The weather in the UK is a subject of much conversation and a lot of complaining. I’m not saying it’s great, but we don’t live in a climate that gives us monsoons, unbearable heat or bitterly cold winters, so why don’t we appreciate it more?
I think it’s the sun, or rather the lack of it. Our year starts with day after day of sad skies and damp air. We retreat to our homes to face a stream of awful and worrying world news. Both figuratively and literally, it’s hard to find the bright side.
But we’re in spring now – yay! The clocks have gone forward, meaning evenings are longer and, when the sun does come out, it’s not just brighter, it’s actually warm. And there are four bank holidays in the next two months. Yay again!
Obviously, in the wider world there’s a lot to be concerned about. And many at home have their own troubles too. But, no matter what your circumstances, seeing a bit of sunshine, some spring flowers and life anew is uplifting.
Could things be better? Of course. There’s no perfect country in which to live. Could things be worse. Yes, and a lot worse at that.
So, I’ve decided I’m going to stop whinging and look for the positives: each day think of one positive thing in your life you are grateful for - this will help boost your mental health and make you feel better, food is easily available (as my waistline will attest) and we’re unlikely to face a summer where temperatures are so high we can’t leave our homes, so what will be your positive thought for the day?
Until next time,
Shop Support Smile
By shopping secondhand and donating your pre-loved items to Acorns new Harborne Superstore, you will help children like Kazik and his family receive the specialist support they need.
Make secondhand shopping your first choice with Acorns
New charity superstore now open88/94 High Street, Harborne, B17 9NR
Secondhand books first-class reads
Discover hidden gems on the shelves of our new Chapter & Verse Bookshop.
Every purchase will help fund vital care for children in your local community, like Bluebell.
acorns.org.uk/preloved
Spring Day Excursions
April is Stress Awareness Month
For over thirty years April has been Stress Awareness Month. Its aim is to raise awareness of the causes and how to deal with stress.
Mentally, the symptoms can include difficulty concentrating or decision making, constantly worrying about everything, being more forgetful than usual or feeling overwhelmed by life. Stress can be seen in changes to behaviour, eating more or less than usual, sleeping too much or too little, and having broken sleep, wanting to avoid certain places or people, and being much more irritable and snappier than usual. Stress can also lead people to become more dependent on drink, cigarettes, medications or drugs.
Identifying the cause of stress
Sometimes if you know what is causing your stress it might be easier to find ways to manage it. It could be your work, perhaps you feel under pressure or perhaps a big change is impending, perhaps you have a family or relationship problem. Perhaps you are experiencing financial problems, or perhaps you have health worries. But many other events in our life can lead to stress.
Stress effects everyone differently, some stress in our lives is ok, but when it begins to impact our mental and physical health it can seem to take over our lives. There are ways to become aware of, and to battle and overcome stress and this is what Stress Awareness Month aims to do.
Stress
The World Health Organisation defines stress as ‘a state of worry or mental tension that is caused by a difficult situation’, but it is much more than that and it can have a massive impact on our everyday lives in the short and long term. Everyone deals with stress differently, and it is this which makes helping people close to us who may be suffering from stress difficult.
Symptoms
The symptoms of stress can be physical, mental or behavioural. Pyhiscally, they can include headaches or dizziness, muscle pain, digestive problems, chest pains or raised heart rate, or sexual problems.
How to deal with stress
Talking about how you feel is a great way to start to take on the stress in your life head on. Perhaps start with friends or close family and consider peers, or professionals. Perhaps consider contacting your GP.
Exercise is another way to battle stress. Trying to become more positive and starting to take control of your life are great ways to begin to take on stress. Cherish the achievements you have made in your life so far.
By compartmentalising things that are worrying you it makes dealing with them more achievable. Why worry about a telephone call you need to make next week, you can’t deal with that today. A day-to-day approach to living helps make life less stressful. At the end of every day write down three things that went well that day.
Help is always just a conversation away. You could also contact the Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to. For more information and resources please visit w ww.stress.org.uk
Rob Bullock robbullockauthor.blogspot.com
James Ellis
Professi on al P ai nti ng & Dec orati ng S erv i ces
How do you find the Easter bunny? Eggs marks the spot.
My friend cancelled her gym membership. Just didn’t work out.
Two police officers spotted a man breaking into the opera house and arrested him. They just happened to be in the aria.
Arden Chimney Sweeps
A professional, reliable and friendly chimney sweep service based in the West Midlands, offering...
• A powered sweeping system
• A smoke check and Certificate of Chimney Sweep upon completion
• Chimney / flue inspections, cleaning and certifying
• Fitting of wood burners and chimney liners
Whether you have an open fire, a woodburning stove or an Aga/Rayburn, we can offer advice on how to safely heat your home.
For advice and appointments
please call Andy Kirby on 07974 087 549 or email andy@ardenchimneysweeps.co.uk
Two cowboys stagger out of a zoo with their clothes in tatters. One turns to the other and says, “That lion dancing sure ain’t as relaxing as they made out.”
A baker put too much flour in his hot cross buns. He was a gluten for punishment.
My rule is that if I’m not invited to someone’s wedding, they won’t be invited to mine, and I don’t care if that upsets my parents.
National Association of Chimney Sweeps
By Caroline Knight
Why do we often refer to plants by their botanical, Latin name, rather than their common name?
The answer is very simple. It means that wherever you are in the world, the botanical name for a plant will be the same. Take the lily, for example. Many plants commonly referred to as lilies are not from the genus Lilium. The African lily is actually Agapanthus and it is related to garlic, the snowdrop and the daffodil. A water lily is a member of Nymphaea, an aquatic genus of plants in the family Nymphaeaceae. Peace lily is a tropical houseplant which belongs to the genus Spathiphyllum, meaning ‘spathe-leaf’ in Latin. The plantain lily is actually a Hosta, a day lily is a Hemerocallis and Peruvian lilies are Alstroemeria. Latin names are essential if we are to converse accurately about plants.
Aiming for clarity
The way that plants are named (nomenclature) is relatively simple. They are grouped into the framework of family, genus and species. The name that appears on the label – for example, Carpinus betulus (hornbeam) – will generally consist of two words, the genus and the species. The genus comes first and starts with a capital letter. All plants in the same genus will share characteristics as they have a common ancestor. In this case, they are members of the birch family, Betulaceae. The species, which starts with a lower-case letter, is an individual member of the genus; there could be several thousand species in one genus. Carpinus japonica is the Japanese hornbeam, a different species.
Each additional word on a plant label can tell you more about the individual plant itself.
Terminology explained
The natural progression of improved knowledge, ideas and understanding results in an everchanging succession of linguistic terms. Here are just a few:
Perennial: A non-woody plant that is expected to live for more than two years.
Biennial: A non-woody plant that produces green growth during the first year, then flowers during the second year, before dying down. Biennials often leave viable seeds.
Annual: Normally a non-hardy flowering plant that lives only for one warm season.
Shrub: A woody plant that doesn’t die down to ground level in winter. It usually has several stems.
Subshrub: A low-growing shrub, such as lavender, rosemary and small heathers, with woody stems.
Top Grafted: Often refers to a certain species of tree or shrub that has been grafted onto a longer stem.
Pollination group: Fruiting plants such as apple trees require pollination from other apple trees in the same group, in order to produce viable fruit.
Self-fertile: Certain types of fruit trees do not need another tree nearby to achieve successful pollination. Insects pollinate the tree using its own flowers.
Triploid: A fruit tree of this type needs two compatible partners for complete pollination.
An Asiatic lily is a true Lilium by name
Digitalis, known as foxglove, is a biennial plant
Rhubarb Crumble Cake RECIPE
PREPARATION TIME:10 MINS
COOKING TIME:40-45 MINS SERVES: 4
Use in-season Rhubarb to make this New-York style crumble cake.
CRUMBLE TOPPING
1. Melt the butter in a saucepan. In a bowl sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt. Stir through the sugar then add the melted butter and mix together with a spoon until it clumps together and becomes crumbly. Set aside.
INGREDIENTS
CRUMBLE TOP
• 260g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 300g soft light brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 170g unsalted butter
CAKE
• 260g plain flour
• 70g wholewheat flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsps. ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 300g light soft brown sugar
• 170g unsalted butter, softened.
• 2 tsps. vanilla paste
• 4 eggs at room temperature
• 225ml buttermilk or natural yoghurt
• 400g Rhubarb, cut into 1.5-2cm chunks.
CAKE
2. Preheat the oven to 180C / 160 fan Gas mark 4. Line a13x9-inch pan with greaseproof paper so the paper overhangs the sides of the pan.
3. Sift together the flours, salt, baking powder and ground ginger, adding the bran from the wholewheat flour.
4. Place the brown sugar, softened butter, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat on medium speed until fluffy and pale.
5. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until well combined.
6. Fold in one third of the flour mixture gently. Add half of the buttermilk and mix until just combined. Add the next third of the flour mixture and fold in. Add the remaining buttermilk, mix it in then add the remaining third of the flour and fold until just combined. Finally mix everything together gently for another 30 seconds to make a smooth batter.
7. Place the batter in the pan and spread evenly.
8. Sprinkle half the rhubarb over the top of the batter, then spread two thirds of the crumb mixture, then the remaining rhubarb followed by the rest of the crumb mixture.
9. Place the pan so that the top is level with the centre of the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. You don’t need a thermometer to check if it’s done but it does make things easier. The temperature of the cake in the centre should be about 95C when it’s cooked. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Use the excess greaseproof paper to remove the cake from the pan.
10. Allow the cake to cool completely. Sprinkle with icing sugar, cut into squares, and serve with thick yogurt or creme fraiche.
To attend please call 0330 162 7991 Join us for our next events
Trusted to care
Metchley Manor care home, Edgbaston VE Day celebration
Wednesday 7th May, 2pm - 4pm
Join us to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day
Planning
care for your future
Wednesday 14th May, 3pm - 5pm
Join us and Simran Bains from Davidsons Solicitor and Peter Moore, independent financial Advisor, who will explain the options for funding long-term care and annuity plans.
Edgbaston Manor care home, Edgbaston Open café
First Wednesday of every month, From 6pm This valuable support group is for people to freely share their experiences, and to get guidance and support from our experienced team.
RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS featuring the RED HOT CHILLI DanCERS - May & June 2025. UK Tour Dates come to Wolverhampton, THE WuLfRun on Saturday 31st May & WaRWICK –aRTS CEnTRE on Thursday 5th June!
There has never been anything quite like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, from their formation in 2002 and a cameo appearance at T in the Park in 2004 with the Darkness to opening the main stage in their own right in 2014, and storming Glastonbury festival in 2024.
The past twenty plus years have seen the Red Hot Chilli Pipers become the most famous bagpipe band on the planet... ever!
Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show that leaves people with warm hearts and smiles on their faces.
For a chance to win tickets to one of these amazing concerts, just email wendy@pagesmagazines.co.uk or text 07854 279751 with the answer to this question:
What year did the Red Hot Chilli Pipers get together?
The deadline is Wednesday 30th April 2025. Good luck! (Please note that tickets are drawn at random and therefore, regrettably, we are unable to change the ticket for an alternative day).
Personal
“Where
saying goodbye means everything”
Whether sudden or expected, bereavement can be a traumatic experience; that’s why you’ll always find someone to talk to at Mortons. We’ll advise and guide you through all the arrangements, respecting your wishes every step of the way.
Whatever style of funeral you’re looking for, whether direct cremation, traditional, contemporary, or somewhere in between, you can put your trust in us.
If you’ve watched your energy bill soar in recent years, we have some good news: you can reduce your bills considerably by adding solar power to your home energy mix, and the technology is both better and cheaper than ever.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical home with a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system can expect to save between £160 and £420 per year at current price cap rates. Those caps keep going up, so the savings are likely to be even bigger in the years to come.
How much do solar panels cost?
Every home is different, of course, but according to Money Saving Expert, a 3.5 kilowatt-peak system would cost £7,000.
Can I store the solar energy for nighttime?
Standard solar systems are designed to transmit your unused energy to the national grid. The energy firms will pay you for this, so if you don’t use electricity while the sun’s shining, you can sell it, albeit for a much lower rate than your energy company charges you for normal electricity.
Adding a solar battery adds expense – typically £1,000 to £4,500 – but it means that you can use your solar energy at night. If you have a big family and/or an electric car, that could mean significant savings in your electricity bills even on the dullest days. That’s because solar batteries don’t just store energy from your solar panels. You can also charge them during cheaper electricity times – like late at night - and then use that energy from the battery during peak demand times when you’d normally pay more for your power.
How much will I save?
If you’re in the south of the UK you’ll repay your investment more quickly than if you live in the north and the more energy you use, the more quickly you’ll recoup your investment.
Can any house go solar?
Many but not all homes are solar-friendly. Your roof needs to be in good shape, and you need a decent-sized roof: solar panels are typically around two square metres apiece, so you’ll need enough room for a few of them. South-facing roofs are best for maximum savings, but you can have solar on south-west or west-facing roofs and still get reasonable savings.
Do I need planning permission?
In most cases, no: you’re covered by permitted development rules unless you have a flat roof, a listed property or live in a conservation area.
Do solar panels break or wear out?
Solar panels are very reliable and very low maintenance: you can expect to have to replace a component called an inverter after around ten years, but that’s about it. If you’re unlucky and suffer damage from something like a storm, your home insurance should cover you.
How do I find out more?
Check out the Energy Saving Trust guide to solar power at https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/ advice/solar-panels/.
To be in with a chance to win £50 vouchers from Kings Norton Coaches towards one of their day excursions, complete the wordsearch and use the unused letters to find the hidden phrase. Send your answer along with your name and address to wendy@pagesmagazines.co.uk or text it to 07854 279751. Closing Date is Wednesday 30th April 2025. There will be one winner for the £50 voucher, and the value of any monetary balance of the voucher may not be exchanged for cash equivalent or alternative.
Find the words of British cities in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase
This Latin American-inspired recipe requires marinating to ensure super-tasty and succulent lamb – making a great midweek meal that’s big on flavour and small in effort!
Serves 4
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 15 minutes
Ingredients
• 8 lean lamb cutlets or 4 lamb loin chops
For the marinade/sauce
• 4 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
• Grated zest and juice of 2 oranges
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 tbsp hot pepper sauce
To serve
• Quinoa and sugar snap salad
For more recipe inspiration, cooking tips, and nutritional information, visit www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk.
Method
1. To prepare the marinade, in a large shallow non-metallic dish mix all the ingredients together. Place the cutlets or chops in the marinade mixture and coat well on both sides. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or, if time allows, overnight.
2. Preheat the grill to moderate/medium. Remove the cutlets or chops from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Grill the cutlets under the preheated grill for 6-8 minutes each side, or to preference.
3. Meanwhile, heat the reserved marinade in a small pan until piping hot and pour over the cutlets before serving.
4. Serve the lamb with a quinoa and sugar snap salad, or salad of your choice.
Tip: For that extra-special Latin effect, why not add 2 tbsp Tequila to the marinade?
Have you ever wanted to keep chickens?
These friendly birds have become really popular over recent years, meaning many people are switching from buying super market eggs, to keep their own hens.
Fresh Start for Hens is a not for profit organisation run entirely by volunteers, who rehome ex-commercial laying hens as well as any cockerels needing a home.
The egg industry, regardless of whether the hens are free range, barn kept or caged, send their hens for slaughter at 72 weeks when they become non viable for the farmer to keep. At around this age, hens go into ‘moult’ which is when they replenish their feathers and egg production stops while their energy goes into growing new ones. It can take 8 - 12 weeks before they start laying again.
FSFH work with farmers to prevent them going for slaughter. As layers, rather than birds reared for meat, they would normally end up in cheap meat products or as pet food.
FSFH hold re-homing days where volunteers open Collection Points (CP) across the country, so that people can collect hens to rehome.
There are many cogs in the FSFH ‘machine’ it all starts with our Chief Chicken liaising with farmers to book in when their flock is due to retire. Volunteer CP’s, drivers and admin all work behind the scenes to coordinate the logistics, to ensure the hens can get from their farm to the right home.
Rehomers have to submit pictures of their coop so that they can be approved before choosing a date and venue for collection and submitting a minimum donation per hen.
On the day of the rehome, the Farm Team get there in the early hours, as the hens are sleepy, and are less stressed being caught. Everyone has a job to do to ensure each hen gets on a van. FSFH NEVER leave a hen behind. The drivers then drive the length and breadth of the country to drop off the hens at each of the CP’s.
Once the hens arrive at the CP, they are unloaded and let out of the crates to be checked over and to stretch their wings. After a breather and some food, rehomers arrive to collect their hens, who will live out their life as a pet.
For more information on FSFH or to reserve your hens, please visit our website www.freshstartforhens.co.uk
By Susannah Hickling
Picture this: breakfast in Somerset, lunch in London, dinner with a friend in a Paris bistro and breakfast the following morning as the sun comes up over the Côte d’Azur. An impossible dream? Not if you take the train with an Interrail pass, as I did recently.
Say Interrailing and you think of students but, while young people get the cheapest deal, these flexible rail passes are available to intrepid travellers of all ages. And, increasingly, people are waking up to this wonderful and inexpensive way of experiencing Europe. Under 27s get a discount of 25% on the adult rate, while seniors over 60 receive 10% off.
Realising a dream
I’d never travelled when I was young, but over the years the idea of pulling into some of the great cities of Europe on a train had never lost its appeal. And now, with my son in Rome learning Italian, I finally had the opportunity. So when Interrail (also known as Eurail) advertised a 20%-off sale, I snapped up a pass giving me seven travel days in a month and built an itinerary around meeting up with him. Interrail has shot into the digital age with an app where you can plan your trip with train journeys you add and then activate just before you hop on board. I spent many happy hours researching routes and trains. Just the sound of some of those names – Rome, Vienna, Prague – was like
a siren song evoking magic and romance. Some routes require seat reservations on top of your Interrail pass, which adds to the cost, and, unless you’re very spontaneous, booking accommodation (with an option to cancel) is also wise if you’re a woman travelling alone, as I was. I was able to keep to budget by taking two night trains, booking into an all-women sleeper compartment or a separate mini-cabin.
Modern Grand Tour
At times, I felt I was doing the 21st-century equivalent of the Grand Tour, discovering some of the great cultural wonders of Europe. Indelible images in my mind are the Old Masters in deserted medieval palaces in the gritty port city of Genoa, the enduring grandeur of the Pantheon in Rome and Michelangelo’s David in Florence, where buildings on the banks of the Arno were bathed in a golden light.
In Central Europe the delights and (sometimes painful) insights were just as intense: going to see Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ at the magnificent Vienna State Opera and, in Prague, almost being able to hear history screaming from every cobbled street, from the 14th-century Charles Bridge to memorials to courageous individuals who gave their life during the Second World War and the Velvet Revolution in 1989. In just under three weeks, the train had taken the strain and I had seen and learnt so much.
Upper Belvedere Palace, Vienna, home to a collection of masterpieces by Klimt
Starting out from Somerset
Solicitors For Later Life Planning Solicitor For Elderly Legal Solutions For Those Wanting To Achieve Peace Of Mind In Later Life
Brevitts Solicitors, are a family practice based in Oak Tree Lane, Selly Oak. They specialise in helping clients to arrange their affairs to secure peace of mind in later life. This includes legal estate planning, wills, probate, trusts and a suite of elderly care solutions for clients and their families, to put in place arrangements to assist and support them should they need it.
Brevitts Solicitors knowledge and experience enable them to overcome the myths relating to ageing. They understand and take into account, seeking to accommodate the various challenges people may face. They advise on how to mitigate the concerns of the mind or physical disabilities, which may accompany the ageing process, conscious of the social and health impact of later years and how these can be anticipated and supported.
Brevitts Solicitors expertise helps to provide a personal and client focused experience. They aim to put clients at their ease, whilst simplifying the complex and sensitive issues that we all need to address when resolving legal issues.
Brevitts Solicitors client consultations are offered, face to face in their office or client’s own home, if clients prefer, or are unable to attend the office. They also use online meeting software, either at the office or in the client’s own home, to enable family members to attend and provide support.
Advice And Support They Offer
Estate planning using Wills - simple to complex, Trusts and lifetime giving
Probate and the administration of estates with or without Wills
Trust & their administration - created in their lifetime or under a Will
Advice on financial responsibility and funding for long-term care
Powers of Attorney, including Lasting Power of Attorney for Property and Finance and Health and Welfare
Court of Protection - applications deputyships, statutory Wills etc
Preserving assets in for the future of your family
The provision of home care, Residential and nursing home contracts
Initial consultation in support of any of the above, start from £95 plus VAT for Will and LPA advice and increase if more complex and specialist advice is required. However, if you instruct Brevitts within three months of their initial advice to take matters forward, this fee or part thereof, will be deducted from your final bill.
Call
Jane is also available for group talks. These are packed with interesting advice and the chance to ask questions.
Landscape Gardening, Lawn Mowing,
Hedge Cutting
Slabbing
Fencing
Block Paving, Driveways, Patios
Painting
Roofing Repairs/ Re-roofs
Qualified 24hr Locksmith
Over 20 Years Experience
Friendly, Reliable Service
Local Business
In All Aspects
Authority Approved 24hr Emergency
There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?
There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?
There are 10 differences between the two images below. How many can you spot?
Curtain Room
Curtain Room
Bournville
2001 E-mail: info@curtainroom.co.uk
2001 E-mail: info@curtainroom.co.uk
CR
CR
Curtain Room
Curtain Room
• Locally handmade curtains and Roman Blinds.
• Locally handmade curtains and Roman Blinds.
• Rollers, Vertical, Pleated, Wood and Metal Venetian
• Rollers, Vertical, Pleated, Wood and Metal Venetian
Blinds are all made2measure.
Blinds are all made2measure.
• Motorisation is available on blinds, tracks and curtain poles.
• Motorisation is available on blinds, tracks and curtain poles.
• Fabric ranges: Morris and Co, Sanderson, Kobe, Prestigous, Chess, ILIV and many others.
• Fabric ranges: Morris and Co, Sanderson, Kobe, Prestigous, Chess, ILIV and many others.
• Bespoke curtain poles and track systems available to order.
• Bespoke curtain poles and track systems available to order.
Opening Hours
Opening Hours
Monday 9am - 5pm
Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday and Wednesday - Closed
Tuesday and Wednesday - Closed
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm
216 Mary Vale Road, Bournville, B30 1PJ Birmingham,
Mary Vale Road, Bournville, B30 1PJ Birmingham,
Simply Wide Width Collection
‘Visit our showroom to take a look and touch some of these fabrics, in width wide and sheer options, they reveal a new layer of heritage from Morris & Co. With Spring/Summer on the horizon, these sheers offer a glimpse of the outdoors through delicately crafted fabrics in traditional iconic designs’.
Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday & Wednesday - Closed Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm
0121 628 2001
0121 628 2001 www.curtainroom.co.uk
WHAT IS DEPRESSION?
Feeling very low, empty, lethargic or sad often or for long periods of time?
Having difficulty enjoying things that you usually do?
There are lots of ways to deal with the symptoms associated with depression. Feeling down, out of sorts, or even a bit low, now and again, is totally normal, but if you’re feeling unhappy or intensely sad for days, weeks or months, you might be experiencing depression.
If you’re struggling with symptoms of depression it’s important to get help. You can contact the Samaritans, for free from any phone, by dialling 116 123.
Depression can be mild, moderate or severe. There are effective psychological and medical treatments for moderate and severe depression. It’s Important to find what works for you if you are struggling. £12.20 from you could help us answer a life-saving call.
FOR EVERY £1 YOU DONATE:
83p is spent on supporting people who are struggling, including through our suicide prevention helpline, online tools and advice and campaigns.
Everything else - 17p - is spent on keeping the charity running and fundraising to ensure we can help anyone who needs our support.
JAMES TAYLOR
Walking for Mental Health
Fundraising for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Hello, My name is James and I help deliver this magazine. Me, and 4 of my friends, will be walking 19 miles on Saturday 19th April 2025 for the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).
We will be walking in memory of my uncle, who sadly took his own life at 19. Please sponsor us as much or as little as you can.
Many thanks
Community Pages
St Francis Youth & Community Centre
Sycamore Road, Bournville B30 2AA
All our groups and classes are run during term time, September 2024 - July 2025.
Community Coffee Mornings
Join us for our weekly drop in Art group for the over 50’s.
Every Monday 10.00am – 1.00pm during term time £3.00 each for anyone who wants to be creative among friends, sketching, painting, sewing or any art form welcome. We also have a selection of books which you can browse through or drop in for some ‘me’ time and enjoy our filter coffee and extensive range of teas. Everyone welcome.
Take a Look at Our Leisure Groups/Classes
Choose from: Art Appreciation, Creative Writing, Calligraphy, Drawing & Portrait Painting, Dance for all ages, Reading for Pleasure, Yoga and Knitting.
For more information contact: Sam Clifton, St Francis Centre on: 0121 472 7215 Ext 1 or email: enquiries@stfranciscentre.co.uk
Bournville Radio Sailing and Model Boat Club
The club provides facilities to race or build RC yachts, power boats and scale models. A full calendar of events is available throughout the year. The club meets at the following times:
Tues 10.00 to 13.00 - Models and powerboats, Wed 10.00 to 13.00 - Radio sailing Thurs 10.00 to 13.00 - Models and powerboats, Sat 10.00 to 13.00 - Juniors (Please check for availability)
Sun 10.00 to 13.00 - Radio sailing, Sun 13.00 to 16.00 - Models and powerboats
Taster sessions take place on Wednesday and Sunday at 12.30pm when boats can be supplied. Please contact Andrew Hines on 07581 513899 or 0121 449 6178. See the Club’s website at: www.bournvillersmbc.org. Better still, why not just come down to Valley Parkway and try out a boat.
Kings Norton Farmers Market
Join us on the 2nd Saturday of the month on Kings Norton Green.
Bournville Artisan Market
Bournville Village Green.
Third Sunday of every month, 10am - 3pm.
Arts & Crafts At Hub On The Green Wednesdays 2pm-3.30pm, free weekly art classes, drop-in, no booking required, everything is provided.
Beanboy Spaces Disability
Community Group
Friday, Woodlands Park Hall, B30 1HA
Activities to try, non judgmental, accessible and inclusive, support for carers and parents, no pressure, free to be you, the real you!
£5 per child, parent/carer/siblings £2 each.
5-10 years: 5pm-6.30pm, 11-18 years: 7pm-8.30pm.
Kings Norton & District u3a
Are you interested in making new friends and expanding your interests, and are no longer in full time work? Then why not join us? Our members come from all over the area including Bournville. We run monthly speaker meetings and a wide range of interest groups, from languages, dog walking to lunch groups (about 65 groups are available to join). If you are undecided whether to join, you can attend a speaker meeting for £3. For more information, visit out website at https://kingsnorton.u3asite.uk/
Bournville Sports Crown Green Bowls Club. Established 1896.
We have now relocated all of our bowling activities on not one, but two new crown bowling greens with a large club house and more facilities including ample car parking situated off Mary Vale Road (next to 150) on the Cadbury Ladies Recreation Grounds B30 2DH. With league or social bowling available 7 days a week in several leagues during the season, March to October, there is plenty of opportunity to come and join us no matter if you are an experienced bowler or someone that would like to bowl with little or no experience at all, age is immaterial and new members are always welcome. We also have several internal competitions and social events.
Why not come along or contact us for more information.
Website: www.bournvillesports.uk
Email: secretary@bournvillesports.uk
Phone Bryan Bennett Club Secretary: 07799 954805.
Barbara Hanlon Membership Secretary: 07855 602014.
NICE
A small charity based in Birmingham with the biggest of hearts, working miracles in the West Midlands, for families affected by physical disability. We specialise in helping individuals with incurable movement disorders such as children born with cerebral palsy and adults diagnosed with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, MS and Stroke Survivors to push the boundaries of their own potential.
We offer a wide range of free and subsidised services for all ages. To find out more about how NICE can help, book your free and no obligation consultation, by calling us on 0121 449 1569 or emailing foundation@conductive-education.org.uk
Free Family Nature Walk on 23rd April 2025
11.00-12.15pm at Valley Parkway & Bournville Park, Suitable for all, meet next to the boathouse near the yachting pool, 233 Bournville Lane, B30 1QU. Contact rebecca.kibbler@tcv.org. uk to book and for more information.
Kings Norton Photographic Society
We meet at the Tennis Club on Grange Hill Road, Kings Norton, B38 8RE, starting at 8pm and finishing at 10pm on three Wednesdays most months. This year our season starts on 16th October 2024 and runs through to 7th May 2025. New members with an interest in photography are most welcome to join our friendly group. For more information please contact Dave Wall, Chairperson on 0121 458 2562, email: dave.walluk@virgin.net, or Bill Walton, President on 07850 026557, or email; billy.vegas@blueyonder.co.uk
Harborne Heartbeat
Shenley Court Hall, 200 Green Meadow Road, B29 4ED.
Join our friendly circuit based exercise class every Monday 9.30-10.45am.
Harborne Heartbeat was established to support those with heart conditions to stay fit, and has now expanded to welcome all who wish to join. The sessions include warm-up, circuit exercises, cool down and relaxation. Call John on 0121 624 2540 or just pop in to join.
Community Craft Club
Hampstead House, Condover Road, West Heath, B31 3QY
Have you ever wanted to try a new craft, but don’t know where to start or simply want to craft and make new friends? We welcome all abilities, join us in the art studio every Tuesday for different crafts and projects in a friendly atmosphere. All materials and refreshments provided. For more info please text 07752 42621 or email office@westheathcommunitycentre.co.uk
Suggested donation of £1 per session.
Coney Green Drive Allotments To Rent!
The Mill Walk, Northfield, B31 4HL
Come and have a look at the site, gates open Sunday 11-1pm. Call Paul on 07497 683352
Special offer for over 65’s. Full and half plots available. Email cgdaa@hotmail.co.uk
Phoenix Singers
We are a large mixed voice choir meeting each Wednesday in term time at Rowheath Pavilion, Heath Road, Birmingham, B30 1HH, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
New members are always welcome, just turn up or email: secretary@phoenixsingersbham.org
Come along and see how much fun singing can be!
Ability Life Opportunity
New Disability Support Line - Now Open!
Open between 9am and 5pm on weekdays. Out of hours between 5pm to 9pm on weekdays. Call today: 0121 630 2015.
Community Pages
Breathe Collective Inclusive Choir
At Bournville Parish Church, Sycamore Road
1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, 2.30pm-3.30pm.
An inclusive choir for individuals who are disabled, neurodiversive, and for those with additional needs and their carers. £2 suggested donation, refreshments provided.
For more info contact Laura on 07817 617923, email: Godwin_laura@hotmail.com, or Helen on 07436 021333.
Brownies Need You!
Can you spare a few hours on a Friday evening? Your local Brownies are looking for volunteer leaders. Visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved for more information.
River Rea Voices
The Village Hall, Longbridge Village, 2 Austin Way, B31 2FZ
Do you like singing and would like to join a fun and friendly singing group?
First session free, why not come & try out, all songs taught by ear, no experience required. For more info ring: 07734 950333, or email: riverreavoices@gmail.com
South Birmingham Stroke Club
Reaside Community Centre, 17 Ormond Road, B45 0JD
Every Wednesday 10am-12pm, on number 61 bus route. We are a friendly active club for stroke survivors and their carers/families. Members welcome from across South Birmingham. Contact Donna Belk on 07450 574953, or email donna.northfieldstrokeclub@outlook.com
Sound Relaxation
Bournville Parish Church, Sycamore Rd, B30 2AA
Immerse yourself in beautiful sounds every Tuesday, 1.00pm-2.30pm, includes refreshment after each session.
15th April 2025, 13th May 2025. Experience some quality ‘me time’, helps with stress and anxiety, a calm supportive setting where you can forget everything and re-connect with yourself.
Free sessions for people 50+. This is a booked activity so to book or any more information, please contact Helen Crisp on 07436 021333.
