Pershore Jobs & Careers Fair
To register visit – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/pershore-college-jobs…
Overview
Meet 50+ top local employers face-to-face. Discover immediate job vacancies, apprenticeships, and training pathways.
Your future starts here!
Are you leaving school or college this summer? Are you a parent helping your child take their first step into the working world? Or are you looking for a new career path in Worcestershire?
Don’t miss the Pershore College Jobs and Careers Fair on Friday 26th June.
With over 70% of local businesses currently facing recruitment shortages, regional employers are actively looking for fresh talent. This event brings together over 50 leading exhibitors under one roof to help you secure your future.
Held in partnership with Nigel Huddleston MP (Droitwich and Evesham) and Dame Harriett Baldwin MP (West Worcestershire), this major afternoon fair is your direct gateway to the local economy.
Why You Should Attend
50+ Employers in One Room: Skip the online applications and speak directly with hiring managers who have live vacancies.
Earn While You Learn: Discover a wide range of local apprenticeship and training programmes.
Diverse Industries: Explore career paths in high-demand sectors, including:
Construction & Engineering
Health and Social Care
Horticulture & Animal Welfare
Digital Art & Design
Hair, Beauty, and Barbering
Expert Advice: Speak with WCG advisors on hand to help guide you through your options.
Key Event Details
Date: Friday 26th June 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Pershore College, Avonbank, Pershore, WR10 3JP
Cost: Completely FREE to attend (Registration required)Who is this event for?
School & College Leavers: Ready to transition from education into a rewarding career.
Parents & Guardians: Looking for the best insights to support their children’s next steps.
Job Seekers: Anyone looking to retrain or find immediate employment in the region.
“Our mission is to ensure our students have a clear line of sight to a rewarding career in the sectors Worcestershire needs most. By bringing employers and young people together face-to-face, we are removing barriers and helping our community thrive.”
— Sara-Jane Watkins, CEO & Principal of WCG
Survey launched to understand public views on air quality
Wychavon residents are being invited to complete a survey about air pollution.
The questionnaire aims to understand how much people know about air quality issues, use of air quality tools, where they get information on the subject from and what action they are already taking, or would be willing to take, to help reduce air pollution. The results will be used to shape future campaigns and ensure information is targeted where it can make the biggest difference.
The survey is being carried out by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS), which monitors air quality on behalf of Wychavon, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council.
A similar survey was carried out in 2024. which raised concerns about public health, the environment, urban planning and quality of life. The results helped identify areas where awareness could be improved and informed projects to promote cleaner air, including workshops in schools and community groups.
Cllr Rick Deller, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Housing, Regulatory and Customer Services, said: “Improving air quality is a shared responsibility. Everyone has a role to play and this survey will help us understand where awareness is strongest, where more support is needed and how we can work together to make a positive difference.”
Matt Fung, Public Health Consultant at Worcestershire County Council, added: “While we live in a beautiful, predominantly rural area, air pollution can still affect our daily lives. This survey is a great opportunity for people to share their views and help us understand what small changes could make a difference, whether that’s reducing car emissions outside schools or thinking about how and when we use solid fuel or wood-burning fires. We know people make choices for many different reasons, and we want to work together to find practical, realistic ways to improve air quality for everyone.”
The launch of the survey came ahead of Clean Air Day which took place on the 18 June 2026, organised by Global Action Plan, the UK’s largest public air pollution campaign.
The survey closes on 31 July 2026 and anyone over 16 can complete it.
Visit https://www.worcsregservices.gov.uk/airquality/ to take the survey.
Wychavon vows to fight government-imposed planning sanction
Wychavon has vowed to fight to overturn a government planning sanction which could allow decisions on major development to be taken nationally.
The Government has designated Wychavon under Section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act because, over a two-year period from 2023 to 2025, 10.7 per cent of major planning applications refused by the council were later allowed on appeal. This is slightly above the Government’s accepted limit of ten per cent.
Designation means developers submitting certain major planning applications can choose to bypass the council and instead apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate, which will decide on the council’s behalf. Major applications already submitted will continue to be decided by the council, as will applications for smaller developments and from householders. The sanction remains in place until Wychavon has satisfied government officials the situation has improved.
Wychavon strongly disputes the Government’s decision and is now considering all options available to challenge it, including legal action. The council acknowledges that while historically there have been some performance issues, the position is now much improved.
Since the arrival of current planning director Ian MacLeod in early 2024 the performance of the planning service has been transformed following a significant restructure. Backlogs have been eliminated with further training provided to councillors with support from the Planning Advisory Service and a dedicated team created to oversee major applications.
Data from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026 shows just 5.2% of applications the council refused were allowed on appeal, while current performance is well below the 10 per cent designation threshold.
The transformation of Wychavon’s planning service has been so impressive it was recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) as West Midlands team of the Year and is shortlisted for a national award.
Cllr Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Urban Design, said: “How dare they! This is an outrageous decision by a government that thinks it can simply dictate to local communities in complete defiance of the evidence and common sense.
“We have no problem with accountability. We do have an issue with a decision based on historic data that ignores the reality of the planning service we have today.
“What’s even more appalling is they have decided to do this when we have just adopted the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review, releasing over 25,000 homes for development and bringing forward major projects such as Wychavon Town at pace. This designation undermines their own ambitions for growth and housing delivery.
“Communities such as Drakes Broughton and Badsey have already endured levels of development that have fundamentally changed the character of those villages. The reward for councillors who stood up for those communities is apparently to have their decisions taken away from them by those in Westminster and handed to inspectors with no knowledge of Wychavon or the people who live here.
“We will challenge this affront to local democracy and fight to return decisions on major planning applications to democratically elected councillors as soon as possible.
su_divider] New Video: Explaining Local Government – Local Councils in England and Wales
Not everyone knows what it is local councils, or their clerks, actually do. To help with that, the SLCC Educational Trust has created this useful video. It explains how town, parish, and community councils work, what they can (and can’t) do, and how everyday people can get involved.
Your voice can shape your council — and your community.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvA3u44JCQw
Summer security advice from West Mercia Police
We have some top tips to help keep you and your home safe this summer and deter potential burglars.
During the hot weather people understandably like to have their windows and doors open, however this can make a home more vulnerable to intruders.
Here’s some advice to keep in mind during warmer weather:
· Ensure all windows and doors are locked when you leave the house – even if you’re only popping out for a few minutes!
· Make sure to lock away ladders at all times
· Keep front, patio and back doors closed and locked when you are elsewhere in the house or the garden
· Trimming hedges and trees at the front of your property removes opportunities for burglars to hide out of sight
· Consider growing prickly hedges or roses around the perimeter of your back garden – these are known as defensive plants and provide a level of deterrence
· Installing a dusk to dawn security light (at head height by front and back doors) – this increases levels of surveillance and will deter offenders
· Intruder alarm systems and CCTV will improve security – not to be replaced of basic security methods!
· Make sure to keep garden sheds and other outbuildings locked at all times
· Secure side gates and keep them well maintained with padlocks on
· Keep valuables out of sight and away from windows and doors
· Lock your bike away in a secure shed or garage
· Clear or hide heavy, loose debris from garden areas such as bricks, slabs etc. as these can be used to access your home
The West Mercia Police website offers further crime prevention advice:
Crime prevention advice | West Mercia Police
Neighbourhood Watch | West Mercia Police
You can also reply to this email if you have any questions, and I will get back in touch.
To report a crime follow the link below or call 101.
In an emergency, please call 999.
Kind regards,
PCSO WESTWOOD
Teen Trailblazer: Droitwich’s 15‑year‑old Matty Kenny becomes Wychavon’s youngest Community Star
Fifteen‑year‑old Matty Kenny has been named Wychavon’s youngest ever Community Star, recognising his exceptional contribution to Droitwich Spa and the wider district.
Wychavon Community Stars celebrate people who give their time, skills, and energy to make life better for others. The awards highlight residents who create real, lasting change in their communities. For someone to achieve this at just 15 is extraordinary.
Matty’s commitment to community action began when he was five years old, supporting remembrance events and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. He later joined the Army Cadets, developing leadership, teamwork, and practical life skills that continue to shape his contributions to his community.
In 2025, Matty helped launch the Droitwich Cycling, Walking and Wheeling Group. He played a major role in establishing the town’s Bike Bus and became one of the Bike Repair Managers at the free repair hub on the Westlands estate, where he helped residents with safety checks and repairs. His research into the benefits of active travel has also helped strengthen local understanding of how cycling and walking support mental and physical wellbeing.
Alongside this, Matty is an active member of Droitwich Spa Youth Council and Worcestershire Youth Cabinet, representing young people and speaking up on issues that matter to them. His work is helping ensure young voices are heard in local decision‑making.
Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon, said: “Matty is an exceptional young man. His drive, kindness and determination have already made a real impact on Droitwich Spa. To achieve this level of community leadership at 15 is remarkable. He embodies everything our Community Stars celebrate, and he is a fantastic role model for young people across Wychavon.”
Matty will be celebrated as part of Wychavon Community Stars 2026. More information about the awards can be found at wychavon.gov.uk/community-stars.