selly oak society magazine issue 6

Selly Oak Society Magazine | UoB Issue 6 | Semester Two 2015

SOSmag

Your Guide to Housing and Living in Selly Oak All you need to know about life in Selly Oak

Don’t miss out on an interview with Drinks2Go, top tips on how to make your house a home, and our race to campus!

Welcome from the SOS team

SOS mag is recruiting!

Who’s involved?EditorCharlie Moloney

Deputy Editor Alexandra Robinson

Chair & DesignerJadine Havill

Treasurer Jake Wyatt

Secretary Charlotte Cook

Writers:Billy MylesAlex LeeElise Westcott Lauren RiddellAlex Bailey Beth SpoonerKatherine Panton-KentSean McDonald

Photography: Beth SpoonerHugh Cunningham

Get in touch with us:Selly Oak SocietyGuild of StudentsEdgaston Park RoadBirmingham B15 [email protected]

www.facebook.com/sellyoaksocietytweet us @sellyoaksociety

Find us on social media:

3Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 6

SOS mag

Are you interested in writing, designing or do you simply want to share your thoughts on living in Selly Oak?

Now is your chance!

Selly Oak Society are looking for new members to be part of our ever growing team of writers and designers for next year. There is no better way of informing students about everything they need to know when living in Selly Oak than to hear it from fellow students themselves.

If you would like to get involved, please come along to our AGM in the Harvey Milk Room in the Guild on Monday 23rd March from 5-6pm or contact us on the details at the bottom of this page.

Please note that the views expressed in the Selly Oak Society Magazine do not reflect the views

and opinions of the Editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you have a query regarding the content, please do not hesitate to contact us through the postal and email address provided. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or

email submitted for this publication. A note of thanks to those who gave permission for the use of their old Selly Oak photos

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Contents The Basics 5An introduction to Selly Oak

Ye Olde Selly Oak 6-7A whistle-stop tour of Selly Oak’s history

Battle of the Supermarket 8

ALDI with a fiver 9A real student shop for just five pounds

How to... 10-11Make Your House a Home The Best of Selly Oak 12-13Best takeaway, dessert, pint and pub quiz

Map of Selly Oak 14-15

Housing Headaches 16-17Dealing with your housing dilemmas

Weird and Wonderful 18-19The wonders of Selly Oak

Race to Campus 20How quickly can we get from your house to Uni?

Halls Bucket List 21Our tips on makng the most of halls

Interview with Drinks2Go 22-23

Sport and Recreation 24

Selly on Social Media ̀ 25

Safety in Selly 26How to keep safe whilst living in Selly Oak

Selly Pub Quiz 27

Index of Local Businesses 28

SOS mag

4 Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 6

Photography by: Beth Spooner (bottom photo) and Hugh Cunningham

SOS mag

Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 6 5

Selly Oak - The BasicsBy Jadine Havill

Welcome to Selly Oak!

This lively student area is located to the south of the University of Birmingham campus and is known for its high student population – a whopping 48% of the people living here in 2011 were aged between 18 and 24. As an inviting area for young students, Selly Oak has everything you will need from an array of great, friendly pubs and convenience stores, to pharmacies and medical practices (but let’s hope you won’t need the latter too often).

With a population of over 25,000, Selly Oak is a vibrant, lively place to live. Although you may not be quite as close to some of your friends as you were in halls, they are often only a road away; located in one of Selly Oak’s prime locations such as Dawlish, Tiverton or Selly Hill Road.

The start of Selly Oak is situated just a stone’s throw from campus, so no matter where in the area you have decided to live, you will probably have no more than a 20 minute walk to University every day. For many of you, especially those living in accommodation such as Liberty Gardens in your first academic year, the reduction in your walking to campus will feel like a minor miracle. Not only this, but Selly Oak has its very own train station, making travel extremely easy and, at a cost of only £1.50 for a return journey to the centre of Birmingham (with a student rail card), you can’t go wrong.

What you really need to know about Selly Oak is that it is a world of opportunities, full of new things to explore. Whether it be trying a new restaurant, shopping at a different supermarket, or finding something to do on the weekend, there’s a plethora of student-targeted fun on your doorstep for you to go out and enjoy.

Selly Oak Society are here to give you all the details and tips you could ever need to know when moving into Selly Oak. Moving somewhere new is always a unique and sometimes scary experience, but you will be amazed how quickly you will settle into the surroundings and learn how to make the absolute most of your time here.

Photography by: Hugh Cunningham


Ye Olde Selly Oak SOS mag

Selly Oak’s existence can be pinpointed to its inclusion in the Domesday Book of 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror; this manuscript was a record of England’s geography in the 11th century. Selly Oak, or “Escelie” (/ɜsɜliː/) derives its name, unsurprisingly, from the massive oak tree which grew near the junction of Oak Tree Lane and Bristol Road. Planted to commemorate the coronation of William IV in 1830, it was felled in 1909 after posing a threat to both the development of traffic and to pedestrians due to its imposing height. If you venture to Selly Oak Park, you will find a weakened plaque that reads:

‘Butt of Old Oak Tree from which the name of Selly Oak was derived. Removed from Oak Tree Lane. Selly Oak 1909.’

A landmark just as remarkable to us as Old Joe,its significance is never understated, finding its way into popular literature.

Ballad “Selly Oak’s Oak “:—

Down at Selly, Splendid joke; Bout an Oak Tree—” Sarah’s “ Oak.

“Study history, study history”, said Winston Churchill. Some of you may be doing just that, and we salute you. However, despite the gregarious and vivacious course which our university provides for some historians, we at SOS mag have become aware that they make no mention of the history of Selly Oak. The scandal! Therefore we, in our endlessly helpful capacity, have compiled a brief account of the area’s history, so that you may fully appreciate your student home.

Amongst literature published, speculation among residents asserts that the origins of this tree concern sorcery and witchcraft. A “witch” named Sarah was supposedly hung and buried in this location; an oak stake was driven through her heart from which the oak allegedly sprang, known locally as ‘Sarah’s Oak’ and later as ‘Sally’s Oak’.

By Billy Myles

Photography © D J Norton

Photography © BirminghamHistory Forum

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Selly Oak Station opened in 1876 to serve the suburbs of Bournbrook and Selly Oak. The train lines are now connected to a nationwide service which brings commuters into Birmingham everyday.

According to the latest census the population stands at approximately 25,792 people. Compare this figure to a census in 1861, Selly Oak housed merely 1,483 inhabitants. The University of Birmingham received its Royal Charter in 1900, marking an influx of students that it carries today. It certainly is a blessing that we’re alive to embrace the advancements Selly Oak underwent given its status as a hub of student living, unless, of course, you prefer an intimate, small village feel.

The next time you’re eating a takeaway on Bristol Road or drinking at its various locations, remember that it has a history of rusticity. However, as the endless drone of cranes and drilling constantly reminds us, this is not the end of change. The future looks bright, and it is only a matter of time before Selly evolves into something bigger and better!

Given its unverified folklore origins, and as we progress into the 19th century, attention to the expansion of industry and technology allowed Selly Oak to flourish, marking the developments of complex road systems, canals and railways that we know today.

Photographic documentation allows us to see Selly in all of its glory in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Can you identify the roads in the any of the pictures we have included?*

By Billy Myles


SOS mag

Photography © loose_grip_99

Photography © Mikey Ashworth Photography © D J Norton



*Find out where each photo was taken on the bottom of page 28.

3 4

5 6

How many are there: 1Price: Very cheap

Range of alcohol: Mostly Aldi own brands

Time spent queuing: I hope you didn’t have plans today

Battle of the Supermarkets SOS mag


Our first contender, Aldi, is a popular hotspot for budgeting students. If you can battle the queues and families with trollies then you can get your hands on some incredibly cheap food. Sure, some of the fruit and veg looks a bit questionable, but who needs veg when you have extra money for takeaways? Make sure to keep an eye out for the weekly ‘super six’ fruit and veg offer, and pretty much any-thing with a red label for ultra-cheap food.

The final opponent is Sainsbury’s. Although the larger store is slightly out of the way for some, this supermarket compensates with brute size. When £3 wine and instant noodles take their toll you might find yourself making the pilgrimage to Sainsbury’s to stock up on some quality bites. You can save a bit of cash if you’re a regular nectar card user and you search for the ‘essentials’ range. Stay away from the back of the store where they prepare meats, pizza and other warm bites before your very eyes, especially if you’ve gone shopping whilst hungry – this is sure to burn a hole in your wallet.

With the wide selection of choice, including the recent introduction of Sainsbury’s Local on Bristol Road, knowing where to shop for food isn’t always easy. We’ve pitted these titanic supermarkets against one another in an attempt to make your choice of shopping trip that little bit simpler.

ALDI

TESCO

SAINSBURY’S

How many are there: 2Price: Relatively cheap to very expensive

Range of alcohol: MiddlingTime spent queuing: Not long

How many are there: 2Price: Ultra cheap to ultra expensive

Range of alcohol: EverythingTime spent queuing: What queue?

By Lauren Riddell

In terms of price, range and queues, Tesco is the middleman in this figurative battle. Although considerably smaller than their competition, the short queues make them ideal for the bread-and-milk run (or even the late-night-ice-cream-cravings run). Beware of some of the deals, this supermarket can be more expensive than it pretends to be.

Battle of the Supermarkets SOS mag


ALDI on a fiverWe know how tight the student budget can be, but do not fret yet! You’ll be amazed what you can purchase in ALDI with just a five pound note. Article and photography by Charlotte Cook

One of the perks of moving to Selly Oak is having Aldi right at your door step. As a student you don’t want to be paying more money than you need on the weekly food shop, so wave goodbye to the expensive prices you may be used to paying.

I set myself the challenge of trying to do my weekly food shop with only a fiver... and it was surprisingly easy!

Broccoli = 45p Spaghetti = 20p Biscuits = 33p Stir-Fry Sauce= 39p Penne Pasta= 29p Bananas = 39pPitta Breads= 45p Chocolate Buttons = 33p Roast Chicken Slices= 95pTomato Soup= 45p Pasta Sauce= 39p Flavoured Water= 35p Total: £4.97

When you move to Selly Oak, make sure you take a trip to Aldi to start saving those all-important pennies.

My £5 shopping trip

SOS mag


How To Make Your House a Home

For many of us the move into a student house can also be described as the move into your very first house. Yes, it may be inhabited by a couple of other people who you may or may not know very well, but it is still going to be your home for a year or two. You finally have the opportunity to decorate and customise your own house. I have written 10 examples of ways to make your student house feel like a home.

1) Decorate.Release your inner interior designer and create your own masterpiece. Try the poster fair which takes place at the Guild at the beginning of the Autumn term – you’ll be sure to find a few posters to jazz up your living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and, (if you really want to), bathrooms.

2) Lights!Add some lamps to bedrooms and the living room to create soft lighting. Giving your house mood-lighting in the evenings can help you feel happier (and cosier) in your environment. Cheap lamps for your bedside table or strings of lights to hang around the walls of your living room can be found in any supermarkets, pound-shops, or Amazon/eBay.

3) One for the girls:Grab some bunting from Amazon (it’s great and it’s cheap), and some lightweight fairy lights from Primark or Poundland. Then all you need is some white-tack from Aldi or Tesco, and voilà! The perfect, cosy living room for your whole house to enjoy.

4) Photos.Photobox! Costco! Boots! All great places to get photos developed for a reasonable price. Is there a better way to personalise your student house than by decorating it with memories? Cover your walls with photos from freshers, nights out, and those moments that were sneakily caught on camera when you thought no one was look-ing… These personal touches are all things that help to make a house your home.

5) Music.Invest in some speakers or a radio so that, for those of you so inclined, dancing around the kitchen while cooking dinner will become moderately acceptable and mildly appropriate…

Article and Photography by Alexandra Robinson


SOS mag

6) A warm and cosy house.Rugs! Get your whole house to chip in for some cheap rugs to cover those cold, creaky floorboards.

Blankets and Cushions! Cover your sofas in blankets and cushions to make them even more comfortable and warm on cold, winter nights…

7) A Quotes Poster.If you don’t already have one of these in your house, they make a great conversation point when you’ve got guests round. Start with a blank piece of A3 white paper and just keep adding quotes to it throughout the year. By the end you’ll have a hilarious memory board covered with memories to look back on… and as we know, the nostalgia begins from the moment you graduate.

8) Flowers and plants.An ornamental bunch of artificial flowers from the supermarket can be a nice, decorative touch that will give your house a hint of summer all year round. Just grab some discarded wine bottles or even that empty bottle of Grey Goose that you just couldn’t throw away, and voilà, the perfect vase, ready for your Poundland flowers!

9) Tidy House = Tidy MindJust a little tip to keep you going through University...

10) Like to cook?When your house feels homely enough, why not share it with friends and housemates for movie nights or ‘Come Dine With Me’ style dinners? If Jonathan Ross can show off his cooking skills on Celebrity Bake Off, so can you. On a soppier note: nights like this can really make your house feel like home.

SOS mag The best of Selly Oak

Best PintSelly Oak is home to a large number of pubs and bars. We’ve broken them down into some of the pros and cons to help you make the right choice.

Bristol Pear: Located at the bottom of Heeley Road, this is a favourite for Selly residents. Drinks can be bought cheaper elsewhere, however the ‘More card’ available at the Pear earns you back 10p per £1 spent on food and drink. The Pear is mainly home to students, however locals often visit when sport is on! Price per Strongbow: £3.35. Cheap Nights: Monday, Tuesday.

Urban Village: Drinks here are among the cheapest in the area, and a little known fact is that the Joes card is valid here. Urban Village hosts almost 100% students, however if it is a quiet drink you are after this may not be the best place as the music is turned up later in the evening. Price per Strongbow: £2. Cheap Nights: Monday, Tuesday.

The Goose/The Soak: If you don’t want to walk far, or are just after a pub trip on the way home, the Goose and the Soak are the ones for you. Although these are slightly more expensive than the Pear, they are certainly less busy!

Best Pub QuizWeekly pub quizzes are very common in Selly, and so the deciding factor might be which day it falls on.

Bristol Pear: (Monday) This is a popular quiz amongst students. The rounds tend to be good for students to answer, and the special rounds can be voted for on Facebook beforehand. Bonus questions at the end of each round offer the chance to win additional prizes. A very good choice, be sure to book your table in advance!

Country Girl: (Monday) This clashes with the quiz at The Pear, however it attracts a different crowd. More locals and less students come to The Country Girl quiz. If the rounds suit younger generations, your team will surely have a strong chance of winning!

The Goose: (Sunday) The Pear, Country Girl, and The Soak all offer the Monday quiz, but if it’s not for you, or if you have a greater quizzing need, head to The Goose on a Sunday. Both students and locals will attend, this may be the trickiest to win.

12 Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 6Photography by: Hugh Cunningham

SOS magThe best of Selly Oak

Best TakeawayThere are countless takeaways in Selly Oak. Many are popular for home deliveries, while others are popular for post-night-out food. Here are a few of the best.

Luciano’s: This Pizzeria on Bristol Road offers many cheap deals. £3 for a 9-inch pizza with any 3 toppings of your choice is almost unbeatable. A very good choice for a quick, cheap dinner if you are feeling a little lazy.

Best DessertDesserts are one of the best things this world has to offer. Luckily, Selly Oak offers a variety of different puddings at respectable prices.

Bristol Pear: Yes, The Bristol Pear earns a second mention. The Pear offers a selection of puddings at 2 for £4.50. This includes cheesecake and a massive (I mean ginormous) piece of chocolate fudge cake. You can’t go wrong here.

Cheeky Joes: Although not particularly well known, at Cheeky Joes you can get pretty much whatever you like. They even do home delivery. From ice cream to crepes and waffles, with toppings including marshmallows and an infinite range of flavoured sauces. You have to try this at least once.

The Goose: A similar deal to The Pear is offered here. Where The Pear wins in quantity, The Goose is better for quality. With a range of luxurious desserts at 2 for £4.50, you definitely get your money’s worth. Recommendation: the raspberry blondie.


By Jake Wyatt

Dixie Chicken: There are so many chicken outlets on Bristol Road. Most offer very similar deals for this post-night-out delicacy. While Roosters is certainly the most popular and busiest you may be better hedging your bets and walking that extra 5 mins to miss out on queuing. You certainly won’t be losing any quality in the chicken you get.

Map of Selly Oak By Jadine Havill

NORTH ROAD: Roll out of bed at 5 to the hour and still make it to lectures

on time. Every students’ bliss.

SELLY PARK: A little

further afield but great if you’d like

a quieter location and lower prices.

HEELEY ROAD: The perfect location to hop on the train at Selly station and a

quick walk to Sainsbury’s makes this a great location.

TIVERTON ROAD: A popular road in Selly with a gym

and pool. There will always be someone you know on ‘Tiv’!

Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 614

Background photograph by: Hugh Cunningham

N

Hubert Road

Heeley Road

Brist

ol Roa

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If you missed this in our last issue, this handy map of Selly Oak will help you get to grips with your new area.

SOS mag

BRISTOL ROAD:The main road for

everything you will ever need in Selly Oak. From a haircut to a cheap pint to fancy dress, Bristol Road

never fails to deliver.

HEELEY ROAD: The perfect location to hop on the train at Selly station and a

quick walk to Sainsbury’s makes this a great location.

TIVERTON ROAD: A popular road in Selly with a gym

and pool. There will always be someone you know on ‘Tiv’!

HARROW ROAD:Leading into Selly Hill

road, Harrow Road is a prime location with a 30 second walk to Bristol

Road and a great view of the clock tower!

DAWLISH ROAD:A popular and busy location in Selly Oak

THE ‘CLOSE CLUSTER’:

Croydon, Alton and Luton road could not

be better locations for a quick walk to Campus and to Fab! Hurrah!

BOURNBROOK ROAD:

This road is full of large houses and a slightly quieter location on the

edge of the student buzz.

RADDLEBARN ROAD:Further afield from

Campus, but home to a delicious butchers and The Country Girl Pub

which make it worth the walk!


Tiverton Road

Dawlish Road

Hubert Road

Selly Hill R

oad

Alton Road

Rookery R

oad

Exeter Road

Brist

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Luton Road

Croydon Road

Housing Headaches

SOS mag

17Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 616 Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 6

You might find that you have to nag your letting agent or landlord before they act on your problems.

The University staff who look after halls are prepared to help you and, even if they take a while, they will get your problems sorted. But the private landlords are a lot more stingy be-cause they’re normally spending their own money on your repairs!

Start by asking for your issue to be sorted out in a polite, friendly way. But if you’ve asked a few times and nothing has been done, the only thing you can really do is nag, nag and nag! Don’t be afraid to be direct – phone, email and pop into your letting agents whenever you can. They’ll soon get fed up with your pestering and will have to listen!

You will never appreciate the heating that you had in halls until you move into a house in Selly Oak! A lot of the student houses aren’t very well insulated, especially because many of them have been extended to add extra bedrooms. Though at first a shock to the system, eventually putting on an extra layer won’t seem like a big deal! Sort out with your housemates when you’re going to have the heating on, and for how long each time. Of course, you will have to pay for whatever heating you use, but you might actually be surprised at how little it costs! It can be a case of trial and error, but you’ll get used to it in no time!

LAZY LANDLORDS?

FEELING CHILLY?

STRUGGLING WITH DAMP?

!


When you move into your house, you’ll find that you have different issues to the ones you experienced when you were in halls. You’ll have to deal with landlords and letting agents, and you’ll have to sort out a lot more problems yourself. Although you will undoubtedly have some headaches during your time in Selly Oak, there are usually easy ways to deal with them!!

By Alex Bailey

SOS mag

17Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 616 Selly Oak Society Magazine | Issue 6

Many houses in Selly Oak have problems with damp. Be aware of this from the start, as it can cause mould, which is bad for you if you breathe in too much of it. It’s not unusual to see small amounts of condensation and mould in your shower or bath – just make sure you clean it regularly and use a bit of bleach if you need to, to get rid of it.

But if you do see big patches of mould starting to appear, you’ll need to do something about it! You might need to do a deep clean yourself – there are plenty of mould sprays out there. If the mould keeps coming back then remember that it is your landlord’s responsibility. Take photos of the patches to send to your landlord or letting agent and ask for their help.

A lot of the houses in Selly Oak have really thin walls, so you might hear more from your neighbours than you want to! Most of the time it will just be the odd murmur through the wall, but if your neighbours are having nights out then you’ll obviously hear a lot more. Most of the time this will die down early enough for you to get a decent sleep, but if there are a lot of big parties, or if they’re near exams or deadlines, it’s a lot more annoying.

Try to make friends with your neighbours from the start. If you get on with them, they’re more likely to let you know in advance if they’re having a party – or even invite you! They’ll also be more understanding if you do ever have to ask them to quieten down.

If you repeatedly have problems and talking to them makes no difference, keep a record of times when you’ve had these problems. You can take this record to the Guild of Students Community Wardens, who work with the police to deal with these kinds of problems.

STRUGGLING WITH DAMP?

NOISY NEIGHBOURS?

Photography by: Jadine HavillA thanks to the SOS Committeeand housemates for their modellingPhotography by: Hugh Cunningham

SOS mag


Selly Oak’s Weird and Wonderful1. Canvas

3A Teignmouth Road, right in the heart of the student community lies this often missed gem. Run by a small team of friendly characters, Canvas is a self-proclaimed chill-out zone for students. You can walk in during opening hours, which is most afternoons and evenings. Anyone is welcome to visit, hang out and do work or socialise. Canvas hosts The Soup on Thursday nights at 8:00pm, where you can have a free meal, and they hold open mic and meal nights on Tuesdays at Urban Village. They also arrange spring weekends away, and even help you to arrange places on exotic trips abroad. The Canvas team are driven to provide this service to students by their Christian beliefs, but this is by no means only available for religious people. They just want to help, and most mornings they provide free tea and coffee for all of the commuters in Selly Oak at the junction of Teignmouth and Dawlish – the kind souls!

2. Winterbourne Botanic Garden

Anyone with a student card has free access to the wonderful Winterbourne House and Gardens. This site is included in your campus map, and can be found across the road from the Guild. The house retains all of its Edwardian splendour, and has been fitted out as a museum, complete with an interactive train set, telephone and café. If you’re at University during the one or two months of sunshine which we can enjoy in the academic year then explore the gardens. After enjoying a particularly refined portion of tea and scones on the balcony overlooking the hedges you can head into the green houses, the rose garden and check out the chicken coop. Be sure to take the love of your life down to the bridge overlooking a picturesque pond. Or if you find yourself staring at a solitary reflection in the surface of the water, you can keep company with the various art exhibits scattered around the garden. A truly magical experience.

3. Selly Oak Park Outdoor Gym

Nearly two thirds of men and women in the UK are obese or overweight. Don’t let this be you. If you’ve ever vaunted the high costs of a gym membership as your reason for never working up a sweat, then your bluff has been called. In Selly Park, there’s a couple of stations spread out in the park. In Selly Oak Park (which is a different park by the way!) you can find a full spread of outdoor gym equipment. Be sure to drop in for a quick workout pre-lectures. You’ll be the fittest student in town.

By Charlie Moloney

SOS mag


Selly Oak’s Weird and Wonderful

4. Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Accessible from the Vale, or across the road from Frankie & Benny’s, this canal will take you on an odyssey of discovery if you’ve never travelled down it before. You can either take in the aroma of Cadbury’s chocolate as you walk past the picturesque gardens which are situated opposite the Bourneville chocolate factory, or alternately end up at the Mailbox, which is a canal side collection of restaurants and gastro pubs. Run, cycle or saunter down the canal to clear your head and fill your lungs. These canals are a unique part of Birmingham that truly make the city special. Don’t miss out on exploring every tributary.

5. Nature Reserve

The nature reserve: visited by few, loved by all who see it. Check out their website for the full line-up of furry, scaly and feathery friends which you can hope to see, which include “Aloatran Gentle Lemurs, Yellow Breasted Capuchin Monkeys, Northern Bald Ibis, Utila Island Iguanas, [and] Cotton Topped Tamarins”. A third year medical student we interviewed described it as “fun” and said that it would be highly enjoyable for anyone who liked stroking animals. Located in Canon Hill Park this reserve is a burst of colour in an area that some find to be drab and dreary, but is actually full of surprises.

6. The Selly Sausage

Founded in 1991, this café has become an institution in Selly Oak, catering to almost everyone in the local area. This is a perfect spot for hungover students to chow down on all sorts of wraps, cooked breakfasts, pancakes and smoothies. The Selly Sausage prides itself on quick, amiable service and affordable food of a high quality. When it comes to a greasy spoon, this one is notably un-greasy. What more can you ask for? What more could you want?

By Charlie Moloney All photography by: Hugh Cunningham

SOS mag


Race to Campus

Jct. of Dawlish Road/Raddlebarn Road = 10:16.98

If you happen to live at the top end of one of the roads running parallel with Dawlish, then you’re in for a solid walk. It can get repetitive, walking up and down the same road every day, so why not mix it up? If you live on Tiverton, cross over to Dawlish via Exeter Road for variety. Walk up Coronation Road to bring incline into your daily commute. Above all walk to the corner of Teignmouth and Dawlish in the AM to pick up some free tea or coffee from the lovely people working for Canvas.

A never ending topic of debate amongst students and the world at large: what time can you get up without being late to your lectures? Nobody wants to miss any valuable learning time or, worse still, break out in rivers of sweat from rushing in. To help you out, we’ve recorded how long it took our test walker to make it to the base of Old Joe using a comfort-able walking pace.

Jct. of Bournbrook Road/Bristol Road = 5:06.73

A five minute walk for most, and could usually be done in less if really needed (note: we do not advocate j-walking across Bristol road). If you live near to this junction, getting in to university on time shouldn’t be an issue. Roll out of bed at 8:50 for that 9am lecture and stick the kettle on!

Jct. of Reservoir Road/Harborne Lane = 16:04.08

Anyone living in Harborne will need no reminding that they live quite a distance away from campus. Countless complaints they receive from visiting friends, and nights out ending in long, solitary walks home from Adam’s Place, can leave anyone living past Selly Oak station feeling like something of an outcast. Despite the vast improvement in houses and the superiority of Selly Oak Park to Selly Park, Harborne is still pretty far away. If you snooze your alarm, or spend too long in the shower, then you could wind up being extremely late for your lectures.

By Charlie Moloney

All photography by: Hugh Cunningham


With many of you moving out of halls and into houses at the end of this year, we thought it would be useful to give you a little list of things to make sure you do by the end of final term. Remember, you only live in halls once!

Number 1: Take advantage of the heating along with electricity and water, heating is likely to be included in your hall’s rent, so make the most of it! Once you move into a Selly house, you may find yourself wrapping up in layer upon layer just to stop shivering as turning the radiator on will be too expensive. So, strip down to your undies in halls and whack that radiator up to its highest level!

Number 2: Get into your halls spirit! “TC! TC!”

Number 3: Knock on your neighbours door and introduce yourself if you have not already done so, make sure you get to know those around you. Halls is the only time in life when you are guaranteed to be living next to another student.

Number 4: Go to the Duck & Scholar – and stay until close! Some of my favourite memories of first year were founded in ‘Bar One’, now known as the ‘Duck & Scholar’ (that makes me feel old!). A great place to catch up with friends, watch the footie or get really drunk on a night that you weren’t planning to…

Number 5: Sunbathe on The Vale. You only really appreciate the beauty of The Vale once you have left. Make the most of it, especially in the summer months, by ‘revising’ by the lake and get your fitness fix by taking a jog around it.

Number 6: Walk along the Canal to Brindley Place. At first glance, Birmingham isn’t the most beautiful city in the world but on closer inspection it really can be lovely. If you are on The Vale, or even Jarratt or Victoria halls, you are in a great position close to the canal so take a stroll and find the beauty of Birmingham.

Number 7: See how long you can go without doing your laundry. Let’s be honest, doing your laundry in halls is a massive chore. The long walk there only to find there are no machines available, the waiting around, the transfer to the drier; so why not set yourself a challenge? Get down to your last pair of socks, last t-shirt and final inside-out pair of pants before you succumb and do your washing (or, even better, take it home for your mum to do!)

Number 8: Cook a flat meal. Maybe you were placed in a flat with people that you didn’t have much in common with at the beginning of the year. However, cooking a flat meal could be a good chance to get to know them better. You might just get on!

Number 9: Say yes! First year seems like a lot of work, but by now you have probably realised that although it is important to try hard, you do have a lot of spare time as first year doesn’t technically count. Make the most of this freedom – say yes to a flat meal, say yes to joining a new society: just be ‘Yes Man’.

SOS mag

By Charlie Moloney

By Beth Spooner


SOS mag Interview:

Even if you haven’t made the move to Selly Oak quite yet, it’s likely that you’ve already heard about the legend that is Chris, or ‘Drinks 2 Go man’. His whole business ethos is based around the students, so there’s really only one choice when it comes to stocking up on pre-drinks...

How do you feel about being known as the ‘Drinks 2 Go man’?I love it. The shop has been open 7 years but I only got that name about 2 years ago when a student set up a fan page for me. It’s what everyone knows me as now. When I go to club nights, I sometimes wear a hoody with ‘Drinks 2 Go man’ on the back.

Tell us about these lollipops...They’re always on the counter, you can help yourself. They’re there for the customers. This shop has been giving lollipops to customers for 50 years - before it was Drinks to Go.

We used to have a charity box as well. If you were 20p short then you could take some out, and if you had spare change then you put it in. I think we might bring that back, maybe next week.

Why did you choose Selly Oak to open a shop?Because of the students, definitely! All of my trade is built around them - 90% of my customers are students. It’s the culture of the business. I used to own Rooster House and a couple of other places as well, but most of my energy goes into this place.

What do you think of the area?It’s okay, I quite like it. This end of Selly Oak is definitely the better end, more safe. We don’t get any trouble here. Further up towards Urban Village there’s a mix of people - students and locals. But here it’s all about the students.

What do you think of the other businesses in Selly Oak? There’s a good selection, it’s all aimed at students. I don’t really like greasy food but I know the Selly Sausage is popular. And The Soak as well.

As for Tesco and Sainsbury’s, they’re only here because businesses like mine have attracted students. They try to push us out. But the students keep coming to us and I’m very thankful for that. (I inform Chris that Drinks 2 Go is the No.1 choice of everyone I know. He beams happily.)


SOS mag


Interview: Even if you haven’t made the move to Selly Oak quite yet, it’s likely that you’ve already heard about the legend that is Chris, or ‘Drinks 2 Go man’. His

whole business ethos is based around the students, so there’s really only one choice when it comes to stocking up on pre-drinks...

We can see there’s been a recent expansion of the shop...Yeah, we can give even more varie-ty now. The shop next door used to be the Selly Joke, which we owned and leased out but we decided to make this place bigger. And we’re open until 4am on the weekends!

That must mean you work pretty long hours...Yeah, I spend most of my time here. But I don’t mind, I enjoy it. If the students are happy then I’m happy. My son helps out, I’m preparing him to take over the business. He will be the second Drinks 2 Go man!

Why should students come to you?We always try to be fair with the prices, we want students to get a good deal. The 2 for £5.50 wine deal is always very popular. We’re the biggest ticket seller in Selly Oak as well, so you can buy tickets and drink at the same time.

Do you ever go on nights out?(Chuckles) Yes, sometimes I do. I go to Seedy Sonics because it’s open until late. Even if I’m working, I can go there afterwards for a couple of drinks. My sons go sometimes as well. My youngest son is going to Fab this weekend.

Any final word?Just that I love people and I love the students.

Every day we are stronger than yesterday because of them.

By Elise Westcott


Photography by: Elise Westcott

Sports and Recreation


Tiverton Pool & Fitness Centre

For those of you who enjoy swimming or trips to the gym, the pool and fitness centre located on Tiverton Road is the ideal place, open seven days a week. If you fancy trying something new and unique the centre even offers aquatone aerobics classes, synchronised swimming and water polo sessions! On a Friday evening why not relax in the sauna after a swim in the pool? Make sure you enquire about the Be Active Scheme before paying for a booking, as Birmingham residents are entitled to free swimming, group exercise classes, and gym sessions.

In order to find out further details and for membership information visit: http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/tivertonpool.

Walks, cycling and park recreation

Canon Hill Park is the city’s premier green space and has been awarded Green Flag status, recognising it as a natural site of excellence. It is too good to miss a visit! There are many opportunities for you to enjoy, wheth-er it’s a game of football with friends or following the abundant walkways around the park and cycle routes alongside the river. Consisting of woodland, conserva-tion areas and formal gardens, this is a must for wildlife enthusiasts. Covering 250 acres, it offers a great open space to have a good run and enjoy the designated sport areas. Recreational activities can be found at the park including boating, fishing, tennis, putting and also many picnic areas. There is certainly plenty of space and recreational activities to keep you entertained and fit! Another popular sporting area for students is Selly Park Recreation Ground. If you want to use gym equipment for free, this is the place! A variety of equipment is located around the park, offering you the chance to enjoy the fresh air while you exercise. There is also plenty of green space to enjoy a picnic or read a book.

SOS mag

By Katherine Panton-Kent

All photography by: Hugh Cunningham

SOS mag


Selly on Social MediaSoon enough, you’ll find that Selly Oak maintains an online media presence, especially in 2015; whether that be through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat or Tumblr to name a few, you’ll find a piece of Selly embedded somewhere occupying that space.

Additionally, there are groups that act as virtual marketplaces for club night tickets; the Fab N Fresh Facebook group in particular reigns notorious as an outlet for potential buyers and sellers.

By Katherine Panton-KentThese include Spotted pages: where the weird, wild and unorthodox antics of Selly inhabitants will become apparent.

You’ll also find that Tell Him/Tell Her pages on Facebook are hilarious anonymous outlets that endeavour to allow people to let strangers know that they’re thinking about them; mind you, don’t be too explicitly forward or creepy!

No doubt, you’ll want to explore the Twittersphere for something Selly Oak related in 140 characters or less. Particular pages of interest may include: @sellyoaksociety, @sellyoakpolice, @TheRealSellyOak @TheBristolPear and @UrbanVillageBar.

Whether or not you’re actively involved in social media, you’ll find that Selly Oak maintains an aesthetic that will continue to be documented in print and online: it’s up to you whether you wish to participate!

Platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and Tumblr allow Selly Oak to flourish visually.

By Billy Myles

SOS mag


Walk in groups or get a taxi if you’re out tonight #saferselly

Please remember to be respectful of others when hosting pre’s or walking between venues

Is your back gate locked? One open gate can give a burglar access to all the houses in the street in some cases. Lock yours now #saferselly

We are on patrol soon with @bhamsouthpolice , keeping your community safer together #safersellyoak #saferstudents

Don’t let your cardboard boxes advertise your expensive christmas presents to potential burglars, fold it or cover it #saferstudents

Please remember to put your recycling inside the large recycling containers or it may be thrown away #cleanerselly

If you have doubts over the validity of a gas safe certificate for your accommodation - don’t hesitate to check: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/

You don’t need to be a superhero to join the fight against burglary. Lock up, Lights on, Keep keys safe

Moving back into your houses after the holidays, please don’t leave vehicles unattended and unlocked. #saferstudents

Safer Selly Our Community Wardens have some quick and useful advice on how to stay safe whilst you’re living in Selly Oak. Follow their twitter to keep up to date on what’s going on in your local community.

By Sean McDonald

http://lovesellyoak.com/@ilovesellyoak#saferselly


SOS mag

Get your mates together, your team name ready and a pint in hand to test your general knowledge of everything Selly related. May the best student win!*

Selly Oak Pub Quiz

Which of these establishments does not exist in Selly Oak?a) Selly Sausageb) Selly Jokec) Selly Soak

Which of these local favourites does not sell Fab and Fresh tickets?a) Winestopb) Drinks to Goc) Omco

How long is the train journey from Selly Station to New Street Station?a) 8 minutesb) 10 minutesc) 12 minutes

Which popular TV drama series is filmed in Selly Oak?a) Holby Cityb) Casualtyc) Doctors

Which local hangout shut down last year?a) TC’sb) The Country Girlc) The Lounge

Which of these popular fast-food outlets does not currently have a store in Selly Oak?a) Roostersb) Mamma Miac) Ted’s Takeaway

Which night are you most likely to see students wandering around in fancy dress?a) Tuesdays – Stupid Tuesdaysb) Wednesdays – Sports Nightc) Thursdays – Vodbull

Which of these places does not hold a pub quiz on a Monday night?a) Urban Villageb) The Soakc) The Country Girl

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Q5

Q6

Q7

Q8

*Find and check your answers - located at the bottom of page 28

Safer Selly By Alexandra Lee

SOS mag

28

Index of Local BusinessesRestaurants

Darchini 0121 472 8100Dilshad 0121 472 5016Frankie and Benny’s 0121 414 0049Khanum 0121 471 4877Royal Orchid 0121 414 0058Sandurban 0121 472 2444Suizens 0121 472 0003Venezia 0121 472 4423

Takeaways and Cafes

Adam’s Place 0121 472 0913Big Johns 0121 415 4885Café Face 0121 415 4651Cheeky Joe’s 0121 472 7812Chicken.com 0121 472 7790Dixie Chicken 0121 472 4555Luciano’s 0121 471 3333Mamma Mia 0121471 4545Pepe’s Piri Piri 0121 448 8360Pizza Land 0121 472 4442Pizza Pepper 0121 472 7173Rooster House 0121 472 2525Selly Sausage 0121 471 4464Subway 0121 472 1212Wok a Noodle 0121 472 7173Woodstock 0121 471 4050

Pubs and Bars

Bristol Pear 0121 414 9980Goose 0121 472 3186Indie Lounge 0121 472 2266The SOAK 0121 471 4011Urban Village 0121 472 7772

Medical

Varsity Medical Centre 0121 472 0129Lloyds Pharmacy 0121 472 0155Southgate Practice 0121 415 5237Midlands Smile Centre 0121 414 1551Shah Pharmacy 0121 472 0174

Other

Bargain Booze 0121 476 8654Cartridge World 0121 472 4000Delta Pi 0121 415 5022Drinks2Go 0121 415 5515Halfords 0121 414 1434Mamma Mad 0121 471 2285Selly Joke 0121 471 2211Students Away 0121 472 1541The Ticket Sellers 0844 870 0000Tiverton Pool & Gym 0121 464 0779Selly Soak 0121 415 4500

Hair and Beauty

814 Hairdressing 0121 471 5124Adam’s Studio 0121 472 4144Azura Hairdressing 0121 472 6289Hair Heads 0121 472 2453Nail Bar 0121 472 7652Scizzor Sisters 0121 472 8149Shape Shifters 0121 471 2300Tan and Beauty 0121 472 4144Tattoo ‘N’ Piercing 0121 472 8776Tony’s Barbers 0121 471 1099Yedam 0121 472 6899


Answers to Selly Oak Pub Quiz: 1. b 2. a 3. b 4. c5. a 6. c 7. b 8. a

Answers to Ye Olde Selly Oak Photographs: 1. Aldi site, Bristol Road 2. The Soak, Bristol Road3. 74 Dawlish Road 4. 51 Raddlebarn Road5. Bournbrook Road 6. 654 Bristol Road

selly oak society magazine issue 6

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