Visit to Westlands First School, Droitwich

November 24th 11am
Westlands First school, Droitwich

On September 25th this year I attended the 40th anniversary of Westlands and was impressed by the staff and pupils at this school. On that day, I was tight for time, as we had other functions to attend. I requested a return visit, to see more of the school ‘in use’ and see how a white board works.

Westlands First School main entrance

Lynne Duffy, councillor and school governor, Headteacher Julie Millard and Kallam. The white board is quite amazing and really helps the children learn in a fun way. You can do all sorts of things with it.

Thanks for letting me come back. I very much enjoyed the visit and congratulations on a wonderful atmosphere in a very special school.

https://www.edulink.networcs.net/schools/westlands/Pages/Default.aspx

 

 

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.

 

 

Skillsmart Presentation – Droitwich Spa

October 20th 6.00pm
Rossinis Restaurant, Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa

The second survey presentation in Wychavon by Skillsmart Retail. As a result of work done By Advantage West Midlands, a survey was carried out of local independent retailers. This survey, which included test mystery shoppers and many points effecting retailers all over Droitwich Spa, produced really useful advice for retailers and rewards for those that did particularly well.

Rossinis restaurant
www.rossini-droitwich.co.uk/

Civic and business leaders, gather for the presentation and excellent buffet

Third place winner, with over 94% was
The Gift Box

Second place also with over 94% went to
Blunts Shoes

And first prize, with over 96% went to
The Belt and Bag Shop

A really good, worthwhile excercise. Thanks to AWM and Skillsmart for all their help.

Also taking part were Business Link and For Droitwich Spa
www.droitwichspa.com
www.businesslink.gov.uk
www.advantagewm.co.uk

 

Westlands 40th Birthday Party – September 25th

September 25th was a busy day – Function Four 4.30pm
Westland’s First School, Droitwich.
This visit is a result of my request to visit every ward in WDC during my Chairman’s year. Invitation by Cllr Mrs Lynne Duffy

As soon as I Wendy and I arrived, down to a bit of drumming

a promising student

View across the playground at the back of the school

look a little to the right and we see W.A.N.D.S childrens centre

The big red bus was very popular

Inside the children’s work was proudly displayed.
A lovely school, with lovely pupils and staff. I shall look forward to the promised return invitation.

Wychavon Festival of Brass

September 20th 6.00pm
Droitwich High School
Our second function today

The Wychavon Festival of Brass is a contest for Brass Bands in the midlands. The contest, now in it’s 20th year, alternates annually between Droitwich, Evesham and Pershore. This year 50 bands took part and £7000 was handed out in prize money. I was invited to present the prizes in the championship section ( results below ) and this was held at Droitwich High School, which has a fabulous theatre. Other venues were Norbury Theatre and the Community Centre, both in Droitwich. Other presentations were made by the mayors from Evesham Pershore and Droitwich.
The organisation that goes into this festival is quite amazing. All the helpers give their time free and without these people this important festival would not take place. I am pleased to say also that all three town councils and WDC give grants to help with funding.

More information can be found here:-
http://www.festivalofbrass.co.uk/index.html

Droitwich Canals Gateway Park, Official Opening

Saturday September 12th 12 noon
Gateway Park, Hanbury Road, Droitwich

This is a brilliant new park, which has been built as part of the canal restoration.

Kim Chester from the Waterways Trust and I say a few words of thanks, before the unveiling

 of the Gateway Park Interpretation feature

Droitwich canal looking north. This is where the new marina will be

looking towards the new park

Managing Director, Jack Hegarty and daughter, enjoy the park play facilities (on the right)

What a beautiful day

Wendy inspects one of the new locks

Looking towards Droitwich and the M5

and back the other way

New bridge connecting Hanbury Road and Droitwich Rugby Club.

 

Droitwich Spa Salt Day

September 12th 10.45am
Droitwich Spa Town Centre

Each year the town of Droitwich Spa celebrates its history and heritage. A grand fair, with stalls and stands all over the town centre. I was asked, with the Town Mayor, to officialy open the event. Which I was very pleased to do.
 

The Air Cadets Band play the general salute to get proceedings underway

My opening remarks:-

First may I say thank you very much for inviting Wendy and me here today. I would like to welcome all of you to Salt Day and the town of Droitwich Spa.  The festival is one of many events organised over the summer and across the district, by Wychavon District Council, to celebrate the distinctiveness of our area.
Events are important for attracting visitors to our town centres and we hope today you will spend time exploring Droitwich Spa and visiting the local shops and stalls.  We know it has been a difficult time for many people in recent months, so it is more important than ever that we organise events like Salt Day not only to help local businesses but also offer a good value and fun day out.
The first Salt Day event was held only 4 years ago.  It is quite amazing how quickly it has grown into such a major experience for the town.  At today’s festival there are over 100 groups and individuals taking part.  The success of this event is not only down to the staff at Wychavon District Council, and I would like to thank Droitwich Town Centre Manager Janet Yates in particular,  but the way in which so many local people have embraced the true community spirit, which is Salt Day .  For many local groups and societies,  Salt Day has now become the one big occasion they attend, giving them the chance to tell people about what they do and raise valuable funds.
There is a very full programme of activity today and I hope you have an enjoyable time.  I would like to give particular thanks to Droitwich Spa Area Partnership, Forever Forties, For Droitwich Spa, Churches Together, St. Andrews Square Shopping Centre, Bourne Decorators and Droitwich Canals Trust for their assistance in the organisation of this event. Can I please in a little advert here, Droitwich Canals Trust is one of my supported charities this year, so please visit their stall and spend loads.
Thank you.

Forever Forties provide historic vehicles and set the scene

The Roman’s are here in force

‘SPA Man’ tries (and fails) to remove the pole, stopping the official procession of 40’s cars and jeeps completing the route to Vines Park. Never mind the exercise was good for us

Vines Park packed full of people

Take a boat trip

Buy a duck in the great duck race

meander through the many stalls

What a lovely day

listen to the excellent bands

so much to do, so little time

Mum, Dad, can I have this drum kit please……….please

professional graffiti artist’s show how to do it. ‘Can you tell what is yet’

Even boating for the youngsters, they have thought of everything

The Big Red Fun Bus was popular

so was everything else

we met up with past Droitwich mayor, Glynis and Tom Noyes. Also in the picture is WDC economic development manager Chris Brooks, on the left

The end to a perfect day, a pint in the Old Cock Inn. Brilliant.

Well done all, not sure how you will top it next year but I know you will try.

 

 

 

60th Anniversary of Droitwich Conservative Association

September 4th 7.30pm
Chateau Impney Hotel, Droitwich Spa

Mayor of Upton upon Severn Cllr Paul Thomas and Mayoress Mrs Thomas

Our host’s and organiser of tonight’s dinner dance, Mayor of Droitwich Cllr Maureen Lawley cheek to cheek with husband Don

Mayor of Bewdley and guest

Excellent band Factor3, who will be playing at my ball on November 28th

A great night. Congratulations on your 60th.

 

Our War

September 2nd 11.30am

Wychavon District Council and the lottery awards for all, provided funding so that DroitwichArea Forum for Older People could start it’s oral history project which is making recordings with Spa residents to create an archive of wartime memories for the town’s library.

Mayor of Droitwich, councillor Mrs Maureen Lawley, unveiled an audio post. This device will be based in the library and will enable the public to listen to some of the wartime recordings.

There will also be a small display on view in the library with further information on the project and people’s recollections of where they were 70 years ago when war was declared. The public will be invited to add their memories to the display.

Droitwich Library

Lots of people came

Mayor of Droitwich, Cllr Maureen Lawley, Vice Chairman of Worcestershire County Council consort and Cllr Mary Drinkwater, Vice Chairman of Worcestershire County Council, trying out the audio post.

Me, Cllr Don Lawley, consort to the Mayor of Droitwich and the Mayor. The audio post can be seen in the foreground.

we do scrub up well

Oral history producer Julia Letts, in the blue, tells us about the project. On her left is project leader Eve Freer

Funeral of Past District Councillor Barrie Nicholson

August 18th 3.30pm. Worcester Crematorium

There are sad duties to perform during the year, this was one of them.