The seven-day vaccination programme at Sutton town hall which has been a huge success, was temporarily scaled back to allow for vaccines to be diverted to assist other areas.
The vaccination rollout was suspended last Monday, as the vaccine was sent to other centres further behind with vaccinations.
Since opening as a vaccination centre for Sutton Coldfield Group Practice, the site has been open seven-days-a-week and last week started vaccinating over-65s, well ahead of schedule
Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, which is responsible for organising the Covid vaccine roll out in the area, said people in Sutton Coldfield was ahead other areas.
At the end of last week, Sutton Coldfield Group Practice, said it had vaccinated to 17,842 patients across the town. The include:
80 years of age and over
75 – 79 year olds
70 – 74 year olds OR clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
Care Homes
If you, or someone you know, fall into one of the above groups and still haven’t heard from from your practice, please make sure your contact details are up to date so they can get in touch. You can easily update your details via your practice website under Reception & Enquiries.
The practice reported that with some support from the Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust (BCHC) staff, it has now vaccinated the majority of our housebound patients. This means they have now protected those most vulnerable within the top four eligible groups across Sutton Coldfield.
There were a few housebound patients that we were unable to get in contact with. If you are housebound and were not vaccinated at home last weekend (6th-7th February) or know someone who wasn’t, please do get in touch with the usual surgery in order for us to record your up to date contact details. We can then arrange for someone to call you to organise a suitable time for us to come and visit you administer your vaccine.
The Government confirmed that everyone in the top four priority groups in the JCVI’s phase one list, more than 15 million people, have been offered the Covid vaccine by February 14 – a day ahead of its target.
Those in the eligible categories can book their Covid vaccination at two mass vaccination centres in Birmingham, at Millennium Point and at Villa Park.
The new bikes ready for the off outside Sutton Park’s Banners Gate entrance
New bike hire scheme ready for trial run
Sutton Coldfield residents are getting on their bikes this month as a cycling initiative gets under way in the town. New bike stands have appeared at Sutton Park as part of a new cycle hire scheme in the town. The docking stations will include normal three-gear pedal bikes, with 10 per cent electric bikes available.
The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has welcomed the initiative saying ‘the bikes, made here in the West Midlands, will be supporting local jobs and businesses.’
The stands have appeared at the park’s Banners Gate and Boldmere Gate entrances as well as Sutton town centre and customers will hire the bikes via an app at a cost £1 to unlock a bike and 5p per minute after that. This means a 20 minute cycle will cost £2 and an hour £4.
Following a link up with the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) there will be a limited trial in the town this month followed by a full public launch across the West Midlands from March. Up to eight docking stations have been installed in key locations around the town centre including those at the park.
From March 8 the distinctive grey and green West Midlands Cycle Hire bikes will be available to the public and the scheme will be rolled out in Coventry, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, West Bromwich, Solihull and Walsall by the end of July.
They will be available to hire 24 hours a day, every day of the year. With docking stations at major bus, metro and train stations, visitor attractions and city or town centres.
The operator of London’s Santander Cycles has been appointed by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to offer bikes in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Wolverhampton and Walsall from next Spring.
The pedal cycles will all have three gears to cope with the hilly parts of the region and fitted with high quality laser safety lights that project an image of a bicycle five metres in front of the bike.
TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has agreed a five-year contract to offer more people the opportunity to enjoy cycling and provide a convenient alternative to the car for shorter journeys.
Work is under way with partner councils to find sites for 170 fixed docking stations across the region. There will also be some virtual geo-fenced docking areas which can be moved to meet demand or for large scale events such as the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Mr Street, who is standing for re-election in May’s mayoral election, said: “Lockdown has shown there is a huge appetite for cycling among the people of the West Midlands as many take the opportunity to get out and about on two wheels.
“It is therefore great to see the docks and bikes finally on the streets of Sutton Coldfield with the closed trial of our Cycle Hire scheme now well underway. I know the people of Sutton will be itching to get involved now they can see the docks and bikes, and I look forward to seeing the first residents of the royal town trying the bikes out when the scheme launches to members of the public on March 8.
“As well as providing a great opportunity for more people to take up cycling – these bikes also made here in the West Midlands, supporting local jobs and businesses.”
The bikes are manufactured in Stratford-upon-Avon by Pashley Cycles who also work with Serco to provide the bikes for London and Edinburgh. Supporting technology will be provided by British micromobility operator Beryl who also work with Serco in London.
A sign at Banners Gate giving bike hire instructions and a row of the machines in Sutton town centre
TfWM, which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has agreed a five-year contract to offer more people the opportunity to enjoy cycling and provide a convenient alternative to the car for shorter journeys.
Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment with Birmingham City Council, said: “The West Midlands Cycle Hire will offer a more affordable alternative to buying a bike and give more people the opportunity to try cycling and contribute to improving our air quality and easing traffic congestion.”
The scheme is expected to create up to 25 new local jobs supporting the operation and maintenance of the bikes.
A full technology platform for the service, including the rider app and GPS connectivity on the bike which will integrate with the Swift travel card system, will enable customers to use their Swift accounts to hire bikes in the West Midlands, a first for a major UK bike share scheme.
Cllr Simon Ward, leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said: “We are delighted to be at the forefront of this scheme in partnership with TfWM, the city council and Serco to bring cycle hire to Sutton Coldfield.
“It is great news for our Royal Town to be one of the first places in the region to launch this cycle hire scheme and it enables the Town Council to deliver on its priorities of improving cycling infrastructure, promoting active travel and healthy lifestyles.”
Mattei House, once a club for the British military, will open as a hub for culture and creativity
New lease of life for historic buildings
One of the most significant buildings in the history of the Cypriot town of Laranka and once known as The English Club, will soon open to visitors as a centre for culture and creativity, showcasing the areas arts, crafts and heritage.
The town of Larnaka, a popular destination for tourists, continues to focus on sustainable tourism and culture with the restoration of Mattei House, a former British club, which will soon operate under the Municipality of Larnaka as a ‘Multispace of Creativity and Culture’.
The project will enrich Larnaka’s existing tourist product for both tourists and locals. Visitors will be able to watch traditional works of folk art included in UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage such as embroidery and basketry, and other arts that are part of Cypriot cultural heritage.
Larnaka Tourism Board recently undertook, with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, to cover part of the costs of refurbishing the new site.
The building is one of the most significant historic buildings of Larnaka and is interwoven with the history of the city from the 18th century when it began life as Mattei House, the home of Giacomo Mattei a merchant and landowner whose family ties stretched to Rome and Florence.
A mini documentary, in the Greek language, presents its history with interviews of those that experienced it as the ‘English Club’, renamed Larnaka Club in 1955, on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDBEwdxic3w.
The film begins with Dr. Iosif Hatzikyriakos, Director of the Phivos Stavrides Foundation-Larnaka Archives, explaining the ownership of the house in the second half of the 18th century. With the arrival of the English in Cyprus in 1878, it was turned into a club for civil servants and military personnel, the renowned “English Club”.
This building also served as the meeting place of the local elite community and the first tennis court on the island, constructed in white cement, in the courtyard. Dimitrios Z. Pieridis, President of the Pierides Foundation and Mrs Leda Sandama, former Member of the Club take a trip down memory lane.
Both Mr Pieridis and Mrs Sandama played tennis here when they were 11 and 14 years old, they had to finish promptly at 4:30 pm for the staff to set up for 5pm afternoon tea, this would follow with card games.
There was a reading room for those who did not play tennis or cards. Leda recalls the beautifully dressed ladies and the large hall used for special occasions such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve festivities with huge buffets and dancing.
Larnaka is a town with a rich history and is a favourite with tourists
Mr Pierides recalls that the library received important publications such as the Sphere and London Illustrated news. It was an officers’ meeting point, especially for naval officers, not just British but Italian too as Larnaka was a cosmopolitan centre. He mentions that he is pleased that Larnaka is expanding its soulful historic centre, which stretches from the Pierides Museum to the new cultural centre.
It takes in the old Ottoman bank which houses the Stavrides Foundation; the old kiosk that houses the Tourist Information Office and other outstanding historic buildings from the British administration such as the police station, the district administration office and the old customs office in Europe Square.
Last but by no means least, the writer and school principal, Mrs. Angela Kaimaklioti, describes on the video, the period after the Turkish invasion post 14 August 1974 when the club temporarily housed refugees.
She is delighted that this space, which she called home during a difficult time in her childhood, has been restored. What was a haven, a shelter in 1974 for a 14-year-old and her family alongside so many more, has been given a new and cultural lease of life that befits the building and Larnaka’s historic centre.
The mini documentary, which is in Greek with English subtitles, was created by the Larnaka Tourism Board and the Municipality of Larnaka with the support of the Ministry of Tourism.
The vaccination programme at the town hall bee praised by residents Above right, free parking is available
Sutton residents praise rollout
Residents in Sutton Coldfield have praised the Covid 19 vaccination programme currently being rolled out in the town ahead of schedule.
People over the age of 65 are now having their jab in what one resident described as an operation being run with military precision by Sutton Coldfield Group Practice.
The town hall set up is impressive, with a small army of vaccinators, aided by another small army of volunteers operating an efficient one-way system that sees people in, vaccinated and out in as little as five minutes.
It comes after another busy week last week at at the town hall, where the practice, which includes Tudor Practice, Ley Hill Surgery, Four Oaks Medical Centre, The Vesey Practice, Sutton Park Surgery and Falcon Medical Centre, managed to administer another 3,142 first vaccines for patients across Sutton Coldfield.
Resident Patrick James is one of the first cohort of over 65s to get his jab, along with wife Joan.
The 66-year-old from Four Oaks said: “It’s a hugely impressive operation. You pull up at the free car park, where stewards guide you on how long you have to wait. That was no time all in our case, as they were ahead of schedule.
“The other volunteers guide you through registration and then into cubicles where the shot, either the Pfizer or Astrazenca, is administered. You are given a your instruction leaflet and after a quick check, sent merrily on your way. Very slick indeed.”
A member of the medical team said the transfer of vaccinations from Falcon Lodge Medical Centre to Sutton Coldfield Town Hall had allowed the medical teams to triple current rollout.
“We are well ahead of schedule and it’s been extremely busy,” she said.
Mr James added: “We were surprised to get the call from the GP earlier this week to come in and get the jab, considering the target for the over-70s was due to be completed next Monday. It just shows what a slick operation it is.”
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall vaccinations are now available for the over-65s
Immunisation gathers pace in town
The success of vaccinations for Covid-19 in Sutton Coldfield has meant the programme is ahead of schedule, with the over-65s now getting the life-saving jab after the town hall was added to the vaccination sites.
The target for all over-70s is Monday next week, but patients over the age of 65 are being contacted to come forward by Sutton Coldfield Group Practice for their vaccinations, starting this week.
No-one from the practice nor Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group was available for comment on the move, but the programme appears to have been enhanced after the group announced a change of vaccination arrangements from February 1. The it was granted permission by NHS England to change the designated Falcon Lodge Medical Centre to Sutton Coldfield Town Hall to enable it to triple current rollout, which stood at 2,300 per week at Falcon Lodge.
That site has revered to a surgery and open to patients again, while Ley Hill Surgery will continue to provide vaccinations.
There is free parking in the pay and display car park on Anchorage Road opposite the town hall and The Townhouse (Royal) pub has also granted free parking there for people attending for vaccination.
Both the Pfizer or Astra Zeneca ‘Oxford’ vaccines, both of which are very effective, are being administered depending on the deliveries received.
A spokesman for the practice said that permission for the change had been granted after a lot of work behind the scenes aided by University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) Trust, Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (BSOL CCG), Sutton Coldfield Town Council and local MP Andrew Mitchell.
A spokesperson added: “We have a wide pool of vaccinators including retired doctors and nurses, paramedics, nurses seconded from different organisations, physios, podiatrists etc to enable us to continue to deliver medical services from our individual sites. The site is active for 9 hours per day seven days a week vaccine supply permitting.
“We are pleased to report that Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust (BCHC) staff have also begun doing home visits to vaccinate our housebound patients who are not able to travel to any vaccination centres.”
The practice said it has received positive feedback from patients who have had their vaccinations at Millennium Point in Birmingham city centre. There is free parking right next to the centre and it is well signposted and marshalled with short waits.
Work on the new Lidl store in Mere Green appears to be gathering pace after slow progress since work got under way back in November. The store is expected to be completed some time this year.
The site has been pretty much cleared of rubble from the previous demolition while diggers and now preparing the groundwork for the building of the new store and the car park to go with it.
Work on the former industrial site in Mere Green Road, which lay derelict for years, is expected to finish by summer.
The new store will provide competition for Sainsbury’s across the road the M&S food store on Mulberry Walk. The Waitrose supermarket in Bellwell Lane closed down last year.
People living in Sutton Coldfield can get their wills written for free by local solicitors in return for a donation to St Giles Hospice this month..
Five solicitors’ offices across the region are taking part in ‘Make Your Will Month’, organised by St Giles Hospice, between February 1 and 28.
During these four weeks, the solicitors will donate their time and expertise for free to help clients make a new will or update their existing one. All clients have to do is make a suggested donation to St Giles Hospice of £100-£150, depending on the type of will being created.
The firms taking part include Enoch Evans, in Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield, who can be contacted on 0121 355 2336.
All of the money raised from the campaign will support care services for local people living with a terminal illness and their families. Because of the current COVID-19 lockdown, solicitors and will-writing consultants will be conducting their appointments via phone, email or video call.
Elinor Eustace, Director of Income Generation at St Giles Hospice, said: “Our message to supporters who don’t have a will or who might be thinking of making an alteration is: Don’t put off protecting your future.
“By taking part in Make Your Will Month you have peace of mind of knowing that your loved ones are protected should anything happen to you, you can save yourself money by taking advantage of this charitable service and you can help your local hospice – all at the same time.
“Writing a will ensures that your family know what your wishes are, and know about your plans for your belongings and about funeral arrangements if you choose to include them. It can spare your loved ones from having to make important or complicated decisions at a distressing time.”
Elinor added that it costs St Giles more than £10 million to provide its care services each year, which means that every donation and gift – big or small – really does make a difference to the hospice. As 30 per cent of its fundraised income each year comes from gifts in wills, this means that one in six St Giles patients is cared for through legacy giving.
“We are truly honoured to receive legacy gifts in the wills of our supporters,” she said. “Each gift helps to secure the future of our hospice, meaning that they are helping us continue to care for local people and their families for generations to come.
“This generosity is particularly important in 2021 as our fundraising has been badly affected by the Coronavirus crisis, which has led to the cancellation of many charity events and the closure of our shops.
“Your support will allow us to continue our vital work in your local community. If your donations and gifts stop, we stop. Any donation you can make will make a massive difference to our patients in your local area at a time when they need us most.
“We’re also very grateful to all of the solicitors who take part in ‘Make Your Will Month’ for their support and would encourage anyone wanting to write a will to get in touch soon, as appointments are limited.”
New fleet of machines to help keep Sutton Coldfield tidy
The streets of Sutton Coldfield will soon be getting a clean sweep with when a fleet of cleaning machines comes on line.
Ongoing efforts to improve Birmingham’s neighbourhoods have been bolstered by a deal that has seen the city council start to take delivery of 31 new street sweeping vehicles.
The vehicles will be deployed across the city and they replace ageing machines that had reached the end of their operational lives.
The roll-out to the city’s four waste depots is due to be complete by the end of March and the vehicles are replacements as part of an ongoing lease deal.
Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks at Birmingham City Council, said: “Clean streets are consistently a high priority for people in this city, so it is important that our hardworking crews and teams have the tools available to them to achieve the aspirations that residents have for Birmingham.
“We are always looking at how we can best utilise technology and innovation to improve the cleanliness of our neighbourhoods – and street sweeping vehicles are one of the well-established ways to help do this.
“Our fleet was in need of an upgrade and we will now be able to deliver a more reliable and effective service in the future. Keep a look out for the vehicles on a street near you soon.”
Guests will travel onboard the refurbished MS Maud to destinations such as the Norwegian fjords
FANCY a trip to see the midnight sun when we finally come out of lockdown, or even a chance to see the spectacular aurora borealis, the Northern Lights?
Scandinavian cruise operator Hurtigruten has launched its Dover 2022/23 season, extending its existing programme to include nine new itineraries to the Norwegian coastline and the fjords.
Sailings will take place throughout the year, offering guests the chance to chase the Midnight Sun and witness the aurora borealis.
The 10- to 21-night itineraries will see guests travel onboard the refurbished MS Maud to destinations such as the Norwegian Lofoten Islands, which are notable for their distinctive dramatic peaks, North Cape, one of the northernmost points in Europe, and the tranquil Unesco designated Fjords Norway area.
Hurtigruten’s showcase voyage for the 22/23 season is a journey along the Norwegian coast to the Svalbard archipelago, The Norwegian Coast and Svalbard Autumn Cruise, home to arctic wilderness.
With 11-days above the Arctic Circle, guests can expect to see the northern lights.
The nine new sailings will join the existing five expedition itineraries departing from Dover, exploring some of the most remote locations around the British Isles, Norway and for the first time in Hurtigruten’s 127-year history, southern Scandinavia.
Anthony Daniels, UK general manager at Hurtigruten, said: “Since launching our Dover departure sailings, we’ve seen an increased demand and appetite for no-fly cruises that venture closer to home.
“We’re delighted to be expanding on our inaugural Dover season with a series of new and unique itineraries offering our guests the opportunity to experience the Norwegian coastline and beyond like never before.”
Juliet Dubberley, Online Retail Manager at St Giles Hospice, packing a fragile item ready for safe delivery
St Giles Hospice call for eBay support
Online shoppers are being asked to support a local charity during the latest lockdown by visiting the St Giles Hospice eBay charity shop.
Although St Giles, which offers care at tis centres in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield and in patients’ own homes across the region, has had to temporarily close its high street shops in response to the Government’s latest Coronavirus safety measures, the hospice’s popular online eBay shop currently lists more than 550 items for sale.
St Giles Hospice Head of Retail Lynwen Truesdale said: “The money raised by St Giles Hospice shops plays a vital role in funding the services which we offer our patients. But as we have had to close our high street shops and cancel many fundraising events during the COVID-19 crisis our message to our online shoppers is that we’ve never needed you more than we do right now.”
Since its launch in February 2006, the St Giles eBay shop has raised more than £850,000 to support the hospice in its work caring for patients living with a terminal illness and their families, and it sells a range of books, magazines, toys and games, jewellery, shoes and clothing, collectibles and more.
Lynwen added, “We have a wide range of books, toys and games which are just the thing for keeping everyone engaged and entertained during lockdown. We also have make up, beauty and healthcare products and gift sets, perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts.
“Our high street shops may be closed at the moment but people can still support us by shopping online in our eBay online charity shop, which is still very much open for business.”
Lynwen added that the charity has ‘top-rated seller’ status on eBay, meaning that St Giles Hospice is one of eBay’s most reputable sellers, consistently delivering outstanding customer service with a five-star rating and positive feedback.
As well as more mainstream items, quirky and unique items go up for sale frequently on the online charity shop. Over the years these have included a 1608 leather-bound ‘Geneva Bible’ which sold for £850; a rare Royal Doulton Sir Francis Drake Toby Jug which sold for £483; and a Royal Doulton Ali Baba figurine, which sold for £1,500.
One donated item sold on the eBay online store raised an amazing £4,256 for St Giles Hospice – a pair of rare Zeiss WWII German U-Boat commander’s binoculars.
“We can’t wait to re-open our high street shops, but until then, please continue to shop with us online,” said Lynwen. “We’d ask all of our supporters to spread the word to friends and family so that they can support us too.
“Although our shops are currently closed, we need to raise £850,000 every single month just to keep our services going and our dedicated care teams are still out there working 24/7 in our hospices and out in our community.”
You can find out more and visit the St Giles Hospice eBay online charity shop at www.stgileshospice.com/ebay
Sutton Coldfield Life 