Completely Bromsgrove issue 26

Issue 26

February 2021

Completely

Bromsgrove

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Welcome

W

elcome to the February issue of Completely Bromsgrove.

Whilst we must mention the fact that we are still in lockdown and the pandemic continues to put a great strain on our NHS, the vaccine being administered at great speed in the Midlands gives us some hope that we are some way on the road to a little more normality.

On a brighter note, this issue has some uplifting features and stories.

Bromsgrove’s Town Centre Manager Simon Creed shares positive news about the setting up of ShopAppy.com, a new website bringing together independent retailers to form a community, enabling residents to support their local retailers and in doing so, helping to disrupt the large online retailers who hog the marketplace.

Judy Millinchip has collated her diaries into a book called Hidden Illness. The book focuses on her daughter Tansie, who in normal times is a familiar face around Bromsgrove. I’m sure many readers will either know of or will have seen her in the High Street.

At the age of 13 Tansie was diagnosed with schizophrenia and Judy’s book shares the family’s struggles and explains their fight for her precious daughter. Well done Judy!

One fantastic piece of news is the additional funding that St Michael and All Angels Church in Stoke Prior has received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). This has enabled muchneeded work to go ahead on the church tower and it’s wonderful to see such an ancient building being restored for future generations.

My final note is an obvious one. Keep safe, keep your distance, wash your hands, wear a face mask and stay home.

6

Women in Business Our MP’s message Covid update from BDC Garden Volunteers Awarded Shop from home Kitchens - heart of the home

Completely

16 18 22 23 24 25 26 27

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

4 Completely Bromsgrove

Michele Ford

26 29 35

Contents 6 8 9 10 12 14

Very best wishes,

Gardening Brides of The Manor Water Voles evolve Worcs Wildlife Trust Age UK Senior Snippets The Liver Birds History

28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

Discover Jersey Health and Wellbeing Judy’s emotional book Magdala Church Tower Rail Matters from BARRUP Recipe Avoncroft Cricket Club 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.

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Nature’s way brings business smiles for entrepreneur Emily

E

very business story star ts with a spark of inspiration and Emily Attwell’s is cer tainly no different.

The brains behind Bromsgrove store Nature’s Intention, Emily started planning the launch of her first business in late 2017 after working for her dad’s distribution firm.

Emily, now 25, explained her lightbulb moment to Completely Bromsgrove.

“My dad put me on database upload duty and as I started looking through the 3,000 companies I noticed that many of them were involved with meat, dairy and plastic.

“I was keen to promote a plastic free and more sustainable lifestyle and as there was nothing similar in my local area I thought I’d set something up myself.”

As she was star ting from scratch with her first business, Emily, who hails from Redditch, was determined to take on board as much know-how as possible from other ventures in the sustainability sector.

She gained invaluable information from a store in Totnes in South Devon which had posted a ‘create your own zero waste shop’ PDF on their website full of useful details including sourcing suppliers, the right dispensers to buy and how to spread the message via social media.

Getting out of the starting blocks was a long process spanning several months and the store opened its doors at 2-4 High Street in July 2018.

6 Completely Bromsgrove

Emily had already worked in retail at major brands such as McDonald’s and Costa.

Admitting she was never happy there, she wanted to make Nature’s Intention a cheerful and inspiring environment for colleagues and customers alike.

The objective is simple: To encourage reducing, reusing and a sustainable lifestyle. The store is vegan friendly, a lifestyle Emily now follows. She has been a vegetarian since she was five years old.

“We have evolved into a throwaway society focusing on convenience and although it’s impor tant to recycle, I realised that it’s not the answer to our plastic problem,” she said.

“That plastic bottle doesn’t go into a recycling centre over and over and come out as a new bottle, the quality decreases every time. It is estimated plastic can only be recycled twice before it is then discarded as a waste product.”

Nature’s Intention, which has a team of three plus Emily’s partner who helps when he can, stocks a wide range of food plus cleaning and personal care products and other non-food items. Emily is passionate about everything she sells and future plans include home-cooked items.

After initially being closed during the first lockdown last March – “we weren’t sure what we were allowed to do, to be honest” – the store has proved to be a valuable community resource during the pandemic through its click and collect delivery service to people shielding or reluctant to leave home.

The store follows strict Covid secure guidelines. Mask wearing is mandatory and dispensers and surfaces are regularly wiped down and sanitised.

For more information about Nature’s Intention, visit the website www.naturesintention.co.uk and keep right up to date by following the store on Facebook.

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A message from our MP

T

he Chief Medical Officer has warned that we are facing perhaps our most serious moment yet in the battle against coronavirus and has called on the British public to play their part by continuing to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

No one wanted to see these fur ther restrictions imposed, but the speed with which this new variant is spreading is both frustrating and alarming. I have been in regular contact with leaders at our local NHS. They are doing fantastic work, but there is huge pressure on services.

It is clear that we must do all we can to tackle the new variant of this horrible virus. I know how difficult these last few weeks have been for residents, but I must urge you to stay at home and protect our NHS.

continues on rolling out the vaccine through hubs and GP surgeries.

Our focus must now be on defeating this virus through delivering the vaccine. As the Prime Minister said, for every jab that goes into our arms, we are tilting the odds against Covid and in favour of the British people.

Prior to restrictions being in place, I was pleased to be able to meet with businesses and organisations in the constituency. This includes St Michael and All Angels Church in Stoke Prior, which after years of fundraising is seeing restoration work take place on the church tower.

The Government has published the Covid-19 UK Vaccines Delivery Plan, setting out the delivery of the biggest vaccination programme in British history.

Locally, we are making great progress. I recently spoke to the directors of the Bromsgrove Primary Care Network, who informed me that all eligible elderly care home residents have been vaccinated. This will be of great comfor t to so many families, and work

It was also useful to speak with local business owners about the challenges they face at the moment, which I can then highlight to officials in Government.

There will be challenging days ahead, but I know our community will get through it and come out stronger.

As ever, if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch via sajid.javid.mp@parliament.uk

8 Completely Bromsgrove

Let’s pull together to stay apart then we can reunite

T

he last ten months have not been easy on Bromsgrove as we still retain the highest number of Covid cases in the county.

However, what the last ten months have also seen is communities coming together, not least the foodbanks and groups and organisations reaching out to people in a bid to combat social isolation. This made me very proud to live in and represent Bromsgrove.

While it seems that we have light at the end of the tunnel with the vaccine rapidly being rolled out, it is so impor tant that we heed the latest government advice – please stay at home. I ask our residents to think twice and really consider your actions and the impact they could have.

We have seen how transmissible this virus is and the ‘numbers’ are becoming names now. Please think twice if you need to go to the shops, do you need to pick up that pizza?

I also urge you, rather than visiting popular beauty spots like the Lickey and Clent Hills which are very crowded, to take your exercise closer to home and discover the delightful district on your doorstep.

There are lots of walks on the council website and this is just another way you can help to keep yourselves and others safe.

I know it is hard and, with elderly parents at home, I have to be extra careful about my own actions and it is difficult to be constantly aware.

On top of all the extra work we have done around the pandemic, including changes to our services to make them safe, administering government suppor t and working with par tners on messaging, it has still been business as usual at the council.

Like the rest of this country, we have been busy online ensuring council meetings can take place and February’s meeting will see our annual budget setting meeting so please join us.

We also closed Parkside recently to keep our customers and staff safe and pushed people to access our services online or via the telephone. I am amazed at how adaptable our services - and our customers – can be and as a council we have demonstrated how resilient we are.

Change is never easy and while I think there is still some way to go, I hope we can pull together to stay apar t so we can all finally come back together again sometime soon. Stay safe.

Karen May, leader of Bromsgrove District Council

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Gardening volunteers are awarded for 25 years’ service

T

wo volunteers have been celebrated for each dedicating 25 years to maintaining the gardens at Primrose Hospice.

Millie Harries and Linda Babb were presented with a cer tificate and bouquets of flowers to thank them for their hard work and dedication to the Bromsgrove charity before lockdown.

From planting the flower beds to organising other volunteers, the pair have made sure the hospice’s gardens are in tip-top condition all year round. They began volunteering after reading a plea for help in a local newspaper in 1995.

The pair, who originally met as teachers in Birmingham and worked together for 40 years, explained what keeps them motivated.

Millie, from Marlbrook, said: “We felt that if you came here and saw dead leaves and plants that would be depressing.”

“It is such a peaceful garden and people appreciate what we do,” added Linda, from Cofton Hackett.

Over the years, the garden has changed dramatically having originally featured a piggery and vegetable garden. Now maintained by ten volunteers, it boasts a pond and a children’s sensory garden.

10 Completely Bromsgrove

Jo Wright, volunteers’ manager, thanked the pair for their many years of service.

“We’re so grateful to them and our team of almost 400 volunteers who give up their time to support the hospice.

We couldn’t do what we do without them,” said Jo. David Burrell, Primrose Hospice chief executive, said: “Between them Millie and Linda have given Primrose an incredible 2,000 days of volunteering.

“Primrose’s gardens offer an oasis of calm for our patients and the families we support. It really makes a difference to be able to sit or wander around and have a moment to relax in beautiful surroundings.

“We receive so many lovely comments about how well kept the gardens are and this is down to Linda, Millie and the wonderful team of volunteers who work so hard in all kinds of weather to maintain them.”

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ShopAppy to show your

support for small business

T

he national lockdown means that we are being urged to stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

We may leave the home to shop for necessities, for our family or a vulnerable person. If we need to travel, we should stay local and look to reduce the number of journeys we make. One of the reasons is to buy goods or services that we need, but this should be within the local area wherever possible.

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen an increase in online shopping and the adoption of alternative delivery methods. A positive outcome that the situation has uncovered is an increased sense of community. Our communities rely on the small businesses at the heart of them - now more than ever, local small businesses are essential.

In addition to shopping and using the services of our small businesses, there are some other ways that you can support our local businesses: • Like what you see? Photograph it and tag your local business on their social media • Retweet or re-post a small business on social media • Like what you bought? Write a review for your local business • Tell your friends and neighbours about where you love shopping Michelle Ovens, director of Small Business Saturday UK and founder of Small Business Britain, said: “Small businesses are the beating heart of communities and town centres. These small firms were there for the nation during lockdown and now they need our support to get back on their feet.”

2020 was an extremely difficult and challenging year for many individuals and businesses. The focus now must be the road to recovery for businesses across the district alongside encouraging the community to support and engage with the town and village centres. Small businesses can only survive with local community support and this must be facilitated safely and greatly encouraged.

North Worcestershire Economic Development & Regeneration (NWedR), Bromsgrove District Council and the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership are working with ShopAppy.com to help

12 Completely Bromsgrove

provide local businesses in Bromsgrove and Rubery with an effective online platform to sell products and services in a safe and secure manner.

ShopAppy.com is a ‘Shop & Support Local’ website supported and backed by VISA, making it easier than ever for people to browse, book and buy from their local businesses at their convenience. The ShopAppy.com mission is not to create more online shoppers but to create a community of local shoppers that can opt to shop in the way they choose.

We have already seen the enormous creativity and ingenuity of individuals and businesses in the district. Many stores, businesses and service providers have diversified their offer and enhanced their online presence. ShopAppy. com could be an additional weapon for their armoury.

Our high streets are under threat and physical spend is quickly moving online and this has been accelerated by COVID-19 with £1 in every £3 now being spent with large online retailers. ShopAppy.com hopes to disrupt this behaviour by providing shoppers with products from independent shops in their area.

The service is funded by Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP until May 2021 and may be extended for an additional six months. Local business owners keen to find out more can email info@shopappy.com Simon Creed, Bromsgrove Centres Manager

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Advertisement Feature

From kitchen to classroom

- adapting our homes to the ‘new normal’

P

rior to 2020 the demands of most new kitchens usually extended to a stunning room to cook and dine in and, if space allowed, a relaxing lounge area too.

But fast forward 12 months and designers must consider the project from a very different perspective.

The pandemic has had a significant and unexpected impact on the way we conduct our daily lives.

Our kitchen and dining areas have had to transform without warning into classrooms and home studies. Add to this the fact that many social events have been put on hold and it means our homes also need to provide both entertainment and sanctuary simultaneously.

Smart storage Most kitchens have a dumping ground for those ‘I’ll sort it later’ items such as unopened letters, loose change and receipts. Decluttering drawers and cupboards not only frees up much needed space but has recognised psychological benefits too. In both modern and traditional kitchen styles, concealed units are a popular choice, providing a streamlined look and reducing the number of distractions.

Whether you are thinking of completely changing your kitchen this year or simply reworking what you already have, consider the following points for a more productive, harmonious and multifunctional environment.

Incorporating a device drawer into your design is a fantastic way of hiding unattractive cables and discreetly housing charging points whilst keeping everything close at hand. On the other end of the storage scale, open shelving enables a whole host of items to be beautifully presented yet instantly accessible. It won’t seem unusual soon to see pots of pencils next to pots of pasta!

The home school effect

The importance of wellbeing

Home schooling has resulted in a fight for not only the best device but also the most comfortable and practical spot in many households. Using seating areas in the kitchen means that parents can assist with school tasks easily whilst preparing meals or managing their own work. In terms of design, we will inevitably start to see requests for more spacious work surfaces with plenty of sockets and charging points for devices.

Whereas previously the kitchen island has almost always included a hob, it is likely that this area will increasingly become free of appliances to ensure a safe space for children to study.

14 Completely Bromsgrove

If you have the room, consider a softly lit, device free relaxation zone within your kitchen. Ideally this would be with a view of the garden but if this is not possible the same effect can be achieved with your favourite houseplants and a calming home fragrance. For a completely natural approach, bring the outside in by creating an indoor herb garden.This provides the added bonus of having fresh ingredients to hand whenever you need them.

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GARDENING

Preparation is the key to success in the garden

T

he Christmas tree and decorations have been returned to the loft and it is lighter in the evenings, which means it’s time to prepare for the coming season.

Now is not the time to take it easy as there are plenty of jobs to tick off your list. There is nothing better than curling up with a steaming cuppa flicking through seed catalogues marvelling at the array of fruit and vegetables tempting you to place your order.

This is the time to buy seed potatoes; who knew there were so many varieties? Before planting you must “chit” them to give them a good start, which means allowing them to sprout and produce shoots before you plant them outside. Stand the potatoes upright in egg boxes to allow the shoots to grow.

These should be ready to plant out in late March to early April. Don’t be in a rush to put them in the cold soggy ground as it can give them a bit of a shock which will impede their growth.

Cover your patch to warm the soil for a couple of weeks before planting. One of our allotment gents told me that you should plant them on Good Friday.

There’s a big difference in dates from one year to the next so I’m not sure about the reliability of that gem of knowledge.

Check your tools. Tools need to be clean, sharp and in good working order. This is simple to do and you will be rewarded in “spades”. A simple tool kit of oil, wire wool, whetstone and cloth will suffice. If you look after your tools, they will last you.

Make sure the blades are clean and dirt free. Wipe with an oily cloth and use wire wool to remove any rust that may have accumulated over the season.

Sharpen with the whetstone, brush with oil then store in a dry place.

Maintenance tip – keep a bucket of sharp sand in your shed and before you store your tools sink the spade/fork into the sand. This will remove any debris and act as an abrasive to keep them clean.

Other tips for February • Watch out for frost and be prepared to cover any blossom on fruit trees • Prune winter flowering shrubs such as mahonias, winter jasmine and heathers once flowering is finished • Cut back deciduous grasses and “comb” evergreen grasses with your fingers to remove the old loose dead leaves

16 Completely Bromsgrove

• Divide large clumps of snowdrops after flowering and replant • Sprinkle slow release fer tiliser around the base of roses Enjoy the emerging daffodil bulbs as spring is almost upon us, bringing the promise of light and warmth.

By Suzi M - garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments

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Contemporary venue is perf

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anor Hill House is a private, modern and contemporary wedding venue 2 miles south of Bromsgrove, nestling in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside. It is a wonderful location for celebrating your wedding day, special occasion or business event.

Our Bespoke Wedding Pavilion

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Manor Hill House offers you: • Exclusivity for your event • Bespoke catering, tailored to your requirements • Rural countryside setting • Beautiful and stylish marquee • Affordable pay bar • Fantastic photo opportunities in our picturesque grounds • Outdoor and indoor civil ceremony options • Animal friendly • Award winning events team available at all planning stages and on the day itself Every event is special; our aim is to exceed your expectations from hosting dream weddings to memorable celebrations.

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Get Active and Creative with Development Services The evidence shows that active and creative lifestyles bring huge benefits in terms of mental and physical wellbeing. Exercising regularly helps people feel better and stay healthier, while cultural engagement – listening to music, reading, learning a new creative skill – helps us to reflect and relate to one another. However, with all the pressures of life it isn’t always easy to find the time or motivation to get active and creative. tĂǀĞďƌĞĂŬŵĞĚŝĂͬ^ŚƵƩĞƌƐƚŽĐŬ͘ĐŽŵ WƌnjĞŵĞŬ <ůŽƐͬ^ŚƵƩĞƌƐƚŽĐŬ͘ĐŽŵ

With officers working across ar ts and spor ts, the Development Services Team at Bromsgrove District Council are here to help.

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#ActiveBromsgrove #CreativeBromsgrove

In Arts Development we collaborate with a wide range of local, regional and national partners in the cultural sector to make sure that Bromsgrove residents have the opportunity to experience the full range of benefits which creativity can bring. Current and forthcoming projects include music and reminiscence work with local dementia patients, author visits to special school pupils and a programme of COVID19 safe events developed with local community groups.

Wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com

A large part of our work involves developing and supporting new initiatives, so if you have a great creative idea, but aren’t sure how to make it happen, we might be able to advise you on making it reality. Likewise, if you’re in search of a community to share your own creative enthusiasms, we might be able to help point you in the right direction.

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In Sports Development we co-ordinate and deliver a variety of community activities for children, young people, adults, older people, disabilities and minority groups. This includes community exercise classes where specialised qualified instructors deliver a multitude of classes across the District for ages 50+. Exercise can help you to manage almost any health condition, from your mental health to arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, we have got evidence-based exercise prescriptions that will get you onto the right track. All our work is undertaken in line with Government COVID-19 guidelines.

We’re also suppor ting Spor t Edge to deliver walking versions of football, hockey and netball – and hope to get these sessions back up and running once COVID-19 restrictions permit. Open to every ability and adapted especially for walking, they are a great way to improve your physical health, mental health, improve your social circle and reduce the amount of time spent alone.

Get Active and Creative

Mladen Mitrinovic/Shutterstock.com

with Development Services Our aim is to support the residents of Bromsgrove so please get in touch with us if you have any questions or require support in finding the right activity for you. You can reach us at: sd@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk To find out more about what we do you can also sign up to our regular newsletter via the following weblink: www.eepurl.com/bUvEz5 tĂǀĞďƌĞĂŬŵĞĚŝĂͬ^ŚƵƩĞƌƐƚŽĐŬ͘ĐŽŵ WƌnjĞŵĞŬ <ůŽƐͬ^ŚƵƩĞƌƐƚŽĐŬ͘ĐŽŵ

Tel: 01527 881289

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#ActiveBromsgrove #CreativeBromsgrove

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

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21

Watch the Voles evolve!

BEFORE: Brook alongside Alcester Road – very overgrown, full of silt and prone to overflowing

BEFORE: Culvert under the road partly blocked by a bank of silt

AFTER: Bank of silt cleared from the culvert inlet to help the flow of water

AFTER: Brook alongside Alcester Road – excess silt and vegetation removed

T

owards the end of 2020, the North Worcestershire Water Management and Parks & Recreation teams at Bromsgrove Council worked together to undertake some much needed maintenance of the Spadesbourne Brook at Lickey End. Prior to work commencing, a qualified ecologist carried out a water vole survey on the site and provided the Council with advice on how to undertake the work to ensure no impact upon the local population of water voles. While surveying the site, he found several signs that the mammals pass through the site regularly and occasionally stop to feed.

Water voles are classified as endangered in England and Wales, and Bromsgrove is lucky to be one of the few places locally where they remain so it’s vital that any work in or near to watercourses, in particular the Spadesbourne and Battlefield Brooks, is undertaken with due care and consideration and wherever possible measures are incorporated to enhance their habitat.

The work at Lickey End involved removing some excess vegetation from the channel along with several inches of silt from the channel to improve the conveyance of water beneath the bridges. Two pools adjacent to the car park were also re-connected to the brook allowing them to fill with water again. Not only does the extra capacity within the channel and

22 Completely Bromsgrove

pools reduce the risk of flooding to the Alcester Road, but it also improves the habitat potential for water voles as they like to have areas of deeper water to escape to when they feel threatened. While very elusive, you might hear their characteristic “plop!” as they dive into the brook.

Later this year, subject to the latest guidelines, the North Worcestershire Water Management team are hoping to arrange a small event at the Lickey End recreation ground where locals can join in with planting some native plant species along the brook and help to remove young invasive Himalayan Balsam plants. These tall plants with sweet smelling pink flowers have very shallow root systems but grow rapidly and out compete native plant species; when they die back they leave bare banks which can lead to bank erosion and blockages which increase flood risk but also means less vegetation over the winter months for the water voles to feed on. Keep an eye on NWWM’s facebook page for more information on this event go to: www.facebook.com/northworcsflooding

Keeping wild I

don’t know about you but a lockdown in spring, when the sky was blue and the birds were singing, was somehow easier than a lockdown in winter with its dreary grey days and the promise of spring not quite close enough on the horizon.

The natural world feels kind of asleep at this time of year but it shouldn’t be too hard to see it waking up – even on our doorsteps. We just need to look for it

We came back from our Christmas break to an email from Trust member, Robin Couchman, featuring this beautiful snowdrop, surrounded by glistening snowflakes. Our Twitter and Facebook pages have photos from people across the county who are noticing buds on trees, catkins appearing, hellebores flowering and more snowdrops popping up. Snowdrops are also known as Candelmas bells as they’re often in flower on 2nd February, Candlemas Day, so keep a look out for these snow-white jewels as February takes hold.

Not only do snowdrops brighten our days but they’re also an impor tant source of nectar for early insects. On our south coast, the warmer temperatures have meant that colonies of buff-tailed bumblebees have been able to survive UK winters. That’s starting to happen here in Worcestershire and last year I saw my first winter-flying bumblebees in Malvern. Will you be the first to spot them in Bromsgrove? Take a quick picture and let us know if you do. Check your garden or local walk to look for signs of flowering life – crocuses and snowdrops poking their heads above ground, hellebores, winter heathers, mahonias and catkins.

While you’re outside, listen for the calls of long-tailed tits.

A lack of leaves in the trees makes them easier to spot as they barrel through gardens and hedgerows, finding insects and spiders to feed on as they go (they’re partial to peanuts and fat balls if you’ve got any hanging in your garden). During winter they’ve travelled together in loose family groups and they often gather blue tits, coal tits, great tits and even goldcrests with them on their search for food.

There’s plenty of life on our doorsteps if we just take the time to look. If you’ve got a camera, why not start taking photos of what you spot…entries for our popular photo competition are open and, who knows, your wild photo could be the front cover of our 2022 calendar!

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

Long-tailed tits on peanuts – Dave Butler

Crocus – Graham Chetwynd

Snowdrop – Robin Couchman

Buff-tailed bumblebee – Tom Marshall

by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Completely Bromsgrove

23

AGE UKa friend that’s here to help

W

hilst the last 12 months has been a time that many would like to forget, it has also been a period that has brought out the best in our communities and has shown that, when we come together, we can find a way.

Local charities such as Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest have seen an unprecedented rise in demand for support and services, whilst at the same time the traditional funding sources to support this work, including charity shops, have all been impacted by the pandemic.

Like many organisations, Age UK BRWF has had to adapt. When the first lockdown was announced, we quickly looked at ways to move our Information & Advice service, which mainly provided face-to-face appointments and home visits, to a telephone-based service.

Reflecting on 2020, I&A Advisor Sarah said: “When the coronavirus restrictions were initially announced we thought that it was going to be impossible to do our job but over the last few months we have shown that we can be flexible, we can adapt and are open to change.”

Whilst it takes more preparation, for example contacting a person in advance to make sure that they have the relevant documentation to hand, Sarah and the rest of the team are now completing benefit checks and attendance allowance forms over the phone.

“We have adapted to the necessary changes to our way of working, overcome most difficulties with the use of modern technology and the support of the team, to ensure that we can continue to provide

24 Completely Bromsgrove

personalised, confidential support to older people living in our communities,” Sarah added.

Our ‘At Home’ team also quickly responded to government guidelines, implementing a series of measures, along with additional PPE, to ensure that the service was Covid-secure so clients could continue to receive the suppor t that they needed.

Whilst the practical suppor t, from shopping, general housework, preparing meals to jobs around the home, has helped people to stay safe and independent at home, regular visits from our team have also had a big impact on the overall wellbeing of our clients. One of our home workers summed it up by saying: “I am just a friend that has come to help.”

For more information about the help and services that Age UK BRWF provides, along with how you can support the charity, call 01527 570490 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/brwf/

Bromsgrove, Redditch & Wyre Forest

Advertisement Feature

Senior Snippets – Dignity Action

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.

February 1st is Dignity Action Day, which has caused us to reflect on how we continue to champion dignity within the service that we provide, whether that is making a lovely meal, respecting our client’s choices or always having the time for a chat.

I would like to explore how we can all uphold people’s right to dignity within the elderly community.

Listen to their concerns. Don’t rubbish their concerns or say that they are bring silly. Seemingly small things can seem important when you get older.

Ask for their opinions and let them know that they are important to you. As we get older, it is easy to feel like you are less and less in control.

Involve them in as many decisions as possible. Small things can make a big difference. If you are supporting someone it can be easy to take over but even giving someone a choice of what to eat or wear can help maintain dignity and give them back control.

Include them in the conversation – do not talk like they are not there. Even if an older person is living with dementia or is hard of hearing, they can still pick up on body language or the feeling in the room. Talking like they are not there can feel belittling.

Speak to them as an adult, even if you are not sure that they understand. It is widely said that getting older is like a second childhood, however, they are not children. Most elderly people have led very full lives, had careers, raised families and even fought for their country. Speak to them as you would another adult.

For more information about Home Instead or 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

25

The Guild flying high

- from Bromsgrove to Liverpool The story of the Liver Birds

I

n the October edition of Completely Bromsgrove we showcased the Bromsgrove Guild’s work creating the Buckingham Palace gates.This month we look at the construction of the Liver Birds and how they were created in Bromsgrove to sit and watch over the sea and the city in Liverpool.

The construction of the Palace gates had given the Bromsgrove Guild notoriety and orders were coming in from far and wide. The Royal Liver Assurance Company were looking to commission the construction of two mythical Liver Birds to sit atop the twin towers of its new head office at Pier Head, Liverpool when it opened in July 1911. The building itself ground-breaking with its concrete construction.

On winning the contract for the Liver Birds the team at the Guild faced the challenge of creating statues large enough to be seen from afar on their perch three hundred feet above the ground, whilst being sturdy enough to withstand the high winds of the coastal city, without being too heavy!

The design of the Liver Birds had been decided by a competition, won by Carl Bernard Bartels, a German wood carver living and working in London, but the team at the Guild were responsible for their make-up.

Soon work began to create the birds in the Bromsgrove workshops, using beaten copper sheets covering a steel frame, with an additional challenge shown in the order book (now kept at Avoncroft Museum). The order was written into the book on 10th April 1911, and in red ink at the bottom of the page a note reads “This order is to be completed by May 12th under penalty of £20 per week”!

from their lofty perch in Liverpool. Bertie looks over the city and watches over the people, Bella looks out to sea to safeguard the prosperity of all. Each statue is 18ft (5.4m) tall with a wingspan of 24ft (7.3m), weighs 4 tons and carries a sprig of seaweed in its beak.

Of symbolic importance to the city of Liverpool, and a testament to the talent of the Bromsgrove Guild of Applied Arts.

The only way to transport the statues over 100 miles from Bromsgrove to Liverpool in 1911 was to dismantle them, take them in small sections to Liverpool, and rebuilding them in situ, and in time for the building’s grand opening on 19th July. The final challenge – they were to be gilded in gold leaf. George Whewell from the Guild who worked on the construction said that twice as much gold blew away in the wind as was applied to the birds because of the sea winds 300 feet up!

And so, for over 100 years these mythical birds from Bromsgrove have stood watch

26 Completely Bromsgrove

A Liver Bird in the Guild workshop 1911

HISTORY

Preserving the town’s historic timber buildings

A

s a historic market town, Bromsgrove has its fair share of very old, timber-framed buildings. Preserving these unique structures demands specialist expertise.

Until the late 1600s the majority of what architects call ‘vernacular’ (i.e. minor) buildings were constructed with timber frames. In regions where wood was scarce, builders used local rubble, mud walling, or whatever was at hand, but wherever possible timber was preferred. Oak accounted for the majority of the frames, partly due to its strength and also because its heartwood is resistant to beetles. Sweet chestnut was also used for large roofspans and elm and other woods were sometimes deployed.

In Bromsgrove, timber-framed buildings were found throughout the town. A notable cluster was around the Strand. In the 1980s, a major row erupted regarding plans for the Mitre Inn on the Strand. An architect’s report found it was a timber-framed house dating back to around 1600 with a large brick chimney stack serving several fire places.The adjacent houses, numbered 141 to 145 High Street, were thought to be of similar age and construction.The campaign to save these structures led to the formation of the Bromsgrove Society, the town’s conservation and local history body.

The society’s founders were keen that the Mitre should avoid the fate that had befallen 23-27 Worcester Street in the 1960s. This was a row of shops that had originally been built as a single house with a large hall and a solar cross-wing in the late 15th century.

Proposals to convert it to a motor vehicle showroom were unsuccessful. In 1962 the building was demolished but was later rebuilt as one of the first exhibits at Avoncroft Museum, where it is known as the ‘Medieval Town House’ or ‘Merchant’s House’.

One of the town’s grandest buildings was the old Hop Pole Inn, which stood on the High Street. This was built in 1572 by Walter Brooke and remained in the Brooke family until 1825. It was one of the finest Elizabethan inns in Worcestershire. In 1865 the authorities decided to demolish the Hop Pole in order to build the ‘New Road’ to the railway station and George Quemby, the last licensee, was forced to leave. The demolition process proved how well the inn was built. The chimney had brickwork three feet thick and a pair of old manacles was found inside, complete with key.

The inn’s timbers were re-erected at a cost of £2,000 on the corner of New Road. Now known as ‘The Tudor House’, the building served initially as a branch of the Worcester City & County Bank, then of Lloyd’s Bank and in more recent years as estate agents’ offices.

The preservation of timber-framed buildings will be the focus of an online local history talk on March 16th, hosted by the Bromsgrove Society. Emily Hathaway and Tegan Cornah from Worcestershire Archives & Archaeology Service will discuss the work of conservation architects Freddie and Mary Charles.The couple lived and worked in Bromsgrove and became internationally-recognised experts on the conservation and repair of these vernacular buildings.

This free talk was originally due to be given last April, as the society’s annual lecture, and has had to be rearranged. Participation is open to members and non-members but pre-booking is required. Visit www.bsoc.co.uk for more details.

by Mike Sharpe Completely Bromsgrove

27

Spotlight on Jersey G

eographically closer to France than England, Jersey is a little bit different and ever so slightly exotic, yet reassuringly familiar too.

It’s British pounds and French place names, cream teas and croissants, Breton-style seafood and good ol’ fish ‘n’ chips.

Full of natural beauty, the breathtaking coastline ranges from rugged cliffs in the north to the Atlantic rollers of the windy west and long swathes of golden sand in the south. Inland is equally scenic, with flower- filled meadows, undulating farmland and leafy hidden valleys all linked by tranquil country lanes.

The capital is St Helier and although it is small, it is a buzzing cosmopolitan harbour town and the main hub for the island’s shopping, eating, entertainment and nightlife.

Jersey is also crammed with award-winning attractions and places to visit. Uncover the island’s past at magnificent castles, emotive war tunnels and hands-on museums that really bring history to life.

If that’s not enough, there are fascinating wildlife and adventure parks, quaint fishing villages, beautiful private gardens, luxury spas and not forgetting a tantalising array of outdoor pursuits for all ages and abilities.

Getting around is easy. For maximum flexibility, I recommend hiring a car to seek out hidden beaches, explore the glorious coastline and find some off-thebeaten-track places.

Alternatively, an extensive island-wide bus network gives easy access to all the main places of interest.

28 Completely Bromsgrove

Jersey is also an exceedingly friendly walking and cycling island with a maze of cycle paths, walks and 45 miles of ‘Green Lanes’, which meander through the various parishes.

Famous for food, Jersey’s reputation as a foodie island is growing and embraces everything from Michelin-starred restaurants, chic bistros and gastropubs to farm stalls, village delis and beach cafes. Just be sure to bring a healthy appetite!

For fur ther information or advice please contact me at jane.ward@travelcounsellors.com or call 07786 617598.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Happy & Healthy New Year!

W

e are here at the start of another new year and still dealing with this awful pandemic and the different tiers of lockdown around the country. Last year I wrote mainly about Health & Wellness and I was thinking of changing direction slightly this year.

I thought to begin that I would share my own story.

When I left school in Bromsgrove, I went to The Birmingham College of Food & Domestic Arts and trained for the hotel industry and after working for a few years I went back to college and trained as a Beauty Therapist and this has been my work for over 40 years.

When I moved abroad in the early 70’s I had to learn a different language and in my mid 30’s I had 7 very difficult years in and out of hospital with my health. When I was told I would be in a wheelchair by 40 I started down a new path on the holistic route. I first trained in Reiki, Pranic Healing, Tarot, Fast Track Technique and became a teacher within all these modalities and later became a Reiki Master and I still give courses today. I then moved into the world of colour and I have been a teacher and colour consultant for the last 30 plus years. I need to add this is not the colours you wear but the colours you are – (for a large part based upon the teachings of Karl Gustav Jung) During this time I trained as a BioChemic with Dr. Schussler Tissue Salts and advanced to becoming a Naturopathic Nutritionist, so almost a complete circle. For the last 5 years I have been involved with a Biotech company where I can combine everything I have learnt in the past. By

integrating all that I have learnt into one holistic approach it is possible to combine the physical with the spiritual to help my clients to understand where their difficulties are and how different treatments can help them.

Lastly, I have designed my own colour and holistic courses that include everything I have trained in. I have written 2 books that have been published and one of the books has been translated into Dutch.

Therefore, I thought this year my ar ticles will cover many different topics not just health.

Wishing you all a much better 2021.

by Colette Garside colette@thegarsides.net www.need4change.com www.windsofchange.academy Completely Bromsgrove

29

Book’s tale of family’s fight for Tansie’s future

A

determined Bromsgrove mum’s story of her beloved daughter has been turned into a book which she hopes will inspire other families in similar situations.

Hidden Illness is based on diaries that Judy Millinchip wrote chronicling Tansie’s schizophrenia diagnosis at the age of 13 and her fight to receive treatment.

Judy told Completely Bromsgrove: “Tansie was diagnosed back in 1981 and the book records all the trials and tribulations we went through.

Following treatment at Hollymoor Hospital in Nor thfield and in Kidderminster, Tansie was moved to an adolescent unit in Bromsgrove where she began to turn a corner.

“She tried to commit suicide several times but we kept on pushing to get the right support and medication for her.

Tansie sees her family regularly, keeps herself busy with jobs around her flat – though Judy does have to remind her about doing the vacuuming! - and enjoys social and educational activities such as cinema and English lessons.

“Once that was in place Tansie started to improve and now, aged 53, she’s a very independent lady who has been a fantastic support to me, my husband Martin and her younger brother Charles during lockdown.”

“My message to other families who find themselves in situations like ours is to keep on fighting for your child and for their right to receive proper suppor t,” said Judy.

Judy said that initially she thought that Tansie’s behaviour, which included wanting to stay in her room all the time during a family holiday to Spain, was related to being a teenager.

“What I really want is for the book to be a valuable resource to show what can be achieved and how families can come through difficult times.”

After doctors and a psychologist failed to accurately diagnose her, an educational psychologist confirmed what they had suspected and Tansie was admitted to hospital.

30 Completely Bromsgrove

Hidden Illness, which retails for £4.99, is available from Charles’s shop, Branded4U in Hewell Road, Barnt Green Tel: 0121 445 3262 or directly from Judy via email - judy.martin.815@btinternet.com

The Friends of Stoke Prior M agdala, your friendly church tower, here, hoping we are closer to the end of the latest lockdown. Recent months have been unprecedented and my hope is for everyone to be safe and well.

At the time of writing work had star ted on St Michael and All Angels. I thought it might be helpful to feedback how the works have progressed.

With thanks to the Church Commissioners work on the chancel has been completed. This includes a new roof, repairs to the east wall and window.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) project is now well under way. You will have seen the scaffolding shrouding the church in readiness for the repairs on the tower with the addition of the new broach. The broach will protect the tower by directing rainfall away from the walls of the building.

One thousand tiles have been replaced on the nave roof, which was a few more than we were expecting but again you can see the difference already in the work undertaken. Repairs on the west wall have begun with the lime mortaring being refreshed and replacement of stone where required. The west nave flooring has partly been taken up ready to re-route the heating pipework.

In the background the glass vestibule for the west door is under manufacture, as is the English oak cabinet for the housing of the electrical equipment. This will involve lowering the existing electrical cables/fixtures to make them accessible and safe. Arrangements are in hand to relocate the incoming electrical overhead cabling to beneath ground level. The stonemason has been appointed to begin work on the tower corbel table.

As you can see there is lots going on. Our friends Midland Conservation are doing sterling work in making sure I will be here for future generations. My heritage is being protected and thanks to my suppor ters from Stoke Prior and farther afield it is in good hands.

Many thanks for everyone’s hard work and suppor t. It is so appreciated. Sending you all best wishes, stay safe.

The Friends of Stoke Prior are running the annual GRAND EASTER RAFFLE to WIN a CASH PRIZE, A LUXURY HAMPER, FINE WINE and much more! Other events are provisionally planned for when we are able to meet safely. Raffle tickets cost £2 each and can be purchased from Cathy Stokes on 01527 577069 or email: castokes15@hotmail.com. Arrangements will then be made for payment and obtaining tickets.

by Cathy Stokes, chair of the Friends of Stoke Prior Steering Group

Completely Bromsgrove

31

www.bromsgroverail.org.uk

Rail Matters from BARRUP

( Bromsgrove and Redditch Rail User Partnership)

B

y the time that you read this ar ticle, the Vaccine Programme should be well under way and all of us can hope that by the middle of the Summer, life will be returning to some form of normality.

During the next few months, we will need to turn our attention to rebuilding the local economy and improved rail services stopping at Bromsgrove Station can play a valuable part in doing so.

And these are for people visiting just for leisure !!.

There are many more people visiting also, for business purposes, the plethora of trading estates and business parks throughout the district.

Probably we don’t consider Bromsgrove to be a Tourist Destination, but tens of thousands of people visit the Town and District for a wide variety of reasons.

Thus the easier it is made for every visitor to travel to Bromsgrove by train and then onwards by buses / taxis from the Station, the more the number of people who will visit and the more trade they will generate for the local economies.

They come for The Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, The Norton Collection Museum (and they used to come to Artrix in their numbers and will do so again when the District Council re-opens it - hopefully this Autumn), St John’s Church, Court Leet Day, Sanders Park, The Tardebigge Flight, The Lickey Incline, the three Royal Hunters Walks, The Town Market on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, The Jinney Ring, The Bromsgrove Festival, The Bromsgrove International “ Young Musician of the The Year Competition”, The Houseman Statue and Trail, matches at Sporting Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove Cricket Club and Bromsgrove Rugby Club, the Running Track at the Rylands Centre, the Climbing Wall at the Sports Centre and many more “attractions”.

In addition to trying to improve the number and frequency of services on the West Midlands Trains Cross City Line Service to and from Bromsgrove and then onwards to Droitwich / Worcester / Malvern and Hereford, BARRUP is working also on persuading Cross Country Services to stop at Bromsgrove all the services which stop at Worcestershire Parkway.

If they do so, then people wishing to travel to and from Bromsgrove to Cheltenham, Bristol and the South West, Cardiff and South Wales, Oxford, Reading and Paddington could board and alight at the station, thus improving considerably the town’s connectivity and thus its economy.

by Nick Taylor

32 Completely Bromsgrove

RECIPE

Root Vegetable Cakes Makes 8

T

hese mouthwatering vegetable cakes can be prepared ahead and kept in the fridge until you are ready to cook them. Miniature versions of the cakes would make good party food accompanied with a bowl of the sauce for dipping.

Method: 1. To make the vegetable cakes, scrub the sweet potatoes and parsnips, peel and cut into 2.5cm chunks. Cook in a pan of hot water until tender when pierced with a skewer. Drain and coarsely crush with a fork.

Tip Cornflour and polenta are both gluten free so are ideal for coating the cakes.

Gluten free flour and gluten free bread made into crumbs could also be used.

Ingredients: For the root vegetable cakes: 225g sweet potatoes 225g parsnips 2tbsp groundnut oil, plus extra, for shallow frying 1 red onion, peeled and finely chopped 225g carrots, grated 1tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves For coating: (see Tip) 2tbsp cornflour 1 egg 2tbsp polenta For the soy and chilli sauce: 2tbsp Kikkoman Tamari Gluten-free soy sauce 1tbsp chilli sauce, or to taste 2tbsp tomato ketchup 1tbsp lime juice 1 spring onion, finely chopped

Crushing rather than mashing the vegetables gives the cakes a more interesting texture when you bite into them.

Preparation time: 20 mins (plus chilling time) Cooking time: about 30 minutes

2. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a frying pan and fry the onion over a low heat for 5 minutes until softened. Transfer to a mixing bowl, stir in the carrots, rosemary and crushed vegetables and stir until evenly mixed.

3. Leave to cool and then shape the mixture into eight round flat cakes. Dust with cornflour, brush with beaten egg and coat in the polenta. Chill the cakes for 1 hour or longer to firm them up.

4. Heat oil for shallow frying in a large frying pan and cook the vegetable cakes for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown, turning them over once. Drain from the pan onto a plate lined with absorbent kitchen paper.

5. To make the sauce, whisk all the ingredients together until combined. Spoon the sauce into a serving bowl and sprinkle with the chopped spring onion.

Serve the vegetables cakes hot, accompanied with the sauce.

Instead of frying the cakes, you can brush them with oil and bake them on a greased baking sheet in a 190°C (fan 170°C)/375°F/gas mark 5 oven for 15 minutes. Turn them over and bake for a further 10 minutes.

www.lovebritishfood.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

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AVONCROFT CRICKET CLUB

Treat your local cricket club with respect – or lose it

A

lthough Avoncroft CC has not been playing either outdoor or indoor cricket since late September, there has still been plenty of off the field activity.

The cricket square has received considerable TLC in order to be in prime condition for this April and work has started on refurbishing and enlarging the lounge/bar areas in the pavilion, in the expectation that they will be in use this season.

The executive committee has been hard at work through Zoom meetings in planning future growth and initiatives.

Foremost amongst those is the club’s plan to start a Third XI this coming season. This will be primarily to introduce the many younger players in the club to regular competitive cricket, albeit of a friendly and learning nature. Members are currently searching near and far to find or develop a ground for this prospective new team.

The format of Saturday league cricket awaits clarification from the Worcestershire Cricket Board but is likely to be more localised with fewer long distance away venues.

The club has made strenuous efforts in recent years to be a centre for the community and members are aghast at the lack of cooperation of a small number of people who clearly do not respect the opportunities offered by a voluntary organisation which is trying to help young people in particular.

34 Completely Bromsgrove

Owing to a disputed right of way footpath, a minority of dog walkers use the whole ground to exercise their dogs, including on the pitches themselves. Despite clear notices at the entrances - which have been regularly vandalised or destroyed - some walkers insist it is their right to go wherever they wish.

Members have great concerns that some altercations and confrontations could become unpleasant and CCTV is now covering the whole field with pictures beamed to the relevant members.

In addition, the club’s new nets, provided with a generous donation by Bromsgrove District Council’s Community Fund have had holes cut in them, as has the rope around the fence protecting the square. The fence has also had to be re-erected four times this winter. The police have been informed and are now making on-site visits.

The club has always wished to be a centre of provision for the local community, especially young people, and hopes that in future this vision can be shared by all. Otherwise the long-term outlook for such an organisation is bleak indeed. www.avoncroftcc.co.uk

by Rod Braithwaite

Latest lockdowns scupper hopes of completing league season F

ormer Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson once quipped that a week is a long time in politics but it feels much longer in football.

Back in early December there was some hope that the season could be resumed and with a fair wind all league and cup matches could be completed.

Plans were made for a couple of friendlies to get Bromsgrove Sporting’s players match fit again then to start up the league fixtures in time for the Christmas/New Year break, traditionally a time when there are bigger crowds and a chance to make a bit more income.

Alas lockdown two came along scuppering all the efforts and hard work of everybody involved. The league programme was suspended again but being in tier two (at the time) meant that Worcestershire clubs could play matches against clubs in the same tier subject to Covid-19 restrictions.

As league matches could not be played, a series of friendly matches were arranged against local teams playing for an unofficial trophy, The Red Recruitment Cup. The first match went well for the Rouslers beating in-form Redditch United 3-1 but then Worcester Raiders and Evesham United had to withdraw from the competition so a friendly against Stourport Swifts was arranged that Sporting also won, this time 2-0.

The match against Alvechurch went ahead on Boxing

by Phil Baker Day with a maximum 600 crowd where the visitors came from behind to draw 3-3.

And that was that as no further matches have been possible due to lockdown three.

At the time of writing the Southern League is asking clubs if they want to terminate the season as there is little chance of playing any matches before March and zero chance of completing the season. If that happens then there is a possibility of a few friendly matches later in the year but watch this space.

The only player news is that Sporting legend Jason Cowley, who rejoined the club in October, is out on loan to Kidderminster Harriers who are still able to play their matches in The National League North albeit behind closed doors. Cowley has impressed so far coming off the bench against York City and scoring with a screamer to earn Harriers a point.

Sporting’s Veterans, Women and Colts seasons are also suspended though the Photos by Chris Jepson Veterans did manage one match in December beating Aston Rangers 2-1.

Updates about Bromsgrove Sporting FC can be found on the website www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

35

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