2016Better Bromsgrove Together

Message from council Leader, Councillor Geoff Denaro

Cheryl Welsh is NWEdR’s Centres Manager covering the Town Centre, Hagley, Barnt Green, Alvechurch and Catshill, Rubery and Wythall.I am really proud to support the Christmas events across the district centres

and it’s great to see Hagley and Barnt Green holding their own lights switch-ons this year.I look forward to working with all of my centres in the New Year with exciting plans and by working together we can create a Better Bromsgrove.

This year’s Christmas celebrations are definitely bigger and better than ever which is why we wanted to produce this brochure so you didn’t miss out!And I am delighted that there are events across the district in our centres.

There are so many groups and organisations who work tirelessly to promote the district and provide great things for everyone to do. So we have pulled this energy together to create fabulous festivities with our partners which will also support our local traders and businesses. It will definitely be a Better Bromsgrove this Christmas.

Parkside Customer Service Hub Xmas HoursDate Open/Closed

Friday 23rd DecOpen as normal8.45am - 5pm

Sat 24th Christmas Eve CLOSED

Sun 25th Christmas Day CLOSED

Mon 26th Boxing Day CLOSED

Tues 27th Bank Holiday CLOSED

Wed 28th CLOSED

Thurs 29th Open 8.45am - 5pm

Fri 30th Open 8.45am - 5pm

Sat 31st New Year’s Eve CLOSED

Sun 1st Jan New Year’s Day CLOSED

Mon 2nd JanuaryBank Holiday

CLOSED

Normal services resume Tues 3rd Jan

Message from Cheryl Welsh, Centres Manager

2No changes to bin collection dates this Christmas

GET IN TOUCHVisit us / Write to usParkside, Market Street, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 8DAMonday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Call usCustomer Services: 01527 881288Out of Hours emergency: 01527 871565

Click onwww.bromsgrove.gov.uk

Bromsgrove District Council

@BromsgroveDC

If you want this magazine in a different format, e.g. audio CD, or language, call 01527 881651.

The council does not endorse any of the products or services advertised in this magazine by external customers. To advertise in this magazine call 01527 881651. All information was correct at time of going to press.

Bromsgrove District Christmas Events DiaryFriends of St John’s Christmas Market

Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th November Bromsgrove High Street, Thurs/Fri 9.00am-4.00pm

Sat 9.00am-6.30pm, Sun 10.00am-2.00pm

Bromsgrove Christmas Lights Switch OnSaturday 19th November - High Street, 3.30pm-5.30pm

“Illuminate” Christmas Lantern ParadeSaturday 26th November - Bromsgrove Town Centre

from 4pm (Market extended to 5pm)

CJ Events Christmas Market

Tuesday 20th - 24th December

Bromsgrove High Street

Small Business SaturdaySaturday 3rd December

Hagley Village Christmas Lights Switch OnThursday 24th November - from 5.30pm

Rubery Village Christmas Lights Switch OnSaturday 26th November - New Road, 3.30pm-5.30pm

Barnt Green Village Christmas Lights Switch OnFriday 2nd December - from 4.30pm

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FREE CHRISTMAS PARKING

3rd, 4th, 17th & 18th Dec

St John’s Church Toy CollectionHigh Street market stall on the same dates above

By New Year’s Eve most of us

have emptied our wallets and we’re fed up

of cooking and eating! So here are some handy, money-saving, ideas to see you through to the New Year without eating dozens of dry turkey sandwiches…

Christmas Day – The WorksWe all go to town and cook too much on Christmas day so make sure that after the meal, you keep all leftovers in air tight plastic containers in the fridge ready to use for other meals.

Extravagant SandwichesMake a sandwich from leftover cold meats; add some crispy fried bacon, chutney, leftover salad leaves, crunchy carrots or pickled cabbage. Spread bread with chilli jam, onion marmalade, mayonnaise or mango chutney.

Never Ending Turkey SoupMake stock from the turkey bones and freeze in 1 pint portions (rinsed out plastic milk cartons work well). Add veg, meat and leftover cream. You can either blitz together to make a chunky soup or leave thin and add pasta to make ‘turkey noodle soup’.

New Year…New You!Have a fridge clear out and finish up any leftovers or excess food in healthy soups, salads and omelettes. Clear out the kitchen in preparation for the New Year before making a resolution to love food and hate waste all year round.

We Dish you a Merry Christmas

Eat Safe this ChristmasThe festive period normally means that most of us eat out more, whether it’s for a works Christmas lunch or celebrating New Year with our families.We know that pubs and restaurants often get booked up quick but just because you might have to go somewhere that isn’t your preferred choice doesn’t mean you have to accept lower standards of food hygiene.The local Food Hygiene Rating Scheme listings can help you make an informed decision of where to eat safely at Christmas and the listings can be seen by going to www.food.gov.uk/ratings and carrying out a search to see how local businesses are rated.Businesses are rated on a scale of 5 (very good) down to 0 (in need of major improvement). The website is updated monthly and mobile apps are also available for you to plan where to eat.

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New Year, New Leisure CentreBromsgrove’s new Leisure Centre is set to open next year.Morgan Sindall Group is building the new facility next to the existing Dolphin Centre on School Drive, which will remain open until the new one opens by the end of 2017.

It will feature two swimming pools including one with a movable floor for disability access, the district’s first indoor climbing wall, three fitness studios, 100-station gym and more, including bigger and better facilities thanks to a £1.5million grant from Sport England. The centre will be completed in four distinct phases. First the new centre will be built and opened to the public. Then the old centre will be demolished, and then the new centre’s surrounding areas and car parking will be finished which will complete Morgan Sindall’s work. Finally the current car park will be closed and made available for redevelopment. The new centre is designed to increase participation and offer a wider range of services to residents. It will be self-funding, with the borrowing costs to built it paid from its own revenues, in contrast to the significant annual losses of the ageing Dolphin Centre.

Keep Warm & Save MoneyA new fund to help Bromsgrove residents on fixed or lower incomes get better, cheaper heating in their homes is available now.Up to £5,000 towards the cost of replacement boilers, radiators, insulation and more is now available to people who have inefficient heating and whose household incomes fall below a certain level, through the new Bromsgrove Energy Efficiency Fund.An application to local independent energy advisers Act on Energy is required to access the money on 0800 988 2881.

Opening 2017

Hosted by Malcolm Boyden from BBC Hereford & Worcester, switch on by Team GB Paralympic Gold Medallist Lauren Rowles

Performances from Rock Choir,Chadsgrove School Choir and Artrix Songstars Showchoir

Live music from local singers Skye Hadley and Ava & Sophie Thompson, Hourglass

Christmas Market 17th-20th November

on the High Street

Take a #SantaSelfie& you could win!

(Switch on 5.30pm)

For more info visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/eventsor call 01527 534030

Meet the Paw Patrol Gang

and All & Sundry

Panto characters

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Special Guest - Team GB Rio 2016 Paralympic Gold Medallist Lauren RowlesLauren Rowles from Bromsgrove and her rowing partner Laurence Whiteley became the first GB crew to qualify for Rio 2016. They went on to win glorious Gold, setting a new best time along the way. We are delighted Lauren will be helping turn on the Christmas Lights in Bromsgrove this year, along with district council Chairman Councillor Helen Jones.

Timetable of Events3.30pm - 3.50pm

Chadsgrove School Choir

3.50pm - 4.10pm

Artrix Songstars Showchoir

4.10pm - 4.30pm

Performance from Skye Hadley

4.30pm - 4.55pm

Rock Choir

5pmPrimrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On, Asda

5.00pm - 5.25pm

Performance from Hourglass

5.25pmSpeeches / Father Christmas

5.30pmChristmas Lights Switch On

5.30pm - 5.45pm

Performance from Hourglass

Take a selfie with Santa and send to @BromsgroveDC using #SantaSelfie for your chance to win a special prize!

All & Sundry Pantomime CastCast members from All & Sundry’s production of ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’ will be at the Switch On, providing entertainment and promoting their panto which runs at the Artrix from the 16th - 23rd December. Visit www.artrix.co.uk for more info.

Friends of St John’s High Street Christmas Craft MarketFollowing last years’ success, the Christmas Market will be returning to the High Street over four days with local crafts, gifts, specialist drinks & festive entertainment.

More information is available on page 8.

Saturday 19th November 9am until 6.30pm

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Friends of St John’s Christmas Market & Toy CollectionFriends of St John’s is once again proud to be organising the Christmas Markets in Bromsgrove. Come along and enjoy the craft market, food, drink and entertainment.

Stall holders include:

The Friends of St John’s support the ongoing maintenance and restoration needs of the church building, helping to preserve the heritage of our town.

Thursday 17th Nov 9am until 4pm - Children’s themed day with rides and interactive areas

Friday 18th Nov 9am until 4pm - Crafts, gifts, entertainment with celebration at 11am

Saturday 19th Nov 9am until 6.30pm - Crafts, gifts & entertainment from Blackwell Brass Band in conjunction with Christmas Light Switch On

Sunday 20th Nov 10am until 2pm - Crafts, gifts & St John’s will be holding a family service & carol singing alongside the stalls at 10.45am

‘Fundraisers R Us’ St John’s Church - Toy Collection & gifts Lizziebug - Children’s/baby clothes Sildil - Stained glass decorationsSilver Strand - Mythical/spiritual products PositiveBeing - Weightloss tea/coffee Deverry Jewellery - Hand crafted jewellerySarah’s Feisty Flavours - Handmade local preserves Warren Wood - Handmade chopping boards Fairtrade Bromsgrove - Variety of products The Ugly House - Handmade giftsCupitt Jeweller - Jewellery/ giftsCyderstore - Cider/perry/wine Wychbold Fudge - Handmade luxury fudge Panachegifts - Dried fruit decorations St Basils - Items made by residents Romsley Gems - Handmade gemstone jewelleryThe Little Ale House - Alcohol based products

St John’s Church will have their own ‘Fundraisers R Us’ stall with a toy collection point for Birmingham City Mission’s “Toy Link”. Every Christmas, Birmingham City Mission provides gifts to around 3,000 children who would otherwise not receive any presents. Gifts should be new or nearly new and not wrapped for boys and girls aged 0 to 15. Toys can be donated at the market or the Sunday Service.

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“Illuminate” Christmas Lantern ParadeSaturday 26th November from 4pm

Also Happening on Bromsgrove High Street...

A joint venture with Artrix, Friends of St John’s and Bromsgrove District Council, we will “Illuminate” Bromsgrove Town Centre with our Christmas Lantern Parade. Participants who wish to join this family-friendly event are welcome to gather from 4pm in the Event Space outside Argos. The Lantern Parade will then process throughout the Town Centre, finishing at St John’s Church with music and refreshments. The High Street market will beextended to 5pm.Want to make your own lantern for the parade? Please contact TC Peppercorn on outreach@artrix.co.uk for details on how to book a place at one of our free workshops.

Blackwell Concert BandSaturday 3rd & 10th December,10am - 12pm

Formed in 1998, the Blackwell Concert Band features a mixture of woodwind and brass and currently consists of 55 players.The main band will be performing on Saturday 3rd December, whilst the training band, consisting of young and adult beginners, will be performing a selection of carols and festive tunes on Saturday 10th December. Please come along and enjoy a festive sing song whilst you do your Christmas shopping!

The Fidgets Saturday 17th December

Based in Worcester, The Fidgets are a young pop/rock duo consisting of Max Stockin and Ryan Skidmore who both sing vocals and play guitar. They began playing in Bromsgrove in early 2013 and have since expanded to playing around the Midlands. They have perfected their craft by spending many hours busking, recently racking up their 500th performance and releasing an EP.

9Picture Credit ©Tim Richmond

Help Find Santa & His Friends!Santa and his friends will be hiding in shops in Bromsgrove Town Centre

and Barnt Green, Hagley and Rubery Villages this Christmas. Help find them and you could win a special prize! (One prize per district centre)

Find Santa & his reindeer in Bromsgrove You can pick up entry forms from Saturday 12th November at Bromsgrove Library orPlaza Coffee. Please return forms to either location by Monday 28th November.

Find Santa & his elves in Hagley VillageYou can pick up entry forms from Thursday 24th November at Hagley Café

or Lily Blue. Please return forms to either location by Sunday 11th December.

Find Santa & his reindeer in Rubery VillageYou can pick up entry forms from Saturday 19th November at Kennedys Mica Hardwareor Rubery Library. Please return forms to either location by Monday 5th December.

Find Santa & his tree decorations in Barnt GreenYou can pick up entry forms from Friday 25th November at Barnt Green Post Office, The Tea Shop or Oasis Flowers & Balloons.Please return forms to any of the abovelocations by Friday 9th December.

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Sunday 20th Nov, 10am - 2pmHigh Street - Toy collection and Carols

Sunday 27th Nov, 6pm @ St. John’s - Darkness to Light An atmospheric service of candles, readings and plainsong.

Sunday 4th Dec, 6pm @ St. John’s - Christingle Service

Sunday 18th Dec, 4pm @ St. Andrew’s, Charford - Christingle Service6pm @ St. John’s - 9 Lessons & Carols

Saturday 24th Dec, Christmas Eve 4pm @ St.John’s -Scratch Nativity & Crib Service Parents bring your children dressed as a character in the Christmas Story.11.30pm @ St. John’s - Midnight Service

Sunday 25th Dec, Christmas Day, 9.15am @ St. Andrew’s - Family Communion10.45am @ St. John’s - Family CommunionThere is an opportunity for children to come and show their favourite Christmas Prezzies at this service.

Sunday 1st Jan, New Years Day, 10.45am @ St. John’s - Said Morning Prayer

Christmas at St John’s & St Andrew’s Churches

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Proud to support North Worcestershire – the natural environment for business

NWedR is driving economic growth and regeneration across North Worcestershire. We represent Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest to provide business support, encourage inward investment, connect people to employment and training and support development of key sites and investment.

www.nwedr.org.uk

@NorthWorcsEDR

info@nwedr.org.uk

0845 601 5953

Bromsgrove business is back on the boil!It seemed that the new retail venture ‘Father’s Barn’ in Rubery would face a chilly winter in its cafe, until Bromsgrove District Council offered a helping hand. The old tired boiler had been leaking and losing pressure, and despite best efforts to elongate its life it was only a matter of time before it ran out of steam!Bromsgrove Council agreed to step in and save the day with a part-grant. Father’s Barn now has a brand new boiler for the Signpost Cafe ensuring a healthy warm winter for the cafe and its customers.Ian Robinson, Chairman of Rubery Village Business association said: “We were really glad of the financial boost which shows that the council cares about the survival and success of small businesses in our community. We look forward to a healthy partnership in the future”.

@

Come and meet Santa and the Paw Patrol gang!

Saturday 26th November3.30pm - 5.30pm, New Road

Live music from local singers:

Hour glass Issi YoungJoe Jacob ThomasScott Cartwright St James School Choir

Primrose Hospice Tree lit 5pm, lights at 5.30pm

For more information please visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/eventsor call 01527 534030

St Chad’s Church Big SingMake a glowing Christmas decoration from 2.30pm

Singing from 3pm

Procession to the Christmas Lights event 3.30pm

Holywell School Choir

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Rubery Switch On Timetable3.30pm

Parade from St Chad’s Church

3.35pm Scott Cartwright

3.45pm Holywell School Choir

3.55pm Issi Young

4.05pm Joe Jacob Thomas

4.20pm St James School Choir

4.35pm Scott Cartwright

4.45pm Hourglass

5.00pm Primrose Hospice Tree of Light Switch On

5.05pm Hourglass

5.20pm Speeches/Father Christmas

5.30pm The Big Switch On!

Hagley Christmas Lights Switch OnThursday 24th November from 5.30pm, Hagley Village

Barnt Green Christmas Lights Switch On

Friday 2nd December from 4.30pm, Barnt Green

Village

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More information on either of these Switch On Events can be found on www.bromsgrove.gov.uk

CALAHOMES

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Will You Get a TEN Out of Ten for Your Christmas Event?Are you hosting a Christmas or New Year event this year? Make sure you submit your TEN (Temporary Event Notice) to your licensing authority!As part of the Licensing Act 2005, many organised functions are legally required to take out a TEN. The notice covers up to 499 people for a maximum of 168 hours.

If your event includes any of the following you will need a TEN:- Selling Alcohol- Indoor sporting events- Playing of music or films- Plays and theatrical performances- Dancing or entertainment (excluding carol singing).

A ‘Standard’ TEN must be submitted at least 10 days before the event but sometimes different rules apply for Christmas and New Year.For more information on Temporary Event Notices, go to the Home Office website (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk) or email wrslicensing@worcsregservices.gov.uk

Support Small Business on Saturday 3rd DecemberSmall Business Saturday is a national non-commercial campaign that highlights small business success, and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities. Bromsgrove District boasts independent traders and market stalls and, with free parking on Dec 3 too, are the perfect places to pick up a unique Christmas present. Bromsgrove’s Centres Manager Cheryl Welsh, who covers the town centre, Barnt Green, Alvechurch, Hagley, Catshill, Wythall, Rubery, said: “Small independent businesses bring a vibrancy and unique offer to town and village centres and the day is a great way to support and rediscover the great array of small businesses we have.”

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New Look Better BromsgroveThe Better Bromsgrove website will be getting a bit of a makeover in the next few months so keep an eye out for its new look.As well as looking great, a number of partners – including North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWEDR), local groups, businesses and organisations – will now be working on the site too; making it the go to place for anything you need to know about Bromsgrove District.The new site will still keep visitors up to date with regeneration projects but will bring this together with other aspects of Bromsgrove District such as upcoming events, shopping, starting a business and living in Bromsgrove.More detailed information will also be included about the other centres within the district like Wythall or Hagley, thanks to our new Centres Manager Cheryl Welsh.

Watch this space for more on the new Better Bromsgrove, coming soon.www.betterbromsgrove.com

Hinton Group Starts £3.5m Waitrose DevelopmentAn exciting new £3.5 million retail development in Bromsgrove - including a Waitrose store - took a step closer to becoming a reality with the beginning of construction work earlier this year.

Hinton Group, started phase one of the development in September, which will transform the former Market Hall site in Bromsgrove town centre, create new jobs and attract further investment.Hinton Group director Jon Hinton was joined by Councillor Karen May and Councillor Margaret Buxton and Daren Humphrey of Waitrose, to officially launch the start of work on site.The new Waitrose store will create 60 full and part-time jobs and is expected to open for trading in Spring 2017. Public access to the store will be from St John’s Street. A planning application has been submitted for phase two, which will include a further 14,500 sq ft of retail space.