Completely Bromsgrove issue 23 October 20

Issue 23

Completely

October 2020

Bromsgrove

Turn the page for this m

onth’s offer

Visit us at: Saxon Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD Tel: 01527 835924

FITTED INTERIORS

www.akfittedinteriors.co.uk

Kitchens | Bedrooms | Home Studies

bm-m1; rঞomv -bѴ-0Ѵ;

)_ mo| vru;-7 |_; 1ov| o= o u bmv|-ѴѴ-ঞom b|_ - b7; u-m]; o= Cm-m1; orঞomv - -bѴ-0Ѵ; |o v b| o u m;;7vĺ

ƏƐƔƑƕ ѵƖƑƖѵ ĺ;mvb]muoo=ĺ1oĺ h mvb]m omv;u -|ou !oo= "oѴ ঞomv blb|;7 Ŋ &mb| ƐƖķ )-Ѵh;uv !o-7ķ ou|_ oomv o-| m7 v|-|;ķ !;77b|1_ķ ƖѶ Ɩ Ň ;mt bub;vŠ;mvb]muoo=ĺ1oĺ h mvb]m omv;u -|ou !oo= "oѴ ঞomv $ bv -m m|uo7 1;u rrobm|;7 !;ru;v;m|-ঞ ; -m7 ruo b7;v - r u; 1Ѵb;m| m|uo7 1ঞom |_uo ]_ lruo ;-v |7ĺķ - 1olr-m u;]bv|;u;7 bm m]Ѵ-m7 -m7 )-Ѵ;v Ő oĺ !;]ĺ m l0;u ƕѶƏƕƒƔƑőĺ !;]bv|;u;7 L1;Ĺ -m1_;v|;u vbm;vv -uhķ ƒƏƏƏ b-|ou )- ķ -m1_;v|;u ƑƑ Ɣ$ ĺ $_; Cul bv - |_oubv;7 -m7 u;] Ѵ-|;7 0 |_; bm-m1b-Ѵ om7 1| |_oub| Ő ! ƕƏѶѵƑƒő -v - uoh;uķ mo| - ;m7;u -m7 o@;uv 1u;7b| =-1bѴbঞ;v =uol - r-m;Ѵ o= Ѵ;m7;uvĺ $_; 1u;7b| bv v 0f;1| |o -rrѴb1-ঞom -m7 v|-| vĺ

52

Creating Beautiful Interiors since 1982

Kitchens | Bedrooms Home Studies

20%

Fade F O British-M B

Cabinets*

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

www.akfittedinteriors.co.uk

*On selected furniture with fully fitted kitchen orders placed in October.

Welcome

W

elcome to the October issue of Completely Bromsgrove.

Whilst I’m writing this the sun is beating down and the past week has been truly glorious. But we must remember that we are now into autumn and in this October issue we have some fascinating features and stories about dedicated people who make up our community.

Firstly, we have the honour of being able to tell you about one Finstall family and their reasons for taking part in fundraising challenges. Two Bromsgrove residents have been awarded Wildlife Heroes status by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and, last but not least, we have a genuine superstar within our community - Maz Salmou, the worthy winner of a ‘Make a Difference Superstars’ award from BBC Hereford and Worcester. Stories like these make me justly proud of our community and its residents. Well done to one and all!

Moving on, our Woman in Business this month is Sarah Rees of Big Splash Communications, who took time out of her busy schedule to tell us about her journey to where she is today.

Our in-house gardening exper t Karl Strawbridge from Wagon House Gardens based at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre talks about planting bulbs while the ground is still warm before chillier days descend on us. If you’ve never

visited Karl at the Jinney Ring then you really don’t know what you are missing as he has some amazing plants and bulbs to transform our gardens into colourful and vibrant havens.

Finally, I want to give a shout out to this year’s Poppy Appeal. As many of you may already be aware, there will not be the usual collectors out and about, but fear not - you will still be able to make donations either by contacting the Bromsgrove branch of the Royal British Legion or visiting the Bromsgrove Poppy Appeal Facebook page.

I do hope you enjoy this issue and may I once again remind everyone to keep safe and please keep visiting our High Street as our independent retailers need our support more than ever.

Best wishes,

Michele Ford

51 12 24 40 Contents 5 6 8 10 12 16 24 20

22 Sajid Javid 24 Women In Business 28 Finstall Family’s Fundraising 29 Worcester Wildlife Trust 30 Willows Hedgehog Rescue 31 Gardening 32 The Cosy Stove Co. 33 M5 Junc. 4A Information 34

Completely

Flood Prevention Safari Trip for Leighton Age UK Senior Snippets The Guild of Applied Arts Poppy Appeal A E Housman Letters History Talks Health and Wellbeing

Bromsgrove Tel: 07948 086870 Email: completelybromsgrove@gmail.com

4 Completely Bromsgrove

36 38 40 42 43 44 48 50 51

Superstar Maz Recipe OrchardFest Blue Cross All Saints Art Group Education Broadband Boost Avoncroft Cricket Club Bromsgrove Sporting F.C.

Visit our Facebook page and leave a comment, we would love to hear from you. www.facebook.com/completelybromsgrove

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.

A message from our MP

A

t the beginning of September, the vast majority of school pupils returned to classrooms for the first time since March.

This has been a particularly challenging time for our children, especially those who are most disadvantaged by having to study from home.

It is right that helping them get back to school is a national priority, with the support of their teachers and classmates so important for their development.

I would like to thank local teachers, school staff and Worcestershire County Council for their tireless work over the summer months to prepare for a safe return of pupils.

Of course, there will be challenges ahead – and I was pleased to meet online with local headteachers recently to discuss these. It was a productive meeting, with their unique insight and thoughts providing me with casework to present to ministers and officials in government. I look forward to meeting with them again in future.

At the time this article was being written, families in Bromsgrove District are being asked not to visit their loved ones in care homes, due to a rise in Covid-19 cases. Public Health Worcestershire have my support in their efforts to protect the vulnerable.

I am in contact with officials, who are working hard to gather more information and establish any potential connections in these confirmed cases.

It is everyone’s responsibility to keep our community safe. By socially distancing, washing your hands and wearing face coverings where appropriate you’ll be saving lives. With a united effort, we will beat back this virus.

Throughout this period, I have championed the fantastic work of local community groups who have

done so much to suppor t local residents. I had the chance to visit the Basement Project in September, who suppor t young people facing homelessness. As par t of the Suppor t Bromsgrove network, they will receive a share of a £100,000 national lottery grant.

This is fantastic news and I congratulate all local organisations who will receive the funding.

As a proud patron of Primrose Hospice, I ran a 10k charity race earlier this month. At quite shor t notice (and limited fitness preparation!) I managed to help raise over £13,000 for the hospice. Thank you to everyone who donated – the money is going to a fantastic cause.

With Parliament back from recess, I look forward to continuing to represent my constituents in Westminster and locally. If I can ever be of any assistance, please do get in touch via sajid.javid.mp@parliament.uk Completely Bromsgrove

5

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Home is where the art is for marketer Sarah L

ockdown may have given many Bromsgrove residents their first experience of working from home but an experienced marketer has been exposing its virtues for many years.

Sarah Rees, who was awarded chartered marketer status in 2010, has combined running her marketing support firm Big Splash Communications with bringing up two children.

“Big Splash has been running for 13 years and I love what I do, which is helping small local businesses,” Sarah told Completely Bromsgrove.

“My clients are based locally in Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester and Kidderminster and I enjoy the flexibility of running my own business from home. I’ve never missed a school sports day and as my husband is a teacher we’re able to spend three or four weeks in Greece every summer where I can catch up with work when I need to.”

Sarah’s passion during her teenage years at St Mary’s Convent in Worcester was theatre and after A levels she began a drama and theatre arts degree at the University of Birmingham where her cohort included Episodes and Black Books actor Tasmin Greig.

After realising that a life on the stage may not be her destiny, Sarah opted for set design in her third year before switching to a different sector, advertising and marketing, through a post graduate course at Watford College. This led to account manager roles at Alliance International and Barkers Advertising, both based in Birmingham.

During her time in the Second City, Sarah honed her marketing, PR and client liaison skills and worked on accounts for major brands including Moulinex Swan and the Birmingham Evening Mail.

Following illness, Sarah was made redundant and after six months recuperation she took up a fresh challenge as sales and marketing manager for ADM Imaging Ltd, where she worked for more than nine years.

“ADM had Birmingham’s first digital printing press and were ahead of their time. While I was there, I studied creative writing and began to contribute freelance articles to Limited Edition magazine, mainly focusing on weddings.

“Ewan McGregor and Marco Pierre White were among the famous people I interviewed and I also had an article published in BBC Classical Music magazine, which I’m very proud of.”

6 Completely Bromsgrove

Sarah Rees of Big Splash Communications Ltd

When the print company went into voluntary liquidation in 2007, Sarah’s children were aged three and six months. Commuting to Birmingham and travelling across the country for work was no longer a viable option - and Big Splash Communications was born.

During lockdown, Sarah encouraged her clients to continue to market their businesses and maintain a dialogue with existing and potential customers, a strategy which is seeing positive results as restrictions have been eased.

For more information about Big Splash Communications, call Sarah on 07912 146449 or visit facebook.com/bigsplashcommunications

Autumn

SALE EXTREME

ENVISAGE

UPVC WINDOWS

FLUSH WINDOWS

BI-FOLDING

PATIO &

DOORS

25%

OFF WINDOWS & DOORS

COMPOSITE & UPVC DOORS

FRENCH DOORS

BUY YOUR WINDOWS & DOORS

NOW & PAY 2021

or after 9 months spread the cost at 11.9% APR REPRESENTATIVE*

Styles that vary, standards that don’t!

Kidderminster Showroom Worcester Road Kidderminster DY10 1JR

Worcester Showroom 36 Carden Street Worcester WR1 2AT

Tel: 01562 814792

Tel: 01905 887970

WWW.5STARWINDOWS.CO.UK *Credit is subject to application and affordability. Terms and conditions apply. £1000 minimum order value applies to all finance plans, with a maximum loan value of £50,000 and a minimum deposit of £99.00. Balance can be repaid within 9 months with a £29 exit charge.Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 5 Star Construction Services Limited, Worcester Road, Kidderminster. DY10 1JR Company Number 07576276 is a credit broker and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Credit provided by Hitachi Personal Finance, a trading style of Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. 704348).

Finstall family’s fundraising fight for the love of Chris

primrose hospice

A

very personal battle has inspired a determined Finstall mum and her children to raise thousands of pounds for Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove and the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

The lives of police officer Sharon Johnson, her husband Chris and their two children Harry and Katie changed immeasurably in 2018.

the country - who have made up a group called #WMPMND – will be running the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll half or full marathon on May 29-30 2021.

Chris, who is Assistant Chief Constable for West Midlands Police and has been awarded the Queens Police Medal, became unwell following a holiday to Florida and after a few stressful months of tests he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

Sharon said: “People have gone above and beyond and the money raised through other fundraising activities will all go into the pot. Our aim is to raise as much as we can for these two very worthwhile charities that have come to mean so much.”

“Our whole world fell apart,” Sharon recalled. “All our hopes, dreams and plans for retirement just disappeared. The first question was ‘how long do we have’. The answer to that is we don’t know - it could be six months or five years. The average person will live for two years after diagnosis but only ten percent live for more than five years.

“I’ve never run before but decided to take on the challenge for him by running the half marathon and Katie and Harry will be running one mile.

“There are good and bad days but Chris is an inspiration. He accepts that he has this horrendous disease and he can’t do anything about it which is why he wants to see something positive come out of it.”

Chris has produced some videos for West Midlands Police with the message ‘It’s OK to not be ok’. He has also appeared on radio, shared his story with newspapers and magazines and been interviewed by Charlotte Hawkins on Good Morning Britain.

To raise funds for Primrose Hospice and MNDA, some 320 family, friends and colleagues from all over

8 Completely Bromsgrove

“Due to Covid 19 this year’s race has been postponed but this gives us more time to raise more money. We obtained sponsorship for team t-shirts and when we finally get to run there will be a sea of yellow.”

Sharon added that Chris is still working but his left side is very weak and he uses a wheelchair.

If you’d like to suppor t the family’s campaign to raise as much money as possible for two brilliant charities, visit the fundraising page: www. uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiserdisplay/showROFundraiserPage?pageId =1120063 To take par t and run for #WMPMND in Liverpool next May contact DS Trudy Gittins at t.gittins@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk

Completely Bromsgrove

9 

Bromsgrove’s Wildlife Heroes

I

t seems a very long time ago now but back in January we held our third Wildlife Heroes awards ceremonies at Lower Smite Farm.

You may remember reading in this magazine last year that we’d already presented five Bromsgrove residents with Wildlife Hero awards. In January, two more joined their ranks; meet Richard Hare and Poppy Elwell.

Richard is Head Groundsman at Bromsgrove School. Over the last five years he has overseen the planting of an orchard of 50 fruit trees – each one is a midlands-based variety. As well as being lovely places for people, orchards can provide great habitat for wildlife, especially as the trees start to mature. He’s also introduced several wildlife meadows across all the school sites as well as leaving previously manicured lawns go just a little wild for wildlife. Richard and his team have been planting large numbers of trees and hedges as well creating several wildlife-friendly ponds. What could be better to inspire the next generation to help wildlife!

On the subject of the next generation, Poppy Elwell was just eight years old when she was nominated for her Wildlife Hero award. She’s been ecologically-minded since an early age whilst being pushed around the park in a buggy she would spot litter for her grandparents to pick up. Part of her school’s Eco Council, she’s produced posters and displays to enthuse her schoolmates about helping the environment and wildlife. Poppy regularly visits her grandparents near Bromsgrove and insists on taking them litter-picking in their local nature reserve. We think she’s an inspiration to other young people (and to older ones too) who encourages everyone to take an active role in conserving their local environment.

Blue tit by Pete Cheshire

and businesses. It’s fantastic to know that we’re not alone in helping Worcestershire’s wildlife. According to 2019’s State of Nature repor t, one in seven species of wildlife in the UK is at threat of extinction and we’re one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world – the more people that help wildlife, the better.

Do you know someone who’s doing great things to help wildlife? Why not complete the short form on our website to nominate them as your Worcestershire Wildlife Hero www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-heroes

Wildlife Heroes was launched during our 50th birthday year to celebrate people who are helping to protect and conserve our wildlife. We’ve presented over 80 Wildlife Hero awards, although the number of individuals is much greater as some have been given to communities, schools Wildlife Heroes Richard Hare and Poppy Elwell

by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

Keep up to date with us: www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust Follow us on Twitter @WorcsWT Hedgehog by Tom Marshall

10 Completely Bromsgrove

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

FLOORING

PAINTS & PAPERS

BLINDS

It’s Autumn and the clock is ticking!

Our fitting slots are booking up fast.

So if you want new flooring down this winter pop in, take a look at our amazing flooring ranges and get your order in!

Whatever the room or style, we can help you achieve it.

From contemporary new carpet ranges, traditional real woods and stylish designer vinyls. At KSH there is something for everyone.

Visit our showroom or call us today on 01527 880778 Over 40 years experience Full measuring service No-obligation quotations Exceptional quality, competitive prices Professional installation Insurance work

SOCIAL DISTANCE AT ALL TIMES!

DON’T FORGET YOUR FACE MASK

Mon to Fri: 9am-5pm Sat: 9am-4pm Weds & Sun: Closed

We have your personal safety and hygiene in mind to help keep you safe whilst you shop with us.

18 Worcester Rd Bromsgrove B61 7AE

kshflooring.co.uk

9682_ksh_CompBrom_HP_sep20_ftp.indd 1

10/09/2020 11:41

Welcome to the wonderful world of Bromsgrove Doors & Windows Ltd

Here at BDW Ltd we offer the following services WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES SOFFIT, FASCIA & GUTTERING REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE ON EXISTING ITEMS CONSERVATORY LEAKS | BROKEN DOWN SEALED UNIT REPLACEMENTS | NEW COMPOSITE DOOR RANGE (COLOUR FREE UPVC OPTIONS) | FRENCH DOORS | A-RATED WINDOWS R O BACK DO Y ER EV SECONDARY GLAZING FOR SOUNDPROOFING WITH F O L FU SE U HO ALL INSTALLATIONS COME WITH A 10 YEAR INSURANCE WINDOWS BACKED GUARANTEE !

ORDERED

If you have any queries or wish to make an appointment, please contact us: 01527 328328 | 07581 880371 | frankmulhall@hotmail.com www.bromsgrovedoorsandwindows.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

11

Willows Celebrating 10 years of Rescue & Awareness

How we created a haven for hedgehogs

I

t was a warm sunny summer morning - at least that is how I remember it - and Jayne and I were on the patio having a late breakfast when we spied an unusual visitor wandering around the table.

The visitor was a welcome sight and one that we had rarely seen, although we had no idea why and the plight its species faced.

It was a hedgehog. The last we had seen was a road traffic accident from a few years before that we had taken to a vet and that sadly was too badly injured to save. We were pleased to see our visitor until it dawned on us that being out in daylight was not ‘normal’ behaviour.

To cut a long story short, this visitor was blind and in need of some care. Having subsequently taken it to a wildlife rescue we never saw the hedgehog again. This saddened us and over the following weeks we spoke to numerous hedgehog rescues around the country.

We immediately realised that we wanted to do something to help and over the next few weeks acted as ‘foster carers’ for three juvenile hedgehogs that needed to gain weight before release. They were named Damon, Elena and Stefan after a TV series at the time and we fell in love with them and hedgehogs.

Although named, they were not unduly handled and were able to be released back into the wild. During this period, we took more advice, learned what we could and took the decision to open a hedgehog rescue ourselves.

So began the journey from caring for three small juveniles until release to taking hundreds of hedgehogs a year into our purpose-built rehabilitation unit and the main hospital housing injured, ill and orphaned hedgehogs.

A decade later in 2020 we have rescued many hundreds of hedgehogs and are lucky in having volunteers who give their time to help us. We have been into schools to deliver education, appeared on radio and TV and in local and national newspapers and magazines and have ran a number of successful campaigns including our strimmer awareness campaign that saw councils from across the country come on board to protect hedgehogs.

While our journey has taken us far beyond what we could have envisaged, sadly the plight of the humble hedgehog has not improved. The population continues to diminish as we put more and more pressure on the natural world - urban encroachment on former habitat, tidy gardening with little left wild, impenetrable garden fences replacing the hedge, roads, garden strimming injuries, pesticides taking away natural food - the list seems endless.

However, not all is lost; or at least not as yet. There are simple things that everyone can do; checking before you garden, making sure there is a gap in the fence, leaving some areas to be more natural, leaving food and water out if you have visiting hedgehogs and supporting your local rescue if you can.

Without public help rescues like ours, hedgehogs would cease to exist and in the world that they now find themselves in they need all the help that we can provide.

by Charlie Walker Co-founder Willows Hedgehog Rescue - 07518 354408

Willows Hedgehog Rescue, Bromsgrove - www.willowshedgehogrescue.co.uk

12 Completely Bromsgrove

THE LARGEST SELECTION OF WALL & FLOOR TILES THROUGHOUT THE UK

NOW ON

create your own amazing space If you are looking for an up to the minute design for your kitchen, bathroom or en-suite, traditional style or a modern contemporary design for your lounge, hallway or conservatory.

Tile Choice can meet your every requirement at exceptional prices.

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

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

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

BROMSGROVE Unit 8a Aston Fields Ind. Est. Sherwood Road B60 3DR 01527 882333 for your nearest store - www.tilechoice.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

13 

RR A O Y A L UPGR D E R O Y A L OR YOAY LA L U P G R A D E U P G R A D U PU GP R G AR D A ED E *

*

*

*

A luxury king size bed for the price of a double bed AND 5% OFF SUPER KING SIZE

size bed for the price of a double bed DesignAaluxury Hypnosking bed that’s just right for you A luxury king size bed for the price of

A luxury AAking luxury bed for the for aIDZdouble double N D size 5 % king O F Fsize S U Pbed E R price K I Nthe GAof Sprice E5 %ofOaFbed N F S U P E bed R KING S AND 5% A NODF F5 % S UO P EF R F SKUI N P EGR SKI ZI N E G SIZE

Design a Hypnos bed that’s just right fora you Design Hypnos bed that’s just right Design a Design Hypnosa bed Hypnos that’sbed justthat’s rightjust for right you for you

SUPERVALUE FURNITURE & BED CENTRE hypnosbeds.com

Hypnos is proud to be Carbon Neutral | Handmade in Britain and 100% recyclable *Offer available for a limited time – please ask in-store for details

hypnosbeds.com hypnosbeds.com hypnosbeds.com

hypnosbeds.com

Hypnos is proud to be Carbon Neutral | Handmade in Britain and 100% recyclable Hypnos is proud to be Carbon Neutral | Handmade in Britain and 100 *Offer available for a limited time – please ask in-store for details

YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT HIGH STREET TRADER

*Offer available for a limited time – please ask in-store for details Hypnos is proud to Hypnos be Carbon is proud Neutral to be Carbon | Handmade Neutral in Britain | Handmade and 100% in recyclable Britain and 100% recyclable *Offer available for a limited *Offer time available – please for a ask limited in-store timefor – please detailsask in-store for details

FREE LOCAL DELIVERY Tel: 01905 796507 21-29 HIGH STREET, DROITWICH SPA WR9 8EJ

Open 7 days Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm, Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm Free customer parking at the rear of the shop | Pay us a visit,our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist you. e-mail: info@svfonline.co.uk

WG AI RL DL EO NW BC ERNOT OR KE

Traditional

Lots of planting ideas for

AUTUMN AND WINTER CONTAINERS

ROAST DINNER

MID WEEK WEDNESDAY ROAST AND SUNDAY ROAST NOW BACK ON THE MENU!

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

for more great offers and gardening ideas

Completely Bromsgrove

15

GARDENING

Bulbs are back and it’s the perfect time to start planting O

ctober is a month of change as the weather turns cooler. However, the ground is still warm after the heat of the summer and it’s a perfect time to plant herbaceous perennials and shrubs, the roots soon become established and are likely to get a regular watering which earlier plantings often don’t get.

Try to get some structure into the borders and choose plants with pretty seedbeds or unusual bark.

Cornus offer stunning colourful stems that are visible once the leaves have dropped, try Cornus midwinter fire or winter flame that offer those bright orange and red striking stems. They are not really grown for their flowers and when the foliage turns into those fiery shades they reveal their colourful bare stems.

Cornus are adaptable, easy to grow and are invaluable additions to the garden. Some are yellow, some light green and there are also red and maroon varieties so you should find a variety that will fit perfectly into your scheme. Landscapers and designers frequently use them in their designs.

Spring bulbs are back in the stores and now is the time to plant those earlier flowering varieties.

Narcissus Tete a tete should be planted now as they will flower from Christmas onwards. Prepared Hyacinth planted now into some bulb compost will be flowering around Christmas but they must be the prepared type not bedding.

Narcissus paper white are another early flowering bulb with a fragrant white flower perfect for the

windowsill or as gifts. Tete a tete need to be planted on the top of the pot into bulb compost. Early flowering tulips and species crocus are also to be planted now but the later flowering bulbs, particularly tulips, can safely be left till November or even December.

Wagon House Gardens at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre has a useful collection of loose bulbs on sale.

Alliums with those tall purple spheres that flower in May also need planting deeply into pots or into the border in October.

If your garden has trees it is worth saving the leaves to make leaf mould which will make an excellent mulch.

Rake up the leaves and pile them into a bin or wire cage, they will rot down over the year and can be useful to use next winter thickly spread on the border.

If you have no space, then store them in black bin bags and as long as they have a few holes in them this method will be equally successful.

Karl Strawbridge

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

Jobs in the garden for October Dig up and divide herbaceous perennials Sow sweet pea seeds and grow on in a cold frame or greenhouse Apply a winter wash on trees and the branches of trees Chop the tops of Dahlias lift and dry off the tubers for storage Move tender plants into a protected place to overwinter

16 Completely Bromsgrove

Sambourne

Fencing & Landscape Services Mowing Services Domestic and Commercial now available 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 Mob: 07831

475855

e-mail: mickdyer@btinternet.com www.sambourne-fencing.co.uk

Want the best lawn ever?

Prices from

£15*

per treatment

Who are GreenThumb:

As pioneers in British lawn care, we are the UK’s largest and most recommended provider. As lawn care experts we apply bespoke, seasonal treatments to keep your lawn continually nourished and weed free.

Find out more and visit greenthumb.co.uk/treatments

For a FREE lawn analysis call 01905 840740 or email worcester@greenthumb.co.uk *Based on a lawn size up to 40m²

greenthumb.co.uk

Completely Bromsgrove

17

Advertisement Feature

Working from home this winter?

T

he Cosy Stove Company is a modern independent company that holds traditional values.

Formed in 2014, the company began its journey within a Bromsgrove garden centre and made its home on Sanders Road Estate in the town centre last year.

The showroom is beautifully fitted out with some of the best brands of wood-burning stoves in the industry. The company caters for all styles of home, from a cosy cottage through to a modern new build, with its comprehensive range of wood-burning stoves – ideal if you are working from home instead of commuting and would like to feel warm and snug.

Choosing the right stove is an important decision and the experienced and knowledgeable team in the showroom will begin by guiding you through your options – giving honest and sound advice with a relaxed and no pressure approach.

Following your visit, The Cosy Stove Company offers a free site survey to see what options are available to you, but also to get a feel for the size of the room and offer comprehensive advice to help you choose the right stove for your lifestyle.

Once you have purchased your new wood burning stove, the skilled team of HETAS-registered engineers will complete your installation from start to finish, providing a professional, clean and friendly service.

18 Completely Bromsgrove

For those considering an extension or new build, the team have a keen eye for design and practicality.

They are happy to share their knowledge with home owners, builders and architects and their advice may save you time and money as well as presenting ideas that you may not have considered.

The Cosy Stove Company can guarantee a quality stove and installation that will help your home offer a hearty welcome, providing many years of comfort and warmth.

All stoves are 2022 Ecodesign Ready. Ecodesign is the European-wide programme for lower emissions and Ecodesign Ready stoves can reduce particulate emissions by 90 per cent compared to an open fire and 80 per cent compared to an old wood-burning stove.

The Cosy Stove Company is proud to offer some of the cleanest burning stoves available on today’s market.

Address: Unit 11, Sanders Road, Bromsgrove, B61 7DG Tel: 01527 916 339 www.thecosystovecompany.co.uk

Providing Quality Log Burners and Installation to homes in Bromsgrove and the surrounding area...

Visit us in the centre of Bromsgrove to see our showroom with a selection of top quality stoves, including a brand new gas range.

Show this advert to receive a 10% discount on all accessories in the showroom!

Unit 11, Sanders Road, Bromsgrove, B61 7DG Tel: 01527 916 339 www.thecosystovecompany.co.uk

PUBLIC NOTICE

Work taking place at M5 junction 4A

W

e are carrying out work to reinstate M5 junction 4A which will involve resurfacing as well as renewing the road markings and reflective studs. This will return the junction to full capacity and help the flow of traffic. The work will also provide a smoother and safer surface for journeys.

Our contractors, Kier, will carry out this work on our behalf, from 28 September 2020 until 28 October 2020.

To complete the work we’ll use two phases of overnight closures.

28 September – 3 October, between 9pm and 6am, we’ll need to close the link road between the M42 southbound to the M5 nor thbound. The M5 northbound will remain open during the work with a lane closure to protect the workforce.

7 October – 28 October, between 9pm and 6am, we’ll need to close the M5 northbound between junction 5 and junction 4 as well as the link road between the M42 southbound to the M5 northbound The M5 southbound will remain open during the work. The M5 and M42 will both be open as normal during the day.

During the closures signed diversion routes will be in place which have been agreed with Worcestershire County Council. Access to

20 Completely Bromsgrove

emergency service vehicles will be maintained during the work.

Our dates are subject to change due to severe weather or unforeseen circumstances.

We are grateful to people for their patience while these works are carried out. Every effort will be made to manage noise levels and additional lighting carefully, to minimise the local impact.

If you need any more information please get in touch with us in the Midlands press office or details of our works can be found here: www.highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/westmidlands/west-midlands-maintenance-schemes/

MOT TESTING STATION

MOT TESTING STATION

CHARLES KENWARD MOTORS LTD

MOT testing including Class 7 & Class 5 Light (minibuses) Private, commercial & fleet servicing Vehicle recovery service Latest diagnostic equipment

CALL

01527 875 432 01527 837 070 14 Sherwood Road, Aston Fields Industrial Estate, Bromsgrove B60 3DR

01905 939190

Completely Bromsgrove

21 

Before

After

New improvements to prevent flooding

T

he Highways department at Worcestershire County council have recently undertaken some major drainage improvement works along Old Burcot Lane in Bromsgrove.

The work has included installing new drains to capture spring water emerging from a roadside embankment, the reinstatement of the watercourse channel alongside the lane which over the years had become filled with debris and silt, and the laying of two new pipes beneath the road to drain excess water from a pond on adjacent land which previously flowed over the road causing regular flooding.

The North Worcestershire Water Management team at Bromsgrove District Council has been working with neighbouring land owners to ensure the privately owned sections of watercourse are also well maintained.

This watercourse, known to the NWWM team as the Burcot Brook, rises in the village of Burcot and flows along the Western side of the A38 until it reaches the Spadesbourne Brook at the junction with

22 Completely Bromsgrove

Charford Road – before the A38 was built the Burcot Brook joined the Spadesbourne Brook much further upstream where the Artrix Centre is located, and a redundant channel remains there which occasionally takes storm runoff.

To find out more about this or other local watercourses, the NWWM team can be contacted on enquiries@nwwm.org.uk or 01562 732 191.

Bathrooms & Plumbing

All plumbing work undertaken Experts in bathrooms & wetrooms No job too small!

Bromsgrove - call 01527 509090

JMC Surfacing have been professional tarmac contractors in Redditch, covering the Midlands and nationwide for more than 30 years. Our contracts include industrial, domestic and commercial tarmac surfacing.

Boilers, Fires & Cookers

Experts in natural gas, oil and LPG/ installations, repairs and servicing

Bromsgrove - call 01527 509090

We are fully insured and our full range of services cover all surfacing projects including driveways, highways, car parks, playgrounds, forecourts and pathways.

As a leading tarmac surfacing contractor in the Midlands, JMC Surfacing offer a fully insured and guaranteed service using a mix of traditional hand laying techniques and the latest machine technology.

If you would like more information on our services or would like a FREE no obligation quote, please contact us: 01527 510052 | info@jmcsurfacing.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

23 

Safari so good for Covid 19 survivor Leighton and family C ompletely Bromsgrove readers may recall that in our August issue we featured the story of Leighton Webster, who was hospitalised with Covid 19 for 79 days and was recovering at his father’s home in Redditch.

West Midland Safari Park very generously donated free tickets including wristbands for the rides for Leighton and his family to enjoy a day out at the park.

Following their visit to the park, near Bewdley, Leighton contacted Completely Bromsgrove with this message: “We all had a great time. I didn’t go on the rides though I enjoyed watching all the family having a stress-free fun day. I couldn’t believe that Chloe, Skye and Noah dragged their grandad, who is 73, onto the log flume!”

We’re delighted to hear that the day out was a great success and would like to thank West Midland Safari Park for making it happen.

24 Completely Bromsgrove

TAKE ON THE

DARK SIDE HALLOWEEN LASER TAG BATTLE IN A FOREST Are you brave enough to take on the zombie Storm Troopers in an awesome outdoor laser tag battle in a spooky forest in Hanbury?

28TH, 30TH & 31ST OCTOBER 2020 Pop on a Halloween costume and come prepared for fun!

90 minute session times available for age 6 yrs to adults.

Limited to 12 players per session. Don’t miss this unique Halloween experience.

BOOK NOW

:HHNHQGV

Call Mark: 01527 575141 Email: mark@shooting4fun.co.uk

Do you need your grass cutting?

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

Design

Print

&

Specialists in Digital Printing

Fully Insured

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

sales@bromsgroveprinting.co.uk www.bromsgroveprinting.co.uk 01527 873181 14 Worcester Road Bromsgrove B61 7AE Completely Bromsgrove

25

Telephone: The Lawns Residential Care, School Lane, Alvechurch Worcestershire, B48 7SB

0121 445 4098 Email: enquiries@thelawnscare.co.uk

www.thelawnscare.co.uk

! " " !!

#$ $ %$$ Luxury care home for the elderly in Alvechurch &&&%$ $ %$$

! "

#

! "

# $ %& ' ( $ )

!

' &

We now ( regularly hold

)

Skype sessions ) to keep our

residents in $ $ & contact with * their family and* % friends.

"

#$ $ %$$ &&&%$ $ %$$

! " " !!

#$ $ %$$ &&&%$ $ %$$

Who we are

We are different

! "

#

We’re a community – residents and

We

think people deserve to be as inspired

carers united by our shared joy for life in old age as they were in their youth

Drop in and have a

“During these testing times we have kept

all

cup of tea with us

residents and staff completely safe from the

virus and we are so thankful for the wonderful

!

messages of support we’ve received from

' &

relatives and the wider community.

(

Residents have been active in creating

)

" " # amazing videos that are on our Facebook ' & & $ ( ) ! " " !!

)

page, have a look and share the enjoyment we

$ % * + , ,

have had in making these fun shows. !

$ $ &

We are proud that everyone has come together You are always welcome to visit, or "

* " " # and created a safe and secure bubble!� ' & & $ ( )

# $ %& ring 0121 445 4098 if you’d like to ! " "

" * % - Lukas Rokita, The Lawns Home Manager make an appointment ' ( $ )

$ % * + , ,

Completely Bromsgrove

27 

Offering information and support in unprecedented times

L

ife is currently restricted for all of us and concerns about money can affect our health and wellbeing.

A recent report by the national Age UK team estimated that 1.6 million pensioners across the country are now living in poverty. The same report also identified that almost £3.5 billion of benefits aimed at older people on low incomes, including Pension Credit and housing benefit, goes unclaimed each year.

As part of a questionnaire carried out by Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest (Age UK BRWF) on behalf of Bromsgrove Partnership Board and MP Sajid Javid’s Pensioners Fair in February, only four of the 150 people that responded said that they were ‘not’ concerned about their finances in later life and being able to cope with ‘life events’, including the rising cost of care.

The Coronavirus crisis has further heightened people’s worries with studies showing how the over 50s’ health, finances and employment prospects have suffered in lockdown.

Since August many over 75s are no longer receiving their free TV licence unless they are receiving Pension Credit. For many older people their TV is their ‘lifeline’.

Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest believe there are many local older people that are ‘struggling’ or are ‘just getting by’ because they are not aware of the support that is available to them and/or are put off by

28 Completely Bromsgrove

the application process. That is where the organisation’s Information & Advice (I&A) service can help.

Age UK BRWF’s I&A service suppor ts people aged 50+, along with their families and carers, living in Nor th Worcestershire.

Trained advisors offer a free and confidential information and advice service on a range of topics including social care, benefits and pensions advice, staying safe, warm and independent at home as well as support for carers.

Whilst the organisation adopted a phone-based service during the initial phase of the crisis, it is in the process of implementing safety measures which will enable it to start re-instating home visits, along with booked appointments at the Windsor Street office, for the most vulnerable people in our communities.

Call the Information & Advice team on 01527 570490 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/brwf/

Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest

Advertisement Feature

Senior Snippets - staying happy & healthy at home W

elcome to this edition of Senior Snippets: the monthly advisory column with the older members of our community in mind, brought to you by Annie Dixon-Dunn of Home Instead Senior Care Redditch & Bromsgrove.

In this instalment, I will be providing you with some tips and ideas for how to look after both your physical and emotional wellbeing from the comfort of your own home.

As we settle into what is becoming known as ‘the new normal’, it is so important that we remember to take some time for self-care. Here are my top 5 recommendations for living well.

1. Switch Off. Whilst it is important to keep up to date with the news, make sure you take some time out. Do not have news channels on constantly, the current news can be overwhelming – take some time to switch off.

2. Eat well. Be aware of what you are putting into your body, try to eat three meals a day to keep your energy up and prevent snacking throughout the day. Aim to eat a variety of foods and enjoy what you are eating – don’t be afraid to treat yourself every now and then!

3. Get moving. Taking even just a little bit of exercise everyday can hugely impact your mental wellbeing, why not try taking a short walk around your local area. If you are not so confident to get out and about, why not sign up for an online class?

4. Stay connected. Take a bit of time to connect with those around you, even with social distancing still in effect modern technology as made possibilities endless. Call a friend, ask a family member to set up a Zoom video call.Virtual groups and coffee mornings are also popping up all the time, simply go online to find out what is happening local to you.

5. Keep your mind active. Make time for doing what you love. Try to give yourself some allocated time every week to enjoy your hobbies. What do you love doing?

Reading a book? Knitting? Baking cakes? Be kind to yourself, you might be a little out of practice but giving yourself some set time every week means that you will focus on that activity, taking your mind off any worries – plus you will be proud of your end result.

Home Instead have recently produced our first Information and Puzzle Book; something to amuse and to get the brain active. Please do get in touch if you would like to receive one.

I would love to hear from you, if you have a suggestions for how best to support the local community please write to me at annie.dixon-dunn@homeinstead.co.uk or call 01564 741620.

Live Well, Stay Safe We do more than just Care: Shopping for essentials and packing away for you Cleaning and disinfecting of high touch surfaces

Picking up medication and support prescription requirements Posting letters to keep in touch with loved ones Helping use technology to video chat with families Home Care is Safe Care DBS checked, PPE trained, professional CAREGivers visit at a time that suit you and always stay for at least an hour.

Currently taking on new clients in: Studley l Alcester l Henley in Arden l Redditch l Bromsgrove l Rubery l Rednal l Northfield Personal Care Home Help Companionship Dementia Care

We’re here to help find the right care for you and your loved ones.

To find out more call us on

01564 741 620 / 01527 810 855 Visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/rb

From Bromsgrove to Buckingham Palace

T

he Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts operated in the town from 1898 until 1966 with perhaps the most notable commission being the new gates at Buckingham Palace, made from iron and elaborately decorated in bronze.

The Bromsgrove Guild was founded by Walter Gilbert in 1898 to capitalise on the contemporary appetite for high quality workmanship embraced by the Arts and Crafts Movement. As the Headmaster at the Bromsgrove School of Art, Gilbert’s vision was to provide an opportunity for education, to develop skills and to create works of high quality, for the benefit of all involved.

Gilbert was a highly qualified teacher, with expertise in design and decorative work in metalwork. As the new century began, skilled men and women, encouraged by the enthusiastic Gilbert, were creating pieces of artwork from their studios and workshops in Bromsgrove.

The Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts soon gained a reputation for excellent quality, which attracted talented artists from far and wide wanting to join the Guild, as well as high ranking customers with important commissions.

With a growing reputation, investment in machinery, quality promotional material and an inspiring leader, the Bromsgrove Guild was quickly becoming a huge success.

Just five years after the organisation was founded the order was received to design and build the gates for Buckingham Palace. The government had instructed architect Sir Aston Webb to re-model the Palace forecourt, and his design included huge cast iron railings and iron gates adorned with

30 Completely Bromsgrove

the Royal Coat of Arms. The reputation of the Guild gained this once in a life time order for Walter Gilbert and his team in Bromsgrove.

Work quickly started on the high-profile commission in the corrugated iron workshop on Station Street with Walter Gilbert and his colleague Louis Weingartner overseeing the enormous project. So enormous was the order, which included gates to other royal residences, that final installation of the gates was not completed until 1911, by which point the Guild had received Royal Warrants from both His Majesties King Edward VII and George V. Weingartner’s creation of the Royal Coat of Arms in bronze depicts the golden lion, royally crowned and standing on a royal crown, supported by a crowned lion and unicorn.

In the four quadrants of the crest the three lions represent England, the harp is for Ireland and the lion is for Scotland.

After the two World Wars the Bromsgrove Guild struggled to maintain its position and by 1966 the owners had no option but to close. The name will forever be synonymous with quality works of art, all hand made by talented individuals who lived in our town. Visitors to London today can still see the mark of the Bromsgrove Guild on the gate of Buckingham Palace.

For further reading on this subject the book “The Bromsgrove Guild” edited by Quintin Watt and published

by The Bromsgrove Society is recommended.

Let’s paint the town red with remembrance poppies A

s the UK is still experiencing a difficult year, the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is asking volunteers not to undertake face to face poppy collections.

However, the Bromsgrove branch has decided that it cannot let 2020 go unrecognised especially with the 75th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day and the end of World War Two in Europe and across the world.

Branch members decided that a poppy display would be a great idea to bring the appeal to the front of people’s thoughts and hopefully it will encourage Bromsgrove residents to put an extra few pence into a collection tin when they see one.

The plan is to encourage people to knit, crochet and to use recycled materials to make poppies of all descriptions and display them around the High Street from October 24th to November 11th. The branch has the backing of the town centre development team who are looking forward to seeing how inventive the people of Bromsgrove can be.

If you would like to put the poppies out yourselves, this would be helpful but if you cannot get into town then branch members will collect them and put them out for you.

The branch will be taking photos of the poppies, encouraging people to find a different poppy every day and sharing the images on the Bromsgrove Poppy Appeal Facebook page.

Branch members look forward to seeing the High Street covered in home-made poppies in the tradition of Make Do and Mend from the 1940s.

You can contact the Bromsgrove Branch of the Royal British Legion on 01527 576251 or poppyorganiser@gmail.com Let’s paint the town red with poppies for two weeks. Lest we forget.

Completely Bromsgrove

31

HISTORY

A E Housman letters discovered

S

tanding tall in Bromsgrove High Street, A E Housman is a well-loved past resident of our town, and The Housman Society exists to promote knowledge and appreciation of the lives and works of AEH and other members of his family.

Today, over 80 years after the death of the poet and scholar, no one expects new material to come to light. However, whilst going through his recently deceased father’s papers, Robert Semple from Harborne uncovered a parcel of very old letters.

Thirty letters dated between 1925 and 1936, handwritten and signed by A E Housman, had been sent to Mr Semple’s grandfather William Hugh Semple. On finding the letters Mr Semple made contact with Housman Society Secretary Max Hunt who commented “it was one of those rare ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ moments!”

A E Housman was the Kennedy Professor of Latin and a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge and it was known to the Society that, in 1926, AEH had supervised a research student, W H Semple. Many of the letters covered details of Semple’s supervision sessions in Trinity College, but the correspondence had continued after the successful Dr Semple gained his first teaching post at Reading University prior to becoming Professor of Latin at Manchester University.

The letters from Housman had been kept by the family after the Professor’s death in 1981 and now that they had been rediscovered the family wondered if the collection would be of interest to the Society.The quick answer was yes!

Society Secretary Max Hunt and Rober t Semple met in August and the letters were handed over. After cataloguing the letters, the Society entrusted the letters to the safe keeping of Trinity College Cambridge where a collection of Housman’s original work and letters is

Photo by Linda Hart

32 Completely Bromsgrove

stored – and so the letters return to the college where Housman scribed them, all those many years ago.

Further details of the letters will be issued in the Housman Society Journal, printed towards the end of the year and distributed to members.

Membership is £15 per year. For details see www.housman-society.co.uk

Local History Talks T

Winter Season

he Bromsgrove Society local history talks continue online with a variety of speakers and topics.

On Tuesday 20th October at 7.30pm, Douglas Smith will give a talk based on his book “Cheer Boys It’s Hartlebury!” which tells the story of the World War One Hartlebury Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital. Douglas has researched the history of this hospital, set up for the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, and the 430 men who are recorded as staying there. His presentation draws on poems, drawings and photographs found in seven visitors’ books and is the story of calm amongst carnage.

The irrepressible and ever popular Max Keen will be the speaker on Tuesday 17th November with his portrayal of one of Britain’s most famous naval commanders. Lord Horatio Nelson: Britain’s Greatest Hero? is certain to be an excellent, and enjoyable talk.

Popular local historian and former master at Bromsgrove School Philip Bowen will be presenting a talk about a fondly remembered decade on Tuesday 1st December. Philip’s Britain in the 1950s illustrated talk will rekindle memories for those of a ‘certain age’ and inform younger people of how things were before the era of colour TVs, computers and social media!

The season draws to a close with an additional talk to celebrate Bromsgrove’s Ancient Court Leet. On Tuesday 15th December, Neil Beaumont, the current Reeve, will give us an authoritative and fully researched presentation 821 Years of History in Our Town: The Bromsgrove Court Leet.

All Local History Tuesday night talks will be held on the Zoom platform, start at 7.30pm and are free to view. To register to view the talks visit the Society’s website www.bsoc.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

33

Autoimmune Conditions are on the rise

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

O

ver the last few months, as I talk to clients and friends, I’m beginning to hear and see that autoimmune conditions are rapidly rising.

To date it has been shown that there are over four million people in the UK known to be living with at least one autoimmune condition. There are more than 80 autoimmune conditions known to science to date.

An autoimmune condition will see the body’s immune system mistakenly attack healthy cells in the body. Examples may include type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

However, symptoms of autoimmune disease are not always cut and dried. A common pattern is that the symptoms start small and get worse with time.

They don’t usually have an obvious cause or trigger and are often blamed on the aging process, family history or stress.

The question is: “What are the hidden symptoms of autoimmune disease that could indicate you are developing an AI related illness?”

Fatigue and brain fog – You wake up tired, push through your day feeling tired, and trying to concentrate or remember small tasks becomes more and more overwhelming.

Anaemia of unknown causes –The fatigue of anaemia is often described as relentless fatigue that is not improved with rest. It is coupled with the symptoms of shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, cold intolerance, exercise intolerance, anxiety and proneness to passing out. As there are different types of anaemia (iron deficiency, B-vitamin deficiency anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, etc), the symptoms can overlap. For example, B-vitamin deficiency anaemia can cause numbness and tingling in the hands and feet as well as nerve pain. Iron deficiency anaemia can cause cold intolerance.

Neuropathy – One of the most common symptoms of autoimmune disease. Nerve damage can manifest in many ways. Physical manifestations can include numbness and tingling in

34 Completely Bromsgrove

the extremities, nerve pain, stabbing or shooting pain into the arms and legs, muscle weakness, muscle loss and hypersensitivity to touch.

Cold intolerance – Cold intolerance is a common symptom that can indicate an autoimmune problem. Raynaud’s disease is a form of autoimmunity and can contribute to cold intolerance.

Intermittent low-grade fevers – The body uses fever to help combat infection and sometimes to fight food allergy. Many who have this symptom also have swollen lymph nodes in the neck or throat. As infection and food allergies are both major triggers for autoimmune disease, low grade fevers without a known origin should be investigated further. Keep in mind that not all infections are obvious. Some of them are of a more chronic nature.

Gut problems – One of the most common symptoms of autoimmune disease. Symptoms include intestinal bloating, cramping and pain, constipation, diarrhoea and frequent blood in the stool.

The bottom line - Autoimmune diseases are a mysterious set of conditions that vary in severity from the merely annoying to life-threatening.

Research is ongoing and has provided remarkable advances in recent years; while effective therapies are available for most of these conditions, cures are not.

It has long been predicted that we will soon be able to analyse a person’s genes, assess how their immune system is behaving, measure the number and function of immune cells or chemical messengers and put all of this information together to devise a specific, individual treatment regimen that’s likely to be safe and effective. Unfortunately, we’re not there yet.

Multiple Sclerosis / Guillaun-Barre Syndrome

Psoriasis / Vitiligo / Eczema

Thyroiditis Hashimoto’s Disease / Graves Disease

Fibromyalgia / Wegner’s Granulomatosis

Celiac’s Disease / Crohn’s Disease Ulceratic Colitis / Type 1 Diabetes

Rheumatoid Arthritus / Ankylosing Spondylitis / Polymyalgia Rhematica

Hemolytic Anemia / Lupus Erythematosus

by Colette Garside colette@thegarsides.net

Lipocontrast now available at 3D Body Sculpt Bromsgrove!

4 areas - 1 treatment - upper & lower abdomen & obliques

T

he evolution of fat freezing is now available in the clinic. With its heat/cool/heat technology, the thermal shock causes fat cells to break down three times faster than traditional fat freezing.

The Benefits of Lipocontrast: Results seen from day twelve.

80% of fat cells disposed by day twenty. Re-treat the same area (if required) just one month later. Areas which can be treated include the upper & lower stomach, arms, inner & outer thighs, chin, hips, flanks, bra rolls, gynocomastia.

Our launch offer is £80 for one cup placement and £140 for two placement (usually £145 and £200 respectively).

If you’d like to take advantage of this new treatment, or would like to find out more give us a call on 01527350401 Natalie Bailey Tel: 01527 350401 3D Lipo Approved Provider Bromsgrove www.3dbodysculpt.co.uk *Deposit required to secure your appointment

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

‘Superstar’ volunteer Maz lifts BBC award

A

dedicated volunteer from the Bromsgrove Community Support group launched to help vulnerable and elderly residents during the coronavirus pandemic has scooped a ‘Make a Difference Superstars’ award from BBC Hereford and Worcester.

Maz Salmou was a television reporter in his native Syria and moved to Bromsgrove in 2018 through Worcestershire County Council’s Syrian Resettlement Programme.

“Coming to the UK gave me safety when I really needed it and this is my way of paying it back. I’ve considered every family in Bromsgrove to be like my family.

Since the beginning of lockdown Maz has spent much of his time serving the community including collecting shopping and fetching prescriptions.

“Our work is not over yet but let’s roll up our sleeves and continue this journey. If we can achieve all of this in months, then imagine what we can achieve in the following years.

Nominated for the award by former Birmingham poet laureate and community campaigner Spoz, Maz was presented with it by Nina Das Gupta from BBC Hereford and Worcester at Sanders Park live on the Malcolm Boyden programme.

Maz, who was one of two overall winners, will have his name on the side of a Great Western Railway train which he will have free travel on.

“Winning the award was a surprise because I was up against so many other community minded people,” Maz told Completely Bromsgrove.

“Their achievements are no less important than mine and this win is for everyone who has made a difference in people’s lives.

36 Completely Bromsgrove

Maz added that he’d like to thank his mum who has been so supportive.

Yvonne Rendell from Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcomes Refugees said: “We’re overjoyed for Maz as he really deserves this award.

“Maz has gone above and beyond during the lockdown period, helping vulnerable people who were isolating to get their much-needed prescriptions.

“His efforts have been relentless and he’s been zipping around on his bike, sometimes even seven days a week. He’s a worthy winner and we’re really pleased for him.”

Brand New to the Hanbury Turn 3 En Suite Guest Bedrooms Finished to a very HIGH standard Rooms will be available week commencing 19th October Bookings NOW being taken.

HANBURY TURN THE HANBURY TURN e-mail: thehanburyturnbca@gmail.com

www.blackcountryales.co.uk/pubs/hanbury-turn

Tel: 01527 577187

Perfect Partners the Heart of England

Don’t trust the internet meet a genuine person through Perfect Partners...

Safe

Secure

Successful

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

Tel: 01905 621183

What’s a £1 a day for Happiness?

Perfect Partners has the answer!

www.perfectpartnerstheheartofengland.co.uk

Completely Bromsgrove

37

RECIPE

Creamy Trout Spaghetti Method Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water according to packet instructions then drain, reserving a cupful of the cooking water.

Meanwhile heat a knob of butter in a frying pan and fry the trout fillets for about 3-4 minutes on each side until cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

enough of the reserved cooking water to help the sauce coat the pasta well.

Remove the skin from the trout and flake over the spaghetti in the pan, allow to heat through briefly then divide between 4 bowls.

In the same frying pan heat another knob of butter and fry the garlic for a minute, then turn the heat down and add the cream cheese, lemon zest and plenty of seasoning to taste. Cook gently until you have a slightly thickened consistency. Add the spinach, then tip in the spaghetti and add

Serves 4

Ingredients: • 2 British trout fillets • 350g spaghetti • 2 knobs of butter • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 225g cream cheese • 1 tsp lemon zest • Salt and pepper • 100g baby spinach

www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

38 Completely Bromsgrove

Friday 25th December 2020

£5 OFF with this voucher

Expires 30th November 2020. T & C’s cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.

Only 1 voucher can be redeemed at once.

01562 730 499 | WWW.FIVESPICEONLINE.CO.UK MONDAY - THURSDAY: 5PM - 12PM FRIDAY - SATURDAY: 5PM - 1AM | SUNDAY: 1PM - 11PM

OrchardFest is smash hit for hospice O

One of the first socially distanced music festivals in the country took place in Bromsgrove on September 6 to raise money for Primrose Hospice.

OrchardFest at Puddle Wharf Farm, Redditch Road, returned with a host of great bands as well as additional safety measures to keep festival goers safe.

Around 400 people tapped their feet as bands including Secret Cabaret, Living the Dream and The Big Sky Orchestra performed from 1pm to 11pm.

People were given designated bubbles for their own groups to sit and par ty in and a one-way system was operational across the site.

There were also hand sanitiser stations and regular cleaning at the festival, which had been granted a licence.

Dave Morgan launched Puddle Party presents OrchardFest in 2016 in memory of his wife Trish.

“Thank you so much to everybody who came to support OrchardFest 2020, especially during such difficult times,” said Dave.

“We are hugely grateful that people kept to the social distancing regulations we put in place.”

It was fabulous weather for families and friends (and some dogs) to get out, enjoy the music and feel “normal” again.

However, as the event was completely sold out, those without tickets unfortunately had to be turned away at the gate.

Dave added: “Everyone enjoyed it so much that they are all asking for next year’s date so they can buy their tickets. For this reason, advance tickets will go on sale very soon so keep a look out in future editions of Completely Bromsgrove if you want to ensure your place next year.”

If you did miss out but would like to support the Primrose Hospice you can make a donation at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/orchardfest

40 Completely Bromsgrove

149 Golden Cross Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcs. B61 0JZ Tel: 01527 874526 “Constantly in the pursuit of excellence”

Don’t forget to book your christmas advertising!

Bookings are now being taken for our festive editions

E-mail completelybromsgrove@gmail.com

Duncombes Butchers

Call Michele on 07948 086870

This advert should be upside down!

CANTO MANDO CHINESE RESTAURANT BROMSGROVE Tel: 01527 864 008

30% OFF

with delivery or collection takeaways!

Authentic Chinese and Cantonese food served daily Exciting menu with our own signature dishes not found anywhere else in Bromsgrove - Eat In or Takeaway We are not your run of the mill chinese restaurant!

What our customers are saying about us: “Beautiful food, great portions & great service would definitely eat here again.”

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

“Ordered our first takeaway last night. Easily the best we’ve had from any establishment locally in a long time. Great portion sizes (we ordered far too much), excellent flavours & ingredients used & a properly spiced Szechuan. They were also happy to do us a dish not on the menu so you can’t get better than that. Will definitely order again & perhaps visit at some point in the future.”

All safety measures in line with the Government’s guidelines in place

44 Worcester Road Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7AE CANTOMANDOBROMSGROVE

www.cantomandobromsgrove.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

41

Make this Autumn enjoyable for you and your pet T

he autumn is a great time to enjoy with pets but be aware there are dangers at this time of year. Look out for conkers which can be very harmful for dogs. They could get stuck in a dog’s digestive tract and they are also poisonous if they do eat them. The best way to make sure dogs are safe from conkers, is to firstly make sure they’re trained in recall, so dogs come back every time they’re called. Owners should consider walking their dogs on-lead around conkers until they’re confident they don’t want to play with or eat them.

Some signs of poisoning include: - Vomiting - Collapse - Diarrhoea - Restless with discomfort and pain - Dehydration and toxic shock.

- Difficulty breathing Fireworks are also a common cause of concern for many pet owners. It’s best for cats to be brought inside before it gets dark, and dogs to be walked earlier to avoid being caught out by the loud bangs and whistles which leave some pets trembling with fear.

42 Completely Bromsgrove

Alison Brennan, senior vet at Blue Cross said: “During these scary periods in Autumn, it might be wise to start preparing your pet a few weeks in advance, to give them time to adjust and settle. Prepare a ‘den’ for pets where they can feel safe and comfortable – perhaps under a bed with some of your old clothes as they may like to hide there when the fireworks start.

Stay calm, act normally and give lots of praise for calm behaviour. If your pet wants to be cuddled and stroked when they’re worried, then that’s great, but if they prefer to hide under the bed, then let them do that instead.”

To find out about pets looking for homes at Bromsgrove or to make a donation towards their care, visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Calling all budding artists!

A

ll Saints Art Group are a local group looking to invite new members.

We meet every Monday evening at All Saints Church Hall between 7:30 and 9:30pm.

The general idea is that the sessions provide a couple of hours and the space to work once a week for folks to come along and meet with other like-minded people.

There are no formal classes per se - everybody works on their own individual projects and we all help each other out with friendly, positive encouragement! We are all amateurs working in a variety of media.

All standards and ages are welcome we are a very friendly bunch. The cost is currently ÂŁ70 per term (we run during the autumn and spring terms). Members are expected to provide their own equipment.

So whether you are are a keen amateur or have never picked up a brush or a pencil in earnest since school but fancy a dabble, why not come along? You know it beats yet another Monday evening sat in front of the TV and who knows you may have a masterpiece in you!

For further info, please email Simon at simoncrump@ hotmail.com or message @grumpycrumpart on Instagram or Facebook.

An Independent Family Owned Funeral Directors

THOMAS BROTHERS

A family owned Funeral Directors, we provide a friendly, dignified service paying special attention to detail.

01527 547777 REDDITCH

01527 831700

BROMSGROVE

01564 822001 WYTHALL

0121 445 3422 ALVECHURCH

www.thomasbrothers.co.uk A family concern Completely Bromsgrove

43 

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

COVID COMPLIANT

IT'S EASIER TO

KEEP UP THAN CATCH-UP. Get Better SATs and 11+ Results BOOK YOUR FREE ASSESSMENT TODAY

01527 962269 44  Completely Bromsgrove

Advertisement Feature

Need help with learning?

- your wish is our command!

W

hen lockdown started, everything changed. We moved our tuition online, knowing our students would need our help more than ever. For some students, our tuition sessions were the only contact they had with a fully qualified teacher during the school closures. The online sessions were a success (so much so that some parents asked for us to continue them!) but we were delighted to at last reopen our Bromsgrove centre on September 1st. We have all learnt from those long weeks in our own homes that while we are lucky to have technology that allows us to keep in touch with each other, nothing takes the place of meeting in person.

Our priority has always been to help children achieve their full potential in a safe and secure environment. We are OFSTED registered, meaning that we already meet rigorous safeguarding requirements. We have put extra measures in place because of COVID to enable us to reopen safely without compromising the effectiveness of our tuition. These include a one-way system through our hall, visors for tutors and written rather than verbal feedback.

If you are looking to help your child catch up after those long weeks of school closures, or need support in preparing for exams, call Genie Tutors Bromsgrove. All of our DBS checked tutors are fully qualified teachers and are happy to offer you a free trial to assess your child’s individual needs. Call Becky on 01527 962269.

We can help with: ages 5-16, GCSEs, retakes, 11+ exams, SATs Completely Bromsgrove

45

Advertisement Feature

21st Century Education in the Heart of Historic Worcester

H

istory, respect and The King’s Warmth come together to create an education experience for children that is truly special.

A sense of history permeates every brick of this remarkable school, from the medieval Edgar Tower, housing the oldest classroom in the country, to the ancient College Hall. Around every corner however, stunning, contemporary architecture blends seamlessly with the ancient fabric of the school, and that encapsulates the school’s ethos perfectly, respecting the school’s proud history, and traditional values, while embracing technology and innovative teaching methods.

King’s Worcester is a dynamic and supportive community where pupils discover and develop their passions in the classroom and beyond. Pastoral care, also referred to internally as The King’s Warmth, is not just a complementary practice, it is a caring approach fully integrated and interwoven into the fabric of teaching and learning.

The young people who come to King’s do outstandingly well academically (the school is one of the highest-ranking school in Worcestershire), because they enjoy what is on offer and throw themselves into the opportunities which school life presents and push themselves to give their

best in everything they do. They develop a passion for learning inside and outside of the classroom, a curiosity about the world and a desire to know more about it.

The school’s ethos emphasises mutual respect, openness, and warmth; it is the quality of relationships within the school that the pupils talk highly of and what makes King’s such a special place to learn.

For more information or to register for a forthcoming Open Day, please visit www.ksw.org.uk/meetkings

$+ "$& ( # * &

-$)& ! ' ) ( $# # ' $ )'

( ( ( &" # ( # '

# ' # $& % # - . ( ( %( " & # ' ,( $&" % # - . ( ( $* " &

$ ) ( $# $& %)% !' / -&' # " #

!

'+ $& ) " ( # '

46  Completely Bromsgrove

FLAIR

5GPKQT r 2TGRCTCVQT[ r 2TG 2TGRCTCVQT[ 0WTUGT[

REGI

DISCIPLINE ACADEMIC RIGOUR

Founded 1553

One of the UK’s leading day and boarding schools

A strong House and tutor system to look after your child’s pastoral and academic wellbeing

Individual visits by appointment, contact Admissions

An outstanding range of extra-curricular activities

01527 579 679

admissions@bromsgrove-school.co.uk bromsgrove-school.co.uk

Bromsgrove Senior 990 pupils aged 13-18 Prep 520 pupils aged 7- 13 Pre-Prep 220 pupils aged 2 - 7

Small classes and inspirational teaching Exceptional results at A level, IB Diploma and GCSE

Rural broadband scheme cash boost will benefit Bromsgrove residents W orcestershire County Council is reinvesting up to £1million of funding to step up its drive to get high speed broadband to the most rural parts of the county including the Bromsgrove area.

The funding will top up the Government’s existing Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to help people in hard to reach locations receive a fast, reliable broadband service.

Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, said: “Nearly 97% of Worcestershire can now access superfast broadband with speeds of at least 24Mbps.

“This is a fantastic achievement; however, we are not stopping there. This is why we’re adding £1m from the previously invested £8.5m towards the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme to target socalled “broadband not-spots” in the county.”

In some cases, the voucher amount was not enough to pay for the infrastructure upgrade. This top up funding means many more schemes can be funded, providing future-proofed connectivity to thousands more homes in the most rural locations.

Having access to reliable, fast broadband is even more impor tant in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Being digitally connected is key to staying in touch

48 Completely Bromsgrove

with loved ones, working from home, and helping to stabilise local businesses.

Funding for the vouchers in the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme with Worcestershire County Council’s top up will be distributed on a first come, first served basis until the end of March 2021, when the scheme will close.

To qualify for the scheme, residents must live in a rural area, be unable to get broadband speeds of 100Mbps or more, not be in an existing governmentfunded plan for a broadband upgrade and apply as a group of two or more premises.

Residents and businesses in Bromsgrove can visit the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme website at www.gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk to find a list of suppliers in the area.

A list of frequently asked questions is also available at www.superfastworcestershire.com/#faqs

A School with excellent practice, equality, wellbeing and learning success at its heart

NURSERY & PRE-SCHOOL Places Available Our provision is teacher led offering educational rigour in a nurturing environment which supports whole child development.

We Offer: Places for children aged 2-5 Free funded places (inc.30 hrs) Flexible sessions Extensive outdoor learning opportunities “Children get a very good start in the Nursery and Reception classes” - Ofsted 2019

OPEN MORNING Saturday November 7th 10am -12 noon Fantastic facilities for pupils aged 2-11 Wraparound care from 7:30am until 6pm We can offer pupils an outstanding learning environment which makes good use of our expansive outdoor space. We provide rigorous and memorable learning experiences through a well planned curriculum that develops the individual and has high expectations.

Applications now being taken for Reception 2021 “Pupils love to learn in the extensive outdoor space that surrounds the school. There is a ‘learning buzz’ across the school.” - Ofsted 2019 In order to be COVID secure please book your showround by calling the office.

Chaddesley Corbett Endowed Primary & Pre-School

www.ccschool.co.uk

For more information please contact the school office on Tel: 01562 777312 Completely Bromsgrove

49

AVONCROFT CRICKET CLUB

Enjoying the camaraderie that cricket brings

D

espite the unusual circumstances that delayed the start of the season until July and have meant a change to the way cricket could be experienced through the second half of the campaign, everyone at Avoncroft CC would agree that we’ve appreciated more than ever the enjoyment and camaraderie that cricket can bring to players, families and friends.

Playing in local competitions, away from the pressures of a league structure with promotion and relegation at stake, more emphasis has been placed on building relationships with our opponents and there has been the opportunity to blood more junior players in a slightly less pressurised environment.

of 14 years of age or under!

With one weekend to go, there is still a chance of bringing some silverware home to Croft’s Stoke Heath ground, with the Under 10s facing off against Old Elizabethans in the County Cup Final.

Good luck to all the boys and girls taking part. www.avoncroftcc.co.uk

In terms of results, the First XI have struggled, going into their last game of the season with only a tie to show for in terms of positive results.

The Second XI have fared slightly better, with four wins from nine games, and the Sunday XI have also started to build some momentum under the stand-in captaincy of Josh Cound, with two wins from their last three games.

This success has been driven by the impressive performances from some of the club’s younger players, with nearly three quarters of all wickets taken on Sundays this season falling to bowlers

50 Completely Bromsgrove

by Paul Athey

Photos by Andrew Maguire and Chris Jepson

Football is back at the Victoria Ground

A

t long last football has returned to Bromsgrove and unlike the big clubs, fans are being allowed in to watch albeit with a Governmentimposed limit of 600 despite the Victoria Ground being able to accommodate over 1000 with safe distancing.

At the time of writing Sporting were due to play Coalville Town at home in the first league match since March followed by an FA Cup First Qualifying Round game again at home and against Stratford Town.

The pre-season friendlies went well for the Rouslers chalking up Football is back at the Victoria Ground. wins against Walsall Wood, Leicester Road and Sutton Coldfield whilst At and long last football has returned to Bromsgrove drawing against Highgate United Leamington but going down and 4-3unlike to the big clubs, fans are being allowed in to watch albeit with a Government-imposed limit of 600 despite the Victoria Ground being able to accommodate over 1000 with Kidderminster Harriers in an entertaining encounter that saw Nathan safe distancing.

Hayward, new signing Miro PaisAtand Charlie Dowd hit the back of the net. the time of writing Sporting were due to play Coalville Town at home in the first league match since March It might have been a draw had Liam Spink not a penalty. followed by an FA Cupskied First Qualifying Round game again at home and against Stratford Town.

As well as Pais, Sporting have The also signedfriendlies Dannywent Mullarkey, St Lucia pre-season well for theaRouslers chalking up wins against Walsall Wood, Leicester Road and Coldfield whilst drawing Highgate international and Aram SolemanSutton from National Leagueagainst North AFCUnited and Leamington but going down 4-3 to Kidderminster Harriers in an entertaining encounter that saw Nathan Hayward, new signing Miro Pais and Charlie Dowd hit the Guiseley. Victoria Ground legend Jason Cowley toLiam beSpink not skied a penalty. back of the net.

It mightwas have rumoured been a draw had returning but he has now joinedAs National League club, Macclesfield Town. well as Pais, Sporting have also signed Danny Mullarkey, a St Lucia international and Aram Soleman from National League North AFC Guiseley.

Victoria that Ground legend Jason Cowley was rumoured to be returning but he has now With COVID-19 regulations constantly changing it is hoped the season joined League club, Macclesfield Town.web site will progress uninterrupted but fans areNational advised to check the Sporting With COVID-19 regulationsfixtures constantly changing it is hoped but fans are (www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk) to confirm and to check if that the season will progress uninterrupted

by Phil Baker advised to check the Sporting web site (www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk) to confirm fixtures and to check if matches matches are pay-on-the-gate or ticketed.

Forthcoming matches are asmatches follows: are pay-on-the-gate or ticketed.

Forthcoming are as follows: Date

Kick-Off

Saturday 26th September

3:00 p.m. Southern League Premier Central Away

Venue

Biggleswade Town

Opponents

Tuesday 29th September

7:45 p.m. Southern League Premier Central Away

Rushall Olympic

Saturday 3rd October

Reserved for FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Tuesday 6th October

7:45 p.m. Southern League Premier Central Home

Tamworth

Saturday 10th October

3:00 p.m. Southern League Premier Central Home

AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Saturday 17th October

3:00 p.m. Southern League Premier Central Away

Needham Market

Saturday 24th October

3:00 p.m. Southern League Premier Central Home

Hitchin Town

The newly formed women’s team won their first ever match in a friendly at the The newly formed women's team won their first ever match in a friendly at the Victoria Ground 4 - 0 against Victoria Ground 4 - 0 against Meadow Park then beat Inkberrow Eagles 3 - 0 away Meadow Park then beat Inkberrow Eagles 3 - 0 away in their initial league match. Their next home game at the in theirGround initialis league Their next gameagainst at the Victoria Ground is on Victoria on Sundaymatch.

4th October with a 2:00home p.m. kick-off Hereford Women.

Sunday October with 2:00doing p.m.their kick-off against Hereford During the4th pandemic Sporting haveabeen bit to help out those in need byWomen. collecting for local foodbanks During theHowever, pandemic Sporting been doing to help thosebut in thanks need toby every Tuesday. donations have have recently dropped off their so this bit collection has out now ended everybody who collecting forcontributed. local foodbanks every Tuesday. However, donations have recently dropped off so this collection has now ended but thanks to everybody who contributed.

Completely Bromsgrove

51

Christmas orders now being taken CATERING & RETAIL BUTCHERS FREE Home delivery available 6 days a week Visit our shop at 9 Ryefields Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, B60 4NA

www.thebutcheressltd.com

Tel: 01527 435669

52  Completely Bromsgrove

Award winning sausages, bacon & burgers