Hello all,
And just like that, it’s September!
As with every newsletter, we have our usual ‘local(ish) links’ and a reminder to come and cowork with us.
The Old Post Office is open for coworking Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, with Bryn and Mark, Pendra, Erin and Ellie.
See you then! Book your desk in advance online.
— Kerry, on behalf of TOPO
Birmingham Open Studios
Not long now! The Old Post Office is a host venue for six artists for September’s Birmingham Open Studios - for the third year!
Save the date: Saturday 20 September and Sunday 21 September, 11-5pm - and find out more about each of the artists who will be at The Old Post Office:
It’s a big weekend in Stirchley/Birmingham that weekend, as it’s also Stirchley Community Market on Saturday 20 September from 10am-3pm at Stirchley Baths, and it’s also the last weekend of Birmingham’s Heritage Open Week (12-21 September) more below.
Photo - PlanetBrill, exhibitor with live painting 2023
Discounted regular bookings
If you cowork once or twice a week, or would like to get into the habit, maybe you’d be interested in signing up to a monthly subscription?
When you have purchased your subscription, you can book a desk as usual through our bookings page. We’ll email you a unique subscription code to apply at the checkout whenever you want to book a desk. And you can always purchase additional sessions at the usual rate if you hit your monthly limit.
And if after a month, you decide it’s not for you, or, you only needed it for a month anyway, you can always cancel - or upgrade and add extra days!
Sign up online (or email us if you have questions) [email protected]
Photo by Jack Spicer Adams (of Kirsty)
C90 Community Chorus
Join Sounds Local CIC for Stirchley’s latest singing group, held every Friday, 7–9pm at The Old Post Office. Come along and sing your heart out to hits from ‘the best decade in pop culture!’ (the 90s). The group is open to adults who want to come together and sing for fun, to make new friends, and maybe to perform the odd gig in public in future. Spaces are limited to 20, book online - your first time is free.
Local(ish) links
Brum Butch Bar’s free monthly social takes place on Tuesday 9 September, 7–11pm at Nortons in Digbeth, with a relaxed evening of community, conversation and a playlist in the back room. August newsletter.
We’re looking forward to Birmingham Heritage Week. There are a number of events in Stirchley this year:
Build Brum - hosted at Stirchley Library by Friends of Stirchley Library. ‘Join us for a fun, hands-on workshop where children can explore Birmingham’s rich architectural heritage through the power of play. Using LEGO bricks, young builders will be invited to recreate some of the city’s most iconic buildings – from historic gems to modern landmarks – or design their own imaginative versions of Birmingham’s skyline.’ Saturday 20 September 11am-1pm
Discover Stirchley Community Church, organised by Stirchley History Group, ‘Explore the building now known as Stirchley Community Church. It has been at the centre of Stirchley since being built by Richard & George Cadbury in 1892 as a Friends Meeting House & community resource for the people of Stirchley. To many local people it is better known as Stirchley Institute’ Saturday 20 September, 10am-3pm.
Discover Stirchley Baths on Stirchley Community Market day: ‘Come and take a look inside the Grade II listed Stirchley Baths, a well-loved part of the Stirchley community for over 100 years. A swimming baths was first proposed in 1903 and the building was opened in 1911. The washing (slipper) baths were well used. Over the years the building has also been home to a dance hall, Finnish sauna and a gym. The Baths closed in 1988 and, after much support from the community and the Heritage Lottery Fund, it reopened in 2016 to once again be at the heart of the community. The building no longer has a swimming pool but is a thriving community centre. Tours of the Baths will be available, bookable on the day. There will be a sale of second-hand local history books. Lots of bargains! Saturday 20 September, 10am-3pm
Crown Green Bowls Taster – A Stirchley Heritage Experience ‘The British Oak was built by Mitchells & Butlers and opened on the 17 September 1926. This Public House and its bowling green have stood as a proud institute of Stirchley for nearly 100 years and have survived remarkably intact. This is your opportunity to have a go at crown green bowls in the historic setting of a Grade II listed pub. Organised by British Oak Bowling Club, Saturday 20 September, see listing for timings/how to book.
Solid Joy, a volunteer-run party on 26 September at The Old Print Works, combines DJs, live music, and community to raise funds for local and international causes, supporting groups that address social inequality, human rights, and community wellbeing, with all proceeds going to those in need and free entry available for anyone who can’t afford it. Funds going towards: Co-operation Birmingham, Battir Women’s Association West Bank and Transactual. Tickets.
Screen B14, The Heath Bookshop and Falasteen on Film are collaborating to host a screening of Jafar Panahi’s Taxi Tehran (2015), alongside a Palestinian short film, on Saturday 11 October at 5pm at The Heath Bookshop. Tickets.
And it was a while ago now (23 July) but I enjoyed this read about Birmingham’s queer punks on Huck Magazine.
We are always happy to share what you’re working on, especially if you are part of the coworking space community - ALSO if you go to an event because you found out about it via our newsletter, please do tell us! via [email protected]
The Old Post Office coworking space
The coworking space is open this week Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm
You can book:
a half day (9am-12.30pm / 1.30pm-5pm)
full day (9am-5pm)
school hours (9am-3pm)
With no ongoing commitment needed (though we’d of course love to have you back).
If you’d like to start something more regular here, you may like to consider a discounted monthly membership such a half a day a week / one day a week.
Newsletter 1 Sept