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Wyre Forest Macmillan Centenary Fashion Gala Macmillan are celebrating their 100th birthday this year and wanted to do something special and a bit different hence the fashion gala. It will be held on Friday 30th September 2011 at Spring Grove House at West Midlands Safari Park. Tickets are £15 and that includes a welcome drink and canapes. Our actual catwalk show will be in 2 parts and will be opened by professional belly dancers!! We have outfits from the Kidderminster branch of New Look, The Wedding Rooms of Kidderminster, Fallen Angel, Wrap Clothing, Toptotty Dresses and Lush Womenswear. The hair for several of the models will be by Abacus Hair Design and make up will be done by Esther Marie. We wanted to have a community element to the show so we approached Baxter College with a brief of Eco friendly/100 and Good day (the Macmillan TV adverts) and the sixth form are in the process of making 5 to 8 outfits which will also be part of our catwalk show. The college have also very kindly offered their sixth form to help out with various things on the night too.
donated by local businesses. To help the evening go smoothly, we are selling programs on the night and before the event even starts someone will win a prize if they have the “Lucky Program”!! We are also doing a special Centenary 100 balloon release. The idea being guests can purchase a balloon, write a personal message for a loved one who may have been touched by cancer. This will be attached to the balloon and all 100 of them will be released at the end of the evening, which should look great in front of Spring Grove House. We will pull one of the names of the balloon purchasers out of a hat and they will walk away with £100!!! The evening starts at 7pm for guests to have their welcome drink, browse and purchase from the stalls and the fashion show will start at 8pm. Canapes will be served at the interval, then once the raffle has been drawn, the 2nd part of the fashion show will go ahead.
We have secured between 15 to 18 stall holders for the evening ranging from jewellery and handbags right through to fuffle (a sort of fudge truffle) and alpaca wool clothing!! All stall holders are local to the area and have very kindly agreed to donate 10% of their takings/orders on the night and most have also donated a raffle prize too. Our raffle prizes became so good that we have decided to hold an auction on the actual night for five of them !! They are: • Flight for 2 from Halfpenny Green Airport in a Piper Warrior • Signed Football shirt by the England U21 team • Spa day at Moor HAll Hotel Suttion Coldfield • Bespoke Tailor made 2 piesce suit from Clements and Church (value upto £2000) • VIP Experience at West Midlands Safari Park The raffle prizes include items of jewellery / gift vouchers / gift baskets and again has all been www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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The Droitwich Spa Lido has opened its gates to the public for the Summer season!
Situated at the heart of the idyllic Lido Park, the historic Lido offers a marvellous day out for the family during those lovely summer days and it won’t break the bank! Built in 1935, the building has an Art Deco style synonymous with the 1930’s era. Originally marketed as “Seaside come to Droitwich Spa” due to the salt water and mediterranean temperature, it enjoyed great success until its closure in 1999. The Lido uses brine extracted from the salt deposits beneath the town and is heated to a Mediterranean 21˚C. If you’re looking to catch a few rays, there are terraced areas, and a café next door which offers Ice Creams and light refreshments. It also has a shallow ‘beach’ area and water fountain, along with a wet play area for the children with water cannons, palm
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tree sprays and steerable water jets. If you fancy a refreshing start to your day, then our Early Morning Swim session is ideal! In 2004, a local campaign was started up with the view to re-open and restore the lido to its former glory. After much effort and support from the community and the Council, the Lido was restored, resulting in the lido re-opening in the summer of 2007. Droitwich Spa town is lucky to have on its doorstep one of the very few Lidos left in the country - so come on down, have fun and enjoy the unique historic experience! If you would like to show your support for the Droitwich Spa Lido, then why not join Friends of the Droitwich Spa Lido? Formed in August 2010, the aim of the FODSL is to promote and keep Droitwich Spa Lido alive by working with Wychavon Leisure and local authority, raising funds & awareness to support the lido, influence improvements to the amenity, preserve and enhance the heritage of the lido and convey ideas from ‘friends’ and the public to partners. On a bi-monthly basis, a group meeting is held where volunteers and members of the public can meet to discuss their views. For more information, please send an email to fodsl@hotmail.co.uk. www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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How to contact us: Editor: Fiona Pennington 08456 199 038 editor@yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Welcome‌ After the success of the newspaper and those who supported us with donations, we hope you like the new look magazine.
Contributors: Steve Gould Trevor Kirton
Our website has also been a real hit with a dramatic increase of visitors to the site amazingly from all over the world taking our provincial magazine from local to global.
Advertising: Sales Team advertising@yourlocaltimes.co.uk 08456 199 038 Bob Cooper 01299 402094 Tracey Edwards 01299 402094
We are still the only magazine in the Wyre Forest region which supports the towns and their businesses with competitive promotions.
Fiona
Studio Team studio@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Credit Control 08456 199 038 Accounts: Ken Bell accounts@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Published by Your Local Publisher Ltd Bridge House, Severn Bridge Riverside North, Bewdley DY12 1AB 01299 406 095
DEADLINE next issue:
20th August Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. The publisher does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. Your Local Times is a trademark of Your Local Publisher Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form electronic, mechanical, photocopied or recorded without prior permission of the publisher.
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Carol Smith
C-SAW Arts Workshops Carol was born and educated in Kent before moving to Exeter as a student. She studied Art, History, and Literature before moving to East Anglia where she taught in primary school for several years.
During this time Carol also pursued her passion for crafts and textile work, studying at a broad selection of courses, including calligraphy, patchwork, and silk painting. Developing her own style of richly textured work based on her love of Natural History, Carol produced a series of embroideries based on stones and geodes, as well as exploring more traditional stitchcraft styles. Carol moved to Somerset in the 1990’s. She continued teaching, whilst also studying C&G embroidery & design, and running a series of very successful arts workshops for special needs groups,
Carol Smith Art Workshops Needlecraft and papercraft activities for all ages and abilities! Join Carol for fun textile sessions, or cardmaking & scrapbooking get-togethers. *Take your favourite photos off that computer, and learn how to display them as they deserve! *Get that embroidery kit out of your cupboard and let’s get it done together! *Learn how to design & stitch your own family sampler! Regular sessions or ‘one-off’ events. Workshops run at a variety of venues.
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including Stroke Club and residential homes, for the charity “ArtShare SouthWest”. Carol Smith Arts Workshops were frequently reviewed in the local press, and the name C-SAW was born! At “The Laurels” residential home near Cheddar, Carol’s group was awarded a silver salver by Age Concern, for the quality of their artwork experience. In 2000, Carol moved to Worcestershire, where she worked at the County Museum, helping out with the Family Activity Day craft-events. Her longstanding interest in papercrafts began to expand and she discovered that many people were keen to have adults’ craft activity days. In 2009, Carol decided to re-start C-SAW workshops, with the aim of sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for papercrafts, embroidery, and textile crafts, through practical, hands-on events. For further details, or to book a crafting session of your own, contact Carol on 07792 202798 or email on carol.csaw@hotmail.co.uk
Photo taken at Hazlewell Lodge, Ilminster
Residential Homes a Speciality! Call for details, or to arrange an event of your own! 07792 202798 carol.csaw@hotmail.co.uk
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“The Laurels” www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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Bewdley Tackle and Leisure Fresh bait and all your tackle needs for river, lakes or pools including nets, rods, poles reels etc.
All at competitive prices Web: www.bewdleytackle.co.uk Email: bewdleytackleandleisure@ yahoo.co.uk
Phone: 01299 403386
Wimbledon season boosts coaching at Holy Trinity International School
Running in conjunction with the Tennis Education organisation, children from the age of 5 to 18 years are being encouraged to take tennis with the opportunity of professional Tennis Camps this summer at Holy Trinity International School, Kidderminster.
An ideal sport for improving overall fitness, co-ordination and confidence, as well as just good fun, tennis camps are gaining in popularity, especially with interest high following the Wimbledon season.
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Open to all, Holy Trinity International School’s Tennis Camps run from Monday 8th to 12th August and Monday 22nd to 26th August with mini-tennis for 5 to 8 years from 9.00am to 10.00am at a cost of £4 per session and from 10 am to 2 pm for 9 to 18 years at a cost of £12 per session.
Holy Trinity International School’s Head, Mrs Pam Leek-Wright stated: “This summer, the school in conjunction with Tennis Education, will again run a number of Tennis Camps.
Further details and to book, please email your details to: info@tenniseducation.co.uk or telephone 07738 639010 or 077927 55567 or contact the school on 01562 822929.
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British summer traditions Having taken a year off last year, they are now back with a vengeance.
Feeling great, with lots of energy? If not then you may have an intolerance to certain foods. If you are suffering with poor concentration, tiredness and mood swings or having problems with your digestion or losing weight, then a change of diet could be the cure. At Bromsgrove Allergy & Nutrition Centre we can help you regain your health and energy.
Call Caroline now on 01527 834624 or visit www.bromsgroveallergy.co.uk
Bromsgrove Allergy & Nutrition Centre
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High Quality Fruit, Vegetables, Fish and Eggs
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bewdleyfarmshop@btconnect.com Dog Lane, Bewdley DY12 2EF
Glastonbury turned into a sea of mud and Wimbledon took advantage of its new centre court roof as the traditional British summer rained on us all. But that has not held up the round of summer fetes and carnivals which I have been enjoying visiting, attending (and even opening)! But whilst there is a great deal of enjoyable features in being a member of parliament, it is, of course, crucial that we do not allow ourselves to become full time civic dignitaries. The single most important job for me at the moment is to secure an enterprise zone for Kidderminster. These were announced by the Chancellor in the March budget and they provide for up to 21 separate areas (of around 500 acres or so) to benefit from special tax and planning advantages to enhance economic growth. They are put forward by the new local enterprise partnerships, of which we in Wyre Forest are a member of two; Worcestershire and Birmingham & Solihull. The Worcestershire LEP unanimously decided that of the half dozen potential sites in the county, the South Kidderminster Business Park is the single most important one for the county. It is now my job to press this as hard as I can at my end to make sure that our bid gets as good a hearing as possible, and that every argument is presented as well as possible.
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The BEZ in Kidderminster could bring up to 3,800 new jobs to our district in an www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Lucky 7’s Snack Wagon **** 4-star rated **** Hot snacks – Cold snacks – Chips – Tea – Coffee Where to find us in Kiddy: Howdens car park, Worcester Road Monday to Friday 8:00am till 2:30pm
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area that already has some enterprise, but could potentially have a great deal more on the existing ‘brown field’ sites that are so familiar to us all. This will make a huge difference to a range of issues we have locally and it is vital that we do everything we possibly can to make sure this happens. I have held a special debate in the chamber of the House of Commons promoting this and we recently had one of the minsters deciding the applications visit us in Wyre Forest to look at our application. We will know in due course what the outcome will be, but in the meantime I will keep pressing with this absolutely vital opportunity.
To Contact Mark:
Email mark.garnier.mp@parliament.uk Telephone 020 7219 7198 or 01562 746771 Write 9a Lower Mill Street, Kidderminster, DY11 6UU Or House of Commons, Westminster, London SW1A 0AA www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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Bewdley Gallery Trevor Price established Bewdley Gallery in 1980 and has a range of original paintings, limited and open edition prints all at competitive prices.
Lax Lane, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2DZ 01299 400 918
BEWDLEY AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL FLOWER, VEGETABLE AND FLORAL ART SHOW SATURDAY, 13TH AUGUST, 2011 – St. George’s Hall, Bewdley, DY12 2EQ. Show opens at 10.30a.m. – entrance £1 AUCTION OF PRODUCE AT 3P.M. (Free entry to Auction) If you would like enter for the first time we have over 110 classes to choose from including vegetables, flowers, herbs, domestic classes, photography, calligraphy, art and crafts, children`s classes 0 to 16 years and floral art Give Ann a ring on 01562 67061 and she will send you a free schedule or for more details ring Diane 01299 402670
Come along to Bewdley`s own traditional horticultural show and enjoy our homemade cakes and refreshments and browse around our plant and cake stalls.
Antony Brown
High Quality Painter & Decorator With 30 Years Experience • City & Guilds Friendly, Clean & Reliable Service All work Carried Out By Myself All Work Guaranteed • Paper Hanging a Speciality Free Quotes & Advice
Tel: 01299 822138 Mobile: 07966 702045 14
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Hire the Candy Carousel for your Wedding Day and other Special Occasions Candy Carousel is a unique display unit
which is multifunctional • Drinks and Canapes • Wedding Cake display • Pick and Mix sweets and chocolates • Favours We deliver and set up the Carousel and you have it all day.
Call 08456 199 038 or email: sales@candycarousel.co for more details.
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All The Best Parties
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Communication is about so much more than words. Studies have shown that the words we use account for 7-10% of the impact of the message only. Or looking at it the other way, 90-93% of the impact comes from the way we use the words, our body language and other factors.
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A woman without her man (pause) is nothing. A woman (pause) without her (pause) man is nothing. See what I mean? Exactly the same words but two completely different meanings. Probably most of us have waited patiently for a sales assistant to become available. When it’s our turn we are greeted with, “Can I help you?” in a downbeat voice from someone who does not make eye contact. Their voice tone and body language make it abundantly clear that helping us is the last thing they care about. Add a couple of little words AND a smile and we have quite a different meaning, www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Promotional offer at an Outstanding Nursery
-TWEENIES B N I Pre-school and Playgroup Wribbenhall Community Centre Shaw Hedge Road, Bewdley DY12 1EU
“Hello, how can I help you?” The most important additional ingredient is the smile. What if we are called upon to speak at a business or social event? Before we say a word, the way we dress can have a significant impact on people’s perception of us. The problem is that different people will perceive different things. So how should we dress? If we know they’ll all turn up in suits we can probably work out the answer fairly easily. Suggestion: if in doubt, aim to be over rather than under-dressed. We can always remove a jacket, for example, to adjust rapidly to our surroundings.
For all new starters between July 2011 and December 2011 For every 15 hours attended per week get an extra 3 hours free Offer open to all new children aged between 2 and 5 years, including those who receive 15 hours free funding from the Nursery Educational Funding scheme. Subject to session availability. Opening hours Monday and Friday 8.15 - 5.00pm Tuesday and Thursday 8.15 - 1.15pm For more information contact Sharon on 07837 295698 £3.30 per hour
Before starting to speak, if we look around and smile at our audience it is the equivalent of a handshake. Before we have spoken a word it will help us to engage with the audience. And importantly, it will give us time to settle and to feel more confident as we notice that some of the people in the audience are smiling back at us. We will know that they are ‘on our side’ and yet they haven’t spoken a word. David Wike David Wike is Communications Officer for Stourbridge Speakers Club: www. StourbridgeSpeakers.org.uk Independently he runs short workshops that specialize in helping people who are nervous, or even terrified, of speaking in public: www.SuccessfulSpeaking.co.uk www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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POSH PAWSss Dog Grooming Salon & Mobile Service Fully insured, City & Guilds - Academy Trained Using traditional materials and techniques we sympathetically restore all types of buildings regardless of size to a high standard. We are small and friendly company who put our clients’ needs and their property at the forefront of any of our projects. We understand that the quality of our work is not only essential to our clients expectations but to the historical makeup that the building will carry forward for generations to come. Please look out for future features on how to maintain your building. We will highlight common problems with older buildings and how to apply the right materials and techniques to solve them.
All breeds catered for: Shampoo/Conditioning / Grooming/ Clipping and Styling / Nail Care / Ear Care / Eye Care
Competitive rates discount for 2 or more dogs Collect and return service also available Or you can stay with your dog during their grooming experience
Contact us on:
01562 863337 / 07866 637784
• Traditional building restoration • Oak building specialist • Lime pointing, plastering and decoration • Bespoke joinery • Brick and stone wall restoration • Onsite courses
Alaric, Mighty Heritage
www.mightyheritage.com 07867 560427 Posh Pawsss Salon is a room with a view overlooking the garden and pond, making it a very relaxing environment for your pet. We only have two dogs in at any one time and they are groomed personally from start to finish by Mary or Sue. This enables us to get to know your pet and your pet to get to know us. We spend on average two hours on each grooming session. During this time the dogs are rested and have full use of the garden. Our aimPellets is to make your dog’s grooming Layers experience a pleasurable one “And a happy Dog.”
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Layers Pellets Mixed Corn Poultry & Water Feeders Chicken House Feed Advice Hen Care Products
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Triple medal win for Mansell at England National finals Holy Trinity International School student, Gabriella Mansell (15yrs), representing the Midlands region, has excelled at the England National Finals of the Independent Schools Athletics Championships at Alexandra Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday 22nd June.
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Securing a magnificent 3rd place in both the 100m and the long jump against stiff national competition, Gabriella also secured a 2nd place in the team relay. HTIS Head, Mrs Pamela Leek-Wright, stated: “We are delighted for Gabriella, it is a fantastic achievement that demonstrates great promise for the future.
“To gain such significant positions as a relative newcomer is incredible and testament to her hard work and dedication.” Her achievement is all the more impressive as she only took up athletics seriously last year after being encouraged by HTIS sports staff to join her local club Stourport Athletics; since when she hasn’t looked back. Due to her age, Gabriella will again be able to compete in the same age category (Yr10/11) next year.
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MJH VISION & DATA
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• Digital Aerial • Freeview • FreeSat • Satellite Systems • Phone & Data/Cat5e Points • Multi Room Distribution mikeejhoward@btinternet.com No obligation free quote and advice www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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Standing out What makes Hollins park different from other park home sites? We asked the owners who invited us to ask the homeowners. To foster the community spirit that is special to the park home lifestyle Hollins park owners invited the residents of the park to help choose some of the planting in the park, some of the residents also met with George of wonderland Garden plant centre to discuss various varieties of planting for the park. To thank the park home owners for their support in the planning & planting of an area at Hollins Park staff look forward to enjoying a get together on the lawn with tea & buns all round.
Friendship”… The position of Hollins park is perfect for beautiful scenery. We enjoy “a comfortable home that is economical to live in & we chose everything about it” … “very neighborly, couldn’t wish for better easier way of life, less maintenance. The best move we have ever made”… “enjoying the wildlife”… “no stairs to climb” The position of Hollins Park affords us “fresh air with no hustle & bustle”… “You are never alone there is always someone to talk to & help”… “The home warms up quickly.”
The site is having an open days in September where the residents will be on hand to answer any questions visitors might have.
Countryside living need not cost the earth and you can design your own home around your budget in collaboration with the manufacturers, including Prestige Park Homes. With a twenty-four hour on-site management team and security CCTV all set in beautiful country surroundings Hollins Park tempts you to view homes of quality offering a pleasant & peaceful lifestyle.
While working together on this project staff asked owners for their comments on what they enjoyed most about living in a Park Home & the benfits of the Park Home Community: “We enjoy the peace & quiet of living in a park home”… “We enjoy the friendly community”… “We find it peaceful, away from all the hustle & bustle”… “We find it peaceful with friendly people, our home is on one level, no stairs to worry about”… “We enjoy the beautiful country views & the wildlife around us”… A benefit is “Security &
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Contact us: For further information, to request a brochure or to arrange an appointment to view show homes & part exchange schemes available, telephone 01746 765025 www.hollinspark.co.uk or email hazel@hollinspark.co.uk
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from the Crowd
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Steamy Day in Stourport
The weather for a change at the Stourport Steam rally this June was a beautiful summers day, unlike some years when the rain has spoilt what has become a premier rally event. My attention was drawn to an event billed as the Daffodil, The Wrinklies Re-build. What can only be described as a pile of old yellow tractor parts littered the ground in the makeshift arena where a team
of people would engage in assembling the parts to reassemble a tractor. To make the event interesting the assembly was timed and those with the shortest time won the competition.
The tractor, a Ferguson, is on permanent loan from Mr Lewis Baker. It was a rusty old wreck when it was collected from his farm and was restored by a team of volunteers. It was painted yellow to distinguish from another competition team. This non-profit making event was set up by John and Lyn Collingborn from Gwent and teams range from Juniors to the more mature veterans. There are women’s teams and teenage teams all competing for the coveted trophies.
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The record, held by The Wye Valley Novice team is a lazy 12 minutes 46 seconds. So the next time you see a pile of tractor parts lying in a field, beware, it could be The Welsh Wrinklies practicing. www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
A Local family run business at Dog Lane, Bewdley DY12 2EF
Established 1989
Come & Feel the Difference
• Carpets Supplied • Professional planners & fitters • Large selection of beautiful RUGS • Vinyl, Karndean, Flotex supplied & Fitted • Domestic & Commercial work undertaken
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TEL: Alison or Justin 01299 404014 : 07767 206433
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Appreciating Our Sense of Smell Our sense of smell is invaluable and yet when people are asked which sense they feel they could manage without, this is the one the majority would initially choose. If we delve a little closer however into the benefits of this much underestimated sense, many people often have a change of mind.
Carole Carlton is the author of the ‘Mrs Darley’ series of books, the fourth of which is entitled ‘Mrs Darley’s Pagan Healing Wisdom’. The book looks at how we might embark upon our own healing journey by exploring the gifts of the five senses. Carole can be contacted via her web site www.arcanus. co.uk or you can follow her via www. twitter.com/mrsdarleyspagan or www. mrsdarleyspaganwhispers.blogspot.com
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1. 2.
Smell keeps us safe and allows us to smell substances that are potentially dangerous such as smoke or gas. Smell picks up on the subtle pheremones of the opposite sex and subconsciously
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whispers whether someone is attractive to us or not. Smell regulates appetite Smell enables us to perceive the full flavour of our food Smell has a profound effect on our emotional and psychological health especially through the inhalation of essential oils. For example, lavender oil stimulates the Raphe Nucleus gland in the brain which in turn, releases the neuro-chemical Serotonin into the blood stream thereby bringing about feelings of relaxation to aid restful sleep. www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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9 Offices throughout Worcestershire and in Mayfair, London “Successfully Selling Town, Country & Village Properties” www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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The Trip to Remember
is completed in 33 gruelling hours and 17 minutes The Trip to Remember, a 150 mile endurance challenge from Dublin to Snowdon, has lived up to its name - as well as its billing as one of the toughest UK based challenges of the year. The 14-strong team (supported by a crew of 6 volunteers) cycled, rowed and hiked the route in 33 hours and 17 minutes, smashing the self-imposed limit of 36 hours. The event was organised to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and has so far generated nearly £3,000 in sponsorship.
With the help of Margaret Bowling and Nate Fulcher, both experienced Expedition Managers, David Bedford had been planning the UK based endurance challenge for seven months; planning the logistics and building a team capable of living up to the challenge. Having finalised the team in the weeks leading up to the event it included some well known adventurers such as round the world cyclist, Mark Beaumont, endurance runner, Mark Cooper, and Tasman Sea rower, Shaun Quincey. The adventure began on Saturday 9th July at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, from where the team
headed south on a 45 mile bike ride that would take them along the Irish Coastline to Arklow. With a few diversions along the way and three punctures, they actually covered 51 miles in a little over 4 hours. Once in Arklow they loaded up the support vessel and about an hour later the first shift of rowers began the crossing of the Irish Sea. For the row the team split into three crews of five, rowing in 90 minute rolling shifts. To make up the numbers, experienced Ocean Rower Shaun Quincey joined the crew. The crossing to Porthmadog was estimated to take 20 hours meaning the team would row through the night and expect to land early on Sunday afternoon. However, no-one had attempted a crossing like this before in their choice of vessel – a surf rowboat – so the team had prepared for the possibility of a longer time. Despite bad weather earlier in the week, the crossing went smoothly with very calm seas. The crew stayed in good spirits throughout the night and by 10:00am were rowing along the south coast of the Lleyn peninsula accompanied by a pod of dolphins that enjoyed playing in the wake of the support vessel. In total the row lasted 21 and a half hours, the tired crew finally landing in Porthmadog at 3:30pm to a warm welcome from the Porthmadog Rowing Club.
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After quick showers, and some revitalising bacon sandwiches, the team left Porthmadog at 4:30pm for the final destination, Snowdon. The peak was 15 miles and a 1,085 meters climb away, a tough walk on any occasion but made tougher by the fact that the team had now been moving for 28 hours. With a www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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new goal of completion inside 34 hours the team attempted to finish the walk in 6 hours which seemed ambitious but spurred them on to push past what felt like their physical limits. Setting off at a fast pace the crew covered the initial 10 miles to the foot of the Watkin Path in 3 hours. They began the Watkin path with 2 hours and 50 minutes to the 34 hour limit; at the best of times a time under 2.5 hours would be impressive so they knew they had to push right to the end. The Watkin Path is known to be the most arduous route up the mountain with extremely steep sections and a technical scramble at the top. Despite their fatigue the team kept each other motivated and completed the climb in 2 hours and 20 minutes. The total time was 33 hours and 17 minutes and the team’s efforts were rewarded with a magnificent view of the sun setting over the Irish Sea. www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Despite the high calibre of some of the team members, which included Atlantic Rowers and round the world cyclist, Mark Beaumont, everyone agreed that it had been one of their toughest challenges to date. However, having raised almost £3,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society already – and donations are still being taken – they all agreed that it had been worthwhile.
The Alzheimer’s Society is a charity that is dedicated to providing support to those affected by dementia whilst also funding research into a prevention and cure. To find out more about the motivations for the event and to learn about the team visit www. thetriptoremember.co.uk, from here you can find a link to their Just Giving page.
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The Evolution of Music – WINDOW CLEANERS WINDOWS CLEANED TO A HIGH STANDARD FRAMES AND SILLS INCLUDED HARD TO REACH WINDOWS NO PROBLEM WE ALSO CLEAN SOLAR PANELS FULLY INSURED
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As I lie here, basking in the glorious Summer sun ( oh sorry, I was having a flashback to our last holiday abroad, silly me !! ). Random and unpredictable weather patterns have become the norm of late, no longer can we expect Summers where the Sun beats down for weeks on end until we end up having to ration water. I suppose the old saying “make hay while the sun shines” has never been more true, but what’s this got to do with music you may ask ?? NOTHING, I just fancied a moan........... Anyway, ardent followers, we have finally reached part 5, the conclusion of my series on music’s evolution. Around 15 years ago, I was working for a company called Integral. One of the other engineers ( how …your you doing Alf ?? ) lent entire record me a disc, he proclaimed, that included EVERY collection in a Beatles album !!!! You device you can will hopefully appreciate fit in your that I was somewhat sceptical, seeing as the pocket… CD format ( see previous feature ) could only store up to 80mins of music, how was it possible ?? I was told it would only play on a computer, not a conventional cd player and on arrival home that day you can imagine the ridicule I was developing to throw back in Alf’s direction the following day when I realised it had all been one big wind-up. Ironically, the joke was on me because it turned it he was right. Not only did the disc contain every album they’d ever released, but also the lyrics to every song and a graphical interface which, all in all, completed what was a very polished and professional end product, to this day I don’t know who created it, or where it originated from, but THAT was my first involvement with digital music. So where did MP3 come from, who created it and how does it work ? Hopefully, over the remaining paragraphs, I will try and explain ( without getting too “geeky” !! ) www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
– Conclusion Ok, MP3 ( or MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III to give it its full title ) is an audio specific format that was designed by the Motion Picture Experts Group ( MPEG ) back in the early 90s. To fully explain how they arrived at it would probably take another five-part series so I won’t bore you with the history and background to their creation. The use in MP3 of a lossy compression algorithm is designed to greatly reduce the amount of data required to represent the audio recording and still sound like a faithful reproduction of the original uncompressed audio for most listeners ( GEEK-OUT - The compression works by reducing accuracy of certain parts of sound that are considered to be beyond the auditory resolution ability of most people. This method is commonly referred to as perceptual coding. It uses psychoacoustic models to discard or reduce precision of components less audible to human hearing, and then records the remaining information in an efficient manner ). An MP3 file that is created using the setting of 128kb per second ( sample rate ) will result in a file that is about 11 times smaller than the CD file created from the original audio source. By altering the sample rate, it is possible to increase or decrease the size of the MP3 file, which in turn means you can get more or less music on a 700mb compact disc ( or digital music player such as the I-pod ). The only disadvantage would be, lower sample rate = worse quality, so if you do decide to experiment with this ingenious software to see how small you could shrink a tune, be prepared to expect dwindling sound quality once you drop below what has become accepted as the “industry norm” - 192 kilobits per second. Of course, the vinyl junkies will persist that you will NEVER equal the pure analogue sound from vinyl, but I think it’s safe to say, digital is here to stay.... Who would have EVER dreamed you could store your entire record collection in a device you can fit in your pocket ??? Say no more. Since the advent of MP3, everybody and his proverbial dog has jumped on the bandwagon. Microsoft developed WMA, Apple - AAC, but there are a number of other digital music formats that are less popular but nevertheless effective. I will leave you to explore for yourself. Enjoy the ride, hope you’ve enjoyed this long drawn-out series and I look forward to addressing you next month, stay cool. Steve Gould www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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Bewdley Annual 6-a-side Competition Bewdley hosted their annual 6 a side competition on Sunday 4th July. The day started with two surprises, firstly the sun was shining!! That’s a first for a long time. Secondly on arrival at the ground the 6 a-side cup, presented to the Angel last year, had mysteriously reappeared, having been missing for the last 12 months. Throngs of people gathered to enjoy the cricket, although the attraction of the Pimms tent, and Dave and Trudi Jones Pig Roast for
the adults and the sweet stall and bouncy castle kept the youngsters amused all day. Twelve teams took up willow on leather in the sunshine and the large crowds was rewarded
with some good cricket persevered and the final was hard fought by The Arches and our annual visitors Higos. Higos after many years of trying were crowned the victors and are pictured here at the presentation.
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Chance to Shine Tournament Bewdley Cricket Club has been part of the Chance to Shine Cricket Initiative assisted by the Worcestershire Cricket Board. It is in its second year of a five year delivery plan. Chance to Shine aims to bring cricket back into state schools. This year Andy Wheeler the appointed coach together with members of the Bewdley Cricket Club delivered 280 hours of cricket coaching free of charge to the Bewdley and Wolverley School Pyramids.
The year culminated with two tournaments held at Bewdley last Tuesday. It was pleasing to see six schools entering teams at two age levels. The winners of the Year 5/6 tournament were Cookley Sebright Primary School while Far Forest Lea Memorial Cof E Primary School led the way in the Year 3/4 tournament. Pictured are the winners of the primary school tournaments with their trophies. www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
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Whitlenge diary August by Fran Southall In August the English countryside resounds with the clipping and clattering of shears and hedge trimmers. The nation wobbles on ladders trying to control the vigorous growth of our green boundaries and shrubs. Regular pruning will give our hedges dense growth and tighter foliage by encouraging leaf buds to form close together on the stem. Late summer is a good time to trim deciduous hedges such as beech and hornbeam. Don’t trim if conditions are extremely dry (if only!) as this puts plants under
stress. If birds are nesting, don’t trim – it is illegal to disturb nests. Native hedges such as hawthorn and hazel should be trimmed later in autumn and winter. Evergreen hedges such as the speedy growing privet and conifers need trimming two or three times a year, whereas the slow growing holly should only be trimmed once a year in late summer. Butterflies have been making the news with over a third of our British species threatened with extinction and 73% of our species have seen a decline in population. Our gardens can play an important part in helping to replace lost habitats and linking individual colonies. Unfortunately this is a statistic we can personally verify as our once covered
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Buddleia plants now only have one or two visitors at a time. So now we have the perfect excuse for that messy, weedy corner of the garden, knee deep in nettles, we are saving the butterflies. Nettles are a rich source of nectar and home to the emerging butterflies. Other essential butterfly plants for a rich source of nectar are Asters, Hebe’s, Lavenders, Marjoram, and Sedums. Hedera flowers are also great for nectar and some varieties lay their eggs among the leaves. To keep the afore mentioned Buddleia flowering into the autumn providing a longer season of food supply, dead head regularly. Six of our native species hibernate, you can help them by providing piles of wood and garden sheds are ideal but do not clean out between October and March. We are going to try planting new potatoes in pots to hopefully eat at Christmas time. Apparently there is no need to chit summer planted seed potatoes. Place three on top of 20cm layer of compost. Cover with 20cm of compost, water well and stand in the sun. When shoots appear cover with more compost until the bag is full. Water regularly, especially once the leaves have emerged and feed with a potato fertiliser
for a good crop. Remove the pot to a green house if it becomes frosty or cover leaves with fleece. Remove foliage when it dies and leave spuds in dry compost until required. Our cut and come again salads have been very successful., so we will keep sowing through out the month. They are so easy to grow and are a long lasting supply of healthy fresh leaves for very little effort.Thats our sort of gardening!
Even in Shakespeare’s time English summers were tricky “Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summers lease hath all too short a date” so lets be ready when and if it arrives to enjoy every minute. 34
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Puzzle Corner
Instructions for sudoku For anyone new to Sudoku puzzles, fill in the blank spaces so that each row, each column and each 3 by 3 block contains all the numbers from 1 to 9.
M.G. REMOVALS Kidderminster
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Answers to puzzles on page 43‌ www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
Tom & Ray’s PetS’ Corner
For all your pets’ requirements Dog, Cat, Rabbit and Bird Food plus accessories 17 Severnside South Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 2DX
Tel: 01299 402960 Fax: 01299 405143
Opening times Free Delivery on bulk orders within the local area
Mon-Fri 8.30am-6.30pm Saturday 9.00am-11.30am
12 High Street, Stourport-on-Severn
Tom: 07974 695267 Ray: 07977 706809
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Bewdley Pines Golf Club Imagine if you could travel through time and talk to someone in the same work position as you are now. Here’s a conversation between a Golf Professional from the 1940s and myself. I ask him about golf during that period. Let’s call him Tom.
A ball lying in a crater may be lifted and dropped not nearer the hole for no penalty.
Mark: It must have been very difficult for the sport to continue during the war.
Tom: The ball is 1.62” diameter, smaller than the one you use now, and has a cover so soft it can be cut and become egg shaped by a miss hit shot. We are still getting used to steel shafts having used hickory for so long, but they are more durable and hit the ball further. They are numbered too; the traditional names like mashie and brassie are gone. Some players have carried twenty to thirty clubs but a new rule limits us to just fourteen now.
Tom: Many chaps were away of course and clubs had to wait and see if they would return. For the first time members caddied for themselves when bag-toting caddies joined the military; members also pitched in to maintain their courses when the army of groundskeepers who kept the fairways and greens in playable shape went to war. Power mowers were at a premium; when they broke, parts were unavailable. In many parts of the country clubs required temporary rules to accommodate war damage. Here are a few examples: Players are asked to retrieve shrapnel to avoid damage to the mowers.
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The position of known delayed bomb actions are marked by red flags, play is prohibited. Mark: What were the balls & clubs like?
Mark: The rules have evolved dramatically over the years. Tom: That’s true; here are a couple of new rules from 1946. How to Drop a Ball a ball shall be dropped in the following manner: - The player himself shall drop it. He shall face
the hole, stand erect, and drop the ball behind him over his shoulder. When a competitor’s ball lying within twenty yards of the hole is played and strikes, or is stopped by, the flag-stick or the person standing at the hole, the penalty shall be two strokes. Mark: Currently the two top ranked players in the world are English. Luke Donald and Lee Westwood. Tom: We don’t have such a system, but Henry Cotton is the top English player, he competes in tournaments and then returns to his club where he works as the Pro. The top players mostly come from America. Byron Nelson won 11 straight tournaments and then retired. Sam Snead and Ben Hogan are becoming the top players now. Hogan won over $10,000 in a season. Mark: Well Tom, the top players are winning a bit more than that now! For more information on how to play or improve your golf contact Mark Slater. PGA Professional, Bewdley Pines Golf Club. 01299 404744.
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Experience in selling advertising would be an advantage. Must have good communication skills, be enthusiastic, work to deadlines and be computer literate. Located in Bewdley you will receive training to achieve targets. Please email your CV to:
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Hopley’s farm shop
back under family management
open daily from 8am - 6.30pm supplied by Swift Bakery & Mawley Milk local cakes, cheese, eggs, meat and ice cream
t: 01299 40 48 26
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family camping open all year round t: 01299 40 21 73
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fishing cafe Hopley’s, Cleobury Road, Bewdley DY12 2QL 44
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