Cllr Louis Stephen

I did my last Council Meeting as Chairman yesterday…can’t believe how quickly my year is going! The budget was the main event which did get passed, but there were also motions about SEND and the National Insurance increase

Good to meet Pastor Duncan Cobbett this morning, at the new Grace Church in Greatfield Rd. The interior has had a face lift and Duncan advised that Grace Church is open to all, with both regular services and community events. Feel free to pop in - he makes a smashing cuppa!!

So last week was West Side Story, and tonight Guys & Dolls! And what a brilliant show it was! Thank you to students and staff at Prince Henry’s, Evesham for the invite and congratulations to all on excellent acting, singing and dancing performances! Thoroughly enjoyed.

Chinese New Year : fabulous morning in Worcester, to celebrate Chinese New Year. The event on the site of the Worcester Porcelain Factory and Museum, was packed! We were relieved that the ‘Line’ dancing we thought we were going to have to do was in fact the ‘Lion’ dancing!!

West Side Story - on the set of the show at Worcester Sixth Form College this evening. Brilliant performances - excellent acting, singing and dancing - lovely to see such a wealth of local talent! Thank you for the invite.

Super job! What a fantastic renovation of the Old Court building in Worcester St, Kidderminster. Space selling fast - and it’s no surprise! With many original features, this sympathetic renovation is outstanding!

Volunteer Fayre, Kidderminster- could you be a Community Responder like Ian Woodham, Izzy Woodhouse and Keith Buncle - who get referrals from the Ambulance Service and go and help those most in need? If you have any spare time, these guys will fill it for you! Thank you

Volunteer Fayre, Kidd: The Repair Cafe Do you have something in need of repair or are you skilled at mending things? Then The Repair Cafe may be your volunteering opportunity. They meet on the morning of first Saturday of the month, at Youth House, Kidd - see pic for details.

Volunteer Fayre, Kidderminster: With over 30 exhibitors - including Mentor Link, Wheely Different Theatre Company and Nightstop - it really showed the range of volunteering opportunities in the area. If you have any spare time, these guys will fill it for you!

Museum of Carpet, Kidderminster…had a great meeting today with David, Geoffrey and Grant of the Museum. Lovely to hear such enthusiasm both for the future of the museum and the industrial heritage. Lots of ideas moving forward, if you haven’t visited yet, check it out!

I visited Feed The Hungry. One project is to put on Food Packing days at local schools and businesses - anyone interested, let me know - where they pack these bags of rice. The bags go to Africa where one bag feeds a child for one week! Can you imagine that with your child?

I went to visit Feed The Hungry’s unit in Coventry today. I met the volunteers who sort and pack donations into food parcels to be distributed by The Food Bank. FTH however also provide aid overseas, as you can see. Thank you to Ian and everyone for today and for their work.

At Italian Night this evening in aid of Make A Wish Foundation. Excellent food, excellent but dangerous homemade lemoncello - lots of money raised! Well done Stourport Masons!

Fabulous evening with Sir Andy Street CBE - very interested to hear his views on the future of government and politics nationally and devolution. Great night - thanks to the organisers, this lot and particularly the bar staff lol!

Worcs Co Council council meeting : 5 public speakers, all from the farming community who spoke very passionately about how Labour’s introduction of inheritance tax will affect their farms. There was then a motion on farming - which was so emotive it took up all the allotted time

Greensafe IT, Droitwich - very honoured to officially open Greensafe’s new premises in Droitwich. Thanks for an informative tour, showcasing what they do with recycling, disposing of and data cleansing IT kit. 12 years of growth and still going strong - brilliant!

Here’s to a Happy & Healthy New Year…

County Cllrs Christmas Meal - with thanks to Simon G for organising and thanks to The Chequers at Crowle…good company, good food, good gin - what more could a girl want!! lol Have a great Christmas all.

WFDC Cabinet Christmas Meal - thank you to Vhujon in Bewdley and to the boys for looking after me! Merry Christmas All!