Redditch Matters Winter 2016 Edition

Christmas in Redditch Pullout inside

Winter 2016

Redditch matters

A great read for Redditch residents

Town Hall Xmas Opening Hours

Let it snow!

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 Streams.

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

Date

Open/Closed

Friday 23rd December

Open as normal 8.45am - 5pm

Saturday 24th Christmas Eve

Closed

Sunday 25th Christmas Day

Closed

Monday 26th Boxing Day

Closed

Tuesday 27th Bank Holiday

Closed

Wednesday 28th

Closed

Thursday 29th Friday 30th

Saturday 31st New Year’s Eve Closed Sunday 1st January Closed New Year’s Day Monday 2nd January Closed Bank Holiday Normal services resume from Tuesday 3rd January

INSIDE...

GET IN TOUCH

Page 3: Christmas Collections

Visit us

Page 6-10: Christmas pullout including Lights Switch On and Town Centre events

Open as normal 8.45am - 5pm Open as normal 8.45am - 5pm

Redditch Borough Council, Town Hall, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch, Worcs, B98 8AH Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday - 9am - 12pm (Cashiers & Town Hall)

Call us

Customer Services: 01527 64252 Out of Hours emergency: 01527 67666

Write to us

Page 11: Promoting Redditch Page 12: Drilling rig in Redditch

Redditch Borough Council, Town Hall, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch, Worcs, B98 8AH

Click on

www.redditchbc.gov.uk Redditch Borough Council @RedditchMatters

Page 14: Help wage war on weeds

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If you want this magazine in a different format, e.g. audio CD, or language, call 01527 881296.

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 881296.

A message from the Leader Welcome to this edition of Redditch Matters which gives me the opportunity to share with you news from this council and across the borough.

As always, I am very proud of our town and the number of residents and visitors that turned out to show their support and appreciation on both Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday. It is at humbling events like this that our fantastic multicultural community shows and we really come together as a town.

And I am sure you are proud of our Borough so our Promoting Redditch campaign will be of interest to you – don’t forget to follow us on social media.

With Christmas well on its way we have lots of events taking place in the Town Centre from the end of November to help everyone get into the festive spirit thanks to work with the Town Centre Partnership and the Kingfisher Shopping Centre.

The incredible lights switch on event has everything from real reindeer to X Factor runners up Reggie and Bollie and of course Santa will be making his entrance before settling down in his new grotto in the shopping centre. The festivities don’t stop there with a specialist Christmas Market, competitions, a Victorian Craft Fair and more to enjoy; there is something for everyone young or old.

Christmas is a time to reflect on the year gone by and look towards the future. So make the most of the festive season by reading pages 6 – 10 in this magazine for top tips, events and ideas to savour and enjoy time with family and friends.

Of course, this magazine isn’t just about fun and frolicking at Christmas and there are some more serious newsworthy articles too, including the drilling rig which came to test soil samples, how we’re helping resident’s get online and the bereavement charity who has benefited from our crematorium recycling scheme, to name but a few.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition.

Cllr Bill Hartnett Leader of Redditch Borough Council.

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The Palace Theatre: A history Did you know?

• The Palace is an Edwardian theatre which celebrated its centenary in 2013.

• It is a very popular Grade II listed theatre which was designed by legendary theatre designer William Robert ‘Bertie’ Crewe.

• The building has had a chequered history and was converted into a roller disco in the 1950s and, later, even a bingo hall.

• However, it survived the fate of thousands of theatres nationwide - lost for eternity as people sought out the new phenomenon of cinema and other forms of entertainment. By 1982, 85 per cent of the 12,000 working theatres in the UK had been demolished or made unrecognisable.

• In the late 1960s, when Redditch became a new town, the Redditch Development Corporation bought and retained the then run-down Palace Theatre. After a few more changes of ownership and use, the theatre was handed over to the Redditch Urban District Council in 1985 and is currently owned and operated by Redditch Borough Council.

• Experts agree that the Palace is of national importance.

It is a rare example of Edwardian theatre architecture and is one of only six working examples remaining which can be wholly attributed to its famous designer, Bertie Crewe. Others being the flamboyant 1911 Shaftesbury Theatre and the 1904 rebuild of the Lyceum. It is a significant historic building, surviving an architectural crossroad when theatres were declining in favour of cinema construction.

• The theatre has seen four renovations with the most recent being a £4m renovation in 2005. It returned the 425-seat venue to its original glory and added vastly improved facilities. Redditch Borough Council invested £3.1 million in the upgrade and the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the scheme £920,500.

• Additional modern facilities were built and connected to all three levels of the now restored theatre, including a multipurpose rehearsal and meeting room, foyer, bar, lounge and lift for accessibility.

The Palace Theatre is located on Alcester Street, Redditch.

Call 015277 65203 or visit www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk for more information.

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Sign up to be part of a tale as old as time...

Youngsters with a passion for acting have the opportunity to audition for an all time classic this December.

The Palace Youth Theatre will be holding open auditions for performers aged 8 to 18 for their summer production of Beauty and the Beast.

Auditions will be held on Thursday 8th December at 5.30pm and the show will run from Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th July 2017. Anyone wishing to be involved in the show must be available for these dates.

If you or someone you know would be interested in auditioning please email Lizzi.tabberer@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk for more information and an audition pack.

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Bigger, better Christmas events Lights switch on has the X Factor Save the last Saturday in November for this year’s bigger, better Christmas lights switch-on event in Redditch. X-Factor runners-up Reggie ‘N’ Bollie will be throwing the switch on the lights at the event outside St Stephen’s Church, after a whole-day programme of fun in the town on November 26.

The musical duo will top an action-packed bill starting at 10am, which will include a cross-town Christmas parade as Santa takes up residence in his Kingfisher Shopping Centre grotto. Events run all day and finish with music and fun hosted by Free Radio’s David Francis in Church Green East from 3pm, with the lights turned on at 4.30pm.

10.00am Christmas market opens, & meet Santa’s reindeer in Walter Stranz Square

11.00am Santa’s parade sets off from Walter Stranz Square

11.30am Bandstand performances from Acrobatic Elves & Indigo Arts

12noon Santa’s parade arrives at his grotto in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre

From 3pm Lights switch on hosted by Free Radio, with Reggie ‘N’ Bollie, Xmas Panto lead Nicole Faraday (Bad Girls, Emmerdale), Keri Whip, & Indigo Arts Redditch Town Centre Partnership co-ordinator Emma Newfield said: “This year we’re very pleased that the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch Borough Council, and the Redditch Town Centre Partnership will all work together to play host to Redditch’s biggest switch on event in recent memory. We’re excited about the events we’re lining up for what promises to be a great opportunity to have some fun and celebrate together.”

Katie Broome, Kingfisher Shopping Centre Marketing Manager, added: “Together we’re making this year’s switch on event bigger and better than ever, and it’s our great pleasure to invite everyone down for some festive fun.

It’ll be a really great atmosphere to kick off the Christmas period.”

The Redditch Town Centre Partnership is a group of local organisations and community groups that act together to improve the town centre.

It includes the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch Borough Council, Heart of Worcestershire College and more.

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www.redditchbc.gov.uk/christmas

Share your trip and win One lucky winner will take scoop a £50 gift card donated by Kingfisher Shopping Centre, in a new festive competition.

Just tag any check-in, photo or video of your trip to anywhere in Redditch Town Centre on Saturday November 26 with the tags #Redditch and #Xmas on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter to be in with a chance to win!

Brand new Christmas market A flurry of festive gifts at bargain prices will be available at the first Christmas market by Redditch’s new market operators.

Skett’s, the specialist market operator that took over management of the market earlier this year, are holding their first ever specialist Christmas market in the town alongside the light switch on and other events on Saturday November 26, from 10am to 5pm.

Expect Christmas crafts, festive food, and great gifts as the sparkling market ushers in the real Christmas season.

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Festive fun & Christmas crafts at Forge Mill No one did Christmas quite like the Victorians so come down to Forge Mill on 3rd or 4th December and join in with their traditional Victorian Christmas Craft Fair.

There will be a variety of over 20 craft stalls including lampwork jewellery, wooden gifts, homemade soaps, pottery, cakes and jams.

With a different selection of stalls each day there is plenty of scope for gift buying.

As well as the stalls there will be Victorian candle making demonstrations, Victorian Curiosities and Mulled Wine and Roasted Chestnuts.

Festive music and carol singing will be provided

by Alcester Victoria Silver Band and Indigo Arts to add some atmosphere to the shopping experience.

Younger visitors will be able to make a visit to Father Christmas between 11am and 3pm.

The event is from 11am - 4pm each day and entry is £1 for adults with children free. There may be some additional charges for some activities.

Christmas CRAFT Fair sat 3 & sun 4 December

Will You Get a TEN Out of Ten for Your Christmas Event?

Are you hosting a Christmas or New Year event this year?

Make sure you submit your TEN (Temporary Event Notice) to your licensing authority!

As part of the Licensing Act 2005, many organised functions are 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 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 (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk) or email wrslicensing@worcsregservices.gov.uk

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Tis the season to...reduce, re-use, recycle?

Christmas and New Year are some of the busiest times of the year, and it’s no different for your bins!

This might not be something you think about very much because as they say, out of sight out of mind. But quite simply your council tax pays the costs of processing your waste, and there are simple things you can do to keep those costs down.

A penny saved is a penny earned We promote ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ initiatives to reduce waste and save money - because every kilogram of good recycling is one less kilogram for which you will have to pay the higher costs of landfill or incineration. The less waste we create and the better the quality of recycling in our green bins, the less pressure will go on our council tax to pay to deal with it.

This winter, look out online across Worcestershire and beyond for our latest #RecyclingReady short videos around some simple festive themes:

Re-use Many gifts and new things are bought around Christmas, but could your old things have use left in them for someone else? Could they be re-used? A variety of local charities such as Boomerang Re-use (01527 68250) will gladly re-use old household goods.

Love food hate waste The amount of food waste we generate in Redditch rockets during the festive season.

If you’re buying more food than usual for a delicious Christmas, it’s more important than ever to keep track of what you have to reduce unnecessary waste. The best tip is simply to make sure you write a shopping list, which is good practice all year round but at Christmas it can save you real money!

Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree If you’ve got a natural Christmas tree, you can take it to the tip on Crossgate Road yourself or get us to come and pick it up with one of our very low cost bulky waste collections - just call 01527 881288.

Wrapping up Every Christmas the recycling plant gets flooded with tons of non-recyclable gift wrappings put into recycling bins with the best intentions. But they contaminate the recycling and even tangle up the machinery! The ‘scrunch test’ will reveal all - if your wrapping paper springs back when you scrunch it up, then it’s not recyclable and should go in your waste bin…and unfortunately, none of the bows and ribbons can be recycled.

Don’t miss your Christmas bin collections Good news, there are no changes to your normal bin collection days this Christmas.

Just make sure to have it out on the kerb by 7am on your normal collection day.

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We dish you a Merry Christmas

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

So here are some handy, money-saving, ideas to see you through to the New Year without eating dozens of dry turkey sandwiches…

Christmas Day - The Works

We all go to town and cook too much on Christmas day so make sure that after the meal, you keep all leftovers in air tight plastic containers in the fridge ready to use for other meals.

Never Ending Turkey Soup

Make stock from the turkey bones and freeze in 1 pint portions (rinsed out plastic milk cartons work well).

Add veg, meat and leftover cream. You can either blitz together to make a chunky soup or leave thin and add pasta to make ‘turkey noodle soup’.

New Year…New You!

Have a fridge clear out and finish up any leftovers or excess food in healthy soups, salads and omelettes.

Clear out the kitchen in preparation for the New Year before making a resolution to love food and hate waste all year round.

Extravagant sandwiches

Make a sandwich from leftover cold meats; 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.

Eat safe this Christmas The festive period normally 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 often get booked up quick but just because you might have to go somewhere that isn’t your preferred choice doesn’t mean 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). The website is updated monthly and mobile apps are also available for you to plan where to eat.

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Changing Perceptions Residents and businesses are being urged to ‘take another look’ at Redditch as part of a campaign to promote the Borough.

A series of videos have been launched on social media to demonstrate the range of culture, shopping, countryside, transport links and amenities which Redditch has to offer.

This campaign is part of a wider ‘Promoting Redditch’ initiative which aims to change residents’ perceptions of the Borough and attract new businesses to the area.

Already Redditch Borough Council officers have worked with HOW College to ask students what they stay in, or visit, Redditch for and what they go outside the Borough for.

A photography competition was also held depicting the theme and the Council hopes to get students further involved in the campaign, to fit in with their academic curriculum.

Going forward the Council hopes to get businesses involved and ask leaders why Redditch is a great place to do business.

Look out on social media for #Redditch #takeanotherlook

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Drilling rig rocked up in Redditch A mobile drilling rig was put in place in grounds at Ipsley Church Lane to carry out essential soil sampling works.

The environmental testing took place to assess the site’s suitability as a possible future cemetery site.

One reason is, as geological records show, land here will probably consist of Mercia Mud, which means the water may not soak as quickly through the rock. This needs to be determined so contamination risks can be considered.

It was conducted via a mobile drilling rig, by experts Geo-Environmental and residents and pupils were invited to watch the process in action.

Bereavement Services Manager Michael Birkenshaw said: “There are no concrete plans to build a cemetery at this site but, is an issue nationally, land for burials is in short-supply.

“By carrying out these works we will know if this area is suitable or not for future development of this nature.

“The drilling was of interest to our communities – not only was it an impressive site, but there is an opportunity for geological enthusiasts to get involved.”

The final results, which will consider water flow and permeability, will be back in 12 months.

Forward-thinking Redditch Borough Council is looking at creating extra burial space. All local authorities are feeling pressured as space for burials is limited however at Redditch we have plans in place over the next two years to help alleviate this.

Redditch has three cemetery sites and one crematorium. We currently conduct around 1600 cremation and 160 burials per year. The Council has two and a half years provision remaining at our main site for full burials with a further three years provision at an alternate site within the Borough.

There’s ten + years cremated remains burial space within our main site and further provision at other sites within the Borough. Another burial site would provide around 25 years provision.

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Bereavement charity benefits from recycling efforts A charity which offers support to bereaved Redditch youngsters saw a boost to its coffers thanks to recycling efforts at the Borough’s Crematorium.

Touchstones, which covers North East Worcestershire, received £4,337 from Redditch Borough Council’s crematorium, in Bordesely Lane, which recycled metals left behind by the cremation process.

Families give their permission for the metals, from jewellery or replacement hips and limbs to be sold, by the Council, to be recycled.

Touchstones Fundraising Manager Vicki Quarton said: “This money means we can continue to provide support to young people who have lost a loved one and are struggling to come terms with this loss.

Often their close family members are grieving too so the time we give to these youngsters is valuable and integral for them to learn to live again.”

Council Leader Bill Hartnett said: “Our crematorium is renowned for environmental excellence and for us to be able to help this charity which provides such vital support to our young residents, at the same time, is the cherry on the cake!”

new year at the abbey stadium,

TWO NEW STUDIOS!!

• • • •

New Dance, Mind and Body Studio New Sweat Studio Les Mills Smart Bars & Steps New M3l Keiser Bikes

• • • •

State of the art lighting Full air conditioning Bigger Cycling Studio Extra classes

COMING january 2017 TO JOIN OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

01527 60206

Bash the balsam!

Could you help out once a year to manage a major weed problem in Arrow Valley Country Park?

A call is going out for people to register their interest in volunteering to help tackle highly invasive Himalayan Balsam in the park, at an annual ‘balsam bashing’ event each April or May. If you or a group you are involved with would like to be contacted when plans about this annual volunteering event start to take shape, please go to www.redditchbc.gov.uk/volunteer where you can add a contact email address.

What is it?

Himalayan Balsam is an invasive weed that quickly spreads long distances through watercourses. Attempts to remove it have to be well-timed, as its fragile seed pods simply burst and spread more of it downstream. It’s present across the borough but abundant at Arrow Valley, and the problem is so serious that attacking it has been included as part of the council’s watercourse management plan.

Leisure Services Manager Ray Cooke, who manages the plan, said: “We are building up our volunteer groups within the park and will be asking volunteers to help us control the balsam each year. We have a battle on our hands so we will be looking for people and businesses willing to give up some time to wage war on this weed.”

Example of Himalayan Balsam (not in Redditch)

Getting online There was help for people in Redditch to discover the benefits of getting online for national Get Online Week in October.

Redditch Mayor Cllr Joe Baker kicked off the week by holding a face-to-face videocall meeting with his counterpart, Chairman of neighbouring Bromsgrove District Council Cllr Helen Jones, to show how easily technology can connect people.

A special police ‘cyber mobile’ outside the Town Hall saw police and council officers talk to residents about staying safe while using the internet, followed by a public event where people could drop in and see how to keep warm and save money by taking advantage of cheaper energy suppliers and other benefits available online.

There are more events like this coming – see over the page.

Organised under the Go Online Worcestershire partnership to help more people access the benefits online services can bring.

1-to-1 drop-in sessions And Mrs D.M. Humphries of Church Hill was revealed as the winner of the borough council’s ‘Go Online’ survey prize draw to find out more about local internet usage. Mrs Humphries was “delighted to be selected as the winner” and “excited to learn how to get online and enjoy my tablet,” as she took home a brand new Amazon Fire.

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No appointment necessary: just turn up for a support session with one of our Digital Champions at the Town Hall every Thursday 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm.

Be a champion to others

Could you join us and an existing UK network of over 15,000 digital champions? Anyone can do it. All you need is a bit of spare time and commitment to support friends and others in your community to enjoy the benefits that basic online skills bring.

See www.redditchbc.gov.uk/volunteering for more.

Have a Warmer Winter Come to one of a series of events in November and December for free independent support to keep warm and save money.

Just bring along an energy bill to get help with switching energy suppliers to save money. Find out about smart meters for accurate bills without having to read the meter or let a stranger into your house. And find out about help that is available for low, fixed income homeowner households with broken or inefficient heating as well improving home insulation.

Alternatively just call Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881.

- Redditch Library, 17th November, 10am - 2pm - REDI Centre, 1st December, 10am - 12pm - Abbeydale Community Centre, 1st December 2pm - 4pm - Bonus: Redditch Town Hall Council Chamber as part of Older People’s Services event, 9th March 10am - 2pm

With:

North East Worcestershire Telecare Service

North East Worcestershire Telecare Service

No phone needed

Give peace of mind this Christmas

NEW Lifeline is now able to offer customers ‘GSM’ units which allow Lifeline to be installed in users’ homes without the need for a telephone line.

NEW Lifeline is a telecare service available 24 hours, 365 days a year to any vulnerable people living within the Redditch and Bromsgrove 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.

The GSM units will allow more customers to access the service and will offer greater flexibility of where units can be placed in the home.

For more information please call 01527 534060 or email: lifeline@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

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

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

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December is

Bring a Buddy Month Bring a friend with you to join the fun of the gym at the Abbey Stadium this December for free!

You can bring a different friend each time if you would like, just make sure you are there to share the fun with them!

What’s more, if they decide to join in December the joining fee is on us! Just think of it as a little Christmas treat!

What are you waiting for!

Ask at reception or call 01527 60206 for more information.

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