Welcome to Upton upon Severn

24th May Brian & Lorna Williams, who grow all our display plants, have a nursery at Twyning. They have special offers on Americana Giant Geraniums during June. Bedding plants are also available. More information from the link at the top of the page. An update on the visitor moorings on the Hanley Road pontoon is available from the above link. I would point out that a comment on the Town Council restricting coaches in the town is incorrect. WCC Highways make the rules on highways. An email from WCC Highways to the Town Clerk says '...the restriction on coaches is an old TRO that was implemented by the former HPU Office, probably 10 years ago. It is still operational.". The Town Council office hours for May and June is available from the Town Council menu. Some sad person has tipped black gloss paint over tables and the pavement outside The Anchor Inn. A picture from the above link. The latest 'What's On' from MHDC TIC can be seen from the above link. 23rd May A new milestone has been erected on Hanley Road, ready to receive it's new plate and the plate on the stone on the Longdon Road has been replaced. Some pictures from the above link. Badger's Paddlers 75 mile race down the river Wye starts on Saturday. Links to the race website and daily maps showing the race stages can be seen from the above link. A presentation entitled 'A community based plan for Upton' from Upton Town Council can be seen from the above link. 22nd May Upton in Bloom have decided that it would be better to look for a replacement van for 'Florrie' rather than spend a lot of money on repairs. Thanks to everyone who has responded. At the Town Council's Annual Meeting last night Cllr Peter Webb was elected Mayor and Cllr Paul Bennett Deputy Mayor. Thanks to Cllr Andrea Morgan for her three years as Mayor. I've added a link to an article in the Malvern Gazette about the new road surface and footpath in Old Street being dug up, and also a picture of the unmatched tarmace laid to replace the original new surfaces. Western Power/National Grid dug the trench to supply new houses behind the Social Club. The fact that these houses have been being built for many months makes me wonder if any of these organisations ever communicate. 18th May Upton in Bloom's watering van 'Florrie' has failed her MOT. Badly. Apart from tyres, leaf springs and corrosion, she needs an obsolete part - a Steering Idler. Florrie is a 1994 Nissan Vanette, 2LT diesel. Various breakers websites have been looked at, but so far no part found. Members of Upton in Bloom were planting the railing and lamp post baskets at the nursery yesterday. Pictures from the Upton in Bloom link above. 17th May Some very sad news. Mary Wilkinson has died. Mary was both Town and District Councillor for many years, and Town Mayor from 1997 to 2000. My condolences to Mary's family. The list of events from Malvern TIC is available from the above link. 16th May A discussion on moorings in Upton is taking place on Canal World Forum. If you read nothing else, please read page 4 onwards. We need to encourage these boaters to come to Upton. If you can register for the forum and give some encouragement, please do. http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=56688 Hanley Castle High School Open Day on 22nd June. A chance to revisit selected parts of the school and round off the trip down memory lane with a cream tea. Entry £3 per person to include Cream Tea. For more information and to book a place, a Tweet from the information in the Malvern Gazette is on the right. Please spread the word to other old Hancastrians. 15th May The agenda for the Annual Meeting of The Town Council can be seen from the above link. The minutes from the Town Council meeting of 14th April 2013 are available from the Town Council menu. Car Boot sale dates have been added to the Calendar, and can also be seen from the above link. Local schools have been training for an Inter-schools Bell Boat Regatta taking place on 22nd June. In addition, entries for an open event are also invited. Details from the above link. 14th May The latest newsletter from Community Care can be seen from the above link. A WI Press Release entitled 'Inspired Women of Upton', with information about the last and next meetings can be seen from the above link. If you enjoy singing, you may be interested in a community singing group starting in Hanley Swan on 22nd May. A poster can be seen from the link at the top of the page, and more information under Recent Additions. 10th May This week's Primary School newsletter and the latest Citizen's Advice can be seen from the above link. The latest list of events in the area from Malvern TIC is available from the above link. Following the resignation of Grahame Bunn from the Town Council, a vacancy has arisen. The information is in the link at the top of the page. Fencing work around the 600 year old Oak Trees at Tunnel Hill would appear to be within the area specified in the planning application's Arboricultural Report as needed for protection of the trees roots. Some pictures of the fencing, and new pictures of the trees from the 'Tunnel Hill proposed developments' link above. 9th May As part of the enchancements along the riverside, four trees were planted in the footpath between Bridge House and The Swan. They were dug up and replanted three times. Since the final planting, the soil beneath the pebbled resin has sunk making the pits dangerous. One of the trees died. Another was broken by two vehicles reversing into it. Today, the two remaining trees have been dug up and moved to the Sports Field. The tree pits will be filled in and paved over. 7th May A message from Richard Hannah, Chairman of Upton Folk Festival, has been added to the front page of their website, www.uptonfolk.org. There is also a list of lost property. The Map Shop, in High Street, produced a MiniMap for the Folk Festival. A couple of pictures from the above link. 6th May This month's White Lion Ladies that Lunch menu is available from the link at the top of the page. The latest newsletter from Upton Town Council can be seen from the above link. 5th May A few pictures of Folk Festival, taken today, have been added to the above link. Upton in Bloom's Hanging Basket Workshop on 18th May has been cancelled due to lack of numbers. 4th May Some pictures of the Folk Festival from the above link. Upton in Bloom has been selected as one of three organisations to receive a share of £1,000 from the Co-operative Membership group. The share of the £1,000 will be decided by a vote. The Co-op in Old Street is where Upton residents can vote for the organisation of their choice. Details of the organisations can be seen from the Upton in Bloom link above. The Folk Festival looks set to be a great success. There are lots of campers on the Sports Field - which unlike last year, is dry! The riverside moorings are full of boats, more than I've seen for years. Some pictures from the above link. Upton in Bloom have arranged two working parties. Details from the above link. Please come and help if you can. 3rd May A report from Sgt Ian Blanchard, of Malvern Hills Police at the Annual Town Meeting, which appears in the Malvern Gazette, can be read from the above link. This week's Primary School newsletter is available from the above link. Severn Waste Services have donated 50 bags of Greengrow and The White Lion Hotel has donated a barrel of beer to Upton in Bloom. More details from the Upton in Bloom link above. They may have to cancel the hanging basket workshop unless more people have registered by tomorrow. The latest events list from Malvern TIC is available from the above link. Two emails about the two proposed housing developments at Tunnel Hill have been added to the link alongside the Calendar. One includes pictures of damage to the ancient Oak trees caused by horses chewing the bark. The other is to Upton Town Council, asking them to change their decision on the Milestone Farm application. A newsletter from Roger Wookey is available from the above link. 2nd May The results of Upton in Bloom's 100 Club May draw can be seen from the link above. Minutes from Planning, Hall & Finance & Open Spaces meetings in March can be seen from the Town Council / Minutes menu. 1st May The agenda for next week's Town Council meeting is available from the above link. Minutes from two Town Council meetings can be read from the Town Council / Minutes menu. 30th April I've added a link to Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service above. 29th April A Bell Boat Regatta is taking place on 22nd June. Entries are invited for an open event. Details of entry from the above link. A précis of the Annual Report from Community Care together with annual statistics can be seen from the above link. As always, Community Care is looking for drivers. 28th April Allan Morris Estate Agent has opened in Old Street, and Val Simcock is managing the shop. David Manning Jewellers has sadly closed. 27th April Mark, who used to hold a fruit and vegetable market in Lower High Street, has today opened for business in the old Tourist Information building. There is a letter in the Malvern Gazette thanking them for the support they gave to the Save our Car Park campaign. A link above. 26th April This week's newsletter from Upton Primary School can be seen from the above link. The latest list of events in the area from MHDC Tourist Information is available from the above link. 25th April The Town Council 2013 meeting dates have been added to the menu link under Town Council. 23rd April I've just received some historical information on a proposed Strensham - Solihull Motorway from the 1960s; and an article from The Times, Jan 21 1953 which puts Upton as the heart of the Motorway network! Links to both above. 22nd April The Agenda for the Annual Town Meeting can be seen from the above link. The new fingerposts have had their 'fingers' installed. A couple of pictures from the link above. The latest list of events in the area from MHDC TIC is available from the above link. 18th April Documents relating to a planning application for 'Outline application for the erection of up to 70 residential units with all Matters Reserved except for details of access.', at Upton Marina are available on the MHDC Planning Application Search website. The application number is 13/00431/OUT and the website address is under the menu option 'Useful information'. An interesting article in the Malvern Gazette entitled 'Council does away with its old rule book' can be seen from the above link. I know quite a few people who would endorse the statement made by a long standing Councillor in the article. There is space for comments beneath the article. 17th April Nice to see that the recycling rate at the Hanley Road Recycling Centre has gone from 71% to 72%. The Annual Town Meeting poster can be seen from the above link. Organisations are invited to send reports to the Town Clerk. 15th April Upton in Bloom are again requesting the co-operation of owners walking their dogs on The Ham, asking them to keep the dogs on a lead so ground nesting birds aren't frightened off their nests. April's Parish Church services are available from the Full Calendar link. The latest newsletter from The Anchor Inn can be seen from the above link. 14th April I just received a press release about a new WI being set up in Upton upon Severn by popular demand. The first meeting is tomorrow night. Details from the press release above. A letter from The Revd Canon Jane Fraser can be seen from the above link. A bit late for Easter due to a couple of broken wrists! 6pm Work finished. It looks as if everywhere apart from Old Street has been resurfaced. White & yellow lines, and the bus stops (new one outside The Talbot) painted. Already cars were parked in one of the bus stops as I drove by. 8am It looks as if High Street, Lower High Street and Church Street are being worked on today, and closed from The Cross to the roundabout. No through road via Minge Lane to Court Street or Dunns Lane. Old Street is no through road - it is closed at The Cross. 13th April Tickets for Upton Jazz Festival, which takes place on 28th, 29th & 30th June are on sale on their website. Concessionary prices are only available until 1st May. A link to the site under the Events menu option. 12th April The latest events list from MHDC TIC can be seen from the above link. Another business appears to have been lost to Upton. R & L Myers Butchers is closed, with a notice on the window from the landlord's agents. The agenda for next week's Town Council meeting is available from the above link. 11th April Upton in Bloom's Sponsorship leaflet can be seen from the above link. It includes hanging baskets, riverside barrels and boats. Ringway's blog about the roadworks in Upton on Sunday includes 'To avoid congestion in Minge Lane two "no through" road signs will be put in place.'. I know that last Sunday there were a lot of people coming from Tunnel Hill end were going up Minge Lane, hoping to exit via Court Street or Dunns Lane but were unable to do so. 9th April New occupants of The Boathouse, Waterside, are hoping to open on Saturday and will be offering breakfasts and probably light snacks initially. The list of candidates for the County Council Elections, Malvern Hills Area Divisions, can be seen from the above link. 8th April Upton in Bloom litter picked in and behind Hanley Road car park today, and collected a large amount of rubbish. Some pictures from the Upton in Bloom link above. On Friday I finally received a response from the Town Clerk and have added it, together with a couple of emails, to the page I've put in place of the Town Council website. A new day facility for people with dementia is starting at the Hill Centre next month. More details from the poster at the top of the page. 7th April 6pm Old Street is open from Court St & New St, but work is continuing on the High St, Church St & Lower High St corner. It doesn't look as if it will take much longer. There are some very high manhole covers! 4pm Work is still ongoing. 9am Church Street, High Street, Court Street, New Street & Old Street are closed. The Old Street entrance to Backfields is also closed. 5th April The Anchor Inn have their own website, which can be visited from the above link. The list of events from MHDC TIC can be seen from the above link. The Tweet from Ringways on the right contains information about work taking place on Sunday. Earlier this week new & additional fencing was installed in the Old Churchyard - on top of the Heritage Centre and at the back of the area. Some pictures from the Upton in Bloom link above. 4th April I've added an email received about the Town Council to the Town Council 'Website' menu. I've removed the website I set up for the Town Council in 2009. The reasons can be seen from the Town Council 'Website' menu. 3rd April Yesterday I Tweeted WCC contractors, Ringways, suggesting that it might be a good idea to do something to stop drivers who don't know Upton driving straight down High Street into Lower High Street. Cars and an Ambulance had been seen doing just that. Ringways Tweeted back to say they were looking into it. I've just driven through the town, and they have painted white lines to show the road turning, and also across the top of New Street. A statement from Tunnel Hill Action Group, read out at last night's Town Council meeting can be seen from the 'Tunnel Hill proposed developments' link above. 2nd April At the Town Council meeting tonight the Councillors decided that in spite of objections from such as Highways and Land Drainage, they would keep to their original decision to approve the Milestone Farm, Tunnel Hill planning application. Upton Marina have put in an outline planning application for houses on their land. The mud from four floods, from the Kings Head river terrace to the footpaths on the other side of the bridge, was cleared for Easter. The results can be seen from the link above. Hereford & Worcester Community First Responders are holding a fundraising 'Easter Fun Day' at Riverboats on Saturday. Details from the poster at the top of the page. 1st April A newsletter from the Town Clerk can be seen from the link under menu option Town Council. The results of the April Upton in Bloom 100 Club draw are available from the link above. 31st March Upton Tourism & Trade Association's Easter Bonnet competition was judged at the Tourist Information Centre yesterday. Some pictures from the above link. 30th March I've added a link to do-it.org, which lists volunteering opportunities within 5 miles of Upton. Find it under 'Newsletters & Reports'. Another letter asking Upton Town Council to change their decision on housing at Tunnel Hill from the above link. 29th March A letter from another resident to the Town Clerk, all Councillors and the Malvern Gazette added to the Tunnel Hill link at the top of the page. Some of the mud (from four floods) has finally been cleaned - sort of. However, mud sprayed onto the railings has been left, and dry chunks of mud scraped off the footpaths leading down from Hanley Road has been dumped in piles on the grass. Don't people put any thought into things when they do these jobs? A letter from a resident to the Town Clerk has been added to the information on the planning applications at Tunnel Hill, which can be seen from the 'Tunnel Hill proposed development at the top of the page. This week's list of events from MHDC TIC can be seen from the above link. The Events List now consists of 4 pages - with the last page containing details of walks in the area. Minutes approved at Tuesday's Town Council meetings are available from the Town Council menu. A list of volunteering opportunities in Upton can be seen from the above link. 28th March The latest newsletter from the Environment Agency is available from the above link. This week's newsletter from the Primary School can be seen from the above link. 27th March The agenda for next week's Town Council meeting is available from the above link. It includes the Tunnel Hill planning application. The Town Council are hoping to get the mud on the riverfront cleared for Easter. The mud has built up following four floods. I attended a meeting on 13th February at which the Town Clerk and representatives from MHDC, WCC & the EA were present. Who is responsible for what was discussed and it was decided: the Town Council - footpaths going to the bridge from Hanley Road and from the bridge to the Kings Head river terrace and WCC - under the bridge and the Old Bridge Abutment. I took away the impression that the Town Council would do the cleaning, with help from volunteers, using a pump and hoses to be supplied by one of the authorities attending the meeting. I've had no follow up since the meeting. The menu for next week's Ladies that Lunch at the White Lion is available from the above link. 26th March Upton Town Council voted against making any changes to the running of the Old Street free car park. They will monitor the situation from when parking enforcement is introduced in the town in October until October 2014. 25th March Easter weekend in Upton is going to be busy! Races (on Saturday this year), Story Time in the Library, Churches Together, Upton in Bloom's Giant Easter Egg draw & Tourism and Trade's Easter Egg and Bunny Hunt. More information on all of these from the links at the top of the page. Let's hope the weather is drier & much warmer! 24th March 9am I've just ridden along Old Street and no evidence of any work taking place so far. 22nd March Malvern TIC have produced an Activities Fact Sheet for Easter 2013 which can be seen from the above link. Old Street was closed for an hour or so while the Fire Brigade dealt with a chimney fire. Once they had made the chimney safe, someone pointed out a pigeon trapped between a window and secondary glazing on the third floor of a building. A ladder was raised and a Fireman went up and pursuaded the pigeon to remove itself! Some pictures from the above link. The latest list of events from MHDC TIC is available from the above link. 20th March The agendas for next week's Town Council & Planning meetings are available from the above links. The free car park is on the Town Council agenda. The latest information from Pepperpot Players on their next production is available from the above link. The Tunnel Hill Action Group will be meeting tonight in the Oak Room at the Anchor Inn, Upton upon Severn at 7:30 pm It's good to hear that the Kings Head will reopen next week. Good luck to the new landlord. They are looking for a chef, and a part time cleaner. 18th March If you're a customer of Shipps Garage in New Street, you might like to sign a petition in support of their planning application to build an extension at the back which will give them more room to work. The petition is in The Launderette in New Street. 17th March Flicks in the Sticks/Rural Reels presents Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. A British romantic comedy and drama film directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas and Amr Waked. At Upton Memorial Hall Sunday March 24th. Doors Open at 7.00pm Film commences at 7.30pm. Bar and Refreshments available. Tickets available from the Memorial Hall, Sean's Newsagents, The Launderette and Number 24. More information from the link at the top of the page to the poster. Tunnel Hill Action Group have posted a letter received from Malvern Hills District Council about the proposed Welland Road development. If you object to this and/or the one on the Longdon Road, please write to MHDC Planning as soon as possible. A link to the planning website is above, and the application numbers are 13/00009/FUL for Welland Road and 13/00136/FUL for Longdon Road (where the ancient Oak trees, dewpond & ridge and furrows are threatened). 15th March Newsletters from Upton Primary School and Community Care can be seen from the above link. The latest list of local events from Malvern TIC is available from the above link. An article on the history of Clive's Fruit Farm, by Simon Wilkinson, can be seen from the above link. 14th March From Ringways blog (accessed via Twitter link): 'We plan to carryout resurfacing work this Sunday 17th March on the High Street, Lower High Street, Old Street and Church Street area. This will be carried out with a road closure. Please note that these works are weather dependant and may have to change at short notice.' The only access to these areas will be on foot There are car parks at either end of the town. Any cars parked in the roads will be towed away, (there are notices warning about the work). The road surface is being removed and the same kind of tarmac as went under the red tarmac on the footpaths will be laid. Similar work will be carried out the following Sunday. Any manholes etc in the roads will have extra tarmac around them. On the Sunday after Easter a new road surface will be laid. 13th March The agenda for next week's Open Spaces & Cemetery Committee meeting can be seen from the above link. Upton in Bloom were encouraging people to sign up for faster Broadband in Upton upon Severn last Saturday. More information from the UiB link above. Information on UiB's Giant Sunflower Competition is also available. 12th March The latest newsletter from Citizens Advice can be seen from the above link. 11th March Severn Trent tried to close the town by blocking the carriageway into Church Street from the roundabout. Presumably they told the BBC that 'Old Street is closed from Minge Lane to Church Street'. I've Tweeted and emailed BBC Midlands Today asking them to correct the information they are giving out. At least the Worcester News & Malvern Gazette removed the duff information from their websites. 10th March From an email to me: 'Following the WCC decision not to close the roads on Mothering Sunday, Severn Trent chose to do so! Not only did they block Old Street, but put "Road Closed", and "Diversion" signs, the latter pointing down the Hanley Road to Malvern, and bollards across the road to the central reservation at the entrance to the town from the bridge, Various angry locals removed these at 11.45 am.' 4.30pm I've just been for a look. There is a deep trench right across the road in Old Street, with plastic fencing around it. No sign of anyone working. Unless Severn Trent are returning to finish the job, Old Street will be closed tomorrow. 8th March An update on Upton Youth Band is available from the above link. A newsletter from the EA can be seen from the above link. The latest newsletter from Upton Primary School is available. This week's list of events in the area from Malvern TIC can be seen from the above link. 7th March It's nice to see that instead of ending the new footpath just into Church Street, it is being extended - hopefully to the roundabout. 5th March Upton Town Council voted to recommend refusal of the planning application on the parkland at Tunnel Hill. The agenda for next week's Town Partnership meeting and 2 sets of minutes have been added to the above link. Update to the Town Council from the EA about works around the bund and riverfront flood defences: Ornamental trees along riverfront: the EA are waiting for the WCC to confirm what would an acceptable gap between wall and trees and will then move them and top up the tree pits so they are no longer a trip hazard. They may decide to move the trees directly next to the wall. Remedial works to Rugby pitch: Will commence at the end of March, weather permitting. Stones in the river: Are due to be removed but no timescale set as yet. Plaque commemorating the installation of the flood defences: to be installed by the end of March on part of the wall opposite the Kings Head. Life belts: now in place Various areas that do not drain properly: will be listed and remedied in agreement with Highways and will take place at the same time as the work to the trees and tree pits. Lime tree on riverfront: the central lime tree will be reduced slightly further in order to ensure its survival and public safety Boundary of the Playing field behind the Skate Park: this is the area where the chain link fencing is persistently vandalised. The EA will be installing pallisade fencing which will prevent access to the adjacent farmer's field (and thus private land) and New Street. A website blog has been set up by the Tunnel Hill Action Group and can be seen from the above link. Upton Town Council are discussing the application to build houses on the ancient parkland at 7.30 tonight. If you have any views on this, please come to the meeting. 4th March Update on the works in Upton from the Town Council: All footpath wearing course will be completed this week. Sunday 17th March road base course on Church Street to Court Street/New street junction will be put down. Sunday 24th March road base course from Court Street/New street junction and Old Street will be put down. Sunday 7th April road wearing course will be put down and completed. 2nd March The results of Upton in Bloom's 100 Club March draw can be seen from the link above. It is very sad to hear that our County Councillor, Bob Bullock has died. If we had concerns in Upton, he would always do his best to sort them out. An article in the Worcester News can be read from the Twitter link alongside this. 1st March The launch of this year's Upton International Music Festival took place on the Old Churchyard this morning. The press release and a picture from the above link. The latest newsletter from the Town Clerk is available on their website menu link. It contains information on the Old Street free car park, and the Memorial Hall. This week's Primary School newsletter is available from the above link. Next Tuesday's Ladies that Lunch at the White Lion menu is available from the link at the top of the page. The latest event list from Malvern TIC can be seen from the above link. I've added links to WCC Faster Broadband residents & businesses survey. If you haven't already filled it in, please do and help Upton get high speed broadband. The minutes from last year's Town Partnership AGM have been issued and can be seen from the above link.