South Africans in West Midlands

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   My wife and I have been in the UK (Warwickshire) for 1 year, and we are yet to strike up real friendships with other families? As for other SA families; we are yet to meet them? Are there any SA families in Warwickshire or surrounding areas?

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Wayne_Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 0	Quote Reply Topic: South Africans in West Midlands Posted: 16 Aug 2009 at 10:54am
	My wife and I have been in the UK (Warwickshire) for 1 year, and we are yet to strike up real friendships with other families? As for other SA families; we are yet to meet them? Are there any SA families in Warwickshire or surrounding areas?
	Wayne and Angela in West Midlands


A du Toit Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Location: Flintshire Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 2009 at 1:12pm
	Hi Wayne and Angela, I have been living in Wales now for a year and know how you guys feel. I am from Cape Town and live in Flintshire, which is a little way out from where you live. It is lonely not being able to chat to fellow South africans and we only realise how unique we are, once we move away from home. At the moment I am trying to get Lennons meds but as my little icon shows, its wishful thinking lol. When I hit Cape Town, sometime early next year, I plan on bringing a few essentials back. Hope it makes it through customs tho lol. How long have you been here in the U.K.? Apparently there are loads of Saffies out there but finding any close enough seems to be difficult. All the best to you and your family Groete Avon

Wayne_Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 2009 at 1:10pm
	Hi Avon, Thanks for the reply. I was beginning to give up all hope on this site. We share your frustrations when trying to procure the brands that you are used to. Fortunately, we live very close to one of the largest markets in the UK, and there is a SA shop there, and we get a few things there from time to time. Althoug limited, the tomato suaces, spices, pronutro, etc are pretty much available. We arrived in the UK on the 24th September 2008, so in a few weeks time, we would have been here 1 year. We have settled here nicely, and whilst we still miss SA, we love it here. We have travelled a fair bit already, to Wales as well. Friday we are off to Scotland for the weekend. Wales, therefore, is not that far for us, and we dont pay for fuel, hence the reason for all the travelling. Maybe we can get together some time if you so wish? It is very frustrating trying to meet other Saffies here, although we know there are stacks around. We are from Port Elizabeth, and miss the coast incredibly. We have been to Cornwall twice, and Bournemouth just to get that great smell of the sea again. Anyway, let us know, and maybe we can arrange a meeting some time. Alles van die beste! Wayne and Angela
	Wayne and Angela in West Midlands

mari Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 07 Sep 2009 Location: UK Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2009 at 6:41am
	HI Saw you were looking for SA goodies - I found a great online shop for SA expats www.expatshop.co.za There service was great - they even found items for me from Clicks that I asked for! Cheers Mari

Wayne_Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 07 Sep 2009 at 6:35pm
	Hi Mari, Thanks for the info. We'll certainly give it a go. Cheers Wayne & Angela
	Wayne and Angela in West Midlands

Wendy462 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 01 Nov 2009 at 11:54pm
	Hi Wayne & Angela, Could you tell me which market you get the SA food from as we live in Wolverhampton. Our little shop has now shut down and my husband is from SA and misses the food! Have found a shop in Shrewbury on the net which is not to far from us to. Thank you, Wendy.

Wayne_Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 5:13pm
	Hi Wendy, we get the food from the Wellesbourne market, one of the largest markets in the UK. There is a SA shop there, as well as one in Coventry and in Birmingham. Although limited, we get the Koo tomato sauce, Worcster sauce, biscuits, cereal etc. Hope this helps? Wayne & Angela
	Wayne and Angela in West Midlands

Wendy462 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 02 Nov 2009 at 11:18pm
	Hi, thanks we'l have to have a look at that market then. Think we are going to take a trip to shrewsbury this weekend, I have run out of black cat peanut butter and my kids love it! Do you do facebook? My husband has got in contact with a lot of his old work friends from SA, its a good way to keep in touch with everyone...if your already on it you'l know what I mean! Thanks again.. Wendy

Wayne_Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 2009 at 5:13pm
	Hi, yes we are on facebook. If you like, you can search for Wayne & Angela and send a friend request? Wayne & Angela
	Wayne and Angela in West Midlands

thehiltons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Location: Tipton Posts: 7	Quote Reply Posted: 31 Dec 2009 at 1:11pm
	Hi All, there's a south african shop that opened up in Harborne, West Midlands. SA Garden Route, they sell everything you need plus wine & beers. 13 Harborne Park Road, Harborne B17 0DE 0121 426 3609 Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm Sat&Sun 10am - 2pm www.sagardenroute.co.uk For the best boerewors in the UK you've got to travel to Coventry. Stuart Francis Butchers are excellent and very cheap in comparison to other SA food websites. They've got a website and you can order from them for delivery, we've done that a few times, realy good. But I think they may have moved, because the number listed on the website wasn't working when I tried to ring them earlier today (http://www.stuartfrancisbutchers.co.uk/default.asp). Hopefully they've not been victims of the recession as they really do make the best boerewors in the UK.
	Ian & Amelia Hilton

jabula Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jan 2010 at 8:07pm
	We run a company from Daventry distributing South African goods. The website address is jabulasouthafricanfoods.com My partner is from Pietermaritzburg and, despite meeting quite a few new people through our business, is eager to make the aquantance of area other South Africns in the area

Carmen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Location: Solihull Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 12:12am
	Hi I am oringinally from PE. I now live in Solihull, West midlands. Have been here since 1987 so have spent more of time time in England than South Africa now. I am married and have 1 child. My name is Carmen Smith
	C Smith

Carmen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Location: Solihull Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 11 Feb 2010 at 12:21am
	Hi just seen all messages on your page now. Wow I know of the one in Harbourne but my husband went to he one at Wellesbourne but could not find it there. There is a store in Maidenhead that I order from. Did a south african night for friends and family and ordered all goods from them. Hope you settling in. Carmen
	C Smith

Wayne_Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Feb 2010 at 1:20pm
	Hi Carmen, I'm also fro PE, born and bred! We have been here since Sep 2008. We live across the way from the Wellesbourne Market. You should try and get there. it is very good. Wayne & Angela
	Wayne and Angela in West Midlands

stuart francis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2010 Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2010 at 1:08pm
	Hello The Hiltons, Stuart Francis Butchery has relocated to 1035 Foleshill Road, Coventry, CV6 6ER. 07811492188. Spread the word. Hope to see you soon. Stuart

thehiltons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Location: Tipton Posts: 7	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2010 at 3:20pm
	Yipee! I was very dishartened when we drove all the way to Coventry and it was all closed up! Summer is around the corner, so I'm sure we'll be round soon. Still have a couple of my own boerewors in the freezer I have to use up first (Yep, I was that desperate to have boerewors, I made my own! but not as nice as Stuart Francis!). I will get straight onto my facebook page now and spread the word, don't worry! x Thanks! Ian & Amelia Hilton

robericom Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2009 Location: RSA Posts: 3	Quote Reply Posted: 03 Apr 2010 at 1:11am
	We (Mom, Dad & 2boys) will be coming to Shrewshury end of 2011, we're from Mpumalanga in SA. Just need to finish a few things off here. By the way - How tough is the economic situation round those partsthese days? (finding jobs ect). Have old friends mostly in London, but wouldnt mind the odd Braai closer to home with someone from back-home!
	lisa

thehiltons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Location: Tipton Posts: 7	Quote Reply Posted: 03 Apr 2010 at 11:57am
	Hi Lisa, we're in Tipton, so that's about an hours drive down the motorway from Shrewsbury, so you should definately be able to come for a braai (once you're here offcourse). The midlands is great, everything is just 'in the middle', chilled out and full of history. Well, there's no beating round the bush... the economy isn't great in Britian, but then again, isn't great pretty much everywhere else you look! It really depends what jobs you're qualified for. Manual labour... well that just isn't happening. England is in depression and we're no longer a manufacturing country. Teachers, nurses, doctors, IT, those jobs are better, but as a foreigner you're likely to find the 'getting a job' bit hard at the moment. But as you guys are only coming end 2011, there's plenty of water to flow under the bridge till then, so I'm sure things will be much better. Just keep checking www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk for jobs. Some companies have picked themselves up out of the resession, things are getting better already, you should be allright, as long as you don't plan on working for a government associated industry (like the NHS or councils), 'cause things for us is tough and is going to get even tougher. Government has to cut back on their spending... Can't wait for the general election, should be in May. Already had letters come through for local council elections. Another website www.directgov.co uk is also a good place to check out all sorts of things you may want to know about living in the UK. My sister-in-law lives in Durban, Umtentweni (think that's spelt right?), personally don't like the humid weather. We're from the good old Cape (Wellington in the Boland to be precise), dry heat, plenty of wine and sunshine, what more could you want! Well, good luck with the preperations for your big move. See you next year! Ian & Amelia Hilton
	Ian & Amelia Hilton

Juliet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jun 2010 at 5:23pm
	Hi Wayne and Angela, We have been in Coventry for two and a half years now. We have lived in Pretoria, Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, and East London. We have made quite a few nice friends, although we do enjoy meeting up with other SAffers when we get the chance. I was glad to see Stuart Francis Butchers show up on the forum, as I have been trying to find out where they'd disappeared to - miss that boerewors!! We'd be happy to meet up with you if you'd like. Juliet

Wayne_Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2009 Location: West Midlands Posts: 0	Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jun 2010 at 8:05pm
	Hi, Good to hear that you are in Coventry; not too far from us at all. I am from PE, and lived in East London for a few years. Angela is from Johannesburg, but moved to PE, which is where we met. It would be good to meet up with you, as we are yet to meet up with other Saffers here, even though we have arranged meetings; they never seem to materialize. Let us know when you are free, and we can then arrange a get together? We are on facebook, if you would like make contact that way, or we can exchage telephone numbers? Chat soon. Wayne & Angela
	Wayne and Angela in West Midlands

Juliet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jun 2010 at 11:54pm
	Did have a try searching for you on Facebook, going by what you'd said in an earlier post, but not having much luck. You're better off looking for me - look under Juliet Cullingworth. It's not my full name, but it's unusual enough for you to find me. (Profile pic: Mom and baby - one of my seven!) Juliet

Scatterling Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Location: Leicester Posts: 8	Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 7:13pm
	Cracking news about the Cov butcher, thanks for the address. Was gutted when it closed - had to consol myself by spending a fortune at Ikea! There are a few shops around Leicester that stock SA goodies and a butcher in Lutterworth that makes wors to die for, better than any we had in SA. The Cov butcher was useful for some goodies the local shops don't stock though so did miss them being nearby. There's a Saffer get together in Nottingham soon, there's a Facebook group that arranges it: http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events#!/event.php?eid=113272392052743 I miss the sense of humour from back home and the way people are, people who have lived in SA understand each other - and know what a braai, lekker and a robot are! Summer is here, deffinately braai time!
	Life is uncertain - eat dessert first!!

thehiltons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Location: Tipton Posts: 7	Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 7:45pm
	Hahaha, don't know how Ikea could possibly console you! more like rip you off! We consoled ourselves by making our own boerewors! Wasn't the best, but bloody hell, did the job! I see you're on the other side of Birmingham than we are, we don't go too far, old habbits and all that (my husband didn't like driving down to Cape Town from Wellington - only an hour, but we use to think it's too far to travel!), so travelling to Coventry is major for us! but luckily Stuart Francis do deliver, you can order online from them and as they regularly travel up to Wolverhampton for a big client, we're ok, he'll stop round by us on the way, without it costing me the earth, which I'm awfully greatful for. All other SA online shop are a rip off with boerewors and the quality greatly varied, sometimes to the point of totally crap! Yep, you're right, we too miss the 'south african way'... people in england can be a bit funny... but it doesn't really bother me what my neighbours think, if they don't like it, tough sh*t! We braai at every given opportunity (and that includes winter - cold don't scare me!) and play our boeremusiek or kookwater treffers and sing-a-long to our hearts content! You enjoy the thing in Nottingham, too far for us to travel! hahaha (having said that my Escort XR3i is from Nottingham, we drove all the way up the motorway with our old Ford to go pick it up and it's been my baby for the last 8 years!) We are indeed the scatterlings of (south) africa! mmm, think I'll dig out my Johnny Clegg CD, your screen name made me think of that and now I'm lus to listen to that... Hou die blink kant bo!
	Ian & Amelia Hilton

Scatterling Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Location: Leicester Posts: 8	Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jun 2010 at 9:38pm
	Ikea make lekker hot dogs The bookshelf however was not as cheap... I know what you mean about the driving thing. I'll do distance but am not too found of it but my hubby loves driving. We've been known to drive to Staines, near Heathrow, so we can go to Spur for Sunday lunch. A nice 6 hour or so round trip including eating time hehe. Feeling quite homesick with all the football hype and seeing home almost daily...(it is some conselation that it is vrek cold there right now) Think some live streaming of good old 94.7 Highveld stereo may be in order. We also braai here whenever we can and are not skaam to scoop the snow off the braai and chip away the ice if need be
	Life is uncertain - eat dessert first!!

piginthepoke Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Location: Bridgnorth Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 26 Jun 2010 at 3:58pm
	My Fiance & her sone moved to Bridgnorth from Johannesburg last November. We have just returned from a quick trip to Shrewsbury to the JABULANI SOUTH AFRICAN FOODS Ltdshop we saw on Midlands today in the week. Now stocked up on Biltong, Droewors and a pile of SA goodies. Braai later :) Sure Jane would love to hook up with other SA expats in the area. Since arriving she has bumped into only a handful.

AntzPixie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Location: Coventry Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 2010 at 9:25pm
	Hi, My boyfriend is from SA and it's his birthday at the end of August and i wanted to make him a hamper of all his favorite SA foods, with plenty of Biltong. I live in Coventry and can't really find any SA food shops and i don't know what places are good or if any aren't. I was going to order off the web instead because of proximity, i found a shop in Dorset that has a website and i was wondering if anyone had used them before they are called the No.1 South African Shop and their website is www.no1southafricanshop.co.uk If anyone has used them or been to their shop i'd be really grateful to know, or if anyone has someone good and reliable they can reccommend. Thankyou

Scatterling Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Location: Leicester Posts: 8	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 10:42am
	Hi, If you have a car and drive you could probably get to the SA shop local to you, see Stuart Francis post above for the address. You could spend a little extra on goodies instead of paying the postage costs online. I've not used the Dorset site before, if you do decide to use then you could let us know how you found it. Happy shopping
	Life is uncertain - eat dessert first!!

thehiltons Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Location: Tipton Posts: 7	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 11:00am
	AntzPixie, You've got to go to Stuart Francis Butchery, 1035 Foleshill Road, Coventry, CV6 6ER - 07811492188. You're lucky living in Coventry, having such a good SA food supplier so close to you with freshly made boerewors and biltong. Stuart Francis also have a website, but it's under construction again now, since their relocation and it's not up and running again yet. They're the best butchers in West Midlands, this I know from experience. There's only one other place that sell, what I feel is the best biltong in the UK, Snoggy's - but they're in London and their online shop isn't up and running yet. Other relatively good online shops are : www.bokkefoods.com, www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk, www.thesavanna.co.uk Over the last 10 years, I've tried about just everyone out there, though there are thing that between the above three aren't that good, some have items more dearer that others and I wouldn't get biltong from Savanna or boerewors from St Marcus, overall, their not too bad. I'm sure your boyfriend would appreciate his SA hamper!
	Ian & Amelia Hilton

Juliet Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Location: West Midlands Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 12:44pm
	I found Stuart Francis' biltong to be much too salty, although it is cheaper than most other places. His boerewors is not too bad though.

v-town family Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 25 Jul 2010 Location: wolverhampton Posts: 4	Quote Reply Posted: 25 Jul 2010 at 10:18pm
	Hi all We are in wolverhampton also looking for freinds from sa. Been here 10 years now.We get few things from local supermarket in heath town wors is not to bad i think they get it from shop in coventry. We come from vereeniging in sa and would like to meet any sa in area