Worcestershire Now MAY 2019

Worcestershire

Now

Edgbaston Showroom now open

LET’S GO OUTSIDE WE’RE ALL IN IT TOGETHER GREAT DAYS OUT MAY 2019 | ISSUE 188

PI C I’M K M FR E U EE P

See page 14 for more information

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

n 2 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

Worcestershire

08

Now 20

22

MAY 2019 HOME & GARDEN 08

Let’s Go Outside

14

Classic Interiors Edgbaston Showroom Now Open

16

Home-Grown Heroes

20

Nature Notebook

HEALTH & BEAUTY 22

Protect Your Skin

FOOD & DRINK 26

New Art Deco Bistro Leads the Way in Foregate Street

30

32

GOLDEN YEARS 30

It’s Time to Take Action

EDUCATION 32

We’re All in it Together

42

OUR EVENTS DIARY 34

What’s on this month?

38

Great Days Out

40

Competition The Battle Proms

42

Keeping Active Hartlebury Elmley Lovett Circular walk

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

NOW 01905 723011

nowmagazine.co.uk 2nd Floor, Richardson House 24 New Street, Worcester, WR1 2DP

40

EDITOR

DESIGN

Classic Interiors

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

Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

Discover Dudley

CONTRIBUTORS

JDR Karting

ADVERTISING

Daisy Bennett

Mini-Pro Golf Park

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

Wendy Carter

Museum of Royal Worcester

Glynis Dray

Newbridge Farm Park

Alzheimers UK

Rock Around The Hills

The Battle Proms

Waterworks Museum

Centenary Lounge

Wyevale Garden Centres

Factory Arts

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

IT WAS ONLY ROCK ’N’ ROLL - BUT WE LIKED IT An exhibition celebrating popular music at

from 1961 to 1990. The exhibition features

Malvern Winter Gardens, 1961-1990 The

images of over 400 posters, tickets, flyers

town of Great Malvern is well known for

and fanzines as well as recorded memories

its classical music connections, but many

from audience members, musicians and

people are unaware of Malvern’s other

promoters who were all part of the Malvern

musical story.

Winter Gardens story.

From the early 1960s, for a period of around

“I’ve played everywhere in Britain, pretty

30 years, Malvern Winter Gardens rocked

much. But there’s lots of places I’d love

to the sounds of bands such The Jam, The

to go back to. Malvern Winter Gardens,

Kinks, The Who, Pink Floyd, Motorhead,

somewhere like that.” Paul Weller, The

Hawkwind and many more, some of whom

Jam (Courtesy of Guardian News &

were in their infancy at the time.

Media Ltd.)

Malvern-based charity Rock Around the

The exhibition runs from 1st to 29th June

Hills has created an interactive exhibition

at Malvern Library, and from 2nd to 30th

celebrating the story of rock, punk and

July at The Hive in Worcester. Admission

progressive rock at the Winter Gardens

is free. n

n 4 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

FINANCE OPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE

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HERE & NOW

‘Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.’ - Pablo Picasso Finding and enjoying your creativity is a powerful, inventive and enriching experience. Having an experienced artist and tutor guide you along that path, in a beautiful setting in the Wyre Forest over a 12 week course will enable you to find your inner creative talents, express yourself and see the world in a different way.

From an absolute novice to an intermediate artist, the three stage course we offer allows you to develop as an artist over time, build a portfolio; have fun; take the air in the forest

and work with great quality materials in an eco-friendly environment. Factory Arts set themselves apart from other art classes in their approach, it’s not just drawing apples, we adapt to your understanding of art, through a full range of media. The inner child Pablo mentions is yours to explore.

Factory Arts - In The Forest runs from 15th/16th May 2019 for 12 weeks either on a Wednesday or Thursday with Classes for Beginners or Intermediate artists visit www. abigailmartin.co.uk for more information. n

MARGOT FONTEYN CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Margot Fonteyn was an iconic figure in British ballet. Along with Ninette de Valois and Frederick Ashton she was instrumental in shaping of the Royal Ballet company and the direction of British Ballet. Fonteyn was renowned for her great performances of the classics. Her charming quality and steely technique set the standards for the British Ballerina’s.

Fonteyn was also celebrated for her famous dance partnership with the great Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev.

Join Ballet Theatre UK as we mark the centenary of the great ballet icon with a celebration of her greatest moments in the classical ballet repertoire, including highlights from Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle and many more.

The evening promises to be a spectacular homage to Fonteyn, from her first steps in the ballet studio to her final curtain call. n

URGENT NEWSPAPER APPEAL FOR RESCUED ANIMALS D.W.A.E.C (Dinosaur Wildlife and Education Centre) are appealing to the general public to donate their old newspapers, to help with bedding for the animals living at their sanctuary.

MALVERN WALKING FESTIVAL 2019

Saturday 25th May – Sunday 2nd June Plans are already in place for the next Malvern Walking Festival and the organisers are anticipating a sell-out.

The 2019 programme will be the 15th annual event. Supported by Malvern Hills District Council, Elts shoes and other local businesses the Festival was conceived to encourage visitors to Malvern and the same holds true today. There are over 60 walks available this year over the 9 days making it one of the largest walking festivals in southern England.

Add to that, the fact that the Malvern Hills are in an Area of Outstanding Natural beauty and it’s not surprising the Festival is proving so popular, with over a 1000 walks booked in 2018.

There will be a wide variety of walks available in the 2019 Festival so there’s something for everybody regardless of n 6 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

ability or interest. Some of the walks are short and themed including farming, geology, local history, brewing and even a country estate and afternoon tea walk.

Some are more challenging. There’s a 6 day 63 mile Ten Castles trail starting in the Black Mountains and finishing in Ross on Wye; there’s the Wyche Way going from Kington to Broadway passing through Malvern, plus dozens of other shorter walks ranging from a couple of hours in the morning, afternoon or evening to full days and walks from 1 mile to 18 miles (Malvern Hills end 2 end and back) or even 32 miles (Worcestershire Way in a day).

Full details and bookings are available on MWFestival’s website www. malvernwalking.uk or at the Malvern Tourist Information Centre in person or phone 01684 892289 or follow us on Facebook MalvernWalkingFestival n

D.W.A.E.C is a family run business, based on the A449 in Dunhampton, providing educational animal and dinosaur shows for schools and children’s parties. They receive many rescued animals from unwanted homes, from all over the country, and provide a forever loving home for them. They were recently given four unwanted pet tortoises, six lovebirds and a 12foot python, which had grown too big for its previous owner’s enclosure.

Newspaper is used in most of the enclosures for many of the animals including birds, reptiles, pygmy hedgehogs, meerkats and mongooses.

“We would like to help as many animals as possible; any newspapers the general public could provide would be a great help,” Says Steve Rowlands, director of DWAEC. You spare newspapers will help a great variety of rescued animals at D.W.A.E.C such as, parrots, reptiles, pygmy hedgehogs, small rodents, insects.

For more information on D.W.A.E.C, please see their website www.dwaec.co.uk. To donate newspapers contact director Kelly Shambley on 07521 929742. n

Free meet the expert, patient awareness evening.

We can help with any of your questions on hand, wrist or elbow problems.

Thursday 6th June, 6pm at the Spire Clinic Droitwich Spa, 29 Worcester Road, Droitwich, WR98AA Please contact 01905 362 011 to book

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HOME & GARDEN

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O o G

rs doo t u o the e c a r Emb

n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

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HOME & GARDEN

Portable Barbecue www.annabeljames.co.uk

Rogue Special Edition 525 Rear & Side Infrared Burner Scotts of Thrapston available from Napoloeon Grills

Any sign of the slightest bit of sunshine and we’re ready to head outside and bask in the rays, so its time to start thinking about moving outside and making the most of your garden.

Napoleon’s signature Sizzle Zone™ infrared

Recent bursts of warmth throughout this early part of spring, have lead to people already starting to plan their summer parties to entertain their friends and family alike.

We take a look at how you can soak up the fresh spring air with ideas to spruce up your garden in the coming months.

you can easily tuck away during the winter,

King of the grill The BBQ is a staple to the British summer, whether on a hot summers day, or persevering through the wind and rain, outside gatherings wouldn’t be the same without the smokey smell of your food on the grill. It can be tempting to wait until the last minute and buy a disposable tray from your local supermarket, but you can only use them once and burn very quickly.

shut. Great for a day out with friends, at the

The new Rogue SE525RSIB is the ultimate gas model for any aspiring grill-master looking to upgrade their barbecue game.

With the capacity to cook for up to 15 people, this model features 4 main burners plus

hand painted pottery and hand blown

side burner, which heats up to 0-800°C in 30 seconds searing extra flavour into every meal, and an infrared rear rotisserie burner.

If you are looking for something smaller that this portable barbecue from Gentlemen’s Hardare is a larger version of the minisuitcase portable barbecue, you can cook up a storm wherever you roam, featuring a lightweight stainless steel construction with a navy powder coated finish and clasp to lock beach, on a boat, on holiday, or for a picnic.

The perfect setting Create the ideal environment for your perfect

dining

experience

by

paying

attention to the small details. Add candles, bunting and even rugs to bring home comforts outside into the garden. Susie Watson Designs (pictured above) have a selection of handcrafted chairs, cushions, wine glasses that incoroprate unique and interesting designs with an English feel.

CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

www.susiewatsondesigns.co.uk

n 10 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

HOME & GARDEN

n Innovative Design n Competitive Pricing n 40 years Experience n Free 3D Cad design Service n Professionally operated by caring tradesmen n Please check our customer reviews on our website n Every Contract Fully Project Managed

Lifetime Guarantee on installation work Contact Chris direct on 07791661347 E: chris@crgkitchens.co.uk

www.crgkitchens.co.uk

STANDARD UNITS

TRAILERS

OAK ALVAC

DOORCHESTER

We offer units for Construction and Event Hire across Worcestershire and surrounding areas

01299 254420

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

HOME & GARDEN www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

La Rochelle Globe Lanterns www.annabeljames.co.uk

The Spring and Summer 2019 collections

and last minute hosting. If tight on space, opt

include new products from Tesco Home and Fox

for folding furniture and smaller BBQ styles

& Ivy including lanterns, tealight holders, vases,

that can be stored with ease”, Caroline Mann,

jugs and their Kosmo range of bowls. They

Outdoor furniture buyer.

have a a Scandi-chic feel with geometric prints, modern florals and pastel tones, while Fox & Ivy maintains its luxury look with statement floral prints and metallic touches, but also introduces a more relaxed, everyday look with earthy tones, reactive glaze and brushed gold.

Garden Drinks Trolley www.aplaceforeverything.co.uk

Garden entertaining wouldn’t be the same without a little music. Combining high quality, pin-sharp audio with exceptional design, the unique Rock Garden Speaker from Lithe Audio is perfect for entertaining outdoors, or

Firepits and fire bowls are perfect for late

for keeping you entertained while gardening

night entertaining when the sun goes down.

year-round. The speaker

Aplaceforeverything.com has a wide range

a rock, designed to fit discreetly into your

of outdoor heaters from Globe Fire pits to

surroundings while delivering exceptional

smaller Swedish fire logs as well as loungers

sound quality. Just power up, connect your

and hammocks for those who

device, stream off Spotify, You Tube or your

want to

is disguised as

embrace the late night air.

personal playlists and podcasts.

English Country Garden

To keep the little ones entertained in the

Bring back the feel of a quintessential English

garden this summer, Little Tikes have a range

Country Garden by adding a traditional touch

of slides and games guaranteed to keep your

to your garden. From deck chairs reminiscent

children busy. From a Fountain Factory Water

of the British seaside, to whimsical lighting

Table to their first slide, these toys will definitely

and pastel-toned bistro sets, Wyevale Garden

be a fun addition to any garden. For bigger

Centres have selected ‘The British Picnic’ as

children or for those young at heart, go big with

their star buy for this summer.

giant versions of your favourite board games;

“Whether you have a small balcony or sprawling garden, these items are easily portable and offer an instant burst of colour - perfect for picnics

n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

Party Time

Jenga, Connect Four and even giant snakes and ladders are perfect for the whole family. n

By Daisy Bennett

0%

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FINANCE

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We offer the highest quality workmanship and services, including: Boiler installations Gas, Oil and LPG > Domestic and Commercial > Boiler servicing Gas, Oil and LPG Boiler maintenance Gas, Oil and LPG > Full installations of Gas, Oil and LPG > Gas safety inspections Landlord certificates > Renewable energy installations > Hot water cylinders (gravity, pressurised) Power flushing > Replacement pumps > All your general plumbing needs

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HOME & GARDEN

Edgbaston Showroom

Now Open Classic to

Interiors

announce

are

their

delighted brand

new

showroom on the Harborne Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham, is now open. The new showroom is Classic Interiors’ fourth location in the West Midlands and showcases their latest contemporary and classic kitchen designs. With two floors of beautiful kitchens on display it is a perfect place to find inspiration for your kitchen project. n www.classicinteriors.co.uk n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

HOME & GARDEN

Made-to-Measure Curtains & Blinds Saphira by Romo

• Free consultation in your own home • Fitting service available • • Extensive range of fabrics and accessories • Opening Hours: Wednesday - Friday: 9.30am - 5.00pm Saturday: 10.00am - 4.00pm | Sunday - Tuesday : Closed

61 High Street, Pershore, WR10 1EU

T: 01386 556 411 | M: 07527 047647 | E: veragilesinteriors@btconnect.com

www.veragilesinteriors.co.uk

Worcestershire

Now

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

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

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HOME & GARDEN

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H n w

s e o r e

g enin g d r a in g for is filter y l i s m d fa adition n a r t ds E PAG rien ing up f HE r i p RT e E e h V O ke ot ED NU rn t gia for NTI u O t C n al latio ’s nost u p n po atio ish n t i r e B h the rprise t f o u lf t ha t’s no s nts. s o i la Alm e, so eir p h c i t v to ad ugh o r th

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n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

HOME & GARDEN

Worcestershire

Now

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

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

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

HOME & GARDEN

As old-time favourites return to our beds and borders, gardeners are also gaining a greater awareness around plant health and the benefits of UK-grown produce, putting native species back on the trending chart.

The resurgence of traditional plants Sentiment runs through the soil for Brits and in times of uncertainty, they turn to what they know and what comforts them. Oldtime favourites are seeing a resurgence as gardeners opt for ‘tried and tested’ varieties; from bedding classics that deliver a show for months, whatever the weather, to traditional blooms that offer attractive cut flowers.

Traditional plants have not only infiltrated residential gardens, but have also returned as front-runners in flower shows across the nation – from local villages to the prestigious grounds of Chelsea and Chatsworth. Today’s gardeners are more inclined to break the rules with their planting schemes, encouraging new varieties of British classics to be introduced. Primroses are relishing their time in the spotlight, with 2019 celebrating the launch of the new primrose ‘Sweetie’, an exclusive to Wyevale Garden Centres, which can be grown both indoors and out.

Rockeries also witnessed a revival in 2018, with alpines accounting for over 15% of all perennial plant sales.

Perfectly suited to the modern world, alpines have a long flowering period and are extremely easy to look after, thriving in containers and shrugging off drought and neglect. To meet with customer demand, ‘The Rockery’ zone will be introduced to centres in 2019, comprising alpines, heathers and mini conifers.

Best of British Provenance, pests and plant quality are at the forefront of conversations in the gardening world as well as high on the food agenda. Disease threats to plants across Europe are turning gardeners’ attentions to the benefits of buying British, with a stronger feeling of responsibility towards championing native species in the garden.

Edible gardens are also experiencing a British boost. All vegetable and herb n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

plants stocked by Wyevale Garden Centres are grown in the UK, with lines that were previously imported moving towards a UK supply.

To combat the threat of Xylella fastidiosa, a bacterial plant disease which attacks many Mediterranean plants, Wyevale Garden Centres made the conscious decision to remove olive trees, oleanders and polygalas from centres in 2018. This has given way to larger specimen conifers as well as fig trees, bay trees and palms, all of which have seen sales growth as a knock-on effect. The biggest growth has come from the Chusan palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, one of the hardier palms that can grow as happily in Surrey as it can in Shanghai.

Dahlia dreaming The decadent flower, which first rose to fame in the 19th Century before being relegated to the nostalgic corner of the garden, is once again storming the trending charts. It’s evident that they deliver all the 21st Century expectations we have for our outdoor plants: with a long flowering period that lasts until the first frost, they make fabulous cut flowers, have increasingly decorative foliage and are wonderfully photogenic.

Their wow-factor flowers, which often bloom in abundance, offer value for money and have put them at the cutting edge of garden fashion. Throughout their flowering season, dahlias now dominate social media feeds as gardeners show off their achievements, while others appreciate the oversized blooms in a seasonal vase arrangement or as the centrepiece to their bridal bouquet.

When it comes to colour combinations, pastels are leading the way, with new shades for 2019 including ‘Iceball’ (lemonyellow and white), and ‘Lavender Swirl’. New varieties of the popular ‘Gardenetta’ dahlia series will welcome spectacularly coloured, big blooms on plants compact enough to be grown in containers – perfect for space-starved gardeners. n For more information and to find your nearest Wyevale Garden Centre visit www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

RED Garden Rooms Bespoke Garden Rooms Designed Around Your Needs

Atco Mowers: Rotary Mowers, 4-wheeled or roller and Cylinder Mowers. Other makes available.

Strimmers and Brushcutters: Husqvarna, Stiga and Tanaka; including Cordless

Red Garden Rooms are a Worcester company offering stunning, premium quality contemporary rooms and offices to suit your exact needs and budget.

Home Office

All our buildings are made to order, so we maintain maximum flexibility in terms of creating a design that suits all of your requirements.

Art Studio

We’d love to discuss how we can help with your garden building project. Whether you are looking for a garden office where you can break away from the daily commute, an art studio for your own quality time, a Kids Cave away from your living area or just a place to relax. Please call today for an appointment and see how we can add quality and value to your garden space.

Worcestershire

Now

Study Kids Cave

T: 01905 928202 | M: 07858 601500

www.redgardenrooms.co.uk

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

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

Worcestershire

Low Maintenance Garden

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NATURE NOTEBOOK House Martin © Wendy Carter

. . . u o Y r a e N e v a E n On a If you’re very lucky, you may have already noticed your neighbourhood’s house martins returning.

Along with swifts and swallows, they’re perhaps one of our best-known summer birds and one of the reasons for this is that they quite like having us as neighbours. In fact, I’m so used to seeing them nesting in villages and on housing estates, that I was shocked when I saw them nesting on cliffs a few years ago; I’d completely forgotten that our houses are actually a substitute for their more natural setting!

House martins are a beautiful shiny blue-black on top with white underneath and a distinctive white rump – catch site of this latter feature for a quick way of separating them from swallows.

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

House martins like to build their nests under the eaves of our houses. I’d love to have them nesting where I live but I have to make do with the fact they nest a few doors down and that our eaves aren’t quite right. Whilst house martin ‘owners’ may not always appreciate the mess they make, spare a thought for these beautiful birds whose populations are declining and who take more than 1000 beak-sized pellets of mud to create the nests (it’s no wonder they often try to repair old ones)! House martins are semi-colonial so if they choose your house, you’ll probably find several families setting up home. Their preferred spots are underneath overhangs or under the top of a gable end and, obviously, there needs to be a good source of mud not too far away.

n 20 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

If you’re lucky enough to have house martins in your area, you may notice they arrive in April and then seemingly disappear; they don’t begin construction work as soon as they get here. Imagine flying here from Africa – you’d want to take a breather and you’d definitely want to find some food. The more pollen and nectar rich plants we have in our gardens, the more insects there will be for them to eat. The more insects they eat, the faster they’ll come into breeding condition and the sooner they can build those nests. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that these aerial acrobats have suffered a 65% decline in recent decades so anything that we can do to help – like putting up artificial nest boxes or encouraging insects in our gardens - could really make a difference to their survival.

Watching the comings and goings of house martins near you could be just one Random Act of Wildness that you undertake if you sign up for our 30 Days Wild challenge. Throughout June we encourage as many people as possible to do something a little wild each day – from planting flowers for bees or drinking your favourite tipple in the garden whilst listening to birdsong, we’re sure that everyone can make space in their lives for nature. Sign up now www.wildlifetrusts. org30DaysWild. n Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

NATURE NOTEBOOK

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Protect Your Skin

With the days getting longer and (fingers crossed) warmer, we take a look at the latest products to protect you and your family from the sun’s harmful rays.

NATURAL SPF-25 SUNBLOCK

Yaoh’s new sunblock is a cutting-edge product containing non-nano Zinc Oxide as its active ingredient, giving a complete UVA and UVB protection, ideal for all skin types and excellent for children and those with sensitive skin. www.yaoh.co.uk

GARNIER AMBRE SOLAIRE KIDS SENSITIVE ADVANCED

MARY KAY SUNSCREEN

This range offers very high protection for children’s sensitive and delicate skin (SPF50+), and protects against UVB, UVA and Long UVA rays. Developed for fair, sensitive and sun intolerant skin. The formula has a light texture and is water resistant.

Available at all High Street and supermarket stores

Offering advanced protection against sunburn and premature skin ageing, Mary Kay® Sunscreen SPF 50 should be used during extended time in the direct sun or at higher elevations. It is your first line of defense against the sun – the #1 cause of skin ageing.. www.marykay.co.uk

SUN CARE COLLECTION

To help you stay beautiful and enjoy an all-over tan with no health risks, Clarins offers a range of sun protection products. For added comfort and convenience, Clarins sun protection products come in a variety of different textures and protection levels. www.clarins.co.uk

ROSALIQUE 3 IN 1 ANTI REDNESS

Derived from natural ingredients, vegan friendly and cruelty free, Rosalique 3 in 1 anti redness cream contains SPF 25 and has a triple action effect to protect your skin against the sun.

n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Luxury Lingerie, Swimwear and Nightwear Cup sizes A to K

Worcestershire

Now

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

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

Brands include Prima Donna, Marie Jo, Lise Charmel, Maison Lejaby

EMPREINTE

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 23 n

HEALTH & BEAUTY

UV ESSENTIEL

SUNSENSE ULTRA

SunSense Ultra is a light, smooth and easy-toapply, non-grease lotion for the whole family. It boasts an impressive 4hr water resistance, SPF 50+, UVA and UVB broad spectrum protection, and while it’s busy at work protecting your skin you can relax in the heat knowing your skin is being cared for by SunSense. www.sunsense.co.uk

Step up your game with complete protection. Beyond shielding skin from all harmful UV rays (short and long UVA, UVB, indoor lighting), UV ESSENTIEL combines two natural and powerful ingredients.

An exceptional gel-cream texture combines the lightness of a gel with the comfort of a cream, going the extra step for long-lasting luminosity. The skin’s youthful quality is preserved and extended. www.chanel.com

DAILY DEFENSE SHIELD

A super lightweight sunscreen that offers broad protection against environmental factors including UV rays, pollution and high energy visible light. www.elemis.com

KELO-COTE® UV SPF 30 SILICONE SCAR TREATMENT GEL

This gel works to prevent new scars from forming or to improve the appearance of scars that are up to 4 years old. It can be used on scars from cosmetic surgery, c-sections, general surgical scars and burns too.

Available to buy from local pharmacies, via Amazon and from Boots.

BEST WESTERN SALFORD HALL HOTEL WEDDING FAIR Sunday 12th May, 12pm – 4pm

Free entry, free goody bag, complimentary glass of bubbly on arrival, canapés and mini desserts to try

EXCLUSIVE USE PACKAGES FROM £3,500 SPECIAL OFFER

Book and confirm your wedding by 31/05/19 with a deposit and receive £500 off our platinum and diamond packages for dates in 2020

Abbots Salford, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 8AA

Tel: 01386 871300 | Email: events@salfordhall.co.uk | www.salfordhall.co.uk n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

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FOOD & DRINK

New Art Deco Bistro Leads the Way in Foregate Street As the consultation process

The bistro menu will be created by chef Chris

for improvements to Foregate

Holland whose own restaurant in Cheshire

Street station gains momentum,

has been awarded 3AA Rosettes and has

Midlands-based company Centenary Lounge,

previously appeared on the BBC2 series – the

is all set to open a stunning new bistro café

Great British Menu.

close by this Spring.

Centenary Lounge opens on Saturday 6th April

The Art Deco themed, GWR inspired café

and will offer a full complement of breakfast

and restaurant hopes to attract commuters,

choices from 8am, light lunches, luxury afternoon

shoppers and visitors to the City of Worcester;

teas and later dining; as well as quick snacks, hot

whilst also supporting suppliers of some of

chocolates, chilled wines and cocktails.

the best food and drink produced in the Locally sourced food and drink will showcase

surrounding area.

the best of produce from in and around

The five-storey, Georgian, Grade II Listed

Worcestershire; with ales, ciders, smoked fish,

premises at No. 31 The Cross, near Foregate

to tastefully recapture the experience and

dates back to about 1730 and a careful,

ambience of a First-Class period railway buffet

challenging and extensive refurbishment has

from the golden age of travel. It feels good

taken three years to complete. This has been a

to have used local contractors throughout the

For more information about other Centenary

real ‘labour of love’ for new owner Aasia Baig,

build, to now offer new jobs in the city and

Lounge bistros in the region, opening

who said: “Our vision was to create a strikingly

to provide a menu that looks first to local

times, menus, services and events, go to

beautiful bistro in the style of 1930s Art Deco,

producers for inspiration .”

www.centenarylounge.com

The Riverside Inn is situated deep in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside just on the southern edge of Mortimer Forest, yet still close to Ludlow and Hereford.

Authentic and atmospheric, the 16th century black and white building is surrounded by the natural beauty of the River Lugg valley.

Enjoy award winning Marches food alongside local cider, ale or gin in a truly Herefordshire Inn and restaurant with log fires, candles, oak beams and stonework.

Extend your visit by booking an overnight stay in one of our newly refurbished rooms or one of our new garden cabins.

n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

cheeses, chutneys, sauces, fudge, cakes and numerous other offerings on the new menu. n

the

Wagon Wheel at grimley

Join us for a unique dining experience, steeped in tradition Silver Service

• Crystal Glasses • • Linen napkins • • Dishes flambéd in the restaurant •

Restaurant Meals and Bar Snacks

Served lunchtime and evening

Interesting Main Courses

Specialities du Maitre d’Hotel

fillet wrapped in bacon, grilled and served on onions, mushrooms, peppers and red wine sauce

fillet steak, shallots, mushrooms, flamed in sherry and brandy and served with cream sauce

Fillet Steak Wagon Wheel

Steak Voronoff

Calves Liver with crispy bacon

Steak Monkey Gland

served with a Balsamic Reduction

sirloin steak in sherry, mushrooms, shallots, brandy and cream

Rack of Lamb

Steak Diane

served with a Blueberry and Port sauce

Tournedo Rossini

fillet of beef with pate on crouton and Marsala wine

Veal Cordon Bleu

escalope of veal sandwiched with parma ham and cheese, bread crumbed, pan fried and served on a clear sauce

Duckling with Orange Sauce Chicken Valdostana

Chicken Breast breadcrumbed, pan fried, topped with parma ham and cheese.

sirloin steak, mustard, onions and mushrooms flamed in brandy and red wine

Fillet of Beef Stroganoff

fillet cut into strips cooked with shallots, mushrooms, paprika, white wine and finished with brandy, served on a bed of rice

Chicken Wagon Wheel

breast of chicken cooked in butter with chopped mushrooms, seasoned and flamed with brandy and white wine and served with cream sauce

Monkfish Newberg

escaloped monkfish tail flamed with brandy, sherry finished with lobster sauce & cream

Traditional Sunday Lunch

A choice of meats including roast beef carved at your table.

Three courses plus coffee

For the Vegetarian Fillet Steak au Poivre

Spinach, Feta and Pinenuts Pancakes

fillet steak with shallots and crushed peppercorns, flamed in brandy and red wine served with cream sauce

served with a tomato and basil sauce

Veal Marsala

Mushroom Stroganoff

escalope of veal, pan fried mushrooms, flamed with brandy, marsala and cream sauce

Fillet Steak Mignon

split fillet cooked with shallots, tomato, mushrooms and red wine, served with artichoke hearts with brandy and cream

Fillet Steak Mexican

fillet steak cooked with shallots, peppers, hot chillies, red wine and mustard, flamed with brandy

See our Bar Board for Seasonal Specials

Vegetable Canneloni served on a bed of rice

Vegetable Stir Fry

served on a bed of rice

Spinach and Ricotta Tortellini with Tomato & Basil sauce

Sweet Temptation Crepes Suzette

pancakes finished with orange juice, sugar, a little butter and Grand Marnier, flamed with Brandy

Sweets from the trolley Selection of Ices/Sorbets A choice of Continental and British Cheese

Open on both Bank Holiday Mondays 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 CLOSED SUNDAY EVENINGS AND ALL DAY MONDAY

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

FOOD & DRINK

Gus the Asparagus Man Makes Chelsea Pensioner Delivery of 1000 Spears on St. George’s Day St. George’s Day is also National Asparagus Day as it marks the start of the English Asparagus Season on 23rd April. This year, the Chelsea Pensioners were the recipients of over 1,000 spears of Vale of Evesham asparagus which was delivered to the Royal Hospital by Gus the Asparagus man in a fleet of Morgan cars.

Accompanying him was asparagus fortune teller Jemima Packington, St. George himself as well as a man who sings about asparagus and a lone Morris dancer.

danced around by Morris Dancers, poets

being awarded geographical protected food

recited odes to it and singers sang songs to it.

status, restaurants, pubs and eateries join the

Throughout the Vale of Evesham, where the

celebrations by serving asparagus in every

best asparagus is said to be grown and has

imaginable guise, from jam to sausages and

been recognised by the European Union by

even soap! n

The start of the asparagus season was marked in eccentric British style with the first-cut round of asparagus being celebrated and revered. The “100” round of asparagus was then taken by a fleet of vintage cars to its final destination - in the past this has included Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. This year the Chelsea Pensioners were the recipients with the asparagus troupe arriving at 3pm on 23rd April.

Before setting out on the journey from Worcestershire, the asparagus was blessed,

Join us this summer with our fantastic new menu or stay in one of our brand new bedrooms

Join us at

The Bell Inn this summer

Martley Road, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6QG | Tel: 01905 640220 | www.thebellinnbroadheath.co.uk n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

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GOLDEN YEARS

It's Time to Take Action From Monday 20 to Sunday 26 May, it’s Dementia Action Week – a week that unites individuals, workplaces and communities to take action and improve the lives of people living with dementia.

Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia. This means almost all of us knows someone affected by dementia – a family member, customer or member of staff – and it doesn’t just affect old people. But too many people living with dementia report feeling cut off from their community, losing their friendships and facing the condition alone.

Having dementia shouldn’t mean an isolated life. And it doesn’t have to. The actions from all of us can create supportive communities, where people living with the condition can continue to socialise with others, hop on the bus, go to their favourite shops or take part in local activities for as long as possible.

We all have a role to play in making the UK a dementia-friendly place to live and that’s what Dementia Action Week is all about. From putting on your own event, to displaying our posters around your local area – there are actions big and small we can all do during the Week that will make your community a more inclusive place for people affected by dementia.

Here are the ways you can get involved in the week and join the growing number of people uniting against dementia: n 30 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

Put on an event An event is an exciting and fun way to get everyone together to take action on dementia, shown by the 900 plus events that took place across the UK during Dementia Action Week 2018. Why not: Organise an information stand This could be at your local supermarket, library or village hall. To help promote your stand and to make sure people have something to take away, check out our materials and how to order below.

Hold an open day or event and invite people with dementia If you’re part of a community group or have a talent like art or singing, why not put on an open day or event for people affected by dementia to attend? Organise a gig in your local care home or invite people with dementia along to your regular community group. A wonderful way to get the full community involved, talk about what people affected by dementia in your community want to improve and how your community can take action to be more inclusive.

Become a Dementia Friends Champion If you want to spread awareness of dementia

through Dementia Friends messaging, becoming a Dementia Friends Champion might be right for you. Champions are trained volunteers who host Dementia Friends Information Sessions encouraging people to learn more about dementia and take action. Why not host a Dementia Friends Information Session at your local school or community group? Visit dementiafriends.org. uk/champion for more information on how to become a Dementia Friends Champion.

Fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society We have plenty of ideas to help you raise money for Alzheimer’s Society during the Week. Why not host a tea party, raffle or quiz. Visit alzheimers. org.uk/get-involved/events-and-fundraising/ do-your-own-fundraising for inspiration and support. The vital money you raise will fund ground-breaking research and help us to support everyone affected by dementia.

Where possible, make sure you include people with dementia at your event – events should be dementia-friendly and inclusive.

Take a look at our checklist for making environments more dementia-friendly at alzheimers.org.uk/DAWenvironmenttips n For more information visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved

GOLDEN YEARS

Worcestershire

Now

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

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

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

EDUCATION

We're All in it Together Gresham’s provides revision tips for parents this exam season.

As the May exam season draws closer, parents and guardians will be thinking how best to support their children to make the most out of their revision time – particularly during Easter break and study leave, when students will be spending the majority of their time revising outside of the school gates. Mark Seldon, Director of Studies, Gresham’s School, shares his advice for exam success, and explains why parents, teachers and the student are “all in it together” when it comes to revision.

One size doesn’t fit all One of the most common questions I am asked by parents is “how should my child be revising?” Often to much disappointment, but not to any real surprise, my answer is that a one size fits all approach to revision isn’t the solution. The most effective methods for revision will vary from student to student, but parents cannot, and should not, assume that their child knows what the best process is for them. It is important parents are equipped with some encouraging advice on different ways they could be revising. A few tried and tested methods are: Bin the highlighters My number one piece of advice for effective exam preparation is to bin highlighters, and focus on re-writing notes as many times, and in as many ways, as possible. Just reading a text book or watching a video is not enough.

In order to fully digest information, students need to read the text or watch the film, and then write it down – first, in long note form, then condensed into shorter notes, and finally transferred to memory cards containing key pieces of information only.

Be their coach When it comes to revision, there is often n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

some confusion in where the role of the school ends, and where the parent’s role begins. But the truth is that we are all in it together, teachers, parents, siblings; we are the coaches and supporters, getting our star player ready for their very own FA Cup Final. During busy home revision periods, it is important that parents make themselves as available and are as encouraging as possible. Is it possible to give a quick-fire quiz at the breakfast table? Can half an hour be allocated after work for students to give a presentation on the topic they have gone over that day? Parents should be their audience, be their quizmaster, and encourage students to present their knowledge effectively and confidently because, after all, this is what they will need to be doing when they enter the exam room.

revision, it is good practice to set them small,

Show us what you’ve learnt It can be overwhelming for a student to consider how they will refresh and remember everything they have learnt over two years, but one way to overcome this is to break topics down into bite-sized mini exams to make revision less daunting. When a student finishes revising a unit, it is good practice for them to either write themselves a mini test or design a presentation on the topic. Then, a few days or weeks later, they should go back to the topic, and use these revision methods to test their knowledge ahead of the main exam. If they can present the information effectively, or score highly in the test, then well done - the information has been clearly digested and understood, the student should be feeling exam confident.

for study, but remember these weeks are

How to switch on and when to switch off If parents feel their child needs some extra encouragement to engage with their

achievable goals that can be celebrated, rather than looking at the big battle ahead.

Simply telling them to “revise” isn’t overly effective – because what does that actually mean? Instead, parents should give them a task, an achievable, quantifiable goal: “Do five mini-tests.”, “Re-write two pages of notes from earlier.”.

Another question I am often asked by parents is “how long should my child be revising for?”.

Of course, this again will vary from student to student but, if they are maintaining a similar pace as term time, then, during study leave, eight hours a day - comprising 8 x 45 minute study sessions, each followed by a 15 minute break – should be plenty of time spent revising at home. During the Easter holidays, there should, of course, be time allocated important for relaxation and rest too.

Students can get very bogged down by the weight of exams and it is important to keep encouraging them to do the things they love as well, to get out and enjoy some fresh air and some exercise. At Gresham’s we are very fortunate to be located on the edge of the beautiful North Norfolk coast – perfect for coastal walks, climbing or even occasionally a swim. But a stroll in a park, or even just a walk to the shops, will equally give your child some much needed headspace and a break from the desk. Encouraging children to take care of their health and wellbeing is so important, and hopefully these revision tips will help alleviate the anxiety that might be felt in the run up to exam season. n Mark Seldon Director of Studies, Greham’s School

EDUCATION

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What's On

What's On

OUR GUIDE TO THE BEST EVENTS THIS MONTH

Saturday 4th

Star Wars in Concert Kidderminster Town Hall

MAY Friday 3rd

of all ages to experience the music live, in concert. Get your tickets now, before they sell out! Call 07590 431965 for details.

Bearded Lady Daytime Comedy Club Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 10.30am (for 11 start) – 1pm. Top comedians for babies and their parents. Tickets: £6.50 in advance, or £8 on the door. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Sunday 5th

Mumbo Jumbo Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 8pm-10pm. Top pianoled, close harmony singer song-writing duo. Tickets: Pay What You Think It’s Worth. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Saturday 4th Star Wars in Concert Hear the music of the Star Wars film performed live in concert by The film Orchestra on International Star Wars Day, 2019 at Kidderminster Town Hall. Experience the thrill of this 50-piece orchestra playing some of the best-loved music from the bestloved sci-fi franchise. Conductor: Michael Cobb; Orchestra Leader: Marie RobertsWatkins. With special guest appearances and Star Wars themed artists, this is a great occasion for fans of film music & Star Wars n 34 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

May Day Revels We’re celebrating May Day the traditional way! Join us in dancing around the Maypole in the Hall’s beautiful gardens, and come and meet the legendary Green Man! And discover history through the Ages with a multi-period re-enactment – a festival of history from Agincourt to the World Wars!

The event runs from 11.30-3.30pm.

Monday 6th A May Day Garden Festival Celebrate the joys of gardens and gardening at Hartlebury Castle, with fascinating talks and displays, great items to buy and win, tours of the grounds and family fun 11-4pm.

Usual admission charges apply. For ore information, visit www.hartleburycastle.com

Wednesday 8th Music Hall Tavern Whatever your age, come along and join Mrs T and the “girls” from MHT this spring for a truly magnificent night of dazzling costumes, side-splitting laughter and a cast of unique characters singing and dancing all night

long., at The Swan Theatre, Worcester. The UK’s premier comedy drag show is back for its 6th year with a brand new hilarious, fabulous, glamorous show for 2019!A feel-good night that will not only entertain and amuse you, but will leave you with unforgettable memories of the funniest night out of the year! Starring the sensational Paul Carroll as Mrs T and Lee Sanderson as Peggy Lee, and featuring the Showcase International Dancers.

Friday 10th Forgotten Heroes of Comedy Relive the days of the once celebrated stars, from the silent days of Hollywood to the comedy club boom, in this affectionate clip-packed tribute by best-selling comedy historian Robert Ross. The forgotten heroes of comedy are forgotten no longer! The show runs from 7.30-10pm at Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate. To book, call 01905611427.

Saturday 11th Charity Fairy Ball Come & Support this amazing Fun Fairy Ball Event at The Memorial Hall in Worcestershire helping raise funds for The Worcestershire Breast Unit Haven. We have some Great CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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

What's On Prizes donated so far for the charity raffle.

Get your Ball tickets now to take part in the Evening Raffle. Tickets still only £13 including glass of Bubbly on arrival. Running from 7-11pm, for more information, go to www.somethingdifferentjk.co.uk

Sunday 12th Ralph Court Gardens Plant Fair Free entry to our plant and craft fair on Sunday 12th May 2019. An opportunity to purchase locally grown plants and sundries and craft all day. Fully licensed restaurant on site serving hot and cold lunches a ranges of hot and cold drinks and our scrumptious home made cakes. Please note charges apply to visit the gardens. This has a separate access to the plant fair and restaurant.

Friday 17th The Weir Garden Spring Foraging Course The Weir Garden is a beautiful National Trust property boasting a lovely riverside garden, mature trees and even some ancient Roman ruins. Being just outside Hereford this stunning venue is easy to reach from Weobley, Leominster, Hay-on-Wye, Bromyard, Kington and even Presteigne.

The course starts with a short introduction on what to look for and a brief of the general countryside codes, where they relate to foragers. Then we’ll set off on a roughly 2.5 hour walk around the gardens and along the River Wye, teaching you how to identify the different Spring shoots, plants, flowers and hopefully mushrooms that we find. There will be a break along the way for some homemade refreshments such as our lovely hogweed and wild garlic soup. After the walk we will end the day with a tasty wild food lunch based on what we have found.

This will include some treats made from our recent finds, a wild salad that we will pick on the day and possibly even some wild garlic pesto. After the course we will email you a list of everything we talk about on the day; to help you remember what you have learnt.

There are limited spaces available so please book your tickets online. To book, or for more information, visit www.wildfooduk. com/foraging-trips/herefordshire-the-weirgarden-spring-foraging-courses/

Thursday 23rd The Simon & Garfunkel Story Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this fantastic show also features a full live band performing all the hits, including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more. Direct from a week long run in London’s West End at the Vaudeville Theatre, a sold out worldwide tour and standing ovations at every performance, The n 36 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

Sunday 12th

Plant Fair Ralph Court Gardens Simon & Garfunkel Story is back! Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this fantastic show also features a full live band performing all the hits, including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more.

Get your tickets fast as this is an evening not to be missed! The show runs from 7.30-10pm at The Swan Theatre, Worcester. To book, visit www.worcesterlive.co.uk/events_review. asp?mid=5&offset=10&eid=453061316

Sunday 26th History Through the Ages A festival of history through the Ages! at Harvington Hall. Starting with the battle of Agincourt, discover the lives and times through of the Wars of the Roses and Elizabethan England. Visit a regency picnic, and then immerse yourself in the world Wars.

Meet characters throughout the Ages all at the same time, including Medieval mercenaries, Tudor dancers, Elizabethan musketeers, Georgian gentlemen and soldiers of the World Wars! Join us in celebrating the fascinating history of the past few centuries.

The event runs from 11.30-3.30pm.

Monday 27th Great Malvern Food Festival Spend the day in glorious Great Malvern,

a pretty spa town nestled on the slopes of the magnificent Malvern Hills at the annual Great Malvern Food Festival. Great Malvern Food Festival takes place in the Priory Grounds right in the heart of the town centre with Great Malvern Priory as the stunning backdrop. Come along to sample and buy some incredible artisan local produce with over 60 stallholders selling only the finest, high quality produce from no further than a 50 mile radius. Watch cookery demo’s in our cookery theatre on The Glebe, get involved with some talks and tastings from our local producers and listen to some great music whilst munching away on your recently purchased, scrumptious delights.

This is one food festival in the calendar not to be missed! For more information call 01684 892289.

Wednesday 29th Maefield Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 8pm. The audience are encouraged to join in with The Maefield during this live show, looping audience sounds with their own to create an improvised jamming session. Tickets: Free entry. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

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What's On

Great

Days Out

Waterworks Museum Come with your children and join us trace the history of drinking water from the cave-dwellers up to the present day through wonderful working engines, superb display panels and guide literature.

Our displays in the exhibition area are at a low-level so everyone can see, hear, play and touch. Enjoy audio-visual displays, pick up and touch tactile objects and replica artefacts.

Let off steam in the wide open landscape and explore the Noel Meeke Heritage Water Park; here children and adults can interact with full-size devices for lifting, pumping, moving and filtering water which have been used down the generations. In a totally safe environment children can have immense fun and learn at the same time the difficulties of obtaining water in days gone by. n waterworksmuseum.org.uk

Museum of Royal Worcester The Museum holds the largest collection of Worcester porcelain in the world and has just undergone a major £1.7 million refurbishment supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Whilst being fresh and modern the new displays pay homage to a magnificent history and heritage.

The introductory film features Henry and John Sandon, the

new galleries and show cases are swathed in sumptuous colours showing the collection off to its best advantage. With the recreation of the factory work shop and family parlour amongst some of the new

displays and

high quality interactives there is something for everyone. n www.museumofroyalworcester.org

Mini-Pro Golf Parks Golfing fun for everyone – No Golf experience necessary, just turn up and play! Beautiful Grass Course in a picturesque riverside setting featuring a unique chip and putt course with water features, Pro- Style raised tees, sand-filled bunkers, mini fairways & pristine manicured greens.

Make it safely past the lighthouse, putt through the Minefield, chip over the wooden bridge for a chance for a hole in 1!

Introducing our new feature holes Crocodile Alley: Avoid the new 6 ft long steel Croc patroling the fairway. He’s Raring to Go to gobble up YOU and your ball.

The Birds: The Birdies have gathered to ruin your round.

Play your final shot if you dare to leave the protection of the Tee and complete your journey to the safety of the Clubhouse! n www.miniprogolfparks.com

Newbridge Farm Park 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! n www.newbridgefarmpark.com

JDR Karting Karting: All sessions commence with a driver safety briefing, which familiarises both beginners and experienced drivers of the safety rules and driving techniques which not only aims to keep the experience as safe as possible but also helps to get the most fun out of each session.

The track features 3 high-speed banking corners, which is unique in the UK. The 300m tarmac track provides ample grip to replicate that of an outdoor track providing plenty of adrenalin pumping thrills.

Lasertag Often classified as combat games, Lasertag has a major advantage over paintball in that it

is pain free - no bruising, clean plus having the obvious advantages of being indoors. Lasertag is nonviolent and is a strategy game which is child friendly, but also a great environment for adults too.

Lasertag involves wearing a pack with illuminated blobs attached, which players need to tag with their phasers in order to gain points.

Segway We offer a unique opportunity to learn to ride the top of the range Ninebot Elite indoors at our arena so no matter what the weather you are sure to have a great time. n www.jdrkarting.co.uk

Tubing Parties £110 for a one hour session

with an instructor, we can take a maximum of 18 on the slope (no minimum). There is no age restriction, although we advise children under 5 need to be accompanied down with an adult.

We offer a room for food afterwards at a cost of £20 or free use of the

outside space for a picnic.

Parties available at weekends, term time weekday evenings and school holidays up to 10pm. n Wolverley CE Secondary School, Blakeshall Lane, Kidderminster, DY11 5XQ bookings@wolverley.worcs.sch.uk Tel: 01562 859800

Discover Dudley

canal walks in the borough visit canal walking

at Dudley Zoological Gardens, the amazing

routes and West Midlands walks. Events

underground limestone mines at Dudley

Dudley borough is packed full of great places to visit - award winning attractions, fascinating museums, beautiful parks and nature reserves and the life blood of the industrial revolution, a canal network that provides a stunning ‘green corridor’ through the urban landscape. For information on

and activities take place at all attractions

Canal & Tunnel Trust and an old fashioned

throughout the year.

Victorian street at the Black Country Living

n 38 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

Expect industrial heritage. A history littered with innovation, drive and determination.

Stourbridge Glass Quarter with its 400 years of glassmaking history, an 11th Century castle

Museum where you can meet and chat to costumed characters. There is plenty to keep you amused, educated and entertained. n www.discoverdudley.org.uk

Award winning time capsule of working engines and social history - something for visitors of all ages

Free parking - light refreshments - accessible site Open every Tuesday: 11am to 4pm In-steam April - October on 2nd and last Sunday in month and Bank Holidays (exc. 6th May). Open 12-4pm (in-steam 1pm).

See website for more special events waterworksmuseum.org.uk

Discover three centuries of colourful history through the world’s largest collection of Worcester porcelain A day out everyone can enjoy with hands-on interactive exhibits and family explorer backpacks to borrow - Under-16s come in free Free audio tour with admission (subject to availability) Museum of Royal Worcester, Severn Street, Worcester WR1 2ND T: 01905 21247 www.museumofroyalworcester.org Open Monday to Saturday 10AM - 5PM, Sunday 10AM - 4PM

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Great Days Out

Competition

THE BATTLE PROMS

Win tickets to the 9th Annual Battle Proms

Vignettes, followed by a 2-hour programme

Picnic Concert at Ragley Hall!

of

Every summer thousands of picnic fans

60-piece New English Concert Orchestra.

and music lovers gather their friends, pack

The legendary Grace Spitfire, accredited

up a picnic and head to celebrated local

with shooting down the first enemy aircraft

landmark Ragley Hall for a spectacular

over the Normandy beachhead 75 years

open-air concert. We have 3 pairs of tickets

ago on D-Day, performs a meticulously

to giveaway to this spectacular highlight of

choreographed display to the opening 2

the summer calendar!

pieces of the orchestral performance.

The fun begins with a thrilling mounted skill-

The Battle Proms is still believed to be

at-arms display, in full Napoleonic regalia,

the only opportunity in the world to see

by an expert cavalry troop, followed by a

their signature piece – Beethoven’s ‘Battle

sensational freefall demonstration by The

Symphony’ – performed as he composed

Red Devils, the British Army and Parachute

it: with 193 live firing Napoleonic cannons

Regiment’s official display team.

providing a thunderous percussion!

uplifting

classical

music

from

the

up

This quintessentially British ‘party in the

with toe-tapping vintage vocals from The

park’ features magnificent musical firework

The

musical

entertainment

warms

displays, culminating in a flag waving, singa-long, firework spectacular including all the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites such as Jerusalem, Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

The Battle Proms returns Ragley Hall in Warwickshire on Saturday 10th August.

Are you ready to pack up the hampers and champers and enjoy an unforgettable night out at one of these stunning stately homes?

Visit the Worcestershire Now Facebook page to find out how you could win one of three pairs of tickets to The Battle Proms at Ragley Hall on Saturday 10th August.

Don’t want to leave it to chance? To book tickets for this summer spectacular, visit www.battleproms.com. n

Visit the Worcestershire Now Facebook page for details on how to enter! n 40 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

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KEEPING ACTIVE Start / Finish: The walk starts/ends at the crossroads in centre of Hartlebury at junction of main street with Station Road and Inn Lane just off A449.

Public Transport: The nearest railway station is at Hartlebury. Diamond 303 Buses run periodically throughout the day between Worcester and Kidderminster passing through the centre of Hartlebury - (ask for Station Road). Please check current timetables and Traveline.

Parking: There is street-parking in Hartlebury but please respect local residents an park sensitively leaving space near village shop!

Hartlebury

Elmley Lovett Circular walk

O/S Maps: Explorer sheets 204 and 219. Use sketch-map for entire walk.

Distances: 6 miles for main walk with a shorter variable option of a ‘there and back’ walk between points 1 and 3 (up to 4 miles).

Time: Allow all day for main walk so that you can enjoy a picnic on the way and enjoy this rural walk at a leisurely pace. Short walk am or pm.

Refreshments: There is a useful village shop at the start of the walk in Hartlebury but nothing along this rural route so please ensure that you take a picnic and sufficient water/snacks with you.

Terrain: The village of Hartlebury can be explored by ‘aided’ wheelchairs and pushchairs but there are sections without pavements. The main walk is not arduous and is mainly flat. This country walk encounters kissing-gates, stiles, footbridges and steps. There are horses and cattle on this route so dogs on leads please.

History: Both villages have interesting histories with Elmley Lovett having a ‘bumpy’ field which is all that remains of a lost Medieval Village. Frequently these ‘lost’ villages were wiped out by plague or cholera epidemics but it is easy to ‘lose’ self in this rural area and cast mind back to much earlier times.

Pay attention to the map and directions though as it is also easy to ‘lose’ self in such a rural area, though much of the walk is well signposted.

1. The walk starts at cross-roads where Inn Lane and Station Road meet ‘old’ road through Hartlebury before by-pass (A449) was opened. Please support village shop. From Inn Lane, walk up main street passing shop on right. Sadly ‘The Talbot’ PH (opposite shop) which has stood in village centre for nearly 5 centuries, is no longer a pub but this timber-framed building and adjacent properties have been refurbished as apartments breathing new life into the ‘heart’ of Hartlebury. Walk up slope to footpath on left on outside of bend.

Cross carefully. Walk to stile then across long paddock to cross A449.

Having negotiated stiles and steps, walk diagonally right across field, through opening, across farm-track and diagonally right across next field. Walk beneath power cables and continue to metal kiss-gate in far corner. Walk down steps and follow fence-line on right, down slope towards fishing ponds via several kissing-gates. At lakeside, turn right along path to end of ponds taking footpath through kissing-gate on right. Walk with fence on right through series of kissing-gates to exit over stile onto Crown Lane.

2. Cross busy lane veering slightly right to bridleway opposite. At ‘kink’ in track effectively walk straight on. At next junction, keep straight on. At ‘crossroads’ near woodland, turn left along bridleway, through large gate and follow twisty grass track, past pond, through large gate onto loose surfaced track leading to lane.

3. Turn right towards Valley Farm. Follow lane over Worcester to Birmingham railway line to road junction.

4. Opposite ‘Mount Pleasant Farm’, turn left briefly then right through kissing-gate and across field. You may need to negotiate temporary stock fences. Cross stile in bottom corner of field taking path through kissing-gate on left. Turn immediately right and walk down right side of field beneath power cables to hidden gate in corner. Cross field diagonally (path marked). Follow power cables on left going through small gate on left. Turn left to large gate, over stock-bridge and up through valley of Elmley Brook. Path follows Brook beneath ‘crossroads’ in power cables and beneath second row of cables, through old iron kissing-gate to second footbridge on right with ornate brick V-shaped arch. Turn immediately left to follow Elmley Brook along opposite side.

Follow pretty woodland path. Walk to stile in far left corner, through oak trees leading to leat from old watermill. n 42 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019

5. Cross footbridge over weir via stile, two gates, brick steps and wooden gate. Cross ‘bumpy’ meadow (site of Medieval Village) to Church at Elmley Lovett.

6. Retrace route from Church for 30 yards, turning left along grass track that leads to lane. Turn right then left along Ryelands Lane.

Walk up slope for 200 yards crossing to footpath on left.

7. Follow wooded strip that weaves through woodland area and leads almost up to Walton Lane.

8. Turn left along path between Walton Lane and clay-pit to exit on Walton Lane opposite Pye Hill.

9. Walk to Hartlebury Railway Station.

10. To complete walk, cross ‘level-crossing’, walk uphill beneath A449 to cross-roads in Hartlebury Village. n Written and illustrated by Glynis Dray

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n 44 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 188 | May 2019