Welcome to Upton upon Severn

Local News & Information

2nd July 5pm The pink car is being pushed around the Sports Field. I don't envy the teams in this heat! If you can, do go to the field and give them some encouragement. Or send me an email, and I'll take it to them! The 24 hour car push by Richard's Saints gets underway at 5pm today. A picture and more information from the above link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. Boat owners - if you would like to take part in a boat cavalcade to celebrate 'River Trade' in Upton upon Severn's judging in the Heart of England in Bloom, please be upriver of Panes Garage at about 11.25am on Friday 10th July The agenda for next Tuesday's Planning and Hall ∓ Finance meetings are available from the above link. 1st July I've added a few events and the list of July Church services to the Calendar, and some new newsletters to the links above. Upton Youth Club has been going for 6 months and has 80 members. The club runs Wednesday evenings 7pm - 9pm (term time only) at Upton Sports Club, and costs £1. The members take part in football, rounders, cricket and circus skills. They need more volunteers, so if you are interested please go and meet them. Their aim is to keep enough young people engaged / interested in coming to the club. 30th June The Agenda for tonight's Town Council meeting can be seen from the above link. 27th June A lovely, hot day for the Jazz Festival. Road closures around the riverfront, and a variety of stalls, helped keep more people in the town, hopefully to the benefit of the shops and other businesses. I've added some more pictures to the above link. 26th June I've added a video of Hanley School Band playing in the Jazz Festival 'Best of Young Jazz' marquee to the Jazz Pictures link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 25th June Fishmeadow is almost ready to welcome visitors to the Upton Jazz Festival. 24th June The White Lion Hotel is 500 years old next year! Jon & Chris have introduced some special offers in the run-up to 2010. A link above. A small office looking over the river is available to rent in Bridge House. Ask for Bill Hawkes in the tea rooms. 23rd June At the next Town Council meeting on 30th June Sara Goodman South Worcestershire CDRP Programme Manager will be talking to the Council at the next meeting about the Anti-Social Behaviour Detached Team – part of the South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership. Sara will be answering any questions after her talk. More information from the above link. The latest Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue newsletter has been added. 22nd June Several events at The Boathouse have been added to the Events Calendar. The first one is 'Dinner & Jazz' on Saturday. Sandy Barker, Tiltridge Farm Bed & Breakfast, has been awarded Highly Commended in the 2009 'Worcestershire Welcome Awards' in the category 'Best Worcestershire Breakfast'. A picture from the above link. 21st June It seems as if the MV Conway Castle's pontoon was lifted & moved yesterday. I had to leave at about 2pm, so missed it. 'Elver', one of the gravel barges was filled with water to lower her. Cables were then attached to the pontoon, which was completely under the water, and then the water was pumped out of Elver to raise her in the water and bring the pontoon up with her. Whether it worked that way, I'm not sure. 20th June The Heart of England in Bloom judges route can be seen from the Upton in Bloom link above. Attempts are going to be made to lift the pontoon today. 19th June I've added some videos of yesterday's operation to raise the MV Conway Castle's pontoon, from the link above. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 18th June The Kings Head staff underwent training in the use of a defibrillator today. A defibrillator is now available in the Kings Head. Some pictures from the above link. Work commenced at 8am this morning to refloat the Conway Castle's pontoon. Pictures from the above links. 17th June A fire in a flat in Collinghurst House resulted in four fire engines and numerous Police vehicles attending. Some pictures (from after the fire was out!) from the link above. 16th June British Waterways are replaced the surface of the public pontoon. Some pictures from the links above. 15th June One of the pontoons alongside the MV Conway Castle has sunk! Severn Leisure Cruises are expecting a crane to come and lift it so they can fix the leak. Sadly, two of Veronica's flower tubs are now at the bottom of the river, having fallen off the pontoon as it sank. 14th June Upton Youth Band's latest newsletter is available from the above link. I really admire the band members - they work so hard and have achieved a lot over the 25+ years since they were formed. It is good to see young people with some aim in life, with discipline and enthusiasm. If you can get there, please go along to the Severn Vale Marching Band Championships on 11th July at Hanley Castle High School and see hundreds of young people from all over the country taking part. Our band travel the country taking part in other events, and are great ambassadors for Upton upon Severn. 13th June The latest newsletter from Tourism & Trade can be seen from the above link. A car boot sale tomorrow, June 14th, on the Sports Field. Gates open for Booters at 9.30 and buyers at 11.00. There will be refreshments available from The U.T.T.A. Caravan from 11.00. All the proceeds will be shared between Tourism and Trade and Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue. 12th June The Classic Buskers tomorrow night is now concert only as teas have sold out. An updated poster from the above link. The agenda for next week's Open Spaces & Cemetery Committee meeting is available from the above link. The latest newsletter from Pepperpot Players can be seen from the above link. Did you know? I was asked where the Pig Market was. Simon Wilkinson said 'The Court Street area before the arrival of the County Court. A comparison of 1842 and 1850 Trade Directories shows tradesmen who were in the Pig Market in 1842 were in Court Street in 1850. The (Royal) Oak was in the Pig Market in both!'. Thanks Simon. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 11th June 10.30pm It appears that BT have sorted out the problem - at last. 10th June Quite a lot of internet connections in Upton aren't working. Trying to get BT to understand that it is a variety of ISPs that are having the same problem was virtually impossible. "I'm only interested in this connection" was what they said. And insisted on going through the checking router etc script. I met a couple of people going off to get new routers as they thought it must be their equipment. Anyway, after a lot of hair tearing, and the third person I spoke to said he would have someone check at the exchange. 9th June The latest newsletter from the Upton Local Police Team can be seen from the link above. 8th June The Blues Festival website has been updated. A link from the Links menu. 7th June The White Lion Hotel have issued new menus - they can be seen from the link to the White Lion above. Entry forms for Upton in Bloom's 'Local in Bloom' competition can be found from the above link. 6th June In spite of constant rain, Upton in Bloom, along with volunteers, planted all the display boats and riverside tubs. The whole operation took about an hour thanks to preparation work by Brian Williams from Earls Croome Garden Centre. Some pictures from the Upton in Bloom linka above. Stocks Veterinary Practice will be opening in their new premises in the old Doctors Surgery in School Lane on Monday 8th June. 5th June Bob Bullock has been re-elected as County Councillor for the Croome ward, which includes Upton upon Severn. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. Upton in Bloom's hanging baskets have been put up today by Earls Croome Garden Centre. Tomorrow the boats & riverside tubs will be planted up. If you would like to help, please go to one of the boats at about 10am, where you will be most welcome! On July 4th, Richards Saints will again be pushing a pink VW around the Sports Field for 24 hours. Following a very successful push last year, they are doing it again. More details, and a link to the website on the Events calendar. 4th June Boots the Chemist have put in a planning application to change the sign above the chemist's shop. If you would like to see the application, and comment on it, the address is http://public.malvernhills.gov.uk/publicaccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=KK1SPWKL00500 2nd June MHDC's commissioned report on 'Land Drainage and Flooding' has been rubber-stamped by the Executive Committee. The report follows one published earlier this year on 'Flood Risk Assessment'. Both reports can be seen on MHDC's website from the above link. 1st June MHDC's latest 'View from the Hills' magazine can be found from the above link. The agenda for tomorrow's Town Council's Hall & Finance and Planning Committee meetings can be seen from the above link. 31st May The agenda from the 'Policing Matters Group' can be seen from the above link. If you are concerned anything, please go to the meeting. 29th May If you really want to hear me, http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0035z0g/Andrew_Easton_29_05_2009/ and move the slider to 18:15. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. Max Thomas, from BBC Hereford & Worcester, interviewed some local people a couple of weeks ago. Today, at 12.20 it's me, followed by Jon at the White Lion 'After 12.40'. On Monday, Penny of Community Care at 12.20 and Max the mobile Fish man at 12.45. Tuesday, John of the Map Shop at 12.20 and 'Butchers' at 12.45. You can listen online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/ The Heart of England in Bloom judges will be coming to judge Upton upon Severn at 10am on 10th July. The latest Community Care newsletter can be seen from the above link. The newsletter from the Readers Group has been added. I've added quite a few new events to the calendar. 28th May Appointments of Paul Thomas, Mayor of Upton upon Severn are in the Events Calendar. The calendar is also on the Council website, with only the Town Council and Mayor's dates. I've updated the page for the Heritage Centre. A link under 'Things to Do'. 26th May Inspector Griffiths will be attending tonight's Town Council meeting, and the next Malvern Hills "Policing Matters Group" public meeting will take place on Wednesday 3rd June 2009 at the Baptist Church Hall. A chance to air grievances about weekend evenings in town perhaps... 24th May Some black and yellow hazard tape (to protect some wet paint) has a rather gruesome drawing within it... 22nd May The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. Last night a concert of Words and Music by Meadowsweet with Alan Johnston and The Cambrian Ensemble proved a very successful fundraising evening for Upton in Bloom. Some pictures from the above link. 21st May The agenda for Tuesday's Town Council meeting can be seen from the above link. A report by Rupert Chambers about Hanley Castle & Upton On Severn Under 14's 'Hanley Huskies'v Barnards Green under 14's cricket match can be seen from the above link. St Joseph's Church in School Lane, Upton is holding a Bank Holiday Garden Fete from noon-4pm on Bank Holiday Monday. 20th May I've added some pictures of what I think are a Brimstone butterfly and a Grey Wagtail to the above link. 16th May I've added some videos I took at the Folk Festival. The programme for Meadowsweet with Alan Johnston & and The Cambrian Ensemble 'Words and Music' evening can be seen from the above link. 15th May The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 14th May A Retrospective Exhibition of Paintings by Pat Unwin has been organised in Queenhill WI Hall from 16th to 23rd May. More details on the Events Calendar. The Town Council website has a welcome message from the new Mayor, Paul Thomas. A link from the Town Council menu. Court Street appears to be open! The latest newsletter from the Police can be seen from the above link. 13th May Court Street will now be closed for six days in total. The closure, which started today, does not restrict access to the back of the Co-op. The Agenda for next Tuesday's Town Council Open Spaces and Cemetery Committee can be seen from the above link. A list of candidates for the West Midlands European Parliament is available from the above link. New signs have gone up at entrances to the Town. One more will be put in Hanley Road. Pictures from the above link. The latest Customer Service Centre newsletter can be seen from the above link. The list of candidates for the County Council, Croome Ward, was released on Monday. A link to the document above. 12th May At the Annual Town Council Meeting, Cllr Paul Thomas was elected Mayor and Cllr Simon Yates Deputy Mayor. Malvern Hills District Council are conducting a survey on '...what you think about the future of Waste Collections'. I've added a link to it above. 9th May I've been watching live pictures of nesting Peregrine Falcons in Worcester and Derby and I've added links to the sites. 8th May The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. Worcester County Council's Environmental Services Information Bulletin can be seen from the above link. If you are part of a smaller community or a few individuals just starting to sow the seeds for a cleaner, greener local environment, then the Britain in Bloom Neighbourhood Awards are for you. You don't even need to know anything about gardening! More information and entry forms from the Upton in Bloom link above. Entries so far include The Anchor Inn Welland, the bottom end of Rectory Road and Upton Surgery. The May Newsletter from Tourism & Trade can be seen from the above link. 7th May The Agenda for the Annual Town Council Meeting can be seen from the above link. The Will of William Blantine/Blanton in the County of Suffolk, Mass., dated 1662, has been added to the Genealogy / Wills menu. 6th May An interesting article about ''Proposals to tackle flooding welcomed' is in the Worcester News online: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/4344216.Proposals_to_tackle_flooding_welcomed/ The Draft Bill it refers to can be found on the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/flooding/flow/index.htm Upton in Bloom's next working party on 11th May will be meeting at the Swan. 5th May A copy of the presentation given to the Town Council by the Environment Agency and the Spring newsletter from the National Flood Forum can be seen from the above links. 4th May Upton in Bloom's Duck Race took place yesterday. Pictures from the UiB link above. Many thanks to Mercia Rescue for collecting the ducks! Yet more Folk pictures from yesterday added. 3rd May I've added pictures from yesterday afternoon at the Folk Festival and also some from today. 2nd May Good weather for the first day of the Upton Folk Festival. Some pictures from the above link. The lists of May services can be seen from the Events Calendar, and music at Upton Parish Church is available from the above link. Community Care's latest newsletter is available from the above link. 1st May The agenda for Wednesday's Town Partnership can be seen from the above link. The Parish Church services for May can be seen from the Events Calendar. 6.30pm. There are lots of campers on the Sports Field now, and they are still arriving. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 30th April Several campers have arrived already on the Sports Field for this year's Folk Festival. The agenda for the Council's Hall & Finance Committee can be seen from the above link. The BBC1 Countryfile show has been filming on the Malvern Hills this week. The show will be transmitted this Sunday, May 3rd at 7.30pm A report on the Hanley Castle & Upton U14's Cricket Club v Evesham can be seen from the link under Newsletters & Reports. 29th April The Environment Agency made a presentation to the Town Council last night, bringing them up to date with progress on flood defences. A link above. The office in Bridge House is no longer available. Court Street to Severn Drive will be closed for three days from 13th May for work to take place on a gas main. Minutes from the last Full Council, and Open Spaces, Hall and Finance and Planning Committees can be seen on the Town Council website link on the menu. 28th April A large office is available in Bridge House, Lower High Street for anyone wanting one of the best locations in the town! 24th April The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. A new website for the Malvern Hills Area Neighbourhood Watch Association can be accessed from the above link. 23rd April I saw a pair of ducks taking great interest in 'Connie Lee'. The duck was much braver than the drake! 19th April News from Upton Rowing Club can be seen from the above link. 18th April 'Best of Young Jazz' has been organised by Upton Jazz Association and is offering auditions for young musicians aged 11 and over. Information on the 'Best of Young Jazz' can be seen from the above links. 17th April The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. Malvern TIC also sent a copy of a letter from the Editor of the Worcester News about a campaign they will be running - 'Buy Local: Buy Here'. The letter can be seen from the above link. My bicycle has been found - a link above. 16th April I've added the reports that were presented to the Annual Town Meeting. A link above. If you fancy a thrill, take part in a Zip Slide and Abseil at Eastnor Castle on 28th June. Run the gauntlet with The Stroke Association. More details & an entry form on the Events Calendar. Volunteers are desperately needed for the Heritage Centre. If you can spare a few hours every week, please contact Tourist Information on 594200, or call in and have a chat. Without volunteers, the Centre can't open for visitors. 15th April The agenda for the Town Council Open Spaces Committee can be seen from the above link. Information boards about The Ham SSSI have been installed at the three entrances to The Ham. The boards all give the same information, of which the most important, in my opinion, is the request that dogs should be kept under control on the pathways so that nesting birds aren't disturbed. The sign can be seen from the above link. I heard last night that my bicycle was seen on Sunday morning being ridden along Gardens Walk, heading towards Minge Lane. A group of youths were with someone of slim build, wearing a grey hoodie, who was riding the bike. The Police were informed. I've added the list of winners of the various Easter Monday competitions to the link above. 14th April Some more information on the Pepperpot Players October production has been added to their latest newsletter from the above link. 13th April The events organised by Upton Tourism & Trade Association for Easter Monday afternoon proved a great success. Pictures can be seen from the above link. I've taken some photos of a row of Black Poplars not too far out of Upton. Apparently they are Britain's rarest tree. A link above. 12th April My bicycle has gone walkabout. If anyone sees it please give me a ring. It is old and rusty, has a St George flag on it - or had, a battered basket at the front, and an orange box at the back. It also has a faded orange cycle lock wrapped below the saddle. 10th April The Scarecrow entries in the Upton Tourism and Trade Association's competition were judged this morning. Pictures from the above link. The May newsletter from CSO Sally McPherson can be seen from the above link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 8th April On 25th April a Masquerade Ball is being held on the MV Conway Castle in aid of Upton Youth Band. More details from the poster which is on the Events Calendar. The Blues Festival website has been updated with new information. A link from 'Events'. The draft minutes from last year's Annual Town Meeting can be seen from the above link. The meeting is your chance to come and hear reports from the Town Council & local organisations, and ask questions about things that concern you. 6th April The agenda for the Annual Town Meeting is available from the above link. The Boathouse, Waterside are now offering afternoon cream teas. More details from the link on their page under Eating Out. The latest newsletter from the Citizens Advice Bureau can be seen from the above link. A competition for all ages - Grow a Wellie Garden! More details from the above link. 3rd April The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. MHDC TIC have also produced a list of Easter events in the area. 2nd April The minutes from the last Council & Committee meetings can be seen on the Town Council website. www.council.upton.uk.net. LocalSafari is a website which aims to encourage people to get out and about and enjoy their local area. Based in Tewkesbury. A link from the 'Links' menu. The shops in Upton are participating in a 'Win your Shopping' promotion. More details from the above links. Upton Tourism & Trade Association have organised an afternoon of fun on Easter Monday: "At midday on Monday there will be an Easter Bonnet Competition which is open to all ages with prizes appropriate to the age group. The Bonnets will be paraded by their makers outside the Star Hotel, where a road closure will be in force. On Good Friday the judges will visit the gardens with the Scarecrows and judge the winning entries. The entry forms are available from local schools and the Tourist Information Office. The winning scarecrows, made by the children of the town, will be displayed in The Old Churchyard (The Pepperpot). There will be an array of charity stalls and a storyteller and face painter will be in attendance. There will be music and Morris Dancing. During the afternoon, free Hot Cross Buns will be distributed. During the week before Easter mini Easter Eggs will be amongst some of your window displays and the children will be asked to spot them. The winner with the most correct answers will be rewarded with a prize. All the eggs they find!!!!" 31st March The picnic benches on the Village Green appear to be sinking into the ground! Some pictures from the above link. The planting on East Waterside was finished last Saturday. Pictures from the above link. Three Giant African Land Snails have been found on The Ham. If anyone knows who they belong to, or can help, please contact me in the first instance. A picture from the link above. 30th March The floor & stage in the Memorial Hall have been rejuvenated. Some pictures from the above link. The latest news from Community Care can be seen from the above link. They would like more volunteer drivers, so if you can spare a few hours a week, please contact them. I've added quite a lot of events to the calendar over the last week or so! 27th March The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 26th March The Blues Festival is going ahead. A notice about this can be seen from the above link. 24th March St.Richard's Hospice Malvern fundraising group are holding a Walking Treasure Hunt on Sunday 29th. More details on the Events Calendar. Planting continues on East Waterside on Saturday morning. If you can spare some time, please help with this community project. More details at the top of the page. 21st March Some dramatic pictures of a rescue following a glider landing in a tree from the link above(!) A Barn Owl has escaped from his owners in the Old Street / Backfields area. If anyone sees it, could they ring 0777 093 1109, or the Kings Head - 592621. There are more details in the Blogs section of the website. Pictures from the planting on East Waterside can be seen from the above link. 20th March The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. The latest newsletter from Tourism & Trade can be seen from the above link. 18th March Information about the Rowing Club's 'Learn-to-Row' (L2R) course for beginners and 'Return-to-Row' (R2R) courses can be seen from the above link. I've added a link to an online copy of 'Records and Traditions of Upton on Severn', a book by Emily M Lawson, who also wrote 'The Nation in the Parish'. Some of the scanning hasn't translated very well, but this is mainly on the front page. 17th March Details on the planting taking place at East Waterside on Friday can be found from the above link. If you can spare an hour or so, please come along and help! 15th March Mercia Rescue have a new boat. More details from the above link. 13th March Information about the nexe Pepperpot Players production in May from the above link. The latest newsletter from Upton Hub can be seen from the above link. The agenda for next week's Planning and Open Spaces & Cemetery Committees can be seen from the above link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 12th March Dave Semple has very kindly made six bird boxes for Upton in Bloom. Would anyone be prepared to help us fix the boxes in some trees please? 11th March I've added three new pictures to the 'Wildlife in Upton' menu under Views. A link above. The annual VM Easter Egg & Toy Run for bikers & pillion passengers takes place on 4th April. More details from the Events Calendar. 10th March 2.15pm - WCC Highways have replaced the stone mentioned below. Good service from them. A lorry delivering to the Plough Inn mounted the pavement outside the Kings Head and demolished the large stone there. A picture from the above link. Information on a planting scheme at East Waterside, lead by the Tree Warden Malcolm Brown, can be seen from the Upton in Bloom link above. 9th March News about the Town Partnership shopping promotion can be seen from the above link. The promotion is to be featured on Radio Star 107.5. Upton Tourism & Trade Association have announced both a Scarecrow & an Easter Bonnet competition. More details from the above link. 7th March The latest newsletter from Upton Police can be seen from the above link. 6th March Hanley Castle High School's Ofsted report can be seen from the above link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. Upton Citizens Advice Bureau is now available on Wednesday as well as Friday mornings. A press release from the above link. The minutes of the last Town Partnership meeting, and the agenda for the next meeting, can be seen from the above link. RHS Head of Gardens Creative Development, Matthew Wilson, came to Upton yesterday to advise on the riverside beds, and gave a talk in the evening. More details from the Upton in Bloom link above. 4th March Upton Rowing Club are looking for volunteers to assist with long distance head on Saturday 12 September. More information from the above link. Get your car washed at Upton's Fire Station, between 10am & 2pm on Saturday 7th March! 3rd March The agenda for tonight's Hall and Finance Committee is available from the above link. The minutes from 4th February and next agenda for Upton Town Partnership can be seen from the above link. 2nd March The Blues Festival regular sponsors Worcester Bosch, have reluctantly had to pull out of supporting the festival this year. There is more information on the Festival website - a link from the Events menu. The latest newsletter from Upton Community Care can be seen from the above link. 28th February Hanley Castle High School students were litter picking yesterday. A picture from the above link. On Monday, at 7.30pm, the Pepperpot Players will be auditioning for their next production. 27th February The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 26th February Hedge laying between the Old Road and Sports Field will be taking place on Saturday & Sunday, from about 10am. The work is being undertaken by people doing Community Service. 25th February The minutes from the last Full Council and Committee meetings can be seen on the Town Council website. 24th February Upton in Bloom's monthly working party are meeting at the corner of Severn Drive / Gardens Walk on Saturday 28th at 2pm. Volunteers welcome! 23rd February A new group, Upton Flood Forum, have issued a news release, which can be viewed from the above link. 22nd February Some good news - the Blues Festival will be going ahead. I've been promised a statement about it. 20th February I would like to borrow photographs of servicemen commemorated on the WW1 Rolls of Honour at the Memorial Hall and the Parish Church. If anyone knows of someone who has any photos, please let me know. I would only need them for a brief time, and would return them very quickly. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 19th February The agenda for the next full Town Council & Planning Committee meeting can be seen from the above link. 18th February Pepperpot Players production 'The Snow Queen' started its run last night. It is well worth going to see. I could only stay for the first half unfortunately. Tickets are on sale at PS Presents in Old Street. Some pictures from the link above. 17th February Did anyone travelling to or from the Tunnel Hill direction see people pulling plants out of the boats at either end of the Old Road? If so, could you advise the Police, quoting incident number 126S170209 please. Some pictures from the above link. 16th February The Play Rangers are coming back to the play area in Upton (by the old fire station). They will be there on Tuesday 17th Feb, from 1pm-3pm. The latest newsletter from the Upton Hub can be seen from the above link. 15th February A report from Upton Youth Band can be seen from the above link. I've added some more information on the 'Women for Women Cycle Jordan' fundraising event in which Val Simcock is taking part later this year. A link above. 14th February Upton in Bloom's Table Top Sale was very well attended. Some pictures from the above link. The next event is a talk by Matthew Wilson of the RHS, BBC2's Gardeners World and several other TV programmes. I heard Matthew speak at a seminar last year, and the talk he gave was both informative & entertaining. More information from the link at the top of the page. 13th February The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. A document showing activities during half term is also available. I was appalled at an item on BBC Midlands Today last night. I've put a link to the item, and my comments about it, above. 12th February The agenda for the next Open Spaces & Cemetery Committee meeting can be seen from the above link. 11th February From what I can see the EA haven't left the tape on the Sports Field. In Case of Emergency. Store an ICE number on your mobile. Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialling the number you have stored as 'ICE'. A link above for more information. The latest newsletter from Upton Police Station can be seen from the above link. Good luck Lucy! An interesting walk around the Sports Field, which the Environment Agency had marked out with tape & stakes to give an idea of the footprint and height of the proposed bund. They are also planning to hold another walk on the riverfront to show the proposed wall defences. I asked if this could take place on a weekend so that more people would be able to come and see. Hopefully the EA will do this. I think the EA are leaving the tape in place for a day or two. Pictures from the above link. The Upton Youth Band needs a storage facility within the Upton area, or just outside, to store its equipment and uniforms. They also need a new van to help transport it all to competitions across the country. They would like a dry building about the size of three double garages, which could be over two stories or two rooms to store the band equipment, ideally with 24-hour access. A 3.5 ton box-type van would be ideal for their requirements. The band would pay rent for the storage facility and a sensible sum for the van. If you can help, please email probertlesley@hotmail.co.uk 8th February 6pm We've had more snow fall this afternoon. High Street & Old Street are slushy, and New Street is slushy with snow lying. 8th February Upton in Bloom's Table Top Sale on Saturday 14th looks like being a good place to find bargains! It is expected that about 14 tables will be in the Memorial Hall selling on behalf of local charities and individuals. More information above. 6th February Nominations for St Richard's Hospice Women of the Year are being invited. More information from the above link. On Sunday 15th February at Earls Croome Parish Church there will be a Benefice Service of thanksgiving for marriage & renewal of marriage vows. More details on the Events Calendar. The 351 bus service is changing slightly from 2nd March, providing a service to Tunnel Hill Surgery. A link above. The final article about Soley's Orchard, by Simon Wilkinson, can be seen from the above link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 11am I've just come back from a short ride in the town. The main road is a bit slushy in places but seems OK apart from that. The pavements are snowy/slushy and I saw a couple of Highways personnel going around with a hand operated gritter on the pavement in Old Street 5th February 2pm The roads seem to be OK now. No slush, but very wet so if it freezes, they could be slippy. The Environment Agency will be leading a site walkover on Wednesday 11th February meeting at The Sports Pavilion Car Park at 12 noon. The footprint of the proposed defences along the playing fields will be marked out. 9am The main roads are slushy especially at the roundabout, so please take care. I expect they will improve as more traffic goes through. Its been snowing overnight. There is just over an inch on my bird table. I've no idea what the roads are like, but I expect the A4104 and B4211 will be clear. I'll report back later. 3rd February I've added the timetables for buses serving Upton. A link above. The Upton Blues Festival needs help! A notice on the Festival website is asking for new members for the committee to help plan and organise this great free festival. You can visit the Festival website from the Events menu. 2nd February Both the Jazz & Folk Festival websites have been updated with bands, artists & Morris sides recently. We don't appear to have nearly as much snow as other parts of the country. 30th January The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 29th January Pictures & documents from the Environment Agency Flood Alleviation Drop-in Session can be seen from the above links. The website address in the article about the cricket has been amended. Hanley Castle & Upton Cricket Club is looking for quality cricketers to join its ranks this summer. More information from the above link. Don't forget the Environment Agency drop-in session this afternoon and evening! 28th January The Town Council now have their own website, which can be seen from the above link. The minutes from the latest meetings can be seen on the site. 26th January I've put a link to some short videos I've taken lately. A link above. The barriers were taken down this afternoon. With any luck, the barriers will be removed today! 25th January An amended agenda for Tuesday’s Town Council meeting can be seen from the above link. 9am The water on New Street lane has gone for as far as I can see from the entrance to HR car park. 24th January The Upton Social Club now has a page on the site. A link above. The minutes and next agenda for Upton Town Partnership can be seen from the above link. 8am New Street lane is flooded from the back of Hanley Road car park entrance onwards. 23rd January The copy deadline for advertisement sales in the Upton Folk Festival printed programme has been extended. A link above. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 22nd January The agenda for next week's full Council meeting can be seen from the above link. Upton Arts Music Group concert on Saturday is fully subscribed, so no more tickets are available. 21st January The Upton Jazz Festival new website is now online. A link above. Tickets can be purchased online, as well as by telephone & personal callers to Upton Tourist Information Centre. The leaflet giving details of the Festival is also available from the above link. 9am The river is still going down. The water on New Street lane has gone for as far as I can see from the entrance to HR car park. The road is covered with debris, and mud. 20th January 9am The river has gone down. The barriers are remaining as weather forecasts for later in the week aren't very good. 19th January 2.30pm The river level hasn't risen on the Hanley Road gauge since the picture I took this morning. The barriers have gone up overnight, between Bridge House & The Swan, although the plastic membrane hasn't been used yet. As usual, no-one has let me know about it. 18th January The river has risen quite a bit today. At 3.30pm it had just started to come onto the Old Bridge Abutment. 16th January The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. 15th January I've taken some new pictures of the Anchor Inn at Welland. The restaurant and bar areas were flooded in July 2007, and have been refurbished. A link above. 12th January The latest newsletter from Upton Police can be seen from the above link. 9th January The UTTA Newsletter (from the above link) contains information on 'The Upton upon Severn Town Partnership'. This should be of interest to all organisations, and members of the public, so please come to the meeting. Upton Firestation will be open on Wednesday 11th February, from 6pm to 8pm. The Firefighters are looking for more Retained Firemen to join them, so if you are interested, please go along to have a chat with them. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' is available from the link below. The latest Newsletter from Upton Hub can be seen from the above link. 7th January The Agenda for next week's Open Spaces and Cemetery Committee meeting can be seen from the above link. The Upton Youth Band AGM will be held at the Upton Social Club on Saturday 17th January, 7pm for 7.30 start. All welcome. West Mercia Police have made available a website showing Local Crime Mapping. I've set a link to statistics for Upton upon Severn above. 5th January The White Lion Hotel have issued their new menus for 2009. They are also offering a 10%-off voucher for meals. Check out their website under Links/Sites hosted at upton.uk.net 4th January I've installed a calendar for forthcoming events. It is available from the link at the top of the page. If you have a one-off, or a regular event please use the email link at the top of the calendar page. 3rd January The third article about the history of Soley's Orchard, by Simon Wilkinson, can be seen from the above link. The previous articles are available from the History menu. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' and After Christmas Events are available from the links below Forthcoming Events. 1st January The cold weather continues. Ice is forming over the Marina, and a Swan posed for a photograph! Pictures from the above links.