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Delivered free each month to 6,000 homes and businesses MAY 2021 Issue 29
NEWS FOR ST PETER'S, NORTON, BATTENHALL, CHERRY ORCHARD, DIGLIS, RED HILL AND WHITTINGTON
Brave mum inspiration for family charity walk fundraising walk “on behalf of Carole and all the staff at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, whose loving care and expertise have kept my wife alive. “I hope that this walk will raise much-needed funds for any cancer patient in the UK.” Mrs Reynolds, previously a cook at a day nursery, has had almost 50 appointments since her illness began and has been seen at Worcestershire Royal Continued on page 2
by Peter McMillan A woman’s cancer battle which turned a family’s world “upside down” has inspired her husband and daughter to step out on a sponsored walk to help boost Cancer Research UK’s work. Carole Reynolds, of Whittington, was diagnosed with a rare form of the disease in the summer of 2019. Towards the end of that year, Mrs Reynolds, 56, received six weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, with her treatment finishing on Christmas Eve of that year. Throughout 2020, she had two-monthly reviews to monitor her cancer and in December it was decided she would need a major operation to remove a cancerous tumour. That operation was due to take place at the end of April. Mrs Reynolds’ husband of 30 years, Mark, and their youngest
n Mark and Grace Reynolds all set for their fundraising walk daughter, Grace, 21, who is training to be a teacher, will walk from Worcester to Pershore on Saturday, May 29 with cash generated going to Cancer Research UK. The couple have another daughter, Chloe, 25, who works with horses. Mr Reynolds, 57, said:” In the
summer of 2019 our world was turned upside down.” He added: “Carole is my world, my rock and inspiration. “Although, at times in a great deal of pain during the last 18 months, Carole has tried to carry on as normal without complaint.” He explained that he and Grace intended to carry out their
Who will get your vote? People are heading to the polls on Thursday, May 6 to elect their representatives at city and county level as well as electing a police and crime commissioner. l To see the list of candidates turn to Pages 20-23.
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Christine McMillan Editor, journalist and sales 07719 106672 southworcestervoice@gmail.com Peter McMillan Publisher and journalist 07719 106676 southworcestervoice@gmail.com
n Carole Reynolds, right, with her daughter, Grace
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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, Diglis, Battenhall, Norton, Whittington, Spetchley 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.
Walk on behalf of carers and charity Continued from page 1 Hospital and in Coventry as well as Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The Covid pandemic had delayed her operation, now scheduled to be carried out at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield. Mr Reynolds, a compliance administrator, said: “It was frustrating because obviously operations had been put on hold because of the breathing apparatus that’s needed for Covid. “The operation will last about four to five hours and then another two hours of plastic surgery on top.” He explained that his wife did get tearful but did not complain, adding: “She is going through all this and she wants to check
that I’m okay and the two girls are okay. “With the pandemic it’s been difficult for all of us, the last 12 months, but she’s been like this for the last two years. “I just want to see her well and healthy again and get back to where we can go for walks again, stuff like that.” Mr Reynolds said the family wanted to “give something back” for the care Mrs Reynolds had been given and so came up with the idea of the walk. The initial fundraising target of £500 has already been exceeded, with gift aid boosting the total past the £770 mark. To donate, go to the Cancer Research UK page at: https:// fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/ page/marks-giving-page-25327.
Petition over Ketch flats A petition signed by more than 50 residents of St Peter’s opposing plans for three-storey flats on the former Ketch car boot sale site has been submitted to Worcester City Council. Signatures were collected by John Renshaw and Paul Walters in response to residents’ concerns over the planning application submitted by Rooftop Housing Association for 91 homes on the site. The petition was presented at the Guildhall.
Mr Renshaw said “virtually everyone” they had spoken to about the application had signed the petition. He added: “In addition, our conversations prompted some residents to go to the city council’s website and lodge their own objections.” Mr Walters said: “I suspect the issue remains very contentious for people who live opposite the area where the apartments are likely to be built, should they receive planning permission.”
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Concerns raised over dumped poo bags Dog walkers leaving their pets’ waste bags hanging on bushes or dumped on the grass have exasperated the chairman of Whittington Parish Council. During a council meeting discussion prompted by a resident’s concern over the problem in Whittington Walk the council’s chairman, Steve Burrows, said: “The dog poo bag fairy has appeared. “We’ve yellow, black and white dog poo bags I’ve seen in the last few days, hanging there in bushes and thrown on the grass. “I don’t know why people do it – you might as well just leave the dog poo – at least it decomposes.” Mr Burrows hoped an estate management company might be set up when the evolving Whittington Walk development was completed. He explained: “In the planning permission for Whittington Walk was the whole, huge tome of about 120 pages, which I did read, about how they were going to set up an estate management
company and care for the environment and cut all the grass and the hedges, etcetera, etcetera. “Once that’s set up it’ll be interesting to see what view they took of maintaining the side of that footpath which isn’t the public footpath and perhaps putting facilities like bins and things there because we get litter down there already as well.” He added that installing and maintaining dog waste bins was expensive, saying: “I think to buy and empty one for the first year is about £900 and it’s about £400, £500 a year thereafter for each bin. It’s not inconsiderable.” He referred to bins in Whittington’s Wildmoor area, which were emptied regularly by developer Bloor. His fellow councillor, Dan Bayliss, said the Wildmoor bins were for general waste, rather than dog waste but added: “They are only ever full of dog poo, to be honest.”
n Norton Pre-School children tidying up
Little litter pickers A group of children are cleaning up their neighbourhood. Norton Pre-School has signed up to Wychavon District Council’s Adopt a Street project. The youngsters will tidy up Wadborough Road in Littleworth. Helen Hope of the pre-school said: “It is a pretty long road but we will do our best to cover as much as we can. “Wychavon have provided us with picking sticks, gloves, bags and hi-vis vests for both the children and adults. “On our first outing it was lovely to hear the children say that it was wrong to leave litter.”
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All change as school joins academy trust n Pupils enjoying their circus skills activities
New head Karen has embraced challenge
n Headteacher Karen Banford, left, with Kate Brunt, chief executive officer, The Rivers CofE Academy Trust Cherry Orchard Primary School has expertise they need to deliver lessons formally joined The Rivers CofE Multi remotely.” Academy Trust. Phonics training for all teachers and The change, effectively making Cherry teaching assistants had “helped teachers to Orchard a new school, is part of its ongoing plan well-sequenced phonics lessons that recovery from being placed in special can be delivered in school or at home”. measures last year. An area of criticism that had contributed The Rivers trust is a group of 15 mainly to the school being forced into special primary, first and nursery schools across measures had been its shortcomings in Worcestershire and Sandwell. dealing with pupils with special needs or A monitoring inspection carried out disabilities (SEND). remotely by Ofsted in March has noted The Ofsted inspection said the school’s improvements under the school’s new leaders had since arranged an external management, which included the academy review of the school’s SEND provision, trust appointing Karen Banford as resulting in changes in the way support headteacher. for SEND pupils was organised, with staff The inspection found that the school’s receiving additional training. leaders and people responsible for The report stated: “Consequently, staff governing it were taking effective action to have a better understanding of how to provide education against the backdrop of support these pupils. Covid restrictions. “As a result, pupils with SEND who are Among the findings were that: “Leaders currently working in school or at home have already made improvements to the complete work that is well matched to their way that lessons are planned and delivered needs. in reading and writing.” “Some pupils receive additional Also noted was: “Leaders have ensured that teachers have the equipment and individual support when needed.”
The headteacher tasked with turning around Cherry Orchard Primary School has spoken about how she has embraced the challenge. Karen Banford was appointed by the Rivers CofE Academy Multi Academy Trust. She said: “We really want to work with lots of different stakeholders locally and to open it up to be the place that it was and it will be,” adding: “It’s just about me really as head making these connections locally.” She explained: “I have been in a very similar school before. I’m used to being resourceful and asking whether people want to get involved.” The school marked joining the trust with a day focused n Footballer on the mental wellbeing of Dele Alli children and staff following the challenges posed by educating pupils during a pandemic. A circus skills expert got children to try their hands at activities including juggling, plate balancing and diablo. Balloons decorated the school, a ceremonial cake was cut and a time capsule was buried for future pupils to discover. Tottenham Hotspur and England footballer Dele Alli recorded a special video message that was played to pupils. “It’s so important that we keep our spirits up so that’s what we’re doing,” said Mrs Banford.
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Domesday Book could be on show A commemorative edition of the Domesday Book could be put on permanent display in Whittington’s new community hall. The edition was one of a limited number printed containing historical information about the parish. It was among an inventory of assets of the previous village hall that could be transferred to the new replacement building, which is due to open in July. During a meeting of Whittington Parish Council member Susan MacLeod asked whether the book could be available for the hall’s opening event. Parish council chairman Steve Burrows said he had been discussing with community hall chairman Malcolm MacLeod potentially having a cabinet made so the book could be displayed in the new building.
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Parish council to help pay for opening event
n Work on Whittington's new Community Hall is well under way A sum of £500 has been earmarked by Whittington Parish Council for an opening event for the parish’s new community hall. The building is on course to open its doors during July, with construction work progressing on schedule. During a discussion on budget expenditure the parish council’s vice-chairman, Steve Brooker, said that although an opening date had not yet been set the hall’s management committee had “been throwing around some ideas” about what could happen to mark the occasion. “It’s something we want to gift to the community and we’ve got a number of ideas which include events, entertainment for children, an official opening, possibly some music,” said Mr Brooker.
Organisations such as the fire service and police could be invited to attend. “So it’s quite an adventurous stream that we have in mind but it’ll cost a bit of money so we’re just wondering whether the parish council would be so good as to budget for this opening,” Mr Brooker added. “Obviously the community hall will use some of its own money but we’re just wondering whether the parish council will give us some money towards this opportunity.” Parish council Steve Burrows and clerk David Hunter-Miller said funding would be available from the council’s reserves and members agreed, in principle, to allocate £500 to support the opening event. Proposals for the opening event will be presented to the council at a later date.
Blue or green debate over colour Village upkeep of roof on new community hall n Whittington’s commemorative edition of the Domesday Book
Whittington Parish Council is using grant funding to employ a lengthsman to carry out minor highway and verge maintenance activities across the parish. Works can include drainage, such as clearing gully grates, verge grips, headwalls and outfalls, vegetation clearance, like vegetation obstructing signs and at junction visibility splays. Other duties include rotation and charging of the parish council’s Vehicular Activated Signs (VAS), cleaning dirty signs and snow clearance and gritting or salting by hand. Anyone who would like to request any work can contact the parish clerk with suggestions.
Colour is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to the roof for Whittington’s new community hall. Members of Whittington Parish Council discussed the progress of the construction of the hall replacing the previous village hall. Community hall chairman Malcolm MacLeod reported it was on track for a July opening. He added that the roof material had been referred to as “the X factor” of the architects’ design, “whether it was jade, green, as some people see it as blue”. Parish council chairman Steve Burrows said: “I wouldn’t describe it as blue.” Mr MacLeod countered by saying: “Well some people do describe it as blue, funnily enough. But I see it as a green colour.”
Mr Burrows suggested maybe “turquoise” might be appropriate. Mr MacLeod added that alternative, more costly material had to be sourced for the roof but it would be guaranteed for 40 to 50 years, probably double the duration of the original material.
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Questions raised over Ketch crossing plan Concerns have been raised by St Peter’s parish councillors about realignment of the Ketch roundabout and the siting of a nearby pedestrian crossing. Members of the parish council discussed the issue of the ongoing highway works during their most recent meeting. Following the meeting chairman Alan Tucker said: “My concerns are learning that there is to be a pedestrian crossing over the A38 somewhere between the Ketch roundabout and the garage, where, we need to find out, as we have just learnt about it, and to what purpose. “People could access the shop at the garage, otherwise they have to access the pedestrian way under the bridge and will they do that?” He added: “I was also concerned about the approach to the Ketch roundabout from the St Peter’s roundabout. “There is, of course, history here on poor signage. “My concern is that there
n Concerns have been raised over the Ketch roundabout plans are two lanes going across the roundabout to the bridge and a slip road from the A38 – three into two. “The view is that the slip road will have to give way. “The road signage approaching the roundabout will have to be
carefully looked at, as we know it is controversial at present.” Parish councillors agreed to write to the portfolio holder with responsibility for infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council for clarification on the issue.
Wychavon extends its free parking Free parking will continue in Wychavon District Council owned pay and display car parks until Monday, May 3 to support traders. Following that, from Tuesday, May 4, the council will be reintroducing its 30-minute parking for 50p offer and introducing a new buy one hour, get one free offer until September 5. Normal charging will then restart from September 6. Parking restrictions, including waiting times in on-street parking bays and double yellow lines, still apply and will be enforced. Vic Allison, Chief Executive at Wychavon District Council, said: “Providing free parking is just one way we are supporting residents and businesses to get back to what we love safely. “We continue to encourage everyone to follow Government guidelines to stop the spread of coronavirus.”
Residents given 'minimal' chance to Council to help out comment on SWDP says chairman People affected by the South Worcestershire Development Plan seem to have had “minimal opportunity” to have their say on it the chairman of Whittington Parish Council has said. Steve Burrows made his comments as the parish council discussed the next phase of consultation on the SWDP, which is seeing thousands of new homes being built and industrial development taking place, impacting on Whittington, St Peter’s and Norton. Mr Burrows said: “Is anyone surprised that a major, huge thing like this seems to have had minimal opportunity for anyone to actually comment on it? “There doesn’t seem to be any space in the process for actually anybody who’s going to be affected to actually say anything much.”
He added: “There we go. I’m sure that those who think it’s a good idea, in power, will get their own way in the end. Perhaps call me cynical.” Whittington Parish Council’s vice-chairman, Steve Brooker, updated his fellow members on the next phase of consultation on the SWDP, which would focus on the sustainability aspects of the ongoing development, which would eventually include a new town of 5,000 to potentially 10,000 new homes around Worcestershire Parkway station. Mr Burrows said he had received an email which said: “The sustainability appraisal is an ongoing process which will test the plan sites polices against a sustainability framework with a report published at each stage of the plan making process. “A full sustainability appraisal
(environmental) full report will be produced for the regulation 19 stage of the plan making process. “This version of the appraisal will assess the sustainability of the proposed submission version of the SWDP review.” Whittington Parish Council linked with the parish councils of Stoulton, Drakes Broughton and Wadborough with Pirton and Upton Snodsbury in submitting a joint letter with questions and objections to the Parkway development. Mr Burrows said: “It’s a very good letter and it’s quite challenging in terms of the whole philosophy of the thing since Covid and the issue about town centres and people working from home etcetera.” l See story on Page 16.
hedgehogs
Whittington Parish Council is doing its bit to aid hedgehog conservation. A resident asked for the council’s support in the conservation and clerk David Hunter-Miller explained that the effort was being promoted on its social media. Chairman Steve Burrows added that it was hoped something like a hedgehog house would be included in the new parish community hall garden. Community hall chairman Malcolm MacLeod explained that other conservation initiatives planned as part of the new hall project was a bat box and the potential addition of pollinators.
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Praise for generous foodbank donations The generosity of St Peter’s residents has been praised by a foodbank collections organiser. Parish councillor John Renshaw said the amount collected during this year’s first monthly collection for Worcester Foodbank “went very well”. He added: “I’d say the amount we collected was on a par with our monthly collections last year and we’re very grateful for the continuing generosity of St Peter’s residents.” With St Peter’s Baptist Church being used as a Covid vaccinations centre co-ordination of the items collected for the foodbank has transferred to St Mark in the Cherry Orchard Church. Mr Renshaw said: “St Mark’s Church worked well as an alternative venue to collect and sort donations. “We also had one or two people who live near the church turn up at the door with donations, which was great.
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n Items at St Mark’s Church before delivery to the foodbank “By lunchtime the day after the collection all the donations had been sorted and delivered to the foodbank, from where it could be used to help people in need.” He added that anyone who would like to get involved with future collections would be welcomed and could contact him on 07732 367600 or email rj.renshaw@btinternet.com. The next foodbank collection
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The third phase of a housing development which will see 96 homes built on land off Swinesherd Way has been approved. Wychavon District Council’s planning committee backed plans by developer Persimmon to build the homes. Persimmon was given permission to build up to 300 homes on the land in 2016. A report by the council’s planning officers had recommended the plan should be approved. The report said: “The scheme broadly follows the indicative layout considered at outline stage, as well as design advice in guidance and the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP). “On the whole the scheme is considered to represent high quality design.” The third phase will be built
on land to the south of phases one and two – which comprise 91 and 113 homes respectively – which are currently being built. The homes in the third phase would be a mix of two to-fourbed homes, one-bed flats and two-bed bungalows, 38 of which would be affordable. The overall 300-home plan also included a plan to build a new bridge across Swinesherd Way which has been completed. Whittington Parish Council had objected to the plan, saying the homes would be too close to the M5 motorway and would also be isolated from nearby shops and facilities. Persimmon also put forward plans to build a further 60 homes to the north of the third phase at the end of 2019 but a decision has not yet been made. The plan was backed by 14 votes to none with one abstention.
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Complaint over work on barrack wall Work to make a crumbling wall round the former Norton Barracks site safe was held up after a resident complained as it was being carried out. Vegetation was being cleared to enable workers to get to the wall, which was in danger of collapse. During a meeting of Nortonjuxta-Kempsey Parish Council chairman Kevin Fincher said he was keen that the clearance work resume, saying: “The hold-up was initiated by the complaint, the complainant considering that removing the vegetation might cause the wall to collapse when, in fact, the vegetation has to be removed before the wall can be repaired. The wall is in a parlous state and the work needs to be conducted urgently.”
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'Bland' parish logo set to undergo makeover St Peter’s Parish Council’s logo is set for a makeover after the council’s chairman described the current one as “a bit bland”. The logo will also have to adopt a new look as the shield design can only be used on formal coats of arms. Discussion of the redesign followed on from a previous one in which parish council chairman Alan Tucker proposed the installation of signs welcoming people into St Peter’s. “Every city, town, village and most parishes in the country have this,” said Mr Tucker. He added: “I commented that our logo, which was the keys of St Peter – black keys on a white background in a shield was a bit bland.” He noted that the logo for St Peter’s Village Hall Association had a similar logo but with yellow keys – the papal keys of St Peter – on a green background. During the parish council’s discussion on the logo member
John Renshaw said he liked the village hall association’s design, describing it as “more modern” and keeping the link with St Peter. Mr Tucker said: “It would make sense for the village hall association and parish council to have the same logo.” That view was backed by his fellow councillors, including Roger Knight, who is also a member of the village hall association. He said: “I see this
as a parish brand.” Mr Tucker pointed out that a consequence of changing the logo would be that pedway signs throughout the parish would need to be amended to feature a new design for the logo. He added: “We will have to change our logo but until we get all the facts we cannot make any decisions. “I would like to progress this issue fairly quickly and come to a decision.”
Baseball club outlines vision for future as it seeks backing from the council Members of a baseball club playing at Littleworth have outlined their vision for the club and explained how it can benefit the parish of Norton. During a Zoom meeting of Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council baseball club officers and players Luke Borton and Scott Butler explained they were seeking parish councillors’ backing as they sought grants. Mr Borton said: “At the moment volunteers are running the club. We need all the help we can get from available grants.” Parish council chairman Kevin Fincher said: “In order to get grants we have got to show some support for you being there in the longer term.” The club, which plays home matches at the grounds at Norton Parish Hall, had applied to BaseballSoftballUK’s (BSUK’s) facilities fund.
n Luke Borton Mr Butler told parish councillors: “We want you to see us as an addition to the hall.” But for the intervention of Covid he said: “We would have been putting money into the bar, the facilities there.” He added: “We feel that we can create quite a community spirit there. “It’s wonderful that you let us rent the area and we’re very grateful to you.” Mr Fincher said: “We very much like having you there,”
adding: “We can, as a parish council, offer you some form of written support from the parish council to say we’re not going to kick you off next month.” Mr Borton said the purpose of the grant applied for was to improve the playing field at Littleworth. In the longer term, Mr Butler added, the league the Sorcerers competed in was developed to grow the game in the West Midlands. He explained: “We wouldn’t be looking at this stage to enter into a national type of structure.” In reply to Mr Fincher’s question about where the club wanted to be in five years’ time Mr Borton said: “We want the league to stand on its own two feet and people want to join.” The club expected to play nine or 10 home games during the coming season.
Apiary plan given boost A project to set up an apiary in Littleworth has been given a boost with the offer of beekeeping equipment. Updating members of Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council Martin Perks, who is organising the project, said; “The Community Apiary project is moving along well.” He added: “It’s really positive. We have now got 13 people who have expressed an interest in getting involved.” He explained that someone from Worcester had contacted him to say his father, who had been a beekeeper in Cumbria, was retiring and had equipment available that could be used for the Littleworth scheme. Mr Perks said it was hoped hives would be introduced to the site opposite the parish hall during May, with training for the 13 volunteers who had come forward to participate in the project hopefully getting under way soon. It is hoped that once the apiary is operating local schools can become involved and that it can produce and sell honey. Parish council chairman Kevin Fincher said Wychavon District Council would look at how successful the project would be to see if it could be replicated elsewhere.
Join annual meeting The annual parish meeting of Norton-juxta-Kempsey will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, May 5. The event enables residents to hear updates from parish councillors on activities from the preceding year and ask any questions they might have relating to those. The meeting begins at 7.30pm and details of how residents can join it will be provided nearer to the date on parish noticeboards and the parish council’s website and Facebook page.
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Councillors call for traffic audit results as SLR safety fears raised St Peter’s parish councillors want to know the results of a traffic audit amid concerns for pedestrians’ safety in the event of a vehicle mounting the path running along Crookbarrow Way on the A4440 Southern Link Road. The councillors discussed the issue, recalling that previous requests for crash barriers on the pathway had been rejected by highways chiefs. The reason given was that the barriers could propel vehicles back on to the road as they were likely to rebound from them in a collision, creating potentially more danger involving other vehicles. During the parish council’s latest meeting member Roger Knight questioned the logic of that, saying people in vehicles were “in a metal box” and wearing seatbelts, unlike pedestrians. He added: “I don’t think it’s a valid reason. If that happened people wouldn’t stand a chance.” Following the meeting parish council chairman Alan Tucker explained that there had previously been “considerable communication” between the parish council and Worcestershire County Council, which was responsible for the Southern Link Road. He explained: “We eventually learnt that the county council had carried out safety assessments.
n Concerns raised over predestrian safety on Crookbarrow Way We could not get hold of them. with the decision or not.” “One of the councillors at Mr Knight said: “I requested a the time asked for the safety safety barrier along the uphill side assessments as a resident of of this road, some years ago. St Peter’s under a Freedom “I was supported by the of Information Act and we headteacher of Whittington eventually got some information.” Primary School, as this is a route He added: “The authorities are to school. required to carry out appropriate “Apart from the risk of a car safety assessment taking into mounting the pavement, there account all factors. There are set ways that this should be carried out. “The issue with the information we received was the detail of the way the decision had been made was not fully available.” He went on: “There is barrier around by the footbridge covering access and exit from the bridge down to the footpath and covering the bridge infrastructure. “The assumption is that the risk in this area must have been considered as needing mitigation. “It is an emotive subject but there is a basis to the situation, whether people personally agree
was concern that, due to the topography, a dropped ball or similar thing could roll into the road and a child might chase after it. “Highways replied that there was a greater risk of a car striking such a barrier and rebounding off back into the path of oncoming traffic, thus causing a crash and possible loss of life. “The risk was considered greater than the potential benefit.” Mr Tucker explained that the parish council had been told that once all the highway works had been completed and the road was in full operation a further risk assessment would be carried out. The parish council has requested to be kept informed.
Family picnic featuring music and BBQ planned A family picnic event is being planned to take place in the grounds of Norton Parish Hall at Littleworth during the summer. If lifting of Covid lockdown restrictions continue as anticipated, the picnic event, which would feature music and a barbecue, would be on Sunday, June 27. Members of Norton-juxtaKempsey Parish Council agreed to the event as part of the gradual easing of restrictions. It would give parishioners
the chance to see improvements made to the hall. The event would also promote the relaunch of the Norton Connector minibus, which had been mothballed temporarily as a result of lockdown, although the service has continued through Worcester Wheels. The parish hall will be used as a polling station for in-person voters on Thursday, May 6. Its coffee shop will open on Friday, May 21 to serve beer and coffee outside.
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Commandery to have interactive escape room An interactive escape room experience is to be introduced in The Commandery. Worcester city councillors gave the go-ahead for the experience in the building, which has an 800-year history and was the Royalist headquarters during the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Escape rooms are interactive quizzes in which
teams solve puzzles to “escape” a room or a building. A sum of £26,000 has been allocated to development, with a view to the escape room being open later this year. The Museums Service hopes to work with a professional escape room company to deliver a fun experience which maximises the Sidbury building’s history as well
as providing an additional income stream to support the running of The Commandery. The building is historically linked to escapes. King Charles II fled from the Battle of Worcester in 1651 as 13,000 royalist troops were defeated by Cromwell’s 28,000-strong New Model Army at Sidbury Gate.
n The Commandery, Worcester
Norton offices plan withdrawn before committee due to meet An application for office blocks off Woodbury Lane in Norton was withdrawn on the day it was set to be approved by Wychavon District Council’s planning committee. The scheme, due to be based near Worcestershire Parkway station, would have been the first part of planned work to build a 10-acre business park on the site, which would eventually see a quarter of the land converted into 40,000 sq ft of office space across two blocks. The size of the offices changed from when it was first put forward following discussions with the council. The three-part-four-storey building had been reduced to three storeys, with the floor size reduced from by more than 1,000 square metres to just under
3,500 square metres and moved further away from Woodbury Lane. The plan by Godwin Developments and Stennard Harrison had been recommended for approval by Wychavon planning officers. Norton-juxta-Kempsey Parish Council had objected to the scheme’s original intention to have four storeys. Parish council chairman Kevin Fincher said: “The main point that the parish council took issue with was its prematurity with reference to the South Worcestershire Development Plan [SWDP] Review.” He added that the SWDP was adopted jointly by Wychavon and Malvern Hills district councils and Worcester City Council in 2016 and that was driving
the current South West Urban Extension (SWUE) near Norton. In late 2017, in response to new Government requirements that development plans should be updated every five years, a review was begun to deliver an updated plan period to 2041, to be adopted by 2021 – the SWDP Review. Covid had affected the timetable and the plan now was for public consultation to take place in October/November this year, with adoption planned for April, 2023. Mr Fincher said: “Under the existing policy – SWDP – the planners could have dismissed it as outside the development boundary but chose not to. “If it were assessed with the new SWDP Review policy in mind, it could be dismissed
under the banner of prematurity, that is it cannot take account of the new spatial plan because the new plan does not yet exist. “Its withdrawal was the correct outcome and if it is going to be resubmitted, it should be once the SWDP Review is complete and a properly considered spatial plan for the new town has been agreed rather than the patchwork quilt you would get with speculative planning applications.”
Council meeting St Peter's Parish Council holds its annual parish council meeting on Wednesday, May 6, via Zoom, beginning at 7.30pm.
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Brambles cleared away after pile was set on fire Heaps of dead brambles have been cleared from Cherry Orchard Nature Reserve after a pile of them had deliberately been set on fire. Battenhall resident John Phillpott had seen an argument take place on the site after the blaze had been started. Mr Phillpott had previously protested against the clearance of the brambles, with television naturalist Chris Packham backing his view that it was ruining an eco-system essential to wildlife. He said: “I came across a still smouldering bonfire, the result of one of the piles being ignited. “An altercation was going on between two youths and their respective girlfriends, one couple being the culprits, the other remonstrating with them. “Naturally, I gave my support to the two young people who seemed to share my concern for the local environment. “Eventually, the fire-makers agreed to stamp out the flames that were slowly spreading across the ground.
n John Phillpott at the site before the bramles were cleared “They then went on their way and, a bit later, I checked myself, stamping out any sparks left remaining. I only hope this was enough.” Mr Phillpott was concerned that there could be more such fires started, particularly as spring and summer went on. He was relieved to see the dead brambles had been cleared away after he reported the incident. He added: “I will only regard this as a victory when the area has fully recovered from what I
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regard as a needlessly destructive enterprise. “The ruination of one ecosystem to create another clearly never made any sense. “But, if nothing else, my protests over the last few weeks and subsequent media publicity have at least trained a spotlight on just how fragile is our natural world. “And last, but not least perhaps, also concentrated the minds of a few of those who make decisions on our behalf.”
Hall turns to solar power Norton Parish Hall is now fully solar powered following refurbishment of the building. The upgrade included replacing the roof and installing green energy. Work on creating new meeting rooms is expected to be completed by the end of May. Norton Pre-School is also benefiting from the solar power and parish hall trustees will eventually be able to sell back energy to the National Grid to benefit the ongoing upkeep of the hall. During a meeting of Nortonjuxta-Kempsey Parish Council, chairman Kevin Fincher said Wychavon District Council wanted to use the hall’s work as a case study in terms of green technology for other parish halls. Visitors to the hall who have electrically powered vehicles will also be able to charge them while they are there. Plans to introduce a village shop within the parish hall will be undertaken during autumn.
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n NEWS
Bollards to secure park
n The concrete bollards across Mole Pedway near Grasshopper Park
'Fed-up' chairman clears unsightly area himself The chairman of Whittington Parish Council got “so fed up” seeing items making part of the area look unsightly he tidied them up himself. Spoil and highways signage had been left uncleared for two years at Walkers Lane and Swinsesherd Way. During a parish council meeting chairman Steve Burrows said: “I’ve got so fed up – this has been on the agenda for well over two years, without any sign of anything being done – so I’ve been out and I’ve sorted it myself and cleared it all up because I just got completely fed up looking at that orange fencing so I’ve sorted it all out. “The only thing that’s left now is the buried orange pipe coming
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out of the ground on the entrance to Walkers Lane and there’s a loop of metal cable on the grass verge, which I wasn’t able to dispose of. “I’ve cleaned all the rest of it up, all four locations, and I shall take it to the tip, which, and it took me an hour to do it on my little ownsome, at 63. “So it wasn’t such a big job after all, was it? Somebody could have done it, perhaps. “The only thing that’s left is there is a hole – it’s not a big, deep hole – it’s got the orange pipe coming out of it and in the verge of Swinesherd Way there are three smaller holes. “What was there wasn’t actually protecting the holes anyway. It had all collapsed in and got overgrown so it’s no worsening of
the situation.” He added: “I also did find the highways roundabout sign, the warning sign for the roundabout, Swinesherd Way, at Whittington Road, in the hedge and I’ve reunited it with the stanchion by the side of the highway.” He said he had asked parish
Work to secure parks in St Peter’s has continued with the installation of a row of bollards across Mole Pedway leading to Grasshopper Park. The bollards have been put in to avoid a repeat of last year’s intrusion on to the park by a group of travellers. They parked their vehicles on the parks’ green space for almost a week as well as driving vehicles up and down the cycle path. They gained access to the pedway via Dragonfly Green. clerk David Hunter-Miller to send a photo to highways to get them to “put the sign back up on the stanchions so people actually know there’s a roundabout there as well”. He added: “I think we’ll wait another two years for them to come and get the piece of cable and get rid of the pipes.”
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Artworks will commemorate granting of Charter Artworks are being commissioned for an event marking the 400th anniversary of Worcester being granted city status. On October 2, 1621, King James I put his seal to the Charter that granted Worcester the rights and constitution which still form the basis for modern governance of the city today. Artists have been invited to offer a range of works, from painting to sculpture and including performance, writing or digital creations, inspired by significant aspects of Worcester’s history over the past 400 years. They will go on display in
n Worcester’s city Charter Worcester on October 2, the date of the 400th anniversary. Worcester City Council has allocated a budget of £5,000 to pay for the artwork. Between one and four artists
are being commissioned. “The Arts have helped to sustain many of us throughout this last year and they have a crucial role to play in encouraging people to return to the city centre as Worcester recovers from Covid-19,” said Worcester’s Mayor, Jo Hodges. “The artworks we’re commissioning will help to draw attention to the significance of Worcester’s City Charter, which forms the bedrock of local governance and underpins many of the freedoms we enjoy today.” The artworks will form part of a Charter Festival, helping to revitalise Worcester’s economy and communities after a year defined by the
Parishes join forces over 'village' plans A joint letter submitted by parish councils whose areas are being impacted on by South Worcestershire Development Plan proposals for a new village around Worcestershire Parkway station questions whether it will be needed in a post-Covid world. The chairmen of Whittington, Stoulton, Drakes Broughton and Wadborough with Pirton and Upton Snodsbury parish councils signed the letter, sent as part of the consultation process. It says: “Existing town and city centres are changing rapidly whereas before they were predominantly anchored by retail, leisure and office users, this was changing quickly before Covid and now post Covid the acceleration of businesses departing from town and city centre has become quicker and irrevocable, leading to new city centre residential development opportunities.” It adds: “This new residential opportunity may not achieve all of the housing growth required but why build a new town when we
already have a city and towns in Worcestershire that need to fundamentally change in use over the next decade? “The remaining housing allocation could then be more easily incorporated adjacent to existing residential centres which already have all the requisite services for a sustainable development. “SWDP planners are progressing with this new town based on the world as it was yesterday which shows a woeful lack of future vision and ambition.” Among criticisms in the letter is a claim that untrained or low-skilled warehouse jobs have been “prioritised” ahead of those associated with agriculture, adding that SWDP planners “have completely misunderstood the current agricultural employment nature of the land”. The letter goes on to say: “The vast majority of Malvern Hills housing allocation has been delivered on the outskirts of Worcester both on the southern and western boundaries. “For an area the size of
Malvern Hills DC [District Council] stretching from Tenbury Wells in the north down towards Tewksbury in the south what other sites have been considered? “It is not sustainable that MHDC keep adding suburbs to Worcester and pushing their housing allocations on to other district councils. “We are informed that MHDC are limited and restricted in their ability to provide housing because of the AONB [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty] designation, however the ANOB represents only 18 per cent of the total area covered by Malvern Hills District Council.” The letter adds: “There is obviously a perception by SWDP planners that parish councillors and local residents do not want this development on their patch which is not true, we just want a reduced proposal which is proportionate to the area in terms of limiting urban sprawl, obliterating hundreds of acres of farm land, loss of habitats and reduces future congestion.”
Covid-19 pandemic. Through the celebration of the city’s heritage and culture festival organisers want to bring local people and visitors back in the city to enjoy its attractions, hotels, bars and restaurants. Local heritage and cultural venues have already committed their support to the 2021 Charter Festival. Existing events including the Three Choirs Festival, the Elgar Festival and the annual Worcester Festival are all supporting the significant anniversary. James I’s Charter is held by Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service at The Hive.
Cash boost for leisure centres Worcester leisure centres including Nunnery Wood Sports Complex have been given a financial boost in their recovery from lockdown. Worcester City Council has secured a £214,000 grant from Sport England’s National Leisure Recovery Fund to help support the reopening of the city’s three leisure centres. The others are Perdiswell and St John’s. The council will use the grant to continue supporting its leisure partner, Freedom Leisure, in providing a full range of sports and leisure activities to visitors as lockdown restrictions ease. The grant is part of a broader package of financial support that the council has provided to Freedom Leisure, which runs the leisure centres on behalf of the council, since the beginning of the pandemic in March last year. Lloyd Griffiths, the city council’s corporate director of operations, homes and communities, said: “Leisure centres play an important role in the health and wellbeing of our residents, so the council is extremely grateful that its application to the National Leisure Recovery Fund was successful. The funding secured by Worcester City Council will help us to reopen and get back to delivering a vital service.”
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1,250 homes, school and shops proposed near Parkway station Plans to build 1,250 homes and develop land for employment between the M5 and Worcestershire Parkway station have been revealed. Housing developer St Modwen has joined Oxford’s Merton College in the 240-acre scheme, which would see 900,000 square feet of employment land developed. A new primary school, shops and other facilities would also be included. Merton College owns the land while St Modwen has already been involved in developments including the plan for 255 homes just south of St Peter’s as well as Weogoran Park off Whittington Road.
Guy Gusterson, managing director of strategic land and regeneration at St Modwen, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to create a new and thriving community in Worcester. “Building on our proud history of development in the city, we are thrilled to be partnering with Merton College, which shares our commitment to sustainability and community, to create a destination for new homes and employment opportunities that builds on Worcester’s continued growth.” The development would be part of long-term South Worcestershire Development Plan proposals to create a new town with up to 10,000 homes around Worcestershire Parkway.
Of those, 5,000 would be built within the next 20 years with the others to follow afterwards. The proposals for the new town could include a new secondary school and three primary schools, more than 120 acres of employment space near to the M5, new shops and offices, as well as a doctor’s surgery, new police and fire station, town hall, a leisure centre and sports facilities. John Gloag, estates bursar at Merton College in Oxford, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to create a high-quality, mixeduse scheme with cutting-edge sustainability that will be a fantastic place to live and work. “Merton College is delighted to be partnering with St
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n The site for the statue on Crookbarrow Road, Norton
WWI sentry statue set to be in place by autumn A statue of a First World War sentry planned for Crookbarrow Road in Norton is set to be in place by the autumn. Planning permission has been granted for the statue, to be placed on a grassed area alongside the road. Discussions are taking place
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Monument at park would mark city's involvement in Civil War The Battle of Worcester Society is campaigning for a monument to commemorate the English Civil War. The society is chaired by Richard Shaw, who lives on the edge of St Peter’s. September 3 this year will be the 350th anniversary of the battle, the last and deciding one of the nine-year war, fought between 1642 and 1651. The society wants to see the anniversary marked by the erection of a monument designed by local sculptor, Kenneth Potts, who sculpted the statue of Edward Elgar, which stands in Worcester’s Cathedral Square. Mr Shaw said: “The monument features Parliamentary soldiers forcing open the Sidbury Gate, with the man who later became King Charles II on the other side waiting for them with pistol drawn. “We have applied for planning permission and it is proposed that the monument would be placed in Fort Royal Park, which was the epicentre of the Battle of Worcester, where 1,500 Royalist soldiers died defending the fort.” As well as commemorating the battle where 3,200 Scottish and English soldiers were killed
n How the monument would look on both sides, many Royalist soldiers were killed as they fled from the battle and were ambushed as they tried to escape towards Scotland. Many more injured soldiers died of their wounds in the days and weeks following the battle.
An unknown number of Worcester civilians were also killed. More British soldiers were killed at Worcester than at Waterloo – 1,550 – and on D-Day – 2,235, British and Commonwealth. The Preacher to the New Model
Army, Hugh Peters, addressed the victorious Parliamentary soldiers after the Battle of Worcester, saying: “When your wives and children ask you where you have been and what news, tell them you have been at Worcester, where all our troubles began, and where they are now happily ended.” It is estimated that 85,000 soldiers were killed in combat during the Civil War, with more than 100,000 civilians dying of war-related disease and starvation. Mr Shaw, who was born at Norton Barracks, said Worcester would be an appropriate venue for the monument as it was where the war began with the first battle at Powick Bridge on September 23, 1642 and where the war ended on the streets of Worcester. Donations to the project would be welcomed. The Battle of Worcester Society is also planning a large scale Civil War re-enactment at the Worcester Woods Countryside Centre on Saturday and Sunday, September 4 and 5 as well as the annual Drumhead Service in Fort Royal Park on September 3.
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n ELECTIONS ROUND-UP
Voters heading to polls for city, county and police elections Voters across south Worcestershire go to the polls to elect their representatives at city and county level as well as electing a police and crime commissioner on Thursday, May 6. In the cases of the ballots for Worcester City Council and for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner the elections are taking place a year later than scheduled, having been delayed from 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. The elections for Worcestershire County Council were always due to be held in 2021. All 57 seats on the county council are being contested. The Conservative Party previously held an overall majority at County Hall, with 40 seats. Labour, with eight seats, were the next largest party, with the Independent and Green Alliance Group holding five, Liberal Democrats two and one Independent. There was one vacancy. Twelve seats in Worcester City Council’s 15 wards are being contested for the 35-seat council. The number of seats held by each party at the Guildhall before the election was Conservatives, 16, Labour, 15, Greens, three and one Liberal Democrat. Four candidates are vying to be West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner. The role covers policing across Worcestershire,
Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford and The Wrekin. In the Worcester City Council elections, the Leader of the Green group, Louis Stephen, will be bidding to retain his Battenhall ward seat. He faces challenges from Conservative Bruce Rodford, Liberal Democrat Ken Carpenter and Labour’s Paul Mountain. As well as Battenhall, city council seats are also being contested in the wards of Nunnery, Cathedral, Warndon, Rainbow Hill, Gorse Hill, Arboretum, Bedwardine, Claines, St Clement, St John and
St Stephen. Conservative Steve Mackay is seeking to keep the St Peter division seat on Worcestershire County Council. His opponents are Tom Piotrowski for the Greens, Ken Carpenter for the Liberal Democrats and Edward Kimberley for Labour. Labour’s Pat Agar is looking to defend the county council Nunnery seat. She will face opposition from Conservative Allah Ditta, Liberal Democrat Clive Fletcher and Hilary Craig of the Greens. In the county council’s Upton
Snodsbury division, which covers Whittington, Norton and Littleworth, Linda Robinson is bidding to retain the seat for the Conservatives after previous councillor Doug Adams stepped down. She will be challenged by Liberal Democrat Liz Turier, Labour’s Catherine Neville and the Greens’ Darren Corbett. In Worcester City Council’s Cathedral ward Labour’s Lynn Denham is seeking re-election. Candidates for other parties are Conservative Shafaz Ditta, Liberal Democrat Mark Fenton, Hannah Cooper of the Green Party, Reform UK’s Julie Bower and Archie Harrison, Trade Union and Socialist Coalition. Five candidates are contesting the city council’s Nunnery ward. They are Labour’s Zoe Cookson, Conservative Jim Carver, Liberal Democrat Clive Fletcher, Barbara Mitra, Greens and Carl Mason, British Resistance. In the poll for the police and crime commissioner post Conservative John Campion will be attempting to retain the role. His opponents are Liberal Democrat Margaret Rowley, Labour’s Kuldip Sahota and Reform UK’s Peter Jewell. l To see the list of candidates turn to Pages 20-23. l For election results online visit southworcestervoice. co.uk
Residents asked to follow Covid rules at polling stations Voting in person will be different this year due to Covid precautions. Polling stations will be open as normal from 7am until 10pm on Thursday, May 6. What will be different is a range of measures will be in place to ensure they are as Covid-secure as possible. Voters attending a polling station will be asked to: l Wear a face covering l Use the hand sanitiser provided l Follow a one-way system if one is in place
l Take their own pen or pencil l Follow social distancing guidelines People who have opted to cast their votes by post or through a proxy will need to return their ballot papers by 10pm on May 6. Shane Flynn, Returning Officer for Worcester, said: “Don't let the pandemic put you off from voting in this year's elections. “This is your chance to make your voice heard and decide who represents you on big issues from roads to bin collections and policing.”
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n ELECTIONS – WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL – ST PETER DIVISION Ken Carpenter
(Liberal Democrat)
Edward Kimberley (Labour)
I have lived in Worcester since 2005 when I married the then County Councillor Sue Askin. I have three adult children and three grandchildren. My first job was in the Meteorological Office, where I worked on climate, numerical weather forecasting and using radar to observe and predict rain. I moved to RSRE in Malvern in 1980 and finally retired just over a year ago after working for 32 years on the standards for systems that avoid collisions between aircraft. The first such system is now carried by nearly all passenger aircraft. I have recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award for this work. On the County Council, I would work to promote walking and cycling, and to improve the frequency, availability and quality of
I am standing for County Council to call for a major change in direction. Unless our city is to become nothing more than a glorified drive-through on the M5, we must put a stop to the endless road-widening schemes, which only serve to increase problems with congestion around the city, and to constrict access to the city centre for residents – particularly for those members of the community with disabilities. If elected, it would be my priority to lobby for buses that run on time, paths that are walkable and for an expansion of public services to meet the needs of our growing population. We should look at the possibility for pedestrianisation of the city centre, and the redirection of traffic away from and around it. In residential zones, blanket
buses. I support Park and Ride. Social care needs better funding and a closer relationship with the NHS, and personal carers need more support. I would support measures to prepare for further climate change and to work towards carbon neutrality. With 12 years’ experience on Malvern Hills District Council and Worcester City Council, I will serve St Peter Division well, support your interests and make Worcestershire more ambitious.
Steve Mackay (Conservative)
Tom Piotrowski (Green)
While representing the people of St Peter I understand the issues that create problems. I listened when concern was raised about trespassing in our parks, by members of the travelling community. Residents wanted no repeat behaviour and so I have had the parks secured with strategically placed bollards. Residents of Battenhall are concerned about drivers ignoring the 20mph speed limit zone so I am arranging for greater signage which should counter that problem. Pavements in the division have been resurfaced and I will lobby for more upgrades. This year has been difficult but common sense dictated that I shouldn’t knock on your doors when Covid rates were high, so I have played an active part within the community in other ways. I helped set up a Coronavirus
I have lived in Worcester for the last 15 years. Both my wife and I work in our city too; she is a teacher in one of our secondary schools and I work for one of the top affordable housing providers in the country. If elected, I’d like to put my experience and skills gathered over the years in a variety of project management and business development roles in the service of St Peter’s and Battenhall residents. Over the last 12 months I have spoken to hundreds of residents on the doorstep or over the phone listening to their views and suggestions about community improvements including antisocial behaviour, inadequate infrastructure not matching new housing and preserving our green spaces. Elderly and vulnerable residents told me about being
Support Group for those shielding to receive shopping and prescriptions and arranged, with others, for food bank collections and I regularly assist with their supplies. In those four years I attended all full council meetings. As your County Councillor I want to ensure that tax remains low whenever possible but promote those sensible policies that will keep vulnerable adults and children safe, our roads in good order and improve our road, rail and digital services to reduce congestion.
20mph speed limits should be set in place and, where possible, we should look to expand provision for buses, bikes and electric vehicles to offer safer and more environmentally conscious alternatives to cars. It is the job of elected officials to guarantee residents a seat at the table, not just during election campaigns, but all year around.
isolated and cut off from the rest of our beautiful city due to tragically inadequate public transport. If elected to County Council, I have only one priority: no excuses and inaction. It’s time to represent those local views and aspirations of residents who have been taken for granted by politicians at County Hall for far too long. I have already had the privilege of helping many residents to resolve practical issues and will tirelessly continue to get things done for them throughout the year.
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n ELECTIONS – WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL – UPTON SNODSBURY DIVISION Darren Corbett (Green)
Catherine Neville (Labour)
I am delighted to be standing as the Green Party candidate for Upton Snodsbury in the forthcoming County Council elections. If elected I will be keen to implement policies that will address the climate emergency and social issues exacerbated by 10 years of austerity. These issues will include: l A more frequent bus service, based on communities’ identified need, incorporating small electric vehicles l Regular support combined with grant aid for villages tied to, soon to be phased out, polluting fossil fuel heating systems l Working to reduce fuel poverty in the rural environment l Improved bike and walking opportunities in particular linking to Worcestershire Parkway station l Creating areas for tree
I have lived in Worcestershire for the last 18 years. I believe that the Labour party offers this community a chance to vote for a fairer approach to local health and social care provision, a greater emphasis on youth opportunity, while giving green environmental issues the importance they well deserve. In common with my fellow Labour candidates, I pledge to: l Invest and build a greener Worcestershire l Work in recycling policies to make Worcestershire achieve ‘Plastic Free’ status l Protect green spaces for residents to use and enjoy, now and in the future l Ensure that every child and young person has a chance to develop their skills and reach their potential l Develop and deliver a strategy to address health and social inequality across the
planting and wildlife seeding on roadside verges l Training provision in environmentally friendly building skills l 20mph zone and low traffic neighbourhoods l Reforming our fast failing social care services Climate change, the aftermath of Covid-19 and the consequences of a previous decade of austerity are just some of the mind-blowing challenges we have to address now. Greens have been grappling with climate issues for half a century while others have denied and procrastinated.
Linda Robinson (Conservative)
(Liberal Democrat)
We live in a beautiful and diverse part of Worcestershire. As your prospective Conservative County Councillor, I care passionately about the natural and historic environment and preserving it for future generations to enjoy. As the population grows, I would look to safeguard our rural identity and seek to mitigate the impact on existing settlements from future development. I would lobby for adequate, sustainable infrastructure with increased access to more public open spaces, including safer provision for cyclists and pedestrians plus improved education and healthcare. Importantly, I would encourage more use of renewables to provide greener energy and the use of better, preferably low carbon, public transport. This should include community travel schemes for those without cars to link the villages
As a Liberal Democrat my priorities, if elected to the County Council, would be to tackle climate change by declaring a Climate Emergency and cut carbon emissions in everything the County does. I would promote cycle lanes, e-bikes, parks with trim trails and good transport links. The South Worcestershire Development Plan shows proposals for significant numbers of new houses for us, particularly in the Norton, Stoulton and Drakes Broughton areas. I would concentrate on insisting that the infrastructure – roads, doctors, schools and nurseries are in place and work closely with Planning in Wychavon to insist the developers keep to their contractual obligations and to mitigate disruption to residents in order to integrate the new residents into our communities.
county and ensure that the social care available in the county works for all l Work with providers of public transport so that there is a reasonably priced and frequent service, including to rural areas of the county I am also keen to see better provision of cycle lanes, and other facilities to make active travel a real option for more people in our community.
Liz Turier
to our towns avoiding rural isolation. I pledge to promote more rollout of electric vehicle charge points and ‘School Streets’ schemes to tackle the issue of air pollution together with the planting of more trees and preservation of our water meadows to aid carbon reduction. After such challenging recent times for the local economy, I am keen to promote and offer support to our businesses and traders by building on muchneeded social and economic recovery plans. Extra help also needs to continue for those residents that have been most affected by the horrid effects of Covid-19.
Social care is also a priority – the Lib Dem plan is to work with the NHS, to have joinedup thinking about patient care after hospital visits, and also invest in better deals for carers, paid or unpaid. Mental health, particularly because of isolation, loneliness and bereavement following Covid-19, is also an issue which we need to support.
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n ELECTIONS – WORCESTER CITY COUNCIL – BATTENHALL WARD Ken Carpenter
(Liberal Democrat)
Paul Mountain (Labour)
I have lived in Worcester since 2005 when I married the then Cllr Sue Askin. I have three adult children and three grandchildren. My first job was in the Meteorological Office, where I worked on climate, numerical weather forecasting and using radar to observe and predict rain. (The global warming effect of carbon dioxide was established in the 1970s.) I moved to RSRE in Malvern in 1980 and finally retired just over a year ago after working on the standards for systems that avoid collisions between aircraft for 32 years. The first such system is now carried by nearly all passenger aircraft. I have recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award for this work. I want Worcester to be vibrant and community focused, with clean air and green spaces. I would promote travel by bus,
I am Labour’s candidate for Battenhall Ward. I’m a solicitor and I’ve lived in Worcester with my wife and three children for the last 23 years. During that time, I’ve come to love the city as a great place to live, work and learn. The pandemic has starkly revealed the deep inequalities in our society - but it has also revealed our instinctive sense of community, that strong public services are essential, and that the decarbonisation of our society is achievable. Battenhall is a delightful place, with fine schools, good housing and some wonderful community projects, such as Duck Brook Community Orchard. As your councillor, I will help to build on these achievements by working and campaigning for: l Improved bus services and cycle infrastructure l Access for all to nature and
bicycle and foot. On the Council, I would support measures to prepare for further climate change and to work towards carbon neutrality. Having served as a Councillor on Malvern Hills District Council from 1983-1991 and Worcester City Council from 2010 to 2014, I have the experience to serve Battenhall well, to support your interests and make Worcester better.
Bruce Rodford (Conservative)
Louis Stephen (Green)
I’m seeking election to the City Council in Battenhall, as having lived and worked locally for the past six years, I want to have a say in how our city is run. I attended school close to the area and have come to know Battenhall well. Residents tell me how much they enjoy the locality, but living here, they actually see the issues that need addressing. For some time, I have been meeting and getting to know people across the ward and listening to their concerns. Many I have spoken to don’t feel heard when it comes to local problems facing their streets and communities; we have to change that. As we move out of this pandemic I want to play an active role on the city council. I want to see businesses grow and bring about policies that help our communities. If I am elected, I would of
My wife and I have lived in Worcester for 24 years and we have two grown-up children who attended Cherry Orchard Primary, Nunnery Wood High School and Sixth Form College. I enjoy cycling for fitness and take delight in learning new skills having recently taken up growing vegetables in my garden. My main priorities for the city are to encourage smaller independent businesses over the large corporate chains, to reduce the amount of city centre congestion and to increase the amount of affordable homes. Our local economy is being held back by high levels of city centre traffic and congestion. New homes must be found, but we must do this without building on greenfield sites like Middle Battenhall Farm and the Battenhall Playing Fields. We should instead be
course ensure that the interests of Battenhall residents are considered when decisions are made. I’m also passionate about representing young people on the council and making their voices heard. If we haven’t met yet, I do hope to see you and gain your views on matters that you believe need attention.
green spaces l Increased allotment space and local food production l New zero-carbon housing on brownfield sites l Helping the homeless into accommodation and employment l Supporting workforces seeking union recognition l Adopting the co-operative model in the workplace l Investment in reskilling for a post-pandemic world These are our priorities and they show that Labour is committed to solving the problems that affect all us. We will do so with determination and will be fully accountable to the citizens who elect us.
converting some empty shops into homes, building on brownfield sites, bringing empty homes back into use and encouraging more flats above our city centre shops. For the sake of the environment and for the many who do not have access to a car I will work with others to push for more investment in walking, cycling and public transport Please re-elect me to continue working to build consensus with the other political parties investing in our city centre. Together we can make a prosperous, caring, clean and safe city for all.
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n ELECTIONS – WEST MERCIA POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER John Campion (Conservative)
Peter Jewell (Reform UK)
Having backed West Mercia Police with 400 additional officers, now is the time to ensure that investment translates to further reductions in crime and an increase in public confidence. Whilst Worcestershire is largely a low crime area where crime has fallen recently, crime can never just be accepted as inevitable. Criminals should fear being caught, be held accountable for their actions and the proceeds of their crimes confiscated. Reports of crime should be taken seriously, proportionate investigations undertaken with victims kept updated. Too often this is not happening in line with expectations of the public. Whilst I have made progress as Commissioner to ensure that the community is at the heart of policing, focusing our police on fighting crime and
The West Mercia Police is one of the biggest areas and one of the smallest budgets at £250 million. Your Police and Commissioner has to have the experience of handling that size of budget, so I would ask you to look carefully at the CVs of all candidates. Why do I qualify? My company before it was sold had, as a management consulting company, offices in six countries and operated in 15 other countries. Our clients were major PLCs and fortune 500 companies. I am presently a director and in most cases the owner of a number of businesses including a legal practice. I was a Magistrate for 18 years, a part-time Tribunal Judge for 20 years. I was on the national board of the Magistrates and chairman of the Valuation Tribunal
holding them to account, now is the time to make good that investment to ensure crime continues to fall. With your support on May 6, I can continue to back our police with the resources they need to keep us safe, hold them to account to ensure crime continues to fall and ensure the public remain at the heart of policing in West Mercia.
Margaret Rowley (Liberal Democrat)
Kuldip Sahota (Labour)
Liberal Democrats believe that preventing crime and ensuring people feel safe are crucial to achieving social justice. Police cuts have left communities with a lack of officers. Although police staffing numbers have increased in the last year, they are still well below the number employed in 2007. Police forces are being expected to do more with less, leaving Police and Crime Commissioners to fund their forces through council tax rises. If elected, I will make community policing, with more bobbies on the beat, my top priority. Lack of public access to the police is a constant theme on the doorstep. I will hold regular open surgeries throughout the area and make sure there are effective communications through the press and online. I will promote the use of new
I wish to bring my decades of experience in public life to the role of West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner. During 20 years serving on Telford and Wrekin Borough Council, including five as leader, my experience of the police service includes serving on the West Mercia Police Authority and chairing the Telford and Wrekin Policing board. I currently serve on the West Mercia Police and Crime panel which scrutinises the work of the current commissioner. My priorities, if elected, include: l More police for safer streets l Police out on the ‘beat’ rather than behind desks l Focusing on the causes of crime through preventative services l Campaigning for tougher sentences for rape and domestic abuse
technology, not only in internal police processes but also to make communication with the public more effective. I will set police objectives to meet the needs of local people. I will ensure that the police work in partnership with public services and the voluntary sector to prevent crime and reduce re-offending. Road safety and environmental crimes require close cooperation between local councils and the police. By prioritising community policing, ensuring that the police have the right resources and are focused on tackling crime, I will make our communities safer.
members for England. I have had 14 years on the board of Worcestershire County Cricket Club and been a member of the English Cricket Board disciplinary committee for six years. This role needs experience, not a past councillor or someone trying to improve their political career. The role is not being a policeman. It is overseeing the management and finances and being the face to the public for whom we serve.
l Placing victims at the heart of the policing system l Pressing for better funding for West Mercia policing from central government l Above all, I am committed to the British tradition of community policing by consent. I have lived in Telford for over 55 years. I am married with two sons and two grandchildren. I worked at GKN Sankey for many years before owning and running a café with my wife and son.
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n EDUCATION
Students take part in final of national cyber challenge Codebreaking girls at Blessed Edward Catholic College made it through to the final of a cyber security competition. The quartet were entered into the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) contest by their teacher, Sabrina Ford. She said: “The girls have been super determined and have committed a significant amount of their time to completing this challenge – we’re very proud of them.” The competition started with 6,500 girls from 600 UK schools across the UK entering. In the semi-finals the Blessed Edward team of Marina, Cailan, Jasmin and Aeryn completed cyber security puzzles covering cryptography, logic, programming and networking. The final saw the girls completing more cyber security
n The codebreaking team at Blessed Edward Catholic College tasks using the skills they had The school’s headmaster, developed throughout the Greg McClarey, said he was competition. “very proud of the girls and their Each team would get a drop achievements, which showcase crate, containing tech equipment the excellence of our computing and physical changes, to help department here at Blessed them. Edward’s.”
Virtual guide to university life More than 200 year 10 and 11 students of Worcester Sixth Form College and their families attended a virtual event highlighting their future educational options. The Ambition Programme event was an extension of the college’s support for students applying to the most competitive universities and courses. The programme enhances support and is intended to inspire students to achieve their best, to guide them in researching university options and help them develop confidence and flair in academic discussion. More than 130 students are participating in the Ambition Programme this year. College Principal Ed Senior said: “I was delighted that we were able to provide this opportunity to year 10 and 11 students, albeit virtually.”
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n EDUCATION
Changes sees King's boy and girl choristers in perfect harmony A significant change to choristerships at The King’s School, Worcester will see girls given equal opportunities to boys. In conjunction with Worcester Cathedral, girls can join from a younger age and, like the boys, have access to scholarships at King’s Worcester. Choristers have been educated exclusively at The King’s School since the Refoundation by Henry VIII in 1541, with each chorister receiving a choral scholarship towards their fees. The girl choristers were established in 2006 and are currently accepted from Year 7, playing an important part in cathedral worship. The choristership consists of separate boy and girl choirs who sing weekly at Evensong and contribute to other services throughout the year. The new initiative seeks to build on the inclusion of girls, by opening up the choristership opportunity to girls from Year 4 in September, 2021, plus seeing them take an equal share in weekly chorister commitments. It presents an equal opportunity for boys and girls of all ages to have access to musical training at Worcester Cathedral, alongside their education at The King’s School Worcester.
n The King’s School choristers The first places to be offered will be two girls in both Years 7 and 8 for September, 2021, increasing over the next three years to incorporate younger girl choristers down to Year 4. Richard Chapman, Head of King’s St Alban’s, said: “We are delighted and welcome this exciting change in that choristership now reflects the
equality that King’s St Alban’s is passionate about.” He added: “It’s a significant commitment to be a chorister and a wonderful opportunity. “Choristers enjoy a stimulating and nurturing experience, develop a whole raft of skills, often go on to successful careers in many fields and develop a lifelong passion for music.”
The Dean, the Very Rev’d Dr Peter Atkinson, said: “I am delighted that we are now able to make this very significant step forward, giving the girls of the Cathedral choir the same opportunity as the boys and, at the same time, opening up fresh opportunities for children and young people right across the local community.”
James proves he has way with words in contest
n James Thatcher, left, and Josh Winfield
James Thatcher’s way with words has earned him a silver medal in the UK Linguistics Olympiad, placing him in the top 15 per cent of all entrants. He is a first year student at Worcester Sixth Form College. Seven of the college’s students, Edie Allden, Bryony Burton Parry, Ellie Cross, Chloe Embley, Ethan Emeny, Katie Harris and Josh Winfield, received bronze medals, placing them in the top 35 per cent. Two others, Ella Hart and Ellen Bond, achieved good scores.
All of the students are studying either English or a modern foreign language A-level. Kate Wolstenholme, head of English, film and media at the college, said: “I am so proud of all our entrants in such a challenging competition which requires them to solve linguistic data problems. “Only 14 per cent of the entrants come from state schools, which makes their achievements even more notable.”
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n READERS' PHOTOS South Worcester Voice is showcasing photographs submitted by readers. Dave Morris captured images from around the Brockhill, Littleworth, Hatfield and Whittington areas, on the facing page. And on this page, Lesley Wood of St Peter’s, a member of Worcester Camera Club, is also sharing pictures she has taken which show local landscapes. If you would like to see your photographs printed in South Worcester Voice email them to southworcestervoice@gmail.com
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n READERS' PHOTOS
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The FIEND 5
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