The Summer Reading Challenge launches in libraries across England this Saturday, 10^th July. 

Children are encouraged to visit the library to join and the Challenge is to read 6 books over the Summer Holidays.  To encourage children to participate they collect stickers along the way and a medal and certificate if they complete the Challenge.

One of the benefits of participating is that it helps children to maintain their reading levels during the long summer break from school and it means that teachers and children are not having to play catch-up in September.

Shop local this summer

We’re pleased to be working alongside our fantastic retailers this summer to bring you 3 themed events on Saturday 24th July, Saturday 21st August and Saturday 18th September in Wombourne.

This will be a unique shopping experience where you can watch and listen to live performers whilst #shoppinglocal.

The events will run from 11am – 3pm and will be themed. The first theme on 24th July is Music, the second on 21st August is Heroes and the third on 18th September is Fairy Tales.

We hope as many of you join us as possible!

For more information, please call 01902 896300.

BKV’s Litter Patrol

On Monday 8^th February, Wombourne’s Best Kept Village team launched an exciting new initiative. The ‘Litter Patrol’ was devised as a means of encouraging children aged 3-14 to stay active and get walking, taking pride in their community and leading the way in the fight against litter.

The scheme comes at a time when children have been suffering especially due to Covid-19, being isolated from friends and family, and losing that regular interaction at school, with all the complications that has at home.

It is therefore unsurprising that the launch of this new initiative became a runaway success over night. Within that first week, 65 of our youngest residents signed up and were presented with their very own litter pickers and hi-vis jackets. They really look the part! This has been an utterly amazing response, and is due to the dedication of the BKV team who are not just keen to do their bit, but also to help educate and empower the next generation.

Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr Dan Kinsey – himself a BKV volunteer – said, ‘This is absolutely inspirational. BKV has a strong relationship with the Council, and we wholeheartedly support their amazing work to help keep our village looking its best. To see the excitement on the children’s faces is absolutely wonderful, and we are all very proud of them.’

This initiative is not merely about our youngsters doing their bit though. The scheme comes with a set of ‘golden rules’ to ensure our young volunteers stay safe, and also comes with a log-book to record their activity and certificates are awarded to those who accomplish particular milestones of 5, 10, 20, 30 and even 50 picks. You might think 50 is a very ambitious target, but some of our ‘Litter Patrol’ superstars are already well on their way!

This is also so much wider than BKV itself, with local businesses joining in to support our Litter Patrol. Our very own ‘GM Home Discounts’ very kindly donated 60 litter pickers to help start the scheme, and the Estate Agents ‘Berriman Eaton’ offered to help print log-books and certificates for the children taking part. Another local business is currently sourcing further hi-vis jackets to donate too. It really is an amazing community effort.

Alison, Donna and Simon are the BKV co-ordinators for the scheme, and we send a big thank you to them and the wider team for all their hard work.

Speaking of the impact their young Litter Patrol volunteers are having, Alison said, ‘We are honoured to have them all in our team and we truly believe Wombourne’s future is in very safe hands.’

Please take the time to visit the BKV Facebook page for regular updates on Litter Patrol and everything BKV: https://www.facebook.com/wombourneBKV/

Help tackle bad behaviour on our roads today!

We’re looking for volunteers to grow our Community Speedwatch.

Speeding and related issues can be a real problem, but together we can help to make #saferoadsforall in Wombourne.

To express an interest, or to get involved, contact us on 01902 896300.

Christmas Newsletter

By now you will have received the latest newsletter to come from the Wombourne Community Assistance Group setting out how you can enjoy the Christmas period whilst remaining safe and abiding by the rules in place.

More information will follow in the days to come, so please keep checking back to our website and Facebook and Twitter accounts.

We hope that you shall enjoy a happy and peaceful Christmas.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Council office on 01902 896300.

Halloween pumpkin fun

Due to lockdown restrictions, 3rd Wombourne Girl Guides are holding their weekly meetings on Zoom.

Last week, to celebrate Halloween, the girls and leaders carved pumpkins!

It’s lovely to see the creativity of the girls as well as their commitment to Girl Guides while not being able to meet in person at the moment!

Keep up the great work 3rd Wombourne Girl Guides.

South Staffs Work Club and Welfare Support webinar – Friday 11 September at 10.30am – Midday.

As promised, here’s the link to the upcoming South Staffs Work Club and Welfare Support webinar which takes place on Friday 11 September at 10.30am – Midday.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-staffs-work-clubs-and-welfare-support-tickets-117957910285

This event is an online employment support session to help individuals discover what help is available to get them back into work, including guest speakers from South Staffs Work Club, our Welfare Team and Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce.

Sign up today so you don’t miss out on this free session!

Date for your diary!

If you are looking for assistance in finding work or with welfare support, put this date in your diary – Friday 11th September 2020.

There’s a free webinar available for all residents.

More details on how to join will be published soon.

Re-opening our play facilities

We would like to thank residents for their patience whilst they have been working towards re-opening our parks and play areas.

We’re pleased to announce that Bratch Park, Brickbridge Playing Fields MUGA and Poolhouse Play Area will re-open from Monday 20th July 2020.

It is imperative that residents follow some simple guidelines which are published below and will also be displayed at our parks and play areas to ensure that they remain a safe place for all.

Important Guidance

1. Do not use the equipment if you or any member of your household has Covid-19 coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.
2. The equipment in this park is checked regularly for damage and wear and tear but is not cleaned, sanitised or disinfected.
3. This is shared equipment, used at your own risk.
4. Make sure you have hand sanitiser with you before entering this play area.
5. Encourage everyone in your family to use hand sanitiser regularly and as a minimum before and after using the equipment.
6. Where there are clear touch points on equipment, for example, handles, it is advisable that users clean the equipment before use.
7. You MUST maintain social distancing from others unless they are from the same household – current advice is to maintain at least 1 metre (with risk mitigations) if 2 metres is not viable.
8. Each piece of equipment should be used by only one family/ bubble at a time while social distancing. Please ensure your family waits at a safe distance if the equipment is in use or return later to use the equipment.
9. Please do not touch your face, especially after using the equipment. Should you cough or sneeze, please do so into a tissue or your arm if you do not have a tissue with you. Put used tissues in the bin immediately.
10. The Government guidance states under 3’s should not wear face coverings. Parents should follow caution if older children are wearing face coverings, especially on play equipment, as this could pose an additional safety risk. If your family do wear disposable PPE, please use the bins provided or take it home with you if the bin is full. PLEASE DO NOT LITTER.
11. To mitigate the risk of transmission of Covid-19 coronavirus, the consumption of food or drink in this area is currently banned.
12. Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly when you get home.

Wombourne Parish Council will not accept any responsibility for individuals using the equipment, as users do so at their own risk.

We hope you enjoy using this play area and thank you for helping to keep everyone safe. Should you have any queries, please call the Parish Council Office on 01902 896300.

In order to observe social distancing, some pieces of equipment may be marked as out of use. Please observe this and do not try to use this equipment.

We do reserve the right to close the play areas if we feel that the guidance is not being adhered to or the parks and play areas are being misused. Your safety is paramount and we want to ensure that our recreational areas are a safe space for everyone.

As always, if you have any queries, please feel free to contact us on 01902 896300.