Completely Bromsgrove Issue 51 May '23

Welcome to the May issue of Completely Bromsgrove

There are so many celebrations in this edition! Firstly the Coronation of King Charles III when Bromsgrove High Street will be filled with the sounds of local artists, celebrating by rocKING the town. Grab your chairs and settle in for what I’m sure will be an event not to be missed. Turn to page 40 for all the details.

We are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Housman Society in this issue. Read the full story on page 26 and discover the celebration concert to be held at Routh Concert Hall, Bromsgrove School on Monday, July 10th. See page 43 for the details.

The Burcot Woodturners have been celebrating the club’s 25th anniversary and their affiliation to the AWGB (Association of Woodturners of Great Britain). You can read about that within this issue.

Within local sports, Sarah Gormley celebrated her 50th season as a Bromsgrove Hockey Player and Sidemoor Bowling Club are soon to be celebrating their centenary, you can find out about attending the event or joining the club on page 50.

Last be certainly not least, Bromsgrove’s Walking Sports Centre is the first in the world to introduce ‘Walking Rounders’ which has been supported by Rounders England and Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire. For more details on any of the Walking Sports turn to page 51.

I send my congratulations to everyone celebrating this month, I hope you all have a great May and let’s hope this is the start of some warmer weather.

Give us the privilege to serve you!

You have told us about various issues from parking in town, to development without an agreed proper infrastructure; from anti-social behaviour to littering and from the cost of living to buses!

Levelling Up Funding

Bromsgrove needs leadership, skill and passion to fix its services; simply throwing money at a new building project is yet again an indication of lack of vision. The Labour Party would prefer that the government funding is spent on buying empty commercial space across the constituency and using it to attract more brands and entrepreneurial popup restaurants and shops. This gives local talent the possibility of testing the market without some of the huge risks that come with business. Residents would also enjoy the range of changing outlets.

Parking

We feel that the parking system that the Tories have put in place has marginalised some of the elderly, as do the buses that require apps. Sam (Bromsgrove Labour Chair) has noted that her father cannot use apps because his finger/eye coordination is not what it used to be at the age of 80. Labour intends to introduce cash payments again, 30-minutes free parking in council run car-parks and a PAY AFTER YOU STAY system so that people do not need to rush back to their cars.

Cost of Living

On the cost of living, the Labour party is absolutely committed to freezing council tax through a reduction in the use of consultants, and moving forward with community shops that will help on your shopping bill while reducing food wastage. These are not charities but a way to buy cheap food that supermarkets normally throw away because they have just about reached their sell-by date. It’s a modern, efficient way to help both business and consumer.

Buses

The buses have been one of Labour’s passion projects. Quite simply, if we have a majority in the council, we will be introducing the 144 bus route again. Yes, it’s a challenge, but it is our promise to Bromsgrove.

Leisure

Lastly, we believe that Bromsgrove residents have the right to pursue happiness and enjoyment through council organised leisure and this is why we will re-open the Artrix and invest in parks . We will consider running the leisure club to increase hours, expand the services and encourage membership by extending free parking to members.

Give us the mandate, Bromsgrove, and we will lead this constituency into an era of hope and happiness.

From the Labour Party Team of Candidates

Full manifesto: www.bromsgrovelabour.org.uk/stories

Bromsgrove

Labour Party is ready to install the change that is so much required. We have been on the doorstep listening to all your concerns, especially those of the elderly and of parents

Promoted by Phil Baker on behalf of Bromsgrove Labour Party, both of 33 Hazelton Road, Marlbrook, Bromsgrove B61 0JG

Photo ID required to vote at May election

Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA), or Commonwealth passport or drivers’ licence, some concessionary travel passes such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.

Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID.

Bromsgrove District’s Returning Officer, Kevin Dicks, said: “Now that the law has changed it is vital that those who want to vote on May 4th make sure they have an accepted form of ID. This applies to everyone voting at a polling station, so please consider getting ready now and avoid any late rush.”

“If you don’t already have one of the accepted forms of ID, you can apply for free ID either online or by sending in a paper application form. If you need any help, please just contact the Electoral Services team at the district council who will support you.”

The Electoral Commission has produced full and comprehensive advice on voter ID requirements. There are links to that alongside local information at www.bromsgrove.gov. uk/elections Alternatively, call 01527 881421 for Bromsgrove

District Council’s Electoral Services team.

Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. It takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.

The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station was introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year. It comes into effect for the first time this May.

Paul Rigby Hyundai Bromsgrove

2-12 Station Street, Bromsgrove, B60 2BS | 01527 872071

Paul Rigby Hyundai Bromsgrove

www.paulrigbygroup.co.uk/hyundai

2-12 Station Street, Bromsgrove, B60 2BS | 01527 872071 www.paulrigbygroup.co.uk/hyundai

Fuel consumption figures for the TUCSON range. MPG (l/100km): Combined 39.8 (7.1) to 201.8 (1.4). CO� emissions: 162 - 31 g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO� figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Hyundai 5-year warranty subject to Terms and Conditions. *0% over 24 months with a 30% minimum deposit. T&Cs apply. Subject to status. 18s and over. Guarantee may be required. Hyundai Finance, RH2 9AQ. All offers are subject to availability, while stocks last. Offers are available for private retail purchases paid for and registered between 1st April and 30th June 2023. Hyundai Motor UK Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender, and will only make introductions to Hyundai Finance, RH2 9AQ. Hyundai Motor UK Ltd is an appointed representative of Product Partnerships Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 626349). Hyundai Motor UK Limited, Birchwood Building, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7LP.

Fuel consumption figures for the TUCSON range. MPG (l/100km): Combined 39.8 (7.1) to 201.8 (1.4).

CO� emissions: 162 - 31 g/km. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO� figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. Hyundai 5-year warranty subject to Terms and Conditions. *0% over 24 months with a 30% minimum deposit. T&Cs apply. Subject to status. 18s and over. Guarantee may be required. Hyundai Finance, RH2 9AQ. All offers are subject to availability, while stocks last. Offers are available for private retail purchases paid for and registered between 1st April and 30th June 2023. Hyundai Motor UK Ltd is a credit broker and not a lender, and will only make introductions to Hyundai Finance, RH2 9AQ. Hyundai Motor UK Ltd is an appointed representative of Product Partnerships Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 626349). Hyundai Motor UK Limited, Birchwood Building, Springfield Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7LP.

Bromsgrove district residents will need to show photographic ID for the first time in order to vote on the 4th May.

Bromsgrove schoolgirl wins public speaking competition

South Bromsgrove High School student Olivia Harvey recently won a schools public speaking competition organised by Soroptimist International Midland Arden.

Olivia’s topic was “Should freedom to protest be an unrestricted right?” and she spoke without the aid of visual aids, microphones, or scripts.

Olivia was one of 11 candidates representing schools in Bromsgrove, Kenilworth, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Solihull, Stratford upon Avon and Stourbridge. The competition format saw the candidates chose a topic from a list of eight and they had four minutes to talk on this topic. All candidates were aged between 14 and 18.

The aim of the competition is to support and encourage the development of effective communications skills in young people, as all walks of life, especially the business world, are increasingly reliant on these abilities.

The competition helps develop self-confidence and personality and encourages young people to play a more prominent part in public life by having the experience of speaking on a public platform. It also gives them the experience and discipline of speaking in a limited timescale after formulating ideas on a topical subject.

Fred Kinney from Alderbrook School in Solihull came second having chosen to speak on the topic “Who or what inspires you?” and Jayan Luharia of Tudor Grange School in Solihull came third after speaking on “What

is the most important lesson of your life so far?”

Olivia was sponsored by Bromsgrove and Redditch Soroptimist Club. Regional president and club member Liz Every said: “It’s a fantastic experience for these young people and we are delighted as an organisation to encourage them to compete.”

The Bromsgrove and Redditch club meets every second Thursday of the month at 7pm at Tardebigge Church Hall, B60 3AH. For more information on their programme for the coming year visit www.sigbi.org/bromsgrove-andredditch or email sibrsoroptimist@gmail.com

Soroptimist International is the largest global service organisation for women, whose aim is to transform the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment, and enablement. They have consultative status at the United Nations, along with Soroptimist representatives at all seven UN locations. Its membership globally is 75,000 in 120 countries. For more information on Soroptimist International visit www.soroptimistinternational.org

Next year’s competition will again be held in Bromsgrove on Saturday, March 16th 2024 at the Methodist Church Centre. It is hoped that once again candidates will amaze everyone in attendance.

Lawns do wonders for our wellbeing. That’s why we’ve devised three programmes of year-round treatments to keep your grass a cut above.

From controlling weeds to bringing out the green, we’ll help you to look after the lawn that looks after you.

Neglected station can drive economic growth

www.bromsgroverail.org.uk

Bromsgrove station is served by two West Midlands Rail routes - the Cross City Service from Lichfield Trent Valley via New Street to Bromsgrove, and the New Street via Worcester Foregate Street to Hereford Service. Between the two, there are 30 stations from which visitors can travel directly to Bromsgrove.

The town and North East Worcestershire has considerable untapped potential for the day and short stay tourism market. It is hoped that the new district council, after the local elections on May 4th, will seize the opportunity to develop a tourism policy which will bring considerable economic benefits to the town centre and surrounding district.

The station, as a gateway to Bromsgrove, and currently an under-utilised asset, can play an important role in implementing such a policy.

There are year-round attractions, walking the Tardebigge flight of locks or the John Corbett Way directly from the station, catching one of the six bus services from the station to the town centre to visit St John’s Church, the newly opened Norton Collection Museum, the Housman Trail and then on to Sanders Park to choose any of the three Royal Hunters Walks.

And this summer there will be several major events either in, or close to, the town centre which will be easily accessible from the station.

From Tuesday, May 30th to Saturday, June 3rd, the Bromsgrove International Musicians Competition

takes place in the Routh Concert Hall at Bromsgrove School, a short taxi ride from the station.

From Saturday, June 24th to Sunday July 23rd, The Bromsgrove Festival takes place, with events in the town centre or Sanders Park on each of the five Saturdays - In the High Street, Court Leet Day on June 24th, A Day of Street Music and Dance on July 1st, Bromsgrove Pride on July 8th, Bromsgrove Carnival on July 15th and Creative Fest 23 in Sanders Park on July 22nd.

And in the middle weekend of the festival, July 6th to 9th, Bromsgrove Folk Festival takes place at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings. Its new home means that it will be much more accessible for day visitors arriving at the station and, in addition to the 145 bus service connecting the two places, there will also be a free vintage bus courtesy of Wythall Transport Museum and Worcestershire Community Rail Partnership.

Just some examples of how the railway station can play an important, but so often neglected, role in boosting economic activity, particularly that of our hospitality businesses.

by Nick Taylor memsec@bromsgroverail.org.uk

Heritage attractions team up for prestigious festival

Three local attractions joined forces over the weekend of April 15th and 16th when Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings in Bromsgrove hosted the International Living History Festival.

Transport Museum Wythall’s 1967 single decker Leyland bus ferried visitors for free to and from Bromsgrove train station.

Passengers could be dropped off at The Norton Collection Museum on the Birmingham Road to visit the museum and then taken to Avoncroft. The shuttle service ran for the whole day with passengers of all ages enjoying the ride.

Avoncroft was an apt setting for the prestigious event as it is the home of more than 30 historical buildings and structures spanning 700 years. All have been rescued and lovingly re-built in rural Worcestershire.

With more than 300 re-enactors, the 19-acre site was brought to life with re-enactors from the Bronze Age to the Cold War.

Visitors were able to experience lots of hands-on activities, explore the historically themed market and delve right into the past over this unique weekend.

Bromsgrove’s Town Crier Kevin Ward was at the Norton Collection Museum to welcome visitors and share his knowledge of the museum, which is staffed by volunteers.

The Norton Collection Museum exists as a result of one man’s passion for collecting. Dennis Norton started his collection in 1949 and has never stopped. Over the years, Mr Norton has amassed a huge array of items that help recount the history of how we lived in times gone by. Many of the exhibits also help tell the story of Bromsgrove, the town he made his life-long home.

First opened to the public in 1980, Transport Museum Wythall has extensive collections of buses and battery electric vehicles with a cafe, shop and children’s activity area, plus a miniature railway that operates on event days and at certain times during the school holidays.

The museum is home to more than 90 buses and a large collection of battery electric road vehicles, including more than 30 electric milk floats and bread vans from operators such as the Co-op, Midland Counties and Birmingham and Handsworth Dairies.

Wise water conservation tips for your garden

In this age of global warming, temperatures are rising, and seasons are changing and merging with warmer winters, drier springs, and summers.

We need to look after our water and there are many things garden or allotment growers can do. Initially, we can put into place water harvesting by using water butts attached to downpipes. They come in all sizes so it’s not too difficult to get one to suit your space and they are now quite aesthetically pleasing and won’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you have a greenhouse or shed, they can be attached to collect the rainwater.

When designing your growing areas, think about the use of drought tolerant plants, especially if your areas have full sun. Try hebes, lavenders, cordylines, most grasses, echinacea and sedums.

Many drought tolerant plants have silver or greygreen leaves, their light leaf colour reflecting the harsh rays of the sun. Some have a coating of fine hairs on their leaves or stems, helping to trap moisture around the plant tissues. The use of ground cover planting will reduce evaporation from the soil, this includes plants like aubretia, ajuga and the saxifrage family. If left to their own devices will soon cover the ground beneath your not so tolerant plants.

If you are not one for the haphazardness of the cottage garden look and prefer an organised looking patch use mulches in the form of bark chippings, decorative slates and gravel. The ground can firstly be prepared with weed suppressant fabric or cardboard and covered with your choice of mulch. This is a really good way of keeping the ground moist.

Water plants in the evening and use a watering can to target the base of the plant. There really is no need to water the whole area where your plant lives. Each year I dig a fertility trench for my beans and spend the winter filling it with uncooked kitchen waste, this can be used for any planting and not just vegetables.

Sink reservoirs next to individual plants –historically these were made from terracotta, nowadays you could reuse discarded plastic drinking bottles. Pierce the bottle about five or six times, fill with water and screw the top back on and bury next to your plant. This will act as a drip feed.

Some jobs to keep you busy throughout May

Harden off tender plants raised indoors, but bring them back in at night to protect from late frosts

Pinch out the shooting tips of bedding plants and young annuals to encourage bushier growth

Plant up hanging baskets, but keep in a greenhouse or porch for a few weeks to establish, before putting outside

Plant out dahlia tubers and cannas after all risk of frost has passed

Sow sweetcorn in deep pots, so the young plants are ready to transplant into the garden in June Pick rhubarb stems as they develop, and water plants with liquid feed Apply liquid feed to tulips, daffodils and other spring bulbs to encourage a good display next year Earth up potatoes, covering the shoots with soil as they appear Remove faded spring bedding

May is a busy month for us all.There’s so much to do, so roll up your sleeves as the work you put in now will reward you with bucket loads of beautiful flowers and produce.

By Suzi M, plotter

by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

Male Blackbird

Tree bumblebee

Hedgehog

Buttercups

Dandelion and ground ivy

Bromsgrove

Wild about lawns

For many of us, lawns are places to play with the kids or spots to relax on a summer day. Perhaps you see yours as a chore that constantly needs attention or maybe you’re one of the many who are leaving a patch to grow wild. More and more of us are realising just how important our outdoor green carpets are for wildlife and are discovering ways to make them even better.

Lawns are so much more than patches of grass. Last year I left a patch of clover to grow when the rest of the lawn was mown. I was delighted by the sound of buzzing bumblebees in the early evening as this blanket of flowers provided all the food they needed before settling down for the night. When I got down close, I saw hunting ladybirds, spiders and rove beetles as well as different pollinators coming in for a sup. I also knew that when the hedgehog visited that evening, this wild patch would provide a feast.

You may need convincing that your lawn doesn’t need to be mown every week. I’ve always been told that if you get the edges right, the rest looks neat. If you’re not keen on wilding your entire lawn why not mow a square, create a grid of wild patches or mow a couple of paths through the longer grass. You could raise the height of your mower so you don’t crop the grass too low; many species of wildflower will respond by flowering at a lower height and still provide muchneeded pollen and nectar for your local insects.

Let’s look at weeds differently. They’re just wildflowers. If orchids were growing in your lawn rather than daisies, you’d be delighted. We’ve lost more than 97% of our wildflower meadows in the UK so your lawn can help to replace some of that loss.

Unless you’ve got a recently turfed new lawn, you probably won’t need to add wildflower seeds - ditch the weedkiller, mow less often and let the flowers flourish to see what’s been champing at the bit to get going for years. If you did want to sow some

wildflower seeds, you’ll need to rough up the turf first so that the seeds make contact with the soil.

Leaving grass to grow longer will offer shelter for grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and more. By allowing these to thrive, you’ll provide a buffet for birds, bats and your local hedgehogs. You’ll have a colourful flower-filled garden filled with the sound of your wild neighbours and will have more time on your hands now you don’t have to do all that mowing. So why not join in the national No Mow May movement and go wild about your lawn? If we’re going to protect, restore and reconnect our beleaguered wildlife, what better place to start?

You can download your free wild about lawns booklet to discover more about wilding your patch and what might benefit: www.worcswildlifetrust. co.uk/wild-about-lawns

Photos: Blackbird with worms / Dandelion and ground ivy / Bumblebee in white clover / Buttercups – Wendy Carter, Tree bumblebee – Vaughn Mattews

Bumblebee in white clover

TV presenter headlines local countryside show

Jules Hudson, known to millions as the leading face of popular rural property programme Escape to the Country, is to head up a list of special guests invited to this year’s Hanbury Countryside Show.

The celebrated countryman, who is also an archaeologist and historian, will be at Park Hall Farm on Saturday, July 1st. He’ll be chatting to broadcaster Nina Das Gupta in the show’s Carter Jonas Theatre, about farming, the countryside, and 20 years of television and will also be out and about meeting visitors, exhibitors, competitors, and traders.

Now in its 76th year, Hanbury Countryside Show celebrates the best of rural life in Worcestershire and is a great family day out with livestock displays, delicious food and drink, its own Gardeners’ Question Time, music, and entertainment.

New to the ETG Civil Engineering Main Arena this year is the spectacular Stuntworld International vehicle display team, with a daredevil repertoire of ramp jumps, wheelies, stoppies and quad stunts, and the Two Bar Show-jumping Challenge, guaranteed to have spectators on the edge of their seats.

Also new is the crowd-pleasing Young Farmers

Club West Midlands Area Tug of War, with teams from Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

Championing the region’s agricultural roots will be parades of livestock, steam engines, heavy horses and farm machinery and more than 1,000 competitions for horses, sheep, cattle, pigs, goats, farriers, cookery, floral art and gardening. The Fun Dog Show is back too, and there’s a host of shopping opportunities from 200 quality trade stands.

Hanbury is one of the first countryside shows to host the new Miniature Pony Show, and little ones can get up close and personal to furry friends in the new Attwell Farm Park Feature. Other activities for children include toy tractors, amusements, pony rides and have-a-go activities, all set in acres of space.

Tickets are on sale now at www.hanburyshow. co.uk Adult tickets are £15 in advance (£19 on the gate), with free entry for children under 16. There are membership options too.

Housman birthday is celebrated at statue

Housman was born on March 26th 1859 in Fockbury and each year members of the Housman Society with friends and guests, gather to celebrate his birth.

Town Crier Kevin Ward opened the event, Housman Society chairman Peter Waine welcomed those who attended and introduced the speaker, former society chairman and Housman enthusiast Jim Page who read a couple of his favourite Housman poems.

After the commemoration at the statue, guests enjoyed lunch in the Old Chapel at Bromsgrove School where Mr Page gave a speech to celebrate the society’s 50th anniversary.

The Times Literary Supplement of December 5th 1972 included this announcement from Mr J Hunt of Ebury House, Romsley: “It has been decided to found a Housman Society, preferably based in Bromsgrove, the birthplace of the brothers A.E. and Laurence and their novelist, engraver sister Clemence. Its object will be research into the life, work and genealogy of the Housman family.”

On Saturday, May 5th 1973, in the Old Chapel at Bromsgrove School, Joe Hunt and John Pugh, with support from more than 100 people, held the inaugural meeting of the Housman Society.

Fifty years on, Max and Julian Hunt continue their father’s ambitions as society secretary and editor of the Journal respectively, with author Peter Waine as chairman. This year the society celebrates its 50th anniversary and a number of events are being held in Bromsgrove to mark this milestone.

Unfortunately, since the commemoration, the statue has been moved from its plinth in the High Street. The statue was seen wobbling when young people were found climbing on it. Bromsgrove District Council have removed it while plans are made to better stabilise it. We hope to see it returned soon.

By Jo Slade

A group gathered at the AE Housman statue in Bromsgrove High Street to commemorate the anniversary of the poet’s birthday.

From left: Housman enthusiast Jim Page, Housman Society Chairman Peter Waine, Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council Rod Laight and Town Crier Kevin Ward

Thai Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice

This easy chicken, broccoli and pepper stir-fry recipe with Thai-style sauce takes just 10 mins to cook. Serve with fragrant jasmine rice for a quick and healthy meal.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Thai Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry with Rice

This easy chicken, broccoli and pepper stir-fry recipe w ith Thai-style sauce takes just 10 mins to cook

Serve with fragrant jasmine rice for a quick and healthy meal

Prep 15 min

Cook time 10 min

Serves 4

 300g jasmine rice or other rice of choice

 2 tbsp vegetable oil

 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

 1 onion, sliced

 400g skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips

 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped

 200g Tenderstem broccoli, cut into small pieces

 4 spring onions, sliced

 Red chilli flakes, to serve (optional)

Sauce:

 2 tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce

 2 tbsp fish sauce

• 300g jasmine rice or other rice of choice

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 1 onion, sliced

Method:

 2 tbsp white or brown sugar

 4 tbsp water

1. Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.

2. Cook the rice according to the pack instructions, then drain.

1 Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl

2 Cook the rice according to the pack instructions, then drain

3. Meanwhile heat the oil over a medium heat in a frying pan or wok. Add the garlic and onion, and cook for 30 seconds.

• 400g skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips

3 Meanwhile heat the oil over a medium heat in a frying pan or wok Add the garlic and onion, and cook for 30 seconds.

4. Add the chicken and cook for 1 minute until it turns opaque.

• 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped

4 Add the chicken and cook for 1 minute until it turns opaque

• 200g Tenderstem broccoli, cut into small pieces

• 4 spring onions, sliced

• Red chilli flakes, to serve (optional)

Sauce:

• 2 tbsp Kikkoman Soy Sauce

• 2 tbsp fish sauce

• 2 tbsp white or brown sugar

• 4 tbsp water

Prep. time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

5 Add the red pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes, followed by the Tenderstem broccoli Cook for additional 2-3 minutes

5. Add the red pepper and sauté for 2-3 minutes, followed by the Tenderstem broccoli. Cook for additional 2-3 minutes.

6 Add the spring onions and sauce, and cook for 1-2 minute

7 Serve with the rice, garnished with chilli flakes, if liked

6. Add the spring onions and sauce, and cook for 1-2 minute

7. Serve with the rice, garnished with chilli flakes, if liked.

Our multi award winning restaurant Five Spice is now offering a purpose built stunning dining/ function room with magnificent views of the Malverns for parties, functions and private dining.

The ‘Sunset Terrace’ (heated & covered) opens from 1st May for every occasion

It’s all about the long hot summer the ‘Salcombe way’!

Spread some sunshine with Yellow Week

with a bang with local residents celebrating

promoting the care and support the hospice provides to the community.

The hospice would love to invite you to help raise awareness by supporting their Yellow Week, while also having lots of fun whether that be at school, with work colleagues or with family or friends.

Their 2023 Yellow Week runs from June 5th to 11th. You can get involved by doing any yellow-themed fundraising and asking for donations.

Why not ask your school, work colleagues or friends to join you? You could wear yellow socks, have a yellow custard bath, host a yellow cake and coffee morning or anything else you fancy.

The hospice would love to hear what you are planning and support you with your fundraising activity. For more information on how to sign up, contact Lucy on 01527 889796 or email lucy@primrosehospice.org

Every penny you raise through Yellow Week will help Primrose Hospice to support more families and people

May is proving to be a very busy month for the all female team at Butcher’s Block

The coronation of King Charles III where the team will be joining in with the Bromsgrove Street party.

Lil’s Baps will be serving up the ‘Palace’ approved 8 inch ‘Royal’ hotdogs outside the shop as well as some of her other signature hot baps. Lilith is also popping up at other events too - so follow them on Facebook to be kept up to date!

May will also see Michelle at the ‘lunch’ awards ceremony for the ‘Butcher’s Shop of the Year’ where Michelle will be part of the prestigious judging panel. The awards are being held in Birmingham City centre and the ladies are excited to go along and meet some of this year’s winners.

53 High St., Bromsgrove B61 8AJ Tel: 01527 570241

The only all female staffed butchers in the West Midlands! follow us on Facebook: @butchersblockbromsgrove

Full Head of summer foils for just £65*

* Cut & Blow Dry not included

Quality care in Bromsgrove you can trust

When a family is thinking about care for a loved one, they want the best - they want to know that the care home they choose will put their loved one’s safety, happiness and wellbeing first.

Care UK’s Chandler Court care home in Bromsgrove, provides residential, dementia and nursing care, giving families peace of mind that their loved ones can stay living at the home should their needs change.

Living at Chandler Court is all about quality of life. Every colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences. The lifestyle team organises a huge variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day.

The team at Chandler Court are proud to have achieved some great results in the recent relative survey, in fact 91% of families feel their loved ones are treated with kindness, respect and dignity. Once their relative has settled into Chandler Court, they are able to focus on spending quality time with them again just enjoying each other’s company.

With the extra support that our care home offers, new residents are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily activities.

Whether your loved one enjoys a quiet cup of tea in bed before starting the day, loves going for strolls in the landscaped grounds, or enjoys a chat over a beer,

the team at Chandler Court will spend time to enable them to continue living life the way they want to.

Let us care for you

We recognise that taking the first step on the journey into care can be daunting and is a big change for all the family. That’s why we provide help and advice if you need emotional or practical support, to reassure you at every stage of your decision. We believe in supporting each resident and their family, especially if their needs or abilities change over time. We pride ourselves on the transparency of our care quality and free information – ensuring you can trust us to care from that very first step.

Chandler Court is part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one of the UK’s most successful care home operators* with over 40 years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people.

Chandler Court Care Home Recreation Road, Bromsgrove B61 8DT

Tel: 01527 903 634 email: rosalind.lockley@careuk.com

www.careuk.com/chandler-court

Be who you’ve always been... a champion

Quality care in a place you can call home

At Chandler Court care home in Bromsgrove we deliver high quality residential, dementia, nursing and short-term care.

As the UK’s most awarded large care provider, Care UK delivers high quality care that’s all about enabling you to enjoy the lifestyle you want. We support you to be who you’ve always been, or who you want to be, shaping your care and lifestyle to suit your interests, needs and preferences.

More like family

Our team receive the latest training in all aspects of care. Our partnership with the Association for Dementia Studies at Worcester University means we stay up to date with the latest dementia care approaches, and a Dementia Champion in each home supports all colleagues to deliver high quality care.

Above all, our team is passionate about supporting you to live life to the full. There’s a variety of activities, entertainment and outings to enjoy every day at Chandler Court. So, whether you’d like to continue enjoying a lifelong hobby, discover a new interest, make new friends or simply look forward to being pampered, Chandler Court has everything you need.

Relax in luxurious surroundings

Chandler Court is a stunning, purpose-built home offering a wealth of superb facilities, including a hair salon, cinema, pub and café. And if it’s peace and quiet you’re after, we have plenty of comfy lounges and restful alcoves where you can relax with a favourite book. Each en-suite bedroom is beautifully furnished, with our ground floor rooms

enjoying private patios. If you’re a gardener or simply love the outdoors, we have lovely gardens to explore too.

Trust us to care

At Care UK, we’ve been delivering high quality, person-centred care for over 40 years. What’s more, we have more ‘Outstanding’-rated homes than any other provider. That’s why over 8,000 families across the country trust us to care for their older loved one.

To find out more about care at Chandler Court care home please call us on 01527 903 670.

Chandler Court care home

Recreation Road, Bromsgrove B61 8DT careuk.com/chandler-court

Cost-effective approach to animal health

As a nation of animal lovers, I have something new to share with you this month. I have written extensively about Nano Technology not only for ourselves but for our pets as well. I have now found another technology that is being sold for our pets.

For years I have been banging the drum about our drinking water and the fluoride that is in it. Having lived abroad for many years without fluoride being added to my drinking water you can understand the awful taste I experienced when I returned to this country, and I immediately purchased a reverse osmosis device for our drinking and cooking water.

However, I would say that the majority of us with fluoride in our water give our pets water from the tap, and we are actually dosing them with these chemicals. Disease within our pets is increasing and with the high cost of vets’ bills can we really afford not to give them the best we can.

Oxygenated water is emerging as a simple and cost-effective approach towards animal health. Toxins present in food, water, and medication can create harmful side effects on all animal life, which can lead to impaired organ function, allergies, and even cancer. The elevated concentration of dissolved oxygen in oxygenated water has wide-ranging health benefits.

• Blood

• Breathing

• Kidney

• Bacteria and viruses

• Skin, fungi and parasites

• Digestion, bones and joints

OxyPet has a clinically proven technology, called the “N’PWR System” which produces nano-particleinfused water. OxyPet nano-particle water has been clinically proven to be absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestinal tract and increase blood oxygen level. This subsequently improves a range of physiological benefits such as blood markers and tissue oxygenation.

Once present in the circulatory system, oxygen is rapidly delivered to all cells and tissues of the body. Adequate oxygenation of cells leads

to a stronger immune system, improved blood flow, and enhanced vitality, and we all want our pets to have this.

OxyPet water is sourced from a natural spring located in Cornwall. The water is then piped to a state-of-the-art bottling facility situated on an ancient underground lake. Through a proprietary nano technological process, the spring water is infused with more bio-available natural oxygen without using any chemical processes.

This advanced system creates an oxygenated pure spring water that is perfect for our pets to enjoy. With a clean, smooth taste and a balance of nutrients and minerals with added oxygen, OxyPet oxygenated spring water is leading the way in this innovative field to provide advanced health and vitality for animals.

This spring is on a privately-owned farm with no air pollution and no pesticides or fertilisers being used, ensuring the purity of the water. The facility follows strict cleaning and production processes, including filtering the water using UV light to eliminate any possible chance of bacteria.

Tests are run monthly that go beyond standard regulations by testing chemicals found in all kinds of drinking waters. The company are happy to say their water has none. It is free from pesticides and pollutants, naturally enriched from source with minerals and has a natural pH 6.0 to 7.0.

For more information, contact me at colette@ need4change.com or visit www.oxypet.co.uk and use CODE: COMPB10 for a discount.

by Colette Garside

The history of Bromsgrove School

The educational establishment now known as Bromsgrove School can trace its origins back to the Free Grammar School, which was founded in 1557 during the reign of Queen Mary. As a charity, the school allowed for 12 boys from the town to be taught, clothed and apprenticed, and others also paid to attend.

For most of the 17th century the school was probably held in the room over the Market House in the High Street. The schoolmasters were usually educated men who had studied at either Oxford or Cambridge.

In 1693, local landowner Sir Thomas Cookes endowed Bromsgrove School with £50 a year. With the support of Cookes and others, the school relocated to a new schoolhouse to the south of the town. This building can still be seen through the gates from the Worcester Road. On his death in 1696, Cookes left £10,000 towards a new college at Oxford University, where scholarships and fellowships would be reserved for boys from Bromsgrove and Feckenham. Thus began the school’s close association with what became Worcester College, Oxford.

The school became fee-paying in the 1820s and thus began significant expansion. In the late 19th century, a gymnasium and laboratory were added, alongside new boarding accommodation. A masters’ common room and school house were built in 1914, followed in 1928 by a school hall and music school instigated by the long-serving headmaster Robert Routh. The 1930s saw a further expansion of facilities, including an art school, biology room and swimming pool. The memorial chapel, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, opened in 1931, replacing the earlier mock Gothic chapel.

With the situation in Europe deteriorating, plans were made to evacuate the school to Wales. Within days of war breaking out, the pupils, staff and equipment decamped to a new home at Llanwrtyd Wells, an amazing logistical operation. They remained there until 1943.

Well-known Old Bromsgrovians include the poet A. E. Housman, businessman Digby Jones, politician Michael Heseltine, actors Ian Carmichael and Trevor Eve, author Nicholas Evans who wrote The Horse Whisperer, John Illsley of the band Dire Straits and many national and international sports people. There have also been five recipients of the Victoria Cross.

Today, Bromsgrove School welcomes pupils from all over the world and is one of the town’s largest employers. It is deeply involved in the local community and hosts arts and cultural events.

Among the latest additions is a Heritage Centre dedicated to preserving and promoting the school’s history. One of its first projects has been to digitise The Bromsgrovian, the school magazine which dates back to 1881.

The history of Bromsgrove School is one of the topics at this year’s Bromsgrove Society Summer School in July.

Former deputy headmaster Philip Bowen will talk on Sir Thomas Cookes, with a guided tour of the school and Heritage Centre in the afternoon. See www.bsoc.co.uk

by Mike Sharpe

How the school looked in the early 1800s

The Kiteless Building

The school playing fields

Bromsgrove School as it stands today

More office space needed to meet demand from SMEs

Demand from SME and owner occupiers wishing to be based in Bromsgrove remains very high.

However, consideration must be given to providing the right size of space for the office market according to Worcestershire commercial property consultancy GJS Dillon.

Take-up of office space was more than 40,000 sq ft for the second year running and Bromsgrove had the highest percentage of freehold transactions out of all six sub-markets in the county in 2022. Headline rents are also increasing with top values being achieved at the popular Topaz Business Park.

“Bromsgrove remains popular with SMEs and owner occupiers so premium office space is highly sought after but it needs to be the right size space for the market,”’ said Andrew Lewis, director of commercial agency, writing in GJS Dillon’s Worcestershire Commercial Property Market Report 2023.

The shortage of sub 4,000 sq ft office space is being partly addressed by the new proposed plans to redevelop the Market Hall site in Bromsgrove. Plans include flexible office space, business start-up and co-working spaces.

“Take-up of industrial space in 2022 was consistent with the last five years, with only a 20,000 sq ft variation in demand. Given the high interest rate, the rental market for industrial space in Bromsgrove is extremely buoyant. This is boosted by the fact that the right size space of high quality is being provided,” Mr Lewis added.

“Quality industrial accommodation in Bromsgrove is transacting well with new developments set to be delivered in 2023. Of the 19 brand new units planned as part of Phase 2 Sapphire Court, 10 have already been pre-let with offers on the remaining space. All units range between 1,000 and 7,000 sq ft which demonstrates the popularity of smaller size units.”

GJS Dillon’s Worcestershire’s Commercial Property Market is based on independent figures and analysis from CoStar, which it uses to advise vendors, purchasers, developers, landlords and tenants. Further details can be found at www.gjsdillon.co.uk/ marketreport

Woodturners carve out plans for 25 more years

Burcot Woodturners celebrated the club’s 25th anniversary since first being affiliated to the AWGB (Association of Woodturners of Great Britain).

The event on April 6th was attended by more than 50 members and guests, including representatives from the AWGB, to help celebrate the milestone.

Formed by professional woodturner Richard Barnes at Burcot Forge in 1997, the club was officially affiliated to the AWGB in April 1998. Shortly after that it moved its meetings to Burcot Village Hall, which has been its home ever since.

During the evening members had the use of a club lathe and the club pole lathe, to practice their turning skills on and learn new techniques. There was an extensive display of members work, along with a slide show of photographs from the history of the club, which ran throughout the evening.

Members had the opportunity to have a go at a technical competition, which involved changing the jaws on chuck, there was a sale of tools, and the usual club raffle.

The club ethos of ‘a cuppa, a biscuit, and a chat’ was, for one night, replaced by ‘a cuppa, a slice of cake, and the sharing of stories from the last 25 years.

Club president, John Smith, thanked everyone for coming and said that it was a fantastic evening for the club to mark its 25th anniversary. He added that he was proud that the club was going from strength to strength, with new members joining each month and a new website along with Facebook and Instagram pages.

Burcot Woodturners is a friendly club and welcomes anyone who has an interest in woodturning to their meetings. Whether they are just starting out in the hobby, are novices or experienced turners, everyone is welcome.

Club meetings are a mixture of ‘hands-on’ evenings, where members can use the club lathes, and woodturning demonstrations by professional demonstrators. Members also attend various events in the local area to promote woodturning, offer woodturning demonstrations and to sell pieces that they have made.

The club meets on the first Thursday of each month in Burcot Village Hall at 7.15pm and you can find out more at www.burcotwoodturners.com

RocKING the High Street

Bromsgrove High Street will be the venue for the street party from 1pm ‘til 8pm. The town will come to life with live music from local bands and singers, food and street entertainment for this free to attend event.

Opening the show on the stage will be Town Crier Kevin Ward with representatives from the Bromsgrove Court Leet, in full, ceremonial regalia. Talented students from the choirs of South Bromsgrove and North Bromsgrove High Schools bring a variety of voices and styles to kick off the entertainment, followed by the Bromsgrove Community Choir.

Popular Town Crier Kevin Ward will be joined

by local Soprano Catherine Tabberner to bring some pomp and ceremony to the day. They will be performing traditional, well-known anthems and encouraging flag waving from the audience.

Throughout the afternoon entertainment continues with local singing group Vintage Class who will bring some RocKing n Rollin’ to the party, performing songs from the 1950s and 60s. Followed by local singer songwriter Erica Jean, spotlighted on ‘BBC Introducing’, performing a mixture of covers and original music that will showcase her extensive musical talent. With her smooth mellow tones, she will definitely bring a sunshine vibe to the High Street party.

The team who brought the Jubilee Celebrations to Bromsgrove last year are back with a rocKING event to celebrate the Coronation on Sunday 7th May.

Erica Jean

Catherine Tabberner

Mitzy

Noisy Neighbours Blues band

The Bromsgrove Com- munity Choir

Vaseline

Vintage Class

Bromsgrove

to celebrate Coronation

An unmissable early evening line up will include popular local singer Mitzy with a Motown repertoire, the wonderful Paul Martyn and the five-piece Noisy Neighbours Blues Band. Billy Smith, the unforgettable Vaseline and Jack Read & The Shaders conclude an awesome day of rocKING entertainment right through until 8pm.

There will also be street entertainment, children’s rides, an option to get creative, along with food and drink stalls and many local independent cafés and bars opening up to provide food and drinks throughout the day. Bring your chairs and celebrate the Coronation in the High Street!

The event is organised by the Bromsgrove Regeneration team, in partnership with Bromsgrove District Council and Backdoor Productions. For more information find the RocKING Bromsgrove event on Facebook.

NBHS and SBHS

Billy Smith

Bryan James

Paul Martyn Jack Read & The Shaders

Kevin Ward

Chef extraordinaire reveals Coronation creations

It won’t have escaped your notice that there’s a Coronation on Saturday, May 6 - a day full of pomp and ceremony - so it may be a relief to learn that you can escape all that at Feckenham Village Hall at 7.30pm.

In a show entitled George Egg’s Set Menu – Coronation Special, chef and raconteur extraordinaire George Egg will be whipping up a spectacular meal in his own inimitable style using anything but conventional implements - think cement mixers and blowtorches.

Mr Egg has cooked for royalty but has chosen to cook for us. George, who has appeared on numerous TV shows, will whip up three complete meals on stage and invite the audience to taste them.

Please note that George will be offering a taste of his food – not a full meal. So, don’t skip your tea before you come. The hall’s licensed bar will be open.

Just a few recent reviews of George’s shows:

“It’s a hilarious show, with surprisingly good food”

- The Times.

“It is refreshing to encounter a performer who really is unique”The Telegraph.

“Go see George Egg.You’ll never look at a Corby trouser press in the same way again. Brilliant”

- Jay Rayner, food critic, The Observer

Tickets for shows at Feckenham

Village Hall are on sale at The Village Shop and The Rose & Crown. You can also book by phone through TicketSource on 0333 666 3366 or online at www.feckhall.org

Celebration concert marks society milestone

Bromsgrove’s leading arts organisations and institutions are planning an event to celebrate the works of the town’s renowned poet, AE Housman, to mark the Housman Society’s 50th anniversary.

The concert will include readings of Housman’s poems and magnificent settings of his works to music by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Ian Venables. It will take place at Routh Concert Hall, Bromsgrove School on Monday, July 10th at 7pm in front of an audience, and will be live streamed.

The group behind this event includes the Bromsgrove Society, the Housman Society, Bromsgrove WORDS, Bromsgrove Concerts, Bromsgrove District Council, Bromsgrove Arts Alive, Friends of St John’s, Bromsgrove Festival and Bromsgrove School itself.

Musical accompaniments will be given by some of the UK’s foremost classical artists, including the Dante Quartet, pianist Benjamin Frith and former BBC New Generation Artist, tenor Alessandro Fisher. The programme will include the Housman settings by Ian Venables, Songs of Eternity and Sorrow and Ralph Vaughan Williams’ On Wenlock Edge.

The organisers are delighted to announce that a selection of poems will be recited by the BBC Midlands Today presenter Nick Owen, a long-time Housman enthusiast.

The concert will be preceded by a reception including wine, soft drinks and nibbles at 6.30pm with the concert itself starting at 7pm. The audience will be welcomed to the evening by a spokesperson from the organising group. Tickets for this unmissable event are priced at £25 to include a welcome drink. Students are invited free of charge. The concert will be live

streamed for those who are unable to attend in person, at a cost of £12 for the streaming link.

Concert tickets and the live stream link are available from the Bromsgrove School box office at www. bromsgrove-school.co.uk/boxoffice or by phone during office hours on 01527 579679 ext 616. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from Decanter Spirit on Bromsgrove High Street (cash only).

Any funds raised from the event will be donated to the Friends of St John’s Spire Appeal. Don’t miss out on what promises to be a wonderful celebratory evening, supporting an important asset in the town.

By Jo Slade

The Dante Quartet

A grumpy joyride of

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest will be screened live at Fairfield Flicks on Saturday, May 13th at 8pm, so bring your friends and watch this annual festival of music, which is being hosted by the UK at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.

Of the 37 nations taking part, 31 will compete in two semifinals with ten successful acts from each semi-final joining France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK and Ukraine in the grand final. Which song will win?

On Sunday, May 14th at 7.30pm we head back to the early 1980s with a screening of Empire of Light (15), a powerful and poignant story about human connection and the magic of cinema, from Academy Awardwinning director Sam Mendes.

Set in an English seaside town, Hilary (Olivia Colman) is a cinema manager struggling with her mental health, and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is a new employee longing to escape the provincial town where he faces daily adversity. Together they find a sense of belonging and experience the healing power of music, cinema, and community.

Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto (15) will be screened on Wednesday, May 17th at 7.30pm. The film tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticising and judging his exasperated neighbours. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unexpected friendship that will turn his world upside down.

Fairfield Flicks is located at Fairfield Village Hall and there is free parking and a licenced bar. For information and advanced tickets for all events, visit www.fairfieldflicks.org.uk

UK’s entry Mae Muller

Eurovision (de)light

Oliva Colman also stars in our next film on Wednesday, May 24th at 2.30pm. Joyride (15) follows the story of 12-year-old Mully (Charlie Reid), who, after fleeing his father, steals a taxi and is shocked to find a woman, Joy (Colman), in the back seat with a baby.

Joy has decided to give her child away to a friend, and Mully needs some distance from his debt-ridden dad, who’s after the cash Mully has with him. And so two lovable rogues — a complicated middle-aged mother and a troubled adolescent — go on a journey across Ireland, gradually finding in each other the friendship, love and learning they never knew they needed.

Showcasing a vibrant mix of classic and contemporary greatest hits, high energy and fun filled production on Saturday, May 27th at 8pm, The Hey Yas guarantee to get you shaking it on the dancefloor and in the aisles.

This fun and lively event band features fabulous male and female lead and harmony vocals, fantastic horns, and a floor filling rhythm section. They’ll be playing their spirited combination of medleys and mashups, soulful interpretations, and an eclectic mix of your all-time favourite tunes to get you dancing the night away. Tickets cost £10.

Fairfield Flicks is located at Fairfield Village Hall and there is free parking and a licenced bar. For information and advanced tickets for all events, visit

The Sky’s the limit at Bromsgrove Flower Club!

At the next meeting of Bromsgrove Flower Club, on Thursday May 18th, one of our favourite demonstrators, Arnie Metairie, will be joining us.

Arnie has chosen ‘Garden in the sky’, as his theme. How will he interpret this theme? Join us to find out! One thing is for sure, it will be an entertaining and informative afternoon. Arnie’s arrangements will be included as prizes in our raffle.

The title for the May Flower Club competition is ‘Garden Gatherings’. I’m sure that entrants will stun us, with some wonderful interpretations of this title. Everyone is encouraged to enter.

Throughout the year, Bromsgrove Flower Club meets every third Thursday of the month, at 2.00pm, at All Saints Church Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, B60 1AF. Everyone is welcome to join us, both existing and new members. Come for a cup of tea and a chat, and enjoy an uplifting afternoon. The entrance fee for members is £3.00, and for visitors the entrance fee will be £8.00.

For more information check out our new web page at www.bromsgroveflowerclub.org.uk

Friendly clubs team up for exhibitionphotography

Bromsgrove Photographic Society were bowled over by the invitation to stage an exhibition of photography in Bromsgrove & District Indoor Bowls Club in Charford.

The idea was the brainchild of Ian Bowes, a member of both clubs, who could see the mutual benefits.

Club members and visitors have the chance to view some excellent images when they have a break from competing and BPS members can see their work being appreciated and maybe inspire a hidden photographer among the bowlers.

Some of the images are fresh from a recent competition and the display was installed in short order by chairman Ele Watts, webmaster David Jellie

and publicity officer Anne Galbraith-Jellie.

Even as the display was being set up, members of Bromsgrove Bowls Club were friendly and welcoming. They chatted to BPS members and admired the images on display. Hopefully this will be the start of a beautiful friendship.

Anyone wishing to know more about Bromsgrove Photographic Society can email bpscontact1@gmail.com

To find out more about bowling and the bowls club, email club@bromsgroveibc.com or call 01527 577226.

Arrangements by Bridgette Manson

WORDS’ May theme is Deadly diplomacy

If your taste in reading is crime fiction, then you’re in for a treat at the next WORDS event on Wednesday, May 10th, when crime writer Jean Harrod visits to talk about ‘Deadly Diplomacy’.

Jean is a former British diplomat who spent much of her life working for the British Government in Embassies and High Commissions overseas - Belgium, the Caribbean, China, East Berlin, Indonesia, Mauritius and Switzerland, including a spell as Deputy High Commissioner in Australia. She is the author of The Diplomatic Crime series of books - Deadly Diplomacy, Deadly Deceit and Missing in Shanghai - and her books are set in countries in which she has worked. Jean uses her considerable knowledge of inside government and behind the cloak of diplomacy to shape her fictional plots and characters.

The event, which starts at 7.30pm, is in the Learning and Resource Centre at Bromsgrove School. Access is via the Worcester Road entrance and car park (B61 7HP) and a buggy will be available.

Tickets can be purchased either via the Ticket Source websitewww.ticketsource.co.uk - (in the find event search bar, type Deadly Diplomacy), or from WORDS, Sycamore House, Rigby Hall, Rigby Lane, Bromsgrove, B60 2EW. Please make your cheques payable to WORDS and include a stamped addressed envelope and your email address if you have one.

Keep your mind and body active by fundraising for Bloodwise

Bloodwise Cancer UK Bromsgrove, which has raised more than £1 million for the charity carrying out life-saving research into blood cancer over the past 33 years, is inviting residents to take part in this years fundraising event on the 14th May at Bromsgrove Rugby Club with 5k and 10k Runs.

All finishers will receive a medal, plus there are prizes for first, second and third places in male and female categories, over 35s and veterans in both runs.

Juniors (under 16) also receive prizes for first male and female home in the 5k run.

For more details go to www.riderhq.com/events/p/ pz6bi1gc/f/blood-cancer-uk-bromsgrove-fun-run-2023 or visit www.facebook.com/BCUKBromsgrove

Much-loved author re-tells Dickens classic

Adapted for the stage by BAFTA award-winning playwright Roy Williams (Soul, Sucker Punch), with original music by rising R&B star Yaya Bey and BAC Beatbox Academy’s Conrad Murray, Unexpected Twist is a thrilling new production from the producing partnership behind Holes and The Jungle Book.

Shona and her class are studying Oliver Twist. She’s new in school and keeps finding herself in trouble – much like Oliver himself. When she’s given a new phone by a stranger, she begins to suspect there’s something fishy about the new kids she’s met.

Directed by James Dacre (Olivier Awardnominated Our Lady Of Kibeho and artistic director of Royal & Derngate, Northampton) with design by Frankie Bradshaw’s (Two Trains Running) Unexpected Twist brings to vivid life the worlds of both Shona and Oliver, as their stories twist together, unexpectedly.

Michael Rosen said: “I have always been a huge lover of theatre and the dramatic arts. I believe in the power and value of live performance and rate it as an

equal to all the other literary activities. I can’t describe what a thrill it is for me to know Unexpected Twist is going to be a play.”

Yaya Bey added: “Working on Unexpected Twist has been such a pleasure. Everyone has been so kind and willing to collaborate. I wasn’t sure how I would relate to the story coming from the States, but there is such an emphasis on important issues that transcend culture barriers, and it has made it easy for me to pull from my experience.”

Unexpected Twist follows The Children’s Theatre Partnership’s hugely successful production of Robert Icke’s Animal Farm, a reimagined version led entirely by puppets, which toured nationally from February 2022.

Tickets are available from the Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277.

Unexpected Twist, a re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver Twist, by one of the best-loved figures in the children’s book world, Michael Rosen, will run at Malvern Theatres from May 9th to 13th.

Community venue Artrix plans new future

Plans for how a new lease of life could be brought to Bromsgrove theatre and arts venue Artrix are being drawn up.

Trustees have commissioned specialist consultancy FEI to produce a business plan which will identify the level of funding and other resources that would be required to bring a new arts and cultural operation to the shuttered community arts facility.

It’s the latest effort to find a new sustainable future for Artrix, which has been without an operator since it closed as the pandemic struck, although it served as North Worcestershire’s mass vaccination centre.

Chair of the Artrix Holding Trust, Peter Whittaker, said: “The trustees have now commissioned a business plan which will hopefully tell us what could be achievable out of Artrix and how much that would cost.”

“That will show us the true roadmap to what we as trustees, along with so many people, want for Artrix. We know that any operation will need some level of subsidy and support. This plan will tell us how much and what that would look like, and kickstart some more engagement with the community.”

Nick Dodds, FEI managing director, said: “Following on from an initial options appraisal where FEI and the trust engaged with a wide range of local, regional, and national stakeholders, we have now been commissioned to produce a business plan. That will identify the funding

gap to be filled alongside the other requirements of bringing a new arts and culture offer to Artrix.”

The trust has also called for anyone who might want to volunteer their services to Artrix to get in touch.

Peter added: “Everyone will have seen the outpourings of support for Artrix. That is going to be vital because this is not big business. We’ve got this great building but ultimately we’re community trustees.

“To that aim we’re calling out to anyone who might want to volunteer their services to Artrix. Whether you want to give a couple of hours here and there, or get more heavily involved, we want to hear from you and start building a list of community-minded people who wish to be involved. Perhaps you have even retired from the arts world but still want to contribute to a sustainable local community arts project. We’d love to hear from you.”

To register your interest in any future volunteering opportunities at Artrix, please email artrix.trust. info@bromsgrove.gov.uk Please include an indication of what you would be willing to do, and how often.

Fifty years of playing and more happy hockey moments to come

Sarah

Gormley celebrated her 50th season as a Bromsgrove Hockey Club player in April, proud to reflect on 1,000 matches and hundreds of goals scored.

To honour this occasion, Sarah’s family organised a secret testimonial day, which began with members of Bromsgrove Walking Hockey Club playing a mini tournament to which her children and grandchildren had been invited to play with her.

This was followed by another tournament, this time with hockey players who had played with Sarah in the past as well as those who currently play alongside her.

Over the past 50 years, Sarah has held just about every committee position, been captain of several teams and was instrumental in three major initiatives: Creating Bromsgrove Junior Hockey Academy which has grown junior membership from 30 to more than 200, Back to Hockey which was adopted by England Hockey, and Walking Hockey, which is now played in countries across

the world. Sarah is an inspiration to all who meet her. Sarah said: “I’m so proud of my family for arranging this day for me and for the support and friendship of everyone at the club.”

Celebrating 100 years of sport and friendship

Tucked away behind a row of houses in Sidemoor is a hidden gem. Few people of Bromsgrove are aware of its existence, but there in all its glory is the Sidemoor Bowling Club, where many happy hours are spent in the civilised art of bowling.

This year the club will be celebrating its 100th year anniversary. As other bowling clubs have formed and folded, the Sidemoor club keeps on going. Just as Francis Drake kept bowling as the Spanish Armada approached, so the Sidemoor Bowlers kept bowling throughout World War Two.

At first it was gentlemen only allowed to play, with ladies graciously allowed entrance into the green in order to make the tea and wash up afterwards! Now of course all and sundry are welcome, and many life-long friendships have formed over the years. Some members have been playing there for more than 50 years, and their children played alongside them.

Sidemoor Bowling Club is rather unique in the fact that the bowling is considered to be for social purposes, and

bowls drives are arranged among the members only with no competitions arranged between other clubs. Rather than a strict dress code of white shirts and grey trousers or pleated skirts, as seen in other clubs, Sidemoor members can wear whatever they wish. It is a relaxed, cheerful and colourful spectacle for anybody taking a look.

However, although it has been running for 100 years, Sidemoor Bowling Club needs some fresh members to keep it running. Anybody interested in joining this friendly club is more than welcome to give them a try. Please ring Harry or Barbara Hill on 01527 831257 for more information. They would love to chat with you.

Walking rounders makes worldwide debut at last!

April saw a world first with the launch of Walking Rounders by Bromsgrove Walking Sports Centre.

Centre owner Alan Gormley told Completely Bromsgrove how the new sport came about.

“Several months ago we asked our 160 participants if they’d like to add another sport to the five we already have - walking versions of cricket, netball, hockey, football and rugby. They said ‘yes’ and chose rounders to be that sport,” said Alan.

“I contacted Rounders England, the national governing body for rounders, and they were keen on the idea. One of their key objectives is to grow participation and they were looking for someone with a proven track record to work with to develop Walking Rounders.

“We’ve been working closely with them since January and had a joint development day at the end of February which attracted 30 players. We’ve managed

to secure two grants from Sport England with the help of Rounders England and Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire that will enable us to fully fund our initial sessions and get the equipment we need.

“We’re looking to affect people who are inactive, who would benefit from a healthy, fun and social environment. To do this the funding will enable us to subsidise participation for those who are struggling financially.”

There are three Walking Rounders sessions per week: Mondays and Fridays from 10am to 11am on the lower field AstroTurf at Bromsgrove Cricket, Hockey & Tennis Club and Fridays from 6.30pm to 7.30pm in the sports hall at North Bromsgrove High School.

For more information, please contact Alan Gormley on 07731 369942 or email alan@sport-edge.co.uk

Soggy March fails to thwart Croft’s preseason preparations

Despite the weather that led to one of the wettest Marches on record spreading well into the middle of April, the members at Avoncroft Cricket Club have been doing what they can to get ready for the 2023 season.

Following a water leak over Christmas that caused extensive damage in the pavilion, significant refurbishment work has seen pipes mended, electrics replaced, walls plastered and painted, and new carpets laid.

This massive effort has meant that the pavilion and bar will be fully operational from the start of the season, so spectators are welcome to drop by and see the new and improved surroundings.

Things have been just as damp out on the ground, but with fewer immediate solutions outside of waiting for the sun to come out! With a flooded outfield making it impossible to even get the ground machinery out of the garage, Croft’s ground team have been limited in the pre-season work that they could complete however the sun over the Easter weekend gave a glimpse of how beautiful the ground will look as soon as it starts to dry out.

With Croft’s first game of the season rained off, their home opener has been pushed back to April 29th, assuming things have started to dry out by then!

The wet weather has also put the start of the junior season at risk of being delayed however, with the prospect of warmer weather to come, Friday evenings should see the return of 100+ boys and girls developing their cricket skills.

If you are interested in getting your son or daughter involved in cricket, please get in touch with junior co-ordinator Paul Athey at paul.athey@nhs.net or, if aged five to eight, check out the All Stars cricket programme at www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars

by Paul Athey

Relief as Sporting FC avoid the drop

The run to the end of March was a tough time for Bromsgrove Sporting, losing seven matches in nine that saw them slip down the table hovering above the relegation zone.

A draw at league leaders Coalville Town gave them a big morale boost but two days later Sporting went down 4-3 at home to Stourbridge after leading 2-0 with just ten minutes to go.

The last home match of the season was against inform Barwell, but a 2-0 win gave the Rouslers three points and with other clubs losing, their position in

the Southern League Premier Division Central for next season was assured.

As with most sports clubs, awards are presented at the end of the season with goalkeeper Ollie Taylor securing the ballot for the supporters’ player of the season. Manager Mike McGrath gave his award to striker Brandon Smalley whilst the players themselves voted for their captain Tom Taylor.

Eighteen-year-old Ayo Lekuti secured the young player of the season and the directors’ special award was given to physio Gavin Blackwell for his sterling work on the treatment table.

The season is far from over for Sporting’s Ladies and Veterans teams who have fixtures up to the end of May. The Ladies have eight matches to play and at the time of writing sit fifth in their league with games in hand on their rivals. The Veterans have just four matches left and lie second in their table so a high finish is expected.

A number of the Colts’ seasons finished before Easter with several winning honours that they showed off during the half time interval of the first team’s last home match. They are now looking at the next campaign and recruiting so anyone interested should contact them via email at colts@bromsgrovesporting.co.uk

There is plenty of information about Bromsgrove Sporting at www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk and general enquiries can be made by emailing hello@ bromsgrovesporting.co.uk

by Phil Baker

There are Facebook pages for Fans of Bromsgrove Sporting and Bromsgrove Sporting FC along with pages for the Ladies, Veterans and Colts. The Twitter handle for the club is @SportingFC

Joe Curtis and Lewis Wright celebrating

Photos by Chris Jepson

Brandon Smalley controls the ball

Cutting edge CX5

Don’t forget,” said the wise man to the pilgrim as they gazed at the reddening sky beyond the darkening peaks to the west, “A sun that sets is also a sun that rises

A fresh beginning rewards the day’s end”.

These words remembered from a book once read, resonated in my mind as I greeted the day. It was going to be a long day and I had many miles to cover. But the prospect was far from daunting.

For ages I had promised a friend who runs a coffee shop in Glencoe that I’d pay him a visit. This was a long trip from the heart of England but a crack of dawn departure was just the ticket for an early bird like me.

Outside, taking shape in the first light, was a fresh beginning if ever there was: a car bearing all the attributes expected of a cutting-edge modern motor. I fancied it was waiting patiently for its impatient pilot. The Mazda CX5. 2.5 194PS AWD GT Sport auto fitted my bill and made me coo with delight.

It’s a superb mid-size SUV packed with winning features and the highest of high technology. At the same time, it feels like an old friend. For instance, it still surprises me that I can dial in a destination and be guided by a soothing voice along an optimised route. I deployed all the active systems and was off, happy that Mazda’s Skyactiv technology would feed me sweet music and keep me safe every inch of the way.

Relishing the roomy cabin, the cosseting upholstery, the heated/cooled seats and the splendid all-round visibility (not to mention the 360 degree camera), it seemed a shame to have to get out of the car to put petrol in.

is looking sharp!

The smooth, four cylinder 2.5 litre 194 PS Skyactiv G petrol engine (with no turbo to fail) cleverly switches seamlessly between four and two cylinder operation - you can see it happening on the information display screen. It can take you to over 120 mph and return between 35 to 40 mpg. It also has a magic button to press for off road road conditions. There would be no problems if snow fell in Glencoe.

This variant of the CX5 encapsulates what used to be called a ‘grand touring’ car. In times past the GT car was the wealthy person’s passport to high speed motoring. Not only did a GT car look sporty it was also pokey enough to blow away standard cars while attaining high speeds on unregulated roads.

Times change. Not only is the CX 5 GT Sport easily capable of bettering in every respect the performance of yesteryear’s GT cars - it does it without breaking into a sweat. It’s also safer, more comfortable, more accommodating,

more flexible and in every sense more versatile. So you get an exciting drive and a relaxing one as you listen to the Bose sound system. I was impressed by the seamlessness of the auto box which conjures up drivetrain magic including 4x4 capabilities at a touch.

As the miles unwound, the big journey seemed so short as I enjoyed progress with comfort, style and security - never having to dip my eyes from the road thanks to the colour head up display. Undoubtedly the formula for GT motoring in the 21st century. Across the Erskine Bridge, along Loch Lomond and up into the Highlands to my destination.

As I arrived, I felt that the Mazda CX5 deserved a chorus of bagpipes to pipe it in. Despite the conviviality of the coffee shop folk evening, I was already hankering to get back behind the wheel. The CX5 exerts that kind of spell and is surely the most engaging mid-size SUV to drive. Mazda are ‘drivers’ cars.

by Syd Taylor