Welcome to the November Evesham Noticeboard Community Newsletter!
It's all about our community spirit!
Evesham - what an amazing place! It really is full of community-spirited people, and boy have we seen proof of this over the last month. Of course, we know we look at Evesham through rose-tinted-love-shaped-sunglasses, and why shouldn't we? Every town has its problems and Evesham is no different. But there is enough doom and gloom around so let's look at what is good about our community and be grateful for the wonderful, caring people in our town. Not every town is fortunate to have such a wonderful community spirit!
A good community is more than just a place where people live. It's a place where people feel connected to each other, where they feel supported and valued. It's a place where people can come together to celebrate their shared values and work towards common goals. Evesham community is certainly doing this, and as admins of Evesham's largest social media group, we see physical proof of this every day. This last month alone we have seen over 8,000k views of posts and comments in our group and 97% of it is from the community, sharing and caring.
Last month's most popular post was that of the images shared of the work by Evesham's Secret Crochet Artists. They have been hard at work creating a Postbox Topper on Cheltenham Road to commemorate Remembrance Day.
A big thank you to the clever crochet bomber(s) who bring(s) so much joy to our community.
In this month's newsletter, we'll be exploring some of the ways that Evesham is a good community, and we'll also be sharing stories of individuals and groups who are making a difference. We hope that you'll find this newsletter informative and inspiring. We also have some special features from wet dogs to getting married in the Vale! We hope you enjoy this issue.
Thank you for being a part of the Evesham Noticeboard Community!
If you have some good news to share with our community, from community work to business news please do email us with your story at hello@eveshamnoticeboard.co.uk
Santa Saves Christmas - One mans mission!
Special Community Spotlight
In our monthly community spotlight, we shine a light on individuals who are making a real difference to those around them here in Evesham. This month, we're thrilled to introduce Kyle Hotchkins, Evesham Noticeboard's very own mental health champion and founder of Santa Saves Christmas.
Kyle started Santa Saves Christmas in 2022. He came into some money and wanted to use it to help families who were struggling with the rising costs of living. Kyle says, ‘I wanted to know that when my children opened their presents, others were opening presents too. And when I was sitting down to eat my Christmas dinner, others were eating theirs as well.’ Kyle's plan was to help families by paying their gas and electric bills and also provide them with food, and Christmas presents for the children.
Hoping to be able to offer further support for more Evesham families, Kyle used the power of social media to raise awareness of what he was doing and in doing so gathered more volunteers (his elves). The local community also helped with donations of food, gifts and funds to help with his endeavours which allowed him to help 36 families in 2022.
Fast forward to this year, Kyle starting his fundraising efforts much earlier. He currently has 43 children on his list he intends to gift presents to and 9 families that he's providing a Christmas lunch for - but these numbers are expected to rise in the coming months.
The response he’s received so far has been fantastic and he’s even got some supermarkets and local farm shops providing food donations for the cause. The community in Evesham has also been amazing and has been donating food and toys with much enthusiasm.
Kyle and his elves have really made a difference to families in the Vale, here is what one family had to say about the help they received last year:
"My partner and I were worried to what we were going to do last Christmas with us both losing our jobs and living on Universal Credit whilst searching. We couldn’t even afford to get a Christmas tree, never mind presents for our small family but Kyle and his elves went above and beyond with their kindness and willingness to make sure that our children didn’t go without and even provided a full months food shop for us. We will forever be grateful. Thank you Santa!"
If you’d like to get involved check out Kyle’s Facebook page - Santa Saves Christmas where you will find a list of the items most needed and where to drop these off or you can use the link below to make a donation. There will also be a Christmas family fun day in aid of Santa Saves Christmas at the Valkyrie bar on Sunday 10th December (more details available on the facebook page)
OCTOBER PODCAST DROP!
After several months of not being able to record our monthly podcast, we are pleased to announce that we are now back. With huge thanks to Wallace House Community Centre, we now have a new recording venue and the right equipment to do our monthly community podcasts. This month, Katie was extremely honoured to talk to Chris Groves and Kyle Hotchkins, both sharing their very personal experiences of mental health, addiction and support in the Vale of Evesham. Please see our link below to listen in, it is available to listen on all main streaming services.
Shop Locally in Evesham this Christmas
It's that time of year again to find your woolly hat and your dancing shoes and jingle all the way to Market Square in Evesham for the Evesham Christmas light switch-on! Meet Santa and Evesham Noticeboard Elf on the Shelf!
Light switch on at 5:30pm alongside the Valkyrie's followed by fireworks!
There will be an opportunity to visit Father Christmas from 2 - 5pm who this year has landed in none other than the Valkyrie Bar! It's free to visit him so expect a queue and please arrive early to avoid disappointment. Why not make an afternoon of it and get some lunch at one of the delicious cafes and restaurants in the town or from one of the food stalls which can be taken to The Valkyrie while enjoying a refreshment from there?
There will also be a great line up of local musicians performing on the stage in Market Square. Timings TBC.
- Santa Sax
- Avonbank Brass Band
- The Lizards
- Beth Humphries
- All Killer
REMEMBER KEEP IT LOCAL THIS YEAR!
Gary from Abbey Road Christmas Trees 2022
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Evesham's businesses need you to shop locally this Christmas.
It's been a difficult couple of years for businesses in Evesham and the Vale due to the pandemic and then the rising cost of living. Increased running costs have impacted businesses with business owners having to find more funds to cover increased energy bills and higher material costs.
That's why it's so important to help small business owners by shopping in their stores and buying their services ahead of the big chains. In fact, it's said that 'for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business, around 63p remains in the local economy. This compares with around 40p with larger firms. But if £10 is spent with a local independent shop, this can mean up to an additional £50 going back into the local economy, as local shop owners put that money back into their community by using shops, cafes, restaurants, services and so on. Circulating money, helping to grow local businesses.' Keeping it local
Remember, by shopping locally in Evesham this Christmas you'll help a family near you rather than line the pockets of a corporate CEO, so consider doing your Christmas Shopping here in Evesham and support local businesses in the area.
Meet the A-Team! Defibrillator event raises £££s
Well done to the AED team for their highly successful defibrillator fundraising day. We are so proud of Kerry and her A-Team!
A few weeks ago on Saturday 21st October, we were proud to attend the AED team's defibrillator fundraising event at Bengeworth Social Club.
The day started with a family fun day with bouncy castle, fairground style stalls, raffle, tombola and facepainting. And then in the evening, guests attended a disco where Evesham Noticeboard's very own Katie Gilbert was honored to introduce Kerry to the guests and presented Kerry with the Love Evesham Tiara.
The event was incredibly well organised by Kerry and the team, and we were absolutely blown away by all the effort that the team had gone to - with no small detail overlooked. We were incredibly impressed and we weren't the only ones - as a result of their fundraising efforts, the team raised over £13,000 which will go towards the purchase of more defibrillators for the Evesham community.
The team have also started planning their next event, and if it's anything like the last one, it is sure to be even more successful.
Kerry Woods said: "The event was a huge success and much bigger than I could have imagined. Not only did we raise over £13k we have also raised awareness of the importance of defibrillators and had people from other areas asking how they can order for their area. I also feel a sense of community has come from this event. People came together to donate, deliver leaflets, host fundraising pots, bake cakes, volunteer their time and much more. 
Without the help of my now friends Karen Stephens, Donna Atkin and Kerry Yeates this would not have been achievable. So a huge appreciation and thank you for these ladies, the new team.
Evesham Defibrillators are already planning their next event, and have already secured storage which is lucky as donations for the raffle and tombola are already coming in. This shows that it's not just us that's passionate about making Evesham a safer place to live, but Evesham itself backs us and our efforts."
Congratulations again to the AED team! We know there is no stopping Kerry and her team when it comes to raising money for more defibrillators! Watch this space, and your street, a defibrillator box may be coming to your area next.
Think you need to use a defibrillator? Call 999 to be directed to your closest defibrillator and receive a code to access.
What's on in Evesham and The Vale
To find out what's going on this month in Evesham, check out our weekly pinned post on the Evesham Noticeboard Facebook page.
Looking for something fun to do? Check out our regularly updated list of things to do in Evesham.
Add your Event
Regular Events Hosted at
Venues Across Evesham
Want to find out what's on at venues near you? Check out the links below to find out when you can enjoy live bands, quizzes, food nights and so much more!!!
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Getting Married in Evesham in 2024?
Recently got engaged and live in or near Evesham, or perhaps you are planning to get married in Evesham? If so, take a look at our latest blog post for inspiration, advice and a list of trustworthy supplier recommendations (with reviews).
We have everything you need to plan the perfect Wedding right here in Evesham from the engagement ring to the honeymoon. Click the link below to check out the guide now.
Click This Way For Wedding Planning Inspiration for 2024 and Beyond!
Get your home ready for sale with home-selling tips by Leggett James
Make sure you are giving off the best first impression of your home when you are selling it when potential buyers come around for viewings.
One way you can do this is by removing excess clutter. A cluttered home can be harder to sell as prospective buyers might struggle to see past excessive items in your home and envision your property as their dream home.
Call Leggett and James Estate Agents on 01386 761241 for a chat to discuss your home and how we can help you get it ready to sell today.
Winter Grooming Tips for Your Furry Friend by Our Grooming Experts!
As the seasons change, the weather is getting cooler with fresher mornings, frequent downpours and the risk of wintry weather. Despite this change in the weather, our loyal canine companions still look forward to their regular walking schedules even if it often means they (and we!) end up wet and muddy. With such weather on the horizon, it’s important to pay extra attention to your dog’s grooming needs after those chilly, rain-drenched walks. Our local dog groomers, with their wealth of experience, are here to provide valuable advice to ensure that your four-legged family member remains stylish, comfortable, and healthy throughout the cold and rainy season.
Grooming your dog after those cold, rainy winter walks isn't merely a matter of aesthetics; it's a vital part of maintaining your dog's overall health and comfort. The damp conditions can lead to a range of issues, from tangled fur to skin irritations, making regular grooming a necessity to ensure your furry friend remains happy and healthy during this challenging season.
If your dog has had the misfortune to encounter fox, bird, or hedgehog poop it can be particularly difficult to remove that lingering scent so we asked Emma from ‘Pawsome Pooches’ for her top tips on removing the smell of wildlife poop:
“Getting rid of the stench isn’t easy as most shampoos just don’t quite cut it! The best thing to do is when you get home remove as much fox poop that is remaining on the fur as possible before bathing, that way you are not rubbing it further into the coat and skin. Then it’s bath time! Make sure you have a good quality fox poop remover shampoo on hand for times like these, I’m sure every dog owner has experienced it at some point, I know I have many times! Easy to find shampoos with a shampoo specifically targeted at removing Fox Poop include Animology, Poochiful and Bugalugs. There is also the idea that tomato sauce can help if your really struggling but I have found it to be hit and miss if it works. Once in the bath fully soak the dog from head to toe and follow the instructions on the bottle of shampoo you have selected, concentrate on the areas that are most affected and work well into the coat, rinse and repeat. You may need to repeat at least two to three times to make sure you’ve fully got it out.”
Once your canine friend is clean its time to get them dry, Lucie from Broadway Dog Groomers offers her top tips on drying your pet so that they don’t have that wet dog smell.
“ When the dogs get in from a wet walk I normally wash down with warm water all the areas that normally get dirty do feet tummy tail etc and then turn the dryer on low (so they don’t get burnt by the dryer) and dry them, I find if you don’t dry them properly they can end up smelling doggy, you can also buy dog sprays which make the dog smell nice. Also getting the dog groomed regularly can help with this as the groomer would normally cut the areas that get dirty shorter than other areas on the dog so when you get them back off a walk it’s easier to clean them .”
Emma from Pawsome Pooches also suggests brushing as you dry to remove any knots that might form.
We hope these tips help you and your dog to continue to enjoy the wintry weather and allow you to keep your dog's coat in top condition. Should you find yourself in need of a skilled and caring dog groomer to pamper your beloved pet this winter, remember that Pawsome Pooches and Broadway Dog Groomers are right here in our community, ready to provide the expert care your furry friend deserves. Reach out to them for a warm and professional grooming experience that will keep your dog looking and feeling their best, rain or shine. We are certain that your pup will thank you with wagging tails and joyful barks!
Check out our Recommended Doggy Businesses
Broadway Dog Groomers
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Evesham House Prices Update from Johnsons Property Consultants
Wondering what the current house price situation is in Evesham? Property experts Johnsons give us the low down- “The Vale of Evesham housing market has heated up since the pandemic. House sale prices in Evesham have increased by over 20% during the last 3 years, compared with 14% across England & Wales.”
That's quite an increase especially compared to the national average and it shows that Evesham is becoming more in demand as more people discover how great Evesham is as a place to live and bring up families.
Contact Johnsons Property Consultants Here
The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal Returns to Evesham
Abbey Bridge Photo Fiona George Downey
With remembrance day just weeks away, volunteers from the Royal British Legion including lead organiser, Fiona George, are back selling poppies to raise money.
The proceeds from the sale go towards helping members of the Armed Forces including the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, and their families.
The charity supports those still serving and those who have previously served in any war where the UK has been involved. It's also used to fund additional support including advice and guidance to those who have served or are serving, towards recovery and rehabilitation, and to help veterans transition back into civilian life.
Poppies go on sale from 27th October to 11th November and can be purchased from Morrison's, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl Waitrose and Crafters Companion between 10am & 4pm each day. As well as the traditional paper poppies, there is also a limited supply of pin badges available on a first come first served basis.
Here's some of the lovely volunteers who dedicated their time to help raise money for the RBL. Well done all.
Evesham Remembers With Remembrance Services And Parades This November
This November, Evesham 'will remember them' in a number of events happening place to commemorate the anniversary of the Armistice.
Saturday 11th November - Armistice Service at the War Memorial. Meet 10.45 (Short Service)
Sunday 12th November (Remembrance Sunday) - Wreath layers and organisations to meet outside Iceland supermarket and then form a parade to the memorial. At the memorial, the presentation of the poppy wreaths will take place and then all will continue to parade onto All Saints Church for the main memorial service. After the service, the organisations will parade out via Vine Street to Market Square.
Sunday 19th November also sees the return of the formerly very popular Bengeworth Parade for the first time since before the pandemic. All organisations are to meet at 10.30 at the Bengeworth Club car park. The parade will then be led by the Leamington Sea Cadet Band to St. Peter’s Church. The service is due to end at 12.00pm when the organisations will return back to the club via parade along Elm Road where they may take refreshments.
On the return of the Bengeworth Parade, Evesham's Mayor - Alan Booth remarked, "A lot of people have worked hard to put this event back on the calendar. I wish to thank them for all their help".
Marshalls are also needed to help run the parades so if you can help on any of the dates, please get in touch.
Evesham Town Council Cleans Up Ahead of Remembrance Commemorations
Local business owner Tracy of Just Memorials, recently came to the rescue when Evesham's War Memorial became the target of graffiti. After discovering the vandalism, Tracy quickly cleaned up the graffiti free of charge before it left long-lasting damage.
With the Remembrance commemorations just a few weeks ago and upon seeing how clean that part of the stone now was, it was suggested that the council put out a tender for the whole memorial to be cleaned. Three quotes were submitted and Just Memorials were chosen for the deep clean.
The results of the cleaning were astonishing, with over 289 pieces of chewing gum removed during the process and the memorial has never looked better.
Regarding the recent vandalism, Evesham Town Council Cllr John Clatworthy said: “Some may, unfortunately, see it purely as carvings in stone and not understand the relevance and importance of remembering.
As a Veteran myself I am extremely grateful to those who dedicated their time to restoring the memories from ‘the chewing gum and grime".
Thank you to Just Memorials for their hard work, we look forward to seeing the memorial after the presentation of the poppy wreaths in just a few short weeks.
Stirrups - How do you pronounce it?
Business Spotlight
Is it pronounced Stirr Ups or Stirrups? That was one of the first questions I asked manager Shayne when we sat down for this month's business spotlight. Well, the answer as it turns out is both! The name Stirr Ups is a reference to the business’ origins - the business was started by the directors (including the head chef, Darren) as a takeaway during lockdown when a horsebox was converted into a cocktail bar. Stirr Ups then, seems to be a fitting name in light of how the business was started.
Stirr Ups has just celebrated its 2 year anniversary since opening in its location in the market square. The cocktail bar opened in October 2021 and since then has come on leaps and bounds. Manager Shayne came on board in April 2022 after hearing of Stirr Ups' infamous crispy pork belly bites - which people travel miles to enjoy and then rave about on social media. (If you haven’t tried them yet you should!).
The cocktail bar has been recording some great growth in every quarter since opening thanks to the amazing reception from the local community. They’ve even been able to extend their opening hours to 6 days per week (Tuesday - Sunday) which is no mean feat when you consider that bars and pubs across the UK right now are reducing their hours to save money.
Stirr Ups have become a significant part of the community in Evesham and enjoy patronage from NHS employees, the Police and members of The Round Table. They are also active networkers in our directory and have even hosted a networking lunch for Evesham Noticeboard just a few months ago.
And it's not just the community at large that they help but also their own staff. Upon joining the business, Shayne noticed team members were fairly young so he instigated a training program to further train the staff, providing them with clear pathways for growth should they wish to pursue a career in the industry.
As well as growing the team, Stirr Ups also intend to grow the offsite side of the business. They still have the horsebox plus a burger van and prosecco bar, which are available to hire for corporate events. Recent months have also seen them provide pop-up services for events at Blenheim Palace and also Cheltenham Racecourse where they were well received. The hope is to move further into this sector in the future and based on their previous efforts, we think they’ll have no issues achieving that especially if the customer reviews are anything to go by!
Here’s just one review:
“Definitely recommend - the burgers were packed full and the sides were a really decent size - the pork belly bites were the best I’ve had, not fatty at all, and so much flavour! I always love bacon fries but adding the jam made them even better! The staff were really friendly and the place had a lovely atmosphere - they have a large cocktail / mocktail menu, so it’s perfect for both food and drinks!”
Stirr Ups have just launched a new food menu and will be launching a new cocktail menu in the coming weeks - check out their Facebook page to find out more and see what their dessert of the week is.
If you are looking for a venue for your work's Christmas party, Stirr Ups have very few weekend openings left, but they do still have some weekday bookings available. Contact them ASAP to get booked in as I’m sure those slots will disappear quickly.
New Members This Month
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Nails and Beauty by Caroline
Menopause Advice by Alex Bannard
Menopause certainly has its challenges with 'meno-rage' and irritability as common symptoms experienced by many women. Your hormones are fluctuating wildly causing your body to experience physiological and chemical stress, triggering your sympathetic nervous system and throwing your autonomic nervous system out of whack.
It exacerbates your stress levels making you feel more stressed and worsening your other menopause symptoms. This puts added pressure on women who are often so busy taking care of everyone else that they rarely take time for themselves.
“Menopause is an awakening. and meno-rage invites us to make peace with our past & befriend our emotions, whilst letting go of the layers of guilt & shame that accompany meno-rage. This awakening stirs things up, our senses become more sensitive, things start to change inside & we may have every right to feel angry.”
Practicing yoga with Alex every Wednesday will support you on your menopause journey, introducing you to breathing techniques & yoga poses to help alleviate symptoms, calm your nervous system, bringing you back into balance.
She’ll also provide you with techniques to calm your nervous system, help you re-calibrate if you do blow your top - all with acceptance, kindness & compassion, just as you would show a dear friend.
Alex helps you to reframe your meno-rage as a cleansing process which helps to clear out what no longer serves you & embracing the spiritual transformation that is all part of the menopause journey.
Sessions are held at Wallace House on Wednesdays at 9.30am and are also live on Zoom.
Happy Anniversary to Kaz & Annies, Ceramics and More!
The craft haven recently celebrated the 5th Anniversary of the opening of their studio in Vine Mews in Evesham.
The studio offers people of all ages the opportunity to be creative with a selection of different crafts available including pottery painting, decoupatch and powertex. Kaz & Annie's also offer potz and fizz nights and workshops for those looking to do something a bit different.
They are currently taking bookings for half term activities so if you are looking for something to do with the kids this half term check them out.
To find out more check out their website or Facebook page.
Join them for this fabulous evening! Click the image below for more details. 16th December at 6pm
Dates For Your (Business) Diary
- 2nd November - She Workx Ladies Networking 12.30pm - Stirr Ups
- 23rd November - Evesham Noticeboard Christmas Business Networking Event 7pm (get in touch for more info)
- 30th November - Non-League Networking at Evesham United Football Club - 12pm - 2pm (Includes Lunch).
She Workx Meeting
This month, the ladies of Evesham's SheWorkx - a ladies networking group in Evesham, met up for coffee and cake in Coffee 1#.
Against a backdrop of the Mop Fair and with a last-minute venue change, the 7 local business owners met up to swap stories and share our experiences as business owners in Evesham.
Many of us our freelancers and this can be isolating at times, so its always good to have the opportunity with other business owners to share our tips and advice which other's can relate to or use in their own businesses.
Thanks to everyone who could make it! All the ladies had a lovely time and we are now looking forward to the next one in November!
Check out our SheWorkx Facebook group for the latest chat and details of our next event.
Designer Travel by Helen Durrant celebrates 4 years in business
Local travel consultant Helen Durrant has recently achieved a fantastic milestone of 4 years in business. Helen is totally dedicated to helping you find the perfect holiday to suit your budget!
She also has some fantastic reviews, such as this one:
"Helen made a a great experience helping us sort out our holiday, great options to make the holiday a special experience. Excellent service and support. Thanks so much."
Congratulations Helen. We are proud to recommend you as an Evesham Noticeboard Recommended Business.
Pensions and How They Help Your Tax Position
Pension contributions can be an efficient tool in managing an individual’s tax position, especially where the effective rates of tax are in excess of the additional rates.
Tax relief is calculated by extending the band of income taxed at the basic rate of tax by the gross contribution.
As an example, income between £100,000 and £125,140 can result in the loss of your personal allowance (with the effective rate of tax being 60%), and making a contribution could help to retain some of the allowance. Those who endure the high-income child benefit charge could also benefit here.
There are limits to what can be contributed each year and other factors to consider when deciding on a level of contribution. To be effective, contributions do need to be paid prior to the close of a tax year.
Separately, business owners are also able to make contributions, for example, if they are employees of their company. Employer contributions may be used to offset against company corporation tax.
As always, we strongly advise you to seek support from an Independent Financial Advisor prior to making any decision as to whether pension contributions are right for you.
Get Involved in this Year's Evesham Christmas Tree Festival!
If you know an organisation or business who would like to put up a Christmas Tree this year, please get in touch with Robert Raphael raphaels@hamptonferry.co.uk
Fleece Inn landlord Nigel Celebrates 21st Anniversary
Huge congratulations to Nigel at The Fleece Inn, Bretforton!
September marked an incredible milestone for Nigel as he celebrated 21 years since becoming landlord at the Fleece Inn.
It's an amazing achievement And Nigel's dedication, passion, and hard work has certainly made The Fleece Inn a beloved part of the Bretforton community.
Here's to many more years of great memories, friendships and amazing moments created at The Fleece Inn! Cheers Nigel
Land Wanted By Town Council
Evesham Town Council is seeking land for a new cemetery to serve the needs of the people of Evesham and surrounding areas.
If you are a landowner and are able to put forward land for consideration we would like to hear from you. The council is looking for 3 – 5 acres, ideally on higher ground within the parish.
If you are able to help please get in touch via townclerk@eveshamtowncouncil.gov.uk or contact our office on 01386 565700.
Thanks for reading!
We hope you've enjoyed the November edition of the Evesham Noticeboard Newsletter. We are always looking for newsworthy stories for our newsletter so if you'd like to be featured or would like to contribute to next months article please drop us a message to hello@eveshamnoticeboard.co.uk
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