Latest news with #DroitwichSpa
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Worcestershire park has duck vending machine installed by charity
A "duck vending machine" has been installed at a park in Worcestershire to help ducks thrive on a healthy diet. The new installation, can be found at Vines Park in Droitwich Spa and was supplied by the Feed the Ducks Initiative at no cost to Wychavon District Council. For £1, visitors to the park can use the machine to feed wild birds healthily and sustainably, rather than using bread which can lead to machine is also powered by solar energy and made from 20,000 recycled plastic bottles. Councillor Beverley Hardman said: "We are excited to work with Feed the Ducks on this project. "It is a wonderful opportunity for our community to connect with the environment and help care for our local ducks and waterfowl. "I can't wait to see everyone enjoying this new addition to our parks."For every pound spent, 10% will be given to Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, a wildlife charity which offers help to injured birds and other animals.A charity representative, Natalie Gould, said: "The Feed the Ducks Initiative is a fantastic way to provide safe, nutritious food for water birds with minimal impact on the environment."We are so grateful that we've been chosen to receive donations through the initiative, too. We hope that all councils follow suit." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'We do not want cars banned from our High Street'
DROITWICH people do not want to see a ban on cars in the High Street, claims a councillor after an important survey. Councillor Daniel Birch has called for notions of pedestrianising Droitwich's historic High Street to be put to bed after a recent traffic and speed survey. Some residents previously called for the narrow street to become pedestrianised after concerns were raised over the use of cars and speeding. A recent traffic and speed survey requested by Droitwich Small Business Association found vehicles travelled at safe speeds and a significant number of cars use the High Street regularly. RECOMMENDED READING: Garden centre scraps animal section to make way for 'exciting' development Plans to repair bridges which pose safety risk at National Trust site 'Hidden gem' cafe rated the best coffee house in Worcester (again) Cllr Birch said the findings show how important shoppers found the High Street. "Many customers value the ease and convenience of being able to drive and park close by," he said. "Taking that away would make access harder, particularly for those with mobility issues. "The High Street itself already poses challenges—it is steep and uneven due to the town's salt-based geology, giving us our unique and historic 'wonky' street. "While we're proud of this, it does mean accessibility is already a concern. "Running a business is hard enough. The last thing our independent traders need is another barrier that discourages footfall or deters loyal customers." He added that preventing cars from accessing the street would not serve the best interests of local businesses or residents. A graph showing the results from the survey. (Image: Dan Birch) The results of the survey found that 890 vehicles use Droitwich High Street daily and 100 per cent of these vehicles travelled at or below the 30mph speed limit. The majority were found to have travelled half the speed limit on the road. The survey was conducted between June 16 and June 24. It is feared that if the area is pedestrianised, High Streets could lose out on up to 890 potential customers. Cllr Birch added: "While local businesses support the idea of improving the street with additional planting and street furniture to enhance its look and feel, full pedestrianisation simply isn't right for Droitwich. "As your county councillor, and as long as vehicle speeds remain safe, I will continue to oppose any moves to pedestrianise our High Street. "Let's support our businesses, not make life harder for them."
BBC News
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Droitwich Spa street murals 'bring our town to life'
Streets, buildings and underpasses in a Worcestershire town have been turned into vibrant works of art local children have been involved five murals are at Chawson Pleck Underpass, Camp Furlong Underpass, the Rik Mayall's Comedy Emporium, The Talbot pub, and Union initiative has been funded by Wychavon District Council and the Droitwich Spa Place Board - using money from the district council's share of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.A new piece will also be revealed at Emms Haberdashery this summer. The children contributed to both of the underpass Loves Books, the art at Chawson Pleck, features characters from children's literature enjoying landmarks of Droitwich Spa - inspired by ideas from students at Chawson First Camp Furlong mural, called Positive-Safe-Future, depicts uplifting images and messages with students' designs incorporated into the final artwork. The piece at The Talbot completely covers the side of the building, depicting the town's iconic landmarks and heritage."We take pride in collaborating with the residents of Droitwich Spa, and Droitwich Spa Place Board on this transformative project," said council leader, Richard Morris. "We gained insights and feedback from the local community, and the designs have been crafted which embody our shared vision."Matt Nicol, Chairman of Droitwich Spa Place Board, added: "We can't wait for everyone to experience the stunning art that brings our town to life!""People, memories and stories of our amazing town have inspired each illustration." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Memories of Droitwich Spa Lido that was more like a youth club
"We all went to the lido and that was where we let off our steam. We let off our energy. We went swimming. We went on the boards, went down the chute. We met girls."In 1962, connection between the young people of Droitwich Spa happened in physical space, where IRL was IPP - in a public pool. The town's lido was like a youth club, then... just a wet one. These were the days before tech tailored to toes. There was no heating. And at the centre of this cold water world was David Sparkes; a 13-year-old earning two shillings and ninepence an hour - about £2.88 in today's been sharing his memories. Milestones bring it on. The restored art deco attraction is celebrating its 90th year. Let's go back some of that way in Worcestershire, where young David has moved on from the "hanger room" (in which people used to hang up the clothes). He's become a lifeguard. And it was an offer he could not refuse - not at an extra threepence a week. In the summer, queues were "unbelievable", Mr Sparkes recalled of earning his money. "Sometimes we had to stop letting people in."Things were nippy, though. "In those days there was no heating," he said. "It was a cold pool. [The water] was literally out of the tap."He stayed there until 1973, qualified as a swimming teacher, and eventually became chief executive of British Swimming and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) – now known as Swim England. A typical day at the lido in the 1960s and 70s started at 08:00 when staff tided up and wiped down tables, before things opened at 10:00. Swimmers were in the pool until about 20:00 in the summer, with the site staying open until those days, workers used a brass instrument to measure density of the water and how much salt was in it, and they added enough brine to replicate sea water."There was a pipe that came in from the brine pumping station which was at the back of the high street in those days, there still is, I think," Mr Sparkes said. It was while teaching that Mr Sparkes felt a pull towards more advanced roles within the field."I decided I wanted to become a coach so went to Birmingham University... got into coaching and moved away from teaching kids."Eventually I got more into regional swimming which landed me on to the ASA Committee."But now, in the summer of 2025, the focus is more on the Lido's opening of 1935. And it would be unfair to let things pass without making a splash. The anniversary is being marked with a summer of water-centred celebration, running from June to August. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Droitwich Spa woman runs beauty salon for vulnerable people
As a child, Megan Jones struggled with learning to walk, riding a bike and even holding a 22, she still faces those challenges - but is successfully running her own beauty business catering specifically for people with Beauty Spectrum, in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, specialises in manicures, pedicures, gel nails, and facials."Throughout my life I've always noticed that the world isn't always very accommodating, or an inclusive place," said Ms Jones. "I wanted to have a beauty business that was accommodating and inclusive to everyone." Since launching her business at the start of the year, Ms Jones has treated clients who are - like her - autistic, people with Down's syndrome and visual impairments, and elderly people."I specialise in pampering the vulnerable members of society," she said. "I'm very good at respecting the client's boundaries, so if a client doesn't want part of the treatment being done, I won't do it." Ms Jones said some of her neurodivergent clients usually found salons too "overwhelming", but had discovered a safe space in her treatment had originally planned to work in either nursing, childcare or beauty."I can't be a nurse, simply because I never managed to get maths. My biggest dream in life is to have children, and I have heard that childcare is a bit of a difficult one if you plan on having a family."So I decided to do this instead."There's a bit of medical in it, because you're working with the human body, and there's a bit of childcare as well because I do treatments for children." 'It's a superpower' Ms Jones said she was proof that neurodivergent people, and people with disabilities, could be successful."The teachers in my class used to shout a lot - I thought that the reason I struggled was because I was a naughty child."The kids sometimes were very cruel and unkind, if they didn't get it. Sometimes, the teachers as well."I was told so many times that I wasn't going to do well, and I'm here now."It's not a disability, it's a superpower." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
