Farmers’ Market returns in boost for Sutton Coldfield town centre

A popular farmers market is to return to Sutton Coldfield in a bid to help revive the town centre. The Farmers & Craft Market returns in September and sponsored by Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID).

The speciality market is just one of the BID’s ideas to raise the profile of the town ­– following the launch of 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 markets will take place along the Parade on the last Sunday of the month from 10am-2pm, with dates confirmed as September 25, October 30 and November 27.

Traders already confirmed for the first market include stalls selling local organic meat, a fishmonger, a cheesemaker and fresh pies as well as colourful cakes by baker Cakes-A-Daisy.

Sutton Coldfield BID manager Michelle Baker has delivered successful markets elsewhere, with one being shortlisted to the top six in the UK this year.

She said: “As a Business Improvement District we are exploring ways to boost footfall in the town centre, and introducing quality speciality markets selling local produce and artisan gifts will be a reason to visit Sutton Coldfield.

“This is a three-month trial and, if supported by the local community, it will become a year-round event, 12 months of the year.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Birmingham City Council for supporting our vision and approving our application, and now we need local residents to support their local town and shop locally. By boosting footfall in Sutton Coldfield, we will be supporting existing businesses, and the town will also appeal to new businesses to fill the vacant shops.”

Nick Sutherland, whose company Nick the Fish trades across the region, said: “I think it’s fantastic that Sutton town centre is going to get a proper market and we feel privileged and honoured to be asked to get involved.

“We’re excited to get started and start bringing good food to the streets of Sutton Coldfield.”

Former serviceman Liam Hall’s handmade chocolate company, The Military Chef, will also be selling their delicious, sweet treats.

He said: “We are 100 per cent behind this idea – it will be a really good addition to the area and will provide a reason for people to visit the town centre on a Sunday.”

The earliest record of a market in Sutton Coldfield dates back more than 700 years. In 1300 King Edward I granted a licence to Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, to hold a market in Sutton Coldfield.

For more information on the new Farmers & Craft Market, contact Michelle Baker at bidmanager@suttoncoldfieldtowncentre.co.uk

St Giles Hospice calls for Marvel-lous fundraisers to take part in Hero Walk 2022

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s St Giles Hospice’s superhero-themed charity fundraising event in Sutton Coldfield. 

Superheroes from near and far are being called to pull on a cape and show they care at the St Giles Hospice Hero Walk on Saturday 24^th September at Sutton Park.

Zoe Wright, Events Manager at St Giles Hospice, said: “We can’t wait to host our first-ever event in Sutton Coldfield. Our Hero Walk has activities and entertainment for everyone. You can enjoy games, refreshments and pose for some super family snaps before setting off on your activity adventure.”

The 5km family walk and fun day will kick off at 10am, with a welcome speech at 10.30am before the walk starts at 11am. Entry is £3 for under threes, £6 for under 16s and £10 for adults. Doggy sidekicks can take part for free.

Zoe continued: “The entry fee for this heroic event only covers the administration cost of Hero Walk, but by asking friends and family to sponsor you, you will raise vital funds to help us continue to provide care and support, free of charge, for patients and their families.

“All heroes are encouraged to arrive in their costumes ready to leap into action and help raise funds for their local hospice.

“If you’d like to take on the challenge in true hero style, St Giles capes can be pre-ordered or bought on the day for a £5 donation. 

“At St Giles our heroes are the people who support our events and especially our dedicated supporters and volunteers who help to ensure that we can continue to provide our care to local patients and their families. We’re incredibly grateful to our communities for their continued support and generosity.”

Teaching Assistant Natasha Saunders, 35, from Tamworth first experienced St Giles when staff cared for mother-in-law, Kim, who received end of life care when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. 

Natasha, who is taking part in Hero Walk in memory of Kim, said: “The Hero Walk is such an amazing day – we also took part in 2019. It’s suitable for all ages big and small, we shared plenty of memories, had lots of giggles and we came together as a family to remember Kim and in support of a charity that helped us the most. 

“Taking part was our way of giving back to St Giles Hospice and thanking them for everything they have done for us as a family.

“Care is given not only to patients, but the most amazing support is also given to families. Great care and great comfort deserves rewards, I would encourage everyone to support the hospice. We want to make sure that St Giles will still be there for other families, like ours, when they need it.

“A huge thank you from the bottom of our hearts, we are incredibly grateful for everything you did for us all as a family. Thank you for taking all the stress and worry away and putting us all at peace on our short stay.”

To sign up to the St Giles Hospice Hero Walk, please visit www.stgileshospice.com/herowalk

Sutton Coldfield residents bridging the age gap

Residents at a Sutton Coldfield care home have made a host of new young friends.

Working in partnership with Kiddibop, Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Road, has been offering weekly intergenerational sessions to residents, the first care home in the region to do so.   

Kiddibop is a local organisation which runs music and play classes for children under five. As part of their joint pilot project with Mercia Grange, Kiddibop is hosting its weekly classes at the care home, giving residents an opportunity to join in.

Joyce, a resident at Mercia Grange, said: ”It was the best afternoon ever. It was great to hear the music and see the children.”

Amy Barton, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “We love welcoming the Kiddibop team and children on Thursdays – the sessions are a definite highlight every week and many residents look forward to them.

“Intergenerational relationships are proven to be enriching for both sides, providing older people with a sense of purpose and fulfilment. The sessions also give residents an opportunity to reminisce about raising their own children many years ago – and sometimes even to share their best parenting tips with the parents who attend.

“We’re already looking forward to our next session – and we’d like to invite any parents of young children in Sutton Coldfield to book their space with the Kiddibop team so they can join us for an afternoon of intergenerational fun.”

Mercia Grange is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia, and short-term respite care.

The three-storey care home, which features 67 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.

To find out more about Mercia Grange, please call Customer Relations Manager, Rachel Mackay, on 0121 314 3196, or email rachel.mackay@careuk.com

For more general information, please visit careuk.com/mercia-grange

First holiday since lockdown has a sting in the tail

When it all went pear shaped in the comedy Trains, Planes and Automobiles starring John Candy as Del and Steve Martin as Neil, Del said when they were at their lowest ebb: “You’re in a pretty lousy mood, huh?” Neil: “To say the least.” Del: “You ever travel by bus before? Your mood’s probably not going to improve much…”

We knew what he meant on a journey, if not quite from hell, but close to it.

Our first venture abroad since coronavirus struck turned out to be an excellent affair in Cyprus, but it was topped and tailed with something not quite so thrilling and a cautionary tale when preparing to fly from distant airports.

Our flight, from Gatwick meant a lengthy trip from the Midlands and paying for just over a week’s parking at a nearby site. At a cost of £74.

Trouble was, we never made it. Our car broke down on Good Friday and we were due to travel on Easter Monday. No way of getting repaired during the bank holiday.

Fortunately, our son was able to drive us to the airport, but as our return was landing at 2.30 in the morning, we felt we could not ask anyone to make that journey and then drive back.

So we kissed goodbye to the £74 (we should have insured it) and made alternative arrangements to get back.

This entailed booking a coach from Gatwick at 3.50 in the morning. What an adventure when we get back, we thought. A case of panic leading to temporary insanity.

Our journey back after eight glorious days eventually took us 16 hours.

Taxi, plane, coaches, two of them, a train and two buses.

It went like clockwork to start with, except we got there a bit too early by taxi and the airport took their time.

A four hour and 40 minute flight followed in the most uncomfortable airline seats I have ever used, but we arrived on time at around 2am.

As you would expect even at that time of the morning, around four flights came in at the same time, so passport control, as you would now expect did not have the biometric machines   working and the queues stretched an stretched . . . and stretched.

Feeling weary now, we eventually got through and boarded our first coach to London Victoria, on time mercifully and after various stop offs arrived at London’s Victoria coach station. From there we changed coaches for our three and a half hour drive to Birmingham, via Coventry.

From there, we thought we would walk to New Street Station. Mistake, dragging a 50lb suitcase, a smaller suitcase, two heavy handbags up the hill was takings its toll. We arrived at New Street Stations, back entrance and were faced with dragging the bags up 50 steps.

New Street Station is spectacular to look at inside and out but sadly I was baffled and really upset by the sight of the huge mountain of concrete stairs limiting access to the main entrance of the station for folks of all ages that are not able bodied. For people who have to hump heavy luggage. How on earth did the designers also expect parents with babies and buggies (plus other small children, not to mention many elders and folks with health problems) to climb the Everest like stairs? 

Gasping and sweating at the top, two young blokes asked, if we needed a hand. Cheers pal, but we’ve done the hard work.

Onwards. Our train was next, followed b the first of two buses.

Then it was the final walk to the house, just like Dell and Neil in the film the final scenes from the film.

We felt like we had been on a 14 hour workout, using suitcases for weights.

Tired through lack of sleep, but luckily with enough adrenaline to help us complete an epic journey.

The moral to the story is: make sure your car is ready for the journey; make contingency plans for when something might go wrong; try and insure anything like long term parking and finally, think. Do you really need that much luggage?