Kicking Up A Stink In Sutton Coldfield

WEATHER

Thurs: 16°C ⛅️ | Fri: 11°C 🌦️ | Sat: 13°C ⛅️ | Sun: 14°C ⛅️

Sponsored
Seasons Art Class Beginners & Improvers Art Course

Welcome to The Seasons Art Class Sutton Coldfield - Beginners & Improvers Art Course! Join us for a fun and creative in-person art class this Summer at Sutton Coldfield Cricket and Hockey Club for 14 weeks starting 28th April 2025 (Monday evening - 6-9pm) and 1st May 2025 (Thursday morning - 9.30am -12.30pm  & afternoon - 1.30pm-4.30pm). 

Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your skills, this course is perfect for beginners and improvers alike. Come unleash your creativity and learn new techniques in a supportive and friendly environment. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to explore your artistic side! 

Perhaps your mum or wife deserves a special treat - this could be the perfect Mothers Day gift this weekend! 

Telephone 0330 122 6145 and our friendly Booking Manager will be happy to speak to you about the curriculum and costs. Please note that places are limited and discounts will apply for bringing a friend.

Messages/Enquiries can also be sent via Facebook here

SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
Omnia - A Review By A Sutton Insider

Last week I asked for your Sutton Spotlight entries and we had a fair few sent in… this week is from Tracey who had a chance visit to Omnia, here’s what she had to say:

Omnia is a small Mediterranean restaurant which sits unassumingly on the corner of Oakwood and Jockey Road. 

Seating capacity is for approximately 30 people, which gives it an intimate feel.  

As soon as we stepped in we were warmly greeted, the staff were extremely welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. 

A plate of toasted pitta bread with a duo of delicious dips were served whilst we decided what to choose from the menu. 

Starters include dishes such as Babaganush, Sigara Bobek, Falafel and Saksuka. 

I highly recommend the Sigara Bobek, creamy feta, spinach and dill filling wrapped up in a crisp Filo pastry roll - De-licious! 

For the main course there is a choice of Steaks, Charcoal grilled meats, Wraps, Seafood, with beautifully fresh dressed salads. 

We ordered the Mixed grill and Falafel which both came with chips and fresh dressed bowls of salad. Portions are a good size. 

The two Chefs cook in a theatre style kitchen and are fully visible, which adds to the ambience. Amazingly, there is very little noise and no smell of cooking even from the Chargrill. 

Desserts include Tiramisu, Baklava, Trileche and other intruigingly named dishes. 

We were full after our main course, so decided against dessert, but Amy - our server, brought us a plate of freshly baked Baklava to try, it was amazing! Light and crisp, with honey and pistachio - extremely moreish! 

We requested the bill, which was presented inside a little treasure chest with some Turkish delight sweets.

I genuinely hope that this restaurant takes off and does well. I would urge to to give it a try, as all the staff are so friendly, helpful and genuinely want you to enjoy their food and have a good time. 

Thank you to Tracey for the review and if you fancy booking you can find out more and make reservations here.

GET INVOLVED
Tom’s Midnight Garden For All The Family

After visiting Sutton Arts Theatre before Christmas to watch their amazing performance of Nativity we decided to book tickets to see Tom’s Midnight Garden for my mom’s birthday.

I remember reading the book as a child, after my mom recommended it as one of her favourites, and absolutely loving it. I’m always a little bit nervous when going to watch the film or a stage production of a favourite book, but Sutton Arts Theatre’s production definitely didn’t disappoint.

The acting is fantastic, particularly the two main characters Tom and Hatty, and the set is very clever, constantly changing from the bedroom to the living room and the stunning garden.

Tom’s Midnight Garden explores themes of time, memory, and the magic of childhood. Through Tom’s mysterious nighttime adventures in a garden that seems to exist outside of time, the story reflects on the power of imagination and the deep connections that can form across generations.

Sutton Arts Theatre is a lovely intimate space with old fashioned charm. Everyone from 10 to 70 really enjoyed it and my youngest daughter came away buzzing that she had guessed the twist at the end of this magical time travelling adventure.

Tom’s Midnight Garden runs until Saturday 29th March, click here to book.

LOCAL
Who ‘Nose’ What This Is?

Last week’s ‘Where In Sutton’ really did have lots of you perplexed. Not for the location - as plenty of you followed the scent and guessed that correctly, but for what in fact the structure was in the image.

Many were left questioning but lots of you gave us more detail than we strictly needed - that being said, I won’t kick up a stink.

Pat Fereday put the record straight telling us “there are several stench pipes in Sutton” and went on to explain that there’s “One in Somerville Road and at least one in the park”.

Nigel Simons went one further and gave us exact co-ordinates, also explaining that the structure was a stench pipe.

For those not in the know, the stench pipes are used to regulate air pressure in the sewage system - so probably best not to get too close.

It is believed the pipe in Sutton Park dates back to the First World War whereas the one in the image above (sent in by Pat Fereday) is thought to date back to the 19th Century Victorian era. There’s also at least one more in the park near to Keeper’s Pool.

If you want to find out more about the stench pipes you can visit the Sutton Coldfield Local History Research Group website here.

LOCAL HEROES
Parkinson’s Support In Sutton Coldfield

A huge thank you to Dee Springett who contacted us this week to tell us about the Royal Sutton Coldfield and North Birmingham Parkinson’s branch that is located at the South Parade Methodist Church - true local heroes and here’s what Dee had to say…

This group is an amazing place for anyone dealing with Parkinson's, whether that's a carer or you have the condition. We're led by a team of volunteers, who give their time to organise trips, welcome new members, and support anyone who walks through those doors with a Parkinson's diagnosis. What they receive, is what I experienced as I walked through those doors after being diagnosed aged 49. I thought my life was over and I was adamant I wasn't ever going to go to a support group. 

With some gentle cajoling from Beryl, one of the log standing volunteers aged 93, I came for a taster afternoon at the group's Thursday afternoon sessions before lockdown. Here I am now, I write the newsletter, I'm on the committee and I help organise events. I'm thinking 'how did that happen? They offer support, friendship and advice.

We meet weekly on a Thursday at 1.30pm for 2 hrs. We have seated tai chi, yoga, extends, off site bowls, day trips, theatre visits, lunches and more. But most of all, they gave me my life back when I thought it was over.

We have an Open DAY on 10th APRIL as it's World Parkinson’s Day and the Fayre after on Friday.

Full details are in the image above and I’m sure you’ll agree that Dee and everyone involved are real heroes in our community.

Do you have a local hero to celebrate from past or present? Get in touch via reply to this email and let us know.

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 Team Member (Saturdays only) at The Slug & Lettuce - Details

MOT Tester at Halfords - Details

Hotel Team Member at Travelodge - Details

Teacher of Food at Arthur Terry School - Details

Health & Safety Team Leader at Once For All - Details

LOCAL DEALS
Senior Cinema Films For 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.

Coming up in April:

April 2: Better Man

April 9: September 5

April 23: The Brutalist

April 30: Some Like It Hot

More details and booking here

SUTTON SOLVER
Where In Sutton?

Do you know exactly where in Sutton the image below was taken? Simply hit reply and tell us for a chance to have a mention in next week’s email.

Last week’s answer: As mentioned above, so many of you emailed us about this one, but Dudley Phipps was first. Congrats Dudley.

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

TODAY:

Terry Alderton   
8pm -11pm at The Comedy Junction, Station Pub

Tom’s Midnight Garden
7:30pm at Sutton Arts Theatre

Amigos Open Mic
7pm at The Rhodehouse

The Train Rattle Poets 
7:30pm at Highbury Theatre Centre

FRIDAY:

Vintage Kilo Sale
10am - 4pm at Cloak Vintage

The Lack Of Commitments 
7pm at The Rhodehouse

Code 3 
9:30pm at The Gate

Taylor The Eras Revival Show
7pm at Sutton Coldfield Grammar School For Girls

Tom’s Midnight Garden
7:30pm at Sutton Arts Theatre

The Train Rattle Poets 
7:30pm at Highbury Theatre Centre

SATURDAY:

Soul Devoution
7pm - 11:30pm at Sutton United Football Club

Jersey Boys
9pm at Walmley Club

Acoustic Who
7:30pm at The Legion Club

Under The Covers
7pm at The Rhodehouse

Does Your Mother Know Brunch
11am - 9pm at The Slug & Lettuce

Second City Sound: A Capella Showcase
2:15pm - 9:15pm at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Tom’s Midnight Garden
2pm and 7:30pm at Sutton Arts Theatre

SUNDAY:

Farmers & Craft Market
10am - 3pm Sutton Town Centre

BOOK AHEAD:

The Spring Sanctuary
Sunday 11th May, 10am - 2pm at The Art of Wellness