Work has started on Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust’s almshouses, which are undergoing an £850,000 refurbishment to upgrade bathrooms and kitchens.
The almshouses, which are a mix of bungalows and flats, are located at Lingard House in Walmley, Sutton Coldfield and are designed for older people, currently housing 52 residents.
The two-year project, which has been fully funded by the trust, will see the refurbishment of 24 homes completed by the end of June. The second phase of renovation of 22 homes will start in 2023.
Residents will be moved into vacant properties on the estate, while construction work is carried out by contractor Logmoor.
Pam Johnston MBE JP, almshouse manager at Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “The trustees are always keen to upgrade their housing stock and to ensure that the residents benefit from modern, well-maintained homes.
“As part of the refurbishment, residents were able to choose their own colour schemes and greatly look forward to enjoying their improved facilities.”
Each property includes a double bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom and have the benefits of two on site wardens. An out of hours emergency call service is available. The estates also has attractive well-maintained gardens and a communal area with a lounge, conservatory, laundry room, IT suit and craft room.
Glenda Martin, resident at one of the almshouses, said: “I am delighted with my new kitchen and bathroom. The trust really involved me in the process of choosing the colour scheme and the refurbishment has far exceeded my expectations.”
The principal objectives of the Trust are the provision of Almshouses, the distribution of funds and other measures for the alleviation of hardship and other needs for inhabitants and organisations within the boundaries of the former Borough of Sutton Coldfield.
The Trust’s origins can be traced back to Tudor times. Throughout a long history it has improved the lives of generations of people in Sutton Coldfield, particularly those in the greatest need. It has sustained its core priority to alleviate suffering, while redefining and extending its benefits to reflect changing times and needs.
Visitors invited to grand reopening after £250k refit
A brand new gym in Sutton Coldfield is throwing its doors open to visitors after a £250,000 transformation. Built Unique Co, on Birmingham Road, is inviting visitors to their grand opening on Saturday 23 April, following the big refurbishment.
Managing director Gary Smith will meet visitors
The launch party will offer visitors the opportunity to tour the brand-new facility, to take part in free open gym sessions, 121 no sweat consultations, live demos from fitness professionals and sample a variety of food and drink.
There will also be prizes, promotions, and merchandise to giveaway including a one-month free membership to the gym.
Gary Smith, managing director of Built Unique Co, has over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry and will be present on opening night to share his philosophy on simple fitness.
Built Unique Co is an inclusive gym offering fitness programmes for every experience level and facilities for differently abled patrons.
It puts the emphasis on simplicity, and offers small group classes, sustainable nutrition plans and one to one coaching with a focus on individual goals and building confidence.
The business takes a personalised approach to each individual’s fitness journey, offering new clients a free consultation to discuss their fitness goals, aspirations, health, injuries, diet and lifestyle.
The Built Unique team will then craft a bespoke programme to suit the clients’ specific needs.
Gary says: “I have always been passionate about fitness and in particular functional fitness that can be developed and individualised to work for everyone, whether you are short on time, high on stress or don’t know where to start.
“At Built Unique Co, Co stands for community rather than company and we intend on embodying this concept by acknowledging everyone’s unique fitness journey and partnering with you to develop a thoughtful programme that is personalised to your individual needs.
“I couldn’t be prouder to welcome everyone to the new gym on the 23rd of April, the Built Unique team and I will be on hand to answer any questions and to lead demonstrations. See you there.”
Built Unique Co is opening in the former Blockbusters in Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, at the junction with Manor Hill.
Managing director Jo Edwards outside the JE Consulting HQ in Sutton Coldfield
A leading Sutton Coldfield-based professional services agency has joined forces with a major national group in a multi-million pound deal. JE Consulting, based at Mitre Court in the town, has been acquired by K3 Capital Group plc, a multi-national, multi-disciplinary group of professional services businesses, in a deal worth up to £4.57m, depending on company performance. JE Consulting specialises in PR, marketing, digital and creative services to SMEs operating in the accountancy, legal and healthcare markets. Established in 1998, the business provides services to over 140 clients across the UK. It now joins other acquisitions by K3 Capital plc that include Knights R&D, RANDD and Quantuma. Jo Edwards, managing director at JE Consulting said the move provided opportunities for the business to continue to grow and invest in new services and marketing opportunities. The move complements K3’s growth of its K3 Hub, a centre for accountants which, since its launch in February 2021, has recruited 1000 member firms in the UK.
‘The opportunities this acquisition provides to the business to continue to grow and invest in new services and marketing is now unrivalled in the professional services sector‘
Welcoming the move, John Rigby, CEO of K3 Capital, said: “I am delighted to announce the acquisition of this highly trusted and established business that will accelerate our strategy of enhancing our solutions for accountancy firms and their clients. “The team at JE Consulting are highly complementary to our service portfolio and to the continued development of the K3 Hub, which, since its launch in February 2021, has recruited over 900 member firms in the UK”. Looking ahead, Jo Edwards said: “We are delighted to be part of the K3 Capital plc journey going forwards. The opportunities this acquisition provides to the business to continue to grow and invest in new services and marketing is now unrivalled in the professional services sector and we look forward to building relationships with the K3 Hub members.” John Rigby added: “This acquisition strengthens our presence when the professional services sector is expanding, especially in the accountancy space. “I look forward to welcoming our new colleagues and continuing the successful execution of our strategy to generate long-term sustainable growth and attractive returns for our shareholders”.
Residents advised to prepare for disruption for triathlon events
Sutton Park will host one of the biggest event in its hisitory when it hosts Commonwealth Games triathlon events s next year.Now, details of traffic arrangements around key Commonwealth Games venues including road closures, one-way systems and controlled parking zones in d around the park have been published.
Maps also showing temporary plans for other locations such as Alexander Stadium are now available to view on the Birmingham 2022 website.
The event will run from July 28 to August 8 – and is set to bring tens of thousands to the region and the UK in 2022 and subsequent years.”.
Now the map of roads which will be affected when the triathlon and para triathlon between July 29 and August 31 in Sutton Park has been unveiled.
These include part of Jockey Road and Halton Road as well as adjoining roads in the area. The triathlon route has also been laid out – running through Stonehouse Road and Monmouth Drive.
The maps of the course itself has already been unveiled but the central point will be Powells Pool in the park.
Transport for West Midlands executive director Anne Shaw said: “Our plans are designed to make it as easy as possible for spectators to leave the car at home and use public transport to get to events.
“This, along with the traffic management and parking plans announced today ensure that residents and businesses near to venues will be able to access their properties as well as help manage congestion on the wider network for regular commuters, deliveries and emergency services going about their daily business.
There will inevitably be some disruption at some busy times, but these plans have been carefully designed to keep that to a minimum. Ensuring our region can keep moving when a million visitors arrive this summer will be key to a successful Commonwealth Games.
“This is the biggest, most prestigious event ever hosted in the West Midlands and there will be a range of things in our normal daily routines that need to temporarily change. This is the case with all such major multi-sport events, so I would recommend people start planning ahead and check out information as it becomes available through the Get Set website.”
Unveiling the triathlon route last year, Matt Kidson, Director of Sport for Birmingham 2022 said: “We are pleased to be able to publish all of the courses for our road events.
“These routes will help to profile some fantastic landmarks from across the region and showcase the West Midlands and Warwickshire to the world.
“Publishing these details with nine months still to go until the Games begin also means that local residents, businesses and other organisations have plenty of time to make plans for when these one-day events are staged in their local area.”
The fantastic four delivering their supplies to fleeing refugess on the Poland border
Sutton Coldfield foursome travel 2,600 miles in mercy mission
An intrepid group of Sutton Coldfield men have braved the Ukraine warzone to deliver humanitarian aid to refugees fleeing the conflict.
The four, two firefighters and their builder friends made the marathon 2,600 mile round trip to Poland to deliver the much-needed supplies after being moved by the human tragedy unfoldling after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The four friends from Sutton Coldfield collected and delivered aid to Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country’s war with Russia. West Midlands firefighters Steven Nott and James Allsop joined Alex Willis and Chris Hanley for the trip across Europe and into Poland at Medyka on March 7.
Steve Nott hands out sweets to youngster on the Ukraine border
The group and their partners posted on Facebook, with a huge collection made via the Walmley Residents Association Facebook page. They were also provided with supplies from Walsall children’s charity – Help To Make Tummies Full.
In four to five days as well as supplies, the group raised just over £4,500 and supplies including clothes, baby clothes, water, first aid kits, sanitary wear, baby food, cat and dog food, teddy bears, even a box of crayons.
They loaded up a pick-up truck and a trailer, donated for a week by a Lichfield company, full of supplies and drove from Sutton on Monday night at around 7pm via the Eurotunnel, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany to Poland. They stopped off in the southern city of Krakow on Tuesday.
The four volunteers deliver humanitarian aid to women and children fleeing the conflict
The group were there for six hours and took 36 hours to drive home without stopping anywhere overnight, arriving in Sutton at 3pm on Thursday.
Alex said he and his friends plan to return to Poland with money they have raised and get more supplies to the refugees. He said they will fly to the country this time, hire a van and buy supplies locally. Once they have done that they will take a look at what else they can do.
Lottery Supporter Care Lead Belinda Owen, Individual Giving Manager Alison Jerram, and Lottery Supporter Care Officer Fay Steele
St Giles Hospice celebrates lottery £20 MILLION landmark
St Giles Hospice is celebrating a very special anniversary as it marks 25 years since the first draw of its popular weekly lottery.In the quarter of a century since the first winner was announced on 28th February 1997, the lottery has raised an amazing £20 MILLION to support the hospice’s care for patients, and their families, who are living with a terminal illness.
As only around a third of its funding comes from Government, St Giles Hospice relies upon donations and fundraising to raise the £850,000 it needs each month to fund its care services.
Alison Jerram, Individual Giving Manager at St Giles Hospice, said: “The whole team at St Giles would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who takes part in our lottery – whether you have been playing since that very first draw or have signed up more recently.
“Thank you so much for helping us to raise over £20 million for St Giles!
“Our loyal lottery players have made a huge contribution towards funding the care we offer to local families when they need us the most, and it’s always one of the most delightful parts of our job to be able to ring up a lucky winner and make their day.”
For just £1, players have a chance to win a weekly jackpot of £1,000 and up to £20,000 in the rollover draw.
Over the past 25 years the St Giles Hospice Lottery has held more than 1,300 draws and sold more than 35 million lottery tickets.
There have been more than 250,000 individual prize winners, including 20 lucky players who have won a larger jackpot since the rollover was introduced in 2017. The most recent lottery rollover winner collected a total of £18,000 just last month (February 2022).
Rachel Davis MBE who received her award from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle
Rachel finally receives award from Princess Anne
A popular Sutton Coldfield headteacher who was awarded and MBE for Services to Education, has finally received her gong at a ceremony at Windsor Castle this month (February).
Rachel Davis, who is head at Little Sutton Primary School, received her honour from Princess Anne at Windsor Castle, 12 months since being nominated for the award, and had an amazing experience.,
Rachel leads Little Sutton Primary School and Little Sutton English Hub and provides support to a number of school, helping them with their phonic teaching and early reading.
Mrs Davis has been head teacher at the Worcester Lane primary school since 2004 and is both a National Leader of Education (NLE) and an Ofsted inspector for the West Midlands.
“It was a truly amazing day,” she said. “All the staff at Windsor Castle were delightful and made us feel so special.
“It was an honour to meet Princess Anne who was keen to hear about the work that contributed to the award.
“During the pandemic it was a privilege to produce national online phonic and reading lessons, helping so many children at such a difficult time.
“The award also pays tribute to the incredible hard work and talent of the staff, our lovely children and supportive parents at Little Sutton Primary School who all contribute to make it such a thriving place to be.”
National Leaders of Education provide focused support to under performing schools to enable rapid improvement.
According to her LinkedIn profile, in 2014 she supported a school in challenging circumstances to move from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ in 12 months.
The following year she then helped a school to move from Ofsted category of ‘Special Measures’ to ‘Good’ in 15 months and in 2015-2016 supported a school to move from ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Good’ .
Little Sutton Primary School has more than 400 pupils and is designated one of the government’s new English Hubs – one of just 34 schools nationwide recognised for their excellence in teaching and learning.
From left to right: Emma Schnepp with, Martin Hollamby (front), Jackie Tierney (back), Zoe Schnepp (front), Garth Cox (back), Sarah French (front), Stephen Andrews (back), Sally Schnepp (very front, holding cheque), Alison Dolphin (front), Joy Sykes (back), Nicola Bannister (front), Claire Guffick (back), Ann Hill (front), Lee Guffick (back), Christine Norris (front).
Running event returns to raise funds for St Giles
A popular family running event – which attracts runners from across the Midlands and has raised a massive £113,719 for St Giles Hospice over the last 25 years – will be back and better than ever this summer (2022), organisers say.
The annual Tamworth Gate Gallop was cancelled during the first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and it had to take place in a reduced capacity last year (2021) after running club, the Peel Road Runners, received permission to go ahead at the last minute.
The running club was still able to raise £3,428 for St Giles despite the kids run and family entertainments not taking place. The money raised will help to fund hospice care for patients, and their families, living with a terminal illness.
Now the Peel Road Runners want to make 2022’s Tamworth Gate Gallop, on Sunday, 26th June, a year to remember by raising more money than ever for St Giles Hospice. The full event is returning with a 10km run, a 4.4km fun run, a kids run, family entertainments, refreshments and a tombola.
The run is an off-road, traffic free event, which is part of the Burton District Summer League running calendar. It will be taking place at the Anker Valley Sports Complex, in Amington, from 9am.
Organiser Martin Hollamby, who lives in Tamworth and lectures at Keele University, said: “We were thrilled to be able to bring the Gate Gallop back last year – many of the runners hadn’t been able to take part in a proper race for 17 months – but we missed some of the family atmosphere and this year we want to get the old spirit back.
“The Gate Gallop is a particularly special event because of the charity we support and we’d encourage as many people as possible to sign up and raise sponsorship if they can. Everybody in Tamworth knows somebody who has been helped by St Giles Hospice. I’ve only lived locally for eight years and I already know several people who have received outstanding care from the staff there.
“You couldn’t wish for a better charity to support. People respond really well when they know we are helping a great cause that cares for so many local people. St Giles relies upon fundraising for most of its income, so we know that every pound we raise matters and makes a real difference to supporting people in our community. Once our costs are covered, every penny goes to supporting the incredible work of St Giles.”
The Tamworth Gate Gallop is an event close to the hearts of Martin’s family. Before he took up the reins in 2021, his wife Zoe organised the event. His elder daughter Sally, aged six, has taken part in the kids run and this year his younger daughter Emma, aged three, will take part for the first time, after supporting St Giles with her family at the Rudolph Run last Christmas.
Thrilled to be back
“The Gate Gallop isn’t just an event where you take part in a run and go home, it’s a morning out for all the family,” added Martin. “All races begin at the Anker Valley Sports Complex and the kids run and family activities all take place within the enclosed grounds, so it’s safe and fun for people of all ages and abilities.
“The runs are completely off-road and take people through some lovely countryside which many travel past each day but may never notice. We have plenty of marshals on hand to cheer runners along and make sure that nobody gets lost. We’ll also be operating under appropriate COVID-19 guidelines if any are in place at the time to ensure that everyone stays safe.”
Chloe Herbert, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “After taking place almost every year for more than 25 years, the Tamworth Gate Gallop has become a real annual tradition. The Peel Road Runners have raised £113,719 in that time, which is an astonishing achievement, and we’re so grateful to them for their continuing support.
“It was so sad that 2020’s event couldn’t go ahead because of the Coronavirus pandemic, and last year it was really uncertain whether anything could take place due to the COVID-19 restrictions at the time.
“But Martin and the organisers did an amazing job to pull it all together so quickly and we’d like to thank the Peel Road Runners and everyone who took part for raising vital funds for St Giles in 2021. Their support meant more to us than ever following a year when we’d had to cancel fundraising events and temporarily close our shops.”
Entry is £15 for people aged 15 and over taking part in the 10km race, £9 for people aged nine and over taking part in the 4.4km fun run (under 12s must be accompanied by an adult) or £3 for kids taking part in the 600m kids run (parents or guardians are welcome to accompany their children).
Everyone taking part will receive a finisher medal and a goodie bag, and there will be electronic chip timing for people taking part in the 10km race and the fun run.
Think of Disco and Saturday Night Fever, Disco Inferno or Le Freak may spring to mind. The huge phenomonen of the 1970s took the world by storm after springing up from the United States’ urban nightlife scene.
From the Bee Gees to Gloria Gaynor to Earth Wind and Fire its popularity was worldwide, and now a celebration is coming to Sutton Coldfield.
For all those who dreamed of going to New York’s Studio 54, Disco Inferno is the spectacular all singing, all dancing celebration of everything D.I.S.C.O., live at the town hall on April 2.
From the smoking hot girls to the guys in platforms, this electrifying show just screams glitter balls and good times.
You’ll be thrilled by pitch perfect harmony, high energy, slick choreography and Disco classics such as Blame It On The Boogie, Car Wash and It’s Raining Men.
You’ve all seen Abba, you’ve all seen Motown, but have you all danced to the ultimate UK Disco tribute and sang along to your favourites by Earth Wind and Fire, Barry White, Donna Summer, The Trammps, and many many more?!
Produced by Veritas, who excel in shows with crowd engagement and interaction, Disco Inferno has the wow factor that everyone will be talking about for months to come.
Tickets costs £22 and are selling fast and include FREE after show party
Show Starts: 7:30PM
House & Lounge Bar Opens: 6:30PM
Age Guidance: 16+ | Under 16’s must be accompanied by a paying adult.
The Celebrate Lives Lived Garden in Whittington; Lucy with her mum Nancy; Lucy’s son Keir in the Celebrate Lives Lived Garden.
Celebrate Lives Lived at St Giles Hospice
A woman whose mum was able to spend her final days at home with her family, supported by St Giles Hospice, is calling on people to take part in Celebrate Lives Lived this spring.
Veterinary nurse Lucy Gunn and her dad Peter have joined the hospice’s annual celebration, which remembers lost loved ones, each May since Lucy’s mum Nancy Gunn died in 2019.
Every year St Giles invites people to dedicate an orange Gerbera peg in one of its gardens in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield between 1st-31st May, as well as a virtual garden on the hospice’s website, in return for a donation.
Funds raised from Celebrate Lives Lived dedications help to fund the hospice’s work caring for patients and their families living with a terminal illness.
Lucy said: “I’ll always support St Giles Hospice following the care my mum received, and memorial events like Celebrate Lives Lived are so important. They help to keep the memory and spirit of your loved ones alive.
“The Celebrate Lives Lived garden at Whittington is beautiful, so peaceful and quiet, and seeing all the colourful Gerbera pegs with the names of our loved ones on them is so comforting.
“St Giles understands that death is not the end of the story – our loved ones lived, were loved and they meant so much to so many people. Remembering loved ones through events like Celebrate Lives Lived means a lot to us and we mark the occasion on our calendar every year.”
Lucy, from Tamworth, who now lives in Hinckley with her partner Tom Fleming, and 10-year-old son Keir, said that her mum was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2017 and always wished to die in her own Tamworth home, if it was possible.
“The day mum was diagnosed as being terminally ill was really the first time I heard about hospice care and St Giles Hospice,” she added. “It was very important to mum that she could stay at home and when they told us it was an option it made such a difference. We had hospice nurses coming in twice a day – as soon as we opened the door to the nurses the darkness lifted; they were there for us just when we needed them most.
“Having the care of St Giles Hospice was such a help and such a relief to us all. My dad and I couldn’t cope on our own but the nurses came in and they did everything they could to help. They would never do anything without talking to mum first and letting her know, whether she was able to respond or not.
“As well as ensuring mum received the medical care she needed, the nurses also helped to put on face cream, do her hair and asked whether she wanted any perfume on. It all seems like very little things, but they were treating mum as an individual and they gave her what she wanted.”
Lucy said that her son, Keir, was very close to her mum and the hospice helped him through his grief thanks to Phoenix, its dedicated bereavement support service for children and young people. “To have that support for Keir was such a relief and comfort to us as a family,” she added.
It costs St Giles Hospice more than £10 million each year to deliver the care it provides at its Inpatient Unit, out in the community and in patients’ own homes – and every Celebrate Lives Lived dedication helps to support families like Lucy’s.
Each Gerbera is a colourful handwritten peg, personalised with the name of your loved one. They are placed in a Celebrate Lives Lived garden throughout May, creating a display of celebration and remembrance amongst hundreds of other Gerberas.
Sally Redmond, In Memory Manager at St Giles Hospice, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to invite people like Lucy, Peter and Keir to dedicate an orange Gerbera peg in one of our Celebrate Lives Lived gardens each year.
“The orange Gerbera is a symbol of joy, happiness and warmth – the perfect tribute to a loved one. You’ll find our Celebrate Lives Lived gardens at our hospice sites in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield and they are open to everyone who wants to remember a loved one, not just those families cared for by St Giles Hospice.
“Throughout May, you’re invited to visit the gardens to see your Gerbera peg and take a moment to reflect on the lives of loved ones you hold dearest. Your dedication will also be included in our beautiful virtual garden, where your Gerbera will feature all year round.
“At the end of May, we’ll let you know when you can collect your Gerbera peg to display in your home or garden.”
Sutton Coldfield Life 