Terms and Conditions

1. About these terms

These terms and conditions apply to your use of The Ditch website. By using this website, submitting information, sending material, or interacting with our content, you agree to follow these terms.

If you do not agree with these terms, you should not use this website.

2. Who we are

The Ditch is a local news and information website covering Redditch and Worcestershire. We publish local news, events, public notices, community updates, business information and other content considered relevant to our audience.

You can contact us by email at hello@theditch.co.uk.

3. Use of this website

You may use this website for lawful, personal and non commercial purposes. You must not use this website in a way that could damage, overload, interfere with, or disrupt the website or its services.

You must not:

• Use this website for unlawful purposes.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the website, server, accounts or systems.
• Upload or send malicious software, spam or harmful material.
• Misuse forms, contact details or submission routes.
• Copy, scrape or reproduce large parts of the website without permission.
• Impersonate another person, business, organisation or public body.

4. Accuracy of information

We aim to provide accurate and useful local information. However, content on The Ditch is provided for general information only and may change without notice.

While we take reasonable care, we do not guarantee that all information is complete, current, accurate or free from errors.

5. News, opinion and editorial content

Content published by The Ditch may include news reports, community information, commentary, opinion, analysis, reader submissions and material from third parties.

Opinion, comment or editorial material should not be treated as professional, legal, financial, medical or official advice.

6. Submitting information to The Ditch

You may choose to send us information, photographs, documents, event details, business updates, story tips, comments or other material.

By sending material to The Ditch, you confirm that:

• You have the right to send it to us.
• The information is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
• The material does not unlawfully infringe another person’s rights.
• The material is not knowingly false, misleading, defamatory, malicious or unlawful.
• You understand that we may edit, check, decline, publish or remove submitted material at our discretion.

7. Event listings

Event listings are provided for general information. We may edit event descriptions, change wording, correct formatting, decline submissions, or remove listings.

Event organisers are responsible for the accuracy of event details, including date, time, location, price, ticket availability, accessibility, cancellation, age restrictions and booking requirements.

The Ditch is not responsible for changes, cancellations, disputes, losses, injuries, booking problems or other issues arising from events listed on the website.

8. Business listings and promotional content

Business listings, sponsored posts, adverts, promotions or directory entries may appear on The Ditch. Where content is promotional or paid for, we may label it where appropriate.

Businesses and advertisers are responsible for ensuring that any information they provide is accurate, lawful and not misleading.

9. Comments, messages and public interaction

Where comments, messages, submissions or public interaction are available, users must behave responsibly.

You must not submit content that is:

• Abusive, threatening, harassing or discriminatory.
• Defamatory, malicious or knowingly false.
• Obscene, sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate.
• Spam, advertising or unrelated promotional material.
• Designed to impersonate, mislead or deceive.
• In breach of another person’s privacy, copyright or legal rights.

We may moderate, edit, refuse, remove or restrict content at our discretion.

10. Copyright and intellectual property

Unless otherwise stated, content on The Ditch, including text, graphics, layout, branding, articles and original material, belongs to The Ditch or its respective rights holders.

You may share links to our pages. You must not copy, republish, reproduce, commercially exploit or substantially reuse our content without permission, except where allowed by law.

If you believe content on this website infringes your copyright or other rights, contact us with details of the page, the material concerned and your reason for the request.

11. Photographs, images and media

If you send photographs, video, audio or other media to The Ditch, you confirm that you either own the rights or have permission to share the material with us.

You grant The Ditch permission to use, edit, crop, publish, archive and share submitted media in connection with local news, events, community updates, social media posts and related content.

12. External links

The website may contain links to external websites, including venues, councils, public bodies, businesses, ticketing pages, social media platforms and other sources.

We are not responsible for the content, availability, accuracy, privacy practices or security of external websites.

13. Website availability

We aim to keep the website available, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The website may be unavailable due to maintenance, technical issues, updates, hosting problems or circumstances outside our control.

14. Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Ditch is not responsible for losses, damages, costs or problems arising from use of the website, reliance on information, event attendance, third party links, user submissions, technical issues or temporary unavailability.

Nothing in these terms excludes liability where it would be unlawful to do so.

15. Privacy

Use of personal information is explained in our Privacy Policy. You should read it alongside these terms.

16. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. Any changes will be published on this page. Continued use of the website after changes are published means you accept the updated terms.

17. Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes will be dealt with by the courts of England and Wales, unless the law requires otherwise.

18. Contact

For questions about these terms, contact:

Email: hello@theditch.co.uk