Latest news with #Stourport
BBC News
18-07-2025
- BBC News
Mother swan and two cygnets killed in canal lock crush
Three swans have been killed in a canal after they were crushed between a lock wall and a eyewitness told BBC Hereford and Worcester that the two cygnets became trapped inside the lock and were unable to escape, while their mother attempted to "protect them". They said the boat continued to enter the lock despite onlookers alerting those on board to the swans' Canal and River Trust said the incident, which happened in Stourport on York Street on 11 July, was "tragic and entirely avoidable". West Mercia Police said it was aware of the deaths and would liaise with the RSPCA. Known as Mrs BJS, the swan was a well-loved character in the area and had lived on the canal for six years, a local resident added the surviving two cygnets "constantly go up and down" the canal looking for their the Canal and River Trust said it was "deeply saddening" to learn of the incident and urged anyone with information to contact the police or the RSPCA."[We are] devoted to protecting and supporting wildlife along our waterways - we are horrified by this cruel and senseless act," it said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dog died in Worcestershire canal filled with duckweed, man claims
At least one dog has died in a Worcestershire canal after it turned fluorescent green, a business owner has claimed. Paul Jefferys, owner of Oliver's Coffee Bar, said his neighbour's dog perished in the Stourport Basin last canal went viral after it changed colour due to the amount of duck weed growing in the water - which Mr Jefferys said has caused multiple dogs to nearly drown.A spokesperson for the Canal and River Trust said: "We've put signs up in Stourport warning people to stay away from the edge, and we're asking everyone to keep their dogs under close control as stories about dogs falling in are so heartbreaking." They added: "Our volunteers and the local team have been working hard to remove the weed in the basin, scooping up millions of pieces of the floating weed from the water's surface but the hot weather is providing perfect growing conditions. "In addition, our weed boats are also working further up the canal to try and cut the problem off at the source."Discussing what he had witnessed, Mr Jefferys said: "I've seen dogs going into the canal basin and nearly drown [because of the duckweed], we've had trouble getting them out."I've seen it on three or four occasions people have lost dogs. In fact, we lost one last week in the upper basin."It's sad, but it is what it is. It's weird to see just how much there is of it - it seems to be never ending." Beth Norris the Wildlife and Water Officer for Worcestershire Wildlife Trust said duck weed had both good and bad qualities. Explaining what the phenomenon is, she said: "It is a natural part of the fresh water eco-system but it's basically tiny little plants which are normally no bigger than 5mm in diameter."They have a clover-like leaf but they are really good at cloning themselves and that's why you'll see big carpeted areas of it."Ms Norris added the plant was used a food source and a source of shelter for wildlife like ducks, frogs and insects. However, she said the downside of duckweed was how easily it can "close itself". "Because it does so well in these warm conditions we're having right now - particularly garden ponds - they can become carpeted in it," she said."That in itself can create problems, like lack of oxygen and blocking the light out for plants below the surface." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers compete in the 'Monaco of hill climbing'
Motorsports fans have gathered in Worcestershire to watch races described by organisers as like "Formula 1 up a country lane". The 120th British Hill Climb Championships at Shelsley Walsh, held on Saturday and Sunday, is billed as Europe's "fastest and most spectacular" speed hill climb. Advertisement The track, near Stourport-on-Severn, claims to be the oldest motorsports venue in the world still staging events on its original course. Encompassing a steep hill with a 329ft (99m) rise, generations of racers have taken on the course since it opened in 1905. More than 200 cars took to the hill over the weekend to compete, some racing at speeds of about 150mph (241km/h) around the 1,000 yd (914m) track. Alex Summers, from Tenbury Wells, the fourth generation of his family to race the course, described it as "hallowed ground". "Some people refer to it as the Monaco of hill climbing," he said. Advertisement "It's the sensation of speed and it's the fact that Shelsley's a natural amphitheatre, so you've got the ability to see almost the entire hill, pretty much wherever you are." Supporting from the paddocks, his mum Lindsay, who started racing 15 years ago, hit speeds of 143mph (230km/h) on her practice round. She said: "You just get to an age I think, as a woman, where you stop caring what people think and you just [say] 'I'm going to do it, I'm going to have some fun'." After lugging wheels up the track, she described the sport as "definitely not glamorous but a lot of fun". Advertisement Porsche also put a prototype electric SUV, brought over from Germany and named Cayenne, through its paces on the track and a spokesperson said it was "very fast". Drivers described Shelsley Walsh as the "Monaco of hill climbing" [BBC] Events started at 09:00 BST, with the fastest cars competing in the top 12 run offs. Course record holder Sean Gould was attempting to better his fastest time of 22.37 seconds in a 410kg single-seater, smaller-scale Formula 1-style car . He said hitting the high speed had been "frightening" in hindsight. "You kind of get carried away in the moment," he added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Shelsley Walsh drivers compete in the 'Monaco of hill climbing'
Motorsports fans have gathered in Worcestershire to watch races described by organisers as like "Formula 1 up a country lane".The 120th British Hill Climb Championships at Shelsley Walsh, held on Saturday and Sunday, is billed as Europe's "fastest and most spectacular" speed hill track, near Stourport-on-Severn, claims to be the oldest motorsports venue in the world still staging events on its original course. Encompassing a steep hill with a 329ft (99m) rise, generations of racers have taken on the course since it opened in 1905. More than 200 cars took to the hill over the weekend to compete, some racing at speeds of about 150mph (241km/h) around the 1,000 yd (914m) Summers, from Tenbury Wells, the fourth generation of his family to race the course, described it as "hallowed ground"."Some people refer to it as the Monaco of hill climbing," he said."It's the sensation of speed and it's the fact that Shelsley's a natural amphitheatre, so you've got the ability to see almost the entire hill, pretty much wherever you are."Supporting from the paddocks, his mum Lindsay, who started racing 15 years ago, hit speeds of 143mph (230km/h) on her practice said: "You just get to an age I think, as a woman, where you stop caring what people think and you just [say] 'I'm going to do it, I'm going to have some fun'."After lugging wheels up the track, she described the sport as "definitely not glamorous but a lot of fun".Porsche also put a prototype electric SUV, brought over from Germany and named Cayenne, through its paces on the track and a spokesperson said it was "very fast". Events started at 09:00 BST, with the fastest cars competing in the top 12 run record holder Sean Gould was attempting to better his fastest time of 22.37 seconds in a 410kg single-seater, smaller-scale Formula 1-style car .He said hitting the high speed had been "frightening" in hindsight. "You kind of get carried away in the moment," he added. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Investigation into death of RAF Coningsby police dog handler
An investigation has been launched after the death of an RAF Police dog Rebecca Hudson, 32, from Stourport, had served since 2015 and was described by her station commander as a "truly special individual".The BBC understands her death happened on 23 May at RAF Coningsby, where Cpl Hudson was posted last RAF spokesperson said it would be "inappropriate" to comment further on the circumstances, but confirmed an investigation was taking place. Cpl Hudson previously served at RAF Waddington after completing her trainingIn a statement, the RAF described her as "devoted to her dogs and her teammates" and said she would be "sorely missed".Gp Capt Paul O'Grady, the station commander at Coningsby, said: "Her absence will be felt for many years to come, not just by the dogs she dedicated so much time to, but the whole of the RAF Police."We have been deprived of a truly special individual who has been taken from us far too soon." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
