The Ditch

11/06/2026

APPEAL FOR KNITTED AND CROCHETED POPPIES TO SUPPORT REDDITCH ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Residents across Redditch are being invited to pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks to help support this year's Poppy Appeal.

Volunteers are looking for handmade red poppies which will be used to raise funds for the Redditch Royal British Legion during the Remembrance period in November.

The organisers said "Every knitted or crocheted poppy represents a small act of remembrance and support. We would love as many people as possible to get involved, whether that's making one poppy or one hundred. Together, we can create something truly special for November while helping to raise funds for the Royal British Legion."

Anyone able to help is encouraged to start knitting or crocheting red poppies now and drop them off at either collection point over the coming months.

Patterns for both knitted and crocheted poppies, along with full details of the appeal, can be found here:

🔗 https://www.theditch.co.uk/news/appeal-for-knitted-poppies-redditch-royal-british-legion/

Completed poppies can be dropped off at:

📍 St Andrew's Church, Townhouse Lane, Church Hill

📍 The Oast House, Paper Mill Drive, Redditch

Whether you make one poppy or one hundred, every contribution will help support veterans, serving personnel and their families.

11/06/2026

DAD DESERVES A PROPER SUNDAY LUNCH

Father’s Day is coming, and The Oast House is ready to make it one to enjoy.

On Sunday 21st June, bring Dad along for a relaxed Father’s Day Lunch with proper roast dinners, good portions, comforting starters, and desserts that are worth leaving room for.

Whether Dad fancies Slow Roast Beef, Thyme Roast Turkey, Rosemary Roast Lamb, Cider Glazed Pork, or the Sweet Potato and Beetroot Shepherd’s Pie, each main comes served with roast and new potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, sage and onion stuffing, and rich gravy.

There will also be starters including Leek and Potato Soup and Brussels Pâté, plus desserts including Apple and Cinnamon Crumble, White Chocolate and Raspberry Brûlée Tart, Lemon Meringue Roulade, and Warm Chocolate Fudge Cake.

Booking is required, and places must be secured with a £5 per person deposit.

Please call in to The Oast House to collect a menu and booking form.

The Oast House, Paper Mill Drive, Redditch, Worcestershire
B98 8JQ
Tel: 01527 596037

Give Dad something better than socks this Father’s Day. Give him a proper lunch at The Oast House.

11/06/2026

GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF CREEPING CENSORSHIP AFTER BELFAST PROTESTS.

The UK Government is preparing to put further pressure on social media companies after violence in Belfast was linked to content being shared online.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has said she has asked Ofcom to speak directly with X and other platforms about how they intend to comply with the Online Safety Act. The move follows serious disorder after a knife attack in Belfast, during which homes, vehicles and a bus were set on fire.

The original attack left Stephen Ogilvie seriously injured. Hadi Alodid, a 30 year old Sudanese man, has appeared in court charged with attempted murder and has been remanded in custody.

What followed has now become part of a wider national debate about crime, immigration, public anger, social media and censorship.

Ofcom has said some of the disorder appears to have been incited online. The regulator has contacted major platforms where it believes there are specific risks linked to illegal content connected to the unrest.

Under the Online Safety Act, online services are required to assess and reduce the risk of their sites being used for illegal activity. That can include content which stirs up hatred, encourages violence or helps disorder spread.

The Government is now expected to present an update to Parliament requiring platforms to act more quickly to remove illegal content during times of crisis.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said there is no justification for the violence seen in Belfast, nor for those who encouraged it online or elsewhere. He also said the Government would “crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division.”

But for many people, this will look less like public safety and more like the latest step towards state backed censorship.

There is a clear difference between stopping direct calls for violence and allowing government, regulators or large technology companies to decide what people are allowed to say during politically sensitive moments.

Few people would argue that posts encouraging violence, arson or attacks on the public should remain online. If someone uses social media to organise disorder or threaten others, that is already a matter for the police and the courts.

The concern is that ministers appear increasingly willing to blur the line between illegal incitement and uncomfortable opinion.

Public anger about crime, immigration, policing and government policy does not disappear simply because ministers dislike how it is expressed online. Nor should criticism of public policy be treated as extremism, misinformation or hate by default.

Once a government starts talking about crisis powers, faster removals and platform compliance, people are right to ask where the limit is.

Who decides what must be taken down? How quickly will platforms be expected to act? Will posts be removed because they are unlawful, or because they are politically inconvenient? And what safeguards will exist for ordinary people who are simply expressing anger, concern or disagreement?

Those questions matter because censorship rarely arrives with a sign saying censorship. It usually arrives dressed up as safety, responsibility and emergency action.

There is no defence for violence, intimidation, arson or attacks on people because of their race. Those responsible should face the full force of the law.

But protecting the public from violence must not become an excuse for expanding the state’s control over online speech.

The Belfast disorder shows how quickly serious criminal events can be used to justify wider restrictions on what people can say online.

If the Government wants to tackle incitement, it should focus clearly on criminal behaviour. It should not use moments of public disorder to pressure platforms into suppressing lawful but uncomfortable political debate.

Because once censorship becomes normal in a crisis, it rarely stays limited to the crisis.

📷Gov.uk

10/06/2026

Showers easing this evening to leave late sunny spells. Cool to begin the night under clear skies, but temperatures rebounding slightly as cloud builds, and rain moves in from the west, during the early hours of Thursday.
Minimum temperature 8 °C.

A wet and windy start to Thursday day as rain spreads across the region, turning locally heavy at times. Feeling muggy under widespread cloud cover.
Maximum temperature 18 °C.

10/06/2026

ARMED FORCES MONTH.

June marks Armed Forces Month, a time to recognise the dedication, sacrifice and service of those who have served, and continue to serve, in the UK’s Armed Forces.

The month begins with the anniversary of D Day on 6 June, when Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in 1944. The operation remains one of the most significant military campaigns in history and helped change the course of the Second World War.

On 14 June, attention turns to the anniversary of the end of the Falklands War. The 1982 conflict involved all branches of the British Armed Forces and came at a great cost, leaving a lasting legacy for veterans and their families.

Armed Forces Month concludes with National Reserves Day on 24 June, recognising the valuable contribution made by Reservists, followed by Armed Forces Day on 27 June, when communities across the country come together to show their support for serving personnel, veterans, cadets and military families.

Throughout June, many people will take time to remember those who gave their lives, honour those who served, and thank those who continue to protect our nation.

10/06/2026

🎶✨
If you’re a fan of disco classics from Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic, this upcoming show at the Palace Theatre could be worth a look. Lost In Music arrives in Redditch on Friday 12 June, promising an evening packed with some of the biggest hits of the disco era.

Tickets and full details are available from the Palace Theatre. 👇🏻

Get ready to re-live timeless hits from icons like Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister Sledge and Chic when LOST IN MUSIC rolls into REDDITCH on FRI 12 JUNE : 7.30pm.

Embark on an electrifying journey through the sensational 70's. As their world class band and dazzling vocals transport you straight to the heart of disco fever.

From the irresistible beats of 'Never Can Say Goodbye', to the pulsating rhythm of 'Boogie Wonderland', there's an unforgettable line-up that'll keep you grooving all night long.

Tickets are available from the Box Office ☎ 01527 65203 and
online 💻👉https://shorturl.at/ccjFl

10/06/2026

BELBROUGHTON BEER FESTIVAL REVEALS SATURDAY HEADLINERS FOR 2026

Organisers of the Belbroughton Beer Festival have unveiled the headline acts for Saturday 19 September 2026, with local favourites The Secret Cabaret and Finding Bella set to top the bill.

The popular festival, held at Belbroughton Cricket Club, promises a full day of live music, with Dan Greenaway also confirmed among the performers. Organisers say more acts will be announced in the coming months.

The event has become a regular fixture in the local calendar, attracting visitors from across Worcestershire and the surrounding counties for a day of live entertainment, real ale, cider and festival atmosphere.

Day tickets are available now for £10, and organisers are encouraging people to secure their place early.

Get your tickets now 👉🏻https://www.eventim.co.uk/event/belbroughton-beer-festival-2026-belbroughton-cricket-club-21635920/

🍻

10/06/2026

WARWICKSHIRE LIBRARIES REVIEW PROPOSAL DRAWS REACTION

Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch has announced plans to introduce a new policy covering libraries and other council owned public spaces following concerns raised by residents.

In a statement released this week, Cllr Finch said residents had contacted him with concerns about material and messaging within some Warwickshire libraries. He said the council would develop a “comprehensive policy” aimed at ensuring public spaces remain politically neutral.

Cllr Finch said: “Warwickshire County Council’s libraries should be politically neutral, family friendly, and not seek to embolden political ideologies.”

He added that the role of a library is to provide access to information and ideas and that the council “should not be actively promoting contested political or ideological causes to children”.

The announcement has prompted a mixed reaction.

Supporters of the proposal have argued that public services should remain neutral and that parents should have confidence in the material and messaging encountered by children in council facilities.

However, a number of community organisations have criticised the move. Warwickshire Pride described the proposal as “misleading and dangerous” and argued that representation in books and public spaces should not be viewed as political campaigning. Meanwhile, Out Out Groups UK described the proposal as “a political attack on visibility in public life”.

Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for resources and internal affairs, Councillor Mike Bannister, said residents had also raised concerns with him regarding library displays, rainbow lanyards worn by staff and the availability of certain books.

He stressed that there was “no indication whatsoever” that library staff had actively promoted specific literature and said any future policy would be developed in consultation with staff and councillors.

No policy changes have been approved at this stage, and the council has yet to publish details of what any future policy may contain.

The debate is expected to continue as Warwickshire County Council considers how its libraries and public spaces should operate while balancing differing views from residents and community groups.

📷 George Finch/ Facebook/ Warwickshire County Council  

10/06/2026

🍕 NEW PIZZA MENU NOW AVAILABLE AT THE OAST HOUSE

Good news for pizza lovers. The Oast House has a brand new 8” flatbread pizza menu, offering four* tasty options that are perfect for lunch, dinner, or a casual bite with friends.

Choose from:

🍅 Classic Margherita – Tomato sauce, mozzarella and fresh basil – £7

🍕 Classic Pepperoni – Tomato sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni slices – £7

🍗 BBQ Chicken – BBQ sauce, mozzarella, shredded chicken and red onions – £7.50

🌶️ American Hot – Tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni, roquito peppers and jalapeños – £7.50

Why not add a side?

🍟 Sea Salt Fries – £2

🥗 Mixed Salad – £1.50

Whether you’re popping in for a quick lunch, enjoying an evening meal, or grabbing a takeaway, the new pizza menu offers something for everyone.

📍 The Oast House, Paper Mill Drive, Redditch
📞 01527 596037

Dine in or takeaway available.

*Vegan and vegetarian options can be counted for, please ask. 

Served at lunchtime 12 pm-2 pm, and again from 5 pm. 

🍕

10/06/2026

NIGEL CLARK OF DODGY PLAYS AT THE HEART IN REDDITCH.

He started out in a record shop in Headless Cross. Now Nigel Clark of Dodgy is coming home.

Two intimate nights at The Hart at Headless Cross. Tonight (10th June) and tomorrow, 11th of June.

A Britpop legend, stripped back and up close, in the town where it all began.

Fifty seats a night. That's it. Tickets are limited and going fast.

Get your tickets here 👉🏻 https://www.redditchrevival.co.uk/whats-on