West Midlands Trains – Hot Weather

Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July – Speed restrictions due to hot weather

The impact of hot weather

Hot weather has an impact on the railways, and with extreme temperatures forecasted next week, speed restrictions (during peak temperature days) will be implemented across the whole rail network for a number of safety reasons. This includes (but not limited to) Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 July.

As these days present the highest temperatures forecasted, there will be a temporary-amended timetable across sections of our network. Work is currently ongoing with Network Rail to establish the level of service that we will be able to run.

We aim to have our timetable information as soon as possible, but in the meantime you can view the overview online today.

Arthur Terry student Sarah tells council chiefs to support families hit by sepsis

An inspirational Arthur Terry student who had to look after her mum when she caught a life-threatening condition took her campaign for improved support to the corridors of power, when she appeared before the biggest local authority in Europe to demand urgent action.

Year 9 student Sarah Gibson took the floor at a full meeting of Birmingham City Council on Tuesday, July 12 to ask a question about support for families who are affected by Sepsis, which struck down her mum Ali in 2019.

Sarah, who was just 11 years old at the time, cared for her mum as they were not aware of the support that was available to families in their situation.

Sepsis is the body’s over-reaction to an infection or injury, which causes the immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. It affects 245,000 people every year in the UK and is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths worldwide (11 million people).

Sarah asked a question of the council’s cabinet member with responsibility for Health and Social Care, Cllr Mariam Khan.

She told the council:

“I first came into contact with the serious effects of sepsis through my mum in 2019. This experience was very difficult and frightening for me as I did not know what Sepsis was. Even now, three years on, my mum is still struggling with the long-lasting effects that this condition has caused. Sepsis has led to anxiety for my mum’s wellbeing. This is all because she got no support.
“Nationally, 245,000 are directly affected yearly, not to mention the family of each person like me. My mum was offered no support. I had to care for her and myself when I was only 11. This is something no child should have to suddenly and irreversibly carry the responsibility for, but thousands have no choice but to. It is vital that patients are signposted towards UK Sepsis Trust services at the hospital. Awareness for sepsis is essential to save lives and lower the death rate of some 48,000 people every year.
“Will you commit to embedding signposting towards sepsis support systems like the Sepsis Trust at hospitals across Birmingham for patients and families?”

National charity the UK Sepsis Trust, which was founded in Birmingham by a doctor working at Good Hope Hospital, exists to support this hit by the condition and backed Sarah in her big moment at the council.

The Trust’s Fundraising Manager Brian Davies, who accompanied Sarah to the council meeting, said he had been ‘hugely impressed’ by the maturity and determination she had shown in demanding action.

He said: “Sarah showed great courage and determination to speak at the council and got across her point with real conviction.

“She and her family have experience of how Sepsis can impact on lives and have long-lasting effects. The UK Sepsis Trust is is proud to provide a free, confidential and compassionate helpline service, facilitated by our dedicated team of specialist sepsis nurses.

“However, effected families often don’t know about us, or aren’t pointed towards us when they need support the most.

“Sarah’s idea to embed signposting to help families affected by sepsis find us, and access our services and support, is a simple move that could improve the lives of so many people impacted by this terrible condition.”

Sarah found out about the trust during an ‘experience of the workplace’ careers event at the Arthur Terry School, which is part of the respected Arthur terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), where Brian was acting as a mentor.

Another mentor at the event, ATLP Trust member Councillor Alex Yip, arranged for Sarah to ask her question at Birmingham City Council’s full meeting, bringing the issue of sepsis to the attention of more than 100 elected councillors in the Second City.

Lauren Murphy, Sarah’s form tutor, said: “We are so proud of Sarah and the stand she has made about this issue, which has had such an impact on not only her own family but thousands of others.

“It was a privilege to see her speak to the council and we all hope the councillors will act on the suggestion she made.”

Courtesy Gary Phelps Communications Ltd

Passport to joy!

Passport to joy! Office Manager Caroline gets MP on board to bid children a “bon voyage”

A dedicated school worker teamed up with her MP to ensure two children didn’t miss the boat in joining their classmates on a dream holiday to France, after a last-minute passport mix-up.

When Year 6 Mere Green Primary pupils Taiya-Lea Brown and Daniel Wharrad faced missing the June school trip due to not having their passports back, school office manager, Caroline Dempsey made it her mission to help the children.

She enlisted the help of Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell to secure both passports in the nick of time. This included an 11th hour dash on a Sunday – just one day before the holiday – to the Liverpool passport office, which opened especially, following a heartfelt plea from Caroline and Mr Mitchell.

Caroline, who has worked at Mere Green Primary School, part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), for four months, said: “Our children have been looking forward to this holiday, especially after the last couple of years. When we realised (insert the two children’s names) wouldn’t have their passports back in time, I wanted to do all I could to help.

“I contacted Andrew Mitchell, who immediately responded and volunteered to help. We managed to get one passport delivered on the Friday, but the other was not dispatched as promised. We then tried to arrange delivery on the Saturday, with no joy. Daniel was devastated, but we did not give up hope. Andrew worked tirelessly to arrange for the Liverpool Passport Office, which is normally closed on a Sunday, to open and the family drove up to collect the passport.

“As a result, both children made the trip and had an amazing time alongside their classmates! Enormous thanks to Andrew and Liverpool Passport Office for saving the day. It’s been my pleasure to do this and seeing the children and their classmates return from their holiday with smiles on their faces, is the most rewarding part of it all.”

Mr Mitchell said: “I’m delighted that Daniel and Taiya-Lea could join the other children, and that they’ve had a wonderful adventure. When Caroline contacted me, it was clear just how much this holiday meant to all the children, and I was only too happy to help.

“Caroline selflessly devoted hours of her own time, including across the weekend, to help these families. Her tenacity and dedication to the children is commendable – she went beyond the call of duty, and that level of care is reflected across our schools in the town.

“We were very fortunate to secure this support and result, but I understand that this is not the case for everybody. I want to thank all those involved, especially Liverpool Passport Office, who pulled out all the stops to ensure two children did not miss out. What a wonderful end to term and what stories they will have to tell!”

The Mere Green pupils returned from their holiday to Paris on Monday. Headteacher Kristal Brookes said they had an “amazing time” and praised Caroline’s “hard work and determination.”

Speaking about their holiday, Taiya-Lea Brown said: “Having the support given to me by Andrew Mitchell made me feel exceptional. I am grateful that he was contacted because I thankfully got my passport and went to France.

“In France, I enjoyed seeing all the monuments and learning things that I didn’t know before. Going on this trip was a memory that I could never forget.”

Sutton Town Centre Salutes Armed Forces With Fun Day

Residents and shoppers of all ages saluted the Armed Forces in a fun event in Sutton Coldfield – which saw the town centre invaded by a pair of mischievous ‘toy soldiers’.

Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 25^th was the first event organised under the new ‘Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield’ brand, which aims to encourage more people to choose the town centre as a destination to work, study, shop and enjoy.

Organised by Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID), the day included free activities from face painting to a flight simulator – but it was the two green toy soldiers who stole the show, by parading around the town centre and interacting with shoppers.

BID Manager Michelle Baker said: “Armed Forces Day was a great success and was so much fun. This was the first of many events we have planned to encourage people to visit the town centre, and we had a brilliant response from shoppers and traders. “Sutton Coldfield town centre has so much potential, and this was very much just a taste of what’s to come – so watch this space! “Next up, we have plans for the school summers holidays, and will also be launching a new Food and Drink guide soon, to promote the 50 places to eat and drink in the town.”

On Armed Forces Day visitors to Sutton could try to win their RAF wings in a high-tech flight simulator, provided by PSW Events, listen to music performed by Royal Birmingham Conservatoire saxophonist Alicia Hillman or buy tasty treats created by army veteran and Sutton Coldfield resident Liam Hall, who is now a successful chocolatier. Free face painting for children added some colour to the day, and the two toy soldiers brought their own brand of military mayhem to the Royal town, dancing with shoppers, posing for pictures and patrolling the shops.

Video link https://youtu.be/46v1fEy_d38

Students Step Into The Dragons Den

Press Release

Students at Sutton Coldfield’s Arthur Terry School stepped into the Dragon’s Den when they took part in a day-long challenge designed to build their teamwork skills. Nearly 300 Year 9 pupils at the school, which is part of the respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), tackled the ‘RGWM challenge’, where they were tasked with producing ideas to help regenerate the West Midlands with the support of business mentors.

Lined up as ‘dragons’ were local businesses leaders, while the region’s Mayor, Andy Street, provided a video welcome to launch the day, and promised to review their best ideas too.

Then the students were split into small groups, supported by their form tutors, and encouraged to come up with original, sustainable ideas that could improve the lives of local people.

The best group from each form then presented their project in the hall Infront of the entire year 9 assembly and the assembled Dragons who chose an overall winner.

The winner was brilliant mental health project called ‘mindful motors’, which would combine a tour of Birmingham’s most inspirational sights with access to support and advice. Students wanted to convert a double decker bus, fitting it out with a quiet zone, advice centre, music and library to provide a mobile mental health resource that could tour the region.

Councillor Alex Yip said: “All the guests were impressed with the engagement of the students, their behaviour, and the inclusion for Special Educational Needs students was also noted. “The winning project was a very impressive initiative to redesign a double decker tour bus for mental health support. “It was saddening to hear how mental health was such a priority for students and how so many have struggled but had to make do.”

The mentors who gave up their time were Ben Keefe of AYK Capital , David Hulson and Kal Gurung of Mott MacDonald, Dawn Hall of Jericho, Rebecca Horner of Walsall College, Brian Davies, of UK Sepsis Trust, Careers Enterprise Advisor Ken Hutchinson, Chris Brewerton of Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce, Katharine Olie of Pathway CTM and Birmingham City Councillor, Alex Yip, who is also a Trustee on the ATLP board.

Chris Brewerton said: “We are really supportive of Arthur Terry, and it’s great to be involved in encouraging the next generation of Sutton business people, as well as out chosen charity UK Sepsis Trust, who are also taking part.”

The Trust’s Brian Davies said: “We were delighted to be involved because a great deal of our work is done through schools – we have a programme that raises awareness and involves 375 schools across the country. Days like this are great for helping students develop the kind of soft skills they will need in life and we’re very happy to support.”

Arthur Terry Director of Careers Alex Zarifeh said: “Our RGWM challenge’ was a great success and I would like to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to each of the mentors who gave an entire day to support nearly three hundred Year 9 students.

“The day helped the students learn a little of the types of challenges the world of work presents; working in new teams, collaboratively working towards a set project brief, networking and presentation skills.”

Captions:

AT RGWM 1 & 2 Mentors assemble at Arthur Terry School before the RGWM challenge.

AT RGWM 4 Arthur Terry Director of Careers Alex Zarifeh talks to the students.

AT RGWM 5 The winners with Arthur Terry headteacher Sam Kibble.

“Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield ” Brand is Launched

Press Release 20/06/22

A vibrant new ‘Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield’ brand has been launched by local business leaders, with the ambition to encourage more people to choose the Royal Town’s centre as a destination to work, study, shop and enjoy.

The new era gets underway on Saturday (June 25^th) for Armed Forces Day – when visitors will be able to take the controls of a free flight simulator and enjoy live music and face painting. An army veteran turned chocolatier will be selling tasty treats, while the hilarious ‘Green Army Men’, made famous by Toy Story, will be on parade too.

The launch follows the recent recruitment of Michelle Baker as the new manager of Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID) and provides a positive rebrand which reflects the BID’s renewed focus on raising the profile of Sutton Coldfield town centre.

Michelle said: “The BID has been in place for 10 years and it’s key that we raise the profile of both the BID company and the town centre to place Sutton Coldfield firmly on the map.

“This new branding of ‘Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield’ will help us do that, by sending out the message that this is a wonderful place to spend time, to eat, drink, shop, relax and enjoy everything we have to offer.

“We have big plans for the town centre including delivering high profile events, launching a new Food and Drink guide to promote the 50 places to eat and drink in the town and much more. Come along on Armed Forces Day to get a taste of what’s to come.”

Plans are also being worked to celebrate the Commonwealth Games.

The new Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield brand was revealed by BID board members at last week’s Sutton Coldfield Business Fair, along with its striking logo, which features four classic icons reflecting the unique nature of Sutton. The logo includes a Tudor rose, the town’s ancient symbol, a green leaf to symbolise the park, a church spire denoting Holy Trinity – the town’s oldest building – and a crown, representing the town’s famous ‘Royal’ status. The logo will become a familiar site, appearing on all BID material promoting the town centre, and will be rolled out this month to replace the older branding.

Michelle added: “This colourful new brand is just the first step – we are exploring so many exciting ideas for the town centre, such as open-air cinemas and speciality markets and other high-profile events that will encourage people to Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield.”

Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District (BID) commenced its new 5-year term in January this year and raises £200,000 per annum for town centre and business improvements. 377 businesses in the town centre pay a levy which funds town centre initiatives and events. Sutton Coldfield BID is a business-led, not for profit organisation voted for by the town’s businesses, with an ambitious plan to transform Sutton Coldfield town centre making it more welcoming, vibrant and influential.

Captions:

1. BID Board members (left to right) Alison Clack, of Cerda Planning Stephen Nixon, of Enoch Evans LLP, Gracechurch Centre manager Angela Henderson, Mark Harris, of Mark Harris Accountants and BID Manager Michelle Baker show off the new brand outside Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.

2. The new Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield logo with its colourful icons.

3. The Green Army Men, made famous by Toy Story, will be in Sutton Town Centre for this weekend’s Armed Forces Day.

4. A free Flight Simulator will also be ready for take-off for Armed Forces Day.

City Council Buy Retail Park & Shops

Birmingham City Council have bought Half of Sutton Coldfield’s Parade shopping and restaurant units including Aldi and Poundland, along with the Newhall Walk Retail Park with B&M and TK Maxx

For the full story click the link

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/multi-million-pound-deal-sees-24184850?utm_source=birmingham_live_newsletter&utm_campaign=breaking_mysuttoncoldfield_news_newsletter2&utm_medium=email

Photo courtesy Birmingham Live – The Newhall Walk Retail Park

LIFE-SAVING DEVICES UNVEILED AT ARTHUR TERRY SCHOOL

Students, staff and visitors at a Sutton school will have access to potentially life-saving equipment after new defibrillators were installed across the site, thanks to generous donations. The Arthur Terry School, which only had one defibrillator on its large site at Kittoe Road, now has three thanks to support from teacher recruitment agency Zest Education and the school’s Parents Association. The Lichfield-based agency decided to step in and fund a defibrillator and cabinet after seeing the plight of Swedish footballer Christian Eriksen, who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at the Euro 2020 championships, before being revived by one of the devices. Zest’s Partnership Director Brad Johnson said: “We have had an excellent relationship with the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership for many years now, providing teaching and support staff across their network of primary and secondary schools, and helping their students with interview techniques, CV writing and fundraising events. “So, when we were asked for help with the purchase of either a defibrillator or defibrillator storage cabinet for the Arthur Terry School, it was an easy decision to make. Zest bought and supplied both a defibrillator and the cabinet within days of being approached. “We all hope that equipment such as this is never needed, however, as we witnessed with the case of Christian Eriksen, which highlighted just how critical a defibrillator can be. Without this level of specialist intervention at that very moment, medical officials are all in agreement that he would never have survived, much less, go on to make an unlikely return to topflight football. “Having this new addition at the Arthur Terry School, will hopefully give peace of mind to staff, students and parents, and reassure them that they now have further means to reduce or prevent serious incidents on site.” Headteacher Samantha Kibble said: “We are so grateful to Zest Education and our wonderful Parents Association for funding these new defibrillators. “Our school covers a very large site, so having three of these life-saving devices in strategic locations will maximise their coverage, and ensure that there’s always a defibrillator available when needed. “All First Aiders on site know how to operate the defibs, however anyone in school would be able to use them as they are fully automated.”

Category: News