VIEWPOINT FOR 8 OCTOBER 2009  
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

Much has been written about the funeral of Lance Corporal Richard Brandon that took place at St George’s Church last Friday but I must record it too as so many people of the town and area turned out to honour his bravery and service which was, in the words of one of the tributes, 
.. “to protect our British way of life”. 
His fiancée, Emma-Jayne’s tribute was so moving, heartfelt and appropriate that we all shared her pride and her sadness. The spontaneous applause that followed was richly deserved. The spectacle of the ceremony of the handing over of his accoutrements was particularly impressive and superbly drilled and the whole funeral a fitting tribute and something we will all long remember.
________

Last week I called on Birchen Coppice Primary School for the visit instead of the planned date in July that was made impossible by the appalling vandalism of the night before. 
I was very impressed by their brass band, five cornets, two tenor horns and three euphoniums nearly as large as their players. They performed three numbers including the Birchen Coppice March specially composed for them. Considering how short a time some of the players had been learning it was amazing to hear the true brass band sound with none of the raucous noises that can be produced by some beginners. Then we listened to singing by the whole school. All enjoyed this immensely judging by their enthusiasm and gusto. 
After a brief grilling about my job I walked round with the deputy head and saw the school working very satisfactorily. 
My only disappointment was that the school inspector, there for an unannounced visit by chance on the same day as me, did not join me to watch and listen to the pupils in their assembly.
________

I have attended two other exciting events. 
Last week saw the launch of the Kidderminster Regeneration project, the ReWyre initiative, at a symposium where representatives of the County and District Councils, Advantage West Midlands, British Waterways and the West Midlands Homes and Communities Agency signed up to a Memorandum of Understanding about the initiative. 

On Tuesday I met, with the Leader and officers of WFDC, business leaders and representatives of other organisations including Business Link and the County Council Olympics Co-ordinator. 
First we heard from the Partnership Manager how Business Link is trying to help local businesses survive the recession and of the many new and established firms that have sought their advice. Remembering the difficulty local businesses that approach me are having with obtaining essential bank loans, I asked how many times Business Link had actually helped find funding for firms in difficulty due to the reluctance of banks to lend. He could not give me an answer immediately but promised to write to me about this. The government portray Business Link as a major route to real help with finance, 
        local contact: info@businesslinkwm.co.uk .. ..
We then heard about a wide range of lucrative opportunities for local businesses associated with the 2012 Olympics, 
        details from pturvey@worcestershire.gov.uk .. ..
and lastly about the ReWyre initiative - which was welcomed by business leaders as a realistic and exciting aim for the future.

RT

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