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[24.09.23] The Friends of the Gardens are hosting another Cafe Talk on 10th October 2023. Darren Share – 11 times Gold Chelsea winner – will give a talk on ‘How to Win at Chelsea’. This event will be held in the Loudon Suite from 18:30 – 20.30 followed by Q&A. The cost is £14.50 – a members discount is available – which includes a free drink. This is a fund-raising event with a recommended age of 16+. Go here to book your place.

[02.08.23] Martineau Gardens (27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, B5 7UG) have kindly agreed to host a visit for Calthorpe Residents Society members to be held on Wednesday September 6th at 10.30 am.
The morning will consist of a guided tour of the gardens with plenty of opportunity to explore and understand more about this beautiful and peaceful garden and wildlife centre located so close to the city centre, as well as the opportunity to take refreshment.
There will be approximately 20-30 places available on a first come first served basis. Please reply using the Contact form, using the ‘Register for/enquire about an event’ subject line. We look forward to seeing you there. Please dress for any weather eventuality!

[26.07.23] Your attention is drawn to a Cafe Talk at Birmingham Botanical Gardens on Thursday 3rd August 2023: A celebration of the untold botanical history of Birmingham and the Midlands.
Join the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens for Botanical Birmingham the first in a new series of talks which blends the rich heritage of our city with the story of its green spaces.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply seeking an inspiring talk, Botanical Birmingham offers something for you.
Tickets for this fundraising event in support of Birmingham Botanical Gardens are limited, so make sure to secure your spot early. Go here to book your ticket!
Doors open to the café space at 18:15 and admission includes a drink on arrival (bottled beer / glass of wine or tea, coffee, bottled or canned drink.) Your ticket also includes entry to the Gardens from 17:00.
Our guest speaker:
Pam Smith, Senior National Consultant for Garden and Parklands with the National Trust will be sharing her extensive knowledge with participants in this exciting talk. Pam is a horticulturist with over 35 years within the amenity, botanical and horticultural professions. Her previous positions include Director of University of Birmingham Botanic Gardens. Pam is a former trustee and former Vice Chair of Plant Network; a former Trustee of School of Horticulture Kew, and is a current Trustee of Birmingham Botanical Gardens and RHS Bursaries Committee.

[27.06.23] Public consultation on the ‘Our Future City: Draft Central Birmingham Framework 2040’ On Thursday 25th May 2023, Birmingham City Council launched the public consultation on the ‘Our Future City: Draft Central Birmingham Framework 2040’. The consultation period runs until Thursday 20th July 2023. Your attention is particularly drawn to the consultation event at the Edgbaston Village Artisan Market on Saturday 8th July.
‘Our Future City: Draft Central Birmingham Framework 2040’ is a bold and ambitious vision for Central Birmingham. It builds upon the ‘Shaping Our City Together’ consultation in 2021, and the many conversations since which have helped shape the plan. The draft framework covers Central Birmingham, which has been grouped into five areas:
- City Heart: Bull Ring, Colmore Business District, Snowhill and Steelhouse, Southside, Town, Westside
- Central North: Eastside and Aston Triangle, Gun Quarter, Nechells, Newtown
- Central East: Bordesley, Digbeth, Small Heath
- Central South: Balsall Heath, Edgbaston, Highgate
- Central West: Hockley, Jewellery Quarter, Ladywood, Spring Hill
The draft framework sets a vision and provides a strategy to address the challenges the city faces and unlock opportunities for Central Birmingham to 2040 to create a fair, inclusive, and green place that benefits all of our citizens. It has been produced as a non-statutory planning document and will replace the Big City Plan and inform the production of the new statutory Birmingham Local Plan. It sets a vision for Central Birmingham which will guide future investment and set a programme of more detailed work over the next twenty years.
To find out more about the consultation and to view the draft framework, as well as its supporting documents, please follow the link below to the council’s webpage: www.birmingham.gov.uk/central-birmingham-frameworkHow to get involvedThe public consultation on the draft framework runs for eight weeks. You can get involved in the public consultation by:
- Heading to www.birminghambeheard.org.uk/place/draft-central-birmingham-framework 2040 where you can view the document, and submit your comments via the online survey.
- You can also submit comments to: CityCentreDevelopmentPlanning@birmingham.gov.uk or City Centre Planning and Development Team, Birmingham City Council PO Box 28, Birmingham, B1 1TU.
- Attending one of our consultation events (see table below).
Consultation events:
Date | Time | Venue |
Wednesday 28 June | 15:00 to 18:30 | Aldi Store, Newtown Shopping Centre, High Street, Birmingham, B19 2SS |
Thursday 29 June | 10:00 to 14:00 | Nechells Wellbeing Centre, Rupert Street, Birmingham, B7 4AR |
Monday 3 July | 18:00 to 19:00 | Online webinar – register here |
Tuesday 4 July | 11:00 to 16:00 | Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street, B1 2ND |
Saturday 8 July | 10:00 to 15:00 | Edgbaston Artisan Market, Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston, B15 3AU. |
Monday 10 July | 14:00 to 16:00 | Birmingham Springhill Superstore, Camden Street, B18 7BH |
Tuesday 11 July | 18:00 to 19:00 | Online webinar – register here |
The public consultation on the draft framework closes on Thursday 20th July 2023. Following this, comments will be taken into consideration and the final document will be prepared. It is the intention to seek city council approval of the final framework as part of the city council’s non-statutory planning framework.

[20.06.23] Please find herewith the first Community Newsletter from the Warwickshire County Cricket Club Foundation Charity, providing details of their activities and events, and a letter from the Club on road closures and parking arrangements for the summer games at Edgbaston

[16.06.23] Birmingham Botanical Gardens have unveiled ambitious plans for the largest re-development programme in their history.
The £13m ‘Growing our Green Heritage Project’ will transform the 191-year-old charity, restoring its four historic, listed glasshouses, providing additional visitor and community resources and creating a place of horticultural excellence and outstanding green space.
Last year the Botanical Gardens were awarded £590,814 development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop the first phase of the project, with a further £4.4m available as the programme progresses.
The best way to help the gardens progress these exciting plans is to become an active supporter by taking out a membership (either for yourselves or as a gift for someone) or becoming a volunteer. They are offering a 20% discount for local residents (including CRS members) up to 30th June 2023.
Download the full text of their letter and a volunteer application form here, or go online to their membership page or volunteer page.

[22.03.23] “Suited for Success” – Coffee morning/Suit Drive – Chapter Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston, Saturday March 25 – 10-1pm
“Suited for Success” is a Charity supporting the unemployed with interview coaching, employment preparation and free job interview clothing. See their website here.
Shortage of space in your wardrobe? WFH ? – work clothing no longer required? – “Suited for Success” can help you. You in turn can help support unemployed people by donating surplus work clothes. CRS organised a complimentary coffee morning in conjunction with Chapter, on March 25 – 10am – 1pm. Chapter has a new collaboration with Ten Four Bakehouse – artisan bread made by Adam Cross at his Stirchley Bakery – order by 6pm on Wednesdays and pick up on Saturdays between 9am and 12 noon from Chapter. Visit their website or call 0121 459 2119.
[22.03.23] Our 52nd AGM was at 7.00 for 7.30 on Wednesday, 29th March 2023 at Edgbaston High School for Girls. Our guest speakers were from Birmingham Botanical Gardens – Sue Beardsmore (Chair) & Sara Blair-Manning (CEO) with support from Elizabeth Frostick.
Non-members may join CRS on the night – it is only £10 per household.
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