Welcome to Upton upon Severn

2nd September Information on a new mobile business specialising in all forms of valeting, and based in Upton can be seen from the above link. The latest newsletter from the Citizens Advice Bureau can be seen from the above link. District Councillor Mike Morgan has organised a meeting to discuss the proposed flood defences. More details from the link at the top of the page. 1st September Not long until Christmas! The White Lion Hotel have issued their menus for Christmas parties and Christmas lunch & dinner. Their regular 'Ladies that Lunch' next Tuesday is already fully booked. While I was clearing some litter at the end of the bridge today, I spotted what I think is a grasshopper, although I'm open to correction. A picture from the above link. 30th August Some pictures I took over the weekend at the Riverside Fete can be seen from the above link. I've also added a link to some photos of watercolours painted by Tim Dance which he has added to his Facebook page. I've added a link to a site under Newsletters & Reports that gives the date and time for the International Space Station and satellites overflying Upton. 29th August Peggy Seeger, half sister of Pete Seeger, will be performing at the FeelGood for Pakistan event on Friday 17th September. 28th August Local group Reel Bones played for a large audience at the Riverside Fete this afternoon. A video of one of their favourite songs from the above link. The Riversite Fete is underway and quite a lot of people have come to take part. An early morning call from someone in Newent resulted in a Help the Heroes stall arriving about an hour later. A late addition to the programme will be Reel Bones playing at about 5pm. 27th August The programme for this weekend's Riverside Fete is available from the above link. Two updates from the EA can be seen from the above links. The Bell Boat racing at the Riverside Fete has been cancelled. The latest 'What's on' from MHDC can be seen from the above link. 26th August A protest meeting about the proposed flood wall was held at The Swan this morning. Severn Leisure Cruises have erected a board showing the height of the wall opposite their premises. Pictures of both can be seen from the above link. I've added a page listing venues in and around Upton. I need more details on some of them, so if you can help, please let me know. I sent some pictures I took of ice in the Marina in January this year off to the BBC Countryfile's calendar competition today. Paul at the Post Office asked what they were and said he'd like to see them. This made me realise they weren't on any menu, so I've added them to Views / Winter 2010. 24th August The latest newsletter from the Tourism and Trade Association is available from the above link. A statement on the current state of the road alongside The Swan can be seen from the above link. 22nd August 'FeelGood for Pakistan' was set into motion on Thursday evening. A new website has been set up with a link above. If you can offer any help, please contact Richard Hannah, Peter Webb or me. A good line-up of artists and entertainment is developing. 21st August From the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator of South Worcestershire, via Upton Town Council: "Please note that we have had reports of people described as "travellers" visiting houses in the Upton area where construction work is being undertaken to offer their building services - it has been felt by these homeowners that they were actually there to eye up their construction materials. We have no reports of any such thefts at this time however. If you do have construction materials etc on your property though, it is always advisable to be mindful of security." 20th August Preparations for the weekend of Claire & Grahame Bunn's 10th anniverary of taking over the Kings Head were underway today. Some pictures from the above link, and a programme of events at the top of the page. New classes offered at the Library can be seen from the above link. The latest 'What's on' from MHDC can be seen from the above link. 16th August An update on the Folk Festival Pakistan Flood Relief Appeal from the above link. Due to an error, the agenda for tomorrow's Town Council meeting was in fact from July. The correct one is above. 15th August An update on Upton Youth Band, now Upton Fusion, can be seen from the above link. 14th August The Folk Festival Committee have issued more information on ideas for a fundraising event for the Pakistan Flood Appeal. A link above. Anyone who would like to get involved can contact Richard Hannah via his email address on the page. Information on the Upton Riverside Fete can be seen from the link at the top of the page. If you can print it and display it anywhere, please feel free to do so. A poster showing some facts about the wall has been produced by the Flood Forum. A link above. 13th August The information below has been updated with an Extreme Rainfall Alert. Information from the Flood Forecasting Centre on today's weather from the above link. The latest 'What's on' from MHDC can be seen from the above link. 12th August The agenda for next week's Town Council meeting can be seen from the above link. 11th August The Town Council have asked me to pass on their thanks to everyone involved in clearing up the litter after the various Festivals. Having seen the state of the riverside on the mornings after, I can say they all do a wonderful job. News from Pepperpot Players from the above link. 10th August Harriett Baldwin will be holding a surgery in the Memorial Hall on Friday, 5-6pm. The company that supplied the skate park are either replacing, adding to or actually installing sound proofing. I do hope it is effective as the people who live near it have been plagued by bangs and crashes as skateboards hit the surface. Upton Folk Festival are planning an event to raise money for the Pakistan Flood Appeal. They would welcome ideas. Information is available on their website - www.uptonfolk.org 9th August The latest 'What's on' from MHDC can be seen from the above link. The Police will be holding an open surgery at the library in Upton on Wednesday August 11. The surgery is at 3.30pm The pigeon mentioned below has got at least one chick. A picture of it from the link at the top of the page. uptonwaterfestival.co.uk has been updated with information on the Bank Holiday weekend. There will be a low-key Riverside Fete on the riverside. 6th August The Swan is open again from today. 'Doctor's Orders' will be playing tomorrow night. 5th August A pigeon took up residence in a hanging basket at the Memorial Hall. It was only there for a couple of days so I don't know if it was trying it out as a nesting site, or just enjoying the view! A rather unusually coloured narrowboat went down the river today. I thought it looked lovely! 3rd August The latest update on the road alongside the Swan from the above link. Catriona Walsh and her Mother, Sheena, are taking the Mt Ararat Challenge, in aid of Noah's Ark Trust. More details in the poster at the top of the page. The drawings and photovisualisations presented by the Environment Agency on 17th June can be seen from the above link. 2nd August The Library are looking for artists and groups who would like to stage exhibitions. A small fee is involved. For more details, ring 01905 822722. The exhibition area can be seen at http://www.upton.uk.net/townmatters/library/img_0623.html. The next quarterly open meeting of the Town Partnership is on Wednesday. The agenda can be seen from the link at the top of the page, and the minutes from the meeting on 5th May from the link under Reports and Newsletters. 31st July The latest 'What's on' from MHDC can be seen from the above link. I've just received information on a phone scam regarding so-called unpaid BT bills. I've had a look into it, and put a link to the Hoax-Slayer website, which confirms it is a scam and also has a link to the OfComm site which again confirms it as a scam. 29th July The riverfront plans can be seen in the Memorial Hall Committee Room. The times can be seen on the poster above. 28th July The plans for the riverfront wall have been received by Upton Town Council, and will be available for public viewing. I've added a blog for anyone who would like to discuss the EA proposals for a wall along the riverfront. A link above. The minutes from the last Town Council & Committee meetings can be seen from the Town Council link on the menu. 27th July Documents relating to the planning application for the flood wall have started to appear on the MHDC planning website. A footway has been established alongside The Swan today. Pictures from the above link. A date of 6th August has been given for when the Swan will re-open. A planning application for Listed Building Consent 'Demolition of boundary wall between Bankside House/Crimond Rose and rebuild to flood wall standards forming part of Waterside Flood Risk Management Scheme' is now on the MHDC website. Contained within the document entitled 'Design & Access Statement' are timescales for the proposed programme of work for the wall. This timescale can be seen from the above work. 26th July 3pm. The traffic doesn't seem as bad now! The latest MHDC 'View from the Hills' can be seen from the above link. 12noon. There is a lot of traffic held up coming and going from the Town. Roadworks on the A4104 are holding up the traffic - good planning what with Welland Steam Rally finishing yesterday... Grants for girls attending higher education establishments are available through the Upton upon Severn Education Foundation. More details from the above link. 25th July I've added a link on the page showing Nigel Mansell's visit to Upton to an article in the Worcester News about his visit. Details of an appeal for small items that can fit in shoe boxes and will be sent to children around the world for Christmas can be seen from the above link. The latest newsletter from Community Care has been added. 24th July Nigel Mansell arrived in Upton on the 2nd day of his 13 day, 1100 miles cycle ride for UK Youth. A video and some pictures from the link at the top of the page. The agenda for next week's Town Council meeting is available from the above link. 23rd July This week's newsletter from Upton Primary School, and the latest 'What's on' from MHDC can be seen from the above links. MHDC have also produced a list of children's Summer activities. The results of Upton in Bloom's 'Local in Bloom' competition can be seen from the Upton in Bloom link above. The Committee have also issued a statement about the future of Upton in Bloom. 21st July As I said below, the Environment Agency put up the boards on the Sports Field without informing the Town Council. Today, a van was seen by a Councillor on the Field collecting the boards. It transpired that a gate had been opened by removing it from its hinges so the van could access the Field. I think this is disgraceful behaviour and shows a complete lack of respect for the Town Council, and indeed the ratepayers of Upton. The latest crime statistics for June 2010 are now available the 'Malvern Hills Monthly Crime Stats' link below this area. I've added some pictures to the page of pictures of the Swan patio wall. The link is above. 20th July The Flood Forecasting Centre have now cancelled all alerts. An update: further alerts of a 40% probablility of 40-60mm over a 3 hour period for Worcestershire starting around 5 pm this afternoon. This risk has doubled over the last few hours and should be taken seriously. Nigel Mansell will now be coming to Upton at 1.30pm on Saturday 24th July. I've replaced the picture showing the height of the bund from New Street car park, as there is now another board in front of the Pavillion. Interesting that the Environment Agency put the boards up without informing the Town Council - yet again they forget we exist... The boards were presumably put up for MHDC Planning Committee as I bumped into them walking around the area this morning. I've just received an 'Extreme rainfall alert' which covers Worcestershire from 5pm this evening. It says that there is a 5-10% chance of 40mm in 3 hours being reached. I noticed yesterday that a board had been put in the field at the bottom of New Street. Today I saw more in the Sports Field, so presume they are indicating the height of the proposed bund at various points around the area. Some pictures from the above link. 19th July The Swan's patio wall has been demolished. I've added some pictures of the large crack in the road, which looks wider and one side has dropped. 17th July The latest 'What's on' from MHDC can be seen from the above link. 16th July This week's newsletter from Upton Primary School can be seen from the above link. The main stage for the Blues Festival was constructed yesterday. Campers are arriving on Fishmeadow, and this evening the Festival got under way. 15th July The agenda for next week's Town Council Extraordinary Planning Meeting can be seen from the above link. 14th July Nigel Mansell is cycling 1,000 miles in 13 days to support 'Youth UK'. He will be stopping outside the Memorial Hall at 4pm on Saturday 24th July to meet the Mayor. More details from the link at the top of the page. 13th July Work was being carried out in the road alongside The Swan patio wall yesterday. A couple of pictures of one of the holes that were dug from the above link. I've added some photos I took yesterday to the Upton in Bloom link above. 12th July The Town was judged today for the Heart of England in Bloom competition. Everywhere looked clean and tidy and the flowers were at their best. The judges seemed very impressed with the Town, and the improvements we've made since last year. We had a lot of help today and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped in whatever way. Thank you also to the establishments that contributed food and drink, which resulted in a lovely buffet in the Tudor House Museum. Every year the judges say how much they see the community spirit in Upton, and this year was no exception. 11th July The latest newsletter from Upton Policing Team can be seen from the above link. 10th July I've added the 2nd video showing the start of the Car Push on the Sports Field and pictures taken at the end of the event. A busy day for Upton today - Richard's Saints Car Push, the Severn Vale Marching Band Championships at Hanley Castle High School, and the Triathlon based on Fishmeadow. The car is still being pushed around the Sports Field. I've added a video of the car leaving the Kings Head to the above link. Another video of the start on the Sports Field will be added later. 9th July Richard's Saints start their 24 hour car push from the Kings Head at 5pm and will be making their way to the Sports Field. A link to their website at the top of the page. Preparations are well under way for the Upton Triathlon which takes place tomorrow. The Triathlon website address is http://www.uptontriathlon.com/ Newsletters from the Hub, Upton Primary School and the latest 'What's on' from MHDC can all be seen from the above links. 8th July I've received a copy of the latest plans for the riverside flood defences, which can be seen from the link above. If you can't open them, let me know and I'll email them to you. 7th July The agenda for next week's Open Spaces & Cemetery Committee meeting has been added. The lastest Citizen's Advice newsletter can be seen from the above link. 3rd July Upton in Bloom now has it's own Facebook page. Duncan Coombes, President of the Garden Club, judged the entries in Upton in Bloom's Local in Bloom competition. Pictures of some of the entries from the Upton in Bloom link above. The agenda for next week's Hall & Finance meeting has been added. 2nd July The latest newsletter from Upton Primary School can be seen from the above link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' can be seen from the above link. Community Care, the Readers Group, Hanley Castle & Upton Cricket Club & W.I. around the Benefice newsletters have also been added. An update on the road by the Swan has been issued by MHDC. A link above. 1st July The revised plans for the New Street flood defences are in the Committee Room at the Memorial Hall. 7pm From Sue Thompson: "The building inspector is coming tomorrow to determine whether or not our wall is safe if it is then they will give us a walkway through". The information below was given the the Town Clerk by an MHDC officer. I've just been there and it still looks closed to me. Apparently there is now a footpath along past The Swan, but the road will still be closed. The sewer has been lined with resin as there were some cracks in it and some rubble. The garden wall of The Swan is to be examined for safety and subject to that examination, The Swan will reopen, but that also depends on the brewery, Marstons. A diver went down last Friday to examine the situation. An official report will follow tomorrow or Monday. Yet another meeting about the Swan area to which the Town Council were not invited was held today. I was told earlier that the link I put to the revised flood defence plans didn't work. I've changed it to a link to the planning search page. Ward is Upton and Hanley, and I used 1st June as the Date Received, and 'Go to today' for Date to. 30th June I sent off a cheque for £327.00 to the Stroke Association yesterday. Together with the £115 raised online with JustGiving, I raised a total of £442. Very many thanks to everyone who sponsored me. 29th June Apparently the drainage system on Waterside is to be repaired by some system which can be done without digging up the pipes. A large scaffolding tower has been erected opposite the front of the Swan which is to do with this. Pins have been driven into the road and path outside the Swan, on either side of existing cracks so that movement can be monitored. Cracks inside and out have appeared around the windows and doors of the Swan and the brewery is sending a structural engineer to examine the building. The planning application for the New Street flood defences was withdrawn, and has now been resubmitted. A link to the documents above. 28th June The Blues Festival website has been updated with the latest information about the Festival. www.uptonbluesfestival.org.uk. Their Facebook page has also been updated. Here's hoping that they have the same weather that the Jazz Festival has just had! The latest letter from Rev Jeff Radcliffe can be seen from the above link. 26th June A couple of videos and some pictures from today's Jazz Parade can be seen from the above link. 25th June The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' can be seen from the above link. Nothing happening along by the Swan today. Lots of visitors on Fishmeadow for the Jazz Festival. I was told that ticket sales are up this year, which is good news for the organisers. The weather forecast is good so here's hoping for a good weekend. 24th June Highways have dug a couple of holes in the road alongside the Swan. A brief look into one of them before 'health and safety' intervened showed a hole about 5' deep and what someone termed 'a couple of barrow loads' of spoil on the surface. 23rd June The agenda for next week's Planning & Town Council meetings can be seen from the above link. The riverside between the Kings Head & The Plough was quite busy at just after 7 o'clock this morning! Steve Cox was painting, Colin Smith was busy in the Kings Head yard, J&J Scaffolding were erecting the stage for the Jazz Festival's 'Under the Bridge' venue, Stratascan were continuing with their Ground Penetrating Radar and I was watering the displays. 22nd June Preparations for the Jazz Festival are well under way. The marquees have been erected in Fishmeadow, the field is being marked out for stalls and campers and on the Town side of the river security fencing has been erected around the bridge ready for the 'Under the bridge' venue. An update on the road alongside the Swan has been issued and can be seen from the above link. 21st June The next White Lion 'Ladies that Lunch' menu can be seen on their website: www.whitelionhotel.biz. A meeting was due to take place at the Environment Agency in Tewkesbury regarding the road alongside the Swan at 2pm today. Hopefully we will soon hear about what has been found from the GPR and a plan of action may emerge. The large crack in the middle of the road and those in the Swan courtyard paving appear bigger and Ralph has some photos of the moorings showing cracks. The latest newsletter from Upton Primary School can be seen from the above link. 18th June Some activity on the riverfront this morning - Severn Trent with a camera checking out the drain and found no problems; Highways came and went, and Stratascan have been using Ground Penetrating Radar between the area already checked and Bridge House for a good part of the day. I did think that the EA could have left the demonstration height boards in place for a few days longer. 17th June A pair of Swans with 8 cygnets have, I believe, come out of the Marina to swim on the river. A picture above. I've added some pictures of the demonstration of the wall height at various places along the riverside to the above link. The EA are going to send me plans and pictures to display on the website. On 3rd July a Garden Party is being held at the Vicarage to help Hannah & Jess Radcliffe raise £6,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care by trekking along the Great Wall of China. More details on the Calendar. Two reports from Hanley Castle Cricket Club have been added to the above link. I've added a link to the WCC website page showing the monthly crime statistics for the MHDC area. This is under Useful links below the news section. Ralph and Sue at the Swan weren't allowed to sleep at the Swan last night, and are expecting a prohibition notice to be served today. This will be reviewed on a weekly basis. 16th June The Swan has closed for the time being as there are concerns about fire safety with two entrances being closed due to the road problems. One of the cracks in the road has extended and widened slightly. A press release entitled "Investigation launched into Upton road cracks" has been issued by the Environment Agency this morning. A link above. 15th June Our District Councillor, Mike Morgan, who is Chairman of MHDC, has started his own blog which can be visited from the above link. West Mercia Police have issued an excellent brochure about the joys of their accommodation at the Lock'em Inn. A link to the brochure above. 4pm Visually several of the cracks appear larger. A GPR survey will be undertaken tomorrow. I've been told a press statement will be released in the morning. 12noon From MHDC "...investigations have indicated that the sewer has not collapsed but that they will be putting a camera down the gaps to try to find out what has caused the problem. A building inspector has said that the building itself is safe. In the meantime the road is closed to vehicles and pedestrians." Worcester Arts Workshop is offering Summer term classes for children, young people and adults. More information at www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk 14th June 7pm Tests are going to be done tomorrow to check the main sewer which may have collapsed along by the Swan. The latest newsletter from Upton Youth Band can be seen from the above link. The road is completely closed to pedestrians as well now, along by the Swan. Cracks have appeared on either side of the road following drilling of a hole. Pictures from the above link. Waterside, from Bridge House to The Swan is closed from today, apart from to residents, to allow work by the Environment Agency to be carried out. Diversion signs are in place and all businesses are open as usual. 13th June The Flood Forecasting Centre has issued a statement covering tonight and tomorrow, and this can be read from the above link. 12th June The latest news from Pepperpot Players can be seen from the above link. Information on the Players has been updated on their page under the 'Things to Do' menu. Armed Forces Day is 26th June. Grahame Bunn, Landlord of the Kings Head, raised the Armed Forces Day flag on the flagpole at the Disabled Area yesterday. A picture from the above link. The Armed Forces Day website address is www.armedforcesday.org.uk 11th June This week's Primary School newsletter is available from the above link. An updated article by Simon Wilkinson, about Miss Hemus, the Sweet Pea breeder from Holdfast can be seen from the above link. The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' can be seen from the above link. 9th June The latest newsletter from Upton Police can be seen from the above link. The agenda for next week's Open Spaces & Cemetery Committee meeting is available above. Details of the Environment Agency's Flood Defence exhibition on 17th June can be seen from the above link. 8th June A Ladies Night is being held in the Hanley Castle School Sixth Form House on Friday 11th June, starting at 7pm, to raise funds for the School Library. Entry of £5 includes soft drink/wine/Pimms. Pamper yourself! Pictures of Upton in Bloom's planting of displays can be seen from the Upton in Bloom link above. On the 19th June, the Barflys will hold their famous last stand at the Kings Head, in memory of Julia Grace. All proceeds to the Air Ambulance Service. More details on the poster from the top of the page. 7th June Upton Library, and the Hub have new opening hours. These can be found from the Library link above, and the latest newsletter from the Hub above. Upton in Bloom are looking for about 20' of scaffolding pole. If anyone can donate this, please ring Jackie on 592336. 4th June The latest MHDC 'What's on in the area' can be seen from the above link. The latest newsletter from the Citizens Advice Bureau can be seen from the above link. 3rd June Upton upon Severn will be judged in the Heart of England in Bloom campaign on Monday 12th July. 2nd June An update from the Environment Agency on the progress of the flood defences can be seen from the above link. Burial costs in the Cemetery in Rectory Road have been revised. The details can be seen on the Town Council's website. The Worcestershire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Annual Competitions Day was held at Baughton on 29th May. Upton Young Farmers triumphed! A report under Reports & Newsletters. A letter from the new Mayor, Cllr Andrea Morgan has been added to the Town Council's website. A link above, or from the menu on the left. 1st June Upton upon Severn based company, Cherington HR has been selected as one of the finalists for Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce Awards for successful businesses in 2010. More information on the award and company can be found on their website http://www.cheringtonhr.com under their menu option 'Newsletters'. Good luck in the final!