Worcestershire
Now
AA Outdoors
Designing Dream Gardens For Over 20 Years See page 13 and visit www.aaoutdoors.co.uk for more information ECO-FRIENDLY FLOORING THE GOOD HOME ENQUIRY BATTENHALL MOUNT APRIL 2021 | ISSUE 205 t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 1 n
NEWS • HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD & DRINK • HEALTH & BEAUTY • GOLDEN YEARS • PUZZLES
n 2 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
Worcestershire
8
Now
18 16 APRIL 2021 HOME & GARDEN 8
Eco-Friendly Flooring
14
OHMS Garden Machinery Sales, Service & Repairs
16
Plug Plants
18
Nature Notebook
20 22
GOLDEN YEARS 20
The Good Home Enquiry
22
Thinking of Your Independence
EDUCATION 23
Are GCSE Pupils Ready For Next Year’s Studies? How to Help Your Child Catch Up
24
Open Days Are Here Again!
LIVING HISTORY 26
23
Battenhall Mount
PUZZLES 28
26
Criss-Cross! Sudoku! Wordsearch!
WO RC E S T E R S H I R E
NOW 01905 723011
nowmagazines.co.uk PW Media & Publishing Ltd
EDITOR Dawn Pardoe PW Media & Publishing Ltd dawn@pw-media.co.uk
ADVERTISING Rachel Seabright 01905 727900 rachel@pw-media.co.uk Lis Gardner Tel: 01905 727901 Email: lis@pw-media.co.uk
Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727904 Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk
J R Hodges
DESIGN
OHMS Ltd
Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk
RHS Britain in Bloom
CONTRIBUTORS
The Downs
Daisy Bennett Wendy Carter
The Tour 21
Botany Bay Nurseries Daydream Education
Spa Decorators
TPG DisableAids Ltd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without permission. Colour transparencies, prints or any pictoral media for this publication are sent at owner’s risk and whilst every care is taken, neither PW Media & Publishing Ltd or its agents accept liability for loss or damage. No editorial submissions will be returned unless accompanied by a Self Addressed Envelope. DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that adverts and articles appear correctly, PW Media & Publishing Ltd cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by the contents of this publication. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of its publisher or editor. Please note that if you enter a competition in the Worcestershire Now magazine t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 3 n your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.
THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA THE TOUR 21 TEAM REACH £500K WITH 100 DAYS TO GO
A team of 25 amateur cyclists will begin riding the full 21 stages of the 2021 Tour de France route, one week ahead of the professionals in exactly 100 days. The Tour 21, which takes place from Saturday 19th June – Sunday 11th July, aims to raise in excess of £1,000,000 for national blood cancer charity Cure Leukaemia and the team are halfway to their fundraising total after recently surpassing £500,000.
Cure Leukaemia, which was announced as the first ever official Charity Partner of the Tour de France in the UK for the next three years, recorded a £1,500,000 fundraising shortfall in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and The Tour 21 team, which was increased from 20 to 25 riders after this event’s postponement last summer, aim to help the charity address this shortfall in funding by completing all 3,384km of the world’s most famous and prestigious professional cycling event. All funds raised by The Tour 21 team will be invested in the national Trials Acceleration Programme (TAP) which has been solely funded by Cure Leukaemia since January 2020. TAP is a network of specialist research nurses at 12 blood cancer centres located
in the UK’s biggest cities and a facilitatory hub based at the Centre for Clinical Haematology in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This network enables accelerated setup and delivery of potentially life-saving blood cancer clinical trials to run giving patients from a UK catchment area of over 20 million people access to treatments not currently available through standard care.
Leading the team on his final Tour de France challenge is ex-England footballer, blood cancer survivor and Cure Leukaemia Patron Geoff Thomas, 56, who said: “We all know that this event will be gruelling and will test us to the limits both physically and mentally but the reason we are doing it is to raise over £1,000,000 for Cure Leukaemia to claw back the £1,500,000 fundraising shortfall the charity suffered. However tough the challenge is for us it is nothing compared to what blood cancer patients have to go through and I know that from personal experience. “I am delighted that, as a team, we have reached the halfway mark with our fundraising, but we must keep our foot down now to ensure we can set off from Brittany on June 19th knowing that we have
exceeded £1,000,000 to sustain the TAP network and give hope to the 38,000 people diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK each year.”
Cure Leukaemia Chief Executive James McLaughlin continued: “It is fantastic to see The Tour 21 team reaching £500,000 raised this far out from the start of the event but after such a challenging year in 2020. With a range of sponsorships opportunities still available for this event including the jersey, team bus and comprehensive video content of the whole 21 stage event, it would be great if companies worldwide could support Geoff and the team surpass their fundraising target. “With this being Geoff’s final major cycling challenge, we encourage everyone who has supported him over the years can do so once again to ensure he can hang up his cleats knowing this team has made a huge impact for blood cancer patients across the UK.” n Further information on the members of The Tour 21 team can be found at www.thetour21.co.uk/team/ www.cureleukaemia.co.uk
DO YOU HAVE A SPARE ROOM IN YOUR HOME?
Home2Home Supported Lodgings
St Basils are recruiting for local community members (“Hosts”) to provide emergency, short or longer term accommodation and support in their homes to local vulnerable young people
Your help can ensure young people have somewhere safe to go. If you feel you have the skills and experience, through your own life experiences or through a profession, and a strong commitment to be able to provide support with independent life skills and accommodation to a young person aged 16 - 18 in your spare room(s) in your home.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! No formal qualifications necessary. BENEFITS: You will receive a weekly fee plus contribution from the young person, training and support, meet other hosts (Covid permitting) and the opportunity to develop skills working with young people
For an application pack e-mail admin.home2home@stbasils.org.uk or for informal enquiries and to find out more about this scheme, ring 0121 772 2483 ext 1193. Visit www.stbasils.org.uk for more information about the work of St Basils helping homeless and vulnerable young people. (This scheme is working in partnership with Worcestershire County Council)
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HERE & NOW
New RHS Awards Celebrate Blossoming Community Spirit
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) will celebrate community gardening across the UK through the RHS Community Awards this year. The new virtual awards replace the RHS Britain in Boom UK Finals competition for 2021 – for the first time in the campaign’s 57-year history and will see Britain in Bloom groups recognised for their efforts to transform their local areas. Last year nine in every ten groups* carried on gardening, maintaining our all-important green spaces and harnessing their skills to help others, from growing food to lifting people’s spirits via imaginative planting displays.
Walthamstow Village, London, shared virtual tours of their area, Penrith volunteers grew crops for food parcels and in Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire, plants and gardening tools were delivered to care home residents. A total of 63 groups will participate across five categories having been nominated by one of the 16 Britain in Bloom UK regions and nations. Entrants range from Truro, Britain in Bloom winner in 2018, to groups such as Gosfield, Essex, that are first-timers on the national stage. Groups will submit evidence digitally in up to three award categories to a panel of Bloom and RHS horticultural, wildlife and environmental experts. The categories are: • Nourishing Your Community - Growing, sharing or enjoying food with others • Nature-friendly Gardening - Creating habitats and using wildlife-friendly gardening practices • Green Solutions – Tackling environmental challenges such as climate change, air pollution and flooding • Cultivating Your Community – Bringing people together by involving a wide cross-
section of the community • Planting with Purpose - Addressing specific challenges such as transforming a neglected area or reducing antisocial behaviour Kay Clark, RHS Community Development Manager said: “We’ve been truly inspired by the creativity and ingenuity that volunteers have shown throughout the pandemic, supporting their communities while observing the social distancing rules. “While we’re not able to run the Britain in Bloom UK Finals competition this year, the RHS Community Awards will shine a light on groups’ fantastic efforts during a challenging time.” The results of the RHS Community Awards, including the most outstanding entries in each category, will be announced at the end of September with all participants receiving certificates. n For more information about RHS Britain in Bloom and to search for community gardening groups in your area please visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/communities/ find-a-group-search-form.
SPRING & EASTER AT GWILLAMS MEANS Herefordshire Free-Range Chickens and Freshly Cut Daffodils from Cornwall are available at Gwillam’s Farm Shop.
COME TO GWILLAM’S FOR YOUR EASTER FARE
Gwillam’s Farm Shop FIND US ON FACEBOOK
Open Mon-Sat: 9am-4pm • Plenty of parking Telephone: 01905 756490 • Email: nbgwillam@btconnect.com
Ombersley Rd. Claines, Worcester. WR3 7RH
www.gwillamsfarmshop.com
n 6 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
HERE & NOW
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HOME & GARDEN
g n i r o o l F y l d n e i r F o c E
ent
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This
ly iend r f o . d ec r home n a u E ic PAG mat r for yo THE a r R E OV ad oo UED ake right fl TIN N m CO w to g the o h t sin ok a choo o l a to take comes e th w hen it mon w
Granorte, Element traditional cork floor www.granorte.co.uk n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
HOME & GARDEN
t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 9 n
HOME & GARDEN
A large selection of stone and stone effect tiles are available from Tile Choice www.tilechoice.co.uk
Creating a timeless aesthetic to your home starts from the bottom and works its way up. Choosing the perfect flooring to balance out your interior design ideas can be daunting. With so many options available out there, we take a look at some of the most durable and eco-friendly ways you can change your flooring, to get your ideal home. CORK Predominantly
made
in
Mediterranean
countries, cork is 100% natural and renewable, and biodegradable. It is harvested from the bark of the tree, so the tree can keep on living. A perfect sound and thermal insulator that doesn’t cause allergies. Granorte has a brilliant back-story as this Portuguese company uses cork that would normally be discarded during wine bottling. Each cork tree has a life span of about 300 years and when they’re over 25 years they can be used to harvest cork (this is normally undertaken every 9 years). The cork bark n 10 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
is regenerative making it a renewable, environmentally friendly resource. Using this material, Granorte have created a range of cork floor options, from natural cork tiles through to printed cork planks that replicate the look of timber. STONE The enviromental impact of mining stone and marble can ring alarm bells when coming to decide what’s best for your home. Locally sourced stone, may be a good choice for when you are choosing a small part of your home to decorate, however dragging stone from one part of the world to another will dramatically increase your carbon footprint. One option is to choose a man-made material which is made to look like stone, or if you prefer the real thing, shop local to dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of transporting your tiles. Tile Choice have a great range of stone and stone effect tiles to suit any room and budget. CONCRETE Concrete is one of the most environmentally
friendly building materials available today. Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, air, sand, and gravel; all readily available natural resources that can even improve air quality and cut down on heating bills. Extremely durable, easy to source and easy recyclable, it’s even scratch resistant. GLASS Glass tiles are often made from recycled materials and require less energy than ceramic made tiles. Even toward the end of their life, when you want to change your flooring, they are easily turned into a new feature within your home, to help reduce landfill. Not only are glass tiles easy to clean, but they are impervious to water with absorbency rate of 0%, perfect for the bathroom or kitchen. Glass also comes in a variety of different translucent colours, to make your home feel brighter and larger. WOOL Wool is a durable material with many benefits. CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE
HOME & GARDEN
n Innovative Design n Competitive Pricing n 40 years Experience n Free 3D Cad design Service n Professionally operated by caring tradesmen n Please check our customer reviews on our website n Every Contract Fully Project Managed
Lifetime Guarantee on installation work Contact Chris direct on 07791 661 347 E: chris@crgkitchens.co.uk
www.crgkitchens.co.uk
t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 11 n
HOME & GARDEN aged look, that new timber just can not provide. There are many companies that specialise in reclaimed timber, but you can also find what you need on local marketplaces and eBay. A unique twist on reclaimed wood is the new wood flooring design from Havwoods. Havwoods bring a fresh take to wood flooring design, with their Foresso®️ collection. Their design has been made in Britain utilising a minimum of 65% waste material, making it an innovative and eco-friendly surface solution for interior design and construction. The new innovative concept is a timber Sisal & Seagrass, Coir Boucle www.sisalandseagrass.co.uk
Not only is it a natural insulator, it is renewable
create a rug that fits in with their home or
and flame retardant. The sustainable fibre is
project. Their Pure Wool collection is created
also highly resilient and recovers quickly from
from 100% British wool yarn and patterns are
furniture compression.
created using various breeds meaning there
Sisal & Seagrass, specialise in using only
are no harmful dying processes.
terrazzo that has been beautifully crafted with sustainably sourced timber - forming a one of a kind materials. BAMBOO Strand woven bamboo is a sure fire way to make your home look beautiful and it’s pretty high in the environmentally friendly stakes. Bamboo has a similarity to hardwood in its strength, durability and resistence to water. Native to China and Japan, the root is left in
natural material floors in their collection,
RECLAIMED WOOD
from sisal, coir, jute, pure wool and seagrass.
One of the most eco friendly and budget
All are sustainable and natural products that
ways to re-do your flooring is to use reclaimed
can be used within the home. They recently
wood. Using reclaimed wood reduces land fill
introduced a bespoke Rug Creator tool so
and reduces the demand for newly sourced
that home owners and interior designers can
materials. Plus, it gives your home a unique
tact when harvesting so the plant can easily reharvest. Bamboo flooring is hygienic, easy to clean and great for allergy sufferers, and is more cost effective than hardwood. n By Daisy Bennett
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DOORS professionally painted, supplied & fitted
ONLY £125 each FREE SE HOUVEY SURtoday! call
DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL DECORATORS IN DROITWICH SPA
Spa Decorators Limited, based in Droitwich Spa was established in 1993 and has serviced the local community for over 25 years. • Decorating • Plastering
• Building Work • Carpentry • Kitchen Fitting • UPVC Fascia & Sofits
Choice of 4 different designs, complete with 3 hinges plus a choice of high quality brass or chrome handles.
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T: 01386 556 411 | M: 07527 047647 | E: veragilesinteriors@btconnect.com
www.veragilesinteriors.co.uk
Re-opening on Wednesday 14th April We Look Forward To Seeing You
n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
HOME & GARDEN
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HOME & GARDEN
Garden Machinery Sales, Service & Repair One of the aspects of the British way of life is the pride and attention we pay to our gardens and one demonstration of that care that is changing rapidly is how much we now rely on powered equipment such as mowers, strimmers, chainsaws and similar tools.
More recently the introduction of ever more sophisticated technology, particularly in battery powered tools, has resulted in a confusing array of products of varying quality and utility. There are however leading brands that offer very real improvements that can lighten the work load and offer significant advantages. OHMS of Bridge Street, Pershore is particularly proud to be able to offer the leading brands in this field. Their stock of products includes the very latest battery powered tools for longer work life and reliability. They are also agents for classleading garden machinery manufacturers such as Husqvarna and Atco. Of particular note is the Husqvarna Robotic Movers, some of which use all the latest GPS and smartphone technology to provide a completely autonomous mowing machine even within the most complex garden layout. Atco have also not been resting on their wellearned laurels and have recently introduced a
n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
new twin cut blade design to their rotary mowers which greatly enhances the cutting performance. With over 20 years’ experience in the small horticultural machine business Peter and Hayley Moffat and their team have the knowledge and skills to be able to offer sound practical advice to back their highly customer-focused service. Such has been their ever growing reputation that OHMS now supplies their services to small estates and commercial horticulture businesses. OHMS also offers a first class servicing facility for all types of garden machinery backed by a collection and delivery service. n OHMS LTD, The Garden Machinery Centre, Keytec 7 Business Park, Unit 3, Kempton Road, Pershore, Worcester, WR10 2TA Tel: 01386 552886 Email: info@ohmsmowers.co.uk www.ohmsmowers.co.uk
HOME & GARDEN
Business Storage • Household Storage • Archive Storage Pick and Pack Service • Next Day Parcel Service Packing Materials • Van Hire • Student Summer Storage
green self storage parcel post
50p VAN HIRE FOR NEW STORAGE CUSTOMERS
Please contact for more details.
GREEN SELF STORAGE 01905 427 427 info@green-self-storage.com | www.green-self-storage.com Hylton Road, Worcester WR2 5JS
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HOME & GARDEN
l P The
fun
Growing plants from seed can be tricky, you wonder whether they will germinate, then you need to prick out the tiniest of seedlings and hope that they grow. It can be timeconsuming and labour intensive. Why not let the professionals do the hard work and opt for Plug Plants instead! Plug plants are young plants that have been planted by professional growers in trays or small cells. They act like a stepping stone between seeds and fully-grown plants. Our nursery and garden centre look great at this time of year, packed with row upon row of pretty plug plants, all being carefully nurtured through their early growth stages. These small plants are perfect for making your own containers, hanging baskets and window boxes. Think of geranium, petunia, fuchsia, verbena, nemesia and so many more beautiful bedding plants. In addition to flowering bedding plants, you will also be able to find vegetable plants in plug form, ready to pot on and grow in your greenhouse, or even directly outside depending on the variety. This takes much of the pressure off and definitely speeds up the process! How to Look After Plug Plants Whether you have bought your plug plants n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
P ug
. lour
lous
bu e fa
reat
oc ay t
s t n a l o en c d r ga
sy w
ea and
from your local garden centre or from an online seller, it is important to care for them properly in order to get the best results later in the season. When you first get them home keep them either in a heated greenhouse or indoors. If they feel a little dry stand them in shallow water for a couple of minutes to allow the plants to soak up the water. The sooner you can plant up your plugs into small pots the better as it gives the roots room to develop. Small 9cm pots are ideal for this, you can recycle old pots of course, but make sure they have been cleaned first.
After 2-3 weeks, you can start feeding them with a good general multi-purpose fertiliser. But do not put them outside until all risk of frost has passed. When you are ready to put your plants outside, harden them off first to get them used to the night-time temperatures. Put them outside during the day and bring them in at night, just for a couple of weeks. In no time at all you will see your plug plants growing into mature plants which will create an explosion of colour throughout the whole summer.
Be careful not to pack the compost down too much when you repot your plugs. Water them well but be careful not to overwater, this can be very damaging to young plants.
Choosing plug plants definitely takes the
You can even arrange your plug plants directly into your hanging basket or container, but be sure to allow enough space for growth so don’t overcrowd your baskets or tubs. It is a good idea to mix some water-retaining crystals and slow release plant food into the compost to set them up well.
boxes, beds and borders! n
Keep your newly potted plants, baskets and containers in a warm well-lit area, such as your heated greenhouse, conservatory or windowsill, but keep them out of direct sunlight.
www.botany-bay.co.uk
effort out of growing your own summer bedding, so you will have more time to enjoy the garden and create beautiful baskets,
Botany Bay Nurseries, Garden Centre & Café Edgioake Lane, Astwood Bank, Redditch. B96 6BG 01527 893885 Find us on Facebook & Instagram
HOME & GARDEN
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NATURE NOTEBOOK
Red-tailed bumblebee © Nick Upton 2020VISION
g in l b m u B d e il a Red-t Can you help us to help bumblebees by letting us know when you see one... How could you not love a bumblebee? These furry creatures ‘bumble’ from flower to flower, gathering nectar and pollen. Right now, queens are gathering it to sustain themselves as they start to create their new family; in a few weeks the workers take it back to the nest; later still, the males use it to gain energy for mating; finally, the new queens need it to ensure they can survive the winter. Red-tailed bumblebees are amongst the easiest of our common bees to recognise. Their name gives the game away - female red-tailed bumbles have an all-black body with a red ‘tail’. The queens can be a couple of centimetres long and you may see those out and about right now as well as later in the year. The female workers are next to appear and, just like their mum, they’re all black with a red tail. A little later in the year, however, males and new queens emerge. Keep a lookout for bumblebees with a red tail, a yellow stripe across their shoulders and a furry yellow face – these are the male bees.
KEEP UP TO DATE Worcestershire Wildlife Trust @WorcsWT t worcestershirewildlifetrust G worcswildlifetrust.co.uk w
common bees but our bees are in trouble (loss of habitat and food as well as a vulnerability to pesticides). They’re still widespread in Worcestershire but records of red-tailed bumblebees are rather patchy and reflect where people have been keen to record them rather than where they actually are. In order to get an accurate picture of where they’re found and how they’re doing, we need your help. If you snap a photo of a red-tailed bumblebee and record it via a short form on our website (www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-sightings), you can help us to plot the locations of these bumbling insects. Are they more likely to be found in one kind of habitat or another? How important are gardens? Are there genuine gaps in their distribution? The more sightings we receive, the more information we can study to answer these, and more, questions. A final word of caution! I made a bold statement at the top about red-tailed bumblebees being easy to identify but I misled you a little. Early bumblebees
Red-tailed bumblebees have relatively short tongues so look for them on flowers that have a ‘landing platform’ – daisies, dandelions, thistles and the like. Flowers like this are made of many tiny florets that the bee will clamber around on, slurping up the nectar.
and the much rarer red-tailed cuckoo bees and red-
Red-tailed bumblebees are one of the UK’s most
visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-sightings
n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
shanked carder bees can look similar but don’t worry. That’s why we need a photo of ‘your’ bee, just so we can make sure we get the right record. n To report your sighting of a red-tailed bumblebee,
NATURE NOTEBOOK
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GOLDEN YEARS
The Good Home Enquiry A new investigation commissioned by the Centre for Ageing Better as part of the Good Home Inquiry has revealed the damaging impact of homes in poor condition on people in their 50s and 60s.
There are an estimated 4.1 million homes in England that do not meet basic standards of decency, and around half of those homes are lived in by someone aged 55 or over. A report last year by Ageing Better warned that those living in cold, damp or poor-quality homes could be at a greater risk from COVID-19. The new analysis, released today, finds that problems such as cold and damp, or fall hazards, are leaving people feeling ‘miserable’ and ‘overwhelmed.’ However, emotional attachments to the home can prevent people from making the changes needed – or people don’t see themselves as ‘old enough’ to make adaptations that would help them live more safely. When people do recognise the need to make changes in the home, they can be put off for a number of reasons. Many do not have the finances available, and don’t know where to access support or advice. Without support to improve their homes, many face risks to their health and wellbeing. Previous research by Ageing Better found that households headed by someone over 75 are disproportionately likely to be living in a non-decent home, and the problem has worsened for this age group, while two million households headed by someone over 65 find it difficult to heat their home.
A consistently cold home can worsen the impact of many common long-term health conditions particularly experienced by older people, such as arthritis and respiratory conditions, as well as increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. An estimated £513 million is spent by the NHS on first-year treatment costs for over 55s living in poor housing. The Centre for Aging Better are calling for better access to financing options and accessible information and advice on home improvements, and renters need more confidence to request repairs and adaptations from their landlord – for example through stronger regulation. The report is part of the Good Home Inquiry, launched last year in order to establish why so many of England’s homes are in poor condition, as well as exploring what we need in a good home. Anna Dixon, Chief Executive, Centre for Ageing Better, said: “A decent home is absolutely fundamental to our wellbeing. And yet too many people are living in homes that don’t meet their needs, or pose a risk to their health or safety. “This report lays bare the experiences of those living in poor housing, the devastating impact it can have, and the real barriers people face to making improvements. “There is plenty that can be done to support people to make the changes they need to live safely and comfortably – including timely access to a range of financing options, and
accessible information to help them make decisions about improving their home.” The report has made suggestions to government on the finance support options such as grants or loans were viewed as critical to enable repairs and adaptations for later life. Both grants and loans were perceived as a way to fill an immediate funding gap for unexpected repairs and high upfront costs for the sometimes expensive major adaptations. Despite this, many participants were unaware of the existing grant and loan schemes available to them and didn’t understand the detail of such schemes. Grants rather than loans were sought by homeowners which could reflect the scale of the financial barriers they faced. They also expressed concerns about loans in that they would not want “debt hanging over them” at an older age. However, homeowners did see low-interest loans for completing minor renovations and repairs as “better than nothing” but argued that financial support options should be means-tested to ensure that those who needed support can access it – regardless of your tenure. Participants emphasised that financial support should be readily available to help people make their homes safer and more suitable as they grow older, even if primarily targeted towards those on the lowest incomes. Ultimately, there was a strong emphasis on creating a system that avoided putting individuals in financial difficulty, as one participant put it, “let people upgrade their homes... without making people go bankrupt when they are older”. n
Mobility Services Midlands Ltd For all your Mobility needs
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01562 743660
www.mobilityserviceskidderminster.com 410 Stourport Road, Kidderminster
Pavement Scooters | Road Legal Scooters | Powerchairs Wheelchairs | Rise Chairs | Stairlifts | Walking Aids | Bathing Aids n 20 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
93 Barnards Green Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3LT Regulated by Care Quality Commission
t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 21 n
GOLDEN YEARS
Thinking of Your Independence It goes without saying that this winter has been a challenge for many of us and now that hope is on the horizon of better times, we all start to think and dream about what the warmer months may hold for us. Meeting friends and family is
all our mobility scooters come with a
of course something we are all
free assessment and training to help you
looking forward to, but until that
understand how to use your scooter within
time comes simply getting outside, enjoying
the law and more importantly safely. We
the better weather and staying independent
can do this in your home, our showroom or
is something that all the team at TPG
the environment which you are likely to use
DisableAids are passionate about helping our
your scooter, be that the local shops or even
community achieve.
your favourite parks we are happy to help you
We have an extensive range of product to
and your loved ones find their independence
help you and your loved one keep moving,
again and be ready to enjoy the times that are
from walking aids such as the Topro Rollator
sure to come.
to 4mph and 8mph mobility scooters.
From all the team stay safe. n
Our team of assessors are working with
Contact TPG DisableAids via
some of the finest suppliers in the country to
enquiries@tpg-disableaids.co.uk
bring you a range of product to support you whether you are walking to the local park, needing to pop to shops on your scooter or moving around your home and garden safely. We offer full bespoke assessments, completely free and with a guarantee of no obligation to
n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
buy or hard sales technique, our aim is first and foremost to get you the right product for your needs. As a respected and longstanding member of the British Healthcare Trades Association
or 01432 351666 or via our social media sites.
EDUCATION
Are GCSE Pupils Ready For Next Year’s Studies?
How to Help Your Child Catch Up Exams may be off the table this year, but pupils still need to catch up with their GCSE studies in order to be ready for their A Level and further education courses next academic year. Chris Malcolm, founder of Walesbased educational resources provider Daydream Education, says that his company’s products are in demand from parents and pupils wanting to ensure the transition to further education goes smoothly. With this in mind, he has made a selection of Daydream’s downloadable study tools available for FREE to support pupils wanting to get ready for their studies next year. He has also issued a set of “spaced learning” study tips to help pupils and parents ensure that home study is as effective as possible. “The fact that GCSE results will be decided based on teacher assessment is a relief to many, but now people are starting to worry about next year,” he said. “Pupils and parents are concerned that the transition to A levels and other further education studies may be harder as a result of the way this academic year panned out. Exam revision can really help cement the knowledge that pupils need for ongoing studies – and that won’t take place this year.” Chris founded his Bridgendbased company 25 years ago after he identified a need for quality educational posters in school classrooms. Its posters are now in over 90 percent of UK secondary schools and are used widely internationally as well. As well as posters, Daydream Education produces its range of Pocket Posters revision guides, which present all the information from their posters in book form and come with a free digital app which includes assessment activities and reporting. These are popular not only with schools but also as home study tools. In the absence of exams, they are ideal for helping pupils ensure they have all the knowledge needed to make a confident start to next year’s studies. Chris said: “This has been a challenging year and it’s understandable that pupils may have fallen behind with their
studies. Without exams, there’s a risk that they will not feel fully prepared and confident when it comes to progressing onto A levels and further education next year. During lockdown we released a selection of free resources to help support home study and now we’ve extended this so that GCSE pupils can access resources that will help them get fully prepared for next year. “Our resources are designed to be easy to use and are hugely effective at helping pupils memorise key information. Our Pocket Posters are designed to support learning in short, 15-20 minute sessions, known as ‘spaced learning’, which has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to revise. If pupils work with these resources, they should go into next year feeling confident.”
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7 STEPS TO HELP YOU CATCH UP USING SPACED LEARNING Put simply, “spaced learning” means studying in short bursts of 15-20 minutes, separated by breaks of 10-15 minutes. This approach has been shown to dramatically increase student engagement, satisfaction and long-term knowledge recall. Here are 7 tips to help you get the most out of this approach. 1. Study the content you are aiming to learn for more than 20 minutes. 2. Break for 10-15 minutes. 3. Look over worked examples, and if you can, present the information you’ve learnt to a family member. This will help you cement your understanding of the topic. 4. Break for 10-15 minutes. 5. Test yourself. Our digital Pocket Poster book, which comes free with our revision guides, gives you access to up to 1000 quiz questions via an app. 6. Break for 10-15 minutes. 7. Test yourself using a past exam paper. These are easy to find online. n To buy Daydream Education’s products, visit its Amazon store. Full link for the free resources: www.daydreameducation.co.uk/ free-worksheet-resources t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 23 n
EDUCATION
Open Days Are Here Again! It’s that time of year when many of us look ahead to the next stage of our child’s education, and The Downs Malvern has two Open Days in May to provide a window on the school to prospective parents. Staff at the school believe
subjects, but Art, Design and Technology,
that giving children the very
Drama, Music and Sport too. Our remarkable
best possible start is all about
children have achieved 24 awards to a wide
individual
array of schools including Malvern College,
interests and abilities, and instilling the joy
The King’s School Gloucester, King’s School
of learning. “The benefit of a great early
Worcester, Monmouth School for Boys,
education is not simply learning sufficient
Repton and Sedbergh.
understanding
each
child’s
facts and figures in order to move on to the next stage of our academic ambition,” says Headmaster Alastair Cook. “It’s much more than that; it’s about embedding a thirst for knowledge and a confidence in our personal potential that will stay with us for life.”
The May Open Day, held on the Thursday 27th May, will (of course!) be subject to prevailing
restrictions.
Another
Open
Day, specifically for Her Majesty’s Forces families, is planned for Saturday 22nd May in conjunction with our associated school,
Children can join The Downs at any age from
Malvern College. If required, these events
three upwards, with many beginning in Years
will be held virtually. n
7 and 8 to boost their chances of getting into the senior school of their choice.
Visit our website for further details, thedownsmalvern.org.uk
or
contact
This year has seen another bumper number
our Registrar, Mrs Katherine Cox on
of 13+ scholarships – not just in academic
+44 (0) 1684 544108.
n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
EDUCATION
t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 25 n
LIVING HISTORY
Battenhall Mount
Battenhall Mount is the title of a new book by local author John Richard Hodges about a significant Worcester mansion with strong connections to Hindlip Hall and Church. John has kindly allowed the use of some of the photographs and beautiful illustrations from the book, which are by the well-known artist David Birtwhistle. The Allsopps built the main house and lived in great style there. Lillian Allsopp is buried at the church at Hindlip with her husband Alfred Percy. The couple were married there and were responsible for beautifying the church in the Arts & Crafts style. Mount
Battenhall
has
a
rich
history
encompassing just over 150 years, and was once considered to be the finest Italianate mansion in Worcester. It was built for the Quaker Worcester clothier William Spriggs in c1867/8 and later aggrandised for the Hon Alfred Percy Allsopp of the Burton brewing dynasty Allsopp & Sons in the 1890s. After spending a fortune on the beautification of the house, by 1911 the Allsopps had left Battenhall and in this same year the sale of furniture and other belongings took place at the mansion. The house was briefly used as a VAD hospital n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
for recuperating servicemen during the First World War. In 1918 the ‘Mount’ was being lived in by Mr T. E. Davies, an entrepreneur Jam manufacturer who was one of 16 children and fathered 11 of his own! Battenhall was again sold by auction in 1929 to a Dr Charles Herbert Thompson who was a Director and Consulting chemist. He renamed the house ‘Mount Battenhall.’ In 1933 the house and grounds came into the hands of the Sisters of St Marie-M adeleine Postel, a French teaching order, who established an independent girls’ school, called St Mary’s Convent School. The school closed in 2014. From the late 1950s/early 1960s a series of purpose-built extensions were added to the south-east of the main house on the site of the former range of glasshouses and kitchen gardens against the boundary road fronting Battenhall Avenue. Despite the many years of non-residential use, the main buildings still retain a number of fine, original
interiors and high quality detailed features. In 2017 Enterprise Retirement Living acquired the site to create a vibrant retirement community, taking care to retain the property’s exceptional heritage. The Grade II* listed mansion is now at the heart of the retirement village, which includes apartments in the converted stables as well as the house itself. John’s book contains much detail about the house and its history, as well as information on the Allsopp family, and will also be of interest to local historians and anyone with connections to St Mary’s Convent School. The book is beautifully illustrated with drawings by David Birtwhistle and many lovely colour plates of the interiors, together with some interesting old photographs. n If you would like a copy of the book, priced at £14.95, please contact: J. R. Hodges, 7 Amber Reach, Spring Lane, Worcester, WR5 1AU. Email: richardjhodges79@gmail.com Tel: 07970 770144
LIVING HISTORY
t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 27 n
Puzzles
CRISS-CROSS
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5 letter words AMBER BLOOM CHICK GLORY IVORY NOVEL SCENE SWISS TRIBE UMIAK UNITE USHER
6 letter words ACCESS ARARAT ELEVEN EMBLEM MIRROR MOHAWK SCALES SNOOZE
n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
7 letter words AGELESS AMATEUR AMIABLE ANDORRA ASH TREE BALANCE CLOTHES REPAINT DURANGO ESQUIRE PANCAKE PRECISE
PROTECT QUETZAL ROTATED SHELTER STETSON TOURNEY 9 letter words AGREEMENT MICROCOSM NEWSPAPER REYKJAVIK SCIENTIST
SOYA BEANS SUBMARINE THOUSANDS 11 letter words LIFE SCIENCE NETHERLANDS SIGHTSEEING SOLAR ENERGY
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If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact our sales team. Rachel Seabright
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rachel@pw-media.co.uk
lis@pw-media.co.uk
Tel: 01905 727900
Tel: 01905 727901
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kate@pw-media.co.uk
CRISS-CROSS: DOWN 1. Rotated 2. Precise 3. Reykjavik 5. Mirror 6. Emblem 7. Submarine 8. Balance 9. Ageless 15. Netherlands 16. Life Science 19. Ash Tree 20. Umiak 21. Chick 22. Swiss 23. Glory 24. Ivory 25. Unite 30. Soya Bean 31. Agreement 33. Shelter 34. Quetzal 35. Stetson 36. Esquire 38. Scales 39. Snooze ACROSS 4. Amber 10. Tourney 11. Durango 12. Tribe 13. Pancake 14. Amiable 15. Novel 17. Newspaper 18. Microcosm 22. Sightseeing 26. Mohawk 27. Eleven 28. Protect 29. Access 31. Ararat 32. Solar Energy 37. Thousands 39. Scientist 40. Scene 41. Clothes 42. Amateur 43. Bloom 44. Repaint 45. Andorra 46. Usher
ANSWERS
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Puzzles
SUDOKU - HARD
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WORD SEARCH
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n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 205 | April 2021
