The Village #211

TheVillage March 2020

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 211 March 2020

Bringing you village life for more than 20 years

Airman’s Family Found Page 10

Snowdrops & Storms Page 12

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

Waes Hael To All! Pages 29–31

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

To advertise in TheVillage

A38 Plan Goes Public Page 32

Call Louise Robinson:

0121 445 6757 email:

louise@villageonline.co.uk

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.

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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.

Food For Thought Pages 42–46

Extraordinary Art Pages 52–53

Cover: Goat willow, pictured by reader Dennis Brown, of Hopwood.

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Village News

CHEERS! Members of Alvechurch Border Morris present a cheque for £228 to Sarah James, manager of The Lounge café and community project in Alvechurch, at the annual village Wassail. The money was raised from a collection during the Mummers Play on New Year’s Day (Pic/ Mark Easter) More wassail pictures on Pages 29–31.

History loses home T

he fate of village artefacts collected over 70 years is uncertain after a local church submitted plans to develop the site of a dilapidated museum.

Alvechurch Historical Society has used the wooden building for the past 50 years to house a growing collection of items relating to village life and history and as a venue to hold its meetings.

But now the museum on School Lane, Alvechurch, is expected to be demolished to make way for a large bungalow, if plans submitted by the Parochial Church Council of St Laurence are approved.

The historical society says the wooden building, leased to them by the church at a nominal rent since 1969, is beyond repair and the planning application by the church has focused their attention on what to do with the museum’s contents.

Society chair Anne Humphries told The Village: “The plan is fluid at the moment. The building is irreparable and at the end of its life, regardless of the planning application, although

obviously that has concentrated our minds very much.”

She added: “We aren’t going to throw anything away. We have got some people coming from Hartlebury and Worcester museums in a couple of weeks to give us some advice.”

It is hoped to have a display case in Alvechurch library for smaller Alvechurch specific items.

Anne said it was a “sad fact” that membership of the historical society was dwindling and that looking after the museum had become a large responsibility for those remaining.

“If there is a big outcry and people come up with an alternative suggestion and come forward to help and volunteer then things might change.

“But at the moment, I can’t see it,” she added.

Anne stressed that the loss of the building did not mean the end of the historical society and plans were in place to hold future meetings at St Laurence’s church hall, known as The Ark. The planning application to Bromsgrove District Council, for a four-bedroom dormer bungalow in the style of a “Worcestershire barn”, has received lengthy objections from villagers in neighbouring properties.

Alvechurch Parish Council’s planning committee, which submits its own recommendations to Bromsgrove as a consultee, was unable to consider the application at its February meeting because there were not enough members present who did not declare an interest in it.

Parish council chairman Marc Worrall told The Village it was an important application and they would ask Bromsgrove to defer any decision until the parish had been able to consider it, either at its regular meeting or an extraordinary meeting.

The Village

March 2020

5

Village News

thanks for all the fish: A cormorant joins a flock feeding on Bittell Reservoir in Barnt Green. The presence of large numbers of the birds has sparked fears of a “cormorant crisis”, district councillor Charlie Hotham told Barnt Green Parish Council. “I recently attended a Barnt Green Waters meeting and they said the cormorants are a big problem – they are taking all the mid-sized fish. The plan is to use bird scarers to try to get rid of them.”

‘Call for sites’ housing fears

Village councillors are calling for more information after Bromsgrove District Council released maps showing potential sites for housing development in the area.

Developers were invited last September to submit plans for specific areas in the council’s “Call for Sites”, the latest phase of its District Plan.

Maps showing the areas identified were shown to councillors at a meeting of BDC’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Independent district councillor Annette Ward told The Village: “Alvechurch South has the second highest number of sites submitted – 28 in total. There were also 28 sites in Wythall West and 24 in Barnt Green & Hopwood. There were nine submitted in the Alvechurch Village Ward.”

Fellow district councillor Kate Van Der Plank added: ”As the independents have said all along, it’s deeply concerning that BDC insisted on calling for sites before we have housing

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The Village

March 2020

need numbers as it does open the floodgates.”

In a report to Alvechurch Parish Council, district councillor Charlie Hotham said: “Only a fraction of the sites will be deemed suitable, and the methodology is yet to be established – but BDC is running before it learns to walk, again.”

Coun English told the meeting: “Birmingham planners are going to think all their Christmases have come at once – it’s really worrying.

Coun Sue Baxter said: “First they assessed all the bits of land, then they invited every man and his dog to suggest sites – now they need to marry the two.”

“We ought to be pushing for indicative [housing] figures,” said Coun John Cypher.

Parish chairman Marc Worrall said: “We should seek a meeting with the Bromsgrove planners, but I have my doubts that we’ll get answers.”

See The Village View, Page 15

News in brief . . .

Is it

Beoley or Bearley? The chair of Bearley Parish Council in Stratford is to meet with Beoley councillors to share his experience of producing a Neighbourhood Plan.

The

“brown river of Bordesley” is still flowing, while new street lighting is yet to be installed.

Coun Steve Lewis said: “We still have a river, but we have no lights. I would rather it was the other way round.”

Barnt

Green’s policing area will change this month, Coun Charlie Hotham told the parish council. “We will be part of the Alvechurch area instead of Rubery – this is to bring police areas in line with district wards. I think it’s a positive move. The Alvechurch PCSO is very competent and personable.”

A new

clerk, Jayne Smailes, has been appointed

by Alvechurch Parish Council. Chairman Marc Worrall said: “I am pleased to have someone of her calibre on board.”

Music

lovers take note: this year’s GlastonBeoley Music Festival is on June 6 and 7 and has a new venue at Birmingham Rugby Club in Portway. All profits from the festival go to charity.

Village News

News in brief . . .

Cala

Homes has been told by Bromsgrove planners that it must allow access to the public footpath linking Barnt Green’s Foxhills estate with Cherry Hill Road, Coun Charlie Hotham told the parish council. “I’m pleasantly surprised that the planning officers have chased Cala, who hadn’t responded – for once BDC might follow this up.”

Beoley

parish councillors have asked Post Office Counters if they will provide a mobile post office for residents of Hillcrest Home Park in Portway.

Parish

councils have been setting their precepts – the part of the council tax that goes to the parish. Alvechurch voted to increase theirs by £4.83 per household (Band D), while Barnt Green’s has gone down by a few pence, from £62.58 to £62.47 per household. Beoley has increased its overall precept to £14,000.

New

parish clerk Jayne Smailes told Alvechurch councillors they should be prepared for “Operation London Bridge” – the protocol for the death of a major royal figure – with a black-edged flag, books of condolence, a picture frame and a “strewing area” for people to place flowers.

Monthly

parish meetings in Beoley could alternate between Beoley Village Hall and other venues in the parish, in a proposal being considered by the parish council.

Barnt

Green Parish Council is looking at buying an “aesthetically pleasing yet secure” steel storage shed in which to keep parish equipment, possibly on Parker’s Piece.

Councillors joked that the shed could be used as the secret entrance to a bunker in case of war.

Concerns

around safe and sustainable access by visitors led Beoley parish councillors to oppose a planning application for the change of use of Seafield Farm into a Rural Education Centre. At the same meeting, they agreed to contribute £150 towards a kitchen servery in the resident’ clubhouse at Hillcrest Home Park in Portway.

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The Village

March 2020

Station lifts still in limbo BARNT GREEN parish councillors are increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress on the long-promised lifts at the village station.

Parish clerk Tracy Bodley had received an email from Network Rail’s project manager Richard Dugdale, which she described as “mostly jargon”. She told colleagues the email said there was “uncertainty that these funds exist” and that Network Rail was “applying through the enhancement pipeline.”

Chairman Robert Cholmondeley said: “I thought we were further forward than this – the paperwork was supposedly on Grant Shapps’ desk.”

Coun Susan Whitehand commented: “They just don’t want to tell us there’s no money.”

Coun Cholmondeley added: “I’m quite worried about this – they will defer and defer, and then there won’t be enough cash in this fiveyear budgetary period and it will roll over to the next one. We need to do something; we’re coming to the end of the line!”

District councillor Charlie Hotham wondered if the council should “take Network Rail on, for discrimination of disabled people.

We could make the threat of the small claims court – we wouldn’t win, but it would only cost £80 and would cause embarrassment.”

They agreed to seek further clarification from Mr Dugdale and, if none was forthcoming, to refer the matter to village MP Sajid Javid.

Picnic to mark VE Day Alvechurch Picnic in the Park now has its official logo, chosen from entries into the annual competition. Local children were invited to create a design in red, white or blue or with a VE Day theme, as the event is being held on Saturday May 9 alongside national celebrations for the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The organisers were delighted with the number of entries, and would like to thank all who participated. The winning design was created by nine-year-old Evie (right).

Villagers are now being asked to create poppies and Union flags to be displayed at the entrance to The Meadows on the day. They can be knitted, drawn, papier-mached . . . anything you can think of.

As in previous years, there will be a full entertainment programme of music, dancing, food and activity stalls, including the

ever-popular pig roast, crepe stall and bouncy castle. The Dog Show is at 11am, before the entertainment begins at 12 noon. From 5pm, the Cricket Club hosts more live music, karaoke and family fun. For the latest Picnic news see www.alvechurchpicnic.org or Facebook.

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Village News

Lost airman: family found

R

eaders may remember that in November 2019, we reported on the unveiling of a memorial to the crew of a Wellington bomber that crashed in Wythall in 1942.

Present at the event were relatives of three of the four young men who died – but organisers had not been able to trace the family of the fourth airman, 21-year-old Sgt Brian Franklin, of Gloucester.

Stephen Peters, who had been researching the crew’s backgrounds, came up with the idea of leaving a note on Brian’s grave before the memorial event, in the hope that a relative might visit and get in contact.

Nobody had come forward by the time of the unveiling, but soon afterwards he received a call from Jenny Massey – Brian’s adopted sister.

Jenny, who had recently moved back to Gloucester after many years in Devon, happened to see the event coverage on BBC Midlands Today, prompting her to visit Brian’s grave, where she discovered Stephen’s note.

She has now provided the one photo she has of Brian, taken on May 2, 1940 in York, a few days before his birthday on May 9. He is wearing his blazer from St Paul’s Training College in Cheltenham, which he attended before joining the RAF. Prior to this, he had studied at Crypt School in Gloucester (where his name appears on a memorial for pupils lost in the Second World War).

After Brian was killed, his parents decided to adopt a little girl – Jenny, then aged about three – to help them get over the loss of their only child.

“It was such a surprise to see the news item, as if it was meant to be in conjunction with our return to Gloucester,” Jenny wrote in a letter to her local paper, the Gloucester Citizen, immediately after watching the televised report.

Jenny hopes to visit the memorial site at Highfield Farm with her son, who lives in Warwickshire. There is also a road named after Brian – Franklin Close – in South Wythall.

Above: Brian in 1940. Below: The plaque at the memorial site at Highfield Farm.

20mph zone plan for village Alvechurch parish councillors are to seek more information on proposals by Worcestershire County Council for a 20mph speed limit through the village centre.

The plan would also involve extending the current 30mph zones in each direction, chairman Marc Worrall told colleagues.

“It seems County is expecting a contribution from us for things like pinch points – we’ve asked for figures but nothing has been forthcoming

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The Village

March 2020

yet, so we don’t know what we might be committing ourselves to financially.”

Coun Andy Humphries said: “Having just agreed our budget, we can’t really afford it – and also I don’t think we should be contributing much as the proposed area is now smaller than in the original plan. We should take a tough stance.”

Coun John Cypher said: “We have fought tooth and nail to get a 20mph zone; it would be a great loss if we

lost it due to financial uncertainty. We don’t want to throw the 20mph baby out with the bathwater – maybe we can split the cost across different budgetary years.”

Coun Alan Helmore pointed out that the proposed zone didn’t include the schools, while Coun Sue Lambert was concerned about painted road markings in a conservation area.

Coun Worrall said he would seek a meeting to “get clarification and move things on.”

Snowdrops & storms

Village News

T

he traditional Snowdrop Weekend at St Leonard’s Church in Beoley was definitely one of two halves. On the Saturday, with the weather mild and relatively calm, visitors were able to wander freely around the church and grounds to enjoy the mass of tiny white flowers that had been encouraged into bloom by the recent mild weather.

However, on the Sunday, Storm Ciara struck, meaning that the day’s programme had to be abandoned. Trees had been brought down in the near 80mph gales which meant the area could be a potential danger to visitors.

The main event of the afternoon was to have been Deputy Mayor Councillor Gareth Prosser presenting prizes to the winners of the Children’s Story Competition.

The snowdrops will still be in bloom for several weeks. The church grounds are open to the public, but organisers want to stress that in the immediate short-term it is best not to visit. Photos of the flowers and of the displays inside the church can be seen at www.stleonardsbeoley.org.uk Below: A tree felled by the storm. (Pic/ John Gardner).

The other photos, of the snowdrops and a hidden knitted figure in the children’s trail, are by Annette English.

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The Village

March 2020

Village VillageViews Views

‘Hostile’ plans for G Dear Editor – Early last year the substantial Bromsgrove District Plan document was marketed depicting benign agency models alongside an almost impenetrably extensive questionnaire (think developer site hoarding only as part of an exam).

Only through invested reading would a troubling plotline unfold *environmental spoiler alert*. I could only conclude through the deftly inferred narrative that: “We’re going to do it to you anyway, but here’s some comforting images by way of an aesthetic anaesthetic.”

The subsequent maps (only recently disclosed by BDC) appear to closely correlate with the dark intentions of a hostile power that’s intent on annexing enormous swathes of our Green Belt land.

It’s an astonishing conspiratorial encirclement of imposed conurbation that blights the many to enrich the suited few. The numerous red outlines so neatly “parcelling” each unwarranted gift of ground proved to be a red line for me too.

They will counter that nothing has yet been decided, but previous public consultation processes have proven to be a cynical holding pattern. Merely placating the anticipated public outcry as part of a wider proven strategy. Meanwhile their lobbyists draw on considerable financial resources to bulldoze our shire heritage into their lucrative unsustainable opportunity.

I’m looking from high at a landscape that is finite, destined

Have your say . . . about anything!

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The Village

March 2020

exclusively by those incentivised executives towards a metropolis skyline. These seismic proposals would irreversibly downgrade our quality of life in their overbuilt onslaught, inevitably bequeathing Barred Green and Cofton Hacked amongst our children’s lost legacy.

If we don’t act now then these earmarked parishes will be ravenously consumed as Greater Birmingham’s Worcestershire source.

Stephen Farley (adjacent to parcels 211, 257a, 069, 257b, 241 & 226)

Our democracy is a failure

Dear Editor – Month on month your pages reflect the gradual decline

of our so-called democracy. Our elected representatives at local and national level are abrogating their responsibilities to the legal establishment and the general public.

To avoid democracy falling into anarchy the principle should be restored, i.e. the public have the opportunity of regularly electing their representatives both nationally and locally.

Those representatives employ “professional” officers to advise them on all aspects of administration. If the public are unhappy they lobby their elected representatives and have the opportunity of voting them out of office.

There should be no public consultation at all, apart from that listed above. A major example of the

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 March 16.

Green Belt

failure of our form of democracy is the Brexit Referendum debacle.

If we are to have public meetings, discussion and consultation with the man in the street for every aspect of our lives, nothing will be achieved and we only have ourselves to blame.

Your correspondent in last month’s magazine (Who would vote no to Plan?) queries why people voted against the “plan”, perhaps it was because they believed in democracy and were against the principle of referendum. Perhaps a more interesting figure would be a percentage expressed as a proportion of the electorate of all those who voted at all.

David Barton, Weatheroak, Alvechurch

Spend our money on Cofton, please

Dear Editor – Can I say how appalled I was to read that some undisclosed amount left over from Cofton’s section 106 money would be spent on the Lickey toposcope (News in Brief, February 2020).

This money should be used to compensate the people of Cofton who have had their small parish massively changed by the influx of buildings and vehicles (most of whom have no idea what a speed limit means).

Not only this, but we were told that we had to find funding to equip the new parish hall to the tune of £75,000 because St Modwen only supplied the buildcontinues overleaf

where’s vinny?

COFTON RESIDENT Terry Harrington was the latest winners of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition. If you want to win one for yourself, you’ll need to try to locate the little hedgehog hiding somewhere in this magazine (the one shown above is just a guide!)

Just tell us where he’s hiding via phone, email or post – please include your contact details, especially if leaving a voicemail message – and we’ll draw a winner at random. The closing date is midnight on the 18th of every month. We’ll let you know if you’ve won and you can collect your Mini Vinny from our office – and pose for a photo with your prize!

TheVillage View . . .

P

redictably, there are now around 300 sites, mostly in our Green Belt, jostling for the jackpot: an “APPROVED” stamp on an application to turn the fields they outline into yet another housing estate.

This is, of course, just a wishlist of would-be developers – but it has got us surrounded. Lickey End would merge into Catshill and Marlbrook to the north and west, while to the south of Lickey End, every piece of green land is shaded in all the way down the east side of the A38, washing over Bromsgrove golf course until it meets The Oakalls.

On the east side of the district, Alvechurch and Barnt Green would be joined at the shoulder and hip as houses flowed south and east towards the M42.

Alvechurch village would more than double in size, filling all of the fields enclosed by the motorway and the Alvechurch Bypass, south down to Lye Meadow and then right across the southern edge of the village up to the railway station.

Redditch would continue its march north as the houses already going up at Brockhill and Weights Lane would continue right up to Cobb’s Barn roundabout, within sight of Alvechurch village.

Even more worrying is the prospect of Birmingham striding over its border, down the hill of Cofton Common and over the fields of Groveley Farm to the northern shore of Upper Bittell itself.

Anyone struggling to picture this should look at the green hills behind the reservoir in our photograph at the top of Page 6. Marauding cormorants would be the least of our worries if Birmingham came into view.

Equally so, if the fields from the bottom of Fiery Hill Road, opposite the Barnt Green Inn and all the way up to Cofton Church Lane, and beyond up to the reservoir in “old” Cofton fell to the bulldozer.

And there are more sites we could worry about on the list released by Bromsgrove District Council, such as the large field to the east of Twatling Road, running down to Pinfield Wood in the Lickey Hills.

But the one sight that is not evident after Bromsgrove’s “Call for Sites” is an outline of a large settlement , in a vague inverted “Y” shape, with room for 10-15,000 homes somewhere along the rail links between Alvechurch, Barnt Green and Blackwell.

Does this mean the planner’s pipe dream, the threat of “Barntchurch”, has receded for now? We always felt it was being used as a battering ram to soften us up so we would meekly accept what they really had in store for us.

And no matter how many times we are told that “no conclusions should be drawn at this stage”, we can’t help concluding that we are about to be overrun by greed.

The Village

March 2020

15

Village VillageViews Views continued from previous page ing. Why couldn’t the section 106 money be used for the equipment?

I am glad to say it looks as though the new hall is being well used and I hope this continues.

An answer would be appreciated.

Steve and Judy Hewitt Cofton Hackett

Too many people on the planet?

Dear Editor – Last month’s letters and Village View reflected the current media emphasis on ecological issues, but avoided referring to a major contributor – human beings.

World population is around eight billion, and has quadrupled in my lifetime (don’t ask), yet Greta Thunberg and the tree huggers never mention it, and even the Chinese have relaxed the one child per family rule. The issue needs addressing, even if one risks being regarded as politically incorrect.

Peter McHugh, Alvechurch

Hall has room for post office

Dear Editor – People think I am a bit mad when I say that I think the downstairs committee room of Alvechurch Village Hall would make an ideal post office for the village.

It’s in the ideal position on the flat and with easy access and parking nearby. Yes, the doors and windows would need reinforcing but it is the right size with heating and toilet facilities and can be easily isolated form the rest of the hall.

I have always thought the Village Hall was owned by the council as when I moved here in the late 1950s everything was based at the hall. Not only did the organisations meet there but the library, nursery school and welfare were run from there.

We took our babies to the welfare to be weighed and to have health checks, and bought our orange and cod liver oil for our children. It was

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The Village

March 2020

Thanks to hall volunteers

Dear Editor – I have seen first-hand how much effort, expertise and thought has been put into planning and the legal side of the new Cofton Village Hall (right) by the Trustees.

Their unpaid contribution, almost full time and often unsociable hours, has of course been for the benefit of the community and surely much appreciated by residents in both old and new estates. Not to be forgotten are those hardworking “volunteer” residents who also succeeded in bringing locals together making the hall a success. the hub of the village and I’m sure it could be again.

That committee room, although now refurbished, is the most uncomfortable and uninviting room to have meetings in. Perhaps it could solve our problems of having a post office as a large village desperately needs one, especially as we have no banks.

Mrs M R Gardner, Alvechurch

Another valuable addition to our Village Hall team, as many will be aware, is our new manager Sam Chatterley who started on February 1, 2020 and will undoubtedly ease the Trustees’ workload.

Thank you all on behalf of our community.

Cofton Hackett resident not intentional or done with malice.

On this occasion the carer had not parked incorrectly or blocked any drive or bend on this road.

This was a coward’s way of dealing with a situation. If the author had the decency to leave a polite note with contact details, it would of course be dealt with.

What a shame that individuals like this live in our village.

Jackie Grant RN, Windmill Hill Care

‘Cowardly’ note left on carer’s car Only joking?

Dear Editor – To the individual who left a typed/printed note on a car outside Malvern Grange Flats on Greenhurst Drive in Barnt Green: this obscene and abusive note left on a carer’s car, parked while on duty, is not being taken lightly.

The wording was very unpleasant and contained various swear words, all of which was intended to intimidate, and the note has been photographed by the carer.

I have spoken to the neighbours near to Malvern Grange, who were horrified at the note.

Windmill Hill Care would like to say that although carers can make mistakes parking while on duty, it is

Dear Editor – In reference to the letter in February titled You just can’t get the staff. . . is this individual for real?

Personally I don’t have the same problem of finding staff, mainly because I live in the real world! The little man from “down the hill” probably would be happy with two pounds an hour back in the 70s!

Wish all I had to worry about in life was finding someone to dredge the swimming pool and pick up dog excrement.

D Wato, via email

The deadline for the next issue is March 16.

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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

March 2020

J & D MASON – OPTICIANS –

Independent home care agency owned and run by an experienced Registered Nurse

Providing quality eyecare for over 40 years

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

23 The Square, Alvechurch

0121 447 8682

Protect your loved ones by making a Will today

Jesson Sewell and Swadkins

Sue Jenden Associates Specialists in Wills, Trusts, inheritance tax planning, and administration of estates u Affiliate member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners u Meetings in your own home u

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Based in Lickey

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Architectural Designers & Construction Consultants

Design, Planning, Building Regs Contract Admin Alterations and Extensions, Refurbishment & New Build, Residential & Commercial

Fixed fees

Tel: 0121 445 5874 info@suejendenassociates.co.uk www.suejendenassociates.co.uk

This firm complies with the IPW Code of Conduct

The Gate House, Hewell Lane, B45

Tel: 0121 454 1144 Email: mike@jssuk.com

traditional Joinery & furniture makers

Can’t get what you want?

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.

The Workshop, 3 Bear Hill, Alvechurch B48 7JX

Tel: 0121 447 8017

www.robertsbespokejoinery.co.uk

The Husband and Wife Team Fixing Your Home Dream 20 Years’ Experience

No Job Too Small

Carpentry – doors, skirting boards, architrave etc Painting and decorating l Erecting garden sheds Fencing and gates l Decking and sleepers Flooring – wood, laminate and vinyl Tiling l Kitchen fitting l Stair installation Flat pack furniture l General maintenance

Tel: 07842 512101

Email: mrandmrsmaintenanceteam@gmail.com Follow us on Facebook

Village Directory

Kevin Smith ksinstallations@hotmail.co.uk

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

Worcester boiler accredited installer

Free Quotes Over 20 years’ experience Fully qualified & fully insured Dedicated to customer satisfaction

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

l Insurance work l Stud walls l Re-skimming 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

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Contact Aaron: 0121 445 0383 / 07821 047 220

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

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

Tel: 01527 576136 or 07850 380162

Is your car trying to tell you something? n n n n n n

Plumbing Plastering Tiling Carpentry Vinyl/Laminate Fitting Fully Insured

Phil Newton

t. 0800 310 2720 m. 07900 925 651

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

TheVillage

is hand-delivered to 10,000 homes across this area, so your advert is guaranteed to reach a wide audience.

To make sure your business or service gets noticed, call Louise on 0121 445 6757 – and don’t forget that we offer a FREE design service!

Service Work, Engine Management Faults, Electrical Repairs and All Mechanical Repair Work

Now at Coopers Hill, Alvechurch B48 7BX

Tel: 07948 044671

dave@appletreegarage.co.uk

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The Village

March 2020

WF KELLY DECORATORS Interior & exterior Est. 1981

A personal service from a long-established one-man business Self-prepared rooms repapered if required Preparation and painting service Call Liam: 07976 574878 or 0121 445 1265 Based in Alvechurch

Treat Your Home to a NEW Carpet or Rug

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

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

FREE ESTIMATING, FITTING & DELIVERY Huge choice of sizes, colours and styles 30 years’ experience in the flooring industry 01527 578804 sales@carpets-rugs-runners.co.uk

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Upholstery

01527 578804

Contact Paul on 07961 342304 / 0121 445 6236

e-mail:lickeycarpentry@hotmail.co.uk www.lickeycarpentry.co.uk

8 Stourbridge Road, Bromsgrove B61 0AB www.carpets-rugs-runners.co.uk

Carpets

Shop Fronts & Glazing Dependable & Quality Service

15 Cofton Lake Road, Birmingham B45 8PL

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Tile & Stone Floors

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Friendly Service, Free Estimates, Quality Work

All Internal & External Carpentry Insurance Work Undertaken

Dave Terry

0121 445 1574 or 07970 966470 www.classic-carpentry.co.uk classiccarpentry@hotmail.co.uk

FRIENDLY FAMILY BUSINESS

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www.moveit-removals.com Freephone 0800 7734189 Tel: 01527 893250 Mob: 07973 358392

Covering your local area

Tel: 01527 543333 Mobile: 07886 629945

Village Weddings Advertisement feature

Village Beauty

Beauty at Bellissimo T

he start of spring is the perfect time to treat yourself to a bit of pampering, and Burcot’s beauty salon Bellissimo offers the perfect relaxing atmosphere.

Owner Georgia Yates, who has worked in the beauty industry for five years, opened her Burcot premises just over a year ago and loves welcoming regular and new clients into her cosy studio.

Georgia provides a personal and professional service and a wide range of treatments including Gelish nails, manicures and pedicures, waxing and tinting, Eve Taylor facials, Sienna X spray tans and microdermabrasion – plus massages and hot stones treatments. She plans to extend the range during 2020.

Various treatment packages

are available, and don’t forget the gift vouchers – ideal for Mother’s Day. Keep an eye on Bellissimo’s social media for the latest updates and offers.

Burcot Forge, 338 Alcester Road, Burcot, Bromsgrove, B60 1BH Tel: 07814 729874 Free parking available Bellissimo_beautytreatments Like us on Facebook

SPECIAL OFFER

Paraffin Gelish pedicure £35 (usually £50) includes removal of dead skin, exfoliation, paraffin wax (which helps create moisture in your skin), file and cuticle work, gel application and a soothing foot massage.

Offer ends March 31, 2020

Registered Specialist Optometrist recognised as one of the top five in the UK Don Williams of Edgbaston Eye Clinic was shortlisted for Optometrist of the Year at the AOP Awards 2020, run by the Association of Optometrists (AOP).

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2020 aop awards

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Don says: “It is a great honour and a humbling experience to be formally recognised as one of the top five Optometrists in the whole of the UK. I would like to thank the AOP for this amazing recognition and, most importantly, all my patients for trusting me with their eye care needs.

A very special thank you to the three girls at home!”

— FINALIST —

Mr Don Williams

Optometrist of the Year

Edgbaston Eye Clinic

Cast your vote by 5pm, 18 December 2019 Registered Specialist Optometrist aop.org.uk/awards The Consulting Rooms, MCOptom MSc (Dist) BSc (Hons) DipTp (IP) 38 Harborne Road, Edgbaston B15 3EB PGDip Refractive & Cataract Surgery #AOPAwards2020 PG Dip Adv Clin Optom 0121 726 3199 Free patient parking on site Prof Cert Med Retina info@edgbastoneyeclinic.com Prof Cert Glaucoma www.edgbastoneyeclinic.com NHS Post: BMEC (City Hospital) �������� �������

Advertisement

Have you seen Janie?

We have – here at Michelle & Co! Michelle & Co. is an independent agent based in Bromsgrove, specialising in offering a professional personal service to all our clients.

Having made a name for ourselves in Residential Lettings, we recently launched our Sales department. We are delighted to welcome Janie Whitehouse as Sales Manager.

Janie comes with a wealth of experience and has extensive knowledge of the sales market in Bromsgrove, Barnt Green and surrounding areas.

We are thrilled with the response since the launch,

as Janie has built up a great reputation for personal service.

We are a small team that have been operating in residential lettings for many years in the Bromsgrove/Barnt Green area and have a wealth of local knowledge. We offer a good range of properties.

Our business has been built on reputation and the unique and personal service we have provided to landlords for many years, which now extends to our vendors.

We are very approachable and happily offer advice to all our clients as well as tenants and potential purchasers.

Michelle & Co Tel: 01527 306161 13 New Road, Bromsgrove, B60 2JG jane@michelleandco.uk

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

Don’t forget to book your winter boiler service now!

BOILER Breakdown SERVICE

Boiler servicing

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Servicing of gas fires etc

Home owner and landlord certificates Repairs to washing machines, tumble driers, fridges, freezers, electric ovens & cookers, electric showers Based in Alvechurch

0121 445 0184 07977 487 999

Find us on Facebook: ‘RMB Services’

The Village

March 2020

25

Village Travel

Advertisement feature

Let’s go on a journey I

t’s that time of year when thoughts turn to planning a holiday – but the amount of choice can be overwhelming, and not everyone has the time or the skills to organise the perfect trip themselves.

That’s where Travel Counsellors come in, and in the Village area a new partnership is ready to provide all your travel requirements. Jane Ward and Michelle Waters offer a combined 25 years’ expertise and a friendly, one-to-one service allowing you to get on with your busy life while they do all the hard work for you.

“Quite simply, we listen to what you want and, using our specialist skills and inside knowledge, we carefully design a trip to match, within your budget,” says Jane.

“We create holidays filled with magical experiences and moments that matter,” adds Michelle.

Whether you want to relax and recuperate or explore and discover new adventures, they will give you the very best hassle-free holiday advice. Whatever your requirements, from a grand tour or a fly-drive to a luxury family holiday, a cruise or a city break, Jane and Michelle will tailor-make your trip to any long-haul or short-haul destination, and can even help you book a brochure holiday.

With all the important details taken care of, all you’ll have to do is relax and enjoy your dream holiday.

Cape, Wine and Safari £2695 pp

New York Christmas Shopping £695 pp

Magnificent Family Break in Mauritius: £5740 per family of 4 All offers are subject to availability

Jane Ward T 0121 667 2430 or 07786 617598 E jane.ward@travelcounsellors.com W www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/jane.ward

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The Village

March 2020

Michelle Waters T 0121 667 9540 or 07792 445150 E michelle.waters@travelcounsellors.com W www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/michelle.waters

Advertisement feature

BeautyBox is growing fast S

ince BeautyBox successfully relocated from Barnt Green to Catshill, the salon has gone from strength to strength – so much so that owner Becky Baker realised she needed another pair of hands so she could extend the opening hours to meet client demand.

For Becky, there was only one person who came to mind – which means Jo Payne is back! Many readers will remember Jo from the Barnt Green BeautyBox. After recently welcoming her beautiful daughter Emilija to the world, Jo is returning to work and is excited to see her old clients and meet the new Catshill regulars.

Jo has been a qualified beauty therapist for 10 years, after training at Kingston College in London. This

coupled, with Becky’s 15 years of experience, ensures you’re in safe hands for all your beauty needs! Similar to Becky, Jo enjoyed working onboard a cruise ship before spending five happy years at the Barnt Green BeautyBox. Jo will be working on Mondays, Wednesdays and alternate Saturdays at the stunning Catshill premises, offering a full range of treatments including massages, facials, waxing, spray tans and Gelish nails – plus relaxing hot stone massages!

Becky is available for appointments on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and alternate Saturdays. They both look forward to seeing you soon – make

Paint is our passion.

Kitchen makeovers Front doors | Fire surrounds Windows | Wardrobes Mirrors | Garage doors Dining tables | Bed frames Furniture renovation Worktops | Bath panels Garden furniture

We can spray anything – challenge us!

01527 877129 info@wesprayanything.com Unit 23 Silver Birches Business Park, Aston Road, Bromsgrove, B60 3EU

Village Beauty

Jo and Becky with Emilija and Archie an appointment by calling or texting Becky on 07419 118 255 or Jo on 07495 525922.

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9-7 Thursday: 9-8 Friday: 9-6 Saturday: 8-1

This month’s offer: 25% off when you recommend a friend 2 Churchstone Close, Catshill, Bromsgrove, B61 9HL beautybox8@hotmail.co.uk www.beautyboxbarntgreen.co.uk

20 Years Ago 10 Years Ago .

From TheVillage archive

From TheVillage archive

OUR MARCH 2010 cover showed some of the daffodils planted by Alvechurch Village Society at the southern entrance to the village, as part of the group’s 40th birthday celebrations.

This ISSUE covered both February and March 2000, and alongside the “RIP Green Belt” story, we featured the history of Cofton Hall and the new sustainable drainage system at Hopwood Park Services.

September 2013 – the dig-

September 2013 – the dig-

gers arrive IN THE NEWS: Cofton Hackett Parish Council faced paying back nearly £2,000 to Bromsgrove, because it hadn’t spent enough money. Elsewhere, Barnt Green parish chairman Tom Gray had suggested that the richest residents should put their hands in their pockets to improve the village for everyone.

IN THE NEWS: gers arrive We interviewed Sajid Javid, who had been chosen as the Tory candidate to be Bromsgrove’s MP. Meanwhile, Barnt Green traders were relieved that longrunning roadworks were over, and there were fears for the Alvechurch PACT initiative after the district and county councils threatened to withdraw support.

POPULAR sub-postmistress Maureen Lloyd was retiring from Blackwell Post Office, which she had run for 11 years, becoming well-known for her lightning quips. New sub-postmaster Nigel Emery (left) and Paul Baker were taking over the reins.

ALVECHURCH fireman Jeff March had just returned from the earthquake-stricken Haitian capital Portau-Prince, where he had assisted in the international search and rescue operation. His team was involved in the rescue of a two-year-old girl trapped in rubble.

Alvechurch Medical Centre was to undergo a major facelift, changing the internal design to make more room for patients and GPs – including Dr Matt Dakin (left), a partner at the practice.

bLACKWELL resident Michael Hopper had been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours list for “services to the community”, which had included a lifetime of voluntary work with disabled people as well as a 40-year career in the Department of Work & Pensions.

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The Village

March 2020

Village Events

Pic/ Mark Easter

Waes Hael to all!

Aelfgythe Border Morris’ Squire, Pam Morley, reports on their wassail.

A

elfgythe Border Morris hosted another successful annual Wassail, starting at The Crown Inn, Withybed, with dancing from five Morris sides: Alvechurch Morris Men, Bloodstone Border Morris, Pebworth Morris, Ragged Oak Morris and, of course, Aelfgythe. The participants and audience (assisted by John Bright’s Regiment of Foote from the English Civil War Society) processed through the village to The Weighbridge Pub at Scarfield Wharf. We were lucky that the weather was dry and not as cold as in previous years.

The Wassail ceremony, led by Steve, our Green Man, followed its usual pattern, with the help of the Alvechurch Community Choir who sang a traditional Wassail carol. The Green Man explained the purpose of a Wassail with many cries of “Waes

Hael”, meaning live well, or good health, followed by the traditional response of “Drink Hael”, or drink well, from the audience.

The John Bright’s musketeers played their part in waking up the trees by firing several rounds, which produced some wonderful flashes of gunpowder. The audience also took an important role, joining in with the chorus of our Wassail poem and then hanging toast in the branches of the

trees. The orchard had been decorated with many lights in the trees and looked absolutely magical.

After the actual Wassail was over, there was more dancing and then the invited guests were treated to very welcome hot soup and a buffet. The evening finished with a social gathering and music session.

Many people helped to make the evening such a success, and

continues overleaf The Village

March 2020

29

Village Events Pic/ Mark Easter

continued from page 29 Aelfgythe would like to thank the publicans, Morris dancers and musicians, John Bright’s Regiment of Foote, Alvechurch Community Choir, ABC Leisure for their generous sponsorship and donation of a day boat pass for our raffle prize, and all our friends and supporters who worked hard to make sure the evening passed without a hitch.

We would also like to thank the audience for their contribution and support, and the kind permission from photographers

Pic/ Mary Green

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The Village

March 2020

Mark Easter and Rich Ward to use their fabulous pictures.

This year’s Wassail was the best yet, and we hope everyone had as much fun as we did.

We are already planning next year’s event, which will be held on Saturday February 6, 2021.

If any women would like to try Morris dancing, or any musicians would like to play with the band, email aelfgythe@hotmail. co.uk for more details. You could be dancing or playing for next year’s celebrations! Until next year…Waes Hael to you all.

Pic/ Mark Easter

Pic/ Rich Ward

Pic/ Mark Easter

Pic/ Mark Easter The Village

March 2020

31

Oakalls Village

MEMORIAL TREES: Coun Caroline Spencer and The Rev Paul Lewis of Bromsgrove Baptist Church joined a gathering of residents for the planting of three oak trees on the grassy area on Davenham Road, replacing the large horse chestnut tree felled last August.

The new trees were planted in memory of Tom Jones, Charlotte Taylor and Harry Bennett – who all grew up on The Oakalls and sadly lost their lives at a young age.

The parents of Tom, Charlotte and Harry (pictured above) helped plant the trees, and a memorial plaque was placed next to each one. Rev Lewis then blessed the area where the trees had been planted.

Coun Spencer said: “These much-loved teenagers had enjoyed their childhood on The Oakalls and I felt this was a fitting way of remembering them all. There is now a special space for the families and their friends to pause and remember their loved ones.”

A38 plan goes public

H

undreds of residents attended a public session about improvements to the A38 corridor, including the Slideslow Roundabout. Representatives from the project team at Worcestershire County Council were on hand to answer any questions about the scheme.

The Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP) will deliver improvements on the A38 corridor between Lydiate Ash and the Hanbury Turn and consists of 12 individual schemes. It follows work that began last year to improve the junction with Barley Mow Lane, M5 Junction 4 and M42 Junction 1.

The BREP encompasses the Slideslow Roundabout, long considered a potential danger hotspot by Oakalls residents. The plans include proposed controlled pedestrian crossings on the four roads approaching the roundabout; the widening and upgrading

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The Village

March 2020

Sarah Rees reports from the Oakalls and Parklands.

of footways, including a new footway link to the Golf Club; road widening to create a two-lane exit onto the A38 northbound and southbound.

Coun Ken Pollock, the county council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and

Infrastructure, said: “This is a very busy route and one that is used for a wide range of journeys, from local trips into the town centre, to linking major road networks, such as the M5 and M42.

“We’ve already made a start on improving this corridor and these additional schemes would go a long way to improving reliability of journey times for those who have to travel by car. They would also encourage people to use alternative travel by improving the local walking and cycling network.”

More information on the proposal, including maps of each of the 12 schemes, is available on the Worcestershire County Council website.

Please contact me with your news, views and concerns about any aspect of life on the estate. Email: oakalls@ villageonline.co.uk Left: Coun Spencer with residents from Slideslow Ward and Jo Dalton from Worcestershire County Council

Village Dental

Meet your dentist: What is your favourite part of the job?

Although doing routine dentistry can be satisfying, especially when you are relieving the patient of pain or fixing a broken tooth, the more complex cases are far more rewarding as we are changing patients’ lives. Complex cases usually involve different aspects of dentistry, and being able to coordinate the whole case together to create a dental masterpiece is somewhat special.

Dr Dipesh Parmar of Acorn Dental is an internationally-renowned cosmetic and reconstructive dentist and dental educator.

taking over one of the longest-established practices in Birmingham and we joined forces in 2010. We expanded it into a four-surgery centre of dental excellence, and in March 2019 we took over Barnt Green Dental Centre as our first satellite branch. We are getting many patients travelling from around the country to see our dentists so we need to branch out.

What is your least favourite part of the job?

I don’t have a least favourite part, but the most stressful times are when I have dentists themselves in my chair!

I am privileged to be the dentist for many dentists, but I’ve lost many hairs in the process!

What services do you offer?

Where did you study?

I qualified from the University of Birmingham under the tutelage of some great dentists. Having an older brother, Dr Manoj Parmar, as a dentist and another, Hit Parmar, as a dental technician gave me a springboard at University, so I feel I got more out of it and I thoroughly enjoyed the training.

What other qualifications do you have?

My interests have always been in Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dentistry, meaning all dentistry should look natural and complement the patient, their personality and their health.

Traditionally, cosmetic dentistry has always been about placing veneers, but now there is huge focus on Orthodontics and composite bonding to achieve similar outcomes at reduced biological and financial costs to the patient. Often teeth are not in the correct position and traditionally they were drilled and covered with a veneer or crown (“cap”) to camouflage the tooth into a new position.

It makes more sense that if a tooth is in an incorrect position, it should be moved into the correct position. This will help us create a healthier bite, that looks better for longer.

Orthodontics is all about moving

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The Village

March 2020

teeth and I currently have Diplomat status in Orthodontics from the University of Warwick, and am currently finishing a Master of Science degree in Orthodontics. I am also a qualified Invisalign provider and a Graduate of The Dawson Academy for Complete Comprehensive Care.

What has been your proudest moment in your professional life?

This is a tough one, but I would say it was when I won Best Aesthetic Dentist UK and my dental technician brother Hit won Best Aesthetic Technician UK at the 2018 Aesthetic Dentistry Awards. We were up against the country’s finest dentists, and to win the whole lot together was very, very special. Other proud moments were when I won Best Young Dentist at the 2017 Private Dentistry Awards, awards at the 2015 Aesthetic Dentistry Awards and 2012 Smile Awards.

When did you set up Acorn Dental?

My brother, Dr Manoj Parmar, took over Acorn Dental in Moseley in 2000,

I focus on bespoke aesthetic and cosmetic reconstructions, including composite bonding, ceramic veneers and crowns, smile makeovers, treatment of tooth wear, management of the failing dentition and restoration of dental implants. I also do a vast amount of Orthodontics from simple to advanced cases, using Invisalign and conventional fixed braces.

My brother, Dr Manoj Parmar, is a fantastic implant surgeon. From single implants to full mouth reconstructions with dental implants, he can handle all cases, allowing us to work really well with each other.

Our other dentists at both practices can provide general dentistry, root canal treatment, gum treatments and non-surgical facial aesthetics. We like to treat everything in-house so we are in full control of final outcomes.

Are your treatments very expensive?

Our aim was never to be the cheapest in town, but the best. Dental treatment is not expensive either, however neglecting your teeth can be – hence the importance of regular dental check-ups and hygienist visits. The fees have remained the same since we acquired the practice. Our price list can be viewed on our website www. acorndental.co.uk. Finance options are available.

Dr Dipesh Parmar

Advertisement feature

What do you do when you are not doing dentistry?

More dentistry! Unfortunately I do not get much time outside dentistry. If I’m not in the surgery fixing teeth and making smiles, then I spend a large amount of my time travelling the globe lecturing and teaching at some of the world’s most prestigious dental conferences. I am also clinical director of the UK’s most successful composite bonding educational course for dentists, Mini Smile Makeover. Once a month I teach 30 UK and international dentists minimally invasive aesthetic and cosmetic dental techniques.

Otherwise it’s family time!

What are your future plans?

We have plans to extend and renovate the Barnt Green centre, which will hopefully be starting this year. I am also constantly being asked to set up a clinic on Harley Street so we are looking into that too, and my education programme for dentists is also going to be widened with more courses here and abroad. All our dentists are constantly working on personal and professional development; it doesn’t seem to end!

CASE STUDIES: restoring your smile 1

Case 1: This patient had multiple veneers in the past, but due to her back teeth wearing away, her bite was beginning to collapse, her teeth were becoming weaker and the veneers were starting to fail. We restored the beauty of her smile, her bite and her confidence with high-strength, ultra-aesthetic veneers, crowns and dental implants.

2

Case 2: It was an absolute pleasure to treat this young man as it completely changed his life. We did orthodontic treatment, tooth whitening and composite bonding to create a very natural looking and youthful smile.

3

Case 3: This gentlemen was referred to us by another dentist to replace his existing composite veneers. The veneers were beginning to chip and stain, and lacked proper shapes and contours. The existing veneers were carefully removed and replaced with new ones in a single visit using digital smile design technology.

4

22A Hewell Road Barnt Green B45 8NE Tel: 0121 447 7300 www.acorndental.co.uk Free parking for 3–4 vehicles. Access is via a private drive at the side of Savoir Faire boutique.

Case 4: Another minimally invasive smile makeover. This patient was very embarrassed about her smile and wanted painless dentistry. We did Invisalign, tooth whitening and two composite veneers to transform her smile without lifting a drill!

The Village

March 2020

35

We help people make good financial decisions.

PPM Financial Planning are currently looking to employ someone with knowledge and experience using TRUTH Prestwood software.

Please contact us to find out more should you have these skills.

Village Finance

Advertisement feature

Reversal of fortune: value versus income

T

hese are strange times in the investment markets. The looking-glass world of negative interest rates – where borrowers are rewarded for taking out loans and savers pay interest – has become a reality in parts of continental Europe and Japan.

In the UK, the Bank of England base rate has been below 1% for more than a decade. In the US, the central bank started cutting rates from a peak of just 2.25%–2.50%, set last December. The idea that interest rates would be “lower for longer” is edging towards “lower forever”.

Fixed interest securities (bonds) have also come under the spell of negative interest rates. At the time of writing, there were about $11.4tn of bonds, mostly government paper, offering a negative return to those investors who held them through to maturity. There was a time when an investor in bonds would look forward to a return on their capital (i.e. interest); now some cannot even expect a return of their capital.

The decline in interest rates and bond yields since the 2007/08 financial crisis has overturned some traditional relationships in investment

Martin Pryor explains where you can find value in today’s investment markets.

markets. For instance, it was once the case that the longer the term of a bond, the higher the interest rate.

In many countries, such as the UK, US and much of the Eurozone, the return on a 10-year government bond is now lower than the central bank’s short-term interest rate.

Another example of a norm that has been overturned is the difference in immediate income available from bonds and shares. It used to be that government bonds provided a higher income than shares because the latter offered the possibility of growth, not only of income but also capital value. The graph below shows the historic yield advantage of bonds in the UK up until the time of the financial crash.

THE YIELD GAP Since then, the picture has changed with a marked widening in the last

few years of an income yield gap favouring shares over bonds. Ten-year UK government bonds currently have a yield of under 0.8%, while the average dividend yield on UK shares is over 4.3%.

There have been similar reversals in many other world markets. Even in the US, where interest rates are relatively high, the average share yield was 1.85% in mid-November compared with 1.88% for a 10-year government bond. But the average figure can itself hide a significant difference between individual shares, as is often the case. l Value shares generally have a higher than average yield, but relatively limited growth prospects. A typical example would be a utility company. l Growth shares are expected to see earnings grow faster than the norm and thus carry a relatively higher than average rating (and lower yield). The classic example would be a technology company.

In the past three years, value shares and the funds that favour them underperformed growth shares on a global basis, despite the higher dividends on offer. However, as the global economy shows increasing signs of slowing down, there could be an argument for taking a second look at the value sector. Many funds target value investing, although it is important to select the right ones.

The value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investing in shares should be regarded as a long-term investment and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.

n Tel: 07961 162818 martinpryor@ppm-ifa.co.uk www.ppm-ifa.co.uk The Village

March 2020

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Village Sport

Cup final date for AFC Alvechurch FC hope for silverware against Bromsgrove Sporting.

D

espite a poor run of form in which they hadn’t won a league match since New Year’s Day, Alvechurch now find themselves preparing for a cup final after a 3–0 thrashing of Kidderminster Harriers.

The Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-final took place at Lye Meadow, where ’Church booked their place in the final against league rivals Bromsgrove Sporting. The match will be played on Thursday April 16 at 7.45pm at Evesham United’s ground, and is Alvechurch’s only chance for silverware this season.

In the league, things haven’t been so rosy, with recent losses to Hednesford Town, Stourbridge, Hitchin Town, Tamworth and Peterborough Sports leaving ’Church second from bottom of the table. The home defeat to Tamworth was particularly unfortunate as the visitors’ two goals came on 76 minutes and in stoppage time.

They did manage a 0-0 draw at home to Leiston, but this was a game of missed opportunities – Alvechurch dominated the first half, but Kevin Monteiro missed a sitter before Rahis Nabi, Aaron Birch and Zazzi all fired off target.

With fans growing restless, chairman Richard Thorndike put a statement on the club’s website, urging supporters to get behind the team: “Whilst I understand the frustration of our league position and lack of points on the board, it’s disappointing to see a few [fans] ‘arguing’ about the current situation.

“When you consider our playing budget and the fact we were left with only four players from our last season’s squad at the start of the season, it was always going to be a mammoth task to compete at this level. “[Manager] Dean Holtham. . . asked for no money, instead offering his pay

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March 2020

Action from the away defeat to Hitchin (Photo/ Ian Macvie)

back into the team’s budget so we could improve the playing squad. A huge gesture, not to be understated.

“I’m certain there will be more good times ahead of us but now is a time for togetherness and supporting the team. We’re all Church, in good times and in bad.”

l International clearance has been approved for midfield player Joe Phillips to return to Alvechurch from Welsh league side Aberystwyth Town.

Joe previously played at Lye Meadow towards the end of the 2018/19 season but returned to the Welsh side at the end of the season. He was a Welsh Cup finalist with his first club Stourport Swifts.

Another fan favourite returning to the club is centre-forward Connor Deards. Connor brings vast experience, having had two previous spells with Church and his former clubs Redditch United, Bromsgrove Sporting and Lye Town.

West Bromwich Albion’s under-18 attacking midfielder Eoin Ashton has also joined on a month’s loan. l Centre-forward Kyle Perry has left the club. Kyle joined Alvechurch from local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting earlier in the season but has decided to move on. The 6’4’ ’experienced targetman had played for Telford before going into the Football League with

both Port Vale and Mansfield Town.

He has also represented Tamworth, Lincoln City and Altrincham in his successful career.

Paul Douglas has also left after a short stay at Lye Meadow. The Bermudan international midfielder joined the club from Ilkeston and has now moved on to Stratford Town.

l Alvechurch FC is has a vacancy for a Commercial Manager – email Club Secretary, Steve Denny, for details. 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

fixtures

(League unless stated) Tues Mar 3 Biggleswade Town (A) 7.45pm Sat March 7 Nuneaton Borough (H) 3pm Sat March 14 Rushall Olympic (H) 3pm Sat March 21 Coalville Town (A) 3pm Sat March 28 Banbury (H) 3pm Sat April 4 Rushden & Diamonds (H) 3pm Sat April 11 Stratford Town (H) 3pm Mon April 13 Broms Sporting (A) 3pm Thur April 16 Broms Sporting 7.45pm Worcestershire Senior Cup Final (at Evesham) Sat April 18 Kings Langley (A) 3pm Sat April 25 Lowestoft Town (H) 3pm

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 Weather

Wet, wild weather

F

Alvechurch amateur weatherman Phil Thomas records the changes.

ebruary was another very wet and windy month. The rainfall to the 17th was 84.6mm, already more than the month’s average of 52mm. The mean temperature was also above the local mean, standing at 6.3C, or 2.2C above the mean value.

There were some very strong gusty winds too – a gust of 49mph on the 9th, 44mph on the 15th and 43mph on the 16th. My automatic weather station was blown over despite being anchored by heavy flagstones!

All of these extremes are due to a very strong jet stream bringing warm moist air from the south-west, interacting with a cold air stream further north.

February 2020 (to the 17th) Mean Max 9.7C 2.4 above average Mean Min 3.1C 2.0 above average Mean 6.3C 2.2 above average Rainfall 84.6mm 161% of average Sunshine 33.7 hrs 56% of average January was very mild and damp with a mean temperature of 6.2C, which is 2.3C above the local 30-year mean.

No snow was seen falling during the month (the last recorded snow lying was in March 2018). The barometer reached an all-time high for my site (records going back to 1989). It reached 1049.1 on the 19th.

January 2020 Mean Max 8.7C 2.0 above average Mean Min 3.8C 2.6 above average Mean 6.3C 2.3 above average Rainfall 65mm 95% of average Sunshine 53.5 hrs 106% of average Outlook Into March, a continuation of unsettled weather is expected, broken by brighter but showery conditions. Temperatures should generally be above normal again for the time of year.

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Top: Snow flurry.

Above: Phil’s farm pond was very high on Sunday 16th and the field saturated with rainwater. It helps to prevent heavy rainfall run-off, reducing the levels of the rivers.

In this case it flows directly into the River Arrow, reducing the flooding risk.

Left: Wet sparrow.

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

Village Stargazing

T

Amateur astronomer Brian Watkiss peers into the Village night sky.

he year Marches on and winter finally comes to an end with the Vernal equinox in the early hours of the 20th. “How can you specify an exact time?” I hear you ask.

Well, although equinox means that day and night are the same length, it really refers to the moment the tilt of the Earth’s axis is exactly sideways on to the Sun – at 03:49 on the 20th. The day that has exactly twelve hours of daylight is the 17th. That’s the vagaries of our elliptical orbit for you.

The planet with the most nearly circular orbit is Venus and it is most upright on its axis to boot, so it has no seasons. It is the brightest object in our night sky, too, clearly visible shining high in the south west as soon as the sky starts to darken. And it is still resisting the general daily westward drift of everything else in the sky, just getting a little higher each evening. As ever, look for the Moon close by on the 28th, the night when the clocks go forward.

Capella

Auriga

Pleiades

Taurus Aldebaran

Betelgeuse

Orion

Rigel

Hiding in plain sight

Earlier in the month, on the 2nd, the Moon is very close to the brightest star in the constellation of Taurus.

Start looking from about seven thirty, to the left and twice as high as Venus.

You should see most of the “vee” of stars forming Taurus, with the beautiful Pleiades cluster to the right and giant Orion to the left.

We can’t mention Orion without referring to its red supergiant star, Betelgeuse, in the top left corner.

It still doesn’t seem to be coming out of its dim phase (a bit like me!) and now looks

like many other much smaller stars, leaving Rigel in the lower right corner as the brightest in the constellation.

It could be that it’s about to explode or indeed it may already have done so – we wouldn’t know for a little over six hundred years because that’s how long it takes its light to reach us.

Keep watching.

Now, there’s a star that is even brighter than Rigel but rarely gets noticed! It is, as they say, hiding in plain sight; you just Above: NASA’s false colour image of the clouds of Venus.

need to know where to look. High above Orion, you should be able to make out a pentagon of stars. This is the constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer. Whoever thought this pattern of stars looked just like a man driving a chariot, I’ve no idea, but he is also seen to be holding a goat.

The topmost star can be seen to be bright yellow, just like our Sun, and this is, indeed, the brightest yellow star in the night sky. It is called Capella and is known as the Goat Star. It actually consists of two stars orbiting each other, each a little over twice the size of the Sun with a pair of red dwarfs orbiting a little farther out. This little family often gets missed because it is so high in the sky so we all need to start looking up.

But be wary of those hedgerows!

The Village

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41

Village Country Diary Mary Green looks at the way our diets have changed over the years.

Wild garlic

I

am writing this as a mild winter comes towards its end, hoping we don’t get late cold spells. There’s quite a lot of wild food about in the hedges now, where it’s been allowed to grow, and the birds are already singing for spring. On February 1, I saw cherry plum blossom out and the first hawthorn leaves – and a barnacle goose! On February 2, Candlemas Day was cloudy with rain then fair and bright, so take your choice. And I saw a celandine out.

They say you are what you eat.

It’s surprising how much our natural environment is shaped by our food choices and those of people in the past. Years ago, I think people were more aware of this connection, but our supermarket shopping habits have distanced us from our food sources and how they fit into the world around us. It’s 50 years since Joni Mitchell sang “Give me spots on my apples/ But leave me the birds and the bees…” and I wonder if we’ve learnt much.

Thank you, Maurice Brett, for your letter last month – in January I was

Apple blossom

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March 2020

Food for t talking about biodiversity but I will look at some other aspects of food over the next two months including the effects of animal farming and vegetable growing, this month looking at our immediate environment and next

month at wider climate implications.

It isn’t simple.

March is the season of Lent, the fasting period leading up to Easter.

People talk of “giving up things for Lent” but really in older times there wasn’t much option. When people ate according to the rhythms of their farming year, this was a lean time.

Winter stored foods were running out and there was not much of this year’s yet.

I guess if you went even further back, to pre-farming days, there would have been a different rhythm again. Hunter-gatherers found food hard to get in the winter but by March things would have been improving.

There are plenty of wild leaves around now, many of which were used in traditional Lent foods like Dock Pudding (made from bistort and other leaves). Wild plants like dandelion are important food for wildlife and once were for us.

In the Christian tradition of fasting,

Damson and plum blossom

hought the priority was to stop eating meat and other animal products, using fish and vegetables instead. At one time you were allowed to eat barnacle geese, because of the myth that they were born from barnacles, small shellfish, or even that they grew on trees, possibly because the young ones jump into the sea from great heights.

This diet is generally good for health and the planet too. However, in this tradition fasting is followed by feasting, when those who could returned to meat-eating and sweet rich foods; now it seems symbolised by Easter chocolate (which was among the sweet rich foods you couldn’t eat in Lent). There were sometimes a couple of breaks allowed. One was Mothering Sunday when workers were allowed a day off to visit their mothers and share a rich cake called a simnel cake. And I know a family of Irish Catholic origin where the kids were allowed to eat chocolate on St Patrick’s Day (and the adults to drink alcohol).

However, most people in past centuries ate meat or sugar so rarely that for ordinary people Lent probably wasn’t so different from normal seasonal eating. Lent seems to have been supplanted these days by Dry January and Veganuary, which is fasting after feasting, not before! In hard times, fasting helped people appreciate the feasts of nature that came after. In times of plenty,

Bistort for dock pudding

continues overleaf The Village

March 2020

43

Village Country Diary

Meadowland insects continued from previous page

Pear tree Growing veg in a small space

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fasting follows feasting as a kind of punishment or cleansing.

Our landscape here shows the history of pastoral farming – raising animals for meat and dairy. It has made our fields and hedgerows, carved out of forest, and our meadowlands. In past centuries the meadows would all have looked more like Eades Meadow with a great variety of wildflowers and therefore of insects and birds. People would have grown small amounts of grain for themselves, but there is no history here of big commercial arable land, which harms the local habitat.

You can even see the remnants of ancient farming in some places, like the field by Scarfield Dingle and the slope up to Cooper’s Hill, which have ridgeand-furrow marks. The Scarfield Dingle field still has amazing diversity of wild flowers, having been long unploughed.

The old map in the Historical Society museum shows evidence of strip farming around Hopwood even in the late 18th century. Cattle, sheep and especially pigs also grazed in woodland – Piper’s Hill is a good example of an old grazed wood with pollarded trees. We don’t have to think of tree planting as an alternative to agriculture: it can and used to be part of it.

Fish were important, even in this landlocked area.

A farm of any size would have its fish pond or lake, and many big houses kept fish in their moats after they ceased to have a defensive purpose. Rivers like the Arrow were fished too. We have quite a few fishing lakes around here now, often in old marl-pits (clay pits), some on the site of old fish-ponds and some newly-made. Nowadays they are for recreational fishing, as it’s not done to eat freshwater fish.

These small wetlands are also important for biodiversity, not just for fish but many insect larvae. Even birds need them: in last year’s dry spring there were

Fish used to be important

reports of swallows not being able to find mud for their nests. Properlymanaged ponds and streams also help prevent flooding. We have some new ponds round here in Withybed for these environmental reasons.

Wild meat was much more eaten in previous centuries. When I was young, we ate a lot of rabbit and the occasional pigeon. In earlier times people ate wild duck, moorhen, partridge, squirrel and lots of other wild animals which came under the heading of game or wildfowl.

Earlier still, “animal” foods would also have included snails, grubs, insects, rodents and small birds – actual big cuts of meat as we know them would have been rare. I’ve seen roast mice on a stick sold by the wayside in Malawi, and eaten fried insect larvae.

Wild food was healthy lean meat, didn’t use up resources and when taken in small quantities didn’t harm wildlife too much.

However, when people started taking wild game in a big way, they upset the balance of nature. For example, in Britain many birds of prey were hunted to destruction so they wouldn’t take game, and otters almost died out, killed as vermin because they ate fish. Here, the reappearance of otters on our canal and rivers and the return of red kites to the area are all good side effects of the decline in large scale game rearing and food fishing.

Further north, moorland biodiversity is still ruined by being kept

Locally-grown summer veg

for grouse shooting. Also, eating and trading wild meat in a big way leads to episodes like the coronavirus epidemic in China and species loss in Africa.

Trying to imagine the Village area in the past with its meadows and fish ponds, you also have to think of orchards. Here in Withybed we still have damsons, plums and apples in many of our gardens, including a special kind of local golden plum, the Warwickshire Drooper, unfortunately getting scarcer now.

Until the 1970s Tardebigge was full of apple orchards and cider makers.

Along our canal and in some hedges you can find remnants of orchard trees as well as wild fruit trees, great food sources which are also invalu-

able for insects and birds. They help in carbon capture too. People have eaten apples, pears, plums, cherries and damsons for centuries here, as well as sloes, elderberries, blackberries, wild service berries and all sorts of wild fruit. Restoring more orchards would be a great way to address both biodiversity loss and climate change.

We should shift back to eating more plants, like our ancestors did, but it isn’t a simple thing. Eating a wide variety of vegetable foods is obviously good for your health. It is good for tackling pollution, so long as it is grown sustainably, as it doesn’t contribute methane to the air like animals do. It does not use up vast quantities of the earth’s resources. Seasonable

continues overleaf

Ponds used to be everywhere The Village

March 2020

45

Village Country Diary continued from previous page vegetables are relatively cheap so helpful for people on low incomes. Sustainably grown vegetables can form part of a good habitat for wildlife. They can be bought unpackaged from local growers and some larger shops.

You can even grow them yourself.

However, eating ready-made “vegan food” may do the opposite. I checked a packet of supermarket “vegan bangers” which had 27 ingredients. Two were kinds of sugar, two were chemicals I hadn’t heard of, and the rest were processed forms of vegetables, grains, pulses and fungi, including palm oil. I have no idea where any of these came from, but soy for example will be imported and more than 90 per cent of it is grown in cleared forest land. Large quantities of carbon will have been released in their manufacture and transport. And they were wrapped in plastic.

Growing a wide variety of vegetables and fruit is good for carbon capture – so long as land isn’t ploughed up every year. It doesn’t cause much pollution – except when it is imported or transported long distances by road. If you want locally grown vegetables, you may have to stretch “local” to Evesham way where there are many farm shops – or grow your own – now the local Prison Shop is closed. There are lots of people growing veg and fruit on the allotments here in Alvechurch. When I go around the Open Gardens in Alvechurch or Withybed, there’s some really creative veg growing in small spaces. And Incredible Edibles Alvechurch is showing us all the way.

The first step is to know what you are eating and where it comes from. That would be a good Lent diet: only eating food when you knew where it came from.

It’s really hard. And plant fruit trees!

The Withybed Poets recently wrote poems retelling well-known stories. Here is one of mine.

Old meadow flowers

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Tortoiseshell gets early nectar from March dandelions

Noah’s ark And God said to Noah, there will be a great flood, Now the ice is melted and the climate wrecked, Higher than the tops of mountains. I’ve chosen you To save the planet’s life. Go out and find Two of each bird and beast, and build an ark For them and your family. You can be saved.

So Noah went and got the elephants and shrews Wrens and sparrow-hawks, wolves and rabbits And started loading them. But then he saw a hitch.

God, he said, what will they all feed on? And God said Well some of them will eat each other, that’s OK But then I guess you might need more than two In case the hunger outstrips the breeding Get a few more of each, be on the safe side.

Noah looked at the collected animals. Another hitch What would the elephant and chaffinch feed on?

Another check with God, who said You’re right You need the plants, and soil and mosses, fungi.

Insects and worms and all that lot. Get two of all.

He went and started his collection, took his little trowel And then his big spade for the oaks and ebonies.

Finally he had together all the living things.

He stood and scratched his head. Looked at the ark.

Dear God, he said, how can I fit them in?

Mm said God, that is going to be tricky.

How big a vessel do you think you need?

I guess about as big as Earth, said Noah.

Yes, said God. Now do you see.

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Village Gardening

Garden Hannah Genders offers some tips for getting your garden spring-ready.

T

his is the month where gardeners start to come alive again. There is a lot to do in the whole garden, and the light has changed into a “growing”

light.

Cotinus Grace leaves

Mangetout

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PRUNING There are some shrubs that require pruning in March to avoid them becoming woody and to help them flower well. Buddleia davidii is one such plant. On a mature plant, cut back the stems to around 30cm above the ground, remove any diseased wood and any overcrowded branches, particularly in the middle of the plant.

Buddleia is a colonising plant and you can see it growing in cracks in walls in many urban settings.

Its common name is “the butterfly bush”, and it has a great value in our gardens to attract all the native butterflies. So, if you have room, plant one in a sunny spot.

Cotinus is another shrub that can be pruned now.

I have both Cotinus ‘Grace’ and Cotinus coggygria purpureus; both plants have a similar habit, and the cultivar ‘Grace’ is particularly good for autumn colour.

The common name for this shrub is “smoke bush”, and this refers to the flowers which are small and create a smoky haze over the foliage. I’m not particularly keen on the flowers and grow the plant mainly for its leaves.

If you want striking leaf colour, cut the shrub back now by one third and remove the old, grey wood.

Prune for shape as well taking out any crossing branches in the middle of the plant. You will lose flower by doing this pruning, but you will be rewarded with great leaf colour which is excellent for flower arranging.

Forsythia is a common shrub, brightening up many gardens with its vivid yellow flowers at this time of year. Once it has finished flowering, pruning can start, as if left untouched a mature Forsythia will become very woody and not flower well. To regenerate an old shrub, cut back one third of the whole plant to the ground, starting with the oldest stems. Once you have created a framework, every spring cut back the side stems to three buds from the main branches.

As a general rule, most shrubs that require pruning are best done after flowering.

jobs for March Lawn daisies PONDS Wildlife ponds will be coming to life now in March. Newts, for example, have a life cycle of hibernation over winter, but they will now be in your pond preparing to breed. All newts, including the rare great crested newt, will be looking very dapper with their orange bellies and crests ready for mating.

A pond, whatever its size, needs to be cleaned out in spring.

Remove all the dead leaves and debris that have blown in, as this rotting material will create phosphates in the pond water as it breaks down. This in turn increases the nutrient content, contributing to algae blooms as the water warms up.

The “life” of the pond is in the micro-organisms and insects living in this debris, so as you clear it out, pile the material on the edge of a shallow area of the pond, allowing everything to crawl back in overnight.

Cut back any reeds to encourage new growth – this will clean the pond water as the nitrogen uptake in the new plant growth will act as a natural filter.

PERENNIALS AND GRASSES I love using ornamental grasses in my designs and planting schemes; they add such great texture and movement to a flower border, but they do need some care at this time of year. I leave the stems and plumes on the plants over winter to act as a protective layer during frosts (not that we’ve had many this winter) and for birds to feed on the seed heads.

The new green growth should be showing now at the base of the plant, so cut back the old growth to these new shoots and weed out any perennial weeds that have taken hold. Fork around the plant and add a good quality mulch of well-rotted garden compost. The large ornamental grass Stipa gigantea, which I love for its six-foot plumes in the summer, responds well to a clip over with shears to retain its shape at the base; again fork around and mulch as before.

Similarly, most perennials which have a base growth and then tall spikes of flowers from last year now need a trim back. Like the grasses, I have left this growth on for winter protection and now I

continues overleaf

Trim back Stipa gigantea now

The Czar runner bean The Village

March 2020

49

Village Gardening continued from previous page cut it back to the base, taking care not to damage the new growth coming through. Sedums, chrysanthemums and asters are all examples of perennials that need this pruning. Mulch around the plants for a spring feed when you have tidied them up.

Cut back the stems on sedums

VEGETABLES You can really get growing this month in the vegetable garden, both outside and inside if you have either a greenhouse or polytunnel. Outside, if you missed putting on a mulch in the autumn, add it now – about one- to one-anda-half inches of well-rotted compost, mushroom compost or garden manure where you are planting beans or peas.

Don’t dig this mulch in; let the worms and bacteria do the work, just hoe off any light seedlings that have appeared and start planting.

You can plant onion sets (protect them from birds), chard, spinach, spring onions, lettuce and carrots. In the greenhouse, start some seeds off to plant out later in May: peas, beans (both the climbing french beans and bush beans), runner beans and courgettes. Here is a tip for courgettes: if you soak the seeds overnight, they become much more viable and sprout more easily.

Grow all these seeds in good quality peat-free compost and water, just enough to dampen the soil but not soak it so much that the seed rots before it sprouts. Oh, and do label everything well; it’s so easy to forget what you have planted.

LAWNS Some maintenance can now be done on lawns – a high cut and a rake-off to clear any debris is a good start. If any areas need re-seeding or turfing, this month and next are ideal. Now here is a plea: don’t over-fertilise the lawn. An organic fertiliser which gives a balanced feed without too much nitrogen is ideal.

Don’t use insecticides – it harms the bees – and please leave a few daisies and clover to flower; you will be rewarded with more bees and beneficial insects in your garden.

Let’s start a trend for tapestry lawns that are kinder to our insect friends and more appealing to the eye. I’m told this trend is coming – I hope so! Happy gardening.

Cut back reeds for new growth

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Courgettes under beans

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Village Art

An extrao Bromsgrove artist Richard McIlwraith discovers some passionate, uplifting local art.

C Jackie Fearn

ollage, charcoal, acrylic, watercolour, wood burn, driftwood, digital print, paper and ink, pastel, pencil, ceramic, thread, resin, graphite – diverse media – assorted subject matter – moments caught in time – artists taught and brimming with talent, edging forever closer to their personal creative prime.

Flowers, animals, landscapes, portraits, scenes wholly imaginative, abstracts pulsing with abstruse meaning.

There’s something for everyone at this thunderbolt of artistic energy on show until Sunday March 8 at Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch – hurry; don’t miss out.

The artists are members of the popular and expanding Redditch Art Circle, a welcoming group dedicated to promoting art in their local community. Adorning the walls of the exhibition on the middle floor of the museum are 132 framed/canvas paintings for sale with over 100 examples of ceramic and 3D work in cabinets, plus more than 150 unframed originals/prints. Art cards are available also for purchase.

Exhibition hours are 11am to 4pm (Tuesday to Friday) and 1pm to 4pm at weekends. The venue is closed on Mondays. For demonstrations, visit on: Sun March 1 (1–3pm) Jackie Kirby – mixed media Weds March 4 (1–3pm) Lyn Sharp – needle felting Thurs March 5 (11am to 2pm) Eric Watson – pastel/pencil Fri March 6 (11am to 2pm) and Saturday March 7 (1pm to 3pm) Suzanne Charli Farquharson – pastel Sunday March 8 (1–3pm) Mike Crockett – oils

Jackie Kirby Forge Mill

The Circle, formed 43 years ago, holds regular professional art demonstrations, workshops and social trips. Its members welcome beginners, enthusiasts and professionals to join them on their artistic journeys.

Normal admission rates apply for entry into Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre, which includes permanent exhibits in addition to this exciting and revelatory temporary exhibition. Learn how Redditch came to dominate the world needle trade and discover the excavated ruins of Bordesley Abbey where the Cistercian monks lived and worked.

For more information about Redditch Art Circle, visit www.redditchartcircle.weebly.com. To learn more about Forge Mill Needle Museum, email info@forgemill.org.uk Please get in touch if you would like me to write about an art event near you: richard@galleryart61.com www.galleryart61.com

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rdinary exhibition

Above left: Work by Jackie Fearn. Above and below: Work by Christine Hateley. Left: Work by Eric Watson.

Work by the Circle

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Village People Cleaner Greener Alvechurch offers tips on how to go green in the bathroom.

C

leaner Greener Alvechurch (CGA), the group that takes practical action to improve the natural environment and share ideas to help reduce environmental impact, has been asking its members for their top tips on reducing waste from the bathroom.

CGA member Susie makes her own facial toner with quarter cider vinegar to three quarters filtered water, while Benia uses a muslin cloth and a konjac sponge to clean and exfoliate her face. “The sponge lasts for a month or two and can be composted later. The

Ahead of World Book Day on March 5, CGA volunteers organised two swap shops of children’s fancy dress costumes at Alvechurch Library.

These gave parents and children the opportunity to obtain a second-hand outfit instead of buying a new one. Organisers predict that next year the demand for such cost-saving and planet-saving swap shops will grow.

Reduce bathroom waste muslin cloth can be machine-washed and I’ve been using it for more than a year now. My DIY products save me around £100 a year, at least,” she says.

CGA volunteer Jessica makes a facial scrub from coconut oil, used coffee and a bit of Demerara sugar.

Over the last couple of years, member John Shields has been researching sustainable products: “Companies are starting to respond to pressure from customers and more environmentally-friendly alternatives are now available. Soap and shampoo bars using natural ingredients are a simple first step – there are so many good brands as well as small independent producers. Lush is one option, while Friendly Soap has very reasonable prices.

“Toothbrushes with wooden handles and natural floss can be purchased online, at zero-waste shops and even large supermarkets; Colgate have now produced a wooden toothbrush as a trial. Try to avoid those with painted surfaces, which cause composting or recycling problems.

“Deodorant and moisturiser are available in glass, metal or cardboard packaging. Our family usually uses co-

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conut oil as a great natural alternative to mosturiser, and a simple alternative to shaving foam is a soap worked into a good lather. All-metal safety razors are easy to get hold of while brands such as Bulldog are currently testing bamboo razors.

“My advice to everyone is don’t try and change everything in one go.

Even one change can begin to make a huge difference!”

Mary from CGA uses Georganics to get her mouthwash tablets and toothpaste in reusable glass jars.

“Sometimes I manage to get recycled toilet paper that isn’t wrapped in plastic. Most of the things I buy are from Nature’s Intention in Bromsgrove, others from Natural Collection or local Little Plastic.”

Meanwhile, some local businesses are making a shift to greener products. Bliss Hair Therapy in Alvechurch, for example, has introduce eco-friendly, cruelty-free and vegan products.

Alvechurch & Bordesley Nursery School (near Alvechurch train station) runs a recycling scheme for many beauty and care products that cannot go into the green bin. Organiser Joceline Whittaker says: “Oral hygiene and beauty cosmetic packaging can be dropped off any time, in the Colgate box through the gate by the summerhouse. We recycle it through the Terracycle scheme, which changes waste into other products – it even turn nappies into bio-fuel. Find us on Facebook page or email hello-abns@ hotmail.com.”

The next meeting of Cleaner Greener Alvechurch will take place on Wednesday February 26, 7pm, at The Lounge. Everyone is welcome!

Village News Village What’s On

Recital by virtuoso guitarist U

nmissable! A word which well sums up any recital by worldfamous guitarist Craig Ogden, who will be paying a visit to Alvechurch in March. The much-travelled Australianborn virtuoso is currently on tour throughout the length and breadth of Britain – quite a coup, then, for The Midland Sinfonia to acquire his services as part of its annual programme of classical chamber music.

Craig’s concert at St Laurence Church on Saturday March 7 will include many of the popular favourites that have endeared him to audiences, including legions of radio listeners, all over the world: pieces by Albéniz (Sevilla and Asturias), Tarrega (Recuerdos de la Alhambra), Scarlatti, Coste, Borrios, Legnani, and the UK’s own Gary Ryan and George Harrison (Here Comes the Sun). You may not be familiar with every name and title, but you’ll certainly recognise the melodies.

The Sinfonia, now in its 25th season, is renowned for bringing music of high quality and great variety – chamber and orchestral classics, folk, jazz and

EVENTS St Laurence Bell Ringers are holding their annual Table Top Sale on Sat March 28 in The Ark, Alvechurch, from 10am– 3pm. Entrance is free; refreshments served all day. Phone Michael on 0121 447 7709 to book a table. Phone Colin on 01527 64077 (or talk to any bell ringer) if you have anything for the ringers’ table of bric-a-brac and books.

instrumental – to this corner of the Midlands, performing at either St Laurence or the adjoining Ark. Forthcoming concerts will include the Mozart horn concerto made famous by Flanders and Swann, and an American-themed programme of works

by Gershwin, Copland and others. Full details can be seen on the website.

An Audience with Craig Ogden will take place on Saturday March 7 at St Laurence Church, with doors opening at 7pm for a 7.30 start. You can purchase tickets for £20 (£5 for students and accompanied children) on the door, or in advance (£19) from Gin and Pickles, The Square, Alvechurch, or at www.midlandsinfonia.co.uk

what’s on guide Needleworks, Britten Street, B97 6HD), both from 5–7pm. Pop along for a chat with current host families. More info from Kelly on 07486 374918, Sharon on 01527 66036, or www.nightstop.org

A Women’s Breakfast takes place at Barnt Green Baptist Church, Bittell Road on Sat March 14 from 9–10.30am. Continentalstyle breakfast followed by a short talk, Living Life Well, by Judy Moore – actress, author and church leader. Cost £5; booking essential on events@bgb.org.uk

Fairfield Flicks, held at Fairfield Village Hall (B61 9LZ), has an animal theme this month, showing The Biggest Little Farm (PG) on Weds March 18 7.30pm (tickets £5) and The Zookeeper’s Wife (12A) on Weds March 25 at 2.15pm (tickets £3). Free parking, refreshments on sale.

Full information and tickets from www. fairfieldflicks.org.uk

Could you offer emergency accommodation to a young person in crisis?

Redditch Nightstop and Bromsgrove Basement Project are holding information events for potential host families: Thurs March 12 at Bromsgrove Basement Project, (Hanover House, 1 Hanover Street, B61 7HN) and Thurs March 19 at Redditch Nightstop (Units 4 & 5, The Old

Local volunteers of the Cancer Vaccines Charitable Trust are hosting events at Beoley Village Hall to “spread the word” about the development of a cancer vaccine and a clinical trial currently taking place. On Sun March 8 there’s a Coffee Afternoon from 2.30–4.30pm, with bring & buy stall, raffle, refreshments and free entry. Info about the vaccine and the

trial process will be available. Then on Sun May 17 there’s a Family Fun Day. More info on both events from Helen Barker on 01527 62581.

A Black & White Charity Ball takes place on Sat Sep 26 at Birmingham Botanical Gardens in aid of LAM Action, a charity supporting women with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Tickets £75 pp when buying a table of 10–12, or £80 for individual tickets – to include three-course meal, welcome drink, half bottle of wine pp, parking, entertainment and disco. There will also be an auction and raffle. For info and bookings, email: leannelillywhite1983@gmail.com, lamactionball@gmail.com, or search LAM Action Black & White Ball on Facebook.

St Godwald’s Community Cafe meets every other Friday (the next one is March 13) from 10.30am–12.30pm at St Godwald’s Room adjacent to the Church

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continued from previous page 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 the next course in 2020 at Barnt Green Baptist Church & St Andrew’s Church. Email outreach@bgb.org.uk, search #tryalpha or see www.bgb.org.uk

MUSIC Beoley Village Hall hosts as Ricky Cool and The In Crowd present ‘A Night at the Flamingo’ on Sat March 7. The band tell the story of The Flamingo Club in London, famous for Jamaican rhythm & blues bands and artists. Their previous visits to Beoley were sell-outs, so get your tickets early! Contact Richard on 01527 66646 (before 9pm please) to order tickets at £12.50 each. Hall and bar open at 7.15pm; band starts 8pm.

The Asklepios Orchestra (conducted by Lee Armstrong) give their Spring Concert on Sun March 29 at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Lickey, B45 8RR. The attractive programme will be: Klughardt’s Concert Overture in G; Manuel de Falla’s El Amor Brujo, which features the famous Ritual Fire Dance, and Beethoven’s Symphony no.

2 in D. Admission free – donations to the retiring collection much appreciated. Go along and show your support.

Scratchy Beard, an upbeat live quartet offering very accessible roots/alt-folk/ gypsy jazz music, play at Fairfield Village Hall on Sat March 28 at 6.30pm. They sing a song or two in French and enjoy the occasional appearance of a blues melodica and tin whistles, and often reveal the engaging stories behind the songs they perform. Tickets £8.50 in advance from Fairfield Café or www.fairfieldflicks.org. uk or £11 on the night (U16s £5).

Alvechurch Acoustic Roots’ 10th season continues on Fri March 27 at Alvechurch Social Club. Doors open 7.45pm. Only £5 (£4 concessions) to see some of the very best live music and performance in the area. Keep Music and Performance Live!

BROMSGROVE CONCERTS presents the Fitzwilliam String Quartet on Fri March 20 at Bromsgrove’s Artrix at 7.30pm. The group, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, will perform an exact

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repeat of the programme they gave for Bromsgrove Concerts in November 1980.

Tickets need to be bought directly from Bromsgrove Concerts, either online, by phone, by post or on the night – full details of ticket prices and subscriptions are at www.bromsgrove-concerts.org.uk

The Gemini Choir is seeking new singers.

They rehearse at the Parish Centre in Barnt Green usually every other Sat at 2.30pm for about two hours. No sight reading, no auditions; you just have to enjoy singing!

You will be made most welcome. Info from Philip Morris on 07969 741137.

THE MIDLAND Sinfonia presents Mozart and his Mentors on Sat April 4 at St Laurence Church, Alvechurch. Conducted

by Nic Fallowfield with guest horn player James Topp, the programme includes Boccherini and Haydn as well as Mozart.

Doors/bar open 7pm, music starts 7.30pm.

Tickets £16, or £15 in advance from www. midlandsinfonia.co.uk or Gin & Pickles, The Square, Alvechurch (student/accompanied child £5).

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.

Barnt Green Choral Society holds its Spring concert on Sat March 28 at All Saint’s Church, Bromsgrove at 7.30pm.

The programme includes Mozart’s Requiem and Haydn’s Nelson Mass. Tickets £12 at the door or from Fiona Brown on 0121 445 5513. For further information about the Society, visit www.barntgreenchoralsociety.org 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. They are in the hall every week in March except March 9 at the Club and March 30 at the Crown Inn. 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. See details opposite for their concert with Choir With No Name at St Laurence Church on March 14. Find out more about the choir at the new website, www.alvechurchcommunitychoir.org.uk or ask about booking them for an event by ringing Mary on 0121 445 5957.

Beoley Jazz Club runs a monthly jazz night on the 4th Wednesday of the month, featuring some fantastic “Trad” Jazz bands. On Weds March 25 there’s a return visit from The Sauce City Jazz Band, with fantastic entertainment guaranteed. Hall and bar open 7.15pm, music from 8pm. Tickets £10 in advance, or £11.50 on the door. For further details or advance tickets, call 07973 759340 or 01527 66646 (both before 9pm please).

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.

Bromsgrove Choral Society rehearses each Mon at 7.30pm in St John’s Middle School (Watt Close, Bromsgrove, B61 7DH). New members welcome.

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 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 4.30–7.30pm. Visit www. severnarts.org.uk/bromsgrove-musiccentre or call 01905 947300.

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, and the group’s aim is to produce a quality sound while supporting charity. Mondays 7.30–9.30pm at St John The Evangelist Church, Greenlands Ave, Redditch B98 7PZ. The marvellous men would love more tenor and bass voices! More info at www.belcantosingers. co.uk or from Liz Green on 01564 822672.

TARDEBIGGE CHURCH choir is seeking new recruits! The choir, based at St Bar-

Village What’s On tholomew’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! More info from 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 Alvechurch Sports & Social Club hosts a series of music events including ACOUSTIC ROOTS with a variety of local performers ten times a year, KARAOKE every Sunday evening and LIVE bands.

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

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

DANCING Graham & Denise Darby present a Saturday Night Social Dance in Sat March 7 at Lickey End Social Club in Bromsgrove, in support of the Midlands Air Ambulance and Guide Dogs for the Blind. Ballroom, Latin & Social Sequence Dancing to live music by Graham Darby. Doors open 7.30pm, dancing from 8–11pm. Entry £5 on the door. More details on 01543 502722 or www.grahamdarbysmusic.com 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 0AZ. Free parking. No membership re-

Giving homeless people a voice Alvechurch Community Choir is working with The Choir With No Name from Birmingham (a choir which supports and includes homeless people) to put on a joint concert, with the kind support of St Laurence Church.

Some readers will remember The Choir With No Name from their concert last spring at the Baptist Church, where they really impressed the audience. quired. No bar – bring your own drinks.

More info from Mick or Thelma on 01527 872634.

Aelfgythe Border Morris is actively seeking new dancers (female) and musicians (male or female) to join them for fun, exercise and dancing. They meet at 7.45pm every Wednesday in Alvechurch Baptist Church Hall. Everyone welcome.

Come and play traditional folk music, or try morris dancing. For more details call Pam on 07961 830 831.

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 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 world-famous (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, contact Steve on 07375 592928 or send an email to alvechurchbagman@gmail.com 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

Alvechurch Community Choir is looking forward to singing with them and is sponsoring the concert on Sat March 14 at 7.30 at St Laurence Church, Alvechurch. The concert is free and open to all, with donations to The Choir With No Name welcomed.

Enjoy some inspirational live music, and contribute to an organisation in which homeless people can find their voice.

DANCE SESSIONS take place every Tues 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 on 01527 69330 or nickylevy5@btconnect. com All proceeds to the Where Next Association.

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 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 Mon evening at 8pm at the Longbridge Social Club, 1012 Bristol Road South, Northfield. Occasional free tuition.

All welcome to a friendly fun-filled dance.

Details from Kalvin on 07725 265024.

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.

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

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

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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 Stores. More details on 0791 273 3226 or 0797 100 7604.

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

CLUBS, GROUPS & SOCIETIES INCREDIBLE EDIBLE (IE) Alvechurch meets every second Weds at The Crown Inn, Withybed Green from 7.30pm. The growing group of passionate gardeners (fruit and vegetables) like to expand their knowledge and wisdom of what is possible in the garden and in the community.

Inspired by the original IE Todmorden and their three plates: ‘Community, Education, Commerce.’ They would love to have your company. Contact Tim on 077849 44666 or incredibleediblealvechurch@gmail.com The Mothers Union at St Leonard’s Church, Beoley, holds a Wave of Prayer on March 12 at 2pm. On March 23 it’s Poetry & Worship with Irene Yates at 12.30pm, plus a Bring & Share Lunch. Details from Ros Prentice on 01527 62429.

The Bromsgrove Society’s next talk is on Tues March 17 at The Methodist Centre, Bromsgrove, at 7.45pm and is entitled 821 Years of History in our Town: Bromsgrove Court Leet. The speaker, Neil Beaumont, uncovers history of Bromsgrove’s very own, very ancient Court Leet. More info at www.bsoc.co.uk Men in Sheds is a group for those who have retired or been made redundant and want to spend time with like-minded people. The Redditch group meets every Tues and Thurs, 10am–1pm, at The Old Needle Works, Britten Street, Redditch B97 6HD. The Bromsgrove group meets Mon–Thurs, 10am–2pm at Unit 1, Metals & Ores Industrial Estate, Stoke Prior B60 4JZ. redditch Military History Society usually meets monthly in St Luke’s Church Hall (Evesham Road, Redditch, B97 4JX), 7

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for 7.30pm. More info from Ron on 01527 545450 or ronnieg33b@hotmail.co.uk

irrespective of political or religious belief.

Full details at www.brwr.uk

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 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 – RSVP to Kiran on 0121 445 5552 or Burcot.haa@cinnamoncc.com

ROTARY CLUB of North Worcestershire meets on Tues evenings 7 for 7.30pm at Droitwich Golf Club (Westford House, Ford Lane, Droitwich Spa WR9 0BQ). The group has an interesting programme of speakers and events throughout the year and engages in various projects helping to raise funds for local charities. New members welcome – more info from David Gilburn on 0121 445 1456.

Alvechurch Village Society has its AGM on Weds March 18 at Alvechurch Village Hall at 7.30pm, followed by drinks, nibbles and natter. Why not join the Society to enjoy life and help preserve the local environment? Join in with social events, guided walks and maintaining local footpaths. Info from Martin on 07742 100007 or www.alvechurchvs.org 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 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 Bromsgrove U3A. Retired/semi-retired?

Meetings with guest speakers 1st and 3rd Tues most months at Artrix, plus variety of activities and outings: something for everyone. Curious? Call 01527 870449 or see www.u3asites.org.uk/bromsgrove/home Bromsgrove & Redditch Welcomes Refugees (BRWR) is a group of volunteers supporting local refugees who’ve arrived under the government’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Relocation Scheme (SVPRS).

New volunteers always needed – training and support given. BRWR is open to all,

Catshill Carers Group is a group set up specifically to offer one afternoon a month of respite, socialising and occasional speakers to carers in the area. It meets on the last Tues each month in the coffee bar area of Catshill Methodist Church Centre in Golden Cross Lane from 2.30pm for about 1.5 hrs. All carers welcome, as well as those who used to care for someone who may have passed away or is now in a care facility. Tea and biscuits or cake provided – no charge. Contact Sheila (0121 445 2813) or Di (0121 445 3595) for details and encouragement.

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 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.

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 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

Village What’s On 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.

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.

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

Bromsgrove Photographic Society is a friendly, active and mutually supportive club for those interested in photography and digital imaging. The growing membership includes those with interests in both film and digital techniques, wide-ranging subjects and from highly-skilled photographers to novices. The club meets on Tuesday nights, 8–10pm at the Avoncroft Arts Centre. New members and visitors welcome. For more information, please visit www.bromsgroveps.co.uk ROTARY CLUB OF BROMSGROVE meets every 2nd Tues of the month at Maekong 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.

Heart of England Speakers is a small, friendly, public speaking club, based in Knowle near Solihull. It is affiliated to Toastmasters International, and meets on the 1st and 3rd Tues every month, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at the Greswolde Hotel, Knowle. More information at www.heartspeakers.org.uk Alvechurch 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

TV shows from script to screen WORDS, which celebrates and written and spoken word, presents From Script to Screen on Thurs April 2 at Bromsgrove School at 7.30pm.

Peter Lloyd, series producer of BBC daytime drama series Doctors, which celebrates its 20th birthday in March, will talk about the process of bringing the daily show to the screen.

Peter, who was educated at South Bromsgrove High School, joined the BBC in 1997 and has worked as script editor on Dalziel and Pascoe,

Dangerfield, The Scarlet Pimpernel and two series of the Afternoon Plays.

The talk will be in the school’s Library & Resource Centre (access via the Worcester Road entrance and car park, B61 7HP– transport buggy available).

Tickets cost £15 and are available via www.bromsgrovewords.com or from WORDS, 13 Robins Hill Drive, Alvechurch, B48 7NJ. Please make cheques payable to WORDS and include your postal and email addresses.

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

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. 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 contact the Parish Administrator on 0121 447 7097. midland ancestors usually meets monthly at 7.45pm at Bromsgrove Methodist Centre, 19 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove, B60 1AS. On Tues March 10, Malcom Atkin presents An Accident Waiting to Happen: The Battle of Worcester 1651. This talk explains how the battle came to be at Worcester by accident and how the events of September 3 took both sides by surprise. More info at www. bromsgrovebmsgh.co.uk 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 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

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.

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.

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 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

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continued from previous page speakers and outings, including occasional visits to the theatre. New members of all ages welcome. £10 annual membership, plus £2 fortnightly. Please ring Barbara on 0121 445 3456 or Anita on 445 3770.

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.

THE FRIENDSHIP Club of Barnt Green usually meets monthly at 2.15pm at the Friends Meeting House, Barnt Green.

Visitors £3 to include tea and biscuits.

On March 17 Doug Richard gives a talk entitled Hot and Cold. For more details call Rosalind on 0121 445 0598.

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. Info at: www.wbdcs.org.uk THE WEDNESDAY Club usually meets on the second Weds 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 March 11 it’s Musical Bingo with Tony Brannon. Info from Janet on 0121 447 7870 or Lis on 0121 445 3895.

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.

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 March 11, Jason Cross presents Capturing the Past and Present. 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/

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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.

LICKEY HILLS Local History Society usually meets monthly at 7.30pm in the Trinity Centre, Old Birmingham Road, Lickey B45 8ES. On March 17, David Whitaker presents How Radar Came to Malvern – how the Royal Radar Establishment was formed in 1953. Annual subscription: £15.

Non members: £3 per meeting. More info from info@lhlhs.org.uk or www.ccgi.lickey. plus.com Bromsgrove & Redditch Soroptimists usually meet every 2nd Thurs of the month at Burcot Village Hall. New members are welcome – pop to a meeting, email sibrsoroptimist@gmail.com or ring 07812 985927.

ALVECHURCH HISTORICAL Society usually meets on the first Mon of the month at 7.45pm at the Museum in School Lane, Alvechurch. On March 2, Vanessa Morgan presents Local Murders of the 19th Century.

More details from Anne Humphries on 0121 445 5955. New members welcome.

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 Weds each month at Alvechurch Cricket Club, Birmingham Road, 10.30am–12noon. Both deaf and hearing people are welcome.

More details from Pat on 07966 370448.

Bromsgrove Ladies Probus meets monthly for a light lunch with a speaker, networking and occasional outings. If you are a professional or business woman and are recently retired, or coming up to retirement and would like further info, email bromsgroveladiesprobus@gmail.com 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.

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 March 16, Dave Jones presents Birth of the Solar System. 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 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.

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. £2 per talk, to include tea and biscuits. For more information, go along or ring Joyce Linford on 0121 272 4443.

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.

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.

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

Contact Ann on 0121 447 7668 or visit www.hopwoodvillagehall.co.uk

SPORT, FITNESS & HEALTH Tennis Event: Sundown Saturday at Barnt Green Sports Club. A tennis social afternoon with players of all ages and abilities welcome (members and non-members). A

Village What’s On fun, friendly, family-orientated afternoon, followed by drinks in the sports bar. See specific dates at www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/ barntgreensportsclub/events FREE coach-led tennis sessions at Lickey Hills Golf Club, Rose Hill, Lickey, B45 8RR every Sat from 10–11.30am. All ages and abilities welcome, no equipment needed.

Sign up at www.tennisforfree.com DNCE-FIT Community Classes! Cofton Village Hall every Thurs. 5.30pm HIIT, 6.15pm Pilates and 7.15pm DNCE-FIT. Just £5 a month membership then £2 a class. More info: Facebook @dncefitcommunityclasses Alvechurch Village Society’s next walk is on Sun March 1, when Nickie Thomas (07740 463509) leads a walk There and Back Again. Meet at Tanyard Lane car park at 2.30pm.

PHYSIOTHERAPY: Specialist Orthopaedic, Musculoskeletal and Women’s Health.

Muscle/ joint conditions, sports injuries, ante/postnatal, pelvic floor. Over 14 years’ experience. Clinic in Cofton Hackett. Home visits. Contact Leila: 07813 080223, Leila.holmes@physioadvantage.co.uk or www.physioadvantage.co.uk 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 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.

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.

Martial Arts Class at The Ark, St Laurence Church, Alvechurch, every Tues 6.30–7.30pm. More details from Chris on 07507 696926.

Mindful Yoga & Meditation Classes.

For a Relaxed & Healthy Body and a Calm & Clear Mind. Friendly Classes, Weekend Workshops & 1–1’s in Alvechurch, Blackwell and Burcot Bromsgrove. Visit Sally’s website at: www.MyYogaMind.co.uk Contact her at: classes@MyYogaMind.co.uk or call/text: 07903 663085.

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.

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 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). New floodlight pitch, training and clubhouse facilities, extended car park. Experienced 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 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 Physiotherapy-Led Pilates Classes: Mon mornings, Tues & Weds evenings at Cofton

Hackett Village Hall. Mother & baby class 11.15am on Mon. 6 lessons for £55, £10 pay-as-you-go. Mixed ability classes to improve muscle tone and posture as well as overall body strength. Details from Beth on 07850 604425 or elizabethalexanderltd@gmail.com 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!

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!

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. New players always welcome, regardless of experience, as are any supporters to this family-orientated club. Details at www.newravens.net AEROBICS classes at Alvechurch School, Birmingham Road, Fridays 6.30–7.30pm (Tues classes suspended until further notice). Lapsed or new members welcome.

More info from Tony on 0121 445 1819.

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

Village What’s What’s On On Village outdoor fun and exercise! Training takes place at KNRFC Ash Lane, Hopwood, on Sundays from 10–11.30am. Contact Simon Thompson on 07968 424585 or visit www. knrfc.co.uk 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

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

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.

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.

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

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

CHILDREN & FAMILIES 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

The charity is particularly seeking male

mentors to work with boys for an hour a week, although female volunteers are also welcome. Anyone interested should be a good listener, patient and enjoy working with children and young people. If you can spare an hour or two a week, and you are able to commit to a minimum of six months, call Claire on 07973 572768, email Claire.Quinn@mentorlink.org.uk or for more info see www.mentorlink.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.

Barnt Green Preschool has been open since 1978. Open term-time only, sessions run 9am to 3pm Monday and Wednesday, 9am to 1pm Tuesday and Thursday. Offering learning through play in a nurturing home from home environment for children age 2 to 4, there’s lots of indoor and outdoor space to enjoy – the perfect place to start your children’s learning adventures as they prepare to start school. The preschool is proud of its OFSTED report (ref 205125) and offers government-funded places. For more information or to join the waiting list email barntgreenpreschool@ gmail.com or call 07790 017777.

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 The National Childbirth Trust runs antenatal courses in Alvechurch. These are designed to help parents prepare for labour, birth and early parenthood and run over a number of weekday evenings and/ or weekends. For info please call 0844 243 6873 or email bookings6d@nct.org.uk or visit www.nct.org.uk/confidence New Road Parents Support for parents of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans children meets monthly in Aston Fields. A confidential, voluntary, small support group for par-

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

continued from previous page ents 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.

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

games & COMPETITIONS Redditch Tabletop Gamers meet every Tues from 6.30–10:30pm at the Windmill Community Centre in Redditch. Visit www. redditchtabletopgamers.com for details or email hello@redwarsoc.com 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 Amphlett Hall, Crown Close, Bromsgrove B61 8DW. 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.

Details from Jan on 01905 772256.

7pm for an 8pm start. Further info from Karl Farrell on 0121 445 4616 or bluenostrils@outlook.com Monday Bridge Club at Barnt Green Friends Meeting House would like to welcome a few new members – for more info contact the organiser, Des Clarke, on 0121 453 3034.

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.

Bromsgrove Board Gamers is a friendly group which meets at 7.30pm each Weds at the Ladybird Inn, Aston Fields. More info on Facebook ‘Bromsgrove Board Gamers’.

Rummikub Club meets in the Social Room at Rowney Green Peace Hall fortnightly on Tuesdays from 2–4pm. Entry £2 to include tea and biscuits. You will be made very welcome! Info from Betty Oakley on 01527 63725. “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 or Eugene on 01527 871255 or 1944@ hotmail.co.uk

The Amphlett Bridge Club meets at Amphlett Hall, Crown Close, Bromsgrove B61 8DW, on Mon evenings. New members welcome, helpful guidance available and parking is excellent. Contact Alistair on 07814 393416.

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.

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

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.

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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 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, CRAFT & LITERATURE Withybed Poets are a group of poetry writers who meet in Withybed Green to share their poems and write together. They are open to anyone who enjoys writing and sharing poetry. They love reading their poems to audiences, which they do at the monthly Acoustic Roots in Alvechurch, but also for libraries, churches, community groups and festivals. They write poems on request for people and special occasions.

Next meeting is March 11 at 7.30pm; for details, or to ask about commissioning a poem, ring Mary on 0121 445 5957.

Alvechurch Night Knitters meet every Weds at 7pm in The Weighbridge pub.

There is a real mix of ages and abilities, so there is usually someone on hand to provide support when needed. If interested please contact Jennifer Slater on 07811 129473, or join the Facebook page Alvechurch Night Knitters.

Tuesday Art Group: Passionate about Painting? Come and join a friendly selfhelp art group on Tues afternoons in term time at the Friends Meeting House in Barnt Green. There are some vacancies at present. For info contact Jane Wilkes on 07813 267657 or email jw012e4614@blueyonder.co.uk Marlbrook Quilters is a friendly group that meets on the first Weds of the month from 10am–12noon at Avoncroft Craft Centre for fabric- and stitch-related talks, demonstrations and workshops. New members welcome. For more info call Vivienne on 0121 445 1945 or Sheila on 0121 445 2238.

Village What’s On 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.

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.

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.

BEAD & BANTER @ Lappelli - drop in sessions every Tuesday 6pm–8pm. Upcycle old jewellery or make new beaded jewellery. Have a chat, and a tea or coffee. Call Teresa 07791 702788 or visit lappelli.com 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 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 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 month, 7.15–9.30pm at Burcot Village Hall.

Info from John on 0121 458 5884 or visit www.burcotwoodturners.org.uk Alvechurch Readers Group now meets in the library on the last Tuesday of the month from 2pm until 3.30pm. New members always welcome. Please ring the Hub on 01905 822722 and ask for Alvechurch Library or pop into the library on the Birmingham Road.

ALVECHURCH 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.

LOVE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY! alvechurch library hosts its third meet of Green Shoots & Tips on Tues March 3 from 11.30am–12.30pm. It’s a casual meet-up for gardeners and growers to share experience, ideas and seeds, and an opportunity to meet like-minded people. There’s a great selection of gardening books to borrow too! l Andrew’s ongoing Watercolour Paint-

ing class starts again in at the beginning of April. Don’t rush out and buy all of the kit, just in case it’s not for you – Andrew is always happy for you to borrow his equipment. Contact him on 07942 293574 or email andrew.clacher@hotmail. co.uk with any questions. l Language tutor Patrick has a few

spaces on his ongoing Spanish class on Thursday afternoons. Email 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. l The very popular Crafty Kids group

sion is March 23. Free entry – there are spaces available but do book in advance. l The Library Readers Group meets up

on the last Tuesday of the month, 2.15 to 3.15. New members would be very welcome. l The library is the place to go if you

need IT assistance to complete and submit online applications for blue badge parking permits, concessionary bus passes and much more. Dedicated volunteers are available from 10am–12noon every Tuesday. l If you’re unable to visit the library in

person due to ill health or mobility issues, the Library Service at Home can help! If you meet the eligibility criteria, friendly volunteers will deliver books to you on a rolling monthly basis. Many titles are available in spoken word and large print texts. Get in touch for an application form. All users of the service will need to become a library member.

usually meets on the 3rd Mon each month, 3.30–4.30pm, apart from holidays.

It’s for kids aged 7+ who are interested in crafting or learning to sew and knit.

Cost 50p! Book in advance – pop into the library to confirm the next date.

l Do you find the opening hours too

l Chatterbooks Junior Book Club, for

l For any enquiries, pop into the library

children aged 7–12 who love reading, usually meets on the last Monday of the month from 3.30–4.30pm. The next ses-

restrictive? You can access online audio and e-books 24/7, free of charge by downloading the borrowbox app. Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/libraries to discover more. on Birmingham Road, contact The Hub on 01905 822722, email alvechurchlib@ worcestershire.gov.uk or see Facebook

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.

month. New members always welcome.

More info from Geoff on 07401 440064, Kevin on 07727 210617 or Terry at jackwalshauthor@gmail.com, or visit 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

Forge Mill Creative Textile Group (formerly Forge Mill Embroidery & Textile Group) are a friendly group of enthusiastic local crafters, both experienced and beginners, who meet weekly on Fri mornings at Beoley Village Hall. Various techniques and media are used to create textile artwork, such as printing, dyeing, hand and machine embroidery, along with fabric manipulation. They are a leisure learning and development group and work to a set programme. If you are interested in becoming a member, contact Lynda on 0121 4453212 or Rita on 01527 545973.

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.

WYTHALL WRITERS meet at the Peter Thompson Room at St Mary’s Church, Shawhurst Lane on the second Thurs each

THE “CRAFTY Ladies” craft group meets every Monday morning in Alvechurch

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Village What’s On continued from previous page Library from 10am–1pm, with knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting etc. More info on 01905 822722.

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

GARDENS & FLOWERS 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 ROWNEY GREEN Horticultural Society usually meets at the Village Hall on the 2nd Thurs each month, at 7.30pm. On March 12, Hilary Twigg returns with a talk and demo on Easy Rules on Pruning. Hilary is a most entertaining speaker and happy to answer questions. Guests always welcome - £3.50 including refreshments. For more info contact Lindsay Smith on 01527 592874.

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.

Rowney Green Flower Club: You don’t have to be a flower arranger to enjoy watching someone do magical things with beautiful flowers, with the opportunity to win one of the arrangements at the end. The club usually meets on the 4th Thurs of the month at Rowney Green Village Hall at 7.30pm. More info from 0121 445 2371 or felicityrixon@hotmail.com Dodford Gardening Club meets on the 2nd Monday each month (except August) usually in Dodford Village Hall at 7.45pm. New members and visitors welcome. More info at www.dodford gardeningclub.co.uk or call Penny on 07706 153618.

Solihull & District Orchid Society meets on the 1st Sat each month at St George

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& 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 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.

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 to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with tea and biscuits – you’ll receive a warm welcome and may even be lucky enough to win one of the arrangements. 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 Worcestershire Solo Warriors is a support group for single parents that meets monthly at low-cost child-friendly venues across the county. There is also an online support group for advice and information, plus outreach visits to those who find it difficult to attend. Find the group on Facebook or www.worcestershiresolowarriors. org, and email Sherisha to confirm attendance at worcestershiresolowarriors@ gmail.com 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.

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

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES FINSTALL CROSS WI meets at Finstall Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. For more info see www. finstallcrosswi.wordpress.com or email finstallcrosswi@gmail.com BEOLEY WI meets on the first Tuesday of each month in Beoley Village Hall at 7.30pm. More info from Joan Lovett on 01527 584047 or email beoleysec@ wfedwi.org.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 Bentley Pauncefoot WI meets at 7.30pm on the second Tues every month at Bentley Village Hall. More information 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.

Bromsgrove Belles WI meets on the second Monday each month at the Meeting Room at St Godwald’s Church at

Village What’s On 7.30pm. For more info, contact President Helen Holbeche at helenholbeche@gmail. 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.

ish Hall (Trinity Centre), Old Birmingham Road, Lickey. More info from Jenny Ryder on 0121 445 1872, Lickeywi@gmail.com or www.lickeywi.wordpress.com 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.

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

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.

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.

Lickey WI usually meets on the first Tues every month at 7.30pm in the Par-

Hopwood WI meets at Hopwood Village Hall on the first Thurs of the month

at 7.30pm. For more information call Ann Thurrell on 0121 447 7668.

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

To have your event or group listed in this section, send details to Sally Oldaker via the addresses on Page 3, by March 13.

To book a highlighted listing, call Louise on 0121 445 6757.

Village Baking

Go nuts for this cake Keen baker Jen Morris, of Rowney Green, bakes something special for Mother’s Day.

M

othering Sunday falls on March 22 this year and this is one of my mum’s favourite cakes. It’s a light, Mediterranean-style fruit cake, which is a good addition to an afternoon tea, because it isn’t too rich and doesn’t taste too sweet. It also stores well for a few days because the olive oil keeps the cake moist, but my family always consumes it in one sitting anyway!

Ingredients: 225g self-raising flour l 50g caster sugar l 125ml milk l 4 tbsp orange juice l 150ml olive oil (light, not extravirgin) l 100g dried fruit of your choice l 25g pine nuts l A little runny honey, to glaze the top l

Method: 1) Pre-heat your oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 and line a 18cm round cake tin with baking parchment.

2) Sieve the flour into a bowl and stir in the sugar.

3) Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients, pour in the milk and orange juice and beat together with a wooden spoon. The mixture will be very thick at this stage and will feel more like a bread dough than a cake batter.

4) Pour in the olive oil, dried fruit and pine nuts. Stir to combine. This will take a few minutes of steady stirring, as you are incorporating oil into a cake mix. It may look as if it will never

come together, but it will in the end – put some calming music on and take your time. . .

5) Once combined, pour the mix into the cake tin and bake in the pre-heated oven for 45 minutes until golden brown.

6) Carefully take out of the tin and cool on a wire rack. Then, if liked, brush over a little runny honey to glaze the top.

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