The Bromsgrove Oracle July & August 2018

OVER 30,000 READERS EACH EDITION

July / August 2018

IN THIS ISSUE: l

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WIN £50 in our new “Find Wol” Competition Family Fun Time with Marksman Leisure Launch Night at Clent Hills Pet Fitness & Rehabilitation Centre “Save the Date” – Your Local Events Guide

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Welcome to the July and August edition of The Bromsgrove Oracle.

Wow…the last few months really have flown by but that must mean we are enjoying ourselves if you follow the saying “Time flies when you’re having fun” and here at The Bromsgrove Oracle, we like to ensure that as we continue to grow our business and unite our community, we have fun at the same time and your great feedback certainly suggests that you enjoy browsing our magazine, whilst our growing readership and interaction is fantastic, thank you.

As you already know we are continually planning exciting new content for our magazine, to provide more local information, local news and events (all linked to and promoted on our website and social media) and we have some great new initiatives coming over the next few months. However, this month we proudly launch our “Find Wol” competition, where you have the chance to win £50, here’s how to enter : Simply find the hidden image of our friendly Owl “Wol” in our magazine, go to our website www.thebromsgroveoracle.co.uk and enter the competition for your chance to win, it’s very easy to enter and like the saying goes “you’ve got to be in it, to win it”……Good Luck We really enjoy providing our magazine for you, your contributions and your feedback but please don’t hesitate to provide me with your suggestions for future editions.

Hope you enjoy this edition and don’t forget YOU can provide YOUR events, news and information too ?.

Until next time.

Lyndon.

Tardebigge Canal by Darren Waldron (cover photo)

A Selection of Local Stories and Information: Jukes Insurance supporting Primrose Hospice

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Family Fun with Marksman Leisure

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This Month’s Recipe

6

Health News from Perpetual Wellbeing

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Bromsgrove School YE students win again

10

Hogarths Support Netball Success

12

Meet the Members at Grafton Manor

18

Launch Night at Clent Hills Pets Fitness Centre

24 & 25

Grafton Manor Wedding Open Day

28

Save the Date – Local Events Guide

36 & 37

Broad Street Ladies Night

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Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in printing of the advert. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate.

The Bromsgrove Oracle does not endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved.

No part of this publicaion may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the prior consent of the publisher.

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YEARS

S4F Family Fun Summer:July Aug 2018

30/5/18

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19:54

Page 1

Activities News Family Fun in a Forest this Summer Providing quality equipment and professional coaching as required, owner Mark Treverton has earned a strong reputation locally for ensuring clients enjoy a memorable shooting experience every time.

In February he invested £25k in new state-of-the-art laser tag guns, bringing augmented reality games to life during combat in the forest.

Fun for ALL the family

Get together with family and friends and enjoy 2 hours fun in a forest this summer.

Marksman Leisure is offering families a special price for its Shooting 4 Fun outdoor laser tag on weekdays from 23 July - 31 August. This includes exclusive use of the Oaklands Outdoor Activity Centre, in Hanbury - a 4.5 acre woodland setting.

The £125 package is for up to ten people and includes 90 minutes of laser tag fun.

Following the activity, thereʼs an additional 30 minutes when you can enjoy a picnic in the idyllic rural grounds.

Laser Tag is suitable for all ages from 6 years upwards.

The Oaklands Activity Centre in Hanbury

This makes it a great family activity - for kids, parents and grandparents! Unlike some other shooting activities thereʼs no paint, no pain, no mess and no loud bangs!

Marksman Leisure has been offering outdoor shooting activity packages for nearly 25 years.

Marksman Leisure offers a wide variety of outdoor activities at its Centre in Hanbury, including archery, rifle shooting and clay shooting, as well as team building games, corporate events and childrenʼs laser tag parties.

For more information call Mark: 01527 575141

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Oracle July August 2018 half:Katherine Neal

10%

OFF

with this advert

photoshoot parties for tweens Our Photo-Shoot Party Package is perfect for ‘tweenage’ girls who love to pose, dress up and have fun with their girlfriends!

The £250 package price includes 2 hours of shoot time for up to six children with a mini-makeover for each girl, party invitations, and over 100 web-sized digital images.

Light refreshments provided.

Contact Katherine Neale: 01527 962022 katherineneale@mac.com

Studio:Tardebigge Court, Hewell Road, B97 6QJ

www.katherinenealephotography.com

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Roast Salmon

with Tomato & Asparagus Tagliatelle Ready in 20 minutes

Serves 4

This light summery supper is on the table in less than 30 minutes – perfect when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. If you prefer, replace the salmon with pieces of cod loin or smoked haddock fillets.

Preheat the oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas mark 6. Place the salmon on a lightly oiled shallow roasting tin. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and drizzle over the lemon juice.

• 4 x 175g pieces salmon fillet • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Place the cherry tomatoes in a bowl and add half of the oil and the garlic. Toss gently to coat. Place in the roasting tin around the salmon. Roast for 12-15 minutes until the salmon is just cooked through and the tomatoes have softened.

• 1 tbsp lemon juice • 2 tbsp olive oil

Meanwhile cook the tagliatelle in a pan of lightly salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes or according to the packet instructions. Add the asparagus tips to the pan for the final 3 minutes. Drain well.

Return to the pan.

• 250g cherry tomatoes • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced

Add the roast cherry tomatoes and the remaining olive oil to the tagliatelle and asparagus and toss together. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

• 250g tagliatelle (see Tip) • 150g asparagus tips • 1 tbsp freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley • Lemon wedges to serve

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Divide the pasta between four warmed plates.

Top with the roasted salmon, sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve with the lemon wedges.

TIP You can use any long thin pasta for this dish; spaghetti or linguine would work just as well.

If you use fresh pasta the cooking time will be reduced – just follow the instructions on the pack.

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TO STAY WARM IN WINTER, COOL IN SUMMER CHOOSE A TILED CONSER ATORY ROOF

day Call to r no u for yo tion g i l b o a tion uota

Health News

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Eat Less, Move More & Be Accountable Save the alcohol for the weekend. I know how it feels to get home from work and head straight for the fridge and that bottle of wine! And that first glass disappears quickly! Have you ever thought that maybe you are thirsty and a big glass of water could save you a few hundred calories a day?

Petra Boddington explains how a simple three-prong approach to changing lifestyle habits can help you lose weight successfully.

Everyone is looking for a quick fix weight loss - a magic pill, a potion or a shake. I have struggled with my weight all my life.

I have tried just about everything to lose weight, and you know what! The answer is right there in front of your face. Just like it was in front of mine... Eat less, move more and be accountable.

If I continue to eat and drink, live a sedentary lifestyle and just moan about it, then it will stay the same.

Sweet treats and crisps are so tempting and we often over eat them without thinking. I know carrot sticks So make a change! Make arenĘźt quite the same but if more than one! Make a list you are getting ready for of things that you can change: your holidays, reducing those mindless calories Is your portion size too big? could be the difference between feeling good in Do you eat too much cake your shorts and wishing it and crisps? would rain so you could put your joggers back on!

Do you drink too much wine or sugary drinks?

Make yourself accountable.

Make a list and make one change a week, or even better, one change a day, and watch the changes take effect.

Cut your portions down by using a smaller plate or make your usual amount and put one portion in the freezer. Just by reducing your calories at each meal in this simple way will help you to lose weight!

Keep a food and drink diary and be honest! It may surprise you just how much you really do eat and drink.

Make small changes to your usual habits and replace snacking with one of those jobs that need doing around the house instead!

Petra Boddington is a Master Personal Trainer and Lifestyle Coach at Perpetual Wellbeing Fitness Centre in Bromsgrove.

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& stronger!

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Try out our unique obstacle course + bootcamp for free!

Book your FREE TRIAL online

www.perpetualwellbeing.co.uk Suitable for men & women of all fitness levels

Fitness Instructors: Book a private slot, bring your clients and run your own bootcamp on the obstacle course!

Call 01527 877622 for more details info@perpetualwellbeing.co.uk

Land Next to Perpetual Wellbeing Fitness Centre, Kidderminster Road, Dodford Crossroads, Bromsgrove, B61 9DU

Bromsgrove School page edit:July Aug 2018

School News

15/6/18

17:25

Page 1

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Success for Young Enterprise Team They then combined this with market research which suggested that losing keys was a common issue for people and hence a winning product was designed.

Ki Moments Team

Bromsgrove School’s Ki Moments team win North Worcestershire Young Enterprise Best Overall Company Award This yearʼs Young Enterprise team from Bromsgrove School progressed through to the Regional Finals after a very strong performance in the area competition, where they won an amazing four awards; Best Product, Best Finance, Best Trade Stand and Best Overall Company.

However, they did not stop there. They have since gone on to have their unique product of a photo frame combined with a key rack stocked in Webbs Garden Centre showing just how far they have

have progressed throughout the year in terms of their professionalism and negotiation skills.

The team first created the idea for their product based on the fact that they are boarding students at the school who wanted a way to treasure memories of their families.

Team ʻKi Momentsʼ have been supported through their efforts during the year by local businesses representatives Lyndon Stokes (The Bromsgrove Oracle) and Robert Elliot (Hogarths Stone Manor). The two very enthusiastic and dedicated advisors helped them to build their brand and really hone their business skills.

Bromsgrove School teacher and Young Enterprise Centre Lead, Jo Holdsworth, said: “Ki Moments have developed significantly throughout the process both in terms of as a company and as individuals.

With adverse weather conditions and new systems to navigate, they have had a few setbacks along the way but have really improved their resilience and are very deserving of both the prizes they have won and the profit they have made. I am certain that I have witnessed some successful business people of the future in action.”

d ire p s

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21ST JULY 2018 1PM – 10PM

AMADEUS ORCHESTRA Four Poofs and a Piano Warwickshire Youth Jazz Orchestra Fireworks Display • Falconry Food Stalls and much more!

To enter into our ballot to win tickets, or for more information visit:

www.parkfest.co.uk/tbo Park Lane, Great Alne, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6HS

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Cottage Heritage Quality Handmade Candles for all Occasions claudia@cottageheritage.co.uk www. cottageheritage.co.uk 07775 6485050

Wellbeing solutions for individuals, young and old, at home, in school and in the workplace.

Lisa Aytok

07773 392102 info@createwelllives.co.uk www.createwelllives.co.uk

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A Place of Development, Support and Learning

. Day Nursery . Before and After School Clubs . Holiday Club . Excellent Ofsted Report 49 Victoria Road, Bromsgrove B61 0DW 01527 831 150

castlenursery@talktalkbusiness.net www.the-castle-day-nursery.co.uk

amily run business rom minor repair to a new roof lat roof specialists uttering, ascias of ts nsurance work carried out OA discounts All chimney work carried out repointed and rebuilt All ridge tiles repointed and rebedded All Work arries full Written uarantee nsurance backed guarantees available

NO PAYMENT TILL 100% SATISFIED ou are in safe hands with a airtrades Trustmark member

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Bromsgrove Station page edit:July Aug 2018

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15/6/18

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Business News New Rail Services to Boost Local Economy

New rail services at Bromsgrove Station promise exciting times ahead for Bromsgrove businesses.

At the end of July, new business opportunities will present themselves with the completion of the electrification of the Cross City Line from Lichfield Trent Valley, via Birmingham New Street, to the TownĘźs Station.

West Midlands Rail will operate a three trains an hour electric service, in addition to the existing hourly diesel service from New Street to Hereford.

The new timetables are now available at the station and online at: westmidlandsrailway.co.uk

And because there are four bus services operating from the Station, potential visitors will be able easily then to visit the Town Centre and beyond.

These new services present the opportunity for businesses in Bromsgrove to attract new customers from towns along the Cross

City Line. The various restaurants in the town and attractions such as Artrix, Avoncroft Museum and Sanders Park spring immediately to mind as being able to benefit, but all businesses in the town should be planning how they can capitalise on these new opportunities.

Diane Elliott quarter Oracle:July August 2018

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14/6/18

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MASTER BUTCHER

Constantly in pursuit of excellence Relieve Foot Pain Now with Professional Foot Care

General foot care including: Corns & Callus removal

We do our best to source the best Diabetic quality producefoot fromchecks farmers and suppliers who care!

Home visits Join us....

Tel: 01527 874526 Diane Elliott Dip CFHP. RGN

149 Golden Cross Lane, Catshill, 01527 558106 Worcs. | 07939 030141 Bromsgrove, B61 0JZ

EDWARDS Car Repairs Your Local Car Repair & Servicing Specialist We are a Family run Business which has been established since 1988 Repairs & Servicing MOT Work Welding to MOT standard All makes of Vehicles ALL WORK GUARANTEED

Tel: 0121 445 5414

Email: enquiries@edwardscarrepairs.co.uk Website: www. edwardscarrepairs.co.uk Rear of, 8 Hewell Road, Barnt Green, B45 8NE

To promote your business here contact Lyndon on: Tel: 07972 000843 Email: lyndon@bromsgroveandredditchpages.co.uk

Members Night Grafton:July Aug 2018

7/6/18

14:15

Page 1

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Networking News Bromsgrove Oracle Members Night Around 40 local business representatives attended The Bromsgrove Oracle ‘Meet The Members Night’ event at Grafton Manor on 17 May. Members enjoyed drinks outside on the patio on arrival, on a lovely summery evening - in stark contrast to the previous event in March when guests braved the Arctic snow in an attempt to make it to The Potting Shed at Singletonʼs Nurseries!

After the drinks reception guests moved inside for dinner, in a private function room. Host Lyndon Stokes made a welcome address before the three course meal was served.

Among those businesses that attended were Big Splash Communications, Broad Street DIY, Bromsgrove Window Installations, Original Registrations, Clent Hills Vets, Friends of St Johns, Hogarths Stone Manor and WAB Electrics.

Invited (non member) guests were David Chill from Versatility in Print and Andrew Pain from New Starts Bromsgrove.

The next Members Night is currently being planned for September.

Interested in joining The Bromsgrove Oracle?

Contact Lyndon Stokes: 07972 000843 info@thebromsgroveoracle.co.uk

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WG AI RL DL EO NW BC ERNOT OR KE The only place for

OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND BBQs THIS SUMMER!

Official Char Broil BBQ retailer

Walderton Corner Sofa Set £1,800 Traditional

ROAST DINNER

Come and try our new

AVAILABLE EVERY SUNDAY & WEDNESDAY FROM 12 NOON

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HOT MEALS SERVED EVERY DAY FROM 12 NOON

Stourbridge Road , Catshill, Bromsgrove B61 0BL www.willowbrookgc.co.uk Open 9.00-5.30 Monday-Saturday, 10-5 Sunday Don’t forget to follow us

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Digital Marketing & Social Media

Personalised Art

Gavin O'Mahoney

Sally Balcombe

Director

07806 635328

e: gavin@contactsocialmedia.co.uk t: +441684 216234 Â Â m: 07785 977764

sallybsmurals@gmail.com www.facebook.com/sallybsart

Murals, Wall Art, Gifts & Decorations

Mob: 07770 227666 colin@originalregistrations.co.uk www.originalregistrations.co.uk

Fertility Boxes and Products for you and your Conception Journey

www.ttcandme.com

Saturday 30th June 11.00am - 3.00pm

info@ttcandme.com

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FireplaceCity LARGE SHOWROOM OVER 100 FIRES, FIREPLACES & STOVES ON DISPLAY

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Fire Surrounds Fireplaces Electric Fires Gas Fires Stoves & Burners

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Open Monday - Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm Sunday 10.00am - 1.00pm

20 Summer Street, Smallwood, Redditch B98 7BD

Tel: 01527 456035 www.fireplacecity.co.uk

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GRAPHIC DESIGN

PRINTING SERVICES

01527 873181

GRAPHIC DESIGN

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Singletons & Nurseries WELCOME YOU TO

The Garden Room

Opened in March 2018 The Garden Room is an extension of the popular Potting Shed Caf and Restaurant.

Accommodating up to 30 guests and available to hire with exclusive use for events such as private lunches, meetings, family gatherings and baby showers.

Full catering facilities are available, from buffets to afternoon teas or summer BB s Full catering facilities are available, from buffets

m o o R n e d r a G The Call us on 0121 453 1562 all us on 0121 453 1562 for information & bookings

extension

en Room is an March 2018, The Gard for information bookings Openin&g in rant.

Shed cafĂŠ and restau

arden Room

of the popular Potting hire it will be available to , ts es gu 30 to up g eetings, Accommodatin as private lunches, m ch su ts en ev r fo e us exclusive showers. gatherings and baby

Opening in M arc of the popula h 2018, The Garden Roo m is an exte r Potting She nsion Rd, Lydiate Ash, d cafĂŠ and re 600 staurant.Birmingham Bromsgrove B61 0HT

www.thepottingshed.cafe D, LY D I AT E

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PIMM’S & POOL PARTY AT NEW PET CENTRE Over fifty invited guests attended the official launch of Clent Hills Vets’ new Pet Fitness and Rehabilitation Centre in Bromsgrove, on 7th June. The evening began with a Pimm’s and Prosecco reception on the patio at the new centre.

Following the drinks reception guests enjoyed a series of live demonstrations, which included Labrador Lizzy and Goldendoodle Max swimming in the hydro pool with hydrotherapists Harriet Lowe and Debbie Rice; Border Collie Mac and Arnie the Staffie on the heated water treadmill with physiotherapist Laura Cockram; and Spaniels Diesel and Amber with Vet Laura Buckey and Physiotherapist Emily Ashdown, demonstrating acupuncture and physio techniques.

Physiotherapist Laura Cockram with Border Collie Mac

Hydrotherapists Debbie Rice [L] and Harriet Lowe with Goldendoodle Max

[L-R] Laura Cockram with Arnie, Debbie Rice with Vinnie, Laura Buckey, Jessica Fanning with Charlie, Emily Ashdown with Diesel, Harriet Lowe with Poppy

Clent Hills Vets joined forces with Bromsgrove Canine Physiotherapy and Hydrotherapy to develop the new facility.

The project brings together the care and treatment services of the highly respected town veterinary practice with the specialist complementary therapies of a dedicated team of physiotherapists and hydrotherapists.

The new centre, located at the rear of Waitrose, offers state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, which includes a heated, above-ground hydrotherapy pool with adjustable water jets; a water treadmill; a pet shower and dryer; and laser and electrotherapy machines.

A number of treatments are available to relieve discomfort from conditions such as arthritis, as well as supporting rehabilitation post-surgery, injury and illness. This includes acupuncture, which offers multiple benefits including pain relief, improved

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Hydrotherapists Debbie Rice [L] and Harriet Lowe with Labrador Lizzy

Rebekka Fiorani, Practice Manager at Clent Hills Vets said: “Everyone has worked incredibly hard towards the launch of our new purpose-built centre. We believe the centre is an excellent addition to our services, providing a holistic approach to wellbeing and rehabilitation.”

Rebekka Fiorani (Practice Manager) with Cllr Caroline Spencer (Chair of Bromsgrove Council)

Caroline Spencer, Chair of Bromsgrove District Council, who was a guest at the launch said: “I was very impressed by how helpful and dedicated the team of staff is.

The Centre is a lovely, friendly and calming environment for pets and their owners. I am so pleased to see a new business set up in the town to serve local residents.”

recovery rates, increased resistance to disease and reduced reliance on medication.

Visits to the centre are by appointment only and you will need a signed Vet Referral Form or Fit to Swim Form.

Fitness programmes can be developed, tailored to individual petsʼ needs, helping with weight loss and general wellbeing.

For more information or to request a free tour call 01527 889810.

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WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES 2 FREE PANELS THIS MONTH * Quote Ref BRP0718

“It’s the best home improvement we have ever made.

Our conservatory is now our dining room in the garden.”

TEN GUARANTEE

Mike Millis, Middleton On Sea

AR

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YE

Before

Later that day

Your conservatory that was too cold to eat breakfast in, could be nice and toasty by teatime Our lightweight insulated panels can make your conservatory: • Warmer in winter • Cooler in summer • Quieter in bad weather • Installed in less than a day • Usable all year round For more information call:

CONSERVATORY ROOFS

0800 65 25 157

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*Orders placed by end of July 18. Applies to orders over 8 panels.

Smaller orders receive calculated discount. Not valid for use with any other offer.

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Specialists in digital printing

ES

1

Specialists in digital printing GRAPHIC DESIGN

PRINTING SERVICES

01527 873181 Inspiring change In people

Volunteering Opportunities Onside has a range of new and exciting volunteering opportunities in Worcestershire Please have a look and get in touch if you are interested NEW Advocacy Project—Redditch

Mix Volunteers

We are looking for volunteers to support people living in Redditch area helping them to manage their own lives & be as independent as possible ,access services and have opportunities to be active in their wider community.

Supporting Dan and the team at Mix cafe near our Worcester office; taking orders, serving customers, preparing food etc. We would especially like to hear from volunteers who would like to support people with learning difficulties.

Day & times are flexible to provide support

Hours are 9.30am – 2.30pm Monday to Friday.

On the job training will be provided.

Reception volunteers

Read and Ride Malvern & Shrub Hill

We are seeking volunteers to answer the phone and welcome visitors to our office in Worcester.

Our office hours are:

We are seeking a volunteer for our book shop at Shrub Hill Station Worcester, who can support two young men with learning difficulties to continue their placement at Onside’s second hand bookshop. We also have opportunities at our Great Malvern Railway Station book shop.

The volunteer’s role is to check that they are okay and to identify any tasks they might do when the shop is quiet .Ideally, you may have some experience of supporting adults with learning difficulties.

9am – 4pm - Monday to Thursday 9am – 4pm Friday Volunteers can do mornings or afternoons or all day to suit.

Please contact the Volunteer Team on 01905 27525 if you are interested in any of these roles. We’ll be happy to hear from you and to answer any questions you may have.

Onside Advocacy is a Worcestershire & Herefordshire based charity which supports local people disadvantaged by disability, mental ill-health, learning difficulties and age related issues. We make a difference to over 300 people every year, through our dedicated team of experienced staff and volunteers, trained and supported to work as advocates, mentors and peer support workers.

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St Johns Nursing Home

St Peter’s Walk Droitwich, Worcestershire, WR9 8EU A nursing dementia home situated in the picturesque town of Droitwich Spa in north Worcestershire.

Just a short walk from the towns amenities and views over the river Salwarpe. The home is built around a huge glass atrium, bringing the Worcester sunshine into all areas.

Care and the individual are at the very heart of this service where our core values of wellness, happiness and kindness are embellished each day.

A caring staff group on hand at all times, residents are offered single en-suite rooms as standard. Beautiful secure mature gardens for residents and families to enjoy.

Nursing Dementia Care Please call Lorraine Mavengere the Home Manager to arrange a viewing on:

01905 794 506 or email: StJohns.Manager@shaw.co.uk

Follow us on @shawhealthcare

shawhealthcare

www.shaw.co.uk

Accommodates up to 7 passengers and 8-9 suitcases Accommodates up to 7 passengers and 8-9 suitcases 31.

Leather interior, electric sliding doors Leather interior, electric sliding doors

Taking lots of luggage holiday?

Tel: 07984 578699 info@seamlesschauffeur.co.uk Tel: 07984on 578699 info@seamlesschauffeur.co.uk Need room for all the family roomChauffeur for all the family? www.seamlesschauffeur.co.uk Need Seamless www.seamlesschauffeur.co.uk Seamless Chauffeur Taking lots of luggage on holiday Travelling to a corporate event

Travelling to a corporate event?

Arrive in style with our chauffeur driven Arrive in style with our chauffeur-driven ercedes class people carrier Mercedes V-class people carrier!

Accommodates up to passengers and suitcases Accommodates up to 7 passengers and 8-9doors suitcases eather interior, electric sliding

Leather interior, electric sliding doors

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We do our best to source the best quality produce from farmers and suppliers who care!

Join us....

Tel: 01527 874526 149 Golden Cross Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcs. B61 0JZ

EDWARDS Car Repairs

all Wilson lose edditch B info weatherguardservices.com www.weatherguardservices.com

32.

Health

y Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk

Better Health? There’s an App for That! pAiD Deep sleep with Andrew Johnson This app provides rela ing guided meditations intended to clear your mind and help you get deep, restful sleep.

There’s an app for everything these days, so of course there are plenty for improving your fitness, health and wellbeing.

Here are nine popular apps to help you discover a healthier, happier you.

Fitness Apps pAiD Daily Workouts This app’s 39 area-targeted 5-10-minute workouts include stretch, Pilates and kettlebell e ercises, which can be combined to create longer, whole-body workouts.

There’s a timer and on-screen instructions, but you ll need the internet to watch video demonstrations. There s also a popular free version with just 10 workouts.

FRee Couch to 5K Designed to get you off the couch and running 5 kilometres in weeks, this S app builds you up gradually with a mi of running and walking. Celebrity trainers tell you when to run and when to walk, while a countdown timer shows how long you ve got left on each run.

HeAltH AnD Wellbeing

FRee Headspace: Meditation and Mindfulness The Headspace app teaches you how to meditate and live mindfully, with e ercises on everything from managing an iety and stress to breathing, sleep, happiness, calm and focus. It teaches classic meditation techni ues in just a few minutes a day, and can send custom push notifications with mindfulness reminders. You can also track your progress and share it with others.

Chill panda This family-friendly S app can measure your heart rate and helps you develop an awareness of the relationship between your emotions, activities and body state, helping you learn what makes you feel better. Cute Chill Panda suggests activities suitable for your emotional and physical state.

Diet AnD nutRition pAiD Carbs and Cals This app contains over 3,500 photos of food and drink items along with their nutritional values. It includes a meal

calculator, calendar, recipe builder, e ercise tracker, custom meal input facility and a special diabetes section to record blood glucose levels and carbohydrate intake.

FRee Foodvisor The Foodvisor app claims to recognise your food from a photo of your plate, estimating serving sizes and providing a detailed nutrition report that’s added to your food diary. It can also track physical activities and calories burned, highlighting weak areas that need attention.

My Fitness pal This hugely popular app is a calorie counter, diet tracker and e ercise tracker all in one. It can scan the barcodes of over 4 million foods and give you detailed nutrition information about them. It also suggests e ercises, links to other e ercise apps, logs your e ercise and tracks your steps. ith goalsetting, a recipe importer, a restaurant meal logger and the ability to add photos and share progress, this app really has everything.

Using an app to improve your health and fitness may seem counter-intuitive, with the media issuing dire warnings about the effects of too much screen time.

But used correctly, technology can motivate and educate us to eat more healthily and e ercise, encouraging us to socialise through sharing our efforts with others. So why not give one of these apps a try?

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Home & Interiors Wonder Walls

By Katherine Sorrell Tiles come in a great variety of colours and patterns, and can be sleek and machine-made or rustic and hand-made, shiny and glazed or matt and unglazed, smooth or te tured, or digitally printed with your own designs. They are ideal for bathrooms, showers and behind kitchen worktops, but are also great for hallways, conservatories, laundry rooms, utility rooms and possibly even as part of a living area, too.

Exotic Leaf Pattern wallpaper mural, to order, Wallsauce: 01772 284 110; wallsauce.com.

A change of wallcovering can transform your space, so here are some e citing ideas.

A plain white wall can show off a colourful collection or provide a counterpoint to patterned upholstery, while vibrant wallpaper can inject colour and create interest in a room. It s all about conte t, and is as important as selecting colours, fabrics and furnishings.

Transform a room with a fresh coat of paint on walls and woodwork, but buy sample pots and trial them on card first, to assess the colour s appearance and finish in different areas and at different times of day.

Alternatively, consider wallpaper, where choices include conventional machine-printed designs, natural woven fibres, light-reflecting metallic papers and waterproof vinyls. or something different, think about hand-finished papers featuring cut-work, stitching or appli u , interactive papers that you can colour in or add stickers to, hand-blocked papers, threedimensional designs incorporating crystals, beading, se uins or tiny L D lights, digitally printed papers to your own design or magnetic wallpapers that work as a noticeboard. Rather than hang vertically all around a room, create a feature by papering just one wall, choose different colourways of the same pattern to use in different areas, hang wallpaper horizontally, or mi up the designs.

ith imagination and ingenuity, almost any flat surface can provide an interesting decorative effect. Timber panelling insulates and can hide wonky walls and is a great insulator. A sheet of mirror reflects light around to make the room seem bigger, while sheets of plastic laminate or solid composite have potential and, being waterproof, are suitable for bathrooms. Paperbacked fabric is great for insulating against cold and noise – as is leather, which is lu urious and fire-retardant. Cork is warm, soft to the touch, ecofriendly, insulating and soundproofing, and comes in a range of colours, patterns and te tures.

Polished plaster or sheet metal are other options.

IDEAS FOR FEATURE WALLS • Transform your wall with peel-off stickers, with designs from simple shapes to comple illustrations.

•

allpaper with an oversized pattern and vivid colours makes a great focal point on just one wall.

• Consider modern, graphic paint effects such as bold horizontal stripes or an ombr dip dye look.

• Large maps (old or new are attractive and educational. Simply paste straight on to the wall. Try sheet music and wrapping paper, too.

• Take any digital image and have it enlarged to cover an entire wall. ye-poppingly gorgeous.

• se a variety of vintage wallpaper samples as a colourful collage. Combine with paint, too, if you wish.

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01527 402922 l 07808 778169 sales@darrenvarneyinteriors.co.uk www.darrenvarneyinteriors.co.uk

329a Bromsgrove Road Webheath Redditch B97 4NH

Save the Date July 2018:Page

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July 2018 Sunday 8th July 12:00pm - 4:30pm

Open Day - Dodford Children’s Holiday Farm

A day packed with fun to showcase the farm - stalls, animals to feed, BBQ, cream teas, childrenʼs games.

Entry £1 adults / children free.

For more details: 01527 8782465 Sunday 8th July Starts 3:00pm

Bromsgrove Rock School End of Term Live Gig

Taking place at The Rocklands Social Club in Redditch. Live music performed by young musicians aged 8 - 18 years.

Entry: Minimum £2 donation for the David Morgan Trust For more details: 07720 211002 Thursday 12th July 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Wimbledon Strawberries and Cream at Basepoint Business Centre in Bromsgrove

A Wimbledon themed coffee afternoon - serving strawberries and cream and scones with jam.

For more details: 0208 068 9158

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Friday 20th July 7:00pm - Midnight

1940s evening with The Daisy Belles at Hogarths Stone Manor

Tickets include a seated 2 course meal, live show and dancing till midnight.

Tickets: £32.95 pp For more details: 01562 777 555 Saturday 21st July 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Charlotte & Craig Saving Hearst Foundation - Annual Fun Day

Arrow Valley Visitors Centre, Redditch. Free entry.

More details: info@ccshf.org.uk Thursday 26th July

Caribbean Night at The Wildmoor Oak

£19 adults / £12 under 14ʼs For more details: 0121 453 2696 Friday 27th July 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Whisky Tasting at Decanter Spirit in Bromsgrove

Guest speaker Gordon McPhail.

Tickets: £20 pp Fpr more details: 01527 757990

Lots more local events are available on The Bromsgrove Oracle website. www.thebromsgroveoracle.co.uk

Save the Date August 2018:Page

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August 2018 Every Thursday from 2nd - 30th August 1:00pm - 3:30pm

Fun with Magic Bob at Sanders Park

Learn how to spin plates, enjoy mix-and-mingle close up magic, balloon model creations.

Sunday 5th August 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Baby Rave VIII at Artrix

Jessie DJ playing a selection of CBeebies and 90s dance tunes.

Sound and light levels suitable for young children. Chill out area for families to relax. Soft play area for 0 - 3 yr olds. Refreshments available to buy.

Price: Adults £6 Children: £5 (6months - 12 years) Free entry for 0 - 6 months (requires a ticket) For more details: 01527 577330 Friday 10th - Sunday 12th August 11:00am - 10:30pm

Wildmoor Cider Festival

Annual beer and cider festival at The Wildmoor Oak with BBQ and live entertainment.

For more details: 0121 453 2696

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Sunday 26th August 2:00pm - 11:59pm

Eats & Beats at Bromsgrove Rugby Club

Street food event with food vendors, bars and DJs Tickets now available.

For more details: 07921 918785 foodandmusicgb@gmail.com Thursday 30th August

Caribbean Night at The Wildmoor Oak

£19 adults / £12 under 14ʼs For more details: 0121 453 2696

Advance Notice September 2018 Saturday 8th September 12:00pm - 9:00pm

Blackwell Music Festival at Hunters Hill College

Tickets available with no booking feel using cash or credit card at Blackwell Village Stores.

Alternatvely buy online at http://skiddle.com/e/13220211 (booking fee applies).

Lots more local events are available on The Bromsgrove Oracle website. www.thebromsgroveoracle.co.uk

Broad Street DIY Ladies Night edit:July Aug 2018

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Retail News Bumper Turnout at DIY Event for Ladies A number of local tradespeople were also on hand, to give professional advice on decorating, plumbing and electrics.

Guest Kate Sears said: “The event was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed learning how to drill. Iʼm doing my whole house up at the moment so need to learn a wide variety of DIY skills.”

Reg Moule [front] with [L-R] Jenny Edginton, Hayley Warren, Tony Warren and Lisa Childs

maintenance tasks, including lawn care and tackling tricky weeds. Reg was on the shop floor throughout the evening to This was the largest number answer any specific of guests attending since gardening questions guests the Worcester Road shop had. first launched the event in 2015 and ladies are already TV handyman Huntley signing up for the next one, Thawe, who compered the evening, delivered a hugely in spring 2019! popular tiling demonstration.

Other interactive demonGuest speaker Reg Moule, strations included sawing a radio presenter and wood, how to use a power gardening guru, opened the event with an entertain- drill, changing a door lock and applying silicone ing talk which covered a variety of seasonal outdoor sealant.

Fifty-five guests attended the annual DIY Ladies Night at Broad Street DIY on 15th May.

Everyone attending was automatically entered into a raffle with the opportunity to purchase additional tickets. Among the local businesses who had generously donated prizes were Kysim Photography, New Moon Holistics, Scented Smellies & Gifts, Big Splash Communications and Morrisons.

The raffle raised £143 for Broad Street DIYʼs nominated charity, Dodford Childrenʼs Holiday Farm.

This was presented to Jenny Edginton, joint head of the management committee at the charity, along with an additional £200 raised at the shop earlier this year.

For information about the 2019 Ladies Night email: broadstdiy@aol.com

Oracle July Aug 2018 Landscaping:Broad Street DIY

8/6/18

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OUR YARD HAS ALL YOU NEED FOR YOUR LANDSCAPING PROJECTS AWARD-WINNING FAMILY RUN LOCAL BUSINESS SINCE

1979

Decorative gravels • Decorative stones • Rockery stones • Hardcore Sand and cement • Fencing panels • Wooden and concrete posts • Trellis Paving slabs • Path edgings • Railway sleepers • Decking • Water features

Yard Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday: 8am - 5pm | Sunday: 10am - 4pm

Yard: 01527

870205 |

Shop:

873555

Broad Street DIY Yard: Factory Lane, Bromsgrove B61 7AL

www.broadstreetdiy.co.uk

Daily deliveries. Hiab truck with crane for lifting & delivering bulk bags.

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Gardening Essential Scent

by Pippa Greenwood Unusually low temperatures can also cause scent levels to drop. So bear this in mind when choosing where to put your perfumed plants.

No matter how good your garden may look, without scent it is missing a vital ingredient – and you don’t have to sacrifice colour and te ture when using perfumed plants, as many heavily-scented flowers are also really good-looking.

Perfume plays a role in plant evolution and is often used to attract attention to the flower and thus entice a suitable pollinator. The insect enjoys the flower s nectar and pollinates it in the process, increasing the chances of it producing a new generation.

Many plants produce an alluring perfume during the evening or night-time, and at this time of day moths can be useful pollinators, especially during the summer months.

So although a plant like the sweetly-perfumed nightscented stock may not have flamboyant flowers, it will be successfully pollinated.

Weather conditions can alter the level of perfume that reaches us, and in a wind-swept spot the perfume can literally be blown away.

Smaller or more subtly-scented plants, such as some of the polyanthus or the miniature iris, should be planted in raised areas or in pots – otherwise their perfume can easily pass you by!

A small pergola makes a great home for perfumed climbers, and what could be lovelier than to wander from one part of the garden to another via a tunnel of perfume? Perfumed roses such as the repeat flowering climbers ‘Ena Harkness’ (red) or ‘New Dawn’ (pale, dusky pink) or ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ (brightest pink have fle ible stems and are ideal.

Place smaller perfumed plants such as ‘Nemesia Fragrant Cloud’ or lavenders into window bo es or wall baskets, and enjoy their wonderful perfume in your house as it wafts in through windows left ajar.

For sitting out after sundown, plant flowers that are at their best in the evening. For a warm summer’s evening the small creamy-white flowers of night-scented stock take some beating, or try the nightperfumed nicotianas or tobacco

plants such as Nicotiana sylvestris.

Combine the vibrant colours of bedding plants with some scented stunners in patio pots and other containers. How about some hyacinths or the Heliotrope or cherry pie, with its flowers in white or shades of purple which will produce perfume throughout the summer?

Disguise a less-than-attractive house or garage wall with wall shrubs; in a sunny spot the blue-flowered Ceaonothus produces a distinctly honeyperfumed scent, or on welldrained soil the pineapple broom Cytissus batanderei looks and smells sensational, with its lovely silvery-coloured foliage, bright yellow flowers and pineapple-scented blooms.

Create an arbour from a kit or from scratch and clothe it in perfumed climbers such as sweetly-scented roses or, in a shadier spot, spicily-scented honeysuckle. Sitting in the shade of the plants with their flowers scents all around is pure heaven!

Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood. com and you’ll find some great gardening items: Nemaslug, green controls for leatherjackets, chafer grubs, ants and greenfly, plus garden plant supports, raised bed kits, Easy-Tunnels, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk?

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CATSHILL GARAGE - Established 1953 -

SERVICING SUSPENSION Specialist on all types of Classic & Modern cars CLUTCHES BRAKES Telephone: 01527 872236 ELECTRICS DIAGNOSTICS Stourbridge Road, AIR CONDITIONING

SERVICING AND REPAIRS

Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 9LG

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Distinctive Drives and Patios Guaranteed quality Guaranteed Quality

Specialist driveway and landscaping business based in Bromsgrove.

New maintenance-free resin bound coverings.

Top quality finishes and professional workmanship.

FREEQUOTATIONS QUOTATION FREE

07472 943330

distinctivedrivesandpatios@gmail.com

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43.

The Professional Local Tree Surgeon

Established Family Business All aspects of tree work undertaken Domestic and Commercial Fully insured and licenced NPTC Certified Logs and Woodchip for sale

FOR A FREE QUOTATION ASK FOR RHIAN BRAY

01527 892828 07970 263779

Email: braybros@yahoo.co.uk www.braybrostreesurgeons.co.uk

184 The Ridgeway, Astwood Bank, Redditch B96 6NP

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MONTREAL PLASTERING Reliable Service No Job too small or large Free Quotations Friendly Advice

Call Dave on: 07464 181320 966275 07961

www.montrealplastering.co.uk

5 Mallow Drive, Bromsgrove. B61 0UP

47.

QUALITY KITCHEN FACELIFTS

For a beautiful new kitchen just change the doors Est. 1999

why replace when you can reface?

• Installed by local skilled tradesman • Made to measure custom-built doors and units • UK’s leading kitchen facelift expert

Call Zoe For a Free Estimate:

0121 293 4816 www.dreamdoors.co.uk 61 Hewell Road, Barnt Green, Birmingham, B45 8NL

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