The Bridge February 2017
Derek Shotton describes his day I’m on my way to Bewdley. It’s Saturday morning: park the car and take my place on Load Street. I’ll meet friends and people I know, but standing there you are never sure who you may meet. The gentleman goes by. Is he from the Rowing or Bowling Club? Maybe not. Could well be from the pub. For this job I did not volunteer, I must admit, but into God’s plan I just seem to fit. The whistle blows, signalling the departing train. Storm clouds gather, I’m sure it’s going to rain. I’m told the sun shines on the righteous, perhaps I’m not because it rains on me just like on the other lot. Now some stop and chat for a while, others stay for a mo; then there are those in too big a hurry even to say hello. My coffee has come, piping hot. It really is the top, brought by my Christian friends from the flower shop.
Now some take a copy of the War Cry, others may not; I don’t mind, especially if they’ve put money in the pot. The clock moves on, the end is near. I ring on the phone to tell Doris ‘I’m coming home my dear’. Sunday morning I come to the Corps, hand in the box and hope the contents reach the C.O’s. score. I’ve not put pen to paper like this in days past; perhaps it would be better if this were the last.
Derek Shotton - 85 year old first time poet and Salvation Army member - would like to thank the people of Bewdley for their support and for making him feel so welcome. Thank you to everyone for their kind and generous contributions over the last three years.
Editorial News
The Bridge is the community voice of Bewdley
It is free and delivered by volunteers to more than 4,600 homes every month Visit us at www.bewdleybridge.org.uk
Welcome to February’s edition of The Bridge. Is it still time to have New Year resolutions? Especially those ones about getting more exercise or having a go at something new? If it is, then this month’s magazine is a good place to start to find a new interest or organisation to try out. Throughout the magazine, clubs and societies advertise their activities and warmly invite you along, reminding us of what a lively town we live in. Turn to page 37 to find out more about the Scottish Country dancing that takes place each week in Wribbenhall and page 19 for details of how to support the area’s very talented young musicians. Want a chance to exercise outdoors in beautiful surroundings while meeting new people, learning new skills and helping the environment? Find out more on page 23. Bewdley’s tree wardens care very much about our environment and have had confirmation that the disease that attacks ash trees has been found in Bewdley. For more information about the current situation, turn to the centre colour pages and find out how you can help monitor the spread of this disease. We continue our occasional series of updates from Wribbenhall’s only remaining dairy farm. Turn to page 29 to hear what has been happening at Grey Green Farm during the winter. This month Chris Grainger has been reading his father’s diaries from 1953 when life at Grey Green presented some very different challenges. Find out more on page 31. February sees Bewdley Medical Centre’s new appointments system come into operation. Turn to page 35 to find out how the changes will affect you and where you can find out more information. Bewdley Red Cross closes the doors of its Lax Lane centre this year as the organisation changes the way it operates. On page 25 the last remaining volunteers to work out of the centre look back on a proud history of service to the town. And thank you to Rob MacDonald, Graham Luxford and Gary Evans for sharing your beautiful photographs with this month’s readers. Gill
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Cover photograph: Graham Luxford December 2016 3
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February 2 Cinema in the Hall: Captain Fantasic - see flyer inside back cover 2 Soroptimist meeting 7.30pm - see page 27 2 Rock Pathfinders walk - see page 29 3 Music in the Hall: Amanda Rheaume and support - see flyer inside back cover 5 Bewdley Churches Together united service - see page 21 5 Bewdley Footpaths walk 1.45pm - see page 27 6 Bewdley Floral Art meeting - see page 21 6 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church 10 till 12. 6 Tourist Information Centre and Shop opens for new season 7 Bewdley Film Club - I, Daniel Blake - see flyer inside back cover 8 Bewdley Medical Centre new system for booking appointments begins - see page 35 8 Bewdley Evergreens 2-3.30pm Baptist Church - see page 27 6 Bewdley W.I. 7.30 pm St George's Hall - see page 11 9 Knit & Natter 2 - 4.00pm Methodist Church, High Street 9 Cinema in the Hall: Bridget Jones’s Baby - see flyer inside back cover 9 Together Lunch Club Wribbenhall Parish room 12.30 - 3.30pm 11 Young Musician of the Year Competition 2017 - see page 19 13 Book sale and Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church 10 till 12. 15 Bewdley Civic Society St George’s Hall. 7.30pm - see page 21 16 Cinema in the Hall Film of the Book Night - The Girl on the Train - see page 17 16 Soroptimist meeting 7pm - see page 27 16 Rock Pathfinders walk - see page 29 18 Black Country Night in aid of Community Transport - see page 35 18 Repair Café 10am till 2pm St George’s Hall. 20 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church 10 till 12. 20 Bewdley Horticultural Society meeting - see page 21 21 Methodist Church Walking Group, 10.30 (Tel 403941) 22 Craft session All Saints’ Church 10 - 12. 20 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church 10 till 12. 21 Exhibition on Screen arts event - see page 19 22 Bewdley and Wribbenhall Lades Luncheon Club - see page 27 22 Bewdley Evergreens 2-3.30pm Baptist Church - see page 27 23 Together Group Cancelled because of Town Council election in WPR 23 Cinema in the Hall: Inferno - see flyer inside back cover 25 Jumble Sale All Saints’ Church 10 till 12 - see page 17 27 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church 10 till 12. 28 Bewdley Townwomen’s Guild meeting - see page 27 March 3 Music in the Hall: Remi Harris and support - see flyer inside back cover 4 Bewdley Museum and Cafe open for new season 5 Bewdley Footpaths walk 1.45pm - see page 27 6 Bewdley W.I. 7.30 pm St George's Hall - see page 11 10 A Night of Music and Laughter - Bewdley Rotary Club - see page 35 5
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Bewdley Church Servicesl
St Anne’s Church Load Street
Riverside Church
Sundays at 9.30am Lasts for about an hour. Music is usually a mix of contemporary and traditional. Separate activities for children and young people during the service. Wednesday Worship at 10.15am Morning prayer. Holy Communion on 1st Wednesday www.bewdleyparish.org.uk
St George’s Hall, Load St. Sundays at 10.30 Friendly and fun for all regardless of age or background, our family service lasts for about an hour and a half and has both modern and traditional worship followed by a short time of easy to follow bible teaching. www.riversideelim.com
Sunday at 9.30am A warm welcome to a traditional service that lasts about an hour. First Sunday 8.00am Said Holy Communion Join us on the first Monday of the month at 7.00pm for a short service of Compline. www.bewdleyparish.org.uk
Sundays at 11.15am Holy Communion on first Sunday of each month. Matins from the Book of Common Prayer on the other Sundays. A friendly welcome to a traditional service in a peaceful setting. www.bewdleyparish.org.uk
St Leonard’s Church Ribbesford
All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall
Bewdley Baptist Church
Bewdley Methodist Church
High Street Sundays at 10am A relaxed style of worship with lively music for all ages. Sundays at 6.30pm: varied types of services. Church Office 01299 403267 www.bewdley.baptist.org.uk
High Street Sundays at 10.30am A warm welcome to all for traditional worship in a friendly atmosphere. Monthly Sunday Club for children. Revd Phil Hoar 01299 826641 www.bewdleymethodists.org.uk
Holy Family Catholic Church
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) Meeting House Lower Park Sunday 10.30-11.30am A quiet, contemplative form of worship, with occasional ‘spoken ministry’. Children’s Meeting have their own activity before joining in the Meeting.
High Street Sunday Mass at 8am Tuesday and Thursday Mass 10am Holy Days of Obligation Mass 12 noon Local contact Deacon John O’Brien Parish Office 01299 822633 www.stwulstanstourport.org.uk
www.bewdleyquaker.org.uk
St. Andrew’s Button Oak Details of services at www.bewdleyparish.org.uk
Wish to book a wedding at All Saints’, St. Leonard’s or St. Anne’s? Please call Roz Mace on 01299 401605 or rozmace@talktalk.net to arrange an appointment. Thinking about a Church of England baptism? For St. Anne’s and St. Leonard’s, come to the 9.30am Sunday service at St. Anne’s. For All Saints’, come to the 9.30am Sunday service at All Saints’ Wribbenhall. We’ll chat over coffee. www.bewdleyparish.org.uk 7
Church News l
All Saints’ Church Kidderminster Road Wribbenhall
After our 9.30am service on Sundays we offer coffee and chat.
Mondays, except bank holidays, the Knit and Natter Group meets from 10am till 12 noon. Everyone welcome. Our next Book Sale is on Monday 13th February 10am till 12 noon. All books 5 for £1.
It is our pleasure to welcome Bewdley High School in Concert on Thursday 16th February
The next Jumble Sale will be held on Saturday 25th February from 10am till 12 noon. On Ash Wednesday 1st March there will be a sacrament service at 10.15am led by Rev L Rathbone and a Service of Ashing at 7pm.
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Friends Fellowship of Healing followed by a simple lunch on the second Wednesday of the month. Midweek Meeting for Worship 12 noon on the last Wednesday of the month. Meeting for Worship 7.30 - 8.15pm on the second Wednesday of the month Evening Meeting for Worship 7.00pm on the last Thursday of the month in Kidderminster Thursday Craft Group meets fortnightly 2.00 - 4.00 pm
For further information please contact: Clerk of Meeting 01562 741501 Bewdley Meeting website: www.bewdleyquaker.org.uk
You’re always welcome at Bewdley Methodist Church As well as our services on Sunday at 10.30am we offer:
Knit & Natter – friendship and company while doing something worthwhile. Meet at church from 2.00-4.00pm on the second Thursday of each month. Walking Group – gentle exercise and fellowship in our local countryside. Meet at 10.30am on the third Tuesday of each month. Music in the Chapel – a variety of concerts throughout the year, starting with Kidderminster Male Choir at 7.30pm on Saturday 18 March Tickets £10 To enquire about baptism, marriage or funerals please contact: Revd Phil Hoar 01299 826641 www.bewdleymethodists.org.uk 8
Church News l
What’s happening inside St. Anne’s Church in February
Throughout February, ceiling decorators continue to work in St. Anne’s painting the chancel, nave, aisles and balconies. After years of leaking gutters, the walls are still drying out and so cannot be painted yet. The main part of the church behind the glass partition is closed until the beginning of March when the painting is due to finish.
The Cafe and Traidcraft Stall are open as normal from Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 2pm. St. Anne’s Chess Group continues to meet on Wednesdays at 12 noon and the Community Transport office remains open for business.
Sunday Worship is planned to start again in St Anne’s on 5th March. Meanwhile services are available at All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall at 9.30 am and St Leonard’s Church Ribbesford at 11.15am. For further details, please go to www.bewdleyparish.org.uk
A warm welcome from Bewdley Baptist Church Our church runs a number of regular events during the week:
✦ Noah’s Ark - for parents and toddlers.
✦ Who Let The Dads Out - second Saturday of the month for dads and toddlers ✦ Messy Church - family fun on the third Sunday of the month 4-6pm. ✦ Art Group - a quiet place to paint and draw. ✦ Circle of Friends - an afternoon meeting for ladies. ✦ Eat-Chat-Enjoy - second Tuesday of the month. Open to all. ✦ Bible Study and Prayer Groups ✦ Discipleship Groups ✦ House Groups ✦ Youth Activities ✦ Men’s Group Like to know more? Contact the minister Simon Harry, at the church office 403267 or visit www.bewdley.baptist.org.uk
You are invited to join us at Riverside Elim
River Tots - Mondays & Fridays 9.15 - 11.30 am All are welcome; just turn up. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, grab a hot drink and meet other parents who are in the same boat as you. A safe and enjoyable place for your children to come and play. Youth @ Riverside - Wednesdays 7.00 - 8.30pm For school years 7 - 11. A night of fun games and laughter. Every Wednesday we meet to let off a bit of mid week steam with our high school students. The night is relaxed with a monthly theme. Young Adults Coffee Society Sunday 6.30 - 9.30pm For ages 17 - 30. Meeting twice a month for coffee, music and thought provoking conversation. Stay as long or as short a time as you would like. For further info contact admin@riversideelim.com, call the office on 01299 405535 or visit www.riversideelim.com 9
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Severnside School of Dancing
Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Classical Greek, and Acrobatic Dance held at the Wheatsheaf Room, Bewdley Institute Special Junior hour Fridays 4-5 Training for Festivals and exams Contact Joyce Campbell on 01299 400633 Like us in Facebook
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Community News
Bewdley Museum and Tourist Information Centre
From Christmas onwards, the Museum has been closed to allow for the annual programme of maintenance works to take place. Over the winter months, significant repairs are being undertaken to both the Shambles roof and the Brass Foundry roof. Major changes are taking place to displays in the Shambles and cleaning, painting and decorating is being done in preparation for the new season ahead.
The Tourist Information Centre and Shop re-opens for business on Monday 6th February 10am to 4.30pm. The TIC will continue to extend their range of maps, books, greetings cards, local produce and gifts over the coming months.Visitors are welcome to come along and browse, whilst staff are happy to help and give advice about local attractions. For enquiries and information, please refer to the website www.visitwyreforest.co.uk or phone 0845 607 7819.
The Museum and Cafe will re-open on Saturday 4th March with a fresh programme of exhibitions, educational visits and events. Hopefully, by then the weather will have improved and spring will be in the air. The Friends of Bewdley Museum are currently gathering information and research material for the first temporary exhibition of the year in the Wyre Forest Gallery. ‘The changing face of Load Street’ will explore how individual buildings have been used and show how their facades have altered over the years. For the Museum’s opening times and other information, please refer to our website www.bewdleymuseum.co.uk , phone 0845 607 7819 or pick up a leaflet at the Tourist Information Centre. Sue Duffield Bewdley Museum
All Saints’ Church Christmas Tree Festival 2016
Bewdley WI
Our annual Christmas Tree Festival proved to be a very popular attraction with record numbers of people turning up to view the imaginative, creative and colourful Christmas trees.
St George’s Hall Monday 6th February 7.30pm Women in the Glass Industry' Speaker - Dr Kate Round
We hope the trees fired people's imagination and that visitors enjoyed their time browsing around our decorated church.
Monday 6th March 7.30pm Mosaic Making Presenters - Janet and John Adey
Visitors Welcome: Entrance Fee £3.50 including refreshments
Knit and Natter came first with the knitted tree and The Two Year Old Nursery won the junior section.
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After two visits we would like you to consider joining the WI
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Community News
The Girl on the Train - Film of the Book Night
On Thursday 16th February Cinema in The Hall, your local community cinema that shows films every Thursday, is once again teaming up with Bewdley Book Week to put on a Film of the Book Night. These events have always been popular and we hope you’ll want to come along for this one.
The film is The Girl on the Train (15) which is based on the bestselling thriller by Paula Hawkins. If you’ve already read the book you’ll be interested to see how the film treatment works, particularly as the action has been transferred from London’s suburbs to the New York commuter belt. Buy your tickets in the usual way, come along, see the film and join in the discussion immediately afterwards run by Bewdley Book Week. There’s still time to read the book. Bewdley Library has ordered extra copies and they’re available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.
Of course, you’re welcome to come along just to enjoy the film without joining the discussion.
Full information on the film can be found on the St George’s Hall website: www.thehall-bewdley.org.uk and you’ll also find regular updates on the Cinema in the Hall Facebook page www.facebook.com/BewdleyCinema.
Bewdley Book Week is a volunteer run literary event that is now in its sixth year. It brings nationally acclaimed and local writers to the town to talk about their lives and their writing. This year the week runs from September 4th to September 9th. It is part of Bewdley Festival which in 2017 celebrates its 30th year.
All Saints’ Church Monthly Book Sale
Old Fashioned Jumble Sale Old Fashioned Prices
Monday 13th February 10 to12
Saturday 25th February 10 to 12
All Saints’ Church, Kidderminster Road, Wribbenhall, Bewdley DY12 1DQ
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH,
Kidderminster Road, Wribbenhall, Bewdley, DY12 1DQ
Norman`s jigsaw stall Seasonal stalls of jams, chutney, plants Free refreshments and a warm welcome always assured
Nearly New Clothes, Bric-a-brac, Books, Loads of toys, Refreshments, cakes
We probably have the biggest collection of second hand books in Bewdley, of all categories.
Entrance 30p. In aid of All Saints’ Church
Five books for £1
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Community News
Wyre Forest Young Musician of the Year 2017
Bewdley Youth Festival is holding the third annual Wyre Forest Young Musician of the Year competition for young musicians who are in education and either live or attend a school or college within the Wyre Forest district
The competition is open to young people aged 13 to 18 as at 31 December 2016, and takes place during the afternoon of Saturday 11th February. The category winners are invited to perform at a Gala Concert that evening at which the Young Musician of the Year will be chosen and the winner of the prize for Best Original Composition will be announced.
Categories for the competition are: Classical Music Section (instrumentalists and singers); Solo Instrumentalist; Solo Singer (accompanied or unaccompanied) and Group (two or more members, acoustic or amplified). In addition there will be prizes for: The Helen Mackaness Award for The Wyre Forest Young Musician of the Year and The Bewdley Youth Festival Prize for best original composition.
See the Bewdley Youth Festival website or facebook page for more information.
The competition takes place in St George’s Hall, Bewdley from 2:00 pm with the Gala Concert starting at 7:30 pm.
Tickets for the Gala Concert are £5 from St George’s Hall Café or online at www.bewdleyyouthfestival.org.uk.
2016 winners Daniel Szemeti, Ellisha Green, Hannah Law and Chloe Mogg (Colin Hill)
Bewdley Festival’s Thirtieth Anniversary Year
The year got off to a great start with a sell-out show at St George’s Hall on Saturday 7th January. In full costume, Max Keen delivered his lecture on local events of the Civil War to a packed and enthusiastic audience.
This was the first of the anniversary year’s “Thirty for 30” which will see the twenty events of this year’s Bewdley Festival - scheduled for 6th - 15th October augmented by an additional ten events across the year.
Max Keen returns on 1st April with The History of Dudley Castle and 15th July with Francis Drake as his subject. There will be more ‘Exhibition on Screen’ Tuesday morning arts events. The first on 21st February is a journey by film to The Hague, the home of Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, and on Friday 24th March musical trio Peacock Angel will be showcasing their music, again at St George’s Hall. Full details can be found at www.bewdleyfestival/org.uk and www.thehall-bewdley.org.uk 21
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Community News
Borrowbox at Bewdley Library
If you have been borrowing ebooks from the library service for some time, you will have been notified of some changes being made towards the end of last month. By the time you read this we will have closed down our 'Overdrive' system for accessing ebooks, and our new system 'Borrowbox' should be up and running (fate permitting, of course).
If you haven't tried our ebooks service before, now is the time to give it a go because it's new for everyone! Borrowbox is simpler to use than Overdrive and it has more than double the number of titles on offer.
Although 'paper' books still seem to be people's favourite form of reading, there is no denying the versatility of an ebook; to keep your luggage weight down when going on holiday, for example, or to pop in your bag and take along to the doctor’s whilst you wait for an appointment. With 'Borrowbox' you can have the convenience of an e-reader with the knowledge that you're also supporting your library services.
Remember you can always book a session with our Digital Champion Christine to get any help you need when you're getting to grips with it on your device!
Kay Sanderson
BEWDLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
BEWDLEY CHURCHES TOGETHER
AGM
are holding a UNITED SERVICE at 6.30 p.m.
Monday 20th February 7.30pm Riverside Church, Dog Lane
SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY
A quiz with Derrick Walker and small supper follow the AGM
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH, KIDDERMINSTER RD, BEWDLEY
No entry charge for the evening
DO COME ALONG
New members always welcome
Bewdley Floral Art
BEWDLEY CIVIC SOCIETY BOURNVILLE VILLAGE 1895-1925
Monday 6th February 7.30pm
by
Wharton Park Golf and Country Club
Dr. Michael Harrison
with Laura Leong demonstrating
Wednesday 15th February 2.30pm
All welcome
St. George’s Hall
Non members welcome
21
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SG Gardening Maintenance
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Green Leaf LANDSCAPES & DESIGN
Kevin Hayes N.C.H.(Pershore)
With over 10 years experience. All gardening aspects of work undertaken, No job too big or too small. For a friendly and reliable service call Stuart.
Planting Plans Pergolas Pruning Water features Patios Walls and fences Phone: 01299 400465 Mob :07866 964427
Garden Maintenance Professional Pruning Weed control Tree surgery Pressure cleaning Free Estimates Qualified & Insured SG Gardening Maintenance 12 Shrubbery Close, Cookley, DY10 3UH
Tel: 01562 261003 Mob: 07900474049
Specialist Services
STEPHEN GOFFE GARDEN SERVICES SPECIALISTS IN:GARDEN MAINTENANCE GRASS CUTTING AND GARDEN RENOVATIONS
22
For Fast & Friendly Service contact: M: 07512 589665 or T: 01299 402622
January in Bewdley
Photo: Gary Evans
New Year’s Day Duck Race
St. Anne’s Church prepares for the decorators
Februaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Photographer: Rob MacDonald
Ash Tree Update
The New Year is supposed to be a time of hope for the future but the news from the ash tree front in Bewdley is not good. The ash disease, Chalara, has been confirmed in ash trees near Bewdley. Our ash tree watch, assisted by many Bridge readers who confirmed ash tree locations, identified one area where Chalara was most likely and our concerns were justified. During late summer we found signs of what we thought were the disease in recently planted ash saplings. After sending pictures and samples to the Forestry Commission we finally received confirmation in November that our fears were justified. However, there is still some hope for our ash trees. The disease is in trees which almost certainly were imported from the continent where Chalara has been spreading for many years. There is as yet no evidence that the disease has spread to native ash trees locally.
Our next task is to monitor native ash trees in the same locality as the diseased trees, concentrating on the younger trees which have grown from local seed. These are likely to be the most vulnerable. There is nothing that can be done to stop the spread of the disease but monitoring can identify the speed and extent of its spread and might lead to early identification of resistant varieties.
If those readers who helped us in the past to plot the location of Bewdley's ash trees wish to continue to help, could they let us know, via the Town Clerk, if they suspect that the disease is present. Please don't take any samples as this may spread the disease but photographs would be welcome. There is no rush, there are unlikely to be any visible signs of the disease until late summer.
As a welcome footnote, recently published research has led one expert to suggest that British ash, because of geographic and environmental factors, might prove more resistant than Danish trees which were largely devastated by Chalara. We can but hope. Cliff Willmot and Gren Jones Bewdley Town Tree Wardens
Community News
Volunteering at Wyre Community Land Trust
We are very lucky to be based in the beautiful surroundings of St George’s Farm, Ruskin Land in the Wyre Forest and are pleased to say that Wyre Community Land Trust (WCLT) volunteer group continues to grow. We have around 40 dedicated volunteers who give their free time to help us carry out the important work of conserving the Wyre Forest, its wildflower meadows and traditional orchards.
A typical volunteer work day involves meeting at St George’s Farm at 10am. We head off to our worksite taking the necessary tools and materials and most importantly tea, coffee and biscuits. Work tasks vary depending on the time of year; they may include scrub clearance, tree planting, invasive species control, hay making, fencing work, cattle moves and much more. We always have a well-earned tea break around 11:30am, lunch at one and finish up at around 3pm. At the end of a good day’s work everyone feels a great sense of achievement after contributing to conserving their local environment. Currently we have three conservation groups during the week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We are also working to develop a small estate wood yard here at St George’s Farm. The woodyard will be the central hub for the utilisation of the oak that we sustainably harvest from the Wyre Forest. The Wyre woodworks teams meet on a Tuesday and Wednesday and have made new doors for the barn, built a firewood store, made a work bench, fitted new windows into the workshop and are now building a new tool store.
Our volunteers range from college students to those enjoying their retirement. They enjoy the wide range of activities we do, meeting up with good friends and having a natter, keeping fit and active and working in the beautiful outdoors.
We are now looking to start a brand new ‘Woodland Volunteer Group’. We currently manage around 100 hectares of woodland and would like to provide the opportunity for the local community to get involved. The group would meet one Saturday a month during the winter period, November to March from 10am – 3pm. Tasks will include the removal of birch regrowth, scrub clearance and felling of small trees with hand saws. If you are interested in joining our new woodland group, one of our existing groups or simply want to find out more, then please get in touch. We are also able to offer work experience placements for those looking to start a career in conservation. Kate Quinton Volunteer and Community Development Officer kate@wyreclt.org.uk 01299 488083 29
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Pete Wall Fencing
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Do you need transport........we’re here to help!
Community Transport Wyre Forest provides door to door transport for local people who don’t have access to their own car or who find it difficult to use public transport. We’ll take you from your home to local destinations as well as further afield throughout the country. So don’t stay at home......have a journey with us! We even have vehicles suitable for wheelchairs. Our booking line is
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To find out how to become a member (or to volunteer as one of our driving team) contact us on 01299 405832 or e-mail admin@ctwyre.org.uk or see our website www.ctwyre.org.uk 30
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Community News
Bewdley Red Cross End of an Era
Bewdley Red Cross started in 1966 with the formation of a Cadet Group who held meetings at Wribbenhall Primary School, led by John Brampton, Commandant at Kidderminster. An adult group was established in the early 70s and continued meeting at Bewdley High School.
In September 1976 a purpose built Red Cross Centre was opened in Bewdley. The building fund committee comprised of Bewdley Mayors, Red Cross directors, volunteers and representatives of other local organisations over a period of many years prior to its construction. The majority of funds were raised locally.
The Centre is now in its fortieth, yet sadly its final year. Once self-sufficient, with its own ambulance, first aid unit, voluntary training team and members, the group and cadet units attended numerous events over the years including motorcycle scrambles, grass track, time Railway, six a side cricket, raft race, Safari Park day for disabled and bonfire nights.
All this, combined with “medical loan” (mostly wheelchair loan), ensured support for the local community across all aspects of Red Cross work. All contact was local, all delivery was local and everything was completed efficiently, on time and to the appropriate standard.
Over recent years, however, local activities have been eroded as the organisation has operated more centrally. First Aid provision at public events, vehicles and equipment were the first to be impacted, then three years ago training provision and now finally "medical loan".
Kidderminster Centre based in Park Street closed in 2011, Stourport Group disbanded earlier the same year and now Bewdley volunteers have been given notice that the Centre in Lax Lane is to be closed.
The five volunteers who will be leaving the Centre have a combined total of 185 voluntary years’ service between them, comprising 45, 45, 35, 30 and 30 years respectively. They are pictured here at a CPR training session.
So, to the past volunteers, to all the members of the public, industry, local youth and adult organisations who have attended training sessions, assessments and demonstrations or participated in any way in our activities, possibly attending jumble sales, street or house to house collections, and there are several thousand of you, we give heartfelt thanks for your support. John Genner, Chris Wood, Stella Baldwin, Carol Price and Margaret Wilks.
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Community Corner Pre-School
Specialist Services
St.Anne’s Cof E Primary School, Wyre Hill, Bewdley DY12 2UQ Tel: 01299 401871
• Community Corner; at the heart of the community on the site of St Anne’s Primary School, enjoying an excellent partnership with our host school • Quality pre-school care & education: our staff team are highly qualified Practitioners, who are passionate about childcare, it’s in their hearts • ‘TOTS’; our specially created 2 yr. olds room, a gentle start for your child
Funded places offered for 2, 3 & 4 year olds Monday to Friday, 9a.m. - 3p.m. during term time Call Chris for more information or visit us at www.communitycornerpreschool.co.uk Community Corner Pre-school; touching hearts right from the start
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Community News
Bewdley and Wribbenhall Ladies’ Luncheon Club
Bewdley Townswomen’s Guild
At our Christmas meeting in December, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, which was followed by an informative talk on "Jewels & Precious Stones" by Alan Hill.
After our Christmas celebrations, we meet at Wribbenhall Community Centre, Shaw Hedge Road on 28th February at 7.30pm for a Drum Workshop led by Pamela Scarborough. The lighthearted competition is for the most unusual musical instrument.
On 22nd February George Hook will talk to us on "Mother of Pearl".
Ladies are always made welcome, so if you would like to hear more about the club, which meets at the Mercure, and perhaps book a place, please ring 01299 823458.
We hope we can tempt you to join us
Maureen Golborne 01299 488526 Lois Hopkins 01299 409465
Soroptimist International Kidderminster and District
February’s business meeting is on Thursday 2nd February 7.30 pm at the Baxter Church Rooms, Kidderminster and the supper meeting is on Thursday 16th February 6.30 for a 7.00 start at La Brasserie, Kidderminster We look forward to another interesting talk in our series: ‘Why I am a .... “
Annual Bridge Tournament is at Blakedown Parish Rooms on Wednesday 26th April.
Soroptimist International is open to all women over the age of 18 and visitors are welcome to any of our meetings. For more details about the club and its activities: 01299 266101 or kidderminstersorop@gmail.com http://sigbi.org/kidderminster-and-district/ Facebook: Soroptimists Kidderminster
Bewdley Footpaths
Bewdley Evergreen for the young at heart
at Bewdley Baptist Church Wednesdays 2.00 - 3.30
Meets in the garden on the east side of the river just below Bewdley Bridge at 1.45pm for a prompt start at 2.00pm.
8th February: Quiz and Readings 22nd February: Mr. Plant’s talk about his courtroom days 8th March: Keep Fit
Sunday 5th February Ribbesford/Catchems End Approx 3 miles
All welcome to this friendly group or more information telephone Ellen Micklewright 01299 409355
Sunday 5th March Coopers Mill Approx 5 ½ miles
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medically qualified and registered homeopathic practitioner
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The deadline for the March issue of The Bridge is 10th February
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moffats.co.uk • 01299 841230 Kinlet Hall • Shropshire • DY12 3AY
Community News
Autumn and Winter at Grey Green Farm
As the autumn nights draw in some of the older cows who know the routine begin to stay behind in the shelter of the yards after milking instead of heading out into the fields away from the cold and rain. Eventually the entire herd comes in from the fields to overwinter in the buildings.
Some areas are covered, and parts of the yards are completely open. The cows have free access to feed and bedding in the yards and to a bed, a stall within a cubicle house where they are safe from the elements bedded on sawdust. In the past we have used sand, and rubber sheet ‘mattresses’ as bedding but the cattle seem most content on sawdust. They do like routine; some are quite particular and will only lie in one stall. Keeping the cattle clean is very important for their health and the passage ways between the stalls are cleaned automatically eight times a day.
A cow drinks about 10 gallons of water per day from troughs which are constantly filled automatically from springs on the farm. As I write, the weather this winter has been kind and we haven’t yet had to break the ice so the cattle can drink. The output is approximately the same; each cow producing about ten gallons of slurry (liquid manure) each and every day. When they are grazing in the fields this isn’t a problem but for their health and safety this needs to be moved when they are in the buildings. As an organic farm this muck is our only source of fertiliser and therefore a valuable resource.
Every day the manure is scraped out of the buildings by a tractor - a Massey Ferguson 135 which has been working non stop since the 70s when my father used to do this job - and stored in a pit, eight feet deep and the size of a small swimming pool. For obvious reasons this is well fenced to keep cows and humans safe, However, we have had to rescue a hedgehog that found its way in and a calf that was born unexpectedly whose mother carelessly let it roll beneath the barriers and into the slurry.
Both calf and hedgehog were unharmed but the rescuer smelt terrible!
Chris Grainger
Rock Pathfinders
Free guided walks along our footpaths and bridleways taking 2-3 hours, off the roads and into the countryside. 2nd February 10.30 am: Six Ashes Car Park alongside the B4363 DY14 8HJ SO reference 683774 16th February 10.30am: from The Dog Inn Dunley DY13 0UE SO reference 7864968891 For full programme see www.rockvillagehall.co.uk or ring Alan on 01299 400304 or Jan on 01299 832571 35
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Bewdley Cricket Club is located on High Street, sandwiched between the idyllic River Severn and Red Hill at its Lower Park Headquarters. Set amid some of Worcestershire's finest rural scenery, the ground is considered one of the prettiest in the county. The ground is the perfect backdrop to any celebration, be it a birthday, christening, or wedding, and the wonderful out door space is complimented by a large furnished patio area. The clubhouse, having been entirely refurbished in 2012, boasts a fully licensed bar with a range of draught beer and has the capacity for parties up to 100 people. With a fully equipped kitchen, the club is able to host self catered events and has seating capacity for up to 50 people. With Wi-Fi capability and big screen projection, the club
Tel: 07870 752274
lends itself as a perfect venue for small scale conferences, meetings and team building events for businesses.
Web: www.bewdley.play-cricket.com Email: bewdleycricketclub@gmail.com Twitter: @BewdleyCC
Contact us now to discuss your requirementsâ&#x20AC;Ś.
36
Facebook: BewdleyCC
Community News
Looking back to January 1953 at Grey Green Farm
Writing in his 1953 diary my father recorded ‘carting muck’ and ‘muck spreading’ on many days in January at Grey Green Farm. He and his men would have had to do this using forks to clean out the stalls by hand (those of you with horses will know what hard work this is) and then it was taken out to the fields to be spread by hand on a cart pulled by his horse Captain. The routine jobs my father did seem very labour intensive; cutting kale, spreading beat tops, spreading mangold tops, things I no longer do.
During this month he also sent a man over to Hoarstone Farm (next to Grey Green, but no longer a working farm) to help with the threshing of barley. The barley I grew last year for cattle feed was cut and rolled in the autumn and now just has to be added to the silage we cut from the clamp daily and mixed together in a special wagon. The weight of feed that we move would be unimaginable to my father who in 1953 kept 12 cows, a flock of hens and about 10 pigs at any one time.Yet this involved the employment of two men. We now have 10 times as many cows and we have the added pressure of paperwork and the worry of machinery breaking down. One of our tractors packed up with imperfect timing on Christmas Eve and was out of action until the New Year. My father doesn’t mention Captain letting him down.
In 1953 the farm hedges were cut by hand and in January my father records burning brash and hedge trimmings. In December 2016 the birds took the berries from the hedges much earlier than usual so we were able to start cutting the field hedges. Under an environmental scheme we cut our hedges on a two year cycle with regard to shelter and habitat for birds. The roadside hedges can be cut every year but we must avoid the nesting season.
January 1953 and Sunshine, one of my father’s favourite cows, gave birth to a bull calf. We had two calves on Christmas Eve 2016. We average about 10 calves a month throughout the year, always hoping for a heifer. Occasionally a calf is weak and recently we have bought some jackets to keep a small calf warm.
Bozma our oldest cow has also been inside for the winter. She is housed separately from the other cows so that she doesn’t have to compete in the pecking order of the rest of the herd. She shares her pen with a rota of heifers as they calve down – acting as a companion. Rather like horses, cattle need company. At present Bozma is doing well.
In all his diaries my father recorded the weather every single day. During January 1953 there had been severe frosts and snowfall. Though I don’t want any of the extra work that a hard winter brings, the cold weather does bring the right rhythm to the farming year. It kills ‘bugs’ and pests, keeps the grass from growing when it contains no nutrition and stops blossom appearing too early only to be killed by a late frost. And maybe a sprinkle of snow would be just enough for me to enjoy sledging down the Crundalls Hill before I’m too old. Chris Grainger
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!
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High Quality Fruit & Vegetables (inc seasonal produce, locally grown)
Fish, Eggs, Local Honey & Marmalade. Flowers for all Occasions (Special Orders Catered For)
Online ordering now available at www.bewdleyfarmshop.co.uk Register with us for regular FREE deliveries to your door
HEALTHY START vouchers accepted
Dog Lane • Bewdley • Worcs • DY12 2EF
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t :
01299 400346 38
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B. Ince
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Funeral Director
Telephone: 01299 403105
Private Chapel of Rest
Bank House Severnside South Bewdley, Worcestershire
www.bewdley.actinet.net/bince
The deadline for the March issue of The Bridge is 10th February
23#4)15%43&4#3%/)+6%"763*%"18%4")1*9%)1:0';9%"'+6')+)*9%% *7)"+)7"%"18%63"8"763*%"')*)15%<'&-%+63%137=> Treatment available outside normal working hours based at Cleobury Chiropractic in Cleobury Mortimer High Street !"##$%07506 287191, 07932 000028 &'%()*)+$%www.jsosteopaths.co.uk. ,-")#$%jamesosteopaths@gmail.com. .&##&/%0*%&1$ facebook.com/jsosteopaths 40
Community News
Bewdley Medical Centre Appointments
The Medical Centre has now changed the way in which you book an appointment to see a Doctor. With an ever increasing demand on the NHS and on GP services, we feel that these changes will be a more efficient and fairer system, ensuring that those patients who need to be seen will be seen on that same day.
As of the 8th February you will need to ring up on the day you wish to be seen and a Doctor will call you back at an arranged time slot and, if needed, they will book you an appointment for the same day to see either a nurse practioner or a Doctor. Several times appointments are booked to discuss medication, results and referrals which, in many cases, could be dealt with over the telephone, therefore avoiding unnecessary visits to the surgery.
All the staff involved have undertaken extra training which, we hope, will make the transition run as smoothly as possible. However, as with any major changes there may be some disruption and we ask that you bear with us during this time.
For more information please visit our website: www.bewdleymedicalcentre.com or pick up a leaflet from reception.
Community Transport Wyre Forest
A Night of Music and Laughter with
Doug Parker
BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT
supported by Musical Duo
Ashcroft and Lewis
Saturday 18th February 8pm
at St. George’s Hall, Bewdley
Far Forest Village Hall (near The Plough Inn) Doors open 7.30pm Licensed bar Tickets £15 including a fish and chip supper from Community Transport Wyre Forest 01299 405832 or admin@ctwyre.org.uk
Friday 10th March 8.00pm £11.50 a ticket Bring your own food - Usual bar and raffle For tickets contact Bob Hill 01299 401722
Make a difference
Phoenix Fostering is looking for new foster carers in Bewdley and surrounding areas. Call 01568 771961 or visit www.phoenixfostering.co.uk to find out more
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Wyre Forest Scottish Country Dance Club
Following on from last month’s piece, here is a little more about a typical dance class. We begin by warming up individual muscle groups to music and then start practising dances by walking through their sequence. Typically a set is made up of three or four couples and the dance is walked through several times so that each couple practises in first place in the set. After that we’re ready to dance to music. There are at least three different groups of dances, classified by their music tempo. Jigs and reels are quick whereas a strathspey is slower, at about half the speed.
Halfway through the session we have a break for drinks and a chat and to look at the flyers from other clubs advertising their upcoming dance programmes. We then go through some of the dances that are on the programmes our members are going to at other clubs. Recently some of us have been to Ross, Stafford, Worcester and Sutton Coldfield.
Our current members range in age from being in their twenties to their eighties; some have been dancing for only a matter of months whilst others have many years of experience. Some members are able to attend every week, other people only come when they can fit it in. We are a relaxed, informal and sociable group.
Complete beginners are welcome and you don’t need to bring a partner.Your first session is free and then it’s only £2 per class. We meet at Wribbenhall Parish Rooms on Tuesdays from 8pm ‘til 10pm. Scottish Country Dancing is good exercise and great fun, so why not give it a try? For more details see our Facebook page www.facebook.com/wyreforestscdc or give me a call on 01299 405272 Julie La Borde
Thank you to everyone who came to John Instance's pre-Christmas Art Exhibition. With the sale of Kemp cards, refreshments, cakes and mince pies and raffle tickets plus very generous donations, we managed to raise £167.88 for Kemp Hospice, Kidderminster. Lois & John Hopkins and John & Jenny Instance
Live Wyres is a social club for single people. We meet in pubs around the area and hold dances and other events in a range of venues from hotels to village halls. The following are a few of our events for February:-
Tue. 7th – Pub Night at The Queen’s Head, Wolverley. DY11 5XB – Committee Meeting Sat. 11th – Valentine Dance at the Wharf, Stourport - Ticket only Tue. 14th – Pub Night at The Old House at Home, B’ham Rd, Blakedown. DY10 3JE Thurs. 23rd – Whist Drive at The Queen’s Head, Wolverley. DY11 5XB Tue. 28th – Pub Night at the Island Pool, W’ton Road, Cookley. DY10 3RX We always welcome new members. Any one interested can find out further information at our website www.livewyres.moonfruit.com. or contact Sandra on 01299 400979 or Sally on 0121 4226122. 37
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Community News
Bewdley & Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team
We Don't Buy Crime campaign
A large rural area in Wyre Forest covered by the Bewdley and Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team will become totally protected with a state of the art property marking system as part of a Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police initiative aimed at tackling all forms of acquisitive crime. Every household in the Parishes of Rock, Kidderminster Foreign and Arley, Shatterford and Pound Green is being visited and offered the chance to security mark their property free of charge with SmartWater.
Every bottle of the liquid carries a unique forensic code which is registered to a specific address. Once applied it is almost impossible to remove and can only be seen under ultraviolet light. Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers from Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Wyre Forest have been delivering the product to people's houses and supporting residents to mark their property. Marking with SmartWater enables recovered stolen goods to be returned to their owner more easily and acts as a huge deterrent to burglars who know that they - along with the goods they steal - can be linked back to a particular location.
The SmartWater delivery is the first part of the We Don't Buy Crime campaign which tackles a range of acquisitive crime. The campaign aims to make the whole of the West Mercia and Warwickshire policing areas as hostile as possible for anyone who looks to profit from other people's misery. A new initiative is to be launched with second-hand dealers aimed at making it as difficult as possible for criminals to sell on stolen goods. Other initiatives include deploying covert tracker bicycles and cars throughout the region aimed at catching criminals red-handed. Through this campaign West Mercia Police is sending out a strong message to burglars, thieves, robbers, shoplifters and pickpockets. “You are not welcome in the region and if you persist in your behaviour we will make life extremely difficult for you."
Follow us on Twitter @BewdleyCops In case of emergency phone 999. To report a non emergency incident phone 101
Thank you!
Sales of second hand books from the bookcase in St. George’s Hall Community Cafe raised £678 in 2016 for Smile Train. This charity repairs cleft palates, mostly in children and in over 86 different countries around the world. Each 45 minute operation costs £150 and can transform a child’s life chances. Thank you to all who have supported this cause. Lyn Grogan 39
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Community News
Bewdley Town Council News February 2017
Corporate Plan The Town Council have recently adopted their first Corporate Plan which sets out the Council’s aims, objectives and priorities over the coming three years. There is also an action plan which tells people what the Council plan to do over the period which includes projects like new town gateway signage, new map panels and a brand new visitor leaflet and map. The Council are also committed to working in partnership with local organisations to promote Bewdley as a place to visit and do business, using its website to advertise events and services, and provide town markets and events to benefit the local economy.You can view the documents on the Council’s website at www.bewdleytowncouncil.org or e-mail townclerk@bewdleytowncouncil.org for a copy.
Budget 2017/2018 The Council agreed its budget for the coming financial year which starts in April 2017, in line with the priorities set out in the Corporate Plan. The Town Council’s element of the overall council tax bill is modest with the Council agreeing to increase its council tax by seventeen pence (17p) per week on average for each household. This will allow the Council to invest in the town by potentially purchasing its own building for use as a community “hub”, invest in new tourism related projects and be ready to take on services from the District Council should this be in the best interests of the town.You can find a full breakdown on the Council’s website at www.bewdleytowncouncil.org.
Riverside North Paddling Pool Bewdley Town Councillors have turned down a request by Wyre Forest District Council to transfer responsibility for running the paddling pool in Riverside North Park, Bewdley. The District Council have said that the pool would close because it costs too much money to run unless the Town Council took it on. The Chairman of the Town Council’s Policy and Resources Committee, Councillor Stephen Clee said “the Town Council is happy to take on services and responsibilities from the District Council that represent better value for money for the people of Bewdley, but we do not feel that the paddling pool meets this criteria. The pool requires significant investment to bring the facility up to an acceptable standard and the Town Council are not currently in a position to accept this liability”. The Town Council are of the view that the District Council should continue to operate the facility as they do in Brinton Park in Kidderminster. Future Town Council Meetings Town Council meetings are held at The Guildhall at 7.30pm on the first Monday of each month unless stated otherwise. The next meetings are: 6th February and 6th March 2017.
Meeting Agendas and Minutes are posted on town notice boards are available on the Town Council’s website www.bewdleytowncouncil.org. 49
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February in the Forest
It’s good for us to have preconceived notions fundamentally challenged now and then. For instance, we think we have a pretty good idea of the way the world works and then a new scientific discovery seems to indicate that we may have got it substantially wrong.
My subject (as usual) is the forest and a growing number of studies into what goes on in the soil, particularly the interaction between tree roots and the network of fungal threads (hyphae) called mycorrhiza. It appears that trees and many (all?) other woodland plants have an interdependent relationship with fungi, where trees benefit from the water and nutrients gathered by the smaller scale and more extensive mycorrhiza while bestowing benefits in the form of sugars made by photosynthesis. One conclusion from this is that plants (including trees) will thrive best where they can tap into the soil mycorrhiza. The studies go further, and suggest that the movement of various plant hormones and other chemicals via this underground transport system allows trees to communicate with each other. Examples include sending a warning that they are under attack by pests/herbivores thus allowing neighbouring trees of the same species to release chemical deterrents, or helping ailing individuals by sharing sugars with them.
Some studies of mixed birch and Douglas fir forests showed that each tree species helped the other by sharing the products of photosynthesis at times when it had an advantage, so that the forest was a partnership of the two. This is a direct challenge to conventional forestry which would see the self-seeded birch as a ‘weed’ species competing with the fir ‘crop’ and assumed that each individual behaved as if it were struggling for its own survival in isolation.
This knowledge has been around at least from the 1990s but takes time to filter down from the university to the classroom or workplace, and even longer to be digested by the rest of us so that it joins that understanding commonly called ‘general knowledge’. The fascinating work of scientists such as Dr Suzanne Simard of the University of British Columbia, who published in Nature in 1997, eventually gets the attention of the Forestry Commission and reaches our bookshelves via the popular science of books such as The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben (then comes to you via my rather poor attempt at explanation here!). I should also mention the good work of our local naturalists, both professionals and amateurs, and flag up John Bingham’s article on fungi in the current issue of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust magazine.
Meanwhile in our own Wyre Forest the regular forestry practice of thinning carries on in various locations including Coldharbour Coppice and Shelf Held Coppice (left).This is a traditional part of forest management, yielding useful timber for beams, furniture, fencing and firewood but also allowing more light into the wood for the benefit of the whole habitat. The new understanding of the minute interactions at root and hypha level will help to refine our ways of working so that we achieve the best outcomes for healthy, productive and wildlife-rich woodlands that we can all enjoy.
Linda Iles