Holdings Lane – Closed for resurfacing for 2 days within the period 13th to 27th April (actual date not specified). Diversion via Brookend Lane and Broomhall Lane.
COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTES
Over the last few weeks there has been an upsurge of payments made with counterfeit banknotes. These have been mainly in £20 denominations and have appeared not only in the West Mercia Policing area, but nationally as well.
Also, this has not just affected mainstream retailers but also private sellers online as well who are using such sites as Facebook Marketplace and eBay, so everyone should be aware.
Remember that if you receive any counterfeit notes, you cannot be reimbursed so you will carry the loss on that transaction. If you do receive a fake note, then hand it in to your local police station and make a report of the incident.
How do you check if a bank note is genuine?
• Check the holographic window – inside you should see an image of King Charles III or Queen Elizabeth II and the value of the note around the edge, as well as the wording “Bank of England”
• Check the foil – if you tilt the note the words change between the value of the note and the word “Pounds”
• Raised Print – you should be able to feel the print such as the words “Bank of England” in the bottom right-hand corner
• Detection Pens – these were designed for paper notes so are not safe to use on the new polymer notes
• Compare with a genuine note – small differences in colour, print clarity and the overall feel of the note should be obvious
If you are unsure, then do not accept the note, and ask for an alternative method of payment such as a bank transfer.
For fuller details download the Bank of England guide by clicking on the following link: Bank of England -take a closer look
Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours
NOTICE OF VACANCY IN OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR
NORTON-JUXTA-KEMPSEY PARISH COUNCIL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.
If by 22 April, 2026 (14 days excluding Dies Non, after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at the address below by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
If an election is called, it will take place not later than 26 June, 2026.
Dated 31 March, 2026
Vic Allison Returning Officer Civic Centre Queen Elizabeth Drive Pershore Worcs WR10 1PT
elections@wychavon.gov.uk
For more information please contact the Parish Clerk
clerk@nortonjuxtakempseyparishcouncil.gov.uk
Notice of Consultation on Supplementary Planning Documents for the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021 – 2041 in accordance with Regulation 13 of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012
This notice is to invite you to make comments on the following Supplementary Planning Documents that are now out for consultation.
The public consultation for all of the SPDs listed below closes at 5pm on 30th April 2026. Please give us your views.
The 3 South Worcestershire Councils (SWC), namely Malvern Hills District Council, Worcester City Council and Wychavon District Council, have prepared the following joint Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) to support policies in the recently adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (March 2026).
1) South Worcestershire Air Quality SPD
2) South Worcestershire Affordable Housing SPD
3) South Worcestershire Developers Contributions SPD
4) Sustainable Buildings and Construction Guidance SPD
Wychavon District Council has also prepared:
5) Wychavon Design Code SPD
Comments can be made on all documents by visiting:
Alternatively, comments can be sent to:
Policy Plans, Wychavon District Council
Civic Centre
Queen Elizabeth Drive
Pershore, WR10 1PT
Wychavon Growth Fund launches with grants of up to £15,000 for local businesses
Businesses across Wychavon can now apply for grants of up to £15,000 to support growth, investment, and job creation, as Wychavon District Council launches its new Growth Fund.
Fully funded by the council, the scheme is designed to help small and medium‑sized enterprises invest in projects that will make a measurable difference to their development. This could include purchasing new equipment, expanding facilities, improving productivity, or creating new employment opportunities.
The Growth Fund is open to SMEs across the entire district, including the three towns, and aims to encourage applications from areas that have historically seen fewer bids. A map of previously supported projects, delivered through the former Wychavon Rural Fund, highlights strong activity in many rural wards, and the council is keen to see that success replicated district‑wide.
To be eligible, businesses must:
Be an SME based in Wychavon (fewer than 250 employees and either a turnover of £44m or less, or a balance sheet total of £38m or less).
Demonstrate that the project will support business growth.
Provide at least 50% match funding.
Contact the council before applying if the project involves building works or planning considerations.
Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of the Council and Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, said: “Wychavon is home to an incredible range of ambitious and hardworking businesses, and we want to help them take their next step. The Growth Fund gives SMEs across the district, including our three towns, the chance to invest in projects that will genuinely move them forward, whether that’s new equipment, expanding facilities, boosting productivity, or creating jobs.
“We’re looking for businesses with a clear vision for growth and the ability to match‑fund at least half of their project costs. If you’re an SME based in Wychavon and you’ve got an idea that will strengthen your business, we want to hear from you. This is a real opportunity to unlock investment and drive growth in every corner of our district.”
Businesses can find full details and apply online at
For enquiries, email growth@wychavon.gov.uk
More Items, Less Waste: Wychavon Expands Recycling Service
Wychavon District Council is making it easier than ever for residents to recycle more and reduce waste.From Wednesday 1 April 2026, households can add clean aluminium foil and plastic tubes to their green‑bin recycling, alongside the usual paper, card, glass, metals and plastics.
This positive change supports the Government’s Simpler Recycling policy, which aims to make recycling collections more consistent across England. The update will help reduce confusion, improve recycling rates and support national ambitions to reach a 65% recycling rate by 2035.
Residents can now include the following clean and empty items in their green bin:
Clean aluminium foil, such as kitchen foil and clean foil trays
Plastic tubes, including toothpaste and cosmetic tubes (make sure they are empty and clean)
Cllr Emma Stokes, Executive Board Member for Resources, Investment and Innovation for Wychavon, said: “We’re excited to be expanding our recycling service and making it even easier for residents to recycle more from home. These improvements mean people can now recycle many of the everyday items they use, helping us cut down on black bin waste and continue to increase our recycling rates across Wychavon.”
Once collected, materials are sorted at EnviroSort, Worcestershire County Council’s Material Reclamation Facility in Norton, before being sent to UK reprocessors where they are cleaned and transformed into new products.
Recycling these items saves energy, conserves natural resources and keeps valuable materials out of landfill and energy‑from‑waste facilities.
Find out more at https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/recycling
Aluminium foil is one of the most recyclable materials we use. When it’s recycled, it saves 95% of the energy needed to make new foil from raw materials.
Many plastic tubes are now made from widely recyclable plastics too, meaning they can be processed and reused rather than ending up in energy‑from‑waste facilities.
Pershore Dementia Awareness Festival
Number 8 Arts Centre Pershore
Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 10 am to 3:30 pm
The number of people living with dementia in Pershore and surrounding villages is approx 3,000. As this figure continues to rise, it is essential for communities and businesses to play an active role in supporting those affected. The Dementia Festival has been developed to provide support and signposting for both those caring and living with dementia, as well as for organisations and businesses who could make a real difference to the wellbeing and confidence of customers, staff and carers. Together, we can work to make Pershore and the surrounding area more dementia friendly. Don’t deny, defy!
More information about how organisations can sign up to FREE Dementia training provided by Age UK Wyvern will be discussed during the morning session.
The festival is open to all organisations, parishes, and those living and caring for dementia in Wychavon.
To book a free ticket and for the event itinerary, please visit this link:
For any questions about the event or accessibility needs, please contact Lindsay Roach communitybuilder@pershorevolunteers.org.uk