Hello and welcome to the blog.

This is the first time a Chairman of Wychavon District Council has written a blog. The intention is to inform, educate and encourage the residents of Wychavon District and the public globally, to get in touch and comment on anything the Chairman or the council are doing, or intending to do, or are not doing.

If you have any ideas, suggestions, comments, complaints, criticisms or praise, please contact me through this blog and I will help, maybe not in the way you want, but I will get answers, that I promise.

The main role of the Chairman is to act as a non-political, civic and ceremonial head of the District of Wychavon.

The role of the Chairman also includes:

• Chairing meetings of the Council
• Acting as official host to visitors of the District
• To represent the District at civic and ceremonial events
• To promote public involvement in the Council’s activities
The Chairman for 2009/10 is Councillor A L Dyke

The Chairman is the first citizen throughout the District and takes precedence over all others, except if Royalty, the Lord Lieutenant or the High Sheriff is present.

Whenever a representative of the District Council is required to officiate at a public function, it is appropriate for the Chairman to be invited. In his/her absence, the Vice-Chairman of the Council can attend.

The Chairman of the District Council takes precedence over the Town Mayors and Parish Council Chairman.

If the event is organised by or on behalf of the District Council, or is hosted by them, the Chairman takes precedence over all other guests.

The Local Government Act 1972 provides that the Chairman ’shall have precedence in the District’. Accordingly the place to be reserved for the Chairman should be on the immediate right of the Chairman or person presiding at the function. The Chairman and consort should be met on arrival by the Chairman or person presiding at the function.

It is of considerable help to the Chairman if the function questionnaire we send out can be sent back to our offices at the earliest convenient date.

If you require any additional information, or if any group or organisation would like the Chairman to attend their event, please contact the Chairman’s Office by post, telephone, fax or email

• Contact: Support Services, Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, WR10 1PT
• Telephone: 01386 565201 / 565420
• Email: karen.peters@wychavon.gov.  or amanda.ladds@wychavon.gov.uk
uk• Fax: 01386 561091

Stratford Upon Avon District Chairman Charity Race Evening

November 6th 7.30pm
Ettington Community Centre, Banbury Road, Ettington

In aid of Riding for the Disabled , this charity fundraiser was a great success financialy and enormous fun for those attending.

The community centre provided and excellent venue for the evening.

Mayor of Redditch, Cllr Malcolm Hall, had a least one winner.

Cllr Chris Scurrell, Chairman of Bromsgrove District Council, also came up trumps.

The winners table, well not quite, although I think we all had some winners. I sponsored race two, ‘Chairman of Wychvon Stakes’ and won a bottle of fizz for the race that produced the most money bet. That was very pleasing. All in all a smashing night, good company, food and wine.

Bishop John Inge Visits Evesham Leisure Centre

November 6th 2.00pm
Wychavon District Council Managing Director Jack Hegarty and I were delighted to welcome The Right Reverend John Inge, the 113th Bishop of Worcester, to Evesham Leisure Centre and show off our latest facility. Bishop John, a keen cyclist, swimmer and health enthusiast was most interested to experience what is available in Evesham and wished there was somewhere nearer to Worcester with such excellent facilities. High praise indeed.

Outside the copper clad building.

‘Bishop walk’s on water’, his words not mine. An amusing moment during a very important and enjoyable tour. Also in the picture is Peter from Wychavon Leisure, our expert guide.

 

 

Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs – Annual General Meeting

November 5th 7.30pm
Shires Farm, Hawford, Worcester

Thought that might get your attention!

The pictures Mr and Miss January above, were taken from the 2010 calendar and features some of their very brave members. The calendar is in aid of  The County Air Ambulance. Copies are fantastic value at just £5 and can obtained from Cutnall Green Young Farmers Club. Pictures by Lucy Hurst.

Now back to the AGM
During my year in office, I have been invited to a lot of AGM’s. This one was easily the most well organised and supported I have ever been to. It was also extremely interesting and a great deal of fun. As well as all the general business of officer election, there were a number of speeches about the year just gone and a very large number of awards and presentations. A really enjoyable night.

Outgoing Chairman Katie Brian, says goodbye.

www.worcsyfc.org.uk

 

Evesham Sea Cadets Inspection Evening and Presentation of Awards

November 2nd 7.30pm
It is always a pleasure to present awards to our young people and this night was a particular pleasure because of the recipients. All young sea cadets, who have achieved great things in their young lives. I was taking part most of the evening, either inspecting the guard and cadets or presenting awards, so not many pictures. I am however, expecting some, from someone else who attended, so check back for an update.

CPO Keith Field, who officiated for the night with Wendy and the excellent buffet, prepared and served by the cadets.

During the evening a number of team building games were played. Each cadet was given a secret animal name and the game involved getting all the animals in height order. Easy enough, until it was discovered that all were blindfold and the only way to identify each other, was by animal sound! Boys played girls and the girls won by a mile. Better luck next time chap’s.

All good fun, but what’s this? Oh, it’s going to be played again, and who this time? My chain is like a magnet for being included in all sorts!

those ‘volunteering’ were given their animal names

and with much animal noise from us and huge laughter from the audience, the game began

eventually we got  into an order of sorts

and then we had to prove the animals we were. Cllr John Smith OBE, who is Evesham Sea Cadet President, doing a very fine impression of a pig.

by far the best impression, me as a stallion!
Hopefully there are some better pictures on the way.

Anyway, brilliant night, well done to all award winners and thank you for a fun filled and enjoyable evening.

 

Pershore RNA Firework Display and Pig Roast

October 31st 6.30pm
Pershore Roy Naval Association Firework Display and Pig Roast
King Georges Field, Pershore

This is the third year the RNA has held it’s firework display and pig roast. Money raised during the year helps to pay for it. Generous donations, including fireworks supplied at trade prices and time given by all volunteers, including Pershore Town Mayor, Cllr Chris Parsons, make this a wonderful free show in Pershore.

The RNA club in Pershore town centre was the venue for the opening ceremony.

Mayor of Pershore, Cllr Chris Parsons, gives me instructions on ’lighting the blue touchpaper’, now done with two wires and a battery!

Brilliant, it works

It was a fabulous display and this rather feeble picture does not do it justice.
Well done All.

 

Droitwich Canal Walk

October 31st
Droitwich Junction Canal Walk

Some months ago, a chum of our’s who lives in Dorset, wanted to walk the Droitwich Canal. He thought it would be nice to meet up with some other chum’s from yorkshire and do just that. During the planning process Wendy and I received an invitation to attend a Halloween dinner in Stourport, so could not go on the walk. Later the dinner unfortunately had to be cancelled and so we could go after all. You following this at the back
Anyway, we met at the Eagle and Sun pub, Hanbury Wharf, on Saturday lunchtime and walked into Droitwich. A short rest and shopping trip to Waitrose for dog cleaning provisions ( don’t ask) and back again for a well earned pint. We then went by car to Stourport, where our chums have a house coincidentally, and overnighted there, returning to Evesham on Sunday morning . Smashing time had by all.

The Wych Barge, Vines Park, Droitwich. Half way!

On the return journey. The canal goes under the M5 at this point just to the left of the picture.

New locks, ready for boats.

Fortunately the rain stayed away. A very good walk. Next time we will have ago at the Severn River end, now nearing completion. Lets hope the whole canal length will be open soon.

 

Droitwich Spa Older Peoples Forum AGM

October 30th 10.00am
Droitwich Spa Community Centre, Heritage Way, Droitwich Spa

Mr Ian Parkhill opened the proceedings with his chairman’s report and then various committee members gave their reports on what had been a very eventful and full year. Discussion, questions, election of new Chairman and committee for 2009/10 followed. After a short break we were treated to a very interesting talk about energy conservation in the home and advice was given on home delivery of frozen meals.

Cllr Mrs Mary Drinkwater, Vice Chairman of Worcestershire County Council outside the centre.

Members arrive

and take their seats.

A most interesting meeting from a very important organisation in Droitwich Spa.

 

 

Pershore Plum Fair Debrief

October 28th 6.00pm
WDC Civic Service, Council chamber

The Pershore plum fair was a huge success and is well reported elsewhere in this blog. This meeting was to present an overview of all the statistics and review how the festival can be improved in the future.

While the festival is a partnership between WDC, Pershore Town Council, Pershore Market Town Partnership and many local people, it could not be run without the help of volunteers. The big message that came over to me from the meeting was that they are in need of more people to help with the organisation. If you can help or would like to find out more, contact me through this blog or ring Angela Tidmarsh on 01386 565373.

Official launch of Spot Loggin’s Bread Pudding Ice Cream

Sunday October 25th 12.30pm
Raphael’s Restaurant, Hampton Ferry, Boat Lane, Evesham

As part of the ongoing 80th anniversary celebrations, E W Huxley and Son held a carvery lunch for guest’s to sample and celebrate the launch of Spot Loggin’s Bread Pudding ice cream. The flavour has been created especially because of the unique and and famous bread pudding that has been on the menu at Raphael’s restaurant for most of the last 80 years.

After a fabulous carvery lunch, Evesham’s town Mayor and Mayoress are the first to sample the ice cream , served by restaurant proprietors, Robbie and Diana Raphael.

Guests’s tuck in

Young and old agree, the ice cream is a great success

I promise you the flavour is outstanding
http://www.spotloggins.com/

Spot Loggins and Raphael’s outside the restaurant
http://www.hamptonferry.com/

 

 

Chairman of Bromsgrove Charity Fund Raising Harvest Supper

October 23rd 7.00pm
Spadesbourne Suite, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove

An evening of good food, wine ( take your own tipple and glasses), company and entertainment by Worcestershire Youth Orchestra, who were fantastic.

Chairman, Cllr Chris Scurrell, serves ice cream to Mike Layland, Deputy Mayor of Worcster City

Fabulous evening. Many thanks.