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

Worcestershire Youth Music Festival

November 22nd 4.00pm
Main Hall,Evesham High School, Four Polls Road, Evesham

Now in it’s 7th year, the music festival, is an oppertunity for the musical youth of Worcestershire, to come together for a day of tuition and fun. The day starts at 9.30am and budding brass instrument players, get to learn and play, in a big band with professionals. 62 students took part as well as members of Worcestershire Youth Brass Band and numerous teachers and helpers. I am told about 180 people are involved in the day. One lucky member is asked to compose a special piece commissioned for the concert at 4.00pm. This year, Rebecca Nottingham did an amazing job and got a standing ovation for her work. She played as well!

President of The Wychavon Festival of Brass, Cllr Mrs Diana Raphael, welcomes everyone to the concert.

Players from 8 – 18 take part

Conductor Nicky Daw of Worcestershire Youth Brass Band, is full of infectious enthusiasm for the players and music. Let Me Entertain you and a selection from Grease, were just 2 of the numbers performed.

Peter Farrall, presents Rebecca Nottingham with a gift, for doing a superb job with her composition of March of the Celts.

A wonderful concert. I do however have one complaint, it was far too short! Well done all concerned.
http://www.festivalofbrass.co.uk/youth.html

Business Link ‘Profit From Retail’ Workshop

November 18th 6.00pm
Evesham Town Hall

I was asked to open this meeting and welcome everybody to what was in effect a final event as a result of the Skillsmart survey earlier in the year and is reported elsewhere in this blog. I said :-

Good evening everyone,
My name is Andrew Dyke, I am Chairman of Wychavon District Council, and I am very pleased to welcome you all here tonight to what is a very blustery and rather miserable night. Hopefully the various people here can put a few smiles on your faces.
I am very pleased to see that the general economy seems to be looking up and Evesham in particular, is seeing some of the famous green shoots of economic recovery. On the retail front and that effects most people in this room, new stores are opening tomorrow and I am very confident that more will follow. Success breeds success.
Behind the scenes there have been a number of organisations that have been doing fantastic work to help facilitate, new stores and indeed new businesses. Wychavon District Council have been heavily involved in setting up new groups like the Evesham Promotion Group, which in turn has brought together representatives from Evesham Town Council, the Market Town partnership and VECTA. This has brought about ideas and out of that came backing for things like the business brochure and the very recently launched, ecommerce initiative, for helping retailers through the minefield of selling online. This service and website hosting, is free, for the first 100 retailers and is funded by The Market Town Partnership and VECTA.
Of course most of you here tonight will know of the Skillsmart survey and Business link’s drive for greater excellence in our retail offering. It was a brilliant exercise, again free to all who participated, and I know has been very beneficial.
We all need help from time to time. I know from my own time in retail, the changes and the challenges never stop. We need more sales, from increased footfall and new additions and adaption’s to our business promotions.
Tonight is about advancing our businesses through net working and helping each other achieve greater opportunity.
Please use the expertise that is in the room tonight and may I wish you all a very happy and profitable Christmas and continued prosperity in 2010. Thank you.

 

A very interesting presentation from Paul Ford helped make this a very enjoyable and informative evening.

www.retailworkshop.co.uk
www.businesslink.gov.uk

 

Princess Royal Visits Wychavon

Tuesday November 17th 10.00am
Sixways stadium, Worcester Rugby Club, Worcester

The day started for us at 10.00am, with Les our chauffeur, arriving to collect us in good time for the journey to Sixways.  On arrival coffee was served and the official party waited for 11.20am. Exactly on time, a helicopter carrying HRH and party came into view and landed on a nearby practice pitch. At 11.25am, having been collected by car from the helicopter, Princess Anne arrived at the stadium. Mr Michael Brinton, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, introduced her first to, Cllr John Cairns, Chairman of Worcestershire County Council and his consort Mary, then me, followed by Wendy. Others being formally introduced were WDC managing director Jack Hegarty and his wife Kathryn, The Bishop of Worcester, The Rt Revd Dr. John Inge, Paul West, West Mercia chief constable and Chairman of Worcester Warriors Mr Cecil Duckworth. The Princess then went inside the splendid new building and stand and met with players and senior staff. Moving upstairs to the main events room, the princess was introduced to many local and national charity organisations, before the main opening ceremony.

The new stand

HRH arrives on time, exactly at 11.25am

A memorable moment.

Princess Anne shares a joke with the chief constable

Introductions continue inside the building

The atmosphere is relaxed, as Princess Anne chats to charity fundraisers

Outside on the pitch, the youth teams play an exhibition match

Mr Cecil Duckworth, chairman Worcester Warriors welcomes The Princess Royal and thanks her for giving her time to come and open the stand

and HRH says a few words before performing the official curtain pull.

Finally, a rugby ball signed by all the team, is presented by team Captain Pat Sanderson to Princess Anne. The ball will be auctioned for charity at some date in the future

A very memorable and exciting day.

 

 

Citizenship Ceremony

Monday November 16th
County Council Offices, Worcester

Wendy outside County Hall

The council chamber where the ceremony takes place. During the proceedings pictures are not allowed. This was the biggest in terms of numbers of people becoming British Citizens that I have ever been too. Civic heads from around the county are invited to witness the occasion and meet new citizens. There were about 50 people from countries all over the world. 

Order of ceremony

• When you arrive for the ceremony you will be asked to show your letter of invitation at the registration.  You will be seated and given your pledge card with the words to the Oath of Allegiance or Affirmation of Allegiance. You will have already chosen which allegiance you will swear at the ceremony. You will be welcomed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, and you will be asked to give your oath or affirmation.

Oath of allegiance

I (name) swear by Almighty God that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according to law.

Affirmation of allegiance

I (name) do solemnly and sincerely affirm that on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, her heirs and successors, according
to law.

• After the oath or affirmation, you will make the citizenship pledge:

Citizenship pledge

I will give my loyalty to the United Kingdom and respect its rights and freedoms. I will uphold its democratic values. I will observe its laws faithfully and fulfil my duties and obligations as a British citizen.

• The Chairman, or the Chairman’s representative, will then present you with your citizenship certificate and a gift.
• At the end of the ceremony the new citizens listen to the National Anthem. 
• Photographs are taken with the Chairman and other civic dignitaries present, to round off a special, meaningful and enjoyable occasion.

 

Evesham Royal British Legion Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 15th November 11am
Church of St Peter’s, Bengeworth, Evesham

Standards, ready for parade

Muster at Bengeworth club at 10.30am, ready for parade to church

Having paraded to St Peter’s, the service takes on a familiar pattern. Cllr Alan Booth, Mayor of Evesham reads the lesson. A roll of honour, is read out by Cllr John Smith. Those present have heads bowed. Hymns are sung and the sermon given. We leave the church and walk the short distance to the salute taking and then on to Bengeworth social club in Coronation Street, for refreshments.

Partnerships in remembrance. The mayor presents a certificate to the local army cadet C/O, in recognition of future cooperation.
As usual a very moving service.

Droitwich Canal Walk (2)

Weekend of November 14th/15th
Saturday 14th

Chums, Mary and Brian Perkins, who we have known for some 35 years, came for the weekend. They have an interest in canals, so Wendy and I  thought it would be nice to walk a bit more of the Droitwich canal, this time the River Severn end. The weather was wet, very wet. Never mind we turned out anyway, it would brighten up, wouldn’t it?

This is the A449 at Hawford Mill. The canal runs under here.

Looking towards Droitwich under the A449

and looking the other way towards the River Severn. Planning meeting in progress. To walk or not to walk?

Lizzie decided, it really was too wet, for more than just a token few steps

Running out of water. Through the tunnel going north

and looking back the other way.

New canal on the left and River Salwarpe to the right.
Our short walk came to an end, saved for another day. We returned to Evesham in the rain.
Brilliant weekend though, thanks for visiting.

 

Chairman’s Charity Christmas Fayre

Friday November 13th 10.00am 3.00pm
Committee Rooms, Civic Centre, Pershore

Organised by WDC Cllr Mrs Anna Mackison, the fayre has now become a firm fixture on the chairman’s fundraising list. It was a great day, very well supported, considering the weather was somewhat inclement and we raised a total of £237. Many thanks to Anna, my supported charities, Evesham shopmobility, Droitwich Canals Trust and Pershore Riverside Youth Centre are very appreciative.

Driving force Anna Mackison with husband George.
Anna produces amazing and unique jewellery.
Anna’s Jewellery Designs
Netherton Fields
Kersoe Lane
Elmley Castle
Pershore
Worcs WR10 3JE
01386 710351
www.annasjewellerydesigns.co.uk

Holding the fort, acting manager of Audrey’s Hats, is WDC Cllr Roma Kirke. With all hats at just a fiver on the day, this was very popular stall

‘Allo Vera’, well hallo Meena actually. Meena is the one on the right and all the products are produced from Aloe Vera, there was even a very tasty drink! I bought some after shave balm.
Dr S. Muthumeenakshi (Meena)
12 Waterloo Close
Wellesbourne
Warwick
CV35 9JG
01789 470894
www.aloemeena.myflpbiz.com

Adrian Nichols came with a fantastic range of Jamie Oliver cookware. He also had a squirrel nutcracker, which my granddaughter Holly just had to have!
Adrian Nichols
01386 710987
adrian.nichols@btinternet.com

Diana Wiseman-Clarke produced a range of books to shame many a bookseller. There was a lovely book called ‘Dear Father Christmas’ all about a little girl called Holly. Well, we had to buy that, didn’t we.
Ludlow Books
Barracks Farm
Lower Hayton
Ludlow
Shropshire SY8 2AH
01584 861620
www.ludlowbooks.co.uk

 

Hannah’s Gifts of Worcester, had a wonderful range of gifts for all occasions. Smellies, flowered mirrors and plant pot holders. Gorgeous bags, beautiful scarves from india, pashminas and shimmering shawls. Something for everyone. Manning the stand today was Nick Gregory, Hannah’s husband.
Hanna’s Gifts
Mealcheapen Street
Worcester
01905 380154
nick@hannah55.fsnet.co.uk

This is Cath Allen, who was selling greeting cards, and all types of wrapping paper and stationery from Phoenix Trading, the worlds number one direct selling greeting card company.
Cath Allen
23 Perscoran Way
Pershore
Worcs WR10 1QR
01386 550438
www.phoenixtrading.com

Skelding CNC is a company that produces fine wooden crafted items that come flat packed for home assembly and decoration. Individually designed by Vernon Skelding, that’s his wife in the picture, there is something for all occasions. One sale was 4 christmas trees to the same person. Happy days.
Skelding CNC
31 North Street Industrial Estate
Droitwich Spa
Worcs WR9 8JB
01905 798059
vskelding@btinternet.com

Our final stall was Chocolate Deli Handmade Chocolates. Individual chocolate to die for, rather sums up this stall. They also had some super gift ideas, all centred around chocolate. Lovely
Chocolate Deli
Jinney Ring Craft Centre
Hanbury Road
Hanbury B60 4BU
01527 821693
www.chocolatedeli.uk.com

And Finally

Wendy manning the raffle which raised £102 Prizes were a hamper, donated by Wendy and a soft cuddly deer, now named Spotty, donated by Tewkesbury Mop.

Thanks to everyone who came, stallholders, WDC staff and general public. I must also mention my secretary Karen Peters and our media team, who did all the posters, advertising, invitations, everything to help make this the success it was. Anna, you will have to do another one next year, you’re on a roll.

 

Half Way

November 12th
Today is exactly the half way point and I thought I would put a few facts and figures on here after 6 months.

Lets start with this blog:-
Total hits up to last night are…..drumroll
3851
Most in one day:- 108 – 2/11/2009
Total Posts:- 154
Total Pages 28
Number of Comments 26
Top Page Hits:-
1. About The Chairman – 85
2. Events and Functions – 78
3. November Winning Photograph – 76
4. The Monks Supper – 71
4. Pershore Plum Festival – 71
5. Droitwich Spa Lido Pool – 58
6. What A Great Way To Go To Work – 53
7. This Is My Life – 47
8. Media Day For New Evesham Leisure Centre – 43
9. Vale Magazine Photographic Competition October Entries – 41
9. The Wonders of Wychavon Photographic Competition – 41
10. Chairman’s Official photographs – 39

Number of Function/Meetings/Events attended – 152
Total Number of Images – 463

Today I was in a meeting this morning with Touch Radio, talking partnership promotion. Paperwork/blog update came next and catch up with my secretary. This all took place in the chairman’s office at the civic centre. This afternoon I chaired a sub committee meeting of Evesham town council promotions committee regarding a new town guide. After that, I went to Morrisons to do some shopping, I get all the good jobs  and return to type this paragraph of the post, started earlier (it’s now 5.56pm).
All in all Wendy and I, are very much enjoying our year and I hope you have enjoyed reading about it.

 

 

 

Pershore Branch of The Royal British Legion – Armistice Ceremony

November 11th 10.45am
Pershore Cemetery, Defford Road, Pershore

At 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Picture by Trudy Burge

Picture by Trudy Burge

Picture Trudy Burge

Picture by Trudy Burge

This area of Pershore cemetery is looked after, like so many around the world, by the war graves commission.

The following pictures tell another story. Trudy Burge Explains.
“The niece of Joseph Ernest Dejardins (known as Ernie) contacted Pershore Town Council in 2005 asking for details on her Uncle’s grave on behalf of her Father (his brother) who had always wanted to come over to Pershore to see where his Brother was stationed and buried.  Ernie served at Pershore Airfield at Tilesford and unfortunately died in 1942 aged just 24 years.  Ann Dobbins ( Pershore Town Clerk) passed it to my Dad as nobody in the British Legion had the technology to investigate/correspond with the Desjardins family and hence I took it all on.  I videoed the area for them and posted it to Canada, together with the DVD of the VE60 parade.  Every year subsequently, we have put a plaque/wreath on the grave at Remembrance and at Christmas so I have “adopted” Ernie on behalf of Jill who still emails me regularly and we’ve become good friends”.

Civic dignitaries and representatives of the British Legion, witness the placing of a special poppy wreath with Canadian Major Michael Bernardo, pictured above and below.

When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, 
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today

 

Roll of Honour – Pershore High School

Tuesday 10th November 10.10am
Pershore High School, Station Road, Pershore

Wendy and I arrived at the appointed hour and were met in the school car park by Jake, who escorted us to the library. Here, we were invited to partake in coffee and biscuits and meet with other invited guest’s, a number of whom we knew.

Civic dignitaries and members of Pershore British Legion and Royal Naval Association assemble for the service.

Headteacher Clive Corbett, opens the proceedings and explains that the service is one of remembrance for past students of Pershore High school, who gave their lives in defence of their country.

PERSHORE HIGH SCHOOL
ROLL OF HONOUR

Past students of the school who gave their lives for their country in World War II and subsequent conflicts

 Clarence Sidney Attwood of Wyre Piddle
Private 14740757, 3^rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment
Died 30^th November 1944, aged 19
Buried Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, Netherlands

 Victor John Badger of Upton Snodsbury
Sergeant 1581501, 166 Squadron Royal Airforce Volunteer Reserve
Died 26^th July 1944, aged 21
Buried Taingy Communal Cemetery, France

 Harvey Eric Ball
Sapper 1930196, Royal Engineers
Died 8^th January 1941, aged 25
Buried Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery

 Lester Harrison Barnes of Pershore
Private 5253691, 8^th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment
Died 29^th May 1940, aged 21
Commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, France

 Ronald Buckingham of Pershore
Lance Corporal 2616140, 3^rd Battalion Grenadier Guards
Died 28^th May 1944, aged 23
Commemorated on the Cassino Memorial, Italy

 Alfred Charles Brown of Pershore
Sergeant/Flight Engineer 1578712, Royal Air Force Bomber Command
Died 25 February 1944, aged 21
Buried Pershore Cemetery

 Percival William Collett of Wadborough
Private 5125386, 2^nd (Airbourne) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
Died 19^th September 1944, aged 21
Buried Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands

Michael Durkin of Pershore
Served on HMS Cornwall, sunk in the Indian Ocean on 5^th April 1942

 Donald Fryer of Lower Moor 

           Harvey Cyril Haines of Wyre Piddle
Private 5253721, 5^th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment
Died 18^th August 1944, aged 25
Buried Bayeux War Cemetery, France

 George Cyril Ronald Ludlow of Pershore
Able Seaman P/JX327487, H.M.S. Puckeridge Royal Navy
Died 6^th September 1943
Died at sea, commemorated on the Portsmouth Navel Memorial, UK

 Michael John George Morgan of Cropthorne
Lance Corporal 5252733, Worcestershire Regiment
Died 14^th December 1941, aged 19
Buried Cropthorne (St Michael’s) Churchyard

 James Wilfred Payne of Lower Moor
Guardsman 2665854, 3^rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards
Died 15^th September 1944, aged 21
Buried Florence War Cemetery, Italy

 Ronald Pinchin of Wyre Piddle
Fusilier 14201669, 6^th Battalion, Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers
Died 17^th January 1943, aged 20
Buried Medjez-El-Bab Cemetery, Tunisia

 Arthur William Pring of Birlingham
Corporal 5248109, 1^st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment
Died 5^th May 1941, aged 29
Commemorated on the Kharthoum Memorial, Sudan

 William Leonard Reeves of Pinvin
Private 5260277, 5^th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, Notts. & Derby Regiment
Died 10^th September 1943, aged 21
Buried Cassino Memorial, Italy

 Kenneth Joseph Seabright of Bishampton

 Ronald Alfred Smith of Pinvin
Private 5350952, Pioneer Corps
Died 12^th June 1943, aged 19
Buried St Nicholas Churchyard, Pinvin

 Peter G Stubbs of Pershore
Able Seaman D/JX184644
H.M.S. Exeter, Royal Navy
Died 16^th July 1945, aged 20
Buried  Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia

 Lionel Allen Westcott (Teacher) of Pinvin
Leading Aircraftman 545537, 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Died 12 April 1940, aged 21
Buried Stavanger (Eiganes) Churchyard, Norway

 Ronald William Wood of Pershore 
Lieutenant in the Parachute Regiment
Died 23 September 1944, aged 28
Buried Utrecht 156^th Battalion (Soestbergen) Cemetery

 George Young of Pershore
Royal Navy
Died at sea 25^th November 1941
Commemorated in Westminster and Pershore Abbey