Local News

The number of people receiving Britain’s main disability benefit has passed four million for the first time, according to new government figures. Data released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) shows that 4.01 million people were entitled to claim Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in April 2026, an increase of more than seven per cent compared with the same time last year. PIP helps people with the extra costs associated with long-term health conditions or disabilities. It is…

FOUNDER of children’s charity Mentor Link, Andrea Maddocks, has met with Redditch MP Chris Bloore to raise awareness for the work done across Worcestershire. Volunteer Mentors give up one to two hours a week, working with pastoral teams in schools and positively improving young people’s lives. The charity has a reputation of supporting children back into education and is in partnership with over 80 schools across the Midlands. The aim of the charity is to provide children with regular…

The striking Peacock butterfly has been named Britain’s favourite butterfly after coming top in a nationwide public vote organised by the charity Butterfly Conservation. Thousands of nature lovers took part in the poll, choosing from all 60 species of butterfly found in the UK. The colourful Peacock emerged as the clear winner, beating strong competition from several other much-loved species. The Orange-tip butterfly finished in second place, followed by the Red Admiral in third, the Holly Blue in fourth…

RUBICON Leisure and Reimagine Redditch is bringing a brand new live comedy show to The Boathouse Café, Arrow Valley Visitor Centre this summer. The Boathouse Comedy Show will transform the picturesque lakeside venue into a vibrant hub of laughter on Friday 19 June, offering audiences a lively evening of stand-up comedy in a unique scenic setting. This collaborative event brings together one of Rubicon Leisure’s vibrant community venues with Reimagine Redditch’s expertise in curating high-quality live performances. Together they…

The argument over whether we have free will is one that has baffled philosophers for centuries, and now the abundance of offers and promotions guiding people’s decisions has added another factor to this equation. Are we making our own decisions about what we want to purchase or where we want to go? Or has the marketing become so good that we’re now being expertly guided towards the things we choose? This isn’t just happening online either. In fact, some…

THE OPPORTUNITY to explore a variety of gardens in Alcester town centre returns on Sunday, June 21 with the 34th garden walkabout. Organised by Alcester and District Friends of Cancer Research UK, the popular event runs from midday to 5pm, offering members of the public an exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at the curated floral spaces behind many historic homes . To slake thirst and assuage hunger, cream teas and a variety of homemade cakes will be served on the lawn…

People are being urged to remain vigilant after experts warned of a rise in sightings of the oak processionary moth (OPM), an invasive species whose caterpillars can pose risks to both human and animal health. The warning follows reports from councils and environmental authorities across England, as warmer weather has contributed to an increase in the number of nests and caterpillar sightings. The Forestry Commission has said conditions this year have been favourable for the insects, leading to growing…

REDDITCH United have increased the social value of their impact on the town to £4.2million following the publication of the club’s social impact report. As calculated by the Football Association (FA), Redditch have increased their social value by £300,000 from the club’s 2025 figure. Speaking on the evening, chairman David Faulkner said the social value statistics were particularly impressive because the metric was measured by the FA, rather than the club. “Again we have one of the best social…

As summer arrives and wildlife becomes more active, many people will encounter what appears to be an abandoned baby animal. A young bird hopping across the lawn. A tiny rabbit hidden in long grass. A hedgehog wandering alone in daylight. The natural instinct for many of us is to help. Yet wildlife experts say that, in many cases, the best thing we can do is simply leave well alone. June is one of the busiest months of the year…

VAPE recycling across Worcestershire has nearly doubled in a year following the introduction of the disposable vape ban, new figures from Worcestershire County Council show. The amount of vapes collected at the county’s household recycling centres rose from 1.67 tonnes in 2024 to 3.30 tonnes in 2025, reflecting a growing number of residents choosing to dispose of these items safely. The increase comes as the authority marks the first anniversary of the ban in June 2025, and issues a…