Worcestershire Now - NOVEMBER 2022

THE LATEST NEWS FROM YOUR AREA

COVENTRY FILMMAKER DEBUTS FIRST FEATURE FILM AT THE BELGRADE

A new 90-minute feature film by Coventry artist Nyasha Daley will premiere at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre on Friday 11 November 2022. The artdocumentary, Black, Queer & Done, explores how Black, LGBT+ people are portrayed in the media, Arts and cultural sectors and features contributors and artists from Coventry, the wider West Midlands and UK, Africa and the US.

The film features focus group contributions gathered throughout 2021 through a series of online video conferences, with LGBT+ arts professionals and practitioners. These sessions informed three themes: My Queer Me, In-Between-Ness & It’s Giving Thanks. These themes formed the basis of a commission call-out to Black, Queer artists across the Midlands and UK; artists responded with a variety of practice including spoken word, music, dance, and aerial work.

The artistic commissions were filmed in the Belgrade Theatre’s B2, which is where the film will premiere, creating an immersive experience. Commenting on the film, Nyasha said: “I’m incredibly proud of this film; the commentary and commissions are brilliant, interesting, and perhaps different to what someone might expect from the film’s title. We’re hoping that we will attract a diverse audience; the film explores themes that would be of interest to Black people, Queer people and those who would consider themselves allies.

“I’m also really proud and grateful for my awesome crew of Trevor Price and Dwain Daley; between the three of us we have covered so many roles. It’s been brilliant and challenging at times too. The team at the Belgrade have been really supportive and to be able to watch it on the big screen at B2 where we filmed the artists’ performances,

CHARITY HOPES NEW SEASONAL STOCK WILL BRING IN FESTIVE FUNDS

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has launched its new festive merchandise range with a bumper selection of sought-after items in the hope it can raise vital funds to help make further lifesaving missions possible across the Midlands.

The pre-hospital emergency service has expanded its festive merchandise range for 2022, which includes charity Christmas cards, stationery, gifts, and memorabilia.

Items include a new calendar for 2023, entitled ‘Views from the Crew’, which features stunning pictures of the charity’s lifesaving crew alongside one of the charity’s critical care cars, as well as shots of one of its iconic helicopters in flight, all taken by renowned photographer Nigel Harniman. Each of the six counties that the charity serves features twice in this branded calendar.

Also new to the range this year is ‘Maacie’ Bear, a cuddly cream teddy wearing a branded bow, and the Kids Crew colouring pack with a selection of stickers and activities to keep little ones entertained. The popular Mini Medics crew has some new recruits for 2022, with three new figures based on Midlands Air Ambulance Charity crew members, critical care paramedics Ryan James and Laura Rogers, and pre-hospital emergency medicine doctor, Dr Katie White. n

To shop Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s new festive range visit midlandsairambulance.com/shop and follow the organisation on social media for all new product updates.

is just incredible. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone!”

Black, Queer & Done will be screened from 7.30pm on Friday 11 November, with tickets priced at just £5. The BQD team will also be giving away ten tickets via their Instagram account @blackqueerdone from Friday 21 October 2022.

Guests will arrive and enter on the obligatory red carpet; there will be music, merriment, and popcorn on sale too! Everyone attending is invited to stay after the film finishes to dance the night away to a DJ set. The Belgrade’s Nineteen 58 bar will be open, and as well as drinks, guests will also be able to order hot food and snacks. n

For more information, please visit www.belgrade.co.uk/events/black-queerand-done/; the official trailer can be viewed here: youtu.be/brK7yShUiLM

Black, Queer & Done was commissioned by Coventry Pride and funded by Arts Council England’s Cultural Recovery Fund.

LET’S WASTE LESS

Food waste is one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gases and in fact, if it was a country, it would be the third biggest emitter of CO2 behind China and the USA.

It also makes up over a third of the black bin waste that Worcestershire County Council have to dispose of, costing the taxpayer as well as the householder who is often throwing away perfectly edible food due to being unsure about how to store it or use it up. UK households throw away 7.1m tonnes of food & drink each year, which costs them £700 –imagine how much that would help towards household bills in this current economic climate?

The secret to saving food waste is simple; plan your meals, store it correctly and eat what you buy.

Planning: Write a shopping list and check your cupboards before leaving to shop; plan for 5 days a week to allow flexibility and batch cook so you always have something in the freezer.

Shop smart: Only buy what is on your list; buy loose fruit and veg and consider “wonky” veg which is often cheaper. Deliveries of veg boxes of rejected items are a good way to be more sustainable.

Know your dates: “Use by” is for safety and “Best before” is for quality. If you know you won’t use it, either cook it and freeze it or put it in the freezer as food can be frozen up to the use by date.

Savvy storage: Use boxes and bag clips to keep items fresh once opened.

Perfect portions: Try putting pots on the table so people

can serve themselves – often they waste less by doing this; make sure you have a spaghetti measurer or rice scoop to make sure you are cooking the right amount.

Lovely leftovers: Using up the food that is lurking in the back of the fridge before it goes off is the biggest and most important

part of reducing food waste as the majority of wasted food is because people haven’t eaten it in time. Keep a good stock of chopped tomatoes, beans/ pulses and spices to whip up something with that bit of cheese or chicken before it goes off and ends up in the bin!

Share: Use apps like Olio to

share your unwanted food with neighbours; visit your local community fridge which shares food from supermarkets that are nearing their use by date. n

For more information on reducing food waste or eating more sustainably visit www.hubbub.org or www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.

PlanningaNewKitchen

With some careful planning, you can create your dream kitchen that will not only look great but also be practical. We look at everything, from choosing the right combination of units to upgrading your heating!

If you are planning a kitchen and need some help finding a local kitchen showroom, we can match you with the most suitable ones for your project.

1. Plan a practical layout

Most kitchen layouts can adopt the working triangle which is a three-point guide for the placement of the sink, fridge and cooking areas. This rule of thumb works well and is about keeping the most-used areas of the kitchen in close enough proximity to each other.

Ideally the triangle should be no more than 7 metres in distance in total but no less than

3.6 metres to allow for plenty of room for food preparation between the appliances. When planning a kitchen, try and keep the working triangle away from areas of high footfall, particularly if you have young children running through the kitchen!

Keep the dishwasher near the sink and also make sure your bin is located close to the dishwasher too - this will make cleaning up much easier. Lastly, leave at least 30 cm either side of the cooker to allow for food preparation and a place to leave pots

2. Allow plenty of space between the units Allow at least 80 cm behind your cabinets so that you have enough room to comfortably open drawers and cupboard doors - ideally this would be more than 1 metre if you have a busy kitchen.

Carefully consider the proportions of your room when planning a kitchen. For example, don’t squash in a small island unit if

you really don’t have the space - it won’t look right and will spoil your kitchen. There are plenty of great alternative to kitchen islands including a peninsula, placing the island against the wall or a butchers block which can be moved.

3. Do you have enough of the right kind of cupboards?

It’s a great time to go through your kitchen cupboards and recycle things that are lurking about unused, so you are not filling your new kitchen with items you never use. Plan exactly what you need to have in your kitchen and make sure you incorporate enough cupboard space and also the right kind of cupboards and drawers. Wide drawers for pots and plates are so popular right now and look wonderful too.

Instead of having cabinets hung on the wall, consider having one wall with floor to ceiling cabinets and leave the rest of the wall space

free, this will help with the sight lines and make your space feel larger.

Corner carousels are brilliant to gain easy access to the back of a corner unit and use what would be previously wasted space. Consider a larder or pantry which can range from a traditional freestanding larder to a narrow pull out larder integrated into a tall cupboard.

4. Carefully plan your lighting

Lighting is so important in the kitchen and something that we often think about later in the process after choosing the kitchen. But you should draw up a lighting plan early on as carefully chosen lighting can really add to the look of your kitchen.

Pendant lights look great hanging over an island unit or dining table, but make sure they are not too large and end up dominating and obstruct your line of sight.

Most people incorporate spotlights but a common mistake is to include too few. Plan for the spotlights to be 1 metre apart and 1.5 metres away from the wall and put the lights on a dimmer switch so you can change the lighting throughout the day. If

your kitchen is large, consider having your spotlights on 2-3 different circuits so you can light up separate zones in your kitchen.

LED strips are a great idea for underneath wall and floor cabinets and they create an ultra modern look. If you want a softer look go for down-lights under the cabinets which will brighten up dark corners. Lights under the cabinets create some mood lighting in the evening if you are entertaining friends and family.

5. Make the most of the natural light If you are extending your kitchen, then this is a great time to increase the natural light flooding into your home. With light from above bringing in up to 3 times as much light than a standard vertical window, incorporating a roof lantern or sky lights is a great idea. Of course, wonderful sliders and bi-folding doors will add to the light even more.

If you are not extending, make the most of your natural light. Keep wall cupboards away from the windows so they allow as much natural light to flood in, and think about swapping internal doors to be

Najran Building, Fencing & Gas Supplies

Midlands most renowned Builders Merchants have now reached Bromsgrove, to provide superior products & services, at phenomenal prices.

With over 40 years of experience, Najran Building & Fencing have thrived within the Trade & Public sector providing elite products and services at unbeatable prices. Although a small business, the team have always endeavoured to be at the forefront of all building & landscaping needs.

The third-generation family business has now branched out to Bromsgrove to serve the community something they have been missing, a reliable and trusted name, to provide affordable and superb products and services, ranging from all interior & exterior Timber, Fencing, Sheds, Sand/Cement, Gas and much more!

As experts in their field, Team Najran takeaway the hassle and stress of finding quality Building & Landscaping products at affordable prices. Their meticulously trained staff strive to meet all consumer needs.

Visit or contact them today, for a free quotation with any like for like quotes beaten. n

glazed ones so the light can flood in from other rooms. Also keep the units and decor as light as possible if you struggle with natural light - the light will bounce around.

6. It’s a great time to change the heating If you are carrying out a full-scale renovation, it’s a great time to install underfloor heating. It is an investment to install, however wet underfloor heating is cheaper to run than conventional radiators given the lower temperature required (electric underfloor heating will cost too much to run).

Underfloor heating will free up some wall space where you previously had radiators. Tiles conduct the heat the best for underfloor heating but most engineered wood, laminate and vinyl flooring can also be used with underfloor heating. Read our guide to underfloor heating, to find out more.

If you don’t want underfloor heating then have a think about the positioning of the radiators. Keep them near the dining area rather than in the centre of the kitchen. If you don’t have much wall space, consider installing tall wall radiators.

7. How many electric points do you need? Have a good think about which appliances

you use regularly and make sure you have the sockets in the right place when planning a kitchen. Many people now incorporate a pop up socket into the island unit, which can include a USB charger.

Make sure electric points are spread out around the kitchen so that you don’t have too many appliances clustered together. Countertop cabinets are a great choice where you can keep your electric points and appliances hidden behind the cupboard when you are not using them.

8. Think about the appliances carefully It’s a great time to consider the appliances, which ones you need and where to position them.

If you are choosing an island unit, many people go for an induction hob on the island unit with a downdraft extractor fan, this mean you won’t have a chunky extractor fan overhead. Induction hobs are also a safer option if you have children as only the area under the pot gets hot, which is great for little fingers.

Think about what new appliances you would like to introduce. Hot water taps are also

very popular, as are integrated wine fridges, coffee machines and microwaves. Just make sure you will use it enough so that it doesn’t take up unnecessary space.

9. How do you want to use your kitchen?

Do you want your kitchen to be a sociable space which you can use for entertaining?

Do you see your children playing and doing homework or do you want to use it solely as a kitchen with a dining area? If you want to use your kitchen as a multi-functional space, incorporate different zones so you can keep homework separate to the food preparation. Some options to “zone” your kitchen include mixing the flooring, positioning the furniture and changing the lighting.

Also carefully consider the materials that you use throughout the kitchen. If you have a young family then go for flooring such as vinyl that will take a lot of wear and not mark or stain - they are also softer so work well if you have small toddlers falling over! If you love cooking, choose a worktop that is low maintenance and non-porous - don’t choose marble as you will have to continuously clean it (however beautiful it looks)! n

Experts in Electrical

Established for nearly 100 years

Chapmans really understand the word Vintage!

equipment which is becoming increasingly valuable and incredibly collectable.

Vintage items were built to last and often produce a lovely warm and mellow sound, once restored they will bring many more years of enjoyment. Robert Chapman says “We really enjoy restoring vintage items and electronic equipment preserving high quality items from oblivion.”

really easy, they can even collect and deliver back your vintage treasures if that is required. Whilst sometimes it is advisable to replace old or faulty products with Chapmans help there are times when a vintage repair is by far the best way to go. n

Chapmans

112-119 Reddal Hill Road Cradley Heath, B64 5JN

Tel: 01384 566497

If you want to preserve the magic, sounds and memories of your vintage product Chapmans can help. Sometimes the sentimental

memories need to come back or maybe you just want to pass it down to future generations. You may be a collector of Vintage

Chapmans team of in house engineers can help with HiFi, Record players, Decks and Radiograms. Plus Separates, Cassette tape and reel to reel recorders. Chapmans source parts from all over the world and have their own car park at their Cradley Heath showroom making access

Bromsgrove Domestic Appliances 124 Worcester Road Bromsgrove, B61 7AG

Tel: 01527 871478

www.chapmansretail.co.uk

Luxury Goods in High Demand

Luxury, designer goods, fine jewellery and high-end watches were in high demand in a specialist auction held recently, (Friday 23rd September).

The largest auction of its kind to date held by Moreton in Marsh auctioneers Kinghams comprised over five hundred items curated by resident specialists David Pregun and Sophie Higgs. Jewellery by the major houses Tiffany, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier were represented alongside desirable luxury firms of Hermes, Montblanc, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, Christian Dior and Dunhill to name a few. With sustainability a key driving factor, buyers gathered from across the globe to participate via numerous worldwide bidding platforms helping to generate a record sale total for Kinghams.

In the jewellery section, an array of key items from the private personal collection of the late Lady Kathleen Sheila Grade (1921-2022) had been consigned by the executors. This included Lot 36, an 18ct gold multi-gem shamrock bracelet with four leaf clover in gems such as diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds totalling £4,600. The whole collection totalled just under £50,000

Elsewhere, Lot 165, a Van Cleef & Arpels 18ct gold diamond Magic Alhambra bracelet with a total diamond weight of 5.64ct brought £30,600 and Lot 168,

a Bulgari 18ct gold pave-set diamond Serpenti Viper necklace with total diamond weight of 14.74ct sold for £52,300, a record for the auctioneers.

High-end watches were well represented and witnessed strong demand across the board. Lot 262, a Rolex 18ct gold Oyster Perpetual Date GMT-Master II bracelet watch sold above expectations at £25,500 and Lot 258, a Breguet 18ct gold Tradition GMT wristwatch totalled £19,150. Highest single price was for Lot 244, an 18ct gold Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator wristwatch which had been consigned by a local private client. It totalled £27,000.

Highest prices in the designer goods section included Lot 494, a Swaine Adenery Brigg tan leather gladstone bag sold for £1,300 as did Lot 338, a Christian Dior limited edition studded saddle bag. Other brands proved particular popular with Lot 320, a Chanel Wild Stitch single flap handbag selling for £4,850 against a £900 upper estimate. Highest single price was for Lot 380, a 2012 Hermes Tricolour Cascade Birkin 30 handbag which sold within the estimate for £10,500.

With demand for fine jewellery, watches and designer goods at an all-time high it is important to obtain up-to-date

valuations. Please contact our team of specialists, David and Sophie on 01608 695695 or email images and details to enquiries@kinghamsauctioneers.com

Free home visits can be arranged for clients seeking advice on any manner of antiques, paintings, jewellery, large/multiple items,

downsizing advise and estate clearance. n

By Adrian Rathbone, Associate Director, Kinghams Auctioneers, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

Note: figures quoted include the 23% plusVAT buyerspremiumandanyother additionalfeeswhereapplicable

Peter

Planning for Retirement with SN Financial Services

Meet Stuart Neale and Jack Jones, our pensions specialists.

Planning for retirement can cause quite the headache and it is becoming more and more likely that people these days cannot rely on the State Pension for anything above the absolute basics. Whether you have just enrolled in your first workplace pension at the start of your career or you are towards the end of your career where you want to start exploring your retirement, the team at SN Financial Services can help you along every step of your journey, whichever stage you are at.

If you are at the start of your career or looking to bolster your retirement savings, as independent financial advisers, SN Financial Services can advise how to go about maximising your pensions. We can help with this by ensuring:

• you understand and manage investment risk

• we advise a suitable range of diverse investments

• you understand tax relief and how to be tax-efficient with your pensions

• we help establish your goals and give advice on how to best achieve said goals.

For those of you who have accumulated several pensions throughout your career, we can

help review and potentially consolidate your pensions. More importantly, we can establish whether you’re on track to achieve your goals and acquire sufficient income in retirement.

Then we come to those who are reaching retirement (what we like to refer to as the ‘30-year holiday!’). It’s vital you have a robust strategy on how you’ll fund your required income. It is at this point where we would dissect your pension, ensure that it’s suitably diversified and then – what our clients find most beneficial – get rid of the jargon!

It is often the case that people invest in a pension and save for retirement over 40 years with very little thought to how they will begin taking an income. Options include ‘flexi-access income drawdown’, annuities, or perhaps using rental income to supplement State Pensions. No matter what the scenario, the specialist advisers at SN Financial Services

can help model and forecast your income and compare against your expenditure. This can help identify any ‘gaps’ in your retirement planning and enable you to understand where you’re positioned in achieving your goals, ensuring that you have the retirement you want and need – and deserve!

In addition to helping at all these specific points in time, we provide ongoing, regular reviews of your investments, suggesting refinements along the way to ensure that you remain on track to achieve your most important investment goals.

Call us on 01905 779697 to arrange your first initial consultation FREE OF CHARGE! Meetings can be in our office in Droitwich or via a video call such as Zoom. n

SN Financial Services Ltd, 5 Saltway, Droitwich, Worcestershire WR9 8LB Website – www.snfinancial.co.uk Email – enquiries@snfinancial.co.uk

SNFinancialaredirectlyauthorisedwithFCANo.231014 Thevalueofyourinvestmentscangodownaswellasup.Past performanceisnoguaranteeoffutureperformance.

Creating a Treescape

We’re joining forces with colleagues across our county borders to enhance tree cover from the Wye Valley to the Wyre Forest...

Together with Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Wildlife Trusts we’re working with landowners along a 60 mile corridor to improve tree cover. The aim is to buffer and better link existing woodlands, something that will help both wildlife and people as well as help in the fight against climate change.

We have a deep-rooted connection to trees and woodlands. They permeate our fairy stories and folklore; from woodsmen who rescue maidens in distress to Robin Hood and his Merry Men, even our beloved Winnie the Pooh lives in Hundred Acre Wood. As well as being shrouded in centuries of tales, woodlands are wonderful places for nature to thrive and recent reports are demonstrating the benefit to our health and wellbeing of spending time amongst trees.

Ancient native woodlands hold a wealth of life, offering a complex weave of networks and an incredible number of species. Trees of varying ages and structures provide homes for birds, insects and fungi. Dense understorey can offer nesting opportunities for nightingales and feeding spots for dormice. A mighty oak tree alone can be home to more than 2,300 species.

but with one in seven species at risk of extinction in the UK, it needs all the help it can get. Restoring nature is good for wildlife, helps our own wellbeing and helps both us and wildlife to adapt to climate change.

Severn Treescapes isn’t as simple as planting trees anywhere and everywhere. It’s important to put the right tree in the right place. Planting trees on a beautiful wildflower-rich meadow, for example, would do more harm than good. Our team works with land managers to discover the best ways to enhance tree cover on their land. This could be planting a small copse, boosting an existing hedgerow or allowing trees to naturally regenerate. We help farmers to explore agroforestry, where tree planting can work alongside productive agricultural systems. Advice is available to restore an orchard or create a wood pasture. We’re available to chat through ideas and bring together interested people to share best practice and visit sites to learn from each other.

KEEP UP TO DATE

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

@WorcsWT t

worcestershirewildlifetrust G worcswildlifetrust.co.uk w

Woodlands don’t exist in a vacuum. Our landscape is connected via miles of fungal networks in earth under our feet. Buffering and building on these amazing networks can allow woodland ecosystems to naturally expand, taking those connections into the wider landscape via hedgerows and other trees to let wildlife bounce back. You may think that nature is doing okay

If you manage land and are interested in getting involved, please take a look at www.worcswildlifetrust. co.uk/severn-treescapes Your land needs to be to the west of Worcester and we can help with advice on managing and enhancing existing woodlands and tree cover as well as where to find financial help for any work that might be needed. The project is funded by the Trees Call to Action Fund, led by Defra, the Forestry Commission and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. n

Wendy Carter

Wildlife Trust

A quarter of consumers would withdraw pension savings earlier to cover cost of living – making them vulnerable to scammer ‘misdirection’

With the cost of living impact

deepening, the FCA launches its latest ScamSmart campaign aimed at giving consumers the knowledge and tools to avoid pension scams.

• A quarter of consumers would withdraw pension savings to cover the cost of living, making them vulnerable to ‘misdirection’ scam tactics

• Just as with magic tricks, scammers are distracting victims with the promise of higher returns, preying on money concerns, and building up trust

• One woman was scammed out of £45,000 while trying to build her retirement savings

• The FCA’s latest ScamSmart campaign aims to provide consumers with the knowledge and tools to avoid pension scams

New research from the FCA has found that a quarter (25%) of consumers would consider withdrawing money from their pension earlier than planned to cover the cost of living. This is supported by retirement income market data which showed that the number of pension plans accessed for the first time in 2021/22 increased by 18% to 705,666 compared to 2020/21 (596,080).

Preying on money worries and lack of confidence in pension savings to last through retirement, the FCA is warning that scammers are using ‘misdirection’ tactics to con victims. Just as with magic tricks – where magicians use misdirection to divert attention while the trick is carried out – emerging scam tactics are following the same pattern. The FCA surveyed over 1,000 people aged 40 and over with workplace and private pensions to uncover how this could impact them:

First comes the distraction: 44% would take up the offer of a free pension review – a classic distraction tactic. Concerns about having enough money to last throughout their retirement make them vulnerable to the lure of boosting pension returns: 17% of over 65s are still in work simply because they cannot afford to retire on their current pension, and over a third (37%), are not confident they have enough in their pension to last their whole retirement.

Many would also be reassured if a potential scammer getting in touch out of the blue could show them third-party verification –such as a separate individual who can (falsely) vouch for them, (46%) and had positive reviews of their service (31%), despite the fact scammers are becoming increasingly skilled at producing fake websites and brochures [as a distraction] when carrying out their ‘trick’.

Second comes the trick: here, scammers will prey on their victims’ misunderstanding of how pension savings work to secure their hard-earned money: over half (54%) said they did not feel confident in how to grow their pot, and 38% do not feel confident in understanding how pensions work.

Pauline Padden, 58, was looking after her terminally ill mother when she received a text message offering her a better deal on her pension and some cash in return for

transferring her pot. Pauline was promised higher returns on her pension savings if she invested in a long-term hotel build in the Caribbean. Six months later, Pauline was devastated to receive a letter explaining she had been the victim of a scam and had lost £45,000 in pension savings.

Pauline Padden said: “At the time I was incredibly vulnerable. I was busy looking after my terminally ill mother and my three children. The scammers capitalised on my vulnerability and robbed me of the prospect of ever retiring. I was only trying to make my retirement easier but instead these scammers ruined my life. I still don’t know if I’m ever going to be able to get my savings back and will probably have to keep working until I am no longer fit to do so. I just hope I can help to raise awareness of the signs to look out for so that others never have to go through what I’ve had to deal with over the last nine years.”

The FCA is calling on all consumers to be ScamSmart and check the information on the Scamsmart website, including the Warning List, before making any decision about their pension. This will help identify

any firms that are actively running scams, or flag to consumers the signs to look out for to avoid being scammed.

Mark Steward, Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight, FCA, said: “Many of us have sat in awe as magicians make things disappear right in front of our eyes, despite us thinking we are in control, or can see everything going on. But the trick

ends there, and we can enjoy the rest of our night. That doesn’t happen with pension scams. The rising cost of living is affecting people at all savings levels, and pension scammers are taking advantage of this. Misdirection in this context means victims are lured in with the promise of a better lifestyle in retirement, or to support their living costs

NowWorcestershire

Rachel Seabright

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

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

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

Droitwich Spa Nursing Home Hosts Tea Party to Combat Loneliness in Older People

Dorset House Nursing Home in Droitwich Spa opened its doors to families, friends, and members of the local community for a tea party to mark Silver Sunday and Grandparents Day on 2nd October.

Aimed at combating loneliness in the older generation, Silver Sunday is a national day for older people, uniting people of all generations for a day of fun activities.

The event was attended by former councillor for Wychaven, Sital Harris, and her husband, during which they took the time to speak to residents and their families. Guests were welcomed to enjoy the communal rooms arranged with clusters of seating and spread out into the homes grounds which were in the autumnal sunshine. The conservatory held a fully stocked bar, china cups and saucers and an array of cakes baked by Chef, Karen Viray. Residents and their families were entertained in the dining room by vintage singer, Johnny Tarrino.

Karen Johnson, Home Manager of Dorset House, said: “We certainly know how to pull off a celebration here at Dorset House! The food and entertainment were spectacular and it’s always great to see our residents spend valued time with their loved ones as well as meet new people.” n

Operated by Rotherwood Healthcare, Dorset House offers luxury Residential and Nursing Care. To find out more, visit www.rotherwood-healthcare.co.uk

with pension savings. The scam then takes place right in front of their eyes, and it means thousands can be lost, for good. It’s important that consumers stay alert to these tricks, and visit ScamSmart to protect themselves before the sleight of hand can begin.”

If a consumer deals with an unauthorised firm, they will not be covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial

Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.

The most commonly used tactics of pension scammers to be aware of include:

• the offer of a free pension review,

• higher returns, where they will guarantee they can get you better returns on your pension savings,

• help to release cash from your pension even though you’re under 55. An offer to release funds before age 55 is highly likely to be a scam, and has major tax implications

• high-pressure sales tactics, where the scammers may try to pressure you with ‘timelimited offers’ or even send a courier to your door to wait while you sign documents

• unusual investments – which tend to be unregulated and high risk, and may be difficult to sell if you need access to your money

• complicated structures where it isn’t clear where your money will end up

• arrangements where there are several parties involved (some of which may be based overseas) all taking a fee, which means the total amount deducted from your pension is significant

• long-term pension investments – which mean it could be several years before you realise something is wrong. n

Quality care you can trust in Worcestershire

When a family is thinking about care for a loved one, they want the best - they want to know that the care home they choose will put their loved one’s safety, happiness and wellbeing first.

Care UK’s Brook Court, Chandler Court and Perry Manor care homes in Worcestershire provide residential, dementia and nursing care, giving families peace of mind that their loved ones can stay living at the home should their needs change.

Living at Brook Court, Chandler Court and Perry Manor is all about quality of life. Every colleague in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences. The lifestyle teams organise a huge variety of group and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day.

With the extra support that Brook Court, Chandler Court and Perry Manor offer, new residents are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even discovering new hobbies with our daily activities.

Whether your loved one enjoys a quiet cup of tea in bed before starting the day, loves going for strolls in the landscaped grounds, or enjoys a chat over a beer, the team at Brook Court, Chandler Court and Perry Manor will spend time to enable them to continue living life the way they want to.

Brook Court, Chandler Court and Perry Manor care homes are part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one of the UK’s most successful care home operators* with over 40 years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people. n

Brook Court care home 37-38 Oldnall Road, Kidderminster DY10 3HN kay.mayes@careuk.com

Chandler Court care home Recreation Road, Bromsgrove B61 8DT paul.chambers@careuk.com

Perry Manor care home Charles Hastings Way, Worcester WR5 1ET Katherine.matthews@careuk.com

Careuk.com/Worcestershire 0333 363 7230

Five ways to help your child or teenager with mental health

The words ‘mental health crisis’ are used a lot. Our children and young people are clearly struggling. Over half of all mental health disorders start before the age of 14, with 75% beginning by the age of 24. Rates have been increasing since 2017, from one in nine (11.6%) to one in six (17.4%) in 6 to 16 year olds.

In the 12 months to June 2022 there were 1.17m referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in England. Whilst the target is for all referrals to be seen within two weeks, it can take a long time to get to that place. And in the face of the cost of living crisis, private therapy just isn’t an option for many.

Added to that, in person therapy isn’t right for everyone. From June 2021 to May 2022, 522,271 did not attend an appointment and 268,728 cancelled an appointment. Whether it’s due to fear, accessibility, patient experience, or not having a good relationship with the therapist, it’s clear something isn’t working.

And as a parent you want them to be happy, healthy and fulfilled young people, flourishing. What can you do? If you’re worried about your child or teenager, and want to help them, here are five free ways you can help them with their mental health, right now.

Spend time together as a family: Whatever your family set up, it’s important to spend time together on a regular basis. The easiest way to

do this is to have shared meal times a few times a week. With everyone’s busy schedules it can be easy to let this slip, but designating time to sit down for half an hour and chat through your day, highs and lows, can be a great way to check in.

Get active: Exercise improves wellbeing as it releases endorphins. And you don’t have to push yourself or ‘feel the burn’ to get benefits from exercise, for either physical or mental wellbeing. Exercise gives you those happy hormones, makes you stronger, but also makes you feel empowered. When feeling low or negative about themselves, running even a kilometre, or getting out for a twenty minute walk, can make your child feel proud that they did something.

Use an app: Do young people spend too much time on their phone? Maybe. But it’s not all bad. Wysa is a clinically validated evidence based app that teenagers can use to get instant 24/7 access to interactive, AI-guided, mental health support. Proven to build relationships that are just as good as in person therapists, and with a range of interactive self-care exercises and evidence based interventions for stress, anxiety, grief, anger and much more, Wysa is there for young people where they are - on their phone.

It is being rolled out in West London for all state school pupils who are eligible, and has been described as “likely to appeal to our students, yet provides a safe and clinically robust tool, built-in to our local mental health support groups,” by a local headteacher.

Talk openly: Be open about your emotions and mental wellbeing. It’s ok to say ‘I’m feeling a bit down today but I’m going to go for a walk because that makes me feel better.’ If your child knows they can speak about how they feel and there is no shame, they will be more likely to open up to you. You don’t need to bring them into all family and parental stresses, but acknowledge that feelings are something we all have, and can work through as a family.

Write it down: Give your child or teenager a notebook and a pen and encourage them to journal. Reassure them that this is a safe space and if they want it to remain private you will respect that. Dozens of studies have shown the power of putting pen to paper and working through your feelings for stress, depression, focus and even immune systems. But make sure this doesn’t feel like homework for them. There is no right or wrong way to journal. What matters is doing it.

Emma Taylor, CAMHS Lead at Wysa, says “All parents want to do their best by their children and young people. And it can feel challenging when we’re struggling at times ourselves. There are lots of free and easy ways to help support young people with their emotions, educate them about the importance of mental health, and make them feel supported. But we need to make sure we do it in a way that feels accessible and engaging for them, meets them where they are, and is something they want to do. That’s where great, clinically robust technology comes in.” n

What's On NOVEMBER

Tuesday 8th - Sunday 13th

Don’t Stop Believing by Worcester Musical Theatre Company

Swan Theatre Worcester. A multi-award winning theatre group, WMTC is well known for a modern and glamorous style, hundreds of dazzling costumes, wonderful choreography and excellent close harmony singing. This unique show also features the outstanding Harlequin Stage School and talented children from Claines CE Primary School and Flyford Flavell Primary School. For a most uplifting and joyous few hours featuring fabulous music in exciting song and dance medleys, with heart-warming moments along the way please join us at The Swan Theatre this November. Worcester Musical Theatre Company has raised over £100,000 for local and national charities and this year are proud to be supporting Guide Dogs. WMTC brings you an amazing evening of entertainment full of inspiring songs, spectacular dance and laugh-out-loud comedy! £17.50

Friday 18th

Steam in Lights

Experience Steam in Lights! The dazzling

illuminated train ride, taking you on a journey where lights come to life… Steam in Lights has been reimagined for 2022 to take you on a journey around the world with bigger and better displays than ever before. An immersive night time experience, Steam in Lights turns the Severn Valley into a colourful light trail, for all the family to enjoy. The experience starts with the grand entrance of the dazzling steam train into Bridgnorth Station where your voyage awaits. Book your private compartment or reserved table for the 90-minute experience of light and sound, surrounding you in colour and music. www.svr.co.uk

Sunday 20th

Fancy Dress Sponsored Park Run Run / Walk. Family friendly All proceeds will be split between Batchley Support community pantry and gifts for families /care homes in the lcoal community . These will be delivered by Father Christmas as weve done in previous years the week before Christmas. Arrow Valley Visitor Centre and Lake, Arrow Valley Visitor Centre, Battens Drive, Redditch.

Wednesday 26th & Thursday 27th

2 Shows in 1 - Aladdin Trouble & Curtain Up

Bishops Perwone School, Merrimans Hill Road, WORCESTER, WR3 8LE. Lollipop Youth Theatre present 2 shows in 1 Aladdin Trouble is a pantomime and will be performed by our young members during act one of the show. Act two will be a concert styled show with lots of songs from different musicals including Hamilton, Rent, Sweeney Todd, Wicked, Spring Awakening, Heathers, Chicago, Moulin Rouge and many more performed by our older cast members.

Saturday 26th - Saturday 17th Dec Santa Trains

Let the festive magic begin! It’s the most wonderful time of the year and Santa is coming to the Severn Valley Railway – plus, mischievous elves Jingle and Jangle are joining him for more festive fun! Meet a pair of Christmas characters at our beautifully decorated station at Kidderminster, then travel by vintage steam train in reserved seats to Arley and see your favourite characters in an all-new pantomime. After being entertained by Jingle, Jangle and friends, you’ll re-board the train where a present for each child awaits. Suitable for all ages. www.svr.co.uk

Swan Theatre. You shall go to the ball this Christmas! Join Cinderella, her best friend buttons and the ugliest sisters in town in the classic rags to riches fairy tale that enchants all ages! The Worcester Repertory Company proudly presents the most magical pantomime of all, packed full of all your favourite traditional pantomime comedy moments. Join us for this well–loved tale and cheer, boo, hiss, laugh, and sing along

to your favourite songs in what promises to be Worcester’s most spectacular family pantomime yet! £10 - £21

DECEMBER

Thursday 1st - Sunday 4th Worcester Victorian Fayre

The Victorian Fayre was first started back in 1992 by traders from picturesque New Street and Friar Street. The Fayre may have grown a lot but it has stayed true to its traditional roots with plenty of Victorian themed characters, festive treats and a wonderful atmosphere. This year there will be almost 200 stalls across the city centre, selling local arts and crafts, delicious street food and gifts. As well as a wonderful array of stalls, we are looking forward to a fantastic programme of entertainment. Look out for Victorian characters in Gin Lane, lofty entertainers on stilts, brilliant musicians on our stages and buskers on every street corner. There really is something for everyone and we hope you have a wonderful time! Come along and see all the fun festivities for yourself, support local businesses and take part in one of the highlights of the Midlands’ festive calendar.

Saturday 10th Hallelujah! Enjoy Handel’s glittering Messiah Worcester Cathedral this December. Music lovers will have a chance to hear Handel’s best-loved oratorio, Messiah, sung by 140 voices and renowned soloists at Worcester Cathedral on Saturday 10 December at 7.30pm. The concert, which includes the stirring Hallelujah chorus, is being staged by the region’s leading large classical choir, Worcester Festival Choral Society, under the baton of Worcester Cathedral director of music, Samuel Hudson. Also appearing are acclaimed soloists Philippa Hyde (soprano), Sarah Denbee (mezzo soprano), Tom Robson (tenor) and Edward Grint (bass baritone). Accompanying is the Meridian Sinfonia, playing Baroque-pitch instruments. Established in 1861 and closely associated with Sir Edward Elgar in its early years, Worcester Festival Choral Society draws its auditioned singers from across the region. The Society stages three major concerts in Worcester Cathedral each year, bringing some of the world’s ‘great choral works’ to the City. A Come & Sing one-day workshop, open to all singers, is also held each spring. Tickets £15£27 from www.wfcs.online or the TicketSource hotline: 0333 666 3366.

An Interview with Rocky Horror Show Creator Richard O’Brien

How does it feel to see the incredible success the Rocky Horror Show has had?

I hope what I’ve done professionally on stage has entertained and made people feel a little bit better when they leave the theatre. I’ve never done anything for back-slapping purposes, to make myself feel elevated in any kind of way. I’m just so grateful that I’ve been part of something that has so uniquely left its mark.

I remember a director once told me, ‘There’s only one thing you should do in your life, Richard, and that’s realise your dreams. A lot of people will try and stop you achieving those dreams but the only real person who can stop you is yourself.’ I was young and he was old and it was the first time a grown-up had ever said anything so joyous to me, so wonderfully liberating. Everybody else said, ‘Be careful, get a proper job, get your degree as a plumber. Don’t get these lofty ideas.’ As it says in the show, “Don’t dream it, be it.”

Why do you think Rocky Horror is

recognise as Adam and Eve or Romeo and Juliet, like a stereotypical couple - we can all relate to them. It is a fairytale - we even like the nasty characters, we love the Cruella De Vil kind of character, Frank N Furter. The

fact that it is such light-hearted naughtiness, combined with root fairy tales has a lot to do with its longevity.

What was happening in your life at the time you wrote The Rocky Horror Show?

I was a recent father of my first child and out of work when I wrote the show. 197273 was a moment of change. Glamrock and overt sexuality was around, gay people were coming out and there was a ‘buzz’ in the air. There are certain parts of the world where we are a little bit more free to be ourselves. London is certainly one of them. Back in the Seventies you had gay bars, but now you don’t need to because if you walk into most bars in London there will be a gay man behind the bar. That is rather nice.

What was your inspiration when writing the show?

I have a very low-brow approach to life, I like

What's On

Populist kinds of themes - comics and rock’n’roll and B movies. The plot and dialogue for The Rocky Horror Show are raids on populist things: from advertising, from comics, from B movies, from sci-fi. It’s a complete and utter raid upon all those elements; a joyous raid.

Do you have a favourite character?

I would have loved to have played Rocky, that would have been cool, wouldn’t it? But one thing is essential, you have to be rather handsome and you know, muscular, and that ain’t going to work. I could have played Janet. They’re all so stupidly wonderful these characters, they’re iconographic.

How do you think the live shows compare to the film?

The live show has an energy that the movie doesn’t have - it wasn’t intentional, but the film was very slow. Once some fans came up to me and said, “did you leave the gaps between the lines so that we the audience could say our lines?”. I said, “Well, ok yes”. But no we didn’t. The movie is a very surreal, almost dreamlike journey, the live show is far more rock and roll.

What advice do you have for anyone that is new to Rocky Horror?

None - just come with an open heart and a

good will or not at all. I always worry that maybe the fans might steal the evening. I don’t ever want the show to be just a few people having fun and the rest of the audience thinking that they’ve arrived at a party that they weren’t invited to, so that’s important.

What’s your favourite part of the show?

The noise at the end of Rocky is wonderful – it is empowering and exhilarating at the same time it is quite joyous. Rocky never fails to deliver. Each performance lifts the heart and the nightly laughter and roars of approval leave the whole cast with a sense of wellbeing and accomplishment that you rarely get from any other shows.

What sets Rocky Horror apart from other musicals?

When it was written, it didn’t follow any kind

of formula. The songs aren’t showbizzy. So many new musical numbers you hear now, if you didn’t know what song it was you would instantly know it was a Broadway song. I find that a bit annoying. If you’re going to spend a bit of money on a night out it’s good to know that you’re spending it on something you’re going to enjoy. It’s a rock’n’roll show with a storyline on one level, it’s a fairy tale on another level, and it’s as enjoyable and silly as a Carry On on another.

How different do you think your life might have been without Rocky?

I have no idea but, I would have had a good life because I am made that way. My journey has been a different one than others. I guess some people have a game plan. I would imagine they’re rather humourless. Most of us get an opportunity and we wing it. Luck plays an awfully big part in our lives. You should never underestimate that. I am the luckiest person on the planet. I shall be happy as long as I can keep singing. n

Rocky Horror Show 2022 UK Tour will be at Malvern Theatres between 28 November – 3 December. Book your tickets at www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

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