Monthly Archives: October 2025

Newsround

Festive boost for Sutton Coldfield with free parking, bus travel and cycle use

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Shoppers and visitors to Royal Sutton Coldfield are set for a major festive boost, as a popular scheme offering free parking, discounted bus travel, and free cycle hire returns this November..

While the scheme will be welcome, residents are reminded that free parking only applies to council-run car parks at certain times and not private car parks in the town.

The travel initiative, which comes through a £52,000 investment from Sutton Coldfield Town Council, is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

It is designed to support both local residents and the town’s businesses during the crucial festive trading period, making it cheaper and easier to enjoy everything the town centre has to offer.

Free parking details

In a significant move, free parking will be available in key Birmingham City Council-owned town centre car parks from Thursday, 13 November 2025, until Sunday, 4 January 2026.

The free parking schedule is as follows:

The offer applies on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm onwards and all day Saturdays and Sundays at the following car parks in the town.

  • Station Street
  • Upper Reddicroft
  • Lower Reddicroft
  • Mill Street
  • Anchorage Road
  • South Parade
  • Duke Street

Expanded travel options

Building on the success of last year’s scheme, the offer extends beyond just parking. Residents have a choice of sustainable and cost-effective ways to get into town:

  1. Free and discounted travel: Individuals* can sign up for two weeks of free bus travel followed by ongoing discounted fares through the Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) scheme.
  2. Free cycle hire: Residents can also cycle into the town centre for free using the West Midlands Combined Authority’s public bike hire scheme, which the Town Council helps to fund.

How to acces the bus travel offer

To take advantage of the free and discounted bus travel, residents must sign up for the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council mailing list by 10am on Monday, 10th November 2025. Further details and a unique access code will be sent via an e-newsletter after this date.

You can sign up using the form here: http://eepurl.com/di-Cwr

*Please note: If you have applied for this specific bus transport offer in a previous year, you will not be eligible for the new free and discounted bus tickets.

Supporting Sutton’s town centre

Councillor Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, emphasised the scheme’s importance: “Whilst it’s great to see new investment with work starting on new stores and the Gateway Scheme, we fully recognise the need to support the town centre’s diverse range of businesses through the crucial festive period.”

He added, “Subsidising free car parking and promoting free bus and cycle hire will make it cheaper and easier for people to travel into the town centre and make the most of our fantastic festive offer. We also want to give visitors a choice of different ways to travel, including opportunities to try more sustainable options.”

Newsround

Beat the autumn chill with Sutton Coldfield Town Hall’s hot November line-up

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As the nights draw in and the air grows colder, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall is offering a warm welcome this November.

The town centre venue says it is offering a month-long extravaganza of comedy, live music, theatre, and festive cheer.

Here’s your essential guide to what’s on this November.

A month of special music

Get ready for a tour through the greatest sounds in music history, with tributes that feel as good as the real thing.

  • One Night of Billy Joel (Fri, 14th Nov): Robert Schmuck and his incredible 7-piece band bring the songs of ‘The Piano Man’ to life in a breath-taking show. Sing along to mega-hits like ‘Uptown Girl,’ ‘My Life,’ and ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ in a non-stop celebration of one of music’s true legends.
  • The Stevie & Luther Show (Sat, 15th Nov): Prepare for a soulful night as Nat Augustin, one of the UK’s finest singers, delivers an authentic and powerful tribute to the legendary sounds of Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross. A million-selling setlist guaranteed to get you on your feet.
  • The History of Rock (Fri, 21st Nov): This is a rock pilgrimage for any music fan. Celebrating a legendary line-up headlined by “one of the greatest bands of all time,” expect an electrifying night of anthems that defined a generation.
  • Tujhe Dekha (Sat, 16th Nov): Immerse yourself in the colour and romance of Bollywood. This spectacular show celebrates the silver screen’s most iconic duo with live music, dazzling choreography, and a parade of unforgettable, heart-capturing hits.
  • The Crooners Christmas Special (Wed, 27th Nov): Get into the festive spirit with a side of laughter! Backed by an outrageous Big Band, this hit comedy-cabaret show features iconic Christmas classics by the greats like Sinatra and Buble. It’s a hilarious, sing-along sensation that will leave you brimming with cheer.

Theatre and the spoken word

  • A Christmas Carol – A Radio Play Live On Stage! (Mon, 10th Nov): This is a must-see for theatre and TV buffs. Witness a live radio play featuring Colin Baker and Peter Purves, with a specially recorded appearance by the legendary Tom Baker as the ghost of Jacob Marley. A unique and wonderfully nostalgic take on Dickens’ classic.
  • Town Hall Talks: Fred Dinenage (Tue, 25th Nov): True crime enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Hear the definitive insight into the Kray twins from their trusted official biographer. Fred Dinenage shares astonishing stories from his book, Ronnie, Reggie & Me, in a gripping evening of living history.

Loads of laughter

  • Funny Beeseness Comedy Night (Sun, 9th Nov): The hugely popular ‘Live At The Town Hall’ comedy night is back! Headlined by a very special guest and featuring the best acts from the national circuit, prepare for a night of side-splitting humour that will have you laughing all the way to work on Monday morning.

Festive festivities and events

  • A Celtic Christmas (Sat, 22nd Nov): Be enchanted by an ethereal evening of powerful melodies. This show features cherished carols and haunting traditional instruments, sung with a beautiful, folk-infused harmony that will transport you to a wintery Celtic landscape.
  • Christmas Wreath Making Workshop (Fri, 28th Nov): Unleash your creativity at this therapeutic workshop. Learn tips and tricks to create a beautiful, festive wreath to take home, all while enjoying mulled wine and mince pies. The perfect start to the Christmas season.
  • Love Life Again: Growth, Healing & Connection (Sun, 23rd Nov): A different kind of event for the Town Hall, offering a space for anyone who has experienced grief, trauma, or loss. Explore stalls from local healers and holistic guides focused on well-being and moving forward.
  • Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir (Mon, 24th Nov): Enjoy a more refined evening as the local chamber choir celebrates the 80th birthday of the beloved composer John Rutter, performing popular secular works to suit a wide range of tastes.

Christmas magical beauty with the pantomime

As November ends, the festive season at the Town Hall is just beginning! Get ready for the main event:

  • Beauty and the Beast Pantomime (Sat, 6th – Wed, 31st Dec): This Christmas, we invite you to be our guest! Our magical family pantomime for 2025 brings the timeless tale to life with all the pop songs, magic, and silliness you love. It’s a spectacular filled with family fun, so be sure to book your tickets before the last petal falls!

Make it a VIP night out

For many of the biggest shows, you can upgrade your experience with a VIP Package. Enjoy premium treatment before the show to make your night at the Town Hall truly unforgettable.

How to Book:
Visit the official Sutton Coldfield Town Hall website or contact the box office directly to secure your seats.

Newsround

Sutton Coldfield hosts annual Company Christmas Games

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inspire games.jpg

Sutton Coldfield will be hosting Inspire Activity’s Company Christmas Games this year. Teams can prepare for laughter and friendly competition when participating in these unique festive games.

Inspire Activity is a Birmingham-based organisation promoting well-being through various programs and events, including Company Games, Party Games, and school initiatives.

Fun-filled festive challenges

Teams will participate in a series of engaging challenges designed to spark camaraderie, including:

  • Sprout Slaloms
  • Tinsel Tosses
  • Indoor Curling
  • ……and much more!

Event details at a glance

  • What: The Inspire Activity Company Christmas Games
  • When: Thursday, 27th November | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  • Where: Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
  • Who: Corporate teams looking for fun Christmas party activities

With medals to be won, festive drinks at the bar, and opportunities to bond, this event is designed to end the year on a high note.

The entry fee is £295 + VAT per team of four to six people. To book, email dennis@inspireactivity.co.uk – places are limited.

Inspire Activity says it is passionate about the vital role sport and activity play in mental health and wellbeing, both in the community and workplace.

By organising, managing, and delivering sporting and community events, they aim to inspire health and happiness through physical activity.

Newsround

Sutton Coldfield’s Boldmere Christmas Festival axed

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The popular Boldmere Christmas Festival, including its popular lights switch-on event, has been officially cancelled for this year. The organisers, Boldmere Futures, cite severe funding shortages after their grant from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council was dramatically reduced.

A History of declining funding

The community interest company has seen a steep decline in financial support from the council over recent years. After receiving generous grants of £9,605 in 2022 and £10,000 in 2023, the funding was cut to £7,000 last year. For the 2025 financial year, the grant has been slashed to just £3,000.

The £10,000 funding gap

The cancellation stems from an unsustainable financial gap. The Boldmere Christmas Festivalcosts approximately £22,000 to stage, while it only generates around £12,000 in revenue. This leaves a funding shortfall of roughly £10,000 that has historically been covered by council grants and sporadic sponsorships.

Paul Long, Chairman of Boldmere Futures, expressed his disappointment: “Despite reaching out to local businesses and exploring other grants like the Plan for Neighbourhoods, the financial shortfall made it impossible to proceed this year. Even if funds were found today, it’s too late for 2024.”

Long emphasised the event’s vital role in “boosting community spirit and supporting local businesses in Sutton Coldfield.”

Council response and future of the festival

In a statement, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council explained that its grants are “competitive and often oversubscribed,” and are allocated based on the information provided by applicants.

The council also confirmed that Boldmere Futures has decided not to take the reduced grant for this year and will instead focus on other community projects.

Discussions are ongoing to secure proper funding with the aim of restoring the Boldmere Christmas Festival and lights switch-on in 2026. However, the future of this key Sutton Coldfield event remains uncertain pending a viable, long-term financial solution.

Newsround

Police surgeries: Voice your concerns in Sutton Coldfield

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West Midlands Police will be holding two police surgeries in Sutton Coldfield over the next few days, where people can have their say about their concerns and the service provided locally

PCSO Gill Whittingham will host the first at the Cosy Coffee Shop on Clarence Road, Four Oaks, on Saturday, October 4, between 10am and 11am. 

The second ill be held  at Four Oaks Baptist Church on Grange Lane, Mere Green on Monday,October 6, also between 10am and 11am. 

If you need some crime prevention advice or would like to talk to me about any issues in the area, please come along and have a chat with PCSO Whittingham