HERE are a selection of the smaller – but just as important – stories featured in this week’s Observer:
A MALVERN butcher’s sausages have been shortlisted in the regional finals of a British Sausage Week competition.
James Torrance of Malvern Butchery is one of ten who will be judged by television chef Simon Rimmer during a cook-off on Wednesday, November 6, in Birmingham.
Mr Rimmer said: “I am thrilled to be undertaking this journey of discovery to find Britain’s Greatest Sausage and it’s a huge honour to be visiting Birmingham as part of British Sausage Week 2013.”
TIPS for setting off fireworks have been issued by fire chiefs to ensure Bonfire Night and Diwali are celebrated safely.
Advice includes keeping them in a closed metal box, following instructions carefully, lighting them at arm’s length and never going back to a lit firework.
Those lighting bonfires should build them well clear of buildings or hedges, keep them to a manageable size and evenly built so they collapse inwards and not leave them unattended.
Station commander Alan Haley from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: “We are encouraging people to go along to an organised event with their families and friends as this is by far the safest option.
“Nevertheless, we recognise that many people will be holding their own bonfire parties and get-togethers, and we want to remind them of some simple firework and bonfire safety tips to help avoid injury or any damage to their property.”
SMALL and medium size businesses in the county are being called on to consider recruiting graduates.
A partnership between Worcestershire County Council and the University of Worcester will see 50 per cent of graduates’ salaries funded as part of a new EU funded grant scheme.
It will cover half of the costs of a three-month internship or a one-year placement, up to a maximum of £10,000.
To qualify a business must be based in and trading from Worcestershire, employ fewer than 250 employees and have a turnover of under 50 million Euros or a balance sheet of less than 43 million Euros.
Visit www.business-central.co.uk or call 0300 123 1440 for more information and an application form.
CARE services for older people in Malvern have been rated as excellent for the fifth year running.
Howbury House, which helps residents live independently within their own homes, received the Government’s customer service excellent award after an annual inspection, alongside The Grange in Kidderminster and the Timberdine Nursing and Rehabilitation Unit in Worcester.
Coun Sheila Blagg, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “I am delighted these three homes have again received the customer service excellence award which shows how we put the needs of our customers first in everything we do.”
BUSINESSES raced ahead to help a charity during an endurance go-karting day.
Organised by Hayward Wright Chartered Accountants, the day raised £1,440 for Megan Baker House and was sponsored by Hills Ford.
A total of 18 teams took part, with a silent auction for grid positions and the chance to buy black flag stops for other teams.
Hayward Wright director Alistair Druett said: “We were originally going to put on an afternoon race but due to the demand, we sold out in ten hours, we put on a morning race as well.”
VIRTUAL gifts are on offer to help residents support a county wildlife conservation charity.
The gifts, which range from helping the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust pay for conservation work on meadows and woodlands to protecting woodland and hedgerow habitats, are on offer on the organisation’s website.
Organiser Becky Bradshaw King said: “There are a lot of eco-conscious shoppers who are looking for a gift that’s a little bit different to give and really makes a difference in their local area.
Visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/shop for more information.
BUGS and hand hygiene were the theme of the day as Malvern schoolchildren took part in a special interactive lesson.
Aimed at highlighting the need for hand washing in a farm setting, the event at Wyche CE Primary School was devised by e-Bug, a Europe-wide educational resource.
A total of 210 children aged between nine and 11 took part from rural locations and small towns across England, with a questionnaire used before and after to assess how the pupils’ knowledge developed.
RESIDENTS have been praised for helping police catch criminals by calling an independent charity.
Figures released by Crimestoppers show in the first third of the financial year, the West Midlands had the most amount of calls across the country, with more than 5,000 pieces of information passed on to police between April and July this year.
This marks an increase of almost 12 per cent across the region, with a rise of 48 per cent in Warwickshire compared to the same four month period in 2012.
Mark Stevenson, West Midlands chairman, said: “These early year statistics show that the people in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Telford and Shropshire have a lot of faith and trust in Crimestoppers.
“Local people are community crime stoppers – doing their bit by contacting us to ensure their streets are free of crime and for that I’d like to thank them.”
VOLUNTEERS are being urged to help out at shops in aid of a county hospice.
St Richard’s Hospice is calling on residents to consider using some of their spare time to volunteer at their shops in Upton and Malvern Link.
A spokeswoman said: “They are keen to see those with time to spare who would like to work in the charity shops which raise funds to help St Richard’s care for those with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.
“The Upton shop is particularly in need of volunteers who are happy to train to be on the shop tills. Anyone interested is urged to pop into the shop and talk to the manager.”
