31 January 2025
Weekly Message to Constituents 251 - Sir Andy welcomes the new arrival on Platform 2
In the Constituency

Opening station’s new café was just the ticket for Sir Andy

Above: Cutting the ribbon on the Folklore Café at Sutton Station with Sir Andy Street.

Today I had the honour of joining our former regional mayor Sir Andy Street in  officially opening the brilliant new Folklore café at Sutton Coldfield railway station.

Folklore, owned by Alex Light, is stationed on Platform 2 and specialises in fresh coffee and delicious Montreal-style bagels, with a rotating selection available and a new menu every week.

Alex was born and bred locally, and his beautiful, dog-friendly café will certainly make any traveller’s journey to Sutton more flavourful!

It was wonderful to open the café side by side with Sir Andy. When he was mayor, one of his key jobs was improving public transport across the region – from opening new stations to introducing new rolling stock. 

It seemed fitting that he was there today to help celebrate this new arrival on Platform 2!

Sir Andy and I both wish Alex every success with this brilliant new enterprise, and thank him for what is a much appreciated addition to our Royal Town.

All of the Royal Town’s war graves will be maintained

Above: Following concerns over the state of local graves, I have received a reassuring news from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 

I am delighted to reveal that, from this year the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will be maintaining all war graves in the Royal Town – and will soon be reaching out to the next of kin for permission to do so.

This comes after I wrote to the Head of CWGC two weeks ago regarding the condition of war graves in Sutton Coldfield Cemetery, after constituents had expressed concern over their condition. I requested urgent financial support and maintenance from the Commission, dismayed to see the graves of our fallen heroes in imperfect condition.

This week, I have received a response from Gareth Hardware, the Commission’s Area Director for the United Kingdom and Northern Area. His letter was not only illuminating on the important work of CWGC, but also reassured me that all of Sutton’s precious war graves are to be maintained.

Mr Hardware informed me that there are 48 war graves in Sutton Coldfield Cementary, 28 of which fall under CWGC’s jurisdiction and are regularly inspected and cleaned. In fact, these were last cleaned on the 19th October 2024, and are due another clean in March. According to Mr Hardware, who has no doubt seen many graves in disrepair, Sutton’s war graves are actually in the expected condition for headstones of their age, with the greening seen on the stone being typical for the winter months. 

However, 17 of the war graves in our cemetery are private memorials – paid for by the relatives of the fallen – which do not fall within CWGC’s remit and have traditionally been cleaned and maintained by family members.

However, there is reassuring news for these families too. As of this year, CWGC is beginning a programme to maintain private memorials, having rigorously trained their volunteers. This process will require them to seek permission from next of kin and local authorities. 

I look forward to seeing all of our war graves maintained by CWGC as of this year, and hope this resolution brings peace of mind to the families of the brave service personnel buried in the Royal Town’s cemetery.

Robert rolls up his sleeves with litter pickers

Above: Councillor Richard Parkin – one of the founders of the Sutton Coldfield Litter Action Group – with Robert Jenrick MP.

 This week, the Royal Town and Councillor Richard Parkin welcomed Robert Jenrick, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, to join a litter pick run by the award-nominated Sutton Coldfield Litter Action Group.

The Group, run by Andy Biddle, Debbie Lake and Richard and supported by 1500 volunteers, has been nominated for a 2025 Kings Award for Voluntary Service – a bid which both Robert and myself strongly support.

These volunteers take excellent care of 650 streets around the Royal Town, making use of 578 pickers, 435 hoops and 614 hi-viz jackets provided by the Town Council.

Their selfless work has always been hugely appreciated by myself and citizens across Sutton Coldfield, and it was wonderful to show Robert the dedication and community spirit Suttonians display.

If you want to know more about the Kings Awards for Voluntary Service, click this link: https://www.gov.uk/kings-award-for-voluntary-service

Upcoming events at Holy Trinity Church

Above: Sutton’s historic Holy Trinity is to host two musical events soon.

The fab sounds of the Sixties are set to fill Sutton’s oldest building on Saturday 8th February at 7.30pm, as the well-known Beatles tribute band “The Beatles For Sale” are set to play Holy Trinity Parish Church.

Suttonians will come together to hear the South Wales-based group play the best Beatles classics, sounding just like the real Fab Four.

Please note that this is a change from the previously publicised act, The Black Country Beatles.

Then, on Saturday 29th March, Lichfield Cathedral Choir will be presenting a programme at Holy Trinity, which explores the riches of the Anglican repertoire.

The Cathedral Choir, which can be dated as far back as 1315, are working with director Ben Lamb and Martyn Rawles.

The concerts are both organised by the brilliant Friends of Holy Trinity, whose aim is to deliver an inspiring and engaging programme of events to ensure that the Church remains at the very heart of the Sutton Coldfield community. Their fundraising and Friends membership aims strictly to sustain and enhance this historic building. It is tremendously valuable work.

If you want to twist and shout the night away with The Beatles For Sale, or relax and worship with some beautiful choral music, you can buy tickets securely via the following link, or in person from the Trinity Centre office (B72 1TF).

https://www.htsc.org.uk/whats-on-and-groups/season-2024-25/

Discontent continues to grow over Park car parking fees

Above: Councillors Alex Yipp, Richard Parkin, David Pears and Ewan Mackey with the ever-growing petition.

Discontent continues to grow over bankrupt Labour Birmingham’s plans to impose parking fees in Sutton Park. 

As I write, more than 2,060 Suttonians have now signed a petition, launched by Councillor David Pears, against these ridiculous proposals, which have only been out forward as a consequence of Labour’s disastrous financial mismanagement of the city.

If you would like to stand in solidarity with the Conservative councillors fighting against this policy, I urge you to fill in the survey and sign the petition at:

https://www.suttoncoldfieldconservatives.com/campaigns/stop-parking-charges-sutton-park

Pioneering golf facility shortlisted for award 

Above: At the official opening of Walmley Golf Foundation’s brilliant short play area – which has been shortlisted for an award.

I am delighted to share that Walmley Golf Foundation’s disability-friendly short play area has been shortlisted for a Respect In Golf Award by England Golf.

Last year I was honoured to attend the official opening of the disabled facility last year, and was hugely impressed by its innovative design and the dedication of the people who made it happen.

The facility is a first in the UK, and was built thanks to £44,500 in grant funding from Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust. It is a brilliant reflection of Sutton Coldfield’s inclusive community spirit that this one-of-a-kind putting green is situated right here, in our Royal Town.

Fingers crossed for the awards, which will take place at the Hilton Manchester on April 2.

Gracechurch to launch Royal Sutton Fun Run 2025

Above: This year’s Fun Run will be launched on Saturday.

The Gracechurch Centre will host the official launch of this year’s 42nd Royal Sutton Fun Run on Saturday (February 1).

In-person registration will be accepted from 10.30am to 2.30pm at the desk located in Bishops Court, opposite the Post Office.

Online registration for this year’s Royal Sutton Fun Run happening on Sunday, 1 June, also opens this Saturday.

Entrants who took part in last year’s run raised a staggering £302,400 for charities and voluntary organisations, a rise of £115,000 on the previous year taking the overall total to over £5.4million since the first event in 1982.

John Southall from the Gracechurch Centre said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the official launch of this year’s Royal Sutton Fun Run from 10.30am this Saturday.

“The Fun Run has been an integral part of life in Royal Sutton Coldfield since 1982 and Gracechurch Centre is thrilled to be actively involved in supporting the 42nd staging of the event on Sunday, 1 June.”

Fun Run event director, Tracey Spare said: “We’re delighted Gracechurch Centre is continuing its support of the Fun Run as our registration sponsor for 2025.

“We’re extremely grateful for its support and I know the new owners of Gracechurch Centre are already looking into additional activities for Fun Run day, to entertain those who remain in the town centre whilst family, friends and work colleagues complete the 8.5-mile course.”

Main sponsor, Cookes Furniture, will be on hand with balloons and sweets, whilst new supporting sponsor, the recently refurbished Royal Cinemas, has announced its support of the event by offering the first twenty-five people to register a free, standard cinema ticket worth £9.75. Places are limited to 5500.

For more information, click here: https://royalsuttonfunrun.org/

Teachers show their ‘pluck’ in Fairfax charity week

Above: Fairfax Heads of House Darren Campbell and Jack Bibb prepare for the leg waxing challenge.

A week of fundraising at Fairfax school came to a hair-raising end when male members of staff volunteered to have their legs waxed in front of hundreds of cheering students.

I often visit Fairfax, and I am always impressed by their excellent extracurricular opportunities and community spirit, both of which were on full display this week.

Every year Fairfax Academy’s four houses take part in a charity week, to raise cash for their respective adopted charities, with students running tuck shops, holding raffles and taking part in sponsored events.

But on Friday, January 24th this year’s Charity Week came to a show-stopping finale, when teaching staff took to the stage in the main hall, in front of an audience of students who had paid £1 each to watch the show.

For their £1 they got to see Heads of House Darren Campbell and Jack Bibb having their legs waxed, before they joined Martin Porter, Tom Carty and Principal Sean Castle in a ‘boy band’ to perform Five’s ‘Keep on Movin’’.

Not to be outdone, the school’s female Heads of House Haleema Ahmed, Nicola Spurrier Holly Williams and Molly Dyer  joined Head of Year 10 Syrah Ahmed-Lockley on the stage to perform the Spice Girls’ ‘Wannabe’ to an excited audience.

Finally, staff members took part in a game of ‘keepy-uppy’, to see who could juggle a football for the longest, encouraged by the students.

Students in each house voted for the charity they wanted to support, with Coventry choosing Catherine’s House Hospice, Kenilworth choosing Dogs Trust, Stratford backing Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Warwick supporting Good Hope Neonatal Unit.

For the full story, click here: https://suttonschoollife.co.uk/2025/01/29/fairfax-charity-week-2025-staff-brave-leg-waxing-challenge/

In the Commons

This week I backed a reformed Palestinian Authority in Gaza, and warned against rising antisemitism in the aftermath of the Israel-Palestine conflict, which is especially relevant this week on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

In the debate, I said: “May I commend the Development Minister on her statement to the House today? I think she would agree that it continues the drive and commitment of the last Government. I particularly applaud her for making it clear that the policy of the British Government is that any plans for the future governance of Gaza will involve a reformed Palestinian Authority and categorically rule out any role for Hamas. In a week when we have seen the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the release of terrified young hostages, does she agree that it is deeply depressing that antisemitism is alive and well, and often expressed through hatred of Israel?”

The Minister for Development, Anneliese Dodds, replied:

“I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his remarks, and I am indeed grateful for the work undertaken by the previous Government when it came to humanitarian support in this area. Obviously, we have sought to build on that and deepen it, and to make sure that we are at the forefront of our responsibilities in this area. I am happy to confirm that he summarised the position of the UK Government when it comes to the future of Gaza. It must be a future that is determined by Palestinians and Gazans themselves, with the PA having a role, but not Hamas.

“On the issue of antisemitism, in this week of all weeks, we must redouble all our efforts to ensure that we never forget the horrors of the Holocaust, and that we always resolve to combat any form of prejudice and discrimination, including antisemitism.”

Further information
 
 
 

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