Helen Saunderson with her family, who are taking part in the 2023 Safari Solstice
Fundraisers invited to join charity event
Fundraisers are being invited to join St Giles Hospice’s wild and wonderful Safari Solstice Walk this summer on Saturday 17 th June in Lichfield. Safari-themed fancy dress is encouraged for this unforgettable 10k adventure around the streets of Lichfield City Centre, starting and ending at Lichfield Rugby Club. The event is open to everyone, and St Giles is encouraging participants to fundraise as much sponsorship as possible from friends, family and colleagues, to help fund care for local people, and their loved ones, living with a terminal illness. One person looking forward to this year’s event is Helen Saunderson from Lichfield, who took part in last year’s Solstice Walk, raising an incredible £1,000. Helen and her family have supported St Giles for many years and have also taken part in several of the hospice’s cycling events. Helen said: “You just hear the words ‘St Giles’ and want to help out to ensure the service is there for everybody. One day it could be you, or somebody you know that needs them. We thought the event last year was amazing and found the Moment of Reflection before the walk incredibly moving and emotional.” Encouraging people who are thinking about signing up for this year’s walk, Helen said: “Just do it. It was a really good experience, and quite magical!” The event kicks off in style with a welcome party at 6pm, including face painting, hair styling, live music and food and drink to get everyone in the Safari Solstice spirit. The welcome party culminates with a Moment of Reflection, with everyone joining together to release bubbles into the sky to remember loved ones. The Solstice Walk begins at 8pm, with a 10K route around the historic city of Lichfield as the sun begins to set, with participants being welcomed back across the finish line at Lichfield Rugby Club and presented with a special Solstice Walk medal. Following the walk, the ‘sunset celebration’ will continue until late into the evening. With live music and a fully licensed bar, it’ll be the perfect end to an amazing night. Entry is £16 for adults (16 years and over) and £12 for children (15 years and under). Children are welcome, but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to sign up to this year’s St Giles Hospice’s Safari Solstice Walk visit http://www.stgileshospice.com/solsticewalk From set up to set down this event wouldn’t be possible without the help of volunteers. If anybody would like to help out at the event they can contact volunteer@stgileshospice.com
Delegates mingle at last year’s Royal Business Fair
Hundreds set to attend Chamber of Commerce event
Sutton Coldfield’s biggest networking event of the year is returning – with hundreds of delegates expected to attend. The Royal Business Fair, hosted by Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, takes place at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall on Friday 30 June (10am to 3pm).
With around 40 exhibitors and hundreds of delegates in attendance, it is the perfect opportunity for businesses to raise their profile, discover new business opportunities and grow their sales and client base.
The event will also feature two seminars delivered by experts from the business community and a Speed Networking session.
Phil Arkinstall, president of the Sutton Coldfield Chamber, said: “We are very excited to be holding our annual business fair for the second year running at the Town Hall.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase your business by having a stand or to see what brilliant businesses are out there if attending as a delegate.”
Businesses have until 5pm on Monday 20 March to book an exhibition stand.
How to join
Join us at our biggest networking event of the year! Whether you are looking to build your network, promote your business, find new suppliers or increase your knowledge, the Royal Business Fair offers you the best platform in The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield to do all those things under one roof. The Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce will look to welcome a significant number of business contacts, from across the Greater Birmingham region to this event. With a seminar programme and a large exhibition space, this event will provide the perfect opportunity for delegates and exhibitors to showcase their businesses.
WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
👫 New connections 👆 Raise your profile through networking and our app 🌎 Open your eyes to new opportunities and collaborations 📈 Grow sales, customers and client base
AGENDA
10:00am: Expo Opens
10:30am-11:15am: Seminar 1 (speaker to be announced)
11:45am-12:30pm: Seminar 2 (speaker to be announced)
2:00pm-2:45pm: Speed Networking
3:00pm: Event Close
EXHIBIT
Early bird stands are on sale until 5pm on Monday 20th March
The Acropolis Museum, with the Acropolis and Parthenon in the background. Pictures: British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles
Above, a sculpture and a colour frieze from the marbles collection
The British Empire has a notable history including a mastery of plundering treasures from around the world.
The most notable of which are the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the ‘Elgin Marbles’, and the others? Well, just go and have a walk around the British Museum and you will get the picture, where thousands of ‘acquired artefacts’ are on display.
The three most prominent are the marbles, Hoa Hakananai’a, and the Benin Bronzes which are wanted back by Greece, Easter Island and Nigeria respectively.
But there are also numerous Egyptian treasures on display including the fabled Rosetta Stone.
It could be argued that the august institution, the British Museum, could have its collar felt for receiving stolen goods.
Should the Old Bill be investigating a series of high-value heists, over a period of centuries, given they are not having a great time of it at the moment? While it could be difficult to track down the initial thieves, let’s face it they would be dead, there is still a lot of receiving stolen goods going on.
What are they?
The Parthenon Marbles are a series of sculptures that were originally part of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Greece, each displaying events and legends of Greek history.
The burning question is should they be returned to their rightful homes.
Yes, says Greece in the case of the marbles, which should be housed in the Acropolis Museum in Athens. No says the British Museum and the UK Government.
The Parthenon in Athens and the Acropolis Museum
It “would open the gateway to the question of the entire contents of our museums”, Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan said in a BBC interview recently.
She added that it would be, “a very slippery slope to go down”. She described the sculptures as “assets of our country”. Losing the ‘Elgin marbles’, according to this kind of formulation, would lead to a kind of asset-stripping of the British soul.
Yeh, right. So pilfered, plundered or stolen goods from other cultures should become part of the British soul?
Dame Jane Suzman
There are many groups and authors who believe the marbles should be repatriated, including the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM), whose chair is Dame Janet Suzman.
She was not impressed with Donelan’s comments and said: “How embarrassing that the Culture Secretary referred to them as ‘Elgin Marbles’ after the man that forcibly removed them from a building that has withstood two and half millennia of history including many wars.
“Mercifully the British Museum refers to them as the Parthenon Sculptures but George Osborne has also called them ‘Elgin Marbles’ even Mary Beard, does that and her excuse? To differentiate them from those in Athens.”
Returning to the dubious British soul quote.
Did not the attraction of the American dollar lead to the iconic, if not the most iconic, bridge over the River Thames sold?
The original London Bridge now spans a river in Arizona. It was sold 50-odd years ago and now sits in Lake Havasu City in Arizona. Selling our heritage more like.
What would Donelan be saying if some European aristocrat was able to spirit away, let’s say the Crown Jewels. After a period of time, they reappeared in a foreign museum? Let’s say the Louvre in Paris.
What would we say then?
Would it be: “If we bring the Crown Jewels home, it would be a slippery slope to go down and that particular country would be stripped of what had become their assets?” I doubt it.
According to the British Museum by the early 19th century, the Ottoman Empire had been the governing authority in Athens for 350 years.
Lord Elgin was the British Ambassador to the Ottomans and was granted permission to be able to draw, measure and remove some figures that might be lying on the ground.
Between 1801 and 1805 Elgin removed the best sculptures, about half of the remaining surviving sculptures from the ruins of the Parthenon.
All of Elgin’s collection of antiquities was then transported to Britain. His actions were investigated by a Parliamentary Select Committee in 1816 and found to be legal, prior to the sculptures entering the collection of the British Museum by Act of Parliament.
The museum maintains that its acquisition was a legal act of preservation.
The sad thing is, the museum is unable to display them all. It is reported that the museum has around eight million objects in its collection, of which around 80,000 are on display at any given time.
These antiquities should be returned to their rightful homes and as a gesture of goodwill, we could donate some British treasures to take up permanent residence in those countries.
How about the likes of Nigel Farage, John Cleese, Prince Andrew and Katie Hopkins?
They could, perhaps, be joined by the likes of interview genius Richard Madeley or Jeremy Clarkson, Piers Morgan, Laurence Fox, Noel Edmonds or Jeremy Corbyn. Perhaps that would be too much to inflict on anyone. Too much of a cultural shock if you like.
But returning these antiquities would right so many wrongs. Having visited Athens, the Parthenon and the Acropolis Museum there seems no better home for them
Dame Janet added: “In Athens stands a fine building especially built to house them, and this year, on 20 June, the Acropolis Museum will celebrate its 14th anniversary.
“Now is the time to make a grand and generous gesture to the Greek people who in distant times laid the foundations of our modern democracies and who informed our artistic heritage. What a fabulous birthday present that would be.”
Boldmere Junior School has secured £1,000 worth of building materials and a coaching session for pupils after claiming the top prize in the 2022 Selco Six4Schools campaign.
Ran in conjunction with Club Sponsor Selco Builders Warehouse, the initiative saw schools across Warwickshire and the wider region get access to adult tickets for all Vitality Blast group fixtures at Edgbaston last summer at a discounted rate.
With each adult ticket purchased, schools earn £6 cashback to be reinvested towards the education of local children, as well as the chance for the top prize. And the good news is that the scheme will be back again for 2023.
Every school that sold more than 20 tickets were entered into a draw to win the building materials and coaching session from Bears seamers Olly Hannon-Dalby, Craig Miles, and Central Sparks wicket-keeper Abbey Freeborn.
Matt Sadler, Boldmere Junior School head teacher, said: “We were delighted to have won the draw to receive this fantastic prize.
“A lot of our pupils love playing and going to watch cricket, so they were thrilled to welcome two Birmingham Bears and one Central Sparks player into the school to pick up some important tips and skills.
“The prize of building materials from Selco is also a massive boost to us. We will use the £1,000 to help us construct a sheltered outdoor area where children can head for reading sessions and other learning activities.”
Last summer, Bears players Hannon-Dalby, Chris Benjamin, Jake Lintott and Thea Brookes launched the scheme with Selco Builders Warehouse at Woodthorpe Junior and Infant School in Kings Heath, earning £168 cashback through Six4Schools.
Carine Jessamine, marketing director of Selco, said: “We have been long-term partners of Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Birmingham Bears and, as well as promoting the cricket side of the sponsorship, are always looking for opportunities to engage the local community.
“The Six4Schools campaign was a perfect fit as it not only helped inspire the next generation of cricket fans to attend matches and grow their love for the sport, it also allowed us to support a school local to Birmingham Bears to enhance their facilities.
“Boldmere Junior School was certainly a fitting winner, and we are delighted to help provide materials to create an outdoor space for the pupils.”
Six4Schools is back for 2023 and schools can register now by clicking here. Adult tickets sold through the unique link of a participating school are priced at £15, offer a saving of up to £10 per ticket.
Alongside this, parents can secure under 16 tickets for only £5, while under 5s go free.
T&Cs apply. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the fixture date. Offer is not valid for Vitality Blast Off and Worcestershire Rapids local derby.
Join Sutton Coldfield’s Big Open Weekend on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th March 2023
Free activities are on offer during a special open weekend at Sutton Coldfield’s major leisure centre. Residents can take part in activities, taster sessions, classes, friendly advice, special offers and more.
Come and take a look around, try various activities and meet our fantastic team – they will be on hand to answer all of your enquiries.
You don’t have to be a member of our leisure centre or have visited us before to get involved in our Big Open Weekend, so why not bring your friends and family along too?
Please check the booking details for activities below – some need booking in advance. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Fitness activities
Synergy Classes – Saturday 11th March Circuit class on the gym floor. An exercise mix of kettle bell, medicine ball, TRX, battle ropes and more based around the stations of the Synergy frame.
Synergy Classes – Sunday 12th March Circuit class on the gym floor. An exercise mix of kettle bell, medicine ball, TRX, battle ropes and more based around the stations of the Synergy frame.
Learn how to dive in our 3.8m diving bay; from the springboard, platform and off the pool side. Participants should be 8-15yrs old and must be able to swim 25 meters and be confident in deep water. Please wear Normal swim wear
Come and see what we offer in our pool parties. Splash around with your younger children in our Neptune Parties in the teaching pool and have fun in our new Aqua run/Splash party in the main pool with your older children.
Age & session times:
Neptune Parties, age 0-5
14:15-15:15
15:30-16:30
Small pool ratios are 1:2 for children aged 0-7 years.
Teaching Pool
Aqua run/Splash Parties, age 4+
14:15-15:15
15:30-16:30
Main pool supervision ratios are 1:1 for under 4s and 1:2 for 4-7 year olds.
Swimming Lessons – Sunday 12th March Taster beginner and improver swimming lessons for children aged 4yrs – 12yrs old. Within this lesson they will learn basis water skills that will build water confidence which is essential when learning to swim.
For both boys and girls. Encouraging agility, balance and coordination using a wide range of equipment including, beams, bars, trampette, floor, air-trax, springboards and vaults with qualified instructors. Structured classes where children are grouped into age and ability.
School ages: 4-7years: 2:00-2:45pm 4-7 years: 3:00-3:45pm 8-11 years: 4:00-4:45pm
Children should come in comfortable clothing, shorts/leggings/tee shirts, bare feet. Courts 3 & 4
For both boys and girls. Jumping, rolling, balancing, swinging, encouraging balance and coordination. using bars, beams, vaults, springboards, soft play and climbing equipment.
Ages & session times: 6 months-18 months – 9:30-10:15am 18 months-2.5 years – 10:15-11:00am 2 – 4 years – 11:00-11:45am 2 – 4 years – 11:45-12:30pm
Children should come in comfortable clothing, shorts/leggings/tee shirts, and bare feet. Studio 5 (Creche)
Come and try this Japanese martial art, develop combat skills using grabbles, submissions and Judo throws. Overall fitness levels will be developed, coordination, flexibility and strength all improved. With a fully qualified and experienced instructor.
For both boys and girls. Jumping, rolling, balancing, swinging, encouraging balance and coordination. using bars, beams, vaults, springboards, soft play and climbing equipment.
Ages & session times: 6 months-18 months – 9:30-10:15am 18 months-2.5 years – 10:15-11:00am 2 – 4 years – 11:00-11:45am 2 – 4 years – 11:45-12:30pm
Children should come in comfortable clothing, shorts/leggings/tee shirts, and bare feet. Studio 5 (Creche)
For both boys and girls. Encouraging agility, balance and coordination using a wide range of equipment including, beams, bars, trampette, floor, air-trax, springboards and vaults with qualified instructors. Structured classes where children are grouped into age and ability.
School ages: 4-7years: 1:30-2:15pm 8-11years: 2:30-3:15pm 4-7years: 3:30-4:15pm
Children should come in comfortable clothing, shorts/leggings/tee shirts, bare feet. Courts 3, 4 & 5
Hight Street guru Mary ‘Queen of Shops’ Portas is being recruited by Sutton Coldfield BID
High street guru Portas is ready to inspire town businesses
World famous shopping and retail guru Mary Portas is bringing her expertise to Sutton Coldfield to help invigorate the heart of the town.
Royal Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID) – which is funded by 377 local businesses – has invited Portas to address local businesses at a seminar in the town centre this June.
BID chair Alison Clack, Managing Director of Cerda Planning, said: “We are very excited by the prospect of Mary Portas coming to Sutton Coldfield and sharing her knowledge and expertise in a way that will inspire local businesses.
“The BID understands that Sutton Coldfield town centre, like most towns and High Streets across the UK, is going through a period of change and we simply cannot ignore the concerns expressed in the media and on social media.
“We feel that an inspirational seminar from a renowned expert in this field will help to bring local businesses together with a renewed sense of resilience and pride in their town centre.
“High Streets and town centres are changing and, at the seminar, businesses from all sectors will hear first-hand how they can work together and overcome the challenges they face.
“As a BID representing hundreds of local businesses in the town centre, we want to change the narrative that Sutton Coldfield is more than just retail and be as proactive as possible. Bringing in Mary Portas to share her knowledge and expertise will go some way to help in these challenging times.”
Businesswoman, broadcaster, author and activist Portas is the UK’s best known retail guru who, in 2011, conducted a review of the future for high streets for the British government.
After becoming a board member at Harvey Nichols at the age of 30, she founded her creative consultancy Portas, going on to work with some of the biggest names in global retail.
Her BBC series – Mary Queen of Shops and she has presented on television and radio for the BBC and Channel 4 ever since. Mary’s current podcast series include Beautiful Misfits and #1 business podcast The Kindness Economy.
As Chair of the Better Business Act campaign Mary remains very relevant and responsive to the changing business agenda.
Sutton Coldfield town centre is the Second City’s second biggest shopping and business area, second only in size to Birmingham city centre, and its BID delivers year round events to boost footfall such as the monthly Farmers and Craft Market and Christmas events.
Last year the BID commenced its new five-year term by launching a vibrant new ‘Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield’ brand – with special events, competitions and improvements designed to make it a destination to spend time, eat, drink, shop and relax.
The programme of events has seen a significant upturn in footfall for the centre, and more are planned throughout 2023.
BID Manager Michelle Baker said: “Bringing an expert of Mary Portas’s stature to Sutton Coldfield for this seminar is the next step in the renewal of our town centre, which the BID is driving through investment in special events and improvements.
“We know there are exciting regeneration plans for the town centre and until that gets underway we will continue to play our part and host events to boost footfall and support local businesses.
“We encourage businesses to attend this event with Mary Portas, to hear how town centres are changing and how we can all play our part.”
The seminar, which will be held on Wednesday 7th June at Sutton Coldfield College, will free to BID Members – but will be invite only.
To find out more about the event, inquire about attendance and discover sponsorship opportunities, contact Michelle Baker, Sutton Coldfield BID Manager, by emailing: bidmanager@suttoncoldfieldtowncentre.co.uk
Businesses across Sutton Coldfield are being encouraged to support a scheme which promotes engagement between the business community and local schools.
The Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce Business and Education Scheme is an initiative designed to create better links with education by allowing businesses to give advice, support and opportunities to young people.
The scheme was announced by Sutton Chamber president Phil Arkinstall at last Friday’s Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield & Tamworth and Cannock Chase Chambers of Commerce annual dinner and awards.
Mr Arkinstall (pictured), who is managing director of Ark Media and chair of Governors at Plantsbrook School, built his business by giving graduates and school leavers opportunities to enjoy a career in video production.
He is keen to help future generations and is calling on fellow Chamber members to offer time and support to the scheme.
He said: “The success of Ark Media is down in a major way to the input, hard work and skill of young people learning their trade and we know historically many other companies in the area have enjoyed similar success with the quality of young people in Sutton Coldfield.
“Our campaign, the Sutton Coldfield Chamber Business and Education Scheme plans to canvass the availability and offers local businesses can supply to schools throughout the area and once that data has been collected share with the relevant organisations.”
Sutton Coldfield Chamber members will receive a questionnaire to provide information on their potential support for the scheme, in the hope it increases opportunities for young people to learn about the world of work.
The Sutton Coldfield Chamber’s Next Generation sub-committee – which includes Anna Jackson and Kay Burton-Williams of Sutton Coldfield College, Gary Phelps of Gary Phelps Communications and Steven Hannaford of Burley Browne, will be helping to promote the scheme through their connections.
The results of the questionnaire will be published in the coming weeks.
Both bodies pledge to continue supporting local people together
St Giles Hospice and the Cancer Support Centre are pleased to announce that both organisations will continue to support local people together at the St Giles Hospice site on Lindridge Road in Sutton Coldfield. Andrew Harkness, Chief Executive at St Giles Hospice, said: “St Giles Hospice has had an ongoing relationship with the Cancer Support Centre for 11 years, and we are pleased to share that both organisations have signed a new lease agreement for up to another 12 months”. “The new lease allows both charities to continue to provide important services which are beneficial for our communities in Sutton Coldfield, whilst balancing the significant cost of living challenges faced by both organisations. The new lease forms a key part of both organisations plans to support as many people and communities as they can through their services. Trevor Saadi, Chair of Trustees at the Cancer Support Centre, said: “Charities like ours and St Giles Hospice play a crucial role in supporting patients, and their families, living with illnesses such as cancer. We are delighted to have agreed a new forward to continuing to serve our local communities.”
Voices raised for festive season: Sutton Coldfield Community Choir performing
Charitable trust award hits the right note for singers
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, which exists to enhance the quality of life for all in Sutton Coldfield, has granted funds to Sutton Coldfield Community Choir (SCCC), allowing them to ‘survive’ post-pandemic and amidst the current cost-of-living crisis.
The Trust has a heritage going back almost 500 years and offers a broad range of grant categories to benefit Sutton Coldfield and its residents. The emergency grant was awarded to SCCC under the relief of need category which the Trust offers to support the relief of hardship across a range of factors such as youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or another disadvantage.
SCCC received a grant worth £3,000 to help with purchasing essential new equipment, as well as a full term of room rental for the choir to rehearse in.
Ann Regan, Communications and Concert Manager of SCCC, said: “During the Covid-19 pandemic, we were unable to rehearse for twelve to eighteen months and couldn’t recruit new members during this time – we were worried we were going to have to fold the choir.
“Like many organisations during the pandemic, we lost membership, but we have been working hard to ensure that we keep going – especially during the current climate.
“People need activities like this, to support both themselves and others. It’s important to gather people together as a friendship group, and our choir thrives off being a sociable choir that is inclusive, and people can come and just enjoy themselves.
“Our choir is open to singers of all abilities, but it’s not just a choir – it’s something for the community to participate in and benefit from. We’re so thankful to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for allowing us to continue our group and giving something back to the local community, and we’re also looking for new members if anyone would like to get involved.”
Each year, SCCC picks to support a local charity of its choice and raise money throughout the year to donate the total to their chosen charity.
The choir fundraises through a variety of different activities and events such as concerts, raffles, cake sales and regular quiz nights.
The most significant events of the year are summer and Christmas concerts, where the 50 strong choir, pianist and choirmaster perform to raise money for their selected charity.
Last year, SCCC chose to support a small charity called Acacia, the services of which are available to parents and guardians in Birmingham who are experiencing pre and postnatal depression and anxiety.
In 2021 the charity of choice was Midland’s Freewheelers, a group of retired motorbike enthusiasts who deliver blood and vital medication – the choir raised £3500 through fundraising.
For further information about Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and how to apply for grants, please visit: http://www.suttoncoldfieldcharitabletrust.com/alms-houses.htm, or to find out more information on the Sutton Coldfield Community Choir, please visit: suttonmusicservice.org.uk/singing/sutton- community-choir/.
For further information about Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and how to apply for grants, please visit: http://www.suttoncoldfieldcharitabletrust.com/alms-houses.htm, or to find out more information on the Sutton Coldfield Community Choir, please visit: suttonmusicservice.org.uk/singing/sutton- community-choir/.
Boss calls for joined-up thinking to link health and social care sectors
A Sutton Coldfield-based care services firm has described a Government £200 million scheme to support short-term care placements as a ‘sticking plaster.’
Tinga Umera, director of Nexus Care Services, based at Mitre Court, Lichfield Road, also criticised the Government for announcing it as ‘new’ money, when in fact it has been diverted from existing healthcare budgets.
The funding, which was announced on January 30 by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, will pay for short-term care placements and will fund maximum stays of up to four weeks per patient until the end of March.
The move is designed to free up hospital beds so that people can be admitted more quickly from A&E to wards.
Mr Umera said: “Once again, the Government has announced ‘new’ money which has come from existing healthcare budgets
“Instead of looking to construct a joined-up approach linking the health and social care sectors, as well as working with private-sector providers such as Nexus to ensure a joined-up approach, they have merely put a sticking plaster on the issue.”
Nexus Care Services advocates a person-centred approach in doing as much as possible to maintain the individual receiving care, remaining in their home, and receiving support and care there for as long as possible.
“All too often the overarching trend is to move people from their long-term home into a care or nursing home after they had a spell in hospital. In placing these people in short-term care for four weeks or so, the government are simply trying to find a quick fix to negative headlines, rather than doing what is best for older people needing care,” Mr Umera added.
Nexus Care Services provide visited and live-in care across Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Lichfield & Cannock and Burntwood and further into Staffordshire.
Sutton Coldfield Life 