Spring 2017Spring 2017

N e w s l e t te r

Town Hall Opening Hours:

Monday - Thursday : 10:00am - 4:00pm

Friday: 10:00am - 1:00pm

Visitor Information, Pershore Library, 32 Church Street, Mon-Sat incl.

A look ahead to Spring news and events

Pe r s h ore Town Council

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A Truly Independent Family Business

Serving the community since 1960

Owned and run by the Hill family

(Local people helping local people)

Fairfield House, Defford Road

Pershore WR10 1HZ

01386 552141

www.ehillandson.co.uk

Pre~Payment Plans Available

E Hill & Son Funeral Directors

Visit: www.carricktravel.com Email: enquiries@carricktravel.com

Thinking Holidays?

Let CARRICK take care of it...

CARRICK TRAVEL is your local Independent Travel Agent

FTC0214

PERSHORE:

01386 554262 19 High Street, WR10 1AA

We also have offices in: Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Kenilworth, Cheylesmore

(Coventry), Evesham, Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Norton & Solihull

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Bob Gillmor

A Message from the Town Mayor………………. This winter has been lacking in those glorious crisp bright mornings and I am writing this on yet another cold, dank, grey day. It is time to look forward to warmth, sunshine and Pershore’s spring and summer events – see the calendar page elsewhere in the newsletter.

But first, a look back to December – as well as the round of Carol Services to get us in the Christmas spirit, I must thank Worcester Male Voice Choir for their two excellent and very well supported Christmas concerts in aid of my charities St. Richards’s Hospice and Kids Run Free. Pershore High School’s carol concerts were great as well, so much so, that I went twice!

Carnival at the end of May, is one of the first highlights and the organisers have just announced this year’s theme will be “The World of Music”. A couple of things to note before then are my charity quiz on Friday 24th March and the very special Mayor’s charity concert in the Abbey on Saturday 6th May “Towards the Within part 2” . A reminder that fundraising is under way towards the stained glass windows for the cemetery Chapel – look out for the open days to come this year when visitors can learn more about the project and the recent restoration of the chapel itself. More about summer events in the next newsletter – all good wishes for the spring season!

Welcome from the Town Clerk…

Welcome to this our Spring newsletter. It’s so nice to have lighter mornings and evenings and already, in mid February, a touch of Spring in the air.

This newsletter gives everyone a reminder of all the events taking place over the next few months, starting with the Carnival and finishing at the end of August with the Plum Fair. As well as these popular events, don’t forget the weekly “Bands in the Park” which take place in the bandstand on Abbey Park every Sunday from 2.30—4.30 during July and August. There really isn’t a nicer way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Please also read the article on page 16 explaining what we are doing to try to raise the necessary funds for the memorial stained glass window in the Cemetery chapel. As well as asking for donations we are already planning various fund raising events so please come and support these if you can. There will be more information in every newsletter. We have a deadline of November 2018 so we need to raise as much as we can!

For those new to our lovely town, just a reminder that, if don’t already have one, we do provide “Welcome Packs” available from the Town Hall or Library . These are full of information about Pershore and the various groups and events that take place here. Please call in and pick one up when you are next passing!

Ann Dobbins

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NB. Youth Council meetings commence at 2pm. Planning and Cemetery Committee meetings are normally at 7.00pm and all other meetings at 7.30pm.

Meetings of the Town Council & Committees

Who are your Councillors?

Holy Cross Ward St Andrews Ward

Cllr D Annis

Cllr C Parsons MBE

Cllr D Smith

Cllr V Smith (Deputy Mayor)

Cllr R Speight

Cllr C Tucker

Cllr D Watt

Cllr M Winfield

2017

Mar 23rd Cemetery Committee

Apr 5th Youth Council

Apr 6th Finance & Property Committee

Apr 13th Planning Committee / Town Council

May 3rd Youth Council

May 4th Amenities & Environment

May 8th Twinning & Tourism Committee

May 11th Town Meeting/Annual Meeting

May 18th Planning Committee/Town Council

May 25th Cemetery Committee

June 1st Finance & Property Committee

June 7th Youth Council

June 15th Planning Committee / Town Council

552692

561561

556685

553369

561561

554019

554235

Cllr P Brookbank

Cllr D Goodyear

Cllr R Gillmor (Mayor)

Cllr R Grantham

Cllr J Palfrey

Cllr T Rowley

Cllr V Wood

553164

561561

561561

561561

556772

462441

550532

561561

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Coffee Mornings, sponsored and hosted by The Mayor, Councillor Bob Gillmor, were held on the 7th January 2017 on behalf of the Inner Wheel, the 18th February 2017 for the Acorn Hospice and the 4th March 2017 for Dementia & Alzheimer’s UK. A further coffee morning is planned for the 15th April 2017 for Arthritis Research UK.

Coffee Mornings are held, monthly, throughout the year.

If your charity organisation would like to be considered for a Mayor’s Coffee Morning, please email townclerk@pershore-tc.gov.uk

The Future for Pershore’s

Rail

The Future for Pershore’s

Rail Services

A public meeting will be held on Thursday, 16th March at 7pm chaired by the Mayor of Pershore, Councillor Bob Gillmor. Representatives from Great Western Railway and Worcestershire County Council will also be attending.

Organised by Pershore Public Transport Group and The Cotswold Line Promotion Group.

PERSHORE MIDSUMMER BRASS

This takes place on 1st July 2017 and enables everyone to listen to the best quality brass bands playing at a variety of venues.

Tickets are available in advance and on the day and for more information visit their web site at

www.pershoremidsummerbrass.org.uk

Mayor’s Coffee Mornings

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PARTNERS AND COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

Due to the very low attendance at the Town Hall PACT meetings, these have been replaced by local Police Surgeries - See below for dates and locations.

NB.. Please be aware that the surgeries may be cancelled at very short notice for operational reasons.

Pershore Town Safer Neighbourhood Team

Email: pershoretown.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk

Tel : To report a crime or incident, call the new non emergency number of 101 In an emergency, call

999.

Alternatively, if you wish to report a crime confidentially, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Visit us at: Pershore Police Station Queen Elizabeth Drive Pershore WR10 1PT

PC Sean Woods and PCSO Jamie Denning and are the officers responsible for the day to day policing of Pershore Town and the Pensham area. They can be contacted in the following ways:-

No 8 4 April 2017 13:00 - 14:30

ASDA 5 April 2017 10:00 - 12:00

ASDA 6 April 2017 18:00 - 20:00

No 8 11 April 2017 13:00 - 14:30

ASDA 12 April 2017 10:00 - 12:00

No 8 18 April 2017 13:00 - 14:30

ASDA 19 April 2017 10:00 - 12:00

ASDA 20 April 2017 18:00 - 20:00

No 8 25 April 2017 13:00 - 14:30

ASDA 26 April 2017 10:00 - 12:00

ASDA 27 April 2017 18:00 - 20:00

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To mark National Volunteers’ Week, Pershore Library will be holding a special Volunteers’ Open Day during the week. The library staff will be saying thank you to their current volunteers for the contribution they make to the library service. They will also be showcasing the range of volunteering opportunities on offer. If you would like to become a library volunteer, come along and see how you can make a difference. Look out for the date which will be advertised nearer the time.

Volunteers’ Week 2017

You make the difference

1-7 June

ANOTHER PLUM TREE IN THE TOWN HALL WALKWAY

The Town Council were recently asked if another Plum tree, this time a “Pershore Emblem” could be planted in the Town Hall walkway in memory of a local resident and long time allotment tenant, Ged Witts. Ged grew a number of plum trees on his allotment plot and this included one of the original Pershore Emblem trees.

Sadly, Ged died recently, but the tree has now been planted in his memory with his family, and Cllr Gillmor, the Mayor, helping.

It was felt it was a fitting tribute to someone so passionate about fruit trees and with the help of our local tree expert, we are all hoping it will grow well and crop vigorously!

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CARNIVAL IS COMING !!

Preparations for the 49th Pershore Carnival are well under way and this year’s carnival promises to be bigger and better than ever. As well as the Carnival Parade, entertainment on Abbey Park and the Evening Concert with the firework finale, there are some new events lined up, including a Tug of War.

However, at the end of last summer, there was some concern as to whether Pershore Carnival would be happening at all, due to several people stepping down from the committee, triggering an Extraordinary General meeting.

Colin Shepherd, Chairman of Pershore Carnival, said, “Many people may not realise that Pershore Carnival is organised each year by a small group of dedicated volunteers, who fundraise throughout the year to give the people of Pershore a fantastic day. Without them, carnival simply wouldn’t happen. However, the people of Pershore came forward, demonstrating that they wanted the tradition of Pershore Carnival to live on”. He went on to say, “I am therefore delighted to be able to announce that the theme for the 2017 Pershore Carnival is ’The World of Music’.

The lead up to the carnival will get under way with The Pershore Carnival Royalty Event on Sunday 26th February 2-4pm at Riverside Youth Centre Pershore, where the Carnival Royalty, King and Queen (ages 9 -12) and Prince and Princess (age 6—8 ) will be selected. All participants need to be able to demonstrate a ’winning smile’ and a ’regal wave’.

The winning four will receive a ‘Royal’ pamper session on the morning of the Carnival, sponsored by The Hair End, Pershore. Application forms will be available through schools, from the Town Hall and on the Pershore Carnival website www.pershorecarnival.co.uk and will be judged by the Mayor of Pershore, Councillor Bob Gillmor and his consort. The Programme Competition will run from Saturday 11th March until Saturday 18th March at Pershore Library, where children will be able to drop in and have a go at designing the front cover. Sunday 9th April will see the return of the popular Duck Race on the River Avon. Tickets will be widely available throughout the town and on the day, at Pershore Football Club.

To find out more about the planned fundraising events, visit www.pershorecarnival.co.uk The actual carnival will take place on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 29th May 2017. Procession Manager, Lizz Dale said, “It’s not too late to enter a float. We’re really keen to encourage people to enter the smaller floats (the car and trailer type) or walking processions this year, as they’re a great way for smaller groups to join in. If you want to be involved in making this year’s carnival an event to remember, either by participating or offering sponsorship, then please get in touch via the Contact Us page on the Carnival website or by contacting Colin Shepherd on 01386 553585.

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NEWS FROM PERSHORE VOLUNTEER CENTRE

Pershore Volunteer Centre is delighted to take ownership of a new minibus, after receiving a grant from the Department for Transport’s Minibus Fund, which covered the full cost of the bus and its configuration for wheelchair users. The Chairman, Eric Wiles, was congratulated by the Mayor of Pershore, Councillor Bob Gillmor, and members of Pershore Public Transport Group, Julian Palfrey and Helen Whitwell.

Kate Walton, the Volunteer Centre’s Chief Officer, said “ This new minibus gives us extra flexibility within our Community Transport project, which helps to address local, rural and social isolation problems, using our amazing team of volunteer drivers. We are already working withy Pershore Public Transport Group to cover some of the reduction in bus services for local villages and, this spring, are hoping to introduce a programme of outings for

older people”.

Our Services. Do you know that Pershore Volunteer centre uses this minibus for weekly trips to the Co-op? Do you know that we also offer a low-cost Community Car Scheme for people in and around Pershore, who are unable to use public transport? Do you already use this pre-booked door-to-door service and want it to continue? Do you need someone to drive you to medical appointments, into town for shopping or out of Pershore to see family and attend social activities? If you would like to f8ind out more about any of these services, please phone the Transport Team on 01386 554299 to register and discuss how we can help. Volunteer Opportunities Would you like to hel0p to keep our vital transport services going? We are currently looking for local car drivers to join our team. Would you like to get behind the wheel of our brand new minibus? We are keen to train additional volunteer drivers to pick up clients for group activities. If driving is not your thing, we have about 80 other

local volunteering opportunities available. Go on……….try something new!

Email admin@pershorevolunteers.org ,phone Laura or Carol on 01386 554299, or pop in to the office at 1 Billing House, Pershore (across the car park from Asda, beside the Market entrance).

Our office is open between 10am and 4pm Monday to Thursday and from 10 am to 1pm on Friday. Pershore Volunteer centre Registered Charity No. 516080

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AN ACADEMY FOR 12-18 YEAR OLDS

Pershore High School emailed

EVERESTING FOR THAILAND

Pershore High School student, Adam Palin, aged 18 from Pershore, will be cycling the height of Everest which is 8,848 metres. The event, which will take around 15 hours to complete, is a sponsored Everesting Cycling Challenge and takes place on Easter Sunday. Adam is taking part in aid of his voluntary gap year in September, when he will be travelling to Thailand to teach English with a charity called Project Trust, who provide gap year placements to 17-19-year-olds to develop education and social care in the developing world. Adam is currently fundraising for this challenge and is very excited and looking forward to September.

Please see Adam’s Facebook page with more information:

Facebook.com/yearinthailand

and a giving page - virginmoneygiving.com/AdamPalin

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PRINCE’S TRUST SUCCESS

A group of Year 10 students from Pershore High School have successfully completed a Prince’s Trust Level 1 Award in Personal Development and Employability Skills. They undertook training in Interpersonal and Self-Management Skills, and Preparing for a Healthy Active Lifestyle, under the guidance of Youth Workers, Nick Young and Brad Edmunds, from the Pershore Riverside Youth Centre. It is another excellent example of the close working relationship that the Station Road school enjoys with its local youth centre. The students were also able to participate in some of the waterborne activities that the Riverside Centre specialises in.

CYBERSECURITY

A Cybersecurity Challenge Activity was held at Pershore High School recently, where 25 students took

part in a series of increasingly complex problem-solving

challenges, aimed at inspiring students into the industry.

Pictured are:

Back row (left to right): Nick Young, Clive Corbett, Jack Crawford Vine, Louis Storr, Sebastian Wilson, Connor Wallace, Brad Edmunds.

Front (left to right): Brandon Biddle, Dylan Harvey, James Gallagher, Josh Gumbley, Josh Waters.

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Pershore Tennis Club - Join us, Join In!

Pershore Tennis Centre, located just behind Pershore College, welcomes you to join in with the fun and their fantastic coaching team with a full adult and junior programme. Pershore Tennis Centre is a vibrant local club, with 5 outdoor courts and 3 indoor courts hosting an all year ‘round coaching programme for adults and juniors alike.

The programme includes adult group sessions, morning socials, private lessons, team training, cardio- workouts, easy drills as well as a competitive team spirit; entering two men’s teams in H+W league and SWAS league, as well as Ladies 4 winter teams in the H+W leagues. Juniors are also welcomed to sessions and lessons as well as competing in tournaments all around the county. They have inter-club tournaments and day time events and are open 12 hours a day, with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

The team offer a full service and boast over 3 decades of experience between them. Led by Steve Bauer, they really are an awesome team! The Club offers membership and class options for all, including individual and family trial memberships from £20; so you can try before you buy! Why not join them and join in? Looking towards the future, Pershore Tennis Club are continually planning to improve facilities; including resurfacing their outdoor courts. If you’d like to be a part of the Club, please do call in or speak to our Reception or Coaching team. For more information find details on line at

www.pershoretennis.co.uk or via Facebook: pershoretenniscentre/

“Well done to all the Committee and Members who made the events so successful. Please do pop down to the Club to see what a fantastic facility it is, just a short walk from Pershore Town Centre and boasting tennis whatever the weather on their 5 outdoor courts and 3 indoor courts, awesome coaches, County and Regional players, Open Days, Holiday Camps and Disability tennis. Sport for all!” “Pershore Tennis Centre aims to encourage more people playing tennis through offering free opportunities to play. Anyone who wants to give the sport a try should visit Pershore Tennis Centre, call 01386 556677 or visit www.pershoretennis.co.uk to find out more about the club’s upcoming events as well as regular sessions, lessons and Holiday Camps.” “Opportunities are provided for all age groups from children to ‘super vets’ (over 60) and I would encourage everyone to pick up a racket and have a go – it’s a great way to keep healthy and have fun.”

For more information please contact Reception on 01386 556677 or email

reception@pershoretennis.co.uk

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Would you like to advertise your business or organisation in this publication? If so, please contact the Town Council on 01386 561561

or email : admin@pershore-tc.gov.uk for details.

Pershore Town Council Newsletter is also available to view on the Council Website.

Visit www.pershoretowncouncil.gov.uk and click on Newsletter

RACHEL’S HOMESTAYS

Friendly host families wanted for French students (13-15) from 8th - 11th May 2017. Host families can have up to 3 students in single beds (they can share a room). They require 3 meals a day, including a packed lunch and are to be accompanied to the coach stop in Pershore daily at 8am and collected at 6.30pm. Remuneration is £19 per student per night. We want our guests to experience English home life, so this means making students feel welcome as part of the family, showing interest in their day, family and hobbies and eating with the students in the evenings. If this group is a success, we hope to have lots more groups coming to Pershore in 2018. For more details, email Rachel Tobin on racheldianetobin@gmail.com

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WETLAND NEWS

Committee Member

Are you somebody who is passionate about the natural environment? Perhaps you have some expertise you would be able to share. We are looking for expressions of interest from people who might be interested in joining our committee. We are applying to become a charity (CIO) so the management of the Friends is becoming even more important.

Ms Liz Etheridge, Wetlands for All Project Officer

Tel: 01386 565366

email: liz.etheridge@wychavon.gov.uk

Photo : Richard Stott

A dull January morning, but note that the Willow Heron has returned

Higher Level Stewardship Scheme

Avon Meadows’ application to government for a Higher Level Stewardship scheme has been accepted. Actual funds become available once our new Management Plan has been accepted by Natural England. We believe that we have a good plan and Natural England is reviewing it at the moment. These schemes are closely monitored by Natural England but allow us to carry out tasks necessary to maintain and enhance the area which are beyond the scope of volunteers.

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Croome - Croome is open throughout the year. The

park and lakeside are open from 10am until 5.30pm and

Croome Court is open from 11am to 4.30 every day.

Shake off those winter blues and lift your spirits with acres of parkland

to be discovered at Croome this spring.

After its winter hibernation, now is the perfect time to get outdoors and spot signs of spring as swathes of bluebells, primroses and daffodils begin bursting into life around the park. Croome’s wildlife also begins to emerge with bird song filling the air and lucky visitors may even hear the chorus of the elusive nightingale rarely heard due to its decline in numbers. Photo: Peter Young

A visit to Croome’s bird hide, secreted in a quiet spot in the Church Shrubbery, rewards you with a glimpse of nuthatches, tree creepers, finches and tits feasting at the feeding stations. A quiet moment can be enjoyed at the lakeside, on one of the many deckchairs scattered at its edges, a lovely location to spot our resident herons and kingfishers looking for a tasty bite or perhaps kestrels and buzzards flying overhead. The vast parkland means there is always a new route to be discovered. Croome’s website has many downloadable walks helping you explore parts

you may not yet have visited such as Dunstall Castle or the Panorama Tower. Explore this beautiful place for yourself and celebrate the arrival of the new season. Visit National Trust at Croome, near Pershore, WR8 9DW.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croome

Tel : 01905 371006

Photo: Lesley Kay

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Stained Glass Window at Cemetery Chapel

The Town Council is continuing to raise funds of the window at the chapel as outlined in the last newsletter.

A number of generous residents and businesses have already donated funds to this cause and have chosen words to be entered into the Book of Remembrance. If you would like to donate please call into the Town Hall or tear off the slip below and send it to 34, High Street, Pershore WR10 1DS

Whilst donations are still coming in, we are now looking to organise various fund raising activities. There is to be a Mayor’s Coffee Morning on 25th March at 10.00 at the Town Hall and it is intended to have stalls at all the various events taking place in the town over the summer.

In addition there is now an opportunity, over the coming months, to submit photographs for a 2018 calendar. More details of how to submit these will be published in the local press shortly and the next newsletter. Please start taking your pictures now!

As well as the above, there is to be a showing of a film featuring people of Worcestershire and their contribution to the war effort in World War 1 and World War 2. It is anticipated that this will take place in April in the Library and will include wine and cheese. Look out for publicity material—tickets will be on sale at the Town Hall and in the Library. Other fund raising activities are also planned and we do hope you will be able to support these.

The Council is also hoping to form a 500 club and, although we have had some interest, we need a few more people to join to make it feasible. At a cost of £4 per month and the chance to win hundreds of pounds, please tick the box below if you are interested.

——————————————————————————————— Cut here

I (Name) …………………………………………………………………………...

Of (Address) ………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………

Wish to donate (amount £ ……………………….) and enclose a cheque for £ ……..

Payable to Pershore Town Council Stained Glass Window Fund

I would like more information about the 500 Club Yes/No

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Visit: www.visitpershore.co.uk for full listings of events or call Pershore Visitor Information Centre on 01386 556591

Events Diary — in And Around Pershore

Vale Walkers - Every Friday - Meet at the Pershore Leisure Centre 10.30am

MARCH Sat 18th Novel Writing Workshop - No 8 Community Centre, Pershore Fri 24th Mayor’s Charity Quiz at Town Hall Sat 25th Mayor’s Coffee Morning in aid of Stained Glass Window Appeal Sat 25th Brahms Requiem, Worcester Cathedral Sun 26th Hartlebury Castle Mothers’ Day—All Mothers admitted free Wed 29th Brownfield-Byrne Quintet at Pershore Football Club Fri 31st Fashion Show, Drakes Broughton APRIL Sat 1st The Black Dyke Brass Band, Forum Theatre, Malvern Tue 4th The Budapest Cafe Orchestra - No 8, Pershore Sun 9th Bishampton Gardening Club Spring Show Sat 15th Mayor’s Coffee Morning in aid of Arthritis Research Sun 23rd Gordon Giltrap at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton Sun 23rd Scenic Six - 6 mile run & 2 mile fun-run/walk - Peopleton MAY Sat 6th Mayor’s Charity Concert, Pershore Abbey Thur 11th - RHS Malvern Spring Festival Sun 14th Mon 29th Pershore Carnival ….Procession starts at 1 o’clock JUNE Fri 16th - Royal Three Counties Show 18th Sun 18th Bishampton Open Gardens

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Published by: Pershore Town Council, Town Hall, 34 High Street, Pershore WR10 1DS Town Clerk — Mrs Ann Dobbins A.C.I.B. Tel: 01386 561561 Fax: 01386 561996 Email: townclerk@pershore-tc.gov.uk Web: www.pershoretowncouncil.gov.uk

01386 561561

01386 556591

01905 765765

01386 565000

01386 565565

01386 861434

01905 765765

01905 822799

01386 554299

01905 822722

01386 502070

Useful Numbers

Town Hall

Visitor Information Centre

Worcestershire hub for Highways issues e.g. street and road issues such as pavements and potholes

Wychavon District Council

Wychavon Planning Enquiries

Hill & Moor Waste Site

Street Lighting Report Line

Dog Fouling/Dog Warden

Volunteer Centre

Pershore Library

Pershore Hospital

Red Kite Pest Control

& Wildlife Management

Combining Tradition and Innovation

For all your local Pest Control requirements ~ BPCA and NPTA Qualified

NPTA & UKPCO member

Humane, Environmentally responsible methods

Flexible Contracts ~ Individual Treatments

All INSECT ~ RODENT ~ WILDLIFE Pests

Free Advice ~ Free Initial Survey ~ Free no obligation Quotations

Specialized Trapping Service ~ Pest Prevention

Telephone: Andy Staples 07977 044987 / 01886 832730

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Next Litter-pick:

March 4th 2017

Meet at Town Hall 10.00am

Volunteers needed please

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4, High Street, Pershore WR10 1BG

Tel. 01386 552152