Bricklehampton · Elmley Castle Kersoe · Netherton UPDATE & NEWS FROM THE PARISH COUNCIL

Issue 6 Autumn 2020 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

We are going ahead with the switching on of the spectacular Elmley Castle Christmas lights - just a bit later than planned. We will now be holding this event on Friday 4 December leaving the village hall at 4.30pm.

This year Santa will have 3 Christmas Tree lights to turn on. Elmley Castle Village Hall, Elmley Castle School and outside The Queen Elizabeth pub. Plus more lights from the Village Square and heading down Main Street. Santa will be transported on a festive vehicle with Christmas music, so remember to sing along as he makes his way along Main Street. Bring torches and let’s light up Santa’s route.

A great start to the Christmas season.

Come along, line the streets (socially distanced) and cheer on Santa as he parades from Elmley Castle Village Hall to the Village Square and join in the countdown to turning on the lights!

FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER 4.30pm

2 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News Welcome

Welcome

Welcome to the sixth edition of our Parish Council Update & News with information and updates on activities in Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe and Netherton.

Unfortunately the Summer Hopefully the vaccination respite from Coronavirus was program will start soon and we relatively short lived and we can look forward to returning to once again find ourselves in a some sort of normality. National Lockdown as we come to the end of Autumn. As a community we have all come closer together and many The recent announcement people have risen to the call to that families will be able to look out for others. come together to celebrate Christmas is a source of joy for We will no doubt look back on many, but is a double edged this period as being a dark one, sword bringing with it the risk of but we will also remember those increased infections in the new who went the extra mile to help year. their neighbours through it.

After Christmas we unfortunately have to return to the local tiered lock-downs.

There is at last some real hope, with the announcement of Below and front cover: rosehips and three different vaccines that all apples in the Community Orchard prevent the spread of the virus.

3 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

Village Appearance & Maintenance

Our villages are beautiful but need constant and ongoing maintenance to keep them in the best possible condition.

Wild Flower & Daffodil Litter Pick Planting The community litter pick The 2020 wild flower and in September was a great daffodil planting built on the success. 11.5 Bags of rubbish work done last year adding were collected from the roads additional bulbs and wildflower and verges running through our seeds to the same four sites. villages. Many villagers joined A big thank you to all the our call for help and working councillors and volunteers in pairs cleared the following who worked over two days to roads: complete the work. We are all • Netherton Lane to Haselor looking forward to the amazing Lane. display of colour in the Spring. • Pershore Road to Little Comberon • Elmley Castle to Kersoe • New Road loop through Bricklehampton • Main Street & Hill Lane If you are interested in joining our next round in January The Parish Council has joined 2021 please contact the Parish the Wychavon “Adopt a Street “ Clerk Andy Robinson 07586 campaign and are committed to 567777 (office hours) clerk@ clearing these areas three times elmleycastleparishcouncil.gov. per year. uk

4 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News Village Appearance & Maintenance JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY LITTERPICK

We have adopted the following streets for community litter picking:

Main Street & Hill Lane Netherton Lane to Haselor Lane Elmley Castle to Kersoe Pershore Road to Little Comberton New Road through Bricklehampton All equipment is provided, everyone welcome. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult

Next Litter Pick will be in January 2021

Let Andy Robinson (The Clerk) know if you’d like to help by emailing [email protected] or calling 07586 567777 during office hours.

5 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

Bricklehampton Gates Bricklehampton Phone Box The new style village gates The refurbishment of the have now been installed in adopted phonebox in Bricklehampton and we hope Bricklehampton is now complete you agree that they look great. and as you can see it is a great The designs were chosen by the improvement. The residents of community consultation back in Bricklehampton were consulted the Summer of 2019. The gates on what the phone box should were funded by a combination be used for. The results were: of grants from the County • Leave empty – 24% Council, The Police and Crime • House the Defibrillator – 29% Commissioners Office and the • Community book swap – 47% balance from Parish Council reserves. The funding to add bookshelves to the back of the phonebox has John Eaton Legacy been approved and work will Commemorative Bench start in the next few weeks. John Eaton a long-time resident and well known “Character” of Elmley Castle left a legacy to the Parish Council in his will. A small amount of that legacy remained when the new Parish Council was elected and, in consultation with John’s family, we decided to spend it on a commemorative bench near the entrance to the Playing Fields and the planting of blue bells in the entrance.

6 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News

Tree Removal & Re-planting The removal of the dangerous Ash trees on the playing field was completed on schedule and the stumps were ground out to remove any trip hazards and make re-planting easier. There were 100 responses to the Community Consultation concerning what tree species should be planted to replace the lost Ash trees. The results were: Beech – 8% Lime – 17% Oak – 30% Elm – 45% So the Parish Council will be sourcing disease resistant Elm trees from Pershore College to plant on the playing field.

New Dog Waste Bins We would like to thank Lisa undertaken quickly to stabilize Looker and Mick & Jane Moore and straighten the Cross. for bringing to our attention the The work needs to be carried increasing problem of dog mess out by specialist heritage in the villages. Lockdown and contractors and the estimated Covid restrictions have brought cost is around £15,000. more walkers to the villages, The Parish Council have which means more dogs and worked closely with Historic unfortunately more mess. England and the County Council to set up a Section 17 The Parish Council had to go agreement under The Ancient through a process to formally Monuments and Archaeological agree with Wychavon District Areas Act 1979 to secure grant Council suitable locations for funding for this work. new bins. This process has now been completed and we have The Cross Historic England will contribute installed three new dog waste After a structural survey and 90% of the costs, the Highways bins in the villages. ongoing measurement by the department at Worcester County Parish Council Historic England Council will contribute 5% and The first is at the top of Hill have now concluded that the the Parish Council will only need Lane, just before the footpath lean of the Cross is both active to fund the remaining 5% of the starts to walk up the hill. The and getting very close to the total costs from reserves. (To a second is in Bricklehampton point of no return, where it will maximum of £1,000) at the end of the Lane and the split or shatter. final one is located on Netherton Lane. These will be ”adopted” The Cross has been put on the and emptied by Wychavon Ancient Monuments “At Risk” refuse services. register and works need to be

7 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

The Playground refurbishment The “National lockdown” slowed the completion of the Elmley Castle Playground upgrade but it was successfully reopened in late August.

The works involved the major job of levelling the whole play area in order to remove the trip hazard caused by different ground levels. Then the old bark and deteriorating “soft-pour” surfaces were replaced with a new Cushion Fall loose impact absorbent surface (LIAS) across the whole play area.

The old swings where upgraded to a 1m diameter basket nest swing, which is proving very popular with children of all ages! Finally upgrading the plastic panels on the play tower to Sequoia timber panels with new artwork. We would like to thank the Staff and children of Elmley Castle First School for designing the new artwork on the panels. The children choose local features to highlight the many wonderful attractions of the Parish.

The total project cost was £13,000, but the Parish Council was able to obtain grant funding under the New Homes Bonus Scheme to cover £12,992. (The remaining £8 from Parish Council reserves)

8 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News

Road Safety & Highways Maintenance

We are committed to improving the safety of our roads by reducing speeding, improving signage and keeping on top of pot-holes and road repairs

Grit Bins The parish council provides additional green grit bins to supplement the yellow ones provided by the Highways Department at Worcestershire County Council. The Parish Council bins have been Discoloured Road Signs checked, topped up and are All the discoloured road signs ready for winter. in the villages have now been replaced with new ones. These The grit provided is for use on If you think there is a dangerous are easier for motorists to read a self-help basis to clear public stretch of road that would and look a lot better! pavements and roads only. It is benefit from a grit bin then not for use on private property. please contact the Parish Leak in Mill Lane Clerk Andy Robinson 07586 The long running saga of the Please remember to use the grit 567777 (office hours) clerk@ leak alongside the Playing sparingly, as it is expensive to elmleycastleparishcouncil.gov. Field near the Mill Lane Millfield purchase and can be damaging uk Junction has at last moved to the environment if used forward. For a long time, nobody incorrectly. 10g of grit (rock salt) Additional Horse & Rider would fix this because neither per metre square is sufficient to signage Netherton Lane Severn Trent, nor the Highways treat ice and light snow fall. 20g Two new horse and rider signs department would accept per square metre will treat up to will be in place along Netherton responsibility. 10cm of compacted snow. Lane. The first between Elmley / Netherton and the second one The water was now been tested Grit bins can be found at: by the junction at Haselor Lane. and it has been confirmed as • Hill Lane x 3 rain/surface water and not • Opposite the Pub from the Severn Trent Supply. • Playing Field It is now accepted that it is • Mill Lane opposite Millfield the Highways department’s • Cornmill Netherton Lane responsibility to investigate • Netherton Lane Netherton the cause and a full camera • Bricklehampton plantation survey has been added to their cottages and the Lane schedule of works. • Bricklehampton triangle • Kersoe

9 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020 Road Safety

10 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News

Crime Prevention

Be vigilant, report suspicious activity, share information through your local Neighbourhood Watch, stay safe and care for our community

Fly tipping • Do not approach the fly tipper There are still incidents of fly • Do not place yourself in tipping on the roads entering danger our villages. The incident shown here was at Netherton Lane in This should then be reported to November of this year. Wychavon Client Services Team If you see someone fly tipping on 01386 565018 or via write down as many relevant www.wychavon.gov.uk/flytipping details as possible: If the fly tipping is blocking the road or represents a hazard • A description of the people fly to traffic then it should also be New Neighbourhood Watch tipping reported to the County Council Co-ordinator • Full description of any vehicle Highways Department on 01905 The Neighbourhood Watch involved, especially the 765765 network was established by registration Lorraine Parker from scratch • What was fly tipped across the Parish from 2018 to • What kind of view you had and date. whether anyone else was with you Lorraine has some new opportunities that she wishes to explore and so has decided to pass this role onto Heather Shorthouse.

Lorraine will be working closely with Heather in this volunteering role, assisting her where she can.

The Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Lorraine for her continued hard work and look forward to working with Heather.

Heather can be contacted by email hlsneighbourhoodwatch@ gmail.com

11 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

Planning & Development

The Parish Council is working to positively influence all planning decisions that impact our villages.

Assets of Community Value Hall and Playing Fields could The Parish Council has formally meet the criteria for designation submitted requests to Wychavon as assets of community value, District Council to secure “Asset but we are still awaiting final of Community Value” status and approval. legal protection for land and buildings in the Village which Unfortunately, the application for are important to the community. the School was rejected. The Queen Elizabeth Pub It cannot be protected for the already has protection and we same reason as the Church. are attempting to extend this The building is a “Church of to cover the Village Hall, The England holding” and therefore Playing Fields and the School. exempt from the disposal The initial response from process of the Community of Wychavon was that the Village Assets Right to bid.

12 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News

Ernest Stevens

Ernest Stevens & The Playing what became a well-known and Sabbatarians and members of Field successful company producing the Temperance movement, The plaque by the entrance to his own brand known as Judge calling water Adams Ale! the Elmley Castle Playing Field kitchen ware. Ernest and Mary had 3 sons says that it was donated by and 2 daughters. Victor, the Ernest Stevens, but most of us He married Mary Collins, an eldest, caught TB at school but know very little about the story advocate of temperance with appeared to recover and went to behind this generous gift. a strong social concern for a farm in Wiltshire to learn about women and children who were farming. His father was easily Born 1867 in Lye near suffering in the depression persuaded to buy Chapel Farm Stourbridge Ernest Stevens was caused by the declining iron and at Netherton in 1916 to house educated locally before joining mining industry. They were both a top herd of Hereford cattle his father’s business, which was then described as ‘Bucket Makers’.

The factory for the business was built over old mine workings and suffered serious subsidence in the early 1890s. No compensation was available and after this crisis the family went their different ways. Ernest was determined to continue galvanising. In the early days he toured the markets of the Black Country with a horse and cart - earning himself the name Bucket King!

Realising that there was a demand for kitchen ware he went on from this to build up Mary Stevens Park

13 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

Mary Stevens Hospice

of which he was very proud. But the business struggled, by cheaper imports; it ceased Considerable money was and they found that in spite of production in about the same spent on modernising the farm building extensive pens they year. buildings and house, with Alfred really needed somewhere with Long and company designing more water and a more rural He left an amazing legacy of barns with blue brick floors area so the farm was put up for donations to the Stourbridge and Belfast roofs, the latter sale. There was a considerable area, such as Mary Stevens necessitating importing massive agricultural depression at the Park in memory of his wife timbers which had to be time and W.O.Steele took which is still much used today collected off trains from Hinton advantage of very favourable and Mary Stevens Home which Station. Local people were very terms to buy the estate in 1935. is now a hospice. grateful for the work that he Ernest wanted all children to brought to the area during this have somewhere they could Many thanks to Jean Steele for time of agricultural depression. play freely, and to this end writing this article and providing Ernest’s family often came down he gave play areas to many the picture of Ernest. to Chapel Farm at weekends parts of the Black Country. It is with visitors and by all accounts therefore perhaps not surprising he very much enjoyed this. that he bought the turnip field in Sadly, Victor’s TB returned and the middle of Elmley Castle for he died in 1920. He was buried a playing field to be established in Oldswinford church yard. in memory of his son. The His 2 brothers were by then deed reads ‘for the free use dealing in wild fowl and there of children’. A later Deed was are family memories of seeing altered so that land not needed flamingos by the silos and for the children was to be free humming birds in the bath room! for adults and dogs on leads! They sold some birds to Peter Ernest Stevens died in 1957, Scott when he was building his by which time the company’s own collection for Slimbridge. products had been overtaken

14 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News

Community Groups & What’s On

We are lucky to have so many thriving groups in our community and we need to support and sustain their continued development. Our mutual plans and ambitions will only be achieved if we all work together.

Cricket Club be in the public’s safety and A 7 year lease has now been interest. A big thank you to all agreed between the Elmley those who were going to help Castle Cricket Club and out, as always your support the Parish Council (acting and enthusiasm is very much as trustees for the Playing appreciated. Field Charity). This will give the Cricket Club the formal Remembrance 2020 documentation required to Due to the lockdown and access future grant funding from Covid 19 restrictions the usual bodies such as Sport England. Remembrance events could The process of getting a not take place. However, a formal agreement in place was short private service was complicated and had been held on Sunday November attempted several times on and 8th outside St Mary’s off over several decades without Church, Elmley Castle, success. A big thank you to attended by Churchwardens, Will Bailey of the Cricket Club village representatives and for working so closely with the representatives of veterans. Parish Council to hammer out all Wreaths were blessed, prayers were then taken and laid at the details and navigate around said and the names of the village memorials in Elmley, the practical and legal issues. fallen were read. The wreaths Bricklehampton and the Combertons. Christmas Craft Fayre - 28 November 2020 The Scouts laid their own Unfortunately we had to cancel wreath at the door of the Church the Christmas Craft Fayre due and displayed poppies around to be held in Elmley Village the village coloured in by the Hall. This would have been young people. such a festive/merry event with over 17 stall holders attending. As a reminder if you were not However due to Government able to purchase a poppy this restrictions and in the interests year, donations to the Royal of everyone’s safety we decided British Legion can be made at that holding a market would not any time. www.britishlegion.org. uk

15 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

Winners of the Sunflower Growing Competition The winners of the Sunflower Growing Competition were presented with their prizes at Elmley School at the beginning of the new school year. Congratulations to Elsie Thornton (winner 170cms), William Robinson (second 117cms), and Charlie, Hugo and Flora Andrews (third 62cms). Due to Covid restrictions the presentation was carried out behind closed doors but a big congratulations to everyone who took part. Elsie gets to keep the trophy for a whole year but hopefully there will be a keenly contested competition next summer. Look out for more details in Spring 2021.

16 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle and Netherton Village Community Hall YOUR VILLAGE HALL IS OPEN! From 3rd December, we are fully set up to work within Covid 19 restrictions and able to offer indoor and outdoor space.

Please call Jeanette on 01386 710511 to discuss your event and what the safe, socially distanced and legal maximum Now being used number of people might be (it can be as for conferences, many as 50). music, martial arts Next Village Hall Markets and more. • Renewed hearing loop and PA system, Thursday 10th December complete with wireless lapel microphones. Thursday 14th January • Redecorated committee room with Every 2nd Thursday of the month, dimmable lighting. 9:30am - 11:30am • Redecorated hallways. • Outside space for marquee. Pershore Jazz Club • Community orchard for breakout space, Now based at the village hall and looking for wedding photos and more. new members • Rapid air-source heating (so the main hall www.pershorejazz.org.uk warms up in minutes, not hours). 01386 554235

LCTKD Martial Arts Heating-inclusive, flat rates per hour TaeKwonDo x Ensodo x Mugai Ryu xTai Chi Main hall: £12.50 (£10.00*) Now holding classes at the village hall. Main Committee room: £9.00 (£6.50*) sessions currently full, but looking to set up new Whole hall: £18.00 (£15.00*) classes for beginners. *Reduced rate for parish residents www.lctkd.com/evesham.html [email protected] 0748 478 5882

17 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

Our Community Pub activities to broaden its appeal the time for our support is now !! On November 12th, celebrity and attract more custom. The The Queens Festive Menu has chef Tom Kerridge launched his journey hasn’t been easy, and always been very popular – new BBC Two series ‘Saving despite government support, the there is no reason that this year Britain’s Pubs’. On the one hand events of 2020 certainly haven’t shouldn’t be the same ! So, if it was reassuring to see that helped. you have a chance, let’s all give many other establishments are this cherished institution our struggling with similar issues to Despite these uncertain times, full support, and ensure that pubs in our locality, whilst on the the management and staff in better circumstances, our other hand it was depressing at the Queens are planning beating heart will still be there that so many pubs are suffering! for a jolly Christmas period for us. under whatever government Since the Queens reopened in restrictions are in force. They December 2014, our community very much hope that our local pub has become a social heart community will fully support their of our villages, constantly efforts – if we are to retain our refining their offerings and community pub for the future,

18 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News Community Groups & What’s On

Christmasmenu To begin Creamy White Onion Soup topped with Roasted Chestnuts and served with Crusty Bread

Pan-fried Scallops and Black Pudding Puree with crispy Pork Belly, Green Peas and Pea Shoots

Duck Liver & Port Parfait wrapped in Parma Ham, and served with homemade Chutney, Watercress and Crusty Bread

Grilled Asparagus with Blue Cheese Brulee served with a Poached Egg and Hollandaise Foam Our mains Roasted Bronze Turkey Breast Pigs in Blankets, Sausagemeat Stuffing, Roasted Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, Sautéed Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon, and a rich Jus

Homemade Festive Nut Roast Roasted Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, Sautéed Sprouts with Chestnuts, Seasonal Vegetables and Vegetable Gravy

Roast Topside of Beef with Yorkshire Pudding Roasted Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, Sautéed Sprouts with Chestnuts, Seasonal Vegetables, and a Red Wine Jus

Pan Fried Salmon Fillet with Beurre Noisette Green Beans tossed with Shallots, Sautéed New Potatoes, and a Lemon Parsley Sauce To follow Homemade Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce

Christmas Crème Brulee served with Mince Pie Sorbet

Cheeseboard (£2.00 supplement) Traditional Festive Cheeses with Biscuits, Celery Sticks Homemade Chutney and Walnuts

Lunch: Two courses - £17.00; Three courses - £21.50 Dinner: Two courses - £22.00; Three courses - £27.50

19 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

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For For further further help help and and advice advice about about protecting protecting For further help and advice about protecting BurglaryBurglary preventionprevention –– keepkeep homeshomes andand propertyproperty safesafe yourselfyourself and and your your home home visit visit the the West West Mercia Mercia Burglary prevention – keep homes and property safe yourself and your home visit the West Mercia InIn one one out out of of three three burglaries burglaries thieves thieves do do not not have have to to use use force force getting getting into into PolicePolice Crime Crime Prevention Prevention website: website: In one out of three burglaries thieves do not have to use force getting into Police Crime Prevention website: thethe property property through through an an open open door door or or window. window. www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ the property through an open door or window. www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ oror call call us us on on 101 101 or call us on 101

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CarCar key key burglary burglary SometimesSometimes people people will try will to try break to break into housesinto houses Sometimes people will try to break into houses simplysimply to steal to stealyour yourcar keys. car keys. simply to steal your car keys. • Never• Never leave leave car keys car keysin open in open view viewof your of your • Never leave car keys in open view of your letterboxletterbox or ground or ground floor floorwindows windows letterbox or ground floor windows • Ensure• Ensure car keys car keysare not are within not within reach reach and canand can • Ensure car keys are not within reach and can Your Yourchances chances of of not benot “fished" be “fished" from fromletterbox letterbox or window or window Your chances of not be “fished" from letterbox or window becomingbecoming a victim a victim of of • Because• Because it is the it is car the keys car keysthe thief the thiefwants, wants, when when becoming a victim of • Because it is the car keys the thief wants, when crimecrime are low are -low but - by but by at homeat home at night at night DO leave DO leave them them downstairs, downstairs, do do crime are low - but by at home at night DO leave them downstairs, do followingfollowing our simple our simple not takenot takethem them upstairs upstairs with withyou. you.If they If theyare are following our simple not take them upstairs with you. If they are adviceadvice you canyou reducecan reduce persistentpersistent enough enough to break-in to break-in it is best it is bestthey they advice you can reduce persistent enough to break-in it is best they your yourchances chances even even take takethe keys the keysand goand go your chances even take the keys and go furtherfurther further

+ Remember…+ Remember…

For further For further help helpand adviceand advice about about protecting protecting For further help and advice about protecting BurglaryBurglary prevention prevention – keep– keep homes homes and and property property safe safe yourselfyourself and yourand yourhome home visit visitthe West the West Mercia Mercia Burglary prevention – keep homes and property safe yourself and your home visit the West Mercia In oneIn oneout outof three of three burglaries burglaries thieves thieves do notdo nothave have to use to useforce force getting getting into into PolicePolice Crime Crime Prevention Prevention website: website: In one out of three burglaries thieves do not have to use force getting into Police Crime Prevention website: the theproperty property through through an open an open door door or window. or window. www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ the property through an open door or window. www.westmercia.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/ or callor uscall on us 101 on 101 or call us on 101

DoorsDoors and and LightLight and and ShedShed and and FollowFollow these these Doors and Light and Shed and Follow these windowswindows alarmsalarms gardensgardens simplesimple steps steps SmartSmart Water Water Protect Protect Your Your Belongings Belongings simple steps In aboutIn about a third a thirdof of WhenWhen you are you out, are leaveout, leave a light a light MakeMake sure shedssure sheds and garages and garages Smart Water Protect Your Belongings to helpto help reduce reduce In about a third of When you are out, leave a light Make sure sheds and garages SmartSmart water water marking marking kits are kits available are available FREE FREE from from to help reduce burglaries,burglaries, thieves thieves gain gain on toon give to thegive impression the impression are lockedare locked and secure. and secure. Always Always Smart water marking kits are available FREE from the thechance chance of of burglaries, thieves gain on to give the impression are locked and secure. Always the Parishthe Parish Council. Council. Contact Contact the Clerk the Clerk Andrew Andrew the chance of accessaccess through through an open an open therethere is somebody is somebody at home. at home. tidy awaytidy away your gardenyour garden tools tools the Parish Council. Contact the Clerk Andrew becomingbecoming a a access through an open there is somebody at home. tidy away your garden tools RobinsonRobinson (on 07586 (on 07586 567777 567777 (office (office hours) hours) or or windowwindow or door. or door. Make Make sure sure A lightA timerlight timer switch switch is fairly is fairly and lockand ladderslock ladders away away Robinson (on 07586 567777 (office hours) or becoming a window or door. Make sure A light timer switch is fairly and lock ladders away victim.victim. doorsdoors and windows and windows are kept are kept cheapcheap to buy to and buy can and be can be to stopto stopa burglar a burglar using using them. them. [email protected]@elmleycastleparishcouncil.gov.uk victim. doors and windows are kept cheap to buy and can be to stop a burglar using them. [email protected] lockedlocked when when you go you out, go andout, andeasilyeasily fitted fitted to operate to operate radios radios Use aUse good a good quality quality padlock padlock on on MarkMark your yourproperty property with smartwaterwith smartwater and ifa ndpolice if police locked when you go out, and easily fitted to operate radios Use a good quality padlock on Mark your property with smartwater and if police closeclose them them even evenwhen when you you and lightsand lights when when you are you out, are out, your shedyour shedto protect to protect your your recoverrecover it we itwill we be will able be ableto identify to identify the owner the owner and and close them even when you and lights when you are out, your shed to protect your recover it we will be able to identify the owner and leaveleave a room, a room, particularly particularly givinggiving burglars burglars the impression the impression propertyproperty inside inside it. it. returnreturn it. it. leave a room, particularly giving burglars the impression property inside it. return it. duringduring hot weather. hot weather. that somebodythat somebody is in. is in. during hot weather. that somebody is in. You canYou also can buyalso a buy shed a shedalarm alarm If youIf haveyou have particularly particularly valuable valuable or unique or unique CheckCheck the condition the condition of door of door You can also buy a shed alarm If you have particularly valuable or unique Check the condition of door Don’tDon’t forget forget– if you– if have you havean an cheaplycheaply from frommost most DIY stores. DIY stores. possessionspossessions take takephotos photos of them of them to help to helpofficers officers framesframes and glass and glass panels panels to to Don’t forget – if you have an cheaply from most DIY stores. possessions take photos of them to help officers frames and glass panels to alarmalarm on your on houseyour house use it. use it. identifyidentify your yourproperty. property. makemake sure theysure arethey secure. are secure. alarm on your house use it. identify your property. make sure they are secure. And youAnd canyou protectcan protect your yourgadgets gadgets for free for byfree by And you can protect your gadgets for free by registeringregistering them them on www.immobilise.com on www.immobilise.com registering them on www.immobilise.com 21 Issue 6 | Autumn 2020

Community Ultrafast Broadband Project

The current broadband service infrastructure, will offer speeds Alternatively, you can email your in our area is simply not good of up to 1,000 megabits name, address and landline enough for the ever-growing (depending on a chosen telephone number directly to the number of services being package) and virtually unlimited Councillors co-ordinating the delivered via the internet. TV capacity for future needs. project: via Netflix, Amazon Prime and catch up services, music from The upgrade would cost Elmley Castle, Netherton or Spotify and Internet radio along you nothing, thanks to UK Kersoe with online gaming are using up government funding. It may Cllr Adrian Parker the available capacity. There is even increase your property Adrian.Parker@ currently no central government value through access to this ElmleyCastleParishCouncil.gov.uk plan for improvement in rural future proofed network. All it areas and as technology moves requires is individual households Bricklehampton forward the demands on the and businesses to come Cllr Jim Douglas current broadband infrastructure together as a community. The Jim.Douglas@ are only going to grow and our grants are calculated based on ElmleyCastleParishCouncil.gov.uk existing services will get slower £1,500 per private residence over time. that signs up and £3,500 per local business that signs up If you are interested please As a result, the Parish Council act quickly, the grant scheme in conjunction with residents All you need to do to ensure is proving very popular in rural is looking to undertake a that our villages can benefit areas and the funding won’t last Community Project, supported from this new technology is long. If you have any questions by the Superfast Worcestershire complete the form on the inside there is a detailed FAQ on the Broadband Team, to bring the back cover of this edition of the Parish Website which can be ultrafast broadband network to Village News and return it to found under the “What’s Going our community. Andy Robinson (Parish Clerk) at On” Menu Elmley Meadow Elmley Castle This network, delivered WR10 3HW. via a fibre to the premises

22 Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe & Netherton Parish Council Update & News Community consultations

Ultra-Fast Broadband The new Ultrafast broadband network, delivered by a fibre to the premises infrastructure, will offer speeds of up to 1,000 Mbs and almost unlimited capacity. Bringing this technology infrastructure into the villages is expensive, but the Parish Council, working with local residents and the Superfast Worcestershire Broadband Scheme is working on a scheme to have it funded entirely by government grants. Funding is available up to £1,500 per household and £3,500 per business that signs up. You are not committed to anything by signing, just helping to get the grant funding in place.

Please tick Yes, I would like to help bring Super-Fast broadband to our Community

Name: Address: Email: Tel:

Resident or Business (Tick Box): Signature: Resident Business

By signing this expression of interest you are not committed to changing your broadband provider or incurring any expenditure. You are giving consent under the GDPR that your information can be shared with Worcestershire County Council, BT Open Reach and the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sports.

Please cut and return to: Andrew Robinson Elmley Meadow, Elmley Castle, WR10 3HW or photograph and email to [email protected] by 14th December 2020. By providing your email address you are consenting to receive future community consultation surveys via email.

23 Get involved

We would really like more people to be involved in our working groups.

Full community involvement is key to our philosophy. If there is one of these groups that appeals to you and your particular interests and skills please contact the Parish Clerk and register.

Contact Details Update & News is published by the Bricklehampton, Elmley Castle, Kersoe and Netherton Parish Council. For more information or to contact us see: www.elmleycastleparishcouncil.gov.uk

Andy Robinson (Clerk) 07586 567777 [email protected]