Worcestershire Now - OCTOBER 2020 by PW Media & Publishing Ltd

Worcestershire

Now

Creating Beautiful Interiors Since 1982

See page 19 for more information BONFIRE NIGHT AT HOME RELOCATION IN 2021 LET’S GET COSY OCTOBER 2020 | ISSUE 200

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NEWS • HOMES • GARDENS • FOOD & DRINK • HEALTH & BEAUTY • GOLDEN YEARS • PUZZLES

n 2 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

Worcestershire

Now

IT’S OU

200

ISSUE

14 16 OCTOBER 2020

HOME & GARDEN 8

Bonfire Night at Home

Darren Spencer - A Bright Spark

Relocation in 2021

Nature Notebook

20 22

HEALTH & BEAUTY 22

Let’s Get Cosy

GOLDEN YEARS 24

How to Land a Job You Are Overqualified For

EDUCATION 30

Children Adjust to the “New Normal” to Keep Fit and Well

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance For Education Open Days and Evenings

PUZZLES 36

Puzzled? Stay Home. Stay Safe.

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

NOW 01905 723011

nowmagazines.co.uk PW Media & Publishing Ltd

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

ADVERTISING Rachel Seabright 01905 727900 rachel@pw-media.co.uk Lis Gardner Tel: 01905 727901 Email: lis@pw-media.co.uk

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

DESIGN Paul Blyth paul@pw-media.co.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Daisy Bennett Wendy Carter Christopher Nye Darren Spencer Persimmon Homes Restless Selco Builders Warehouse The Downs Worcestershire CC

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 BUILDERS MERCHANT BOOSTS HOSPICE FUNDRAISING QUEST

A hospice which supports patients with life-limiting conditions from across north east Worcestershire has seen its fundraising efforts enhanced by help from a leading builders merchant. Primrose Hospice, based on St Godwalds Road in Bromsgrove, requires £1.7 million per year to maintain its services and aims to raise a portion of those funds through selling donated items on eBay. To make that process as efficient as possible, Primrose Hospice plans to relocate its eBay operations at its showcase Headless Cross shop in Redditch. The Stirchley branch of Selco Builders Warehouse has stepped in to help with the works, providing materials including timber and internal doors.

“We receive many donations which are sold in our shops, but certain items are more suited to sell on eBay. “Having an office to co-ordinate all that activity will be an extremely positive development for our fundraising. “We have had to dramatically adjust the way we work during Covid-19 and the lockdown period has, like other charities, placed a significant drain on resources so support such as that we are receiving from Selco Builders Warehouse is invaluable.” Michael Mushen, branch manager of Selco Stirchley, said: “I’m aware first hand of the outstanding work the Primrose Hospice does.

Primrose Hospice is an independent charity offering support and advice to patients living with life-limiting conditions while, at the same time, offering full support to families.

“Only a very small percentage of the total funds required for the Hospice to be operational each year comes from government support and the rest comes through fundraising and donations so we were delighted to offer our assistance.

Angelique Dalton, chief operating officer for Primrose Hospice, said: “We are hugely grateful to the donation made by Selco Builders Warehouse.

“One of our big commitments at Selco is to, where we can, support the communities in which we operate and this donation is further evidence of that.”

n 4 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

Primrose Hospice offers a full range of support for patients, including nurse-led clinics, physiotherapy

and

occupational

therapy

services and spiritual and emotional support. In addition, the hospice’s Family Support Service offers tailored assistance to adults and children including a counselling service, benefits advice and complementary therapy. All of Primrose’s services are provided free of charge to the patients and their families, as well as bereaved adults and children. With hundreds of trade brands always in stock, Selco’s 68 branches across the UK are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. As well as offering trade services, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click & Deliver, a Click & Collect service and a new website designed to help tradespeople purchase their materials in the quickest and most effective way possible. n For more information on Selco visit www.selcobw.com.

HERE & NOW

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HERE & NOW

Housebuilder’s Donation Helps Redditch Recycling Charity A Redditch charity that supports vulnerable people through its household goods recycling scheme has received a much-needed donation from a regional housebuilder. Boomerang Re-use Centre has struggled during the COVID-19 crisis and welcomed the £1,000 boost from Persimmon Homes South Midlands. The donation came through the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme, which has been supporting the over-70s during the past few months due to the COVID-19 crisis. However, from September 1, the scheme will once again support all groups and charities in the region with two donations of up to £1,000 available every month. Boomerang Re-Use Centre, based in Hewell Road, Batchley, helps the local community through its recycling scheme by providing furniture, fittings, and household items that people could not otherwise afford.

Alan Adamson, spokesman for Boomerang Re-Use Centre, said: “We do struggle on a monthly basis to fund the project and COVID-19 is making our situation very much worse with reduced footfall, collections and deliveries. We are very grateful to Persimmon Homes South Midlands for its support and would welcome further donations from the public during these difficult times. “We significantly reduce the quantity of reusable items going to landfill or being dumped or fly-tipped and in doing so help protect the environment.

the camaraderie that comes with being part of a hard-working team.” The housebuilder is currently building in Redditch at Meadow View, Burrington Close, and believes in supporting the communities where it builds. Amanda Rogers, head of sales for Persimmon Homes South Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be able to support the work of Boomerang Re-Use Centre which is clearly facing difficulties but offers a much-needed service in an area where we build.” n

“However, Boomerang isn’t just about recycling. We provide voluntary opportunities for members of the community, including those with learning difficulties, students seeking work experience, retirees and the unemployed,” he added.

For

“We offer a great opportunity to understand how charities work, learn vital skills and enjoy

Saturday 9am to 1 pm. For more information,

More than 700 learners sign up to courses during lockdown Since the start of lockdown, more than 700 adults have taken part in virtual learning courses run by the Worcestershire County Council. Adult Learning Worcestershire provides a plethora of online courses in areas including employability and work and art and creative Skills. Whether you are looking for an introduction to Chakras or advice for building your CV, Adult Worcestershire has an expert local tutor at hand. During the lockdown period between the start of April and the end of July, Adult Learning had 727 learners booked onto its courses. Maggie Sherlock was one of those learners, she attended ‘Photography-Beyond Point and Shoot’ and explains how her tutor, Paul Lack, went above and beyond and how much she enjoyed the flexibility of learning from home. She said: “Paul went beyond expectation on this course, downloading manuals for each of our cameras and agreeing to teach beyond the allotted 2 hours per session. His lessons were well planned and coherent, and I learnt so much! I will miss the course and hope to go on another before too long. “I think Zoom was an excellent means of delivery and I’m hoping to do more courses in this way in the future. In normal times, I travel quite a lot but with courses being delivered online, I could continue to learn, regardless of where I am.” Courses will return to the classroom but for now, to ensure the safety of learners, they are being delivered online. Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities, said: “Adult Learning Worcestershire offers expertly taught courses with local tutors so not only are you able to enhance your skillset, you are also contributing to the local economy.

information

visit:

persimmonhomes.com/community-champions. Redditch residents are welcome to visit Boomerang Re-Use Centre Monday - Friday (closed Tuesday) from 9am to 3.30pm and call 01527 68250.

Care Homes across the county to be halted

Families across Worcestershire are being asked not to visit loved ones in care homes, to protect them from Covid-19. Worcestershire County Council Public Health teams have taken the precautionary decision to close visits to all care homes with immediate effect. Only essential or compassionate visits will be allowed. Extra Care and Supported Living will be subject to the same restrictions. In the past weeks, the county has seen increasing cases of Covid-19. This is reflective of the national picture. There is a difficulty in accessing testing at the moment and this is leading to unreliable daily positive figures, but Public Health teams must work on the basis that positive cases are rising and the risk to residents is increasing. This was the picture before the testing issues became apparent. As part of the outbreak control plan, the county has a multitude of measures and support available to help prevent outbreaks and reduce the spread of the virus. The decision to restrict Care Home, Extra Care and Supported Living visits is one of those options. Dr. Kathryn Cobain, Director for Public Health for Worcestershire said: “The decision to stop care home, extra care and supported living visits is a difficult one to take. We have tried to balance the emotional health and wellbeing of our residents, with keeping them safe from Covid. By stopping visits county wide, we are acting to protect our vulnerable residents from the virus. I appreciate this will be upsetting and frustrating for families and I want to reassure you that we have acted to save lives. We will continue to review this situation. For now this is a sensible precautionary measure, it is better to act sooner rather than later.”

“These courses are a fantastic way to learn a new skill and could even improve your career prospects.” n

Councillor Adrian Hardman, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Adult Social Care said; “This will be difficult for many families and residents, but we must protect our elderly and vulnerable from the spread of Covid. The virus has not disappeared, it’s still with us in our community and this is a reminder to us all that we all have our part to play to keep everyone safe. Please keep your distance, wash your hands and wear face coverings.” n

There are nearly 200 online courses available and to find out more go to www.worcestershire.gov.uk/courses

To read the latest guidance, please visit the Council’s dedicated Coronavirus page visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus

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HERE & NOW

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HOME & GARDEN

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ill n st a c u , yo ber. w o n m E for ove PAG d N l s o i THE h R h E n tt OV UED be o e nigh TIN y N a CO fir m me te bon o h t ra gs a celeb n i r athe irit and g e larg the sp e l i Wh et into g

n 8 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

HOME & GARDEN

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HOME & GARDEN

Whether, you’re looking at getting rid of old garden waste, or commemorating the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, we take a look at how you can safely build a bonfore this November 5th. On November 5th people across the UK will be celebrating with fireworks, bonfires and sparklers. While most towns and villages may have their displays cancelled this year, many families may be inclined to celebrate at home, making their own bonfires and even placing their home-made ‘Guy’ doll on top of the fire It goes without saying that fire is extremely dangerous. Building a fire should be done with care and consideration, not only for your safety, but for those who live nearby. Make sure that beforehand, you alert your neighbours and make sure that it’s not a warm day when they’re likely to be their gardens. Check that there aren’t any telephone wires or cables above the bonfire; as a rule, the bonfore should be a minimum of five times it’s height from the property. Build the bonfore away from fences, trees and any wooden outbuildings like sheds. Be aware of any small

n 10 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

animals, like hedgehogs or birds that may have crawled into the bonfire for shelter. Make sure the material you are burning is dry. Damp wood causes more smoke. Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire, and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture, or batteries. Don’t leave bonfires unattended and keep children and pets away from them. An adult should alway be on hand it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with plenty of water. In case of emergencies, always keep a bucket of water on hand to extinguish any out of control embers If you have any fireworks at home, do not throw them; used or unused into the fire, alongwith aerosols, tyres, or any paint tins. They can produce toxic fumes and some may explode. Bonfire night, for decades wouldn’t be complete without a spectacular firework display. Organised propertly and with safety in mind, a wondrous display of fireworks to celebrate an occasion such as Bonfire Nght, CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

Locally Fully trained installer of electric vehicle chargers. Registered with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles. We install chargers under the Electric vehicle home charge scheme and work place charging schemes, offering government grants towards the cost of an installation.

18 Mosel Drive, Droitwich Spa, Worcester, WR9 8DB

Tel: 07970 310 534 / 01905 827114 Email: mark@aaj-electrical.co.uk www.aaj-electrical.co.uk

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HOME & GARDEN

can be entertaining for young and old alike.

firework show and play it on a projector in the

However fireworks can cause extensive air

back garden, against a wall or fence.

pollution in a short amount of time, leaving metal particles, dangerous toxins, harmful chemicals and smoke in the air for hours and days. Not mentioning the fear and dred placed upon pets and their owners during firework season.

If you are thinking of buying fireworks to set off in your home, there are some simple rules to follow: • Don’t drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks • Store fireworks in a closed, metal box and

If you are planning fireworks at home, why not try these alternatives:

take out one at a time • Keep a bucket of water nearby

Glow sticks: Perfect for night time fun and come in a variety of different colours

• Follow the instructions on each firework and light them at arm’s length, using the taper provided

Firecracker Pinata: Build a papier mache

• Make sure everyone stands well back

pinata in the shape of a firecracker. Fill

• Don’t go back to a firework that is lit - even

with

sweets,

themed

gifts,

even

the

aforementioned glowsticks. Fireless Fireworks: You can make your own party poppers with recycled toilet rolls, balloons and confetti. Simple attach the end of a balloon onto one end of a toilet roll, fill the toilet roll with colourful tissue paper, pull back the balloon and POP, your very own party popper.

if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode • Don’t put fireworks in your pocket • Don’t throw fireworks • Always supervise children around fireworks, don’t give sparklers to a child under five • Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves • Keep pets indoors • Take care around open flames such as bonfires and barbecues - all clothes, even

Video Firework Show: If you’re feeling really

those labelled ‘low flammability’, can

technical, you could watch a pre-recorded

catch fire.

• Only build a bonfire in your own garden, Worcestershire Council will remove bonfires built on open land The law says you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places. You must not set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except for Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight; New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am. Check with Worcestershire Council to find out about any local rules for setting off fireworks. You can only buy fireworks (including sparklers) from registered sellers for private use on these dates: 15 October to 10 November, 26 to 31 December, 3 days before Diwali and Chinese New Year. At other times you can only buy fireworks from licensed shops. You can be fined up to £5,000 and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally. You could also get an onthe-spot fine of £90. Most of all, have fun, but be safe! By Daisy Bennett

Take care around open flames such as bonfires and barbecues - all clothes, even those labelled ‘low flammability’, can catch fire n 12 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

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

FAIRWAYS FIREPLACES

• Newly refurbished showroom • Over 70 live working displays • Manufacturers of solid oak surrounds • Stockists of marble and stone fireplaces

THE FIREPLACE & STOVE WAREHOUSE THE LARGEST SHOWROOM IN THE MIDLANDS

15 Sherwood Road, Bromsgrove B60 3BG

01527 575567

www.fairwaysfireplaces.co.uk

• Hole in the wall fires • Gas fires and stoves • Electric fires and stoves • Multifuel and wood stoves

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HOME & GARDEN

Darren Spencer

A Bright Spark

Finding a trusted domestic electrician is worth its weight in gold, which is why Darren Spencer Electrical has become the first choice for households across Worcestershire. achieved after thorough vetting and on-site inspections have been performed. The company’s core values echo that of TrustMark with the three cornerstones of quality being... Good Trading, Good Customer Service and Technical Competence.

With over 20 years’ experience in providing reliable, stress free domestic electrical services from changing a light bulb to fuse board upgrades and homebuyers reports, the team at Darren Spencer Electrical can deliver on all levels. Their unique six year insurance backed warranty on all work carried out guarantees peace of mind to the highest standard which stands the test of time. Keeping up-to-date with the latest electrical regularity requirements is very important to the team at Darren Spencer Electrical. As experts in their field they take the burden of electrical safety off the homeowner. They always advise customers requiring an electricians services to do their research... is the electrician accredited and do they hold the latest qualification for the work that needs to be carried out? It’s all very well having the experience but do they have the recent qualifications to back it up? Darren Spencer Electrical are proud to be approved by the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). Having the backing by the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry, gives their customers the confidence that all electrical work being carried out will be completed to the highest standard. Plus, they are TrustMark certified, an accreditation that can only be n 14 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

Darren Spencer, the Founder of the business gives an insight into why their customer base just keeps on growing, he explains “The success of our business is definitely built on trust. Trust that we quote for electrical work accurately, trust that we use quality products for installation & testing and trust that we always do what we say we’re going to do. That even includes tidying up after ourselves as promised! One of our biggest pleasures comes from knowing we have customers who have been with us right from when the business began and who still use us now. Many of them over the years have been so impressed with our quality domestic electrical work and great customer service that they’ve referred friends and family to us too!”. Darren adds “Above everything else safety comes first every time. We pick up the pieces on so many jobs done by other electricians that either don’t meet current regularity requirements or which are just down right unsafe. We’re always at the end of the phone for anyone who believes their home electrics aren’t up to scratch and requires a full electrical health check”. A health check normally starts with the fuse board as the centre of the electrics in your home. Since the 1st January, 2016, new regulation means that approved contractors must only install non-combustible material fuse boards. The main reason for this is the concern that older fuse boards containing fuse wire pose a higher risk of fire as well as contributing to larger household electricity consumption. n If you are concerned about the electrics in your home and for peace of mind require a full electrical health check with Which Trusted Trader Darren Spencer Electrical, please call 01905 915001 or email darren@darrenspencerelectrical.co.uk.

HOME & GARDEN

Call Justin: 01905

672079

www.door-suppliers.co.uk

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HOME & GARDEN

1 2 0 2 n

i n o i t a

c o l e R

e ld b u o c 021 2 f o eme ay. h t e aw e, th etting m o h g g at gs and n i y in ta ut s your w o b g ll a as a preadin w s 20 If 20

Things will certainly be a lot

full time or part time. It’s certainly more

You have three types of visa to consider:

different when relocating to

straightforward to stay resident in the UK and

working, retirement and ‘golden’. Anyone

Europe, as the new ‘freedom of

just enjoy long – maybe very long – holidays in

planning on working abroad will need

movement’ rules will apply from 1st January,

the sun. You could, for example, buy a second

the relevant visa. That includes ‘digital

meaning British people will need a visa to

home in Spain, enjoying long, warm winters

nomads’ who plan to work from home for

live full-time in an EU country. Meanwhile,

there, and then rent it out to high-paying

the Birmingham office. It just happens that

long-haul destinations like New Zealand are

tourists while you enjoy an English summer.

‘home’ is now a café in San Francisco.

You’ll have no worries over Brexit, enjoy

Retirement or ‘non-lucrative’ visas will be

effectively sealed off to non-citizens of those countries for the time being.

capital growth (hopefully) on two properties,

popular in Spain and France, where if you

But that doesn’t mean you should forget the

take holidays whenever you want them, and

show an income over a certain amount

idea of moving abroad, which is one of the

you can even finance the overseas home

(usually not that much, less than €1,000 per

most exciting adventures one can have, at

with equity release on your UK property.

month) and have private healthcare, you can

any time of life. You might just need to spend the half of 2021 planning (and the second half living the dream!).

If moving full time, 2021 could be a big year for emigration lawyers and agents. They now have another 26 countries to work in, as Brits

Planning for your big move

moving more than half of the year to the EU

Your first decision will be whether to move

will need a visa.

n 16 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

stay. Lastly, golden or investor visas are where you gain residency in return for splurging lots of money on a property or other investment. Money talks everywhere, but €500,000 will CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

HOME & GARDEN

ANDREW ALEXANDER GARDEN DESIGN NDH Hort (Pershore)

Low Maintenance Garden Worcestershire

THREE TIMES ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEDAL WINNER Let me design your dream garden, tailored to your individual style, budget and needs. Full standalone garden design available Low maintenance gardens a speciality 3D freehand designs Covering Herefordshire & Worcestershire 20 years experience

Tel: 07968 371828

Email: aaoutdoors@live.co.uk Find us on Facebook at Andrew Alexander Outdoors for an extensive gallery of photos t @WorcestershireNow | G Worcestershire Now | w www.nowmagazines.co.uk 17 n

HOME & GARDEN

get you not only a lovely home, but also a right to live in Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Greece and some Caribbean islands. Where to move? Spain and Portugal both offer easy retirement visas. Indeed Portugal has a special low-tax incentive scheme for expat retirees. They’re both very simple to travel backwards and forwards to all year, unlike places like Greece and Turkey where flights are severely curtailed in winter. They’re not just warm in climate terms either, but also offer a warm welcome to British people looking for a community of fellow British people to share a healthy, active retirement with. If a British pub on a Spanish costa isn’t your idea of fun, head inland for a more traditional lifestyle, or move to France instead. Our nearest neighbour also has relatively simple visa schemes, as well as 1,600 different cheeses. For Francophiles, being able to throw all your stuff in the car and pop over on a ferry to a country where the children are polite, the markets are buzzing and the property is extremely affordable, is heaven.

You have three types of visa to consider: working, retirement and ‘golden’

n 18 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

New Zealand and Canada may be closed to new immigrants right now, but for 20- and 30-somethings who may not be looking forward to their chances in the post-Covid economy, they’re a good bet for later in 2021 or beyond. Both countries have young, charismatic leaders who have dealt successfully with the pandemic. Property Guides have seen a rush of enquiries to buy a home in New Zealand from older folk too, although the visa barriers are high for anyone aged over 55. Anyone serious about moving to either of these two countries should set a date for around a year away – especially for New Zealand which will be enjoying springtime – and begin building up a financial war chest. Immigration procedures, flights and removals are not cheap. They should also avoid getting into any long-term relationships – nearly one in five of our readers say they’re having trouble persuading a spouse to move with them! n Christopher Nye, Editor of Property Guides

HOME & GARDEN

Worcestershire

Now

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

Lis Gardner

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

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

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

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NATURE NOTEBOOK

Tawny Owl © Wendy Carter

Tu-wit, Tu-who?

Lately I’ve been hearing my local tawny owls sing to each as dark descends on our landscape...

October and November are a great time of year to listen out for the ‘huhuhuhooooo’ call of a male defending his territory. Autumn is when youngsters start to explore a potential territory of their own and when adult males get defensive of a territory they may have held for ten or twenty years. The ‘tu-wit tu-woo’ call that you may hear is actually a female and male duet – the female makes a higher pitched ‘tu-wit’ to the male’s warbling ‘tu-woo’. Breeding can start as early as January so as well as defending a territory, owls are starting to serenade their mates. I’ve been close to a ‘singing’ male tawny owl and it was one the purest sounds I’ve heard. Even as leaves fall from trees it’s hard work trying to find an owl that you may have heard the night before. Tawny owls basically look like the trees that they sit in; chestnut brown in colour with lighter and darker tones and markings, they camouflage beautifully with tree bark. It’s usually only movement or a noise that gives away their presence.

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

You wouldn’t believe from looking at an owl that their skull shape is very similar to that of other birds – their rather flat face makes them look remarkably different. This is down to their ears and the feathers associated with them. Owls have elaborate outer ear structures that allow them to accurately pinpoint their prey; the

n 20 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

payoff is that the eyes must face more to the front than on other birds. Imagine being a tawny owl in a dark wood on a moonless evening. You’ve got reasonable eyesight and incredible hearing so you can hear the mouse rustling through the leaves but how do you find it? Tawny owls have solved the problem. They’re incredibly sedentary so, once they’ve established a territory, they never leave it. This means that they learn and understand their patch very well – they know where obstacles are, how far it is from a perch to the ground and how to locate their nests in the pitch black. Numbers of tawny owls are dropping and they’re now on the amber list of species of conservation concern. They’re under pressure from loss of their habitat, whether that be the destruction of big old trees with lots of holes for nesting in or changing land use. Most of an owl’s bulk is made of feathers so they’re well adapted to roosting in cold weather but very cold winters can impact their populations both from a low temperature and a finding food aspect. When you’re snuggled up inside as winter draws in, spare a thought for wildlife outside…but occasionally open a window to listen out for a crooning owl. n Discover more www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

NATURE NOTEBOOK

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Let's Get Cosy As the night’s are drawing in, it’s a perfect excuse to get warm and cosy with your favourite book and drown out the noise from outside. We take a look at the best products on the market to help you relax this autumn. KNITTED DEER HOT WATER BOTTLE £19.99 This hot water bottle is perfect for a whole range of purposes throughout the year including: treating back and abdominal pains, improving sleep or just for keeping warm. hotwaterbottleshop.co.uk

YANKEE CANDLE AUTUMN GLOW £23.99 Earthy leaves swirl with golden sunlight and woody patchouli—like a walk through the forest in autumn yankeecandle.co.uk

SUBLIMAGE £116 The first essential step of the skincare ritual, inspired by the precision and high standards of the Asian ritual. chanel.com

COTTON PAISLEY PRINT PYJAMA SET £19.50 With its cotton-blend fabric, this M&S paisley-print pyjama set feels delightfully light and comfortable to wear. marksandspencer.com

CHOCOLATE BOX GIFT SET £12 EMMA STRAUB, ALL ADULTS HERE £12.99 Witty, warm and thoroughly entertaining, All Adults Here is a delicious dissection of the challenges of modern family life. waterstones.com n 22 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

Endulge in four of your favourite Thornton flavours ; Fudge Brownie Milk Chocolate; Mint Crunch Dark Chocolate; Eton Mess Chocolate Block; 70% Dark Ginger Chocolate Block. thorntons.co.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY

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GOLDEN YEARS

How to Land a Job

You Are Overqualified For

Experience is incredibly valuable because it gives you a greater understanding of who you are. The more you experience, the more skills you’ll tuck under your belt, and the more perspective you’ll gain – which can only be a good thing, both professionally and personally. However, when it comes to changing careers in later life, you may feel uneasy about applying for a job that doesn’t match your skills and experience level – especially when you have more skills than are necessary for a particular role. If this feels like you, then the key thing to remember is that hiring managers are less likely to doubt your ability to do a good job, and more likely to worry that you’re hoping to gain more from the role than it can realistically offer. People may also make incorrect assumptions about your commitment to the role, assuming that you might feel it’s beneath you in some way. But, by preparing to address these incorrect assumptions head on – you can easily show prospective employers that the term “overqualified” is completely irrelevant – and that by hiring you, they’ll be gaining a star team member with great intuition. n 24 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

1. Declutter your CV When you’ve got years’ of skills and experience, it can be tempting to try and include too much information on your CV – especially about things you’re particularly proud of. But it’s likely that not all of this information will be relevant to the role you’re applying for, and will make your CV much longer than it needs to be. An employer can often receive hundreds of applications for a single job, and if your CV is more than two pages long, there’s a good chance they’ll become overwhelmed and move onto the next, more concise application. Whilst it’s important to list places you’ve worked, job titles you’ve had and core skills you’ve picked up along the way; any additional details or examples from more than 10 years ago should only be included if they demonstrate your ability to do the job you’re applying

for – otherwise it becomes irrelevant. It’s more important to summarise a list of your relevant skills and experience at the start of your CV in a brief personal summary, than it is to give extensive information about the jobs that you did 20 years ago. 2. Always include a cover letter Whatever your experience level, it is so important to make sure you include a cover letter. It’s your chance to speak directly to a prospective employer and let them know why you want this specific job with this specific company, and which of your positive attributes you can bring to the role. From looking at your CV alone, there’s a chance that your potential boss might wonder why you’re applying for a position that CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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GOLDEN YEARS

current skill and experience level, that you’ll treat it like a stop gap or may be expecting to accelerate through the ranks as soon as you get your foot in the door. For this reason, you should try to reassure your potential boss – both in your cover letter and/or your interview – about your motives for wanting the role. It’s a good idea to explain what led you to apply for the role and how you think you could help the company grow.

doesn’t match your skills and experience level – and writing a cover letter gives you an opportunity to address this question outright. It will also allow you to let some of your enthusiasm shine through, so it’s clear that you have a genuine interest in the role that you’re applying for. Your cover letter is your chance to make a lasting first impression and stand out from the crowd, so it’s always worth taking the time to write one. 3. Express loyalty Some hiring managers may worry that if you are going for a role that is below your

4. Let your network speak for you If you know people within the organisation that you’re applying to, then there’s a good chance that they can put in a good word for you with the hiring manager. A recommendation from someone that the hirer knows will give them positive insight into what you could be like to work with day-to-day. If a prospective employer is having doubts about your loyalty or longevity in the role because your skill and experience level is above what is required, then a reliable account of you from a trusted third party could give them the reassurance they need to move past the idea that you may be “overqualified.” 5. Show admiration, interest and enthusiasm One of the main things that prospective

If your interviewer asks you to give examples of times you’ve successfully worked as a team, then avoid giving examples of times when you were in charge

n 26 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

employers will want to know about you is that you are interested in the opportunity, admire what the company stands for, and are humble and willing to work hard. You may have more skills and experience than the role demands, but if an interviewer gets the sense that you are complacent, this could harm your chances of securing the job. 6. Show that you’re a team player Hiring managers might consider how your skills and experience could affect the dynamics of the current working team – for example, whether you can take direction from team members who may be less experienced than you. They may also be worried that others will be intimidated by you and your experience. If your interviewer asks you to give examples of times you’ve successfully worked as a team, then avoid giving examples of times when you were in charge (unless they specifically ask for examples where you have led a team). Instead try to give examples of times when you worked well as an equal member of a team to reach a specific goal. CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

GOLDEN YEARS

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GOLDEN YEARS

7. Make it clear that you’re willing to learn

9. Be realistic about the salary expectations

Many hiring managers will already see that

Try and do your research up front. If the salary

there is great value in hiring someone with

ranges aren’t displayed in a job advert, then

extensive skills and life experience, but they

before making your application, try doing

will also want to see that you are willing to

some broader research into the role to find

take on new skills and learn new things. Not

out what sort of pay you can expect. If you’re

all companies do things the same way and

applying for a role that requires less skills and

employers appreciate candidates who can

experience than your previous jobs, then the

acknowledge this and remain open-minded

salary may also be lower. We always suggest

and flexible when it comes to taking on

that you don’t discuss salary expectations

new tasks or adopting new ways of doing

in your interview, unless you are specifically

things. Let them know that yes, you may

asked or until someone offers you the job

already have experience, but you’re more

– it’s much easier to negotiate salary when

than willing to get stuck in and embrace new

someone has offered you the job – whereas

challenges as they arise.

asking upfront in an interview can give

8. Listen An interviewer will always look at your communication skills – not just how you express yourself, but also how well you can listen. It’s one of the defining features in the success of our species – the ability to communicate with one another, work together and make things happen that we couldn’t do as individuals. Nowhere is this more important than when you’re working as part of a team in the workplace. By showing your interviewer that you have excellent

employers the impression that you care more listening skills, you’ll also be giving them a clue about what you could be like to work with i.e. that you’re a team player who is willing to learn from others. This is especially important when you are interviewing with a hiring manager who may be less experienced than you are. To avoid feeling intimidated they will want to know that you won’t be telling them what to do in the job! By showing them that you are willing to let them direct the interview and listen intently to what they say, you’ll be off to a good start...

about the salary than the role – which even if true, is not the right message to give. Some recruiters will actively ask for your previous salary however, so if you know your previous salary was significantly higher than the role you are wanting to secure – then it’s a good idea to make it clear to your interviewer that you’re flexible, and that you are clear about the salary range for the role they are advertising. n For more information and finding great jobs for the older worker – www.restless.co.uk

Let them know that yes, you may already have experience, but you’re more than willing to get stuck in and embrace new challenges as they arise

n 28 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

GOLDEN YEARS

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Now

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

Lis Gardner

rachel@pw-media.co.uk

lis@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727900

Tel: 01905 727901

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727905

kate@pw-media.co.uk

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EDUCATION

Children adjust to the “new normal” to keep fit and well Pupils at The Downs Malvern, a school renowned for its sports and games facilities, are quickly adjusting to safe ways to boost their fitness and wellbeing in the wake of the lockdown. “We encourage every child to participate in games and sports they enjoy and which complement their natural abilities,” says Michael Strong, the school’s Head of Sports, “but accommodating that in the current situation has involved a great deal of planning!” Swimming and outdoor fitness activities will provide the core to this term’s programme: one innovation is Ready4Rugby: a new, non-contact format designed by England coach Eddie Jones. There will also be football and cricket for the boys, whilst the girls will focus on hockey. “Obviously with the children restricted to ‘bubbles’, no team fixtures are planned until at least half term - although this is under constant review,” says Mr Strong. The impressive sports facilities at The Downs

n 30 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

Malvern – which in the past have enabled pupils to compete at county and national levels as well as win sports scholarships at their chosen Senior School – also make it possible for pupils to exercise in safety. Set in a 55-acre campus, there is an extensive main games field with its own cricket pavilion, Astro Turf pitch and netball/tennis courts. Indoor resources include the two-floored Sports Hall with four lanes of cricket nets, four badminton courts, netball court, basketball court, hockey and tennis courts. Pupils also make use of Malvern College’s Sports Complex with its 25m indoor swimming pool. n

EDUCATION

Worcestershire

Now

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

Lis Gardner

rachel@pw-media.co.uk

lis@pw-media.co.uk

Tel: 01905 727900

Tel: 01905 727901

Kate Gilmartin Tel: 01905 727905

kate@pw-media.co.uk

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EDUCATION

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance For Education Open Days and Evenings There is currently no specific guidance issued by Department of Education or Public Health England relating to open days or evenings. This guidance is general advice and it is the responsibility of each school to undertake their own risk assessment and satisfy themselves that they are mitigating any risks identified. In the event that local restrictions to control outbreaks have been imposed then schools will contact the WCF Education team and Council Public Health team prior to holding any open day or evening. Arrangements for open days and evenings should follow the same public health principles that apply to working safely in schools: Social distancing • schools should limit visitors during the regular school day while pupils are present. Open days should not be held on these n 32 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

days. For Open Evenings schools can chose to close early but should consider cleaning arrangements before and after the evening

presentations that demonstrate the activities

• schools should not hold presentations or talks where groups of people sit in rooms together. Alternatives to this could be virtual presentations, videos or online documents available for prospective parents, carers and pupils to download

controlled through the use of appointments.

• schools should consider how attendee adults and children interact with staff and subject areas whilst still complying with the social distancing principle of 2 metres or 1 metre plus. Activities that require or encourage “hands on” interaction should not take place. Alternatives such as teacher demonstrations, videos or ‘rolling’

could be used • the number of attendees should be

• attendees to open evenings should be reminded when they arrive to keep 2 metres distance from staff and other groups and to avoid unnecessarily touching surfaces and objects. It may be useful to reinforce that any children who are attending must be closely supervised by the adults in their group • any attendees over 11 years may be requested to wear face coverings. It is the school’s discretion whether they wish to CONTINUED OVER THE PAGE

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EDUCATION

• ventilation should be maximised by opening windows etc. Schools should consider the safety and security when deciding which rooms this will apply to • schools should consider whether they make toilets available to attendees and if so then limit this to a specific location. Any toilets used should be thoroughly cleaned prior to reopening for general school use. Appointments and contact tracing • to maintain social distancing and manage the number of attendees schools should consider using a booking system for attendees to make appointments for specific times or ‘time slots’ • how this would work would need to be part of the risk assessment process and will differ for each school • if the school does not have an existing system then free ticketing systems are available for example Eventbrite or Ticketsource • schools should consider limiting attendees to a specific number e.g. 2 adults plus children under 14 or say a total of 4 people • schools should determine what is appropriate for their specific prospective intake and this should be part of their risk assessment process • contact details of all attendees should be requested and retained for 21 days to assist contract tracing in the event of an outbreak • these details should be collected on entry to the school make this a requirement based on their risk assessment and whether they will allow attendance if this is not complied with • schools should consider who assists with tours of schools. In particular where this has previously been done by pupils, they should assess whether this will provide an appropriate level of supervision and control • schools should consider if they will admit small groups of parents and children who tour the school as a small bubble who socially distance within their bubble during their visit and so minimise mixing of visitorså Hand cleaning All attendees should wash or sanitise their hands-on entry to the school and on departure. Provision should be made by schools for this to happen. The most practical way will be to provide hand sanitiser in either n 34 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

spray bottles or gels bottles with pumps at the entry and exit points and for this to be supervised by a member of staff. Buildings • the attendees should comply with a oneway system to ensure that social distancing is maintained. It is likely that the one-way systems that have been implemented in schools will be suitable therefore no new signage will be needed, however schools should review this and plan routes accordingly • rooms which will be accessed on a tour of the school should have the doors held open. However, schools should carefully consider this and specific safety issues, e.g. fire doors should not be held open and how to control access to areas with machinery or chemicals • schools may decide on a limited number of people within each room to ensure social distancing

• this should also apply when using a booking system as this may not record all attendees’ details, details to be collected are: - the name of the attendee - if there is more than one person, then you can record the name of the ‘lead member’ of the group and the number of people in the group - a contact phone number for each attendee, or for the lead member of a group of people - date of visit, arrival time and, where possible, departure time - if an attendee will interact with only one member of staff, the name of the assigned staff member should be recorded alongside the name of the attendee. n More information can be found at Gov.UK

EDUCATION

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Puzzled? What's On

STAY HOME. STAY SAFE.

SUDOKU - MODERATE 7 6

5 9

4 2

9 3

2 3

8 1

5 8

1 5

5 1

1 2

3 8

Find and cross out all the listed words. The words may go horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and backwards. JAVELIN ATHLETE COACH HURDLE BRONZE STADIUM

WORD SEARCH

FINISHLINE SCORE CHAMPION LEAGUE RACE GOAL

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n 36 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

7 S

M H

O M

C M D

G O

H M

O N

M G

M O

M A

U M

G M D

D O

M D

H M

A M

O N

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Puzzled?

CRISS-CROSS

Fill in the blanks with the words. To help you get started two letters are already in place 1

11 12

14 15

20 21

25 26

28 29 30

32 34

38 39

41 42

4 letter words PEAR WING 5 letter words AMUSE ASHES EGYPT FAIRY FLUID FOGGY LABEL PATHS SNEAK

STOOD TASTY USING YIELD ZEBRA 6 letter words MARINE TRIBAL 7 letter words CABANAS DECLARE DELIGHT

n 38 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

DEPOSIT DEVICES DISPLAY DOUBLED DRAWING ELEGANT ENGLAND ENTRIES GRANDAD KNITTED KNOTTED LEADERS LOGICAL PARCELS

SHADOWS SWIMMER WRITTEN

STAIRCASE TWENTIETH UNDERLINE

8 letter words ADMITTED ELECTRON HANDSOME SINGULAR

10 letter words HISTORICAL LOCOMOTIVE

9 letter words ASTRONOMY INSTALLED KNOWLEDGE

11 letter words HANDWRITING IMAGINATION

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n 40 | Worcestershire Now | Issue 200 | October 2020

Worcestershire Now - OCTOBER 2020

Articles inside

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance For Education Open Days and Evenings

How to Land a Job You Are Overqualified For

Relocation in 2021

Bonfire Night at Home

Children Adjust to the “New Normal” to Keep Fit and Well

Darren Spencer - A Bright Spark

Let’s Get Cosy