The Village June 2019 by The Village

TheVillage June 2019

villageonline.co.uk

NEWS & FEATURES from Alvechurch, Barnt Green, Blackwell, Burcot Beoley, Cofton Hackett, Finstall, Hopwood, Bordesley, Rowney Green, Lickey, Lickey End, Marlbrook, The Oakalls . . . everywhere in between!

inside

TheVillage

Issue 202 June 2019

Bringing you village life for more than 20 years

Past, Present, Future Page 10

Summer Starts Here Page 18

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

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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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Cover: Village beekeepers inspect their hives at Avoncroft Museum – see Pages 34–35.

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Village News

The committee of Alvechurch WI prepare to cut their cake during a celebration to mark the group’s 90th birthday. The party took place in the Village Hall, which is also celebrating its 90th year (see Page 6).

Power to the people T

he power of a “people’s plan” has been confirmed by a planning inspector’s rejection of three houses in the Green Belt at Hopwood. In his decision the inspector refers more than ten times to policies contained in the recently adopted Alvechurch Parish Neighbourhood Plan. In particular, he gives weight to the Neighbourhood Plan’s policy of restricting new housing in Hopwood

within the village “envelope”. In dismissing the appeal over the refusal of permission for three houses in Ash Lane, the inspector says: “The proposal would be contrary to Policies H1 and H2 of the NP.” Bromsgrove’s planning officers had previously recommended the three houses be approved and said the village boundary was not relevant. Councillors turned down the plans last July, but only on the

Some of the 17,000 cyclists who took part in the 100-mile Birmingham & Midlands Velo approach Leach Green Lane in Rednal where, with around 20 miles to go, the hills really started to take their toll. Pic/ Keith Woolford

grounds of appearance, which could be amended. The applicants appealed against this refusal, but in the meantime the Neighbourhood Plan had been adopted and its policies were among those used by the inspector to dismiss the appeal. Parish councillor John Cypher said: “The significant relevance of the Neighbourhood Plan was most gratifying.” He pointed out that this set a marker for future planning decisions in Alvechurch parish: “Recognition of the Hopwood village envelope gives us some good material for other applications.” A Neighbourhood Plan being prepared jointly by Lickey & Blackwell and Cofton Hackett parish councils is nearing its final stages and a public referendum. Barnt Green parish will be the only village area without a plan in place, a point made by Village reader Les Bailey who has been pressing the parish council to “get its act together”. The Village

June 2019

Village News

maids in a row: Alvechurch Village Hall celebrates its 90th anniversary, with committee members and helpers partying like it was 1929.

A handful of votes

he Conservatives hung on to control of Bromsgrove Council by as few as 14 votes in the local elections as independents established firm foundations across village areas on both sides of the district. Meanwhile, in Lickey Hills Ward, LibDem Janet King finally beat long-standing Tory councillor Kit Taylor by 484 to 374 votes after a number of attempts. Coun Taylor, also a county councillor, had held the seat or its equivalent since 2007. The Conservatives’ overall victory by three seats came after their candidate, Philip Thomas, beat Labour’s Rory Shannon by one vote in Aston Fields and veteran Richard Deeming just held off the independent challenge from Rob Van Der Plank in Cofton by 24 votes (232-208). Rubery South was also very close, with Labour’s Christine McDonald being pipped by Tory Adrian Kriss 352-323. But the march of the independent vote was the most striking feature of the election as villagers registered their disillusionment with party politics in local government. Charlie Hotham and Kate Van der Plank were runaway winners over the Conservatives in Barnt Green & Hopwood (898-196) and Alvechurch Village wards (840-104), while independent newcomer Annette English was the clear winner in a four-horse race for Alvechurch South. With solid victories for independents Rachel Jenkins and Steve Colella in Hagley and Sue Baxter in Drakes Cross for Wythall Residents’ Association, the independents could form the official opposition at the district council with six seats. Coun Van Der Plank told The Village: “The high turnout independents had was further evidence that voters are keen to embrace alternatives to the outdated two-party system.” Barnt Green student Harrison Rone-Clark won the Rock Hill ward for Labour, meaning that, along with Coun Hotham, Barnt Green Parish Council now has two district councillors among its members. n Bromsgrove District Council line-up: Conservatives 17, Independents and Wythall Residents’ Association 6, Labour 5, LibDem 3. See The Village View, page 15.

The Village

June 2019

News Round-Up

The new

chairman of Alvechurch Parish Council is Marc Worrall, chosen unanimously by councillors at their May meeting. Former chairman Andy Humphries will be vice-chairman. Newly elected district councillor for Drakes Cross, Sue Baxter, has also joined Alvechurch Parish Council. Meanwhile, Barnt Green Parish Council has co-opted a new councillor, Dr Olivia Polton, after Rosemarie Briggs stepped down.

The

saga of the missing lifts at Barnt Green railway station rumbles on, with parish councillors seeking a meeting with the Department for Transport. County and district councillors Charlie Hotham and Peter McDonald have offered support.

Villagers

are being asked to complete a Bromsgrove District Council survey about CCTV provision in the area. Barnt Green Parish Council decided to submit an official response, and agreed to suggest a fifth camera for the village near the entrance to the Foxhills estate.

Families

in Barnt Green can take part in a Treasure Hunt around the village on Sunday July 7. There will be also food, drink and music. The next village Fun Run will take place in 2020 as part of Sport Relief.

Lickey

& Blackwell Parish Council agreed to support a motion acknowledging a “climate emergency” and to consider creating their own policy. County councillor Matthew Jenkins had asked parishes to encourage their county representatives to support this, but county councillor Kit Taylor told the parish: “I think it’s a lot of hot air. Actions are needed rather than words.”

Alvechurch Parish Council News

NEWSLETTER spring & summer 2019 LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS

The parish council congratulates all three independent candidates who were successful at recent local elections for Bromsgrove District Council: Charlie Hotham (Barnt Green and Hopwood), Kate van der Plank (Alvechurch Village) and Annette English (Alvechurch South). It was a hard-fought campaign with some controversial comments on social media but the results were decisive and reflected two key issues: poor representation by previous party-affiliated district councillors who had failed to engage the local community, and the decision by Bromsgrove District Council to give the Hearn report (on future regional housing needs) undue importance, increasing the likelihood of significant housing developments on green belt in the parish. The latter runs contrary to the Parish Neighbourhood Plan and it seems local people wanted their new district councillors to fight for that Plan and against significant green belt loss. The ballot for the parish council was uncontested as only 10 candidates stood for the 12 seats. APC welcomes Sue Baxter, who has a wealth of local council experience. The parish council is currently looking to co-opt two local people to fill the remaining vacancies. Parish chairman for the last six years, Andy Humphries, has stood down and is being replaced by Marc Worrall. Marc has been a parish councillor since 2015 and currently chairs the PC’s Planning Committee.

planning AND related issues

A planning appeal against the Bromsgrove DC decision to refuse permission for three houses in Ash Lane, Hopwood, was dismissed in April. The planning inspector referred to our now-adopted Alvechurch Parish Neighbourhood Plan and specifically its policies on green belt protection, village envelopes, the meaning of infill and the provision of different sizes of housing. Parish councillors were delighted with the Inspector’s conclusions as he strongly endorsed both the Neighbourhood Plan and its policies. In May a second appeal, also in Ash

Lane, centred on a planning application to develop a small caravan site on land south of Karenswood Kennels. This site was also in the green belt, outside the Hopwood village envelope and on the unadopted part of Ash Lane, unsuitable for caravans and large vehicles. Earlier in 2019 Bromsgrove DC and APC collaborated on a “public realm” audit of Alvechurch village centre. These audits look at the attractiveness of the centre, its businesses, parking facilities and general environment. Repair of bollards was one of many issues identified to be looked at as part of follow-on work from the Neighbourhood Plan.

maintaining playing fields

The Meadows/Wiggin: ROSPA PlaySafety conducted a full inspection on May 1st. Their overall conclusion was that “this public space is clearly well maintained and in generally good condition”. Trees, paths, water hazards, surfacing materials and bridges were all inspected. Bolts on the goalposts need attention but all other elements are considered low risk and only need regular monitoring. In the light of social media comments in 2018, it may be helpful to mention a specific ROSPA finding: “The playground is unfenced. There is a risk of dogs gaining access to the playground. This is best managed with informative signage. The provision of fencing is not recommended as the high cost is not justified given the low risk”. APC will now install new signs to encourage users to keep the playground area restricted to dogs on leads. The signs will stress the responsibilities of everyone using the playing fields. ROSPA has also carried out its

routine annual inspection of all play equipment. Hopwood: a working group of councillors and residents (the “Hopwood Mums”) recently evaluated responses from six companies who had tendered for new play facilities. Experience from previous projects (as at The Wiggin) helped greatly and a preferred contractor (Play and Leisure) was approved by APC on May 13th. The contractor has been informed and a detailed installation plan is being prepared. Weather permitting, the scheme is expected to be completed in July, in time for the school holidays. Lobbying of the county council for a pedestrian crossing across the A441 in Hopwood continues so that local families can safely get to the Hopwood playing fields. Tree maintenance and pruning was done at both The Meadows and Rowney Green in the spring. This work is part of a rolling programme of council tree surveys and safety work.

in brief

l At the end of April, APC successfully passed its 2019 independent audit. The report is available publicly but in summary, finances are well managed and accounting controls are good. l In May Cadent again had to remedy a gas leak in Swan Street. The repair took about a week and there was good communication between all parties. l No further progress has been reported by the county council in determining the future of Alvechurch Library. l APC has signed a new agreement with the West Mercia Community Payback company (formerly Probation) for future help maintaining The Wiggin. l Parish councillors met Alan Amos, county councillor with overall responsibility for Highways, to discuss the safety of the A441 in Hopwood. The discussion included traffic volumes and speeds and the need for a pedestrian crossing.

Contacting the Parish Council

You can contact the Parish Council about any of these issues on 0121 447 8016 or email clerk@alvechurch.gov.uk The minutes of recent PC meetings appear at www.alvechurch.gov.uk and you can find us on Facebook under Alvechurch Parish Council.

The views and opinions on this page are those of Alvechurch Parish Council.

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Village News

Past, present and future With the new Cofton Village Hall nearing completion, community groups have buried a time capsule on the site. The Cofton Village Hall Trust, Lickey Hills Primary School, Pride of Longbridge and Cofton Hackett Brownies were involved in the project, alongside residents with links to the former Austin and MG Rover plant. The capsule includes drawings by schoolchildren, posters of cars made at Longbridge, leaflets from local businesses, and photographs of the area. The Trust still hopes to raise £40,000 for the hall. To learn more, visit www. coftonvillagehall.org, www.gofundme. com/CoftonVillageHall or ring the Trust’s secretary, Shelagh O’Loughlin, on 0121 447 745.

From left: Trustees Keith Duncan, Kathryn Stanczyszyn and the Rev Sheri Gidney with residents Carol Barratt and Clare Fryer outside the new hall.

Safety fears investigated

Lickey & Blackwell parish councillors expressed concerns over the safety of a half-demolished house on Woodshill Avenue, Lickey. Coun Stephen Nock reported that the owners had planning permission for a rebuild and had begun the demolition, but nothing more had been done for a year. “After a site visit, Bromsgrove’s safety officer said it was OK, and [planning officer] Dale Birch sympathised with the neighbours but said he couldn’t force the owners to finish the project, which seems a weak response.” Parish chairman Nick Forknell said: “If it was in the town centre there would be all sorts of regulations about fencing it off, but it’s a quiet road so they just leave it.”

Crime ‘at a low’

Crime in Barnt Green is at a low level, parish councillors heard. PCSO Ryan East from the Safer Neighbourhood Team said burglaries had dropped dramatically after some arrests by West Midlands Police, while thefts from vehicles at the railway station had also reduced. There were still occasional thefts from Tesco but the store had declined to install a security guard.

The Village

June 2019

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Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council News Newsletter Summer 2019

CONGRATULATIONS, COUN KING!

The parish council would like to congratulate fellow parish councillor Janet King on being elected District Councillor for Lickey Hills. We are sure she will do an excellent job and we look forward to a productive working relationship with her.

NEW COUNCILLORS NEEDED

The entire parish council (with the exception of Coun Jo Eales, who retired from the council) was re-elected unopposed in May so, while we are grateful for your confidence in us, we are looking to co-opt two new councillors. If you live in, or within three miles of, our parish and feel that you have a contribution to make to the smooth running of this area, please contact Lisa Winterbourn on eo@lickeyandblackwellpc.org or any councillor for more information.

FOND FAREWELL

It’s always a sad time when a valued colleague leaves the council and especially so when the councillor in question has contributed so much over a number of years. Jo Eales has been instrumental in improving the appearance and ecological substance of our parish. She has also offered practical

congratulations, chi chi!

It’s official! Chi Chi on Old Birmingham Road, Lickey is one of the best gift retailers in the UK, and has been selected as a finalist in The Greats Gift Retailer Awards 2019. Chi Chi has an array of lovely gifts and interiors as well as serving its own barista coffee. Pic/ Debbie O’Connor

Above: New parish council (L-R) Coun Sara Woodhouse, Coun Jill Harvey, Coun Peter Harvey, Coun Nick Forknell (Chair), Coun Janet King, Coun Stephen Nock, Executive Officer Lisa Winterbourn and Coun Anna Boehm. Pic/ Keith Woolford

and sound advice regarding employment and administration issues – and who can forget the chocolate cake supplied for our annual councillors’ get-together to sort out the budget! We’re sorry to see her go but wish her well in her new situation.

BEST FRONT GARDEN

Judging for our annual competition to find the very best front gardens in the parish will take place from 1st to 15th June and we shall be looking for high standards of design, plantsmanship, colour, fragrance, eco-friendliness and that all-important “wow” factor. The prizegiving will take place at Holy Trinity Church, Lickey at 3pm on Sunday 14th July. All are welcome.

BLACKWELL PICNIC

Look forward to more flowers when Blackwell’s annual Picnic in the Park takes “Flower Power” as its theme. Join the fun at the recreation ground

in St Catherine’s Road on Saturday 15th June from 12 noon. Themed activities and refreshments for all ages with, of course, your own sumptuous picnics. Entries for the Flower Power cake competition (adult and child categories) should be brought to the WI tea tent from 12noon and no later than 2pm.

NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Our NDP is nearing its final stage and is currently with the examiner chosen by the steering group, whose approval is needed before it can progress to referendum – expected before September. Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the consultations and meetings, who have enabled it to be a residents’ rather than just a council plan. Please come out and vote in the referendum when it takes place.

The parish council office at the Trinity Centre, 411 Old Birmingham Road, Lickey is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.30am–3.30pm. Lisa Winterbourn, our executive officer, may be contacted on eo@lickey andblackwellpc.org or 07930 837770. Much more council and NDP information may be found at www.lickeyand blackwellpc.org or www.facebook. com/lickeyandblackwellcouncil The views and opinions on this page are those of Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council.

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Village VillageViews Views

We must have clean

Dear Editor – I would like to respond to John Impey and John Holland, with regard to my published concerns about bonfires in your magazine. Bonfires may indeed have been a way of life, but recent published research suggests that the average domestic bonfire can cause more atmospheric pollution than more than 100 petrol and diesel cars and vans. Mr Holland feels that “the smell of wood smoke always brings back such happy memories”. During 1952, 12,000 people died in the famous London Smog, caused by coal power stations and domestic coal fires. Thankfully the Clean Air Act went some way towards addressing the problem by phasing out coal as a heating and power generation source. In Birmingham on 1 January 2020, a new Clean Air Zone comes into effect. Taxi drivers are having to pay up to a staggering £80,000 to replace their vehicles with cleaner technology. Mr Impey and Mr Holland seem to feel that the taxi drivers would be thrilled to have a neighbour lighting up a bonfire to undo their hard work, as no doubt will drivers paying a daily £8 Clean Air Charge as they do the daily commute into Birmingham. We need a local referendum on this subject and a clean air debate. It will be interesting to see who has been elected to the district council and what their policies are on clean air. I sense radical change, which is long overdue. All waste, especially from the garden, needs to be recycled properly. I will also continue to campaign for the extension of electrified road and rail transport. John A Ridarta, Cofton Hackett

Have your say . . . about anything! 14

The Village

June 2019

Let’s consign bonfires to past

Dear Editor – I am amazed at the comment by John Holland last month (Bonfires haven’t killed me yet. . .). How would he remember the end of WWII? I was born in 1944 but I do not remember bonfires at 7am. Nobody wants to go back to the 1960s when there was smog and fog everywhere. We are now in the 21st century when there is no need for bonfires. If you want bonfire smoke, have it in your garden and see what your neighbours think. Personally, I want a smokeless area so that I can sit in my garden without breathing smoke. Michael Lewis, via email

Graffiti culprit must come clean Dear Editor – Despite the best en-

deavours of Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council, graffiti remains steadfast on street furniture including road signs, Virgin boxes and our weather station on Rose Hill and the Old Birmingham Road, Lickey. Many may sympathise with the message “Save Our Green Belt”, which probably relates to the potential “Barntchurch” development just down the road, but not necessarily this particular method of resistance. The military-style stencil and font could also be deemed a tad aggressive. Locals are fully aware of the implications of a New Town on the doorstep – so who is your target audience? If the perpetrator has the courage of their convictions and wishes to be taken seriously, may I suggest they write an article for The Village magazine offering their misgivings in a more civilised manner. With or without their name. And pay for the removal of the sprayed paint.

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 June 15.

air debate TTheVillage View ... Vandalising signage will only get local residents’ backs up. In fact, how would the culprit respond to having “Stamp Out Graffiti” sprayed in a lovely font and a complementary colour plastered where they live! Keith Woolford, Lickey Hills Community Group

Lure of the Lickeys

Dear Editor – An original bluebell poem offering for the “smile corner” of your lovely mag. THE LICKEY THREE PEAKS

Today I climbed a mountain, I did it in the rain. The mountain climbed was Snowdon. . . and I went up on the train! It took me 60 minutes and cost me forty quid. The effort made it worth it, I’m very pleased I did. . . ‘cus the view was simply lovely all round the coastal plain Then came the piping whistle to go back down again. A lot of mental effort was used up on this trip So it’s time to put my feet up and have a little kip ‘cus at my age I’ve an issue I’ll reluctantly now tell. . . I wish there was a railway up Ben Nevis and Scafell! Yet Lickey has a railway, the steepest in the land To the three peaks of the Lickeys with views so very grand. The line’s just been electrified so bankers used no longer As electric trains climb up the hill, their engines being stronger. There’s Beacon, Rednal, Cofton. . . the three hills in the set, which is the Brummies’ beauty spot from where they were ‘beget’ like salmon in a river, returning we believe the Brummies come to Lickey Woods to where they were conceived! You may tread on young couples in the bluebell woods, it’s true, pretend you haven’t noticed and enjoy the lovely view. So come and walk the Lickeys, you can ride up on the train then the three peaks of the Lickeys will have lured you back again. Geoff Evans, Lickey Square

Where’s Vinny?

after two years of trying, 11-year-old Emily Giblin, of the Oakalls, won 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!

he independent wave continued to wash over The Village area in the Bromsgrove Council elections. The whole tract from Redditch, through Beoley, Portway, Alvechurch, Rowney Green, Barnt Green and Hopwood to the Birmingham border is now represented by independent councillors. It very nearly reached through Cofton Hackett, too, where the long-standing Conservative councillor only just clung on as the independent got within 24 votes, and that was even after Green, Labour and LibDem candidates had soaked up some non-Tory votes. The most noticeable statistic in the independent victories was the turnout at the polling booths. Whereas the figure was in the low to mid 30 per cents in “traditional areas” – and as low as 26 per cent in Catshill North – all of the independent seats were won with turnouts of more than 40 per cent. Just for the record, the turnouts that saw independents elected in The Village area were: Alvechurch South 47 per cent; Alvechurch Village 44 per cent ; and Barnt Green and Hopwood 46 per cent. Clearly the voters were energised by the work they had seen the independents already doing in their areas and wanted to keep them, while in Alvechurch South they decided an independent was by far the better choice for them. The scale of the victories was also telling, with the independent candidate in Alvechurch Village polling 840 votes, leaving the Conservative trailing a distant second with 104. It was a similar story in Barnt Green and Hopwood, where the independent polled 898 votes and the other candidate, a Conservative, garnered only 196 votes. This is Barnt Green, remember, where not so long ago the thought of a non-Tory councillor was as likely as a £200,000 house. In the end, though, the Tories just clung on to control of the district council – by a total of possibly only 14 votes – with their slim victory in Cofton and a stunning hold in Aston Fields by just one vote. Clearly, there was some kind of protest at the handling of Brexit by Conservatives at a national level, but the principle of non-party politics in local government is now firmly established in this area and has laid very firm foundations for the future on both sides of Bromsgrove district. With the remarkable LibDem victory in Lickey Hills over a long-standing Conservative councillor, Bromsgrove’s Tories now know they should heed what villagers want – particularly in properly defending our Green Belt – if they are to stand a chance of hanging on to control in four years’ time. The Village

June 2019

Village News

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Cheques for charities

Alvechurch Knit and Natter, run by Cynthia Lawton and Daphne Cross, presented cheques to representatives of the three charities the group has chosen to support this year. Funds are raised through sales of knitted toys and clothing, plus a raffle later in the year. Receiving the donations were Wayne Church on behalf of Brain Tumour Research, Tina East from the Good Hope Hospital Charity, whose bereavement suite supports families of stillborn babies, and John Weston of the MND (Motor Neurone Disease) Association. Each charity received £100, with more funds promised after the raffle in December. All three thanked Knit and Natter for their support. Above: Daphne Cross, Wayne Church, Cynthia Lawton, Tina East and John Weston.

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June 2019

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The Village

June 2019

Village News

Summer festival season begins! A

lvechurch Village Society, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is inviting residents from the village and beyond to mark the occasion with a party at Alvechurch Village Hall. On Wednesday June 26, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, everyone is welcome to enjoy a fun family evening including Morris dancing, storytelling, music from Alvechurch Community Choir, children’s games, indoor curling, a mini quiz and a display of Dellow vintage cars. Light refreshments will be available – and the whole event is free of charge. n The 2019 Blackwell Summer Festival takes place on Saturday June 15, from 12noon until 5pm on the field

Roff St Catherine’s Road. This year’s theme is Flower Power, so expect to see villagers fully embracing the spirit of the event with costumes and decorated gazebos. Residents of Blackwell and beyond are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy fun for all ages, music from Blackwell Concert Band and refreshments from Village Vineyards and the WI (there is a charge for these but the rest of the event is completely free). If you’d like to enter the cake competition, entries based on the Flower Power theme need to be at the tent by 2pm. n Blackwell is also hosting its popular Music Festival once again, this year on Saturday September 7 from 12noon to 9pm in the Hunters

Hill School grounds. Full details are yet to be announced but there will be plenty of local live acts, food and drink. n Glastonbeoley, a charity music festival held in the parish field and village hall at Beoley, is happening again this year and takes place on Saturday June 8 from 12noon to 10pm. As well as live music across two stages, there will be a licensed bar and food outlets. Tickets cost £8 in advance/£10 on day (over 16s) or £4/£5 (ages 10–15); under-10s go free. Purchase at Courtyard Music, The Village Inn or Vintage Trax. You can see the full programme at www. glastonbeoley.co.uk

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The Village

June 2019

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Village Events

50 years of canal care Anniversary celebrations for society that keeps a watchful eye on our waterways.

The Worcester-Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society marked its 50th birthday with an afternoon of fun for all at The Crown pub, Withybed Green, Alvechurch â€“ the venue where the idea for the society was originally formed. As well as food and drink, there was live music, poetry and storytelling from local performers, plus canal boat rides, birds of prey from GCB Falconry, and an exhibition by the Little Radford Model Boat Club.

Above: Falconry. Below: Little Radford Model Boat Club.

The Village

June 2019

Pic/ Dennis Brown

Left: Original members John Burman and John Pinder cut a cake in the shape of the society’s narrowboat ‘Cecilia’ (Pic/ John Hemingway)

Above: John Hemingway and Mary Green with a little friend! Above left: Music from Paul Chamberlain and Keith Yendell. Left: Alvechurch Community Choir (Pic/ Dennis Brown) The Village

June 2019

Village Directory

The Village Directory

To get your business or service noticed, call Louise on 0121 445 6757

K M Window Cleaning Service

Learn to drive with Andy Rees

Local, Reliable, Affordable, Professional Free Quotes Competitive Prices

Regular 6 Weekly Visits Commercial & Residential All Types of Windows Frames & Sills Conservatories Gutter Clearing

Karl McLeod 07716 738134 knkmcleod@hotmail.co.uk

Andy Rees AA Trained Driving Instructor u

07736 396 414

New drivers u Confidence-building u Motorway experience sessions u Calm, friendly, highly professional and reliable

Email: a.rees74@outlook.com

Instagram:@AndyReesDriving

Fast, friendly, competitively priced Available 7 days a week

Bespoke Housekeeping & Domestic Services

RSPH Level 2 qualified

The Concierge Service for your home and life

07939 627668

07496 750071 www.waspbusters.com

Covering your local area

Tel: 01527 543333 Mobile: 07886 629945

PETER R.YARNOLD CARPENTRY & JOINERY Quality, bespoke, handmade joinery in hardwood or softwood. u Doors u Windows u Kitchens u Stairs u Conservatories u Furniture

Tel: 01527 873552 or 07717 102604

The Village

June 2019

Village Directory CTB alarms ltd Your local alarm company

• Alarm Installations • Alarm repairs • Alarm system servicing • Upgrade/Modernisation of alarms 24/7 response • 25+ years experience

Texecom & Honeywell approved

t: 0121 445 2865

Company reg number: 06164927

e: sales@ctbalarms.co.uk w: www.ctbalarms.co.uk

Established in 2013 l Over 15 years experience in the construction industry

Our areas of expertise include New Builds, Extensions, Renovations & General Building Work Wayside, Redditch Road, Hopwood, B48 7TL T: 07795 681 182 E: Alan.jones49@yahoo.co.uk

www.ajbuildingcontractors.co.uk

P Pledger E Electrical S Services n n

LOCAL ELECTRICIAN

Part P Registered Installer

Installations n Maintenance & Repair Inspection & Testings n Reliable Service

Call Dean: 0121 445 1601 or 07891 498909

D.J.SCRIVEN ROOFING CONTRACTOR

Lloyd Morgan 07789 622453 0121 445 6441 morganplumbingandheating.co.uk City & Guilds Fully Qualified Plumber

DAVID JAMES SCRIVEN - ROOFER

Deborah Glover

TILE / SLATE / LEAD / TRADITIONAL ROOFING NO JOB TOO SMALL - FREE QUOTATIONS

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160 SIR HILTONS ROAD, BIRMINGHAM B31 3NW

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Email: scrivenroofing@gmail.com Facebook: DJScriven Roofing Contractor

One-to-one therapy for all aspects of women’s physical and mental health and well-being

Call 07866 564 724 or 0121 537 7958 or visit www.lickeyhillshypnotherapy.co.uk Recommended

Mike Nash - Qualified - Local - Friendly Mobile Computer Engineer – will visit your Home or Office n Virus & Spyware Removal n Wireless Broadband Set Up/Repair n All Computer Hardware Repair n Laptop Screen Replacement

Tel: 0121 445 2065 helpme@ontrackcomputers.co.uk

www.ontrackcomputers.co.uk

80 Hewell Rd, Barnt Green, B45 8NF

Nicky Robinson Aesthetics Aesthetic treatments with qualified medical professional - including anti-wrinkle treatments, fillers, Microneedling, dermaplanning and skin care u Fully insured u Certified by Derma Medical Member of the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses Tel: 07843 047688 E: nrobinsonaesthetics@gmail.com Web: www.nraesthetics.co.uk Instagram: @Nickyrobinsonaesthetics u

A.S. PAINTING & DECORATING For all your decorating needs contact Alan on 07730 477564

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It’s the time of year to spring clean your oven. . .

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Prompt, reliable and friendly service Cowls and Chimney Pots fitted Fully qualified and fully insured Guild certificates issued after every sweep

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Plumbing Plastering Tiling Carpentry Vinyl/Laminate Fitting Fully Insured

Call 07582 321 593 / 01527 559123 www.ovenclear.co.uk / info@plain-janes.co.uk

t. 0800 310 2720 m. 07900 925 651

w. www.newtonbathrooms.co.uk e. sales@newtonbathrooms.co.uk

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To receive £5 off your clean, please call quoting this advert

Phil Newton

Tel: 0121 445 5636 Mobile: 07813 188806

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Plumbing & Heating Services Boiler Replacement Bathrooms Service & Repair Pipework Design & Installation Domestic, Commercial & Industrial

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Roofing, Floors, Kitchens, Doors, 1st & 2nd Fix New Build, Extensions & Refurbishment Domestic, Commercial and Schoolwork CRB Checked & Fully Insured

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No job too big or small, you just have to call!

Insurance work l Stud walls l Re-skimming l Plaster Boarding l Traditional Plastering l Ceilings l Patching work l Rendering l Coving l Screeding l Dry-lining l Painting l Tiling l Archways l

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Shop Fronts & Glazing Dependable & Quality Service

Contact Paul on 07961 342304 / 0121 445 6236

e-mail:lickeycarpentry@hotmail.co.uk www.lickeycarpentry.co.uk 15 Cofton Lake Road, Birmingham B45 8PL

T.S. Electrical Domestic & Commercial Property/Landlord Inspections Full & Part Rewires l Fuse Board Replacements Alarms Fitted l PAT Testing l Part P Certified

01564 823882 / 07974 829794 Lilley Green Road, Alvechurch

Village Directory traditional Joinery & furniture makers

Can’t get what you want?

Beautiful Interior Doors Supplied and Installed

We make kitchens, conservatories, stairs, windows, doors etc, using traditional woodworking techniques to match existing work or to your own design. All work carried out to the highest standard.

Please visit the only door showroom in Redditch.

The Workshop, 3 Bear Hill, Alvechurch B48 7JX

we now sell composite doors

www.robertsbespokejoinery.co.uk

www.acsinteriordoors.co.uk

Tel: 0121 447 8017

Unit 6, Britten House, The Old Needle Works, Britten Street, Redditch B97 6HD

07592 303104 or 07910 289565

J & D MASON – OPTICIANS –

Providing quality eyecare for over 40 years

23 The Square, Alvechurch

0121 447 8682

Independent home care agency owned and run by an experienced Registered Nurse Traditional, bespoke, person-centred care Safe, caring, effective, responsive and well-led Registered with the Care Quality Commission

Contact Jackie Grant on 0121 448 3348 jackie@windmill-hill-care.co.uk www.windmill-hill-care.co.uk

Why go to the shops when the shops can come to you? l l

Large selection of samples to choose from

We uplift and dispose of old carpets and flooring, including the moving of furniture, free of charge l l

Professional fitting team

Free measuring and quotation service

07423 276485 | 01299 251784 www.carpetsfromhome.co.uk carpetsfromhome@outlook.com

Poppins Home & Office Cleaning Services

C & M DECORATORS

special offers on all services!

Poppins offers One-Off, End-of-Tenancy and Regular Cleans, Oven & Carpet Cleaning, Painting & Gardening. We also provide Laundry, Dry Cleaning and Tailoring with a Pick-up and Drop-off service available

FATHER & SON u Interior & Exterior u 32 Years’ Experience u Free Quotes u Fully Insured Based in Lickey End, Bromsgrove

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BASED AT THE LAUNDERETTE IN ALVECHURCH Office: 0121 445 0544 www.poppinsservices.com Mobile: 07891 899837 info@poppinsservices.com 1b George Road, Alvechurch B48 1PB FULLY INSURED Member of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

CITY & GUILDS LEVEL 1 AWARD

Summer School Garment Making & Techniques Learn all the introductory techniques required to create a garment and complete this certificate 30 hours of learning – day or evening options Email info@sewingstudio.org to reserve your place with a deposit of £50* Day: 10am–4pm, July 8th–12th or 22nd–26th Evening: 6–9pm, July 8th–12th or 22nd–26th (weekdays) *

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From kitchen cabinets to bed frames and chairs. . . they can all be spray painted! Why buy new when you can upcycle? Using our expert skill and eco-friendly, water-based paints we can make your furniture look better than new. Contact us to find out how we can help you do your bit for the environment!

Tel: 01527 877129 E: Info@wesprayanything.com Unit 23 Silver Birches Business Park, Aston Road, Bromsgrove, B60 3EU

10 Years Ago 20 Years Ago From TheVillage archive

aN ARRAY of golden buttercups in the fields running up to Foxhill at Withybed Green made the cover of our June 2009 issue, which also featured open gardens in the Village area.

Our June 1999 cover showed a Les Ladbury image of bluebells in the Lickeys. Inside, we had a chat with Alvechurch opera star John Cashmore and there were features on the village railway and canal.

September 2013 – the dig-

IN THE NEWS: gers arrive In Alvechurch there had been major celebrations for the 80th birthdays of both the village hall and the Women’s Institute, while Alvechurch Village Society marked its 40th anniversary. Elsewhere, we looked ahead to the forthcoming council and European elections.

BARNT GREEN pupils Sadie Fitzgerald, Josh Carter and Florrie Jenkins proudly wore underpants on the outside during a superheroes day at St Andrew’s First School to raise funds for children’s bereavement charity Noah’s Ark. a picture had been found of Canadian airman Sgt Alton James O’Neil, who died in the 1943 bomber crash at Rowney Green. When we featured the crash in 2008, no one had been able to find a photo, but now a relative of the plane’s pilot had supplied one, along with information on his life.

The Village

From TheVillage archive

June 2019

September 2013 – the dig-

IN THE NEWS: gers arrive Barnt Green was making plans to install both traffic calming and CCTV, while there were protests against the skate park in Alvechurch and concerns over pollution from the M42. Meanwhile, the 82 and 83 bus services between Redditch and Bromsgrove were under threat.

FIVE-YEAR-old pig farmer Rhys Wilson and sister Hannah, eight, cuddle two of the 14 piglets born to Rhys’s pedigree sow Nellie – bought for him by his parents and kept at a Hopwood farm, where the family made daily visits from Alvechurch. The Village was being read far and wide, including by Kev and Sue Wightman (left) who had moved to Melbourne, Australia. We also received letters from former residents in Sydney, Florida, and Spain, who were still enjoying the magazine.

Village Legal

Is a DIY Will legal?

Advertisement feature

n short, yes; it’s possible for a homemade, handwritten Will to be legal in England and Wales, provided that it has been properly drafted and meets the legal requirements. According to a past YouGov survey, an astounding 96% of people who prepare their own Will say they do not need professional advice, with 21% stating that it was the fear of the cost which prompted them to do it themselves. One of the main reasons people prepared their own Will is because they saw the need for legal advice as superfluous. Around one in ten people write their own Wills. Homemade Wills offer a cheaper alternative, usually costing around £20. It’s even possible to pick up a kit from high street stationers and still cheaper options are available online. While an off-the-shelf Will may seem very attractive at this price, it can be a very risky approach. If errors are made, or if the strict witnessing rules are not followed correctly, the document could be invalid with often serious implications. Not only do you risk leaving your family with a financial and emotional mess, but also your legacy could be crowded by legal bills or unnecessary tax fees.

Leaving a digital legacy

In as little as two years (from 2012 to 2014), the public has produced more data than in all of human civilisation before that, and it is still increasing at an exponential rate. While digital assets can take many forms, such as online photos, subscriptions, music libraries, social network profiles, savings accounts or email accounts, the majority of us do not have physical records of them. It is therefore not clear what people’s digital presences will look like in years to come, but we can be certain that an ever-increasing number of people will be creating

Lickey Wills specialist Sue Jenden explains why it’s best to take expert legal advice.

and accumulating more and more data until they pass away. A YouGov survey published in November 2018 revealed that 67% of respondents wanted their social media accounts taken offline after their death and only 7% wanted them to remain online. Recently, Gerald Cotten died unexpectedly at the age of 30. Gerald was the Chief Executive Officer of QuadrigaCX; a Canadian cryptocurrency exchange platform. According to court documents, he had sole access to the digital wallets containing more than 180 million Canadian dollars (£105 million) belonging to the company’s 115,000 customers. His death has resulted in QuadrigaCX being unable to pay their customers. This case highlights the extreme consequences of not leaving suitable arrangements for the recovery of cryptocurrency. We recommend our clients complete and maintain a Digital Asset Memorandum – the log includes a record of your digital assets to assist your executors and where the passwords can be located. Writing a Will and keeping it updated can ensure that your estate, including any digital assets are distributed as per your wishes. Don’t hesitate to get in touch for more information on digital assets. Whatever your situation, speak to us for expert advice on 0121 445 5874 or info@suejendenassociates.co.uk

Sue Jenden is a solicitor and an affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. The firm is a member of and regulated by the Institute of Professional Will writers. Based at Lickey, they deal with a broad range of work including Wills, inheritance tax planning, Trusts, and administration of estates. In addition, they advise clients about powers of attorney and Court of Protection issues. Sue says, “We visit clients in their own homes, which is preferred particularly by our elderly clients as making a Will can be a daunting prospect. It seems a morbid subject and this tends to put people off. ”But the fact is that you have worked hard to build up your assets and it is sensible to have a say in where they are to go. We offer fixed fees for our services.” Tel: 0121 445 5874 info@suejendenassociates.co.uk www.suejendenassociates.co.uk This firm complies with the IPW Code of Conduct

The Village

June 2019

The Lawns Alvechurch

Outstanding residential care in a beautiful setting

High quality accommodation within a luxurious environment awaits those choosing to make The Lawns their home.

Qualified and experienced staff provide care and support whilst encouraging independence and an active, fulfilling life. The Lawns offers assisted living suites with their own kitchen, lounge area, separate bedroom and ensuite with shower. Residents enjoy life at The Lawns, especially spending time in the lovely gardens and the cosy Butterflies CafĂŠ. Visit www.thelawnscare.co.uk The Lawns Residential Care, School Lane, Alvechurch, Worcs, B48 7SB Tel: 0121 445 4098 Email: enquiries@thelawnscare.co.uk

Village Finance

Advertisement feature

Ageing is inevitable, but how we age is not

ociety is changing. We’re living longer than ever before and the age profile of our society is changing rapidly. According to the ‘State of Ageing in 2019 Report’ published by the Centre for Ageing Better (CAB), the number of people aged 65 and over will increase by more than 40% within 20 years. For many of us there is much to look forward to in later life. People in their early to mid-70s are reported to be more satisfied with life than any other age group. However, whilst advances in public health, nutrition and medical science have given us the gift of longevity, millions of people are at risk of missing out on a good later life due to pressure on health and care services, government and local authority funding. The challenges faced by increasing numbers of older people will have significant consequences for the NHS, care services and for public spending. Acting now will help pave the way so those approaching later life, and the generations that follow them, are able to enjoy a long and happy life. People in their 50s and 60s should consider putting plans in place to save enough to support themselves in later life. The Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA) was established in 2008 and is dedicated to higher standards and accessibility to regulated financial advice specifically aimed at older people and their families. SOLLA qualified advisers provide practical help and guidance through the many complex issues that many older people face, such as estate planning and care funding. Do you or one of your family need help and guidance with long-term care funding? Careful and considered advice will help you make clear and informed decisions at the right time, giving you and your loved ones the

reassurance you need. Please contact Simon Cartmell, our SOLLA qualified Financial Adviser, at Provest Wealth Management on 0121 445 0079 for further advice and support. Provest Wealth Management has just received BS 8577 (Framework for the provision of financial advice and planning services) by Standards International for the fifth consecutive year, so you can trust you’re in safe hands.

Provest Wealth Management is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. Provest Wealth Management is a trading name of Provest Financial Solutions LLP.

Provest Wealth Management 1st Floor, 18-20 Hewell Road Barnt Green B45 8NE www.provestfs.co.uk The Village

June 2019

BUZZING!

Village Activities

Dr Alan Woollhead and Chris Tomlin, of the North East Worcestershire Beekeepers’ Association, explain how to identify different ‘buzzy’ insects and what to do if you have a honeybee swarm.

swarm in May is worth a load of hay, a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon, but a swarm in July is not worth a fly – so the saying goes. But what is a bee swarm? In the UK there are many social bees living in colonies headed by a single queen bee and attended to by worker bees. The honeybee has the largest colonies amongst the social bees, with numbers of worker bees reaching around 50,000 during the summer months. As part of the natural annual cycle honeybees create new colonies by producing new queen bees and dividing the original colony’s workforce. This is most dramatically observed as a swarm of bees, numbering several thousand worker bees plus a queen.

Close up of honeybee swarm on laurel (James Lowe)

May is the most common time of year for swarming to occur, but it can happen in any summer month. This group of bees will be looking for a new place to build a nest, but the decision will not yet have been made on where to go, so they land and cluster around the queen while scout bees go off to look for a new nest site. The cluster may be large, around the size of a watermelon and of similar shape, if hanging from a branch or fence. When the decision has

Right: Wasp (Chris Sutor) Above: Red tailed bumble bee (Tanya Davies) been made on where the new site will be, the cluster departs en masse; streaming impressively as they head to their new home. For the honeybee colony this has been a valuable exercise as they have increased their number of colonies and spread their genetics further afield, as well as creating a new, young and vigorous queen to head a colony. For the householder whose garden the swarm has chosen to cluster in it may be a less rewarding experience and can cause some

The Village

June 2019

Owners and loaners at the 2018 Gaydon handover

North East Worcestershire Beekeepers gather at their apiary at Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove. consternation, so every year beekeepers will receive calls from people requesting their services to remove swarms. Local beekeepers’ associations have lists of members who are willing to provide their time and expertise to collect swarms and provide them with a hive to live in. Unfortunately, every year a proportion of the calls received are about other flying “buzzy” insects, which are not honeybees and about which beekeepers can do very little to help. Being able to correctly identify the offending insects would aid those beekeepers who are volunteering their time to help. On occasion wasps may be mistaken for honeybees, but wasps have yellow and black banding on their abdomens whilst honeybees have orange/dark brown and black banding. In addition, honeybees are hairy while wasps aren’t.

Another insect frequently mistaken for the honeybee is the “bumblebee”, which comes in different varieties. Over recent years the Tree Bumblebee has become a common sight and they seem to have a preference for empty bird boxes as nest sites. There are never great numbers of worker bees seen, with around a dozen or so passing in and out of the box at a time. Providing they are not disturbed they are largely harmless and will totally disappear at the end of the summer, so if they are not causing a problem then the best advice is to enjoy their company rather than seek to eradicate them. Larger bumblebees might build their nests in compost bins and there are also bees that build their nests in the walls of houses, hollowing out tunnels in the mortar between bricks. These are the masonry bees and are delightful creatures, completely harmless as they have no sting, and cause no real damage to the structure of the wall.

Like the Tree Bumblebee, their numbers are never very high, maybe no more than a hundred or so at the most, and the bees will totally disappear at the end of the summer. It is only the honeybee that has colonies that overwinter. With all the other bees and wasps, only the mated queens survive the winter. If you are still in doubt about whether or not you really do have a honeybee swarm, there is a wealth of information and pictures on the British Bee Keepers’ Association (BBKA) website at www.bbka.org.uk/swarm So, what should you do if you really do have a swarm of honeybees? North East Worcestershire Bee Keepers’ Association (NEWBKA) keeps a list of those beekeepers who are willing to collect swarms and you can contact their swarm co-ordinator, Steven Wall, on 07800 568429. They also provide courses in bee keeping and have members from all across this area. Find more information at www.newbka.blogspot.co.uk The Village

June 2019

Village Charity

Advertisement feature Left: Mark and Tina Treverton of Shooting 4 Fun with Amy Flemming from Primrose Hospice (centre). Below: Axe throwing. Bottom left: Laser tag. Bottom right: Oaklands Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

Shooting for funds!

hooting 4 Fun Ltd is offering a rare opportunity to enjoy 90 minutes of outdoor shooting activities for just £20 per person, at a special fundraising day. The event takes place at Shooting 4 Fun’s 4.5-acre Oaklands Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Hanbury, on Sunday June 23. Participants will experience three 20-minute sessions of archery, laser clay shooting and axe throwing; followed by 30 minutes of laser tag in the forest. £15 from every booking will be donated to Primrose Hospice in Bromsgrove. Pre-booking is essential, choosing an hourly start time between 12pm and 3pm. Places are limited so everyone has plenty of time to try each of the activities. Professional instruction will be available for those new to any of the shooting disciplines. Mark Treverton has been delivering his Shooting 4 Fun experiences for 25 years and is a member of the

The Village

June 2019

Grand National Archery Society and a registered Clay Pigeon Shooting Association safety officer. He has earned a reputation for providing first-class shooting pursuits, with fun firmly on the agenda. He says: “This event is a great opportunity to try different shooting activities at a very special price. There will be a tremendous buzz as we

rotate groups of people across the activities. It will be pretty ‘full-on’ for the organising team and lots of fun for those taking part.” Drinks will be available to purchase and there will be a charity raffle. Shooting 4 Fun is hoping to raise more than £2,000 from the event. Amy Flemming, a Primrose Hospice fundraiser, said: “We are delighted that Shooting 4 Fun is holding this event for us. We support patients and their families at some of the most difficult times and rely on donations from the local community. We must raise £1.75million annually to keep our services free for people with lifelimiting conditions and their families living in north-east Worcestershire. We hope the event is well supported.” To book a place (ages 18+ only), or if you would like to donate a raffle prize, call Mark on 01527 575141 or email mark@marksmanleisure.co.uk www.shooting4fun.co.uk

Pryoritising your investments

Deciding how to invest: We all have different priorities when it comes to investing. Asking the right questions and understanding the relationship between risk and reward are crucial in achieving the right investment approach for you.

We discuss: • Risk • Likely investment term • Target returns/expectations • Growth or income needs – or even both • Nature of investment goal T 0121 445 5694 W www.ppm-ifa.co.uk E lauralowndes@ppm-ifa.co.uk Pryor Portfolio is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 511176 www.fca.org.uk The Farmhouse, Pumphouse Lane, Blackwell, B60 1QN

Village Finance

Advertisement feature

Keep your head: the psychology of investment U

nderstanding your personal biases can help you form investment strategies that work for you across the good times and when the going gets tougher. Traditional finance theory starts from the principle that markets and their investors are perfectly rational. A quick look around will convince you that such an idea is optimistic to say the least. Rational markets would not fluctuate without any apparent reason, nor would rational investors feel the pain of a loss more than twice as much as they enjoy the feel of equivalent gains. The field of behavioural finance, which studies the impact of investor psychology on financial decisions, has developed in response to the inconsistencies between rational theory and irrational, human, reality. Behavioural finance can offer lessons to all investors. People can act in surprising ways in all sorts of circumstances. For instance, you might ask yourself if you recognise any of these behavioural finance biases in yourself or others:

Overconfidence

Many people, when asked, identify themselves as “above average”, whether in terms of driving ability, intelligence or looks. By definition that cannot be true – no more than 50% can be above average. Overconfident investors can pay a high price to learn this truth.

Martin Pryor advises on how our own biases can affect financial decisions.

Hindsight bias

How many times have you heard someone say “I always knew that was going to happen”, after the event has happened? Yet the same person probably never warned you beforehand. People like to imagine their predictive powers are good – and some can convince themselves their hindsight was once foresight.

Herding

“Everybody is investing in technology/emerging markets/commercial property, so I will too.” It seems the easy option, not least because human beings are inherently fearful of going against the crowd. However, the crowd’s judgement is not always right. Also, if and when the crowd changes its mind, the reversal can become a dangerous stampede, especially in investment markets.

Confirmation bias

Which do you pay more attention to, the information and comments that reinforce your views or those that contradict them? The natural response is the former, something

that some people on social media have learned to exploit. However, when it comes to investment, hearing only what you want to hear could mean ignoring important if uncomfortable truths.

Self-attribution

You choose to invest in X and its value rises – that is proof of your skill. Then you choose to invest in Y and its value halves – that’s just bad luck. Such a view of expertise makes us feel better about both outcomes, but it could be pure self-deception. It is also possible that the choice of X was down to luck and Y to lack of skill. By developing an understanding of behavioural finance ideas, you can identify your own investment behaviours. The nearer you come to acting like a rational investor, the more you may be able to benefit from the irrationality of others. A sensible starting point is to identify your innate biases and take advantage of the professional, objective advice we can offer when making decisions. The value of your investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. This article is for general information purposes only. n Contact Pryor Portfolio Management for more information: Tel: 07961 162818 martinpryor@ppm-ifa.co.uk www.ppm-ifa.co.uk The Village

June 2019

Village Weather

Blowing hot and cold M

Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.

ay, at least up until the 19th, was quite a cold month, with the average temperature at 10.2C – that’s 1.3C below the expected level. There were some warm sunny days in the middle of the month but we still only reached 62% of the expected sunshine. The colder weather seems to be caused by high pressure near us, resulting in a southeasterly or easterly airstream which can be quite cold at this time of year.

May 2019 (to the 19th) Mean Max 14.9C 1.4 below average Mean Min 5.5C 1.2 below average Mean 10.2C 1.3 below average Rainfall 41mm 74% of average Sunshine 91.9 hrs 62% of average April started quite cold and chilly, turning milder and warmer in the second half. The mean temperature of 8.9C was 0.7C above the local average. Rainfall was below average with only 41.9mm; that’s 63% of the local amount.

April 2019 Mean Max 13.6C 0.8 above average Mean Min 4.2C 0.6 above average Mean 8.9C 0.7 above average Rainfall 41.9mm 63% of average Sunshine 151.2 hrs 128% of average Outlook The weather as we go into June is likely to include dry and bright periods, perhaps punctuated by occasional wetter and windier spells. It could be rather cool in these unsettled periods. However, more prolonged settled and warm conditions in the north of the UK are expected to spread further south at times.

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

The Village

June 2019

Mark Meads

Mortgage, Equity Release and Protection Specialist If you would like to talk in confidence about your financial needs and future financial planning, please contact me directly on 07730 011897 or mark.meads@villagefinancial.co.uk, for an initial discussion to see how I can help you and your family.

Village Financial Solutions Ltd, The Coppice, Rowney Green Lane, Rowney Green, Worcs B48 7QF

Tel : 07730 011897 Email : mark.meads@villagefinancial.co.uk Village Financial Solutions Ltd is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network. PRIMIS Mortgage Network is a trading style of Personal Touch Financial Services Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Village Sport

AFC are still smiling

Alvechurch just miss out on promotion after a thrilling season.

lvechurch can count their 2018–19 season as a huge success despite just missing out on promotion this time. Having secured fourth place in the league with an impressive string of results in April – including a Good Friday classic away at Stourbridge where an injury-time equaliser secured a vital point – ’Church went into the play-offs where they would face local rivals Stourbridge once again. The semi-final matches (Stourbridge vs Alvechurch and King’s Lynn vs Stratford) were originally scheduled for May 1, with the two winners due to meet each other on May 6 for a place in the “super final” against the winner of the Northern League on May 11. However, the scheduling descended into farce when it was alleged that Stratford had fielded an ineligible player and a points deduction may be incurred. As this could have affected the play-off positions, both semi-finals were moved to May 3 – but Stourbridge Cricket Club, which ground-shares with the football club, had a match that day, so the AFC game was moved to May 2. This brought complaints from King’s Lynn, saying the winners would have the advantage of an extra 24 hours to prepare for their next match, so the fixture was switched to May 4, before the clubs were told both matches were to be played on May 5. But on that date there was a road race in King’s Lynn involving road closures, so their match was brought forward to May 4 and the Stourbridge vs Alvechurch match moved back to May 6. The saga continued when Stourbridge’s chairman, wanting both semi-finals to

The Village

June 2019

Action from the play-off win against Stourbridge (Photo/ Ian Macvie)

be played at the same time for fairness, decided to forego home advantage and switch their match to Lye Meadow – so eventually both matches were played at 3pm on May 4. (Stratford were deducted 3 points, but this didn’t affect the league table so both fixtures could have been played on the original date!) Playing in front of 900 home fans gave ’Church an extra boost and they came from behind to beat Stourbridge 2–1, but sadly they couldn’t repeat the magic two days later at King’s Lynn. There was plenty of support, with two coaches laid on for fans to enjoy free travel to north Norfolk where they created an electric atmosphere outside a local pub, singing and chatting with the King’s Lynn crowd. The game itself was disappointing with King’s Lynn running out worthy 3–0 winners, but it has still been a fantastic season overall. Alvechurch finished with 73 points, having won 21 of their 42 league matches and scored 66 goals during their first year of competition at this level. l Congratulations to centre forward James Roberts who won both

the Player and Goal of the Month awards for April. James, on loan from Hereford FC, has impressed the Alvechurch faithful with his tenacity and eye for goal since his arrival earlier in the season. He created and scored vital goals in the final push for the playoffs and his 25-yard curling shot across the goalkeeper against Banbury – in a draw that guaranteed a playoff place– was the worthy winner of the monthly award.

l On Friday September 6, Lye Meadow hosts a luncheon with former Arsenal, Middlesbrough and England footballer Ray Parlour as guest speaker. Comedian Jed Stone will also entertain the audience. Tickets, priced £65 per head or £600 for a table of 10 (to include a threecourse Indian meal), are available via chairman Richard Thorndike and directors Simon Redhead and Paul Weaver. 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

ings Norton Rugby Football Club Rhinos Under 16s are celebrating winning the North Midlands Cup in their age group – for the first time in the club’s history. In a tense final against Herefordshire team Luctonians, the Hopwoodbased side won 34–19 to lift the trophy. After a strong journey to the final, beating Newport in the quarter finals 71–22 and Evesham 57–10 in the semi finals, the Rhinos met Luctonians at Dudley Kingswinford RFC and secured the victory in front of a big crowd of spectators. The crowd included KNRFC President Ron Bunce and other distinguished club members. The Rhinos started the match convincingly with sustained pressure, scoring two tries within the first 20 minutes. But a determined Luctonians side fought back, going into half time with a 12–10 lead. The second half seemed to move up a gear, as the Rhinos started to look more and more dangerous. It took just minutes for them to score their third try and their confidence returned. Another converted Rhinos try

Village People

Cup joy for Rhinos

followed 10 minutes later, but again, Luctonians fought back to bring the score to 22–19. In a really tense last 20 minutes the Rhinos’ ball handling and tenacity in both defense and attack paid off as they took the ball over the try line another two times to make the final score 34–19. Club President Ron Bunce said: “I can’t begin to tell you what a mo-

mentous occasion this is for our small rugby club! The last time we won a North Mids Cup Final was when I was captain of the Colts back in 1967. I am so very proud of these boys.” For any further information contact U16s team manager Matthew Daines on 07896 704079. Kings Norton RFC is based at Ash Lane, Hopwood, Birmingham and has a thriving mini and juniors section.

it was for charity and we were asking people for sponsorship, we had to make it a challenge.” The group have currently raised more than £1,000 from social medial donations and sponsorship, with more cash donations still to come. “It’s such a great sense of achievement and we have received lovely

feedback from the British Heart Foundation, asking us to do more charity events within the Bromsgrove area – so we are thinking of different ideas,” adds Alex. If you’d like to make a donation, you can do so by visiting www. justgiving.com/fundraising/walkingin-memory-of

10-mile hill walk raises heart funds

wo Parklands residents and their family and friends have raised more than £1,000 for charity by completing a 10-mile walk. Alex Mansfield and her partner Andrew Poole decided to raise funds and awareness for the British Heart Foundation after Alex’s father died suddenly from a heart attack in February 2018. They and 10 others set out to walk 10 miles of the Malvern Hills, from Herefordshire Beacon to Worcestersh ire Beacon and back, and completed the trek in four hours and 45 minutes. “None of us are experienced walkers really, so as you can imagine it wasn’t easy going,” says Alex. “But as

The Village

June 2019

Village Country Diary Mary Green explores why we call our flowers by so many names.

was unhappy to see that the railway people have mowed down all the wildflowers just coming up on the station bank in Alvechurch. They had promised to only mow this after the flowering season but have ruined it for this year. In the little bit they hadn’t reached, there were moon daisies and wild strawberries flowering and tansy leaves coming up. I don’t know why the people whom we pay to look after our open spaces are so keen to destroy our habitats. So many people these days watch David Attenborough and bemoan the loss of species across the planet, then go out and mow the grass to a green desert and clip the hedge so it might as well be a wall. I am writing this in May, at the time when the may blossom is all around me. It has made me think once more about the names we give our plants and how they show how much plants are woven into our history and language. May, of course, is the name of the month and the tree. It comes from the Latin Maia, another version of the name Mary, and many people think that the month of May is named for the Virgin Mary. There is a poem by

Rose of Sharon

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June 2019

The name o

the 19th century priest-poet Hopkins that wonders why “May is Mary’s month.” In many Catholic countries, may is the flower of the Virgin Mary and is brought into churches to celebrate her. However, may has another old name: hawthorn, whitethorn or

just thorn. (Hawthorn means the thorn used for enclosures). Thorn is such an old name that it appears in Anglo-Saxon not only as the name of the tree but as one of the letters of the alphabet. The sound of “th” in “thorn” was represented by the letter “þ”. Names like this show how long trees have been part of our world and our culture. Most of the trees I have written about over the last few years have Anglo-Saxon names still in use. Ash gave its name to a letter too – the letter now written as ae and pronounced “ash”. All the trees in the ancient Celtic calendar gave their name to letters in their Ogham alphabet. But our English names for these trees are Anglo Saxon – we didn’t inherit many names from our earlier Celtic ancestors. The only tree that has a similar name in Anglo Saxon and old Celtic is yew. We also have an old alternative name for willow – sallow or sally – which comes from the Celtic name. There’s an old song called “Down by the sally gardens”. But only ash and

Northern downy rose

Hawthorn

of the rose Burnet rose

thorn had English letters named after them. Oak was “ac” in Anglo Saxon and the fruit of the oak is an “acorn”. Another sign of old tree knowledge is that we have separate old names for their fruit. The fruit of the thorn is the haw, the ash has keys, roses hips, beech mast, and blackthorn has sloes. Apples, of course, have apples! Apple is treated as the name for any fruit, so Oak

we call the tree in the Garden of Eden an apple (which it isn’t in the original) and other fruits are named after it (thorn-apple, or love-apple as a name for tomato, or pineapple). It can be the apple of your eye. All these fruit names are Anglo-Saxon. The oaks came out into leaf so early this year that the old saying about “oak before ash” should point to a

good summer. However, the oak and ash were out in leaf together last year, when we really did have a good summer. In reality the oak comes out earlier in a warm spring because it reacts to temperature, whereas the ash comes at more or less the same time every year because it reacts most to light. The early oaks this year just mean the spring has been warm and sunny. Hawthorn came into blossom early this year, in late April, for the same reason. By the time you read this it will be over and the haws forming. The flower for June is of course the rose. This plant is unusual because the name, though Anglo Saxon, is similar in all the Indo-European languages. It is the name of a whole family of plants and of a colour. The rose family includes hawthorn, apple, all the wild plums, blackberries, cherries, strawberries and a host of other edible plants.

continues overleaf

The Village

June 2019

Village Country Diary Bluebells with orange-tip

Ragged robin continued from previous page No wonder rose is sometimes used to mean just flower, as if it is the flower of flowers. For example, primroses are the “prime roses”, in other words the first flowers. Incidentally, the foremost expert on wild plants in England, Richard Mabey, says that primroses did really well this year and have spread into new places. This is surprising as they like undisturbed land but is maybe to do with the warming climate. A lovely plant of old meadow land and cliffs and gorges is the rock rose – not a rose but shaped a bit like a small rose. You don’t see it much around here, as it likes chalk soils, but there is some in meadows near Abberley. The large St John’s Wort is also known as Rose of Sharon, a biblical reference. There are several St John’s Worts, all flowering in June. Wort (which is pronounced wert, not wart) just means a herb. St John’s Day is Fallen elm flowers

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June 2019

midsummer, when the flower is in bloom. There is a Christmas Rose too – again not a rose but a cultivated hellebore with a rose-like flower in January or sometimes December. (There are wild hellebores in England, but they have smaller greenish flowers. The name is Greek.) There is a common and very beautiful shrub called Guelder Rose, not related to the roses but flowering in June with open heads of small white flowers followed by lovely red berries and scarlet foliage in autumn. Guelder is probably a place-name. The Virgin Mary is sometimes called Rosa Mundi (the flower of the world) and of course you can pray with rosary beads (a rosarium is a rose garden). Roses were one of the first flowers to be much cultivated and brought in from other countries, so that by the Middle Ages the wealthy had cultivated rose gardens.

The two warring royal houses here, York and Lancaster, each adopted a rose, white or red, as their symbol. When the Tudor dynasty was established it took on the Tudor rose as its symbol – an impossible rose with white and red petals. It became the national flower of England, though not in its wild natural form. The Labour Party adopted the red rose. The white rose of York, Rosa Alba, originally came from our wild white rose crossed with a damask rose. Our white rose is called field rose (Rosa Arvensis) and is very common around here. The name reflects its obvious association with field hedges. The other common one is the pink dog rose, Rosa Canina. This hasn’t really got much to do with dogs. The name dog is often given to a more common, less-scented and less-regarded plant, and can also be found in dog violet and dog’s mercury. There are other varieties of rose elsewhere in Britain. In the north you can find the downy rose, a much darker pink than the dog rose. Near the sea grows the burnet rose, a lovely small white flower followed by striking black hips. In areas with chalky soils you will see, and probably smell, the sweet briar, a most beautiful mid-pink rose whose leaves are scented as well as the flowers. Briar is another old name for a thorny bush and was

Rock rose

Field rose

Forgetme-not

often given to roses generally. Apart from this, roses don’t have many of the old local common names that other flowers have – they are always roses. Flower names range from the obvious to the complex. Bluebells are blue bells, though in Scotland they may be harebells! They were wonderful this spring in the woods and banks around here. You can see how much this area was once all woodland. No one quite knows why forget-me-nots are called that, but they have the same name in most European languages. Anything called Robin or Robert or Jack is named after the ancient spirit of the wild, called Robin Goodfellow or Jack in the Green. Red flowers like Herb Robert and Ragged Robin pick up on this, as does Jack-by-the-hedge or garlic mustard. Ragged Robin, a great June flower, has a lovely Latin name too – Flos-cuculi, the cuckoo flower. It grows in wet marshy meadows. The name cuckoo flower is also given to a different pale pink flower also called lady’s smock or milkmaids, growing in wet meadows too, both at the time the cuckoo used to be here. Coming back to trees, the most prominent tree flower in June is the elderflower. Its scented flower Dog heads are everywhere now in rose the hedges. Elder is another old Anglo-Saxon name. So is elm. You may not notice elm trees since Dutch elm disease took most of them in the 1960s. But they grow through suckers and are common in our hedges in small bush form. Occasionally they grow to full sized trees and flower, but they usually succumb to the disease again eventually. In April and May I found them flowering in several places around here. There are three along the canal towards Hopwood. There’s one by the canal near Alvechurch marina, which I haven’t seen flower before, and another beside the footpath through Shortwood above the canal tunnel. I hope they survive.

Thorn

Easter: thorns cast aside and blossoms arising. I walk to visit flowers I did not see last year And some that blossomed even in those thorny days The canalside is waves of blackthorn, cherry, apple Even the first may, shining under the sun I walk gently, listening to blackbirds Wanting to tell the people who sweat past me You can’t escape the race by running faster. And then the elms. Above me, three of them, in fruit Their papery seed-heads lime green, a child’s decoration Surviving all these years when all the rest were killed Stoical, fragile in their scarce-seen beauty. My eyes are in the branches and I trip over roots Thinking of Chaucer’s astrologer, looking at the stars To see the future, and falling into a marl pit. He saw not that, says Chaucer. I didn’t see the thorns Until they caught me and held me last year. Next I find an old verge, often mowed to nothing Peck Wood in May But this year neglected, and here they are again Few-flowered garlic, a strange uneven half-blossom Not seen for years, but somehow in the ditch-side It hid under the ground and waited for this day. Then as expected the goldilocks, first buttercup Flawed flowers, always imperfect, just like us But gold and bold against their delicate leaves. So everywhere renewed this year, all blossoming With nothing more to do than celebrate To stand and touch and smell should be enough. And yet that thorn is in my belly, still pricking Knowing how fragile all this is, how easily We can destroy it all: blossoms, bees, blackbirds So that I can’t just stop and rest among the petals But have to keep on walking, talking, writing Sharpening the thorns that lie behind the flowers. So little time before the blossoms fall.

Few-flowered garlic

I wrote this poem on one of my walks to check on local wildlife this year. The Village

June 2019

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Village Gardening Hanging ‘braskets’

Hannah Genders reports on her latest feature at the Malvern Show.

e’ve just finished another fantastic weekend at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival. This is my third year of doing a feature for the show under the title “EGG”, which stands for Eco, Green and Growing. The area is like a mini festival within the festival and we promote any individuals or groups who are involved with community projects or working in a way that promotes all things Eco, Green or Growing. This year we had the farming sisters with us again, Amy Bates and Sophie Hamilton, who have gone back to run their family farm near Alcester. They were both teachers and are now running the farm as a forest school farm, so the children get to experience a working farm and learn where their food comes from. It is also a Higher Stewardship farm so is all about creating wildlife habitats, sowing crops with birds

Eco, green & growing

Amy Bates

and bees in mind and enhancing native woodlands and hedgerows. They created a fabulous display at the front of our stand with a vintage tractor and trailer to promote Sophie’s other business, which is flowers from the farm, using only British-grown, seasonal flowers. New this year we had the Malvern Repair Café. I was so impressed with this idea and how it is executed; basically you take anything you need repairing to the café they have set up and sit and have a coffee while this wonderful bunch of retired people with an amazing set of skills repair whatever you have brought in. They tell us they can repair 80 percent of all the things that are brought into them, from sewing repairs to sharpening tools to iPads and mobile phones. It was just such

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June 2019

Village Gardening continued from previous page

Jackie with her planted jeans

a joy to have them at the EGG telling people about what they are doing and encouraging all of us not to throw things away but get them repaired. The other main feature we had at the front of our EGG tepee was Allens Cross eco project, which is based in Northfield, Birmingham. This urban garden project means a lot to the people who use it. They recycle everything, and this year created a display made from old pallets that looked great planted up with herbs. Jackie Careless, who runs the project, always likes to have fun with what she brings to the show and this time was no exception, from her “hanging braskets” (second-hand bras on a washing line planted with flowers), which I understand made it on to Gardeners’ World, to stuffed and planted old jeans. It had lots of people coming and looking, taking photos and at the

same time learning all about the work that Jackie and her team do. Their theme this year was planting to promote pollinators and they had a natural bee hive at the show with lots of knitted bees around the stand too. All our exhibitors had the chance to come on the stage in the tepee and tell the audience about their project – while Jackie was talking, two of her service users spoke about what this garden means to them in their daily life and I was choked up listening at the back of the tent; these small urban gardens are vital to the people who use them. I know I haven’t spoken much about plants yet – all the speakers on our stage were gardeners, but talking about gardens from an Music in the teepee

Hannah in conversation with Frances Tophill

Jan at repair café

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June 2019

ecological, green or environmental point of view. We had a climate change scientist too and for all the talks the tent was packed; there seems to be a real hunger in people to know more on these subjects. I have to say our plot felt like a haven after the busyness of the retail areas and the show gardens. We also had, between the talks, lots of music, provided by my husband Mike, Ally Craigan who is an excellent fiddle player and lots of people they Phacelia know. The Sunday afternoon was just a full-on music session for several hours. At the front of our feature on either side of the path were planted vegetable beds, grown for Chelsea by Jon Wheatley. These are all being redistributed to Jackie and her project and a new Incredible Edibles project starting up in Alvechurch, which I hope to tell you more about in future articles. So let me give you some feedback from the ecologist. A question was asked: “What is the one thing I can do to help wildlife in my garden?”. The answer was to plant a tree – even a small garden can take a small tree and if you can plant a semi-native tree so much the better, something like Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ which is a hawthorn, grown as a tree but with gorgeous deep pink double flowers (good for bees) and autumn hips (good for the birds). The other questions that came up time and again were about flowers that were good for wildlife – and as we were promoting plants for pollinators, we could send them outside to have a look. One of my favourites that the farming sisters had brought along was Phacelia tanacetifolia, sometimes called Lacy Phacelia. It is grown as an annual and has these amazing curled flowers almost continues overleaf

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Gardens open for charity

The bi-annual Withybed Open Gardens event takes place this year on Sunday June 30, from 1 until 6pm. Eight gardens are taking part, including two brand new entries, with money going to charities supported by the National Garden Scheme. Entry is ÂŁ5 (kids go free) and refreshments are available. Thereâ€™s parking nearby, and the post code is B48 7RJ. Another popular event is Pennyâ€™s Open Garden, based at The Piggery, Weights Lane, Redditch B97 6RQ. This year Penny is opening her colourful gardens on June 28, 29 and 30, from 2â€“6pm. Entry is ÂŁ12 and there will be delicious cream teas to buy, all in support of Cancer Research, Dementia UK and Parkinsons.

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June 2019

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Village Stargazing Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.

NASA depiction of space debris

une: a month when, to an astronomer, it never really gets dark. But, there are still things to see in the twilight. After 60 years of launching items into space, the heavens above us are starting to get overcrowded. The USA is tracking almost eighteen thousand objects in orbit round the planet, of which only about fifteen hundred are operational satellites. Last year alone, nearly four hundred objects were launched into space and there are, literally, millions of tiny bits of debris up there too, waiting to cause chaos in the heavens (is that the name of song by a heavy metal band?). Fortunately, for us stargazers here, a lot of this space hardware

Chaos in the heavens can provide a little distraction on a warm (?) summer evening. All that is required is a comfy seat, some pleasant company and, perhaps, a little light refreshment. As the sky darkens, from about ten o’clock, you will soon start spotting “stars” drifting across the sky, at about the speed of an aeroplane but with no flashing lights. These are satellites and as it gets darker, more and more become visible. It can soon get competitive, with everyone striving to be first to spot the next one (or is that just me?). The most spectacular of all is, of course, the International Space Station. Its brightness can be quite astonishing and everyone should make an effort to see it. You can find out when it’s due on www. heavens-above.com and, incidentally, identify other objects too.

If you have a really good view of the north-western horizon and it’s really clear, you may get one last glimpse of Mars. A thin crescent Moon is close by on the 5th to give you a clue. Then as the month progresses, Mercury starts to appear, in the same direction but you might need binoculars to pin it down. The two planets make a

“Everyone should make an effort to see the International Space Station.” very close approach on the 18th and Mercury reaches its highest point in the sky on the 23rd. Over on the opposite side of the sky, in the south east, we start to

see Jupiter rising, from about ten thirty onwards. This will be easier to spot as the largest planet is bigger and brighter and is on the other side of the sky to the Sun. In fact, on the 10th it is exactly opposite and is said to be in opposition. It will, however never get very high in the sky at this time of year. The new Moon in June (!) is on the 3rd, so after this date will appear as a thin crescent, getting thicker and rising earlier each day until the 17th. This is when it is full and this month it is known as a Strawberry Moon. Just as with Jupiter, the Moon never gets very high above the horizon and so always looks much bigger. This is a well-known effect and is called “The Moon Illusion“, so have a look at the rising Moon for yourself and see if you can work out what’s going on. The Village

June 2019

Village Art

Try something new! Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith looks ahead to a festival of the arts.

hirty-plus years ago, I tried something new and branched out of figurative art into something more abstract and, to me, more compelling. The image (right) is titled Twilight walk in Bromsgrove, 2018 and gives a flavour of where I presently find myself on my own art journey. This year’s Bromsgrove Festival (its 59th) brings you a plethora of events to experience, including the followRoad, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove B60 ing art and craft celebrations. If you are enthralled by the wildlife 4JR) to see the fascinating textile art by students of Edwina Mackinnon of Africa, make a free visit to the exand Littleheath Barn Studio. £4 entry hibition walls at Artrix between June with free tea, coffee and cake – ac4 and July 15 to engage with Lyn companied children free. For more Sharp’s exquisite animal portraits. information, contact 07891 079080. Lyn works in a range of media from Try something new: textile art. pastels to acrylics to textiles and Would you like to learn to handattempts to capture the majesty of Africa – its wildlife and its command- craft enamelled jewellery? Meet Christine Harmer on Bromsgrove ing landscape. Artrix is situated at High Street on June 22 to find out Slideslow Drive, Bromsgrove, B60 1GN. Try something new: Textile art animal portraits. If silk painting is more your thing, check out the free display at Rubery Library from June 21 to July 6 by the South Birmingham Guild of Silk Painters. Monthly meetings provide opportunities to try various techniques and fresh ideas. Contact Kay Morris on kaymo@talktalk. net if you would like to take your interest further. Rubery Library is on Library Way, Rubery, B45 9JS. Try something new: silk painting. What about textiles? Head to Avoncroft Arts Centre on June 22 or June 23 (Redditch

The Village

June 2019

about taster sessions and learning the beautiful craft. Christine’s work will be on show and for sale, including new designs and unusual gifts. More information at www. enamelledjewellery.co.uk or 07759 122984. Try something new: enamelled jewellery. Or you could harness the vitality exuding from any of the fantastic Bromsgrove Festival events (music, dance, drama, opera, literature, comedy, walks, talks and community fun) to take your art in a unique direction – to find your personal artistic voice. Full details of all the Bromsgrove Festival events can be found at www. bromsgrovefestival.co.uk For a deeper reflection on abstract art (if I have piqued your curiosity) try www. galleryart61.com and click “Thoughts on art 2019”. Please get in touch if you’d like me to write about an art event near you: richard@galleryart61.com www.galleryart61.com

Village What’s On

READY TO ROCK FOR CHARITY

n up-and-coming band formed by Alvechurch Middle School pupils is preparing to headline a charity gig at Artrix in Bromsgrove. Media Blackout, made up of Year 7 quintet Toby Kavanagh, Louiz Jephcott, Sam Parsons, Ezra Lynall and Joe Meads, have already developed quite a following around the school and the local area, with a stage presence and skill beyond their years. The band will perform a highenergy set of recent grunge, rock and indie classics as part of the Exhale event on Wednesday June 26, raising money for the lung transplant unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The unit is close to the band’s hearts as Toby’s dad, Paul, had a double lung transplant there in 2017. Media Blackout’s previous headline show, at Hopwood Village Hall in February, raised more than £1,500 for lung transplant research, and

they’re hoping to top that this time. Exhale will also feature Bromsgrove performance academy SJP Media Arts, showcasing a mix of dance groups, solo singers, and signature

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20th June to 21st July

2019

Pick up a brochure at Artrix, Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove Library and other community venues. Or visit our website.

www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

moments of musical theatre. Tickets cost £9, with all proceeds going to the QE, and are available from www. artrix.co.uk or the Artrix box office on 01527 577330.

Town festival brings culture to everyone Now in its 59th year, the Bromsgrove Festival offers its usual wide-ranging programme of events for all. The Festival kicks off on the evening of Thursday June 20 with Strings on a Summer Evening at Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum, and runs for just over four weeks to the final Gala concert on Sunday July 21, given by the Orchestra of St John at St John’s Church. During the Festival period, there is an arts or cultural event on virtually every day at venues right across the Bromsgrove district. These include theatre, jazz, folk, blues, classical orchestral and choral performances, plus dance events, art exhibitions, comedy and spoken word. Many events are designed for children and younger people, with participation encouraged. As last year, there will be a range of free community events on Saturday mornings on Bromsgrove High Street and New Road Rubery as well as a Summer Jam and skateboarding competition in Rubery Park on the afternoon of Saturday June 22. The Festival is grateful for financial support from Bromsgrove District Council for these free community events. You can find the full programme and details of tickets at www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk, or pick up a free programme brochure at libraries, community centres, Artrix, Avoncroft Museum and many cafés, churches and shops. The Village

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Village What’s On EVENTS THE 41st Blackwell Craft Fair takes place on Sun June 9, from 10am–3pm in the Methodist church hall on Greenhill. Stalls include handmade crafts, fairtrade Palestinian produce, and RefuJuice (made by Syrian refugees in Worcestershire). a garden Party takes place at The Lawns care home in Alvechurch on Sat June 15, from 3–6pm. Entry £1. BBQ, Slush Puppies, delicious strawberries and cream, bouncy castle, entertainment from John Dale, and many stalls. All welcome to join in the fun. Frankley Carnival takes place on Sat June 29, 11am–5pm on the green on New Road. Small, all-weather, family fun event – alcohol-free site,. Music, acts, BBQ, soft drinks, family games, stalls. If you’d like a stall, or can help with assembling and dismantling gazebos, litter picking or crowd control, contact Linda Coates on 07925 233738 or leave a message on Frankley Carnival Web Page. The Redditch Cancer Research Race for Life is on Sun June 9 at 11am. Everyone in the area – women, men and children – is invited to join either the 5K or 10K route. The course runs around Arrow Valley Park and is made up of a mixture of terrain. Registration £14.99 per adult, £10 per child (free for under-6s). All money raised will go into Cancer Research UK’s crucial work. Volunteers are also needed to help the day run smoothly. Sign up to race or volunteer at www.raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org St Godwald’s Community Cafe meets every other Friday (the next one is June 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 – explore life, faith and meaning. Register your interest for our next course in 2019 at Barnt Green Baptist Church. Email outreach@bgb.org.uk or see www.bgb.org.uk ‘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

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what’s on guide 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.

MUSIC Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra gives its last concert before the summer break on Fri July 12 at Lickey End Social Club, B60 1JT. A mix of big band swing classics from all eras played by some of the best pro and semi-pro musicians in the Midlands. A special vocal treat is provided by the appearance of both regular singers together. Garry Rutter and Lynn Dawes are favourites with the audiences so don’t miss this concert! Starts 8pm. Entry £6 on the door. Non-club members welcome. For more details ring Geoff on 07970 662692.– THE MIDLAND Sinfonia presents its 12th Young Musicians’ Showcase at St Laurence Church, Alvechurch at 3pm on Sun June 23 (postponed from March). Musicians aged 18 and under have the chance to perform before an appreciative audience in a concert environment, offering a useful confidence boost. All welcome, no charge. Refreshments in the Ark afterwards. More info on 0121 447 7040 /07889 147 861, midlandsinfonia@gmail.com or www. midlandsinfonia.co.uk Alvechurch Community Choir meets at 7.30pm on Mondays in Alvechurch Village Hall, though on the 2nd Monday each month they move to Alvechurch Social Club. The choir is an open access singing group; new members of all abilities are welcome – just go along. 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 will be at the AVS anniversary celebrations on June 26. 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. 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.

Blackwell Concert Band and Training Band is open to all brass and woodwind players of all abilities. To learn more about the band and find details of upcoming events, email blackwellconcertband98@ gmail.com or visit www.blackwellconcertband.co.uk You will also find information on how to book the band. BROMSGROVE MUSIC Centre (Severn Arts) provides a Wind and Brass Band and a String Ensemble for children in the Bromsgrove/Redditch areas (approx G13). Mondays 6–7pm at St John’s Middle School, Bromsgrove. The first term is free! The centre also provides individual instrumental lessons. Visit www.severnarts.org. uk/bromsgrove-music-centre or call 01905 947300. Bromsgrove Choral Society meets each Monday for rehearsals at 7.30pm in St John’s Middle School (Watt Close, Bromsgrove, B61 7DH). New members very welcome, please ring Eileen Kirby on 01527 871237. Barnt Green Choral Society performs its summer concert, Songs from Gilbert and Sullivan, on Sat June 15 at 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Church, Barnt Green. Tickets £10 to include refreshments, available at the door or from Fiona Brown on 0121 445 5513. More info at www.barnt greenchoralsociety.org 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. 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 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 usually takes place on the last Friday of each month at Alvechurch Social Club – the next sessions are May 31 and June 28. Both start 8pm sharp and still cost only £4 (£3 concessions) to come and hear some of the West Midlands’ finest live performers. After June there’s a summer break before Roots resumes in September. 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. Cantare Daytime Choir meets on Fri 9.15–10.15am at Alvechurch Cricket Club – all welcome. Don’t worry if you think you can’t sing, or don’t read music. You can even bring your kids/babies if they let you sing. Whether you want to perform in concerts or simply sing for fun, or the therapeutic or health benefits gained from group singing, go along for a free trial session. More info from Rebecca on 07803 900154, cantarechoir2011@gmail.com, or www.cantarechoir.com 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

Orchestra marks 50th anniversary The Asklepios Orchestra has its 50th Anniversary Prom Concert on Sun June 16 at 7.30pm in St Nicolas’ Church, Kings Norton, B38 8RU. The popular programme includes Chabrier’s Joyeuse Marche; Butterworth’s On the Banks of Green Willow; Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet (baritone soloist Edwin Kaye and Asklepios Singers); Elgar’s Pomp & Circumstance March No.1; Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs; and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. As always, admission is free – and donations to the retiring collection are much appreciated. The group’s title derives from the available. More info at www.rockchoir.com or on 01252 714276. 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 while supporting charity. Monday evenings at Crabbs Cross Methodist Church, Crabbs

ancient Greek healer Asklepios, who was said to have saved the unborn child of Apollo and became physician of the Argonauts. Dr David Humphreys, a physician at Birmingham General Hospital, founded the orchestra in 1969 after visiting Epidaurus and seeing the link between early medicine and entertainment. The amateur orchestra now rehearses in the Medical School of the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston, although members do not have to be medical. More info at www. asklepios-orchestra.org.uk and/or contact Martyn at asklepios@talktalk.net Cross Lane, Redditch B97 5LD. The marvellous men would love more tenor and bass voices! More info at www.belcantosingers.co.uk or from Polly Speers on 01564 822672.

DANCING Graham & Denise Darby present a Saturday Night Social Dance at Lickey End Social Club, Bromsgrove on July 22 in aid of Midlands Air Ambulance and Prostate Cancer. Ballroom, Latin & Social Sequence Dancing to live music by Graham Darby. Doors open 7.30pm; dancing 8–11pm Entry £5 on the door. More details on 01543 502722 or www.grahamdarbysmusic.com French & Breton folk dancing at Alvechurch Village Hall: usually on the 1st Sat each month, 2.30–5pm. Informal tuition and live music provided. New dancers (and musicians) welcome. £2 per session. For details, email alvechurchfrenchdance@ gmail.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

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continued from previous page 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. AVONCROFT FOLK Dance Group enjoys anything from barn dances to ones seen in Pride & Prejudice or Poldark. All welcome, no need to have a partner. The group meets every Thurs from 8–10pm at Avoncroft Arts Centre, Redditch Road, Bromsgrove. £2.50 incl refreshments. Info from Liz Stanton on 01905 353995 or liz@the-stantons.uk or visit www.avoncroftfdg.btck.co.uk 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 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. 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 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 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 Method-

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ist 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. 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. 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. THE PHOENIX Dance Club holds Social Dances, Ballroom & Sequence Dancing twice a month on Sat nights at Bromsgrove Council building, Parkside Hall, Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove B61 8DA. Next dates are Jan 12 and 26. Free parking. No membership required. No bar facilities – please bring your own refreshments. More info from Mick or Thelma on 01527 872634.

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

CLUBS, GROUPS & SOCIETIES Alvechurch Friendship Group hosts a Summer Buffet Lunch at Barnt Green Cricket Club on June 26. From July onwards, the group will meet in the meeting room at Alvechurch Village Hall on the 4th Weds each month at 2pm – men and women welcome. More info from Rosalind on 0121 445 0598. Friends of Bittell Reservoirs is a group of local people interested in preserving the natural environment of the Site of Special Scientific Interest at Upper Bittell, Lower Bittell and Mill Shrub reservoirs, which are important staging posts for migrant

birds and wildlife. If you have an interest in preserving this unique environment and would like to help in its preservation and maintenance, contact: Charles Deverill on cdjd26@gmail.com Men in Sheds (Redditch) is a group for those who have retired or been made redundant and want to spend time with like-minded people. They meet every Tues and Thurs, 10am–1pm, at The Old Needle Works, Britten Street, Redditch B97 6HD. Bromsgrove friendship Club 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 Millie Harries on 0121 445 5232. Burcot Grange invites those living with dementia and their carers to attend the Dementia Lodge Café, held on the 2nd Thurs each month at The Lodge, 23 Greenhill, Burcot, B60 1BJ. Tea and coffee from 10.30am, entertainment from 11am and buffet lunch from 12.15pm. All welcome. Limited places – please RSVP to Kiran on 0121 445 5552 or Burcot.haa@cinnamoncc. com Rubery Community & Leisure Centre is looking for volunteers – if you have a few hours spare on a Friday, you’d be made most welcome. The centre is a registered charity run solely by volunteers. For more info, ring 0121 453 7716 or email office@ ruberyleisurecentre.co.uk redditch Military History Society 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 Bromsgrove U3A. Retired/semi-retired? Meetings with guest speakers 1st and 3rd Tues 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 Redditch Lions Club meets on the second Weds of each month at the Southcrest Hotel, Redditch B97 4JS at 8pm. For more info call 0845 833 5914, email secretary@ redditchlions.org.uk or visit www.redditchlions.org.uk 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

Village What’s On 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. Burcot Grange welcomes you to enjoy High Tea (plus entertainment) with other guests and residents, on the 3rd Thurs each month from 2.30–4.30pm. Limited places – please RSVP to Kiran on 0121 445 5552 or Burcot.haa@cinnamoncc.com Burcot Knit & Natter meets weekly on Mondays from 10–12am and 1–3pm at Burcot Garden Centre, B60 1PW. Phone Kim Neale on 0121 445 1677, or drop by, for more details. Cost £3.50 to include a drink and cake. 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 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. 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. Alvechurch Village Society has its 50th anniversary party on Weds June 26, from 6.30–9.30pm at the village Hall. See page 18 for full details. 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 photog-

A musical treat in Barnt Green Join the Sinfonia of Birmingham in St Andrew’s Church, Barnt Green for an evening of orchestral delights on Saturday June 22. Starting at 7.30pm, the concert will be conducted by Keith Slade and is part of this year’s Bromsgrove Festival. The Sinfonia will perform two favourites by Mozart – Symphony no 31 (‘Paris’) and the clarinet concerto – plus Mendelssohn’s Symphony no 3 (‘Scottish’). The soloist in the concerto will be talented clarinettist Luisa Rosina.

Founded in 1993, the Sinfonia has established itself as one of the region’s leading chamber orchestras and performs a wide variety of classical in the West Midlands. The orchestra was introduced to St Andrew’s Church by Sue Peters in 2008 and this annual summer concert has proved to be a very popular event in the life of the church. Tickets cost £12 (£10 for students and under-18s) and are available on 0121 447 7671, 07583 484065 or 01527 577330 (Artrix) or on the door.

raphers 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

Thai Restaurant, and every 4th Tues at Bromsgrove School, both 7pm for 7.30pm. New members welcome. For more info visit www.bromsgroverotary.org.uk or contact Ron Pearce on 07703 567982.

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.

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

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 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 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 every 2nd Tues of the month at Maekong

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

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continued from previous page contact the Parish Administrator on 0121 447 7097. 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 midland ancestors meets monthly at 7.45pm at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, 19 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove, B60 1AS. On Tues June 11, Frank Townsend presents Family Tree Tapping, with some of the interesting and humorous things that he and others have come across while researching family history. 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. Lickey Valley Trefoil Guild, as a branch of the Guide Association, is open to anyone 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 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.

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 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 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. 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.

biscuits. For more details call Rosalind Tyler on 0121 445 0598. THE WEDNESDAY Club usually meets on the second Weds of each month at Alvechurch Cricket Club at 1.30pm, and offers the chance to make new friends, meet old ones and enjoy talks, demos and visits. Visitors £4 including tea. On June 12 it’s Fun with Flowers – DIY Arrangements with Avril Pulley. More info from Janet on 0121 447 7870 or Lis on 0121 445 3895. LICKEY HILLS Local History Society usually meets monthly at 7.30pm in the Trinity Centre, Old Birmingham Road, Lickey B45 8ES. 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 June 12, Roger Crombleholm presents Letterkenny & Burton Port Extension Railway. More details from Dave on 01527 873800 or Gordon on 01527 873609. KINGFISHER PROBUS Club is recruiting retired and semi-retired men to meet people in a friendly environment. Meetings are held at The Foxlydiate Arms (B97 6PX), 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. For more info visit www.kingfisherprobusredditch.co.uk or contact Chris Bailey on 01527 835802.

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.

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 June 17 it’s Celebrating Apollo: 50 Years Since the First Moon Landing with Michael Bryce. 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

Bromsgrove & Redditch Soroptimists no longer meet at Redditch – meetings are now every 2nd Thurs of the month at Burcot Village Hall, 340 Alcester Road, Burcot, Bromsgrove B60 1BH. New members very welcome to join the lively group of women who want to make the world a better place for women and girls, as well as having fun themselves. Book club, walking group, various workshop trips, and days out to places of interest. If you are interested, pop to the next meeting on June 13, email sibrsoroptimist@gmail.com or ring 07812 985927– members will be happy to give you more info.

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

THE FRIENDSHIP Club of Barnt Green usually meets monthly at 2.15pm at the Friends Meeting House, Barnt Green. On June 18, Graham Short presents My Life as a Micro-artist. Visitors £3 to include tea and

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 retire-

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Village What’s On ment and would like further info, email bromsgroveladiesprobus@gmail.com ALVECHURCH HISTORICAL Society usually meets on the first Mon of the month at 7.45pm at the Museum in School Lane, Alvechurch. On June 3, Diana Clutterbuck presents The Surprising MacDonald Sisters. More details from Anne Humphries on 0121 445 5955. New members welcome. 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. 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 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. HOPWOOD VILLAGE Hall is available for hire: ideal for parties and gatherings. Contact Ann on 0121 447 7668 or visit www.hopwoodvillagehall.co.uk 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. Woodrush RUGBY Club “Old Dogs” meet at 8pm 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 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, 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 Mindfulness: Simple Foundations – Looking for more peace and balance in your life? Try MINDFULNESS. All are welcome to a day-long introduction in Alvechurch on June 8. Details available at www.themindfulnesstree.org.uk Woodrush Rugby: A warm friendly welcome awaits new recruits to the three Senior men’s teams (1st XV-Midlands 3 South), Colts (U180, Women (Wolverines) and Mini & Juniors (Micros U5, Mini/Junior U5/U14). Substantial investment in new floodlight pitch, training and clubhouse facilities; new extended car park. Experienced and RFU-qualified coaches at all levels to provide a safe, secure playing environment for all. The group’s rugby ambitions on the field are matched only by the social life off, so why not come and give it a TRY? Based at Icknield Street opposite the Peacock Inn, Wythall B38 0EL. Info at woodrushrfc@yahoo.co.uk, 07341 256821, www.pitchero.com/clubs/woodrush Martial Arts Class at The Ark, St Laurence Church, Alvechurch, every Tues 6.30–7.30pm. More details from Chris on 07507 696926. Cath’s Paths Walking Group meets at Barnt Green Social Club at 7pm every Weds evening (until August 28). Walks tailored to suit weather and ground conditions, appropriate footwear and clothing for active local cross country walks. Non-members welcome. Details on 07798 831618. Netball for all ages and abilities at Alvechurch Middle School. £4 per session. Back to Netball (16+) for those who haven’t played since school, includes netball skills and gameplay: Mon 7-8pm. Pay

and Play Netball (16+) who just want an hour of netball – Weds 7.30–8.30pm. Walking Netball for those who are less mobile but still want to enjoy netball at a sloweddown pace: Weds 6.30–7.30pm. More info from Pauline Knight on 07540 126814 or pauline.knight@englandnetball.co.uk Facebook: Netball in Alvechurch Pilates with Lottie Newberry: Physiotherapy-led Pilates classes every Mon evening in the function room above the Red Lion in Alvechurch. Contact Lottie on 07968 450673 or lottienewberrypilates@ hotmail.com. All abilities welcome. Redditch & Bromsgrove Company of Archers meet April–Sept on Mon 6.30pm and Fri 6.30pm at Meadow Park Football Ground (by Harris Brush Works – outdoors) and Oct–March on Weds 7.30pm and Fri 6.30pm at Studley Leisure Centre (indoors). Really friendly no-pressure club. New members always welcome (juniors from 8 years old, seniors from 18 to 80+, seasoned archers or absolute beginners). Beginners’ courses run throughout the year or taster sessions by appointment. Further info from Steve Thornton on 07811 575162 or 0121 445 5952. Redditch Ramblers is a growing, friendly and sociable group offering a full walks programme including: * A walk every Sun usually 7–9 miles * Once a month, a choice of a Sat ‘A’ walk (around 10 miles) and a Sun ‘B’ walk (about 6 miles) * Monthly Saturday Safari for a more challenging walk * Fortnightly Saturday Strollers (4–5 miles). Newcomers always welcome. In addition, the group arranges holidays, coach trips and social events through the year. Full into at redditch.ramblers@gmail. com or www.redditchramblers.org.uk 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. 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. 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

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continued from previous page body strength. For full details 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 625939 for more information! Tai Chi: would you like to make a positive change in 2019, help to relax, have a new interest and exercise? Classes at Finstall Village Hall, Wednesdays 2pm. 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! 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 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 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 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’. 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

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Bowron on 07753 621528. For details of coaching for ages 12–16, contact Nick Jones on 07779 267609. Alvechurch Village Society’s next walk is on Sun June 2 when Sheila Parsons (07846 615955) leads A Ramble to Rowney Green and Back. Meet at Tanyard Lane car park at 2.30pm. More info on the Society at www.alvechurchvs.org 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 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. THE RAMBLERS, BROMSGROVE GROUP: Guided walking with our group for pleasure, fitness and fun. Full programme of walks / events throughout the year. More info at www.bromsgroveramblers.webs. com or Martin on 01527 857117 or Peter on 01527 558203. 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. 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 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

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. 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 PILates & piloxing: (Pilates and boxing): ALL levels of fitness. Tues (Barnt Green) 7pm (Piloxing Express) and 7.30-8.30pm (Pilates Mat). Alison: 07790 916947, Facebook: ‘@AlisonBFit’, alibenford@yahoo. co.uk, www.alison-personaltrainer.com FIVE WAYS Old Edwardians’ Cricket Club at Ash Lane, Hopwood: Junior, Men’s and Women’s teams, come and join in! Open to all. Excellent facilities. Everyone welcome. Coaching for juniors on Fri evenings May to Aug. Contact Mark Tovey on 01527 835031. 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 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 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 CATSHILL FC offers youth coaching sessions each Saturday morning at Catshill Middle School, Meadow Road, Catshill, B61

Village Village What’s What’s On On 0JW. Boys and girls from Reception age upwards are welcome. Contact Gary on 07462 118920 or see www.catshillfc.co.uk for further info. Astwood Bank Angling Club has 8 lakes, including 2 just outside Alvechurch. Annual membership £63 adult, £48 conc, plus £10 joining fee. £10 juniors (no joining fee). Info at www.astwoodbankac.co.uk or contact Nick Powell on 07713 562495 or abac.membership@virginmedia.com 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 mobility session for seniors: Tues 9.30am at Alvechurch Baptist Church. Suitable for seniors who want to improve their mobility, strength and balance. Info from Hayley on 01527 881404. 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. Mixed touch every Mon from 7.30pm; open age training on Weds from 7.30pm. Juniors and “little leaguers” train each Sun from 10.30am. Masters RL is played for over-35s, with modified rules to suit different age cohorts, shown by different coloured shorts. New players always welcome, regardless of experience, as are any supporters to this family-orientated club. Further details at www.newravens.net Zumba Gold: Thurs 1–2pm at Alvechurch Baptist Church. A fun, energetic class retaining the vibrancy of Zumba but without the impact and twisting around, to accommodate the more senior participant. More Information from Hayley on 01527 881404. 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. Tai Chi (Qigong) sessions in Alvechurch Village Hall on Mon 10–11am and Fri

11am–12noon. 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) and 8pm (intermediate/ advanced), and Weds 10–11am. More details on 07831 743737, or see www. paintingtherainbow.co.uk for daytime classes and www.kaiming.co.uk for evening classes. 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 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. 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. Pol pol’s Playtime Stay and Play is open for 0–4 year olds, 10am–12noon every Mon, Wed and Thurs at Rowney Green Village Hall. Toys, bouncy castle, crafts, singing, instruments and bubbles at the end of each session. Free tea and coffee. £4 per child and £1 per sibling. 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 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 Marlbrook Pre-School: St Luke’s Church Hall, Braces Lane. Learning 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. 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 Preschool follows the Early Years Curriculum and with regular visits to St Andrew’s School and lots of outdoor space, it’s the

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

continued from previous page 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. 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. 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 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

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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 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 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 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.

games & COMPETITIONS BROMSGROVE BRIDGE Clubs: The Amphlett 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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 refreshments. Info from Anne on 01527 882169

Village What’s On or Eugene on 01527 871255 or 1944@ hotmail.co.uk

LOVE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY!

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’.

It seems a long time ago now but Alvechurch Library Crafty Ladies made more than £800 at their Easter sale. It’s really good news for the local charities that have benefited from their creativity and generosity. Many thanks to all who contributed to the fantastic raffle prizes: At Home with Lou, The Red Lion, Little Heath Nursery, and Metal Magpie and of course all of the wonderful prizes that the Crafty Ladies made.

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. Barnt Green Duplicate Bridge Club meets at St Andrew’s Church Hall each Weds afternoon and would like new members – contact Liz on 07538 092296. 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

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 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, as they did at the Picnic in the Park on May 26. Next meeting is July 10 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 begin-

l A Fun Family Craft Learning Course

(16895) on Mon June 3, 10 and 17 (3.30– 4.30pm) is designed to get your imaginations whizzing, with sessions of different crafty activities for parents and children aged 5+, using a wide range of resources. Cost £15 per family/free (subject to conditions; details from the library). Please book in advance. l The Summer Reading Challenge is

launching on Sat June 29 so join the library for lots of activities. This year’s theme is Space Chase, an out-of-thisworld adventure inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing. Children taking part in the Challenge will join the library’s super space family, The Rockets, for a thrilling mission to track down books nabbed by mischievous aliens! For children aged 0 to 12 years – pop in for more information.. l The Summer Reading Challenge also

offers volunteering opportunities for 11-24 year olds who want to learn new skills and meet new friends. Help listen ners, 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 4453212 or Rita on 01527 545973. 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 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

to young children talk about the books they have read for the challenge. There’s a drop-in event for young volunteers on Mon June 10 from 3.30–4.30pm. l Save the date for a Love your Library

Event on Tues July 23, when author Mark Lowery will be in attendance. The morning is aimed at children and families with fun, games, silliness and doughnuts, and the afternoon for adults. More doughnuts and a special collaborative writing workshop for borrowers and budding writers to enjoy. Further details to follow. l Patrick’s French and Spanish classes

continue throughout the year, holidays permitting. Email Patrick at vdlt52@ hotmail.co.uk or call 07708 027372 to see if the level the class is being taught at would allow you to join in. Numbers in the classes fluctuate – French is pretty well fully booked but there are a couple of spaces in either of the Spanish classes. Get ready for those summer holidays! l There are spaces in the ChatterBooks

children’s book group, which meets monthly on Mondays from 3.30–4.30pm for children aged 8-12 years. The sessions focus on fun, creative activities based on reading and books. 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. 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, hands-on practical evenings and visits to exhibitions. The group meets on the first Thurs each

continues overleaf The Village

June 2019

Village What’s On continued from previous page month, 7.15–9.30pm at Burcot Village Hall. Info from John on 0121 458 5884 or visit www.burcotwoodturners.org.uk Bromsgrove Art Society usually meets on the 3rd Weds each month (except Jan and Aug) at Burcot Village Hall, 340 Alcester Road, Burcot, Bromsgrove, B60 1BH, at 7.30pm. Entry £1 for members and £4 for non-members. Visitors welcome. For more info email lyndasharp2010@yahoo.com or visit www.bromsgroveartsociety.org.uk 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. THE “CRAFTY Ladies” craft group meets every Monday morning in Alvechurch Library from 10am–1pm, with knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting etc. More info on 01905 822722. 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 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.

GARDENS & FLOWERS Rowney Green Flower Club usually meets on the 4th Thurs of the month at Rowney Green Village Hall at 7.30pm –on June 27 Angela Houston will demonstrate beautiful fresh flower displays. All arrangements are raffled at the end. Guests very welcome; £3 including refreshments. More info from Felicity on 0121 445 2371. Dodford Gardening Club meets on the 2nd Monday each month (except

The Village

June 2019

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. 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, WR9 7PN. The varied 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 Horticultural Society meets at the Village Hall on the 2nd Thurs each month at 7.30pm. On June 13 the group welcomes Arthur and Nancy Philips. Arthur is a past president of the British Fuchsia Society and a national fuchsia judge, and the subject will be Fuchsias for Enjoyment and Showing. Guests always welcome: £3.50 including refreshments. For more info contact Lindsay Smith on 01527 592874. 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 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 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. Fun Flower Arranging/Floristry Classes and Workshops. Thurs evenings at The Ark, St Laurence Church, Alvechurch. Contact Claire for more information on 07564 339157. Website: www.clairewm.wixsite. com/floralcreations BROMSGROVE FLOWER Club meets on the 3rd Thurs each month at 2.15pm (except Jan) in All Saints Church Hall, Burcot Lane,

Bromsgrove B61 1AF. Visitors always welcome. For more info contact Wendy Robertson on 01905 480571. 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.

HELP & ADVICE 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. 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 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.

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

hen British strawberries come into season, it’s good to eat them in all their fresh, natural glory. A strawberry gateau combines them with natural companions: vanilla, cream and sweet strawberry preserve. To make the sponge batter, I start by cracking and weighing the eggs, because their weight is the variable factor, and then simply add equal quantities of the other ingredients. This means you can make a cake mix with any eggs you have, irrespective of their size, and you’ll always get the perfect consistency. Ingredients: l 4 eggs, cracked and weighed (mine weighed 222g) l Equal weight in self-raising flour l Equal weight in butter, at room temperature l Equal weight in caster sugar l 1 tsp vanilla essence l 300ml double cream l Strawberry preserve l 200g fresh strawberries

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. 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. 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. 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. ALVECHURCH WI meets on the second Monday each month in Alvechurch Village Hall, at 7.30pm. For more information email President Julie Hurlston on presidentalvechurchwi@gmail.com

ARK ANGELs WI meets on the second Monday each month from 7.30pm at the Ark, Alvechurch. For more info email ark.angels@hotmail.com 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. 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.

To have your event or group listed here, send details to Sally Oldaker via the addresses on Page 3, by June 15.

Village Baking

Strawberry dream Keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, makes a summery gateau.

Method: 1) Heat your oven to 190C / 170C fan / Gas 5. Lightly grease and line 2 sandwich tins. 2) Put your food processor bowl (or normal mixing bowl) on the scales, set to zero, then break in the eggs. Note the weight. 3) Add equal amounts of self-raising flour, butter and caster sugar into the bowl. Add the vanilla essence. 4) Mix the batter in your food processor for 1 min, check it is all combined and split evenly between the tins. 5) Bake in oven for 20 mins until golden and springs back to the touch. Take out and leave in the tins for 5 mins, before turning on to wire racks to cool.

6) In the meantime, whip the double cream until stiff. 7) When the cakes are cool, assemble straight on to your serving plate or cake stand, by putting one sponge upside down onto the plate (so the domed top is on the bottom). Spread with a layer of strawberry preserve, then half the cream. Add the second sponge on top, then the remainder of the cream. Decorate with the strawberries. The Village

June 2019

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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