Summer 2023

More than 60 residents joined Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion at his Community Conversation engagement in Pershore to voice their concerns about local policing. On Wednesday 17 May, residents attended Pershore Town Hall to express their dissatisfaction with the level of service they are receiving from West Mercia Police, which they feel is leading to an increase in anti-social behaviour, substance misuse and other crimes. As the voice of the public in policing, PCC John Campion was shocked and disappointed to hear the experiences of residents and reassured them that he will use his powers to galvanise change. Following the meeting, the PCC has written to Chief Constable Pippa Mills to make her aware of the community feeling in Pershore and is calling for swift action by the police, partners, and other organisations to address the issues raised.
The PCC has also delivered on his promise to meet residents again in six months’ time with a follow-up meeting taking place on Wednesday 15 November 2023 at Pershore Town Hall from 6pm to 8pm. PCC John Campion said: “I would like to thank everyone who came to the event in Pershore. As your voice in policing, I really value hearing your thoughts and experiences on the service you receive from your police force. This is then used to shape the decisions I make on your behalf. I share your disappointment that the level of service you are currently experiencing simply does not meet the high standards you rightly expect and deserve. I want to reassure you that I will use all the powers available to me to ensure you regain trust and confidence in your police force. I have taken direct action following the meeting and I am committed to building positive change in Pershore.”

Police officer numbers hit historic high in West Mercia

A record number of police officers, 2494 in total, are now serving in West Mercia, as officer numbers hit new highs. Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has supported West Mercia Police’s Chief Constable to not only meet the Government’s uplift target for West Mercia, but exceed it. Your police force now has a headcount of 2494 officers, with officer numbers increasing by 508 since the PCC was first elected in 2016. A further boost to officer numbers will happen in this financial year, with an additional 40 officers recruited to create new community crime fighting teams. The PCC is committed to ensuring police officers are accessible and visible in your community, tackling the issues that matter to you.

Walking along Pershore High Street between Number 8 and the corner of Broad Street, you may have had your attention caught by a large photo of a smiling woman next to a window brimming with posters and the sign Pershore Wellbeing Hub.  And you would be forgiven for asking yourself: “What on earth goes on in a Wellbeing Hub?”
We are a group of dedicated volunteers whose aim is to support people in the Pershore area by providing information and advice – and time and space for a chat.  Anyone can access this either by coming to see us at the Hub or by logging onto our extensive website.
When you come into the Hub, you step into a cheerful room, decorated with posters, leaflets, colourful cushions and leafy green pot plants.  You will be given a friendly welcome by one of our volunteers who will ask if you’ve come in needing help with a particular question or would simply like to sit down for a cup of tea and a chat.  We live in a world where it can be difficult to find the friendly contact that is essential to our wellbeing. Offering that to anyone who pops in is one of the most important things we do.
Many of our visitors have specific questions they need help with.  These can be about anything, no matter how small or how large.  One visitor may be new to the area and wants information on how to meet people.  Another is starting a health kick and is keen to find sports groups they can join.  The next visitor is worried about finance and needs help working out what they are entitled to.  Or someone may come in who is overwhelmed with caring for a relative and needs advice on getting support.
We see ourselves as a first port of call.  Our volunteers come from different backgrounds with different areas of expertise.  If we don’t have the answer to a problem, we will help the visitor find out where they can get answers by signposting them to the information they need and helping them to access this.  Often we will sit down with a visitor at the computer and research useful organisations, phone numbers and addresses.  Our own website is a very good starting point for this with its extensive links to organisations, local council and government departments, charities, businesses and interest groups, both locally and nationally.
Our initial start-up funding came from Wychavon District Council plus a number of generous donations including grants from Pershore Town Council.  However, we now face the challenge of generating our own sources of income to ensure the Hub moves forward into the future.  You will often see us, for example, with fundraising stalls and activities at events in Pershore and the surrounding villages, as well as raising awareness of our work in schools and other organisations, on the radio and in the local press.
We are always keen to recruit new volunteers.  As well as the satisfaction of doing something useful for our area, it’s also a lot of fun being part of the volunteer community.  So please do contact us at the email address below if you would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer – or next time you pass the smiling woman on our poster, drop in for a cup of tea and a chat.
Pershore Wellbeing Hub is at No. 4, High Street or visit Pershore Wellbeing Hub website or email the Wellbeing hub.

Pershore Place Board is working to establish the Pershore Georgian Christmas Fayre Delivery Group. This initiative aims to enhance the town’s Christmas experience through an annual Georgian Christmas Fayre. The board collaborates with Pershore Town Council, Wychavon District Council, and other stakeholders towards economic, cultural, and social development. Various projects are underway to improve the town’s appeal. Already, the board are preparing to enhance the town’s visual presentation during the Christmas season.
Additional Christmas lighting will be displayed on Bridge Street, Broad Street and the High Street. The board has installed brackets to display Christmas trees on 48 buildings in the town centre.
Thanks to kickstart funding, the first Pershore Georgian Christmas Fayre event is planned for 24th and 25th November 2023. Pershore Town Council has also agreed to move the annual Christmas Lights Turn-On event to Broad Street, where the Fayre will take place. The board is collaborating with the police, fire service and Worcestershire County Council to plan a temporary road closure. The event will showcase retail, food and drink stalls, charities, local performers and traditional Christmas fair attractions.
The next project on the board’s agenda is the creation of the Pershore Georgian Christmas Fayre Delivery Group. Pershore Place Board aims to make the Pershore Georgian Christmas Fayre a fun, inclusive and community-focused event. To achieve this, they are seeking to involve a broad spectrum of Pershore’s stakeholders in their work.
Pershore Place Board has organised a meeting to present its intentions for the Fayre. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss ideas and assign roles to bring this project to life. The board looks forward to the collaboration and support of the community in making the Pershore Georgian Christmas Fayre a beloved annual tradition that brings joy and unity to the town.

Darren Eden, Chair, Pershore Place Board

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