Plenty to do across Bromsgrove this bank holiday

Buy photos » Re-enactors will provide a bank holiday battle, recreating a scene from the War of the Roses. s

THERE WILL be plenty to do across Bromsgrove, Droitwich and South Birmingham over this bank holiday weekend.

Here are a few suggestions:

►THERE will be knights in shining armour s Avoncroft Museum on Sunday and Monday (August 26 and 27) re-creating the War of the Roses.

The full-scale 15th Century battle, featuring more than 100 re-enactors, will show what life was like in the turbulent times between 1455 and 1485 where rival royal houses warred - the red roses of the House of Lancaster and the white roses of the House of York.

As well as that, there will also be costumed demonstrations of the clothes they used to wear and the food they used to prepare and eat, along with a talk about weapons and armour and an archery display.

Youngsters who go along can don the costumes of the era, practise their skirmishing skills and take part in the ‘Knight’s Quest’ treasure hunt.

Admission is £7.70 for adults, £6.60 for senior citizens, £4 for children and £19.80 for a family ticket (two adults and three children). Members go free.

► LOCAL band Skint will take to the stage at The Talbot pub in Belbroughton this bank holiday weekend. The free gig starts at 7pm on Sunday (August 26). For more, call Jane on 01562 730249.

► THERE will be plenty of free entertainment at Rubery Social Club, New Road, on Sunday (August 26) when the annual Rubery’s Got Talent takes place.

Singers, dancers and other acts will take to the stage from 12midday and the contest will be judged in three age categories - under 12s, under 16s and over 16s. There are still some slots left for last-minute entries. For more, call Tony Maslen on 0121 457 9308.

► RESIDENTS will be able to meet Dougal the Clydesdale horse and foal tomorrow (Saturday) at a special event at the Blue Cross charity shop in Bromsgrove High Street.

Other attractions at the event, which runs from 10am to 3pm, include face-painting, a lucky dip, raffle, refreshments and plenty of bargains.

For more, visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

► PLANS for the new play area will be put on display as part of Stoke Parish Council’s Diamond Jubilee Picnic in the Park which takes place on the Stoke Heath Recreation Ground from 4.30pm on bank holiday Monday (August 27).

Residents’ views are being sought on the proposed improvements, which are due to be carried out later this year.

The work is a joint venture between the parish council and Bromsgrove District Council and ward councillors Del Booth (Stoke Heath) and John Tidmarsh (Stoke Prior) will join staff from the authority’s leisure and cultural team on-site from 3pm.

The Picnic in the Park will feature children’s games and activities, a singalong, a Neil Diamond tribute act, a hog roast, refreshments, charity stalls and a fireworks finale.

► A FREE family summer fete takes place at Holloway Community Hall in Northfield tomorrow (Saturday).

The event will feature a variety of attractions both inside and out.

Outside there will be water walkers, bouncy castles, a jungle slide, face painting, a candy floss stall, ice creams and several rides.

Inside there will be a variety of stalls, including ones selling jewellery, flowers, cards, children’s clothes and accessories, textiles, candles and more.

For more, call Sherene on 07958 447741.

► THE 64th annual flower show, organised by the Droitwich Spa and District Horticultural Society, will take place on bank holiday Monday (August 27).

The event, which will boast displays of flowers, fruit, vegetables, cakes, prserves, handicrafts, floral art, photographs and children’s classes, is being held at Droitwich Sports and Leisure Centre.

It opens to the public at 1pm and, as well as the produce and creations, there will also be a puppet theatre, fairground organ, face-painting, animal roadshow and a variety of stalls and refreshments.

Droitwich Mayor, Coun Anne Taft, will be on hand to present the trophies and then the produce will be auctioned off. Admission is £1.50 for adults, 50p for children aged between five and 15 and free to the under fives.

For more, including a schedule of classes, call secretary Val Jancey on 01905 778384.

► A FLEET of buses, dating back as far as 1908, rides on classic buses through the local countryside and interactive exhibits will all be on offer at Wythall Transport Museum this bank holiday weekend.

The venue, which will be open from 10.30am on both Sunday (August 26) and Monday (August 27), has been chosen by The National Association of Road Transport Museums to host its 30th birthday celebrations.

The organisation specialises in buses and coaches and those who go along will also be able to quiz a host of transportation experts.

The museum’s main exhibition hall boasts more than 100 classic local buses and coaches, youngsters will be able to try out the new play cabin and there will be rides available on a miniature steam railway.

For more, visit: www.wythall.org.uk

► LIFE-LIKE animal models are set to grace the grounds of Hanbury’s Jinney Ring for the craft centre’s seventh annual sculpture trail.

More than 20 UK craftsman have contributed artworks to the display for visitors to enjoy from tomorrow (Saturday) until September 23.

The collection boasts 70 pieces, including life-size models of well loved farm animals.

Particularly eye-catching works include a five-foot bronze leaping salmon, a wire-made ram and an impressive Longhorn cow constructed of steel, welded wire and wood.

The trail is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 11am to 5pm on Sunday.

The trail is free to enjoy. For more, and prices on courses, visit www.jinneyring.co.uk or call 01527 821 272.

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