£2SEPTEMBER 2024ISSUE 555B13 MAGAZINE+ BH B12 & KH B14
ONLINEinstagram.com/moseleyb13magfacebook.com/MoseleyB13Magazinex.com/MoseleyB13MagCOMPANY SECRETARYPosition VacantLEGAL STUFF Moseley Publishing House Ltd is a non-profit voluntary run company based in England and Wales. Company No. 07786560.No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in whole or part, without express permission.All material is believed to be correct at the time of going to print.OUTLETSMoseley Farmers’ Market (Moseley Village Green) / A & R News (320 Yardley Wood Rd) / Drinksville (23 Woodbridge Rd) / Greenhill Garage (89-91 Billesley Lane) / Indigo Foods (50-52 St Mary’s Row) / Maison Mayci (148 Alcester Rd) / Moseley Post Office (149 Alcester Rd) / Newslink (3 Alcester Rd) / One Stop (117 Billesley Lane) / Oxfam Books & Music (101 Alcester Rd) / Palmyra (13 St Mary’s Row) / O.A.K Superstore (Ladypool Rd) / Moseley Exchange (147-153 Alcester Rd) / Hungry Hob (Swanshurst Lane) / Greenhall Galleries (Billesley Lane) / The Shires (Wake Green Rd) / Kitchen Garden Cafe (York Rd)NEXT PUBLICATION DATESISSUE COPY SALEOctober 16 Sept. 28 Sept.EDITOR Mark Baxter([email protected]) THE TEAM Mark Baxter, Ian Cook, David Isgrove, Stephanie Silk, Tipton the B13 Newshound, Martin Jeffers, Jobe Baker-Sullivan, Jenny Gwynne, Izzy Knowles, Pam Rutter, Craig Pullen and Eva QuigleyGRAPHIC DESIGNER Georgina Sheldon ([email protected])CONTRIBUTORS Mitch Schofield, John Brant Chatterton, Karamat Iqbal, Vafa Motamedi, Jabina Akhtar, John Newson, Katerina Pushkin, Aida Khakizadeh, Val Hart. BUSINESS MANAGER Martin JeffersPROOF READER Pam RutterSOCIAL MEDIA Mark BaxterTREASURER Leanne Holloway ([email protected])ADVERTISING Position VacantDISTRIBUTION Izzy Knowles,Martin JeffersBOARD David Isgrove (Chair), Stephanie Silk (Editorial)PHOTOGRAPHER Position VacantCOVER IMAGE Courtesy of The Lost Notes by Jo GillMAILMoseley Publishing House Ltd.Moseley B13 Magazine,c/o: Moseley Exchange,149-153 Alcester Road,Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JP.Sept 24MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINEWORDS FROM THEEDITORWelcome to September.I hope this month finds you experiencing a last flourish of summer sun before the arrival of autumnal activity. So what is in the latest magazine? Well, there’s the return of Moseley’s very own The Lost Notes on the eve of their new album Good Luck Shoes (pages 10-13). We also have a chat with another fascinating Moseleyite John Chatterton about his new book which documents his quest to visit all 223 of the inhabited islands of Britain and Ireland (16-17). John had previously completed a 5,003 mile walk around the coast of Britain. Moseley Munch takes a look at the major role immigration has played in shaping our favourite foods (19-21) and Karamat Iqbal writes about how our area has remained a beacon of hope through unpleasant times for visible minorities (22). Both of these articles follow on from the recent far right riots. On the same subject, I hope all of our communities are feeling much safer by the time of publication. Our eclectic region of people, faith and history is something we can all be proud of and is a constant source of cultural wealth.Mark Baxter2 www.moseleyb13.com
04 Newshound10 Good Luck Shoes: The Return of The Lost Notes14 Birmingham Open Studios16 Treasured Islands of a Moseley Resident19 Moseley Munch!22 Thank You Moseley & Kings Heath23 Moseley Music Director WeightLoss Fundraiser24 Chatt erboxes Pre-School25 Walk or Cycle to Moseley Bog26 The Guide to September28 Moseley Park And Pool In September30 Celti c Journeys31 Balsall Heath History Society & Birmingham2510243
A year aft er Moseley’s most highly rated restaurant shut its doors, a familiar name in Birmingham's food scene has stepped up to take over the empty unit with plans for a brand new fi ne dining experience - and hopefully follow in the previous tenant's Michelin-starred footprints.Brad Carter closed down Carters of Moseley at 3c St Mary’s Row last summer and moved temporarily to Evesham, before launching a chef's table experience in the private members club Eighteen at 103 Colmore Row in February. It is understood the Birmingham-based chef is now working on opening a new food venture, Undercroft , in the crypt of an old church in London. The closure of Carters left Moseley a Michelin star down and the pitchblack unit in St Mary's Row showed no signs of being brought back to life - unti l recently.Satori, a Japanese fi ne dining off ering has been launched by FB Holdings, which runs several other popular restaurants in Birmingham, including The Mayan in The Mailbox, Baloci in Edgbaston and Qavali in Brindleyplace.The word Satori is a Japanese Buddhist term for 'awakening' or 'enlightenment'. A spokesperson for Satori said the new restaurant will 'awaken the senses' and off er diners a 'once in a lifeti me fi ne dining experience'.\"There is a gap in the market for a Japanese fi ne dining restaurant in Birmingham and we believe we can off er something unique to the local community here in Moseley,\" he said. \"We've already had a lot of people coming by to ask what's happening. It's an exciti ng ti me.\"More details about the restaurant will be announced soon.Tipton, the B13 NewshoundWriter/Researcher: Ian Cook Twitt er: @B13Newshound / Instagram: @ti ptonb134 www.moseleyb13.com
Greggs, the bakery chain which serves savoury snacks, sandwiches and sweet treats, is to open a new outlet in part of the former Sainsbury's Local at Unit 1, 158-162 Alcester Road. The new Greggs will be “sandwiched” between the Co-op and Coffee#1 (see picture).Despite some calls to 'keep Moseley independent', Greggs, which has an estimated 2,000 outlets, has pressed ahead with its plans for the new Alcester Road store. Refurbishment work is now well underway and the opening imminent. Local residents still seem divided over the launch according to a report in Birmingham Live, with opinion said to be ranging from those in favour to those opposed to another “chain” rather than an independent retailer being opened. That said, many will be pleased to see that a space which has been empty since early 2022 is now fully occupied and several jobs have been created.The new store will sell Greggs' usual range of sandwiches, pasties, pastries and cakes and be one of more than 2,000 Greggs locations. The nearest one is in Kings Heath. According to planning documents, the new Moseley Greggs will be open from 6.30am to 9pm daily. The rest of the old Sainsbury's site was taken over by café chain Coffee#1 in May 2024. As we went to press there was one outstanding planning issue to be resolved.A planning application for the installation of two condenser units and extract ducting was awaiting council approval. There had been no objections to this planning application which can be seen on the council’s planning website https://tinyurl.com/bd7bfxzv. The council planning application reference number is 2023/01166/PA.A Greggs spokesperson said: \"Greggs is due to open a new shop in Moseley within the next few weeks. We will be able to share further details with you closer to the opening.”5
A 'known' criminal and a prolific local shoplifter who terrorized the Moseley and Kings Heath areas have both been jailed for a series of offences, bringing some relief to the local community.Clint Hewitt, 46, of no fixed address, has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after being found guilty of handling stolen goods, driving without a licence and insurance, and breaching a suspended sentence for burglary. Hewitt, who had been a notorious figure in the Moseley and Kings Heath areas, was tracked down by the Birmingham Neighbourhood Crime Team and the Moseley and Kings Heath Neighbourhood Team. Despite attempting to flee when officers arrived at an address in Kings Heath on February 2, Hewitt was promptly detained and taken into custody.At a court hearing in July, Hewitt admitted to the charges against him, leading to his sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on July 22. Pc Scott Sheppard from the Neighbourhood Crime Team highlighted the successful collaboration between the teams that resulted in Hewitt being taken off the streets, stating, \"This was a great example of two teams working together to keep this offender locked away for the next couple of years. Hewitt was a known offender who targeted the area for a while, and thanks to the local knowledge of the neighbourhood team, we were able to quickly locate him and take him off the streets.\"In a separate case, Justin Brook, 38, another notorious figure with no fixed address, was sentenced to 34 months in prison on July 16 at Birmingham Crown Court. Brook was charged with a series of offences, including an attempted break-in at an unnamed Moseley hair salon, six thefts, possession of a bladed article, assault, burglary, and four counts of making threats with a bladed article. Over a 10-month period, Brook had targeted the Co-op store on Haslucks Lane in Shirley, where he repeatedly threatened staff with a knife and on one occasion with a needle, stealing items such as chocolate, alcohol, and cigarettes.In addition to his prison sentence, Brook was handed a Serious Violence Prevention Order to be enforced following his release. Sergeant Jordan Keen from Solihull Police expressed hope that the sentence would bring justice to Brook’s victims and serve as a deterrent to others, stating, \"Brook was a notorious shoplifter. I hope this sentence offers some justice to those that Brook targeted and sends a message to those who commit this crime that we do not tolerate it and we will take action. We understand the cost to business and distress that shoplifting causes, and where offences are reported, we will investigate and work to identify those responsible.\"Both cases underscore the ongoing efforts of the local police to tackle crime and protect the community from repeat offenders.Pictures: thanks to West Midlands PoliceClint HewittJustin Brook6 www.moseleyb13.com
Crime in Moseley and Kings Heath rose by more than 18 per cent in just one month. That’s according to the latest figures from West Midlands Police. Local crime statistics, which have just been made public, show 305 offences were committed in Moseley and Kings Heath in May 2024. This compares with a figure of 258 offences recorded the previous month, April 2024, representing an increase of 18% in local crime over just one month.The most commonly reported crimes for May 2024 were 96 offences of violence and sexual offences - (up from 78 in April 2024). “Public order” offences (35 offences), and shoplifting (29 offences) were second and third on the crime list. One crime which bucked the trend of rising rates was vehicle crime which saw a substantial reduction in offences recorded. The vehicle crime figure for May 2024 was 27 offences, The figure for April 2024 was 42 – a reduction of 35% over one month. By contrast, one crime which has seen a relentless rise locally since 2021 is shoplifting. It is now the third most commonly recorded offence in Kings Heath and Moseley with 29 offences recorded in May 2024. Figures for the past three years show that shoplifting was the eighth most common offence over this longer period with 634 offences recorded, an average of 17 offences per month, The latest monthly figure (29 offences in May 2024) shows shoplifting has been on the rise recently with the latest monthly figure recording nearly twice the monthly average for the past three years.The high crime figures reported in May could be due in part to seasonal factors. Late Spring and Summer tend to see more crimes recorded than the other seasons. Last year the highest figures were recorded between May and September. With extra hours of daylight and warmer weather more people are out in public and there are more opportunities for crimes to be committed.A very helpful map of crimes committed in the Moseley area is available on the West Midlands Police website. You can view it by following the links to ‘Moseley & Kings Heath’ and going through to the ‘local crime figures’ page. At the top of this page is the ‘crime map’ heading. By clicking on this you can then zoom in to the Moseley crime map and see what crimes have been committed in your locality – even your street. The map is at https://tinyurl.com/yuaraans305 offences were committed in May representing an increase of 18% in local crime over just one month7
Work to re-open Moseley’s railway station will not be affected by government cuts to a number of major rail projects. Late in July Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the £500 million ‘Restoring Your Railway’ fund would be axed in a bid to plug a budget gap of £22 billion. The Chancellor said projects earmarked under the fund which had not yet started would be axed and other projects would be considered on a case by case basis. This raised questions over projects such as the re-opening of passenger services to the line running through Moseley which has already been hit with delays. However, Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) confirmed that projects underway across Birmingham and the Black Country include the new stations at Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road on the line known as the “Camp Hill” line would not be affected by the Chancellor’s announcement.A TfWM spokesperson said: \"No other rail schemes are directly impacted within the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) area as there are no ‘Restoring Your Railway’ schemes currently under development.\"Earlier this month, the WMCA Board agreed to the deferral of major transport projects in the wake of £121 budget pressures experienced as a result of soaring costs. As a result, schemes such as building new stations at Moseley, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road have been put back by a year to 2025.A railway station in Moseley was first opened in 1867 by the Midland Railway on the former Birmingham & Gloucester Railway mainline (now the Camp Hill line). From 1923, Moseley station was operated by the London Midland and Scottish (LMS) Railway. The station closed on 27 January 1941 as an economic measure during the Second World War and never reopened.Fast forward 80 years and work continues on the re-building of Moseley Village station which is due to re-open late next year. Workers in hard hats and hi-vis jackets can be seen on the right hand side of the picture taken back in August. Picture: thanks to David Jones.8 www.moseleyb13.com
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The Lost Notes describe themselves as a “5-piece acoustic roots band based in the creatively fertile blaglands of Moseley” while critics have called them “one of Birmingham’s finest emerging bands”. We caught up with members Ben, Lucy, and Oli just before the release of their third album Good Luck Shoes.What have you been up to since you appeared in the magazine in early 2021? Ben: Last time we appeared in Moseley B13 Magazine was for our release of our second album Lowlifes & High Times. Completing and releasing that record was an exciting time for us but also a little strange as we were all coming through the covid lockdowns which, as many people will know, had a major impact on the grass roots music industry. We ended up livestreaming our launch gig from a studio in London! By 2020 we had worked hard to develop a good reputation and get repeat invites at more and more venues and festivals. When Covid hit it really felt like we were knocked back a couple of years. We had to build the momentum up again, which was hard work but a fun challenge in its own way. Having said that, we’ve been fortunate enough to have great support and loyalty from local club and festival organisers in particular. We now finally feel we’re back on track with some lovely gigs and festivals this year.Lucy: Not being able to play to live audiences during lockdown felt a huge loss - part of what makes The Lost Notes so special for us is singing together with our audiences and sharing the joy of music! Having said that, some of the local folk clubs and festivals made huge efforts to bring people together online and, with restrictions, in Good Luck Shoes: TheReturn of The Lost NotesPhoto: Jo Gill10 www.moseleyb13.com
person eventually. Music is a collaborative endeavour, and being able to be together to rehearse and to perform remains an enormous joy.Oli: There is no question that audiences, especially at folk clubs and festivals, have not returned in the numbers previously seen. But, we have still managed to play many, many gigs, our reputation is building and we have some incredibly exciting festivals and gigs coming up in the next year.Ben: Then, in 2022 our then double bassist Silas announced that he was hanging up his double bass. So we set about looking for a replacement and by a stroke of fortune met Steve Vantsis, a professional bassist, with a 40+ album back catalogue who has spent the last 25 years touring the world with FISH and playing with people like Candy Dulfer and KT Tunstall. He agreed to play for The Lost Notes! We’re thriving on the extra level of professionalism and experience he has brought to the band. He has played a major role in mixing/mastering our third album Good Luck Shoes, due out on 20 September which we are super excited about.Tell us about the album. What are the themes? Ben: I think of the new album as ten tales exploring the plight of the wary, the hopeful, the loved and the loveable; the wild and the lost, the unhinged and the crossed. The fixed up, the torn down, the hoe-downs and throw downs, topped by the musings of a deliriously optimistic psychopath with a death wish. Standard Lost Notes fare!For the artwork we decided that Lucy, who is a fantastic artist, should put some ideas together. She came up with a fabulous image which made it to the front cover along with other images for the back and lyric booklet. This time I ended up writing most of the songs/lyrics that ended up on the album, but we relied ever more on the diverse musical backgrounds we each bring to the band to try and develop our own sound through the arrangements. My musical background is steeped in a love of Funk and Americana/Soul. Oli is rooted in traditional folk. Max Tomlinson on drums brings his jazz conservatoire pedigree. Steve Vantsis has 30 years touring experience and recording predominantly prog-rock. Lucy, a love of sultry jazz and the band's pictorial artist. Throw it all together with a core of strong acoustic instrumentation and uplifting three part harmonies and that’s our sound. Above all that, we hope our love of playing shines through the music!Lucy: The spirit that’s emerged over time is more Americana and there’s a bit of a theme of sinners and not many saints in there! How do you find the current music scene? Lucy: It’s very exciting at the moment, with more young people seeming interested in folk, Americana and country music. Beyoncé has done a pretty great job on Cowboy Carter!11
Oli: There are so many amazing artists out there. In terms of musical talent, it is thriving, with many young people coming through. However, it is tough for anyone to make a consistent living at it, especially with streaming subscriptions of music now. CD and download sales for all artists are pretty much negligible now, so it is the live performances that are relied upon. I would urge people to support artists by buying a CD, t-shirt or paying for a download. Better still – get down to a gig!Ben: The quality of music on the grass roots circuit is exceptional. The challenge is to get people away from just consuming music through streaming and to engage in the appreciation of music as a beautiful live, dynamic, human thing best enjoyed shared - live! In central Birmingham alone we have wonderful organisations including B:Music, The Moonshine Collective, Hare & Hounds, Kitchen Garden Café, Red Lion Folk Club, Nashville Sounds in the Round and a whole host of other smaller acoustic venues, promoters and clubs run by people with real passion and creative drive. They keep it ticking. But it needs people to get out there, buy tickets and get involved! Any gigs coming up? What are your favourite venues and festivals? Ben: Top 3 festivals… Moseley Folk & Arts Festival, Bromsgrove Folk Festival and Beardy Folk Festival. Though we’ll surely add Shrewsbury Folk Festival and Costa Festival, Portugal which we’re playing at later this year! Also have to shout out to The Festival With No Name – a beautiful event to witness and play at.Lucy: Favourite venues include Bromsgrove Folk Club, The Woodman Folk Club and the Red Lion Folk Club who have given us unwavering, loyal and incredibly generous support over the last decade. We also love Kitchen Garden Café which is a great intimate venue, the Hare & Hounds for those more raucous evenings and, of course, Moseley Folk and Arts Festival - what a great event that is, in beautiful surroundings. What’s next for The Lost Notes? Lucy: International fame and a feature slot on Later with Jools Holland….?! Failing that, then continuing to seek out and cherish opportunities to perform at amazing clubs and venues and encourage ever bigger audiences to join in with singing our songs would be just brilliant!Mark BaxterCheck out The Lost Notes upcoming gigs, such as the Choir With No Name Summer Spectacular at Birmingham Conservatoire on the 14 September, and get a copy of the new album by going to: www.thelostnotes.co.ukwww.facebook.com/homeofthelostnoteswww.instagram.com/homeofthelostnotes Album artwork: Lucy Mills12 www.moseleyb13.com
Guitars, close harmonies, and sniffles of skiffle. The Lost Notes have a formula and it works. That's not to say there is no chiaroscuro, or that the album is entirely derivative. Good Luck Shoes is a pleasure to listen to, and a work of art.Within the first 3 seconds of the first track, I knew this was an album that had to be reviewed in the car - it has that Nashville, ‘gulf-coast-highway’ sorta vibe (or in my case, I was driving from Erdington to Rowley Regis). The first track, ‘Don't Try It On Me’ steadily rocks along, guitar-twanging, for 4 minutes and 55 seconds. It gives a fantastic feel for what this band is like live, a privilege I myself have had. Just enough of an interesting chord sequence to stop this band from being a sellout, but getting you to root for them that they’ll be played on your local country radio. On the track ‘River-Run’, a snare accentuates the lyrics - one of my favourite little musical tricks… not quite in a unison, but just enough. And on the topic of lyrics, each song along the whole work has very pleasing scansion. A playful balance between rhyme and stresses of words. I aurally tested the accents on the Americans that run our local coffee shop and to my delight the response was “wow, what state are they from?”.As the album goes on, we get a spice of the studio experience - hints of hammond, pads, piano - not enough to be missed in the liveshow.Track 7, ‘I'll Be The River’, presents my favourite bit of polyphony I've heard ever on an album. 'Whiskey For Breakfast' gives a lovely taste of harmonica - I hope if they book that guy, they give him an extended solo.The whole album is fairly unabashed, unashamed, delightful Americana, though ‘Good Luck Shoes’ isn't an imitation. It's orthodoxy done well, for in an anglicisedparaphrase of the great composer Gustave Mahler: “tradition is the handing down of the flame and not the worshipping of ashes”.And then, there's ‘Wildman’, the final track with its ‘King of the Swingers’ vibe, a trumpet solo and faux-scat to boot. Hinting at an idea for album 4, perhaps? The band clearly had a lot of fun, with consistent energy, incredible amounts of thought, love, and joy. It's a surprise that they have enough energy left over for their live shows - of which they are replete, and, stalwart in their infectious joy. I booked them once for my regular music night at Oikos Cafe, though it seems that my invitation to record a fiddle solo got lost in the post. I’ll have to wait for album 4.In the meantime, I spotted Portugal on the list of gigs, and am playing my cards right that I do get an invite for that one, but it's probably wiser and more cost-effective if you put 18.09.2024 for Coffee#1 Moseley, or, 04.12.2024 for The Red Lion Folk Club, Kings Heath in your diaries. Buy an album. make this music happen.Jobe Sullivan, Ceol CreativesGood Luck Shoes will be released on 20.9.24, with pre-orders available on their website, giving exclusive access by 15.9.24. Visit Thelostnotes.co.uk for more information.13
The hotly anti cipated and much loved Birmingham Open Studios (BOS) is back again for the eighth year running. A regular fi xture in Birmingham's cultural and creati ve calendar, this year’s arts trail features 165 arti sts and groups, and has improved accessibility. The 2024 event also covers even more of Birmingham than ever before.BOS is an art experience like no other in Birmingham. The event encourages creati vity, arti sti c growth, local trade, and fosters a spirit of community in the local area. Thousands of visitors are expected over the two weekends across all 74 parti cipati ng venues.Local comedian, celebrity and arti st Joe Lycett is proud to be Birmingham Open Studios’ ambassador for the 2nd year running.BOS allows arti sts at all levels to parti cipate equally, showcase their creati ons and demonstrate their skills to the public. Some arti sts are at the start of their creati ve careers whereas others may be seasoned professionals. Each arti st’s home or studio is unique. Some will off er live demonstrati ons of their craft , workshops or refreshments. Venues also include community centres, cafes and galleries.Visitors can discover local arti sts as well as arti sts from the wider area, ask questi ons about techniques and enjoy a look behind the scenes at real working studios. Artwork can be bought directly from the arti sts, commission-free.To make the event more accessible, BOS Crowdfunded to develop an app for the 2024 event and will be making an improved map for the event in 2025. The app is free to download, available for Android and iPhone. It is the best way to discover arti sts in your area, get directi ons, fi lter arti sts by date or media type, and create favourites. Website, guidebook and app also list wheelchair accessible studios, and arti sts off ering live demonstrati ons. Free guidebooks are available from various locati ons across the city (see website), or view full list of arti sts at: birminghamopenstudios.co.uk.Mitch Schofi eld14 www.moseleyb13.com
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Moseley resident John Brant Chatt erton completed a 5,003 mile walk around the coast of Great Britain and recorded the adventure in his book A Walk by the Sea: A Journey into the New Millennium. He followed this up by visiti ng the 223 inhabited islands of Great Britain and Ireland. John stayed a bit closer to home to chat with Moseley B13 Magazine about these coastal quests and his new book Treasured Islands: Journeys round the inhabited islands of Great Britain and Ireland.How did the walk around the coast come about, John? Tell us about some of the challenges, and the highs and lows. What did you discover about Britain and its coast?I had a hip resurfacing at RHS and not wanti ng to atrophy decided to walk around GB’s coast – a childhood ambiti on. When I did it few had att empted it, but post-COVID the challenge has become very popular. I took 328 days at an average of 15.3 miles per day from Lands End to Lands End via John O’Groats. Crossing Knoydart in the Highlands of Scotland and rounding Cape Wrath were the biggest challenges, especially in the wet! The climax of the odyssey saw 60 close friends join me on the last coupe of legs to Lands End on my 60th birthday in blazing hot late April sunshine. What struck me most about the walk was the permanence of change with cliff s turning to beaches, turning to townscapes, turning to estuaries, all within a 15 mile day.Tell us about the island challenge. How long did it take to visit all 223? Aft er the walk around GB I was looking for a “more sedentary challenge” and started my other childhood ambiti on to set foot on every inhabited island in the Briti sh Isles (including the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands). I started in the Scilly Isles in April 2016 and completed the last island, Foynes Island in the Shannon Estuary, Limerick last September. Many islands stand out, especially Foula, a beauti ful island 25 miles out in the North Atlanti c west of Shetland mainland. The couple of dozen hardy souls speak Norn or a Dialect of Norwegian and sti ll use the Julian Left : Bear Grylls arriving from St Tudwal’s West. Photo: Craig Lucas. Right: John arriving on Jethou, Channel Islands. Photo: Steve White. Low ti de crossing to Coney Island, Sligo. John Lawlor16 www.moseleyb13.com
calendar. Foulness in the Thames estuary is accessed only at low ti de by a walk known as the Broomway and dubbed as the most treacherous walk in the UK. Well over a hundred people have been drowned on this route through the centuries. A visit to Whale Island in Portsmouth Harbour and home to the Royal Navy HQwas especially notable with a warm welcome by the Commanderin-Chief. The island of Inishturk Beg in Clew Bay County Mayo, one of 365 semi submerged islands in this magnifi cent bay, was parti cularly exciti ng when on arrival at the jett y I was set upon by 30 baying dogs and made a swift exit! The occupants of several private islands for example the Billionaire Barclays in Brecqhou Channel islands were diffi cult to be persuaded to allow a visit but none were left untouched. The fl ight between Papa Westray and Westray in the Orkney islands is the shortest scheduled commercial fl ight in the World, taking all of 90 seconds from take-off to landing!Most of the islands in Scotland, Ireland and Wales had a real Celti c feel especially in the Irish speaking West known as the Gaeltacht. Their resilience in spite of centuries of occupati on by the English, Normans and the Vikings was palpable and the populati on’s indomitable spirit and pride shone through. Whilst Scotland’s islands are thriving thanks to the devolved Government encouraging sett lement, the islands of the Gaeltacht are depleti ng year by year refl ecti ng the heartache of evacuati ons because of the rigours and challenges to fi shing communiti es.I wrote the book Treasured Islands in order of visit so it became a record of the Odyssey by bridge, causeway, air, public ferries and private boats and even on foot at low ti deDo you have any further challenges in mind?I’m afraid I don’t have another challenge in me. I’d thought of travelling to the remaining Briti sh protectorates (about 14) with a book to be called “The Rump of Empire” but getti ng to Tristan da Cunha or the Pitcairn Islands for example are beyond my physical capabiliti es and my purse.As someone who clearly has a fascinati on with coastal areas, how do you fi nd living in Moseley, far from the sea, for so many years? Living in Birmingham and so far from the coast was not a hindrance for either of my challenges as counter intuiti vely it meant that in terms of average distances from both the GB coastline and islands, as dispersed as Unst (closer to Norway than Edinburgh) and Jersey (close to the French Mainland), travel was actually minimised!Mark BaxterTreasured Islands: Journeys round the inhabited islands of Great Britain and Ireland is out now and published by Troubador Publishing.Cover image of Treasured Islands. Photo: Karolina Szczerkowska17
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I have just returned from a relati vely switched off holiday to disheartening news that surrounds rioti ng and protest across the United Kingdom. At the same ti me, I am about to embark on another trip to Southern Italy and therefore I was watching a Stanley Tucci show where he eloquently cites how Italian food would not be what it is today without migrants and infl uence from Northern Africa, the Middle East and beyond. This of course parallels the enti re world. Through my research on the origin of a specifi c spice or vegetable to the history and evoluti on of noodles and fried chicken - we irrevocably would not be eati ng the way we are today if it were not for people moving and spreading their culinary infl uence. Something as ubiquitous as curry sauce at a chip shop can easily be taken for granted. But the reality is that sauce has an origin, a story, a history, and has travelled the world to get here.I have put together a couple of recent dishes from chefs that I have made at home yet have also thoroughly enjoyed out in a restaurant or food truck amidst the colourful, tasty landscape of our world.Jenny GwynneJenny is The Salty Chilli. Find more of her recipes at htt ps://www.thesaltchilli.com/ and on Instagram at htt ps://www.instagram.com/thesaltychilli/ Beef with Spring Onion Ginger from Th e Burning KitchenThis is a dish I have enjoyed out countless ti mes in Birmingham’s Chinatown and have been making a lot at home recently. It’s quick, easy, piping hot and amazing.FOODMIGRATION19
“The Burning Kitchen is a wonderful blog that aims to make authentic Chinese recipes easy and accessible to Chinese food lovers from all over the world, regardless of culture, ethnicity, generation or current culinary skill level.”Ingredients:• 300g Beef• 1 Bundle Spring Onion• 60g Ginger• 200 ml Oil to deep fry the beef• 1 tbsp. Chinese Rice Wine (Shaoxing)Marinade for Beef• 1/4 tsp Sodium Bicarbonate • 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce• 1 tbsp Cornflour• 1 pinch Pepper• 3 tbsp Water• 2 tsp OilGravy• 100 ml Water• 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce• 1 tsp Sesame Oil• 1/2 tsp Dark Soy Sauce• 1 tbsp Oyster SauceCornflour Slurry• 1 tsp Cornflour• 2 tbsp WaterInstructions:Cut the beef into thin slices by cutting against the grain Add the marinade ingredients to the sliced beef. Then mix well and marinate for about 20 mins.Remove the skin from the ginger and slice thinly.Remove the roots of the spring onion and wash thoroughly. Cut into 5-6 cm lengths. In a bowl, add all the ingredients for the gravy and mix well.In a separate bowl, add the ingredients for the cornflour slurry and mix well.Heat up 200 ml of oil in a wok over high heat. Once heated, add in the beef and quickly stir fry it for 30 sec or until about 70-80% cooked. Quickly transfer to a plate. Pour the excess oil in a bowl, leaving behind 2 tbsp of oil in the wok.Heat up the oil over high heat, then add in the ginger slices. Fry for 1 min or until aromatic. Next, add in the spring onions and stir fry, mixing well. Do not overcook the spring onion otherwise it will be too limp.Add the beef back and the bowl of sauce to the wok and give it a quick stir.Immediately add in 1 Tbsp. of Chinese Rice Wine and the cornflour slurry. After 0.5 minute, or when the gravy thickens, transfer to a plate. Best served hot with a bowl of hot steaming rice. NYC Style Halal Cart Chicken and Rice from Moribyan20 www.moseleyb13.com
This is an iconic NYC street food that takes its influence from many different North African and Middle Eastern countries and has evolved into its own crazy flavourful dish. It is the ultimate quick, delicious and hot hearty street meal and one that I dream of and make often.“Moribyan is a wonderful blog by Hajar Larbah that shares recipes and lifestyle tips. The name comes from Larbah's Moroccan and Libyan heritage, and North African cuisine is a big influence on her cooking.”Rice ingredients:• 425g Basmati rice• 700ml chicken broth• 2 tbsp ghee or unsalted butter• 1/2 tsp turmeric• 1/2 tsp oregano• 1/2 tsp cumin• 1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp salt to taste• 1 bay leafChicken Ingredients: • 2 kg chicken thighs boneless & skinless• 3 tbsp olive oil• Juice of 2 lemons• 1 tbsp garlic minced• 2 tbsp allspice• 1 tbsp ground coriander• 1 tbsp paprika• 1 tbsp cumin• 1 1/2 tsp salt• 2 tsp sumac• 1/2 tsp black pepper• 1/4 tsp turmeric• Oil for frying chickenFor the sauce: • 120ml mayonnaise• ½ grated garlic clove• 2 tablespoons sour cream• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper• 1 teaspoon lemon juice• 1/2 teaspoon sugar• Water to thin out 2-4 tablespoonsTo Serve:• Iceberg lettuce shredded• Tomatoes diced• Pita bread sliced• Hot sauceMethod:Whisk together mayo, garlic, sour cream, black pepper, lemon juice, sugar, and water to desired consistency until smooth. Set aside.To a large bowl, add the chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Mix to marinade evenly. For more flavour, you can score the chicken before marinating and let it sit overnight or for at least half an hour.Heat oil in a cast iron skillet or pan over high heat. Add the chicken and cook on each side until a nice brown crust develops, about 4 minutes on each side. Then turn the heat to low and cover to cook for a few minutes more until cooked in the centre.Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. Once cooled to touch, chop into small piecesWash rice for 2 minutes with warm water or until the water runs clear. Another option is to let it soak in water for 30 minutes and then drain.To a pot over medium heat, add the ghee or butter. Then add the rice and toast it for about 3 minutes until fragrant.Add the chicken broth, turmeric, oregano, cumin, salt, and bay leaf. Mix together and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat to simmer, cover, and cook for about 11-12 minutes. Turn off the heat but leave covered for 5 minutes.After 5 minutes, take off the lid, remove the bay leaf, and fluff with a fork.On a plate, add rice, chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, and pita bread. Drizzle tons of white sauce and some hot sauce on top.21
We live in strange times. My earliest memories of Birmingham go back to the 1970s. I wrote about this in my article for the 50th Anniversary edition of Moseley B13 Magazine (May 2023). In the piece I wrote about how many parts of Birmingham were hostile spaces for visible minorities at the time but not Moseley, where we moved in 1985. After spending some 30 years in the area we decided to move to the outskirts of the city where it’s more like countryside (just like Kashmir where I had spent my childhood). Our new home is more of a white space and less multiracial. However this has not been a problem. We have been welcomed there. However, twice in our ten years there I have been conscious of being a visible minority. The first time it was the day after the Brexit referendum, and the other was in recent weeks. On both of these occasions it was not because of anything that personally happened to us (the neighbours were welcoming of us then as they are now) but simply because of the hostile attitude we were seeing and hearing about in different parts of the country. With the above backdrop we were on our normal trip to Moseley last Sunday, to attend the service at Riverside Church, when I noticed the ‘Thank God for Immigrants’ poster opposite the Village Post Office. The following day I met a colleague for coffee at Loco Lounge in Kings Heath and noticed the same sentiment expressed opposite the new railway station. I really appreciated the statements on display. Thank you to those responsible for the posters. It is a shame that the situation has come to this; that such sentiments are having to be articulated. As we move forward I hope and pray that the rest of our nation will become more like Moseley and Kings Heath, a community where all of us are welcome.For background, it just happens that I wrote a blog for Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council, to celebrate the South Asian Heritage Month, entitled: We are here because you were there . Also, on 14 November 2024 at 5.30pm, I shall be delivering a lecture on Asian Birmingham at Aston University. It is a free event that is open to the public. Karamat IqbalThank You Moseley & Kings Heath22 www.moseleyb13.com
St. Mary’s Church, Moseley is pulling out all the stops this autumn to renovate their organ. Mick Perrier, the church's Director of Music, has embarked on a unique fundraising journey by shedding weight in exchange for sponsorships - losing pounds from the body to create pounds of the sterling variety - in aid of supporti ng the restorati on of St Mary’s historic Henry Jones Exhibiti on Organ. The goal is to lose 1.5 stones by October 31st, and all funds raised will directly contribute to the organ renovati on, set to be completed by Easter 2025. Community members can pledge support by sponsoring Perrier per pound lost or making a one-ti me donati on. Pledges can be sent to [email protected] acti viti es don’t stop there: a Virtual Balloon Race will take place in the autumn, off ering parti cipants the chance to buy virtual balloons (one for each family member) and compete for cash prizes, watching online as they take to the skies. St Mary’s will also host two musical events to bolster the fundraising eff orts. On Saturday, September 7th at 7:00 PM, Mezzo-Soprano Jeanne Conrad Jones, along with pianist Jobe Baker Sullivan, violinist Jan Stachula, and cellist Lynn Kay, will present a Celti c musical journey from the highlands of Scotland to the hills and valleys of Ireland and Wales, all the way to shores of the USA which beckoned the Celti c diaspora to a new future (see our arti cle on page 30). Tickets are £10 at the door, with free admission for under-16s.This will be followed later in the month by the Morning Coff ee Concert on Saturday, September 28th at 11:00 AM, featuring the Nova Wind Quintet. Att endees can enjoy delightf ul music along with tea, coff ee, and cakes.St. Mary’s also welcomes new members from 7 years upwards to its Music Team and orchestra, be they singers or instrumentalists. Those interested can contact the church for more informati on. Vafa Motamedi, Ceol Creati vesFor more informati on on all the events menti oned, please: [email protected]
You may have recently noticed the beautifully maintained gardens at Calvary Church on Oxford Road, but did you know behind those beautiful big wooden doors there is another hidden gem? Chatterboxes Pre-School has been part of Moseley for over 40 years, having started at Centre 13 in School Road before moving to the Calvary Church. We are a small friendly pack-away setting with a professional experienced and caring staff team. This means having worked together for many years, developing excellent relationships with parents and other professionals to meet children’s individual needs. Chatterboxes is child led and encourages children to be confident, engaged, happy, independent and resilient.Don’t just take our word for it, here is a lovely review from one of our current parents.“Chatterboxes is pretty magical; 2 of my girls have/currently attended, and not once has either of them not wanted to go in. I love how the kids all mix, not segregated by age, there is lots of space for them to feel comfortable and not overwhelmed. With the perfect mix of activities available, mindful of allowing them to get creative and use their imaginations. I also particularly love the emphasis on being outside which has fostered my daughter's fascination with bugs, snails, and nature. Lots of lovely mud pies are made, campfires, little assault courses, and counting the trains. My daughter also loves the dancing and singing. Good value for money. Great for every day (it's only mornings) or one day a week so you can get on top of the housework!”Behind those beautiful big wooden doors we enter our nursery, a home from home. We have use of the large Church Hall which is our ‘playroom’. We are open 9am–1pm daily for children 2–4 years old and you can choose from 1–5 mornings. Fee paying and EEE funded places are available. We are one of the few remaining pack-away settings locally and are the only morning term-time setting. As a pack-away setting we set up every morning and put things away every day. This has its advantages and disadvantages. As a small setting we really get to know our children and families. We have never been “toy-centred” and have always loved recycled materials and letting children use real objects and tools in their play.We also have use of the beautiful large garden at the back of the Church with lots of space for the children to run around on 24 www.moseleyb13.com
a lovely grassy lawn. The railway track runs alongside the garden, and we have our own trainspotting area. When the children hear a train coming, they run over to the fence to spot the train. The “Tesco Train” is always a winner as it is about 25 carriages long. We love to encourage outdoor play and spend a lot of time in our wonderful spacious garden where the children can enjoy the mud kitchen, digging, making dens, obstacle courses and finding bugs. Our Forest School activities provide lots of opportunities to explore nature. The outdoor activities contribute to children’s health, their physical development and their knowledge of the world around them.We have started a new accreditation scheme “The Curiosity Approach” which inspires children through curiosity, awe and wonder. The children learn to use authentic resources, recycled materials and loose parts. This enables them to become inquisitive, capable learners. Jabina AkhtarFor more information about our history and what we do please visit our website Chatterboxes.co.uk or find us on Facebook @ChatterboxesB13You can also call us on 07720857385 or email us at [email protected] The Bog was saved by a public campaign 30 years ago and is today a nature reserve, managed by the Wildlife Trust.I found the blue finger post to “Moseley Bog” at the traffic lights in the centre of Moseley Village and started off up the hill, away from the main road, going past The Bulls Head to reach the Parish Church. Here, a set of pedestrian lights gives a safe crossing to enter Oxford Road, beside M&S Foodhall. This is a peaceful “low traffic neighbourhood” and there are lovely homes and gardens to admire, as you follow Oxford Road all the way to its end.Arriving at the very impressive St Agnes Church, I went around it to follow St Agnes Road down to the dual carriageway, Yardley Wood Road; then find a safe way across it and go downhill until, on the left side, is the curving metalwork entry to Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood. Time; 35 minutes walking or 15 minutes cycling.Cycles can be locked onto cycle stands at the entrance, or cycling is permitted (slowly) but only on the main paths. Take the first path on the right to discover a patchwork of meadows and woods. The paths tend to circle around the reserve, bringing you back to the entrance. Cyclists are asked to dismount on the narrow boardwalks. There are no toilets or refreshments (except blackberries).This is where Tolkein played as a boy, and made up stories, when it was part of rural Worcestershire. There is a way from the Bog to Sarehole Mill, which he helped to save, but do check the opening times which are now very restricted.Wouldn’t it be great if there was a permanent signed route from Moseley Village to Moseley Bog?John Newson25
MusicMiki Berenyi Trio (matinee show) at Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath on Saturday 7 September, 5pm-8pm.Ex-member of 90s shoegazing and indie band Lush. Miki’s memoir Fingers Crossed was published in 2022 and tells of the highs and lows of the music business. Beer/Food FestivalsSuds Fest 24 at Uffculme Centre, Queensbridge Road, Moseley on Saturday 7 September, 12pm-4pm and 4pm-8:30pm.A home-grown craft beer festival from Attic Brew Co. and seasonal markets at the former residence of the Cadbury family. Food served by street food legends Original Patty Men and Yardbirds. Two sessions are available. Markets Kings Heath Monthly Art Market at New Life Baptist Church Hall, High Street, Kings Heath on Saturday 21 September, 2pm-5pm.A lively sociable atmosphere with 20 local artists displaying a wide range of artwork. Autumn Craft Fair and Market at Highbury Hall, Yew Tree Road, Moseley on Sunday 29 September, 11am-4pm. The Grade II* listed building is hosting their ever popular craft fair with over 40 stall holders, food, craft beer, face painter and garden games for the children…and much more!Clothes SwapClothes Swap, Styling & Social at Old Print Works, Moseley Road, Balsall Heath on Friday 27 September, 6:30pm-9pm.Kick off Sustainable Fashion Week with a clothes swap at the Old Print Works. Bring along any clothes that don’t excite you anymore and swap with a new look! Experts are on hand to help you find your style. There’s also a social evening with a bar and DJ. Arrive before 6:45 for a free drink. All ages for clothes swap / social 18+.Poetry/Spoken WordMaria Credali: Seven Years A Wolf at The Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath on Wednesday 18 September, 7:30pm.Another brilliant evening of illumination THE GUIDE TO SEPT 2024BEST EVENTS IN MOSELEY, BALSALL HEATH & KINGS HEATH26 www.moseleyb13.com
and inspiration at the Storytelling Cafe. This month’s theme is a knight betrayed, survival against the odds and the triumph of good over evil. Support Groups/TalksMy Booze Heck at Moseley Hive, Alcester Road, Moseley on Wednesday 11 September, 7pm-9pm. An informal, free, non-judgy session discussing aspects, (good and bad) of being sober, with Craig Pullen, 12 months into a booze-free life. With guest speaker/life coach Alex Hyde.Birmingham Heritage WeekWalk & Talk, Golden Lion at Cannon Hill Parkon Friday 6 September, 6:30pm-7:30pm. The Golden Lion was built in the 16th Century and once stood on Deritend High Street before being saved from demolition and being moved to Cannon Hill Park. The Walk & Talk will inform about the possible and much hoped for future of the Golden Lion building. The event will take place outside the building with health and safety issues sadly preventing visitors from going inside.Through the keyhole of Islam; Birmingham Central Mosque, Bellgrave Middleway, Highgate on Wednesday 11 September, 12pm-5pm. Guided tour of the second purpose built mosque in the UK, as well as a Q&A and multi-media presentation about the Islamic faith. Tour of Cannon Hill House, Russell Road, Moseley on Friday 13 September | 11am12pm & 1pm-2pm. Guided tour to learn about the history and inhabitants of this early 19th century house. Explore, from cellar to loft, its many original architectural features. Organised by the current residents of Cannon Hill House, NICE, Centre for Movement Disorders.Moseley Hall Dovecote and 18c Garden in Alcester Road / Moseley Hall Icehouse in Moseley Park & Pool on Saturday 14 September, 11am–1pm & Sunday 15 September, 2pm–5pm (same dates & times for both locations). Both events are organised by The Moseley Society.Highbury Hall at Yew Tree Road, Moseley on Sunday 15 September, 11am-4pm. Explore the grandeur of Highbury Hall with guided tours of its 12 principal rooms, including special tours of rooms awaiting restoration.Further Birmingham Heritage in Moseley and Balsall Heath are featured on pages 9 & 31. Sarehole Mill and Moseley Hall Estate also have events but are fully booked at the time of going to press. Check online for further details of all events and to obtain tickets where needed.27
September is one of the most beautiful times of the year at Moseley Park and Pool. The shorter evenings bring a gorgeous golden light which dances across the surface of the pool, reflecting the changing colours of the woodland canopy overhead. If you've never visited before, why not pop in on a Wednesday between 10am and 4pm when we're open to all, or come along to one of our events?This is a busy month for us at the park, with the summer festivals packing up for the season, our Rangers hard at work clearing undergrowth from poolside pathways, and lots of exciting developments in our new inclusive activity area. But there's still plenty to do for all ages, with most events offered on a 'Pay What You Feel' basis. Check out www.moseleypark.co.uk/events for more info.SEPTEMBER EVENTS:Mon 2nd onwards (until October) – Park Explorers Sensory Trail: A mindful sensory nature trail open to subscribers and visitors during our usual opening hours – just pick up your free guide at our main Alcester Road entrance. Please note, between 2nd and 6th September the park will be noisier and busier than usual during working hours, so you may wish to visit the trail another time. Sat 7th – Inclusion in Natural Spaces, 1pm - 4pm Disability Symposium Sat 14th – Birmingham Heritage Week, 11am - 1pm: Main entrance open (supported by The Moseley Society)Sun 15th – Birmingham Heritage Week, 2pm - 5pm: Main entrance open (supported by The Moseley Society)Sat 21st to Sun 22nd – Little But Live Festival, times vary: Affordable, family-friendly arts festival featuring live music, workshops and performances of The Railway ChildrenFri 27th – Green Shoots Gardening Club, 1.30pm - 3.30pm: Our regular horticulture volunteering programme welcomes local people aged 16+ who'd like to learn new gardening skillsSat 28th – Monthly Open Day, 10am - 4pm:With free, family-friendly tree discovery activities and icehouse tours between 1pm and 4pmSPOTLIGHT ON… Little But Live Festival20th to 22nd September in the park and at Moseley HiveWe're delighted to welcome this fabulous community arts festival back again: this year we're supporting its great programme of events, from comedy shows to creative MOSELEY PARK AND POOL IN SEPTEMBERDen building at Fun Palace28 www.moseleyb13.com
workshops to top-class gigs. For tickets and more info visit www.paperbacktheatre.com.The highlight will be Paperback Theatre's new family-friendly show, The Railway Children. For the first time, this fantastic professional company is inviting a cast of talented local people to perform alongside them. Together, they'll stamp some Birmingham pride onto this well-loved classic story, which follows three children who are sent by train to a peaceful railway village after their father disappears in mysterious circumstances.COMING SOON… Phoenix Garden Fun Palace6th October, 12.30pm - 4pmAfter last year's hugely popular Fun Palace, the park is once again taking part in this inspiring national event which celebrates creativity at the heart of local communities. This year we're offering lots of free natural craft activities and creative woodland play, inviting people of all ages to help us create our new community activity area. If this sounds right up your street and you've got some spare time in September and early October, we're also looking for enthusiastic volunteers and local organisations to help us make the event happen: email [email protected] to get involved.YOUR PARK NEEDS YOU!We’re Looking for Brilliant New Trustees It's an exciting time for the Park And Pool, as we work towards making this beautiful natural haven more welcoming and accessible to all. The park is supported and enjoyed by its subscribers and regular visitors, as well as lots of local schools and charities via our free Community Access scheme. We're keen to grow and diversify the park's board of volunteer trustees which has cared for the site since 2006, to make sure it represents all the communities we serve.We'd like to hear from enthusiastic and motivated people to join the board for an initial three-year term. The role involves:• Attending evening board meetings in Moseley once a month• Attending some Park events and Open Days when possible• Joining sub-groups to lead smaller projects (recently including pathway development and planting programmes)We're looking for people with a wide range of experience and perspectives, so if you think you've got the time and enthusiasm to make a difference, please get in touch whatever your background. We'd especially like to hear from people with knowledge/skills in:• Accountancy / bookkeeping (to replace our current Treasurer)• Fundraising• Community development and engagement• Access, inclusion and diversity• Ecology• Land management• ForestryPlease email [email protected] for more information and details on how to apply (closing date end September).Katerina PushkinAutumn at Moseley Park29
Moseley B13 Magazine once covered the international escapades of Jeanne Jones, our very own adopted-dame of classical singing. This involved livestreams to America and Adelaide, from her back garden in Kings Heath, with pianist Jobe Sullivan. Next up, Jeanne will be reviving her concert series which she first founded when she was resident in Germany, 'Celtic Journeys'. The first concert will be held at St Mary's, Moseley, 7th September, 7pm, with an intermission. £10 per ticket, under 16s free and is in aid of St Mary's organ renovation.. Let's find out a little more (with some excerpts from the concert programme)...Celtic Journeys is an evening of songs, familiar and unfamiliar, from Ireland, Scotland, Wales and America. It is a concert of beautiful, fun and uplifting songs, and of the history of how some of this music emigrated to America, along with our ancestors.Jeanne Conard Jones is an American concert singer whose large repertoire ranges from the art songs of most European countries, through oratorio and opera, to the comic and romantic songs of composers such as George Gershwin and Cole Porter. She holds university degrees in choral conducting and vocal pedagogy and teaches singing. Jeanne also gives workshops on singing technique for choir singers, and on choral conducting technique.Jobe Baker-Sullivan, pianist and leader of the ensemble, has been a long-time teacher, supporting the Birmingham Irish Association. Jobe says, “Ensuring that Celtic music is at the forefront of our minds is an intense passion of mine.” Jobe has also composed music for the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, the late Jack Dromey MP, the arts organisation Secret City, Birmingham New Street Station and St. Brigid’s Day, all in a traditional Irish style. Lynn Kay is the founder and CEO of Beat It Percussion which uses rhythm and sound to support good mental health. She began playing cello aged 12, and her main focus is on early and baroque music. With her Irish ancestry, Lynn is intrigued and delighted to take part in Celtic Journeys.Originally hailing from Poland, Jan Stachula is a multi-instrumentalist and accomplished Baritone who works within the local folk music scene. Jan is the resident musician for the Black Country charity, “Options For Life” and dedicates much of his professional time to helping people with disabilities access music.This quartet of musicians are presenting a wide variety of songs, including Danny Boy, and The Leaving of Liverpool, as well as songs from Scotland, such as Charlie is my Darling, and Loch Lomond, and the States such as Hard Times Come no More, all with a distinctly Celtic thread. Aida Khakizadeh, Ceol Creatives30 www.moseleyb13.com
BALSALL HEATH HISTORY SOCIETY & BIRMINGHAM HISTORY THEATRE COMPANYFOR BIRMINGHAM HERITAGE WEEK Balsall Heath History Exhibition takes place on Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September, 11am to 4:30pm. A new photographic exhibition about the history of Balsall Heath.The book launch of ‘Balsall Heath A History’, with an illustrated talk by Val Hart, the author, takes place on Saturday 7 September at 2pm. The book was first published in 1992 with many re-printings but has been out of print for some time. This is a revised and updated edition.Both take place at The Drawing Room at The Old Print Works, 498-506 Moseley Road, B12 9AH. Organised by Balsall Heath Local History Society.BALSALL HEATH DRAMATIC HISTORY TRAIL A performance trail along the Moseley Road with a tour leader, looking at some of the amazing buildings and meeting characters from Balsall Heath’s past. The Trails will start from the exhibition being held at The Old Print Works (see above). Organised by Birmingham History Theatre Company.Trails are free but booking is required by Eventbrite:1.30pm Trail: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-dramatic-trail-along-the-moseley-roadwith-a-tour-leader-and-performancestickets-965807946567?aff=oddtdtcreator3.30pm Trail: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-dramatic-trail-along-themoseley-road-with-a-tour-leader-andperformances-tickets-96595609969731
9 772050 609007 ISSN 2050-6090 00548