Issuu

Issue 3

Aug. /Sept. 2018

Completely

Bromsgrove

CREATING A ROOM FOR ALL SEASONS ,

THE PERFECT ROOFING SOLUTION FOR YOUR CONSERVATORY

Recognised within the industry for quality & reliability

• 10 year insurance-backed guarantees • Electrics & plastering undertaken • Wide range of roof tile colours & designs • Building Regulations arranged • Our own expertly trained fitters • Leading Midlands based roofing specialists

For your free, no-obligation site survey call us today

CALL TODAY 01527 69296 www.ensignroof.co.uk Unit 19, Walkers Road, Manor Side Industrial Estate, North Moons Moat, Redditch, B98 9HE

Welcome Welcome to the summer edition of Completely Bromsgrove. So much has happened since our last issue! England have thrilled us all with their World Cup campaign, and it’s been so lovely seeing all the red and white flags flying! We have had wonderful weather over these past weeks, although I do sympathise with the gardeners amongst us, the grass is no longer green, and our flower beds may not be as vibrant as they have in recent summers. Nevertheless Karl Strawbridge gives us some hints and tips on summer plant care, and talks about Bees and Butterflies, thanks Karl for your input. With the summer well and truly here, we have produced a pull-out in the centre of the magazine with lots of activities that are happening in and around Bromsgrove during the summer break. It would be great if you sent in your photos of your days out and any events that you attend. E-mail to newsbromsgrove@outlook.com and we will see if we can share them in the next issue.

Our Competition this month is being offered by the newly refurbished Swan at Fairfield - one lucky winner will be winning dinner for 4 people including a bottle of wine, turn to page 42 to enter now! I would like to thank Jim for this generous offer. Sanders Park is celebrating its 50th Anniversary, in celebration of this wonderful park space we have in Bromsgrove there will be lots of activities, ensure you pop down and enjoy the entertainment, or join in with the activities, there really is something for everyone! Have a great summer and I look forward to speaking to you again in the Autumn issue out on the 21st September! P.S. Don’t forget to let us know if you have a news story you would like to share. Best Wishes

Contents

6 8 10 12 16 18 20 22 24 25 26 27 30 32

Michele Ford

Town Crier Kevin Ward Love Knitting? Ormerod Rutter Bromsgrove’s Banking History Beautiful Bathrooms Gardening Keeping Bromsgrove Beautiful Chaddesley Woods Bromsgrove International Link What’s On This Summer 50 Years of Sanders Park Pershore Plum Festival Heritage Open Days Kelly Oliver - A New Talent

Completely

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

4 Completely Bromsgrove

44 50 33 34 36 38 39 40 42 44 45 46 48 50

Sales:

Michele Ford Tel: 07948 086870

Design:

Matt Walton Design

Shopping Secrets How to Lose Weight Organic Skincare Health Recipe Mexican Food The Swan at Fairfield Competition Bromsgrove Sporting F.C. Avoncroft Cricket Club Know Your School The Bromsgrove Institute Hanbury Countryside Show

Congratulations to last issue’s Competition winners: Hanbury Countryside Show Hospitality tickets Mrs Jackie Turpin Sharon Crofts from Bromsgrove from Bromsgrove

Print:

Vale Press, 6, Willersey Business Park, Willersey WR12 7RR www.valegroup.co.uk

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.

Respite breaks now available â€“ please call for details We are the difference between quality and excellence and between caring at work and caring like family. If you need help ďŹ nding care, we will do whatever we can to be the difference you need.

Residential Care | Dementia Care | Respite Breaks

Call 0121 222 9018 | Visit cinnamoncc.com The Lodge at Burcot Grange Care Home 23 Greenhill, Burcot, Bromsgrove, B60 1BJ

Kevin Ward with Court Leet Pole Bearers

Kevin Ward and Rev’d Ray Khan, St John’s

Jo Slade, Sajid Javid, Hamish Wilson and Kevin Ward

6 Completely Bromsgrove

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! I

f you’ve heard this cry in Bromsgrove in the last thirty or so years there’s a very good chance it will have been made by our wonderful Town Crier Kevin Ward. In 1985 Kevin became Bromsgrove’s Town Crier and the Bellman to the Court Leet and Court Baron of the Manor of Bromsgrove. This role was somewhat written in the stars given that Kevin’s Great-Great-GreatGrandfather was the last Town Crier of Birmingham. Born in 1779, Jacob Wilson became the city’s town crier in 1827 and continued in the role until he died in 1882. Jacob claimed that the position had been in the family for 350 years, so it comes as no surprise that Kevin would continue this family tradition into the next century. Traditionally Town Criers were employed to inform the people of local happenings and news from the crown. The first recorded Town Crier in England was sent out by William the Conqueror in 1066 to proclaim the news of his victory, and so this method of communication continued until newspapers and printed press took over to spread news. In Bromsgrove today Kevin carries out his duties to the Court Leet on Fair Day and for Spring and Autumn Courts on the morning of the event in the High Street, announcing to the people what is taking place on that day. For the Ale Tasting events Kevin announces the arrival of the Bailiff and Court Officers to the pubs and oversees the proceeding, ensuring those in attendance “pay attention to the matters occurring in this Inn.” In support of Bromsgrove, Kevin will be seen leading the carnival procession, in the High Street on St George’s Day, for the Christmas Light Switch On across the district…. the list goes on! The style of Kevin’s robes and regalia date from the 1770’s when Town Crying was at its peak – a time before universal education and newspapers. The day coat is made in Bromsgrove’s colours of green and silver and the heavy cape is both wind proof and waterproof – very important for an outdoor occupation. The coat is also extremely practical with “poachers pockets” and a special pocket for the scroll to be kept when not in use. Out of “uniform” Kevin sings in a number of local choirs and choral societies and is often found on stage performing – his portrayal of Fagin in Oliver! is well remembered by all who saw him.

Town Crier Kevin Ward

Over the years Kevin has entered, and been successful, in many Town Crier competitions, both nationally and internationally. In 2009 he was overall winner and best dressed crier in the Guild of Town Crier’s National Championship, and in April of this year regained he title (for the fourth time) at Warwick’s Town Crier Competition. Kevin is member of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and is a huge asset to Bromsgrove. If you see him do stop and say hello, or invite him to attend your fete, fair, conference or wedding!

To find out more visit www.loudmouthbromsgrove.com

by Jo Slade

Completely Bromsgrove

Love knitting? C alling all who can knit or crochet to get involved with ‘Bromsgrove Remembers’.

Bromsgrove Methodist Church Centre, 19 Stratford Road, is coordinating an effort to create an eye catching collage of poppies over their Stratford Road facing wall. Thousands of knitted or crocheted poppies will be needed to create the display which will be in red poppies with the number 100 written in white poppies. The idea was inspired by the ceramic poppy displays at the Tower in London and more recently Hereford Cathedral. Yarn poppies are an easier way for folks to get involved and feel connected with the tribute. In the 100th year since the signing of the armistice at 11.00 a.m. on the 11th November 1918 it seemed right to acknowledge our debt to the service men and women who lost their lives, the many who were injured and the huge effort of civilians who produced munitions and filled roles in farm and factory. The white poppies remember those who worked for peace as individuals and through organisations seeking to bring an end to violence in our generation. The initiative has the support of Churches Together in Bromsgrove and the Royal British Legion and is part of the much wider Bromsgrove Remembers effort. You are invited to join in this event knitting or crocheting some poppies. Your poppies should be delivered to the Methodist Church Centre from 3rd to 30th September from 10am to 2pm Monday to Thursday. The display will be formally opened at 11am on Saturday 27th October 2018. Any yarn can be used so long as it is red. However, the stall in Bromsgrove Market (Outside Acorns Trust Shop Friday and Saturday) will stock an appropriate red together with free knitting and crochet patterns. Patterns will also be available – free - from the Methodist Centre (10.30 to 2.30 Monday to Thursday and 10.30 to 12.30 Saturdays) and at Tailorations in the Precinct. Further information can be obtained from the Methodist

8 Completely Bromsgrove

Church Centre telephone 01527 835843 or email bromsgrovecircuitoffice@googlemail.com. Further information will be available as the date gets nearer. Rev Richard Wilde said, “I gained a deep respect for our military when I worked for five years on a part time basis as an army chaplain with the Royal Logistics Corp. I met women and men who risked their lives and some who carried injuries from defusing improvised explosive devices e.g. car bombs in Northern Ireland many who bear the scars on their face and their body. Few people have what it takes to approach a ticking bomb and defuse it to save lives and injuries of people who they will never know. Their contribution is just one among the many of those who have served and those who still do serve on our behalf. My own grandfather, father, two of my sons and a daughter in law have or still do serve in the military. The poppies, red and white, show our respect and gratitude.

LTD

at The Jinney Ring Centre

Perfect Partners the Heart of England Don’t trust the internet meet a genuine person through Perfect Partners... Let us find you a special caring friend Safe Secure Successful

OhFasFe 2n0y% purc a

ust hout Aug throug his advert with t Open 7 days 10am-5pm

Genuine local introductions. All clients personally interviewed at home by Qualified Psychologist Established 30 years.

Tel: 01905 621183

www.perfectpartnerstheheartofengland.co.uk

01527 821034 www.topglass.biz

Sculpture Trail

25th August—30 September see website for details Completely Bromsgrove

Big firm capability Family firm personality

stablished for 35 years, Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants is the leading independent accountancy firm in the region. The company prides itself on its innovative and progressive approach and is extremely proud of its extensive history and the milestones it has achieved, which include welcoming its 200th member of staff to the team last month. Firmly established across Worcestershire, Ormerod Rutter has expanded over the years and currently has eight offices across the county, including Regency House in Bromsgrove. The Bromsgrove team specialises in providing small, medium-sized and large businesses with services and support that meets their on-going requirements on a daily basis. Established over 16 years ago by Senior Partner, Julian Dyer, who joined the firm in 1989, the Bromsgrove office has gone from strength-to-strength. At the last count, it was supporting and working with more than 600 businesses locally, together with clients further afield in Norwich, London and Brighton. “We have developed a strong presence in Bromsgrove and its surrounding areas, not only due to our extensive expertise and the wide range of services we provide but also our commitment to helping our clients and their businesses grow” explains Julian. “We’re also an incredibly friendly and approachable team and have some of the most experienced and highly-trained ACCA and AAT, tax and financial experts working with us. “Our clients’ needs have grown, as well as our own, which has seen us appoint several partners from specialist fields over recent years. This has enabled us to provide much more than just standard accountancy services, but dedicated, industry-leading professional business advice.”

As Ormerod Rutter has expanded, so too has the range of services offered , which include: • Tax • Accounts • Bookkeeping and payroll • Auto enrolment • International tax • Inheritance tax planning and trusts • Wealth planning and protection • VAT • Tax investigations and fee protection Julian added: “Unlike other accountants, we don’t just do the bare minimum. We proactively work behind the scenes to make sure we provide our clients with the best possible service. Whether they need simple tax advice, or assistance with personal self-assessments or require help with complex tax matters, such as international tax, audit, VAT and tax investigations, we can help!” For more information about Ormerod Rutter or to book a free consultation with Julian, please contact 01527 889800 or email juliandyer@ormerodrutter.co.uk Testimonials “Starting up a new business is scary - Julian left me feeling relaxed and excited about the new venture knowing they are looking after everything I don’t understand.” – F. Jones “I have found Julian and all other staff very helpful and they are great at keeping me updated.” - H. Sanders

<RX ZLOO EH LQ safe hands with 2UPHURG 5XWWHU

With 35 years of experience helping sole traders, small, medium and large sized companies, we can help you with all of your accountancy and taxation needs.

Contact us for a free consultation today. %LJ ÜUP FDSDELOLW\ )DPLO\ ÜUP SHUVRQDOLW\ 01527 889800 www.ormerodrutter.co.uk 01905 777600 hello@ormerodrutter.co.uk

Bromsgrove’s Banking History

here was a time when people viewed their bank manager as a friend; someone who understood their needs and could be called on when things got a bit tight. The neighbourhood bank manager has long since gone, while globalisation and the financial crisis have changed our view of banks entirely. In 1851, Bromsgrove was hit by a banking crisis of its own when Rufford & Biggs’s bank collapsed, depriving most depositors of their savings. This bank was founded in Stourbridge in 1792 by Francis Rufford and Thomas Biggs, and there was a branch in Bromsgrove by 1811. It was initially located near the Town Hall before moving to larger premises at 93 High Street in 1825. By 1851, Rufford & Biggs was the leading bank in the town, run by the founder’s grandson, Francis Rufford, of Yew Tree House, Belbroughton. Rufford, however, had invested his depositors’ money in the ill-fated alkali works at Stoke Prior and both the Stourbridge and Bromsgrove banks went bankrupt, with combined debts of over £400,000. The Stourbridge & Kidderminster Banking Company was founded in 1833 and opened a Bromsgrove branch in August 1834. The agency at Bromsgrove was open only once a week on market days. However, with the failure of Rufford Biggs & Company it was able to buy their premises at 93 High Street for £1,027.18s.6d. In 1880 the Stourbridge & Kidderminster amalgamated with the Birmingham Banking Company. This bank, later known as the Metropolitan Bank, was in turn taken over by the London City & Midland Bank, better known as the Midland Bank. The Midland was taken over by HSBC Holdings plc in 1992 and renamed HSBC Bank plc in 1999. It still occupies the same building (now numbered 47 High Street) which was extensively rebuilt in 1973. HSBC Archives in London still has the deeds to these premises going back to the 18th century. A branch of the Worcester City & County Bank was opened in Bromsgrove in October 1863, with George William Gibson (formerly of the Stourbridge & Kidderminster) in charge. In 1865 Worcester City & County purchased the materials of the former Hop Pole Inn, which were re-erected as its new bank premises in New Road. This institution was absorbed by Lloyds Bank in 1889, and continued at its New Road location until 1914. It then moved to larger premises at 22 High Street (now numbered 112 High Street). Major rebuilding work was performed on the premises in 1971, but the impressive Georgian façade was retained. Barclays Bank Archives has notes on the deeds to 17 High Street (now numbered 118 High Street) back to 1841. The firm leased the premises from Mrs A.E. Ince in 1920 and bought the freehold in 1924. The above information has been researched by the Bromsgrove Society’s Local History Group as part of its survey of the High Street. For further information on the Bromsgrove Society see www.bsoc.co.uk

by Mike Sharpe

12 Completely Bromsgrove

Specialist Carpet, Rug & Runner Supplier - Wool, Natural Plant Fibre and Easy Clean Ranges

ened in Newly op

Bromsgrov

8 Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove, Worcs. B61 0AB 01527 578804 or 07808 778169 e-mail: sales@carpets-rugs-runners.co.uk www.carpets-rugs-runners.co.uk Hillscourt is set in the beautiful Lickey Hills, just on the outskirts of Birmingham, offering a unique wedding/function venue.

Hillscourt has become an increasingly popular wedding venue in recent years and offers a warm and friendly environment. We pride ourselves on quality service at affordable prices. The centre has been refurbished to a high standard over recent years. Excellent catering Fully licensed bar Complementary bridal suite 55 en-suite bedrooms

Attractive grounds & gardens Secure car parking Friendly and helpful staff Good value for money

ALSO LICENSED FOR CIVIL CEREMONIES

Hillscourt, Rednal, Birmingham B45 8RS. Tel: 0121 457 6100 | Fax: 0121 457 6111 Website: www.hillscourt.co.uk

Completely Bromsgrove

13â€‚

Bespoke kitchen and bathroom flooring by Kardean A

t Karndean, we see flooring differently. We travel the world in our quest to bring you exceptional floors that inspire and delight. From the ancient forests of Europe, to the remote Australian outback and beyond, we seek out expressive and intriguing forms in the natural world to influence our unique floor designs. By combining these original features with cutting edge design, we create simply beautiful floors that you’ll love for a lifetime.

By combining the dramatic effect of texture and colour tone, Karndean Designflooring recreates the timeless elegance and authentic appearance of natural materials such as slate, marble, and timber, in a range of Luxury Vinyl Flooring products. When it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, natural stone is a popular choice for homeowners, but what puts many people off is how cold the tiles can feel underfoot and how time consuming the cleaning regime can be. Karndean offers a warmer, easy to clean, more resilient surface that adds instant appeal to any living space and is perfect for recreating the latest trends,” says Stella Coyle, national sales manager of Karndean Designflooring. She continues: “When it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, it makes sense to have a space that is, first and foremost, functional. But like any other room in the home, they should still be ones to be proud of. The regular chore of cleaning is one nobody looks forward to – while the thought of a glistening powder room sounds appealing, the hours of scrubbing between the grout lines do not. With Karndean, it’s possible to achieve a beautiful straight lay or brick bond tile effect with our design strips, which are available in several different colours and can be used to recreate the grouting effect. Not only can design strips enhance the design of the floor, they don’t require any special attention or extra maintenance – a simple mop and sweep every now and again will keep the floor fresh and germ free. Background image: Karndean Designflooring, Art Select, Alderney LM03

14 Completely Bromsgrove

“It’s no longer just about stone flooring in the bathroom – our authentic wood designs look fantastic and have all the same practical benefits as our stone designs. The products are fully waterproof and won’t swell, crack or warp when wet, and they are also highly slip resistant, offering home decorators extra reassurance. “For most homeowners the kitchen is one of the most popular rooms, the central hub where they spend a lot of time cooking and socialising with family and friends. With heavy foot traffic, food and drink spills, and pet bowls, the kitchen can be hectic and tends to wear quicker than other less used rooms in the home. Karndean’s durability makes it ideal for a kitchen environment – the enhanced, clear wear layer acts as a surface barrier and protects it from everyday scuffs and spills, and our K-Guard+ protective PU coating is a non-porous surface meaning germs, dirt or bacteria won’t be able to find any cracks to seep into, so it’s very hygienic. “With as many as 300 unique designs, from the handcrafted embosses in the premium Art Select collection to the smooth surface and contemporary feel of our Opus range, there is plenty of choice for home decorators to be able to transform their home. “We recommend visiting our state of the art showroom in Evesham, Worcestershire (open Monday – Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, and Sunday 10am-4pm) to view all the possibilities.” For more information and to view its full range of flooring products, visit: www.karndean.com | www.facebook.com/KarndeanDesignflooring www.twitter.com/KarndeanFloors | www.twitter.com/KarndeanComm

THE LARGEST SELECTION OF WALL & FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT THE UK

If you are looking for an up to the minute design for your kitchen, bathroom or en-suite, traditional style or a modern and contemporary design for your lounge, hallway or conservatory. Tile Choice can meet your every requirement at exceptional prices.

upto

% off all tiles

BROMSGROVE

KIDDERMINSTER

WORCESTER

Unit 8a Aston Fields Ind. Est. Sherwood Road B60 3DR 01527 882333

Unit 6 Easter Park Worcester Road Kidderminster DY11 7AR 01562 825720

Unit 10 Worcester Trade Park Sherriff Street WR4 9AB 01905 723004

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

for you nearest store - www.tilechoice.co.uk

5 easy steps to a beautiful bathroom

by Michelle Higgs

As the smallest room in the house, the bathroom is often the most neglected. Follow our guide to turn yours into the perfect space for all the family: 1. Decide on the layout Technology has made it easier than ever to try out different layouts to find the best one for your bathroom. You can use the online tools provided by bathroom suppliers with templates of standard sized baths, basins, showers and toilets, or try a home design app instead. They all operate in the same way to help you visualise the bathroom fittings in a scaled down version of your room, allowing for doors and windows. If you prefer, you could also create a floor plan manually and print out the templates. Bear in mind that if you change the position of the plumbing or soil pipes, this can add considerably to the cost of a new bathroom. 2. Choose your bathroom fittings Are you someone who loves to wallow in a long, hot bath at the end of the day? Or do you prefer an exhilarating power shower instead? The type of bathroom fittings you choose will depend on your individual requirements and preferences. If you’re a wallower, you might decide to splash out on a deep, freestanding bath, while shower fans might choose to sacrifice the bath and install a wet room. If you have a young family, a standard bath is a more practical option. Ideally, there should be space for a bath and a separate shower unit in your layout. However, that’s not always possible in smaller rooms so a shower bath or a shower over a bath is a good compromise. Whichever bathroom fittings you choose, think longterm, especially if you’re likely to be moving on in the next five to ten years. A classic, white suite will never go out of fashion and will appeal to all types of buyers.

16 Completely Bromsgrove

3. Find clever storage solutions As bathrooms are used by all the family, it’s no surprise that most of them quickly become cluttered. You can solve the problem by making sure there’s sufficient storage in which to keep toiletries, towels and other items out of sight. Installing a vanity unit under a basin is the best use of this often underutilised space and a mirrored cabinet above the basin is also useful. There are also clever bath panels with storage behind that allow you to hide away cleaning materials and toilet rolls until you need them. Alternatively, for a sleek, streamlined look, try fitted furniture which makes the best use of available space. 4. Get the fixtures right It’s easy to add colour and pattern to your bathroom with wall tiles, but floor to ceiling tiles may appear cold and clinical. Try tiling halfway up the wall, behind a basin or behind a shower instead. With flooring, choose the most practical, slipresistant option your budget will allow. From rubber, vinyl and tiles through to linoleum and stone, there’s plenty of choice. For soft, white light, opt for halogen or LED lighting and plan carefully where to place it. Try using spotlights over a mirror or recessed area. Without proper ventilation, mould will quickly grow in your bathroom anywhere that condensation lingers. An efficient extractor fan is a must but make sure everyone remembers to use it! 5. Accessorise Complete the look of your new bathroom by adding a designer radiator, stunning chrome taps, and luxurious towels. If you can’t afford to replace your whole bathroom, it’s easy to get a brand new look simply by replacing the taps, installing a towel radiator or changing the tiles.

For fans of showers, Merlyn’s 10 Series Pivot Door and Inline Panel with Side Panel is a luxurious showering choice with ﬂexible size options from 1200mm to 1800mm. Prices start from £1,863.70.

Add colour and style to your bathroom with these eye-catching Rustic Metro tiles from Walls and Floors Ltd, £32.95 per square metre.

Choose a window treatment for your bathroom that will be both stylish and mould-resistant such as Thomas Sanderson’s elegant vinyl shutters. Prices vary as shutters are made to measure.

If you love to bathe, invest in a double-ended freestanding bath like the sumptuous Spa Bath with smooth ﬂowing curves from Waters of Ashbourne, £1795.

Keep the ﬂoor clear to create an illusion of space. Back to wall close coupled WC, £269.00; oval counter top basin, £79.00; curved heated towel rail, £199; all Alison Cork for Victorian Plumbing.

Merlyn Showering www.merlynshowering.com | 00353 56 779 15555 Cut the clutter with IKEA’s clever storage solutions: ODENSVIK/ HEMNES wash-stand with two drawers, £315; HEMNES mirror cabinet with two doors, £130; HEMNES shelving unit, £90.

IKEA www.ikea.com | 020 3645 0015 Thomas Sanderson sanderson.co.uk | 0800 056 2929

Completely Bromsgrove

Karl’s Top Tips 1. Dead head bedding and repeat flowering perennials to ensure continuous flowering. 2. Water at dusk as water droplets on leaves can cause damage with hot sunlight. 3. Cut back Hardy Geraniums and Delphiniums for another flush of blooms later in the season. 4. Pick the tips out of Tomatoes after the 6th truss has flowered and formed, any fruit after this set of fruit will not ripen this summer.

Butterfly and bee friendly gardening Butterflies are the insects that we associate most with those long summer days fluttering on the Buddleja which they find so irresistible. However the butterfly is in decline worldwide and our butterflies are in trouble mainly because their natural habitat is being eroded away and they react quickly to changes in the environment. We can do little to stop these changes but we can do more in our gardens to support and encourage butterflies to visit and help reverse the decline by planting nectar rich plants. Butterflies feed primarily on nectar but also on rotting fruit, they consume only fluids and they prefer the more simple flowers as this makes accessing the fluids easy, so resist planting the doubles or multi petal cultivars of plants as they are not so butterfly friendly. Lots of common garden plants are butterfly friendly, Lavender, Hebe and Hydrangeas, the everlasting wallflower Eryisimum ‘bowles mauve’’, which is planted abundantly in the gardens here at The Jinney Ring Craft Centre to attract the butterflies and of course, by far, the best nectar rich favourite, the Buddleja. For three weeks this summer from 20th July to August the 12th the Butterfly Conservation charity are inviting you to monitor the butterflies for 15 minutes on a bright preferably sunny day in your garden and submit the results to them. The Big Butterfly count is a national survey aimed at assessing the health of our environment. If you would like to get involved go to www. bigbutterflycount.org. The survey has highlighted the decline in our butterfly population over time with 2017 being the 7th worst year since records began, but It’s not all doom and gloom, the high brown fritillary is fighting back, the striking orange and black butterfly has experienced its best few seasons for ten years, and sightings of the Silver spotted Skipper are up 566% with the once almost extinct Large Blue up 1000% also one of the stars of 2017 was the Red Admiral up 75% and we all can help with creating a better environment to support the butterfly and also the Bees which are equally as an important visitor to our gardens.

Karl Strawbridge

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

18 Completely Bromsgrove

Butterflies and bees are important as pollinators and bees are also being affected by habitat changes and climate change, planting nectar rich simple plants will help the bees also. It’s not difficult to encourage a better ecology in the garden and by selecting plants that display a butterfly or bee friendly symbol on the label can contribute to a better more sustainable environment for these insects to thrive. To control weeds and pests if you have to use a chemical insecticide or weedkiller spray the affected area in the evening when insects are less active but the best way to support the ecology in your garden is to use organic principles. Many plants that are butterfly and bee friendly are highly fragrant, this is the mechanism plants use to attract insects and by selecting these varieties you are helping to support our insects and with the added bonus of creating a colourful and highly fragrant garden for us all to enjoy.

FH G

RANK LTD EDGES ROUNDCARE SALES/SERVICE/REPAIR OF ALL LEADING MAKES OF MOWER Garden Shredders Hedge Cutters Blowers Strimmers Garden Vacuums

Sharpening of Shears & Chainsaw Chains

COLLECTION & DELIVERY CAN BE ARRANGED WE ARE AGENTS

BROMSGROVE 01527 831047 ‘Excellent after sales care for over 130 years’

Do you need your grass cutting?

11 SANDERS ROAD, BROMSGROVE, B61 7DG FULL ON-SITE PARKING

Sambourne

Fencing & Landscape Services Mowing Services Domestic and Commercial now available

DONE Mowing Services Your Mowing DONE For You! We have been providing a grass cutting service in the local area for the past 32 years!

COMPETITIVE PRICES -

ANY LENGTH OR SIZED GARDEN

Fully Insured

FOR A FREE QUOTE FROM A LOCAL COMPANY CALL PAUL IN BROMSGROVE on 07775 518277

Leaf collection available All types of fencing Domestic, Commercial & Security Garden Services Tree & Hedge Work All work fully insured & guaranteed Five stars from Which? magazine Please call Mick Dyer on Phone/Fax: 01527 401229 Freephone: 0845 261 9284 | Mob: 07831 475855 e-mail: mickdyer@btinternet.com www.sambourne-fencing.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

Keeping Bromsgrove beautiful I

work with school children to solve sustainability issues in my job at Solutions for the Planet. This year in particular, a lot of them have been worried about plastic waste, and so I was inspired by them, and by my own feelings about litter and love of my neighbourhood, to join the Great Plastic Pick Up on May 12th. I have also just become one of Keep Britain Tidy’s 100 UK #LitterHeroes Ambassadors, so community clean-ups are high on my radar.

I set up the initial event with very little publicity, and the response was so positive that I decided to set up a Facebook group and my intention is to get a number of schemes going, starting with organising litter picks on a monthly basis, in each ward of Bromsgrove, involving residents, businesses and local councillors. The first litter pick was in my neighbourhood of Aston Fields, this month we added one in Charford, and next month we are including one in Bromsgrove Central, hoping to add Sidemoor and Catshill after that. The plan is to have a group in each ward, so everyone is taking care of their own neighbourhood. The Facebook group now has more than 270 members, and they all have a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of ideas for ways we can improve our community. I have only lived in Bromsgrove for the last 21 months, so I am blissfully unaware of pre-existing political issues, previously tried-andfailed projects, etc. I believe in community and collaboration, and that change starts with each one of us. As soon as I moved here I really felt that I’d moved to a proper community, and I hope the pick-ups will renew a sense of community spirit in people and pride in where they live. Litter-picking is a great way to bring people together, to care about their neighbourhood, get some fresh air, meet other neighbours, as well as clean up what needs to be cleaned. Other people who see us litter-picking may also join the ranks or at least think twice before dropping rubbish on the floor. However, our group is about more than litter-picking. We are looking at other ways to Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful, and over the coming months intend to work with parish, district and county councillors, as well as other interest groups and local residents, schools and business owners, to put some plans into action, with the hope of applying for some Britain In Bloom events in individual wards next year, as well as working towards becoming a Plastic-Free Community. Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful is not affiliated to any political group, we welcome help and support from anyone in the community. So, if you care about your neighbourhood, people, biodiversity and the environment; if you believe that community spirit can move mountains; if you believe that we can lead by example and change habits for the better; and if you love Bromsgrove and want to see it at its best – then please join the Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful group on Facebook and let’s do this together! E-mail me at sarah@posterestante.co.uk

20 Completely Bromsgrove

by Sarah Milburn

www.magnetplanthire.co.uk

If you have a local business and would like to advertise in our next issue please contact Michele on 07948 086870 or e-mail michelebromsgrove@outlook.com Completely Bromsgrove

21â€‚

Chaddesley Woods J

ust down the road from Bromsgrove on the way towards Kidderminster lies one of Worcestershire’s four National Nature Reserves. Chaddesley Woods is our largest block of ancient semi-natural woodland outside the Wyre Forest and dates back more than 800 years.

Ancient semi-natural woodlands, those that have been in existence since at least the 1600s, are one of the richest wildlife habitats. Chaddesley Woods is home to two meadows, a brook, a pond as well as native woodland and a more modern plantation containing non-native trees that we’re gradually removing. At Chaddesley, as with many of our woodlands, we open up rides (wide woodland paths) and glades to encourage light-loving plants, birds and invertebrates including butterflies such as gatekeeper, large skipper and small copper. Many trees and plants that are found throughout the wood indicate its long history. Some of these, such as ground flora like herb paris, yellow archangel and dog’s mercury, are at their best in spring. Others, like small-leaved lime, oak and wild service trees will soon be changing colour and make for a lovely late summer or early autumn walk. Chaddesley Woods support a wide range of breeding birds. Many live there all year round and visitors may spot long-tailed tit, goldcrest or even tawny owl. As our breeding birds such as chiffchaff, blackcap and whitethroat begin to leave for warmer places in which to spend the winter, other birds move in. Come autumn, keep an eye out for fieldfare or redwing feeding on berried trees or siskin and redpoll teasing seeds out of cones. A much more elusive winter visitor is the woodcock but it’s only the luckiest of visitors that catch sight of one of these. It’s because of ground-feeding birds like woodcock in autumn and winter and ground-nesting (or scrub-nesting) birds like chiffchaff in spring and summer that we ask visitors to keep their dogs on a lead. Even the most harmless of dogs gently snuffling through the undergrowth will cause Photos - Yellow Archangel: Paul Lane | Chaddesley Woods: Wendy Carter Woodcock: Margaret Holland | Gatekeeper Butterfly: Roger Blandford

alarm and panic in a bird. Clearing up after dogs is also vital; accumulated dog waste leads to a build-up of nutrients, which helps the growth of coarse grasses and nettles that prevent more delicate plants from growing. In turn, this reduces the number of butterflies, bees and other insects. Of course, the other advantage of people clearing up after dogs is that no-one ends up taking some of it home on the bottom of their shoes…and our volunteers don’t have to deal with it when they’re carrying out woodland management. Chaddelsey Woods is located off the A448 from Bromsgrove to Kidderminster. Roadside parking is available but restricted. For more information visit our website.

Keep up to date with us:

www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/reserves/upton-warren Follow us on Twitter @WorcsWT twitter.com/WorcsWT Find us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust Watch us on YouTube www.youtube.com/c/WorcswildlifetrustUK1

by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

Completely Bromsgrove

23â€‚

Bromsgrove International Link (Formerly Bromsgrove and District Twinning Association)

romsgrove International Link (BIL) was relaunched under its new name in 2016 to promote a more up to date and progressive image. The Association was formed in 1978 when it was agreed that steps would be taken to formalise an agreement with Gronau in Germany and subsequently to seek a partner in France. The formal civic twinning charter between Bromsgrove and Gronau was signed in 1980. The twinning proved to be most successful and for a number of years annual exchange visits have been made by members and by interest groups such as runners, footballers, cyclists and choirs. Many lasting friendships have grown between host families and their guests. In 2009 a formal link was signed between Bromsgrove and the District of Saint Sauveur Lendelin in Normandy, France. Exchange visits have been established on an annual basis and many members of the Association have also visited friends made on the organised trips. Gronau is located in the north German state of Westphalia, nestled on the Dutch border with the nearby Dutch city of Enschede just a few miles away. Saint Sauveur Lendelin can be found on the Cotentin peninsula 40 miles south of Cherbourg and just north of the city of Coutances. Although much of the activity of the association has been about friendships, culture and sport, there have also been exchanges of ideas and innovations between councils and businesses particularly in the early days when several companies from Bromsgrove attended the Gronau Trade Fair. The town of Gronau is a similar size and population to Bromsgrove with a number of residents living in the satellite town of Epe and in the surrounding countryside. The town grew rich on the back of a textile industry but sadly the mills are now closed and most employment is now in light industry. The area has a flourishing cultural dimension with an annual jazz festival and numerous events in the town and its parks especially during the summer. Saint Sauveur is much smaller about the size of Alvechurch but the district takes in many of the surrounding villages. There is a small amount of industry but most economic activity is in farming with numerous apple orchards producing good quality cider and dairy herds from which excellent butter is made. Social activity and entertainment tend to be â€œself-madeâ€? and focused on the village halls of which there is one in nearly every community.

24â€‚ Completely Bromsgrove

by Phil Baker Regular visits to Gronau ceased a couple of years ago but continue on an ad hoc basis such as last year when the town hosted a Town-Park Festival attended by people from all over Europe including visitors from Bromsgrove. Annual visits continue with Saint Sauveur, one year in England and the next in Normandy and usually centre around visits to nearby places of interest in the daytime with much eating and drinking in the evening. Visitors usually stay with hosts and that is an important part of the visits to find out what life is really like in other countries and to share everyday tasks and routine. Language is seldom a problem with people in our twin towns often speaking good English particularly the younger generation though anybody wishing to practice French or German, there are plenty of opportunities especially for adventurous youngsters wishing to improve their language skills. The next visit arranged is to Saint Sauveur on August Bank Holiday weekend. Places are still available for anybody interested. For further details of visits and events organised in and around Bromsgrove can be found on www.bromstwin.org.uk Enquiries about membership of BIL, visits or events should be directed to Phil Baker on 01527 870861 or by email to philjbaker@btinternet.com

What’s On

This r e m Sum

Completely Bromsgrove

Celebrate 50 years of Sanders Park V

isitors to Bromsgrove can help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the popular Sanders Park this September by attending a special event.

On Sunday 16th September, residents and visitors can enjoy a picnic, listen to music and enjoy some fun family activities in honour of the park’s 50th anniversary. There will be music at the Bandstand from Wyre Forest Big band and local band ‘The Pea’s’ who will be playing 80’s, 90’s and 00’s pop as well as Steve Kaos Circus performances and workshops, music workshops, classic cars, face painting and children’s activities. The event will run from 12pm - 4.30pm. Val Wilson, Arts and Events Officer, said: “Sanders Park is a big part of the community in Bromsgrove and we are really pleased to be working with the Bromsgrove Society to bring this event to the park.” The fiftieth anniversary celebrations are being organised by Bromsgrove District Council in association with the Bromsgrove Society. Sanders Park was officially opened on 14th September 1968 on land given by Mary Beatrice Sanders in her will. Miss Sanders died in May 1951 aged 94. Her sister Lucy Mary Maud Sanders died in 1945 aged 80. The sisters were daughters of Benjamin Hadley Sanders, a former Bromsgrove Town Clerk and great-granddaughters of Benjamin Sanders who opened a button making factory in Bromsgrove in the early 19th Century. Sanders Park was declared open by Robert Harvey, Chairman of Bromsgrove Urban District Council. The ceremony was attended by relatives of the Sanders family. Today Sanders Park attracts over 350,000 visitors a year. Its facilities include tennis courts, Skate Park, bowling green, multi-use games area and children’s play area. The park cafe provides hot food, drinks and ice cream. We are encouraging residents to share their memories of the park over the years to form part of a display that will be on show at the celebration event. If you have any memories of Sanders Park over the years’ you can bring them to the collection box in Bromsgrove Library. Alternatively, you can email words and pictures to info@bromsgrovesoc.co.uk

26 Completely Bromsgrove

ershore Plum Festival

is a unique, award winning event that runs throughout August celebrating the fruit that has made the town famous. Since medieval times, the orchards in and around the market town of Pershore have produced tonnes of glorious plums, including the highly sought after heritage varieties of Pershore Yellow Egg Plum and Pershore Purple. A plethora of plum events - with something for everyone - will take place throughout August starting off with the Angel Hotel Evening Race meeting at Worcester Racecourse on Tuesday 31st July - a purple themed evening, resurrecting prestigious local racing history. A special discounted raceday package is operated by Dudleys Coaches, with pick up points near you - visit worcester-racecourse.co.uk or call 01386 792206 for details. Visit Plum Alley every Saturday throughout August to enjoy superb entertainment provided by local artists raising money for their chosen charities; savour the delights of unique plum food and drink and buy a momento of your visit from the Festival merchandise stand - so many new products on offer this year - don’t miss them! Saturday 11th August sees the first ever National Plum Day and the Plum Festival will be leading the way in celebrating and promoting the significance of this resplendent fruit – visit Plum Alley to join in the plum fun

NEW for this year Pershore Past & Present The Plum Festival, along with the Fuller family, is delighted to be hosting the resurrection of a much loved and much valued slide show on Thursday 9th August at the Baptist Church - tickets on sale soon Plum Coach Tours will take place on the 8th and 15th August – a unique tour for all plum lovers including the opportunity to pick your own from the orchards owned by the Vale Landscape Heritage Trust. Pick up points in YOUR area - Booking essential – call 01386 792206 Thursday 23rd August sees the famous Pershore Bike Nite return to the town - all riders and bikes (especially purple ones!) are welcome to an evening of fun for all ages. Live music with Soul Stripper and plenty of plum food and drink. The height of plum pleasure takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend - a three day extravaganza with something for ALL the family; the spectacle of purple and yellow shop windows; the excitement of the Plum Plodders 10K race; the “purple” dogs at the Plum Pooches dog show; the thrills and spills in the Plum Fun Zone; the joyous open air Plum Praise service; cycling for all ages with the Plum Bikeaway and the Plum Peddle push; motoring enthusiasts will be overjoyed with the classic and vintage cars and food lovers cant miss the Food Village. Award winning farmers market, boat trips, arts and crafts a Beer Festival and much much more - DON’T MISS IT!! The final Plum event of the year is the ever popular Plum Bikeaway taking place on Sunday 16th September and offering cyclists the option of three plum routes from 8 to 52 miles. To register visit www.bikeawayventures.co.uk For more information on any of these events and activities contact Angela Taylor 01386 565373 | info@pershoreplumfestival.org.uk or visit www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk Colour photos by Stuart Purfield

by Angela Taylor Completely Bromsgrove

What’s On

r e m m u This S

in and around Bromsgrove Summer Fun in the Park Circus Kaos Workshops

Tues 31st July & 7th, 21st August, 12pm - 4pm Roll up for the Circus Kaos Workshops with heaps of equipment to play, learning & fun for all ages from 6 to 106 with the help of professional performer Steve Kaos. Sanders Park Bromsgrove B61 7JP Contact telephone: 01527 534030

Family Park Activities

Every Saturday until the end of August, 11am - 12.30pm Meet at the basketball courts. Sanders Park Bromsgrove B61 7JP Contact telephone: 01527 534030

Fairfield Walkers

Social walking group, dogs on lead welcome. Walks are usually between 1.5 hrs and 3 hrs long. Wear suitable clothing, strong boots and bring water to keep hydrated. Wednesday 25th July Fairfield Rec. 7pm (finish at the Swan, Fairfield) Friday 10th August Fairfield Rec. 10am Friday 7th September Fairfield Rec. 10am For further information: fvcommunityassociation@outlook.com

Wizzafest

Fri 27 July 2018 to Sun 29 July Wizzafest is a family friendly festival that brings together local communities and enterprises through the love of live performance. This 3 day event covers a range of music and arts whilst providing lots of activities for children and adults. Ensuring a safe environment for the entire family to relax and enjoy. This will be our 12th year, be sure to join us! For more details or to buy tickets Phone 07580022895 or vist www.wizzafest.com Weston Hall Road Bromsgrove Worcestershire B60 4AL

Fairfield WI

Come and Celebrate our 24th Annual Produce Show At Fairfield Village Hall on Saturday 11th August Entries welcomed from everyone Open to the public from 3pm Teas, Raffle, Tombola, Competitions W.I. Cake Stall Auction of Produce at 4pm Admission at the Door 50p Free to Exhibitors and Children Show Secretary - Anne Griffin – agriffin490@hotmail.co.uk

Rum & Reggae night

In conjunction with Islan Delight Foods at 3a Aston Fields 11th August Reggae music, rum cocktails and Jamaican food will be served. Starts at 6pm till 11pm Tickets available at www.no3a.co.uk 3 Stoke Road Bromsgrove B60 2LF Tel 01527 874139

28 Completely Bromsgrove

Marlbrook Gardens Open Day

August 12th 1.30pm – 5.30pm Two unique and stunning gardens, each have opened individually in their own right. Home-made teas in both gardens. Refreshments in aid of The Basement Project (supporting homeless young people). Admission: Adult: £5.00 Child: Free Marlbrook Gardens Braces Lane Marlbrook Bromsgrove B60 1DY www.ngs.org.uk/find-a-garden/garden/18243/

Webbs Festival of Summer Daily activities throughout July & August Worcester Road, Wychbold WR9 0DG 01527 860 000 info@webbs.co.uk www.webbsdirect.co.uk/whats-on/

Bromsgrove Street Theatre

Free street theatre entertainment, displays, children’s activities, & more to keep the family happy during the summer holidays! Events are 11am-3pm. Please bring chairs, tables and picnics. Venues and Dates: Tuesday 31st July Bell & Bullock Time Trouble & The Bubble Wizard Catshill Village Meadow Meadow Road Catshill Bromsgrove, B61 0JL Wednesday 1st August Jason Maverick & Une Femme Exposee Sanders Park Bromsgrove B61 7JP Wednesday 8th August Circo Rum Ba Ba - The Crow House & Bell & Bullock Cabin Fever Recreation Ground next to Asda Bromsgrove Town Centre B61 8DA Outdoor performances are subject to change/cancellation due to adverse weather conditions. Please note that the event programme may be subject to change. For more information visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/things-to-do/ events-places-to-visit/events/bromsgrove-street-theatre.aspx

SUMMER HANDMADE CRAFT FAIR

Saturday 28th July The Artrix Handmade Craft Fair returns! We’re delighted to announce that following the success of our first Handmade Craft Fair in 2017, we’re once again giving you the chance to pick up some truly unique gifts for yourself and others, all of which have been handmade by a wide range of talented local craftspeople. 10am to 2pm, admission is FREE and the Artrix Cafe will be open for you to relax and recharge during your retail therapy session. No need to book, just turn up and enjoy. For more information www.artrix.co.uk/ whats-on/all-shows/summer-handmadecraft-fair

What’s On

r e m m u This S

in and around Bromsgrove BUBBLE DISCO

For 5-10 year olds. DJ, Dancing, Glow Sticks, Games and BUBBLES! Join us on Sunday 5th August (11am-12pm) for our next Artrix Bubble Disco! There will be a DJ playing your favourite songs, dancing, glow sticks, games and, best of all, bubbles! Children £5 Adults are free and don’t need a ticket www.artrix.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/bubble-disco-august-2018

Summer Fun in the Park

Professor Chandler’s Punch & Judy Show Thursday 14th & 28th August, 1.30pm & 3pm A simple pleasure for all ages, which never fails to delight. Professor Chandler is an expert in raising smiles. Come & see the Crocodile & old Mr Punch up to their usual tricks! Sanders Park Bromsgrove B61 7JP Contact telephone: 01527 534030

BEERMAGEDDON

Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club 24th - 26th August 2018 Metals best kept secret! Returning for its 7th consecutive year after 6 previously sold out festivals! Westonhall Road Stoke Prior Bromsgrove B60 4AL For more information or to purchase tickets please visit: www.beermageddon.co.uk

The Jinney Ring Sculpture Trail 2018

This runs from 25th August to 30th September We will be holding a preview event on Friday 24th August. If you would like a special invitation to this please e-mail and let us have your contact details. The Sculpture Trail features new as well as returning artists from around the country to create an exhibition of dramatic sculptures, with a range of media and subject matter and affordability. The trail is a great opportunity for us to display larger works of art than we normally have room for inside our 200 year old barn building. Artists come from far and wide to exhibit here, and it also gives the 12 craft artists who are based here a chance to get outside too! For further information please contact Carolyn Baldwin by email at carolyn@jinneyringcraft.co.uk www.jinneyring.co.uk/acatalog/Sculpture_Trails.html

ON BOARD THE CRAFT

Stoke Prior Sports and Country Club 6th - 8th September 2018 Westonhall Road Stoke Prior Bromsgrove B60 4AL For more information or to purchase tickets please visit: www.sonicrocksolstice.com/onboardthecraft2018.htm Craft Fair on Friday 15th September, from 5pm to 9pm in aid of Vasculitis UK. The Fair is at Court Leet 174 Worcester Road Bromsgrove B61 7AY. There are lots of stalls, including Cakes Jewellery Wooden Craft Handbags Baby items Concrete Garden Statues and loads more Admission is FREE

Ryland Centre

Every Friday 6 - 8pm Roller Disco Ryland Centre, New Road, Bromsgrove B60 2JS (Last admittance 7.15pm) Entrance is £4. Skates are available to hire for £1.

Charford Youth Club

Every Thursday 6pm – 8pm 13 - 19yrs £1 a session Starlight Café, B60 3JB For more information call Mike 07787408523

Bromsgrove Art Society

Meet 3rd Wednesday in the month at 7.30pm Burcot Village Hall Alcester Road Bromsgrove B60 1BH www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/societies/bromsgrove-art-society

Bromsgrove Belles WI

Ladies are welcome to come and join us we meet on the second Monday of the month, 7.30pm at The Life After Stroke Centre, Church Lane, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 8RA Tel 01905 641658 www.bromsgrovebelles.org.uk

KINGFISHER PROBUS CLUB

For retired and semi-retired men to meet people in a friendly situation. Monthly meetings are held at The Foxlydiate Arms, every second Thursday of the month at 11-30 am. Lunch is followed by an interesting talk given by a visiting speaker. Contact Max Sayer on 0121 445 4724

Monthly Tea Dance afternoons

These take place at the Parkside suite on the last Tuesday of the month, 2-4pm. £4 and includes tea, coffee and biscuits for more details call Jan Woolley Tel 01527 881478 email - roombookings@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk Market Street Bromsgrove Worcestershire B61 8DA

THEATRE

Chantel McGregor Saturday 8th September 8:00pm A female guitar prodigy, at fourteen Chantel was told by major labels that she had a “great voice, but girls don’t play guitar like that!” Atrix – check their website for full listings www.artrix.co.uk/whats-on/

Museums

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings Stoke Heath Bromsgrove Worcestershire B60 4JR Tel: 01527 831363 / 831886 www.avoncroft.org.uk

The Norton Collection Museum Trust 26 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove B61 0DD Tel: 01527 870616 www.nortoncollectionmuseumtrust.org.uk/

Let us know if you want your club or event adding to our listings e-mail newsbromsgrove@outlook.com Completely Bromsgrove

Heritage Open Days in Bromsgrove

he National Heritage Open Days initiative encourages heritage buildings and places to organise free events over two weekends in September to motivate people to visit and enjoy what’s on offer - Bromsgrove has a lot to offer as part of this scheme. Open Doors at St John’s Church Saturday 8th September come along and enjoy a sunset themed open doors event from 4pm til 9pm. Learn about the history of the church, watch local stained glass expert Brenda Henderson at work, climb the tower and experience the church as it would have been before electric lights. There will also be an opportunity to listen to music, hear the organ being played and enjoy refreshments in the church. Saturday 15th September sees the start of the FREE Coffee and Cake Concert season at St John’s with a performance at 10.30am. The church will remain open after the concert until around 1pm for visitors to have a go on the church organ. For more information visit the Friends of St John’s on Facebook www.facebook.com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove

50 Years of Sanders Park Sunday 16th September 12 - 4.30pm

Time to celebrate together! The Bromsgrove Society have teamed up with Bromsgrove District Council to organise a party in Sanders Park to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Society are encouraging people of Bromsgrove to share their memories of the park over the years and will be creating an exhibition of the memories to display in the park on the day. Residents who wish to contribute pictures and memories of their time in the park can take them to a collection box in Bromsgrove Library or email info@bromsgrovesoc.co.uk On the day visitors to the park will be able to enjoy music from Wyre Forest Big Band and local band “The Peas”, join in circus workshops with Steve Kaos, have a go at the Victorian music workshop and enjoy the exhibition of memories. There will also be classic cars, face painting and singing from Artrix Songstars Choir. Why not bring a picnic, chairs and blankets and join in the celebrations! Visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/events for more details, or find The Bromsgrove Society on Facebook or Twitter. To find our more about Heritage Open Days, and see other local venues who are participating in the scheme, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk

The Bromsgrove Society Local History Talks Held monthly on a Tuesday evening at the Methodist Centre, Stratford Road, Bromsgrove at 7.45pm this series of talks covers a variety of topics relating to local history and persons of interest in and around the Bromsgrove District. The 2018/19 series begins on Tuesday 18th September with a talk from historic buildings expert Simon Carter; on 16th October Dr Kate Round will talk about the history of glass making in Stourbridge; Birmingham - Georgina town to Victorian city will be the subject of Stephen Hartland’s talk on 20th November. The talks are organised by the Bromsgrove Society Local History Group and are open to all to attend. Tickets on the door are £2.00 for society members and £3.00 for non-members. For more information visit www.bsoc.co.uk

30 Completely Bromsgrove

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

Completely Bromsgrove

Kelly Oliver - a fantastic new talent K

‘

elly Oliver is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and harmonicist, hailing from Hertfordshire and described by The Times as an artist who ‘blends traditional with bold, indie-pop’.

She came to performing music a little later in life than many other of the rising stars of the UK music scene. After graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London and then travelling around Europe, Brazil and Argentina, her passion for folk music was ignited with a visit to Ireland. It was there that she was exposed to traditional Irish folk music, and with her Grandmother having been born in Tralee in Ireland, Kelly was heavily drawn to the culture and especially the traditional music, played live with intricacy and passion. Returning home to England, she began her musical career by playing support slots at folk clubs around the country, including many at the prestigious Hitchin Folk Club, which happened to be her local. After supporting various high-profile acts such as Phil Beer (Show of Hands), Cara Dillon and Barbara Dickson, Kelly began playing her own headline shows and slots at festivals around the country. Since then, she has released albums of her own original songs and has enjoyed many accolades for her work. Her debut album ‘This Land’, funded by an Emerging Excellence Award by Help Musicians UK, gained a 4* review from The Telegraph and her second album ‘Bedlam’ was included in The Sunday Times Essential New Releases and was included in Paul Sexton’s Top 20 Albums of the Year in Prog Magazine. Her last five singles have all gained BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music airplay and she performed her 2016 summer single ‘Rio’ on BBC One’s Sunday Morning Live for her first national TV appearance. Kelly tours the UK predominantly as a solo artist and was awarded Best Female Solo Artist and Breakout Artist in the 2015/2016 NMG Awards, as well as winning Best Female Artist 2016 in the FATEA Awards. She attended the Folk Alliance International in Kansas, USA, as one of their Official Showcase Artists and has performed in Europe on a debut tour of Germany and in Portugal at Costa del Folk Festival. She makes her first visit to The Artrix, Bromsgrove on Saturday 8th September, as part of her third album launch tour. Including original material and traditional folk songs in her live performance, Kelly has been described as: ‘A vital voice in British folk music’ Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 ‘Quite an amazing young songwriter’ - Mike Harding ‘A fantastic new talent’ - Chris Hawkins, BBC 6 Music

www.kellyoliver.co.uk

32 Completely Bromsgrove

The top 10 secrets to successful shopping

by Jane Brook

1. Most major shopping mistakes come from buying outfits. That’s how clothes are displayed in the shop so that’s what we think we should buy, but that way we end up with loads of clothes and only ever have a few outfits. Buy individual items that are the perfect colour and style for you and they will all work together to build an amazing wardrobe that really works for you and your lifestyle’

5. Be colour confident by knowing what colours truly suit you. Learn which colours brighten your eyes, make your skin look radiant and create a glowing, healthy and confident you. These may not be the colours that you have been wearing for the last 10 years! You will be amazed at how many compliments you get when you wear the right colours!

2. Before you go shopping be ruthless! Keep garments only if you feel good wearing them and remove those that you never wear, especially ones you haven’t worn for over a year, or that you have several similar and cheap versions of. Your clothes should accentuate you and your personality, not cover you up. By reviewing your wardrobe and removing rogue garments you can identify what is required pre-shopping.

6. Always bear in mind if a new piece you are considering buying needs dry cleaning or hand washing. Does it fit with your lifestyle? Will you wear it enough times?

3. When shopping online always choose by colour, size, style and the detail. Read the reviews, be clear on the return policy, check the size chart and look at the detailed photos. Vitally always edit your basket and only buy what you need, and what will fit and suit you! Remember that the colours you see on screen, may not be accurate to what arrives in the post – if it’s wrong, send it back! 4. Buy smart: a bargain is only a bargain if you actually wear it. Many people make the common mistake of buying an item just because it is on ‘sale’. Don’t buy on impulse. Never buy anything in the sale you wouldn’t pay full price for! Similarly buying the season’s latest fashion could be a waste of money if it doesn’t suit you! There is nothing wrong with being interested in the latest trends but only if they suit your shape, colour and clothing personality.

7. A Capsule Wardrobe is a timeless clothing collection which you can use to make unlimited combinations to suit any occasion and stops those moments of panic about what to wear! Before you decide to keep or buy any garment, think does this make me look and feel fabulous? Does it flatter my shape and colouring? Does it work with my lifestyle – will I actually wear it? Is the price acceptable? 8. Make your clothes work hard for you by investing in some timeless pieces that will last for years, such as coats, handbags and shoes. 9. Choose some accessories that will transform an outfit. Be aware of what accessories really suit you. Is gold better for you than silver? Chunky bracelets or dainty bracelets? Big or small earrings? 10. Many people buy the wrong size. Buy for the size that you are now and resist the urge to buy for the shape you think or hope you might be in the future! If you don’t like the number on the size label – cut it out!

www.houseofcolour/janebrook Completely Bromsgrove

“What can I do to lose more weight?” I f you want to lose body fat then you need to be eating less calories than you are burning on a daily basis.

Each day you have a set amount of calories that your body needs to function, this is your basal metabolic rate (the rate at which the body uses energy while at rest to maintain vital functions such as breathing and keeping warm). If you continually eat more than these calories you will gain weight, if you eat the same then you will stay the same and of course if you eat less then you will lose weight. So how amazing would it be if this calorie set point were higher? You would be burning more calories every day just doing nothing!

Your metabolic rate is determined by lots of factors and can slow down with age, but the great news is that you can do something about it! Here are some tips to help you on your way Lift weights. Still, women that come to my classes are sticking with the lighter weights. No matter how many times I try to persuade them to up their weights there is still this resistance to lifting heavier weights. Weight training is the best way to crank up your resting metabolic rate (the calories that you burn when you are doing nothing) A pound of muscle burns up to 9 times the calories a pound of fat does and regular strength training can increase your metabolic rate anywhere between 6.8-7.8% So it’s time to ditch those ankle weights and wrist weights and pick up something heavier than a large Cappuccino! Exercise outdoors, this will bring the elements into play. Wind, hills and other variables. It also keeps the boredom out of your workout as there is more to look at. Change your route often if you run so that there are more hills and keep it fresh! Really rev up your workouts. HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts are a fab way of boosting your metabolism. You will burn one and a half times more calories during a HIIT workout than if you had spent the same time doing long and steady cardio. An example of a HIIT workout might be; 30 seconds High Knee Jogging 30 seconds Jumping Jacks 30 seconds Burpees 30 seconds Squats Do each for 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest in between each exercise. You could repeat this as many times through as you can. As hard as you can! Pile on the protein. Make sure that you are adding good quality protein to every meal. Research shows that getting plenty of protein can boost metabolism as it is mainly made up of amino acids which are harder for your body to break down (than fats and carbs). These are just a few tips that you could try to Boost Your metabolism - find more information from the following addresses: claire@4ufitness | instagram @c.cross1980 | 4 u fitness

34 Completely Bromsgrove

by Claire Cross

Valuing Individual People

VIP Day Care Centre is an award winning centre specialising in supporting people to live well with all types of dementia, sensory impairments and disabilities in Redditch & Bromsgrove. 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 www.vipdaycentre.co.uk

Friday 6th July saw the opening of the new Daily Bread Yoga Studio and Physio 2016 centre. Guests were treated to plenty of ďŹ zz, a tour of the new yoga studio, treatment rooms and physio centre all leaving with a goody bag!

70-72 Birmingham Road Bromsgrove B61 0DD

Physio 2016: Gary Jones | Daily Bread: Faye Jones www.physio206.co.uk | www.dailybreadyoga.com Completely Bromsgrove

35â€‚

“

The benefits of organic skincare S

kin health” is a hot topic of conversation, especially as we learn more about the damaging effects to our health caused by harsh chemicals, just like the ones we find in our favourite hair care, make-up, body care, skin care and sun protection products. Have you ever wondered why there seems to be far more cases of sensitive skin these days? It’s no coincidence that we are “consuming” more chemicals and artificial ingredients, through our skin and our diet. So it’s no surprise there’s a big increase in the demand for natural, organic and vegan products, especially when you see how beneficial they really are, to both your skin (externally) and your body (internally). Considering you are what you eat you should also consider the importance of - you are what you “wear” (on your skin!) as well. As we look for healthier options in many aspects of our lifestyles and diets, it goes without saying that healthier options for our skin makes a whole lot of sense too. Changing to organic and natural products such as awardwinning Eminence Organic Skincare; you will find you are able to heal and repair any damage to your skin that was caused from using harmful products. The highly potent botanical ingredients provide dramatic and visible improvements to the skin. Blending organic ingredients with new skincare technologies we are beating pollutants and toxins and experiencing radiant healthy skin. As your skin detoxifies itself and you visibly see the benefits of using healthier skin care you realise just how effective mother nature can be! Beautiful aromas and textures from plant-based ingredients have the ability to infuse and nourish the skin with potent antioxidants that fight ageing and sensitivity. With an almost unlimited choice of herbs, flowers, fruits, vegetables and spices we find we can successfully treat your specific skin care concerns. The benefits of natural and organic skincare are plentiful and do not stop with the benefits to your overall health and wellness. Let’s not forget the ecological benefits that go alongside the ethics behind a healthier brand. Less chemicals simply equals less pollutants! Organic no longer means just a nice scent!!... it is a potent, effective and healthier option for you … and our planet! Eminence plant a tree for every product purchased – so you’re doing your bit for your skin and your environment! For more details please visit our website at www.theskinsmith. co.uk or email info@ theskinsmith.co.uk

36 Completely Bromsgrove

by Tracy Smith

HAVE FUN. BE SAFE. LEARN TO SWIM. With millions of Britons looking forward to their summer holidays, it’s a great time to help your children stay safe in the swimming pool. Everyone Active’s award-winning swimming lessons are the best way to boost water confidence and learn an essential life skill. Classes are available throughout the week for kids aged from just four months old.

WANTS THEIR KIDS TO BE SAFE THIS SUMMER Bromsgrove Sport & Leisure Centre School Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1AY 01527 916434

Everyone Active works in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council

everyoneactive.com/Bromsgrove

facebook.com/eaBromsgrove

Completely Bromsgrove @eaBromsgrove

Are we losing the war on health?

hope you are all still enjoying the beautiful weather and we must all now really be topping up our vitamin D supply. Hopefully you are all drinking lots of water sitting in the shade because you will still get brown and not baking in these temperatures. My last article was about what we absorb regarding our vitamins and minerals in our food and I just want to expand on that topic. Did you know that your gut has its own nerve supply that goes directly to our brains and this is referred to as the Second Brain? This is the only system in our bodies that has this direct link with the brain. This is important to understand because what we eat and absorb will directly affect the way we react to what we put into our mouths. If we consider the increase of obesity, diabetes and heart disease rising throughout the world it must be linked to what we are absorbing from our food and the types of food we are feeding our bodies. When we consider that during World War 2 and after the war in the 50’s and 60’s the nation was at it’s healthiest even with rationing. Why? Because we were growing and eating within the seasons the foods that our bodies needed, and we were not being seduced by foods from all over the world that are picked unripe and goodness knows what chemicals are sprayed on them before we buy them in the supermarkets. For example, we now have eat 20 tomatoes to get the same number of vitamins and minerals as we did back then. This research is taken from Brian Halwell Book “Still no free lunch”. The research that was carried out on the nutritional value of our foods today compared to the 1950’s and 60’s. An orange from the 1950’s was full of vitamin A, precious for our sight and our immune defences. To attain those same amounts today, you would have to consume 21 oranges. Onions and potatoes no longer contain any trace of the nutrients from those times. The iron content in meat divided that by 2. Calcium in broccoli divide that by 4. To ingest the vitamin C contained in an apple from yesteryear, you would have to eat 100 apples today. We are now consuming large amounts of fizzy drinks, energy drinks that we did not have before. When we consume these drinks, we get that sugar rush to the brain and we feel invigorated but the trigger it gives us is to consume more of

38 Completely Bromsgrove

the same and the amount of sugar that these drinks contain is certainly not healthy for us on any level. Whereas with water it is not quite so appealing, but you can spice it up with adding fruit to it, mint, or cucumber to give it a different taste and the sugar here is better for you than the carbonated drinks. We must remember that our gut is extremely important regarding our health and good probiotics are of importance as well. However, saying that there are more than one kind of probiotics and we do need a range of different ones and I will be coving this topic in another issue so watch out for that. • Back to the gut. The gut does more than absorb food – it is the barrier that educates the immune system. Here is where our bodies learn about what to attack, and where they can be miseducated about attacking themselves (autoimmunity). • The trafficking of macromolecules across the gut barrier requires a facilitator – a doorman who lets them through. This agent is called zonulin and opens the spaces or tight junctions between gut cells, and therefore as I have said before Redox Signaling Molecules are so important because they are the signal master that tells the barrier to lift or come down. • Immune activation is mediated by changes in gut permeability and blood brain permeability. Essentially, once local inflammation is kicked off and the door to the blood stream is opened, the immune system responds but we need the right foods and supplement s to prevent this inflammation in the immune system in the first place. • Diet is extremely important, we are constantly being reminded be it through television or articles such as this one, but, are we really taking notice? • Look into going dairy free and wheat free for a couple of months and see how you feel. Or even giving up meat for a few months. • Make sure you go organic where possible and do supplement because as I have said before we are lacking the nutrients in our food.

by Colette Garside

Plum, nectarine & ginger crumble A cross between a cobbler and a crumble, this fruity little hybrid is a family favourite, and I often swap the fruits around to include those in season. It’s even better the next day when the nectarines really take on the flavour of the ginger. The balance ensures that you get a fruit-infused layer of stodge just where the crumble meets the fruit and then the crunchy crumble and granola on top. I drown mine in custard but you can serve it with cream, ice cream or even a scoop of crème fraîche. Preheat the oven to 160°C fan (180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4). Cut the plums into quarters, removing the stones. Cut each nectarine into eight wedges, removing the stones. Mix together the plums, nectarines and crystallised ginger in an ovenproof dish. Add the star anise and broken cinnamon stick, and drizzle over some runny honey. Cover with foil and bake for 20 - 30 minutes to start softening the fruit. Meanwhile, combine the flour, oats, sugar and ground ginger in a mixing bowl. Add the melted butter and mix together. Add the egg, then get your hands in and scrunch it all together. Add the granola and work this through until you have a moist crumble. Remove the fruit from the oven. Tip the crumble mix over the top and even it out, leaving lots of lumps and bumps. Return to the oven and bake for 30 35 minutes until the fruit is bubbling and the crumble is golden brown on top. Serve with my home-made Vanilla Custard – or for a little change make it a cinnamon custard by swapping the vanilla for 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

AUGUST IS PLUM MONTH SO NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO BAKE THIS!

Serves 8 6 plums 4 nectarines 20g crystallised stem ginger, cut into small pieces 1 star anise 1 cinnamon stick, broken in half 2 tbsp runny honey 150g plain flour 50g rolled oats 100g light soft brown sugar 1 tsp ground ginger 50g unsalted butter, melted 1 egg 50g Granola

Extracted from Comfort by Candice Brown (Ebury Press, £20) Photography by Ellis Parrinder Completely Bromsgrove

Mexican food is delicioso! M

exico may not be the winners of the 2018 World Cup, but The MEXI CO takeaway are certainly winners when it comes to food!

Local lads Ben Kavanagh and Will Folkes both grew up in Bromsgrove, with Ben attending North Bromsgrove High School whilst Will attended South Bromsgrove High School. The two friends took the bold step earlier this year to embark on their own venture after working together at the Four Alls pub & restaurant in Welford-upon-Avon, and at the Navigation Inn when it was a 2,4,6,8 pub chain. Before they could open, a complete interior renovation, involving the installation of new flooring and ceilings had to be completed. Thanks to several favours from friends and family helping to keep costs to a minimum, the pair successfully achieved their ambitious goal in opening the business within 4 months of signing for the premises. The many sleepless nights and numerous long days grafting away all proved worthwhile when, in February of this year, The MEXI CO opened its doors to the public of Bromsgrove. With the aim of serving fresh & tasty Tex-Mex food (and churros, they love churros!!!) You can either opt for their 2-step build your own menu or pick from their in-store only specials board. Theyâ€™ve always got something to satisfy your craving. The vision for the future of The MEXI CO brand is to expand into other towns and to potentially have a portable kitchen to take MEXI CO on the road to festivals and other outdoor events. Residents of Bromsgrove are the real winners this summer. You can either pop along today to their take away in The Strand or order their delicious food online via Just Eat and have it delivered fresh directly to your home. Visit their website at www.themexi.co or alternatively, you can follow them on Facebook @wearethemexico Strand Centre Stratford Road Bromsgrove B61 8AB Tel 01527 570238 Completely Bromsgrove would like to wish Ben, Will and their staff all the very best for their continued success!

40â€‚ Completely Bromsgrove

If you have a local business and would like to advertise in our next issue please contact Michele on 07948 086870 or e-mail michelebromsgrove@outlook.com

149 Golden Cross Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcs. B61 0JZ Tel: 01527 874526 â€œConstantly in the pursuit of excellenceâ€?

Duncombes Butchers This advert should be upside down!

-1 *#,#+" -1 +, -1 -1 *#,#+" -1 +, -1 -1 *#,#+" -1 +, -1 *(& 1(-* ( % -, " * ++

*(& 1(-* ( % -, " * ++

*(& 1(-* ( % -,

-))%# *+ ( -))%# *+ ( * +" *#,#+" & , ,( ," , *#'! * +" *#,#+" & , ,( ," , *#'! -))%# *+ ( * +" *#,#+" & , ,( ," , *#'! "1 '(, .#+#, -+ , (-* +"() "1 '(, .#+#, -+ , (-* +"() "1 '(, .#+#, -+ #' -+,*1 ' #* , ,( 1(- ((* 1+ / $ #' -+,*1 ' #* , ,( 1(- ((* 1+ / $ #' -+,*1 ' #* , ,( 1(- ((* 1+ / $ 1 3 % + ( ,($ *#(* 1 3 % + ( ,($ *#(* 1 3 % + ( , *(&+!*(. *(&+!*(. *(&+!*(.

(',"%1 , (0 + (',"%1 , (0 + (',"%1 , (0 +

% (* % (* % (* . #% % +, *,#'! , 2 /#," %#. *1 . #% % +, *,#'! , 2 /#," %#. *1 . #% % +, *,#'! , 2 /#," %#. *1 www.thebutcheressltd.com

/# + % ,#(' ( /# + % ,#(' ( "(& & /# + % ,#(' ( "(& & * * '! * * '! "(& & * * '! (%%(/ -+ (' (($ ," -, " * ++ (%%(/ -+ (' (($ ," -, " * ++ (%%(/ -+ (' (($ + -+ ! + . #% %

+ -+ ! + . #% % + -+ ! + . #% %

Tel: 01527 435669 or 07496 632 010 Completely Bromsgrove

41â€‚

Competition

The Swan at Fairfield

– New Look, New Menu

he Swan at Fairfield has been a long and established pub within the village of Fairfield.

Back in the early 50’s through to the mid 70’s Fred and Esme Lees were the proud owners of the pub and their daughter Sue Rea who still lives in the village was invited by Jim Parsons current Manager who took over the helm in January this year, to cut the ribbon of the official opening of the fully refurbished Swan. Whilst talking to Sue Rea, she was delighted with the new look and said that she was happy for the pub to be moving with the times, as nothing can stay the same forever! Whilst her parents ran the pub, her mother Esme, planted a willow tree in the garden in celebration of her grand child Stella being born in 1967, the tree still stands today and now has a preservation order against it. In 1957 Fred Lees started Fairfield Villa football team, which of course still continues today. Jim comes to the Swan with 30 years of experience and his passion can be seen and felt when you enter the pub, it’s complete makeover gives it a warm but more contemporary feel. He is offering morning coffee and cakes from 10am a full lunch menu and dinner menu, plus a traditional Sunday roast on Sundays. All menus and full details can be found on their website: www.swanpubbromsgrove.co.uk and they also have a facebook page Swan Fairfield Completely Bromsgrove would like to wish Jim and his team all the very best for the future of this great pub and we can honestly say, it’s well worth a visit…enjoy!

WIN a three-course meal and a bottle of wine for four people! To be in with a chance of winning a three-course meal and a bottle of house wine for four people, just answer the following question. Question: Who is the current manager of The Swan at Fairfield? Answer................................................................................................................... Name...................................................................................................................... Address.................................................................................................................. Tel............................................................................................................................. Email........................................................................................................................ Please tick if you don’t want to hear about promotional offers from The Swan at Fairfield. Send your entry to Completely Bromsgrove, 11 West Road Bromsgrove B60 2NG by the 31st August 2018.

42 Completely Bromsgrove

WIN

a threecourse meal & a bottle of wine for four!

mix & match

at bromsgroveâ€™s

10 BEEF BURGERS 10 x PORK SAUSAGES 10 x KOFTA BEEF KEBABS ÂŁ20 x

2oz HOMEMADE

BEST HOMEMADE

HOMEMADE

CHOOSE FROM JUMBO SAUSAGES 10 HOMEQUARTER POUND BURGERS OVER MADE FLAVOURS CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS CHINESE RIBS MINTED LAMB CHOPS KOFTA BEEF KEBABS 10 ITEMS OR LESS = ÂŁ1.30 each ITEMS = ÂŁ1.20 each

20 50 ITEMS = ÂŁ1.00 each 100 ITEMS+ = 95p each HOME MADE

ALL THIS FOR ONLY

Local Family Butchers since 1880 Purveyors of locally sourced quality meat

191 Stourbridge Rd, Bromsgrove B61 0AS Tel 01527 872386

Open 7 days a week

Bromsgrove Sporting Football Club - Season 2018/9 Season tickets are now available and can be bought on-line at:

bsfc.ace-online.co.uk/catalogue/3273/season-tickets Adults ÂŁ135, OAPs & students ÂŁ95, Youngsters (12 to 17 years) ÂŁ50 Under 12s will still be free admission with an adult. Season tickets allow admittance for all league matches and pre-season friendlies.

The following pre-season friendlies have been arranged: Saturday 14th July - LichďŹ eld City away Saturday 21st July - Shawbury United away Saturday 28th July - Leamington away Saturday 4th August Stourbridge home

Tuesday 17th July - Bilston Town away Tuesday 24th July - Alvechurch away Tuesday 31st July - Halesowen Town away Tuesday 7th August Rushall Olympic home

The season starts on Saturday 11th August. Full ďŹ xtures will be published when available.

For more information see our web site: bromsgrovesporting.co.uk

Do you have a function or an event? Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, celebration, business or committee meeting? We have two function rooms available both including bars and catering. Interested? Then call our bar manager Ann on 07415 923555

Completely Bromsgrove

43â€‚

Bromsgrove Sporting Football Club T he Club was formed in 2009 by a group of former Bromsgrove Rovers directors and supporters when the latter was in serious financial difficulty and facing closure. That would have meant the town having no football club playing at a serious non-league level.The Club has an unusual constitution with a rule that nobody can own more than 10% of the Club to ensure that nobody ever again has overall personal control. In addition, the Supporters Trust has a stake in the Club and appoints three directors.

With Rovers’ difficulties deepening, Sporting were offered the tenancy of the town’s Victoria Ground by the District Council and played their first match in Bromsgrove on 6th November in front of a crowd of 458 and ran up an unforgettable 7-0 win against Greenhill. Sporting missed out on the two promotion places but a reorganisation of the Midland Combination saw them move into Division One for season 2011/12. In their second season, although missing out on automatic promotion, Sporting were promoted to the Midland Combination Premier Division when the League increased the number of teams. For season 2012/13, Sporting claimed their first pieces of silverware with the Reserves winning their league and the Under 18’s claiming County success in the Worcestershire F. A. Youth Cup. Season 2013/14 ended 2nd to Brocton, but gained their first cup success in winning the Smedley Crooke Memorial Challenge Cup and enter the FA Vase for the first time, but bowed out to Westfields. After 2 games of the 2014/15 season Adrian Mander resigned as manager and Paul Smith was appointed his successor. Smith guided “The Rouslers” to runners-up in the league for the second season. They also lifted the League Cup at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium. Sporting competed in the FA Cup for the first time, but lost to Coleshill Town after a replay. 2015/16 saw “The Rouslers” as runners-up again, despite gaining a club record 91 points. However in season 2016/17 Sporting finally won the league with 104 points and remained undefeated for the whole campaign. In addition they reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase Cup before losing narrowly 2-1 on aggregate to Cleethorpes. They were also awarded the Worcestershire Senior Urn for the first time. The season also saw a vast increase in the support for Sporting with several crowds of over 1000 including a record 3349 for the home match against Cleethorpes. Season 2017/18 saw Sporting playing in the Midland Football League Premier Division for the first time with Paul Smith still in charge as the manager assisted by Brendan Kelly and Andy Mason. However difficulties behind the scenes resulted in Smith resigning in February and Kelly appointed as

44 Completely Bromsgrove

by Phil Baker manager. He hit the ground running and continued the good work of his predecessor and Sporting won the league at their first attempt. There was also cup success in winning the Worcestershire Senior Urn for the second time. However the FA Vase run ended at Thatcham Town (The eventual winners) in the 5th round. In season 2018/19 Sporting will play in the Evo-Stik Southern League East. In addition the Club will continue to field an Under 18’s team in the Midland Youth Floodlit League and plans are currently in place to run a number of junior teams for both boys and girls. Out of season is just as busy at the Victoria Ground with much work being done to maintain facilities within the stadium and of course getting the pitch into perfect condition for the new campaign. As well as the pitch and stadium, the Victoria Ground also has a recently modernised bar (The Rouslers Bar) that doubles as a function room that can be booked for celebrations and events. In addition, there is a smaller studio bar, also bookable that can be used to host events and can be used for dance and exercise classes.

Avoncroft Cricket Club W

ith the sun shining, what better way is there to enjoy a summers day than watching or playing England’s summer sport, and Avoncroft Cricket Club has certainly taken advantage of the beautiful summer weather to date this season. Participation at the Stoke Heath club has grown significantly since the start of the season as more and more adults, boys and girls are taking up the opportunity to find out more about cricket and get involved in the game. On the field, there has been mixed success for the senior sides at the halfway stage of the season. The 1st XI has been inconsistent in the league and currently sit 9th with a record of 4 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats. They have however found the T20 Carter Cup more to their liking and, after 3 comfortable victories, have qualified for the final at Kidderminster’s Chester Road ground. Having lost in the final in two of the last three seasons, Croft will be looking to go one better this time around. The 2nd XI have been far more successful, winning 8 games and losing 2 to sit in 2nd place in the league. Their blend of youth and experience has proved the perfect cocktail to date, with several senior players standing up when necessary to play a vital knock or take a vital wicket. Captain Mark Wood will be looking to keep these standards going in the second half of the season as Croft look to mount a title challenge. The Sunday XI are in the midst of a title challenge of their own, currently sitting top of a tight Worcestershire Sunday 2nd XI league with 4 wins and 2 defeats to date. Captain Chris Pitt has done a great job in marshalling a young side to deliver some excellent performances to date as well as chipping in with a few runs himself.

On the junior front, it’s been great to see so many boys and girls enjoying their cricket, with nearly 100 juniors from the ages of 5 to 13 coming along to Friday night training and nearly 50 so far having the chance to play in competitive games. Croft’s younger age groups have continued their recent successes, with this year’s Under 9s winning their group to qualify for the county finals day where they will look to retain the title they won as Under 8s last year. This year’s crop of new Under 8s are also maintaining the standards of their predecessors with some excellent performances to date and the Under 11 side are unbeaten so far in their first season together. Croft’s Under 12s and Under 13s have found success more difficult to come by against some excellent local teams in their T20 games, but have continued their improvement and have played some solid cricket in the midweek pairs format. 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 Completely Bromsgrove

Know your School W

e live in a world of big data and that very much applies to our secondary schools. I remember the first time that school league tables were published in 1992.

I was interested because I was about to go on my first teaching practice and wondered how my host school had performed. I must admit to concern in finding that only 5% of their students had achieved the then headline measure of 5 or more grades at A-C. Would I be exposed to poor behaviour and disinterested students that would quash my ambition to teach secondary school mathematics? Gulp! No, what followed was a superb experience that cemented my view that teaching was for me. At their time of publication, and still today, league tables face the criticism that they do not tell the whole story. In truth they never will because they invite judgement of a process by measuring the outcome. It’s like the football match that your team loses but you thought they were the better team! Modern school data tables have many headline measures but with a few clicks you can find hundreds of pieces of data about every school. This enables you to glean information about your child’s school or the one that they are about to join. The website to visit is: www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk Once you have located the school that you are interested in you will find a number of graphics and tabled data measuring the school and comparing it to

Gen e Tutors English | Maths | 11+ Prep | GCSEs | 5-18 yr olds.

Call: 01527 962 269 to book a free trial

the local authority and national averages. The measures are either of attainment or progress. Attainment is an absolute measure of performance so the higher the score the better. Progress is a comparison of the attainment of students deemed similar when they sat key stage 2 tests. The measure is a number centred around zero, where zero represents that progress was in-line with similar students nationally and, for example, +0.5 represents that on average students achieve half a grade higher per subject entry than similar students nationally. In inspection terms progress is the prime measure. The school data tables allows the public to be well informed about schools but to get the whole story some first-hand experiences need to be heard. The school Open Evening offers a chance to speak to students, parents and teachers and helps to form a feel for the school.

by Shaun Shore

Can Summer be a little slow? Then get ahead! During the long summer holiday children can forget as much as a term’s work.

30% off

10 weeks of tuition booked by September 18 For Terms & Conditions see our website.

46 Completely Bromsgrove

Call us to see how we can help your child

up to 42% discount with Childcare Vouchers

www.genietutors.co.uk

THE WINTERFOLD WAY Independent Day School for boys and girls aged 0 - 13 Feeding a wide range of senior schools Rated Outstanding for EYFS provision

Come and see us at work and at play 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

47â€‚

The Bromsgrove Institute History: “Local help for local people and organisations” is what the Bromsgrove Institute Trust is all about. In the mid-nineteenth century Bromsgrove’s Literary & Mechanics Institute amalgamated with the Working Men’s Club and to provide more space an Institute was built in New Road in 1893. The building included a library, reading rooms, lecture halls and rooms for entertainments and even gymnastics. In 1930 the building was passed over in trust to the County Council. After standing empty for several years it was sold to developers in 1988. Charity Commissioners subsequently agreed a scheme for the proceeds of the sale and revised terms of reference for the Trust, and so the Bromsgrove Institute Trust saw the light of day on February 7th 2001. Objectives: There are two broad objectives to the Trust: to promote the education of eligible persons; and, to assist in the provision and maintenance of facilities with the objective of improving the conditions of life for Bromsgrove inhabitants. The Trustees meet four times a year and in general follow these guidelines: individuals who are 16 years of age or over, attend any institution of further or higher education and who have lived in the District of Bromsgrove for one year, or whose parents are resident in the District, and who are in need of financial assistance. Organisations are also invited to submit applications with the objective of improving the quality of life for Bromsgrove inhabitants. The Trust is keen to continue the aims of the original Institute from which its funds derive – that is to encourage, in a practical way, adults who have aspirations for personal development through education in its broadest sense.

FRENCH CLASSES FROM 10th SEPTEMBER

Avoncroft Art centre (30 WEEK COURSE)

Level 2.1 - Thursday: 7.00pm – 9.00pm Level 2.2 - Thursday: 1.30pm – 3.30pm Level 3 - Tuesday: 7.00pm – 9.00pm Conversation (A ‘Level standard) Wednesday: 7.00pm – 9.00pm Discussion (Degree level) Tuesday: 10am – 12.00 noon (Chaddesley Corbett) Wednesday: 10.00am – 12.00 noon Friday: 9.30pm – 11.30pm French in your company One to one/group tuition for beginners G.C.S.E & A’ LEVEL tuition NICOLE HARRIS M.C.I.L.

French native speaker with 30 years teaching experience

TEL: 01527 878493/07802 637093 Email: nicnoelharris@aol.com

www.frenchwithnicoleharris.co.uk

48 Completely Bromsgrove

Grants: The Bromsgrove Institute Trust provides charitable grants to higher or further education students for a specific project providing they or their parents live in Bromsgrove and to organisations whose proposals meet the object of improving the quality of life for Bromsgrove inhabitants. Whilst funding is not normally available towards the standard costs of education e.g. for NVQs, A or AS levels, undergraduate or postgraduate courses; nevertheless, from time to time one-off small grants may be paid towards specific items such as books or equipment for vocational courses. The Trust moreover supports organisations whose proposals meet the object of improving the quality of life for Bromsgrove inhabitants. Previous recipients of awards have been: Disabled access, sheet music and music stands with lights, funding for Organ Scholarships, literary works, a scientific project in Greenland, research in the Kalahari and funding for a Drama based course, so the awards are many and varied. The Trustees’ aim, however, is not to be too prescriptive within the terms of reference, to allow as much flexibility as possible to potential applicants. The age range is from 16 years of age and upwards and applications are considered quarterly, starting in January. Trustees are currently looking for new applicants to receive the cash grants. For grant application details please visit: www. bromsgroveinstitutetrust.org Awards will be considered at three levels: up to £500 | up to £2000 | up to £5000 If you are interested in applying for a grant, visit www.bromsgroveinstitutetrust.org for more information.

• • • • • •• • Dream

Believe

• •• • • • • ••••• • • •• ••• •• •

• • • • •• • • •

FREE TRIAL CLASS

Tel: 07818020865 Email: info@chloemaysdanceacademy.co.uk Web: www.chloemaysdanceacademy.co.uk

Ages 2 - Adult

HOLIDAY FUN REGI

Activity Camps for children aged 8* - 13

SUMMER ACTIVITY DAY CAMPS at Bromsgrove and FUN SPORTS DAY CAMPS at Winterfold

Monday 2nd July to

For information and to book a place, please contact activities@bromsgrove-school.co.uk

£35 per day or

bromsgrove-school.co.uk 01527 579679 ext 357

Friday 24th August

£140 per week including a hot lunch *Year 3 and above

Completely Bromsgrove

A great day was had by all at this years Hanbury Countryside Show! With the sun shining everyone who attended had the pleasure of seeing record entrants within the livestock categories, many countryside crafts demonstrating their splendid trades and shopping galore with over 500 stalls. Completely Bromsgrove would like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work and dedication for putting on yet another great show!

50â€‚ Completely Bromsgrove

Humphries Shoes Full Page

Humphries Shoes was founded in Redditch in 1862 and is still run by the Humphries family.

Clarks ‘MARVEL’

StartRite

Skechers

Clarks

Our Redditch store is renowned for its children’s department which offers an unbeatable range of styles from all the leading brands and where we aim to provide the kind of service only found at a family run independent store.

Geox

Skechers

Clarks

Geox

We are the Clarks and StartRite Main Stockists for the Area With half sizes and up to 5 width fittings, we can fit even the trickiest of feet.

Kingfisher Centre, Redditch

Tel: 01527 62416

We also have our smaller store at 23 High Street, Alcester (Clarks Kids Only)

NOW ALSO ONLINE:

www.humphriesshoes.co.uk Also: Dr. Martens, Kickers, Crocs, Vans & Skechers. Completely Bromsgrove

4 WEEKS OF SUMMER

FUN e r o m h c u som

"#õç Óøïü ÷ò !'÷ë Êøêøö÷

For a full list of events visit our website or facebook page

öëòóîìñêĤöëèõ

52 Completely Bromsgrove