Issue 87
Kings Norton Coaches see page 40
September 2026
Completely
Bromsgrove
The RGS Worcester Family of Schools
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RGS The Grange Saturday 26 September
RGS Worcester Sixth Form Saturday 10 October
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2 Completely Bromsgrove
The RGS Worcester Family of Schools Leading Independent Education in the West Midlands
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www.rgsw.org.uk Completely Bromsgrove
3
Welcome to the September issue of Completely Bromsgrove
T
his month, we bring you up to speed with the debate on controversial plans to build homes on the town’s golf course, find out more on page 8.
To help deter selfish drivers putting lives at risk, Liberal Democrat county councillor Josh Robinson has funded a new speed awareness sign in Lickey End. Also on page 14, Bromsgrove District Council invites residents to take par t in the annual neighbourhood sur vey for 2026. With vibrant autumn now knocking, Wendy Car ter from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust talks about the horse chestnut tree and its fruit ‘conkers’ on page 18. Congratulations to all the district’s school students who are celebrating outstanding A level and other examination results. While we’re on the theme of success, a big shoutout must go to the Harry Bennett Foundation, who have been named one of four finalists in the Active Award category at BBC Hereford and Worcester’s Make a Difference Awards. Turn to page 25 for the full story.
to thank Mike for his monthly contributions, and I know that many readers cer tainly enjoy reading his column. Last, but cer tainly not least, star ting on September 11th, you are all invited to attend the many FREE events taking place across the region in association with Heritage Open Days. Turn to page 36 for all the details of what is on offer across our region. While the nights are noticeably drawing in and temperatures drop, we must continue to keep our eyes open to fire hazards when we’re out and about, especially as our neighbours in Stourbridge and Pershore suffered such awful loss of homes and vegetation. We all have a major par t to play in keeping ever ything and ever yone safe. Remember folks, keep it local or lose it!
Readers who remember the Swinging Sixties should head to page 34 for Mike Sharp of The Bromsgrove Society’s recollections of that era. We would like
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Contents
24
6 Bradley Thomas MP 8 Golf Centre Homes 10 Rail Matters 12 Housing Register 14 Crackdown on Speeders / Yearly Survey 16 Gardening 18 Worcs Wildlife Trust
31
20 Words / Primrose Hospice 22 Kings School 24 Bromsgrove School 25 HB9 26 Girl Guides 28 Health 30 Astronomy 31 Barnt Green Choir 32 Bonehill Tything Walk
Completely
Bromsgrove Tel: 07948 086870 Email: completelybromsgrove@gmail.com
4 Completely Bromsgrove
Best wishes Michele Ford
37 34 History 37 FeckenOdeon 38 Bromsgrove Arts 40 Flower Club 41 Artrix 42 Drive Time 44 Avoncroft Cricket Club 45 Bromsgrove Sporting FC
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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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A message from our MP Bradley Thomas I
remain deeply concerned over the long-term risk of Bromsgrove and the Villages being consumed by Birmingham.
I have been consistent in my view that this threat is real – and that will not change no matter how much opposition politicians play the ‘scaremongering’ card. With the Government confirming it is going to break Worcestershire in two to form a nor th and a south unitar y authority as par t of its local council reorganisation, I believe this opens the door to Bromsgrove and the Villages being consumed by Birmingham in the future. I’ve never claimed this is going to happen today, tomorrow or next year. This is my long-term concern which I know is shared by many residents. I’m well aware of the current local government reorganisation decision and process. And let’s not forget, the consultation used to justify the decision to advocate for a Nor th Worcestershire unitary authority was not well publicised. Only 4,200 people across the entire county responded to the Shape Worcestershire engagement survey – how can an entire county be ripped apar t based on the responses of just 0.67% of the population? As an MP it’s important to reflect the genuine concerns of your constituents. The vast majority of the emails I receive from constituents are opposed to Worcestershire being split in two. Constituents are fearful of the green buffer being eroded between Birmingham and Bromsgrove and the Villages following the Government’s 85% increase in our housebuilding target. Visit the north of the constituency and this is the majority view of residents. My genuine concern is born from what we’re seeing before our eyes in Leicester and in Brighton & Hove. As par t of local council reorganisation,
6 Completely Bromsgrove
the Government has made the decision to expand Leicester city’s borders to nearly double the city’s population, growing from roughly 372,000 to 623,000 residents. The Government confirmed the expansion to create a significantly larger unitar y council by absorbing several surrounding towns, villages, and suburbs. In their decision-making, the Government has said they’ve expanding Leicester to unlock around 30,000 homes and 67 hectares of employment land. And in Brighton & Hove, the Government has also made the decision to expand its borders to absorb several coastal areas currently located within the Lewes district of East Sussex. The Government said its doing this to expand Brighton & Hove’s planning footprint and tax base to tackle housing unaffordability and suppor t growth across connected communities. If the Government can do this in Leicester and in Brighton & Hove, they can almost cer tainly do this in Birmingham too as par t of any future local government reorganisation. When those who made this decision realise that a North Worcestershire unitary authority will be too small and financially unviable in the future and given north Worcestershire would be a huge cash cow to countenance Birmingham’s financial woes, it’s unconceivable that expanding the city’s borders would not be considered in order to solve these problems. The threat of Bromsgrove and the Villages being consumed by Birmingham in the future is therefore real and any attempt to deny it is not being truthful or upfront with residents. Email: bradley.thomas.mp@parliament.uk
Completely Bromsgrove
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Residents’ fight against
golf centre homes is backed
C
ouncillor Sam Evans is standing with residents against an application to build hundreds of homes on land at Bromsgrove Golf Centre.
Conser vative and Labour councillors voted for the consultation on potential housebuilding sites in Bromsgrove district last year, with land at the Golf Centre included. Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors voted against. Across Bromsgrove, developers are now coming forward to apply for sites included in that consultation and one has now applied to build hundreds of homes on the Golf Centre. Local Lib Dem Councillor Sam Evans, who has met with the concerned club captain and committee, said: “The key opportunity for our voices to be heard is when an application is formally submitted. Now we have reached this stage, it is imperative that all those who are concerned about building on this site make their views known.” “The decision will then be in the hands of councillors on the planning committee to consider all responses to the application and decide whether to approve or reject building here. “While we need to build more affordable homes in Bromsgrove, the right infrastructure and the right location is key. “Building on the Golf Centre will result in us not only losing this key facility while hiking our demand for leisure ser vices but will also add even further traffic chaos to the A38 which will not be adequately addressed by the ongoing Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme works. This site is wholly inappropriate, and I will be fighting against this application and standing up for residents.” Responses can be submitted to the application on Bromsgrove District Council’s Planning Por tal website using the reference 26/00779/OUT.
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Contact Details: Case Officer: Mr Sean Herbert Tel: 01527 388299 Email: Sean.herbert@bromsgrovean dredditch.gov.uk
Please Reply to; Town Hall, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch, Worcestershire B98 8AH
Cllr Samuel Evans C/O Bromsgrove District Council Parkside Market Street Bromsgrove B61 8DA s.evans2@bromsgrove.gov.uk Date: 21st July 2026 Dear Cllr Samuel Evans Application Reference: Proposal
Location:
26/00779/OUT (Please quote in
all correspondence)
Redevelopment and change of use of the existing golf course - outline application with all matters reserved, except for access onto the Birming ham Road A38 ('Slideslow Roundabout'), for the erection of up to 700 homes together with provision of land for a 2FE first school and nursery; public open space; sports pitches and play areas; landscaping / green infrastr ucture; surface water drainage basins; new bus, pedestrian, and cycle access points; access roads / parking ; and associated works following the demolition of the existing buildings and associated structures. Bromsgrove Golf Centre Stratfor d Road Bromsgrove Worcestershire
The Council has received the above application, and as Ward Membe r this letter is to notify you of the application. All of the documents submitted with the application including reports and plans can be found by using the following link: http://p ublicaccess.bromsgroveandredditch .gov.uk/onlineapplications/ and searching under the application Reference numbe r cited above. Please take this notification as the start of the 21 day call in period as outlined within the Scheme of Delegation. If you have any queries on the application or would like to discuss the Officers planning assessment please contact the case officer in the first instance.
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www.bromsgroverail.org.uk
Service improvement talks on right track B
ARRUP continues to have regular constructive meetings with West Midlands Rail regarding improving the ser vices, the most recent being in July.
Ser vices under discussion are as follows: Reintroduction of six trains per hour on the Cross City Services to and from Bromsgrove and Redditch The business case has been submitted to the Depar tment for Transpor t, but some major compromises may be needed if it is to happen before the opening of the Midlands Rail Hub in the mid-2030s. Originally, we thought that the problem was at Kings Nor ton station, where the new Camp Hill Ser vices to Pineapple Road, Kings Heath and Moseley Village turn round, blocking the electrified Cross City Line trains to Bromsgrove and Redditch. However, it appears to be that another problem is at ver y busy Birmingham New Street, which has to be able to deliver a robust ser vice, and where the possible spaces for the extra two trains have probably been taken already by the new Camp Hill ser vices. Late Saturday evening services from New Street to Bromsgrove From December 2026, when the next timetables are introduced, Bromsgrove will benefit from an additional Cross City Line Service from New Street at 22.24. The return ser vice will leave Bromsgrove at circa 23.00 and will call at all stations from Bromsgrove to New Street. The 22.24 will depart from New Street only three minutes later than the 22.21 to Worcester. But it is a step in the right direction, and we will continue to press for the 22.53 and 23.23 Cross City departures from New Street to be extended from Longbridge to Bromsgrove, consistent with other days of the week.
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Stopping the 07.09 train from Hereford at Bromsgrove This train, which calls at Ledbur y, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Droitwich, University and New Street, currently does not stop at Bromsgrove, because it is considered to be full when leaving Droitwich. If it did, it would bring people into Bromsgrove at about 8.15am for business, work and educational purposes, and would enable passengers already on the ser vice to alight and catch Cross City Ser vices to all stations between Bromsgrove and New Street. The concern of WMR is that passengers would board the ser vice at Bromsgrove for the journey to University and New Street, which would cause overcrowding. However, BARRUP’s argument is that commuters have alternative options of boarding either the 8.03 or 8.29 Cross City Ser vices, which star t at Bromsgrove and stop at University and New Street, and on which they would be able to have the comfor t of a seat. Stopping all the services to and from Hereford at Barnt Green Southbound, it is possible that it could be achieved, but nor thbound into New Street it is much more challenging. We will continue to argue BARRUP’s case.
by Nick Taylor, memsec@bromsgroverail.org.uk
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All change for district housing register
A
new housing register and updated allocation system will change how people apply for and bid on affordable housing in Bromsgrove district.
Bidding for affordable homes will move to a new register and system called Bromsgrove Home Choice, replacing the current Home Choice Plus.
district and where exceptional circumstances exist, such as fleeing domestic abuse, leaving care, or being a member or former member of the armed forces.
The change, which will make the process clearer, fairer, and reflecting current housing legislation, follows updates to the district council’s formal allocations policy after public consultation.
“If you are on the current register look out for your email or letter telling you how you can re-apply on the new system. If you register before October 1st and your circumstances are the same, you’ll keep your existing effective date, so you won’t lose any waiting time. Please reapply early so you will be ready to bid on homes when the new system goes live, and if you need help, contact our partners at bdht.”
The updated policy, which is a statutor y duty for the council, introduces six clear priority bands. The highest band is reser ved for those in greatest need, while there is lower priority for applicants without a local connection, more suppor t for people moving on from suppor ted accommodation, and income thresholds have been updated, among other changes. As it’s a new register with new criteria, old applications cannot carr y over, and so all applicants on the current housing register will need to reapply. The council is now writing to all existing applicants with instructions on how to reapply. Councillor Sue Baxter, por tfolio holder for strategic housing, said: “This enables us to make the changes in our new allocation policy that bring us up to date with national legislation. That includes prioritising those with a local connection to the
12 Completely Bromsgrove
Only existing applicants on Home Choice Plus will be able to continue bidding on that system from August 17th. The last adver tisement of proper ties will be on September 15th, with bidding ending on September 21st. Also from August 17th, all new and re-applications will have to be made on the new system, where homes will star t being adver tised for bidding on October 6th. People who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless will be suppor ted directly by bdht throughout the transition. For full information and guidance see www. bromsgrove.gov.uk/housing-register and for suppor t from bdht, call 0800 085 0160.
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Call for crackdown on speeding drivers R
ecent data provided from a speed activation sign in Lickey End showed a vehicle travelling at more than 100mph, prompting local councillors to demand urgent action.
The sign was funded by Liberal Democrat county councillor Josh Robinson after residents voiced their concerns about speeding. With ongoing work along the A38, local people, including parents, are getting increasingly concerned. Councillor Robinson said: “For years I have been asking Worcestershire County Council to come up with a solution to speeding but the most we have been provided with is some paint, a small barrier and a few signs.” Lib Dem county councillor Rob Hunter added: “This speed is concerning, especially outside a local playground. “However, it is not a one-off, the data from the sign shows over recent years that nearly 70,000 vehicles have clocked speeds in excess of 40mph, with the speed limit set at 30mph.”
Have your say in yearly survey
R
esidents are being invited to have their say in Bromsgrove District Council’s annual My Neighbourhood Survey for 2026. The survey gives people the oppor tunity to tell the council about their experience of living, working, and spending time in their local neighbourhood. Feedback gathered through the survey will help to inform future priorities, decision-making, and service planning. In 2025 feedback received through the My Neighbourhood Survey (formerly known as the Places Survey) meant that investments were made in street cleansing equipment and new waste collection vehicles. Fly tipping hotspots were identified and tackled. Council leader, Councillor Karen May, said: “Listening to residents is essential if we are to make informed decisions about our communities. The survey is your chance to tell us what is working well, what matters to you, and where you would like to see change. The more people who get involved, the better we can understand the experiences and aspirations of those who live in our area.” The council are keen to hear from a wide range of residents to ensure that results reflect the views and experiences of communities from across the district.
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Community groups, local organisations, and businesses are being encouraged to help spread the word and encourage their networks to par ticipate. The sur vey takes around ten minutes to complete and can be found here: www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/MyNeighbourhoodSurvey Please submit your responses by September 21st at 9am.
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15
GARDENING
Time for harvesting, planting and forward planning
S
eptember is one of the most rewarding months in the British garden. The warmth of summer still lingers in the soil, while cooler nights and increased rainfall create ideal growing conditions. It is a month of harvesting, planting, and preparing the garden for the changing seasons ahead.
Enjoy the har vest - Many vegetable plots reach their peak in September. Tomatoes, beans, courgettes, beetroot, carrots, and sweetcorn are often ready for picking. Regular har vesting encourages plants to continue producing and prevents crops from becoming overripe. Fruit gardens are also abundant. Apples, pears, plums, and blackberries can be har vested and stored, preser ved, or enjoyed fresh. Check fruit trees regularly and remove fallen fruit to prevent pests and diseases.
Aeriate your lawn
Lawn care - Lawns often recover from summer stress during September. Scarify lightly to remove moss and thatch, then aerate compacted areas with a garden fork. Early autumn is one of the best times to repair bare patches or sow new grass seed, as warm soil and autumn moisture encourage rapid germination.
Plant spring flowering bulbs - September is the perfect time to star t planting spring bulbs. Daffodils, crocuses, and snowdrops establish well while the soil is still warm. Choose a sunny, well-drained spot and plant bulbs at a depth roughly two to three times their height. Tulips are usually best planted a little later, in October or November, but most other spring bulbs benefit from an early star t.
Sow and plant for winter - September offers oppor tunities for future har vests. Sow hardy salads, spinach, winter lettuce, and spring cabbage. Onion sets and garlic may also be planted towards the end of the month in suitable areas.
Refresh flower borders - Many summer-flowering plants begin to fade during September. Remove spent blooms from perennials and annuals to keep borders looking tidy. Continue deadheading roses to encourage a final flush of flowers.
Suppor t wildlife - As natural food sources begin to decline, wildlife benefits from a helping hand. Leave some seed heads on plants for birds, provide fresh water, and avoid excessively tidying of all areas. A small wild corner can offer shelter for insects and hedgehogs throughout autumn and winter.
This is also an excellent time to divide overcrowded perennials such as hostas, daylilies, and asters. Dividing mature plants revitalises them and provides free plants for other areas of the garden.
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In the greenhouse, continue caring for late crops while cleaning and organising space for the colder months ahead.
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Bonkers for conkers
that time of year when I t’sconkers are falling…
I’m sure I’m not the only one who couldn’t wait for the school bell to ring, already edging my way towards the door so I’d be the first one to get to the tree and gather conkers from the horse chestnut across from the school gates. Today, conkers are still one of my favourite things; the silky texture of a conker fresh from its case, the beautiful marbled colouring. It’s a little surprising, then, that one of our favourite collective childhood memories are tied up with a non-native tree. Horse chestnuts were introduced to the UK from Turkey in the 16th century, so you’re more likely to find them in a park than a nature reser ve. Their candle-like spires of white or red flowers are a source of food for insects that emerge in spring whilst small mammals are keen on the conkers themselves (although wildlife doesn’t rely on them in the same way they do on the fruits, nuts and seeds of native trees so, thankfully, our conker games aren’t stealing their larders). Whilst our changing climate, and cer tainly this summer’s drought, has an impact on when conkers fall, there’s also another element at work here. Horse-chestnut leaf mining moths were discovered in Macedonia in 1985 and have since spread across Europe, arriving in the UK in 2002. These tiny moths emerge in April and May and lay eggs on the leaves of the tree. Once hatched, the caterpillars create mines between the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves, leaving brown trails through the green foliage. The moths can have up to three generations each summer, the final generation spending winter in amongst leaf litter, and this can mean that the leaves star t to turn brown earlier than you’d expect.
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Photos by Wendy Carter
There was a mild panic when the moths arrived that we’d suddenly lose our conkers but most trees seem able to cope with the moths and their lar vae. Our horse chestnuts (and our conkers) appear to be safe after all but there are still lessons to be learnt. Many species of wildlife make their own way here but some are brought by us, often in soil or on the plants or trees that we impor t. If you’re a keen gardener, our advice is to only buy plants from UK-grown sources and in peat-free compost. For information about what plants will make your garden a wildlife paradise, visit www. worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-gardening
Keep up to date with us... - Facebook facebook.com/worcestershirewildlifetrust - Instagram instagram.com/worcswt/ - Bluesky bsky.app/profile/worcswt.bsky.social - YouTube youtube.com/c/WorcswildlifetrustUK1 by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
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19
Zahra Joya -
“The Vanishing Girl of Kabul”
I
t is five years now since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan, and women have been banned from ever y aspect of their lives.
Zahra Joya is a journalist from Afghanistan, now exiled in London, and is the founder of “Rukhshana Media”, one of Afghanistan’s first news agencies dedicated to women’s stories. Her book, “The Vanishing Girl of Kabul” has just been published in Britain
She is now a Fellow at Hughes Hall at Cambridge University, where she is a colleague of Sir Laurie Bristow, the last British Ambassador in Kabul, who gave the WORDS audience such a memorable talk last Summer at Avoncroft Museum she comes highly recommended!
Zahra and her team continue repor ting under immense danger and her courageous journalism has earned global recognition, including as one of Time Magazine’s “Women of The Year in 2022”, “The U.S. Foreign Press Award for 2022” from the U.S. Foreign Press Correspondents Association Award, and she was among BBC’s “100 Women” in 2022.
The Event is at 7.30.p.m. on Tuesday, October 13th in The Studio at Ar trix. Tickets are £15 each, and are available either in person from the Ar trix Box Office, or online: www. artrixbromsgrove.co.uk
Take your seat at charity’s networking event
B
romsgrove-based Primrose Hospice will host an inspiring Networking Dinner at Hogar ths Stone Manor, Kidderminster, on Thursday, October 1.
Primrose Par tners and other local businesses interested in learning more about the Hospice’s work are invited to join the hospice for a relaxed evening of delicious food, meaningful connections and oppor tunities to suppor t their vital local hospice. Hannah Isaac from the hospice said: “We’re delighted to be hosting our annual Primrose Partner Dinner once again in 2026. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the invaluable support our partners provide to the hospice while bringing together local businesses from across the community. “If you’re not yet a Primrose Partner, we’d love for you to come along and find out more about how you can get involved.”
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Tickets are limited and cost £50 per person. To book, visit primrosehospice.org/events/primrosenetworking-dinner or call 01527 889796. Your ticket includes a two-course meal and entry into our exclusive business card draw. Guests can also take part in an auction and raffle, with fantastic prizes to be won. As an independent charity, Primrose Hospice receives just 14.6% of its funding from the NHS and relies heavily on the generosity of the local community and businesses to raise the £1.95 million needed each year to provide its services free of charge across Nor th East Worcestershire.
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Outstanding results, diverse pathways: King’s students ready for the future T
here was plenty to celebrate at King’s Worcester this summer as students achieved an impressive set of A level results, opening the door to a wide range of exciting oppor tunities in higher education, apprenticeships and future careers.
This year’s Upper Sixth cohor t completed 427 A levels alongside an extensive programme of enrichment designed to develop confidence, leadership and real-world skills. Academic success was matched by outstanding performance in the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), with twothirds of candidates achieving the top A* grade in one of the strongest years on record. Students excelled across a broad spectrum of subjects, with par ticularly strong results in ar t, fur ther mathematics, chemistr y, psychology, religious studies and modern languages. Across the cohor t, students achieved an average of 143 UCAS tariff points, broadly equivalent to three A grades at A level, reflecting both ambition and dedication. For many students, the next step will be university, with places secured at leading institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Exeter, Bath and Bristol. Others are choosing increasingly popular degree apprenticeships, combining professional experience with higher education. This year, a record number of King’s students secured prestigious placements with organisations such as Goldman Sachs, BakerHicks, St. James’s Place and KPMG. Beyond the classroom, Sixth Form students embraced oppor tunities through the school’s Electives programme, gaining nationally recognised qualifications in areas ranging from core maths and spor ts leadership to British Sign Language, digital skills and the Gold Ar ts Award. Notably 60% of core
22 Completely Bromsgrove
maths students achieved the top A grade. Reflecting on the achievements of the cohor t, Headmaster Ben Charles said: “These results represent far more than academic success. They reflect years of hard work, resilience and personal growth, and I am immensely proud of all that our students have achieved. What is particularly encouraging is seeing young people pursuing such a diverse range of pathways, from leading universities to degree apprenticeships and professional careers. They leave King’s not only with outstanding qualifications, but with the confidence, curiosity and character to thrive in an ever-changing world.” Among the cohor t are five aspiring medics, all of whom secured places at their first-choice universities. Others will go on to study subjects as diverse as engineering, conservation biology, criminology, interior architecture, musical theatre and business management, highlighting the breadth of ambition and talent that characterises this year’s leavers. Discover more about King’s Worcester at their forthcoming Open Events: Senior and Sixth Form Open Morning – Saturday, September 26th, Senior and Sixth Form Open Week – October 12th to 16th, Sixth Form Open Evening – Tuesday, November 10th.
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Pupils serving for success B
romsgrove School is delighted to announce that it has been selected as par t of the LTA 10U Performance Network for 2026–2028. Completely Bromsgrove September 2026_Bennetts quarter.qxp_7
Following a national application and interview process, Bromsgrove has been recognised as one of just thir ty-two programmes across England and Wales, one of only three venues in the Midlands and one of only two schools nationally. The new network has been created to identify and suppor t programmes that are best placed to develop the next generation of young players within the LTA Player Pathway. This recognition reflects the hard work and commitment of the coaching team, players and families, as well as Bromsgrove’s long-term belief in providing high-quality coaching and development oppor tunities from an early age. Bromsgrove is par ticularly proud that this acknowledgement comes as a result of the strong foundations built within its Pre-Prep and Prep programmes, alongside the wider tennis pathway available at Bromsgrove for internal and external players. Young people do not need to be Bromsgrove School pupils to take advantage of the coaching at the tennis academy. Bromsgrove looks forward to working closely with the LTA over the coming years and continuing to provide an inspiring environment for young players to enjoy tennis, develop their potential and pursue their ambitions. To find out more, please contact the Director of Tennis, Richard Lawton – rlawton@ bromsgrove-school.co.uk
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HB9 founder Andy Bennett receives the surprise news from BBC Hereford & Worcester presenter Nina Das Gupta
HB9 gains recognition for making a difference through sport T he Harr y Bennett Foundation, also known as HB9, has been named as one of four finalists in the Active Award categor y at the BBC Hereford & Worcester Make a Difference Awards.
Charity founder Andy Bennett discovered the news during the charity’s third annual golf day at Bromsgrove Golf Centre. As Andy prepared to tee off, BBC Hereford & Worcester presenter Nina Das Gupta arrived to reveal that HB9 had been nominated by members of the local community. The award recognises those who improve lives and strengthen communities through spor t and physical activity - something at the hear t of HB9’s work. Andy and Yvette Bennett established HB9 in 2020 in memor y of their son, Harr y, who died from sepsis in Januar y that year. Since then, the foundation has suppor ted hundreds of local people, organisations and community projects, creating oppor tunities and experiences that may otherwise have been out of reach. Andy said: “It’s a real honour for HB9 to be recognised, but this isn’t about me alone. Ever ything we achieve is made possible by our incredible supporters and volunteers. We’ve never looked for reward or recognition. We just hope that we make a difference and, in doing so, keep Harr y’s legacy alive.”
Recently, the charity helped fund 12-year-old Scarlet Lloyd’s trip to Sweden to compete in the Gothia PUMA Cup. HB9 also suppor ted a visit to Wimbledon for six students and four staff from Rigby Hall School. Earlier this year, it funded five young athletes from Bromsgrove’s Kazoku-Kan Judo Club to compete in the BENG XXVI Special Needs Judo Tournament in the Netherlands. Andy added: “Ever ything HB9 achieves is made possible by the generosity of our supporters, sponsors, volunteers and ever yone who attends our fundraising events. To be recognised by the BBC in this way is a huge honour for the whole HB9 community and for Harr y.” Finalists from all eight categories will attend the awards ceremony at The Cour tyard Theatre in Hereford on September 10th, when the winners will be announced. If you would like to suppor t the charity’s work, visit www.justgiving.com/charity/hb9
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Raise the roof and secure
community groups’ futures
G
irlguiding Bromsgrove launched a fundraising campaign earlier this year to help cover urgent repair costs at our headquar ters on Kidderminster Road.
The building requires significant work to the roof and suspended ceilings to ensure we can continue providing a safe, welcoming space for Girlguiding units and many local community groups who rely on our hall. Our headquar ters currently suppor ts young people aged from four to 18, offering oppor tunities to develop practical skills, build friendships, and grow in confidence within an inclusive and suppor tive environment. While recent raffles, sponsored walks, and community activities have helped us make progress, we have not yet reached the total needed to complete these essential repairs. We have also set up Bra Bank donation points at several locations across the local area, including: • Girlguiding Bromsgrove HQ, Kidderminster Road • New Star ts, Bromsgrove • Active Nutrition, Redditch • Burcot Village Hall • Stoke Prior Village Hall In addition to fundraising, we are seeking new volunteers to help us continue offering high quality experiences for young people. Girlguiding Bromsgrove is a friendly, inclusive organisation where the needs and wellbeing of our young members always come first. Our volunteers are vital to keeping our units running and ensuring ever y child has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive. We currently have a Brownie unit for girls aged between seven and ten at risk of closure. Brownies is a safe, suppor tive space where girls can explore, create, and grow, but without new volunteers stepping forward, we will be unable to continue offering these experiences.
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Girlguiding has always relied on dedicated adults who believe in giving young people the chance to shine, and even a small amount of your time can make a meaningful difference. If you are interested in suppor ting our work, whether through volunteering or donating to our Bra Bank campaign, please contact us by emailing Bromsgrove. division@girlguidingworcs. org.uk
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Are you listening to your body?
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
L
et’s talk about your liver for a moment, not in a scar y way, just in a real, “listen to your body” kind of way.
Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs you’ve got. It filters toxins, processes nutrients, suppor ts digestion, and helps keep ever ything running smoothly. But when it star ts to struggle, it often whispers before it shouts. Here are some signs your body might be nudging you to pay attention: Yellowing of the skin or eyes ( jaundice) - This can happen when waste builds up and spills into the bloodstream. It’s always wor th taking seriously. Swollen ankles or feet - Fluid can build up when the liver isn’t doing its job properly. Changes in appetite or unexplained weight loss - If food just isn’t appealing or weight is dropping without tr ying, your liver could be under pressure. Digestive issues like diarrhoea - Ongoing loose stools shouldn’t be ignored. Easy bruising or bleeding - Your liver produces proteins needed for clotting, so if you’re bruising more easily, it’s a signal. Constant fatigue - Not just “I need a nap,” but deep, ongoing exhaustion. When toxins build up, your whole system feels it. Dark urine or pale stools - A simple but powerful clue that something may be off. Pain in the upper right abdomen or even the right shoulder - Not always obvious, but wor th noting.
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Nausea or frequent vomiting - Your digestive system can become overwhelmed if the liver is struggling. Brain fog or mood changes - When toxins aren’t cleared efficiently, it can affect focus, memor y, and even sleep patterns. This isn’t about diagnosing yourself and if anything resonates, it’s impor tant to speak with a healthcare professional. But it is about becoming more aware and proactive with your own health. At a cellular level, your body relies on communication this is where Redox Signaling Molecules come in. These are the tiny messengers that help your cells detect damage, repair themselves, and function optimally. When that communication is strong, your body is far better equipped to handle stress, toxins, and recover y including suppor ting organs like the liver. Modern life puts a lot of pressure on this system. Suppor ting your cellular health isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore, it’s foundational. If you’re curious about how to better suppor t your body, improve cellular communication, and take a more proactive approach to your health, let’s have a conversation. No pressure, just a chat to explore what’s possible for you. Email me at by Colette Garside colette@need4change.com
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Get app-y and discover the universe T
he September equinox on the 23rd, when day and night are of equal length, marks the start of autumn.
For astronomers, it heralds the welcome darker evenings and the arrival of new objects to observe in the night sky. However, for newcomers to astronomy, or for many who have binoculars or a small telescope, it raises the question of “What can I see?” and “How do I find it?” In this month’s column, I will cover some of the phone apps and other resources which may help. All the apps mentioned are available for iPhone and Android, unless otherwise stated. Planetarium apps provide a visualisation of the night sky. Holding your phone against the sky they can be used to identify stars, planets, constellations and deep sky objects in real time. Stellarium Mobile is popular, free and is easy to use. I have used it for years. There is a paid Plus version, but unless you plan to use the added features it isn’t necessary. There is also a free desktop version, with greater functionality and is ideal for astronomical planning. SkySafari is a popular paid for app, with Basic, Plus & Pro versions and corresponding prices. In addition to a planetarium, it has useful Calendar and Tonight features which lists events, solar system and deep sky objects that are visible. The Moon is a great object to observe with binoculars or a telescope. Lunescope is a free Android app, providing a lunar calendar and a zoom-able map which allows identification of major lunar features. For iPhone users, The Moon: Calendar Moon Phases (free) and Moon Atlas (paid) are available. Heavens-Above is a free, but Android only app, which gives accurate predictions for the International Space Station (ISS) and other satellites. Clear Outside is a free app giving seven-day cloud and weather forecasts. It also includes timings of ISS passes. If you are interested in astronomical landscape photography, PhotoPills, a paid app, will show you the positioning of the Sun, Moon and Milky
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Way, allowing you to compose the perfect photograph. If you don’t have a smart phone, SkyMaps.com have a monthly printable map of the sky and list of objects. Are you interested in astronomy? Did you know that there is a Bromsgrove Astronomical Society? We meet at Bromsgrove Rugby Club on the first and third Monday of each month. Visitors are always welcome and your first visit is free. On Monday, September 21st, Simona Nitti from the University of Leicester will be presenting a talk on the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission. For more details, visit www.broms-astro.org.uk by Adrian Bigland
New charitable fund will
inspire young singers B
arnt Green Choral is a registered charity whose aim is for anyone, whatever their musical experience or ability, to discover the joy of singing.
For its forthcoming season starting this month in September, the choir has established a Young Artist Fund targeted at, but not solely limited to, those aged 18 to 30 years who would like to join the choir but may find the membership fee difficult. The fund will pay for one year’s membership fee which could be renewed in subsequent years if funds permit. Almost everyone can sing (even if they have never tried before) and the choir’s main purpose is to allow people to sing to the best of their ability and develop at their own pace. There are no auditions all you need is a desire to sing.
concerts ‘amateur choral singing is thriving following the performance of Barnt Green Choral. For a local choir to take on pieces of such intricacy and complexity and to achieve such a high standard of performance is a real credit to the skill of the conductor and all the singers.’ “On top of all that we all have a great deal of fun, jollity, and friendship. We warmly welcome all new members, of whatever age, and hope that they will thrive and enjoy the experience.” Rehearsals for the 2026-27 singing season start at 7.45pm on Monday, September 7th at the Parish Centre, Sandhills Road, Barnt Green, B45 8NR.
Peter Bould, chair of the Soprano Dina George trustees, said: “Some of our This year the choir will perform members never sang before they two massive works at the pinnacle joined the choir; others have of the choral repertoire – Verdi’s Requiem and decades of experience at the highest levels of highlights from Handel’s Messiah. amateur choral singing. Our only strategy is to sing Anyone wishing to join the choir or to find out to the best of our collective ability - and it delivers how to take advantage of the financial assistance impressive results. available should contact Peter Bould via the “An independent music reviewer said of one of our website www.barntgreenchoral.org Completely Bromsgrove
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Bonehill Tything Walk
1
Start and finish – Lickey Hills Country Park, Rose Hill, B45 8ER
A
s with Dodford, Bonehill was, in the past, recorded as being a manor in its own right, but it was shown on a map of 1904 sandwiched between Gannow and Chadwich and as being one of Bromsgrove’s ‘yields’. Until the 17th centur y it was also where the Cour t Leet and Cour t Baron of Bromsgrove maintained their cour thouse, somewhere close to the Rose & Crown Hotel. From the car park head back towards the main road, bearing left at the top of the hill to pass behind Holy Trinity Church. At the T-junction turn right, crossing Rose Hill to ascend Monument Lane, maybe stopping to view the monument
itself. 2 Reaching the end, turn right onto Beacon Hill. After the road bends left, enter Lickey Countr y Park via a path on the right, then go left, following a path tight to the road.
5 7 6
4
8
3 The Rose & Crown The Rose & Crown
2 0
1.0km
0
1.0km
Terrain – Challenging. This is one of the longest and hilliest of our walks, taking in par ts of both Lickey and Waseley Hills and featuring residential estates, countr yside paths and lanes. There is one busy stretch of road requiring par ticular care. We recommend downloading the What Three Words app. Introductor y notes to these Tything walks can be found in the June 2025 issue or at: Completely Bromsgrove June ‘25 issue 73 issuu by completelybromsgrove - Issuu
32 Completely Bromsgrove
1
Looking through the trees, pass the and signs, then, as you see the first reflector bollard, find a scramble down to the road. 3 Cross to an unmarked path. Follow this, finally dropping to a gate, turning right then left across a bridge and left again onto Holywell Lane. Reaching Lizzie’s Farm, turn right, to reach a grassy track, narrowing to a footpath ahead. Pass under the motorway to a lane. 4 Turn right, then bend left to reach Money Lane. Turn right, signed Romsley and Halesowen. Proceed with caution. Just past Quantr y Lane on the left, turn right, marked, ‘No Through Road’. 5 Bear right then left, over the M5, then left and right. Pass in front of barns and at the sharp LH bend, keep ahead onto a bridleway. Approaching a gate, bear left then at a fork, bear right. Cross a driveway, then continue ahead to reach a junction of paths, 6 taking the LH gate up the hill. Stay in this field, keeping the fence to your left. At the top, pause to look back at the stunning views across Worcestershire. Pass through a gate, ahead and, keeping straight, reach a junction. Turn left through a gate and immediately right to a kissing gate, keeping to the RH path and fence. Drop down to a gate, turning left to another gate and a lane. 7 Head downhill. Bear right at the bottom, then first left onto Woodlands Road, right at the T-junction onto Hillview Road and left at the crossroads onto Barrington Road. Pass Cleves Road on the left, then take the footpath, also on the left, just after No 49. Zig-zag over the footbridge, turning left at the end of the green fence. At the road, turn right and right again at the T-junction. At the end, cross over onto Callowbridge Road. Cross the A38.
The monument
Immediately on the other side take the footpath on the right and down the steps. Emerging amongst the shops, turn left. Use the pelican crossing to reach the far pavement and continue, taking Beverley Road on the right. At the end, cross to follow Meadowfield Road. As it loops around at the top, find a footpath alongside house No 67. Before reaching the next road, take the footpath on the left, 8 opposite an electricity sub-station. Entering an estate, turn right onto Newman Way. At the end, turn left on Eachway Lane, keeping to the pavement. As the pavement emerges back onto the road, cross into Lickey Park. Stay on the bridleway, veering right before the driveway. At the next path junction, keep ahead to follow the blue arrows. Meander a while, keeping left at the fork when approaching Rose Hill. Cross the road diagonally to recover the footpath. Keep right and follow the path until it emerges, once again, at the Lickey Hills Countr y Park, turning left to return to the car park.
Lickey Hills Country Park
by Neil Beaumont
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HISTORY
Remembering the
Swinging Sixties F
or people of a cer tain age, the 1960s was a time like no other. With its heady mix of change on all fronts, the Swinging Sixties is seen by many as the defining decade for Britain.
Having come through the austerity of the post-war years, Britain emerged in the 1960s as a place of aspiration. With conscription gone, by the early 1960s teenagers found new freedoms. Young people were given the voice and oppor tunity to do what they wanted and – with near full employment – had the economic means to do so. Star ting in London, the explosion of youth culture saw a flourishing in ar t, music and fashion that spread across the countr y. Bands such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Who, the Kinks and the Small Faces experimented with new sounds and encouraged rebellion against authority. They spoke to and for young people and soon took their message worldwide. In fashion, Mary Quant’s miniskirt designs and fashion models such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton emerged, while popular shopping areas such as London’s King’s Road, Kensington and Carnaby Street acquired iconic status. Style tribes like Mods and Rockers allowed young people to express their identity. Landmark legal changes arrived, including the introduction of the contraceptive pill (1961), the decriminalisation of homosexuality and abortion (both 1967), and relaxation of the divorce laws (1969). But it wasn’t all about youth. Rising real wages allowed working class families to afford modern home appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, and televisions. So-called slum clearances led to outdated Victorian housing being replaced by modern high-rise blocks – although some didn’t live up to their billing.
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In politics, a young Labour politician Harold Wilson was elected Prime Minister, arriving like a breath of fresh air after more than a decade of what many had seen as stuffy Conser vative administrations. Wilson promised to harness the ‘white heat of technology’ and from nuclear power stations, to hovercraft, to supersonic passenger aircraft (Concorde), Britain began to modernise. A new generation of comprehensive schools was built and access to higher education was expanded, including the establishment of a ‘university of the air’ – the Open University came into being in 1969. Car ownership was growing rapidly, encouraged by more affordable vehicles such as the Mini – one of the decade’s lasting icons – and petrol at 1 shilling (5p!) per litre. But the nation’s railways – which had long been in decline – couldn’t compete against the arrival of trunk roads and motorways. Proposals to restructure the rail network, introduced by Richard Beeching, chair of the British Railways Board, led to almost one-third of lines and ser vices being axed. Local historian Ray Sturdy will be remembering the Swinging Sixties in a talk for the Bromsgrove Society on Tuesday, September 15th at 7.45pm at the Methodist Centre, Stratford Road. The meeting is open to members and non-members and is the first of the new 2026-27 programme. Visit www. bsoc.co.uk for more details. They say that “If you remember the ’60s, you really weren’t there”. Whether you were by Mike Sharpe or not, why not come along?
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Discover Bromsgrove & Redditch for FREE this September
11th - 20th September 2026
Scan the QR code and select Heritage Open Days 2026 to view the full programme.
Visit our Heritage Open Days 2026 pages via www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/hods www.redditchbc.gov.uk/hods
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Landmark season begins
with hilarious British comedy
K
icking off the FeckenOdeon Cinema Society’s 25th season on Saturday, September 26th is British film MOTHER’S PRIDE (12A).
The 2026 comedy centres on a failing pub, a divided community and a grieving family whose lives are changed by brewing real ale and entering the Great British Beer Awards. From the writers, directors, and producers of Fisherman’s Friends and Finding Your Feet, the film stars Mar tin Clunes, James Buckley, Jonno Davies, Gabriella Wilde, Mark Addy, and Lana Moorcroft. Show time is 7.30pm. The community cinema was launched in September 2001 with a showing of The Smallest Show on Ear th and has operated continuously ever since, apar t from an interruption due to the Covid pandemic. It is based at Feckenham Village Hall, High Street, Feckenham, B96 6HN. Tickets for all 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. Completely Bromsgrove
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Classic drama & priceless
T
he Four Horsemen return on Sunday, September 6th along with a new generation of illusionists performing mind-melding twists, turns, surprises, and magic unlike anything ever captured on film. In NOW YOU SEE ME, NOW YOU DON’T (12A), the retired illusionists reunite alongside three aspiring young performers to steal a priceless diamond from the matriarch of a crime syndicate in this action thriller.
Join indie-pop sensation CATLEA and an amazing line-up of rising stars for a passionate night of indie pop and alt rock on Saturday, September 12th. Originally from Cincinnati, now based in London, CATLEA’s charismatic presence and enchanting vocals deliver catchy, toe-tapping songs that has fans cheering for more. Experience a set infused with indie pop, rock, and a splash of R&B for a mesmerizing show you won’t soon forget. Also, £1 from each ticket goes to Mind.org.uk to suppor t mental health. photo: Marc Brenner
In the romantic comedy YOU, ME & TUSCANY (12A) on Wednesday, September 16th, Halle Bailey stars as Anna, a young woman who has given up her chef dreams and is drifting through her twenties. After losing her house-sitting job and home, a chance meeting with Matteo, a handsome Italian with an empty villa in Tuscany, prompts her to fly to Italy despite her best friend Claire’s advice. Anna’s plan to stay there secretly unravels when Matteo’s mother, Gabriella, arrives unexpectedly and mistakes her for Matteo’s fiancée. The lie grows more complicated when Matteo’s cousin Michael appears, and Anna discovers a spark that could change her life.
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gems on autumn agenda Award-winner Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) plays Alice, in the National Theatre razorsharp reimagining of Molière’s classic dark comedy THE MISANTHROPE (15 TBC), being screened on Wednesday, September 23rd. Telling the truth isn’t always that simple. Alice, a brilliant novelist, despises the carefully constructed lies of modern society. But the more she challenges those around her, the fiercer the backlash becomes. Soon, she must confront the price of speaking her truth in a world that would rather silence her. photo: Marc Brenner
There’s more live music on Saturday, September 26th. FOUND IN A FIELD are a delightful Worcestershire/Birmingham based folk band, who delighted our audience when they visited in May 2025. They draw influences from longlost ballads, Victorian music hall, border morris,
eccentric poetry, Pre Raphaelitism, quirky stories and scratchy old records. With a full and rich multi-instrumental sound and beautiful and powerful vocals, they can go from the angelic to the hilarious with ease.
Bromsgrove Ar ts, 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
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Fab-u-lous floral designs mark Strictly return S
eptember brings the return of Strictly Come Dancing and Bromsgrove Flower Club will be designing flowers for the occasion.
On Thursday, September 17th we will be welcoming NAFAS demonstrator Louisa Rigden to our monthly club meeting where she will display her arrangements on the theme of “Twists and Turns”. You can bring along your own interpretation of Strictly for our in-house competition. Come along and bring a friend for a relaxing afternoon watching a master at work. Louise’s designs can be won in the raffle. Members and visitors will be welcomed with complimentar y refreshments and there’s also an oppor tunity to win the sweepstake. Doors open at All Saints Church Hall in Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove at 1pm. Admission is £5 for members and £10 for visitors. Let those sequins sparkle! For more information, call Penny on 07843 758489 or email pennyingreece@icloud.com
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October at Artrix: A month of music, magic and mischief! B
romsgrove’s Ar trix is turning up the volume this October, with a packed programme promising music, family fun, theatre and plenty of Halloween magic. From tributes to Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross to Queen, Coldplay, Rod Stewart and Robbie Williams, music lovers are spoilt for choice as some of the biggest names in popular music are celebrated on the Artrix stage. The month gets off to a soulful start with The Stevie and Luther Show on 1st October, followed by Forever Clapton on 2nd October and The California Dreaming Show on Saturday 3rd. The weekend continues with a nostalgic trip back to the 1980s courtesy of Smash 80’s FM on Sunday 4th. There’s no slowing down in the second week, with The Searchers and Hollies Experience (8th) The Chris Stapleton Experience (9th) and Holding Back the Years Simply Red Tribute (10th) Fans of classic rock are also well catered for later in the month, with Man of The World: Music of Peter Green, Dire Streets, The Stadium Rock Experience and Quill featuring Bev Bevan. And for those who prefer their evenings with a little more glamour, Jersey Beats - Oh What a Nite!, Diva of the Decades, The Rod Stewar t Songbook, Coldplace, Dan Budd as Robbie Williams, The Simon & Garfunkel Stor y and Now I’m Here - Queen Tribute all bring legendar y songs to Bromsgrove throughout the month. But October at Artrix isn’t all about music. We are also offering something for younger audiences and families over half term, including The Witch Who Couldn’t Sleep on Saturday 24th, Trick & Treat Circus Live on Monday 26th and The Giant Bubble Show on Tuesday 27th. Plus, music from K-Pop Superstars in the evening of 27th. As Halloween approaches, things take a suitably spooky turn, with Car twright & Coy’s Ghost Stories in the studio on Saturday 24 October. For audiences looking for something more classical, Macbeth from the Metropolitan Opera will be screened on 20th, while the Royal Opera House’s Manon comes to the Studio on 27th. There is a cinema screening of Noël Coward’s Fallen Angels on 26th. There is also comedy with Mick Miller, on behalf of Funny Beeseness, on the 14th. Completely Bromsgrove
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Shapely Suzuki is I
nternal combustion engines are bad smells on our pilgrimage to purity, so it is only right that Suzuki’s first all-electric car should be a good one...and it is. Easily jumping through planet saving compliancy hoops. Suzuki has done all the hard work with electrification so that you don’t have to worry: just go for it. And it’s easy to go for the new £35,799 Suzuki eVitara Ultra, which fits every bill. First, the popularity of small SUVs ‘ain’t gonna wither on the vine’ as Tokyo Rose might say. Cynics might scoff but buyers know a good motoring package when they see one. Inside it feels as solid as a rock and just as durable - and from an engineering perspective you can rest assured that it is top notch. Everything is well put together and it feels so much more robust than the competition from the likes of Peugeot and Renault, MG, Ford and more. There’s lots of convenience kit, together with safety kit like a rear parking camera and warning noises and cruise control too.
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Think high ground clearance ideal for tackling today’s less than billiard table smooth roads, but also ideal for easily accessing the roomy rear compartment. Then there’s the benefit of an elevated driving position offering better visibility and more confidence at the wheel. Other drivers know you’re there and when you’re caught in thronging traffic it does no harm to look tough.
DRIVE TIME
all-electric winner But hold the front page. We’re not there yet. Many motorists feel that now is not the time to embrace all-electric because of range anxiety. With this Vitara a 264-mile range negates any worry. With a 61kWh battery (another version has a less powerful battery) there is the equivalent of 172bhp that gives a top speed of near 95mph. Built in India, it shares the same platform as the Toyota Urban Cruiser and uses ‘blade’ batteries from BYD which are one step ahead of the opposition in that they are not harmed if you continually charge to 100 percent - so you can rest assured that deep within the bowels of this technological masterpiece, electronic elves work overtime to do the necessary and ensure smooth and silent progress allowing you to get on
with the business of enjoying your motoring. For the driver’s delight there is a button to push to swap between modes. There’s normal, sport, eco - plus snow and armageddon to give more grip when the going gets tough. Commonsense is what this eVitara offers. It’s not a hard rufty tufty off roader, but even with 2WD it is competent off piste. On country roads, main roads and motorways it runs smoothly and quietly and copes well with crumbling surfaces without shuddering disconcertingly over every pothole. Dynamic capabilities are surprisingly good. Light and easy handling plus total security and a brisk overtaking ability make it a great allrounder for the demands of modern driving. The new eVitara shows how electrification need not entail solemnity. It’s the sort of car that you approach with a spring in your step.
by Syd Taylor
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AVONCROFT CRICKET CLUB
Record breaker Baker races past 1,000 runs mark A
s we approach the business end of the season, there’s still a lot to play for at Avoncroft Cricket Club.
The First XI sit top of Division Three with four games to go but, with a tough run in and Brockhampton biting at their heels, there’s more work to do to secure success. After their 11-game winning run finally came to an end at the end of July, Croft bounced back with a couple of wins to steady the ship. Much of the recent success has been off the back of some impressive bowling with Ben Huxley (29), Josh Cound (26) and Jonny Sproule (25) all finding themselves in the top ten of the league’s wicket takers. With the bat, Will Baker has continued to show his class, racing past 1,000 runs for the season with four games still to go. He has already set a club record for runs scored in the season – it will be exciting to see how much fur ther he can push that record by the end of the year! After a shaky spell in the middle of the season, the Second XI have been making a late surge up the table with back-to-back wins against the top two sides keeping narrow hopes of promotion alive with a couple of games to go. The win against top of the table Amigos Kempsey was an all-round team affair. Evan Walford and Joe McGee took three wickets each while Will Sach and Jack Seers both scored impor tant 40s to guide Croft to a two-wicket win.
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If that success was a shared effor t, the following week’s win against Mar tley was much more of a two-man affair! Captain Chris Pitt batted right through the Croft innings for a vital 64 which gave Croft just enough to bowl at. Despite that, Mar tley still looked on course for victor y until up stepped Croft’s wily veteran Andy Pittam, who took five wickets in six balls and finished the game with a hat-trick. It was Andy’s first hat-trick at the bright old age of 73, but it was wor th the wait! Croft’s Third XI finished their league campaign with second place in Division Nine with the highlight of the last few games being Andy Blow notching up his first half-centur y with 60 against Pershore and then, in true London-bus style, beating his score the following week with 74 against Malvern! The Sunday side are also on course for one of their most successful seasons in recent memor y, with nine wins already in the books and four games still to go. Recent standout performances include captain Ben Huxley with 106* and 5-19 against Hockley Heath and Will Lewis with 4-10 against Har vington.
by Paul Athey
Defender Ollie Harrison leaps highest to win a header
Photos by Chris Jepson
Defender Josh Dugmore pumps a right handed fist after victory
Sporting make stunning start B
romsgrove Sporting’s league season got off to an impressive start in August, with victories against Needham Market and Rushall Olympic.
Sporting’s season opener saw them travel to Suffolk to face Needham Market; Bromsgrove won 3-1, with goals from Jamille Matt, Jake Jervis and Ollie Harrison, after Tim Flowers’ men went a goal down after just two minutes. The Rouslers’ first home game of the new campaign was a Tuesday night encounter against Rushall. As with the Needham game, Sporting came from behind to secure victory, with Hayden Reeves equalising before Jervis slotted a last minute penalty into the bottom corner to send the Bromsgrove fans into scenes of pandemonium. Pre-season culminated with an away victory at Bedworth United, followed by home wins over Trefelin BGC and Malvern Town, along with a narrow defeat against National League North side Hereford. The standout of these matches was the emphatic 8-0 win against Welsh side Trefelin, who are playing in the Cymru Premier this season. Recent new additions to join the club include attacker Lamin Barrow, who was most recently plying his trade at Fairfield Villa and massively turned heads as a trialist during pre-season, striker The World Cup fanzone
Adam Jasper, who has joined on loan from National League side Tamworth, and defender Jak Hickman, who comes to Sporting after initially joining Redditch United earlier in the summer. Hickman previously played for Bromsgrove, having joined back in 2019 - he impressed during that first spell and subsequently played for Bolton Wanderers, Irish side St Patrick’s, and Halesowen Town, a club that he amassed more than 100 appearances for. The end of July saw Sporting hold a fans forum; representing the club’s ownership were Darren Alderson, Adam Hutchison and Darren Smith, who fielded a variety of questions alongside manager Tim Flowers. Sporting has welcomed XIX Vodka as a commercial partner, bringing one of the UK’s fastest-growing premium vodka brands to the UK Electrical Stadium. This partnership kickstarted with a Cocktails and Comedy evening at the beginning of August, which saw sponsors, partners and fans flock to the club’s Rousler Bar to enjoy an evening of great company, refreshing cocktails and plenty of laughs. The club held a sponsorship and open training evening in the week leading up to their season opener, which saw several players meet their sponsors for the season and have photos taken with them. Sporting’s Ladies side began their season with a trip to Hereford Women, where they came from behind to record a 2-2 draw, while the U21s began their 2026/27 campaign with commanding victories over Birmingham OJM and Brocton.
Players plot another victory pre-game
For all the latest from all the Sporting sides, including the new U18s team, along with club news, head to by Max Banner bromsgrovesporting.co.uk Completely Bromsgrove
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Luxury Interiors, Sensibly Priced ESTABLISHED 1982
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