Bromsgrove Arts Alive

BROMSGROVE Festival, now in its 53rd year, makes a welcome return to the town this April.

The annual festival, which brings talented musicians to the town, begins with the return of the International Young Musicians Platform on April 18.

Lasting four days, the event showcases promising talent including outstanding violinists, pianists and singers.

The early rounds are free to attend at New Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum, with the finalists’ concert taking place from 7pm on April 21.

The 100th anniversary of the birth of composer and pianist Benjamin Britten is being marked with the screening of two movies at the Artrix Theatre on April 27.

Both films have been made by Tony Palmer, and he will be attending to specially introduce both.

At the New Guesten Hall on April 24 a recital entitled A Celebration of English Song is being given by Dame Felicity Lott, accompanied by Sebastian Wybrew.

International award-winning harpists 4 Girls, 4 Harps return to the festival on April 28 with a performance at the Artrix from 7.30pm.

On May 3, from 7.45pm, Patricia Routledge, probably best known for playing Hyacinth Bucket in the television series Keeping Up Appearances, will be appearing at the Artrix to talk about her successful career in musical theatre and film.

There will be a special festival orchestral concert given by the English Symphony Orchestra on May 11.

The concert, being held from 8pm at the Artrix, is preceded by a talk on Warlock by conductor Dr Donald Smith, as he recently completed a book on the composer.

Concluding this year’s festival are Timothy West and the Pavao String Quartet, who will be appearing at the Artrix from 7.45pm, on May 24.

To book tickets for this year’s festival events call 07824859572 or email bromsgrovefestival [at] btconnect [dot] com [dot] Bromsgrove Festival chairman Mary White said: “We aim to appeal to many different interests and, in difficult economic times, hope you find an event you will not wish to miss.”

Tickets are also available from Artrix’s booking office either in person at the School Drive-based venue, by calling 01527 577330, or visit artrix.co.uk.

For more details on this year’s festival see bromsgrovefestival.co.uk.

Councillor Campion with one of Worcestershire's mobile libraries.

A BRAND new mobile library bus is set to take to the streets of Worcestershire by the end of the year, adding to the five buses already in circulation.

As well as the usual library services, the new mobile library will also allow library members to access and engage in some of Worcester County Council’s other services while they are browsing the shelves.

Currently the mobile library service covers hundreds of miles around the county, making 300 stops, and reaching more than 3,000 customers.

The library buses work as a smaller version of local libraries, and members can browse the collections, pick up reserved books, or return books they’ve already borrowed.

Councillor John Campion, Worcestershire County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for the libraries and earning service, said: "This is an exciting time for development of the mobile library service. The bus is great for the local community and gives more residents across Worcestershire access to the libraries services. Working in partnership with county council colleagues will get more council services on the road and available in your local area."

For more information on the mobile library service and where it stops, visit worcestershire.gov.uk/librariesandlearning.

POPULAR children’s television presenter Michaela Strachan is coming to the Artrix as part of a national tour.

The show, Really Wild Adventures, is suitable for children from three upwards and has been adapted from her own book of animal verse, taking families on a journey through an alphabet jungle of animal rhymes from antelopes to zebras.

Members of the audience will get the chance to join in with the performance in different ways, from finding out more about a snake’s horrible habits, to playing a polar bear, or even taking part in Animal Pop Idol

Ms Strachan has been a feature of children’s television from 25 years, as presenter of the Really Wild show, and more recently the BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch programmes.

The show is coming to the Artrix during the Easter holidays on Tuesday, April 2. For more information, or to book tickets visit artrix.co.uk.

Talented: Bromsgrove resident Charlotte Moseley will be giving her first concerto performance with the Orchestra of St John’s at its March concert. Ref:s

A POPULAR Bromsgrove orchestra, encouraging young talent, is holding its next concert this March.

The Orchestra of St John’s Church formed in 2011, and has gone on to perform a series of concerts that have been enjoyed by townsfolk.

On Sunday, March 10, the orchestra will be performing at St John’s Church off Kidderminster Road.

The concert, being directed by the principal cellist with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) Richard Jenkinson, opens with Vivaldi's Four Seasons - in which the orchestra will be joined by Charlotte Moseley as the violin soloist.

The Bromsgrove resident, who is currently studying violin at the Royal Northern College of Music, has given many recitals in St John’s in recent years and is looking forward to giving her first concerto performance with the orchestra.

The concert will feature a performance of Faure’s Requiem given by the choir, which features talented local singers including members of the CBSO.

Lucy Sapwell, a chorister at St John’s and a member of the Ex Cathedra Vocal Academy, will also be singing Pie Jesu.

Tickets for the concert, which begins at 7.30pm, cost £10. Accompanied children go free.The admission price includes a glass of wine or a soft drink, and a programme. Tickets can be obtained from the Parish Office 01527 878801 or on the door