A Touch Of The Med In Sutton Coldfield

WEATHER

Thurs: 14°C 🌧 | Fri: 14°C 🌧 | Sat: 12°C ⛅️| Sun: 11°C 🌧

Sponsored
Are you looking for ways to relax, sleep better & relieve stress?

Explore mindfulness & meditation in a way that suits you. Choose weekly classes or a more in depth course.

The words ‘mindfulness’ or ‘meditation’ can mean many different things to people. Classes with Wise Monkey Wellbeing are designed with busy people in mind, who have challenging lives & are looking for ways to unwind, cultivate clarity & relieve stress.

Weekly mindfulness & guided meditation classes are soothing & restorative. Each class is designed to take you through some very gentle movement, a mindfulness meditation for you to use in your daily life & a deeply relaxing guided meditation to set you up for the week ahead.

‘Real-world mindfulness for busy people’ is a fully certified & accredited 8-week course. 

Structured to not only teach you the fundamentals of mindfulness but to also provide you with your own tool kit to use in daily life beyond our 8 weeks together.  

Each week,  you will learn new practices, receive course notes & bespoke meditation recordings for you to keep. 

8-Week Course dates:

• Online - Starts Weds 19^th March 

• In person - Starts Sun 6^th April 

Click on the links for more info:

Sunday mindfulness & guided meditation classes

Real- world mindfulness online

Real-world mindfulness in person

SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
Willow Wows At Soft Opening

Mere Green’s newest restaurant Willow, opens today, but we were lucky enough to get in on the soft opening last week to bring you the lowdown on the new Mulberry Walk Mediterranean restaurant.

As our table of four visited during the soft opening, the staff were still in ‘learning mode’ - although with the exception of our table not being quite ready on arrival, you’d never have known.

It was a cold and very rainy Saturday when we visited, but upon stepping in to the bright, modern and stylish restaurant we soon forgot the dreary British weather..

We were quickly seated in the bar area while we waited for our table in the restaurant. After 15 minutes or so we headed to our table in front of the open kitchen and the attentive staff took our order.

We opted for a mix of food from the main and kids menu, with marinated chicken kebabs, lamb kebabs and slow cooked lamb shoulder the order of the day. We also opted for some olives, bread and hummus to start.

The olives were divine. I’m an olive snob and these were good. The bread and hummus was also devoured pretty quickly.

The mains arrived 20 minutes or so after our starters were cleared and were all plentiful and tasty. The kebabs are presented on impressive mini swords befitting of the venue.

Willow is certainly not cheap, but it’s fair value for the quality of food and the setting. The atmosphere was great, a light buzz on a busy Saturday lunch time which prompted us on to desserts.

All the desserts were lovely, from the Mediterranean orange cake to sticky toffee pudding - again, these were promptly demolished by us and the kids.

Small touches like adding wine labels to the Med style carafes of wine, the flavoured oils at the table and the overall ambience make Willow a really great addition to the Sutton food scene.

Considering it was the first few days of opening and likely the first shift for any Saturday staff, we had a really enjoyable experience and couldn’t fault anything. The service was excellent, the food was very good and the host dealt with our table delay perfectly.

We will be returning very soon.

Browse the menu and book tables on the Willow website here

GET INVOLVED
Walk and talk and other activities to boost mental health

Looking for activities to boost your mental health? There’s plenty going on locally to do just that…

Food Cycle Birmingham welcomes anyone to their free community meal at Falcon Lodge Chapel - Monday at 1pm

Men Walking and Talking started Wednesday 12th February click here to see more details of up coming events.

Walk and talk in Sutton Park for parents/carers of children with SEND every Friday 10am - 11am meet at visitors centre Town Gate.

Age Concern Friends First meet at Mere Green Community Centre 12:30 - 2pm every Monday.

Mama Social Club run monthly brunches and events giving you the opportunity to meet like minded mums.

Cherished is an organisation supporting children through compassion, connection and kindness. They are holding a parent and child friendship workshop on 26th February.

On 6th March they have a workshop supporting children’s emotional well-being through creativity, imagination, and the power of books!

Then on 26th March they have a parent and child sharing workshop.

Communitea in Boldmere run lots of sessions weekly:

GET INVOLVED
Keep The Big & Little Kids Entertained This Half Term

There’s still these half term activities to keep the little ones entertained this half term week:

Art Freedom and The Art of Wellness are hosting a yoga and arts workshop on 21st February for 12 years and above. Happy Hearts includes a fun yoga session to boost self esteem and confidence, creative art projects that encourage self expression and promote a positive self-image and also mindfulness games.

Artclub.Kids are holding art and craft workshop today. During this workshop children will have the opportunity to explore a variety of mediums and techniques, including painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, free style, etc. They’ll also have the chance to collaborate with their peers and express their own unique visions through their artwork.

Aqua Run (inflatable obstacle course) at Wyndley Leisure Centre is on 21st February from 1 - 1:45pm and 1:45 - 2:30pm. Compete with friends or race against the clock, this activity is suitable for both children and adults.

Wicked Dance Masterclass held by Ariana Grande’s dance and movement double, Beth John. This is a 90 min dance extravaganza with 30 min Q&A. They are running two age groups 8-12 years and 12+ years at The Wilnecote School, Tamworth today.

Imaginations Run Wild are also encouraging children to enjoy the great outdoors with a range of outdoor play story classes at Streetly Methodist Church. Activities are for 3 - 7 year olds and are themed around different stories such as The Very Hungry Hedgehog and A Worm Called Wallace. There is one remaining activity tomorrow.

Creative Minds, at Middleton Hall Courtyard, have a special Paint by Numbers Workshop taking place today. There are two different designs to choose from and they include the numbers from 1 - 8.

Sutton Coldfield Library have a FREE drop in session taking place today where children can create out of this world space themed crafts. No booking is necessary but spaces are limited and will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.

The Royal Cinema is running a kids club Mon-Fri during half term. Catch the film of the day at 10.30am for just £4.95 per ticket (for kids and adults). Book online to avoid disappointment.

LOCAL DEALS
Kids Eat For £1

Harvester - Treat the little ones to their favourite dishes at an amazing price from Monday 10^th until Friday 28^th February, including the weekend! Order an adult main and get any main from the Smaller Bites and Bigger Bites and Kids’ Breakfast menus for just £1.

Asda Café - Asda have announced that its hugely popular ‘Kids Eat for £1’ café meal deals will continue to run in over 205 Asda Café’s all year round and not just during the school holidays. Children also get a piece of fresh fruit with every hot meal!

Toby Carvery - Get a kids meal or breakfast for £1 when you purchase an adult meal from 10th - 28th February. Let the little ones customise their own meal with plenty of delicious trimmings and family favourites. They also have free activity packs to keep them off their screens.

Sizzling Pub & Grill - Kids can eat for £1 when you purchase an adult main meal and during the holidays the offer has been extended and starts at 12pm instead of 3pm.

Patty Freaks - Kids eat for £1 when an adult eats until 10pm tomorrow.

Pizza Express - Kids eat free until 2nd March when an adult orders pizza or main.

Sponsored
Put Your Business In The Spotlight For Half Price This Month Only

For the month of February we have halved our gold sponsored slot rate.

If you want to put your business or event in front of almost 4000 Sutton Coldfield locals then find out more details and book in here.

WHAT’S ON
Local Cinema Showings This Weekend

Here’s what’s on this weekend at your local cinema. View times and book here

EMPLOYMENT
Local Jobs Roundup

New local employment opportunities:

Property Inspection & Checkout Clerk - Details

Recruitment & Outreach Co-ordinator at Birmingham Metropolitan College - Details

Consultant For Health Care In Older People - Details

Pharmacy Technician at Boots - Details

LOCAL DEALS
Senior Cinema Films For February and March

Don’t forget you can enjoy a movie, hot drink and biscuits for just £5 on Wednesday’s at 11am at the Royal Cinema.

Here’s what you can still catch in February:

Feb 26: Gladiator II

Coming up in March: 

March 5: A Real Pain

March 12: The Apprentice

March 19: Anora

March 26: A Complete Unknown

More details and booking here

SUTTON SOLVER
Test Your Local Knowledge With Sutton Solver

For this week’s Sutton Solver do you know the answer to the question below? If you do, hit reply and let us know for a chance to feature next week.

Q - How many train stations are there between Chester Road and Lichfield Trent Valley stations (including departure and arrival stations)?

Was it: a) 5 b) 7 c) 9

Answer to last week’s question: Last week’s correct answer was of course Arthur Terry - the mayor of Sutton Coldfield from 1933-35. The first person with the correct answer was Helena Blount - congrats Helena.

LIVE MUSIC & OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
What’s Going On In Sutton This Week…

TODAY:

An Evening With The Legends  
6pm at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Amigos Open Mic
7pm at The Rhodehouse

Teddy Bears, Dens & Marshmallows
10:30am - 12pm at Kingsbury Water Park

FRIDAY:

Campfire Smores 
11am - 12:30pm at Kingsbury Water Park

Flamingo Bingo Friday
7pm - 10pm at Slug & Lettuce

Bootleg Bee Gees  
7pm at The Rhodehouse

SATURDAY:

Wild West Kids Brunch with Jessie from Toy Story
9am - 10:30am at The Quill & Taper

Bruno Mars Tribute
9pm at Walmley Club

Mama Social Weekend Brunch 
10:30am - 12:30pm at The Four Oaks Pub

Oasis Tribute 
7pm at Sutton United Football Club

Killerstream The Weekend Anthems Band
7pm at The Rhodehouse

SUNDAY:

Mindful Mornings (guided meditation)
9:30am - 10:30am at Therapy & Flow

Mindfulness & Guided Meditation
5pm at Sutton Coldfield Methodist Church

Rom Com Brunch
11am - 9pm at The Slug & Lettuce

Wedding Fair
11am - 2pm at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa