Pershore Broad Street Market launched Saturday, 1st June, 2024.

Pershore Place Board proudly announces the successful launch of Pershore Broad Street Market. The first market took place on Saturday, 1st June, 2024, marking a new era for community engagement and local commerce.

The event, held in the heart of Pershore, drew a fantastic response from residents and visitors alike. Attendees enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere and diverse array of offerings, with many stalls experiencing unprecedented success, selling out of their wares. From baked goods to farm-fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and local plants, the market showcased the best of Pershore's talent and produce.

"We are thrilled by the turnout at the launch of Pershore Broad Street Market," remarked Darren Eden, Chair of Pershore Place Board. "It's wonderful to witness the community come together to support local producers. We want to thank all who joined us in making this event a success.”

This market represents not just a celebration of Pershore's history as a market town but also a promising step towards a prosperous future for the community.

All participating stalls hail from within a 10-mile radius of Pershore, ensuring that every purchase made contributes directly to the local economy. The market is a collaborative effort, made possible through funding from Wychavon District Council and facilitated by PEFA, with sponsorship from Pershore Place Board.

The market is not-for-profit, with all surplus funds dedicated to supporting Pershore's annual calendar of events to enrich the cultural appeal of the town.

The success of the launch has set the stage for an exciting journey ahead. As Pershore looks towards the future, the market honours tradition while embracing innovation.

The Pershore Broad Street Market is scheduled for:

For further information and updates, please visit pershorebroadstreetmarket.co.uk

The Pershore Broad Street Market is scheduled for:
Saturday 6th July 2024, Saturday 3rd August 2024, Saturday5th October 2024 & Saturday 2nd November 2024


Kempsey Times

Pershore Times

Powick Times

Upton Times

Pershore Broad Street Market:  Successful launch marks a milestone in local community support

A Pershore-based male voice choir has made a fresh appeal for men to come and sing with them. Vale Harmony The A Cappella Fellas have just performed at a well-received Flower Festival Concert in All Saints Church in the village of Church Lench and now want to go from strength to strength over the next few months.

“We did remarkably well as an octet but we want to return to our pre-pandemic numbers of around sixteen members, “ said the chair of the chorus, Chris Dobbins. “Our entertaining style of four-part harmony sung without musical accompaniment is very distinctive and hugely enjoyable. We’re different from other choirs and all we ask is that potential male singers give us a try and find out for themselves what fun it is.”

“There have been a lot of new homes built around Pershore in recent years and we’re sure there must be some untapped talent out there”, Chris added.

Vale Harmony The A Cappella Fellas rehearse in Pershore every Wednesday evening from 7pm to 9,30pm at the  St Andrews Centre, Pershore. 

For more information, visit their Facebook page and website: valeharmony.co.uk or call Colin on 07766 524833

A Pershore-based male voice choir, Vale Harmony The A Cappella Fellas has made a fresh appeal for men to come and sing with them. 

Appeal for men to come and sing!

David Annis from Pershore has been selected to swim for Great Britain in the Junior Europeans in Lithuania at the beginning of July.

18-year-old David was first selected to swim for GB in December 2023 where he travelled to Canada with the team and competed at his first international meet. 

David took home five medals, four silver and a gold in the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay where the team took the European junior record.

David continued his success in the recent British Championships in London where his performance gained him a place in the GB Junior team competing in Lithuania.

David will race in the 400 and 200 individual medley, 400 and 200 freestyle and the 4 x 200 freestyle relay.

“David is a dedicated, hardworking athlete who has been a great role model to so many swimmers throughout the county. We wish him every success.”

David Annis swims for Great Britain

Volunteers’ Week is an initiative that celebrates the amazing contributions volunteers make to communities across the UK. This year will see the awareness week mark its 40th anniversary and Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is getting involved in marking the milestone celebration.

Volunteers’ Week that took place on Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th June and marked 40 years since it was first established as an awareness event by what was then known as Volunteering England.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity is keen to show its gratitude to the more than 200 generous volunteers that it relies on to help keep its rotors turning. Volunteers are vital to the operation of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s lifesaving service as they assist with activities across the pre-hospital emergency service’s clinical, non-clinical and retail departments.

The charity’s volunteers help out in a range of roles including in its nine charity shops, at fundraising events throughout the year, and even support the aircrew directly by transporting vital blood and blood products from the blood bank at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham to its southern airbase in Strensham on the Worcestershire / Gloucestershire border.

The charity also offers micro-volunteering which means you can get involved even if you can only commit a short amount of time such as a free day or just a few hours without signing up to a regular volunteering commitment.

Alison Hill, volunteer manager for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, said: “We are hugely appreciative of the support we receive from our volunteers based in the communities we serve which all help to make our lifesaving missions possible.

“To coincide with the national Volunteers’ Week 40th anniversary, we are encouraging those who want to give volunteering a go to get in touch about opportunities to help their local air ambulance charity continue to save lives.”

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity has set a goal to get 40 new volunteers signed up to help it deliver its mission of providing patients with outstanding pre-hospital emergency care and lifesaving intervention via its rapid response air ambulance helicopters and fleet of critical care cars.

To get involved as a volunteer to support Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s lifesaving service in your local area, visit midlandsairambulance.com/volunteer and follow the organisation on social media.

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity celebrates 40 years of Volunteers’ Week

Charity celebrates 40 years of Volunteers’ Week

Pershore River Festival, on Saturday 20th July 2024.  Organisers are hoping for good weather, so that this annual event can again provide a great day out for local residents and visiting boatowners.

Our River of Dreams – the Avon – is where everything happens. Organised by Pershore Riverside Youth Centre, this is the third River Festival to be held since Covid. This year we're very pleased to host the popular bell-boat Regatta again.

Liz Tucker, Festival Secretary, said “This year's theme is the River of Dreams, drawing on Billy Joel's 1993 song of that name. We are so fortunate to have our own River of Dreams – the Avon – making such an important part of the life of the town and the natural environment which we all share. The river has played a huge part in Pershore's history, carrying goods up and down to our neighbouring towns. Pershore would be much the poorer without the river. It changes mood daily and at times of flood it dominates life in the town. The wildlife that make it their home delights us all. And we love to welcome the boats that come to visit and enjoy all that Pershore has to offer.”

As ever, the River Festival is a free event, but we hope visitors will come into the Youth Centre to buy teas and cakes and raffle tickets, to help us raise funds for the work of the Centre.”

The Festival will be held amongst the willows of King George's Field and at the Riverside Youth Centre. The programme starts at 1000 with the Bell-boat Regatta, for teams from schools all round the area. Events run throughout the day up to 1600. The Avon Navigation Trust and Marine Volunteer Service will both have a strong presence – providing access to water, boat trips and merchandise. The Funfair and a wide range of food and craft and charity stalls will provide plenty of things to do.  And our luxury raffle will have many super prizes to win.

Activities on the water will include opportunities to try canoes and kayaks – an increasingly popular pastime.

This year we're again hosting the Singing for Health Choir that gave such pleasure last year.

Boats from near and far have been invited to take part and compete for the Best Dressed Boat award. This an ever-popular part of the Festival, and much appreciated by all.

The River Festival was first held in 2013 but had to be cancelled during Covid. Previous themes included “The Navy Lark” and “Wind in the Willows”.

Once more we're very grateful to Mark Everett for beautiful photographs illustrating our River of Dreams.

Our River of Dreams River Festival on Saturday 20th July 2024

Pershore River Festival

The busy summer holidays might seem like an odd time to think about loneliness, but recognising and acknowledging its presence is relevant at any time of the year.

Marmalade Trust define loneliness as ‘a perceived mismatch between the quality or quantity of social connections that a person has and what they would like to have’.

Loneliness is personal to each of us; our need for social connections is unique.

We assume that the feeling of being lonely is exclusive to the older generation, yet according to BBC Radio 4, All In The Mind, “The Loneliness Experiment” (2018), 16–24-year-olds are the loneliest age group in UK. It is easy to imagine that change brings positive outcomes, but often the stress of fitting in, such as at college, can lead instead to loneliness.

Smaller rural communities have a lot in common with the issues around loneliness; geography can cause a sense of being isolated more than elsewhere in the same county. Smaller towns may seem isolating, but they often offer a greater sense of community, inclusion and connection.

The theme for this year’s loneliness awareness campaign is:

Why not offer to volunteer at a local community group or charity, or offer to involve yourself in a local event to see how you can help?

Be connected and part of your unique community by asking “How can I help?”

To find out more about tackling loneliness visit www.marmaladetrust.org

To find out more about volunteering contact Samantha Palmer;

Loneliness Awareness

A rural business, which is threatened with closure has enlisted the support of Dame Harriett Baldwin as it tries to navigate planning issues.

Dame Harriett met with Tricia and Clive Stapleton, owners of the Alpaca Meadows, near Malvern, to discuss the challenges it has encountered trying to keep the popular destination open.

Visitors are able to walk around the grounds, see the popular alpacas and Pygmy goats and visit the café, which started operating after the first pandemic lockdown.

But now the business has fallen foul of planning enforcement and the couple fear that it will have to close, owing to the cost of implementing measures including an electric vehicle charging point and an improved road access.

Dame  Harriett, who is standing at the election to be returned as the Member of Parliament for West Worcestershire offered her support to Tricia and Clive and agreed to contact the District Council about the electric charging point requirement and the County Council Highways department to  see if there are solutions at the junction that would cost less than a whole new road.

Dame  Harriett said: “This is clearly a very popular attraction and in recent
 days, I have had a number of messages over social media calling for me to step up and offer the business support. At  the moment there are no MPs but I have been able to discuss the matter with the cabinet member responsible for highways, and asked him to go and visit Tricia and Clive. This  story has gone worldwide, and I hope that the local planners will be able to pause and reflect on the impact this may have on a popular local  business. If  I am re-elected on July 4, I will take up the case formally, but right now, I’m hoping that Malvern Hills District Council will waive the requirement for an additional electric charging point as there already is one at the property."

Harriett Offers Support to Threatened Alpaca Farm

Harriett offers support to threatened Alpaca Farm

Freedom Activities CIC are a not-for-profit local community interest company offering inclusive fun sports and physical activity sessions within and around
Pershore. Our aim is to provide a safe and fun environment for all participants to enjoy our sessions whilst improving fitness levels, mental and emotional
wellbeing and having the opportunity to meet new people.
All sessions we run are very sociable offering refreshments and the chance to enjoy the social aspect of the group.



Young at Heart is a gentle yet effective exercise class, run to music, inclusive for seniors of all abilities and ages. The class also includes a game of Boccia (indoor bowling). Classes are held in Pershore every Monday 1.15 - 2.15pm at Pershore
Leisure Centre and every Friday 10-11am at Eckington Village Hall. Each class is £4 and includes refreshments.


www.freedomactivities.com/
young-at-heart.html

 is a fun social inclusive version of netball. It is suitable for all genders and may appeal to those who are new to netball and prefer a slower pace of the
game. We meet every Tuesday 12-1pm at Pershore Leisure Centre. Sessions cost £4.50 and for those who become regular players a free club t-shirt is available.


is a fun sociable version of football
inclusive to all and open to players of all genders. No previous football experience is required. We meet every Thursday 11am-12pm at Pershore and District Sports Club. Sessions cost £4.50 with tea and coffee included.


www.freedomactivities.com/
pershore-plum-stars-fc.html

www.freedomactivities.com/
pershore-plummies.html


If you would be interested in
finding out more about our fun,
sociable activities.
Please get in touch with Lorna
on:07904 354642 or email:
freedomactivities123@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/
freedomactivities123



Freedom Activities

Local musicians and choir aiming high for Air Ambulance Charity

A full orchestra and choir are set to stage a special performance in aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in Pershore Abbey at 7.30 pm on Saturday 13th April.
The programme will feature a live performance of In Paradisum, an original requiem by Andrew Hemming (Musical Director of popular Pershore Operatic and Dramatic Society) along with music by American composer Keith Jarrett played by award winning local concert pianist Marcel Zidani.
Andrew told us that the Air Ambulance Charity is close to his heart. “My Grandad Harry, who lost his son Stephen after a car crash before I was born,
often wondered would Stephen’s chances of survival have improved had the air ambulance been operating then?
Raising cash to help avoid other families having to ask that question seemed appropriate, especially as the concert date will mark the third anniversary
of Harry’s death. ” Grateful to the musicians and singers volunteering their time and talent to this fundraiser, Andrew added, “Thanks to their interpretive
artistry, the evening’s music promises to match the majesty of its setting. Together, we aim to raise enough cash for one of our Air Ambulance’s life-saving missions, but that’s down to people’s support. Please get your ticket and – together – we’ll keep our Air Ambulance funded and flying for all.”


Tickets are on sale at
Blue in Broad Street,
Pershore Town Hall, or
online at Ticket Source.
www.ticketsource.co.uk/
whats-on/pershore/pershoreabbey-church-walk/inparadisum/2024-04-13/19:30/



Requiem Concert


For those new to this area, Croome Court is a National Trust property about 4 miles from Pershore towards the Malverns.
It was the home of the Earls of Coventry until World War 2 when the 10th Earl was killed, in France, as the Worcestershire Regiment covered the Allied Army’s retreat
to Dunkirk in late May, early June 1940.
Croome Court became nationally famous in the 18th Century when the 6th Earl, George William Coventry, inherited the property
and brought in Lancelot Brown (later to be known as Capability Brown) to enlarge and to ‘modernise’ the old house in which he had grown up. Later, talent-spotting again, he brought the Scot, Robert Adam to
design interiors. The results produced by these three very talented men attracted the
attention not only of other wealthy
landowners (who copied what had been done at Croome) but also the King, George III. When he was in Cheltenham,
taking the waters, he came with the Queen and the Princesses to spend a day looking at what had been done.
When, after the War, the family could no longer afford to keep the Court and its estate, it was offered to the National Trust.
Unfortunately, that organisation was not interested so the remarkable contents, house and land had to be sold. Today, after
about fifty years in other hands, the Court, some of the estate, and part of the original contents are being looked after by the
National Trust and the Croome Estate Trust.
Thousands of people visit this property each year. It is fascinating and impressive and worth going to see at any time but over
Christmas not only has the Court been splendidly decorated but the ladies who, each week make brilliant flower arrangements, have really gone to town. Some of the decorations, made by Croome
staff and volunteers are shown in the accompanying picture as well as some of the works of our talented flower team.



Croome court

The environment was ‘lovin’ it’ as staff from Malvern’s branch of McDonald’s joined forces with staff from Malvern Hills District Council to help clean up the area. Up to 20 bags of rubbish were cleared from the woodland and paths around Malvern Retail Park on Roman Way as part of the community litter pick on Wednesday, 14 July. Some carpet and a pair of shoes were among the unusual items found amongst the usual plastic bottles and crisp packets. The McDonald’s team were joined by Council Leader Cllr Sarah Rouse and Cllr Kaleem Aksar, who represents Malvern Link, staff from the council’s Community and Environmental Protection Team, Morgan Motors and some of the council’s Adopt a Street litter picking volunteers. The pick was organised by the manager of the Malvern branch of McDonald’s as part of their commitment to support community projects.

Cllr Sarah Rouse, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to help us on the litter pick. I am so impressed that businesses and volunteers are doing so much for us in helping to keep our wonderful district clean. “There are no excuses for littering and I’d urge everyone to help protect our beautiful environment and our wildlife by putting their rubbish in a bin or taking it home with them to dispose of properly.” 

The environment was ‘lovin’ it’ as staff from Malvern’s branch of McDonald’s joined forces with staff from Malvern Hills District Council to help clean up the area.

Twenty bags of rubbish collected

Local woman’s challenge to celebrate 12 years in remission from blood cancer

A woman from Pershore is walking 78 miles across The Great Glen Way during Blood Cancer Awareness Month to raise money for Lymphoma Action. Blair Ward will be walking solo for five days from the 7th September to support the only charity in the UK dedicated to lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. It is one of three walking challenges that she has set herself this year to celebrate 12 years of being in remission from non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and to give back to the charity that supported her through her diagnosis and treatment. As well as raising funds, Blair’s One Step at a Time challenge is also aiming to raise awareness of lymphoma as the fifth most common cancer in the UK.

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Blair-Ward3

“The past 12 years have been a journey and challenging at times” says Blair, 33. “Last December, I was given my 12-year clearance and discharged from my lymphoma consultant. For the first time since my diagnosis in 2008, I can honestly say that I’m feeling the best I’ve ever felt both physically and mentally.”

“I named my set of walking challenges ‘One Step at a Time’, as not only does it apply to the physical challenges ahead in completing them, but I think it represents my life in general and how I try to live everyday” she continues. “My friend, Dionne, and I completed the West Highland Way walk back in May, walking 96 miles in six days and my mum and I walked 11 miles in one day along The Granite Way back in June. The Great Glen Way will be my first solo long distance walk, and I’m really excited!”

“It feels fantastic giving back to charity that means so much to me” she adds. “Lymphoma Action have been there

every step of the way and I just want to thank them for the outstanding work they do in supporting people affected

“We are so grateful to Blair for her support, and for raising awareness about lymphoma” says Sarah Thorn, Community and Partnerships Manager at Lymphoma Action. “Every 27 minutes one of us is diagnosed with lymphoma, making it the most common blood cancer in the UK, but there are still many people are not aware of it.

Through the support from people like Blair, we can continue to provide vital information and support to people affected by lymphoma to make sure no one has to face lymphoma alone.”

Supporting Lymphoma Action. One step at a time - Local woman’s challenge to celebrate 12 years in remission from blood cancer.

One Step at a Time

In memory of Annmarie Thornhill from Upton on Severn

On the 26th March 2022 (The day before Mothers day), my amazing mother Annmarie Thornhill from Upton on Severn,  sadly lost her battle against this cruel and unforgiving disease, leaving behind a family who loved her dearly, and leaving a hole in all of our lives that can never be replaced. Broken and lost though we may be, I made my Mom a promise that I would find a way to help others who are suffering the same fate, and do everything I could to help MNDA eventually find a cure, so that no one ever has to go through the pain, heartbreak and suffering like we did.

It is with this promise in mind, along with moms legacy of love, hope and happiness, that I have created a cover version of ‘You Are The Reason’ by Callum Scott, and have recorded a slightly tweaked version in an attempt to help raise awareness and funds. The link to which is here - 

I have also set up a Just Giving page – 

My aim is to raise as much awareness as possible, and I’m reaching out to see if there is any way you would help me, and become part of the incredible journey that I’m currently on.

More information about can be found at: 

Raising the awareness for Motor Neurons Disease and fundraising for the Motor Neuron Disease Association.

Local Community

Pershore Broad Street Market: Successful launch marks a milestone in local community support