Miranda Norris

The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales have applied for a drought order lasting up to six months because of exceptionally low rainfall and concerns about water supplies in the River Severn basin. Proposed measures include limiting releases from Llyn Clywedog reservoir, reducing prescribed flows at Bewdley and cutting water company abstractions by 5% to protect river flows, ecology and migratory fish. The public can inspect the proposals and submit formal objections by 5pm on August 25, 2026.

A Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust fundraising appeal for a new heritage-style canopy at Kidderminster Town station has raised £254,558 in just over two months, more than a quarter of its £1 million target. The project will provide passenger shelter, enhance the station's appearance and incorporate salvaged materials from Wolverhampton Low Level Great Western Railway station. A substantial legacy donation helped accelerate the campaign, although the trust says significant additional funding is still needed. The railway's leaders describe the canopy as the completion of a decades-long vision for Kidderminster as the gateway to the Severn Valley Railway.

Worcestershire Rapids lost to Glamorgan by two wickets on the final ball of a dramatic Metro Bank One Day Cup match. Jake Libby scored 105, his fourth consecutive tournament century, while Henry Cullen made a career-best 77 to help Worcestershire reach 278-8. Glamorgan recovered from early setbacks through partnerships involving Jack Hope-Bell and Callum Nicholls, before Tim van der Gugten’s 45 from 29 balls set up the winning finish. Worcestershire now need a substantial victory over Durham to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive.

Walcot Hall will host an outdoor family production of The Sword in the Stone on Tuesday, August 18. The show follows Wart and Morgan on a journey to a London tournament and includes audience participation, medieval costumes and a children’s drama workshop for ages five to 10. Gates open at 3pm, the performance begins at 4pm, and the event will move indoors if it rains.

New independent retailers, cafés, restaurants, creative spaces and service businesses are opening across Malvern Hills, including in Malvern, Upton upon Severn, Tenbury Wells and Kempsey. Malvern Hills District Council says the businesses will strengthen local communities and make town centres more vibrant, while encouraging residents and visitors to shop locally.

Shropshire Museums has launched curator-led behind-the-scenes tours at its Collections Centre in Ludlow, offering access to artefacts, artworks, fossils and archives normally kept in storage. August tours include visits focused on mammoths discovered at Condover and artworks inspired by Ludlow, with tickets costing £15 and limited to 20 people. The centre also provides free access to ground-floor exhibitions and is wheelchair accessible.

Ludlow’s bid to become UK Town of Culture 2028 will not progress after the town was excluded from the 15-application shortlist selected from 398 entries. Ludlow Town Council said the application was nevertheless valuable, highlighting strong community involvement and youth participation. The council plans to continue developing partnerships and cultural projects, including initiatives giving young people a greater role, while the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will offer applicants guidance for sustaining cultural activity.

A Bike4Life ride-out and festival in Shropshire attracted 3,000 motorcyclists and raised £91,000 for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. The fundraising brought the event’s total since 2010 above £1 million. Organised with West Mercia Police and National Highways, the event also promotes motorcycle safety.

Ludlow is forecast to have a warm, mostly sunny and dry weekend, with temperatures reaching 23°C on Friday, 22°C on Saturday and 25°C on Sunday. Monday could reach 26°C despite cloudy conditions. Rain chances remain below 10%, with light winds, no weather warnings, high UV levels and high pollen counts expected.

Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson said his side fell short after Yorkshire defeated the Rapids by six wickets in York, ending their unbeaten start to the Metro Bank One Day Cup. Worcestershire slipped to 53 for four before Dan Lategan and Henry Cullen rebuilt the innings, with Matthew Waite's late surge taking the total to 230. Yorkshire chased the target comfortably, led by Will Luxton's century. Richardson praised Lategan and Cullen but said Worcestershire needed to improve in key moments before hosting Middlesex at New Road less than 48 hours later.

A survey of 1,000 UK adults found that many people mistakenly believe care homes are inspected annually, while Care Quality Commission rules may allow three to five years between inspections for homes rated Good or Outstanding. More than half of respondents would be uncomfortable relying on a rating over three years old, with concerns focused on deteriorating hygiene and undetected safety incidents. OpenScore founder Debbie Harris said families may be making major care decisions using outdated information.

Worcestershire Rapids host unbeaten Middlesex in the Metro Bank One Day Cup as part of the second Blue for Bakes Weekend, which honours former player Josh Baker and supports the JB33 Foundation. The reigning champions are seeking to respond to their first defeat of the summer against Yorkshire, with Ben Gibbon’s fitness and possible changes to the bowling attack among the selection issues. Dan Lategan and Henry Cullen are highlighted as key performers. Middlesex lead Group B after winning all three opening matches, with Josh de Caires in particularly strong form. The match begins at 11am at New Road.

Worcestershire Women’s Rapids defeated Derbyshire Falcons by 101 runs in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Denby. Captain Clare Boycott scored her second Worcestershire century, sharing a 200-plus-run partnership with debutant Ella Claridge after an opening stand with Gwen Davies. Jess Beach and Amy Maund struck early with the ball, while Amy Griffiths took 4-31 as Derbyshire’s chase fell short. The victory revived Worcestershire’s hopes of reaching the September finals day and potentially the semi-finals.