Wychavon Growth Fund Case Studies

When it comes to developing appealing visitor attractions there’s nothing more important than being able to get around and providing for all your customers’ needs. 

All Things Wild at Honeybourne, Evesham is an immersive wildlife and adventure destination which provides families, schools and nature enthusiasts a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of the natural world. 

Footpaths around the site are vital for visitors to move around safely and access the differing features the park has to offer and routes which had the heaviest footfall have been improved with help from the Wychavon Rural Fund.  

A grant for £18,792 toward the overall £40,000 cost helped pay for the paths and a specialist Changing Places facility for visitors with additional support needs. 

Vicky Faller, Park Project Development Manager, said: “The grant has been instrumental in enhancing accessibility and improving the visitor experience at All Things Wild. We’ve been able to develop a Changing Places facility, ensuring visitors of all abilities can comfortably enjoy their time with us.  

“The tarmacking project has significantly improved the pathways across the park, making it easier and safer for guests, especially those with mobility challenges, to explore. This support has allowed us to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone, aligning with our mission of making nature accessible to all.” 

Catering for events and a Community Coffee Shop will be providing vital future revenue for The Sergeants Mess Community Hub in Norton, which has been renovated to the tune of £1.6m. 

And a grant of £24,521 from the Wychavon Rural Fund, which helped pay for an array of kitchen appliances and a complete fit-out of the bar/coffee shop and security, was a much-valued contribution to support the community’s efforts. 

Sam Faulkner, Director of the Worcester Norton Community Interest Company, said: ““The refreshment element of the community hub, is key to its longevity and future income stream. The grant has been significant in the services we can provide to the community.   

“It has directly paid for cookers, hobs, dishwasher, fridges, freezers, PA system and bar installation and security.  Without this grant we could not provide food or refreshments to the community, and this is a big driver towards social gatherings. For example, the coffee and cake mornings, which are proving to be very successful with our community, some of whom are attending each week - none of which could be offered without this fund.   

“It is also played a huge part in the future of the hub, as these services will provide an income to ensure that we can meet the running costs of the hub, giving the services.” 

A classic vehicle that was a feature of British high streets for more than a decade over 60 years ago, is making a comeback in 21st century form thanks to a company near Evesham.

Morris Commercial is hoping to start production by the middle of next year on the Morris JE – an all-electric reimagining of the Morris J-Type which was the go-to for small businesses up and down the country through the 1950s and early 1960s.

Wychavon has backed the business with a grant of just over £11,000 from the Wychavon Rural Fund to update the prototype manufacturing workshops at the company’s Hinton-on-the-Green base.

Councillors and officers from Wychavon recently visited the company to get an update on the latest plans, as part of the Chairman’s 50th anniversary tour of the district.

Development of the Morris JE began in 2017 with an ambition to create an electric van with an iconic design that was also functional and sustainable. Converting existing vans to electric is challenging as the weight of the vehicle, combined with the weight of the batteries required to power them, limits how far they can travel. Instead, it was decided to design an all-new van from scratch. 

The design retains classic features from the original J-Type such as the unique pear-shaped grille, while the aluminium chassis and carbon-fibre body – made partly from recycled materials – make it one of the lightest light commercial vehicles on the market. The JE can cover up to 250 miles per charge thanks to the state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery powertrain and regenerative braking that helps extend travel range. The van can carry up to one tonne in weight and boasts six cubic metres of space, maximised by its unique hinge design which also makes loading in tight spaces easier.

Two prototypes have been produced – one in pink and the other in blue – which have been used to travel the UK on the BBC’s Road to Recovery series, featured by a social media influencer and exhibited at various venues. 

Demand for the new vehicle is high with thousands of pre-orders coming in from across the globe. The company is now looking to secure premises to begin production of the JE, with a pledge that the van and its materials will be built and sourced in the UK along with a commitment to making the vehicle carbon neutral.

Julian Bremner-Smith, Marketing Manager for Morris Commercial, said: “Welcoming councillors and officers from Wychavon to Morris recently was a pleasure. Showcasing the project progress we are making, how their support is helping, and raising awareness of the beautiful and capable all-electric Morris JE across the region, was an opportunity not to be missed. What a fine way to celebrate the Council’s 50^th anniversary and the success stories within the district.”

The Wychavon Rural Fund is funded by Wychavon’s shared of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda.

A former cattle barn is being transformed into a dream wedding venue with support from Wychavon.

Cherry Orchard Wedding Barn on the Wyke Manor estate is being lovingly converted with the help of a £25,000 grant from the Wychavon Rural Fund. Once completed, the barn will provide the perfect location for wedding ceremonies and receptions, as well as conferences and other events.

The project is the realisation of a decades-long ambition for farmer Charles Hudson, who is also part of the team responsible for the iconic confetti fields which attract thousands of visitors to the area every year.

Efforts are being made to preserve as much of the historic timbers as possible, while modern energy-efficient measures such as double-glazed windows and doors are being installed. Timber grown on the nearby farm is also being used in the renovation to help lower the barn’s carbon footprint. Other features include a wood-burning stove and an outdoor patio area.

The barn conversion is set to be completed by the end of the summer. To enquire about hiring Cherry Orchard Wedding Barn, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Mr Hudson said: “This is something we have been working on for many years, and I’m delighted that with Wychavon’s help, we’re finally able to make our vision a reality.

“We could have just turned it into a home, but I wanted to create something that would support local businesses and create jobs in the local area for photographers, caterers, etc., so I’m pleased we’ve been able to do that.”

Wychavon is backing the project as part of the council’s commitment to developing and growing the district’s visitor economy.

A love of baking turned into a recipe for success for a Naunton Beauchamp business owner who is rising to the top with help from Wychavon.

Tina Hawkes received £3,692 from Wychavon’s Rural Fund to support the expansion of her home baking business Eat Your Crusts Ltd, which specialises in sourdough breads, baguettes, cakes, scones and other delicious delights.

The money has been used to buy a larger commercial fridge and bread oven, which has allowed the dough maestro to double the number of loaves she can bake at once and expand the range of items she can make.

Tina founded the company in 2019 after looking for a career that would help her balance working with raising a young family.

“From a child I have always been in the kitchen and loved baking and when the children were younger we were always making things,” Tina said.

“I didn’t want to go back into an office, I needed something where I could be at home. I took a couple of bread making courses and loved it and thought this is it.

“I’m grateful for Wychavon’s support as the new equipment has allowed me to increase my production.”

Tina bakes about 40 loaves a week together with sweet bakes and sells them online through her Instagram channel @eat_your_crusts_ltd, craft fayres and local food events.

Anyone interested in sampling or stocking Eat Your Crusts’ bread should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.