Completely Bromsgrove issue 4

Issue 4

Completely

Oct./Nov. 2018

Bromsgrove

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Welcome Welcome to the October/November edition of Completely Bromsgrove.

What a summer we’ve had and hopefully, you have all managed to get outside and enjoy the abundance of sunshine!

This edition brings some great articles including; Willow’s Hedgehog Rescue, which talks about the importance of feeding Hedgehogs and being mindful when we’re clearing out our gardens to protect our prickly little friend’s habitats and the Bromsgrove Society’s article on the history of the Sander’s family, which is most topical in-light of the recent 50th anniversary of Sanders Park. We also have the dates you need to put in your diary for this year’s various Christmas Lights switch-ons, in and around Bromsgrove.

Talking of Christmas, lots of our advertisers are looking to get you in the Christmas

6

shopping mood (ahead of the rush) with inspiring gift ideas - so keep a look out for those! Still on the Christmas theme (is it too early to be feeling this festive?), we are also offering 5 lucky entrants the opportunity to win tickets to the Festive Gift Fayre at the NEC. I hope you will find this Autumn issue inspiring and as enjoyable as the last and I look forward to speaking with you again in November when we really will be in fully fledged ‘Christmas’ mode!

Best Wishes

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Contents

6 8 10 12 14 16 18 19 20 22 24 26

Michele Ford

26

40 46

Hedgehog Rescue Centre 28 Breast Cancer awareness Lime Kilns discovered 30 Health - Winter Blues George Clarke with Tile Choice 32 Benefactors of Bromsgrove Save Energy at MoneySuperMarket 34 The Hub Gardening 36 Haloween/Bell Ringing Looking beyond the trees 38 Dates for the Diary Apples and Pears 40 Sajid Javid’s day out Avoncroft Cricket Club 42 Christmas Market Recipe’s with an apple theme 44 The Nutcracker Five Spice Indian Cuisine 46 Festive Gift Fair competition Local Author Pete Barnes Congratulations to last issue’s Competition winner: The Swan Fairfield dinner for 4 people was won by Workout your wardrobe Claire Hayfield from Bournheath

Completely

Bromsgrove Tel: 07948 086870 Email: michelebromsgrove@outlook.com

4 Completely Bromsgrove

Sales:

Michele Ford Tel: 07948 086870

Design:

Matt Walton Design

Print:

Vale Press, 6, Willersey Business Park, Willersey WR12 7RR www.valegroup.co.uk Erratum Completely Bromsgrove apologies to PHYSIO 206 for the incorrect naming in the last issue.

The contents of Completely Bromsgrove magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Completely Bromsgrove magazine.

Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Completely Bromsgrove magazine cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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Hogging the limelight A

s the evenings start to draw in, leaves fall from the trees and a slight chill can be felt in the morning air it is only too evident that the summer months are over and we are heading rapidly into Autumn.

This is a time when hedgehogs are still potentially giving birth to second litters of hoglets many of which if winter comes early will not gain enough weight to make it through the winter. This is also the time when gardener’s thoughts potentially turn to tidying up the garden before winter arrives.

But before tidying up the garden too much please consider the hedgehog for whom your garden is potentially home. Nests can be made under bushes and shrubs, in the long grass, in compost heaps and under piles of leaves. Safe places that are snug and warm for winter before we potentially plunge a spade or fork in or even cut with a strimmer. A few minutes checking before working saves a nesting hedgehog from serious injury or even death and considering if that area really needs to be tidied up or if it can be left a little wild can make a big difference for a hedgehog.

an old towel or some coarsely ripped newspaper to hide under and place the box (top firmly secured) somewhere in the house away from human noise and contact a rescue.

Thousands of hedgehogs will be admitted into rescues over the coming months all of which would die without the kind actions of members of the public looking out for them and with hedgehog populations decreasing every year through numerous human created pressures every hedgehog is precious if we want to continue to see these iconic little creatures in our gardens.

Charlie Walker co-founder Willows Hedgehog Rescue. www.willowshedgehogrescue.co.uk contact@willowshedgehogrescue.co.uk.

Simple things such as a log pile, a leaf pile or a compost heap provide both shelter and food. Decaying matter attracts insects providing the hedgehog with a ready supply of food and the decaying matter also produces cover and warmth from the action of decay over the autumn and winter months.

As temperatures start to fall into October then food can become hard to find just as hedgehogs are trying to gain enough weight to make it through the winter months. By simply leaving out clean water and a small dish of dry cat or dog food at night visiting hedgehogs will have a far better chance of obtaining hibernation weight. Autumn litters of hoglets can suffer the worst of lack of food desperately trying to gain enough weight so it is also important as we head later in the year to leave food out but also to watch out for any small hedgehogs wandering around in daylight- a sure sign that they are in need of help.

If you do spot a small hedgehog out in daylight then pick it up, place it into a high sided box with either Completely Bromsgrove

7 

Lime Kilns discovered

R

ecent Heritage Open Days at Tardebigge Lime Kilns were a great success with more than a hundred people attending.

The event, hosted by Worcester Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society, gave local people the opportunity to take a guided walk around the lime kilns as well as the community garden nearby.

The day was also an opportunity for people to see the difference that has been made by the Society’s volunteers, working in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, to uncover the lime kilns and breathe new life into the previously abandoned gardens just below.

The kilns were built in the early 19th Century and supplied lime mortar for the brickwork in Tardebigge Tunnel. The kilns consist of five chambers which were built into the natural slope of the ground. This design meant that each kiln could be loaded with coal and limestone at the canal side level, while the burnt lime was extracted from the chambers at the lower level.

They continued production until the early 1900s and have stood neglected ever since.

The Kilns are owned by the Canal & River Trust, the charity which cares for 2,000 miles of waterways in England & Wales. In 2013 the Society adopted the kilns, committing to work with the Trust on a regular basis to improve and maintain the area. Since then volunteers have spent time clearing earth, tackling overgrowing vegetation and removing builders rubble and other debris that had been dumped at the site.

Bill Lambert, volunteer coordinator for the Worcester Birmingham and Droitwich Canals Society said; “Despite some wet weather on the Saturday we were delighted at the number of people that came along over the course of the weekend.

“Many people commented that they’ve lived in the area for years but didn’t know that the kilns were here so all-in-all it was a big success – we even had a few people offering to help us in the future.”

David Viner, heritage advisor for the Canal & River Trust, said; “It’s great that so many people took the time to visit the Lime Kilns at the recent Heritage Open Days.

“It’s a fascinating site so it was great that so many people could get a closer look. It’s also a really good opportunity to reflect on the hard work that volunteers have put in to helping unearth the kilns for people to see.”

To find out more about the restoration of the kilns and how you can show your support go to www.wbdcs.org.uk

8 Completely Bromsgrove

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Tile Choice on the radio, by George!

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ile Choice will now be working in partnership with George Clarke, architect, TV presenter, campaigner and educator. George is the voice of our new radio adverts and will be making an appearance at one of our stores very soon. George Clarke believes that architecture, art and design should be accessible to all and has the power to transform and enrich lives.

George recognises and values the process that enables people to unlock the beauty of where they live. There is generally no place like home, this is the space which allows for creative form and expression that we can all embrace and manipulate.

We all have the possibility of experimenting with our environment and in doing so improving the way we live and hopefully learn something new along the way.

Some of George’s TV programmes include Old House New Home, Amazing Spaces and Restoration Man. George believes that “Home is the most powerful form of architecture that affects us all, and if you are lucky enough to have a warm and comfortable roof over your head, it is a very special place indeed”.

George aims to challenge the notion that great art and design is only accessible by the few and he tries to shine the spotlight on many disciplines including the more traditional spheres of architecture, art and design. Sharing skills and knowledge whether undertaking a brave restoration or a new build on a budget, he emphasises the value of a team which includes a combination of architect, designer, engineer, craftsman, artists, manufacturer and owner.

His tastes and interests are wide-ranging – architecture, painting, photography, furniture, art, clothing, motorcycle and bike design. For him, the

vital key is whether they have been designed with passion and integrity. For more information visit his website.

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How to save energy With Winter fast approaching here are some tips and suggestions of how to be energy efficient this winter.

The energy saving tips below give you some tools and tactics that will help you save gas and electricity at home.

1. Turn off standby appliances Turn appliances off at the plug to save an average of £30 a year.

Households with more gadgets could see annual savings reach between £50 and £80.

Use plug sockets that can be turned on and off via your phone, to make sure you switch unused appliances off. You could use cheaper timer plugs to schedule turning appliances off.

2. Install a smart thermostat Smart thermostats can make your heating more efficient by only warming the rooms you are using.

They learn how long it takes to heat your home, so they can have it at the right temperature at exactly the right time.

They can also be controlled by your phone, which means you won’t have to come back to a cold home.

Smart thermometers can cost a few hundred pounds, but the leading models could save customers as much as a third on their heating bills.

If you installed room thermostats, programmers and thermostatic radiator valves, you could save around £150 a year.

3. Turn down your thermostat Almost half the money spent on energy bills is absorbed by heating and hot water costs.

Turning your heating down by just one degree could save up to £75 a year, if you have all the controls listed in the previous point.

4. Buy efficient appliances Throwing out a perfectly good appliance won’t save you much money, but when it is time to swap, going for one with a high energyefficiency rating can be worth the investment.

An electric oven with the new A+ efficiency rating will use around 40% less energy than a B-rated oven.

A modern, efficient dishwasher will typically cost around £8 less a year to run compared to an older model.

An A+++ fridge freezer will save around £190 in energy bills over its 10-year lifetime compared to an A+ model.

5. Install a new boiler You can save energy by upgrading your old boiler to a new A-rated condensing boiler with a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radiator controls.

Based on fuel prices in April 2017, a detached house upgrading from a G-rated boiler could save up to £320 a year.

6. Wash clothes at a lower temperature Washing at 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees can be a third cheaper, meaning savings of up to £52 a year – though you should make sure you have the right detergent for this.

You might still want to run a hotter wash occasionally to help keep the machine clean.

7. Be smarter about water Wasting warm water charges you twice – once for the water, and once for heating it – unnecessarily adding to your bill.

You can save around £25 a year by washing up in a bowl rather than using a running tap.

You can get hold of some water-saving freebies from your water provider.

Buying a more efficient shower head can save you as much as £75 a year on gas bills.

If you fit a shower timer in your bathroom, you could save up to £7 per person each year by cutting just one minute off every shower.

8. Invest in double glazing Double glazing insulates your home from the cold and helps reduce your heating bill, as well as keeping the noise out too.

If your detached home is entirely single glazed, you could save as much as £160 a year by installing A-rated double glazing. However, smaller properties will see reduced savings.

9. Draught-proof your property A cold draught can cause your home to lose heat, especially older homes, which makes it more tempting to turn the heating up.

Draught excluders or draught-proofing kits are a good way to prevent this.

Seal cracks in floors and skirting boards, line your letterbox and block an unused chimney to reduce your heating bills by up to £25 a year.

If you don’t have double glazing, you can buy plastic lining for your windows to save energy and keep more heat in.

10. Insulate the roof Insulating your roof can stop heat escaping from your home – however the process can be complicated to it may be best to employ an expert so do this if you want to use your roof space.

While insulating your loft can cost several hundreds of pounds, it can also shave around £200 off your energy bills each year.

11. Monitor you usage Keeping a watchful eye on your consumption levels can help you decide if and when you have to change the way you use energy.

Installing a Smart Meter lets you track your consumption with accurate and real time information. Learn more about how they work with our guide to Smart Meters.

Stephen Murray, energy expert at MoneySuperMarket, commented: “Another way for Brits to cut down on their energy bills is to shop around and see if they could be getting a better deal with another supplier.Those who haven’t switched recently are likely to be languishing on an expensive standard variable tariff, paying too much for their energy. Switching takes just five minutes and the average household stands to save £250 or more”.

For more information visit: www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/energy-saving-tips

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Karl’s Top Tips 1. Plant Clematis and any bare root hedging and roses.

2. Sow sweet peas in October and overwinter in a cool greenhouse, you will get stronger earlier plants.

3. Sow grass seed now or re turf to repair worn out areas of lawn.

Scarify out the moss and top dress.

4. Autumn is the time to replant and reform the herbaceous border, lift Dahlia tubers after the first frost.

5. Do not chop everything down, thats a job for Feb/March.

Autumn, the beginning of the gardening year?

Autumn, is this the end of the Horticultural year to you or the beginning of life anew? True all the herbaceous planting is dying down and with the red and golden leaves falling from the trees and shrubs to the ground, mists and fog all adding to the season of decay making it feel damp and terminal, like it’s the end.

Actually it could be said that the Autumn is in some ways the beginning of the gardening year, all those decaying leaves with their captured nutrient stored within start to feed the soil, slowly releasing the goodness it needs to regenerate and start afresh.

October as well as being the perfect time to plant new trees and shrubs its also the perfect time to dig up and divide herbaceous plants, the soil is still warm after summer so young new roots soon form and the plants quickly get established before the winter. It is also the time take out the tender plants and to replant with spring flowering bulbs for those spring displays.

Spring bedding needs planting now also, such as Wallflowers, Bellis, Primulas and winter pansy, theres much to do at this time of year but we are already starting the groundwork for the gardening year ahead.

Wagon House Gardens at the Jinney Ring craft centre have a good selection of spring flowering bulbs, Tete-a tete daffodils are perfect for early spring colour, plant twice the depth of the bulb either in pots or into the border, left they will naturalise and form clumps. Rockery Tulips are a delight for an early spring display with their short flower stems and vibrant fresh foliage and when you see those striking tall blue spheres of purple Alliums next May, well they will of been planted now, about four times the depth of the bulb. Crocus are another that will naturalise and multiply if left undisturbed, equally sprinkle a few into your hanging baskets or patio pots for that extra spring sparkle.

A particular clever way of planting in containers is to plant in layers with the taller later flowering tulips at the bottom then a layer of compost, perhaps some Narcissi Topolino in the middle

Karl Strawbridge

Wagon House Gardens The Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Hanbury, B60 4BU Tel: 01527 821421

14 Completely Bromsgrove

followed by some more compost then a layer of the early Shakespeare rockery tulips, more compost then finish off with a layer of Ruby Giant crocus and a sprinkling of Muscari Alba.You will then get a succession of flowers that will last from January through till May all from one pot. Bulbs in pots have the added advantage that they can be moved around the garden to where colour is needed, your garden will never be dull with these spring beauties around.

Start your bulb planting now and perhaps you will decide like me that the autumn truly is the start of the horticultural year and with a fantastic spring display of flowering bulbs to look forward to.

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Looking beyond the trees A

lthough it now looks like any other woodland, take a closer look at our Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Commons nature reserve, known by many as Hanbury Woods, and you’ll see a different story unfold.

Until relatively recently, these two parcels of land were much more open than they are now; around the turn of the 20th century, beech seedlings started to take root and, when grazing ceased in the 1960s, the canopy began to close. You can see the remains of this wood pasture environment in the 240 or more veteran trees scattered throughout the nature reserve. Different trees become veterans at different ages depending on species but they’re usually a couple of hundred (or more) years old. Take a closer look at these old trees and you’ll notice that their branches spread wide– they grew up in an open countryside.

The kind of wood pasture that existed here was once much more widespread and was a traditional way of managing land, often associated with commons. Typically, the owner of a common would maintain the trees for timber and then grant commoners the right to graze with sheep, pigs or cattle. The trees (here they’re largely oak and sweet chestnut) were widely spaced in order to manage the production of large timber. Some of the trees would have been left uncut but others were managed as pollards; a technique where the tree is cut above the height of grazing animals, which produces multiple stems when it re-grows.

20 years ago we surveyed these majestic veterans and identified how we could help them thrive for many more years to come. Since then we’ve undertaken a programme to ‘halo’ the older trees; removing the beech trees around them to re-create the original growing conditions and remove competition for light, water and nutrients. This work has added benefits – flowers and grasses have moved into previously dark and bare areas so we now have open, sunny glades that are buzzing with insects.

Photos - Chicken of the woods by Wendy Carter | Nuthatch by John Caswell Piper’s Hil by Paul Lane | Porcelain fungus by Barry Green

16 Completely Bromsgrove

Veteran trees are incredibly important for wildlife; in fact, they can be nature reserves in their own right! Their hollow trunks, wounds, holes and decay are home to all sorts of insects; it’s thought that around 1800 species of invertebrates rely on dead and decaying wood. Of course, the holes are great for nesting birds too.

Piper’s Hill and Dodderhill Commons really comes into its own at this time of year. Not only are the leaves on the trees changing colour but more than 200 species of fungus have been recorded on the reserve; many of which are visible throughout the autumn months. From chicken of the woods to porcelain fungus, how many will you count?

Keep up to date with us:

www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk Follow us on Twitter@WorcsWTtwitter.com/WorcsWT Find us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust

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Apples and pears - the fruits of labour W

ith soil and a climate well-suited to fruit growing it’s hardly surprising that Worcestershire played a key role in the market gardening industry when it first began in the 19th century. The railway and canal systems offered easy access to new markets and this sparked a huge increase in the planting of orchards to meet the demand for fruit, the most famous example being the Vale of Evesham.

Being blessed with an abundance of apples meant that the growers were able to produce high quality cider and perry.

Farm labourers were paid in cider, usually several pints each, and the farms producing the best cider found it easier to attract pickers during harvest season! The Tardebigge orchards supplied apples to the Birmingham area right up until the 1980s before closing. Luckily, the cider-making tradition continues in the area. Steve Cooper planted his Tutnall orchard in 1994 to supply the apples for his award-winning Tardebigge Cider.

With tongue-teasing varieties such as Dabinett, Michelin, Harry Marsters Jersey and Hereford Redstreak, Steve has worked hard to build up a well-deserved reputation for his quality cider, apple juice, perry and cider vinegar.

Harvesting begins in late October and once the picking is complete, with welcome support from Barn Green Girl Guides at the Barnt Green orchard, the apple pulp is loaded into the press. Despite its age, the 130 year-old press handles an impressive 250 kg of fruit in each pressing and the juice is then poured into containers.You need a lot of patience to make cider! It’s not until June that the raw cider is finally pumped into a sterilised tank and racked off into containers to start maturing.

It’s another 2-3 years before the cider is ready but the results are worth it. Steve’s dryish/mediumish and sweetish cider goes down a treat at local pubs such as The Weighbridge and Wildmoor Oak; his vintage lorry is a mecca for thirsty visitors to the Hanbury Show and he even caters for weddings.

Pears are of particular importance to Worcestershire with ‘Pearshore’ (Pershore) at its very heart. Even today, the pear is synonomous with the county, appearing in cricket and rugby emblems, the County Council ensignia and local hotel and pub names. According to legend, Queen Elizabeth 1st noticed a black pear tree during a visit to the city of Worcester in 1575.

It is also said that it was at her suggestion that the three black pears were added to the city’s coat of arms.

Anyone with a healthy crop of apples and pears can find lots of uses for them in the kitchen. Pears are particularly tasty in a blue cheese salad, poached in red wine or in a tarte tatin. If you’re tired of apple crumble, an apple strudel goes down well or, if you’re feeling adventurous, pork and apple burgers to throw on a late summer barbecue.

Indeed, such is the popularity of cider and perry that it is a regular feature at the Bromsgrove Beer, Cider and Perry Festival (formerly focused purely on beer) which is held every June. This year’s festival goers were able to try around 50 different kinds from around the UK. Up until around 8 years ago, Array Fruit Farm on Perryfields Road was the only surviving fruit farm in the Bromsgrove area which still grew apples and pears. However it has now ceased production owing to the reduction in market value. The farm has been in Bromsgrove since 1900 and the farm shop, which specialises in local produce, is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year.

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18 Completely Bromsgrove

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Apple Compote A great way of using up the best of the British Apple Season - whether you make in the Autumn with fresh apples, or make with stewed apples throughout the winter. A refreshing twist on a British classic. www.seasonedcourses.com Method 1. First make the spiced apple compote. Add the apples to the pan, along with the sugar if using the cinnamon.

Cook down until apple is soft. Pour this compote on the bottom of the dish.

2. Spread each piece of bread with butter and cut in half so you have triangles. Lay these in two rows on top of the compote alternating between the buttered bread and a thin slice of apple.

3. Whisk together the eggs, milk and sugar in a bowl then pour over the bread in the dish.

4. Let this soak for 30 minutes while you let the oven warm to 180C (fan) 200C 5. Bake in the oven for 30-40 mins until the custard is set.

Ingredients • 2-3 apples depending on size, peeled and chopped roughly • ½ tsp cinnamon • 2 tbsps sugar (optional) • 20 slices (about 1½ loaves) of fruit bread

• 50g of butter to butter the bread • 2 eggs • 350ml of milk • 2 tbsp sugar • 2 apples, thinly sliced • Custard/cream to serve

Cheddar and Onion Herb Crusted Chicken Baked in Thatchers Cider Method Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4 Place the chicken into a deep roasting dish.

Place all the ingredients for the stuffing into a food processor and blitz until roughly chopped and well mixed together.Loosen the skin of the chicken around the breasts and legs of the bird with your fingers and fill it with the stuffing mix,pressing it down as you go.

Scatter the parsnips and apple slices around the chicken. Pour over the bottle of cider and stock.Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Roast in the oven for 1 hour.Take the tray out of the oven and mix the crème fraiche into the juices in the pan.

20 Completely Bromsgrove

Serves 4 Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Return to the oven for another ½ - 1 hour until the bird is golden brown and the juices run clear when you insert a knife into it.

Serve with roast potatoes and green vegetables

www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

Ingredients • 1 Free Range Chicken,1.6kg approx.

• 1 Medium Onion,peeled and finely diced • 200g Wyke Farms Vintage Cheddar, grated • 50g Wyke Farms Salted Butter • 6 Cloves Garlic, peeled and roughly chopped • Handful fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley, sage), chopped • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper • 2 Parsnips, peeled and diced • 2 Apples, peeled and sliced • 1 x 500ml Bottle of Thatchers Vintage Cider • 300ml Chicken Stock • 150ml Crème Fraiche

Craft Ales and Real Ales

Recently refurbished, The Hanbury Turn opened it’s doors and hosted a great evening with guests enjoying the new look and the entertainment by the local talent of Chloe Chadwick acoustic vocalist.

A place where everybody is welcome and is greeted by a pleasant member of staff

The new team look forward to welcoming regulars and new customers through the door.

Freshly cooked locally sourced food Function room ideal for intimate gatherings, a family event or a social gathering, all needs are catered for.

THE HANBURY TURN

Now taking bookings for Christmas Fayre

e-mail enquiries@thehanburyturnatbromsgrove.co.uk

www.thehanburyturnatbromsgrove.co.uk

Tel: 01527 577187

The

Great British

BANGER BASH at Par tridge’s Butchers

Wednesday 31st October

Y VERY DA

STING E FREE TA

This great event has been running for over 20 years!

All sausages are handmade in store

Local Family Butchers since 1880 Purveyors of locally sourced quality meat

191 Stourbridge Rd, Bromsgrove B61 0AS

- Monday 5th November 30 avours of TRADITIONAL SAUSAGES made from local pork: Garlic Red Onion Bathams Sweet Chilli Marmite Mixed Herbs Scumpy & Apple Guinness & Black Pudding Branston Leek Plus many more!!

XXX Devil Hot Apple Cumberland Royal Smoked Piri Piri Open 7 days a week Follow us on our facebook page

Tel 01527 872386

Completely Bromsgrove

21 

Taste the spice of life F

ive Spice has established a reputation for fabulous fine dining and exemplary service. Set in glorious Worcestershire countryside, with spectacular views of the Malvern Hills. Whatever time of the year you visit the views cannot be beaten.

Having just undergone an extensive refurbishment, including the addition of their new al fresco dining opportunity, now really is the time to give this authentic Bangladeshi restaurant a visit. Whether it’s dinner for 2 or a celebration you will not be disappointed.

Recommendations by their multi award winning chef can be sampled along with traditional dishes, all dishes have their own unique taste and flavours that will linger on your taste buds, served by the attentive front of house team led by Saba.

Customer service is priority and the team strive to ensure your experience is one that will be remembered being endorsed by TripAdvisor scoring the restaurant 4.5 plus continuing to obtain their Certificate of Excellence since 2014 through to 2018.

22  Completely Bromsgrove

You as the diner will be treated to a modern relaxing atmosphere whilst taking in the beautiful countryside especially the gleaming sunset. Open seven days a week and with space for 100 covers, Five Spice is an ideal venue for special occasions so if you are looking for somewhere, parties including pre and post-wedding events, birthdays and anniversaries you will be assured of being well catered for. Also offering outside catering where we will bring our food to your party!

Now taking bookings for Christmas and New Years Eve. Find us located within the former Four Winds pub on the A491 between Bromsgrove and Stourbridge.

www.fivespiceonline.co.uk

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Completely Bromsgrove

23

Avoncroft Cricket Club W

ith another cricket season drawing to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on what has been an enjoyable 5 months at Avoncroft Cricket Club. The weather has been kind to us, and this has resulted in some memorable moments for the club.

July brought us our first senior silverware for some time; the First XI winning the T20 Carter Cup having lost in the final on two previous attempts. 48 from Mark Whitehead and 35 from Steve Eastham set Croft on their way to an imposing 162-7 before a good team bowling effort restricted Droitwich to 124-7. In the league, the First XI have remained inconsistent however it has generally been a positive season. 9 wins, 1 draw and 7 defeats leave Croft in 6th place with two games to go and a good end to the season will enable the side to hold on to their top half position.

Despite the usual holiday-period selection challenges, the Second XI have maintained their high performance level and currently sit in 4th place in the league. 10 wins, 2 draws and 6 defeats have kept the side within touching distance of 2nd place as they head into the final games of the season.

The Sunday side finished off their season recording their 10th win of what has been another good year for them,

with the opportunities given to the younger players to develop their skills helping to set the platform for further success in the future.

On the junior front, it was another successful year for the softball sides. Having topped their local group, the Under 9s side went on to win the South & Central District completion before finishing 3rd in last weekend’s County finals. The Under 8s have also qualified for the County finals to take place next week, so good luck to the boys and girls involved.

In the hardball section, the Under 11s won their league in their first season together with a record of 7 wins and 1 defeat and look forward to the tougher challenges that promotion will give them.

All in all, 2018 has been a really enjoyable season to play cricket. If you are interested in finding out more about the club, or getting involved at an adult or junior level, please check out the website at www.avoncroftcc.co.uk

by Paul Athey

24 Completely Bromsgrove

Local author scores winner!

P ete Barnes is a Bromsgrove self publishing author, who lives with his 2 boys James 14, and Dan 11 and his partner Liz.

Pete is a great lover of football supporting Norwich City, and our own local team Bromsgrove Sporting. You can often see Pete and his boys at Sportings games cheering them on usually to success.

With his passion of football, and bedtime story telling, he embarked on penning his story of 2 young football crazy brothers to encourage his two boys to read as they were reluctant readers, four years later ‘The Bumpy Road to Wembley’ has been published.

Pete said “having shared it with friends and family I was delighted with the feedback and decided to share it with a wider audience, hence I have just recently self-published it with the emphasis on it being a book that will appeal as much to parents as to their children. At just over 100 pages long it’s an easy read and perfect for reluctant readers and parents who want to read to, or with their children”.

Based on a bedtime story that he used to tell his boys, the book follows the fortunes of Jimmy and Danny, two football crazy kids, who following a comical mix up with the England coaching staff are thrust into professional and international football. With characters such as Celia Whisk –

World Famous Chef and Football Club owner- based loosely on Delia Smith, England players, John Smelly (Terry), Joe Fart (Hart) and Leighton Beans (Baines), parents and children alike will be entertained.

Pete have also donated copies to his children’s schools and hope the children and their parents enjoy reading it as much as he enjoyed writing it.

The Bumpy Road to Wembley can be purchased on amazon for £2.99 e-book and £5.99 paperback. If you have a kindle unlimited account its available to read for free. www.amazon.co.uk/ dp/198064179X

Completely Bromsgrove

25

Workout your wardrobe T

ake everything out of your wardrobe and lay it out on the bed. Sort your clothes into categories – tops, trousers, dresses, skirts – and into colours. It’s an incredibly helpful exercise because one of the first things you’ll notice is your repeat buying patterns.

CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE REPEATS We all do it…. those things we buy over and over again.

It could be a dozen red cardigans, 15 pairs of black work trousers or an unfeasible number of flowery shirts.

Once you’ve spotted your repeat items, choose two or three of the best – the ones that always look good, no matter what. It’s better to have a few items that work brilliantly, rather than lots which are just OK. Put the `OKs’ in a box or bin bag. We’ll be coming back to these later.

Once you spot your repeat items, have a quick laugh at yourself and make a mental note not to repeat buy again into the future. If you can bring yourself to weed out your repeats into your very best ones, that will bring real focus to your wardrobe.

LIFESTYLE OUTFITS Now that you’ve pruned your repeat items, it’s time to start sorting your clothes into different outfits.

There will be things you wear for work, clothes for going out and special occasions, stuff for relaxing at home and for hobbies. Once you’ve laid everything out, you can get going on putting together different outfits for each part of your lifestyle.

Have fun mixing and matching. Some of your clothes will comfortably cross over into different lifestyle areas, and you’ll find new ways to wear a few things.

You’ll probably spot wardrobe gaps at this point. It could be several things, or just a single key piece that will pull different outfits together. These gaps will form the basis of your next shopping trip.

In the process, you’ll also spot clothes that you just don’t wear. Here’s the tricky bit…

If that item doesn’t make you feel happy and confident, it doesn’t deserve a place in your wardrobe. Now’s the time

26 Completely Bromsgrove

to bite the bullet. Put it in that box or bin bag - and if you’re really struggling, into the memory trunk.

What to do with the black bags Your boxes and bin bags may be overflowing by now. So what’s the best thing to do with them?

Those unloved clothes don’t have to go in the bin. Give them to your local charity shop, or pop into M&S. They’ll donate your old M&S clothes to Oxfam and give you £5 off your next purchase.Vintage shops and eBay are good options if you want to sell things - or how about inviting some friends round for a clothes swap.

HOW TO ORGANISE YOUR WARDROBE - When it comes to putting your clothes back, keep the toolkit wardrobe in mind.Your wardrobe layout needs to work for you personally – but practically, it’s helpful to group clothes into categories eg skirts, tops, jeans etc rather than colours. It’s the easiest way to ‘grab and go’ when you are after an outfit in a hurry because all your colours will go together anyway.

Put your frequently worn items in the most accessible part of your wardrobe. For example, if you’re right-handed, you can save precious time in the morning by hanging them on the right hand side.

There are a number of low-cost ways to add additional storage, if you need it. Hooks on the door will work well for scarves and accessories, or you could add a shelf above or below the hanging space for T-shirts and jumpers. If you have lots of hanging items, an additional rail halfway down is a great way to double the space. Think about investing in some good quality, slimline hangers (Throw away all the wire hangers you get sent back from the dry cleaners!).

They allow more space in your wardrobe, and it’s easier to see everything at a glance.

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by Jane Brook

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27

28â&#x20AC;&#x201A; Completely Bromsgrove

Bras to give charity a lift!

Wellbeing at the Wishing Well Bromsgrove support breast cancer charity by recycling bras

W

ellbeing at the Wishing Well in Bromsgrove have partnered with the charity Against Breast Cancer’s bra recycling scheme.

Tricia Heatley is passionate about the charity Against Breast Cancer; after losing her sister 10 years ago, she is once again on a fundraising mission to support the ongoing work and research for Against Breast Cancer.

Tricia and the team at the Wellbeing at the Wishing Well have provided a bra bin within the main reception area and their aim is to collect at least 2,000 bras for this venture to be successful, and to raise awareness in the local community.

Tricia is calling on everyone who has bras that they no longer wear to pop into Wellbeing at the Wishing Well located at 16 St John Street and to drop them off at the bra bin, and if you have time to stop and enjoy a hot or cold drink with them. As a way of a thank you to the participants depositing bras, they are offering you good people a 10% discount off any cafe purchase.

“This exciting project keeps textiles out of landfill, helps small businesses in Africa and raises funds for groundbreaking research. The donation to our research work, by our recycling partner, is based on the weight of the bank so more bras mean more funds. Every £1 you raise is vital in enabling us to continue our work to find a vaccine against breast cancer and to look at ways to increase the survival of women and men who have the disease.

Successful ventures like this also keep many families in developing countries out of poverty and plenty of people in the UK in a job. Any bras that are genuinely beyond redemption will be dismantled and disposed of ethically, plus helps our textile recycler save 7.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions every year by collecting, reusing and recycling many thousands of tons of textiles”.

To date the support from the community has been fantastic with an amazing 700 bras already having been donated over the last seven weeks as of the middle of August.

For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer receives £700 to fund their vital research into secondary spread breast cancer, which occurs in about 1 in 5 breast cancer cases.

The bras donated also help to support small businesses in Africa. Together with ABC’s recycling partners, their textile recovery project prevents these bras going into landfill before giving them a new lease of life in developing countries such as Togo, Ghana and Kenya, where bras remain too expensive to produce locally.

Readers of Completely Bromsgrove are being called upon to pop down to Wellbeing at the Wishing Well and pop their unwanted bras into the bra bin.

Wellbeing at the Wishing Well, 16 St John Street, Bromsgrove B61 8QY wellbeingbromsgrove.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

29

Are we losing the war on health?

Health and Wellbeing

Winter Blues - Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

W

ith winter coming on this can bring about a shift in mood leading to depression through lack of sunlight. This can be a passing phase, or something more serious and is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — often referred to as “winter depression”. The most common form of SAD occurs in winter, although some people can experience symptoms during spring and summer.

Symptoms SAD usually develops in a person’s early 20s, and the risk for the disorder decreases as you get older.

SAD is diagnosed most often in young women, but men who have SAD may suffer more severe symptoms. People with a family history of SAD or those who live in northern latitudes where daylight hours during winter are shorter are at a higher risk for developing SAD. As winter approaches, 10 to 20 percent of us begin to suffer mild symptoms of SAD. We are saddened by the shortening days, climb into bed earlier and resent waking up when the morning light grows dim.

People with SAD may crave comfort foods, including simple carbs such as pasta, breads, and sugar. With excess unhealthy calories and a lack of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, fatigue often sets in. They may become depressed and irritable.

Eventually, they are no longer able to maintain their regular lifestyle. SAD makes people withdraw socially and no longer enjoy things that used to be fun. It’s as if their batteries have just run down. Spring and

summer SAD is characterised by anxiety, insomnia, irritability, and weight loss. These symptoms more closely resemble mania than depression.

In order to diagnose SAD, doctors need to perform a medical exam to rule out other possible causes such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, or mononucleosis. Doctors can provide questionnaires to determine mood patterns to look for a seasonal pattern change.

Treatments There are several effective treatments that can help adult sufferers of SAD. Simply by bringing more sunlight into your life can treat mild cases.

Spending more time outdoors, even on cloudy days can be effective. Open window shades and open windows. Exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, one which is low in simple carbohydrates and high in vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. People with SAD sometimes find that their symptoms go away when they travel to more Southern latitudes. If possible, plan a mid-winter family vacation in a sunny climate. For severe cases of SAD the most common treatment is light therapy. Patients will need to sit for up to three hours in front of strong light boxes especially designed to mimic sunlight.

Keep positive, enjoy the autumn colours, go for walks and enjoy our great countryside we are so blessed to have on our doorstep.

30 Completely Bromsgrove

by Colette Garside

colette@need4change.com

Awarďż˝-winninďż˝ Daďż˝ Carďż˝ Centrďż˝ for adultďż˝ iďż˝ Redditcďż˝ & Bromsgrovďż˝ specialisinďż˝ iďż˝ demetiďż˝ carďż˝ Are you or your loved one living with dementia, sensory impairment or disability?

Are you becoming socially isolated?

Would you like to meet others in the same situation?

Come and join us for a whole range of fun activities including art and craft work, pool, beauty therapy, games, gardening, cooking, relaxation sessions and much more.

Meet others and make new friendships in our friendly and supportive award-winning centres. We are open six days a week, Monday to Saturday, 9am-5pm. Ask your Social Worker about funding for this service or call 01527 758070 VIP Day Centre Redditch The Barn, The Craft Centre, Winyates Centre, Redditch, B98 0LA | Tel: 01527 758070 VIP Day Centre Bromsgrove Amphlett Hall, Crown Close, Bromsgrove, B61 8DW | Tel: 07733 749 531 Email vipdaycentre@gmail.com | Facebook: VIP Day Centre | Twitter: @VIPDayCentre | www.vipdaycentre.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

31â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

The Sanders Family:

Benefactors of Bromsgrove W

ith Sanders Park celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it is timely to reflect on the family that gave their name to this well-loved civic amenity.

Benjamin Sanders

Benjamin Sanders was a buttonmaker in Bromsgrove in the early 19th century. To say that he led a colourful life is something of an understatement. He travelled the known world, making and losing a fortune, having run-ins with pirates and swindlers, and escaping death on numerous occasions. Eventually he settled in the Midlands and moved his button manufactory from Birmingham to Bromsgrove in 1821. The button-making business brought Benjamin and his family great wealth and success.

After Benjamin Sanders’s death in 1852, his descendants continued to make their mark on the town. His son James Wilkinson Sanders bought the site of a former cotton mill off the Kidderminster Road, known as the Cotton Pool Estate. It included the Cotton Pool, a mill pond that was fed by the Battlefield Brook.

Steps House

Benjamin Hadley Sanders, Benjamin’s grandson, helped to found the Literary & Mechanics Institute. This met at the Crown Hotel and promoted education and social reform. In 1860, B.H. Sanders became Clerk to the Local Board, the equivalent of our present District Council, a post he held for fifty years. He was an influential figure in the nailmakers’ disputes of the 1860s, when Bromsgrove’s nailmakers went on strike demanding better conditions. B.H. Sanders acted as a mediator between the nailmakers and their masters, and also helped to mobilise the Local Board to provide relief for nailmakers and their families.

The Sanders family gave generously towards the restoration of St. John’s Church in 1858. In 1885, B.H. Sanders founded Bromsgrove Rovers F.C., and in 1892 he demolished the Cotton Mill and had a swimming baths built on the site. Bricks from the mill were used to construct workers’ cottages in Watt Close.

Benjamin Hadley Sanders

Button Factory ruins

The original button factory was at the rear of the building now known as 50 High Street. The business later moved to the former mill site off Kidderminster Road, which was badly damaged by fire in 1915, although the site continued to operate, under different ownership, until 1984. By the 1970s the business had changed from button to badge making which continued under the new ownership.

When Benjamin Hadley Sanders died in 1910 most of his property, including the Cotton Pool Estate, was left to his two daughters, Mary Beatrice and Lucy Mary. Both women remained unmarried.

Lucy Mary died in 1945, aged 80 and May died in 1951, aged 94. In her will, May bequeathed the Cotton Pool Estate to Bromsgrove Urban District Council on condition that it: “…shall be used as pasture land or as a Park or Recreation Ground”. After much discussion and planning, Sanders Park was officially opened on 14th September 1968. Relatives of the Sanders family were in attendance.

Further information on the Sanders family can be found in Alan Richards’s book The Extraordinary Adventures of Benjamin Sanders and in The Bromsgrove Rousler, No.s 14 and 15, all of which are available via the Bromsgrove Society website see

www.bsoc.co.uk

32 Completely Bromsgrove

Sanders Park then

Sanders Park now

by Mike Sharpe

THE WINTERFOLD WAY Independent Day School for boys and girls aged 0 - 13

OPEN MORNING Saturday 13th October 10.00 am To register your interest, call 01562 777234 www.winterfoldhouse.co.uk

Winterfold House School, Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire DY10 4PW

Open Mornings REGI

Founded 1553 FLAIR DISCIPLINE ACADEMIC RIGOUR

Pre-Preparatory (ages 3 - 7): Saturday, 22nd September Prep School (ages 7 - 13) : Saturday, 29th September Senior School (13+): Saturday, 13th October

Please contact Admissions for details 01527 579679

admissions@bromsgrove-school.co.uk

bromsgrove-school.co.uk

ISI Inspection 2016 - Excellent in every category Outstanding results at IB and A level Academic excellence coupled with a wealth of sporting and extracurricular opportunities 950 pupils aged 13-18 720 pupils aged 3 - 13

Completely Bromsgrove

33â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

‘The Hub’ is a brand new space for the young people of Bromsgrove which recently opened within the basement of Bromsgrove Baptist Church. Currently open between 12pm and 6pm Monday to Friday every week, as well as some evenings.

T

Offering drop in support for young people, aged 11-19, including life coaching, job coaching, he Hubmentoring, is a brand new space for the young people of Bromsgrove which recently opened an LGBTQ+ support group, gaming group and a Youth Council. We are also in the within process the basement Baptist Church. between 12pm and 6pm of settingofupBromsgrove a cooking group; everything runCurrently at The Hubopen is at the young people’s request.

Monday to Friday every week, as well as some evenings.

The Hub was set up after consultations with young people of Bromsgrove who revealed that they Offering a chillwanted out spacesomewhere for young people, aged 11-19, including The Hubtowas uphang after consultations withfriends. young people centrally located in Bromsgrove goset and out with their Theyof also wanted to be able to speak to professionals about awho range of topics, such as mental health life coaching, job coaching, mentoring, an LGBTQ+ support group, Bromsgrove revealed that they wanted somewhere centrally anda relationships. gaming group and Youth Council. We are also in the process of located in Bromsgrove to go and hang out with their friends. They setting up a cooking group; everything run at The Hub is at the also wanted to be able to speak to professionals about a range of weekly time table: young people’sOur request. topics, such as mental health and relationships.

Our weekly time table:

Monday

Drop in 12-6pm

Tuesday

Drop in 12-6pm

Wednesday Thursday

Drop in 12-6pm Drop in 12-6pm

Friday

Drop in 12-6pm

Life coaching with Headgym 2-6pm Job coaching with Fusion BBOs 3-6pm

Gaming group 6-8pm LGBTQ+ support group 5-6pm

Life coaching with Cat Houghton 4-5:30pm

Some quotes from the young people who havewho visited Hub: Some quotes from the young people haveThe visited The Hub: ‘I feel is a lots good place to relax, lots‘The of Hub goodis an company, foodplace andwith drink.

I ever had ‘I feel that The Hub is athat goodThe placeHub to relax, of good company, amazing, safe cool If people who areaalways food and drink. question If I ever hadto a question do with anything I am able therethey to support people, no matter what’. Kirsty. do withtoanything I am able to ask and wouldyoung help’.

Adam. to ask and they would help’. Adam.

We’re really grateful that we’ve a lot of safe support from localcool people, including number of volunteers have gotten ‘The Hub is an had amazing, place with people whoa are always there towho support younginvolved people,from the local community.

There what’. is a coreKirsty. group of young volunteers who have been pioneering this project from the start, and they have no matter been involved in shaping what we do and how we do it.

Having had a lot of support from local people, including a number of volunteers who have gotten involved from the local community. There is a core group of young volunteers who have been pioneering this project from the start, and they have been involved in shaping what we do and how we do it.

We have also received a lot of support from local businesses, for example the refurbishment costs were supported by companies such as 57 Monkeys to get the project up and running. The launch event was supported by companies such as Morrison’s and The Maxx Tattoo Studio who also painted our wall mural and bought all the food and hygiene products for young people to use.

We have a lot of fundraising going on, organised by young people of different groups, such as those on National Citizen Society. All money raised is being spent on the young people’s activities, and to fund the support that young people need. Morrison’s of Bromsgrove have been very supportive and allowed the young people to fundraise at their store multiple times.

If you would like to follow what is going on at The Hub, please feel free to search for us on social media.

We have aInstagram: lot of fundraising going on, organised by young people of different groups, such as those on NCS - National Citizen the_hub_bromsgrove Hubspent Bromsgrove Service. AllFacebook: money raisedThe is being on the young people’s activities, and to fund the support that young people need.

The Hub Bromsgrove Morrison’s Twitter: of Bromsgrove have been very supportive and allowed the young people to fundraise at their store multiple times.

For information about we do feelfeel free us:us on social media.

If you would likemore to follow what is going on atwhat The Hub, please freetotocontact search for Instagram: General.Enquiries.TheHub@YMCAWorcestershire.org.uk the_hub_bromsgrove | Facebook: The Hub Bromsgrove | Twitter: @Bromsgrovehub

Or just pop in: The Hub, Bromsgrove Baptist Church, New Road, B60 2JD.

For more information about what we do feel free to contact us: General.Enquiries.TheHub@YMCAWorcestershire.org.uk Or just pop in: The Hub, Bromsgrove Baptist Church, New Road, B60 2JD.

The funding has been provided by Bromsgrove District Council, Worcestershire County Council, the

The funding has been provided by Bromsgrove District Council, Worcestershire County Council, the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Community Safety Partnership, YMCA Worcestershire, Bromsgrove Baptist Church. John Campion, Community Safety Partnership, YMCA

Worcestershire, Bromsgrove Baptist Church.

34 Completely Bromsgrove

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Completely Bromsgrove

35â&#x20AC;&#x201A;

What’s on this Halloween in and around Bromsgrove Crafty’s Halloween Spooktacular

From the Forest

Sat 3rd November 2pm

Sat 27th Oct. to Sun 4th Nov. 10.00am - 4.00pm

Crafty the Crow invites all his friends to see the treasured Golden Pumpkin at his Halloween Spooktacular. Come in your scariest Halloween costume and help Sally the Scarecrow solve ghostly goings-on and then play Trick or Treat. Suitable for ages 2-7 yrs. Running time 45 mins plus Trick or Treat Artrix, Bromsgrove B60 1GN Telephone: 01527 577330 or book via www.artrix.co.uk

Join us this half-term at Hanbury Hall to celebrate the myths, legends and superstitions that trees have brought us over the centuries Hanbury Hall, Droitwich WR9 7EA For further details see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hanbury-hall-and-gardens Or call 01527 821214

Halloween Pumpkin Float

The Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos)

Sat 3rd November 4.30pm - 7.30pm

Wed 31st October from 6.00pm onwards

Try your luck at the traditional fairground games, listen to spooky storytelling in the Great Hall, stay for the pumpkin parade at 7pm, and wear your best costume for the chance to win a prize! Bring your carved pumpkin and we’ll provide a candle and add it to the display.

Hartlebury Castle, Hartlebury DY11 7XZ Telephone: 01299 250797 or email activities@hartleburycastle.com

A tapas experience in the macabre surroundings of a 17th Century building under the eerie glow of candle light with haunting music. Spooktacular magic potions and ghoulish specials available.

Casa Med, 89a High Street, Bromsgrove B61 8AQ For further details see www.casamedtapas.co.uk or call 01527 878242

You can ring my bell!

I

n WW1 there were 1,400 bell ringers lost in the UK. St.Michael’s and All Angels Church, Stoke Prior hope to be a part of an initiative to find 1,400 new bell ringers across the UK.

Our hope is to ring the bells at St. Michael and All Angels Church with our own bell ringers on 11th November, joining in with the bells that will be ringing across the UK in memory of the fallen.

The campaign to recruit bell ringers, Ringing Remembers, will keep this traditional British art alive in memory of the 1,400 who lost their lives – linking together past, present and future.

Would you like to learn how to ring bells?

Maybe you are a bell ringer and would like to join us.

36 Completely Bromsgrove

On 11 November 2018, 100 years since Armistice, bells will ring out in unison from churches and cathedrals in villages, towns and cities across the country.

To mark the final year of the First World War centenary commemorations, it is hoped to recruit 1,400 new bell ringers in honour of the 1,400 that lost their lives during the First World War. Church bells across the UK remained restricted throughout the course of the war and only rang freely once Armistice was declared on 11th November 1918.

St.Michael’s and All Angels, Stoke Prior we are hoping to start a bell ringing ‘school’ for anyone who would like to become a bell ringer. We have hand bells too for anyone who doesn’t fancy climbing up to the belfry.

If you are interested, please contact: liz.miller@talktalk.net or call Liz on 01527 831942 for more information.

BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY NOW! AT HILLSCOURT Dates available: December 14th, 15th, 21st, and 22nd Price: £29.95 per person (includes Meal & Disco ‘til late) Special Deal: Bed & Breakfast for party guests at £29.50 per person

CHRISTMAS PARTY NIGHT MENU 2018 STARTERS Parsnip, Celery & Apple Soup (v) (gf) or Prawn & Smoked Salmon Cocktail, Bloody Mary Sauce (gf) or Ham Hock Terrine, Piccalilli & Mixed Leaves * * * FROM THE CARVERY Roast Worcestershire (Wythall) Turkey with all the trimmings or Roast Herefordshire Topside of Beef served with Yorkshire Pudding or Roast Leg of Staffordshire Pork with Apple Sauce VEGETARIAN OPTION Wild Mushroom, Pea & Cheese Risotto Cakes, Dressed Rocket Leaves, Sticky Fig Relish (v) (vgo) (gfo) Chef’s selection of Seasonal Vegetables & Potatoes * * * DESSERT Dark Chocolate & Orange Delice (gfo) (vgo) or Fresh Fruit Salad topped with Greek Yogurt & Basil Sugar (gf) (vgo) or Selection of Cheese & Biscuits with Grapes & Chutney * * * Freshly Brewed Coffee or Tea & Chocolates (v) – vegetarian, (vg) – vegan, (gf) – gluten free, (vgo) – vegan option, (gfo) – gluten-free option For enquiries and bookings, contact the Conference & Banqueting Office Tel: 0121 457 6100 | Email: info@hillscourt.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

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Dates For The Diary

Firework and Bonfire Spectacular Saturday 3rd November

Sanders Park, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove, B61 7JP 5pm Funfair, 7pm Bonfire, 7.30pm Firework Spectacular Admission: £5 Adults | £3 Children (16 & under) Children under 2 FREE £14 | Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) No onsite parking. Kidderminster Road will be closed from 5pm - 9pm Limited disabled parking available - booking essential call 01527 534030

Remembrance Day 11th November

Parade 10.20 Gather in High Street outside Argos for Parade, parade to leave town on the command of Patrick Smith 11.00 Remembrance Service held on Crown Close by the war memorial 11.30 (approx.) Additional service takes place in St John’s BDC National Bells & Beacon with Friends of St John’s Beacon at rear of church.

6.30 Gathering at St John’s for reflection, choir, beacon & bells 6.55 Last Post to be played 7.00 Lighting of Beacon 7.05 Church Bells to ring out Celebration 7.45 Celebration Event at Artrix

Christmas Events for the Diary Friday 16 November 2018 Friends of St. John’s Christmas Market Saturday 17 November 2018 Bromsgrove Christmas Light Switch On The Big Turn On (Switch on after party) Friends of St. John’s Christmas Market Saturday 24 November 2018 Rubery Village Christmas Light Switch On Alvechurch Village Christmas Light Switch On

38 Completely Bromsgrove

Thursday 4th October at 6.30pm

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Bromsgrove’s MP Sajid Javid out and about visiting local businesses

Above: Recently opened Nature’s Intention by Emily Attwell, offering environmentally friendly products along with vegan foods that are dispensed directly into your own containers helping to keep waste and plastic to a minimum.

Congratulations Emily, this is such a great edition to Bromsgrove High Street.

Above: Sajid calling into Bromgrove’s NFU head quarters, meeting members who had the opportunity to have a with their local MP!

40 Completely Bromsgrove

Below: Sajid seen congratulating Martin on his 28 years as a local trader and on his recent move to his new bigger premises.

Above: Martin Connellan of Bromsgrove Cobbler situated in Church Street has a visit from Bromsgrove’s MP Sajid Javid.

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Christmas starts here!

It’s never too early to get into the spirit of Christmas in Bromsgrove, and we are delighted to report that the Christmas Markets and Light Switch On are happening so you can do just that!

Friday 16th November in the event space on Bromsgrove High Street Friends of St John’s are again getting festive on Friday 16th November with their fantastic Christmas Craft Market in the space outside the Slug & Lettuce. A perfect chance to buy some unique gifts, handmade by local people, or stock up on your favourite local preserves from Sarah’s Feisty Flavours.There will be entertainment through the day from 10am till 4pm and of course a Christmas tree and Santa!

Saturday 17th November - a day of festive fun!

The Christmas Craft Market continues with additional entertainment from stilt walker Steve Chaos, the wonderful Vintage Class Singers, the choir from Bromsgrove Stagecoach and a host of musicians and entertainers including local magician Luke Baker. Find out more on www.facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove

42 Completely Bromsgrove

From 3.30pm the stage lights up outside the Golden Cross for a few hours of entertainment in the lead up to the Big Switch On at 5.30pm. As the day gets dark the Christmas Lights are turned on!

Don’t miss the Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch on at 5pm outside Argos.

From 5.30pm head over to Worcester Road for an after party urban feel event with dj sets and live music. Enjoy the best of Bromsgrove’s independents as the businesses of Worcester Road take to the street to keep the party going.

Saturday 8th December - The Snowman performed by the Orchestra of St John in St John’s Church. There will be two performances at 4.30pm and 6.30pm with a chance to meet the musicians and have a selfie with the snowman himself! Tickets are just £5 and accompanied children go FREE.Visit www.osjbromsgrove.org for more details.

christmas frost fair Held in the Under Hall and large heated marquees on the Eastern Terraces, Ragley Hall B49 5NJ

10:00am – 5:00pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday 23 rd, 24 th & 25 th November

THE CHRISTMAS FROST FAIR WILL FEATURE: FATHER CHRISTMAS PLENTY OF FREE PARKING FINE FOODS, GIFTS & CRAFTS ORIGINAL AND UNUSUAL CRAFTS WONDERFUL GIFTS FOR FAMILY AND HOME MORNING COFFEE, LUNCHES AND AFTERNOON TEAS FESTIVE ATMOSPHERE, SIGHTS AND DELICIOUS SCENTS Adults £5.50

Concessions £4.50

Accompanied children (under 16s) Free Discounted advance & bulk tickets available

For details please contact Battenburg Events Ltd 01487 814800 www.battenburgevents.co.uk

Supporting:

Follow Battenburg Events on

Completely Bromsgrove

43

A cracking Christmas show!

C lassical ballet takes centre stage again on Sunday 14 October when the highly acclaimed Vienna Festival Ballet brings the perennial Christmas classic The Nutcracker to the Artix Arts Centre, Bromsgrove with performances at 2pm and 5pm.

Be swept away on a magical adventure in one of the most famous classical ballets of all time. With its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music, this fabulous ballet is a Christmas treat like no other.

An enchanting Christmas story telling the tale of how Clara is given a wooden nutcracker as a Christmas present by Dr. Drosselmeyer. During the Christmas party Clara and her brother Fritz fight over the nutcracker doll. That night Clara unable to sleep with excitement, searches for her doll and then falls asleep under the Christmas tree. As midnight strikes she is awoken by giant mice and the magic begins. The nutcracker doll is suddenly transformed into a princely soldier and a battle ensues with the Mouse King. The Prince and Clara are then transported on a magical journey to the Land of Snow, an enchanted forest with dancing snowflakes. It is here where they encounter the Sugar Plum Fairy, who accompanies them to the Kingdom of Sweets.

The Nutcracker was originally choreographed

by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. It was first performed in St. Petersburg at the Mariinsky Theatre, home of the Kirov ballet. in December 1892. The Nutcracker is a time-honoured traditional ballet that combines music and dance in dreamy romance. As wintery and wonderful as the Christmas season itself, The Nutcracker is a true fairy-tale brought to life.

Peter Mallek founder and Artistic Director says of the production ‘Vienna Festival Ballet are committed to bringing the greatest classical ballets to the widest audience. We’re delighted to be returning to the Artrix Arts Centre for the fourteenth year.

Whether you are a ballet fan or an interested observer we have something to offer everyone.

Exquisite and lavish handmade costumes, beautiful sets which project colour and vitality to enhance the workings of the dancers, choreographer and the composer. Our productions have all the elegance and extravagance associated with the best of ballet, and of course some of the best ballet dancers from around the world.’

44 Completely Bromsgrove

‘’A truly spellbinding performance’’ - BURNLEY EXPRESS ‘’The whole evening was a delight’’ - LICHFIELD LIVE Book your tickets at The Artrix Arts Centre Tel: 01527 577330 Web: www.artrix.co.uk

Artrix Arts Centre, Bromsgrove Box Office 01527 577330 www.artrix.co.uk

SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER, 2PM & 5PM ARTRIX ARTS CENTRE

Bromsgrove Box Office 01527 577330

www.artrix.co.uk

v

Forthcoming Attractions LEE MEAD SUN 28 OCT 7.30

MON 29 OCT 2.00 TUE 30 OCT 11 & 2.00

Box Office 01527 65203

www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

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Competition

THE FESTIVE GIFT FAIR AT THE NEC CHRISTMAS WILL SOON BE UPON US... and the dynamic FESTIVE GIFT FAIR, now in its 23rd fabulous year, continues to be the BEST place to start your Christmas experience and is one of the most popular Christmas Shopping events in the UK (Birmingham NEC 15-18 November).

As well as finding GREAT GIFTS for your loved ones, treats for yourself and all your sparkling Christmas essentials, you’re sure to have a fun-packed day!

The Fair will be bursting at the seams with a colourful eclectic mix of unusual stocking fillers and presents, traditional gifts, festive food and great home decorations. With 325+ stalls all under one roof, the variety is huge, with clever gift ideas for all ages and tastes… and lots of Special Show Offers! There’s even a Present Creche to drop off your full bags.

Question: Where is The Festive Gift Fair held?

Answer...................................................................................................................

Name......................................................................................................................

Address..................................................................................................................

Tel.............................................................................................................................

Email........................................................................................................................

Please tick if you don’t want to hear about promotional offers from The Festive Gift Fair.

Send your entry to Completely Bromsgrove, 11 West Road Bromsgrove B60 2NG by the 2nd .

46 Completely Bromsgrove

We are offering 5 lucky readers a pair of tickets each!

Closing date 2nd November

WG AI RL DL EO NW BC ERNOT OR KE Stourbridge Road , Catshill, Bromsgrove B61 0BL www.willowbrookgc.co.uk Open 9.00-5.30 Monday-Saturday, 10-5 Sunday

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