Newsletter 125 - Stirchley Observations
Upcoming exhibitions at both MAC and The Old Print Works by PRISM Photography network - and more, in this week's newsletter.
Hello,
Welcome to Newsletter #125 from The Old Post Office.
Did you have a nice weekend? I had a pretty lovely Stirchley weekend. On Saturday I volunteered at Stirchley Community Market and on Sunday, we celebrated the 1st anniversary of The Old Post Office’s FAT JOY BOOK CLUB, set up by coworkers Gemma, Jessy and I. Our next meet-up is likely to be in May - on account of the third Sunday falling on Easter Sunday - and we are thinking of having a size 18+ clothes swap. Follow our new instagram (or stay subscribed to this newsletter!), if you’re interested (please read our community group guidelines).
Below, we’re sharing our usual local(ish) links, a Music to work to playlist, and a reminder about The Flower Studio’s dried floral wreath workshop coming up on Sunday 6 April.
— Kerry, on behalf of TOPO
What’s on at TOPO
Award-winning florist Roo (The Flower Studio) is holding a wreath workshop on Sunday 6 April from 12.30pm-3.30pm, £60pp and everything you will need is provided. Tickets via The Flower Studio’s website.
Save the date! Sarah Karen is holding a Weaving Workshop on Tuesday 8 April from 6pm. Ticket info to follow.
Business purchases
If you’re running a small business - as we approach the end of the tax, year perhaps you have remaining budget you'd like to spend?
As well as coworking memberships that can be bought in advance, we also have a registered address service (£96 per year - with a 25% discount for charitable organisations/social enterprises) and we offer affordable venue hire (£15 per hour - minimum booking 3 hours).
More information about our services on our website.
Music to work to
Laura Babb continues to offer Sound Baths locally as The Clear Space - I keep putting these events on my list to share in the TOPO newsletter, and they quite often sell out before I get round to it! Don’t hesitate to book on if there happens to be a space available.
Laura put this playlist together for us a couple of years ago for our Music to work to series, and I do quite often come back to it. You should be able to play directly from the player above, or on this link - enjoy!
Local(ish) links
There are three updates from PRISM Photography Network (who have a registered address service with us).
The network have an open exhibition at the MAC - on now until 18 May in the community gallery - coworker Rachel Segal Hamilton was part of the panel selecting images for the exhibition.
On Monday 31 March they are holding their next PRISM social with a presentation by local photographer and curator Maria Reaney.
Lastly, the group present a Stirchley Observations exhibition at The Old Print Works in Balsall Heath, following on from their documentary photography course in autumn based in and around Stirchley Baths - opening Monday 6 April. Details on their latest newsletter.
Also over in Balsall Heath, Print & Matter have an expression of interest/call out to take part in their annual (and free) art programme. Eligibility: Based in the West Midlands and available to attend all 7 sessions, 18+. Priority places for applicants local to Balsall Heath. Deadline for applications: 28th March 2025 (successful applicants will be notified by 4th April). Application form.
Stirchley Library have a new book club open to new members. It takes place on the fourth Saturday of the month between 11am and 12noon. If you would like more information they suggest phoning them on 0121 464 1534 or emailing stirchley.library@birmingham.gov.uk
The team behind Birmingham Design Festival have an event called Gather on Thursday 10 April at The Crossing in Digbeth. This event is editorial design and publishing themed ‘Turn up for the books’. Tickets.
Birmingham Open Studios have announced their dates for 2025 - the last two weekends in September. This is an event that the coworking space has taken part in for the last two years - and if there is enough interest, we will be taking part again! Closing date for sign-ups 30 June. Visit the BOS website for more info.
©Sylwia Ciszewska-Peciak, Lady with a Hair Clip, 2023 (part of PRISM Photography Open 2025 at MAC, as detailed above)
The Old Post Office coworking space
The Old Post Office, 1533 Pershore Road, Stirchley, South Birmingham B30 2JH
The coworking space is open from Monday to Friday, between 9am-5pm - and Wednesday evenings 6pm-9.30pm.
You can book a half day, full day - or if you’d like to start something more frequent you may like to consider a discounted monthly membership.
“A beautiful and calm shared working space for when working at home is too distracting! Conveniently located for lunches etc.” — CN Heidelberg