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AUGUST 2020 Issue 20
NEWS FOR ST PETER'S, NORTON, BATTENHALL, CHERRY ORCHARD, RED HILL AND WHITTINGTON
We're back in print Your print edition of South Worcester Voice is back, meaning we can bring the news that matters for St Peter’s, Battenhall, Cherry Orchard, Red Hill, Norton and Whittington to your door. While we have been away we were busy online updating our communities on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic locally and other news. The overriding theme that emerged from recent months is that our communities rallied to help those less able to help themselves. We reflect on the dedication and kindness that volunteers showed during the most testing of periods in our lockdown special pages in this edition. Now we are back we want to hear your news. Contact us on 07719 106676 or 07719 106672 or at southworcestervoice@gmail. com Those are also the contact details for businesses getting back up and running who want to advertise their services with us. It’s great to be back and we look forward to hearing from you.
n The last of the vehicles leaving Power Park via Trefoil Close
Clean-up after travellers leave by Peter McMillan
A clean-up operation had to be carried out to remove human waste and broken glass from St Peter’s Power Park after travellers who had occupied it left.
The risk to the public posed by the hazards meant part of the park had to be closed off temporarily to local residents who use it, taking children or walking dogs there. Council employees wore
special personal protective equipment while they did the clear-up, with waste strewn across grass and left in hedges. The travellers had parked vehicles and caravans in a corner Continued on Page 2
RGS Worcester Family of Schools Redefining Outstanding Education
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Contacts
Christine McMillan Editor and Sales 07719 106672 southworcestervoice@gmail.com Peter McMillan Publisher and Sales 07719 106676 southworcestervoice@gmail.com
n Some of the waste taken away from Power Park
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September deadline Our September deadline is August 20. To ensure your news or letter is included, please contact us by that date. Advertisers are also asked to contact us by the same date.
Your views
Letters for publication can be sent to the above email addresses. The editor reserves the right to edit your letter.
Complaints
Despite our best efforts, we sometimes get things wrong. We always try to resolve issues informally at first but we also have a formal complaints procedure. If you have a complaint about anything in South Worcester Voice, contact the Editor using the details below. We aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour. Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website at stpetersvoice.co.uk or can be obtained by contacting the Editor.
Useful numbers Worcestershire County Council www.worcestershire.gov.uk 01905 765765 Worcester City Council www.worcester.gov.uk 01905 722233 St Peter's Parish Council www.stpetersworcs.org Environment/trading standards www.tradingstandards@worcestershire. gov.uk
Police
Fire
www.westmerciapolice.uk General enquiries: 101 Emergency: 999
www.hwfire.org.uk General enquiries: 0345 122 4454 Emergency: 999 Worcestershire Royal Hospital worcsacute.nhs.uk 01906 763333
EDITOR’S NOTE: South Worcester Voice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation. We cannot vouch for any services offered although we have used some of the services. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor. South Worcester Voice is distributed each month to St Peter's, Cherry Orchard, Battenhall, Norton and Red Hill residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch. Feedback is welcomed, call editor Christine McMillan on 07719 106672, publisher Peter McMillan on 07719 106676 or email southworcestervoice@gmail.com.
Council bid to make park more secure of the park behind Lobelia Close after gaining entry and remained there for almost a week. The Worcester city councillor for the ward is working with council officials to look at ways of making the park more secure to prevent the problem happening again. St Peter’s Conservative councillor Steve Mackay, who sits on Worcester City Council, said: “They were there for some seven days and during that time caused considerable concern to residents living close by. “My initial thought was to ensure that the city council, who own the land, move quickly to stop the trespass as soon as possible and re-secure the land so that it was available to everyone. “It is a fact that there is a lot of consternation when travellers move on to land which is close to a residential area but it is made worse when the land they use is a public park.” He added: “ The day after they arrived, city enforcement officers served them notices requiring them to leave immediately. “When the travellers failed to respond, the legal team then lodged papers with the court the following day, Saturday, July 11. When the court received them, they advised that the hearing date would be July 17. As it turned out, and probably as a result of that prompt action, the travellers left the site on July 15. “Although some of the travellers were seen picking litter up from the site before they left, just
n The clean-up gets underway as we have experienced in the past, there has to be a clean-up operation. “There are two particular issues I have with this. The first is that council employees have to attempt to clean up the mess that was left – a horrible task – and secondly, at a time when money could not be tighter as we get through this lockdown, we have to use our council tax to pay for it.” Cllr Mackay went on: “But, moving forward, I am arranging a meeting with city council operations managers to try to establish the best way of securing the park, at the same time allowing access to council employees with equipment to cut grass and keep it tidy. “I really do sympathise with those living close by, who had to put up with some very anti-social behaviour, so I will look to do what I can to stop this happening again.” The last of the travellers’ vehicles to leave departed via Trefoil Close. n What do you think? Let us know at southworcestervoice@ gmail.com
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n NEWS
'New access road into village could reduce lorries' impact'
A Whittington businessman has suggested that building a private access road from Swinesherd Way could reduce the impact of heavy lorries travelling through the village. The issue of the lorries was raised during a meeting, held via Zoom, of Whittington Parish Council. Parish councillor Susan MacLeod said a neighbour had expressed concern that the footings of their cottage could be damaged by the weight of the lorries passing by. Mrs MacLeod said it was the “sheer size” of the big lorries that were a concern, adding: “It’s not so much the small lorries that come for deliveries.” Nick Hodgetts, who owns Whittington-based Croome Cuisine, speaking during the meeting, suggested that an access road from Swinesherd Way could alleviate the problem.
He added, however, that he did not believe vehicles going to and from his business were causing the problem, saying that waste collection, furniture delivery and household oil delivery lorries passed through the village. He went on: “It’s not our lorries that block the highway – it’s the parked cars that block the highway. “It’s not our lorries causing the problem – it’s the parked cars reducing the highway width.”
He added: “If the road is blocked I think it’s up to the residents to unblock it. Highways, fundamentally, are for traffic.” He added: “It would make our life a lot easier if there was a possibility of putting in a private road from Swinesherd. “It won’t get rid of your oil delivery and your waste removal. “I live here and I love the ruralness of it.”
He said: “I think we’re all on the same side on this but the resolution has to be some sort of a compromise.” The parish council’s chairman, Steve Burrows, said: “I would like to see some evidence that there’s been some structural damage and I don’t think that’s part of the parish council’s task to get that. “I think that’s the householders’ concern to get some evidence of that.” He added that pressing for an access road from Swinesherd Way was “a fairly major undertaking on the basis of a couple of issues being raised.” Residents with concerns over potential damage they believed was being caused to their homes would be invited to submit evidence to the parish council. n What do you think? Let us know at southworcestervoice@ gmail.com
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n An artist's impression of the new Broomhall Way Footbridge which will link south of the A4440 Southern Link Road with Power Park
Park will be partially out of use as new footbridge is installed The onset of work to pave the way for the installation of the new Broomhall Way footbridge on the edge of St Peter’s is impacting on the ward’s Power Park. The construction of the bridge, which will link the new commercial and housing development to the south of the A4440 Southern Link Road with Power Park in St Peter’s on the northern side, is scheduled to take 35 weeks. It will be suitable for cyclists as well as pedestrians and will land in the park with a long ramp. Worcestershire Conservative county councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure, said: “This new bridge, which is funded by developers, will provide a vital link between the new development to the south and the
facilities and services in St Peter’s, such as the shops, parks and the church to the north. “It will also improve access for people from the St Peter’s side of the road to attractions on the Norton side, enabling us to remove the temporary crossing by the Norton roundabout once the bridge is complete.” Public access in Power Park is being restricted as equipment and vehicles involved in the construction work will be located there for its duration. St Peter’s parish councillors had raised concerns about the impact of the work on Power Park and wrote to the county council about it. In response to questions posed by parish councillors they were told the construction site would cover most of the north-eastern end of the park, including the
football pitch, with a smaller, satellite compound within it. The majority of plant is being stored on the south side of the road, where practical, although it would be necessary to leave some equipment overnight on the north side. Flooding has been a recurring problem in the park but the parish councillors have been told it would not be possible to prevent flooding, only to lessen its impact, with the aim of the works to make the park and bridge accessible during flooding. This would be done by raising the paths above the level of flooding typically experienced during a year. Parish councillors asked if there would be measures to deter skateboarders using the bridge’s ramp but were told: “There will be no physical measures to
deter use by skateboarders, not least because most supposeddeterrents present hazards for other users.” As far as pedestrian access to the park was concerned during the works period, parish councillors were told: “We had hoped to maintain a link through the park at all times, however, since appointing a contractor it has become apparent that this will not be possible while the new footpath link is being constructed (approximately six weeks). “There may be some other occasions when we have to divert pedestrians via a short section of Cranesbill Drive but we have asked for this to be the exception rather than the rule.” The park’s football pitch will be repositioned but will probably not be useable until autumn, 2021 following the works.
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n NEWS
Moving goalposts sees players climbing on roof to retrieve balls
Moving the goalposts has caused a problem in Littleworth, with people climbing on to Norton Parish Hall’s roof to retrieve footballs trapped up there. The problem arose following the erection of a backstop net to protect against wayward baseballs by Worcester Sorcerers baseball club, which will play home games by the parish hall. Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council chairman Kevin Fincher said: “There has been an increased incidence of footballs going on to the parish hall roof and people going up there after them but it wasn't until a friend of mine whose son plays down there explained the situation that I realised that we have created a problem with the arrival of the baseball. “Before baseball, everyone favoured the goal nearest the
n Norton Parish Hall in Littleworth MUGA [multi use games area] because if there was no goal net or they missed the goal, the MUGA fence saved the ball. “Since baseball has arrived, the favoured posts have been removed. If they play at the far
end posts – furthest away from the parish hall – their ball risks going into the road, potentially hitting a car, thereby leaving them with a delay while they exit the playing fields to get their ball. “The favoured goal is,
therefore, the one nearest the hall but the backstop for their balls is currently the parish hall, potentially causing damage – apparently there have been some near misses with windows – or ending up on the roof. “Even if we put up goal nets, their shots aren't always going to be on target and we possibly need a football backstop between the goals and the hall and, potentially, behind each remaining set of posts. “Clearly there is a cost involved but better that than a damaged hall, someone falling through the roof or causing an accident on the road.” Mr Fincher added that a suggestion to reorientate the football pitch discussed during a recent meeting of the parish council would not work due to the size of the baseball pitch.
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n NEWS Firm donates products to foodbanks
Croome Cuisine products due to be sold at festivals and events which were cancelled were put to good use and redirected to foodbanks. “One of the first things we did find, because we have got some good packing facilities, we had companies coming to us who wanted to donate items to foodbanks but didn’t have the facilities,” said owner Nick Hodgetts. “That’s something we were able to do for several foodbanks. “We probably packed 60,000 to 70,000 items for foodbanks round the country. “Quite a lot has been going down to Somerset, South Wales, Cheshire.” He added: “Quite a lot of the product that was meant to go to shows we have given to foodbanks and charities in Pershore, Malvern and Evesham.”
Engineers help out during crisis Hundreds of body trays for morgues were made by a Whittington company as the coronavirus began to escalate. A13 Engineering made more than 200 of the trays when the NHS issued a tender for them in the early days of the pandemic, as it prepared for a worst case scenario. The company has also developed footoperated dispensers for hand sanitisers, with interest in those from organisations ranging from supemarkets to sports stadiums and business parks and construction sites.
n Nick Hodgetts, who runs the cheese-making company Croome Cuisine
Pandemic has huge impact on Nick's cheese business A Whittington businessman has spoken about the effects the coronavirus pandemic has had on his business. Nick Hodgetts, who runs the cheese-making company Croome Cuisine, said there would probably be some “horrible decisions” to be made concerning his workforce as a result of the virus and subsequent lockdown. He also saw a series of events where he would have sold his products direct to the public throughout this year cancelled. Mr Hodgetts said: “Half of our business is based on selling direct to the public, food stalls, for example, festivals, Christmas fairs, that sort of thing. “We had 200 events booked for this year. They start in April, normally at Easter, and run right through to Christmas Eve.” The only one he had been able to
hold this year was one on behalf of Worcestershire Food and Drink. Social distancing impacted on his trading as it was so dependent on selling face to face to the public, who, in normal times, could gather round his stalls at bustling events. He explained that only one family group at a time could now stand in front of his stalls. There had been more positive news, with Mr Hodgetts saying: “The other half of our business has flourished,” with trade going well at farm shops, delicatessens and garden centres. “Now they’re open they’re finding a lot of loyal followers who are trying to avoid the big supermarkets and are attempting to shop local,” he explained, “It’s really odd.” Overall, however, Mr Hodgetts
said: “I think the biggest issue we have is retaining our workforce.” Six of his 13-strong workforce had been furloughed. “If the other half of our business doesn’t return I’m not sure they will be able to,” he said, adding: “When the furlough arrangements come to the end there’s some horrible decisions to be made.” He said that exports and new markets had been “put on hold” for two years in the absence of a Brexit trade deal, with several countries waiting to see what the final trade deal would be. Plans for Croome Cuisine to attend foreign festivals and Christmas events had also been cancelled. “That has impacted probably as much as coronavirus on our future plans,” said Mr Hodgetts.
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Staff's joy as pre-school set to continue in hall A St Peter’s pre-school group has been thrown a lifeline by being allowed to continue using the ward’s village hall into next year. Seedlings had been told by the trustees of St Peter’s Village Hall Association that the group would not be able to carry on using the hall, as it had done in recent years, with the trustees having concerns over the group’s viability. The hall association said although it considered Seedlings an important community asset it had to maximise hire fees for the hall. The association is now allowing the group to use the hall until January, when the situation will be reviewed. Clare Dalton, who runs Seedlings, said she was “over the
moon” that the group, which she took over in 2016, could continue at the village hall from September, when it expects to look after 20 children. She said: “It’s been a tricky time, what with a pandemic thrown amongst it all.” Seedlings employs four local qualified staff as well as an apprentice working towards a childcare qualification. Clare said: “We use the community as a strong foundation
for learning, taking part in community litter picks, visits to Tesco, looking after the roses at the front of the village hall, taking part with Debutots singing with the residents of Norton Nursing home.” Seedlings has been closed during the pandemic but has been operating at its sister site in Ronkswood. Roger Knight, a trustee of St Peter’s Village Hall Association, said: “The hall has been run on a voluntary basis since it opened in the early 90s and the objectives have been to provide a community resource to enable groups and organisations to meet and grow.” The hall is owned by Tesco and leased to Worcester City Council which, in turn, leases it to the
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village hall association. The association is run by volunteers, with no paid members of staff other than a part-time cleaner. Mr Knight said the association was halfway through its current lease period, adding: “There is a likelihood that when it expires our community facility will close.” He explained that the association owned land, next to the multi-use games area, on which a new facility could be built but that would be expensive. He said: “We have been accruing reserves for quite a number of years now and we have a long way to go. “In order to be in a position to continue to provide a new facility, the association will need to manage its financial affairs prudently.” He went on: “As part of this financial plan the association will need to review its hire charges.” He added that hall use must be maximised and invited groups or families wanting a venue to contact the association.
Home from Home
Advertisement feature
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improving their English language. As well as receiving a generous payment, there are many other advantages in being a host family. It is a great opportunity to introduce your family to other cultures and languages. Sharing your traditions and family life with an overseas student and knowing that you are helping them during their time in the UK is very gratifying. Long-term friendships often develop and many host families keep in touch with the students and their families once they are back home. We are very keen to find families locally. Our students are currently based at schools in Malvern, Cheltenham and the surrounding areas, so please do spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested. For further information contact laura@pippasguardians.co.uk
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n MOUNT BATTENHALL ADVERTISING FEATURE
Enterprise Retirement Living - post coronavirus
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, during which the substantial benefits that come from living in retirement communities were highlighted, at Enterprise Retirement Living (ERL), we’re using the lessons learned to help shape changes to our current villages and our plans for future developments. During the height of the crisis, our existing communities, like much of the country, went into ‘lockdown’, and we immediately introduced enhanced hygiene measures to protect our owners and staff. We also enabled our head office team to work from home, and provided additional help and support for those living in the villages to ensure that they stayed as safe as possible. This included obtaining medical and food supplies, delivering meals from the restaurant (and special treats) to people’s front doors, making daily phone calls to everyone to check on their wellbeing, and providing virtual entertainment in the way of newsletters, quizzes, reading material and DVDs. Whilst visits from friends and family were discouraged, those who took advantage of the internet capability provided to each individual property were able to connect with loved ones through the various social media platforms. Neil Davison, ERL’s Managing Director, said: “When a crisis like coronavirus hits, older people are particularly
n Mount Battenhall, Worcester vulnerable. Many live alone, with little or no family on hand to help, and the anxiety and isolation can have a serious impact on their health and wellbeing. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from owners in our villages about the support provided during this very difficult time, and we are thankful that, with no cases of the infection in those communities, we were able to keep everyone safe. This is due in no small part to the valiant efforts of the magnificent teams on the ground in our two villages.” Now, in the cautious stage of a return to some sort of normality, our support teams are starting to get back to normal service, whilst still being available and more than willing to continue offering additional help for as long as
n The Gatehouse, Mount Battenhall, Worcester
is required to those who still want or need it. Our sales offices have also reopened, with strict hygiene and safety procedures in place, offering viewings by appointment, or video tours for those who still prefer not to venture out. It’s evident that virtual viewings appeal to many and this is likely to continue for some time, even beyond the current social distancing regime, and ERL intends to retain this option for customers in future, together with the chat facility recently introduced on the website. With the experience of Covid-19 and how it has affected existing owners in our villages, our sales teams will be able to reassure potential purchasers of our properties of the additional benefits of living in a retirement community in such a situation. Going forward, whilst ERL always chooses town or city locations (albeit on the outskirts to provide the benefit of a secluded and natural environment), with the desired local amenities and transport accessibility for our sites, there are certain additional elements that we now know are crucial when planning future developments. Our communities all have large and beautifully laid out grounds and gardens, and the importance of these has been highlighted in recent
times – they enable owners to get exercise, enjoy nature and the fresh air, and have contact with their neighbours. This will continue to be high on the list of requirements, but we will also look at providing extra private space by means of more balconies and patios. We also already incorporate wide corridors, essentially for the less able-bodied with mobility aids, but these have proved invaluable in ensuring adequate space for all owners and staff to move around without crowding, and this, too, will be an essential ingredient in our plans. Finally, as internet connectivity has proved to be such a lifeline for many, this will be a musthave for all our future projects, and we will also take on board the necessity of enabling hygiene measures to be installed if required (for example, handcleaning points near entrances) and will place a greater focus on entry controls. We are confident that ERL retirement villages will continue to provide not only a desirable option for retirement in terms of an independent, enjoyable and carefree lifestyle, but one in which the security, peace of mind and support that is part of the package in ordinary times is guaranteed to come into its own in times of crisis.
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n LOCKDOWN SPECIAL
Residents stepped up to help when community needed it St Peter’s parish councillor John Renshaw, one of the organisers of the St Peter’s Coronavirus Support Group, reflects on his experiences during the pandemic It was great to see how quickly everyone rallied round to get the group off the ground. From the initial meeting at the Toby Carvery on Monday, March 16 it was just four days until we took the first calls on the Friday. I met people I’d never really come across before – Kristy [Walters] at the Toby Carvery, the ministry team and members of St Peter’s Baptist Church and staff at Tesco and Lloyds Pharmacy. I also got to know St Peter’s county and city councillor Steve Mackay much better than I had previously as the group progressed. When the community of St Peter’s needed them a lot of people stepped up to help out. Back in late March/early April the virus was spreading rapidly across the UK. I was very conscious that every time I answered a call and visited a pharmacy or a supermarket I was taking a risk. It was a small risk but those small risks were cumulative. I knew though that the risks I, and the other volunteers, were taking was one that the vulnerable people we were helping couldn’t afford to take. As things turned out no-one in the group became seriously ill with Covid-19 but there was always a chance that would happen. The reaction from the people
Life in lockdown has been a trying time for our communities but organisations and individuals rose to the challenges posed, as shown in St Peter’s and Battenhall. Volunteers did not need to be asked twice to help out their
more vulnerable neighbours and went even further to help wider Worcester by making donations to the city’s foodbank. On the following pages we reflect on the months of dedication shown by those who cared enough to help
n ID tags for volunteers of the St Peter’s Coronavirus Support Group we helped was fantastic and made it all worthwhile. Back in late March and April the Worcestershire County Council Here2Help scheme and the NHS Volunteer Responders were still organising themselves. For a few weeks at least we were the only help out there in St Peter’s for vulnerable residents who didn’t have family, friends or neighbours to turn to. I’m proud to have been part of the group and I think we played our part in protecting many of our most vulnerable residents from this terrible virus. I hope there isn’t a second wave but if there is I, and I’m sure many of the others, will be there to help out again if we’re needed.
'Amazing volunteers' Kristy Walters, manager of the Toby Carvery at Broomhall, one of the organisers and volunteers of the St Peter’s Coronavirus Support Group, shares her experiences
Overall the initiative worked
very well. It was well organised and we encountered no issues. It was great to be able to help the most vulnerable in our local community. The volunteers were amazing, giving up their own time to assist the residents when needed.
n John Renshaw collecting a prescription during lockdown
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n LOCKDOWN SPECIAL
n A foodbank volunteer
A big thank you to all the helpers in St Peter's Steve Mackay, Worcester city councillor and Worcestershire county councillor for St Peter’s, looks back on how the parish responded
This has been such a strange time, with so much uncertainty for so many, both young and not so young. While Worcestershire County Council were quick to set up their Here2Help initiative, it did seem right to ensure that the people in my ward were able to access the help that they needed. It wasn’t just me that thought that way and so when I saw comments on a St Peter’s Facebook page from local people suggesting help from the community may be needed, I was able to arrange a very quick meeting to get things organised. It was at that point that so many people came forward to make the idea work. Everyone in St Peter’s ward was made aware that if they needed help it was only a phone call away. I’m sure many of us have seen different ways of working during the pandemic and I have certainly had to become more
computer literate but it’s also shown the benefit of groups coming together, joining resources for the benefit of all. Working alongside volunteers from the St Peter’s Baptist Church took the pressure off our own supporters and between us we were able to answer the hundreds of calls we had until the end of June. While we had to end our own involvement at that time, the church is still able to co-ordinate assistance to those who need it. So, from mid-March until we finished, our volunteers were getting shopping or prescriptions for local people, who because of the coronavirus and advice from Government, were unable to get out. Without those volunteers, the scheme would not have got off the ground and those isolated may not have been so confident in receiving the help they required. They are very deserving of our thanks. But after all that, it really proved to be a
n Groceries donated to the foodbank two-way affair. I was contacted by a Battenhall resident who asked if I would help arrange for provisions to be passed to the Worcester Foodbank. Using the contacts that I had made and again together with the St Peter’s Baptist Church, arrangements were made for food collections to take place on Thursday evenings. On this occasion it was St Peter’s residents that gave something back to the whole community. The amount of food collected was amazing and is still being collected, now on a monthly basis. So, as to reflections on this time, it’s a bit like what goes around comes around but, in this instance, the consequences of taking a particular course of action resulted in nothing but good coming out of the situation. So, how the future will pan out, I don’t know but what I have seen is that when people needed help, a community came together to provide it. So, to all those that took part, I can only say a big thank you for promoting such a spirited response.
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n LOCKDOWN PICTURE SPECIAL A photographer has raised more than £400 for the NHS by capturing images reflecting life in lockdown for Battenhall residents. Catherine Regan took photos of families on their doorsteps across the ward – at appropriate social distances – as they were confined to their homes. She undertook the project as the wedding and family photographic jobs she normally did were put on hold at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Catherine said: “A lot of people wanted to pay me so I set up a justgiving page to help NHS staff and volunteers at this difficult time so that people could donate if they wanted to.” So far, Catherine’s lockdown portrait shots have made £445 for NHS staff and volunteers. She explained: “I started the Life in Lockdown project after seeing that some photographers around the country were doing portrait sessions outside people's homes as a way of making some income during this difficult time. “I decided that I would like to document this time for the people in my local community and take a photograph of them on their doorstep but to get them to tell me their stories of what life has been like for them in return, instead of payment, and that I could be allowed to share their stories for the community to read.” She added: “I did not expect the response that followed – so many messages from people all wanting to get involved – and I became extremely busy in the space of a few hours.” She went on: “This project is
Photographer's images reflect life in lockdown
entirely made by the local people. I have barely directed any of the shots and the outfits people wore, either to illustrate real lockdown life – lots of slippers – to tell a story or to take the opportunity
to get a bit dressed up for once instead of being in their pyjamas all day were their own decisions. “Some were really amazing and I love how everyone has made such an effort and even got
all their pets involved too.” Catherine’s images can be seen at www. catreganphotography. com/The justgiving page for donations is at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/cat-regan-photo
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n LOCKDOWN PICTURE SPECIAL
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n LOCKDOWN SPECIAL
n Volunteers sort the donated food at St Peter's Baptist Church
75% of parish donating to those in need One of the organisers of collections of items in St Peter’s for Worcester Foodbank has been “amazed” by the response of the ward’s residents. Three-quarters of the parish’s streets have been covered by St Peter’s Friends of Worcester Foodbank. John Renshaw, a St Peter’s parish councillor who helped launch the Friends group, said: “Back in May, every Thursday night at 8pm, many residents of St Peter’s and elsewhere were joining in the national Clap for Carers. “It was at this time that a group of volunteers who were involved in the St Peter’s
Coronavirus Support Group heard that their neighbours in Battenhall were organising a weekly food collection, coinciding with Clap for Carers, to support the Worcester Foodbank. “We thought anything Battenhall can do, St Peter’s can do too. “So we formed the St Peter’s Friends of Worcester Foodbank and organised our first food collection of 22 streets in St Peter’s to coincide with Clap for Carers on Thursday, May 14 at 8pm. We were amazed by the response.” Although the Friends have changed from a weekly collection to a monthly one, Mr Renshaw
n Irene Surridge collected items for the foodbank urged residents to continue for 2020 and interest in donating. supporting the foodbank has He said: “Though Clap for grown so much that they now Carers finished at the end of May, collect on 93 streets in St Peter’s, the cost in terms of lives and which is more than 75 per cent of livelihoods of the coronavirus the parish. pandemic continues to mount. Mr Renshaw said: “It’s been an “Worcester Foodbank will amazing success and on behalf of need our support for some the group I would like to thank time to come so we decided to everyone who has supported the continue with the collections foodbank collections so far. and moved from a weekly to “I would also like to thank St a monthly food collection, Peter’s Baptist Church for their collecting on the first Thursday of support and the use of their every month at 8pm from June church hall for storing collections until October.” until they can be sorted and The Friends have two transported to Worcester remaining collections planned Foodbank.”
Foodbank collection dates for St Peter's
The remaining collection dates in St Peter’s for collections for Worcester Foodbank are: Thursday, August 6 at 8pm, Thursday, September 3 at 8pm and Thursday, October 1 at 8pm. Residents can donate by leaving any items they wish to give at the end of their driveway, path or gate at 8pm on the dates above. A volunteer will collect the items and deliver them to St Peter’s Baptist Church, from where they will be taken to the
foodbank. Whether it is one tin or a bag of groceries, it is equally welcome and will make a difference to someone’s life. Worcester Foodbank is looking for tinned items such as tomatoes, potatoes, vegetables, fruit and sponge pudding. It is also looking for crackers, cooking sauces, peanut butter, cereals, sandwich pastes, small coffee jars and long-life milk and fruit juice. Essential non-food
items, such as washing-up liquid, washing powder, dishwasher tablets, toilet rolls and toothpaste are also welcome. Any donated items must be unopened and in date otherwise the foodbank cannot use them. There are still a small number of streets where the St Peter’s Friends of Worcester Foodbank do not collect because they have not got a volunteer to cover them. If you would like to get involved next time on any
of the streets listed below get in touch with John Renshaw either by email at rj.renshaw@btinternet.com or on 07732 367600: Sheringham Close, Framlingham Close, Southwold Close, Coltishall Close, Blakeney Close, Norton Road, Bath Road, Connaught Close, Aldersey Close, Ashley Road, Aycliffe Road, Aldersey Road, Arden Road, Knapp Place, Bicton Avenue, Exbury Place, Tench Close, Grayling Close and Roach Close.
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n LOCKDOWN SPECIAL
Steve praises community spirit after foodbank donations soar The man who came up with the idea of organising collections for Worcester Foodbank has praised his neighbours’ community spirit. Steve Goode saw his initiative take off across Worcester after starting the collections in Sebright Avenue, Battenhall. Mr Goode, chairman of Worcester City Football Club, said: “Collecting for the foodbank demonstrated how the community can work together during difficult, unprecedented times. “It brought members of the Battenhall ward together and inspired other communities around Worcester to take part in the same initiative. “This has raised awareness not only for the foodbank but also how important community spirit can be.” He added: “The Thursday night Clap for the NHS gave vulnerable people within the
community an opportunity to socialise with neighbours at a safe distance and therefore potentially being introduced to people in their street who they wouldn’t ordinarily come across. “I know from my own personal experience, by participating in the foodbank collection, I’ve come across people in my street and local area who I wouldn’t usually have had the chance to meet. “This wouldn’t have been made possible without the help of all the volunteers who delivered leaflets and collected donations. “It’s great to see that although some normality has returned there are still communities in Worcester continuing with the foodbank collection, including some in the Battenhall ward. “If there is a demand in the near future to start this initiative again, we will.”
n Steve Goode, who came up with the foodbank collection scheme
Councillor picks up bags of litter dumped in park A councillor spent 20 minutes clearing up litter dumped on Battenhall playing fields by people as the coronavirus lockdown began to ease. Louis Stephen, who represents the ward as a Green member of Worcester City Council, acted after being made aware of antisocial behaviour on the fields. He said the type of rubbish normally found scattered included beer cans. “This time, strangely, it was lots of sandwich wrappers, water bottles and energy drinks,” he explained. “I guess the weather makes a difference to the sorts of people using the playing fields.” Cllr Stephen added that he had been asked for guidance on garden bonfires after the issue was raised with him by residents. He explained: “During the coronavirus lockdown period, with lots of warm weather and time on people’s hands, there
n The bags of rubbish that were collected from the park by Cllr Louis Stephen, inset have been many more bonfires. “Unfortunately, that has caused some upset, with a number of residents asking me to clarify the rules. “Bonfires can unintentionally
cause great upset, mainly because of a lack of awareness or communication. “Composting and the use of a garden waste brown bin can greatly reduce the need to have
a bonfire.” Cllr Stephen said guidance on bonfires was not as clear as it could be. There were no laws against them but there were for the nuisance they could cause. Residents could not get rid of household waste if it would cause pollution or harm people’s health. That included burning it. A council could issue an abatement notice if someone’s bonfire was causing a nuisance. A bonfire must happen frequently, for example monthly, to be considered a nuisance. People could be fined up to £5,000 if they did not follow the rules of the notice. They could dispose of household or garden waste by composting or recycling it, with information on that available from local councils.
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n NEWS
Fears parish may not share cash to boost cycling and walking The chairman of Norton-juxtaKempsey Parish Council is unconvinced the parish will benefit from a share of £135,000 of Government money to boost cycling and walking in Worcestershire. Kevin Fincher was reacting to news of the award of the cash to Worcestershire County Council from central Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, which is intended to support increased walking and cycling routes on a number of key commuter routes across the county. He said the sum received was half what was applied for, adding that the county council’s bid had been branded “lacklustre” by cycling groups and local MPs. The county council’s Active
Travel Corridor (ATC) strategy referred to eight routes that would get dashed white lines – known as tram tracks – to provide marked cycle lanes on specific sections of the Worcestershire network.
Mr Fincher said: “Worcestershire Parkway cycle routes is one of them but that could be in any direction from Parkway. “The ATC running through Norton-juxta-Kempsey parish already has dashed white lines for approximately 300 metres on the bank leading up to the Retreat public house and I feel it unlikely we will benefit from any more.” He added: “In summary, I feel
it unlikely that the ATC running through the parish will benefit from the emergency active travel fund allocation received but would clearly be delighted if it did, since the route remains unsafe for both cyclists and pedestrians.” Conservative councillor Alan Amos, the county council’s Cabinet Member with Highways, said: “The county council wholeheartedly supports active travel and support all forms of transport. “Improving our road network goes hand in hand with improving our cycling network and remains one of our key priorities. “This funding from central Government will allow us to continue the progress we’ve already made in this area.” The A38 south of Worcester between the Ketch and Kempsey is earmarked for dashed white lines under the scheme.
Guildhall open to public Worcester Guildhall has reopened to the public with measures in place to ensure visitors can enjoy the historic building safely. A maximum of 15 visitors will be allowed into the High Street Grade I listed attraction at any one time and a one-way system will be in place to guide people around it. The main entrance will not be open. Instead, visitors will need to enter through the door at 89 High Street, next to the former
HMV store. The exit will be the door in the building’s north wing, which opens into the forecourt. Opening hours for the Guildhall will be Monday to Friday, from 9am until 4.30pm, Saturday 9.30am to 4.30pm and Sunday 11am to 3pm. In line with the Government’s Test and Trace guidelines, all visitors will be asked to give their name and address.
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n NEWS
Minibus service to connect Norton to St Peter's on way A community minibus service to link Norton with St Peter’s is set to start in September. The Norton Connector will run from Worcestershire Parkway station, through Littleworth, Norton and Brockhill to Tesco in St Peter’s. It will be a dial-up service, which means that to use it people will need to phone ahead to book their seats. It will be run in partnership with Worcester Wheels and is supported by Wychavon District Council. A round trip on the Norton Connector would be an estimated 30 minutes maximum each way. The service, set to begin in midSeptember, will operate within the government’s Covid-19 guidelines for public transport. It has been made possible with a grant from Wychavon District Council under its Community Legacy Grants (CLG) scheme. The district council will monitor the Norton Connector as a potential model for similar potential services for other rural parts of its area. The minibus scheme was the most popular option among Norton parishioners when they were consulted by Norton-juxtaKempsey Parish Council about how they would like to see CLG money spent locally. Their views were influenced by bus service cuts which reduced the parish of Norton to a weekday
service to Worcester at 10am, returning at 1.50pm, with school days only services leaving Worcester at 7.20am and 2.50pm and going to Worcester at 4.20pm. Among respondents’ comments explaining their support for the community minibus were that it would enable them to get to Worcester and Worcestershire Parkway. Norton-juxta-Kempsey parish councillors discussed launch plans for the service during a meeting held via Zoom. It is hoped a launch event, conforming to guidance, can be held at Norton Parish Hall in Littleworth. The event will be by invitation only. There will be a £10 joining fee to use the service but that will enable people to use other services run by Worcester Wheels. Users of the Norton Connector will also pay for each journey. n What do you think about the minibus service? Let us know at southworcestervoice@gmail.com
Parish hall play area is reopened The play area at Norton Parish Hall in Littleworth has reopened after the Government eased lockdown restrictions.
People using it have been asked to follow guidelines for its use, with conditions for its use displayed on posters.
To enable social distancing some equipment has been taken out of use and a one-way entrance/exit system is in operation.
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n NEWS Sports centres to throw doors open again Worcester’s Perdiswell Leisure Centre – home to the city’s championship-standard swimming pool – opens again from Saturday, July 25. And a week later the city’s other two main sports centres, Nunnery Wood and St John's, will also be back in action, from Saturday, August 1. Worcester City Council and Freedom Leisure have jointly made the announcement, and have given details of the arrangements that will be in place at the sports centres to ensure people can remain safe while they exercise. Conservative Councillor James Stanley, chairman of the city council’s communities committee, said: “People across the city have been waiting for this news and I’m delighted that they can once again start to exercise and get fit in our first class leisure and sports centres.” Ivan Horsfall-Turner, managing director of Freedom Leisure, which operates the sports centres on behalf of the city council, said: “It’s hugely exciting to be welcoming back both members and non-members to the excellent facilities at the three Worcester centres.” All facilities will open at each centre but a small number of activities will not be available due to current Government guidance. Customers will need to book in advance for gym sessions, lane swimming and group exercise classes. Information on opening times, activity session times and details on how to book can be found at www.freedomleisure.co.uk
n How the new Whittington Community Hall would look
Residents urged to back 'once in generation' hall Whittington residents have a “once in a generation opportunity” to get a new community facility says its parish council. A consultation document has been sent to homes throughout the parish outlining plans for a new community hall to replace the rundown village hall. The document explains: “The Whittington Community Hall Project aims to revive a sense of community in the parish by providing a modern, ecofriendly, sustainable hall where the community can meet and use it for a variety of activities and functions.” The scheme needs the backing of local residents to go ahead. It has been described as “Wychavon District Council’s flagship project”, with the district council willing to contribute £300,000 to the project in the form of a Community Legacy Grant. Whittington Parish Council is seeking to raise an additional £420,000 needed to complete the project. It would do that by increasing the parish precept over two years.
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That would mean a 41 per cent increase, due to the Community Hall Project, for 2020/21, equating to £14.50 a year or 28p a week for a band D property. In 2021/22 there would be a 45 per cent increase, for a long-term, low interest Public Works Loan. For a band D property that would equate to an extra £21.50 a year or 41p a week. The total increase over the two years would be 104 per cent - £396 a year or 69p a week for a band D property. Residents are being asked to support the increases to finance the hall project. Among key community benefits of a new community hall highlighted in the consultation document are providing a venue for occasions including wedding receptions, anniversaries and christening parties, space for young people’s activities and healthy social activities such as badminton, carpet bowls, yoga and dance and exercise classes. It could also be used for music, arts and cultural activities and meetings for businesses and organisations. It would have Wi-fi for hall users.
There would also be ample on-site parking and a community garden. Following a tendering process a company has been selected to carry out the hall work if it is backed by parishioners. The parish council says that in the longer term the precept would fall as the number of homes increases within the expanding parish, possibly dropping by as much as 20 per cent to 30 per cent. In the document parishioners are warned that if they do not agree to the precept increase the Public Works Loan cannot be secured and the parish will be left with a building and land that will require “a huge sum of money” to make it suitable for any other purpose. It adds that a new hall is “the only viable option”. A voting form is included in the consultation document, with parishioners asked to return them to Whittington’s parish clerk by Monday, August 10. At the conclusion of the survey the results will be published but individual responses will remain anonymous.
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n NEWS
Cyclist Tom pedals 1,240 miles to raise cash for city hospice A keen cyclist has exceeded his fundraising target following the completion of his charity challenge. Polish-born Tom Piotrowski, who worked in St Peter’s and lived in Battenhall, has raised £735 after setting himself an initial target of £300 for Worcester’s St Richard’s Hospice. He cycled a total of 1,240 miles – the distance equivalent from the city to Sandomierz in Poland, where his mother lives – throughout Worcestershire, in stages. He took on the fundraiser for the hospice after the coronavirus pandemic prevented him visiting his mother. Tom said he had “sore legs but lots of satisfaction”. Explaining why he chose to raise cash for St Richard’s
Hospice, which cares for adults with progressive illnesses, he said: “They provide professional, kind and loving care, not only to their palliative patients but also to their families. “I can’t count the number of people that have been touched by their loving care. It’s so touching. “There are many wonderful charities out there but St Richard’s is special in the sense that they accompany people in the most lonely, harrowing and trying moment of passing, especially now in the lockdown conditions. “I admire them for it very much and would like to help in this modest way.” To contribute to Tom’s fundraising go to www. justgiving.com/fundraising/ tom-piotrowski1
n Tom Piotrowski in Crookbarrow Way during his fundraising cycle ride
Staff and students praised for efforts during pandemic Worcestershire County Council have thanked staff and students for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of the county’s schools remained open in some capacity to educate the children of critical workers and the most vulnerable in the county. Recent figures showed that nearly 18 per cent of the total school population had been attending school since the wider re-opening. Figures for attendance and number of schools open for all relevant age groups remained consistently above the national average in Worcestershire. More than 200 schools reported being open to all available year groups in Worcestershire during the final weeks of the school year. Catherine Driscoll, Chief Executive at Worcestershire Children First, said: “I’d like to thank our staff and our students for their fantastic and
unwavering dedication during this pandemic. “It has been great to hear positive feedback from staff and students about their experiences since they have returned to school. “Everyone involved in the preparation of the return to school worked so hard to make it all come together in Worcestershire and this pandemic whilst it has been challenging, has given us some really rewarding moments too.” Conservative councillor Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education and Skills, said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the headteachers, college leaders and early years leaders for their continued hard work, support and dedication to the children and young people of Worcestershire.”
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n NEWS
John's book is a peek into the life of young reporter in the 60s A Battenhall journalist has published a book about life as a trainee reporter on a provincial newspaper during the 1960s. John Phillpott’s account of the daily dramas he experienced during four years on the Rugby Advertiser are brought to life in Go and Make the Tea, Boy! a warts-and-all narrative of a lost era. John said: “We were the baby boomers, the offspring of the war generation. “With no more foreign fields in which to die, and with the jobs falling out of trees, this was a time when the unstoppable force of a new-found meritocracy would sweep away notions of class and the privilege personified by an increasingly moth-eaten old school tie. “By the middle of the decade, the new rules were firmly in place. It was no longer a case of who you knew but what you could do. “It was also a time before political correctness and obsessions with
n Go and Make the Tea, Boy! is published by Brewin Books, price £9.95. It can be ordered from booksellers, Amazon or direct from Brewin Books Ltd, 19 Enfield Industrial Estate, Redditch, Worcestershire B97 6BY.
‘wellbeing’ and health and safety had sanitised newsrooms, when rows between individuals were sorted out amicably with a shake of the hands instead of by Star Chamber trials as they are now.” John left grammar school in the summer of 1965 at the age of 16 and started work on the local paper as a junior reporter. Within weeks, he had swapped schoolbooks for notebooks and was chronicling the life and times of his Midlands home town of Rugby. He attended everything from budgerigar shows to flower shows, covered courts, councils and fatal road crashes. No job was too big or too small for the reporter on a weekly round in those days. John said: “Such attention to detail was demonstrably rewarded by the public popularity enjoyed by provincial newspapers during that long-lost, preinternet age. “Go and Make the Tea, Boy! is an odyssey through an era when many youngsters thought they could change the world through creative endeavour, a through-the-looking-glass peek at a time far less complicated than the present.” He has worked on many Midlands newspapers over the last half century, variously as reporter, feature writer, sub-editor, chief sub-editor, reviewer, columnist and letters editor. He has also written for numerous magazines and national publications. This is his third book. He is married with two daughters and two grandchildren.
We love publicising your events but due to the outgoing coronavirus pandemic, we have decided not to publish a What's On section this month. If you do have any events that are still running or want to let us know if you have cancelled one, please email southworcestervoice@ gmail.com or call 07719 106672 so we can inform our readers in print, online or through social media. To advertise, contact Peter on 07719 106676, Christine on 07719 106672 or email southworcestervoice@gmail.com
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n EDUCATION
n Joy Pollock receives the cheque from students
Pupils give cash from cancelled trip to charity for vulnerable youngsters When 28 students were told their week-long pilgrimage to Lourdes in France was cancelled due to Covid-19, they were asked to consider who to give their £600 sponsorship walk money to. The Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College students chose Home for Good Worcestershire, which offers practical help to families who welcome vulnerable children into their homes. The charity was suggested by student Libby, as the issue of fostering and adoption has always been close to her heart. Her family have friends who were fostered and then adopted. The students’ cheque for £612
was presented to Home for Good Worcestershire’s Joy Pollock at the school by student pilgrims Libby, Fionnuala and Olivia. Fionnuala said: “Joy spoke of the blessings that each foster or adoptive child brings to their new family. “There is a lot of hard work to do to help each child become part of a new family. “Home for Good offers help to the children and the adults who look after them. “I am pleased that the sponsorship money we raised will be used in a thoughtful and caring way.” Olivia’s research on the charity
discovered that every 15 minutes a child goes into the care system in the UK. The charity assists the young children but also helps young
adults who leave the care system. The school’s headteacher, Greg McClary, has pledged further support from the school community.
Students help community A St Peter’s student was one of the winners of Worcester Sixth Form College’s Life in Lockdown competition. Students of the college were invited to be creative in submitting entries reflecting what life had been like during the pandemic. Year 12 student Ella Hart was a winner for her poem, A to Z of Lockdown. Paul Morris, head of English, film and media at the college, described Ella’s poem as “a very clever and wittily structured poem” with a “range of emotions and attitudes, at times funny, sad, angry, satirical or optimistic” capturing “the complex feelings
we have all had in his period”. The other winner was year 11’s Emily Vines, for her short story, The Girl With No Hobbies, which was described as “authentic with a wellcontrolled narrative voice” and a “genuinely optimistic and uplifting story”. College principal Ed Senior, said: “I am really proud that throughout the period of lockdown, staff and students at Worcester Sixth Form College have been involved in a range of activities supporting each other and the local community. “These have included donating PPE to hospitals and food to a local foodbank and our life in lockdown competition.”
Enrich young minds and lives l Located in Norton, Worcester, near St Peter’s Garden Centre, the nursery is open 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 51 weeks a year l Providing full daycare for children aged three months to school age l Semi-rural location with extensive outdoor area l Two and three-year-old funded places available For further information please email: littletreasurelt@gmail.com or call 01905 356208
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Txtpert 8
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Each row, column and square (4 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-4, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.
M
2
Easier suduko Solution A
Theme: Countries
Use the phone keypad to decode the clues. For example: 2 could be A, B or C ... and 5678 could be LOST
Answers (don’t peek!)
Q
Txtpert 1
5
U
7 1 2
9
G
5 2 1 8
2
O
6 4
8 6
d)65
6 5 4 1
For younger readers
c)14
9
PUZZLES FOR EVERYONE
b)60
The FIEND
AUGUST 2020
a) 36
24