On the 24^th and 25^th November, for the first time, they will be performing Bizet’s Carmen at the Stirchley Baths Community Hub, which we all know is a  fantastic space. The company will be singing in English, with a small orchestra, Bournville Youth Singers, and professional soloists presenting the world’s favourite opera on 24th and 25th November at the Baths.

There have been so may versions of this story of love, jealousy and revenge but be prepared for Midland Opera’s take on the character of Carmen.  Is she the seductress or is she the abused woman?  Come and find out, enjoy the sumptuous singing by professional soloists, and also be entertained by members of Bournville Youth Chorus.

Ticket details on the attached flyer, and can be purchased from Midland Opera’s website.

We had a real treat in store for visitors – we were joined by Viking re-enactment group Ardenweard, who set up a living history museum in our Main Hall, featuring a big tent lined with reindeer skins to sleep on, a dining table and authentic vessels and weaponry. Children and adults alike were invited to try on mail and authentic helmets (no horns please!) – and there was also a science display presented by Phil Banting of the Stirchley History Group. and there was also lots of factual information on display. We had the chance to write our names in runes and to learn about the amazing voyages of discovery the Vikings made, including a demonstration of the power of magnetism.

The Friends of Stirchley Library also had an excellent craft, storytelling and making day, and we are very much looking forward to our next event together. It was great to see those who had attended those sessions coming into the Baths, talking proudly about what they had done. The standard of Viking jewellery they had made was particularly impressive!

An impressive Viking longship was placed in the centre of the Main Hall, surrounded by tables where hundreds of children and adults were  taking part in a mammoth craft session making shields to decorate the boat – and the day finished with a big community row led by Ardenweard.

And the action wasn’t just confined to the Main Hall. At 12pm and 2pm we were summoned outside, where the Vikings would take part in battle. Making excellent use of the access ramp leading outside, we could see the warriors clash below us. After losers were vanquished and winners were celebrated, those lucky enough to be under 10 years old could get into the spirit of things with Kiddy Vike, a chance to fight the Vikings for themselves! There were also talks and stories in the Cinema Room, and all this gave the craft-makers in the Main Hall some much needed rest!

The event was undoubtably a success, and Arts Forum Selly Oak and Stirchley Baths would also like to thank Stirchley The Way Forward for their support and Change Kitchen for feeding our many visitors. We are also happy to report that Friends of Stirchley Library also had an excellent craft, storytelling and making day, and we are very much looking forward to our next event. A big thanks to Alex, Emma, Karen, Stu, Charis, Theresa, Jessie, Phil, Andy, Suzanne, Mark, Susan and Danni who supported the event on the day or behind the scenes in its preparation and promotion.

If you would like to get involved in planning next year’s Fun Palace or want to suggest a theme for the event, then please get in touch!

Come and celebrate with us from 3.30pm – 5pm – there will be tea, cake, films and an opportunity to look round the building for those who haven’t been before.
More details to follow but you may want to put the date and time in your diary !

Everyone is welcome – regular users, supporters and new friends.

Hope to see you on January 14th.

Warm Regards
Stirchley Baths Team

We’ve had such great successes from the Official Opening in Jan 2016, our fantastic volunteers , the wide range of community  uses and users from A(rabic) to Z(umba) and all in between, being on telly (twice!!) and winning several local and regional awards …not bad for the first 12 months.

I would just like to take this opportunity on updating you all on a couple of things

• Christmas and New Year Closing – We will be closed to the public from Monday  December 19^th  and reopen on Tuesday January 3^rd. The Main Hall Floor requires urgent attention from the original contractors. This has been a long drawn out and frustrating negotiation but hopefully now the remedial works will be done to the required standard.
• Friends Meeting House – Many of you may have already noticed that work has started on the Friends Meeting House next to Stirchley Baths. A building company called Red Rose Birmingham  purchased the building from the Co-op and are refurbishing and converting it into apartments.  It’s great to see the building being brought back into use but please note that the sale agreement also means that the car park spaces in the centre car park  directly facing the Friends Meeting House are for their use which will reduce our available car parking spaces. I understand from Red Rose that they will be placing their container across these parking spaces as from next week and there will be skip lorries and other deliveries to site. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but it is not within our control.

• Lead Theft  – Unfortunately we have experienced a second bout of lead theft from the roof at the Baths. The Police have been informed and fortunately we have some good clear footage from the centre’s  CCTV system. If you see anything please let us know.

• Christmas Giving – In previous years the Selly Oak District Office have always proactively done something for local good causes. This year at Stirchley Baths we have two collection boxes in the Main Entrance Foyer area

• First Night Campaign – donation of items which assist families that have to flee their home because of domestic abuse. They often have little or no time to pack so items that can be used on their first night in a refuge such as toiletries, puzzles, books, crayons, pencils, chocolate
• B30 Foodbank based at Cotteridge Church – donation of foodstuffs to provide help to people in crisis. Urgently needed food items include cooking rice, cereals, biscuits, tinned spaghetti –fruit-tomatoes, custard and sugar

I do hope you are able to support these important causes – “drop in with a tin of something, toothpaste or toiletries” . Collection boxes are in operation as of today 7/12/16.

Hope you  have a great Christmas and New Year and thank you for all your support in making this year such a wonderful success.

Our next big event will be our First Year Birthday Celebrations on January 14^th 2017 and the launch of the Community Cinema Club.

Best Wishes

Karen

You Could Be Dancing!

The Dancing Mat, a commissioned artwork for the Stirchley Baths Heritage Programme, is nearing its launch with an event ‘Stirchley Dances’, on Saturday 25th June 1 – 4pm. This is a free event open to all, celebrating the heritage and current day dancing in Stirchley. John and Eileen Horlick from the Stirchley Tea Dance Group who worked with me to record steps from dances that would have been danced at Stirchley Baths in the 1940’s will officially open the dancing mat at 1pm in the foyer. After this there will be dancing in the main hall by the Tea Dance Group, Swing Express and Barn Dance Fitness, the latter two who hold weekly classes at Stirchley Baths. You can either come along and enjoy watching the dancing or join in. It doesn’t matter whether you are a complete novice, enthusiast or highly experienced – this is a celebration of all things in Stirchley.

]]> https://stirchleybaths.org/2016/06/08/stirchley-dances-saturday-25th-june-16-1-4-pm/feed/ 0 https://stirchleybaths.org/2016/01/14/todays-the-day/ https://stirchleybaths.org/2016/01/14/todays-the-day/#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2016 10:15:29 +0000 https://newstirchleybaths.podnosh.com/?p=1745

The dust has all settled and paint is dry so today we welcome a few guests to officially open the centre.

It has taken many months to convert the old baths into the centre we have today. We’ve managed to pair modern facilities with the heritage of the building to preserve memories but in a space that enables us and you to also create new ones and we can not wait to see you here.

Here are a few smiley faces from our preview open evening to tell you that there are no days left to wait!

Just like every Christmas eve and like kids in a sweet shop we’re all a flutter in anticipation of our grand opening.

Here are a few smiley faces from our preview open evening to tell you just how long we have left to wait.

We’re very excited, we’re only few days from the grand opening. Here are a few smiley faces from our preview open evening to tell you just how long we have left to wait.

We’re very excited, we’re only few days from the grand opening. Here are a few smiley faces from our preview open evening to tell you just how long we have left to wait.

We’re very excited, we’re only few days from the grand opening. Here are a few smiley faces from our preview open evening to tell you just how long we have left to wait.