Matty Airey

Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas has asked Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to instruct National Highways to take over and complete the delayed Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme. The A38 scheme’s completion date has moved from December 2025 or early 2026 to December 2026 and now spring 2027, prompting criticism that Worcestershire County Council lacks the expertise to deliver it efficiently. Thomas argues the delays are harming residents, businesses and the local economy, and has also sought details of penalties for the contractor. Worcestershire County Council rejects the criticism, citing the scheme’s complexity and previously unidentified utility assets, particularly Cadent gas infrastructure, while saying it remains confident the project can be delivered safely.

US country-rock duo Willow Hill, Alexandra and CT Fields, will open the UK leg of their international tour at Fairfield Village Hall on August 19, performing original songs and covers from 8pm to 10pm. The duo, which has played in 23 countries and around 200 shows annually, is returning to the venue for a third appearance through Bromsgrove Arts. Tickets cost £12.50 in advance or £15 at the door. Their albums include the 2018 debut Highway One and 2024 follow-up Better Together.

Platform Housing Group’s NHS-funded Falls Response team in Worcestershire has been shortlisted for the NHS Team of the Year award at the 2026 Worcestershire Health and Social Care Awards. The service assists residents after non-injury falls, helping reduce ambulance call-outs and hospital admissions, while also identifying health and social care needs. Responses increased from 4,510 in 2022 to 6,783 last year, and the team made 271 onward referrals in 2024. Its work with local authorities, ambulance services, NHS teams and charities expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and ambulance strikes, contributing to a permanent winter pressures response model.

Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas joined work experience students for a litter pick at Bromsgrove Cemetery, collecting several bags of rubbish. He praised Keep Bromsgrove Beautiful for organising year-round clean-up efforts and urged residents to take littering more seriously and help restore pride in the local community.

Bromsgrove School teacher Judith Holden is taking part in the Autumn Wolf Run at Offchurch Bury on September 13 to mark 30 years of teaching and raise £3,000 for NICE, the National Institute of Conductive Education. She will be joined by more than 20 friends, family members and fellow Bromsgrovians. NICE provides specialist conductive education for children and adults with conditions including cerebral palsy, stroke and other neurological disorders, relying heavily on fundraising to maintain its services.

Full Fibre broadband from Openreach is now available to around 21,000 premises in Bromsgrove, representing approximately 85% of local properties after a £6.3 million investment. Residents and businesses must actively order the service through a broadband provider rather than being upgraded automatically. Openreach says its UK rollout reaches about 23 million premises and is planned to expand to 25 million by the end of 2026, with a potential target of 30 million by 2030.

Graham Parker will perform a solo show at Artrix in Bromsgrove on September 25, 2026, as part of a tour commemorating the 50th anniversaries of his debut albums Howlin’ Wind and Heat Treatment. The set is expected to cover songs from his work with The Rumour and his solo career. Anniversary celebrations also include a new biography by Jay Nachman and a limited-edition live album, due on vinyl in May 2026.

Transport Museum Wythall has returned the only surviving Midland Red D7 bus, number 4482, to passenger service after a major volunteer-led restoration. Built in Birmingham in 1956 and withdrawn from service in 1971, the bus underwent thousands of hours of engineering, bodywork and mechanical repairs with help from Trailways of Bloxwich. Broadcaster Alan Dedicoat and television presenter Mike Brewer unveiled the restored vehicle at an event attended by nearly 100 people, after which it carried visitors on a commemorative journey to Henley-in-Arden station. The project preserves an important example of Midlands transport and engineering heritage.

Avoncroft Museum in Bromsgrove will host two family-focused history weekends in August. The first will celebrate Lammas with windmill demonstrations, bread-making and a traditional service, while the second will feature the Devereux Regiment’s 17th-century Civil War encampment, including drills, displays, music and dancing. Visitors can also explore historic buildings, family attractions and craft activities, with children eligible for free entry under the museum’s summer offer.

Bromsgrove MP Bradley Thomas is urging residents to object to plans by Blenheim Strategic Partners LLP for up to 700 homes at Bromsgrove Golf Centre. He argues that the development would overwhelm local roads and already oversubscribed schools, while undermining the golf centre's community, health, environmental and recreational value. Former club captain Lee Machin also called for the application to be rejected. The site is included in Bromsgrove District Council's draft Local Plan, and residents can submit comments under reference 26/00779/OUT. Thomas is also campaigning for new housing to prioritize brownfield land and for empty homes to be returned to use.

A new mixed‑use development in Sidemoor, Bromsgrove, has reached 50 percent occupancy before completion. Developed by Asper Property Group, the Broad Street project includes four retail units and four apartments and is expected to reach a £1 million gross development value when finished in October. Asper has already secured two tenants, including IJS Cosmetics, while interest remains strong for the remaining units. The property, purchased last year for £455,000, offers good access to local transport links and Bromsgrove town centre, with leasing inquiries directed to Hexagon Commercial.

A care home in Bromsgrove arranged a surprise dance event to fulfil 93‑year‑old former ballroom champion Beryl Page’s wish to dance again, reuniting her with a former pupil and visiting performers. Residents enjoyed a show in which Page participated, organised through the home’s Wishing Tree scheme. Staff highlighted her lifelong love of dance and expressed gratitude to those who helped make the occasion possible.

A family fun event marking the opening of Kensi Hope Interiors' new showroom in Redditch raised about £600 for Primrose Hospice. The business, a Primrose Partner, welcomed community members despite high temperatures, emphasizing its commitment to supporting local causes. The funds will aid the hospice’s care for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

South Bromsgrove High School earned the School Games Mark Gold Award for 2025–26, its first Gold recognition since 2018–19, acknowledging strong extracurricular participation, inter-school competition, student leadership and partnerships with local sports clubs. School leaders praised the commitment of students, the PE department and community partners in building a successful sporting culture.

Penguin Office Supplies in Bromsgrove received both the Superstat Dealer of the Year and CTS Wholesale Dealer of the Year awards, reflecting recent expansion and strong customer service. Leaders from Superstat and CTS Wholesale commended the company’s growth and partnerships, while managing director Chris Hopkinson credited customer loyalty for the achievements and said the business aims to continue building on its success.

Cofton Park Manor in Cofton Hackett secured a place among the UK's top 100 care homes and ranked in the top 10 for outdoor space in the Lottie Awards, selected from more than 14,000 facilities. Home manager Kerry Hill credited the team and resident gardening group for their contribution, while Lottie co-founder Will Connelly highlighted the significance of the achievement.

The Hanbury Countryside Show drew about 14,000 visitors to Park Hall Farm in Worcestershire, featuring agricultural displays, entertainment and record livestock entries across several categories. Organisers reported strong community support with over 300 volunteers involved, and attendees highlighted the event’s positive atmosphere. Planning is underway for the show’s 80th anniversary, scheduled for July 2027.

Heart of Worcestershire College and Worcester Bosch have established a three‑year partnership to enhance student skills, career pathways and industry engagement in engineering and business support. The collaboration includes work placements, guest lectures, curriculum input, and a bi‑annual forum to align teaching with employer needs. Leaders from both organisations emphasise the goal of preparing students for local employment and strengthening the region’s future workforce.

Three arts organisations have been commissioned to deliver digital, performing and visual arts projects across Bromsgrove as part of the ReNEW Sharing Stories, Shaping Future programme, aimed at strengthening community pride and expanding cultural opportunities. Overhear Ltd will run a digital nature‑focused project, Trigger Productions will create a fairground‑inspired performance initiative, and INSTAR will develop community‑inspired visual artworks. Local leaders emphasise the programme’s goal of placing residents at the centre of cultural activity, with projects scheduled to run through 2027.

Residents are being asked to share views on how communities in Bromsgrove and Rubery should be governed as the district council begins early engagement on potential changes to local representation. The survey seeks feedback on current representation, the role of neighbourhood-level decision‑making and possible governance structures ahead of any formal Community Governance Review. The initiative comes amid expected changes linked to Local Government Reorganisation, with officials emphasising that no decisions have yet been made.

Barnt Green Choral opened the Bromsgrove Festival with a sold‑out performance of Alexander L’Estrange’s Zimbe!, performed alongside local school choirs and a jazz quintet, drawing strong praise from the audience. Following a summer break, the choir will begin rehearsals for Verdi’s Requiem and is inviting new singers to join without requiring prior experience.

Irish folk band The Kilkennys will perform A Night in Kilkenny at Bromsgrove’s Artrix Theatre on September 6, delivering a high-energy show designed to recreate the feel of a lively Irish bar. The four-member group will play popular Irish songs as part of a two‑week UK tour, with tickets available through the theatre’s box office.