Worcestershire Now - APRIL 2022

Worcestershire

Now

Transform Your Existing Conservatory With Ensign Conservatory Roof Solutions

Visit www.ensignroof.co.uk and see page 21 for more information CHOOSING THE RIGHT FURNITURE GETTING SUMMER READY APPROACHING RETIREMENT APRIL 2022 | ISSUE 216 t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 1 n

NEWS • HOMES • GARDENS • HEALTH & BEAUTY • GOLDEN YEARS • PUZZLES • WHAT’S ON

n 2 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

Worcestershire

08

Now 16

26 APRIL 2022 HOME & GARDEN 08

Choosing the Right Furniture

14

Spa Decorators Carpentry & Building Services

16

How Long Should it Last?

22

OHMS Garden Machinery Sales, Service & Repair

24

Getting Summer Ready

26

Nature Notebook

28 30

FOOD & DRINK 28

What’s In Season?

GOLDEN YEARS 30

Approaching Retirement

40

LIVING HISTORY 36

Nimble and Lively - The Severn Trow

WHAT’S ON 38

Puzzles

40

Vale of Evesham Blossom is Back!

42

What’s On

WO RC E S T E R S H I R E

NOW 01905 723011

nowmagazines.co.uk PW Media & Publishing Ltd

36

EDITOR

ADVERTISING

Dawn Pardoe PW Media & Publishing Ltd dawn@pw-media.co.uk

Rachel Seabright 01905 727900 rachel@pw-media.co.uk

DESIGN

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727904 Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Wendy Carter, WWT Paul Harding, Discover History

Bromsgrove Young Musicians Platform FHIO GreenThumb John Sankey Kingfisher Shopping Centre OHMS Ltd RHS Malvern Spa Decorators Worcestershire City Council Wychavon District Council

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 NEXT STAGE OF £19.6M INVESTMENT IN WORCESTER would be delivered in partnership with

increase the city’s appeal to tourists, leading

Worcestershire County Council.

to a boost to the wider city economy.

These schemes would aim to improve and

If approved, this would see the Worcestershire

enhance walking and cycling infrastructure

Soldier

in the city, to make active travel a more

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum, being

viable and attractive option for Worcester’s

moved to a new, improved display area at The

The city is developing a total of five schemes

communities. They include:

Commandery. This will enhance the offer at

that will benefit from the national funding pot,

• New and upgraded off-road walking and cycling

The Commandery, increasing its profile and

with £2.5 million already approved to support

routes, linking with existing pathways to provide

attracting greater visitor numbers to both the

the new Severn Centre for Health and Wellbeing

new ways of travelling between residential areas,

military museum and The Commandery itself.

currently being built in Hylton Road. If the

community facilities and workplaces

The move would also allow the development of

Committee backs the two latest business cases,

• Investment in the new Kepax Bridge that will

the area in the Art Gallery & Museum currently

it will lead to the Government turning on the tap

link up with walking and cycling routes in the

occupied by the Worcestershire Soldier gallery

for a further £5 million to flow to Worcester.

north of the city, and add to the attraction of

into a new art and exhibition space.

Active

travel,

Worcester’s

enhancing

heritage

offer,

and improvements to the city’s Riverside Park will be on the agenda when councillors meet to discuss the next stage of the investment of £19.6 million into the city.

the Riverside Park Council Leader Cllr Marc Bayliss said: “These

• A new bicycle hire scheme, offering both

latest two projects will bring significant benefits

electric and conventional cycles, to make cycling

to Worcester residents and businesses, and

more accessible for both residents and visitors.

also give a further boost to our city’s growing

Museum,

currently

housed

in

The Riverside Park will benefit from improved links to the High Street via Copenhagen Street and St Andrew’s Gardens. Funding will also support a wider programme of works

reputation as a tourist destination.”

The Heritage and Riverside business case is

being delivered by Worcester Cathedral,

designed to release £640,000 from the Towns

creating a more appealing link to Cathedral

The Active Travel business case includes

Fund into the city as part of a £1.2 million

Square and through the Cathedral gardens to

£4.5 million of projects, the majority of which

project. It includes projects designed to

the Riverside. n

THE 2022 BROMSGROVE YOUNG MUSICIANS’ PLATFORM Two talented musicians have been crowned the 2022 winners in the final of the seventh annual Bromsgrove Young Musicians’ Platform (BYMP).

Jaren Ziegler aged 16 won the Senior section and Junde Tom He aged 11 won the Junior category on Saturday, 26th February in Routh Concert Hall at Bromsgrove School.

The adjudicators were once again blown away by the standard of the entries, with each competitor taking part in an audition round earlier in the week. They were then whittled down to just eleven finalists, selected on merit by the distinguished Adjudicators: Professor David Saint (Chairman of the Adjudicators – Auditions), Alastair Moseley (Chairman of the Adjudicators – Finalists’ Concert), renowned cellist and conductor Richard Jenkinson and Sarah Oliver of Chetham’s School of Music.

In the Senior Section, six finalists took to the stage on a variety of instruments – Jaren Ziegler (viola), Leo Zhi Yan Hong (piano), Emma Demetriades (violin), Rebecca Bazlov (piano), Oliver Simpson (cello) and Alasdair John Cottee (oboe). n 4 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

The five finalists from the Junior Section were pianists Kevin Tianyu Ge, Junde Tom He and Bususu Chen, and violinists Bobbie Chen and Alice Chadwick-Jones.

Jaren, a violist from University College School in Hampstead, beat off fierce competition to take first prize in the Senior section for musicians aged 14-17 years. He is passionate about chamber music and hopes to be a professional soloist and chamber musician in the future. Jaren also attends the Junior Royal Academy on Saturdays.

Aged just 11, Junior section winner Junde (Tom), from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Harborne, Birmingham, has played the piano for five years, achieving ABRSM Grade 7. Last year, he was awarded First Prize (Piano Solo Chopin’s Polish Legacy Open) in the Birmingham Music Festival.

Junde (Tom) gave two outstanding performances on piano with Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906 by J. S. Bach and FantaisieImpromptu in C# minor, Op. 66 by F. Chopin to take the top prize in the Junior category.

Jaren’s showpiece was the Pocket Concerto for viola with violoncello – 1st movement – Homage to Hindermith by G. Knox. So called ‘Pocket Concerto’ because instead of the solo viola playing with a full orchestra, this piece is written to be played with just a single cello as the only accompaniment. His second piece, composed by H. Vieuxtemps, was accompanied by piano – Viola Sonata Op 36 – 2nd movement – Barcarolla.

Both winners have been granted financial bursaries of £1000 (Senior section) and £750 (Junior section) to enable them to further develop their musical talent.

Each category also has a second award of £400, which went to violinist Alice Chadwick-Jones from London, a student at Alleyn’s School, and Rebecca Bazlov from Birmingham, a pianist who attends King Edward VI High School for Girls.

Monica Toso, Chairman of the Bromsgrove Young Musicians’ Platform said, “With almost two years of restrictions due to the pandemic, it has been wonderful to welcome musicians back on stage in front of a live audience”. n

HOME & GARDEN

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| G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 5 n VIEW OUR FULL RANGE OF SIEMENS PRODUCTSt @WorcestershireNow AT WWW.CHAPMANSRETAIL.CO.UK

HERE & NOW

JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS AT THIS YEAR’S

RHS MALVERN SPRING FESTIVAL

things to buy, and the shopping experience continues throughout the large retail area, offering a one-stop gardening emporium.

The RHS Malvern Spring Festival in association with My Pension Expert will have plenty to celebrate when it makes a triumphant return on the 5-8 May 2022 after a two-year break.

This four-day extravaganza is the trailblazer for the RHS flower show season, a seed bed for emerging talent and an opportunity to learn from some of the country’s best-known gardening personalities.

Held at the Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire, with the beautiful Malvern Hills as a backdrop, the 35th festival promises to be greener, healthier and more joyful than ever.

Throughout its four-day run it will celebrate the positive physical and mental benefits that gardening has given us during the lockdown period. A series of show gardens, feature gardens and container gardens will provide plenty of inspiration alongside a new ‘Nurture Area’ looking at the many ways that horticulture can positively affect our wellbeing.

The Vitamin G Garden created by BBC presenter Jo Whiley and designer Alan Williams from Landform Consultants, will be the first Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) feature garden to appear at Malvern. It will demonstrate the benefits to be enjoyed from a dose of Vitamin G – gardening – and is based on research conducted by the RHS’ Director of Science, Professor Alastair Griffiths.

The celebration theme will mark the Platinum

Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen with the 70th anniversary of her Coronation taking place a month after the festival. The event will feature giant eye-catching installations at each of the main entrances, school gardens to honour her reign and a new permanent feature garden – The Jubilee Garden – planted with the Sovereign’s favourite flowers and shrubs and the many cultivars named after her. Three Counties Showground’s gardening team, including young apprentices currently studying landscape and design at Pershore College, will plant and maintain the feature.

The re-imagined Floral Green will showcase an array of beautiful blooms from British cut flower growers and florists. Here visitors can immerse themselves in all things floristry, with regular demonstrations and unique photo opportunities with supersized suspended floral headpieces.

Some of the UK’s finest nurseries will make sure that The Floral Marquee and open-air Plant Arcades will be filled with tempting

In addition, visitors can sample some of the best food and drink the region has to offer, complemented with world food cuisines and be inspired by demonstrations from TV chefs in the new Nourish Area, hosted by Mark Diacono, with Raymond Blanc, Valentine Warner, Jeremy Pang and Sabrina Ghayour due to take part.

The Festival Theatre promises a timetable jam-packed with special guests and inspirational speakers and will host the muchloved Gardeners’ Question Time. Monty Don, Frances Tophill, Jo Whiley, Arit Anderson and Jonathan Moseley will all be joining James Alexander Sinclair to present lively talks and fun and informative demonstrations.

Shows Manager, Jane Edwards commented; “We look forward to welcoming visitors back to our 35th festival for a celebration of the spring season and our shared joy of gardening.

This year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival will be the greenest yet, with a new sustainability policy seeing water bottle refill stations laid on around the showground and visitors are being invited to bring their own shopping bags for the floral marquee. These measures will join existing initiatives such as a free shuttle bus to and from Great Malvern Station.” n www.rhsmalvern.co.uk

Kingfisher Shopping Centre announces ‘For the Love of Books’ campaign winner Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch has

touched to see the community coming

to help choose new books for the library. A

officially announced the winner of its ‘For the

on board to support local schools with an

huge thankyou to everyone who voted for

Love of Books’ campaign as Holyoakes Field

impressive total of over 3,000 votes received.

Holyoakes. We really do appreciate it.” n

First School and Nursery.

It was an honour to present the book vouchers

The shopping centre’s initiative, which asked the local community to cast their votes for the school they wanted to win, pledged £500 in book vouchers from Waterstones to the

to Holyoakes Field First School and Nursery, and we hope this will help to aid more young learners into their reading journeys through furthering

resources

and

creating

some

excitement around learning for the pupils.”

winning school. With votes placed between 1st and 8th March, Holyoakes Field First

Holyoakes Field First School Headteacher,

School and Nursery has been named the

Mrs Koser said: “We were really surprised and

winner with Associate Assistant Headteacher

delighted to learn that we had won the ‘For

Miss Willis

and school administrator Miss

Tomkins visiting the centre along with four

the Love of Books’ competition. Our children just love to read so will be thrilled to hear that

pupils to collect their prize.

we have won the competition. It couldn’t have

Ken Williams, General Manager at Kingfisher,

Waterstones will help get some much needed

said: “We are pleased to say that the campaign

new books for our new school Library. We

has been a huge success and we were so

will be selecting some of our Top Readers

n 6 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

come at a better time. The £500 voucher from

To keep up to date with future initiatives from Kingfisher Shopping Centre and to be first in the know about all new openings, please visit www.kingfishershopping.co.uk.

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 7 n

HOME & GARDEN

h t ing

g i eR

r u F t h

e r in tu

e. itur ed. n r t u of f u star e E c PAG pie get yo HE T w R ne to OVE g a y tips UED n i TIN y N u d CO en b me han h w r so side with n o c d s to on han g n i is th t of e Now o l ea shir e ar cester r e Th Wor kily Luc

s o o h C

n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 9 n

HOME & GARDEN Start with shapes that you love, this may sound obvious but trust your own eye. Consider the room as a whole and think about what the main elements are, be practical, and ensure that you provide space for side tables and lamps (you need places to put your drinks and books), if you do this, you’ll have a good idea of how much space you can allot to your upholstery pieces.

Consider the age and location of your property. Country homes and urban homes need different solutions. It’s how the pieces work together that counts, try to avoid three-piece suites, they create heavy blocks in a room, presenting everything on the same level and missing opportunities for something more interesting. Think about the leg heights, it might be good to have some pieces with longer legs as they tend to have a lighter visual impact. Also, consider that we are all different shapes and heights, so think about how you prefer to sit when you’re relaxing. If you like to have your legs up, then

long enough for you to stretch out. Consider that some family members or friends may want to sit higher or lower, have head support, or read by the window, so it’s really useful to have some upright chairs or small sofas that can be pulled into play when needed.

make sure the sofa seat is deep enough to

Always measure the space where your sofa

accommodate this if it isn’t you might need a

is going to go carefully. It’s so disappointing

sofa with a chaise end or an ottoman. If you

to go through the process only to find

like to lie down on your sofa, make sure it is

that something doesn’t fit. Make sure you

measure up your door frames and allow for any tight angles, radiators, banisters or other architectural impediments. Some sofa legs are removable to help deal with access issues.

Choosing a sofa for your home is one of the most important furniture decisions. Make sure that it’s comfortable for you. Even cheap sofas cost a lot of money and frequently end up in landfills so it’s worth spending time to get CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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TEL: 07538 471274 / 0800 0855 277 n 10 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

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HOME & GARDEN

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 11 n

HOME & GARDEN similar tones generally looks more formal, urban and calming, with further interest added by introducing an accent colour or texture that enhances a quality from a treasured painting, rug, or vase. Whilst a more relaxed mixed and mismatched assemblage of colour and pattern can evoke the comfortable, generational layering of the classic English country home.

your decision right. Ideally, your sofa will serve you for a long time before being passed on to future generations, so always buy the best that you can afford. Good sofas improve with age as the cushions soften with use. Regular plumping of seat and pillow cushions will improve their longevity. Once you’ve chosen the shapes you like, you’ll be ready to think about fabrics.

Upholstery Fabrics The colours, patterns and textures you choose for your room can tell a story of understated luxury, playful exuberance, a formal or relaxed approach, and all stages in between. Fabrics create connections between the elements of a room, they don’t have to match so you get to decide how loose or tight you like your associations to be. A mixture of textures in

The way your fabrics are put together allows you to build your scheme and layer it to fit your story. Let practicality play its part; think about how you live and who uses the furniture, dogs, cats, and red wine spillers. Some fabrics have a stain repellent finish which will go some way to keeping things looking good. Pieces in hightraffic areas such as family or living rooms will need durable fabrics, while furniture treated to less wear and tear, such as a bedroom chair, can sport any type of textile. Fabrics are graded with a ‘rub count’, technically known as a Martindale Test. The higher the number the more durable the fabric. As a rule, 25,000 rubs is considered to be adequate for general domestic usage. Think about it as layering, be intuitive and have fun... it’s just like getting dressed but for your home. n www.johnsankey.co.uk

Worcestershire

Now

If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact our sales team.

n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

Rachel Seabright

Kate Gilmartin

Tel: 01905 727900 Email: rachel@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727905 Email: kate@pw-media.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

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www.aaoutdoors.co.uk Find us on Facebook at Andrew Alexander Outdoors for an extensive gallery of photos t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 13 n

HOME & GARDEN

Spa Decorators

Carpentry & Building Services

With over 29 years’ experience in the industry, ensuring customers have works carried out at the highest and professional standard. Spa Decorators Limited team has carried out domestic, commercial, industrial, and planned maintenance work all over Worcestershire and surrounding areas.

Spa Decorators Limited value all customers and they work with their customers to ensure that the least amount of disruption possible is caused. This can be from working around businesses and their opening house by working ‘out of office hours’, or simply sitting with their customers to plan their works out to ensure that their family homes have the least amount of disruption with the highest of standards results.

As a company they are proud members of the Painting and Decorating Association (PDA).

The PDA promotes professionalism and integrity. The focus of the PDA is to ensure all members of the association adhere to the highest quality standards. Being members of the association gives their customers the confidence that they will know all work will be carried out to the highest quality.

They are also members of Constructionline.

Which for all Spa Decorators Limited domestic and commercial customers gives them the knowledge, that they are choosing a company that has gone through rigorous checks and can be trusted.

Spa Decorators Limited understand their customers wants and needs. They understand that for some customers with larger projects to undertake. That a main stress for them is finding all the different n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

• General Building • External Wall Insulation • Flooring • Fire Door Maintenance • Fire Door Stopping • Fire Door Installation

trades to complete their work to a high standard and to all run Co-ordinately.

Which is why Spa Decorators Limited carry out a wide range of services which are listed below. This is to help their customers experience to be less stressful, as they will plan, and co-ordinate all works.

Spa Decorators Services • Painting & Decorating • Carpentry & Joinery • Plumbing • Electrical

Fire Doors Spa Decorators are pleased to announce that they are members of the BM TRADA Q-Mark Fire Door Certification Scheme.

They have become approved in fire stopping, installation and maintenance.

These accreditations provide reassurance to specifiers, contractors, and end users that the fire door they have chosen has been installed correctly and should perform as intended. They also use the latest advance in technology where all doors are installed with scannable chips. Which customers can scan via a mobile app and see all installation and maintenance information regarding that installation. n For any advice or guidance on any of your projects or for a quotation please call Spa Decorators Limited on 01905 773628 or email admin@spadecorators.com

HOME & GARDEN

DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL DECORATORS IN DROITWICH SPA

Locally Fully trained installer of electric vehicle chargers.

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Spa Decorators Limited, based in Droitwich Spa was established in 1993 and has serviced the local community for over 25 years.

• Decorating • Building Work • Plastering • Kitchen Fitting

• Carpentry • Fire Door Installation, Maintenance & Stopping

We are approved Andersen EV charge point installers and offer grants under the work place charge scheme.

18 Mosel Drive, Droitwich Spa, Worcester, WR9 8DB

Tel: 07970 310 534 / 01905 827114 Email: mark@aaj-electrical.co.uk www.aaj-electrical.co.uk

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 15 n

HOME & GARDEN

u o Sh

t i ld

? t s La

hen w e t av is h gs tha h t n shi oes e d t furni c n ue of seq and s E n o PAG s c e t THE s a s R h OVE tre ED d? W s, mat INU e T t N CO fa ula e? calc h as so of tim e st uc eb itur tems s the te n r fu d ri n of nds fo ’t stoo a p lifes ial refu haven d e t ic art red late p p the alcu Can ilers c reta

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n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

HOME & GARDEN

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 17 n

HOME & GARDEN

Furniture purchases are typically ‘big ticket” items that come with the expectation that these goods are made to last. Once you’ve found a piece that fits with your budget, space and aesthetic, you’d probably be reluctant to replace it any time soon. The introduction of the ‘Right to Repair Law’ in the UK last year, designed to combat ‘premature obsolescence’ of electrical goods by placing a duty on manufacturers to make spare parts available to consumers, marks an important step in the move towards a more sustainable approach to everyday products.

Technically speaking, higher quality furniture should outlive that which is of a lower quality, however,

wear-and-tear

is

unavoidable

regardless of the original quality.

The rule of six The six years within which you can potentially enforce your consumer rights can be a useful benchmark, but it’s not an indication as to maximum durability since the law applies to a myriad of consumer products; from a Biro to a Bentley. So what’s the position when a lower value item is sold which may not reasonably last for six years with normal use, or when a big ticket item should last

One way of ensuring furniture longevity, is for retailers to supply accurate and comprehensive care guides to ensure that the life of items can be prolonged if the correct maintenance instructions are followed.

Likewise, before making purchases, it’s crucial you ask the right questions to make sure the piece is suitable. In theory, this should ensure you’re getting the right information to receive the best service possible from your furniture for the longest possible time. n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

considerably longer? It’s important to look at the information available to enable you to make a purchasing decision and to consider what’s fair within specific circumstances.

This is also subject to any guarantees offered by the retailer or manufacturer. If a mattress is sold with a ten-year guarantee, it’s surely reasonable to expect that with the appropriate care, it will last at least for a decade.

What does the law say?

The implied terms state that furniture should be of satisfactory quality which does include an element of durability. Therefore, furniture should be sufficiently heavy-duty enough for it to be fit for its intended purpose. The law also includes a reference to the price paid which can also be taken into account. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 places an even greater emphasis on the information which is available and so care instructions and product specifications will be important evidence in assessing the potential lifespan of a product and how it should be maintained to ensure its expected longevity.

What happens if a known fault occurs prior to the six years?

The consumer remedies are tiered such that, in the event of a fault, once the time for a short term right to reject has passed (30 days after delivery), you’d be entitled to a repair or replacement in the first instance. The second tier of remedies, a refund or price reduction, CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Evesham 01386 897 854 Worcester 01905 886 923 Freephone 0800 6965 468

AREAS WE COVER: BROMSGROVE, EVESHAM, REDDITCH, PERSHORE, MALVERN,WORCESTER, t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 19 n DROITWICH, STOURPORT, BEWDLEY, KIDDERMINSTER AND VILLAGES INBETWEEN

HOME & GARDEN

are then available if the repair is impossible

How are partial refunds calculated?

a price reduction is of limited value if the

or can’t be carried out in a timely manner

Some furniture can reasonably be expected

damage is such that the goods cannot be

or without significant inconvenience to you.

to last more than six years during normal

used for their intended purpose. Equally,

Of course, a price reduction would only be

usage (for example by virtue of its price,

consumers may be happy to receive more

appropriate if the goods still function, but

quality or guarantee period), whereas some

than one attempt at repair if it means a more

could be used to recognise an aesthetic issue,

items can’t be expected to last even half this

sustainable approach to the application of

for example. This is important as in the first

timeframe. For example, if it’s stated that a

their rights.

instance, at least your entitlement is for the

mattress should only last three years, then

issue with the furniture itself to be remedied

a partial refund would be calculated on this

and a physical repair may be considered as

basis; on the other hand retailers need to be

the most sustainable option.

aware of setting unrealistic expectations when

If a fault is found later down the line, the law allows the retailer to account for the number of years usage the consumer has enjoyed prior to this fault, this is known as a partial refund. This means that if a fault occurs and a repair or replacement has either already been attempted or cannot be undertaken, a partial refund may be the most appropriate remedy.

It is worth noting that the refund cannot be

specifying a guarantee period which could also be used to calculate a partial refund.

Ultimately, a practical view should be taken on these questions because there’s no set number of years each item should last, and each case is judged on its own merit.

However, the

product, information relating to it and any guarantees will play a role when calculating the lifetime of a product.

apportioned within the first six months, but

Whilst it is important that consumers and

if an issue arises after that, usage can be

retailers alike understand the remedies that

recognised by the retailer making a financial

are applicable to faulty products, choosing

deduction. For example, a sofa costing £600

the right remedy to fit the circumstances

which develops a fault when it’s three years

is equally important. A retailer may feel it’s

old, and which can’t be repaired or replaced,

disproportionate to replace a faulty item after

could see a partial refund of £300.

it has received four years’ usage, whereas

n 20 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

Kevin Grix, CEO and Chief Ombudsman, Furniture Ombudsman government

and

Home

said,

Improvement

“Our

not-for-profit,

approved,

voluntary

Ombudsman scheme has been helping parties resolve disputes for more than a quarter of a century. When purchasing big ticket items, customers are offered an additional layer of protection and our members reinforce a commitment to manage complaints formally and at a level that is higher than what the law prescribes.

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www.ensignroof.co.uk t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 21 n

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 in 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 class-leading 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 well-earned laurels and have recently introduced a new twin cut blade design to

n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

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

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 23 n

HOME & GARDEN

Getting Summer Ready With warmer, longer days on the horizon, the beautiful bright colours of your garden are best enjoyed alongside a lush, green lawn.

As the centrepiece of your garden, GreenThumb Lawn Treatment Service will ensure your lawn reaches its full potential as a weedfree, healthy, and well-loved lawn.

Not only do we have over 35 years’ experience in caring for millions of lawns, but we also continue to pioneer innovative solutions in Lawn Care, boldly leading the way in our industry as the most recommended Lawn Treatment Service in every part of the UK. As summer approaches, it’s essential that you keep your lawn healthy and strong in preparation for the rising temperatures, increased humidity, and reduced rainfall; this is where our NutraGreen ‘Summer Ready’ Treatment can help.

Our ‘Summer Ready’ Treatment is applied between April and June and features a fully coated fertiliser designed to give your lawn a timed release of nutrition over several months, feeding your grass and stimulating growth.

This sophisticated treatment also includes a weed control to help eradicate weeds which are unwelcome in your lawn, keeping your lawn looking its best, ready for summer.

An added benefit of our ‘Summer Ready’ Treatment is that you can also receive an application of our fantastic water conserver, Oasis. Now is the perfect time for an Oasis n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

Treatment as it helps your soil to make the best use of any available moisture, meaning you’ll need to water up to 80% less. Our popular Oasis Treatment now features an innovative, highly concentrated seaweed extract which has proven to have an almost immediate visual effect on the colour of your lawn. This unique solution improves the quality of your grass, benefits root development and helps with stress tolerance; what’s not to love!

mower blades are kept sharp or replaced to

At this time of year, we recommend implementing a regular mowing regime to help your lawn be the best it can be.

Dry, sunny days are the best conditions for mowing, however it’s important that your

Contact your local

avoid causing damage to the grass plant. It is also important, especially during the summer months, that your grass isn’t cut too short as this will weaken it, attracting unwanted weeds.

When dry, we advise raising the height of your cut from 1” up to 2” and give it a good drink the day after mowing.

Let’s create the lawn we both love. n

GreenThumb branch today!

Tel: 01905 840 740 Email: worcester@greenthumb.co.uk www.greenthumb.co.uk

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 25 n

NATURE NOTEBOOK

Tawny Mining © Wendy Carter

Digger Bees

Who’d have thought that a tiny bee could dig a tunnel... welcome to the world of mining bees!

We’re all familiar with bumblebees but what about their smaller cousins that buzz about our green spaces and pollinate our flowers and crops? There are more than 250 species of bee in the UK and many are miners... solitary bees that dig tunnels into short turf and bare ground in order to create a safe space for their offspring.

What do I mean by ‘solitary’ bee? Most people are aware of the social nature of bumblebees, where each individual works together for the benefit of the whole colony. Solitary bees, by contrast, work alone – females each create their own nests and provision their own young with food. Solitary bees often nest in large aggregations but they won’t be using the same nest.

Mining bee mums dig tunnels up to one metre long; an incredible feat for a small and seemingly delicate insect. Towards the end of each tunnel she’ll excavate a series of chambers and within each of these she’ll lay an egg. The hard work doesn’t end there – she has to collect pollen and carry it back to each chamber, leaving enough pollen to provide the young bee with plenty of food to devour in order to develop into the next generation.

KEEP UP TO DATE Worcestershire Wildlife Trust @WorcsWT t worcestershirewildlifetrust G worcswildlifetrust.co.uk w

Mining bees can be found in lots of different habitats – some are fussy about where they dig but others are as happy in your flower beds as they would be in a nature reserve. Two of the most striking (and easily identified) species are ashy and tawny mining bees.

Depending on March’s weather they may already

n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

be flying but look for them in your garden or local greenspace throughout April.

Ashy mining bees are a wonderful silvery grey and black.

Females have a shiny black abdomen with a humbug-like thorax – a black central patch that’s surrounded by a ring of silvery hairs. Both males and females have a silvery moustache but the males are smaller with silvery hairs on the abdomen. I think that female tawny mining bees look like they’re wearing a sumptuous evening gown; they’re covered in dense fox-coloured hairs. Taken with mainly black legs and a black face, this glorious combination make for a very distinctive bee. Males are smaller and covered in brown hairs but are similar to a number of other species so are tricky to identify.

Like their stripey cousins, solitary bees are in trouble. We can help, though. Has your garden or local greenspace got plenty of nectar and pollen rich plants? From early blooms like snowdrops and aconites through lavender, rosemary, cosmos, pot marigold, alliums to Michaelmas daisies and winter heather or mahonia – the more you plant, the more you’ll help. Solitary bees love spring blossom but they’re also partial to dandelions so please try to leave a few dotted around. Don’t forget to ditch the chemical bug-killers – a healthy garden will support a huge range of wildlife that will do the job for you. n For more ideas about helping bees and other wildlife, take a look at www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-gardening.

HOME & GARDEN

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 27 n

FOOD & DRINK

What’s in Season?

Enjoy early spring in April and the seasonal foods that come with it, the most well-known, of course, being lamb. Asparagus and apricots make their debut, and it’s also the season for tuna and crab. Buying what is in season is usually better value and is always at it’s tastiest.

Vegetables: Asparagus (lovely local fare just coming into season) Rhubarb and Spinach.

Meat: Lamb (Spring Lamb coming into season) Fish and seafood: Crab, Salmon and Tuna

• Half a bottle red wine or 1 x 375ml bottle dry cider

1. Allow the meat to come to room

Slow roast shoulder of lamb

(400°F, gas mark 6).

• 1 whole shoulder of lamb

2. Rub the lamb shoulder with a little oil, season with salt and pepper and place in

• Salt and pepper, for seasoning

a large roasting tin. Place in the oven and

• 6 sprigs each fresh rosemary and thyme

brown on all sides for about 15 mins.

• 1 bulb garlic, broken into cloves and unpeeled (crush half the cloves with a knife) • 2 red onions, quartered • 3 carrots, cut into batons • 2 sticks celery, sliced • 1 large leek, sliced

140°C (275°F, gas mark 1) and cook for 2½ hrs or until the lamb is tender and sticky. Check

Method temperature. Preheat the oven to 200°C

• Olive oil

10 mins, then lower the oven temperature to

the meat juices run clear. Remove the first joint from the oven, place the lamb on a warm plate (allow to rest for 20 mins), remove the whole cooked vegetables and keep warm. Use the delicious juices to make gravy, if you like, adding a little redcurrant jelly to taste. Serve with the vegetables and gravy, accompanied by polenta or couscous and green beans. n

3. Remove lamb joints from the oven and carefully place the rosemary, thyme, garlic, onions, carrots, celery, leek, fresh tomatoes and bay leaves into the roasting tin below one of the joint.

• 4 or 5 ripe tomatoes, halved

4. Pour the tinned tomatoes, wine or cider over

• 2 bay leaves

the top of the joint and cover the tin with a

• 1 x 375g tinned tomatoes

double layer of foil. Return this to the oven for

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The Bell Inn this Easter

Spend the weekend in our beautiful garden or in our wonderful garden room and eat, drink and relax in the spring sunshine. See our menus on our website or call us.

Martley Road, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6QG | Tel: 01905 640220 | www.thebellinnbroadheath.co.uk n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

the

Wagon Wheel at grimley

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See our full menu is on our website or call to book or for more details.

The Wagon Wheel, Grimley, Worcester, WR2 6LU | www.wagonwheel.co.uk

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 29 n

GOLDEN YEARS

Approaching Retirement There are many things to consider as you approach retirement. It’s good to start by reviewing your finances to ensure your future income will allow you to enjoy the lifestyle you want.

You should also consider how you’ll stay active and social after you leave work. Age UK can help you prepare and support you through the retirement process.

The new State Pension In 2016 there were several changes made to the State Pension.

What is the new State Pension?

The new State Pension is a regular payment from Government that most people can claim in later life.

You can claim the new State Pension at State Pension age if you have at least 10 years National Insurance contributions and are: • a man born on or after 6 April 1951 • a woman born on or after 6 April 1953 Can I claim my State Pension and keep working?

Yes, you can. However, here are some things you should bear in mind: • Any money you earn won’t affect your State n 30 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

Pension, but it may affect your entitlement to other benefits such as Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.

• Be aware that State Pension is taxable, so when added to your earnings it may put you into a higher tax band.

• When you reach State Pension age, you won’t have to pay National Insurance anymore, even if you keep on working.

How much State Pension will I get?

The full rate of the new State Pension will be £179.60 per week (in 2021/22) but what you will get could be more or less, depending on your National Insurance (NI) record.

You can check your how much State Pension you could get on the government website or, you can request a paper statement if you prefer.

How is my pension amount worked out?

If you have already built-up NI contributions under the pre-2016 system, you’ll be given a ‘starting amount’. This will be whichever of the following that’s higher: • Either the amount you would have received

under the pre-2016 system including basic and additional pension • Or the amount you would get if the new State Pension had been in place at the start of your working life.

If you’re ‘starting amount’ is more than the full amount of the new State Pension (see above section), any amount over that level will be protected and paid on top of the full amount when you start to claim the new State Pension.

If your starting amount is less than the full amount of the new State Pension you may be able to build up a higher level of new State Pension through contributions and credits you make between 6 April 2016 and when you reach State Pension age.

So, your State Pension amount will be the higher starting amount figure plus the value of any qualifying years you add from 6 April 2016 onwards, up to the full rate of the new State Pension.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

GOLDEN YEARS

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 31 n

GOLDEN YEARS

Your new State Pension is more likely to be calculated in this way if you’re born after the year 2000 or became a resident of the UK after 2015.

If you have: • 35 years or more of NI contributions, you will get the full amount • between 10 and 34 years of contributions, you will receive a proportion of the pension • less than 10 years of NI contributions, you aren’t usually eligible for the new State Pension.

What if I was in a ‘contracted out’ scheme?

When working out the ‘starting amount’ for your State Pension, a deduction will be made from both calculations if you were in a ‘contracted out’ personal or workplace pension scheme – for example, if you have been a member of a public sector pension.

a contracted-out pension or some of your NI

The deduction is made because in this case normally you will have paid NI contributions at a lower rate because you were paying into

new State Pension rules. You must usually

contributions were paid towards your private pension instead of additional State Pension.

What happens if I made no NI contributions before 6 April 2016?

Your State Pension is calculated entirely under

Can I use my partner’s contributions?

The State Pension is based on your own contributions and in general you will not be able to claim on your spouse or civil partner’s contributions at retirement or if you are widowed or divorced. However, if you’re widowed you may be able to inherit part of your partner’s additional State Pension already built up.

If you are a woman who paid the reduced rate ‘married woman’s contributions’, you may be able to use these contributions towards the State Pension.

have at least 10 qualifying years in your NI record to get the new State Pension.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

ANSWERS You’ve found the answers!

The puzzles are on page 38

n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 33 n

GOLDEN YEARS

Can I increase my State Pension?

If you’re not on course to get a full State Pension, there may be some things you can do to help boost your pension.

You don’t have to claim your State Pension when you reach State Pension age. This is known as deferring, and could mean that you get extra State Pension when you do claim.

How much extra you get will depend on how long you defer claiming it. The State Pension increases by 1% for every 9 weeks you put off claiming it, or around 5.8% for each full year. This may not apply to you if you get certain benefits.

If you’re a carer and don’t work, this could affect your NI record and impact your State Pension amount. If you care for someone at least 20 hours per week, you could get Carer’s Credit to help maintain your NI record.

If you get Carer’s Allowance, you automatically receive Carer’s Credit. If you aren’t eligible for Carer’s Allowance you could still get Carer’s Credit.

You may be able to get a pension from the country you live/ lived in. Contact the department responsible for State Pensions in that country. If the country is in the European Economic Area or Switzerland, then the DWP may be able to help you contact them.

If you live abroad or used to, you may have a gap in your NI record which could affect the amount of State Pension you’ll get.

If you reach State Pension age after 6 April 2016, you might be able to use the time you worked abroad to make up some of the

qualifying years that you need to get the new State Pension. This depends on the country you lived in though.

If you have gaps in your NI record If you have gaps in your record and want to boost your State Pension, you could make voluntary NI contributions. How much these are and if you are eligible will depend on your individual circumstances. n

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GOLDEN YEARS

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 35 n

LIVING HISTORY

Nimble and Lively - The Severn Trow Today the River Severn is often looked upon in a negative way. In recent weeks with the flooding of many homes, flood barriers in places like Bewdley being overwhelmed and the main bridge in Worcester requiring a temporary contraflow, it is not surprising.

However the River Severn has provided Worcestershire and the other Counties it flows through, with great wealth and prosperity over the years. It has been the life blood that has given birth to great towns and Cities, including our County town, the City of Worcester.

The River Severn is a unique waterway, in that it is the longest River in Britain, flowing 220 miles from its source in Plynlimon in Wales to the Bristol Channel or the ‘Severn Sea’ as it was often known. It has the second largest tidal range in the World and was once a tidal river as far north as Worcester and Bewdley.

This in turn brought large ships to these areas and even led to the creation of a special craft for navigating these difficult waters - The Severn Trow.

The Severn Trow were very strong cargo boats with a large carrying capacity. They were specifically designed to cope with shallow water with strong currents and even the deep turbulent, open water of the Bristol Channel.

They also had folding Mast to allow them to be lowered in order to pass under the numerous bridges as far as the inland ports of Stourport and Bewdley.

Unfortunately they are not seen on the Severn today after slowly fading away into history.

In the 1970’s, Diglis Basin, in Worcester was still very much a working dock. However it had suffered from the decline of Industry and the fact that motorway and road traffic in general was now a more popular way of transporting goods.

Moored up in a quiet corner and resting on the heavily silted Basin, sat a rotting, partly submerged Trow called ‘Spry’. A great name which originated from Old Norse, ‘Spraekr’ meaning lively and nimble. This name perfectly describes all Severn Trow that ever existed. The Spry was the last one known to exist.

The Upper Severn Navigation Trust obtained the boat in 1983. Working in partnership with the Severn Trow Preservation Society and the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, the Trow was raised from the thick silt and placed on a lorry to be transported to Blist Hill for restoration.

Records show she was built by William Hurd of Chepstow. The boat was built in 1894 and n 36 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

used by William Davis for many years. It was mainly used to transport Limestone from Chepstow to Cardiff. She went on to carry Sand for the Bristol Glass Makers and then altered to become a Ketch. Further alterations took place in the years that followed until 1936, when she was converted into a ‘Dumb Barge’.

This required a tug boat to pull it along the Severn. By the 1950’s, she was moved to Diglis to act as a floating Workshop.

Sadly she became unused, sold numerous times and soon became a derelict, semisubmerged hulk. An early inspection by the Restoration team showed the Spry was in a really bad way, however the dedication of the Restoration Team had a vision to carry out a complete rebuild, rescuing what they could in the process.

The Spry is a very important craft, the last of the Severn Trows, who ended her working career at Diglis Basin in Worcester.

She can now be visited if you go to the fantastic Ironbridge Gorge Museum in Shropshire. The Restoration work was carried out by shipwright Alan Hill and Paul Turner, amongst others and used 83 trees. The work was finally completed in 1992 and the Spry returned to the same waterway where she began her journey in the 19th Century. This unique, 70ft long cargo boat sailed for a short period of time and was then taken out of the water and she now sits safely undercover in an area of the Museum dedicated to River traffic. n

By Paul Harding, Discover History Facebook and YouTube - Discover History Instagram and Twitter -DiscoverHISTPH www.discover-history.co.uk Discover History is an award winning education and Living History Performance Company based in Worcester. They specialise in the local history of Worcestershire and deliver school workshops and history days, living history performances and talks across Britain.

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 37 n

Puzzles

SUDOKU - HARD

If you get stuck, the answers can be found on page 32 6 2

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WORD SEARCH Find and cross out all the listed words.

The words may go horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and backwards.

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n 38 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

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CASH IN YOUR GOLD! OLD JEWELLERY, SOVEREIGNS, DAMAGED & SCRAP ITEMS, CHAINS, BRACELETS, INGOTS, RINGS, WEDDING BANDS, BANGLES, ODD EARRINGS & CUFFLINKS, WATCHES, WATCH CHAINS, CIGARETTE CASES, ETC.

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Artists include:

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Sculpture by Keith Evans

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 39 n

© Mark Everett

Vale of Evesham Blossom is Back!

You know that “Spring is Sprung” when those famous yellow AA signs go up to guide blossom spotters through some of the most productive horticultural land in the Country.

The Vale of Evesham - famous for its plums, apples and pears is home to the country’s most famous Blossom Trail - now in its 39th year and taking in almost 50 miles of idyllic Worcestershire countryside.

There are so many ways to enjoy this magical natural attraction. Not only can you travel the trail by car, you can also enjoy a fabulous day out on the Springtime in the Vale Coach tour (as featured on BBC’s Countryfile).

Operated by Royal Motorways on Wednesday 20th April, this value for money tour with your very own Blossom Tour Guide allows you

n 40 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

to experience the best of the Vale and the Blossom (weather permitting). Pick up points throughout the County. For further details and to book your seat – call 01386 792206 or visit www.royalmotorways.co.uk For those who prefer “the great outdoors” without engines, why not explore the blossom trail by bike – there are many farmshops and local hostelries en route to enjoy much needed refreshments.

If you are planning to take a group around the Trail - why not book a Tour Guide to enhance your visit. Specialising in the area and more importantly its Blossom Trail, they

will certainly make your journey around the Vale of Evesham one to remember. Call Helen Piper on 01386 765972 for more information regarding the Evesham Vale Tour Guides.

Blossom doesn’t last long so it is important to plan your trip. We have carefully crafted a blossom trail guide that will provide you with the best locations to witness the Vale’s stunning bloom; a virtual guide can be found at www.valeandspa.co.uk/blossom or order a free copy from Marie-Ann Sharman at 01386 565564. n www.valeandspa.co.uk/blossom

• aMazing Hedge Puzzle • Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo • Miniature Golf

Visit butterflyzoo.co.uk For everyday value ticket prices!

Come rain or shine come along and have a good time!

Symonds Yat West HR9 6DA Open daily from 10am Safe secure metered parking

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 41 n

EDUCATION What's On

What's On

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

APRIL

a chocolate treat at the end. You’ll also be

CountryTastic Three Counties Showground, Malvern.

CountryTastic returns to the Three Counties Showground this 14 April 2022. Visitors can expect an action-packed day of discovery with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities.

Everyone’s favourite farmer from BBC Countryfile and the Cotswold Farm Park, Adam Henson will be headlining this year’s show. Get involved in an action-packed, hands-on event with food, farming and the countryside at its core. Whatever the weather, with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities, CountryTastic is the perfect Easter Holiday family day out. There’s so much for youngsters to get involved in, with many of the activities free – hop on board for a tractor ride, go wild with bushcraft or try your hand at some fun crafts with Junk Fish. Tickets £9.00 Under 16’s £5.00 and Under 2’s free

(aged 16 and over). Children: £8.00 (aged

Thursday 14th

entered into the prize draw for the chance to win an enormous Easter egg! Adults: £13.00 3-15 years) Family: £34.00 (2 adults + up to 3 children). Children aged 2 and under do not require a ticket. eastnorcastle.com

Monday 18th Bouncing Bunnies Play Day The

Commandery

-

Worcester,

The

Commandery, Sidbury, Worcester. Join us on Easter Monday as the bunnies take over The Commandery. Bring your bouncing bunnies to enjoy the farm barn bouncy castle and slide and hop all around The Commandery. There will be games in the glorious Commandery gardens for you to enjoy. What bunny can resist animal skittles, giant Jenga and giant Connect 4? Once your bunnies have finished bouncing, see if they can find all the eggs hidden around the museum to receive a chocolatey treat, then they can get creative and design and colour in their very own Easter egg. No need to pre-book, just turn

Friday 15th - Monday 18th

up, Normal admission charges apply + £2 per

EGGventure Family Treasure Hunt Enjoy our Easter Global EGGventure Family Treasure Hunt celebrating 150 years of ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. Find clues around the castle and grounds and hand in your entry for

Easter Egg trail and 50p for the bouncy castle

n 42 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

Tuesday 19th Shelsley Walsh Driving School Shelsley Walsh, Worcester, Worcestershire,

WR6 6RP. The main aim of the Shelsley Walsh Driving School is to provide the highest level of instruction on the world’s oldest racetrack, in a controlled, safe manner, to give an enjoyable and exciting day. Whatever your level of speed eventing experience, the school will give you a great day out! Our instructors are all highly experienced competitors and know how to enjoy their sport. Let us pass some of that enjoyment on to you! We will talk you through starting in competition before a briefing on driving the Hill. Then we will take you on to the track. You won’t be confined to the classroom for long, we devote most of the time to driving and instructing. We also offer a licence upgrade option – you attend the school for a day’s course and sit a short multiple choice examination. Successful completion of the exam and driving will gain you one signature towards upgrading a National B Licence to a National A status.

Only one of your upgrade signatures may be obtained from an AHASS approved school.

Even if you are not YET committed to taking up this wonderful sport, you can come to the school, take part in the activities and have a terrific day experiencing competitive driving on Shelsley Walsh’s challenging course. We have a feeling it won’t be the last time you do CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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EDUCATION What's On the day. Those who have entered a driving

work as couples on their own fire pit for the

school are also eligible to have a guaranteed

day. They will cook a number of different

acceptance of a Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb

dishes depending on the season; on the grill,

entry. You must nominate which event you

in the fire pit base and on the cooking tray/

would like to use this for. This offer is subject

lid to showcase the broadest range of skills.

to minimum licence requirements being met

This is a very ‘hands-on’ experience and is

and a completed hill climb entry form and fee

suitable for complete beginners and those

received by the closing date for that meeting.

with more experience. www.thewoodee.com/

The winner for the day at each school will win a

all-products/woodee-experience

free competitive entry to a MAC event (either

so! All you need to do is bring your own road legal car and wear clothing that covers your arms and legs. Do use overalls and gloves if you have them, but they are not compulsory for the driving school. Crash helmets are required but will be provided free of charge to those who do not have their own. If you choose to bring your own helmet, it must be to the current Motorsport UK specifications.

The cost is just £250 (which includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and refreshments throughout the day), plus an extra £50 if you require the licence upgrade option. MAC members can claim a £30 discount per driving school. Guests are welcome at a cost of £30 to cover food and refreshments throughout

n 44 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, or one of our

The One Liner Show

Sprint venues). The Most Improved and Best

Redditch United FC, Sallie Swan Street,

Novice at each school will win a £20 voucher

Redditch. Enjoy an evening of the best up and

for entries. www.shelsleywalsh.com

coming one-liner comedians. Expect puns, wordplay & gags galore. Hosted by Masai

Friday 22nd Woodee Fire Pit Cooking And Skills Course The

Woodee

Events,

Garden

House,

Chapel Lane, Dorstone, Herefordshire, HR3 6AP. Treat someone special to one of our exclusive Woodee Experience Days in rural Herefordshire. Our Fire Pit Cooking and Skills course is perfect for a couple who love being outdoors and would like to learn how to cook delicious food over fire. It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn different skills and cooking techniques which can be easily repeated on a fire pit at home. In small groups working on just six fire pits, they will

Graham.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-one-

liner-show-tickets-223818646597

Saturday 23rd Classic British Cookery Eckington Manor Cookery School, Hammock Road, Eckington, Worcestershire, WR10 3BJ. Price includes all ingredients, refreshments on arrival and during the day. You will eat some of the food you cook during the course at lunchtime and take home a recipe pack. £175 www.eckingtonmanorcookeryschool.co.uk CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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What's On Saturday 30th April Monday 2nd May

Trade Stalls which have a selection of unique

Marches Makers Festival

the fun, why not have a go on our pay-per-go

Kington, HR5 3DJ. The Marches Makers

rides and games?! 11am-5pm. Unlimited Play

Festival in Kington, on the English border

Wristbands are priced as follows: Under 90cm

with Wales, presents a bank holiday weekend

Free of Charge; Over 90cm £10; Adult £2.50;

of delights including a miniature artworks

Family of 4 Ticket (2ad & 2ch) £23; Family of

exhibition, four other exhibitions, interactive

5 Ticket (2ad & 3ch) £32. There’s no need to

workshops, open studios, live theatre and

book, just turn up on the day. Wristbands go

garden based sculpture in venues throughout

on sale from 10:30am on the event day.

products for sale. For those wanting to extend

the town. Independent High St businesses include cafes, pubs, restaurants, shops,

Thursday 5th - Sunday 8th

accommodation,

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

and

lots

more.

Come

and make a weekend of it in some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. www. marchesmakers.co.uk

MAY Sunday 1st

Funtopia At Redditch The BIG day out for little kids is coming to Redditch for the first time ever!!! We’ll be offering 3 amazing, fun-filled events in the summer of 2022! Our fun-filled festival is packed with Bouncy Castles, Obstacle Course, Inflatable Slide, Bungee Run, Human Wrecking Ball, Inflata-Bull, Nerf Wars, Driving School, Circus Skills, Sumo Suits, Giant

Games, Space Hopper Races, Crafty Corner and more – all included in the price of your wristband! We even have an incredible Under 5’s area for our mini guests, filled with Bouncy Castles, Soft Play, Ball Pool, Ride On’s, Giant Piano Mats and other fun toys and games.

Funtopia is designed especially for younger visitors ( Up to 10 years of age) and we encourage all grown ups to play too! Visitors can enjoy unlimited play on the activities and inflatables as many times as they like during their stay! Arrive hungry and sample an array of delicious menus in our Food Court which offers sweet and savoury meals to suit all taste buds! Don’t forget to treat those at home as you wander around our Artisan and

PHOTOGRAPHY MARCUS HARPUR

Little Malvern Court Nr. Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4JN

Open 20th April to 21st July, Wednesday & Thursday afternoons, 2.00pm – 5.00pm. Other times by appointment.

See website for further information

07856 035 599

www.littlemalverncourt.co.uk

Worcestershire

Now

If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact our sales team.

Rachel Seabright Tel: 01905 727900

rachel@pw-media.co.uk

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727904

kate@pw-media.co.uk

n 46 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 216 | April 2022

Three

Counties

Showground,

Malvern,

Worcestershire, WR13 6NW. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Malvern Hills, RHS Malvern Spring Festival 5-8 May launches the summer gardening show calendar. Come and be inspired by award-winning show gardens and take home new discoveries from amongst the exquisite plants and flowers displayed by top nurseries within the floral marquee and plant arcades. There is plenty of specialist advice on offer too from celebrity gardeners and experts and a treat for foodies around every corner, celebrating the best of local produce. Advance tickets to the RHS Malvern Spring Festival start at £24.85 for general admission, children under 16 go free.

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