Get ready for Big Lunch in the Park

General Events

Plans are taking shape for Alvechurch’s 2013 Big Lunch in the Park on Sunday May 26, hosted by Alvechurch Parish Council. Taking place in The Meadows from 11am to 5pm, followed by a disco, bar and food at Alvechurch Cricket Club from 5pm till late, the event promises a fun day out for all.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

The Meadows, Alvechurch
11am–5pm

*  11.15: Fun Dog Show
*  12noon: Official opening with Joanne Malin

*  Opening Procession with samba band “Banda Sem Nome”
*  Mad Hatter’s Big Lunch Performance
*  Children’s Performance
*  Panto Horse Derby
*  Youth@The Lounge
*  Songs of Praise
*  Sea Horse Derby
*  Competition and Prize Giving
*  Music from “Midlanders” Skiffle Band

Please check timings on the day.

Also on the day: Raffles, Quizzes, Stalls, Cream Teas, Pig Roast, Face Painting and Children’s Activities.

Alvechurch Cricket Club
5pm till late

*  Food *  Bar *  Late Disco *  Entertainment from Alvechurch Morris Men

FREE ENTRY – some attractions may charge a small fee.
Dogs must be on a lead.

Art group’s exhibition

Art & Literature

Alvechurch Art Group presents an Art Exhibition on Saturday May 18 in Alvechurch Baptist Church from 11am to 4pm.

This is intended to show off members’ work, although some exhibits will be on sale. Painting demonstrations will also take place throughout the day.

Refreshments will be available. Admission is free.

The group meets at the Baptist Hall (rear of church) every Tuesday from 1–3.30pm, using all mediums except oil.

All welcome, especially beginners. Friendly tuition. Call Paul on 0121 445 5437 or drop in.

Rubery Taekwon-Do

Health & Fitness

Sessions take place at Waseley Hills High School, Rubery on Thursdays and Bournville College, Longbridge on Fridays with Chief Instructor Yvonne Hill (2nd Degree Black Belt).

For more information email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit http://www.rubery-tkd.co.uk

Latest gig for Bright Side

Music

The next gig for Bright Side Music is on Saturday June 22 with Martyn Joseph, described in a MoJo four-star review as “Britain’s best kept secret… a challenging songwriter and a compelling, courageous live performer”.

Martyn is a powerful singer and songwriter,  often compared to Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, Bruce Cockburn and Dave Matthews, and has created his own style and reputation as a mesmerising live performer.

Tickets £15.

For more about Bright Side Music’s upcoming gigs, tickets and the Rowney Green venue, visit http://www.brightside-music.co.uk, Facebook or Twitter @Bright_Side_

Are You Being Served?

Theatre

All & Sundry, the Bromsgrove theatrical group, presents Are You Being Served? on June 20 at Rowney Green Peace Hall and June 25–29 at Artrix, Bromsgrove.

More details at http://www.allandsundry.org

March of the Mods

General Events

Scooters at the ready as Alvechurch Football Club hosts a mod-themed mini music festival on Sunday May 26, in association with South Birmingham Scooter Club.

The Scooter Moduska, held as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, is described as a “Mod, Northern Soul, Ska and Scooters” event, and runs from 10.30am on Sunday to 12.30am on Monday.

There will be live music from Skabucks, Mods & Sods, The Quik and The Jam DRC, as well as various DJs playing old ska and reggae.

There will also be two marquees and two bars, plus full security and a first aider on site.

Tickets cost £12 in advance or £14 on the day, and can be purchased from Alvechurch FC or by calling 07966 140693.

The event is in aid of Help for Heroes.

Celebrity Chamber Music

Music

The Midland Sinfonia presents Celebrity Chamber Music at 7.30pm on Sat May 18 in St Laurence Church, Alvechurch.

The concert stars David LePage and Catherine Leech (violin), Cathy Bower and Myriam Guillaume (viola), Richard Jenkinson and Nick Stringfellow (cello), Allan Schiller (piano) and Charles Wall (double bass).

They will perform Schubert’s Piano Quintet ‘The Trout’, Mahler’s Piano Quartet Movement in A Minor, and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence.

Tickets on the door cost £13, or £12 in advance from The Village Green Grocer or Marian Barwell at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 0121 447 7040. (Accompanied children free; F/T students and reg. unemployed £5).

For more info see http://www.midlandsinfonia.co.uk or contact Marian as above.

60 years of opera

Music

Tinkers Farm Opera celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with a series of concerts in the South Birmingham area.

The first is on June 7 at the Friends Meeting House in Bournville, before performances at Allens Cross Community Centre, Northfield (June 13), St David’s Church, Shenley Green (June 14), Moorpool Hall, Harborne (June 15) and St Andrew’s Parish Hall, Barnt Green (June 29).

All concerts are entitled Fanfare for the Fifties and include songs from musicals of the era along with Gilbert & Sullivan numbers which TFO performed in those years.

For more info and tickets, call 01384 373670 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Bandstand concerts in Bromsgrove

Music

The bandstand at Sanders Park is set to come alive with music this summer as the annual bandstand events begin on Sunday May 5.

These will then take place every Sunday throughout the summer until September 29, all from 2.30–4.30pm.

The first performance on May 5 will show off the talents of the Malvern Hills District Brass Band. It is free to attend any of the bandstand events.

For more info see http://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk, contact the arts and events team on 01527 534030 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Cotteridge gig for Hopwood Junction

Music

Hopwood Junction RnB & Soul Band will perform at Tower of Song in Cotteridge (B30 3GX) on Fri May 24.

9pm start, admission £5.

For more info call Pete on 0121 445 4022.

Redditch gig for Hopwood Junction

Music

Hopwood Junction RnB & Soul Band will perform at St Benedict’s Social Club (Rowan Road, Redditch B97 6NB) on Saturday May 4. Music starts 9pm, admission £4.

Then on Friday May 24, they will play at Tower of Song in Cotteridge (B30 3GX). 9pm start, admission £5.

For more info call Pete on 0121 445 4022.

Spring Fayre at Baptist Church

General Events

Alvechurch Baptist Church has its annual Spring Fayre on Saturday May 18 at the church hall between 10am and 2pm.

There will be the usual stalls e.g. cakes, toys and books, and hot and cold light luncheons will be on sale.

Intimate Letters

Music

Part of Bromsgrove Festival, Intimate Letters takes place on Friday May 24 at Artrix at 7.45pm.

Starring Timothy West with the Paväo String Quartet.

Timothy West reads Janácek’s letters in chronological order between movements of the composer’s 2nd Quartet.

Bookings may be made by post to Bromsgrove Festival Office, The Oaks, Rowney Green, Alvechurch B48 7QR, via answer phone to 07824 859572
or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Messages can also be left on answer phone on 01527 876504

Tickets are available at the Artrix box office either in person, by telephone (01527 577330) or at http://www.artrix.co.uk 

Patrons and subscribers will be given priority

Further details may be found at http://www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

For further information call 01527 878326

English Symphony Orchestra

Music

Part of Bromsgrove Festival, the English Symphony Orchestra perform on Saturday May 11 at Artrix at 8pm.

Conductors: Dr Barry Smith and Dr Donald Hunt

Young Persons’ Guide to the Orchestra – Britten
Serenade for Strings – Warlock
Capriol Suite – Warlock
Bredon Hill – Julius Harrison
Enigma Variations – Elgar

Concert preceded by a free talk on Warlock by Dr Barry Smith at 6.15pm

Bookings may be made by post to Bromsgrove Festival Office, The Oaks, Rowney Green, Alvechurch B48 7QR, via answer phone to 07824 859572
or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Messages can also be left on answer phone on 01527 876504

Tickets are available at the Artrix box office either in person, by telephone (01527 577330) or at http://www.artrix.co.uk 

Patrons and subscribers will be given priority

Further details may be found at http://www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

For further information call 01527 878326

Facing the Music

Music

Part of Bromsgrove Festival, Facing the Music takes place on Friday May 3 at Artrix at 7.45pm.

Starring Patricia Routledge in conversation with Edward Seckersen.

Patricia speaks on her life in musical theatre on both sides of the Atlantic. She is better known as an actress but was also trained as a singer, and the evening is illustrated with rare recordings.

Bookings may be made by post to Bromsgrove Festival Office, The Oaks, Rowney Green, Alvechurch B48 7QR, via answer phone to 07824 859572
or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Messages can also be left on answer phone on 01527 876504

Tickets are available at the Artrix box office either in person, by telephone (01527 577330) or at http://www.artrix.co.uk 

Patrons and subscribers will be given priority

Further details may be found at http://www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

For further information call 01527 878326

Award-winning harpists

Music

Part of Bromsgrove Festival, 4 Girls, 4 Harps will perform on Sunday April 28 at Artrix at 7.30 pm.

International award-winning harpists - quartet founded in 2000.

An evening of glamour, lively chat and beautiful music.

Bookings may be made by post to Bromsgrove Festival Office, The Oaks, Rowney Green, Alvechurch B48 7QR, via answer phone to 07824 859572
or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Messages can also be left on answer phone on 01527 876504

Tickets are available at the Artrix box office either in person, by telephone (01527 577330) or at http://www.artrix.co.uk 

Patrons and subscribers will be given priority

Further details may be found at http://www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

For further information call 01527 878326

Films to mark Britten’s birth

General Events

Part of Bromsgrove Festival, two films will be shown to mark the 100th anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s birth, both introduced by director Tony Palmer.

A Time There Was (1979)
Saturday April 27, Artrix – 4pm
Tea and cake will be served

Nocturne (2013)
Saturday April 27, Artrix –  7.15pm
Glass of wine served in the interval

Bookings may be made by post to Bromsgrove Festival Office, The Oaks, Rowney Green, Alvechurch B48 7QR, via answer phone to 07824 859572
or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Messages can also be left on answer phone on 01527 876504

Tickets are available at the Artrix box office either in person, by telephone (01527 577330) or at http://www.artrix.co.uk 

Patrons and subscribers will be given priority

Further details may be found at http://www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

For further information call 01527 878326

International Young Musicians’ Platform

Music

Part of Bromsgrove Festival, the International Young Musicians’ Platform runs from April 18–21 at New Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum.
Free entry to the early rounds, which take place on April 18, 19 and 20 from 9.30am–6pm and April 21 from 9.30am–1pm

Finalists’ Concert Sunday April 21 – 7pm

Bookings may be made by post to Bromsgrove Festival Office, The Oaks, Rowney Green, Alvechurch B48 7QR, via answer phone to 07824 859572
or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Messages can also be left on answer phone on 01527 876504

Tickets are available at the Artrix box office either in person, by telephone (01527 577330) or at http://www.artrix.co.uk 

Patrons and subscribers will be given priority

Further details may be found at http://www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

For further information call 01527 878326

A Celebration of English Song

Music

Part of Bromsgrove Festival, A Celebration of English Song takes place at New Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum on Wednesday April 24 at 7.45 pm.

Starring Dame Felicity Lott with accompanist Sebastian Wybrew.

Bookings may be made by post to Bromsgrove Festival Office, The Oaks, Rowney Green, Alvechurch B48 7QR, via answer phone to 07824 859572 or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Messages can also be left on answer phone on 01527 876504

Tickets are available at the Artrix box office either in person, by telephone (01527 577330) or at http://www.artrix.co.uk 

Patrons and subscribers will be given priority

Further details may be found at http://www.bromsgrovefestival.co.uk

For further information call 01527 878326

Ark Angels WI

WIs

Ark Angels WI meets on the second Monday each month from 7.30 -9.30pm at the Ark, Alvechurch.

For more info contact Rachael Colclough at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Join our Craft Group

Clubs & Societies

A Craft Group meets every Monday morning in Alvechurch library from 11am–1pm.

Knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting etc. An informal and self running group that uses shared library space.

Please call 01905 822722 for any further information required.

Prize-winning poet

Art & Literature

WORDS, the Bromsgrove group which promotes interest in the written and spoken word, presents an evening with prize-winning poet Alice Oswald at Artrix on Fri April 19 at 8pm.

Tickets £12; students £6, from Artrix on 01527 577330 or http://www.artrix.co.uk, or WORDS on 01299 403112 or http://www.bromsgrovewords.com

Mentoring young people

Children & Families

Could you spare an hour a week to befriend, support and encourage young people facing issues impacting on their education and well-being?

If so, Worcestershire-based children’s charity Mentor Link would like to hear from you. No qualifications necessary as Mentor Link, supported by the Big Lottery Fund, provides free training.

All you need to be is a good role model with a listening ear and desire to help. The service is offered to Middle and Secondary schools in the Redditch area. Go on, get in touch, imagine the difference you could make.

To find out more contact Karen Arnold on 07875 438659 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or see http://www.mentorlink.org.uk

Room for hire

General Events

ROOM FOR HIRE: Barnt Green Sailing Club

Hire it for club meetings, weddings and other parties. Outlook over the lake.

Tel: 07875 650960

Learn new moves

Dancing

Dance sessions take place every Tuesday from 11am–12noon at the Where Next Hub (Unit 2a, Millsborough House, Ipsley Street, Redditch B98 7AL).

Designed for people with special needs, but all welcome – join Nikki and the team and learn some new moves! £7 per session.

Book your place now on 01527 69330 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Proceeds to Where Next Association.

Help with finding a job

General Events

A Work Club now meets at Alvechurch Library every Friday afternoon 2–3.30pm.

Are you seeking employment? Come along for free help with Job searching, Careers advice, Interview techniques and much more.

For more info pop into the Library on the Birmingham Road or call Alyson Williams on 01905 822722.

Trace Your Family Tree

General Events

Trace Your Family Tree: family history courses for beginners take place on Mondays from 1–4pm in Alvechurch Library.

New five-week course begins June 3.

For more info on fees and content, contact Christine Brown on 01902 330281 or 0121 445 6144.

Young Musicians’ Showcase

Music

The Midland Sinfonia presents a Young Musicians’ Showcase at St Laurence Church in Alvechurch on Sun April 28 at 3pm.

Talented musicians up to 18 years old take the stage for a delightful afternoon of music.

The Sinfonia encourages emerging talent and gives youngsters valuable experience in the art of performance. Free entry – donations appreciated.

For more info see http://www.midlandsinfonia.co.uk or contact Marian Barwell on 0121 447 7040 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Tea-Time Concert

Music

A Tea-Time Concert called Something for Everyone takes place at Alvechurch Baptist Hall on Sun April 7, from 3.30–5pm.

Professional violinist Nia Bevan and pianist Fraser Goulding (both former Alvechurch residents) will perform a varied programme of classics from Viennese sparkle to gypsy flair, plus favourites by Elgar.

Admission £5 on the door (tickets can be reserved on 0121 445 1146 or 0121 447 7369). Refreshments available in the interval.

Surf’s Up at Artrix!

Music

A taste of summer comes to Bromsgrove’s Artrix on Saturday April 6, as Beach Boys tribute act Surf’s Up take to the stage in a charity gig. 

The concert, which also features music from The Housekeeping Society and Sean Macreavy, is in aid of Sally Macreavy and Gary Field’s London Marathon run, raising money for deafblind charity Sense.

The music starts at 7.30pm, and tickets cost £15 (£10 concessions), available from the Artrix box office or http://www.artrix.co.uk