Matty Airey

KEMP Hospice is inviting people to its fifth annual butterfly release at Bodenham Arboretum on September 12, allowing attendees to dedicate butterflies in memory of loved ones. The event will include live music from the West Midlands Concert Band, and butterflies can also be released on behalf of people unable to attend. Donations support KEMP Hospice's free care, counselling and bereavement services for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Wyre Forest.

Stanier Mogul LMS No. 13268, a historic steam locomotive based at the Severn Valley Railway, is expected to return to UK main-line rail tours this year through a partnership between the railway, Vintage Trains and the Stanier Mogul Fund. Built in 1934 and preserved after surviving a scrapyard, the locomotive last operated main-line tours in 2013 and returned to Severn Valley Railway service in 2023. It will continue operating locally until its first main-line appearance.

Wyre Forest District Council is considering a temporary £50,000 loan from its Capital Projects Fund to support improvement works and future growth at Stourport Sports Club. The proposed loan would last up to two years, require detailed legal and financial checks, and include security arrangements to protect taxpayers’ money. Council committees and Cabinet are due to review the proposal, with some discussion potentially taking place privately because of confidential financial details.

mfg Solicitors has promoted Rebecca Rogers to legal director and named Kennedy Langley and Victoria Griffiths senior associates. The Kidderminster-based firm said the promotions recognise their hard work and established reputations in commercial litigation, family law and contentious probate. Managing director Andrew Davies praised all three and highlighted the firm's depth of talent across its regional offices.

Wolverley Village Players are inviting aspiring actors and backstage volunteers of all ages to attend a launch night for their new pantomime-style production, Hansel and Gretel and the Sugar Free Fairy. The event will explain opportunities in acting, singing, dancing, set building, costumes and technical support; no previous experience is required. The group, founded in 2013, rehearses from September and performs to sold-out audiences in January.

Kidderminster Writes is offering six free creative-writing workshops for local residents, with no prior experience required. Ten participants will develop stories inspired by the town and its residents, turn them into short scripts with help from a local writer, and have the scripts performed by professional actors at Kidderminster Town Hall. Sessions take place on Saturdays in the town centre, and the project is supported by Kidderminster Foodbank, Arts Council England and Worcestershire County Council.

Mary Coughlan will headline Kidderminster Town Hall on October 4 as part of her 2026 UK tour, marking her only Midlands performance. Organised by AGMP Concerts, the show highlights her acclaimed vocal style and storytelling. Travel and ticket information is provided through the venue’s box office and her official website.

OGL Software marks 50 years in business as its 300th customer, Leicester Bearings, adopts the company’s Profit4 ERP platform to support scalable operations and integrated stock, sales, finance and reporting functions. Executives frame the transition as part of a long-term partnership and broader business transformation. Continued development of the platform includes planned AI Insights tools aimed at improving data-driven decision-making.

Recent death notices from the Kidderminster area highlight the passing of five residents, providing brief details about their lives, families and funeral arrangements, with links to full tributes for each individual.

A veterinary clinic in Hartlebury, Pawsitive Vet Care, has earned Fear Free Certified Practice status, marking it as one of few UK practices to receive the accreditation. The certification highlights its techniques to reduce fear and anxiety in animals, including tailored environments and owner involvement. Director Helen Perryman-Smith said the approach improves both patient comfort and the quality of care. All staff were already individually certified, and the practice offers a range of services for small animals.

Broadwaters Mill Park in Kidderminster has retained its Green Flag Award for 2026, recognising its high standards of maintenance, safety and community value. Kidderminster Town Council, volunteers and the Friends of Broadwaters Mill Park were praised for their continued efforts in maintaining the site as part of the award’s 30th anniversary. Local leaders highlighted the park’s importance to the community, while Keep Britain Tidy commended the council’s commitment to properly managed green spaces.

Children from Little Trinity Nursery’s Red Ladybird class celebrated their farewell with an outdoor party featuring water games, cakes and a performance by entertainer Magic Russ. Nursery manager Gaynor Carter highlighted the importance of marking the milestone and bringing families together. Each child received a balloon keepsake as part of the festivities.

New holiday camps at Heathfield Knoll School will run throughout the summer, offering sports, STEM, crafts and performing arts activities for children aged four to fifteen. Delivered by Elevate Performance Academy, the programmes aim to provide affordable childcare, promote confidence and encourage social interaction within the Kidderminster community.

A senior associate at Kidderminster-based mfg Solicitors urges landowners to consider promotion agreements, which allow property developers or land promoters to cover planning and marketing costs in exchange for a fee upon sale. The agreements can increase the likelihood of securing planning permission without financial risk to landowners, while promoters are compensated only if the land is successfully sold.

mfg Solicitors has expanded its contentious probate team with the addition of solicitor Samantha Evans in Kidderminster. Evans, formerly of Bradley Haynes Law, will work with department head Andrew Chandler on disputed estates and inheritance matters. Both highlighted the firm’s strong reputation, and the team is ranked in the Legal 500 as one of the UK’s largest specialist groups.

Harvington History Festival will return to Harvington Hall with a programme focused on Tudor history, featuring talks from leading historians, authors and broadcasters. Highlights include discussions on African lives in Tudor England, Elizabeth I’s use of portraiture, coroners’ inquests, Viking daily life and female monarchy. Antiques Roadshow experts Will Farmer and Susan Rumfitt will offer valuations and talks, while vocal ensemble Apollo 5 will perform a concert blending Elizabethan and modern compositions. Tickets begin at £12 and are available through the Harvington Hall website.

Halls has appointed Kate Howells as area lettings manager for its Kidderminster and Telford offices, tasking her with expanding the firm’s rental portfolio and strengthening relationships with landlords. The company is promoting discounted summer lettings services and developing an alternative to traditional deposits aimed at improving affordability for tenants. Howells, who joined in May and was quickly promoted, highlights the team‑based approach across Halls’ regional network and aims to increase the number and variety of rental properties available locally.

A rare appearance by BR(W) Pannier Tank 9681 will headline the Severn Valley Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala, marking its first visit away from the Dean Forest Railway in nearly 30 years. The locomotive will run passenger services and pair with resident engine 7714, a combination unlikely to be repeated soon due to scheduled overhaul work. Additional guest locomotives include Ivatt Class 2 No. 41313, while GWR Prairie tank 4150 may debut pending final testing. Further details and ticketing are available through the Severn Valley Railway.

Kidderminster Town Hall received the refurbishment and revitalisation award at the 2026 RICS Awards, with judges commending its balance of historic preservation and modern community use. The project overcame heritage and accessibility challenges through long‑term planning and sustainability measures, with improvements including a café and upgraded music hall. Regional winners from across the West Midlands advance to the UK grand final in October.

More than 11,000 homes and businesses in Stourport can now upgrade to full fibre broadband following a £3.3 million Openreach rollout. Although nearly 90 percent of properties are eligible, many have yet to switch, prompting Openreach to urge residents to check availability and place an order through a service provider. The upgrade promises faster, more reliable connections, particularly for households with multiple devices or remote workers. Openreach’s fibre network now covers 22 million UK premises, with expansion planned to reach 25 million by 2026.

A Kidderminster theatre school is celebrating the success of students and alumni who have recently secured roles in West End productions, international tours, cruise entertainment contracts, and new musical auditions. Graduate Rubi Bown joined the UK and international tour of Mamma Mia!, while others, including James Bishop and Harry Yafi, have taken roles in Emerald Storm and with Motionhouse. Additional alumni have joined major cruise lines, and current students are advancing in high‑profile auditions and original performances. Talking Props Theatre Arts, led by Michael Neri, continues to build a strong reputation, recently winning Best Youth Production at the NODA Awards.

A midwife‑led pregnancy and postnatal exercise programme from Glowing Mamma is launching at Brookside Family Hub in Kidderminster, offering fully funded Monday evening classes for pregnant women and new mothers. Founded by Rosie Bligh, the organisation has expanded across Worcestershire and is supported by a recent grant, with both professional and self‑referrals accepted.