Issue 7
March 2019
Completely
Bromsgrove
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Welcome
Welcome to the March edition of Completely Bromsgrove
I hope you will agree, it certainly feels like Spring is well and truly on its way, the nights are drawing out and the clocks go forward on the 31st March!
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve been wearing denim all my life, Jane Brook shares her tips on looking great in ‘Blue Jeans’!
In store this issue …with Spring virtually here, RHS Malvern Spring Show are offering 4 lucky winners the chance of winning a pair of tickets for Saturday 11th May, the show is always a great shopping opportunity and this year visitors will have the chance to see DJ Jo Whiley and of course Gardener’s World Monty Don.
The Blue Cross in Catshill, are asking whether any of you have room to home one of their less fortunate dogs or cats who have found themselves homeless and being looked after by this amazing charity, it would be lovely if we could find them a forever home. If it’s you, let us know and we can feature the happy ending in the magazine.
We must not forget about ‘Mothers’ Day’ March 31st, turn to page 22 to read the lovely article written by our very own Rosie Hamilton, thanks Rosie, and Happy Mothers’ Day to all you Mums.
6
I hope you enjoy the read, until the next issue. Best Wishes
Michele Ford
10
22 46
Contents 6 8 10 12 16 18 20 22 24
Author - Joanna Nell Houseman in the High Street Bafta winning local boy Keeping Bromsgrove beautiful Gardening - Camellia charm Competition - RHS Malvern Evesham’s Blossom trail Mothers Day Fashion - dynamic denim
Completely
25 26 28 30 31 32 34 36 38
Bromsgrove Tel: 07948 086870 Email: michelebromsgrove@outlook.com
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Become a happier you Health and wellbeing Battlefield Brook Recipe - Anita’s Avial Bournheath is buzzing Friends of St. John’s Age UK - The Shedders! Bromsgrove ramblers Blue Cross pet rescue
39 40 41 42 43
Drawn from the wood History - war memories History - the workhouse Bromsgrove Sporting F.C. Avoncroft Cricket Club/ Host Families 44 Charity - Lantern Walk 46 Bromsgrove concerts
Congratulations to last issue’s Competition winners: The winner of a pair of prescription glasses to the value of £300 was: Sandra Davies from Bromsgrove
Sales: Michele Ford Tel: 07948 086870
Design: Matt Walton Design
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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It’s never too late to grow old disgracefully... C
ompletely Bromsgrove were delighted when John Spain approached the magazine to see whether we would be interested in meeting his daughter Joanna Nell who has recently published her novel ‘The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village’. With great enthusiasm, we jumped at the opportunity to bring you the whereabouts and background of John’s daughter Joanna Nells’ journey to penning her novel.
Readers of a certain generation will remember John Spain who took over the running of his father’s shop Spains in the 1950s. The shop was opened in New Road in 1932 by John’s father Sid Spain and is now run by his grandson Jonathan. Three generations of a family business still trading in Bromsgrove is quite an achievement. Like her brother, Joanna grew up in Bromsgrove first attending Meadows First School, then moving onto Parkside Middle School and then obtaining a Scholarship enabling her to be one of the first of the intake of girls at Bromsgrove School. It was at the tender age of 8 that Joanna was bought by her father her first typewriter, the quiet, shy and retiring young Joanna, was absolutely delighted with the gift and was often found whiling away many hours at her typewriter writing short stories, mainly about ponies in those early years. And this passion for writing has never left her. After studying Medical Science at Cambridge and then furthering her Medical education at Oxford,
6 Completely Bromsgrove
Joanna ventured into the big wide world and paved her career within the Medical world, but of course, her passion for writing was always niggling away. Then, as with so many of us, something happens or occurs which can change the course of our life, and in a minor way (although I’m sure Joanna wouldn’t say it was minor at the time) it was whilst trying to be the cool Mum never to embarrass one’s children, Joanna, was at a bowling alley with her son and daughter and had the unfortunate experience of doing the splits and ending up at the A&E which led to her being bed bound for 6 weeks. It was this down time that allowed Joanna to start writing her first manuscript which to this day remains in draft form, as she has never had it published, but from that she has just launched her first published novel as mentioned in the opening paragraph The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village. Whilst chatting with Joanna, one of the obvious questions was why a Retirement Village? She explained that much of her work within the Medical profession, has taken her into Retirement Villages. So many of them are stereotyped as elderly people who have lost their zest for life, but many of Joanna’s patients are not ready to sit back and blend into the beige background despite having a number of aches and pains, or be forgotten into a haze of dull mundane existence. So, with a head full of characters The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village started to evolve.
The main character of the book is 79-year-old pensioner Peggy Smart who is as beige as the décor in her retirement village. Her week revolves around aqua aerobics and appointments with her doctor. Following a very minor traffic accident, things have turned frosty with her grown-up children and she is afraid they are trying to take away her independence. As a woman of a certain age, she fears she has become invisible, even to men in their eighties. But a chance encounter with an old school friend she hasn’t seen in five decades - the glamorous fashionista Angie Valentine - sets Peggy on an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Joanna is also a multi award winning short story writer. Her character-driven stories of self-discovery
for women of a certain age, creating young-at-heart characters who are not afraid to break the rules and defy society’s expectations. She continues to work as a GP with a passion for women’s health and care of the elderly. She lives with her husband and two teenage children, and her moto is …it’s never too late to grow old disgracefully! The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanna Nell is priced £14.99 hard back, can be bought via Amazon or through her publisher Hodder & Stoughton and all good bookshops. There is also an audiobook, and a large print version expected soon. www.joannanell.com
Completely Bromsgrove
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Housman in the High Street M
embers of the Housman Society will gather in Bromsgrove on March 26th for their annual Commemoration of the birth of Alfred Edward Housman in 1859. Focus for the event will be the statue in the High Street where the celebration has taken place every year since the sculpture of Bromsgrove’s most famous son and author of A Shropshire Lad was unveiled by the Duke of Westminster in 1986.
Though actually born at Valley House in Fockbury, Alfred Housman moved with his parents into the town when under a year old. His father Edward was a local solicitor and the new family home was Perry Hall in the Kidderminster Road and opposite St. John’s church where the family would worship every Sunday. The house, renamed Housman Hall, is now part of Bromsgrove School, where Alfred himself became a day pupil in 1870 aged eleven. Although deeply affected by the death of his mother Sarah Jane in 1871, Alfred nevertheless shone as a scholar and won a series of school prizes in his final year before entering St John’s College , Oxford in 1877. In later life AE Housman would become an outstanding academic as Kennedy Professor of Latin at Cambridge but, for most people, he is remembered primarily as a best selling poet.The sixty-three poems that make up the collection entitled A Shropshire Lad were written during the early1890s when he was living in London and became Professor of Latin at University College. First published in 1896 it has never been out of print and during the First World War came to be linked with the work of contemporary War Poets. It is said that the 1916 edition is particularly rare because so many copies were taken by British soldiers into the trenches of the Somme, giving comfort through images of home such as the “blue remembered hills” with the “land of lost content”. Housman actually spent very little time in Shropshire and the areas described are mainly of his own imagining. Even so the Housman Society has strong links with the south of the county and this year’s Commemoration will be joined by the Rev. Kelvin Price, Rector of St. Laurence’s church in Ludlow who will speak and offer some readings. Co-host with the Society will be the Bromsgrove District Council represented by Chairman, Cllr. Caroline Spencer. The short ceremony by the High Street statue commemorating this famous “Worcestershire Lad” will begin at 12.30pm March 26th. Commenting on preparations for this year’s Commemoration, Max Hunt, Secretary of the Housman Society, said: “We are delighted at the recognition given by the District Council to the memory of Bromsgrove’s most famous son. It would be good to think that the Commemoration will give Bromsgrovians generally a better appreciation of A.E. Housman’s statue in the middle of their High Street”. The statue is just one feature of the Housman Trail around Bromsgrove which is mapped out in a tourist leaflet available free of charge in the town’s new library.
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Our next event at Chandler Court
Understanding dementia Tuesday 19th March 2019 2pm - 4pm
Join us to hear Lauren Lovatt from Care UK share insights about the condition and offer practical strategies for caring for a loved one with dementia. To ďŹ nd out more or to book your free place call us on 01527 907828 or email shelley.hufton@careuk.com
Fulfilling lives Chandler Court care home Recreation Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 8DT careuk.com/chandler-court
A BAFTA for Bromsgrove
Oliver Walton and Alex Lockwood
A BAFTA award for our Bromsgrove boys! Wow, what a great achievement Here at Completely Bromsgrove, we couldn’t be prouder or more inspired by Bromsgrove’s talented Alex Lockwood and Oliver Walton, who have just been crowned the BAFTA winners for British Short Film. Unable to let this momentous occasion go by without finding out more, we sat down to have a chat with the film’s director 73 Cows, tells the story of Jay Wilde, the first farmer in the UK to trade in beef farming, for sustainable organic vegan farming, giving up his entire herd of cattle in the process. 73 Cows, which premiered at the Raindance Film Festival, has been no stranger to success. The film has also won the grand prize for Best Film at the OIVFF and was awarded the prestigious ‘Short of the Week’, a Vimeo Staff Pick, which trended on Vimeo’s front page and was the most shared and talked about film in the ‘documentary’ sub-section on Reddit! Alex, who is a former student at South Bromsgrove High School and the film’s director, said ‘I’m really proud of this film. We set out with no budget and a team of only four and have managed to produce something which has been seen all around the world.” When talking to us about the idea for the film, Alex explained how his wife, who was his Co-Producer, alerted him to the story and instantly, Alex knew this would make a brilliant documentary. Alex tells us how he mulled over how he could turn the news piece into a documentary, “with literally no money”. After a couple of weeks of toying with the idea, Alex and his
10 Completely Bromsgrove
wife went and spent several hours with Jay and his wife. They discussed Jay’s journey, how Jay came to be vegan, and how he struggled with the slaughter of his treasured cattle. Before Alex left, the Wilde’s explained, “it’s been like a therapy session talking to you”. “They were thrilled that I had bought into them” said Alex. And the documentary was born. Filming started a few weeks later and took approximately 6 months. Despite the documentary being a short film, it was crucial that the team had footage of the farm at different times of the year, to ensure all aspects were covered. In discussing the award, Alex went onto say that it was completely the team effort, that got them the award, with Oliver Walton, who attended North Bromsgrove High School and who also still lives in Bromsgrove, overseeing cinematography and John Roddy, as Sound Designer. The whole team are only just starting to realise what they have achieved in winning the BAFTA, Alex said, “it’s just starting to sink in!” So, what’s next? Alex has just returned from America, where he followed a paddle boarder who paddled the length of the Hudson River. ‘The Hudson Project’ is a documentary on plastic pollution and how it’s destroying our waters and the environment. So, keep an eye-out for the premiere and I’m sure you will all join in congratulating Alex and Ollie and wishing them ever more continued success in the future.
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11 
Keeping Bromsgrove beautiful for you! K
eep Bromsgrove Beautiful, the local community group set up last year by Sarah Milburn, Aston Fields resident, has a lot of exciting plans for 2019.
Firstly, we’d like to let everyone know that our monthly litter picks will take place on the last Saturday of every month, so get the dates in your diaries! Events will be set up on our Facebook Group page where you can sign up, but, for those not on Facebook, you can still come along, just send us an email to: kbb@itstar twsithus.co.uk. Each month, the group members will decide where the litter pick(s) will take place. For example, in January, the group decided they wanted to tackle Sidemoor and Rock Hill, so two groups of volunteers set to work. Thanks to a contribution from Bromsgrove South County Councillor Chris Bloore’s divisional fund, we have a set of adult and a set of child hi vis tabards with our logo on. And thanks to a grant from the BDC Small Grants Scheme, we have been able to purchase the following equipment: adult pickers, child pickers, gloves, hoops, long pickers, sharps boxes…..etc. KBB’s founder Sarah said “We are so grateful for the support shown to us and the grant funding we have received. The groups
12 Completely Bromsgrove
are getting lots of positive attention in the branded vests and residents just have to turn up to take part as we provide all the equipment. We are very excited about the plans for the group in 2019 and we encourage residents to sign up, via Facebook or email.” We are also star ting to work with other local community groups. Sarah ran some activities with the Finstall Cubs in January, helping them work towards their Environmental Conservation Activity badge, and they will be borrowing Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful litter picks and tabards to do some litter picks of their own in the Spring. Some of our members also joined forces with the village of Fairfield’s regular monthly litter pickers in February, a wonderful community collaboration. We would like to invite other local community groups, covering all ages, all sections of the community, to reach out to us and see how we can all work together to look after our neighbourhood – there will be other opportunities to collaborate this year, not only litter picking.
by Sarah Milburn
We also recognise that not everyone is able to make the monthly litter picks, and also that there are many, many people in the district who litter pick in small groups, or on their own. We’re reaching out to those groups and solo #litterheroes, get in touch, advertise your own litter pick events on our page if you want extra support or to borrow equipment, let’s join forces! We’ve also set up an online Google Form where we invite everyone to record how much litter they’ve picked and where, so that we can collect some data on a) where the problem spots are and b) just how much good community
work is going on out there that residents may be unaware of - visit: www.tinyurl.com/KBBLitterLog Finally, March 22nd – April 23rd is 2019’s Great British Spring Clean. As a Keep Britain Tidy #LitterHeroes Ambassador, Sarah is keen to organise some extra litterpicking events to get as much of the community involved as possible, so keep an eye on the Facebook group page or in the local media. Join our group page on Facebook to find out more, or drop us an email at kbb@itstartswithus.co.uk
Completely Bromsgrove
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Completely Bromsgrove 15/02/2019 11:03
The true charm of the Camellia Probably one of the most showy shrubs for heralding the start of the spring garden is the delightful Camellia. Originating in Asia they had been cultivated in the gardens of China and Japan for centuries before they were seen in Europe, they have now become a most popular shrub for the over wintering early spring garden providing that splash of colour when little else, shrub wise, is in bloom. There are all kinds of Camellia with many dwarf varieties available perfect for that smaller garden. The Camellia are hardy tough plants with rich glossy green leaves and have that delicate almost tissue paper like flowers that are usually very abundant and can withstand whatever weather winter throws at it, the flower buds having formed in the previous autumn remaining tightly closed until the spring. Although they need an acid soil they are easy to grow, and an excellent long term plant for containers with ericaceous potting compost. In the garden a good pointer is that if your neighbour has one growing in the garden then you are likely to be able to have one too.They are a woodland plant that grows best in a sheltered light shady position with plenty of organic matter such as leaf mould. Feed your Camellia after flowering in early summer this will help to produce the flower buds for the next flowering season. Prune in early October or late summer by removing any newer growth opening out the branches to keep it’s shape and create a pathway for light and air in between the branches, remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches.
The most common Camellia is the Camellia sinensis an evergreen shrub planted abundantly across much of India, China, Sri Lanka in fact most of Asia, known as the tea plant it is the picked dried leaves of this plant that gives us the tea for our daily cuppa. If you are looking for a truly charming evergreen shrub that doesn’t get too big and has an abundant show of flowers in Spring then the Camellia could be the perfect plant for you. March is the month to get the lawn prepared for the summer season ahead, providing its not still frosty or waterlogged. Any bald patches or damaged areas should be seeded down or repaired now. On established lawns the first cut of the season can be made just removing the tips and where moss has become a problem a combined moss killer fertiliser should be applied. Replace lawn edges that have worn away or crumbled and recut using the half-moon edger to give a smart clean edge, it will look all the better for it. Remove any deep rooted weeds that have got established like Dandelions or Daisies.
Karl Strawbridge Wagon House Gardens The Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Hanbury, B60 4BU Tel: 01527 821421
Top tips for March 1. Prune bush and climbing roses. 2. Lift and divide overgrown clumps of perennials. 3. Prepare the vegetable beds, planting shallots, onion sets and early potatoes by the end of March. 4. Sow seeds of annuals in the greenhouse.
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Advertisement Feature
WIN tickets to RHS Malvern Spring Festival 9 May 2019 - 12 May 2019
G
reen-fingered DJ Jo Whiley and Gardeners’ World Favourite Monty Don lead star-studded line-up heading for Malvern Spring Festival.
A star-studded line-up of gardening and food heroes have today been unveiled as guest experts at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival, in association with Great Little Breaks. They include green-fingered DJ Jo Whiley, confirmed as a first time guest at the festival in the week she launched her new BBC Radio 2 show. She will be talking openly about her love of gardening and music during the festival at the Three Counties Showground. Gardeners’ World favourite Monty Don will be returning to the event together with some of his famous co-presenters from the hit BBC show including Joe Swift and plantswoman par-excellence Carol Klein. Monty, always a hit with the crowds at Malvern, has described the event as his “local show” branding the setting as the most beautiful part of the country. Cooking up a storm will be celebrity chef Raymond Blanc while Masterchef host John Torode will be back for his second visit. Other well-known faces include TV presenter Chris Beardshaw, The Big Allotment Challenge’s Jonathan Moseley and leading plantswoman and author Sarah Raven. The fresh young face of gardening Frances Tophill is an exciting new addition to the show this year as she creates a stir in the world of horticulture. Diana Walton, Head of Shows, said they were
delighted to be able to announce such a stellar collection of experts who will be giving talks, meeting visitors and also enjoying the event themselves. “The RHS Malvern Spring Festival is a hugely popular event on the gardening calendar having a particularly engaging character all of its own,” she added. “We are thrilled that it attracts the big names and that this list reflects those popular regulars that love being at Malvern and the new faces that everyone is eager to get to see and meet.” The RHS Malvern Spring Festival, sponsored by UK short breaks experts Great Little Breaks, runs from May 9-12 with top show garden designers, awardwinning exhibitors and world-class nurseries already lined up to take part. It celebrates the finest in both gardening and food with shopping also offered in abundance across leading lifestyle brands. Advance tickets now on sale, with prices starting at just £19 for RHS and Three Counties members, or £21 for the general public. Children under 16 go free. Group tickets are also available. For further information: call 01684 584924 or visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk
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Simply answer the following question “Creates a stir in the world of horticulture?” then fill in this form, cut out and post to: RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2019 Competition, 11 West Road, Bromsgrove. B60 2NG. All entries in by the 18th March 2019 Answer ............................................................................................................................................................................................. Name ................................................................................................................................................................................................ Address ........................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................ Telephone .......................................................... e-mail ................................................................................................................................................................................................ Please tick this box if you don’t want any promotional offers from RHS Malvern Spring Festival
18 Completely Bromsgrove
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Completely Bromsgrove
19 
The Vale of Evesham Spring Blossom Trail
Y
ou know that “Spring is Sprung” when those famous yellow AA signs go up to guide blossom spotters through some of the most productive horticultural land in the Country. The Vale of Evesham - famous for its plums, apples and pears is home to the country’s most famous Blossom Trail - now in its 36th year and taking in almost 50 miles of idyllic Worcestershire countryside. There are so many ways to enjoy this magical natural attraction. Not only can you travel the trail by car, you can also enjoy a fabulous day out on one of the Springtime in the Vale Coach tours (as featurered on BBCs’ Countryfile). Operated by Dudleys Coaches Ltd on Thursday 11th and 18th April , this value for money tour with your very own Blossom Tour Guide allows you to experience the best of the Vale and the Blossom (weather permitting). Pick up points throughout the County, for further details and to book your seat - call 01386 792206 For those who prefer “the great outdoors” without engines - come and explore the blossom by bike on Sunday 7 April on the Blossom Bikeaway. Setting off from Hampton Ferry in Evesham, the Bikeaway offers a fun family day out whilst also raising funds for local charities. Providing the option of three routes that vary in intensity and distance; 11, 26 or 57 miles. Why not enjoy the ride with friends and family whilst marvelling the beautiful scenery? For more information please visit www.bikeawayventures.co.uk or email bikeaway40@yahoo.co.uk If you are planning to take a group around the Trail - why not book a Tour Guide to enhance your visit. Specialising in the area and more importantly its Blossom Trail, they will certainly make your journey around the Vale of Evesham one to remember. Call Helen Piper on 01386 765972 for more information regarding the Evesham Vale Tour Guides Blossom doesn’t last long so it is important to plan your trip. We have carefully crafted a blossom trail guide that will provide you with the best locations to witness the Vale’s stunning bloom; a virtual guide can be found at www.valeandspa.co.uk or order a free copy from Amy Miles at 01386 5655564 www.valeandspa.co.uk
20 Completely Bromsgrove
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Completely Bromsgrove
21
Mother’s Day Sunday 31st March
W
hen most of us look back on our childhood, we recognise the important role our parents played in shaping our lives.
There are some exceptions but it’s usually our mothers who take charge of the majority of childcare. They give birth to us, feed and dress us, do mountains of laundry, get us organised for school (have you done your homework??) and play referee between us and our siblings. Later in life they often help us with our childcare, giving us that gasp for air we need before we launch ourselves back into that constant juggle between work, parenting and being awake enough to talk to our partner. So it’s right that we have one day a year when we say thanks to our Mums for everything they do. It’s an opportunity to spoil her for a change, tell her how much you love her and arrive on her doorstep with flowers, chocolates and a big smile. Mum is sometimes a much loved Granny too, and so the bond is widened across the generations. The shops sell a lot of Mother’s Day cards but it’s the hand drawn cards that are the best. Grimacing stick ladies, taller than trees, are painstakingly crayoned by sticky-fingered infants and these creations bring back the happiest memories when we find them in later years and our children have long flown the nest.
family church once a year in the middle of Lent. People would often celebrate this day off by picking wild flowers on their way to church to give to their mothers when they were reunited. Mothering Sunday was also known as Refreshment Sunday because it was the one day in Lent when you could eat whatever you liked. One of the most popular treats was Simnel cake – nowadays more closely associated with Easter -made from fruit cake and almond paste, with 11 balls of marzipan on top to represent all of the disciples except Judas.
Mothering Sunday, as it is more traditionally known, takes place on the fourth Sunday of Lent. In the 17th century, many people worked far away from home as servants or agricultural workers but would always return home to their
Whatever your plans are for Mother’s Day, it’s a great day to celebrate the women in our lives, not forgetting the aunties and godmothers who often get left out, and give thanks for everything they do to support us.
The best thing about Mother’s Day is that it continues to bring families back together. Children who are away from home often come back for the weekend for a family lunch but not everyone wants to face a mountain of washing up! So it’s a popular day for Sunday lunch out with many restaurants putting on a special Mother’s Day menu. If you choose to give flowers to your Mum then there are plenty to choose from. March is a peak time for Spring flowers and the shops are a rainbow of tulips, freesias, narcissi and hyacinths.
by Rosie Hamilton
22 Completely Bromsgrove
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23
Tips on how to work your denim with style D
enim suits everyone, it is universal, genderless, ageless and adaptable, but we definitely don’t all suit the same colours, lengths, cut or styles. Add to that that sizes and styles differ hugely from brand to brand, so it is hard to stick to any hard and fast rules. Here are my top tips on how to choose the best denim to suit you. 1. Firstly, don’t expect finding the perfect jeans to be easy. Cropped, ankle grazers, wide-leg, low-risers, mid-risers, high-waisted, slim, skinny, superskinny, straight, boot-cut, relaxed, boyfriend, girlfriend jeans – it is literally a mine-field out there. Know what really suits you. Try lots of different jeans on. 2. Don’t just choose whatever seems to be in current vogue, always consider your body shape and flaunt your best assets. Straight, skinny or slim silhouettes will look better on straighter body shapes, whereas, straight, bootcut or wide leg jeans look better on curvy body shapes. Badly fitted jeans will ruin your entire look. 3. It is essential that you know which colour denim suits you. Spring and Autumns should stick to warmer colours e.g. Spring a brighter blue, and Autumns a warm navy. Summers can wear cooler denim blue such as a French navy or an airforce blue and Winters should opt for a deep cool navy. Go beyond blue and try coloured jeans from your palette. Be careful with white jeans; they will only look great if they are crisp, clean and well-fitting. 4. Washing denim. Always turn denim inside out when popping it in the washing machine to help preserve the colour for as long as possible. 5. Even the pockets, stretch and fastening make a huge difference. Elastic waist, zipper or buttons all alter the overall look of the jeans. Generally smaller pockets make your bum look rounder and bigger pockets are more slimming. 6. Choose high, mid or low waists carefully. Get it wrong and you could create a small muffin top but get it right and you could look in perfect proportion. 7. Make sure you know your inside leg length when choosing a new pair of jeans. There is nothing worse than wearing jeans that are too short or too long for you. Think about what shoes you normally wear with your jeans and try them on together. I can’t stress it enough. The jeans and shoe or boot combination is key. Turn-up jeans add a different dimension to this. If skinny jeans are your thing - pair with knee high boots for style points. 8. Think beyond the strides! Denim looks fantastic as a shirt, jacket, skirt, shorts, dress or jumpsuit, as long as the look is really YOU. 9. Do you suit hard or soft denim? If soft denim is your thing, stand out from the crowd by sewing on some embellishments to make it more you. This might also be a great thing for younger children to enjoy doing. Buy some jewels and let them get creative with clothes glue. Harder denim is less versatile but more structured. 10. If you are fashion forward thinking you might want to try head to toe, double-denim. Keep to the denim shades that suit you and blend denim together rather than two sharply contrasting colours or styles.
24 Completely Bromsgrove
by Jane Brook www.houseofcolour/janebrook
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Become a happier you
W
ould you like to know the secrets to true happiness? You can now join Alicia at one of her local workshops and learn scientifically proven, tried and tested tools and techniques to do just that! Alicia will explain the importance of happiness and how you will benefit in all areas of your life once you have mastered the simple yet highly effective skills she can show you. Alicia is an experienced and qualified NLP Master, Hypnotherapist and Business & Life Coach. She delivers these workshops into the workplace, schools (for both children and teachers) and runs interactive group masterclasses and bootcamps as well as 1 - 1 sessions where she also specialises in clearing anxiety, stress and trauma. Book your place now to become a happier you!
Happiness Workshops With NLP Master & Business & Life Coach
Alicia Benbow Various workshops and bootcamps running locally, contact Alicia for details and to book your place.
Tel: 07876 688497 or 0121 445 3684 Email: abhappinessfirst@gmail.com
Alicia says “I am so excited to be running these workshops and bootcamps. I know what an incredible difference it makes to peoples lives understanding how to create healthy balance and contentment. Studies show that happy people live longer, are healthier, they’re calmer and more efficient. They are far more resilient and inject good energy into their environment. The list of benefits is endless really. There are so many misconceptions as to what true happiness really is…Many people think success will bring happiness. It’s actually the other way round…happiness first! That’s your way to serious success!”
Follow us on
/abhappinessfirst @abhappinessfirst Completely Bromsgrove
25
Are we losing the war on health?
Health and Wellbeing
I
n the last issue I wrote about the microbiome (your gut bacteria) and I want to carry on that conversation for this issue. Our microbiome influences our health on so many levels and is essential to keeping us healthy. With the increase of colds and flu at this time of year many of you may be taking antibiotics. But did you know that after a course of antibiotics much of our gut flora has also been destroyed and it can take months and even years to get our gut flora back to a healthy level? Each of us has billions of microbes living in our bodies. Known as the microbiome, this unique community of organisms is composed of a vast array of microorganisms. Some of the microflora serves to populate the intestine and protect it from invasive and unfriendly flora. Other species live under that protection and help the body extract nutrients from food. In much the same way a rainforest has many different types of plants that sustain its unique environment, the microbiome is an interplay between many species of microbes. In the gut, some species of microbes serve as the canopy, protecting other species from unfriendly flora, allowing friendly flora to thrive and draw nutrients from food in a symbiotic relationship with the body. The symbiotic relationship between the microbiome and the cells of the body together support all bodily functions and is essential to overall health. Disruptions in this delicate balance - medications, environmental toxins, pesticides, illness, and even municipal water - can have negative effects on health and can result in health problems such as diarrhoea, intestinal discomfort, chronic inflammation, and can even affect your emotional health. Microbiome and the immune system The intestinal tract is the first line of defence between the outside world and the body. Having a healthy microbiome is important as it helps protect us from harmful microbes. Microbiome and mental health Some scientists call the digestive system the “second brain� because the connection between a healthy gut and mental health is so strong. The digestive system is full of neuro receptors that are sensitive to microflora and interact with it. Studies show that there is strong communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, and changes to the balance of the microbiome could be associated with the onset of different neuropsychiatric
26  Completely Bromsgrove
disorders such as depression and anxiety. Having a healthy microbiome can help maintain a healthy mental state. Probiotics and Prebiotics Probiotics work to replenish the beneficial bacteria in the body and provide a myriad of important health benefits. We all need to keep our gut flora healthy and in balance. Unfortunately, if we eat highly processed food this prevents the proliferation of probiotics. This is why it is so important to have a supplement that contains prebiotics as well as probiotics because they are the food for the pathogenic bacteria to feed upon. Prebiotics are an important step in maintaining health in the digestive system. I have personally found VIA Biome to be an amazing microbiome supplement containing 16 different strains plus 3 strains for the food for the 16 strains, plus Slippery Elm (Ulmas rubra). Slippery elm acts as a bio-film, effectively adding a protective layer that helps adhere probiotics to the intestinal wall, keeping them in contact with prebiotics for longer. Slippery elm helps improve the integrity between the gut and circulatory system, supports digestive health, and helps the body maintain a healthy inflammatory response.
by Colette Garside
colette@need4change.com
VIP Day Care Centre is an award winning centre specialising in supporting people to live well with all types of dementia, sensory Valuing impairments and disabilities in Individual Redditch & Bromsgrove. People Are you or a 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 to meet others, make friendships and for a whole range of fun activities including art and craft work, pool, beauty therapy, games, gardening, cooking, reminiscence sessions and much more.
Ask your social worker about funding or get in touch with us to book your place on 07733 749 531 or 01527 758070 or email us vipdaycentre@gmail.com We are open 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday www.vipdaycentre.co.uk
Joshua returns to Burcot Grange and The Lodge
J
osh first joined the Burcot Grange care home family when he was 17 as a volunteer; at 18 he secured a full-time position: ‘Having grown up in the local area, I knew Burcot Grange and its reputation well and was proud to be part of the team’. His compassion, professionalism, and dedication were clear from the outset and he was promoted to the role of senior carer within a year. Over the next few years, Josh excelled at Burcot Grange; he was well-liked by team members and residents and clearly showed leadership potential and ambition to progress further. During this time he made the decision to pursue a career in nursing. With the support of the Burcot Grange team, Josh successfully completed his NVQs and matriculated at university studying Adult Nursing. Josh continued to work at Burcot Grange doing care shifts during his degree, but in his second year he made the difficult decision to leave in order to focus on his studies. However, it all paid off and after three years Josh graduated with First Class Honours and became a Registered Nurse. During his final placement, Josh secured employment as a Staff Nurse at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Here, Josh was able to apply his knowledge and gain numerous clinical skills
and experience working in acute care. He quickly established himself as valued member of team with his energy and enthusiasm: ‘I loved the pace and frenzy of a hospital environment; you learn so much about caring for people during difficult times’. Josh also took advantage of the fantastic education and training that the Queen Elizabeth could offer. It is this experience and skill set that Josh will bring back to the newly built Burcot Lodge situated next to Burcot Grange, as he returns to join the family in March as the Deputy Manager at The Lodge in March. He is excited to return and be working with Vicky, Lisa, and the team at Burcot: ‘I am looking forward to coming back to Burcot; it is a place that feels very close to my heart’. Josh prides himself on maintaining high standards, with a positive and enthusiastic personality and is excited to take on this new role. Completely Bromsgrove
27
Battlefield Brook Phase 2 I
n the April/May issue last year, Completely Bromsgrove brought to you the update on Sanders Park first phase of the development. We are now able to inform you of it’s next phase planned for the summer.
Following completion of the Seven Trent project for removal of the concrete sections of the Battlefield Brook in Sanders Park in 2017/18, officers are working with partners again to re-visit the phase 2 section up stream of the previous works, commencing in 2019. This works will only require minor modifications to the existing natural areas of the brook. This will include : Planting Coir Rolls: (as with phase 1) including common and native marginal plants Tree Maintenance: Bankside tree maintenance to include pollarding, crown lifting, topping and where necessary felling to maximise light into the channel to improve habitat for endangered species. Barrier planting: Planting small areas with native planting to discourage access at key areas in the brook for protection of endangered species Erosion Repair: Wood from tree works to be used to fill erosion scars in the bank and to encourage walkers to use a route further from the watercourse Dog swimming step: Erosion from dogs by the bridge to be repaired by building a shallow platform for dogs to enter the water from. Marginal Planting: Common, native marginal plants such as Branched Bur-reed, Yellow Flag and Water Mint to be planted near the watercourse to stabilise the substrate and provide habitat for Water Voles. Blackthorn and Hawthorn to be planted closer to the footpath to discourage access to the banks Phase 2 project works will conclude Seven Trent’s National Environmental Programme for Sanders Park providing a landscaped natural brook course that adds not only wildlife value, but also an amenity value to the park. Officers are working closely with the Environment Agency to review the new maintenance programme and ensure the newly planted water course provides essential protection and cover for protected species as well as opportunities for users to enjoy the riffling sections of the brook. Also included in the project is provision of two new interpretation signs to give park users a brief overview of the project and its aims and achievements. Maintenance is programmed in early Summer as recommended by the Environment Agency to replant some areas of the sections that have become bare, due to drought conditions in the Summer of 2018 and animal activity, with marginal plant species from other more dense locations. This will enable more visible sections of the brook course along its central sections to ensure the water course can be visible and enjoyed by park users.
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The March Hare Inn Carvery and Bar
Monday Carvery £5 Served Lunchtime and Evening Excluding Bank Holidays
2 Course Carvery £9.95 Available Tuesday, Wednesday & Thurdsay
Fish Friday
Lightly Beer Battered Cod, Crushed Peas & Triple Cooked Chips for £8 Available Lunchtime and Evening
Steak Saturday 10oz Sirloin Steak or Prime 16oz Rump Steak £9.95 served with all the trimmings Available 6pm - 9pm
Sunday Carvery £11.95 Served 12 noon - 8pm
(All specials subject to availability)
CARVERY AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK A la Carte Menu available Monday - Saturday The March Hare, Broughton Hackett, Worcester WR7 4BE
Tel: 01905 381222
www.marchhareinn.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove
29
Anita’s Kale, Carrot & Potato Avial
Avial (or aviyal) is a mixed vegetable curry in a thick coconut and yoghurt sauce, originating in Kerala, but which is now eaten widely across South India, especially at festive occasions and weddings. My version of avial has a lighter sauce but is packed with all the flavour, colour and nutrients. Avial can be made with many different vegetables, so once you have mastered the technique, you can create your perfect seasonal combination. Method 1. Bring the water to the boil in a saucepan, add the carrot onion and potato, reduce the heat to a simmer for 5 mins or until the vegetables are almost cooked through. Add a little extra hot water from the kettle to maintain the level of water in the pan. 2. Place the chopped curly kale, mushrooms, and sweetcorn on top of the other vegetables and simply allow to steam for 3-4 mins, before stirring all the vegetables together. 3. Meanwhile, put the grated coconut, ginger and chilli in an electric blender (or pestle and mortar) together with the coconut oil, and 3 tablespoons of water, and grind to a coarse paste. 4. Add this spicy coconut paste to the cooked vegetables, together with the ground cumin, salt and simmer for 2 mins. Finally, stir in the plain yoghurt and gently heat and stir through the vegetables. 5. Avial is particularly delicious served with fragrant basmati rice. Enjoy!
30 Completely Bromsgrove
www.anitasharmajames.co.uk Ingredients • 200g Carrots (cut into batons) • 200g Potato (cut into batons) • Large handful of curly Kale (chopped coarsely) • 50g Chestnut mushrooms (cut in half) • 75g Sweetcorn • One white onion (long thick slices) • 2 cups water (500ml) • 5 cm cube of ginger • One and a half teaspoon ground cumin • 300 ml of natural yoghurt • Two green chillies • Half teaspoon salt • One tablespoon of coconut cooking oil
Anita Sharma-James (PhD) Indian Chef, Author & Founder Tel: 01527 873303 Mob: 07764686119 Email : anitasharmajames@gmail.com
Bournheath is buzzing!
I
n Bournheath is a Village Community Centre, it is run as a registered charity (523101) by Trustees who are all volunteers. For the past year, they have been trying to reach people who may be isolated, lonely, or in need of company by running fortnightly “Get-Togethers” in the Community Centre. They provide a Book Bank, Board Games, a Table Tennis Table, refreshments and general chat/company for people. Essentially, it is the heart of the community. Events are held throughout the year, to raise much needed funds to keep the hall fit for purpose. The toilet facilities for the disabled, are desperately in need of improvement but building work is so costly, hence the Committee are always on the lookout for new fundraising activities, in order to achieve their goal of making the Community Centre, suitable for people of all abilities.
March Meat Box £20 2 British Beef Ribeye Steaks | 2 Chicken Fillets 2 English Lamb Chops | Trio of Homemade Sausages 2 Homemade British Beef Burgers Available in the Shop or FREE home delivery 9 Ryefields Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, B60 4NA www.thebutcheressltd.com
Tel: 01527 435669 or 07496 632 010 Completely Bromsgrove
31
Preserving the Heritage and securing the future at St John’s Support from Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP
T
he Friends of St John’s were delighted to welcome Bromsgrove MP and Home Secretary Sajid Javid to Bromsgrove’s ancient church building. Sajid has been a supporter of Friends’ projects since becoming MP and is keen to keep up to date with plans for restoration, maintenance and future developments.
The Friends team were thrilled when Sajid agreed to be the Patron of the soon to be launched Heritage Future Appeal. The full show-round at the building in January was arranged to highlight the problems which the Appeal will tackle. The “Heritage Future” fundraising Appeal aims to preserve the heritage of the building with necessary repairs to stonework, high level windows and a pledge to “Save Our Spire”; and looking to the future thoughts turn to improved heating, seating, lighting and the provision of services required to meet the needs of the community. The ultimate aim is to secure a self-sustaining building for the future benefit of the town and its people. Have your say on St John’s Future The Friends team are keen to understand the thoughts of the community. They are asking residents of Bromsgrove and those with a connection to the town to share their thoughts in a short survey. For centuries the church building has served the people of the town as a meeting place, market, spiritual home and community venue for all. It is an auditorium for music and the arts; a sanctuary in times of sadness; uplifting in times of joy and celebration. From humble beginnings, a place of pagan worship by an oak tree on a small hill, to the largest gathering space in town with the tallest spire in Worcestershire and one of only six Grade I listed buildings in the Bromsgrove District. The church is all these things and more – but how can it best work for all these different aspects? If you currently use the building a lot, a little, or not at all Friends of St John’s want to hear your views. The online survey is www.tiny.url/ StJohnsSurvey2019 or paper copies are available from St John’s or Bromsgrove Library.
by Jo Slade
32 Completely Bromsgrove
Show your support Friends of St John’s exists to organise community events for the benefit of Bromsgrove and to raise funds for the ongoing maintenance and regular restoration needs of our wonderful, ancient church building. To further support Friends you can follow on Facebook www. facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove connect on Twitter @FriendsStJohns join in on Instagram @ CelebrateBromsgrove or get in touch via email friends.stjohns. church@gmail.com
Completely Bromsgrove
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Open Day at the Shed!
F
riends new and old were welcomed for a cup of tea and a chat on Thursday 7th February 2019, as Bromsgrove Men In Sheds hosted the first of its planned Open Days.
The event coincided with national ‘Time To Talk Day’ (which encourages people to have a conversation about mental health) with the Shedders keen to raise awareness of the positive impact that their group is having on the local community. This Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest group (which is based at the Metal & Ores Industrial Estate in Stoke Prior) has been operating since 2016, providing a supportive and friendly setting where people can come together to socialise and learn new skills. Thursday’s event was attended by several of the Shedders’ sponsors and supporters including representatives from Phoenix Group (who recently hosted a sale of Bromsgrove Men In Sheds products and a raffle, raising over £900 for the Shedders!), Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants, Bromsgrove Lions Club and Rotary Club of Bromsgrove. The Shedders also welcomed visitors from Berrington Court (Wyre Forest), Stoke Prior Parish Council and Primrose Hospice, as well as several prospective new ‘Shedders’!!! Speaking about the Open Days, Jo Hughes from Age UK BRWF said: “We are so very grateful to local businesses, organisations and members of the local community for their support of Bromsgrove Men in Sheds. It has been almost a year since we launched the Shed Share scheme and, thanks to the local community and the amazing
34 Completely Bromsgrove
efforts of the Shedders during 2018, people are now talking about Bromsgrove Men In Sheds! Our aim for 2019 is to build upon this support and to encourage more people to get involved as Shedders and/ or as supporters so that we can reach and involve more people. Visitors are always welcome at the Shed, but the Open Days are an opportunity for people to come along and find out more about this fantastic, local initiative and to join the Shedders for a chat and a cup of tea and to find out how they could get involved.” The next Bromsgrove Men In Sheds Open Day is planned for Saturday 23rd March (11am-3pm), and the Shedders would like to encourage anybody that is interested to come along! For more information about Bromsgrove Men In Sheds and the Open Days please contact Jo Hughes at Age UK BRWF on 01527 868855.You can also watch the ‘Men In Sheds – A Closer Look’ video at https://youtu. be/p_SBhOZQgeg • Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest (Age UK BRWF) is a local, independent charity supporting older people and their families across North Worcestershire. Our aim is to make North Worcestershire a better place for people to grow old by delivering high quality local services and support for people over the age of 50, to
Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest
promote independence and inclusion, enabling people to make the most of later life. • The charity was formed in 2016, following the merger of Age UK Bromsgrove & District, Age UK Redditch & District and Age UK Wyre Forest. These individual Age UK Partners already had an established presence in their communities (having previously been local Age Concerns) - by creating a larger organisation, Age UK BRWF is better positioned to respond to an increasingly challenging economic climate and demands being placed on charities • We pride ourselves in offering local person-centred services to thousands of people. Our core services include: • Information & Advice (I&A) – Our trained advisors offer a free and confidential information and advice service for older people, their families and carers on a range of topics including; social care; benefits and pensions advice; staying safe , warm and independent at home as well as support for carers • At Home With Age UK BRWF – We have brought together our Help at Home, Handy Person and Gardener services to form a new integrated range of ‘At Home’ services aimed at supporting people to remain independent and safe in their own home.
tackling loneliness and social isolation in older men where retirement can mean loss of status and contact. The first Men In Sheds project was started by Age UK Cheshire in the autumn of 2008. The idea of the project is to have a place where men (or women) can get together to work on DIY projects or furniture reclamation, get some community spirit going and have a good time • Bromsgrove Men in Sheds Group meet at a Unit at Metal Ores Industrial Estate, Stoke Prior (www.ageuk. org.uk/brwf/activities-and-events/men-in-sheds/ ) • The annual Shed Share Sponsorship Scheme was launched on 24th March 2018 to help raise funds to help ensure the continuation of this much valued group. For £100, local businesses/ groups/ individuals can sponsor a ‘Shed Share’ for a year. In return sponsors will receive a Shed Share certificate, as well as having their support recognised in a variety of ways by Age UK BRWF and the Men In Sheds Group For further information about age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest please contact Jo Hughes (Tel: 01527 868855, Email: Jo.Hughes@ageukbrwf.org.uk)
• Whilst this is a chargeable service, it is non-profit making with any surplus used to support Age UK BRWF’s charitable work We also provide a range of charitable services and activities, aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation including our Befriending & Care Calls service, Friendship and Social Groups, Bromsgrove Men In Sheds and Computer Clubs.
by Jo Hughes
• Men in Sheds originates from an Australian project started in the 1990’s, called Men’s Sheds, as a way of
Completely Bromsgrove
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Bromsgrove Ramblers - Enjoying the Great Outdoors
B
romsgrove Ramblers are par t of The Ramblers, a registered charity, whose aims are to promote walking, protect the countryside and maintain the footpath network for future generations.
Bromsgrove Ramblers organise regular local walks some long (about 8 - 10 miles), some short (about 4 - 6 miles) and some shorter which may end at a pub or tea room (about 3 - 4 miles). We also offer day coach trips further afield a couple of times a year, travelling to such areas as the Shropshire Hills or Wye Valley and providing a choice of two hikes. In addition there is an annual week-end away trip for members. Recently we have visited the Lake District and the Isle of Wight. On the social front, the Group lays on summer Pub rambles, Quiz evenings, Skittles nights and meals out. Bromsgrove Ramblers invite people to join them for the chance to enjoy fresh air, amid some beautiful landscapes and in good company with the opportunity to make new friends. Social group walking with a leader allows you to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
This year the Ramblers have teamed up with the mental health anti-stigma campaign ‘Time to Change’ because it recognises the benefits of walking. Being physically active, connecting with nature and other people - the ingredients of a Ramblers group walk - are all things which have been shown to have a positive impact on an individual’s health, happiness and general wellbeing. Walks Secretary of the Bromsgrove Group, Martin, said: “Spring is a wonderful time to go walking and to enjoy the crisp air and see nature re-awakening after the cold and rigours of winter.” A Ramblers membership will give you access to hundreds of group walks every year and an online library of over 2,500 Ramblers Routes. For more information contact Membership Secretary Chris on 0121 445 6522 or Group Secretary Peter on 01527 558203. Do think about joining us - a warm welcome is assured.
by Peter Davies
36 Completely Bromsgrove
Do you have knee or hip pain? An educational and exercise programme for people living with osteoarthritis CLASS DETAILS Venue Health Promotion Room (ground floor) BHI PARKSIDE, Stourbridge Road Bromsgrove B61 0AZ Day Mondays and Wednesdays Time 2.15pm to 3.15pm Cost £3.30 Starting Monday 1st April
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Contact Hayley Gwilliam - Bromsgrove District Council Telephone 01527 881404 Email: hayley.gwilliam@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
Boyce
Spike
B
lue Cross animal re-homing centre in Catshill Bromsgrove, always has lots of pets looking for new homes, we will help you find a new companion that will fit into your family and help you start a new life together. Pets like two-year-old Boyce who was found as a stray. This cat would be best suited to a home with older teenage children as he would benefit from a calmer home. He could possibly live with another cat pending introduction but dogs would be a bit too scary for him. He isn’t enjoying cattery life so would like to find his forever home where he can snuggle up near a warm fire or a sunny windowsill. Or Rocco, who is nearly two-years-old and is a mastiff Staffy cross breed. Rocco is a bigger dog who loves to play. He gets on and likes to hang out with other dogs but would prefer to be the only pet in his new home to have all the attention for himself. After a hard days play he loves nothing more than to snuggle up on the sofa. The centre are working with him on his training and he will need to continue this in his new home, perhaps older children can help him with learning new skills? Or Spike, a seven-year-old cat looking for a quiet home. She loves food treats and spending quality snooze time in her cosy bed. She is a bit afraid of dogs so would prefer not to live with one. Many pets do not enjoy spending time in kennels, they much prefer the comforts of home which is why we try, whenever possible, to find a pet a new home while they stay in their previous one so they avoid kennels completely. For some it isn’t always an option, but for those that can, it makes it much less stressful for all concerned. It also allows us to save as much space as possible to take in really needy pets with nowhere else to go - like stray and abandoned pets.
by Louise Lee
Rocco Blue Cross is a charity and we don’t receive any government funding so rely on local support to continue helping pets who need us. Join us as we celebrate the changing of the seasons at our Spring fair on Saturday 9 March from 10am until 1pm. There will be lots of Easter themed fun, games and refreshments. On offer will also be pet goods and pet food plus you can take part in a tombola to win a special prize. We welcome dogs, especially old pals who spent time with us at the centre - each dog will receive a free goody bag. Come and join us at Catshill Village Hall, Golden Cross Lane, Bromsgrove, B61 0JZ. To find out more about pets looking for homes and future events in aid of Blue Cross in Bromsgrove join them on Facebook, visit ww.bluecross.org.uk or call the centre: 0300 777 1460.
For more information about what Blue Cross does - go to www.bluecross.org.uk
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Drawn from the Wood
‘I
want to share my enthusiasm for Hanbury Woods’, says Robin Shaw about his exhibition, Drawn from the Wood, running from 16 – 30 March 2019 at National Trust’s Hanbury Hall. The woods once belonged to the estate of the Vernons, preserving a connection to and tying into the spirit of the Hall itself. The exhibition is a series of black and white drawings, but more than that it is a narrative; the story of the woods.
‘Many will know the woods as a dark tunnel of trees as they drive to Hanbury from the north. Mysterious and dramatic particularly in winter with the low sun filtering through the silhouetted trunks and branches. It is the old sweet chestnuts which first got me drawing. They lurk among the other trees of the woods, and some are over three hundred years old – as old as Hanbury Hall. They have huge trunks with deeply-rutted, spiralling bark, burrs and ripples, and cracked, twisted, and broken branches. But yet they sprout new growth. They are venerable in their decrepitude, organic, and sculptural to draw. As I spent more time in the woods I began to explore their history and ecology. We are so lucky to have them to enjoy – they are a surviving remnant of accessible countryside. They are on a hill, Piper’s Hill, which in medieval times was the centre of a large area of common land; rough, gorsy pasture where cottagers had rights to graze their animals and cut fire wood. The common land was allocated to parishes and the top of the hill was part of the parish of Dodderhill. Through the eighteenth century enclosures crept up on Piper’s Hill and the common became more restricted. Commoners were gradually displaced and by the nineteenth century it was valued as a beauty spot, an amenity much appreciated for its mature trees and
its views over Worcestershire. The common used to be what is known as wood pasture, grazed but with a scatter of single trees managed to provide wood and timber. Without grazing, the trees – largely beech – grew naturally and the open common became the dense woods of today. Since 1995 Hanbury Woods have been owned by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and are expertly managed. They are a Site of Special Scientific Interest, mainly because of the ageing trees – over 250 veterans, oaks, beeches, and the sweet chestnuts that I like to draw. Ageing timber provides habitat for rare fungi and beetles. Every winter as westerly gales into the wood one or two trees are blow down, and as part of the management regime they are left to lie and rot. There is drama in the woods; the magnificence of veterans, the gaunt forms of fallen giants, the long grey trunks of stands of beeches, the glimpses of distant views.’ This is exactly what Robin captures through his art, which will be displayed in an exhibition in Hanbury’s Long Gallery from 16 March. The exhibition is in The Long Gallery, Hanbury Hall and runs from 16 – 30 March. It is open to all visitors to Hanbury Hall. Normal admission prices and opening times apply.
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Looking back at the evacuees & refugees of war T
he Bromsgrove Society will host the 33rd Bromsgrove Lecture “Bromsgrove on the Eve of War: Our Town and District in 1939” presented by Pat Tansell. Bromsgrove local historian Pat Tansell will look at aspects of life in the Bromsgrove District during the late 1930s, focusing in particular on 1939. Pat will recount stories from the town on the eve of war, describing how people were preparing for the days to come. Topics will include A.R.P. and Home Front preparations, the arrival of evacuees and Jewish refugees and Bromsgrove’s referendum on Sunday cinema opening. To accompany the presentation The Orchestra of St John will play “Bromsgrove Fair” by Leslie Bridgewater. Pat discovered this piece in 2013 and then, whilst carrying out research for the lecture, she approached Alastair Moseley from the Orchestra who jumped at the chance to play it. This light and cheery piece of music was written in the 1930’s and is very much of its time. Such pieces of music were commissioned to raise the spirits of the nation and were continually played on the radio. The Bromsgrove Society are delighted to welcome the 25 piece orchestra to bring the sounds of the time back to life.
The event will be held in Routh Hall, Bromsgrove School on Tuesday 16th April 2019. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start with open seating in the hall. After the talk the audience is invited to enjoy a complimentary drink and mingle with other guests. Tickets for the evening are just £6. The Bromsgrove Society expects the lecture to sell out so do buy your tickets ahead of time to avoid missing out. Tickets are available in person from Foto Factory in Bromsgrove at 123 High Street Bromsgrove or online from Bromsgrove School Box Office. www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk/boxoffice.aspx Further details can be found at www.bsoc.co.uk or via @BromsgroveSoc on Facebook and Twitter.
40 Completely Bromsgrove
by Jo Slade
Into the Workhouse I
n Bromsgrove, as elsewhere, it was once considered a crime to be poor. Those unable or thought unwilling to work lived in dread of the workhouse.
Oliver Twist asks for more
The first workhouse was established in the town in 1723 on the Strand, the building having been converted from a private house. By 1776 it could accommodate up to 100 inmates. Similar workhouses were erected in neighbouring parishes such as Tardebigge, Alvechurch and Belbroughton. Bromsgrove’s parish workhouse still stands and has been conver ted into offices. Following the Poor Law reforms of 1834, Bromsgrove Poor Law Union was formed, covering a much wider area. Its operation was overseen by a Board of Guardians drawn from its thirteen constituent parishes. This Union covered a population of around 19,800, of whom 8,600 were in Bromsgrove itself.
Site of the Bromsgrove Workhouse, Birmingham Road
It was decided that a new workhouse was needed to serve the whole district. A site on the west side of Birmingham Road was chosen, about half a mile from the town. Work began in 1837, based on a standard cruciform design published by the Poor Law Commissioners. This allowed strict segregation between the sexes and between different categories of inmates (able bodied, children, and old/infirm). The east-facing entrance block contained the porter’s lodge, boardroom and offices. To the rear, radiating from the central supervisory hub, were four accommodation wings, with the areas in between divided into segregated exercise yards. The new Bromsgrove Union workhouse received its first admissions in March 1839 and could accommodate up to 300 inmates. The staff included a Master, who was paid £40 per annum, a Matron, at £20 per annum, and the Union’s full time clerk, who received £120 per annum.
Women splitting oakum
The institution was embroiled in several scandals over the years. In January 1842, a five-year old inmate, Henry Cartwright, died due to the negligence of the Medical Officer, Dr Fletcher. The boy was suffering from scabies and was meant to have been treated by dabbing with potassium sulphate. An inquiry found that he had been immersed in a solution of the compound instead. In another incident in 1899, six-year old Sarah Jane Ward died of horrific burns after playing with lighted paper. Again, the Guardians were reprimanded. In 1884, a large new infirmary was added to the rear of the workhouse, with separate male and female wings. In addition to the inmates, this served others in the town who could not afford to pay for medical treatment elsewhere. After the workhouse closed around the 1930s, the infirmary remained in use and during the Second World War a neurosurgical unit for British servicemen was erected on the site. From 1943 hospitalised American servicemen moved in and became a common sight around the town. ‘All Saints’, as it was known, remained the town’s General Hospital until the 1980s, when services were transferred to other hospitals in the area. Only the workhouse entrance block survives and has been converted into offices. The life of the poor will be explored further at the Bromsgrove Society’s local history meeting on 19th March when Sarah Bradley will talk on “Living the Poor Life: In and Out of the Bromsgrove by Mike Sharpe Workhouse”. Details at: www.bsoc.co.uk
Plan of Bromsgrove Workhouse, c.1895
The old Bromsgrove Parish Workhouse, The Strand
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Bromsgrove Sporting F.C. B
romsgrove Sporting first team remain in second place in the Evo-Stik South Division One Central. There were a couple of defeats in January and a home draw saw us lose our 100% home record but if current form continues we should reach the end of season play-offs with the prospect of another promotion.
Richard Gregory is the season’s leading scorer with 27 goals to date whilst fellow striker Jason Cowley (left) is on 23 (as of time of print) including two recent consecutive hat-tricks. Somewhat disappointingly, long-serving central defenders Craig Jones and Danny Morris have chosen to leave the Club but coming in are Kyle Lincoln and Kieran Westwood with Cameron Peters for another loan spell from Walsall. Our under 18’s midweek team have had a mixed season so far but with several under age players they have done well against older teams. Our Colts teams (below) have been fortunate this season with the mild and dry weather to avoid cancellations. Their eighteen teams ranging from under 7s to girls’ under 16s continue to play in a range of leagues and cup competitions. photo; David Besley
We are always interested in hearing from anybody wanting to play for any of our teams or helping out at the Club on match days or during the week, in which case email: info@bromsgrovesporting.co.uk
by Phil Baker
42 Completely Bromsgrove
Under 7’s team & mascot “Rebel” Rousler - photo; Geoff Hawkesworth
Avoncroft Cricket Club
T
he Club is now involved in the Worcestershire winter Indoor Cricket League, and early results have been mixed.
The Club AGM is being held at the pavilion on Thursday March 14th, 7.30 pm. All past and present members and friends are invited to hear about Avoncroft’s ambitious plans for the new season. A new Sunday captain will be appointed following Chris Pitt’s decision to take a breather after 5 successful years. The Club would be very pleased to welcome prospective new members to the meeting. The committee, led by Mark Wood, has secured grants for new junior equipment and upgrades to the kitchen, and importantly, has been awarded a significant loan by the English Cricket Board for the purchase of a new outfield mower and wicket roller. A number of members have volunteered to join the new in house team to maintain the pitch and outfield. The Club is also optimistic that a major grant for new practice nets will finally come to fruition after three years of preparing the application. After a long and on occasion difficult winter, the Club continues to thrive and looks forward to the new season with great enthusiasm. www.avoncroftcc.co.uk
by Paul Athey
Host families needed for visiting French students & teachers in March, April & May
T
he area will be visited for the 5th year running, by a large group of young French students and their teachers. Due to their enjoyment of our varied local attractions over the last few years, the students will be back to indulge in chocolate at Cadbury World, eat local Fish and Chips, visit Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Black Country Museum.
Host families are needed from all local areas, to give these students a comfortable bed when they return from their daily excursions. This is a great way to exchange language, food and culture, although you do not need to speak French. Your hospitality will be financially rewarded. If you are
within commutable distance of Wychbold, Bromsgrove and Longbridge daily meeting points, and would like more information about hosting, then please contact: Lisa Mistry on 07702 504495 or email: l.mistry@aol.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove
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Beautiful Lantern Walk raises thousands for Primrose Hospice
T
HE stunning grounds of Hanbury Hall were lit with hundreds of fairy lights and walkers carrying lanterns on the evening of Saturday 2nd February.
As the winter’s sun set behind the Hall, almost 250 people followed the peaceful one mile trail around the beautiful gardens of the National Trust property. Many carried lanterns and there was a chance to stop in the gardens for a moment of remembrance with Primrose’s chaplain Keith Judson to hang their memory hearts with messages to their loved ones. At the end of the trail, they were greeted by Primrose Choir who sang a medley of songs that were perfectly fitting for the event. It was the first time the hospice had run a Lantern Walk and it raised almost £4,000 which will go towards supporting life-limited people and their families living in north east Worcestershire. Anna Wilson, Primrose Hospice fundraiser, said: “It was an incredibly moving event that was so well supported by the community. “The weather was perfect, there was a stunning sunset across Hanbury just as the walkers made their way along the beautifully-lit route. “Seeing groups of families and friends carrying the lanterns and taking time to remember someone special was moving and then we ended on a high with the fabulous Primrose Choir singing with Hanbury Hall as the backdrop. “Thank you to everyone who supported what was such a special event which we hope to put on again. “We would especially like to thank Chris and his wife Jane from CLT Electrical & Data who supported the event and came along to the Lantern Walk.
44 Completely Bromsgrove
www.primrosehospice.org
v
Forthcoming Attractions Box Office 01527 65203
Online booking www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk
Thursday 28 March, 7.30pm Brierley Hill Civic Hall, Dudley Box Office 01384 573381 Monday 22 April, 5pm Evesham Arts Centre, Evesham Box Office 01386 446944 Saturday 18 May, 2.30pm & 7.30pm Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury Box Office 01684 295074
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Bromsgrove Concerts
showcase great British composers in a programme to be performed by the Eblana String Trio at Artrix
B
romsgrove Concerts at Artrix Arts Centre at 8:00pm on Friday 22nd March to hear the gifted young Eblana String Trio – Jonathan Martindale, violin, Lucy Nolan, viola and Peggy Nolan, cello – perform lyrical British music for String Trio by Purcell, Finzi, Moeran, and David Matthews; one of the country’s most prolific and popular contemporary composers. Formed in 2006 at the Royal Northern College of Music, where they won all the major chamber music prizes, the Eblana String Trio has been performing regularly for music societies and festivals throughout the UK and beyond, winning praise from audiences and critics alike for the depth and insight of their performances of often neglected repertoire. Recent seasons have seen the trio giving acclaimed performances at both London’s Wigmore Hall for the Park Lane Group and at the Bridgewater Hall for the Manchester Midday Concerts Society, as well as performing live on BBC Radio 3.
As visiting tutors, they have links to outstanding music institutions in the midlands region, including the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and, amongst other positions, violinist Jonathan Martindale is currently Assistant Leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Don’t miss details of the final concert in the current Bromsgrove Concerts’ season in the next issue of Completely Bromsgrove! www.bromsgrove-concerts.org.uk Tickets on the door/online - discounts available Artrix Arts Centre Slideshow Drive Bromsgrove B60 1PQ Tel: 01527 577 330 boxoffice@artrix.co.uk Free parking. A Premier Inn is adjacent to the venue providing overnight accommodation in addition to a restaurant.
David Matthews
Eblana String Trio
46 Completely Bromsgrove
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