Making my annual Christmas pilgrimage
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On Thursday this week, I set off on my annual festive tour of visits to some of the key workers who keep the Royal Town ticking over throughout the Christmas period.
I make this annual journey – to the Royal Mail, Good Hope, Sutton Coldfield Police Station and the Fire station – to thank everyone working at these vital places, on behalf of everyone in Sutton Coldfield.
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Delivering good cheer at the Royal Mail sorting office
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Above: with the staff at Sutton Coldfield’s Royal Mail Delivery Office
My first stop was at Sutton Coldfield Delivery Office, to see how our fantastic Royal Mail workers are quite literally making Christmas happen.
I was hugely impressed by how the staff at the office are managing deliveries at the busiest time of year. I spoke to Lead Customer Operations Manager Beverley Orton, who told me the postal service receive twice as many parcels and letters than usual during the Christmas period!
Across the country, Royal Mail have been rolling out strategies to ensure Christmas goodies are delivered on time – and Sutton Coldfield’s office is no exception.
Sutton Coldfield Delivery Office has hired 11 new recruits and added 6 extra vehicles for the Christmas period to meet increased demand for deliveries in the local area.
I was so pleased to meet the team who make the season of giving possible, and to show them my support.
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Wishing Good Hope staff good health this Christmas
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Above: with some of the staff at Good Hope Hospital.
We then toured Good Hope with Simon Jarvis, the hospital’s Executive Director, thanking all the staff for their work throughout the year – especially over the festive season.
The winter months can provide huge challenges for the NHS and for individuals, but the staff at Good Hope Hospital are always there to provide Suttonians with the support they need.
When most people are opening gifts around the tree or sitting down to Christmas dinner, many of these nurses, doctors and support staff will be on duty at Good Hope, providing that vital safety net for all of us.
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Thanking officers who keep us safe
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Above: with officers at Sutton Coldfield Police Station.
Finally, we visited the police station with Superintendent Emlyn Richards, the Royal Town’s Chief of Police, to thank our local police officers for looking after us.
While there may be a question mark over the future of the building, no one would ever question the dedication and service of the brave men and women who keep all of us in Sutton Coldfield safe. It was a privilege to pass on the thanks of residents during my visit.
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A warm welcome at the fire service
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Above: with the staff at Royal Sutton Fire and Rescue Service.
A few days before, I visited the Royal Sutton Fire and Rescue Service, to thank our local firefighters not only for their work in the Royal Town, but also for the national role the rescue service plays from our fire station.
The past few years have seen the national Fire and Rescue Service investing greatly in Sutton Coldfield’s local chapter. Back in 2022, our fire station became the third Technical Rescue Unit in the West Midlands, a specialist unit who help people in situations beyond the capability of usual firefighters.
I am immensely grateful for all the workers at Sutton’s Fire and Rescue service, who will be working tirelessly over the festive period so we can celebrate safely.
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Church decked out for annual tree festival
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Above: Enjoying All Saints Church’s Christmas tree festival.
Last week I paid a visit to All Saints Church on Belwell Lane, where the community had decked the halls for a fantastic Christmas Fayre and tree-decorating competition.
The creativity of local Suttonians was on full display at this exhibition, which had all in attendance feeling merry and bright!
When the votes were counted, the winning trees were created by Hill West Primary, Little Seedlings toddler group and Wendy Pitkin (sponsored by Bob Thornley). I would like to congratulate the winners and thank everyone who took part in making this festive fayre so magical.
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Legendary Fairfax Eisteddfod delivers two remarkable nights
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Above: students participating in Fairfax Academy’s brilliant annual arts festival.
Fairfax Academy’s annual Eisteddfod this week was a blast from the past, with the hotly-contested school arts festival delivering two nights of stellar performances set to a nostalgic 1990s theme.
The Eisteddfod, which has been a beloved staple of the school calendar since 1961, saw talented Fairfax students channelling the energy of the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Liam Gallagher and more.
As usual, the four houses of Coventry, Kenilworth, Stratford and Warwick, were battling for the Eisteddfod Cup at the academy, which is the founding school of the ambitious Fairfax Multi-Academy Trust.
And, after two nights of incredible packed-out performances on December 18th and 19th, Principal Sean Castle announced that this year’s winner was Coventry house.
I visit Fairfax regularly and am always blown away by the school’s rich culture of art and performing. Nothing illustrates this pursuit of creativity better than the Eisteddfod.
For the full story and more pictures, click here: https://suttonschoollife.co.uk/2024/12/20/fairfax-academy-eisteddfod-2024-festival-celebrates-the-90s/
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Mere Green students show the spirit of Christmas
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Above: students helping load up cars with donated food.
Caring students at Mere Green Primary School also got into the Christmas spirit this week – by donating hundreds of items to less fortunate people this festive season.
On Thursday 19 December, volunteers from Hope Food North Birmingham arrived to collect a mountain of food from the school, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Trust. They managed to fill two cars with donated goods.
And youngsters were on hand to help load it up too.
Ella Ground, 11, said: “It was great fun to take part in the food collection, and it made me feel really nice doing some charity work.”
Hope Food, which began life just down the road at St James’ Church, provides weekly support to struggling families in Mere Green, Falcon Lodge and Erdington.
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Christmas Community Games
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Above: with the inspirational Dennis Kennedy.
Finally, the team behind the ever-popular West Midlands Community Games are looking forward to leading their Christmas Community Games in Sutton Coldfield tomorrow (Saturday 21 December).
I’ve worked closely with Dennis Kennedy, founder of Inspire Activity, for many years, and know their excellent sporting sessions never disappoint.
The Christmas Games are open to anyone interested and will be held at BMET College. For more details, please see the Further Information section.
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All that remains is for me to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2025.
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