Cast your vote now: https://elevatorworld.com/contests/product-of-the-year/

If you haven’t had a chance to vote yet, we’d really appreciate your support. Every vote counts and helps shine a light on our ongoing commitment to lift safety innovation.

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The part-government-funded initiative is designed for senior leaders to boost business performance and leadership skills.

Run by Worcester Business School at the University of Worcester, the 12-week course gives participants tools to strengthen areas such as brand development, high-performance workplace culture, and strategic growth planning.

One standout success story is Richard Sadler, Managing Director of CJC Aggregates & Landscaping Supplies in Upton Snodsbury.

“We started our business during Covid, and it grew very quickly,” said Richard. “I’d spent my life selling to big businesses but never run my own business and that’s why Help to Grow appealed to me.”

Richard said: “The course enabled me to identify a weakness in the business, which was that we’ve got great data on our customers, but we had no customer relationship management systems in place.”

He continued: “We’ve now addressed that, and coupled with other changes we’ve made, our retail business is up 50% in the last quarter on the same time last year, and our B2B (Business to Business) is up 20%, which is brilliant. I’m really pleased at how we continue to grow.”

Based on the outskirts of Worcester, CJC is fast becoming a big name in selling hard landscaping products to trade and non-trade customers.

Richard said: “Someone who was on the course at the same time as me has now actually become a really great customer, we’ve been able to put a load of work each other’s way and we’ve got a great trading relationship.”

Dr Scott Andrews, Head of Worcester Business School, said: “This is the only Help to Grow Management Programme in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire area, and it has already helped businesspeople across the region take a fresh look at their day-to-day operations and ask ‘what could we do better’?”

Dr Andrews added: “I’m delighted to hear that the Help to Grow course has had such a positive impact on Richard and the team at CJC Aggregates & Landscaping Supplies, and as with all our participants on the course we look forward to seeing them continue to grow.”

An introductory networking event will be held on the 4^th September at the University’s City Campus, offering the chance to meet other business leaders and find out more about the programme.

The University is currently recruiting small business leaders and managers to its next Help to Grow cohort, which begins on the 2^nd October 2025.

If you’d like to book onto the introductory event, please follow this link

For more information on the Help to Grow course, visit the University of Worcester website.

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The event was put in place to raise money for the Foundation’s mission to make #CricketForAll. Twelve local businesses each with up to ten players, who all took part in a round-robin tournament in town. Offering a great opportunity for networking, bonding and backing a noble cause.

On the day, Elsa Marie Evans the Head of Community Programmes shared: “We had 13 teams from across Worcester and the surrounding area. The aim is to raise money for the foundation, which then goes into the community projects we do”.

At first, competitors and coaches were concerned about the torrential rain with people taking shelter in a conveniently placed bar. When one competitor was asked what advice, he would give to anyone thinking of taking part next year he said: “yes, bring an umbrella”!

However, the rain soon lifted, and the games were underway. The hot weather was the perfect aid in drying up the ground, so it wasn’t slippery for players. For a moment there was even sunshine! But everyone was all in good spirits and wet hair was soon forgotten about.

The atmosphere was really friendly, with everyone getting stuck in, regardless of whether they have any experience playing. Whether it rained or shined, one thing was clear: Street Sixes brings people together – and next year, we’ll be ready. Umbrellas and all.

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With only a short timescale to complete the job, one of the SVR’s directors used his extensive network of main line railway contacts to secure volunteer people power, equipment, support services and consumables at no cost to the heritage line.

On Wednesday 16 July, the ‘Orange Army Volunteer All Stars’ came together to complete the work, following repairs to the damaged bridge and embankment at Mor Brook.

SVR director Steve Featherstone said:

“It was clear we needed a very fast solution for our track re-lay, once we’d secured the visit of ‘Flying Scotsman’, and we had an incredibly short timescale to get things done. I started making phone calls to contacts in the rail industry, and was completely knocked out by their willingness to get involved and the generosity of so many companies.

“It’s been quite a job pulling all this together, but it has worked out tremendously well. The camaraderie and atmosphere on site was amazing.”

The companies taking part in the exercise included A P Webb, AWE Technologies, Balfour Beatty, Central Rail Systems Alliance, CML, Colas, Crown Group, Forestry, Rail & Civils Ltd, Ganymede Solutions, Interflon, Network Rail, Rail Power and Construction Ltd, Shannon Rail, Staytite, Vital and VP Rail.

“Whilst repairs to the embankment and bridge structure were covered largely by insurance, the track re-lay element wasn’t,” added Steve. “In record time, this superb team has been able to carry out a task that would have taken the railway’s own very small permanent way gang around three weeks to complete. It’s made all the difference, and we are hugely grateful.”

Denise Wetton, Network Rail Central Route director said:

“In 2023, the SVR’s managing director Gus Dunster and I signed the first ever partnership agreement between Network Rail and a heritage railway. The Mor Brook rebuild and reinstatement is a great example of what can be achieved when everyone works closely together.”

SVR managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster added:

“It has been great to see the whole railway community pitching in to help us. With ‘Flying Scotsman’ coming for our grand reopening, it was essential we got the track reinstated safely and quickly. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who played a part in the Orange Army Volunteer All Stars. What an achievement this has been!”

The SVR has quickly moved on to run proving trains across the repaired embankment, and will hold the official passenger reopening of the full line this Friday with ‘Flying Scotsman’ hauling the inaugural service.

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Just weeks after the railway proudly reopens its full 16.5-mile route from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth on 25 July, the Extravaganza promises one of the most exciting and nostalgic events of the summer holidays.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can travel behind beautifully restored steam and diesel locomotives, hopping off at stations along the line to explore a stunning collection of vintage vehicles. From timeless motorcars and motorcycles to gleaming buses, tractors, lorries and more, each station becomes a showcase of transport history.

Lewis Maddox, the SVR’s visitor engagement manager said: “This event is a real celebration of everything we love about summer at the Severn Valley Railway. There’s something truly magical about the mix of heritage trains, classic vehicles, and the buzz of families enjoying a day out together. It’s the perfect way to experience the sights, sounds and spirit of a bygone era.”

Perfect for families, classic vehicle fans, and anyone looking for a great day out, the event captures the spirit of summers gone by. There’s plenty to see and do, with vehicle displays open from 10am to 4pm each day (subject to availability). Station cafés will be open for refreshments, and picnic spots along the line offer the ideal place to relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Normal fares apply, with Freedom of the Line and Short Journey tickets available to purchase in advance or on the day. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trip using the dedicated timetables for the weekend.

Make this a summer to remember with a visit to the Severn Valley Railway on 9 and 10 August for its spectacular celebration of transport through the ages.

For details, timetables and tickets, visit svr.co.uk

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Taking place alongside a busy weekend of steam and heritage diesel services on the historic Severn Valley Railway, Brick Weekend is the perfect day out for children and grown-up LEGO enthusiasts alike. The main attraction is based at The Engine House in Highley, which can be reached by train from either Kidderminster or Bridgnorth. Visitors are encouraged to hop on and off the train, stopping at stations along the line to enjoy everything the railway has to offer.

At The Engine House, guests can look forward to an impressive display of seven detailed LEGO railway layouts, as visitor engagement manager Lewis Maddox explained:
‘There’s a specially themed Thomas & Friends section, and a range of interactive experiences that will delight young minds. Children can take part in creative puzzles or enter a fun-filled Minifigure Hunt for just £1 per sheet – with a chance to win LEGO prizes.

‘They can even try their hand at robot battling in a mini arena. For those hoping to take a piece of the fun home, there will be a range of pocket-money LEGO toys, accessories, along with compatible tracks and motors available to buy.’

Entry to The Engine House and the Brick Weekend attractions is included in the price of all train tickets. The event is open from 10:45am to 4:30pm on both days, with the last entry at 4:00pm. Normal fares apply, with both Freedom of the Line and Short Journey tickets available either in advance online or at the station on the day.

LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor or endorse this event. Models on display may differ from promotional photography and are subject to change.

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Awards coordinator Laura O’Carroll said:

‘SME News prides itself on the validity of its awards and winners. The awards are given solely on merit and are awarded to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work, distinguishing them from their competitors and proving them worthy of recognition.’

Commenting on the award, SVR managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster said:

‘We’re delighted to have been recognised in this way, as the SVR has a well-deserved reputation for the scale and scope of its enthusiast events. Our steam and diesel events in both spring and autumn draw a great deal of attention, and more recently we’ve been able to add shorter winter enthusiast events to our calendar too.’

The SVR’s next enthusiast event is the Autumn Steam Gala, taking place between 18 and 21 September. The railway will be hosting its first ever Merchant Navy class guest, SR 35006 Peninsular & Oriental S N Co, alongside other yet-to-announced guests and home fleet locomotives. The Friday and Saturday nights of the event will also see overnight running, in celebration of the SVR’s 60^th anniversary.

There’s more information on the Autumn Steam Gala at svr.co.uk.

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And, in a special move to celebrate the SVR’s 60^th anniversary year, it will re-introduce overnight running on the Friday and Saturday nights of the event.

SVR managing director, Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, said, ‘It’s especially exciting for us to make this announcement, as 35006 has never visited us before. We’re grateful to both the 35006 Locomotive Company Ltd and the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway for agreeing to its appearance at our event.

‘It’s particularly pleasing to be able to bring back overnight running at our autumn steam gathering. This will see the railway operating continuously for a 60-hour stint, from early Friday morning to mid-evening on the Sunday. We’ll have two services in operation, and these will stop at all stations. Mounting this sort of operation is a huge undertaking, and we can only do it from time to time. However, the SVR’s 60^th anniversary is one of those special occasions, and we can’t wait!

‘For this event of course, we’ll have the full line open again, something we are very much looking forward to seeing, following the repair of the landslip towards the northern end of the line. And we hope to be able to make a further guest announcement soon.’

The event will also see six members of the SVR’s resident steam fleet in action, including 4930 ‘Hagley Hall’, 7714, 7802 ‘Bradley Manor’, 13268, 75069 and 1450 operating as an Autotrain.

Advance tickets are discounted by up to 10% and great value multi-day rovers are available at svr.co.uk.

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The specially commissioned Inspiration train arrived at Kidderminster Town station, sporting its one-off livery, in tandem with the SVR’s heritage steam locomotive GWR 1450. On board Inspiration, visitors were treated to a voyage of discovery, celebrating the past, present and future of the railway.

Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director said: ‘We are thrilled that the Severn Valley Railway is the first venue to host Inspiration and we know that our visitors over the next 10 days are going to love it! It’s a fascinating look into everything related to the railway, with exciting, interactive exhibits that are really going to spark the imagination. The best thing of all is that it’s free for everyone to visit!

‘For the final two days of Inspiration’s stay with us on 5 and 6 July, it’s our Railway 200: Trains through the Ages weekend. This is going to be really special, with an intensive timetable and rolling stock from all eras including the visiting LMS 46115 Scots Guardsman and HydroFLEX which is the cutting edge in current rail technology. There’ll be footplate rides on narrow gauge locos Chaloner and Holy War at The Engine House, Highley plus our own Autotrain and many other steam and heritage diesel locomotives. We’ve even got a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lancaster bomber!’

Denise Wetton, Network Rail’s central route director, said: ‘We’re so excited that the Inspiration train has arrived and opened its doors for the first time here in Kidderminster. Birmingham and the West Midlands are at the heart of Britain’s railway, making it the perfect starting point for the Railway 200 exhibition train tour.

‘This unique train will offer visitors an experience that showcases the railway’s vital role in Britain’s past, present, and future. I am so excited to see it inspire thousands of visitors from the West Midlands who will be among the first in Britain to experience what this remarkable train has to offer.’

Inspiration will be on platform at the SVR’s Kidderminster Town station until 6 July. Entry is free, but time slots must be pre-booked at svr.co.uk, and a small booking fee applies. Tickets to visit the exhibition train do not include travel, which must be booked separately.

Railway 200 is a year-long, nationwide celebration of the 200^th anniversary of modern railways, aimed at attracting the next generation of pioneering talent.

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What’s Changing?

Currently, Worcestershire operates through a three-tier system:

• Worcestershire County Council manages county-wide services like education, public health, highways and adult social care .

• Below that, six district, borough or city councils handle local concerns such as waste collection, planning, leisure and housing. 

• Many areas also have town and parish councils caring for very local services.

But under new Government rules, 21 regions, including us, must reorganise into fewer, more streamlined unitary councils and explore devolution—shifting powers over transport, infrastructure and economic development to regional Strategic Authorities. 

• Visit before 29 June 2025 to share your opinions: which services you think belong at which level, what matters most to your community, and what future you’d like to see .

• Explore resources on the Shape Worcestershire website, including About Reorganisation, Devolution, and FAQs to aid informed feedback. 

Have your say – https://shapeworcestershire.org/have-your-say

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