Village What’s On EVENTS


BARNT GREEN Pre-School’s renowned Nearly New Sale will be held on Sat March 4, 10.30am–12.30pm at Barnt Green Baptist Church on Bittell Road. Entry £1. High quality children’s clothing, toys and books, prams and nursery furniture. Interested sellers please contact Jo at bgnnsale@gmail.com or visit www. barntgreenpreschool.co.uk


THE LICKEY Hills Rangers offer half-term activities for kids and families on Weds Feb 15 from 11am–1pm. Wrap up warm and wear suitable outdoor clothing for roaming in the woods and mud! Booking essential on 0121 445 6036. Meet at the Visitor Centre, Warren Lane, B45 8ER.


THE MIDLAND Sinfonia hosts a Quiz & Supper Evening on Sat Feb 4 at 7.30pm in The Ark, St Laurence Church, Alvechurch. This annual fundraiser offers an entertain- ing general knowledge quiz plus fish and chips. Teams of up to six with singles ac- commodated. A great fun evening that is not to be missed! £8.50pp to include fish and chip supper. Usual bar available or corkage payable. Booking essential: call 0121 447 7040 or 07889 147 861 or email midlandsinfonia@gmail.com


HOPWOOD ART & Craft Market takes place at Hopwood Community Centre, Redditch Road B48 7TL, on the 2nd Sat each month. Open from 11am to 4pm with FREE admission. Quality local arts and crafts. Refreshments available. More details from John on 07887 526377.


A COFFEE morning takes place every Tues from 10am–12noon at Alvechurch Village Hall. All are welcome to come and enjoy coffee, biscuits and chat with friends old and new. Suggested donation £1.


CONTACT THE Elderly aims to help iso- lated elderly people in the village area by offering monthly tea parties where they can reconnect or make new friends in their own community. If you know of an elderly person who could benefit, please get in touch on 07539 276054. Guests need to be aged over 75 and living alone, and must be mobile enough to walk to a driver’s car with assistance. You can find general information at www.contact- the-elderly.org.uk and details of the lo- cal group by searching for ‘Contact the Elderly Redditch’ on Facebook.


COFFEE BREAK meets every Friday morning from 10.30am–12noon, in the


WHAT’S ON GUIDE


Parish Centre behind St Andrew’s Church, Sandhills Road, Barnt Green. You will find a friendly and warm welcome – see you soon! For enquiries ring 0121 445 4278.


MESSY CHURCH For All! Something a little different for all the family. This event is held on the third Sunday most months at Catshill Methodist Church from 3.45pm, to include games, singing, crafts and a story on a Bible-based theme, concluding with a simple meal around 5.30pm. Free entry and a warm welcome for all. More info from James Knott on 07968 110 631.


MUSIC


THE 6-5 Specials, Alvechurch’s fundraising skiffle band, will take part in the annual talent contest at Longbridge Social Club. Their heat is on Sat Feb 4, with successful acts not only winning £50 but also going through to the grand final on Sat April 8 with the chance to win more than £5,000 worth of prizes. Support your local band!


CELLIST THOMASMcMahon gives a solo recital in Holy Trinity Church, Rose Hill, Lickey, B45 8RR on Sat March 4 at 7.30pm. JS Bach’s Suite for Cello No. 3 in C; Britten’s Suite for Cello No. 3; and Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello, featuring violinist Ruta Labutye. Admission free – donations to the retiring collection much appreciated.


A FUNDRAISING concert organised by Bromsgrove & Redditch Welcome Refu- gees takes place on Weds Feb 22 at Artrix. The Gimme Shelter concert features samba, folk, blues, jazz, roots, country and more from local musicians, compèred by legendary poet “Spoz”. Performance starts 7pm; doors open 6.30pm. Tickets £15 from Artrix box office on 01527 577330. Proceeds to support the local Syrian com- munity who arrived this summer, and refugees displaced across Europe.


CANTARE DAYTIME Choir now meets in Alvechurch each Friday, 9.15–10.15am at the cricket club. Don’t worry if you think you can’t sing, or don’t read music; every- one is welcome. You can even bring your kids/babies if they let you sing. Whether you want to sing for fun or if you want to join the choir on the stage at Symphony Hall in July, you are welcome. Free trial session available. Call Rebecca on 07803 900154, email cantarechoir2011@gmail. com or visit www.cantarechoir.com


WORCESTERSHIRE JAZZ Orchestra per- forms its first concert of 2017 on Fri Feb 17 at Lickey End Social Club. A varied programme of Big Band Jazz ranging from the classic swing bands of Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Ted Heath to the modern arrangements from Gordon Goodwin, Tom Kubis and Jim Martin – there’s some- thing for all tastes. Regular singer Garry Rutter adds a touch of sophistication and the band is proving very popular since moving to Lickey End. Music starts 8pm. Entry £6 on the door. For more details phone Geoff on 07970 662692. KEEP GOOD MUSIC LIVE!


BROMSGROVE CONCERTS continues its season of chamber concerts at Artrix with pianist Mark Bebbington on Fri Feb 3, at 8pm. The programme includes Schubert, Bliss and Beethoven. Subscription tickets for several or all concerts in the series are available – bookings and info from Artrix at www.artrix.co.uk or 01527 577330, or www.bromsgrove-concerts.org.uk


BARNT GREEN Choral Society is now rehearsing for its Spring concert (March 18), with rehearsals taking place at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Barnt Green on Mondays at 7.45pm. New members welcome. Please contact Fiona Brown on 0121 445 5513 for further details.


ALVECHURCH ACOUSTIC Roots: Friday Feb 24, Alvechurch Social Club. Doors open 7.45pm. The team are always on the look out for local music and performance talent. If you have the desire to perform, have a chat with the team at the next gig.


ALVECHURCH COMMUNITY Choir meets at 7.30pm on Mondays, usually in Alvechurch Village Hall though on the 2nd Monday each month they move to a different venue, usually Alvechurch Social Club. The choir is an open access singing group; new members of all abilities are welcome. It is part of a charity called Everybody Let’s Sing and is committed to bringing music to a wide community, including a regular choir it runs at The Lawns care home. The choir sings gospel, folk and popular songs from all ages and loves to perform for local occasions. Find out more at www.lets-sing.co.uk To ask about booking the choir for an event, or for details of sessions, ring Mary on 0121 445 5957.


continues overleaf The Village February 2017 57


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