Completely Bromsgrove issue 25 Dec/Jan '21

Issue 25

Dec. 2020/ Jan. 2021

Completely

Bromsgrove

Turn the page to see ou

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Welcome

W

elcome to the final issue for 2020 – and what a year it has been!

Coronavirus has dominated the year, keeping families apart and forcing many people to isolate for long periods.

With Prime Minister Boris Johnson promising us a slightly more flexible Christmas period, I do hope it will enable our readers to experience some long-awaited joy and happiness just when we need it most. Please continue to exercise caution and remember the handsface-space guidance.

This issue is packed full of great articles and features to help with your Christmas planning and highlighting some of our wonderful independent retailers that really need your suppor t more than ever.

I appreciate that it is easy to sit on our phones or electronic devices and trawl the net for bargains but if we do not support independent businesses we will lose them!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy and healthy Christmas and to thank all our contributors and advertisers for their continued suppor t. Without you, Completely Bromsgrove would not be possible.

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16

Contents 6 8 9 12 14 16 18 19

Women In Business Sajid Javid Simon Creed Festive Garden Waste Midland Waterlife B’grove Climate Action Gardening with Karl Gardening with Suzi M

20 22 24 25 26 27 28 30 31

Completely

4 Completely Bromsgrove

Very best wishes,

31 Rail Matters Branded 4 U A Greener Christmas Christmas Market Worcestershire Wildlife Christmas Treecycle Recipe Health and Wellbeing Senior Snippets

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

So, with fingers crossed and a vaccine in sight, I’m sure you will all join with me in hoping that 2021 will be a healthier and brighter year.

47 32 34 35 36 37 38 46 47

The Future of Travel Jenniffer Taylor, Author A Tribute to Reg Court Leet Zoom in!

History Education Pepper Wood B’grove 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.

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.

To arrange a virtual tour or one-to-one video chat, please call 01527 907828 or email paul.chambers@careuk.com

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Rebekka’s pet project thrives in challenging times A

passion for animal care has taken Rebekka Fiorani from after school helper to practice director for Clent Hills Vets, which has premises in Bromsgrove town centre, Rubery and Hagley.

Completely Bromsgrove caught up with Rebekka to find out how her career has developed over the past two-and-a-half decades and discuss her future plans.

Rebekka’s long-lasting relationship with the group began in 1996 when she started cleaning kennels at the Hagley Surgery after school to earn some pocket money. After sitting A levels, she joined MSF (later to be known as Countrywide) in Bromsgrove but continued to work on evening reception at the surgery.

“My heart was always in agriculture and I’d always anticipated managing a branch of Countrywide,” she said. “However, that wasn’t forthcoming and in 2002 the practice asked if I’d like to work for them full time.

“I was told I could train as a nurse, pharmacist or practice manager, with a view to taking over from the existing practice manager in four years’ time. In 2004 the practice manager decided to take early retirement and I took over as group practice manager, overseeing the building of the new equine department.”

Five years later Rebekka was thrilled to be invited to join the par tnership and since then the practice has gone from strength to strength, moving to larger premises and developing a hydrotherapy centre in Bromsgrove, and opening a surgery in Rubery.

Rebekka has overseen impressive growth at the practice over the past 16 years. In 2004 it had 20 employees and that figure has leapt to 75. She admitted that she and her colleagues “haven’t looked back” following the switch from Stourbridge Road to a more central location.

“It’s been brilliant on so many fronts. We have so much more room and this gives us the opportunity for further growth.”

The practice prides itself on offering a multimodal approach to treatment, as Rebekka explained.

“As well as traditional veterinary medicine, the addition of our pet fitness & rehabilitation centre has enabled us to provide a much more complete healthcare service.

Complementary therapies like physiotherapy and hydrotherapy are used alongside a pet’s veterinary treatment plan, to aid and even speed up recovery, and reduce reliance on medication in some cases.” Educating

6 Completely Bromsgrove

Rebekka Fiorani of Clent Hills Vets

owners to ensure their pets stay healthy is also impor tant and it seems that animal lovers are keen to learn more.

A recent webinar on first aid attracted 125 people and similar events in the future are a possibility.

“When the lockdown was announced in March, we had to turn the business inside out within 48 hours. As an essential service we could stay open, and we did everything we could to make our practices COVID-secure, and ensure that we could provide vital pet healthcare where needed. Some staff were furloughed and routine appointments such as vaccinations and neutering were put back, however, the phone rang incessantly and we’ve been very busy.”

To conclude the interview, we asked Rebekka – who shares an acre of land in Upton Warren with a cat, chickens, alpacas and a tortoise – about her future plans.

“There are no new practices on the horizon as we have three very good ones plus the fitness & rehab centre.

Consolidation is the priority – to continue doing what we’re doing and doing it well.” www.clenthillsvets.co.uk

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A message from our MP

T

he Prime Minister has announced that, from December 2nd, we will reintroduce a localised system of restrictions based on strengthened tiers.

During November, progress in two key areas has been made. The first is on mass testing, with our capacity now at 500,000 tests per day and trials of rapid testing in Liverpool showing promising signs.

The second is on vaccines. Not just one – but three – vaccines have shown effectiveness in protecting individuals against Covid-19.

The virus is still present, and that means we need to keep a level of restrictions on a local level. I’m in regular contact with public health officials and our local authorities. We must continue the work to battle this virus. We all have our part to play, so please do your bit by washing your hands, wearing a face covering and following the restrictions in place.

As I write this column, we are fast approaching my sixth annual Jobs Fair on November 27. I usually host the event at North Bromsgrove High School, but due to public health restrictions, the event is being held online this year. More than 30 fantastic local businesses will attend the Fair, with over 2,000 oppor tunities on offer for local residents. Local and national organisations will be in attendance, including firms such as JCB, Oakland International, ATS Climate, Lloyds and West Mercia Police.

I am determined to support local job seekers in any way that I can and help back the strongest possible economic recovery from this virus. In that spirit, I also recently hosted a roundtable with local businesses in

8 Completely Bromsgrove

Bromsgrove District. Listening to their experiences and thoughts on policy forms an important part of my work as an MP, and I look forward to more meetings in future.

In November, I also pressed the Prime Minister in Parliament on skills and education. We know closing schools in March impacted our children greatly, par ticularly those who are most disadvantaged. I asked the Prime Minister for an assurance that he will do whatever it takes to make up for lost ground, and that the Government will never again contemplate closing schools. I welcomed his response.

In what will be my last Completely Bromsgrove article before Christmas, I would like to wish all readers a happy and safe festive period. If I can be of any support, please do get in touch via sajid.javid.mp@parliament.uk This article was written before the Jobs Fair on November 27.

Simon says it’s time to be proud of our town and village centres Cometh the hour, cometh Bromsgrove District Council’s new centres manager.

S

imon Creed is on a mission to make the town centre and retail areas of Aston Fields, Catshill, Rubery, Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Hagley and Wythall more vital and vibrant as they emerge from the chaos caused by Covid.

As par t of his role, Simon will engage with local businesses and provide them with a voice. He will also lead on promotional activities and organise events, a natural fit for Simon, who has a background in ar ts and entertainment.

Simon is also keen for retail businesses to take advantage of the online platform Shop Appy, which will soon be rolled out across Bromsgrove and Rubery.

Completely Bromsgrove asked Simon why he had decided to apply for the role.

“People who don’t want to go out can browse local stores from the comfort of their own home. You can ‘visit’ as many shops as you like and the stores will handle the transaction and organisational side.”

“Prior to March 23 I was head of operations at Artrix in Bromsgrove but once the lockdown came the venue went from having a pretty healthy daily cash flow to zero. We made the hard, but I think, right call to go into insolvency.

Born and raised in Cardiff, Simon studied cultural and media studies at the University of South Wales at Newpor t before landing a job as a technician at an ar ts centre in St Donat’s.

“It was a pretty tough time as I was self employed but fell through the cracks when it came to funding and my wife Suzi, who is an actor and director, saw her work dry up too.

“I was there for just over two years and learned so much about lighting, sound and live production. It gave me a real buzz.”

“When I saw this role come up four years ago I thought it wasn’t for me but this time around I realised that I had a lot of transferrable skills, resources and contacts that would be useful.

“I’ve lived in Bromsgrove for ten years and want to give something back. Even though Covid has had a huge impact and the world has changed with more people using Amazon and eBay, going into a town centre is an experience and the good local cafes that have opened such as Morso in Barnt Green and Bayleys in Bromsgrove, help to entice people to the High Street.”

When the funding for Simon’s role ran out, he moved to Alton Towers as a venue technician, staying in Staffordshire for three years and meeting Suzi, a dancer in the theme park’s live shows.

The couple worked on a cruise liner for a few months before settling in the Midlands when Simon worked at the newly refurbished Birmingham Hippodrome for ten years and Midlands Arts Centre.

Completely Bromsgrove wishes Simon well in his new role and rest assured we’ll be keeping readers up to date with all the initiatives and events planned in your area over future months.

Completely Bromsgrove

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Garden waste crews share festive TikTok gift with customers F

ather-daughter crew members Paul and Kim are back with a festive Garden Waste announcement for Bromsgrove and Redditch residents.

Social media saw the return of the jedi-loving pair who went viral earlier in the year for their TikTok talents.

Filmed just before the second lockdown, the pair are back again to let customers know that garden waste collections will be continuing throughout the winter and rolling into next year’s service with a two week break (w/c December 21st and 28th).

The service, which covers Bromsgrove and Redditch, usually ends in November and begins again in February/March but was ceased for several weeks earlier in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The extended service aims to make up for the missed collections and support residents in making the most of their gardens and get the full value of the service for the year.

It will resume the week commencing January 4th or January 11th, depending on which collection sequence customers are on, and will run into 2021 with the renewal period staying in February.

Cllr Margaret Sherrey, whose portfolio covers environmental services, said: “It’s wonderful to see some light-hearted fun in what has been, for many, quite a dark year. A big thank you to Paul and Kim who have put their inhibitions aside to get this fantastic message out to residents.

“All of our crews, garden waste and general waste, have worked extremely hard on the front line this year and we cannot thank them enough.”

The council will monitor how well used the service is during the extension this year and if there is enough demand will look at how this could be built into the service in future years.

12 Completely Bromsgrove

Residents who do not already have a garden waste collection but are interested in signing up can contact the environmental services team on 01527 881188.

More information is available at www. bromsgrove.gov.uk/gardenwaste, and the festive video can be viewed on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook. com/watch/?v=708649133086692 and twitter.com/BromsgroveDC/ status/1326872610869825541.

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Advertisement Feature

One stop shop for aquatics fans

L

ocated in The Strand, Bromsgrove, Midland Waterlife has been serving customers for nearly 45 years.

As experts in the sector and main dealers of Juwel, Ciano, Hagen and Superfish aquariums to name just a few, there isn’t any item related to aquatics that we can’t obtain for our customers.

When you have purchased your new tank, let us help you choose the fish to live in it. It is important that the correct fish are sourced for the tank and our team can help, by giving you advice on which plants and ornaments are best suited as well.

All members of staff have a wealth of knowledge and expertise, so no matter what your question is we will have the answer.

Aquariums are not the only things that Midland Waterlife stocks. We have a wide selection of ornaments and many other accessories, so if you are currently thinking about what to buy a loved one this Christmas, we are sure you will find something in your price range in store, and we also have gift vouchers available.

Here at Midland Waterlife, we also have everything for the garden pond, so if the unthinkable happens, and a pump breaks, then rest assured, we will be there to the rescue.

When we come through the winter and into the spring, we stock a selection of live pond plants and of course fish to restock if required or if you are thinking of creating a new pond, we can give you advice on the preparation of the area, pond linings, plants and fish to complete your pond.

We have managed to remain open during these difficult times. If travelling to the shop is difficult, we offer a weekly delivery service to your door of fresh live plants for your aquarium.

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Helping the environment is second nature to thriving action group L

ockdown gave many people the opportunity to experience nature in a way that they hadn’t done so before.

Instead of traffic we heard birdsong and daily commutes were replaced with walks and discovering beautiful places on our doorstep.

A local community group is hoping to harness that new-found enthusiasm for our planet.

Bromsgrove Climate Action’s motto is straightforward and inspiring: “We are custodians of our planet for future generations and as such should be educating others to work towards living sustainably.”

Treasurer Judy Tipper told Completely Bromsgrove the group, which follows the principles of Friends of the Earth, was founded a year ago when an encouraging figure of 60 people turned up for the launch meeting.

“As is often the case, only about eight people wanted to get involved with the organisational side of it. We set up a committee and now have around 70 members. Most of them are older people who understandably have more time to spare but we do have enthusiastic young people too.”

The group has many environment related issues to get its teeth into and since its launch it has forged strong links with Bromsgrove District Council and Bromsgrove District Housing Trust.

Members have given a presentation to the council’s cross party climate change working group, raised concerns with local councillors

16 Completely Bromsgrove

and had Zoom meetings with Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid.

On the practical side, the group is on a mission to plant as many trees as possible in the district and needs the public’s help in suggesting potential sites.

Trees along Perryfields Road have already been planted. All native trees, they will encourage wildlife as well as looking stunning when they mature.

Many residents have adopted a tree so they will be looked after until they are established.

Judy said: “We hope to do a lot more of this around Bromsgrove, so if anyone knows a place near them that would benefit from a few trees, they can let us know via our Facebook page.

“We would like to thank the county council’s highways department and Bromsgrove District Council for their help. Councillor Luke Mallett has suppor ted us from the start of the project and Webbs Garden Centre donated two trees.”

Fruit trees have also been planted in Charford by Pippa Snowchick, a group member.

Bromsgrove Climate Action is also teaming up with Bromsgrove and Redditch Soroptimists to plant trees for the group’s centenary in 2021.

For more information and to get involved search ‘Bromsgrove Climate Action’ on Facebook.

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17

GARDENING

Nothing says Christmas like the poinsettia T

he poinsettia is a flashy plant that has become an annual favourite, grown for its brightly coloured bracts that are often discarded after their flowers have faded.

Primarily grown for use as Christmas gifts or as a house plant, they are particularly popular in festive floral displays with their striking red and green foliage.

Around a staggering eight million poinsettia plants are grown and sold annually in the UK, making it the second most popular houseplant after the orchid.

Poinsettias need a bright but filtered light away from draughts and strong sunlight. They dislike the cold and particularly dislike being overwatered. If they wilt a little it can be easy to give them further water which adds to the problem and they quickly deteriorate, so keep them on the dry side.

The red flowers are not really flowers but bracts.

The flowers consist of the small green and yellow petals at the centre although they can be found in other colours. The most popular is the red variety.

Native to Central America and Mexico, the Aztecs used them for decorative and medicinal purposes.

They are used to a fair amount of sunshine so place yours on a well-lit windowsill or bright place. Reblooming of a plant is never easy. Whilst this can be done it will require greenhouse-like conditions and can be a tedious task requiring lots of patience.

Although nothing says Christmas quite like the poinsettia, the other popular plant given as a gift is the cyclamen, they bring a welcome burst of colour to the home. They require as much light as possible at this time of year and try to keep them out of hot, stuffy rooms.

Perfect in a table display the cyclamen will brighten up any cool, dull corner. They are sensitive to watering

both over and under, try to keep the soil moist but not wet and preferably water from the bottom of the pot. Do not let water touch the leaves or the flower stems as this can cause them to rot.

After your cyclamen has finished flowering it will go into a dormant stage when it should be kept dry. This will end when new growth starts to grow out of the corm or tuber. Once new leaves start to grow resume normal care and your plant should re-flower shortly after.

It is too late now to grow your own hyacinths for Christmas gifts but ready made arrangements with the hyacinths just nosing out of the bulb are perfect as a gift. Keep them in a cool place until you are ready to give them, watering only infrequently. They will quickly swell and flower on being brought into a warm place, filling the room with a heady perfume.

Wagon House Gardens at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre will have a large selection of prepared hyacinths in a variety of pots, bowls and containers for you to choose from.

I always take one home for the hallway and find that the white varieties are often the most fragrant. So as the year draws to a close, I hope you have found some interest and helpful tips in my column over the year. All that remains for me to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Karl Strawbridge

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

Jobs in the garden for December Protect any tender plants from the cold with fleece or move them to a sheltered spot Hard prune overgrown shrubs between now and February Gather any fallen leaves from around roses and burn them, do not add to compost Tie in any plants or shrubs that need stacking to prevent wind damage

18 Completely Bromsgrove

GARDENING

The little red berry that makes Christmas

T

he end of summer and the loss of an hour, brings with it shortening days with the sun flying at half-mast in the sky.

Our thoughts turn to Christmas as we busy ourselves with celebrations and thoughts of our family and friends. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a spoonful of homemade cranberry sauce to really bring out the best of that juicy slice of turkey. Did you know that cranberries can grow in the UK, although you do need to invest a few years of love and attention before they reward you with their bounty.

• When planting allow approximately two square feet for plant to spread.

• If your soil tends to be dry, the dug area could be lined with polythene.

• You don’t want to create standing water (that’s a pond), just soupy soil, so punch a few holes in the bottom for drainage.

• Fill the area with ericaceous soil, sharp sand, and add a sprinkling of blood, fish & bone to the planting hole.

• Water regularly and mulch as cranberries like a moist soil • Water like mad through the growing season, with rainwater whenever possible.

• About every 3 years during production, cut out any dead wood, never the uprights, and trim new runners to invigorate berry production • Ripe berries are deep red and seed inside is brown • Before winter sets in, cover plants with heavy mulch of pine cuttings.

• Cover plants with fleece in spring to protect the new growth.

Many people consider cranberries to be a superfood due to their high vitamin c and antioxidant content.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Ingredients: 500g cranberries (fresh or frozen) 200g caster sugar 100ml water Zest & juice of 1 orange ¾ tsp dried cinnamon 80 ml por t What you need to do: Put the cranberries in a large, heavy-bottomed pan with the caster sugar, water, orange zest, orange juice and cinnamon and bring to the boil.

After 5 – 10 minutes the cranberries will pop open.

When they have started to open and soften, mash lightly to let out all the pectin, this will make the sauce thicken.

Stir in the port and cook on a moderate heat for 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

Remove from the heat, ladle into warm, dry, sterilised jars and seal.

Once opened, keep in the fridge and eat within 1-2 weeks

Garden jobs for December & January

• Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing • Harvest leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops • Protect terracotta pots from cracking in freezing weather by bringing them indoors or wrapping in bubble polythene

• Reduce watering of houseplants • Check stored bulbs and corms regularly for signs of rot • Order seed catalogues Most importantly have a great relaxing Christmas.

By Suzi M - garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments

Completely Bromsgrove

19

Rail Matters from BARRUP (Bromsgrove and Redditch Rail User Partnership)

M

ark Stansfeld - Chair of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership ( L.E.P. ) and the Worcestershire 5G Consortium, tweeted recently - “Worcestershire is an exceptional location for businesses to work and invest in. Worcestershire’s connectivity is a unique selling point that sets it apart from any other region.”

Not if you live in North East Worcestershire, and want to travel to and from Worcester, Malvern, Colwall, Ledbury and Hereford, - and many people do, for business, educational, cultural and entertainment reasons.

If you want to travel to Droitwich, Worcester and onwards to Hereford, there is only one train an hour from Bromsgrove - and if you want to travel from Alvechurch, Barnt Green or Redditch, there are only two trains a day, both in the early mornings, and only one train, in the late afternoon, for the return journey. And all these trains travelling to and from Hereford - New Street have a long history of overcrowding.

20 Completely Bromsgrove

The answer is straightforward - every New Street to Hereford Train (and vice versa), should stop at Barnt Green and the service should be increased to every half hour. Then the new services should be promoted vigorously by West Midlands Trains, all the Local Authorities, the H and W Chamber of Commerce, the Worcestershire L.E.P and all the local business pressure groups.

The improved services would lead to increased usage, with benefits to all the local economies.

BARRUP is campaigning actively for these improvements in this service, for the benefit of everyone who travels by train in North East Worcestershire. www.bromsgroverail.org.uk

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Completely Bromsgrove

21 

Advertisement Feature

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Completely Bromsgrove

23

Dreaming of a greener Christmas

I

f you’re planning to make your festive season more sustainable, Social Justice Group has these suggestions.

Gifts - Frightening Festive Facts (FFF): It is thought that £700 million is spent on unwanted presents and that one in nine people will exchange their gifts having received them. One in ten gifts end up in landfill.

Seasonal Sustainable Solutions (SSS): Talk to friends and family and reduce the amount of presents you buy and receive. Shop locally or from smaller businesses online. Make handmade gifts such as sweets, jams, pickles, biscuits, cushions, clothing or pictures.

Wrapping paper - FFF: Defra estimates that enough paper is used each year to gift-wrap the island of Guernsey.

SSS: Look out for ones that can be recycled if you are going to buy some but use up leftovers first and keep decent-sized pieces to reuse. Recycle what you can, taking plastic tape off first or shred it and use it to protect fragile objects or clean windows.

Crackers - FFF: Crackers create a huge amount of single use waste, often including the gift inside and much of this is not recyclable.

at least 10 years and it will become carbon neutral.

Food - FFF: We waste around 250,000 tonnes of food over Christmas.

Aim to cut down on meat and dairy, if possible, as the environmental impact of these is higher than most other foods. Where you can, choose organic, local and free range. Buy fruit and vegetable loose. Keep an eye on dates so no food goes to waste.

Christmas jumpers - FFF: In 2016, a quarter of Christmas jumpers were worn once and then discarded.

SSS: If you do buy a Christmas jumper, wear it again and again or swap tops with a friend. When children have grown out of theirs, pass them on to someone else or consider buying new ones from a charity shop.

Glitter - Avoid glitter wherever possible as the tiny pieces of plastic can get into water systems and soil and then can become par t of the food chain.

SSS: Make your own using recyclable material or make reusable fabric ones if you are feeling creative.

Christmas cards - FFF: Sending Christmas cards has quite a high carbon footprint due to the manufacturing of the card itself and the journey it takes.

SSS: Consider sending e-cards instead.

DontSendMeACard.com supports hundreds of different charities. You could also send an email, a text or WhatsApp message with a photo or two. Recycle any Christmas cards you can or make gift tags and decorations for next year.

Christmas trees - FFF: Six million trees are thrown out after Christmas, creating more than 9,000 tonnes of additional waste.

SSS: Consider renting a tree or buy a live tree and let it grow throughout the year to use every year. Try to source trees that are FSC approved. After use, put the tree into green recycling. If you use an artificial tree, aim to use it for

24 Completely Bromsgrove

by Elisabeth Johnston

Completely Bromsgrove’s

Christmas Market W

hilst the 2020 Friends of St John’s Bromsgrove Christmas Markets wasn’t able to take place this year, here at Completely Bromsgrove we wanted to support the local traders you’d usually find at the annual festive event.

Since 2016 Friends have been organising the Christmas Markets in conjunction with the Light Switch On in the High Street.

Each year a super variety of local traders take to the town to sell their homemade produce, gifts and decorations. We do hope that our readers will support these lovely local traders and buy from their online shops or through their social media pages.

Blueberry Button specialise in handmade, original fabric animal doorstops, cushions, needle felted pictures and baubles, soft russian dolls, dinosaur plushie, lavender hearts and aprons. Find their lovely creations on Instagram @ blueberrybuttoncreations or www.etsy.com/shop/ BlueberryButtonShop Panache Gifts make wonderfully fragranced dried fruit decorations and sell driftwood decorations, novelty fair trade key rings, marquetry secret boxes and woodcraft construction kits. The full range can be seen at www.panachegifts.net or Facebook @panachegifts41 Greg and Sian Hunt make fresh, delicious apple juice and honey based foods from their orchards in Barnt Green. Their Christmas hampers make a perfect gift.

Contact Fruitfields Orchard via the website www.fruitfields.co.uk or on Facebook @fruitfieldsjuice

Another local favourite Wychbold Fudge have been busy making their delicious range of artisan fudge gift bars and sharing bags - available in 12 flavours from www.wychboldfudge.com or @wychboldfudge on social media.

Panache

Lulu in Stitches

We can’t get enough of the wonderful handmade handbags and totes from Lulu in Stitches. Do check them out at Lulu’s Facebook shop @luluinstitches Two local jewellers are regular traders at the festive markets.

Christine’s beautiful kilnfired enamelled jewellery and details of her enamelling workshops can be found at www.enamelledjewellery. co.uk and Amanda’s delightful handmade genuine gemstone jewellery is available from www.romsleygems.com or by searching @romsleygems on Facebook.

Don’t forget to stock up on Sarah’s Feisty Flavours – delicious locally made preserves, chutneys, jellies and sauces made from locally sourced or homegrown produce are available from www. sarahsfeistyflavours. co.uk or from Facebook @ SarahsFeistyFlavours You’ll find oodles of unusual and unique gifts and goodies, all lovingly made by local people. Support our local traders and have a Completely Bromsgrove Christmas!

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Wychbold Fudge

Enamelled Jewellery

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Completely Bromsgrove

25

Christmas kisses I

t’s been an odd year but a centuries-old tradition may help us feel a little more normal…will you be hoping for a kiss under the mistletoe this year?

The origins of kissing under the mistletoe are lost in the mists of time. There are Greek, Roman, Norse and Saxon myths alongside folklore of women sleeping with mistletoe under pillows, it’s use in warding off witchcraft and the Druid belief that the plant is sacred because it doesn’t grow from the ground. Whatever its root in our culture, it’s found in abundance in Worcestershire and has its own natural stories to tell.

So, next time you’re standing under the mistletoe waiting for a stolen (and socially distanced?) kiss, just have an eye on what could be hanging above your head!

We’re all familiar with the white-berried plant that grows in trees but, contrary to common belief, mistletoe is actually only partially parasitic. The green leaves contain chlorophyll that, through photosynthesis, enable the plant to manufacture sugars from carbon dioxide and water.

Mistletoe does, however, steal water and minerals from the host tree (although this doesn’t appear to damage the tree).

Trees are important places for wildlife and, where it grows, mistletoe gives this an extra dimension, creating a hanging zoological garden full of sucking, burrowing and predatory invertebrates. How about mistletoe weevils, for example? They’re only 2-3mm long and the larvae live within mistletoe stems during spring and summer. Or the mistletoe marble moth that mines within mistletoe leaves?

Look closely and you can see evidence of its existence as brownish ‘tunnels’ just under the surface of the leaf.

Watch clumps of mistletoe at this time of year and you may catch sight of birds feasting on the berries. A mistle thrush will guard a tree full of mistletoe from all other birds, keen to keep the banquet to itself. Brave blackcaps may well sneak in to try and grab a few berries to keep their bellies full as their insect-food becomes harder to find in the cold weather. This activity is important for spreading mistletoe – beaks are wiped on branches or, more often, the berries are digested and deposited as sticky droppings. From this, the mistletoe seeks a way through the bark and into the tree where it can establish new growth. Plants are either male or female and it’s only the females that produce berries.

Mistle thrush by Donald Sutherland

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

Mistletoe in frost by Zsuzsanna Bird

26 Completely Bromsgrove

‘Treecycle’ your Christmas tree...

...and raise vital funds for local childhood cancer charity

T

he Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust is delighted to launch its first ever ‘treecycling’ campaign which will take place in January 2021.

We all love a real tree until the time comes to dispose of it after Christmas. Instead of having all those pine needles in the back of your car, the trust can pick it up for you.

A £15 donation could pay for the production and distribution of 15 information booklets that make things a little less scary for children receiving treatment for cancer.

The areas that the charity will be covering this year are: WR1, WR4, WR9 and B60. In addition, they will also be covering Barnt Green, Alvechurch, Crowle, Upton Snodsbury, Broughton Hackett, White Ladies Aston and Drakes Broughton.

The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust, which receives no statutory funding and is reliant on fundraisers and donors, would like to say thank you to everyone who has signed up so far.

All you need to do is register for a collection and the GKCCT team will pick up your tree on January 6th, 8th and 9th. Collection date will be confirmed nearer the time once you have registered.

The deadline to register your Christmas tree is Monday, January 4th 2021 at midday. If your tree is over 8ft tall and you wish to book a collection, please contact us in the first instance on 01905 885777 or via email at contact@gkcct.org

The charity still needs more volunteers to help so if you can spare some hours or have a vehicle/van that can be used then please call the GKCCT team on 01905 885777.

This campaign will run in line with current Government guidelines and risk assessments will continually be updated to reflect any changes. For more information please visit www.gkcct.org/treecycle

There is no minimum donation amount for the team to collect your Christmas tree, however a £10 donation could cover the printing and distribution of 350 of signs and symptoms awareness cards, which could enable a child to be diagnosed with cancer at an earlier stage.

Completely Bromsgrove

27

RECIPE

Serves 2

Crab & Chilli Linguine

W

ith Christmas coming up I’d like to tell you about a dish that I had on the way to New York last year, to be honest it’s got nothing to do with Christmas at all except the time of the year.

It was an amazing dish and I couldn’t wait to get home to recreate it. Being in New York last year and everything “Christmassy” about the place reminded me of what a difficult couple of years we’d had as a family, my eldest son being diagnosed with lymphoma cancer at the age of 28, now thankfully in remission and myself recovering from an illness that nearly took my life three years ago. It makes you think and realise how precious life is and how suddenly it can be taken away from you, so please tell the people you care about that you love them, never go to bed on an argument and cherish every moment you can. Back to New York and what a great time we had, so many tales and stories and what a mesmerising place to be at Christmas. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did eating it and making it. Merry Christmas, stay safe and take care of each other.

Method: Boil a large pan of salted water for the pasta. In a sauté pan add your shallot and gently fry until soft. Then add your chilli, garlic and lemon zest and cook for another couple of minutes then add your crab. Then cook through until hot. Add your fresh pasta to the pan and cook as per instructions, roughly six minutes I’d say.

When the pasta is cooked add a couple of tablespoons of the cooking water to the crab mixture to loosen it, drain your pasta and fold your crab mixture gently through. Serve with a bit of garnish on top and enjoy

28 Completely Bromsgrove

Ingredients: 200g of fresh linguine Tin of white crab meat 1 large shallot finely sliced 1 tsp of garlic paste 1 red chilli finely sliced Lemon juice & zest of one lemon Salt & pepper to taste.

by Paul James

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www.cantomandobromsgrove.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

29

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

How to keep a positive mind during the winter

D

ecember and January are our darkest months of the year. Animals are hibernating and with everything we have experienced in 2020 I am sure many of you would like to be hibernating as well.

So, the big question is how do we keep a positive mind set?

We need to realise that where you stand is based largely on what you believe about yourself and what you are thinking about the most! We are a magnet, and our thoughts are like the iron filings that the magnet attracts.

The more we repeat things like “Lost another job, I am not qualified for anything else”, “I hate my life”, “I will never get a relationship that works”, we are endorsing what we don’t want in our lives.

When this happens, we need to catch ourselves and turn it around. Yes, this can be very difficult, and it does not happen overnight, but it will change your outlook and your behaviours if you just do it for 90 days. A good book to read is: Excuse me your life is Waiting by Lyn Grabhorn.

Meditation every day is another way of stilling the monkey mind. Even just five minutes a day is better than not meditating at all. Washing up at the sink and day dreaming is a form of meditation.

THE MIND IS THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE IN YOUR BODY. My mantra in life is this: “What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create.”

From the book The Law of Attraction.

It is not helpful to keep looking into the rear view mirror of the past, because you can only reflect on that experience, not change it. We have to look to new

by Colette Garside colette@thegarsides.net

30 Completely Bromsgrove

horizons no matter how daunting it may be to grow and to change our present circumstances.

Remember the only constant in life is change and change happens all the time. Once again we need to ask ourselves a simple question; Every time we are tempted to react in the same old way, ask yourself if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future?

Remember, success starts in your mind. Don’t be a product of your circumstances be a product of the decisions you make - it is a case of mind over matter.

THE KEY TO ALL OF THIS ARE YOUR FEELINGS With every positive thought you have you bring in that feeling of excitement, happiness, joy.

Try to remember a time when things were going well and how you felt. Bring that feeling back with every positive thought you make.

Make sure you remove negative people away from you because they only bring you down further. Exercise, get out into the parks, jump in the puddles, kick the leaves, roll in the snow if we have any. Look at the beauty in nature and breathe in the fresh air of being alive and what this New Year is going to bring for you.

I am giving colour consultations during December and January if you want to take a look at where you are and the gifts that you have. These will be conducted over Zoom. Contact me via: colette@the garsides.net and please add your phone number.

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and here’s to prosperity in 2021.

Advertisement Feature

Senior Snippets – Having a COVID secure Christmas

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.

Christmas is certainly going to be quite different this year. Whatever restrictions are in place it is always best to consider what precautions to take, particularly if you or a family member fall into the vulnerable category.

Here are my suggestions on how best to enjoy a COVID secure Christmas: Order early. Beat the busy supermarkets and Christmas Eve rush. Plan ahead and book your Christmas delivery; Go online. Do your Christmas shopping online this year. This is also a great way to support local businesses; Get crafty. Beat the boredom whilst feeling festive and make your own decorations or homemade gifts. This doesn’t have to be expensive and can be a great activity for all the family. Our community development officer Zoe will be hosting a Crafting Christmas Facebook Live event on December 10th.Visit our Facebook page www.facebook. com/HISCRedditchandBromsgrove for more information.

Give yourself a break. Try to focus on your own mental wellbeing this year. Accept that this Christmas is going to be different and try not to put too much pressure on yourself to make it perfect.

For more information about Home Instead of if you have a suggestion for a future topic, email me at annie.dixondunn@homeinstead.co.uk or call me on 01564 741620.

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Completely Bromsgrove

31

You’re sure to get the treatment OPEN THROUGHOUT LOCKDOWN FOR ALL YOUR GLASSES NEEDS INCLUDING REPAIRS

What does the future hold for overseas travel?

O

ver the years the travel industry has had to deal with 9/11, the ash cloud and the demise of operators including BMI Baby and Monarch.

We are being asked if we will we ever be able to travel again. The answer is ‘yes’ but the real question is how and what will travel be like in the future.

It is anticipated that travel will recover in stages. The opening and closing of travel corridors in the last few months are an indication that this recovery will not be straightforward and that governments, airports and the travel industry must work together to take the right steps to restart travel safely with reduced quarantine requirements. Only then will we see a near normalisation of air travel.

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32 Completely Bromsgrove

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33

Bromsgrove’s Jenniffer Taylor publishes her second book K

een Sewing Bee fans will remember the lovely Jenniffer Taylor from the hit TV Series in 2014 where she progressed through to the Quarter Finals, and since then she has been promoting her #sewingrevolution.

Having caught the sewing bug herself when she decided to make her own Wedding Dress in 2012 Jenni now encourages others to get sewing and make their own wonderful creations! Jenni’s first book “Girl with a Sewing Machine” and her workshops have helped others, both locally, nationally and internationally, to follow her lead.

Despite a difficult time during the covid pandemic Jenni continues to deliver sewing workshops which she has adapted to work on an online setting, along with live demonstrations from her “She shed” in the garden of her home in Bromsgrove. In November

she was thrilled to publish her second book “Your Skirt Your Way”. Jenni told Completely Bromsgrove “I like to think of this book as a cooking book for skir ts! First you create a block using your body measurements so you are getting that perfect fit from the start. Then you simply add or remove elements (or ingredients) to create your perfect skir t wardrobe.”

Jenni would encourage anyone thinking about sewing to give it a go. She said “for me sewing is all about empowering you to look and feel good.

Creating clothes that reflect your personality and style, but also it gives you a creative outlet, which I think is really impor tant especially with the current situation. Whether that’s taking time to do something for yourself, like making that dream skir t, or joining an online workshop and being amongst like minded people while being creative together, but from the comfor t (and safety) of your own home.”

If you would like to know more or grab yourself a signed copy of the book then head over to Jenni’s website www.jenniffertaylor.co.uk or give her facebook page a follow @tailorbytaylor

by Jo Slade

34 Completely Bromsgrove

Town Crier pays tribute to wellloved craftsman Reg

Historically, the Town Crier was probably the only person in a community that could read.

Given that he would have always have been asked by people to read adver ts and notices, he probably decided that he would read them for everyone in one place – and this is how the job was probably born.

So how could he gain attention and warn everybody that he was about to start? Quite when the English tradition of a Town Crier using a bell started is lost in history.

When I was appointed as Bromsgrove’s Town Crier in 1985, I was lucky enough to inherit a new bell. This was donated to the Cour t by William “Laddie” Weaver, who was chairman and managing director of the building company Weaver and was Bailiff to the Cour t in 1946 and Marshall of the Court (effectively the Regimental Sergeant Major) for 20 years.

It is beautiful cast brass with a fine ringing tone, probably when compared to other Town Crier’s bells this is an indication of its cost, youth and provenance. Many historic crier’s bells are small and dingy pieces of tin as this would have been all that a Town Crier could afford.

The bell weighs more than 7lbs and there is a particular technique to ringing it. You can’t just whack it up and down - the first time I tried to ring it at the competition when I was appointed I nearly dislocated my shoulder. I recently asked a bell founder how much a replacement to the same standard would cost and was told that it would be not much short of £1,000.

Originally, the handle was black, until, in 1993, 36 hours before I was due to fly to Canada for the World Town Crier’s Championships, the handle suddenly split and fell off. In desperation, I approached Reg Sherwin, the wood turner at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, to ask for his help.

Reg said he would see what he could do and first thing next morning, just before I had to leave for the airpor t, he presented me with a new handle. It is beautifully shaped and very secure in the hand, probably a good thing since occasionally the bell appears to be an unguided missile, so please keep well clear when I’m ringing it!

I am forever grateful for Reg’s skill and helpfulness and his passing is a sad loss. I hope that he has managed to pass on those skills to the next generation and will happily show off Reg’s artistry to anyone who is interested.

by Kevin Ward

Completely Bromsgrove

35

Court Leet holds Great Autumn Court online

K

een to uphold Bromsgrove’s ancient traditions, the Court Leet held the annual Great Autumn Court online via the Zoom platform.

For centuries, the Great Autumn Court meeting has been held to swear in the new Bailiff, elect the officers of the Court and carry out any formal business. The Court was keen to ensure the meeting could take place despite the current pandemic situation and arranged an online gathering.

At the Autumn Court the Bailiff, Jo Slade, Bromsgrove’s first female Bailiff, was re-elected to continue in the role for another year. The proposal was backed by the Lord of the Manor, Chris Bird, who said that the Bailiff’s year should be the combination of the events attended and duties carried out, and not merely 365 days. Since the majority of events in 2020 had been cancelled it was proposed that the Bailiff should continue in the hope that events would take place in 2021. The Reeve, Neil Beaumont, will remain in his position for another year.

The Court also saw a change in the role of Marshal and Headborough.

Group Captain John Rogers stepped down as Marshal and Chris Firminger was elected to take on the role.

The Marshal organises and leads the parade on Fair Day and oversees the smooth running of Court Meetings.

Headborough for the past 17 years Geoff Evans stepped aside and

36 Completely Bromsgrove

Charlie Ayres was elected into the role. The Headborough represents the Tythingmen in the Court and is identified by red coat and top hat.

Tythingman Mark Robinson was elected to join the Jury and two new members of Court were welcomed in at the meeting. Retired teacher and Avoncroft volunteer Peter Gale joined as the Tythingman for Gannow and Bromsgrove Printer Richard Nokes took on the role of Tythingman for Fockbury. Richard follows in the footsteps of his father who was the Tythingman for Catshill for over 30 years.

The Court Bellman and Town Crier Kevin Ward was presented with a knitted crier in recognition of 35 years of service and commitment to the Court and the town. Kevin announced that it was his ambition to match the long service of a previous Bellman which was 53 years!

Bailiff Jo Slade said “It has been an honour to serve as the Bailiff of the Ancient Court for the past year.

I am humbled to be re-elected to the position by my colleagues in the Court and I thank them for putting their faith in me to continue to lead the Court at this time. My thanks are extended to the retiring Marshal and

Re-elected Court Bailiff Jo Slade Headborough for their service and commitment to the Court over many years. I am delighted to welcome new members and hope that we will be able to carry out our events in the expected way next year.”

Reeve Neil Beaumont will give a talk on the history of the Court on 15th December through the Bromsgrove Society – details can be found www. bsoc.co.uk and for more information about the Court Leet visit www. bromsgrovecourtleet.co.uk or find them on Facebook.

HISTORY

Bromsgrove in the 1950’s T

he 1950s seems like a far-off time that many of us know little about. But for the older generation they were halcyon days that are remembered fondly.

The Bromsgrove of the 1950s was a very different place.

The High Street was populated by independent shops of all descriptions where virtually anything could be bought over the counter (there was no self-service in those days) and the shopkeeper generally had time to stop and chat.

Behind the High Street there was no through-road as there is now, as Market Street finished at the junction of Church Street.

Crown Close was a grassed-over piece of land with pathways leading to Amphlett Memorial Hall and St John’s Church.

Among the businesses there was Ted Hammond’s Dairy whose milk floats were a regular sight around the district.

The Council Offices in St John’s Street dominated this side of the town; this is now the St John’s Court nursing home. St John’s Street also housed the produce market, which then was still in the old Market Hall.

At that time the town had only one public secondary school, the Bromsgrove County High School on the Stourbridge Road. Local poet Geoffrey Hill, who died in 2016, recalled that the school had a celebrated acting tradition and the Bromsgrove Messenger always gave the annual production good coverage including a full cast photograph.

Nora Byng, who taught at the school during the 1950s, recalled her salary being £250 per year and the women teachers being paid less than the men. “Teachers were highly respected and

supported, both in the schools and in the community, and it meant a good deal to feel that one had a secure living.”

Bromsgrove itself expanded dramatically during the 1950s, with major council housing schemes being built at locations such as Sidemoor, Catshill, Charford and Rubery. Annie Deeley describes this post-war housing boom in an article in the new Rousler.

‘Britain in the 1950s’ was the topic of a recent online talk hosted by the Bromsgrove Society. The talk, given by former Bromsgrove School teacher Philip Bowen is available to view on the Society’s YouTube channel, along with other talks held online during 2020. The free Local History Talks will be held online until at least next May - registration details can be found on the website (address below).

The annual Rousler magazine covers many aspects of the town’s history and the latest issue is available now priced £2.95.

The cover features a picture of Bromsgrove Fair in 1966.

With on-going shopping restrictions due to the pandemic, some people may not be able to purchase the Rousler from local shops and businesses in the usual way. To make it easier to get hold of, the Bromsgrove Society has a special postage-free offer.

You can buy both the current and previous editions of the Rousler online with free postage and there are further discounts for multiple copies. Visit www.bsoc.co.uk or look for @bromsgrovesoc on social media.

by Mike Sharpe Completely Bromsgrove

37

Education 20/21 We NEVER stop learning To book into our next Education section please call Michele on 07948 086870

Bromsgrove Beckons

B

romsgrove School offers an all-round education, combining academic excellence with a richness of opportunity. Pupils engage enthusiastically with knowledge, embrace new ideas and are intellectually stimulated. The School prides itself on the outstanding opportunities available, both inside and outside the classroom. n 1693, Sir Thomas Cookes, re-endowed Bromsgrove School. An amount was left in his will to provide uniform and instruction for twelve Foundation Scholars who “being elected for a term of six years are to be taught the English, Greek and Latin tongues, writing and arithmetic”. Whilst the curriculum has changed somewhat, the opportunity still remains. Foundation Scholarships are for children living in the local area. Digby, Lord Jones of Birmingham is proud to be known as a Foundation Scholar of Bromsgrove School. A hard working Scholar, he played rugby and hockey for the School and ultimately became Head Boy. Scholarships are available for Academic (11+, 13+ & 16+), Music (11+,13+,16+), Art (11+,13+,16+), Drama (13+,16+) and Sports Scholarship (13+, 16+).

Interviews and/or examinations are competitive, however candidates may apply for more than one scholarship. Generous means-tested bursaries are

38 Completely Bromsgrove

available for Year 7, 9 and 12 entry to enable boys and girls, who might not have previously been able to consider an Independent education, the chance to do so. Pupils may apply for both a scholarship and a bursary. For more information please contact the Admissions team.

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An outstanding range of extra-curricular activities

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$TQOUITQXG Senior 990 pupils aged 13-18 Prep 520 pupils aged 7- 13 Pre-Prep 220 pupils aged 2 - 7 Winterfold 330 pupils aged 0 -13

Advertisement Feature

Genie Tutors help your child make progress

W

hen the second national lockdown was announced, Genie Tutors Bromsgrove made the decision to take our tuition business back online.

This was not only to protect our pupils and staff but also to enable pupils who were self-isolating to still access their tuition. The transition went well as we had lots of experience from the first lockdown.

Our key values have not changed; we provide small group tuition delivered by fully qualified teachers to help children reach their full potential.

We use a dedicated education package called Lesson Space to deliver our sessions which has an interactive whiteboard and lots of tools, enabling our tutors to model their teaching methods effectively.

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can easily be tailored to each child’s needs as each pupil has their own ‘tab’ to work from. Personal feedback is provided to parents at the end of each session.

There is a lot of uncer tainty over next year’s exams currently but whether they go ahead as planned or not, we still want our young people to achieve their full potential and have the skills required to access the workplace.

If you need help preparing for GCSE Maths or English, please get in touch. We also help with 11+ preparation, SATs or by boosting children’s confidence in such tricky times. We are OFSTED registered and recently passed our inspection with flying colours.

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Advertisement Feature

King’s Worcester leads the way with Hybrid Learning Model

N

ow more than ever, education needs focus, momentum and continuity to ensure that pupils not only survive the effects of lockdown, but thrive. During the last lockdown, King’s Worcester delivered more than 10,000 remote lessons, 20 virtual assemblies, 30 virtual music concerts and two virtual art exhibitions for its Senior and Sixth Form pupils.

. The school is now leading the way in delivering a hybrid model of learning ensuring that educational continuity is at the heart of the King’s education.

During a year of change and uncertainty the education sector has had to rapidly overhaul the way it operates and although at times it has been challenging, teachers are excellent at innovating and adapting to change. Many teachers at King’s Worcester have become digital champions, and the latest technology has been implemented across the foundation of schools to ensure that learning can be continued online at the switch of a button.

Katie Beever, Deputy Head Academic, said: “We’ve worked hard to ensure that no child misses a day of their education. Whilst the majority of pupils are learning in the classroom with their peers, thanks to the blended service the school is offering, teachers are able

to offer remote learning for those who can’t be there in person. In addition to this we have a raft of King’s Alumni who have also been recruited to supervise the classroom to enable teachers to be beamed into lessons from home and our digital infrastructure is set up and ready to switch over seamlessly to online teaching in the event that a group of pupils is advised to stay home.�

For more information, please visit: www.ksw.org.uk/meetkings

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Advertisement Feature

Welcome packs make year nine students feel at home N

orth Bromsgrove High School launched the start of the year with welcome induction packs for the new year nine students by giving each child a football boot bag, a copy of the text Of Mice and Men for English lessons and a North Family pen.

The school then opened in its ‘new normal’ which saw students cleaning tables every lesson, staggered lunches and bells across the day. Despite this, they settled in well to learning.

Virtual videos for open evenings can be found on the school’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/ user/NBHSAimHighLookNorth and the website.

The virtual tours showed students talking confidently and passionately about the school and reflects why numbers for the current year nine and year 12 have soared, with more external applicants for sixth form than ever. The sixth form area has been refurbished with new furniture, laptops for all and a breakout area equipped with a large fridge and coffee machine.

The main school itself has had a revamp with a huge mural in the central atrium, linked to the House and Pastoral system. The four house names - Churchill, Attenborough, Rowling and Earhart – were voted for by students and the pastoral values are Care, Aspiration, Respect and Endeavour. These ideas resulted in a fabulous central display at the heart of the school.

In October, the school recognised and celebrated World Mental Health Day. All doors in the building had quotations to inspire and the staff and students wore yellow. At the end of the day, the choir sang as the students left the building to the sounds of the grand piano played by a student. The music department is a real strength in the school and offers the subject in sixth form.

In November, the school remembered the fallen students of North at the memorial in the school playground and held a service of remembrance.

Students across the school had painted pebbles with poppies and coloured in the poppies that the Royal British Legion had promoted. More than £500 was raised from donations.

The sixth form also led a week of fundraising with a food bank collection for the local Newstarts centre and a combined ‘marathon’ as a team event to raise money for HB9 Foundation and the Royal British Legion. A total of £1,200 was raised in a week.

With Christmas not far away, the school has four Christmas trees and the battle is on to see which will be the most decorated in the latest house competition.

Along with the virtual community Christmas concert, it has been a fantastic term for the school.

42 Completely Bromsgrove

NORTH BROMSGROVE

HIGH SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM

North Bromsgrove High School Sixth Form is now inviting applications from External Candidates If you are looking for a friendly, supportive post-16 community offering opportunities for enrichment and leadership, whilst challenging you to exceed your own expectations, then North Bromsgrove High School Sixth Form is waiting for your application.

Curriculum

In addition to A Levels offered in all core subjects, students can choose from subjects including Politics, Business Studies, Art, Photography, Psychology, Film Studies, Computer Science, Textiles, Food Technology, PE et al.

An extensive range of diploma and vocational courses are also offered covering: Criminology, Health Studies, Music, Drama and Sport/PE.

Leadership

We provide plenty of opportunity for students to assume leadership positions such as those taken by Head Students, Senior Prefects, Prefects, Sixth Form Councillors, House Captains and Sports Captains. Many students also act as mentors to pupils in lower school.

Enrichment

All students benefit from enrichment across an array of activities and trips including: D of E Award, Camps International expeditions, residentials at home and abroad, young enterprise, student investor challenges, debating, art showcasing, school performances, concerts and recitals.

Support

We offer a network of support through vastly experienced tutor and sixth form leadership teams. Whether you are applying for university, apprenticeships or preparing for a more immediate entry into the workplace, we make it our mission to support you each step of the way. Oxbridge candidates also benefit from a specialist network of expertise to ensure that they are given the very best chance of success. All sixth form students receive notebook PCs to support their studies.

Further details, including a comprehensive list of all courses offered and an online application form, are on our website: www.northbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk/Sixth-Form *Deadline for applications Friday 29 January

@NBHSStudiesDetermineCharacter Completely Bromsgrove

43

REMOTE EDUCATION: THE RGS WORCESTER ‘BLUEPRINT’ These last few months have been astonishing. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced teachers from across the world to come up with plans to keep children learning, whilst their schools closed on-site, or pupils have had to self-isolate at home.

From the start of ‘Lockdown’ The RGS Worcester Family of Schools moved seamlessly to a full timetable of remote teaching and learning. As an Apple Distinguished School, the only one in the area, and a truly digitally focused ZJOVVS ^L ^LYL HISL [V THRL [OPZ [YHUZP[PVU Z^PM[S` HUK LќLJ[P]LS` ;VKH` ^L JVU[PU\L [V VќLY H M\SS` PU[LYHJ[P]L SLHYUPUN L_WLYPLUJL [V HU` W\WPSZ YLX\PYLK [V self-isolate.

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At RGS Worcester our iPad provision for all pupils meant that continuing full [PTL[HISLK HJHKLTPJ SLZZVUZ ^HZ WVZZPISL HUK OPNOS` LќLJ[P]L >L PU[YVK\JLK .VVNSL 4LL[ [V VќLY SP]L SLZZVU WYV]PZPVU PU JVUQ\UJ[PVU ^P[O HWWZ ^L HSYLHK` used in which teachers can share resources with their classes and, most importantly, set and mark work remotely. Splitting the iPad screen between .VVNSL 4LL[ HUK [OL HWWZ VќLYLK H NYLH[ TL[OVKVSVN` MVY YLTV[L SLHYUPUN 6\Y mantra was to keep things as simple as possible, utilising the technology that was already present within our schools. Throughout the period of ‘Lockdown’ the RGS Worcester Family of Schools taught 18,503 remote lessons.

In addition to the teaching element of our remote provision, the teachers made sure that they gave their pupils a feeling of community and connectivity, brightening their days while they were restricted in social contact. From virtual assemblies, to one-to-one pastoral meetings and support, to sports competitions, music online performances and drama rehearsals, the pupils ^LYL HISL [V LUNHNL HUK ^LYL RLW[ I\Z` L_[LUKPUN [OLPY RUV^SLKNL IL`VUK the virtual classroom.

Since returning to school this academic year, the pupils have continued to \ZL [LJOUVSVN` PU [OLPY SLHYUPUN >L OH]L OLSK VUSPUL 7HYLU[Z» ,]LUPUNZ :P_[O -VYT Z\IQLJ[ JOVPJLZ L]LU[Z HUK WYV]PKLK =PY[\HS 6WLU 4VYUPUNZ +\YPUN [OL second national ‘Lockdown’, many co-curricular activities have moved back VUSPUL HZ W\WPSZ LUQV` IV[O [OLPY SLHYUPUN HUK [OLPY L_WLYPLUJLZ VM ZJOVVS SPML We continue to use this model in these changing times, supporting pupils who OH]L [V ZLSM PZVSH[L H^H` MYVT [OLPY JSHZZTH[LZ ;OL` HYL HISL [V º]PY[\HSS`» QVPU in with lessons from home and school activities, whilst having to self-isolate.

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;OL W\WPSZ HUK Z[Hќ OH]L SLHYULK T\JO MYVT [OPZ L_WLYPLUJL ;LHJOLYZ OH]L ‘upskilled’ still further and pupils have learned resilience and the real value VM [OLPY SLHYUPUN HUK ZJOVVS L_WLYPLUJL 9.: >VYJLZ[LY [OYV\NO (WWSL OHZ WYLZLU[LK [V H U\TILY VM NSVIHS LK\JH[PVU JVUMLYLUJLZ HIV\[ V\Y L_WLYPLUJLZ and our guidance has been included in a report to the Education Select Committee in Parliament. RGS Worcester is helping to forge the education vision for the post-Covid-19 world. >OH[L]LY [OL M\[\YL OVSKZ ;OL 9.: -HTPS` VM :JOVVSZ PZ HISL [V VќLY [OL ]LY` best in continuity of education to support our pupils. We would welcome the opportunity for you to visit us anytime (either in person, remotely or at our MVY[OJVTPUN 6WLU +H`Z ^OLYL ^L JHU KPZJ\ZZ HSS [OL ILULÄ[Z VM QVPUPUN [OL RGS Worcester Family of Schools. rgsw.org.uk

“I just wanted to express how pleased we are with how the digital home learning is working. One of the main reasons we moved our children to RGS was due to the school’s engagement with digital learning and modern technology. /H]PUN Z[Y\J[\YLK SLZZVUZ HUK H JVU[PU\H[PVU VM ^VYR OHZ ILLU VM NYLH[ ILULÄ[ [V IV[O [OLT HUK \Z HZ WHYLU[Z ¹ RGS parent

44  Completely Bromsgrove

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Charity launches £1.5 million bid to double Pepper Wood

T

he Woodland Trust is launching a £1.5 million fundraising campaign to double the size of a woodland on the edge of Bromsgrove.

The charity is looking to buy up 125 acres of farmland next to its ancient and locally treasured 133 acre Pepper Wood, which it already owns, to extend a large patch of precious woodland and create new havens for wildlife.

If successful, the charity would be reclaiming the land to what it historically was – a thriving expanse of woodland.

This appeal comes hot on the heels of the Woodland Trust’s launch of its Big Climate Fightback where it is urging the public to buy and plant trees. It has also announced its aim to plant 50 million more trees by 2025, which would be a fifth of what the Government’s Committee for Climate Change recommended the UK needs to help tackle climate change.

Toby Bancroft, the Woodland Trust’s regional director for central England, said if the appeal is successful, more than 35,000 new trees may be planted.

Mr Bancroft said: “Pepper Wood is a beautiful habitat treasured by visitors. Centuries ago, the woodland used to stretch across the arable land that is there today. By looking to extend this site we would be returning this to woodland as it once was.”

46 Completely Bromsgrove

Pepper Wood is an ancient semi-natural woodland dominated by oak and birch. Bought by the Trust in the early 1980s, the wood forms part of the Feckenham Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Historically the wood was coppice managed – cyclically allowed to grow and be chopped back for commercial use - but much of the site was felled during the timber shor tages of the 1940s meaning that a lot of the ecological impor tance was lost.

Since reintroducing a traditional coppice cycle with the help of volunteers, the Woodland Trust has greatly improved the biodiversity of the woodland, creating structure within the canopy and a variety of habitats in which wildlife can thrive.

If the appeal is successful, the Trust hopes to star t creating the areas of new woodland in the 2022 -23 planting season and is looking to complete planting by the end of 2025.

To back the Trust’s appeal go to: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/pepperappeal

Tough times for Sporting!

L

ike all non-league football clubs, the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions have played havoc with this season’s matches and fixtures.

At the time of writing and with the national lockdown due to end on December 2nd, matches should resume on Saturday, December 5th. However, that will depend on local measures in place. In addition no teams will be able to go straight into competitive games without training Bromsgrove Sporting or having played for five weeks, so two friendliesTough are times beingforplanned for the first Saturday and Baker Like all non-league football clubs, the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions have played havoc by with Phil this season's Tuesday after restrictions are lifted. matches and fixtures.

Prior to the lockdown, Sporting were on an unusually poor run of form having lost three At the time of writing and with the national lockdown due to end on December 2nd, matches should resume on consecutive league matches then being knockedSaturday, out of December the FA Trophy

by Coleshill Town from a 5th. However, that will depend on local measures in place. In addition no teams will be able to division lower. Manager Brendan Kelly admittedgo that work to be done to get the team straight intoneeded competitive games without training or having played for five weeks, so two friendlies are being planned the his firstmanagement Saturday and Tuesday winning again and although not offering any excuses, heforand teamafter haverestrictions been are lifted. hampered with injuries to several key players. Prior to the lockdown, Sporting were on an unusually poor run of form having lost three consecutive league matches then being knocked out of the FA Trophy by Coleshill Town from a division lower. Manager Brendan Kelly admitted On the transfer front, one new signing is experienced winger Lee Chilton who arrives from that work needed to be done to get the team winning again and although not offering any excuses, he and his Sporting Khalsa having previously turned out formanagement Leamington, Alvechurch and Stourbridge. team have been hampered with injuries to several key players.

Going in the opposite direction is Courtney Richards whofront, has moved Hednesford Town; On the transfer one new to signing is experienced winger Lee Chilton who arrives from Sporting Khalsa having previously out for Leamington, Alvechurch and Stourbridge. somewhat ironically he scored a great goal against them turned for Sporting in the recent encounter. in thematchday opposite direction is Courtneyto Richards During the lockdown, the club have been busyGoing revising arrangements take who has moved to Hednesford Town; somewhat ironically he a great goal against them for Sporting in the recent encounter. account of COVID-19 regulations and enhancedscored procedures will be put in place particularly During the lockdown, the club revising for distancing and wearing of face masks.The Government-imposed limithave of abeen 600busy crowd is matchday arrangements to take account of COVID-19 regulations and enhanced procedures will be put in place particularly for distancing and wearing of face masks. The expected to remain in place and tickets will be available on-line.

Government-imposed limit of a 600 crowd is expected to remain in place and tickets will be available on-line.

As much as can be planned, matches are as follows foreseeable future: As muchfor as the can be planned, matches are as follows for the foreseeable future: Kick-Off

3:00 p.m. Home

Venue

TBA

Opponents Friendly (to be confirmed)

Tuesday 8th December

7:30 p.m. Away

Stourport Swifts

Friendly (to be confirmed)

Saturday 12th December

3:00 p.m. Home

Lowestoft Town

League match

Tuesday 15th December

7:30 p.m. Home

Barwell

League match

Saturday 19th December

3:00 p.m. Away

Banbury United

League match

Saturday 26th December

3:00 p.m. Home

Alvechurch

League match

Saturday 2nd January

3:00 p.m. Away

Stourbridge

League match

Saturday 9th January

3:00 p.m. Home

Needham Market

League match

Tuesday 12th January

7:30 p.m. Home

Worcester City

Worcs Senior Cup QF

Saturday 16th January

3:00 p.m. Away

AFC Rushden & Diamonds League match

Saturday 23rd January

3:00 p.m. Home

Hednesford Town

League match

Saturday 30th January

3:00 p.m. Away

Hitchin Town

League match

Photos by Chris Jepson

Date Saturday 5th December

The Veterans, Women’s and Colts teams are also in lockdown they are service on the The Veterans, Women’s and Colts teams are also in lockdown but they are hoping tobut resume normal th hoping resume 5normal and 6th. service on the weekend of December 5th and 6th. weekendto of December All information Bromsgrove Sporting including for All information aboutabout Bromsgrove Sporting including ideas for Christmas ideas presents canChristmas be found on the website: www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk presents can be found on the website: www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

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