The Bridge February 2019
Gumdrop Bin Launch in Bewdley Last year ďŹ ve eager Bewdley School students pitched the Gumdrop recycling scheme to members of Wyre Forest District Council and now Gumdrop bins have been brought to Bewdley town centre. The students explained what a positive change there was after the bins, which collect chewing gum for recycling, were installed at the school in April 2018. Most students use the bins and the amount of chewing gum on the ground has reduced dramatically. The District Council were so impressed with the work that had taken place at The Bewdley School, they launched their own campaign on 10th November 2018. The bins are now in Bewdley, Kidderminster and Stourport town centres. Launch day was very successful in drawing attention to the litter problem that exists and the positive change we aim to make. The students drew rings around chewing gum on Bewdley’s pavements and watched as people realised just how much gum they were walking in. Look out for Gumdrop bins outside Bewdley Museum, on Severnside North and on Stourport Road near the school.
Photos: Star and Storm Powell on launch day.
Editorial News
The Bridge is the community voice of Bewdley It is free and delivered by volunteers to more than 4,600 homes every month Visit us at www.bewdleybridge.org.uk
Welcome to February’s edition of The Bridge. This month’s magazine celebrates some of the events that took place over a busy Christmas and New Year in Bewdley. Colin Hill’s pictures capture the fun of the Lions’ Club annual duck race, this year happily able to take place on its traditional New Year’s Day and bringing the crowds once again to the town. The winner of the Best Dressed Duck competition and her duck grace our front cover and pictures of the event are on the centre colour pages. The Christmas season saw the first of what may become a new tradition. Bewdley Community Theatre Group took a leap of faith when it first formed with the purpose of bringing back pantomime to the town. Read about how it went on page 47 and find out how you could become involved in the Group’s future plans. This month’s centrespread relives the fun and sparkle that entertained sell out audiences over four shows. Bewdley Festival now stages events throughout the year as well as in the traditional week in October. Find out about two plays coming to town on pages 11 and 31. This month also brings the very successful annual Youth Music Competition, a platform for a wide range of talent. See page 11. Page 27 brings a celebration of books. The Library are delighted that printed books seem to be making a comeback and the team behind Film of the Book Night tell us about their next event. Have you spotted some small brightly coloured bins on posts in the town centre? The page opposite explains why and praises the efforts of a group of environmentally minded Bewdley School students who persuaded the District Council to help Bewdley be free of chewing gum litter. And turn to the back page to find out what preparations Linda Iles will be making this month for the start of the nesting season. Spring is not far away! Gill
Sharing your news with us To share your news and photographs or advertise an event, please contact:
editorial@bewdleybridge.org.uk To advertise your company, please contact:
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Delivery If you can help deliver please email editorial@bewdleybridge.org.uk Deliverers mostly take out fewer than 50 magazines. Reserve list is also useful. Printed by Vernon Print & Design mail@vernon-print.co.uk Cover photograph Colin Hill Annie Pettican, aged 8, Winner of the Best Dressed Duck Competition at the New Year’s Day Duck Race. 3
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Introducing our Country Rover (CR) Tours on our new mini-coach DAY TOURS Thu 14 Feb Sun 17 Feb Sat 23 Feb Wed 27 Feb Sun 3 Mar
Dobbies & Bourton on the Water £17 Snowdrops at Deene park £23 Wakefield Rhubarb Festival £20 Oxford £17 Spring Lambs & Horseshoe Pass £19
Tue 5 Mar Sat 9 Mar Sat 16 Mar Thu 21 Mar Sat 23 Mar
Pershore & Pancakes £19 Wells Cathedral & Taunton £19 Newark & Southwell £19 Llandridnod Wells & Elan Valley £17 St Ives, The Fens & Ely £20
QUALITY HOLIDAYS 2019 11 Mar 29 Mar 13 Apr 13 Apr 29 Apr 18 May 16 June 8 July 21 July 26/07/2020
SPRINGTIME IN SIDMOUTH 5 days £360 MOTHERING SUNDAY IN LLANDUDNO 3 days £175 ISLES OF SCILLY 5 days £650 FALMOUTH 5 days £395 WEYMOUTH & DELIGHTFUL DORSET 5 days £340 COPENHAGEN & SWEDEN 8 days £930 ST AGNES & PADSTOW 7 days £510 DRAMATIC NORTH DEVON & LUNDY 5 days £400 ISLE OF WIGHT 7 days £490 OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 7 days £1210 Price includes dinner, bed and breakfast & excursions USUALLY PICKING UP WITHIN Tel 01299 402989 To Book / For Brochure / Private Hire WALKING DISTANCE OF YOUR (46 Sandbourne Drive, Bewdley, DY12 1BN) HOME Or visit www.phillipstravel.co.uk or Bewdley Tourist Information
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Community News
What’s
On
February 1 Music in the Hall: Arkansas Dave and his Band - see inside back page 3 Bewdley Footpaths Walk 1.45 for 2.00pm - see page 25 3 Forget Me Not Sunday Holy Family Meeting Room 2.00 - 4.00pm - see page 25 4 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 10.00 - 12noon 4 Bewdley W.I. St George's Hall 7.30pm - see page 31 4 Bewdley Floral Art Club Wharton Park Golf and Country Club 7.30pm - see page 19 5 Bewdley Film Club Shoot the Piano Player see page 41 & inside back page 6 Scrabble group Bewdley Baptist Church 10.00 - 12noon - see page 33 6 Mothers’ Union service and meeting - see page 21 7 Cinema in the Hall Royal Opera: Otello 7.00pm - see inside back page 9 Wyre Forest Young Musician of the Year Competition - see page 11 10 Ecumenical Taizé Service in Holy Family Catholic Church - see page 13 11 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 10.00 - 12 noon 12 Book Sale All Saints' Church 10.00 - 12noon - see page 35 12 Bewdley Civic Society St George's Hall 7.30pm - see page 41 14 Knit & Natter at the Methodist Church, High Street 2.00-4.00pm 14 Together Group Lunch Wribbenhall Parish Room12.30pm - see page 39 14 Cinema in the Hall The Seagull - see inside back page 16 Repair Café St George's Hall 10.00 - 2.00pm - see page 21 16 Bewdley Festival play Where is Mrs. Christie? - see pages 11 & 31 17 Messy Church Bewdley Baptist Church 4.00 - 6.00pm - see page 7 18 Bewdley Horticultural Society meeting - see page 41 18 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 10.00 - 12 noon 19 Wribbenhall WI meeting 1.30pm - see page 21 21 Film of the Book Night The Children Act - see page 27 & inside back page 23 All Saints’ Jumble Sale in Wribbenhall Parish Room - see page 35 25 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 10.00 - 12 noon 27 Bewdley/Wribbenhall Ladies’ Luncheon Club Mercure Hotel - see page 33 28 Together Group Wribbenhall Parish Room 2.00pm - see page 39 28 Cinema in the Hall Disobedience - see inside back page 28 Soroptimist Informal coffee morning George Hotel Bewdley 10.00am - see page 47 March 1 World Day of Prayer event - see page39 1 Music in the Hall: Cheley Tackett - see inside back page 2 Ruskin in Wyre exhibition opens in Bewdley Museum 3 Bewdley Footpaths Walk 1.45 for 2.00pm - see page 25 5 Bewdley Film Club A Fantastic Woman - see page 41 & inside back page 15 Bewdley WI Quiz - see page 31 17 Bewdley Twinning Association Quiz - see page 25 5
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WE’R E
Bewdley Church Servicesl
Church of England Parishes of Bewdley and Wribbenhall Rector: Rev Megan Gibbins On the first Sunday of every month at 10.30 am we hold a Holy Communion Service in one of our churches. Service on 3rd February is at All Saints’ in the Parish Room On other Sundays, services are normally held at the following times: 9.30am 9.30am 11.15am 11.15am
All Saints’ Church, Wribbenhall St Anne’s Church, Load Street St Leonard’s Church, Ribbesford St Andrew’s Church, Button Oak (second Sunday of the month only)
Services usually last for about an hour and range from traditional to more modern to family. All Saints’, St Anne’s and St Leonard’s each have a children’s area. Separate organised children’s activities are available during the service in St Anne’s. Other services and events are held in our churches during the week – for more information see the calendar on our website : www.bewdleyparish.org.uk Wish to book a wedding at one of our churches? Please contact Paul Gibbins gibbins.paul@talk21.com to arrange an appointment. Thinking about Baptism? For St Anne’s and St Leonard’s come to a 9.30 am Sunday service at St Anne’s, for All Saints’ come to a 9.30 am Sunday service at All Saints’ – and we’ll chat over coffee.
Bewdley Baptist Church
Bewdley Methodist Church
High Street Sundays at 10am A relaxed style of worship with lively music for all ages. Sundays at 6.30pm: varied types of services. Church Office 01299 403267 www.bewdley.baptist.org.uk
High Street Sundays at 10.30am A warm welcome to all for traditional worship in a friendly atmosphere. Monthly Sunday Club for children. Revd Sue Levitt 01299 826641 www.bewdleymethodists.org.uk
Holy Family Catholic Church
Religious Society of Friends
High Street Sunday Mass at 8am For weekday masses, please see our noticeboard Local contact Deacon John O’Brien Parish Office 01299 822633 www.stwulstanstourport.org.uk
(Quakers) Meeting House Lower Park
Sunday 10.30-11.30am A quiet, contemplative form of worship, with occasional ‘spoken ministry’. Children’s Meeting have their own activity before joining in the Meeting. www.bewdleyquaker.org.uk
Riverside Church St George’s Hall, Load St. Sundays at 10.30 Friendly and fun for all regardless of age or background, our family service lasts for about an hour and a half and has both modern and traditional worship followed by a short time of easy to follow bible teaching. www.riversideelim.com 7
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Food Glorious Food Steak & Wine night Wednesdays 6-9pm £25.00 for two people: 2 steaks, wine & all the trimmings.
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Senior Citizen Two Course Lunch Mon to Sat great value: 2 courses only £9.95 FAMILY roast chicken £30 (booking req’d) Outside catering for Parties, Wakes and Weddings. Pig roast also available for hire. PRIVATE HIRE for special occasions. Large parties catered for.
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Church News l Prayer in St. Anne’s Church St Anne’s is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 2pm. During this time we welcome our many friends from the town and visitors to the town, with light refreshments available. There are fairly-traded items from around the world for sale too. The church is also open at these times for private prayer. You are always welcome to pray in church, and there is also a side chapel (towards the front on the left-hand side) that you can use if you wish. Here you can light a candle or pin a prayer request on the board. Each week these requests are offered by the regular Saturday morning prayer group. St Leonard’s church at Ribbesford is also usually open in daylight hours for prayer, peace and quiet.
61 High Street,Bewdley am Monday-Friday 01299 403267 office@bewdleybaptist.org.uk
Messy Church 17th February 4-6pm Messy Church takes place on the third Sunday of each month and is a safe, comfortable and enjoyable place for all ages to come and explore the Christian faith through a variety of creative fun ways. Messy Church is all about having fun in that messiness! It’s a chance to come together, to enjoy craft activities, stories, singing and food! AND there is no charge.It’s not just another children’s club though, this is for the whole family! So come along on 17th February. ALL WELCOME! This is church, but not like you’ve known. It’s creative. It’s messy. It’s FUN!
You are invited to join us at Riverside Elim Rivertots – Every Monday 9.15am - 11.30am All are welcome, just turn up. Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, hot drinks available and meet other parents. A safe and enjoyable place for your children to come and play. Limitless Youth – Wednesday 7.30 – 9pm for 11 to16s A night of fun games and laughter. Every Wednesday we meet to let off a bit of mid week steam with our high school students. The night is relaxed with a monthly theme. Coffee Morning - Every Wednesday 10am - 12 noon Love Coffee - Love People Followed by Wednesday Church 2.30pm to 2pm. Worship, Prayer and Bible Study. Everyone welcome. For further info contact admin@riversideelim.com, call the office on 01299 405535 or visit www.riversideelim.com 9
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Severnside School of Dancing Classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Classical Greek, and Acrobatic Dance held at the Wheatsheaf Room, Bewdley Institute Special Junior hour Fridays 4-5 Training for Festivals and exams Contact Joyce Campbell on 01299 400633 Like us in Facebook
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Church News l
All Saints’ Church Kidderminster Road Wribbenhall Sunday 3rd February 10.30am Benefice service in Parish Room. (All other services are in the back of church) Monday 4th February Compline at 7.0pm Tuesday 12th February Monthly book sale 10-12 noon all books 5 for £1. Also jig-saw puzzles, CDs & DVDs Saturday 23rd February Jumble Sale in the Parish Room 10-12 Knit and Natter group meets every Monday 10 - 12 Ring Gail on 01299 401685
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) We meet every Sunday at 10:30am at our historic Meeting House.You are welcome to join us in our special silence. Why not hire our Meeting Hall? Phone 01299 405214 or 075120 55570 - State of the art overhead digital projector and sound system - Broadband internet for video streaming, free WiFi - Modern kitchen facilities www.bewdleyquakers.org.uk
You're welcome at Bewdley Methodist Church We meet for worship at 10.30am each Sunday Our next 'Music in the Chapel' concert is Songs of Love and Redemption featuring the music of Bewdley's own Jim Ineson Saturday 23 March at 2.30pm Tickets £8 inc. light refreshments Tel. 01299 400284 or email info@bewdleymethodists.org.uk To enquire about baptism, marriage or funerals please contact Revd Sue Levitt 01299 826641 www.bewdleymethodists.org.uk
Holy Family Catholic Church Bewdley Within the parish of St. Wulstan and St. Thomas of Canterbury Stourport on Severn Situated on the High Street, this delightful Palladian Grade II* listed church was built circa 1778 and adopted by the Catholic Church in 1951. The church is open daily for quiet prayer and reflection. Also based here is the Bewdley conference of the St.Vincent de Paul Society, a charity that works with those in need in the area. PARISH PRIEST: Fr. Richard Sharples Parish Office: 01299 822633 11
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Community News
Bewdley Festival 2019 Bewdley Festival begins this year’s programme with two terrific plays and the annual Youth Music Competition, all in St George’s Hall. The first event is the Wyre Forest Young Musician of the Year Competition always a tremendous and well-supported evening. Each year young singers and musicians from across Wyre Forest aged between 12 and 18 enter the competition in a number of categories. The grand finale on Saturday 9th February at 7:00 pm is open to members of the public. This year the prizes include a recording session at Serious Studios in 2018 Winners Stourport. Tickets for the finale and prize-giving are £5 from the Hall café or online from www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk. On Saturday 16th February Bewdley Festival presents a play from the Worcester Repertory Company Where is Mrs Christie? a one-woman show starring Liz Grand centred on the mysterious eleven day disappearance of the author Agatha Christie during the 1920s. More details on page 31. Saturday 23rd March sees Bewdley Festival bring the highly acclaimed comedy Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain to the St George’s Hall stage, weeks before the play moves to New York for a Broadway run. The play is set in rural England in June 1942 and the audience becomes a troop of newly arrived soldiers from the USA for the evening to be instructed by “Experts” on how to fit into the British way of life. Tickets for each of the plays are £12 and available from the Festival web site www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk or from the Hall café. 13
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Community News
The Guild of St George Celebrating 2019 February 8th, 2019 is the Bicentenary of the birth of John Ruskin. The Guild of St George are celebrating the artist, art critic, educator, social thinker and true polymath with a major exhibition in London John Ruskin: The Power of Seeing. This will bring together over 190 paintings, drawings, plaster casts, manuscripts and minerals to illustrate how Ruskin’s attitude to beauty shaped his radical views on culture and society. John Ruskin the Power of Seeing. 26th January – 22nd April Two Temple Place, London. www.twotempleplace.org We are delighted to present an exhibition at Bewdley Museum. Beautiful, peaceful, fruitful: Ruskin in Wyre. 2nd March – 28th April www.guildofstgeorge.org.uk This will celebrate the Heritage Lottery supported project Ruskin in Wyre mixing new art and craft work alongside historic items. People who participated in the project explored the heritage of Ruskin Land in the Wyre Forest showing how Ruskin’s vision for a place that is ‘beautiful, peaceful and fruitful’ can be reinterpreted and reinvigorated by communities working with the Wyre Community Land Trust in a practical and sustainable way for the future. The exhibition will feature work by John Ruskin himself and by John Wharlton Bunney, from the Ruskin Collection of the Guild of St George at Museums Sheffield. (Photo: Bridge in Riverside North Park made by Wyre Community Land Trust.) The Bewdley Exhibition needs gallery stewards. We would very much like to encourage volunteers to help us. We plan to run some craft activities throughout the exhibition, if you are able to help, we’d like to hear from you. Please get in touch with kate@wyreclt.org.uk or call 01299 488083.
Ecumenical Taizé Service Holy Family Catholic Church Bewdley Sunday 10th February 6.30pm - 7.30pm Half an hour of Taizé music, prayer and silent reflection, followed by half an hour of refreshments. All are welcome. 15
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Community News
The Pickup Artists in Bewdley The Pickup Artists held a litter pick in Bewdley on Saturday 12th January and were delighted when 19 people came to help.This was a huge increase on the numbers at previous events and shows that more people than ever are starting to take action against the litter which lines our streets. A number of areas were covered during the 90 minute litter pick and 20 bin bags were left for collection by WFDC. After the litter pick everyone who had helped were offered a free hot drink at The George to warm them up. Michelle Medler, founder of the Pickup Artists said "We normally get about 6 people turn up to an event so I was a little worried I might run out of equipment. Luckily we had enough for every one and it was lovely to see so many strangers all coming together at the start of the event and contact numbers were being passed at the end to arrange their own litter picks and other events. I hope this enthusiasm continues in Kidderminster and Stourport. " Since the beginning of 2019 the Pickup Artists have been on individual litter picks and arranged group events. So far we estimate we have taken over 50 bags off the streets of Stourport, 40 off the streets off Kidderminster and 40 off the streets in Bewdley. There are also individuals in the surrounding area who work just as hard in Alveley, Comhampton and Blakedown. The Pickup Artists can be found on Facebook and are currently designing a web page for everyone who doesn't have social media. We have lots of exciting new projects in the next coming months and are very excited about making a difference to where we live. Michelle Medler
Bewdley and the Black Country Foodbank 2018 has seen rising client numbers and 20% more adults and children have been fed than in the previous year. Universal Credit continues to be a challenge as many people are temporarily without any income, which can often lead to debt and hardship. During the last months of 2018 the congregation of St.Anne's Church and members of the local community generously gave 316kg of food to help meet the needs of the 286 adults and 155 children across the Black Country who use the foodbank. Thank you for your ongoing support, much needed and greatly appreciated. Ron Capell 15
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Community News
Whispering Street Butchers
Jim Palmer, Maggie Palmer, Gladys Palmer, my Grandma, and Frank Palmer
I was pleased to read the article in January by Rita Maylam about the Family Butchers that was in Westbourne Street, or Whispering Street as it was then.Yes, I also remember it as it was my Great Uncle James Palmer's business and a well known and busy business it was too.
Although I live in Kidderminster I spent a great deal of time in my preschool years staying with my Grandma who lived next door to the shop. I too can remember the animals being brought to the holding pen under the railway bridge before being brought down to the slaughter house behind the shop. I remember the clatter of the hooves as they came down the entry between the butchers shop and my Grandma’s house. I was not allowed to go out in the courtyard at the back of the shop where the slaughter house was, as my Grandma did not think it was a fitting thing for me to see. I hasten to say it did not stop me taking a sneak view as to what all the noise was about when she was not looking! My father and two of my brothers used to deliver the meat when they were young on a bicycle with a basket on the front. They had to go to Kidderminster to fetch ice before fridges came into use. My Dad's middle brother Alan, who was also a butcher, helped Uncle Jim in the shop sometimes along with Auntie Maggie, Jim’s wife and one of Jim’s brothers Frank who was better known to most people as Ain’t because it was a word he used a lot. Fond memories. Susan Brown (néePalmer) Stevanco’s Hair Salon
Bewdley Floral Art Club Wharton Park Golf and Country Club Monday 4th February 7.30pm Monday 4th March 7.30 pm Demonstrator Dawn Keitley “Extarordinary Women” Visitors and friends are always welcome.
Lickhill Colts Football Club Stourport’s newest Grassroots Football Club are looking for players in the current school Year 7 to strengthen their U12 squad. All coaches are FA Level 1 qualified, First Aid trained and DBS checked. Contact Chris Tracey on 07973 791025 or find us on Facebook. (Bewdley Town Football Club do not currently have an U12 team.) 21
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Transition Bewdley Repair Café and the “right to repair” Bridge readers may have heard recent talk in the media about the “right to repair” – new proposed EU legislation to require manufacturers to make their appliances repairable. Bewdley Repair Café welcome this proposal as we do often get items brought for repair which we cannot get into despite our extensive collection of special screw-drivers and, even if we can get inside, we sometimes identify faulty components for which we cannot get replacements. The proposed legislation is in response to pressure from consumer organisations and repair activists such as repair Cafés due to an increase of designed obsolescence and un-repairability. Many people think that it does not go far enough. The legislation which will require appliances to be longer lasting and easier to repair only applies to lighting, televisions and large home appliances. Pressure groups want it extended to smaller items such as smart phones and printers and say that independent and volunteer repairers should be given access to spare parts and information. The British Government are likely to replicate the legislation in order that our manufacturers can export to Europe. Come along to our next Repair Café on Saturday 16th February and chat about this with our volunteers. John Rhymer
Wribbenhall WI
Wednesday 6th February 10.15am Communion Service
Wribbenhall Parish Room Third Tuesday of the month 1.30 - 3.30pm 19th February Craft Exhibition and Talk
followed by Tips from my Mother Join us to share useful tips you learnt as a child and for refreshments. St. Anne’s Church, Bewdley
We now have have nearly 50 members. Do come and join us!
Exhibition at St George’s Hall The first exhibition of 2019 in the Café at St George’s Hall is by artist Lesley Connolly, an associate member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists who exhibits widely throughout the Midlands. Best known for her wild life paintings, Lesley also paints landscapes inspired by the Wyre Forest and the Severn Valley. The exhibition runs until the 10th of February. 21
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Gas Heating & Plumbing Installation, Servicing & Maintenance Corgi Reg No 211096
Natural Gas, LPG & Oil Call Mark on 01299 401329 or 07760 451584 for a reliable service
Local man John Kirk has over 30 years experience of many trades offering a professional service with pride. Skills Available Painting Fencing Blockpaving/Slabbing Grounds / Garden maintenance Building maintenance Internal & External Free Quotes available within 24 Hrs Please contact John on any of the following details and he will aim to respond asap. Mobile : 07748 861130 Home : 01299 878725 Email: Kirkj07@outlook.com 22
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STEPHEN GOFFE GARDEN SERVICES
Specialist Services
SG Gardening Maintenance
SPECIALISTS IN:GARDEN MAINTENANCE GRASS CUTTING AND GARDEN RENOVATIONS
With over 10 years experience. All gardening aspects of work undertaken, No job too big or too small. For a friendly and reliable service call Stuart.
For Fast & Friendly Service contact: M: 07512 589665 or T: 01299 402622
Garden Maintenance Professional Pruning Weed control Tree surgery Pressure cleaning Free Estimates Qualified & Insured SG Gardening Maintenance 12 Shrubbery Close, Cookley, DY10 3UH
Green Leaf LANDSCAPES & DESIGN Kevin Hayes N.C.H.(Pershore)
Planting Plans Pergolas Pruning Water features Patios Walls and fences Phone: 01299 400465 Mob :07866 964427
Tel: 01562 261003 Mob: 07900474049
Pete Wall Fencing
Full Range of Quality Garden Products Delivered to your door.
Tree Pruning
Ambassador Multi Purp 40ltr. 6 bags Only £25 Levington Multi Purp 50ltr 4 bags Only £22.80 Levington Farm Manure 50ltr 4 bags £18.80 Levington Giant Growbag 4 bags for £20 Decorative Bark 70ltr. 5 bags for £34 *Stockists of SHL Professional Composts Range of Bagged Aggregate Available
and Hedge Trimming Fully Insured
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more offers @ !"#$%&"'()*%#!!$+)%,-.,#/ !"#$%&"'()*%#!!$+)%,-.,#/
01299 405477
Call: Paul on 01562 741820
07956 172825
Mob: 07704 346506 Delivery £3.00 - Orders £25+ Delivered Free! Fast & Friendly Service
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Community News
Forget Me Not Sundays Like me and many others, you may find Sundays to be quiet and alone times. Sundays can be a time when families meet together or friends are busying themselves for the coming week. Being alone at these times can be distressing, isolating and lonely, a time to dwell on the negatives. That's why we are organising an informal get together on the first Sunday of each month. If you are bereaved or alone on a Sunday, pop in for a cuppa, cake and chat. We might just make one another a little brighter and lessen the alone times. Next meeting is on Sunday 3rd February 2.00 - 4.00pm Holy Family Meeting Room, High Street, Bewdley. Further details from the Parish Office 01299 822633 parish@stwulstanstourport.org.uk Everyone welcome
St. Patrick’s Day Quiz The Hop Pole Cleobury Road Sunday 17th March 7.00 for 7.30pm Teams maximum of 6 £10 per person including supper In aid of Bewdley Twinning Association Please book your place with Louise Bale 01299 401295
Rug Rats Rug Rats is a fun time for little ones and their mums and dads to drop in between 9.30 and 11.30. Lots of toys and things to do and a time for carers to chat over a cup of coffee. For pre-schoolers and babies at St Anne's Church every Tuesday morning during term time. For more information contact Ann on 07929980761 email anncapell@icloud.com
Bewdley Footpaths Meets in the garden on the east side of the river just below Bewdley bridge at 1.45pm for a prompt start at 2pm. Sunday 3rd February Wribbenhall /Catchems End Approx 3 miles. Easy/moderate walk. Sunday 3rd March Coopers Mill Approx 5 miles. Moderate/strenuous walk 27
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New Year’s Day Duck Race Bewdley’s New Year’s Day Duck Race brought out the crowds to see this spectacle on the River Severn. Over 700 plastic ducks entered the race, raising over £200 for the Lions’ charity funds. Race Winner was Andy MacDonald with duck number 75. Winner of the Best Dressed Duck Competition, chosen by Mayor of Bewdley Roger Coleman, was Annie Pettican aged 8. See front cover.
Photos: Colin Hill Kidderminster and District Lions Club wish to thank Wyre Forest and Stourbridge Canoe Clubs for collecting the ducks to avoid river pollution; Severn Area Rescue Association for providing safety cover on the river; Rotary Club of Bewdley for their assistance in crowd control and road safety; and businesses in Bewdley that sponsored the event.
Bewdley Community Group Pantomim January 2019
y Theatre ime 9
Bewdley Rotary Club December’s Christmas lights event was a huge success raising over £2200 for Rotary charities. We ran a hot pork roll stand together with mulled wine and mince pies. Find out more at www.bewdleyrotaryclub.org Photos: Colin Hill
Alongside us were the Interact Club based at The Bewdley School selling chocolate marshmallows. They raised £400 towards their project which is supplying books and educational equipment for the Cornerstone school in Kititi, Uganda. Ethan Hardwick and Zoe Hogan from The Bewdley School.
Estelle Pugh and staff from Ashley’s Bakery, winners of the Best Christmas Window
Community News
Bewdley Library By the time you have read this the Worcestershire Libraries Consultation will have concluded and the feedback will be collated ready for the outcome to be announced in the spring of this year.Thank you to all who have returned the consultation form to us or filled it in online and we will be letting you all know in due course what the next stage of the process will entail. We would like to thank the many people who turned up at the Public Meeting in December, and fielded pertinent and informed questions to Lucy Hodgson the Cabinet Member for Communities and Kate Holford from the Library Management team. The customer support we have received over the last few months has been greatly appreciated by all the staff at Bewdley, and across the county. Great news for Bewdley Library - the amount of visitors has increased this year, and the amount of books borrowed has also increased in comparison to last year and the year before. Coincidently the sale of printed books rose in the UK in 2018 for the 4th year running so it looks like the printed book is making a significant comeback! After January's Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration and New Year's Health and Dieting Display, February will be seeing us celebrating LGBTQ month with a special tie-in for Valentine's Day. Jonathan Halsall
Cinema in the Hall and Bewdley Festival Literary Events present Film of the Book Night On Thursday February 21st our community cinema in St George’s Hall will host another popular Film of the Book Night. The film this time is The Children Act which stars Emma Thompson as the family court judge who has to decide whether to force a teenager to accept a life-saving blood transfusion that he rejects because of his religious convictions. The Express described the film as a classy British drama and judged Emma Thompson’s lead performance to be “MAGNIFICENT!”. The film is based on a bestseller by the British novelist Ian McEwan. As is usual on these evenings Bewdley Festival Literary Events will hold a book-group style discussion immediately after the film. These have always been well received and give people who have read the book the opportunity to share their views on the differences between the book and the film, consider the reasons behind the director’s choices and discuss what worked well and what didn’t. Normally the discussion last about half an hour. Everybody who has seen the film is welcome to attend whether they’ve read the book or not. Further details can be found inside the back cover of this copy of The Bridge or on the Internet at www.thehall-bewdley.org.uk/cinema-in-the-hall. Robert Ronsson 27
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BE FITTER, STRONGER AND MORE FLEXIBLE
PROTECT YOUR SPINE
FEEL BETTER… BE HEALTHY…
Edward Cound - Registered Osteopath
Back pain, Sciatica & Trapped Nerves Headaches, Migraines and Arthritic pains Neck & Shoulder pain and Postural problems Sports Injuries. Also Hip, Knee and Ankle problems
PILATES CLASSES ST GEORGE’S HALL Wednesday evenings & Thursday mornings
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Our Allotments need you Are you nifty in the garden and looking for an allotment to grow your own vegetables? Looking for a new hobby? Look no further, the Bliss Gate Village Playing Field Charity are going to be converting some of their beautiful green space into a number of allotments. If this is something you’d be interested in and would like more details, please email Jim Lawson, Chairman, at jfarquharsonlawson@sky.com with your name, address and contact details. Please note these allotments will be rented on a first come first serve and we anticipate them going quickly, so don’t miss out, contact us now.
Private Tuition Given in Physics GCSE/AS/A2 and KS2/GCSE/AS/A2 Maths Call Roy on 01299 409 460 29
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Bewdley Cricket Club is located on High Street, sandwiched between the idyllic River Severn and Red Hill at its Lower Park Headquarters. Set amid some of Worcestershire's finest rural scenery, the ground is considered one of the prettiest in the county. The ground is the perfect backdrop to any celebration, be it a birthday, christening, or wedding, and the wonderful out door space is complimented by a large furnished patio area. The clubhouse, having been entirely refurbished in 2012, boasts a fully licensed bar with a range of draught beer and has the capacity for parties up to 100 people. With a fully equipped kitchen, the club is able to host self catered events and has seating capacity for up to 50 people. With Wi-Fi capability and big screen projection, the club lends itself as a perfect venue for small scale conferences, meetings and team building events for businesses.
Tel: 07870 752274 Web: www.bewdley.play-cricket.com Email: bewdleycricketclub@gmail.com Twitter: @BewdleyCC
Contact us now to discuss your requirementsâ&#x20AC;Ś.
Facebook: BewdleyCC
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Community News
Where is Mrs. Christie? A play by Chris Jaeger Saturday 16th February 7.30pm St George’s Hall, Bewdley A joint presentation from Bewdley Festival Events and St George’s Hall Venue Management The mysterious eleven-day disappearance of Agatha Christie during the 1920s, an object of fascinating speculation worthy of one of her own detective thrillers, is the source of this onewoman touring production by the Worcester Rep Company. Author Chris Jaeger cunningly turns the "whodunnit" into a "whydunnit" with Agatha herself as narrator, defendant and defence counsel. It is the delicate, often ironical interplay between these roles that makes for such compelling viewing. All aspects of Mrs. Christie's life, as author, mother, daughter, wife and literary celebrity are explored with candour, connfessional, conspiratorial roguishness and waspish wit. Narrative tension is expertly sustained as, like Hamlet, Agatha refuses to let anyone "pluck out the heart of her mystery". Liz Grand's performance in the title role is compelling. So persuasive is she that we the audience become co-conspirators. Her Mrs. Christie is irresistibly engaging, vulnerable, confiding and ultimately indomitable in her strength of spirit. It is a master-class in nuanced delivery and dramatic timing, deliberately tantalising, directed unfussily and designed for spoton period fidelity. Tickets: £12 from www.thehall-bewdley.org.uk or from Hall Café
Bewdley WI Quiz
Bewdley WI
St. George’s Hall Friday March 15th Tickets £9 per head (to include fish and chip supper) Teams of 4 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm start. Come and try your Quiz Skills ! Further details and tickets from paulinegeddie@hotmail.com
St. George’s Hall Bewdley at 7.30pm Monday 4th February Talk by Owen Raybould "Foraging in the Wyre Forest" Monday 4th March Discussion, debate and social evening Visitors Welcome - Entrance Fee £3.50 (Refreshments included) 31
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High Quality Fruit & Vegetables (inc seasonal produce, locally grown)
Fish, Eggs, Local Honey & Marmalade. Flowers for all Occasions (Special Orders Catered For)
Online ordering now available at www.bewdleyfarmshop.co.uk Register with us for regular FREE deliveries to your door HEALTHY START vouchers accepted
Dog Lane • Bewdley • Worcs • DY12 2EF : bewdleyfarmshop@btconnect.com
t :
01299 400346 38
Community News
Community Transport seeks part time Coordinator Community Transport Wyre Forest had a bumper year again in 2018 with over 50 local volunteer drivers helping over 600 local Wyre Forest residents make essential journeys. Now that our local bus operator has cut some routes, Community Transport is more in demand than ever. We are looking for a permanent part time coordinator to work 20 hours per week in our busy office in Bewdley. The rate of pay is £8.50 per hour. Covering North West Worcestershire, Community Transport Wyre Forest is a charity that provides a door to door transport service using volunteer drivers’ own cars and our four specialist vehicles. We run journeys to the doctors, dentists and hospitals, shops, a wide range of social gatherings or just to meet up with friends and relatives. The duties include taking bookings by phone, email or online; and scheduling volunteers and vehicles to provide the required transport. This is a customer service role. We are looking for someone used to working in a busy office with a friendly telephone manner, good IT skills, and a sympathetic understanding of the needs of people from a wide range of backgrounds. The duties also include undertaking a wide range of administrative work in support of the Chief Officer. For more information look at our website www.ctwyre.org.uk For an initial discussion contact Beverley Coldrick, Chief Officer at Community Transport Wyre Forest on 01299 669840. Applicants should send their CV together with a covering letter explaining their reasons for applying to Beverley Coldrick, Community Transport Wyre Forest, St George’s Hall, Load Street, Bewdley DY12 2EQ no later than 28 February 2019.
Bewdley/Wribbenhall Ladies’ Luncheon Club
Scrabble at Bewdley Baptist Church Do you know anyone who would like to play Scrabble? On the first Wednesday of each month a Scrabble Group meets in Bewdley Baptist Church. The next meeting is on Wednesday 6th February 10am-12 noon in Back Hall, Bewdley Baptist Church. A donation towards refreshments is appreciated. Ring Beverley 01299 823505 or Church Office 01299 403267 for information. Everyone regardless of ability or experience is invited to come along. If possible please bring a scrabble game. We look forward to seeing you.
In December, following a lovely seasonal meal, we very much enjoyed hearing the Royal British Legion Choir, singing favourite carols, and members were happy to join in. On 27th February we are pleased to welcome John Butterworth, who will speak on Hotels with a Famous Guest List. All ladies are most welcome to join us at the Mercure, and our secretary will be delighted to hear from you, either to book or to make further enquiries about all our monthly meetings. Tel: 01299 877908. 39
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We at ifoothealthcare take your health seriously. We are registered on the accredited register which enables people to get better care by ensuring that the health practitioners they visit !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! are competent and trustworthy. We always protect the public when necessary, we give clear
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Community News
All Saints’ Church Monthly Book Sale
Old Fashioned Jumble Sale Old Fashioned Prices
Tuesday 12th February 10 to12
Saturday 23rd February 10 to 12
All Saints’ Church, Kidderminster Road, Wribbenhall, Bewdley DY12 1DQ
Wribbenhall Parish Room Kidderminster Road, Wribbenhall, Bewdley, DY12 1DQ
Jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, CDs Free refreshments and a warm welcome always assured
Nearly new clothes, Bric-a-brac, Books, DVDs, CDs, Toys, Jigsaw puzzles, etc Refreshments
We probably have the biggest collection of second hand books in Bewdley, of all categories.
Entrance 30p In aid of All Saints’ Church
Five books for £1
SAVE THE DATE! Pound The Bounds 5th May 2019 A variety of walks around the Parish boundary of Rock in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside to support Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. For more info go to www.rockpoundthebounds.com Live Wyres is a social club for single people. We meet in pubs around the area and hold dances and other events in a range of venues from hotels to village halls. The following are a few of our events for February: Saturday 2nd Pantomime –Little Red Riding Hood, Civic Centre, Stourport Tuesday 5th Pub Night at The Queen’s Head, Wolverley. DY11 5XB Tuesday 12th Pub Night at The Old House at Home, B’ham Rd, Blakedown. DY10 3JE Saturday 16th Live Wyres Valentines Dance at Kinver Community Centre, DY7 6ET Tuesday 19th Pub Night at the Eagle and Spur, Castle Road, Cookley, DY10 3TB Tuesday 26th Pub Night at The Island Pool,W’h’ton Road , Cookley, Kidderminster. DY10 3RX We always welcome new members. Any one interested can find out further information at our website www.livewyres.moonfruit.com or contact Sandra on 01299 400979 41
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IRENA Foot Clinic
!From absolutely terrified to euphoric in 90 mins"#
!Delivers the feel good factor"# Do you like to sing in the car or shower? No need to read music just be prepared to laugh and make new friends! Spring sessions start on January 10th, 2019 … Thursday$s, 1.30 - 3.00pm# Wyre Room, St. George$s Hall, Bewdley, DY12 2EQ#
1st session free!# Beginners welcome# Contact - 07801225883# sarah@singandtonic.co.uk# http://www.singandtonic.co.uk
Do you Suffer Discomfort From: Corns Callus/Dry Skin Fungal Infection Thickened Nails Verrucas/Warts Athletes Foot Ingrowing Toe Nails Skin Problems/Smelly Feet Diabetes Being Unable to cut your own nails For professional treatment at my surgery or in your own home. Contact Irena on :
01299 841277 or 07795 958186 25 years experience Free vascular check of the foot The Old Farmhouse, Button Bridge, Kinlet, Bewdley, DY12 3AW email: hessins@gmail.com Irena s.a.c. dip.(Dist). f.h.p.p. n.cf.e. r.f.h.p.
Mr R A Hughes D.O. Registered Osteopath and Sports Therapist Osteopathy / Cranial Osteopathy Over 20 years’ experience Fully qualified and registered since 1995 Established in Bewdley in 1998 Sciatica, Arthritis, Trapped Nerves, Headaches, Sports InjuriesBack, Neck and Shoulder Pain 07961 352056 rahughesosteo@gmail.com Bridge House – FREE CAR PARKING 42
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TLC Care at Home are a family run business; we are based in Bewdley and work across the Wyre Forest. We support people in the community to continue living in their own homes. We have been inspected by the Care Quality Commission "CQC" and have received an Overall GOOD with an OUTSTANDING for “is the service caring” this is an incredible achievement and all thanks to a fabulous team! We are now looking for new and experienced care staff to join our company. Whilst experience is good it is not essential as we are looking for caring people who want to make a difference. We will provide all the training and support you need. TLC are interested in meeting people who share our values, energy and enthusiasm. TLC work hard to ensure all our staff are supported and valued. If you are finding yourself at a loose end now your children have flown the nest, looking for a company that appreciates you or just want a career change; if you would like a challenge and would like to know more, apply today! • Excellent rate of pay with enhanced pay over weekends • Generous fuel allowance • Paid travel times in-between calls • Support with progression towards NVQ two, three and five If you are kind, honest, hardworking then we would really like to hear from you. Please contact us by email jacqui@tlc-careathome.co.uk if you have any questions please ring 01299 405605 or find us on Facebook, website www.tlccareathome.com Salary: £7.90 to £9.00 /hour. Job Type: Full-time/Part- time positions available. 43
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23#4)15%43&4#3%/)+6%"763*%"18%4")1*9%)1:0';9%"'+6')+)*9%% *7)"+)7"%"18%63"8"763*%"')*)15%<'&-%+63%137=> Treatment available outside normal working hours based at Cleobury Chiropractic in Cleobury Mortimer High Street !"##$%07506 287191, 07932 000028 &'%()*)+$%www.jsosteopaths.co.uk. ,-")#$%jamesosteopaths@gmail.com. .&##&/%0*%&1$ facebook.com/jsosteopaths
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Community News
World Day of Prayer A women led, global, ecumenical movement FRIDAY 1ST MARCH – 2.30 pm BEWDLEY BAPTIST CHURCH Come – Everything is Ready! Everything is ready and the invitation is for everyone - men, women and children of all agesto join this Day of Prayer service prepared by the Women of Slovenia. World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation which enables us to hear the thoughts of women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers. In this service the women of Slovenia encourage us to reflect on the barriers they have faced since the end of the Second World War when their country was a part of Yugoslavia, a Marxist socialist republic.They share the challenges they have met and the hopes they have for the future. The Day of Prayer is celebrated in over 120 countries. It begins in Samoa and prayer in native languages travels throughout the world - through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas - before finishing in American Samoa some 38 hours later. Refreshments from Slovenia will be available after the service.
Together Group We meet twice per month to encourage those not so young to come together and enjoy good company. Why not come and join this friendly group on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month in Wribbenhall Parish Room. Thursday 14th February 12.30pm for lunch at 1.00pm. £4 Thursday 28th February 2.00pm for talk tea and cake. £2 For more information and to book lunch ring Liz Davies 01299403053
Severn Scribes Calligraphy and Associated Crafts Would you like to consider learning Calligraphy? Roundhand, uncial, italic. Meetings are friendly and informal with Severn Scribes. Members learn from each other at self-help sessions and at workshops by qualified tutors. They use a variety of crafts, styles and equipment to create personalised gifts and cards. Meetings are held at The Community Centre, Shaw Hedge Road,Wribbenhall, Bewdley DY12 1EU 2nd Thursday 1.30 - 4pm; Last Saturday 10 - 4pm September - May except December. For more information contact: Sue Weston severnscribes@yahoo.co.uk Sylvia Auden sylviaauden@icloud.com 45
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Bewdley Film Club Spring 2019 The new season of Bewdley Film Club begins in February, with the members’ choice of Shoot the Piano Player, picked partly as a tribute to Charles Aznavour who died in 2018. This year’s calendar has a break in mid-summer so the programme so far takes us to July. The subscription for the season is £20, which means entry for all six films. And customers are always welcome on the night for each film £5.00 on the door. Films are shown on the first Tuesday of each month, at 7.30 pm, in St George’s Hall, Bewdley. For links to each film, find us on Facebook! The full programme is: February 5th Shoot the Piano Player 1960, France March 5th A Fantastic Woman 2017, Chile April 2nd Land of Mine 2017, Denmark May 7th After the Storm 2017, Japan June 4th Chinatown 1974, USA July 2nd,The Devil's Backbone 2001, Spain Come and join us for an exciting international programme, all on the big screen! Colin Billett
Bewdley Horticultural Society AGM
Bewdley Civic Society Tuesday 12th February 7.30pm St. George’s Hall
followed by a talk on Floral Art by ANDREW LLOYD Monday 18th February 7.00 for 7.30pm
Hagley Hall, the Lyttleton Family and the Bewdley Connection by Lord Cobham
Riverside Church, Dog Lane Non members welcome
Non members welcome
A message from TLC Care at Home TLC Care at Home provided Christmas dinners to all the people we support in our local community. I would like to thank The Quality Butchers in Bewdley and The Farm Shop in Bewdley for supplying produce and turkey at cost price; Hayley, Max, Ellie, Lesley, Rachel, Nesta, Lisa and Tracey for delivering all of the 70 dinners, puddings, cracker, and pressies; Pam who helped Jacqui and Pete with the cooking and Sue, Les and Joe for holding the fort while this was happening. A HAPPY NEW YEAR! 47
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Hagley Clock Clinic Ltd
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Est: 1978
Repairs, restoration & servicing of antique & fine clocks and other mechanical devices. Telephone: 01562 885080 www.hagleyclockclinic.co.uk
9$:)!/;<=>?)
Degree trained
!/012324056)7)3240861056 )
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07989 964854
Dr Vivien Newrick Homeopath
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medically qualified and registered homeopathic practitioner
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Tel : 01299 401617 Mob : 07884 098582 vivnewrick@hotmail.com www.vivnewrickhomeopathy.co.uk
Vicarage Service Garage Ltd Established 50 Years Qualified Technicians Special For Bewdley & Surrounding Areas FREE COLLECTION BYTHE THEBUSINESS BUSINESSPROPRIETOR PROPIETOR (LIVING BY (LIVINGLOCALLY) LOCALLY)
FOR ALL YOUR MOTS ONLY £30.00 MOTS £25.00 WITH A FULL SERVICE SERVICING FROM £49.95 + VAT REPAIRS DIAGNOSTICS
PLEASE TELEPHONE FOR FRIENDLY SERVICE ON
0121 5591860 DAYTIME 07793535988 MOBILE 42
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MARK WILLIAMS FIPW & F.INST.PA PROFESSIONAL WILLWRITER “A lifetime’s attention to the most complex of legal investigations as a retired Detective Superintendent means you can definitely trust Mark to write your Will.” Wills or Powers of Attorney from £85
Free Will Reviews, Big Savings on Funeral Plans, Probate & Care Home Fee Avoidance Instructions taken in the comfort of your own home T: 01299 251442 M: 07966 053887 E: mark@ambalegalservices.co.uk www.ambalegalservices.co.uk Trading Standards Approved
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SEVERN VALLEY PAYROLL SERVICES For a free confidential no obligation quote please contact Denise Dodd and her hearing dog Paddy to arrange an appointment Mobile 07724 375794 text only Home phone 01299 402533 Email severnvalleypayroll@outlook.com â&#x20AC;˘ Bespoke payroll service â&#x20AC;˘ Fully insured â&#x20AC;˘ 32 years payroll experience within manufacturing, public and private sector â&#x20AC;˘ Experience of payroll within care agencies â&#x20AC;˘ Bookkeeping, administration and self-assessed taxes services also provided â&#x20AC;˘ Free confidential no obligation quotes â&#x20AC;˘ Appointments on request â&#x20AC;˘ Fully confidential with signed clauses â&#x20AC;˘ Fully insured
Telephone: 01299 403105
Private Chapel of Rest Bank House Severnside South Bewdley, Worcestershire www.bewdley.actinet.net/bince
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Community News
Chess in Bewdley Bewdley took a step forward to becoming a chess friendly town on Saturday 5th January when the Courtyard in Sevenside South opened the door for chess players to play a game while having drink. Owner Mr Antony Jarvis sponsored the successful Christmas Knock-out chess competition at St Anne`s Church when John Whitehead won the St Anne`s Plate with John Holbrook coming a close second. The winner received a voucher for a meal for two, courtesy of the Courtyard. Mr Jarvis said he would like to see more chess played in the town giving Bewdley a continental touch and something extra for the visitors. He will keep two sets at the Courtyard for customers’ use. We hope the idea will catch on in Bewdley. Keith Thompson
Rock Pathfinders Free guided walks of 2-3 hours, off the roads and into the countryside. The February walks will be on Thursdays starting at 10.30 am. 7th from Sanders Park Bromsgrove alongside the A448 Kidderminster Road B61 7JT SO reference 954707 21st from Sports & Social Club Love Lane, Cleobury Mortimer DY14 8PE SO reference 671759 All welcome. For our full programme see www.rockpathfinders.uk or ring Alan on 01299 400304 or Jan on 01299 832571
The Community Workshop and Café We had a busy time in the run up to Christmas making Advent candles, Christmas cards and tree decorations, incorporating many skills including lino printing, copper wire and wood work. In 2019 we are offering some new weekend workshops in bow making, painting and drawing, willow work and lyre making. We currently have popular courses in jewellery, print making, woodwork, stained glass, home schooling, man shed (open to women too!). Let us know if there is a skill you would like to learn. The open-mic night on 13th of December was great fun and brought in quite a crowd. Watch the website for our next event. On Wednesdays at 10am we are offering free knit and natter mornings. We would love you to come along with your knitting and craft projects, make new friends and maybe learn new skills. At the same time you can sample the lovely cakes, soups, teas and coffees available in the Workshop Café We are patiently waiting for an improvement in the weather to begin work in our garden. We hope to grow enough fruit and vegetables to supply the café. Come and see us! Our café is open every day except Sundays. 51
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Bewdley Community Theatre Pantomime Bewdley Community Theatre Group wowed audiences with its sparkling production of “Cinderella” in the first week in January at the Mercure Bewdley the Heath Hotel. Four performances, two on Saturday, entertained more than 750 people with the blossoming romance between downtrodden Cinderella and the dashing Prince Charming. The Theatre Group was formed specially to put on the show which was supported by National Lottery funding and local sponsors including Mercure Bewdley the Heath Hotel, Doddingtree Estate Agents and Wyre Hire for which the Group is very grateful. Kyle Daisley, producer of the show praised the performers, back stage technicians, band, choir and front of house helpers for pulling off such a successful show. The show’s director, Helen Heeley added “so much work was put into the Pantomime and we really hope that the audiences enjoyed it. We even received a standing ovation on the last night! Despite some challenges the whole journey of putting on this show was so thrilling, and we are so proud of our Theatre Group family!” The Group hope that “Cinderella” will be the first of many successes. The performance also featured songs written exclusively for the show by Musical Director Jim Ineson and performed by a live band and choir. The Bewdley Community Theatre Group’s website and Facebook page contains photos and more, including how to get in touch if you would like to get involved in the next performance – search “Bewdley Community Theatre Group”. Nick Farress Kidderminster and District Soroptimists Our next Business meeting is on Thursday 7th February at 7.30 pm at Baxter Church Rooms, Bullring, Kidderminster. Our monthly Supper/Speaker meetings at La Brasserie, Kidderminster now start at 7.30 pm. We look forward to seeing everybody on Thursday 21st February. We finish the month with our regular informal coffee morning on 28th February, the last Thursday of the month, from 10 am onwards at the George Hotel in Bewdley. Do come along and meet some of us. Advance notice: Our annual Bridge Tournament takes place on 24th April at its customary venue: Blakedown Parish Rooms from 10.30 am until 4.00pm. Entry is £12 per player. For further details and to book places call Sue Merrill on 07831487648 or 01562700079 or email: susanmerrill8@gmail.com. For more details about the club and its activities and meetings contact us: Tel. 01299 266101 or email: kidderminstersorop@gmail.com Website: http://sigbi.org/kidderminster-anddistrict/ Facebook: Soroptimists Kidderminster. Visitors are always welcome! Women inspiring action transforming lives 53
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Community News
A letter from Bewdley Medical Centre Dear Patients, We, the Doctors and the other members of our healthcare team, work very long days, often forfeiting spending time with our families. We pride ourselves on providing, where possible, an “on the day” service, meaning patients don’t have to wait weeks to speak to or see a GP or other member of the primary healthcare team. Waiting times in other areas of the UK can be 4-5 weeks. To ease pressure on the phone lines, and if you have internet access, we encourage you to sign up for online access. Please contact Reception for more information. We are currently trying to recruit more GP’s to replace the Doctors that have left, and also manage unplanned leave due to bereavement and sickness. Nationally we were promised 5000 more GPs by 2021. In fact there are 1000 fewer GPs, and more leaving the profession every day, this is making recruitment very difficult. Please use your local community pharmacy to order your prescription medicines and obtain clinical advice for minor health concerns. For any dental problems, please see your Dentist. For eye problems, please speak to your Optician. We are very proud of our Friends and Family test results, and over the past 12 months, 92% of our patients said they would recommend us. We request that any feedback or concerns are sent directly to the Practice (Site Manager) via telephone, letter or email bmcinfo@nhs.net. Thank you for your understanding. Drs Montandon, Gates, Sutton, Davis, Shand, Kneebone Have you thought about joining our Patient Participation Group (PPG)? A PPG is a volunteer group of patients who work with their GP practice to help it plan and improve its services by ensuring that the patient perspective is always represented.The main purpose of the group is to give a patient's view on the work that we are doing or planning. Are you interested in improving health services at YOUR practice? Geting involved: if you are interested in becoming involved please provide us with your contact details to Reception or email to the Site Manager bmcinfo@nhs.net.
Capernwray Capers Charity Talent Show Come and enjoy being entertained by some of our brilliant talent at Bewdley Baptist Church on Saturday 23rd March 5.00 -7.30pm. All profit raised is in aid of the transport costs to enable young people from our church to have a week’s adventure at the Christian Centre of Capernwray this summer. Entry for adults is £5, free for children with a cuppa and cake included. We look forward to you joining us. For more details, please contact the church office (weekday am only) on 01299 403267 55
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Washing Machine Repairs and Sales Cooker Repairs Julian Breakwell Telephone: 07791 633 746 Repairs to all makes including: • Hoover • Zanussi
• Hotpoint • Bosch
NO CALL OUT CHARGE FIXED LABOUR COST 51
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At Wright Solicitors we work to help our clients with those important changes in life …. Whether moving house, making a will, considering divorce or facing bereavement – our experienced professionals provide a personal legal service that you will value.
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6 Load Street, Bewdley, DY12 2AF
Tel: 01299 402741 info@wright-solicitors.co.uk www.wright-solicitors.co.uk
With over 35 years experience in manufacturing educational and office furniture, Witley Jones brings you an innovative and exciting new dimension for home office and fitted bedroom furniture – Witley Direct. Drawing on our highly skilled in-house manufacturing and design teams, Witley Direct offers you the chance to liven up your home – from a new bright and vibrant bedside cabinet, to a luxurious fitted home office. Contact now, for an informal discussion or to proceed with a home visit from one of our design team. website – www.witleydirect.co.uk email – enquiries@witleydirect.co.uk telephone – 01299 828888 mobile – 07785 613366
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What’s on in the Hall Cinema in the Hall
Music in the Hall
Cinema tickets £5.00 (u18 £4) Café Bar opens 6.45pm. Films start 7.30pm.
Doors and bar open 7.30pm Friday February 1st
Tuesday Feb 5th: Bewdley Film Club Presents:
Arkansas Dave
Shoot The Pianist (1960) Classic French cinema from François Truffaut. Thursday February 7th :
Otello from the Royal Opera House
A recorded live performance of Verdi’s thrilling Shakespearean opera starring Jonas Kaufmann. Tickets £12 Thursday February 14th:
The Seagull (12A) Starring Annette Bening and Saoirse Ronan. “This Chekhov adaptation is often very funny. And not just in its deft treatment of a hilariously elaborate love hexagon.” The Times Thursday February 21st:
Film of the Book – The Children Act (12) A judge decides if a teenage Jehovah's Witness is forced to have a life-saving blood transfusion. “A MAGNIFICENT lead performance from Emma Thompson in this classy British drama.” Express Thursday February 28th:
Disobedience (15) A woman (Rachel Weisz) returns to the London Orthodox Jewish community that shunned her for her attraction to a female childhood friend. “A rich and rewarding drama … expertly controlled, richly satisfying and powerfully acted.” The Guardian
Arkansas Dave delivers an exciting, rock heavy edge to Americana with upbeat, energetic, head banging songs as well as mid-tempo and down-tempo tunes that bring out your emotional side. His musicianship is exceptional and incredibly infectious. He promises an outstanding set with enthralling, instantly gratifying music. Friday March 1st
CheleyTackett One of Nashville's most celebrated emerging artists. Her lyrical intensity and melodic craftsmanship have earned recognition and respect. Tickets £12.00 (u18 £5) https://musicinthehall.co.uk
All tickets may be reserved at https://thehall-bewdley.org.uk or purchased in advance from the café in St Georges Hall
Art Exhibition in the Café Until February 16th
LESLEY CONNOLLY RBSA
Rooms at St George’s Hall are available for private bookings telephone 01299 400110 or go to https://thehall-bewdley.org.uk St. George's Hall, Load Street, Bewdley DY12 2EQ
February in the Forest February 14th to 21st is National Nestbox Week. It always coincides with St Valentine’s Day, which I think is rather sweet. I’ll be using the opportunity to gain some woodworking skills and I’m hoping the birds aren’t too fussy about the finish! Advice on the dimensions and siting of boxes for different species of birds can be found in an excellent new book by the British Trust for Ornithology: ‘Nestboxes: Your Complete Guide’. Over the years we have put up many boxes that didn’t get used, or didn’t attract the species intended. The Blue and Great Tits have probably had a population explosion around here thanks to the boxes we put up to attract Redstarts to nest in the cherry orchard. The answer there is to block the entrance holes until the Redstarts arrive from abroad, but we’re not as quick off the mark as we should be. In the garden we have a few boxes that have never been used but I shall persevere and try them in different places. I try to think like a bird: is it safe from cats; will it be too hot in summer; are wasps, bees or mice already using it? You can help to make nest boxes safe by fixing a metal plate or ring around the entrance hole, preventing woodpeckers and squirrels from pecking or chewing their way in to predate the occupants. Another way we can help is to provide nesting materials. This could include feathers from old pillows, sheep’s wool and moss from the lawn. Beware of long fibres in which nestlings could get entangled. Materials could be offered near a bird table in a satsuma net or just left in a shrub or flower bed. Nest boxes can be cleaned out when the nesting season is over, and since several species have more than one brood this probably means waiting until autumn. Old nests are often infested with fleas and other parasites, so all nesting material should be thrown a good distance away from the box. If you walk in the woods in or near Ruskin Land you will notice that a number of larger boxes have been placed for Tawny Owls, Barn Owls and Kestrels. Our support for wildlifefriendly farming comes from the EU via a Countryside Agreement with the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs. The parcels of land which belong to the Guild of St George and others under private ownership all have their own agreements, all of which are designed to increase biodiversity. The substantial, triangular-shaped boxes are built for us by the volunteers of the Wyre Community Land Trust and then placed in positions which should be attractive to Barn Owls. There is no guarantee that they will avail themselves of the best ‘des. res.’ in the area but we’ll keep a lookout for the tell-tale blur of white swooping low at dusk. Linda Iles