Also celebrating is Councillor Fran Oborski. Fran is one of the few councillors across England who has continuous service on the same principal authority since the reorganisation of councils brought about by the Local Government Act 1972. Over the years she has taken on many roles including Chair of the Council and Deputy Leader. Congratulations Fran on your outstanding record of unbroken service!

Visit Severn Valley

If you’re travelling on West Midlands Railway this Spring look out for our new posters highlighting the delights of the Severn Valley area.  Thank you to West Midlands Railway for having us!  Our posters will be at Smethwick Galton Bridge, Langley Green, Rowley Regis, Stourbridge Town, Kidderminster, Droitwich, Malvern stations. We’d love to see your photos of the posters in situ!  Post them on our Facebook and Instagram pages @VisitSevernValley. Take a look at the website and be inspired for a visit

Splashpad open

Our splashpad in Brinton Park has reopened. The fun begins at 11am and continues to 5pm daily. If it gets busy we may close it for an hour during the day for cleaning and safety checks. This will normally be around 2pm – 3pm. Have fun, but please follow the rules!

We have been giving out HUGs!

That's Home Upgrade Grants. Last year we gave out more than £440,000 in grant funding to residents to help them make their homes more energy efficient. The scheme was made possible through the Government’s sustainable warmth funding and improved 47 homes in the district. You can read more about how the grants were awarded and the latest funding available on our website.

Shetland breed calves born

We were delighted to welcome three new calves to Burlish Meadow Nature Reserve in April and there are more due! If you are lucky to spot them out on the reserve please try not to disturb them and admire them from afar. We also asked you to help us name them. We ran the poll on Facebook. They are officially called Bramble, Cooper and Buttercup. If you would like to keep up to date with everything happening on our reserves follow @WyreForestRangers on Facebook.

Taxi consultation

All taxi and private hire vehicle drivers in the Wyre Forest could soon have to complete safeguarding awareness training. We’re consulting on plans to introduce training for all licensed drivers. Our current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy requires drivers applying for a licence for the first time to complete safeguarding awareness training. Following a review we are now considering making the training mandatory for all existing licence holders. Consultation ends on Tuesday 21 May.

Planning consultations

We are looking for views on two key planning documents - our draft Design Amenity and Shopfronts Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and the Conservation Area Character Appraisals for Stourport No.1 and No.2. The Character Appraisals cover the Georgian part of the centre of Stourport. These documents are used when making decisions on potential and future developments.The consultations close on at 5pm on Wednesday 8 May.

Bewdley – Free shuttle bus

A new free shuttle bus service is running in Bewdley every Saturday until 27 July. The service has been put on by Bewdley Town Council and operates between 10am and 3pm. You can park at the Running Horse, Long Bank or The Bewdley School, Stourport Road. Details of times and stops are available on the poster.

We are offering even more 80s nostalgia by showing 'Back To The Future', in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens. The film starring Michael J Fox is a time travelling classic. Join us Sunday 19 May. Arrive from 4.15pm for film starting at 5pm. Tickets: £15 per adult, £10 per child 16 years and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be booked online, by calling or at the museum gift shop. Take to take along your picnic chairs and picnics, or refreshments will be available from The Garden Kitchen Café.

Half term craft activities

Around 50 children a day enjoyed our craft activities during the Easter holidays and there was wonderful feedback. One visitor said, “We had a great time. Both my 11 year old son and 2 year old daughter enjoyed the activities. Thank you for providing a great programme of activities at affordable prices.”

Don’t miss out this May Half Term.  Activities will be running Monday 27 May to Friday 31 May 10.30am-2.30pm.  Activities will include decorating ceramic garden animal feeders, wooden garden windmills, Spring baseball caps and much more. More details on our website.

Volunteer Open Days 

We are looking for volunteers to help at Bewdley Museum. Volunteering opportunities include gardening, making clay pipes, demonstrating the rope walk, assisting with children’s holiday activities and event stewarding, including weddings. More information will be available at our open morning at the Museum on Friday 17 May from 10.30am – 12pm in the Old Clay Pipes Room.

Shop local

The museum shop is at the Load Street entrance of the museum. It is open daily from 10am until 4.30pm and by shopping with us, you are supporting the future and sustainability of Bewdley Museum!

 As well as being a gift shop, we try and use local suppliers where we can. We sell Bewdley Brewery beer, Hinton's of Bewdley gin and apple juice from Blackstone Farm. Even all of our maps, guides and information books are locally sourced!

There are plenty of lovely gifts in store, so don't delay come and visit us.