Boldmere Pages Aug/Sept 2019

August / September 2019

www.boldmerepages.co.uk

Boldmere Pages ereod Boglhdbm ourho Nei m News Foru side In

UK Days Out Amazing places to visit in the UK

Dream Destinations Our guide to some of the best travel locations Fitness Tips from Gym & Slim

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Well, hello you!

Welcome to the August/September issue of the Boldmere Pages, packed from cover to cover with news, stories and activities to keep Boldmere residents of all ages entertained!

We also have our new Boldmere Neighbourhood Forum News section which gives you the latest news on what is happening right at the heart of our amazing community.

This issue is celebrating dream destinations and things to do this summer! Although, with the weather we’ve had so far, why do we need to go to warmer countries?! We have a great mix of destinations including Canada, Croatia and some great days out right here in the UK. Plus, with our guide to local events, there is so much to do this summer!

Don’t forget to enter our competition to win a family ticket to Empire Cinemas.

Robin

In this issue...

Welcome page

Editor’s Letter

Robin Gray Editor

boldmerepages@grayjonesmedia.com

Nick Moreton Designer

nick.moreton@me.com

Links www.boldmerepages.co.uk Facebook.com/theboldmerepages Twitter.com/boldmerepages

Canada’s national parks... p.4-5 Walking in Croatia... p.8-9 Open doors in Britain... p.12-13 What’s On... p.14-15 Films to see and Empire Cinema Comp... p.16 Recipe... p.19 Fitness tips for your holidays... p.21 Boldmere Neighbourhood Forum News... p.22-23

Instagram.com/boldmerepages Issuu.com/boldmerepages boldmerepages@grayjonesmedia.com

Advertise with us

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from just £65 February / March 2019

Boldmere Pages Win a family photo shoot at Little Pops Photography Get a taste for the Deli Collective What to do locally during half term Win a family ticket to Empire Cinema Our pick of the best local events See page 24 Discount for Angels Nursery inside

Canada’s

National Park Gems Internationally acclaimed Jasper and Cape Breton national parks top every bucket list, and are, without doubt, spectacular. But Canada boasts over 40 other pristine, serene and geologically significant protected places filled with wildlife. Head to the best national parks from British Columbia to Saskatchewan to New Brunswick.

Roam with bison in the North Canada’s wild North has the Yukon’s Kluane, but there’s also the untouched tundra of Ivvavik, which admits only a few visitors each year—and 24 hours of summer sun to explore it. The Northwest Territories’ Wood Buffalo National Park is Canada’s largest park and one of the planet’s biggest: A UNESCO world heritage site of forest, salt plains and badlands.

Play Viking in Newfoundland With Viking history and unusual geology, the UNESCO-spotlighted steep fjords of Gros Morne National Park, Canada’s second-largest, are raw and dramatic. Or, kayak the whale-filled coastline of Terra Nova National Park, Canada’s most easterly, or explore the secluded beaches of the province’s newest, Labrador’s remote Mealy Mountains.

Find French Charm and Natural Grandeur in Gaspesie, Quebec Fans call the undiscovered French-speaking Gaspé Peninsula a “trip of a lifetime” thanks to the unlikely amount of varied, untamed landscapes packed onto one 155-milong peninsula. Expect spouting whales amid brightly painted fishing villages and plunging red cliffs. Camp, scuba dive and hike the mountains of Forillon National Park.

Visit Fairyland in Alberta Tranquil Waterton Lakes is pure magic. Picture the lone Prince of Wales Hotel chalet perched atop a bluff, overlooking the lake ringed with the snowy glaciers of the Rockies—a fairytale kingdom come to life. Not only is this UNESCO site small, quiet and un-crowded, it boasts huge biodiversity and is home to half of Alberta’s plant varieties.

Get inspired by nature in Ontario Canada’s Group of Seven painters found inspiration at iconic Georgian Bay Islands National Park in the 1920s, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is the emerald shoreline dazzling, you can boat to craggy granite shores to hike through the white pines and camp on the beach in the planet’s largest freshwater archipelago.

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Step by Step to an Unforgettable

Holiday in Croatia With almost 2000 km of coastline and over 1000 islands to choose from, the Adriatic coast excels in seaside promenade experiences which enable you to take in the breath-taking beauty and superlative sunsets at your own pace.

Beach or coastal walk? It is for you to decide – Croatia’s idyllic Adriatic coast and islands have something for everyone.

Opatija With its temperate climate, increased accessibility to the heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and excellent medical facilities, Opatija became a prominent health tourism destination in the 1880s, and the construction of the town’s famous Lungomare dates back to 1889, as a means for its convalescing visitors to enjoy the pure air and recuperative climate. Today, this picturesque seafront stroll stretches a full 12 km, from Volosko to Lovran, a delightful public walkway which has become the centre of local social life, as well as a relaxing and healthy way to explore the coast.

Kaštela Equally as impressive, and steeped in history, is the seaside promenade of Kaštela, just north of Split. Home to the vines of the original Zinfandel, as well as a Game of Thrones film set, keen walkers can explore these seven stunning coastal villages, each boasting their own castle and individual history and heritage.

Reward yourself afterwards with some terrific Croatian wine!

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UNESCO But for a chance to appreciate the true magic of Croatia’s natural beauty and astonishing history, there is little to match walking the promenades of its fabled stone towns. UNESCO World Heritage Site enthusiasts need only to wander along the rivas of Poreč, Šibenik, Trogir and Split to marvel at the Euphrasian Basilica, St James’ Cathedral, Trogir Old Town, and Diocletian’s Palace, respectively. These places even have a long history of amazing all those who take a walk here!

Dubrovnik Or head into another UNESCO site, the old town of Dubrovnik, for two strolls of a very differing nature – Stradun, Croatia’s most exclusive street in the heart of the Old Town, but perhaps no longer the most famous walk in Dubrovnik, for Game of Thrones followers will recognise the Walk of Shame close by. Walkers are coming!

Islands The islands, of course, offer their own treasures, with countless coastal routes which leave you at one with nature and the raw beauty of the Adriatic, such as leisurely strolls from Jelsa to Vrboska on Hvar, or Poljana to Preko on Ugljan, while its riva offerings are no less impressive. The glittering Hvar Town waterfront in summer is an A-list celeb hangout, the place to see and be seen, while the more sedate waterfront of Vis Town offers a tranquil but equally fascinating alternative.

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Open doors in Britain discover Britain’s stately homes, houses and archives

The doors of Britain’s historic monuments and buildings, including many that are normally closed to the public, are set to be flung open in September.

Heritage Open Days, established in 1994, has become England’s biggest heritage festival, with thousands of stately homes, historic properties and archives opening their doors between 13-22 September.

Here’s our pick of ones you can’t miss:

Gladstone Pottery Museum Stoke-on-Trent Visitors can explore the renowned Gladstone Pottery Museum and even get handson with an array of interactive demonstrations and activities. The site provides a fascinating insight into the history of Stokeon-Trent while numerous throwing, casting and painting demonstrations will highlight the skills that helped put the Pottery on the map. The on-site Flushed with Pride exhibition takes a fun look at the history of sewerage too, embracing giant toilet rolls and rude sound effects in the process!

When? Saturday 21 September, 10am-5pm.

Queen Anne’s Summerhouse Bedfordshire This spectacular 18th century summerhouse has beautifully crafted brickwork and dates back to around 1712. Lovingly restored by the Landmark Trust in the years since the Second World War to include an elegant bedsit with kitchen, dining, sitting and sleeping space, Queen Anne’s Summerhouse on the Shuttleworth Estate promises beautiful architecture and exceptional views.

When? Friday 13 September to Sunday 15 September, 10am-4pm, and Monday 16 September, 10am-1pm.

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Chatterley Whitfield Colliery Staffordshire Discover a spectacular array of former mining buildings at the Chatterley Whitfield Colliery, the most comprehensive surviving deep mine complex in England. Although there is no underground access now, visitors can access and explore the many different structures as part of a guided tour by Chatterley Whitfield Friends. The site closed and became a museum in 1973, and although the museum closed its doors in 1993, a new heritage centre explains the site’s rich history.

When? Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 September, and Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September, 10am-4pm.

Wilmington Priory East Sussex Dating back to 1215, Wilmington Priory was once the priory of a Benedictine Abbey and features architectural additions from nearly every century since. Although the abbey is now a romantic ruin, visitors can get a glimpse of the Landmark Trust’s restoration of the neighbouring farmhouse, now a holiday let.

When? Saturday 14 September and Sunday 15 September, 10am-4pm, and Monday 16 September, 10am-1pm.

Williamson Tunnels Liverpool Hidden deep below Liverpool are the Williamson Tunnels, a 200-year-old labyrinth developed by 19th-century philanthropist Joseph Williamson. Lost and forgotten for a long period, the tunnels can be explored as part of a guided tour that reveals what was behind his mysterious burrowing.

When? Friday 13 to Sunday 15 September, and Friday 20 September to Sunday 22 September, all tours at 10.30am.

For more information on all these Open Days and many more, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk Heritage Open Days is coordinated and promoted nationally by the National Trust with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

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What’s on Outdoor Cinema: Jurassic Park

Sausage & Cider Festival

Relive this 90s classic in the great outdoors! Bring your own dinosaur or dress up for our ‘best dinosaur’ competition. Child ticket £6, Adult ticket £11 or family ticket £30 Tickets from www.northsouthevents.co.uk

Come and check out the range of quirky sausages on offer at this fun sausage festival at The Boat Inn in Sutton Coldfield. Wet your whistle with a range of refreshing ciders ranging from the traditional to fruity varieties too! There will also be live music throughout the day.

More info at: www.facebook.com/events/483211389121497/

Where: The Boat Inn, Sutton Coldfield When: 24th August, 1pm

Where: Kingsbury Water Park When: 17th August, 7pm

Aston Villa Summer Soccer School Where: Boldmere St Michaels FC When: 19-23 August

Bank Holiday Family Fun Day

Aston Villa’s summer Soccer School offers children aged 5-12 a fun, engaging environment in which to enjoy their football, learn new skills and make friends. Open to all abilities, the Soccer School takes place from 19 to 23 August. You can pre-book online for a whole week for just £60 or pay on the day for £20.

To book visit: tickets.avfc.co.uk/en-GB/categories/football-in-the-community-courses

Where: Pype Hayes Golf Course When: Saturday 25th August – 12pm-4pm Come and enjoy a fantastic bank holiday family fun day - there will be stalls indoors and outdoors, bouncy castle, soft play, ice cream van, golf games, hook a duck, craft & gift stalls, BBQ, and the bar will be open!

FREE tickets available from: bit.ly/31gmZec

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st e b e h ft o k c i Our p to do in and t h i n g s B o l d m e re . d a ro u n Only Fools and 3 Courses: The Sequel

Where: Moor Hall Hotel & Spa When: 13th September, 7pm-11pm

Come and enjoy this unique event which combines fine food and comedy action, served up Only Fools & Horses style! Expect a big fun night out in a friendly party atmosphere with some of the finest comedy actors in the land, professionally produced to the highest standards with your enjoyment at the top of the menu. £45 per person, includes 3 course meal.

Tickets available from: www.moorhallhotel.co.uk/events/special-events/onlyfools-and-3-courses

Sutton Coldfield Vintage Fair Where: Sutton Coldfield Town Hall When: 22nd September, 11am-4.30pm

Birmingham’s BIGGEST Vintage & Arts Fair - 60 stalls under one roof! UK wide Vintage traders & local talented crafters take over 4 rooms within the beautiful Victorian grandeur of Sutton Coldfield Town Hall. Live entertainment, makeovers, & yummy cupcakes make this event a real day out for everyone from 8 to 80!

Admission is £1 on the door

The 39 Steps

Where: Highbury Theatre When: 25th - 28th September

Funtopia Tamworth

Following its dazzling production of Top Hat, the Award winning Trinity Players is now preparing for its next exciting play, The 39 Steps, which is to be performed at Highbury Theatre Centre from 25-28 September 2019. This two-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with non-stop laughs, zany characters, an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance!

Book tickets at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/trinity-players

Where: Castle Pleasure Grounds, Tamworth When: 14th September, 11am-4pm

Funtopia is a fantastic fun-packed event which is perfect for tots to tweens. Filled with bouncy castles, activity inflatables, under 5’s area, sumo suits and much more! The event will coincide with the We Love Tamworth summer festival and will take place on the lawn just below the Castle.

Wristbands are £5 for children (1-12 years) and £1 for adult

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Five Films You Need To See Sponsored by Empire Cinemas

Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Once Upon a Time‌ in Hollywood

Dora, a teenage explorer, leads her friends on an adventure to save her parents and solve the mystery behind a lost city of gold.

A faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood’s Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.

Released 16th August

Released 14th August

Downton Abbey

Judy

The continuing story of the Crawley family, wealthy owners of a large estate in the English countryside in the early 20th century.

Legendary performer Judy Garland arrives in London in the winter of 1968 to perform a series of sold-out concerts.

Released 13th September

Released 4th October

Angry Birds Movie 2

The flightless birds and scheming green pigs take their beef to the next level.

For more information about Empire Sutton Coldfield visit www.empirecinemas.co.uk

Released 2nd August

COMPETITION

Win a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) to a film of your choice at Empire Sutton Coldfield - visit www.boldmerepages.co.uk/competitions and enter by Sunday 30th September.

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Recipe Simple Muffins

Ingredients:

Method:

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2 medium eggs

•

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6

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125ml vegetable oil

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Fill your muffin tin with either normal or tulip muffin cases

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250ml semi-skimmed milk

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In a large bowl, beat the 2 medium eggs lightly with a handheld electric mixer for 1 min

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250g golden caster sugar

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Add 125ml vegetable oil and 250ml semi-skimmed milk and beat until just combined

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400g self-raising flour

•

•

1 tsp salt

Add 250g caster sugar and whisk until you have a smooth batter

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100g chocolate chunks or blueberries (if using blueberries, sprinkle the top with oats)

Sift in 400g self-raising flour and 1 tsp salt, then mix until just smooth

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Don’t over-mix the batter as this will make the muffins tough

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Stir in 100g chocolate chunks or blueberries

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Fill muffin cases two-thirds full and bake for 20-25 mins, until risen, firm to the touch and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean

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Decorate as desired with buttercream, sprinkles or oats

Try these muffins and more at the Deli Social 60b-60c Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TJ Keep up to date with all the events at The Deli Social: www.facebook.com/TheDeliinBoldmere

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Holiday 30 Min Work Out Every Day High Knees On The Spot 3 sets of 10 Ooooh This Will Hurt Squats 3 sets of 10 Leg Raises Together 3 sets of 10

Introducing Running Man 1 min x 3 Down You Go For Lunges 3 sets of 10 for each leg Ab Workout 3 x 1minute planks Yippee Time For Burpees!

3 sets of 10 Stand Up Sit Down 3 sets of 10

Boldmere Neighbourhood Forum News Forum Update

We have received £9,240 from the National Lottery Awards for All. This is to promote better communications and enable a regular newsletter to be included in the Boldmere Pages which is published every two months.

The first committee meeting of the combined forums took place at the Harvester on 2nd July at 7.30pm. To be less formal we introduced ourselves to the others present. Attending were Graham and Joyce Alkins, Ken Rushton, Rebecca Horton-Worby, Paul Long, Ray Beech, Rosemarie Finn and our latest volunteer, Lynette Richards. Elsie Clements the retiring treasurer of Vesey North was also there. Apologies were received from Simon Stodart and Ajai Kapur.

We will also be able to improve the street scene with planters and other items and the planters will be made by young people learning new skills through the Labour and Training element of the grant. A social media course is also being planned in conjunction with Banners Gate forum. The grant will part fund the learning element and a grant from Birmingham Airport will help with the purchase of some tablets.

It was agreed that the new forum should be called the Boldmere Neighbourhood Forum because this really was how must people described this part of Vesey ward.

Both Graham and Ken were both standing down from their positions as chairmen but wished to continue on the committee. Both have done their utmost to promote and improve Boldmere and should be proud of what they have achieved during their tenure.

The digital information screen, paid for by the Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council and located in the Communitea Cafe at Age Concern, now seems to be working correctly and is also helping with communications. This also works in conjunction with the boldmere.org website.

The e-mail address of the forum will remain as boldmere.forum@talktalk.net

It was then decided that Ray should become chairman, Lynette vice chair, Rebecca treasurer, and the secretary of Vesey North, Simon Stodart, would be the secretary.

The Vesey North bank account was effectively closed by transferring funds to Boldmere by cheque. Ray then gave a financial report which showed that we had £13,916.71 in our account but that approximately £6,300 was allocated to ongoing projects.

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quick access to a defibrillator should someone have a heart attack in the church, the churchyard or in the nearby area.

The second defibrillator will go outside St Michael’s Church Hall to serve the top end of Boldmere shopping centre. Both defibrillators will be accessible to the public 24/7.

The Church will also work to raise awareness of the defibrillators’ locations and also how to use them.

All donations welcome! Go to: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/boldmere-defib

New Benches

Boldmere Banners

Boldmere Forum was very fortunate, earlier this year, to be able to access the Police Proceeds of Crime fund. This has allowed us to place a bench for the residents at the southern end of Boldmere Road. It is situated outside the Boldmere Tap pub with the kind assistance of the licensee Dave Hill. Pedestrians can now rest their weary legs for a while.

Amey contractors fixed it into position as part of their community scheme with no charge for which we are extremely grateful.

At the other end of Boldmere Amey were also very busy bringing two of the existing benches back to life by installing new slats and painting the metal work. They now look as good as new.

Anyone in Boldmere Road this summer will have noticed the colourful banners displayed on the lamp posts. The forum is very pleased that we were able to work with Halls Garden Centre to brighten up the street scene.

Donna Newman, who designed the Boldmere Bear, was the design artist and has managed to capture the essence of the area by including cycling, music restaurants and other aspects of Boldmere.

St Michael’s Church Raising Money for Defibrillators

St Michael’s Church is looking for fundraising support from the local community in Boldmere to help raise money towards buying two defibrillators.

A defibrillator delivers a dose of electric current (often called a countershock) to the heart that can save life during a sudden cardiac arrest.

Their aim is to put one defibrillator on the wall outside St Michael’s Church to provide 23

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Enjoy delicious organic real-dairy Marshfield Farm ice cream.

Create your own sundae from ÂŁ4.50 - loads of great toppings to choose from!

Try our new range of dessert chocolates!

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Preview of Next Issue...

October/ November 2019

www.boldmerepages.co.uk

Boldmere Pages ereod Bolhdbm ourho Neig m News Foru side In

The October/November issue is our “I Do” wedding special!

We celebrate love and help with inspirational ideas on venues, wedding fashions, honeymoons and more! Plus, all the usual features, competitions and our guide to what’s on in and around Boldmere.

Coming 7th October

Deadline for stories and advertising is 19th September 2019

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Boldmere

STICK M THE F E ON RIDGE !

Survival Guide KEY DATES

Don’t forget these dates!

August Bank Holiday - Monday 26th August

Start of Rugby World Cup - Friday 20th September

TAKEAWAYS

Boldmere has a plethora of food options, but these are our favourites!

Regards Indian Restaurant - 110-116 Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5UB, regardsrestaurant.com House of Mr Li - 58 Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TJ, 0121 354 2180 Piri King - 21 Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5UY, piriking.co.uk Boldmere Fish Bar - 4 Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TD, boldmerefishbar.co.uk Coffee Cup - 19 Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5UY, 0121 354 7948 The Deli Social - 60b-60c Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TJ Communitea Cafe - 78 Boldmere Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 5TJ, 0121 362 3650

TAXIS

Let someone else take the strain Star Cars & Coaches – 0800 622 6611

COUNCILLORS

If you’ve got a problem, who you gonna call?!

Sutton Coldfield Town Council Cllr Janet Cairns - Janet.Cairns@SuttonColdfieldTownCouncil.gov.uk Cllr Alison Jolley - Alison.Jolley@SuttonColdfieldTownCouncil.gov.uk Cllr Louise Passey - Louise.Passey@SuttonColdfieldTownCouncil.gov.uk Cllr Rob Pocock - Rob.Pocock@SuttonColdfieldTownCouncil.gov.uk Cllr Manish Puri - Manish.Puri@SuttonColdfieldTownCouncil.gov.uk City Council Cllr Rob Pocock - rob.pocock@birmingham.gov.uk Cllr Kath Scott - kath.scott@birmingham.gov.uk 31