Summer 2018 WYCHAVON

BROADWAY GETS STEAMY WITH GUS

Worcestershire’s Vale and Spa the look for the area

Bin changes 0% find out what’s new Council Tax rise

www.wychavon.gov.uk News in brief

Women’s Tour of Those already claiming one of the Steam trains come to benefits but whose circumstances Britain change – eg they get a job or their Broadway In June, was lucky enough benefit stops – will have to make a Earlier in the year, GWSR to host the start of stage 4 of the OVO new claim and switch to UC. People (Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Energy Women’s Tour. Thousands with three children or more or those of Railway) opened up a new section of of people lined the streets to get a pensionable age are exempt. track and station to breathe life back glimpse of the world’s best female into Broadway train station after 58 cyclists and to enjoy the entertainment There are some major differences years without a train. The train can on offer. The stage snaked across the between how UC and the existing now run from Broadway all the way district, through parts of Warwickshire benefits system work. Claims can through to Cheltenham Racecourse. and then finished in Worcester. The only be made online, money is paid The exciting development comes prestigious race was not without monthly and in arrears and rent will no after the tireless work of volunteers its drama with a number of riders longer be paid straight to landlords. over many years and will provide crashing out, but the day was a great another brilliant experience and visitor one and everyone enjoyed getting To find out more go to attraction to the district. However, the behind this fantastic sporting event. www.wychavon.gov.uk/universal- station has inadequate parking, so credit or the official UC website we’re in the process of building a car Universal Credit www.understandinguniversalcredit. park to operate on behalf of GWSR to gov.uk ensure there are enough spaces for The Government is introducing the the station. rollout of its Universal Credit (UC) programme in Wychavon. UC has New to claiming previously only been applied to a benefits? small number of people meeting In the meantime if you’re making certain criteria, but the full service is your first benefit claim we have a new now being introduced from November, online system which makes it much although in some areas it will be easier than before. All you have to available from October. do is fill out the questions on our website and when you’re finished UC replaces six existing benefits – just photograph your documents Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing and email them to us using your Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Child smartphone. It couldn’t be simpler. Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support. From To find out more go to November residents making a claim www.wychavon.gov.uk/benefits for one of these benefits for the first time will instead have to apply for UC.

2 WYCHAVON New tennis courts for Droitwich A campaign led by a spa resident to improve the Droitwich tennis courts has come to fruition. Elaine Ball who loves to play tennis had a wish to see the courts improved and successfully fundraised £13,000 worth of funding which along with £47,000 worth of investment from Wychavon saw her dream turned into reality. The courts have been officially opened and have been very well received by the local community. They are £4 million invested generally free to use on a first come in flood alleviation first served basis but on occasions they will be pre-booked for events scheme for and there are sessions on a Saturday Broadway morning run by Tennis in the Park who A £4 million scheme aimed at International first: charge a small fee for the coaching reducing the flood risk for homes Boardman bikes opens facility. Please note due to the hot in Broadway, and Over the last few years, Evesham has weather the courts may be unavailable Murcot is set to be completed this become a hub for both professional to protect the surface. there will be summer. Jointly funded by DEFRA, and amateur cyclists. The town now updates on social media. the Environment Agency and the boasts the world-class fitness facility, district, county and parish councils, the multi-million pound ‘Boardman For more information visit the Brook Flood Alleviation www.lidoparktennis.co.uk Bikes Performance Centre’ which Scheme will reduce the flood risk for opened at The Valley in April. 290 properties across the three areas. Founded by Olympic gold medallist Litter promise Representatives of Wychavon District and record-breaking cyclist Chris Chewing gum is the second most Council, Broadway Parish Council, Boardman MBE, the 18,000sq ft. common form of litter in the world and County Council and complex allows cyclists to optimise Wychavon is no exception. That’s why the Environment Agency joined their aerodynamic performance with from September we will be joining in Nigel Huddleston MP on a visit to the use of a special performance with a national campaign designed see the progress in Broadway. The testing suite and a wind tunnel. The to encourage people not to throw multi-million pound scheme will see centre offers a high quality experience their gum on the floor but to bin it construction work on the flood storage for Olympians, triathletes and Tour de instead. We ran a similar campaign area hold up to 135,000 cubic metres France champions, as well as cycling three years ago which resulted in the of water. enthusiasts. removal of 70,000 pieces of gum from Evesham town centre and a 30 per Waitrose update cent reduction in gum dropped in that area. The campaign forms part of our Midas Retail Limited have completed three year promise to try and reduce the construction of the new Waitrose litter in all its forms across the district. store at Merstow Green in Evesham We’re working on a number of ways to on our behalf as part of an ambitious encourage people to do the right thing project to provide not only a high and help us keep our district clean quality superstore to the centre of ranging from new bins and signage Evesham, but also attract inward to education sessions in schools and investment from other businesses some quirky ideas we are keeping in the area. In mid-July we officially under wraps for now. There will handed the building across to also be opportunities for you to get Waitrose including the car park. The involved by volunteering to regularly car park is open now as a public pay litter pick the area where you live. and display while the store is being Further information will be available in fitted out. The new store is expected the next issue of WYCHAVON or sign to open in November 2018 in time for up for our email alerts service - go to Christmas trading. More information to our website and click on the envelope. follow in the next edition.

Search WychavonTo onfind facebook out and twittermore WYCHAVON 3 0% tax rise

no cuts to services and more new promises

What’s not to like?

4 WYCHAVON Wychavon residents have this year benefited from a 0% Council Tax rise for the district’s share of the bill. This meant that an average Band D household continues to pay just £120.08 a year for Wychavon services. New promises sit under our priorities of It’s important to note that we have been able to do this by using our people, place and prosperity and were Grow, Save, Charge plan and not by formulated after extensively reviewing cutting services. If anything, we are even more ambitious this year with a data, consultation feedback and workshop raft of new and stretching promises sessions – to consider what would best that seek to improve the district even serve the residents of Wychavon more than ever. In total we have 14 new promises alongside the longer term promises that continue. Among the promises are: Cllr Linda Robinson, Leader of Wychavon pictured, said: People “On top of the freeze to Council Healthy, happy, active and supported Tax and the exciting new promises for the year ahead. • Work with partners to establish multi-sports hubs for Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Pershore. 2018/19 is set to be a really exciting year for us. We’re • Tackle social mobility in the district by holding a summit with partners and developing an action plan. Initial fund of £30,000 - with the potential for further freezing Council Tax without funding and actions. sacrificing services and we’ve • Extra support for people facing Universal Credit. got ambitious promises.” • Launching a village of culture competition. Prosperity Vibrant communities with quality jobs and skills • Promoting self build and custom build properties. • Doing more to promote tourism and get more overnight stays in the district. • More stretching targets and increased funding for apprenticeships.

Place Green, clean and safe with quality, affordable homes • A three year promise to tackle littering and use of plastics. • Improving opportunities for green travel such as car charging points and more cycle routes. • Installing adult changing spaces in public toilets.

We will also look to reduce our single use plastics within the council buildings.

More information go to www.wychavon.gov.uk/ourstrategy

WYCHAVON 5 Important changes to bin collections

This year we started a brand new contract with FCC, our contractor, who collect the bins and clean the streets of Wychavon on our behalf. The contract is worth some £4 million per year but the new one will still save us £500,000 a year, which in these difficult financial times is great news for everyone. Along with the savings we’re also Specialised benefiting from some brand new Potential changes services which will include the recycling bins following: to your bin New recycling points for coffee pods and water filters in: collection days A new fleet • Milestone Ground, Broadway For waste collection, street cleaning • Morrisons, Droitwich and time and sweeping. All new vehicles meet • Oat Street, Evesham There will also be a need to optimise high standards for emissions (Euro • Asda, Pershore the rounds because of new housing 6 standard). We’ll even be launching developments and vehicle journeys a light-hearted competition on social A separate to the energy from waste plant media for residents to give them in Hartlebury. This is essential to names. Binny Mcbinface will be kerbside collection ensure we have the most efficient rounds and our vehicles are only given serious consideration. Get your For small electrical items, textiles and using the fuel they really need to. thinking caps on. batteries. Small electrical items will include things like toasters, This will mean that many residents blenders and hairdryers. will have a change to their bin collection day and the time of their 7 collection may also change. This won’t be happening until the autumn and you will be sent a letter to advise you of the changes.

6 WYCHAVON Changing places – giving people dignity

Cllr. Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for the environment

We’ve recently installed They offer a safe, clean changing area for people specialist changing with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well facilities in Viaduct as people with other physical Meadow in Evesham. disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy The facilities are part and multiple sclerosis. These St Andrews Square precinct in people often need extra equipment Droitwich is also due to be completed of a national initiative and space to allow them to change this summer, with plans to then called ‘Changing safely and comfortably. The facilities provide adult changing facilities in have been completed in time for the Broadway and Pershore toilets during Places’. events over the summer. 2019/20.

Eco toilets will We have also installed Top facts and the new Dyson Airblade save money taps which provide fast Each toilet uses and hygienic hand washing and not just the less water drying. They are all fitted with a environment 84% than a HEPA filter which captures 99.9% traditional toilet system. of particles the size of bacteria, You may have read that we recently antibacterial additive and touch refurbished the public toilets in The measure offers a free operation. Pershore near Asda. This is part of reduction of our ongoing commitment to improving in the toilets’ 74% They also have a low impact energy efficiency. Propelair toilets carbon foot print have been installed. Propelair toilets on the environment due to their lower carbon emissions of 4.0g are a new and innovative design By ensuring the lid is closed per dry compared to 15.6g from combining efficiency and hygiene. upon flushing, the spread a regular hand dryer and lower of airborne germs from the energy consumption – up to pan reduces by 95% and 80% less than a regular hand removes 99.9% of waterborne dryer and up to 98% less than contaminates. This is through paper towels. using “safe to touch technology” – antimicrobial It’s likely these new facilities will also additives in the latch save us money and we’ll monitor and means it’s safe to feedback to you just how much! If they close the lid. prove successful we’ll look to roll out to the other toilets in the district. WYCHAVON 7 BBC’s Kate Humble follows Droitwich Salt

BBC Two’s programme ‘Back to the Land’ recently aired a very special programme following Churchfields in Salwarpe as they started their new business venture to bring Droitwich Salt back into production.

The popular BBC Two series follows Will Kerton, of Churchfields rural businesses as they take a Saltworks, said: chance on a new business venture, “It was an incredible opportunity which can involve a huge career to feature on this highly regarded change, business diversification or a national television programme. cutting edge new business working in a rural area. It has really elevated our profile with the extra publicity. It also The programme, focussing on gave us the opportunity to Droitwich Salt, saw national treasure celebrate the rich history of Kate Humble follow husband and Droitwich and its extra special wife team Will and Gillian Kerton as pure salt. Frankly, we also found they showcased their vision, business model, how Droitwich Salt is collected it an absolute delight to meet and and processed and most importantly, spend time with Kate Humble, the finished product. who is just as lovely off camera as she is on!”

The programme also captured the late Michael Davies (Gillian’s father) who sadly died earlier in the year and whose passion was instrumental in bringing Droitwich Salt back to the market.

Will continued: “Losing Mike has made this year incredibly difficult for us as a family, especially as we are a close knit family running a business together. Having Mike’s passion for Droitwich Salt captured on film, however, was really special. We will continue to pay tribute to his vision and keep the historic legacy of Droitwich Salt going for generations to come.”

8 WYCHAVON Will Kerton, Kate Humble and Emma Wild

Droitwich Salt continues to push boundaries, having recently developed their product lines and are increasing their stockists and chef endorsements all the time. Recently added lines include smoked salt, charcoal salt, sea truffle salt and coastline salt.

Droitwich Salt has developed a number of these lines with Michelin starred chef Moseley.

Chef Brad Carter said: “Anyone interested in food knows how vital seasoning is in helping flavours and ingredients really come to life. As it’s such high quality, you don’t need to use much of Droitwich Salt’s products to impart the rich flavour that really elevates cooking. “Droitwich Salt’s British heritage and fascinating back-story inspired me to develop a range of salts with interesting flavours that will add a subtle twist to dishes. They use ancient methods to extract the salt in its purest form, leaving a product that is packed with flavour and a pure joy to cook with.”

Droitwich Salt is also available online and there are plenty of local stockists including Churchfields. More information go to www.droitwichsalt.com

WYCHAVON 9 British environmentalist Jonathon Porritt hosts green awards ceremony

The winners of our 2018 Intelligently Green Awards were announced in June at a special ceremony hosted by leading British environmentalist and writer, Jonathon Porritt CBE.

Finalists gathered at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Lower Smite Farm, for the awards that celebrated local green projects, activities and lifestyles that are not only good for the environment but also benefit the community or save money.

Severn Waste Services sponsored the ceremony where nominations from across the district were received in four award categories.

More information and to see short films of all the winners go to www.intelligently-green.com

10 WYCHAVON The winners

The overall winner

Schools/college and of the 2018 Intelligently The winners were: youth group category – Green Awards was Evesham Adventure sponsored by University of Playground Association Individual and household Worcester for their community pantry, bike category – sponsored by The De Montfort School, Evesham, schemes and use of reused HERU was nominated for two of its eco- and reclaimed materials in the school projects. Year 7 pupils created adventure playground. Chris and Kathy Haynes for their posters and organised an assembly roles in the green refurbishment of presentation to spread the ‘get drastic Harvington Village Hall, Harvington with plastic’ message to the wider Dave Boucker from Evesham Neighbourhood Plan, Worcestershire school community, even involving Adventure Playground Association, Heat Networks project and promoting the Mayor of Evesham. Students said: local food. from across the school have worked “We are surprised and very together to turn outside spaces into Robin Walker for his active proud to have won these awards flower and vegetable gardens and an involvement in Transition Evesham and get some recognition for ‘eco-zone’ wildlife area. Vale, Cyclefest and cycle training the things we’re doing. We hope for schools. He was instrumental in Also in this category, Ashton under this will encourage even more setting up imaGine, a community Hill First School received a special children and their parents to think shop and meeting place, and has commendation for its campaign to green.” played a pivotal role in developing promote the use of glass instead of an intelligently green framework for plastic milk bottles in schools. The Each of the winners received a Evesham. school switched its milk delivery bespoke Intelligently Green award from plastic to glass bottles after created by Pershore business, UNIQ Community group category calculating its milk consumption was Furniture. The awards are made from – sponsored by Severn producing the equivalent of 12 bags a selection of upcycled, reclaimed Waste Services of plastic waste a year per pupil. They timber from table tops, benches and created a pack to persuade other other furniture, as well as offcuts of Evesham Adventure Playground schools to make similar changes to artificial turf! Association runs a community pantry, reduce their plastic footprint. collecting surplus food from local We extend a big thank you to the supermarkets and redistributing it to Business and public sector headline sponsor Rooftop Housing families in need. Staffed by volunteers, Group and to all the category who collect and sort the food, the category – sponsored by sponsors. Thanks to Severn Waste pantry is open five afternoons a week. Walsh Mushrooms Services for sponsoring the awards Playground Peddlers brings old bikes The Orchard Getaway is an off-grid, ceremony and to Johnathon Porritt back to life and distributes them to luxury glamping site set in a plum and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust people needing transport to get to orchard at Hinton-on-the-Green. It for hosting it. Finally, thank you to training or work. has gas powered hot showers, eco- Transition Evesham Vale for their help friendly composting toilets and battery with organising and promoting the or solar-powered lights. awards and everyone involved in the judging.

WYCHAVON 11 New Homes Bonus – good news for everyone

New Homes Bonus (NHB) was introduced in 2011 by the government to reward councils for new homes built and occupied. Since 2013/14, the government has regarded NHB as part of our core funding.

12 WYCHAVON To date we have spent the majority Up to £3 million will be available for a of our NHB on investments in brand new Community Legacy Grant the district including affordable fund that parish and town councils housing, regeneration activity, can bid for. The scheme will be used leisure centre improvements, flood to support innovative and ambitious prevention schemes and support projects that meet evidenced local for apprenticeships. We have also needs, have local support and allocated a £3.5 million chunk of the will make a lasting difference to funding to communities where new communities. We recently held an development has taken place. This event where we told parish and town funding has been spent directly in councils more about this scheme. those communities - managed by parish and town councils. Around £12 million will be spent on council led projects that will directly Over 200 different projects ranging benefit our communities and the local from benches, defibrillators and economy. These include investment vehicle-activated speed signs, to in the new housing company (set village hall improvements, play areas to build private rental properties), and other community facilities have buying land within the district for been funded. We remain one of the development, railway station car only councils to allocate funding in parking and improved leisure facilities. this way. Without a significant allocation to district projects, many of these initiatives simply will not happen. Subject to the government’s policy remaining static, we’re expecting The remaining funding will be spent some £16 million in anticipated New on grants and existing commitments. Homes Bonus payments for homes These include the annual grants we built and occupied between October give to the Citizens’ Advice Bureau 2014 and 2018. and the district’s three volunteer centres along with our annual Cllr. Linda Robinson, Leader of Wychavon said Wychavon community grants scheme, support for annual events, the “We’re in a fortunate position as Droitwich West project and the Rural unlike other councils we do not Communities Programme. need to use this money to pay for day to day services. It is all available for investment in the district and we should, therefore, be ambitious as this is a one off opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of More information those who live in, work in and www.wychavon.gov.uk/ visit our district.” newhomesbonus Community Led Housing - your home, your way

Communities across Wychavon are being encouraged to come together to make their dreams of becoming home-owners a reality.

Community Led Housing (CLH) is a way of providing affordable housing Benefits of that fits the needs of people who live Community Led and work locally. Housing: With plenty of support and advice available locally and access to national funding , there has Creates strong never been a better time to find out communities. more about taking forward a scheme in your own town or village. Provides hope for

The basic steps of taking on a CLH people in need. When it comes to Community Led scheme are to form a community Housing there are many approaches, group, secure a site, go through the Provides these are just some ideas you might planning process, design and finance additional supply want to consider or alternatively you the scheme and finally, build and that would not be may choose a combination, to create manage the completed development. your own bespoke scheme to suit available through your needs. People can do this by joining together the mainstream. to develop innovative models of So much choice can be confusing, affordable housing such as setting Helps diversify but we’re here to help make sense of up a Community Land Trust, building the options in order to make the right their own homes or having custom- the house decisions for your community. built homes, or bringing empty building industry. properties back into use and then Our allocation of £252,653, from a selling or renting the properties at a Choice for older national £60 million fund, helps to pay price in line with local wages. for our dedicated Community Led people needing Housing Enabler, Kim Barton. Kim can Community led homes can help age appropriate provide advice and support to those support young families, first time housing. interested in setting up a scheme, buyers, key workers e.g. NHS, build and the funding will also be used to new communities, tackle loneliness Helps people contribute towards the overall delivery within an ageing population and of community led housing projects. provide much-needed skills afford to buy development. their own home. For further information, to discuss your ideas, or to take the first step, contact: Bringing empty Kim Barton, Community Led Housing Enabler on 01386 565252 or email buildings back [email protected] to use. Development More information of practical and go to www.wychavon.gov.uk/ academic skills. community-led-housing-fund 14 WYCHAVON What is a self- • Contractor built one-off home Pros - when you manage the design Your self-build home is likely to build? process and appoint a contractor be significantly cheaper than to build the home to your buying a newly built home. This specification. is especially true if you purchase If planning a project as a kit home. You may be able to • Kit home - a kit home is a house save around 20% on the cost of a community isn’t your where most of the components of a normal home. thing maybe you’re the home are prefabricated and are brought to your property where You can design your home thinking of building it is assembled. You select your to meet your needs (bearing preferred kit home and establish the planning laws in mind). You may your own grand design. foundations; the kit home company need plenty of bedrooms or then erects the home. prefer open plan living – you can Want to know more? choose whichever you prefer. • Independent community A self-build is where you organise and collaboration - when you work with It is easier to incorporate energy design the construction of your own others to acquire a site to split into efficiency measures when you home. plots, then organise the design and self-build, as opposed to trying construction of your own home. to retrofit them into a ready- made house. Types of self-build homes: • Supported community self-build • Self-build one-off home - when group - when a social landlord or you manage the design and the Community Self-Build Agency Depending on the availability construction process and are helps you build a group of homes of plots you can choose to live physically involved in part or all of together. wherever you like. You can the construction of your home. make sure you get the perfect view or are well away from your neighbours.

Self-building is zero-rated for VAT. This means your home is tax free, thus saving you even more money. You may even find a plot which is free from stamp duty.

Self-builds leave you satisfied – knowing you have chosen all of the materials, had a hand in the design and ensured that it is built correctly leaves you feeling very proud about your home. Just look at those on Grand Designs! More information go to www.wychavon.gov.uk/ self-build-register

WYCHAVON 15 www.valeandspa.co.uk

16 WYCHAVON Worcestershire’s Vale and Spa

Worcestershire’s Vale and Spa is the new name we’ll be using to promote the area as a destination. The name seeks to celebrate the majesty of the vale area, which covers a lot of the south of the district and the rich salt history going back to Roman times, which makes up the spa element in the north.

It’s really tricky for us to come up with a name to use that pleases everyone, but we hope this, along with the incredible new visuals and smart new website really will help to put us even more on the map. We appreciate that Wychavon as a name doesn’t do it for a lot of people as it’s not somewhere that’s particularly well known as an area. We’ve also incorporated Worcestershire as this is better known geographically.

Anyway – take a look at the website and the beautiful new guides that have been developed (available in print and online). We’ve given new looks to the What’s On guide, Plum Festival and Blossom Trail, and will be looking to give new looks to other events like Salt Fest in September.

For event details, publications, general tourism information and inspiration: Visit www.valeandspa.co.uk 01386 565373 [email protected] @Vale_and_Spa @ValeandSpa @ValeandSpa

WYCHAVON 17 Could your village be crowned the culture capital of Wychavon?

Time is running out for villages across the district to be in with a chance of being crowned Wychavon Village of Culture 2019.

The competition (inspired As part of our promise to support and Gerry O’Donnell, Portfolio Holder for by Inkberrow) will see the engage with communities, the aim of Community Development, Culture Wychavon Village of Culture 2019 is and Sport at Wychavon District winning area awarded to ‘encourage culture as a catalyst for Council, said: £5,000, with two runners change’. “Wychavon Village of Culture up receiving £1,000 each, 2019 is a great opportunity for The programmes, which can include communities to come together to deliver a programme a mixture of visual arts, literature, to create a legacy for their village of cultural activity during music, theatre, heritage, sports and through an exciting programme 2019. more, will need to reach a wide variety of audiences, lead to a lasting social of cultural activity. impact and create a legacy for the area. “It is well recognised that engaging in cultural activities We are looking for high quality cultural such as art, music and theatre, programmes that are distinctive, can benefit mental health and ambitious, build on existing strengths, include partnerships with local wellbeing, and help combat organisations and will contribute to the feelings of isolation. health and wellbeing of the area. “The district is full of thriving To apply, areas need to spell out their villages with different strengths own vision and how they will use the and the competition is all about grant by submitting an expression of building on those to ensure a interest to us by 21 September and the top three will be selected by the bright future for residents.” Localism and Rural Advisory Panels in early October. The chosen three then need to More information submit a final bid by 9 November Contact Mark Williams for our Executive Board to make a Sports Development Officer at final decision before the winner is Wychavon District Council announced in December. [email protected] for more information on the bidding process.

18 WYCHAVON Magnificent meadows

You might have noticed a few changes around some of Wychavon’s parks and nature reserves. As part of our efforts to help Worcestershire become a pollinator-friendly county, many of our public open spaces are being transformed to help support wildlife better, particularly insects.

One of the best examples of this is Part of the preparation for creating Volunteers from Worcestershire taking place at Droitwich Community a wildflower meadow often involves Wildlife Trust will be on hand to spread Woods. Managed in partnership with sowing the seed of a plant known the green hay across the meadow, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, we have as yellow, or hay, rattle. Yellow rattle making sure that precious seed takes relaxed the grass mowing regime is almost like a parasite, it finds the hold and flowers next year and for around the edges of the woodland strongest plants around it and almost many years to come. and hedgerow, to see what sorts of attaches itself to them, stealing some flowers were hiding in the closely of their nutrients and weakening them. In Pershore, Avon Meadows nature cropped turf. reserve is undergoing a long term In most meadows, these plants are programme of restoration to a very After just one year, a wonderful mix of often grasses, which grow fast and special kind of grassland, one that wildflowers have emerged including strong and crowd out the slower thrives in river floodplains. After five bird’s foot trefoil, red clover and growing, delicate flowers. So, yellow years of hay cutting, grazing and yarrow which are all favourites with rattle is often sown into meadows to yellow rattle introduction, the Friends hoverflies, butterflies and bumblebees reduce the strength of the grasses of Avon Meadows are seeing positive for their nectar and pollen. before introducing other flowers. changes in the kinds of grass and flowers that are growing. Flowers may be the most obvious Now that the yellow rattle is well signs of change, but for insects and established and spreading, the This year, with the help of small mammals, the longer grass is meadow is ready for the next step. Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and essential. Many species of butterfly It might be simplest to buy a ready Natural England, we’re preparing the and caterpillar eat only certain species prepared wildflower seed mix and ground by creating lots of bare earth of grass, while voles and field mice scatter it over the prepared ground, and bringing in even more green hay, create their own maze of passages but there’s an even better way and brim-full of wet meadow specialists through the dense tussocks to avoid it makes sure that we use local, like great burnet, knapweed, dropwort the watchful eyes of hunting kestrels. Worcestershire seeds and flowers and meadowsweet. from the very best meadows we have. All this has been achieved without Restoring meadows can be a long, reducing the size of the informal Traditionally, hay is cut, dried, turned slow process, but one that’s incredibly recreation area, which is still mown for and baled, which allows seed to fall worthwhile. While we can’t recreate a football practices and new paths have out from the crop and wait for the next truly old hay meadow, we can certainly been cut through the new meadow growing season in the same field. have a go at keeping meadows alive areas to allow people to see the With green hay, the meadow is mown for the modern day humans and difference for themselves. and baled on the same day and those wildlife. bales are transported to where they Not cutting the grass isn’t the only are needed as soon as possible, tool we use to bring back the colour keeping the seed attached to the hay. of summers past to our meadows and grassy areas. In another part of the This year, Droitwich Community community woodland, work has been Woods will be receiving green hay going on to establish a wildflower from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust’s meadow on the banks of the River beautiful nature reserve at Eade’s Salwarpe. Meadow, a Site of Special Scientific More information Importance (SSSIs) for its ancient go to www.wychavon.gov.uk/ flower-rich hay meadow. nature-reserves

WYCHAVON 19 It’s NOTJUST cats and dogs

If you haven’t already seen our cats’ and dogs’ stories, you’re missing out, as this June was the launch of our new social media apprenticeship campaign: #NOTJUST.

Created by our digital marketing The campaign follows the idea that Giles Williams, bookkeeping apprentice, the #NotJust campaign apprenticeships do #NotJust apply apprentice at Adder Bookkeeping Ltd, looks to tackle the misconceptions to certain sectors (such as manual said: linked with becoming an apprentice, labour or hairdressing), are #NotJust “The work experience you while encouraging more people to for 18-24 year olds, and are #NotJust get from an apprenticeship consider an apprenticeship as a viable for those who failed to make it into is valuable. It makes future choice for their career. university. employers much more likely to With individuals like Sir Ian McKellen Throughout the campaign, local hire you because you know what (yes, Gandalf) starting out his career apprentices and local businesses it’s like to operate in a business. as an apprentice actor, the aim is will also have their say on why they to help more people realise that chose apprenticeships. One business Helen Bower, owner of Adder apprenticeships are #NotJust a featured is Adder Bookkeeping in Bookkeeping Ltd, said: second choice to university. More Pershore. “I would never see being apprenticeship qualifications are young and inexperienced as a being made available and some disadvantage to my business. industries now offer degree level Apprentices are full of energy apprenticeships, which enable apprentices to gain work experience and that’s a very valuable thing to while studying for a degree. have in an employee.”

Qualifications Work Experience

Money

APPRENTICESHIPS To join those that are thinking differently and IPS Qualifications APPRENTICESH stay up to date with the #NotJust campaign, search #NotJust on Twitter, and @not_just_worcs on Instagram.

If you would like to find out more about apprenticeships and vacancies available in Worcestershire, visit worcsapprenticeships.org.uk 20 WYCHAVON DROITWICH SPA LIDO

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TIMETABLE ONLINE AT WWW.RIVERSFITNESS.CO.UK ADVERTISING 21 Enlighten project to light up Evesham

Images of Evesham’s rich heritage will be displayed across the market town this autumn as part of an exciting and permanent creative lighting trail.

22 WYCHAVON ‘Enlighten’ will combine lighting and projection equipment with permanent high tech modern LED lights to create displays on such buildings as the exterior of Evesham Bell Tower, the War Memorial in Abbey Park and The Almonry Museum.

The project has been made possible thanks to £112,000 of combined funding that we secured from Wychavon planning contributions, from Evesham Town Council and from Worcestershire County Council.

The lights will also be flexible enough to change colours to whatever suits the occasion, such as green for the Asparagus Festival.

Enlighten will be centred on the Abbey site, will create new connections between the parks and town centre, enhance the town’s built heritage, reveal and promote the town’s history and improve lighting to public areas.

Jenny Davis, Wychavon’s Arts Development Officer, said: “We are very lucky to have been workshops. There were sessions We are working with a number of in July which got people to use partners including Evesham Town awarded this money as it means their artistic skills to create collages Council, All Saints Church and The we can get started on phase representing the history of Evesham Almonry Museum in order to make one of the lighting scheme for and the beautiful River Avon. Also this project happen and to provide the Evesham. It’s a very exciting and in August Garage Arts Evesham high quality visitor experience called challenging project but one that provided an introduction to animation for in the Evesham Town Plan. I think will add great value to the workshops for 7-13 year olds. To keep up-to-date with the project town and encourage families to Jenny Davis said: you can sign up to the newsletter on visit, whilst also raising the profile “We are currently looking for the website or like the Facebook page of the historic buildings and people to upload old photos of www.facebook.com/enlightenproject bringing them to life in a whole or Twitter @enlighteneves. Evesham and photos of artefacts new way for all to see.” that they think may be of interest Throughout the project there will be to people onto the new website More information an extensive community engagement www.enlightenevesham.co.uk. contact Jenny Davis on programme that will provide These images could then be 01386 565396 or email opportunities for local people of all used as part of the projection [email protected] ages to get involved in a range of onto The Almonry Museum.” WYCHAVON 23 WYCHAVON Get in touch Online Useful numbers Easy, quick and General enquiries 01386 565000 simple - go online Licensing and More services, quick to access, environmental health 01905 822799 easy to use www.wychavon.gov.uk Planning 01386 565565 Council Tax and On the phone Business Rates 03004 560560 Make a payment using Housing Benefit or our automated payments Council Tax Support 03004 560560 system: 03300 889686 Bins and recycling 01386 565018 You will need your: • Invoice number • Card details • Address Housing 01386 565020

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WYCHAVON is produced and published by Wychavon District Council. All information correct at time of going to print.