Month: May

This May, Balsall Common Library will be once again inviting patrons and the local community to take a trip down memory lane remembering life in Balsall Common and the surrounding areas. 

A Postcard from Balsall Common is a project first run in 2020, and this Local and Community History Month the library will be encouraging the sharing of memories by filling in a postcard in the library to be pegged on a special ‘reminiscence washing line’.

On Thursday 23rd May there will be a Reminiscence Cafe as part of this event.

The library is especially keen to hear from anyone who has any old photographs, newspaper articles, and other items of interest concerning the area and its history. Any information about shops and businesses that are no longer with us or local individuals of note would also be gratefully received.

As well as sharing newly collected memories and local history with the community, the library will also be preserving them for posterity by adding copies to the Solihull Heritage & Local Studies Service.

To talk to the library about sharing photographs, objects, or memories, or for further information please contact us on 01676 532590 or by email at balsallcommonlibrary@solihull.gov.uk or pop into the library when we are open.

Join us on Tuesday mornings at 10:15 am for Story Time at The Core Library. These sessions are aimed at children aged 2 - 5 years and are held during term time only. Also, why not stay and play afterwards with toys and games available.

Booking is required. Please book a place for everyone in your party aged 2 and over, including adults.

We look forward to seeing you.

Join us on Wednesday mornings at 10:15 am for Rhymetime at The Core Library. An interactive session for babies and toddlers lasting around 20 - 30 minutes. The session will include popular rhymes and songs and is held during term time only. Also, why not stay and play afterwards (toys are provided).

Booking is essential. Please book a place for everyone in your party aged 2 and over, including adults.

Please note: in order to provide a safe environment, we cannot guarantee that anyone dropping in, without booking, will be able to stay and take part in the session. Places can only be booked 5 days before the event.

Join us to listen to some stories and sing along to some popular rhymes.

Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Please book a place for each child in your  party 2 years old and over. If you plan on bringing more than one child over 2 please ring the library for confirmation.

Due to restricted space only one adult per child may be able to attend the session. 

Please do cancel your booking if  you're unable to attend as we normally have a waiting list.

Thank you.

We look forward to seeing you.

Join us for story time and sing along to some well-known nursery rhymes...with instruments and puppets!

Stay and play afterwards, with themed colouring sheets available.

Booking required as numbers are limited. Please book a place for everyone in your party aged 2 and over (including adults)

Term time only. 

We look forward to seeing you!

Join us every Thursday morning (term time only) at 10:15am for a combined story and rhyme time session. 

These sessions are aimed at children aged 0-5 years.

Junte-se a nós na quinta-feira, 16 de Maio às 10:15 para uma Contação de História em Português na The Core Library.
A sessão é para crianças de 2 a 5 anos e haverá espaço para se divertir com jogos e brinquedos após o encerramento. Uma ótima oportunidade para as crianças e para você fazer novos amigos.
É necessário reservar a entrada para todos acima de 2 anos, inclusive adultos.

Esperamos vocês!

Come along to Chelmsley Wood Library and take part in a free arts and craft workshop to help you relax and have fun.

The creative craft sessions are at Chelmsley Wood Library every Thursday and cover a variety of activities like drawing, textiles, clay and decoration making!

Open to all adults 18+

A friendly, self-run support group for individuals with an interest in tracing their family history. All are welcome, both novices and more experienced researchers. 

Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month 2.15pm-4.00pm.

Do you want to stop or reduce your smoking?

The Solihull Lifestyle Service can help, by offering a range of health and well-being advice and support to help you make positive lifestyle changes.

For more information, contact the Solihull Lifestyle service on 0800 599 9880.

Every Friday 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm.

Meet and Play is an opportunity for young families to meet, relax, chat and play together.

The session is for families, led by families. Toys are provided.

Suitable for children aged 0 - 2 years. No booking required. Term time only.

Our next 'Repair Shop' inspired event will take place on Saturday 18th May. 

Our fantastic team of volunteer repairers will be on hand, offering repairs to all kinds of items including clothing, toys and bikes; plus advice on a variety of practical projects. 

Refreshments will be available. 

Booking not required, just drop in.

If you would like anymore information, please ask a member of library staff.

We look forward to seeing you!

Have a go at writing a script for TV, theatre or radio!  Learn how to create a believable character, giving them a voice and a powerful story.  Writer-in-residence Liz John will show you how to write a brilliant script to take your audience on a dramatic journey.

Suitable for beginners, emerging writers and anyone who wants to give script-writing a try.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Solihull College and University Centre are offering a free Counselling course at Chelmsley Wood Library, every Monday morning from 9.30am-12.30pm.

This qualification is designed for anyone over 18 who uses, or would like to use, helping skills either at work or in a personal capacity. This course is for people who would like to find out about counselling skills. You will study the definition of counselling and developing self-awareness through skills practice. The course introduces approaches and offers opportunities to practice listening skills - empathy, reflecting, paraphrasing, summarising and focusing.

If you are interested in booking a place please ring Solihull College on 0121 678 7000.