The Bridge - March 2020

The Bridge March 2020

March in the Forest The Wyre Forest is drained from west to east by the Dowles Brook, which in turn is fed by its smaller tributaries such as Bell Brook, running from its source near the A456 northwards through Uncllys Farm, then on down a delightful little valley. (The photograph

by Mick Farmer shows the waterfall on the brook.) Dotted around the nearby forest are freshwater pools sitting on impermeable clay and draining into the nearest downhill watercourse. Recently I have written about the ‘Slow the Flow’ scheme which delays the water in these upper catchments from joining the Dowles and Severn to help avoid destructive flooding.

I am one of the volunteers who wander the forest from February to April making note of the amount of frogspawn in these large and small pools. I was recruited to the team by Rosemary Winnall of the Wyre Forest Study Group, present organisers of the survey which began in 1988 under the auspices of the Nature Conservancy Council. Long term studies of this kind are extremely valuable, especially in view of likely climate change. The frogs are, in general, breeding successfully but we do notice that the pools gradually change over time, responding to local conditions, and can become less attractive to frogs and their tadpoles.

To help this situation some of the ponds on Forestry Commission and Natural England (i.e. public) land will be managed by cutting back vegetation around their edges and also taking out some excess water plants. The wildlife in each pool will be monitored to see if these actions have the desired effect. As I am the kind of person who enjoys getting wet and muddy (but not cold), I hope I’ll be able to lend a hand with the work later in the year when the water warms up!

The other survey in which I will be involved this month is the deer census. On a couple of consecutive Saturdays about 30 volunteers will arrive in their allocated sections of forest before dawn and will comb the woodland noting any deer they encounter. The majority will be Fallow Deer but the little Muntjacs have shown a steady increase in numbers, to the annoyance of foresters whose young trees they like to chew. They are the size of a dog and bark like one too, and breed all year round unlike the Fallow does who produce a single fawn in June. At the collection point our survey results are rewarded with a hot cup of tea and a bacon sandwich. The privilege of experiencing a spring dawn in one of the best woodlands in England may only occur to me once I’ve enjoyed a hot bath at home.

Linda Iles

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

This month I want to draw your attention to the time. Not in any philosophical "a time for tears, a time for laughter" sort of way or how late it is already, but to that itchy, nubbly sense we all have somewhere inside our brains that says, "I think it's time I tried to do that now". A friend and I have noticed that what seems to happen is that we have said, "I really must sort out my .....kitchen/leaky tap/car service. It wouldn't need a lot of money or effort", and then we talk about something else.

Because, of course, it Isn't Time. Then I'll pop over to her house for a cuppa and see a workman's van outside, and an out-of action kitchen while the workman sorts out that annoying kitcheny thing. Because all of a sudden it Was Time. Quite often I will be inspired by her get-up-and-go and I'll reach for a workman's phone number to sort out my annoying plumbing thing. And it will all be wonderfully ďŹ xed, because for me right then it Became Time.

Sometimes it can be another form of Right Time. This occurs when the task in hand has been put off, sometimes for many months, so ghastly is the job. We have silenced the itchy nubbly feeling so effectively that it has disappeared apart from popping into a sleepless night in the form of nagging anxiety. "I'll never get it done!" we moan, pummelling the pillow. The only way, and I offer this red-hot tip free of charge, is to have a free couple of hours during which you are supposed to be doing something even more ghastly - cleaning out the garage, doing a tax return, apologising to someone you really don't get on with, cleaning out the drains. Only then will you recall with relief that you said you would do whatever that niggly but not quite so awful task was and do that instead.

So listen up, parents of those with offspring who have essays and homework to do. Tell them they have to clean out the drain. It will get their creative juices owing in no time.

Don't say the Bridge never educates and informs.

Margaret

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Cover photograph: Spring lambs by Margaret Ashmore 3

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Introducing our Country Rover (CR) Tours on our new mini-bus DAY TOURS Wed 4 Mar Oxford via the Cotswolds £17 Sat 28 Mar Sat 7 Mar Leighton Buzzard Market & Woburn £20 Sun 5 Apr Tue 10 Mar Minibus tour-Upton-Upon-Severn £17 Wed 8 Apr Sun 15 Mar Skipton & Haworth £20 Sun 12 Apr Wed 25 Mar Stow-on-the-Wold & Burford £17 Sun 13 Apr 30 Mar 30 Mar 14 Apr 17 May 26 May 8 Jun 20 Jun 5 Jul 26 Jul 2 Aug

Wells Cathedral & Clarks Village £19 Llanberis Railway £26 Minibus-Clun & Robbers Grave £17 Easter Sunday Weymouth £22 Easter Monday Evesham Blossom £17

QUALITY HOLIDAYS 2020

ISLES OF SCILLY 5 days £660 MOUNT’S BAY & THE TIN COAST 5 days £370 DARTMOOR: THE ULTIMATE ESCAPE 5 days £340 DUNKIRK 80 (B&B only) 5 days £390 THE LAKES & CUMBRIA 5 days £370 DRAMATIC SNOWDONIA & ANGLESEY 5 days £365 ST AGNES & CORNISH GEMS 5 days £405 EASTBOURNE 7 days £480 OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY 7 days £1210 ISLE OF WIGHT 7 days £525 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

4

Community News

What’s

On

March 1 Bewdley Footpaths walk from Bewdley Bridge 1.45pm - see page 19 1 Forget Me Not Sunday meeting Holy Family Meeting room 2pm - see page 35 1 Lenten service Baptist Church 6.30pm - see page 29 2 Bewdley Floral Art Club Wharton Park Golf Club 7.30pm - see page 45 2 Bewdley W.I. meeting St George’s Hall 7.30pm - see page 21 2 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 9.30am 4 The Big Quiz Simply Limitless, Puxton Lane 6.15pm - see page 27 5 Talk The Bewdley School 4pm - see page 31 5 Rock Pathfinders walk 10.30am - see page 29 6 Bewdley Rotary Music & Laughter night St George’s Hall 8pm - see page 11 7 Quaker Day of Healing Friends Meeting House, Lower Park 11am to 3pm - see page 35 8 Lenten service Methodist Church 6.30pm - see page 29 9 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 9.30am 10 Book Sale All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 10 till 12noon 12 Talk The Bewdley School 4pm - see page 31 12 Severn Scribes Shaw Hedge Road 1.30 - 4pm - see page 39 12 Together Group lunch Wribbenhall Parish Room 12.30pm - see page 15 15 Lenten service St Anne’s Church 6.30pm - see page 29 16 U3A Kidderminster Town Hall 2pm - see page 21 16 Bewdley Horticultural Society Riverside Church, Dog Lane 7.30pm - see page 21 16 Bewdley Civiv Soc - Lunatick Astronomy St George’s Hall 7.30pm - see page 35 16 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 9.30am 17 Wribbenhall W.I. meeting Wribbenhall Parish Room 1.30pm - see page 29 19 Rock Pathfinders walk 10.30am - see page 29 19 Talk The Bewdley School 4pm - see page 31 19 Soroptimists International La Brasserie, Kidderminster 7pm - see page 33 21 Wribbenhall W.I. meeting Wribbenhall Parish Room 1.30pm - see page 29 21 Repair Café St George’s Hall. 10 - 2pm - see page 41 22 Sunday at the Museum 10.30am-12.30pm - see page 13 22 Lenten service Holy Family Catholic Church 6.30pm - see page 29 23 Knit and Natter All Saints Church Wribbenhall 9.30am 23 Fairy Fun Bewdley Library - see page 11 26 Together Group social Wribbenhall Parish Room 12.30pm - see page 15 28 Severn Scribes Workshop Shaw Hedge Road 10 - 4pm - see page 39 28 Music in the Chapel: Curzon Brass, Methodist Church 2.30pm - see page 33 28 Big Bewdley Litter Pick St. George’s Hall. 11 am till 12noon - see page 37 29 Sunday at the Museum 10.30am-12.30pm - see page 13 29 Lenten service Riverside Elim Church 6.30pm - see page 29 30 Knit and Natter All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall 9.30am April 2 Talk The Bewdley School 4pm - see page 31 3 Book Launch St George’s Hall 7pm - see page 37 5 Bewdley Footpaths walk from Bewdley Bridge 1.45pm - see page 19 5 LentenTaizé service St Anne’s Church 6.30pm - see page 29 6 Bewdley W.I. meeting St George’s Hall 7.30pm - see page 21 5

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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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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.

On other Sundays, services are 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 or a Thanksgiving Service for your child?

To find out more about Christenings and Thanksgivings at St. Anne’s or St. Leonard’s please contact: janetadey@gmail.com or thorburnmary1@gmail.com.

For All Saints’ come to a 9.30 am Sunday service at All Saints’ Church Wribbenhall.

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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8

Church News l WHAT HAPPENS IN ST ANNE’S EACH WEEK? Sunday

9.30am Worship with separate children’s activities*

Tuesday

9.30am – 11.30am Rugrats (Stay & Play)

Wednesday 10.15am Short prayer meeting (first Wednesday in the month is a service of Holy Communion) 12 noon – 2pm Chess players meet 7.45 pm – 9.15 pm Bell ringing practice.

Saturday

8.15am Praying for the community and church

Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 2pm Coffee bar, Traidcraft shop, space to chat, think, meet friends * For more details / information see our website: www.bewdleyparish.org.uk

WHY NOT TRY SOMETHING NEW IN 2020?

All are welcome at Bewdley Baptist Church on Sunday evenings at 6.30 pm (refreshments from 6 pm).

We have a variety of different types of informal Evening services, such as café church, film nights, healing, worship and prayer & share.

Messy Church happens on the third Sunday of most months 4 to 6 pm, to which all families are warmly invited.

For details see the website or the church notice board or ring the Church Office 01299 403267 am only week days.

We look forward to you joining us.

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 Friday 7.15 - 9pm for 11 to 18s A night of fun, games and laughter. Every Friday we meet to let off a bit of 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 12.30pm 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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Church News l

All Saints’ Church Kidderminster Road Wribbenhall Sunday 1

United Benefice Service at 10.30am 3pm – 4pm Music Church for all ages Monday 2 Compline 7pm Tuesday 10 Book Sale 10am – 12noon April 4 10am – 2pm Exhibition of the Charity Work supported by our Church. (refreshments available) Knit & Natter Group meets every Monday 9.30 - 12 noon.

For more information contact Gail 01299 401685 or Carol 01562 746882.

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 Special events here this month: Sunday 8th - Lent Series Service, 6.30pm Wednesday 25th - For All People:Talk on the Methodist Modern Art Collection, 7.30pm Saturday 28th - Music in the Chapel: Curzon Brass, 2.30pm Tuesday 31st - For All People: Jesus the Painter - What’s the Story? 2.30pm For information about worship, weddings, baptisms or funerals please contact our minister: 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 and the Forgetmenot group meeting first Sunday of every month 2-4pm PARISH PRIEST: Fr. Richard Sharples Parish Office: 01299 822633 11

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Community News

Bewdley Library All of Worcestershire Libraries will shortly be taking delivery of their new self-service machines. We are having these as the old ones are approaching their sell by date having been in the system for many years. The new ones will be more user friendly and compatible with the newly enhanced computers when they are upgraded later this year.

We have a new volunteer driver for our Library Service at Home, so if you know of anyone who has difficulty in getting out who would benefit from having books, or perhaps talking books on CD then come in and tell us at the library or phone the Hub on 01905 822722.

After the great success of our ‘We’re Going On A Bear Hunt’ we’ll be putting on another children’s event, ‘Make A Fairy’, on Saturday March 23rd, see our Facebook page for details. This time you’ll have to book as we had more than we were expecting last time.

For some months now we’ve also been doing a Jigsaw swap so if you enjoy puzzles come in and take one; they’re by the window to the right as you enter the library.

Finally we will be visiting Community Corner Pre School on the 4th March to celebrate World Book Day.

Bridge Delivery Wribbenhall Some of our long standing volunteers are wishing to relinquish their roles as deliverers on the Wribbenhall side of the river and I am hoping that there are some people out there who could spare a little time to help cover the areas involved.

If there are helpers out there I will be able to rationalise the area on this side of the river to make life easier for the deliverers.

The roads that need covering are Pleasant Harbour, Pewterers Alley, Beales Corner, part of Kidderminster Road, Castle Lane, Westbourne Street and The Ropewalk Cottages.

If you think you can help please contact me on 01299 403357 or by email patyoung164@btinternet.com

Bewdley Rotary Music & Laughter Night Featuring Doug Parker and Ashcroft & Lewis Friday 6th March 8pm in St. George’s Hall Rotary Charity Bar and Raffle Tickets:- £12.50pp bring you own food For further information contact Bob Hill 01299 401722

The deadline for the April edition of The Bridge is 10th March 13

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12

Community News The museum and cafe reopens on 29th February.

Our opening Exhibition ‘Near and Far’ runs until the 12th March and features watercolours by local artist Sarah Loughlin.

Opening in 21st March, ‘For All People - an exhibition of the Methodist Modern Art Collection’ features works from one of Britain’s most important collections of modern religious art. More details of the exhibition can be found at https://forallpeoplebewdley.com Sunday at the Museum Every week Starting on Sunday 22nd March 10.30am - 12.30pm An opportunity to meet new people and learn a new craft!

Hot and cold drinks included all in a fun, friendly environment. £10 per session Call 0845 607 7819 to book your place or email bewdleymuseum@wyreforestdc.gov.uk Throughout March our craftspeople will demonstrating their skills and the Museum Shop is looking forward to receiving brand new Spring inspired stock from new and current suppliers alike.

New for April onwards, Birthday Parties at Bewdley Museum!

Kids Parties include choice of theme and craft, adventure trail with prize, party bag and Party Host £10 per child, 1.5 hours party suitable for 5 years plus. For more info check out our website or email bewdley.musuem@wyreforestdc.gov.uk Easter Craft Activities Monday - Friday 11am-3.30pm £5 per session, Monday 6 April - until Friday 17 April. Just turn up and enjoy an arts and craft session. All children must be supervised.

Easter egg hunt on Sunday 12 April 10-4pm £4 per person. Bring the whole family along on Easter Sunday and hunt for Easter eggs throughout the museum grounds. £4 per child.

Group sessions include Adult Dance Mondays 10-11 and 11-12 £36 for 6 weeks.

Yoga every Thursday 10am £36 for 6 weeks.

Boogie Woogie Babes, adult and toddler dance every Thursday 1.30-2.20pm £36 for 6 weeks. To enquire call 0845 607 7819 or email bewdley.museum@wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

All Saints' Church Wribbenhall Saturday 4th April 10am till 2pm Exhibition of Work All Saints' Church, and specifically their Knit & Natter group, support many charities and other events throughout the year.

Please come and support us - and maybe suggest other outlets that we can help. Refreshments available 13

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Community News

Bewdley Medical Centre Team to Swim 22 Miles in aid of Diabetes UK Bewdley Medical Centre has got a team together to swim the width of the English Channel (22 miles) in support of Swim22 – a Diabetes UK fundraiser to raise awareness of diabetes and promote a healthier way of living to support those living with diabetes, and to promote a healthier lifestyle to reduce the risk of diabetes. Our Channel champions will rise up to the challenge between 22 February and 22 May. Statistics suggest that there are currently over 4 million people living with diabetes in the UK; this represents 6% of the UK population or 1 in every 16 people having diabetes.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar levels to become too high.

There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 which is an autoimmune disease where the body destroys the cells that produce insulin, and type 2 (the most common type in the UK) where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells do not react to insulin; about 90% of all adults with diabetes, have type 2.

You can help to manage type 2 diabetes through healthy eating, taking regular exercise and achieving a healthy body weight.

The benefits of Swim22 are simple – not only do you improve your physical health by reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, regular physical activity keeps your body healthy and strong. Swimming can also improve self-esteem and reduce anxiety – a great mental health booster.

Why not join the Swim22 club today and swim towards a healthier lifestyle? Or if you would prefer to stay dry and give a donation to the Bewdley Medical Centre Team – please visit our surgery.

For more information or to register, visit: https://swim22.diabetes.org.uk/

Together Group You are invited to come and join this friendly group for their two meetings in March.

Venue: Wribbenhall Parish Room Thursday 12th: Lunch club. 12.30 for 1pm.

Cost: £4 for 2 courses and a cuppa Thursday 26th: Social time. Tea, cake and speaker £2 This month: R.Perrin on "My History of Bewdley".

Richard has a wide knowledge of our town which he will share with us.

For more information: ring Liz 01299403053 or BTC 01299400157 17

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Come instore to see our ranges.

We also make custom rugs from leftover carpet either having an overlocked edge or taped edge.

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Community News

Worcestershire County Council Adult Learning We are now working with Bewdley Community Workshop and Café in Park Alley. Men aged between 19 and 65 are urged to get involved with many activities throughout the year by contacting the workshop directly at Park Alley, off the High Street, Bewdley DY12 2DN. It is also possible to sign up at Bewdley Library to many other activities and learning opportunities with the County Councils Adult Learning Programme.

There is a fortnightly group on a Thursday especially for men with mental health difficulties at the Community Workshop where they can do as much as they want to or just enjoy a coffee. Everyone is welcome to support this really important push for awareness - Men Don't Talk about Mental Health Problems. We need to change this; the suicide rate in men is three times as high as that in women.

Our next project is to join with the Wyre Forest Community Land Trust at the Ruskin Land Project. Please watch this space. Richard Round Bewdley Community Theatre Group welcomes new members who would like to get involved in acting, singing, dancing, backstage and front of house. We are looking forward to a busy 2020 with a variety of productions in the pipeline. Currently we are preparing to launch our first performance of the year in early spring and hope you will come along and support us. If you are interested in taking part in any of our productions please email our chairman Linda Candlin, bewdleyctg@hotmail.com If you have a burning desire to Produce/Direct a show with Bewdley Community Theatre Group or even just have an idea for a Bewdley production please get in touch; we would love to hear from you!

For more information about the Theatre Group and how to become part of the family, please contact bewdleyctg@hotmail.com or find us on Facebook at Bewdley Community Theatre Group.

Mrs Linda Candlin Chairman Bewdley Community Theatre Group

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 2.00pm.

1st March Coopers Mill Approx 5/6 miles Moderate / Strenuous Walk.

5th April Stourport/return via Blackstone Approx 5 miles Moderate Walk.

The deadline for the April edition of The Bridge is 10th March 19

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BEWDLEY TILE WALL & FLOOR TILING 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE Richard Moore 01299 404591 07979241892 richard@bewdleytile.co.uk

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Bewdley WI At our February meeting we welcomed local artist Kate Wrigglesworth, who brought along a selection of her works and gave us an insight into her life and career as an artist, designer and dancer. She then gave us a painting demonstration, which was really enjoyable. Her pictures are bright and happy and a pleasure to look at.

March Meeting 2nd March 7.30pm St George’s Hall 'Hedgehogs and how we can help them' Guest Speaker Terry Green April Meeting 6th April 7.30pm St George's Hall 'My Mum's Home Made Curry' Guest Speaker/ Chef John Johal An interactive session including sampling the cuisine.

Visitors Welcome Entrance Fee £4 (Refreshments included)

Wyre Forest & District U3A (University Of The 3rd Age) The next monthly social meeting is at Kidderminster Town Hall on Monday, 16th March at 2pm.

This month’s talk is "Elegant Georgian Worcester” by Sandy Cale. This is an informative and entertaining virtual tour, describing and showing pictures of each of the historic and fascinating buildings on our “route”.

All members and visitors are very welcome.

Non-members pay £1.50.

The U3A is for people who are retired or no longer work full-time and want to pursue old or new interests, keep active and make new friends.

We welcome new members and you’ll find our approach to learning is purely for fun. Our local Area has over 700 members and 50 interest groups reflecting members’ interests. Some groups organise theatre trips, local visits, study tours and holidays. Annual membership is £12.50, including admission to the monthly meetings. To find out more, visit wyreforestu3a.org.uk or ask at the meeting reception.

Chris Baston (Wyre Forest U3A) 07724 153 480

Bewdley Horticultural Society SWEET PEAS by Philippa Cooper and MINI SPRING SHOW Monday March 16th 7.30pm Riverside Church, Dog Lane Non-members welcome 23

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Gas Heating & Plumbing Installation, Servicing & Maintenance

SG Gardening Maintenance

Corgi Reg No 211096

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.

Natural Gas, LPG & Oil Call Mark on 01299 401329 or 07760 451584 for a reliable service

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

JEM GROVES

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Painter & Decorator High Quality workmanship

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NEED AN EXTRA PAIR OF HANDS?

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LET ME HELP YOU WITH YOUR ‘TO-DO’ LIST!

STEPHEN GOFFE GARDEN SERVICES

GENERAL HOME AND GARDEN HELP

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JUSTIN:

07876 221 924

For Fast & Friendly Service contact: M: 07512 589665 or T: 01299 402622 22

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Bewdley Primary School began the year with their ‘Thirty Day Plastic-Free Challenge’ as part of their Climate Change Day and every class made a pledge to help the environment in some way.

"We already recycle our paper and cardboard, plastic from lunchboxes, pens, batteries and crisp packets, so we thought about alternatives to single-use plastic such as cling film."

Year Five even visited Envirosort, the plant which receives, sorts and despatches all of the recyclables from households across Worcestershire to gather some new ideas for their ‘Plastic Pollution’ topic.

Bewdley Town Football Club Bewdley Town FC look toward Spring with the possibility of promotion to their highest level ever a distinct possibility. As this editorial is being written, Town are still in second place and just 3 points behind leaders Shifnal Town.

For some years, the club have played in the West Midland Regional League Premier Division, which is at Level Ten of the Football Association Pyramid.

With the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United etc. in the Premier League at Level One - Kidderminster Harriers currently playing at Level Six, hopefully this gives readers of The Bridge an understanding where Bewdley fit into the leagues structure of English football.

A lot of the players on the books at Bewdley have started their careers with professional clubs. Captain and central defender Ben Priest (pictured) being a good example. He came through the Wolverhampton Wanderers youth set up before graduating to the fulltime game via Dundee in the Scottish Premier Division. Whilst Ben didn’t quite hit the big time in professional football, he is representative of many very talented footballers currently operating in the non-league scene.

The team have been in tremendous form in recent matches playing some great attacking football and if ever there was a time to get behind the local football club this must surely be it. How great if our little riverside town could win the West Midlands League title so let’s get behind them during the run in to decide who becomes Champions! We have only two more scheduled home games before we end the season in April with four successive away fixtures!

The big Wyre Forest Worcestershire Senior Cup tie against Kidderminster was finally played at the 6th attempt! Harriers winning the tie 1-0 in a close fought encounter played out in front of the biggest crowd of the season.

In between the monthly articles in this magazine, you can also keep up to speed with “all things” Bewdley Town FC via our Twitter Page and Facebook via the Clubs Official Page or This is Bewdley. If you wish to contact the club with ideas/proposals outside of social media, please email askbewdleytownfc@gmail.com As a plea to the local community, the club is in need of more volunteers and help in both customer facing and behind the scenes roles.

If you feel you can offer some time and your skills to help the club progress, please make contact through the askbewdleytownfc@gmail.com or come and see us on a match day down at the ground,and make yourself known.

Next Home Fixture – all subject to weather etc.

Saturday 14th March Pershore Town Fc KO 3pm Admission at Ribbesford Meadow is £5 for Adults and £2.00 Concessions

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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 requirements‌.

Facebook: BewdleyCC

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VOLUNTEER DRIVERS for We're a charity providing door to door transport in North Worcestershire using volunteer drivers’ own cars and our own wheelchair minibuses for anyone who finds it difficult to use public transport and needs access to health, shopping, social and other day to day opportunities.

We've seen a 50% increase in demand over the past five years and need to recruit more volunteer drivers for this essential local service. Driver's hours are very flexible taking account of your other commitments. All drivers receive a mileage rate to cover the costs of their journeys. Contact Beverley Coldrick at Community Transport Wyre Forest for an initial discussion on 01299 669840

But please be warned - you could find this work very

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Community News

Bewdley Historical Research Group The Group has to report with great sadness the death on 14th January of Charles Purcell.

He was a founder member and a key person in the Group, but the rest of us are determined to keep the Group going. We hope to resume the drop in sessions at the Museum at some point, but would ask you to note the change of email - our address is now bewdleyhistory@gmail.com. This should be used for all enquiries.

Wyre Forest Refugee Support Group Gifts of clothes no longer needed may be donated to refugees across the areas of the Middle East and elsewhere by being left in St George's Hall Undercroft adjacent to the ex-Community Transport Office. Clothes are bagged and transported to the Friends Meeting House, the Quakers in Lower High Street.

Each month they are collected and delivered by transit van to 'People in Motion', a charity working from Colwall. They sift and sort the donated clothes - the contents of each bag determining the destination. Women and children's clothes, shoes and maternity wear and men's light clothes, are sent to Syria.

Many of the donations from Bewdley go to women and children in Syria. Different clothes go to other countries as appropriate.

From Colwall, 'People in Motion' send sorted clothes to Leicester or High Wycombe where 'One Nation', another charity packs clothes into shipping containers to be sent to where they're most needed, in our case Syria. So now you know our gifts are carried to where they are most needed, life saving.

Thank you for your continued support.

Simply Limitless Big Quiz Night 4th March At the Simply Limitless Wellbeing Centre, Puxton Lane Kidderminster DY11 5DF 6.15pm Food 7pm start Team of 5 £75 a team inc. hot food To book your place: 01562 751144, info@simply-limitless.org 27

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Dog Lane, Bewdley, Worcs, DY12 2EF

High Quality Fruit and Vegetables (inc seasonal produce, locally grown)

Fish, Eggs, Local Honey & Marmalade.

Flowers for all occasions.

(Wholesale queries also welcome.)

www.bewdleyfarmshop.co.uk bewdleyfarmshop@btconnect.com

01299 400346 Healthy Start Vouchers Accepted 28

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Lenten Services: Reflections For All People Bewdley Churches will hold joint services at 6.30pm on Sunday evenings throughout Lent.

Each service will reflect on a painting from our exhibition of the Methodist Modern Art Collection.

Sun 1st March: Sun 8th March: Sun 15th March: Sun 22nd March: Sun 29th March: Sun 5th April:

Jesus for all People Baptist Church His Passion for all People Methodist Church His Death for all People St. Anne’s Church He Lives for all People Holy Family Catholic Church We are His People Riverside Elim Church Taizé - Worship for all People St. Anne’s Church

Wribbenhall WI Make Some New Friends Have you considered joining a friendly supportive group which meets in the day in a warm comfortable venue? If so Wribbenhall WI could be for you: why don’t you try it and see?

You can come to two meetings before you need to join, and it would be great to see you.

We meet in Wribbenhall Parish Room, Kidderminster Road DY12 1BY on the third Tuesday of the month at 1.30pm Next meetings Tuesday 17th March A demonstration of Sugar Craft by Diana Brothwell Tuesday 21st April A participative workshop Polymer Clay by Lisa Walker Both highly recommended local ladies. Do come and join us.

For more information contact Anne 01299 402204 mace799@btinternet.com

Rock Pathfinders Free guided walks of 2-3 hours, off the roads and into the countryside.

The March walks will be on Thursdays starting at 10.30 am.

5th

From Abberley Village Hall, Clows Top Rd, Abberley, Abberley Common, Worcester WR6 6AZ SO reference SO745678

19th

From The Colliers Arms, Tenbury Rd, Kidderminster DY14 9HA SO reference SO725723

All welcome. For our full programme see www.rockpathfinders.uk or ring Alan on 01299 400304 or Jan on 01299 832571

The deadline for the April edition of The Bridge is 10th March 29

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Care re at Home H are a family run business b providing care services to Bewdley and the surrounding areas.

We are rated ‘Outtstanding’ by the CQC and our care services aree tailored to your neeeds to allow you to continnue living independently in your own home. home For more inffo ormation please call 01299 272897 and we can send you our brochure or visit our website www.tlccareathome.com 30

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Notions

31,Load St,Bewdley, DY12 2AS

Sewing & Knitting Supplies * Ladies, Gents & Children * Reliable Service * Competitive Rates * Established over 25 Years

Clothing & Curtain Alterations Curtains and Blinds Made

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Dr Vivien Newrick Homeopath

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medically qualified and registered homeopathic practitioner

Sewing Boxes

Tel : 01299 401617 Mob : 07884 098582 vivnewrick@hotmail.com

And Knitting Bags Great Mother’s Day Gifts

www.vivnewrickhomeopathy.co.uk 38

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Tree Planting MP Mark Garnier joins volunteers planting 2021 trees in Ruskin Land on January 25th. The trees have been donated by the Woodland Trust and the planting organised by the Wyre Community Land Trust for the Guild of St George.

The new trees will diversify the mix of species in the woodland (they include hazel, rowan, hawthorn, hornbeam, sallow, wild cherry, wild service and aspen) and will provide food sources for woodland birds as well as capturing carbon from the atmosphere.

The volunteers included people from St Anne's, Baptists, Quakers and Holy Family churches.

Mark Garnier planted a hornbeam tree that he had been given by Extinction Rebellion.

Bewdley Methodist Church Bewdley Methodist Church in High Street continues its series of “Music in the Chapel” concerts with a brass recital on Saturday 28th. March at 2.30pm by distinguished quintet Curzon Brass.

The five musicians – Jacob Smith and Matt Tarrant on trumpets, Dan Price on trombone, Tom Hayes on Horn and Mark Dilley on tuba – got together at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. They have quickly established an excellent reputation both for their quality and their extensive repertoire.

Tickets for the concert cost £8, including light refreshments and can be booked with Mike Dernie Tel 01299 400284, email: mikedernie@aol.com or Neil Sollom Tel 07780 650491 email: neilsollom@btinternet.com.

All funds raised will go to help the church's ongoing commitment to its mission and outreach activities and are intended to increase the church's involvement with the local community.

Soroptimists International Our supper meeting will be held on 19 March 7 for 7.30p.m. at La Brasserie, Kidderminster and our speaker for the evening will be Mary Singleton who will be speaking to us about Moths.

Make a date in your diary for our annual Charity Bridge Drive, in aid of The Stourport and District Stroke Club, which will held on 22 April, 10.30a.m. until 4p.m. at Blakedown Parish Rooms, Belbroughton Road, Blakedown. Tickets are £12 per person to include lunch.

To book your place telephone Sue Merrill on 07831 487648or susanmerrill8@gmail.com 33

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Bewdley Civic Society

Quaker Day of Healing March 7th - 11am to 3pm Friends Meeting House, Lower Park, Bewdley (next to cricket ground): Part of the nationwide Quaker Day of Healing, a quiet contemplative form of healing worship with occasional spoken ministry, prayers and maybe song as the participants feel inclined. This Healing Meeting is non-denominational and all are welcome to share their concerns and help radiate peace, love and light for family, friends and the environment. You are welcome to pop in and go as you wish.

Refreshments provided.

Lunatick Astronomy The Birmingham Lunar Society by Andrew Lound Monday 16th March at 7.30pm St. George’s Hall Non members welcome

Forget Me Not Sundays An informal get together on the first Sunday of each month 2 - 4pm.

If you are bereaved or alone on a Sunday, pop in for a cuppa, cake and chat.

A wide age range enjoy the company of others in a relaxed atmosphere where there is always a listening ear. The group has grown from strength to strength and aims to make the afternoon a little brighter.

Everyone welcome to our next meeting : 1st March Holy Family Meeting Room, High Street, Bewdley For further details contact the Parish Office-01299 822633 parish@stwulstanstourport.org.uk Live Wyres is a social club for senior single people. We meet in pubs around the area and hold dances, trips, quizzes and other events in a range of venues from hotels to village halls.

The following are a few of our events for March: Tuesday 3rd - PUB NIGHT at The Queen’s Head, Wolverley DY11 5XB Tuesday 10th - PUB NIGHT at The Old House at Home, Blakedown, DY10 3JE Saturday 14th– DANCE at Blakedown Parish Rooms, 20 Belbroughton Rd, DY10 3JG Tuesday 17th – PUB NIGHT, St Patricks night at The Harriers Arms, Hoo Road, DY10 1NB Tuesday 24th – PUB NIGHT at The Hare & Hounds, Worcester Road, Shenstone DY10 4BU Tuesday 31st – PUB NIGHT at The Island Pool, Wolverhampton Road, Cookley DY10 3RX Don’t be on your own...please join us! You will be most welcome!

We are a friendly bunch of seniors who enjoy life, sharing time with friends.Would you like to meet new friends? Share special times in great company? To find out more contact: Barbara on 07875 533969 or see our website www.livewyres.moonfruit.com All events organised by members for the members.

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The way forward in recycling!

BLACKPOLE RECYCLING WASTE MANAGEMENT, SKIP HIRE & RECYCLING We supply skips of all sizes, whether its a 2yd skip for garden rubbish, or a complete waste recycling plan for your business.

Currently recycling 93% of all waste received!

01905 457641 www.blackpolerecycling.co.uk INFO@BPRECYCLING.CO.UK

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Bewdley Author Launches New Novel For its size Bewdley boasts more than its fair share of published authors and one of them Rob Ireland (who writes using the pen name Robert Ronsson) is celebrating the launch of his third novel with a reception at St George’s Hall on Friday April 3rd at 7pm.

In this Bewdley Festival Literary Event, Robert will talk about the inspiration behind the new book called ‘Once Upon a Time in Chinatown’. Rob is one of the founding volunteers of our community cinema, Cinema in the Hall.

Local prize-winning pianist Danny Bold will provide a musical introduction to the evening playing pieces linked to the cinema theme.

Tickets are £5 and are available from www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk and from the café in St George’s Hall. The new book will be available to buy on the night only at a £2 discount from the cover price of £10.

Wyre Forest Books will have all Rob’s books in stock from Saturday 4th April and he will attend during that day to sign copies and chat about his writing.

St Leonard’s Churchyard Winter turns to spring!

How lovely it is to see the snowdrops and primroses emerge again. The floral tributes contain the gently joyful yellows, pinks and blues of the spring and our wonderful Community Payback team have already been busy tidying the walls and some of the more rampant brushwood.

Thank you to everyone who has heeded our appeal to avoid single use plastic in bouquet wrappings and floral tributes. We really can make a difference here in reducing the menace of plastic in our countryside and waterways.

Please watch out for notice of our next working party, where all volunteers are most welcome to help tidy and beautify our special and much loved area of remembrance, reflection and respect. Caroline Hall

Great British Spring Clean The Big Bewdley litter pick Supported by the Pickup artists, Saturday 28th March 11am till 12noon.

Meet outside St. George’s Hall.

All equipment supplied, including children’s pickers.

Children must be accompanied at all times.

See you there!

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MARK WILLIAMS FIPW & LAUREN WILLIAMS MIPW PROFESSIONAL WILLWRITERS “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 £95, 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

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 01299 406015 07961 352056 07961or352056 rahughesosteo@gmail.com Bridge House – FREE CAR PARKING 44

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Aladdin - Panto on a Shoestring We’d like to thank everyone who supported our production of Aladdin at St. Anne’s Church in January.

After our appeal for props, costumes and scenery we received many offers of help from local community organisations and individuals, which made it possible for the show to go on.

St. Anne’s Church was transformed into a magical theatre, and through the ticket sales generated by two almost-sold-out audiences, we raised over £1,500 to be shared between Kemp Hospice and Victim Support.

This was a real community project to start the year in aid of two very worthwhile causes.

Thanks everyone!

Music Church On the first Sunday of every month 3 - 4pm For all ages - babies to grandparents!

All Saints’ Church ,Wribbenhall Have fun with music - play instruments, do crafts and learn about the church.

Plus tea and biscuits.

Severn Scribes Calligraphy and Associated Crafts Would you like to consider learning Calligraphy? Roundhand, uncial, italic. Meetings are friendly and informal with Severn Scribes. Some workshops are with qualified tutors and others are self-help days when members teach each other a variety of crafts and writing styles, creating personalized gifts and cards.

Meetings are held on the second Thursday in the month 1.30 – 4pm. Workshops are on the last Saturday in the month 10am – 4pm September to May excepting December.

28th March - Marbling/Suminagasi The Community Centre, Shaw Hedge Road,Wribbenhall, Bewdley DY12 1EU For more info. and bookings please contact Sue Weston: severnscribes@yahoo.co.uk Sylvia Auden: sylviaauden@icloud.com Telephone: 01562 754473 www.severnscribes.com

The deadline for the April edition of The Bridge is 10th March 39

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Website: www.pattycairnspodiatry.co.uk A professional and fully equipped podiatry practice in a relaxed rural setting.

A friendly and professional chiropody / podiatry practice based in little Witley, WR6.

We diagnose and treat a number of foot conditions such as corns and calluses, fungal and thickened toe nails, ingrown toe nails (nail surgery), athlete’s foot, verruca and general foot and ankle pain. We also provide diabetic foot assessments and check- ups. Our aim is to deliver a high quality service, taking a holistic approach, in a caring and nurturing environment.

Call us on: 07795630469 Adrress: Dodoak, Sankyns Lane, Little Witley WR6 6LG Email: patty@pattycairnspodiatry.co.uk

B. Ince

Telephone: 01299 403105

Funeral Director

Private Chapel of Rest

07989 964854

Bank House Severnside South Bewdley, Worcestershire www.bewdley.actinet.net/bince

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

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Transition Bewdley Repair Café Such lovely things happen at the Repair Café.

Ralph Bramley, one of our Bewdley volunteers also helps at our sister Repair Café in Kidderminster. He recounts this story from a few weeks ago.

“One gets to meet some really lovely people not only at U3A but also at the Repair Café. You never know what you are going to be presented with to repair and a month ago at Kidderminster I was shown a child's doll. However this doll was over 80 years old, made of papiermâché and about two feet tall. It was in desperate need of TLC. All her limbs and head had parted from her body and there was quite a bit of damage to her head and to one of her legs but she obviously had great sentimental value to the couple. It wasn't the sort of repair that could be attempted in the time scale available at Repair Café. Taking the doll back with me and at home I was able to re-string (an interesting task, thanks U Tube!) and repair the damage.

At the Kidderminster Repair Café yesterday I had arranged for the doll to be sitting up with her arms outstretched. The couple came for her and the lady was in tears when she saw the work I had done. She had also knitted a beautiful new set of clothes with which she then dressed her treasured doll and gave me an enormous hug, in fact not one but another when they left! The couple told me that they had attempted to have this doll repaired elsewhere but it was not able to be done. They went away singing the praises of Repair Café and I believe made a good donation on leaving.

So many items that are repaired have great sentimental value and it is very gratifying that often these can be brought back to life, much to the obvious joy and delight of their owners.

Something like that yesterday really makes one's day and gives enormous joy to be volunteering at Repair Café.”

At the time of writing we do not yet know the outcome of “The Big Fix” when Bewdley Repair Café along with 74 other Repair Cafés throughout the UK attempted to break the world record for the number of items repaired in one day. Our target is 2,000 items, which will help prevent 60 tonnes of CO2 going into the atmosphere. Look out for the results of this Guinness book of records attempt on social media or in future editions of The Bridge.

And of course we want to raise awareness of the value of repairing rather than throwing items away.

Our March Repair Café will be on 21st March.

The deadline for the April edition of The Bridge is 10th March 47

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GCSE/A Level/BTEC Physical Education.

Fully qualified teacher.

Seven years’ experience in mainstream and SEN schools. DBS checked.

Qualifications available to view.

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Vicarage Service Garage Ltd Established 50 Years Qualified Technicians Special For Bewdley & Surrounding Areas FREE COLLECTION BY BYTHE THEBUSINESS BUSINESSPROPRIETOR PROPIETOR (LIVING LOCALLY)

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50

Community News

Bewdley Trees Report Trees in the town contribute to the aesthetic, commercial and environmental life of the town in so many ways that we have to be thankful for their existence and do all we can to protect them.

Fortunately, Bewdley’s trees have protection guaranteed because much of the town has been designated as a Conservation Area. This means that trees within this area may not have any work done to them without permission from the local planning authority which in our case is the Wyre Forest District Council. This protection applies to all trees of whatever age and whatever species. And it means all work on the trees from felling to pruning. There are penalties for wilful damage to Conservation Area trees that can amount to fines of up to £20,000. However, the law will allow tree owners to apply for work to be done and reasonable requests for permission are rarely refused. If you want to do some work on a tree within the Conservation Area, please ask for advice first. The volunteer Tree Wardens may be asked for their advice via the Town Clerk or you may approach the WFDC Planning Department direct via their website or by telephone.

Outside of the Conservation area trees have less protection and, in many cases, there is no protection apart from our goodwill. However, some trees, even here, have been awarded Tree Protection Order (TPO) status. This grants them total protection from all work.

Permission to do anything to these trees must always be sought from WFDC. The TPO may be of one of two types. The first is a TPO awarded to a single tree because it is so important to the amenity of that locality. In other words, it is a special tree. The second is an area TPO where all the trees in a designated zone are protected regardless of their individual worth.

This TPO only applies to trees that were in existence when the TPO was granted. Trees planted since that date are not protected, unless they specifically replace a former TPO tree.

If in doubt, ASK. The idea behind such protection schemes is the recognition that trees have a vital role in the well-being of the residents of a town and of the visitors to it. Even without the law it makes sense, increasingly so these days when Climate Change threatens so much of what we have previously taken for granted, that we preserve and enhance the tree-scape of the town we live in.

Gren Jones and Cliff Willmot Bewdley’s Volunteer Tree Wardens

Bewdley Floral Art Club On Monday 2nd March at the Wharton Park Golf and Country Club at 7.30pm we hold our AGM, followed by a demonstration from Lynne Sharpe entitled ‘Car Boot Collection’.

We look forward to welcoming Minh Lane on Monday 6th April with her demonstration "East Meets West".

Friends and visitors are always welcome.

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Bewdley Town Council News March 2020 The Annual Town Meeting The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday 20th April 2020 at 7.00pm in St George’s Hall, Bewdley. To celebrate Bewdley’s cultural diversity, tables will be made available to local community groups, societies and organisations wishing to promote their activities in and around the area. If your group, society or organisation would like a table, please contact office@bewdleytowncouncil.org.

Trees in Bewdley The Town Council are very proud to work with Bewdley’s Volunteer Tree Wardens, Gren Jones and Cliff Willmot, and have asked them to provide an update on their work and the current laws relating to tree conservation. Please read the report on Page 45.

Together Group The Town Council have agreed their support for the Together Group for another year. The group offers twice monthly gatherings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month, where older members of the community can come together and meet friends old and new. For more information, please contact office@bewdleytowncouncil.org or call on 01299 400157.

The group is also looking for volunteers to help run the events.

Bollards Worcestershire County Council are working with the Town Council to re-fit the bollards on Severnside South. Many have been removed and not replaced; this has led to cars and motorcycles being able to park on the band stand area. This area is a ‘no parking zone’ as denoted by the double yellow lines. New signage is in the process of being fitted.

VE DAY Are you planning a VE Day community celebration? The Town Council have set aside a small budget to help with your event. If you wish to apply for some funding, please email office@bewdleytowncouncil.org for an application form, to be returned to the office by 1st April 2020.

Remember if you are expecting to receive an email from Bewdley Town Council, please check your SPAM / junk mail box.

Future Town Council Meetings Town Council meetings are held at the Guildhall at 7pm on the first Monday of each month unless stated otherwise. The next two Council meetings will be held on the 2nd March and 6th April 2020 The Public are welcome to attend the meetings and are able to contribute during public question time.

Website: www.bewdleytowncouncil.org Facebook: Bewdley Town Council 47

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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

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