Worcestershire NOW JULY 2018

Worcestershire

Now

, Take to Worcestershire s Waterways this summer on a luxury ABC Boat Hire narrowboat

www.abcboathire.com Gardening jobs for july OUR GUIDE TO GREAT DAYS OUT WIN TICKETS TO PETER PAN JULY 2018 | Issue 179

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

n 2 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Worcestershire

10

Now

20 24

Contents

32

JULY 2018

HOME & GARDEN 10

Outdoor Dining

16

Too Hot or Too Cold?

20

Gardening Jobs For July

24

Nature Notebook

Health & Beauty 26

Our Guide to Male Grooming

28

Beauty Treatments For Men

32

Aureus Spa Bromsgrove

34

Walk Studley - Exploring the Arrow Valley

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

NOW 01905 723011 nowmagazines.co.uk 2nd Floor, Richardson House 24 New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP

28

editor

design

Glynis Dray

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

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

Miles Jones

Bex Small bex@pw-media.co.uk

Alzheimer’s Society

Advertising Genna McCann-Taylor 01905 727902 genna@pw-media.co.uk Rachel Seabright 01905 727900 rachel@pw-media.co.uk

ABD Productions Caravan Stuff 4U Everyone Active

Contributors Wendy Carter Worcester Wildlife Trust

JSL Productions St Richard’s Hospice Wyevale Garden Centres

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36

38 48

Food & Drink 36

British Brie and Asparagus Tart

Golden Years

54

38

Dementia: Not a Natural Part of Ageing

Our Events Diary 42

Living History St Richard’s Hospice

44

Great Days Out

48

Competition Tickets to Peter Pan

50

What’s On

54

Competition Tickets to The Battle Proms

competition winners Cottage in the Hills D. Drew, Worcester

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A. Drinkwater, Birmingham F. Emmerson, Claines J. Wittering, Worcester Nozstock Festival H. Jones, Bromyard

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 your name and address may be forwarded to the host of said competition.

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

Stand Tall With Worcester This Summer Build 2020 Appeal. The appeal is raising funds towards the £5.3 million project to build a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for in Worcestershire.

Artists from across the UK – and closer to home – have clothed each 8ft tall, fibreglass sculpture in dazzling artwork which will soon be revealed to the public.

Alongside the large giraffes will stand 27 smaller calves, decorated by schools and community groups for a display in Crowngate Shopping Centre, Worcester.

There will be an app in time for the trail too – Graceful giraffe sculptures are set to stand through the streets and open spaces of Worcester this summer – forming an unmissable art trail.

Sara

Matthews,

Project

Manager

for

Worcester Stands Tall, said: “We are so

which will be available from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.

excited to see all the giraffes displayed in our

Once the trail finishes, there will be a Farewell

beautiful city. We hope you join us to ‘have a

Event at Worcester Cathedral from October

The 57 decorated giraffes will be displayed in the spectacular Worcester Stands Tall showcase from July 9th to September 16th.

giraffe’ this summer!”

5th to October 7th – giving visitors the

The interactive, free art trail is a Wild in Art event brought to the city by St Richard’s Hospice.

Worcestershire and will be auctioned on

To find out more visit

October 11th to raise funds for the hospice’s

www.worcesterstandstall.co.uk

Of the 57 giraffes, 30 large sculptures are sponsored by organisations from across

chance to see all the giraffes together for the last time before they are auctioned. n

Worcester Mixed Ability Rugby Worcester Mixed Ability Rugby Team welcomes players whatever their ability. Whether you are returning to rugby after a break, have a disability, or have to take extra care due to injury, it’s a great way to play the sport.

Within the mixed ability game you have both contact and noncontact players taking part. Non-contact players wear a bib and there are specific rules regarding tackles and scrums. Rucks can be competitive or non-competitive and there are further technical differences, but essentially it means players of widely differing ability can enjoy a game of rugby all together.

Due to disability, some of our players might not have had the opportunity to play sport of any kind until now. One of the team has cystic fibrosis and there are others with dyslexia, dyspraxia & learning difficulties.

You can start as a non-contact player wearing a bib and slowly build

n 6 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

your confidence until you might be ready to take the bib off. There is however no pressure at all to do this, people just play at the level that suits them. Some of the players are now feeding into our club’s 2nd & 3rd teams. We have great support from the club and it’s generous sponsors.

Nationally and internationally, mixed-ability rugby is really taking off with the 3rd World Cup happening in Ireland in 2020. Your disability or barrier doesn’t have to stop you from taking part in team sports – at Worcester Mixed Ability Rugby there’s a place for everyone!

The team trains at Worcester Rugby Club on Offerton Lane Tuesday and Thursday, 6 - 7pm and just on Tuesdays at 6 - 7.30pm during the Summer, read more about them online: Facebook: WorcsMixedAbilityRugby/ Twitter: WRMixedAbility Instagram: worcsmixedability/?hl=en n

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Here & Now

WORCESTERSHIRE FA HOSTS GIRLS’ FOOTBALL FESTIVALS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS Girls from across the county recently took part in Worcestershire FA’s annual girls football festivals. Based at Evesham United and Stourport Swifts, the twoday event allowed primary school girls to experience football in a different way.

The two festivals involved playing noncompetitive matches and a number of different activities, including a target shoot, face-painting, kit designing, skills sessions, and more! The festivals aim to help girls who have little to no current experience to engage in football and hopefully inspire them to start playing regularly.

With over forty teams from nearly thirty different schools attending the festivals, the Worcestershire FA hopes that many of the them will join their local team or SSE Wildcats Centre.

SSE Wildcats Girls’ Football Centres provide Worcestershire girls aged 5-11 with regular opportunities to play football with sixteen centres across the county.

The initiative offers organised sessions in a fun and engaging environment created exclusively for girls.

SSE Wildcats Girls’ Football sessions take place on a weekly basis, either after school or at weekends, and provide a safe environment where girls can try football for the first time. SSE and The FA hopes the nationwide initiative will inspire participants to engage with football, meet new friends, develop fundamental skills,

learn new things and create the foundation for a lifelong love of football. The initiative is in line with The FA’s Gameplan for Growth, with the target of doubling girls’ participation in the sport by 2020.

Kerys Harrop, Birmingham City Ladies FC Captain attended the festivals where the girls had the opportunity to meet her and ask her questions about her footballing career throughout the day.

She said: “I’m really lucky to be able to call my hobby my job. When I was younger it was difficult to find a local girls team.

Birmingham [City FC] was probably the closest and I’ve been there ever since.

There were no programmes, especially on a school level where you could play with purely girls teams. In primary school, I was the only girl playing – so I had to play with the boys. It’s fantastic to see this many girls here today. It’s really, really promising.”

Laura McGinn, Worcestershire FA’s Football Development Officer and organiser of the festivals said: “It was great to see so many girls getting involved and having fun playing football. A lot of the girls hadn’t played football before so hopefully today has shown them that football isn’t just for the boys and has inspired them to keep playing and join their local SSE Wildcats Centre or local club.” n For more information on local SSE Wildcats Girls’ Football Centres visit: www.worcestershirefa.com

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS’ CASH BOOST FOR AIR AMBULANCE The Worcestershire Group of Chartered Accountants has donated £900 to fund vital emergency care in the county.

The money for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity was raised at the organisation’s annual dinner at Worcester Racecourse, which was attended by more than 150 members and sponsors.

The donation, plus gift aid, was presented to the air ambulance service in Strensham.

Chair of the Worcestershire Group of Chartered Accountants, Ben Powell, of Ballards LLP, said: “It was a pleasure meeting the life-saving team at the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. The money we have raised will go towards the £9 million per year needed to keep this vital servicing running across the Midlands. Thank you to all of the dinner attendees for their generous donations.” n

Worcestershire Teen Skydives For Autistic Twin Brother On the 28th July 2018, Worcester-based Alex Hales will skydive 10,000 feet at the Swindon Skydiving Centre. He has already raised over £1,600 for the National Autistic Society.

Alex, who is currently an A-level student, is the identical twin brother of Louis Hales, who is autistic and goes to a specialist school.

Alex’s primary motivation for skydiving is to raise awareness of autism.

Alex said: “There have been many cases when I have been out in public with Louis and people just stare or laugh at him because they simply do not recognise the personal challenges Louis faces each day. This is why I chose to do a skydive as my charity event as I wanted to overcome a challenge, like thousands of autistic people do daily.” n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

He will not be doing his skydive alone as Joel Baril, a lifelong friend of the twins, will be take on the challenge and fundraise alongside Alex. They decided to raise money for the National Autistic Society because it was their online resources that helped Alex and Joel learn more about Louis’ condition.

Alex said: “Being an identical twin is always a very special thing, you have a unique bond that no other siblings have. Growing up with an autistic twin is like learning to speak another language. At first it’s difficult and you struggle, but once you get past the initial language barrier then you’re fluent and you no longer struggle as much. I believe everyone has the capacity to understand autism and I hope my efforts have helped inform people.”

Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the National Autistic Society, said: “There are an estimated 700,000 autistic people in the UK and so much of the vital work we do to support autistic individuals and their families is made possible by the generosity and achievements of people like Alex. Skydiving is certainly a feat that requires courage and is an incredible achievement.”

More than 1 in 100 people in the UK are autistic.

Autism is a lifelong developmental condition which affects how a person communicates with and relates to others, as well as how they see the world. Autism can have a profound effect on individuals and families but the right support can make a huge difference. n To donate to Alex’s fundraising page vist: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alex-e-h-hales

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Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

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The great British summer is upon on us. With everything crossed that it stays that way, it’s time to holster the BBQ tongs, shoot up the parasol and break into the Pimms. Don’t forget the plastic American cheese. We all know summertime in the UK can be as predictable as...well the English weather. There are plenty of tools and tips you can use to keep the BBQ lit and the party going whether you just want to have your mates round for a few (or many!) drinks or just to invite the whole family over to show off your grilling skills.

Preventing your guests from getting hungry is the most important way of keeping them happy. To do that you will need to ensure that whatever you use to cook is up to the task of serving large volumes of food quickly. A disposable BBQ from the nearest petrol station isn’t going to cut it.

Focus on something compact, yet can handle the amount of food you are planning to cook. Make sure to also take note of how much outdoor space you have. You will get some odd looks if your brand new £200 BBQ is in the living room.

If you do find your outdoor space limited then you can find some great table top BBQ’s, allowing you to use the free space to add more seating or an extra table. Also make sure to check if the BBQ uses gas or charcoal. Cooking wise, you won’t notice much difference but gas cookers can be tricky to set up. Most cookers also don’t include the required piping and gas canisters so if you feel confident then make sure you also buy the additional equipment required. An upside to these small cookers is that they are relatively cheap. Expect to pay between £25 and £90 for these smart and handy little devices.

While tabletop cookers are all well and good, they won’t feed many people. Something bigger will be required. If n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

you are feeling particularly outdoorsy you could try building your own. There are various kits you can buy but you might have to find your own bricks. For most of us that are not Bear Grylls, a medium sized cooker will set you back between £150 and £200.

If your parties look like something out of the Great Gatsby then a large cooker is your only option. These will be gas only and come with as many as 6 burners with side burners and even thermometers for the perfectionists. For serial BBQ connoisseurs only and are willing to pay £250+ for the privilege.

With all the delicious food lying around plus the usual array of salads, sauces and other condiments you need keep pesky flies and wasps at bay. Having all the food under a gazebo or in a large tent will help but to add some extra protection to your morsels, have some fly tape hanging up around the outside or just on the inside. That way it will concentrate all the winged creatures in one place and will prevent them from even reaching your food.

With outdoor shelters in mind, getting a gazebo or an outdoor shelter is a smart move. Even if you have a small outdoor area, there are plenty of choices to keep everyone dry. Outdoor shelters are more often used for hikers and campers but the majority of them will have sides and even a doorway. Both gazebos and outdoor shelters come in a variety of sizes and shapes from small 3 man to large hexagonal 12 man sizes. Expect to pay anywhere between £35 and £150 for outdoor cover.

Continued over the page

Home & Garden

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Changing your window dressing, either with curtains, blinds or adding a pelmet, can alter the whole look of a room, and Malvern Curtains offer a full service from start to finish.

As a long established business, which she previously ran for 20 years from her Malvern shop, Ellen provides experience and uncompromising quality and Malvern Curtains’ clients have returned to see Ellen again and again.

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Home & Garden

The trouble with many outdoor parties is the simple problem of trying to seat people. Just bringing out the dining room chairs won’t cut it. The classic fold out camping chair is always a reliable regular at outside meals. With a handy cup holder, it means your guests won’t have to juggle with their food and drink. If you want a less ‘festival’ vibe try looking for some stylish wooden fold out chairs and tables. A good set will cost a breezy £150-250 but worth the pennies so everyone can sit and eat together. Most will come with seating cushions for added comfort.

Electric heaters are a decent alternative but are pricier

And the good times don’t have to stop when the sun goes down either. You can find plenty of heaters and lights that will keep everybody warm and happy. From solar powered lights, to fire pits and big blankets, not only will lighting and heating keep your guests happy it will add to the overall mood of the party.

of setting the mood. Waterproof LED tealights are a great

Firepits are a great way to warm up and keep everyone involved round a central location. They provide a rustic atmosphere, however they do require more time to set up and need to be constantly kept alight. Expect to fork out between £30 and £150 for one.

than firepits, don’t expect to pay any less than £150 for a reliable electric heater. They provide a constant source of heating and lighting and are much easier to move if space becomes a problem. Some even come with builtin bluetooth speakers. Be warned about cheap electric heaters as they are both inefficient and unreliable, breaking down constantly and may even trip your circuit breakers in the process.

If you want something that requires less upkeep, tea lights and a tea light holder can do an equally great job addition that won’t require you to run around with a lighter if there is a breeze. You can pick one up for as little as £7.

With all this in mind you can be confident to host a party that won’t look rushed or thrown together. As long as people are fed and watered with a decent place to sit then it will be a guaranteed win. The only thing you will have to worry about is the unpredictable mistress that is the English weather. And if you have enough plastic cheese. n

By Miles Jones

not only will lighting and heating keep your guests happy it will add to the overall mood of the party.

n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Home & Garden

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Home & Garden

Too Hot

Or Too Cold?

Is your conservatory too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter?

Don’t worry, there are several solutions available... and they won’t cost as much as you think!

Replacement Conservatory Roofs Unfortunately a conservatory ends up being too cold in winter and too hot in summer, so often it is not used as frequently as you would wish. Not only that but when it rains you can hear the rain pounding on the roof and this can be very noisy indeed. You can change your old conservatory roof for a new energy efficient, PCL replacement conservatory roof. This can effectively turn your old conservatory into an extension that can be used all-year-round. PCL replacement conservatory roof is a warm roof system that does as “it says on the tin” and can completely transform your conservatory.

The complete changeover takes a short space of time with minimal disruption to your home. The roof is designed so you can keep your existing build and frames and the warm system works so that you can save energy and subsequently your fuel bills are reduced. Your conservatory will now be cool in summer, warm in winter and quieter when it rains.

Blinds If your budget doesn’t run to a replacement roof then blinds are the first thing to consider to help you keep your cool!

The ultimate offering are electric roller blinds that position themselves with a flick of a switch. Manual blinds come in a n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

variety of different sytems – it just depends on the look you desire and how much cleaning you want to undertake. Look for wooden blinds, roman blinds and venetian blinds.

Fans A ceiling fan doesn’t cool a room, it cools people. It does so without changing indoor temperature one degree. The movement of air over the surface of your skin removes heat from the boundary layer — a warm layer of air that surrounds us at all times. By stripping heat from the boundary layer, a ceiling fan makes us feel as if the air in the room is about 4 degrees cooler. Ceiling fans come in a wide range of styles, colours, and prices. They can come with or without ceiling fan lights. Some are operated by remote control, others by wall switches in combination with pull chains. Most ceiling fans come with a switch to change the speed. In addition, most have two settings so you can control the direction in which the blades turn — one setting for winter (that brings warm air down) and another for summer. In the summer, you should be able to feel “cool” air moving if you stand directly under the fan.

Continued over the page

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Home & Garden Before shopping for a ceiling fan, measure the volume of the room (length x width x height), and select the right size fan for the room. When selecting a ceiling fan, bear in mind that larger rooms may require two or more ceiling fans.

Under Floor Heating What is underfloor heating?

Underfloor heating can be either a ‘wet’ system that pumps warm water through pipes under the floor, or ‘dry’ system of electric coils placed under the floor. Underfloor heating uses the basic principle of heat rising. Underfloor heating is often associated with luxury - think plush hotel rooms - and indeed there are few things more luxurious than the feeling of a warm, heated floor on a cold winter’s day. Underfloor heating is hidden away and out of view, doing away with the clutter of radiators. And, due to the even distribution of heat, it is an efficient way to heat a room as it works at a lower temperature.

Electric underfloor heating relies on a network of wires under your floor that heat up. Depending on the shape of the room, you can go for heating mats, which cover large areas, or individual wires which can get in every nook and cranny. Heating mats are generally a bit cheaper. Waterbased systems, in contrast, are a network of pipes linked to your boiler that pump hot water around your rooms.

The difficulty with water systems comes in the installation, and costs are typically initially higher for this reason. n

n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Underfloor heating is hidden away and out of view, doing away with the clutter of radiators.

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Now

If you would like to advertise in our next issue please contact one of our sales team:

Genna McCann-Taylor

Rachel Seabright

Tel: 01905 727902 Email: genna@pw-media.co.uk

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

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Home & Garden

Gardening Jobs

For July

Peak gardening season is well underway, which means there are plenty of jobs to keep gardens looking their best in July.

This month is all about maintaining your blooms, nurturing your fruit plants, and providing your garden with the care it needs to prevent drying out and becoming damaged during the warmer months.

Julian Palphramand, horticulture buyer at Wyevale Garden Centres, shares his gardening jobs of the month, helping you to get one step closer to your dream garden: 1. Dote on your Dahlias Dahlias are incredibly thirsty plants – just look at their fleshy leaves and luscious stems and it’s easy to see why. To ensure your Dahlias are blooming bright with an abundance of beautiful flowers, nourish your plants with liquid feed and regularly water them during the next month. While smaller Dahlias are self-standing, the tall varieties may need supporting with stakes – simply tie the stems to the stake with string to keep their flower heads up right. n 20 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

2. Thin out your fruit During peak gardening season, the favourable conditions for plant growth means that fruit trees can abundantly overproduce. Large quantities of heavy fruits such as apples, pears and plums on the branches can often result in a final crop of disappointingly small fruits. This is due to the high demand put on the tree’s resources and the limited sunlight penetrating its heavy branches. July is prime time to thin out your dense crops by removing any excess or damaged fruits from the plant, enabling it to develop a more evenly ripe crop of fruits.

3. Love your lawn Summertime means that everything will be growing extremely fast and as a result, you will need to make sure you are mowing your lawn once a week to keep it in good Continued over the page

Home & Garden

Worcestershire

Now

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

Genna McCann-Taylor

Rachel Seabright

Tel: 01905 727902 Email: genna@pw-media.co.uk

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

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Home & Garden health. It is also important to water your lawn regularly to prevent

6. Feed the birds

it from turning brown and drying out during the hotter months.

Summer feeding is in full swing, so remember to top up your

If your ground has become dry, spike it gently with a garden fork

bird and wildlife feeders and water containers. The warmer

before watering to aid the penetration of the water.

weather means that July is an especially important month

4. Take cuttings from your perennials Tender perennials such as Fuchsias are best propagated from cuttings, and so July is a great time to get snipping. As young plants root more easily, cuttings should be taken from the tender new growth for the season. Either pot the plants

to tend to nature and keep your garden abuzz with birds, bees and other wildlife – particularly as over 82% of Brits would like to attract more wildlife into their gardens*. Birds in particular relish in gardeners’ efforts, using bird baths to both hydrate and cool down through bathing in the water.

now so that they develop sufficient roots to survive in the

Whether you’re planting, pruning or reaping the rewards of

winter, or hold onto your cuttings until the following spring.

your burgeoning fruit trees, you are sure to discover many

5. Water new trees, shrubs and perennials

delights in the garden this month. n

It is important that you water the trees, shrubs and

For more information and advice on July’s jobs of the

perennials that were planted in spring. Make sure you are

month, along with all the tools you need to gain ground in

watering the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves

the garden, visit www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk.

as they won’t absorb any water this way and wetting the leaf tissue can even encourage fungal diseases.

Make sure you are watering the base of the plant and avoid wetting the leaves as they won’t absorb any water this way

n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Home & Garden

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© Chris Ellory

Nature Notebook

Making

Hay

At this time of year, on nature reserves right across the county, our volunteers are out making hay while the sun shines... but what’s it all about?

I remember helping with the hay cutting on my friend’s farm when I was little; it was a sociable affair with lots of hard work (and great fun for us kids) on beautiful summer days in the school holidays. I’m fairly sure that, nowadays, our volunteers think it’s a fairly fun and sociable affair and, as the hay is taken from the middle of July onwards, it’s usually a beautiful summer day for them too.

Hay making is traditionally done from mid-July when the delicate annual plants have had chance to set seed. My colleagues here at the Trust work with numerous farmers who take the hay from our meadows to feed to their livestock throughout the winter; the species-rich hay is a nutritious source of food. The process of cutting the hay and turning it to dry out before baling helps to spread the seed across the meadow to ensure a plentiful supply of plants and flowers for the following year. On most of our meadow nature reserves, the hay is taken away by the farmer but sometimes we keep some of it to spread on other meadows to help improve the diversity and quantity of plants there. We do this as locally as we can to hep to maintain the natural feel of any meadows that we are restoring.

Keep up to date Worcestershire Wildlife Trust @WorcsWT t worcestershirewildlifetrust G worcswildlifetrust.co.uk w

I visited the jewel in our meadows crown recently – Eades Meadow near Hanbury. It’s astonishing to think that less than 100 years ago orchid-filled fields like this were commonplace in the UK. Since the Second World War,

n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

however, England has lost around 97% of its wildflower meadows; right here in Worcestershire we have about 20% of those that remain so we should feel proud to have such a rich heritage.

We own several of these beautiful meadows and our volunteers are crucial to helping us to manage them for the future. You can also help. Some of you may have donated to help us buy meadows in the past – like Hollybed Farm Meadows, Worcestershire’s Coronation Meadow, near Castlemorton. Perhaps you recently helped us to save Hardwick Green Meadows – internationally important floodplain meadows near Eldersfield right in the south of the county. Maybe you simply want to help by creating a bit of wild Worcestershire at home in your garden.

It’s hard to grow native orchids as they have a special relationship with fungus in the soil but you can buy seed mixes of native wildflowers and sow them in pots or in your flower beds. Now is a great time of year for buying a meadow mix and designating a 1m by 1m patch of your lawn that you don’t mow – just see what comes up in your back garden mini meadow?

You can find out more about our latest meadow project www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/blog/HardwickGreenMeadows Discover more about helping wildlife at home www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/wildlife-gardening n Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

Have You Treated Yourself to

a New Caravan or Motorhome?

Caravan Stuff 4 U is an independent, family run business that has been serving the local community and beyond for around 14 years.

Its aim is to provide top quality goods at sensible prices, along with sound advice from fellow caravanners. From small beginnings the company now sources more than a million pounds worth of caravan & camping accessories and spares for

you every year - and this number is growing!

With their outdoor awning display and well stocked shop, choosing goodies to bring extra space, comfort and luxury to your home from home is a pleasure. You’ll also find all the essentials like Calor gas,

kettles and loo chemicals too. If you are new to the hobby, they can help you kit out your van with everything you need – pop in or shop online for free UK delivery. They even offer 0% finance on larger purchases (t&c’s apply) and gift vouchers if you really can’t decide what to choose! n

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

Health & Beauty

Our Guide to

Male Grooming

Here’s our guide to some of the best products on the market for him right now.

2

1

3

n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Health & Beauty

4

5

6

1. CHANEL Bleu de Chanel Parfum aromatic-woody score plays sandalwood to the hilt, flying in the face of any preconceptions or archetypes of men’s perfumery. An even more intense concentration for a confident and unmistakable elegance.

£76.00 - 50ml £106.00 - 100ml

2. L’OCCITANE For the adventurous man who loves the unknown, L’Homme Cologne Cédrat has a fresh citrus, aquatic fragrance, incorporating bold ginger and exotic spices.

Gift contains: L’Homme Cologne Cedrat Shower Gel 250ml, L’Homme Cologne Cedrat Eau de Toilette 75ml & L’Homme Cologne Cedrat Deodorant Spray 130ml

£59.00 (worth £79.00)

3. ELEMIS ELEMIS unveils its latest collaboration with British design house, Lily and Lionel for the new, limited edition Luxury Travel Collections. Gift Contains: Ice-Cool Foaming Shave Gel 100ml,

Deep Cleanse Facial Wash 50ml, Daily Moisture Boost 50ml, Sharp Shower Body Wash 100ml, Instant Refreshing Gel 20ml.

£45.00

4. CLARINS Discover NEW Clarins Men Hydra-Sculpt, a dual action innovation in one single step. The combined gel and cream textures, moisturise, tone and smoothe while visibly contouring and redefining the jawline. This complete resculpting face care offers the comfort of a cream, with the tightening effect of a gel. Skin feels instantly fresh and noticeably firmer.

Also includes the ClarinsMen Energising Complex with bison grass extract to encourage and stimulate skin energy regeneration and gymnema extract, used for it’s capacity to preserve energy, the essential element for healthy functioning cells.

£45.00

5. CLARINS Formulated especially for men’s skin, this multi protection sunscreen is the perfect face guard, offering high level UV protection combined with an anti-pollution complex in a lightweight, oil-free and water-resistant texture. The perfect accessory for urban activities in the city to outdoor sports in the country.

Cellulose matifying powders to absorb excess sebum to prevent shiny skin.

Organic quinoa extract reinforces the skin’s barrier function and stimulates it’s natural hydration process.

£42.00

6. L’OCCITANE For the traditional man, the L’Occitan Collection has warm masculine notes of peppery wood, lavender and rosemary create this iconic fragrance of Provence.

Gift contains: L’Occitan Shower Gel 250ml, L’Occitan Eau de Toilette 100ml & L’Occitan Deodorant Roll-On 75g

£59.00 (worth £79.00)

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

Health & Beauty

B

s t n e m t n a e e r M T r y o t f u ea

n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

HE

ed

nu

nti

Co

O

T VER

E

PAG

Health & Beauty

Prams • Buggies • Cots • Furniture • Car Seats • High Chairs • Bedding • Nursery Accessories • Mattresses • Soft Toys • Clothes • and much more •

£25 off when you spend £250 Terms & Conditions apply

Call us on 01386 750888

Open every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 10-4, Saturday 10-5 Orchard Cottage Farm, Croome Road, Defford, Worcestershire WR8 9AS

Please visit our website

www.pramandnursery.co.uk

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

Health & Beauty

Approaching the topic of Beauty treatments for men is not as straightforward as it would first seem. Gone are the days when men were stuck with either getting a short back and sides for a Fiver or simple nose hair trimming.

With the rise of equality has come the rise of men feeling more relaxed and comfortable in their own skin. Men are more willing to prune and preen in order to look good and feel good. According to a Guardian article: “Male Brazilian blow-dries for men are up by 200%, waxing up by 85% and – according to data from the Treatwell app – 25% of men have regular manicure appointments.”

The amount of options available to male grooming products are many. If you are inclined to the occasional pluck of the brow and a haircut then you might feel overwhelmed by the amount options available. Fear not. This helpful guide is here to assist in making some smart decisions and to show you that not all Avacado and Cucumber face creams will cost you a month’s wage.

The popularity of waxing has successfully permeated beyond just athletes and bodybuilders. Aside from the sport advantages, body waxing can reduce body odour and improved muscle definition. The options for male and female waxing are similar - the only difference is the amount of hair. The available options are either hot waxing or (cold) waxing strips. Both have their pro’s and con’s when it comes to “manscaping” but both will cause some discomfort at first. The hot wax opens up the pores, allowing the hairs to be removed easier and tends to remove the hair all at once.

However, afterwards you will find yourself in a hot mess and it can be tough to remove when dry.

grooming treatments can go a long way in defining your hair, beard, eyebrows and keeping the dreaded nostril hairs hidden. To maintain a well groomed beard and some light haircut work, you need clippers. A good kit will set you back around £40-60. Top it off with some hairstyling “mud”, “clay” or “wax”. Not just to shape and define your hair but your beard too. Expect to fork out between £1225 for hair styling products with “clay” products being slightly more expensive than the other types.

For nostril and ear hair removals, it will be far less painful to buy an electric trimmer to help. We’ve all tried tweezers and we all hated it right? Electric trimmers have come down in price over the last couple of years and are available online for £12-25.

When all is trimmed and plucked, make sure to look after your skin too. From simple E45 moisturisers to high quality Italian exfoliators, the choices are vast. Moisturising helps rehydrate your skin and exfoliators help scrub away dead skin. In simple terms it helps the moisturiser sink in better. It’s best to determine how sensitive your skin can be, especially after shaving. If your skin is susceptible to drying out then try and look for products that natural anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as elderberry. It might be obvious but if you have oily skin then it’s best to avoid oil based products.

Obvious or not, you want the best for your skin!

These are just a few of the treatments that are becoming

Wax strips are cheaper, quicker and if you arn’t trying to impress anyone, much less painful than using hot wax. On the other hand you may need to go over an area several times to remove all the hairs which could cause skin irritation and discomfort. Costs are very varied since you can get a wax at a salon or buy different kits online. Simple waxing strips can be £10 or less while full body waxes at a salon could be £150.

more and more popular with men of all ages. It certainly

If you don’t want to make your eyes water then some simple

By Miles Jones

n 30 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

goes hand in hand with the ever increasing emphasis on social media but more importantly with increased health awareness. This doesn’t just apply to men either but the stigma surrounding male beauty treatments is falling away, making way for some really great choices for male grooming.

But remember, plucking nostril hairs is not a great choice. n

Health & Beauty

Get the “Rolls Royce” of Bras at Embrace Lingerie, Worcester We all know that the right bra can transform your figure, creating curves in the right places and even making you look slimmer.

At Embrace Lingerie, Worcester, the award winning staff will use their expertise to find you a bra which is a great fit, stylish and, above all, comfortable.

One of the most popular brands at Embrace is PrimaDonna, along with its sister brand, Marie Jo. Unlike most high street offerings, a PrimaDonna bra is designed foremost for fit. As such it is made from top quality, hand checked and rigorously tested materials, with 3 times as many pieces and a far more complicated construction than a regular bra.

every direction so it doesn’t dig in. Even the lining is built to give added support from the inside.

The end product is available in many more sizes than an average bra (their popular “Madison” comes in 69 sizes from 30-46, B-J cup for example).

The PrimaDonna attention to detail results in a bra that is far superior in fit and comfort to the average bra and one which is built to last - look after it and it will give you years of service. n

The underwire is curved rather than flat, and designed to flex in

Luxury Lingerie, Swimwear and Nightwear Cup sizes A to K

Our leading brands include Prima Donna, Marie Jo, Maison Lejaby & Lise Charmel 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 31 n

Health & Beauty

Aureus Spa

Bromsgrove

In the heart of Bromsgrove lies the gateway to a world of relaxation, where the sole focus is on comfort and wellbeing.

The brand new Aureus Spa offers a range of luxurious facilities and treatments, all with the aim of helping visitors to relax and rejuvenate.

Situated inside Everyone Active’s Bromsgrove Leisure Centre, Aureus’ sauna and steam room, aroma room, Jacuzzi and monsoon showers create the perfect, if not unlikely, escape from the stresses of urban life.

Stress has been proven to have adverse effects on both mental and physical health, and allowing the body and mind to unwind is essential in promoting a person’s overall wellbeing. So whether it’s a spare thirty minutes or a leisurely three hours, it is important to find the time and space to retreat from everyday pressures.

Aureus offers a whole host of treatments that can be enjoyed while making time for yourself. These range from radiance-boosting facials and deep n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

tissue massages to revitalising body scrubs and grooming treatments.

As well as helping to relieve tight muscles, improve joint mobility and enhance circulation, massage therapy has been proven to significantly reduce feelings of stress. This, in turn, can help people to manage other mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Many practitioners believe massage can also improves sleep quality, helping people to feel energised and better equipped to take on day-to-day life.

Similarly, treatments such as facials and body scrubs have detoxifying qualities to help enhance inner balance, while grooming treatments boost natural radiance and confidence.

So if it’s a slice of serenity you’re looking for, there are lots of ways to de-stress at Aureus Spa. n Visit www.everyoneactive.com/centre/aureusspa-bromsgrove for more details.

Health & Beauty

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

KEEPING ACTIVE Start/Finish: The Walk starts and ends at ‘The Barley Mow’ Public House by the roundabout at the ‘Wapping’ or ‘north’ end of Studley.

Public Transport: Nearest railway station is at Redditch. There are buses X19 and ‘Diamond’ 67 routes serving Studley from Stratford, Alcester, Redditch and Bromsgrove directions. Please use ‘Traveline’.

Parking: Those travelling by car can use the free car park off the High Street or park sensitively in the outer streets of Studley.

Studley

Exploring the Arrow Valley

O/S Map: Explorer 220 Distance: The main walk is 5 miles. The shorter option is 3.5 miles. There is a 2.5 mile extension to Coughton Court. (see sketch-map).

Time: The walk can be completed in a morning or afternoon but paths can be muddy after rain and overgrown in summer so please allow plenty of time (and be mindful of last bus times.

Refreshments: There are a few places to eat in Studley or enjoy a picnic at any time of the year!

Terrain: Please do not attempt this walk if the River Arrow is in flood. The route is mainly flat with a few gentle gradients to climb. Strong boots are essential.

Thick trousers are recommended. Wheelchair users and pushchairs will need to just explore the village of Studley. In summer, edges of fields can be overgrown!

Nettles along paths can be a problem in places so ‘poles’ can be useful.

History: Studley was at one time an important ‘needle-making’ village with the famous ‘Aero’ knitting needle factory located there and sewing needles being ‘milled’ nearby. The Roman ‘Ryknild Street’ went along the line of the current A435 Alcester to Birmingham Road. The Parish Church is detached from the present village being about ½ mile across the meadows of the River Arrow. Behind the Church is where the old Studley Castle stood. The pretty ‘redundant’ chapel at Spernall is worth a peep!

Note: In the event of the River Arrow being in flood, please postpone your walk until the floods have abated.

1. From roundabout at north end of Studley, cross A435 ‘Ryknild Street’ (Alcester Road) to Barley Mow PH. Climb gently from Priory Square past pretty coloured cottages and along ‘High Street’.

Pass convenience shops, road to infant school, doctor’s surgery, Community Hall with library to turning on left (notice old sign ‘Station Road’).

2. Walk along ‘Crooks Lane’ to footpath between houses opposite Studley High School entrance crossing two estate roads to reach Node Hill.

3. Cross A448 (Studley to Redditch Road) to footpath opposite. The ‘right of way’ has been carved through first field by current farmer (thank-you). Cross stile at end and walk straight on, passing left of big oak tree. Continue to an old railway embankment across end of field.

The railway came from Studley Station southwards towards Alcester.

Turn left over tiny brick bridge across Cain Brook that joins River Arrow near Coughton Court, Alcester. The ‘right of way’ forks right to follow steep railway embankment on your right a few hundred yards to an under-bridge. From this point there is a footpath left across field to Brook. Follow Brook ‘right’ to stiled ‘cradle’ foot-bridge. Take footpath or follow edge of field to top right corner. Cross stile out of field and follow narrow path along fence-line to ‘Brookside Farm’ with ‘Middletown Farm’ opposite.

4. Turn left along Middletown Lane to turning on right that goes into Middletown Cul-de-Sac. Note: shorter walk goes straight along Middletown Lane, across Node Hill to ‘Littlewood Green’. Follow this round via Toms Town Lane across to Alcester Road. Cross to footpath opposite and walk straight across water-meadow to River Arrow at footbridge at point 8 on main walk. The main walk turns ‘right’ through pretty ‘hamlet’ of Middletown to bridleway at far end following vestiges of an old lane towards Spernall so persevere through initial undergrowth to wider path through woodland strip into open fields. Keep hedge on left and walk to top corner of field where path goes left through an opening and along a track leading back to Roman Road. n 34 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

5. Cross to Spernal Lane opposite. Pass ‘Haydon Way Wood’ - a newly planted section of ‘Heart of England Forest’ to Spernall. At Spernal, cross bridge over River Arrow and turn right for short distance to view redundant Church of St. Leonard’s.

6. Near Chapel is footpath to ’Coughton Court’ along ‘Arden Way’ and back to this point adding a further 2.5 miles. See sketch-map.

From point 6 you return northwards along River Arrow Valley via footbridge across tributary stream with glimpses of river to exit at lane near Studley Cemetery.

7. Walk ahead to kiss-gate on left.

8. Cross footbridge then fork right along riverside, to exit in housing estate.

9. Walk along Wickham Road, left into Mallard Road, left along Gunners Lane and right up Manor Road to A435 Alcester Road.

10. Turn right along Alcester Road to end walk at Barley Mow PH. n Written and illustrated by Glynis Dray

Health & Beauty

FINALIST 2018

• Skin tags • Solar lentigo • Age spots • Milia • Warts • Cherry angioma • Viral verrucae

INTRODUCING BETH

OUR NEW SENIOR THERAPIST

15%

off all treatments with Beth

our new Senior Therapist, including Guinot Facials this July at Belle Beauty 94 Worcester Road | Link Top | Malvern | WR14 1NY

Tel: 01684 577000 | Text: 07702 887708

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

Food & Drink

Ingredients (serves six) • 150g fine asparagus spears, halved • Few drops vegetable oil • 320g ready-rolled puff pastry sheet, thawed if frozen • 200g British brie, sliced • 100g roasted red peppers (from a jar), drained and sliced • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 tbsp semi-skimmed milk n 36 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

British Brie

and Asparagus Tart

Method

border, with the brie and peppers. Season with

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C, fan oven 200°C, Gas Mark 7.

black pepper. Brush the edges of the pastry with

2. Cook the asparagus in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. While it’s cooking, lightly grease a baking sheet with the vegetable oil and unroll the puff pastry sheet onto it. Score a border 2cm around all the sides, taking care not to cut right through.

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the pastry has

3. Drain the asparagus and rinse with cold water.

Arrange on top of the pastry sheet, within the

is out of season, use sliced courgettes instead

the milk.

risen and is golden brown. Serve while warm.

Cook’s tip: Another time, try the recipe with sliced soft British goat’s cheese. When asparagus (there’s no need to cook them first). n

Food & Drink

Buy British, Buy Best, Buy from your Local Butcheress!

Suppliers of fresh British meat to the catering industry and direct to your door 6 days a week!

Monthly Meat Boxes

Available starting at £20 with FREE delivery A wide selection of homemade free range sausages available!

Why not visit us at our shop: 9 Ryefields Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, B60 4NA Tel: 01527 435669 or 07496 632 010 Follow us on Facebook @ thebutcheress

Restaurant Meals Silver Service Crystal Glasses • Linen napkins Dishes flambéd in the restaurant

the

Wagon Wheel at grimley

Bar Snacks Weekday Lunches Served Tuesday - Saturday Two or three courses available

Traditional Sunday Lunch A choice of meats including roast beef carved at your table. Three courses plus coffee

Fully Air Conditioned Join us for a unique dining experience, steeped in tradition Tel: 01905 640 340 • www.wagonwheel.co.uk Situated at the end of Grimley Village, WR2 6LU. Just off the A443, 3 miles out of Worcester t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 37 n

Golden Years

Dementia

Not a Natural Part of Ageing We can all relate to that frustrating feeling of forgetting why we went downstairs for something at home or not remembering what we wanted to say to somebody in a conversation. Forgetfulness can happen to us all at times. However, when forgetfulness or confusion becomes consistent and reoccurring, it can be a sign that something is not right with a possibility that the person may have developed dementia.

Dementia is the overall term used to describe a group of symptoms that may include difficulties with memory, thinking, problem-solving, visual perception or language. For the person with dementia, these symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with their daily life and can also cause changes to their mood or behaviour. Dementia is caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain, and symptoms are dependent on the specific areas of the brain that are affected. Alzheimer’s disease is just one of the many diseases of the brain to cause dementia.

There are more than 40,000 people under-65 with dementia in the UK, highlighting the fact that dementia is not a natural part of ageing. Every person with dementia is different and people with the same disease, such as Alzheimer’s, can have varying symptoms.

n 38 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

The NHS estimates that there are 2,921 people over 65, living with dementia in Herefordshire.

Nationally, there are 850,000 people living with the condition nationally and this number is set to rise to 1 million by 2021.

People with dementia may experience problems with short-term memory. For example, losing track of their day, preparing drinks or meals, difficulty completing familiar tasks, paying bills or remembering appointments. Dementia is generally progressive, meaning that symptoms may begin slowly and progressively get worse. The emphasis on seeking medical advice and a diagnosis is key to accessing the available treatments and support.

Diagnosing dementia can be complex and difficult, Continued over the page

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

Golden Years charity, working tirelessly to challenge perceptions, fund research and improve and provide care and support.

The organisation recently invested £50m along with Alzheimer’s Research UK to fund the UK’s first ever Dementia Research Institute. They are committed to ensuring the rights of people affected by dementia are recognised. There is currently no cure for dementia and it is the leading cause of death in Britain. Too many people are facing dementia alone without adequate support and whoever you are, whatever, you are going through, you can turn to Alzheimer’s Society for support. particularly in the onset as people may want to ignore their symptoms however, it is important to remember that many people with dementia are able to lead fulfilled, and active lives maintaining their independence through the correct treatment and support. An early diagnosis also provides an opportunity for those with dementia as well as their loved ones, the time to plan and prepare for the future.

Symptoms of dementia can vary greatly, but if you or a loved one are experiencing troubling symptoms such as memory problems with thinking and reasoning, or are finding it difficult to complete everyday tasks at home, work or in the community then Alzheimer’s Society encourages you to visit your GP. Dementia can be diagnosed by your GP who will then be able to advise the next steps towards finding out for certain the cause of the problems.

Support organisations are out there and these include charities along with groups run by local authorities.

Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia

Services Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Worcestershire, Ginnie Jaques said: “I really urge anyone concerned about their memory to visit their GP or to reach out to Alzheimer’s Society directly for support.”

Another benefit to visiting your GP, if concerned can be to rule out any other medical conditions. For example, side effects of certain medications, vitamin and thyroid problems, chest and urinary infections, anxiety and depression can all present similar symptoms to those of dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society provides local support across the UK for people living with dementia. Support within the Herefordshire area can be accessed via local GP practices and Alzheimer’s Society. Anyone looking for confidential advice, information and support, can call Alzheimer’s Society’s National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 11 22. n Further information about dementia can be accessed online at: www.alzheimers.org.uk.

Tel: 01905 427863

www.radfieldhomecare.co.uk

worcester@radfieldhomecare.co.uk

6 King Charles Place, St John’s, Worcester WR2 5AJ

n 40 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Golden Years

Worcestershire

Now

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

Genna McCann-Taylor

Rachel Seabright

Tel: 01905 727902 Email: genna@pw-media.co.uk

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

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

Living History

St Richard's Hospice

A History of Care

Thousands of people in Worcestershire have been cared for and supported in many ways by St Richard’s Hospice since it was first founded in 1984.

From a small start with a big vision in the Droitwich home of Dr Jenny Bulman, the hospice has grown to meet the needs of patients and families in the county who are affected by life-limiting illnesses.

Today, the independent charity has an annual income of £8.8m and supports over 3,000 patients, their loved ones and bereaved people in Worcestershire each year. Everything they do is made possible thanks to the wonderful generosity of donors, supporters and volunteers. St Richard’s relies on voluntary funding for three quarters of its income, with the remainder from the NHS. Milestones The hospice first started in the home of Dr Jenny Bulman before moving to Castle Street in Worcester. Home Care services started in 1984, followed by Day Hospice and the beginnings of an educational programme in 1988. As the organisation grew, so did the need for larger premises and the hospice moved to Rose Hill house in Worcester which was officially opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales in May 1992.

In 2004 as hospice services continued to grow to meet demand, a £5.25m appeal was made n 42 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

to build a new centre with the first urgently needed specialist palliative care in-patient Unit for South Worcestershire. Thanks to wonderful support from the community, the new St Richard’s Hospice opened in Wildwood Drive, Worcester in 2006.

advice both during a person’s illness and

At the beginning of this year, St Richard’s launched its Build 2020 Appeal which aims to raise the final £1.4m needed to build a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for in Worcestershire. The total cost for expanding and redeveloping the existing building in Wildwood Drive is £5.3m.

The new hospice will include the following:

treatments

Larger rooms suitable for exercise based groups, such as adapted Tai Chi, yoga, strength and balance; A specialist exercise studio with programmes designed by its physiotherapists; A kitchen where occupational therapists will help patients learn how to improve day-to-day living at home to encourage independence; Counselling rooms for supporting more patients and loved ones; Rooms for supporting more carers providing them with the space to discuss their concerns as well as practical and financial

into bereavement; Open art studio – for patients and loved ones to express feelings through creativity; Complementary

therapy

including

rooms

for

reflexology

and

aromatherapy massage; Music and horticultural therapy spaces where patients and families can benefit from the therapeutic impact on their health and wellbeing; A spacious social and eating area will be at the heart of the hospice building, offering a comfortable place for patients, families, groups and volunteers to meet, chat and support each other; A reconfigured, homely, light reception area.

Find out more at www.strichards.org.uk/ Build2020 St Richard’s serves Worcestershire including Worcester, Malvern, Droitwich, Pershore, Upton upon Severn, Broadway, Evesham and the surrounding areas. We also care for patients from the north of the county in our in-patient Unit. n For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk.

education

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 43 n

Our Events Diary

Great

Route to the Hills

Six Weeks of Summer Fun at Eastnor

Far Forest Countryside Show

Days Out David Littlewood, General Manager at Eastnor Castle said “We always look forward to hosting our Summer Holiday event programme as so many of our visitors return year after year to have fun with their family and friends. As all of our Summer Holiday events are included in our admission price, we feel a day out at Eastnor Castle is real value for money. Dogs are always very welcome here too and we enjoy seeing them running around.”

Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, is gearing up for another fun-packed Summer Holiday programme again this year as families are preparing to entertain their children during the six weeks off school.

The castle and grounds will be open every Sunday through to Thursday from 22nd July until 30th August, with an event included in the entrance price on every open day.

Activities will include some firm family favourites such as Circus Skills and the Dinosaur Show, as well as a brand new ‘Survival Skills’ event where children can channel their inner Bear Grylls!

As well as these activities which are all included in the entrance price, there’s a huge variety of permanent attractions to keep the whole family amused all day.

These include a maze, children’s adventure playground, woodland play area, lakeside walks, arboretum trails and children’s fun booklets.

To ensure visitors have longer to enjoy their visit this year, the lower grounds are open from 10.30am which is half an hour earlier than previous years, and to encourage visitors even further, tickets can be purchased online for the same price as last year.

Opening times are 10.30am until 5.30pm and prices are Adults: £7.00, Children: £5.00, Families: £20.00 (Online Grounds Only admission, castle upgrades are available). n A full list of summer holiday activities can be found online at www.eastnorcastle.com or by calling 01531 633160.

n 44 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Great Malvern: Route to the Hills offers a new way to explore our town. Celebrating Great Malvern’s wealth of heritage, the route features signage, plaques, seating and artworks – all telling the stories of this fascinating Victorian spa town. It takes in beautiful parks, amazing views,

This year’s Far Forest Countryside Show, which takes place on the 11th and 12th August promises to be better than ever with Saturday evening entertainment and a programme of talks & displays in the horticulture marquee. The theme this year is Roald Dahl.

The Stannage International Display Team are headlining the entertainment in the main arena, with their daring motorbike stunts and pyrotechnics. Other acts include The Falconry Centre and displays by Zennor’s Dance & Musical Theatre Academy.

The lower arena will host two days of canine capers, including IQ competitions, a fun dog show as well as Dog Agility and Obedience displays. There will be a number of animal exhibits where visitors can interact with farm birds, sheep, pigs and horses among others, as well as take a walk with an alpaca.

Continuing the countryside theme there will be displays of farm machinery including classic tractors and stationary engines. Displays of vintage cars and caravans contribute to the nostalgic atmosphere.

ancient buildings and fascinating history. The route begins at Great Malvern railway station. From there it’s a steep but short walk towards the town centre and the hills. You’ll find plenty to explore (and lots of benches and cafes) along the way. Come for the day and see what you’ll discover. n

As always there will be a variety of entertainment including live music, rides and activities for the young (and not so young) including pony rides, tractor rides and much more. There will be a treasure hunt for children of all ages to find the Roald Dahl characters. All will be welcome to attend in fancy dress if they wish.

The show offers a wide range of sandwiches and homemade cakes provided by the Far Forest WI. The food marquee is always a great attraction with locally produced products on sale to take away.

Breads, cheeses, pickles, drinks and ice-cream to name but few of the delights available inside.

There is a licenced bar, tea and coffee are also available.

Gates open at 9.30am on both days. On the Saturday evening entertainment will go on until 10pm with the bar open until 11pm, and it is hoped that visitors will stay and be entertained in a relaxing atmosphere of the beautiful Callow Hill Showground.

Overnight camping is available. n For further information and advance ticket purchases visit: www.farforestshow.co.uk

Redpoint Climbing Centre Redpoint Climbing Centre are running a summer club over the school summer holidays, offering a multi-activity day for your little ones aged 7+.

The climbing centre has 1,500 square metres of bouldering and climbing walls. From complete beginners to veteran climbers,

there’s something for everyone.

Three times a week on a Monday, Thursday and Friday, there is an after-school climbing club between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.

On Saturday and Sunday they have Rock Monkeys between 10:30am and 12:30pm which is open to all ages between 3 and 17 years old. n

Our Events Diary

BUSFEST MAIN SPONSOR

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Our Events diary

Newbridge Farm Park is full of fun this summer!

Children of all ages enjoy the variety of play and animal contact that is offered at Newbridge; feeding and holding animals, and having a lot of fun in our soft play areas, hay bale tunnels, rope swing, sandpits, zipwire, car track, trampolines, and playframes!

Parents love our large, open play area, offering a safe play environment for their children.

Our family run farm park is a perfect way to spend a summers day with your family and friends!

Our friendly selection of animals, including

alpacas,

donkeys,

rabbits, & goats, will be happy to greet you! You can also experience a fast & bumpy tractor ride!

Check our website or Facebook page for more details and events. n

Discover so much more at Westons Cider Mill Westons Cider has been lovingly produced in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcle for nearly 140 years and is still independently owned by the same family.

Enjoy dining in the Scrumpy House Restaurant or Orchard Tea Rooms, both with plenty of delicious offerings. To book a table or make an enquiry please call 01531 660626. n

Find out how the cider magic happens with a tour and tutored tasting experience. Enter the courtyard and converted farm buildings and you’ll find the Scrumpy House Restaurant, Orchard Tea Rooms and Cider Shop; the place to begin a tour.

Opening Times: Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm Saturday – Sunday: 10am -5pm

See inside the award-winning mill and gain a unique insight into the craft of cider making with an expert guide. Tours run daily at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm and can be tailored to suit any party size.

The mill is located at The Bounds, Much Marcle, just off the A449 between Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Call : 01531 660108 Email Visit@westons-cider.co.uk or visit our website: www.westons-cider.co.uk

n 46 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Clearwell Caves Ancient Iron Mines There’s been quite a few changes at Clearwell Caves recently, with exciting displays showing how the amazing complex of natural caverns and mines were formed and worked. For thousands of years, iron mining was the backbone of Forest of Dean industry, fun displays and large atmospheric caverns, reveal the miners’ work. A memorable experience for children and adults.

As well as impressive show caves, if you are looking for something a

little more physical, the family can book exciting caving activities, scrambling and crawling through some challenging adventures.

More details about visiting the Caves and the adventure caving trips, are shown on the Clearwell Caves website. The Caves have a great gift shop selling unusual gifts and minerals; there is also the charming Lamp Room café that is worth being a destination in itself. Children’s play area. Free car parking. n

Our Events Diary

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Our Events diary

Competition ABD PRODUCTIONS

Anne Dalton’s musical adaptation of J. M. Barrie’s classic, “Peter Pan” flies into Malvern’s Festival Theatre this summer. The ABD Productions’ cast includes Elliott Hanna (The West End and T V’s Billy Elliot) as Peter Pan and Janet Cowley (Phantom of the Opera) as Mrs. Darling and The Spirit of The Heavens.

Sparkling with fairy dust, this enchanting, swashbuckling, highflying, beautifully costumed and exciting musical is a must-see!

Join Wendy and her two brothers, John and Michael on their magical adventure with Peter Pan and meet all your favourites: villainous Captain Hook, the Darlings, Nana, Tinker Bell, Lost Boys, Indians and Pirates. Make some new friends: the nosey Neverbird, amazing animals, pirouetting Planets, whirling Water Sprites and fiery Flame Dancers.

Fall under Neverland’s spell. Let one of J.M Barrie’s original lovable characters, the Neverbird, (Peter’s know - it - all female feathered friend) romp and lead you through this exciting adventure.

‘Fast-paced, good family fun’ - Lancashire Evening Post ‘Dazzling dance routines and show-stopping music’ - Newark Advertiser ‘Exciting family show!’ - Robin Duke Blackpool Gazette PETER PAN runs at The Festival Theatre from Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th August. Tickets are available from the box office: 01684 892277 malvern-theatres.co.uk. n

WWW.malvern-theatres.co.uk

To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket to see Peter Pan on Saturday 25th August, 1:30pm at The Festival Theatre, simply fill out the entry form with the correct answer to the following question:

What are the names of Wendy’s two brothers?

Answer: Name: Address: Tel:

Send your answers in a sealed, stamped, addressed envelope to: Peter Pan WN, PW Media & Publishing Ltd, 2nd Floor, Richardson House, New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP.

Email:

Closing date for entries is 18th July 2018. n 48 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

If you wish to receive information on forthcoming events, news and offers from ABD Productions please tick this box

Our Events Diary

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www.perfectpartnerstheheartofengland.co.uk

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What's On JUNE

Saturday 30th June – Sunday 1st July

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

JULY Sunday 1st

Go Bright for Sight

Opening Weekend, Royal Porcelain Works

Colour Run Festival Droitwich

Royal Porcelain Works, Severn Street,

Churchfields

Worcester, WR1 2NE. A new home for the

Churchfields Farm, Salwarpe, Droiwich,

arts in the centre of Worcester! At our heart

WR9 0AH. The Go Bright for Sight 5K

is the Henry Sandon Hall, a multi-functional

Colour Run is returning to Droitwich for a

venue which will host film, music, antiques

4th year on Sunday 1st July at a new and

fairs, children’s & family events, to name

exciting venue. As usual participants can

a few. Also onsite is theNest – more than

run, jog, walk or dance their way through

a café/deli, theNest lives up to its name,

multi-coloured paint stations! Starting off

offering freshly made top-quality simple

dressed in white, by the time they reach

food. In addition, the Samuel Driver White

the finish line everyone will be covered in

Studio provides bespoke facilities for artists

brightly coloured paint and smiles, having

and craftspeople to exhibit. Join us for

raised money for local sight loss charity

our opening and see what the NEW Royal

Sight Concern Worcestershire. The event

Porcelain Works has to offer. Featuring live

is open to all ages. Last year over 500

music, face painting, craft demonstrations,

people took part and the charity raised over

food stalls and more.

£6,000. Anyone with a visual impairment is

www.royalporcelainworks.co.uk

particularly welcome. Sight Concern will

Farmhouse

Ice

Cream,

find sighted guides to enable people with

sight loss to participate, and be an active part of their local community. Thank you to Droitwich Athletics Club for their continued support helping develop the route and marshalling and to Julie Liggins Fitness for doing the dance warm up with the crowd.

Tickets need to be booked in advance. The entry fee helps towards the cost of putting on the event. We are asking participants to raise as much money as possible to help our work, supporting local blind and partially sighted people to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Family Open Day Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Jennet Tree Lane, WR2 4TY. Celebrate the 1st anniversary of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcestershire at our family open day from 12 - 4pm on the Sunday 1st July 2018. This is free event for everyone to attend! There will be plenty of activities for the kids including a children’s craft competition and face painting, whats

>>

House hunters eager for Hallow show home debut their busy lives. The homes each have an incredibly high specification along with designer, integrated appliances that contribute towards a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Living areas are spacious and bright, with calming palettes to provide relaxing environments and exciting finishing touches that include curved corner cupboards, antique bronze ironmongery and underfloor heating. Visitors to the show home launch will also be the first to experience the stunning interior design that has been styled by Andrew Henry Interiors.

Hayfield Homes is opening the door to the 4-bedroom show home at the already popular scheme Hayfield Meadow, on Saturday the 14th July, to the delight of house hunters. With a number of reservations already made and a lengthy list of potential purchasers registering their interest in the show home launch, the grand unveiling next month is set to be the talk of the county.

Hayfield Meadow, located in the village of Hallow in Worcester, is a unique collection of 2, 3 & 4 bedroom homes which have each been meticulously designed to meet the needs of modern purchasers and n 50 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Hayfield Homes’ Sales Manager, Harriet Dickson, commented, “We’re all very excited for the upcoming show home launch, and with so many people already attending, we urge people to register their interest sooner rather than later to avoid missing out on this exclusive first look.

With our previous schemes, people have commented on the quality and attention to detail, and we can’t wait for people to see what we have done with these homes in Hallow.”

There are a range of amenities within walking distance of the homes including a convenience store, primary school, pub and sports ground.

Just 3 miles away, Worcester city centre provides everything residents could need, and is especially attractive for families thanks to its renowned schooling. n To register your interest and secure your place at the upcoming launch on 14 July, or to find out more about Hayfield Meadow, call 084 5052 4782 or email hayfieldmeadow@hayfieldhomes.co.uk.

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What's On The Forge is one of the last few surviving waterwheel powered forges in the country.

There are 2 working waterwheels, both 17 feet in diameter, which will be in operation on the open day. And new for 2018, it is hoped to run the Forge’s press for the first time in 30 years. www.churchillforge.org.uk

Saturday 14th Evesham River Boat Festival A day of celebrations, where we will entertain you and your family both on and off the water, plus dance the night way with some fantastic entertainment for young and old!

Saturday 7th July

Pershore Mid-Summer Brass Festival

more, kids under the age of 10 eat free!

Make sure you buy a raffle ticket too the top prize is a Morgan Motor Car for the weekend! Find out more about this event here: www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/ stanbrookabbey/events/familyopenday

Saturday 7th Pershore Mid-Summer Brass Festival A fanfare at 10am from the Abbey Tower will announce to the town the start of twelve hours of the most wonderful brass band music. There is something beautiful about walking from venue to venue taking in the gorgeous flower arrangements which line Broad Street and the High Street. You can enjoy the grandeur of the Abbey and the informality of Chapman Court; the intimacy of Pershore Baptist Church or the fresh air of the Marquee beside the River Avon in the Angel Inn gardens. The choice is yours. The Bands are booked and already practicing a variety of music for all tastes and we have some new bands joining us for the first time; always exciting. If you haven’t already made a date do it now. Wrist bands £7.50 available before the day from BLUE, Ladies Fashion in Broad Street, Pershore. www.pershoremidsummerbrass.org.uk Chateau Impney Hill Climb Impney Drive, Droitwich, WR9 0BN. The Chateau Impney Hill Climb Club is delighted to present the Chateau Impney Hill Climb as n 52 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

an annual celebration of historic motorsport.

At 2017’s event, spectators were thrilled by exhilarating motorsport, awe-inspiring air displays, lunchtime demonstrations, a stunning Concours d’Elegance, specialist traders and lot of family-friendly attractions.

Motorsports enthusiasts are able to explore the open paddock, where they can get up close and personal with some of the impressive cars facing the Chateau Impney challenge. Plus, spectators were able to catch the action on the course from the general access grandstands or the largeformat screens throughout the Hill Climb site. Saturday advanced tickets - £20, on the gate - £25; Sunday advanced tickets - £25, on the gate - £30; Weekend advanced tickets £40, on the gate £50. Child tickers are priced at £5 per day for children aged 2-15 and can be purchased alongside adult tickets. Please note that all standard ticket prices exclude a per transaction delivery fee, which will be added to the total amount due. www.chateauimpneyhillclimb.com Worcester Carnival Film and TV theme, funfair, street theatre, carnival queen and attendants, community stages and Pitchcroft & Cathedral Square, RAF flypast and lots more. www.worcester-carnival.co.uk

Sunday 8th Churchill Forge Water Mill Open Day

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th NGS at Ralph Court Gardens Ralph Court Gardens, Edwyn Ralph, Herefordshire, HR7 4LU. A family orientated garden with a twist that will amuse gardeners and non gardeners alike. Please join us on one of our National Garden Scheme weekends and help support charities across the country whilst having fun. We are opening our garden again this year to raise money for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) and will be attempting to break our record donation of just over £3,000. Last year the country raised a staggering 3 million just by opening their gardens for NGS. The majority individual donations went to the following charities Macmillian Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queens Nursing Institute, Parkinson’s UK, Perennial, MS Society and the National Autistic Society. www.ralphcourtgardens.co.uk

Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd The Upton Blues Festival Upton Blues Festival is Britain’s biggest FREE Blues Festival and winner of Festival of the Year in the British Blues Awards 2015 & 2016. A weekend of live music that fills the streets, pubs, boats and clubs of Upton.

We’ll take you from Blues Rock to Bluegrass, Country Blues to New Orleans, Acoustic to Soul with a Sunday gospel chior thrown in a single weekend - and every performance is free! With three official stages and ten pubs, clubs and one boat taking part, the whole of Upton throngs with live music lovers and buzzes with blues. www.uptonbluesfestival.com

Our Events Diary

Pitman Training The problem for many people is

5.

education and training finishes

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Pitman Training has 5 Top Tips for Lifelong Learning 1. Ignore the ‘naysayers’. You are not too old, yes you can teach an ‘old dog’ new tricks.

Believe in yourself that you can learn new skills, you just need the right supported training environment.

2. Know why you want to learn. Is it for personal development, a promotion or to

new

Founded by Sir Isaac Pitman in 1837, his

employer, it is easy to become ‘stuck’ with

experience that will provide many benefits

skills,

independent training company in the UK.

supportive

Learning and training can be a ‘Lifelong’

new

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and unless you have a vocation where you development

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Issac never stopped learning, founded a private school and was the first advocate

3. Set realistic learning goals. Set goals week by week, this could be number of hours studied or completing a particular chapter. Learn in ‘bite sized pieces’ and remember the longest journey always begins with the first step.

of ‘continuing to develop new skills whilst

4. Learn with other people. Learning within a supported training environment with tutors to assist, will achieve a more enjoyable learning experience and better results. Individuals learning on their own via a computer at home with no hands on support, are much more likely to either not complete the course or gain a lower grade even if they complete.

you want to prove to yourself you can do

working’, which is now known as CPD, Continuous Professional Development.

Do you want to make a change in your life? Do you want to achieve success? Do this? Then consider adding new skills and embracing Lifelong Learning and wait and see the results! n To find out more call Jazz today on

Learn at home Worcester @pitman-training.net. with a name you know and trust 01905 20443 or email:

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Pop in for a Taster Session or call or Steph 01905 20443 Take theJazz first step to careeron: success - call: or visit: www.pitman-training.com/worcester 01905 20443 visit:Street, www.pitman-training.com/worcester 1st Floor, Richardson House, or New Worcester, WR1 2DP t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 53 n

Our Events diary

Competition BATTLE PROMS

This summer celebrated local landmark Ragley Hall will once again play host to an expected crowd of around 8,000 happy picnickers, when the Battle Proms returns for their annual openair concert on Saturday 11th August.

We have two pairs of tickets to giveaway to this spectacular highlight of the summer calendar!

The concert includes a full programme of captivating classical music from the 60-piece New English Concert Orchestra complemented by toe-tapping vintage vocals, breathtaking Spitfire display to Elgar’s Nimrod, sensational freefall demonstration by The Red Devils parachute team, dramatic WWI cavalry display and groundshaking live fire from over 200 cannons!

This quintessentially British ‘party in the park’ concert features magnificent musical firework displays, culminating in a flag waving, sing-a-long, firework spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

Battle Proms concerts are still believed to be the only opportunity in the world to see their signature piece – Beethoven’s ‘Battle Symphony’ – performed as he composed it: with 193 live firing Napoleonic cannons providing a thunderous percussion! n Don’t want to leave it to chance? To book tickets for this summer spectacular, visit www.battleproms.com.

www.battleproms.com

To be in with a chance of winning one of two pairs of tickets to the 8th Annual Battle Proms Picnic Concert at Ragley Hall, simply fill out the entry form with the correct answer to the following question:

How many live firing Napoleonic cannons will perform during Beethoven’s Battle Symphony?

Send your answers in a sealed, stamped, addressed envelope to: Battle Proms WN, PW Media & Publishing Ltd, 2nd Floor, Richardson House, New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP. Closing date for entries is 18th July 2018. n 54 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018

Answer: Name: Address: Tel: Email:

If you wish to receive information on forthcoming events, news and offers from JSL Productions please tick this box

t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 55 n

n 56 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 179 | July 2018