The Transport Systems Catapult is currently looking for participants in Balsall Common for a study that will explore the role mobility and transport play in people’s lives.
The study will help transport providers and innovators design services that better fit with people’s lifestyles.
A remarkable weekend for Berkswell Cricket Club as Summer transitioned from June to July could be followed by another in quick succession as Berkswell’s senior 1st team prepare for the Birmingham League’s T20 Finals Day.
On Friday 29th June Berkswell’s Under 16 boys won the Coventry and District’s Fred Gardner Trophy with a 6 run victory over Bablake Old Boys.
Berkswell Under 16s: Coventry and District Trophy Winners
The next day Berkswell’s senior 1st team moved top of the Birmingham and District League’s Premier Division, the pinnacle position in Club cricket across 5 counties. This means Berkswell’s 1st and 2nd teams both currently top their respective divisions.
“Like the weather, our season has brightened up considerably in the Saturday 1st XI,” explains Club Chairman Matt Nightingale.
“After having had our first fixture abandoned, we lost the next 2 games to title-rivals Shrewsbury and West Bromwich Dartmouth and were close to the bottom of the table in early May. To find ourselves top after 10 games shows how tight the league is this season and it shows we still have an excellent team. Our league form now matches our T20 form where in addition to reaching this Sunday’s Birmingham League Finals Day, we’ve also made the Coventry Cup Final on Friday 13th July.”
Birmingham & District Premier League – Premier Division Table (30th June 2018).
Berkswell’s women walked away from the Midlands Super 8 Finals Day at Halesowen Cricket Club with the winner’s trophy on Sunday 1st July, a week after appearing in the last four of the English Cricket Board’s National T20 competition.
8-a-Side Midlands Finalists: [from left to right] Pershore v Berkswell.Berkswell’s Women with their Midlands Super 8s Winner medals
“Our Women’s section has had an exceptional year in the T20 format of the game,” says Matt Nightingale.
“By winning the regional T20 final at our home ground, the Women then travelled the following weekend to Newport in South Wales for the national T20 Finals Day. Unfortunately, they ran into a strong Finchley outfit in the Semi Final but can console themselves that they went further in a national competition than any previous Berkswell side. We are enormously proud of the achievements of Sarah Ginn and her team.”
Birmingham and District League T20 Challenge Cup Finals
Four teams will contest the T20 Finals at Kenilworth Wardens Cricket Club on Sunday 8th July 2018, in a knockout format consisting Semi-Finals and Final.
The first Semi-Final will feature Berkswell against Fordhouses from 10:00 am, followed by the second Semi-Final between Wolverhampton and Barnards Green. The winners will contest the Final at 5:00 pm.
T20 Finals Day information
Date: Sunday 8th July 2018Venue: Kenilworth Wardens Cricket Club
1st Semi Final: Berkswell v Fordhouses 10:30 am
2nd Semi Final: Wolverhampton v Barnards Green 1:30 pm
Final: 5:00 pm
Berkswell will play Smethwick at The Lant, Meeting House Lane, Balsall Common on Saturday 7th July in an exciting 1st v 2nd (joint) clash which gets underway at noon:
“Our overseas professional Sadaf Hussain is due to join the club this weekend.” explains Matt Nightingale:
“Sadaf has a fantastic first-class record in his native Pakistan, having taken over 350 wickets at under 19 a piece, which is a great record for a lad of 28. If he can hit form with the ball, he may provide the mid-season impetus to carry our league challenge over the line. ”
“He makes his debut against a very strong Smethwick outfit, who currently sit in second place in the league, level on points with Shrewsbury, so fingers crossed we can get a good result and maintain our position at the top of the league.”
“England’s Football World Cup Quarter Final will also be on display in the clubhouse at 3:00 pmif you want to torture yourself with that.”
Both the club and the team are very friendly, and as well as the football get involved in the community, including an incredibly popular Beer Festival this weekend attended by many of the parents and players of the team.
The Hornets have Junior teams for many age groups and a Saturday morning club for those not yet old enough for teams. There’s more details and a contact form on their website.
Balsall Beerfest aims to bring the community together around the aims of promoting local breweries and raising money for local causes, with an event that offers beer, food, music and laughter.
There will be 7 hours in which to try 14 beers to try from 7 local breweries, all based within 20 miles of Balsall Common, alongside lager, wine (including the now obligatory Prosecco) and soft drinks.
Musical entertainment will feature the 2015 Balsall’s Got the Voice winner Ellis Gallagher, as well as a DJ and disco.
The event runs from 4:00pm until 11:00 pm and tickets are available at £5 each from Michael’s Drinks World and Oakes Farm Shop in Balsall Common.
Beerfest Event Sponsors
The organisers wish to thank more than a dozen local businesses that clubbed together to sponsor barrels of beer for this year’s event (there are last minute sponsorships available if anyone wishes to enquire via Mark Whitfield by calling 07795 184745 or emailing whitfieldfamily@btinternet.com):
Acclaimed Mortgage Consultancy
Adlington Turkeys Limited
Aspect Financial Consultants
Avion Technical Services Ltd
Balsall Common Dental Practice
Balsall Common Dental Practice has also published a Festival article:
Yes, that’s us! Couldn’t resist slapping our name on a barrel. Would have been rude not to…
Bengal Brasserie
CP’s Barbers
Direct Carpets and Flooring
Eastwood Hay Guest House
GR Dawson Garden Services
Lavender Hall Fisheries
Michael’s Drinks World
Retail Transport Services Ltd
The White Horse
Beerfest Event Information
Date: Saturday 30th June 2018
Venue: The Triangle, Lavender Hall Lane, Balsall Common
Timings: 4:00 pm until 11:00 pm
Ticket Outlets: £5 each from Michael’s Drinks World and Oakes Farm Shop
Online tickets: £5 + booking fee via Avion TSL ticketing
Website: balsallbeerfest.com
