Completely Bromsgrove Issue 59

Completely

Issue 59 March 2024

Bromsgrove

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Completely Bromsgrove

3

Welcome to the March issue of

Completely Bromsgrove

A

s I sit writing this introduction, spring is definitely on my mind! It is my favourite time of year and with the unseasonably warm temperatures we’ve been enjoying recently, the early bloom of the whites and pinks of cherry blossom and the nodding heads of the daffodils are certainly a welcome sight.

Early this month we celebrate Mother’s Day on March 10th and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all carers a very special Mothering Sunday.

(Service to Malaysia Award). Congratulations to Hubert (Burt) - what a proud moment and honour for him and his family and friends.

In this issue the Liberal Democrats share their thoughts on their concerns about Severn Trent’s recent price increases. Turn to page 8 for the full story.

In other good news this month, Councillor Sam Ammar has presented Friends of St John’s chair Jo Slade with the Bromsgrove District Council plaque.

Turn to page 27 to find out more.

I was delighted to hear that Bromsgrove veteran and former Royal Marine Hubert William Sherwood PJM has been awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia

Have a great month and remember to keep it local folks!

14

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Contents

6 Severn Trent Price Hike 7 Council Survey 8 Rail Matters 10 Charitable Queen Bs 12 Tile Choice Re-open 14 Gardening 18 Worcs Wildlife Trust 20 Tailor Taylor Seamstress / Ninja Networking

Completely

24 Recipe 26 Wychbold Masts / Litter Pickers 27 Heritage Award 28 Health 29 Help With Joint Pain 30 Avoncroft Museum 32 Veteran Award / Button Exhibition

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

4 Completely Bromsgrove

Best wishes Michele Ford

34 Arts Alive 36 Fairfield Flicks 38 Feckenodeon 40 Malvern Theatre / B’grove Flower Club 41 More EV Chargers 42 Drive Time 44 British Motor Museum 46 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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Severn Trent price hike labelled “disgraceful” W

ater bills in Bromsgrove are set to be hiked by 6.57% by Severn Trent, which is over the average increase of 6.29% across England and Wales.

Bromsgrove residents will be paying more money for their water bills amid the current cost of living crisis.

Liberal Democrats in Bromsgrove have called for Severn Trent to scrap the hike, adding there should be “no price rises until water firms end insulting overseas dividends and executive bonuses”.

Dr David Nicholl, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bromsgrove said: “People should not have to endure this disgraceful price hike.

“It is a slap in the face to all those in our community who must pay more to water companies who have for years been pumping filthy

6 Completely Bromsgrove

sewage into our rivers.

“This insulting price hike should be scrapped immediately. There should be no price rises until water firms scrap insulting overseas dividends and executive bonuses.

“What is even more scandalous is that Conservative ministers have just stood aside and let water companies walk all over their customers.

Severn Trent should be digging into their own pockets for once and not force these additional costs onto people,” added Dr Nicholl.

Have your say in countywide air quality survey R esidents across the county are being encouraged to take part in an air quality survey being conducted by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS).

The survey, which is being delivered in partnership with Worcestershire County Council’s public health team, aims to gather valuable insights from the community to further enhance air quality monitoring and management efforts.

It is in conjunction with a recent installation of 26 real time air quality monitors located across the county as part of a three-year DEFRA-funded project to improve air quality in Worcestershire and will help WRS identify hotspots, ensuring that their air quality initiatives align with the needs and priorities of the community, including health.

Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, Simon Wilkes, said: “Understanding what drives the behaviour of the residents and visitors is vital for us to help inform our efforts to create a healthier living environment for everyone in Worcestershire.”

Residents can share their views by visiting www.worcsregservices.gov.uk/airquality Bromsgrove District Council’s portfolio holder for planning, licensing and WRS, Councillor Kit Taylor, said: “Air quality is an important subject to us all, but we want to know

what’s important to you. We are asking and we are listening, so please take this opportunity to ensure your views are heard as part of the policymaking process.”

This survey should take no more than ten minutes to complete and closes at 11pm on Sunday, May 12th. It will cover various aspects of air quality, including perceptions, concerns, and suggestions for improvement. By actively participating, residents can contribute to shaping future air quality policies and initiatives tailored to meet the needs of the community.

For more information, please contact WRS enquiries enquiries@worcsregservices.gov.uk

Tel: 01527 874526

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7

Photo: Margaret Evans

County council ignores North East Worcestershire’s rail transport needs

www.bromsgroverail.org.uk

F

ur ther to the Rail Affairs article in the February edition of Completely Bromsgrove, the final version of the Worcestershire Rail Investment Strategy 2 Document 2022-2050 has now been published and it confirms BARRUP’s fears.

Even though the previous version, published in June 2023, stated that “a new direct train service between (Birmingham), Bromsgrove, Worcestershire Parkway, Cheltenham and Bristol Temple Meads would be introduced in 2023”, the new final version shows that this is not going to happen until 2029 at the earliest, if at all.

Worcestershire, and in particular Bromsgrove, Redditch, Barnt Green and Alvechurch, is missing a major oppor tunity in economic, environmental, and social terms by not having such a direct train service linking the nor th of the county to the rest.

BARRUP has been told that there is “insufficient capacity between New Street and Bromsgrove for the current Cross Country services to stop at Bromsgrove”.

Is this really the case? And if so, when was the study done which led to this conclusion? One of the Cross City Services between Bromsgrove and Lichfield via New Street was withdrawn during the pandemic and has not been replaced - has this been taken into consideration?

Or is it that Worcestershire County Council has put all its time and effor t in the last few years getting Worcestershire Parkway up and running and

8 Completely Bromsgrove

is ignoring the needs of, and opportunities for, the nor th of the county?

In August 2018, when Worcestershire Parkway was being built, I asked a previous county council cabinet minister with responsibility for economy and infrastructure about Cross Country Trains stopping at Bromsgrove. His reply was: “You may consider it worth driving to Parkway to join the trains there” and “We do not see many people changing from one line to the other” i.e. the Birmingham to Bristol and Worcester Foregate Street to Paddington line.

Recently the station usage figures for Worcestershire from April 1st 2022 to March 31st 2023 were published. The total figure for the four Nor th East Worcestershire Stations was 1,568,464.

There is potentially a large number of passengers who want to travel directly south from Nor th East Worcestershire, but who don’t want to have to make the time-consuming and expensive journey up to University station to catch a train or drive down the M5 to Worcestershire Parkway to do so. They would much rather board the train at Bromsgrove.

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Photo courtesy of the Bromsgrove Standard

The Queen Bs’ huge donation to hospice

creates buzz!

A

momentous evening saw the Queen Bs present more than £34,000 to Primrose Hospice, money raised by the group’s 2024 calendar.

Group founder Bev Nibbs said: “It was humbling that many of the staff stayed that Friday night well after their working day had finished to celebrate with us and there was so much excitement, energy, and sense of pride when we handed over the cheque.

“This has been a fantastic project that involved a lot of hard work, dedication, and commitment from so many Queen Bs. I will always be thankful to all of them, in particular my committee who made it happen.

“We were all unstoppable in our desire to make a difference. We have some group members that have been well supported by the hospice and they were always going to be our chosen charity as it was time to give back. We are immensely proud that the money raised will pay a specialised nurse salary for a year as this will make such a difference to the lives of many.

“All of us are delighted to have raised £34,604. This

10 Completely Bromsgrove

is way beyond our optimistic target of £30,000 and we will always be grateful to the community for supporting us and ensuring all 2,000 calendars were sold.”

Primrose Hospice fundraising manager Rebecca Stone said: “We are so grateful for the fundraising the Queen Bs have done this year.

“We know it took a mammoth effort from so many of the group and it just goes to show what a group of incredible women can do when they put their minds to it. Their donation will have a huge impact on the lives of hundreds of people who receive our care.”

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Completely Bromsgrove

11

New lease of life for

Tile Choice after buyout T

ile Choice Bromsgrove on Aston Fields Industrial Estate is now open again after the company went into administration on January 12th.

The company was rescued within ten days by Stiled Holding Ltd, owners of Tile Giant, and is now welcoming customers both old and new into its stores.

As a result of the acquisition, 11 of the 18 Tile Choice stores across the Midlands have been saved including Bromsgrove, Worcester, Kidderminster, Bilston, Birmingham, Bur ton, Cannock, Coventry, Derby, Walsall and Telford. The acquisition has also meant that more than 50 jobs, which had been in doubt, have also been saved.

Richard Bishop, store manager at Bromsgrove, had worked for Tile Choice for more than 20 years and was completely devastated by the news of the company going into administration. It has been fantastic to welcome three original team members

12 Completely Bromsgrove

back into the Bromsgrove store with Richard commenting that “it feels good to be home”.

The Tile Choice brand has been family run and trading in the Midlands for more than 30 years and supplies both trade and retail.

Sagren Naidoo, COO, said: “This has been an important time for Tile Giant, Tile Choice, Crown Tiles and our loyal customer base. Our focus will remain to bring new and inspiring products to market coupled with brilliant customer service. We would urge all Tile Choice customers to get in touch with us so that we can arrange to fulfil any outstanding orders.”

Tile Giant is a specialist retailer of tiles and tiling accessories, supplying both retail and trade customers throughout the network of UK stores and online.

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13

GARDENING

Feeling blue for all the right reasons A

s we enter the tough end of winter, the cold and flu season is prevalent. We hear the term superfoods bandied around so much but just what does that mean?

These are foods that contain antioxidants and are rich in nutrients which are especially beneficial for health and wellbeing. Blueberries are usually mentioned in the same sentence and are very rich in vitamin C and E. They are said to have all sorts of health properties and let’s not forget how juicy and tasty they are too. Why not find a space in your growing area for a couple of bushes?

Blueberry bushes are usually small to mediumsized shrubs. They are adorned with delicate, white bell-like flowers in springtime, which go on to fruit throughout the summer. Some varieties will continue right into early autumn when often the leaves will turn beautiful reds and purples.

Most blueberries are self-pollinating, some partly and others fully, so you will only need one plant to produce a crop; if you have more than one in your growing plot you can expect larger harvests. If you have room, plant two or preferably three different varieties.

Blueberries like lots of sun and moist soil, so don’t let them dry out during the growing season, especially while flowering and fruiting. Collect rainwater and use

it in preference to tap water, where possible. Tap water is usually too alkaline, especially in hard water areas.

The berries are loved by birds so once they star t to ripen it is advisable to protect the fruit with netting.

Better still grow them in a fruit cage.

Blueberries are acid-loving plants so you will need ericaceous potting compost or an acid soil. To test your soil you can buy pH testing kits from garden centres or online. Blueberries prefer a soil of 4.5 - 5.5; 7 being neutral. Dig in plenty of ericaceous compost before planting.

To get the best from your bush, mulch around the base of the blueberry in spring or autumn with a two to three inch layer of acidic or neutral organic matter, such as composted sawdust, or freshly chipped pine bark, composted pine needles or leaf mould. This helps to keep the soil acidic, retain moisture, provide frost protection, and improves plant growth by adding nutrients. It is also good for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples of mulch include wellrotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

Jobs to keep you busy in March Prepare a bean trough by digging a trench and gradually filling it over the next couple of months with kitchen scraps (loosely cover whilst filling takes place).

This will rot down and feed your beans throughout the season.

Plant your chitted (sprouted) seed potatoes at the end of the month.

If the lawn shows signs of growth, mow, ensuring that the mower blades are on their highest settings and tidy the edges.

14 Completely Bromsgrove

Overgrown clumps of perennials can be lifted and divided up Bush and climbing roses can be pruned and fed to help promote the forthcoming blooms.

In late march apply a lawn feed to encourage strong growth and give the lawn the boost it needs after the dormancy of winter.

Spring is almost sprung so roll up your sleeves and get ready for the tasks ahead but take some time to enjoy the emerging greenery.

By Suzi M, garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments

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18 Completely Bromsgrove

Zooooooooom!

Have you spotted your first spring zoomer yet?

I

love the anticipation of seeing my first hairy-footed flower bee of the year. These barrel-like bees zoom from flower to flower like there’s no time to lose. Bumblebees peacefully bumble about but it’s hard to keep up with their hairy-footed cousins.

Venture into your garden or local greenspace at this time of year and you might, if you’re lucky, bump into a hairy-footed flower bee. Look for little bundles of joy zooming between lungwort, rosemary, comfrey or borage flowers. The males are gingery with striking yellow-white faces whereas the females are all black apar t from orangey-red hind legs, which are often covered with yellow pollen. They move quickly, which makes it difficult to get a good look at them, but if you’re fortunate enough to happen upon a resting male, take note of his middle legs – it’s these that give the bees their name. You’ll see a chequerboard of black and white hairs extending from his feet to the middle of his legs. He uses these to stroke the female when they mate.

As with many of our 200+ species of solitary bee in the UK, males emerge before the females. This means that they’re fully-powered to seek out and woo the females when they emerge. As I write in early February, the bees are snuggled down in their nests. Each bee is in its own pitcher-shaped nest cell, where it’s been since it was laid as an egg last spring.

Mum left each egg with plenty of pollen to see it through its development to an adult bee. The sealed cells are likely to be in a wall with soft mortar joints; they don’t damage the walls, they just take advantage of a vacant hole.

Top left photo - Jill Orme, all others - Wendy Carter

These hardy bees with their furry coats are usually the first bee to emerge in Worcestershire’s spring weather. It won’t be long, though, before they’re joined by ashy and tawny mining bees as well as seven-spot ladybirds, Batman hoverflies and a whole host of other insects. What else might you spot if, like me, you head outside on a sunny early spring afternoon to see what’s dar ting through the newly emerging plants and flowers?

Visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlifegardening to discover how you can help our little furry zooming friends where you live. While you’re there, hop across to www.worcswildlifetrust. co.uk/photo-competition and see if you fancy the challenge of photographing the wildlife you see to win a place in our 2025 calendar, helping to raise money to help wildlife in Bromsgrove and beyond.

Keep up to date with us...

- on Twitter @WorcsWT - on Facebook www.facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust - on YouTube www.youtube.com/crcswildlifetrustUK1

by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Completely Bromsgrove

19

A Sewing Bee creates her hive in Bromsgrove

G

reat British Sewing Bee contestant and author Jenniffer Taylor is setting up her new creative hive in Bromsgrove.

Tailor Taylor’s Creative Studio has opened its doors in Worcester Road and is offering weekly and monthly sewing and dressmaking workshops, as well as a regular stitch café. All are aimed at helping people to build confidence, boost positive mental health and gain new or improve sewing skills.

Jeniffer said: “I’m passionate about sharing my love of sewing and dressmaking with others, whether that is showing someone how to repair or refashion clothes, helping someone get to grips with their new sewing machine or learning how to make ‘you sized’ clothes by making or adjusting patterns to get that perfect fit for your body.

“Sewing is more than just a needle and thread. It’s a tool to help build self-confidence, make new and like-minded friends, and gives you time to focus on you. If my sewing journey is anything to go by, you never know where that needle and thread may take you.”

To find out more about what Tailor Taylor has in store pop in or visit www.jenniffertaylor.co.uk for more details.

Alternatively head to @Tailor Taylor on Facebook or @tailor_taylor_sewing on Instagram.

Enjoy networking with confidence

B

usinesses are recognising now more than ever that networking is imperative to growth within their business, yet they often fail because they have no real strategy or go in full steam ahead with the car salesman-type pitching.

Networking is a perfect example of killing two birds with one stone. It is a hybrid of sales and marketing rolled into one. If you’re not out there networking, you’re missing out, but if you are out there networking and seeing no results, you’re doing it wrong.

By Laura Bruzulier - Your Networking Ninja

I know this because I had to go through the trials and errors without any guidance which in the grand scheme of things wasted time and resources. If I had had guidance or a strategy, I could have hit the ground running. This led me to create my business to share my own expertise with others.

Face to face social interactions have become somewhat awkward in recent years. The skills you acquire from networking effectively aren’t just useful for business but can be transferred into other aspects of life too.

You will build confidence, use innovative thinking to come up with a variety of topics to discuss other than the weather and learn how to walk into a room full of strangers and not instantly want to run for the hills.

20 Completely Bromsgrove

If you’d like to know more, please contact me and I’d be more than happy to help you on your networking journey.

Visit www.networkingninja.info, email enquiries@networkingninja.info, message me on WhatsApp 07830 049717 or call 0121 271 0310

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21

Join us for our next events Chandler Court care home, Bromsgrove Reminiscence café Last Friday of each month, 2pm - 4pm Come along to our monthly dementia -friendly cafe.

Join like-minded members of the community, share experiences and pick up a copy of our free dementia guide. Meet our friendly team, on hand to answer any concerns you may have, learn more about dementia care at Chandler Court and take a tour of our beautiful care home.

Friendship club First Tuesday of each month, 10am - 12 noon

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Come along to our friendship club! Join like-minded members of the community, make new friends and enjoy a selection of home-baked treats in our warm cafe. Experience a tour of our beautiful care home, whilst our friendly team are always on-hand to provide help and guidance.

To attend please call 01527 903634 or email rebecca.pearce@careuk.com

22 Completely Bromsgrove

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Dementia care, led by experts At Chandler Court care home in Bromsgrove, we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred dementia care. Guided by the latest academic evidence, our dementia specialists support each resident to live life to the full.

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Living well with dementia

Chandler Court care home has been purposebuilt, with both luxury and comfort in mind.

Everything from colour schemes, signage, and furniture to the design of our crockery, has been carefully chosen to support residents living with dementia live as independently as possible.

Our dedicated team work with you and your loved one to deliver a care and lifestyle plan entirely tailored to their unique needs and preferences. Our busy activities schedule is always packed with meaningful activities that support your loved one to lead a fulfilling lifestyle.

Each floor at Chandler Court is divided into smaller suites that create a calm atmosphere, keeping hustle and bustle to a minimum.

Chandler Court also has a Namaste care room and trained Namaste care practitioners, who provide a calming sensory experience using soothing lighting and gentle hand massage, for people living with advanced dementia.

Care you can trust We work with academic partners and respected leaders in the field, to ensure we stay up to date with the latest approaches to care.

The Association of Dementia Studies at The University of Worcester helps us to create a bespoke training programme, whilst Dr Nori Graham - a renowned dementia expert and Vice President of The Alzheimer’s Society - assists in developing a holistic and forward-thinking approach to the delivery of dementia care.

Our newly refurbished, Dementia-friendly suite offers interactive ‘life skills’ stations for residents living with Dementia to enjoy, including craft and embroidery stations, doll therapy stations and gardening stations.

At Care UK, we’ve been delivering high-quality, person-centred care for over 40 years.

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Suzanne Mumford - Head of Nursing, Care and Dementia at Care UK - closely supports colleagues at every level to implement and review care practices that help us deliver the very best of care for people living with dementia.

Completely Bromsgrove

23

RECIPE

Family Beef Stir Fry I

n the mood for something a bit more exotic this evening?

This Hereford Beef stir fry is loaded with flavour and you can whip it up in a matter of minutes. Serve best with egg noodles, but fried rice, brown rice and quinoa all taste delicious too!

Method: Marinade the strips of Hereford Beef frying steak in soy sauce, oyster sauce, Chinese rice wine vinegar and sugar, adding the marinade to your pan too.

Heat your wok to a high temperature along with a dash of your favourite cooking oil, adding the strips of Hereford Beef frying steak, along with chopped garlic and ginger. Flash fry in the pan for about 10 minutes and once your beef is cooked to your liking, leave to rest on some kitchen paper.

After this has softened, add chopped bok choy, onion and peppers to your pan. Tossing the vegetables until they are cooked but still firm.

Add your beef back to the pan and mix through before adding to a bed of boiled egg noodles.

www.lovebritishfood.co.uk

24 Completely Bromsgrove

Ingredients 1 tablespoon of Chinese rice wine vinegar or dry sherry 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce 3 tablespoons of soy sauce 1 tablespoon of caster sugar 500g of Hereford Beef frying steak 6 tablespoons of your favourite cooking oil 1 teaspoon of chopped garlic 1 teaspoon of chopped ginger 1 large white onion chopped 3 peppers (mixed colours) sliced 2 bok choy stalks (leaves separated, cut diagonally) Serve a side of hot egg noodles

Easter Spring is here so why not order an amazing lamb joint ready for your Easter feast. Whether you want leg or boned and rolled shoulders, we prep them fresh for you, to the size you want

Fancy something extra special?

Not only can you order one of Lilith’s traditional beef Wellington, you can also order her brand new lamb Wellington too!

They are available for 2 and are £20

Keep following our Facebook for all our updates and new products @butchersblockbromsgrove 53 High Street, Bromsgrove B61 8AJ Tel: 01527 570241 The only all female staffed butchers in the West Midlands!

Completely Bromsgrove

25

Hear the fascinating story of the Wychbold Masts O

n 6th September 1934 the BBC made its first broadcast from what was advertised at the time as being “the World’s most modern long wave transmitter” – the twin masts at Wychbold.

Ninety years later, during 2024, the BBC will cease broadcasting through an analogue system and the masts will be taken out of service in the coming years.

Transmitters came to be located near Bromsgrove, talk of their significance and why they have been impor tant, both nationally and internationally, for the past 90 years.

At the 37th Bromsgrove Lecture, to be held at Routh Concert Hall, Bromsgrove School on Tuesday 9th April, Alastair Moseley will present “Broadcasting to the World: The Wychbold Masts Reached Every Corner”. In the presentation Alastair will describe how the BBC

Tickets for the evening event are £7.50 and include a complimentary drink after the presentation. Available online from www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk/boxoffice or in person from FotoFactory, 123 High Street, Bromsgrove (cash only please).

All ages help to keep parish tidy M

ore than 40 adults and children from the small parish of Bentley Pauncefoot turned out on the morning of Sunday, February 18th,despite overnight torrential rain, to clear up litter dropped by others visiting the parish lanes.

During the annual parish litter pick which star ted from Upper Bentley Village Hall, 30 large bags or more of litter was picked up from grass verges, hedges, and ditches in and around Lower and Upper Bentley. The haul included vehicle tyres, plastic objects, and drinks cans,the latter appeared to have been thrown out of vehicle windows.

A spokesperson for the litter pick said: “It is very annoying that some people think they can use the countryside as a litter bin. How hard is it to take your own litter home and put it into your own bin?

“The annual litter pick has been running for many years and sadly things don’t get any better. Our message is ‘don’t drop your litter in the countryside, use a bin’.”

The pickers were rewarded with a lovely lunch at the Village Hall organised by the hall’s committee.

26 Completely Bromsgrove

Heritage Fund Award is recognised

T

he team from the Friends of St John’s have been recognised and thanked for their work in securing a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Spire Appeal at St John’s Church.

Prior to the Council meeting in January, Chairman of the Council Cllr Sam Ammar presented Friends Chairman Jo Slade with the Bromsgrove District Council Plaque.

In her opening comments at the meeting Cllr Ammar thanked the team at Friends of St John’s, on behalf of the council, for the dedicated months of volunteer time which had resulted in the award of just short of £250,000. She informed the council that St. Johns Church, which was of great significance to the town, had been listed on Historic England’s “Building’s At Risk” register due to issues on the spire – the tallest in Worcestershire. She gave her full support to the Spire Appeal and wished the team every success in reaching the required target.

Late in the month, the Friends team welcomed Rt Hon Sir Sajid Javid, Bromsgrove’s MP, to St John’s. As a long-standing supporter of the Friends of St John’s and the work they do to

Jo Slade with Councillor Ammar

restore and maintain the ancient, landmark church, Sir Sajid wanted to personally congratulate the team on their efforts to secure the National Lottery Heritage Fund award and to learn about the plans to successfully achieve the urgent work.

The Spire Appeal Project will see the top 2.5m of the spire removed and rebuilt with a new, stainless steel stabilising rod.

It is hoped that the remainder of the funds can be raised before the summer.

A full scaffolding scheme will be required to safely work 200ft above ground and it is hoped this can be erected in the late summer, to allow for the work to take place in the Autumn, before the winter.

Anyone wanting to support the Spire Appeal project can contact the team via email friends.stjohns.church@gmail. com or make a donation via www. justgiving.com/campaign/stjohns-spire

by Jo Slade Completely Bromsgrove

27

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

A face mask that leaves skin feeling beautifully cleansed T

he only face mask in the world to contain Redox Signalling Molecules has been launched in the UK.

By using these powerful cellular messengers, which are native to the human body, your skin will feel cleansed and beautified.

The patented process creates vital molecules by taking refined salt and purified water molecules and reorganising them into Redox Signalling Molecules which our own cells produce. As we age, we begin to make fewer of these important molecules.

Redox Clay Mask contains sodium bentonite clay, an absorbent clay formed from aged volcanic ash which has been used for thousands of years as a detoxifying skin treatment. Bentonite clay works like a magnet on your skin. It attracts and draws out dir t, oil, and makeup residue while preparing your skin for the signalling molecules in the face mask.

Skin care is critical for helping women and men of all ages look younger. By focusing on overall wellness from the cellular level and properly maintaining your skin, you will have a healthier overall appearance and feel more confident.

28 Completely Bromsgrove

When skin is healthy at the most basic, cellular level way below the surface, it gives you a beautiful glow. Unfor tunately aging slows down your skin cell renewal process which can cause wrinkles, dark spots, dryness, and loss of elasticity, making it difficult to rejuvenate skin cells so they can operate at their optimal level.

People often talk about the need to eat well and exercise to improve overall health and beauty, however the focus on skin is often on a superficial appearance and not enough about the actual health of the skin and body.

When you are healthy at the most basic level i.e. the cellular level way below the surface, it gives you a beautiful glow. This new mask gets your cells talking once again.

For more information please contact colette@thegarsides.net

by Colette Garside

ESCAPE-Pain to live a fuller, happier life R

esidents will now have the option to join ESCAPE-Pain pain management courses at Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre throughout 2024.

ESCAPE-Pain is a class for those who are living with pain associated with ar thritis and joint pain as symptoms of other conditions. There are specialised courses designed to help those who experience knee, hip, or back pain.

Bromsgrove District Council is working with Orthopaedic Research UK to bring these classes to the area. The course aims to help par ticipants understand their condition and develop selfmanagement skills, while using a progressive exercise programme to encourage safe and sensible exercise as part of a pain management strategy.

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing, Councillor Shirley Webb, said: “Having access to specialist exercise classes is important for residents who are currently living with long term pain. Having providers who understand what they are going through and are sensitive to the struggles they face is integral to creating a safe and welcoming environment.

“The sessions being free to attend is a massive added positive, removing the barriers to accessing specialist classes such as these is crucial to creating a population empowered to improve their own health and wellbeing.”

The next course will begin in February, followed by another in June. Courses are completely free to attend and consist of 12 sessions across six weeks: Mondays at 2.15pm and Wednesdays at 3.15pm.

ESCAPE-Pain is an evidence-based programme which has been shown to reduce pain, improve the psychological consequences of pain, and reduce healthcare utilisation costs.

The council’s spor ts development depar tment suppor t a range of different specialist classes aiming to give residents the chance to access exercise in a way that suits their lifestyle and medical status.

Regular Tai Chi for Hear t Health classes have begun at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre on Wednesday at 1pm and Thursday at 9.45pm for £5 a session.

Residents also have access to a Joint Effor t class, for those with arthritis, at Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre on Wednesdays at 1pm for £4 a week.

If you wish to register your interest in the next course, fill out the online form: ESCAPE-pain bromsgrove.gov.uk For more information about the range of classes, contact Hayley Gwilliam on 01527 881404 or email Hayley.gwilliam@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk

Completely Bromsgrove

29

Why volunteer at Avoncroft Museum?

I

f you have decided that you would like to do something different this year, then book your place at Avoncroft Museum of Buildings’ volunteer open day on Saturday, March 23rd from 10am to 3pm.

Are you passionate about history, do you enjoy meeting new people, and would you like to make a difference? If so, we would love to hear from you. We need volunteers to occupy our buildings, engage with our visitors and bring our collections to life.

Volunteers assist the museum in many ways, from stewarding our furnished buildings and exhibitions during opening hours to assisting with administration.

We offer full training and support, out of pocket expenses and discounts on refreshments in our tearoom.

Volunteers also assist during special events and activities, as well as helping with maintenance, conservation, and gardening.

Tasks also include behind the scenes set up and break down, delivering activities, attending shows, promotion and delivering leaflets.

Come along on March 23rd and have a chat to existing volunteers and members of staff. See if you would like to be involved in your chosen area such as ‘events’ and ‘behind the scenes’ on arrival in the shop and go to the ‘volunteer day’ sign where a member of our volunteer team will meet you.

Please tell friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about the day too.

Turn up on the day or register your free place on our website www.avoncroft.org.uk

30 Completely Bromsgrove

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The property sleeps up to 6 and is situated within a gated complex with private secure parking. Call George on 07951 424277 To learn more about what Kingsbridge has to offer checkout their website www.hellokingsbridge.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

31

Bromsgrove Veteran awarded rare honour A

t a meeting organised by the Bromsgrove Branch of The Royal British Legion, local veteran Royal Marine Hubert William Sherwood PJM, was awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (service to Malaysia Award) for his services in the country from March 1960 to April 1965.

The medal is awarded to peacekeeping groups amongst the communion countries for distinguished chivalry, gallantry, sacrifice or loyalty in upholding Malaysian Sovereignty during the period of emergency and confrontation.

Fellow veteran Graham Kiteley, discovered that Ber t had not received the award. Graham spent almost three years writing letters, making phone calls and holding meetings to ensure the award was given to Ber t to mark his important service.

The presentation of the award took place at the Dry Spy on St John’s Street with branch members in attendance.

Invited guest Royal Marine W02 Stu Eaton read the citation and the Vice Lord Lieutenant Doctor The Hon Gilber t Greenall CBE DL presented Bert with the medal.

Button Factory Exhibition

T

he Bromsgrove Society, in partnership with Jordan Williams Upholstery, are holding an exhibition in the Old Button Factory to tell the story of the Sanders Family and the business they operated in the town with the Nicholls family.

Last year, in a series of workshops, local residents and those with a link to the button factory, created a piece of community art using buttons to form a tabletop which will be displayed in the Bromsgrove Library. At the workshops individuals came forward to tell their stories or to recall memories from family members and friends who had been employed in the manufacturing of buttons.

Women working at a Button Factory

in 1862

The information gathered during the Button Art Project, along with historical findings about the Sanders family, will feature in the exhibition. The exhibition will be open to the public on Saturday 9th March and will take place in the newly refurbished Old Button Factory on Windsor Street. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the exhibition from 10am until 3pm.

The Button Factory Exhibition has received funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, awarded via the ReNEW Small Grants Scheme, administered by the Cultural Compact.

32 Completely Bromsgrove

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33

Successful soloist returns home for society concert

T

he music of Bach and Mozart feature in Barnt Green Choral Society’s Annual Spring Concert on Saturday, March 16, 7.30pm at North Bromsgrove High School.

Mozart is represented by his famous Requiem and Bach by his Cantata No. 80, Ein feste Burg ist Unser Gott (based on the hymn tune A Safe Stronghold our God is Still), Air from Suite No.3 in D and Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.

Baritone David Coulson

The society will be joined by an orchestra and four talented soloists. Jennifer Walker (soprano), who is returning to her home town to perform, has enjoyed a successful career which has included many operatic roles and several solos for BBC Radio 3. She will be joined by well-known local baritone David Coulson, who has sung in several concer ts previously with the society, Hope Pugh (alto) and Ed Harrison (tenor).

Tickets are £15 each ( Under 16’s are free ), including a glass of wine or a soft drink and are available from any society member or on the door. Free parking is available at the rear of the school.

Soprano Jennifer Walker

A journey across Britain through books

R

obin Ince, co-presenter of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 programme and podcast The Infinite Monkey Cage, comes to WORDS on Wednesday, March 20th.

He also really likes bookshops, and when his tour with Professor Brian Cox in autumn 2021 was postponed due to the pandemic, he decided to visit more than 100 of them across the UK. Robin will take you on a journey across Britain as he explores his lifelong love of bookshops and books and tries to find out why he can never have enough of them. It is the story of an addiction and a romance - and the occasional points failure just outside Oxenholme!

The talk star ts at 7.15pm at Bromsgrove Library, Parkside, Market Street, B61 8DA. A limited number of tickets priced at £12 each are available via the Ticket Source website www.ticketsource.co.uk Type Bibliomaniac in the Find Event search bar.

34 Completely Bromsgrove

Completely Bromsgrove

35

Outstanding local talent O

ne of Bromsgrove Arts’ many strands is giving existing and emerging artists a platform to showcase their talents and the 2024 season of live music – on the stage – returns on Saturday, March 2nd at 8pm with a welcome return to Bromsgrove’s Jack Goodall.

Jack Goodall performs his own kind of music, contemporary yet inspired by an array of different artists. Having studied under and jammed with blues performers Ian Siegal and Aynsley Lister and Afrobeat star Dele Sosimi, Jack displays these stylistic influences in his own music while melodically and lyrically doing his own thing.

As well as releasing three solo albums, in 2021 Goodall released Out of Here with The Kick, a band formed during lockdown, who became a formidable force at live shows. He is currently working on a solo album.

Supporting Jack will be Layla Tutt. In the heart of Birmingham’s post-industrial landscape, Tutt broadcasts messages of integrity from a myriad of musical vocabularies. Bandmate James Covell, channelling the power of the North Sea from his Tyneside coastal roots, brings scintillating keys,

The Big Screen Musical Season continues on Sunday, March 10th at 8pm with the screening of Titanic the Musical, recorded at New Victoria Theatre in Woking.

Based on the real people aboard the ship, Titanic the Musical is a stirring production, focusing on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of her passengers, all innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them.

With music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone, the original Broadway production won five Tony Awards.

One Life (PG) on Wednesday, March 27th at 2.30pm, stars Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter. It is the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton (played by Hopkins), a young London broker who, in the months leading up to World War II, rescued 669 predominantly Jewish children from the Nazis.

Fifty years later in 1988, Nicky lives haunted by the fate of the children he wasn’t able to bring to safety in England and blames himself for not doing more. It’s not until a live BBC TV show, That’s Life, surprises him by introducing him to some surviving children – now adults – that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he had carried for five decades.

36 Completely Bromsgrove

bombastic drums, and dynamic arrangements to the mix. musical theatre event celebrates a joyous story of British grit transforming into a high-heeled hit as it takes you from the factory floor of Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan.

given chance to shine There’s something for the kids at Easter, when Trolls Band Together (U) is screened on Thursday, March 28th at 11am. After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are now officially, finally, a couple. As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favourite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers.

BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since. But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop star villains, Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.

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

37

Resourceful daughter and grumpy neighbour shine in cinema screenings T he FeckenOdeon Cinema Society in Feckenham is serving up two acclaimed movies in March.

First up on Friday, March 15th at 8pm is Scrapper (12A).

This vibrant and inventive father-daughter comedy follows Georgie, a resourceful 12-year-old girl who secretly lives alone in her flat in a working-class suburb of London following the death of her mother.

Georgie makes money stealing bikes with her best friend Ali and keeps the social workers off her back by pretending to live with an uncle. Out of nowhere, her estranged father Jason (Harris Dickinson) arrives and sparks fly.

The screening on Saturday, March 23rd at 7.30pm is A Man Called Otto (15). When a lively young family moves in next door, grumpy widower Otto Anderson meets his match in a quick-witted, pregnant woman named Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world upside down.

Tom Hanks is excellent as Otto in a film based on the Swedish movie A Man Called Ove, which was shown at FeckenOdeon 2 in 2018.

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

The FeckenOdeon is Feckenham’s community cinema based at Feckenham Village Hall, High Street, Feckenham. B96 6HN

38 Completely Bromsgrove

Revenge and recklessness on the high seas M aybe Dick, a new parody of Herman Melville’s classic novel Moby Dick, is being performed at Feckenham Village Hall on Saturday, March 9th at 7.30pm, as part of Worcestershire’s touring arts programme Live & Local.

Melville’s classic tale of revenge and retribution is retold in this inventive, comedic retelling on the high seas.

Nantucket, 1841. Ishmael signs on to the Pequod, and witnesses the perils of nature, obsession, punning and physical comedy, as Captain Ahab conducts a reckless pursuit of the savage white whale, Moby Dick.

The production is the latest piece of new writing to tour from Hambledon Productions, a Lincolnshire-based theatre company that specialises in classic comedy and new, local writing.

After a sell-out tour of festivals and smaller venues in 2023, Maybe Dick, via a co-production with New Bedford’s Whaling Museum in Massachusetts, USA, is embarking on a new nationwide theatre tour.

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

Challenge Shield stays in Bromsgrove B

romsgrove Photographic Society’s club night on January 16th was dedicated to the Bromsgrove Challenge Shield, donated by member Jenny Webster and previously held by BPS. The other clubs taking par t were Hagley Camera Club, Kempsey Camera Club, Redditch Photographic Society and Solihull Photographic Society. The competition was judged by Peter Siviter EFIAP, DPAGB and there were more than 80 attendees from the combined clubs in the audience - a great turnout.

The atmosphere was buzzing and friendly with members of clubs mixing and chatting. Entries across the board were excellent to say the least. Critiques were for thcoming from our judge and the final tally of points allocated that there was little between the clubs.

At the end of the night, BPS were victorious and the trophy remained in the safe hands of our chair Ele Watts. It is always good to win any competition but especially rewarding to succeed when competing against quality opposition.

There are many people to thank for such a successful night including the other clubs’ photographers and the team behind each of them. We’d also like to thank our own Ele Watts for her dedication and vision for BPS. Completely Bromsgrove

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Malvern hosts heart-warming world premiere T

he world premiere stage adaptation of the multi awardwinning and best-selling children’s book The Boy at the Back of the Class, based on the novel by Onjali Q. Raúf, adapted by Nick Ahad and directed by Monique Touko, will be performed at Malvern Theatres from March 19 to 23.

The play is a timely, humorous, and hear t-warming story about the power of kindness, engaging children, and their families in discussions around refugee rights. Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames has teamed up with Children’s Touring Par tnership to bring this story to the stage and is par tnering with a local charity, Refugee Action Kingston, to raise awareness about and funds to support refugees in the community.

There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old, but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets – not even lemon sherbets.

After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet’s classmates have ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist.

Tickets available from Malvern Theatres box office on 01684 892277.

Display by Georgia Dunn

Spring into Easter with Lorena

B

romsgrove Flower Club are hoping you will join them at their March 21st meeting, when the speaker will be Lorena Dyer.

Lorena will be asking: “Are you sitting comfortably?” and members and visitors certainly will be while she weaves her magic to produce displays to both delight and enthral her audience.

The big bonus is that you could take home one of Lorena’s beautiful arrangements. Enter the raffle and you could be a lucky winner.

Every month there is a competition and members are encouraged to bring their own interpretations of the title, which this month is “Spring into Easter”.

The club would especially like to see arrangements in shades of purple to reflect Epilepsy Awareness Day on March 26th. Collection boxes provided by the charity will be available for any contributions.

All arrangements are beautiful, and everyone will receive a free raffle ticket to enter the draw. There is also a bring and buy, a sweepstake and complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits. And remember, the theme is purple!

Entry is £4 for members and £10 for visitors.

Meetings are held every third Thursday of the month at 2.00pm at All Saints Church Hall Burcot Lane Bromsgrove B60 1AF Everyone is welcome! For more information go to our website www.bromsgroveflowerclub.org.uk

40 Completely Bromsgrove

Display by Paula Cerrone

Plug in to more EV chargers

A

series of new EV charging points are coming to North East Worcestershire thanks to a par tnership with Zest to provide them on council-owned land.

Around 120 new chargers are set to come to 33 locations in the area after Bromsgrove District Council teamed up with Redditch Borough Council to agree a long-term contract with the EV infrastructure provider.

this growth where we can, not only to give residents more options but also to help improve local air quality and cut carbon emissions.

Zest, which is backed by the governmentsponsored Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund (CIIF), will invest about £2.1 million to provide the new infrastructure for the next 15 to 20 years.

“We identified council-owned car parks and buildings where more EV chargers could be added, which Zest will now take forward. By collaborating with our counterparts over in Redditch we were able to put out a bigger, better contract and attract even more investment.”

The company will provide, operate, and maintain the chargers, with no costs for the councils which are providing the land for the chargers for the duration of the deal. The contract will also bring chargers to the councils’ main workplaces.

Zest CEO Robin Heap added: “We’re delighted to win this large, forward-thinking contract, one of the first of its kind in the West Midlands. Growing a network that makes charging easy, convenient, and reliable helps make the shift to EV a realistic option for everyone.”

Bromsgrove district councillor Steve Colella, whose portfolio includes climate change, said: “As cars continue to electrify the need for local EV charging infrastructure is increasing, and this council will support

A rollout plan is now being developed, and the first of the new chargers are expected to be installed before spring.

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Live la dolce vita T

oday’s SUV buyer is more likely to live in a city than a log cabin, so Kia have ensured that the fourth generation seven seat Sorento has smooth and enjoyable road manners well suited for family use as well as having 4WD for a traditional country lifestyle - so this means that sophistication, refinement, design, and quality matter as much as ruggedness and ‘go anywhere’ ability.

Efforts to make the Sorento an on-road delight have been impressive and not only does it appear non-aggressive but socially acceptable too, with its pleasingly rounded shape. You get all the benefits of a big SUV without the downside of the weight and clunkiness of heavyweight transmissions and the associated complexity and cost.

There are sensible choices on offer with the Sorento range. Go with the times and choose the £51,055 1.6 T-GDi petrol hybrid version with its 64 Kw battery and ‘Smartstream’ electrified powertrain which drives all four wheels through a six-speed auto box and returns over 38mpg.

42 Completely Bromsgrove

Just the job if you want to do your bit to save the planet and feel that because you want a high-riding vehicle to take the kids to school, cruise the boulevard, climb the kerb or escape from the clutches of a muddy field then you must display ‘green’ credentials.

It’s a wonderfully smooth and quiet version that switches imperceptibly between petrol, electric, atomic, wind power - and whatever else you can think of.

Kia has recognised that today’s SUV buyers need the sophisticated utility of a town and motorway cruiser - so that is what the Sorento gives.

DRIVE TIME

with the Sorento It’s a well-made car with top levels of quality and equipment and MPV-like space and versatility.

You won’t enrage the environmentalist with a new Sorento either, because not only do they use less fuel, they exhale less noxious nastiness too. Should you be a bold traditionalist though, you might consider the £49,590,190 bhp 2.2 CRDi,(Diesel) 8 spd auto variant that returns around 43mpg and is just as fast and lively as the hybrid model.

Both models are well specified inside, of course, with lots of comfort and security features in the spacious and well-crafted cabin and outside they certainly look impressive sitting on attractive alloys. Safety too has been enhanced and airbags abound as well as Electronic Stability Control and other electronic salvation devices. It has a full five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Underway, both Sorentos tested were lively,

smooth, and offered light and secure handling coping well with badly surfaced, twisting B roads, soaking up potholes easily. And there’s as much performance as you’re likely to need on today’s crowded highways.

Which one would I choose? I would choose the good old reliable diesel: one reliable method of propulsion and none of the jiggery pokery of swapping from one type of power to the other at the direction of some electronic brain deep within. And, of course, these days diesel just doesn’t pollute and then there’s the almost assured engine longevity.

One must ask ‘how long will those batteries last as they gradually lose the ability to hold a full charge?’ That is, as yet, unknown. Then there is the driving experience. The diesel variant is just as smooth, quiet, lively, and rather less complex.

But of course, there is always the protection of the unrivalled seven year one hundred thousand miles warranty. It’s enough to take anyone aback!

by Syd Taylor Completely Bromsgrove

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Discover Longbridge’s heritage at museum’s March evening event T

he British Motor Museum has announced an exciting new Museum Late event entitled Longbridge Legacies.

This special evening will celebrate the Longbridge factory, its achievements and its impact on the local community on Tuesday, March 12th from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.

In 1905, the first car was completed on the site of what would become known as the Longbridge Plant.

This engineering goliath changed the motor industry as we knew it and gave birth to hundreds of historic vehicles, from the Austin Seven to the first Minis.

The plant would also reshape the lives of the people around it, creating employment and camaraderie for thousands of locals.

The main attraction is Lord Austin’s Office, taken from the plant and carefully reconstructed within the museum. There may also be the opportunity to chat with Lord Herber t Austin. Austin’s office will be alongside Lord Morris’s Office, a long-term exhibit of the museum. Visitors can take a look in the office of one of Austin’s most famous contemporaries and a fixture of the Longbridge plant in his own right.

44 Completely Bromsgrove

A trio of MG cars, recently transported from the Longbridge Plant, will be on display. They are currently undergoing assessment in the workshop but will be on display for the first time during this event.

Dinner is included in the museum gallery on arrival with bangers and mash followed by bread and butter pudding. (Gluten-free and vegan options are available).

Limited places are available, so early booking is advised. For more information, visit www. britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/museumlates-longbridge-legacies or call 01926 895300.

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Representative Example based on 8,000 miles per annum. Credit available subject to status. UK residents 18+. This offer excludes fleet sales, is only available through participating Subaru dealers and is not available in conjunction with any other offers unless specified. Crystal White Pearl special paint finish free of charge cross all models. Other special paint finishes charged at £595.00 which is not included in finance example. This credit offer is only available through Subaru Finance provided by International Motors Finance Limited, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff CF10 5BH. OTR price includes VAT, delivery, number plates, 12 months road fund license and first registration fee. Please consult your local Subaru dealer for exact quotation. With Personal Contract Purchase, once you have paid all of your regular monthly repayments you can either 1) Pay the Optional Final Repayment and own the car. Optional Final Repayment includes £10 purchase fee (not included if taken out on 0% APR finance offer). 2) Part exchange the car for a new one (subject to settlement of your existing agreement, new agreements are subject to status). 3) Return the car to Subaru Finance without paying the optional final repayment. Providing you’ve not exceeded the maximum agreed mileage and the car is in good condition (fair wear and tear accepted) you will have nothing further to pay. If the vehicle has exceeded the maximum permitted mileage then a charge of 9.0p on Limited, 10.8p on Field and 11.2p on Touring all inclusive of VAT @20% per excess mile will apply. *Saving of £1,500 (incl.

VAT) when you buy a new 2.5i Outback Limited, Field or Touring. †3 services for £299.00 (incl. VAT) offer applicable when you purchase a brand-new Subaru Forester e-BOXER, XV e-BOXER or Outback. All services should be taken at the relevant service intervals - either 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes sooner. All services must be completed by an authorised Subaru Retailer. The customer’s failure to redeem the services within the designated mileage or time will void the manufacturer’s warranty. Available to retail customer only. Does not cover any non-service related parts or repairs or general wear and tear. Servicing is transferable with the vehicle. Offers may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Offer ends 31.03.2024.

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45

Photos by Chris Jepson

New regime at Sporting brings speedy success

New regime at Sporting brings speedy success

A

fter a decent run of form in December and over the New Year, Bromsgrove Sporting hit a poor run gaining just one draw in seven matches though five of the defeats were by just one goal.

However, with another relegation battle looming, the club’s executive board decided to part company with player/manager Mike McGrath who had been in position since October 2022.

Taking over in the dugout is former Wolves, Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City and England goalkeeper Tim Flowers, who since hanging up his gloves has coached and managed a number of league and non-league clubs.

Tim got to work quickly, signing several new players particularly forwards to bolster his attacking options.

Other players have been released or moved on including the talented and popular Conor Tee who has stepped up to a higher division with Rushall Olympic.

In his first match in charge at the Victoria Ground,

New Manager Tim Flowers

46 Completely Bromsgrove

After a decent run of form in December and over the New Year, Brom draw in seven matches though five of the defeats were by just one go

However, with another relegation battle looming, the club’s executive player/manager Mike McGrath who had been in position since Octobe

Taking over in the dugout is former Wolves, Southampton, Blackburn Tim Flowers, who since hanging up his gloves hasby coached and manag Phil Baker

Tim got to work quickly, signing several new players particularly forwa players have been released or moved on including the talented and po Sporting recorded their first win for six weeks against higher division with Rushall Olympic. an impressive St Ives Town side who had won all of their Inprevious his first match in charge at the Ground, five games.

At the timeVictoria of writing, the Sporting Rouslersrecorded t impressive St Ives Town side who had won all of their previous five ga sit ten points above the relegation zone with ten matches points above the relegation zone with ten matches still to play althou still to play although some clubs have matches in hand.

Shown fixtures (all(all league matches): Shownbelow beloware areforthcoming forthcoming fixtures league matches): Saturday

9th March

3:00 p.m. H Berkhamsted

Saturday 16th March 3:00 p.m. A Berkhamsted Saturday 23rd March 3:00 p.m. H Needham Market Saturday 30th March 3:00 p.m. A Coalville Town Monday

1st April

3:00 p.m. H AFC Telford United

Saturday

6th April

3:00 p.m. A Alvechurch

Behind the scenes, new chairman Rod Brown has overseen an update Behind the scenes, new chairman was postponed and will rights. Rod owning companychampionship to resolve a long-standing issue of voting now be played later in the year.

Rod Brown has overseen an update to will attract new investors and stabilise the club's finances. articles of association (constitution) The Veterans have had several Bromsgrove Sporting Ladies have now won ten of their 11 league mat of the owning company to resolve a matches postponed because of adverse went out of the County Cup to Malvern Town and long-standing issue of voting Unfortunately rights. Rod they conditions and although they have just the two sides that could decide the championship was postponed and is now confident that the successful one win to their credit, there are still outcome will attract new investors and have The Veterans had several because of advers several more matches matchespostponed to be played. stabilise the club’s finances. win to their credit, there are still several more matches to be played.

All enquiries to Bromsgrove Bromsgrove Sporting Ladies have Sporting should beshould emailed to hello@ All enquiries to Bromsgrove Sporting be emailed to hello@bro now won ten of their 11 league bromsgrovesporting.co.uk There isone. plenty more information at www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk a matches played, drawing the other There is plenty more information at Unfortunately they went out of the www.bromsgrovesporting.co.uk County Cup to Malvern Town and the much-anticipated league match between and on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram. the two sides that could decide the

msgrove Sporting hit a poor run gaining just one oal.

e board decided to part company with er 2022.

Rovers, Leicester City and England goalkeeper ged a number of league and non-league clubs.

ards to bolster his attacking options. Other opular Conor Tee who has stepped up to a

their first win for six weeks against an ames. At the time of writing, the Rouslers sit ten ugh some clubs have matches in hand.

e to articles of association (constitution) of the d is now confident that the successful outcome

tches played, drawing the other one. d the much-anticipated league match between d will now be played later in the year.

se conditions and although they have just one

omsgrovesporting.co.uk

and on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.

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