, fundraising and development manager at YMCA Sutton Coldfield, said: “We are so grateful for the support of our funders and the community.
“Being able to update our facilities makes such a difference to the young people we work with.”
YMCA is the world’s largest and oldest charity working with young people and their communities.
All YMCAs are independent and responsible for generating their own funds.
No excuse for abuse – we want everyone to enjoy the football this summersays police
Police have warned football fans that domestic abuse will not be tolerated during the UEFA European Football Championship is taking place. Whilst this may be a time of fun and celebration for many, for others, this can be quite a nerve-wracking time.
Football matches do not cause domestic abuse, factors such as increased alcohol consumption and heightened emotions during matches can sometimes cause existing domestic abuse to increase in frequency and severity.
West Midlands Police have measures in place to protect victims of domestic abuse and officers will be actively looking to prosecute and hold offenders to account, issuing Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) where appropriate.
DVPNs provide short-term protection for domestic abuse victims, by granting temporary respite from their abuser, that allows victims to access and engage with support services without interference.
Detective Superintendent Simon Inglis, our force lead for domestic abuse, said: “We want everyone to be able to enjoy the football this summer and whatever the result of the matches, it’s fine to be happy or disappointed. But it’s not acceptable for you to take any frustrations you may have out on other people around you. There’s never any excuse for abuse.
We always take robust action against anybody who commits domestic abuse offences in order that we can protect victims, so we’ll be doing all we can to ensure people enjoy the matches in a safe way throughout the tournament.”
PC Catherine Clinton, the football investigation officer for offences against women and girls, also shares her advice here for getting support if you’re concerned about your behaviour and want to change it.
If you have experienced domestic abuse, it’s important you that you report itto us. In an emergency, call 999.
There are also a range of support services you can access. Find out more.
Theatregoers are invited to take a trip down Memory Lane with a summer variety show at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.
Brought to you by the producers of The D-Day Darlings, the summer Variety Show takes audiences on a nostalgic trip down back to the good old days at the seaside, with popular songs such as “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside”, “Bring me Sunshine”, “A Little stick of Blackpool Rock”, “We’re all going on a summer Holiday” and many more.
Performed by a high quality cast including; Musical Merry Maker Andy Eastwood with his lovable ukulele, the vocal talents of Helen Farrel & Richard Hazlewood and also including singers from the D-Day Darlings, making this show the best thing since sliced bread..!
Tickets cost £25.50 and includes a seasonal lunch and quiz.
Show times: Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th July – 12pm – 4pm
Tickets are now on here or call the box office on: 0121 296 9543, Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm.
People in Sutton Coldfield are invited to get into the football spirit ahead of the Euros with St Giles Hospice’s Keepy-Up Challenge! St Giles Hospice is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest fundraising initiative – the Keepy-Up Challenge! As football fever sweeps across the continent ahead of the Euros, St Giles is inviting supporters to join them in a game-changing challenge to raise vital funds.
Whether you’re a seasoned striker or just starting out, everyone can be a champion in this event. The rules are as straightforward as a penalty kick: Sign up to the Keepy-Up Challenge to receive your free fundraising pack and activity tracker, then show off your skills by completing as many keepy-ups as you can throughout the Euros 2024 period, between 14th June – 14th July.
Oli Duffy, 14 years old, from Elford, took part in the challenge last year to raise money in memory of his Grandad Willis, who died at St Giles. Oli said: “My grandad was a keen sportsman so I think he would be proud of me for raising money for St Giles and raising awareness of the work that they do. I found the challenge fun as it kept me active and helped me with my football skills!”
Sam Colclough, Events Coordinator at St Giles Hospice, added: “Our Keepy- Up Challenge is a winning opportunity for local people to blend their love of football with fundraising for St Giles. “Every pound raised goes directly towards supporting local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness.”
But the excitement doesn’t stop at the final whistle! Participants who reachthe medal target (£50 for individuals, and £200 for a team) will receive a Keepy-Up Challenge medal in the post and be entered into a prize draw to win an array of sporty prizes, including the chance to win four England match tickets.! For more information and to sign up for the Keepy-Up challenge, visit: http://www.stgileshospice.com/keepyupchallenge/
Victoria Nussey and Richard Gill with Paget Primary pupils. The school is one of two to join the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
Arthur Terry partnership grows
Sutton Coldfield based The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) has welcomed two Birmingham schools to its growing multi-academy trust.
Deykin Avenue Junior and Infant School in Witton and Paget Primary School in Erdington officially joined the Sutton Coldfield based multi-academy trust of schools on 1 June.
They join partner primaries in Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Lichfield and Warwickshire, as well as neighbouring Erdington primaries Brookvale, Slade and Osborne – which is currently celebrating its recent Ofsted success.
The 24-strong ATLP multi-academy trust has 17 primary schools, six secondary schools, one all-through school and one national teaching school hub across Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire.
Led by Richard Gill CBE, who is also chair of the national Teaching Schools Hub Council, the ATLP has a proven track record of rigorous school improvement where headteachers and other leaders work together to share best practice and learn from one another as well as from other external networks and partnerships.
Deykin and Paget join ATLP after a period of mutual due diligence which has included formal consultation with parents, staff and the local community.
Deykin Avenue acting headteacher Sharon Brewer said: “What a fantastic opportunity to be part of the ATLP and work closely with a likeminded family of schools who share our strong moral purpose of putting children at the heart of all we do.
“The Partnership has a proven track record for school improvement, so not only will this have a real impact on teaching and learning, but it will provide numerous opportunities for our children – and our wonderful local community – to flourish.”
Paget Primary School headteacher Vicky Nussey said: “We are excited to have joined the ATLP as it is the right choice. The values that the Partnership holds shone through immediately and its vision and hopes for the children align with mine. We feel part of a learning family and that’s hugely important.
“The school needed more support, particularly within the School Improvement Team and with succession planning and future-proofing, so benefiting from the ATLP’s infrastructure will support this significantly.”
Richard Gill CBE said: “I’m delighted to welcome Deykin Avenue and Paget to the ATLP. Both are friendly and welcoming schools at the heart of their learning communities. They share the same vision and values of our learning family – to work together to drive forward school improvement, ensuring that each and every child has the opportunity to excel.
“I’m looking forward to working with Sharon and Vicky as we strive collectively as One Trust to make a lasting difference to the children in our care and the communities we serve. These are exciting times for our learning family, and it’s fantastic to be able to welcome Deykin and Paget to our North Birmingham hub of schools.”
The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership is based in Sutton Coldfield. It has more than 15,000 students, staff and governors.
A Sutton Coldfield care home held a very special celebration to mark Birmingham Pride.
Residents and the team at Care UK’s Bishop Manor, on Jockey Road, decked the home out in rainbow flags and brought out their feather boas to welcome drag artist Aunty Ginger, for an afternoon of glamour, humour and music.
Accompanying the entertainment was a range of activities, including face painting, singing and dancing, which all promoted the message of inclusivity for residents and team members.
Sidney Knight, aged 88, said: “We had a fantastic day celebrating Pride and Aunty Ginger was incredibly vibrant. Some of the jokes were cheeky, but everyone enjoyed them. The last time I saw a drag act was at last year’s Aging with Pride event here at Bishops Manor.
Thomas Bampfield, General manager at Bishops Manor, said: “We had a fantastic time celebrating Pride and flying the rainbow flag.
“Here at Bishops Manor, we’re committed to ensuring the home is a welcoming and supportive place for everyone, which is why we were delighted to be able to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community with a very special celebration.
“Pride month has a wonderful way of bringing people together and we are thrilled everyone enjoyed the celebration; it was great to see everyone get involved laughing and singing. I’d like to say a massive thank you to Aunty Ginger for entertaining us all – she definitely got the party started!”
All team members at Bishops Manor have taken part in equality and diversity training as part of the home’s dedication to creating an open and warm environment. This is supported by Care UK’s LGBTQ+ Network, which provides training and guidance to team members on related issues, as well as developing an open culture in every care home.
Designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence, Bishops Manor incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities. The building has been designed to help facilitate the creation of close-knit communities and encourage social interaction among the residents.
A Sutton Coldfield care home is opening its doors to the community for a special commemoration. On June 6, from 2pm – 4pm, Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Road, is welcoming local people to honour the 80th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944, with its very own lamp lighting ceremony.
At Mercia Grange, the team have been hard at work organising a special commemorative event which will see residents and guests enjoy a 1940s-themed party, complete with bunting, flags, popular wartime songs from singer Tony Wall and the attendance of the British Legion. The culinary team will serve wartime themed refreshments.
To commemorate the Normandy Landings Care UK is partnering with royal pageant master Bruno Peek, CVO OBE OPR, coordinator of ‘D-Day 80 Lamp Light of Peace’. Along with charities supporting the three forces and the Merchant Navy Association, over 100 Care UK homes will take part in this nationwide tribute.
The lamp, which represents the peace that followed the end of World War Two, will be lit at 3pm by Gerald Rose, 94, who was part of the army, serving in Africa, Judy Redgrove, 66, who served for 13 years in the Women’s Royal Naval Service, and Roy Hubbard, Chairman at the British Legion.
Gerald said: “I am very proud to be chosen to light the lamp. It is so important for the community of veterans to come together to remember this day. The Veterans Group in Sutton Coldfield meet regularly and have even had a lunch meeting at Mercia Grange.”
Michael McNelis, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “Here at Mercia Grange we’re always grateful for an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with our neighbours, so we’re looking forward to welcoming the community for a special event marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
“This is an incredibly important milestone for many residents, and we’re keen to honour and remember all those involved. Music is a fantastic way to bring back memories for older people and a wonderful way to bring communities together, so we’re thrilled to welcome Tony to get everyone’s toes tapping.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming new and old faces into Mercia Grange as we mark such a significant moment in history.”
Sutton Coldfield Life 