I love LOAF! There, I said it! For a gal who has actively avoided bread for years, there's no point…read morefighting it! A presence on Stirchley High Street since 2012, it's only since moving closer to the area that I have stumbled across this place (thanks to the Brum food scene social media). Fresh loaves of sourdough, rye, sweet buns, and changeable lunches everyday - the salt beef if heaven - bring something special to the area. Add in their popular cookery school and 'takeover' evenings - last night it was a Chicken Shop takeover - and this community bakery serves more than just hungry tums...it is good for the soul too!

I went on one of Loaf's bread making courses back when it was run in the director's house and it…read morewas lovely to finally be able to go back and see the bakery in it's not-so new location. Having the day off I popped in when they'd just opened and was pleased to see a steady stream of people popping in to pick up bread - something I didn't expect for a mid-week lunchtime in the suburbs. The bread isn't as cheap at the stuff in the supermarket, but it's handmade and delicious. I picked up some focaccia, which was glorious, and also some of their lunch offering which was a decent portion for the price. I hear there can be queues at weekends and they often run out early so it's worth heading down sooner rather than later.

Ant is a great instructor. I really struggled with driving for years and had previous instructors…read moreto no avail. However, Ant was very patient and explained things in a very methodical step-by-step way that helped me lots. He took things simply at the start and then challenged me when suitable. For example, I was struggling with anxiety so he took me on a motorway to showcase that even in the most extreme, I had control of the car. I went from not being able to parallel park to being able to do so better than most people I know. He's also just a nice guy to speak with and genuinely cares about you as a student.

From the owner: We are a highly professional, friendly, reliable and exceptionally patient Driving School. We…read moreoperate a very client centered, relaxed approach to delivering our coaching services..

You cannot judge a book by its cover. A lovely place from the outside, but unfortunately it is run…read moreby a bunch of imbecile muppets. We had booked the NCP9 lifeguarding course for my daughter in February 2023, which was due to start during May 29th half term. She turned up for the course only to be told that the course had been cancelled. No apologies from the course management for the cancellation nor as to why we weren't informed of it at first. If we had known this earlier, we would have organised an alternative. Now, her plans and half term have been ruined thanks to a parade of incompetent dimwits. As for the refund, the staff have to speak to their head office about reimbursing the money (which they were more than happy to take). Hadn't they thought of speaking to us about the cancellation first?!?

I've been using this pool for a number of years, all the way back to when I first moved to Harborne…read morein the late 1990s. Back then, Harborne pool was a fairly run down (but nevertheless charming) Victorian pool - with a high glass ceiling and changing rooms that lined the pool. I really used to enjoy swimming there - it was very peaceful. This recently opened new centre on the site of the old pool is also very good. It is BRAND NEW, and you can tell. The facilities are excellent and the pool is first class. They have also added a gym on the 2nd floor which makes the whole building look very impressive when you drive past. I've not used the gym, but judging by how busy the exercise bikes and running machines are in the wide window that overlooks the road, the gym is very popular also.

CONTROL DRIVING SCHOOL- Female Automatic Instruction Specialists…read more o Fully Qualified DSA Approved Instructors o Lessons from £15 o Intensive courses o Pass Plus courses o Theory o Block booking discounts o Motorway tuition Contact: Control Driving School 07972 716 929

Birmingham is a world class city concerning the subject of art, this much cannot be disputed. Once…read moreone has thoroughly inspected the collections at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the next stop should be four miles south, at The Barber Institute of Fine Arts on the campus of the University of Birmingham. This fine institute was founded only in the 1930's as both a art gallery and campus building for the study of art. As with other collections on campus, there is no required admission fee, though a £5 donation is requested. The bequest used in the founding of the institute required that acquisitions be of a quality on par with the National Gallery in London. Almost all of the works on display are housed on the second floor of the building. The collection is smaller than art museums of a national scale, but it is very focused and robust in its own right. Arguably some of the most important works on display are 'The Harvest Wagon' (Gainsborough), Symphony in White No. 3 (Whistler), Shakespeare's folios, and a combined Roman & Byzantine coin collection (one of the world's largest). In addition you'll find works by Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Gauguin. Unlike pretty much every gallery in London, you can relax and take in the works at the institute on a lazy afternoon with very few people milling about to break your concentration. Downstairs, a lecture hall and auditorium completes the institute, with a nice gift shop near the door. If you are only visiting, live in Birmingham, or even only have a passing passion for art, the Barber Institute is a must see regardless!

If you've ever fancied having one of the country's finest small galleries to yourself then the…read moreBarber Institute is the place for you. I've visited several times and on each occasion it's just been me and the security guards. This is nothing short of a travesty as the collection is one to be treasured. Situated within the grounds of the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston campus the permanent collection is housed within four adjoined galleries telling the story of European Art from the 13th to the early 20th Century. The Green gallery contains works from the Renaissance era with a particularly stunning collection of Albrecht Durer woodcuts in a darkened side-room. This leads to the Red gallery, which in addition to 17th Century works by Rubens, Van Dyck and Murillo contains representation of a personal favourite painter, Frans Hals (check out the brushwork - hands like lightning that man). The Beige gallery contains what is arguably the stand-out work of the whole collection, and from one of it's lesser known artists; Vigee-Lebrun's "Portrait of Francois Langois". Finally, the Blue gallery reads like a who's-who of Romantic and Impressionist artists - Turner, Manet, Delacroix, Degas, Van Gogh, Monet, Gaugin. I could go on. Temporary exhibits can also be found in the Education Gallery. There is a small gift shop and cafe on the ground floor. Entrance free; donations appreciated. It's just a shame there aren't more people there to appreciate it.

thanks Lee for your time and effort couldn't have done it without you ..highly recommend as he has…read moresoo much patience and is always confident with you and knows you can do these things ...thank you again Lee ...

Brilliant instructor and doesn't pressure you to do well. I passed first time with my twin brother…read morepassing just a week before first time again. Overall a brilliant instructor and gets a lot in the lesson

Passed my test first time thanks to Steve. Top driving instructor. Steve put my nerves at ease…read moreduring my first lesson and I have felt extremely comfortable with him in every lesson since. His experience is evident in his teaching, with lots of tips and tricks to make your manoeuvres easier to remember. We've had lots of giggles a long the way. It has been an absolute pleasure having lessons and I know I'll hear him in my ear when I'm driving along now I've passed. Can't recommend enough.

From the owner: Pass Time Driving School take the experience of learners very seriously. Stephen Hulson prides…read morehimself on delivering an outstanding service.

Ive been going to siobhans pilates classes since beginning of this year and they are not for the…read morefaint hearted! Anyone after a relaxing session do not come here but to improve core strength and flexibility its brilliant. Sessions are relatively expensive at £10 a slot but ive found it worth the money.

Siobhan runs an excellent dance school teaching Royal Academy Ballet to the highest standards. Our…read moredaughter has passed her grade 1 with her and moved onto grade 2. She is a strict teacher but needs to be so with ballet and it shows with her results. I would recommend the class to anyone who wants to take ballet seriously. Classes are on Saturday and Tuesday.

I have had a horrific experience here. Became a target of hate on both the Podcasting course (Kanas…read moreWong) & Digital Photography course (Mark Holloway). Both tutors made vulgar remarks in every sentence. Kanas included a case study & a presentation with implied nasty remarks. Some students were also instructed to make nasty remarks of 5 weeks! I have made 2 complaints both have been ignored! Neither tutor taught the course properly & Mark Holloway made sure I didn't receive the learning like the rest of the students! I had my enquiry about courses ignored. The marketing manager also made inappropriate digs. Management know the game they have been playing. I have been a target of hate crime by University of Birmingham, Birmingham MPs,, Conservative & Labour government, corrupt police.

The Brasshouse Language Centre is the largest Adult Education Centre in the UK specialising in…read morelanguage courses and language services. Their staff are from all over the world, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Centre, creating a truly international atmosphere. I came here wanting to learn post GCSE French Language. I was reluctant at first to pick up a language after learning French at school 16 years ago. I was surprised that the registration process was very simplistic and cogent. The fees were also subsidised for concessions. This was helpful for me because I was not employed at that time and wanted to broaden my horizons without breaking my non-exist budget. The teacher I had was very helpful and supportive, she set us regular homework and pointed the class in the right direction for text books and related literature. The class really improved my French and I am looking forward to joining the class at the next level.

Found this local dance school a 2 minute walk from my house and thought id give it a go. Im used to…read moreone style of teaching for pole dance so wasnt sure how id get on! Kerry is lovely though and really made me feel really welcome. She was really helpful and started me on the bronze/silver/gold programme and introduced some routine work as well. I went home really having enjoyed my class and went back again the following day! Really recommended, plus only £6 a class, its a winner!