- Sutton Insider
- Posts
- Get Ready To ACE Your Weekend
Get Ready To ACE Your Weekend
There's so much going on this weekend (tennis is optional)
Jason Mills
September 19, 2024
With
WEATHER
Thurs - 22°C ⛅️ | Fri - 19°C 🌦️ | Sat - 21°C 🌦️ | Sun - 19°C 🌦️
Good morning Royal Sutton Coldfield,
Welcome to the only Sutton Coldfield newsletter that gets bigger the more food it eats.
Last weekend saw one of the best local events I’ve attended in a long time with the Sutton Coldfield Food festival seeing thousands of you flock to eat, drink and be merry in the town centre (more on that below).
If you missed it, don’t worry, as there’s still so much going on in the royal town and we’ve got something for everyone this week as well as a couple of free activities thrown in to the mix.
If you do end up doing something off the back of this email then I’d love to know - drop me a pic or just a line to tell me what you’re up (just hit reply to this email) and we’ll feature the best ones on our Instagram account (don’t forget to follow).
Right, it’s a busy one this week so let’s get in to it…
Sponsored
Huge Room Hire Available For Your Next Function
The Midland Greek and Cypriot Association are based in Erdington, just a stones throw from Spaghetti Junction. Our banqueting hall (which can seat up to 270 guests) is located on the top floor of the main building and offers comprehensive facilities for parties, meetings, social functions and receptions.
We have a fully fitted kitchen, are licensed for alcohol, music, and dancing and have ample free car parking… as well as facilities for disabled guests.
For any event enquires or bookings, please contact our events team at [email protected].
EVERYONE is welcome at our centre, you’ll be greeted with open arms and made to feel at home. We also have a traditional Greek restaurant and Café serving fresh food. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office on 0121 326 6538.
SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
Taste The Delights Of Greece In Sutton Coldfield
It seems to have taken an age for Delights of Greece in Wylde Green to open after they had issues with getting the utilities switched on, but now they have, I’ve taken full advantage - eating there not once, but twice this last week - and what better way to test it out than to take a Greek friend with me - so I did!
On Sunday I opted for sharing their Mixed Grill with some friends as a takeout, which comes with chicken and pork gyros, pork, chicken and lamb souvlaki, chips, salad and tzatziki. Yesterday I popped in for lunch to dine in and had the skewers with pitta, chips, salad and tzatziki - it was a feast to behold - beware, the portions are big!
Even my Greek friend was impressed (and that’s not easy for him when it comes to Greek food).
What can I say - the limited menu offers real value for money, the food is simply delish and the service is really friendly.
Whether you are looking for a healthier takeout or somewhere for a quick bite - The Delights Of Greece will look after you.
It’s only been open just over a week and already has dozens of 5 star reviews on Google. More details here.
GET INVOLVED
Play On Brand New Tennis Courts For Free
Fancy more court action before the colder months set in? Now is the perfect time thanks to the LTA’s refurbishment of the tennis courts at Pype Hayes Park.
They have completely resurfaced the four existing courts and the new nets have gone in this week - I’m sure you will agree they look fantastic.
What’s more - it’s still free to use them. All you need to do is register and book (for free) on the LTA website and head down for a game.
If you’ve not visited Pype Hayes Park before, there is ample free parking and the courts are near the main entrance.
FOOD, FOOD, FOOD
Food Glorious Food In Sutton Coldfield
It was fantastic to see so many of you turn out for the Sutton Coldfield Food Festival last weekend. It really was a joyous occasion and I’ve since seen so many comments on social media all saying the same thing:
“It’s fantastic to see the town centre so busy - it’s like it was 20 years ago!”
I attended on Saturday with two tricky customers - my 13 and 9 year old daughters - and they loved it.
There was something for everyone, from the live cooking demonstrations through to comedy waiters, stilt walkers, face painting and of course, the main attraction was lots of local food stalls.
We tried a few of them between us including walsall based Dough ‘Ay we, Greek Traditional Souvlaki, and some fantastic milkshakes (sorry didn’t catch the name). The atmosphere at the event was lovely to see, the prices on most stalls offered good value and there must have been thousands attending over the two days.
I also spoke to a staff member at House of Fraser on Saturday who said it was so much busier in store than a usual Saturday - so there was a good boost to the permanent town centre businesses too.
If you missed it, fear not, as the recently announced Christmas Market is not far away - and if this two day event is anything to go by, the month long residency of the Christmas Market looks set to be something quite special and another boost for the town centre.
LAST CHANCE
Popular Places Closing For Good 🙁
Two of our faves are closing in the upcoming weeks for different reasons - and this is your last chance to show them your love and support.
Simpsons Gin Bar, co-owned by The Vamps lead singer Bradley Simpson is set to close at the end of September after 7 successful years in the town.
This sad news was announced the same week we learned that On The Breadline would also be baking its last bread as owner Sebastian Clough took to social media to explain why.
Unfortunately, he’s had to make the tough decision to close due to health reasons - so again, show your support as the Worcester Lane bakery doesn’t close until Christmas Eve.
GET INVOLVED
1-2-1 Swimming Lessons In Four Oaks
If you’re on the lookout for child or adult one to one swimming lessons then this private pool in Four Oaks with individual tuition could be exactly what you need.
Fins 4 Life is run by swimming teacher and owner Cathy Reekie and she promises fast progress and focused individual attention.
A new round of lessons start Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from September 30th so if you’re interested get in touch as availability is limited.
Call on 07387 150130 for more information.
OUT AND ABOUT
Free Family Access To National Trust Locations
Fancy a free day out? National Trust are offering a free family pass and you can use it over the next month to gain entry to one of their gardens, castles or houses.
The single use pass allows 2 adults and up to 3 children or 1 adult and up to 4 children (however you don’t have to be a family to take advantage of this offer and can go on your own if you like) access to a National Trust location.
If you’ve not been before then why not visit the back to backs in Birmingham and take in 200 years of history for free.
This offer runs up until 18th October but passes are limited so to claim your pass click here.
COMMUNITY
Breathing Fresh Air In To Community Coffee
Let’s be honest, we don’t really need another Costa or Starbucks… which is why when I visited Breathe Coffee Lounge in Streetly for the first time this week - it really was a breath of fresh air.
Set to celebrate it’s second birthday in a few weeks, founder Adam Booker told me this community focused coffee shop does more than just make excellent coffee (and it really is great coffee at reasonable prices).
Adam told me that they have a real focus on getting local people who might be isolated, to meet, mingle and chat over a coffee.
In fact, the entire premise behind Breathe Coffee Lounge was to get people to meet. The family run independent coffee shop also features games, kids play equipment and books - and has some lovely cakes and treats too.
SPONSORED
Christmas Tree Festival at St Nicholas Curdworth 2024
The Christmas Tree Festival will take place again this year from Thursday 5th December until Saturday 7th December…..opening times to follow.
This year it will be £7 to enter a tree (we thought we would put it up to cover the soaring electricity bills, hope you all understand)
There is no theme, but as the volunteers are (probably!) dressing up in Victorian costume you could maybe use that as a theme!
There will be the usual refreshments of tea, coffee, mulled wine and mince pies for the normal entrance fee of £3.50 with under 12’s going in free.
If you would like to enter a tree please get in touch with me asap, then I will give you an application form in the next few weeks.
Thank you very much. Contact Eileen Rawson - 07931 774713
EMPLOYMENT
Local Jobs Roundup
New local employment opportunities:
Safeguarding and SEND Administrator at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School For Girls - Details
Sutton Coldfield Store Crew at Fat Face (part time) - Details
Kitchen Team Member at Renato Lounge - Details
Depot Manager at Great Bear Holdings - Details
Stock Support in Minworth - Details
WHERE IN SUTTON
Where is this picture taken?
Last week really divided opinion, maybe this one’s a little easier? Do you know what popular spot this picture was taken from?
Hit us with your replies to this email with this week’s answer for the chance to feature next week.
Answer to last week: Last week’s picture caught a lot of you out, but not so for Stuart Roberts who emailed in with the correct (and very precise) answer at a record breaking 7.11am - 11 minutes after the first email was sent - he said:
May I say what a great newsletter this is. Thank you for your commitment.
As a Suttonian from birth, it's great to see what's going on.
The answer to your question is Plantsbrook, Newhall valley, the section before Penns Lane by Ramada.
Well done Stuart and thanks for the kind words 😊
LIVE MUSIC & OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
Where To Catch Your Fave Acts
Today:
Friday:
Calming Yoga And Candle Craft By Candlelight - Blackbrook Barns - 7pm - 9pm - Details
ELO Encounters - Town Hall - 7:30pm - Details
Silver Foxes - Walmley Social Club - 6:30pm - 10pm - Details
Downshift (duo) Live - The Gate - 9pm - Details
Fleetwood Mad - The Rhodehouse - 7pm - From £7 + BF
The Horizon - The Townhouse
One Love 2 - The Lounge Boldmere
Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time - Sutton Arts Theatre - Details
Saturday:
Sunday:
John Kieran - The Lounge Boldmere
Haley Heyndrickx - The Belfry - 7pm - Details
Monday:
Neil Coley Big Band - Highbury Little Theatre - 8pm - 10pm - Details
Book Ahead:
Robin Hood - The Merriest Panto In The Land at Sutton Town Hall - 7th - 31st December - Details
I love reading your feedback each week and want to give you more of what you love.
So don’t forget to vote below telling me what you thought of this week’s email and drop a comment telling me which is your favourite part - and if you don’t have a favourite part tell me what you want to see.
See you next Thursday…
Sincerely,
PS - Interested in working with us or have news to share? You can now book slots directly on our new platform here - and see our verified live stats.
What did you think of today's email? |