Completely Bromsgrove issue 17

Issue 17

March 2020

Completely

Bromsgrove

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Join us for our events in March (4'' (KPCPEKCN #FXKEG GXGT[ Ć‚TUV 6WGUFC[ CO RO Consult Simon Cartmell, Financial Advisor from Provest Wealth Management, at his ‘drop-in clinic’.

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Welcome

W

elcome to the March edition of Completely Bromsgrove, which is packed with great articles which I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading.

Our Women in Business this edition focuses on Lorita Cornish from Decanter Spirit in Bromsgrove town centre.

We’ll discover how she star ted out on her journey to where she is today. Keep up the good work Lorita – we’re sure there are further successes ahead.

With Mothering Sunday just around the corner on March 22th, we’ll be telling you about the history of this day celebrating all the great mothers, grandmothers, aunts etc., who bring so much happiness and dedication to our lives.

Completely Bromsgrove would like to wish you all a very happy Mother’s Day whatever you have planned.

One definite date for the diary this year is May 10th, when Bromsgrove’s Royal British Legion hosts a street par ty to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. The day will be packed full of fun and jollity and we’re sure it’ll be one which will be talked about for a very long time. For fur ther information turn to page 20.

Primrose Hospice would like to take this oppor tunity to thank everyone who attended their Lantern Walk last month and helped to raise £2,500. Well done if you attended or contributed.

6

Last but cer tainly not least, fur ther congratulations to Bromsgrove’s Charlotte Moseley, who has recently launched her first CD on Harlequin Records. Excellent work Charlotte – the town is very proud of you!

Well, that’s just a snippet of what’s in store for you this month and my final words have to be “don’t forget that the clocks go forward an hour on March 29th when Spring will have really sprung!”

Very best wishes,

Michele Ford

20 32 47

Contents

6 7 8 11 12 14 16 18 20 21 22

The newly set up Feeding Trust, based at Waseley Hills Country Park, talks about how it can help families with children who struggle with their food and eating habits. The ar ticle is very informative and I’m sure many families will find it extremely interesting.

Completely Bromsgrove would like to wish the trust all the very best for the future.

Women In Business B’grove District Housing Trust Spadesbourne Brook 45 Years of KSH Gardening Spring Blossom Trail Bromsgrove Flower Club RHS Malvern Spring Festival VE Day Anniversary Bromsgrove’s Court Leet Spring/Summer Fashion

Completely

24 26 27 28 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

Bromsgrove 4 Completely Bromsgrove

Mothering Sunday The Feeding Trust Health and Wellbeing Recipe - British Pie Week Host Families/Be Together The Monarch A38 Improvements Education 2020 BB Sign Up for Award Lib Dems Burns Night Shooting 4 Fun

38 40 42 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51

49 Good Financial Planning Bromsgrove Arts Alive Stoke Prior Tower Project Home Instead Raising Steam/LHAS Scratchy Beard in Concert Lantern Walk Charlotte Moseley “Doctors” Peter Lloyd Avoncroft Cricket Club Bromsgrove Sporting F.C.

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

Sales: Michele Ford Tel: 07948 086870

Design: Matt Walton Design

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

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

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Women In Business

The woman behind the spirit W

e’re continuing our new Women in Business series with Lorita Cornish, founder of Decanter Spirit in Bromsgrove High Street.

Lorita, who originally hails from Latvia, is now a familiar face in the town centre due to her thriving drinks business and the business she ran previously, Lorita’s Bakehouse.

“As the premises had some wasted space, I saw an opportunity to introduce a cocktail bar, which opened in January 2018.”

After a career in the corporate world and taking time out of the working environment to bring up her first child, Lorita set up the bakehouse in 2014 due to her love of baking and soon learned that Bromsgrove wanted more than just great cakes.

The bar is open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday and is also available to book for private events.

Lorita expanded the French-style patisserie into a café but was always on the lookout for new business opportunities.

In September 2016 she opened the doors to Decanter Spirit then decided to sell the popular bakehouse in summer 2017 to concentrate on her new business. The café has remained under the name of 60 Degrees.

Lorita, who is ably assisted by Liga Zaharenko, recalled: “My vision was always to be a drinks specialist stocking a range of wines, spirits and ales sourced from small independent UK producers.

“I was able to offer a personal tasting service for these niche products that you couldn’t buy in supermarkets or larger chain stores.

“Once I was able to establish clients’ requirements, I could organically grow the business and host tasting evenings and cocktail masterclasses.

6 Completely Bromsgrove

Lorita, who has been featured in The Sunday Times and The Times, produces home-made flavoured vodkas and is always coming up with new cocktail ideas. She believes that rum is the next spirit trend so watch this space…

Decanter Spirit is proud to support small producers in Worcestershire and the surrounding counties including Hussingtree Gin, Pistons Gin, Hubbards Gin, Woodcote Manor Beer, The Hop Shed Brewery Beer and Teme Valley Beer.

Located at 49 High Street, Decanter Spirit is open from 9.30am to 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday and from 9.30am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

For more details of forthcoming events, visit www.decanterspirit.co.uk, follow @ decanterspirit on Instagram or the Decanter Spirit page on Facebook.

Lorita also offers a Mobile Decanter outside bar, grazing platter and events services.

Matt and Claire with and Lisa Harrison from bdht

Final residents set up home at Norton Farm development

B

romsgrove District Housing Trust (bdht) has handed over the keys to the final property at its Norton Farm development on the Birmingham Road in Bromsgrove.

First time buyers, Claire, 32 and Matt, 29 have now moved into their brand new home alongside their dog, Jasper, after purchasing the property through the affordable housing provider’s shared ownership scheme.

The couple, who were previously living with their parents in Henley-in-Arden and Alvechurch, are now the proud owners of the final property at Norton Farm – one of just 17 fantastic two and three bedroom homes.

Claire commented: “After our initial property search hit a wall after a year of searching, we discovered the homes at Norton Farm and quickly realised Bromsgrove offered the perfect location for us. We have a fantastic support network of friends nearby and the development offers good commuting distance to both of our jobs.

“After excitedly buying items in anticipation, we are thrilled to have now received the keys to our first home as a couple and can’t wait to settle in and make it our own. As an avid baker, I’m particularly excited about getting to grips with our new kitchen and baking lots of delicious treats for family and friends when they come to visit.”

Lisa Harrison, New Homes Officer at bdht, added: “Getting on to the property ladder as a young purchaser

can often prove a difficult and daunting prospect however, shared ownership can offer the perfect solution for first time buyers to get their foot on the first rung without the pressure of securing a mortgage for 100% of the property.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Claire and Matt into their brand new home and to mark this exciting final milestone for Norton Farm.”

If you are looking for an affordable home and are keen to get on to the property ladder in Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas, please visit https://bdhthomes.co.uk/ to view the latest properties available. bdht is a registered provider of social housing, serving the district of Bromsgrove and surrounding areas.

The not-for-profit organisation aims to improve the communities in which it is based, working closely with partners, such as the council, police and residents, to provide secure and comfortable accommodation, and safe and happy neighbourhoods. While also undertaking a wide range of activities under contract to others including homelessness, supporting people, extra care and general estate management. For more information, visit www.bdht.co.uk

Completely Bromsgrove

7

BEFORE

Good news for the fish!

T

he second and final phase of the Spadesbourne Brook biodiversity enhancement and flood alleviation work in Bromsgrove is now complete.

Initially, it had been proposed to create a rock-ramp against a weir just upstream of the footbridge linking Shenstone Close and Blackmore Lane to School Drive.

However, after seeking advice from fisheries specialists at the Environment Agency, North Worcestershire Water Management (NWWM) opted to remove the weir completely and in doing so have improved the passage of fish and other aquatic species along the Spadesbourne Brook.

The NWWM team will be monitoring how this weir removal has affected the bed levels and localised habitat potential of the brook over the next few months.

AFTER

8 Completely Bromsgrove

This work follows the recent creation of a small pool and series of wetland scrapes which was funded through Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s Natural Networks programme in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council, Bromsgrove District Housing Trust and the West Mercia Police & Crime Commissioner.

Keep an eye on North Worcestershire Water Management’s Facebook page (@NorthWorcsFlooding) for details of how to join the NWWM team for a morning of spreading wildflower seeds, litter picking and removing the invasive Himalayan Balsam plant in the spring.

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With spring just around the corner, choosing the right flooring to brighten up your home could not be easier. Whatever the room!

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SH have been trading for over 45 years with the last 17 years in Bromsgrove.

Our aim has always been to offer a wide range of quality floor coverings at competitive prices and we are always looking for something out of the ordinary to offer our customers. When we do find something different, we research it thoroughly, to ensure that we are offering something that is good value and that will give years of service and wear. This also applies to the types of underlays, smoothing compounds and fixings that we recommend.

There are some new and exciting products and materials coming on to the market in the form of carpets, timber, cork and LVT’s in a vest rage of colours and designs. Amtico for instance, with it’s countless bespoke designs from traditional to contemporary. Riviera Home, Telenzo, Jacaranda, Brockway, Penthouse and Alternative Flooring carpets, to name but a few with their Wool Velvets, Twists and Featured Finishes. Sisals, Coir and Jute are also available in various designs and colours.

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Completely Bromsgrove

11

Magnificent magnolia makes a real statement

M

20cm if it’s a male specimen. They do prefer a sheltered sunny spot as they are not very frost hardy but are not fussy about soil type.

pink and purple through to yellow and they make a real statement if you’re looking for a special ornamental tree or shrub.

With shiny silvery tinged leaves and long silky tassels, they are stunning at this time of year and there is a particularly good example in the gardens at Jinney Ring Craft Centre at Hanbury.Visit soon before it goes over.

agnolia are prized for their large tulip or star-shaped flowers that usher in the spring. They come in a varied colour range from white,

Magnolia can be incorporated into almost any garden style. They vary from small multi- stemmed shrubs to large trees and whilst full sun will give the best flowering, partial shade is well tolerated.

Smaller varieties like Stellata with its abundant flowers make fantastic patio features and some are evergreen and perfect for screening or being trained against a trellis or wall.

The magnolia is an aged species having been with us for many centuries. They became fashionable in Europe from the 17th century, have played a large part in Asian cultures and are popular in larger Chinese gardens.

The large specimens that we see giving an outstanding display of blooms often date back to the Victorian era as they are fairly slow growing. If you are tempted to remove a large magnolia give it a second chance and think of pruning it first.

March is the time to give the lawn a little attention if it is not frosty, scarify out the moss and feed with a top dressing of lawn feed and weed. If the area is liable to water logging go over it with a fork and brush some silver sand into the holes to help with drainage. Repair any damaged or crumbled edges with new turf and for small worn areas now is the time to reseed.

Remove any well-established deep-rooted weeds like dandelions and daisies. Start to cut the lawn as soon as the weather allows but raise the height of the blades for the first few cuts, just removing the tips. Recut a nice sharp edge with a half moon edger for that well finished look and you will be all set up for the summer.

Garrya elliptica

They are fairly easy to grow and are best pruned midsummer to early autumn but they will thrive on neglect.

Some prefer acidic soil or neutral and some, like magnolia grandiflora, prefer an alkaline soil so finding the perfect specimen for your soil type should be easy.

Like most spring flowering plants, the magnolia has a short flowering season but will often give another, although not so prolific, display later in the year.

Whilst we’re on the theme of covering shrubs, now is the perfect time to plant them. Think about a Garrya elliptica or silk tassel tree, which can be seen now with impressive long hanging catkins which can easily reach

Gardening jobs for March Protect new growth from slug damage Prune bush and climbing roses Lift and divide and replant large clumps of perennials Sow broad beans (see right), plant early potatoes and prepare the vegetable beds Last chance to plant bare root roses

12 Completely Bromsgrove

Karl Strawbridge

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

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16/01/2020 09:19 Completely Bromsgrove

The Vale of Evesham Spring Blossom Trail

Y

ou know that “Spring is Sprung” when those famous yellow AA signs go up to guide blossom spotters through some of the most productive horticultural land in the Country.

The Vale of Evesham - famous for its plums, apples and pears is home to the country’s most famous Blossom Trail - now in its 37th year and taking in almost 50 miles of idyllic Worcestershire countryside.

There are so many ways to enjoy this magical natural attraction. Not only can you travel the trail by car, you can also enjoy a fabulous day out on one of the Springtime in the Vale Coach tours (as featurered on BBCs’ Countryfile). Operated by Dudleys Coaches Ltd on Thursday 9th and 16th April, this value for money tour with your very own Blossom Tour Guide allows you to experience the best of the Vale and the Blossom (weather permitting). Pick up points throughout the County, for further details and to book your seat - call 01386 792206 For those who prefer “the great outdoors” without engines - come and explore the blossom by bike on Sunday 19th April on the Blossom Bikeaway. Setting off from Hampton Ferry in Evesham, the Bikeaway offers a fun family day out whilst also raising funds for local charities. Providing the option of three routes that vary in intensity and distance; 11, 26 or 57 miles. Why not enjoy the ride with friends and family whilst marvelling the beautiful scenery? For more information please visit www.bikeawayventures.co.uk or email bikeaway40@yahoo.co.uk If you are planning to take a group around the Trail - why not book a Tour Guide to enhance your visit. Specialising in the area and more importantly its Blossom Trail, they will certainly make your journey around the Vale of Evesham one to remember. Call Helen Piper on 01386 765972 for more information regarding the Evesham Vale Tour Guides Blossom doesn’t last long so it is important to plan your trip. We have carefully crafted a blossom trail guide that will provide you with the best locations to witness the Vale’s stunning bloom; a virtual guide can be found at www.valeandspa.co.uk/blossom or order a free copy from Curtis Somers at 01386 565564. www.valeandspa.co.uk

14 Completely Bromsgrove

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Completely Bromsgrove

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“

Bromsgrove Flower Club springs into March T he promise of spring” will reveal itself before your eyes if you visit Bromsgrove Flower Club on Thursday, March 19th.

Yolanda Campbell will create some beautiful floral arrangements using seasonal flowers and foliage which you may be lucky enough to win in the raffle. The competition for members is entitled “Lemon zing”.

Along with a warm welcome, visitors will enjoy a relaxing afternoon with tea and biscuits.

The club will meet at All Saints Church Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, at 2.15pm. Entrance for visitors is £6.

For more details, contact Wendy Rober tson on 01905 48057 or visit www.bromsgroveflowerclub.org.uk

16 Completely Bromsgrove

Beautiful arrangements created by some of our talented members.

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Completely Bromsgrove

17 

WIN a pair of tickets to RHS Malvern Spring Festival

Competition

7th - 10th May 2020

W

ith a stellar guest lineup, two nights of music and tens of thousands of flowers and plants, RHS Malvern Spring Festival celebrates its 35th anniversary this year in style.

Making a welcome return to the festival after last appearing in 2018, gardening national treasure Alan Titchmarsh will be joined by a stellar horticultural line up including Gardeners’ World stars Carol Klein and Joe Swift, alongside RHS Malvern show ambassador Chris Beardshaw, plantswoman and author Sarah Raven and celebrity florist, writer and broadcaster, Jonathan Moseley.

BBC Radio 2’s resident gardening guru, Terry Walton, will also make a comeback, as well as former Blue Peter gardener, Lee Connelly better known as the Skinny Jean Gardener.

As part of its anniversary celebrations and new for 2020, the Malvern Hills will be alive with the sound of music, with two spectacular evenings of performances. On Friday, May 8th, the 54-piece English Symphony Orchestra led

by Lesley Garrett will perform a special VE Day commemorative concert. On Saturday, May 9th, Jo Whiley will host her very own Garden Party as she plays music throughout the decades, chosen by the show’s special guests.

Set at the foot of the Malvern Hills and with headline sponsorship from boutique travel company Great Little Breaks, the four-day festival runs from May 7 to 10. It will play host to inspirational RHS Gold Medal winning show gardens, top quality specialist plant and floral exhibitors in the beautiful Floral Marquee and expert advice from some of the UK’s top gardening and food heroes.

The length of four Olympic swimming pools, the Floral Marquee at RHS Malvern Spring Festival is the most oversubscribed on the RHS

Flower Show circuit and this year will be home to 68 exhibits. From Dumfries to Devon, 67 nurseries will make the journey to Malvern to display their best blooms in the hope of being awarded the coveted RHS Gold Medal.

Seen by many as the official start of spring and the largest RHS show outside of London, the festival this year is themed around ‘Wanderlust and Wonder’.

Completely Bromsgrove has four pairs of tickets to give away to the show. All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer this question: When was the last time Alan Titchmarsh appeared at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival?

Send your entry marked ‘RHS Malvern Spring Festival tickets’ by March 17. Only one entry per household please and the editor’s decision is final.

Advance tickets for day entry to the festival itself are now on sale, with prices starting at £20 for RHS and Three Counties members, or £22 for the general public (plus 75p transaction fee). Children under 16 go free.

Group tickets are available, starting from £20 in advance. For all group bookings please call 0844 338 8002 or e-mail groups@ theticketfactory.com.

For further information: call 0844 811 0050 or visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk

WIN

COMPETITION a pair of tickets to RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2020

We have 4 pairs of tickets to give away. Just answer the following question “When was the last time Alan Titchmarsh appeared at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival?” then fill in this form, cut out and post to: RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2020 Competition, 11 West Road, Bromsgrove. B60 2NG. All entries must be in by 17th March 2020 Answer .............................................................................................................................................................................................

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

Address ........................................................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................ Telephone .......................................................... e-mail ................................................................................................................................................................................................

Please tick this box if you want any promotional offers from RHS Malvern Spring Festival

18 Completely Bromsgrove

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19

Party like it’s 1945 on VE Day anniversary T

he Bromsgrove branch of the Royal British Legion is hosting a VE Day Street Party on May 10th to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day and townspeople of all ages are invited to join in the fun.

Bromsgrove High Street and Worcester Road will be closed from 12noon to 7pm and filled with tables and chairs for people to bring picnics and party like It’s 1945.

Two stages near The Strand and on Worcester Road will host bands and singers performing Glenn Miller classics and popular songs from the decade.

There will be a VIP area for veterans and older people who were around in 1945 and picnics will be provided for them by the Royal British Legion. Their memories of VE Day will be read out by young people, enabling them to learn directly from the people who lived through World War Two. Scouts, Guides and Cadets who will carry out the interviews will be encouraged to ‘adopt’ and sit with older people on the day which hopefully will forge future links between the generations.

The Norton Collection Museum, which will be open during the day, will be bringing a 1940s motorbike and wicker sidecar for people to view.

Military vehicles and re-enactors will be parked in front of The Golden Cross and an LED cinema screen will show war films and Pathe News reels.

20 Completely Bromsgrove

This area will be covered with green carpet and people are invited to bring deckchairs and picnics and watch the films. The Golden Cross will host a popcorn cart for cinema goers and Bromsgrove Army Cadets will have an ice cream van and give away free ice creams to children. There will also be food concessions stands on the High Street and Worcester Road.

Worcester Road nightclub 57 Monkeys will be showing popular 1940s comedies including Laurel & Hardy.

Shops and businesses will be encouraged to decorate their frontages, play music, put photos of VE Day in their windows and join in the entertainment.

Make-up artists and hair stylists will help to re-create the 1940s look and people will be encouraged to wear clothes from the era and decorate picnic tables.

Tables and chairs will be placed along the High Street and Worcester Road for the public to use.

Tables on the High Street can be reserved for £20 to include six chairs.

Parking in town centre car parks will be free all day.

H

Oyez, Oyez, Oyez: The story of Bromsgrove’s Court Leet

ave you ever wondered why men and women in fancy hats parade down the High Street on the third Saturday in June? They’re Bromsgrove’s Court Leet, one of the town’s most ancient institutions.

The Court Leet is a survival from the manorial system introduced to England by William the Conqueror. Under this system, all land was owned by the king who either granted individual manors to his supporters or, as in the case of Bromsgrove, retained it for his own use (known as a ‘royal desmesne’).

The Court Leet governed the manor on a day-to-day basis.

The word ‘Leet’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon term ‘lethe’, meaning a low court. The Courthouse was originally at the Lickey, as in medieval times the Manor of Bromsgrove extended from Grafton to Kings Norton. One privilege of being ‘Royal’ was that the appointment of the Lord’s steward – his chief agent – was subject to the approval of the Court.

The Court met regularly, the most important meeting being in the autumn when the officers of the court were chosen by the manor’s freeholders. The two most important officers were the Bailiff, who acted as the court’s chief officer, and the Reeve, who was responsible for the collection of head rents for the Lord of the Manor. It was customary for the Reeve to succeed to the office of Bailiff.

A Headborough and Constables were appointed; and a Bellman, who besides acting as town crier, was required to clean the courtroom and the church steps and ring the market bell.

There were also Aletasters, Breadweighers, and Searchers and Sealers of Leather, who were the equivalent of today’s trading standards officers.

Offenders could be presented and ‘amerced’ (fined) for a variety of offences. If unable to pay, they might be put in the

stocks which were often constructed so that they could also be used as a whipping post, another popular form of punishment.

In 1681, 27 victuallers were presented to the court for breaking the assize of ale and eight bakers for breaking that of bread. As long ago as 1203, a law was passed for regulating the sale of bread and bakers who offended could be fined heavily and the bread given to the poor.

The Bromsgrove Court has a record of its Bailiffs going back to 1494, though it is only complete since 1733. It includes names from many old Bromsgrove families, some of whom gave the court lengthy service. When not in use, the officers’ poles are displayed in a special showcase in the coffee bar at the Princess of Wales Hospital. They are inscribed with the date of origin and names of the Bailiffs, Reeves and other officers before whom they have been carried.

During the 19th century, the powers of the manorial courts were eroded by various acts of parliament, which transferred their responsibilities to other bodies. In 1977, the Administration of Justice Act abolished the right of Courts Leet to determine any legal matter. In recognition of their long tradition, however, the courts themselves were retained, allowing them to continue in a ceremonial role.

Neil Beaumont, a historian of Bromsgrove’s Court Leet, will be delving into more of this fascinating story at The Bromsgrove Society’s local history meeting on Tuesday, March 17th at the Methodist Centre, Stratford Road. For more details, visit www.bsoc.co.uk

by Mike Sharpe

Completely Bromsgrove

21

The trends we’ll be wearing this spring/summer 1. Minimal Futurist is a clear trend for the season with clean lines, block colours, minimal details, fluid movement and drape.

Think layering simple blazers and sheath dresses with wide and slim leg trousers. Finish the look with architectural accessories.

2. Elegance as Staple – Classic wardrobe staples have added feminine elegance for a balance between fluidity and structure.

Tailored suits are worn with soft bow blouses, city shorts, and feminine dresses in simple and elegant shapes.

3. Modern Utility – Safari, shirt dresses, utility jackets, and trousers with utility style pockets and details continue to update modern silhouettes especially with waist definition.

4. Paradise Island – Perfect for your holiday wardrobe, blend exotic prints and textures with your safari colours and utility details. Alternatively choose voluminous maxi dresses, crochet details, palm prints and handcrafted accessories.

5. Neo Victoriana’s fanciful ruffles and volume are underpinned by decadent florals. Puff and bishop sleeves on dresses and blouses, peplum jackets, refined ruffles and Victorian-style accessories give a nod to historical influences.

On trend styles to keep in mind on shopping trips: Short suits – for a contemporary look consider high waisted and longer length shorts teamed with a blazer.

Texture is increasingly important. From soft buttery leather to light chiffons and crochet, layering is key. Satin continues as a must have fabric, reworked for SS20 in blazers and summer dresses in pastel shades.

Environmental influence - Focus on investment pieces and trans-seasonal dressing for wardrobe staples so you can wear again and again appealing to those who want to buy less and wear more. Especially important when considering overcoats, blazers, classic shirts and trench coats.

Versatile enough to be worn casually with sports shoes or dressed up with heels, the patterned midi remains the go-to dress shape. Puff sleeves, deep V and corset necklines or off the shoulder designs offer something different.

Romantic puff sleeves and elasticated balloon shapes are still very much in vogue as simple strings and long sweeping ties replace buttons as fastenings for a more natural feel.

Layering midi dresses and longline shirts over trousers taps into the mood for seasonal dressing so you can wear your favourite dresses earlier in the season.

by Jane Brook

22 Completely Bromsgrove

Cardigans become a fashion favourite with matching cardigan and knitwear top sets in tight fitting to oversized options.

Consumers still want comfort and style in their clothes but SS20 is the season of the blazer as the key item perfect for a smart/casual look. It is a wardrobe staple item that can be layered and worn between seasons. Adapt to suit your personality from simple tailoring to exaggerated shoulders or peplum details, there is a blazer for everyone.

The Pantone Colour Institute has announced their colour of 2020 is the beautiful ‘Classic Blue’ so expect to see it all over the shops. Here are some other key colour trends: Soft green – from autumn light sage to moss green Bold red – the vibrant reds for all season Yellow – yellow ochre, canary yellow and corn yellow, saffron and tangerine Pastel shades – summer pinks, purples and greens White – across all seasons from cream to bright white Aqua Lilac

www.houseofcolour/janebrook

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Completely Bromsgrove

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The history of Mothering Sunday C

elebrating Mother’s Day by giving cards, gifts and flowers or enjoying a special meal is an eagerly awaited experience for many families.

As we look forward to Mother’s Day 2020 on Sunday, March 22, let’s reflect on the history of Mothering Sunday.

During the 16th century, people returned to their mother church for a service. This was either the church where you were baptised, the local parish church or the nearest cathedral.

Anyone who did this was commonly said to have gone “a-mothering”, although whether this term preceded the observance of Mothering Sunday is unclear.

In later times, it became a day when domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother church, usually with their own mothers and other family members, and was often the only time that entire families could get together.

Children and young people who worked as household servants were given a day off so they could visit their families. The children often picked wildflowers along the way either to place in the church or to give to their mothers. Eventually, the religious tradition evolved into the secular one of giving gifts.

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By the 1920s the custom of keeping Mothering Sunday had tended to lapse in Ireland and in continental Europe.

In 1914, inspired by Anna Jarvis’ efforts in the United States, Constance Penswick-Smith created the Mothering Sunday Movement, and in 1921 she wrote a book advocating the revival of the festival.

The traditions of Mothering Sunday, still practised by the Church of England and Church of Ireland, were merged with the newly imported traditions and celebrated in the wider Catholic and secular society. By the 1950s, it was celebrated widely across the UK. Unlike the UK and Ireland, where Mother’s Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in Lent, in most countries it is celebrated on the second Sunday in May. These countries include the USA, Canada, most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, the Philippines and South Africa.

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The Feeding Trust aims to make a difference to children’s lives

I

n July 2019 a local feeding team won a Generation CAN Symphony award for inspirational teamwork in helping children improve their feeding.

Six months later the team went on to launch The Feeding Trust, a not-for-profit community interest company to provide a specialist service for children and young people not available on the NHS. Founded by local experts in the field of paediatric feeding disorders (PFD), they have opened a feeding clinic, situated in Waseley Hills Country Park.

Paediatric feeding disorders (PFD) are significant difficulties with eating and drinking, associated with medical, nutritional, feeding skill, and/or psychological factors. Difficulties are present in around 25% of typically developing children, rising to around 80% in children with developmental difficulties such as autism.

There are a number of myths around feeding, such as it is an easy and instinctive process that will naturally occur when a child is hungry. In fact, feeding is a multistep process and a skill that has to be acquired and learnt.

Treating children and young people who have PFD is complex and involves the whole family. PFD can make mealtimes incredibly stressful for parents and can be traumatic for children. The Feeding Trust have an experienced team of feeding therapists from the fields of: occupational therapy, speech & language therapy, Nutrition & dietetics and clinical psychology who offer full assessments and the right treatments, all in one place.

The Feeding Clinic offers a service for children who have extremely limited diets because they either can’t eat (due to physical or medical problems such as food allergies and severe reflux, developmental problems such as Down’s Syndrome) or won’t eat (due to food aversion, food fear, sensory sensitivity or other psychosocial factors.)

The Feeding Trust are motivated by the real difference they make to the everyday lives of children, young people and their families with feeding difficulties. Through their values they aim: • To empower – through education and training for all • To make a difference – to the everyday lives of children, young adults and their families • To be collaborative – all professionals, working together in one place • To be experts – delivering highly specialised, evidence-based therapy • To be welcoming – to make it a fun experience • To make mealtimes good times For more information visit www.feedingtrust.org call 0121 289 320 or email: admin@feedingtrust.org Follow The Feeding Trust on Instagram @ thefeedingtrust, on Twitter @thefeedingtrust or on Facebook at The Feeding Trust.

26 Completely Bromsgrove

Health and Wellbeing

Brighten up your life with colour therapy

M

y ar ticles this year will be themed on the holistic level of who and what we are but will also include why we need to take care of the emotional, mental, spiritual and physical aspects of ourselves.

Having been a colour consultant and teacher of the language of colour around the world for the last 30 years, this subject is very close to my heart. I will also be writing about other therapies that I have personally studied and taught.

What is colour therapy?

Colour therapy is a subtle non invasive therapy using the colours the client has chosen for themselves during a consultation. A colour consultant will introduce the optimum balance of colour energies in order to promote harmony and balance between the physical body, the mind, the emotions and the spiritual aspect of the self.

There is never a time or place when we are without colour. Some people dream in colour, others talk in colour and we live in a colourful world. We eat and drink colour and we are constantly bombarded with colour through the TV, billboards, adverts, company logos and our clothes.

As Shakespeare said: As a man thinketh so he becomes.

Only when our colours are in balance can we work towards a state of perfect health. Colour therapy is a complementary therapy that works well with many other methods of treatments. If you think of a newborn baby with jaundice, a hospital will put the baby under an ultraviolet light. Another aspect of colour therapy is sitting in front of an infra-red lamp for a sore shoulder or back.

Colour consultants can use colour to balance energy, help aid creativity and learning, release blocks and alleviate physical, emotional and mental conditions. It helps people understand their needs for certain aspects in their life. Colours will show how to help healing, health, relaxation, inspiration and protection.

Returning to the physical aspect of colour we have the rainbow diet.

Rainbow diet We need different colours in our diet daily. When you look at a plate of food you need to see five different colours. For example: Salmon – coral Corn – yellow Peas – green Potatoes – white Tomato sauce – red Supplements Another important area. Many people today eat only processed foods that are cheap and lacking nutrition.

Therefore, we all need to supplement with vitamins, minerals, and probiotics and omega fats.

To find out more, contact me at colette@need4change.com

by Colette Garside

Completely Bromsgrove

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Easy as Pie! T

he 2nd March heralds the start of a celebration of a much-loved comestible - British Pie Week! It’s so simple to make your own at home with either a pastry crust or thatch of mashed potatoes.

But the secret to a good pie is the filling. Whether you prefer slowcooked steak and ale, creamy chicken and ham, or earthy spinach and mushroom, all benefit from a splash of Kikkoman soy sauce. Simply use in place of regular table salt for added richness.

Kikkoman soy sauce is a handy store cupboard seasoning for all kinds of dishes as it actually enhances the flavours of other ingredients.The lengthy natural brewing process produces high levels of umami – the fifth taste sensation which brings out savoury flavours on the tongue without overpowering. Unlike other soy sauces, Kikkoman is made with just 4 pure ingredients – soybeans, wheat, salt and water – and no artificial additives whatsoever so you know you are getting the very best quality.

Find Kikkoman’s iconic designer bottle in supermarkets priced around £2.50.

This easy Spicy Shepherd’s Pie is a doddle to make and a real crowd pleaser at family dinner times.

RECIPE

Spicy Shepherd’s Pie The addition of chilli to the lamb mince makes a spicy change to this family favourite.

Serves 4 Prep: 20mins Cook: 1 hour 10 mins Per serving: 520kcals, 29.9g fat, 16.1g sat fat, 5.6g sugars, 3.9g salt Ingredients 500g lamb mince 1 onion, diced 1 large carrot, diced 1 stick celery, diced 2 cloves garlic , crushed 1 chilli, deseeded and finely diced 1 bay leaf 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 400ml lamb stock 1 tbs tomato puree 2 tbs Kikkoman Soy Sauce Black pepper 1 tsp cornflour mixed with cold water 500g maris piper potatoes, par boiled 20g unsalted butter 60ml milk 1 tbs Kikkoman Soy Sauce 100g cheddar cheese, grated Method 1. Boil the peeled and diced potatoes until softened, mash, then add the butter and warmed milk, season with 1 tbs Kikkoman Soy Sauce and pepper.

2. In a large pan, fry the diced vegetables along with the garlic and chilli in a little oil for around 10 mins until softened. Add the spices and cook for a couple more mins. Meanwhile in batches brown the mince, add to the vegetables then add the stock and simmer for 10 mins, add 2 tbs Kikkoman Soy Sauce and a grinding of black pepper then add the cornflour mixture and stir until thickened.

www.kikkoman.co.uk www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

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3. Transfer into an ovenproof baking dish and top with the potato mash, texture with a fork then sprinkle over the grated cheese. Place in a preheated oven set at 200c for 30 mins or until browned.

Bromsgrove

readers and advertise within the magazine, then please call Michele on 07948 086870 or email:

“Constantly in the pursuit of excellence”

Completely

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

If you would like to connect with the

michelebromsgrove@outlook.com

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Bromsgrove can offer your business.

Duncombes Butchers

to discuss opportunities that

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Fresh British lamb and turkey crowns, cut to order and ready for Easter.

Lils’ Baps now open three days a week as part of Bromsgrove Market Talk to us about buffet and private evening catering Join our initiative to reduce single use plastic. Bring your own tubs each time you shop and get money off the 5th shop. Ask in store for a loyalty card.

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Tel: 01527 570241 Completely Bromsgrove

29

For real authentic Chinese & Cantonese Food

Canto Mando, Bromsgrove now give away more SPECIAL OFFERS!* Come and try our cuisine with THE LATEST SPECIAL OFFERS* 1) Early Bird & Sunday Lunch Menu for 2 Courses @ £12.90 Choose from our early bird menu, pick a starter, main and a side (Available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 5pm - 7:30pm & Sunday 12pm – 4pm)

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30 Completely Bromsgrove

Say ‘bonjour’ to French guests

H

ost families are needed for French students and teachers who are visiting the Midlands for the fifth year running in March, April and May.

Due to their enjoyment of local attractions over the last few years, the students will be back to indulge in chocolate at Cadbury World, eat freshly cooked fish and chips, visit Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and find out about the region’s industrial heritage at The Black Country Living Museum.

All students need is a comfortable bed at the end of a busy day and your hospitality will be financially rewarded. This is

a great way to exchange language, food and culture, though you do not need to speak French.

If you live within commuting distance of the daily meeting points in Wychbold, Bromsgrove and Longbridge and would like more information about hosting, please call or text Lisa Mistry on 07702 504495

Help to build a better Bromsgrove

W

ould you like to be par t of an organisation which brings together residents and community groups to help build a better Bromsgrove by shaping local services?

Working in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council and members of the community, including the voluntary sector and other stakeholders, the Bromsgrove Engagement & Equality Forum identifies and addresses issues of inequality in the district and promotes the concept of Bromsgrove as an inclusive community.

The forum has the ability to influence local decision making and tells the council what they think about its policies, procedures and service delivery. Chaired by a Bromsgrove resident, it also provides a networking opportunity for district-wide community groups, developing and strengthening ties.

Currently, the forum manages the Small Grants Scheme in partnership with the district council and is encouraging the establishment of a Youth Forum, giving young people a voice in helping to shape local policies.

The next networking event is on Thursday, March 5th from 6pm to 8pm at Parkside Council House. Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm.

recycling in Worcestershire and forum members will be discussing how local community heroes. There will be a Youth Forum progress report plus updates on the district council review and improving accessibility for disabled and elderly passengers at Barnt Green railway station.

For further information contact bromsgroveequalities@outlook.com

Be Together Bromsgrove

During the evening there will be a presentation on Completely Bromsgrove

31

Following in the footsteps of the King D

by Richard Aust

id you know that 368 years ago a future king of England passed through Bromsgrove in fear of his life?

That monarch, of course, was Charles ll, whose army had been heavily defeated by Oliver Cromwell’s soldiers at the Battle of Worcester in September 1651. Charles just managed to escape on horseback to Boscobel House in Staffordshire where he hid in the oak tree to evade capture - and was now on his way hoping to find a ship to take him to safety in France.

As he neared Bromsgrove Charles had a major problem because his horse shed a shoe. Whilst waiting for the blacksmith to sor t things out Charles cheekily asked him about the fate of the defeated king. On hearing that the “rogue Charles Stuar t” had not been captured, Charles replied “The rogue deserves to be hanged!”

Tradition has it that this incident took place at Ye Olde Black Horse inn on Worcester Road. Charles resumed his journey through the Cotswolds and the Mendips to the South coast, eventually going along the South Downs to Shoreham where he made his escape to France. Charles dictated these adventures to the diarist Samuel Pepys and many of the locations on the escape route can still be visited today.

The Monarch’s Way Long Distance Footpath uses footpaths and bridleways closely following the route taken

by Charles. At 615 miles it is England’s longest inland footpath.

I was lucky enough to be able to complete the whole distance in 2019 and really did have a sense of walking through history with the added advantage of some superb scenery.

The route has been waymarked throughout by volunteers of The Monarch’s Way Association, website: www.monarchsway.50megs.com There are three excellent guide books available, the first of which covers the section from Worcester to Stratford-upon-Avon, and the path is specifically named on the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger and Explorer maps.

Within the Bromsgrove District Council area, the route includes a short segment through Hagley up to the obelisk on Wychbury Hill. There is a longer walk south from near

32 Completely Bromsgrove

Halesowen Abbey, including the Waseley Hills, Wildmoor, Dodford, Sanders Park, Ye Olde Black Horse, Aston Fields, Tardebigge church and on towards Headless Cross.

If you don’t fancy a long walk, then the views from both Tardebigge churchyard and the Waseley Hills toposcope are breathtaking. Visits to Boscobel House, Madeley Old Hall (National Trust) and the King Charles House near Friar Street in Worcester will all reveal rich historical details of the fugitive king’s escape.

Have your say on A38 Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme The A38 is one of Worcestershire’s most important strategic transport routes.

U

sers of the A38 corridor in Bromsgrove currently experience congestion and delay at key junctions, causing irregular journey times, and the need to improve the A38 corridor from Lydiate Ash (M5, junction 4) to Hanbury Turn (junction with B4091 Hanbury Road) was identified in Worcestershire’s Fourth Local Transport Plan.

The aim of the A38 improvements is to ensure the Bromsgrove area can be ‘open for business’ by supporting economic growth. The improvement schemes include a series of junction enhancements where delay and congestion are currently experienced or where conditions are predicted to deteriorate further. They also include a range of improvements to cycling and walking routes alongside and over the A38.

The issues with congestion are set to get worse if nothing is done, due to additional traffic.

Improvements are therefore needed on the route to support new developments in the area in addition to improving links to and from Bromsgrove town centre and railway station in order to offer good alternatives to using a car for short journeys.

There are two key programmes of improvement works in different stages of progress.

Phase 1 work has already begun and will be completed during 2020. The proposed Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) is currently in development and aims to provide additional highway capacity and promote walking and cycling as an alternative, through a range of improvements along the whole corridor.

BREP follows work that began last year to make improvements to the junction with Barley Mow Lane, M5 junction 4 and M42 junction 1. It has been included in a priority list of schemes for government funding by transport body Midlands Connect, with a funding request for £42 million to deliver it.

This new wider proposed programme of works is

being developed to deliver additional improvements on the A38 corridor between Lydiate Ash and the Hanbury Turn and consists of 12 individual schemes.

Priorities include: • Reducing congestion, increasing journey time reliability and reducing travel costs; • Supporting economic and employment growth; • Supporting all road users by increasing connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists; • Supporting access to and from the M5 and M42 strategic road network.

If you have any comments or questions on the proposed Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme email: majorprojects@worcestershire.gov.uk The deadline for comments is March 20. It is not possible to respond directly to feedback, but all comments will be considered and a summary published on the A38 Bromsgrove Improvements page during early summer.

For more details visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/info/20679/a38_bromsgrove_improvements/2163/ bomsgrove_route_enhancement_programme Completely Bromsgrove

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Education 2020 We NEVER stop learning To book into our April Education section please call Michele on 07948 086870

34  Completely Bromsgrove

Boys’ Brigade sign up for Duke of Edinburgh Award 2nd Bromsgrove Boys’ Brigade are offering even more activities for their members this year.

The Christian-based youth organisation, who meet weekly at the Methodist Church on Stratford Road, have just registered as an operating unit for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Group members will now be able to complete their awards through the Boys’ Brigade with support from their leaders.

The decision to become an operating unit has been a hot topic for leaders for some time.

Leader Paul Hatton explained: “We have deliberated over the idea of delivering D of E for our members for a few years. However, many of them have previously undertaken the award through schools. “As a holder of bronze, silver and gold D of E awards, I know the value of the scheme both for the individual and for employers. We have had several new members join our eldest age group and wanted to offer them the opportunity to attain the prestigious awards complimenting their activities they do with us.�

The young people are excited to be offered the opportunity to participate in the award and are already booked on training weekends in preparation of their ďŹ rst expedition, where they carry everything they need for the weekend whilst walking through challenging countryside environments.

Each week, the group have approximately 70 young people aged between four and 18 attend and participate in fun, engaging and challenging activities including archery, climbing, cooking, craft, games, map reading and much more. They also participate in the town’s annual Remembrance Day Parade and carnival to name but two community events.

For more information on 2nd Bromsgrove Boys’ Brigade, email: 2bromsgrove@boys-brigade.org.uk or search Facebook for Bromsgrove BB.

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Valuing Individual People

Award -winning Day Care Centre for adults in Redditch & Bromsgrove specialising in dementia care Are you or a loved one living with dementia, sensory impairment or disability and in need of respite?

Meet others and make new friendships in our friendly and supportive award-winning centres. We are open five days a week, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

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

Ask your social worker about funding for this service or call 01527 758070 VIP Day Centre Bromsgrove Amphlett Hall, Crown Close, Bromsgrove, B61 8DW | Tel: 07733 749 531 email: bromsgrove@vipdaycentre.co.uk

Facebook: VIP Day Centre | Twitter: @VIPDayCentre

Now open 5 days a week Mon - Fri 9-5

VIP Day Centre Redditch The Barn, The Craft Centre, Winyates Centre, Redditch, B98 0LA | Tel: 01527 758070 email: redditch@vipdaycentre.co.uk www.vipdaycentre.co.uk

Burns night is a piping success

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romsgrove Liberal Democrats and friends met to celebrate Burns Night on January 31 with attendees ranging from an 85-year-old to a newborn baby.

Whilst others across the UK were attending Brexit celebrations or commiserations, the Bromsgrove Lib Dems welcomed all to the local event.

Attendees were greeted at the door of The Weighbridge pub in Alvechurch by the strains of the bagpipes and the Scottish theme continued throughout the traditional Burns Night dinner of cock-a-leekie soup followed by a main course of haggis.

36  Completely Bromsgrove

After the knife-wielding piper’s opening poem to the haggis, toasts were proposed by former parliamentary candidate Dr David Nicholl, to the lassies by Norton councillor Rob Hunter and to the laddies by Lickey Hills councillor Janet King.

Though all toasts were rather tongue in cheek, the gist of the evening was that whatever the future holds, the values of friendship, equality and working for the common good should never be underestimated.

Advertisement Feature

Enjoy the beneďŹ ts of a team-building day – including tax relief

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id you know that a day spent engaging in team-building activities for your staff could be tax-deductible?

Every company that pays tax is allowed a ÂŁ150 per head tax exempt allowance to host an ‘annual event’ and this can be used for team-building days.

Alternatively, you can claim your team-building event as a tax-deductible expense if you can demonstrate that it constitutes ‘staff training’, which reinforces or improves the knowledge and skills they need to do their job – and this can include working better as a team.

Shooting 4 Fun, based in Hanbury, has been delivering corporate events for over 25 years and owner Mark Treverton has earned an enviable reputation for providing ďŹ rst class team-building activities with fun ďŹ rmly on the agenda.

Events can either take place at the Oaklands Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Hanbury, or at a venue of your choice, subject to suitability. Bespoke packages are tailored to suit group size and budget.

Holding a team-building event can be hugely beneďŹ cial for employees, encouraging staff to work more effectively together. The challenging activities can help with communication, problem solving, conict resolution etc.

For more information about team-building days call Mark Treverton on 01527 575141, email mark@shooting4fun. co.uk or visit www.shooting4fun.co.uk

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37 

Advertisement Feature

It won’t happen to me... protecting your income

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he cornerstone of good financial planning is ensuring you have sufficient income to meet essential bills. For most of us, this will be covered by our earnings. But what happens when this source is cut off?

There is no guarantee that your income will keep rolling in each month and one of the most obvious threats is redundancy. This issue has certainly made headlines recently, with household names like Tesco and HSBC laying off staff, and Mothercare and Thomas Cook going into administration.

Such high-profile cases can create concerns around your own job security.

But there are other issues to bear in mind. Your earnings may be seriously reduced if you suffer ill-health, forcing you to take time out of work, or reduce hours on a more permanent basis.

It’s easy to assume that this won’t happen to you, particularly if you are currently fit and healthy. But government statistics show that more than 100,000 people leave the workforce each year, following a period of absence due to sickness.

WHAT PROTECTION IS IN PLACE? If the worst happens, and you are made redundant or forced to give up work through ill-health, then there is likely to be only limited financial help from your employer and the government.

For those with at least two years’ continuous service, statutory redundancy pay is limited to one week’s Guard your money pay for each year you’ve worked (when aged between 22 against redundancy and 41), with older employees getting 1.5 weeks’ pay within capped provisions. or ill health, says Those who are too ill to work will receive just £94.25 Martin Pryor statutory sick pay a week for a maximum of 28 weeks. Only those in employment are eligible for these payments, although there are benefits the self-employed can claim for relatively limited protection.

However, it is worth bearing in mind that these are statutory minimums: your employer cannot pay less than this, but they may provide more.

Check your employment contract for details about your rights around redundancy and the company’s policy on sick pay. Some employers will pay a higher amount (for example a fixed proportion of your income) and for longer.

BOOSTING PROTECTION LEVELS Regular saving is one way to create a financial cushion. But it’s also possible to buy insurance to help protect your income should you be unable to work through illness or injury.

An income protection policy can cover both physical and mental health.

These policies will pay out a proportion of your salary, typically 50 to 70%, until you either return to work, or the end of the term or your death. Most If you buy one Mitchell & Butler share (£4.19 as will include a deferral period of a set time you have to be of work before you of January 14, 2020), then in December 2020 they can claim. As a rule of thumb, a longer deferral period will lower premiums. will send you twelve 20% off vouchers for their The cost will also vary depending on the type of work you do: most insurers restaurants (of which there are several in the local group jobs into different “classes” of risk, so those who do a lot of driving or area). This could prove a very shrewd investment, heavy manual work, for example, may pay more than an office-based workers. regardless of how well or badly your one share These policies differ from critical illness policies, which pay a one-off lump investment fares! You will need to undertake your sum on the diagnosis on one of a specified set of serious illnesses. For own research into whether a Mitchell & Butler increased peace of mind in troubled times, we can help you work out what share is a sound investment or seek advice from a type of protection arrangements are right for you. qualified stockbroker, as PPM Financial Planning is

Buy one M&B share to enjoy 20% off dining

Tel: 07961 162818 | martinpryor@ppm-ifa.co.uk www.ppm-ifa.co.uk

38 Completely Bromsgrove

not regulated to provide direct share advice and any purchase of direct shares can go down as well as up.

ENOUGH? How much money do you need for the rest of your life?

PPM Financial Planning are currently looking to employ someone with knowledge and experience using TRUTH Prestwood software.

Please contact us to ďŹ nd out more should you have these skills.

Keeping traditional dance alive in Bromsgrove T wo organisations belonging to Bromsgrove Ar ts Alive are keeping traditions alive from home and abroad and extend a warm invitation to new members.

What better way to warm up in the cold weather than with some enjoyable movement and exercise?

Avoncroft Folk Dance Group is a traditional folk dance group that has been going for over 70 years and enjoys everything from barn dances to the more formal ones that you might see in Pride and Prejudice or Poldark.

It’s a great way to meet people, make friends and get some gentle exercise.

Novices are welcome and all dances are walked through first with all the instructions given by a caller. They can also offer an illustrated talk on English folk dance to other groups. They meet on Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm at Avoncroft Arts Centre and Liz Stanton (01905 353995) would love to hear from you if you would like to know more.

Or how about Appalachian step dancing? Step on Board is a local group which is always on the lookout for new dancers and musicians to join them.

They perform at fetes, carnivals and a variety of other events.

They’ve been Wassailing in January (the ancient tradition of blessing the orchards to drive away evil spirits and ensure a good crop of apples) and have appeared at Frankley and Blue Cross fetes as well as folk festivals. No experience is necessary, although if you have danced before, especially tap or Irish, it’s an advantage.

Appalachian style dancing is basically a conglomeration of various styles which could be attributed to the settlers who went to America looking for a new life. North West clog, Irish and Scottish steps are evident as well as native American, European and Afro-Caribbean. The style has developed to be loosely based on the sort of formations you might find at a barn dance.

They have musicians to accompany them - guitarists who can play basic chords in G and D are welcome along with lead instruments like the banjo, fiddle etc. They are proud of being able to carry their own stage and are totally self-contained. They meet just over the Lickey Hills in Turves Green on Monday nights and if you feel like having a chat before taking the plunge, give Cynthia a call on 07828 716842.

Find out more about what’s going on locally on the amateur scene visit the Bromsgrove Arts Alive website www.bromsgroveartsalive.co.uk for all contact details.

40 Completely Bromsgrove

Our next events at Chandler Court

Understanding dementia Tuesday 3rd March 2020, 2pm - 4pm Join us to hear dementia specialist Dr Nori Graham, share insights about the condition and offer practical strategies for caring for a loved one with dementia.

Nutrition and hydration in later life Tuesday 17th March 2020, 2.30pm- 4pm

Fulfilling lives

Our chefs will demonstrate how to make nutritionally packed meals and delicious hydrating drinks, with an opportunity to taste these for yourself. Take home our new recipe booklet and Eating As We Age guide book.

To book your visit, call us on 01527 907828 or email shelley.hufton@careuk.com

Chandler Court care home Recreation Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 8DT careuk.com/chandler-court

St Michael and All Angels, Stoke Prior Restoration Project

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n 2014 a corner of the bell tower fell off our beautiful 12th Century church.

Six years on, we are working closely with the National Lottery Heritage Fund and nearing the end of our development phase.

Our mission is to utilise the church as a community space and share its amazing history. There are yew trees in the churchyard which are 1200 years old.

This means there was a place of worship on this site when the Vikings landed on our shores.

We now have to raise money to create a contingency fund for the delivery phase of the project. We need to raise £16,000. We have a variety of events and activities planned for this year to help achieve this sum. We call it ‘Fun’draising.

Our aim is to make our journey creative and enjoyable by reaching out to as many people as possible along the way. Come and be part of our journey and help restore a local, historical landmark.

Stoke Prior Tower Project Upcoming Events 2020

MARCH

Interactive Craft Fair 21st Dennis Wight and Crowsfoot 28th

APRIL

Grand Easter Raffle, 3rd Musical Afternoon, 26th To find out more about our events contact: Cathy Stokes 01527 577069 Email: Castokes15@hotmail.com Raffle tickets available from Christine Huzzey: 01527 831706 Email: cwahuzzey@btinternet.com

42 Completely Bromsgrove

Advertisement Feature

Home Instead Redditch & Bromsgrove Looking to Link with Local Groups

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ocal home care provider, Home Instead Senior Care Redditch & Bromsgrove are looking for details of locally based community groups that are targeted towards the elderly community to include in their annual What’s On Where guide. other members of the community with details of local groups, encouraging them to socialise outside of the home setting and getting people talking again.

Home is where we are happiest, however, the home care provider does acknowledge that as we get older that staying in your own home can come with a degree of loneliness and social isolation.

If you are part of or you know of a group, whether it be a knit-and-natter, tea dance, dementia cafĂŠ or friendship group please do let us know by contacting Zoe Mucklow on 01564 741 620 or zoe. mucklow@homeinstead. co.uk. They are looking for groups in Redditch, Alcester, Studley, Henleyin-Arden, Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Rubery, Rednal, Longbridge and NorthďŹ eld.

Home Instead have received many accolades for its standards of care, and the local branch received an Outstanding in Caring in its most recent CQC inspection. The provider focuses on providing a companionship led service, which stimulates its client’s emotional and mental wellbeing as well as physical needs.

The annual What’s On Where guide provides clients and

The best home to be in is your own Home Instead Senior Care Redditch and Bromsgrove Telephone: 01527 810 855 | www.homeinstead.co.uk/rb Rated Outstanding in Caring by the Care Quality Commission

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Completely Bromsgrove

43 

Raising Steam March advert: 2.0

Raising Steam Festival

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8th – 10th May 2020 – Bank holiday weekend Stoke Prior Sports and Social Club, Bromsgrove B60 4AL

Where Steampunk meets Nepal! aking place in the Stoke Prior Sports and Social Club in Bromsgrove, the West Midlands, B60 4AL over the weekend of 8 - 10th May 2020 (the Friday is a Bank Holiday), the second Raising Steam Festival features over 30 UK and international Steampunk and alternative musical artists.

All profits made from the weekend will go to New Futures Nepal, who support disabled and disadvantaged youngsters and adults in Nepal.

Raising Steam 2.0 will build on the first Raising Steam festival with two stages, music, dancing, entertainment, workshops and more. Plenty of people will be there.

Will You? A Steampunk market. More musical acts than you could shake a stick at, and a Morris Side you could glue some cogs on!

April advert:

White on Black

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HAS (Lickey Hills Arts Society) next meeting will be on the Saturday 7th March, and the theme painting is ‘White on Black’ It will be an exciting evening with three members demonstrating pouring acrylic, pastel and acrylic pallet knife painting.

A warm welcome is waiting for visitors who would like to come along to any of our meetings. (visitors entry fee £4) or maybe become a member £20.00, family £30.00 plus £1.00 per meeting for tea/coffee and biscuits. Have a look at our programme page to see what we will be up to throughout the year.

We meet at 7.30pm on the first Saturday of each month (except January) at Methodist Church Hall, Bristol Road South, Longbridge, B45 9TY Congratulations to Eddie winner of the February theme painting ‘Old Brum’.

44 Completely Bromsgrove

A 3-day Steampunk and alternative music festival with artists from around the world, raising awareness of and funds for New Futures Nepal, a UK registered charity supporting disabled and disadvantaged youngsters in Nepal. Family friendly.

Find out more here:

raisingsteamfestival.weebly.com

Raising Steam Festival 8th – 10th May 2020 – Bank holiday weekend Stoke Prior Sports and Social Club, Bromsgrove B60 4AL

A 3-day Steampunk and alternative music festival with artists from around the world, raising awareness of and funds for New Futures Nepal. All welcome. Search ‘Raising Steam’ on facebook. Family friendly. £40 weekend tickets, day tickets also available, all from:

Raisingsteam.bandcamp.com

Spring into Action at Avoncroft Museum There’s a whole host of great events coming up at the Museum this spring, including...

MOTHER’S DAY, SUNDAY 22nd MARCH Treat your Mum to a stroll through 700 year of history. Free admission for Mums (with one paying guest) & a free glass of prosecco for Mum with pre-booked Afternoon Tea. EASTER FAMILY FUN DAYS, SUNDAY & MONDAY 12th & 13th APRIL Join us for our renowned Family Fun Days this Easter!

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN, TUESDAY 7th—THURSDAY 9th & TUESDAY 14th—THURSDAY 16th APRIL It’s going to be a fun-filled Easter fortnight at Avoncroft this year, with Easter egg hunts, crafts, activities and trails to keep the kids entertained in the great outdoors.

ST GEORGE’S DAY CELEBRATIONS, SATURDAY 18th—SUNDAY 19th APRIL Join us and delve into the legend of St George as the War of the Roses Federation re-enactors bring history to life on site.

TRADITIONAL MAY DAYS, SATURDAY 2ND—SUNDAY 3RD MAY Join us for a whole weekend of dancing round the Maypole and other fun activities.

MAY DAY, FRIDAY 8TH MAY We will be commemorating the 75th anniversary of VE Day with costumed interpreters in our 1950s prefab, crafts, activities and children’s trails.

AVONCROFT AIRCOOLED WITH THE FLAT 4 VW CLUB, SUNDAY 17TH MAY

www.avoncroft.org.uk

Avoncroft will be celebrating everything Volkswagen this May with a Volkswagen show organised by the Flat 4 VW Club – Bromsgrove.

SPRING BANK HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN DAY, MONDAY 25TH MAY We’ll be hosting a day of activities, crafts and trails for the whole family to enjoy together.

MAY HALF TERM ACTIVITIES, TUESDAY 26TH—THURSDAY 28TH MAY Join us for a host of fun activities this May Half Term.

v

Forthcoming Attractions Box Office 01527 65203

Online booking www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

45

Scratchy Beard in Concert

Saturday 28th March 6.30pm What happens if you take the intoxicating swing and feel of gypsy jazz, add storytelling songs inspired by English & Celtic folk, and throw in a pinch of bluesy roots & rhythm? Gypsy-jazzy-rootsy-folk, of course!

Experienced performers, Scratchy Beard are an up-beat and enjoyable live quartet offering something a little different: very accessible roots/alt-folk/gypsy jazz music with an ear-catching line up of guitar, cello, drums & clarinet with, at times, three-part and fourpart harmonies along with a reed organ, tin whistles, melodica & bottle-top slide guitar.

have previously performed at the RSC. Describing themselves as ‘a cocktail of died-in-the-wool touring musos, classically trained instrumentalists and a celebrated illustrator.’ Founder member Spesh Maloney has scored and sound-designed for several feature films, film-shorts and theatre shows including the award-winning BBC documentary: Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster.

Prepare yourself for an entertaining evening journeying through an upbeat, fun and sincere collage of trans-European roots music.

Inspired by the infectious swing & alluring melodies of 1930s gypsy jazz, adorned with the storytelling spirit of Anglo-Celtic folk songs, Scratchy Beard perform at venues and festivals all over the country.

They sing a song or two in French and enjoy the occasional appearance of a blues melodica and tin whistles. They often reveal the engaging stories behind the songs they perform.

“I can’t thank you enough for being brilliant and making the Winter Revel such as successful night”

Having met in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Scratchy Beard are well-known in the Warwickshire area and

www.fairfieldflicks.org.uk: Standard £8.50, U16s £5.00

46 Completely Bromsgrove

– Hannah, Events Manager, Royal Shakespeare Company “Last time they packed the place out so maybe it’s best to get here early!” – Stratford Alehouse Advance Tickets on Sale from Fairfield Café or On the Night: Standard £11.00, U16s £5.00

Lantern Walk raises over £2,500 for Primrose Hospice

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undreds of people holding beautiful lanterns helped to light up the night sky over Ragley Hall in memory of loved ones.

More than 200 people attended Primrose Hospice’s second Lantern Walk on Saturday raising over £2,500 for the hospice in St Godwald’s Road, Bromsgrove.

Pretty fairy lights and lanterns lit the 1.5 mile route through the stunning stately home’s gardens as families and supporters weaved their way through the trail.

At the end of the route, heartfelt messages to lost loved ones were left on a memory tree while the Primrose Choir sang a medley of fitting songs.

Emma Williams, fundraising manager at Primrose Hospice, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better evening or venue for our Lantern Walk. As the sun began to set on the clear winter night, it was lovely to watch the trail of lanterns in the dusk.

“Ragley Hall has beautiful gardens but they were extra special with all the fairy lights lighting the way. Afterwards, it was really touching to read some of the messages left on the memory tree which brought home what a special event this is to our community.

“A big thank you to everyone who came along and helped to raise so much money which will enable us to continue to provide free care and support to people with life-limiting conditions and their families.”

The Lantern Walk was sponsored by Thomas Brothers Funeral Directors and Green Breeze Ambient.

People can access Primrose Hospice’s services for free, however, the hospice costs around £1.75 million to run annually.

The hospice must raise £1.5million of the total itself through events such as the Lantern Walk, its charity shops, donations from the community, trusts and grants.

The next event to raise money for Primrose is the Business Breakfast which takes place at Chateau Impney, Droitwich Spa, on Thursday, February 13 from 9am.

This year’s guest speaker is Claire Lomas MBE, who completed the London Marathon in 17days wearing a bionic suit following a horse-riding accident which left her paralysed from the chest down.

Tickets, costing £30, are available from www.primrosehospice.org/events/business-breakfast

www.primrosehospice.org Photos by John James Completely Bromsgrove

47

Talented Bromsgrove Violinist releases CD A

ccomplished local musician Charlotte Moseley has added another achievement to her list by releasing her first CD on Harlequin records.

Charlotte began playing the violin aged 5, following in the footsteps of her musician parents Alastair and Cathy Moseley from their home in Bromsgrove. Her first public performance was in St John’s Church at the age of eight. Charlotte is now the leader of the Orchestra of St John - a position she has held the life of the Orchestra which was founded in 2011.

From local beginnings at school in Bromsgrove, with violin as her passion, Charlotte went on to study violin at Chethams School of Music in Manchester where she was awarded the school’s Mozart Scholarship for outstanding chamber music work. During her time at Chethams Charlotte won the prestigious Dewhurst and Torevell Prizes, appeared on Radio 3’s ‘In Tune’ programme with Petroc Trelawny as well as leading the prestigious CBSO Youth Orchestra.

She then commenced her undergraduate studies at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and on graduation, went on to further her education and study at the Royal Academy of Music. Charlotte graduated with Distinction in 2017 and was awarded the highly respected Diploma of the Royal Academy for an outstanding final recital.

In high demand as a soloist Charlotte has performed many pieces in her repertoire all around the UK and abroad, including performing regularly with the English Symphony Orchestra as co-leader. In 2018 Charlotte established the Sinfonia Dal Capo - a conductorless chamber orchestra which she leads and directs from the violin.

Charlotte’s new CD features music from Elgar, Howell, Kreisler and Faure. Accompanying Charlotte is her father Alastair Moseley, himself and accomplished and well respected pianist and clarinetist. The father daughter duo gave their first recital together when Charlotte was just nine years old and have performed many times together since.

The CD is available for £10 via Charlotte’s website www.charlottemoseley.co.uk

48 Completely Bromsgrove

“Doctors” Producer is WORDS’ April Speaker P

eter Lloyd, series producer of the multi award-winning BBC daytime drama series “Doctors” will talk about the process of bringing the daily show to the screen at Bromsgrove School’s Library and Resources Centre on Thursday, April 2nd at 7.30pm.

Educated at South Bromsgrove High School and Aberystwyth University, Peter joined the BBC at Pebble Mill in Birmingham in 1997 and has worked as script editor on Dalziel and Pascoe, Dangerfield, The Scarlet Pimpernel and two series of the Afternoon Plays.

“Doctors”, which celebrates its 20th birthday in March, is set in the fictional West Midlands town of Letherbridge and follows the lives of the staff of an NHS doctors’ surgery and a university campus surgery.

Tickets priced at £15 are available via www.bromsgrovewords.com or from WORDS, 13 Robins Hill Drive, Alvechurch, B48 7NJ. Please make cheques payable to WORDS and include your postal and email addresses.

Over £½ Million Invested In The Future

27 Championship Holes Membership Enquiries Welcome

kingsnortongolfclub.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

49

Avoncroft Cricket Club

Wet winter leaves Croft with a preseason headache A

by Paul Athey

fter the wettest winter in recent memory, Avoncroft Cricket Club face a race against time to get their ground prepared for the start of the season less than two months away.

Heavy and persistent rain has left parts of the outfield completely underwater and led to flooding in the garage resulting in damage to ground equipment.

By this point in the year, it is usual for work to have already started on preparing the wickets but soggy conditions are making it impossible to get any equipment onto the cricket square.

Fingers are firmly crossed that spring brings with it an upturn in weather fortunes to reduce the risk of the start of the season being delayed.

Preparations for the 2020 season continue off the ground as well, with the club’s AGM that took place at the end of February where decisions around the appointment of club officers and officials were made.

It is anticipated that new captains will be appointed for both the Saturday First XI and the club’s Sunday XI after recent captains Jon Hunter and Dan Elliott decided to stand down.

The AGM will also discuss the continued success of the club’s junior section, which has blossomed to more than 100 members in 2019, as well as receiving a healthy set of club accounts, boosted by recent successes in generating grant income from

50 Completely Bromsgrove

Bromsgrove District Council and the Worcestershire Cricket Board.

Plans are currently being drawn up around how this income can be used to develop the club’s ageing practice facilities.

Avoncroft CC has also recently received some press interest in relation to dog walking across their grounds.

The club have been grateful for the continued support from dog walkers, both in terms of keeping dogs on public footpaths and off the private areas of the ground and also for their vigilance in reporting details of a break-in at the club in 2019, enabling the club to take swift action to ensure the security of the site.

There have however been isolated incidents of dogs damaging the playing area and of dog mess not being cleared up; a concern given the number of children using the facilities. Club officials have reiterated the importance of keeping dogs to public footpaths in order to protect the playing facilities for everyone in the community to use.

To find out more about junior cricket, or to keep up to date with all your Croft news, please check out the club’s website at: www.avoncroftcc.co.uk

Sporting - still top of the Southern League T

he end of January saw Bromsgrove Sporting’s good run at home come to an end with a defeat to Coalville Town.

Wins against Banbury United and a 6-0 thrashing of Lowestoft Sporting go top ofspot the Southern League Town keeps the Rouslers in contention for a play-off though Thedivision end of January saw Sporting's good run at home come to an end with a defeat to Coalville Town but wins against they have lost their place at the top of the as Tamworth Banbury United and a 6 0 thrashing of Lowestoft Town keeps the Rouslers in contention for a play-off spot though won one of their games in hand. they have lost their place at the top of the division as Tamworth won one of their games in hand.

Evesham United were also despatched Evesham 6-0 in the County Cup United were also despatched 6 - 0 in the County Cup to set up a final against Alvechurch at the end of April to set up a final against Alvechurch at thewhich endwill ofplayed Aprilatwhich will Evesham's ground. be played at Evesham’s ground.

Popular striker Richard Gregory recently became the 14th player chalk up 100 appearances for Sporting though he still became needs to score Popular striker Richard Gregory recently theanother 14th19 to reach 100 goals.

Fixtures have not beenhe toostill badly affected by the weather but here are the forthcoming fixtures at the time of player to chalk up 100 appearances for Sporting though

by Phil Baker needs to score another 19 goals to reachpublication: the 100 mark.

Fixtures have not been too badly affected by the weather and here are the forthcoming matches at the time of publication:

Sat 29th Feb

3:00 p.m.

A

Southern League Premier Central

Nuneaton Borough

Sat 7th Mar

3:00 p.m.

H

Southern League Premier Central

Barwell

Sat 14th Mar

3:00 p.m.

A

Southern League Premier Central

Redditch United

Sat 21st Mar

3:00 p.m.

H

Southern League Premier Central

Leiston St Ives Town

Sat 28th Mar

3:00 p.m.

A

Southern League Premier Central

Sat 4th Apr

3:00 p.m.

H

Southern League Premier Central

Peterborough Sports

Sat 11th Apr

3:00 p.m.

A

Southern League Premier Central

Rushall Olympic

Mon 13th Apr

3:00 p.m.

H

Southern League Premier Central

Alvechurch

Thu 16th Apr

7:45 p.m.

Sat 18th Apr

3:00 p.m.

Sat 25th Apr

3:00 p.m.

Worcestershire FA Senior Cup Final (to be played at Evesham United FC)

Alvechurch

A

Southern League Premier Central

Royston Town

H

Southern League Premier Central

Stratford Town

We have recently started an academy Sporting that combines studyrecently with training for 16 toan 19 academy year olds. Information is on our Bromsgrove have started web site: www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk.

combining study with training for 16 to 19-year-olds. Information

Our colts' teams are also recruiting for next season and in particular the under 12s outfit. They can be contacted at can be found at www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk the email below.

The colts teams are also recruiting for next season, in

Training and recruitment for our women's team is also going well and they will start playing at Braces Lane, particular 12s.

Marlbrook next season.

Vacancies the in theunder squad are stillTraining available. and recruitment for the

women’s team is please also going well and they will start playing at For the Academy, colts and women's teams direct any enquiries to hello@bromsgrovesporting.co.uk.

Braces Lane, Marlbrook next season.Vacancies in the squad are still available.

To enquire about the academy, colts and women’s teams, email hello@bromsgrovesporting.co.uk

Photos by David Besley Completely Bromsgrove

51

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FITTED INTERIORS Visit us at: Saxon Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD Tel: 01527 835924 | Showrooms also at Kenilworth, Solihull and Studley

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* With all fully fitted kitchen orders in March * Terms & Conditions apply. Ask in-store for details