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❗️UPDATE | Please see changes below to testing guidance.

From 11 January, people who receive positive lateral flow results for COVID-19 will be required to self-isolate immediately and won’t be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
This is a temporary measure while COVID-19 rates remain high across the UK. Whilst levels of COVID-19 are high, the vast majority of people with positive LFD results can be confident that they have COVID-19.
This reflects similar changes made in January last year when there was also a high prevalence of infection meaning it was highly likely that a positive LFD COVID-19 result was a true positive. Anyone who develops one of the three main COVID-19 symptoms should stay at home and self-isolate and take a PCR test. They must self-isolate if they get a positive test result, even if they have had a recent negative lateral flow test – these rules have not changed.
UKHSA CEO Dr Jenny Harries has thanked the public and critical workers who continue to test regularly and self-isolate when necessary. Read more: https://www.gov.uk/…/confirmatory-pcr-tests-to-be…

The NHS is here for you this Christmas

The NHS is urging people to make the right healthcare choice when they are seeking medical help or advice over the holiday period.

Making the right choice this Christmas doesn’t just mean picking the perfect present or selecting your favourite flavour from the chocolate tin.

A range of healthcare options, from local pharmacies to NHS 111, are available over the holidays, and each option is best suited for different medical needs.

Over the festive season, a number of local pharmacies in Birmingham and Solihull will be open, offering quick, confidential advice on lots of common illnesses, as well as over-the-counter medication.

You can find pharmacy opening hours over Christmas and New Year’s here. Please do not visit a pharmacy if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

While many people enjoy a break this week, your local NHS is working really hard to help people who need our help. That’s why patients should use NHS 111 first to help NHS urgent and emergency care services maintain social distancing and ensure that patients receive the right care in the right place, in a timely and safe way. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can call 111 or visit the website 111.nhs.uk.

Dr Richard Mendelsohn, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “There are a range of healthcare services available to people in Birmingham and Solihull throughout the festive period.

“There are many common illnesses and injuries that can be treated at home, so make sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet, to avoid having to venture out. Good items to have include your usual pain relief, diarrhoea relief, rehydration sachets, antihistamines and heartburn and indigestion remedies, as well as first aid essentials, such as plasters, dressings, eye wash and bandages.

“There are steps we can all take to look after ourselves and loved ones, such as wearing a mask indoors, taking regular lateral flow tests and getting your COVID and flu vaccines.”

Copy of a Press Release by Birmingham & Solihull CCG

Shrek ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shrek The Musical – Script Youth Musical Theatre

Highbury Theatre

Monday 13th December (Dress Rehearsal)

By Nigel Gambles

Photography – Nigel Gambles Photography

After a delay of some 18 months due to the pandemic we are finally ready to be taken to the Kingdom of Duloc and a nearby “Stinky Swamp”. Yes its’s time to meet up with your friendly neighbourhood ogre and his friend donkey along with Princess Fiona and Lord Farquaaad, played by Harry R, Beth, Louisa and Finlay.

In a nutshell the story pretty much follows that of the film, Shrek’s swamp home is invaded by fairytale refugees banished from Duloc after being persuaded by them to visit Farquaad and regain his swamp. On the way he meets up with a very talkative donkey once there Farquaad demands that he rescues Princess Fiona from a dragon protected keep

Harry R plays Shrek perfectly and seems very at home with the role, Beth is superb as donkey her voice and acting excellent, but to me Finlay stole the show as the manipulative Farquaad his portrayal being slight manic with a camp edge also spending the whole performance on his knees “this had me wishing that I could manage a couple of minutes.” Louisa played a spirited Fiona. They were all supported by an excellent and enthusiastic cast with Sophia’s Pinocchio and Josef’s Big Bad wolf leading them.

This is a young cast who all performed with enthusiasm  with on the whole strong and clear vocals.

I would recommend you grab the chance to see this lovely show and support this youth company. The show runs until Saturday with some tickets still available via 👇

https://www.script-ymtc.org.uk

 

Campaign to save Empire Cinema in Sutton Coldfield

The Empire Cinema in Sutton Coldfield shut its doors due to the second nationwide coronavirus lockdown in November 2020 and has not reopened.

Last month its owners revealed bombshell plans to sell off the venues carpark to developers McCarthy and Stone who want to build a 43 apartment retirement complex.

Empire cinemas have issued a statement saying that they intend to use the funds generated by the sale to refurbish the Grade II – listed Art Deco cinema and make it fit for the 21st Century.

Cinema goer Richard Haynes who like many of us me included has been using the cinema since childhood has said he is determined that the venue be reopened for its intended purpose. He has set up a campaign group, Future of Cinema in Sutton Coldfield (FoCiS), which wants to work ‘positively’ with Empire Cinemas to preserve its long-term future in the town. But if that falls through, his group is considering registering the venue, which first opened in 1938, as an asset of community value, as an ‘insurance policy’ to get first refusal with any sell-off.

What’s on In Sutton Coldfield will certainly be supporting Richard in his campaign.

Picture Credit – Cinema Treasures

Latest Covid 19 Figures.

COVID-19: Omicron cases rise sharply by 448 and all coronavirus infections top 58,000 in latest UK daily figures. The latest figures come as further measures to try to control the spread of Omicron come into force in England – including a legal requirement for face masks to be worn in more indoor spaces including cinemas, theatres, churches, museums, galleries and community centres.

Picture Credit : iStock

Charlotte Tilbury Master Class in aid of St Giles Hospice

Saturday the 4th December saw the resumption of face to face charity events forSt Giles Hospice fundraising ambassador Linda.

The event was held at the Green House Pub in Mere Green, the guests were treated to an hour of tip and tricks in this wonderful masterclass provided by the Charlotte Tilbury staff from Selfridges in Birmingham, and got to take home a goody bag of CT products.

After the masterclass everyone moved to the restaurant for a wonderful Breakfast/Brunch during which tickets were sold for the raffle, prizes included a Lavazza Coffee Machine, Pamper sessions at Pure Hair & Spa, meal at the Green House, watches, wine, and lots more.

An amazing £700 (approx)  was raised through the generosity of all the guests present all of which were saying they were looking forward to the next one in 2022

Rudolph Run

Sunday saw the return of the well loved Rudolph Run at Tamworth Castle in aid of St Giles Hospice, cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

There was a wonderful atmosphere with most of the runners in fancy dress including a small pack of unicorns.

A spokesperson for St Giles Hospice said

“A huge thanks to the ho ho ho hundreds of supporters who took part in our 13th annual Rudolph Run on Sunday 5th December.

Well done to all of our fantastic runners and walkers. Your support helps us to continue caring for local people, and their families, living with a terminal illness.”

Pictures ©Nigel Gambles Photography

Micropub Opens in Mere Green

At 12.00pm today the latest Ale Hub Micropub opened in Mere Green, this is number 4 for the enterprising owners Cambell and Connor with the others in Worcester and two in Solihull.

The Ale Hub is a micropub specialising in cask ales, craft beers and a variety of gins. We are a pub that listens to it’s customers, brings that traditional pub feel to the community, and offers a variety of classic pub snacks.

“The Ale Hub Micropub is a family run business who’s goal is to revitalise the local pub scene and provide the community with a choice of refreshing and well-kept beverages in a relaxed and friendly environment. This was based on personal experiences at existing drinking establishments where the ale was often poorly kept and the lines were not properly maintained. We decided to create an establishment where quality and cleanliness were the priority. At the Ale Hub you know this is guaranteed and all our drinks have been kept properly and treated with the respect they deserve, meaning you get a fantastic service and most importantly a delicious drink.

We offer a range of Gins, Wines and revolving Cask Ales so you will always find something that you will enjoy. We like to try lots of different Cask and Craft Beers so we will rotate the lines to suit different tastes.”

Picture Credit Nigel Gambles Photography for What’s On In Sutton Coldfield

Trinity Players New Show – Showstoppers

Trinity Players invites you to celebrate the return of theatre in this toe-tapping concert, featuring a century of hit songs from the West End, Broadway and Hollywood. The show takes you on a fabulous, musical journey with many hit songs from a whole host of shows spanning a century of theatre.  It is to be performed at Streetly Community Centre from 2nd – 4th December 2021.

From the classic big band numbers of golden age movie musicals to ballads from current hit shows, ‘Showstoppers’ is a celebration of everything we love (and have missed) about musical theatre.

Trinity Players annual concert is highly anticipated and has sold out for the past few years. We cannot wait to welcome you back!

For tickets and enquiries:

  1. Call our box office on 07843 928830
  2. Book online at Ticket Source Trinity Players

Picture Credit Lee Williams Photography for What’s On In Sutton Coldfield

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