The Best Guide for the B14 Area

It's August and school's out for summer! With so many free or low cost activities for all ages to enjoy you really will be spoiled for choice. Birmingham museums have a huge variety of exhibitions to choose from including the amazing Myths and Monsters at Gas Hall and workshops at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.

Out in the great outdoors you'll find events in a park near you and don't forget to book your tickets for Birmingham Gardeners' Weekend at the end of the month. If you've never played a round of golf before then why not start this month by checking out the latest deals at your nearest course?

But even if you're not on vacation the Emirates Beach in Chamberlain Square will help to put you in a holiday mood. There are refreshments and entertainment and a free deckchair waiting for you. Enjoy!

Pearl River New Town-the Lost Garden of Eden

Museums

From Canton to Guangzhou
Photographs by Felice Beato and Xu Peiwu
Until 10 August
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Free
Last chance to see this beautiful exhibition. Two very different visual records of Birmingham's sister city in China.
0121 303 2834
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Myths and Monsters: Unravelling the Truth
Until 31 August
Gas Hall, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
With animatronics and specimens from the Natural History Museum you can find out about the origins of mythical beasts. See centre pages for further details.
£12 family ticket (2 adults, 3 children), £4 adult, £2.50 conc.
0121 303 1966
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Body and Soul: Sculptures by Juginder Lamba
Until 26 October
Waterhall gallery, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Lamba's sensitive approach to both the human figure and natural forms is perfectly illustrated with over 50 beautifully crafted works in wood, stone and bronze. Often life-size his figures have a vibrant and dynamic quality reflecting universal themes of love, loss and anguish.
Free
0121 464 8887
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Hair
Until 1 March 2009
Gallery 20, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
‘HAIR: Community Stories from Birmingham' is a fascinating free exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery that examines the links between hair styles and cultural identity in Birmingham over the last fifty years and brings together artworks, objects and photographs as well as people's personal stories from across the city.
Free
0121 303 2834
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Free History Bus
3 August
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Edmund Street entrance
Take a fascinating journey through Birmingham's past every month with the council's free History Bus on the first Sunday in the month until October.
Departs at hourly intervals between 11.30am - 3.30pm,
Free
0121 327 0062
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Soho House

In the Picture
Until 2 November
Soho House
Old and new photographs taken by members of the Handsworth Photographic Society and camera equipment that charts the development of film photography from the 19th Century to the present day.
Free
0121 554 9122
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Craft Activities
Thursdays in August
1.3 - 3.30pm
Every Thursday afternoon during the holidays.
Blakesley Hall
Free
0121 464 2193
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Family Fun Fridays
Fridays in August
1 - 3pm
Soho House
Would you like to create your own family tree or make sun print pictures? Free family craft activities every Friday afternoon.
Free
0121 554 9122
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Milling and birdlife
3 August
1.30 - 3.30pm
Sarehole Mill
See the millstones in action and talk to the miller. Make a birdfeeder with the rangers in the courtyard.
Free
0121 777 6612
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Headdresses!
7 & 21 August
1.30 - 3.30pm
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Family craft workshops with local designer makers on the theme of headdresses.
Free
0121 554 3598
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Coin and brass rubbing
16 & 17 August
1.30 - 3.30pm
Sarehole Mill
Free
0121 777 6612
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Garden Party
25 August
11.30am - 4pm
Blakesley Hall
Country dancing, willow weaving, croquet and garden tours
Free
0121 464 2193
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

Bhangra Bonanza
25 August
11.30am - 4pm
Soho House
With drumming and dancing from the Dohl Blasters, Mendhi workshops, jewellery making demonstrations and traditional costumes for kids to try on.
Free
0121 554 9122
http://www.bmag.org.uk/

LIBRARIES

Activities this August include story sessions and activities in every community library, the Centre for the Child and the mobile library, including the Team Read summer reading until 13 September. There's a Summer Trail in Central Library until 1 September and Storytelling on the Emirates Beach every Thursday during the summer holidays at 2pm

For more details about these and other exciting events in Birmingham's libraries visit:
www.birmingham.gov.uk/goforgold

PARKS

RSPB Birdwatch
until 19 August
10am - 4pm
Sheldon Country Park
Come along and join the RSPB who will be attending daily giving advice and answering questions about wild birds. Feeding stations for birds will be set up as well as telescopes to view the birds as they feed. Suitable for families and people with disabilities.
Free
0121 742 0226
www.birmingham.gov.uk/sheldonpark

Shire Junior Rangers
Various dates in August
The Shire Country Park and The Chinn Brook
Outdoor activities in the Shire. Need suitale outdoor clothing and packed lunch. Telephone for details.
Free
Booking essential on 0121 702 2739
www.birmingham.gov.uk/shirecountrypark

Summertime in Sutton Park
until 29 August
11am start
Sutton Park National Nature Reserve
Regular weekday activities, except Wednesdays.
Some incur a small charge for materials.
Booking essential on 0121 355 6370
www.birmingham.gov.uk/suttonpark

Junior Angling Tuition
until 27 August
11am - 3pm
Sutton Park National Nature Reserve
These beginners' events for 8 - 12 year olds will give help, tuition and guidelines on wildlife-friendly angling. Sponsored by Fosters of Birmingham, angling specialists.
Free
Booking essential with Fosters on 0121 344 3333
www.birmingham.gov.uk/suttonpark

American Indian Beadwork Workshop
2 August
11am - 1pm and 2.30 - 4.30pm,
Sutton Park National Nature Reserve
Hear about the traditions of American Indian crafts and make some of your own beadwork. Involves sewing. Suitable for audlts and older children.
£2.50 charge for materials
Booking essential on 0121 355 6370
www.birmingham.gov.uk/suttonpark

Emirates Beach

EVENTS

Gallery 37 2008 Free Children's workshops
23 - 25 August
Centenary Square
Free
0121 464 9084
http://www.gallery37.org.uk/

Emirates Beach
until 14 September
11am-7pm
Chamberlain Square
Come and relax on the family friendly urban beach, complete with deck chairs, driftwood café and beach sound effects and music. New for this year, a bandstand with live music along with fun beach activities will keep visitors entertained throughout the summer.
Free
0121 303 3008
www.birmingham.gov.uk/beach

National Playday
6 August
10.30am - 4pm,
Centenary Square
With den building, recycled instruments, custard pools (yes CUSTARD!), a cardboard city, water play and large scale painting, there's masses of fun things to do for 4 - 13 year olds.
Free
0121 303 2005
http://www.playday.org.uk/

Rathayatra Festival
10 August
From 12.30pm
Victoria Square, Birmingham
This procession and festival incorporates all the exotic vitality and colour that is India. Krishna devotees follow the vibrant chariot singing and chanting, and the procession ends with a huge vegetarian feast and entertainment.
Free
0121 303 3008
http://www.rathayatra.co.uk/

Birmingham Gardeners' Weekend
30 - 31 August
Kings Heath Park
This popular show promises stunning floral displays and an abundance of plants and equipment to look at and buy, as well as a craft tent, entertainment and activities for the kids.
Advance tickets: Adults £5, concs £3. On the day: Adults £8, concs £5.
0121 303 2323
http://www.birminghamboxoffice.com/
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/