Lichfield Santa Sleigh Fundraiser Opens Applications to Local Charities

Local charities and community organisations are being invited to take part in one of Lichfield’s much-loved Christmas traditions as preparations begin for the annual Santa Sleigh fundraiser.

Organised by Lichfield Round Table, the popular festive initiative sees Father Christmas travel through local streets during December, bringing seasonal cheer to families while raising money for worthwhile causes.

Each evening, representatives from participating charities and community groups accompany Santa’s sleigh, helping collect donations and promote the work of local organisations.

Applications to participate open today, Friday 16 October 2026.

The Santa Sleigh has become a familiar part of Christmas in Lichfield, combining festive entertainment with practical support for the local community.

For participating organisations, the initiative provides an opportunity to raise funds, meet residents and increase awareness of their work.

The annual event also depends on volunteers who give their time throughout the Christmas period.

Local charities, voluntary organisations and not-for-profit groups interested in participating are encouraged to follow Lichfield Round Table’s announcements.

Further details about the application process will be published through the organisation’s Facebook page.

Photograph Courtesy of Lichfield Live

World Singing Day 2026

World Singing Day 2026: Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth Raise Their Voices!

Saturday 17 October 2026

Music has a wonderful ability to bring people together, lift spirits and create lasting memories. This Saturday, 17 October, communities around the world will celebrate World Singing Day 2026, and there’s plenty of musical entertainment to enjoy across Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield and Tamworth.

From traditional male voice choirs and community singing to pop classics and spectacular live performances, there’s something for almost every musical taste.

What is World Singing Day?

World Singing Day is an annual global celebration of singing, bringing people together through the simple pleasure of making music.

The occasion encourages everyone to participate, regardless of age, background or musical ability.

You don’t need to be a professional singer, belong to a choir or even consider yourself particularly musical. World Singing Day is about enjoying music, sharing experiences and celebrating the connections that singing creates.

And across our three local areas, Saturday promises to be a particularly musical occasion.

🎵 Sutton Coldfield: Birmingham Male Voice Choir Autumn Concert

St Columba’s Church, Banners Gate Road, Sutton Coldfield

Saturday 17 October | 7pm–8.30pm

One of the region’s established male voice choirs will be performing in Sutton Coldfield on Saturday evening.

Birmingham Male Voice Choir brings together singers who share a love of music, friendship and performing.

The choir’s repertoire includes traditional favourites, popular songs, show tunes and uplifting arrangements performed in four-part harmony.

Its Autumn Concert at St Columba’s promises an enjoyable evening for anyone who appreciates the distinctive sound of male voice choral singing.

Further information: Birmingham Male Voice Choir’s official website.

🎵 Tamworth: Everybody Sings! Choir and City of Lichfield Concert Band

The Coton Centre, Comberford Road, Tamworth

Saturday 17 October | 7.30pm–9.30pm

Tickets: Adults £12.50 | Children £5

A wonderful example of community music-making takes place in Tamworth when Everybody Sings! Choir joins forces with the City of Lichfield Concert Band.

The concert will feature a varied programme of popular music, combining the voices of a welcoming community choir with the instrumental talents of an award-winning concert band.

Everybody Sings! embraces a simple philosophy: singing is for everyone, whether you believe you can sing or not.

Meanwhile, the City of Lichfield Concert Band is a 50-piece community ensemble with an impressive record of performances across Staffordshire and the West Midlands.

Together, they promise an entertaining evening celebrating the enjoyment of making music.

Booking: Citizen Ticket.

🎵 Tamworth: Tamworth Young Musicians 2026

St Editha’s Church, Tamworth

Saturday 17 October | 7pm

Young musical talent will also take centre stage in Tamworth this Saturday.

Following the success of its 2025 event, Tamworth Young Musicians returns for 2026, showcasing musical performances by talented children and young people.

The event provides another opportunity to celebrate local music-making while supporting the next generation of performers.

Tickets are advertised from £3.

🎵 Lichfield: Tunde of Lighthouse Family at Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral

Saturday 17 October | Performance advertised from 7.45pm

The magnificent surroundings of Lichfield Cathedral will welcome Tunde Baiyewu, the unmistakable voice of Lighthouse Family.

Known for the group’s much-loved hits, including Lifted, Ocean Drive and High, Tunde brings his distinctive soulful vocals to one of Staffordshire’s most spectacular venues.

Performing with a full band, this promises to be a memorable evening for fans of soulful pop music.

Booking: Eventim and authorised ticket outlets.

🎵 Lichfield: 80’s Mania at the Garrick

Lichfield Garrick Theatre

Saturday 17 October | 7.30pm

Tickets: £34

For those who prefer their singing accompanied by a little dancing and nostalgia, 80’s Mania arrives at the Lichfield Garrick.

This energetic musical spectacular celebrates some of the biggest hits of the 1980s, featuring tributes to artists including Duran Duran, Madonna, Wham!, Culture Club, Kim Wilde and Bananarama.

With a live band, dancers and more than 35 chart-topping hits, audiences can look forward to an evening packed with familiar favourites.

🎤 Why Not Join a Choir?

World Singing Day isn’t just about watching other people perform.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to consider joining a local choir or singing group.

Community choirs offer opportunities to meet new people, develop musical confidence and enjoy performing together.

Whether your musical tastes lean towards classical, musical theatre, gospel or contemporary pop, there are singing groups catering for a wide variety of interests and abilities.

And remember, you don’t necessarily need any previous singing experience to get involved.

Let the Music Bring Us Together!

Whether you’re attending a concert, singing along to your favourite songs at home or considering joining a choir for the first time, World Singing Day is an opportunity to celebrate something that connects us all.

So this Saturday, why not turn up the music, sing your favourite song and join people around the world in celebrating the joy of singing?

Happy World Singing Day from What’s On In Sutton Coldfield, incorporating What’s On In Lichfield and What’s On In Tamworth!

Please note: The concerts featured are taking place on World Singing Day but are not necessarily officially affiliated with the international celebration. Event information and ticket availability may change.

🎟️ Event links for the article

£270,000 Transformation for Sutton Coldfield’s Foley Arms as New Grandstand Sports Pub Prepares to Open

The Foley Arms in Sutton Coldfield is undergoing a £270,000 refurbishment as it prepares to reopen on Wednesday 28 October 2026 with a completely new look and an exciting sports-focused experience.

The popular community pub, which temporarily closed on 5 October, is being transformed into one of Marston’s new Grandstand sports pubs, designed to bring the atmosphere of a major sporting event into the heart of the local community.

A Stadium-Style Experience

The refurbishment will introduce multiple large television screens, a state-of-the-art immersive sound system and flexible tiered seating, giving customers excellent views of the sporting action.

The pub’s beer garden is also receiving a makeover, complete with outdoor screens, while customers will be able to order food and drinks through the Marston’s Order & Pay app without missing a moment of their favourite sporting events.

Once reopened, the Foley Arms will screen a wide variety of sports, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, Formula One, darts and horse racing.

Pool tables and regulation dartboards will also return, with plans for competitive leagues and free-to-play sessions.

Celebrating Sutton Coldfield’s Sporting Heritage

One particularly interesting feature of the transformation is the pub’s plan to decorate its walls with memorabilia celebrating local sporting achievements.

The Foley Arms is inviting local sports clubs, teams and residents to contribute photographs and memorabilia highlighting Sutton Coldfield’s sporting stars and memorable moments, both past and present.

General Manager Kassidy Lees said:

“We will have some amazing new technology, food and drink offers and events, and we want as many local people to be featured on our walls as possible. We can’t wait to welcome all our regulars and some new faces in, to see the new and improved Foley Arms.”

The initiative offers an opportunity for local sports clubs to see their achievements recognised and celebrated within the community.

New Match Day Food and Drinks

Alongside the refurbishment, the Foley Arms will introduce a new food offering designed for sports fans and groups of friends.

Its Match Day Menu will feature favourites including chicken wings, nachos, steak and ale pie, burgers and grills.

The drinks selection is also being refreshed, with draught beers available in two-pint cups.

Local sports teams will be able to apply for a special Black Card, offering exclusive benefits, rewards for celebrating victories and unlimited chips on team nights.

A New Chapter for a Community Favourite

Marston’s says the Foley Arms was selected for its Grandstand transformation because of its established connections with local sports teams, community organisations and charities.

The company hopes the investment will strengthen the pub’s position as a meeting place for local residents while attracting sports enthusiasts from across Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding area.

With its reopening scheduled for Wednesday 28 October, the Foley Arms is preparing to welcome regular customers and new visitors to experience its transformed surroundings.

Reopening Details

Venue: The Foley Arms, Sutton Coldfield

Reopening date: Wednesday 28 October 2026

Investment: £270,000

New concept: Marston’s Grandstand Sports Pub

Website and bookings: www.foleyarmspub.co.uk

Source: Press release supplied by Marston’s / Foley Arms.

What’s On in Sutton Coldfield, incorporating What’s On in Lichfield & Tamworth.

Images: Courtesy of Marston’s. Representative photographs of the Grandstand sports pub concept; not the refurbished Foley Arms.

Murder Investigation Launched Following Fatal Stabbing in Sutton Coldfield

West Midlands Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in his twenties after a stabbing in Sutton Coldfield.

Emergency services were called to the car park of the Beggars Bush pub on Chester Road shortly before 2am on Sunday 11 October 2026.

Despite efforts to save him, the man sadly died.

Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have CCTV, dashcam or mobile-phone footage that could assist their enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police, quoting log 345 of 11 October 2026.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Source: West Midlands Police

Photo credit: Beggars Bush / Official Website.

Buck’s Bridge: A New Chapter in the Restoration of Lichfield Canal

A new lift bridge on the Lichfield Canal has officially been named in honour of the man who helped design it, marking another important milestone in the ambitious project to restore the city’s historic waterway.

The Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) has celebrated the opening of Buck’s Bridge at Gallows Reach, off Tamworth Road, with former trustee and bridge designer Peter Buck unveiling the nameplate.

The ceremony recognised Peter’s contribution to the restoration project and the dedication of the volunteers, engineers and supporters who have helped turn the plans into reality.

A Bridge Built Through Community Support

Installed in April 2026, the new lift bridge provides a safe crossing over the canal route, maintaining the public right of way between Longbridge Road and Tamworth Road.

When the restored canal becomes navigable, the bridge will be able to lift to allow boats to pass beneath it.

The project was made possible through generous community support, including £39,000 raised during the Trust’s Big Give Christmas Challenge in 2022 and a further £21,000 donated through the legacy of a local supporter.

Specialist engineering company ProMack Ltd carried out the installation, supported by groundwork from Walsh Construction and the efforts of LHCRT volunteers.

Restoring a Piece of Lichfield’s Heritage

Buck’s Bridge forms part of the wider Gallows Reach restoration project, which aims to reconnect sections of the historic Lichfield Canal.

The scheme includes approximately 650 metres of restored canal channel between London Road and Borrowcop Locks Canal Park, a new lock near Cricket Lane, improved pedestrian access and additional landscaping.

Work is being undertaken in stages, with volunteers playing a central role in bringing the waterway back to life.

The restoration also aims to enhance the surrounding environment through new planting, improved habitats and opportunities for residents to enjoy the canal corridor.

A Lasting Tribute

Naming the bridge after Peter Buck recognises both his engineering contribution and the years of commitment behind the canal’s revival.

For the Trust and its supporters, the new crossing represents far more than a practical piece of infrastructure. It is another visible sign of progress towards the long-term ambition of bringing boats back to Lichfield.

With further restoration work planned over the coming years, Buck’s Bridge will stand as a lasting reminder of what community determination, technical expertise and volunteer dedication can achieve.

Find out more: Visit the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust for restoration updates, volunteering opportunities and ways to support the project.

Published: 12 October 2026 | What’s On in Sutton Coldfield, incorporating What’s On in Lichfield & Tamworth.

Photographs courtesy of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT).

🏃‍♀️ Lichfield Runners Raise Nearly £30,000 for Kids’ Village

A remarkable community fundraising challenge in Lichfield has raised almost £30,000 for Kids’ Village, bringing the charity another step closer to helping seriously ill children and their families enjoy much-needed respite breaks.

The One More Lap challenge saw more than 20 teams come together at Lichfield’s picturesque Stowe Pool for a 12-hour fundraising event, demonstrating the generosity and determination of the local community.

By the end of the challenge, an impressive £29,788 had been raised for Kids’ Village, a charity working to create a dedicated respite holiday village for children living with serious illnesses and their families.

A Community United for a Special Cause

Throughout the event, participants completed laps around Stowe Pool, with teams working together to keep the challenge going over the 12-hour period.

The event brought together people of different ages and abilities, united by a shared determination to support a project that could make a meaningful difference to families facing incredibly difficult circumstances.

The impressive fundraising total reflects not only the efforts of those taking part but also the generosity of sponsors, supporters and the wider Lichfield community.

Helping Families Make Precious Memories

Kids’ Village is working towards establishing a purpose-built holiday village where seriously ill children and their families can spend valuable time together away from the pressures of hospital appointments and medical treatment.

The charity’s vision is to provide a welcoming environment where families can relax, enjoy new experiences and create lasting memories.

Fundraising initiatives such as One More Lap play an important role in helping to turn that vision into reality.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Following the success of this year’s event, another One More Lap challenge is being planned for September 2027.

With such an enthusiastic response from participants and supporters, organisers will be hoping to build on this year’s achievements and continue raising vital funds for Kids’ Village.

For everyone who took part, volunteered, sponsored or supported the event, the £29,788 total represents a tremendous community achievement — and another encouraging step towards making the Kids’ Village dream a reality.

Good Hope Hospital Opens New Clinical Research Facility

Patients in Sutton Coldfield and surrounding areas will have greater opportunities to take part in potentially life-changing medical research following the opening of a dedicated clinical research facility at Good Hope Hospital.

The new facility, located in the hospital’s former CU27 ward, provides a purpose-designed environment for clinical trials and medical studies, helping researchers explore new approaches to patient treatment and care.

Previously, research participants were seen in different parts of the hospital, including existing wards, depending on the availability of space.

The new dedicated facility will provide a more consistent and comfortable setting, while allowing the hospital to expand the range of research opportunities available to local patients.

A Special First Patient

Among the first to benefit is 95-year-old Joan, who has become the facility’s first research participant.

Joan is taking part in a stroke study led by consultant Dr Yadava, investigating how two different medications may affect cognitive function following a stroke.

For Joan, having the research facility close to home has made a significant difference. Travelling further afield would not have been practical, meaning she might otherwise have missed the opportunity to participate.

Her involvement highlights one of the new facility’s most important benefits: making medical research more accessible to people in their own communities.

Expanding Research at Good Hope

The opening represents another step in the development of clinical research at Good Hope Hospital, which serves Sutton Coldfield and communities across North Birmingham and south-east Staffordshire.

Jo Plumb, Director of Research and Innovation at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, welcomed the development, explaining that the dedicated space will support a wider range of clinical studies and make research more accessible to local patients.

The investment has been supported by the hospital’s executive team, recognising the importance of developing research services alongside everyday patient care.

Opportunities for Local Patients

The new facility is expected to create further opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research, contributing to studies that may help improve future treatments and healthcare.

Patients and healthcare professionals interested in becoming involved in research at Good Hope Hospital can contact the research team at [email protected].

The opening marks an encouraging development for local healthcare, bringing medical research closer to the communities the hospital serves.

📷 Lichfield Camera Club Celebrates National Competition Success

Lichfield Camera Club is celebrating a double success after reaching the final of a prestigious national photography competition and achieving an impressive set of results in a regional exhibition.

The club has secured a place in the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain’s Inter-Club Print Championship final, which takes place on Saturday 24 October.

The competition brings together leading camera clubs from across the country, making qualification a significant achievement for the Lichfield group.

There was further cause for celebration in the Midland Mono Exhibition, where club members achieved 17 accepted entries, three more than the previous year.

Among the individual successes was Anne Anderson, who received a Gary medal for her atmospheric photograph Morning Mist Over Derwentwater.

Fellow member Sue Freeman also received recognition, earning a PAGB ribbon for her striking photograph of Whitby Abbey.

Club chairman Joe Anderson welcomed the achievements, highlighting the contribution of talented new members and the high standard of photography being produced by the relatively small club.

He also emphasised that Lichfield Camera Club continues to welcome photographers of all abilities, offering opportunities to develop both creative and technical skills.

With the national final approaching, members now have another exciting occasion to look forward to as they represent Lichfield on the national photographic stage.

🛒 NEW ALDI SET TO OPEN IN SUTTON COLDFIELD

The wait is nearly over — Sutton Coldfield’s new Aldi is set to open its doors on Thursday 8 October at 8am.

The new supermarket on Brassington Avenue has been taking shape over recent months and is part of Aldi’s continuing UK expansion programme. Aldi confirmed Sutton Coldfield among 16 locations due to receive new stores during 2026.

The development brings the previously vacant Brassington Avenue site back into use close to the town centre. The site has been earmarked for redevelopment for a number of years, with earlier proposals never coming to fruition.

With the finishing touches now going in, shoppers don’t have much longer to wait.

📅 Opening: Thursday 8 October 2026
⏰ 8am
📍 Brassington Avenue, Sutton Coldfield

Will you be heading along to take a look?

#SuttonColdfield #Aldi #ShopLocal #LocalNews #WhatsOnSuttonColdfield

Images from Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID

🎾 PLANS CHANGED FOR SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN CENTRE SPORTS VENUE

Plans for a new rooftop sports venue at Sutton Coldfield’s Gracechurch Shopping Centre have been revised.

The original scheme, approved in February, would reuse the upper level of the multi-storey car park for sports courts, together with a clubhouse and associated facilities.

The latest application proposes replacing one of the approved tennis courts with four padel courts, as well as extending the venue’s permitted opening hours until 11pm.

An earlier attempt to make similar changes — including opening until midnight — was refused in August. The revised application was submitted in September and is currently awaiting a decision, with consultation open until 12 October.

The development forms part of efforts to bring more leisure uses into Sutton Coldfield town centre. Earlier this year, Royal Sutton Coldfield BID said the sports proposals could help diversify the town centre and encourage increased footfall outside traditional retail hours.

What do you think of the revised plans — would you use a town-centre padel venue?