Worcestershire NOW - DEC 21 - JAN 22

Worcestershire

Now

A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS MISTLETOE KISSES TAKE CARE AND KEEP CHEERFUL DECEMBER 2021 - JANUARY 2022 | ISSUE 213 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 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Worcestershire

08

Now

18

16

DEC 2021 - JAN 2022 HOME & GARDEN 08

A Wonderful Christmas Time

14

Naughty and Nice Guide to Recycling

16

Nature Notebook

22 24

EDUCATION 18

Enrol on a part-time course for adult learners

HEALTH & BEAUTY 22

A Lighter Life Ahead

GOLDEN YEARS 24

Getting Enough Sleep

30

Woodland View Care Home in Droitwich

LIVING HISTORY 32

Take Care and Keep Cheerful

WHAT’S ON 34

34 32

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

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

CONTRIBUTORS

DESIGN

Discover History

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

The Grace Kelly Cancer Trust

Daisy Bennett Wendy Carter

Ideal Care Homes Museum of Royal Worcester Warwickshire College Group Worcester BID Worcester County 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

‘TREECYCLE’ YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE & RAISE VITAL FUNDS FOR LOCAL CHILDHOOD CANCER CHARITY The Grace Kelly Childhood

Upton Snodsbury, Broughton Hacket, White

A £15 donation could pay for the production

Cancer Trust are delighted

Ladies Aston and Drakes Broughton.

and dispersion of 15 of their information

to be holding their second ‘treecycling’ campaign which will take place in January 2022 covering the Worcestershire area.

All you need to do is register for a collection and the GKCCT team will pick up your tree on

booklets that make things a little less scary for children receiving treatment for cancer.

the 5th, 6th or the 7th of January (collection

The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust

Christmas is a time of year for family and friends

date will be confirmed nearer the time – once

receives no statutory funding so is reliant on

and of course the all-important Christmas tree.

you have registered). It is as simple as that!

their fantastic fundraisers and donors to help

We all love a real tree until the time comes to dispose of it after Christmas. Instead of having all those Christmas tree needles in the back of your car, why not ask the Grace Kelly Childhood cancer Trust to pick it up for you?

There is a minimum donation of £5 for us to collect your Christmas tree. This will enable us to cover the basic costs of our tree collection.

If you wish to leave a donation to the Trust in addition to the £5 collection charge, this

them continue their vital work. Deadline to register your Christmas tree is Monday 3rd January 2022 at 12noon. If your tree is over 8ft tall and you wish to book a collection, please contact us in the first instance on 01905 885777 or e-mail: contact@gkcct.org. n

The areas that the charity will be covering this year

would be hugely appreciated. A £10 donation

are: B60, B61, B96, B97, Barnt Green, Alvechurch,

could cover the printing and distribution of

We still need more volunteers to help so if

Feckenham, Inkberrow, WR1, WR3, WR4, WR5,

350 of our signs and symptoms awareness

you can spare some hours or have a vehicle/

WR7, WR9, WR10, St John’s Worcester and the

cards (which could enable a child to be

van that can be used then please call the

villages local to the charity including Crowle,

diagnosed with cancer at an earlier stage).

GKCCT team on 01905 885777

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HERE & NOW

Funding award made to city’s porcelain heritage

to help keep Worcester ‘Here for Culture’ The Museum of Royal Worcester is set to receive £52,108 from the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

The

award is vital to the Museum this winter as it continues to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and strives to create a sustainable future.

The Culture Secretary announced today that more than £100 million has been awarded nationwide from the Culture Recovery Fund to help deal with reopening challenges and to ensure cultural organisations can thrive in better times ahead.

The Museum of Royal Worcester is one of 925 cultural and creative organisations to receive this timely support.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from. Through unprecedented

government

financial

support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations

so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”

Over £1.2 billion has already been awarded from the unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5,000 individual organisations and sites across the country ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots music venues to festivals, and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains.

F.G.A., D.G.A.

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memorable activities to do with family and friends this winter, this funding allows us to open between Christmas and the New Year, and to develop a winter online programme of talks. The award also gives us the opportunity to involve people of all ages in our new Showstopper Trail, which will tell the story of Worcester Porcelain in our top 20 most important objects, each available to sponsor by companies or individuals.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council

Museum Director, Sophie Heath said: “We are absolutely delighted to achieve this award which supports our city’s porcelain heritage through the critical winter period and which allows us to play our part in our local communities’ revival. Our staff, trustees, volunteers and Museum friends are working tirelessly to ensure that Worcester people and city visitors continue to enjoy access to our collections and creative activities, including our new Paint-your-own-Pottery Studio and Pop-up Museum outreach programme.

GABRIELLE DOHERTY BULLOCK

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SEND PARCELS HERE FOR CHRISTMAS

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info@green-self-storage.com | www.green-self-storage.com Hylton Road, Worcester WR2 5JS n 6 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

England, said: “This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health. It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives”. n

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HOME & GARDEN

h C l u f

a m ir st

e m i T s

r yea r e t nd es of y ics to fi s n io as adit k to b r t the bac . ack e go ations b E g r PAG gin ions. W deco THE n i R r E OV ite ;b dit ED NU lgic ed tra favour a NTI t O s C on no ur ng d fashi e of o i l e fe m ol out good s of so b a f g ll is a time o eanin 1 2 m 0 a as 2 ering e true m t h b t is Chr remem out and

r e ond

W A

n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

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HOME & GARDEN

The ritual of putting up your tree and hanging decorations throughout the home is forever instilled in our festive childhood memories.

landed in a stocking that was drying next to the fireplace. This led to the custom of putting out a sock, stocking or in some countries, a shoe at Christmas time for St Nicholas to drop a gift in on Christmas Eve.

From handmade projects to heirlooms passed through the generations, a home filled with joy around Christmas starts with magic, excitement and sparkle. I always watched my mother lay out the decorations in the run up to Christmas Day, meticulously placing every bauble on the tree and the wreath on the front door. She knew what she was doing, and she was very good at it. It was as if she was one of Father Christmas’s best elves sent straight from the North Pole.

Even now, as I try to recreate the beauty of Christmas through my own style....it is not the same!

The way we decorate our homes over the festive period has been passed down through hundreds, if not thousands of years. And not all Christmas traditions were passed down through religious reasons; some are to celebrate the winter solstice or anicent folklore. Here we delve deeper into the background of some of our favourite traditions to find the true meaning of Christmas.

Pulling a cracker The first version of the cracter, invented by Tom Smith, had love messages wrapped around sweets which were more like fortune cookies. As the cracker progressed into a much larger mechanism, the sweet was dropped and a ‘bang’ incorporated with little trinkets and gifts added. Now a true staple of Christmas Dinner.

The Christmas Stocking There are many tales of how the Christmas stocking came to pass. One legend goes that Saint Nicholas tried to help a poor family in secret. Knowing full well that the family would not willingly accept charitable donations, he threw a bag of gold coins through an open window under the cover of darkness and it

n 10 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Christmas Tree All around Western Europe, from the Scandinavian countries to the Celts decorated their version of a Christmas Tree during the winter solstice and Yuletide festivals. It wasn’t until the Victorian age that the idea of decorating a small tree in your home for the festive period became mainstream. Many of the ornaments and baubles originated in Germany. Made from glass, paper and cardboard, these ornaments adorned small CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

evergreens and firs from the first day of advent. A star or angel on top of the tree has more of a Christian symbol; appearing high in the sky to guide prople to the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Lights Candles were first used to decorate the home at Christmas. People used wax and pins to stick the candles to the trees. After the invention of light bulbs and electricity, the first Christmas tree to be lit by electric lights was seen in New York in 1882. They symbolise life, happiness and prosperity for the coming year.

Tinsel Tinsel as we know it in the UK is a fairly modern idea, originating in the post Victorian era. But decorating your Christmas tree with silver and sparkly material dates back to Germany in the 17th Century when it was adorned on the tree as a symbol of wealth; adapting to more inexpensive material as the decades and centuries passed. Tinsel however can be made from material that can be harmful to yourself, your pets and the environment.

Alternatives include, making a paper chain to wrap around your tree; cutting stars out of unwanted fabric and even making a garland out of dried fruit and spices. This will not only

be good for the environment but also make the room smell delicious!

Wreath The shape and substance of the wreath represent eternal life and along with the addition of a candle during Advent, it symbolises the light that Jesus brought into the world. The wreath invites the spirit of Christmas into the home and the hope of good luck for the coming year. A popular

n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

plant over the Christmas perod and also used to decorate wreaths are the holly and ivy, used originally to celebrate the winter solstice and thought to fend off evil spirits into the home.

However you wish to decorate your home this festive season. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you in 2022. n

By Daisy Bennett

HOME & GARDEN

Damp patches on upstairs ceilings, slipped slates or plaster coming off the walls are signs your property requires a new roof or replacement.

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HOME & GARDEN

Our naughty and nice guide to recycling and waste reduction this Christmas

Visit www.letswasteless.com for more information on how to reduce your waste n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

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NATURE NOTEBOOK

Mistletoe in frost Zsuzsanna Bird

s e s is K e o t e l t is M There’s more to this festive plant than meets the eye…

There have been myths around mistletoe for centuries and we’ve been kissing under it for at least 200 years but no-one really knows why or when we started doing so. Whilst the origins of these cultural tales are lost to us, it doesn’t stop this festive plant having its own natural stories to tell.

camouflaging themselves as a bird dropping! Their

Along with our neighbours in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, we’re blessed with bundles of berries in our county’s trees. We even have our own myth that it’s parasitic when this is only partly true. The plant’s green leaves contain chlorophyll that, through photosynthesis, allows the plant to manufacture its own sugars from carbon dioxide and water. Mistletoe still needs minerals and water from the tree and it’s this that makes it partially reliant on its host (although it doesn’t appear to damage the tree that it grows in). Plants are either male or female and it’s only the female plants that produce the berries.

time of year and see if you can spot a mistle thrush

We all know that trees are great places for wildlife and mistletoe certainly adds variety into a tree, creating a hanging garden complete with sucking, burrowing and predatory invertebrates.

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

Who knew, for example, that there was such a thing as a mistletoe weevil? The larvae of these minute minibeasts, just 2-3mm long, live within mistletoe stems during spring and summer. Mistletoe marble moths are beautifully marked in creams and greys – just like marble except that they’re brilliant at

n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

caterpillars are so small that they feed between the upper and lower surface of the leaves, leaving brown ‘mines’ or tunnels as they go.

It’s not just small creatures that rely on mistletoe.

Take a closer look as it hangs in the branches at this guarding the berries. Relatives of our more familiar blackbirds, mistle thrushes are easily spotted as they defend their berry banquet with loud chacking calls, fighting off interlopers looking for a quick takeaway.

Mistle thrushes, and the braver blackcaps who try to dodge their ire, are important for spreading mistletoe – they wipe their beaks on branches or digest and then deposit the seeds as sticky droppings onto other trees where the mistletoe seeks a way through the bark and into the tree to become established.

Lots of work has been done to plot the growth of mistletoe across Worcestershire but we’re now hoping to harness your help. We’d love to know if we’ve missed any locations and we’d also like to know what trees it’s growing in and where – are some trees more popular as hosts in some places than in others? If you’ve seen mistletoe growing and you’re able to take a picture of it, please let us know via a short form on our website w w w.worc swildlifetrust.co.uk /wildlife-sightings If you’re able to identify the tree that it’s growing in, even better! n

HOME & GARDEN

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EDUCATION

Enrol on a part-time course for adult learners Celebrate the New Year by learning a new skill at your local WCG (Warwickshire College Group) centre, based in Evesham, Pershore and Malvern.

• Horticulture • IT & Computing • Landscaping • Languages • Motor Vehicle • Plumbing, Heating & Gas • Plus, much more!

All course delivery will adhere to COVID-19 guidance and could include both face-to-face and remote delivery elements.

From part-time leisure courses to professional qualifications, there is something for all adult learners to enjoy this New Year.

WCG knows that their range of lifelong learning programmes are essential to strengthening communities and making sure that local people can succeed in their personal goals and career aspirations.

There are a wide variety of adult part-time subjects on offer across our Evesham, Pershore and Malvern centres, including: • Art, Design & Crafts • Construction • Cookery • Counselling • Engineering • ESOL

n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Don’t forget, WCG also has over 50 short courses available to study now from the comfort of your own home.

Subjects include: Writing; Nutrition; Animal Health Care and much more! Visit wcg.ac.uk/distancelearning n For more information and to enrol on an adult part-time course at our Evesham, Pershore and Malvern centres, visit wcg.ac.uk/adultlearning or call 0300 456 0049.

EDUCATION

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 19 n

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

A LighterLife Ahead 2021 has seen the

great time for positive change.

gradual opening up

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As a qualified sports therapist, and through her training with LighterLife, Jane knows the importance of good health and nutrition, and the impact of using CBT methods in group work to develop successful new eating habits that really work and stay with us!

She runs free weekly Zoom meetings, (Covid safe) as well as supporting clients via the telephone 1:1, Facebook and WhatsApp groups. n

n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Jane has first hand experience of successfully losing weight on the plan and is passionate about helping people to achieve their goals

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Rachel Seabright

Lis Gardner

rachel@pw-media.co.uk

lis@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727900

Tel: 01905 727901

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727904

kate@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 619031

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GOLDEN YEARS

Getting Enough Sleep When’s your bedtime? All over the shop? Join the club... We all know that for people of any age having a healthy, consistent sleep routine is important.

What time should people sleep for their heart health? It turns out, it shouldn’t be too late but not too early, either. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the “most significant cause of mortality” across the world, the researchers of a new study published Tuesday in European Heart Journal - Digital Health said. There has also been evidence linking poor sleep and cardiovascular risk.

participants. Interestingly, the risk was lowest for those whose sleep onset was between 10pm and 10:59pm.

For their study, the researchers collected data on 88,026 people in the U.K. Biobank who were recruited from 2006 to 2010. Instead of getting data via self-report, the researchers collected data on the participants’ sleep onset and waking times by making them wear a wristworn accelerometer for seven days.

When the researchers analyzed the data by sex, they found that the risk was particularly strong among women. In fact, only the sleep onset risk for those who fell asleep earlier than 10pm was considered “significant” in men.

During a mean follow-up of 5.7 years, researchers identified 3,172 cases of cardiovascular diseases among the

Compared to them, those who went to bed between 11:00 to 11:59 had a 12% higher risk for cardiovascular disease while those who hit the sack at midnight or even later had a 25% higher risk. But those who fell asleep earlier than 10pm also had a 24% greater risk.

It’s possible that going to bed after midnight may be the “riskiest” because it lessens the chances of seeing morning sunlight, “which resets the body clock,” the study’s co-author, Dr. David Plans of the University of Exeter in the U.K., noted in the ESC news release. As for why the association appears to be stronger in women, Plans said that this is “unclear,” citing the participants’ older age since women tend to have an increased risk after menopause.

Remember, there are numerous factors which influence our risk of heart disease – the most important being family history, diet and lifestyle and other health issues like high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

However if this newly published research

“Our findings suggest the possibility of a relationship between sleep onset timing and risk of developing CVD, particularly for women,” the researchers wrote.

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n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

makes you more conscious of needing more sleep sometimes it is easier said than done.

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GOLDEN YEARS

Take the pressure off Perfect sleep? It doesn’t exist. So while you may really want to nail your sleep routine, taking the pressure off is important – especially if you’re feeling trapped in a cycle of insomnia.

“If you take a ‘normal’ person’s sleep, it’s not perfect all the time,” says Dr Guy Meadows of Sleep School the UK’s leading expert (sleepschool.org).

“It’s very easy [for an insomniac] to think the grass is always greener and it must be perfect all the time, but the reality is that normal sleep is disturbed for a multitude of reasons, whether that’s a stressful day, aches and pains, whatever it is.”

Being told things like ‘just relax’ and ‘you’re over-thinking this’ can be immensely frustrating. But the harder we try to sleep and the more we worry about it, the further away that peaceful slumber can seem (thanks brains!).

Meadows reassures though, this is not about blaming yourself. Human brains are designed to identify sources of worry and getting into an anxious cycle with it is very normal. The

trouble is, this can put is in a state of hyperarousal – aka our own personal sleep-blocker.

We can also begin to obsess about it.

Meadows explains: “You might be lying in bed going, ‘Well I’ve had the perfect bedtime routine, I’ve done the yoga, I’ve done the meditation, etc’ – and inadvertently what happens is, it puts sleep on a pedestal. It’s like, ‘I have to do all of this otherwise I won’t get to sleep’. That just heightens people’s anxiety and alertness.

“I had one client who was winding down for four hours from 6pm, and their brain effectively was going: ‘Crumbs, what’s coming!’ It sort of becomes this really scary prospect.”

Take the focus off bedtime Dr Lindsay Browning, psychologist, neuroscientist and sleep expert for And So To Bed (andsotobed.co.uk/dr-lindsay-browning) says: “When someone starts to struggle with sleep, they often begin to worry about it during the daytime and dread night-time coming, [and] the increased anxiety makes the problem worse.”

There are some lifestyle adjustments that can be genuinely useful, Browning notes – such

as reducing caffeine intake or only having it before lunch, and doing something that’s physically and emotionally relaxing before bed, like a nice warm bath.

Increasingly your daytime exercise could help too.

“Exercise directly impacts your need for ‘deep sleep’ at night,” says Browning. “The more you exercise, the more deep sleep you will have.

Deep sleep helps you feel refreshed when you wake up and helps with sleep continuity.” (Just don’t do it too close to bedtime, as this may be “disruptive to sleep”.)

Time to ACT The Sleep School pros are pioneers of a system called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – a more evolved version of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), in a sense.

“It’s about taking the struggle out of sleep.

Putting your effort into the things you care about in your life, rather than putting it into the struggle [to sleep],” explains Meadows (they launched a Sleep School app earlier in 2021 where users can tap into this).

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Worcestershire

Now

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

Rachel Seabright

Lis Gardner

rachel@pw-media.co.uk

lis@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727900

n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Tel: 01905 727901

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727904

kate@pw-media.co.uk

GOLDEN YEARS

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GOLDEN YEARS

This isn’t about avoidance or not letting yourself admit that struggling to sleep is impacting you (it’s hard!). It’s about slowly, slowly shifting the focus away from fixating on the sleep struggle, giving that space to grow, and taking the power back.

Meadows says one of the key components of ACT is “present moment awareness”, so noticing and accepting what’s happening in that specific point in time. This doesn’t mean we’ll find it pleasant noticing we’re having a bad night’s sleep, but it does help us move away from catastrophising and freaking out that we’re ‘never’ going to sleep again and the next day will be a disaster.

“Often people will take acceptance as a sign of weakness and giving in, but it’s not at all.

When you’re able to go, ‘Ok, right now my sleep is a bit rubbish’, you’re keeping that pain in its original form, you’re not amplifying it.”

Another key element in ACT is to focus on your values and stay connected with those – even when you’re knackered. For example, Meadows says it could sound like this: “I am in a bad place with sleep right now but that doesn’t mean I’m going to completely

Put that phone away (or at least try) Lost count of the times you’ve vowed to stop looking at your phone before bed, only to find yourself engrossed in a lamb-herding video two hours later? Yes, we know these dopamine-triggering devices trap us into sleep-sapping spirals and mess with our melatonin (sleep hormone). But, well, we’re still doing it.

“Instead of simply saying, ‘Don’t touch your phone’, start by taking small steps to not care about the things that are important for my health. I am shattered so I might not go for that big run, but I’ll go for a walk around the block. That’s movement towards my values, and I’m being kind to myself.”

become less dependent on it at night,” suggests Browning.

“Turn on ‘do not disturb’ and make sure that’s set to come on at the same time each evening an hour or so before bedtime. If

And self-kindness/compassion are very powerful tools when it comes to breaking any sort of anxiety cycle; Meadows notes there’s even research on how self-compassion can aid sleep. Little acts of self-kindness during the day – like a 10-minute walk, making a nourishing lunch and watching a movie – “might seem relatively mundane and small, [but] they actually help to promote a better mental environment from which sleep can emerge”, says Meadows.

you’re nervous about family not being able to contact about emergencies, most phones allow for this to be set to allow certain contacts through.”

“Invest in an alarm clock,” Browning adds, “so the phone can be placed somewhere else, rather than next to the bed. Lastly, break the habit of your phone being the last thing you look at before bed and get into the habit of reading a book or magazine instead.” n

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Plough Lane, Hereford, HR4 0ED | 01432 351666 enquiries@tpg-disableaids.co.uk | www.tpg-disableaids.co.uk n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

GOLDEN YEARS

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GOLDEN YEARS

Woodland View Care Home in Droitwich Leading the Way for Residential and Dementia Care The decision to move into care can be emotional for the whole family but at brand new care home, Woodland View, there are many features that will help to make that decision so much easier.

Woodland View is designed and purposebuilt with residents in mind, benefitting from large and airy day spaces, an on-site beauty parlour, cinema room, vintage tea room with balcony, landscaped gardens and a lavish Sky Bar with far reaching views.

The home has everything from bespoke multi-function beds to the latest care plan technology to be completely future-proof and ensure the continued wellbeing and independence of residents.

Home

Manager,

Cindy

Hawkins,

says:

‘Everything we do at Woodland View puts us at the forefront of care and we are ready to help people in the local community with both short term and permanent care placements.

We understand that any move is a big step

but I am always here to answer any questions and help to put people’s minds at rest.’

residents can enjoy everything on offer without having to worry about additional fees. n

The exceptional levels of 24-hour personcentred care, coupled resident-led activities and freshly cooked nutritious meals, allows residents to feel safe, relaxed and fulfilled as they move to the next chapter of their life. The Woodland View lifestyle is inclusive meaning

For more information call 01905 917 358 or visit www.idealcarehomes.co.uk. Cindy can carry out an initial assessment within 24 hours of your enquiry, helping you or your loved one move to your new home as quickly and stress-free as possible.

n 30 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

GOLDEN YEARS

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LIVING HISTORY

‘Take Care and Keep Cheerful’ The Great War, which came to an end in 1918, saw about 16 million people die as a result of the 4 year conflict. However a new, silent enemy had already infiltrated the world and began affecting the young, fit members of society. An enemy that would take about 50 to 100 million lives across the entire world by the start of the roaring 20s!

This enemy arrived in 3 waves and went by numerous names including The Sweating Sickness and the Blue Death. The Spanish Flu was the most common, after the fact the King of Spain had died from it in the early months of the Pandemic. Some people spread the rumour that the Influenza outbreak was a biological weapon designed by the Germans to win the war. Today we know it was H1N1 and probably came to Europe via an American Army Camp in Kansas.

the effects of industrial warfare, immediately stepped into the new front line at home. The Worcester Daily Times described their work; ‘They are working from early morning till midnight... busier than they ever have been since the beginning of the war.’

War, followed by the Peace and Armistice gatherings, drew people together and fuelled the spread. The mass movement of demobilised soldiers, repatriated Prisoners of War and the wounded from abroad, travelling in overcrowded transports all added to the worrying picture that was developing.

Modern research shows that the nation was probably weaker than it had been due to the food shortages and rationing that had been brought in towards the end of the War. Reduced vitamin A, B12, C and D would leave people open to illness. Some doctors recommended fortifying drinks such as Whisky (in moderation), Horlicks and the most common - taking copious amounts of Bovril!

Major E. C. Hawkshaw R.A. wrote an article for the local press entitled ‘’Fighting the so-called Influenza”. He said ‘There is in my mind, little doubt that the cause of it all is brought into the County by soldiers from our many fronts...’

As the War was coming to a conclusion, the Flu began to appear in Worcestershire. The Medical Officers of Health began to issue notices and the local papers began to pick up on the rise of the illness. One reader of the Worcester Daily Times said ‘Surely there has been enough death, suffering and mourning caused by this cruel war, without allowing an epidemic like this to rage in the City and County…..If the Medical Officers of Health has not the power, I take it the Mayor and the Corporation who are the governing body of the City, should do so at once.’

In the early days, advice consisted of ‘Taking Care’ and ‘Keep Cheerful’. This soon changed to a list of rules which included; no spitting, sitting outside on trams and using a handkerchief when coughing and sneezing.

In the Courts, Entries, and sprawling slums of

Dr Read, the City Medical Officer of Health for Worcester was very worried by the end of 1918 and said ‘The Influenza that was now raging in the City is widespread and Severe…. it ranks with a plague in long past days.’

Worcester, Kidderminster and other industrial areas, the rules were almost impossible to follow! Damaged windows and people sleeping in cellars prevented them from ventilating rooms with fresh air! Avoiding overcrowded areas and shared spaces was another impossible rule.

The outbreak then forced the authorities across Worcestershire to impose stricter rules on places like theatres and music halls.

The advice was usually to ventilate venues between shows and reduce the time of shows.

The sick were asked to stay at home and in some cases schools had to close! Doctors were also encouraged to wear masks when dealing with patients. Information was passed around in leaflets, posters and across the County in the numerous local newspapers.

Dr Fosbrooke in Evesham advised ‘Overcrowding in dwellings, the aggregation of large numbers of persons in one room or in assembly rooms, and places of entertainment should be avoided.’

The Doctors, Nurses and other medical experts who had spent 4 years dealing with

n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

By the start of 1920, 1,663 Worcestershire people had died from the Spanish Flu. Across Britain the Death Toll stood at a ¼ Million.

Sometimes we don’t learn fast enough from History, however one thing that is clear is that humans have faced wars, famine and plague since the dawn of time and will always emerge stronger than ever before. As we move into 2022, let’s hope we are all on the road to recovery. 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.

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EDUCATION Puzzles

What's On DECEMBER

Until 5th March 2022

Until 9th January

Foregate St, Worcester WR1 1DT. The

Winter Glow

Worcester Life Stories project was launched

Immerse yourself in all things seasonal, with an

in 2020 to boost Worcestershire’s local health

impressive line-up of activities and excitement

and wellbeing by making our shared history

on offer in Malvern this winter. Build your

and accessible to all. The project has made

own Christmas adventure by choosing any

Worcester City Historic Environment Record’s

combination from the festive experiences from

35,000 historic photographs – spanning the

ice skating on one of the region’s largest

last 70 years – digitised, themed and available

covered real ice rinks, afterwards visit our

for the first time. This new digital hub will

indoor Ice Cafe for a Hot Chocolate or Mulled

capture local knowledge and memories,

Wine. You can journey on our Arctic Express

which will be included in a published book

land train, visit the Elves workshop and meet

and Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum’s

Santa with personalised grotto experiences.

exhibition.

The

Worcester

Life

Head out on our Illuminated Light Trail,

exhibition

will

showcase

photographs

featuring Light Tunnels, Giant Flowers, Lake

alongside the memories of older adults, in

with dancing Water Fountains, and a warming

particular those living with dementia in the

Monday 6th

Fire Garden. See the Malvern skyline from a

local area. The exhibition has been designed

birds-eye view, in the town’s first ever Giant

to be fully accessible and dementia-friendly.

Christmas wreath workshop The Anchor Pub & Kitchen, 54 Diglis Road, Worcester. A fun and festive evening creating a unique masterpiece. All tools and materials

Observation Wheel located within our new Festival Food Quarter. Tickets from £12. www.winterglow.co.uk

Worcester Life Stories exhibition

Stories

Monday 6th - Wednesday 15th Christmas Tree Festival Worcester

n 34 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Cathedral,

8

College

Yard,

Worcester. Visit the glittering Christmas Tree Festival around the Cathedral ‘s medieval Cloister, between Mon 6 - Wed 15 December 2021. The sparkling Christmas trees are innovatively and individually designed and decorated by local schools, charities, businesses and organisations. They are a wonderful sight to be enjoyed by all the family. The Christmas Tree Festival is very popular and we recommend booking a timed entry slot to visit as we will limit the number of people in the Cloister. Tickets between Mon 6 and Wed 15 December are available in 14 minute time slots starting at 11am up to the last entry of 4pm . Entry is free to see the Christmas Tree Festival, but donations are appreciated to help support our work.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

National Association of Goldsmiths Member

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We beat any other jewellers price, even the internet.

Personalise Your Wedding Ring 1. Choose a plain wedding ring (9ct, 18ct or platinum) 2. Keep it plain or have it diamond cut (any pattern) + £25 3. Set some bright white diamonds + £45 each (including setting) 4. Engrave dates or something lovey dovey on the inside + £20 (approx) Congratulations, you have just designed your very own Wedding Ring!

Plain Wedding Rings are £47.50 per gram for 9ct or £95 per gram for 18ct

Free valuations on items you wish to sell

We also value for insurance, sale between parties and probate.

Jewellery repair service available & we will polish your jewellery for £10

BUYING OR SELLING, STILL THE MOST REASONABLE JEWELLERS... ESPECIALLY FOR WEDDING RINGS.

27 The Shambles, Worcester 28/30 Belle Vue Terrace, Malvern

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What's On are provided as well as expert tuition and demonstration from Jen Pawley a fully qualified florist who mainly specialists in wedding and event floral design. 7pm to 9pm

Tuesday 7th - Thursday 16th

Friday 10th

Worcestershire Artists Exhibition

Tuesday 7th

up the perfect gift for Christmas! Enjoy

Museum After Hours Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, Worcester. End your week the perfect way: enjoy the Museum collections out of hours with music and a cocktail in hand! We will be celebrating the rich local musical talent with a variety of performers from classical to more contemporary, and serving a range of themed delicious drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to enjoy). In December, join us for our Christmas edition of Museum After Hours! Back by popular demand, Ed Steelefox will be providing energetic and fun alternative Christmas sounds to enjoy as you sip one of our Christmas - inspired cocktails. It’s the perfect opportunity to shop to your hearts content, with a one-night-only 10% off the handmade items and stunning artworks in the Crafted for You exhibition! That’s our Christmas gift to you! Free entry, donations welcomed. This event is drop in, and drinks are only served at tables. Cash bar preferred, but card payments can be taken downstairs if needed. 5:30pm to 8pm.

Make Your Own Fused Glass Christmas Decorations Sarah Brown Glass, Unit 1, Dale House, Bredon Road, Tewkesbury/. We will make a number of designs including robins, traditional bauble designs, and there will be time for you to also create your own! During the class we will make a number of designs including robins, traditional bauble designs, and there will be time for you to also create your own!

These are perfect for the tree and are lovely keepsakes for years to come. At the end of the class the pieces will be fired in the kiln which takes some time so your masterpieces will be ready for you later in the week to collect at a prearranged time. Tea, coffee and homemade treats included. Classes include materials to create your tree decorations, and ribbon to hang them with. The class is suitable for anyone over the age of 14, however under 18’s must be accompanied by a participating adult. Flat, closed toe shoes must be worn, e.g.: trainers, as unfortunately without them you will not be able to take part. 7pm-9:30pm. www.s-brown.co.uk

Hartlebury Castle, Hartlebury, DY11 7XZ. This takes place in the Great Hall,

pick

a variety of arts and crafts including oils, pastels, watercolour, acrylics, pencil, quilting, embroidery, wood turning, cards, engraved glass, stained glass, printmaking, & jewellery.

Watch art demonstrations and sign up to artist masterclasses. Normal whole site admission fees apply.

Thursday 9th Rat Pack of Opera Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester WR1 3LD. The number one selling classical vocal trio Tenors Unlimited, the ‘Rat Pack of Opera’ will be performing their new Christmas show. They will be joined by local choir Sing and Tonic.

Tenors Unlimited (Scott Ciscon, Paul Martin, Jem Sharples) has performed alongside such notables as Sting, Lionel Richie, Beyoncé, Hayley Westenra, Simply Red and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to name a few. Jem Sharples from Tenors Unlimited says “There is something for everyone in this Christmas show - popular classics, showstoppers and of course Christmas favourites – plenty of opportunities for members of the audience to sing along.”

n 36 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Shakespeare and Beyond: A Unique Festive Evening from Malvern Theatres A Festive Shakespeare evening from Malvern CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

Book at www.axeplay.co.uk

A GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT For More information call 01452 311211 or visit www.jdrkarting.co.uk Open: Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-7pm & Wed-Fri 11am-9pm (please check availability prior to your visit)

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What's On Theatres Youth Group at Tudor House Museum, Friar Street, Worcester. We are thrilled to be offering a special festive fundraising event in collaboration with Malvern Theatres this December. Malvern Theatres Young Company presents an hour of Christmas readings and song from Shakespeare to the present day. After the performance, there will be an unusual opportunity to see the museum by night. The evening will end with Champagne being served, and a chance to meet the performers from Malvern Theatres Young Company. Please note that tickets are only available direct through Malvern Theatres calling them on 01684 892277. Tickets cost £20, which includes champagne. 7pm to 9:30pm

Saturday 11th Lunch with Santa Rainbow Hill Centre, Rainbow Hill, Worcester.

Join us for a fantastic Christmas party for all the family at the rainbow hill centre on Saturday 11th December. The event will begin with party games And activities, followed by a festive party lunch. Santa will attend the event and will be bringing a present for everyone. 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

11th & 12th,18th & 19th, 22nd 24th December Breakfast with Santa!

Churchfields Farm, Salwarpe, Droitwich WR9

0AF. Make Christmas extra special for your little ones with a Churchfields Breakfast with Santa Experience! Start with a delicious farmers breakfast in our festive barn, then our elves will escort you to a very special, socially distanced, group audience with the big man himself. After some quality time with Father Christmas, the children can choose their own present to take home and keep them going until the big day! £8 NEW FOR 2021 – After your Breakfast with Santa, you can also visit the Churchfields Elves to write your special letter to Santa, make Reindeer Food and take part in our Festive Fairy Trail.

Adults tickets include a Churchfields Farmers Breakfast with fruit juice, tea or filter coffee.

The Children’s ticket includes Little Farmers Breakfast, juice and a present from Santa.

Friday 17th & Saturday 18th Murder Mysteries Return To Hagley Hall We are very excited to announce the return of our famous Murder Mystery Dinners, just in time for your Christmas celebrations, on Friday 17th December and Saturday 18th December 2021. We will be showcasing TV’s biggest dance show, ‘Strictly Come Killing’ with a mysterious twist...join the judges, solve the crime and don’t forget to vote for your favourite!!Indulge in a glass of Prosecco (or non-alcoholic alternative) and a sumptuous three course dining experience in our exquisite Long Gallery.

Time: 7.00pm Drinks Reception 7.30pm Dinner Served Dress code: Sequins or Smart / Casual Tickets: £60.00 Call our team today on 01562 887290 to book or for more information visit www.hagleyhall.com/whats-on

Saturday 18th Christmas Printed Decorations Workshop Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum, Worcester. Join printer and illustrator Stephen Fowler to make fun Christmas motifs to decorate your tree and home. You will be able to design and etch your patterns and then print away! Drop-in session 11am to 2pm. This workshop is suitable for families

Sunday 19th Hattie Windows Carol Concert Bottles Worcester - Wine Bar & Merchants, 22-24 New Street, Worcester. Wind down and get into the Christmas spirit with beautiful vocals and classical piano techniques from Hattie Windows! Singing some of your bestloved Christmas favourites... And if you feel like it, sing along! From 7.30pm, Free Entry!

PLEASE VISIT INDIVIDUAL EVENT WEBSITES FOR LATEST CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS FOR ANY CHANGES

York, Queens Hotel A January Sales Special

Sun-Tues

16th-18th Jan

3 Days

HB

£135.00

Sunday night on the Prom with the Mike James Orchestra Cumberland Hotel, Bournemouth

Sun-Mon

27th-28th Feb

2 Days

HB

£99.00

Littlecote House Hotel, Berkshire

113 Acres of landscaped gardens and rolling parkland, Visit the ancient Roman mosaic, take a tour around one of the most haunted buildings in England. On top of that, enjoy the indoor pool and the evening entertainment.

Excursions • Windsor • Winchester

Mon-Fri

17th-21st Jan

5 days

HB

£239.00

Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire

A Grand Country House in the glorious Cheshire Countryside, just 5 minutes from the Riverside town of Nantwich and 20 miles from Chester.

Phone for your copy or download from our website.

Tel: 01905 770 870 • www.mysticisle.co.uk

n 38 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022

Excursions • Chester • Peak District (weather permitting)

Mon-Fri

28th Feb-4th March

5 days

HB

£245.00

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

Competitive rates of pay, bonus scheme, 25 days holiday per annum, variety of shift patterns, workwear, cycle to work scheme, wellbeing support, life assurance.

If you are interested in joining our team at Morgan Advanced Materials, give us a call on 01299 827000, Email Stourport.HR@morganplc.com, or apply online by scanning our QR code.

You can also view our other vacancies by visiting our recruitment page www.morganadvancedmaterials.com/careers At Morgan Advanced Materials our purpose is to use advanced materials to make the world more sustainable, and to improve quality of life.

Do you want to be part of our purpose?

Morgan Advanced Materials, Morgan Drive, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire DY13 8DW

www.morganadvancedmaterials.com n 40 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 213 | December 2021 - January 2022