Towns and villages have always been at the heart of British culture and society.
Sadly, the last few decades of austerity and uncertainty have shaken these traditional foundations.
High streets have been struggling to survive and many of the community centres that used to bring people together have closed.
Thankfully, in the last few years, we have seen a positive change in this dynamic. Independent businesses are moving back into the high streets. With more reasons to gather, communities are becoming stronger. Local events help to create community through shared activities. Bromsgrove stands out as an example of a town with a thriving community and event schedule.
In this article, we’ll discuss how these events foster community and make Bromsgrove a better place to live.
Entertainment
Entertainment events are at the core of most small communities. These include both professional events such as touring comedians, musicians and theatre shows, as well as amateur theatre shows and open mics. They can also include charity entertainment events such as casino nights and karaoke nights.
Charity entertainments have a significant impact on community development as they raise money for good local causes, which brings people who might not usually participate into the community. Charity casino nights are a perfect example of this. People love them because they offer an opportunity to dress up and socialise, they don’t require a huge investment from the organisers and there’s a fun element of competition.
Bingo tournaments and charity quiz nights are at the heart of many communities. They provide a casual environment to spend time with friends, some playful competition, and support a good cause. Bromsgrove locals can play at Buzz Bingo Hall, Shipley’s, and the Catshill Workmen’s Club. When local games aren’t in session, LeoVegas UK offers live trivia games and bingo games alongside more traditional casino offerings.
Bromsgrove also hosts plenty of entertainment events throughout the year. Now that Artrix has reopened — with the massively successful Bromsgrove Festival this summer — the town and surrounding areas can look forward to numerous entertainment events in the coming years.
Civic spirit
Events that inspire civic spirit may not be as much fun as entertainment events, but they serve a very important role. They impact people on a deep emotional level. Building this deep emotional connection to a town, its history and fellow residents is essential. When people care more about where they live, they put more effort into taking care of it, supporting local businesses and participating in more activities.
Remembrance Day is the perfect time to showcase how local events help to create community. This year, Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas have hosted numerous events to honour veterans and fallen soldiers of the past. These events have included the Bromsgrove parade and wreath ceremony, a parade and bugle performance in Catshill, a Civic Service of Remembrance in Rubery and multiple memorial services.
Civic spirit events aren’t necessarily tied to a holiday. Ecological events are playing an increasingly important role in building community. In Bromsgrove and the surrounding towns, there are numerous weekly and monthly litter clean up events. These types of events may not be glamorous, but they generate pride and a sense of ownership.
Holidays
Holidays are a favourite time of the year for many people. Local holiday events are times for families and communities to come together and celebrate. In today’s diverse world, holiday events can help bring multiple communities together to build a more unified local area.
Christmas is the first holiday that springs to mind when we consider local events. There might be plenty of grumbling about how early the shops have started selling mince pies, but it’s hard to deny that everyone looks forward to the lights being lit at the end of November. Last year, Bromsgrove’s Christmas Light Switch-on was attended by hundreds of people. Alongside the lights, there were live singers and street performers to make the entire day a festive event. This year’s event should be just as welcoming.
Fireworks are a fun part of many holiday celebrations, including Bonfire Night, Diwali and New Year’s Eve. One thing communities need to be aware of is that unsafe use of fireworks can overwhelm local emergency services. A strong community is one that knows when to rein in the fun for the general good.
Final thoughts
Local events are a key part of building a healthy community. Bromsgrove is a leading example of how a town can stay strong and connected by regularly hosting a variety of different local events. Giving community members the opportunity to plan events that matter to them is the last piece of this puzzle.
By William Gibson.
