A New Sutton School, A Magic Voice & A Cucumber

WEATHER

Thurs - 22°C 🌦️ | Fri - 22°C ⛅️ | Sat - 21°C ⛅️ | Sun - 22°C ☀️

SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
The New School On The Block

As a former secondary school teacher of 13 years I can tell you that although it’s incredibly rewarding, it’s not easy working in education. The other thing I can tell you is that quite often schools ride waves of momentum that come from good or ‘less good’ leadership that impact the quality of everything they do and the results their students achieve.

Until recently, John Willmott School had not been riding any crests, but a name change and full rebrand come hot off the heels of a ‘Good’ OFSTED rating and looks set to see the Reddicap Heath school continue to improve.

After a consultation period, John Willmott School will now be known as The Royal Sutton Coldfield School and remains under the ever expanding multi-academy trust The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.

The name change has caused some debate locally (personally I love it), but what can’t be debated is the improvement the school and everyone involved have shown over the last few years with well regarded head teacher Nicola Gould at the helm.

It’s a welcome boost to Sutton Coldfield locals as school places become harder to obtain - and if you know anyone starting in September wish them luck from us.

GET INVOLVED
Do You Have A Magic Voice?

Do you love singing songs from the likes of The Greatest Showman, Les Mis, Disney, Mamma Mia, The Lion King and all the big musicals?

Because that’s exactly what they do at Magic Voices.

Magic Voices is a singing group in Sutton Coldfield and everyone is welcome, no matter the level of singing experience they have… with fantastic songs that feature both male and female voices.

Meetings are every Thursday evening during term time and they have a BIG Taster session on Thursday 5th of September.

Magic Voices are always working towards concerts (optional, of course!), but if you would simply like to enjoy a weekly session, learning how to sing within a group and enjoying some great company then this could be for you.

Sessions last 90 minutes and there is always a lot of laughter in the room.

Magic Voices are all about positive mental health through building a fun-loving community and raising money for different local charities.

New members are welcome, so if you are interested then head down to the opening night on the 5th September over at Sutton Girls School in the main hall… (plenty of parking available).

Book your free taster session here

SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Are You Sitting On Something Valuable?

Have you ever wondered what that bracelet left to you by Great Aunt Jemima is worth? Or perhaps you have a trinket you unearthed at a car boot sale many years ago and have always thought its value was much higher than the £3 you spent on it.

If that’s the case then why not head down to Moor Hall Hotel this Saturday and have a free valuation courtesy of TV expert Charles Hanson.

There’s no need to book - just head down to Moor Hall with your antiques or jewellery between 12 and 2pm.

More details here

GET INVOLVED
Try Your Hand At An Olympic Sport

One thing I love about events such as the Olympics is that it inspires people to return to sports or try new sports for the first time.

Hockey is one of those sports that I’ve not played since my school days, but I always watch it and think that must be so much fun to play.

If you think the same then why not head down to one of the free hockey sessions for adult beginners being run by Sutton Coldfield Hockey Club?

Sessions take place on Bishop Vesey’s impressive astro pitch (you can’t miss it once you’ve parked at the school) from 11.30am-1pm on Sunday 18th and 25th August.

Just wear something suitable for exercise and trainers (no studs) and they’ll lend you a stick.

For more details you can call or text Peter Westbrook on 07710 811249 or just turn up.

FOOD & FUN
Grow Your Own & Beat Living Costs

Whenever I visit my Dad (like I did this week) who now lives in East London, the one thing we love to do is head down to his community garden - which is a little oasis in an otherwise densely populated area.

My kids love it, I love it and we all agree that the fruit and veg he grows is better than anything you can buy in the supermarket. This time it was mammoth cucumbers we were eating.

Did you know that Sutton Coldfield has no less than 10 allotment sites across the town, with 4 of them now under control by the Town Council and the other 6 to be transferred from Birmingham City Council to Sutton this year.

Politics aside, if you’ve ever fancied putting your hand to managing your own allotment, the chances are there will be a plot near you.

I’ve done it myself in the past - it’s hard work but oh so rewarding.

It doesn’t cost the earth - for example plots on Falcon Lodge Allotments are around £40 per year (according to their website) but plots are hard to come by, so get yourself on a waiting list if there’s not a spot available yet (which can take up 12 months) and start planning your plot.

Find your nearest plot and more details on the Sutton Coldfield Town Council website here.

EMPLOYMENT
Local Jobs Roundup

New local employment opportunities:

Care Assistant - Home Instead - Details

Sales Administrator - Stratstone Porche - Details

Chef De Partie - Four Oaks - Details

Male Residential Support Worker - Randstad - Details

LIVE MUSIC & OTHER EVENTS THIS WEEKEND
What’s Going On…

Today:

• Music Bingo - The Boot Inn at 7pm - £12 per person

• Krav Maga Trial Class - Harvest Fields Centre - 7.45pm Details

Friday:

• The Boy George Experience - The Rhodehouse - £9 + BF

• Jemma Hughes - Quill & Taper

Saturday:

• The Detours - The Rhodehouse - £5 after 8pm, free before

• Hitmen & Her - Walmley Social Club - 9pm

• Stitch Meet & Greet - DJ Collectables - 12-2pm

Book Ahead:

• Birmingham Heritage Week - 6th-15th Sept - Range of Events in Sutton - Details

Question Time
Sutton Solver

Each week we will have a question related to Sutton Coldfield. Let’s see how well you know your town. The answer will be revealed next week.

Q: Which of Shakespeare’s plays features a line that mentions Sutton Coldfield?

Is it a) Richard III b) Richard II c) Henry IV Part 1

Last week’s answer…

Q: Which late Italian Mere Green restaurant owner had a no.1 hit with ‘Save Your Love’ in 1983 before being knocked off top spot by Phil Collins’ ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’?

A: I loved this question - the answer is Renato Pagliari who is also rumoured to be the voice behind the famous ice cream advert with the memorable lyrics ‘just one Cornetto’