Better Bromsgrove Together Winter 2018

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Message from the Leader, Councillor Geoff Denaro This edition of Better Bromsgrove Together is even bigger – and I am delighted to say it’s because our Christmas events and celebrations across the district have got bigger and better!

Each year we have introduced more switch-ons and this year sees the inaugural Worcester Road Street Party, organised by our independent traders and opening up the town centre celebrations.

The festivities are also interspersed with more serious issues – for example ensuring loved ones are safe with lifeline services for the elderly and top tips to make sure you are prepared to hold your own Christmas event.

I hope to see you at one or more of the events across the district and take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Get in touch Visit us / Write to us

Parkside, Market Street, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B61 8DA Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Call us

Customer Services: 01527 881288 Out of Hours emergency: 01527 871565

Click on

www.bromsgrove.gov.uk Bromsgrove @BromsgroveDC District Council If you want this magazine in a different format, e.g. audio CD, or language, call 01527 881651.

The council does not endorse any of the products or services advertised in this magazine by external customers.

To advertise in this magazine call 01527 881651.

All information was correct at time of going to press.

Parkside Customer Service Hub Christmas Opening Hours Normal opening hours 9am - 5pm

Village Pets Gardens & DIY 113 Golden Cross Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove, B61 0LA Tel: 01527 871432 After 21 years in the village this business has extended to include treasures from antiques to bric-a-brac.

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Date

Open/Closed

Friday 21st Dec

OPEN

Monday 24th Dec

CLOSED

Tuesday 25th Dec

CLOSED

Wednesday 26th Dec

CLOSED

Thursday 27th Dec

OPEN

Friday 28th Dec

OPEN

Monday 31st Dec

OPEN

Tuesday 1st Jan 2019

CLOSED

Wednesday 2nd Jan

OPEN

Thursday 3rd Jan

OPEN

Friday 4th Jan

OPEN

Here's just some of what's on offer in this magazine...

Page 6: Have your say on the district's future Pages 8 to 9: Stay safe this Xmas

Pages 18 to 19: Xmas pull-out calendar

A large range of beds available for immediate delivery!

Designer flooring, traditional, contemporary & bespoke, expertly installed by:

28 - 32 & 94 - 96, Worcester Road

01527 870165 / 570206 www.phoenixflooringandbedrooms.co.uk info@phoenixflooringandbedrooms.co.uk

Page 27: Festive event check-list Page 35: Christmas fun mapped out for you New bedrooms & floorings aren’t just for Christmas - our showroom is open all year round

Bromsgrove District Council

Christmas & New Year Waste & Recycling Collections 2018 Normal Collection Day

Revised Collection Day

Tuesday 25th December

Saturday 22nd December

Wednesday 26th December

Saturday 29th December

Thursday 27th December

NO CHANGE

Friday 28th December

NO CHANGE

Tuesday 1st January

Saturday 5th January

There are no more planned changes to collections throughout the season

Please have your bin out by 7am If we experience snow and icy weather and cannot get to you on collection day, please leave your bin out and we will return as soon as we can. In this case, check our website, Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.

01527 881188 letswasteless.com

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Bromsgrove Recycling helps protect our environment. Most people do it. www.letswasteless.com

Recycling and waste

Are you recycling ready?

Severn Waste, who process our waste, undertake quarterly reviews of recycling and this is typical of some of the contamination they find. Some of the more recent finds in recycling bins included: Electric cable Grass cuttings Shoes Ink cartridges Food waste Bath mat Clothes Cooking tin A kettle Phone case Coat hangers Unfortunately these items contaminate or damage good quality recycling which means it can't be recycled either. Your unwashed can of beans could spill over your neighbours paper recycling in the back of the truck making it non-recyclable.

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Thanks to recent TV programmes Blue Planet and Drowning in Plastic, everyone has become a lot more aware of the impact our lifestyles can have on the earth. Hopefully as a result of this, we'll start to see wide scale changes in green behaviours across the world.

How can you make a difference?

Start by focusing on reducing the waste you create.

By putting the right things in your green recycling bin you will be reducing litter and ensuring waste can be dealt with the right way. A good place to start to improve your impact is reducing the plastic you use. It is easier than you think, especially now supermarkets accept customer containers for meat, fish, etc. Also, why not look out for Zero Waste Shops on your high street.

Plastic Waste Reduction Top Tips 1. Use a refillable water bottle

It reduces the amount of single use plastic water bottles you'll use. Thirsty? Just look out for the refill symbol on local shops and refill for free! www.refill.org.uk

2. Use a reusable coffee cup It can also reduce the price of your drink in certain places.

3. Use a bar of soap Swapping shower gel and hand soap for a bar of soap reduces the amount of single use plastic as they tend to come in cardboard packaging.

4. Shop at local market and shops Markets and fruit and veg shops use little packaging or allow you to being your own reusable packaging.

5. Use containers or a plate to cover food Beeswax wraps are also a great, environmentally friendly alternative. Cling film and foil tend to be a more expensive way to keep food fresh.

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Bromsgrove District Plan Review Issues and Options Consultation Have your say on the future planning of your district The council is reviewing the Bromsgrove District Plan which will provide a long term vision and strategy to meet the future development needs across the district.

We are at the early stages in preparing the District Plan Review and consultation is a key part of how we prepare planning policies. It is important for everyone to have the opportunity to get involved and have their say in local issues that affect or interest them.

How to Get Involved The first stage of the consultation will be seeking your views on the Issues and Options that you feel need addressing for the plan. The consultation takes place for eight weeks from the 24th September 2018 to the 19th November 2018.

We have run a series of drop in sessions and parish council events, but if you would still like a chance to get involved please visit our website www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/districtplan or contact the Strategic Planning Team at strategicplanning@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

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Do you live in Bromsgrove?

Do you want to be asked your opinion on the decisions that help shape your community and drive the future of Bromsgrove?

Community Panel

As a member of the Community Panel it’s easy to have your say.

• For residents of Bromsgrove District only • Regular surveys on local issues • Invites to discussion meetings You can do as little or as much as you like by registering your email address.

Register for the Community Panel at: www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/communitypanel

Your views can make a difference.

Landlord licensing reminder New licensing rules have come into play for landlords with shared houses or who have properties with five or more people living there.

From 1st October, landlords who meet this criteria are required to be licensed under the Housing Act 2004.

The mandatory HMO licence is usually issued for a period of up to 5 years and the fee is £100 per person living in the property.

If you haven’t got yours, contact the council's Private Sector Housing Team immediately on 01527 534123.

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Combat cold callers The Nominated Neighbour Scheme was launched in Bromsgrove in September 2017, following several incidents of doorstep crime in the area.

Doorstep crime includes distraction burglary, rogue trading and high-pressure selling and the scheme was set up by the local Community Safety Partnership using funding from the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Nominated Neighbour Scheme is designed to protect vulnerable and elderly residents who are often targeted by this sort of crime. The district council's Community Safety Team works with local communities to identify those who may be at risk of being targeted for these types of offences in order to get them signed up to the scheme.

Nominated Neighbour works by directing any cold callers to a trusted neighbour, a relative or a friend who will check the caller’s identity and return to the address with them if the reason for their visit is genuine.

An elderly or vulnerable person can ask someone they trust to become their Nominated Neighbour or you could offer to be one if you think someone you know would benefit from the scheme.

There is an information pack provided which has all necessary instructions for the vulnerable resident and their nominated neighbour. The pack also includes useful emergency contact numbers, a Nominated Neighbour window sticker and the card which will hold the address of the person who will need to check the caller’s identity.

Whilst most callers are genuine and will not mind having their details checked, rogue traders do not want anyone looking too closely at what they are doing and will quickly leave.

The scheme aims to deter cold calling in the first instance and help older and vulnerable members of the community feel safer in their homes.

Rogue trading is defined as “Any incident where an individual, or individuals target a consumer, deliberately overcharging for unsatisfactory goods and/or services”.

If you are a victim of any doorstep crime or you know someone who has been, report it to the police on 101 and in an emergency always call 999.

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Nominated Neighbour Scheme Do you or does anyone you know feel vulnerable in their home?

It is an unfortunate fact that certain criminals target the elderly and vulnerable in their homes by posing as genuine callers. They seek to gain access to the house by deception to steal. Others will offer to do works to the house for problems that may not even exist for exorbitant sums and the work proves unnecessary or sub-standard.

The Nominated Neighbour Scheme seeks to protect potential victims by enrolling a willing person who is able to have callers referred to them by the potential victim so their identity can be verified.

If you think this may be helpful to you or someone you know, more details can be obtained by contacting Community Safety at Bromsgrove District or Redditch Borough councils on 01527 534 187 or CommunitySafety@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk John Campion Police and Crime Commissioner West Mercia

Telecare Service

Give peace of mind this Christmas NEW Lifeline is a telecare service available 24 hours, 365 days a year to any vulnerable people living within the Bromsgrove, Redditch and Cannock Chase districts as well as surrounding areas.

It allows residents such as the elderly, disabled or those with serious health problems to continue to live independently in their own homes.

A Lifeline unit installed in the resident’s home and a portable pendant allows the user to call for help in an emergency at any time of day or night.

Our Monitoring Centre Operators will receive the call and assist the user with their emergency.

Give peace of mind this Christmas to a loved one and your family by subscribing them to the NEW Lifeline telecare service.

For more information on this and our other services please call 01527 534060 or email: contact@newlifeline.org.uk

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Town Centre update From BMX and skate ramps being installed to table football tournaments happening, the High Street has seen some action over the summer.

We are so proud of how the High Street has improved and continues to do so, we launched a ‘Love Where You Live’ petition and entered the Great British High Street competition.

Local businesses have joined in the Refill scheme, which sees passers by being able to drop in to fill their water bottles from the taps of nominated venues, for free, and the market has now been taken back in-house to be run by the Council.

A new markets manager is in place, Jonathan Smith, who is looking forward to building on the successful stalls already in place and enhancing them with themed markets and events.

Bromsgrove is just getting Better!

Table football competition

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Artrix joins the refill scheme

Sanders Park 50th anniversary

There was an amazing turn out for the Sanders Park’s 50th birthday celebration.

As well as a look back on photographs of the park over the last halfcentury, collated by the Bromsgrove Society, the bandstand also came alive.

There were circus skills, rock painting and historical musical instruments to explore as part of the family fun day.

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At the Parkside Suite, Parkside, Market Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8DA (Please use the entrance on Stourbridge Road)

Tuesdays, 2 - 4pm 27th November 18th December (Special Xmas Dance) For more info please contact Jan Woolley on 01527 881478 or email j.woolley@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

A venue for all occasions...

For Weddings, Parties, Exhibitions, Conferences and more!

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Active Bromsgrove

Parkside Suite For enquiries please contact roombookings@ bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk or call 01527 881478

Parkside Suite, Parkside, Market Street, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 8DA

Sarah advocates flexible working to boost productivity Do you run a business or thinking of launching a business in Bromsgrove? Register now to attend our free flagship business event on Thursday 29 November 2018. This year our theme is Productivity.

At the event, Bromsgrove business leader Sarah Moore will be demonstrating the benefits of flexible and part time working to delegates from across North Worcestershire. Read more from Sarah at www.nwedr.org.uk/news/flexible-minds Join us to benefit from great speakers, a delicious lunch and great networking at Hogarths Stone Manor from 10.30am to 2.00pm.

Register your place now at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ celebrating-productivity-tickets-48879980337 Read more about our event and see the full programme www.nwedr.org.uk/news/join-us-to-celebrate-productivity

Working for Wythall During the early evening of Sunday 27th May, an intense rain storm passed over the Wythall and Hollywood areas, causing 132mm of rain to fall in just two hours – the equivalent to a one in 2,000 event (0.05% chance of occurring in any year).

This lead to 258 homes flooding internally, with a further 67 flooding externally. Many people have had to move out of their homes while restoration work takes place.

Officers from the North Worcestershire Water Management team have been working closely with Worcestershire County Council Highways and Severn Trent Water Ltd to investigate the causes and impacts of this flood event, and a report detailing our findings and recommendations will be published by the county council in due course.

Since the flood, all the road gullies have been cleaned by Highways, over 1,000 ground levels have been surveyed in the area by NWWM officers, and most of the watercourses and culverts have been inspected by specialist contractors; no major defects or blockages have been found in the culverted sections.

In October, the NWWM team also organised an event for residents at the Hollywood golf club where people could share their experiences, and also get specific advice from NWWM, STW, highways and the National Flood Forum.

To find out more about the flooding in Hollywood, visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20236/flood_risk_management/ 1817/hollywood_flooding You can also follow the NWWM team for flood related updates on facebook: www.facebook.com/northworcsflooding

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Saturday 17th november 3.30 - 5.30pm

See the events section on our Facebook page

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Bromsgrove District Council

For more information ple

Hosted by Malcolm Boyden from BBC Hereford & Worcester Outside the Golden Cross Pub with performances from: • Local singers Becky Neale & Chloe Barry • Cast of White Christmas - Redditch Operatic Society • Chadsgrove School Choir • Artrix Songstars Showchoir • The Theatre Workshop Choir PLUS • Meet Father Christmas & the Snow Queen • Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On 5pm outside Asda • Friends of St John’s Christmas Market 16th & 17th November, outside the Slug & Lettuce on the High Street

Switch On Timetable 3.30pm 3.50pm 4.10pm 4.20pm 4.45pm 5.00pm 5.30pm

Chadsgrove School Choir Artrix Songstars Showchoir Cast of White Christmas - Redditch Operatic Society The Theatre Workshop Choir Local singers Becky Neale & Chloe Barry Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On outside Asda The Big Christmas Lights Switch On

Timings correct at time of going to print

Give your feedback on this event!

See page 26 for details

See page 20

ase visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/events or call 01527 534030

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Bromsgrove Christmas Markets Christmas starts here!

It's never too early to get into the spirit of Christmas, and the Bromsgrove Christmas Markets are back so you can do just that!

Friday 16th November 10am - 4pm Saturday 17th November 10am - 6.30pm

Come along to the event space on Bromsgrove High Street for two days of festive fun!

Friends of St John's are starting the festivities on Friday 16th with their fantastic Christmas Craft Market in the space outside the Slug & Lettuce. A perfect chance to buy unique gifts and handmade items all made by local people. Stock up on your favourite local preserves from Sarah's Feisty Flavours, buy beautifully handcrafted stained glass from Sidil, enjoy locally made Wychbold Fudge, pick up a new bag from The Denim Upcycler or buy the perfect Christmas treat from The Ugly House or Blueberry Button. All these and many more will fill the Christmas Market stalls and there's a chance to support three local charities St Basils, St John's and Chadsgrove.

On Friday there's entertainment throughout the day from 10am til 4pm and of course a Christmas tree and Santa!

On Saturday the Christmas Craft Market continues with additional entertainment from stilt walker Steve Kaos, the wonderful Vintage Class Singers, the choir from Bromsgrove Stagecoach and a host of musicians and entertainers including local magician Luke Baker.

Alongside the craft stalls will be food and refreshments all weekend, and we'll be joining in the count down for the Christmas Lights Switch On at 5.30pm on Saturday. Don't miss this fabulous start to the festive season.

Find out more on www.facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove

Friends of St John's organise community based events to support the ongoing restoration and maintenance needs at Bromsgrove's ancient landmark church building. We value your support and donations to our projects are always welcome.

Our latest project has lit up the building at night! Friends are enormously grateful to the many individuals and organisations who have contributed towards events and projects. Thank you!

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Saturday 8th December - The Snowman

The Snowman flies again! Following the sell out success of last year's concert the Orchestra of St John will again perform the music from this wonderful film in the magical setting of St John's Church - twice!

The concerts at 4.30pm or 6.30pm will include some interaction with the musicians and a chance for a selfie with the snowman himself! With Town Crier Kevin Ward as the story narrator.

Tickets are just £5 and accompanied children go FREE - available from Decanter Spirit on Bromsgrove High Street or online via www.osjbromsgrove.org For more details follow www.facebook.com/osjbromsgrove Image Š Snowman Enterprises Ltd

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November 16th & 17th

Pull-out dates

Friday, 10am - 4pm Saturday, 10am - 6.30pm

Friends of St John Christmas Markets High Street, outside the Slug & Lettuce, Bromsgrove FREE Bromsgrove Town Centre Parking 16th Nov

Saturday, 3.30pm - 5.30pm

17th

Bromsgrove Christmas Lights Switch On Town Centre, outside the Golden Cross Pub (Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On 5pm outside Asda, Main Lights Switch On 5.30pm)

5.30pm - 8pm

Worcester Road Street Party Outside Neale's Garage, Worcester Rd, Bromsgrove

17th & 18th

Saturday & Sunday, times TBC

Artrix Festival of Light FREE Lantern Making Workshop, Parkside, Bromsgrove See www.artrix.co.uk for details

Saturday

Blackwell Concert Band Performance High Street, Bromsgrove, 11am - 1pm Rubery Village Christmas Lights Switch On New Road, Rubery, 3.30pm - 5.30pm (Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On 5pm, Main Lights Switch On 5.30pm)

30th 18

Friday, 5.30pm

Alvechurch Village Christmas Lights Switch On The Square, Alvechurch

(Please note all info correct at time of going to press, all events subject to change)

for your diary

Saturday

December

Small Business Saturday throughout the district Hagley Village Christmas Lights Switch On Village Centre, Hagley, 4pm - 8pm (Switch On 6pm) Barnt Green Christmas Lights Switch On Village Centre, Barnt Green, 4pm - 5pm (Switch On 5pm) Catshill Christmas Lights Switch On Outside Village Hall, Catshill, 3pm - 6pm FREE Bromsgrove Town Centre Parking 1st Dec

1st & 2nd

Saturday & Sunday, times TBC

Artrix Festival of Light FREE Lantern Making for the Brave Workshop, Parkside, Bromsgrove See www.artrix.co.uk for details

Saturday, 4.30pm & 6.30pm

8th

9th 15th

The Snowman Concert St John’s Church, Bromsgrove Town Centre, See www.osjbromsgrove.org for ticket details

Sunday, 5pm

Artrix Festival of Light, High Street, Bromsgrove FREE Bromsgrove Town Centre Parking 9th Dec

Saturday, 11am - 12pm

Blackwell Concert Training Band Performance High Street, Bromsgrove

Saturday, 1pm

22nd

Retro Run Christmas Special - Annual Charity Bike Ride, Bromsgrove Town Centre See facebook.com/theretrorunbikeride for info FREE Bromsgrove Town Centre Parking 22nd Dec

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Saturday 17th november 5.30 - 8pm,Worcester rd outside Neale’s garage Hosted by Bromsgrove Indie Club Businesses invite you to an intimate Christmas Lights Switch On After Party - come & discover what Worcester Road has to offer!

DJ Stage | Samba Band Fire Performers and more!

See the events section on our Facebook page

Bromsgrove District Council Supported by

Rubery Switch On Timetable 3.30pm

Holywell School Choir

3.50pm

Issi Young

4.00pm

Rubery Choir

4.20pm

St James School Choir

4.45pm

Becky Neale & Chloe Barry

20 Timings correct at time of going to print

5.00pm

Primrose Hospice Tree Switch On speech by Clare Turner - Vicar of St Chads & Primrose representative

5.05pm

Becky Neale & Chloe Barry

5.25pm

Speech by Cllr Caroline Spencer Chairman of BDC, Father Christmas and two children

5.30pm

The Big Switch On

5.35pm

Becky Neale & Chloe Barry

Rubery village Saturday 24th november 3.30 - 5.30pm

On New Road

with performances from: • Local singers Becky Neale & Chloe Barry • Holywell School Choir • Issi Young • Rubery Choir • St James School Choir PLUS • Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On at 5pm • Main Lights Switch On 5.30pm • Meet Father Christmas & the Snow Queen • Best Dressed Window Competition winner revealed Bromsgrove District Council For more information please visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/events or call 01527 534030

See the events section on our Facebook page

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Alvechurch village

friday 30th november 5.30pm, in the square

• Come and enjoy our Christmas Lights Switch On for 2018!

• Best Dressed Window Competition winner will be revealed More details are yet to be to be announced - please see the events tab on Bromsgrove District Council Facebook page for updates

For more information please contact Alvechurch Parish Council on 0121 4478016

barnt green saturday 1st december 4 - 5pm, village centre

• Join in the singing & entertainment from 4pm with Cats Chorus & The Star Project • Lights Switch On at 5pm • Take part in our ‘Find the Reindeer & Santa’ Competition • Best Dressed Window Competition winner will be revealed • Support your independent businesses on Small Business Saturday

More details are yet to be to be announced - please see the events tab on Bromsgrove District Council Facebook page for updates For more information please contact Barnt Green Parish Council on 0121 4479893 22

c at s h i l l saturday 1st december

3 - 6pm, outside village hall

• Take part in our ‘Find the Reindeer and Santa Competition’ • Best Dressed Window Competition winner will be revealed • Support your independent businesses on Small Business Saturday More details are yet to be to be announced - please see the events tab on Bromsgrove District Council Facebook page for updates

For more info please contact Catshill & North Marlbrook Parish Council on 01527 873266 Catshill and North Marlbrook

Parish Council

hagley village saturday 1st december 4 - 8pm, village centre

• Lights Switch On at 6pm • Take part in our ‘Find the Elves’ Competition • Best Dressed Window Competition winner will be revealed • Support your independent businesses on Small Business Saturday More details are yet to be to be announced - please see the events tab on Bromsgrove District Council Facebook page for updates

For more information please contact Hagley Parish Council on 01562 886239 23

Festival of Light 2018 Sunday 9th December, 5pm Bromsgrove High Street FREE event & workshops

The Festival of Light is a spectacular outdoor event that brings together music, community and award winning carnival.

This year’s event will see collaboration between the Artrix Arts Centre's associate artist Kristoffer Huball and Shademakers, one of the leading carnival groups in Europe.

Last year’s parade saw around 1000 people head out into the streets to welcome and follow a lost, 20ft, giant boy with a procession of their own handmade lanterns and a pyrotechnic finale. A true celebration of culture, belonging and warmth brought to life by Kristoffer as lead artist.

Get involved! FREE lantern making workshops will be taking place at Parkside on: 17th and 18th November 1st and 2nd December (more advanced workshop “For the brave!”)

Visit the Artrix Arts Centre website www.artrix.co.uk to find out details of how to attend, or if you're feeling more adventurous, get involved in performing with Shademakers as part of the carnival!

Shademaker's previous work has seen them lead the very first carnival in postcommunist Russia; become the King and Queen of the World Competition, Trinidad; perform at the first Berlin Carnival of Cultures and lead the Bielefeld Carnival of Cultures in Hanover.

As well as this they were also invited to perform at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations on The Mall and at the 2012 London Olympics Torch Ceremony.

Recent work includes creating the carnival procession for Arts by the Sea, Bournemouth, sailing a huge ship down the high street at Gravity Fields Festival in Lincolnshire, a special commission for The Stamford Bull Parade and being guest performers at the Bahrain Formula 1.

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FREE Town Centre parking Christmas has come early for shops in Bromsgrove as the district council has issued FREE parking on four days in the run up to the big day.

Visitors to the town haven't got to pay to park on:

Friday 16th November Saturday 1st December Sunday 9th December Saturday 22nd December

Christmas competitions

Help find Santa & his Friends!

Santa and his friends will be hiding in shop windows in Barnt Green, Catshill and Hagley Village this Christmas. Help find them and you could win a special prize! (One prize per district centre)

Find Santa & his reindeer in Barnt green You can pick up entry forms from Saturday 24th November from It's a Gift.

Please return forms to It's a Gift by Saturday 8th December.

Find Santa & his Reindeer in catshill You can pick up entry forms from Saturday 24th November from Modern Electric Tattoo, Mad Hatters CafĂŠ and the Village Hall. Please return forms to any of the locations by Saturday 8th December.

Find Santa & his elves in hagley village You can pick up entry forms from Saturday 24th November from Lily Blue and Flowers of Hagley. Please return forms to either location by Saturday 8th December.

Alvechurch village - best dressed house Take part in our Best Dressed House Competition and you could win a prize!

Houses must be in the Parish to be considered and you must register to take part by Sunday 9th December by contacting Alvechurch Parish Council on 0121 447 8016 or emailing clerk@alvechurch.gov.uk Judging will take place on the evening of Thursday 13th December.

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Blackwell Concert Band The band was formed in 1998 when woodwind was invited into the Blackwell Brass Band, to encourage further growth. Since these humble beginnings it has gone on to reach its current strength of around 65 players.

This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary.

There are a wide range of players in the band of varying experience and calibre. The repertoire includes marches, pop, rock, film scores, classical pieces and more.

The band are continuing to support Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of our friend and secretary, Vicky Stock.

The main band will be performing on the High Street in Bromsgrove on Saturday 24th November between 11am and 1pm. The training band, consisting of young and adult beginners will be also performing on the High Street on Saturday 15th December between 11am - 12 midday. Please come along and enjoy the festive music whilst you do your Christmas shopping.

This Christmas sees the band performing at the Severn Valley Railway and numerous other community events – all details are on our website www.blackwellconcertband.co.uk

Lights switch on survey Are you attending our Christmas Lights Switch On in Bromsgrove? Or perhaps you have chosen not to?

We would like to keep improving this event to make sure we're giving our residents what they want. So help us out by filling in our online survey with your thoughts and ideas. We are interested to know what you enjoy (or don't) and will take any ideas for future events.

The survey should take about 5 minutes to complete but will really help us understand your views and opinions. Go to www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/consultations

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Bromsgrove markets Date

Timings

Sat 22nd Dec

Normal market 8am - 4pm

Sun 23rd Dec

Extra market 10am - 4pm

Mon 24th Dec Extra market 8am - 2pm Tues 25th Dec NO MARKET Fri 28th Dec

Normal market 8am - 4pm

Sat 29th Dec

Normal market 8am - 4pm

Tues 1st Jan

NO MARKET

Fri 4th Jan

Normal market 8am - 4pm

Sat 5th Jan

Normal market 8am - 4pm

Will you get a TEN out of ten for your Christmas event?

Are you hosting a Christmas or New Year event? Make sure you submit your TEN (Temporary Event Notice) to your licensing authority!

As part of the Licensing Act 2005, any organised function is legally required to take out a TEN. The notice covers up to 499 people for a maximum of 168 hours.

If your event includes any of the following you will need a TEN: - Selling Alcohol - Indoor sporting events - Playing of music or films - Plays and theatrical performances - Dancing or entertainment (excluding carol singing) A ‘Standard’ TEN must be submitted at least 10 working days before the event but sometimes different rules apply for Christmas and New Year.

For more information on Temporary Event Notices, go to the Home Office website: www.homeoffice.gov.uk or email wrslicensing@worcsregservices.gov.uk

Eat safe this Christmas The festive period means that most of us eat out more, whether it’s for a works Christmas lunch or celebrating New Year with our families.

We know that pubs and restaurants get booked up quick but just because you might have to go somewhere that isn’t your preferred choice doesn’t mean that you have to accept lower standards of food hygiene.

The local Food Hygiene Rating Scheme listings can help you make an informed decision of where to eat safely at Christmas and the listings can be seen by going to www.food.gov.uk/ratings and carrying out a search to see how local businesses are rated.

Businesses are rated on a scale of 5 (very good) down to 0 (in need of major improvement).

Don’t accept second best this Christmas, check before you book!

Worcestershire Regulatory Services delivers services including Environmental Health and Licensing services throughout the county, hosted by Bromsgrove District Council.

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Do you have knee or hip pain?

ESCAPE-pain is a rehabilitation programme for people with chronic joint pain, that integrates educational self-management and coping strategies with an exercise regimen individualised for each participant. It helps people understand their condition, teaches them simple things they can help themselves with, and takes them through a progressive exercise programme so they learn how to cope with pain better.

Robust evaluation shows that ESCAPE-PAIN: • Reduces pain • Improves physical function • Improves the psychosocial consequences of pain • Reduces healthcare and utilisation costs

Please see the bottom of this page for contact information

Do you want to improve your balance and co-ordination?

Do you want to increase your strength, mobility and flexibility?

Do you want to improve your posture and stamina?

This scheme is specifically designed to help people who have problems with strength and balance and who consider themselves to be at risk of falling.

For more information on Escape Pain or Strength and Balance classes please visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/things-to-do/exercise-and-health/ community-exercise-sessions or contact Hayley Gwilliam on 01527 881404 28 email hayley.gwilliam@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

Mum’s Zumba

Beginners Community Gymnastics Mondays 4.45 - 5.45pm (term-time)

£3 per session

Meadows First / Parkside Middle School £3.50 per session A fun session for school aged children, all abilities welcome In partnership with Bromsgrove Gymnastics Club

Mondays 11am - 12pm at Bromsgrove Sports & Leisure Centre Not just for mums - grandmas, aunties & carers welcome too!

To find out more visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk or call 01527 881289

Please register interest online at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/gymnastics or call Sports Development on 01527 881289

Dodgeball sessions for ages 9 - 15yrs

Community Badminton Waseley Hills High School, Rubery Wednesdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm - £4.00

Do you enjoy playing friendly matches or are you looking for coaching to improve your game? Come along to our community club for ages 14+ It’s open to players of all levels so come and join in!

Tuesdays 6 - 7pm, £3.50 per session

Youth Sports Club

Take part in Football, Basketball, Handball, Dodgeball & other sports! For ages 9 - 15yrs Thursdays 6 - 7pm, £3.50 per session Sessions held at Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre, School Drive, Bromsgrove To attend please register online at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/active-kids For more info please call 01527 881289 or email: sd@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

email: sd@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk call: 01527 881356

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Parenting & Family Supp Have children aged 0 - 19?

Want to know what’s on in your area?

Stuff to do for You-th Directory Our directory contains a list of activities & groups for children & young people across Bromsgrove & Redditch.

Website: What's On

Looking for help with childcare costs?

For queries please contact Vicky Bromsgrove: 07943 832294 Redditch: 07506 554297 Website: Early Years

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Parenting and Family Support - Bromsgrove @BgroveandRditch Bromsgrove Pear Tree 01527 835775 Redditch Holly Trees 01527 61360

ort Service Fun Groups There are lots of fun groups & sessions for babies, pre-school children & parents/carers run by outside providers.

Website: What’s on in Bromsgrove & Redditch

Groups for Parents We host a variety of groups for you as parents/carers, to help bring out the best in your children, including: Understanding Your Child Teen Triple P | Triple P 2 to 10yrs Birth & Beyond Website: Groups For Parents & Carers

Find all of the above on our website:

www.bromsgroveandredditchparentingandfamilysupport.com

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Helping to erase hate

(L-R) Claire Cashmore MBE, Nadia Rashid and Bushra Shaikh

Hundreds joined a Paralympian and an 'apprentice' to embrace their differences in solidarity against hate crime at a special event in autumn.

People came together to share their experiences and help erase hate crime at the open event, which was held by North Worcestershire Hate Incident Partnership as part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week.

Claire Cashmore MBE, Paralympic Gold Medallist, and Bushra Shaikh, businesswoman and candidate on the BBC’s The Apprentice, were amongst the speakers at the Parkside Suite in Bromsgrove on October 19 as people came together to reject hate crime and focus on the strength of our communities.

Nadia Rashid, Chair of the North Worcestershire Hate Incident Partnership, said: “It was great to bring together communities in North Worcestershire to celebrate perceived differences, and break down the barriers associated with them.”

Speaking to the media before the event, the speakers shared their experiences of hate crimes where people had attacked them over their perceived differences – Cashmore, originally from Redditch, was born with no left forearm, and Shaikh, from Surrey, makes luxury apparel for Muslim women.

More info is available from the North Worcestershire Hate Incident Partnership at www.nwcsp.org, on Twitter @NWHateIncident, or by contacting the district council’s Community Safety team on communitysafety@bromsgrove.gov.uk or 01527 881472.

Is it really for charity?

Did you know fake charity collectors can try to prey on your sympathy by asking you to make a donation to a worthy cause? They may pose as a collector for a fake charity, misuse the name of a genuine and often well-known charity, and sometimes pretend to be raising sponsorship money for something that isn’t real.

Be vigilant for the signs of potential charity donation fraud: • Is it for a properly registered charity?

• Is the collector authorised by the charity? You can call the charity directly to check – but don’t ask the collector for contact details, as they may give you scam details.

• Is the collector misusing official-looking uniforms or ID documents? Anyone can fake a look, to try to seem genuine.

• Is the collector aggressive or intimidating? Legitimate charities would never do this.

Call the police if you’re concerned for your safety.

• If it’s a ‘charitable magazine’ for sale, it’s not covered by regulations for charitable collection or the sale of goods in the street. Make sure you’re happy it’s genuine.

Remember, you can always donate to the charity directly yourself.

You can report suspected charity fraud to Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, on 0300 123 2040. More info: www.actionfraud.police.uk

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Does your home keep you warm, safe and well?

Can you see the rafters in your loft?

You could benefit from more loft insulation.

Does your home have bricks in this pattern but no fill holes? You might have uninsulated cavity walls.

Let it snow!

• Old, insufficient or broken boiler?

• Don’t have central heating but live close to mains gas?

There may be help available.

Contact Warmer Worcestershire’s partner Act on Energy for free, independent advice and support on 0800 988 2881

During the wintry weather we strive to keep residents up to date with any changes to our services, particularly bin collections.

Where possible we try to keep our collections as normal but every morning and throughout the day we monitor the weather and road conditions.

Because our collection vehicles are so heavy, we need to make sure the roads are safe enough to drive on. Rural roads can be quite tricky in the ice and snow so we may choose not to send our crews out if it poses a risk to them and others.

We update our website regularly during snowfall, alert the media and post updates on our Facebook and Twitter accounts. So sign up today for alerts and other news updates – winter is just around the corner.

Just in case the weather takes a turn for the worst this winter, advice on flooding and gritting is available from Worcestershire County Council at www.worcestershire.gov.uk To keep up to date with affected county council services during bad weather, such as school, library and museum closures and bus service disruptions, view the emergency alerts section on the county council website or follow them on twitter:

@worcscc

@WorcsTravel 33

Save money and waste less this Merry Christmas

By New Year’s Eve most of us have emptied our wallets and we’re fed up of cooking and eating!

Rather than throwing leftovers away, turn them into tasty treats with these handy, money-saving, ideas to see you through to the New Year without eating dozens of dry turkey sandwiches…

Extravagant Sandwiches Add some crispy fried bacon, chutney, leftover salad leaves, crunchy carrots or pickled cabbage. Spread bread with chilli jam, onion marmalade, mayonnaise or mango chutney to avoid those dry turkey sandwiches!

Christmas Quiche Mix together your chosen leftovers – think turkey, bacon, tomatoes, cheese or vegetables – and in a separate bowl stir together eggs and leftover cream. Bake your short crust pastry in a quiche tin (or try making smaller ones in muffin tins) and blind bake. Fill your case(s) with your leftovers and pour over the egg mix. Bake for 2025 minutes or until the egg is cooked through.

Chocolate Fondant Pudding Save your leftover Christmas pudding from the bin! Melt butter and leftover chocolate in one bowl and whisk eggs and caster sugar in another before adding the flour. Mix both bowls together and crumble in the leftover pudding. Pour into small buttered moulds and bake at 190ºC for 10-12 minutes, making sure centre is still runny.

Top tips

Use airtight containers – great for storing leftovers for other meals Plan your meals – try to plan between 4 and 5 meals per week Make a shopping list – so you buy what you need and don’t forget things Be store cupboard savvy – keep your 34 cupboards stocked with things like pasta,

pulses, sauces etc. to help you rustle up a decent meal from leftovers.

Use your freezer - Anything freezable can be frozen right up to the ‘use by’ date. Why not cook in bulk and freeze portions too?

New Year…New You! Clear out your fridge, using up leftovers before the New Year so you can start afresh.

Neale’s Garage

Worcester Rd

5.30pm - 8pm

Worcester Road Street Party

Golden Cross Pub

3.30pm - 5.30pm

Bromsgrove Christmas Lights Switch On

Bromsgrove Christmas Lights Switch On Map Saturday 17th November 2018

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Bromsgrove Regular Market 8am - 6pm

Mill Lane

Asda

Argos

Bromsgrove Christmas Market 10am - 6.30pm

Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On 5pm

T R E AT Y O U R S E L F T H I S FESTIVE SEASON File and Polish Gel Application, Hands and Feet Only £25 Treatments must be booked and paid for by 31/12/2018. To avoid disappointment, please book as far in advance as possible.

S C H O O L D R I V E , B R O M S G R O V E B 6 0 1 AY TELEPHONE: 01527 916434 W W W. E V E R Y O N E S PA . C O M / B R O M S G R O V E