Archive
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Anger over syringe on city playground
AN angry father claims he had to wait two weeks for someone to pick up a discarded syringe after it was found in a Worcester children's play area. Paul Birch said he was putting up Christmas decorations outside his parents' house in Turners Close, Brickfields
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Give a cat a happier yuletide
A CHARITY caring for unwanted cats in Droitwich Spa is urging residents to dig deep this Christmas. The Worcester and District Cats Protection branch, which covers the Spa, is holding a collection for cat food. Tins, dry food and toys would all be welcomed
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Chance for an adventure on the high seas
ADVENTUROUS young people from Droitwich Spa are being urged to try out their sea legs. The Sail Training Association (STA) is seeking residents, aged 16 to 24, who are willing to take on the challenge of a lifetime. STA runs two unique tall ships and
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Council changes
COMMUNITY leaders from Droitwich Spa have been informed of their individual responsibilities. Following the Government's decision to rubberstamp Worcestershire County Council's new political system, the responsibilities for each councillor have been finalised
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'You've got the wrong person'
A DRIVER had the shock of his life when a warrant officer knocked on his door and told him he owed £360 in court fines for an offence he never committed. Paul Allan was at work last Wednesday when his dad phoned him to say he was being hunted for failing
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Sponsor a light for a loved one
RESIDENTS keen to support the Spa's Tree of Light appeal need to act quickly if they want loved ones to be officially recognised before Christmas Day. Dozens of families have already honoured a relative or friend, who will not be here to enjoy the festive
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Monster time
THERE was a monster mix of talent when the curtain lifted on young performers from the Spa. Students at Westacre Middle School celebrated the festive season by hosting the Rocky Monster Show. The scary spoof involved around 100 children who have been
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Clubber kept glass to slice his attackers
A REVELLER caught clutching a piece of glass after being thrown out of a Worcester nightclub told police he had kept it to "slice" a man who had just punched him. Clubber Joseph Chare was with his friend Adrian Willis when trouble broke out in Angel Place
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Moves to cut chaos on roads
TRAFFIC congestion in Worcestershire should be tackled by providing "quality" alternatives to cars, the county council's head of transportation claims. Jeff Romanis said providing better public transport and improved pedestrian and cycling routes would
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Rudolph's red nose mystery is revealed
THE unsolved mystery of how Rudolph got his red nose was answered at a Droitwich Spa theatre. Children in and around Droitwich took their parents along to the Norbury Theatre, in Friar Street, last Saturday for a production of How Rudolph Got a Red Nose
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City stalwart Ken dies at age of 85
A WELL-liked and respected Worcester man has died at the age of 85, leaving a legacy of community and charity work. Ken Hemming died peacefully last Friday, December 14, after spending the whole of his life in the Faithful City. Mr Hemming, one of 10
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Mobile magic means mince pies for all
MEMBERS of Worcester Royal Infirmary sports and social club braved the elements to raise much-needed money for sick children. Twenty members dressed as Father Christmas spent four hours offering people who live in Ronkswood mince pies and hot toddy in
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Musical youth
A TOWN school has been filled with the harmonic sounds of young voices in the run-up to Christmas. Chawson First School has held two nativity plays, a Peter Pan production and a carol service. Each year group took on a different task and two performances
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Festive feast
TURKEY with all the trimming was served to town OAPs at a festive feast. Droitwich Spa Ladies Circle recently hosted its popular annual yuletide lunch. Pensioners packed into the community hall, in Heritage Way, and tucked into tasty free food cooked
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Showcase for artists
THE work of female artists is being showcased at Droitwich Spa Library. The Victoria Square venue is hosting the Marking Time exhibition until Saturday December 29. It explores notions of time, place and memory in textiles and multi-media by the Women
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Church services over Christmas
l Droitwich Methodist Church: Christmas Eve Creche Service, 3pm; Christmas Eve Midnight Eucharist, 1.15pm; Christmas Day, 10am. l St Peter's Church: Christmas Eve Crib Service, 4pm; Service for all ages, 5.30pm; Midnight Eucharist, 11.30pm; Christmas
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IAN CLARKSON - Right-back. 4/12/70, 5ft 10ins. Squad number 12.
A broken tibia temporarily ended his professional career and Clarkson was forced to play outside the Football League, signing for Harriers in November 1999. But the break from full-time football allowed the injury to recover and he was allowed to return
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ABDOU SALL - Centre-back. 1/11/80, 6ft 3ins. Squad number 26.
Senegal-born Sall began his career with French Third Division Montauban and impressed enough to be snapped up by Toulouse. However, a switch to England earned the giant defender a trial with Harriers and a two-year move in August 2001. Powerful in aerial
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DEAN BENNETT - Midfield 13/12/77. 5ft 10ins. Squad number 20.
Bennett was a then club record buy of £30,000 from rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in January 1999 and proved a goal-scoring menace to Conference opponents in the title-winning season. The ex-England semi-professional international signed a two-year deal at
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DREWE BROUGHTON - Forward. 25/10/78. 6ft 3ins. Squad number 9.
Tall target-man who made an immediate impact with his aggression, spirit and goal-scoring on being signed for £50,000 from Peterborough in January 2001. Despite his disciplinary problems, Broughton is a first choice when fit and wins a lot of aerial challenges
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Samba band homeless
A LATIN-American percussion band from Malvern is looking for a new place to rehearse. Until now, the Malvern Samba Band - also known as Basha - has been meeting at the Nags Head pub at Link Top, but the room they use is being renovated and they have had
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19/12/01 - Rovers out to boost fortunes
BROMSGROVE Rovers bid to reverse their slide down the Midland Alliance with a tough home fixture against Quorn tonight (7.45). The Victoria Ground club were knocked out of the FA Vase in a 3-1 defeat at Tow Law Town at the weekend and caretaker manager
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Cathedral to stage funeral
WORCESTER Cathedral will be the venue for the funeral of former Premiership and FIFA referee Gerald Ashby. The service will be held on Friday, December 28, at 2pm, followed by cremation. Many top soccer officials and referees are expected to attend. Mr
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United facing replay
EVESHAM United and Halesowen Town must replay to earn the right to entertain Moor Green in the semi-finals of the Worcestershire Senior Club after they drew 1-1 in last night's first round tie at Common Road. United produced a vastly improved performance
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Larkin staying
COLIN Larkin's loan spell with Kidderminster Harriers has been extended until the end of the season. The 19-year-old's three-month stint with Harriers ended after last Saturday's game at Exeter, but Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Dave Jones has given
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Players are warned to shape up or ship out
The John Barton column I HAD a strong and frank exchange of views with certain players after last week's defeat at Bedworth United and told them to pull their socks up or else. We missed too many chan-ces and I'm not just going to let it happen without
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We should look after our own people
LEAVING St Martin's Gate car park, walking through the city centre, we saw a dozen people begging, selling Big Issue and playing tin whistles. Some of these were young women whom it is assumed are homeless. We read in the national Sunday Press that bin
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I will give him the info that he needs
IF Julian Thake will supply me with chapter and verse to substantiate his comments about there being "little or no actual competition" resulting from directive 91/440, I will supply him with plenty of examples of the process working. Interestingly, the
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19/12/01 - Players are warned to shape up or ship out
I HAD a strong and frank exchange of views with certain players after last week's defeat at Bedworth United and told them to pull their socks up or else. We missed too many chan-ces and I'm not just going to let it happen without taking any action and
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Beko banking on environmental measures
BROMSGROVE-based Beko Technologies is helping to protect the environment in partnership with GKN Westland Aerospace. The Buntsford Park Road company has provided the on-site processing equipment for separating, collecting and processing the emulsified
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Andrea to the rescue
A MEMBER of the audience made sure the show went on by stepping in for one of the singers half way through a performance of Handel's Messiah. Andrea Calladine, a professional singer and teacher, had gone along to the performance on Saturday to support
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Retired butcher lands his own radio show
A RETIRED butcher has been plucked from obscurity to present a weekly radio show on BBC Hereford & Worcester. Vic Kidgell beat strong competition from more than 1,400 applicants to win the BBC Talent - New Voices for Local Radio competition. He joins
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Canal plan not far from fruition
MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has welcomed plans to re-open Droitwich's canals. Although the project was not confirmed, he was confident British Waterways would win its case and open both canals by the end of 2002. "The county and district councils
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Catapulted from lorry
A LORRY driver was catapulted through the windscreen of his vehicle - landing around 10 feet in front of it - in a smash on a busy Worcester road. A witness described seeing the victim "flying through the air" after his vehicle was in collision with a
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Probe after man is found injured
THE discovery of an injured man near Worcestershire County Cricket Ground has sparked a police investigation. Forensic experts joined uniformed officers at the scene, off New Road, today after the man was found on the riverbank. He was helped into an
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County rock star loses fight for life
WORCESTERSHIRE rock star Clifford T Ward has lost his 20-year battle with multiple sclerosis. The singer-songwriter, whose series of hits during the 70s included Gaye and Lost Again, died yesterday morning. The former English and drama teacher, who continued
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Crucial vote for council?
COMMUNITY leaders could face a vote of no confidence at the hands of town campaigners -- who have been criticised for being obstructive. Action for Droitwich (AFD) members may call a parish poll to record whether residents still have faith in Droitwich
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Plastic surgery for the victim of 'vicious' attack
A MAN had to undergo plastic surgery after being attacked outside a Worcestershire gym. He had just left The Turks Head pub in Bromsgrove with his girlfriend when he was "viciously" assaulted by two men outside Altered Images, in Worcester Road, at around
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Bridges to be monitored after tot's fall
FAMILIES have been warned to be wary around open water after a tiny tot fell in Droitwich Canal. Last week, 18-month-old Alexandra Reilly hit the headlines when she fell from a bridge in Vines Park. Luckily, her brave mum Tracey Reilly dived in and rescued
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More bobbies for West Mercia force
THE number of bobbies on duty in West Mercia has increased by 43 in the past six months, according to official Government statistics. The total size of the police force, which covers Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire, is now 1,994 - an increase
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Quayside fountains in full glory
WORCESTER'S new millennium fountain burst into life in the middle of a celebration that included fireworks, dancers and singers. The Quayhead fountain by Copenhagen Street was switched on at a ceremony at 5.30pm, yesterday. Local singing group Colla Voce
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Put tree to use
RESIDENTS are being urged to think green when chucking out Christmas waste Wychavon District Council wants householders to recycle cards and trees. The authority's waste management officer, Louise Warner, said: "Christmas is an expensive time for many
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Fears for safety on canal towpaths
CYCLIST and runners could fall into the Worcester and Birmingham Canal because of the poor state of the towpath, the chairman of the Worcestershire Waterways Users Forum has warned. Dave Wright is worried that the broken towpath and lack of lighting along
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Festive feast for Spa OAPs
ELDERLY and disabled folk in the Spa tucked into delicious Yuletide dinners thanks to kind town fundraisers. Roast Turkey with all the trimmings was served to 60 residents by Meals on Wheels last Wednesday. The town's Round Table group stumped up cash
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Drug addict raided his mother's home
A BURGLAR who took drugs to blot out a death crash raided his mother's home, Worcester Crown Court was told. Mark Timmins needed goods to sell for heroin and broke into the unoccupied house. He began taking drugs in prison after being jailed for five
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Ponies are the 'mane' attraction for tots
TWO fluffy ponies were the "mane" attraction for town youngsters. Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School nursery pupils have recently been learning about animals and pets. Over the past few weeks, they have enjoyed visits from hamsters, cats and dogs. With
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Thieves target cars on estate
A SERIES of radio thefts from cars has caused concern on a Worcester estate. The crime spree has seen around five cars broken into in one night in the same road. St Peter's Parish Council members described the string of thefts as a "new trend", although
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Tree-mendous
TOP soil and hard toil were on the minds of young Spa gardeners planting for the future. Children at Chawson First School planted ten trees in their Wych Road grounds in a bid to improve the environment. Trees were paid for by the hard working parents
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Spa's very own Santa
A BIG-HEARTED town cabbie has taken to the streets of the Spa to spread a little Christmas cheer. NY Taxis boss Paul Williams will be dressed up all this week, giving presents to passengers and collecting cash for worthy causes. Paul told the Advertiser
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Santa's setback
THE trials and tribulations of delivering presents to every child in the land are brought to life in a Spa children's play about Father Christmas. Pupils from Tibberton First School, in Plough Road, presented Santa's Setbacks to proud families last week
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Make it a quiet yuletide
ENVIRONMENTAL health experts have issued advice on security alarms to ensure all Spa residents enjoy a peaceful Christmas and New Year. Wychavon District Council is often contacted to turn off persistently ringing alar-ms which can end up becoming a noise
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Top tips for buying gifts
A NEW guide to help Droitwich Spa people buy with confidence in the run-up to Christmas has been launched by the county's trading standards service. The Before You Buy guide gives handy hints and tips on how to avoid consumer problems before they happen
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19/12/01 - Teams ...
MALVERN RFC Saturday, December 22 1st XV v Barkers Butts (Home). Meet 12 noon Railway Inn. Kick off 2.30pm. No. 1 Dress Code. Maroon Shorts. S Cooper, D Handy, S Lancett, V Hill, M Williams, S Taylor, A Thomas, D Merlin, I White, P Jenkin, R Young, S
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19/12/01 - Barton's boys play for pride
IT must be many years now since Worcester City last reached Christmas with only league pride to play for. City's 4-0 defeat at Bedworth United last week not only ended their reign as Dr Martens Cup holders, it also terminated their interest in any cup
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STUART BROCK - Goalkeeper. 26/9/76, 6ft 1ins. Squad number 1.
Released by Aston Villa, Brock signed for Harriers in September 1997 after a short spell at Northampton Town where he failed to make an appearance. He made his Harriers first-team debut in November of the same year and has proved himself a fine shot-stopper
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BRENDAN MURPHY - Goalkeeper. 19/8/75, 5ft 11ins. Squad number 13.
Murphy began his career at Bradford City where he established himself as an important member of their youth side before joining Wimbledon. Despite representing Ireland at U-16, U-21 and B level, he could not force his way into the Premier League team
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CRAIG HINTON - Centre-back, right-back, midfield. 26/11/77, 6ft. Squad number 5.
Versatile Hinton began his career at right-back before reverting to a centre-half role during the Conference championship-winning season. The change of position proved the making of the former Birmingham City trainee who is now rated at £1 million and
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SCOTT STAMPS - Left-back, left midfield. 20/3/75, 5ft 10ins. Squad number 3.
Stamps started with Torquay United despite being brought up in Birmingham and his obvious talent earned him a £10,000 move to Colchester United in 1997. The left-footer moved to Harriers on a free in September 1999 after playing in the Second Division
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MARK BLAKE - Midfield. 16/12/70. 5ft 11ins. Squad number 24.
Ex-England schools, youth and U-21 international Blake was a big hope at Aston Villa before moving to Portsmouth, Leicester, Walsall and Mansfield. A central midfielder with a big engine, an eye for goal and a competitive attitude, Blake switched to Aggborough
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DANNY WILLIAMS - Midfield 12/7/79. 6ft 1in. Squad number 8.
After starting off as a trainee at Liverpool, Williams was released at the age of 19 to return to his native Wrexham. The Wales U-21 international played on-off for the Second Division club but made a good impression with many for his uncompromising style
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TONY BIRD - Midfield, forward. 1/9/74. 5ft 10ins. Squad number 19.
Bird started off at Cardiff City and proved a good young Welsh hope, gaining youth and U-21 honours for the country. Scoring 13 goals in 75 games, he eventually ended up with League of Wales Barry under Harriers assistant manager Gary Barnett. The prolific
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COLIN LARKIN - Striker. 27/4/82. 5ft 9ins. Squad number 27.
LARKIN joined Harriers on a month's loan on Friday, September 14, but suffered a dead leg in training and lasted only 45 minutes on his debut against Plymouth. The Wolverhampton Wanderers man continued to develop steadily for his club last term, mostly
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RITCHIE APPLEBY - Midfield, winger. 18/9/75. 5ft 9ins. Squad number 29.
JAN Molby took Ritchie Appleby to Swansea in August 1996 and is now reunited with him in a one-month loan at Aggborough. The versatile Appleby, who can play on the wing or in midfield, began his career at Newcastle United and represented England at youth
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BO HENRIKSEN - Forward. 7/2/75. 5ft 11ins. Squad number 30.
A player with an impressive reputation in homeland Denmark, Henriksen headed to Harriers on a three-month loan in November. The flamboyant striker, who has impressed with an immaculate first touch, is unwanted at current club, First Division Herfolge,
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19/12/01 - City in search of away double
MANAGER John Barton is urging his Worcester City players to show that Saturday's win was not a flash in the pan ahead of their Dr Martens Premier Division clash at Tiverton Town tonight (7.45). The St George's Lane club recorded a superb 3-1 victory at
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Decision delayed on sports hall plans
A decision on sports hall provision in Malvern has been deferred by Malvern Hills District Council's executive committee after members balked at county council estimates for potential work on sporting facilities at a town school. Coun Paul Cumming's proposal
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Hunt on for 'lost' Turner
A FORMER Malvern resident is hunting for a painting - which she thinks may be a Turner - loaned to a town club in the 1950s. Mrs Joan Longridge and her late husband, Colonel T E Longridge OBE, lived at St Kenelm's, in Somers Road, between 1948 and 1953
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Town is far from dying on its feet
MALVERN traders have disputed claims the town is "dying on its feet". Mike Haycock, owner of Farmhouse Kitchen on Belle Vue Terrace, made the claim in last week's Gazette and added that the town was in danger of becoming a "ghost town". He is preparing
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Council says no to farm plan
THE latest in a series of plans for farm developments on the edge of Malvern has been thrown out by Malvern Hills District Council. Farmer John Bullock, of Mill Farm, Guarlford Road, applied to construct a series of farm buildings off Mill Lane, not far
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City in search of away double
MANAGER John Barton is urging his Worcester City players to show that Saturday's win was not a flash in the pan ahead of their Dr Martens Premier Division clash at Tiverton Town tonight (7.45). The St George's Lane club recorded a superb 3-1 victory at
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Rovers out to boost fortunes
BROMSGROVE Rovers bid to reverse their slide down the Midland Alliance with a tough home fixture against Quorn tonight (7.45). The Victoria Ground club were knocked out of the FA Vase in a 3-1 defeat at Tow Law Town at the weekend and caretaker manager
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Reds go crashing out of cup
REDDITCH United tripped at the first hurdle of the Worcestershire Senior Cup with a disappointing 3-0 defeat to high-flying Solihull Borough at the Valley Stadium. United were effectively out of the game after four minutes when Solihull raced into a two
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Barton's boys play for pride
Nat Sylvester's City Slicker column IT must be many years now since Worcester City last reached Christmas with only league pride to play for. City's 4-0 defeat at Bedworth United last week not only ended their reign as Dr Martens Cup holders, it also
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A CHRISTMAS WISH FOR ALISTAIR
A TOUCHING Christmas wish has been made by a Droitwich Spa family who have raised thousands of pounds for cancer research. Debi and Nigel Wainwright have spent a busy year fundraising for Alistair's Appeal, a campaign launched when their six-year-old
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Good wishes and thanks
MAY I thank the staff of St John's Library for the warm welcome offered to the public on each visit. A generous measure of help and advice is on hand at all times, far above that which we would normally expect. Many people will wish to join us in sending
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Grammar schools are apparently fine... now
WHAT lengths some people will go to stay in power. Only four years ago, when Labour came to power, they condemned grammar schools as being elitist. Labour tried to eliminate them and insisted on their system of "levelling down", imposing comprehensive
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There are alternatives
YOUR correspondent Thomas Bromley (You Say, December 3) is probably correct in saying that most prescription drugs have been developed, as well as tested, using animal studies. However, he does not mention the significant number of these which had subsequently
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Everyone must rally round rugby club
OVER the past week or so, we have heard from Worcester Rugby Club a certain amount of over reaction to the admittedly oafish comments from one or two spectators at home matches. The reality is that over the last few years, the club has been vociferously
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Kitchen raid
KITCHEN units and worktops worth £1,390 were stolen when thieves broke into a building site in Bridge Street, Pershore, between 5.30pm on December 11 and 7.30am on December 12. Anyone with information should contact police on 01905 723888.
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Euro-ready Midlands
YET again, the Midlands has proved its business grit by being the region in the country most prepared for the introduction of the euro. According to a survey by Lloyds TSB Commercial and consultancy company KPMG, less than 40 per cent of businesses have
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19/11/01 - Larkin staying
COLIN Larkin's loan spell with Kidderminster Harriers has been extended until the end of the season. The 19-year-old's three-month stint with Harriers ended after last Saturday's game at Exeter, but Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Dave Jones has given
