Recycle this festive season - Redditch Borough Council ...

inside
this
issue...
Redditch
matters
Blooming
Redditch
gets GOLD!
Recycle
this
festive
season
stuff
your
bin as
well
as the
turkey!
Cash boost
for borough
activities
It’s Panto
time!
Visit us online at www.redditchbc.gov.uk Winter 2011

Contents
Page 5 Abbey Stadium Moves – look what a difference
Page 10 Focus on Matchborough – activities bring
generations together
Page 15 Christmas Pull-out
Page 20 Cover Story – Recycle this Christmas
Page 26 - 27 Cash Boost across the Borough – local groups benefit
from the latest round of grants
Contacting the Council
Website
www.redditchbc.gov.uk
Email: worcestershirehub@redditchbc.gov.uk
By phone
Customer Service Centre (part of the Worcestershire Hub) - (01527) 534123 for
domestic refuse, repairs, highways, disabled persons’ parking badges.
All other enquiries (01527) 64252 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Emergency out of hours (01527) 67666
Minicom (01527) 595528 Fax (01527) 65216
In person
Four Customer Service Centres (part of the Worcestershire Hub)
Town Hall Customer Service Centre, Town Hall, Walter Stranz Square, Redditch B98 8AH
Open: Mon to Fri 9am-5pm. Sat 9am-12noon.
Batchley Customer Service Centre, Batchley Shopping Centre, 183 Batchley Rd, Batchley,
Redditch B97 6JB
Woodrow Customer Service Centre, Woodrow Shopping Centre, Studley Road,
Redditch B98 6RY
Winyates Customer Service Centre, Unit 3, Winyates Centre, Redditch B98 0NR
(For opening times visit the website as above or phone (01527) 534123)
Copies of Council publications can be made available in
large print, Braille and audio cd or if you would like help
with translation into another language please call
(01527) 881651.
About Redditch Matters
This magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests and costs 7.5p per copy.
Companies who have taken space in Redditch Matters have no affiliation to the Council.
The Council does not endorse any of the products or services advertised.
If you would like to advertise in Redditch Matters call (01527) 881285.
1011 BA0842
Message
from the
Leader
of the
Council
It doesn’t seem
long since I was
writing my message to introduce the
Summer Redditch Matters – and now I am
welcoming you to this bumper festive
edition! Such a lot has happened over the
last few months which you will see when
you read on.
Over the last few months I have had great
pleasure in getting out and about in the
borough even more than usual to meet
our residents and hear about local issues.
Spending time at Morton Stanley was the
perfect opportunity to meet a host of
different people – after all thousands
turned out to enjoy this spectacular twoday
event.
I have just completed the last of our
roadshows for this year where we visited
different wards to meet people who were
just literally passing by – or indeed had
made the special effort to come along
and have a chat. While next year’s
programme of roadshows has yet to be
drawn up, we do have one planned in the
early New Year in the Kingfisher Centre –
watch the local press for details. We will
also be reporting back your feedback and
our actions in the Spring Redditch Matters.
Other highlights of course include the
Redditch In Bloom success, the Green
Apple Award for the Crematorium Project
and the progress of the Abbey Stadium.
Each magazine reminds me why I am so
proud to live in Redditch – and I hope you
feel the same.
Of course we still face challenging times
particularly in the current financial climate
but I am confident that the innovative and
forward-thinking actions we are taking
through Shared Services will mean we can
avoid cuts to services.
So this edition is by no means a trumpetblowing
exercise – I hope it gives an
honest look at the news and issues from
the Council and our communities.
I want to finish by welcoming the new
minister of St Stephen’s Church Paul Lawlor
to the Borough, and I look forward to
working with him as we bring the town
centre enhancement project to fruition.
Cllr Carole Gandy,
Leader of Redditch Borough Council
2 Redditch matters Redditch Borough Council

Sharing Services
Moves Quicker
In a bid to make more savings, and so we don’t have to make drastic
cuts to services, we have brought our Shared Services Project with
Bromsgrove District Council forward.
Originally the programme of change was to be rolled out over the next
two years and began with the appointment of Kevin Dicks as Chief
Executive of both Councils and the creation of a single management
team across both authorities. A detailed programme which took each
service in turn to go through the shared service process over the two
year period was drawn up.
But increasing financial pressures and reduced funding from Central
Government, means we need to make up our budget shortfall. So, from
April 2012 every service, where possible, will be shared.
This doesn’t mean the Councils are merging. Politically and
geographically they are separate authorities and your local member will
still be representing you at a local level. However pooling resources and
sharing best practice behind the scenes means our officers can deliver
more effective and efficient services to our customers on behalf of both
Councils. In turn they will make sure the service delivery reflects the local
needs of each area.
For more details on our budget, see page 6.
Snow Worries!
The snow and ice which Winter often brings means that we have
to take measures to ensure our customers and staff stay safe.
This may mean we can’t get down your road to empty your bin but
our crews are diverted to clearing roads and paths.
To make sure you are informed of any changes to services and
what action you may need to take, we will be updating our website
every day during severe weather periods.
We will be publicising updates via the local media and radio
stations and you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Following last year’s heavy snow, here’s some top tips to
help keep you safe.
❆
❆
❆
❆
If you have to abandon your car, make sure
you do it safely and collect it as soon as you can –
don’t block the roads as then gritters won’t be able
to get through to grit them!
If it hasn’t been collected at the usual time, keep
your bin out – we will get around to it as soon as
we can!
Make sure elderly neighbours have enough food
and are staying warm.
Only go out if you really have to.
Click on our website for more details.
REDDITCH&BROMSGROVE
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Tel 0800 567 7342 email info@biglocalapp.com
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 3

What a Difference!
Since the last Redditch Matters, building work on the
multi-million pound Abbey Stadium development has
come on leaps and bounds.
With an opening date of Spring 2012 the facility will boast
25m and learner pools and a state-of-the-art gym with the latest
cardiovascular and free-weight equipment.
A light and airy atrium with cafeteria will provide the perfect place to
rest up after a workout at one of 50 classes – and the changing village
area will give the stadium a modern feel.
To find out more turn to page 32.
NOW
THEN
NOW
4 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Competition winners Dave Bennett and Jonathan Jones
with Standard editor Ian Dipple, council leader Carole
Gandy and Cllr Derek Taylor, responsible for leisure
Change the future YOU...
...leap into Springs fitness for 2012
As part of your membership enjoy our:-
➤
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State of the art fitness facility
Brand new dance studio boasting a full range of classes
25m swimming pool with learner pool
Tailored, regularly reviewed fitness plans to suit you
First class instructors
Weight management and nutrition advice from qualified staff
Changing village with family access
Swimming lessons for children and adults
Fully air conditioned facilities
A wide range of children’s activity programmes available
400m running track
Name Springs A Bell
Like New York the gym at Abbey Stadium is so good
that it was named twice by Redditch residents who
sprang into action to take part in a competition that
was run by the Council and the Redditch Standard.
Dave Bennett from Church Hill North and Jonathan
Jones from Callow Hill both put forward the name
‘Springs’ which, as well as being snappy, reflects the
history of the Borough.
Johnathan said: “My great-grandparents had a
connection with the Terry Spring, one of the spring
making factories.”
As part of their prize for winning the competition,
which was run in partnership with the Redditch
Standard newspaper, the lucky duo had a tour of the
development and received a goody bag of fitness
treats. They will both receive a year’s free
membership of the gym when it opens officially next
year.
See page 32 for details.
Reddi to save money,
get fit and have fun
Reddicards can offer residents the
opportunity to participate in
exercise to help maintain a healthy
lifestyle.
Buy a Reddicard and get price reductions on
sports, fun sessions and courses at many Redditch
Borough Council venues including:
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Swimming, gymnastics and
trampolining lessons
Holiday Programmes
Badminton and squash courts
Fitness classes
Palace Theatre shows
Courses at Forge Mill Needle Museum
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 5

The financial outlook
Just 14 per cent of your Council Tax helps fund services from the
Borough Council – but this only accounts for a portion of the
Council’s income. The rest comes from other sources, including
from the Government.
Next year is the second year of work to save a £1.2m (23 per
cent) reduction in the amount of money the Government pays
to the Council.
To make the permanent savings required, services are being
shared with neighbouring authorities and also “transformed”, or
redesigned to improve efficiency by always putting the
customer’s needs at the heart of service delivery.
In this way the Council has saved a permanent £1,153,000 from
budgets to date, and councillors have recently given approval
for a further £458,000 to be
saved next year. Councillors now
have until February to decide
how to meet the remainder of
the fall in income.
The Council remains
committed to minimising
effects on front line service
delivery in Redditch.
However with the general
economic conditions affecting
other sources of income, the
Council must continue to make savings
to balance the budget.
More than emptying your bin
As this page is all about numbers – here are ten top facts and figures about the services
we have provided in the last year.
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Tested 360 taxis twice to make sure your travel is safe
Managed 725 hectares of freely accessible parks,
open spaces, allotments, nature reserves and
woodlands for you to enjoy
Brightened up the Borough by planting 14,140 bulbs,
2,922 trees, 1,415 shrubs and over 40,000 summer
and winter bedding plants are used
Kept the place where you live in trim by cutting
1.1million sq m of grass and 39 miles of hedgerow
Counted 23,932 votes at the last election
For more information about our services click on our website.
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Our 55 CCTV cameras helped keep you safe – we have
monitored 1,750 incidents from chasing vehicles to
finding stolen property
Created two new orchards in the Borough.
Distributed over 1,000 SmartWater forensic property
marking kits to give you peace of mind
Helped around 8,000 local people with their housing
costs and offer advice on other benefits and income
maximisation
Refurbished 16 bus shelters with community artwork by a
local artist, helped by youngsters.
Budget Jury returns
The Budget Jury has returned for its second year, helping people
understand the Council’s budget setting process and assisting the
Council’s Executive Committee to make their budget decisions.
The jury, made up of 14 residents representative of the Redditch
population, agreed to attend four evening meetings which
culminated in ranking a range of savings and spending options,
advising how the Council should spend its budget in 2012/13.
They were taken through the Council’s role; its strategic direction;
how it is financed and the national context of budget cuts. Their
views on the priorities for the Borough have been used in the
Council’s transformation programme, helping to shape the
direction of the Council.
Their views will now go to the Executive Committee before the
Council agrees its 2012/13 budget rates in February.
6 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Redditch takes Gold in blooming competition
Redditch Borough Council has picked up the
Gold Award for its entry in this year’s Heart of
England in Bloom competition.
The winners of the regional competition were
announced during a ceremony in
Wolverhampton on 15th September where
officers involved in this year’s campaign and
Portfolio Holder for Housing, Local Environment
and Health, Cllr Brandon Clayton, picked up
the award.
Summer fun at
Morton Stanley Festival
Thousands of fun-seekers turned out in force to enjoy a weekend
of music and displays from local businesses and community
groups.
Heart of England in Bloom judges visited
Redditch at the end of July for a tour of the
Town Centre, Forge Mill Needle Museum and
other areas of the borough before deciding
which award to give.
The entry was supported by Webbs Garden
Centre, the Where Next Association, Andrew
Grant estate agents, Tesco Extra, Standard
The Morton Stanley Festival was held over the weekend of the 20th
and 21st August and was organised by Redditch Borough Council.
Local bands provided the entertainment and local businesses,
charities and community groups held stalls to provide their wares.
Newspaper, Clarke Roxboro, The Kingfisher
Shopping Centre and Scottish Widows, Firstqall
heating and Plumbing and Shipleys
Amusements.
Heart of England in Bloom is part of Britain in
Bloom, which is one of Europe’s largest
horticultural campaigns with more than 1,100
cities, towns and villages participating each
year.
Stakeout at
Morton Stanley
Festival.
Photo courtesy of
Shari Black Velvet
Lake Side Ethical Treats.
Photo courtesy of
Shari Black Velvet
Redditch Borough Council
Redditch matters 7

Regenerating the Gateway to Redditch
Redditch Train Station is at the centre of a
scheme aimed at improving the look and feel
of the town centre for visitors and commuters.
The project is being led by Redditch Borough Council and the
Redditch Town Centre Partnership as part of an overall Town Centre
Strategy of improvements.
The work, which will include the regeneration of the train station site
and surrounding buildings, has now begun with major landscaping
work already taking place.
Work so far has included the removal of the old overgrown
landscaping and an old advertisement board. This clears the views
between the train station and the bus station, making it easier for
people to find their way into the town.
New steps and pathways have been created and a landscaping
scheme has started to brighten up the area.
Plans are now in place for safety and security improvements with
new lighting in the steps, bollards and improved street lighting.
Lyndsey Hadley, who is leading the project for the Council, said: “The
redevelopment of the area around the train station has the
opportunity to transform the sense of arrival for visitors to Redditch
and enhance pride in the town centre.
“Redditch Borough Council is committed to improving the area and
we are working with adjacent property owners to make this truly a
gateway into Redditch.”
What has the Town Centre
Partnership been up to
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The Town’s Britain in Bloom Campaign was
supported by the partnership with a
number of members sponsoring the
campaign. The Partnership gave a
presentation to the judges about the
group and the Town Centre Strategy on
judging day.
The partnership is identifying eyesores and
“dead” areas in the town. Work is also
ongoing to persuade landlords to
improve and clean up their sites.
The group is working closely with the
Police and Community Safety to drive
down anti-social behaviour in the town
centre.
The partnership has been involved in a
number of successful events over the
past year including a Christmas Best
Dressed Window Competition and a Carol
Concert as well as St George’s Day
celebrations in the town centre.
Plans are already under way for Easter
Celebrations, St George’s Day and
Olympic activities as well as events to
mark the Golden Jubilee next June.
For more information on the work of the
partnership contact Lyndsey Hadley at
towncentre@redditchbc.gov.uk.
8 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

New district centre plans approved
The district centre at Church Hill is set for a
fresh lease of life as a new development is
due to bring rebuilt shops, houses and
medical centre to the area.
According to detailed plans approved last
month by members of Redditch Borough
Council’s planning committee subject to a
range of planning conditions, the work will
be carried out in distinct phases.
Initially, a 31-space car park with five
disabled spaces is set to be built on
vacant waste land to the north of the site,
complementing eight on-road spaces.
The plans then show a new district centre
building will be built on the old car park,
which will accommodate a new medical
centre on the first floor and six existing
businesses in ground floor retail units plus a
cash machine.
After that, the old district centre and public
house will be demolished and new
residential built, creating a new ‘high street’
formed by 24 of the 51 new homes to be
built. Of these 51 homes, 39 will be
Click! what a picture
Keen-eyed residents snapped to it
to take part in a photographic
competition to capture a scene
which depicted Redditch.
The winner was Phil Drabble who
affordable homes and 12 will be market
homes. Trees will also be planted so that
the street takes on a boulevard style. As
part of this final phase, a new access road
will also be created.
The development has been proposed by a
partnership of LSP Developments, Bellway
Homes and Accord Housing Association.
caught an image of St Stephen's Church
and runner-up Jane Powell focussed on
Forge Mill.
In third place was a shot of Market Place
which was captured by Mary
McCormack.
The competition was run by Specsavers,
The Redditch Standard and the Council.
Redditch Borough Council
Redditch matters 9

Focus on
Matchborough This
Matchborough Youth Forum: The MYF
The MYF meets regularly to give young people in Matchborough
a voice and direct involvement in their community.
Pictured is current chairman Arlene Brunner. “We’ve learned
that if you have good ideas for your community you can get
help to make it happen.
“We had a project called G2G where we spent time with older
people and it really helped show everyone involved that age
is just a number. The county council helped us fund
that. And we were involved when the iGym went in
to Arrow Vale, we helped design the youth
shelter and picnic tables. The next event is
this year’s Christmas Carol concert.”
The MYF meets at Christ Church
on Ryton Close, (01527) 460400.
edition our Focus On stays in
the east of the Borough as we
take a look at Matchborough and
some of its projects bringing
the generations together.
Matchborough Christmas
carol concert,
Friday 2nd December
at Christ Church,
Ryton Close.
10 Redditch matters Redditch Borough Council

Community gardening
This summer Ilmington Close was
spruced up as Matchborough residents
young and old worked together on their
latest gardening project.
Alan Walker (pictured) is Chairman of
Ryknild Residents’ Association and the
Borough Tenants’ Forum. “As you can
imagine, keeping the gardens and
flowerbeds around the sheltered housing
maintained can be quite hard for some
elderly or disabled people. This
flowerbed here used to be a bit of a
dead bush that collected litter, but it was
brightened right up through our
gardening project with young people
from Your Ideas over in the centre.
“We’ve been working with local children
through Your Ideas for a couple of years
now. This year a group worked with us
every Tuesday, working on gardening,
learning skills.
“Over the last couple of years these
groups of local young people have
helped clear the brook area that used to
be overgrown and unmanageable, and
build some raised gardens. Some of
these children are doing alternative
curriculum because they aren’t getting
on well in school but they enjoy it and
have unlimited amounts of energy.
When we work together it helps us to
appreciate each other more.”
Matchborough West
Community Group
Last year the Matchborough West
Community Group successfully applied
for a grant from the Borough Council’s
voluntary sector grant scheme. A £500
“stronger communities” grant helped the
group to fund local newsletters and its
own website, www.mwcg.co.uk. Group
chairman Mike Chawner: “The funding
gave our local community website the
opportunity to take a leap forward, and
Matchborough residents would like to
thank the Borough Council for its support.
We are now expanding the website,
check on there soon for news of a
community fishing club for juniors and
adults. We’re looking to start now that the
Matchborough pond has been cleaned
up.”
Visit www.yourideas.org.uk for all
their latest projects and news. Your
Ideas works together with local
young people, and in partnership
with Arrow Vale High School.
Matchborough Ward
Councillors
Cllr Anita Clayton
Conservative
Tel: 501797
(2011 -12 Mayor)
Cllr Juliet Brunner
Conservative
Mob: 07990 733054
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 11

PACT event
is super
(market)
What is unique about the PACT
(Partners and Communities Together)
event covering the areas of Astwood
Bank, Feckenham, Crabbs Cross,
Headless Cross, Oakenshaw and
Webb Heath
Uniquely in Worcestershire, this public event is
held by representatives from West Mercia Police
as well as Borough and County council in the
middle of busy supermarket.
This September’s latest PACT event in the Tesco
Extra supermarket on Coldfield Drive spanned
five hours from 2pm on a Thursday, designed to
make it really easy for residents to raise any issues
directly with the police and local authorities.
Pictured above: West Mercia Police’s local
policing team and Borough Council Leader Cllr
Carole Gandy welcome passing shoppers at the
Tesco Extra.
12 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Redditch to unite against
domestic abuse
Turn out, speak up,
wear the White Ribbon
This winter Redditch will unite against
domestic abuse, as local agencies
and the community come together in
support of the international 16 Days of
Action campaign, symbolised by the
wearing of a white ribbon.
From Friday 25th November until Saturday
10th December, 16 Days of Action will
campaign for an end to violence against
women across the globe, including
having a presence at public events such
as Redditch’s Candlelit Vigil and
Christmas Carol Concert.
Redditch Borough Council Portfolio Holder
for Community Safety, Cllr Juliet Brunner
said: “Through the 16 Days of Action
campaign we can show solidarity as a
community that the many forms of
domestic abuse are unacceptable.
“We want people to know that help and
support is available. Help is available for
women and men to protect themselves
and escape abusive relationships, and
help is also available for anyone
concerned that their behaviour may be
abusive.
“Just because it’s not uncommon doesn’t
make misuse of power to control a
partner or family members
acceptable, or mean that it has to be
tolerated.”
Show your solidarity with a White Ribbon
- available from selected Redditch
Borough Council premises free of
charge, with any donations going to
SupportWorks, a local charity supporting
survivors of domestic abuse.
Candlelit Vigil,
Friday November 25th in Walter
Stranz Square, outside Redditch
Town Hall
Christmas Carol Concert,
Thursday December 8th
outside St Stephen’s
Church, Redditch
town centre
If you believe
you may be
experiencing
domestic abuse
or you know
someone who
might be, you
can obtain free
and confidential
advice, 24 hours a day, from
the Worcestershire domestic
abuse helpline:
0800 980 3331.
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 13

Look back at Redditch
The Earls of Plymouth
The Sheldons of Beoley and the Hubands
of Ipsley were occasionally and briefly
important to those who lived in the hamlet
of Redditch, but they were insignificant
compared with the Windsor family who
settled in Tardebigge, the manor which
contained most of Redditch.
The Windsors and the gun powder plot
At first the Windsors had difficulty in
advancing themselves in Worcestershire.
They remained true to the old Catholic
religion, like so many of their neighbours
and were therefore prevented from
appointment to any office.
They very nearly ruined their chances
altogether in 1605. The last few
gunpowder plotters were all Worcestershire
men. They fled for their lives from
Huddington and arrived at Hewell Grange
expecting to find Lord Windsor and a
supply of guns.
Instead they found that the Fifth Baron
Windsor had died and the sixth baron, who
was only a boy of nine, was not there. They
rode away to their doom.
Had the Windsors provided guns and
ammunition in 1605, it is likely that their
residence at Tardebigge would have
been curtailed - as probably some of
them would have been!
The Windsors and the Civil War
The Windsor family was Royalist in
the Civil War. It is possible the
Seventh Baron Windsor fought
for King Charles II at the
Battle of Worcester.
He must have been with
the escape party, for Hewell
Grange is reported to have
been the place where the
king spent the night after the
battle.
The Windsors and Pirates
Thomas, the seventh Baron
Windsor, made two interesting
career choices. He gave up
Catholicism and became a
member of the Church of England
and he decided to be a pirate!
Technically he was a naval
officer, but he cruised the
by Ralph Richardson
credit to gary718 /Shutterstock.com
Caribbean, captured Spanish
ships and led an attack on
Cuba.
Charles II was so delighted he
created Thomas the Earl of
Plymouth (after his home port)
and paid for the restoration
of the Gatehouse Chapel at
Bordesley Abbey.
Read more about the
Windsor family in the next
edition of Redditch
Matters.
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14 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Have a Jolly
Pud Time
Your
festive guide to
what’s on and
when
Visit the
Redditch Town Centre
Christmas light switch on
Saturday 26th November
3:30pm - 5:30pm
Church Green
with the cast of Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs
Meet Father
Christmas and his
reindeer.
Performances from
Redditch Youth Theatre
and Arrow Valley
Brass
Redditch Borough Council
Redditch matters 15

Where Your Advent
Paul Holman Associates for
Redditch Borough Council present
Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs
Redditch Palace Theatre
Monday 5th December -
Saturday 31st December
After all Christmas just isn’t
Christmas without a trip to the
Palace panto!
Visit:
www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk
Victorian
Christmas Craft Fair
Forge Mill Needle Museum
Sunday 4th December
11am – 4pm
Telephone: 01527 62509
Website: www.forgemill.org.uk
16 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Adventures Await...
Churches Together Carol
Service
Worcester Square,
The Kingfisher Centre
Saturday 17th December 11am
Visit: www.redditchbc.gov.uk
Christmas Carol Concert
Church Green
Thursday 8th December 6pm
Visit: www.redditchbc.gov.uk
Royal Opera House – live feed ballet
‘The Sleeping Beauty’
Apollo Cinema
Thursday 15th December
Visit: www.apollocinemas.com
Redditch Borough Council
Redditch matters 17

ARCHERS RESTAURANT
Redditch New College
Christmas Lunch & Dinner Menu
Archers Restaurant offers a variety of foods specialising in fine British and French Cuisine at
value for money prices with a service that is formal and of a standard expected ed in top hotels.
For further information go to www.archersrestaurant.co.uk
Late Nights
Kingfisher Shopping Centre will be open until 7pm on Thursdays as usual,
but also on the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd December, you can get all
your last minute stocking fillers as we are open until 7pm!
Don’t forget...
Redditch Open Air Market is situated in Market Place adjacent to the Public Library and
is open five days a week from 9.00am to 4.00pm
For further information about Redditch at Christmas visit:
www.redditchbc.gov.uk
18 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

What’s on
Selected events from November 2011 to March 2012
Forge Mill Needle Museum
(01527) 62509
www.forgemill.org.uk
Victorian Christmas
Craft Fair
Sunday 4th
December :
11am – 4pm
Adults £1,
Children FREE
Ecumenical
Centre
English Piano
Trio
Saturday 12th
November : 7.30pm.
Presented by Redditch
Music Society
Victoria Sayles (violin) &
Martin Cousin (piano)
Saturday 4th February :
7.30pm. Presented by
Redditch Music Society
Judith Hall (flute) & Craig
Ogden (guitar)
Saturday 3rd March :
7.30pm.
Presented by Redditch Music
Society
Palace Theatre
(01527) 65203
www.redditchpalacetheatre.co.uk
Stephen K Amos.
Thursday 24th November : 8pm
Suitable for ages 16+
Tickets £18.50
The Drifters in Concert
Friday 25th November : 7.30pm
Tickets £25.00 & £24.00 (disc rate)
An Evening of Burlesque
Saturday 26th November : 7.30pm
Adults only 18+
Tickets £19 & £18 (disc rate)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs -
the magical family pantomime
Monday 5th December – Sunday 31st
December 2011
Various performance times please
check online or ask for a leaflet for full
performance schedule
Tickets from £13.50 - £17.50
Chris Packham Goes Totally Wild
Monday 30th January : 7.30pm
Tickets £16.50 & £15.50 (disc rate)
Starlight School of Dance
Thursday 2nd – Saturday 4th February
2012
7.15pm and Sat Mat
2.15pm
Aladdin
Tickets £10 & £8.00
(disc rate)
Rockin’ on
Heaven’s Door
Saturday 11th
February 2012 :
7.30pm
Tickets all seats
£20.00
Chris and Pui
Wednesday 15th February
2012:
Tickets £11 & £10 (disc
rate)
Magic
Friday 17th February
2012: 7.30pm Tickets
All seats £16.50
Richard Digance
Saturday 18th February 2012 : 7.30pm
Tickets £17 and £16 (disc rate)
Marty Wilde
Friday 24th February 2012 : 7.30pm
Tickets £18 and £17 (disc rate)
Elo Experience
Saturday 25th February 2012 : 7.30pm
Tickets £18 and £17 (disc rate)
Phantom and the Musicals
Wednesday 29th February 2012 :7.30pm
Tickets £16.50 and £15.50 (disc rate)
The Stones
Friday 2nd March 2012 : 7.30pm
Tickets £17.50 and £15.50 (disc rate)
Classic Clapton
Saturday 3rd March 2012 : 7.30pm
Tickets £16 and £15 (disc rate)
The Pirates of Penzance – Broadway
Version. Astwood Bank Operatic Society
Tuesday 6th – Saturday 10th March :
7.30pm & Sat Mat 2.30pm
Tickets All seats £12.50
Sat Mat all seats £11
Barry Cryer – Butterfly Brain
Tuesday 13th March 2012 : 7.30pm
Tickets £16.50 & £15.50 (disc rate)
Go Play Up Your Own End
Friday 16th – Saturday 17th March 2012 :
7.30pm. Tickets £20
D Day Darlings
Wednesday 21st March 2012: 2.00pm
Tickets £11
The Searchers
Friday 23rd March 2012: 7.30pm
Tickets £18.50 and £17.50 (disc rate)
Psychic Night
Saturday 24th March 2012: 7.30pm
Tickets £16.50
Arsenic and Old Lace
Wednesday 28th – Saturday 31st March
2012 7.30pm & Sat Mat 2.30pm
Tickets £11.50 & £10.50 (disc rate)
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 19

Mucky
Pups get
cleaning up
Dog owners have helped to clean up the borough
by picking up after their pets and reducing the
number of incidents of dog fouling by more than 50
per cent.
The Council encouraged people to clean up after
their dogs as part of the Mucky Pup campaign which
was designed to attract attention and reduce fouling
on the streets.
Officers sprayed dog mess with fluorescent orange washable
paint to highlight the dog poo problem and spoke to around 500
residents.
Cllr Brandon Clayton, Portfolio Holder for Local Environment and
Health, said: “Again this campaign has been a great success with
lots of dog owners being reminded that they must pick up after
their pets.
“Hopefully this will continue throughout the year making Redditch
a cleaner, healthier place to live.”
To report issues of dog fouling call the Customer Service Centre on
(01527) 534123 or visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk .
Let's waste less
this Christmas
Christmas is a time of seasonal goodwill and
celebrations, which often leads us to buy more – food,
drink and presents.
While this adds to our Christmas cheer, it also leads to a
massive increase in waste and most of us will admit that
our bins are overflowing by the end of the festive period.
So this year we are asking people to consider just three
things which will help to reduce the amount of waste
collected over the Christmas period.
➤
➤
➤
Consider the wrapping paper used on presents. You
can recycle the conventional paper types in your
kerbside recycling collection, but not the foil type
Recycle your Christmas cards in your kerbside
recycling collection
Stop unwanted mail - In the run-up to
Christmas we seem to get bombarded
with even more unwanted mail than
usual. Take simple steps to reduce
this, such as leaving mailing lists
and avoiding joining new ones.
For more ideas to help you
to waste less visit
www.letswasteless.com or
call 01905 766883.
There will be
NO CHANGES to
the bin collections over
Christmas and New Year.
During bad weather residents
are asked to leave bins out for
collection and the Council will
get to them as soon as possible.
To see your recycling calendar
visit www.redditchbc.gov.uk
or call (01527) 64252
20 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Twinning trip
A trip to a town in Southern Tanzania, Mtwara, which is
twinned with Redditch, was an amazing experience for
Ann-Marie Creery and her daughter Naoisé.
Now the Adult Tutor who teaches in the community as part of
New College, wants residents to get involved with the twinning
experience and find out more about the people of Mtwara
and their lives.
Ann-Marie said: “When we arrived in the town, many people
and school children had turned out to welcome us, there were
banners put up to mark the occasion! The warmth of the
people there, of all ages, really was overwhelming and I can’t
believe how much they were looking forward to the visit from
residents of Redditch.”
The twinning is led by Redditch One World Link (ROWL), made
up of local people, which includes representatives from all
walks of life with an interest in our twin town.
Ann-Marie, who spent over three weeks out in Africa with her
ten-year-old daughter as part of a trip organised by
ROWL, visited schools,
Ann-Marie with her daughter Naoisé
businesses and
attended a Council meeting. Her daughter
was particularly interested in meeting children the same age
as her and seeing them in their classrooms.
She said: “The community is so motivated – the residents of
Mtwara had organised a full programme of events for us
and wanted us to see how they lived in their town, up
close, with a view to learning and understanding our
different cultures first hand."
Ann-Marie hopes that if the Mtwara residents make a return
visit that the welcome for them is just as warm.
“Of course there are socio-economic issues which are
evidently very different between Redditch and Mtwara
but I think we have a lot to learn from each other. This
opportunity has allowed me and my daughter to see
how our town twinning can provide many long term
opportunities for the residents from both Redditch and
Mtwara ”
ROWL want more people to get involved with
communicating with people in Mtwara and building up
links.
If you are interested in getting involved, please get in
touch with ROWL: (01527) 893408 or email Ann-Marie:
acreery@yahoo.co.uk
Consultation Roadshows
Over the summer, a number of consultation roadshows have taken
place across the Borough, from Webheath to Matchborough.
The roadshows are one of the ways councillors and council
officers get to hear residents’ views. They also allow senior staff
working for the people of Redditch to get out into the communities
they serve.
Residents can ask questions of their local councillors, pick up
useful information and give the Council their views on their local
community. Their views on Council services and local issues are
then analysed and used to help the Council.
Completing one of the questionnaires also gives residents the
chance to be entered into a prize draw for a Kingfisher Centre
voucher - just as Redditch resident Judith Bainbridge (pictured with
Carole Gandy, Leader of the Council) did when she attended the
Matchborough roadshow!
Redditch Borough Council
Redditch matters 21

HOUSING
roundup
Living
later
life the
way you
want it
Older people in Redditch are
seeing a change in the way
they are housed after they told
the Council how they wanted
to live in later life.
As part of a review of Council housing for
older people in the borough, residents
said that they wanted -
➤
➤
➤
➤
➤
to stay in their own homes for as
long as possible
a secure and safe environment
the support of an alarm system
staff who visit them at home
to be close to shops and good
transport links.
Because of these findings, the Council
have now changed the way older people
Finding a more
suitable home for life
When Tom Crouch was told that
Roxboro House was no longer
considered suitable he quickly set
about working with Council
officers to find a new home.
Mr Crouch attended regular
meetings about the changes and
specified that he would like to
move closer to town as he likes to
go there every day to have his
are housed and have come up with
three different types of older persons’
accommodation based on people’s
individual needs.
These are Supported Independent
Living for people aged 65 and over
who have an assessed support need,
housing for people aged 60 and over
and housing for the over 50s. An
assessed support need is not essential
in the over 50 and over 60
accommodation but those with needs
can be supported.
The Council’s Home Support Service is
Look out for the Annual Report
The Housing Annual Report is now
available to view on the Council’s
website or a copy can be picked up at
Customer Service Centres.
The report, which is produced every
year, takes a look at how the Council is
performing against a number of
standards including tenant
involvement and empowerment,
home, tenancy, value for money,
neighbourhood and community.
The report has been put together by
working with tenants on the
Performance Development Review
Group and the Borough Tenants Forum.
Go to www.redditchbc.gov.uk to see
the latest report.
lunch and do his shopping.
He is now living in a one bedroom
flat in Bentley Close, with his own
kitchen and bathroom.
Mr Crouch said: “I received plenty
of support throughout this process
and I am very happy with my new
flat. It is great to feel like I am now
secure and will not have to move
again.”
also available to residents of all Council
accommodation meaning that people
can stay in their chosen homes for as
long as they like with the help they need.
As part of the review the Council also
evaluated the standard of its housing,
which has resulted in many of the
schemes being refurbished.
The sheltered housing scheme Roxboro
House was closed after investigations
showed that the building was now
considered to be unsuitable with its
bedsit-style accommodation. There were
also issues with access and the need for
maintenance of the building.
Residents are now moving to more
suitable alternative accommodation in
the borough (See Tom Crouch’s
experience above).
Other previous sheltered housing
schemes that were found to be
unsuitable for older people have also
been changed to general let. This will
help free up housing for people under
the age of 50 who are on the Council’s
housing waiting list.
22 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Home Support Service
Redditch Borough Council’s Home
Support Service helps a wide range of
customers of all ages with specific areas
of need.
The team is now offering the service to
people who own their own home or rent
privately.
Heidi Arnold, Community Service
Development Officer, said: “The Home
Support Service reaches across Redditch
to those in need, helping our residents to
live independent lives. My job is to
identify those in need of support whether
they are a Council or private tenant or
even if they own their own home.
“We are often asked if we can help
people with all sorts of different needs
and we are currently looking into ways in
which we can expand a range of
bespoke services to everyone.
“We can help you with budgeting and
claiming benefits, support you with
addictions, find ways of helping you with
mental and physical health needs, even
support you to build and maintain
relationships, we can also help with
tenancy matters, in fact anything that
supports you to remain safe and happy
in your chosen home.”
Currently residents in receipt of Housing
Benefit or Guaranteed Pension Credit
may qualify for funding, others may be
able to benefit for a small charge. To
see if the Home Support Service can
help, contact Heidi Arnold, Community
Services Development Officer, on
(01527) 64252 ext. 3223 for an informal
chat.
Redditch County Court closure
Redditch County Court closed in
September this year meaning that all
possession hearings for rent arrears
will take place in Redditch
Magistrates Court.
Applications to suspend an eviction
or vary a court order will need to be
done in person at Worcester Crown
Court or by telephone on (01905)
730807.
For further information or advice about
these changes please contact the
Rent Welfare Team on (01527) 534193
or email
rents.team@bromsgroveandredditch.
gov.uk .
In September residents, friends and
Home Support Officers helped to raise
money for Macmillan’s Biggest Coffee
Morning at Harry Taylor House in Lakeside.
Refreshments on offer included home
made cakes and biscuits donated by
friends and families.
Redditch Borough Council
Redditch matters 23

Save the
environment and
£50 a month by
wasting less food
Research shows 61% of shoppers are concerned about the
environmental impact of food and groceries.
As families look for ways to save money on their household
bills many of us aren’t aware that food waste not only hits us
in the pocket - up to £50 a month - but has a serious impact
on the environment too.
Producing, distributing, storing and cooking food uses energy,
fuel and water. Each of these emits greenhouse gases
contributing to climate change.
Think of a pack of cheese. In the UK we throw away the
equivalent of more than three million slices of cheese a day!
The resources that go into raising the cows, processing the
milk, transporting the cheese, refrigeration, the fuel we use to
drive to the shop to buy it - all this to put it in the bin at the
end of the week.
If we stopped throwing this good food away it would save the
equivalent of at least 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
That’s the environmental equivalent of taking 1 in every 4 cars
off our roads.
Get
Composting!
Compost bins are still available from £13
including delivery.
To find out more visit www.letswasteless.com
or call 01905 766883
It’s easy for us all to make a difference. Love Food Hate Waste,
in partnership with Worcestershire County Council and
Redditch Borough Council, has some great solutions to help us
reduce the amount of food we throw away.
✔ Make the most of your fruit and veg. Apples last longer
when you keep them in the fridge. If they're slightly
bruised, try putting them in a crumble, a sauce or start
the day with a smoothie.
✔ You can freeze bread and toast it straight from the
freezer or alternatively use it for puddings, stuffings and
even to thicken sauces.
✔ Ever thought of making the most of your potato peelings
Why not sprinkle with salt, pepper, chilli or whatever
flavour takes your fancy and pop them in the oven. Free
crisps the kids will love!
✔ Keep a marker pen handy for labelling your freezer pots
and tubs with the contents and date prepared – making it
easier to identify them at a later date.
✔ Planning is key. Think ahead to what the week has in
store - check the fridge, freezer and cupboard, make a
shopping list so you only buy what you need and make
the most of what you have.
✔ Did you know food can be frozen any time before the
‘use by’ date on the label
Find out more about how we can all help to save our
environment - and money too - by visiting
www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
24 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Community safety this winter
Here is the latest information from West Mercia Police,
part of the Reditch Community Safety Partnership.
Stay Safe this Christmas! Police issue new 101
We want you to have a great night out when you go out this
Christmas, but remember to stay safe at the same time.
West Mercia Police will be putting more officers on the streets
over the festive period, and wants revellers to remember just
a few simple tips to ensure your Christmas is memorable for
all the right reasons. Careless behaviour could put you at
greater risk of crime, particularly through excessive
consumption of alcohol, so follow the advice below to
ensure crime doesn’t cramp your style!
Before you go out:
❉
Always plan how you’re going to get home after a night
out. Book a taxi or minibus for the journey there and
preferably make arrangements for your return trip.
While you are out:
❉
❉
❉
❉
Don't drink too much. Know your limit and stick to it.
Always protect your drink. Although reported incidents of
drink spiking are rare in Worcestershire, people do need
to be cautious. Never leave your drink unattended or
accept drinks from a stranger. If a drink tastes unusual or
smells odd do not drink it.
Look after your mates and always stay together when
out and about at night or stopping to get money from a
cash machine. Try to have someone in the group who
stays sober to make sure everyone else is safe.
Walk away from trouble. Alcohol can make you more
vulnerable to crime - both as a victim and also a
potential offender. If you come across trouble, don't get
involved - simply walk away and contact the police.
Getting home:
❉
❉
❉
Don't walk home alone - always walk in groups. Stick to
the main roads and try to avoid shortcuts and unlit
areas.
Don't drink and drive. The only safe amount of alcohol to
drink when driving is none at all, so arrange for a
designated driver or organise your transport home in
advance.
When using a cab, remember that you are only insured
if you phone and book a taxi or if it is a licensed
hackney carriage. You can only flag down licensed
hackney carriages.
non-emergency number
West Mercia Police have a new non-emergency phone
number. 101 is now the number to call when you want to
contact the police – when it’s less urgent than 999.
When to use which number:
101 should be used to report less urgent crime or disorder
and for general police enquiries. For example:
❉ if your car has been stolen
❉ if your property has been damaged
❉ when you suspect drug use or dealing
❉ to report a minor traffic collision
House burglary remains relatively
low in Worcestershire. In fact,
fewer than one per cent of
houses are burgled each year.
However, when it is dark outside,
unlit houses can be a target for
thieves.
West Mercia Police’s Lighten Up
campaign aims to provide local
residents with some simple
advice on how they can significantly reduce the chance of
their home being burgled over the autumn and winter months:
❉ A well-lit home gives the impression that someone is at
home.
❉ Use timer switches to turn lights on while you are out.
❉ Save energy and money with low-energy or dusk to dawn
sensor bulbs. A low-energy light bulb costs less than 5p per
week to run (if left on for six hours each day).
❉ Lock windows and doors and keep gates well secured.
❉ Invest in external lighting.
Most house break-ins are opportunistic. Don’t give thieves a
chance!
For more practical home security tips, visit
www.westmercia.police.uk or call 0300 333 3000.
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 25
❉
to give the police information about
crime in your area
999 should still be used in an emergency, where:
❉ there is danger to life or risk of injury
❉ a crime is in progress and the offender is still at the
scene or has only just left
❉ immediate police attendance is necessary such as
when a crime is obviously about to be committed.
101 is being rolled out nationwide, is available 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week, and is answered by a police operator.
All calls cost 15p. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech
impaired, you can textphone 18001 101. www.police.uk/101
Stay Safe
and Secure

Boosting activities for
Activities and events are being planned
across the borough after community groups
and charities were given a funding boost from
the Council.
Stronger Community Grants up to the value of £500 have been
handed out to help residents young and old get involved in
community projects.
Groups which have benefited in the last round of grants
include over 80s choir the Oldertones who practice at Terry
Springs Court, Transition Town Redditch who hope to promote
healthy eating, a new arts market
stall and Redditch United Junior
Club.
Youngsters ‘wheely’ benefited
from the £500 grant to
Redditch BMX Track and
Skatepark. The
cash was
used to provide free BMX coaching
sessions for young people aged ten to
19-years of age.
The activities took place over October
with professional coaches who saw
pupils from Arrow Vale and Ipsley
School with young people from Your
Ideas Youth and Community Group
26 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

all across the borough
take part. The half term saw coaching
sessions for public use from beginner to
advance level. The young people were
able to borrow one BMX bike and safety
gear.
Steve Rooke director of Redditch Wheels
Project and Redditch Premiers BMX Club
said young people taking up BMX will do
so for many years.
He added: “It’s a great way for young
people to keep fit and active. The venue
gives both girls and boys somewhere to
go and something to do where they can
become involved and develop their
potential to achieve.
“We would like to thank Redditch Borough
Council for all their support and for the
£500 grant.”
For more information on the BMX
track call (01527) 524550 or email
redditchbmxtrackandskatepark
@gmail.com
On 24th October Butterflies, a local
community workshop, held a fashion
show inspired by the theme Africa to
Celebrate Black History Month. The show
featured designs and original creations
which were made during Butterflies
Workshops.
A new Sewing Café has been launched
in the town centre every Tuesday to give
people the chance to work on sewing
projects with expert help on hand. The
group has been given a grant to run a
Community Sewing Project which will
introduce learners to the basic ways to
recycle items such as clothing or bags.
The Sewing Café at Cedar House in
Britten Street, is led by Brenda
Killigrew. For more information call
(01527) 69100.
The Redditch First Responders scheme
has been given funding towards a new
car which will be connected to Hereford
and Worcestershire Fire Service’s control
centre. This will help the life-saving
volunteers get to emergencies quicker
and keep them in contact with the
control centre.
Community First Responder volunteers
are trained to attend emergency calls
and provide often life-saving care until
the ambulance arrives. Community First
Responders can arrive at the scene of
an emergency within minutes as they live
or work in the local area. They have to
raise their own money for kits and
uniforms and other equipment which will
help their service assist more people in
need of emergency care.
For more information on grants from
the Council call Voluntary Sector
Grants Co-ordinator Donna Hancox
on (01527) 64252 ext 3015.
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 27

Date with
Democracy
Voters of the future were given the chance to see how their
voice could make a difference to the decision-making
process in the place where they live.
As part of the annual local democracy event in October
Redditch Borough Council invited pupils from local High
Schools to take part in a host of activities at the Town Hall.
Worcestershire County Council has also supported the event.
The youngsters quizzed Borough and County Councillors
during a ‘speed dating’ exercise, had their say on the budget
and feedback on local issues in Redditch with mad, sad or
glad boards.
An afternoon ‘any question’ session saw a panel of speakers
Local pupils get ready
for the day ahead
including Borough and County councillors, Police and local
business representatives covering local issues raised by the
youngsters.
Beth Crumpton, British Cycling prospect for the
Olympics 2016 with Cllr Juliet Brunner and Student
Council Chair Charlotte Toomer.
The Panel get ready to answer
questions from the students.
Doing our bit to tackle Climate Change
Redditch Borough Council is investing £455,000 in renewable energy to make the authority as well
as the borough a more environmentally friendly place to work and live.
Projects include putting Solar PV panels on Council buildings and housing schemes. This will not only
save electricity and Carbon emissions, but also generate an income for the Council over the
next 15 years. This money can be reinvested into other projects to benefit the community.
The first buildings to have the panels installed will be the Town Hall, Palace Theatre and the
Crematorium.
But it’s not just the Council investing in generating its own electricity. The Government’s
feed in tariff scheme is proving very popular in Redditch with a number of homes
already fitted with solar panels.
In fact, there have been around 125 installations in the town since April
2010, which is a total of around £1,250,000 invested in renewable
energy in Redditch.
Residents and businesses can get more information on solar power
schemes by contacting the Council’s Climate Change
Manager Ceridwen John on
c.john@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
or (01527) 64252, extension 3046.
28 Redditch matters Redditch Borough Council

Innovative
green
plans
move
closer to
reality
Work on an innovative project to heat
the new Abbey Stadium Leisure Centre
with state of the art green technology
is now in full swing.
Super-insulated pipes which will
transport waste heat, generated from
a cleaning process at the
Crematorium, have now been laid
with work on the new leisure centre
expected to be completed early next
year. Turn to page four and five to
see more on the leisure centre.
Once completed, this will be the first
system in the country heating a
leisure centre in this way and will save
around 100 tonnes of CO2 from being
produced every year.
The project, which came top of its
category to win a Gold at this year’s
National Green Apple Awards, will
use the Crematorium’s flue cleaning
process which stops harmful
mercury, other gases and acids from
being released into the air.
This cleaning process involves gases
from the flue being cooled from
around 800 degrees centigrade to
around 140 degrees centigrade,
creating significant heat loss.
As part of the new process, this heat
will be transported to the adjacent
leisure centre to supplement its
heating system. This not only means
reducing the use of fossil-fuel
heating, but will also save the
Council over £14,500 in heating costs.
Solar thermal hot water systems are
also being planned for the new
centre, meaning that the new facility
will be eco-friendly, allowing local
residents to get fit in an
environmentally friendly way.
Did you know
1 The new project will meet 42 per
cent of the new leisure centre’s
heating needs
2 Recycling heat in this way will
save 104 tonnes of carbon
dioxide from being produced
each year
3 70 per cent of people choose to
be cremated as opposed to
buried
4 Mercury is found in all human
bodies. It builds up in small
quantities over time through our
food. It has increasingly become
a pollution issue since amalgam,
which is about 50 per cent
mercury, was added to certain
dental fillings
5 Mercury in larger quantities is
harmful which is why authorities
are now looking at ways to stop
these gases being released into
the atmosphere and
consequently the food chain.
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 29

Youngsters
urged to
spread
the word
A party of Redditch Councillors and students
took a trip to a memorial centre as part of a
Borough Council initiative of remembrance.
The Holocaust Memorial Group visited the
Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre, near Newark
to promote remembrance of the Holocaust
during World War II and more recent
genocide events such as Srebrenica,
Rwanda and Darfur.
The Committee, which organises a
commemoration event each January,
invited local students along on the trip in a
bid to keep the work of the group going.
During the visit the group joined people of all
ages from across the country to hear from
holocaust survivors and to visit the memorial
gardens and exhibitions.
The group with
speaker Lisa Vincent
As the Winter months surround us, so too
does the bad weather such as snow and
heavy rain. These can lead to issues of
flooding, something which Worcestershire
became infamous for not so long ago.
But it’s not just at times of major flooding
that our Technical Services Team springs
into action. As well as providing lots of
technical advice, throughout the year it
undertakes the maintenance of a host of
systems. This includes land
drainage
From left, Cllrs Bill Hartnett, Rebecca Blake, Holocaust survivor speaker Simon Winston ,
Cllrs Jinny Pearce, Derek Taylor and Student Council vice-chair Chloe Bates and Trinity
High School pupil Harry Bishop.
These included Simon Winston who escaped
Jewish persecutions with his family as a child
and Lisa Vincent who got out of Berlin on the
very last ‘Kindertransport’ train.
Committee Chairman Cllr Jinny Pearce said:
“The Centre is a peaceful place but, of
necessity, shows graphically how man's
behaviour can so easily degenerate into the
most appalling cruelty.
Cllr Bill Hartnett said “The most important thing
is we have sparked an interest in our younger
residents who we hope will carry on the work
of the Committee.”
Chloe Bates, Vice-Chair of Redditch Student
Council said: "We need to spread the word
about this place and get more people to visit
- and ensure nothing of the sort is ever
allowed to happen again."
If you are interested in getting involved in the
Holocaust Committee contact
steve.skinner@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk
Flooding UPDATE
assets such as Batchley Brook and Ipsley
Brook.
But it’s ongoing work on big projects including
recent improvements at Batchley Brook and
previously those at the A441 Alvechurch
Highway and A448 Warwick Highway
Improvements - for land sale to Sainsburys
and Morrisons respectively - which ensures
that new developments are not prone to
flooding.
Residents can rest assured that flooding
matters to the Council. The team have put
measures in place to limit the risk and are
continually monitoring areas, particularly
those previously vulnerable.
Holocaust Memorial Day:
Speak Up, Speak Out
Redditch will commemorate Holocaust
Memorial Day on Sunday January 29th.
Residents are invited to meet at the
Holocaust marker in the marketplace at
11.45am for a short ceremony, before
joining a procession to the Borough
Council’s memorial event in the Kingfisher
Centre, which starts at 12pm. Afterwards
Holocaust survivor Simon Winston will
Speak Up and Speak Out as he presents
his remarkable story in the nearby
Ecumenical Centre, where refreshments
will be available.
Speak Up, Speak Out is the 2012
Holocaust Memorial Day theme, aiming to
make us think about our duty to speak up
when we see or hear something
happening which we believe to be wrong.
Remember it is your duty
to protect your home!
Here’s some useful telephone
numbers in the event of a flood.
West Mercia Police 08457 444888
Hereford and
Worcestershire Fire
and Rescue 0845 1224454
Worcestershire Flood
Helpline 08456 031296
Environment Agency
Floodline 08459 881188
Severn Trent Water 0800 783 4444
British Waterways 0800 4799947
Central Network 08457 353637
Association of British
Insurers 0207 600 3333
30 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council

Every Customer,
Every Time
Redditch Borough Council is proving its passion for customer service with
the launch of a new set of posters.
The ‘Every Customer Every Time’ campaign tied in with National Customer
Services Week, which ran in October to raise awareness of customer
service across all sectors.
The poster depicts Revenue Services Manager David Riley demonstrating
his passion for his job which helps residents receive the benefits to which
they are entitled.
The posters, which will be displayed in the Customer Service Centre at
the Town Hall and One Stop Shops, follow the success of the initial
poster campaign which featured a Parks and Open Spaces Officer. It
was launched in the previous edition of Redditch Matters.
As our staff are very passionate about their jobs, the posters remind our
customers that they are being served by people who put them at the
heart of everything that they do.
Cultural Celebrations!
Two events were held in Redditch to mark Black History Month.
Supported by the Borough Council an African Market Day saw
visitors to the town centre tantalise their tastebuds with jerk
chicken, Caribbean soup and dumplings.
There were plenty of stalls selling arts and crafts and
drumming performances made sure there was a real buzz in
the air.
Also supported by the Council was a fashion show inspired by
the theme Africa at the Apollo Cinema in the Kingfisher
Centre. The show featured designs and original creations by
Butterflies Workshops, a local Redditch community group.
Black History Month is held every October with the aim of
promoting better understanding of Black history, culture and
heritage.
Adult learners get a head start
Redditch Borough Council will continue to support adult learners after
councillors agreed to enter into a partnership with NEW College.
Lessons in basic skills and IT will now continue to be run at the
Council’s Greenlands Business Centre under the new name Learning
Online – Redditch, despite funding for these courses being pulled by
the University for Industry.
As part of the contract all the former LearnDirect services at the
centre, which were previously funded by the University of Industry, will
be rebranded and run by the same team on behalf of NEW College.
Skills for Life and IT courses, up to the equivalent of GCSE level, have
been held at Greenlands Business Centre since January this year
following the closure of the REDI Centre. The contract with
LearnDirect and the University for Industry ended in September.
For more information ring Jane Rider on (01527) 524762 or email
jane.rider@redditchbc.gov.uk
Gillian Greenfield (Tutor); Ann Marie Creery (Tutor);
Sarah Merrick (Tutor); Jane Rider (Community
Education Officer )
Redditch Borough Council Redditch matters 31

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32 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council