Citizenship Ceremony

July 23rd 2.00pm
Every year thousands of foreign nationals apply to become British Citizens. Those accepted can attend a ceremony to complete the process in front of invited guests to witness the proceedings. Councillors are normally invited to these ceremonies if the person concerned lives within their ward. On this occasion I was representing all the councillors in Wychavon.

Right on cue, and in true British weather style, it rained as I arrived at County Hall in Worcester.

The Council Chamber at County Hall

With Antje Maisey one of the new British Citizens and County Councillor John Smith OBE

Antje Maisey has been in the UK for 15 years and lives in Broadway

 

 

Development Control Site Visits

July 23rd 9.45am

As part of the planning process, any councillor can ask for an application to be determined by the committee. Normally, unless an application is particularly large or controversial, and officer will evaluate an application. This saves a great deal of time and valuable resources. A councillor may also request that the committee visit the site to see first hand, where the application will be going.

Having been taken to the site by coach, an officer explains in detail where the building will go and answers questions.

Not all applications benefit from models, usually drawings are used. Later in the day, the application is then debated at the committee meeting. Members of the committee have a much greater understanding of the application after these visits.

 

Evesham River Festival (Saturday)

July 11th
Unable to spend the whole day at the festival, as Wendy and I usually do, this picture sums up my mood at the time.

Many thanks to John Murphy at the Evesham Journal and Stuart Purfield for the photograph.

Pershore Britain in Bloom Contest

July 22nd 3.25pm
The garden courtyard, Civic Centre, Pershore

L-R Alan Gregg (Chairman Pershore in Bloom), David Wassall (Heart of England Judge), Me, Val Wood (Secretary Pershore in Bloom) Les Goodman (Heart of England Judge) and Wendy

This is the fifth year Pershore has entered Britain in bloom. Today is judging day. Wendy and I were invited to meet the judges and welcome them to Wychavon. Last year Pershore achieved a silver gilt award. This year they are hoping for GOLD. I will let you know later in the year, how Pershore got on.
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We now know how Pershore got on, click here
http://andydyke.wordpress.com/2009/09/06/heart-of-england-britain-in-bloom-awards/
http://www.pershoreinbloom.com
http://www.rhs.org.uk/britaininbloom/index.html

Wychbold First and Nursery School

July 20th 2.00pm
Leavers Service 2009

Once again a pleasure to attend one of the district schools and see the pupils perform song and reading on home turf. Once again the talent in the school shone through.

The school from the front

The play area at the rear

Dozens of wellies at the back door. Don’t know why, I just liked the image

Ah, a game after my own heart. I bought one of these for my granddaughter, although some might say it was for me really.  Anyway, mine has a lock as well, so there :-)

The leavers L-R  Becky Jones, Jessie Jones, Ieuau St. John, Peter Bunn, Kieran Baker, George Bickerton. Missing from the picture but also moving to a new school is Leon Williams. Standing at the back with Wendy and me is Headteacher Mrs Rachel Hughes

 And overall winner of the very first  Prize Plus Trophy, who acheived the most reward stamps through the academic year for good work, and conduct was Becky Jones.

 

The Bromsgrove Flyer

July 18th 5.30pm
Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster

This was a charity function organised by Chairman Of  Bromsgrove District council, Cllr Chris Scurrell. When I asked Chris if he was a train buff, he said ”that was a massive understatement’.

It was a great event, well supported, as I think the pictures reflect. I know a great deal of money was raised f0r the Chairman’s charity appeal. We were told to bring our own picnic and drinks and enjoy the train, company and countryside. So we did:-)

Kidderminster station

Booking office

Heading for the platform

Chairman of  Bromsgrove District Council Cllr Chris Scurrell

The Chairman’s favourite train

On the left, Deputy Mayor of Evesham and consort Pat

View from the train of the West Midlands Safari Park

Bewdley Station

 

Our train taking on water at Bridgenorth for the return journey

Signal master Wendy

Deputy Mayor of Evesham and consort Pat

 There were places to get off and have a look around. The railway is in excellent condition and well looked after.

Evesham Festival of Music 2009 – Gala Night

July 5th 7.30pm
All Saints Church, Evesham
Pictures courtesy of Ian Cameron

A bi annual event organised in conjunction with Evesham Rotary Club, and supported by John Martin’s Charity and Evesham Town Council. The festival runs from July 1st – 5th and includes many concerts and fringe events. This year the Young Musician of  The Year has been revived and the winner performed at the Gala concert. It was a terrific night of music and song, in a packed church and a lot of very patriotic flag waving during the second half. 

Winner of the Evesham Young Musician of the Year 2009, Clare Heneghan, receiving her award from EFM Committee Chairman Mrs Frances Smith. Musical Director Roger Paine, top left.

Clare Heneghan performing at the concert.

Soloists Andrew Parkes and Victoria Kane

The Festival Chorus

Just some of the many Rotarian’s, without whose voluntary contribution the festival would not have been the success it was.

The Beauchamp Sinfonietta, who performed magnificently under conductor and musical director for the festival Mr Roger Paine

Land of Hope and Glory

You had to be there and in two years time you can. I suggest you book your seats early. Well done to all concerned.

 

First Look at Evesham’s New Leisure Centre

July 15th 5pm
The leisure centre, nearing completion is a stunning building and will have many facilities. These pictures show just some of them. State of the art equipment is due in the next few weeks.

The Royal Garden Party – Buckingham Palace.

July 14th all day
Each year the Chairman and consort, with 2 guests, are invited by the Lord Chamberlain, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, to attend the Royal Garden Party.

Having been collected at 10am and after a short stop for coffee and a comfort break on route we arrive at the Goring Hotel for lunch.

Our guest’s, Paul and Amanda Middlebrough, Paul is leader of the council.

Pictures are not allowed inside the grounds and gardens of Buckingham Palace. These pictures were taken at about 6.30pm when we came out, along with several thousand others!

Having completed their duties, the  Beefeater’s in state dress uniform, head home for their own tea.

We stopped on the way home at a pub just outside Oxford for a meal and got home 12 hours after we left. 
A brilliant very memorable day. Thanks to Les Eales, our chauffeur who made the whole day very relaxed and enjoyable.

ASparagus Festival De-Brief

July 13th 10am
Civic Centre, Pershore.

Fantastically successful, Asparagus Festival. Run over 2 months with all sorts of people involved. This meeting, hosted by organiser Angela Tidmarsh, Wychavon District Council Tourism Officer, looked at all aspects of the event and how to make it even better next year. You will have to go some Angela. Well done.