Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Fancy spending your lazy Sunday afternoon listening to music in Bearwood this weekend Professor Firestic is holding one of his fantastic acoustic afternoons at Samba Lounge with the music kicking off at 2pm.

Here's the bands who will be playing:

Red Bird Sky

Mike Bethel

Amelia Wallace

Ethel Vince

It's all FREE (hooray our favourite word!) so why not pop along to the Samba Lounge for an afternoon of quality and distinction.

Green Green Grass of Warley!

Just announced! Warley Woods is one of the best green spaces not just in the West Midlands but in the whole of the UK.  For the sixth year running Warley Woods, managed by Warley Woods Community Trust, has received a prestigious Green Flag Award and that’s official!   Wow! Well done Warley Woods!

The award, handed out by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.  A record-breaking 1,476 parks and green spaces received the prestigious Green Flag Award this year.

Viv Cole, Trust Manager told welovebearwood that “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the sixth year running from Keep Britain Tidy. This Award recognises and highlights that local people are benefitting from a green space of the very highest quality. The Community Trust has been managing the site for 10 years now and its staff and volunteers are very proud of its track record of high standards.”

Photo Credit:  Ken Harrison Photography

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said: “We are delighted to announce yet another record-breaking year for Green Flag Award parks and green spaces. A Green Flag Award provides national recognition for all the parks managers, staff and volunteers who, through their dedication and hard work, have helped to create these fantastic places for everyone to enjoy. Quality green spaces are a vital resource for communities and that is why it is so significant that we have given out more awards than ever before.”

You’ll see Warley Woods Community Trust proudly flying its new 2014-15 Green Flag over the Pavilion on Lightwoods Hill in the next few days.  

If anyone would like to join the Community Trust, volunteer or just find out more then call them on 0121 420 1061 or join the “Warley Woods Community Trust” Facebook group right here!

P.S. You can find more of Ken Harrison's photos of the recent Picnic in the Park at Warley Woods right here.  We're big fans!

Thimblemill Library Calendar August 2014

For those of us who are having a stay-cation in Bearwood this summer Thimblemill Library have plenty happening to keep everybody entertained.  We've added our favourite highlights to our What's On In Bearwood, you can view it right here!

On the evening of Monday 4th August local historian and fountain of all Bearwood knowledge, Mary Bodfish, will be giving her 'Lights Out' talk about Smethwick during World War 1.   To mark the 100th anniversary of when Great Britain entered the war all the lights will go out at 10pm for an hour with only one lamp left shining.

Lovely Laurence Saunders of Bearwood (read our interview with him right here!) has been busy touring the country with his one man play 'The Tell-Tale Heart' over the last few months and on Saturday 4th October it comes to Thimblemill Library.  Ok we know that's not next month but we couldn't wait to tell you that the library are offering a £1 discount on all tickets if you book them before 31st August.  Your heart will be telling if you don't get your tickets quick.

Summer Kids' Club Specials

Next week Bearwood Chapel (445 Bearwood Road) will be helping to keep your kids entertained by holding not one but TWO of their Summer Kids' Club Specials.   

The dates for your diary are Wednesday 30th July (3pm - 5pm) and Friday 1st August (2pm - 4pm).

There will be lots of games, face painting (maybe for the adults too!), balloon modelling, puppets, Bible stories and plenty of craft activities.  

For more info, please visit the Bearwood website right here or follow them on twitter @bearwood chapel.

If you go down to the Woods today!

If you go down to Warley Woods during the month of August you're in for a real treat.  Not only can you enjoy our beautiful park in all its summer splendour but there's lots of different events taking place too.

There's the Scottish play (don't mention the word Macbeth, oh no too late!) on the evening of Sunday 3rd August courtesy of Heartbreak Productions theatre group.  Tickets are selling fast so don't miss it!

Then starting on Monday 4th August Warley Woods are holding Summer Golf Camps for Bearwood's youngsters.  The sessions are FREE (our favourite word!) too for all those budding Rory McIlroys out there.

Walkies?  Warley Wood! is hosting its next seminar, "What every responsible dog owner needs to know", on Sunday 17th August 2014 between 2pm - 5pm.    FREE (there's our favourite word again!) but you need to book your space soon. 

To find out more about any of these events please phone Warley Woods on 0121 429 2440 or pop into the shop at the Pavillion.  You know it makes pawfect sense!

All That Bearwood Jazz!

Alongside the jazz-tastic Silvershine Jazz Club which takes places every Thursday night at Corks (558 Bearwood Road)  even more jazz comes to Bearwood this week courtesy of the Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival....nice!

The statuesque (by height and by talent!) Steve Ajao and his Blues Giants will be letting rip with their guitar riffs at Thimblemill Library tomorrow night!  You won't be able to see the place for all the Purple Haze (cool man!) surrounding it.

Then on Sunday for all those trad jazz lovers who like their music more Dixie-land style Barbara and All That Jazz will be performing at the Dog.

Hungarian group the Budapest Ragtime Band will be finishing off the week on the evening of Wednesday 23rd July at Lightwoods Park Bandstand with their twist on traditional jazz.  

But don’t worry if you get withdrawal symptoms because you can always pop down to Bearwood’s Silvershine Club every Thursday.

For more details about Birmingham's 30th International Jazz and Blues Festival please click here and to find out more about Bearwood’s no1 jazz club please click here!

You Lightwoods Up My Life!

Oh no!  All the time slots on the Lightwoods House Pre-Construction Tours on Sunday 27th July are already filled.  It's really not surprising though.

Thankfully Cherie O'Sullivan can help and emailed us at welovebearwood to say "All Lightwoods House Tours are now fully booked but if would still like to see the internal of the house please email cherie_osullivan@sandwell.gov.uk with your expression of interest before 5.00pm on Friday 18th July 2014 and you will be placed on a waiting list for a potential second date of tours.  Thank you, Cherie"

So Bearwood get your request in quick!

Picnic in the Park 2014 Pictures

Although the sunshine might have been slow to make an appearance Bearwood photographer Ken Harrison's shots of the day show that everybody enjoyed Warley Woods' 13th Picnic in the Park and had a fantastic time.  

Well done Warley Woods and here's to another 13 great years and many more to come.

All photos courtesy of Bearwood's finest Ken Harrison, thank you.  You can see more of Ken's photos here.

Chamberlains Turn On The Tapas!

Bravo! (oh yes we're bilingual! ) Chamberlains' special Tapas Day on Friday 20th June was such a success in raising lots of money for the Fishermen's Mission charity that they're turning on the Tapas again over the weekend of 25th - 27th July.

All Tapas dishes will cost just £4.75 each and with such delicacies as Moroccan Red Mullet, bacon wrapped cod cheeks or caramelised scallop risotto they'll make the perfect starter, side order to your fish and chips or a great way to share different dishes with your friends.  

This is going to be one VERY popular event so we suggest you make a reservation right here right NOW! 

Chamberlains really are spoiling us though as to celebrate Black Country Day (or as we like to call it Faggot, Chips and Payse Day) on Monday 14th July they have linked up with two other award winning family Black Country businesses.   

Bowketts of Oldbury will be supplying their faggots which will be served at Chamberlains with chips and their homemade minted mushy peas (cooked the old fashioned way by soaking them overnight). An onion gravy with Summat Else cider brewed by local brewery Holdens will accompany the meal.  Bostin!

You can get your Black Country favourite from Chamberlains between the hours of 12noon and 9pm to takeaway or eat in on 14th July.   Takeaway Faggots, chips and "Payse" will cost just £3.95 on Monday at Chamberlains and Bowketts black pudding fritters and battered roe will also be served as well as Chamberlains award winning Fish & Chips, still with mushy "payse" of course.  

Don't have a cob on go down Chamberlains for your tea!

A ray of Lightwoods!

Ever wondered what it looks like inside Lightwoods House and fancied having a sneaky peep before all the work starts....well here's your chance!

Sandwell County Council are offering people a look around the property on Sunday 27th July and will be explaining the works to be carried out and the timescale for the work.  You will be shown around in groups of 12 and timeslots are available between 12.00 noon and 3.45pm.

As you can probably imagine the tours are getting quickly booked up so to book your place call Cherie O'Sullivan on 0121 569 4740 or email her at cherie_osullivan@sandwell.gov.uk TODAY!

No 13....Lucky for Bearwood!

Great news!  Warley Woods Community Trust is hosting its 13th Picnic in the Park next Sunday 13th July.  

There's a programme full of events and activities for everybody to enjoy so why not bring your rug, make a picnic and take everybody you know to Warley Woods for the afternoon? The sunshine's been invited to come along too!

Music's on from 1pm - 6pm courtesy of the friendly bunch, the Bearwood Promoters who put on the Bearwood Shuffles at Lightwoods Park Bandstand and features local bands and a local dance group including Simon Boswell, Jane James, Peter Hyde and Friends,Ethel Vince, Paul Miller and Mr Apollo, The Fidgets, The Strangest Feeling and All Hail Regale. 

There will also be a range of children’s activities, including lots of craft making opportunities,

face painting, bouncy castles and golf games.

The number of stalls and activities havebeen increased on previous years; so lots of crafts, food and gifts to browse. There will also be local charities tempting you with tombolas and cakes. 

The Trust will have a bookstall, samosas, games and their own tombola to help raise money for the maintenance of Warley Woods. 

The Warley Woods regulars the Warley Woods Pacers (runners) and Kickstart Bootcamp will be offering fun activities. For those who don’t want the fuss of making their own picnic, or if they forget it - there will be food available so no one will go hungry.

For the four legged park visitors, there is the dog show – anyone can bring their canine friend to enter. Classes include the dog that looks most like its owner and the waggiest tail. This year’s sponsor – Companion Care Vets of Oldbury has taken special charge of helping with the dog show, so there will be excellent prizes along with special categories for their customers.

Viv Cole, Trust Manager explained to welovebearwood that “We are really looking forward to this year’s event. Many thanks to Bearwood Promoters for organising the music, Companion Care Vets, Oldbury for sponsoring the whole event for the third year. Then with the all Warley Woods volunteers and supporter, we have a really strong community team working together to
create a great event for everyone to enjoy.”

Summer Samba Sounds

The next afternoon of acoustic music at the Samba Lounge has just been added to our What's on in Bearwood calendar for this coming Sunday.  

Entry is FREE (yep Bearwood there's our favourite word again!)  and the music kicks off at 2pm.

Esther Turner's definitely one to watch for the future and we just love this video of her busking in Birmingham city centre.

P.S.  If you are holding an event in Bearwood and would like our help spreading the word, please send the details to us at welovebearwood@googlemail.com and pop the words EVENT REQUESTS in the subject header.  

Thimblemill Library July 2014 Calendar

No...seriously...it can't be 1st July today!  How did that happen?  Before we know it will be Christmas, aaarrrggghhh!

As we like to say Keep Calm and Carry on and thank goodness for Thimblemill Library to help us to do so. 

This month's events are looking....BIG!

On Saturday 12 July Our Big Gig returns to Thimblemill Library and if you went to last year's event you'll know it's a day definitely not to be missed. 

Up and down the nation communities will be coming together through their love of music and from 4.30pm - 9.30pm there will be singer songwriters Kim and Joe, Alex Lanyon and Amelia to name just a few performing alongside ukulele bands, music workshops and children's stories set to music by Nicola McAteer.  

You won't go hungry either as Bearwood Pantry will be selling lots of yummy local food delights.

Thimblemill Library give it to us large again on Saturday 19th July when blues and jazz legend and The Silvershine Jazz Club regular the very statuesque Steve Ajao brings his Blues Giants to Thimblemill Library.  The jazz night starts at 7pm and it's FREE (our favourite word...yeah!).  Here's Steve Ajao in action...sax-tastic!

There's plenty for the kids too and one of the highlights has to be the Haka Day Out workshop. You'll be able to learn the traditional Maori dance and then join the free coach trip to Birmingham Hippodrome to perform on the big stage.

We guess you could say that this month at Thimblemill Library size does matter!