Latest news with #Kidderminster
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
How to see the Flying Scotsman as Severn Valley Railway reopens
This week, the Severn Valley Railway fully reopens for the first time since an embankment collapse earlier in the tracks have been re-laid over the newly repaired bridge, the popular heritage railway will reopen on Friday with one of the most iconic trains in the world making an appearance. The Flying Scotsman will be making three return trips a day on Friday, then on Saturday and Sunday, as part of Severn Valley Railway's Swingin' Sixties event, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of the the famous steam train can still be seen at various railway stations and areas across the county for people to enjoy. The Flying Scotsman is described by National Museums Scotland as "the world's most famous train service" and by the National Railway Museum as "the world's most famous steam locomotive".It first entered service in 1923 and broke records by hauling the first non-stop London to Edinburgh service in years later, it became the UK's first locomotive to officially reach a speed of 100mph. How can I see the Flying Scotsman? Severn Valley Railway said the best place to see the famous locomotive was by purchasing Day Rover tickets to their Swingin' Sixties event on Saturday and Sunday - however, separate tickets to ride behind the train have sold those with tickets, the Flying Scotsman trains depart from Kidderminster for one round trip - the train will not be stopping at intermediate stations - at 09:00 BST, 13:00 BST and 17:15 Valley Railway advised people without tickets not to attend Kidderminster or Bridgnorth Station as access was restricted to ticket-holders railway operators also advised people not to access via Northwood Halt and Country Park who wants to see the Flying Scotsman without attending the Swingin' Sixties event is advised to go to one of the following locations:Bewdley StationArley StationArley ArboretumCoombys FarmHighley Station and The Engine HouseWellness Woodlands, HighleySevern Valley Country ParkHampton Loade StationEardington StationEardington Nature Reserve What else is happening at the event? As part of the Swingin' Sixties event on Saturday and Sunday, ticket holders can ride on steam and diesel trains in historical carriages - although tickets to ride behind the Flying Scotsman have sold is the first time visitors will be able to travel over the full Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, following the landslip and subsequent will be a ferris wheel at The Engine House in Bridgnorth, with live music at The Engine House and the Kidderminster end of the there will be classic cars on display at Kidderminster, The Engine House and include train travel all day and access to the attractions. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- BBC News
Kidderminster mum's plea to parents after daughter's crash death
"I thought I was so blessed - I had two children, life was good, but then one day your daughter goes out the door, totally happy, and she never comes home."Lily-May Vaughan, 17, from Kidderminster, was passenger in a car driven by Logan Addison, 20, when it came off the road near Shawbury Heath in Shropshire on 4 February June 2025, Mr Addison, who was 17 at the time of the crash, was jailed for five and a half years after being found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Lily-May's mother, Leanne Vaughan, is campaigning for more restrictions for newly-qualified drivers, and is urging parents to "challenge" their children who are getting into the car with a new driver. "Lily-May was my whole world, I absolutely idolised her," Ms Vaughan primary school teacher added that her daughter was a "ray of happiness" who would light up every room. "She was just such a positive girl, and she was a proper down-to-earth girl who liked the simple things in life," she said. "She loved all animals - I used to say she was like the blonde Snow White because she just seemed to enchant animals." "It is indescribable losing a child, especially so tragically," Ms Vaughan is now calling for "simple changes" to the law, like restrictions on newly-qualified drivers carrying Vaughan hopes this would "empower young people when they hear how it destroys families"."Just spending six months feeling confident, driving yourself around with no pressure, is really going to benefit [young people.]." According to road safety charity Brake, one in five drivers crash within a year of passing their latest data from the Department for Transport (DfT) found that in 2023 around a fifth of all people killed or seriously injured in car crashes were in collisions involving a young driver. The DfT, which defines a "young driver" as someone aged between 17 and 24, also found that crashes involving young drivers were more likely to include factors like "loss of control" and "exceeding speed limit" when compared to drivers of other ages. "This can literally happen to anyone", Ms Vaughan said, adding that she "didn't think until the day it happened to me that this was the biggest danger to Lily-May".She is now urging parents to dissuade their children from taking a lift with a newly-qualified driver."It's okay to challenge them and make sure you share with them my story." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- BBC News
All aboard Flying Scotsman as Severn Valley heritage line reopens
It's all aboard at Severn Valley Railway as the Flying Scotsman arrived on Wednesday ahead of the first trips following a famous locomotive will celebrate its full reopening on 25 July, running the 16-mile route between Bridgnorth and Dunster, the managing director at the Severn Valley, said he was excited to see hundreds of people visit the beloved train and have their "imagination captured"."It's been a year of ups and downs for us this year, because the landslide in January really set us back, but now it's all finished and we're getting ready to open next week. We wanted to do it in a really high-profile way," he said. The northern part of the track in Shropshire had to close in January due to a landslide, which meant trains could go no further than Hampton Loade while the repairs were carried Flying Scotsman first entered service in broke records by hauling the first non-stop London to Edinburgh service in 1928 and became the UK's first locomotive to officially reach a speed of 100mph six years Dunster said although train enthusiasts will come in droves, he looked forward to younger generations learning about it."Many people won't be enthusiasts but just be general members of the public and youngsters whose imaginations have been captured."We knew it would be popular, and we optimistically hoped it would sell out very quickly, which it did," he to travel onboard the train sold out in three minutes, which prompted extra tickets to be released. They include options for on-train dining."We really want to encourage people from wider demographics to come and experience heritage railways and all the different things that we can do."Getting the next generations to come through is critical to railways on this, being here in another 60 years," he Flying Scotsman is due to visit the heritage line on 25, 26 and 27 July. It will only stop at Bridgnorth and Kidderminster on the 16-mile route. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Kidderminster premises plea as wellbeing charity told to move
A health and wellbeing charity has said it is in desperate need of new premises after it was told to leave its current Limitless offers counselling sessions to help support people's mental health but must leave its base in Kidderminster by 8 August after the landlord found new charity also runs group therapy, exercise classes to help with loneliness and training to help people find jobs, and operations manager Ralph Pars said staff were now in a race against founders Paul and Lynne Raper said the charity was under "massive pressure". Mrs Raper said the charity helped 250 people a week and had been running for 12 years. She said she was "devastated", adding: "We're meeting some of the most vulnerable people living in the Wyre Forest."Mr Raper said the move followed a change to the licensing of the building and said the charity currently had nowhere to go. 'Invaluable service' He said they were looking for a temporary space as a step towards a permanent solution and needed the help of a landlord or building charity needs a hall for exercise groups and rooms for counselling, he Pars said: "We're really up against it on time. We have literally four weeks from now that we have to exit this building."There's an awful lot to consider in terms of a mobilisation plan to make that happen as well as to consider what our options are going to be potentially on a short-to-medium and then obviously medium-to-long-term basis."He appealed for anyone with a suitable property in Kidderminster to get in touch. Lisa McNally, director of public health for Worcestershire, said the charity did "an amazing job", and she added: "I really hope they can find a new home to operate their invaluable service." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Two goals for Franco as Swans begin pre-season with win
Alan Sheehan's team began their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 5-0 against National League North side Kidderminster a behind-closed-doors game, Gonçalo Franco scored twice while Ronald, Eom Ji-Sung and new signing Zeidane Inoussa were also on target.
