Parking Around

Parking Around, the new and exciting show from circus theatre group Rogue Play, is taking place this weekend. We caught up with Bearwood resident, Niamh Smyth, who's taking part to find out more about it.

It sounds like a lot of fun. How did you get involved and what role do you play?

I first heard of Rogue Play through the audition advertisement for the community project that evolved into ‘Parking Around’. Not only did I love the idea of 12 people from all different backgrounds learning something as exciting and challenging as aerial circus skills. But I had previously been tempted to join aerial circus classes but found the idea of going it alone quite daunting.  

You've obviously really enjoyed the experience.  What are your plans for the future?

Now, I have met some amazingly talented new friends as well as had the pleasure of being trained by some incredible people.  The project will be a positive, humorous and dynamic presentation of park life in which you will be able to see me in an aerial silks routine, a dance and a lifts and acrobalance sequence.

Wow!  So what has been the most challenging thing you've done?

Although the whole training process was physically challenging there were also many mental barriers for everyone involved whether that be being afraid of heights, being able to trust somebody or yourself to keep you safe.  

You are brave. Is this something you would like to do again in the future? 

I think its safe to say I am now addicted to the feeling of accomplishing something new in circus skills every single time I visit Rogue Play, the rate at which everyone improves is an incredible thing to watch and I definitely plan on continuing my journey with Rogue Play.

Fantastic.  

What’s your connection to Bearwood? 

I’ve lived in Bearwood my whole life so it’s the place that I call home.  

We like calling it home too. 

Please tell us your Bearwood All-Star. In other words what, where or who makes you smile in Bearwood?

My Bearwood All-Stars would be a certain 2 houses on St Mary’s Road and Barclay Road; it would be telling to tell you what number!

Niamh, one more question which we like to ask everyone this question is what makes Lightwoods Chippy’s chips orange?

Fairy dust and sunshine. 

Aaah, we love that answer!  

Thanks Niamh for agreeing to the welovebearwood interview.  

We’ll come and see you on Saturday.

Parking Around is on this weekend at the following times and venues.

On Saturday 14th June at at 12pm and at 3pm at Eastside Park Curzon St, Birmingham, West Midlands B4 7AP 

On Sunday 15th June at 12pm and at 3pm at Walkers Heath Park, off Walkers Heath Road, Kings Norton, Birmingham, B38 0AU 

The performances are completely FREE to the public and followed by FREE participatory workshops for adults and children alike.

So come along and get Parking Around!  For more details please visit Parking Around's Facebook page right here!

Care-wood!

Have you got your Bearwood Shuffle flyer for this Sunday’s event ?

Turn it over and you’ll find a fish-tastic BOGOF voucher from those kind soles (of the lemon or dover variety) at Chamberlains Fish and Chips Quality Restaurant on Hagley Road. 

They’re also sponsoring the Shuffle for the second year running and on behalf of the friendly bunch, the Bearwood Promoters, organizing the Shuffle we would like to say a very big thank you to them.

The other thing which we are really excited about is that the Bearwood Bear will be making his debut appearance at Sunday’s Shuffle. 

Handmade by Chubby Pink Piggy Creations, the Bearwood Bear will be sold exclusively on Webb’s stall and all profits made will be donated to Bearwood based charities including Smethwick in a Stew, Bearwood Promoters,Birmingham and Black Country Wildlife Trust,  Warley Woods Community Trust, Bearwood Boys Brigade, Friends of Lightwoods Park and Friends of Thimblemill library. 

The big versions of the Bearwood Bear will cost £19 each and the smaller bears £12 each.  The Bearwood Bear is CE tested, safe for babies and big fans of welovebearwood. 

They are so cute.  Get yours quick before they all sell out!

The Midlands’ Return

Exciting news from Black Country Ale about Bearwood’s real ale pub which will be opening very soon. 

The pub has been named (whoop!  whoop!  pint glasses at the ready!) and in recognition of the building’s previous role as a bank at the centre of daily life in the area the pub will be called The Midland.  

We also think the name is appropriate as the Midland Red Bus Company’s Headquarters used to be in Bearwood.

The competition to name the new venture was entered by hundreds of local people and Graham Manwaring of pub owner’s Black Country Ales explained to welovebearwood that “we have had huge interest in naming the pub and we are grateful to everyone who sent in suggestions. The vast bulk of entries made reference to either the building’s past as a bank or to local references with names like “Three Shires Oak” and “Lightwoods Tavern”. We ruled out names involving Banks and Bankers because of rhyming slang connotations and public disapproval of financiers.

We also thought that the building has been so much a part of Bearwood life for so long that we had to let future pub-goers know of its former use.

The competition to win a barrel of Black Country Ales’ famous BFG beer (72 pints) was won by John McCoy – the first of several people to suggest the new name.

A sample of other name suggestions that were mentioned are listed below, some inspired, some wacky … but all gratefully received. Thank you to all who have taken part – we look forward to seeing you in The Midland."

The Bear Trap

The Ken Wharton (Bearwood’s only Formula 1 Driver)

The Bear’s Pour (Bear’s Paw)

The Bottle Bank

The Counting House

The Pounds, Shillings & Pence – a pub of note

The Little Dribble (in homage to the sadly missed Little Nibble café)

The William Mitchell Pen Factory

The Bear Would … (with image of a bear drinking real ale)

The Black (allowing impecunious customers to say “I was in the Black for the first time in ages”)

The Ferret of Warley

The Julie Walters and

The Pig & Ballbearing

Watch out for more news about The Midlands’ opening date.  We can't wait!