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Council steps in to save popular summer food festival

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An under-threat but popular summer food and drink festival held just down the road from Sutton Coldfield has been saved by the local council.

Lichfield District Council has stepped in to save the city’s Summer Food Festival – to be held from August 23 to 25.

The authority acted after the event had been thrown into jeopardy when the council barred the previous organisers from running it this year.

Any trader that had already booked and paid for a pitch at the Lichfield Summer Food Festival via the previous event organiser, will be offered a free pitch. The Council will also be reaching out to retailers in the City Centre to talk to them about how they can be part of the Food Festival.

With only a few weeks for the council to organise the Food Festival, traders are urged to work with the local authority. Whilst the council say it won’t be exactly the same as previous Food Festivals, it is committed to organising a vibrant and enjoyable event.

Cllr Doug Pullen, Leader of the Council, said: “The Lichfield Summer Food Festival is really important to our residents, businesses and visitors. It brings thousands of people into the city and provides an opportunity to showcase Lichfield as a visitor destination.

“So I’m really pleased that the Council is able to step in to ensure that this year’s Summer Food Festival goes ahead.

“We want to do all we can to support those traders who we know have already made significant financial outlays in preparation for the Lichfield Summer Food Festival. So any trader that has booked and paid for a pitch, and can share evidence of doing so, will be offered a free pitch.”

Traders should get in touch at events@lichfielddc.gov.uk. Further details on the Food Festival will be released in the coming weeks.

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Safety warning after teenager dies in Sutton pool

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The dangers of swimming unattended in lakes and pools during hot weather have tragically come to the fore following the death of a teenager in Sutton Coldfield.

The body of a teenage boy, named by police as Daniel Drewitt, from Rednal, was recovered from  Powell’s Pool in Sutton Park  on Thursday, July 10 shortly after 10pm.

A report by the BBC said staff at Colmers School and Sixth Form College in Rednal paid tribute to the 16-year-old and said he was confident, full of life and a talented sportsman.

It is believed he got  into difficulty in the lake at around 6pm.

Safety experts say swimming in lakes during hot weather can be extremely dangerous.

High temperatures may cause heat exhaustion or dehydration, weakening swimmers and increasing the risk of drowning. 

Underwater hazards like sudden drop-offs, strong currents, or submerged debris are harder to spot in murky lake water, leading to accidents.

Cold spots from springs can trigger muscle cramps, making it difficult to swim. Furthermore, hot weather attracts more people, increasing the chance of overcrowding and unsupervised swimming, which raises drowning risks.

Unlike pools, lakes lack lifeguards, and emergency help may be far away. Always wear a life jacket, avoid alcohol, and never swim alone. Caution can prevent tragedies while enjoying the water safely

In May, Midlands Air Ambulance revealed there have been 18 accidental drowning deaths in the West Midlands region in 2024.

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Blooming marvellous for residents

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Sutton Coldfield Town Council is offering residents the opportunity to pick up a packet of free wildflower seeds to have the enjoyment of growing their own mini wildflower area. These have been distributed at community venues across the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield to inspire residents to take part in creating a greener community.  

The packets contain a pollinator-friendly mix of seeds native to the U.K. and can be planted at any time of year to encourage biodiversity and support pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

The wildflower seeds are available at community venues across Sutton Coldfield, including the following publicly accessible venues. Please note that opening times may vary, so we recommend checking in advance and contacting the venue directly before travelling.

  • Olive Branch café located at Four Oaks Baptist Church
  • Second Thoughts charity shop
  • Harvest Fields Centre
  • Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
  • Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church
  • Trinity Centre
  • Walmley Library
  • Mere Green Library
  • Boldmere Library (available from Thursday 12 June)

For more information on how to grow wildflowers at home visit: www.wwf.org.uk/wildflowers/how-to-grow-wildflowers

We would love to see how they grow. Simply tag us on social media (@RoyalSutColTC Instagram and X) or @royalsuttoncoldfieldtowncouncil (Facebook) or send us photos of your blooms at enquiries@suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk to share your wildflower journey with us.

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Join the Fun at Sutton Coldfield’s food and music festival

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Rugby club to host ‘Great Stuff’ food and music event on Bank holiday weekend

Event Highlights

Join the DDC Summer Send Off on Saturday, August 30, hosted by Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club for a day packed with entertainment. Experience a circus workshop, silent disco, and live performances, plus enjoy inflatables, bubble machines, and an exciting world record attempt.

Food and drink

Treat your taste buds with delicious street food from top Midlands vendors including Banquet 1415, Disco Fries, Duck & Roll, Only Jerkin’, Street Chef, Street Souvlaki, Stripclub, Tacos El Pap, Urban Cheesecake, and Victoria Crêperie. Refresh with craft beers, cocktails, and slushies from the festival bars.

Live music line-up

The Good Stuff Main Stage will showcase top local talent featuring Hockley Social Club (HSC), Lucas D & The Ghetto Groove, Metz Jnr Band, DJ Mr ‘M’ Milford, Ryan Evans, and Shanty Town.

World record attempt

Make history with the Metz Jnr Band as they attempt to break the record for “Most People Simultaneously Playing Shakers.” Every participant receives a free shaker to keep and a certificate to commemorate the event. Metz Jnr says: “Music unites people, and we can’t wait to rock Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club!”

Celebrating five years

Jack Brabant, DDC co-founder, shared: “Sutton Coldfield always gives us a warm welcome. We’re excited to bring a fresh, fun experience to the town and the West Midlands.”

DDC Summer Tour continues

The DDC Summer Tour runs from May to September with 40+ street food events across Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Staffordshire. Now in its eighth year, the tour attracts 70,000+ visitors annually—don’t miss out!

Join the fun at Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club for an unforgettable Bank Holiday weekend! 🎉

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Unlock business potential with Sutton Coldfield Innovation Programme

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Amazon’s Fulfilment Centre in Sutton Coldfield

Amazon Innovation Accelerator offers £100,000 prize

Amazon is calling on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK to apply for the Amazon Innovation Accelerator 2025 — a fully-funded programme designed to help SMEs innovate, digitise, and scale for the future.

The programme kicks off in Birmingham on 27 June, 2025 with an in-person Innovation Day at Amazon’s Sutton Coldfield Fulfilment Centre.

Participating SMEs will have the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of Amazon’s innovation engine, take part in hands-on workshops, and engage directly with Amazon experts and SME-focused professionals.

Key features of the programme include:

Innovation Day at Amazon – Experience Amazon’s approach to innovation first-hand, with exclusive access to its facility and expert-led sessions.

Tailored Innovation Training – Learn from professionals who understand the challenges SMEs face and gain insights to drive practical, scalable change.

Amazon Innovation Leadership Course – Complete a 12-module online course to become a certified AIA Innovation Leader and join a UK-wide peer network.

£100,000 Innovation Challenge Prize – Participants who complete the course are eligible to compete for a share of the funding to support their innovation journey.

Additional Support – Receive $1,000 in AWS credits and continuous access to resources, fireside chats, and an online learning community.

The programme is designed to be flexible and accessible, allowing SME leaders to participate at their own pace.

Applications are now open and take just two minutes to complete.

Successful applicants will gain full access to the programme, including the online leadership course and innovation community platform, shortly after selection.

To learn more, please contact aia@growthstudio.com

Pictured: Amazon’s Sutton Coldfield Fulfilment Centre 

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Team building with Sutton Coldfield’s Retro Games

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Nostalgia rules for day of challenges

Sack races, space hoppers and a tug of war are among the activities on the agenda when the Retro Games return to Sutton Coldfield next month.

Workplace teams can sign up to go head-to-head in a series of nostalgic races and quirky challenges during the event organised by Inspire Activity.

The popular team-building event takes place on Thursday, July 17, from 4pm to 7pm, at The Fig and Olive, part of the Coppice Garden Centre, near Sutton Coldfield.

It costs £295 (plus VAT) to enter a team of four to six colleagues.

Dennis Kennedy, founder of Inspire Activity, which also operates the Community Games, said: “This is more than just a laugh – it’s team building done right.

“You’ll walk away with stronger relationships, improved communication, a shared sense of achievement, and a team that’s genuinely more bonded than when they arrived.”

Book your place now by emailing dennis@inspireactivity.co.uk

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Tin hats and stone hot water bottles

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Royal Orthopaedic Hospital nurses Sophie Gibson, left, and Helen Sargeant met with Joy to hear her memories

Sutton Coldfield resident, 101, recounts war-time nursing memories

A Sutton Coldfield centenarian care home resident has inspired nurses at Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) with memories of her service during the Second World War

Now 101 years old, Joy McCliskie is a resident at Mercia Grange, a Care UK care home.

She worked as a nurse at the hospital from 1940-1948. During her time at the ROH Joy worked on the wards and in the later years in the outpatients’ department, then located on Broad Street.

Much of her nursing career took place during the war, a very different time to be a nurse than it is today.

Sophie and Helen, two nurses currently working at ROH, were enthralled by Joy’s memories of working during those years, from the use of frames for turning spinal patients to warming beds with stone hot water bottles and wearing tin hats when on night duty.

Michael McNelis, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “Giving older people an opportunity to reminisce is at the heart of everything we do, so when the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital team reached out to us, we were excited to invite them in for a chat.

“Joy’s time with Sophie and Helen brought back many happy memories for her, and we hope it will inspire many others to follow in her footsteps.”

An ROH spokesperson added: “While the daily roles of nurses may have changed over the decades, nursing remains the lifeblood of the NHS.

“Our nurses work incredibly hard to care for the many patients who are treated at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, delivering compassionate care and helping patients regain their mobility, independence and quality of life.”

About the ROH

The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist orthopaedic units in Europe, offering planned orthopaedic surgery to people locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Trust is an accredited Veteran Aware organisation and a Disability Confident Leader. Ranked eighth in the 2024 UK Inclusive Top 50 Employers list, the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital is the highest-ranking NHS organisation for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

You can follow the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital on social media:

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Reaction to Sutton Park’s new parking Fees

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Council revises original charging plan

Charges for parking at Sutton Park are set to go ahead, but Birmingham City Council has announced revised charges after a public outcry.

Parking fees at three of the city’s most desirable parks: Sutton Park, Lickey Hills Country Park, and Sheldon Country Park. This decision arises from the council’s persistent financial difficulties, as they seek new revenue streams following significant budget cuts and a second consecutive rise in council tax.

A recent public consultation revealed that a majority of residents are against the proposed parking charges. Despite the considerable opposition, the Labour-run council maintains that these fees are crucial for covering the costs associated with park maintenance. They recognize that parking charges can be “controversial and unpopular,” yet stress that the income generated will not entirely cover maintenance expenses, necessitating ongoing taxpayer support.

In response to public feedback, the council has made minor adjustments to the proposed fees:

Sutton Park & Lickey Hills Country Park:

  • £1 per hour (up to 4 hours)
  • £5 for all-day parking
  • £52 for an annual permit
  • Charges apply 9 am–6 pm, 365 days a year, with a 30-minute free grace period.

Sheldon Country Park:

  • £0.75 per hour (up to 3 hours)
  • £3.50 for all-day parking
  • £52 for an annual permit
  • Same operating hours and grace period as above.

The council argues that implementing parking fees at major parks is “common practice” throughout the UK and aligns with “national best practice.”

They believe that the revised fees could help alleviate the impact on local businesses while attracting more visitors. The council aims to balance the need for revenue with the desire to maintain accessibility to these premium green spaces.

However, critics express concern that these charges may discourage individuals, particularly lower-income families, from enjoying the parks. There is apprehension that local businesses, which depend on park visitors, could face adverse effects due to diminished foot traffic.

What do you think about Sutton Park charges? Do you believe it’s truly justified?

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Sponsor steps up to the crease for women

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Four Oaks Saints Cricket Club and CUDOS Creative partnership formed

A Sutton Coldfield cricket club has had a partner step up to the crease, with CUDOS Creative sponsoring Four Oaks Saints’ women’s team.

The firm, based at Wren’s Court, off The Parade in Sutton Coldfield,  believes that even marketing maestros know a solid partnership is the best way to ‘hit boundaries’ for community and inclusivity.

Branding and Promotion

As part of this partnership, the CUDOS Creative logo will be prominently displayed on the women’s team official kit. Additionally, CUDOS will provide support to promote the club across social media platforms, reaching new audiences and encouraging broader participation, especially within the women’s team.

Community Impact

The club aims to expand its impact both on and off the pitch by welcoming new supporters, volunteers, and players. They are also exploring opportunities for community and corporate team-building events to strengthen ties with local businesses.

CUDOS Creative

Kate Curry, Founder of CUDOS Creative, said, “We’re passionate about creativity, collaboration, and community, and this sponsorship brings all three together. Supporting the Four Oaks Saints women’s team is a wonderful opportunity to help build a future where women’s sport is celebrated and given the platform it deserves. We are excited about how we can enhance the club’s profile and visibility across our region.”

Four Oaks Saints Cricket Club

Emily Sutton from the Four Oaks Saints Cricket Club added: “ As women’s cricket continues to grow in popularity, having a sponsor that is enthusiastic about investing in its development is a significant morale boost for both the players and the community. This partnership is rooted in a mutual commitment to our local community, making it a powerful collaboration for both CUDOS Creative and Four Oaks Saints Cricket Club.”

Click here to find out more about the club and how to get involved.

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Groundbreaking festival explores life and death

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A Matter of Life and Death Festival, organised by community group BrumYODO, returns for another thought-provoking edition, from May 5 -17, transforming spaces across Birmingham – from tattoo parlours to libraries, pubs to country parks – into hubs for open discussions about mortality, grief, and end-of-life care.

Festival Highlights:

May 6 – Death Café & Undertakers’ Discussion

  • Sun Rising Burial Ground (Warwick): The festival kicks off with a Death Café – an informal space to chat about life and death over tea and cake.
  • A Natural Undertaking (Hall Green): An evening of wine, cheese, and candid conversation on making difficult discussions about death more comfortable.

May 7 – Memorial Tattoos at Lucky Rabbit

  • The festival’s newest venue, Lucky Rabbit Tattoo Studio (Jewellery Quarter), hosts a talk on memorial ink—exploring tattoos as a way to honor lost loved ones.

May 8 – Interfaith Walk (Handsworth)

  • A guided walk through Handsworth’s places of worship, uncovering diverse funeral rites, mourning customs, and spiritual perspectives on death.

May 9 – Kathryn Mannix Talk (Stourbridge)

  • The bestselling author of With the End in Mind shares insights on compassionate end-of-life care. (Due to high demand, a second session has been added.)

May 10 – Walking Tours

  • Morning: Five Ways to Die in Birmingham – a macabre yet fascinating tour of lost cemeteries, plague pits, and the grave of the lightbulb inventor.
  • Afternoon: A wellbeing poetry walk in Lickey Hills, blending nature, remembrance, and creative writing.

May 13 – Meet the Undertakers (Kings Heath)

  • A rare chance to tour A Natural Undertaking, ask burning questions, and demystify the funeral process.

May 15 – Death at the Museum & Tea Room Death Café

  • Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery: A curator-led tour of death-themed artworks.
  • Edwardian Tea Rooms: Reflective discussions over cake in an elegant setting.

May 17 – Pop-Up Death finale (Birmingham Library)

  • The festival closes with an interactive, all-ages event featuring coffin decorating, storytelling, and art installations—bringing death out of the shadows and into public conversation.

Why It Matters:

As the UK’s first Compassionate City, Birmingham leads the way in breaking taboos around death. BrumYODO’s festival offers safe, creative, and sometimes surprising ways to engage with a subject often left unspoken.

Emma Waterford, BrumYODO board member, said “We are thrilled to close the festival at Birmingham Library in the city centre. With its glass walls overlooking Centenary Square, we aim to bring visibility to the often hidden topics of death and dying, encouraging open conversations about living well until we die.”

Most events are free or low-cost. Some require booking—check the full program:
🔗 brumyodo.org.uk/events
📱 Follow updates: @BrumYODO