St Giles Hospice Fundraiser Represents West Midlands at Pride of Britain Awards

A remarkable fundraiser who dribbled a football more than 2,000 miles from Morocco to the Midlands has represented the West Midlands at the prestigious Pride of Britain Awards.

Football coach James Lewis attended the national ceremony in London after being named the region’s Fundraiser of the Year.

His extraordinary fundraising achievements have helped raise more than £129,000 for St Giles Hospice, making him the charity’s biggest individual fundraiser.

An incredible journey for St Giles

James completed an 86-day challenge, travelling from Morocco to the Midlands while dribbling a football.

The journey was undertaken in memory of his father, who received care from St Giles Hospice when James was just 11 years old.

The challenge attracted considerable attention and support, helping James raise substantial funds for the hospice.

His fundraising page has now reached £75,680 for the challenge alone, while his lifetime fundraising total has exceeded £129,000.

The achievement earned him the West Midlands Fundraiser of the Year title in September and a place among 17 finalists competing for the national award.

Representing the region in London

James attended the Pride of Britain Awards ceremony at Grosvenor House in London, accompanied by St Giles Hospice events manager Sam Colclough.

Although the overall Fundraiser of the Year award went to 85-year-old Barry Walden from Hull, James’s selection among the national finalists was a significant recognition of his dedication.

Barry received the national honour in recognition of 65 years spent raising money for charities through his singing.

For James, the evening provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of fundraisers from across the country.

A proud moment for St Giles Hospice

St Giles Hospice Chief Executive Elinor Eustace welcomed James’s achievement and the recognition it brought to the charity.

His fundraising has made a substantial contribution to the hospice, which provides specialist care and support to people and families facing serious illness.

The challenge has also inspired young people, with James sharing his experiences in schools.

His determination, commitment and willingness to undertake such an extraordinary journey have made him an outstanding ambassador for the charity.

Pride of Britain television broadcast

The Pride of Britain Awards ceremony will be shown on ITV1 and ITVX on Thursday 22 October 2026 at 8pm.

For supporters of St Giles Hospice, it will be another opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of a fundraiser whose efforts have made such a difference.

James may not have taken home the overall national award, but his journey from Morocco to the Midlands has already secured something equally important: lasting support and recognition for a charity close to his heart.

Lichfield Karting Star Finlay Lines Secures International Success in Belgium

A talented young racing driver from Lichfield is celebrating a remarkable achievement after finishing runner-up in the 2026 BNL Karting Series.

Finlay Lines completed his championship campaign in style at Karting Genk in Belgium, taking overall victory during the final weekend and securing second place in the championship standings.

The result means the young driver finishes the season as BNL Junior Max vice-champion.

A successful end to the championship

Finlay arrived at the final round holding second place in the Junior Max standings, with the championship still to be decided.

Facing competition from international drivers, he produced an impressive performance to secure the overall weekend victory.

Although the championship title remained out of reach, finishing as vice-champion represents a significant achievement in a competitive international series.

The result is also an important milestone in his developing motorsport career.

Representing Team UK in Portugal

Finlay’s performance has earned him a place at the 2026 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Portimão, Portugal.

He will represent Team UK at the international event in November, competing against talented karting drivers from around the world.

The opportunity represents another important step for the Lichfield racer, whose achievements are attracting attention beyond the local motorsport scene.

A proud achievement for Lichfield

Karting provides an important pathway into competitive motorsport, requiring considerable skill, determination and commitment.

Finlay’s latest success demonstrates the opportunities available to talented young drivers willing to compete at an international level.

With a championship runner-up finish secured and another major competition approaching, the young Lichfield driver has plenty to look forward to.

His next challenge will be representing Team UK in Portugal as he continues his motorsport journey.

Lichfield City Centre Bucks National Trend as Shop Vacancies Fall by More Than a Third

Lichfield city centre is showing encouraging signs of resilience, with newly publicised figures revealing that the number of empty retail premises has fallen by more than a third since 2021.

Figures released by Lichfield District Council show that just 16 of the city’s 311 retail premises were vacant in June 2025, compared with 25 in April 2021.

That represents a vacancy rate of approximately 5%, significantly below the national high street average of 13.5% quoted by the council.

The findings offer encouraging news for local traders at a time when many British town and city centres continue to face challenges from changing shopping habits and competition from online retailers.

Investment in Lichfield’s future

Lichfield District Council leader Councillor Doug Pullen has welcomed the figures, pointing to investment in the city centre and improvements to public spaces as important parts of the council’s approach.

The authority believes its ongoing regeneration programme is helping make Lichfield an attractive destination for businesses, residents and visitors.

The planned Everyman cinema development is also expected to strengthen the city’s leisure and entertainment offering.

By providing additional reasons for people to visit the centre, the council hopes to support existing retailers, restaurants and hospitality businesses.

Supporting local businesses

Independent shops, established retailers, cafés and restaurants all contribute to Lichfield’s distinctive character.

The vacancy figures provide a positive indication of the city’s retail position, although they represent a snapshot from June 2025 rather than a current count of occupied premises.

The council has also indicated that its regeneration ambitions extend beyond Lichfield, with £1.2 million earmarked for improvements in Burntwood.

For Lichfield’s businesses, the latest report offers an encouraging reminder of the importance of a thriving and attractive city centre.

Image – Lichfield Live

Plans Submitted for 300 More Homes at Arkall Farm

Plans have been submitted that could see an additional 300 homes built at the Arkall Farm development on the border between Lichfield and Tamworth.

The latest planning application proposes increasing the total number of homes permitted on the site from 1,000 to 1,300.

The development, situated north of Ashby Road, has been progressing since 2021, with approximately 315 properties expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

According to the planning documents, the proposed increase would be achieved through changes to the existing development layout rather than extending the approved site boundaries.

Part of the land originally reserved for a new primary school would instead be used for housing.

The applicant states that the local education authority has confirmed the full area previously allocated for the school is no longer required.

The proposals also include increasing housing density within part of a later development phase.

The application comes as Lichfield District continues to face pressure to deliver additional housing.

Planning documents submitted in support of the scheme argue that the additional properties would contribute towards meeting the district’s housing requirements.

However, the proposals remain subject to the planning process, and submission of an application does not mean permission has been granted.

Residents wishing to examine the proposals can access the relevant documents through Lichfield District Council’s planning system.

Image from Lichfield Live

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

🏃‍♀️ 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.

📷 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.

🍂 THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN – OCTOBER 🌿

🍂 This Month in the Garden – October

October is one of those wonderful months when the garden seems to change almost daily. Summer colour begins to fade, leaves turn gold, red and bronze, and cooler mornings remind us that winter isn’t very far away.

But don’t put the gardening gloves away just yet. October is an important month for preparing the garden for winter — and for getting a head start on next spring.

🌷 Plant Now for Spring Colour

October is an excellent time to get spring-flowering bulbs into the ground.

Daffodils, crocuses, alliums, hyacinths and other spring favourites can be planted in borders, pots and containers now. They’ll spend the colder months quietly establishing themselves before bursting into life next year.

If you’re planting tulips, there’s no need to rush. They can generally wait until later in autumn, when cooler soil conditions can help reduce the risk of tulip fire disease.

Plant bulbs at roughly two to three times their own depth, unless the packet recommends otherwise, and choose somewhere with good drainage.

A little work now can produce a spectacular display next spring. 🌷

🍁 Don’t Throw Those Leaves Away!

The autumn leaf fall is beginning in earnest, which inevitably means plenty of sweeping and raking.

Remove fallen leaves regularly from lawns, paths and ponds, particularly where wet leaves could become slippery or smother the grass underneath.

But don’t automatically put them all in the garden waste bin.

Collected leaves can be turned into leaf mould, a fantastic natural soil improver. Simply gather damp leaves into a leaf-mould cage or perforated garden sacks and leave nature to do the work.

It takes time, but your garden will thank you for it.

🌱 Give the Lawn Some Attention

After the wear and tear of summer, October is a good opportunity to give the lawn a little TLC.

Continue mowing while the grass is actively growing, but gradually raise the cutting height. Rake out heavy thatch or moss if necessary and aerate compacted areas with a garden fork.

Bare or worn patches can still be repaired while conditions remain mild, and an autumn lawn feed can help strengthen the grass ahead of winter.

And keep fallen leaves off the lawn — a thick wet covering can quickly damage the grass underneath.

✂️ Tidy – But Don’t Tidy Too Much!

It can be tempting to give the entire garden a huge autumn clear-out.

Resist the temptation!

Remove obviously diseased material and anything that’s collapsed across paths, but consider leaving some seed heads, hollow stems and areas of natural cover in place.

They can provide valuable food and shelter for birds, insects and other wildlife through the colder months.

Those frosted seed heads can also look rather beautiful on a crisp winter morning.

Sometimes a slightly untidy garden is a healthier garden. 🐝🦔

🌿 Look After Tender Plants

October nights can suddenly become chilly, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Tender plants in containers can be moved into a greenhouse, conservatory or another sheltered frost-free position. Plants that need to remain outside may benefit from horticultural fleece or additional protection around their pots.

It’s also worth raising containers slightly onto pot feet or bricks so excess water can drain away during wetter weather.

Cold is one problem — sitting in water all winter is another.

🌸 Divide and Move Perennials

With the soil still retaining some warmth from summer, October can be a useful time to divide established herbaceous perennials that have become overcrowded.

Dividing plants can rejuvenate older clumps and, even better, give you extra plants for other parts of the garden.

It’s also a good time to move many established plants while the soil is moist and they’re entering their dormant period.

Free plants? We like those. 😂🌿

🧄 October in the Vegetable Garden

There’s still plenty happening on the vegetable plot.

Harvest remaining crops as they’re ready and clear away spent plants, particularly anything showing signs of disease.

October is also a traditional time for planting garlic, while suitable overwintering onion sets can go in too.

Empty beds can be mulched with well-rotted organic matter, allowing winter weather and worms to gradually work it into the soil.

🐦 Remember the Wildlife

As natural food sources begin to disappear, our garden visitors increasingly appreciate a helping hand.

Clean bird feeders and bird baths regularly and continue providing fresh water and suitable food.

Leave a few sheltered corners around the garden too. Log piles, leaves beneath hedges and undisturbed areas can provide valuable winter homes for insects and other wildlife.

If you’re fortunate enough to have hedgehogs visiting, always check piles of leaves and garden material carefully before disturbing or disposing of them. 🦔

🪴 Pots, Baskets & Containers

Summer containers may finally be reaching the end of their display, but they don’t have to remain empty.

Replace tired summer bedding with autumn and winter plants such as violas, pansies, cyclamen, heucheras and small evergreen plants, depending on the conditions in your garden.

Add some spring bulbs underneath and you’ll get another burst of colour when winter begins to retreat.

🧹 One Last October Job…

Before winter really arrives, take a little time to clean and inspect your garden tools.

Remove soil from spades, forks and hand tools, sharpen secateurs where necessary and lightly oil metal surfaces before storing them somewhere dry.

Future-you will be very pleased when everything is ready to go next spring!

This Month In The Garden – September

🌿 THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

September gardening jobs

As summer slowly gives way to autumn, September is a lovely month to spend a few hours in the garden.

The soil is still warm, there’s plenty of colour around and there’s lots we can do now to keep our gardens looking good through autumn — while getting a head start on next spring.

So, pop the kettle on, grab the gardening gloves and here are a few jobs worth tackling this month…

🌷 Start planting spring bulbs
Daffodils, crocuses and other spring-flowering bulbs can start going into the ground now. A little work this autumn could give you a fantastic display next spring.

🌸 Keep the colour coming
Don’t give up on the summer flowers just yet! Keep deadheading dahlias, roses and penstemons and many will continue flowering well into September. Hanging baskets and containers can also keep going with a little care.

✂️ Divide crowded perennials
September is a good time to divide established herbaceous perennials that have become overcrowded or aren’t flowering as well as they used to. Replant the healthiest sections — and you may even end up with a few spare plants to give to friends or neighbours.

🌱 Give the lawn some attention
After a summer of sunshine, children, pets and garden furniture, the lawn might be looking a little tired! Early autumn is a good time to repair bare patches, aerate compacted areas and generally give the grass some TLC. Keep the mower a little higher rather than scalping the lawn.

🍎 Enjoy the harvest
Apples and pears are coming into their own, along with autumn raspberries and plenty of home-grown vegetables. Potatoes should also be lifted before slugs get to them.

🥬 Keep the vegetable patch productive
Summer may be ending, but growing certainly isn’t. Spinach, winter lettuce, rocket and other salad leaves can still be sown for crops through the cooler months.

🌻 Collect some seeds for next year
On a dry day, collect ripe seeds from favourite annuals and perennials, dry them and store them in labelled paper envelopes ready for next year. But don’t tidy everything away — leaving some seedheads standing provides food and shelter for wildlife.

🐝 Leave a little space for wildlife
As we start tidying for autumn, resist making the garden too tidy. Leaving healthy perennial stems and seedheads standing over winter can provide valuable habitat, while a small log or bug hotel can give insects somewhere to shelter.

🌿 Our September tip

Don’t try to do everything in one weekend!

Choose two or three jobs, enjoy being outside and remember that gardening is supposed to be pleasurable. A cup of tea halfway through is compulsory. ☕😂

What jobs are you tackling in your garden this September?

We’d love to see your autumn gardens around Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield — pop a photo in the comments. 🌻🍂

This Month in the Garden — a new monthly feature from What’s On In Sutton Coldfield & Lichfield.