Carol Gittins is the Labour Party Candidate for Bewdley West Ward

Carol Gittins working hard for Bewdley.

Election day is Thursday 30th April from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. at St Anne’s School on Wyre Hill.

If you need a postal vote, or a lift to the polling station on election day, contact Carol.

For many, an introduction to Carol is unnecessary. Married to Councillor Paul Gittins for 39 years, with two grown-up children, she is well known not only for her eight years as a Town Councillor, being Mayor in 2001 — 2002, but also for her outstanding commitment to our town.

As Secretary of the Bewdley Branch of the Royal British Legion, Carol ensures that the Branch is efficiently run and that those who ‘gave their tomorrows for our today’ are remembered. Each week she lays fresh flowers at the War Memorial, and as Chair of the Welfare Committee ensures that ex-service personnel of Bewdley who are in need are assisted and each year she and her Committee distribute 40 Christmas hampers.

As a member of the Carnival Committee, she is minute secretary and catering organiser. She also organises the popular Carnival Pet Show and Teddy Bears’ picnic, and on behalf of the Town Council, the Parish Games in which all Wyre Forest parishes compete in such events as golf, archery, bowls, crib and dominoes. This year she has managed to include five-aside football for the younger children.

Carol is also pleased and honoured to be a member of many other organisations which she believes support and promote our town, including Bewdley in Bloom, Bewdley Development Trust’s Environment Group, The Police Consultative Group, Fair Trade, Age Concern and is an executive Member of The Civic Society.

As well as devoting a lot of time to these organisations, Carol is also well known for her fund-raising activities for local charities. The recent successful Royal British Legion concert in St Anne’s Church and the Millbrook Suite appeal coffee morning held at the Rowing Club being amongst them.

It was because of her work and dedication to our town that Carol was awarded the Town Council’s Civic Award last year. This award is presented to those who have given outstanding service to the community of Bewdley.

If you were not previously aware of any of these activities and achievements you may have tasted Carol’s delicious puddings at the Mulberry Restaurant where she is the Sweet Chef.

Her organisational skills and common sense are needed on the Town Council. Her commitment to the town would be a great asset, especially when the Town Council has to cope with cuts due to be made by the District Council which may severely affect our town next year.

Wyre Hill Play Area

Carol Gittins working hard for Bewdley.

I was disappointed to hear that the Play Area at Wyre Hill, Bewdley could possibly close due to insufficient funding from Bewdley Town Council. This Play Area was due to close in 2003 because of District Council cuts but the Town Council decided to keep it open funding it from a District Council grant. However the grant of over £12,000 which is used to support the Play Area and other items such as the Christmas Lights, the War Memorial the towns flowers and other items is due to be withdrawn next year which could mean that the the Play area could close then anyhow. It was partly due to this that Councillors decided to support the illumination of the bridge instead as a lot of work had already been carried out to progress it. Although my husband was against the proposal to fund the Play area for only 6 months it was passed. However he and councillor Edginton have submitted a written request to revisit the Council Budget to seek a way to fund the Play Area for a year. I am collecting a petition urging the Town Council to fund the Play Area for a whole year and then to consult with the District Council for future years. I will also be asking our District Councillors who supported the cessation of the Grant to find ways to reverse their decision next year. Petition forms can be found at the Black Boy public house and at the shop on Bark Hill or from me.

Coffee morning in support of the ‘Millbrook Appeal’

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Carol is holding a coffee morning in support of the ‘Millbrook Appeal’ to modernise the Cancer Treatment Centre at Kidderminster Hospital . The event is being held at Bewdley Rowing Club on Thursday 26th March 11am-1pm. there is parking opposite the club.

Grit bins needed at Bark Hill, Bewdley

Paul Gittins campaigning for Grit Bins in Bark Hill

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

With reference to the Kidderminster Chronicle front page article last week headed TRUE GRIT It was interesting to note that grit bins are placed on a number of eligibility criteria such as close to bends or on steep gradients which I am sure everyone would agree with. I have been campaigning for a number of years to have a survey carried out on Bark Hill, Bewdley to see if we qualify for these criteria. As the name implies Bark Hill is on a hill and I would welcome a meeting with the Highways Manager to discuss this.

Monthly Surgery

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Councillor Paul Gittins will be holding his monthly surgery at Bewdley Library on Saturday 7th March between the hours of 10am – midday.
Every welcome. No appointment required.

New Bus shelters for Bewdley

Paul Gittins outside the new bus shelter in Load Street

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Paul Gittins is pleased to report that eight shelters in Bewdley have been replaced and the final one which is opposite the one pictured will be replaced soon. The shelters have been funded by the ‘Connecting Wyre’ Rural bus Challenge grant managed by WCC and received from the Department for transport for improvements to transport services and infrastruction in Wyre Forest. The Heritage style shelters have a footpath buildout and will enhance the street scene of Load Street. All the shelters will be maintained by the Town Council.

Alcohol Restriction Zones

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Paul Gittins comments on the problem of underage drinking

ON January 30 it was reported that there should be no more Alcohol Restriction Zones in the district.

This was the recommendation of the district’s scrutiny panel, explaining that the police already had the power to seize alcohol from under-age drinkers without a ARZ in place.

If this is the case why are there ARZs in Bewdley and Stourport and why did they support them when they were put in place?

It would be interesting to hear other people’s views on this.

PAUL GITTINS Town councillor Lyttleton Road Bewdley

Reference: Kidderminster Shuttle Letters.

Support for road safety measures on Habberley Road

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

In support of Nigel Knowles campaign to improve the road safety along the Habberley road from Kidderminster to Bewdley I would like to say that although the national speed limit sign at the Kidderminster side is a maximum speed limit and not a target as already mentioned it may mean to many who do not know the road that the road ahead is quite open. However after a few metres from this sign there is a sharp bend with an advisory maximum speed limit of 35 mph followed by a beware of horses sign then after the bend is the turning to Habberley Valley which is quite busy during the Summer, further on is the Golf club. again this can be a busy entrance at times as too can the nursery opposite. In the past I have received reports of golf balls being hit into the road at these points although I am not aware that it is still happening. Next is the 40 mph sign approximatley 100 metres before the Ramada Hotel and Leisure Centre another busy entrance. After approximately another 200 metres is a 30mph sign. Like Nigel I would welcome a fresh look at these speed limits and any traffic calming schemes that may slow down speeding vehicles.
Although we are not aware of the circumstances of the latest terrible accident outside the Ramada Hotel, something must be done, as during my 35 years as a firefighter I have attended too many incidents along this short stretch of road. Perhaps the national speed limit near the junction of Canterbury Road should be removed and the road kept as a 40 mph zone dropping down to 30mph outside the nursery.

Damson Way footpath handrail not high priority say County Hall

Damson Way footpath, Wribbenhall

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

The footpath from Damson Way, to Grey Green Lane, Wribbenhall is a short cut for many residents to the bus stop in Kidderminster Road, the town centre and even to Northwood Lane via the railway crossing.

Paul Gittens says: “I proposed a hand rail as the alleyway is steep and many of the residents are elderly and may slip in bad weather. I have been informed by the project officer of sustainable schemes at County Hall that of 108 requests the scheme scored a joint 77 with 2 others and so will therefore not be proceeded with at present. I will continue to campaign for a handrail to be fitted.”

Pointless bollards?

Footpath at the Rough

Paul Gittins is Labour Spokesperson for Wribbenhall.

Last year following an incident that involved a cyclist who rode down the footpath from the Walshes estate and collided with a car at the junction of the Rough in Stourport, I asked the highways department to consider erecting a barrier to prevent this from happening again.

I am pleased to say that they agreed to my request and a barrier has now been installed.

However, I have been informed that it would not be safe for cyclists if a staggered barrier was erected as they might run into it as they rode down the footpath despite a ‘no cycling’ sign at each end! I doubt very much if the installed barriers will be of any use in preventing cyclists from riding straight out into the road as they are as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

PAUL GITTINS Lyttleton Road Bewdley

Reference: Kidderminster Shuttle Letters.