WYCHAVON Update on £10 million Waitrose scheme - New social letting scheme to be launched - Wychavon District Council
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WYCHAVON
Summer 2015
EXCL
New cUSIVE:
leade ouncil
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Update on £10 million Wych on for
avon
Waitrose scheme
Preparing to do
battle in Evesham
New social letting Explore the wild
scheme to be launched places of Wychavon
www.wychavon.gov.uk
News in brief
Innovation in finance The money is being targeted at
areas where it would not be viable for
New money to tackle
commendation commercial companies to upgrade rural crime
Our plan to fill the budget gap caused telephone exchanges, connection South Worcestershire Community Safety
by a reduction in government funding cabinets and lay the fibre cable needed Partnership, of which Wychavon is a
has won us recognition. to make the technology work. part, has received just over £200,000
from the West Mercia Police and Crime
We were commended in the Municipal Advantages to households include Commissioner to focus on rural and
Journal Local Government Awards in the ability to stream music and films, business crime.
the Financial Innovation category for our download files in seconds rather than
Grow, Save, Charge plan which sets minutes and to connect multiple devices Over the next few years £180,000 of that
out how we will plug a budget gap of £4 to their broadband without slowing the will be spent supporting three new staff
million by 2017/18. network down so it is unusable or being to work across Wychavon, Malvern and
repeatedly disconnected. Worcester. They will support victims of
We’ve already made £2.4 million crime and potential victims of crime in
of savings with another £712,000 The scheme is a partnership between rural areas through measures such as
identified. Worcestershire County Council and offering security advice and the creation
BT Openreach and is being actively of farm and business watch schemes.
The plan is based on growing the supported in this area by Wychavon Some of the funding will also be spent
income we receive by stimulating the District Council. on CCTV and other security equipment.
local economy, saving money by being
more efficient and charging for some of Stage three of the project is coming to Contact David Hemming, community
our services. an end this month and so far superfast safety manager, on 01386 565301 for
broadband has been made available more information.
We have worked with residents, staff in 56 locations across Wychavon with
and businesses to develop the plan and another 42 being looked at and due
as a result we’ve made better decisions to go live in the near future. Although Check out the new Visit
the technology may be available in
and protected vital frontline services and
a particular area, in order to benefit
Wychavon website
kept staff redundancies to a minimum.
you will need to upgrade your existing A new website has been launched
connection by contacting your Internet showcasing the very best the district
Log on to superfast Service Provider. The good news is you has to offer. Residents and visitors can
now log on to www.visitwychavon.co.uk
broadband can choose any broadband supplier
you like as BT has made the technology to discover the wealth of attractions,
Thousands of homes and businesses available to all Internet Services events and festivals the district has to
across Wychavon can now benefit from Providers. explore. There are even suggestions on
superfast broadband thanks to a multi- where to stay.
million pound project. Visit www.superfastworcestershire.com
to see whether superfast broadband It pulls together information from
Superfast Worcestershire aims to has been installed in your area. Wychavon’s three main towns -
deliver download speeds of over 24 Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich - as
megabits per second to 90 per cent of well as more than 100 villages including
homes and business across the county the jewel in the crown, the Cotswold
– that’s more than 55,000 premises. village of Broadway.
The project is costing almost £21
million of which £8.5 million is coming The site aims to offer something for
from Worcestershire County Council, everyone from boating along the
£3.35 million from the Government’s river and walks in the countryside to
Broadband Delivery UK and £8.9 million shopping and history and heritage visits.
from BT Openreach.
2
SWDP takes a step View our Statement of
forward Accounts
The South Worcestershire Development Our draft accounts for 2014/15 are
Plan continues to make progress currently being prepared and will be
available to view on our website from
The document is a key part of the 16 June to 13 July 2015. During this
planning process as it sets out where period we will be available to answer
the 28,370 new homes will be built any questions you may have on them.
across Wychavon, Worcester and A draft copy of the accounts is available
Malvern Hills district by 2030 in order to view online at www.wychavon.gov.
to meet demand for housing. It also uk/accounts or call 01386 565501 to
examines issues such as the allocation reserve a copy.
of employment land and the need to
accommodate groups such as gypsies
and travellers.
Thanks to all who
In the last few weeks the Planning
Inspector has held a series of
voted for our tourism
public hearings as part of his public superstar
examination of the proposals to build
A massive thank you to everyone
houses at specific sites at Evesham,
The new machinery will make it easier who voted for our tourism superstar
Pershore, Droitwich and the various
to carry out tasks such as cultivating, Angela Tidmarsh.
villages.
ploughing, rotavating and preparing
plots and help with general tidying up. Angela was just one of ten UK-
If any further main modifications to the
It is also hoped it will help to attract and wide tourism leading lights to be
plan are needed a public consultation
retain new tenants. nominated for the Daily Mirror
will be held later in the year.
sponsored Visit England Tourism
Cookhill Allotments are owned by Superstar awards. Angela was
It is hoped the Inspector’s final report
Cookhill Parish Council and managed nominated for her work as our
will be published before the end of
by the association and have been in tourism officer organising major
2015, after which we - along with
existence for more than 40 years. events such as the asparagus and
Worcester City Council and Malvern
plum festivals.
Hills District Council – hope to formally
adopt the plan. Solid Wall Insulation Throughout February,
Visit www.swdevelopmentplan.org for Article Worcestershire went ‘vote4Ange’
mad with votes coming in from as
more information. Time is running out for homeowners and far afield as Thailand, Australia,
private tenants to grab a share of up to Denmark and Italy.
Lottery money helps £4,500 to help fund work which could
cut their energy bills. Unfortunately Angela was pipped
allotment owners to at the post finishing a gallant
We have joined forces with
grow Worcestershire County Council to
runner-up to Matthew Henderson
from Beamish Museum in County
Growing their own food is now a lot secure a sum of money to spend on Durham, but she is still a star in our
easier for allotment owners in Cookhill external wall insulation which can eyes.
after the delivery of new machinery help cut energy bills and also reduce
bought with lottery funding. condensation on internal walls.
Members of Cookhill Allotment The money is available until 31 July
Association were awarded £8,000 from 2015 and anyone living in a solid
the Big Lottery Fund which has allowed brick wall property can apply. Those
them to buy a multi-purpose two interested must register first for a free
wheeled tractor and a heavy duty lawn Green Deal energy assessment which
mower, as well as a storage unit on the will calculate the cost of the work and
Ridgeway site. how much funding is available and how
much the householder will have to pay.
The association made the bid as they
found in the past some tenants were Call Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 to
struggling to maintain their plot due apply or for more information.
to the amount of time it took up, while
elderly tenants or those with health
conditions found the physical work
daunting.
To find out more
about our latest news like us on facebook or follow us on twitter WYCHAVON
Meet your councillors Badsey
Mark Goodge
T: 01386 443522
Bengeworth
Martin King
T: 01386 48425
Conservatives 38 UKIP 1
Liberal democrats 5 Vacant 1
Bengeworth Bowbrook Bredon Bretforton
Emma Stokes Margaret Adrian and Offenham
T: 01386 423266 Rowley Hardman Keith Wright
T: 01905 345307 T: 01684 773172 T: 01386 832571
Broadway Broadway Dodderhill Drakes
and and Hugh Hamilton Broughton
Wickhamford Wickhamford T: 01905 779561 Paul
Bradley Thomas Liz Eyre Middlebrough
T: 01386 871205 T: 01386 854807 T: 01905 821732
Droitwich Droitwich Droitwich Droitwich
Spa Central Spa East Spa East Spa South
Roy Murphy Vacant Bob Brookes East
T: 01905 620576 Seat to be filled T: 01905 773345 Maureen Lawley
T: 01905 754876
Droitwich Droitwich Droitwich Spa Droitwich
Spa South Spa South South West Spa West
East West Tom Noyes Jan Bolton
Richard Morris Graham Beale T: 01905 774153 T: 01905 772397
T: 07860 733460 T: 01905 770208
Droitwich Eckington Elmley Castle Evesham
Spa West Ron Davis and Somerville North
Catherine T: 01386 750627 George Mackison Jo Sandalls
Powell T: 01386 710351 T: 01386 244239
T: 01905 592997
Evesham Evesham Evesham Fladbury
North South South Michelle
Robert Raphael Jim Bulman Ken Barclay English
T: 01386 423479 T: 01386 443311 T: 01386 442184 T: 07896 879414
Great Hartlebury Harvington Honeybourne
Hampton Nigel Dowty and Norton and Pebworth
Ged Bearcroft T: 07808 931072 Charlie Homer Alastair Adams
T: 07919 537560 T: 07702 241319 T: 07725 979277
Inkberrow Inkberrow Little Little
Audrey Steel David Hampton Hampton
T: 01386 792266 Wilkinson Gerry Frances Smith
T: 07979 802848 O’Donnell T: 01386 443157
T: 01386 442886
Lovett and Lovett and Norton and Ombersley
North North Whittington Peter
Claines Claines Rob Adams Tomlinson DL
Lynne Duffy Tony Miller T: 01905 345223 T: 01905 621670
T: 07918 026036
T: 07503 032776
Pershore Pershore Pershore Pinvin
Tony Rowley Charles Val Wood Liz Tucker
T: 01386 554019 Tucker T: 01386 554235 T: 01386 462441
T: 01386 462441
South Bredon
Hill
The Littletons
Richard
Upton
Snodsbury
More information
Adrian Darby Lasota Linda Robinson on your local councillor visit
T: 01386 725254 T: 01789 508279 T: 01905 841536 www.wychavon.gov.uk/
councillors
4 WYCHAVON
Wychavon’s new
council leader
pledges to keep residents at the
heart of decision-making
The new leader of Wychavon District Council has
pledged to ensure residents remain at the forefront
during her time in charge. Did you know?
• Cllr Robinson was born in Selly
Oak in South West Birmingham
Cllr Linda Robinson was elected to take
over the helm last month after previous “The next four years are going to • She is a qualified British Horse
council leader, Paul Middlebrough, Society instructor and worked
be challenging and as a council with an Olympic rider
decided to step down after eight years in
the role, following May’s district council we are going to have to be more
• Cllr Robinson used to compete
election. self sufficient and less reliant on
professionally and the highlight
government funding,” she said. of her career was winning the
Cllr Robinson, who has represented Upton
national dressage to music
Snodsbury ward since 2007, admits she
championship in 1990
has some ‘big shoes to fill’ but would “We have done some good housekeeping
take inspiration from Cllr Middlebrough’s so we are well placed to meet those • She can speak fluent French
leadership. challenges. We need to continue with our • She was presented with a
Grow, Save, Charge plan and make a special award from Princess
“I’ve learnt an awful lot from Paul. He’s success of that while still delivering good Anne for more than 30 years of
kept the council on a steady path and quality services which the residents of service to the Worcestershire
while I’m sure I’ll do things differently I’ll Wychavon expect from us. branch of The Pony Club
be following that general approach,” she
said. “Residents’ satisfaction will always be a • She is married to Maurice
priority for me. I want to keep their Council and they have two grown up
Tax low because I know that’s important daughters and one beautiful
“It’s a great privilege to be elected to people, and protect the services they grandchild
leader of Wychavon District Council. rely on. We should never lose sight of
our residents even when considering the
When I was chairman in 2011 I
bigger picture. Cllr Robinson has also unveiled
realised what an interesting and
her new Executive Board team
diverse district it is and I’m really “That’s why as we set our new priorities for which is the council’s main
proud to be chosen to represent it. the next four years I’m really keen we hear
decision-making body
from as many residents as possible about
what matters to them and what we should Cllr Lynne Duffy
“The experience I have gained over be focusing on.” deputy leader and portfolio holder
the last eight years, both locally and for resources
nationally, I plan to use to benefit Cllr Robinson has named Cllr Lynne Duffy Cllr Richard Morris
the council and it also gives me an as her deputy leader and in the process
created a milestone, as for the first time portfolio holder for economy and
opportunity to ensure rural issues are
in its history the top two positions on the housing
given equal focus to those facing the
towns.” council are filled by women. Cllr Rob Adams
portfolio holder for planning
The immediate challenge for the horse “Lynne is someone that I have tremendous policy, infrastructure and flooding
lover, who runs a small farm in Stoulton respect for and trust completely and she’s
Cllr Gerry O’Donnell
near Pershore, will be to deal with the coming into the role off the back of being
increasing financial pressure Wychavon, a superb chairman,” Cllr Robinson added. portfolio holder for community
along with all local authorities, is facing as development, culture and sport
funding from central government shrinks. “These are definitely going to be Cllr Emma Stokes
challenging times but I like a challenge so portfolio holder for environment
I’m looking forward to it.” and street scene
WYCHAVON 5
Tell us your priorities and shape our strategy
We need your help. Following the district council election, we are developing our new strategy which sets out our priorities for the
next four years. We’ll still keep delivering essential services - like collecting waste - but there are many other things we can decide
to do more of or less of. That’s why we need your feedback to help shape how we allocate our people, time and money.
Tell us what you think our new priorities should be from the list below. You can do the survey online at
www.wychavon.gov.uk/priorities or tear this out and return it to us at the address below or hand it in at any of our community
contact centres.
Read the list of possible priorities below. We don’t have the resources to do everything, so please tell us which three you
would like us to do more of and which three you would like us to do less of. From the 14 options below please only
TICK UP TO THREE which you would like us to do more of and TICK UP TO THREE which you would like us to do less of.
Do Do Do Do
more of less of more of less of
Attract more businesses and jobs into Reduce the potential for and impact
1 Wychavon 8 of flooding
Improve people’s skills through things Provide help or support to those who
2 like apprenticeships and training 9 are in greatest need
Build more homes that meet local Support people to play an active role
3 needs, such as affordable housing 10 in their communities
Protect and enhance the natural and
4 built environment 11 Reduce crime and the fear of crime
Promote a cleaner and greener
5 environment 12 Improve health and wellbeing
Reduce energy consumption and Support older people to lead healthy
6 increase use of renewable energy 13 and independent lives
Minimise waste, increase reuse and Improve leisure and culture facilities
7 recycling 14 and activities
In addition to providing services such as waste collection, planning and housing assistance, we have a number of other
roles. How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements about our role?
Neither
Strongly Strongly
Wychavon District Council should … Agree agree or Disagree
agree disagree
disagree
.. work with other organisations to make the area a better place to live and work
.. support individuals and organisations to improve their local area and
communities
.. take a lead in promoting the district as a centre for business, leisure and culture
.. represent the district’s interests at a county, regional and national level
What issues do you want us to work to influence at a county, regional and national level over the next four years?
About you - All the information you give is confidential and will not be used to identify you. It helps us to compare responses
between different groups of people and areas.
Are you male or female? M F How old are you? What’s your postcode?
✃
If you would like to take part in a focus group about our future priorities please
provide your contact details below Return to:
Strategy and Communications
Name Phone Wychavon District Council,
Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive,
Email Pershore, Worcestershire,
6 WYCHAVON
WR10 1PT
£10 million
Waitrose scheme
a ‘game changer’ for Evesham
Work is expected to get underway later this year on a £10 million project which
will bring supermarket chain Waitrose to Evesham and breathe new life into the
town centre.
This then allows us to build Waitrose a It is not the first time we have embarked
new supermarket store which Waitrose on such a venture. A similar deal was
will lease back from the council and struck with Waitrose resulting in the
pay a commercial rent on. We retain opening of an £8 million council owned
ownership of the building which we store in Droitwich in 2005. Not only
would be able to sell or find a new has the deal helped with our finances,
tenant for at the end of the initial 20 but just as importantly, it has also
year lease term. contributed to the regeneration of the
town centre by attracting more vibrant
With other costs the project will total shops and offering better car parking.
£10 million, which will be funded Visitor numbers are increasing as well
internally without any external and the number of empty shop units
borrowing. in Droitwich is below national levels,
Planning permission for the scheme although the re-opening of the canal
was granted in February and will Once open, the store is expected to has also played a part.
involve relocating the town’s existing create up to 150 jobs but Vic Allison,
fire station on Merstow Green to our our deputy managing director and who Vic added:
former depot on Abbey Road next to was involved in the negotiations, said
the leisure centre. A new supermarket the benefits of the deal were more wide
ranging. “For me this is what local
store will then be built on the fire station
and Old Brewery Car Park site. government should be doing;
being brave to achieve economic
It is expected initial work on building “This is the game changer benefits for our area and
Evesham’s brand new fire station will Evesham needs in terms of securing a financial return for
begin over the next few months ready providing a stimulus to revitalise our taxpayers. Evesham gets a
for completion next year. Only once the High Street and wider
the building is ready for firefighters to
purpose built, modern fire station
shopping offer. Waitrose will and the chance to regenerate
move into will the current building be
demolished and construction of the
bring in lots of customers to do itself.”
new store begin. their shopping and the plan is
to encourage them to then go
We will contribute approximately £3 and spend money in the shops,
million to Hereford and Worcester Fire restaurants, pubs and other
Authority to build a new fire station in
businesses in the wider town
Evesham, with any additional funding
for the project coming from their own centre area,” he said.
funds.
WYCHAVON 7
Keeping an eye
on the neighbourhood
Out on patrol with Wychavon’s thin blue line
What do a former stewardess and engineer have in
common? Answer, they both spend every day pounding
the streets of Wychavon offering a reassuring presence
and dealing with trouble whenever it comes their way.
Communications manager Ian Dipple went to find out more.
Trevor Clark and Frances Haley are After assessing the situation some
our community wardens. The role common sense advice is given to
was first introduced in 2003 focusing one resident and an idea for creating
on Evesham and a housing estate in more parking capacity fed back to
Droitiwch. The idea was so successful Rooftop. If necessary Frances will offer
it was decided to expand their remit some formal mediation between the
to the rest of the district and increase neighbours and Rooftop.
their responsibilities. They now tackle
everything from fly-tipping to offering After that we visit an elderly woman
crime prevention advice. who lives in a vulnerable location and
Frances had previously offered crime
It’s a million miles away from Frances’ prevention advice to. We check in to
previous job serving customers aboard see how she is coping on her own,
British Airways planes as they criss- after her husband was taken into a
crossed the sky. Frances has been a home. Concerned about her finances
warden since 2004 and as I join her on and increasing loneliness and isolation,
patrol in Evesham she tells me why she we offer some advice and signpost
was attracted to the role. her to services such as community
transport and Citizens Advice Bureau
behaviour. Fortunately all is quiet so we which may be able to help further.
make a stop off at Age UK to secure
“It’s the people contact that some help for an elderly lady who had In the last ten years the wardens
really appealed to me and the contacted Frances in some distress assisted 3,293 vulnerable residents,
fact you are doing good things in after losing her driving licence due to excluding crime victims, and it’s
the community and you can see her health and finding herself isolated something Frances believes is a key
as a result. part of what they do.
the result of your influence,” she
said. We’ve also got time to remind a local
garage it should not be using the “For a lot of people we are a bit
“The support we offer to burglary pavement as an unofficial parking area of a rock for them in the storm.
victims is particularly rewarding before we take to the road and head for
It not only allows us to keep an
because when that happens to Honeybourne where Frances has been
asked by Rooftop Housing Group, one eye on them but they have a
you it is pretty shattering.”
of the key partners the wardens work lot of local knowledge and are
with, to intervene in a parking row. familiar with issues which may be
relevant to us.”
We start the day with a quick walk Working with both Rooftop Housing
around Workman Gardens. The council and Fortis Living remains a small but
has just taken advantage of new crucial part of the wardens’ role. Since
legislation to impose an order banning 2006 the wardens have intervened 346
people from drinking in the area due to times in neighbourhood disputes of all
numerous complaints about anti-social kinds.
8 WYCHAVON
Part of the wardens’ role is supporting “ items. Unfortunately on this occasion
victims of crime and offering Trevor is unable to find anything
reassurance. Since the post was “I wanted a job where I could amongst the junk he can use to begin
first introduced they have supported go around talking to people an investigation to catch the culprit
2,508 crime victims or potential crime and dealing with their worries so instead he reports it so it can be
victims and provided or installed 9,467 because some people have got picked up. Dealing with fly-tipping is
security items such as door alarms an expensive business for Wychavon
nothing in life and this job came
and timer switches. costing the taxpayer about £50,000 a
up and it was something I really year.
It is on one of these calls to a recent wanted to do,” he said.
burglary victim in Hartlebury that I start
my day with Trevor who has been in
the job since the position of warden
“It’s one of those jobs where every
was created more than a decade ago.
day is different. It’s not prescriptive;
you have to be flexible and ready for
Trevor spends an hour with her
anything to happen.”
reviewing her current security
arrangements and offering advice and
The wardens can be called to deal with
suitable products which can be used
anything and everything and some
to strengthen her home security. It’s an
of Trevor’s more bizarre calls have
unusual role for a qualified engineer to
involved rescuing a family of ducklings
find himself in but it’s one Trevor says
and rounding up some stray horses
he does not regret taking.
causing havoc on a traffic island.
Another part of Trevor’s work is battling
environmental crime, in particular fly-
tipping, and no matter how many times
he sees it he is still amazed at how More information
irresponsible some people can be.
If you need the help of our
“No matter how many of these I see community wardens then contact:
it really frustrates me because a lot of
what gets dumped could be recycled Trevor Clark, who covers Droitwich,
for free by taking it to the household Pershore and surrounding areas, on
waste site,” Trevor tells me as we 07900 162322 or email
pull up in a quiet lane in Naunton trevor.clark@wychavon.gov.uk.
Beauchamp.
For Evesham and the surrounding
Someone has dumped a van load of areas contact Frances Haley on
garden rubbish, a plastic play house, 07786 335125 or email
a chair, clothing and several other frances.haley@wychavon.gov.uk
WYCHAVON 9
Uncovering Wychavon’s
wild and wonderful places
We’re fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful
parts of the country, with so much amazing wildlife and
landscape to enjoy.
Liz Etheridge, our Wetlands for All officer, gives an overview of
some of the wonderfully wild places you can enjoy.
Orchards
The Vale of Evesham is renowned for
its market gardening heritage and its
traditional fruit orchards are home to
much more than fruit trees. In spring,
the boughs of blossom provide
important nectar for bees and other
pollinators and the grass beneath,
often lightly grazed by sheep, is full of
herbs and flowers.
Mistletoe hangs in clusters from the
oldest trees, their dead branches
and holes more obvious in the winter.
Tidiness is no friend to wildlife and Wetlands Avon Meadows, on the banks of
nowhere more so than orchards. the River Avon in Pershore is a man-
Wychavon is blessed with an array of
Mature fruit orchards are home to one made wetland that is being taken over
wetlands, some natural, some man-
of our rarest beetles, the jewel-like by wildlife. Since it was created in
made, but all home to their own very
noble chafer, whose larvae live entirely 2008, many wetland and reed-loving
distinctive wildlife. Each individual
on dead and decaying wood. species have colonised the nature
wetland is wonderful, they truly come
reserve; the wide boardwalks and level
into their own when they form links
ground make it an ideal place to take
along the chain of a river, like a series
a gentle stroll through a bit of nature.
of green gems set in silver. Instead
Reed buntings and sedge warblers
of isolated pockets, the river creates
flit through the reeds while emperor
a natural corridor between wetlands,
dragonflies patrol the reed-fringed
giving wildlife the chance to spread
ponds. Frogs, toads and newts are all
through the landscape.
at home here, and through the winter,
The natural brine springs of Droitwich snipe feed on the wet grassland and
Spa bring wildlife not usually seen in herons stalk the pools, hunting fish.
a landlocked country. Upton Warren
is one of the premier birdwatching Woodlands
sites in Wychavon where you can see Walk through Tiddesley Wood in May
species that are more at home on and you will be greeted with one of the
coastal margins and estuaries, thanks most beautiful sights an English spring
to the salty water seeping out of the has to offer – the bluebell. This delicate
The Vale of Evesham celebrates ground. At different times of year you’ll flower creates a fragrant azure carpet
its orchard heritage twice a year. In see birds like avocet and oystercatcher beneath the sharp green of bursting
spring, The Blossom Trail takes you as well as other wading birds that can buds high in the woodland canopy.
through the beautiful vale landscape, tolerate the salty water like lapwing and This relationship has grown up over
fragrant with frothy white flowers, and little ringed plover. millennia, with bluebells racing to flower
the Pershore Plum Festival delights and set seed before the tall oaks shade
in our bountiful harvest of fruit. the ground with their dense leaves.
10 WYCHAVONSilver-washed fritillaries dance along the Meadows Heathland
woodland walkways between patches
Our meadows are Wychavon’s Hartlebury Common in the north of the
of sun, pausing on a patch of bramble,
crown jewels. With old-fashioned district is home to heathland, one of the
and are joined by speckled wood and
hay meadows fast disappearing, we rarest and fastest disappearing habitats
gatekeeper butterflies, which inhabit the
are lucky to have some of the finest in the world. The UK has 20 per cent of
woodland edge.
examples of flower-rich grassland all the lowland heath (heath found below
protected for everyone to enjoy. 300m) in the world, which makes this
A visit to Grafton Wood in August is
part of Wychavon incredibly special.
well worthwhile to catch a glimpse of
Asham Meadow, near Birlingham, is
the elusive brown hairstreak butterfly.
one of our best surviving examples of a Lowland heath needs careful
This striking and nationally rare butterfly
flower-rich floodplain meadow. These management if we are to keep this
is perhaps the emblem for Wychavon -
kinds of grasslands are called Lammas precious habitat thriving. A combination
its population in the Midlands is found
meadows because of the way they have of grazing and cutting keeps the heather
almost entirely in our district.
been managed, often unchanged for healthy and stops trees and bracken
centuries. In spring, cattle and sheep from taking over. Look out for common
The brown hairstreak lays its eggs
are shut out, allowing the grasses and lizards basking on patches of bare
on young blackthorn shoots along
flowers to grow. In July, after the seed sandy soil and emperor moths that flash
hedgerows, where they are sheltered
has set, the grass is cut as hay before their eye spots from heather shoots, the
over winter before the caterpillars hatch
livestock are allowed back on to graze food of their caterpillars.
out in spring. As hedges are often cut
the remaining growth from 1 August
during the winter, this can mean that
(Lammas Day). This was often done ‘in Some of these sites have limited
many eggs are destroyed, but careful
common’ with each commoner having public access so please check
management can help reduce this loss.
the right to cut a strip of hay and graze a restrictions before you visit. The
certain number of animals. best way to explore them and find
out about their wildlife is a guided
By keeping up this traditional way of walk with an expert but why not see
meadow management, flowers like great if there’s an event you can join to
burnet, knapweed and meadowsweet find out more about Wychavon’s
all flourish as do birds and insects that wildlife?
benefit from this slower pace of farming.
Tiddesley Wood and Upton Warren are owned by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
Grafton Wood is jointly owned by Butterfly Conservation and Worcestershire
Wildlife Trust.
Asham Meadows is managed by the Kemerton Conservation Trust.
The Vale Landscape Heritage Trust manages a number of traditional fruit
orchards and meadows throughout the Vale.
Avon Meadows is managed by Wychavon District Council and the Friends of
Avon Meadows.
Hartlebury Common is managed by Worcestershire County Council .
For more information visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/wildwychavon
WYCHAVON 11Multi-million pound
funding boost
could lead to hundreds of new jobs
Worcestershire benefited from the third highest
economic growth of any English area between 2008
and 2013. That was one of the findings of government
research published earlier this year.
Wychavon, as a partner of the The WLEP has been awarded another £7.2million from
the Government through the Worcestershire Growth Deal
Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership
to be spent between 2016 and 2021 on agreed economic
(WLEP), is set to build on this success projects. The money is on top of the £47million announced
with large number of new jobs being last July to help deliver a vision to create 25,000 jobs
created in the coming years following the across Worcestershire and grow the county’s economy by
£2.9billion over the next ten years.
announcement of a multi-million pound
funding boost for the county.
The Growth Deal funding has been awarded
for specific programmes of work to develop
infrastructure and skills. About £1million
of the new money will be used to build a
spine road to release a further 20 acres of
employment land at Vale Park, Evesham
to provide space for businesses to expand
and attract new companies to the area. The
scheme is one of the key projects Wychavon
District Council is committed to deliver over
the next 12 months as part of our pledge to
build a strong economy across the district.
This summer will also see the start of infrastructure
construction of the Worcester Six (W6) business park
(previously known as Worcester Technology Park) which will
create 1.5 million sq ft of business space next to junction 6
of the M5 motorway. This site is being developed by Stoford
in partnership with landowners Spetchley Estate. Funding
is being provided by WLEP for a programme of work to
provide greater access and improve traffic flow to the
site with further support and funding from county council,
Worcester City Council and Wychavon. Once completed the
site could support over 5,000 jobs.
Recent months have seen major investment in Droitwich
Spa with automotive giant Magna opening a new
manufacturing centre which will create around 200 new jobs
by the end of the year and Vax have occupied their new
giant distribution and call centre.
12 WYCHAVONVale Park, Evesham
Planning permission has also recently been approved for
a number of new major investments at Hartlebury Trading
Estate which will support a range of businesses, including
Forest Garden which earlier this year announced 200 new
jobs.
Latest available figures from the Office of National Statistics
show the district’s economy continues to strengthen. In 2013
there were 665 new businesses created, the highest level
since 2008 and although 505 companies ceased trading, it
still leaves Wychavon with more companies than it had before.
More recent data from the Duport Business Confidence
report shows in Evesham and Droitwich there were 326 new
business registrations in the first half of 2014 compared with
222 closures.
Unemployment has also dropped to its lowest level since
1983 with 735 people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in April,
while the average weekly wage before tax has also climbed to
£494.10.
Phil Merrick, head of economy and community services, said:
“Having a strong economy is critical to achieving our
wider aims of improving and expanding the services
we deliver and the quality of life for our residents. In
2012 we identified the challenges to our economy
and put together an action plan to deal with those
weaknesses. Plenty of progress has been made
since then but there’s still work to do and we remain
focused on supporting businesses to grow as well
as encourage new start ups.”
More information
www.wychavon.gov.uk/grow-in-wychavon and
www.wlep.co.uk
WYCHAVON 13The Battle of
Evesham Festival
2015
14 WYCHAVONThe fight for democracy is
reignited in Evesham this summer
A milestone moment in British history is set to be recreated in Evesham this
summer in what will be the largest mid-13th century re-enactment to ever
take place in Britain.
across the country. In total more than Antonia Coles, Battle of Evesham
200 re-enactors will take part in the Festival co-ordinator, said:
event and visitors will have the chance
to meet the two armies on the morning
of the battle in Market Square before
they go head-to-head in the afternoon. “The road to Parliamentary
democracy was a long and
There will also be the chance to taste bloody one and the Battle of
medieval cuisine at a special banquet Evesham is one of the most
dinner and enjoy some Battle Beer. important waymarkers on
Visitors can also learn how the British
lived and dressed in medieval times,
that road. It will be a thrilling
enjoy music from the era, a falconry experience for people of all
exhibition, try on armour and have a go ages to see the events
at archery. and experience the
atmosphere of that
A group of wargaming creative experts
clash of 750 years ago
will also be recreating the entire battle
on a to-scale model, offering people brought back to vivid
The Battle of Evesham a chance to learn how those involved life.”
commemorations will mark the 750th would have strategised and fought the
anniversary of one of the bloodiest contest.
battles mankind has ever witnessed
when Simon De Montfort and 4,000 of On top of that there will be a series
his men were slain by Henry III’s army, of history and heritage trails to enjoy,
under the command of his son Prince historical talks at venues around
Edward, on 4 August, 1265. Evesham on different aspects of De
Montfort and the battle as well as
The significance of De Montfort’s loss the chance to hear about the ghosts
was huge. He had actively fought to connected to the battle and the spirit of
limit the power of the king and set up De Montfort himself.
in 1265 what is widely recognised as
the first true Parliament in Britain due to During the two weeks either side of
the presence of representatives from the festival there is a programme of
several towns as well as lords, bishops, commemorative talks and events
abbots and knights of the shires. including a short memorial service
that will take place on Battlewell Field
Seven and a half centuries later and on 2 August to reflect on the event’s
a number of organisations, including significance and the thousands of lives
Wychavon District Council, have come lost.
together to organise a medieval festival
over the weekend of August 8 and 9
to mark De Montfort’s contribution to
British democracy and the staging of
the battle.
The centrepiece of the festival will
be a show stopping recreation of the
More information
battle on Crown Corporation Meadows Visit www.BattleofEvesham.co.uk for the full programme of events
involving re-enactment groups from and more information. BattleOfEvesham @BoEvesham
15What’s on in Wychavon
Events guide
Fladbury Festival and
Walkabout
Saturday 11 July and Sunday 12
July, Fladbury Village Centre
Tour the open gardens and flower
festival in this picturesque riverside
village. There are also boat trips, village
green stalls, classic cars, live music,
children’s activities and refreshments
to enjoy.
Droitwich Spa Summer Visit www.fladburyvillage.co.uk or
Festival Fortnight call Martin Ounsted on 01386 860363
for more information.
Friday 19 June to Sunday 5
July, various locations across
Droitwich
The third combined Droitwich Spa
Summer Festival celebrating music,
food and drink and the arts, reaches
its conclusion. Events in the final week
of the fortnight include literary poetry
reading and live music on Saturday
27 June, a series of live arts activities Pershore Plum Festival
and Colour Run on Saturday 4 July
and topping it all off the Big Picnic in Sunday 26 July to Monday 31
Lido Park on Sunday 5 July. Come and August
enjoy food and drink along with live This month long festival will turn the
entertainment from 11am to 5pm. town purple in its endeavours to
Visit www.droitwichspafestival.co.uk celebrate this special fruit. Highlights
for more information. include the Plum Princess Garden
Party on Sunday, 26 July at The Angel
Inn Hotel, the Angel Hotel Plum Festival
Evesham Music Festival Chateau Impney Hill Race Night at Worcester Racecourse
Saturday 20 to Saturday 27 Climb on Tuesday, 28 July and the Plum
Bike Night in Pershore High Street on
June, various locations
Saturday 11 July and Sunday 12 Thursday, 27 August.
Returning to Evesham for the fifth July, Chateau Impney Hotel and The festival culminates with three ‘plum
time, this year’s festival promises to be
Exhibition Centre, Droitwich crazy’ days of events and activities
bigger and better than ever before with
Motor car hill climb sprint meeting. over the Bank Holiday weekend from
a packed programme of live music for
Tickets cost £18 per adult and children Saturday, 29 August to Monday, 31
everyone to enjoy at venues across the
under 16 are free. Both days run from August.
town.
8am to 6pm.
Visit www.eveshamfestivalofmusic. Visit www.pershoreplumfestival.org.
org.uk for the full programme and Visit www.chateauimpneyhillclimb. uk or call 01386 565373 for more
ticket details. com for more information. information.
16 WYCHAVONSalt Fest
Saturday 12 September and
Sunday 13 September, various
locations around Droitwich Spa
This event celebrates Droitwich Spa’s
association with salt and features
heritage displays, Roman re-enactment,
live music and entertainment, real ale
bar, markets, community stalls, art
exhibition, dog show and much more.
Visit www.saltfest.co.uk for more
information or call Janet Yates on
01386 565355.
Growers United FC Royal Charter Day
Saturday 11 July, and Saturday Saturday 1 August, Droitwich
18 – Sunday 19 July, Evesham Spa, various locations
United Football Ground, A day to celebrate the 800th anniversary
Cheltenham Road, Evesham of King John awarding the Droitwich
Growers United FC take on a Liverpool Spa Royal Charter. Historical re-
Legends side, potentially including enactment, see the arrival of King John
former stars such as Ian Rush and by ‘Royal Barge’, medieval market, food
John Barnes. Tickets cost £6. Then on stalls, entertainment, art exhibition.
the weekend of 18 and 19 July, a total
of 32 teams will take part in a special
tournament over the weekend designed Pershore Jazz Festival
to raise money for charity, promote
horticulture and agriculture and bring Friday 21 August to Sunday,
the community together. Admission is 23 August, Pershore College
free and it takes place between 10am Campus
and 7pm both days.
More than 150 internationally celebrated Evesham Cyclefest
Search for Growers United on musicians play jazz for all tastes and
Facebook or call Bal Padda on 07971 Saturday 12 September, The
ages.
813334 for more information. Valley, Evesham and Sunday
Visit www.pershorejazz.org.uk for 13 September, Evesham Market
more information. Square/All Saints Churchyard
A celebration of cycling including a 20
mile circular family ride and a mountain
Evesham Angling bike event.
Festival
Visit www.eveshambelltower.org.uk/
Saturday 29 August to Monday events for more information or call Dr
31 August, Crown Meadow, Sue Ablett on 07871 285606
Corporation Meadow and Ferry
Meadow
Broadway Food Festival
Top anglers from across the UK and
Europe will compete for huge cash Sunday 13 September,
prizes. More than 40,000 visitors attend Broadway Green
the event every year. There will also
Cookery demonstrations, activities for
Evesham River Festival be trade stands on Crown Meadow
children, a fine collection of classic cars
selling country goods, specialist food
and drink as well as a huge selection of and the very best local food and drink
Saturday 11 July and Sunday,
angling equipment at bargain prices. is on offer to visitors between 10am and
12 July, Workman Gardens, 4pm. Admission is free.
Evesham
Visit www.eveshamfestival.com or
A free event featuring illuminated boats, call Roger Mortimer on 01327 315405 Visit www.beautifulbroadway.com
stalls, river activities and a firework for more information. for more information or call Simone
finale as well as live music all day. Hancox on 07803 813668 for more
Visit www.eveshamriverfestival.co.uk information.
for more information.
WYCHAVON 17New scheme to help
tackle soaring cost of
housing
in Wychavon
A new scheme is being launched by
Wychavon’s housing team to help
more people find a home.
Wych Move is a new social lettings Landlords will have a range of options Any prospective tenant who has
agency service designed to help those under the Wych Move scheme difficulty finding a rent bond may be
in need of re-housing who would including: offered the use of the council’s Rent
otherwise struggle to rent privately. Deposit Scheme.
• Matching a tenant - This is a free
The cost of housing is soaring with a service which involves us finding Elaine Salter, our housing services
recent report by the National Housing potential tenants suitable for a manager, said: “As housing officers
Federation calculating Wychavon is particular property which are then we see demand for suitable housing
the most expensive place to rent in referred to the landlord. growing every day.
Worcestershire with the average cost of
• Assisted letting – We will find
renting a home now £730 a month.
a property suited to a particular
tenant’s needs. Support will be “By launching Wych Move we
This makes it difficult for many people
offered with viewings to ensure aim to use all of our experience
on lower incomes to be able to
sustain a tenancy, assuming they can
the accommodation is of the right and background knowledge to
standard and the right processes ensure we get the right people,
afford the expensive agents fees and
and paperwork are in place
deposits which need to be raised in in the right property at the right
including the tenancy agreement,
the first place. This, plus a poor credit time and create tenancies which
inventory schedules etc. Assistance
history, can lock some people out of are affordable and sustainable
will be provided with housing benefit
the private rental market completely.
applications, if necessary, and an long-term.
exit inspection will also be offered
Traditionally social housing has been
when the tenancy ends. We will “We are confident this will be
used as a way of meeting the needs
charge for this service. good news for both tenants and
of people in this situation, however
demand is high. There are currently • Managed – As well as all of the landlords.”
3,780 people on the waiting list for above, we will handle the day to
social housing within the district. But day management of the tenancy
even this is not always the answer including dealing with any problems
as accessing the right property for and acting as a go between for
a particular person’s needs can be the landlord and tenant. Quarterly
difficult, while for some there is a low inspections will be carried out and
chance of them being able to qualify feedback provided to the landlord.
for a social home. We will charge for this service.
Wych Move has been set up in
response to this need and will build
on the good relationships our housing
For tenants the service will be provided
free of charge and involve us working More information
with them to find suitable, affordable
team has developed with landlords to For more information on the
privately rented accommodation, help
help meet their requirements, whilst Wych Move scheme, email Sarah
with viewings and to advocate on their
overcoming some of the barriers Cook at sarah.cook@wychavon.
behalf with the landlord.
residents face. gov.uk or call 01386 565114.
18 WYCHAVONEmpty homes brought back into use
Empty homes are a serious blight on towns and villages across Wychavon.
They can be a magnet for anti-social behaviour, vandalism, squatting,
fly-tipping and damage the appearance of neighbourhoods.
On top of that is the cost to the police In stepped our private rented Homes Assistance fund to enable
and fire service in dealing with the accommodation officer Sarah Cook electric works to be carried out to make
associated problems they cause. who offered the landlord the use of it fit for living in again. The property has
our lettings service and found a young now been refurbished and re-occupied.
That’s why we have made dealing with family from our waiting list in desperate
them one of our priorities. In fact by need of a home. Elaine Salter, our housing services
March 2016 we aim to bring at least manager, said: “These and our other
250 empty homes back into use and The landlord, who did not want to be 200 plus successes are down to the
we have already delivered 234 of those named, said: hard work of the housing team. Our
in the last two years alone. staff work closely with owners of empty
properties to bring them back into use
One of our most recent successes “I wanted somebody who whether that’s through the use of our
came in Droitwich with a two bedroom letting service, signposting them to
was able to deal with the
terraced house which had stood empty other help or offering financial support
for more than two years. The landlord management of the tenancy through our Empty Homes Assistance
had struggled to find a suitable tenant day to day and what Wychavon Scheme.
after the previous ones had left and were offering seemed ideal.
contacted the housing team to see if It’s not been without its hitches
they could help. but Sarah was very supportive “We know the impact empty
throughout and found a very homes can have on a community
suitable tenant who I hope will and that’s why we’ve made a
enjoy living there.” commitment to bring as many of
them back into use as possible
to benefit those in need of
Another success came in Eckington housing.”
where residents had complained about
a property which was being repeatedly
vandalised and was encouraging anti-
social behaviour. After ensuring the
More information
property was boarded up and secure Empty homes can be reported to
we began assisting the owner to bring us online by visiting
it back into use. It was then sold and www.wychavon.gov.uk/empty-
together with the new owner we were homes or call Ismene Broad on
able to offer £7,500 from our Empty 01386 565341 for more information.
WYCHAVON 19Pershore Tennis Centre
Grants money will
support Wychavon’s community
Over the last three years we have Hazel Hanlon, secretary and fundraiser for Evesham Arts
Association which runs the centre, said:
given away almost £150,000 through
the Wychavon Community Grants “The money will help us carry out a complete
Scheme. replacement and upgrade of our sound and lighting
desk. It’s not been done since the theatre opened
The scheme is currently funded through some of the in 1978 so it’s long overdue and will bring it up to
New Homes Bonus which is money we receive from the
modern standards. This money from Wychavon is
Government connected to housebuilding in the district.
an important contribution towards the overall cost of
Between £500 and £10,000 is given away to local voluntary the project.”
groups and charitable organisations to fund a wide range of
projects that make a lasting different to the community and
improve the quality of life throughout Wychavon. Flying officer Peter Booth, commanding officer of 2516
(Droitwich) Squadron ATC, said:
This year was no different with a total of £51,000 handed out
to a variety of worthwhile projects.
“We’re grateful for Wychavon’s support which
Some of the bigger schemes we helped fund included: will enable us to go ahead with the purchase of
the simulator which will allow us to provide more
• £5,000 to Evesham Arts Association to help refurbish
and replace outdated lighting and sound equipment in interactive training for the cadets.”
the Evesham Arts Centre Theatre
• £7,000 to help improve and extend Eckington Village
Hall
Evesham Arts
• £9,000 to North Claines Parish Council to refurbish play
Association
equipment on Brum Recreation Ground
• £2,500 to Pershore Tennis Centre to provide an
outreach programme for Pershore High School £5K
students after school, as well as free junior sessions
every Friday for any Wychavon resident
• £2,500 to 2516 (Droitwich) Squadron ATC to help
purchase an aircraft simulator for the use of air cadets
in training related to principles of flight, the effect of
aircraft controls and aircraft navigation.
20 WYCHAVONThe full list of grant awards
for this year:
Amount
Organisation Project details
awarded
Evesham Sub Aqua Club New trailer for club boat £1,000
Asparawiritng Festival Evesham Asparawriting Festival, getting local writers, schools £1,000
Association involved with workshops, etc
Beckford Croquet Club New shelter and clubhouse £1,000
2516 (Droitwich) Squadron ATC To purchase an aircraft simulator for the use of air cadets £2,500
in training related to principles of flight, the effect of aircraft
controls and aircraft navigation
Stock and Bradley Village Hall Soakaway pipes collapsed and in need of replacing £2,500
Mr Beestan’s Gardens New greenhouse project for a community garden on the £1,500
Westlands Estate
Pershore Town Choir Replace old Barber shop type risers with new portable staging £1,000
Inkberrow Community council Replacement of single glazed steel windows with double glazed £3,500
aluminium windows
Kington and Dormston Village Extend the heating system of the village hall £2,500
Hall
Bretfest New Bretforton festival held over one week with a finale. £1,000
Workshops with local musicians, schools, etc
Birlingham Village Hall To provide technical equipment and broadband to enable £1,500
people to have access to IT. Also provide voluntary training to
help local people improve their skills
Gloverspiece Mini Farm To install a hydraulic changing unit and hoist in the disabled £2,000
toilets
Friends of Avon Meadows A 3.5m scrape consisting of pools, channels, islands and £2,000
muddy margins overlooked by a 7m x 2m open-backed viewing
screen
Worcester Snoezelen Offer 23 outreach multi arts workshops over the course of 40 £2,000
weeks in Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich to people with
severe learning difficulties
Evesham Arts Association Refurbishment/replacement of outdated lighting and sound £5,000
equipment in the Evesham Arts Centre Theatre
Pershore Tennis Centre Ltd Outreach programme for PHS students after school. Plus free £2,500
junior session every Friday for any Wychavon resident
1st Pershore Scouts Building of a disabled access ramp for the new scout hut £2,000
Eckington Scout and Guide Group Redecoration inside and outside the scout hut £1,000
Eckington Village Hall Trustees Modernising and extending Eckington Village Hall £7,000
Garage Arts Group Saturday arts class in Evesham £1,000
North Claines Parish Council Refurbish play equipment on Brum Rec Ground £9,000
WYCHAVON 21Providing help when you
need it the most
Times have been tough in recent years and despite
improvements in the economy they remain so for
many people.
We have been working to ensure help and support has been The Discretionary Hardship Fund was set up
offered to those who need it most and we have been doing in response to the number of people of working age plunged
that in a number of ways both directly and by supporting the into serious difficulty as a result of having to pay part of their
work of charities and other organisations. Council Tax bill for the first time. We allocated £50,000 to
the fund with 500 people meeting the eligibility criteria and
In particular we have made a number of funds available to making a successful claim.
support people through changes to the welfare system. The
help we provide includes:
Our housing team is often the department which
comes face-to-face with those most in need, particularly as
Welfare Assistance Scheme which in 2014/15 housing costs continue to soar. We have been playing our
helped 311 people in Wychavon facing exceptional hardship part in two ways. Firstly we have set a target of delivering 700
through the allocation of vouchers to buy food, goods or other affordable homes by March 2016 and to bring 250 empty
essentials. homes back into use by the same date. We are well on the
way to achieving that with 495 affordable homes delivered in
Together with Worcestershire County Council we are making the last two financial years alone and 234 long-term empty
another £98,000 available to continue this scheme in this properties brought back into use since 2012/13.
financial year.
We have also been working hard to support people facing the
Council Tax Support was introduced in April 2013 prospect of losing their home. Between 2009/10 and 2013/14
following the decision to scrap Council Tax Benefit. Under the the team was successful in preventing 910 households from
changes we were tasked with developing our own support becoming homeless.
scheme but with ten per cent less money than previously
available to spend to help people struggling to pay their We also run a Rent Bond Scheme which helps homeless
Council Tax bill. people or those threatened with homelessness and who
are classed as being in priority need - including pregnant
As of the end of March there were some 7,387 people women, the elderly or vulnerable or those with children - find a
claiming Council Tax Support at a cost of almost £5.88million. suitable, decent and affordable privately rented home.
Under the scheme we guarantee a deposit and/or one
month’s rent to the landlord on behalf of the tenant to cover
for rent arrears and /or damage. If claimed, the money is
recoverable from the tenant in affordable instalments payable
to the council.
It not only provides somewhere for someone in need to live
but gives reassurance to the landlord and an opportunity to
meet their new tenant before they move in.
During 2014/15 we also spent almost £93,000 on
discretionary housing payments to help people unable to pay
their rent or housing costs.
22 WYCHAVONYou can also read
