Today Is The Day... Don't Miss Out!

And support local with this fantastic local duo...

Author

Jason Mills
November 28, 2024

WEATHER

Thurs - 4°C ⛅️ | Fri - 9°C ☀️ | Sat - 13°C ☁️ | Sun - 12°C 🌧

Good morning Royal Sutton Coldfield,

Welcome back to the only Sutton Coldfield newsletter that writes itself with jet lag.

That’s right. I made it back a mere 9,050km from Northern Thailand to Sutton Coldfield just in time for the Christmas market that opens today. Is that more miles than the big man himself will do on December 25th?

Maybe not, so big respect to Mr C. I hear he has his own private jet or something similar!

Talking of the much anticipated Christmas market - we want to see what you think of it, so send us your pics on our Instagram page or drop us an email and we’ll feature the best ones in next week’s email.

We’re a little lighter on the content this week - sorry, but jet lag is very real - but I think there’s plenty to get your teeth in to as we head in to December and we are all in for a real festive treat over the coming weeks.

We’ve also got some great features this week promoting local charities and community groups - so check them out.

Let’s dive in to this, the 22nd ever edition of Sutton Insider…

SUTTON SPOTLIGHT
Have You Visited Berts and Gerts?

You may have seen Bert and Gert’s art and craft market (which happens once a month) and not realised that they also have a shop in The Gracechurch Centre. From the outside, the shop doesn’t look very big but when you step inside you’ll find a treasure trove of interesting wares on offer from independent small businesses.  

Many of the things on sale are created by local makers and artists and there is a wide variety of interesting items on offer. My daughter and I enjoyed browsing the eclectic array of art work from paintings of the local area to hand-crochet tacos (which were her favourite!). 

It’s the perfect place to pick up a few Christmas presents for those people in your lives that have everything and is also a great way to support local artists. 

When I was chatting to the shop assistant she also mentioned they were looking for more artists and makers to display and sell their work, so if you love making things or have an online business get in touch. 

Click here to visit their website and find out more. 

GET INVOLVED
Boldmere Bells Calling All Women 

I was recently contacted by Ailsa Tyson who is on the committee of a new WI Group that's recently started in Boldmere. They are called the 'Boldmere Bells' and they meet on the first Wednesday of every month at the Newman Community Centre, 13A Boldmere Rd, 7-9pm.

Keep an eye on our What’s On segment each month where we will share with you what the activity is for the upcoming month.

Interested? Head down to the meeting 7-9pm the first Wednesday of the month.

LOCAL NEWS
Read Easy Helping Adults Learning To Read

Read Easy Birmingham North, Tamworth and Lichfield aims to help adults learn to read or improve their reading.

The group is part of the national Read Easy UK charity which has over 90 groups across the country and provided reading coaching to 1,283 adults last year.

An estimated 2.4 million adults in the UK struggle to read or cannot read at all and the impact on their life is tremendous: low self-esteem, problems with employment and struggling with everyday activities such as shopping, paying bills and travelling.

People who struggle to read should not feel embarrassed about coming forward and asking for help. There are lots of different reasons why people don't learn to read in childhood. For some it may have been a lack of support from their own family or school, for others it may have been undiagnosed dyslexia. We are friendly, welcoming and here to help, whatever your age.

Learning to read with Read Easy is free, confidential and one-to-one. Readers are encouraged to celebrate their success throughout the programme and receive certificates to mark special occasions. For some Readers, this is the first time they have ever received a certificate.

If you would like to learn to read or you know someone who would like support, please contact Patsy by email [email protected]

The group are currently recruiting for several volunteer roles, information on these can be found on their website: https://readeasy.org.uk/groups/birminghamnorthtamworthlichfield-pioneer/

They would love to hear from you.

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
This Garden Hosts The Best Summer Parties

This property hosts the best summer parties. How do I know? I’ve been to several over the last few years. This substantial 1920’s 3 bed semi-detached home on Penns Lane is not only an immaculately presented home, it has potential for extension and has a lovely frontage, and gorgeous garden - it’s also up for sale by a good friend of mine.

I can tell you that this home has been 100% cared for and given the attention it deserves. I’m sure it won’t be on the market for long.

Offers Over £500,000

GET INVOLVED
Sutton Town FC Christmas Party

Sutton Town Football Club are putting on a Christmas Party at Coles Lane with the Midnight City Soul Band including Buffet on Saturday December 14th.

Doors open at 7 o’clock and the band are live from 9.00 o’clock.

There will be a Raffle in aid of the local Parkinson's Branch in Sutton.

To date over 100 tickets have been sold and if you’d like to join in the fun and help support a great cause tickets can be purchased by calling Keith on 07816 503131.

WHAT’S ON
Local Cinema Showings This Weekend

Here’s what’s on this weekend at your local cinema. View times and book here

Film Title

Friday Showtimes

Saturday Showtimes

Sunday Showtimes

Gladiator II (15)

11:10, 19:45

20:30

Moana 2 (PG) 

11:00, 13:30, 16:30, 17:30, 19:15

11:00, 11:40, 13:30, 16:30, 17:50, 19:50

11:00, 13:30, 16:30, 17:30, 19:30

Paddington In Peru (PG)

11:40, 14:30, 16:45

10:00, 12:20, 18:10

10:20, 11:20, 13:00, 13:45, 15:30, 18:00, 20:30

Wicked (PG)

11:20, 14:00, 16:00, 19:00, 20:00

10:30, 14:15, 14:45, 16:15, 19:00, 20:15

10:30, 14:00, 16:00, 19:00, 19:50

GET INVOLVED
More Local Xmas Events

Looking for more local Christmas Fayres? Here’s a round up of where they’re happening and when:

30th November
Wylde Green United Reformed Church 11am - 3pm

5th December
Falcon Lodge Methodist Church 5 - 8pm

7th December
St James Church Centre 10am - 2pm
Sutton Park Grange Care Home  2pm - 4pm

15th December 
Court Lane Allotments 11am - 3pm

EMPLOYMENT
Local Jobs Roundup

New local employment opportunities:

Restaurant Host at Browns - Details

Seasonal Support Team at Victoria’s Secret - Details

Back Of House Team Member at Nandos - Details

Spa Beauty Therapist at Bannatyne Health Club - Details

Tesco Colleague at New Oscott - Details 

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.

Q - Bert and Gerts Is The Brainchild of which Sutton Coldfield Duo?

Is it: a) Bert and Gert b) Mark and Jason c) Vixen and Blitzen

Answer to last week: Last week caught all of you out (or at least those who emailed in with answers). Quite a few thought Sutton Park had an area of 2.4 Square KM, but it is in fact 9.71 Square KM which rounds to 10. It is 2400 acres which is where I think so many went wrong. Better luck this week.

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

TODAY:

The Greatest Magician
7:30pm - 10pm at The Town Hall

Josh Pugh
8pm at The Comedy Junction, Station Pub

Starry, Starry Night Painting Party
7pm - 9pm at Verdo Lounge

Notes From A Small Island
7:30pm at Highbury Theatre Centre

FRIDAY:

Festive Fun (completely FREE) 
7 - 9pm at The Art Of Wellness

Undercover LIVE 
9pm at The Foley Arms

Live Music By Chris Burn 
9:30pm at The Quill & Taper

A Night Of Country 
10pm at The Lounge Boldmere

U2 vs Simple Minds
7pm at The Rhodehouse

Notes From A Small Island
7:30pm at Highbury Theatre Centre

SATURDAY:

Christmas Market
1:30 - 4pm at St Michael’s Church, Boldmere

Colour Your Own Stocking with Santa
4pm & 5pm at Creative Minds, Middleton Hall Courtyard

The Subterraneans 
7pm at The Rhodehouse

Community Christmas Fair 
2- 4pm at Mercia Grange Care Home

Naomi Ellis Live
8pm at The Fox, Walmley

Notes From A Small Island
7:30pm at Highbury Theatre Centre

SUNDAY:

Twas the BRASS before Christmas
6:30pm at Wylde Green United Reformed Church

Girls Takeover  
4pm - 10pm at The Lounge at Boldmere

The Advent Procession  
6:30pm at Emmanuel Church, Wylde Green

BOOK AHEAD:

Christmas Craft & Yoga Workshop  
11am - 1:30pm at The Art of Wellness, Blackbrook Barns

It’s a birthday this weekend for a member of our team, so we’ll be out celebrating at the weekend - in Sutton of course. These days, it’s just a great opportunity for more content for the newsletter - so it’s kinda like work I guess.

If you can’t wait until next week to read all about the experience then be sure to check our Instagram where you’ll likely see a beautifully put together reel by Laura - she’s the real talent here, not me!

And don’t forget to send us those pics of you enjoying yourself at the Christmas market for a chance to feature next week - don’t be shy!

Sincerely,

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