Castle Bromwich Community Website

Gung Hei Fat Choi (Happy New Year) was the message to Solihull residents today as Solihull kicked off the Chinese New Year with a series of performances in Mell Square. The Mayor opened the ceremony by opening the eye of the Lion and this was followed by a wide range of cultural performances which ranged from Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Acrobaticsand Dance to instrumental performances.

Over a sixth of the people in the world celebrate Chinese New Year with a focus on remembering the family and wishing everyone peace and prosperity in the coming year. This year is the year of the Tiger and people born during this period are said to be sensitive, deep thinking, corageous and powerful.

Mell Square, decorated with traditional Chinese lanterns,  was also host to a number of stalls selling Chinese food and traditional New Year gifts. Despite the cold, the crowds gathered to enjoy the colourful and atmospheric festivities which were compered by BRMB.

Castle Bromwich was represented at the Celebrations by Starz! who wowed the audience with their energetic and creative performance.

An exhibition is also running at Solihull ArtsComplex, G2, 8-22 February, in celebration of Chinese New Year.  Innovation in Abstraction by Professor Hai Shuet Yeung MBE combinesBritish and Chinese cultures in this collection of unique paintings.

The culmination of the Festival in Mell Square was vibrant and exciting Dragon and Lion Dance as the Dragon danced its way through the audience gathered around Mell Square folowed by a thank you speech by the organiser Michael Chan, Chaiman of the Chinese New Year Celebration Solihull.

2010 marks the 75th anniversary of the Ramblers wich since its inception in 1935 has helped to build England, Scotland and Wales into some of the most walker friendly countries in the world.

There are 500 local Rambler groups who organise walks on a local level every week. In addition, the Ramblers are organising a series of Get Britain Walking campaigns. Get Walking in Birmingham covers the Birmingham City Council area from Sutton Coldfield to Northfield. One walk suggested by the Ramblers is the Reservoirs Walk - This easily accessible walk takes just over an hour and shows you someof Erdington’s most beautiful landmarks, explaining their historicalrelevance. What was once a means of providing an essential water supplyto the local area, now offers walkers an attractive network of lakesand waterways to explore, including the Witton Lakes and the boatinglake in Brookvale Park. The local buildings that you’ll pass, also addto the story of this area. Witton Hall is a former manor house anddates back as early as the 1830s, with other houses featuring stylesfrom the early 19th century and the 1920s. Details of further Birmingham Walks can be found HERE.

Castle Bromwich has its own local Ramblers Club. The Ramblers Castle Bromwich Group was formed in the autumn of 1991 by a few like minded individuals who were keen on country walking and wished to promote the pastime in the local area.The group is part of "The Ramblers" and also a group within  The Ramblers Warwickshire Area.They walk every Sunday of the year. Walks are usually between 7 to 10 miles in length and can be anywhere within the Midland Counties.  Very occasionally the walk may be on a Saturday and utilise public transport to get to the start of the walk and return.

New people can walk with the group 2-3 times before they are expected to join. The only cost is that of joining "The Ramblers". Members use use personal transport to travel to the walks from the Chester Arms with people travelling as passengers making a contribution to the cost of travel.

Further details can be found on the group's own website HERE Details of this Sunday's walk at Aston Cantlow (February 14th 2010) can be found HERE

Living with MS means living with uncertainty and adapting to changing situations.The MS Society works along with health care professionals to run information sessions for people with MS. Additionally, the award winning MS Helpline offers confidential emotional support and information to anyone affected ny MS including the newly diagnosed, family, friends, carers and those who have been living with the condition for many years.

Phone: 0800 800 8000 (Monday to Friday 9am-9pm except bank holidays)

or email helpline@mssociety.org.uk

There is also a Solihull & District Branch of the MS Society which offers a range of support services including:

• Providing appropriate, high-quality information on MS
• Holding up-to-date information on other local services
• Communicating via a regular newsletter
• Providing a trained person to offer information and support to people who are newly-diagnosed
• Appropriate support for all those affected by MS, including family, friends and carers
• Financial support where this is needed but unavailable through other sources

In addition the Solihull & District Branch organise a range of events and activities.Aromatherapy, Chiropody, Physiotherapy and Reflexology are offered to members and one carer at home by fully qualified therapists. If you are interested in any of these, please contact the Branch on 0121 745 7981.

For more details on the Solihull & District Branch check out their website HERE

We need Boyz! So goes the cry from Starz! Arts, with a new film in pre-production and new musicals in the pipeline, the call is out for more teenage boys, and of course, girls are always welcome!

Casting usually from shows currently in rehearsal has always been a good way for moving talent forward, but the current workload is a little above average with a film musical about Zombies, a stage musical, technical and performance classes in drama, dance and voice, social evenings plus a new fund raising community music hall show - Starz! by Gaslight.

This non-profit making film and theatre school has never been so busy. If you think you would like to join Starz! please check out their webiste, phone or text 0788 2962506 or make contact through Facebook or Twitter. Age ranges are currently 4 to 24 years.

Starz! has strong connections to professional theatre, television and film. Their mission statement is "Creating New Futures." This has been proven over and over again. Come and meet Starz! You could have a coffee in their tuck shop and join a class. Life in this unique theatre school is always friendly, happy and very instructional and don't forget dance night is Thursday with London Choreographer Verity Bray.

Come on boys.......Starz! need you.

Two new community group websites have recently been launched by Castle Bromwich Groups.

Starz! Performing Arts School new website can be accessed HERE

The New website for Castle Bromwich Youth & Community Partnership can be found HERE

If anybody knows of any other websites which should be added to our link page, please contact us

The Christmas show is a time honoured tradition, for many years my own family spent the run up to Christmas in Florida watching the professionally produced shows provided by Disney and Universal Studios. This year has been somewhat different, we're spending December at home in Castle Bromwich and are spending our time viewing the productions which our own community has to offer.

I have been to a few productions by Starz! Performing Arts School and never been disappointed, but even I was surprised by the lavish preparations that had transformed Castle Bromwich Junior School into a Christmas Wonderland. Technology provided Mother Nature with a helping hand as guests arrived through an avenue of light strewn trees to a local snow storm close to the entrance to the school's reception area. Inside the decorations were equally as lavish with Christmas trees surrounding the hall. As usual the show was professionally produced and delivered, with some really astounding performances from the young students.

But, what made this performance of Christmas by Candlelight so much fun and entertaining was the young cast's enthusiasm and spirit. As with most amateur performances with young people there were times when things did not go entirely to plan, but Creative Director and script writer Gavin Prime has the uncanning ability to pen scripts which leave the audience wondering whether forgotten lines or missed cues are scripted comedy moments or a momentary lapse of concentration. It also says much about the confidence of the young people involved that they are able to disguise such moments with such finesse and skill.

The evening was full of memorable performances, so it's difficult to limit this review to just a few. All the young performers seemed at ease on the stage whether singing, dancing or delivering comic lines. Gavin Prime left the audience roaring with laughter at his hilarious Christmas Ballet and fetching costume. Other highlights include the Toilet Twins, Eggsperts and the incredible rendition of Santa Baby which was clearly enjoyed by audience and performers alike. The energy and creativity that the young cast brought to the stage will never be forgotten and their support of each other was noticable and inspiring.

As the production reached its finale the entire cast came to the stage with candles singing their version of White Christmas. As snow fluttered from the rafters, the audience started to join in with the singing and it was hard to not be moved by the heart warming magical atmosphere and the winter wonderland that was created in the school hall. So ended Starz! Chrsitmas production bringing a fitting end to a show that again surpassed all expectation, carrying on a tradition of excellence and unforgettable performances.

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.

Pupils from Castle Bromwich based SPOTLIGHT STAGE SCHOOL are celebrating after the school achieved their best set of exam results in 10 years!  Over 500 exams were taken at an external exam session in July and EVERY pupil gained a A or A* grade, putting the school at the top of the league tables.  The school is now ranked as one of the best dance / stage schools in the country. 

In addition to all pupils gained exceptionally high marks, 4 teenage students received scholarship nominations for the prestigious International Dance Awards in Manchester after gaining such incredible scores.  Sarah Hunt (from Castle Bromwich), Melissa Naylor (from Castle Bromwich), Alyssia Weekes (from Kingshurst) & Amy Wright (from Hodge Hill) will now compete in Manchester next year for a cash prize towards future dance training. For more information about gaining I.D.T.A. government-recognised exams in performing arts, please call Vicky on 0121-242-3904 / 07775-631316 or email vicky@spotlightstageschool.co.uk.  Full information can be found on www.spotlightstageschool.co.uk.  The school accepts children of all ages from 3 years + as well as running classes for teenagers and adults.  All abilities are catered for, from complete beginner to professional standard.  Teaching qualifications are also available.  We are currently enrolling.

Over 250 pupils from Castle Bromwich based SPOTLIGHT STAGE SCHOOL performed in 'Disney Dreams' - the school's 2009 show.  The 4 sell-out performances were at Solihull Arts Complex, and attracted nearly 1,500 spectators.  Pupils aged 3-21 entertained the audiences with extracts from all the popular Disney films showcasing ballet, tap, modern jazz, freestyle street dance, hip hop dance, gymnastics, drama and singing. 

Pupils have performed at numerous other high-profile venues, including Disneyland Paris, various West End Theatres, the Birmingham Hippodrome, the Birmingham Rep, Midlands Arts Centre, the Leamington Spa Centre and the Alexandra Theatre.  Their next performance is at the huge O2 arena in November! The school is now accepting pupils ready for their 2010 show.  If you are interested in joining SPOTLIGHT please call Vicky on 0121-242-3904 / 07775-631316 or email vicky@spotlightstageschool.co.uk.  Full information can be found on www.spotlightstageschool.co.uk.  The school accepts children of all ages from 3 years + as well as running classes for teenagers and adults.  All abilities are catered for, from complete beginner to professional standard.

More photographs of the show can be seen HERE

Local Castle Bromwich Volunteers were thanked for their contribution to community life at a special awards ceremony held at Arden Hall CastleBromwich on Tuesday June 2nd. The event organised by Solihull Volunteer Managers Forum and supported by the Castle Bromwich Youth & Community Partnership formed part of a week long celebration of 25 years of National Volunteers Week. Other events organised by the forum during the week included Volunteer Taster Sessions, and awareness raising and recruitment drives at Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens and Mell Square Solihull. BBC News covered the event at Castle Bromwich Hal lGardens and interviewed long serving local volunteer, Jerry Dutton. In total a further 100 volunteers were recruited throughout Solihull during the week.

Further details of the Awards ceremony can be read on Spaghetti Gazetti.