This has been a week of desk clearing at Westminster, Whitehall, the Foreign Office, and in our new office in the Royal Town (which is strikingly close to our old office on the High Street and will shortly be fully operational)!

Throughout August I am here with my team in Westminster and our Royal Town to help you so if ever I can assist, please do let me know.

Above all this week there is further good news on our plans for our Cottage Hospital. 

Effectively, the capital investment will now increase from £5 million to £8 million to support what is a really important and valuable investment in our Town essentially for older people, of real value to our local community and something which many of us have wanted to see delivered for some years.

The Cottage hospital 

I received the below information from Richard Kirby, Chief Executive Officer of Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, on the development at Sutton Cottage Hospital:

‘Following approval of the strategic outline case for the re-development of Sutton Cottage Hospital by the Integrated Care Board last year, we are now developing the detailed business case. We estimate that the capital investment will be £5m - £8m in the final business case. 

‘We are aiming to develop Sutton Cottage Hospital as a community hub for health and care for older people that helps support people to stay well and independent in their own homes for as long as possible. We aim to work with health service partners, social care and community and voluntary sector partners. We are working on links with primary care and the possibility to include some diagnostic facilities. 

‘We aim to have the business case ready for approval in November 2023. Subject to approval and funding availability, the redevelopment work would commence in the Spring of 2024. 

‘We are grateful to colleagues who work at Sutton Cottage Hospital for their input to our work so far. We are also grateful to all those who have taken part in engagement events led by our Community Connexions team as part of this work.’

As with the Town Centre Masterplan, all progress takes a ludicrously long time to achieve, but at least these 2 of my 4 key projects in the run up to our 500th anniversary as a Royal Town in 2028 have had a very good July. 

My thanks on all of this should go to Simon Ward and our brilliant team of Royal Town Councillors, and to Ewan Mackey who is the deputy Tory leader on Birmingham City Council who, together with our other Conservative councillors, is battling to look after the Town’s interests on that very troubled council. 

We authors must stick together!

I’m excited to share that Gary Phelps, the former editor of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer, has today (Friday 28thJuly) seen his debut novel published across the UK.

A dark and intriguing supernatural mystery, Gary’s novel is called 13 Doors, and tells the story of a journalist who sets out to spend the night in thirteen genuinely haunted locations, with the intention of recording his experiences.

It’s a spooky and often moving read – and draws on some of the odd stories that occasionally came into the newsrooms in which Gary worked when he was a journalist.

Local legends – including the ghostly drummer boy said to haunt Sutton’s Three Tuns – also inspired much of the book, which has already received five-star reviews. I can also reveal that a character (a somewhat disreputable one!) in the book is named in my honour!

Gary, who was raised in Sutton Coldfield and played a huge part in the campaign to reinstate Sutton’s Royal status, was the editor of the Observer for many years and now runs a successful PR agency in the town.

As someone who has been through the process of writing and publishing a book, I share Gary’s excitement as it hits the shelves. He has written 13 Doors under the pen name G J Phelps.

Gary told me: “I have always been a devotee of horror and supernatural fiction and, as an Eighties kid, grew up watching classic movies of the time.

“I wanted to write a book that paid homage to those influences, while adding something new and different to the genre. Most of all, I wanted to write a horror novel that was rooted in my journalistic background – that featured the kind of odd, real-life stories that occasionally come into all newsrooms. 

“So, while 13 Doors is fiction, there are a handful of stories and anecdotes in it that are based on real stories – stories that journalists couldn’t explain.”

13 Doors by G J Phelps is published by the Book Guild Publishing on July 28, priced £9.99 and is available from all good book shops or pre-order online.

There are other authors in our Royal Town - I have been reading Home Front about the life and times of the Home Guard in Sutton Coldfield during the second world war by Peter Shergold- so if you are publishing a book and live in Sutton Coldfield then do let our local readers know through my weekly message - and increase your sales!

Greek fires

This week has seen devastating fires burn on the Greek Island of Rhodes and many people having to cut their holidays short for their own safety.

I have spoken on TV and the radio several times this week to reiterate the guidance issued by the Foreign Office.

If you are planning on going to Greece soon, then please do take note of the below:

‘Extreme temperatures are affecting many areas of Greece. There are active wildfires across Greece, including in populated areas on the mainland and a number of islands.

Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly. Follow “112 Greece” on Twitter for official updates.

Read the NHS advice on coping in hot weather.

If you are due to travel to an area that might be affected by wildfires, contact your travel operator or accommodation provider before you travel to check that it is not currently impacted. Make sure you have appropriate insurance.

Be cautious if you are in or near an area affected by wildfires. You should:

·       follow the guidance of the emergency services

·       call the Greek Emergency Services on 112 if you are in immediate danger

·       contact your airline or travel operator who can assist you with return travel to the UK.

·       enable the “Emergency Alerts” option to receive the Greek government’s emergency alerts. For:

·       iPhones go to Settings > Notification. Enable the “Emergency Alerts” option at the bottom.

·       Android 11 and higher go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced Settings > Wireless Emergency Alerts

·       Samsung Devices go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Notifications > Emergency Notifications. Enable the “Emergency Alerts” option

·       read the Greek Government’s protection guidelines in the event of a forest fire.

·       register via the Greek government’s Emergency Communication Service (in Greek)

The Greek government has set up a Crisis Management Unit to facilitate the evacuation of foreign visitors from Rhodes due to the ongoing forest fires. Contact them for advice on:

·       +30 210 368 1730

·       +30 210 368 1259

·       +30 210 368 1350

If you are a British national and need consular assistance, call the 24-hour helpline on +44 20 7008 5000’

The Humanitarian Medal

A new Humanitarian Medal has been launched to recognise the unsung humanitarian heroes who selflessly help save lives during major crises. Often in dangerous environments, these heroes bring hope and can prevent the worst forms of suffering.

Approved by King Charles, the Humanitarian Medal will recognise the efforts of emergency workers and relief teams, including charities, service personnel and health workers- those who show such courage and serve as inspiration in a range of desperate situations.

Our work around the world depends on these extraordinary people, and this award honours their outstanding contribution in responding to a major crisis.

#MYTOWNHALL

Your Town Hall requires donations to protect our heritage building for future use.

We are launching an APPEAL FOR £200k in order to continue to support Your Town Hall and protect it for the future community use, value and enjoyment. 

In this present situation of rising material prices, heating bills and social costs, why should YOU consider supporting your town hall? Because it is a precious historical building, an asset to the area, and the Trust needs support to keep it functioning. 

How to Support:

We are asking you to be as generous as you can, to enable the Town Hall to meet its present commitments. We are relying on your support. Every little helps ! 

Thank you! 

From all of the team at Sutton Coldfield Community Town Hall Trust and the trustees.

Donate with PayPal Giving Fund

You can read and subscribe to the Town Hall’s newsletter here: The Town Hall Presents: Summer is Here! (mailchi.mp)

Four Oaks Tennis Club, Warwickshire County Champs - Juniors, O-35s & Open

Our brilliant tennis club here in Four Oaks is hosting the Warwickshire County Championships for Juniors and Adults.

The Juniors and Over 35s events will be held locally at the Club on Highbridge Road and the 'Open' events at Leamington.

The deadline for entry is 6th August, which is next week, so don’t leave it too long!

See below posters for more details if you would like to enter:

UK Parliament Week

This year UK Parliament Week (UKPW) is taking place from 6-12 November.

Sign up for your free kit and explore @UKParliament and how to get involved on the issues that matter to you. 

UKPW is a great way to find out about UK Parliament and get a better understanding of the crucial work Parliament does.

#UKPW ukparliamentweek.org  

NDSU External Funding Update from Birmingham City Council – July 2023

Be Bold Crowdfunding – The next round of Be Bold Crowdfunding will launch on 25 July 2023. £1.18million is available across 11 wards to support campaigns through the local element of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. 

Upcoming deadlines:

·       Monday 31 July 2023 - The Radcliffe Trust Heritage & Crafts and Music Schemes - Grants available for charities and other not-for-profit organisations in the UK to support classical music projects and the development of skills, knowledge, and experience in the heritage and craft sectors.

·       Monday 31 July 2023 - The Big Bike Revival 2023- Grants of up to £2,000 for volunteer-led groups, not-for-profit organisations, and social enterprises to support people returning to cycling, or those starting as a complete beginner.

·       Monday 31st July 2023 - GirlDreamer Dream Fund x We Move Fund - Grants of up to £1,000 for Black woman/women-led organisations between 18 - 35 years of age to primarily target Black children and young people under 18.

The NDSU Team have a new webpage on the BCC website which includes information about current funding opportunities and resources to help community groups and organisations in Birmingham access funding and capacity building support. Please share with any groups or organisations you feel may be interested Funding and capacity building support for community groups and organisations in Birmingham | Birmingham City Council

MHRC Locations

Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 17th July 2023 of the BCC Mobile Household Recycling Centre.

·       Mon 07/08/2023, Plants Brook Road B76 1EX, 07:00 - 12:30, Sutton Walmley & Minworth

·       Wed 09/08/2023, Woodleigh Road B72 1ER, 07:00 - 12:30, Sutton Wylde Green