VIEWPOINT FOR 19 MARCH 2009
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

With almost incessantly depressing news I thought it was time to pass on some items of good news that I have heard locally and in London.

Several people have written to me expressing their concern about Clause 152 in the Coroners and Justice Bill that would have allowed wide access to personal and health details that have until now been safely confidential. To my amazement the Government has listened to these frequently expressed concerns and actually removed the Clause from the Bill before it goes to the House of Lords. 
It is extremely good news that for once a scrutiny committee in the Commons has been allowed to be effective. I hope this could be a precedent for increased effectiveness of these committees.
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At home there is good news on the tourist front as our attractions are benefiting as people plan for holidays at home. 

• The Severn Valley Railway has had some of its best winter events ever. 
• The Kidderminster Railway Museum has achieved accreditation and is receiving increased numbers of visitors 
• and our long dreamed-of Carpet Museum looks as though it really could become reality in 2009 although there are still further vital financial hurdles that have to be overcome. 
• The unique Churchill water-powered forge is now open regularly from 2 – 4.30pm on the second Sunday each month and is well worth a visit.
• The Stourport basins redevelopment is complete except for some of the surrounding buildings. A restaurant and heritage centre is on track and a heritage weekend in Stourport is planned for 16 – 17 May. 
• The Bewdley Museum is planning for a special weekend for 1 – 3 May and then will continue to open until December. 
• The County Museum in Hartlebury is promoting its touring exhibition in a bus, “It’s our Games too…” from now until 28 February 2010. This will show artefacts, images, text and interactive activities to highlight that modern day Olympics originated in the Midlands and celebrates the achievements of Olympians, past present and future, from Worcestershire. It is available to move onto your site for special events through spope@worcestershire.gov.uk .

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At last the Wyre Forest Talking Newspaper has found a permanent home for its recording studio in the St Barnabas Community Hall in Franche. It is good to see this building coming into use again following the closure of the much-loved school there. With the reduced availability of free copies of The Shuttle I can see more people with impaired vision turning to this superb service as their relatives and friends no longer get a free copy to share with them.
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At last I have news about the long-built, but still closed, footbridge at Kidderminster Station. 
After construction two problems were recognised. 

1. The required high lighting levels on the bridge caused problems with visibility of a signal for drivers of trains coming from Worcester. The corrective opaque glass for the Worcester side windows took a long time to procure and fit. 
2. Secondly there was a problem with slip resistance on the walkway and this has had to be corrected. It is hoped to open the bridge in April.

R.T.

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