VIEWPOINT FOR 12 NOVEMBER 2009  
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

The Remembrance Sunday ceremonies were truly memorable this year. 

I attended Kidderminster in the morning and Wribbenhall in the afternoon. The procession of marchers and the crowds of spectators were huge and there was tremendous warmth of support for our troops and especially for the families of those who have given their lives in the present conflicts as well as in the two world wars. I understand there were large crowds at Bewdley in the morning also and the service at Wribbenhall was a smaller event but no less heartfelt. 
Throughout the country the same level of support has been reported.
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More Lottery applications by local people have been successful. 

Pound Green and Button Oak Community Hall have been awarded £40,553 to complement the recent impressive refurbishment by improving parking and safety for the largely ageing population in an isolated area.

Community Transport Helpline Ltd in Bewdley have won just under £10,000 to provide benefits advice, guidance and help with form filling for people with disabilities and mobility issues and Community Action Wyre Forest just under £5,000 to expand their work. 

Congratulations to all! 
It is so good to hear of Lottery money coming back to our area and it encourages us to go on contributing.
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Last Friday I opened the Brookside Children’s Centre in Borrington Road, Kidderminster. 

Children’s Centres are the result of the recognition that the early years development is crucial for all of our later lives from the health and well-being points of view as well as for our behaviour and employment prospects. 
The Government aims to have one such centre in every community and it was splendid to see the beginning of the realisation of the potential of such a centre in Borrington Road for the districts of Offmore, Comberton. Spennells, Aggborough, Blakedown and Chaddesley Corbett. 

The staff, parents and children were dressed as fairy tale characters and the purpose built premises and the garden were crowded. Speeding tricyclists were a hazard for mere pedestrians and the enjoyment of the children seeing and feeling a variety of creepy crawlies and more furry animals was delightful. The Centre links with nurseries, childminders and schools and offers, for example, stay and play sessions, Dads’ Groups and a wide range of support and advice groups. There are also outreach workers who aim to contact all the 988 children in the catchment area. The funding comes largely from the County Council and the service is provided by Barnardo’s Midlands .
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In London I have just attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Flood Prevention with the Government Minister to hear about the Government’s plans for flood prevention and alleviation that we hope will be in the Queen’s Speech next week. 
I made sure he was aware of things that have affected us – 

• speed bumps in roads 

• tunnels under roads narrower than their feeder culverts 
  both of which cause highly effective dams to prevent the run-off of flood water. 
  I also reminded him of the importance of 

• permeable surfaces for pavements and drives in built-up areas 
  and of the huge benefit from 

• the creation of up-stream holding areas for flood water.

RT

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