Completely Bromsgrove issue 24

Issue 24

Completely

November 2020

Bromsgrove

Turn the page for this m

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Welcome

W

elcome to the November issue of Completely Bromsgrove.

I can’t quite believe this is the penultimate issue for 2020 and what a year it has been.

With all the challenges we have faced in this very strange and trying year, hopefully Completely Bromsgrove has offered a little light relief, especially for those readers who have found themselves having to self-isolate, along with some helpful advice from our knowledgeable columnists.

In this issue we welcome a new team member, Paul James, who will be entertaining you with his culinary adventures and skills as a retired professional chef. I can’t wait to see what Paul has in store for us.

Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful (KBB) can reflect on the enormous effort made in the Great British September Clean, which also inspired four local students from South Bromsgrove High School to be the first to take par t in a KBB organised litter pick aimed specifically at The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award participants. Well done to everyone who took part in the initiative.

Here at Completely Bromsgrove we would also like to congratulate John-James from New Salsa Dance. JJ has been invited to review the new series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC Hereford and Worcester’s evening show every

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Contents 6 8 10 14 16 20 22 24 25

Women In Business Sajid Javid Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful Gardening with Karl Gardening with Suzi M. Cold Callers Beware!

Poppy Appeal Award History Senior Snippets

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 38 40

Completely

Strictly on the Radio Cupitt Help Homeless Blue Cross Local Hero Gargoyles Food & Drink Paul James, Chef Cooks in your Kitchen Recipe Hanbury Turn Feature Health and Wellbeing

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

4 Completely Bromsgrove

Monday until the programme ends in December.

I have to say we are lucky in Bromsgrove to have so many talented individuals in our community and they all deserve praise.

I do hope you enjoy this packed issue and I look forward to bringing you the Christmas issue at the end of November.

Whatever the festive season looks like this year, I hope we all manage to suppor t our local and independent businesses as without their suppor t they will fail. As the saying goes: “Use them, don’t lose them!”

Stay safe everyone and let’s keep Bromsgrove as healthy as we possibly can.

Best wishes,

51 41 42 43 44 46 48 49 50 51

National Trust D of E Award Scheme Art Exhibition Chaddesley Corbett School Scouts Virtual Camp Cycle Ride Celebration Artrix Update Avoncroft Cricket Club Bromsgrove Sporting F.C.

Visit our Instagram or 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.

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5

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Asa’s vision for established jewellers shines bright U nlike everyday shopping for food, clothes and household goods, buying a piece of jewellery is a moment we cherish.

Whether it is an engagement or wedding ring, a christening or anniversary gift, we take time to choose an item which reflects our good wishes for the recipient and the hope that our purchase will be something they will treasure for a lifetime.

A key part of that experience is receiving excellent customer service and guidance, which the internet with its obvious immediacy and convenience fails to give us.

This is the reason why jewellers like Cupitt are so important. In 2021 the business will have been based in The Strand in Bromsgrove for 75 years.

Customers can take time to browse, ask for advice from the friendly staff and see items up close and glittering.

The driving force behind this independent family company, which is one of the town’s longest running businesses, is Åsa Cupitt.

Swedish-born Åsa came into the business by marriage to Simon Cupitt and the couple have two children.

“We met in France when I was a ski guide and Simon was working as a photographer,” recalled Åsa.

“After living there for four years, we had a decision to make – to go to Sweden where he couldn’t speak the language or come to England where I could.

On arrival in the UK, Åsa started temping and worked at Yamasaki in Worcester for three years. She only began working full time with Cupitt after Simon’s death in 2013 and gave the brand a fresh look with a new logo and refurbished shop.

Much has changed over the past seven decades but in many ways much has stayed the same in relation to Cupitt’s relationship with its customers.

“We welcome all new customers and we have loyal customers covering three generations.The little ones come in for biscuits and know where the tin is kept!” said Åsa.

As well as selling exquisite pieces of jewellery, Cupitt also carry out 99 per cent of all repairs on site in its own workshop and welcome commissions, which have been an impor tant par t of the business since lockdown began in March.

“Customers will come in with a stone and we will all pitch in – it’s nice to be able to keep that creativity and customer service,” said Åsa.

6 Completely Bromsgrove

Asa Cupitt of Cupitt Jewellery

“You don’t get that when you buy online. We can’t compete with the internet but we don’t want to be a warehouse. I believe in the emotional connection, the back story and the special feeling when items are lovingly gift wrapped.

“Over the years, we’ve come to know so many people. Our regulars will come in for a chat and to bring us up to date with their news.”

Completely Bromsgrove sincerely hopes that Åsa and the Cupitt team will be able to celebrate the store’s 75th bir thday in style next year. www.cupittjeweller.co.uk

Video calls with loved ones, a relaxing stroll in the garden, or having a stretch in an exercise class are just some of the things residents have enjoyed, and continue to enjoy, at Chandler Court care home. Add to that delicious home cooked food from our in-house chef, tailored care delivered by our fully trained and experienced team, the highest standards of safety and cleanliness, and you can see why we’re the ideal choice.

If you’re considering care for yourself or a loved one, we’re here for you.

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Bromsgrove MP welcomes new Governmentfunded ‘Veterans’ Railcard’ B romsgrove MP, Sajid Javid, has welcomed the Government’s new initiative to provide Veterans and their families a third off rail travel.

The ‘Veterans’ Railcard’ will provide military veterans of every generation, up to a third off all peak and off-peak fares, as well as discounted travel for adult companions and children.

It forms par t of the UK Government’s commitment to make this country the best place to be a veteran, helping repay the debt we all owe to those who have served.

The card pays tribute to the Royal Navy, RAF and Army, using the colours featured on the veterans’ flag. An estimated 830,000 veterans, who are not eligible for existing railcards, will now be able to get up to a third off rail travel from 5 November 2020.

The very first Railcard was presented to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who served in World War II and won the nation’s heart with his incredible fundraising efforts.

The new card will be on sale at an introductory price of just £21 until 31 March 2021.

Bromsgrove MP, Sajid Javid, said: “We owe a tremendous debt to our veterans who have served our country and community.

Helping veterans connect with their friends, family and travel for work is part of the effort to repay that debt – and it is one that I wholeheartedly welcome” “If you know someone who has served, please do let them know about this initiative”

8 Completely Bromsgrove

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Great British September Clean attracts massive volunteer effort T

he Great British September Clean, organised nationally by Keep Britain Tidy, ran for 17 days from Friday 11th to Sunday 27th September and was supported by groups and individuals from across the Bromsgrove District.

Individuals and small groups were encouraged to go out into their neighbourhoods to pick up litter and many of them recorded their efforts on the Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful Litter Log (www.tinyurl.com/KBBLitterLog). Every day during the GBSC litter picking activity was logged, and by the end of the 17-day campaign an impressive 257 volunteer hours had been recorded. These hours were worked by 92 individuals who together collected 194 bags of litter within the Bromsgrove District - an inspiring achievement!

Founder and Chair of Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful, Sarah Milburn said “The local results seen during the GBSC were phenomenal! It is so heart-warming to see how many people love their local area and are prepared to go out litter picking.

They are giving something back to the community by making their neighbourhoods look better, encouraging others to do the same and hopefully changing behaviour through their positive actions. I’m so proud of everyone!”

KBB’s organised group litter picks (adhering to the ‘rule of 6’ as per Covid 19 guidelines) took place in Charford and Stoke Heath and were led by KBB Members Sarah Pittaway and Julia Harper. Catshill Councillors Jo Till and Shirley Webb organised a pick in their ward and the residents’ community group from the Oakalls and Parklands were also out in force. Residents in Fairfield, the WI at Finstall Cross, The Lickey End Litter Pickers, Team Breme Park and the Rubery Wombles all contributed to the Keep Britain Tidy initiative.

In addition to the groups, many individuals went out specifically to litter pick, or picked up whilst out on a walk for exercise or walking their dogs. Many children also got involved by litter picking on the walk home from school, like Josh (pictured) and his Mum Liz, who took to collecting a bag of rubbish on the daily walk home from St Peter’s School.

Other local groups were involved with the Keep Britain Tidy initiative too. Members of the Bromsgrove ROCKS! group joined in by painting rocks with the Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful logo or a message to encourage residents not to litter and to look after their local areas.

To find out more about the work achieved and the ongoing projects of the group visit www.facebook. com/groups/KeepBromsgroveBeautiful

10 Completely Bromsgrove

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GARDENING

Planting with vision and forethought T

he key to lengthening interest in the autumn and winter garden is to choose plants, trees and shrubs that offer changing leaf colours and are fragrant or evergreen.

November is the perfect time to plant trees and shrubs as the earth is still warm before the hard frosts begin. Their roots get going quickly and are well established before the heat of the forthcoming summer.

Sarcococca or sweet box are tough as old boots and will tolerate deep shade. Bearing tiny white flowers with a powerful delicious scent, they will not grow big, have Lancelot dark green leaves and some have attractive purple stems.

Holly or Illex are a great choice for the back of a shrub border or as a specimen in a pot or bed. Illex silver queen has green leaves edged with white and will give much interest, particularly when smothered in bright red berries. They can be slow growing so be prepared to wait for it to be mature and three metres tall. Little pruning is required.

Wagon House Gardens at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre near Hanbury have a great selection of Sweet box and it would make an interesting addition to the garden, particularly if it’s planted near to where you regularly pass by.

Mahonia grown for attractive foliage and fragrant showy late winter or early spring sulphur yellow flowers are invaluable as a source of pollen and nectar for winter colonies of bees and other pollinators. They can be a little bit boisterous but with pruning every other year you can keep them compact and they would make a worthy contribution.

Another highly recommended addition is the Skimmia, which will do well in any well drained acid soil. It’s a compact shrub with dark green leaves and dark red flowers produced in the autumn that last through the winter until they open in the spring. Skimmia requires little maintenance, just a little light pruning after flowering and is great in a pot or container. However, make sure to get a male plant so you are rewarded with the flowers and the black berries that follow.

If you’re thinking of a tree, then Acer Griseum or paper bark maple would be my choice. It is ideal for a small or medium garden offering a dappled shade across the garden in the summer when in full leaf.They are deciduous with palmate leaves but offer a show of brilliant red and orange in autumn.The attractive peeling papery chestnut brown bark also adds to the joy of this small tree offering year-round interest.

Gardening is often for the long run. It can be years before your plants mature with colour or in form and you are rewarded with the desired effect or aspect or, in some cases, flowers.

It is often all about the future rather than the now and I really admire those landscape gardeners of long ago who appreciated that it would be future generations who would reap the rewards of their vision and skill.

Karl Strawbridge

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

Jobs in the garden for November Clear fallen leaves from paths, beds and importantly ponds Put out bird food to encourage birds to visit, this will help control the slugs and snails Cover cabbage and spouts with netting to deter the pigeons Prune roses by a third to prevent wind rock There’s still time to plant bulbs

14 Completely Bromsgrove

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GARDENING

Make the most of your garden as days shorten

I

s there anything better than the beautiful autumn colours created by our shrubs and trees getting ready for their winter sleep?

Nothing compares to the rich spectrum of reds, golds and purples. Let’s not forget the berries of pyracanthia, cotoneaster, holly and mahonia, which help to keep our birds fed.

It’s a shame that wind and rain will clear away the palette of colour almost overnight. The dark, grey and damp months of autumn will still produce surprising gems.

The borders will quickly become bare so instead

of pruning and removing all those striking seed heads, leave them in. Hydrangeas, tall grasses, poppies, aquilegias and sedums are not only stunning but will act as winter food for birds and a safe haven for over-wintering insects so they will be ready to feast on plant pests next season.

Shorter daylight hours mean we need to make the most of our time spent in the garden or allotment plot to prepare for the next growing year.

Jobs in the garden for November Sow spinach or Swiss chard for continual “greens” throughout the winter period. Swiss chard comes in a variety of bold colours and can add bright interest in your vegetable beds.

“light” frost) prune the foliage down, dig up the tubers and clean them by washing away the soil in a bucket of water. Turn the tuber upside down and place in a tray or cardboard box to dry.

Collect fallen leaves if you have access to a ready supply. You do not need to have a special leaf mould bin just fill a bin liner, knot up and pierce. These will rot down and make a great soil improver or mulch.

Remember to tie a label round the plant – you’ll never remember which dahlia it was, trust me, I speak from experience. Cover with some cardboard and place in a frost-free shed or greenhouse.

It’s not too late to plant spring bulbs in pots for a stunning display of daffodils, tulips, or very fragrant grape hyacinths. Under plant trees with fritillaria and snow drops. After a long winter we need those first glimpses of spring and they will provide an early source of food for our pollinators.

Protect any frost tender plants particularly those in pots such as olives, ferns, cordylines.

Store dahlias/gladiolis and begonias. Once the frost has blackened the foliage (usually the first

16 Completely Bromsgrove

Bubble wrap the pot base to keep the roots nice and toasty and if necessary throw horticultural fleece over the main plant body.

Autumn can be a delight in any garden so enjoy all that is on offer.

By Suzi M - garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments

Completely Bromsgrove

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19 

Giving cold callers the cold shoulder A

scheme to deter cold callers and rogue traders can help neighbours work together to ward off doorstep criminals this autumn.

Nominated Neighbour uses bright yellow window stickers to show potential house callers that they will only been seen if accompanied by a known and trusted person after their identity has been verified by that person.

All it takes is a neighbour, family friend or family member to agree to be nominated and have callers directed to them.

The scheme deters non-genuine callers, who will not want their identity to be checked.

Cllr Phil Thomas, Bromsgrove District Council’s portfolio holder for Community Safety, said: “It’s that time of year when criminals and rogue traders go around posing as officials or offering fake maintenance work as a cover for rip-off work or even for distraction thefts and burglary. Sadly, this despicable behaviour can leave people including the most vulnerable members of society traumatised and out of pocket.

“Let’s make it harder for them and help our neighbours, relatives and friends give cold callers the cold shoulder.”

Nominated Neighbour has been warding off doorstep criminals and rogue traders since 2017, with every scheme member asked reporting significantly fewer cold callers or, in most cases, a complete stop. Here are what some scheme members have said: “I’ve had no cold callers since. Prior to this I was constantly harassed by people at the door, making me feel vulnerable.”

“I’ve had people see the sticker and go away.

I definitely feel safer.”

“The salespeople have stopped.”

The scheme is free, as it is funded by the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner to help reduce doorstep crime, and it is delivered to homes by the North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership.

In addition to window stickers a pack containing useful information on keeping safe is also provided.

Further information and details of how to join the scheme can be made by contacting the Community Safety team at Bromsgrove District Council on 01527 534187 or email: CommunitySafety@bromsgroveandredditch. gov.uk

20 Completely Bromsgrove

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21 

National award recognises Daren’s year-round efforts C atshill, Lickey End and Barnt Green Poppy Appeal co-ordinator Daren Lacey is a familiar face in the run up to Remembrance Day as he seeks to raise as much money as possible for the Royal British Legion.

But Daren doesn’t restrict his goodwill to a few months a year and he recently received a national award for his community spirit during the current Covid19 pandemic.

Daren was nominated for a Certificate of Appreciation, which acknowledged 50 RBL fundraisers nationwide, after doing shopping for elderly and vulnerable people in his neighbourhood and supporting the local foodbank.

Anyone who knows Daren will appreciate that helping out those in need is in his DNA and that getting just enough is never good enough.

“I’m in my fourth year organising the Poppy Appeal campaign in Catshill and Lickey End – Barnt Green is a new addition this year,” he said.

“We used to raise between £3,000 and £5,000 but that figure has doubled in recent years thanks to the community getting behind us. I’ve held a jumble sale in Catshill Village Hall that raised £500 and Willowbrook Garden Centre have allowed us to have a pop up stall.”

This year will be dramatically different due to Covid 19. There will be no Remembrance Day parade and instead of the usual 115 collection boxes for the area there will be just 25.

“The guidelines seem to be changing every day,” said Daren.

Collection boxes will be fully stocked, they are Covid safe and have been fully isolated and will be put into local shops, every item has to be quarantined for 72 hours before it can be displayed. The schools are having a fundraising day where children pay £1 to wear a red jumper so that will help to generate funds.

22 Completely Bromsgrove

“We’re hoping to get some street collections done while adhering to the guidelines. We’ve now got a machine to process card payments and the RBL is bringing out QR codes that people can scan to make a payment.”

The RBL Poppy Appeal Catshill, Lickey End and Barnt Green has its own Facebook page and Daren has also set up a JustGiving page.

Scout organisations are a key feature of Remembrance Day parades and in Bromsgrove district young people will still be putting their best foot forward to help ex-servicemen – virtually.

Conquering the famous Three Peaks is the aim.

Beavers can tackle one peak, Cubs two and Scouts three by adding up the number of steps they walk every day over the course of a week.

To make a donation to the Catshill, Lickey End and Barnt Green Poppy Appeal via Just Giving visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ catshilllickeyendpoppyappeal2020

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Completely Bromsgrove

23

HISTORY

All the fun of the fair

T

he latest edition of the Bromsgrove Rousler, the annual local history magazine, profiles the development of Bromsgrove Fair and its role in the life of the town over hundreds of years.

The origins of Bromsgrove Fair are lost in the mists of time. A charter of 1317 allowed for a fair to be held but there is no further record until 1685, in an account of tolls being collected from various farmers and merchants. It was traditionally held on June 24th, this being the feast day of St John the Baptist to whom the town’s church is dedicated.

In medieval times the fair would have been an opportunity for farmers and merchants to show off their produce and livestock, as they would on regular market days, but there was a social side as well. The annual fair always attracted itinerant entertainers and by the late 17th century the balance had tipped in favour of pleasure rather than trade.

Fair time was eagerly anticipated by the local population.

Historian Dr George Fletcher recalled, as a small boy in the 1850s, being taken around Bromsgrove Fair on his father’s shoulders. He described travelling caravans, show booths, merry-go-rounds, Aunt Sallies, and countless refreshment booths. These were mainly set out along Watt Close, while the end of Church Street was the location for a horse and cattle fair which attracted dealers from miles around.

By the end of the 19th century, fairgrounds across Britain saw many innovations. Steam-driven and then later electric roundabouts were introduced, such as Pat Collins’ electric jumping horse. From the early 1900s, cinematographs and electrographs were in evidence. In the days before cinema, this would have been most people’s first experience of moving pictures.

During the early 20th century, Bromsgrove Fair moved a short distance from its customary site to take place on Churchfields. It grew to be a large gathering of amusements which by the 1960s stretched the entire length of the

ground. Then, as in the 17th century, members of the Court Leet made a formal visit as part of their annual meeting. In more recent years, the fair went into decline, however, until it was no longer commercially viable.

The history of the town’s fair is one of the topics in this year’s edition of the Bromsgrove Rousler, the annual local history magazine published by the Bromsgrove Society.

Fairground enthusiast and historian Graham Downie looks at the development of the fair in Bromsgrove and other north Worcestershire locations and its part in local life.

Other articles in this year’s issue focus on Worcestershire’s connections to the Titanic, the impact on Bromsgrove of the Priestley Riots of 1791, residents’ memories and old photographs of Lickey End and attempts to tackle Bromsgrove’s housing crisis following the First and Second World Wars.

Copies of the latest Rousler are available to purchase from many local shops and businesses, priced £2.95. It can also be ordered online from www.bsoc.co.uk

by Mike Sharpe

24 Completely Bromsgrove

Advertisement Feature

Senior Snippets – tips for flu prevention W

elcome to the latest 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.

This month we are going to share some very important tips on how to keep well in cold weather. As the weather begins to turn, flu season nears. Now more than ever it is vital that we do everything that we can to avoid catching the flu, especially if you are elderly or in a vulnerable category.

Here are our top tips for keeping well in winter Get a flu jab.This one is the most important. Everyone over the age of 65, living in the UK is eligible for a flu jab and is encouraged to take up this free NHS service to protect themselves from the flu virus, which can be unpredictable and serious.You can get a flu jab at your GP’s surgery or participating pharmacies.

See your pharmacist if you aren’t feeling well. Even if you have just a cold, your pharmacist might be able to help you prevent it from becoming more serious. If you can’t physically get to a pharmacy, or you have a cough call them to discuss your symptoms. Many pharmacies now offer contactless delivery services. For more urgent advice, ring the NHS helpline on 111.

Keep warm. During the cold winter months, it is advisable to wear several layers of clothing, rather than one thick layer. Clothes made of cotton, wool or fleecy fibres help to maintain body heat and are better than silky and thin materials that don’t insulate well.

Keep mobile. Try not to sit still for more than an hour at a time. Even simply standing up to stretch your legs for a few

moments can help to increase your body temperature. If you have good mobility, moderate exercise is a great way of keeping warm when temperatures are low.

Drink warm beverages. When you get up to stretch, why not make yourself a hot drink to help keep you warm? You should also try to eat at least one hot meal a day. Making sure warm foods and drink are going into your system will keep your weight up and contribute to keeping your body temperature up.

Keep your medicine cabinet stocked. If you treat early onset symptoms of illness they are less likely to develop into anything more serious. By keeping your medicine cabinet stocked, you could avoid having to go out in the cold, if you do find yourself unwell. Do ask a family member or trusted neighbour to help if you can’t get out and about or have been advised to isolate.

We are living in strange times and it is natural to worry about health, so it’s important to think about what you can do to protect more vulnerable friends and family from the ill-effects of the cold.

At Home Instead Senior Care, our CAREGivers can help older people to stay well and help with many of the tips mentioned here.

I would love to hear from you, if you have a suggestion for a topic please write to me at annie.dixon-dunn@homeinstead. co.uk Alternatively, you can call me, Annie on 01564 741620.

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Completely Bromsgrove

25

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

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Completely Bromsgrove

27 

J-J is Strictly the right voice for radio A

n award-winning Bromsgrove dance performer and teacher has been invited by the BBC to review the new series of Strictly Come Dancing after proving a hit with listeners in 2019.

John-James will air his views on the eternally popular entertainment programme on BBC Hereford and Worcester’s Evening Show every Monday from now until the end of the series.

A dance performer and dance teacher for more than 20 years, J-J now runs his own company New Salsa but his journey to this point has been anything but traditional.

“I feel quite humbled to be invited by the BBC to review Strictly,” J-J told Completely Bromsgrove.

Although he trained and worked as a carpenter after leaving school, he always had a secondary career as an enter tainer, working the clubs, pubs and par ties, weekends and evenings as a magician.

“The show is now in its 18th season and I’ve watched them all. I teach group classes and professionals and the programme inspires them. They also enjoy commenting on some of the big talking points – and Strictly cer tainly has plenty of those.”

Who is J-J tipping to lift the prestigious glitterball trophy on December 19?

“There are a couple of pairings on my radar and I’m really excited by the prospect of the show’s first same sex couple, Nicola Adams and Katya Jones.

“As a double Olympic boxing gold medallist, Nicola will be familiar with high intensity training and, even though she has retired from the spor t, she will have impressive stamina levels.

“Katya is no nonsense, hard-working and approaches every performance like she is taking part in the world championships.

“Between them, they have the physical and psychological requirements to go all the way.”

28 Completely Bromsgrove

J-J then discovered mind reading, auto suggestion and psychology, before becoming a hypnotherapist, psychotherapist and a cer tified practitioner of neuro linguistic programming and later fell in love with dance after taking salsa lessons.

New Salsa specialise in many salsa styles including Cuban, X-Body, L.A, Columbian and Puer to Rican to enable par ticipants to dance salsa anywhere around the world. Not only has J-J taught salsa across the globe, he’s also been asked to perform in Cuba and help the local professionals brush up their skills.

The BBC have also featured his classes and performances on various shows and a film company is currently producing a dance TV show about what he does.

BBC Hereford and Worcester’s evening show runs from 7pm to 10pm. Listen on FM, DAB or via the BBC Sounds app - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds

Left to right: Kelly Turner (The Basement Project), Emma Williams (competition winner) and Åsa Cupitt – showcasing the 3 winning pendants

Homeless to benefit from ‘the people’s choice’ jewellery collection C

upitt Jeweller in Bromsgrove has launched a new jewellery collection and sales of the silver pendants will help benefit The North Worcestershire Basement Project.

The pendants are the result of a competition which the shop ran on social media during the pandemic lockdown. The ‘Design a Pendant’ competition attracted entries from budding designers across the town and beyond. The public were invited to vote for their preference from the shortlisted designs and three winners were selected.

The designs went into production in August, at Cupitt’s onsite workshop – where Goldsmith Keith Norton transformed the sketches into stunning items of 925 silver jewellery.

Emma Williams, an emergency services worker from Aston Fields, was one of the winners with her ‘leaf ’ design. She said: “I was very surprised to win considering the high quality of all the

entrants. It was a high point for me in what has been such a dismal year.”

The winners each received a £100 gift voucher to spend at Cupitt Jeweller and their pendants are now being sold in the shop under the brand ‘The People’s Choice’. £5 from the sale of each pendant will be donated to The North Worcestershire Basement Project, to help young people up to age 25 who are homeless or facing homelessness.

Kelly Turner, community fundraiser for The Basement Project, said: “Cupitt Jeweller raised money for us last year when Åsa and her team took part in the Cheltenham Devil Mud Run. We are delighted they are continuing to support us this year.”

Completely Bromsgrove

29

Blue Cross update D

ue to Covid-19 the Bromsgrove animal rehoming centre was closed for several weeks and there were limited numbers of staff on site to care for the animals. For a time, the charity wasn’t able to rehome the pets in our care and was limited to taking in emergency cases only. Happily, rehoming has begun again and anyone interested in taking on a pet can fill in an online form and arrange for introductions by appointment.

Due to the pandamic the centre couldn’t host their annual Summer fete which usually attracts thousands of visitors and it is always wonderful for the team to catch up with pets they had rehomed to new owners.

The event is always a big fundraiser for the charity so they were disappointed they didn’t have the opportunity to raise some much needed funds. Blue Cross in Bromsgrove is always grateful for the support of local animal lovers and know everyone who usually comes along really enjoys it, so the charity hopes to be able to host it again in 2021.

Top tips for the winter season

If left outside cats may seek warmth in dangerous car engines, or get trapped somewhere without access to food and water. Make sure their catflap doesn’t become frozen over and stuck so they can’t get back in. It is a good idea to keep them inside when it gets really cold, make sure they have a litter tray to use indoors.

Make sure pets are not left outdoors for too long, just like us they can develop hypothermia if they

30 Completely Bromsgrove

remain in the cold for long periods. Small pets like rabbits and guinea pigs are particularly vulnerable and you may want to bring them inside if possible, or make sure they have extra bedding to keep them warm.

Salt and grit can also be harmful to dogs and irritate their paws. After walks, wash their feet and make sure there is nothing stuck between their pads. Keep fur between pads trimmed to prevent ice-balls forming which can also be painful to them.

Be very careful if it is icy outdoors and keep your dog on the lead if you may pass frozen water. Call for help but don’t go after your dog if they do run onto ice, it can be extremely dangerous.

The Blue Cross pet rehoming centre in Bromsgrove rehomes hundreds of cats and dogs every year.

To contact the centre call 0300 777 1460 or email bromsgrove@bluecross.org.uk Visit www.bluecross.org.uk to see all the pets currently needing a new home or to make a donation towards their care.

Which local hero should be honoured with a gargoyle?

W

ith work on restoring St Michael and All Angels Church to its former glory nearing a start date, the Friends of Stoke Prior need residents’ help with a very important job.

There were 14 gargoyles on the corbel table of the tower but sadly age and weather have done their worst and the existing heads either no longer exist or are so badly damaged they need to be replaced.

But who should be up there? Do you know a local hero or someone from history who should be represented in stone?

All suggestions, with a brief overview of why this person should be preserved in stone, would be very much appreciated. Send your nominations to Cathy Stokes at castokes15@hotmail.com or call 01527 577069.

The closing date for nominations is Nov. 30th 2020.

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31 

Food and Drink

32  Completely Bromsgrove

Introducing our new cookery columnist Paul James I

’m so pleased and honoured to have been asked by Completely Bromsgrove to write a monthly column

As a retired professional chef, it would be easy to just share recipes with you but I’d like to take readers on a journey beyond those recipes and dishes.

I want to tell you about my culinary and cultural experiences about how these dishes came about, a potted history of the places I’ve been fortunate to have visited and a few funny stories along the way.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself.

A serious illness nearly took my life in 2017 and led to me having to give up the career I loved at the age of just 45. For the past three years I have been retired and, for the first two, I totally fell out of love for cooking and the industry - mainly due to feeling bitter about losing my career.

Last year on a short trip to Kassiopi in Corfu, something connected - seeing the culture and beautiful scenery, but mainly the amazing food that was on offer, rekindled the spark inside me.

I decided to get involved again and started my own Recipes From My Travels blog. To be honest, it started by just recreating recipes from places I’ve been fortunate enough to visit.

To start with I wasn’t very social media or computer savvy but the blog has now grown to more than

3,000 followers and well in access of two million reaches in a year.

My first book is due to be published soon with Austin Macauley and my first ebook, which is now available on Amazon/Kindle, is a day to day diary of my visit to New York last year with my youngest son Jay. The proceeds of this book will go to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Cancer Centre in Birmingham, which successfully treated my eldest son Mark last year.

Recipes From My Travels blog continues to promote the hospitality and tourism industry. I love collaborating with individuals or businesses on projects within these industries, helping them to set up and progress further.

The fantastic team behind Recipes From My Travels are now moving forward to make us one of the most recognised names in the hospitality and tourism industry worldwide.

We have chefs, consultants and backroom help, readily available from a very close knit family and friends set up.

On a personal note, without their help I would not have achieved any of this success so far. This is an amazing story from heartbreak to happiness so join us as a family on this incredible journey.

Completely Bromsgrove

33

A taste of Greece in your own home!

A

former Bromsgrove journalist is starting a new career after being made redundant during the Coronavirus pandemic – as an exclusive, private home Greek dinner party chef!

Pete Wallace, who previously worked as assistant editor on a group of weekly newspapers including the Bromsgrove Advertiser, spent a 35-year career working in local journalism, starting out at the tender age of 17 reporting on Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club for the long-defunct Bromsgrove Weekly Mail.

He began his full-time journalism career as a trainee reporter on the Redditch Advertiser in 1988, spending the next 32 years with Advertiser publisher Newsquest, eventually running six weekly titles – the Bromsgrove Advertiser, Redditch Advertiser, Kidderminster Shuttle, Stourbridge News, Halesowen News and Dudley News – before falling victim to redundancy, like tens of thousands of others, as the fallout from the economic impact of the pandemic took hold last summer.

But now he is seizing the opportunity to live his lifelong dream of cooking traditional Greek country cuisine – and he and new business partner Rowan Craig, a professional chef for 15 years, believe their venture – entitled Cooks in your Kitchen - has cornered a unique gap in the catering market.

your party to look after all of the cooking, and even finish by giving it a thorough, professional clean before we go – leaving you free to enjoy your evening with your guests!

“We offer an extensive menu to choose from, and each dinner party features around 15 different dishes, the ethos being, like in traditional Greek family homes, guests can help themselves to some of this, some of that, while chatting, enjoying a few glasses of wine – a proper feast which will most likely become a talking point in itself!

“We think it’s a fantastic, relaxed way to spend a memorable evening with friends and/or family without the hassle of having to do any of the work!”

Cooks in your Kitchen is now taking bookings – email contact@cooksinyourkitchen.co.uk or visit the Cooks in your Kitchen page on Facebook to learn more.

Pete said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my long and successful time in journalism, but my real passion has always been for cooking – and especially the wonderful flavours of proper Greek food.

“I know from first-hand experience just how stressful hosting a dinner party can be when you’re the one responsible for doing all the cooking – you barely get time to chat with the guest you invited over to catch up with in the first place because you’re up to your eyes in work, and by the time you finally get chance to sit down and say ‘hello’, they’re usually nearly ready to go home – leaving you with a kitchen full of mess and washing up to face!

“At Cooks in your Kitchen we aim to make that a thing of the past – after personally helping you plan your menu we then do all your shopping, take over your kitchen on the afternoon of

34 Completely Bromsgrove

Pete Wallace

Rowan Craig

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35 Completely Bromsgrove

Completely Bromsgrove

35

Lamb, Aubergine and Spinach Pot

RECIPE

Serves 4

L

ean lamb cut from the leg or shoulder is best for this richly flavoured braise.Trim away any fat or sinew before cutting the meat into even-sized pieces.The dish can also be cooked in the oven in a casserole with a tight-fitting lid at 170°C (fan 150°C)/325°F/gas mark 3.

Method: Heat half the oil in a large sauté pan or flameproof casserole and brown the lamb in batches over a fairly high heat. Remove the pieces with a slotted spoon as they brown and set aside.

Add the rest of the oil to the pan and lower the heat. Fry the onions for 10 minutes until softened, then add the paprika, aubergine, orange pepper and garlic and fry for a further 5 minutes.

Stir in the Kikkoman Tamari Gluten-free soy sauce, tomatoes and stock and bring to a simmer. Return the lamb to the pan, cover and simmer over a low heat for 1 hour or until the lamb is tender, stirring occasionally.

Uncover the pan, stir in the shredded spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until the leaves wilt. Serve with boiled rice.

Preparation time: 20 mins | Cooking time: 1½ hours

36 Completely Bromsgrove

Ingredients: 4tbsp vegetable oil 500g lean lamb, diced 2 medium onions, peeled and chopped 2tsp paprika 1 aubergine, cut into 2.5cm chunks 1 orange pepper, deseeded and chopped 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped 2tbsp Kikkoman Tamari Gluten-free soy sauce 400g can chopped tomatoes 300ml lamb stock 175g spinach leaves, shredded

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www.cantomandobromsgrove.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

37

Advertisement Feature

Well turned out at last!

W

ell, it took a while but it’s been worth the wait. The Hanbury Turn, one of the historic Stoke Heath watering holes, has been transformed.

The pub has seen a major refurbishment but retains its charm as an old-fashioned English pub with a great selection of real ale, and gives the chance for quiet conversation and friendship in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The scheduled re-opening in March was halted by the lockdown but the doors were finally thrown open in July and hosts, Gary & Sandra Eddington, were able to greet old and new customers and show them around the new-look pub and beer garden. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive and Gary & Sandra have been delighted to hear so many happy, returning customers giving top marks to the range of 12 real ales and ciders always on sale, and the enormous crusty cobs and homemade scotch eggs that are freshly prepared every day.

plus the happy relaxed atmosphere of an old-fashioned English pub. To view the rooms please look on-line or just ask when you visit the pub – you won’t be disappointed.

The rooms are named Hanbury, Grasshopper and New Inn – all of the names that the pub has traded under in over 100 years serving Stoke Heath.

Room bookings, Quiz etc. Tel: 01527 879539, email thehanburyturnbca@gmail.com, or Facebook.

The regular visit of a “wood-fired” Pizza Van is becoming habit forming for many who are happy to swap the kitchen for the pub after a hard day’s work. From November 10th and every Tuesday thereafter the Pizza Van will be firing up the woodburning stove as the perfect accompaniment to the new Quiz Night which runs every Tuesday Evening.

But not content with having a pub that opens all day, every day, Gary & Sandra have now opened 3 luxury bed & breakfast rooms. All the comfort of a good hotel stay,

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38 Completely Bromsgrove

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COMPETITION

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Christmas is just around the corner I

n this issue of Completely Bromsgrove I am going to write about something different than a health problem.

Being a beauty therapist and aromatherapist for more years than I wish to remember I recommend this gel to all my clients. The advanced skin care products that I use with redox signalling molecules are the only products available with these amazing molecules and they would make beautiful Christmas presents.

In this issue I am going to give away an 80ml tube of the Renu Gel in a free to enter competition.

This is the world’s first and only cellular health company with redox molecule products. Redox molecules are foundational to cellular communication, cellular repair and cellular health. Everything will work better and is backed by scientifically proven results.

The gel contains just four ingredients: • Water • Sodium chloride, these first two ingredients have been transformed into redox signalling molecules • Sodium magnesium fluorosilicate, an inert synthetic clay to make it a gel • Monosodium phosphate, a pH buffer to make it just right for the skin.

by Colette Garside colette@thegarsides.net

40 Completely Bromsgrove

WIN a 80ml Tube of Renu Gel All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is send your name, email and phone number to colette@need4change.com and tell me what you would use the gel for?

Anti-ageing benefits are: • 23% increase in smoothness • 22% improvement in skin texture • 20% increase in elasticity • 23% improvement in wrinkles • 11% increase in moisture • Sustained improvements with 55% increase after four days This product can be used in more than 50 ways and would also be a useful addition to your first aid box. Here are just a few: • Reduction of wrinkles on face, neck, chest, arms, hands • Reduce cellulite on legs and tummy • Soothe itchy or dry scalp • Normalise oily skin • Soothe feet after long workouts • Reduce skin tags • Tighten skin around the eyes • Soothe and minimise cracked heels • Improve blotchy skin • Soothe itchy skin anywhere on the body • Reduce stretch marks • Reduce pain and heat in sore muscles • Soothe nappy rash

Autumn adventures with the National Trust in Worcestershire

A

utumn is one of the best times to have an outdoors adventure and the National Trust is offering plenty of inspiration to families in the Midlands.

Autumn is one of the best times to have an outdoors adventure and the National Trust is offering plenty of inspiration to families in the Midlands.

For details of family days out in Worcestershire visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/octoberhalf-term-in-worcestershire.

The conservation charity is calling on its visitors to pull on their wellies and waterproofs to enjoy the wonders of this colourful season.

The charity has plenty of activities to help keep families busy with spotter sheets to download to help children identify all sorts of nature from leaves and woodland creatures, to garden wildlife.

In Worcestershire there are miles of parkland paths, woodland walks and gardens to explore, with piles of leaves to run through and muddy puddles to jump in.

Families can download nature activity sheets before visiting, or make their own adventures by creating wild art, building dens or playing hide and seek. Many places have tea-rooms or catering kiosks open, ready for those muchneeded refreshments.

There’s also how-to guides providing inspiration for fun at home with stargazing, baking, and bird feeder-making tips: www. nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/ family-activities-foroutdoor-adventures.

Emma Hawthorne, assistant director for the National Trust in the Midlands, said: “Autumn’s beautiful backdrop, its crunchy carpets of leaves and glossy conkers create a natural playground for children. For families who love exploring the great outdoors, there’s plenty of seasonal delights to discover and we’d love everyone to share their National Trust adventures with us using #EveryoneNeedsNature.

“We need your support now more than ever, and every visit you make helps us to care for these places, so that future generations of families can continue to enjoy them.”

To ensure everyone’s safety at this time, the Trust recommends booking visits in advance, especially at busy times like weekends. Every Friday new tickets are released for the following week and can be booked via the webpage of the property you wish to visit.

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Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful supports D of E students I

nspired by the activity which took place in Bromsgrove during the Great British September Clean, KBB were approached by local students who had just made the commitment to work towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

The scheme is available for any young person aged 14-24 years, and, if successfully completed, can lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. To achieve the award the young people must complete sections which involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition. The D of E scheme is all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.

One of the activities suggested by the D of E programme for the community element is volunteering to litter pick. When the team at KBB were contacted they were keen to quickly work out how they could offer the opportunity for the students to achieve the required contribution.

On Sunday 11th October, four Year 11 students from South Bromsgrove High School were the first to take part in a Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful organised litter pick aimed specifically at the D of E participants. With KBB member Julia Harper leading the group, they met at the Stoke Heath recreation ground at Hanbury Turn and set about cleaning up the area.

Charlie Beaver, Jonathan Schofield, Evan Watts and Lewis Shorrock have each made the commitment to carry out a litter pick for an hour each week for six months. They will report in to KBB via the Facebook page so that their volunteer hours can be recorded and officially signed off as a contribution towards their Silver Award.

The students were each given a litter picking kit containing a white KBB high vis vest, a bag hoop and a litter picker. The kit has been generously sponsored by Worcestershire County Councillor Shirley Webb, who has supported KBB since its inception.

KBB Founder and Chair Sarah Milburn said. “We are so excited to be able to give this opportunity to the D of E students. Litter picking is all about creating behaviour change - the more we show pride in our neighbourhoods and communities, the more people will want to look after the areas. When others see volunteers out and about, or via social media, it sends a message to them - and ultimately we hope that will result in less litter dropped, less to pick up and a better environment for all.”

To find out more visit www.facebook.com/groups/ KeepBromsgroveBeautiful

42 Completely Bromsgrove

by Jo Slade

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Discover unique Christmas gifts at art exhibition A IR (Art in Redditch) was not able to have the usual pop up gallery in May due to Covid-19. However, we are hoping to hold our November gallery depending on government guidelines.

From October 5th until November 26th we have a static exhibition with fantastic art and ceramics for sale in the former Body Shop store in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre in Redditch.

The exhibition has been set up by AIR with artists from Redditch Art Circle and Lickey Hills all contributing. Originals – no prints - are all available for purchase. Details and prices are displayed on the window.

The November pop gallery will take place in the same shop from 26 November until 6 December depending on the Covid-19 situation.

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Pupils of Chaddesley with professor Barry carpenter OBE trialling his wordless books

A School with excellent practice, equality, well-being & learning success at its heart

T

his year has been a difficult year for everyone, but at Chaddesley Corbett Primary School we have ensured that our ‘can do’ attitude has remained at the foremost and that children really are at the heart of everything we do.

All through lock down we were open to children of key workers and as soon as schools opened to other year groups, we wanted to allow as many children as possible to benefit from our beautiful outdoor environment but in as safe a way as possible. As reception, Year 1 and Year 6 returned to school, we invited our other year groups in, once a week, for a socially distanced forest school session which parents reported was a lifesaver for their children, as weeks of home schooling had taken their toll on parents and children alike. Children were able to see their friends again and play purposefully, leaving their anxieties behind and enjoying positive experiences.

workbooks with key skills we want our children to achieve by the time they leave us. These skills are broad and balanced and develop useful lifelong resources that children will draw on throughout their future.

Our school has extensive outdoor facilities, with a sensory garden, two forest school areas, trim trails and outdoor cookery areas, gardening areas as well as an amphitheatre and an enormous field. We can really spread out!

Chaddesley Corbett Primary School has been on a journey of sustained improvement for the last five years and really is a superb choice for families, we are what we have always believed to be most impor tant- proper primary educators. We are fully inclusive and as well as academic rigour, we focus on the individual and families. Service is one of our core values and we always give our utmost to serve our families well.

This year we have really focused on ensuring our curriculum is both rigorous and makes excellent use of our outdoor spaces. With the help of a local exper t we have designed outdoor learning

44 Completely Bromsgrove

Additionally we are using our expertise in children’s wellbeing to achieve the NCB Wellbeing award and have been involved with Professor Barry Carpenter OBE in the development of his wordless books to help children nationwide recover from the effects of lockdown and the ongoing fears that COVID 19 creates. We have been an integral par t of developing the Recovery Curriculum.

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

46  Completely Bromsgrove

Virtual camp & blended programmes are a hit!

3 Peaks challenge

S

couting in Bromsgrove is very much alive and autumn is turning out to be a busy season.

Groups are finally able to return to meeting face to face, which is great for both young people and leaders alike.

A camp blanket badge, designed and sold with any profits donated to Primrose Hospice, sold out by the end of camp.

At the moment we are only permitted to hold sessions outdoors and for smaller groups, but this isn’t stopping our leaders providing a fantastic programme. Sessions must go through a rigorous approval process and all must be socially distanced in order for us to protect school bubbles, but this isn’t affecting the spirit of scouting. Just to see the smiles and hear the laughs makes all the hard work worthwhile.

One of the main entries in our calendar is our Remembrance Sunday parade. Unfortunately we cannot attend these this year, so we needed another way to pay our respects and raise money to help such a worthy cause.

We are now offering blended programmes, some face to face and some virtual. The feedback has been excellent and young people have been able to earn their badges.

At the beginning of the month we decided to run an all section district virtual camp, we chose the theme and named it Camp Phoenix, taking young people back to Hogwarts. This was the first digital camp we have run where all age groups were invited.

More than 300 young people signed up to spend a weekend of Horcux searching, goblin slime, wand and broomstick making and much more.

The weekend was a great success as we received hundreds of photos and videos of the work the young people had completed. The amount of social media messages and emails of thanks has been overwhelming.

On October 31st for seven days, our young people and leaders took part in our Virtually The 3 Peaks Challenge.

Each section will be climbing at least one of the peaks using steps or stairs at home. They will be raising sponsorship and donations will be gratefully received via the details on our Facebook page.

All sections will be asked to paint Bromsgrove red by displaying coloured poppies or even window displays in their homes. They can upload photos to Facebook using the hashtag #scoutsbromsgrovepoppy and the best one will win a limited edition poppy bear.

On Remembrance Sunday we will pay our respects by standing on our doorstep in uniform, clapping for our veterans and ex-servicemen at 11.02am.

If you want to learn new skills, have fun and join the Scouting family, why not volunteer to help us provide our young people with skills for life.

Please email dc.Bromsgrove@scoutshw.org.uk for more details and to get involved.

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Cycle ride to commemorate school opening

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his year Bromsgrove School had hoped to come together with the town of Llanwrtyd Wells to celebrate their combined history 80 years on.

At the start of the Second World War the Senior School was evacuated to the small Welsh town and on September 20th 1940, Bromsgrove Junior School opened its doors with just 16 pupils. From these small foundations the Junior School flourished and it now has more than 500 pupils.

with pianos, goalposts, bedding and blackboards transferred the School to Wales. By September 30th, 240 boys (only 35 less than were on the register) was in its temporary home. Hotels became dormitories and the Abernant Lake Hotel at Llanwrtyd Wells became Bromsgrove School’s main home for four years.

Sadly the planned celebrations had to be postponed but some of the school’s intrepid staff decided to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of Bromsgrove Prep School in their own way.

As the war intensified and the threat of invasion grew, parents of younger boys asked for their sons to be taken under Bromsgrove School care. Bombing raids on major towns and cities led Mr Walters to believe that a Prep School was needed to accommodate the growing need.

Organised by Gareth Jones, the Prep School’s head of boys PE, 14 cyclists, all members of school staff, took on the challenge of riding from Llanwrtyd Wells to Bromsgrove, with four riders completing a round trip of 180 miles.

Mr Jones said: “Sunday, September 27th is a day that will stay long in the memory for so many reasons. To cycle from where we were based in Llanwrtyd Wells back to Bromsgrove was a symbolic thing to do. I first thought about the idea during lockdown as it was reported that 1.3 million people bought bikes and it also coincided with the founding of the Prep School in Wales, my home country.

“Cycling through beautiful countryside either side of the border helped to ensure that the day ran smoothly.

A great day was had by all cyclists and staff who drove the minibus.”

The story of the school’s evacuation to Wales is as follows: Eighty-one years ago Bromsgrove School moved to Llanwrtyd Wells after the School buildings were requisitioned by the Ministry of War on September 7th 1939. Headmaster David Walters had received notification this was a possibility in April 1939 and had arranged with a hotel owner in Llanwrtyd Wells to provide a home for the School should the need arise.

From September 9th 1939, 60 Pickford Vans loaded

48 Completely Bromsgrove

On September 20th 1940, Bromsgrove Junior School opened its doors with just 16 pupils, housed at Llanwrtyd Hall, Station Road. The sight of a ‘crocodile’ of 16 boys aged six to 12 walking two by two through Llanwrtyd Wells earned them the nickname of ‘The Zoo’, a name that stuck and was adopted by Old Bromsgrovians who were the original Prep School pupils.

Artrix owners unveil plans in search of sustainable future

T

he owners of Bromsgrove’s theatre and arts venue Artrix have unveiled the next stage of plans to find a sustainable future for the facility.

Artrix, which is owned by the Artrix Holding Trust, a registered charity, has been closed since March 16 when Covid-19 restrictions began, with its former operator having gone into administration shortly afterwards.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing pandemic the trust is working to develop sustainable plans for the future of Artrix, supported by the national Theatres Trust.

Now the trust is set to invite businesses, arts organisations, members of the public and any interested parties to engage with that work and ensure that their ideas and plans for the venue are fed into the discussion.

Councillor Margaret Sherrey, chair of the Artrix Holding Trust, said: “The trust is currently exploring how best to secure a sustainable future for Artrix.

“As part of this work and before any decisions are made, there will be opportunities for all interested parties to engage with this process and put forward their own sustainable ideas and plans. We appreciate the interest the community has shown so far.

Community engagement is absolutely vital.”

The work, which will cover the opportunities, requirements, and challenges of running Artrix,

will result in a new set of specifications for the sustainable future operation of the venue.

Margaret added: “Of course, the trust’s decisions about Artrix must also meet our charitable objects, which include advancing education, increasing appreciation and understanding of the arts, and providing recreational facilities for people in Bromsgrove.

“This is the duty of the trust, whose trustees are appointed by both Bromsgrove District Council and Heart of Worcestershire College.”

The trust can be contacted at artrix.trust.info@ bromsgrove.gov.uk and keep reading Completely Bromsgrove for more details coming soon.

Artrix, which can accommodate 500 people across its two spaces, first opened in 2005. As well as supporting local performing arts communities, the Glenn Howells-designed facility on Slideslow Drive in Bromsgrove has played host to a diverse range of national and international class musical acts, comedy, drama, and dance, as well as hosting cinema screenings, live streaming, exhibitions and arts events.

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AVONCROFT CRICKET CLUB

Croft’s thoughts turn to 2021 season A

voncroft CC’s season finished in positive fashion with the First and Second XIs winning their final games of the season.

For the Firsts, who came out on top in a close match against local rivals Bromsgrove Seconds, it was a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging season on the pitch which saw them finish bottom of their mini-league.

There are many hurdles to overcome, not least finding somewhere for the team to play, but this is a positive sign as the club continues to grow. www.avoncroftcc.co.uk

That said, performances picked up as the season went on and there is much to build upon as the club moves into 2021. Captain Dan Elliott finished as the side’s leading run-scorer with 324 runs, whilst Jon Hunter led the bowlers with 19 wickets.

Croft’s Second XI faired better with a weekend victory over Astwood Bank leaving them with a record of five wins and five defeats and a midtable finish for their efforts. For the Seconds, Duncan Roke took the batting plaudits with 277 runs whilst new signing Alex Richardson topped the bowling table with 13 wickets.

Thanks to the efforts of Croft’s dedicated volunteers, their Stoke Heath ground is now put to bed for the winter and thoughts will swiftly turn to preparation for 2021.

The key priority for the club is the introduction of a Third XI on Saturday to enable the growing numbers of juniors coming through the ranks to transition into competitive cricket.

50 Completely Bromsgrove

by Paul Athey

Cautious start to season for Sporting A

fter weeks of uncertainly and a lot of planning to take account of COVID-19 measures, Bromsgrove Sporting’s season finally got underway on September 19th with a tense home draw against Coalville Town.

The fixture computer has not been kind to the Rouslers with early matches against some of the top teams but at the time of writing they have also drawn with Tamworth, won against Biggleswade Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds but lost to Rushall Olympic and league leaders Needham Market.

Cautious start of season for Bromsgrove Sporting Unfortunately, Sporting’s FA Cup run never got going with a home defeat against Stratford Cautious start of season for Bromsgrove Sporting After weeks of uncertainly lot of planning to take account of COVID-19 measures, Bromsgrove Sporting's Town in the First Qualifying Round. Better fortune is hoped for in and theaFA Trophy when Sporting season finally got underway on September 19th with a tense home draw against Coalville Town.

After weeks of uncertainly and a lot of planning to take account of COVID-19 measures, Bromsgrove Sporting's host old rivals Coleshill Town at the Victoria Ground.

The fixture computer has noton been kind to the with early against some ofTown. the top teams but at the season finally got underway September 19thRouslers with a tense homematches draw against Coalville As with all non-league clubs, there are more player movements thandrawn withwith theTamworth, big teams and time of writing they have also won against Biggleswade Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds The fixture computer has not been kind to the Rouslers with early matches against some of the top teams but at the but lost to Aram Rushall Soleman Olympic and league leaders Market.

Sporting are no exception with Harry Higginson and onTamworth, butNeedham Shrewsbury time of writing they have also moving drawn with won against Biggleswade Town and AFC Rushden & Diamonds Town centre-back Luke Ward joining the ranks.

Unfortunately, Sporting’s Cupleague run never gotNeedham going withMarket. a home defeat against Stratford Town in the First but lost to Rushall OlympicFAand leaders Round.Cowley Better fortune is hoped inVictoria the FA Trophy when Sporting host old rivals Coleshill Town at the One surprise signing was the club’s leading Qualifying scorer Jason tofor the Unfortunately, Sporting’s FAreturning Cup run never got going with a home defeat against Stratford Town in the First Victoria Ground.

Round.

Betterthe fortune in the Trophy when Sporting host old rivals Coleshill Town at the Ground after his move to Macclesfield Town Qualifying fell through when Mossis hoped Rose for club wasFAwound As with all non-league clubs, there are more player movements than with the big teams and Sporting are no Victoria Ground. up in the High Court due to unpaid debts. exception with Harry Higginson and Aram Soleman moving on but Shrewsbury Town centre-back Luke Ward joining As with all non-league clubs, there are more player movements than with the big teams and Sporting are no the ranks. still in place, the club has been very active With a Government-imposed limit of a 600exception crowd with Harry Higginson and Aram Soleman moving on but Shrewsbury Town centre-back Luke Ward joining in applying government guidelines such as temperature checking, social distancing andJason wearing One surprise signing was the club's leading scorer Cowley returning to the Victoria Ground after his move to the ranks.

Macclesfield Town fell through when the Moss Rose club was wound up in the High Court due to unpaid debts. of face masks.

One surprise signing was the club's leading scorer Jason Cowley returning to the Victoria Ground after his move to With aof Government-imposed ofthe athe 600 crowd stillclub in place, the club been very active applying Macclesfield Town fell throughlimit when Moss Rose was uphas in the High Court dueinto unpaid government debts.

The last two matches have been played in front capacity crowds with convenience of wound guidelines such as temperature checking, social distancing and wearing of face masks.

With aand Government-imposed limitbe of aable 600 crowd in place, fans being able to buy tickets for matches on-line to know they will to getstillinto the the club has been very active in applying government Baker The last two matches beenwithout played ininternet front distancing of capacity crowds withof the convenience fans Phil being able to buy guidelines such as temperature checking, social and wearing face masks. ofby ground.

However, forhave those access, tickets for matches on-line and to know they will be able to get into the ground. However, for those without internet The last two matches have been played in front of capacity crowds with the convenience of fans being able to buy arrangements are being made particularly for access, arrangements are being made particularly for older fans to buy tickets in the club shop before they are tickets for matches on-line and to know they will be able to get into the ground. However, for those without internet older fansviato tickets in(www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk). the club shop before they are availablematches via theare as follows: available thebuy club’s website Forthcoming access, arrangements are being made particularly for older fans to buy tickets in the club shop before they are club’s website Forthcoming matches are as follows: available via thewww.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk club’s websiteKick-Off (www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk). Forthcoming matches follows: Date Venueare as Opponents Date

Kick-Off

Venue

Opponents

Saturday 31st October

3:00 p.m.

FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

Home

Coleshill Town

Saturday3rd 31stNovember October Tuesday

3:00 7:45 p.m.

FA TrophyLeague 3rd Qualifying Southern PremierRound Central

Home

Coleshill Barwell Town

Tuesday 3rd Saturday 7th November November

7:45 p.m.

3:00

Southern League Premier Central

Home Away

Barwell Borough Nuneaton

7th November Saturday 14th November

3:00 p.m.

Southern League Premier Central

Away Home

Nuneaton Borough Leiston

Saturday 14thNovember November Tuesday 17th

3:00 7:45 p.m.

Southern League Premier Central

Home Away

Leiston Redditch United

Tuesday Saturday17th 21st November November

7:45 3:00 p.m.

Southern League Premier Central

Away

Redditch United St Ives Town (Cambs)

Saturday 21st November November Tuesday 24th

3:00 7:45 p.m.

Southern League Premier Central

Away Home

St Ives Town (Cambs) Peterborough Sports

Tuesday Saturday24th 28thNovember November

7:45 3:00 p.m.

Southern League Premier Central

Home Away

Peterborough Royston Town Sports

Saturday 28th November

3:00 p.m.

Southern League Premier Central

Away

Royston Town

Despite the pandemic, the Colts teams have managed to continue with their fixtures Despite the pandemic, the Colts teams have managed to continue with their fixtures as has the newly formed as has the women’s team sit games, at thedrawn top twice of their league having women’s teamnewly-formed who sit at the top of their league havingwho won two and only lost one so far.

Despite the pandemic, the Colts teams have managed to continue with their fixtures as has the newly formed won three, drawn once and only lost one so far. women’s team who sit at the top of their league having won two games, drawn twicePhotos and only by lostChris one so far.

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