Boldmere Pages Dec 2019/Jan 2020

December / January 2019

www.boldmerepages.co.uk

Boldmere Pages ereod m d l o B bourho Neighum News For side In

Charities to support this Yuletide Season What’s on this winter in & around Boldmere Range of vouchers from local businesses including Angels Nursery and Carl Flavell Win £150 Holiday Voucher and Empire Cinema Tickets

Advertising enquiries: boldmerepages@outlook.com or Tel: 07985 230 188

Merry Christmas

Real

Christmas Trees All sizes available Great deals and free delivery On display in Boldmere Hardware & Sutton Car Wash!

Open 7 days a week 25 Boldmere Road Sutton Coldfield B73 5UY

Tel. 0121 354 4657 www.boldmerehardware.co.uk

Well, hello you!

Welcome to the December/January 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.

Christmas is here once again and at this most magical time of year, Boldmere comes into its prime as all of our local shops and businesses are getting into the festive mood, offering great party nights and shopping opportunities to us all. In this issue, we have a number of local businesses offering great deals for you all and also, we have provided a bumper what’s on guide of the best of things to do in and around the area this yuletide season.

We have two amazing competitions in this issue.

You could win a £150 holiday voucher from Matt Morgan Travel Counsellor and also a group ticket to Empire Cinemas.

Welcome page

Editor’s Letter

Robin Gray Editor

boldmerepages@grayjonesmedia.com

Nick Moreton Designer

nick.moreton@me.com

Links www.boldmerepages.co.uk

I hope you all have a very peaceful Christmas and here’s to a prosperous new year for us all.

Robin

In this issue...

Charities to Support this Yuletide Season... p.6-7 Destination guide... p.10 What’s On... p.14-16 Films to see... p.18 Recipe... p. 19 Neighbourhood Forum News... p.20-21

Facebook.com/theboldmerepages Twitter.com/boldmerepages 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

CARL FLAVELL HAIRDRESSING

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year to all customers new and old!

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Charities to Support this Yuletide Season For most of us, Christmas is a time of family, friends and celebration. But for some, Christmas can be a time of loneliness, suffering and heartbreak. As we celebrate this most magical time of the year, please take a moment to consider giving to a charity.

We all have charities that are close to our heart for personal reasons, but if you need some inspiration, here are three great charities that work in the local area you could support.

Birmingham Christmas Shelter At Birmingham Christmas Shelter they open their doors 24 hours a day during Christmas week and welcome up to 150 guests daily, providing hot meals and drinks, entertainment, services, emergency clothing and a safe and warm place to sleep. They aim to provide food, warmth, shelter and friendship to their guests, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

The Birmingham Christmas Shelter depends entirely on donations and volunteers.

Throughout the Christmas period, volunteers are organised into teams under the guidance and support of an Area Team Leader who will ensure things run smoothly and allocate jobs to do. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Because they are a selffunded charity, the other 51 weeks of the year volunteers participate by helping with fundraising, running and attending events, and helping plan and organise for the next year!

Donate now at www.birminghamchristmasshelter.org/donate 6

Birmingham Children’s Hospital

The Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity believes there’s always more they can do for their sick kids and it’s the charity’s mission to raise the vital funds needed to make a real difference to all who use the hospital’s services, offering them the best experience possible.

It is only through the kindness, generosity and hard work of their supporters raising vital funds for the charity that they are able to do more and more every year take them closer to achieving their vision to provide the best possible facilities and environment at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, for their exceptional patients and young people.

Last year, over 180 children spent at least one night in the Children’s Hospital over the Christmas period. This festive season, they want to make sure all of their patients, who are too poorly to be at home, can still make precious memories with their families that will last a lifetime.

Donate now at www.bch.org.uk/donate/christmas-appeal-2019/10/credit-card

Age UK

For many of us, the Christmas period is about spending time with loved ones and reflecting upon what we have to be thankful for. But for some people like Colin, who have lost the most important person in their life, Christmas can feel like a time they have no one to turn to. With your help Age UK can change that.

Colin and his wife Joan Ann had been married for 25 years. Joan Ann had dementia and began to experience severe pain, which led to a diagnosis of lung cancer.

Tragically, Joan Ann passed away a matter of hours later, leaving Colin heartbroken, alone and confused.

There are more than 2.5 million older people who feel they have no one to turn to, and Age UK are determined to be there for them. With generous donations from people like you this Christmas, they can be there for more people like Colin.

Donate now at donate.ageuk.org.uk

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Travel Expert on Tour In August, we went on our favourite type of holiday, a Cruise!

This is why we love it…

• We visited 3 Countries and 6 places on our Cruise and only had to unpack once. Every morning, we woke up in a new place!

• Our Cruise started and ended in Barcelona so we extended our holiday and had a City break too. A Cruise & Stay holiday gives you two very different types of holiday, and you can build it around what suits you • The Ship is a destination in itself. This was our third time on Oasis of the Seas and you really are spoilt for choice.

Evening shows included Ice Dancing, High Diving, West-End show Cats, as well as a jazz club and comedy club • Love food? So do we! Five star dining included in the price, the food was incredible and they will cater for any special requirements; literally nothing is too much trouble.

We booked our cruise and took advantage of the Free Drinks Package offer; this gives you access to virtually any drink on board and the top notch service means you never are left with an empty glass • Never cruised and got questions? I’ve cruised with all of the major cruise lines and am happy to have a general chat to answer any questions

Matt Morgan

PERSONAL TRAVEL AGENT Te l :

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GIFT IDEAS Did you know I can help you with UK gift ideas, not just overseas holidays.

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• Offering specialist Travel advice based on 18 years’ experience • Creating unique, once in a lifetime holidays • On hand 24/7 for travelling clients, much more than your average high street agent • Providing complete financial security as well as ATOL protection

If you appreciate great value and service contact me!

KNOW Visas for Australia and the USA are now always included in the cost of your holiday with me.

I take the hassle away and process these for you.

For all other destinations, if you hold a British Passport, I’ll always help you with the visa process.

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OUT IN AFRICA

Home to the largest, tallest and fastest Mammals in the World, as well as the largest Primate and Reptile and 25% of the Worlds Bird population; Africa is no doubt an animal lovers paradise.

You can combine once in a lifetime Safaris with cool, sophisticated City stays.

I’ve seen a huge increase in Africa enquiries and did you know I’m a South Africa specialist, it’s one of my favourite places to visit and I can help build an incredible itinerary for you based on personal recommendations!

• Ofsted Outstanding Nursery • Tailor-Made Facilities • New Equipment & Resources • Adventure Garden • Limited Places • Varied Activities •N New Location on Walsall Road, Great Barr 386 Jockey Road, Sutton Coldfield B73 5XJ 0121 355 1076 info@angels-nursery.com www.angels-nursery.com

10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR FIRST INVOICE WITH THIS ADVERT

Festive chocolates available Christmas afternoon teas in December No booking required!

Range of events - see new website www.clairestreatstreet.co.uk 14 Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield, B73 5TD Tel: 0121 439 7113 www.clairestreatstreet.co.uk www.facebook.com/treatstreet.suttoncoldfield

What’s on Birmingham Philharmonic: Snow at Christmas

1st December, 6.30pm, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Christmas Beer Festival

The perfect start to the Christmas season, a concert for all ages full of film and festive favourites! Richard Laing will conduct festive favourites aplenty from “The Snowman” to “Frozen”.

For more info: www.facebook.com/ events/877194285986779/

13th-15th December, The Station Pub A selection of local and national Christmas-themed beers rotating throughout the weekend. Free entry.

CHRISTMAS FAIR Aladdin

Donkey Sanctuary Christmas Fair

10th-31st December, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

14th December, 10.30am-3pm, Donkey Sanctuary (Sutton Park)

A whole host of colourful characters join our hero in his story as he struggles to see that good is rewarded and that bad is punished. The Production Exchange returns to the Town Hall with a magnificent cast of actor-musicians who ask you to spend two hours in the company of some of the greatest characters in the world of pantomime, fighting the good fight in some of the most exotic places.

To book: www.ticketor.com/townhall/tickets?pageid=14829

Come and join us for our Christmas Fair where we will have many stalls as well as an opportunity to buy refreshments. Visit Santa, buy your donkey related goods, ‘Adopt a Donkey’, and of course meet our lovely donkeys.

For more info telephone the Birmingham Centre on 0121 354 9444

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best e h t f ck o i p nd a r u n i O o to d s g n i e re . th m d l o dB a ro u n

Royal Opera House – The Nutcracker

17th December, 7.15pm, Empire Cinema The Royal Ballet celebrates Peter Wright’s 90th Birthday with his much-loved production of this beautiful classic ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score, perfect for a classic Christmas experience.

Tickets: www.empirecinemas.co.uk

The Official Lounge Christmas Party

21st December, 8.30pm, Lounge @ Boldmere The official lounge customer Christmas Party features DJ Christmas Party Pants playing five hours of solid dance floor filling tunes that guarantee your night will be one to remember, with a few surprises along the way!

For more info: www.facebook.com/ events/1200364883507400/

Skett’s Christmas Food and Craft Fayre 20th & 21st December, Sutton Coldfield Town Centre

The Food & Craft Fayre in Sutton Coldfield is a great place to complete your Christmas shopping with over 30 stalls throughout the Parade.

Free entry and open all day.

Christmas Eve Party

24th December, 10am, Treat Street Claire’s Treat Street Christmas Party! Songs, giggles and a special visit from Mother Christmas.

Includes a special Treat Street Breakfast and a gift for each child. £12 per child, reserve in advance: www.clairestreatstreet.co.uk/christmas-eve-party

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Jack & The 3 Panto Lands 18th & 19th January, MAC

New Year’s Eve Party

Falling on hard times and forced to sell his prized cow, Jack adventures above the clouds searching for a way to save his family. Not finding your average beanstalk land, Jack finds himself the hero in the stories of Goldilocks, Snow White and Cinderella instead.

31st December, 11am, Treat Street Claire’s Treat Street Kids New Year’s Eve Party!

Come and celebrate the New Year in style - ticket price includes drinks and party snacks £6.50 per child, reserve in advance: www.clairestreatstreet.co.uk/new-year-eve-party

Featuring a mixed cast of Deaf and hearing adults, the panto is performed in both British Sign Language and voiced in spoken English.

Tickets: www.macbirmingham.co.uk/event/jack-the-3panto-lands

Down for the Count Swing Orchestra

24th January, 7.30pm, Sutton Coldfield Town Hall

Black Dyke in Concert

12th January, 2.30pm, Symphony Hall

Join the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra for “one hellova celebration of vintage music” (TimeOut London) – it’s time to Swing That Music! Down for the Count are a mini big band with an electrifying show full of incredible energy and musicianship.

Tickets: www.ticketor.com/townhall/tickets?pageid=14829

Black Dyke Band invites you to a scintillating concert full of thrilling film scores, toe tapping big band jazz, barnstorming classics and highlights of the traditional brass band repertoire. This is an event not to be missed, featuring world class solos from some of the world’s most celebrated brass instrumentalists.

Tickets: www.thsh.co.uk/event/black-dyke-in-concert

SUBMIT YOUR LISTING HERE FOR FREE! For consideration, please send info to boldmerepages@grayjonesmedia.com 16

£20 OFF per person

10% Off S4 Swim Intensive (Holiday Courses)

on our 2020 holidays and only a £45 per person deposit secures your place!

The voucher can be used once exclusively for S4 Swim Intensive courses.

The voucher will expire on 31st August 2020.

Book by 31/01/20.

Call 01213505555 or request our brochure at www.starcarsbirmingham.com

theatre dance

free

taster lesson Christmas afternoon tea with Belgian chocolates for just £12.95 per person.

for our sutton starlets class - 4-8 years, saturdays at bishop walsh 9.00 am until 10.40 am

No booking necessary

100 minutes of modern, tap, ballet, singing and acrobatics

Voucher expires end of December.

call, 07932 065949 or email jane@theatredance.co.uk with child's name to secure.

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Five Films You Need To See Sponsored by Empire Cinemas

Les MisĂŠrables: The Staged Concert

Cats

Featuring an all-star cast including Michael Ball & Alfie Boe and including the songs I Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, One Day More and On My Own the sensational Les MisĂŠrables: The Staged Concert live cinema broadcast is not to be missed.

Released 2nd December

A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.

Released 20th December

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood

Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod.

Released 31st January

Jumanji: The Next Level

The gang is back but the game has changed.

As they return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect.

Released 11th December

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

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.

Released 19th December

COMPETITION

Win a group ticket (4 people of any age) to a film of your choice at Empire Sutton Coldfield visit www.boldmerepages.co.uk/competitions and enter by Friday 31st January, 2020.

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Recipe Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like a decadent chocolate desert!

Ingredients:

Method:

Biscuit base: • 150g digestive biscuit crushed

• Line a loose bottom tin with parchment

• 75g melted butter

• Crush digestives and mix together with the melted butter, cover the base of the tin and press down.

Filling: • 300ml double cream • 450g cream cheese • 200g chocolate melted • Raspberries – punnet

Chill overnight if possible, if not a good hour.

• For the filling whip the cream to soft peaks, mix in the cream cheese.

• Melt the chocolate and fold in, make sure it’s not too hot otherwise it will melt the cream • Fold in most of raspberries

Topping:

(save some for decoration)

• Whipped cream

• Place on top of the biscuit base and chill

• Mirror glaze optional

• To decorate, add mirror glaze (Di’s cheat is to buy it!), pipe cream and decorate with raspberries • Chill and serve with pouring cream

Di’s note: Alternative fillings can be used… change the chocolate to a jam or lemon curd of your choice, or leave it plain and throw in some Maltesers!

Try this cheesecake 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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Boldmere Neighbourhood Forum News

Festival Director Paul Long added “We have an amazing core group of organisers and volunteers who are committed to this event and each festival sixth form students and staff from Bishop Vesey Grammar School help us setup, marshal and set down the event. We would welcome any other interested volunteers who would like to join our team to get in touch by visiting www.boldmere.org/volunteer” Enjoy this great selection of pictures from the big day, courtesy of Richard T Harris Photography (www.richardtharris.com).

Festive Spirit Not Dampened at Boldmere Festival

Communication in Boldmere

Sutton Coldfield’s largest non-sporting event took place on Sunday 17th November and the rain failed to dampen the Christmas spirits at the Boldmere Christmas Festival with Christmas lights switch-on.

The main stage was compered by Terri-Anne Coope from Switch Radio where musical acts included First Request from Real Life Church, Ire-Ish, In Celebration of Life gospel band, Rhianna Keane and Rocket Café.

Keeping young (and old) members of the audience entertained on stage in the run up to the Christmas lights being switched on were Andi Markham the Puppet Man with Jack and Grandad from Kids UK, AlleyKATS with a pantomime performance and Mad Dominic.

We are pleased to have heard from residents who have read our previous newsletters and want to get involved with topics raised.

This includes the gentleman who was born in Boldmere and has lived here all of his life and wishes to contribute to the history group with his recollections.

Local groups are also invited to use the electronic notice board in Age Concern to publicise what they are organising locally.

If any of our readers wish to add their comments this can be done by contacting the forum by email at boldmere.forum@talktalk.net Please contact us by e-mail on boldmere.forum@talktalk.net

Sutton Coldfield’s mayor, Cllr David Allan, wished everybody a Merry Christmas before Buddy from Sutton Coldfield Community Games appeared on stage to turn on the Christmas lights.

Other attractions included a Victorian Carousel with galloping horses, Santa’s reindeer his sleigh from Woodbine Farm at the Harvster, and Santa’s Grotto at Age Concern Birmingham.

The Boldmere Neighbourhood Forum column is made possible by a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund 20

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Boldmere Survival Guide

STICK M THE F E ON RIDGE !

Sponsored by 1BL Direct Marketing - Door Drop Marketing Specialists

KEY DATES

Don’t forget these dates!

General Election - 12th December Christmas Day - 25th December Boxing Day - 26th December Chinese New Year - 25th January

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 Sponsored by: 1 B L Direct Marketing, Door Drop Marketing Specialists 07456 693796 - info@1BLdirectmarketing.co.uk

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