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April 2021
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Welcome to the latest edition of our online newsletter for residents.
Keep playing your part!
With lockdown restrictions easing in line with the Government's roadmap, we are all looking forward to life getting a little more like normal in the coming weeks.
Whether it's that long awaited haircut, a visit to the garden centre or simply enjoying a meal out you are most looking forward to, it's vital that we all keep playing our part to stop the spread of Covid.
Covid-19 has not gone away and new cases continue to be reported across Wyre Forest, so it is important we all keep doing what we can to stop it spreading. Washing hands regularly, wearing facemasks and keeping our distance from each other will all help to fight the pandemic.
You can check the number of cases each day via the county council's Covid dashboard
COVID vaccine
More than 30 million people in the UK have now received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. If you are called for a vaccine, please take up the offer. Vaccines are safe and are our way out of lockdown.
Get tested!
One in three people with Covid have no symptoms and are unaware they could be spreading the virus. This is why Public Health in Worcestershire is recommending anyone who has to leave their home for work is tested twice a week using a lateral flow device (LFT) site or through their employer where tests are offered.
Free rapid tests are available from certain local pharmacies for people without symptoms.
If you have even one symptom of the virus you should book a test using either uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
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Easter school holidays support
If you are a parent and wondering how to keep the children occupied during the Easter break, check out the Ready Steady Worcestershire website. It is crammed with useful information and support for families about activities, including help with food during the school holidays.
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Key dates for local elections
Local elections take place next month and there are some key dates for your diary.
On Thursday 6 May there will be elections for Worcestershire County Council, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, Kidderminster Town Council and Bewdley Town Council (Bewdley West ward only).
The deadline for registering is Monday 19 April
You will be able to cast your vote at a covid-secure polling station, but anyone can choose to apply for a postal vote. The deadline for applying for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.
You can apply for a proxy vote if you need someone else to vote on your behalf. Proxy vote applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 27 April
Polling stations will be open on Thursday 6 May from 7am to 10pm.
If you decide to vote in person please remember that it is a legal requirement to wear a face covering at a polling station, unless you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of any physical or mental illness or impairment or disability.
Count and results of Worcestershire County Council, Kidderminster Town Council and Bewdley Town Council elections will be announced on Friday 7 May.
The count and results of the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on Monday 10 May.
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Election jobs
We are looking for people to work in our polling stations on Thursday 6 May and for people to help count the votes.
We will be counting the votes for Worcestershire County Council and Kidderminster Town Council elections on Friday 7 May and then on Monday 10 May we will be counting the votes in the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner election.
Training will be provided. You can read more about the different roles and apply by following the link.
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Please don't bag your recycling
Most of us are trying to reduce the amount of plastic we use and doing our best to recycle as much of our rubbish as possible.
However, did you know that if you place recycling in a plastic bag it could lead to a whole lorry load of recycling being rejected by the processing plant which sorts our material? Please avoid using plastic bags and place rinsed items in your green bin. If you have extra recycling then please put items in a clear bag and leave it untied.
And please make sure you only place items that can be recycled in your greeen bin. If in any doubt check our website for information on what to put in which bin.
Please make sure your bin is out on the kerbside and visible by 6am each day (or even put it out the night before). If you struggle to move your bins in and out and have no-one in your house to help, you can apply for our assisted service.
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Welcome back to Bewdley Museum
A warm welcome awaits you at Bewdley Museum this month.
The museum's gift shop, Garden Kitchen Café and herb garden re-open on Monday 12 April from 10am-4.30pm daily.
Under the Government's planned lifting of restrictions all indoor areas of the museum should re-open from 17 May.
If you are looking for a gift or a treat for yourself check out the gift shop, including a new range of garden ornaments and metal wall art. A new selection of homeware, jewellery and accessories is also sure to catch your eye and Bewdston Preserves are busy stirring up Bewdley Museum’s own flavour of jam and chutney for you to enjoy.
Call in for tea and cake at the Garden Kitchen Cafe. Socially distanced seating is available in the marquee and outdoor tables in the herb garden to ensure everyone’s safety.
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Council backs regeneration
The regeneration of the final part of the former Sugar Beet Factory in Kidderminster is going ahead thanks to a £1.9m development loan from Wyre Forest District Council.
The loan will support the regeneration of 4.5 acres of brownfield land and create new employment opportunities.
The scheme, led by Suma Developments Ltd, will deliver 17,000 sqft of new light industrial units and also a drive through Costa Coffee.
The council set up the £10m Development Loan Fund in collaboration with fund manager Finance Birmingham, to help fuel new development in Wyre Forest, creating jobs and boosting investment and regeneration in the district.
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Free expert support on offer
Arts and culture organisations that have suffered as a result of the pandemic are being offerd free expert support.
Any organisations employing fewer than 50 people, as well as freelancers, can apply now for 1:1 video advice sessions to raise their online profile.
Whether you would like more social media followers, help to improve your Google search ranking or more people visiting your website, this new Digital Welcome programme could be for you.
Sessions will be provided by digital experts Limina Immersive, funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
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Stay connected and grow your business!
If you are thinking of setting up your own business in Wyre Forest, or are growing an existing one, make sure you’re connected to NWedR. We are the go to service for small and large businesses and for driving economic development and regeneration in North Worcestershire. See our website and sign up here for our weekly newsletter bringing you up to date on business news, events and issues across the area.
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New parent and carers forum
A new parent and carers forum is being set up in Wyre Forest.
The Starting Well Partnership in Wyre Forest, which supports families with children and young people aged 0-19, is looking for parents from all communities in Wyre Forest to come together and share their thoughts about what works well and what can be improved. It’s an opportunity to make change, build relationships and improve the wellbeing of local families. If you are interested please contact Brookside Family Hub on 01562 827207 or
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Do you run a charity or business? Be cyber aware!
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has published new figures showing that two in five businesses (39 per cent) and a quarter of charities (26 per cent) report having cyber security breaches or attacks in the last 12 months.
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2021 report also shows the cyber risk to organisations is heightened because of the coronavirus outbreak, which has made securing digital environments more challenging as organisational resources are diverted to facilitating home working for staff.
DCMS is now encouraging businesses, charities and educational institutions to follow the free help and guidance from the UK cyber security experts at the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It includes advice on the secure use of video conferencing, secure home working and how to move businesses from physical to digital.
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New course for parents
A new FREE course for parents in Wyre Forest will start later this month.
The MoodMasters course will be starting after Easter and will be delivered virtually, for an hour or so each week. It aims to give parents good information about emotional and physical health.
The course has been designed to be interesting and relevant and is meant to be fun too. If you have been feeling lonely recently it will also give you chance to talk and meet virtually with others too.
To register either call 01562 827207 or send an email to the team.
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