Completely Bromsgrove September 23 issue 54

Completely

Issue 54 September 2023

Bromsgrove

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3

Welcome to the September issue of Completely Bromsgrove

M

any of you will have joined us in having a few weeks’ break and although the weather wasn’t what we’d hoped for, we can assure you of a packed edition to brighten your spirits.

As I write this, we have just witnessed the Lionesses reach the final of the Women’s World Cup in Australia.

What an amazing achievement for captain Millie Bright and her team.

Turn to page 8 to find out more about the district council’s vision for the town centre regeneration programme taking us up to 2040.

Bromsgrove Liberal Democrats are supporting the council’s opposition to the closure of ticket offices at our local railway stations. Turn to page 10 for more information.

We pay tribute to two influential gentlemen who sadly are no longer with us, Stephen Kyte and David Turner. Turn to pages 42 and 43 to learn more about the difference they have made in our community.

The team at Completely Bromsgrove would like to

18

Contents

September welcomes the return of Heritage Open Days (HODs) from the 8th to 17th. Turn to pages 50 to 52 and pop the events into your diaries so that you don’t miss out.

As always, the team here at Completely Bromsgrove hope you enjoy this bumper edition, and we look forward to bringing you more news and interesting articles from Bromsgrove and the surrounding area.

Remember folks, keep it local. If you don’t use it, then we’ll lose it!

Best wishes Michele Ford

34 38 54

6 Chadsgrove College Fete 8 Dr David Nicholl / Council 10 Council Backs Lib Dems 12 Rail Matters 14 Dave Morgan Poetry Book 16 Flute Theft / Age UK Award 18 Kitchen Maintenance Myths 20 Reducing Flood Risk 22 Gardening 24 Tile Choice Refurbished 26 Explore Watery Abodes

Completely

28 Worcs Wildlife Trust 30 Grave Restoration 32 Health and Wellbeing 34 The Boyden Pie 36 Recipe 37 Award Nomination Joy 38 Red Panda Cub is Born 39 Help your local Hospice 40 Fundraising Garden Party 41 Ramblers 50th Birthday 42 Remembering Stephen Kyte 43 David Turner Tribute

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

4 Completely Bromsgrove

wish Michelle and Lilith from High Street store Butchers Block the very best of luck in their quest to win their individual categories at this year’s Women in Meat Awards. Turn to page 37 for details of how you can show your suppor t.

44 A Night at the Museum 45 Flower Club 47 The Arts 48 History 50 Heritage Open Days 54 Fairfield Flicks 56 Feckenodeon 57 Lickey Arts / Arts Alive 58 Drive Time 60 Motor Museum 61 Avoncroft Cricket 62 B’grove Sporting FC

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

Sales: Michele Ford Tel: 07948 086870 Design: Matt Walton Design The contents of Completely Bromsgrove magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Completely Bromsgrove magazine.

Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Completely Bromsgrove magazine cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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Students’ hard work pays off with fete success C

hadsgrove College in Catshill held its annual summer fete on July 5th with attractions including a tombola, jewellery stall, a plant and garden accessory sale, guess the weight of the cake and name the panda.

Students planned and promoted the event as well as working on the stalls with the assistance of the staff team. They managed to raise more than £400 for their enterprise fund that will be re-invested into future projects and activities.

Bromsgrove’s Bellman Kevin Ward and Court Leet Ealdorman Jo Slade joined district council chairman Sam Ammar to officially open the proceedings.

As part of the fete, students were keen to share the progress made on their garden project for which they recently won the prestigious Natspec award for Innovation in Student Voice.

The garden venture began after students shared their interest in assisting others in their local community.

After volunteering at St Basil’s Café in Charford and supporting Catshill’s foodbank, students realised they enjoyed helping others.

They decided that they would like to use their outside space to grow vegetables for community incentives and to have an accessible space to enjoy and host inclusive events. A small section of the garden was revamped last summer thanks to charitable support

6 Completely Bromsgrove

from Kevin Patch and his team at Severn Trent.

Enthused by this improvement, students then set about raising the funds to develop the main garden area. With the support of business manager Hayley Jepson, a fundraising page on the Spacehive community platform was set up. Alongside this, students planned, directed and produced a marketing video to help promote their cause.

The students went on to win the Natspec award where they were praised for the promotion of selfadvocacy, active citizenship, and community inclusion for independence in adulthood.

Chadsgrove College will be holding an official opening of their community garden, which is being completed by landscaping company Lambscapes, in the new academic year.

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7

Local doctor standing to be Bromsgrove’s next MP

T

he Liberal Democrats have launched their General Election campaign with local doctor David Nicholl standing to be Bromsgrove’s next MP.

Dr Nicholl is an NHS doctor who lives in the constituency he is standing to represent and is also a councillor on Bromsgrove District Council.

Announcing his campaign, Dr Nicholl said: “We need an active MP who understands the issues Bromsgrove residents face. As a campaigner I have been working to reopen Artrix, tackle congestion, and regenerate our town centre and stand up for our villages.

“The blue wall is crumbling as lifelong Conservative voters are backing the Lib Dems because the Government has let them down and taken them for granted. Bromsgrove is no longer a

safe Conservative seat as the recent local elections have shown and the Liberal Democrats are offering a vision of change.”

Former Conservative MP and Health Secretary under John Major, Stephen Dorrell, who joined the Lib Dems, added: “On the 75th anniversary of the NHS, we need an MP who understands our health service.

“David is a dedicated campaigner who will stand up for our NHS, recover our economy, and tackle the climate emergency.

I joined the Liberal Democrats as they offer the best vision for our country, and I know David will help deliver that vision and build a better Bromsgrove.”

Council identifies town centre regeneration possibilities to 2040 B

romsgrove District Council’s approach to key redevelopment oppor tunities in the town centre up to 2040 has been agreed in principle.

Cabinet members endorsed a detailed report on five potential strategic regeneration opportunities in the town at their meeting on July 12th.

A fifth site was endorsed, on Churchfields Road, where the Churchfields multi-storey car park could be replaced with a residential development in the future.

The proposed regeneration of two of the sites – site clearance works to unlock land at Windsor Street including the former fire station and library for residential development, and a commercial and cultural development on land at St John Street including the last part of the former Market Hall site – has been backed by £14.5 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

The Bromsgrove Town Centre 2040 Vision report identifies potential strategic regeneration opportunities and follows on from the town’s previous regeneration strategy. That saw a partnership of agencies formed in 2008 to re-lay Bromsgrove’s High Street, expand its market, build a new library and doctors’ surgery in a public services hub at Parkside, build a new blue light complex, leisure centre, and bus and train stations, and turn former brownfield sites at Recreation Road, St John Street, and Burcot Lane into new commercial and residential developments.

Two more proposed sites feature in local plans, namely land at Stourbridge Road next to Aldi which could become a commercial or mixed-residential development, and at School Drive between the church and the leisure centre which could become a residential development.

8 Completely Bromsgrove

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Council backs Lib Dem calls to oppose rail ticket office closures

B

romsgrove’s Lib Dem councillors placed a motion for the district council to oppose the closure of ticket offices at local railways stations.

Councillor Josh Robinson, who represents Lowes Hill, submitted the motion to the council to oppose the closure of local railway station ticket offices.

“When I first heard the proposals to close the ticket offices, I think like a lot of people I was surprised by the sheer number of closures that have been planned,” he said.

“I got into politics to protect the most vulnerable in our society, and you can see from the amount of people who are against these plans that some of the most vulnerable in society will suffer.

“When we got our new station, one of the benefits cited in every press release was that it would have a manned ticket office, let’s not waste the investment in our town, let’s stand up for local residents including some of the most vulnerable in our society.”

The motion also called for the council to use its media platforms to raise awareness of the

10 Completely Bromsgrove

consultation on the ticket office closures.

Councillor Samuel Evans seconded the motion, and Councillor Robinson’s calls were echoed by Lib Dem Group Leader Councillor Rob Hunter.

Councillor Hunter said: “I use the ticket office at Bromsgrove Station several times a week and see at first hand the vital service it offers to vulnerable people and those unable to access services in other ways.

There is so much that just hadn’t been thought through about this proposal. We must fight to protect this vital service for our community.”

The motion received cross-par ty suppor t and the leader of Bromsgrove District Council will now write to the Rail Delivery Group and the Secretary of State setting out opposition to the plans. Bromsgrove District Council used its media platforms to raise awareness of the consultation which closed on July 26th.

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Climbing the Lickey Incline

Photo Joy Lloyd Taylor

Let’s attract more visitors to Bromsgrove O

www.bromsgroverail.org.uk

ne of the after-effects of the pandemic has been the change in working patterns, with far fewer people commuting by rail into offices than previously.

Rail companies such as West Midlands Railway are seeking to develop fur ther travel by rail for leisure and recreational purposes. Travelling by train can save up to 70% of carbon dioxide emissions.

This presents a great opportunity for the new Bromsgrove District Council, elected in May, to grow the economy of the town and district by developing a strategy for day and short stay tourism.

As far as BARRUP is aware, the council does not employ a dedicated tourism development officer, have a tourist information centre, or a tourism strategy, yet there is considerable potential to grow the local economy through tourism using existing bus and rail links.

If you consider the town centre itself, which has good bus links from the railway station - a gateway to Bromsgrove - and which can be travelled to directly via WMR from 30 different destinations from Lichfield in the nor th and Hereford in the south, including Birmingham New Street, there are several attractions e.g. the 13th century St John’s Church, Sanders Park, The Nor ton Collection Museum, The Housman Trail and markets on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. And just out of the Town Centre, but also

on a bus link from the Station, there is the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings.

From Sanders Park, if visitors enjoy walking, they can take one of the three Royal Hunters Walks of different lengths into the district’s countryside, and from the station, they can walk along the Worcester to Birmingham Canal from the Tardebigge Wharf, which can be reached by the 52 bus, again varying the length of the walk according to ability.

If visitors enjoy spor t, it is only a quar ter-hour walk from the station to watch Bromsgrove Rugby Club or Bromsgrove Cricket Club, or a five-minute walk from the town centre to watch Bromsgrove Spor ting FC. If they are interested in the arts, there is the Bromsgrove Festival, the Bromsgrove International Music Competition and the Bromsgrove Folk Festival.

Let’s hope that, during their term of office, Councillor Sue Baxter, the new council cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, and Councillor Steve Colella, the new council cabinet member for leisure, culture and climate change, seize the economic oppor tunity that day and shor t stay tourism presents for the town and district.

by Nick Taylor

memsec@bromsgroverail.org.uk

12 Completely Bromsgrove

Completely Bromsgrove

13

Poetry book raises funds

for The Basement Project B

romsgrove-based charity The Basement Project is benefiting from the sales of a poetry book, written by its chair of trustees Dave Morgan.

The book, titled Our Dog Breaks Wind and 99 other (what I call) poems’, is an anthology of 100 poems which span more than 50 years of creative writing by the former Bromsgrove businessman.

Dave started writing poetry as a teenager in the 1960s, having been inspired by an English homework assignment when he was attending Bromsgrove County High School, now North Bromsgrove High School.

Since then, he has continued writing rhymes, ditties and occasionally serious poems, together with some hymn lyrics. His book includes 100 individual pieces with some explanations about when, or even why, he wrote them. They cover an eclectic mix of topics, including reflections on childhood, sport, love, gardening, growing old and, as the title of the book suggests, his pets.

Before his retirement in 2015, Dave worked in business management, sales, marketing and business analytics. Since retiring he has entered the world of volunteering with gusto. As well as his Basement Project commitments, he is the county organiser for the National Garden Scheme, a ranger for the Canal and River Trust and a lay preacher, public speaker, and active member of Catshill Methodist Church.

Dave said: “After becoming a trustee in 2011, I was able to make a few business proposals which the board

14 Completely Bromsgrove

of trustees accepted, and we set about restructuring and refocusing the organisation along business lines while maintaining our charitable and supportive work.

The structure has continued to change and improve with a more focused, active, and supportive board with real business acumen guiding the business.

“From the client’s situation we have seen spikes in the need and more lately, the numbers of young people seeking help flatten or even drop slightly, but the majority have far more complex needs than before, which take a lot more support. In the past they would come in with one problem, or occasionally two, that they needed help with. Now it seems most clients have multiple issues to be resolved.

“In addition, we have grown the foodbank, introduced a mediation service, provide more mental health support, offer workshops, such as cooking on a budget, and supplied some pre-emptive talks to try and avoid the sorts of problems young people can encounter. The latest edition has been a service to try and encourage them into the workplace by helping with CVs and guiding them through the access to work maze.”

All profits from the sale of Dave’s poetry book will be donated to The Basement Project, to help young people aged 25 and under who are living in crisis. The book costs £5 and copies are available to buy directly from the project’s HQ on Hanover Street.

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Appeal after historical artefact

stolen from village church

A

flute and presentation case that was regularly played in the orchestra at St Michael’s Church in Upton Warren in the early 18th century has been stolen.

The instrument was presented to the church, a Grade II listed building, in 1934 by Mary Ellen Willett.

Mary was the great-great-granddaughter of parishioner Thomas Hyde, who played the instrument.

The case was ripped off the church wall, causing damage to the plasterwork which has since been repaired.

However, the theft has shocked parishioners and

users of the church and in agreement with the team vicar, Reverend Paula Honniball, they have reluctantly taken the decision to lock the church, denying access to visitors until further notice.

If you know anything about the theft or the whereabouts of the flute or case, which may have been discarded somewhere, please call West Mercia Police on 101 quoting reference number 00155-1-22062203.

Heartfelt conversation

inspires chairman’s support Age UK has been chosen as Bromsgrove District Council chairman’s charity of the year.

Councillor Sam Ammar said that on election day in May, she met a man called John who shared his profound upset over the loss of his wife a few weeks earlier.

“I refrained from discussing the elections and let him tell me more about his wife,” said Councillor Ammar.

“His deep love for his wife of 48 years left a lasting impression on me, but it also saddened me, as I knew he must feel severe pain and loneliness after losing her. I told John that if I was elected, I would pop round and see him for a coffee, which I did.

“When elected as chairman and asked to choose a charity, I knew immediately that I wanted to support a charity that gives joy and help to people like John. I went

16 Completely Bromsgrove

to his house and informed him of my intentions before I spoke to Age UK and started the ball rolling.

“Age UK has many programmes that support the elderly including their Men in Sheds initiative. Men who have lost a loved one or indeed have retired and need to fill the void can come to the shed and make woodworks that are sold in the Age UK charity shops.

“The men joke that at 12pm all the work stops and over a coffee and biscuits they put the world to rights. It is a brilliant initiative, and I am very thankful to people like Age UK who help the elderly through difficult situations. It is a very impactful charity and I hope residents and my colleagues in the chamber will support it,” added Councillor Ammar.

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17

Fact or fiction?

B

romsgrove-based AK Fitted Interiors sheds some light on the most common kitchen maintenance myths.

The myth: It’s best to open the dishwasher door immediately after a cycle.

extended period does carry the risk (albeit small) that the granite will crack.

A common misconception that we often come across is the idea that the dishwasher door should be opened immediately after a cycle in order to dry the dishes faster. However, manufacturers recommend holding off for 15 to 30 minutes. Why? Steam will escape whilst the appliance is still hot, potentially causing swelling on painted furniture and delamination on foil doors. Worktops and cupboards directly above kettles can also be affected by excess steam.

Quar tz is a manmade material created with 90% quar tz plus pigments and resin. This composition means that it can withstand temperatures of up to 150°C. Cups of tea and coffee are no problem but dishes from the oven need to be placed on a trivet or similar to avoid permanent damage.

To keep your dishwasher in top condition, remember to remove as much food waste as possible by scraping into the bin (rinsing is not necessary, that’s a myth for another day!). The filter should be removed and rinsed at least once a week as well as door edges wiped down to prevent buildup of grime, odours, and reduced water flow.

The myth: Keeping old appliances will save money.

The myth: You don’t need any heat protection with stone worktops.

Stone worktops such as granite and quar tz come with so many benefits for the modern home that it’s no surprise these durable materials are chosen in the majority of new kitchens. With the melting point of granite at around 1260°C you would be forgiven for thinking that it is pretty much invincible. However, while placing a hot pan on granite momentarily should not cause an issue, leaving it there for an

18 Completely Bromsgrove

The key here is that these worktops are heat resistant, not heat proof. We always advise our clients to use heat protection regardless of the worktop chosen.

Absolutely, in the shor t term. However, efficiency in home appliances has seen significant developments over the last few years. Replacing older appliances with newer, more energy efficient versions can help make sure your kitchen star ts life with high performing products that also lower your energy bills and reduce your household carbon emissions.

It goes without saying that investing in better quality appliances will result in longer life spans, but as a general rule, expect well-maintained hobs and ovens to last 10 to 15 years, fridges and freezers 10 to 12 years and a microwave 10 years.

AK Fitted Interiors is a kitchen specialist retailer with more than 40 years’ experience. For showroom locations and fur ther information, visit www.akfittedinteriors.co.uk

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19

Planting aims to reduce flood risk and boost wildlife M

embers of the North Worcestershire Water Management (NWWM) team at Bromsgrove District Council braved the rain on July 14 to finish adding more than 400 plants to two Natural Networks project sites - one along the Spadesbourne Brook and one along Millennium Way in Catshill.

In late 2019, along the Spadesbourne Brook near Burcot Lane/Blackmore Lane in Bromsgrove, NWWM created a series of pools and scrapes to encourage a wet woodland to form.

At Millennium Way in Catshill in early 2023, NWWM restored a section of Barley Brook, created two ponds, and added an overflow channel along the Battlefield Brook.

Both projects aimed to reduce local flood risk while also improving the potential of the brook and local environment for wildlife.

To complete the two projects, the team added a variety of reeds and rushes to the pond and marsh areas, which will help to improve water quality.

Water mint, water avens, flag iris and marsh marigold we added to the pond and watercourse areas, and teasel and cowslip planted along the verges which will provide food and shelter for all sorts of wildlife, as well as brightening up the area for local residents.

Both projects were part-funded by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Worcestershire County Council as part of their Natural Networks programme.

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21

GARDENING

Majestic Acers

deliver autumn joy A

s we say goodbye to those hazy, lazy days of summer, I pull on my socks and boots and welcome the progression into autumn. The frantic weeding, watering, deadheading, and harvesting is almost a distant memory.

Catching my breath, I think of what autumn really means to me; the nip in the early morning air, the distant smell of bonfires and the changing landscape.

Gold, red, purple and even lime green hues are helped along by the often delicate and always majestic Acer. At this time in the growing season, they are in full splendour, adorned in all their glory.

When growing Acers, thought should be given to the position in the garden as they really don’t like hot direct sunlight or wind; the delicate leaves are very easily scorched by both, and they will spend the summer looking sad. However, Acers will be happy in sheltered dappled shade. Red-leaved trees

need some sunlight to develop their rich colour.

Cover the plant with fleece in wintertime, if necessary, as protection will be needed against the elements. Acer trees will tolerate most soils but are happiest with an addition of ericaceous compost to create a slightly acidic base.

Some can grow to over ten metres in height but there are lots of varieties suitable for the average sized garden. Grow the delicate varieties in pots on your patio. Keep watered throughout the growing season and ensure that you use well drained soil, no soggy feet! They are also commonly used in the art of bonsai.

Jobs to keep you busy in September Lift gladioli corms, leave them to thoroughly dry off and store for the winter in a frost-free shed or garage.

Plant wallflowers, pansies and forget-me-nots in pots and borders.

Collect ripe seeds from your favourite flowers and store in labelled envelopes, ready to sow in spring.

Use cyclamen, heathers, heucheras and other colourful bedding plants in containers to create autumn interest.

Bring any houseplants that you moved outside over summer back indoors, before temperatures start to drop.

Plant spring bulbs, including crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths and fritillaries in pots and borders.

Now is the time to take cuttings from fuchsias, salvias and pelargoniums.

Keep summer bedding flowering in hanging baskets and pots by deadheading and feeding regularly.

22 Completely Bromsgrove

Sow hardy greens, such as kale, land cress, pak choi and mustard, for winter pickings.

Prune out all the old-fruited canes of summer raspberries, cutting down to the base, and tie in new canes to suppor ts.

Pot up herbs, such as chives and parsley, and place on a sunny windowsill to use during winter.

Star t sowing hardy varieties of broad beans and peas for early crops next year.

Cut away any leaves covering the fruits of pumpkins, squash, and marrows to help the skins ripen in the sun.

Pick apples and pears before the wind blows them down, and store undamaged fruits if you can’t eat them fresh.

Store chillies by threading the stalks onto strong cotton or wire and hanging up to dry somewhere warm and dry.

Leave sunflower seed heads in place for birds to feed on.

Cut off unripe outdoor tomatoes before the weather turns cold and ripen indoors.

Lift maincrop potatoes, dry off and store in hessian or paper sacks, in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place.

Make the most of the autumn colours and hopefully a long warm Indian summer.

By Suzi M, garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments

Now’s the time to plant

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23

Adver tisement Feature

A stunning new look for Tile Choice store

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elcome to Tile Choice, offering the largest selection of wall and floor tiles in Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas.

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24 Completely Bromsgrove

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25

Explore watery abodes of water voles and otters

H

ow much do you know about your local rivers? North Worcestershire Water Management have compiled some fascinating facts about the catchments that flow through Bromsgrove district.

The River Stour’s name is derived from Stur, the AngloSaxon word for river, which is probably why there are quite a few rivers called Stour. The Worcestershire Stour rises in the Clent Hills and meanders through the ancient countryside of North Worcestershire before flowing into the Black Country, where it is joined by the Smestow Brook.

The Stour re-enters Worcestershire again near Cookley.

Tributaries of the River Stour include the Gallows Brook in Hagley and the Belne Brook through Clent.

The River Salwarpe is a tributary of the River Severn, which forms on the Lickey Hills in North Worcestershire and flows through the district of Bromsgrove before joining the Severn at Hawford, around 20 miles downstream.

It’s likely that the name Salwarpe derives from “Sal” meaning salt, and “Weorp” meaning to throw up – referring to the salt deposits around Droitwich, through which the river flows.

Within the Salwarpe catchment, smaller tributaries flow through Bromsgrove district, including Spadesbourne Brook, Battlefield Brook, Elmbridge Brook, and Hen Brook.

Historically, the Salwarpe and its tributaries have been modified with the introduction of watermills with around 29 believed to have been present along its length; the last watermill known to have been working commercially in Worcestershire was located on the Salwarpe.

Tributaries of the Salwarpe in Bromsgrove are home to some of the last remaining colonies of water voles in the county, and if you’re lucky you might spot an otter along the river as it heads towards Droitwich.

26 Completely Bromsgrove

The River Rea rises in the Waseley Hills near to Rubery and flows through three small tributaries before passing beyond the North Worcestershire boundary into Birmingham. Like the River Stour, you will find River Rea or Rea Brook noted on maps across the country, since the name means “to run” or “to flow”.

Unlike most watercourses in Worcestershire, which flow into the Severn, the River Rea along with the River Cole, located in North East Worcestershire and flowing through Wythall, flows towards the River Trent and enters the North Sea via the Humber Estuary.

Within Worcestershire, a tributary of the River Rea (the Callow Brook) passes though several parks in Rubery. The River Rea Heritage trail is a 14 mile route along the river reflecting the history of the communities which formed along its banks, and how the ecological and archaeological landscapes of the river have changed over time.

The River Arrow has its source in the Lickey Hills; the river runs directly south through the settlement of Alvechurch towards Redditch. The Arrow was heavily modified in both medieval times and the Industrial Revolution for waterpower and industry including the famous needle mills of Redditch.

The Worcester to Birmingham Canal passes through the upper reaches of the River Arrow and par t of the upper catchment is used to feed the canal from Upper Bittell Reservoir.

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Completely Bromsgrove

27

by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

28 Completely Bromsgrove

Slinky slow-worms S

linky creatures that slither have a bit of an unloved reputation but the sinuous slow-worms that might hide away in your garden or local greenspace can be a plant-lovers best friend.

It might be easy to mistake a slow-worm for a snake if you only catch a glimpse as it dives for cover. If you get to see one up close, however, you’ll see that these legless lizards have eyelids, unlike their ssssnakey relatives. Adult males are grey-brown, sometimes with electric blue specks, with a grey-blue underside and a rather thick-necked appearance. The large females vary from gold to deep copper with dark stripes along their flanks. Breeding takes place in spring and the young develop in the female for four to five months; the beautiful gold or silver youngsters should now have made an appearance in the world.

Slow-worms are widely found in gardens, allotments, ‘waste’ ground, churchyards and even woodland edges across the whole of Worcestershire. As for being the best friend of plant-lovers, one allotmentholder in Worcester once told of watching a slowworm polish off 17 slugs in one sitting. Whether you’ve got a garden or can help to influence management of your local greenspace, there are ways that you can help our slug-loving friends…

•Provide safe areas, such as log piles or a mound of rubble, for them to hide from predators (birds, mammals or even your cat).

•Offer somewhere for them to warm up – unlike snakes, they rarely bask in the sunshine but prefer to shelter and warm up under sheets of corrugated metal or roofing felt placed on the ground in warm spots.

•Leave some areas a little wild – long grass can be a great place for a slow-worm to go hunting for food in.

•Start a compost heap – these are wonderfully warm places and can provide brilliant hunting grounds.

•Be careful when mowing or strimming – always check for wildlife first.

If you pop down roofing felt or similar for them to shelter under, you might want to check every so often just to see if you’ve got slow-worms where you are.

If you spot ‘reptile mats’ when you’re out for a walk, however, please don’t lift them up. Whilst a quick look by one person may not cause too much disturbance, the combined effect of lots of people doing it, will.

We’d love to know how slow-worm populations are doing. If you’ve got them where you are or you see one when you’re out and about, please take a quick picture and upload the details via our short form www. worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-sightings Thank you!

Keep up to date with us: www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk Follow us on Twitter @WorcsWT twitter.com/WorcsWT Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust Watch us on YouTube www.youtube.com/c/WorcswildlifetrustUK1

Photos: Magnus McLeod, Matthew Lissimore, Bruce Shortland, Paul Manning, Rosemary Winnall, Completely Bromsgrove

29

Discovering secrets of

overgrown graves Before

After

H

eading the team for Stoke Prior, Wychbold and Upton Warren churches for any routine maintenance, Heritage Friends Group chairman Alan Pugh has turned his sights to the graveyards of the historic Grade I and Grade II listed churches and the overgrown graves where clearly no living relative, that we know of, are around to keep them clear of the growth of vegetation and trees.

Many graves have been neglected for years, so Bob Wilson and Alan Pugh, a Stoke Prior based local historian, and collector of anything old and interesting, set themselves the task of clearing a set of three graves - which in the end, turned out to be four! A week later they cleared an impressive red marble grave with ornate iron railings of the Everitt family of Finstall Park.

Alan and Bob have done three projects to date, two at St Michael & All Angels, Stoke Prior and the other at St Mary de Wyche, Wychbold, hard but very satisfying work.

Before and after photos were posted on social media. The response has been positive, and

30 Completely Bromsgrove

Bob Wilson

the number of compliments was fantastic. The offers to help in future projects has been overwhelming and please be assured, Alan has noted everyone that has offered to help, and he will be inviting them shortly to a meeting at one of the churches to discuss further.

Alan Pugh

If you know of a grave requiring some TLC, please let Alan know and he will check if he and Bob can bring the past back to the present for all to see. You can contact Alan on 07590 582752 or email 208167@ gmail.com

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31

Avoid these chemicals in your skincare

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

W

hat we put on our skin and into our skin is extremely impor tant. Often it can be difficult to know exactly what we are using.

After qualifying as a beauty therapist more years ago than I wish to remember, I have been banging the drum for safe skincare products.

I have seen products come and go, as well as nail polish, fillers, and Botox just to name a few.

Cosmetic companies sneak in nasties to their creams, exfoliators and body washes all the time.

Products to avoid include the following ingredients: SLS and SLES - SLE (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) or SLE (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) are from the petroleum industry, and they can be from a plant source such as coconut and palm oil. It is used to create a lather in shampoos, body wash, mouthwashes, and toothpastes. These ingredients strip the skin of its natural oils, can cause skin irritation, and contribute to acne.

BHA - BHA is Butylated Hydroxyanisole and is used as a synthetic antioxidant in foods, cosmetics, and skincare exfoliant products to prolong shelf life. The National Toxicology Program has found that BHA is anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

Please read labels carefully.

Parabens - These are at last a taboo in the beauty world. Parabens are a chemical to prevent the growth of bacteria but once they penetrate the skin, they mimic oestrogen in the body and disrupt our hormonal balance and can potentially cause breast cancer and decreased sperm count.

Look on your labels and if you see words such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben then please do not use.

Retinol - This was the anti-aging secret by speeding up the cell turnover making the skin look younger. Retinol is a highly reactive molecule and when exposed to sunlight and air it ages the skin

32 Completely Bromsgrove

faster. It can be found in sun creams, moisturisers, and anti-aging creams.

Fragrance - We all love a beautiful fragrance but in the beauty world they do not have to define the ingredients that make the fragrance.

The problem here is that this undefined ingredient has the potential to be one of the most irritating ingredients in a product. My advice is if you have a sensitive skin go for an unscented product.

Mineral oil - This sounds great, but it is a byproduct of crude oil. If you like smearing crude oil by-products onto your skin you might want to think again. Mineral oil is often contaminated with other chemicals used to produce crude oil and this byproduct was difficult to dispose of, so it is sold to the cosmetic industry for pennies.

These are just a few of the skin care ingredients to avoid and now is the time to come over to a greener, healthier skincare regime. By investing in beauty products that are vegan, organic and natural with no hidden nasties you will not only be helping yourself but the planet as well.

If you are looking for a safe, natural skincare product, visit www.need4change.myasealive.com and investigate The Renu Advanced Skin Range.

It is amazing.

by Colette Garside

Look like your best you E

xciting new skincare business Judy B Aesthetics, based at George Davis Hairdressing in St John Street, is the brainchild of Judy Bar tley, a qualified nurse and midwife since 1984, first as a nurse for learning disabilities and then as a general nurse.

Judy worked as a midwife at Birmingham’s Heartlands Hospital, mainly on the labour ward but also on antenatal and postnatal wards, antenatal clinic and as a diabetic specialist midwife (DSM). It was as a DSM that she gained her prescribing qualification and registered on the NMC register as a midwife and a supplementary prescriber.

During the last two years, Judy has completed her foundation and advanced training in Dermal filler and Botox injections. She has built up her business, gaining experience in these procedures, and trained in micro-needling and chemical peels, skin boosters and platelet-rich plasma.

25% fiorfsft

Judy is now partway through a mastery programme with Skin Viva Academy in Manchester and can provide full face and body rejuvenation as well as advice on medical grade skincare.

Pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical skin care products can be provided for home use.

your ent treatmudy with J WITH THIS

Judy’s philosophy is undetectable but impactful results. Little tweaks here and there harmonise the face leaving clients looking more refreshed and rested.

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Botox and chemical peel Before

After

“My aim is to carefully and considerately restore volume that has been lost over time in conjunction with preventive skin rejuvenation treatments to help people feel great in their own skin. I aspire to natural looking results, so you still look like you but your best you,” said Judy.

Details can be found at judybaesthetics.co.uk Contact Judy via email at judithbartley@icloud.com or call 07793 867682.

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Anti wrinkle treatment to forehead and frown lines Before

After

1ml filler on lips and upper lip lines Before

After

Completely Bromsgrove

33

Court Leet approves the Boyden Pie A

ward-winning Butcher’s Block team Michelle and Lilith Holsey-Sheppard have created a pie to celebrate BBC Hereford & Worcester’s Malcolm Boyden.

Earlier this year, the Bromsgrove resident and radio presenter had approached the team at the shop on Bromsgrove High Street to discuss the possibility of creating a “Boyden Pie”.

They jumped at the chance and Malcolm launched the idea on his show, asking listeners to get in touch with their suggestions for the pie filling.

Malcolm received many fantastic responses which he put to Lilith, to see what she could create. The result is a deep filled pie, made with:

Malcolm Boyden

B - Blackberry O – Oxtail Y - Yellow peppers D - Diced onions and carrots E - Edamame beans N - Nutmeg There are also some surprise ingredients - beef stock and Malbec wine in the filling, and all encased in a delicious, homemade, shortcrust pastry made with a splash of Worcestershire sauce! The first pie was sampled by Malcolm live on air – he loved it!

Carnitor, Headborough and MP Sajid Javid

When the Bailiff of the Bromsgrove Court Leet found out about the Boyden Pie he declared that the pie should be tasted by the Carnitor of the Court – the official elected to ensure the quality of meat products sold in the town are of high standards.

At the Assizes on Fair Day, on Saturday, June 24th, held by the Housman Statue for the public to witness, the Court Carnitor, Hans Rostrup sampled the pie and announced it fit for the good people of the town, and any visitors. He encouraged those present to visit the

34 Completely Bromsgrove

Butcher’s Block and try the pie for themselves – he said they wouldn’t be disappointed.

Michelle and Lilith

On August 5th the business celebrated its fifth anniversary with a charity day in the shop and a raffle which ran for the whole month.

Everyone at Completely Bromsgrove sends congratulations to the team for five years on the High Street and thanks them for being such an active part of our community in Bromsgrove. Here’s to the next five years!

by Jo Slade

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35

Lamb Rogan Josh A

RECIPE

lamb curry that’s a popular restaurant classic and really easy to make at home. It’s a rich, crowd pleasing lamb dish that the whole family will enjoy.

Serves 4

Ingredients: • 450g/1lb lean lamb shoulder or leg, cut into 2.5cm/1 inch cubes • 30ml/2tbsp oil • 2 medium onions, peeled and sliced • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed • 1 x 2.5cm/1 inch piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped or grated • 1 cinnamon stick • 5ml/1tsp chilli powder • 15ml/1tbsp ground coriander • 10ml/2tsp Garam Masala • 5ml/1tsp ground turmeric • 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes • 30ml/2tbsp tomato purée • 450ml/¾pint good, hot lamb stock • Salt and freshly milled black pepper • 6 small new potatoes, halved • 100g/4oz cauliflower florets • Natural yogurt, to garnish • Freshly chopped coriander leaves, to garnish

36 Completely Bromsgrove

Heat half the oil in a large non-stick pan and brown the lamb in batches for 3-4 minutes. Spoon into a 1.2L/2pint heatproof casserole dish.

Add the remaining oil to the same pan and cook the onion, garlic, ginger and spices for 3-4 minutes or until soft and golden.

Spoon into the casserole dish.

Add the tomatoes, tomato purée and stock. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and cook for 2-2½ hours or until the lamb is tender, stirring occasionally. Season if required.

30 minutes before the end of the cooking time add the vegetables.

Remove from the heat, discard the cinnamon stick and garnish with the yogurt and coriander.

Serve with basmati rice and a selection of Indian relishes and poppadoms or naan bread.

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 2-2½ hours

Love British Food @LoveBritishFood www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

Award nomination joy at the double for Butcher’s Block

S

uccessful Bromsgrove High Street-based independent retailer Butcher’s Block have been shortlisted in two separate categories for this year’s Women in Meat Awards.

In the running in the Meat Businesswoman Award – Independent Retailing category is Michelle HolseySheppard, head butcher and co-owner. Representing her all-female team, Michelle is put forward as someone who has brought a high street butcher’s shop back to the town and is described as running a business that the whole town can be proud of.

Last year’s winner of this category, Michelle’s ethos on affordable food for all, and her traditional customer service at her shop, has gained substantial support. Each year the team hold an annual anniversary event when they raise money for two local charities, as well as helping to raise funds for two other additional charities through the year.

Michelle sources all the quality produce and nothing is too much trouble when it comes to her customers. She is a well-liked face of the town and has provided a fresh business approach to the area.

Shortlisted in the Meat Businesswoman Award – Foodservice (catering butcher) category is co-owner Lilith Holsey-Sheppard. Lilith is well known for going above and beyond to ensure taste, variety, quality, and

value in her product range.

Described as a ‘huge hearted woman, loving and giving’ she has single handedly created a homemade food range that has people from across the UK travelling to enjoy it. A previous winner in the Independent Retail category, last year saw Lilith’s range expand to become one of the largest independent stockists of homemade gluten and dairy-free sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, ready-cooked meals plus a huge selection of pies.

Lilith worked in collaboration with DJ Malcolm Boyden from BBC Hereford & Worcester and the station’s listeners to create an exclusive Boyden Pie, available as a regular or gluten-free product. Lilith specialises in allergy-free catering and has spoken to the local Coeliac UK group about her food range.

Completely Bromsgrove would like to wish Michelle and Lilith good luck for the award ceremony, which will be held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, on November 17th. The host is TV broadcaster and journalist Jennie Bond.

Completely Bromsgrove

37

Safari park’s first ever red panda cub

W

est Midland Safari Park is excited to announce the birth of an endangered red panda cub – the first to be born at the tourist attraction in its history.

Keepers suspected that three-year-old Mei Lin, was due to give birth after seeing her settle into one of her nest boxes mid-June.

A few days later, keepers heard tiny squeaks coming from the box and noticed that Mei Lin was grooming something inside.

They have since spotted glimpses of a tiny red panda cub and were lucky enough to capture the cub on camera, when Mei Lin moved nest boxes.

around three months old, they will perform a health check and will find out what sex it is.

It’s at this point where a name will be chosen for the cub, beginning with the letter ‘L’, as all animals born at the park in 2023, have names beginning with this letter.

Mei Lin was the first red panda to arrive at the park in August 2021 and was joined by Sanka, in March 2022 as part of an EEP (Eaza Ex-Situ Programme), which is a collaborative breeding programme between European zoos, aiming to conserve endangered species.

Discovery Trail keeper, Kyle Wingfield, said “It’s fantastic that Mei Lin and our male, Sanka, have successfully mated, after only being introduced The arrival of the red panda cub just over a year ago. After a gestation is another milestone moment for Baby Red Panda period of four and a half months, the the park, following the announcement cub arrived, making it the first red panda cub of the birth of its first Sumatran tiger cub we’ve ever had at the park in our 50-year history. last week, as well as a Grevy’s zebra foal, barasingha fawns and a lowland anoa calf, being born earlier in “Red pandas are listed as ‘endangered’ in the wild the year. with fewer than ten thousand individuals left, making every birth that more important. Whilst things look promising so far, with Mei Lin showing all the right, maternal signs, we will continue to monitor her from a safe distance allowing her the space, privacy and time she needs, as she adapts to being a new mum.”

Although keepers will be watching the cub’s progress at a distance for now, when the cub is

As both Mei Lin and Sanka are first-time parents, the park is asking guests to be mindful of noise when visiting the Red Panda Retreat habitat.

Further information about West Midland Safari Park is available from www.wmsp.co.uk or by calling 01299 402114.

Proud parents, Mei Lin and Sanka

38 Completely Bromsgrove

Could you spare an hour to help your local hospice?

P

rimrose Hospice & Family Support Centre in Bromsgrove are looking for volunteers to help across their six shops in North-East Worcestershire.

Volunteering can have an incredibly positive effect on your life by increasing your skills and also gives you an oppor tunity to make new friends while giving back to a local charity.

June Wormington, who has been volunteering for the hospice for more than 25 years, said: “The artistic side of window dressing puts my creative skills to good use. I have particularly enjoyed creating the special windows to commemorate seasonal festivals, royal events, and Primrose fundraising events throughout the years.

“Volunteering keeps me physically active in mind and body, plus making great friendships along the way.

“Primrose Hospice creates the perfect environment for volunteers to develop confidence and a variety of social and life skills that they can take forward into the

future. I love what I do, and I wouldn’t want to volunteer anywhere else.”

Why not bring friends or family along with you to volunteer? Whether you can spare an hour or a day, Primrose Hospice would love to talk to you.

If you can help, pop into one of their shops or contact volunteers’ manager Jo Wright on 01527 871051 or email Jo.wright4@nhs.net Find out more about the shops at: www. primrosehospice.org/support-us/shops/our-shops Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre provide vital suppor t and care to people with lifelimiting illnesses and families, providing them with the care and suppor t they need during difficult times.

Learn more about the suppor t they provide for our community at: www.primrosehospice.org Completely Bromsgrove

39

Care home hosts fund-

raising garden party B

urcot Grange and Lodge, a luxury all-inclusive care home in Bromsgrove, hosted a summer garden party in July.

The home, which is par t of Berkley Care Group, welcomed more than 200 guests to enjoy food, drinks, and games. This was the home’s first garden party since 2019 and the celebrations raised more than £930 for Alzheimer’s Society.

performed traditional and popular jazz classics while encouraging guests to dance.

Undeterred by a heavy shower, the home held an afternoon full of festivities. The raffle included various prizes from wine hampers and chocolates to M&S vouchers. Local businesses were invited, including the home’s salon which donated vouchers for the raffle.

Vicky Osborne, manager at Burcot Grange and Lodge, said: “We are thrilled to have our annual garden par ty up and running again, as we took a brief break over the pandemic. It was great to see our residents and guests come together for an afternoon of celebrations for a good cause.

The kitchen team made a cake while children were treated to a nature hunt in the garden. Each child was given a butterfly shortbread to take home.

“We are proud to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Dementia is one of the biggest health and social challenges of our time, so it is vital we do all we can to help those affected by the disease.”

Sauce City Jazz, a traditional Dixieland jazz band,

40 Completely Bromsgrove

The in-house catering team prepared a range of homemade sandwiches and cakes served alongside tea, coffee and Pimm’s.

Ramblers stride out to mark half century B

romsgrove Ramblers celebrated the 50th anniversary of the group’s foundation in 1973 in style.

A hardy band walked a 50K route over four days in July around the district council boundary line. Each stage of the walk was roughly eight miles in distance and entailed walking from Wychbold to Lydiate Ash by way of Chaddesley Corbett; and then Lydiate Ash round to Wychbold by way of Tardebigge. The weather generally stayed fair but sadly many stiles were found to be in a poor state of repair, meaning there’s work ahead for the volunteer working parties.

An anniversary party was later held at Hillscourt on Rose Hill, Lickey, to which many past members of the group were invited. Among many photographs from across the years, members could reminisce and recount stories of past adventures and forays. The event was topped off with a toast to the group’s future and the cutting of a magnificently decorated celebratory cake, complete with walking boots and rucksack.

Bromsgrove Ramblers organise three regular local walks each month – one long (about eight to ten miles), one short (about four to six miles) and one shorter which will have some point of interest and may end at a pub or tearoom (about three to four miles).

They offer day coach trips further afield twice a year, travelling to the Shropshire Hills or Peak District and providing a choice of two hikes. Additionally, they organise a couple of weekends away to popular walking areas such as the Lake District, Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) and Exmoor.There are also social events, such as summer pub rambles, quiz evenings and meals out.

The Ramblers help everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking and protects the places we all love to walk. It is the only charity dedicated to looking after paths and green spaces, leading walks, opening up new places to explore and encouraging everyone to get outside and discover how walking boosts your health and your happiness.

For more information, contact group secretary Peter Davies on 07772 458130.

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Remembering Stephen Kyte S

tephen was an active member of his beloved hometown community. He was usually found in and around the town, shopping or attending concerts and events – usually with his camera ready to capture the moment, and always a cheery word to greet friends.

Stephen was born in Burton-on-Trent on 3rd November 1945 and lived in Brighouse,Yorkshire until 1956 when his family moved to Bromsgrove. With his parents Ernest and Joan, and sister Liz, Stephen lived on Kidderminster Road, next to the Vicarage in the shadow of St John’s Church, his father was the Headmaster of Bromsgrove County High School.

After school, Stephen worked as a hospital porter at Hill Top Hospital in Bromsgrove and at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch. He retired just before his 60th birthday after 41 years of service. He cared for his mother at home until she died in 2009 and Stephen moved to a flat in Nailers Court on Ednall Lane where he lived independently for the first time. His sister Liz said “He lived life to the full and his last 13 years were his happiest. He was a sociable, kind member of the residential community there”.

Stephen enjoyed a wide range of hobbies and interests. His lifelong passion for buses began aged four when he received a red double decker Dinky Toy bus as a gift. Bus spotting became an all-consuming hobby.

Notebooks were filled with bus schedules, numbers and routes. Later in life, Stephen discovered the Severn Valley Railway and spent many happy hours there.

Classical music and choral singing were very important to Stephen. He sang with the Bromsgrove Choral Society for over 50 years, having joined the group with his parents in the 1970s. Stephen was invited to join the choir of St John’s Church and was a loyal member for many years until the last few weeks of his life. He loved singing and listening to music, attending concerts across Bromsgrove and visiting cathedrals and churches to listen to orchestras and organ recitals. At every event he would ask the performers to sign his programme – what a collection of the town’s musical history he amassed!

Stephen was often found in the Foto Factory, printing out his photographs which filled hundreds of albums, each image neatly labelled and annotated. The pictures

42 Completely Bromsgrove

he most loved to take featured buses, trains, animals, weddings, friends, Fair Day, Sanders Park, concerts, and Bromsgrove… he saved newspaper cuttings too.

Stephen was a member of the Bromsgrove Society and enjoyed the Tuesday night local history talks, and would also attend the annual Bromsgrove Lecture. Stephen enjoyed collecting books about the market town he loved. He enjoyed day trips to Avoncroft Museum, regularly visited Artrix and never missed Fair Day or the Bandstand Concerts on summer Sundays in Sanders Park.

Stephen died on 7th June after a short illness.

His funeral took place on Monday 26th June at St John’s Church where a choir of over 40 singers from many local choirs joined a large congregation to celebrate Stephen’s life, his love of singing and Bromsgrove. A well-known and liked member of our town – he will be missed.

Twin town honours David Turner B

romsgrove’s twin town of Gronau in Northwest Germany has honoured the memory of David Turner, the late president of Bromsgrove & District Twinning Association, now known as Bromsgrove International Link, on a bench in its newly refurbished high street.

In his will, David left legacies to Bromsgrove and its two twin towns of Gronau in Germany and SaintSauveur-Lendelin in Normandy, France to recognise his work in establishing links between the three communities. Gronau was first off the mark to honour David’s memory with an inscription describing the bench as a gift from Bromsgrove to the town of Gronau.

David was a former chairman and later honorary president of the association and did much to foster relationships between Bromsgrove and its two twin towns.

between Bromsgrove and communities in other countries. It is wonderful to see his work being recognised in this way.”

The inset photo shows the inscription recognising David’s gift to the town of Gronau and Roger Westbury, current chairman of Bromsgrove International Link along with Gabi Könemann from the Office of the Mayor of Gronau trying out the new bench during Roger’s recent visit to the town in Westphalia.

Unfor tunately, regular visits to Gronau ceased a few years ago but links and David Turner relationships are maintained as a number of people in Bromsgrove have well-established friendships in the town.

His widow Avery Turner said: “David was a passionate believer in the twinning movement and dedicated much of his life to developing the links

Anybody interested in knowing more about Bromsgrove’s Link with Gronau and the twin town in France Saint-Sauveur-Lendelin can get details from the association’s website, www.bromstwin.org.uk

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A musical night at the museum A

s one of the first events of Bromsgrove Festival, Bromsgrove Museum, in collaboration with Town Crier Kevin Ward, one of the museum’s trustees, hosted A Night at the Museum, an opportunity to view the building in convivial surroundings.

Whilst sampling “fine wines and comestibles”, more than 50 people enjoyed a pleasant evening with gentle background music provided by Natasha Gale, a harpist who is a graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire.

Kevin said: “I was delighted with how the evening went and the response of those who attended.

“Throughout the evening there was a gentle burble of conversation overlaid with the harp, which was such a delightful change from the usual blast of pop music some people think are essential at these sorts of occasions!

44 Completely Bromsgrove

“There were lots of smiling faces and many complimentary comments about the ambience of the entire evening.”

All proceeds have gone to the museum, which means more than £500 has been raised to help future changes and upkeep of the exhibits.

The museum has a huge number of glass negatives of photographs that were taken by the Bromsgrove Guild of the objects and artifacts they made, including the gates of Buckingham Palace and the Liver Birds in Liverpool, and is currently involved in a project to get them digitised for future display.

Join Bromsgrove Flower Club for a floral odyssey

A

t the July meeting, Bromsgrove Flower Club members celebrated its 65th year.

The club is one of the longest surviving flower clubs in the UK and we celebrated with a wonderful flower demonstration

by Penelope Harrison. This was followed by a delicious afternoon tea and celebratory cake.

September’s meeting will be held on Thursday, September 21st, when our guest demonstrator will be Delyth Price. The title of her demonstration is ‘My Floral Odyssey’ and visitors are welcome to join us on our journey. Delyth’s arrangements will be included as raffle prizes.

The title of the September competition is ‘All Foliage’. Everyone is encouraged to enter and to interpret the title in their own way.

The club meets every third Thursday of the month at All Saints Church Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, B60 1AF, at 2pm. Everyone is welcome to join us, both existing and new members. Come for tea and a chat and enjoy a wonderful afternoon. The entrance fee is £3 for members and £8 for visitors.

For more information check out our website: www.bromsgroveflowerclub.org.uk

The displays were designed and arranged by Penelope Harrison (above) and Sue Wheeler (inset left)

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Completely Bromsgrove

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The Arts

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HISTORY

A panorama of history T

he Bromsgrove Society’s popular series of local history talks returns in September, offering history buffs a rich range of topics from the area and beyond. Subjects over the coming months include convicts, craftsmen, and Christmas traditions.

Kicking off the 2023-24 season, on Tuesday, September 19th, is local historian Quintin Watt, with Oh! What a Bostin War. A former history teacher at South Bromsgrove High School, Quintin will look at the impact of World War One on Bromsgrove and the Black Country.

The October meeting, on Tuesday, October 17th, is Sentenced to Beyond the Seas, with speaker David Clark. David tells the story of eight Worcestershire women transported to Australia in the late 1700s on the first convict ship.

This will be followed on November 21st, by Roy Albutt talking on the Stained Glass Windows of A. J. Davies of The Bromsgrove Guild. The Bromsgrove Guild was a group of 20th century ar tists and craftspeople associated with the town.

Founded in 1898 by Walter Gilbert, the Guild soon developed into a thriving commercial enterprise. Archibald John Davies was one of its most notable and prolific artisans and Roy Albutt is an acknowledged expert on his work. Roy will describe Davies’ life and work and show examples, such as the church windows of All Saints, Bromsgrove; St James, Hartlebury; St Mary de Wyche, Wychbold; and Hereford Cathedral.

Rounding off the autumn series on December 5th, Mary Bodfish will present From Christmas Past to Christmas Present, a lively discussion of the origins and evolution of our Christmas traditions.

The Bromsgrove Society’s local history talks are generally on the third Tuesday of the month (except December and April) star ting at 7.45pm at the Methodist Centre, Stratford Road.

Talks are open to both members and non-members for a small admission charge, and there is free parking at the centre.

Topics for 2024 will include the English Civil War, the Salt Routes, the history of the Worcester to Birmingham Canal, and Local Railways in The Midlands.

A selection of recorded talks, including the recent Annual Lecture and Housman Celebration Concert, is available on the Bromsgrove Society’s YouTube channel.

For further details visit www.bsoc.co.uk

48 Completely Bromsgrove

by Mike Sharpe

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49

Heritage Open Days 2023 H

eritage Open Days is England’s largest festival of history and culture, where historic venues and spaces welcome visitors for free. This year the festival takes place between 8th and 17th September and there’s lots of events happening in and around Bromsgrove.

Heritage Open Days are supported by the National Trust and the People’s Postcode Lottery. Thousands of volunteers make the events happen and give you a chance to see hidden places and try new experiences - it’s all free to explore. Venues across Bromsgrove and Redditch have come together to promote what’s happening in the area – there is so much to see and do locally, and it all free during HODs week.

The festival kicks off on the 8th September, with Bromsgrove having a very busy Saturday 9th.

St. Mark’s Church, Fairfield, will host an Open Day with musical enter tainment from 9.30am til 3pm.

Originally built as a chapel of ease for Belbroughton in 1854, the church is simplistic in design with a beautiful “Light of World” stained glass window and is the site for several Commonwealth War Graves. Be entertained by The Roaming Villeins at 10am.

St John’s Church in Bromsgrove will open its doors to welcome par ticipants on a sponsored Ride & Stride for Churches. Members of the church will be available from 9.30am until 3.30pm to sign your form to confirm you visited the church. There may be the

50 Completely Bromsgrove

chance of some refreshments too.

The Roaming Villeins a cappella singing group, will present a 30-minute selection of songs celebrating vocal heritage from 16th century Fa-la-las to Beatles arrangements, in a peripatetic performance around Bromsgrove’s churches: • 10am St Mark’s Church, Fairfield • 11am Christ Church, Catshill • 12noon St Mary’s Church, Dodford • 1pm All Saints Church, Bromsgrove • 3pm St Godwald’s Church, Aston Fields.

They will be “Unwrapping our Creativity” at All Saints Church on Burcot Lane from 10am til 4pm.

Well known for its significant stainedglass windows and work by the Bromsgrove Guild, visitors can see the creative works of locally based artists, including Mary Long’s illustrative works and embroidery. Visitors can get creative with flowers and enjoy some refreshments.

The Norton Collection Museum at 26 Birmingham Road will open from 10am til 4pm for visitors to view the collection of Bromsgrove memorabilia. Displays of The Bromsgrove Guild, nail making, glass making, bikes and motorbikes, The Court Leet, a High Street of Edwardian Shops and a new display of Railway Heritage. www.nortoncollectionmuseumtrust.org.uk

in and around Bromsgrove the experimental lift which was replaced with a double depth lock. No booking required, more details via www. wbdcs.org.uk

Avoncroft Museum present “Have A Go History” from 10am til 4pm. Colonel Nicholas Devereux’s Regiment presents “A Very Uncivil War”, with an invitation to all to come and have a go! Examine and try on period clothing and armour; take part in musket and pike drills for adults and children; play the drums; find out about cooking, games, textiles and crafts. This is a hands-on day of exploration and fun for all the family! FREE admission on this day, no need to book. More info: www.avoncroft. org.uk/whats-on/heritage-open-days-2023

On Saturday 9th from 10am til 4pm and Sunday 10th from 11am til 4pm Heritage Open Weekend together with Ride & Stride for Churches takes place at Christ Church, Catshill. An open weekend to come and explore the church and cemetery. Refreshments and craft stall will be available inside along with a small concert on Saturday morning.

Also, over both weekend days, Guided Local History Walks & Tours on footpaths and the towpath at 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm from St. Bartholomew’s Church. Local guides from the local Canal Society and the Canal and River Trust, will describe how the Tardebigge section of the Worcester and Birmingham canal came to life including the age of steam and the establishment of the Inland Waterways Association.

The story of the Wharf and the surrounding landscape is placed into context, visiting the current wharf and sites of past quays, quarries, rail tracks, lime kilns and

On Sunday 10th September from 3pm St. Mark’s Church will be open for visitors to enjoy this former Chapel of Ease to Holy Trinity, Belbroughton. At 5pm and 6.30pm in Fairfield Village Hall, Fairfield Flicks will screen the film “Looking Back at Bromsgrove”, a local history film charting the history of Bromsgrove from Roman times to the present day. FREE screenings, booking advisable via www.bromsgrovearts.org.uk Unleash your creativity at Bromsgrove Independent Design Centre CIC on 17 Worcester Road on Monday 11th September. The morning, join the team for a free mindfulness café and have a go at various crafts linked to the afternoon Heritage Quilt Making Workshop.

Tutor Mary Flower will run a hand stitching workshop in the first-floor studio, using English paper piecing techniques, dating back to 1718. The workshop is outside of HODs and costs £20 for materials. Booking required via www.idccollege.org/all-workshops

The Bromsgrove Society are hosting a walk on Wednesday 13th September at 2pm. Join local historians Pat and Jenny to explore the lower part of New Road and surrounding area. Learn about selected buildings and some of the people who lived or worked in them. Booking is essential.

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Heritage Open Days Continued Sunday 17th September at 2pm join local historians for a look at the history of the burial ground and hear about the lives of some of the people remembered there. Booking essential. www.bsoc.co.uk There’s lots taking place for the festival in Redditch too.

On Friday 8th September from 11am to 4pm get “Up Close with the Paolozzi Mosaics” in Milward Square, Kingfisher Shopping Centre.

On Saturday 9th September visit St Stephen’s Church, Church Green between 10am and 4pm for their Heritage Open Day. To celebrate the new community heritage public artwork “The Bromsgrove Galloper”, join artists Elizabeth Turner and Keith Ashford and local historian Pat Tansell on the Recreation Ground, next to Asda on Friday 15th September from 1.30pm to 3pm.

See www.bromsgrove.gov.uk to find out more.

The Bromsgrove School Archive and Heritage Centre is holding an Open Morning on Saturday 16th September from 11am til 12.30pm. Join the Archivist for an introduction and tour with a chance to view some 1950s cine film footage of the school donated by an old Bromsgrovian and view the provision sledge from Scott’s Antarctic Discovery Expedition. Booking essential.

Friends of St John’s Church are hosting a day of music, heritage and creativity at Bromsgrove’s oldest building on Saturday 16th September. The day begins with a Coffee and Cake Concert at 10.30am with an Organ Recital by Oliver Neale: “Theme and Variations” is a musical journey through the sounds and sonorities of the historic instrument. From noon the church tower will be open to learn about bellringing and admire the views (weather permitting). Inside the church visitors can enjoy refreshments, history tours, the Bromsgrove Society bookstall and a creative corner for arts and crafting, plus a chance to play the organ and take a look inside. Booking Essential. Call 07896 943203

Starting on Tuesday 12th September at 11am and running until the end of December is the Kingfishtory Exhibition, celebrating 50 years of Redditch’s Kingfisher Shopping Centre.

It’s Carnival Day in Redditch on Saturday 16th September. Visit Redditch Library at 15 Market Place in the morning to view The History of Redditch Carnival displays and enjoy the carnival parade and fair in the afternoon in the town centre.

Enjoy a day at Forge Mill Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre on Sunday 17th September to round up the festival in Redditch. The Museum and the Bordesley Abbey Ruins are open from 10am til 4pm, with a Pop-Up Gallery showcasing local artists and children’s art and craft activities taking place in the afternoon.

For full details on what’s listed here, and to get details of how to reserve your place on the events which require booking visit the website www.heritageopendays.org. uk/visiting Search with your town or postcode to see what’s happening near you.

All the events hosted as part of Heritage Open Days are free to attending – have fun exploring all the heritage delights in and around Bromsgrove.

For the final day of the heritage festival the Bromsgrove Society will be taking a walk in the Old Cemetery.

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We D E !

N E teers lun o V Get in touch!

The Norbury Theatre and Cinema is 100% volunteer run and offers an intimate venue for many varied events throughout the year. We have an extensive programme including a number of bookings by professional hirers and high quality amateur productions.

Not interested in performing? We have lots of volunteer roles available: Front of house / Box Office / Stewards Backstage Sound & Lighting Bar Costume and many more!

Box Office: 01905 770154 info@norburytheatre.co.uk www.norburytheatre.co.uk

The Norbury Theatre & Cinema, Norbury House, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8ED

Coming Up

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Fairfield Flicks are F

airfield Flicks celebrates its fourth birthday in September and there’s plenty of entertainment for all ages to enjoy over the coming weeks.

To mark Fairfield Flicks’ four th birthday,

Love Without Walls (15) is being screened

for free on Sunday, September 10th at 7.30pm or Wednesday, September 27th at 2.30pm.

Sophie and Paul, an aspiring musician, can’t pay their London rent and turn to friends and family for support. Over the course of a summer, things go from bad to worse: The couple lose everything

As part of Heritage Open Days, there will be a special screening of Looking Back at Bromsgrove on Sunday, September 10th 5pm.

The film explores the origins of the town and follows its growth from a thriving medieval market

54 Completely Bromsgrove

centre, an impor tant stage coaching town, the nail-making capital of Britain, to the bustling residential town of today.

The town’s more recent past is brought to life with stories from the archives of Berrows Journal and the Bromsgrove

Andre Rieu The King of the Waltz, invites you to his new cinema concert Love is All Around, from his hometown of Maastricht, screened on Saturday, August 26th (7pm) and Sunday, August 27th (2pm).

The concert in Vrijthof Square will be a musical feast with heart-warming pieces lovingly chosen by André, covering classics, popular sing-alongs, and delightful waltzes. Along with his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra, André teams up with the charming Gospel Choir and surprise guests.

and find themselves lost in the underbelly of life on the streets.

Though frustrated, their good humour and positivity land them odd jobs and a temporary shelter.

A story of love, hope, and survival in the darkest of times.

There’s a limited number of tickets for each of these screenings, so pre-book to avoid disappointment.

Maximum four free tickets per booking. If you find that you are unable to attend, please give your tickets to someone else.

Messenger, which provide a unique commentary on local events and a rare insight into the everyday lives of local people in times gone by.

This enter taining journey through time is produced by Britain on Film. Admission is free and booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.

fab and flying at four A screening of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (PG) returns on Wednesday, September 27th at 7.30pm.

This thrilling, audacious and witty production is perhaps still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing

Moving to music, Calypso Moon play vintage swing, jazz, Latin and calypso classics to keep you entertained on Saturday, September 23rd.

A talented quartet of musicians, Calypso Moon play

male ensemble, which shattered convention, turned tradition upside down, took the dance world by storm and won awards galore.

music from the 1920s to 1940s, with songs from Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, the Andrews Sisters, and Harry Belafonte in their repertoire, plus many more. Dave Jones is the support act.

Bromsgrove Arts – the home of Fairfield Flicks & Fairfield Music - is located at Fairfield Village Hall (B61 9LZ). There is free parking and a licenced bar.

For information and advanced tickets for all events visit www.fairfieldflicks.org.uk Completely Bromsgrove

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Village hall’s September mix comprises Paris style and delicious jokes F ashion and food are both on the menu at Feckenham Village Hall in September.

On Saturday, September 30th at 7.30pm, the FeckenOdeon’s offering is

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris (PG).

Cleaning lady Ada Harris wants a new frock and decides to go to Paris to get one. She ruffles a few fashionable feathers, organises a strike at the House of Dior and, after an epic struggle, gets her frock.

Based on the book by Paul Gallico, the film stars Leslie Manville as the indomitable Mrs Harris. It is a good, oldfashioned story charmingly told and a fitting opener for the cinema’s 22nd season.

This film marks the opening of the FeckenOdeon’s new 2023/24 programme. You can buy tickets for shows individually or save by buying a subscription to see all eight main season shows for £30. You also get reduced prices at all extra shows and films in FeckenOdeon 2, which reopens in October. See feckenodeon.co.uk for details.

George Egg’s Set Menu is on Saturday, September 23rd at 7.30pm, George cooks food while making you laugh.

In the last five years he’s toured three shows (Anarchist Cook, DIY Chef and Movable Feast) and cooked over 1,000 dishes, all of them in front of a live audience, none of them with a kitchen. This is the best bits, the most delicious jokes, and the funniest food. Three tasty meals cooked live, and you even get to try the food at the end.

Tickets and subscriptions for all FeckenOdeon films can be booked online through www.feckenodeon.co.uk, by phone on 0333 666 3366 or in person at The Rose & Crown and The Village Shop in Feckenham.

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

56 Completely Bromsgrove

Trading power suits for pastels S

tep into the captivating world of Louise Hancox, an award-winning ar tist who creates vivid and lifelike animal ar t in both coloured pencils and pastels, at the next meeting of Lickey Hills Ar t Society at Longbridge Methodist Church, Bristol Road, Longbridge on September 2nd at 7.30pm.

Louise’s journey is as unique as her ar t. With a PhD in chemistry and a Masters in business, she stumbled upon her true passion after retiring as a chief financial officer. Her unconventional path led her to discover a love for creating art that adorns walls as far away as the West Coast of the USA. She loves sharing her life with her four-legged friends from a pampered Persian kitty to the boundless energy of her two Hungarian Vizslas. These furry inspirations add a touch of playfulness to her art and life.

Louise Hancox

And Louise’s work isn’t just beautiful; it’s a force for positive change. She’s a finalist in the prestigious SAA Artists of the Year 2023 and her pieces contribute to initiatives like Sketch for Survival, raising funds for global conservation efforts.

Louise’s art is about much more than just technique. Her pieces carry with them special moments from her adventure travels observing sea turtles, gorillas and bears in their natural habitats. Ultimately, her ar t tells a story – one of resilience, unexpected journeys, and an unbreakable bond with the animal kingdom.

Come and sing - it’s great fun and good for you A

fter a busy and successful 2022-23 season, singing not only in its own concerts but also with other choirs, Barnt Green Choral Society starts rehearsals for its 2023-24 season on Monday, September 4th.

If you wish to join, whether you are a soprano, alto, tenor or bass – or are unsure - you are very welcome.

The concert programme for the new season includes the traditional afternoon of Seasonal Music and Readings for Christmas on Saturday, December 16th at 3pm, the Spring Concert of Mozart’s Requiem and J.S.Bach’s Ein Feste Burg (Cantata no.

80), with a guest orchestra and soloists on Saturday,

March 16th at 7.30pm and a Family Concert at Bromsgrove Fair Day on Saturday, June 22nd at 3pm.

Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings at 7.45pm. If you would like to join, you don’t need to be able to read music, as time is taken rehearsing so that you can become more familiar with music notation.You are welcome to come to three free rehearsals before making a decision.

For more information, visit barntgreenchoralsociety.org Completely Bromsgrove

57

Impressive Rexton I

could tell that my passenger was an urban dweller when she said: “How considerate of people to put up warning signs.”

“Consideration has nothing to do with it,” I said.

We were talking about crudely hand-lettered signs on soggy cardboard you come across regularly on blind bends on country lanes. The signs read ‘Caution Mud on Road’. Or more succinctly ‘Mud on Road’.

I pointed out that these signs represented a legalistic tool for evading responsibility for any havoc caused by slippery road surfaces resulting from farming practices conducted in a damp climate. Rest assured the word ‘mud’ was insufficient to prepare us for the quagmire ahead.

“Be thankful,” I said to my passenger. “That we’re riding in the new restyled and upgraded South Korean SsangYong Rexton Ultimate Plus.”

‘What an imposing beast!’ exclaimed a motorist who had wisely stopped. He moved aside to let through this tougher than tough (Rocky Marciano tough!) body-on-frame, 4x4 now made from even better steel, that takes tricky conditions in its stride. ‘No wonder you get a comprehensive five-year warranty’, I muttered to myself. It would be difficult to break one of these’.

My exclamation coincided with our traversing the deep covering of farmyard slurry. I twisted a knob, changed into ‘difficult conditions mode’ and drove on confidently.

The stunning, smart new look

58 Completely Bromsgrove

£45,950 Rexton Ultimate Plus was in its element as we steered a surefooted course through mud and slurry.

At a car wash, it was transformed into a gleaming marvel and glowed like the luxury seven seat 4x4 of your dreams.

An imposing ‘up-to-the-minute’ motoring marvel with gracious looks that belie the car’s very physical structure and rugged offroad capability - ready to tackle tough terrain as easily as it can cruise along the boulevard.

With a powerful and indestructible 198.5 bhp 2.2 litre 4 cylinder Euro 6 diesel engine, 4WD and eight speed automatic transmission and low range for really difficult challenges, this workhorse is as brawny as Hercules when it comes to the 3.5 tonne towing capability - meaning that horse boxes, boats, trailers and giant caravans are handled with ease.

Small wonder that it has been voted the best 4x4 of 2023.

When needs be, this serious off-roader is capable of going where others fear to tread.

All this - but certainly not at the expense of comfort.

There’s an abundance of luxury together with connectivity and personalised customisation options. All equipment is of the sort found only in the top drawer. Whether you are in a constricted space or in a nightmarish wilderness, the Rexton instils deep confidence.

Nor is safety forgotten, with a barrage of airbags protecting against untoward eventualities and early warning systems to ward off menacing moments - while cameras rear and front provide the ultimate 3D security of knowing precisely what is going on.

Excellent on the road too, with competent ride and handling, this is a carriage in which long distance travel is a comfortable pleasure. If you were in a hurry, you could reach about 115mph and if you’re concerned about fuel consumption the figure I achieved overall was about 35mpg.

DRIVE TIME

both on and off-road

In terms of luggage capacity, it will hold more than a Volvo XC90. Your correspondent regularly uses ‘swish’ long distance expresses that cost so much more - yet are not as capable. It can’t be beaten for the price and it is a serious challenger to ridiculously expensive rivals that have as their model features - a

guaranteed breakdown. (You know which ones I mean).

While the horse box that you’re towing with your Rexton might not contain a Grand National winner you can rest

assured that behind the wheel of this super machine you’re ahead of the field. Bet your socks on it!

by Syd Taylor

Completely Bromsgrove

59

Be inspired and informed by museum’s innovative exhibition

T

he British Motor Museum has opened another exciting and thought-provoking exhibition entitled Transitions: The Impact of Innovation, which will run until summer 2024.

The exhibition explores the technologies that are bringing cars into the future and considers their effects. The car has shaped our world for the better, but also for the worse. As the motor industry strives to find cleaner, safer, and more efficient ways to get us around, the exhibition looks at what its developments mean for our cars.

In the past, the museum has inspired curiosity about the future of the car, and this exhibition will revisit concepts explored in the 2019 exhibition The Car. The Future. Me. However, this new exhibition brings a fresh perspective, delving into the practical thoughts and ideas surrounding these new technologies.

Visitors will leave the exhibition with a greater insight into the direction car engineering will take in the years to come and how this will affect our day-to-day lives.

The exhibition uses a combination of cars and interactive stations to illustrate areas of future development, such as how cars will be powered, their impact, the materials they use and alternative methods of control.

A range of vehicles are on display, including a 1922 Ford Model T, a hydrogen powered Riversimple Rasa, a sectioned Nissan Leaf electric car, and a 2016 Range Rover Sport autonomous test vehicle. Each car was selected to illustrate a point in the development of the car to date, from the first mass-produced car to a working car powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

60 Completely Bromsgrove

These vehicles are displayed alongside a varied range of interactive elements which allow comparisons between different technologies. For example, visitors can compare the energy density of different fuels or test an autonomous car simulator, to see how much they would trust an autonomous car in the real world.

There is a display case at the beginning of the exhibition, containing motoring-related objects that have become obsolete, a sobering reminder of how fast technology is moving. Another display plays host to a collection of alternative materials for car interiors.

After exploring the exhibition, visitors will use their newfound knowledge to form their ideal car of the future, based on the four key elements: Energy, Control, Impact and Materials.

To find out more, visit www.britishmotormuseum. co.uk

AVONCROFT CRICKET CLUB

Soggy summer catches everyone out at Avoncroft J

uly was a strange month for the cricketers of Avoncroft. It started very successfully when the first team comfortably won the County League midweek KO trophy at Kidderminster.

The win was based around yet another classical batting display by Will Baker who ensured ‘Croft reached a competitive total after his delightful 84 not out. He was assisted by a sparkling cameo from chair Mark Whitehead who bludgeoned 22 off the final over of the innings. This and tight bowling kept opponents Bewdley 40 runs short of the target, giving the Stoke Heath team its third midweek trophy in the last five years.

experience, and in some instances such as Matt Croal with a maiden 50, making fine contributions to several victories. Their most recent win included a rare appearance and ferocious contribution from president Martyn Cound who demolished the opposition with 6-9.

However, since then the firsts have had a disappointing few weeks. Atrocious Saturday weather has led to several more abandoned matches, and the unfortunate unavailability of several players has left the team still halfway up the league table which is not an accurate reflection of its ability.

The junior section has also been badly affected by the monsoon but has still joined in enthusiastically when the sun has appeared. Friday coaching has been well attended and there have been some highlights in games played. The new girls’ team has gained its first victory, and the boys under eights pairs group has progressed successfully to the county finals in September. An unexpectedly large number of senior absentees has meant that several juniors have experienced cricket with adults which is proving very beneficial to their development.

The Saturday second eleven though has confounded expectations. Showing great team spirit, and cunningly marshalled and led by master tactician Chris Pitt, the team has maintained its second place in Division Eight with several hard-earned victories, including a demolition of Belbroughton Thirds for 61.

This was driven by a dissection of the opponents

by Doctor Tom who claimed 5-12 with his interesting mix of thunderbolts. The third team has shown great determination in moving off the bottom of its league, with a number of juniors gaining excellent

The Sunday team has also suffered badly with the weather although again, a number of youngsters have had oppor tunities to sample friendly adult cricket.

In spite of the dark clouds and rain threats, the club again held its annual beer festival, splendidly organised by Jason Huxley and his team, and Avoncroft was able to make a contribution to a cancer charity.

by Rod Braithwaite

Completely Bromsgrove

61

Season gets underway for Sporting F.C.

Photos by Chris Jepson

Season gets underway for Bromsgrove Sporting

B

romsgrove Sporting a bag mixed bag of for the Bromsgrove Sporting had ahad mixed of results for results the pre-season matches. There were wins against higher division clubs Hereford and Macclesfield but awere defeatwins againstagainst Shifnal Town and a disappointing draw against Highgate United. pre-season matches.

There higher However, as many wise heads willMacclesfield say, don't read too into friendly games. division clubs Hereford and butmuch a defeat against Shifnal Town and a disappointing The against league season itself gotUnited. underway However, at the beginning of August resulted in ainto homefriendly defeat against local rivals draw Highgate don’t readbut too much games.

Redditch United, despite playing well enough to deserve at least a point from the game. The first away match was The league season itself got underway at the beginning to his squad during the break with several making their against Royston Town, who comfortably won last season, but The Rouslers came home with a stunning and wellof August but resulted in a home defeat against local debuts in the two games played so far. Among the signings deserved 4 - 0 victory much against expectation. rivals Redditch United, despite playing well enough to is legend Aaron Roberts who has already clocked up Manager Mike McGrath hasthe added a number players to hiswell squad during the break withfor several making deserve at least a point from game.

The firstofaway over 200 appearances the club and their played in debuts the two games Town, playedwho so far.

Amongst the signingsSporting’s is legend Aaron Roberts whoback has in already match was in against Royston comfortably won first ever match 2010.clocked up overbut 200the appearances for thehome club and played in Sporting's first match in 2010. last well season, Rouslers came withhaving a stunning There are stillever plenty of back matches to go and the FA and There well-deserved 4-0 victory much against expectation.

Cup getssoon, underway soon, thoughare opponents are not yet are still plenty of matches to go and the FA Cup gets underway though opponents not yet known.

Manager Mike McGrathuphas added of players Here are the fixtures to the endaofnumber September: Saturday

26th August

3:00 p.m.

known. Here are the fixtures up to the end of September:

H

The Victoria Ground

Stamford

A

War Memorial Athletic Ground

Stourbridge

Monday

28th August

3:00 p.m.

Saturday

2nd September

3:00 p.m.

Saturday

9th September

3:00 p.m.

H

Tuesday

12th September

7:45 p.m.

A

Saturday

16th September

3:00 p.m.

A

Your Co-op Community Stadium

Saturday

23rd September

3:00 p.m.

Southern League Southern League

TBA

FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

The Victoria Ground

Kettering Town

Southern League

Grange Park

Long Eaton United

Southern League FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Leamington

Southern League

Tuesday

26th September

7:45 p.m.

H

The Victoria Ground

Halesowen Town

Southern League

Saturday

30th September

3:00 p.m.

H

The Victoria Ground

Mickleover

Southern League

by Phil Baker

On a sad note former Bromsgrove Rovers chairman and president, Charlie Poole passed away in July, age 90. Charlie On a sad note, former Bromsgrove Rovers colts can be contacted by email at colts@ was not heavily involved with Sporting but did attend a number of matches in the early days. A one-minute silence chairman and president, Charlie Poole bromsgrovesporting.co.uk was held for him prior to the kick-off at the Redditch United match. passed away in July aged 90. Charlie was not Any girls interested in playing should The season start for all other Sporting teams iswith still aSporting few weeks though allcontact sections areWilliams recruiting. the 983951. colts heavily involved butaway did attend Alan onFor 07786 they can be contacted by email at colts@bromsgrovesporting.co.uk. a number of matches in the early days. A All other enquiries should be emailed to silence held on for07786 him prior Any girls interested in playing one-minute should contact Alan was Williams 983951 hello@bromsgrovesporting.co.uk to kick-off at the Redditch United match.

All other enquiries should be emailed to hello@bromsgrovesporting.co.uk.

There is plenty more information at The start of the season for all other www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk There is plenty more information on theteams web site www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk as well as Facebook, Twitter (X)as well as Charlie Sporting is still a few weeks away Poole Facebook, Twitter (X) and Instagram. and Instagram. though all sections are recruiting. The Words: Bromsgrove 438 62 Completely

Completely Bromsgrove

63

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