Did Somebody Say FREE?

WEATHER

Thurs - 10°C ⛅️ | Fri - 11°C ⛅️ | Sat - 11°C ⛅️ | Sun - 11°C ⛅️

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SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
Baked In Boldmere Delivered Fresh To Your Door

When I was enjoying my morning coffee and munching on some delicious sourdough toast I decided I had to stop being so selfish and share this local independent baker with the rest of you.

We’ve been having a weekly delivery of seeded sourdough from Baked In Boldmere for well over a year now - as well as the occasional sourdough brownie on the side 😃

We first started ordering when we decided to cut down on the amount of processed food we were consuming and found that supermarket bread, even those labelled as sourdough, were some of the worst culprits. They also don’t taste like sourdough!

Mrs McAuley, with the help of Sharon The Starter, uses the real sourdough process which takes 24 hours to make a loaf. It produces the distinct flavour, which is often missing in mass produced loaves.

Sarah can often be found at markets in the local area selling her sourdough products and is at Buzzards Valley Artisan Market this Sunday from 10am - 2pm. Get down there early though, as she often sells out.

Normal bake days are Tuesday and Friday, perfect for a weekend treat and she delivers to Boldmere and the surrounding area (it usually arrives in my porch still warm and makes Tuesday the best day of the week bar none). If you are a bit further away there is also a handy collection basket on her doorstep.

Click here to see her full range of products from sourdough pizza pots to seasonal specials including gorgeous pumpkin shaped sourdough.

GET INVOLVED
Run or Walk Like An Olympian

In 1992, Sally Ellis competed in the Barcelona Olympics in the Marathon. When Sally returned she went on a mission to get the Sutton Coldfield community more active.

Today, SE Fitness (that has been running and walking for 28 years) co-ordinates 13 organised runs and walks within Sutton Park on a weekly basis.

Last Sunday was World Walking Day and TAFISA (the leading International Sport for All organisation) organised a relay around the world where groups of walkers walked at 10am and 'passed the baton' to walkers in another time zone. SE Fitness led the group for Sutton Coldfield.

If you want to get involved see the details below:

LOCAL SPORT
Results & Upcoming Games

FOOTBALL:

Sutton Coldfield Town ran home 2-1 winners against Loughborough Students at home last Saturday and followed it up with a midweek victory away at Worcester City with another 2-1 win. This weekend they take on Hinckley LR as they look to make it 8 wins in a row at home. Tickets are £10 for adults, £3 for Under 18s.

Sticking with the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, Boldmere St Michaels still sit 5th in the league despite a tough run of results of late. A 1-1 draw last weekend at Shepshed Dynamo was followed up by a 1-1 draw on Tuesday at home to Long Eaton United. This week they travel to mid-table Coventry Sphinx as they look to get back to winning ways.

HOCKEY:

Sutton Coldfield Hockey Club Women’s 1st Team lost 5-3 at home to Loughborough Students last Saturday and travel to Reading this Saturday as they look to secure their first points of the new season and move off the foot of the table.

The unbeaten Men’s First Team fought out a tight 1-1 draw in their second Division 1 game against Beacon and will look to go one better this weekend as they travel to Boots.

GET INVOLVED
The Over 50’s Festival Goes On

This week saw the launch of the Fifty + Festival in Sutton Coldfield which runs over the next two weeks (7th - 20th October) at various locations across the Royal Town.

With its motto of ‘discover a healthier, happier you’, the launch event included taster sessions ranging from Tai Chi to seated exercise classes. When I visited, there were also a lot of stalls offering useful information on all sorts of health concerns, local community groups and advice from organisations.

I popped in with my mom (as I’m not quite in the fifty plus bracket yet) and we had a great time chatting to people at the different stalls and collecting a huge pile of leaflets. After a quick stop for our complimentary cup of tea, we left full of plans to join in with some of the activities and was excited to share them with you.

They are offering a wide range of activities, community groups and drop-in clinics with something to appeal to everyone. Some of our favourites were the Knit and ‘K’natter group at The Coffee Tree, online Chair Yoga, ukulele and guitar classes and I even fancy trying the Bell Boating on the canal near The Boat Inn. Best of all, these activities are completely FREE!

Click here to find the complete timetable of activities.

EAT EAT EAT
Our Top Sutton Curries This National Curry Week

It’s national curry week this week so we thought why not spend a moment to mention some of our fave curry spots in Sutton Coldfield.

Kebabish - Boldmere
Possibly the most mentioned restaurant we get from our welcome email that asks you for your favourite Sutton Coldfield restaurants. If you’ve not tried it out yet then it should be on your list.

Namaste - Wylde Green
When the previous Thai restaurant closed down I didn’t expect something as good as Namaste to replace it. It seems you agree as it has a 4.7/5 rating on Google from almost 300 reviews. High quality Indian cuisine guaranteed here.

Bhujon - Mere Green
Not your traditional ‘curry house’ and a bit of panache here. Think high quality food, sizzling platters and great service. A gem in the heart of Mere Green.

Malai - Town Centre
This relatively new and super stylish Indian and Nepalese restaurant is a hit in the town centre. You’ll find your usual ‘British style’ curries as well as more traditional fayre - all at a very reasonable price.

Delhi 6 - Streetly
This multi award winning Indian restaurant puts a fine dining spin on the classics you know - and we love it. The relatively condensed menu means that everything is fresh and the taste and presentation is top class.

Streetly Balti - Streetly
If I didn’t include this one I’d have a baying mob of angry Sutton Insiders in my inbox. You all love this one and that’s a good enough recommendation for me.

Which ones have I missed that should have been included? Hit reply and let me know and I’ll be sure to check them out if I haven’t already.

THINGS TO DO
I AM YOGI Opens This Saturday

If you like yoga or have always wanted to try it then why not head down to the Town Centre this Saturday as I Am Yogi crosses the city from Moseley and opens its second set of doors in Sutton Coldfield - what’s more, they have an action packed day full of free activities for you to enjoy.

Doors open from 10.30am where you’ll be able to get a tour of the new space and take in some hot drinks provided by their pals Fracino and sweet treats from their new neighbours Silver Tree Bakery.

There are goodies to take away and some exclusive offers to enjoy along with a full schedule of free yoga for the day:

11am | BASICS w/ @iamvickylawton
1pm | FLOW w/ @yogaandpower
3pm | LENGTH w/ @iamvickylawton
5pm | SOUND TASTER w/ @manojyoga_

More info and book future classes here

GET INVOLVED
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop 

This is the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit and brighten up your front door at the same time. Vanessa at Floral Jazz runs lots of different workshops throughout the year, I was sad to find out that I have just missed out on her Pumpkin Arrangement Workshop which looked amazing.

Not to worry, she has plenty of Christmas Wreath workshops throughout November and December. During her workshops she provides all the equipment you need to make your own wreath and often has refreshments included in the price. Its a very relaxed environment where she talks you through the techniques you need and then lets you get creative with a selection of foliage and natural decorations.

After a couple of hours, you come away with a beautiful festive wreath to hang on your door.

Details of all workshops here

SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Book Now For Halloween At The Hall

With Autumn well and truly setting in, have your thoughts started to turn towards Halloween? If so, Middleton Hall have some spooktacular events for the little kids and more adult oriented offerings for the more daring with multiple dates through October.

Halloween at the Hall is aimed at ages 12+ and promises an open flame candlelit tour as you navigate the spooky corridors of the hall and encounter former inhabitants, including Francis 'frightening' Willughby and Cassandra 'revolting' Ridgeway.

For the younger kids or adults that scare easily there’s a Spooktacular Children’s Trail across 9 different dates starting on October 23rd and it includes a competition for best dressed family, craft workshops and will have seasonal produce available to purchase.

Both events look fantastic and allow you to support this fantastic venue just a short hop away from Sutton Coldfield.

Details of all events and booking here

EMPLOYMENT
Local Jobs Roundup

New local employment opportunities:

Front Of House Supervisor at Your Flamingo - Details

Chef Apprenticeship at Browns, Sutton Park - Details

Complaint Handler at Dignity Funerals - Details

Front Of House Nandoca at Nando’s - Details

Account Manager at Edge Creative - Details

Team Members at SUFC Sports Bar - Email [email protected]

WHERE IN SUTTON
Where is this picture taken?

I was too soft on you last week as we had more correct answers than ever - is this one harder? It almost caught me out. If you know where this is then hit reply and tell me. The fastest correct answer will get a mention next week…

Answer to last week: I clearly made it far too easy last week as I had so many emails from you all with correct guesses. But the faster fingers were those of Malcolm Robinson who was seconds ahead of Brenda Bell and Sandy Traill as he told emailed saying ‘This week's picture is on Moor Hall Drive looking across the golf course.’

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

TODAY:

Craft & Chat  
10 am - 1pm at Sutton Coldfield Library

G.M.O. Wine, Cheese & Cigars
7pm at The Four Oaks

Adopt Birmingham Information Event
6pm - 7:30pm at Trinity Centre

30’s & 40’s Speed Dating Evening
7:30pm - 10pm at The Brewhouse & Kitchen

Jonny Cole - Armagudd’n
8pm at The Town Hall

FRIDAY:

Fundraising Fashion Show & Shopping Event
7pm - 9:30pm at Sharnford Youth & Community Centre

Dinner With Henry VIII
7pm at New Hall Hotel & Spa

Live Music By Rhianna Minchella Storer
8:30pm - 10:30pm at The Quill & Taper

Rise
FREE before 8pm at The Rhodehouse

Discos For Grown Ups
8pm - 11:30pm at The Town Hall

Undercover Heroes
at The Town House

Taste Of India
at The Belfry

SATURDAY:

Autumn Mini Photo Shoot
10am - 4pm at Sutton Park, Boldmere Gate

Brushes & Brunch
10am - 1pm at The Four Oaks

Supersonic Queen
7pm at The Rhodehouse

The History Of Rock - Led Zepplin
7:30pm at The Town Hall

JB Divine & The Soul Whisperers
7:30pm at The Town House

The Fashion House - Murder Mystery Evening
at Brook Marston Farm Hotel

SUNDAY:

KD & The Dogs Live
7:30pm at Sutton United Football Club

Stephen Grant Compering Masterclass
12pm at Comedy Junction, 44 Station Street

Autumn Mini Photo Shoot
10am - 4pm at Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park

Greyhound Trust Sutton Park Walk
9:45am for 10am start at Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park

TUESDAY:

Friends For Life Veterans Group
1pm - 3pm at Communitea Cafe

BOOK AHEAD:

Wait Until Dark
Thursday 24th October - Saturday 2nd November at Sutton Arts Theatre

Hocus Pocus Kids Yoga & Craft Workshop
Saturday 26th October 1pm - 3pm at Blackbrook Barns