Tag Archives: history

News

Lights switch-on sparks festive cheer in Sutton Coldfield

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The festive season is officially aglow in Royal Sutton Coldfield. This year’s display features 230 energy-efficient LED lights across the town, providing brighter illumination while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to traditional bulbs. You can see the sparkling Christmas lights in the following locations:

  • Sutton Coldfield Town Centre
  • Boldmere High Street
  • Mere Green
  • Walmley
  • Wylde Green
  • Falcon Lodge
  • Minworth
  • Whitehouse Common
  • Chester Road, Kingsbury Road, Walsall Road
  • Beeches Walk, Church Hill Parade, Clarence Road, Dugdale Crescent, Hollyfield Road, Little Boldmere
  • King Edward Square

Festive Christmas Trees, funded by the Town Council, are also located at: Dugdale Crescent, Falcon Lodge, Harvest Fields, Mere Green, Minworth, Walmley, and Wylde Green.

🅿️ Free festive parking and travel scheme until Jan 4, 2026

To complement the lights and boost the local economy, the Town Council is running a free holiday parking and travel initiative.

Parking details:

Days & Times: Thursdays from 4pm, Fridays from 4pm, and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

Participating Car Parks

  • Station Street
  • Upper & Lower Reddicroft
  • Mill Street
  • Anchorage Road
  • South Parade
  • Duke Street

The scheme also includes free bus travel and cycle hire within the area, making it seamless to visit Royal Sutton Coldfield’s town centre and local shopping parades this Christmas.

🗣️ Supporting the town centre

Cllr Simon Ward, leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, said:

“I’m pleased to see the Town Council continuing to support our town centre through initiatives like the Festive Lights and Festive Travel Scheme. This outlines our commitment to local businesses and helps attract more visitors, making travel easier for shoppers during the busiest time of year.”

Plan Your Visit: Experience the festive magic, enjoy free parking on weekends and evenings, and support Royal Sutton Coldfield’s brilliant local businesses this holiday season.

Christmas Trees are also funded by the Town Council at Dugdale Crescent, Falcon Lodge, Harvest Fields, Mere Green, Minworth, Walmley and Wylde Green.

News

Sutton BMet students celebrate at graduation ceremony

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BMet (Birmingham Metropolitan College) which includes Sutton Coldfield College, James Watt College and Matthew Boulton College, honoured the outstanding achievements of its graduates, students, and staff at its annual graduation ceremony, held at the iconic Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

The celebratory event was attended by graduates, their families and friends, and BMet staff. It featured special guest appearances from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, MBE, JP, and award-winning athlete Jamie McAnsh, who delivered an inspiring keynote speech to motivate the new graduates.

Recognising Excellence: A Night of Awards

Alongside the formal graduation proceedings for Higher Education (HE) students, the ceremony saw 48 awards presented to deserving students, staff, and employer partners. These accolades celebrated a wide range of accomplishments.

Key awards presented included:

  • Academic Excellence Award
  • Inspirational Student Award
  • Outstanding Engagement Award
  • Innovation in Curriculum Award
  • Student Support Champion Award

The Resilience and Determination Award was proudly sponsored by the Morgan Hunt Recruitment Agency. In addition, Fellowship Awards were given to employers Roxanne Blackwood from fashion brand Kimmiu, and Louise Pinnington and Karen O’Donovan from Edge Creative, in recognition of their invaluable support in helping BMet students progress in their careers.

The event was further brought to life by two captivating performances from Performing Arts students from BMet’s Sutton Coldfield College.

Award Winner Spotlights

Karen Hemmings, Department Manager for Early Years at BMet, graduated with a Leadership Certificate in Post Compulsory Education (Cert Ed) and also received the Resilience and Determination Award.

“I’m very excited about being at this awards ceremony,” Karen said. “It means a lot to me to have achieved what I have at this later stage of my life. The support I have received whilst studying has been invaluable from teachers, as well as family – some of which are here with me today! I’m so thankful to everyone who has helped me along the way.”

Elijah Lewis graduated from his HND Cloud Networking Course and achieved an Inspirational Student Award.

“I’m so very happy to be recognised for my hard work and it has been a long time coming!” Elijah commented. “It feels like a testament to all my efforts. My action plan of studying computing at BCU is now one step closer and I feel I am on the path to securing a career in Cyber Security.”

Roxanne Blackwood, Founder and Creative Director of Kimmiu, received a Fellowship Award for her work in championing BMet and developing employability skills for students.

“Winning the award today is a huge honour in what has been a mutually beneficial journey,”Roxanne stated. “As well as helping learners on their career paths, I have learnt how to tailor my work in ways that can be meaningful and motivating to a target group of people. I have personally grown a lot and developed during my time working with BMet.”

Explore Higher Education at BMet

Their HE provision includes:

  • Foundation Degrees
  • Higher Level Apprenticeships
  • Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
  • Higher National Certificates (HNCs)
  • Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)

To find out more about the range of higher education courses at BMet, visit the official BMet website.

News

Festive boost for Sutton Coldfield with free parking, bus travel and cycle use

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Shoppers and visitors to Royal Sutton Coldfield are set for a major festive boost, as a popular scheme offering free parking, discounted bus travel, and free cycle hire returns this November..

While the scheme will be welcome, residents are reminded that free parking only applies to council-run car parks at certain times and not private car parks in the town.

The travel initiative, which comes through a £52,000 investment from Sutton Coldfield Town Council, is supported by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

It is designed to support both local residents and the town’s businesses during the crucial festive trading period, making it cheaper and easier to enjoy everything the town centre has to offer.

Free parking details

In a significant move, free parking will be available in key Birmingham City Council-owned town centre car parks from Thursday, 13 November 2025, until Sunday, 4 January 2026.

The free parking schedule is as follows:

The offer applies on Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm onwards and all day Saturdays and Sundays at the following car parks in the town.

  • Station Street
  • Upper Reddicroft
  • Lower Reddicroft
  • Mill Street
  • Anchorage Road
  • South Parade
  • Duke Street

Expanded travel options

Building on the success of last year’s scheme, the offer extends beyond just parking. Residents have a choice of sustainable and cost-effective ways to get into town:

  1. Free and discounted travel: Individuals* can sign up for two weeks of free bus travel followed by ongoing discounted fares through the Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) scheme.
  2. Free cycle hire: Residents can also cycle into the town centre for free using the West Midlands Combined Authority’s public bike hire scheme, which the Town Council helps to fund.

How to acces the bus travel offer

To take advantage of the free and discounted bus travel, residents must sign up for the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council mailing list by 10am on Monday, 10th November 2025. Further details and a unique access code will be sent via an e-newsletter after this date.

You can sign up using the form here: http://eepurl.com/di-Cwr

*Please note: If you have applied for this specific bus transport offer in a previous year, you will not be eligible for the new free and discounted bus tickets.

Supporting Sutton’s town centre

Councillor Simon Ward, Leader of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, emphasised the scheme’s importance: “Whilst it’s great to see new investment with work starting on new stores and the Gateway Scheme, we fully recognise the need to support the town centre’s diverse range of businesses through the crucial festive period.”

He added, “Subsidising free car parking and promoting free bus and cycle hire will make it cheaper and easier for people to travel into the town centre and make the most of our fantastic festive offer. We also want to give visitors a choice of different ways to travel, including opportunities to try more sustainable options.”

News

Sutton Coldfield’s Boldmere Christmas Festival axed

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The popular Boldmere Christmas Festival, including its popular lights switch-on event, has been officially cancelled for this year. The organisers, Boldmere Futures, cite severe funding shortages after their grant from Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council was dramatically reduced.

A History of declining funding

The community interest company has seen a steep decline in financial support from the council over recent years. After receiving generous grants of £9,605 in 2022 and £10,000 in 2023, the funding was cut to £7,000 last year. For the 2025 financial year, the grant has been slashed to just £3,000.

The £10,000 funding gap

The cancellation stems from an unsustainable financial gap. The Boldmere Christmas Festivalcosts approximately £22,000 to stage, while it only generates around £12,000 in revenue. This leaves a funding shortfall of roughly £10,000 that has historically been covered by council grants and sporadic sponsorships.

Paul Long, Chairman of Boldmere Futures, expressed his disappointment: “Despite reaching out to local businesses and exploring other grants like the Plan for Neighbourhoods, the financial shortfall made it impossible to proceed this year. Even if funds were found today, it’s too late for 2024.”

Long emphasised the event’s vital role in “boosting community spirit and supporting local businesses in Sutton Coldfield.”

Council response and future of the festival

In a statement, Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council explained that its grants are “competitive and often oversubscribed,” and are allocated based on the information provided by applicants.

The council also confirmed that Boldmere Futures has decided not to take the reduced grant for this year and will instead focus on other community projects.

Discussions are ongoing to secure proper funding with the aim of restoring the Boldmere Christmas Festival and lights switch-on in 2026. However, the future of this key Sutton Coldfield event remains uncertain pending a viable, long-term financial solution.

News

Sutton Coldfield’s new police station opens doors

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Sutton Coldfield’s newly re-developed police station has finally opened. Existing police buildings on the Anchorage Road side of the site, have now been redeveloped with the addition of a former small business property next door. 

This has created a bespoke new location for neighbourhood teams, emergency response officers, local crime investigators, offender management and other policing functions which were dispersed around the site previously.

One of the key developments was the creation of a public contact office where people can talk to us if they prefer face to face over telephone and online options.  

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon said the new station would be a base for the local neighbourhood team for emergency force response and investigators.

He added: “It will also be a public contact office where members of the public can attend face to face and speak to a police officer.

“This is all part of my commitment to rebuild community policing and ensure a reassuring police presence in Sutton Coldfield.”

Cash from the sale of the old site – which will also pay for the new station – will be reinvested into policing, safeguarding officer numbers and services at a time when budgets are under continued pressure locally and nationally.

The sale of surplus buildings on the Lichfield Road side of the site provides good value for the public purse and local people. 

The old station cost over of £500,000 each year to run, excluding annual maintenance costs and essential upgrades such as those needed to its 66-year-old heating system as well as critical safety and security systems. 

The decision to close the former station on Lichfield Road was made in March 2018 following careful scrutiny at a public meeting of the Police and Crime Commissioner. 

As part of that decision, a pledge was made to maintain a police presence in the town. 

The re-development was delivered on time and to a tight budget, using local businesses employing local people.  

The old station was largely vacant due the way the force works in the 21st century and my commitment to keep officers out on the streets serving their communities. The building was also very expensive to run. 

There’s no doubt that the redeveloped footprint is smaller than the old facility but there is no reduction in officer numbers serving the town. It is people with the right skills and equipment which keep people safe, not bricks and expensive empty rooms which cost a fortune to heat and maintain.

News

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:

News

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?

News

Sutton Coldfield Care Home Supports Veterans

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A Sutton Coldfield care home has been recognised for its standards of care for veterans.

Care UK’s Mercia Grange, on Lichfield Road, has officially received ‘Veteran Friendly’ status.

The Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF) is a collaboration between Armed Forces charities Royal Star & Garter and Royal British Legion, and NHS Veterans’ Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA), with funding support from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

To achieve their Veteran Friendly status, Mercia Grange was required to meet eight standards. These included: noting Armed Forces status within care plans; addressing social isolation; and signposting to support services, such as their local Royal British Legion branch, and other charities that provide support for veterans or partners of veterans.

Mercia Grange supports veterans through a range of activities, including intergenerational history groups. The team also learn about any resident’s armed forces background within a week of the resident moving into the home.

Michael McNelis, Home Manager at Mercia Grange, said: “We’re so proud to have become a VFF-approved care home.

“We pride ourselves on being warm and inclusive to all, and with so many veterans in our home, it was important for us to ensure we can provide the right environment for them to lead fulfilling lives. We’ve learnt so much in the process and have already started implementing activities such as intergenerational history groups.

“The entire team has been working tirelessly to achieve the accreditation, and I’d like to say a big thank you to all of them. We’re looking forward to welcoming more veterans from the community into our home!”

To find out more about Mercia Grange, please call Customer Relations Manager Rachel Mackay on 0121 314 7849 or email rachel.mackay@careuk.com

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

Travel

A Christmas Turkey surprise

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Country has so much offer

Travel by Bill McCarthy

Think of Christmas and you probably think of the actual festive bird, and not associate it with Turkey, the country.
Turkey, Now known as Turkiye, it is a vast nation that spans two continents. 
It offers plenty for tourists, but the legend of Santa Claus may be something of a surprise. Experts in the country say they have uncovered the tomb of St Nicholas, who is believed to be the inspiration for Santa. 

A Christian bishop of Greek origin who was known for giving to the poor, he lived between the years 270 and 343 and the legends are believed to have inspired the Christmas tales we tell today that Santa Claus will bring presents if you’ve been good. St Nicholas’ tomb was found in St Nicholas Church in Demre, in the Antalya district of southern Turkey.

It’s a country of diverse and beautiful regions and further west is the popular tourist area of Marmaris on the Turkish riviera.
It hosts miles of beaches with a range of watersports, including jet skiing and windsurfing with plenty of bars and cafes nearby. 
We booked a holiday package with easyJet and flew from Birmingham to stay  in the large, but good quality Prime Beach Hotel.

It is a couple of miles outside the old town of Marmaris, with the actual beach on its doorstep. Busy, but not so busy as to be uncomfortable.
The area hosts many hotels, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions as well as all sorts of excursions and historical visits.
But it’s much more than sun, sea and sand. For those who want to split their time between sunbathing and absorbing the region’s culture and history, there are fewer finer places. 

Like many countries, its tourism has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, and then Turkey suffered the devastating blow of the giant earthquakes in the east of the country, but it is a country with so much to offer and an influx of tourists will have a major beneficial effect on its economy after such disasters. 

It’s a four-hour flight from Birmingham. For those worried about security issues, don’t be, as airport measures are strict with visitors having to go through an initial security check before even getting into the airport proper. Then they go through the usual check-in process. 

Before becoming modern-day Turkey, a state founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1923, the region was colonised and conquered by many races, from the early Hittites, through to the Greeks, the Romans, Seljuks, Byzantines and the Ottoman Empire. 
Marmaris is known for its striking contrast between modern resort life and ancient history.

Marmaris Castle, which dates back to the 16th century, overlooks the harbour and provides panoramic views of the town and the sea. Now a museum, it offers visitors a glimpse into the region’s past by showcasing historic artefacts from the ancient civilisations that once inhabited the area.
In addition to the historical sites, the surrounding pine-clad mountains create a dramatic backdrop that invites outdoor enthusiasts to explore scenic hiking trails, enjoy nature walks, or take boat tours along the coastline and visit the islands, again pine clad. 

These stop off for a swim around the islands before a visit to the bustling market town of Turunc to catch up with your holiday presents.
Back at Marmaris, the area offers beaches, with their golden sands and turquoise waters and are ideal for swimming or relaxing.

Activities of fly and flop the choice is yours with all inclusive taking the financial strain.

Information:

easyJet is expanding its Birmingham operations, visit

https://www.easyjet.com/en/holidays/holidays-from-birmingham