Lickey and Blackwell Parish Council

08/09/2026

DIGITAL SKILLS PROGRAMME -

ADULT LEARNING WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL and the Libraries

Digital Skills courses have now been finalised and are available for booking.

Digital Skills for Absolute Beginners

The Pod, Bromsgrove

Kidderminster Library

The Hive

Smartphone/Tablet Skills

Willow Trees Community Centre, Church Hill, Redditch

The Green Hub, Dines Green, Worcester

Ronkswood Hub, Worcester

Malvern Library

Essential Digital Skills for Life

The Pod, BromsgroveLearning Services Worcestershire | Worcestershire County Council

Fairfield Centre, Worcester

Redditch Library

The Hive

Essential Digital Skills for Work

Kidderminster Library

Fairfield Centre, Worcester

Redditch Library

The Hive

For more information on all adult learning courses available, visit

Adult Learning Worcestershire | Worcestershire County Council

08/09/2026

West Mercia Police and Crime Panel – Independent Lay Co-opted Member

We are looking for a member of the public to serve as an independent lay co-opted member of the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel for 4 years, or the remainder of its lifespan. The Panel covers the geographical areas of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Worcestershire. Support for the Panel is provided by Worcestershire County Council.

The Panel is part of the governance arrangements for policing in the West Mercia area. Its role is to maintain a regular check and balance on the performance of the directly-elected West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner.

The role of the Panel Member is an important and demanding one. The commitment required from a Panel Member will vary but is expected to average one day a month (including preparation time). Meetings will generally be held during normal working hours at venues throughout the West Mercia police force area.

All Panel members can claim a reasonable amount for travelling and subsistence expenses and will receive induction and other appropriate training. This is not a paid position.

The Panel wishes to reflect the breadth of communities in West Mercia and welcomes applications from all eligible people (there are some exceptions which are listed in the application pack).

Applications from people with experience (in paid or unpaid roles) in community safety, victim support, criminal justice and related issues would be particularly welcomed.

Applicants must be resident in or work within the West Mercia police force area.

If you wish to find out more information about the West Mercia Police and Crime Panel and for details on the application process, please visit our website:

West Mercia Police and Crime Panel | Worcestershire County Council

Please return applications by 5pm on 30 September 2026 either by email to: [email protected]

or by post to:

Samantha Morris, Overview and Scrutiny Manager,

Worcestershire County Council,

County Hall

Spetchley Road

Worcester

WR5 2NP

30/08/2026

Shared from a residents’ group:
Firey Hill is closed due to sink holes etc

27/08/2026

If BLACKWELL MUSIC FESTIVAL's MAGNIFICENT SEVEN bands line-up isn't enough to get you rushing to buy tickets, here's what else is on offer!
Tickets from Blackwell Village Store or blackwellfestival.org

27/08/2026

News from the Lickey Hills Society:
News from the Country Park
Wildfires
Wildfires have been very much in the news of late.
There has been one major fire recently on Bilberry Hill.
An abandoned tent and the remains of an open fire
were found by firefighters.
Fortunately, the site of the fire was accessible, allowing
fire engines to get close to the seat of the blaze, so
limiting its extent. Many thanks to the fire fighters from
Bromsgrove for their excellent work to contain the
blaze.
A comment has been made saying that ‘it could have been much worse’.
There have been several smaller fires, possibly linked to
disposable BBQs.

Staffing
A new Ranger Support Officer has been appointed to join the Rangers in the Country Park. We hope that
Chloe will enjoy working on the Lickeys and we wish her well.
Ranger Jack Rosa has been promoted from being a Ranger Warden to the post of River Ranger. He will
be working with groups along the Rivers Rea and Cole. Congratulations to Jack on his promotion.
The number to ring to report sighting of fires and BBQ’s – 0121 454 7810
For serious fires – please ring 999.
The number of the Visitor Centre is 0121 303 2463.
Another number that can be rung – 0121 464 8728 –listed on Birmingham
Council’s website as Park’s Emergencies
Staffing
A new Ranger Support Officer has been appointed to join the Rangers in the Country Park. We hope that
Chloe will enjoy working on the Lickeys and we wish her well.
Ranger Jack Rosa has been promoted from being a Ranger Warden to the post of River Ranger. He will
be working with groups along the Rivers Rea and Cole. Congratulations to Jack on his promotion.

Autumn Litter The Autumn Litter Pick will take place on Saturday 3rd October. We will meet at the Visitor Centre (B45 8ER) in Warren Lane at 10.00am and the litter pick will last for approximately 2 hours. The event is held at this time of the year with the hope that there will not be too much leaf fall which can ‘hide’ the litter.
The Society has been holding Litter Picks for many years to help keep the Country Park looking as clean and tidy as possible. Thanks to the work of the many volunteers, amounts of litter in the Country Park are generally quite low but there is always work to be done. There are always ‘hot spots’ of litter, in the vicinity of the car parks and along the roads bordering the Country Park.
Please join us for as long as you can manage; the event will finish at 12.00. You will need to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and please bring your own gloves. Litter pickers and sacks will be provided.
Annual General Meeting
The Society will be holding its 41st AGM on Saturday 21st November 2026, starting at 2.00pm in the School Room close to the Visitor Centre in Warren Lane.
The AGM will include a presentation of the Society’s activities over the last 12 months and an audited account of the Society’s finances. The AGM will be followed by refreshments.

Photo from the Lickey Hills Country Park page warning of dangers posed by disposable BBQ’s

06/08/2026

Only a few days remaining to respond to this survey. Rest assured that having a parish council to represent local residents and to help with services is a massive advantage as we move to abolish Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council and replace them with two unitary authorites.

The Government has today confirmed plans for the future of local councils in Worcestershire.

From 1 April 2028, the county’s current seven borough, city, district and county councils will be replaced with two unitary councils: one covering North Worcestershire and one covering South Worcestershire.

The decision follows Government consultation and consideration of the two proposals submitted for reorganisation in Worcestershire.

Read more..........⬇️
https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/news/posts/future-of-worcestershire-s-councils-decided/

06/08/2026

WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

PUBLIC NOTICE

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (As Amended)

(Bridleways BM-569 & BM-570 and Footpath BM-572, Bromsgrove) (Temporary Closure Order) 2026

Order made: to close Bridleways BM-569 & BM-570 and Footpath BM-572, Bromsgrove for their entire length.

The Order has been made due to danger posed by plant and vehicle movement for a mast upgrade.

Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises having a frontage to the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the necessary works to be undertaken.

Alternative route: There is no suitable alternative route.

The proposed Order will continue in force for a period not exceeding 6 months or until the works which it is proposed to be carried out have been completed, whichever is the earlier. However, it is anticipated that the Order will only be operative for 6 months commencing on 10 August 2026.

17/07/2026

a message from the Lickey Hills Society:
This Saturday 18 July, we will be working in the Lickey Hills Country Park. We will meet at the Visitor Centre at 10.00am. The session will last for approximately two hours, though you can leave when you want.
It will be warm on Saturday so please be prepared. Please wear gloves and appropriate footwear. Long sleeves are advisable too and no shorts! We are definitely winning as there are smaller patches of balsam, often in less accessible areas where they may be nettles and brambles. Hopefully the Rangers will provide the shears necessary but if you have your own, that would be most helpful.
We advise that you bring your own drink.

17/07/2026

The Government has today confirmed plans for the future of local councils in Worcestershire.

From 1 April 2028, the county’s current seven borough, city, district and county councils will be replaced with two unitary councils: one covering North Worcestershire and one covering South Worcestershire.

The decision follows Government consultation and consideration of the two proposals submitted for reorganisation in Worcestershire.

Read more..........⬇️
https://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/news/posts/future-of-worcestershire-s-councils-decided/

15/07/2026

Our next meeting will be on Monday 20th July at the Trinity Centre. the agenda can be found here: