Suttonian Earns 7.66s PB At UK Championships

WEATHER

Thurs - 13°C ☁️ | Fri - 11°C ☁️ | Sat - 12°C ☁️ | Sun - 13°C ☁️

Sponsored
Sustainable New Build Construction Using ICF

At Midland New Homes we can build your dream home to your specific requirements using Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF) as seen on Grand Designs.

We are based in the Midlands but work right across the UK, and our ICF new builds have higher thermal efficiency, high levels of moisture retention, are energy efficient and sustainable.

We also build basements for your existing properties and have installed cinema rooms, swimming pools, gyms and more.

If you are interested in finding more about how we can help you with your ICF construction project then give Andrew a call on 07870 304225 or visit our website for more details here.

You can also view some our most recent projects and awards on our Instagram page here.

SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
Don’t Be A Mug, Paint One Instead

Cafe Ceramica has always appealed to me, the thought of spending a few hours decorating a mug or a plate sounds like the perfect afternoon. I finally got organised and booked a slot during half term so I could take my 2 daughters with me and I wasn’t disappointed.

I mean it has taken me 13 years to visit the cafe found at Mitchells Art & Craft Centre - as I first considered going to do their footprints as babies. A service they still offer, while we were there, we saw a baby put his tiny handprint on a mug. A great keepsake or Christmas gift for grandparents.

However, as my girls are now 9 and 13 their hands are a little bit big for this so we opted to paint Christmas mugs. They have a selection of plain mugs that you can decorate with your own design or ready shaped mugs with Santa’s face or cute woodland creatures that you can just paint.

The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, giving us a quick tutorial at the beginning and then answering our many questions during the 2 hour slot. They also serve hot drinks and as we were painting Christmas mugs we obviously had to have hot chocolates topped with cream and marshmallows, which I have to say were the best I’ve tasted in a long time!

If you fancy getting creative you can check out their website here

LOCAL NEWS
10 Year Old Suttonian Competes In National Rubik’s Cube Competition

A 10 year old Sutton Coldfield boy who started to learn how to solve the Rubik’s Cube during the pandemic three years ago took part in a national competition last weekend.

At the UK Championships Tommy Kiely managed to achieve a single solve of 7.66 seconds and an average of 9.50 seconds, this is his best result so far in a competition.

Tommy learned to cube by watching tutorials on Youtube and putting in some serious practice time! Speedcubing involves memorising hundreds of algorithms and drilling them until eventually they become muscle memory. Although there are methods for beginners that don’t involve as much memorisation. Tommy’s mum Katie told us they started going to competitions two years ago and have travelled up and down the country to attend the events.

She went on to tell us:

“The main reason we love the competitions though, is the people. We’ve never met a more diverse, inclusive and friendly bunch of people in all our lives. This is the main part that keeps us coming back.”

The Rubik’s UK Championships are special because the top cubers from all over the world come together to compete and try to get faster times and share in their passion for cubing.

Tommy says “I love cubing, it’s fun and it’s an enjoyable thing to do no matter how slow or fast you are. I did better than I expected this year and I am happy about that. I am looking forward to my next competitions to improve my times but mainly to see my cubing friends.”

What a fantastic achievement. Well done Tommy from us at Sutton Insider and we wish you well in your next competition.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
Newly Listed Detached Barn Conversion In Shenstone

Listed with Aston Knowles, The Shires is an impressive barn set within a private courtyard development in the sought-after picturesque village of Shenstone.

Set over two floors and featuring 2 bedrooms with ensuite, additional occasional bedroom, a well equipped kitchen, dining room, drawing room and a study, this property boasts an imposing 2,129 sq ft of floor space.

Shenstone offers a range of local amenities, including shops, a doctor’s surgery, and several welcoming country pubs. Is it the Location, Location, Location for you?

Listed at £725,000

Full details on RightMove here

WHAT’S ON
Local Cinema Showings This Weekend

Lots of you have been asking for the Royal Cinema listings. Here’s what’s on this weekend at your local cinema:

LOCAL NEWS
Sutton Coldfield U10s To Take To Premiership Rugby Pitch

Sutton Coldfield’s U10 rugby team travelled to Stafford RFC on 3^rd November 2024 to take part in the annual Tiger’s U10’s Cup.

This long-standing recognition of rugby values in Mini and Youth age grades rewards those teams who show positive behaviours and attitudes towards the game, the referee and their fellow players and is celebrating its 30th season. There were over 70 teams that entered the Cup this year. 

The Sutton Coldfield team played six games against other regional squads and the Tigers Coaches assessed the sides on their TREDS (Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship) values and behaviours, both on and off the pitch. With outstanding play and behaviour clearly on display, they won 5 games and drew 1 game out of the 6.

Suttons U10s were chosen to go to Welford Road and take to the pitch before the Premiership fixture between Tigers and Harlequins on April 26^th, 2025.

Team Manager David Baldwin celebrating with the team said:

“The quality of our play, and the commitment to the core values was exemplary across the board. I was extremely proud of our players, coaches and supporters, so a huge well done to all who were involved in the day. We are super excited to go and showcase our play on the pitch at Tigers next year as we know this will be a lasting memory for all involved.”

Huge congratulations go to all the players, families and coaches who have worked so hard to demonstrate the very best parts of rugby, playing the game and living the values. This squad follows in the footsteps of current Tigers superstars Freddie Steward and Jack van Poortvliet, who both took part in this very festival for their childhood clubs and had their first experience of playing at the home of Leicester Tigers through the TU10 Cup.

If this inspires you and you want to give rugby a go the team are always looking for new players so please get in touch with the club and they will be in touch - Email [email protected]

LOCAL SPORT
Results & Upcoming Games

FOOTBALL:

Sutton Coldfield Town FCs away form is still far from where they want it as they suffered another 1-0 defeat on the road last weekend against Racing Club Warwick which was followed up by a 2-0 defeat on the away at Sporting Khalsa.

On Saturday, the tough run of away games continue as the Royals face Long Eaton United, can they break the poor run of away form?

Boldmere St Michaels fought out a 1-0 home win against Grantham Town last Saturday and will be looking to gain back to back wins for the first time since August when they take on fourth place Sporting Khalsa at The Amber Arena this weekend.

By the way, if you haven’t seen the Mikes’ new scoreboard, you’re in for a treat when you head down - I think it might help guide the planes to BHX it’s so bright!

HOCKEY:

After their draw last time out we had high hopes for Sutton Coldfield Women’s 1st team against Clifton Robinson but alas, it wasn’t to be as they suffered a tough 4-0 home defeat and remain rooted to the bottom of the table. Can they find that elusive first win of the season as they taken on second placed Hampstead & Westminster this Saturday?

After a strong start to the season, the Men’s 1st team suffered another defeat on Saturday losing narrowly to University of Birmingham in a 3-2 defeat. This weekend they are back on home turf and face the unbeaten and top of the table Stratford at Wyndley at 4pm on Saturday. It promises to be a great encounter.

GET INVOLVED
November Reflections

November is a time to reflect and remember those who have sacrificed and served in conflicts and wars. This Sunday is of course Remembrance Sunday and you can attend a service of Remembrance at Holy Trinity Parish Church at 9:45am followed by wreath laying and a national two minute silence at the King Edward Square War Memorial.

The beautiful poppy sculptures (pictured above) are already in place and will remain there until after November 11th.

LOCAL
Town Rangers To The Rescue

The Town Rangers have been hard at work clearing fallen autumn leaves that can cause problems for residents. They recently cleared an accumulation of leaves on Fox Hollies Road and I’m sure you will agree it’s now a lot safer (see pic below).

If residents know of an area which needs some TLC then please contact the Sutton Coldfield Town Rangers at [email protected].

EMPLOYMENT
Local Jobs Roundup

New local employment opportunities:

Bar Staff at The Bottle of Sack - Details

Post Person at Royal Mail - Details

Wedding & Events Manager at Moxhull Hall - Details

Retail Store Assistant at Cancer Research UK - Details 

Customer Team Leader at Coop - Details 

SUTTON SOLVER
Welcoming The Return Of The Sutton Solver

Last week we had our final ‘Where in Sutton’ picture for a while and we had plenty of correct guesses - see below for the answer.

For this week’s Sutton Solver do you know the answer? If you do, hit reply and let us know for a chance to feature next week.

Q - In what year was Sutton Coldfield linked by rail to Birmingham City Centre?

Was it: a) 1860 b) 1870 c) 1875

Answer to last week: Last week the quickest person to answer was Eileen Lyndon who told us “This weeks photo is Boswell Road, Bishop Vesey School” - Come on Eileen - congrats!

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

TODAY:

Open Mic Night
8pm - 11pm at The Boot Inn

Inclusive Support SEN Open Event
4pm - 6pm at Sutton Coldfield College

FRIDAY:

FREE Kids & Teens Wellbeing Workshop 
4:30pm - 6:30pm at The Art Of Wellness

Loz Rabone 
9:30pm at The Quill & Taper

The Cliff Richard Show
7:30pm - 10pm at The Town Hall

Poppy Day Lunch with The Bluebird Belles
12:30pm for a 1:30pm start at Moor Hall Hotel

The Hot Heads  
8:30pm at The Lounge Boldmere

Bootleg ABBA
7pm at The Rhodehouse

The Scratch Band for Remembrance Weekend
8:30pm at The Legion Club, Rectory Road

Box Of Frogs Improv Comedy
7:30pm at Highbury Theatre Centre

SATURDAY:

Sam Wilson 
7:30pm at Sutton United Football Club Sports Bar

Vibe Dance Aerobics
12:30pm - 2:30pm at Better Gym, Mere Green

KD & The Dogs
9pm at The Legion Club

Mark Green Elvis Experience Tribute
7pm at The Rhodehouse

Northern Live
7:30pm at The Town Hall

Sing Baby Sing
9pm at Walmley Club

Annual Old Veseyan Dinner 
6:30pm at Bishop Vesey Grammar School

SUNDAY:

Christmas Market 
1pm - 5pm at The Plough & Harrow

Aston Wood Wedding Fayre
12 - 3pm at Aston Wood Golf Club

Remembrance Sunday Service
10am at Emmanuel Church, 9:45am at Holy Trinity Parish Church

TUESDAY:

Chatter Tuesdays - Board Games, Live Sports and Happy Hour Prices
at The Station Pub

WEDNESDAY:

Temple Spa Pop Up Shop
9am - 2:30pm at Boldmere Bistro, St Michael’s Road