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Royal Town’s history comes alive at heritage events
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Above: Meeting Panto performers at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.
Together with our Royal Town Mayor and lady Mayoress I joined many thousands of Suttonians on visits around town as part of our heritage week on Saturday.
We started at the Town Hall, meeting members of the brilliant management team there as well as actors taking part in this year’s Christmas Panto, Robin Hood!
We toured round this magnificent building, including visiting the roof which will be renovated using some of the funding which Andy Street and I secured earlier this year, which will also fund a major modernisation of the Town Hall.
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Above: At the Masonic Halls with Alderman David Roy OBE.
Next, we visited the Masonic Halls, with their beautiful and majestic decoration, displays and artefacts . The Masons describe themselves as an ‘organisation with secrets’ rather than a secret organisation, and are the second biggest dispensing charity in the country, who do so much good work locally too.
We were lucky to be shown round by Alderman David Roy OBE who was the Conservative leader on Birmingham Council, a councillor in Vesey ward of great distinction and a highly respected and effective servant of our Royal Town in very many ways.
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Above: At Holy Trinity Church with Henry VIII and Bishop Vesey!
Next, it was on to our Town Church, Holy Trinity, to be met by both King Henry VIII and Bishop Vesey as well Mr and Mrs Thebridge and the rector, Canon Becky Stephens. After a climb up the Tower and a glorious view over the Town from the top, the Mayor and I said a few words before Becky provided both a prayer and a blessing.
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Above: The Mayor and I at the top of the Holy Trinity tower.
We then visited the stalls and refreshments over in the Trinity Centre.
Then, on Sunday, I had the great pleasure of once again visiting New Hall Water Mill for its open day. As a regular visitor over the last quarter of a century, I never cease to marvel at what an educational and enjoyable place this is - displaying old fashioned skills, history and insights into the lives of our forefathers.
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Above: Inside the remarkable New Hall Water Mill.
We are so grateful to the many volunteers who preserve and run this brilliant Royal Town jewel in the crown. Huge thanks also to Nick Owen and his father David, who give so much love and support to the Mill
Stephen Clapcott, of The Friends of New Hall Mill, writes: “The Mill welcomed one of their Life Members who visited on the final Open Day of the summer season, which coincided with the last day of the Sutton Heritage Week. The visitor referred to, of course, is Andrew Mitchell, MP, who was joined on the visit by Roger Hazelwood his Constituency assistant – and indeed 919 other visitors, according to the count we take. This was an all-time record, we believe, for a September Open Day at the Mill, and was despite some uncertainty in the weather. Some things you just can’t control!
“Joining in the lively discussion and tour of the site was fellow committee member Nick Owen, and most parts were visited including some floors of the Mill building, the Miller’s Garden, the Meadow and the various activities in and around the Courtyard, including the musical entertainment, the ‘Tuneless Choir’, who certainly did not create other than a very positive note to proceedings!
“And, not to forget the Tea Room, which did a roaring trade throughout the day – selling out of cakes by early afternoon, where a very welcome refreshment break was taken. In all locations, Andrew met as many volunteer Friends as possible, as well as stall-holders and members of the public. The Friends are the lifeblood of our volunteering efforts.
“One useful spin-off from Andrew’s visit was to bring to the forefront of our minds that 2028 marks the 500th Anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter to the town of Sutton Coldfield, by King Henry VIII. We look forward to marking the event, and indeed an initial discussion on how this might be achieved and what part the Mill can play, will be on the agenda for the next committee meeting of the Friends of New Hall Mill.”
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Above: Sutton Coldfield’s Tuneless Choir performed at New Hall Water Mill.
Councillor John Perks, Mayor of Royal Sutton Coldfield, said: “I have lived in the Royal Town for over 50 years, the trail gave me access to buildings that I have walked past hundreds of times and have never visited before. Thank you to the volunteers who made the event possible, the tours and their vast knowledge highlighted how fantastic Sutton Coldfield is. The history and the residents are what make the Royal Town a fantastic place to live.”
The Heritage week events - hugely enjoyed by the thousands of Suttonians who have made visits over this weekend and week - underline the rich past of our Royal Town and inform and invigorate our commitment to its future.
I am very grateful to the Sutton Coldfield Heritage Network for organising this brilliant week, and the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for providing funding.
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Food Festival brought thousands to the town centre
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Above: With Sutton Town Council Leader Simon Ward and BID Manager Michelle Baker at last week’s town centre food festival – which drew 10,000 visitors!
Last weekend I also visited the Food Festival organised by Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID, and I can honestly say I’ve rarely seen the Town Centre so full!
On Saturday afternoon, with all sorts of different foods and wares, our Town Centre was heaving with nearly 10,000 visitors enjoying the good weather and exotic foods and drinks available.
Huge congratulations to Michelle and the BID for putting it all together and at no cost to the Town.
A highlight of the festival was the cookery kitchen, sponsored and hosted by the Gracechurch Centre, where visitors could watch live demonstrations from TV Chef Phil Vickery, Michelin star chef Glynn Purnell, star of TV’s Extreme Cake Makers Molly Robbins, the team from Bracebridge restaurant, and Sutton’s own Military Chef, Liam Hall, who is founder of the town centre’s chocolate shop.
Next, the BID is organising a German-style Christmas market. I’ve no doubt that too will be a great success.
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Keeping Sutton Coldfield safe
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On Monday I went into Birmingham to meet with the Chief Constable to hear about his plans for policing across the West Midlands.
In considering the overall plans I am obviously intent on seeing that our needs in Sutton Coldfield are fully met and will continue to make that case in respect of the adequacy of policing in the Royal Town and the continuing need for a fully equipped full service police station.
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Tennis club is showing real ambition
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Above: Visiting Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club.
On Friday I paid a visit to Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club in Highbridge Road to update myself on recent developments at this great local tennis club, which makes such a significant contribution for young and old alike.
Some time ago I had the pleasure of reopening their car park after its enhancement and refurbishment, and this time I was able to tour the amazing facilities. The club has 12 floodlit tennis courts, including two permanent indoor courts and two seasonal indoor courts, plus a padel court. These courts are open to the public on a ‘pay and play’ basis.
Peter Whatson explained how the club is exploring the installation of three permanently covered padel courts to further enhance the facilities.
Plans for the growth of new opportunities at the club include additional Padel facilities for which there is much demand locally and which I hope can proceed in a way which does not conflict with the peace and comfort of their neighbours.
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My annual talk to the wonderful Elizabethan Luncheon Club
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I had the great pleasure of addressing the Elizabethan Luncheon Club on Monday at their normal meeting place of Moor Hall under their Chairman Annabel Anderson.
This club is expanding and provides a most enjoyable experience with good company and good friends of a loosely conservative disposition!
I have had the pleasure of meeting them nearly every year for almost a quarter of a century. Started by the late Mrs Edna Heappey, it has been providing congenial meetings for over 63 years.
This year, I talked about developments I hope to see in the Town over the period running up to our 500th anniversary in 2028, about elections, local policing and international affairs and answered questions from members. My thanks to everyone who came along.
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Strong response to Town Council consultation
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Above: With councillors, Town Council Leader Simon Ward and Chief Executive Officer Olive O’Sullivan asking residents for their views.
On Saturday I joined Town Councillors led by the council leader Simon Ward in the Town Centre as part of their consultation on the future of our Town leading up to the 500th anniversary in 2028.
Judging from the response on Saturday there is a lot of enthusiasm for the Town Council and for its plans that lie ahead.
The council is consulting on its draft Strategic Plan, which outlines it ambitions and direction over the next few years – which includes delivering more services locally, and potentially adopting cherished parks and green spaces in Sutton.
If you’ve not done so and would like to express a view, please do send back the survey that should have popped through your letter box – or fill it in on the council’s website: www.suttoncoldfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk
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Have your say on large development on Royal Town’s border
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Today (Friday, September 20), tomorrow and next Wednesday sees the latest public consultation into the Thrive project, a large business park on the Sutton Coldfield - North Warwickshire border.
I know that residents in Curdworth, Middleton, Wishaw and other places nearby are very concerned about this plan, to which I am totally opposed. To be frank, I see this as a speculative ‘try on’ by the developers, which should be resisted at all costs.
Although it is not in my constituency, I think it’s an awful idea - as I set out in words of one syllable when I met the developers in May!
Anyone wishing to have their say can do so at three drop-in events:
Friday 20 September, 4.00pm – 8.00pm, Curdworth Village Hall, 70 Coleshill Road, Curdworth B76 9HH
Saturday 21 September, 10.00am – 2.00pm, St. Nicholas Church Hall, Glebe Fields, Curdworth B76 9ES
Wednesday 25 September, 4.00pm – 8.00pm, Middleton Village Hall, Church Lane, Middleton, Tamworth B78 2AW
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A warm welcome from Sutton’s Rotarians
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Above: I was welcomed by Rotarians from Wylde Green and Vesey this week.
I was privileged to be guest speaker at the Wylde Green Rotary club dinner on Tuesday evening.
The Wylde Green club was also joined by members from the Vesey Rotary club for the occasion, at Sutton Coldfield Golf Club.
I was welcomed by Paul Lane, the President of Wylde Green Rotary and his wife Penny.
In my speech, I paid tribute to Rotary clubs for their extraordinary contribution to fighting Polio and in particular the Wylde Green Rotary’s efforts to provide clean water in the developing world.
I also spoke about my four key objectives for Sutton Coldfield – the Town Centre, Town Hall, Cottage Hospital and Sutton Park - and about the town’s plans as we approach the 500th anniversary of our Royal Charter in 2028.
I also answered questions about Sutton Coldfield and about international affairs in my role as Shadow Foreign Secretary.
I would like to thank Paul and Penny and all of the dedicated Rotarians who make such a contribution to life in the Royal Town.
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Opening Sutton’s only Indian grocery store
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Above: Cutting the ribbon to officially open VARAM, in Norris Way.
I had the great pleasure of opening the new VARAM store in Sutton Coldfield on behalf of my office neighbour Ram, whose shop on the High Street opposite the Three Tuns provides a valuable local service.
The new shop is a great addition to the Royal Town.
I was joined by councillor Nitish Raut who has written as follows :-
“As local Town Councillor, I was delighted to attend the grand opening of VARAM, a new large Indian store on Norris Way, officially opened by our MP, Andrew Mitchell.
“His passion for supporting Local Sutton business owners and helping the economy has always been exemplary.
“This store offers a fantastic range of products, catering to the diverse tastes and needs of residents. VARAM’s presence is not only a vibrant addition to our community but also enhances the cultural richness of Sutton Coldfield.
“I wish the team at VARAM every success and encourage all residents to visit and experience the store’s unique offerings.”
Cllr Dr Nitish Raut
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Last chance to get Matthew Parris tickets
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Above: Matthew Parris is coming to Sutton Coldfield.
It’s your last chance to get your ticket to hear Matthew Parris, the nationally renowned columnist, journalist and political columnist speak at the Westminster Supper Club on Friday 27th September in the Royal Town.
Speaking just two days before the start of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Matthew’s thoughts ahead of the Conservative leadership contest will be fascinating and no doubt insightful.
The Westminster Supper Club is chaired by Mrs Kay Noone, the President of the Royal Town’s Conservative Association. The club meet three times a year for a two-course meal and to hear political and non-political speakers.
Further details and tickets available from info@suttoncoldfieldconservatives.
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My gratitude to Charitable Trust chief Tina
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Above: With Tina Swani, Chief Executive of Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and the Trust’s chair Keith Dudley, earlier this year.
Finally, I would like to express my thanks to Tina Swani, the Chief Executive of our wonderful Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, who has announced that she will be moving on from her role at the end of the year.
We are incredibly lucky in Sutton Coldfield to have a charitable trust that dates back to Tudor times, which every year supports so many people and organisations with grants.
Over the last four years, under Tina’s leadership, the trust has seen its annual grants increase by half a million pounds to £1.5million each year, while it has also created its first ever five-year plan.
The search has now begun to find the next person to lead this unique organisation, and I hope there will be a good number of local people who consider this brilliant opportunity to serve the Royal town.
But now, I would like to thank Tina for her service to Sutton Coldfield and wish her well in the future. I know that she will make the most of her remaining time with the Trust’s remarkable team.
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