Worcestershire Now - FEBRUARY 2020

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

ECO-FRIENDLY KITCHENS THE LEAP YEAR PROPOSAL BENEFITS OF SOLO TRAVEL

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HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD & DRINK • WALKS • HEALTH & BEAUTY • GOLDEN YEARS • WHAT’S ON

n 2 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

Worcestershire

08

Now

22

20 FEBRUARY 2020 HOME & GARDEN 08

Eco-Friendly Kitchens

14

Gardening in February

20

Nature Notebook

HEALTH & BEAUTY 22

Tempted by Red

24

M. Leach Jewellers

24 26

WEDDINGS 26

The Leap Year Proposal - Is It a Good Idea?

GOLDEN YEARS 30

The Benefits of Solo Travel

36

EDUCATION 36

Is The Saturday Job Dead?

30

OUR EVENTS DIARY 38

What’s on this month?

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

NOW

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

ADVERTISING

01905 723011

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

2nd Floor, Richardson House 24 New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP

Lis Gardner Tel: 01905 727901 Email: lis@pw-media.co.uk

nowmagazines.co.uk

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

CONTRIBUTORS

DESIGN

Bromsgrove School

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

New College Worcester

Daisy Bennett Wendy Carter M. Leach Jewellers Old Court Nurseries Resolution Foundation RHS Worcestershire 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 SCHOOL THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND OF GOLDSMITHS

AWARD FOR ITS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY Congratulations to the Bromsgrove School Service team who have made it through to the third round of the Goldsmiths’ Award to Community Engagement.

organise games and activities for the residents.

They also attend a local nursery once a week where they support the staff with activities and even given the children Mandarin lessons.

The award celebrates the positive impact schools have within their local communities, via their charitable and voluntary initiatives.

The Award recognises, publicises and provides financial support to outstanding initiatives at schools which have community engagement at their heart.

Many Bromsgrove pupils are learning British Sign language and they have had great success with their BSL Café. Students from a local school for the hearing impaired are invited for a coffee morning where they can communicate in sign language with their peers. Elsewhere, they have recently started a relationship with a local food bank, The Basement Project in Bromsgrove

Finalists will be invited to the magnificent Goldsmiths’ Hall in London, for a ceremony and a chance to showcase their community engagement activities. Financial prizes of upwards of £1,000 will be given to the successful schools and colleges invited to the Final, to facilitate the continuation and expansion of existing programmes.

The Bromsgrove Service team visits five local residential homes weekly where pupils

A group of the School’s pupils have been working on improving the sustainability of the School and have started an eco-club. They have initially undertaken tasks such as litter picking in the local community but are looking at ways at increasing recycling and energy consumption.

Last year, the School obtained its first bee colony with the aim of aiding the conservation

of the local bee populations. Pupils have worked to build and maintain the hives, as well as campaign to increase local biodiversity.

They are looking forward to selling their first batch of honey and have already made candles from the wax – profits of which went towards Primrose Hospice.

“Service is at the heart of what we do at Bromsgrove; our motto is Deo, regi, vicino (For God, for King, for Neighbour)” said Miss Phoebe Woolley, Head of Bromsgrove Service. It was very easy for me to write about all of the wonderful initiatives that we have at Bromsgrove School; from our visits to local residential homes, to our Deaf Culture and Communication group hosting café mornings for local teens with hearing impairments, to our fundraising in aid of Primrose Hospice. Our students work hard to contribute to their local community in a positive way and it is lovely having the opportunity to showcase this”. n

Local ‘Foodie Card’ hailed as best Food and Drink Business Supporter 2019 in LUX Magazine’s annual, UK-wide awards The card, launched in July 2019 off the back of Victoria Richardson’s successful food blog Pershore Patty, connects independent eateries with local foodies who are searching for great places to dine across Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.

With so many changes taking place in the way that people eat and drink, the food and drink sector is in a state of evolution. To celebrate this, LUXlife Magazine created the annual Food and Drink Awards, where they pay homage to the people and brands that are leading the ongoing transformations within the industry.

The Foodie Card has been recognised as the UK initiative working the hardest to support the efforts of restaurants, café’s, bars and more in delivering quality food and drink to consumers. n 4 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

At the heart of The Foodie Card is the desire to help the local community thrive, driving people to their nearby undiscovered shops and restaurants to support the local economy.It’s this philosophy and the fantastic range of businesses involved that has seen Pershore Patty and The Foodie Card receive the remarkable accolade of Best Food and Drink Business Supporter 2019.

Victoria Richardson, founder of The Foodie Card, commented: “I’m incredibly thrilled to have been recognised as the Best Food & Drink Business Supporter. The Foodie Card entitles its holder to exclusive offers and deals at participating food and drink locations across the three counties. All of the businesses

working with The Foodie Card have been hand-selected by Pershore Patty. They are considered based on a number of carefully considered factors before joining the initiative.

For a minimal fee of £15 to cover admin costs, individuals can find themselves privy to some of the undiscovered hidden gems available in their local area. While consumers can experience the best their local area has to offer and enjoy fabulous offers, businesses can get their name out there and expand their clientele.

To date, The Foodie Card has been an enormous success, with 250 restaurants, cafes, bars and shops all taking part. The Foodie Card is also accepted at some online businesses and is supported by pop up traders, so can be used at local food festivals and markets. n For more information on Pershore Patty and The Foodie Card, please visit: pershorepatty.com

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HERE & NOW

Love Your Clothes

Along with the presents and the food, many people will have rushed out and bought new dresses for the Christmas parties and now, they are abandoned in the wardrobe, along with last year’s Christmas party dress.

from a pair of jeans; a cushion cover from a jumper.

In the UK, 350,000 tonnes of clothing get thrown out each year and ends up in landfill.

As well as that, over £1,200 worth of clothes sit in people’s wardrobes unworn. So, what can you do?

You could recycle them. There are numerous charity shops that would happily take good quality clothing for resale. There are also textile banks that will take clean clothing and it doesn’t necessarily have to be perfect; that ripped t-shirt, as long as it doesn’t have paint or oil on it, will be recycled into industrial rags. But watch out for the banks that claim to be collecting for charity – a lot of the time they are not. If you are unsure use the banks at the Household Recycling Centres or from well-known charities such as Oxfam or Salvation Army.

How about repurposing your clothes? Make them into something else; a skirt or apron

Got a rip or tear? Learn to repair them.

Unbelievably people throw away clothes

And there’s the inevitable clothes you bought in the January sales in a moment of madness because they had 60% off – will you ever wear those trousers?

Worcestershire charity scoops share of £120,000 festive financial boost New College Worcester has won a £1,000 festive boost thanks to nominations from the public.

The charity was nominated to win a share of £120,000 as part of specialist insurer Ecclesiastical’s annual 12 days of giving Christmas campaign.

The school and college for the blind is among the 120 charities set to benefit from the money, following overwhelming public support in the area.

More than 120,000 people around the UK nominated a cause close to their heart, with over 5,000 charitable causes up and down the country receiving votes. The 120 winning charities were picked at random from those nominated.

The full list of the 120 charity winners is available to view online at www.ecclesiastical. com/12days Thanking supporters in Worcestershire, Mark Hews, group chief executive at Ecclesiastical, said: “Here at Ecclesiastical, our core purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, so charitable giving is at the heart of our business. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this festive financial boost will change lives for the better.”

Last year, Ecclesiastical launched its second Impact Report to celebrate some of the many good causes it has helped. n n 6 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

because a button has fallen off. Just learning simple repair skills will save you money and help reduce your carbon footprint.

If you have to buy more clothes, how about looking out for vintage or preloved items on websites such as Lindybop (www.lindybop. co.uk) or Vinted (www.vinted.co.uk). Or even join the growing revolution of people refusing to buy any new clothes for a whole year!

Whatever you chose to do, choose to leave them out of your bin. For more information on reducing your waste and a list of charity shops in the county visit www.letswasteless.com. Or to get loads of ideas of what to do with your clothes and how to repair, wash correctly or upcycle them visit www.loveyourclothes.org.uk. n

National Lottery funding gives rural communities in Herefordshire and Worcestershire something to celebrate this Village Halls Week Rural communities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire have something to celebrate this Village Halls Week thanks to support from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. Castlemorton Parish Hall, near Malvern, has been awarded almost £80,000 to upgrade and refurbish its building. The good news was announced during Village Halls Week (Monday 20 January – Sunday 26 January) - an annual celebration of rural community spaces and the people who dedicate their time to run them.

The hall is currently used by hundreds of local people every year for various activities such as a film club, Pilates, karate, committee meetings and dog training. Thanks to the new National Lottery funding, a second room will be built so that more activities can take place at once, as well as larger events like wedding receptions. The toilets will also be refurbished and the outside appearance of the hall will be improved.

Castlemorton isn’t the only village hall seeing the benefits of National Lottery funding this Village Halls Week. Thanks to £100,000, Community First are giving over 350 village halls across Herefordshire and Worcestershire the opportunity to help tackle social isolation and loneliness.

Community First is bringing village hall committees together to share their experiences, as well as providing them with ideas to reduce loneliness in their rural

communities, including making their facilities more accessible for people with dementia.

The One Step Out project is also linking with public sector and voluntary and community sector organisations, such as Age UK and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service, so that other services can be delivered from village halls.

Since 2018, Village Halls Week has been organised by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and sees a huge variety of events happening across England.

Contact your local village hall adviser to find out more. Village halls can sign up to be part of Village Halls Week here. Community First is a member of the ACRE Network.

Village halls can have such a huge impact on local communities - they can bring people together and provide a wide range of opportunities and activities. It’s important to ensure that the local community is at the heart of their village hall and driving actions forward.

Village hall committees are encouraged to concentrate on what the space can enable and what activities and benefits it can bring to local communities, not just the building itself.

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Last year it awarded over half a billion pounds (£511.1 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK and supported over 12,000 projects to turn their great ideas into reality. To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk n

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HOME & GARDEN Harvey Jones - Arbor Kitchen

l d n e ri

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tally n e onm ife, can r i v l en me eryday o c ev be t to o your s e t eir b nges ent. h t a o h to d mple c nvironm g n i i e s ry ing on the re t k a a e ct pl ym peo mes. B g impa e r i o o d m ir on h ake a b n a e m re Mo ly in th nd frie

F o c E

Worcestershire

Now

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

Rachel Seabright

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Tel: 01905 727900

n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

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HOME & GARDEN

Green cleaning Use biodegrable soap for washing your hands or cleaning dishes. Ethical cleaning company Bio-D are the UK’s leading manufacturer of environmentally responsible, ethically sound, hypoallergenic, vegan cleaning products.

Containing only naturally derived ingredients, they produce a number of kitchen cleaning products. Alternatively, create your own simple surface cleaner from distilled vinegar, lemon juice, essential oils and water.

bonus – the Qettle tap’s filter system removes

Save Water Structure plumbing so that the water can be used for multiple uses. When you’ve boiled water for veg or pasta, use that for continued cleaning or to water the plants. Only use the dishwasher or washing machine when you have a full load. This way, you will be making the most out of your appliances every time.

and inland waterways, transforming it into a

Qettle is a 4 in 1 kitchen tap that dispenses 100°C boiling water, cold filtered drinking water, plus normal hot and cold flows from a single spout. It costs just £0.02 pence a day to run; by comparison, a kettle will cost £0.03 pence every time it’s boiled. The availability of cold filtered drinking water is another

40°C wash cycle rather than 60°C means you

n 10 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

unpleasant tastes and odours e.g. chlorine – so there’s no need to purchase bulky, expensive bottled water – or to contribute to the plastic waste mountain!

You’ve got it covered Energy saving ways don’t just have to be about what you consume, but also in the structure of your kitchen. Apollo Blinds have introduced a range of blinds made from recovered shoreline plastic They utilise recycled plastic, retrieved from beaches, remote coastlines long-lasting high-performance roller blind fabric. Greenscreen Sea-Tex fabric is energyefficient, filters sunlight and is fully recyclable.

It’s also PVC free. Fifty per cent of the fabric’s weight is recovered ocean plastic.

Check your appliances When using your washing machine using a use a third less electricity. Make sure your fridge freezer has a A+++ energy label We found the difference between the A+ rated fridge-freezer and the A+++ one is about 5% CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

of an average household’s total electricity use. The difference between the C rated one and the A+++ rated one is a full 20%.

Try not to put your appliance next to a heat source such as a cooker or radiator, as this will make it work harder to stay cool. Air also needs to be able to circulate around the back of the fridge freezer, so make sure there is enough space around the back of the appliance. It is also important to keep it clean as dust increases energy consumption.

In 1979 the inventor and engineer, Ossie Goring, was bothered by how much energy his old cooker was using and, living at a water mill in the village of Coaley, he decided to set about creating a much more environmentally-

friendly range cooker which could run off a small water turbine he had installed. A few months later, Ossie had perfected his ‘tricklefeed’ design, which allowed his invention to be powered by a small but steady flow of electricity – enabling it to run off the water turbine (or a standard 13amp plug) – and the first Everhot was born. Everhot range cookers use less than half the energy of comparable range cookers. Ossie’s ‘trickle-feed’ design requires only a small but steady flow of electricity, so they can run off a standard 13amp plug and remain the best heat storage range to work with renewables.

Recycle, recycle, recycle The UK recycling rate for Waste from

Households (WfH; including IBA metal) was 45.7%, increasing from 45.2% in 2016. There is an EU target for the UK to recycle at least 50% of household waste by 2020. Check with your local council for ways that you can recycle your rubbish. There are a multitude of ways that you can recycle and it can be overwhelming and time consuming having several different coloured bins to put each separate item of waste in. Here is a run down of what Worcestershire County Counil advise on recycling.

Worcester City Council is responsible for the collection of all municipal waste. Waste disposal is carried out in partnership with Worcestershire County Council An alternate week wheelie bin scheme is operated in Worcester.

Food waste in the black bins should be wrapped or contained within a bag. This will help keep the bin clean and reduce the potential for smells.

Recyclable materials should be placed loose into the green bin. As these materials should be clean, they will not create smells or a mess within the green bin. n

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Free No Obligation Quotation Call: 01527 877300

www.bromsgrovewindowdoor.co.uk n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

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n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Long gone are the days where late winter was just the time to tidy up the borders and wait for Spring, or to sit perusing seed and bulb catalogues spending far more than you ought. Instead as the days start to lengthen gardens launch into life and the gardener is inevitably drawn outside to play.

First the snowdrops push their delicate looking but oh so hardy heads up. Whether you love the effect of thousands of naturalised bulbs or prefer to take a closer look at the flowers there is no doubt that these bulbs are charmers. Galanthus nivalis has been thriving in this country for centuries and both the single and double form G. nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Flore Pleno’ are excellent for naturalising in grassy areas or under deciduous trees. While many of these colonies in the UK are often very uniform variation can be found in places like Northumberland where patches of golden snowdrops appear among the masses. For our gardens we can choose from over 1500 different cultivars ranging from the simple to the bizarre, from the tiny to the huge, with pure white outer petals to striped or green marked, golden ovaries, green ovaries, extra petals and even extra flowers per stem.

n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

The snowdrops are soon joined by a multitude of other bulbs including the earliest of the Crocus. The stunning white flowers of Crocus sieberi ‘Bowles White’ with their rich egg yolk yellow bases or the striking purple, yellow and white layered flowers of Crocus sieberi ‘Tricolor’ start things off soon followed by the more delicate looking but easier to naturalise Crocus tommasinianus. The latter are great mixed in with snowdrops in grassy areas adding shades of purple and blue to the white and green. On freer draining soils the miniature iris, Iris reticulata can put on a brilliant display with colours to match their namesake the goddess of the rainbow.

A garden though is not complete without scent and on a warmish February day there are a wealth of plants to provide it.

Witchhazels, Hamamelis, are probably the earliest. Individually the flowers are spidery but on mass can add a wonderful splash of colour from bright yellow to dark bronze.

Most important though is the scent which can be variable. A good combination of attractive flowers and strong sweet scent would be H. x intermedia ‘Harry’ with large light orange flowers. Not much to look at

but wonderful to smell are the Sweet Box, Sarcococca, a single plant more than able to fill a small garden with scent.

This has barely scratched the surface of what we can find in the garden now. So, no more excuses, if your garden is looking bare go and visit one of the many gardens open to the public, the National Gardens Scheme is an excellent way to find somewhere to visit, and get some inspiration to de-grey your winter days. n Old Court Nurseries Walwyn Road, Colwall, WR13 6QE Tel: 01684 540416 www.autumnasters.co.uk THINGS TO DO IN FEBRUARY This month there are signs of the approaching spring, with bulbs appearing and wildlife waking up as light levels and temperatures increase. There’s plenty to do indoors this month to prepare for the season ahead.

Outdoors, as the garden comes to life again, it’s time to prune shrubs and climbers, such as Wisteria as well as evergreen hedges.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

Telephone: 01299 266527 Alton Works, Long Bank, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2UL MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM–5PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10AM–4PM All savings are based on previous prices at our head office branch during December 2019. Photographs are for illustration purposes only

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HOME & GARDEN

1. Prepare vegetable seed beds, and sow

plants in gardens and allotments. They peck

some vegetables under cover

at leaves, tearing them, often just leaving the

Growing vegetables from seed can be

stalks and larger leaf veins behind. Pigeons

satisfying. However, it is important to plan

will feed on many plants, lilac, brassicas and

ahead so that you don’t find that your

peas are particularly susceptible.

hard work produces gluts and shortages.

Knowing which vegetables to sow where, when and how means you can maintain constant supplies throughout the season.

5. Prune winter-flowering shrubs that have finished flowering Deciduous shrubs that flower in late winter, spring and early summer need annual

2. Chit potato tubers

pruning to encourage strong, healthy shoots

Potatoes are generally grown from tubers

and improve flowering. Annual pruning also

known as ‘seed potatoes’. These are

prolongs the life of these early-flowering

sprouted or ‘chitted’ prior to planting,

shrubs.

particularly when growing early season cultivars.

Chitting

or

sprouting

tubers

extends the growing period and leads to earlier tuber formation and higher yields.

6. Divide bulbs such as snowdrops, and plant those that need planting ‘in the green’ Many bulbs readily multiply by producing

3. Protect blossom on apricots,

offsets without any help from the gardener.

nectarines and peaches

But as well as taking advantage of this, it is

Most top fruit and soft fruit are very hardy but

quite simple to grow more of your favourite

once they start into growth in spring, flowers

bulbs using just a few other techniques,

and buds are especially vulnerable to frost

including scaling, bulbils, seed and division.

and may need protection to crop well.

7. Prune Wisteria

4. Net fruit and vegetable crops

Wisteria needs regular pruning to keep the

to keep the birds off

growth and size under control, but it will also

Wood pigeons can cause a lot of damage to

improve the flowering display. Although it

n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

seems complicated, wisteria pruning is quite simple if you follow our simple guide.

8. Prune hardy evergreen hedges and renovate overgrown deciduous hedges Once established, most evergreen shrubs are fairly low maintenance and need little or no regular pruning. Pruning, when required, is generally carried out in mid to late spring.

9. Prune conservatory climbers such as bougainvillea Vibrantly coloured bracts of Bougainvilleabrighten warm greenhouses and conservatory borders during the summer. These tropical climbers are suitable for large containers placed in the garden during summer but must be kept frost-free in winter.

10. Cut back deciduous grasses Remove dead grass from evergreen grasses Ornamental grasses fall into two main groups, evergreen and deciduous.

Deciduous grasses need cutting back annually so that they will look their best.

Evergreens just require a tidy-up. n www.rhs.org.uk

HOME & GARDEN

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NATURE NOTEBOOK

Great Tit © Nigel Bell

e v o L r o F g in k o o L As Valentine’s Day arrives, we’re not the only ones feeling all loved-up...

National Nest Box Week begins on 14th February so while we may be getting cuddly and snuggly, birds in your garden and the countryside are hunting for partners and suitable nesting spots in which to raise a family.

Spring is just around the corner so now is the perfect time for birds to start settling down. Some birds, such as bullfinches, mate for life but others need to find a suitable partner to help pass on their genes to the next generation. It’ll be a little while before mouths need feeding but finding the right nest site, building the nest and laying eggs takes a huge amount of energy.

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

First up, finding a partner. Hopefully you’ll have noticed an increase in birdsong; that’s the males declaring their presence and defending their territories. Next is the search for a site. Male wrens, for example, construct several nests before taking potential partners around these show-homes; the female makes the final choice although males may end up using more than one nest by having a number of partners. Different birds look for different locations – blue and great tits, starlings and house sparrows look for holes (or nest boxes in your garden), blackbirds and robins hunt for easy-to-access but hidden sites whereas goldfinches and long-tailed tits search for spots concealed in thick hedges, shrubs and other vegetation.

If you’ve got birds visiting your garden and space for a box, why not put one up? It should be high enough to be out of the reach of cats and sheltered enough

n 20 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

that it won’t get the full force of either prevailing wind or direct sun. Sparrows nest colonially so a large box with separate openings and compartments is perfect, hide an open-fronted box for a robin in some vegetation and have a think about what size of hole your blue tits, great tits and starlings may need. For more information take a look at www. worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-gardening The breeding season coincides with a plentiful supply of natural food for both adults and chicks but continuing to put out food can give them a real boost. High-fat foods like suet balls, sunflower seeds and peanuts are great (but ensure that nuts are not available whole as baby birds can easily choke if fed them). A blue tit in my friend’s nest box a couple of years ago laid an astonishing 14 eggs – there’s a lot of energy needed to feed that many mouths!

If, like our feathered friends, your partner makes your heart sing, why not give them one of our wildlife gift boxes for Valentine’s Day? Our gift boxes have something in for your loved one and something in for wildlife; our bird box, for example, has a suet-filled half coconut shell as well as an identification chart and a bag of bird-shaped chocolates. Profits from our boxes help our work to help wildlife throughout Worcestershire. Visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/ shop for more information. n Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

NATURE NOTEBOOK

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Tempted by Red Inspired by the new Pantone colour, “Baywatch Red”, a colour celebrating the show’s 30th anniversary, we take a look at the most devilish red beauty products for sale right now, guaranteed to make a splash.

LE VERNIS BY CHANEL

A long-wear, protective nail polish with lasting shine designed to make vibrant colours dazzle. Long-wearing, extrafine and ultra-shiny, each coat offers an absolutely even and lacquered result. www.chanel.com £22

BE TEMPTED BY DONNA KAREN No.7 MATTE LIQUID LIPS

No7 Matte Liquid Lips gives high impact colour that lasts up to 8 hours without a second of dryness. www.no7beauty.com £10

Discover Be Tempted, the new scent from DKNY. Available from Debenhams. £40

EXPRESS IN-SHOWER BODY MOISTURISER

Cut down on your beauty routine and save time with our multitasking in-shower body moisturiser. This therapist developed and approved super product cleanses and moisturises your skin at the same time with a rich blend of Argan and almond oils. www.marksandspencer.com £6

PIVOINE SUBLIME PERFECTING ESSENCE

A serum that helps to blur imperfections and pores and leaves the complexion even. www.uk.loccitane.com £45

SUPER RESTORATIVE TOTAL EYE CONCENTRATE

Visibly more youthful-looking eyes thanks to this eye contour cream which banishes lines, puffiness and dark circles. www.clarins.co.uk £56

n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

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

HEALTH & BEAUTY

M. Leach

Jewellers

Conveniently situated at Link Top in Malvern is a real gem of a jewellery shop, which, since it was founded by Mike Leach, back in 1984, has become a firm favourite with everyone that has ever been there.

Mike’s expertise as a watch repairer and jeweller is underlined by his numerous qualifications and these include membership of the British Watch and Clock Maker’s Guild and the prestigious British Horological Institute.

be able to offer items of quality jewellery that

In fact, if you take into account that M.

you won’t normally find in the High Street

Leach Jewellers also carry traditional gifts

shops. In fact whether you’re looking for

like hip flask and tankards, Christening gifts,

inexpensive costume jewellery or something

barometers, picture frames and a large

special made from precious metals and

selection of sporting trophies, it’s hard to

gems, there is no better place to look and get

imagine what else they could offer! But Mike

expert advice than this little shop in Malvern!

Leach does have something else up his sleeve

But there is another thing that has helped him make his business so successful, something that no amount of paper qualifications can give. He has over 40 years of invaluable experience in the business and a passion for the subject which quickly becomes evident to all those who meet him.

The vast range of stock on display in M.

for his customers. Thanks to having access

Happily, M. Leach Jewellers is not part of some anonymous chain of jewellery shops and this independence has worked very much in their favour. The fact that Mike has made numerous contacts during this time in the profession has given him a considerable buying power and the ability to ensure that M. Leach Jewellers can always offer their customers exceptional value for money.

both ladies’ and gentlemen’s styles.

But as well as making sure that his prices are extremely competitive, Mike is also proud to n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

Leach Jewellers is almost beyond belief

to a team of skilled technicians, M. Leach

with a wide selection of clocks and watches.

Jewellers can also arrange the repair and

Mike is proud to be a Seiko watch Elite

restoration of favourite pieces of jewellery

dealer stocking many solar powered watches

and worn silver plated items can be brought

alongside Automatic, Kinetic and limited

back to life by skilful re-plating.

edition watches in an attractive selection of

Wedding rings are also a priority and the vastly experienced suppliers help make sure your

Then there’s the large range of silver jewellery

special day is one to remember forever. They

including Real Effect and D for Diamond

have more gift ideas then you would have ever

offering gifts for all ages from children

thought possible in one single shop!

upwards. And of course, we must not forget the gorgeous cultured pearls which Mike

Add to this their competitive prices, friendly

buys direct from a top importer. These are

expert advice and insistence on customer

truly amazing and include the traditional

satisfaction and you can see why a visit to M

round variety along with exquisite Tahitian,

Leach Jewellers is an absolute must. So hurry

unusually shaped Keshi and wonderfully

along to 98 Worcester Road Malvern or give

colourful Baroque pearls.

Mike and his team a call on 01684 573673. n

HEALTH & BEAUTY

• Friendly, personal and reliable service • Home visits available • Registered with the General Dental Council

CUSTOM MADE DENTURES Manufactured and Fitted by

Kevin Cave MCDP DD RDT

209b Worcester Road, Malvern Link, Worcestershire WR14 1SP Telephone:

01684 574507

Luxury Lingerie, Swimwear and Nightwear Cup sizes A to K Brands include Prima Donna, Marie Jo, Lise Charmel, Maison Lejaby

AUBADE NOW IN STOCK!

23 Reindeer Court, Worcester

Tel: 01905 619031

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

WEDDINGS

The Leap Year Proposal

Is It a Good Idea?

Only occurring once every four years, a leap year is an exciting time for a number of reasons, firstly there is an extra day in the year, which means that people born on the 29th February can actually celebrate their birthday on the right day, but mostly it is because tradition dictates that women can propose on a Leap day to a man.

Where does the idea of a Leap Year proposal come from?

There are a number of theories of where the tradition of the leap year proposal stems from: In the 5th Century it is rumoured that St Brigid of Kildare, an Irish nun, asked St Patrick to let women propose after many women were left waiting for a proposal from their boyfriends.

He granted her wish and allowed women to propose every four years on a leap day. If the potential bridegroom refused he owed the women a silk dress.

In 1288 Queen Margaret of Scotland allegedly created a law, which allowed women to propose on a leap year as long as they wore a red petticoat. If a woman’s suitor rejected n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

her proposal he was forced to pay a fine.

As Queen Margaret was only 5 years old at this time most historians believe she would be unlikly to be interested in the plight of unmarried women.

If a woman in Finland wanted to propose to their boyfriend they had to do it on a leap day, as it was the only day that gave the couple good luck. If the boyfriend refused he was required to pay a fine, (enough money to pay for a new skirt).

In some European countries, if a man rejected his girlfriends proposal he would have to buy her twelve pairs of gloves to hide the shame of being rejected.

The thought of proposing can be daunting for anyone, but it is even harder when there

are out-dated ideas surrounding a woman’s proposal to a man. Don’t worry if you remember these few basic rules to proposing, you’ll be absolutely fine!

Consider whether you’re definitely ready.

There’s a reason why he hasn’t proposed yet.

It might not be because he’s lazy or scared of commitment as your friends say perhaps he just thinks that you are not in the right financial position at the moment to be married. Or he could not just be at the same stage as you!

Make sure you suss this out before you propose.

Tailor the proposal to him. What would make it individual to him? If he likes fishing write ‘Will You Marry Me,’ on little note and put it in CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

WEDDINGS

BEST WESTERN SALFORD HALL HOTEL WEDDING FAIR Sunday 19th April 11:30am – 3:00pm

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Abbots Salford, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 8UT

Tel: 01386 871300 | Email: events@salfordhall.co.uk | www.salfordhall.co.uk t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 27 n

WEDDINGS

gave you a £1 ring how would you feel? If he doesn’t like to wear a ring why not buy him a watch instead. That way he’ll remember to get to the church on time!

What if he says ‘no’?

Don’t worry and don’t panic. You don’t know why he’s said no. He may have been planning to propose to you and you just got there first.

Or maybe he’s just not ready to make that kind commitment. Instead of thinking this is the end of the world, instead talk to him about why he’s not ready for marriage yet.

So the Statistics 22% of proposals occur on Valentine’s Day, which is the second most popular day of the year to propose, after Christmas Eve

his hook box. If he likes football you can write

to visit? Make sure that you find a romantic

it on the back of a shirt of his favourite team.

spot where you can pop the question in

Propose in private. Not everyone would

private and he’ll thank you for it later.

welcome a proposal in front of a whole

Get him a ring? If your boyfriend is the kind of

restaurant as in “love Acually” Do you have

man that would wear jewellery then definitely

a spot that you always go together or is there

get him a ring. Maybe not one of the £1 ones

somewhere that you’ve both always wanted

that Poundland are selling this year, if he

33% of men think that Christmas is the most romantic time of the year to propose, but women disagree and say that Valentine’s Day is more romantic.

79% of women say that they’d never propose as they are not brave enough.

5% of men think that a woman should propose 65% of men stating that they would say ‘no’ if a woman did propose to them. n

Celebrate your special day in the beautiful historic setting of Hartlebury Castle also a wonderful setting for your reception. With a Hospitality Suite available for you to get ready in, Hartlebury Castle becomes an atmospheric venue for your whole wedding day.

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

Tel: 01905 727901

n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727901

kate@pw-media.co.uk

Hartlebury Castle is a unique venue located in the small village of Hartlebury, Worcestershire and surrounded by beautiful countryside.

The Castle is available to hire for your ceremony, reception or both. Its Medieval Great Hall, Georgian Saloon and Bishop’s Study are all licenced for Civil Ceremonies creating an elegant backdrop for your wedding. The Saloon and Great Hall, alongside the stunning Carriage Circle are

Hartlebury Castle is holding a Wedding Fayre & Open Day on Sunday 8th March. Come along to explore a range of stalls providing inspiration for your wedding day and discover if Hartlebury Castle is the perfect venue for you.

Hartlebury Castle offers a flexible approach to weddings, recognising that your day should reflect you both as a couple and your individual personalities.

Find out more about Hartlebury Castle by visiting www.hartleburycastle.com or call 01299 250797. The Wedding Fayre & Open Day takes place on Sunday 8th March, 11am – 3pm and entry is free. n

WEDDINGS

National Association of Goldsmiths Member

Quarter Jewellery(Worcester) and Malvern Goldsmiths

Getting married?

We make wedding rings, all carats, all widths, all patterns.

For Your Dream Country House Wedding

We beat any other jewellers price, even the internet.

Use your own caterer, wine and music | Seating: 130 Standing: 200 Arrange a visit - Email: info@whitbournehall.com | Tel: 07931 220702

Personalise Your Wedding Ring

§

Whitbourne Hall WR6 5SE

1. Choose a plain wedding ring (9ct, 18ct or platinum 2. Keep it plain or have it diamond cut (any pattern) + £15 3. Set some bright white diamonds + £30 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 £5

THE MOST REASONABLE JEWELLERS IN WORCESTER, ESPECIALLY FOR WEDDING RINGS

www.whitbournehall.com

Quarter Jewellery - 27 The Shambles, Worcester Malvern Goldsmiths - 28/30 Belle Vue Terrace

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

GOLDEN YEARS

f o if ts

T o l o S

l e v a r

re the e b ay able m n r u o is now artner s , p un he s r your t o o t off r own n? u o u sk y on yo mbitio i h at a to w u are h s t t r o e y e hiev adv . Now c f a o u it ll e fu to vis o yo r d a d w V e o he T s want just h t d , el ay an ers ou alw to trav p a p y The place a was

e n e eB

Th

n 30 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

GOLDEN YEARS

• Hourly Care • Daily Care • Live in Care

Award-winning Day Centre for adults in Redditch and Bromsgrove specialising in supporting people to live well with dementia, sensory impairments and disabilities

Making a Difference Across Worcestershire

Are you or your loved one living with dementia, sensory impairment or disability?

Are you becoming socially isolated?

Would you like to meet others in the same situation?

‘Award Winning’ teams rated by the Care Quality Commission as Good, Good and Outstanding

01905 641 070 www.eclipsehomecare.co.uk

Come and join us for a whole range of fun activities including art and craft work, pool, beauty therapy, games, gardening, cooking, relaxation sessions and much more.

Meet others and make new friendships in our friendly and supportive award-winning centres.

We are open five days a week, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Ask your Social Worker about funding for this service or call 01527 758070 VIP Day Centre Redditch The Barn, The Craft Centre, Winyates Centre, Redditch, B98 0LA | Tel: 01527 758070 VIP Day Centre Bromsgrove Amphlett Hall, Crown Close, Bromsgrove, B61 8DW | Tel: 07733 749 531 Email vipdaycentre@gmail.com | Facebook: VIP Day Centre | Twitter: @VIPDayCentre | www.vipdaycentre.co.uk

From one family to another, we treat your loved ones like we treat our own. We do not offer sterile care, only pure loving care. We are a new family run business with over 20 years experience in Adult Health, geriatric care, dementia, end of life and Mental Health. We have worked previous with high end clients such as a Duchess and extended Royal Family.

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

Lis Gardner

Tel: 01905 727901 lis@pw-media.co.uk

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727905

kate@pw-media.co.uk

We have decided to launch our own unique bespoke care service to extend your home and values to ours. After many years in the Health Service we have witnessed firsthand the pitfalls and lack of genuine care and attention to detail.

There are many care services on offer, but time slots, rushed overworked carers and lack of training being major issues. What Happy House Homecare offers is a small experienced team

of carers all highly dedicated, police checked and trained in the care industry handpicked along the way for their caring approach at all times overseen by ourselves who we will match to you for them to provide direct care to meet your needs. We will create a bespoke care package to suit with competitive clear. Fees and full insurance. We aim to deliver a different approach to home care.

We offer: • 24/7 support • Companionship and Personal Assistant Services • A Partnering Service matching you with the right carer to the right home • We cater for a variety of care needs tailored to suit each individual • Home from home care • Trips out in the summer • Festive Lunch

Please get in touch to find out if we can be of service in your loved ones life.

Tel: 07782 539891 Email: info@happyhousehomecare.com Website: happyhousehomecare.com

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

GOLDEN YEARS

To the iniated there’s nothing like the freedom of travelling on your own, setting out solo and returning home after your journey with a special sense of independence and accomplishment. But just because you’re going to solo doesn’t mean you have to be alone. Group travel can be a great option for single travellers to meet new friends with similar interests while you travel solo!

As solo travel trends continue to grow, many who have never travelled solo have their reservations. Will it be lonely? Costly? Travel has changed and the world is full of people who feel just like you. A number of companies and independent travel advisors can make sure that you choose the trip that is right for you. It might be best to find tours or events aimed at solo travelers. That way you will not be confronted with a group of couples or even people a long way from your age and interest bracket.

People refuse to travel alone based on four major fears, which are completely avoidable: solo travellers don’t make friends, the single supplement expense is unavoidable, solo travel is dangerous and it’s boring. Holding

back from solo travel based on these fears

that doesn’t mean you won’t make friends.

is a mistake. Based on my own experiences,

You might experience pangs of loneliness,

and after several conversations with other

but that instinct will naturally drive you toward

solo travelers, I’ve found these common

people. If you ache for conversation, chances

misconceptions don’t have to turn into your

are you’ll find it. Much like your first day of

reality. Here’s why.

school? At first, you probably didn’t want to

You’ll make connections to other people along the way Sure, you may have left your home alone. But

let go of your mum’s hand, but when 4pm arrived, she had to drag you out of the sandpit.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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Retailer of the year 2017 Team of the year 2018

n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

GOLDEN YEARS

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

GOLDEN YEARS

The same concept applies to solo travel.

Good solo tours are specifically designed to encourage communal interaction. You will tour, eat and drink around other travellers.

You won’t pay more to go alone...

To avoid the single supplement in hotel rooms shop around with your advisor before you buy pre-planned trips. Sometimes you can negotiate to pay no single extras or on tours share with a same sex person. Often you can end up in a room of your own. If you are travelling independently then booking in to a prefered hotel after 5pm on the day often gets a better rate if they are not full. Don’t try this before checking availability for your dates a few weeks before. It certainly will not work when any festival etc is on!

The tour guide has your back Like anything in life, travel, and travelling alone, has risks. But group travel on a tour, especially for older travellers means n 34 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

camera around your neck when you’re in

“...group travel on a tour, especially for older travellers means your confidence levels will be high” your confidence levels will be high. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take sensible precautions. Let your friends and family in on your travel plans and update them via text messages, emails, etc. en route. If you use them, take out your earphones and pay attention. Carry copies of your passport and driver’s license. And don’t wear a huge

transit on public transport. That makes you a bull’s-eye for thieves. Travel writer Chuck Thompson, who wrote To Hellholes and Back: Bribes, Lies, and the Art of Extreme Tourism (Holt Paperbacks, 2009) agrees.

“Don’t wander into stupid situations. If you have any flicker of doubt about somebody’s intentions, bail out.” Thompson says of all the countries he’s visited, he only had reservations about travelling alone in the Congo. To most people the Congo is not on a ‘bucket’ list anyhow.

It’s near impossible to get bored A tour is usually the opposite to this, most people wish for more time in a place not less. Sometimes it is best to let your advisor know what is really important to you to see or experience. They may find a way or a tour that gives more time in a place that holds a special place in your heart. n

GOLDEN YEARS

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

EDUCATION

Is The Saturday Job Dead?

The number of teenagers doing Saturday jobs has halved in two decades, a study from The Resolution Foundation finds.

That turning

young away

people from

are

‘earning

while learning’, the think tank suggests that: The proportion of teenagers with Saturday jobs has almost halved over the past two decades as youngsters turn away from “earning while learning” to focus on their studies, a report has found. The employment rate of 16- to 17-year-olds with weekend jobs has plummeted from 48 per cent in 1997-99 to 25 per cent in 2017-19, according to research from the Resolution Foundation think tank.

The traditional Saturday job is dying as teenagers are now more likely to focus on their school and college work rather than n 36 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

juggle employment with studying, the report suggests. Even among the 16- to 17-yearolds with a part-time job, the average weekly hours for these school pupils have fallen from nine to eight in the past 20 years.

college students with a job. Undergraduates

Overall, around one in 12 (8 per cent) workingage adults in the UK – the equivalent of 3.4 million adults – have never worked a day in their lives, which is a 52 per cent increase since 1998. Laura Gardiner, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The rising number of people who have never had a paid job has been driven by the death of the teenage Saturday job and a wider turn away from earning while learning.”

lives at a later age than previous generations,

There has also been a fall in university and

www.resolutionfoundation.org

aged between 18 and 19 are 25 per cent less likely to be in work than they were in the early 2000s. Ms Gardiner added: “With young people today expected to end their working it’s understandable that they want to start their working lives at a later age too.

“But this lack of work experience can create longer-term problems, particularly if they hit other life milestones like motherhood or illhealth before their careers have got off the ground.” n For more information on this report visit

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

What's On

What's On FEBRUARY Saturday 8th Lantern Walk 2020 Join St Richard’s Hospice at dusk to walk a beautiful 1.5-mile route around the grounds of National Trust Croome court and help light up the night sky. Whether you’re joining to remember a loved one or just to enjoy the picturesque setting of Croome, the evening is set to be a magical experience for all. All participants over the age of 5 will receive a lantern and LED candle to carry along the route. Glow sticks will be provided for under 5’s, lighting up the parkland of Croome in procession as we make our way around the route. Certain areas along the route will be spectacularly lit up, giving you the opportunity to experience Croome like never before. Adult and children tickets also include a tea, coffee, hot chocolate or a soft drink – we encourage you to bring your own reusable cups for hot drinks where possible. Tickets

n 38 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

are non-refundable, Adults £20; Children

Friday 14th

£1; Under 5’s – Free.

Murder Mystery Enjoy an evening of murder, mystery and fine

Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th

dining as you put your detective skills to the

Guildhall Worcester Ghost Hunt Dare you enter this brand new location at the Guildhall in Worcester to your Most Haunted Experience? From grand rooms to dark lower levels. Dare you enter? Can not wait to investigate this fantastic location. Will the spirits that reportedly haunt here come out to play? Dark figures seen and loud footsteps heard when no one is around. What will you encounter? £39 per person, 9-1pm.

test to solve the St Valentine’s Day Mascara.

Take your seat for a sumptuous three-course Victorian dinner and witness the drama unfold. Not all guests will make it out alive, can you solve the mystery and work out whodunit? An alternative to the traditional Valentine’s evening, this event is designed for couples, singletons and groups alike.

Tickets cost £59 per person, £54 for Sudeley Members. For full details, menu and tickets,

Thursday 13th

visit Sudeley’s website.

Before I Die Worcestershire -

Saturday 15th

Let’s Talk About It Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester, WR1 1UH. 7pm – 9pm. Discussion about life and death and how we can make the very best of both led by Worcestershire group

‘Before

I

Die’.

Tickets:

www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Love the Arboretum Ordinary

people

doing

something

extraordinary by creating an outdoor light gallery in the Arboretum, Worcester. All are welcome to explore this free enchanted trail

Free.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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

What's On of light made by the residents.If you live in

extraordinary stories, including Charlie and

Thursday 20th

the Arboretum district of Worcester, then

the Chocolate Factory, The BFG and The

Eggs On Legs

we are hoping you will take part in the 2020

Twits along the way.. The event is at The

Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome

event on February 15th, 6-8pm.

Swan Theatre, 2pm. Ticket price: £12.

St, Worcester, WR1 1UH. 12pm. Taking

Saturday 15th - Sunday 23rd

Monday 17th - Saturday 22nd

inspiration

Wassail Brockhampton Estate

The Cat and The Canary

During the February school holidays take

Bill Kenwright presents The Classic Thriller

part in the Wassail Brockhampton Estate in

Theatre Company’s adaptation of The Cat

Bromyard, Herefordshire. Come wassail the

and the Canary, by John Willard, adapted

cold winter away and help the orchard and

by Carl Grose and directed by Roy Marsden.

Friday 21st

wildlife thrive this coming spring. Follow the

This is a new version of the murderous

Innaworx

clues and discover the peculiar traditions of

mystery that inspired three classic films

Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome

the wassail, helping the fruit trees thrive here

starring the likes of Bob Hope, Olivia

St, Worcester, WR1 1UH. Innaworx is a

at Brockhampton. Price: £2.50 per trail.

Hussey and Honor Blackman. Evening

new event exploring live electronic, music

performances at 7.30pm, Malvern Theatres.

performance and visual art. Tickets: Free

Wednesday and Saturday matinees at

entry. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Sunday 16th Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers All around the world Roald Dahl’s words

2.30pm.

from

the

original

wacky

wordsmith, Dr Seuss, Garlic Theatre has cooked up a family puppet show all about eggs on legs. Tickets: £11.25 inc booking fee. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd

are disappearing, not only from books

Tuesday 18th - Friday 21st

but children’s minds too! Now only an

Mythical Creatures

Classic Commercial Show

organisation known as the ancient guild

Delve into a world of mythical creatures

Large well established vintage, classic and

of tale tenders can save the stories - and

at Hartlebury Castle! Follow the fairy trail

modern tractor and vintage machinery

they need your help. Roald Dahl and the

around the Castle, make your own unicorn

show, 90% indoors in 4 halls. Over 100

Imagination Seekers is a theatrical and

or dragon bookmarks and create a pixie

specialist traders, clubs displays, garden,

interactive experience, especially made for

door to take home. Additional charge of £2

model and horticultural displays and more.

all the family to enjoy. It’s a thrilling story

per child applies for the day’s craft activities.

Huge Saturday HJ Pugh Vintage Auction

delivered through performance, games

Standard admission applies.

and creative play that explores Roald Dahl’s

n 40 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

Spring Tractor World &

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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

What's On Sale ( over 2000 lots expected) over 5 rings.

Sunday Classic Commercial drive in day and vintage sortout spares day. For more details call 01697 451882, email info@ markwoodwardclassicevents.com, or go to tractorworldshows.co.uk

Tuesday 25th Simon Deeley’s Blue Haze Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester, WR1 1UH. 7.45pm. Simon Deeley’s Blue Haze perform tracks from their new album Afan’s Dance. Rhythm-packed, in-the-groove, jazz-fusion tracks, alongside gentle atmospheric ballads. Tickets: £8. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Thursday 27th Quiz Night Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester, WR1 1UH. 7.30pm. Hosted

by Steve Wilson this quiz promises a fun and enjoyable nights of questions and general nonsense. All welcome!

Tickets: £2 per person on the door. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk George & Elton: Faith & Love This is the first, original and only full length tribute concert celebrating two

n 42 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020

of the world’s most beloved, celebrated and respected singer songwriters of all time. George Michael and Sir Elton John.

Starring two of the U.K.’s most sought after tribute performers and featuring both of these legendary global superstars in the prime of their performing careers.All the hits you know and love, that will no doubt have you dancing in the aisles. Faith, Fast Love, I’m Still Standing, Rocketman ... And of course, the legendary collaboration Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me as a climactic finale is simply breath-taking.

The voices, the looks, the mannerisms...

The attention to detail is second to none making this show an absolute must see event. The event is taking place at The Artrix at 7.30pm.

Fred Zepplin 2018 marked the bands 25th year anniversary. During their time together they have had the honour of Led Zeppelin’s front-man Robert Plant attending three of their gigs and John Bonham’s son Jason even jammed with them on stage. These things the band are very proud of. It must surely also be the best recommendation any band could receive, and also assure

any Led Zeppelin fans apprehensive about seeing The Fredz. The concert will take place at 8 Ball & Arrows in Kidderminster, 7.30pm. Tickets are £9.90. To book call 01562 752814.

Saturday 29th WAW Live Lounge Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester, WR1 1UH. 7pm. Showcasing local artists and bands in Worcester, including sets from Ryan Sparrow, Hannah Law and Hannah Mac. Tickets: Free entry. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk Blind Lemon - The UK’s Hardest Hitting Cover Band Blind Lemon brought to you by Crackerjacks Children’s

Trust

Kidderminster

in

Town

Partnership Council

and

with the

Mayoral CharitiesOver 25 Years playing the best in Soul, Mod, New Wave, SKA and RnBMusic from the 60s, 70s, 80s 90s 00sIn Aid of Crackerjacks Children’s Trust. The event will held at Kidderminster Town Hall, 7.30pm. Band on stage 9pm. To book, call 01562 732158.

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n 44 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 196 | February 2020