From Bali To Sutton Coldfield - Do Not Miss This

WEATHER

Thurs: 7°C ☀️ | Fri: 5°C ☁️ | Sat: 5°C ☁️ | Sun: 6°C ⛅️

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SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
From Bali To Sutton Coldfield

After seeing that Sweetfields Bakery had quietly opened last week I couldn’t resist popping in to try it out, and I definitely didn’t leave disappointed…

This not so little café occupies a corner position, next to The Yenton pub, in what used to be a betting shop (although it bears no resemblance now). The team at Sweetfields have given it a full makeover and it is now very tastefully decorated with huge windows at the front of the building giving it a bright and airy feel.

I ordered a flat white and a cinnamon roll, which had clearly not long come out of the oven as it was still warm. While waiting for my order I chatted to the owners who are a brother and sister team with an interesting story.

Originating from Poland but having spent years in Bali running his own bakery there, the chef has now made the ultimate sacrifice to leave a tropical paradise in Indonesia to set up in business with his sister in Sutton Coldfield. I have to say we are very lucky he did!

Their passion for quality ingredients and locally sourced food shone through as I chatted to them. Everything is baked on site daily and even the sandwich fillings such as ham and chicken are cooked fresh every morning. In the future, they plan to have a deli with homemade jams and pickles and are even in the process of brewing their own kombucha - which made my day.

This is a great addition to Wylde Green, with super friendly staff, homemade baked goods and the promise of more exciting developments to come. It is definitely somewhere I’m going to return to very soon as there were so many delicious cakes as well as plenty of savoury options.

Visit their facebook page here to find out more and you can check out our Instagram reel here for full action shots of the food, drinks and interior.

LOCAL HEROES
Friends of Wylde Green Station

Friends of Wylde Green Station was formed in 2020 and since then the group have been working tirelessly to improve the environment around the station. Their main aim is to encourage people to travel ‘greener’ by using the train as an alternative means of transport but also to enrich the biodiversity within the neighbourhood.

They have collaborated with various groups and individuals over the last few years and have had a massive impact, making the station a more inviting place to visit. However they didn’t stop there, last year they created the Spaghetti Line CSP to support the other station adopters at Chester Road, Erdington, Shenstone and Lichfield City to drive larger collective projects forward.

Most recently they have taken Sutton Coldfield Station under their wing and started their 2025 campaign off with a litter pick, followed by coffee kindly provided by The Station Pub.

The impact of these local heroes is undeniable, but they can’t do it alone. They are always on the lookout for more volunteers to join their efforts. Whether you’re interested in lending a hand at Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield, or any other station along the line, your help would be invaluable.

For those keen to make a difference in their community, get in touch via email at [email protected] or [email protected]. 

GET INVOLVED
Waiting For Waiting For Godot

The brilliant Sutton Arts Theatre have a new play opening today and I for one cannot wait to see it.

Waiting for Godot is one of my favourite plays. But this is not Waiting For Godot. This is Waiting For Waiting For Godot - just in case you thought we had a typo in our headline.

Written by Dave Harrison and directed by Claire Armstrong-Mills, this hilariously absurd and witty comedy promises an unforgettable theatre experience, as it focuses on two understudies waiting to be called upon to perform Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot.

The standard at Sutton Arts Theatre is always excellent and if you need more reasons to go then how about half price ticket offers (tonight’s performance) as well as Wine Wednesday on Wednesday 12th Feb which includes a glass of wine with your ticket price.

This play might be absurd, but the ticket prices for tonight are bordering on the ridiculous at just £6.25 each. Standard price is £12.50 (which frankly speaking is still a bargain) and a family of 4 can booked for £40 all in.

For booking head to the Sutton Arts Theatre website here

LOCAL
The Changing Face Of Boldmere

The high streets of Sutton Coldfield are thriving. Visit the likes of Mere Green, Wylde Green or Boldmere on any given day and you’ll find them bustling with shoppers and cafe goers.

Today we are focusing on Boldmere which boasts a wide variety of independent shops and is one of the largest high streets in Sutton.

During the last 3 months alone, Boldmere has welcomed Serenity Bar, Digital Panda, Greek Flavours, Wilson & Sloane and Love Nails to its thriving high street. 

Paul Long, Chairman of Directors of Boldmere Futures CIC said:

“Units don’t remain empty for long in Boldmere. We had a period of a few months where 4 or 5 units had been vacant, but independent retailers have all come to the rescue and filled these.”

The work that Boldmere Futures CIC is undertaking seems to be having a really positive impact on the high street and Paul went on to say:

“Boldmere Futures are already in talks with Birmingham City Council regarding the future of Boldmere Library and the possibility of creating a community hub in the heart of Boldmere. A joint commercial and social enterprise would be high on our priority list for consideration.”

Boldmere Futures CIC run the highly successful Boldmere Summer and Christmas Festivals and have delivered other projects in the Boldmere area including the Flying the Flag trail for Birmingham 2022, enhancing the Birmingham 2022 experience for the triathlon at Boldmere Gate, Boldmere Bear as part of The Big Sleuth in 2017, Boldtober which saw a series of Saturday events to bring people back to the high street following lockdowns, and will be instrumental in bringing a new initiative ‘Bulls in the City’ to Boldmere in summer 2025.

One thing is for sure, there’s never a dull moment on our high streets, so if you’ve not visited for a while, why not head down and lend your support to your local high street independents soon?

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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.

LOCAL
Crystal Palace Brings Back Memories For Sutton Insiders

Last week’s write up about Crystal Palace seemed to stir up quite a bit of interest from you, our lovely readers.

With some of you (like me) who were blissfully unaware of its previous existence and others who were only too happy to reminisce.

Penny Kay from Adventure Graphics messaged us to say “I never knew about Crystal Palace Sutton either. Amazing!”

Cheryl Meehan was in touch to say “My London born husband was adamant we didn't have CP here till I showed him a local history book.” Hopefully you managed to resolve that domestic!

And I loved this from Eileen Lyndon who told us: “The Crystal Palace was demolished in May 1962. I remember it well, with Pat Collins permanent fair in the same area. I grew up in Lyndon Road, the fair and the park were my playground. Happy days.”

Thank you to all of you who emailed and messaged about Crystal Palace and we will be looking to include more local history in future editions.

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:

Bar Staff at The Mare Pool - Details

Shift Supervisor at Starbucks - Details

Class 2 driver at The Business Connection Group - Details

Brand Manager at Pertemps - Details

Facilities Assistant at Broadleaf Partnership Trust - Details

LOCAL DEALS
Senior Cinema Films For February

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 12: Heretic

Feb 19: N/A (guessing due to half term)

Feb 26: Gladiator II

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. Last week we had a bumper response as the answer was in the email so we are sticking with that format… were you paying attention (no cheating)?

Q - Boldmere Bear was part of which initiative in 2017?

Was it: a) The Big Sleuth b) Boldtober c) Flying The Flag Trail

Answer to last week’s question: Last week’s correct answer was of course 1962 - we had so many replies last week, but the person with the fastest fingers was Joanne Baker - congrats Joanne and thanks for getting involved.

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

TODAY:

Open Mic
8pm at The Boot Inn

Sleeping Beauty
7:30pm at The Town Hall

Waiting For Godot
7:30pm at Sutton Arts Theatre

FRIDAY:

Undercover Heroes
9:30pm at The Gate Inn

Waiting For Godot
7:30pm at Sutton Arts Theatre

Sleeping Beauty
7:30pm at The Town Hall

Cold Play Tribute  
7pm at Moor Hall Hotel

SATURDAY:

It Gets Better: Craft Workshop
11am - 12:30pm at Mere Green Library

Lock Keepers Cottage 
5pm at Highbury Theatre Centre

Take @ That
7pm at Walmley Club

Bavarian Evening
7pm at Curdworth Village Hall

Waiting For Godot
7:30pm at Sutton Arts Theatre

Sleeping Beauty
7:30pm at The Town Hall

The Beatles For Sale
7:30pm at Holy Trinity Parish Church

Gary Barlow Tribute 
7pm at Sutton United Football Club

Supersonic Queen
7:30pm at The Rhodehouse

SUNDAY:

Sunday Lunch With Live Music
12pm - 2:30pm at New Hall Hotel

Funny Beeseness Comedy Night 
8pm - 10pm at The Town Hall

Immersive Guided Meditation
5pm - 6pm at Sutton Coldfield Methodist Church

BOOK AHEAD:

Happy Hearts - Kids Yoga & Arts
17th & 21st February at The Art of Wellness, Blackbrook Barns