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

 

 

 

Remembrance Service

November 8th 10.30am
Evesham Town Hall.

Remembrance Day is one of the most important in the Chairman’s calendar as he represents the people of Wychavon in remembering those killed in the defence of our district and our country. It has become even more important in recent years because we remember those, not only in world war’s one and two but also those conflicts which are going on now, today.
Each year the chairman attends a service in either, Evesham, Droitwich or Pershore. I chose Evesham as it is my ‘home’ area. The other town’s were covered by vice chairman, attending Pershore and immediate past chairman, attending in Droitwich.
This is the first time I have attended when the weather was anything other than dry. In fact it poured but that did not deter us, any of the official parties, or the general public, all paying their respects.

Mayor of Evesham, Cllr Alan Booth, leads the official party from Evesham Market Square

Picture by Michelle Ludlow

Picture by Michelle Ludlow

Picture by Michelle Ludlow
Evesham town councillors and civic heads wait for the start, just prior to 11.00am

Picture by Michelle Ludlow

Picture by Michelle Ludlow
Representatives from our armed forces, emergency services, clubs, societies, charities and organisation, also line and wait in the now torrential rain, for the appointed hour.

Picture by Michelle Ludlow

One of two sea cadets with rifle barrel upturned, stands statuesque

Picture by Michelle Ludlow

Picture by Michelle Ludlow

After the short service at the war memorial in Abbey Park, the large number of people walk to All saints Church for a service of remembrance. After that, the Mayor and MP, Peter Luff, take the salute at the march past in High Street.

Picture by Michelle Ludlow
Following this, the Mayor thanks all those taking part and invites everyone for a hot drink and cake in the Town Hall. A very successful morning

 

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 at 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 many of these pictures have been taken by Michelle Ludlow. Many thanks Michelle.

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!

I presented a large number of awards during the evening. This is Leading cadet, Josh Karlinski, collecting his Bronze and Silver Wings Aviation badges.

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