The Littleton Link May 2021

The Littleton Link

May 2021 Editors letter

Dear All Welcome to the May issue of The Littleton Link. There is a feeling that normality is returning, but we do all still need to take care. In the first week of this month its Hedgehog Awareness Week and VE Day is celebrated on Saturday 8 May. It’s a time for listening out for the cuckoo and, if skies are clear, we should see the largest Supermoon of the year on 26 May. In this issue there are calls for volunteers and you’ll find updates from the Scouts, the WI, the Village Hall, your Parish Councils and our County Councillor. As always if you have anything to share please do send it through for inclusion in another edition. Whatever you do this month, please stay safe and healthy. Kind regards and best wishes that you all stay well, Mary

Cover: Magnolia (Christina Bayes)

Dates for your diary

Day & Event Time Location Date Sat 8 May VE Day tea party 3 - 4 pm Front garden Wed 19 N&M Parish Council May meeting 7:30 pm Zoom Thurs 20 South Parish Council May meeting 7:30 pm Scout Hut Tues 25 10:40 to May Mobile Library 11:15 various Wed 26 May Village Hall AGM 7:30 pm Village Hall

Details of all events can be found in this or past editions of The Littleton Link which are also available online at: http://www.southlittleton.org.uk/The_Littleton_Link_637 7.aspx

Free bus service to TESCO (run by Henshaw’s Coaches) Route runs: Offenham, The Littletons, Honeybourne, Bretforton & Badsey Every Thursday, picking up at: 09:48 The Ivy, North Littleton 09:50 Village Hall, Middle Littleton 09:52 Shinehill Lane, South Littleton ETA at Tesco 10:30; ETD from Tesco 11:45

WYCHAVON DISTRICT COUNCIL

And VENTILATE Don’t forget if you meet people you do not live with indoors, such as someone working in your home, you should make sure you let as much fresh air in as you can without getting uncomfortably cold (for example by opening windows). Even if you’ve had the Covid-19 vaccine we should all be playing our part by:  Following the lockdown rules at each stage of easing – don’t be tempted to do more than is allowed  Washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds  Wearing your face covering in indoor spaces  Keeping a safe distance from others when you do go outside

To keep informed of everything related to coronavirus visit the following websites: https://www.gov.uk https://worcestershire.gov.uk

To keep up-to-date with any changes sign up for an email direct to your email address. For more information go to: https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/covid-19-update 4

VE Day Saturday 8 May 2021 Last year, despite all the restrictions in place, the nation got together and celebrated VE Day in incredible fashion.

In parts of The Littletons we held socially distanced afternoon tea parties, some of us in our front gardens. Shall we do it all again this year?

Whilst this letter has been sent to Parish Clerks the website does offer individual items for purchase, from ‘Window Tommies’ to Bunting Bundles. All the products are made or fulfilled by veterans, and all proceeds from every sale in the VE Day 2021 range go towards supporting vulnerable veterans and people with disabilities.

PILATES AND TRIGGER POINT PILATES

PILATES Promotes a strong core and spine, increases flexibility and mobility, and develops lean muscle.

TRIGGER POINT PILATES A class created to help alleviate chronic pain and undo muscular restrictions. Using myofascial release techniques, this class will restore fascia health and help rid tight muscles of restrictive trigger points. This class enables the body to move freely and cope with its functional requirement.

Call Michèle - 07813 084575 for more information and to find out how you can still participate

1ST LITTLETON SCOUT GROUP

We as a Group are very excited as we can now return to face to face Scouting.

As you can imagine there are several rules that we have had to adhere to, to make us compliant with both Scout Association and the Government. Although we are allowed to meet indoors and out we are planning on being outside as much as possible to reduce any potential risk to our members.

Scouts start back Friday 23rd April Cubs start back Tuesday 27th April Beavers start back Wednesday 28th April

At present no Parents / Carers will be allowed in the Hall so can you all please follow instructions given on the Facebook page or by signs / leaders at drop off and pick up.

Here's to getting back to some Scouting Fun

For anyone interested in joining you can get more details from: [email protected]

Yours in Scouting Charles Robertson GSL Jemma Bayley AGSL

I can be contacted on 01386 832402 if you would like your child to take part in either Beavers, Cubs or Scouts.

LITTLETONS VILLAGE HALL

Residents of the Littletons are cordially invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Village Hall on Wednesday, 26 May at 7:30pm in the hall.

The purpose of the A.G.M. is to receive reports from its elected officials and to elect a new committee to manage the Village Hall in the year ahead.

The Village Hall hosts a variety of local clubs, organisations and community activities throughout the year. All Committee members are volunteers and if you feel you could give some free time and help us in any way we would be delighted to welcome you.

Michael Duce Village Hall Chairman

SOUTH LITTLETON PARISH COUNCIL

 The May meeting will resume at the Scout Hut.  Thank you very much to the kind hearted female resident who recently did a litter pick around the recreational ground and surrounding area.  Streetlights near 5 Greenhill Cottages, Long Hyde Road and Shinehill/Withy Trees are scheduled to be replaced on 10th May.  It’s been reported that fly tipping/disposal of garden rubbish is occurring on the recreation ground by the playground / scout hut. We politely ask that you refrain from doing this as it costs you, the parishioners, to dispose of correctly, its unsightly and spoils the surroundings for all who use the facility.  We still have vacancies on the parish council. If you are passionate about your village and want to have a say in its future development, please get in touch with our Clerk, Sean, who would be delighted to inform you of what’s involved.  The council are seeking to create some flower planting / nature areas around the village. We are looking for any volunteers willing to help or have knowledge to get in touch with the clerk in the first instance at [email protected]  The new cycle way from South Littleton to Blackminster has been delayed (no further information known at time of going to press).  Road closures can be found on https://one.network/

Louise Bucknall SLPC Chair Further updates will be available on the website at: www.southlittleton.org.uk including details of how to join in Parish Councils meetings which are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month.

NORTH AND MIDDLE LITTLETON PARISH COUNCIL Items discussed at April 2021 meeting Before the parish council meeting the annual parish meeting was held.

Parish Council Meetings are now being held virtually. Website will continue to be updated at: https://www.northandmiddlelittleton- pc.gov.uk/ with any relevant information regarding Parish Council matters. We hope all our Parishioners stay fit and healthy in these uncertain times. Should any parishioners wish to join these meetings please contact the clerk Marion Brighton for details required. Parishioners wishing to have any items placed on the website would they please submit them to [email protected] Dog Fouling: Concerns were again raised regarding the amount of dog fouling in the parish. Please read the separate article in this Link (p16).

Memorial Bench: A memorial bench honouring the armed forces has been delivered. This will be placed opposite the church.

Bus Shelter: (North Littleton crossroads) This has again been damaged and repair work is being investigated.

The Pound: It is hoped to plant trees on The Pound using NHB grants from Wychavon District Council. Further information concerning this is being collated. See separate article in this Link (p19).

Planning Applications: For those people who are interested in following planning applications that have been submitted to Wychavon District Council their website at:

11 https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/planning/planning-weekly-list has all the information required entered up to date.

Telephone Kiosk (North Littleton) This is to refurbished to house a defibrillator.

Lengthsman Scheme: It was agreed to join this scheme for 2021/2022.

NHB Grants: The parish council propose to Plant trees on The Pound, North Littleton. A separate article appears in this Link (p19).

Meetings: It was agreed that meetings will be held virtually until May 2021. These will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm.

Next meeting to be held May 19, 2021

Clerk - Marion Brighton [email protected]

Parish Councillors: James Haywood, Mrs Barbara Hopkins, Ian Jones, Colin Emms, Martin Burge, Mrs Sarah Powell and Ms Sandra Jackson.

This notice is reproduced with the kind permission of Sussex Wildlife Trust as this message applies to the whole of the UK.

It's nesting season and our garden birds are working hard. Did you know that all wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law? It’s important not to disturb them, so please leave the hedge-trimming until later in the year – see also page 35.

HEDGEHOG AWARENESS WEEK – 2 to 8 May Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 2nd to 8th May this year and it aims to raise the profile of Britain’s only spiny mammal, which is now officially classified as vulnerable to extinction. This year the British Hedgehog Preservation Society is asking people to create their very own hedgehog haven. Gardens are a stronghold for hedgehogs and we can make their lives so much easier with very little effort. Tips will be given out on the charity’s social media accounts during the week using #hedgehogweek with daily competitions to win hedgehoggy prizes.

Here’s a couple of tips to get you started:

 Provide a shallow dish of fresh water for all wildlife, especially during long dry spells.  Check areas thoroughly for hedgehogs before strimming or mowing.  Avoid using pesticides and slug pellets in your garden. Try organic methods instead. Registered Charity Number 1164542 (formerly 326885) 14

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NORTH AND MIDDLE LITTLETON PARISH COUNCIL

A notice for DOG WALKERS The majority of dog walkers are very responsible people who clear up after their dog fouls in a public place. However, there are a minority who insist that their dog can foul just wherever it pleases and the resulting mess is nothing to do with them. Please, your Parish Council and all members of the community need the dog faeces to be cleared up immediately an animal fouls outside of your own space. Would you like it if a large pile of poo were left on the end of your path? Or where your children play? Dog fouling is a messy eyesore and more importantly, dog mess is also a potential health hazard. All dog owners have a legal duty to clean up dog faeces immediately after their animal fouls a public place. Dog mess laws do not allow the excuse of 'not noticing' that the canine has fouled. Owners could be liable for a ‘Fixed Penalty Fine’ of £100, rising up to £1000 if a case goes to court. Dog fouling can be reported to Wychavon at: https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/street-care- and-cleaning/dog-fouling

Wychavon District Council provide dog waste bins for owners to use, but if you can’t locate one of the special bins, please take the poo home and put it in your black bin. It is not acceptable to leave poo bags on the ground by, or on top of, dog poo bins or anywhere else. Just because you’ve wrapped it up doesn’t mean you can just abandon it for other people to clear up.

Please be more considerate and clear up after your dog. Thank you. Marion Brighton Parish Clerk

Recycling: clear or confusing?

Are you an expert recycler or do you struggle to tell your cardboard from your Tetra Pak? Either way we want to hear from you.

We are conducting a review of our waste and recycling service and we need your views to help us improve our service to you.

Our short survey will take just a few minutes to complete and your responses will influence how we communicate with you about waste and recycling in the future. It will also help guide any improvements to our service.

Take our waste reduction and recycling survey now here: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/XT2YYB/

Once you’ve completed it, please pass the link on to other friends and family in Wychavon as we want to hear from as many people as possible.

The survey closes on 16 May 2021. Thank you for your support. Wychavon’s waste and recycling team.

North and Middle Littleton Parish Council would like to use funds available from the Wychavon District Council New Homes Bonus.

At a recent Parish Council meeting the Council were discussing the problem of damage to the “Pound” (the triangle of land near the Auction House) when vehicles have repeatedly been driven across the land. A suggestion was made to plant some more trees to deter this type of activity. It is hoped to be able to plant a small number of fruit trees to supplement the trees already on the land. Currently our submission to the Panel which approves the Grants would take into account the following: A Small Community Orchard providing:

 A deterrent both in respect of damage to the site and localised anti - social behaviour  An improvement for Local Wildlife  A contribution to Improved Air Quality  Retention of Water in an area that Floods Badly  An enhancement to the quality of life for walkers and other passers-by especially at blossom time.  A link to the heritage of the villages which were once a major centre for fruit growing. Care would be taken not interfere with the line of sight for road users at the junctions on the corners of the site. Specifically we would be asking for funding for the purchase of  A small number of fruit trees  Stakes and substantial protective guards 19

 Services for Planting and Maintenance of the trees in the first two years  Bird Boxes for the Mature Trees already on the Pound Your input as a parishioner would be appreciated and should you have any comments please contact the clerk or a parishioner councillor. Clerk – Marion Brighton [email protected]

In Your Home

Contains relevant crafts, colouring pictures and many paper puzzles, prayer, etc

Please inform Penny on [email protected] with ages of children and address before 17 May 2021

It is all free.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you, Penny

Not just ‘Jam and Jerusalem’: Shattering the Myth of the W.I. The WI has been described as the most important body of either men or women founded in the UK during the 20th Century. Few people appreciate just how much WI members over the decades have been responsible for the shaping of modern Britain. The WI is not affiliated to any political or religious group and is totally inclusive. Myths. WI members have been and still are, to some extent, greatly stereotyped:-  They are violet scented matrons of a certain maturity a bit like Miss Marple  Sensibly dressed  Favour harmless pursuits  Right-wing and Anglican  The kitchen is her natural domain  Goes on mystery coach trips and to National meetings  Her life is serene We only have to look at some of the events which have happened in the WI over the last 3 decades. First in 1999 we had ‘Calendar Girls’, sensationalised by the media and then made into a film. Then in 2000 there was the ‘Tony Blair incident’ when he addressed the National AGM at Wembley and was given a slow hand-clap, as instead of giving a recommended topical speech he used the opportunity as a means to promote ‘New Labour’. The first WI was started by Adelaide Hoodless near St. George, Toronto in the 1890’s. The movement was aimed at educating women in ‘household science and child-rearing’ after she had lost a son through giving him contaminated milk. She was determined to stop this happening to other women and realised that her best weapon was education.

The WI was brought to Britain around the time of the outbreak of the First World War, by an energetic Canadian WI member Margaret (Madge) Watt. Madge initially struggled to make her voice heard, but help came from an unusual platform, the Agricultural Organisation Society, whose secretary John Nugent Harris saw the potential of energising rural women, and after the outbreak of war in 1914 there was a need to help the war effort. As a result of this the first WI was established on 16th September 1915 in Llanfairpwll, Anglesey. The first English WI started two months later. Rural women flocked to join these new communities (often with much opposition from their husbands) where they were offered the chance to hear talks and discussions, learn new crafts, refine their skills, make new friends and enjoy social occasions, as women at that time were very isolated being at home most of the time. The purpose of the WI at this time was ‘to give women a voice’ at a time when women couldn’t vote, therefore making it a radical movement. From the beginning the WI was designed to dissolve the hierarchies of class and seniority, therefore creating a level playing field where women were given the opportunity to be educated and become confident enough to speak their minds. The official record of the first ever WI meeting describes a simple, explicit structure, with space for business, education, creativity and debate, it had a sturdy agenda encouraging members to express themselves without inhibition, but within a structure. The women didn’t have to worry about procedures, as they didn’t exist, also they didn’t have to worry what the men would think as men were not allowed. The women quickly learned how to run meetings, find suitable meeting places, establish democratic decision making processes and how to attract and organise events. By 1917 Sussex had become the first county to form its own Federation and by the end of that same year the movement had spread rapidly and there was a National Federation with its own chairman, Gertrude Denman, and a constitution. The structure was

23 now in place, and still exists today, that of the independent WI, the County Federation and the National Federation. By the end of the First World War the WI had spread rapidly and had become completely self-governing. The WI was fortunate in the calibre of its early leaders, Gertrude Denman, Grace Hadow and Helena Auerbach who had all been active in the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Lady Gertrude Denman was later to become the first chairman of the Family Planning Association and during the Second World War director of the Women’s Land Army.

Janice Cresswell President Littleton’s WI

Some highlights relating to The Littletons from the latest newsletter Volunteers: Our volunteers continued to support our work through the early part of 2021. We planted 300 metres of native trees and shrubs at North Littleton Community orchard to create a wildlife-friendly hedge, joining two existing hedges on the site. This will provide food, shelter and nesting areas for birds, small mammals and insects, as well as giving some protection to our young orchard on what can be a cold, windy site. Hovels update: Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service’s (WAAS) Market Gardening Heritage Project has continued to record the history of the market gardening community in the Vale. Volunteers have surveyed the 200 hovels that remain, from 1,500 that were originally built in the area. They have recorded local memories, including 17 oral and written histories. Three hovels are being restored as mini visitor centres (including two on our land at North Littleton), with information panels, as a permanent reminder of their place in history. An article in the Vale Magazine (April 2021, issue No. 249) records the work carried out so far, with details of the discovery of the Cleeve Prior ‘time capsule’ left behind by Edgar Wheeler. This has been a fascinating project, bringing to life such an important part of the Vale’s history. Lots more information can be found on the Explore the Past website: https://www.explorethepast.co.uk/project/market- gardening-heritage/ This bit didn’t make the newsletter: we have just had repairs carried out to the drainage at Littleton Pastures (the ridge and furrow site

25 between South and Middle Littleton). This will hopefully improve the permissive route around the outside of the ridge and furrow field. Vale Landscape Heritage Trust Evesham Volunteer Centre Brick Kiln Street Evesham Worcs WR11 4AA 07794 835 953 email: [email protected] Website: http://valetrust.weebly.com

Registered Charity 1080109 – Many of our projects are funded by Severn Waste Services through the Landfill Communities Fund, without whom we could not own, or protect, anywhere near as much land. We work to protect and preserve the environment in and around the Vale of Evesham & Pershore. We work with volunteers, funders, farmers and the government to secure the future of about 320 acres.

We are looking for volunteers to work in our visits centre supporting the families that are visiting loved ones. We also need volunteers to work in our café and our children’s play area.

PACT offer excellent training and support for volunteers. If you think it is something that you could do please get in touch with Aileen Anderson

[email protected]

Prison Advice Care Trust is a registered charity (No: 219278) that supports people through the criminal justice system. We are currently looking for volunteers at Long Lartin prison in South Littleton.

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Benefice of East Vale and Avon Villages

The parishes of North & Middle Littleton and South Littleton are both members of the United Benefice of East Vale and Avon Villages. The priest in charge is Revd Fr Philip Morton (01386 832599) email: [email protected] For weddings, baptisms and funerals contact Wendy Stafford Parish Administrator 01386 424728 or [email protected]

For any other matters relating to St Nicholas Church, please contact Roy Powell (01386 832058) or Peter Brown (01386 831529) Hon Treasurer.

For general enquires relating to St Michaels Church, please contact the Churchwardens Robert Johnson 01386 831504 or Sue Jinks 01386 831553.

Please read this important notice regarding Church services

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a free national phone line as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes while church buildings are closed because of the coronavirus. Daily Hope offers music, prayers, and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind. If you know of someone who does not have online access and might like to use this service, please do pass on the number.

The clergy and ministers will continue to pray on a daily basis, and we invite you join in with your own prayers, remembering especially the most vulnerable in our communities. Prayer resources will be made available on the benefice website https://eastvaleavon.com/online- services and for those who would like to read the weekly sermons 28 they are available on the website too. If you don’t have internet access, call the Vicar on 01386 832 599 with your name and address and a copy of the prayer resources booklet can be posted through your door. The following are the services it is planned to hold, but it is advisable to check on the Benefice website at: https://eastvaleavon.com/ before setting out.

Date Service Time Location Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Zoom 02-May St Mary & St Milburgh, Morning Praise 9:30 AM Offenham Holy Communion 11:00 AM St Andrew, Cleeve Prior 09-May Morning Praise 9:30 AM Zoom Holy Communion 11:00 AM St James, Badsey 13-May Holy Communion 7:00 PM St James, Badsey Morning Prayer 9:30 AM Zoom 16-May Morning Praise 9:30 AM St Michael's, South Holy Communion 11:00 AM St James, Badsey 23-May Morning Praise 9:30 AM St James, Badsey Holy Communion 11:00 AM St Leonards, Bretforton Benefice 30-May Communion 11:00 AM St James, Badsey

The Daily Office Morning and Evening Prayer have been suspended in church for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak, but a special Iona morning prayer service is taking place on the 1st and 3rd Saturday’s of the month at 8:30 am via Zoom. If you would like to join in, please contact Clare on [email protected] for more information.

Other information from St Nicholas Church at North & Middle

Due to the ongoing restrictions, it is regretted that the usual pattern of Church Services cannot be restored.

If you are worried about anything relating to St Nicholas Church, please contact Peter Brown 01386 831529 Email [email protected] or Roy Powell 01386 832058 Email [email protected]

Other information from St Michaels Church at South St Michael’s is now open for “Private Prayer” 10 am – 4 pm - Saturdays and Wednesdays.

For information on St Michael’s please visit our web site www.southlittletonchurch.co.uk

From the Parish Registers March 2021 Weddings

20-Mar-21 Offenham Paul Simon Trinder & Kathryn Elizabeth Ker

Baptisms - none Funerals

17-Mar-21 Offenham Ian Keith Andrews 82 22-Mar-21 Cleeve Prior Dr Carole Lynn Duce 74 29-Mar-21 Bretforton Maurice Walker 75 31-Mar-21 Cleeve Prior Betty Joyce Vickeridge 85

May 2021 Thoughts for May May is my special month, because we celebrate our Wedding anniversary, my sister and I celebrate our birthdays, and added to these personal celebrations is the bonus of 2 Bank Holidays. Growing up in Derbyshire, Ascension Day was also special because we got a ½ day holiday after going to church in the morning, it was also the day the Well Dressing Festivals began. Tissington is the first of the Derbyshire villages to open this annual festival. The tradition started after another pandemic, the wells where clean fresh water is drawn were ‘dressed’ with bunches of spring flowers and blessed as a thank you to God for coming through the Black Death. Over centuries and revived in the 18 hundreds it has developed into the present form of highly skilled and beautiful decorated frames covered in clay, patterns and pictures are made up by pressing flower petals into the damp clay. As children, we helped and gradually over the years we learned all the ‘tools of this particular trade’ to be able to carry on the tradition. Sadly, last year we were not able to share any time together celebrating, events like the Well Dressings and everything else was cancelled. There has been too much heartache endured during this pandemic so as we go forward to happier times let us not forget to continue to be thankful for those that kept things going for us whilst we waited for better days to come. Enjoy your celebrations when they arrive, I know I will. Margaret Pye Licensed Lay Minster with the Benefice of East Vale and Avon Villages

MESSY CHURCH

This year because of Covid 19 it was impossible to hold a Good Friday workshop. Instead of the children coming to us we took the crafts and fun to them in the form of Messy Church Bags. 75 children throughout the benefice were issued with a bag in 4 different age groups 3, 5, 7, 9. They were gratefully received by children and adults. As we again will be unable to meet in person we are repeating the Messy Church bags for Pentecost. The bags will be delivered to you on 20-May. See elsewhere in this publication for details as to how to order bags. Penny Christison

Mini Quiz 1. Proddy is a term used in what craft? 2. Where will you find the Grinnell glacier? 3. What is the common name for Myosotis? 4. What is the smallest variety of penguin to be found in the Antarctic? 5. Which King Richard was the nephew of John of Gaunt? 6. In what book of the bible does God help Moses to part the Red Sea? 7. What US boundary line was named after two English surveyors? 8. What is the capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia? 9. What is the largest wild cat in the world? 10. Where does the cuckoo that breeds in the UK spend the winter?

Mobile Library

The mobile library service resumed in April for socially distanced browsing and borrowing. The mobile library visits the Littletons on the 4th Tuesday of the month (25 May) at the following times:

 10:40 to 10:55 – North Littleton, The Ivy  11:00 to 11:15 – Middle Littleton, Village Hall  No longer visiting South Littleton due to lack of use

Enquiries about this service should be made by contacting: TEL: 01905 822722 or emailing [email protected]

Worcestershire libraries have remained open during the pandemic to provide essential access to computers and the internet, supporting residents who cannot get online at home. The library service has adapted to offer online services, so customers can continue to reap the benefits of their membership while staying safe at home. There is also

help for communities adapting and recovering from the impact of Covid-19, including supporting people currently looking for work.

For more information about library services visit: http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/libraries

BONFIRES & OVERGROWN VERGES Overgrown Hedges and Verges This is a problem that is raised in the meetings of both Parish Councils. The owner or occupier of a property has a legal responsibility (Highway Act 1980) to ensure that the ‘public highway’ adjacent to a property is not obstructed by vegetation from their property, e.g. overhanging growth from a tree or hedge or vegetation that has been allowed to grow into the public highway. The ‘public highway’ is defined by law as consisting of any verge, footway, carriageway, bridleway, or footpath that is maintained at public expense and over which the public has a right of way.

As it is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to disturb nesting birds care should be taken before cutting back. With nesting season currently underway you will need to be careful so try to keep on top of it before it gets out of hand. If in doubt, wait until the Autumn.

The requirements Although the Highways Act 1980 doesn’t specify any actual measurements for overhanging vegetation, the requirement should be met by:  For pedestrian areas, minimum headroom of 2.3m (7ft 6 inches).  For carriageway and an area immediately adjacent to it (for a distance of 0.45m (1ft 6 inches)) minimum headroom of 5.2m (17ft).  In both cases, all the vegetation should be cut back vertically.

Bonfires

Please do not use bonfires as a way of disposing of garden waste. Not only is it anti-social, as smoke could get into somebody’s home, but it could also cause breathing issues or prevent someone using their garden for exercise. You could also be committing an offence and they can easily get out of hand resulting in pressure on the fire service.

Please be considerate to your neighbours and consider alternative ways to dispose of your garden waste:  Leave your grass cuttings on the lawn, it will help keep moisture in during warm weather.  Compost your garden waste. You can buy a bin at www.getcomposting.com Hedge cuttings will need shredding.  Sign up for our paid for garden waste service and help the environment as all the waste gets composted.  Household Recycling Centres have re-opened with restrictions in place.

If you have a complaint about bonfires to make please email [email protected] or call 01905 822 799

Thank you, North & Middle Littleton and South Littleton Parish Councils

Wychavon Community Development Artworks eNews

Some highlights from the April edition

This issue highlighted a few things going on over the coming months. Hopefully it will be a summer of more opportunity to enjoy arts and culture. You can find further details of all on their various websites.

Now We're Talking with art | Healthy Minds (whct.nhs.uk) Organised by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Health & Care NHS Trust this new campaign is spreading positivity, highlighting mental health support and encouraging people to get out, exercise and support local businesses. https://worcestershirelitfestfringe has details about the annual Worcestershire Poet Laureate competition and other current competitions and events. The Festival Players are hosting a series of events across the weekend of 16-18 July, including some free events in Evesham Town Square. Find them on Instagram @the_festival_players Market Gardening Heritage – Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service (explorethepast.co.uk) Here you’ll find a fascinating collection of resources collated around Market Gardening Heritage in the area. Wychavon Covid-19 Memory Bank: Don’t forget about our Wychavon Covid-19 memory bank where you can upload photos, art work or anything else that documents our experience of these challenging times. If you have any information you’d like to share please email [email protected] with a short paragraph for the next eNews. Also if you’d like to receive the full version to your own mailbox send an email to Caroline or ring her on 01386 565 396. 37

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Social distancing

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Avoid Distance Keep to

Close contact with yourself small groups

others (handshakes, Keep 2 metres (6ft) or hugs, kisses etc.) At least 1+ metre (3- A maximum of 6 people

4ft) away from other people

DON’T FORGET TO Stay away from THOROUGHLY WASH YOUR HANDS AS SOON AS YOU busy areas

GET HOME FOR AT LEAST 20 Go somewhere else

SECONDS for your walk

For more advice on social distancing visit www.wychavon.gov.uk/coronavirus

Notice from Wychavon District Council: Please be aware that fraudsters are targeting elderly and vulnerable people during the current time. Scam callers are pretending to be the police or the bank in a bid to get bank details and cash. Please stay vigilant at this time, visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/…/coronavirus-scam-costs-v… for general advice.

County councillor report for April-21

County Council Elections May 6th I confirm I am standing for another 4 years so if you are happy on what I have achieved for The Littletons in the last 4 years, then please support me at the elections on Thursday 6th May.

Delay to the building of the cycleway to Blackminster School The building of the cycleway to Blackminster school had a little obstacle put in its way at the eleventh hour – the engineers discovered a high pressure gas mains that was too close to the surface for the works to go ahead. (The gas mains supposedly is in the wrong place compared to the drawings!) Therefore, the engineers are looking at acquiring a little strip of land from the field that runs alongside the current pavement so they can build the cycleway. Hopefully the engineers can find a quick solution and work can begin soon.

Vaccinations and the ‘road-map’ See https://herefordshireandworcestershireccg.nhs.uk/covid-19- vaccine for more up to date information showing where you can be vaccinated and what to expect when you arrive. The good news is Worcestershire is one of the best performing counties in the roll-out for vaccinations. The other good news is the number of people having to go to hospital in Worcestershire hospitals because of COVID continues to decline, and on 11th April there were zero COVID patients needing hospitalisation.

Even if you have received the vaccine, you must still follow the national lock down rules.

Besides the vaccine roll-out, the other big news since my last report is good progress is being made with the Government’s roadmap out of Lockdown. For full details see -

42 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response- spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary

12th April has arrived so all shops are open, gyms are open and you can meet friends in pub gardens. People can go on holiday in self- contained accommodation. Life is starting to get back to normal.

Highways:

It is that time of the year when surface dressing of the roads occurs following repairs and patching to the roads. Surface dressing considerably extends the life of our roads and improves grip. So there are lots and lots of roadworks in the area over the next month, so please visit https://one.network/ to see all the details. Surface Dressing is quick and most roads will only be closed for a few hours whilst this operation occurs. But can I remind all drivers to drive SLOWLY once a road is re-opened. The recommended speed limit on roads that have just been surfaced dressed is 20mph, and please do not accelerate hard on these roads as loose stones are likely to be flicked up and damage the windscreen of the car following you! Please be considerate to other drivers – I am sure you would not want an inconsiderate driver to damage your car window!

1. Flooding in South Littleton - meeting in South Littleton with Flood engineers from Wychavon DC and WCC Highways on Thursday 25th Feb looked at the issues and agreed a plan to help resolve them. WCC is revisiting with a jetter and root cutter to carry out a survey of the road drain that runs down the Old Vicarage garden and hopefully unblock it.

2. King Edward Mews and Littleton Meadows off Station Rd South Littleton - Churcham Homes Ltd - Entrances not tarmacked with final wearing course – Following my comments in my report last month, the WCC have written to 43

Churcham Homes giving them 84 days to complete the entrances.

3. South Meadows – Gate Brook – overgrown vegetation We have identified the company responsible to keep the brook clear. It is no longer HMP but a company called Enhanced Buildings Ltd. I have suggested South Littleton Parish Council write to them and ask them to clear the brook, and maybe suggest offering some community help to keep it clear all year round.

4. New Zebra Crossing in Honeybourne now built – see opposite

As always, if you have any issues on any Highways matters, please report it on the WCC website https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/homepage/98/report_it Also remember a photo of the Highways problem is as good as “a thousand words” so always take a photo where possible.

County Council Divisional Fund  “Young at Heart” Senior Club, Bretforton – grant requested  Badsey - 2 x benches for their new community garden  Honeybourne Village News – grant to re-launch the service  Pebworth WI – grant requested for Zoom annual charges so the members can continue to meet over the internet in these COVID times - Paid 44

 Evesham Vale Rail Trails for Cyclists – grant requested for a software programme that shows the cycle routes. – grant paid  Offenham Village Hall – grant requested for the terrace project  Evesham Sea Cadets (South Littleton) – boat shed conversion – grant paid  Pebworth Village Hall – a grant request to renovate the wooden hall floor. Paid  Bretforton Allotments – grant requested for a strimmer- Paid  Honeybourne Harriers – grant for portable flood lights so the youngsters can continue

The fund is now closed until June 2021

Your County Councillor, Alastair Adams can be contacted on [email protected] or mobile 07725 979 277 or www.alastairadams.org

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