Over the course of 2021 we’ve a series of events exploring Telling Sutton’s Stories and how you can get involved. All events are free and everyone is welcome. If there are things that would be helpful for us to know or things we could put in place so that it would be easier for you to take part, please let us know.

Thursday 14 October, 19.30-20.30, Online


Photo: 1920, reproduced courtesy of Sutton Coldfield Library
Telling Sutton’s Stories – Four Oaks and Mere Green


Book your place here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqf-6prD0tGt2gLgsa9bInonHGYKyk5oiY
Thursday 4 November, 19.30-20.30, Online


Four Oaks Race Course. Photo courtesy of Sutton Coldfield Library
Telling Sutton’s Stories – Sport as a lens to explore aspects of Sutton’s history


Book your place here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsdu2oqTwsHNPEX2J4nqWoYw7gguoBMDyT


We are also currently running a (very) short story competition. Just 250 words, with a link somehow to Sutton Coldfield (e.g. through its setting), the competition is free to enter, and the winner will be published in the Royal Sutton Coldfield Chronicle. Click here for full details.

Past events

In the spring and early summer of 2021 online workshops were held on Zoom.

Each workshop included a presentation of old photos and other material relating to the given topic, drawing on Sutton Coldfield Library’s archive material.

Lower Parade looking to Town School. Photo: Sutton Coldfield Library. Reproduced with permission.
Thursday 15 April, 19.30-20.30, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – The development and memories of The Parade
Lichfield Mercury – Friday 17 October 1879. Newspaper image © The British Library Board. With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive
Saturday 24 April, 14.00-15.00, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – Mill Street development and memories
Streetly Entrance – Sutton Park. Photo: Sutton Coldfield Library. Reproduced with permission.
Wednesday 12 May, 19.30-20.30, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – Memories of Sutton Park, part 1
Aris’s Birmingham Gazette – Monday 03 September 1827. Newspaper image © The British Library Board. With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive
Wednesday 19 May, 19.30-20.30, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – Memories of Sutton Park, part 2 (different content to part 1)
Coventry Evening Telegraph – Friday 27 October 1978. Newspaper image © Reach Plc. All rights reserved. With thanks to the British Newspaper Archive
Wednesday 2 June, 19.30-20.30, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – FOOD & DRINK in Sutton’s history
Aris’s Birmingham Gazette – Monday 26 January 1846. Newspaper image © The British Library Board. With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive
Thursday 17 June, 19.30-20.30, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – MUSIC in Sutton’s history


Book your free place here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUud-yrpzIjEt0ukQf_NDIOAQCbOkfgG4wE
An excerpt from Henry IV Part 1 by Shakespeare
Saturday 3 July, 14.30-15.30, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – LITERATURE in Sutton’s history
Highbridge Road, Boldmere Road from Antrobus Road, 3 March 1938. Photo: Sutton Coldfield Library. Reproduced with permission.
Tuesday 13 July, 19.30-20.30, Online


Telling Sutton’s Stories – Boldmere history and memories

Summer events

Over the summer of 2021 we held several outdoor events where people could explore old maps and archive photos of Sutton Coldfield and learn about the Telling Sutton’s Stories project.

  • 11 August 10.00-13.00
    Communitea Cafe, Boldmere


  • 13 August 10.00-13.00
    Max’s Coffee Shop, Clarence Road, B74


  • 16 August 10.00-13.00
    Olive Branch Coffee Shop, Grange Lane, B75


  • 19 August 14.00-17.00
    The Duke Inn, Duke Street, B72


  • 5 September 14.00-17.00
    A community song-making workshop at St Chad’s, Hollyfield Road, B75


  • 12 September 11.00-18.00
    Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Upper Clifton Road, B73
    As part of the Town Hall Community Fete


  • 14 September, 13.30 – 16.30
    Banners Gate Community Centre, Reay Nadin Drive, B73




  • 18 September, 11.00-15.00
    Holy Trinity Parish Church, Church Hill, B72
    As part of the church’s Heritage Open Day


  • 25 September 09.00-17.00
    Sutton Expo, The Parade, B72


    • Our workshops are made possible thanks to a large number of volunteers, and funding from the Sutton Coldfield Neighbourhood Network Scheme. We would like to acknowledge our particular gratitude to Alan Cameron Wills who has developed the bespoke software we use for Telling Sutton’s Stories.