your
FR
EE
Local Times Summer Issue 2011
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‌for the life you lead e n t ertainment * travel * fas h i o n * s t y l e * re s t a u r a n t s
Save time, sav
em one y, b
yg oing
Matt Henderson
Matt Smith
Motor Specialist
Local
Commercial Specialist
Call the RA Davies Team today and get all your insurance quotes sorted ! We are specialists in insurance covering: Motor • Van • Lorry • Home • Shop • Office • Fleet • And More Home
Car
Tel: 01562 751003 email: radaviesltd@btconnect.com website: www.radaviesltd.com 34 / 35 Comberton Hill, Kidderminster DY10 1QN
Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority
Commercial 2
your
Local Times
How to contact us: Editor: Fiona Pennington 08456 199 038 editor@yourlocaltimes.co.uk Contributors: Steve Gould Trevor Kirton Sue MacLusky Des Taylor Advertising: Sales Team advertising@yourlocaltimes.co.uk 08456 199 038 Bob Cooper 01299 402094 Tracey Edwards 01299 402094 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 June
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.
Phew!
Forward
What a month the team have had with the weather at its best for many years and bank holidays in abundance. I have not had time to draw breath. The Royal Wedding gave us yet bank holiday and now we have two more in May to contend with. The magazine had its fair share of entries for the Safari Park Competition and they are still rolling in as I am writing this. Due to the magazine’s success we have taken on more staff and welcome Julia and Tracey into the team so your enquiries will now be dealt with more efficiently. Next month we are producing a 1940’s style Newspaper which will replace the magazine for the June and July issues so we can raise some money for “Help the Heroes” and “Air Ambulance” charities, but we will be back to normal for the August issue. We are looking for readers to contribute to the paper with their stories of the war years. Read all about it in this month’s magazine and how you can take part.
Fiona
Fiona Pennington - Editor editor@yourlocaltimes.co.uk
www.yourlocaltimes.co.uk
3
War Comes to Bewdley
your
Local Times
Your Town needs you! Your chance to Promote Bewdley and District while supporting a Charity
With summer now here many events in the region are taking place and Your Local Times is taking advantage of the huge numbers of visitors flocking to the Wyre Forest region. This year we are promoting Bewdley and the Severn Valley by producing a 1940’s-style newspaper for the months of June and July. Everyone who takes part will benefit, for as well as contributing to the Air Ambulance and Help the Heroes’ Charities, you will be promoting your business to over twenty thousand residents and visitors and you will take a percentage of the sales revenue to offset against your advertising costs. The newspaper* will be delivered to our usual residents in Bewdley free of charge and our stockists, and advertisers. The remainder will be sold at the 1940’s weekends, on June 25th & 26th and 2nd & 3rd July. We will be selling the newspaper at all the stations along the Severn Valley line and on the trains so this is a great way to promote Bewdley.
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You know by now how competitive our rates are to advertise and how successful Your Local Times has become throughout the Wyre Forest region so we hope all the businesses in Bewdley will take advantage of the massive opportunity to promote the town. You are invited to send in any old photographs, stories and any history of life in Bewdley during the 1940’s. Call our sales team on the usual number 08456199038 or send an email to sales@yourlocaltimes.co.uk and they will call you back. We look forward to your contribution.
Bob Cooper
Promoting my Town Stop Press! Send your videos and photographs of the events you have attended and we will upload them to our web site showing what a great place Bewdley is to visit. * The Newspaper will replace the magazine for the July issue only.
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Community News
your
Local Times
The Elizabeth Mills Centre, Stourport-on-Severn The EMC has recently been saved from closure by a new board of Trustees. Karen Butler, Chairperson said “I am delighted the Centre is able to carry on providing excellent services for our members. The new board are extremely dedicated and professional individuals. We will work together to ensure the Centre is put back into the helm of the community, maintaining its current facilities whilst introducing new, exciting ideas.” Club EMC have a variety of activities that take place from informative talks, useful presentations, crafts, games, trips and dancing. Lunch is currently available on Tuesday and Thursdays between 12 noon and 1.30 p.m. at just £3.25 for two courses. The ambience is friendly, welcoming and harmonious.
cloakroom facilities are exceptional. Weight Watchers meet every Wednesday evening, a number of societies including Stourport Floral Art and Stourport Horticultural often meet here too. I’d say the Centre is a great place to meet up with friends and even make some new ones. “We are extremely grateful for all the support that comes our way. The Coop help us tremendously, Barclays Bank “There are many attributes the Centre has to do so where they can and help from the offer. It can community such as Stourport High School is be hired cost- also much appreciated. We have many fun effectively activities in the pipeline - a coffee morning for private on 21 May together with Community functions or Showcase (a talent competition) scheduled meetings and for the end of June 2011 being just two there is a of them.” small stage. The kitchen is If you would like further information well equipped, on the EMC then please contact Karen on there are 01299 871272. pleasant seating areas The photographs are Don Giles, Trustee and and the Fundraiser and some of the dance troop.
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Food for Thought ‌for the life you lead
e n t e rtainment * wining * dining * restaurant * deli 7
your
Local Recipe
Local Times
The Hop Pole Pork and Apple Salad Winner of the Bewdley Salad Challenge 2011
served with Asparagus and Bewdley Blue Cheese Pick a selection of lettuce leaves and put into a mixing bowl, with chopped chives, add a small amount of apple reduction, salt and pepper, mix together. Blanch 3 pieces of asparagus until al dente and then cut in half, put to one side the tips and the bottom of the asparagus. Chop and add into the lettuce leaves. Meanwhile chop your cheese into small cubes and add to the salad. With your sliced pork, place onto a serving plate, add the asparagus tips and then place your salad on top of the pork and place around the left over Bewdley Blue Cheese. Then drizzle with the Apple Reduction.
Pork Terrine Recipe
• 5 slices Pancetta • 4 Ham slices • 100g Chicken Liver • 100ml boiled double cream • Tbsp Brandy • Salt & Pepper • 100g Lean Mince Pork Meat • 10 leaves Baby Spinach (Blanched) • 10 g Pistachio
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Winner of Bewdley Salad Challenge Emma Passey with Mark Garnier. Photo by Colin Hill.
Blend all the ingredients together except the spinach. Lay 2 layers of cling film, then lay on top the Pancetta, blanched spinach and then pour the mousse, add the ham and pistachios, roll up tight the cling film into a sausage shape and tie a knot in both ends. Poach in water for 30 minutes. Once cooked allow to cool. Once cooled in the fridge for 1 hour heat up a pan on the stove and remove all the cling film from the pork and pan fry the pork until the Pancetta has gone crispy. Slice and serve.
Styles Apple Juice Reduction
• 1 bottle of Styles Apple Juice Empty contents into a pan and slowly bring to the boil, simmer for 20 minutes until reduced in volume by half.
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High Quality Fruit, Vegetables, Fish and Eggs
All local produce when in season
Flowers for all occasions FREE delivery to your home
Tel: 01299 400 346
bewdleyfarmshop@btconnect.com
Dog Lane, Bewdley DY12 2EF Hate cleaning your oven? Then call… Hate Hate cleaning cleaning your your oven? oven? Then Then call… call…
BRITE BRITE Professional Oven Hate cleaning your oven? Then call…
GREAT WESTERN Regular Live Music Venue Broad appeal (18-80) friendly pub run by Tony and Anne Goodwin. Children welcome, food, live music Saturdays, pool table, home of the Western Wail Newspaper, Old Gits M.C. and the Great Western piscatorials. Easy access to the Severn Valley Railway, Real Ales, Beer Garden. 42 Kidderminster Road, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 1BY
01299 405 304 10
Professional Oven Cleaning Cleaning Service Service BRITE
COOKERS, Professional OVENS, Oven COOKERS, OVENS, Cleaning Service HOBS, EXTRACTORS HOBS, EXTRACTORS COOKERS, OVENS, HOBS, EXTRACTORS and MICROWAVES and MICROWAVES and MICROWAVES
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BELL’S FARM SHOP & P.Y.O.
Full of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Locally produced Milk, Bread, Cheeses Cakes, Free Range Beef, Lamb, Pork, Bacon and Sausages from Castlemoor Farms and Buttercross Meats plus lots more for you
Open All Year 9 - 5 Everyday on the A4025 nr Stourporton-Severn
us g a ar w sp s no A i r Ou son ing a se r unn
Visit our website www.bellsfarmshop.co.uk for information and directions
01299 251364
01299 405148
www.bewdleybrewery.co.uk
Lucky 7’s Snack Wagon **** 4-star rated **** We specialise in
Fine Dining and Weddings Informal Events ● Corporate Catering BBQs Tel: 0121 604 7437 or 07968 830 755
www.caterforme.co.uk liam@caterforme.co.uk 5 Bourlay Close, Rubery, Rednal, Birmingham B45 0LR
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
Orders: 07528 798 210
The Sun & Slipper Inn Mamble, Worcs, DY14 9JL Off A456 between Clows Top and Newnham Bridge
Traditional Pub and Restaurant
For Reservations 01299 832018
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Now open 7 days per week for all your Deli needs
Nominated for UK Deli of the Year 2011
Over 75 cheeses always in stock
Your local deli
the deli @ be
dley
The deli@bewdley, 71 Load Street, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2AW Telephone: 01299 401901 www.thedeliatbewdley.co.uk
TIPPLERS
The Specialist Off Licence Draught Real Ales Ciders and Fruit Wines A wide selection of bottled beers Party service drinks on sale or return If we don’t stock the drink you thirst for we will endeavour to obtain it for you 70 Load Street, Bewdley
01299 402254
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Local Politics
your
Local Times
Local MP and Wyre Forest Students Visit Former Nazi Death Camps Mark Garnier MP and students from Wyre Forest visited Auschwitz-Birkenau on Wednesday 4th May. Wyre Forest’s local MP joined more than 200 other post-16 students from around Worcestershire on the Project, which was a unique opportunity to learn about what happened at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust, the project was designed to explore the universal lessons of the Holocaust and its relevance for today. The Wyre Forest Students from Holy Trinity School, Kidderminster College, King Charles I School and Stourport School were also given the chance to pay their respects to the millions of people who lost their lives there during the Second World War. Mark said, “I cannot underestimate the importance of visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau and recognising the full extent of the industrialised nature of the Holocaust.
These events may have taken place over 60 years ago but as our society bears witness; we need to continue to teach the lessons of the Holocaust to the younger generations in order to fight bigotry and hatred today. I look forward to seeing how the students will communicate their experience to their peers and am encouraged that many more students will have the opportunity to participate in the course in future years. I hope that this will ensure that the Holocaust is never forgotten and that its lessons are truly learnt, disseminated and acted upon.” Now in its thirteenth year, the Project is based on the premise that “hearing is not like seeing”. Students first visited Osweicim, the town where the Auschwitz death and concentration camps were located and where before the war, 58% of the population was Jewish. Students then visited Auschwitz to see the former camp’s barracks and crematoria and witnessing the piles of belongings that were seized by the Nazis. Finally they spent time at the main killing centre of Birkenau where the day concluded with candle lighting and a period of reflection to remember the 6 million Jews, and the Roma, Sinti, gay, disabled, black people, and other victims of the Nazis killed in the Holocaust. Government funding has enabled the Trust to facilitate regional visits to Auschwitz, as part of its Lessons from Auschwitz Project for thousands of students each year. Karen Pollock, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: “We are delighted that Mark joined us on the visit with students from his constituency. The Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project is such a vital part of our work because it not only gives students the chance to learn about the Holocaust but to understand the dangers and potential effects of prejudice and racism today on a local and national scale.”
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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
Your Life, Your Style ‌for the life you lead
f a s hion * wedding * beauty * health * glamour 15
your
Local Photography
Local Times
Douglas Anderson Wedding Photographer Because choosing the right wedding photographer is such an important decision I am only too happy to visit you to discuss your requirements in detail. You will be able to view a slide show of my work as well as see the quality of the albums and choose the style you prefer.
Based in Kidderminster I cover weddings throughout the West Midlands and Worcestershire and offer the Bride and Groom a pre-wedding shoot with a chance to discuss your itinerary and for us to become acquainted. You can use a print for your guests to sign.
I offer a modern reportage style of wedding photography, with images that tell the story of your day from the bride getting ready to the first dance. Documenting what I see, I work unobtrusively to capture those special moments as they happen. The images captured are then displayed in a beautiful storybook album so that you can view them for years to come.
Packages include full day coverage and a Storybook Album, with the option to build a package that suits you including images available as a slide show, suitable for download to IPhone or onto Face book.
Your day is very special and you will receive my personal attention to create the finest portfolio of photographs you can choose for your album.
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Go to my web site at:
www.douglasandersonphotography.co.uk
and look at our gallery of photographs and read our testimonials from some of our satisfied clients, or see our advertisement for our contact numbers.
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your
Local Health & Beauty
Local Times
Why Laughter is like a Wonderful Massage! I’m a serious, dedicated Sports Massage Therapist. I tackle people’s aches and pains and make people feel better. But I’ve just discovered the best medicine of all time – laughter! As a therapist I have explored many different healing modalities. But out of all my experiences, I have found laughter to be the most powerful. This is why I recently found myself in London, training to be a ‘Laughter Yoga’ teacher. The point is this; when you laugh it’s like a massage. When you laugh the convulsion of the diaphragm causes it to push against your internal organs. This causes a nice squeeze and a fantastic shake up and increases the blood flow to all your internal organs. So this is why, as a Massage Therapist, I am seriously into laughter and have, for this reason, set up my own ‘Laughter Clubs’. My Laughter Clubs are being run at Body Balance in Stourbridge (see www.bodybalance.org) but I am currently looking for a venue in Kidderminster or Stourport so please contact me if you know anywhere! My Laughter Club has proved so popular that I have had to put on extra sessions! I’ve had e-mails and texts from ‘fellow laughter addicts’ telling me they’ve been on a high all week. No drugs, I promise, just pure and simple laughter! It’s the effect of laughing for a whole hour. How often do you get to do that? Have you ever had that feeling ‘if I don’t laugh I’ll cry’ ? Have you ever felt ‘cleansed’ after a good laugh? Laughter provides a physical and emotional release. If you practice laughter regularly, it gives you a more light hearted perspective and makes it easier to deal with everyday challenges. My Laughter Club is based on ‘laughing for no reason’. I have been trained by the Dr.Kataria school of ‘Laughter Yoga’ which is not based on telling jokes or being funny. What I do, through a series of playful exercises, is encourage laughter in a group, so what starts off as ‘fake’ laughter soon turns into genuine giggles.
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As the age old saying goes, “Sun demands no reason to shine; Water demands no reason to flow; A child demands no reason to be happy; Why do we need reason to laugh?”
If you would like to find out more about my Laughter Club, or would like to invite me to come and talk to your club or group (and make you laugh!) please phone or e-mail me: suemaclusky@gmail.com Tel: 07810 578 075
Relax and let go with Sue Call 07810 578 075 BESPOKE MASSAGE THERAPIES
• Isn’t it about time you felt great? • Would you like to relax at a deep level? • Do you want to let go of all your stresses & strains? “Once you’ve had a Massage with Sue you won’t want to go anywhere else! Unbelievable.”
Richard, Stourbridge
website: www.sootheoutstress.co.uk
Sue works in Stourbridge & Kidderminster
Nikki’s Hair Salon
31 Load Street, Bewdley, Worcs DY12 2AS
Tel: 01299 404510 For all your Needlecraft Supplies Knitting, Sewing, Cross-Stitch Tapestry, Embroidery etc Haberdashery, Knitting, Yarn, Threads, Ribbons, Buttons, Feathers, Dyes, Zips, Beads, Laces, Felt, Trims… Curtain Fabrics, Tracks, Poles & Fittings
Curtain Making Clothing & Curtain Alterations Service Dry Cleaning
www.notionsbewdley.co.uk
Ladies Salon
Booking is strongly advised
Ladies wash, cut & blow Ladies dry cut Ladies colours from Girls cut from
£35.00 £22.00 £35.00 £5.00 to £15.00
SPECIAL OFFER
½ price colours, cuts & hair ups Gents Salon
No appointment needed
Gents dry cut Boys cut O.A.P
£8.90 £7.00 £4.90
Comberton Hill, Kidderminster
01562 747936
All The Best Parties
Everything you need for a great party!
BALLOONS BALLOON BOUQUETS
Editions Bewdley Jewellery Homewares Ladies Accessories Candles Greeting Cards Unique Gifts 10% off off with with every every purchase purchase over over £20 £20 10% (June only) only) (June
01299 403 233 65 Load Street, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2AW
TABLEWARE & ACCESSORIES Opening Hours Tuesday-Saturday 0900-1700 28 Load Street, Bewdley Worcestershire DY12 2AS
01299 400446 allthebestparties@ gmail.com
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your
Local Venue Stylist
Local Times
Bespoke Venue Styling for any occasion With the high costs of holding your wedding reception or anniversary at hotels your guests can now enjoy a personal theme styled venue anywhere of your choice. Many of my clients use the local village hall or marquee to hold a wedding reception or anniversary celebration and I tailor the style and theme to each client’s instructions. It is bespoke and individual but very affordable. Each wedding is different and very special and I offer this room transformation using specialist fabrics, lighting, and colour pallets to make that stunning unforgettable day. Table decorations include fresh florals to combine elegance or a contemporary look. Every makeover is unique and instructions from the client are sympathetic to the occasion.
After twenty-seven years in the fashion industry I like to design and dress the venue to delight your guests. Please call me if you would like more information or go to the website at www.theroomdresser.co.uk
Or call 07969 984023
Stunning room dressing and creative theming. Everything comes together to sparkle your special event… weddings • parties • corporate village halls • hotels • homes • marquees
Claire Whitelaw • The Room Dresser 07969 984 023 • 01562 631 608 www.theroomdresser.co.uk
we design… we dress… we delight 20
Candy Carousel
TM
Hire the Candy Carousel for your Wedding and wow your guests. Comes with a selection of sweets in a Pick & Mix style or with Thorntons Chocolates. With or without attendants it can be used to display your wedding cake, greet your guests with a display of drinks, treat them to the confectionary and display your favours as the guests depart. Beautifully decorated to suit the occasion. Call Tracey on 08456 199 038 or email: tracey@ candycarousel.co for more details.
www.candycarousel.co 21
Local Health & Beauty
your
Local Times
Your Life in their Hands You sign up to a dance class, gym membership or a training session and you have someone who is not insured or have any qualifications. What happens if you have an accident? Take Debbie, who runs the Zumba dance classes in Bewdley and Stourport. She is a fully qualified instructor and her business has public liability insurance. She has been trained professionally as an instructor, which has cost her a great deal of money. She says, “Being professionally trained I know how to start to my Zumba sessions by carefully warming up the body with gentle exercise.� Many people think they can start a business
Dance yourself fit whilst having fun with Zumba
Debbie is a fully trained gym instructor, fully insured and is qualified to take these unique dance classes.
Contact Debbie - 07792 723 213
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without having any qualifications, whether it is a Dance Class, Electrician, Plumber, Builder, Hairdresser or beauty treatments to the detriment of those who have spent money and time training in their specialised industry. Many have no insurance so if an accident occurs you will have no redress. With the regulation of the Health and Safety at work act, 1976, few realise the importance of having the correct qualifications and what impact it would have on your life and the person who is starting a business. So why do we take chances with our home or our life? Is it to save money or do we think we are getting a better service? Is it because we know the person and do not like to ask those searching questions? When I started this magazine, I wanted to promote local businesses to the community, which is why the residence of the town receives a magazine through their door. I would always use someone I knew or had seen around for any work or services that was required to my home or use the local pub or restaurant, or go to a local dance or art class, as I trust them. Do we know, when we receive a leaflet through our door, or a cold caller selling services, especially when there is no address and only a mobile number on the leaflet, whether we are going to get a good job and good service and if an accident should occur are they insured saving us further money to put it right? So next time you want a job done, give a local trader a chance. Look in Your local Times or Your Local Trader magazines, which promote local businesses. Bob cooper
Amie’s Beauty Call Bridal hair, prom hair all charged per hour rather than per style. Nail extensions ~ calgel from £30 on hands and £25 on toes (including a mini man/ped) Sienna x spray tan £15 per tan or FREE if you hold a tan party and invite 5 or more friends (£10 for hostess if she invites 4 friends) Minx nails £25 (including a mini pedicure) Spa pedicure ~ 1hour of bliss ... includes a deep foot & calf massage, foot mask, hard skin treatment, cuticle tidy and polish £25 (add minx OR calgel to toes to finish the look for an extra £10) Eyelash extensions from £60 (patch test required 24 hours prior) Weekend Lashes and Crystal Pedicure. Call for more info. DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE ON PACKAGES
Call Amie for more information 07584 290677
Wedding Packages
Manicure, pedicure, half leg wax bikini wax and bridal make-up only £40.00 (Nail extensions also available) Add bridesmaid make-up only £20
Please note that waxing will be carried out 2 days prior to wedding manicure pedicure and make-up carried out on the day (2 hour). Wedding package pre appointments are required to meet all clients expectations for colours and styles of make up for the day.
GIFT BASKETS AND BALLOON BOUQUETS
Balloon decorating for weddings and any other special occasion Room and table decorating … Balloon arches and more Competitive prices
Call Lisa for a quote on ~ 07814 276695
For more information call Jenny on
07871 073 866
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your
Local Functions
Local Times
Fabulous Functions:
every client gets the Royal treatment Have you been inspired by the Royal Wedding? Be it two cakes, Kate’s trees or a charity gift list, the lovely ladies at Fabulous Functions will be able to bring all your ideas together to make your special day absolutely perfect. Based in two regional offices in Worcestershire & Cheshire, Jo Beacham and Julie Garner are lifelong friends and create fantastic Weddings and Corporate events, bringing together their comprehensive experience in corporate event management and fundraising events. With the Royal Wedding so fresh in all of our minds it seems the ladies at Fabulous Functions are being inundated with enquiries and rightly so - with their fresh attitude and fantastic experience they really can pull off a spectacular event. Other Kate inspired themes the girls have been
suggesting to their brides include adding a touch of 1950s chic to your dress or hair, keeping your bridal bouquet simple and elegant. “Kate’s choice of her dress was perfect,” said Jo. “A touch of vintage glamour, with more than a hint to the beautiful dress Grace Kelly wore when she married Prince Rainer. Kate carried it off with glamour and ease.” Fabulous Functions take the stress out of organising your special event be it a Wedding, corporate event or a special celebration party. Whatever your event contact the ladies at Fabulous Functions to bring your ideas for life creating the event of your dreams without the drama. If you would like Fabulous Functions to help make your event extra special contact us on 0845 6807672 or www.fabulous-functions.co.uk
We put the FUN into your Function
WEDDINGS - PARTIES - CORPORATE EVENTS
Bespoke Weddings, Parties, Corporate Events by Fabulous Functions Whatever your requirements, give the Fabulous Functions team a call today to see if we can help.
Tel: 0845 680 7672
Jo@fabulous-functions.co.uk Jules@fabulous-functions.co.uk www.fabulous-functions.co.uk 24
Simply Silks Whilst we all love the smell of fresh flowers, sometimes our budget won’t stretch to a new display each week. If you’d still like a beautiful flower display to brighten your home or office that’s when you should consider our stunning silk flowers as a modern and more cost effective alternative. Choose between a traditional style to a bespoke, contemporary design with colours to suit.
To create your design please call Tracey
On 08456 199038 local rate or email tracey@candycarousel.co
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Local Business
your
Local Times
loyers and employees needed to make IT happ Article copy for Local Times.
ew real voices from real ICT employers who wyreacademy.com work w
Employers and employees needed to make IT happen...
first question in an interview is: How old were you when you first started g Listen to a few real voices from real ICT employers who wyreacademy.com work with: computers? I want the answer to be somewhere between 8-12 years.” have• serious skills gaps ICT amongst staff.” “My first question in anininterview is: How old our were you when you first started getting he ICT Industry, Microsoft are a between given.... interested in computers? I want theOffice answer toskills be somewhere 8-12what years.” we need are sof s, server administrators, specialists....” • “We have serious skillsIT gapssecurity in ICT amongst our staff.” man Resource a household IT company) • “In theDirector ICT Industry,of Microsoft Office skillsname are a given.... what we need “Degree are software graduate programmers,We serverlike administrators, IT security specialists....” best recruits. to recruit people with work experience, good referenc • (Human Resource Director of a household name IT company) “Degree graduates are not try certifications.” usually thesame best recruits. like to recruit people with work goodI references and high old nd from the HR We Director: “My eyes lightexperience, up when see an 18-year stakes certifications.”ambitious who we can mould into our own way of d o work inindustry IT... someone
• ….and from the same HR Director: “My eyes light up when I see an 18-year old who knows s/he wants to work in IT... someone ambitious who we can mould into our own way of doing mes Industry things.” employer) “Recruiting good software programmers is by far o and this holding back our business growth.” • is(Games Industry employer) “Recruiting good software programmers is by far our biggest challenge... and this is holding back our business growth.”
T services company who hold corporate, public and educational sector cont TDM is an Locally IT services company hold corporate, public andand educational sector contracts in the Wyr nd Canada. (Wyrewho Forest), regionally nationally, our TDM UK,isUSA and Canada. Locally (Wyre Forest), regionally and nationally, our TDM Wyre Academy y.com now offering: wyreacademy.com is now offering: rdable, High Stakes ICT Industry Certification Courses • Affordable, High Stakes ICT Industry Certification Courses vernment-subsidised (up to 100%) ICT Professional Apprentice Recruitmen • + Government-subsidised (up to 100%) ICT Professional Apprentice Recruitment & nt. Development.
n 01299 enquiries@tdm.info. Contact405719 us on 01299or405719 or enquiries@tdm.info.
wyreacademy.com New Skills for afor NewaCentury wyreacademy.com – –New Skills New Century
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254 words.
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Local Photographer
your
Local Times
Alex Sharp is a Hartlebury based female photographer. With over 20 years experience she covers a wide range of types of photography including Weddings, Jewellery, Portraits and Travel photography. Alex photographs Weddings all over the UK, including venues such as Warwick Castle, Birtsmorton Court, Tamworth Castle, Studley Castle, Brecon Cathedral, plus a variety of local churches. She shoots casual, reportage style photography, but is also happy to do more formal family portraits if required. Prices include ALL of the images from your special day on DVD, Hi Resolution for you to do with as you wish. Alex can also help with albums and prints if you would like. says “they are such happy occasions and every one is different�. Alex has also been awarded her LRPS by the Royal Photographic Society. Alex Sharp Photography LRPS www.alexsharp.co.uk Tel: 07885472010
She worked in Television for 20 years for the BBC and Central TV and spent 8 years shooting jewellery for a popular shopping channel. Alex has photographed over 150 weddings, which she loves doing, as she 28
Places to Be ‌for the life you lead
a t t ractions * events * sounds * theatre * cinema 29
your
Local Attractions
Local Times
Lemurs on the loose West Midland Safari Park has opened the largest Lemur walk-through facility in the country. The new exhibit “Walking with Lemurs” consists of a natural woodland walk now home to Ring Tailed Lemur, White-Fronted Brown Lemur and Red Bellied Lemur - all native of Madagascar. Lemurs have free range of the woodland, which is located in an area beside an original lake in grounds landscaped by Capability Brown that date back to the 1800’s. This is the first time that visitors to the Park will be able to see and interact with this new species introduced for 2011. Work started on the new complex in Summer 2010 when a former Goat Park site was completely redeveloped and landscaped. The facility now includes new purpose built animal housing, pathways and natural log visitor seating. There is a programme of daily talks and Lemur themed activities planned for throughout the year. The new Lemur exhibit took seven months to complete and is part of a £1m investment in new attractions that are being launched during 2011.
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Bob Lawrence, Director of Wildlife, said, “Lemur are fascinating animals that often display unusual behaviour that is both captivating and rather cheeky. They are habitual sunbathers and enjoy nothing more than finding a nice perch to while away an hour or so. When roused part of their communication process can become somewhat theatrical too, particularly when they engage in “stink fights” by waving their scent-marked tail at an opponent. This new exhibit is just what was needed and utilizes an area of the Park that is ideally suited to this kind of species”. West Midland Safari and Leisure Park is open daily, including Bank Holidays, up to Friday 4th November 2011. “Walking with Lemurs” is included as part of the standard admission charge of £13.99 for adults, £11.99 for children. A family saver ticket costs £46.76, which admits two adults and two children and offers a 10% saving on standard admission prices. Admission prices also include a free return ticket. Amusement rides are charged extra in all cases. Further information is available from the Park’s official website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114.
Greenwood Marriages The festival of May Day, known as ‘Beltane’, marked the beginning of the Celtic summer and was a time when fires were lit and animals put out to pasture. It was also an occasion upon which love, lust and fertility were the order of the day and many young men and women would venture into the woods for a night of passion on the Eve of Beltane. The Puritan writer, Phillip Stubbs, was appalled by the behaviour of the young people of his day and wrote: ‘I have heard it credibly reported by men of great gravity, credit and reputation, that of fortie three score maids going into the woods over night, there have scarcely the third part of them returned home again undefiled.’ It is said that even after the introduction of formal marriage rites, the rules were still relaxed on Beltane Eve and many people would seek out the privacy of the woods where they
would do what came naturally to them; an act referred to as a ‘greenwood marriage’. Carole Carlton is a writer, lecturer and author in ancient spirituality and complementary medicine. She runs workshops and courses at the Ramada Hotel, Bewdley, in all levels of Reiki and the history, folklore and legend behind our well loved annual festivals. She can be contacted via her website at www.arcanus.co.uk Or you can visit her blog at www. mrsdarleyspaganwhispers.blogspot.com
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Bewdley Floral Art Club The first National Flower arranging day took place in early May and the Bewdley Floral Art Club promoted the event with floral arangements by club members appearing in St Anne’s Church, Bewdley Methodist Church and Perriogo opticians. Bewdley Floral Art Club are members of the National Association of 34
Flower Arrangers. One of the high spots in the flower arranger’s calendar is the annual presentation at the Rose Theatre, Kidderminster. For three night’s in June, the theatre provides the backdrop for a floral extravaganza by Andrew Lloyd and Joan Southerton, with all the proceeds being donated to local charities.
Tickets for this year’s event entitled ‘Kaleidoscope’ on 27th, 28th, and 29th June from 7.30pm are on sale now. For more information or to book please call 01384 443380 or 01299 402961. The next club meeting will be held on Monday May 9th at St George’s Hall, Bewdley at 7.30pm.
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Local Community News
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Locals join noted adventurers on The Trip to Remember Since the recruitment drive for The Trip to Remember was launched earlier this year, the event has enjoyed rising popularity, and applications from an extremely high level of participants countrywide, as well as a sponsorship deal from Bewdley based PR Agency, DMA Europa. This is an endurance event being organised by Bewdley local, David Bedford, to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. There will be three other Worcestershire residents joining David on the trip. Would-be adventurers Stuart Royall, a tree surgeon from Kidderminster; Philippa Capel, a psychologist from Worcester; and James Ritchie, a printer from Dunley, will be joining David and 11 other participants from the UK and beyond on the 150 mile challenge that sees the team travelling from Dublin to the top of Snowdon with a 90 mile row across the Irish Sea Stuart Royall thrown in. Stuart Royall: “The mixture of rowing, cycling and mountaineering is tailor-made for me. It seems a great opportunity to help a good cause, meet new people and make many new friends. I am sure that this experience will stay with me for many years” Philippa Capel: “This challenge speaks to me on a professional and personal level. I love seeing what my physical endurance is capable of and am excited to be taking this to the next level. I also know the pain that dementia can cause and am looking forward to raising money for such a worthwhile charity.”
Philippa Capel
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James Ritchie: “My grandfather, Jim Clarke, had suffered from Alzheimer’s for some years, so as soon as I heard about this challenge I was determined to be a part. I have done a few long rows and other
challenges in the past but this will be certainly be a new level for me.” The four locals are joined by a team of experienced athletes. Some of the achievements within the team include two Atlantic rows, the first solo row from Australia to New Zealand, the first completion of seven ultra-marathons in seven days on seven continents and a run that equalled 50 marathons in 56 days. Together it is hoped that they will be able to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society, a charity that provides support to sufferers of dementia and their families as well as funding research in to a cure and prevention. David Bedford adds: “I was stunned by the number and level of applicants, it was a truly heartbreaking decision to determine who would make up the final crew but in the end I chose a team David Bedford and James Ritchie that I believe is extremely strong and will truly treasure the experience. I would have willingly taken nearly everyone who applied and hope to have the opportunity to speak with some of them soon about future challenges. I must also thank DMA Europa for offering us a fantastic sponsorship opportunity that includes support and advice from one of its Directors” The Trip to Remember will be taking place over the weekend of the 9th and 10th July. For further information about the event and to make donations visit www. thetriptoremember.co.uk. From there you can join up to the event’s Facebook and Twitter page for regular updates on the trip’s progress.
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Local Gardening Calendar
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Local Times
Whitlenge diary Summer by Fran Southall Pamper you pond, now is the perfect time for a spring clean and good clear out. All the dead leaves and debris that has fallen in over the winter will have turned into a thick sludge. Ideally you should lift all the plants, remove fish to a temporary home and pump out all the water. Then hose and wash down the pond, be very careful if it’s a liner as these can be damaged and ripped. Refill pond, tidy up and divide plants and put the fish back in with the water they have been holidaying in.
www.whit-lenge.co.uk
Trailing bush tomatoes are perfect for hanging baskets and are easier to grow than cordons as you don’t have to keep pinching out new shoots. Plant one tomato in the centre of a basket and combine with herbs such as Basil or Parsley. Keep warm inside for a few weeks before hanging outside in June.
Use oxygenating plants to keep the ponds ecosystem healthy, they are not that pretty but because they are submerged it’s not a problem. They can also be invasive but are easily controlled by pulling out excess growth. To discourage new growths of algae put in barley straw now. It won’t kill off any existing but if you replace every four weeks should deter new growth. Always make sure ponds have shelves and ramps so that our friendly predators the hedgehog (slug eaters) can escape if they fall in. Also encourage the Common Toad to live near in woodpiles or under paving slabs as they are called the gardeners friend due to the amount of invertebrates they eat. So much could be done this time of year it’s hard to decide where to start. Easy and successful, plant runner beans and dwarf French beans in pots, keep well watered and they will repay you generously. Courgettes are brilliant for a first time gardener and great for children too as they keep on producing, even if they are not pampered.
Check watering daily and feed weekly with a high potash tomato fertiliser. You can buy wonderful cut and come again mixes now which provide salad material nearly all year; these also grow well in pots and trays. It’s important to tie climbers in as they grow otherwise you find you have a tangle of growth that can’t be unwound; therefore you lose all the new height. Every year we are late putting in stakes and supports for tall herbaceous, if not done early you risk damage to plants. Will this be the year we get ahead? You will have to come and have a look to see how we got on!
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. 38
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Local Computers
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Local Times
The Evolution of Music - Part 4 Hi folks, now well into the holiday season, your portable music device will have truly come into its own as you strive to keep the kids quiet or indeed enjoy a bit of time to yourself immersed in your favourite tunes. Stay with me now as we enter the “digital age” and the death of analogue... If you recall, the age of the compact cassette had just arrived, with record times of up to 3 hours ( if you wanted to risk the TDK E180 !! ), hardly the capacity of yer average i-pod !! The mass production of compact audio cassettes began in 1964 in Hanover, Germany. Pre-recorded music cassettes (also known as Musicassettes; M.C. for short) were launched in Europe in late 1965, but it wasn’t until 1971, with the introduction of Chromium Dioxide tapes and Dolby B Noise Reduction technology, that the format got took seriously as a medium to rival reel-toreel tape and 8-Track. Into the eighties, due to its size and ability to record, cassette sales started to eclipse even Vinyl and once portable, hand-held players like the Sony Walkman became popular, the writing was on the wall for good ol’ long playing records ( or LP’s as we all know and love ). Even though cassette tapes were the storage media of choice for so many, lurking in the background was the Compact Disc (CD), an off-shoot of Laser Disc which, although originally developed by Sony as early as 1976, took until 1982 to reach the public consciousness !! By then, Sony and Phillips had worked together to produce a standard for disc size (4.7”), storage capacity (700mb or 80 minutes) and sampling rate (44.1kHz). The disc is read by a laser, so unlike a vinyl recording, there is no physical contact between the read head and disc surface and for a while there was an urban myth that CD’s are “un-scratchable”, more durable than their vinyl cousin this was quickly dispelled. They may be easier to store and less prone to physical damage than vinyl records, but I can assure you, they are NOT indestructible !! Compact Disc took a while to establish itself due primarily to the price difference between CD and Vinyl ( only cassette allowed you to realistically and 44
economically record and thus “copy” or “backup” your precious discs ), with the average price of a CD around £15 and its vinyl equivalent between £5 and £6, there really was no competition and for a few years at least, good ol’ Vinyl hung on in there while the digital revolution slowly eroded its hold on the single and album chart. Once production and distribution costs dropped, it would take another leap in technology to cement CD’s place in the average audiophile’s life – Recordable CD’s. CDR ( Compact Disc Recordable ) were introduced in 1990 by both Sony and Phillips, but again early writers recorded in “real-time” and were very expensive....Cassette tapes were safe (for the moment) and even though CD offers click free, rumble free and error free reproduction of our favourite tunes, some analogue die-hards swear by vinyl and tape saying that it gives a more accurate representation of the music and that digital recordings are “too clean” and perfect !! Early CD releases were simply ported over from their vinyl equivalent with no extra tracks etc. and in many ways didn’t offer much of an incentive for the music buying public to make the transition from vinyl to CD ( analogue to digital ), but as the music hierarchy realised they had a wonderful new medium to play with, topped with disappointing sales, remastered versions of classic albums and “bonus tracks” started to become the norm, making CD somewhat more of a draw than the outdated and easier to damage vinyl or cassette release. Now, even though Vinyl has started to make a small revival, cassettes have died a death - By 1993, annual shipments of CD players had reached 5 million, up 21% from the year before, while cassette player shipments had dropped 7% to approximately 3.4 million. The decline continued such that in 2001 cassettes accounted for only 4% of all music sold. Since then, the prerecorded market has undergone further decline, with few retailers stocking them because they are no longer issued by the major music labels. So, what of the future of CD ? – next month, all will be revealed as we complete our look at the evolution of music. Have a good one. Steve Gould
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our yyour Local Times
Local Schools Friday 17th June – Much Ado About Nothing
Friday 1st July – Chapter 8 Songs for a Midsummer’s Evening
Shakespeare’s famous comedy outdoors! Sunday 29th May - Cleobury Country Food and Ale Trail Enjoy a 3-course meal as you stroll through 8 miles of beautiful countryside starting at Kinlet Hall (10-10.30 am). Tickets (£16 adults, £8 children) include souvenir tankard. Advance booking essential. Details and tickets: www. cleoburycountry.com or tel. 01299 272300.
The acclaimed Rain or Shine Theatre Company (www. rainorshine.co.uk) returns for the seventh successive year to perform on the front lawn of Kinlet Hall. Come at 6 pm with a picnic and soak up the atmosphere.
An informal soiree of highquality singing by the ninepiece ensemble. Chapter 8 (www.chapter8. org.uk) comprises members of leading cathedral choirs and solo performers. Their repertoire ranges from the most sublime choral music to popular light favourites. Performance starts 7.30 pm.
Performance starts 7.30 pm. Tickets £13, £11 (concession) and £6 (child). Tel. 01299 841230.
Tickets (incl. light refreshments) £12, £10 (concession) and £6 (child). Tel. 01299 841230.
BRING & SING FAURE ‘REQUIEM’ & VIVALDI ‘GLORIA’ SATURDAY 21ST MAY AT 7.00 P.M. ST. MARY’S CHURCH – KIDDERMINSTER
Children enjoy lessons in self expression
They have really enjoyed this activity and learnt valuable new skills along the way.”
Children from Holy Trinity International School in Kidderminster enjoyed enrichment lessons in self expression, basing their learning and class work on the theme of how we express ourselves.
Pupils were encouraged to discuss ideas and to work in teams, using a number of ways to express what they wanted to say. Some pupils signed a song, producing their own PowerPoint presentation, and others focused on visual art to portray emotions and the influence colour has on how people see and interpret things. The children also created face masks to depict emotion and used dance to express themselves, choreographing the majority of the moves themselves as they wanted to express happiness and energy.
Head of Holy Trinity International Prep School, Jon Brunt commented: “This activity helped the children to understand and realise how difficult it is for some people to communicate and express themselves when verbal communication isn’t an option.
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Tickets £7.50 (Concessions £6.00) in advance or on the door CHOIRS & SINGERS WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE PART – IF SO PLEASE CONTACT : Ann Lyman (01299 404226) or e-mail: lymanhughes34@aol.com Jim Pearman (01562 632172) or e-mail: jim@pearman.com Rehearsal : Saturday 21st May (2.00 p.m. for 2.30 start) at St. Mary’s Church Music can be borrowed from us if required All Proceeds to Trinity Methodist Church Restoration Fund
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our Local Golf
Bewdley Pines Golf Club FORE! Its golf’s most famous term used daily around the world by players when their miscued shots fly dangerously towards someone who needs to duck, quickly! And maybe it’s a sign that a player is not having their best game. But you knew that didn’t you, whether you play or not it seems that people are aware of it as a golfing term, but where does it come from? Well the most plausible theory goes back to when golf balls were handmade and extremely expensive. A lad was sent ahead to the foreground where the ball was expected to land, his job to ensure the ball was not lost, and fore was shouted as the shot was struck to alert him that the ball was travelling towards him. Golf also uses other unusual terms to identify how many shots are taken compared to Par (the standard number of shots taken on a hole). The juniors have the most fun with bogeys and double bogeys, but actually it originates from an Edwardian music hall song warning of the bogey man. So in golf a bad score became a bogey. What about a birdie? Well that’s an American term used in the late 19th
century when the term bird was used to express something good, and then followed an eagle as an even better score referring to their national symbol. An albatross, a more recent addition, then seemed a logical follow on. The word golf itself may derive from the Dutch word meaning club or possibly an old Scottish word meaning to strike, no one knows for sure. Combine these with blobs in stablefords, having a snowman if you score 8 or hitting a duck hook and the sport seems to have its own colourful language. I’m sure you can think of many more examples too. So why play 18 holes? Well legend suggests it’s because that’s how many it took to empty your hip flask of whisky if drinking a nip per hole whilst playing round St. Andrews, but that’s one of many theories. One thing’s for sure though, however many holes are played, phrases used and shouts of fore golfers always seem to be on good form in the 19th hole. For more information on how to play or improve your golf contact Mark Slater. PGA Professional, Bewdley Pines Golf Club. Tel 01299 404744.
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Local Sports
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BEWDLEY CRICKET Club Until now, Bewdley Cricket Club has remained one of the towns great secrets. Tucked away at the end of the High Street, it boasts an excellent playing field, a thriving youth division and a fun, family atmosphere. Every week visitors to Lower Park remark “What a jewel!” and “we never knew you were here”. Others read the sports section of The Shuttle and spend their time pondering where this “mythical” club is actually to be found. So we thought that it was time to set the record straight and raise Bewdley Cricket Club’s profile. And we thought that The Local Times would be the perfect outlet through which to achieve this. Over the past few months we hope to hit the headlines in The Shuttle with our antics on the field (in the sports section - for those that don’t go there!) and through our various fund raising efforts. We have also started things of this year with our Nat-West Cricket Force weekend and The BCC Golf Day Fund Raiser.
The Annual President’s XI Versus Chairman’s XI match, which is dedicated to the memory of Simon Higgs, one of our young players who sadly passed away took place on Saturday 23rd April. The day was opened with the unveiling of a memorial bench dedicated to “Higgsy” from his Uncle. The Chairman’s XI won the toss and decided to bat and put on a total of 231 FOR 4 in 40 overs. Robbie Combes was 72 not out, Gareth Lewis 60, Martin Flack 36 with Cyril Ramsey 2 for 24. The President’s XI took to the field but unfortunately the early wickets fell to and they could only score a total of 199 for 7. Nick Wilkinson 69, Ben Jones Snr 41 with Rob Crane 3 for 37 and Ben Jones Jnr 2 for 46. This produced a win for Chairman’s XI by 32 runs. The Simon Higgs Trophies for the winners and runners, donated by Tony and Carol Higgs in 2010 were presented to the winning and losing side. The day was closed with a few beers and a Trudi Chilli and Curry Night. The season has now kicked off everyone is welcome to come down and support the teams throughout this season. On the fund raising side, hard work last year means that Bewdley Cricket Club now has its new covers and kitchen for the 2011 season. Our regular six-a-side event will take place again as usual on Sunday 3rd July where we hope to be blessed by “good weather” and have many locals enjoy a good day out, watching the cricket, drinking Pimms and savouring Dave & Trudi Jones’ legendary pork rolls. Plus much more!! The club would like to extend a warm welcome to the people of Bewdley and the surrounding area and invite them to find “this jewel” in 2011. BCC always welcomes new members, of all ages and all abilities. The pavilion is also available for one-off events or even for use as a regular venue for any clubs, societies or groups that may be interested, all year round. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr David Mills on 01299 402800 for further details. If you do happen to find yourself at the end of the High Street and the gate is open, please pop in and say hello. You don’t need to be able to pick up a bat or throw a ball, why not come along. Bring the kids, bring the family or bring a picnic. Perhaps even indulge yourself in one of our very reasonable cream teas on a match day.
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And remember, there’s no better way of spending a sunny Saturday or Sunday afternoon. *Bewdley Cricket Club is located at Lower Park, Bewdley, DY12 2DP.
We have advertised in the Local Times for a few years now, and the publication has really helped us grow our business. It’s a great way to show our customers, new & old, ideas for beautiful flooring in their home or how to compliment a room with one of our stunning rugs.. As the publication is free and delivered to thousands of local homes and business, we are confident that The Local Times is a great place to advertise. Alison at Justin2 Carpets and Rugs
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
Outdoor clothing and accessory specialists 40 Load Street Women’s Clothing Bewdley Men’s Clothing DY12 2AS Rucksacs & Bags Footwear & Socks Walking Poles Headgear & Gloves Navigation Watches Health & Hygiene Energy Drinks Outdoor Equipment All Terrain Cycles
01299 405382
Visit our on-line shopping at
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Local Puzzles
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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.
The Harriers Competition Rules and Conditions No cash alternative to prize. Winner will be notified y e-mail or telephone. Two competition match vouchers will be issued to the winner, which must be exchanged in person (free of charge) for match tickets the Kidderminster Harriers’ Ticket Office, located at Aggborough Stadium, Hoo Road, Kidderminster, DY10 1NB. Any personal data will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. It will only be used for the purposes of notifying outcomes of the competition. Your information will not be shared with any organisations external to Your Local Times except for when a third prize is issuing a prize directly. If you do not wish to be informed of future events or offers please state so.
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Answers to puzzles on page 67‌
Des Taylor
y
our Local Fishing
The Big Fish Angler Extraordinaire
Its tench time folks! This is one of my favourite times of the year - late spring into early summer when tench fishing is at its best, it makes the perfect lead up to the river re-opening again June 16th. There is something very special about arriving into a reed-fringed swim, preferably that has been pre-baited for a few days, and looking through the early morning mist you can see “needle” bubbles breaking the surface from the activity of the tench feeding in the silt on the bottom of the lake. When they are feeding hard it’s almost as though someone has opened a huge bottle of pop below the surface, magic. In this situation I love to float fish with a Crystal Waggler taken couple of swan shot with the bait hard on the bottom by at least 4”. I start the session by throwing in 4 large orange sized balls of SBS Spicy Red Groundbait laced with Sweetcorn and in my opinion the Jolly Green Giant brand is still the best! I mix it up with lake water not tap water and then through the course of the session I fire a catapult cup full of sweetcorn in every 15 minutes and another ball of groundbait every 30 minutes, yes I do give them plenty to think about and eat! Usually the session starts with loads of “line bites” which means the float moves all over the place as fish brush against the line turned on by the influx of food.
Then after 30 minutes I will start to get bites which sees either the float lie on the surface or it shoots straight under the surface - either way strike because there is a tench on the end! On a good day I have taken over 100lbs of tench using this method and on a bad day if there is such a thing when you’re tench fishing at least two or three tench. There is something magical about lifting the rod up into a good tench and feeling the power and speed of an early season tiger. I use 6-8lb line to land these specimens but no matter what strength line you use a number of tench will always find their way into the reeds and somehow and I don’t know how will transfer the hook into the reeds within a second and make off back into the shoal. Don’t worry about losing the odd tench because once they are feeding they are too busy eating to notice their mates going missing. But all this sport will come to an end as soon as the sun gets high in the sky for be in no doubt it’s the angler that arrives just on dawn that will catch the most tench. Very often I have taken 50lb of tench and am back in the house by 11.00am. Evenings can be good but never as good as the mornings or at least that’s my findings. Sadly tench waters are rare on the ground nowadays but usually old park pools or old estate lakes will have a head of tench. Unfortunately most anglers nowadays just want to catch carp and when this species is stocked into a tench lake the tench suffer badly for the bigger fish the carp eat most of the food and the tench get smaller and eventually die out. It’s very sad that the Environment Agency has allowed angling clubs to ruin excellent tench fishing for the sake of carp. I really do wish like listed buildings we could have listed fisheries that no one even the owner is allowed to change the stock in the water. Very soon we will have carp everywhere at the expense of every other species, no one loves carp more than me but surely we have enough waters now filled to the brim of the species? Anyway if you can find a water with tench you are on for a great days sport, best of luck see you next month.
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Business to Business ‌for the life you lead
r e c r u i t m e nt * coaching * accounting * shopping * traders 60
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Local Oratory
Speaking of Humour We want to make a good impression, so perhaps it’s time to add a dash of fun to our speeches and presentations. First tip. Don’t tell jokes unless you are a born comedian. (Ask someone else to advise you on that!) Even then only if the joke is relevant to the message that you wish to communicate. And always ensure that no one in the audience could be offended by what you say. If you set out to write a funny speech you are likely to be disappointed. I know! At Stourbridge Speakers Club, one of our ten speech assignments is ‘Use of Humour’. Knowing that you are supposed to be amusing is the death knell for any latent humour in a speech. If you think about it, the modern generation of comedians tend not to tell jokes in a conventional sense. Their humour comes from observations on everyday life. And to use a timeworn phrase, ‘It’s the way you tell them’. Voice intonation and timing are everything. Humour should be brought in with subtlety. And it needs time to develop. Race through your words and you’ll get not a titter. If you’ve said something that you think the audience may find amusing, pause to let your words sink in. But you should also feed off the audience. If someone chuckles, a throwaway comment such as, ‘I’m glad someone’s paying attention’ or ‘yes, it was a joke’ will get a laugh from the rest of the audience usually. Essentially, you are looking to develop a rapport with the audience. To get them onside. If you glare at them or you look nervous or lecture them, they won’t respond positively. If you smile at them before you start to speak they will immediately feel more relaxed. Sometimes all it takes is a facial gesture: a raised eyebrow, coupled with a slight change of voice tone at a key moment can inject humour. Involve the audience – ask them questions. Not ones to which you necessarily want an answer but ones that will make them feel included. ‘Have you ever … ?’ is a good starter. Providing the subject is fairly commonplace, most if not all will relate to the experience that you go
on to tell them about. In effect they will share the event with you and are quite likely to laugh at things that aren’t intrinsically funny. But what if you are speaking on a serious subject? Well, even then some humour probably won’t go amiss. It will provide contrast to the seriousness of the subject, like a shaft of sunlight through a dense canopy of trees. Remember, none of us can concentrate fully for more than a few minutes at a time, so an injection of subtle humour will allow the audience brief relaxation time before they renew their focus on what you are saying. In summary, don’t try to force humour, let it develop naturally and appropriately for your subject. By the way, have you heard the one about … David Wike David Wike is Communications Officer for Stourbridge Speakers Club: www. StourbridgeSpeakers.org.uk He also offers workshops and bespoke support for speakers and presenters: www.SuccessfulSpeaking.co.uk 61
Starting a Local Business
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What happens when you think of a great idea? Many people have come up with great ideas. Take the Black & Decker workmate. It made its inventor millions and is now copied around the globe. The windup radio. Who would have thought that it would now be in every country in the world and making Trevor Baylis a household name and incredibly rich. Told his invention would not work by fellow engineers he has had the satisfaction of proving them wrong. Perhaps you want to write a book and become the next J.K. Rowing. They say we all have a book inside us so why not try it. So how do you get started once you have come up with your idea? Well let me start by saying “that it is not going to be easy.” For those who think that it is, read no farther. For the remaining readers it will possibly mean working long hours, going without having a holiday, changing the car, going out and spending money with friends and discussing the idea with your family and “friends who are forced to listen” until they talk you out of it. So now you have been talked out of it, no good reading any farther, go and make a cup of tea, which is what happens when we lose focus and dream of an easier life, so this probably leaves just a few of us reading this and thinking, “why the hell should I bother.” I have spoken about Richard Branson and Felix Denis and bet not one person has read the books. You can read them on-line, skipping the boring bits, so you do not have to go to the library or to Waterstone’s. They give a great insight to the mentality of an entrepreneur and the pain they had
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to endure before having success. A book about their life that has made more money for them. We all dream of being rich, or at least comfortable, but starting your own business and once up and running gives you something that working for an employer doesn’t give you. Freedom. Time to plan your life and time to do what you enjoy doing. Being with the family and having more than one holiday a year. Sending your children to university without them graduating with debt. Able to pay a deposit on their first house and saving for your old age. So why aren’t we all self employed and have our own business? Human nature predicts that if we are satisfied with our job, the nine till five daily grind, the commute to work, and the certainty of a regular salary every month, then why change? Some follow the dream, that desire to be successful, the chance to do something you have always wanted to do. Not all succeed but at least they have had a go. Start in a recession and as Chris Dawson, founder of The Range, says “The recession is tough for everyone, including us, the difference is, I’ve always run my businesses as though we are in recession. People ought to take heed and do the same.” Go to www.therange.co.uk/page/ cdboydonegood. It’s a local company and the article by Michael Ribbeck is a very good read. Let the magazine know whether you have started a business or you are thinking about doing so. Promote it by telling your story. Bob Cooper
“What a result! Advertising in this magazine certainly works for me. Try it.�
Simon Cook SRC accounting Ltd
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.
Oil Paintings Commission your own unique artwork today
Phone Colin on 01905 428 252
The Gallery also has a picture framing service with hundreds of designs to choose from and with 25 years of experience. All work carries a lifetime guarantee.
Lax Lane, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2DZ 01299 400 918 63
CHRISTINE FLETCHER EMBROIDERY
STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
Promote your business or Club and improve your image!
We also cater for Hen Parties, Stag nights or any group events. We do this by applying embroidery or printed logos / text to your clothing. We can also supply an extensive range of clothing if preferred. Call for a free no obligation quote Phone/Fax 01562 752419
GRM Web Systems deliver a range of services designed to ensure your website seriously contributes to your business. As well as all the traditional web design services, what makes us different is that we specialise in building and maintaining your website to be consistently up to date.
Website Design - Website Build - Website Maintenance Site Management - SEO - eCommerce Call Us Now on 01905 863 988 | Email Us: info@grm-websystems.com 64
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Advertise for as little as 28 pence per day. Call 08456 199 038 now
The Future of Accounting & Bookkeeping is on-line
Serving the LOCAL business community
• On-line bookkeeping • Year end accounts • Tax returns • VAT • Payroll • Business advice • Budgets & Cashflow Forecasting
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01299 402776 email k.bell@talk21.com
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Local Times
Far Forest School link up with French school sharing photographs and videos of themselves speaking and practicing their French, and for our French pupils, an opportunity to practice their spoken and written English in a fun and enjoyable way.”
Far Forest Lea Memorial CE Primary School has begun an educational partnership with a French school, with the intention of forging strong student links and teacher exchanges for the benefit of the school’s pupils. Welcoming visiting teacher Mademoiselle Emilie Niess , Headteacher Mrs Tara CollinsBullock stated: “As parents and pupils are aware, the school is now in partnership with Ecole Elementaire de Saint Pouange and it is with great pleasure that we welcome our first French visitor, Mademoiselle Emilie Niess to Far Forest. “Over the coming weeks and months the children will have the opportunity of creating and
L to R: Headteacher Mrs Tara Collins-Bullock, Sean the Sheep with visiting exchange teacher Mademoiselle Emilie Niess and Mrs Lynda Astill (front row) Natasha Watts (Y6), Scott Whatmore (Y6) and Eva Higgins (Y5).
Having initiated a number of educational and sporting school programmes to the academic and after-school curriculum, Mrs Collins hopes that this new language initiative will help not only with the children’s French studies, but will also be used in other lessons such as PE as pupils learn new French sports. Said Mrs Collins: “This is a very exciting time for the whole school and we hope that all pupils enjoy and participate fully in this new French initiative.”
Charity Fundraising to celebrate 20 years of trading Staff at Stourport Photo Centre will be celebrating 20 years of trading on Stourport High Street by having a series of fundraising activities during May, culminating on Saturday 28th May 2011 when they will be having a ‘FUN DAY’ dressing up, giving away pens, balloons etc.
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Staff are planning to have a raffle in the shop with money raised going to Cancer Research UK in memory of shop colleague Bill Jarrett, who sadly passed away suddenly in February. They are also supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which funds ‘wishes’ for terminally ill children. Other activities include a ‘Guess name of teddy’ (donated by Latimers of Bewdley), ‘Guess weight of cake’ (donated by Truly Scrumptious, Kidderminster), and ‘Number of sweets in Tin (donated by Franche Co-op). This event is also aimed at promoting an English Channel swim attempt by Paul Ingenthron (from Kidderminster and currently studying Law at Warwick University), who is supporting these two charities in memory of his younger brother Mike who passed way in November 2009 aged 14.
YOU CAN EARN
£100-£500+ per week Spare time from home
Check out Des Taylor’s video on You Tube… a documentary about his pursuit of a 40 pound Carp
Call: 0121 314 9785 www.extracashforu.co.uk
(this will not affect your present job or business)
SBS
Fishing Baits Factory Shop Public & Trade
www.sbsbaits.com
email: sbsbaits@btconnect.com Units 27 & 28, Meadow Mills, Dixon Street, Kidderminster, Worcestershire DY10 1HH.
Tel: +44(0)1562 754172 • Fax: +44(0)1562 754173
Solutions to Puzzle Corner page 58
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