Completely Bromsgrove Issue 67 November 24

Issue 67 November 2024

Completely

Bromsgrove

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2 Completely Bromsgrove

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Welcome to November’s issue of Completely Bromsgrove

W

ith the clocks having gone back and the days getting shorter and colder, autumn is definitely here.

Of course, November brings Bonfire Night on the 5th and Armistice Day on the 11th. The village of Catshill must be congratulated this year as more than 6,000 poppies have been knitted and crocheted, creating a moving spectacle around the village. Turn to page 14 to learn more.

This year’s Remembrance Sunday parade on November 10 will muster at 10.30am outside Argos.

The parade will leave at around 10.40am to reach the memorial on Crown Close for the 11am service.

One of our many local war heroes is Eddie Palmer.

Turn to page 29 to learn more about Eddie and how local historian Neil Beaumont was privileged to meet and talk to this amazing man.

You will need your diary to hand after reading this issue as it’s full of dates for events taking place across our district, including the much loved and

well supported Bromsgrove Christmas market, which is returning for a tenth successive year. The Christmas lights switch on will take place on Saturday, November 23rd at 5pm.

Turn to page 42 for the full programme of events.

Back to more news, Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas has been elected to the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee. You can join Bradley at Parkside on November 15 for his first Pensioners’ Fair.

I will sign off by saying that if you are going to a bonfire event, please ensure pets are well looked after and consider residents when parking.

Remember folks, keep it local or lose it!

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38 46

Contents

22

6 MPs Message 8 A38 Action 10 Rail Matters 12 B’grove School are Champs 14 Chatty Benches/ Catshill Poppies 16 Charity Skydive 18 Care UK 20 Health

Completely

21 Acorn Dental 22 Midland Hip Clinic 24 Worcs Wildlife Trust 25 Oakalls Stream 26 Gardening 28 Silent Church Bells 29 History 32 Coffee#1 36 Artrix

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

4 Completely Bromsgrove

Very best wishes Michele Ford

37 MPs Pensions Fair 38 Bromsgrove Arts 40 FeckenhamOdeon 41 Feckenham Village Hall/ Flower Club 42 Festive Street Fun 43 All Saints 44 Drive Time 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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Completely Bromsgrove

5

A message from our MP T

here are two pressing issues facing our constituency right now. First, the Government’s assault on our precious green belt. And second, the education tax which will level down education for all children.

I’ve been tackling these two issues head on in Parliament and fighting for what’s right on behalf of my constituents.

When it comes to protecting our green belt, I completely accept that we need to build more houses in our country – I’m not disputing that.

However, new housing developments can’t come at the expense of our green belt. Some 89% of land in Bromsgrove is designated as green belt, and the new housing target being imposed on us by the Government will directly result in thousands more homes being built in high quality green belt in our constituency, when there is not a sufficient local need for this to happen.

The new housing target being imposed means the district council will have to build 704 houses a year – an extra 318 houses a year. All whilst Birmingham’s housing target is being reduced by 2,200 a year. An increase to our mandatory housing target would be understandable if the formula reflected the local housing market in Bromsgrove, however it is completely flawed.

I want affordable homes for my constituents, especially for first time buyers, but the Government’s proposed affordability calculations fail to accurately measure local housing demand, creating an incorrect housing need figure.

How is it right that the Government is reducing housing targets for cities like Birmingham, where the need is most acute, and forcing areas like ours to build thousands of homes on green belt? I made all this clear in my response to the Government’s consultation on its proposed changes to the planning system. Their proposals are wrong, and I will continue to fight to protect our green belt.

6 Completely Bromsgrove

On the Government’s education tax, the ideologically driven decision to impose VAT on independent school fees will have an acute impact on the education sector here in Bromsgrove.

Nationally about 7% of pupils attend an independent school, but here in Bromsgrove that figure is 14%.

I’ve already been made aware that, because of this ill-conceived policy, more than 30 pupils have already been pulled from independent schools in Bromsgrove.

Lineviewpeople visit That’s a whole class of children and young needing to find places locally in the state sector – and this Government has no plan to address larger class sizes because of their policy.

I recently raised this at my Westminster Hall debate where I urged the Government to abandon its education tax. It’s unethical and won’t fulfil its stated aims. Sadly, the minister responding to my debate trotted out the same, tired lines that have no basis in reality.

I’ve always been and will remain committed to supporting education across the board, including our excellent state schools, and I want all schools to receive the funding they need and present opportunities for children from all backgrounds. I say this as someone who was proudly educated in state schools and who cares about the life chances of everyone.

And that’s why I’m fighting this shor t-sighted policy which will hit hardest those in society who it claims to be suppor ting. It will damage the wider education sector as a whole and it will worsen academic and social inequalities while being a net cost to society, the education sector and the British taxpayer.

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7

Action group calls for fresh

approach to traffic woes T

he felling of mature trees for the widening of the A38 eastern bypass has generated a massive response, mainly due to the hard work put in by Facebook group Revise Bromsgrove BREP. Bromsgrove Climate Action believes it is sickening to see mature trees felled and the eco systems they support destroyed.

Trees provide so many benefits, capturing and storing carbon and producing oxygen. They also provide many habitats, reduce noise pollution and benefit mental health.

Worcestershire County Council plans were difficult to read or make sense of and consultations were poorly advertised, resulting in poor attendance. This led to many people being disgruntled and this is something that the county council should learn from.

One thing is clear - traffic in and through Bromsgrove is a nightmare at peak times and something needed to be done.

Bromsgrove has been a market town for hundreds of years and roads used by horse and cart was not designed for the traffic of today.

Up to 1983, the High Street took traffic both ways joining Birmingham Road to Worcester Road, the dual carriageway to Redditch had not been built, the main road went through Tardebigge, and the eastern bypass was in the making.

Huge swathes of trees were cut down and habitats were destroyed for the traffic system of today. A western relief road would see the destruction of yet more trees, not to mention wildlife habitats.

New housing developments are promoting Bromsgrove as a commuter town and yet there is no bus service to Birmingham and no buses after 6.45pm.

8 Completely Bromsgrove

Visitors to Artrix are forced to use their cars.

The highest levels of pollution are occurring on Worcester Road between The Black Cross and Hungry Horse. The highest rates of asthma, other lung conditions and hear t disease occur roughly in this half mile wide corridor, which puts an additional strain on the NHS. A more objective way to solve the traffic situation would be for people to ditch their cars for shor t journeys and for Worcestershire CC to provide more frequent bus services at peak times or more buses on demand.

We have the solution in our own hands to save nature, albeit not the one many people want to hear – journeys under two miles are considered shor t enough to walk.

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Completely Bromsgrove

9

Residents need option to travel via M5 alternative www.bromsgroverail.org.uk

R

egular readers of Completely Bromsgrove will have enjoyed last month’s article by Mike Sharpe of The Bromsgrove Society on the early days of railways in the town.

In the 1840s it appears you could travel directly from Bromsgrove station to Cheltenham. How we wish we could do so now with a direct service to Worcestershire Parkway and then Cheltenham Spa. The elections of Bradley Thomas as MP for Bromsgrove and Chris Bloore as Redditch’s MP gives BARRUP another opportunity to press the case for Cross Country Trains to have its hourly Nottingham to Cardiff service, which stops at Parkway and Cheltenham, to also stop at Bromsgrove.

Further, in 2025, there will be elections to Worcestershire County Council, and this gives the opportunity to press candidates for Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Bromsgrove and Redditch wards to pursue the matter at county council level as par t of their election manifestos.

It must be remembered that there is a total footfall of 1.6 million people using the four stations and there is no doubt that a great many of these would welcome being able to travel directly south by rail from the easily accessible Bromsgrove station.

Those of us who use the M5 regularly to travel south, and I am one of them using it to visit Bristol, know that it is becoming increasingly

congested, particularly between junctions six and five.

Both the current development of a new retail park and housing developments just east of Tewkesbury at junction nine, and the planned redevelopment at junction ten at Cheltenham, so that it will be possible to enter and exit the motorway both southbound and nor thbound, will inevitably increase the amount of traffic.

As we know, there are a considerable number of new houses being built in Bromsgrove and Redditch, which will only increase following the election of the Labour Government, and this will add to traffic going south on the M5.

Between them the county council, Network Rail and Cross Country Trains need to enable the hourly Nottingham to Cardiff service to stop at Bromsgrove, for the economic, environmental and social benefit of the people and businesses of the Nor th East Worcestershire district.

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10 Completely Bromsgrove

by Nick Taylor, memsec@bromsgroverail.org.uk

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11

Egg comes first as team

race to international title

B

romsgrove School’s design technology Greenpower teams have come away with three trophies at the Greenpower International Finals at Goodwood, with the senior team being crowned F24+ 2024 Kitcar International champions.

This year’s competition was par ticularly exciting, as both teams had implemented significant modifications to their vehicles since the last heat and were eager to test their improvements.

The senior team also won a trophy for winning the heat and accumulating the most points this season. This was achieved by a 100 per cent win record throughout the season, competing against universities, colleges and corporations. The juniors finished fifth overall and won a trophy for best presented team.

Steve Broadbent, DT teacher and team manager, said: “A three trophy haul at an international final is an excellent achievement and I would like to thank both teams for an amazing season, our 11th in total. This is

12 Completely Bromsgrove

also the second time that Bromsgrove School has been crowned winners at an international final.”

Both teams would like to thank current sponsors Point S for main sponsorship, 4QD for speed controllers and advice, Washford Finishings for the frame coatings and Eagle Plastics for the ABS on the car. Thanks also to Greenpower for the suppor t and events they provide for racing.

Bromsgrove’s kitcar team is currently seeking new sponsorship opportunities, presenting a unique chance to associate a brand with two championship winning race cars, Team Chicken 2018 and The Egg 2024. As they look forward to the future, they can proudly declare that the Egg certainly came first this year!

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bromsgrove-school.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove 13

Connect on a chatty bench

I

n a bid to promote community well-being, Catshill and Nor th Marlbrook Parish Council has installed three new “Chatty Benches” in the village.

These benches at Braces Lane Playground, Marlbrook Gardens, and Lingfield Walk aim to reduce loneliness and isolation by offering a simple, inviting space where people can sit down, strike up a conversation, and stay connected.

The concept behind Chatty Benches is straightforward yet powerful: existing or newly installed benches are marked with signs indicating that those seated are open to chatting with others. This creates opportunities for spontaneous conversations, helping to break down

barriers and foster a sense of belonging.

“We know that even a brief moment of connection can make a significant difference in reducing feelings of loneliness,” said Brett Laniosh, vice chairman of Catshill and Marlbrook Parish Council.

“We hope these benches encourage people to say hello, engage in a quick chat, or share a kind word. For someone who’s feeling isolated, this small act of kindness can have a lasting, positive impact.”

Village’s response to poppy plea is taken as red A

fter the bold idea at the beginning of the year to have a sweeping poppy display in Catshill, Bromsgrove District Councillor Shirley Webb is delighted to say that the whole community came together and exceeded all expectations.

Ladies from Knit and Natter, Christ Church parishioners and village residents along with Sixth Bromsgrove Scouts and Catshill First School pupils knitted or crocheted 6,000 poppies.

Plastic poppies were also produced and placed on stalks, which are all now proudly displayed at Christ Church, Catshill Village Hall and the war memorial in readiness for Remembrance Sunday.

Councillor Webb said: “I can’t thank everyone enough for all their participation. I must also thank Phil Lacey, the village hall chair, for coordinating the whole project, and GT Access for their help erecting the sweeping display at the church tower.”

14 Completely Bromsgrove

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15

Taking a daring dive in aid of dementia charity

T

wo members of the Bluebird Care Bromsgrove & Redditch team have taken to the skies in a charity skydive to raise over £1,300 for Alzheimer’s Society.

Ranjot Khatra, director and owner of the local home care provider, teamed up with Katy Thompson, lead supervisor, to take on the incredible challenge.

Ranjot and Katy are all smiles after their skydive

Blue skies met the daring duo as they leapt from 12,500 feet at Hinton Airfield. By collecting sponsorships, they have exceeded their £1,000 target to raise awareness of dementia and its impact on people and families.

Katy is no stranger to daring feats, and has been commended for her charitable nature having previously taken part in parachuting and abseiling to raise awareness of the importance of good dementia care.

Ranjot was inspired to take part in the skydive after she and her husband Baljit witnessed the devastating impact of dementia within their own family and their local community first hand. This is also what led the couple to dedicate themselves to supporting people and families with high quality care in their own homes.

Across the West Midlands, an estimated 73,400 people live with dementia. Bluebird Care’s teams across the region support many people and their families with the condition, helping them to stay safe and comfortable at home.

The skydive challenge was part of the national Bluebird Care network’s effor t to raise £50,000 for the charity over the next year. The fundraising partnership, which is supported by renowned choreographer and Alzheimer’s Society ambassador Dame Arlene Phillips DBE, aims to support the vital work the charity does for those living with dementia and their families in communities across the UK.

16 Completely Bromsgrove

Ranjot said: “Jumping out of a plane at 12,500 feet was an incredible experience for a most worthy cause, which is close to the hearts of so many of us at Bluebird Care. From both my personal and professional experience, I know how important it is to help people to understand the importance of dementia awareness. It’s a rewarding feeling knowing that this money will go directly to helping people with dementia and their families.”

Katy added: “I’m so proud that we’ve exceeded our £1,000 target and immensely grateful to all those who chipped in to help us to complete the skydive and to raise more than we hoped for such an important cause.

Everything we do is about helping people with dementia and complex care needs to stay in the comfort of their own homes, and this challenge was no exception.”

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17

Join us for our next event

Chandler Court care home, Bromsgrove

Understanding dementia Wednesday 4th December 2024 2pm - 4pm Meet dementia expert Dr Nori Graham who will share her knowledge of dementia, how it can affect people as they age and what you can do to support a loved one.

Trusted to care.

To book please call 01527 903634 or email rebecca.pearce@careuk.com 18 Completely Bromsgrove

Advertising Feature

Chandler Court celebrates ‘Good’ rating The team at Care UK’s Chandler Court care home in Bromsgrove is celebrating after receiving a ‘Good’ rating following a recent inspection from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Home Manager, Lilly Dahms, says, “It’s wonderful to have gained an overall ‘Good’ rating in ‘Safe’, ‘Effective’, ‘Caring’ and ‘Responsive’ categories, recognising our truly person-centred approach to care.

It’s testament to our team’s hard work.”

Person-centered care “We’re proud of the person-centered care we provide to every resident,” explains Lilly, “and the report highlights our dedication to enabling residents to ‘live their lives according to their wishes and preferences’. The report praises our team for ‘interacting with people with kindness and respect’, observing a ‘calm and relaxed atmosphere’. Inspectors also emphasized that activities at Chandler Court ‘promoted independence, health and wellbeing’ whilst ‘people were supported to maintain relationships important to them.”

Residents were keen to echo this feedback to the inspectors, commenting that they ‘couldn’t be in a better place’.

Safety and reassurance, always “Moving your loved one into a care home can be a difficult decision, and we recognise the importance of feeling you’ve made the right choice,” says Lilly. “That’s why we were delighted to hear relatives’ feedback to the inspectors. Relatives commented on the safety of their loved one since moving into Chandler Court, and the reassurance they feel with the support of the team.”

To find out more the outstanding care on offer at Chandler Court, call 01527 903670.

Chandler Court care home Recreation Road, Bromsgrove B61 8DT careuk.com/chandler-court

At Chandler Court, the team get to know your loved one like a member of their own family, supporting them to lead fulfilling lifestyles; whether it’s continuing a much-loved hobby, making new friends or achieving a lifelong goal.

Promoting choice and independence “At Chandler Court, we put your loved one at the heart of their care, supporting them to maintain independence and make choices around the way they’d like their care to be delivered,” says Lilly. “Our CQC inspection report highlights this, stating that ‘People’s care and support plans guided staff on how to promote their independence, choice and control’.

Completely Bromsgrove

19

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Advanced skin care range is ideal festive gift W

ith Christmas just around the corner, our minds will be turning to what to buy for the family. I have already started to address this situation to spread out my spending agenda.

For those just starting to get into skin care or who wish to hold back the years, the Renu Advanced Skin Care Range is a life saver. It is perfect for all skin types and each item can be brought individually to match your pocket, or as a complete set.

The Redox Molecules Clay Face Mask is the only face mask on the market with these amazing molecules and I have personally found it to be a fabulous present.

After years in the beauty business, this is the only clay face mask I have used that does not dry and crack and drop bits of clay everywhere. It is silky smooth and dries to a matt finish leaving the skin feeling clean, rejuvenated and radiant.

You may be asking what is so marvellous about Redox Molecules. Well, they turn on the cells to communicate with each other. When we are young, our skin cells are replaced every 28 days. However, as we age our skin cell turn over gets longer and longer up to 90 days and then we start to see the signs of aging such as crow’s feet.

Stress is a big problem these days, along with air pollutants, chemicals in creams and cosmetics, additives in foods and hair dyes, and it affects all ages.

Redox Molecules allow our cells to communicate correctly and help to repair damage that may have been caused. It also gives the body resilience to cope better with stressful situations as well as keeping our cells healthy.

In this range, there are three products that contain these molecules - Clay Face Mask, Renu 28 gel and the Advanced Redox Serum.

20 Completely Bromsgrove

In the photo below you can also see there are four products: Facial Foam Cleanser, Toner Balancer, Glow Serum and Hydrating Moisturising Cream.

The benefits of this skin care range are that it contains no parabens or ar tificial colours, is vegan and fragrance free and is not tested on animals.

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t Acorn Dental Barnt Green we are pleased to introduce our new dentist, Dr Chirag Patel.

He will be a wonderful addition to our multiple award-winning practice.

Along with his skills in cosmetic dentistry he will be blending this with family dentistry for the whole community Chirag or “Chiggs” as he is commonly known, graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2014.

As a student he won an array of awards related to his interests in dentistry which restores a patient’s ability to eat, whilst looking aesthetically beautiful.

Realising the positive impact he could have on his community through artistry, education and quality dentistry, Chiggs sought additional training from the very best mentors in the UK. After completing his foundation year in Heswall, he moved back to his family home in Wolverhampton for his mum’s good food, and to work as a Senior House Officer at Birmingham community services and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Here, he diversified his skills, assisting patients with additional needs, anxiety, trauma and cancer.

His love for the city of Liverpool meant that very soon, he was back in the North-west, where he perfected the art of creating confident smiles.

Chiggs has worked in high-level private practice ever since and has completed hundreds of smilemakeovers using techniques which mean as much natural tooth-tissue is preserved.

Chiggs achieves confident smiles in a minimallyinvasive way using treatments such as toothstraightening, whitening, composite bonding and porcelain veneers. Often he talks about his “ABC”

technique which means “Alignment, Bleach and Composite bond”.

His dedication to his community and quality craftmanship was recognised at the Private Dentistry Awards, where he won “Best Young Dentist Northwest 2022”. He loved the recognition he received on the night, but says he loved the pride on his parent’s face, and dancing so much more. He has now moved back to the Midlands to be closer to his parents, and to share the knowledge and skills he has crafted over the last 10 years.

Chiggs ensures he stays on top of the very latest techniques to improve the quality of the care he provides his patients, and is currently in his final year of a Master’s degree at the King’s College London studying Smile Rehabilitation using Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, Composite, Implants and Dentures.

Outside of dentistry Chiggs has a passion for cooking and wishes to write a cookbook in honour of his Mum’s recipes some day. You can learn more about Chiggs on Instagram @dr.chiggs (his Instagram reels are always showing F1, travel, teeth, kittens, food and photography!).

If you would like an appointment with Chiggs, you can either call the practice on 0121 447 7300 or book online through our website at www. acorndental.co.uk and click on the Barnt Green button

Completely Bromsgrove

21

Living with joint pain?

I

f you are suffering with joint pain, it can massively affect your quality of life and bring down your mood. Andrew Pearson, a Bromsgrove based Orthopaedic Surgeon specialising in hip problems, shares his advice.

Rest or keep moving?

Whether it’s your hips, knees or any other joints that are hur ting and affecting your lifestyle, the first thing you need to do is to keep your joints moving.

Building a programme of regular exercise into your daily routine – which doesn’t have to mean in a gym - along with getting as close as you can to a normal body weight for your height, is essential to help you to control joint pain and stiffness.

How do I manage the pain?

If you have injured yourself by over-exercising, whilst running, playing sports or too much gardening, it’s impor tant to stop the activity that has caused the problem. Resting the joint, applying ice and the use of over-the-counter painkillers will resolve most problems. The internet can be a good source of advice on exercises and recovery strategies to help with most injuries.

When to get help from a specialist?

It may take several weeks for your pain to resolve so don’t expect an over-night recovery. And don’t immediately return to the original provoking activity once your pain goes.

If your pain doesn’t improve over the following few weeks then you might want to see a Physiotherapist.

Seeing a private Physiotherapist is in my opinion ‘money well spent’ as they will give you the required time and tailored care you need. You often don’t need a GP referral for this and if physiotherapy doesn’t help they can direct you to the appropriate orthopaedic specialist.

22 Completely Bromsgrove

What symptoms mean exercise and weight loss won’t be enough to cure the problem?

At The Midland Hip Centre I treat all sor ts of hip problems and it often surprises people to know that pain from an ar thritic hip is felt in the groin and front of the thigh, sometimes into the knee and is often associated with stiffness. You might notice that your walking distance and speed has reduced, you have ‘star t-up’ stiffness when getting out of a chair and have difficulty getting shoes and socks on and off.

When should I consider having a new hip?

A hip replacement doesn’t save your life it just massively improves your quality of life.

The time to come and have a chat with me is when your hip pain is stopping you doing the things you want to do. Early intervention often means quicker recovery, better outcomes and a return to your former lifestyle so you don’t want to be on a long waiting list for treatment. No one should have to accept lengthy periods of suffering with joint pain when there is usually a simple and quick remedy available.

Am I too old for surgery?

I have replaced hips on patients aged between 20 and 95. Because I work full time in private healthcare I can often see people quicker than it takes to see a GP to even get a referral. Paying to have a private consultation does not mean you have to have your surgery privately, it just means you can be diagnosed quickly and consider your options. But if you do choose to have a hip replacement I can usually treat my patients within 2 to 3 weeks.

By Andrew Pearson www.themidlandhipcentre.co.uk

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Tel: 07973 186257 email: joanne@themidlandhipcentre.co.uk www.themidlandhipcentre.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

23

Tawny owl photo

by Jenny Farmer

Too-wit, too-woooo Have you been listening out for the calling of tawny owls this month?

I’m lucky enough to have a small woodland copse within hearing distance of my bedroom window.

If it’s mild enough to leave the window ajar at this time of year, I can hear tawny owls calling to each other as I drift into the world of sleep. This is a great time of year to listen out for the familiar ‘toowit too-woo’ of calling owls.

Autumn into winter sees young tawny owls on the hunt for a potential territory of their own and it’s also the time of year when adult males are proclaiming and defending territories that they may have held for ten or even twenty years. It’s a loud time of year. Breeding can start as early as January so some of the calling is also about serenading a mate. Females make the higher ‘too-wit’ call whereas males make the warbling ‘too-wooooo’. I was once stood underneath a tree when a male called and it was one of the purest sounds I’ve heard, sending shivers right through me.

Looking for tawny owls in a woodland is a fool’s errand. They’re pretty much identical to the trees they sit in; with their mottled brown colours and markings, they blend in perfectly with tree bark. It’s lovely to stumble upon one, though, if they happen to give away their presence with a movement or noise. If you are lucky enough to spot one, take note of their wide head shapes. They have elaborate outer ear structures that allow them to accurately pinpoint their prey but this means that their eyes must face more to the front than on other birds.

Tawny owls are faithful to their territory; once they’ve established one, they never leave. Whilst they

24 Completely Bromsgrove

have good eyesight and incredible hearing, they also have another advantage on a moonless evening. They know their patch. They remember where obstacles are, how far it might be from perch to ground and how to return to their nests in the pitch black. If they hear a rustle amongst the leaves, they know exactly what to do to pounce on their prey.

They might be our most common owl in the UK but tawny owls are on the amber list of species of conservation concern. They’re under pressure from loss of habitat, whether that’s the destruction of big old trees with lots of holes for nesting in or a change in the way we manage land. They’re well-insulated and adapted to cold weather but very cold or wet winters can hamper their chances of finding food or keeping warm or dry enough. As winter draws near and you find yourself snuggling up inside, spare a thought for wildlife...but don’t forget to crack open a window or head out for a dusk-time walk to listen out for a crooning owl or two.

Keep up to date with us... on X x.com/WorcsWT on Instagram instagram.com/worcswt/ on Facebook facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust on Bluesky bsky.app/profile/worcswt.bsky.social on YouTube youtube.com/c/WorcswildlifetrustUK1

by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

New lease of life for estate stream

N

orth Worcestershire Water Management have recently arranged for some much-needed maintenance of the watercourse near the railway line on the Oakalls estate in Bromsgrove.

Further maintenance of the watercourse through the Oakalls estate is planned during the autumn months.

The site will look a bit muddy for a shor t while, but the grass and vegetation will soon re-colonise the site.

Residents are asked to keep off the mud until the grass has re-established.

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25

GARDENING

H

ellebores are a welcome addition to any winter garden and one of the few plants that will be in full flower during the cold, dreary months.

The elegant, nodding blooms can be seen in various shades of green, white, pink or even deep purple.

These perennials have a long flowering period, lasting well into spring. The leaves are a striking, glossy green star shape.

Most hellebores are compact, at 30 to 45cm tall, but occasionally some types can grow to just under a metre. They are often known as Christmas roses, because they will flower from late winter into spring, but they aren’t related to roses. They belong to the buttercup family, are low maintenance plants and provide nectar for early pollinators.

Growing best in fer tile, moist soil, hellebores will also thrive in most soil types. While they prefer light shade, they’ll often cope in a sunnier spot if the soil doesn’t get too dry. They dislike very wet or very dry soil so don’t be tempted to plant them in full sun as their leaves will easily become scorched.

Hellebores will benefit from dividing in early autumn to make free plants or are easy enough to propagate from seed. Before planting, dig in plenty of organic matter like compost and position the plant at the same level as it was in its pot. Cut back the old leaves in late winter or early spring to ensure the flowers are on full display.

Jobs in the garden for November Plants tulip bulbs in pots and borders, at least twice their depth Once dahlia leaves have been blackened by the first frosts, lift the tubers, clean off and store in dry compost in a cool, frost proof place Plant bare-rooted roses, trees and shrubs before the weather turns really cold Tidy faded perennials and mulch the soil around them Cover winter peas, beans and salads with cloches but allow ventilation by keeping the ends free Prune autumn raspberries to the ground

Clear annual climbers Prune blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries once dormant Support brussel sprouts for extra stability against the winter winds Net cabbages, kale and sprouts against pigeons Check any stored vegetables for signs of rotting Tidy strawberry plants, cutting back old foliage Tidy the green house and disinfect to kill off any diseases that may be lingering Wash your empty pots and trays in readiness for the new season

Use the early dark nights to pore over the latest seed catalogues and plan next year’s garden and allotment.

26 Completely Bromsgrove

Protect your larger potted plants against frost with hessian sack or bubble wrap Collect fallen leaves if you have a ready supply. You don’t need a purpose-built bin to make leaf mold, instead place it in rubbish bags, knot and pierce holes to allow air to circulate.

By Suzi M, garden lover and plotter at Roundhill Allotments

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27

Church bells fall silent T

he sad decision has been made to cease all bell ringing at St. John’s Church in Bromsgrove, during the winter months.

The decision has been made to avoid any acceleration in the deterioration of the top section of the spire, where the cracked stonework is held together with stainless steel bands.

The tower and spire are built to move safely in the wind but there are concerns that the movement of the structure may exacerbate the cracking which has occurred at the top of the spire. The ringing of bells can increase the movement. To avoid the risk of the problem with the spire top getting worse before the urgent repairs are carried out, ringing will cease for the winter months and be able to star t again once the restoration work is completed.

An inspection of the spire to be conducted on November 28th (weather permitting) to monitor the current condition of the cracking spire before the winter. Do keep an eye out for the intrepid steeplejacks climbing the tower on that day.

Vicar at St John’s Rev Ray Khan said “It will be a strange winter without the bells ringing for the Remembrance Service and over Christmas. I know how much the bells enhance the soundscape of the town and people often comment positively when they ring on Sundays, weddings and special occasions. They will be sorely missed.

will enable Bromsgrove to continue to have the tallest spire in Worcestershire as a proud symbol of our town”

The urgent work on the spire will begin in spring next year and I am asking if you could consider making a gift towards these repairs. The Friends of St John’s have worked hard to raise a significant proportion of the funds needed. We, as Bromsgrove’s parish church, get little support from the central Church of England or the Government to maintain the building. Your generosity

The Spire Appeal aims to raise the required funds to remove and rebuild the top 2.5m at St John’s landmark church. The church is listed on Historic England’s Buildings At Risk register because of the stonework repairs required to the spire. For more information and to make a donation visit www. justgiving.com/campaign/stjohns-spire

by Jo Slade

28 Completely Bromsgrove

Eddie Palmer in uniform

HMS Maori in Malta’s Grand Harbour

HISTORY

From boy sailor to Malta hero

A

s the Second World War fades from living memory, untold stories become harder to find. So it was with some surprise that local historian Neil Beaumont came upon the war time exploits of Bromsgrove’s Eddie Palmer.

Eddie was born in Devon and joined the Royal Navy in 1938, aged 15. Eddie trained as a torpedo technician, maintaining and priming them and checking their batteries before they were launched.

When war was declared, Eddie found himself in some of the conflict’s most notable naval engagements. He joined HMS Maori, a Tribal Class destroyer, and in 1941 was involved in the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck.

Maori played a key role in the encounter, repeatedly making vital sightings and coming under intense fire. Eddie’s action to prime and direct torpedoes made decisive contributions to the sinking of this highly dangerous ship.

Local historian Neil Beaumont was privileged to meet and talk to Eddie, and he discovered that there was one medal missing from the collection – the Malta George Cross 50th Anniversary Medal. This was struck by the Maltese Government to honour all those who endured the siege of the island. Though they are no longer officially available, Worcestershire Medal Service (WMS) was able to supply a replica.

When Neil contacted the family to tell them about the medal he discovered that, sadly, Eddie had died eight days earlier. At Eddie’s funeral in July, Neil was able to present the medal to widow, Jill, and his son, David. The family later met with WMS representatives.

Later Maori, with Eddie still on board, was deployed to Malta as part of the naval force supporting the Allied campaign in North Africa. By early 1942, with Malta under siege, Maori In September David travelled took a direct hit from a German to Valletta and completed a Eddie Palmer at 101 years old bomber. Eddie dived into Valletta’s dive down to see the wreck Grand Harbour and swam for his life, chased by a trail of Eddie’s ship, HMS Maori, so nearly his premature of burning oil as the ship sank. He later helped end resting place.

Rommel’s North Africa campaign with a torpedo that Eddie’s story is featured in more detail in the latest took out a critical supply ship. edition of the Bromsgrove Rousler, the Bromsgrove After the war, Eddie settled in Bromsgrove with his wife Jill and worked as an electrical engineer.

Eddie Palmer’s war time exploits earned him a fistful of medals. As with so many veterans, however, he was dismissive when it was suggested that he was, in any way, a hero. It was only when his grandson, Daniel, showed an interest that the full story of the Boy Sailor began to emerge.

Society’s annual history magazine. Other ar ticles in this year’s edition look at the history of All Saints’ Church, the Webbs garden centre business, nursing in Bromsgrove between the wars, and the 40th anniversary of the Methodist Centre.

The Rousler is available from retail outlets across the district and directly from

by Mike Sharpe www.bsoc.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

29

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30 Completely Bromsgrove

for more great offers and gardening ideas

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Completely Bromsgrove

31

Adam at helm of hometown coffee shop

C

offee#1 has opened a new coffee shop opposite Lloyds Bank at 97 High Street, Bromsgrove, in the former New Look unit, employing a team of ten.

Founded in 2001, Coffee#1 have spent the last 20 years making a name for themselves in SouthWest Wales, South-West, the South Coast and the Midlands. They have remained true to the values established on day one and that’s to be locally loved, serving great coffee made by talented baristas, in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

The interior is designed to be warm and vibrant, having a living room feel, with carefully chosen illustrations depicting local history facts and figures and folklore, and shelves packed with books. There’s plenty of space to socialise with friends, family or by yourself with a good book or your laptop. Local community groups are welcome to host regular coffee and catch ups and dogs are allowed too.

Heading up the team is Adam Harding, who comes from a local family that have been involved in hospitality for many years. After Adam left North Bromsgrove High School he worked alongside his mum in her pub and at Ollie’s Eatery.

Coffee#1 was due to open in Bromsgrove 18 months ago, so Adam was fortunate to be kept on by the business. He has spent the past 18 months travelling around the country to learn about the Coffee#1 family and culture ready for his big moment in his hometown High Street.

Adam told Completely Bromsgrove that the Coffee#1 chain is all about community and even though the doors have just opened, already he is chatting to locals and offering quiet areas for groups to reserve. He is also looking into live music on Sundays.

32 Completely Bromsgrove

“My team and I are really looking forward to getting to know our new neighbours and serving our local community,” he added.

“If you belong to a community group, then why not let us host your coffee and catch-up sessions. To celebrate the opening, we are offering a free drink when you download the Coffee#1 app. Enter the promo code BROMSGROVE into the promo code section of the Coffee#1 loyalty app to claim the free drink voucher.”

Completely Bromsgrove wishes Adam and his team all the very best for the future and hope that locals will continue to suppor t our High Street.

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Learn to play the saxophone

Alan Withers, Saxophonist, flutist, and clarinet player has played with all the

greatest names, too many to mention, but this is your opportunity to learn from one of the best!

Whether you are an absolute beginner or you want to progress further, Alan is all about what suits you!

His patience and knowledge is second to none, and he certainly isn’t about one size fits all. Alan’s method of teaching is sensitive to each individual student, young or old, everyone is guided and listened to so each individual can learn at a pace that suits them!

Half Hourly Session is £15 | Full Hour Session £30 For more information, or an informal chat call Alan on 07531 147689

34 Completely Bromsgrove

SHOWS RUNNING IN NOVEMBER

Completely Bromsgrove

35

Remember, Remember...

visit in November!

A

s the nights draw in there’s no better time to brighten up your evening with a fun filled night out at Artrix, where there’s so much going on to entertain you!

November is jam-packed with a stunning line up of entertainment to lift the spirits and warm the soul. Music is hot on the agenda, with tributes from Oasiis on Sunday 3rd November, The Simon and Garfunkel Story on Friday 8th and Barry Steele’s Roy Orbison Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd. Plus at the end of the month we kick start the festive season with The Rat Pack – Christmas in Vegas show on Monday 25th November.

We are very much looking forward to a special evening of remembrance at Artrix on Saturday 9th November. Bromsgrove Remembers is hosted by the Royal British Legion and will feature an array of local talent and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Grab your flags and get your tickets for this rousing event which will feature Vintage Class Singers, renowned local soprano Catherine Tabberner, Stourport Brass Band along with speeches by Sir Winston Churchill and Field Marshall Montgomery, plus many other performances.

Theatre-wise, we host the award winning musical theatre company St Augustine’s production of Oliver! over five nights from Tuesday 12th and Foghorn Unscripted present an improvised murder mystery whodunnit on Thursday 7th. We are delighted to welcome The Wonders of the Universe, an immersive evening of cosmic exploration portraying the history of the world on Tuesday 19th November.

Christmas is upon us, which means Panto season is on its way!

This year we have the fabulous Elite Pantomimes bringing Dick Whittington to life from 6th-29th December. Directed by local director Elliot Clark, this promises to bring fun, laughter and interactive magic to delight both kids and adults. Join Dick Whittington and his trusty cat as they seek fame and fortune in this rags-to-riches tale and try to defeat the evil King Rat and his gang of revolting rodents.

There is also an array of clubs on offer at Artrix, including Zumba Kids, drama, sewing, dancing and baby ballet. Check out our line-up for these here – www.artrixbromsgrove.co.uk/classes Tickets for all performances are available at www. artrixbromsgrove.co.uk or via our onsite box office Wednesdays and Saturdays 10am-12pm.

36 Completely Bromsgrove

MP hosts first Pensioners’ Fair

R

etirees in Bromsgrove and surrounding villages will be able to access vital help and suppor t at Bradley Thomas MP’s first Pensioners’ Fair.

The event is taking place at Parkside on Market Street on Friday, November 15th from 10am until 2pm.

“There will be a wide range of exhibitors on hand to provide free information, as well as hot drinks at the pop-up café, so please come on down to my first ever Pensioners’ Fair.”

Forty exhibitors including Right at Home, Age UK, the NHS and many more will provide retirees with free information and, as the colder months set in, attendees will be able to enjoy free tea and coffee at the fair’s popup café.

Mark Appleton, managing director of Right at Home, said: “We are excited to support the Bromsgrove Pensioners’ Fair again this year. The event enables older members of the community or their families to access information on a range of services, activities and events available to them.

Bradley said: “I’m particularly keen to make sure that retirees who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, but are entitled to do so, are signed up.

This is important given they will have lost their winter fuel payments after the Government axed payments for around 20,000 pensioners in our constituency, according to Age UK.

“However, the fair is not just about showcasing services and information.

It is also a social event and provides the opportunity to meet up with friends in the community at the same time. We really look forward to seeing you on November 15th.”

Visit Bradley’s website www.bradleythomas.org.uk for fur ther details.

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08/03/2023 13:36 Completely Bromsgrove

The phantom launches

C

inema Live’s Big Screen Musical season continues at Bromsgrove Arts with The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday, November 10 at 7pm.

This worldwide entertainment phenomenon has been staged in 145 cities across 27 countries.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary year, Cameron Mackintosh presented The Phantom of The Opera in a fully staged, lavish production. Ramin Karimloo

as The Phantom and Sierra Boggess as Christine are joined by a supporting cast and orchestra of more than 200, plus some special guest appearances.

From Smokescreen Theatre Company comes Watson: The Final Problem starring Tim Marriott on Saturday, November 16th at 7.30pm, a must-see for any Sherlock fan and fans of mystery crime dramas. Set in 1894, Watson is alone. His wife Mary and the great Sherlock Holmes are both gone.

But London seethes with false reports and rumour and it is time to set the record straight. There is a shadow in the gutters of London and a spider’s web of poisonous intrigue lies across the city. Someone is playing a long game and Holmes and Watson face their greatest ever challenge.

Adrian Dunbar and Broadway royalty Stephanie J. Block head a stellar cast in a sizzling new five-star production of Kiss Me, Kate filmed live at the Barbican in London for the big screen. Cole Porter’s legendary musical comedy has backstage shenanigans, Shakespearean sonnets and singing gangsters – not to mention a romance that’s just too darn hot – and a full-scale orchestra performing show tune classics Brush Up Your Shakespeare, Always True to You (In my Fashion) and Tom, Dick or Harry. This production will be screened on Wednesday, November 20th at 7pm.

38 Completely Bromsgrove

November programme Expect red hot rhythm and blues, scintillating ska and blue beat, and sensational soul when Ricky Cool and the In Crowd return to the stage on Saturday, November 23rd at 8pm. The band will perform classics by the likes of Ray Charles, Ken Boothe, Booker T and the MG’s, Toots and the Maytals plus original numbers to create a toe-tapping musical experience.

The Tony Award winning stage show Girl from the North Country, filmed for cinema, will be screened on Sunday, November 24th at 7.00pm. Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring orchestrations

by Simon Hale, the show reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including Forever Young, All Along The Watchtower, Hurricane,” and Like A Rolling Stone. It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota and we meet a group of wayward travellers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope.

Bromsgrove Arts is once again a host venue for the French Film Festival 2024, screening La Montaigne (The Mountain) on Wednesday, November 27th at 2.30pm. Set almost entirely on the snowy peaks and rock faces of the Mont Blanc massif above the town of Chamonix, this is ostensibly the story of a mild-mannered Paris-based French engineer sent on a job in the Alps who, apparently on a whim then quits his employment, pitches his tent amidst the glaciers, and feels no desire to return to civilisation.

Stunning Alpine photography sets the background for a delicate love story nestling at the heart of the film. In French with English subtitles.

Bromsgrove Arts, the home of Fairfield Flicks and Fairfield Music, is located at Fairfield Village Hall (B61 9LZ).

Free parking and a licenced bar. For information and advanced tickets for all events visit www.bromsgrovearts.org.uk Completely Bromsgrove

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Community cinema throws spotlight on black icons N ovember’s programme at the FeckenOdeon Cinema Society in Feckenham spans the globe from Zimbabwe to Jamaica.

Blind Ambition (12A) is being screened on Friday, November 8th at 8pm. The film follows four friends who have conquered the odds to become South Africa’s top sommeliers after escaping starvation and tyranny in their homeland of Zimbabwe.

Driven by relentless optimism, a passion for their craft and a sense of national pride, they form Zimbabwe’s first national wine tasting team and set their sights on the coveted title of World Wine Tasting Champions.

A heart-warming film which celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity, Bob Marley – One Love (12A) is being shown on Saturday, November 30th at 7.30pm.

Telling Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music, the movie was produced in partnership with the Marley family and stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita.

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

40 Completely Bromsgrove

Moving new musical tackles Post Office scandal

O

ver 20 years a silent tragedy has unfolded in the heart of our communities. Entirely innocent sub-postmasters had their lives torn apar t and faced bankruptcy, isolation, and jail for crimes that were never committed and for debts that never existed.

Devised using conversations with affected sub-postmasters, Make Good – The Post Office Scandal, which is being performed at Feckenham Village Hall on Friday, November 22nd at 7.30pm, dives into this most local of stories. It captures the raw emotions, bewilderment and unbreakable bond of faith and family that were put to the test.

Experience the astonishing resilience of entire communities as lives were destroyed in a scandal that isn’t over yet.

This new musical, which was three years in the making, is presented

by Pentabus and New Perspectives, who are both celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year.

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

Celebrate Divali with glorious flowers B romsgrove Flower Club members will commemorate Divali, a hugely popular festival for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, this month.

Whichever approach you choose, the festival involves a lot of lights, colours and flowers so come along and join in the celebrations at All Saints Church Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove on Thursday, November 21st at 1.30pm.

All members are welcome to bring along a flower arrangement, perhaps in the style of a Rangoli, or even just a single flower of the month.

Entries to either or both competitions will be rewarded with a free raffle ticket that could win one of the fabulous arrangements created by multi-award-winning demonstrator, Jane Pugh.

We can also offer complimentary refreshments, a wonderful bring and buy stall and a selection of Christmas cards and gifts. Please remember to bring items for the Christmas raffle and foodbank collection.

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B

Festive Fun is back in the High Street

ack for a tenth year! Christmas gets going on Bromsgrove High Street on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd November with the Bromsgrove Christmas Markets, organised by Friends of St John’s.

The Bromsgrove Christmas Markets are back with a host of home-made crafts, produce and charity stalls selling unique gifts and decorations.

Come and meet your favourite Christmas Traders, and say hello to new faces. The Denim Upcycler, Charming Creations, Fruitfields Orchard, Romsley Gems, St Basils, Chadsgrove Specialist College, Amber Support Services, The Embroidery Sprite, Laura Elizibeth Fashion, The Radiant Fox, My Little Pink Shed, Lulu in Stitches, Dragonfly, St John’s Church, Bohojoes arts & crafts, Ding Dong!

Simon Calling! and madebyGreenBerry will all be showcasing their wonderful wears!

Come and enjoy two days of Festive Fun on the High Street, and shop local for your Christmas gifts.

For more information see www. stjohnsfriends.co.uk or www.facebook. com/FriendsStJohnsBromsgrove and keep an eye on the Council’s website for all the Switch On details.

At around 1.30pm the students from Chadsgrove Specialist College will entertain with “Sign and Sing” festive favourites and they will be selling their lovingly made Christmas gifts and decorations throughout the day.

On Saturday 23rd November the markets open from 10am to 6pm. Alongside the stalls there’ll be children’s funfair rides, street food, music and entertainment all day. Plus this year we are teaming up with Destination Zone to offer make and take crafts and meet Santa.

At 5pm the town’s Christmas Lights will be switched on. Local singing group Vintage Class Singers will be counting down to the light switch on in the markets with some favourite Christmas songs.

by Jo Slade

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Christmas at All Saints’ Church

C

hristmas is approaching and All Saints’ Church, Burcot Lane, would like to invite you and your family to one or more of its Christmas events.

On 30th November the popular annual Christmas Bazaar returns to the Church Hall. Stalls include cakes, tombola, raffle, jigsaws, books, Christmas paraphernalia. There will also be opportunity to grab a bargain on the White Elephant stall. Refreshments will be available. Doors open at 2pm and entry is free.

Throughout December the church will host an array of festive services as well as welcome children from local schools and their families.

Why not take a short time out of the busy build-up to Christmas to join the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols service on Sunday 20th December at 6pm.

A family favourite service is the Christingle Service which takes place on Christmas Eve at 3:30pm, lasting about an hour.

Midnight Mass this year star ts at 11:30pm on Christmas Eve at All Saints’, with a 10am service taking place on Christmas Day at sister church, St Godwald’s in Aston Fields.

The team at All Saints look forward to welcoming you to one or more of their Christmas events and would like to wish all in Bromsgrove a Happy and peaceful Christmas.

the fairbourne dodders present their annual family pantomime at

dodford Village HAll

CHRISTMAS BAZÄAR SATURDAY 25RD NOV 12 - 3PM

Wednesday 4th - saturday 7th december

ENTRY 50P UNDER 16 FREE £2 TO SEE FATHER CHRISTMAS CAKES - REFRESHMENTS - CHINA - GLASS BOOKS - TOMBOLAS - TOYS & JEWELLERY LUCKY MUGS - LUCKY BAUBLE - CHRISTMAS GIFTS - RAFFLE - LUCKY PROGRAMME PRIZE AND LOTS OF OTHER STALLS

evening performances 7.30pm start saturday matinee 2.30pm start

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL SAT 30TH NOV TO FRI 3RD JAN 10AM - 4PM EACH,DAY FREE ENTRY BUT DONATIONS WELCOME REFRESHMENTS EACH WEEKEND COME AND SEE THE WONDERFUL DISPLAYS AND VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE TREE!

BREAKFAST BRUNCH WITH SANTA SAT 21ST DECEMBER 11AM - 1PM £25 FAMILY OF FOUR LIMITED PLACES SAUSAGE / BACON BAPS - CROISSANTS MINCE PIES - TEA - COFFEE PRESENTS FOR THE CHILDREN PHOTO WITH SANTA PRE-BOOK BRUNCH WITH

JULIE 07519 371588 OR ALAN TEL 07590582152

EMAIL: HERITAGEFRIENDSGROUP@GMAIL.COM

Ticket prices: wednesday and thursday adults £10 Children £5 Friday and saturday adults £12 Children £6

tickets available from: ticketlab - please scan qr code Clemmie - 07590 592 675 Sharon - 07738 019 620

thefairbournedodders@gmail.com

cash only event licensed bar and sweet stall available Completely Bromsgrove

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The latest Kia is S

tyle and sense seldom go hand in hand. Practicality so often pushes the ‘pose’ factor into a corner while the craving for style for its own sake so often results in driver and passengers squeezing themselves in to conform to the concept.

Everyone craves the ‘Goldilocks’ car - not too big, not too small - just right for the job. So, if your motoring needs run to plenty of space minus beefed-up bulk, sensible sophistication and smooth, perky, economical, performance, you will be interested in what Kia has to offer in their small SUV - the XCeed.

What success they have had...and deservedly so. The XCeed is as firmly positioned in a competitive market to draw admiring attention as any. It’s a nice, clean, attractive looking car that’s comfortable and roomy inside with enough options on tap to satisfy every conceivable need.

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I need not, of course, enumerate the qualities of the SUV format so popular today. With the XCeed, my mind was focused on those par ticular refinements; those desirable qualities that set the best of their type apar t from the herd.

DRIVE TIME

exceedingly good!

Inside, the cabin extended a feel of high quality. The XCeed stands taller than the Ceed, upon which it is based, and the driver sits high and proud within a capacious, generously glazed and ventilated interior.

A commanding view of the road is accompanied by a well-disposed array of instruments, controls and driver aids guaranteed to encourage a sense of relaxed confidence. Such reassurance allows the driver plenty of time to concentrate on essentials.

This is more and more necessary these days on our increasingly congested roads. Most importantly, attention must be focused on driving characteristics and powertrain. The test car had the excellent 158 bhp 1.5 T-GDi petrol engine driving through a slick six speed manual gearbox

that made me realise why some people still love changing gear manually.

Power and performance are perfectly matched to driving dynamics. In other words it goes, rides and handles superbly. Of course, we live in an ecoconscious age and with one of these you enjoy good fuel economy. The claim of 44.8 mpg overall is very conservative. On numerous trips I got well over 55 mpg from this ‘near 130 mph’ SUV. You are never stressed, and you enjoy a relaxing drive. And let’s not forget that a relaxed driver is a safe driver. Don’t hurry, don’t worry and you’re bound to get there on time.

Here is a car that delivers a comprehensive package of companionable fun. It’s sturdy, spacious, silent, spritely and sophisticated. I doubt you would find a finer car of its sort at the price of £26,315 for the level ‘3’ specification.

by Syd Taylor

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Team huddle together to discuss tactics

Photos by Chris Jepson

Sporting welcome new faces Carter Lycett running with the ball

A

lthough results in October could have gone better for Bromsgrove Sporting, there were positives to take from most of them; one-goal defeats to highflying Kettering Town and Stamford were respectable and a 0-0 draw at Banbury United saw the Rouslers show real grit and determination.

At the Banbury game, a trio of new defensive additions all helped Bromsgrove claim a share of the spoils; the versatile Carter Lycett and experienced centre back Ash Carter have both joined from Walsall Wood, while talented right back Josh Ezewele returned to Sporting from Spalding United, having last played for the club in 2021.

Sporting exited the FA Cup at the hands of National League South outfit Chelmsford City, losing 2-1. This came after getting past Belper Town and Bottesford Town in their opening two rounds of the prestigious competition.

A knockout competition that Bromsgrove enjoyed recent success in was the Worcestershire Senior Cup, winning 3-1 at Droitwich Spa. Further new signings alongside Lycett, Ezewele and Carter include the lively Demico Burton, who had previously excelled at Stourbridge before earning a professional contract at Derby County, and striker Jack Newall, who joins on a work experience loan from Burton Albion.

Bromsgrove’s only home match in October was the encounter against Kettering Town - this game saw attacker Harry Crook celebrate winning both player and goal of the month awards for September. His goal of the month accolade was for a cracking strike against St Ives Town at the UK Electrical Stadium.

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The local football community was extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Bromsgrove Rovers legend Mark Crisp, aged 60. Mark made more than 300 appearances for the club and was best remembered by many for his goal against Barnsley in the famous 1993-94 FA Cup third round tie. Sporting will invite former teammates of Mark’s to pay their respects at a home game in November.

Representatives from Sporting were thrilled to be at the recent Blackwell Festival, an event where the club was a main sponsor. This comes as the club endeavours to increase its community reach following its attendance at July’s Bromsgrove Carnival.

In terms of Sporting’s other sides, the new under 21s side are chalking up positive results in their debut season and goalkeeper Charlie McNamara made his first team debut in the aforementioned win over Droitwich.

The Ladies won their first league match of the season by beating Solihull Moors Foundation Women Reserves and the new Ladies Development side have shown serious signs of improvement of late, beating Welland Ladies and drawing with Evesham United Ladies For the latest Bromsgrove Sporting news, including updates on Veterans, Colts and Girls sides, head to

by Max Banner bromsgrovesporting.co.uk

All-in on a new chapter.

The INSTER Roadshow comes to Hyundai Bromsgrove on 27th November

From

23,495

£

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Introducing INSTER: a compact electric vehicle that makes a bold statement, redefining expectations in its class. Emphasising spaciousness and a distinctive, dramatic look, it’s designed to be the perfect space for you. Discover everything that INSTER has to offer.

Scan the QR code to book your place:

Paul Rigby Group Hyundai Bromsgrove 12 Station St, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 2BS www.paulrigbygroup.co.uk/hyundai

01527 872071

sales@hyundai-bromsgrove.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove

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