Help for households 

Are you worried by the increased cost of living? Did you know we have a Financial Inclusion team who are available to help you?

The team provides information and advice on many matters including debt and budgeting, rent arrears and housing problems, council tax debt and help with claiming benefits. They will also look at all areas of support that may be available to you. 

Budget consultation - have your say

We will be launching our annual budget consultation survey later this month so please keep an eye on our consultation webpage if you'd like to take part. 

We're watching you

We have joined forces with Keep Britain Tidy to launch the 'We’re Watching You campaign' to reduce dog fouling in key areas of the district. It is aimed at the few irresponsible dog walkers who do not clear up after their dog. Research found owners are more likely to pick up after their dog when they believe they are being watched. Look out for our ‘We’re watching you’ posters in targeted areas. You can help us by reporting dog fouling offences on My Wyre Forest.

Free parking – Christmas offer

This year we are offering free parking in all council owned car parks over the weekends of Saturday 10 December to Sunday 11 December and Saturday 17 December to Sunday 18 December. We have listened to feedback following offers in previous years. People requested more daytime free parking.  Tickets do not need to be displayed and any overpayments will not be refunded. The parking offer is not available at Weaver’s Wharf car park in Kidderminster, which is privately owned.

Pollinator patches update

Did you see any of our pollinator patches? We left some verges relatively untouched to support our struggling pollinators. Areas we left uncut during the flowering season were left to die back naturally. This allows the insects who have used them to complete their life cycle. It also lets the flowers and grasses set seed. Now the team has cut some of these longer areas. When we could we collected the cuttings to help make more meadow improvements. We will be using the cuttings with other natural materials to create soil conditioner for our parks. We have had lots of support for the project and we are aiming to repeat it in as many areas as we can next year.

Working together in open spaces

Our parks team and rangers work closely with Friends of Parks Groups and volunteers to make sure that our open spaces are maintained, and the wildlife taken care of.  Recently they have been working in Springfield Park to fill in a pond and create better access for emergency vehicles. The Friends group agreed for it to be filled in as they were unable to manage the pond due to a lack of volunteers. We made sure the wildlife, including newts, was taken care of and successfully moved to nearby habitat. The next stage is to remove the pond lining and then grass the area.

Greener Christmas Fair

Looking for eco-friendly gifts this Christmas? Are you looking for ideas on how to make your Christmas greener? The council is part of Wyre Forest Green Alliance which has organised a Greener Christmas Fair on Tuesday 29 November. It is at St George’s Hall, Load Street Bewdley, 7pm-8.30pm. Entry is free.

Have your say on polling places

We're asking you to have your say on the location of polling places in the Blakebrook and Habberley South, and Areley Kings and Riverside wards.  This is because two of our longstanding polling places, The Gainsborough House Hotel in Kidderminster, and the Workmen's Club in Stourport, are no longer available to use. The consultations run until midday on Friday 11 November.

Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2022-2025

Our new Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy focuses on prevention, intervention and recovery. It also looks how we can increase the supply of accommodation for homelessness households. We would like your views on the strategy and the approach we are taking.  The consultation runs until midnight on Tuesday 6 December.

White Ribbon campaign

We are once again getting behind the White Ribbon Campaign.  The 16 Days of Action Campaign runs from Friday 25 November - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to Saturday 10 December – International Human Rights Day.  The campaign raises awareness of male violence against women and girls and the White Ribbon is a symbol for men to show they are saying ‘NO’ to violence against women.

Giving Tuesday

Have you heard of Giving Tuesday? It was created a decade ago as a day to encourage people to do good. You can volunteer your time; donate money; share your skills; campaign for something; donate goods, food, or clothes and so much more. This year Giving Tuesday is on 29 November. We are encouraging people to sign up for the Wyre Forest Community Lottery. At least 60% from each ticket sold goes to support good causes in the district and there's a chance to win a £25,000 jackpot every week! Local good causes can sign up too to benefit from ticket sales.

Listed building scam

We have been alerted to a scam regarding listed buildings. Someone purporting to be “the west midlands conservation officer” has been calling listed building owners/occupiers. They are trying to  gain access to the property and claim they need to inspect “dangerous loft insulation installed under council grants in the 1980s”. What they are actually doing is trying to con elderly people into having their loft insulation upgraded. 

If you own or live in a listed building please email our planning policy team to verify any telephone requests regarding the access requests to your home.

Graffiti workshop success

More than 80 children took part in our graffiti workshop at the skate park in Brinton Park, Kidderminster. 

We collaborated with artists, Kidderminster and District Youth Team (KDYT), Active Youth Outreach Services, Friends of Brinton Park and the local police to put on the event during the school half term holiday. Two artists with local connections worked with the young people to produce the artwork. Its aim was to make people think differently about painting unsightly, inappropriate artwork in the skate park. 

Get boosted!

Protection provided by COVID-19 vaccines decreases over time and flu viruses can change every year. Vaccines are the best protection we have against these viruses that can cause serious illness. Find out if you’re eligible and book now by clicking on the green button.

On Your Side

On Your Side is a newly launched nationwide service, funded by DLUHC, offering dedicated support for East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) victims of racism and/or other forms of hate.

The service includes a 24/7 freephone helpline available in East and Southeast Asian languages, a website linked below with reporting forms and resources, and ongoing community-based support delivered by trained casework advocates.

Chairman’s Charity Quiz Night

Chairman of the Council, Councillor Peter Dyke is hosting a quiz night on Saturday 10 December to raise money for his chosen charities. This year he’s supporting Kidderminster and District Youth Trust and Talking Newspapers. The event is being held at St George's Social Club, Radford Avenue, Kidderminster, 7pm. Teams of 4. £12 per head, which includes a fish and chip supper. 

Winter opening hours

Due to maintenance work, the shop and front access to the museum will be closed on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 November. Access to the museum site is via the back gates in QEII Jubilee Gardens.  

It is also the start of the museum’s winter opening hours.  The shop, garden kitchen and shambles walkthrough remain open daily from 10am -4.30pm. The galleries, rope walk, herb garden are foundry are open Friday – Sunday. The museum site shuts completely from Friday 23 December until Sunday 5 February. 

Christmas shopping made easy

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the gift shop at Bewdley Museum! They have a range of affordable gifts for all tastes. From stocking fillers, jewellery, stylish scarves and gloves to homeware and seasonal decorations, there is something for everyone. There is a selection of festive wines, liqueurs, local beers, and Hinton’s of Bewdley gin and vodka selection. You can even add to your Christmas Fayre by making a bee line for Mayfield Honey. It is unprocessed local honey straight from the hive.

The gift shop is open daily from 10am – 4.30pm until Thursday 23 December.

It’s panto time

The museum is hosting a production of Sleeping Beauty in the Saw Yard on Sunday 4 December. It is suitable for children from 4-12 years old. There are shows at 2pm and 3.15pm, each running for 45 minutes. Tickets are £6 each. 

Christmas crochet workshops

Tuesdays 6.30 - 8.30pm

Beginners and improvers crochet workshops with a Christmas theme. Start at the museum tomorrow (Tuesday 8 November 2022). The course will run for 4 weeks and costs £60.

To secure your place on the course or for more information email Amanda Peplow or call Bewdley museum 0845 607 7819. Sample yarn, hooks and patterns will be provided.