CompletelyDroitwich Spa
Worcestershire Imaging Centre, Orchard House, Victoria square, Droitwich Spa. WR9 8DS Mobile 07734601920
Welcome to the second issue of Completely Droitwich Spa!
May
I start by thanking readers and advertisers alike who congratulated us on our first issue. The magazine was greeted with heartfelt warmth and positivity, which we find very humbling, and we hope to continue these positive vibes in this and future issues.
In this issue, we bring you news of an improved rail service for the Spa. For the full facts turn to page 8.
Droitwich Lido celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. See page 22 for the venue’s action-packed programme of summer events.
On page 30 we feature the musings of a monner. If you are unfamiliar with this term, it refers to the thoughts and reflections of someone who uses the term “monner” as a friendly greeting with historical roots.
Here in Droitwich, there are still residents whose ancestors worked in the salt trade. The picture in the article is the monner’s own great, or maybe great, grandmother outside their cottage in Vines Lane. Droitwich is so lucky to have such a
fascinating history and people who are interested in keeping those memories alive. Last, but certainly not least, another Spa resident AnneMarie Harley shares the amazing adventures she and her husband experienced when they visited Alaska earlier this year. Turn to page 36 to read about what they did and the wonderful wildlife they encountered. While the sun might be shining here as we go to press, when they visited the remote US state it was more about the snow!
Without further ado, I will leave you good folk in peace to continue reading this issue. On a final note, please remember to keep it local and support our High Street - otherwise we will lose it!
Very best wishes
Michele Ford
Gynaecology
Dermatology
Urology
Respiratory
Never stop doing what you love
Rashwood is a loving care
Exceptional Care in a Beautiful Setting
At Rashwood, we provide compassionate nursing and residential care tailored to your needs. Our dedicated team ensures comfort, quality, and expert support in a warm and welcoming environment. Set within stunning grounds in Droitwich, rooms, each with beautiful garden or provide the highest standard of care with enriching activities and excellent amenities.
Experience the care you deserve. Call us today on 01527 861258 to arrange a visit.
Droitwich to receive new banking hub
LFollowing the announcement of the closure of the final bank branch, LINK has confirmed that the town will benefit from a banking hub as part of a wider commitment to protect access to cash.
Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone. When opened, the hub will consist of a counter service operated by Post Office employees, where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash, make bill payments and carry out regular banking transactions.
In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy. The
INK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, has announced that residents and businesses in Droitwich Spa will soon find it easier to access banking services thanks to a recommendation for a new banking hub in the town.
banks will be working on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.
The banking hub will be delivered by Cash Access UK. Over the coming weeks, it will begin to engage with the local community and start to look for potential sites. There are currently 139 hubs open across the UK.
Dr Chris Ashton, chief commercial officer at LINK, said: “While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely on and choose to use cash and face-to-face banking. That’s why we’re delighted to recommend the new hub in Droitwich, which will be vital for the community and the high street.”
Welcome business front improvements in the Spa
Three businesses in Droitwich Spa have received funding from Wychavon to update their business frontages to encourage footfall to the town.
The Business Front Improvement Grant is a collaboration between Wychavon and the Droitwich Spa Place Board and is funded by Wychavon’s share of the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supporting the revitalisation of our town centres. It gives businesses who apply 50 percent of the renovation costs needed to upgrade their shop frontages.
This latest funding will benefit Parks Café, Queen’s Fish & Chips, and Brown & Fincher.
Councillor Richard Morris, executive board member for economic growth and tourism on Wychavon District Council, said: “Keeping Droitwich Spa an attractive place for residents and tourists is a priority. I am delighted that we can use our portion of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to make these and other improvements to our high street.”
Matt Nicol, chair of the Droitwich Spa Place Board, said: “These improvements are having a significant impact on our high street. They help highlight the town’s historic architecture and character. We are proud to be part of this initiative.”
Parks Café in Victoria Square has received just over £9,000 in match funding. This has been used to enhance the café’s appearance and will allow
visitors to sit outside. The outdoor area has been improved with an electric navy-blue awning and landscaping with giant palms and topiary trees in clay planters. Prams and wheelchair users can now be accommodated, the exterior has been cleaned and decorated, and signage and window stickers have been updated, among other enhancements.
Kathleen Westwood, owner of the Parks Café, said: “I am extremely thankful for the grant. It improved the appearance of my business, the high street, and the number of patrons I can seat. The fund has helped to revive and restore the building’s frontage, reinstating traditional shop frontage features.”
Brown & Fincher, located on the High Street, has received more than £7,000 to replace rotten timber and to clean and paint the shopfront. Queens Fish & Chips, situated on Queen Street, received just under £2,000 to replace the original signage with an illuminated version.
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/town-centres to learn more about the work of the Droitwich Spa Place Board.
Parks Café
Brown & Fincher
Queen’s Fish & Chips
Heritage centre makes summer switch to temporary home
Staff at Droitwich Spa Heritage & Information Centre have been very busy over the last few months. Plans for our refurbishment are moving forward, with content for the Salt Story and Droitwich Calling exhibitions being researched and created. We are working with Far Post Design Ltd to create a new interactive experience for visitors to enjoy when the new centre opens at the end of the year.
The Heritage Centre will be closing its doors in its current format at the end of June for building work to start. Although our main centre will be closed, we will be opening a temporary Tourist Information Centre and gift shop in the Council Chamber. Visitors will still be able to buy local salt, honey and small gifts. We will continue to provide coach holiday brochures and a booking service, local information on places to visit and you can still buy a printed bus timetable or local map. Our volunteers will be on hand to help. To access the centre, you will need to use the doors at the other end of the driveway, this will be clearly signposted.
If you haven’t been to see us yet, May is the perfect time to visit. A temporary exhibition entitled Droitwich at War is running from May 1st to 15th in the Council Chamber. This showcases local wartime memories and gives an insight into how Droitwich Spa was affected during World War Two. It explores the lives of ordinary people and focuses on the wellknown Machin family, former owners of H.R. Machin Ironmongers in High Street.
The exhibition has been a collaborative effort between Droitwich Spa Heritage Staff and members of the local community. It will be open during our normal opening times of 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday and 10am to 1.30am on Saturday.
To mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we are opening until 7pm on Thursday, May 8th. Droitwich Spa Town Council is putting on a programme of events outside St Richard’s House including flag raising and musical entertainment. A beacon lighting will take place at 9.30pm at Dodderhill Church to end the day. Keep an eye on the noticeboards in town and our social media pages for further information.
If you are looking to find out more about the history of Droitwich Spa, monthly guided town walks are back. Lasting approximately 1.5 hours, tours depart from outside St Richard’s House at 11am and run on the second Saturday of the month from March to November. Tours cost £4 per head and as spaces are limited advance booking is advised.
We are looking forward to the tourism season ahead and welcoming you to the Heritage Centre very soon.
Wychavon on track to cut carbon emissions
Wychavon’s Intelligently Green Plan, published in 2020, set challenging targets to reduce carbon emissions as the council’s response to tackling the climate emergency.
An annual update has revealed Wychavon is on track to meet its pledges, with carbon emissions from council services falling by 39% in 2023-24, which is 1,181 tonnes less than the 2018-19 starting point. The target is a 75% cut by the end of the decade.
Using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in waste collection and park maintenance vehicles saved 200 tonnes of carbon emissions, while upgrades to Wychavon’s Civic Centre headquarters, and buying renewable electricity, also helped.
To hit the target, upgrades to Wychavon’s leisure centres, which account for 66% of the council’s carbon footprint, are needed.
Detailed designs for a low carbon heating system with solar panels at Evesham and Pershore leisure centres are being developed, with a funding bid planned for the autumn. Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre’s upgrade this summer will include energy efficiency measures like air source heat pumps, solar panels, and LED lighting.
Wychavon aims to lead the district to halve its carbon emissions by 2030. Emissions for 2022 –the latest available – show a 31% reduction, thanks to progress decarbonising the national electricity grid and renewable energy in homes. Travel remains a challenge, with not enough people
switching to walking and cycling for shorter journeys. Electric vehicle growth has also slowed, but sales in 2023-24 were almost three times higher than in 2018-19.
The district’s low carbon economy is on track to double by 2030 and is now worth 381.1 million – up 51% from 2018/19. The industry employs more than 2,100 people and is set to grow by £447 million over the next five years. Renewable electricity generation has more than doubled since 2014 to 200,664 megawatt hours, with a goal to treble it by 2030.
Studies are underway to measure if Wychavon will meet its commitment to capturing 500 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. Several schemes have contributed to this target including further development of Avon Meadows in Pershore, improvements to Coney Meadow in Droitwich Spa, and the planting of 13,472 trees through the Trees Call to Action Project with Heart of England Forest.
Cllr Beverley Hardman, Wychavon’s executive board member for boosting natural capital, said: “Being Intelligently Green is all about combining sensible investment with the right actions. I’m delighted our approach is paying off. Together we’re making meaningful progress towards a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future.”
Visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/intelligentlygreen to find out more.
Action on climate change has helped Wychavon slash its carbon footprint.
Everything in its place
This month, kitchen and bedroom design specialist, AK Fitted Interiors, advises our readers on maximising their kitchen’s storage.
From freestanding coffee machines and hot chocolate makers to air fryers and waffle makers, the latest gadgets in kitchenware are often in danger of taking over all available worktop space. We’ve compiled a list of five of our favourite storage options that tick the boxes for both functionality and aesthetics.
Le Mans corner units - Named after the famous racetrack due to their curved, swivelling design, these units consist of two or more pull-out shelves that glide out smoothly, providing easy access to items stored in the corner. They are particularly useful for storing pots, pans, and bulky kitchenware that are often difficult to retrieve from standard corner cabinets. Their ergonomic design ensures that no space is wasted while maintaining a sleek, streamlined appearance. Additionally, their soft-close mechanisms add a touch of luxury and prevent noisy operation.
Pantry cupboards – A practical and organised storage solution for dry goods, small appliances, and kitchen essentials. They are often designed as tall, narrow units with adjustable shelves, internal lighting, pull-out drawers and baskets, and even door-mounted racks to maximise storage capacity.
Floor to ceiling cabinets - Ideal for creating a seamless, built-in look while maximising storage space vertically. These tall cabinets offer extra storage for rarely used items such as seasonal cookware, serving platters, or small appliances. They are particularly advantageous in smaller kitchens. Combining closed cabinets with open shelves can also create a visually balanced design. Furthermore, incorporating glass-fronted upper cabinets can make the space feel lighter while providing display opportunities.
Island pan drawer units - A kitchen island with pan drawer units offers an excellent opportunity to add substantial storage while maintaining a clean, modern look. These wide, deep drawers are perfect for storing large cookware, mixing bowls, and even small appliances. Unlike traditional cupboards, island pan drawers provide a top-down view of contents, making it easier to find items without rummaging. Dividers and organisers further enhance the functionality of these drawers, keeping lids, baking trays, and utensils neatly separated. By incorporating electrical outlets or charging stations into the island, you can also store and use small appliances conveniently.
Base cupboards with drawers - Replacing standard base cabinets with drawers is one of the most effective ways to enhance kitchen storage. Unlike cabinets with shelves, drawers offer easier access to stored items without requiring you to bend or reach into the back. Base drawers are highly customisable, with options ranging from deep drawers for pots and pans to shallow ones for cutlery, utensils, or spices. Internal organisers, peg systems, or drawer dividers can keep contents tidy and prevent shifting when opening or closing. Many modern kitchens also feature hidden or push-to-open drawers.
View these storage solutions at our recently refurbished Bromsgrove showroom on Saxon Business Park, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, which is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Free parking directly outside. Half price fitting with all orders until the end of May. Call AK on 01527 835924 or visit www.akfittedinteriors.co.uk
Enjoying yourself can help others
Have you ever thought about how relaxing and enjoying yourself can help others? Well, that’s what happens when you visit a garden which is open as part of the National Garden Scheme.
The scheme encourages ordinary people who love gardening to open their gardens to the public, charging a small entrance fee and providing refreshments, like tea, coffee and cake, and that small effort in 2024 allowed the scheme to pass on a massive £3.5million to charities like Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Parkinson’s UK and many others. Worcestershire played its part by raising a record of more than £87,000.
In 2025 there are quite a few gardens to visit in and around Droitwich, from April onwards, such as Hiraeth in Showell Road. Hiraeth is a third of an acre garden with a variety of interesting trees, like a 300year-old olive tree, a monkey puzzle, acers, a weeping willow and a silver birch with plenty of shrubs, ferns and a mass of colourful plants. There are also numerous statues and metal sculptures on display. It was once described as “a haven on the way to heaven”
2025 sees the return to the scheme of two local gardens, New House Farm in Cutnall Green and Manor Cottage in Hadzor. New House Farm is a country garden with a mixture of old features, new planting schemes and views over open countryside giving the garden a wealth of interest. The creativity is due to the owner who runs an interior design and craft business. The garden last opened in 2014 and the 11 year gap has produced many new ideas.
Manor Cottage, however, was last open in 2022
and is a garden of just under an acre with borders surrounding the cottage. Large specimen trees and mixed hedges help give the garden structure and the pond is an attraction for people and nature alike. There are also many fruit trees, island beds and grasses.
A new garden for 2025 is Rashwood Care Home, which has a six-and-a-half acre landscaped garden designed as wildlife friendly due to the thriving population of woodland animals, and their resident peacocks, with many seasonal flowering shrubs, mixed borders, sculptures, a rose garden, mature trees including redwoods, pine, beech and a 100 year old wisteria.
Hiraeth, New House Farm and Manor Cottage all have specific open days and Hiraeth and New House Farm are also open, by appointment, for private visits by small groups, whereas Rashwood Care Home is only open by appointment.
There are other NGS gardens open further afield including the public and private grounds at Whitlenge Gardens in Hartlebury, and all are listed in the county leaflet available from most garden centres, or visit www.ngs.org.uk
It’s amazing how having an enjoyable time looking at a lovely garden, then relaxing with a tea or coffee and home-made cake can make such a difference to others who have health related or other issues to cope with. So go out, enjoy yourself, and help others at the same time.
Photos, clockwise from top left: Birdwatching from a hide – Wendy Carter, Avocet – Ric Harding, Little ringed plover – Ian Byrnes, Reed bunting – Elaine Robinson and background: The Flashes – Eleanor Reast
by Wendy Carter, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
Just off the A38 between Droitwich and Bromsgrove is a hidden gem that’s loved by birds and birdwatchers alike. It’s not quite like being at the seaside but the area’s salty geology attracts a rather unusual inland find.
Avocets are the jewel in the spring and summer crown of the Christopher Cadbury Wetland Reserve at Upton Warren. These black and white wading birds return to Worcestershire’s saline-saturated inland shores each February, ready to find a mate and settle down for the season to raise their young. They’re unmistakeable, wading through water on their long, pale blue legs and using their razor-thin, slightly upturned bills to sift through silt to find juicy morsels to eat. Thanks to salt deposits running under the middle part of Worcestershire, The Flashes at Upton Warren has plenty of saltmarsh. Usually found on the coast, this unusual inland habitat attracted a pair of avocets in 2003 (the UK’s first inland-breeding avocets) and word spread amongst the avocet community – today we expect around 50 of the birds to spend the warmer months with us.
They might be the highlight but they’re not the only birds that are spotted at Upton Warren. The site is split into two – the saline pools of The Flashes and a large freshwater lake known as The Moors. The two are separated by Aztec Adventure’s sailing centre and the River Salwarpe. Visitors are often delighted with views of resident birds like great-crested grebes, reed buntings and bullfinches; lucky visitors might catch a glimpse of an elusive Cetti’s warbler. In spring and autumn, however, most birdwatchers are hoping for birds passing through on their migration from wintering to breeding grounds or those coming to breed here in Worcestershire. Breeding birds include avocets, little ringed plovers, reed warblers and shovelers. Those passing through might include dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, green sandpiper or ruff but you never know what might also appear and many rarities have been
seen over the years.
Over the past 15 years, thanks to generous funders including visitors to Upton Warren and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust members and supporters, we’ve been able to improve islands for birds to breed on and have dug channels for them to feed in, we’re constantly managing the reedbed and are restoring the saltmarsh. It’s not all about the birds, we’ve also replaced two birdwatching hides and done major repairs to another in the last 10 to 15 years. And we couldn’t, of course, do any of this without our fantastic team of volunteers who do so much around the reserve. If you’ve offered your support in any way, a big thank you from us and the birds!
There are seven hides from which you can watch birds and Upton Warren can be visited seven days a week. Trust members can visit for free but nonmembers must buy a £5 permit to take a look; visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/nature-reserves/ upton-warren for more information.
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Much-loved Lido celebrates 90 splashing years
Summer 2025 marks a major milestone as Droitwich Spa Lido celebrates its 90th birthday, with a packed programme of events planned to honour the occasion.
Officially opened on June 10th 1935, the muchloved Lido has been a cherished part of the town for generations.
The original Art Deco building still stands proudly beside the pool, now joined by a children’s wet play area with fountains and water cannons, sunny terraces, and the popular Little Al’s at the Lido - a friendly on-site café serving drinks and snacks throughout the seasons.
To mark 90 years of fun, fitness, and family days out, The Friends of Droitwich Spa Lido and the Lido team have organised a summer of celebrations, including:
Music Evening at Little Al’s café on June 11th, featuring live acoustic music from Dan Greenaway, a former Lido lifeguard turned musician.
Birthday Party on June 14th with pizza ovens, a BBQ provided by Little Al’s Kitchen, and plenty of family-friendly fun.
Synchronised Swimming Display on July 19th, showcasing talented performers in a nostalgic nod to Lido traditions.
The launch of a special Memory Book, featuring historic photos and written memories contributed by local residents.
The Swim 90 Challenge, a fun and inclusive activity encouraging swimmers of all ages and abilities to get involved throughout the summer.
To commemorate the occasion, FODSL have also produced a limited edition embroidered badge, available for £5 (cash only) at the poolside.
Lido lovers are encouraged to bring and share old swimming badges from other pools, as part of a nostalgic celebration of outdoor swimming heritage.
For more information and updates, visit: www. riversfitness.co.uk/droitwichlido or follow the Lido on Instagram @droitwichspalido and Facebook at Droitwich Spa Lido.
Intensely flavoured butternut squash soup with pumpkin seeds
Method:
Prepare the vegetables
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the chopped vegetables and stir for 1–2 minutes. Pour in the water and bring to a rapid boil for 10 minutes.
Roast the vegetables
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the vegetables to a baking tray, reserving the water in the pan.
Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil, sprinkle over the dried herbs and roast in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 30 minutes, or until tender. Meanwhile, let the reserved water continue boiling until it reduces by half.
Combine the soup
Add the fresh vegetable stock to the reduced cooking water and bring it back to a simmer.
Carefully transfer the roasted vegetables into the stock and remove from heat. Let it cool completely.
Blend and finish
Once cooled, blend the soup in batches until smooth. Return the blended soup to a clean saucepan and gently reheat.
Stir in the double cream gradually, taste for seasoning, and let it simmer gently until ready to serve.
Serve
Ladle the soup into warm bowls.
Garnish with pumpkin seeds, lemon zest, and fresh oregano (if using) and a sprinkle of Droitwich Salt flakes.
Serve with warm, grilled focaccia.
Ingredients
1 large butternut squash, peeled and roughly chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
2 large white onions, peeled and roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 100ml double cream
1 litre fresh vegetable stock
(Don’t use stock cubes for this dish as they can be too salty)
1 litre cold water (for parboiling the vegetables)
1/2 tsp of Droitwich Salt flakes
1 tsp of dried parsley
1 tsp of dried thyme
1 tsp of dried rosemary
1 tsp of dried sage
Pumpkin seeds, for garnish
Zest of 1 lemon, for garnish
Fresh oregano, for garnish (optional)
Warm focaccia, to serve
by Paul James
Castle Pig Roast
The simple document that could save you thousands
Brits have been warned that neglecting a certain document can often leave them paying thousands of pounds more in inheritance tax.
The alert comes as HMRC released their latest inheritance tax receipts showing £7 billion was collected in the first 10 months of the 2024-25 financial year.
Over half of UK adults have not written a will, according to research from Canada Life. This includes 13% who state they have no intention to write one in the future.
A will can include specific provisions to help minimise tax liabilities. By incorporating taxefficient strategies into estate planning, people can safeguard their assets for future generations and prevent unnecessary stress and even disputes for the administrators and beneficiaries of an estate. This could save them having to pay unnecessary inheritance bills.
The Office for Budget Responsibility predicts that approximately one in ten deaths will incur inheritance tax by 2029-30. This is double the proportion seen in 2023-24, meaning significantly more estates will face inheritance tax liabilities within a decade.
Changes to inheritance tax rules starting in 2027 will affect even more families. For the first time, Pension pots will be included in peoples estates for inheritance tax calculations. The Chancellor has also extended the freeze on nil rate bands (IHT allowances) until April 2030!
From April 2026, changes to business and agricultural property relief will impact estate planning. The first £1m of combined business and agricultural assets can still be passed on tax-free, but any amount above this threshold will be taxed at 20 per cent.
The Will Partners would encourage people to regularly assess the value of their estate, including up-to-date property valuations. Estate planning can be complex, and seeking professional advice can help individuals navigate the rules, mitigate potential liabilities, and ensure they pass on as much wealth as possible. Call us on 01527 877313 to arrange an appointment.
IRestoration begins at world renowned Droitwich church
nternationally renowned mosaics at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria in Droitwich Spa are about to be given a long overdue spring clean and restoration, thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £190,000.
The work will take around 12 weeks, but the church will remain open to visitors and worshippers throughout the process.
Influenced by the UNESCO World Heritage churches in Ravenna in Italy, the walls of the church are covered with some of the finest Venetian glass mosaic artwork in Europe. They were mainly completed between 1921 and 1932 and at the time attracted national media interest. Recently, the church was described as ‘England’s Ravenna’ in the international media.
The restoration work is being carried out by The Mosaic Restoration Company.
Gary Bricknell, managing director, said: “The whole team is honoured to have been chosen to work on
this incredibly beautiful and internationally renowned building.”
Father George Mathew, parish priest, said: “The church will look even more beautiful once the work has been completed, providing a spectacle for all parishioners and visitors, many of whom are in awe when they first come here.”
Councillor Richard Morris, portfolio holder for economic growth and tourism at Wychavon District Council, added: “The church has been a hidden gem within the county for more than 100 years.
“This project, along with the parish’s programme of free public tours, children’s mosaic workshops and Saturday visitor centre is providing a huge boost to the number of people now visiting the area.”
Musings of a Monner –A flavour of Droitwich Spa
Sal Sapit Omnia – Salt Flavours All - is Droitwich Spa’s town motto and brine has played a vital part in its history and economy dating back to Roman and Anglo-Saxon times.
Records show the town was known as Salinae (Roman) and then later Wych from the Anglo-Saxon meaning ‘settlement’.
Droitwich brine flows though the veins of the town from Yew Tree Hill to Upton Warren and due to its corrosive nature and the extraction of it over the years, has made its mark on the town including its wonky buildings and uneven streets. Not least in our High Street where excessive extraction from the site in Gurneys Lane has caused subsidence in the shops and buildings there.
Just cast your eye up to Dodderhill Church and you will see its brickwork is still tinged with black from the furnaces of the salt pits which is now Vines Park.
This is the area where the most salt has historically been produced, from Roman times when a large villa behind Dodderhill Church was used for salt administration and wells and buckets were used to draw up the brine to the arrival of the Mercian kings and Alfred the Great’s daughter Aetheflaed who managed the production into the turn of the first century. The importance of Droitwich salt is highlighted in its tax yield in 1066 which was recorded as being second only to London.
account suggested King Henry III wasn’t getting his money back from the well and sent soldiers to clear it. Whichever you believe, the statue of St Richard is in Vines Park looking over the pit.
The canal, first built in 1771 and rebuilt where the now park is in 1852, was used by saltworkers to carry salt out to Birmingham and Worcester and to bring coal and timber into the town for stoking the furnaces.
Rich salt merchants lived in properties in Friar Street but for the men and women who worked in the furnaces and wore next to no clothes due to the heat, it was hard work. This is depicted by the saltworkers’ statue in Victoria Square. It is by the now library which until the 1980s was a cinema and entertainment hall since 1933.
Before that the building was Salters’ Hall, a recreation area for saltworkers, created by John Corbett in 1881. Corbett preferred the women, often found nursing their babies by the salt pits as they worked, to stay at home to look after the children. This meant less income for families, so he increased pay and improved working conditions.
St Richard’s Festival is held in Vines Park in May. The festival harks back to the mid 13th century when Richard de Wyche is said to come back to bless Middlewich Brine Pit where the brine had ceased to flow. It started flowing again – however another
Brine is still extracted today, not least using the pump in Gurneys Lane which is collected, turned into salt and sold by Churchfields. For Droitwich, Salt Flavours All!
*Disclaimer: These are the musings of a monner, born and bred in Droitwich and based on local knowledge, research and tales passed down from generations of saltworkers.
By a Droitwich Monner
Saltworkers houses near where the Gardener’s pub is today in Vines Lane
Gardeners Arms –present day
Saltworkers outside the house in Vines Lane
Memories of Bletchley Park codebreaker Betty
Charlotte Elizabeth (Betty) Webb MBE died on March 31st at the age of 101. Here we pay tribute to a strong and humble lady, whose efforts during World War Two helped to bring about peace.
In 2019 I was honoured to be asked by the Bromsgrove Royal British Legion Branch to interview Betty for a recording which would be shown at the Remembrance Concert at Artrix.
Betty welcomed us to her home with a tray of tea and biscuits, she had laid out papers, photographs and maps for us to look at before we chatted about her life during and after the war. Betty was sharp and quick, with an incredible memory of her life during the war. She talked about growing up in the Herefordshire countryside and being home schooled by her parents.
In 1941, aged 18, Betty was studying domestic science at college in Shrewsbury, but, along with a friend, decided she wanted to do more for the war effort. They both signed up and in seemingly no time at all were stationed at Bletchley Park, with very little understanding of the importance of what they were doing, and having signed the official secrets act, no ability to ask questions or talk about it. Betty took this very much in her stride, she was confident in the orders she was following and carried out the tasks set to the best of her abilities.
When the war in Europe ended, Betty was stationed at The Pentagon, as the war with Japan continued. When she returned to civilian life, she remained
sworn to secrecy, and unable to speak about her time at Bletchley or in the USA, not even to her parents. In the 1970s, when the ban was lifted, she didn’t find it easy to talk about that time at first, as she had remained quiet about it for so many years.
Betty was recognised for her contributions with an MBE in the 2015 Birthday Honours and in 2021 her work at Bletchley Park was recognised by the Government of France, with an appointment as Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour). In 2023 she was invited to King Charles’ coronation where she sat in the front row.
Thankfully, Betty was able to embrace her memories, not only locally but as a key figure who was regularly invited back at Bletchley Park to talk about her time there. Betty was very humble about her contributions, saying she was one of many, she was warm and genuine, open and strong. With Vintage Class Singers, I met her again, a few times, including singing at her 100th birthday at a party held at Grafton Manor, and a commemorative event at Hartlebury Castle where a large crowd gathered to listen to her talking about her experiences.
Betty was an inspiration to many, her positive attitude and warm presence will be remembered by all who met her, and she will be greatly missed.
by Jo Slade
Discover town’s history in illuminating new book
ADroitwich Miscellany is the latest addition to books about the town published by Droitwich History & Archaeology Society.
Bursting with numerous articles and snippets of information, the book is a compilation of articles researched and written by society members.
Read about what the archaeologists have found under our feet, dating back even before Roman times, and the development of salt production, which by Domesday made Droitwich more valuable to the Crown than Worcester was.
The rapid increase in the salt trade was often at the expense of townsfolks’ health. The Poor Law brought about a workhouse in the town, and the opening of a lunatic asylum. Sanitary conditions in the town brought criticism at the time. The surprise that a case of cholera was greatly improved by immersion in hot brine was the start of the town developing into a go-to destination for those afflicted by rheumatic conditions.
Stories of our two canal systems are not overlooked, nor the loss of an aristocratic horseracing wager that resulted in the erection of the Coventry Almshouses.
Buy a copy at the Tourist Information Centre, on Ebay and on the society’s stands during St Richard’s Festival in May and Saltfest
The remainder of this year’s talks are:
June 4th
in August. At both events, you can discover more about the society and enjoy looking at our laminated collection of pictures and large-scale maps. Last year the society were delighted to be awarded a rosette certificate for the Saltfest Best Community Pitch 2024.
The society staged a successful map exhibition in Droitwich Spa Library in September 2024. On display were a series of large-scale Droitwich and surrounding area 1883 (revised) maps which had been rescued before going in a skip by a historian in Bromsgrove. Twenty-one of these maps had been acquired by the history society and were the subject of a fascinating talk given by Alan Baker before going on show. Details of the September 2025 history exhibition will be found in the next edition of this magazine.
Himley Hall - past and present
Alan Pearce
July 2nd
Local railways
Philip Jarvis
August Trip/visit: TBC
September 3rd
Sentenced to Beyond the Seas
David Clark
October 8th
Margaret of Anjou, Queen of England crushed at Tewkesbury 1471: harpy or heroine?
John Reid
Droitwich History & Archaeology Society meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. Friends and visitors are always welcome to the meetings, which are held in the John Corbett Room, Droitwich Spa Community Hall, Heritage Way, WR9 8RE. Admission for members is £3 and friends and visitors £5 per meeting. Subscriptions for the household are £10 per annum.
November 5th
A Droitwich Postcard Exhibition
Paul Jones
December 3rd
To murder a Priest. The Popish Plot, and Worcestershire 16781681
Doug Smith
Game-changing Redox Gold takes UK by storm
Every so often, a health game-changer comes along, and Redox Gold is one of those.
We all know that good health is our greatest asset because, without it, life can take a very different path. I know this from personal experience when I had two very small children, and my health was compromised for seven years.
When you are told ‘we cannot do anything, and you will be in a wheelchair by the time you are 40’ this focuses the mind. I just wish these molecules had been available during this time, as I personally know my fight for good health would have been easier. Fortunately, I am a long way from a wheelchair now.
Redox molecules are native to our own bodies and Redox Gold is an advanced signalling technology gel, infused with molecular gold, delivering relief and recovery in minutes. Redox Gold (the gold) is not absorbed by the skin. The gold particles are small enough to act as a catalyst but not small enough to be absorbed and so are referred to as micro gold, eliminating the risk of bio accumulation.
The gold used in the product is molecular gold, pure 100%, 24 carat gold. In addition, Redox Gold contains a higher ratio of redox molecules, however it is a different species, pH and viscosity to Renu28 that I’ve written about in the past.The gold is referred to as a noble metal which means it does not undergo oxidation and remains stable.
If you love walking, going to the gym, running, cycling or any form of exercise this product is for you. It raises your performance, increases your own natural antioxidants and aids quicker recovery from exercise. The chart shows the results of a study from Bath University on the efficacity of Redox Gold and you can see that even if you have cells that are compromised it still works.
Redox Gold gives relief to tired overworked joints and muscles and cools and soothes to help you move more easily. It provides a relaxing sensation and helps to destress the body. These thermographic images show the relief of using Redox Gold under strict controls within 15 minutes.
I am already hearing from health professionals how people are getting relief and recovery from this product. Contact me at colette@ need4change.com for more information or to order. Alternatively, visit https://shopasea. com/need4change
Annual countryside show welcomes new president
Ian Few, managing director of luxury marquee firm Fews, has been appointed president of the Hanbury Countryside Show.
Mr Few, who has been a passionate advocate of the long-running Worcestershire event for many years, succeeds outgoing president, Worcestershire farmer John Evans, who retired from the role earlier this year.
He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience gleaned from a long-standing involvement in the events industry, at the helm of the UK’s leading provider of award-winning event marquees, temporary buildings and structures.
Ted Beale, speaking on behalf of the show society’s directors said: “We are delighted to welcome Ian to the Hanbury team, and know that he will be a great support to the show as we endeavour to develop and grow it further.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank John for his enthusiasm, expertise and steadfast commitment over the years.”
Mr Few said he was very pleased to be taking on the role of president and was looking forward to the 78th Hanbury Countryside Show this year.
“This event is often described as a show for the community, run by the community, and that is true. It’s a unique place, where friendships are forged and rekindled, and people meet up to socialise and do business,” he said.
“I am very happy to be playing a bigger part in its organisation from 2025.”
The Hanbury Countryside Show takes place on Saturday, July 5th. Tickets are on sale at www. hanburyshow.co.uk . Adult tickets (12+) are £18 in advance (£22 on the gate), with free entry for children under 12. There are membership options too. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on a lead, and parking is free.
Snowy Alaskan winter
So, why are you visiting Alaska in February, Ma-am?” asked Homeland Security at Seattle airport where we were catching a connecting flight to Fairbanks.
“I guess we are gonna find out!”
The main reason for our trip was a promise, from hubby, to see the Northern Lights for my big birthday. Google told me Fairbanks had the best sightings and so the planning began.
Nothing prepared us for the beautiful, white sparkling snow which covered Fairbanks, the largest city in inner Alaska but with the feel of a small town with a big community spirit. Huge drifts of snow had been pushed back on either side to the reveal the roads, and these were eventually sliced up and taken to a snow dump where, in the spring the snow melted into the natural water course. Everything in Alaska is given back.
We spent our first day at the World Ice Sculpting
competition playing table tennis on one of the sculptures and chess on a frozen board. There were sledding routes carved out in the ice and hot apple cider to warm you up afterwards.
At 8pm that same day we were picked up by Arctic Night Tours, which promised to chase the Northern Lights down using meteorological data and technology. Wrapped up from head to toe we headed for the White Mountains. Luckily, they made an appearance at midnight and, although not visible to the naked eye that well, through the lens of your phone their full gloriousness of greens and pinks could be seen.
The next day we spotted a man barbecuing in two feet of snow on a car park behind our hotel. Turned
Photos, clockwise from top left: Blanket tossing, fun on a snow machine, running with reindeer, snow being brought in to Anchorage and Big Daddy BBQing.
is simply full of wonder
out he worked at Big Daddy’s BBQ, a restaurant on the next block to where we were staying. It was wing Wednesday, so we stopped by for a feast of ribs, chicken, creamed corn and collard greens –the latter being an acquired taste.
Our next stop was Anchorage, a 55 minute flight, where the ceremonial start of the Iditarod was taking place after the official start had been moved to Fairbanks due to lack of snow. For the ceremonial start snow was brought in by dumper trucks and spread out along the main street by snow ploughs, literally overnight!
Thirty-three mushers came down the snowy track, with sleds pulled by a pack of their best dogs. It was a real party atmosphere before the dogs and their mushers packed up to travel back to Fairbanks for the official start of the 1,000 mile race across Alaska. The
Fur Rendez-Vous (Fur Rondy) also takes place in the run up to the Iditarod. A celebration of Alaskan spirit, they hold more than 20 traditional winter sports including blanket tossing and, one we took part in, running with reindeer.
The winter scenery was stunning. We took a hike, with shoe grips, to a frozen waterfall at Eagle River, saw moose during a snow machining trip along the Pinochle Trail in the mountains and met lots of huskies on our own sledding experience.
Although too early to enjoy fresh Alaskan salmon, some of the local fayre we sampled included king crab, oysters, halibut and reindeer. Alaska boasts a lot of its own craft beers too.
We flew with Virgin Atlantic to Seattle and then Delta to Alaska. Internal flights from Fairbanks to Anchorage and back were with Alaskan Airlines.
by Anne Marie Harley
Photos, clockwise from top left: Frozen waterfall, Anchorage coastline, sledding at the Ice Sculpture exhibition, reindeer sausage crepe and dog racing
Popular village festival marks four decades of joy
The hugely successful triennial Feckenham Flower and Garden Festival celebrates its 40th year in 2025 and will be raising funds for the general maintenance of the historic 12th century parish church of St John the Baptist.
Feckenham is a charming Domesday village situated along the Saltway that runs from Droitwich to Alcester. At its largest, the historic Forest of Feckenham extended south to the Avon and south-west to the gates of Worcester once employing Geoffrey Chaucer as Clerk of Works and Keeper of the Lodge, in 1389.
As many listeners to The Archers will know Hanbury (Ambridge) is just down the road so this is most definitely Archers’ territory, with many similar storylines. The 2012 festival was featured in the BBC’s Gardeners World programme.
In 2022, more than 30 gardens were open to visitors who arrived in their hundreds from all over the country and overseas. Organisers hope to have a similar number of gardens open again on May 17th and 18th
Many gardens are hidden and vary enormously in size and style, from tiny courtyard gardens to those rather larger. This variety creates a huge amount of interest with an element of surprise. There will also be a themed flower festival in the church.
As previously, we hope to have stands for local nurseries selling plants, The Barn traditional and contemporary garden supplies, Milk Blossom Handcrafted ice creams, WI teas in the Village Hall and a barbecue. All Round Voices Choir will be performing. There is also a public house and a national award-winning community shop in the village which will be open all day.
The festival will be open between 11am and 5pm on both days. Visitors should follow signs to the car park where they will be provided with a detailed programme. Disabled and coach parking is available. Visit www.feckenham.com for more details.
Historic Wake is fun for villagers and visitors alike
All age groups will enjoy Feckenham Wake, which is being held at The Square and Recreation Ground on Saturday, June 21st from 12.30pm.
In 1223 King Henry III issued a charter giving the people of Feckenham the right Royal right to hold an enormous fair every year. As loyal subjects the people felt duty bound to comply and, with occasional lapses to accommodate wars and plagues, they’ve been organising a huge celebration ever since.
This year’s event promises a full-on festival of fun. If you have little ones, they’ll be climbing, bouncing, and giggling their way through games and adventures. Competitive parents can step right up for the Trial of Strength or perhaps the life-size table football will catch your eye. And let’s not forget Fido – the Fun Dog Show is back and barking with excitement.
More than 100 gleaming classic motors will be lined up in a Classic Car Show Other attractions will include Professor Chandler’s Punch and Judy Show , The Arrow Valley Brass Band , All Round Voices Choir , Massed Morris Dancers and a stupendous Fairground Organ . Circus performer Thomas Trilby will again prove that it is possible to juggle on stilts whilst riding a unicycle.
There’ll be lots to see and plenty to eat and drink – a real ale bar, a prosecco bar, cream teas, a pig roast, pizzas, home-made samosas, ices and candy floss.
Entrance is free though there is a small charge for parking. Feckenham is just south of Redditch on the B4090. Satnav users should enter the postcode B96 6QH.
For more details, visit www.facebook.com/FeckenhamWake
Take to the skies with a wartime icon
As a slightly belated contribution to the VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations the FeckenOdeon presents an epic, sweeping tale of determination, vision and courage on Friday, May 23rd at 8pm.
Spitfire (PG) is the story of an aeroplane that was forged in competition, shaped as the war clouds gathered, and refined in the white heat of combat – going on to become the most famous fighter plane ever made.
The film features spectacular aerial photography of the plane in action as well as the recollections of the people who built at and who flew it. Spitfire also explores how this extraordinary plane thrives today and how it has become an international icon.
The FeckenOdeon is Feckenham’s community cinema based at Feckenham Village Hall, High Street, Feckenham, B96 6HN. Tickets for all FeckenOdeon films can be booked online through feckenodeon.co.uk, by phone on 0333 666 3366 or in person at The Rose & Crown and The Village Shop in Feckenham.
Head to historic hall for half-term fun
Visit Hanbury Hall this May half-term for a fun day out for all the family.
Become a nature detective and discover patterns in the gardens with the Nature’s Perfect Patterns Trail running every day from Saturday, May 24th to Sunday, June 1st. Pick up a trail booklet from visitor reception for £2 each and complete five different activities, including a symmetry craft the Long Gallery.
Find a sun-soaked piece of lawn to enjoy a picnic while you admire sweet-scented roses, dazzling delphiniums, and pretty peonies in the formal gardens. If you’d like to learn more about the gardens on a summer walk, join one of the Garden Tours: Medicinal Plants walks on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12.30pm and 2pm . No booking needed.
This June , Hanbury Hall will be celebrating the life and works of Sir James Thornhill on the 350th anniversary of his birth in a new exhibition, Happy Birthday Mr Thornhill.
Wish Mr Thornhill a happy birthday as you learn more about his spectacular wall and ceiling paintings - the art that saved the hall for the nation. Learn about the man and how he produced these beautiful works, and the fascinating stories behind them. There will be displays and new interpretation, as well as highlight talks on the paintings. The exhibition opens to visitors on Saturday, June 7th
Hanbury’s popular summer yoga programme returns this year with local yoga teacher Emma
Blunston of Be You Be Yoga . Join Emma in the orangery on select Mondays and Thursdays at 10am in June and July for a gentle morning practice, or in an evening Yoga Nidra class and watch the sun setting. Booking for the yoga classes is essential.
Book events and plan your visit via www. nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershireherefordshire/hanbury-hall
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes by Sir James Thornhill
Showmen’s stories in the spotlight
Afascinating new exhibition entitled Revealing the Hidden Stories of the Showmen Community is one of the highlights of the 2025 season at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, Bromsgrove.
Steven Hearn, the museum’s collections and interpretation manager, always felt that the showman’s wagon was hidden away and needed to be brought out of the shadows.
“We wanted to use the wagon as a way to connect with the Showmen community and bring their stories to a wider audience,” said Steven.
As part of a new approach to use the buildings and collections at the museum as the starting point to share stories of people who lived, worked and used these spaces, Steven secured funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund via the Association of Independent Museums’ New Stories, New Audiences grant.
This enabled him to work collaboratively with the Showmen community to capture their personal stories and recollections and to transform the space into a multi-sensory fairground-themed exhibition.
The exhibition includes first-hand accounts, previously hidden collections and archival material, original artworks, hands on interactive elements and associated smells and sounds, all of which serve to tell the story of Showpeople in an engaging and accessible manner for audiences of all ages.
It pays tribute to the history, traditions and way of life of a unique community which has
made a significant contribution to the cultural landscape of this country, but is under-represented, misunderstood and frequently the victim of discrimination and prejudice for its unique way of life.
“Surrounding Tom Clarke’s Wagon with the stories of its people has really brought this otherwise hidden gem to light,” said Zoe Willems, museum director.
“This new exhibition sets the tone for where we want to be - inclusive, engaging and bringing important and interesting stories to light.”
For more details, visit www.avoncroft.org.uk
Charismatic Coupe
If the thought of a new BMW M440i Coupe doesn’t make the adrenalin flow, there’s no hope for you and you might as well get your sprung walking stick and take to the fells.
At first sight - just hard beauty: priority of form mirrors elegance of engineering. This car has the looks and the presence to surpass the promised performance and is as good as current technology can make it,
Studiously classy without being flashy, no traces of extrovert flamboyance have been allowed to penetrate that fortress of Teutonic urbanity. The M440i Coupe displays a coherence of spirit and metal that nothing from rivals can approach. And for me, a long- forgotten sensation of heady excitement returned as I inhaled the intoxicating charisma. It promised motoring delights and past thrills that I thought were irrecoverable.
From every which way the new BMW M440i XDrive Coupe variant, which starts at £60,725, looks the part. A sleek, racy-raked thoroughbred
ready to switch on the 374bhp at your command. Yet it’s so vice free that you won’t find a more user-friendly motor for mundane pottering too.
Inside this two-door, four seat coupe you sit fairly low in a whisper quiet cocoon that’s as accommodating as a luxury suite. You have every electronic aid you need - and for your delight there’s a ‘lots of watts’ top quality sound system.
This new M Series is as swift as the wind, as supple as a gymnast: and good old intelligent four-wheel drive ensures extra safety. The 3.0 litre, in-line six-cylinder powerhouse of a petrol (remember that) engine is as smooth as silk and can take you to 155mph as the eight speed automatic transmission imperceptibly does its work.
leaves rivals standing
As for stopping, it boasts brakes that pull you up like an arrester cable on the USS Enterprise. All this and yet it returns around 35 mpg overall with 40 mpg plus when driving unnaturally gently. The chassis has, of course, all the necessaries to give brilliant dynamics and the sumptuous cabin has all the electronics watching over you to ensure you are protected from getting out of control if you are clumsy in your driving because you are so comfy and relaxed.
Duty bound to be objective, I looked hard for faults. My driving gloves gripped the best steering wheel I’d gripped for years because it controlled with deft precision and satisfying feel, a tautly set-up muscular athlete of a car - but yet a machine that springs no surprises.
Naturally I explored the dynamic abilities and have to tell you
that if you pull the trigger in ‘Sport Plus’ mode you embark upon a ballistic adventure. You are held comfortably in place on the road.
Engineering and design parameters, quality and performance are, in my opinion better than some Germanic rivals which, at much higher prices, are badged delusions worshipped only by the impressionable. To be blunt, it will ‘blitz’ some Porsche models. As for a Mercedes CLE, well just try one and feel the difference.
This BMW is pitched at those who see nothing wrong with a little impish indulgence and who are also canny enough to recognise true qualities.
The M440i delivers a knockout punch to rival manufacturers who must be left gasping for breath. It generates new excitement, garnering accolades. It’s called ‘going places’.
by Syd Taylor
