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TheVillage

Issue 196 December 2018

Bringing you village life for more than 20 years

We Will Remember Pages 12–13

Smashing Pumpkins Pages 20–22

Editorial: Editor: Sally Oldaker Publisher: Richard Peach The Limes Alvechurch Worcestershire B48 7RR

Christmas Village Pages 30–38

Tel: 0121 445 6757 email: news@villageonline.co.uk

To advertise in TheVillage

Reach for the Moon Page 41

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visit: villageonline.co.uk The Village (ISSN 1466-3376) is published by Platform Publishing & Media Ltd (Reg Office: 87 Hewell Rd, Barnt Green, B45 8NL) and printed by Buxton Press in Derbyshire. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written consent is prohibited.

The publishers do not accept responsibility for any errors made in advertisements or for claims made by any advertisers which are incorrect.

The publishers reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason.

All material submitted for publication is done so at the owner’s risk and no responsibility is accepted by the publisher for its return.

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As Easy as Pie! Page 67

Cover: A selection of faces and places featured in The Village over the past year

For enquiries and bookings, contact the Conference & Banqueting Office Tel: 0121 457 6100 Email: info@hillscourt.co.uk

Village News

PIPES OF PEACE: Lone piper Paddy McGowan serenades early risers on the Lickey Hills on Remembrance Day to commemorate 100 years since the Armistice. Photo/ Keith Woolford More photos on Pages 12–13.

Library ‘noise’ wanted V

illagers are being urged to give their support to Alvechurch Library, as the county council reviews the venue’s future.

The library, which serves residents across The Village area, is under threat along with many other services as the county faces a growing lack of cash after years of “austerity”.

The county says all its libraries outside large towns are going to “change” and it has launched a public consultation to help to decide the fate of each library in Worcestershire.

County councillor Peter McDonald told Lickey and Blackwell parish councillors: “They have to hold a consultation by law, but if you think they will take a ha’p’orth of notice of a consultation then you must have been born this morning.

“To get heard you must make a lot of noise that they can’t ignore.”

Parish, district and county councillor Charlie Hotham told Alvechurch Parish Council: “It is really important that everyone responds to the consultation.”

He said Alvechurch Library had

been classed as a “fourth tier” library in the consultation, which meant the county was planning to make it a “community managed” library.

The features of these, according to the consultation, include the “community” paying for building costs and management and volunteers to run them.

Coun Hotham said Alvechurch library was “unique” because it was part of the private finance initiative (PFI) that paid for the new schools on the same site ten years ago.

“It is different to other libraries where the cost is manageable. The cost of the rent here is, I suspect, very high. I have asked for the breakdown of the building costs and the staff costs.”

He added: “If Worcestershire County Council does close the library, it will still be stuck with the cost of the PFI of the building. It wasn’t Alvechurch residents’ decision to be in the PFI, it was the decision of the county council.”

Coun Hotham said 300 people a week used the library for various groups and meetings as well as the traditional library users.

County councillor Kit Taylor said: “They are very well aware that the library is used as a community asset.

The big question mark is the PFI, so I think there is going to be some head scratching.”

Parish chairman Andy Humphries, who suggested the library could be used by Alvechurch Post Office, said: “We have time to generate ideas and campaigns.”

The parish council has formed a working group to look at the best way forward for the library and to encourage people to take part in the consultation, which runs until the end of January.

The Village View: Page 25

The Village

December 2018

5

Village News

Art of rock The Village’s resident cartoonist Bob Lawton is exhibiting and selling some of his framed cartoons at Artrix in Bromsgrove.

Bob has taken the theme of “Rock Hits Over the Years”, using songs such as Elton John’s Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting (left).

Others include House Of The Rising Sun, Jailhouse Rock, You Wear It Well, Don’t You Want Me and Penny Lane.

The exhibition runs until December 2 – you might find a special Christmas gift for the music fan in your life!

Village shutdown fear

B

arnt Green parish councillors expressed their concerns to Severn Trent over plans to close Hewell Road while an old water main is replaced.

The work, originally scheduled for January 2019, is now likely to take place in August instead, during the school holidays – but it will still mean significant disruption to residents, traders and motorists.

Representatives of Severn Trent and Amey, the engineers carrying out the work on its behalf, attended Barnt Green’s parish council meeting to share the latest plans. ”We understand that nobody wants this work done, but it is crucial and complex,” said Samantha Pedley, customer liaison officer for Amey.

“We are looking at ways to do it without having to close the whole road, but the worst-case scenario is full closure.”

She added that the complexity of the project was due to the location of existing utilities such as the gas main, meaning engineers will have to access the middle of the road.

However, she said that the workers would be putting in longer hours

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The Village

December 2018

than usual in an attempt to get the work completed in six weeks. Work would take place on weekdays but the site would be made safe overnight to allow traffic.

Upon learning that Severn Trent plans to hold a drop-in event for residents only two weeks before the work begins, parish chairman Robert Cholmondeley said, “Two weeks is not nearly enough time for people to make plans. Some people go away for long periods in the school holidays – you could arrive home and not be able to access your house!”

Coun Cholmondeley wondered where residents of Hewell Road were supposed to park if not outside their homes. “Surrounding roads are already very busy and dangerous, and other areas have parking restrictions.”

Coun Charlie Hotham suggested

that Severn Trent contact Barnt Green Social Club to arrange temporary parking there, and Coun Cholmondeley said St Andrew’s First School could also be approached.

County councillor Peter McDonald told the representatives, “It’s not unusual to replace an old main, and you don’t need to close the whole road to do it – it’s just cheaper for you to do it that way! The county council is totally against closure, and you need their permission to do it.”

Ms Pedley insisted that the choice of method was not cost-driven and stressed that everything possible was being done to lessen the impact on villagers.

Severn Trent has promised to liaise with the affected businesses, who may be entitled to compensation for loss of trade on submission of evidence.

Coun Hotham pointed out that traders had already lost business during recent road closures for railway works and the Foxhills development, and suggested that Severn Trent start contacting the shops right away to give them a chance to collate their evidence.

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Village News

Plan goes to a vote

The DRAFT Alvechurch Parish Neighbourhood Plan has passed its independent examination with “flying colours”.

The final step is to put the plan to a public vote on January 10 and if more than half of the villagers who vote are in favour, it comes into force as part of the statutory development plan used to determine planning policy.

Adrian Smith, chairman of the neighbourhood plan steering group, told The Village: “I’m delighted to confirm the draft plan has passed its independent examination with flying colours and has been recommended to proceed to a public referendum.

“I have led the steering group consisting of many contributing members of our Alvechurch parish community and a dedicated

Tip ‘activity’ followed up

Lickey residents have reported concerns over “activities” at Marlbrook Tip to the Environment Agency, which has responsibility for the site’s safety.

Roy and Sue Hughes said they and other residents had seen lorries coming in and out of the site – where more than a million cubic metres of waste was over-tipped – and JCB diggers working.

In an email to Mr and Mrs Hughes, Environment Agency officer Fiona Upchurch said she had tried to contact site owner.

“We had not been informed of activities on site, but equally there is no requirement for the operator to let us know when they are moving lorries or machinery within the site,” she said.

Martin Quine, Waste Team Leader for the agency, added: “We have no evidence that waste has been imported to the site and did not identify any noncompliance during our most recent visit on October 15.

“We aim to re-inspect the site within the next three months.”

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The Village

December 2018

band of parish councillors over the past six years. They have all thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the process. They have given up their own time, with little reward except for playing a special role in achieving such a tremendous result.”

Coun Smith said it was particularly rewarding that the examiner had only recommended minimal modifications to the plan’s text and had accepted every single one of its policies, without any being deleted at all.

“This is most unusual in the Neighbourhood Plan examination process,” he added.

“The next step is fast upon us. I urge all residents to come forward and make sure your Neighbourhood Plan is the first one to be adopted in the Bromsgrove district area.

“You can do this by voting ‘YES’ at the January 10th referendum.

“Make sure the Alvechurch Parish Neighbourhood Plan is the legalised first step for decision-making on planning applications in this parish.”

Coun Smith said the examiner, in his closing remarks, had congratulated the parish council for taking on a “burdensome” task.

“It has arrived at a sensible approach to deciding how sites for additional development will be selected and it has devised a comprehensive range of policies to shape that development,” the examiner added.

Restaurant hygiene alert Parish, district and county councillor Charlie Hotham has urged villagers to be aware that two Barnt Green eateries have a low hygiene rating.

He told Barnt Green Parish Council that the Deedar Indian restaurant and Cafe Morso, both on Hewell Road, had a Food Hygiene Rating of 1 on the Food

Standards Agency’s scale of 0–5. A score of 1 means “major improvement is necessary”.

Coun Hotham said: “It’s right that people should know about this, and the restaurants should be making a real effort to improve.”

Barnt Green’s other food outlets all have a rating of 5.

Sandhills road safety plea residents of Sandhills Green in Barnt Green have asked the parish council to look into the safety of their unlit lane, which runs under the railway line.

“There are three blind bends, the verges are collapsing, and you’ve got speeding traffic and lots of pedestrians,” they told the parish council meeting.

“We accept that we chose to live there but it has become worse recently – during all the road closures it was used as a cut-through and

people are still using it.” Parish chairman Robert Cholmondeley said: “I agree; it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Coun Charlie Hotham said there was not room for a footpath, but it was worth looking into having a track like the one under the M42 bridge in Blackwell.

Worcestershire county councillor Peter McDonald has put the road on the list for speed monitoring, but Coun Hotham said the list was “as long as your arm”.

The Village

December 2018

9

Village News

How to object to plans

A

recent planning decision in Rowney Green has highlighted the fact that many residents are unaware of the correct process for lodging objections.

An application for a new agricultural building in the grounds of Jasmine Cottage in Gravel Pit Lane was submitted to Bromsgrove District Council in September, generating a number of objections from neighbours.

Resident John Williams delivered his objection to Alvechurch Parish Council and attended a meeting of its planning committee, at which councillors also decided to object to the application.

However, it was subsequently ap-

proved by Bromsgrove planning officers, rather than going before a full district planning committee.

When Mr Williams complained to the parish and district councils, he was told that he and other residents should have taken their objections direct to their district councillor, who could then have requested the involvement of the planning committee.

“I assumed it was up to the parish council to object on behalf of me and other residents, but it seems this is not the case,” he told The Village.

“Although I’ve been assured that correct procedure was adhered to, this decision was still made behind closed doors – and there’s no way to

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Housing study is ‘conjecture’

The ‘Barntchurch’ report would not be accepted as evidence by a judge, the chairman of Alvechurch Parish Council told Bromsgrove strategic planning chief Mike Dunphy during a presentation to the council.

Mr Dunphy has previously called the study by consultants GL Hearn “a thorough evidence base to take matters forward through the district plan review process”.

But Coun Andy Humphries said: “I am not sure it is evidence. A judge would just rule that it is conjecture and it is not evidence. It is a desktopstudy.” And Coun John Cypher said: “I think people are quite scared by that – 15,000 homes between Alvechurch and Barnt Green.”

Mr Dunphy replied: “The reason we have included the Hearn report is we need to understand the issues. The more information we have in this consultation helps us to articulate our responses to it.”

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The Village

December 2018

appeal against it now. It seems undemocratic to me.”

Alvechurch Parish Council discussed the matter with district and county councillor Kit Taylor at their November meeting.

Coun Marc Worrall said, “There seem to be a lot of applications that get dealt with under delegated powers and very few go to committee. In many, many other local authorities there is an automatic process.”

Coun Taylor replied: “Residents need to understand that they need to talk to their district councillor. I will call something in on one objection.

“If you as a parish council knew there was a problem, you could have told me and I would have called it in.”

Lottery grant boosts stained glass appeal St Laurence Church in Alvechurch can go ahead with repairs to its historic stained glass windows thanks to a grant of £113,700 from the Heritage Lottery fund.

The grant means the target of £192,022 has been reached, helped by years of fundraising by the community.

Several of the windows were designed and made by famous glass artists, but after 160 years some pieces of glass have fallen

out and many of the windows are no longer weather-tight. Some of the stonework surrounds have crumbled.

A church spokesman said, “Thanks to the support of our congregation, our local community and the Heritage Lottery Fund, we are able to embark on the necessary repair and conservation work. It’s great to know that we are a step closer to preserving the heritage for future generations.”

Gritty issue for Blackwell lickey & Blackwell Parish Council has decided to fund its own grit bin after a request was turned down by the county’s Highways department.

Councillors had asked for a bin to be installed on Linthurst Newtown, where last winter a coach full of children had to be evacuated as the vehicle could not get over the railway bridge in the ice.

However, Highways said the location did not meet the relevant criteria, including number of residents and the incline of the road.

“It’s not good enough,” said parish clerk Lisa Winterbourn.

The council agreed to appeal to Highways once more, and if the answer was still no, they would fund a green bin themselves.

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Village News

WE WILL REMEMBER Photo/ Keith Woolford

Top: Alvechurch Community Choir and Cantare Choir sing one of their three joint songs. Above: The Acoustic Belles perform. Below: Young rock stars from Music Academy Midlands. Left: Piper Paddy McGowan in the Lickey Hills.

12

The Village

December 2018

V

illagers across the area commemorated the moment 100 years ago when the guns fell silent across Europe.

As many as 500 people gathered for the Remembrance service on the village green in Alvechurch (right and above), organised by Alvechurch Ex-Services Association.

The day began with the strains of Battle’s O’er from lone piper Paddy McGowan at the top of Cofton Hill, playing at 6am to a small group who had gathered before dawn in the Lickey Hills.

The centenary was also marked by a Peace Concert at Alvechurch Middle School, where around 200 people listened to Alvechurch Community Choir, which organised the event, Cantare Choir and Cantare Children, youngsters from Music Academy Midlands, The Acoustic Belles and Withybed Poets.

The Village

December 2018

13

Village News

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R. M. B. SERVICES Domestic Appliance & Gas Engineer as seen on Alvechurch Village Society’s Facebook page

A fashion

show held in Alvechurch Village Hall raised £1,112 for Brain Tumour Research. Organisers would like to thank everyone who supported the event, which was attended by more than 100 people.

The

annual “Biggest Ever Coffee Morning” at Rectory Cottage in Alvechurch raised £1,045 – the biggest total yet – for Macmillan Cancer Support from cake sales, a raffle and Bring and Buy. Organisers Celia, Vicky and Nick Hitch would like to thank all helpers and supporters.

A poppy

centrepiece to a new wrought iron overhead barrier for the gates to The Meadows playing fields in Alvechurch was agreed to unanimously by parish councillors. The barrier was to be installed as The Village went to press.

Flying

of drones is to be subject to the Civil Aviation Authority Drone Code in Alvechurch after the parish council voted to adopt the code on its land. The decision will be reviewed in a year.

Lengthsman

duties in Alvechurch are to be carried out by Bromsgrove council workers at least until the end of March. Parish councillors heard that a replacement for the previous lengthsman could not be appointed until they had completed a county council training scheme – and one isn’t being held until next year.

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of parking spaces in Newbourne Hill, Rowney Green, if Bromsgrove District Housing Trust goes ahead with plans to demolish two garages to make way for housing, could create problems when football matches are being played in the nearby field, Alvechurch Parish Council heard. There are already discussions among village hall trustees as to whether to continue to allow footballers to use the hall’s car park, Coun John Cypher told councillors.

Patricia

White, who will be remembered in the Village area as the founder of Barnt Green Art Club, died in June aged 89 years. The Art Club supported local charities through its annual exhibitions, and Patricia also raised funds for Cofton church – fittingly the churchyard is her final resting place. She is survived by Richard, her husband of almost 63 years, and by two sons, seven grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren.

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The Village

December 2018

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Village Events

smashing pumpkins Alvechurch’s second Pumpkin Festival was a real community event, with villagers creating and growing some amazing exhibits.

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December 2018

The Festival generated more than £1,000 for Alvechurch Village Hall and Papyrus (Prevention Of Young Suicide). Organisers would like to thank everyone who took part in or visited the Festival, plus The Lounge and the library who handed out entry forms, and Jayne at The Weighbridge who made and donated the pumpkin soup, which added to the array of pumpkin-themed refreshments.

Next year’s event is planned for Saturday October 26, again in the Village Hall, and this time you’ll be able to vote for your favourite pumpkin! Details and updates on the Alvechurch Pumpkin Festival Facebook page. More photos over the page.

The Village

December 2018

21

Village Events as part of the Pumpkin Festival, village shops and businesses were invited to enter a Best-Dressed Window competition, judged by The Village magazine.

There were some very inventive entries, including those from Imagination hair salon and Barber Dave, but the handsdown winner was Bliss Hair Therapy on Red Lion Street for a glittering, multipumpkin display (below) which really came into its own after dark.

Pumpkin fun for all ages.

while the Pumpkin Festival was not connected to Halloween, villagers who wanted to show off their spooky side could enter a BestDressed House competition run by Alvechurch Village Society.

The winners (right) were Lucy Aubury and family of Latimer Road, Alvechurch, and the runners-up were the children of Alvechurch & Bordesley Nursery School (far right).

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December 2018

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Village VillageViews Views

Planning laws are ‘und Dear Editor – The current planning laws are grossly undemocratic, and our local councils should be ashamed that they participate in the implementation of them.

Simply put, providing houses is a “quick buck“ business, and hence the well-heeled developers win – and the mortgage-paying objectors lose.

We do not need intermediaries, such as councillors and planners, to tell us what we need or should have; we know already, and every multiunit application, in order to succeed, should require parish council approval – with the full cost of appeals borne by the applicant.

Thus “Barntchurch“ would be decided by Alvechurch and Barnt Green Parish Councils, alone, and/or a local referendum – that’s democracy.

Peter McHugh, Alvechurch

Slower traffic will create pollution

Dear Editor – I see the 20mph speed limit is back on the agenda for Alvechurch. I would like to make the following observations.

First we have two pinch gates; these prevent two cars from passing and are, in my opinion, extremely dangerous. If a motorist gets confused has to who has the right of way, there could easily be a head-on collision causing serious injury or death.

However, other than the obvious danger to the motorist, you will also have cars waiting, stationary, with engines running, for no reason – putting out pollution. Add to this a 20mph speed limit, and cars when moving will be in second or third

Have your say . . . about anything!

24

The Village

December 2018

gear. This will mean more pollution, as the vehicles’ engines will be revving faster, and the cars will take longer to travel through the village.

There will of course also be an increase in noise pollution, as being in a lower gear will produce more noise.

Air pollution cannot be good for children going to and from school.

To conclude, it annoys me how the powers that be do their best to impede the flow of traffic, and then stand back amazed at the extra pollution their actions have caused.

D Davenport, via email

Thank you, Peter

Dear Editor – I am the sister of the late Peter Rippington. I do not live in Alvechurch, but visit the village regu-

larly to see my family. Each time I visit, I go to look at the memorial garden to my brother.

I see that Peter McHugh, who has been tending the garden, is to retire.

I am extremely grateful to him for all the hard work he has put into caring for the garden, and that this has ensured that my lovely brother is not forgotten.

My mother, Lorna Sage, died last December. She too was touched that the garden was so lovingly cared for.

I would like to put on record how grateful I am to Peter McHugh, and for the many villagers who have been extremely supportive to my family since my brother was so tragically killed.

Liz Rogers (nee Rippington) Newcastle, Staffs

email: editor@villageonline.co.uk

or write to: Letters, The Village, The Limes, Swan Street, Alvechurch B48 7RR Please include your name and address – even if you request them to be withheld from publication. We reserve the right to edit submissions for reasons of space or legality. The deadline for the next issue is December 16.

emocratic’ Fireworks caused panic

Dear Editor – I hope the people who set off the industrial-strength fireworks in Blackwell on Halloween were proud of themselves for creating so much noise. They were either blind to or indifferent to the panic they created among the local pets (and probably the wildlife).

They also sent many human hearts into mouths.

We are still collecting debris in the form of sharp bits of plastic from our garden, and many of these are so sharp that they would damage paws or even thin soles on children’s feet – so other home owners might think about checking their gardens.

If they bother to read this I hope it makes them think twice about using this type of fireworks in the future.

Name and address supplied

Barnt Green remembered

Dear Editor – I have been reading with interest your online article (March 2011) about Barnt Green as seen through the eyes of former resident Gavin Bantock.

I was born in Barnt Green in 1940 and lived there until 1960/61. I also went to school with Gavin at Miss Jackson’s Woodruff School on Blackwell Road, and lived opposite at number 8, Blackwell Road.

If you or others would like any information on Barnt Green between 1940 and 1960, especially people who lived there then, please email me at john@dales.me.uk John Dales, Poole, Dorset

Where’s Vinny?

six-year-old Toby Sallis, of Bromsgrove, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.

If you want to win one for yourself, you’ll need to try to locate the little hedgehog hiding somewhere in this magazine (the one shown above is just a guide!).

Just tell us where he’s hiding via phone, email or post – please include your contact details, especially if leaving a voicemail message – and we’ll draw a winner at random.

The closing date is midnight on the 18th of every month. We’ll let you know if you’ve won and you can collect your Mini Vinny from our office – and pose for a photo with your prize!

TheVillage View . . .

E

very other week, usually on a Thursday afternoon, I run my near-nonagenarian father from Barnt Green over to the library in Alvechurch.

If I’ve a book to return, it goes quickly through the machine, then I’ll sit in a chair while Dad tries to find something to keep him occupied for another fortnight and, if I don’t nod off in the warm comfort of the place, watch what ‘s going on.

There is usually quite a buzz. The bank of publicuse computers close to the entrance are often fully occupied, presumably by people who for one reason or another don’t have internet access at home. This alone is a useful public service: not everyone is constantly wired into the digital web, as I discovered recently when someone replied to an email, almost a week after I sent it to him, on his regular Saturday visit to the library to “log in”.

There are usually schoolchildren in their uniforms at the tables with what seem to be tutors, perhaps giving extra maths or English lessons. There are often children with parents studying the shelves, pulling out the books and flicking through the pages and looking at the cover illustrations, which are becoming ever more inventive. It is heartening to see young people getting to know books, real books they can touch.

There are also the other readers of all ages perusing the shelves, while the staff are busy replacing titles in the correct places or at the reception desk giving out information and taking bookings for the various groups that meet at the library.

One of these takes over a side room, partitioned off on Friday mornings, for Spanish lessons. The class members come from Barnt Green, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove and Lickey, as well as Alvechurch (including me). While the lesson is taking place, we can hear snatches of song from an infants group enjoying a session on the other side of the library.

And then, of course, there is my Dad, who would find one of his main pastimes curtailed if he did not have easy access to a library and the books he loves to read.

The 1964 Public Libraries Act said local authorities must provide a “comprehensive and efficient library service”. Thanks to the dismantling of public services in the UK over the past decade, by those who feel everything should be provided by the private sector to those who can afford to pay for it, Worcestershire County Council is no longer able to fulfil this responsibility. It surely is the time to make some noise to save our library.

RP The Village

December 2018

25

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Village Weddings Village Beauty

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Bellissimo, which recently opened above the photography studio on Alcester Road, also offers clients beautiful surroundings in which to relax and be pampered, with its contemporary decor, quiet location and warm, friendly ambience.

Owned and run by local qualified beautician Georgia Yates, the studio provides a personal and professional service and a wide range of treatments – perfect for getting ready to party this Christmas!

Treatments include Gelish nails, luxury manicures and pedicures, eyebrow and lash tinting, waxing, and Sienna X spray tans, or you could choose to relax with a massage. More services are planned for the new year.

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The Village

December 2018

27

20 Years Ago 10 Years Ago From TheVillage archive

Our december 1998 cover showed a suitably wintry image of Lower Bittell Reservoir, snapped

by Les Ladbury.

Inside there was plenty of local history and a feature on Rowney Green cricket star Gladstone Small.

September 2013 – the diggers arrive

IN THE NEWS: There were fears that areas of land in Barnt Green and Alvechurch could lose their Green Belt status when Bromsgrove’s Local Plan was published, although only one site in each village might be earmarked for development.

Meanwhile, Alvechurch Men’s Club had changed its “sexist” name to Alvechurch Sports & Social Club in order to receive a Lottery grant.

we INTRODUCED readers to PC Paul Twentyman and PC Dave Roberts, the two beat constables for much of the Village area, and advised how to contact them. The officers warned residents to be vigilant in the light of recent burglaries. the last remaining holiday bungalow on the Lickey Hills was due to be demolished. It had been owned for more than 70 years by the family of Keith Hughes (left), who reminisced about the old days.

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From TheVillage archive

the usual array of faces and places adorned the cover of our combined December 2008– January 2009 issue.

Inside were pictures from the first charity fashion show organised by The Village and Fresh@Burcot Garden Centre.

September 2013 – the diggers arrive

IN THE NEWS: A dispute between parish and district councils threatened to leave Cofton Hackett villagers in the dark after Bromsgrove withdrew its funding contribution for street lighting.

The new roof at Rowney Green Peace Hall, funded by an £80,000 Lottery award, had been officially unveiled by village MP Julie Kirkbride.

the new schools and library site in Alvechurch was declared open by former pupil Digby Jones, now “Lord Jones of Birmingham.” He unveiled a plaque and told anecdotes from his schooldays and childhood in the Village area. jane weddell, a voluntary organiser for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and Sarah Brereton raised £3,000 for the charity with a walk around the Lickeys and a pig roast and disco at Barnt Green Cricket Club – plus the auction of a signed Aston Villa shirt (as modelled by Jane, left).

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There are new treatments too, including the fabulous Katherine Daniels skin care range for face and body, designed to treat most common skin types and conditions while taking into consideration lifestyle, environment and climate.

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The Village

December 2018

29

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Village Christmas

Merry Christmas

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to all customers, from Graeme at

Cornell Chimney Sweep

Merry Christmas

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from Independent Parish, District & County Councillor

Charlie Hotham

Merry Christmas

from Sajid Javid MP for Bromsgrove

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Kate Van Der Plank

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and Happy New Year to all customers, from Paul, Geoff & staff at

EJ Crow & Sons Ltd

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Alvechurch Parish Council

Barnt Green Parish Council

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Painter and decorator Darren

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the joy of christmas T

Village Christmas

Our guide to the celebrations taking place in the Village area.

he Best Time of the Year is almost here, and plans for Christmas celebrations are well under way across the Village area, starting with the Lights Switch-On in the centre of Alvechurch on Friday November 30 where the Christmas tree has just been installed. Santa will flick the switch at 5.30pm, and there will be carols from Alvechurch Community Choir. The Lounge will

be open for refreshments, and villagers can then make their way to the Baptist Church for the opening of the Christmas Tree Festival with mulled wine and more carols. The Festival runs until December 4, with trees decorated by village groups and organisations (see page 57 for the full timetable of activities).

Alvechurch resident Karen Hillmansen has come up with an

idea to involve more people in the celebrations and also evoke memories of the much-loved Alvechurch Alight processions of yesteryear. She and a group of friends will gather at 121 Birmingham Road at 5pm, and would like to invite any other residents to come along, bring their own electric tealight lanterns and walk down to the village centre – arcontinues overleaf

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The Village

December 2018

31

Village Christmas continued from previous page riving in time to have a drink, listen to the carol singing, watch the switch-on and visit the Festival.

Meanwhile, Alvechurch is also running a best shop window competition, plus a best-dressed house contest – judging for the latter takes place on December 13.

Barnt Green’s big switch-on event takes place on Saturday December 1 from 4pm. There will be music from Cats Chorus Choir, dancing by Star Project, and appearances from the Town Crier, Santa and Mrs Santa.

The countdown to the switch-on starts at 5pm, and the winner of the village’s best shop window competition will also be declared.

Lickey’s annual Christmas concert is on Sunday December 2 at Holy Trinity Church at 4pm, with Father Christmas to switch on the tree lights. Blackwell’s tree at The Wheel will be lit on Friday December 7 at 5.45pm, straight after the fair at

H

Blackwell First School. Santa will of course be in attendance at this event, too.

The next festive event in Barnt Green is on Saturday December 8, when St Andrew’s Church hosts a Nativity Scene Festival with a display of nativity scenes from around the world. Pop along between 10am and 4pm.

Then on Saturday December 15, the new development at Cofton Fields gets its own Carol Service, taking place from 4pm in Aero Way Park. On Friday December 21 there will be Community Carols in Cofton Hackett, from 7pm at end of Chestnut Drive (by the Myhill Field).

On the same evening, Finstall Village Hall hosts a Community Carols event with choir members from St Bartholomew’s and St Godwald’s – all welcome.

As we get closer to the big day itself, the community festive gath-

continues overleaf

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Village Christmas continued from previous page ering for the Oakalls and Parklands takes place on Sunday December 23 at 6.30pm on the open grassed area by the noticeboard and Trianon Road. Blackwell Concert Band will accompany the carol singing and Father Christmas will appear at around 7pm.

Finally, if you want to walk off all that Christmas fare, Barnt Green’s annual Wassail Walk is on Thursday December 27 – this will begin around 3pm in Millennium Park and proceed to a local orchard. For full details see www.barntgreen.org.uk H Alvechurch Village

Hall‘s committee has produced a 2019 calendar, highlighting the many groups and that use the venue. It costs £5 and is available from The Lounge, Crow’s butchers and the parish council office, or from Norma on 07496 or Julie on 07455 892909.

Proceeds go to hall maintenance.

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December 2018

35

Village Gifts Our guide to some of the latest reads by local authors – perfect Christmas

the story of finstall

F

install author Jennie McGregorSmith, whose previous works have covered the Victorian expansion of Bromsgrove, Aston Fields, Blackwell and Burcot, has turned the spotlight on her own village with a new book called The Story of Finstall.

Jennie’s incredibly detailed research follows Finstall’s journey from the 1640s – when there was no village centre, just a few small farms and hovels – to the 1940s, when a German plane dropped high explosives in the grounds of the Prep School, and the privations of rationing led one family to swap their Austin 7 Tourer for half a pig.

These are just some of the anecdotes to be found in this fascinating book, which will appeal to anyone who enjoys finding out more about their home area and to older residents who will actually recall some of the places and characters in the latter stages of the story.

36

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December 2018

The author, who was awarded a British Empire Medal in the 2018 New Year Honours list for services to her community, says she thoroughly enjoyed researching and writing the book “because I found out such extraordinary things”, especially the information on the Civil War. We learn that The Cross Inn, where the book was launched, has been a pub since at least the 1780s – and that there was once an ale house

by Finch End farmhouse, as well as The Boot Inn, now Coombe Cottage (Jennie notes that hops still grow in the hedge there).

Later, she tells how the face of Finstall was changed by the arrival of several major families such as the Albrights, the Ellins and the Brettells; Quaker industrialists from Birmingham and the Black Country.

After William Albright of Finstall Hall died, it was his daughter Catherine who arranged for the Village Hall to be built on Albright land, as

well as the new Post Office and the allotments.

Then there are stories about the well-known buildings in Finstall.

Rigby Hall, for example, was briefly the home of “Salt King” John Corbett, who arranged annual parties for local children, and some years later the building was used by a Government Ministry in World War II. The Stud Farm, where Penmanor is now, was renowned for breeding racehorses, while current residents of The Oakalls will be interested to learn more about the farms that preceded the housing development – as well as the tenants whose divorce case in 1915 was so scandalous it was even reported in The Times.

Jennie introduces us to various village characters, such as a trio who all lived to be 100 or older in the late 1890s (when average life expectancy was a mere 47 years), including Joseph Guise, the longest tenant of Caspidge Farm, who had lost an arm in a threshing accident.

Further trivia includes an accident involving a beer train in 1881, causing the local fields to be “deluged with beer”, and details of some rather harsh punishments for petty crime.

Left: Jennie McGregor-Smith (right) with Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council Caroline Spencer and Town Crier Kevin Ward at the book launch.

gifts for bookworms!

A new chapter for Sue OAKALLS AUTHOR Sue Watson has branched out from romantic comedy fiction with her latest novel, a dark and twisted psychological thriller.

Sue tells us that Our Little Lies, her 13th book, sold more than 10,000 copies in its first week and shot to the top of the best-seller lists in the UK, US and Canada.

“I’ve always wanted to do a thriller,’’ says Sue. ‘’Sometimes I’d be really tempted to sneak a murder into my books but my editor wouldn’t let me and said if I wanted to kill off my characters I should try another genre.”

“Our Little Lies is a story about a woman with a picture-perfect life,” she explains. “But when her surgeon husband mentions a female colleague’s name, she is thrust into a tangle of lies and fear, unsure who she can trust – including herself. And there’s a real twist.”

Sue was previously a journalist and TV producer with the BBC and has been writing for the last 12 years. The rights

have been sold to publish Our Little Lies in Poland and Italy where Sue’s other novels have been top sellers.

The book is available in both ebook and paperback format on Amazon, Kobo and iTunes.

Tales of historic Hanbury

Top: Hopgardens Farm, where part of The Oakalls estate now stands.

Above: Joseph Guise, pictured at Caspidge in the early 1890s.

The book is available direct from Jennie at a cost of £12 (plus £3.20 postage) – call 01527 872422 or email jennie@ mcgregorsmith.com

The 2018 edition of The including working for the Number 33 £2.95 THE Bromsgrove Rousler, the intelligence services durBROMSGROVE popular local history ing the Second World War. ROUSLER magazine, has been pubOther contributions inlished by The Bromsgrove clude a history of the Park Society.

Gate Inn, off Kidderminster Hanbury gets lead Road; photographs of the billing this year. Local town in the 1960s by artist and writer Robin Bromsgrove-born docuShaw explores the history mentary photographer and ecology of Hanbury Nick Hedges; and extracts TheȱMythȱandȱMysteryȱ Woods, plus there’s a from a talk by poet Sir ofȱHanburyȱWoods review of A History of Geoffrey Hill, one of BroHanbury by local historian Andrew msgrove’s most famous sons.

Harris – and a painting of Pipers Hill by The Bromsgrove Rousler is available, Norman Neasom on the cover. still at £2.95, from a wide range of outTwo articles focus on the lives of lets including: WH Smith, Foto Factory local women with remarkable stories and Coffee Two in Bromsgrove High Mary Johnson was an 18th-century Street; Banner Foods in Aston Fields; It’s heiress who suffered terribly at the A Gift in Barnt Green; Blackwell Stores; hands of her gold-digging husband, and most local garden centres.

William Chance. The life story of Jean This and past editions may also be Davidson is also profiled. Best known purchased as a download at www.bsoc. as a former Chair of the Bromsgrove co.uk. An index to all editions of the Magistrates and for her charity work, Rousler back to 1986 is available as a Jean has a fascinating backstory, free download.

The Village

December 2018

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Village Gifts

A mine of information

ASTON FIELDS author and mineralogist Roy Starkey has produced a beautifully-illustrated book exploring important mineral deposits in the surrounding area.

Aimed at the general reader as well as the more specialist collector, Minerals of the English Midlands was launched at the UK’s largest mineral show at Bakewell in Derbyshire.

The book, running to more than 400 pages, is the culmination of four years’ research and has seen Roy

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December 2018

delving deep into museum stores and drawers across the nation.

Lavishly illustrated with more than 900 images, the book includes a detailed history of the formerly important Droitwich and Stoke Prior salt industry, and features a wonderful selection of brightlycoloured agates from Marlbrook Quarry (left).

Roy explains, “Many local people don’t realise that it was the unique combination of readily-available coal, iron ore and limestone in the Midlands which powered the Industrial Revolution”.

Economically important mineral deposits in Shropshire and Derby-

shire have produced an amazing treasure trove of stunning mineral specimens. Decorative stones such as Blue John, Ashford Black Marble and Alabaster are known around the world and put the Midlands firmly on the map of geological collectibles.

Minerals of the English Midlands is available from Roy by emailing roy@ britishmineralogy.com or via www. britishmineralogy.com h Prolific Rednal author Jack Walsh has published three new books: Eclectica, a collection of short stories; poetry anthology An Effusion of Poems; and his first children’s novel, The Incredible Journey and Adventures of William and Klara Churchmouse. All are available in paperback via Amazon, and will be reviewed in more detail in a future issue.

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Residents enjoy life at The Lawns, especially spending time in the lovely gardens and the cosy Butterflies Café.

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Overall rating for this service: Outstanding ✩ The Lawns Residential Care, School Lane, Alvechurch, Worcs, B48 7SB Tel: 0121 445 4098 Email: enquiries@thelawnscare.co.uk

Village Stargazing

Reaching for the moon D

Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.

ecember, already? Well, the Christmas ads have been on telly for over a month and the radio is playing all the old Christmas songs, so it must be. Actually this December marks a very special anniversary: 50 years ago, men went to the Moon for the very first time.

Probes had been there before but Apollo 8 was the first spacecraft to carry human beings. They didn’t land, of course; that was to be six months later, but it was the first time a Saturn V rocket was launched with men on board and they decided that it should do what it was designed to do – go to the Moon. It meant the crew were away for Christmas and they took one of the most famous photographs of all time (below).

Back down here on Earth, Mars is still with us after six months, although not as bright as it was back in the summer. Look for it in the south as soon as the sky has gone dark.

It really has been a treat this year and it’s good to hear that NASA has managed to get its remaining rover, Curiosity, working again after a glitch in October. It had a memory problem which was cured by switching to a back-up system. I wonder if they could help me?

Mars is now the only bright planet in the evening sky, although Neptune is close by – but that is for a good telescope, as is Uranus over to the left in Pisces. A crescent Moon wanders by from the 14th. If you’re up and about early in the morning, Venus rises

Capella

Track of Comet 46P/Wirtanen

21st

Taurus

Pleiades

16th

Orion

11th

just before five o’clock and is visible in the south east till the Sun obliterates it at about eight. You may get a glimpse of Jupiter just before this. A thin crescent Moon is here too for the last few days of the month.

This month also sees two more exciting Solar System events. The first of these is the Geminid meteor shower which peaks on the night of the 13th, but look for them anywhere in the sky for a good few days either side of this date.

The second is the close approach of comet 46P/Wirtanen which occurs on the 16th. It was originally thought that this comet would be visible to the naked

eye around this time but latest predictions are less optimistic.

What is known is that all comets are a bit unpredictable, so keep your eyes peeled for a fuzzy blob moving up the sky between the Pleiades and Taurus for a few days either side of this date. A good pair of binoculars should be able to pick it out.

Russia is set to launch three astronauts to the ISS on the 3rd of the month, the first launch since the failure of a Soyuz on the 11th of October, so look out for that.

The USA should launch a re-supply vessel on the 4th so there may be a bit of a spacecraft traffic jam at the ISS at this time. This may make one or the other visible from Alvechurch, so go to www.heavens-above.com for times and places – and don’t forget to look out for the unknown flying object that always crosses the night sky on the evening of the 24th!

Left: Earthrise on the Moon from Apollo 8 (courtesy of NASA) The Village

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Village Weather

Surprisingly dry month

N

Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.

Red cloud

ovember, up until the 20th at least, was a very mild month.

The average temperature was 9.3C, which is 2.6C above the local average. March was the last month with a near-normal average temperature. 2018 will probably be one of the warmest years in recent history. Rainfall was low this month, only 30.4mm (39%) – very low for November which is usually quite wet and windy.

Mammatus

November 2018 (to the 20th) Mean Max 12.1C 2.3 above average Mean Min 6.5C 2.9 above average Mean 9.3C 2.6 above average Rainfall 30.4mm 39% of average Sunshine 57.1 hrs 90% of average October started out mild, with an average temperature of 12.5C – 2.4C above the local mean. The weather turned stormy, with a gust of 45mph on the 12th. It was also very wet from the 12th to 15th, with 39.2mm of rain, making up most of the month’s rainfall. It then turned much colder and drier over the last 10 days, with the mean temperature ending up just 0.3C above the local mean.

October 2018 Mean Max 14.5C 0.6 above average Mean Min 6.4C exactly average Mean 10.4C 0.3 above average Rainfall 49.2mm 55% of average Sunshine 125.9 hrs 136% of average.

Outlook Into early December, there is a lot of uncertainty; we may get a short-lived milder spell with winds from the west, or perhaps see even colder conditions if the winds turn more northerly

or northeasterly. There may be a continuation of the cold and mainly settled conditions – however, there is a chance that during early December the weather pattern may change, with fronts moving in from the west across the Atlantic.

This would bring longer spells of rain, interspersed with brighter, showery interludes, and it would also become less cold. But, even if the change does happen, it won’t be long before we have more settled conditions again, perhaps by the middle of December.

More information at www.alvechurchweather.metsite.com You can see an improved HD weather-cam, updated at one-minute intervals, at: www.alvechurchweather.metsite.com/webcam_alvechurch.php

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December 2018

Lickey sunset

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Village Finance

Advertisement feature

Increases and frozen thresholds in Budget

T

Martin Pryor picks out the main points from an unexpectedly interesting Budget.

he last Budget before Brexit proved to be more interesting than expected. It was delivered five months before the Brexit deadline and the start of the 2019/20 tax year, and threatened to be an interim affair, as decisions announced in October risk appearing seriously out of date by the time April arrives.

In the event, Mr Hammond chose to be more radical than expected, declaring that, “austerity is coming to an end, but discipline will remain”.

The main points of interest to emerge were:

changes to EIS funds, after the many changes to venture capital trusts and enterprise investment schemes in the 2017 Budget.

l On 6 April 2019, the personal allowance will rise by £650 to £12,500, reaching the target originally set for 2020/21 in the 2017 Conservative manifesto.

l The adult ISA contribution limit for 2019/20 was left unchanged at £20,000, although the limit for Junior ISAs did increase £108 to £4,368.

Frozen thresholds

l The basic rate band will increase by £3,000 to £37,500, making the higher rate threshold (personal allowance + basic rate band) £50,000.

This also matches the 2020/21 target.

Many tax rates and thresholds were frozen, which offers Chancellors a subtle way of raising additional revenue. This will be necessary, as an examination of the spending commitments given in the Budget reveals that more than £27.6bn of a total £30.6bn will be spent on the NHS by 2023/24.

For example, the main IHT nil rate band stays at £325,000, the threshold set back in 2009. The starting points for additional rate tax (£150,000) and the phasing out of the personal allowance (£100,000) also haven’t increased since their introduction in April 2010.

Combined with the increase in

l Both the personal allowance and higher rate threshold will be frozen for 2020/21. They will rise in line with CPI inflation from 2021/22 onwards. l Despite rumours, there were no changes to inheritance tax (IHT), which means the residence nil rate band rises to £150,000 on 6 April 2018. However, an overhaul of IHT could still emerge when Mr Hammond presents his Spring Statement. l The pension lifetime allowance will increase to £1,055,000 for 2019/20, in line with CPI annual inflation to September 2018. There were no other adjustments to pension allowances. l The capital gains tax annual exempt amount will increase to £12,000, in line with inflation, for 2019/20. l There were minor technical

the personal allowance, these frozen thresholds mean that from April the band of income potentially subject to 60% marginal tax (currently 61.5% in Scotland) covers half of the income between the £100,000 taper starting point and the £150,000 threshold for additional rate tax (45% or 46% in Scotland).

The higher rate threshold

The increase to the higher rate threshold for 2019/20 has three knock-on effects: l The upper earnings/profits limit for full rate National Insurance contributions (NICs) rises to £50,000, effectively clawing back nearly 40% of your income tax saving if you are an employee with earnings above £50,000. l The income ceiling for pension automatic enrolment contributions could increase to £50,000, £3,650 above the current limit. Such a rise would coincide with the increase in minimum total contributions from 5% to 8% of ‘band earnings’ – £6,032–£46,350 in 2018/19. l The £50,000 income threshold for the high income child benefit charge is unchanged for 2019/20, meaning it will apply once higher rate tax starts to be paid.

If you would like to discuss how the Budget affects you, please get in touch.

The value of tax reliefs depends on your individual circumstances.

Tax laws can change. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate tax advice. n Contact Pryor Portfolio Management for more information: Tel: 07961 162818 martinpryor@ppm-ifa.co.uk http://www.ppm-ifa.co.uk The Village

December 2018

45

Mary Green continues her series on trees in the Celtic calendar.

T

he mild autumn led to a dogwood hedge in Withybed breaking into flower in late October – it usually flowers in May or June. St Luke’s little summer went on towards the end of October, followed by a cold blast as we moved to November, when it became mild again.

The tree colour has been lovely after the warm summer, bright even on the stormy days we had, and lasting well into November despite the winds. There have been great berries, not because there is going to be a cold winter as tradition has it, but because of the year we have had so far: cold spring followed by hot summer.

You expect the Celtic tree for December to be dark and gloomy, or at least evergreen, but the main tree for this season is the birch. De-

Birches Lane, autumn Scots pine

cember marks the solstice, when the light begins to return for the new year, so this graceful silvery tree, full of light, is very appropriate.

It is also a very resilient tree, a survivor, which will grow in inhospitable places where the mighty oaks won’t thrive: this adds to its aptness as a midwinter tree. I remember a poem I learnt as a child that started “The silver birch is a dainty lady/ She wears a silken gown.”

Far from being dainty, the birch is tough and strong, and its silver is more like a suit of armour!

It’s a common tree in the north and west of the British Isles, the rest of northern Europe and north America, so was important in Celtic, Norse and native American cultures. Birch branches were brought into the house in England to celebrate May Day, and in Russia a whole birch tree was dressed up as a May bride, or a young woman was covered with birch leaves for this.

Birch was used for the fires and torches of St John’s Day – the old summer solstice celebration. In the Celtic calendar birch stands for new

Warwickshire Drooper plums Conkers Winter holly

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birch

December 2018

Village Country Diary

Silver birch bark and leaves

and pine life, and it is one of the fairy trees believed to have magical and curative properties.

Birch forms part of many old place names, often in the form of Birk or Berk. Here we have Birches Lane from Withybed Green up to Cooper’s Hill, an ancient trackway which was planted with birches, many of which reached the end of their lives recently. New trees were planted about ten years ago, but many did not survive a dry spring when they were planted.

There are several in the streets of Alvechurch and other villages, and they often line newer

roads, chosen along with rowan for their fast growth.

Birch grows fast and rarely lives to a century. It colonises the ground in acidic areas rather like ash does on the more alkaline soils. Because of this it has often been disliked by foresters and some conservationists, who remove it to allow other plants to grow. This is not good ecology, though, as these fast-growing trees are useful in protecting young slower-growing trees. They are much better for the environment than the equally fast-growing conifers so often planted, which have a long-term harmful effect on the soil.

Above: Late dogwood flower Below left : Birch trunk

Birch fixes nitrogen in the soil so benefits other species. In fact, birch could be more used in forestry as it is a good renewable source of wood-pulp (for paper, cardboard and especially as a biodegradable substitute for plastic and artificial fibres) without the harmful ecological effects of conifers.

Every bit of the birch was used in the subsistence communities where it was often the main tree. All the wooden objects of home and farm, from chairs to plough-handles, were made of birch wood. In Scotland the branches are an important continues overleaf The Village

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Village Country Diary

Scots pine continued from previous page fuel in making whisky. The twigs are still much used in smoking fish and meat and were also for making brooms and whisks and for thatching. Less pleasantly, it made canes and whips for punishments. Birch is used today for smoking salt, a very welcome recent revival as an addition to our food, including in nearby Droitwich.

The bark of birch trees looks fragile in its silvery lightness but is almost indestructible. If you find

an old fallen birch tree trunk it will probably be just bark with the wood inside rotted away. The bark is famously used for canoe making in north America.

It also burns well, so was used for candles and torches. Its oil was an ingredient used in tanning hide.

In fact, burning is the only way to easily destroy birch bark. It has been found thousands of years old buried in peat bogs and virtually unchanged from its silvery, papery state. The sap is sugary and birch Birches in Scotland in spring

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December 2018

wine is popular in many parts of the world.

Birch is a catkin-bearing tree, so now in winter small catkins will be growing on the branches. In spring the male catkins will shake out long and wiggly, like hazel catkins but a rather browner shade. Their pollen falls on to smaller green catkins holding the female flowers. The winged seeds in autumn are loved by birds especially finches, so they are spread by them as well as windblown.

Birch has beautiful small leaves, light green and rustling in spring, turning a lovely yellow in the autumn. You may see a strange thing growing on birch – there are some on the birches outside the Lewkner Almshouses in Alvechurch. These are often called “witches’ knots” and look a bit like birds’ nests. They are made by an insect that lives on the tree and makes the twigs form these dense mats. Birch also hosts many fungi, especially the birch polypore, russule and bolete.

As well as the familiar silver birch, there is another kind in the far north of Britain, the downy birch.

This is browner but very beautifully scented from the resin on the

Snow on yew

Scots pine re-forestation

leaves. I once spent ages on a Scottish campsite looking for the source of that wonderful smell!

The secondary tree in the Celtic calendar for midwinter is an evergreen – the pine or fir – the word used can refer to both. Scots pine is the only native one, but firs have been planted for several centuries. None is local around here, though there are lots of planted conifers.

Most of the pines around here are Monterey or Corsican pines rather than Scots. They were very popular in the 19th century, and you can see them around all the big houses on Cooper’s Hill, on the Lickeys, and in the fine Wellingtonias in Alvechurch.

Scotland was once covered in pine forest. After this was lost, due to a combination of human destruction and climate change, the land became deforested. During the 19th and 20th centuries, fir and other imported conifers were used to replace them, but were not good for the environment even if they did support the paper industry.

Nowadays there are reforestation projects with Scots pine, and I have seen this beautifully done around Ullapool.

We have become so accustomed to these conifers that our main family celebration of the year, Christmas, revolves round a fir or pine tree, usually a Norway spruce. But when we had the hot dry summer this year many Christmas tree growers lost their crop, which reminds you that they are happier in the colder and wetter north.

Trees are so important to us (however much we continues overleaf

Birches in The Birches Winter birch

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December 2018

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Village Country Diary continued from previous page

ignore them or dispose of them as inconvenient) that it is very appropriate that we mark the end of one year and the beginning of the next with a Christmas tree. Never mind if it was imported from northern Europe – it still represents hope and the continuity of nature. Perhaps we should bring in a birch tree this year!

Trees come into my poem too, written this autumn. Thank you everyone who has said they enjoyed my year of trees, and everyone who helped me through a difficult year of dealing with cancer.

I wrote the poem on the day I got good news about my progress.

Young Scots pine

Birch with witches’ knots

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December 2018

Birch by canal

Fools’ gold It is always beautiful, my early morning window But twice a year it takes my breath away In spring the plum and damson blossom bursts out Like snow, like wedding, white cloud and mist And I fear for it, as the cold frost hides its fingers.

In autumn the ash and plum flame to bright gold Shining and shaking in the wind like coins Like Rapunzel’s hair, like gold spun in the cellar

By Rumpelstiltskin’s slave, fools’ gold, fairy gold.

Is this just a cheap hoax, beauty out of reach To be snatched away and leave us poorer still Like the hard gold in this Vanity Fair of life?

No, this is the real gold, no fake news This gold means the trees will move into winter With their hearts full and their branches clean Swaying in the gales and cold without breaking, Working away in the dark, creating leaves And blossom, to make me love and fear, Promising I can eat its fruit again next year.

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December 2018

51

Village Youth

Awards night fun for Ravens

N

international star Stanley Gene – was read out, before Director of Rugby Jason Spafford thanked everyone who works behind the scenes.

The first to receive their medals were the “little leaguers” aged from three to six years old, and the under 11s. As well as “Rising Star”, “Most Valuable Player” and “Club Commitment”, there were various fun awards.

A very special “Roll of Honour” was

orth East Worcestershire (NEW) Ravens Rugby League Club held its end-of-season awards night recently at the home venue of Hopwood Park. The club house was packed with players of all ages, families, friends and supporters.

A message of support from the club President – former super league player, coach and Papua New Guinea

awarded to the late Chris Cooksey from the Kings Norton RU Club, who was a great supporter of the Ravens.

NEW Ravens play indoor mixed touch at Bournville College in Longbridge every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm – all welcome. They also play Masters RL, a modified version of the game for over 35s. Details from www.newravens.net or Jason on 07957 248464.

Chance to play tag This season has seen a new team established at Kings Norton RFC for boys and girls who want to be part of the rugby family, but prefer the tag version of the game rather than contact.

The team is currently made up of boys and girls aged seven to 11.

Following a few weeks’ practice, they played their first-ever fixtures at Alcester Rugby Club and performed brilliantly, gelling well as a team. Five of the seven were

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playing their first-ever competitive games and all seven players managed to score tries. Despite the weather, it was a fantastic event.

The team now look forward to future fixtures, with some tag and touch rugby lined up later in the season. If anyone would like to join, or even just give it a try, contact coach Craig Ellicott on craigellicott@aol.com. Boys and girls of all ages, abilities and experience are welcome.

December 2018

Talented trio

Three students of Whitehouse Music in Alvechurch were selected as the highest achievers across the entire Birmingham area and invited to an award ceremony for the London College of Music examinations to celebrate their achievements.

James Parkinson, 10, scored an amazing 100% in his theory exam and received a trophy for his success. Emily Glover, eight, achieved a score of 96% in her first-ever theory exam and Isabella Smith, nine, achieved a great 90% in Grade 1 theory.

Above: Music teacher Robyn Whitehouse with students.

Village Sport AFC offers the chance to win goodies such as a season ticket.

A

lvechurch FC needs a new mascot! The club is inviting design ideas from boys and girls aged under 13, with the five best designs shortlisted and voted on by the public on social media.

Draw your idea, give your mascot a name and send your entry in to alvechurchfc@btinternet.com by December 10. The winner will receive £100 prize money, a season ticket for AFC, a new football, a photograph with the first team squad, and the chance to accompany the mascot at a home match.

Celebrating the 2–1 away win at Rushall Olympic (Photo/ Ian Macvie)

Design AFC’s mascot!

Alvechurch are still riding high in the league, climbing to fifth as we went to press thanks to wins against Barwell, St Ives Town and Bedworth.

However, it’s been a different story in their cup campaigns, with the club crashing out of the remaining two competitions.

First was the JW Hunt Cup defeat at the hands of Bilston Town. ’Church’s line-up featured seven players aged 19 or younger (including 16-year-old Ben Cassidy) and it proved to be boys against men, with AFC putting up little fight and only pulling two late consolation goals back from 5–0 down.

After 66 minutes Alvechurch legend and assistant coach Keith Rostill came on, looking for the two goals that would take the club’s all-time leading scorer to the 250 landmark his career deserved, but it wasn’t to be.

Three days later AFC faced Stratford Town – the team who had dumped them out of the League Cup – at home in the FA Trophy qualifying round, ending in a tight 1–1 draw. The replay saw Stratford totally dominate the first half to lead 3–0 at the break. Despite a better second

half, ’Church, feeling the absence of both Mitch Botfield and Aaron Lloyd, were unable to breach the Stratford defence.

AFC were hoping for better luck as they prepared to meet Stratford yet again – this time in the league – on November 27. l The club would like to welcome Tim Delaney to Lye Meadow as football operations manager. Tim joins after a successful spell at National League side Solihull Moors and brings a wealth of experience.

Forward Yusifu Ceesay and centre-back Ashley Carter, who both played a major role last season, have returned to AFC. Yusifu attracted the interest of several clubs before signing for Football League side Blackpool, and has now been loaned to ’Church on an initial month’s deal.

Ashley joined National League North side Nuneaton Borough at the end of last season, where he was a constant starter, but after discussions between the two clubs he will be back in an AFC shirt once more.

However, recent signing Trea Bertie has returned to Racing Club Warwick.

Congratulations to central midfield player Mitch Botfield for winning

the Player of the Month award for October. Mitch played a significant part in the league matches with his creativity and vision, scoring three goals in consecutive matches. l For more info or sponsorship enquiries, please contact Trevor Ball at saintsarehot2@btinternet.com or visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/ alvechurch Follow the club on Twitter @Alvechurch1st The directors, management and players would like to wish all supporters a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

fixtures

All league fixtures unless stated Sat Dec 1 3pm Biggleswade Town (A) Tues Dec 4 7.45pm Halesowen Town (A) Sat Dec 8 3pm Rushden & Diamonds (H) Sat Dec 15 3pm Lowestoft Town (A) Tues Dec 18 7.45pm Leiston (H) Sat Dec 22 3pm Royston Town (A) Wed Dec 26 3pm Redditch Utd (A) Sat Dec 29 3pm Tamworth (H) Tues Jan 1 3pm Banbury Town (A) Sat Jan 5 3pm Stratford Town (A) Sat Jan 12 3pm Halesowen Town (H) Sat Jan 19 3pm St Neots Town (A) The Village

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Oakalls Village

Art of remembrance

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Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.

hildren from Finstall First School contributed to the Armistice commemorations by producing a variety of artwork before and during the school’s Art Week.

The pieces were displayed in St Godwald’s Church during an afternoon Remembrance tea and during the Remembrance service on November 11. Members of the community visited the church to view the artwork and helped to raise £584 for The Royal British Legion.

Below: Poppy wreath by Year 3.

Peace stained glass window by Year 2

Large cross with silhouette soldiers by Year 4

DIARY DATE: CHRISTMAS IS COMING . . .

This year’s community festive gathering takes place on Sunday December 23 at 6.30pm on the open grassed area by the noticeboard and Trianon Road. Blackwell Concert Band will accompany the carol singing and there will be sweets and glow sticks for the children as well as refreshments to buy, including Tardebigge Cider. Father Christmas will make an appearance at around 7pm.

It is hoped there will be another large crowd this year, allowing residents to meet new friends and neigh-

Fewer homes do Halloween There was a marked decline in households taking part in the Halloween celebration this year but that didn’t prevent children from visiting those houses happy to participate in “trick or treat”. The damp weather quickly cleared, but with fewer homes to visit the fancydressed children weren’t out for long and by 7pm the streets were devoid of vampires, witches, ghosts and zombies.

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Above: Nicholas, aged 4

December 2018

bours. People are encouraged to carry lanterns or bring torches and to wear warm clothes and robust footwear.

A road closure will be in place between 6 and 8pm, from the upper roundabout at Regents Park Road/ Royal Worcester Crescent to the junction of Trianon Road including Davenham Road. There will be a diversion in place via Royal Worcester Crescent.

Please contact me with your news, views and concerns about any aspect of life on the estate. Email: oakalls@villageonline.co.uk

Village Art

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ildlife concealed in the grasses; wildlife art secluded, unsuspected, on the first floor of Ye Olde Stables. The gaze of an animal poised in the wild; the surveying, charged inspection emanating from the eyes of the tiger drawn on Eric’s easel in his studio.

There are obvious parallels between the real and the pictorial as you head deep into Canalside Craft Centre, Stoke Prior.

Eric Watson is an exceptional, selftaught artist as well as the President of Redditch Art Circle and a proud naturalist and conservationist. He typically employs a unique and bold combination of pastels, pencil, acrylic, gouache and watercolour to build up a single piece. Lately, he has focused on “white on black” works of art of wild animals to achieve a particularly dramatic effect.

As you see in the images, Eric displays a matchless gift for depicting the impenetrable splendour of animals. I was lucky enough to spend an hour with him last month, discussing his work and wildlife interests (including Cotswold Wildlife Park, Slimbridge Wetland Centre and the Wildlife Trust) as well as his exhibitions and classes. Eric is a humble and charming person who enjoys running his classes and workshops. He is keen to help others to look intently at

Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith highlights the stunning art of Eric Watson.

the mystifying world of nature and to depict for themselves the stateliness of animals. His latest style pulses with energy and brings to life the magic of the wild.

Eric is mounting a solo exhibition at Coach House Theatre, Great Malvern (Grange Road, WR14 3HA, 01684 569011) from December 11 to January 3 and I suggest strongly that you drop in to experience first-hand the power of his work.

With Christmas upon us, a visit to Eric’s studio at 138 Hanbury Road (B60 4JZ) may provide you with just the right gift for that special person who loves the grandeur of animals.

Original pieces are for sale along with cards and limited-edition signed giclee prints.

If you are interested in Eric’s regular classes or workshops or perhaps in a commission for wildlife art, details can be found at www.ericwatsonart. com or you can contact him on 07887 588310, wterc@aol.com. A browse through Eric’s art on the above website and www.naturethroughart.com may just evoke, as it did for me:

Enigma, equilibrium, equanimity Regality Instinctive harmony, imposing majesty Calmness, control, curiosity Wild gravity August mystery Transcendent solemnity Stares of self-assurance – such serenity Oracular sagacity – o, how those coloured eyes speak to me Noble tranquillity Artistic magnanimity Restrained energy Tangible dignity Outstanding, Eric. Keep going.

Please get in touch if you would like me to write about an art event near you: richard@galleryart61.com www.galleryart61.com The Village

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Village What’s On EVENTS finstall village Hall hosts a coffee morning on Sat Dec 1 from 11am–1pm, with proceeds shared between Prostate Cancer Research and hall improvements.

Homemade cakes, Christmas stall, hand made Christmas wreaths, gifts, bric-a-brac, children’s toys, handmade jewellery, cards, handmade chocolates.

A Community Christmas Fair takes place on Sat Dec 1 at Holy Trinity Church, Rose Hill, Lickey B45 8RR, 11am–2pm. Stalls representing groups from the local community, with a tombola, produce, handicrafts and more. Light refreshments available. Free entry. Info: 0121 445 6170.

National Tree Dressing Day is on Sat Dec 1, and the Lickey Hills Rangers invite you to help them decorate the trees in the woods from 11am–1pm. Wrap up warm and wear suitable outdoor clothing and wellies. Booking essential on 0121 445 6036. Meet in the Visitor Centre, B45 8ER.

St Godwald’s Community Cafe meets every other Friday (the next one is Dec 7) from 10.30am–12.30pm at St Godwald’s Room adjacent to the Church Hall, Finstall Road, Bromsgrove. Home made scones, cake, tea/coffee available. Come and have a chatter, play board games, jigsaws etc.

Alpha course at Barnt Green Baptist Church – explore life, faith and meaning.

Each Weds at 7.30pm. Register at outreach @bgb.org.uk or see www.bgb.org.uk MESSY CHURCH For All! This event is held on the third Sunday most months at Catshill Methodist Church from 3.45pm, to include games, singing, crafts and a story on a Bible-based theme, and simple meal around 5.30pm. Free entry and a warm welcome for all. More info from James Knott on 07968 110 631.

‘Quiet Space’ at Alvechurch Baptist Church takes place each Mon and Fri from 10am–12 noon. The church is open as a quiet space, with “welcomers” on hand to help if required, for anyone who would like to come and find peace and rest for as long as they need. For more info, call Revd Fiona Lee on 0121 447 7369, email revfiona@alvechurchbaptist.org.uk or visit www.alvechurchbaptist.org.uk

MUSIC Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra ends the year with a Christmas concert on Fri Dec 14 at Lickey End Social Club,

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what’s on guide Bromsgrove, B60 1JT. This 17-piece big band consists of some of the best local pro and semi pro musicians and will perform a wide range of swinging jazz from the 1930s onwards, special arrangements of Christmas favourites and a vocal double act with the ever popular Lynn Dawes and Garry Rutter. Starts 8pm; entry £6 on the door. There’s a raffle and real ale at the bar. For more details phone Geoff on 07970 662692.

The Asklepios Orchestra (conducted

by Lee Armstrong) give their next concert on Sun Dec 2 at 7.30pm in St. Andrew’s Church, Barnt Green B45 8NR. The attractive programme features Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major (soloist Ruta Labutyte) and Sibelius’ Symphony no. 2 in D major.

Admission free – donations to retiring collection much appreciated. Come along and bring your friends!

Hopwood Junction band play at the Hopwood House pub on Fri Dec 14 from 9pm. More info from Pete on 0121 445 4022.

The Midland Sinfonia presents its annual Concert by Candlelight on Sat Dec 1 at St Laurence Church, Alvechurch, at 7.30pm.

Conducted by Nick Fallowfield and featuring the Hefin Flute & Harp Duo, the programme includes Mozart, Holst, Debussy and Haydn. Tickets £15 on the door or £14 in advance from Gin & Pickles, The Square, Alvechurch or www.midlandsinfonia.co.uk (free for FT students and schoolchildren accompanying an adult). For more information email midlandsinfonia@gmail.com or call 0121 447 7040.

BROMSGROVE CONCERTs presents the Zelkova String Quartet on Jan 11 at Artrix in Bromsgrove, starting at 8pm. The group will play music by Haydn, Judith Weir, Bartok and Beethoven. Full info can be found at www.bromsgrove-concerts.org. uk and on Twitter and Facebook. Tickets in advance from Artrix on 01527 577 330 or www.artrix.co.uk or on the door.

Barnt Green Choral Society performs its afternoon Christmas concert on Dec 15 at 3pm at St Andrew’s Church, Sandhills Road, Barnt Green. Mulled wine and mince pies will be served afterwards in the Parish Centre. The concert will include traditional Christmas carols and also works from composers ranging from Irving Berlin to

Paul McCartney. Tickets £10 at the door, or phone Fiona Brown on 0121 445 5513.

Blackwell Concert Band presents its eighth annual Christmas concert at St Andrew’s Church, Barnt Green on Sat Dec 1 at 7.30pm, with all proceeds once again going to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Tickets £5 adults and £1 under-16s, available in advance on 07891 527089 or blackwellconcertband98@gmail.com, or on the door. Interval refreshments provided. Further information about booking or even joining the band is available at www.blackwellconcertband.co.uk Singing to Beat, the group for people with dementia, Parkinson’s, MS and other neuro conditions (plus carers, friends and relatives) is now at the Longbridge Retirement Village (B45 8TD) every Weds from 11.30am–1pm. Cost £3.50 for those from outside the village – all welcome. No previous experience necessary. More info from Ruth on 0121 453 6952.

Alvechurch Community Choir meets at 7.30pm on Mondays in Alvechurch Village Hall, though on the 2nd Monday each month they move to a different venue, usually Alvechurch Social Club. They meet in the Hall on Dec 3 for their Christmas party, and at The Crown on Dec 10.

Then there’s a break till Jan 7 when they return to the Hall. The choir is an open access singing group; new members of all abilities are welcome. It is part of a charity called Everybody Let’s Sing and is committed to bringing music to a wide community, including a regular choir it runs at The Lawns care home. The choir sings gospel, folk and popular songs from all ages and loves to perform for local occasions. They are singing at the Alvechurch Lights switch-on on Nov 30 and several Christmas events over the next few weeks.

Find out more about the choir at www. lets-sing.co.uk To ask about booking the choir for an event, or for details of sessions and venues, ring Mary on 0121 445 5957.

Shamanic Drumming Group meets monthly at Hopwood Village Hall. Drumming for Vitality, Healing and Joy. No previous experience necessary, drums available to borrow. For further details email Andy on Fixedholdsworth@sky.com The Cats Chorus is described as “a fun choir for people who love to sing but don’t

have to be vocally gifted”, and meets on Tuesdays (term-time) at 7.30pm in The Wheel, Blackwell. They sing hits from the 60s to the present day. For more info, email sharoncatschorus@yahoo.com TARDEBIGGE CHURCH choir is seeking new recruits! The choir, based at St Bartholomew’s (B60 3AH) is struggling with declining numbers due to age and health, but still sings in four parts at morning and evening services on Sundays, plus weddings and funerals. They particularly need a bass or bass-baritone, but all parts are welcome! Pop along to a practice on Sat at 10am, or call Robert on 01527 542491.

The Arrow Vale Singers meet on Wednesdays from 8–10pm at Batchley Community Centre, Redditch B97 6PB, including a refreshment break. More info on 07718 113086, www.arrowvalesingers. co.uk or arrowvalesingers@gmail.com A JAZZ Night takes place at Beoley Village Hall on the 4th Wednesday of each month, featuring some fantastic “trad” jazz bands. For further details, or to order advance tickets, call 01527 62584 or 01527 66646 (both before 9.30pm).

Alvechurch acoustic ROOTS’ famed Christmas Special is on Fri Dec 21 at Alvechurch Social Club. Starts 8pm sharp and still only £4 ( £3 concessions) to come and hear some of the West Midland’s finest live performers.

Alvechurch Sports & Social Club hosts a series of music events including ACOUSTIC ROOTS with a variety of local performers ten times a year, KARAOKE every Sunday evening and LIVE bands.

For up to date details visit the Club’s Facebook page or phone 0121 445 2121.

BROMSGROVE FOLK Club meets on the second and last Thurs every month at Catshill Club, starting at 8pm. For a full list of events call Bob Bignell on 0121 476 5938 or see www.bromsgrovefolkclub.co.uk BROMSGROVE ROCK Choir offers everyone the chance to sing pop, rock and chart songs – no audition. Free taster sessions available. More info at www.rockchoir.com or on 01252 714276.

Cantare Daytime Choir meets on Fridays 9.15–10.15am at Alvechurch Cricket Club – everyone welcome. Do you enjoy singing with other people? Don’t worry if you think you can’t sing, or don’t read music, everyone is welcome. You can

Don’t miss the Tree Festival!

Alvechurch Baptist Church is once again holding a Christmas Tree Festival, from Fri Nov 30 to Tues Dec 4, with trees decorated by 20 village groups.

All festival proceeds will go to two local charities: The Birmingham Choir with No Name (made up of people who have experienced homelessness) and St Basil’s Centre Birmingham (working with young homeless people to provide accommodation and skills).

For more information about the Festival email Alyson.williams1@ btinternet.com

Full programme of events (this may be subject to change) Friday November 30 6pm: Mulled wine and tree viewing after the Village Lights Switch-On. Carols will play in the forecourt every evening for an hour.

Saturday December 1 10am–3pm: Church open for tree viewing.

3pm: Christmas Family film afternoon: Polar Express. £2 pp or £5 per family. Tickets on the door or from The Lounge.

Sunday December 2 10.30am: Morning Worship: Hope through Christmas, including members of the Choir With No Name telling their story.

4pm: Community Advent Carol Service based on the carols chosen for the trees.

Monday December 3 10am–12.15pm: students from Alvechurch Middle School visit to see the trees and take part in workshops on homelessness run by St Basil’s.

1–4.30pm: Church open for tree viewing.

7.30pm: Dine among the Trees. £10 per person for two-course meal incl. glass of wine and entertainment. Tickets from The Lounge.

Tuesday December 4 10.30am–1pm: Church open for tree viewing.

3.30–4.45pm: After-school Christingle Service with activities and refreshments.

7.30pm: Grand Festival Concert with local bands The Stompies, Dirty Brass, Six Five Specials and Paddywack Ukes. £7 per person. Tickets on the door or from The Lounge. l Throughout the Festival there will be a large Advent Calendar in the church foyer. Organisers would like people to bring small gifts and chocolates to put in the pockets. All gifts will be given to The Choir with No Name. Help to make a difference and give hope to those who experience homelessness – while having fun!

even bring your kids/babies if they let you sing. Whether you want to perform in concerts or simply sing for fun, for the therapeutic or health benefits gained from group singing, why not come along for a free trial session? For more info contact cantarechoir2011@gmail.com, call Rebecca on 07803 900154 or see www. cantarechoir.com

raising. The singers meet on Monday evenings at Crabbs Cross Methodist Church, Crabbs Cross Lane, Redditch B97 5LD. The marvellous men would love more tenors and bass voices! If you enjoy singing, or would like to try something new, the group would love to hear from you. More info at www.belcantosingers.co.uk or from Polly Speers on 01564 822672.

Bromsgrove Community Choir meets on Thurs evenings, 6–7 pm at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, in room 6, at the rear of the building off the small car park. They sing for fun and enjoyment; everyone welcome, singers or not. Contact Ruth Henley for details on 01527 527022 or email r.g.henley@btinternet.com

Alvechurch Samba Band, Banda Sem Nome, is looking for new recruits! This local community side meets on the 1st and 3rd Thurs each month at Alvechurch Cricket Club at 8pm. Go along if you fancy having a go at something a little bit different and discovering your hidden talents! No previous experience required, all welcome (u16s must be accompanied by an adult).

More info from Andrea on 07867 858099.

Bel Canto Singers... do you enjoy singing bright and lively pieces? Join in with a friendly group of mixed age singers. The music is a good variety (pop, retro, musical and popular classical), and the group’s aim is to produce a quality sound whilst supporting charity and community fund

DANCING French & Breton folk dancing at Alvechurch Village Hall: usually on the 1st Sat

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continued from previous page each month, 2.30–5pm. Next sessions Dec 8 and Jan 5. Informal tuition and live music provided. New dancers (and musicians) welcome. £2 per session. For details, email alvechurchfrenchdance@gmail.com Graham & Denise Darby present a Saturday Night social Dance on Sat Dec 1 at Lickey End Social Club, Bromsgrove, in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance and Prostate Cancer. Ballroom, Latin and Social Sequence Dancing to live music by Graham Darby. Doors open 7.30pm; dancing from 8–11pm. £5 per person on the door. For details call 01543 502722 or visit www.grahamdarbysmusic.com Aelfgythe Border Morris is actively seeking new dancers (female) and musicians (male or female) to join them for fun, exercise and dancing. They meet at 7.45pm every Wednesday in Alvechurch Baptist Church Hall. Everyone welcome. Come and play traditional folk music, or try morris dancing. For more details call Pam on 07961 830 831.

Tea Dances run by Bromsgrove District Council now take place in the new council building at Parkside Hall (Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove, B61 8DA) on the last Tues of the month, 2–4pm, dancing to Brian’s super sounds! £4 entry includes tea/ coffee and biscuits. For further info contact Jan on 01527 881478.

No longer able to dance? Try Wheelchair Dancing instead! Wheels and Toes meets in Harborne each Thurs, 6.15-8pm. Wide variety of dances. More info: Barbara on 0121 458 3686 or marshall8558@hotmail.com Sequence ballroom and Latin dancing every Monday evening at 8pm at the Longbridge Social Club, 1012 Bristol Road South, Northfield. Occasional free tuition.

All welcome to a friendly fun-filled dance.

More details from Kalvin on 07725 265024.

DANCE SESSIONS take place every Tuesday from 11am–12noon at the Where Next Hub (Unit 2a, Millsborough House, Ipsley Street, Redditch B98 7AL). Designed for people with special needs, but all are welcome – join Nikki and the team and learn some new moves! £7 per session. Book now on 01527 69330 or nickylevy5@btconnect. com. All proceeds to the Where Next Association.

Alvechurch Morris Men are on the look out for new dancers and musicians.

They practise on Mondays at Alvechurch

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Baptist Church Hall, 8.30–10pm, followed by a “debrief” at a local hostelry. They dance in local towns and at various local and national events, and perform a worldfamous (sort of ) mummers play in the village every New Year’s Day. No ability, fitness or co-ordination required – if you are male, 18+ and prepared to spend more time than is probably good for you in public houses, pop along to meet the group!

Drop in to any practice or contact Chris on 07984 570763 or email chris.alvechurchbagman@gmail.com

reduced ticket fees and coach travel to the selected venue from the crossroads at Blackwell Post Office. More details on 0791 273 3226 or 0797 100 7604.

THE PHOENIX Dance Club has now moved to the new Bromsgrove Council building at Parkside Hall, Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove B61 8DA. The club holds Ballroom and Sequence Dancing to live music twice a month on Sat nights. No membership required. No bar facilities – please bring your own refreshments. The Tuesday dances have been discontinued – sorry!

More info from Mick or Thelma on 01527 872634.

redditch Military History Society has no meeting in December, but usually meets monthly in St Luke’s Church Hall (Evesham Road, Redditch, B97 4JX), 7 for 7.30pm. More info from Ron on 01527 545450 or ronnieg33b@hotmail.co.uk

THE CIRCASSIAN Circle Barndancing Club runs on the first Saturday each month at Rowney Green Village Hall. £5 per person to include sandwich, tea and cake! More info on 01527 545002.

BJ’s Busy Boots Line Dancing Classes: Tues 2–3pm Bromsgrove Leisure Centre; 7–10pm Stoke Prior Sports/Country Club.

Thurs 12–2.15pm Bromsgrove Methodist Church Centre. Social Dance 1st Sat in month at All Saints Church Hall, Burcot Lane. It’s a fun way to exercise. For more details phone Brenda on 01517 870151.

THEATRE All & Sundry, the Bromsgrove theatre group, presents traditional family pantomime Jack & The Beanstalk at Artrix from Sat Dec 15 to Sun Dec 23. Performances daily at 7pm (except Tues Dec 18), plus 2pm matinee on both Sats and Suns. Tickets from £14; family tickets available. Book via Artrix on 01527 577330 or www.artrix. co.uk More info at www.allandsundry.org

CLUBS, GROUPS & SOCIETIES The Bromsgrove Society’s next talk is on Tues Dec 4 at The Methodist Centre, Bromsgrove, at 7.45pm and is entitled A Tudor Christmas. The talk will be given by “From Time to Time” (in full period costume). More info at www.bsoc.co.uk

Bromsgrove U3A. Retired/semi-retired?

Meetings with guest speakers 1st and 3rd Tuesdays most months at Artrix plus a variety of activities and outings: something for everyone. Curious? Call 01527 870449 or see www.u3asites.org.uk/bromsgrove/ home Catshill Carers Group is a group set up specifically to offer one afternoon a month of respite, socialising and occasional speakers to carers in the area. It meets on the last Tues each month in the coffee bar area of Catshill Methodist Church Centre in Golden Cross Lane from 2.30pm for about 1.5 hrs.

All carers welcome, as well as those who used to care for someone who may have passed away or is now in a care facility. Tea and biscuits or cake provided – no charge.

Contact Sheila (0121 445 2813) or Di (0121 445 3595) for details and encouragement.

Bromsgrove Speakers Club meets at The Barn at The Bell at Belbroughton every other Tues, 7.45–10pm. Everyone who wants to gain confidence in public speaking is welcome, but please tell the group that you are coming by using the ‘Visit Us’ page at www.bromsgrovespeakers.org.uk, which also contains full details of events.

Rubery Drama Group usually meets every Wednesday at the Beacon Church Centre, Whetty Lane, Rubery, 7.30 for 7.45pm.

Burcot Knit & Natter meets weekly on Mondays from 1–3pm at Burcot Garden Centre, B60 1PW. Phone Kim Neale on 0121 445 1677, or drop by, for more details. Cost £3 to include a drink and cake.

Blackwell & Barnt Green Theatre Group has been in existence for over 40 years and only of late has any vacancies for new members. The group makes five or six visits a year, usually to Malvern or Symphony Hall in Birmingham. Membership includes

Central Radio Car Club meets every Friday 6.30–10pm (racing starts 7pm) at Woodrush Community High School, Shawhurst Lane, Wythall, B47 5JW. Members race electric cars LMP & GT12 indoors on carpet. There is a club GT12

Village What’s On loan car if you would like to try your hand at racing. For more information visit www. centralcarclub.co.uk, search ‘CentralRadioCarClub’ on Facebook or call Bob Jones on 01527 870463.

Alvechurch Village Society has its Christmas Party on Fri Dec 7 at the Village Hall. Suitable for all ages, it’s a Skittles Evening with fish and chips supper – bring your own drinks. Ticket-only event; contact Chairman Grace Hampson on 0121 445 1683 or ask a Society member.

The North Worcestershire Association of the National Trust Supporters’ Group (covering members resident in Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch), meets at 7.30pm on the 3rd Thursday each month in Tardebigge Community Hall, behind St Bartholomew’s Church. Selection of interesting talks, plus coach outings, rambles, an annual holiday and fundraising activities, with emphasis on FUN! New members always welcome; annual subscription £7.50.

More details from membership secretary Betty Millward on 01527 523805 or email bettymilllward36@hotmail.co.uk Redditch Rotary Club meets Monday lunchtimes at the Abbey Hotel, Hither Green Lane, Redditch, B98 9BE. You would be very welcome to join in. Want to be involved, hear interesting speakers, and serve your community? Want to know more? Contact Peter Williams on 01527 60277.

COFFEE BREAK meets every Friday morning from 10.30am–12noon, in the Parish Centre behind St Andrew’s Church, Sandhills Road, Barnt Green. You will find a friendly and warm welcome – see you soon! For enquiries ring 0121 445 4278.

Bromsgrove Photographic Society is a friendly, active and mutually supportive club for those interested in photography and digital imaging. The growing membership includes those with interests in both film and digital techniques, wide-ranging subjects and from highly-skilled photographers to novices. The club meets on Tuesday nights, 8–10pm at the Avoncroft Arts Centre. New members and visitors welcome. For more information, please visit www.bromsgroveps.co.uk Contact the Elderly aims to help isolated elderly people in the village area by offering monthly tea parties where they can reconnect or make new friends in their own community. If you know of an elderly person who could benefit, please get in

playtime fun for little ones Pol Pol’s Playtime is a weekly community “stay and play” with two play sessions on Mondays at Rowney Green Village Hall (10am–12noon and 12.30–2.30pm) and one on Tuesdays (12.30– 2.30pm) at Beoley Village Hall.

Babies and toddlers from the community joined in the fun on the launch day; jumping on the bouncy castle, playing with the array of toys, doing craft activities and joining in with music and singing at the end.

As well as stay and play, the organisers run monthly “Mommy Matters” touch on 07539 276054. Guests need to be aged over 75 and living alone, and must be mobile enough to walk to a driver’s car with assistance. You can find general information at www.contact-the-elderly. org.uk and details of the local group by searching for ‘Contact the Elderly Redditch’ on Facebook.

ROTARY CLUB OF BROMSGROVE meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday every month at 7pm for 7.30pm at Rosado’s Restaurant, 2 Finstall Road, Bromsgrove, B60 2DZ. New members welcome. For more information visit www.bromsgroverotary.org.uk or contact Ron Pearce on 07703 567982.

Alvechurch Sports & Social Club has a large Function Room available for hire.

It has a bar, choice of two stages, plenty of seating, a dance floor and a capacity of 140. CHARITY fund raising events enjoy FREE room hire. Please book early; for more details contact the Club on 0121 445 2121, visit the Facebook page and leave a message, or email alvechurchssc2015@ hotmail.com Burcot Niddie Noddies spinning group meets on the 3rd Sat each month, 10am– 1pm at Burcot Garden Centre, B60 1PW. Open to all crafters, not just spinners. Bring your own chair. Phone Kim Neale on 0121 445 1677, or drop by, for more details. Cost £3 to include a drink and cake.

Barnt Green Parish Centre has large and medium sized lounges available for regular hire for some morning and early afternoon sessions each week. Please

time – a recent session saw a beautician visit to provide the mums with bookable pamper treatments whilst their little ones played. You can also have as many tea and coffees as you can drink! All of this for £4 per child and £1 per sibling. contact the Parish Administrator on 0121 447 7097.

The Birmingham branch of the International Plastic Modelling Society caters to scale modellers interested in a variety of subjects including Aircraft, Vehicles, Ships, Science Fiction and Figures. All ages and abilities welcome, building anything from basic kits to complicated scratch-built models. Meetings take place at Longbridge Methodist Church in the Reception/Cafe area (1654/8 Bristol Road South, B45 9TY) usually on the 3rd Sun each month (sometimes the date is changed to avoid clashing with model shows or holiday periods). You can find more info at: www.ipmsbirmingham. blogspot.co.uk Heart of England Speakers is a small, friendly, public speaking club, based in Knowle near Solihull. It is affiliated to Toastmasters International, and meets on the 1st and 3rd Tues every month, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at the Greswolde Hotel, Knowle. More information at www.heartspeakers.org.uk Alvechurch Ex-Services Association meets on the second Weds each month (except January) at Alvechurch Social Club at 12.30pm. They are looking for new members, so if you have ever served in any branch of the forces and are free at lunchtime, please go along and join in.

Lickey Valley Trefoil Guild, as a branch of the Guide Association, is open to any-

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continued from previous page one over the age of 18. Make new friends, travel, explore, serve the community and help Guiding and Scouting in your area. The Guild meets at Barnt Green Scout & Guide Centre (off Blackwell Road, Barnt Green, B45 8BT) every second Weds from 7.30–9.30pm. For more info call 0121 445 3907 or 0121 445 2813 or visit www. trefoilguild.co.uk midland ancestors meets monthly at 7.45pm at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, 19 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove, B60 1AS. On Tues Dec 11 it’s A Social Get-Together plus festive refreshments. More info at www.bromsgrovebmsgh.co.uk Common thread is a friendly group of women who enjoy crafts including sewing, knitting, crochet and more, together with tea, cake and chat. For more info contact Maggie on 0121 439 9324 or Jayne on 0121 445 1113.

Available for hire: The Wheel community room by St Catherine’s Church, Blackwell. Suitable for groups. Quiet, enclosed garden adjacent. For details contact the church office on 0121 445 1425.

Bromsgrove (1982) Probus Club provides regular opportunities for retired professionals and businessmen to meet socially and share common interests. A members’ meeting is held at Avoncroft Arts Centre on the 3rd Weds each month, 10am–12noon, including refreshments and a talk by a guest speaker. For more info visit www.bromsgroveprobus.co.uk or contact Jim on 01527 833531.

COFFEE, CAKE and Chat meets from 10.30am to 12noon on the fourth Friday of the month (not August) in The Wheel at St Catherine’s Church, Blackwell. All welcome; for details, call Rodney on 0121 445 2070.

BEACON LADIES CLUB meets at 8pm on alternate Wednesday evenings at The Hawthorns Social Club, Rednal Hill Lane, Rednal. There is a varied programme of speakers and outings, including occasional visits to the theatre. New members of all ages welcome. £10 annual membership, plus £2 fortnightly. Please ring Barbara on 0121 445 3456 or Anita on 445 3770.

Lickey Phab Club is a social club where people aged 14 and over, with and without disabilities, can come together each week to have fun! It is affiliated to national charity Phab (Physically Disabled and Able Bodied). The club meets every Mon from

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7.30–9.30pm at The Trinity Centre, Lickey Parish Hall to have fun, play games, do crafts or just chat – there’s also a tuck shop!

More info from Louise Edgell on 07814 122990 or lickeyphabclub@hotmail.com

the chance to make new friends, meet old ones and enjoy talks, demos and visits.

Visitors £4 including tea. On Dec 12 it’s the Christmas Lunch. More info from Janet on 0121 447 7870.

Bromsgrove Astronomical Society usually meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at Bromsgrove Rugby Club (Finstall Road, B60 3DH). Doors open 7.30pm, speakers begin 7.45pm. Admission free on your first visit; refreshments available.

On Dec 17, Steve Barrett presents 200 at 70, the story of the 200” Hale Telescope.

Observing meetings are also held on the first Monday each month – bring your telescopes. More information on 01527 908331 or www.broms-astro.org.uk

TARDEBIGGE COMMUNITY Hall for hire: large, bright facility for functions, clubs, societies and all activities. To book call 07763 446902 or email tchbookings@gmail.com

The Worcester-Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society meets at the Alvechurch Boat Centre, Scarfield Hill (just a few steps behind The Weighbridge pub) on an “almost monthly” basis. Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, 7.45pm.

There is usually a guest speaker and a raffle. Non-members are very welcome to come along. Please visit the website: www. wbdcs.org.uk Beoley Good Companions, a group for retired people, meets on the 1st Mon monthly at Beoley Village Hall to socialise and enjoy an entertainer or speaker.

Membership only £7 per year plus £2 entry charge, which includes a free raffle ticket.

If you are interested in joining the group, contact Secretary Ken Hawkesford on 01527 61130 or email kenhawkesford @yahoo.co.uk or beoleygood.companions @yahoo.co.uk for an application form.

THE FRIENDSHIP Club of Barnt Green usually meets monthly at 2.15pm at the Friends Meeting House, Barnt Green. On Tues Dec 11 it’s Ukulele Club. Visitors £3 to include tea and biscuits. For more details call Rosalind Tyler on 0121 445 0598.

Alvechurch Baptist Church Hall has regular Monday to Thursday morning and afternoon booking vacancies. Next to the car park, and available at reasonable rates for regular bookings, with “special rates” for local community organisations, the two halls can accommodate up to 60 persons at a time. More details on the church website: www.alvechurchbaptist.org.uk To discuss ABC hall bookings, please call Mrs Joyce Pimm on 0121 445 4635.

THE WEDNESDAY Club usually meets on the second Weds of each month at Alvechurch Cricket Club at 1.30pm, and offers

LICKEY HILLS Local History Society meets monthly at 7.30pm in the Trinity Centre, Old Birmingham Road, Lickey B45 8ES. On Dec 18 it’s The Christmas Social with mince pies and hot punch, followed by Warwickshire in Pictures – Ooh! I remember that. . . by Geoff Hawkesworth. Annual subscription: £15. Non members: £3 per meeting. More info from George Gascoyne, Hon Secretary on 0121 453 6320, or ccgi.lickey.plus.com BROMSGROVE RAILWAY Club usually holds monthly meetings at St Godwald’s Church Hall in Finstall, 7.15pm for 7.45 start. There are always refreshments and a book stall, and new members are welcome. On Dec 12 it’s the AGM, plus a mystery speaker, photography competition and Christmas party. More details from Dave on 01527 873800 or Gordon on 01527 873609.

KINGFISHER PROBUS Club provides the opportunity for retired and semi-retired men to meet people in a friendly situation.

Meetings are held at The Foxlydiate Arms, every 2nd Thurs of the month at 11.30am.

Lunch is followed by an interesting talk given by a visiting speaker. Partners/ friends welcome for walks, trips, golf, skittles and special lunches. Now recruiting – pop along to a meeting or contact Max Sayer on 0121 445 4724.

Soroptimist International of Bromsgrove and Redditch meets on the 2nd Thurs each month at 7pm at the Southcrest Manor Hotel, Pool Bank, Redditch B97 4JS. New members welcome.

For further information contact Hazel on 07799 482444.

Bromsgrove Ladies Probus meets monthly for a light lunch with a speaker, networking and occasional outings. If you are a professional or business woman and are recently retired, or coming up to retirement and would like further info, email bromsgroveladiesprobus@gmail.com ALVECHURCH HISTORICAL Society meets on the first Mon of the month (except Jan) at 7.45pm at the Museum in School Lane, Alvechurch. On Dec 3, Philip Jarvis

Village What’s On presents The Changing Face of Redditch Railways (Barnt Green to Redditch). More details from Anne Humphries on 0121 445 5955. New members welcome.

HOPWOOD VILLAGE Hall is available for hire: ideal for parties and gatherings.

Contact Ann on 0121 447 7668 or visit www.hopwoodvillagehall.co.uk BROMSGROVE PHOENIX NCDS (National Council for the Divorced, Separated & Widowed) Club meets at Lickey End Working Men’s Club every Thurs from 8-11pm.

For more info call Mark Waring on 01562 824057, Pam Banks on 01527 759424 or Marilyn Cornish on 01905 778636.

CAN YOU Hear Me? (Communication Forum) usually meets on the 3rd Wednesday each month at Alvechurch Cricket Club, Birmingham Road, from 10.30am– 12noon. Both deaf and hearing people are welcome. More details from Pat on 07966 370448.

ROTARY CLUB OF LICKEY HILLS meets on Monday evenings, 7.15 for 7.30pm, at Hillscourt Conference Centre (NASUWT headquarters) on Rose Hill (B45 8RS). For details contact Graham Wiseman on 0121 460 1402.

SILVER THREADS, the Alvechurch club, meets on the first Weds each month at 2pm in Alvechurch Village Hall. You’ll be sure of a welcome in this friendly atmosphere, where members can chat over a cup of tea. There are regular bingo sessions, and occasional days out. New members welcome. More info from Pat on 0121 447 8630.

Sandhills Road, Barnt Green, B45 8NR, 2–4pm. Friendly, self-help group, proving there is more to life than this devastating eye condition. New members always welcome. For more info, ring Wendy on 0121 445 1585 or Alan on 01527 877864.

SPORT, FITNESS & HEALTH Briar Rose Field Archers is a field archery club based near Bromsgrove. There are two qualified coaches for those interested in taking up the sport. For information contact briarrosefieldarchers@gmail.com Adult Coached Swim Training every Sunday 6pm–7pm at Bromsgrove Sports and Leisure Centre (School Drive, B60 1AY).

Contact Andrew Cunnell on 0121 445 5210 or email: bits@bratclub.co.uk. All swimmers welcome.

Physiotherapy-Led Pilates Classes on Monday mornings and Weds evenings at Cofton Hackett Village Hall. 6 lessons for £50. Mixed ability classes to improve muscle tone and posture as well as overall body strength. Pilates Retreat at the Bromsgrove Hotel and Spa on Sat Feb 9, 9am–5pm. Contact Beth on 07841 477363 or elizabethalexanderltd@gmail.com ZUMBA with LEESH! Come and SHAKE it til you make it, every Monday 7.30–8.30pm at Crown Meadow School. Contact: 07531 623959 for more information!

Slimming World at Lickey End Social Club (17 Alcester Road, B60 1JT) – come and join our warm and friendly group, every Thurs at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. More info from Tracey on 07989 105937.

The Monday Fellowship Group meets at the Parish Centre behind St Andrew’s Church in Barnt Green at 2.30pm on the second Mon each month. £1 per talk, to include tea and biscuits. For more information, go along or ring Joyce Linford on 0121 445 1884.

Yoga Really Works: Yoga classes at Saint Nicolas Place, The Green at Kings Norton.

Antenatal Thursdays, 6.25pm and Postnatal Fridays 11am (Stretch & Relax with baby). No Yoga experience necessary See www.yogareallyworks.co.uk for more info or Facebook /yogareallyworks

Woodrush RUGBY Club “Old Dogs” meet on the first Thurs in the month at the Clubhouse, Icknield Street, 01564 822878.

Open to all former players, social members and old friends for a social chat and the odd reminisce over a glass of beer. Join us: call Mike Betts on 07960 303254 or visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/woodrush

Tai Chi: would you like to make a positive change in 2018, help to relax, have a new interest and exercise? Classes at Finstall Village Hall, Wednesdays 2pm.

the MACULAR Society Barnt Green Support Group usually meets on the last Fri of the month (with some exceptions) at The Parish Centre, behind St Andrew’s Church,

Calling all ROCKSTARS! Make some noise in the cardio jam session that is POUND! Every Wednesday 7.30–8.15pm at Crown Meadow School. Contact Leesh Waldron: 07531 625939. Booking required!

BARNT GREEN Sailing Club offers regular sailing, either racing or casual sailing, in

beautiful surroundings at Upper Bittell reservoir. For information contact secretary@bgsc.uk Term-Time Yoga Classes: Mondays 9.30– 10.30am, Cofton Hackett Village Hall.

Classes £7.50 each with 4 weeks payable up front. Equipment provided. Please contact Sarah on 07970 072038 or hello@ themotorcyclingyogi.co.uk Saracen cycling Club is seeking new members. Men, ladies, beginners, and regular riders are all welcome. The longestablished club meets regularly by the Tardebigge Pub on Thurs at 10am and Sun at 9.45am. See www.saracenroadclub. com or call Ivor on 0121 453 2287.

Alvechurch Village Society’s next walk is on Dec 2, when Norma and Ray Yarnell (07508 699672) lead A Winter Warmer Walk.

Meet in Tanyard Lane car park at 2.30pm.

Then on Dec 26, Ray and Norma lead a Boxing Day Walk at 10am, meeting at the Lickey Hills Visitor Centre. More info at www.alvechurchvs.org Kettlercise classes at Blackwell Methodist Hall, Greenhill, B60 1BL. Mon 7.15– 8.15pm, Weds 7.30–8.30pm, HIIT class Sat 8.15am. Kettlebells provided, all welcome.

Contact Louise: 07792 229837. Facebook: ‘Kettlercise with Louise: North Bromsgrove’.

Longbridge Ladies Cycling Club wants lovely new members! Weekly Weds and Sun rides, hotel and hostel weekends away, cycle camping adventures, social outings and much much more. Beginners and seasoned cyclists welcome. Call Deb on 07738982161, email debweston@aol. com or see www.longbridgeladies.co Barnt Green Fishing Club manages angling on the Bittell Reservoirs complex.

Trout and coarse fishing are available. For further information and application forms email the Membership Secretary at bgfcmembership@outlook.com ALVECHURCH WALKING Buddies: join a regular local walk with like-minded people who simply want to go on a local, sedate and friendly walk with no pressure. Wellbehaved owners and their dogs are very welcome. The group meets at 10.30am every Thurs. For more info, search for ‘alvwb’ on Facebook or contact Tony on 07763 468893.

THE RAMBLERS, BROMSGROVE GROUP: Guided walking with our group for plea-

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continued from previous page sure, fitness and fun. Full programme of walks / events throughout the year. More info at www.bromsgroveramblers.webs. com or Clare on 01527 821917 or Peter on 01527 558203.

PILATES: ONE-TO-ONE tuition using studio Pilates equipment to improve body awareness, posture and fitness. An efficient mind and body workout – principles learned can be helpful in improving sports performance and functional fitness and managing pain. One-to-one tuition may lead to participation in studio and mat classes.

Suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Call or text 07759 590830, email pilates@steff affleck.co.uk or visit www.steffaffleck.co.uk

all. Excellent facilities. Everyone welcome.

Coaching for juniors on Fri evenings May to Aug. Contact Mark Tovey on 01527 835031.

One Fit Mama: Mother & Baby Wednesdays, 9.45am at Rowney Green Village Hall. Like us on Facebook: One Fit Mama Alvechurch, Barnt Green & Wythall.

Barnt Green Sports Club holds a Badminton Social Open Evening each Thurs, 8pm to 11pm (Margesson Drive, Barnt Green, B45 8LR). No membership required. Players of all abilities welcome. More info from Nick Butcher on 0121 445 1978 or visit www.barntgreen sportsclub.co.uk

SOCIAL TENNIS takes place at Rubery Community & Leisure Centre, Holywell Lane, Rubery B45 9AD on Mondays from 1–3pm. The group would welcome a few more players – just turn up or ring Don on 01527 759 318 for further details.

Astwood Bank Angling Club has 8 lakes, including 2 just outside Alvechurch.

Annual membership £57 adult, £42 conc, £10 juniors. Info at www.astwoodbankac. co.uk or contact Paul on 01527 522704 or abac.membership@virginmedia.com

Mindful yoga & Meditation classes, Day Retreats and Weekend Workshops.

For Peace & Calm, Fitness, Vitality, & Better Sleep. For classes and bookings, contact Sally on 0790 366 3085 or classes@MyYoga Mind.co.uk; visit www.MyYoga Mind.co.uk or Facebook: Sally MyYogaMind

THE NEW Ravens (North East Worcestershire Ravens Rugby League Club) play at Kings Norton Rugby Club, Hopwood Park, Ash Lane, Hopwood. Playing opportunities for men’s open age, juniors, women and girls. Touch rugby will also be played for those not wishing to play full contact.

Further details can be found on www. newravensrl.co.uk

Junior cricket coaching at Alvechurch Cricket Club runs every Sun from 10am to noon throughout the season, for boys and girls aged five to 11. All abilities welcome to enjoy cricket in a friendly environment.

Led by ECB Level 2 or Level 3 qualified coaches. No charge for first session. Refreshments available. Info from Simon Bowron on 07753 621528. For details of coaching for ages 12–16, contact Nick Jones on 07779 267609.

Mercian Nordic Walking: Walking and exercise activities outdoors at the Ryland Centre and on local walking trails. Ian Northcutt BEM and his colleagues provide instruction and lead fun, friendly groups for all levels of fitness. More info at www. merciannordicwalking.co.uk PILOXING CLASSES: fusion of Pilates/ boxing /dance. ALL levels of fitness. Tues 9.30am (Alvechurch), Tues 7pm (Barnt Green) and Sat 8.45am (Burcot). Alison: 07790 916947, alibenford@yahoo.co.uk, Facebook: ‘Exercise with Alison Benford’ FIVE WAYS Old Edwardians’ Cricket Club at Ash Lane, Hopwood: Junior, Men’s and Women’s teams, come and join in! Open to

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Alvechurch Cricket Club Pavilion (rear of 6 Birmingham Road) is available for meetings/functions/child and adult parties. Bowling alley, pool table, table football, darts, table tennis, excellent children’s entertainer and DJ. For details/availability, contact Pete Gwilliam on 07960 550884 or petergwilliam@btconnect.com Lee-Ann’s Fitness Classes: Zumba Fitness on Mondays 7.30pm (£4) and Cardio Aerobics on Wednesdays 7.30pm, both at Alvechurch Middle School. Contact LeeAnn on 07888 841034.

CATSHILL FC offers youth coaching sessions each Saturday morning at Catshill Middle School, Meadow Road, Catshill, B61 0JW. Boys and girls from Reception age upwards are welcome. Contact Gary on 07462 118920 or see www.catshillfc.co.uk for further info.

BROMSGROVE & REDDITCH Badminton Club welcomes players for social and league play. Playing Sunday evenings 5.40 to 7.40pm. Details from Steve Whittaker 07805 051456.

Rubery Taekwon-Do at Waseley Hills High School, Rubery on Thursdays and Bournville College, Longbridge on Fridays, with Yvonne (2nd Degree Black Belt). For more info email yvonne@rubery-tkd.co.uk or visit www.rubery-tkd.co.uk Legs Bum Tums: Thurs 9.15–10am at the Friends Meeting House, Barnt Green. £3 per 45min session. A great workout to target those difficult-to-hit areas. Adaptations offered depending on ability – all welcome.

Active Seniors: Thurs 10–11am at the Friends Meeting House, Barnt Green. £3.15 per one-hour session. Active session for older people who want to keep fit and healthy – all welcome.

Kings Norton Rhinos offers contact and non-contact rugby for children from Reception to Year 12. A safe and friendly introduction to rugby – and plenty of outdoor fun and exercise! Training takes place at KNRFC Ash Lane, Hopwood, on Sundays from 10–11.30am. Contact Steve Washington on 07771 911209 or visit www.knrfc.co.uk Pilates: Thurs 12–1pm at Alvechurch Baptist Church. £3.15 per one-hour session.

Pay as you go session concentrating on core work, working on posture, alignment and tummy/back conditioning.

Zumba Gold: Thurs 1–2pm at Alvechurch Baptist Church. £3.15 per one-hour session. For people who want to stay active and fit with a dance-style class, keeping the high energy and funky moves of Zumba but without the jumping and spinning around, making it accessible to all.

AEROBICS classes at Alvechurch School, Birmingham Rd, Tuesdays 7.30–8.30pm and Fridays 6.30–7.30pm. Lapsed or new members welcome. More info from Tony on 0121 445 1819.

Hopwood Ladies Cycling Club meets at Hopwood Playing Field on Tuesdays at 11.30 am and Wednesdays at 9.30 am. For more information, visit www.hopwoodladies cyclingclub.co.uk or phone Sheila Evans on 07779 530017.

Tai Chi (Qigong) sessions in Alvechurch Village Hall on Mon 10–11am and Fri 11am–12noon, both £3 per session.

Qigong is an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions. Tai Chi also takes place at Hopwood Village Hall on Tues 7pm (beginners)

Village Village What’s What’s On On and 8pm (intermediate/advanced), and Weds 10–11am. Classes £5. More details on 07831 743737, or see www.paintingtherainbow.co.uk for daytime classes and www.kaiming.co.uk for evening classes.

Karate classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 7–8pm at Hopwood Community Hall. First three Classes FREE. Call Colin on 01527 578880 or 07738 674023 or colin.abbott@homecall.co.uk

CHILDREN & FAMILIES Tots Play classes at Bromsgrove Girl Guiding Centre on Tuesdays. Social Tots 9.50am; Discovery Tots 10.50am; Baby Development 11.50am. More info from lucy@ totsplay.co.uk or 07709 453 756.

Every Scout Group in Bromsgrove (which includes Barnt Green, Blackwell, Catshill, Finstall as well as the town centre) currently has girls and boys waiting to join, their numbers restricted by the ratio of adults to young people. A few more adults helping would enable existing leaders to open more Beaver Colonies and Cub Packs and allow more young people to experience Scouting. If you could spare a few hours, call Val on 01527 837060 or visit www.bromsgrovescouts.org.uk Pol pol’s Playtime runs stay and play sessions each Mon 10am–12noon and 12.30–2.30pm, and Tues 12.30–2.30pm at Beoley Village Hall. £4 per child and £1 per sibling Visit ‘POL POL’s PLAYTIME’ on Facebook for full info.

TINY CHURCH Lickey: babies, toddlers and carers meet in Holy Trinity Church, Lickey, on Weds from 11.15am–12.45pm during term times. Games, toys, snacks and stories, with a time to meet together with God. Just pop along or contact clive. rushton@btinternet.com RHYTHM TIME: Award-winning multi-sensory, fun music classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Classes in Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Lickey and Bromsgrove: see timetable at www.rhythmtime.net/vt374 or email: rhythmtimevicky@gmail.com BABY & TODDLER swimming classes with Turtle Tots: Thursdays 9.30–11.30am in Barnt Green. Teaching water confidence, key life-saving skills & stroke development.

Great post-natal workout! More info: holly. wyer@turtletots.com Marlbrook Pre-School: St Luke’s Church Hall, Braces Lane. Learning

A SELECTION OF CHRISTMAS SERVICES Churches in the Village area offer a variety of Christmas services, some of which are listed below. For full information, visit the websites. l For St Michael’s, Cofton (Cofton Church Lane, B45 8BD) and St Andrew’s, Barnt Green (Sandhills Road, B45 8NR), see www.standrewscofe.org.uk l For St Bartholomew’s, Tardebigge (Church Lane, B60 3AH) and St Mary’s, Bentley (High Elms Lane, B60 4JD), see www.tardebiggechurch.org.uk l For Barnt Green Baptist Church (Bittell Rd, B45 8LT) see www.bgb.org.uk l For the Alvechurch churches – St Laurence Church (School Lane, B48 7SB), St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (School Lane, B48 7SA), Alvechurch Baptist Church (Red Lion Street, B48 7LG) and Rowney Green Shared Church (Chapel Lane, B48 7SA), see www.alvechurchbaptist.org.uk l For St Catherine’s, Blackwell (St Catherine’s Road, B60 1BG) and Holy Trinity, Lickey (Rose Hill, B45 8RR) see www.lickeychurch.co.uk

Sunday December 9 9.30am Bentley – Carol Service + mulled wine 9.30am St Andrew’s – Toy Service 11am Tardebigge – Family Gift Service Sunday December 16 10.30am Alve Baptist – Advent Worship with Communion 10.30am BG Baptist – All in Christmas Service 4pm St Michael’s – Nine Lessons and Carols 6pm Alve Baptist – Carols by Candlelight Service 6pm Holy Trinity – Carol Service Wednesday December 19 7pm R Green – ‘Scratch Nativity’ (at the Peace Hall - refreshments at 6.30pm) Sunday December 23 9.30am St Andrew’s – Christingle Service 10.30am St Laurence –Joint Christmas Communion 10.30am Alve Baptist – All-age Christmas Festival Service 3.30pm R Green – Children’s ‘Messy Service’ 4pm St Mary’s, Alve – Candlelight Carol Service 4.30pm St Catherine’s – Carols by Candlelight 6pm St Laurence – Nine Lessons and Carols 6pm Tardebigge – Carols by Candlelight through play from 2 years to school age.

Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm, term-time only. Contact Tina: 07951 869175 or Sharon: 07913 486619.

New NCT Home Birth Support Group in Alvechurch meets Sunday evenings in the home of a volunteer. All welcome. Meet in an informal atmosphere, share concerns, get information and hear first-hand experiences. More info from Emilie on 07874 927 256 or emiliedeeringbfc@gmail.com St John’s Baby & Toddler Group meets every Friday morning between 9.15 and 11am during term time at St John’s church hall, Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove. For further details please contact Cathy on 01527 870048 or just come along.

Monday December 24: Christmas Eve 10.30am BG Baptist – Quiet Christmas Reflection 3pm Holy Trinity –Christingle Service 3pm St Andrew’s – Children’s Nativity Service 4pm & 6pm St Laurence – Family Nativity Service 4pm St Catherine’s – Crib Service 4pm Tardebigge – Family Christingle Service 4.30pm St Andrew’s – Carols by Candlelight 6pm BG Baptist - Carols by Candlelight 6.30pm St Andrew’s – Carols by Candlelight 10pm Tardebigge – Late Night Communion 11pm Holy Trinity – Midnight Communion 11pm St Michael’s – Christmas Communion 11.30pm St Laurence – Midnight Communion Tuesday 25th December: Christmas Day 9am St. Catherine’s – Communion 9.30am St Andrew’s – All-Age Christmas Celebration and Communion 9.30am R Green – Family Christmas Celebration 9.45am St Mary’s, Alvechurch – Mass 10.30am St Laurence – All-age Christmas Service 10.30am Alve Baptist –Family Worship 10.30am Holy Trinity – Family Celebration 11am Tardebigge – Holy Communion CATSHILL TODDLERS Club meets at the Methodist Church, Golden Cross Lane, Catshill every Weds 1–3pm (except school hols). £1.50 per child (£1 for additional siblings; under 9 months free) includes drink and biscuit for you and your toddler, plus action toys, craft table, book corner, noisy instruments, and kicking footballs, learning to catch and having fun with hoops – all in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

For more information contact Sheila on 0121 445 2813 or drop in. You will be very welcome.

Barnt Green Preschool is at the heart of the community. Open since 1978, it offers learning through play in a nurturing, home-from-home environment. The

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Mother Goose (pantomime) Dec.18th - 22nd at Artrix, Bromsgrove.

continued from previous page Preschool follows the Early Years Curriculum and with regular visits to St Andrew’s School and lots of outdoor space, it’s the perfect place to prepare your child for school. It is proud of its OFSTED report (ref 205125) and offers government-funded places. Sessions run 9am-12pm and/or 12pm-3pm Mon and Weds, and 9am-1pm Tues and Thurs. For more information or to get on the waiting list call Tina on 07790 017 777.

Mum’s the Word playgroup takes place every Thursday in term time 9.30–11.20am at the Ark in Alvechurch. All are welcome, no charge; tea and coffee available for parents and grandparents. Come and join in! blackwell Baby & Toddler Group runs from 10–11.30am every Weds (term-time only) at Blackwell Methodist Church Hall, Greenhill, Blackwell B60 1BL. Small group run by local mums, all welcome. Great chance to meet local families and for your child to make new friends. Any questions please call Carrie on 07985 539983 or find the group on Facebook.

Bromsgrove NCT Bumps and Babies Group now meets every Thursday, 10–11.30am at David Lloyd Fitness Centre, Slideslow Drive, B60 1GJ. The group is free and anyone is welcome, including toddler siblings. Contact Claire and Karen at bromsgrove@nct.org.uk Rowney Green Pre-school offers learning through play for children from two years to school age, Tues–Thurs 9am–2pm, term-time only. More info from Rosemary: 07836 770468 or Geraldine: 07725 553894.

MENTOR LINK is seeking volunteer mentors to support children and young people in local schools – full training given.

The charity is particularly seeking male mentors to work with boys for an hour a week, although female volunteers are also welcome. Anyone interested should be a good listener, patient and enjoy working with children and young people. If you can spare an hour or two a week, and you are able to commit to a minimum of six months volunteering, call Claire on 07973 572768, email Claire.Quinn@mentorlink. org.uk or for more info see www.mentorlink.org.uk Finstall Pre-school in Finstall Village Hall, Mon–Thur 9.30am–1.15pm (termtime only). Led by qualified lower primary teacher. Visits welcome; call 07903 560787 or email Finstallpreschool@hotmail.com

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Lickey Baby & Toddler Group meets on Mon and Thurs mornings 9.30–11.30am, term time only. Have a hot drink while your children play in Lickey Trinity Centre (Parish Hall), Old Birmingham Road. For more information call Caroline on 07511 660727, email caroline_rebecca@hotmail. co.uk or find ‘Lickey Baby & Toddler Group’ on Facebook.

The National Childbirth Trust is now running antenatal courses in Alvechurch.

These are designed to help parents prepare for labour, birth and early parenthood and run over a number of weekday evenings and/or weekends. For info please call 0844 243 6873 or email bookings6d@ nct.org.uk or visit www.nct.org.uk/confidence New Road Parents Support for parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans children meets monthly in Aston Fields. A confidential, voluntary, small support group for parents by parents. Individual meetings can be arranged with another parent if preferred. Close links with FFLAG. Visit www. newroad parents.org, email evansmargar@ gmail.com or call Maggie on 01527 832492 for details.

Lickey End Playgroup runs Toddlers, PreSchool and Rising Stars sessions at Lickey End Methodist Church, B60 1JX. More information on 07791 851382 or at www.lickeyendplaygroup.co.uk

GARDENS & FLOWERS WYCHBOLD FLOWER Club meets nearly every 2nd Tues of the month (unless there’s an outing) at 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion Hall, De Wyche Road, Wychbold WR9 7PN. The varied and interesting programme includes demos, workshops, garden visits and garden party, and there’s also a plant stall and raffle. Visitors welcome – just £4 to include refreshments.

More info from Barbara on 01299 851282.

Rowney Green Flower Club usually meets on the 4th Thurs of the month at Rowney Green Village Hall at 7.45pm.

Small, friendly informal club – new members/visitors very welcome. On Dec 6 there’s a special Christmas Demo and buffet from 7pm, with Carole from Pinks Florists (back by popular demand). Entry £4 members and £7 non-members – all welcome. More info from Felicity 0121 445 2371 or Jane 01527 64817.

ROWNEY GREEN Horticultural Society meets at the Village Hall on the 2nd Thurs

each month at 7.30pm. Guests always welcome: £3.50 including refreshments.

On Dec 13 young plant enthusiast Samantha Hopes, who has worked at Ashwood Nursery, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Wisley, will speak on Winter in Bloom.

The Society would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy & Prosperous 2019. For more info contact Lindsay Smith on 01527 592874.

Dodford Gardening Club meets on the 2nd Monday each month (except August) usually in Dodford Village Hall at 7.45pm. New members and visitors welcome. More info at www.dodford gardeningclub.co.uk or call Penny on 07706 153618.

Rosehill Flower Arrangement Society meets at The Trinity Centre (Lickey Parish Hall) Old Birmingham Road, B45 8EU, on the second Monday each month (except January). Refreshments served before each meeting. Meetings start at 2pm. For further info please call Diana on 01527 870549 or Belinda on 0121 447 7477, or visit www. tcandsw.org.uk/rosehill/html Burcot Gardening Club meets on the first Weds each month at Burcot Village Hall. Meetings start at 7.30pm. New members and visitors very welcome. For more info call Jenny or Brian on 01527 522109.

Solihull & District Orchid Society meets on the 1st Sat each month at St George & St Teresa’s Parish Centre, Station Road, Dorridge B39 8EZ. New members and visitors welcome, and members are always willing to offer help or advice. For more info or advice call Malcolm Moodie on 01295 788159 or see www.solihullorchidsociety.org Fun Floristry/Flower Arranging classes run each month at The Ark, Alvechurch.

Ring Claire for more information, and to book, on 07564 339157.

BROMSGROVE FLOWER Club meets on the 3rd Thurs each month at 2.15pm (except Jan) in All Saints Church Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove B61 1AA. New members and visitors are warmly welcomed to spend a lovely afternoon of flowers and fun, watching a professional produce several arrangements which are then raffled, followed by refreshments. There is also an optional flower arranging competition, a bring and buy stall and often other stalls including plants, crafts, clothing. Further info at www.bromsgroveflowerclub.org.uk or ‘Bromsgrove Flower Club’ on Facebook, or from Wendy on 01905 480571.

Village What’s On THE NORTH Worcestershire Fuchsia Society meets on the 2nd Weds each month at Bromsgrove Sports & Social Club, 7.45pm.

Info from Stewart on 01527 877662.

games & COMPETITIONS Shirley and Wythall Chess Club meets at Wythall Community Association in Silver Street, Wythall, B47 6LZ, every Thurs from 7.30pm. The club has four teams playing in competitive leagues. Friendly atmosphere.

New players are most welcome, either just turn up or contact Barry Knee on 01564 826250 for details.

The ALVECHURCH Templars Wargames Club meets most Monday evenings from 6.30pm at the Alvechurch Sports & Social Club. Visit (or join) the ‘Alvechurch Templars’ Facebook page for details or e-mail Karl Farrell at bluenostrils@outlook.com A WHIST DRIVE takes place every Weds from 7.15–9.30pm at Buckley’s Green Community Centre, Alvechurch (B48 7NG). The friendly group welcomes new members. £2 entry, includes raffle ticket and prizes.

Bromsgrove Bridge Club meets at the Life After Stroke Centre, Church Lane, Bromsgrove each Tues – play commences 7.30pm; doors close at 7.25pm. Table money (to include coffee/tea and biscuits) £3 for members, £4 for visitors, who are always welcome. The club operates a host system, which means a partner is guaranteed. Contact the Secretary, Sally Flood on 01527 832468.

SPADESBOURNE BRIDGE Club plays at the Life After Stroke Centre in Church Lane, Bromsgrove. Join the group for friendly bridge in a pleasant venue on Thurs evenings, 7pm for a 7.15 start. They aim to finish by 10pm. Table money for visitors is £3. Phone Jan on 01905 772256 for more details.

BROMSGROVE BRIDGE Clubs: The Amphlett Crown Bridge Club meets at the Stroke Centre in Church Lane, Bromsgrove, on Mon evenings. New members welcome, helpful guidance available and parking is excellent. Contact Alistair on 07814 393416.

Monday Bridge Club at Barnt Green Friends Meeting House would like to welcome a few new members – contact the organiser, Des Clarke, on 0121 453 3034.

A “TEXAS HOLD EM” poker tournament will be held on the first Saturday each month in the lounge at Alvechurch

Have your say on library future Alvechurch Library has plenty going on for families this winter, with regular drop-in Baby, Bounce and Rhyme sessions every Mon and Fri from 10–10.30am, and Storytimes every Tues from 11–11.30am and Sat from 2.30pm.

There are also a few spaces for children aged 8–12 years in the junior book club, Chatterbooks, which meets monthly on Mon from 3.30–4.30pm. l The ongoing Libraries Consultation is

an opportunity for Alvechurch library to share its initial options for change with residents and community organisations so that people can provide their views and make other suggestions. The Worcestershire Libraries Consultation Document can be found at www.worcestershire.gov. uk/libraries and is also available as a hard copy from the library. For any questions you can email librariesconsultation@ worcestershire.gov.uk l Christmas Bedtime Stories on Mon

Dec 17: a very popular storytime session for little ones aged one-plus, with a special guest expected. Early Session Sports & Social Club. Registration from 7pm for an 8pm start. Further info from Karl Farrell on 0121 445 4616 or bluenostrils@outlook.com The Friday Bridge Club plays friendly, competitive, duplicate bridge at the comfortable Burcot Village Hall. New members and visitors are very welcome. Play starts at the new time of 7pm. For further details phone Gill on 01527 401019.

BINGO every Wednesday and Sunday evening at the Alvechurch Sports & Social Club. First games start at 8.30pm in the lounge. Non-members welcome, phone 0121 445 2121 for more info.

A QUIZ takes place every Thursday from 8.30–10.30 pm at Bridley Moor & Batchley Social Club, Bridley Moor Road, Batchley B97 6HS. £1 to enter; all money to the winning team. There is also stand-up bingo with a prize. For more info call quizmaster Dave on 07815 456178. “managed” duplicate bridge sessions are run by Anne Glendenning and Eugene Elijah every Tues (1pm prompt start) at Burcot Village Hall, Alcester Road (B4096) – perfect for emerging players. Entry £3.50 covers session, some tuition and refresh-

5.15–5.45pm or Later Session 6.15– 6.45pm. Limited tickets £1.50; booking is essential via the library before the event. l Explore Learning’s Winter Wonder-

land Workshop is on Tues Dec 18 from 3.30–4.30pm, filled with fun Christmas activities to build confidence with comprehension and creative writing before creating your own Winter Wonderland story. For children aged six to 11 years.

No need to book. l Due to the earlier class being a sell-

out, the library has arranged a second session of the Family First Aid Essentials course for adults. This will take place on Tues Dec 11 from 1.30–4.30pm. An informal course delivering the essential skills to keep your friends and family safe in scary situations. Cost £15. Please book in advance. Course 16287. l For any enquiries, pop into the library

on Birmingham Road, contact The Hub on 01905 822722, email alvechurchlib@ worcestershire.gov.uk or see Facebook.

For Adult Learning courses, pop in to pay by cash/cheque, or online by card. ments. Info from Anne on 01527 882169 or Eugene on 01527 871255 or 1944@ hotmail.co.uk Bromsgrove Board Gamers is a friendly group which meets at 7.30pm each Weds at the Ladybird Inn, Aston Fields. More info on Facebook ‘Bromsgrove Board Gamers’.

Rummikub Club meets in the Social Room at Rowney Green Peace Hall fortnightly on Tuesdays from 2–4pm. Entry £2 to include tea and biscuits. You will be made very welcome! Info from Betty Oakley on 01527 63725.

A popular weekly quiz takes place each Thursday at Alvechurch Sports & Social Club and follows the normal format. Doors open at 8pm. Organise a team, or just turn up and join a team. All welcome.

Halesowen Bridge Club offers Chicago Bridge on Thursdays at 2pm in the United Church Hall, Hagley Road, Halesowen B63 4PX and is seeking new members. All are welcome. Within easy reach of Bromsgrove; parking is available. For info ring Ann Gittins on 0121 550 5246 or see www. halesowenbridgeclub.org.uk

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Village What’s On continued from previous page Barnt Green Duplicate Bridge Club meets at St Andrew’s Church Hall each Weds afternoon and would like new members – contact Liz on 0121 445 0704.

HELP & ADVICE Divorced/separated and having trouble seeing your children? Being excluded from their lives? The Association for Shared Parenting has been helping mums and dads deal with the family court system and problems over contact and residence for over 20 years. Walk-in support workshops on the first Thurs each month at 7.30pm in Selly Oak (serving the Bromsgrove/Redditch area). Visit www.associationforsharedparenting.org.uk REDDITCH & BROMSGROVE Advanced Motorist Group are a local charity committed to helping drivers of all ages improve their driving skills. They meet at 7.30pm on the third Weds each month in Beoley Village Hall. Info from Geoff Poole on 07707 054757 or secretary@redditcham. org.uk The Library Service at Home provides free delivery of books to people in their own homes. If you are housebound or unable to visit the library then please call Alvechurch Library on 01905 822722 to find out how they can provide you with brilliant reads.

Barnt Green Day Care: Thursdays 10am– 2.45pm at St Andrew’s Parish Centre.

Offering a day out with care and lunch for older people in the local area. For more info on attending or helping ring Christine Davis on 0121 445 0125.

ALVECHURCH LIBRARY hosts one-to-one Computer Sessions for people wanting to learn the basics. If you need help with your emails or advice on surfing online then why not pop into the Library to arrange for free tuition, provided by talented volunteers on Tuesday mornings.

For more information please call The Hub on 01905 822722 or pop into Alvechurch Library.

ART & LITERATURE All About The Sew holds fun and sociable sewing workshops at Alvechurch Village Hall. For more details call Lorna on 07963 734756 or visit www.allaboutthesew.com

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Art & Soul Creative – artist and potter offering tutored art and pottery activities in Alvechurch. All abilities welcome. Call Marina on 0121 445 0655, email artand soulcreative.org@gmail.com or visit www. artandsoulcreative.org Withybed Poets are a group of poetry writers who meet in Withybed Green to share their poems and write together.

They are open to anyone who enjoys writing and sharing poetry. They love reading their poems to audiences, which they do at the monthly Acoustic Roots in Alvechurch, but also for libraries, churches, community groups and festivals. They write poems on request for people and special occasions. Next meeting is Jan 9 at 7.30pm; for details, or to ask about commissioning a poem, ring Mary on 0121 445 5957.

Forge Mill Creative Textile Group (formerly Forge Mill Embroidery & Textile Group) are a friendly group of enthusiastic local crafters, both experienced and beginners, who meet weekly on Fri mornings at Beoley Village Hall. Various techniques and media are used to create textile artwork, such as printing, dyeing, hand and machine embroidery, along with fabric manipulation. They are a leisure learning and development group and work to a set programme. If you are interested in becoming a member, contact Lynda on 0121 445 3212 or Lyn on 0121 258 2771.

Alvechurch Readers Group now meets in the library on the last Tuesday of the month from 2pm until 3.30pm. New members always welcome. Please ring the Hub on 01905 822722 and ask for Alvechurch Library or pop into the library on the Birmingham Road.

Alvechurch Art Group meets at the Baptist Hall (rear of church) every Tues from 1–3.30pm, using all mediums except oil. All welcome, especially beginners.

Friendly tuition. Call Paul on 0121 445 5437 or drop in.

Barnt Green Art Club runs a morning and afternoon tutored session on Fridays at The Friends Meeting House in Barnt Green. There is a waiting list for both sessions. Call Jackie on 0121 445 4745.

Burcot Woodturning Club offers a friendly meeting place for woodturners of all abilities and experience. A varied programme includes demos, talks, handson practical evenings and visits to exhibitions. The group meets on the first Thurs

each month, 7.15–9.30pm at Burcot Village Hall. Info from John on 0121 458 5884 or visit www.burcotwoodturners.org.uk THE “CRAFTY Ladies” craft group meets every Monday morning in Alvechurch Library from 11am–1pm, with knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting etc. An informal and self running group that uses shared library space. More info on 01905 822722.

Bromsgrove Art Society has a new venue: Burcot Village Hall, 340 Alcester Road, Burcot, Bromsgrove, B60 1BH. Meetings are still held on the 3rd Weds each month (except Jan and Aug) at 7.30pm. Visitors welcome, entry £2 including refreshments. For more info email lyndasharp2010@yahoo.com or visit www. bromsgroveartsociety.org.uk WYTHALL WRITERS meet at the Peter Thompson Room at St Mary’s Church, Shawhurst Lane on the second Thurs each month. New members always welcome.

More info from Helen on 01564 824517, Eileen on 01564 822214, Louise on 0121 430 4992 or www.wythall writers.com Avoncroft Arts Society at Avoncroft Arts Centre (Redditch Road, Bromsgrove B60 4JR), runs tutored/ non-tutored classes in Art, Textiles, Ceramics, Embroidery and Dance. Contact Alyson or Joyce on 01527 833829 or avoncroftarts@ btconnect.com ALVECHURCH Library is available to host day and short courses such as card-making or scrapbooking. If you have a skill to teach or share, call 01905 822722.

LICKEY HILLS ART SOCIETY, a friendly bunch of artists and those interested in art, meet at Longbridge Methodist Church, Bristol Road, B45 9TY, on the first Sat each month at 7.30pm. Open to artists and non-artists alike. For more info call Graham on 0121 453 7097 or come along – the members would love to see you.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES FINSTALL CROSS WI meets at Finstall Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. For more info see www. finstallcrosswi.wordpress.com or email finstallcrosswi@gmail.com Fairfield WI meets in Fairfield Village Hall on the second Weds of the month at 7.30pm. Contact Carol Hine on 01527 873072 or fairfieldwi1932@gmail.com

St Catherine’s WI meets at 7.30pm on the third Thursday each month, in ‘The Wheel’ at Blackwell. More information from Sue Barratt on 01527 596092 or s.barratt@bnvillej.bham.sch.uk

More info from President Janet Ratcliffe on 0121 445 0163 or see www.LickeyWI. Wordpress.com RUBERY WI meets at Beacon Church Centre, Whetty Lane, on the second Wednesday each month at 7.30pm. More info from Judie Fisher on 07810 765314.

Hillside at ALVECHURCH WI meets at 7.45 pm on the first Weds each month at The Ark, Alvechurch. For more info call Pat McDonagh on 0121 628 4121.

Blackwell & BURCOT WI meets at Burcot Village Hall on the second Weds each month, at 2pm. For info call President Mrs Barbara Knight on 0121 445 3456.

Bromsgrove WI meets at the Life after Stroke Centre, Church Lane, Bromsgrove B61 8RA on the second Tues each month at 2.15 pm. For more info please contact Christine Hickman-Smith 01527 870342 or email christine.hs@uwclub.net

Finstall & Cofton Hackett WI meets on the first Monday of the month at Finstall Village Hall at 2pm. For more info call President Val Wheeler on 01527 874518.

Bentley Pauncefoot WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Tues every month at Bentley Village Hall. More info from Vivien Mackenzie on 0121 445 1245.

BEOLEY WI meets on the first Tuesday of each month in Beoley Village Hall at 7.30pm. For more info please contact Georgia Jacobs on 01527 62766.

Barnt Green WI meets at the Baptist Church in Barnt Green on the third Thurs each month, from 7.30–9.30pm. More info from Alyson Williams on 0121 445 6577.

Lickey WI meets on the first Tues of every month at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall (Trinity Centre), Old Birmingham Road, Lickey.

ALVECHURCH WI meets on the second Monday each month in Alvechurch Village Hall, at 7.30pm. For more info call

President Julie Hurlston on 07583 326252 or email mrsjulieturley@hotmail.com Hopwood WI meets at Hopwood Village Hall on the first Thurs of the month at 7.30pm. For more info call Ann Thurrell on 0121 447 7668.

ARK ANGELs WI meets on the second Monday each month from 7.30pm at the Ark, Alvechurch. On Dec 10 it’s WreathMaking and the AGM. For more info email ark.angels@hotmail.com Bromsgrove Belles WI meets on the second Monday each month at The Life After Stroke Centre, Church Lane, Bromsgrove, B61 8RA at 7.30pm. For more info, contact President Carla Priddon at carlapriddon@aol.com

To have your event or group listed here, send details to Sally Oldaker via the addresses on Page 3,

by Dec 13.

Village Baking

As easy as pie!

I

In our recipe series, keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, creates deliciously simple festive treats.

’m making no excuses for how easy these are; there is enough food preparation to be done at this time of year! If you want a quick batch of something delicious to serve warm, these are perfect.

My Mum would call these “turnovers”, not pies, and because they are made with puff pastry, they are light, so can even be pleasing to mince-pie-haters. Ideally, these would use the mincemeat from my November article, but any mincemeat is fine.

Ingredients: l 375g pack all-butter ready-rolled puff pastry l 1 egg, beaten, for brushing l 1 jar of mincemeat

Golden granulated sugar, for sprinkling l Icing sugar for dusting (optional) l

1) Pre-heat oven to 220C / 200C fan / Gas 7. Lightly grease two baking sheets.

2) Unravel the puff pastry and roll it out lightly, to even the surface and make thinner.

3) Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry in half lengthways and then into five widthways, to give you ten small oblongs. Transfer to baking trays, then put a mound of mincemeat on each.

4) Use the egg wash to paint a seal around the edge of the pastry and then fold each one over, to encase the mincemeat. Seal the edges by pressing them together with a fork.

5) Cut small vents in the top of each one with a knife, then brush with egg wash and sprinkle with the sugar.

5) Bake in the oven for 10 mins, then turn the trays round to bake evenly and cook for a further 5 mins.

5) Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool slightly, before dusting with icing sugar for snowy effect, if liked.

5) Store any that don’t get eaten immediately in an airtight container, but I recommend eating them still warm from the oven, with a cheeky glass of sherry…well, it is Christmas!

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VISIT US AT: BROMSGROVE: Saxon Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, B60 4AD - 01527 835924 STUDLEY: Alcester Road, Studley, Warwickshire, B80 7AG - 01527 857772 KENILWORTH: Leyes Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2DE - 01926 855044 SHIRLEY: 153 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3AY - 0121 744 0989

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