South Birmingham Pages May 2024

We work in West Heath, Kings Norton, Rubery, Rednal, Cofton Hackett, Northfield, Selly Oak and all surrounding areas.

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Welcome

LONG LIVE PRINT

When I published the first edition of this magazine back in 2004, the internet was in its infancy, and businesses would promote themselves in the Yellow Pages, Thompson Local, or newspapers.

I was entering a fairly crowded market then. However, I could change a business’s advertising each month, and the distribution was very local (Yellow Pages and Thompson were annual and covered a wide area). Furthermore, unlike a newspaper, people kept hold of their little magazine, so I was able to offer something different.

All the same, the doomsayers were ready to knock me down and, as the internet’s presence grew, so did the doubters. And yet… it’s 2024, and you are currently reading a publication that defies the odds.

So print is far from dead; indeed, you might be surprised to know that printed books still outsell e-books for example. But why?

Well, the feel of a book or a magazine and the act of turning the page is a sensory experience, free from popups and notifications. Furthermore, many people still perceive print media as more a trustworthy and credible source of information and advertising compared to online content.

Of course, you might think, “Well, you would say that - this magazine is what you do”. But you only have to see the local traders and service providers in each edition and the news sent in by local community groups to realise they must get a response or they wouldn’t keep doing it.

In summary, thanks for reading and see you next month!

Advertise In Your Local Magazines And Reach Thousands Of Local Homes Every Month!

8000 Copies Distributed Every Month to Harborne, Northfield, Bartley Green, Selly Oak, Selly Park, West Heath, Kings Norton, Cofton Hackett, Rubery, Moseley, and now Edgbaston!

Prices start from only £32 per month and can help you attract more local customers for your business.

If you are a member of a local community association or group, and you would like to be listed on the Community Pages, just ring or email me on the contact details opposite.

We offer quality facilities to enhance your independence and low maintenance lifestyle. Above all we offer a safe and secure retirement providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones. You can even Move for Free - Pop in and discover how great retirement living can be.

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm To

A classic French favourite, the idea of flambéing crepes arose at the end of the 19th century. Not only do the flames look spectacular, they caramelise the sugar to sweet perfection!

Ingredients

• 70g plain flour

• 1 egg

• A pinch of salt

• 50g caster sugar

• 150ml milk

• 70g soft butter, plus extra for frying

• Grated zest of an orange

• 20g icing sugar

• 4 tbsp orange liqueur

Serves 2

Preparation time

20-25 minutes, plus resting

Cooking time 10-15 minutes

1. Blend the flour, egg and salt in a bowl. Add the sugar and 50ml of the milk, and whisk to form a smooth batter.

2. Melt 50g of the butter in a saucepan. Gradually add the remaining milk to the batter, then add the melted butter and half the grated orange zest. Let it rest in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

3. Heat a crepe or pancake pan over a medium heat. Very lightly grease the pan with a little melted butter. Using a ladle, pour roughly 2 tbsp of batter into the pan and swirl it around so the bottom of the pan is evenly coated. You want to use just enough batter to make a delicate, lacy crepe. Cook for about 45 seconds on one side until golden and then using a palette knife or fish slice, flip the crepe over and cook the other side for about 30 seconds until it freckles. Stack the crepes on a plate as you cook them. It’s best to cover them, so they stay warm and don’t dry out.

4. For the orange crème, mix the icing sugar, the remaining grated orange zest and 20g soft butter in a bowl.

5. Spread some orange crème on each crepe and fold them to form a triangle.

6. Ten minutes before serving the crepes, briefly warm them in an oven preheated to 170°C, fan 150°C, gas mark 3.

7. One by one, sprinkle the crepes with icing sugar in a pan and heat them up. In a separate small, deep pan or a small saucepan, heat the liqueur to approximately 40°C/100°F. Light the liqueur and pour it over the crepes. Serve straight away.

Recipe extracted from At the Table in Paris by Hardie Grant, published by Hardie Grant priced £20. Photography © Finken & Bumiller, Stuttgart with Anja Samson.

• Nursery & Recep�on Places for September 2024

• Year 1 and year 2 places

We are a small school with a community feel where each child’s individuality is recognised and celebrated. We are a school which puts values at the heart of everything we do whilst striving to ensure children have the opportunity to ‘be their best’

If you would like to come and see us in ac�on, our doors are always open.

Please contact the school office and speak to Mrs Dews to book a tour of our wonderful school.

Support 3

“Each £1 helps support our patients and their loved ones every day - whether that’s at the hospice, in their own homes, or in the local community”

“Your £1 will help us to create special moments and lasting memories”

“Every £1 helps us to make lives better through our Complex Needs Day Service, Sight Loss Support Service and Supported Living Scheme”

“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; Direct Cremation, Traditional or Contemporary funeral or somewhere in-between, you can put your trust in us.

May is all about flowers. Colour is popping up all over the garden, and it’s also the month during which RHS Chelsea Flower Show steps into the limelight. It takes place this year from 21-25 May (visit www.rhs.org.uk for information).

One doesn’t visit Chelsea to take home gardens ‘off the shelf’ but to absorb ideas and inspiration. There’s no better place to view plant combinations, stunning trees, shrubs and perennials, landscaping possibilities, garden materials, tools and equipment. The wealth of knowledge which can be accessed at the Royal Hospital Grounds in Chelsea during the five days is freely and readily shared with visitors. No wonder people return home brimming with enthusiasm and flush with garden vigour. It marks the start of summer in the garden.

Marvellous May is when borders, balconies, doorsteps and window boxes can be beautified. Any outdoor space can support a plant or two, and they will bring multiple rewards to the soul. As soon as the danger of frost has passed, annual plants can stay outdoors. These are the ones that can flower repeatedly, from now right through to autumn, if they are fed, watered and tended regularly.

Love your lawn?

Sitting on grass in the spring sunshine is an excellent tonic and everyone should try to achieve a certain amount of it this month. Grass produces oxygen and captures carbon from the atmosphere. Natural turf creates a lush carpet that doesn’t need to be cropped short every week. The traditional lawn is maintenancehungry and offers very little for biodiversity. A looser, longer, informal grassy lawn is just as easy to sit on. In addition, it provides a healthy environment for birds, bees and garden insects.

The topic of artificial grass is a controversial one. If professionally laid, it provides a very low-maintenance surface. But it neither smells like grass nor acts similarly. If damaged, it can’t repair itself. It has a limited life expectancy (normally between 10-20 years), after which it will usually end up in landfill. It looks lush and green all year round, whatever the weather, and some of the more expensive fake lawns can look very realistic. But some have been reported as becoming quite warm in the summer sunshine, rendering them almost unusable during hot weather. Artificial grass is incapable of cooling the atmosphere in the same way that natural grass can. Environmentally, it has very little in its favour, providing little or no food for any living creature. It has also been reported to absorb more radiation than living turf, thus potentially contributing to global warming.

Top tip for May

Wondering whether to tidy up your clematis this month?

The easy-toremember advice ‘if it flowers before June, don’t prune’ will tell you what type of pruning group your clematis falls into. The early-flowering clematis only need a very light clip after flowering. If you prune them before they bloom, you’ll remove all the flower potential.

by Caroline Knight

Early Clematis, when to prune

All Sofas Handmade in the Black Country

Fantastic offers on Sofas, Armchairs and quality Oak Furniture

By Katherine Sorrell

Whether you’re redesigning your entire bathroom, adding an en suite or simply changing part of an existing room, we outline eleven simple steps to set you off on the right path.

Step one: consider who will use the room

Think about who will use the room and how. This helps you decide on fittings, how to arrange them and the overall style.

Step two: seek inspiration

Look for ideas for your new bathroom in magazines and online. Spend time touring bathroom showrooms, too, both for individual fittings and for examples of an overall look.

Step three: ask for practical advice

Consider practicalities, such as the fittings that will work with your hot-water system, and what electrical connections may be necessary. Ask your plumber and electrician for guidance.

Step four: draw a plan

Draw a plan of the room and its permanent elements on graph paper, then cut out the fittings, drawn to scale on a piece of card, and place them in different positions in your plan. Allow generous activity space and remember that changing the positions of pipework will increase the cost and inconvenience of the project.

Step five: don’t forget storage

Any frequently used bathroom needs storage. Vanities including storage are useful, as are mirrored cabinets, shelves, rails and hooks.

Step six: design a lighting scheme

Plan early for wiring and fittings, and include general lighting and specific task lights – such as wall lamps on either side of the mirror. Always use a qualified professional for the installation.

Step seven: decide how to keep warm

Work out the heat output required and choose a radiator, heated towel rail and/or underfloor heating. Underfloor heating gives a more usable floor area and a more flexible plan.

Step eight: choose wall and floor surfaces

It’s not obligatory to tile every wall – provided vulnerable areas are protected, paint or moistureresistant wallpaper can be used elsewhere. Flooring should be non-slip, resistant to water and humidity, easy to clean and comfortable. Options include vinyl, tiles, engineered wood, cork or rubber.

Step nine: remember the importance of taps

Quality taps and shower controls offer improved durability, but they must feel comfortable and pleasant. Beautiful taps can elevate a plain white bath or basin, and the same goes for shower controls, shower heads, handles, door knobs and switches.

Step ten: dress your windows

For privacy, frosted window film is cheap and versatile, while a simple roller blind lets you add colour and texture. Plantation shutters are attractive and adjustable.

Step eleven: add personality with accessories

Bathroom accessories such as woven bath mats, glass storage vases, ceramic soap dishes and soft towels create atmosphere and character. If the room isn’t too humid, add prints on the walls, and include plants to connect with nature and add a sense of well-being.

Place the bath below a window for lovely views while soaking. Wiggle hand towel, from £5; blue Wiggle Edge bath mat, £10; Tranquillity Pure Shapes dispenser, £6; grey Wiggle soap dish, £3; all George Home, asda.com.

Classic shapes for a versatile, good-looking bathroom. Burlington Riviera D-shaped basin with full pedestal, £189.99; Burlington Blenheim roll-top bath with luxury feet, £889.99; both Drench, drench.co.uk.

Four AmAzing ShowS. One Unique Setting.

The Trentham Estate are delighted to announce the complete line-up to their 4-day event TRENTHAM LIVE 2024 taking place at the stunning surroundings at Trentham Gardens in Staffordshire, from THuRsdAy 15TH AuGusT THRouGH To suNdAy 18TH AuGusT.

Over the 4 days at the historic gardens and lakeside location will see live music from the likes of Deacon Blue and Lightning Seeds performing on the first night of the event on Thursday 15th August, Brit-nominated DJ/ producer Nathan Dawe is special guest to pop idol Jess Glynne on Friday 16th August along with Sam Tompkins.

Saturday 17th August sees influential rock band the Manic Street Preachers headlining the stage, and to complete the line-up on the final day, sees pop legends Busted along with support from Dadi Freyr and SOAP on Sunday 18th August.

More information about tickets are available at: www.trentham.co.uk/ trentham-live and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

For a chance to win tickets to one of these amazing concerts, just email wendy@pagesmagazines.co.uk or call 07854 279751 with the answer to this question:

Who is playing on the first night at Trentham Live 2024?

The deadline is Monday 1st July 2024. Good luck! (Please note that tickets are drawn at random and therefore, regrettably, we are unable to change the ticket for an alternative day).

Greenfield Crescent , in the heart of Edgbaston Village, will come alive with the sound of live musicians and an electric atmosphere. The Artisan market will run between 10am - 3pm and promises to be filled with something for everyone. From those homemade bakes, artisan oil and coffee to the fabulously fresh farmers produce. Grab the opportunity to purchase something new and exciting for the home, spring makeover incoming.... Meet those makers & bakers and support local independent people.

The established businesses along the Crescent will also be welcoming you with open arms, most of which are offering special menus on the day. Market day really is quite exciting in Edgbaston Village.

www.edgbastonvillage.co.uk/artisanmarket

@EdgbastonVillage

Blue Piano

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 us today on 0121 472 4131 or email Georgie@brevittssolicitors.co.uk

Jane is also available for group talks. These are packed with interesting advice and the chance to ask questions.

Community Pages

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.

Weoley Hill Wine Circle

We meet at Weoley Hill Village Hall once every 2 months on a Saturday evening at 7.30pm.

New members are always welcome, and if you are not sure you want to join right away, you can come along to up to 2 meetings as a guest. If you would like to join the mailing list to find out about future meetings, email Mick Danks: mick_danks@hotmail.com

Kings Norton Farmers Market

Join us on the 2nd Saturday of the month on Kings Norton Green.

Weoley Hill Crown Green Bowling Club

Situated in beautiful surroundings in Fox Hill, B29 and provides for social bowing during the season from April to October, and monthly social meetings during the off season.

In house and interclub competitions are a regular feature and the club has two teams active in the Over 60’s South Birmingham League.

Mondays and Friday’s afternoons are regular afternoons, 14.00 – 16.00 hours are Men’s group days and similarly Ladies days meet Tuesdays and Thursday. Other times available for all members.

Currently there are vacancies for new members. No previous experience is necessary as the club has qualified coaches.

More information is available from the club website: www.whbc.org.uk

Alternatively contact: Neil Wright - Men’s Captain: 07562 724867 or Eileen Bird - Ladies Captain: 07860 374700

Better still, why not visit on one of the regular afternoons as appropriate to meet us and get a firsthand experience.

Cotteridge Misfits Music Ensemble

For adults playing any instruments grade 1-8. Guided by professional leaders, rehearsals, concerts and socials. Register your interest and your first lesson is free. For dates, times and booking info visit: Misfitsmusic.org.uk/c-misfits, or email info@misfitsmusic.org.uk, or call us on 07458 36508

Allens Cross Community Centre

Eat and socialise at our Lunch Club. Toast, 2 course lunch, entertainment and transport. Monday & Tuesday, 10am-1pm, only £10/session. Call the office on: 0121 478 3310, or email: info@allenscrosscommunity.co.uk

Please call to book your transport if needed.

Rag Dolls WI

Join us at Beacon Church Centre, Whetty Lane, Rubery, B45 9DL. Every first Thursday of the month at 2pm.

Shenley Seniors 50+

We are a very friendly and social group who meet to have fun and interact, and enjoy a packed programme of activities! Join us every Thursday from Noon-2pm at Shenley Court Hall, 200 Green Meadow Road, B29 4ED. Cost £2. 0121 475 7521. 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://u3asites.org.uk/kingsnorton/welcome Kings Heath Cat Rescue

We are desperately in need of volunteers to help support our fundraising team. We get offers of food etc but struggle to collect it, so we would love drivers who could spare the odd hour here and there to get in touch. Any help with events would also be great. Kingsheathcatclub@outlook.com

Parent Carers Wellbeing Group

Meet other parent carers and talk to a member of the Family Carers Team at Northfield Leisure Centre, B31 2PD, in the Community Room.10am12pm on the 3rd Thursday of the month. May 16th. Free tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. For more information, call 0121 442 2944

FoodCycle

We serve weekly meals for free, for anyone who wants one. Come along and join us for a meal or get stuck in and volunteer! Flexible opportunities with no minimum commitment available. Roles include cooking, hosting or collecting food.

Mondays 7pm - Longbridge Methodist Church, B45 9TY

Tuesdays 4pm - St Gabriels Church, Weoley Castle, B29 5PL

Saturdays 12.30pm - Saint Boniface Church, Quinton, B32 2QD

Sundays 1pm - Hampstead House, West Heath, B31 3QY

For more information email  pabloallan@foodcycle.org.uk

Tel: 0207 729 2775

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 18th October 2023 and runs through to 1st May 2024. 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

Selly Park Garden Club

We usually meet on the second Tuesday of the month in the Parish Centre, St. Stephens Church, Serpentine Road, Selly Park at 7pm. No membership needed, talks start at 7.30pm, admission is £3 which includes refreshments. We have a great program on a variety of interesting topics lined up for the next year starting in September.

Everyone welcome.

Birmingham Hospice Singers

Birmingham Hospice Singers is a ladies choir formed in 2013 for the purpose of raising funds for Birmingham Hospice. Its repertoire is varied and the choir perform two concerts a year and so far have raised over £22,000 to support Birmingham Hospice in its work providing end of life care across Birmingham. The choir’s current Musical Director is planning to retire and the choir is seeking a replacement. The choir meet on Friday from 7pm-9pm at Birmingham Hospice Selly Park. If you are interested in this role, or for further information, contact the Choir Secretary via the Hospice’s Fundraising Department on 0121 465 2009 or email on fundraisevol@birminghamhospice.org.uk

Kings Heath Artisan Market

Every 2nd Sunday, 10-3pm, York Road, Kings Heath. Your new monthly arts and crafts market, featuring independent makers, artists, and producers.

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

Kings Norton History Society

We meet at Ashford Hall, St Nicholas Place. Doors open at 13.45pm and the talk starts at 2.15pm. Annual membership from September £25, visitors for single talks £5. These fee’s are to cover the cost of the room hire and speakers expenses. To contact the Society Chair: hartwellclive@gmail.com

May 20th - Mike Byrne ‘The Bull Ring’ 24th June, Sue Tungate, Talk and topic not yet decided.

Smokey2 Country Music Club

Park Hall, Silver Street, Wythall, B47 6LZ

Celebrating 50 years of live country music. Everyone is welcome at our shows and we are a very friendly crowd. Admission is generally £8 on the door . As well as a full bar we do have tea and coffee on sale. All the proceeds of our raffle and the refreshments are paid into our charity fund which this year will support the RNLI in its 200th year.

11th May - Nigel Slater

Bernie’s Line Dance Class

Northfield Cons Club, 1 Mill walk, B31 4HL, 8-10,000 steps,, exercise with fun, meet new friends. Tuesday 6.30pm—9pm

Walking Netball

Whatever your age or fitness, why not try netball - at a walking pace. Perfect if you are new to netball or coming back to it after many years. Join a friendly group who are always happy to welcome newcomers.

Back in Cotteridge Park on Tuesdays at 1030am from 9th April. FREE, fun friends and fitness !