Archive
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It's a case of mistaken identity
STAFF at Batsford Arboretum say there's no such thing as a free lunch - certainly not at the arboretum on Boxing Day. Yet callers who fancy a tree-lined stroll to walk off all that Christmas Day turkey will be treated to a glass of free PUNCH if they
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14/12/00 - Christmas past haunting Sixways?
THERE is, of course, nothing that can be done about the past - it's just history and has absolutely no effect on the future. But try telling that to Worcester Rugby Club supporters who trudged miserably away from Bournbrook on Saturday, convinced that
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Council joins outcry at cut in bank hours
TOWN councillors in Winchcombe have added to the growing chorus of condemnation at plans to cut the opening hours of the town's only bank. Traders and businesses in the town were furious when they found out this month that Lloyds-TSB is to close two days
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Trustees bid to reverse town ruling
THE group fighting to achieve town council status for Kidderminster has vowed to battle on despite another setback. Kidderminster Charter Trustees have already begun its battle to have November's decision by the Department of the Environment, Transport
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Drain cleaner drink fatal
A RETIRED Shipston engineer who died four days after swallowing drain cleaner should have been examined sooner, said the Warwickshire coroner this week. Michael Coker said 93-year-old Dalton Darnley, of Station Road, may have been helped if he had been
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Former MEP on the move
Former Wyre Forest Euro MP David Hallam has been chosen as the Labour candidate for Hereford in the General Election.
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Souvenir of town destined for Downing Street
A "GRAPHIC" reminder to the Prime Minister of his November visit to Bewdley is winging its way to Downing Street. But Bewdley artist David Edwards is sending his picture of the town to show Mr Blair what it looked like in better times rather than when
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A £40,000 washout
FLOODING misery has dampened the spirits of hundreds of people who were expecting to hold their Christmas parties at Worcestershire County Cricket Club's New Road headquarters. Meanwhile, the club faces losing thousands of pounds after having to cancel
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Rest of the news: Injury costs firm £5,000
A WORCESTER manufacturing company has been fined £5,000 after one of its employees suffered horrific hand injuries while operating a lathe. Andrew Tomkotowicz had to be airlifted to Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital following the accident at Hampson Engineering
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£5.6m village bypass green light
VILLAGERS were celebrating today after news the Government is to fund the £5.6m Wyre Piddle bypass - more than a quarter of a century after the fight for the road started. Campaigners described the news as "the best Christmas present" possible. Coun Liz
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Police reveal crime figures
CRIMEBUSTING in Wyre Forest has achieved sensational results with incident rates plummeting by a quarter in just a year. The figures have been hailed by police chiefs and the district's MP as a major success in the ongoing battle against criminals across
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Residents rescued
An army lorry backs out of the water after the rescue of Irene Perry from her home on Bewdley's Severnside South yesterday. Right: Mrs Perry being taken to safety.
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Rate relief delay anger
Bewdley riverside residents under siege from renewed flooding have had their spirits buoyed by hopes of rates relief. But Wyre Forest District Council, currently seeking national guidelines on rates concessions, came under fire this week for lack of sympathy
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Severn peak later today
Pressure mounted for long-term action to reduce flooding and protect properties as Bewdley homes became awash this week for the second time in just over a month. By yesterday the Environment Agency was forecasting flooding in Bewdley today could reach
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149-home plan for college site
A BID to build 149 homes on the current Kidderminster College site once it relocates to the town centre has been launched by a major developer. Prowting Homes Midlands has submitted a planning application, which includes new roads, a traffic island and
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Paw power takes over
PAWS were the power behind a schoolboy's marathon efforts to gather materials in the Wyre Forest for a children's Christmas decoration-making session next Friday. Paul Wilde, 12, from Stourport was delighted when husky racer Wayne Barnes offered him a
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'High noon' for cinema plans
A HIGH noon showdown has erupted over news Kidderminster's long-awaited cinema is under threat. MP David Lock has taken stock and is firing two smoking barrels on hearing 16 cinema operators have refused to be part of the multi-million pound KTC1 town
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Brass and baritones
STRATFORD Operatic Society, has teamed up for a concert with Cheltenham's award-winning Flowers Band. The evening will feature songs, readings and music in the civic hall next Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets, £5, from the box office on 01789 414513.
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John leads the way in concert
THE first Evesham Arts Centre Choir concert under the new musical directorship of John Brierley promises to be an interesting programme. Items include the Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Vaughan Williams and there will be some solo items from guest trumpeter
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Sign now please
BANDS and artists wanting to showcase their work at next year's Stratford Music Live can put their names down for a slot now. Plans for next year's event, now two days following the success of this year's day-long extravaganza, are well under way and
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It's blowing up a treat
STRATFORD Wind Band Association (SAWBA) is blowing up a storm for its next concert. While the music of Gilbert and Sullivan, Jerome Kern and Cole Porter will feature strongly, the band also has plenty of festive offerings too. The fun starts at 8pm on
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Rescued after public tip-off
UNWANTED puppies have been dumped in Droitwich in the run-up to Christmas. Four identical male collie crosses were discovered abandoned within a few days. Wychavon District Council's dog warden, Pip Singleton, rescued the five-month-old animals after
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I swear that all this cussing makes me blue
WALKING down Friar Street in Worcester the other day, my thoughts momentarily strayed from the usual daydream enjoyed in this area, namely the demolition of the multi-storey car park. Instead, I started to observe two youths heading my way. Many times
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Upshott pounces to upset leaders
A SPIRITED performance by Kidderminster Boundary earned them a share of the points with top-of-the-table Sikh Union in a 2-2 DTZ League Midlands Division Two draw. The visitors went ahead with a superb goal and Kidderminster had to defend stoutly to stay
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Champion Chad is after more success
YOUNGSTER Chad Yarranton took the Aiwa Youth 80cc UK Supercross Championship at Exeter's Westpoint Arena on Sunday. The talented Stourport 12-year-old's determination and performances over the gruelling five-round national series earned him the latest
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Stourport refuse to be beaten
SPIRITED Stourport Ladies 1sts continued their winning run at South Nottingham when they fought back to secure a 4-3 victory in the Midland Conference League. They gained the upper hand with an early short-corner, converted by Fran Long, but Notts came
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Youngsters in superb form
THE Kidderminster Table Tennis League U-14 team are flying in the Heart of England Cadet League. Trio Tom McDermott, Kendall Smith and Chris Baldwin have recorded wins over Hereford A 7-3, Hereford B 10-0 and Birmingham B 8-2. They have won all five matches
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Bronze joy for Samurai
Kidderminster Samurai Judo Club's Kate Walker and Sarah Wilson are celebrating after winning bronze medals at the British Junior National Championships. And Louise Dunne was unlucky to finish just one place outside the medals, while the club had two other
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Gould leaves others trailing
STEVE Gould was again first across the line for Kidderminster Running Club on Sunday in the Sneyd 10-mile Christmas Pudding road race, near Walsall. Gould was the leading club member at Newbold Comyn the previous week where he recorded 34 minutes 54 seconds
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Wyre wonders are a success in Wales
SIX members of Wyre Forest Swimming club won 10 medals between them in the Millennium Christmas Cracker Sprint Meet at Newport, south Wales. All races were over 50m with an invitation 100m individual medley for the six swimmers on the highest points total
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The running man
EDDIE Sanders set the seal on an excellent opening year with Amazing Feet Running Club as first over 50 home in the Sneyd 10-mile event. The penultimate event in the inter-club race league saw a total of 12 runners competing. Sanders was first home in
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14/12/00 - Molby brings in two trialists
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Jan Molby is running the rule over two new trialists. They are midfielder Tony Capasso and striker Darren Middleton who both played in Harriers 3-1 Sygnus Central Conference win at Burton Albion last night. Molby said: "Darren
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A sad tale of Santa claws
A HOPWOOD cat sanctuary is appealing to people to treat animals with more humanity as the festive season sees countless felines abandoned. Last week, an old basket tied up with string was left in the pouring rain near New Cramar Cat Sanctuary. When it
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Men face crown court trial
CHARGES against three men of wounding and racially-aggravated damage to a car are to go before a crown court judge, magistrates have ruled. John Maffei, 31, Gianfranco Marcarelli, 28, and Joseph Marcarelli, 32, all of Lorne Street, Kidderminster, are
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Bag snatch car driver facing jail
A DRIVER who was involved in a handbag snatch at a Bewdley garden centre and a series of collisions on Cleobury Road, has been warned by Kidderminster magistrates that he faces a prison sentence. Peter Evans, 35, of Merridale Court, Wolverhampton, was
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Car clocked at 94mph
John Bowen, 32, of Serin Close, Spennells, was fined £200, with £35 costs, by Kidderminster magistrates after admitting travelling at 94mph in his Mercedes on the Bewdley bypass where the speed limit is 60mph.
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Police warning to elderly as conman strikes
ELDERLY people in Wyre Forest are being warned to be extra careful before allowing people claiming to be officials into their homes. The alert has been issued after a bogus workman carried out burglaries on Friday afternoon. The man, who said he was from
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Court date for home raider
PROPERTY worth £3,370 was stolen in night raids on four Kidderminster homes in October and November, the prosecution alleged in court. Spencer Carter, 26, living on a caravan site in Kingsford Lane, Wolverley, did not ask for bail and was remanded in
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£80,000 fine for skip firm
A SKIP hire firm has been fined £80,000 for waste disposal offences. Magistrates heard that an Environment Agency inspector was shocked at the amount and type of waste stored by R Calder Skip Hire Ltd, of Kidderminster. The family-run business from Hurcott
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Double thanks
A COUPLE of weeks ago a kind lady from your office who lives in this vicinity passed on a letter from an old colleague simply addressed Evesham after you had done the detective work to run me to earth. Owing to absence, I haven't had the opportunity to
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Warning to shoppers
Wyre Forest residents are being warned not to encourage thieves by leaving Christmas shopping on view in parked cars during the run-up to the festive season. Among tips to discourage thieves were using security devices such as steering wheel and gear
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Think before you drink
DECEMBER 8 would have been my father's 75th birthday. Tragically, he was killed last December 23 crossing the road at 4.25pm. It was a day that shattered many lives. The pain and the suffering is still intense - at times unbearable for my family. However
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Doorman cleared of assault charge
KIDDERMINSTER magistrates have cleared a nightclub doorman of assault. They awarded costs to Peter Merrick, 33, of Brecknell Rise, Kidderminster, and dismissed a charge of assault causing bodily harm to Herbert Nunn, of Redstone Lane, Stourport. Mr Nunn
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Deadly Deakin bangs in a stunning winner
Mangotsfield United 1, Evesham United 2 JOHN Deakin fired in the winner four minutes from time to clinch victory after the most thrilling of 90 minutes. The action was end to end throughout on a remarkably good surface in a game that could so easily have
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Fans get set for a festive feast
TEN games unbeaten, a top of the table clash and Evesham's last win saw them defeat MUFC. Now, that's surely a recipe for the town's public to come to Common Road on Saturday. Admittedly, the MUFC was Mangots-field United, but the Bristol-based side had
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Trophy tie off for third time
IT was hardly the most surprising news but Evesham United's FA Umbro Trophy tie at Cinderford on Tuesday suffered a third postponement. The two clubs have pencilled in next Tuesday for another attempt to play the second round game but United are keeping
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We had a great time
MAY I convey to Wyre Forest Community Housing, my thanks for the Christmas party given on December 6 at Gainsborough House Hotel. We had a good time, a lovely meal, and entertainment by the wardens was so good. It brought much happiness to us all many
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Fallacy of no going back
I HAVE received a letter from David Lock MP, telling me what an advantage it is to have Kidderminster Hospital downgraded and we should all accept that we are better served by having to make a 40-mile round trip to receive treatment and it is too late
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John lands 10 fish at Shatterford
TOP angler at Shatterford Lakes was Bewdley's John Wood who landed 10 fish to 6.5lb using a montana on the Master Lake. One angler landed 12 to 2lb using a viva on the Masters and eight to 2lb were caught with a fritz, the angler fishing both Wyre Dell
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Forest cut pyramid ambitions
WYRE Forest Football Club are settling back into life as a sole Kidderminster and District League club after having to withdraw from the Midland Combination. Forest won Division Two and the Worcestershire Junior Cup last season after finishing third the
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Action pledge to get Barrie home
A VALE man, waiting for two years to leave hospital to live with his family, has been given an early Christmas present by health minister John Denham. Hospital. In a victory for Barrie Such, his family and Vale MP Peter Luff who took up the case, Mr Denham
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Reserves take centre stage
The spotlight was on Chaddesley Corbett's ever-improving Kidderminster and District League Premier Division side with the first team game with postponed. They beat Parkdale 4-1 away for their fifth consecutive win under the leadership of Lol Rose and
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Storming Star light up Minor Cup
DIVISION Four side Crestwood Star went into the third round of the Kidderminster Hospital Sunday Minor Cup with a 7-3 victory over Kewford Eagles. Rock also won their second round match, a Wyre Forest derby with Wilden Village Reserves, 5-0. Textron moved
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Kryten logs on to back town Regal campaign
RED Dwarf's Kryten has logged on to the Regal Trust Campaign with offers of help to save the cinema. Robert Llewellyn, who plays the sci-fi metal man in the cult TV show, lives locally with his wife, writer Judy Pascoe and son Louis. As a Regal cinema-goer
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Police Christmas drink drive blitz
POLICE in the Vale of Evesham are highlighting the dangers of driving the morning after a heavy night's drinking. Drivers are being urged to think before they drink to reduce the risk of still being over the limit when they get behind the wheel the morning
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Community action call to help youths
TRADERS, parish councillors and residents need to get together to help the young people of Broadway, according to youth leader Betty Phillips. Betty, who is a village chemist dispenser, runs a youth club three nights a week. She says the prefabricated
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President Ian Wilson, chairman Norman Broadfield and former president Jim Bennett ready for kick-off
GO-AHEAD Kidderminster Carolians fought off disappointment from two years ago to formally open their new clubhouse on Saturday. The £117,000 project in Marlpool Lane has given the ambitious Midlands Three West (North) rugby club a big boost for the future
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Derby defeat sees big improvements
A MUCH-IMPROVED Kidderminster Carolians will be wondering what might have been after missing an easy early penalty in their Midlands Three West (North) derby clash with Old Halesonians. Coach Ross Baxter's side ended up losing 18-12 as the official opening
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Rain strands rugby action
WATERLOGGED pitches prevented Stourport firsts and seconds from playing on Saturday. The home game with Bromyard in North Midland One will be rearranged in the new year and Stourport hope for some league action this Saturday at Five Ways. Redditch 7 Stourport
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Residents rescued
An army lorry backs out of the water after the rescue of Irene Perry from her home on Bewdley's Severnside South.
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Fish and chip shop battered!
A FISH and chip shop owner who woke yesterday morning to find his restaurant five feet deep in river water for the second time in a month has called for big money to be spent on a "long-term solution" to River Severn defence. Chris Preece, 31, of The
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Raised roadway
Council workers build a raised roadway in Worcester Bus Station to help keep the buses running during the floods.
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Molby brings in two trialists
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Jan Molby is running the rule over two new trialists. They are midfielder Tony Capasso and striker Darren Middleton who both played in Harriers 3-1 Sygnus Central Conference win at Burton Albion last night. Molby said: "Darren
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Army to the rescue...
The Territorial Army, 214 Battery Artillery, ferry people along New Road, Worcester after the main city bridge was closed to traffic and pedestrians.
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Water gift idea!
ANYONE short of floodwater can still buy it for about £1 a bottle in a Bewdley hotel. The Black Boy near Beales Corner has raised £200 so far in aid of Kemp Hospice selling floodwater from a barrel it filled from the cellars during the November floods
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Worcester find key to Matlock
WORCESTER Norton Ladies earned themselves an early Christmas present with an impressive 2-0 win over third-placed Matlock to widen the gap near the top of the Midland Hockey League Division A table. And they had Jo Walker to thank for setting up the win
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Penny's new name is a hit with husband
AS the world mourned the 20th anniversary of John Lennon's death last weekend a Kidderminster couple played their part in ensuring his legend lives on. Penny Boyle took The Long and Winding Road to Kidderminster register office, said Love Me Do to marry
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Green light for musical pub nights
COUNCIL licensing chiefs have rejected objections to a Kidderminster pub's public entertainment licence application. Despite a 25-name protest petition, Jacksons in Marlpool Lane has been given the go-ahead for music, singing, dancing, live bands and
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Taxi fares set to rise in the New Year
TAXI passengers in Wyre Forest will have to pay higher fares in the New Year. Increases in the cost of journeys, due to take effect from February 1, have been approved, although rates in the district are still among the cheapest in the county. Wyre Forest
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Crash deflates balloon champ
A CHAMPION balloonist fears he may be grounded after an accident wrote off his special transport. Dr David Bareford, dubbed the "Flying Doc-tor of Cookley", became European champion for the third time in August. But his high-flying sporting days could
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Team loses football kit
A VILLAGE football club mourning the death of a former player had their kit stolen from a Kidderminster laundrette. Queen's Head Wolverley's strip was taken in a burglary at the Forest Wash Laundrette, Park Lane, along with cash from the till on Thursday
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Points plan for living in villages
THE chances of villagers living near Malvern being offered houses in their home communities could improve under a new points system. Under the system, in which points are offered to people on waiting lists, more points could be given to people already
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Burglars start to feel the pain
A FORMER space industry worker is helping to push back the frontiers of crime in Wyre Forest. Mark Williams took over as chief inspector in Kidderminster Police Division in October, at a time when reported crime was tumbling. "We have an excellent record
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Top honour for professor
AN Oxford University professor who was born in Kidderminster has become one of a handful of western academics to be given an honorary degree by Bulgaria's top university. Richard Crampton, 60, travelled to Bulgaria's capital, Sofia, to receive the honour
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From the Stratford archives
100 years ago December 15, 1900 STRATFORD: Loss of Cheques - Mrs Stilgoe, late of this town, lost a purse containing a sovereign and some silver and three cheques, amounting to £65. It appears she trained from Knowle to Stratford and when she had got
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From the Cotswolds archives
100 years ago December 15, 1900 CAMPDEN: Level Crossings - At the last meeting of the north Cotswold Farmers' Association a resolution was unanimously adopted appealing to the Great Western Railway Company to do away with the level crossings at Campden
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From the Evesham archives
100 years ago December 15, 1900 HONEYBOURNE: The Horse - The second of the series of lectures on the horse by Mr A Renfrew MRCVS was given to a crowded room on Tuesday evening. The subject was the anatomy of the horse's foot and shoeing An exceedingly
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PETER PAN Kidderminster College
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this production, performed enthusiastically by the students. All the actors played their roles well, led by Louise Parker, who was excellent in the title role. A young man called David Shaw had a very busy evening. He played the part
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The motion
THE motion proposed by Councillor Reg Johnstone and accepted by the authority read: This council: 1 Deplores the loss of the accident and emergency services and acute in-patient services brought about by the withdrawal of substantial specialist cover
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'No' to call to meet GPs
LABOUR leader Jamie Shaw stressed the importance of a meeting between the council and district GPs. He pointed out the authority had expressed "disappointment and disquiet" two years ago at the decision to downgrade Kidderminster Hospital. He noted the
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Sceptical of 'medical reasons'
HOSPITAL consultant Dr Reg Johnstone told the meeting he did not believe the decision to downgrade Kidderminster Hospital was based on the much-vaunted "medical reasons". He insisted the decision was based on financial grounds and with more money being
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Patients urged to challenge doctors
COUNCILLOR Fran Oborski has urged patients to seek a second opinion on whether district doctors back the county health shake-up. She cast grave doubts on whether Wyre Forest General Practitioners Association's stance of backing Kidderminster Hospital's
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Bourton-on-the-Hill
PARISH COUNCIL: The road through the village, which got dug up within a few weeks of being resurfaced at a cost of £65,000, has now been put back as good as new, the parish council meeting was told. Villagers were dismayed when the water board dug two
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Condicote
CHURCH NEWS: On Sunday, at 3pm, there will be a service of Carols and Lessons at St Nicholas. All welcome. VILLAGE PARTY: Also on Sunday, at 5pm in the village hall, the village Christmas party will be held. Gill Holloway is planning to display the photographs
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Eckington
WHIST DRIVE: The whist drive held at the village hall on Thursday evening, December 7, was well attended in spite of very wet weather, and flood warnings. The event was organised by Mrs B Hodges to raise funds for the County Air Ambulance Service. Mr
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Evesham
CYCLISTS TOURING CLUB: Sunday - Christmas lunch ride, 30 miles, leader Martin Cowley, start 10am Great Mills (10.15am Broad Street, Pershore), elevenses - Coneybury GC, lunch - Gardener's Arms, Charlton, lights advisable. PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday The
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14/12/00 - Skeggs wields axe for Welsh
ADRIAN Skeggs makes three changes to the Worcester Rugby Club side to face London Welsh at Sixways as he bids to get his National One pacesetters back on track. The Sixways' director of coaching has dropped Mathew Back, Ally McLean and Nathan Carter in
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Honeybourne
WEDNESDAY CLUB: Members met on December 6 when Mrs M Boath presided. Birthday cards were distributed. Members had enjoyed a successful Christmas shopping trip to Cribbs, Causeway, Bristol. The bring and buy sale was a huge success - thanks to everyone
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Ilmington
TENNIS CLUB: The club got the festive season off to an early start with a disco in the village hall. The music was supplied by Disco-Splendour with a fine meal organised by the social committee. The children's tennis coaching programme continues to go
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Mickleton
MICKLETON SOCIETY: The village hall was packed for the Christmas supper on December 4, when members met and chatted before settling at festively decorated tables to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Marguerite and her helpers. Chairman, John Atherton
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Pershore
TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD: The many members who came to the December meeting were congratulated by the chairman for braving the appalling weather. A short silence was observed in memory of two former members, Mrs E Turier and Mrs R James. A letter of thanks
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Stock
Stratford, Tuesday STRATFORD-on-Avon Stock Sales report light steers to 99p (average 79.70p), medium to 91.50p (77p), heavies to 97.50p (87.71p). Light heifers to 87.50p (87.50p), medium to 88.50p (78.35p), heavies to 106.50p (82.75p). Light lambs to
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Produce
Evesham Wednesday CABBAGE savoy £2 to £2.50 crate, tundra £1.50 to £2.70 crate, January king £1 to £1.50 six, red £1.80 28lb, purple sprouting 35p to 50p lb, cauliflower £3.50 to £4 doz, sprouts £3.50 to £5 net, leeks £2.50 to £2.70 10lb, calabrese 50p
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Ladies look for games
COLD hours watching their youngsters play football have persuaded a group of Stourport women to set up their own team. Burlish Olympic have had to borrow one of the men's team kits to play their first game with Cleobury Mortimer. And midfielder Val Lavery
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Andy's top award
HARVINGTON Golf Society completed their year 2000 fixtures when they visited the Vale Golf and Country Club. The format was 18 holes stroke play on the international course in the morning followed by the "Three Club Challenge" around nine holes of the
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Theatre
Rose, Kidderminster - The Railway Children until Saturday. A Christmas Entertainment Tuesday until December 21. Alexander Patterson School, Wolverley - The Snowmans Christmas Journey tonight & tomorrow. Swan, Worcester - The Adventures of Robin Hood
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Seconds win on travels
Dunlop II 9pts, Pershore II 19 IN SURPRISINGLY good conditions and on a pitch that had stood up to the recent weather well, Pershore travelled to Dunlop with hopes of a pre-Xmas festival of rugby. Unfortunately, they came up against opponents intent on
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Pershore are in seventh heaven after home win
Pershore 24 pts, Dunlop 10 A SEVENTH win in eight league outings lifted Pershore to the top of Midlands Four West South after Saturday's comfortable home success. The Piddle Park surface had suffered in the wake of the heavy rain but both sides attempted
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Hoo-Ray for winner Woods in Lakes test
Evesham and District Disabled Club and Partnerships ELEVEN members braved Sunday's atrocious weather to contest the Fur and Feather match at Lemington Lakes, Moreton-in-Marsh. Fish were slow coming to the nets and it was Ray Woods who ran out the eventual
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Read all about it
MRS Glen Green suggests (You Say, December 6) that I read the NHS plan from the library. Dear God! It takes me nearly all week to read the New Statesman and Church Times thoroughly, not to mention the Evening News, Radio Times and Private Eye. Life is
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Anarchy in UK
A BOY is killed on the streets of Peckam, allegedly by children as young as 11. Then we read of a "group of children, some believed to be as young as 11", targeting St Martin's Church in London Road and the nearby parish centre in Victoria Avenue. Yobs
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When love of homeland runs deep
I HAVE discovered that, to be truly British to the very core of one's being, you must live in a foreign country as part of the "ethnic minority". Many Asians, Jamaicans and other immigrants in our big cities and in the rest of the world will, I'm sure
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We're on same track regarding railways
I FIND myself in the rare situation of broadly agreeing with MP Peter Luff in his comments about rail being far safer than road, as reported in Paul Stammers' County Commentary of Monday, December 4. However, I don't see how he can compare the record
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In search of fame and fortune
A KIDDERMINSTER group which "doubled-up" in a bid to hit the heights are already enjoying success on what they hope will be the road to fame and fortune. Andrew Fletcher, Robert Ledger, Matthew Colley and Carl Ashton. The Amateurs have played several
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New website set to be a hit
R'N'B BAND Blind Lemon are hoping to become a "hit" in more ways than one following the launch of their own website. The Lemons of Kidderminster have spent the last few weeks putting the final touches to the site, which contains details of the band's
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Last chance for soul fans to groove
SOUL groovers have their last opportunity of the year to catch well-known Kidderminster DJs spinning their magic. The final West Midlands Soul Club Northern Soul event takes place at The Briars in Kidderminster tomorrow and will feature DJs Steve Russell
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How to run that festive party and still enjoy the fun
UNLESS you've been living under a rock for the last few weeks you'll probably be getting ready to party. Christmas and New Year is the party season for millions. It's a time when we can let our hair down, dispense with office politics and learn to really
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'Body left Greece intact'
THE body of a Stratford man left Greece intact, said a doctor from the Greek Embassy this week, following the storm over organs that were said to be missing from Tony Bicknell when pathologists carried out a post mortem in England. Dr Nicholas Papadakis
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Buyout brings Christmas cheer for 800 staff
MORE than 800 jobs are to be saved after the former management of a Finelist subsidiary rescued it from receivership by buying it themselves. Managing director John Moussell led the management buyout of the Motorworld chain - the second largest car after-care
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Christmas comes early with £2.6million sports grant
NATIONAL Lottery bosses gave Chipping Norton the perfect Christmas present yesterday (Wednesday) with a £2.64million grant for its long-awaited new sports centre. The dual use centre will be built at Chipping Norton School and the National Sports Lottery
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Bypass joy for village
RESIDENTS in Wyre Piddle are celebrating after finally winning a decades-long battle to get a bypass for their village. As part of the Government's Local Transport Settlement announced yesterday (Thursday) morning, Worcestershire County Council was given
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Black belts bring club success
BLACK paints a bright picture at a local Jujitsu Group that meets at Evesham Leisure Centre. The club now boasts seven senior black belts at their regular classes, has also earned a number of new status levels at recent gradings and gained success at
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Shoot for top
LOCAL youngsters can take advantage of two basketball sessions taking place in the new year. A 12-week programme, organised by the sports development unit at Wychavon District Council, takes place at Pershore High School and Evesham Leisure Centre starting
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Quartet's quest for team honours is a successful one
THE annual Tony Greenwell Stafford tournament hosted by the Redditch Company of Archers saw Evesham securing the team trophy for the second year running. Shooting the six dozen arrow round at 30 metres, the club's quartet of Peter Williams, Malcolm Porter
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Sarah shoots down Oxon hosts
Carterton 0, Campden Ladies 6 AFTER several weeks on the sidelines, Campden showed few signs of rustiness as they easily overcame Saturday's Oxfordshire hosts. The visitors strung together many strong attacks with Sarah Bragg getting on the end of three
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Athletic hit six of best
LITTLETON Athletic will go into the new year in pole position of the H2O Plumbing and Heating Division of the Evesham and District Table tennis Association following six straight wins and only one defeat. Martin Brown and Andrew Taylor handed both Wyre
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Third in final test
EVESHAM Swimming Club finished the year in style by winning the third and final round of the Speedo League. The electric atmosphere helped produce lots of first places and personal best times for many of the swimmers. Results - 11/u boys: Backstroke,
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Pride of the Parish
SUCCESS in three of the 11 events they entered in the 2000 Wychavon Parish Games helped Evesham Bengeworth take the overall title. The new champions took the maximum points in football five-a-side, men's darts and angling to easily see off the challenge
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Bottom sides on the up!
Pinvin and District Crib League TWO teams from the lower half of the table inflicted 6-3 defeats on teams challenging for the top spot. The Swan (Birlingham) recovered from a poor start in the doubles, where they found themselves 2-1 down, to level at
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Stanton's top gun Jackie flies high at top of averages
Evesham and District Airgun League LEAGUE leaders Stanton Club travelled to Wickham-ford SSC and recorded an easy win by 13 points. Phil Nicholls scored 49 for the home team and Jackie Laming a maximum for Stanton to put her top of the league averages
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Tewkesbury & District Choral Scoiety
THE choir's conductor, Ian Fox, had asked Derek Bourgeois to compose a piece and it was this, his seventh symphony, which highlighted the evening. The First Two Thousand Years set to music the Seven Angels, Saxon Riddles, Chaucer's Prologue to The Canterbury
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The Adventures of Robin Hood, Worcester Swan Theatre
IT'S folklore more than festive at the Swan as the well-known tales surrounding one of England's greatest legendary heroes are given another telling. For many youngsters, this will be their first introduction to Robin Hood, Maid Marion et al and Philip
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Crunch parking meeting
TRADERS in Moreton are stepping up their efforts to have a say over future parking arrangements in the town. Their immediate target is the town council scheme to paint double yellow lines outside several High Street shops and Moreton Business Association
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Villagers rally round to reopen local shop
RESIDENTS of a Cotswold village have thrown themselves behind a campaign to reopen their village shop. Now they need to raise £3,500 by January 15 to be able to open up the doors of the shop in Temple Guiting by the end of January. Villagers heard the
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Call to parties to unite against MP
OTHER parties have been urged to stand down and make it a straight fight between Labour and Health Concern at the next General Election. The Wyre Forest Liberal group has thrown its support behind Health Concern for the widely predicted spring election
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Happy Victorian Christmas
THE full flavour of Christmas was in force when Chipping Campden held its Victorian shopping day last Saturday. The event, organised by the town's rotary club, has traditionally been held on a midweek evening, but this year was switched to Saturday afternoon
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Housing to pay for new farm plans
TWO Cotswold farms could make way for houses to pay for more modern farming facilities. Planners are now almost certain to approve the schemes, saying they want to help the two farmers, who both say they have to move to modern buildings to meet new hygiene
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Crime figures boost, but still work to do
CRIME figures in Gloucestershire are still falling and the county's police force is still detecting more offences than other comparable forces. But despite the good news revealed in Chief Constable Tony Butler's latest quarterly report, the force is still
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Lack of signs causing chaos says motorist
MOTORISTS travelling from the north side of Worcester are facing major traffic jams and chaos due to a lack of road signs, it is claimed. Travellers from the A449 and the A38 north of Worcester say that there are no obvious signs warning of the city bridge
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Arson probe into pub fire
ARSONISTS are believed to be responsible for a fire which ripped through a Worcester pub in the early hours of this morning. An estimated £40,000 damage has been caused to The Goodfellows pub, in Lowesmoor - three months after it received a facelift.
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Meat counter's short measures
A CITY butcher facing fines of up to £40,000 for short-changing customers has escaped with a £1,600 penalty. John Sturman faced eight charges each carrying a £5,000 fine at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday, after Worcestershire Trading Standards
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Suzy search now concentrates on key areas
POLICE searching for missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh were today narrowing down their search at the Worcester site they believe she could be buried. Officers and forensic scientists have now roped-off several key points around the site to carry out
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Kidnapper 'needs help'
KIDNAPPER Steven Howe - who faces life imprisonment - now needs help to overcome the trauma of his sister's suicide, a member of his family has said. A jury at Worcester Crown Court this week convicted building worker Howe of abducting a married couple
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Town is under water again
A FISH and chip shop owner who woke yesterday morning to find his restaurant five feet deep in river water for the second time in a month has called for big money to be spent on a "long-term solution" to River Severn defence. The Merchants Fish Bar. Chris
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'Nightmare' job as fire wrecks cottage
FIREFIGHTERS have described how a fire in a cottage turned into a "nightmare" as they battled in torrential rain and against life-threatening hazards to discover whether there was an occupant. Kidderminster station firefighter Tony Wilks said the call
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In gear for 'water music'
A RAIN deluge on Tuesday evening has been blamed for carrying away a parked car and "aquaplaning" it into a shop window. Lawrence Lynch, of Strings the music shop in the Kidderminster Swan Centre complex, said he was alerted to a car being lodged in his
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'Bring her home'
A FURIOUS council leader has pledged to write a letter every day to the Prime Minister until an 81-year-old victim of Alzheimers' disease "stranded" in hospital is brought home to her family in Kidderminster. Wyre Forest district councillor Mike Oborski
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Residents to have crime on the line
COMMUNITY-spirited householders can keep up to date on crime and disorder in Droitwich thanks to an innovative new scheme. The town's Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators now have access to a telephone message system which will be refreshed every week. It
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Fined £60 for keeping watch
A TEENAGER was so intimidated by a gang he agreed to watch out for them as they broke into a car, Worcester magistrates were told. Russell Fensom admitted to police he had "kept watch" while others broke into a Honda Shuttle parked in Ombersley Road West
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We must come to terms with crisis
IT won't have escaped the notice of anyone who's visited Worcester city centre in recent days that, far from resembling a bustling shopping area, it has the air of a ghost town. While we'd be surprised if there wasn't a stay-away element among residents
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What's On
THURSDAY: Kidderminster: Zanzibar - Rubix Cube. Hartlebury: The White Hart - Mike Sanchez. Worcester: Huntingdon Hall - JJ Burnel.Star Hotel - Ballroom Glitz. Birmingham: NEC Arena - Duran Duran. Ty's Bar - Tony Ashford Quartet. Symphony Hall - CBSO.
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Pictured are Franche Middle cross-country stars Hannah Norton, Chris Green, Alison Mallard, Matt Pha
UP-AND-COMING athletes qualified for the county competition with some fine displays at Wyre Forest District High Schools Cross-country Championships. Held at Stourport Sports Club for the first time and marshalled by the town's athletics group, 120 pupils
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Chess stars impress
IN-FORM Kidderminster Chess Club maintained their excellent efforts in Wolverhampton League Division One with a 4-2 victory at Mercia. Gerald Link and Mark Riley wrapped up the match for the visitors, while the remainder of the team halved their games
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A big shock for George in Bewdley
THERE were several upsets this week in the Bewdley Trivia League. Cock Z beat the league leaders, George A, while Wood Colliers and Cock and Magpie lost their unbeaten records to Packhorse and Wribbenhall Social respectively. Results: Packhorse 62, Wood
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Mark and Edna's success
MARK Cox and Edna Cox (no relation) won the Christmas Mixed Open at Habberley Golf Club with 61.5 nett. Second were Dave McDermott and Ann Binns who won on a countback from Ray and Chris Butler, of Dudley, with little between the couples who both scored
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Hannah's cracking success!
A REDDITCH youngster has danced her way to a place in the English Youth Ballet to star in a production of The Nutcracker. Hannah Calvert, 11, of Evesham Road, Astwood Bank, beat scores of other dancers during an audition in Swindon to gain the scholarship
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Dickensian delights at traditional fair
TRADITIONAL fare and music were just two of the delights on offer in Redditch on Friday and Saturday as townsfolk were treated to a Victorian Christmas market. There was an abundance of festive stalls as well as ones selling a range of preserves, art
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Blasting success
KEEN musicians at Church Hill Middle School will be taking part in a Christmas concert on Tuesday after being inspired to take up brass playing by a scheme called Music For You. They will be joined by pupils from Ravensbank and Moons Moat First Schools
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14/12/00 - Molby brings in two trialists
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Jan Molby is running the rule over two new trialists. They are midfielder Tony Capasso and striker Darren Middleton who both played in Harriers 3-1 Sygnus Central Conference win at Burton Albion last night. Molby said: "Darren
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Two in custody after pub brawl
TWO men were refused bail by Kidderminster magistrates on charges of violence in Yates's Wine Lodge in the town centre on Sunday evening. Kye Harden, 22, of Shrubbery Street, and Lee Saunders, 19, of Betjeman Court, both Kidderminster, were remanded in
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Husband is allowed home by magistrates
A HUSBAND charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on his wife has been allowed by Kidderminster magistrates to go home to live with her. When he appeared in court last month, Mark Bolam, 33, of Peregrine Grove, Spennells, was ordered to live in County
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Has all this money been spent wisely
MR Ian McArthur has clearly not read, let alone understood, my earlier letter. I invite him to read it again - preferably slowly but not I hope as he drives his car! All of us are surely agreed that speed is a factor in road accidents and has been since
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Cronies consulting behind shut doors
AS a recently retired senior local government officer with over 40 years experience I view the recent press publicity surrounding the administration at Wychavon with increasing irritation. The proposition seems to be that Councillor Meikle and his politically
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Ban for speeding
Paul Reynolds, 30, of Talbot Close, Hartlebury, was banned for 28 days and fined £200, with £35 costs, by Kidderminster magistrates after admitting his fourth speeding offence since 1998. He admitted driving his Audi estate car at 83mph on the 60mph Bewdley
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Insult is added to injury over plans
I WRITE regarding the farcical situation we are encountering with Wychavon District Council in our attempt to move to Vale Park. The latest refusal by the council is even more unbelievable than your recent 'Catch 22' article outlined. We were encouraged
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What rubbish was written about town
I REFER to an article published in The Times on November 29. I could not believe the rubbish spouted about the market town of Evesham. This was obviously an account by one greengrocer, unable to move with the times in an ever-changing market. It reports
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Arson attack
The A449 between Summer-field and Black Bridge, near Kidderminster, was closed after an arson attack caused £3,000 damage to two cars. Police had to set up a diversion along the A442 during the incident at Torton Villas, Hartlebury last Thursday. A Land
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But there are other cases too
I READ with interest the article on the front of last week's paper: Two year wait to go home and was very pleased by Peter Luff's decision to secure a debate in the House of Commons to bring Barrie Such's problem to the attention of the Department of
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Stop blaming drivers - remove the silt
IT gave me pleasure to read the letter regarding Severn flooding from DA Pountney in the Kidderminster Shuttle. While people are parrot-like repeating phrases about global warming and blaming their everyday activities for causing it, it was good to hear
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Guts ripped from scheme
THE redevelopment of the Kidderminster town centre has been in the planning for many years. Wyre Forest District Council, together with its various partners, has been working towards a comprehensive shopping development to include leisure facilities such
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Rain-hit Town still in touch
PERSHORE Town have slipped out of the top two in the Premier Division of the Midland Combination for almost the first time this season. However, it's the weather that has interrupted Colin Shepherd's championship chase but the King George's outfit are
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Sign up for soccer course
A COUPLE of courses could give the children something to do and also improve their soccer skills during the Christmas break. Former Coventry City star Lloyd McGrath is the man behind the Sports Development Scheme sessions that take place at various local
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Utter disregard for the motorist
I WRITE in the strongest possible terms to object to the proposed demolition of Market Street car park and the general culling of parking spaces in Kidderminster. I am an employee of Brintons Carpets, based at Exchange Street and, as I commute from Wolverhampton
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Junior round-up
Norton Rangers U-13 8, Martley Spurs 0 FOUR goals in five second half minutes helped Norton retain their unbeaten record as they cemented their place at the top of the table. A strong wind made conditions tricky on the soaked surface and many chances
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Brimmell on mark to seal Bishampton win
Bishampton Utd 2, Hallow WMC 0 AFTER two weeks of inactivity Bishampton finally got their Worcester and District League programme back on track. On a pitch still showing signs of the heavy rainfall it was a credit to the people involved that the game
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Holders crash out as Horse upset formbook
HOLDERS Mickleton Rangers crashed out of the Evesham Mechanical Services Subsidiary Cup, losing out to Second Division Red Horse. The Horsemen led at half time with goals from Slade and Stone. Rangers, though, fought back and a Tye goal gave them hope
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Raining goals in FISSC blitz
THE weather was again the winner as just three Stratford upon Avon Alliance matches survived the latest deluge. Two of the matches produced a staggering 18 goals with FISSC pair Harvey Merrins and Rob Jones both bagging hat-tricks. The Stratford side
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HELPING OAPs AND CARERS
DAVID Lock may not have been able to please everyone regarding the changes to local medical facilities. However, he has been helping to bring increases to pensioners and carers. Among many positive measures, the winter fuel amount of £200 will help many
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How many in favour?
THE General Practition-ers' Association's decision to back the health authority's plans has certainly caused bitter disappointment to thousands of people. It is hard to believe, on information received, that the majority of Wyre Forest GPs willingly back
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Public safety has to be paramount
I WOULD like to put the record straight over the recent closure of the Horsefair, after the report (Kidderminster Shuttle December 8) that traders have "blasted" the district council over the handling of the matter. Following lengthy discussion between
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Cooper is Swifts' FA Vase winner
ADRIAN Cooper dramatically booked Stourport Swifts a place in the FA Vase fourth round with an extra-time winner against Dunston Federation Brewery. Cooper's wonder strike, the only goal of the match, has given Swifts another home draw, this time to Derbyshire
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Mullen triple fires trophy chasers
SCOTT Mullen's hat-trick helped Brintons into the Worcestershire Junior Cup semi-finals when they beat Pershore Town Reserves 6-1. Brintons began dramatically by scoring three goals inside the first 10 minutes. Lee Stubbings won the ball for Brintons
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Frustration
BEWDLEY Town's Smedley Crooke Cup match at Earlswood was postponed on Saturday. Fixture, Saturday: Bewdley v Sedgley (Banks's Brewery League Division One South).
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They're top of the county
AN Evesham school is the best in the county according to the primary school league tables released last Thursday. St Mary's RC Primary School in Rynal Street took top place out of nearly 100 Worcestershire schools in the tables which show the Key Stage
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Forest refuse to lie down
WYRE FOREST bounced back from two goals down to draw with Quarry Bank Rangers in the Kidderminster and District Subsidiary League. The visitors took an early lead when Ray Solwood scored after an error by keeper Simon Hills and he added his second from
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Christmas without a home of their own
AN Evesham mum and her two children are preparing to spend Christmas in a domestic violence refuge after being driven out of their home by her former partner six months ago. The woman, who has asked not to be named, says she cannot go back to her home
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Claimed benefit after £108,000 win at bingo
NATIONAL bingo winner Donna Biddle collected £108,000 - and still continued to claim income support from the DSS. The 20 year-old single mother of boys aged three and a half and eight months, of Pinvin Caravan Site, Pershore, formerly of Rynal Street,
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MP steps into row over restoration
PERSHORE MP Sir Michael Spicer's call for a public inquiry into the future of the town's fire-damaged Perrott House has received a warm welcome. The Grade I listed building, considered to be of considerable national importance, was severely damaged by
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Mostyn show little mercy to Cookley
LEADERS Mostyn Rangers predictably defeated bottom-of-the-table Cookley 10-3 in Stourport and District Boys Football League U-12 Division Two. Wribbenhall Wasps, struggling in the U-13s Division, met top team Worcester Saints in a cup fixture and were
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Six Pack showing off
SIX Pack moved into third place in Kidderminster Six-a-side League Division One with a convincing 5-1 win over Dream Team. In Division Two, Sureal Madrid kept up their winning run at King Charles I High School Astro with a 4-3 victory over 3 Points Again
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A £40,000 washout
Flooding misery has dampened the spirits of hundreds of people who were expecting to hold their Christmas parties at Worcestershire County Cricket Club's New Road headquarters. Meanwhile, the club faces losing thousands of pounds after having to cancel
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Still open all hours!
DESPERATE city traders were sending a Christmas message to shoppers today - please come to Worcester, because we're still open. They say they are watching their Christmas trade float away with the floodwater as hundreds of shoppers shun the city for alternative
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Cleobury slip in the second
CLEOBURY Mortimer fell to a powerful second-half display from Midlands Four West (South) high-fliers Sillhillians as they were defeated 27-3. A Colin Smith penalty kept them in touch at 5-3 in the first period but the final scoreline could have been worse
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Auditors high and dry!
America auditors from the Worcester Evening News' parent company Gannett in the United States got a taste of British weather as the River Severn broke its banks and lapped at the entrance to the building. Hot off the presses, our newspapers are being
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Riverside residents may get rates relief
Bewdley riverside residents under siege from renewed flooding have had their spirits buoyed by hopes of rates relief. But Wyre Forest District Council, currently seeking national guidelines on rates concessions, came under fire this week for lack of sympathy
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Ship ahoy!
The Dolday car park and the River Severn become one in the centre of Worcester.
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Skeggs wields axe for Welsh
ADRIAN Skeggs makes three changes to the Worcester Rugby Club side to face London Welsh at Sixways as he bids to get his National One pacesetters back on track. The Sixways' director of coaching has dropped Mathew Back, Ally McLean and Nathan Carter in
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Buses keep rolling...
Passengers are shipped out by First Midland Red despite the rising levels of water surrounding the flood-torn bus station in The Butts, Worcester.
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Bromsgrove bid to upset leaders
MALVERN Rugby Club face another test of their title credentials when Bromsgrove visit Spring Lane on Saturday for the game of the day. The Midlands Two West league leaders are in a rich vein of form after seeing off the challenge of Luctonians at the
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The floods strike again. More pictures...
As the main river bridge in Worcester is closed for only the second time in 50 years, the county is again under threat from the rising rivers.
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Pershore prepare for county test
NEW leaders Pershore RFC will be expecting few favours from their county colleagues Redditch when they visit Bromsgrove Road in Midlands Four West (South). The Piddle Park outfit have leapfrogged Droitwich to the top of the league on goal difference after
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Wolves in last-gasp Tigers' despair
BASKETBALL: A last-minute basket by Thames Valley Tigers condemned Worcester Wolves to a 67-66 defeat in their latest National League clash. The second-placed side made the trip down south without a number of key players against the team lying just below
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Mot test facing punters
BE My Mot clearly enjoys the run-up to Christmas as she runs all her best races at this time of year. Her career high point came at this time 12 months ago when landing a Grade Two novice chase at Lingfield at odds of 50-1. Trainer Gardie Grissell explained
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Collecting awards too!
THE council department responsible for emptying Wyre Forest's bins has earned Government recognition for the quality of its service. The refuse section of the district council has secured the Cabinet Office's prestigious Charter Mark. It recognises excellence
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Market set to re-open
TRADERS who feared urgent repairs to a town centre indoor market would wipe out their takings in the run-up to Christmas could be back in business as early as Saturday. Wyre Forest District Council property officers said the department had "pulled out
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Poppy collection sets new record
WAR veterans have seen a record-breaking Poppy Appeal collection this year against all the expectations of Kidderminster organisers. Despite floods and bad weather in the first two weeks of November, shoppers in the town centre and people in Cookley and
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200 jobs in the pipeline
A MULTI-million pound programme to modernise Wyre Forest housing will boost the district's employment. Two hundred job will be created when the £30 million five-year enhancement work begins early in the new year. Wyre Forest Community Housing, which took
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Presents are piling up
KIND members of a Wyre Forest group are hoping a last ditch appeal on Saturday will help reach their 'gifts for needy children' target. The Christmas Tree Appeal by Wyre Forest Junior Chamber aims to collect 450 gifts to be distributed by Kidderminster's
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Unveiling of design for £200,000 rooms
RESIDENTS are being urged to attend a public meeting tonight to have their say on plans to build new parish rooms worth £200,000 at Areley Kings. Stourport Town Council has made land available on the recreation ground at Areley Common for the building
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£10,000 campaign for Danny
CHRISTMAS will bring new hope for a teenage boy who is desperate to throw off the wheelchair he has been dependent on for nearly four years. The mother of 16-year-old Danny McGrath of Kidderminster said this week she was "determined" to raise the money
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Gifts will be going, going, gone!
A DEVOTED grandmother is gathering football memorabilia, sporting items and other goods for an auction to raise money for the hospital cancer ward that has been treating her young grandson. Brenda Hughes, of The Serpentine, Kidderminster, said: "It is
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Game plan has its chips
THE owner of a Kidderminster fish and chip shop was out of luck for a second time when his bid to install a gaming machine was thrown out by councillors. Stavros Stavrinou's application for an amusements-with-prizes machine at the Fish Bar, Mill Street
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THE RAILWAY CHILDREN Rose Theatre until Saturday
THE Nonentities have chosen E Nesbit's famous story for their festive production. It was like visiting old friends to see again the family driven to poverty, and their new friends - Perks the porter and his family, and "the old gentleman" on the train
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14/12/00 - One slip will not make me start to panic
PEOPLE who are now predicting the roof will fall in on Worcester Rugby Club after our first league defeat on Saturday are way off the mark. It was very disappointing to lose to Moseley and the performance was the worst so far this season but I think we
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Floods: STILL OPEN ALL HOURS!
DESPERATE city traders were sending a Christmas message to shoppers today - please come to Worcester, because we're still open. They say they are watching their Christmas trade float away with the floodwater as hundreds of shoppers shun the city for alternative
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He got it write
HE may be only 17 but young scribbler Chris Jones has a winning way with words. Now the Pershore penman is to see excerpts of his work performed at Birmingham Repertory Theatre after winning a competition. The high school sixth form student will join
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How to get that break
A VALE record producer plans to share a few tips on how to break in to the music business at a one-day course on the dance music industry. Sean Forryan, aged 30, from Sedgeberrow has spent much of the past 10 years trying to get a foothold in the dance
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Have a Huron Christmas
EVESHAM band Huron have come over all festive ahead of their gig at The Railway Hotel tomorrow (Friday) night. The date marks the group's second only home turf gig this year, the last one being last January. This time you can check out a raft of cover
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Care standard 'fell well short'
HEALTH bosses have admitted their care for a Kidderminster cancer patient who died following a 16-hour trolley wait at Ronkswood Hospital "fell well short" of its standards. They have written to Sam Goodman blaming staff shortages for the poor care her
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Travel misery for family of Edna, 81
THE prime minister is being sent daily letters about the plight of an 81-year-old Kidderminster woman "dumped" in a hospital 30 miles from home. Edna Langford, of Offmore Farm, Kidderminster, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease and mobility problems,
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System simply not working...
THE fight to restore accident and emergency and inpatient services at Kidderminster Hospital goes on despite opposition from district medics. Wyre Forest District Council has vowed to continue the battle for restoration of services on behalf of the electorate
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Bourton
BLOOD DONORS WANTED: Tomorrow (Friday) there are two Blood Donor sessions at the Royal British Legion Club. Session one is between 2 and 3.55pm and session two between 5 and 6.45pm. New donors are urgently required, if you are in good health and would
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Brailes
PARISH FELLOWSHIP: At the November meeting the group enjoyed the story of a Pilgrimage from Le Puy in France to Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain. The speaker Lady Watson told the group that pilgrimages were made for several reasons, sometimes
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Chipping Campden
HISTORICAL SOCIETY: On December 7, members of the Campden and District Historical Society gathered for their Christmas meeting, an evening entitled 'Bells, Baldrics and Ballads'. The masters of ceremonies were Campden folk musicians Andy Doran, pipe and
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Alcester
LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY: The history of petrol filling stations from 1895 to 1939 was the somewhat unusual subject of the most recent meeting of the Local History Society from the speaker, Trevor Lord. Throughout Mr Lord showed a fascinating selection of
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Charlton
PARISH COUNCIL: News from the parish council meeting held on November 14: Flooding: Members noted that the contractors appointed by Wychavon DC have moved to The Green, prior to commencing the flood alleviation work to Merry Brook between the Canada Road
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Defford & Besford
PARISH COUNCIL: Report of parish council meeting held on October 10: An open meeting was held in order to discuss the farcical situation with regard to the imminent installation of the new sewerage. Subsequent to the issue of the letter no 2 sent to households
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Fladbury
PARISH COUNCIL: Notes from the meeting held on November 27: Pavilion Hire: Insurance for private parties - coun Anderson to speak to Cornhill Insurance to clarify the position. Pavilion: Coun Llewellyn is to speak to the architects about one missing tile
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Harvington
ST JAMES' CHURCH: Christmas Fair took place on Saturday and was well attended, the period over lunchtime being mercifully dry. Trade was brisk, with many people taking advantage of the lunches and mulled wine being served in between generous spending
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Shipston
THE coming of Christmas was jubilantly proclaimed in St Edmund's Church, Shipston. The annual Advent concert of the Stour Singers included carols for everyone and two choral lullabies, The Nativity Carol (John Rutter) and The Shepherds' Cradle Song (Karl
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Wellesbourne
SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND: Those who attended last year's concert given by the Karousels in aid of the Save the Children Fund were last week rewarded with another excellent performance by this versatile Southam based choir. This time the audience was presented
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The right chemistry
A PACKAGE of voluntary pesticide measures aimed at achieving efficient farming while safeguarding the environment has been welcomed by the Country Landowners Association. Together with six other farming-related organisations, the CLA has drawn up guidelines
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Carpet firm's profit gloom
THE parent group of Tomkinsons has singled out the Kidderminster carpet firm's performance as "especially disappointing" in a gloomy profits forecast. Gaskell, which acquired Tomkinsons last September, predicted that the group's pre-tax profit for the
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SPORTS EDITOR'S MAILBAG Clubs need ground lift
IT was very interesting to read about the ambitions of Bewdley Town Football Club. They are a very well run club who encourage local talent and I wish them well in their fight to be able to compete in a higher standard. It also saddens me that another
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SPORTS EDITOR'S MAILBAG Get behind the Harriers, says fan
I am writing regarding the alarming fall in crowds at Kidderminster Harriers F.C. An open message to all supporters who came on the first game of the season against Torquay United - where are you now? It seems the people of Wyre Forest do not really care
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City boss clinches Burton loan deal
WORCESTER City will complete the loan signing of Burton Albion defender Allan Davies tonight. The 28-year-old full-back is set to make his City debut in Saturday's Dr Martens Premier clash with Ilkeston Town at St George's Lane. Manager John Barton met
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Nursing home plan set to be thrown out
RESIDENTS are looking forward to good tidings on Monday when Bromsgrove planners are set to scrap a scheme to extend a nursing home. Plans include re-developing Breme House, in Churchfields Road, which families living behind the property feared would
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MP ducks issue
6 THE Queen's Speech saw an options Bill on the issue of hunting with hounds and, once again, Worcester City Michael Foster airs his views in the national media, treating this subject with absolute priority over more important issues. I still fail to
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Learning by their mistakes
GEORGE Cowley is of course correct in reminding me that it was "the people" who put this government into power. However, with any luck we may see the old adage "everyone learns by their mistakes" come home to roost. For what is their arrogant government
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Lessons to be learned from the super highway
WHEN I was at school IT lessons were all about spreadsheets and were really boring. Anyone into computers was a nerd and the only good thing about them was you could play games on them. There were only a handful of terminals anyway, and there was always
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Expenses row leads to schools' windfall
A ROW over councillors' expenses has brought cash windfalls for five Kidderminster schools. Wyre Forest District Council leader Mike Oborski is donating £400 to each school from the £5,000 he has pledged to give away from the civic expenses he is entitled
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Schools on the up in county table
WYRE Forest schools are sharing in Worcestershire's celebrations over the latest successes in primary and middle school results for 11-year-olds. The district's 13 qualifying schools in the national league tables produced improved performances in the
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Cancer charity is celebrating clocking up a major milestone
CANCER affects almost everyone at some point, whether it is a member of a family or a friend and as one in three people are expected to contract the potential killer, it is understandably a very emotive subject. The fight against the disease is nearing
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Co-operating on a local history book looks set to pay dividends
CHRISTMAS shoppers scanning the stores of Chipping Norton for presents are unlikely to lift their eyes above street level, writes Andrew Flaxman. That would be a real shame as they would then have missed the grand roofline of the building behind the Town
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Remember to have a green Christmas
CHRISTMAS might be a time of giving, but for the world's resources it will be another tough year. That's the message from Wychavon District Council's project officer Cherrie Mansfield. Cherrie is urging people to give a little thought to their celebrations
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Here to help but it's not a quick fix
YOUTHS having nothing to do and nowhere to go, vandalism and unruly behaviour are not uncommon complaints from villages around the Vale. Residents in Offenham were being plagued by regular vandalism last year but, with help from rural beat manager PC
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Council's new home will be at the heart of the community
PERSHORE Town Council opened the doors at the High Street's former post office last week to show people its plans for the building, writes Mark Edwards. Purpose-built in the 1930s, the building, which is not listed, has stood empty since the post office
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ALI TAYLOR Kemp Hospice voluntary services co-ordinator
YOU would be hard pressed to find anyone more contented in their job than Kemp Hospice's Ali Taylor. The 27-year-old is the voluntary services co-ordinator at the charity which she said is "deeply close" to her heart. And Miss Taylor believes the job
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Compensation delay warning
PEDESTRIANS who were injured after tripping in a newly-pedestrianised Stratford street in the summer have not received compensation yet because Stratford District Council has been dragging its feet, claims a ward member. Councillor Peter Moorse said the
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Cue cash for young, says HRH
MORE money is needed to encourage youngsters to the theatre to preserve the arts for years to come, said the Prince of Wales at the Royal Shakespeare Company's AGM. Speaking at The Other Place on Monday, Prince Charles told the board of governors and
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OAPs taking case right to the top
STRATFORD pensioners have linked up to fight for a better deal from the Government. Members of SCAN, the Stratford Senior Citizens Action Network, have written to the Prime Minister asking for a range of changes they believe will make life better for
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It's woe at Womborne
Womborne II 3, Pershore II 0 PERSHORE were always up against it in this visit to the second placed side in the DTZ League. Depleted by injuries, the visitors went a goal down early on, but they should have drawn level as they missed a couple of good chances
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Late penalty leveller a stunner for brave hosts
Pershore 2, Stafford 2 AFTER arguably their best DTZ League performance of the season, a much-changed Pershore side held promotion contenders Stafford to a 2-2 draw at Evesham High School on Saturday. Pershore started slowly but with stood early Stafford
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Not put off by weather
EVESHAM Wheelers' club run had a surprisingly good turn out considering the wet and windy conditions last Sunday. Twenty members, led in two groups by Dave Burfoot and Julie Edwards, headed out to Winchcombe. The fast group took a route through Bidford
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Lose out on court
EVESHAM suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Stour-bridge despite the excellent efforts Louise Nuttall and Enid Walker. The latter was involved in a five-game thriller as the Evesham player produced some fine drops and volleys to keep her opponent at
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The Tempest, The Other Place, Stratford
"THE isle is full of music/ Sounds and sweet airs," says Caliban and this new touring production magically uses sound to transport us into a new world. The instruments are the human voice, showing an astonishing range of percussive, harmonic and rhythmic
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Jack and the Beanstalk, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
THE Everyman has certainly excelled itself this year with the best panto for a long time. Chris Denys and Chris Harris's script had all the ingredients of a traditional show, with modern touches added to satisfy children and grown ups. Youngsters were
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Raiders flee as motorists toot
SEVERAL motorists blasted their horns as they drove past a service station which was being raided by three masked men, police have revealed, writes Becky Procter. The incident happened at the Truemans Heath Service Station, Truemans Heath Lane, Hollywood
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Police hunt scar man
POLICE are seeking a man with an inch-long scar on his right cheek after he ran and grabbed a teenager on her way to catch a bus in Church Hill. The incident happened at about 5.30am on Thursday, December 7 after the 19-year-old woman walked from her
