The Wednesday Club

Clubs & Societies

The Wednesday Club meets on the second Weds of each month at Tanyard Community Centre (Tanyard Close, Tanyard Lane, Alvechurch) from 2.15–4.15pm, and offers the chance to make new friends, meet old ones and enjoy an afternoon of talks, demos and visits.

On March 14 it’s “Life of an Auctioneer” – bring a curio for valuation. Visitors £3 including tea and free raffle.

More info from Janet on 0121 447 7870.

Zumba fun!

Health & Fitness

Barnt Green Pre-School invite you to try the latest fitness craze at 8pm on Friday 10th February (at Barnt Green Baptist Church).

Run by a professional instructor, the emphasis will be on fun - so bring your friends for a great night out.

Tickets £5 (includes glass of wine or OJ afterwards). Contact Sadie 07960 861 567.

‘Art Attack’ presenter to visit Rubery

Art & Literature

Neil Buchanan, the creator, artist, producer and presenter of the BAFTA-winning TV show Art Attack, will be appearing at Jamie Leigh Fine Art gallery in Rubery, on Sat February 4 from 2–4pm.

The visit coincides with the launch of his debut collection of signed limited edition prints – Neil Buchanan’s HOPE STREET – depicting “the story   of childhood”.

Jamie Leigh Fine Art has recently relocated to stunning new premises at 112 New Road. The popular TV star will be the first artist to make a live appearance in the new gallery and an exhibition of HOPE STREET will remain on display in the gallery throughout the spring.

Circassian Circle Barndancing Club

Dancing

The Circassian Circle Barndancing Club runs on the first Saturday each month at Rowney Green Village Hall.

£5 per person to include sandwich, tea and cake! More info on 01527 545002.

Town’s new Scout group

Children & Families

A brand new Scout Group has opened in Bromsgrove, promising plenty of fun and adventure. The 9th Bromsgrove Scout Group is the first new group to open in the town since 1969 and will initially be for boys and girls in the Beaver Scout and Cub Scout age groups (six to ten and a half), with plans for a Scout Troop in the future.

The group will meet fortnightly on Saturday lunchtimes Scout Hut on Charford Road. Young people are often busy with after-school clubs on weeknights, so the Saturday timing offers a chance for boys and girls to experience the fun and adventure of Scouting.

County Commissioner Derek Barnes opened the first meeting by inviting the new Group Scout Leader Arif Ali to make his Scout Promise and investing him as a leader in front of the young people. Derek also invested four other new leaders into the Scout Group. The youngsters then enjoyed activities including cooking pancakes on a tin can, volcano science, Morse code and blindfold tasting.

Every Scout Group in Bromsgrove and Droitwich currently has boys and girls waiting to join – a few more adults helping would enable existing leaders to open more Beaver Colonies and Cub Packs and allow more young people to experience the fun and adventure of Scouting. If you could spare a few hours to help your local group, please call Val on 01527 837060 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Scarecrow returns

Theatre

Mappleborough Green Amateur Dramatic Society (M.A.D.S) presents its second performance of The Scatterbrained Scarecrow of Oz at Tanworth-in-Arden Village Hall from Feb 16–18.

Tickets cost £3.50 for children and £7 for adults, and are available from John Pearson on 01564 742726.

Pirates at the Palace

Theatre

Astwood Bank Operatic Society will perform the hilarious Broadway version of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance at the Palace Theatre in Redditch from March 6–10.

This version combines the words and lyrics of the original with exciting new musical arrangements and completely over-the-top characters. And as 2012 is a leap year, this is the most appropriate of shows as the leap year theme is very much to the fore.

Performances will take place at 7.30pm, plus a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Tickets cost £12.50 for evening performances and £11 for the matinee, and are available from the Society’s hotline: 01527 546569 (until Feb 19) and the theatre box office: 01527 65203.

So whether you are a seasoned Gilbert & Sullivan fan or just love musical comedy, don’t miss this wonderfully colourful production with a full orchestra, costumed characters, scenery and vibrant singing – guaranteed fun for all the family.

Arsenic & Old Lace

Theatre

All & Sundry presents farcical black comedy Arsenic and Old Lace at the Palace Theatre in Redditch from March 28–31 (suitable for age 12+).

Evening performances 7.30pm; Sat matinee 2.30pm. Tickets £11/£10 (Tues, Weds,Thurs eve and Sat mat) or £12/£11 (Fri and Sat eve). Buy one get one free on Weds and matinee.

Tickets from the Palace box office on 01527 65203; more info at http://www.allandsundry.org

Gould Piano Trio

Music

Bromsgrove Concerts present the Gould Piano Trio at Artrix on Fri Feb 10. The concert begins at 8pm and features music by Haydn, Dvorak and Messiaen.

The Gould Piano Trio have built up an international reputation, with regular tours of the USA. Since 1999 they have held their own annual summer festival at Corbridge in Northumberland.

Clarinettist Robert Plane joins them for a performance of Messiaen’s stunning Quartet For the End of Time.

Mendelssohn and More

Music

The Midland Sinfonia presents Mendelssohn and More at 7.30pm on Sat Feb 18 at Artrix. Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in the hands of Shulah Oliver will be a thrilling and beautiful occasion.

That together with Mozart’s Haffner and Beethoven’s Seventh, featuring one of the largest orchestras The Midland Sinfonia has yet presented, should make for a splendid evening.

Tickets £15 (children accompanying an adult are free) available from www.artrix.co.uk or 01527 577330. F/t students and reg. unemployed £5.

For more info or to see details of the full programme visit www.midlandsinfonia.co.uk

Pre-school’s Nearly New Sale

General Events

Barnt Green Pre-School’s Nearly New Sale takes place on Sat March 3 from 10.30am at Barnt Green Baptist Church.

High-quality children’s and babies’ toys, clothes and nursery equipment – all at bargain prices.

For further info or a seller’s pack contact Vicky 0121 445 3953.

NCT’s Nearly New Sale

General Events

A Nearly New Sale organised by Bromsgrove & District NCT takes place on Sat March 24 from 10.30am-12 noon at the Methodist Church Centre, 19 Stratford Road, Bromsgrove B60 1AS.

Good quality second-hand nursery equipment, toys, books and games for babies, toddlers and young children.

To sell, call 0844 243 6065 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) For all other enquires see: www.nct.org.uk/bromsgrove

Cocktails and Casino

General Events

A Cocktails and Casino Evening organised by Dodford First School PTA takes place on Friday March 2 at The Nailers Arms (62 Doctors Hill, Bournheath, B61 9JE) from 7:30pm ‘til late.

Tickets £20 per person to include chips for the casino tables, a complimentary cocktail upon arrival, hot buffet and a charity auction. Dress code is smart (black tie optional). 

For additional information and tickets contact Jane Hughes on 07929 837736.

Pancake Afternoon

General Events

A Pancake Afternoon takes place at Alvechurch Baptist Church hall on Tues Feb 21, from 2–4.30pm.

There will also be a cake stall and hopefully a Traidcraft stall. Come and enjoy a pancake or two and save the mess at home! Children welcome.

Busy year for Horticultural Society

Gardens & Flowers

2011 was a very successful year for Rowney Green Horticultural Society, with membership increasing to more than 70.

Speakers have been interesting and varied, as were visits to local private gardens, Pershore College, Ashwoods private garden and Colgrave Seeds nursery – all thoroughly enjoyed, with thanks to Janet Barnett and Ann Allen.

The year ended with a great supper and Alvechurch Community Choir providing the Christmas spirit. Many thanks to Elaine Prosser,our chairman, for organising the evening.

The next meeting is on Thursday January 12 at Rowney Green Peace Hall, when Chris Broad will talk about beekeeping. Start time 7.45pm.

Any enquiries to Andrea Halse on 0121 445 1929.

Music from Fiona and friends

Music

Alvechurch Baptist Church presents a musical concert at 6.30pm on Dec 1, when “Fiona and Friends” will be playing the harp, singing and performing.

Tickets £5 per adult, £3 per child, in aid of Alvechurch Baptist Building Fund, to include light refreshments.

Tickets can be obtained from Fiona Lee on 0121 447 7369 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  

Withybed Poets

Art & Literature

Withybed Poets is a group of poetry writers who meet in Withybed Green to share their writings, and write together.

The group reads its poems to audiences at Alvechurch Social Club, residential homes, libraries, churches, ceilidhs and Alvechurch Community Choir events, among others!

They meet every couple of months and welcome new members from anywhere in the area.

The next meeting is November 23. Ring 0121 445 5957 for details.

Car boot sales at Alvechurch FC

General Events

Lye Meadow is hosting Car Boot Sales on Sundays November 6, 13, 20 and 27, from 10am–2pm.

Sellers can arrive from 9am to set up. Car parking and hard standing (no wet or muddy field), catering cabin, toilet facilities.

**** No charge to car booters on Nov 6.

Charity quiz at Alvechurch FC

General Events

A Charity Quiz Night takes place at Lye Meadow on Friday November 11, 7.30pm for 8pm start.

Maximum teams of six, £2 per person. All proceeds will go to Bear Hill Pre-School. All welcome.

Begin your Christmas with a visit to Oz

Theatre

Mappleborough Green Amateur Dramatic Society (M.A.D.S) presents The Scatterbrained Scarecrow of Oz on December 1, 2 and 3 at Mappleborough Green Village Hall (B80 7BT).

In this sequel to The Wizard of Oz, by Alfred Bradley, Dorothy and Toto return to Oz to help Queen Scarecrow find her brains which have been stolen by the Wicked Witch. Assisted by her old friends the Tinman and the Lion, she travels to the Witch’s castle, overcoming many hazards on the way and meeting many new characters on the journey.

This wonderful play for children of all ages involves music and special effects.The production is directed by Robert Wilkes with Charlotte Fitohelt, Margaret Lee, John Perrins and Jules Caulwell and Mary Field in principal roles.

The Thursday performance will begin early – at 7pm – to accommodate youngsters, with the Friday and Saturday shows taking place at 7.30pm. There will be a bar on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets cost £7 for adults (all days) and £3.50 for children on Fri and Sat, while children’s tickets are £3 on Thurs. Group tickets are available for Thurs only, costing £30 based on 10 children and 1 adult.

For tickets contact John Crumpton on 01527 528626, or buy on the door – and begin your Christmas with a visit to the magical time!

Candlelit concert

Music

The Midland Sinfonia presents its annual Candlelit Concert in St Laurence Church on Sat Dec 3 at 7.30pm, led by Daniele Rosina as guest conductor.

This is a very popular concert with the church bathed in candlelight and a delightful evening of festive music. What better way to start your festive season – if you come to no other Midland Sinfonia concerts, you really shouldn’t miss this!

Tickets on the door £12, in advance from The Village Green Grocer or from Marian on 0121 447 7040 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Students and registered unemployed £5, children free when accompanied by an adult.

More info at http://www.midlandsinfonia.co.uk

Book now for popular quiz

General Events

The Midland Sinfonia presents a Quiz and Supper Evening on Sat Nov 19, 7 for 7.30pm at The Ark, St Laurence Church, Alvechurch.

This year the fundraising quiz will strike a more traditional note with a new quiz master. With maximum teams of six, singles and couples are happily accommodated.

Cost £7.50 per person to include fish and chips supper. There will be a bar for wine and soft drinks.

Come along and support your local orchestra whilst enjoying a good lighthearted evening.

Booking is essential for this popular event – contact Marian 0121 447 7040 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Beer festival in Rowney Green

Food & Drink

The Goat & Trousers at Rowney Green Village Hall hosts its “Virgin Beer Festival” on Saturday November 26, from 12.30pm onwards.

Beers & Cider - Hot Pork Rolls - Entertainment

Double gig at Rowney Green

Music

Rowney Green Village Hall’s next gig organised by Erin Green of Brightside Music is on Sat Nov 19 and features two sets of artists: Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin (a duo) and Cole Stacey.

Both are attracting a lot of attention on the roots scene as really promising upcoming musicians.

Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start. Tickets £10, available via http://www.brightsidemusic.co.uk.

If you are planning on attending, please let Erin know in advance via email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or by calling or texting 07543 889758.

Hilarious spoof of murder mystery genre

Theatre

Alvechurch Dramatic Society will perform Murdered to Death, by Peter Gordon, at the end of November. This hilarious spoof of the Agatha Christie genre is set in a country manor house in the 1930s, with an assembled cast of characters guaranteed to delight.

The play introduces the inept and bungling Inspector Pratt, who battles against the odds and his own incompetence to solve the murder of the house’s owner.

It soon becomes clear that the murderer isn’t finished yet, but will the miscreant be unmasked before everyone else has met their doom, or will the audience die laughing first?

The play runs from Thurs Nov 24 to Sat Nov 26 in Alvechurch Village Hall, with all performances at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £6 (£5 concessions) from Alvechurch Post Office or The Joshua Tree in Alvechurch or by calling 0121 447 7071.

Women’s morris dance workshop

Dancing

Nancy Butterfly Women’s Morris Team are holding an informal dance workshop at the Weighbridge pub in Alvechurch on Monday November 14 from 8pm onwards, and are inviting women in the area who might have an interest in learning a new style of dance to come along and join in. 

The team dances in the tradition of North West Clog and welcomes women who want to try traditional morris dancing as a new hobby, as well as musicians.

Call Jules on 01527 576251 for more details, or visit the website: http://www.nancybutterfly.co.uk

Craft fayres in Bromsgrove

General Events

Monthly craft fayres will take place at Avoncroft Arts Centre in Bromsgrove (B60 4JR), organised by local craft makers.

Taking place on the first Sunday each month, the events will be a fantastic opportunity for the public to meet highly skilled local craftspeople and shop for unique handmade gifts.

The next two fayres are on November 6 and December 4, both from 10am–4pm. Stalls will include ceramics, textiles, jewellery and much much more. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available.

Bringing cash is advisable as not all the makers can take card payments. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more info or to apply for a stall visit http://www.craftmakersmarket.co.uk

Auction of promises

General Events

All & Sundry, the Bromsgrove theatre group, invites villagers and friends to An Auction of Promises at Rowney Green Peace Hall on November 12 at 7.30pm, with auctioneer James McGhie.

Includes entertainment, light supper with licensed bar and prize for best decorated table. All tickets £5 from Victoria Vollans on 0121 445 4065.

Auction proceeds to be shared between CIDP Research (in memory of the group’s founder Paul Vollans) and All & Sundry. Bar profits to be shared between the Peace Hall, CIDP Research and All & Sundry.

Christmas coffee morning

General Events

A Christmas Coffee Morning, also in aid of the Bell Fund, will be held on Dec 10 from 10am to 1pm in the Alvechurch Village Hall, Bear Hill.

This is the regular Bells coffee morning for those who need some refreshments after Christmas shopping!

More info at http://www.alvechurchbells.org.uk

Railway exhibition

General Events

A Railway Exhibition in aid of the St Laurence Bell Fund takes place in St Laurence Church on Sat Nov 12 from 10.30am to 3pm.

Trains and layouts will be on display along with a Table Top Sale.