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Welcome to the latest edition of our online newsletter for residents.
Message from Director of Public Health
Wyre Forest is giving us some cause for concern. Cases of Covid-19 are rising, particularly in Kidderminster and particularly in those under the age of 50.
On 1 October the infection rate for the district stood at 50 per 100,000 people, the highest in the county so far.
I’m calling on all residents in the district, particularly everyone in Kidderminster and those under 50, to take this seriously.
We will all come through this but right now we need you to follow the rules and stop the virus in its tracks. The virus only moves if you do, and you can stop the situation getting any worse.
Let's work together to stop the district seeing more cases of Covid-19 and prevent tighter restrictions being needed.
You can help stop the number of people testing positive by
- Staying 2 metres apart and keeping to the rule of 6
- Wearing a face covering when you are required to
- Regularly washing your hands.
If you think you have a symptom, you need to self-isolate immediately. This stops you spreading the virus.
Symptoms are;
A new continuous cough
A raised Temperature- your chest or back are hot to the touch
A loss or change to your sense of taste or smell
We need you to do this to protect your community, friends and family.
Thank you
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Test and Trace Support Scheme
The Government has announced a new financial package to support and enforce self-isolation.
In some circumstances, if you are now required by law to self-isolate you may be supported by a payment of £500, payable from Wyre Forest District Council.
We are working to get our application form for the ‘Test and Trace Support’ payment scheme live as soon as possible. This will be available for those people who are legally required to self-isolate.
To be eligible for the £500 one-off payment you need to meet all of the following criteria:
✅ have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
✅ are employed or self-employed
✅ cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
✅ claiming at least one qualifying benefit
✅ your self-isolation started on or after Monday 28 September.
The qualifying benefits are: universal credit, working tax credit, income-related employment and support allowance, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income support, pension credit or housing benefit. Please note our Council Tax reduction scheme is not included in the list of qualifying benefits.
Our application scheme will be up and running by Monday 12 October. If you start to self-isolate (or have done so from Monday 28 September) and meet the above criteria, you will be able to receive backdated payments. All claims will be carefully checked and any fraudulent applications will be referred to the police. Visit our website for more information.
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Brinton Park lottery joy as £2.4m restoration to go ahead
The restoration of Kidderminster’s historic landmark Brinton Park is to go ahead, thanks to a National Lottery grant of more than £2.4 million.
Wyre Forest District Council has secured £2,410,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund to fund an exciting raft of major improvements including a new cafe, an extension to the Sons of Rest Pavilion and the re-instatement of an historic ornamental pool.
Supported through The National Lottery, the project aims to breathe new life into the Victorian park – which was gifted to the town by the famous Brinton carpet manufacturing company.
Brinton Park was put forward because of its unique history and heritage and within Wyre Forest provided the best fit for the stringent funding criteria required by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
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Community lottery tickets go on sale
Tickets for the new Wyre Forest Community Lottery will go on sale from Tuesday 20 October and the first weekly prize draw will take place in November.
Tickets costing £1 will be available online offering you the chance to scoop a £25,000 jackpot and a new opportunity to support local good causes.
The first draw takes place on Saturday 28 November with 60p from every £1 ticket going to local charities and good causes.
Players have a 50 to one chance of winning one of the prizes, which range from the £25,000 jackpot to three extra tickets.
Local groups can now apply free of charge to become an official good cause and earn income from ticket sales. Wyre Forest District Council has appointed an established operator which works with other councils across the country to manage the lottery and will not receive any money from the scheme.
An online presentation with information on how to apply to become a good cause is available on the council's website.
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Keeping the district safe, clean and green
Measures aimed at keeping the district a safe, clean and green living environment have been extended for a further three years following support from the public who took part in consultations earlier in the year.
Three Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) officially came into force with effect from 1 October. They include restrictions around nuisance drinking in Bewdley and Stourport town centres and an extension of district-wide dog controls.
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Protect your loved ones: get the app!
A new NHS COVID-19 App is now available as part of the large scale coronavirus testing and contact tracing programme called NHS Test and Trace.
The app will be used alongside traditional contact tracing to notify users if they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus.
The NHS COVID-19 App alerts people at risk of coronavirus, asking them to isolate before they potentially pass the virus on to others as well as providing local area alerts and QR venue check-in.
The app will help the NHS understand if the virus is spreading in a particular area, and so local authorities can respond quickly to stop it spreading further and save lives. The app does this while protecting a user’s anonymity. Nobody, including the government, will know who or where a particular user is.
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Advice on car sharing
If possible avoid car sharing with others and travel with your household
We know sometimes it’s just not possible so here are some tips to help keep you and the driver safe
◼️ share the transport with the same people each time
◼️ open windows for ventilation
◼️ face away from each other
◼️ consider seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle ◼️ clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning products - make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch
◼️ ask the driver and passengers to wear a face covering
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Take part in our Covid-19 survey
Tell us what you think about how you are being supported through the COVID-19 pandemic.
This survey is an opportunity to have your say about how you think we are performing and help us and other agencies improve our services and our ongoing response to the pandemic.
Please take a few minutes to take part in our survey. Thank you.
The survey deadline is midday on Monday 12 October 2020.
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Coronavirus and our services
Keep up to date with all of our services by regularly visiting the dedicated page on our website.
Our customer service hub in Kidderminster is still closed for face to face enquiries although staff are continuing to deal with emergency homeless enquiries and pre-booked appointments where necessary.
However if you need help and advice, you can still contact us through a variety of channels such as:
You can also Email us or Call us.
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More information
For the latest Covid-19 health advice visit the
For information on what you can and cannot do, go to
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Living well in later life
Don't miss our online event showcasing services designed to help you live well in later life in Wyre Forest which is taking place next month.
Our week-long "virtual" online event showcasing services for older people will take place from Monday 2 November.
There will be advice on keeping active and healthy as well as a host of information about services available in the local community and lots more.
We'll be sending out daily emails during the week, so if you're interested then sign up today for our Health, wellbeing and environment topic via the link below.
You might also want to keep your eyes peeled on social media each day during the week-long campaign. And don't forget to check in to our dedicated webpage which will be updated every day.
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Zero waste week - 12 October
We'll be joining forces with our colleagues across Worcestershire to encourage to people to cut down on their waste during Zero Waste Week.
See us on Facebook and complete the daily challenge we will set you every day during the campaign to help you reduce the amount of waste you produce.
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Polling places review
Residents are being asked to have their say on the location of polling places in the Blakebrook & Habberley South and Franche & Habberley North wards.
Last year Wyre Forest District Council carried out a public consultation on the polling district and places. As part of the review, residents were able to comment on the accessibility of polling places and whether they provide reasonable facilities for voting.
Following responses to the consultation, full Council agreed at the meeting held on Wednesday 26 February to undertake a further review.
Residents living in the two wards can submit their comments via the link below.
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Voting by post at Elections
Anyone can apply for a postal vote, which allows voters much greater flexibility about when they complete their ballot paper.
You can apply for a one off postal vote or a continuous one for all future ballots.
When you have completed the form please return to:
Elections Team, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF.
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Halloween fun at Bewdley Museum
A variety of Halloween fun will be taking place at Bewdley Museum in October.
Spooky craft activities will be taking place from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October.
A Halloween pumpkin trail will take place in Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens from Monday 26 to Sunday 1 November, 10am to 3.15pm.
The museum will also be hosting two showings of Dippy's outdoor Halloween extravaganza for children aged 4-12 years on Saturday 31 October. Doors will open for the first performance at 4.30pm with fancy dress and pumpkin judging, finishing at 6pm.
The second performance will take place from 6.15pm, followed by fancy dress and pumpkin judging, finishing at 7.15pm.
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New stock at Bewdley Museum gift shop
Check out Bewdley Museum gift shop's latest autumn collection.
The new stock of homeware, textiles and jewellery offers something for everyone.
The museum is particularly excited to bring a new Fairtrade range from Cambodia, which includes clutch bags made from upcycled cement bags and handwoven cotton Ikat bags, purses and scarves. The items are made by artisans who have been affected by landmine injuries and polio.
The shop's stock of stylish hats, scarves and gloves will keep you cosy this winter. There are also greeting cards, wine, cider, local beer, honey, jams and chutney for sale.
A selection of ‘Made in the Museum’ crafts can be purchased in the shop. All items are unique and handmade by resident craftspeople.
The shop is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm.
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Tremendous trows and wonderful wherries!
Come and explore Bewdley's years as one of England's most important ports in a 60 minute discovery walkabout.
Taking place on Sunday 18 October from 11am and Wednesday 21 October from 10.30am. Tickets are £5 per person.
Book by calling 0845 607 7819 or pop into the museum and pay to secure your place.
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Keeping you in the know
You can keep up to date with all of our news by checking our news section on our website.
You can get news on issues that matter to you the most delivered direct to your inbox by subscribing to more of our e-bulletin topics.
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