What Norah did next
Posted on May 21 2013 at 11:34:27

We had a great response when we published an extract from Norah May, the memoirs of a woman born in 1905 in Alvechurch – so, as promised, here is the next installment.

Artists of Alvechurch
Posted on April 21 2013 at 2:18:17

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton visits a diverse group of local artists planning a show.

Inspired by local views
Posted on March 19 2013 at 9:42:33

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton offers some of her work for inspection . . .

Creations that turn heads
Posted on February 18 2013 at 1:09:17

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton meets a group of creative hobbyists.

Watching the skies . . .
Posted on February 16 2013 at 10:52:17

An Alvechurch couple who are aiming to record the history of British UFO sightings since 1940 have now published a seventh volume of their Haunted Skies series.

Textiles and much more
Posted on January 20 2013 at 2:58:38

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton visits Inkberrow Design Centre.

Colour and light
Posted on November 22 2012 at 3:01:07

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton shares her love for the Pre-Raphaelites and some diverse stained glass.

Village Book Review
Posted on November 20 2012 at 1:42:11

The Final Whistle: The Great War in Fifteen Players by Stephen Cooper

On the hunt for wildlife
Posted on October 21 2012 at 10:50:56

The semi-rural surroundings of Barnt Green have provided some rich pickings for local wildlife photographer Tim Hunt.

A welcome to the world
Posted on October 20 2012 at 12:03:56

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton views some unusually arty postcards.

Society of friends
Posted on September 19 2012 at 2:23:24

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton meets the Lickey Hills Art Society.

Ghosts galore!
Posted on September 19 2012 at 11:43:39

Our annual helping of spooky local stories . . . one from Alvechurch and two taken from Anne Bradford’s collections.

Tribal crafts
Posted on August 17 2012 at 2:30:25

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton attends Arts Week at a village school.

A Rings-side view
Posted on August 16 2012 at 8:58:31

The Olympics came to Alvechurch this summer. . .  in the shape of a special exhibition by our own resident cartoonist Bob Lawton.

Meet the makers
Posted on July 01 2012 at 11:53:19

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton seeks shelter in a crafty environment.

Your photos on canvas
Posted on July 01 2012 at 10:50:19

There are few things more meaningful to look at than pictures of special people and special times in our lives.

First exhibition for art class students
Posted on June 29 2012 at 12:04:19

In the December/January edition of The Village magazine I reported on how scary it was to start attending the art class run by Pam McGregor in Alvechurch, writes David Morgan.

New art on show in Rubery
Posted on May 24 2012 at 3:16:26

If you missed artist Neil Buchanan last time he came to Rubery, now is your chance to meet the former Art Attack presenter as he launches a brand new collection of limited edition fine art.

Crafts by the canal
Posted on May 22 2012 at 2:43:26

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton visits a real gem of a craft centre.

Gripping yarns
Posted on May 19 2012 at 12:16:29

Sally Oldaker meets a Barnt Green artist who creates vibrant images in an intriguing medium.

Fine art old and new
Posted on April 23 2012 at 2:37:00

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton visits two exhibitions in the local area.

Amazing ceramics
Posted on March 21 2012 at 11:15:35

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton looks at some different uses for clay.

Inspired by Leonardo . . .
Posted on February 20 2012 at 12:02:38

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton seeks out local arts and crafts.

Barnt Green Art Club: A Historical Note
Posted on January 22 2012 at 9:25:22

Patricia White, former Honorary Secretary, and Professor Richard White, former Honorary Treasurer, tell the Club’s story so far…

The art of being creative
Posted on January 19 2012 at 3:05:22

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton finds creativity in our midst.

Capturing the magic
Posted on November 29 2011 at 3:47:17

A Rowney Green photographer will see his work gracing the walls of Bromsgrove’s Artrix in a new exhibition this winter.

Perfect presents!
Posted on November 29 2011 at 10:43:17

A round-up of the latest books by local authors.

Brush strokes vs pixels
Posted on November 25 2011 at 3:52:42

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton compares online art with the real thing.

A century of change
Posted on November 23 2011 at 12:47:31

While history is so often about major events, the details of everyday lives are equally important in creating a portrait of a place and time – and it’s those details that are celebrated in a new book all about Tardebigge in the 20th century.

Much more than a cookery book
Posted on October 21 2011 at 12:10:40

Combining tantalising recipes with family history, a new book by local food expert Anita Sharma-James is a very special tribute to her inspirational mother.

Fairy-cake ending?
Posted on October 20 2011 at 2:27:07

Oakalls author Sue Watson chats to Sally Oldaker about writing her first novel, the importance of pursuing your passions, and the joy of fairy cakes.

Hidden treasures
Posted on October 20 2011 at 1:26:06

Hopwood-based artist Paula Hamilton visits two exhibitions.

The eco dream
Posted on October 19 2011 at 12:54:57

Couple’s carbon-neutral creation enjoys a smooth birth, despite its grand design . . .

Vintage party planner
Posted on September 18 2011 at 2:33:28

As the trend for vintage-style, afternoon-tea-inspired homeware continues apace, local business Constance Wallace is expanding rapidly thanks to owner Diane Cooke’s many ideas based around the traditional tea-party theme.

The Concrete Waterfall
Posted on September 16 2011 at 1:53:12

Many people living in this beautiful part of the country have also learned to live with the M42. You may not see it, but its presence thrums away, felt strongly or less so depending on the direction of the breeze.

Hamlet enjoys its own festival
Posted on August 19 2011 at 10:08:21

The sun shone yet again on Withybed Green for their now-established annual Withyfest.

Taken over by UFOs
Posted on June 22 2011 at 12:50:14

The Village meets an Alvechurch couple who have spent the past 15 years tracking down unexplained activity in the skies of Britain.

Village Book Reviews
Posted on May 18 2011 at 12:09:26

The Village reviews two new publications by local authors.

Cover to cover
Posted on April 13 2011 at 3:15:42

Last month’s Bible reading marathon at St Laurence Church, Alvechurch, produced a variety of interesting encounters, writes organiser Sue Phillips.

A boys’ own Barnt Green
Posted on February 22 2011 at 12:15:02

Growing up in a land of ‘Arrivers’ and ‘Strivers’, the Bantocks had a unique view of their world, which they are now sharing in a new book . . .

Tonia’s gentle touch
Posted on January 19 2011 at 11:58:27

Alvechurch writer reveals her lifetime romance with story telling.

The coolest way to travel
Posted on June 19 2010 at 1:29:36

Two new guidebooks offer ideas for enjoying canalside amenities across the UK.

Showcase for local artists
Posted on April 22 2010 at 2:33:04

An exciting exhibition at Artrix in Bromsgrove will enable the public to view a range of contemporary works by local artists.

When trams ruled the road
Posted on April 21 2010 at 6:50:53

A new book pays tribute to a much-loved local transport system.

Art of Africa
Posted on March 16 2010 at 4:42:43

Sally Oldaker meets a Barnt Green resident who is raising funds for a Malawi hospital by importing local artwork.

History revealed by local authors
Posted on February 16 2010 at 7:21:28

Alvechurch couple Tom and Lillian Willis have spent the past 26 years researching the life and works of Worcestershire potter Edward Walter Locke.

Sally’s very happy ending
Posted on November 29 2009 at 7:29:28

Sally Anne Morris has wanted to be a writer since she was a young girl, and now she has seen her first novel published and launched at Alvechurch Library.

Ghosts aplenty in Burcot & beyond…
Posted on October 13 2009 at 1:31:42

Local author Anne Bradford has collected more spooky tales from the local area in her latest book ...

‘Curst be he who moves my bones…’
Posted on September 15 2009 at 3:50:04

In an account of dark deeds on eerie, windswept nights, A Warwickshire Man tells how Shakespeare’s skull was stolen from his grave and hidden in a place not far from here…

Tale of old Redditch
Posted on June 16 2009 at 2:02:33

The story behind a Victorian poem is uncovered in a new booklet by local historian Ian Hayes.

Birmingham’s lost buildings
Posted on June 16 2009 at 1:55:33

A new book provides a nostalgic peek into the vanished heritage of the Second City.

Relocation to the rainforest
Posted on May 20 2009 at 2:10:02

A former Wythall resident tells the tale of her family’s Costa Rican adventure in a new book.

Memories of change in the Lickeys
Posted on May 19 2009 at 2:14:02

Lickey resident Janey Hewitt set out some time ago to preserve memories of the area through a series of recorded interviews with village people.

Village Theatre Review
Posted on April 22 2009 at 2:33:01

And Then There Were None
Palace Theatre, Redditch

Housman’s homeland
Posted on March 18 2009 at 6:41:42

Village Book Review: A Shropshire Lad by A E Housman

‘The farms of home lie lost in even’
Posted on February 20 2009 at 12:08:41

Jim Page, chairman of The Housman Society, lights the birthday beacons for Bromsgrove’s most famous son, A E Housman.

Writing for redemption
Posted on January 20 2009 at 12:33:56

The Village Book Review:A Village Fate by Victoria Russell

Bearded Wonders
Posted on January 18 2009 at 4:47:18

Local artist Thomas Genders shows his latest work at Artrix from Feb 18–March 22, in an exhibition called Bearded Wonders – the main theme is portraits of various types of facial hair, plus a separate section of landscapes, some of local scenes.

Pleasantly surprised by complex stories
Posted on January 18 2009 at 4:52:56

Natasha Hooper, aged 14, of Alvechurch, reviews two books by Blackwell author Dave Jeffrey.

Dave’s dream ending in print
Posted on January 17 2009 at 4:47:34

A “kitchen table” writer from Blackwell has seen his lifelong dream of getting his work published come true.

Five years of fusing art and architecture
Posted on January 17 2009 at 3:28:56

Compton Verney, Warwickshire’s largest art gallery, celebrates its fifth anniversary in March.

Inspiring kids to love poetry
Posted on November 22 2008 at 12:50:28

Poetry is fun! That’s the message given out by local poet Giovanni ‘Spoz’ Esposito, who has penned a book of poems designed to enthuse youngsters who associate poetry with boring school lessons. 

Ron’s life in print
Posted on October 16 2008 at 12:05:12

How many of us have thought we should write a book about our lives to be read by future generations of our families and anyone else who may be interested . . . but never quite got around to it?

Murder in Lickey End
Posted on September 21 2008 at 1:20:26

Local author Anne Bradford, whose ghost stories we have featured previously, has now published a book of Foul Deeds & Suspicious Deaths Around Worcester. Here we tell her (slightly abridged) tale of a wartime murder in the quiet streets of Lickey End ...

Blacksmith’s bespoke art
Posted on August 19 2008 at 4:26:51

Whether you’re looking for attractive gates and railings to surround your property, a piece of sculpture for the garden or internal ironwork to complement a period home, it’s always satisfying to know that you’ve chosen something unique – and that’s where an artist blacksmith can help.

Crafts and more at Earlswood Lakes!
Posted on June 24 2008 at 1:37:02

Earlswood Lakes Craft Centre near Solihull is bursting with interesting shops and businesses as well as having a delightful rural location.

All fired up
Posted on June 17 2008 at 10:07:29

Go potty for pottery painting at a new studio in Bromsgrove.

Village Book Review: The Molecule Man
Posted on April 20 2008 at 11:37:30

Gripping yarn from Barnt Green author

Village Book Preview: Detox Your Desk
Posted on April 19 2008 at 11:30:17

Tidy mind, tidy desk   . . . if I can find it!