Castle Bromwich Community Website

Throughout February & March Solihull Libraries will be hosting a range of fun activities for the under 5s and their carers. From 2pm on Tuesday 9th February, the popular Sally Tonge will be telling stories and singing songs at Castle Bromwich library.

Also entertaining at Castle Bromwich library will be Jo Jingles who makes music and rhymes for children from 18 months to 4 years. Jo will be at Castle Bromwich library from 1pm on  Thursday March 4th.

A range of other activities will be on offer for young children at other libraries throughout Solihull. You can find details HERE

The sun shone on CastleBromwich's first Community Festival since the millennium helping to make it a knockout success. Local residents flocked to Park Hall Academy and Lanchester Park  to soak up the sun and enjoy a day of fantastic entertainment. From an African Drumming Workshop to a 7 a Side Football Contest; a Jitterbug and Charleston Demonstration and Workshop to a Rodeo Bull Ride; Community Stalls to Circus Skills training there was something to suit all ages and tastes.

The event which was organised by the Castle Bromwich Youth & Community Partnership and attended by the Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Norman Davies, and his wife Mayoress Brenda Davies, opened at Park Hall Academy where many local residents saw for the first time the splendid facilities of the new school building which housed the Art Exhibition staged by Park Hall students and dance workshops. The fabulous sunshine, tantalising smell of the BBQ and sound of the steel pans emanating from the terrace were an irresistible draw and ensured a large audience for the 7 a sidefootball contest which was taking place on the playing fields.

But the highlight of the day was the It's a Knockout Contest which was staged at Lanchester Park. A group of teachers from Park Hall Academy were crowned overall Champions snatching thecoveted trophy at the last minute from Solihull Council's Park Rangers. The winners, Park Hall 1, demonstrated remarkable team work and resilience whilst competing against seventeen other teams in various games on foam drenched inflatables.  Incredible restraint was shown by the Police team who were without doubt robbed of vital points and a winning position by a dodgy Referee.  Between each of the games, the teams were invited to take part in themed dance performances in front of the stage including the Blues Brothers and Grease-mania much to the amusement of the large audience which had gathered to watch. Check out the Festival video to see how the day went.

In the classrooms of Castle Bromwich Junior School lies a gold mine of talent. Ever keen to entertain audiences, the children of Year 6 classes of 2009 last night staged a stunning performance of Rock World, packed full of Queen songs that so many know and love. I hold my hands up to not being the greatest fan of musicals and whilst I like a few Queen Numbers, it wouldn't normally be enough to get me along to a musical based around their career highs. But, I loved this production. I spent the whole time with a silly grin on my face.

Musicals are about performances - singing, dancing and acting, but usually acting takes a back seat. No worries here though, it was a great ensemble with acting every bit as strong as the sensational song and dance routines. It would be impossible to single anyone out for praise as all the performances were so strong from the chorus to the principals, all deserve a mention. Rock World is set on a futuristic Earth, globalisation is complete; everyone wears the same clothes and has the same thoughts. The company computers generate music and the kids download it, musical instruments are banned, but resistance is growing. The script invited participation and the pairing of the evil "Killer Queen" and her enforcer "Khashoggi" had the audience booing and hissing and joining along with the rendition of "Another One Bitesthe Dust." Whilst the hero "Galileo" teamed with "Scaramouche" and "Pop" bring the audience back to a world where Rock n Roll can again flourish and originality and individualism are once again the order of the day.

This was a big scale production in every sense and so the technical aspects also deserve praise. What Castle Bromwich Junior School does so well is to build partnerships with the community and enhance the pupils' learning experience by enlisting the help and support of professionals. Their technical support and assistance helped to provide an unforgettable experience. Set design and props added to the atmosphere, lighting was some of the best that I've seen and could rival that used in professional theatres, and the video projection was well used. The live band that "rocks" at the side of the stage further added to the experience. At times it was difficult to remember that this was a school production by ten and eleven year olds as the whole experience was so professional and definitely guaranteed to blow your mind.

I'm sure that most people will have left the performance talking about the fantastic singing, the subtleties of the acting and the comic timing which all belied the young age of the performers, but what struck me even more was the enjoyment these children got from performing and their sheer enthusiasm, confidence and the sense of belonging.

School performances are normally viewed as being for the parents and relatives of the children involved. Well forget that. This was a performance that would be enjoyed by anybody. It was a great production, fantastic fun and the audience thoroughly enjoyed it.

 (More photos can be seen HERE)

Bring out the needle andthread, sewing is trendy again. It’s a national craze that’s sweeping the country, benefiting from the interest generated by home make-overprogrammes and Project Cat Walk.

For Hazel Taylor, this can only be good news. Sewing has been a life long passion and she is keen to share her knowledge and expertise with others. Every Thursday morning she hosts the Friends in Retirement Sewing Session at Arden Hall. Sitting around the table the group’smembers are all working on their own projects, chatting and laughing as they learn. Hazel is on hand with tips of the trade, customising her teaching to the student.

“I’m the Apprentice,” says Chris Bott, “The Queen of Unpicking! I’ve learnt a lot since I’ve been here and I’ve even altered a coat. I started making it in the 1970s and then just left it, which was such a shame as the material was lovely. I mentioned it to Hazel and even though I’d lost the pattern she managed to help me create a beautiful coat with a curved edge which I can wear. When I lost my husband I lost so much weight none of my clothes fitted. Hazel has helped me to alter my clothes to fit; it’s saved me loads of money.”

Hazel has spent most of her life developing her sewing skills. At the age of 14 she started work at a high class speciality store, Sally’s in Needless Alley, where she learnt to sew. She recalls that it was very Victorian packed into a little room like an attic where talk wasdiscouraged and if you did need to speak you had to whisper. After afew years, her friend left school and Hazel left Sally’s to join herworking at Comberg and Morris, a wholesale dress maker in Bull Street. It was here that she learnt to throw things together as the company specialised in mass production. During her four years with the company she learnt to press, hand sew, machine and cut, all things which have stood her in good stead. She also attended evening classes at Handsworth College to learn how to create her own patterns. Shortly after marrying, Hazel went to work at the Alexandra Theatre in the work room, an experience that she remembers with fondness as herother interest is dancing, which she is qualified to teach. After thebirth of her first child, Hazel continued her dress making from home.

Pat Andrews recalls that she joined the group when she retired because shewanted to develop her ability to sew. She used to sew with her mother,but says that she was never very good. Since joining the group hersewing is slowly improving and she is learning to put things together.The women recall how sewing used to be a necessity because clothes were too expensive to buy, but now it’s a creative pastime which enables them to wear clothes that fit perfectly and are unique to them. Research has also shown that it’s calming and relaxing and can help lower the blood pressure. Hazel also points out how sewing helps keep the mind active and nimble and helps to close out the worries around you, as well as giving you a tangible result that you can take away.

The group is always keen to welcome new members, anyone wishing to sew bu twithout a sewing machine at home, can always use one at the club and as Hazel says, “Two heads are better than one” when it comes to solving problems or developing ideas. So why not go along and chat and do something at the same time? The group meets every Thursday Morning between 10.00 and 12.00 at Arden Hall, Water Orton Road, Castle Bromwich.

Every other Friday, Arden Hall Castle Bromwich hosts Age Concern'sFriday Club. The afternoon social session organised and run by Albert and Margaret Turner MBE with help from a group of willing volunteers isa life line to many socially isolated elderly people. Club members are picked up from home either by Ring and Ride or volunteer drivers and spend the afternoon chatting, playing bingo and having tea in thecompany of others. I have spent several pleasant afternoons with them,chatting about everything from changing fashions to how to solve the world's problems. Nora Ward told me, "I really look forward to a Friday afternoon here. I'm partially sighted and this is the only way I can get out. It's really nice to meet other people."

CyrilBrampton told me that he's been going to the club for three years. He had a heart attack last year and didn't leave the house or see anybodyf or over four weeks. He really missed the company that he receives when he attends the club. Since his heart attack, he can't walk any distance and like Nora, the only way he gets out or sees anybody is by getting on the Ring and Ride and coming to the club.

This Friday when I arrived a little late, a game of bingo was already under way. As I looked around the room it struck me how happy everybody looked as they laughed and joked together. Joyce Hughes told me, "I miss getting out to my bingo, but the big halls are just too fast for me now. Our bingo sessions here are just right and I can chat and have a cup of tea at the same time. Call me a tea pot. I love my tea, but at home it's often too much of an effort to make a cup. Here I'm served with as many cups as I like."

After afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches andcakes, it was time for the drivers to return the pensioners to their homes. Dora Shore told me, "A friend of mine kept asking me to come along here. It took me a long time to do so, but I'm really glad that Idid eventually come. It's a good source of conversation. I'm picked up by Peter Shipley who I see at the Church. He sings there and has a really good voice. I think it would be nice if we could have a singsong here too sometimes. It's good exercise for the lungs and alwaysmakes me feel better and happier."

What do under 16s and over 60s have in common?

From April 2009, they'll be able to use Solihull Council's pools for free.

 The Council has taken the plunge into a £140 million government schemewhich entitles residents aged 16 and under and over 60 to use its swimming pools for free. The Council is working in partnership withPakwood Leisure Centre and Solihull Care Trust to provide theinitiative for local people which will run from April 2009 to March2011 and aims to get more people taking part in regular exercise by2012, to coincide with the London Olympic games.

North Solihull Sports Centre will be participating in this initiative.Anybody wanting more information or an application form should phone770 3822