Archive
-
Date
New service is a lifesaver
PEOPLE with hearing and speech problems could find that a new emergency services initiative is a lifesaver. Anyone who is deaf or has speech or hearing impairments and cannot dial 999 in an emergency can now text West Mercia Constabulary's call management
-
Date
Lord of the Flies - Festival, Malvern
IT is easy to understand why the award-winning production of Lord of the Flies, currently at Malvern, has achieved such critical acclaim. This latest adaptation coincided with the book's 50th anniversary, and from the outset it was clear members of Pilot
-
Date
Dancing for joy at talent success
A DANCE and drama school where a singing teacher inspired pupils by reaching the final 20 of a national television talent search is to expand in Kidderminster. Gary Priestley delighted students at Kidderminster Stagecoach when he reached the "boot camp
-
Date
Youngsters just want to dance
A DESPERATE call for help is being made by Kidderminster dance troupe members whose appeals for a new leader have fallen on deaf ears for more than a year. The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters' Regimental Dance Band has been on the look-out for a
-
Date
Linking up for guidance
THE merger of Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire with Business Link Shropshire will take place on Friday April 1, it has been announced. The move means businesses in the area will have access to one of the strongest support agencies in the
-
Date
QinetiQ is flying high
A NEW low-cost air traffic surveillance system has been launched by QinetiQ, in Malvern. Called Quadrant, the system will particularly benefit medium and small airports. Launched earlier in the month, Quadrant will provide highly accurate aircraft movement
-
Date
Business broadband connections booming
BT has announced that even more businesses in Worcestershire will be able to obtain high speed internet access. The telecommunications giant has said it will upgrade five telephone exchanges in the county to deliver Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (
-
Date
Dispatch driver fined
AN electrician has been fined after being caught driving at more than 94mph in a 60mph zone near Bidford. Gavin Salt, aged 31 from Leicestershire, admitted reaching the speed in his Citroen Dispatch on the A46 at Salford Priors. Worcester Magistrates
-
Date
Folkies are more than just beardies
FOLK-loving folk of all types will be set to enjoy a weekend of their favourite music in Cheltenham, starting tomorrow night. The ninth annual Cheltenham Folk Festival kicks off at 6pm and organisers are set to prove folk isn't all beards and woolies
-
Date
Keeping kids off the city's streets
MUSIC, dancing and socialising have kept young people entertained in Worcester as part of a scheme to keep them off the city's streets. The monthly Celler Project dance for under 18s at Worcester Arts Workshop, in Sansome Street, kicked off its 2005 season
-
Date
Kids moo, baa and cluck!
THE old saying that children should be seen and not heard was well and truly banished to the history books at the Chatterbox Challenge. The I-CAN Early Years Language Centre at Cranham Primary School in Tetbury Drive, Warndon, specialises in children
-
Date
Taxpayers to dig deep into pockets
COUNCIL tax payers across the Vale of Evesham are likely to have to dig deeper into their pockets to meet demands dropping through letter boxes from April. Worcestershire County Council will be asked to approve a 3.94 per cent increase at the council
-
Date
Police to hold surgery
BEWDLEY'S beat manager, PC Nigel Barter, is holding a special police surgery in the town. It will take place at the community centre in Shawhedge Road on Tuesday. "The surgery gives people the opportunity to speak to a police officer away from a police
-
Date
Exhibitions
MAC, Birmingham - Lost and Found, until February 27. Makeshift, until February 27. Room: Piujatat Hemmatat, until March 6. Jerwood Drawing Prize 2004, until March 6. Ikon, Birmingham - Where the stars are coming one span closer...., until March 28. Writing
-
Date
Shoppers flee after bakery fire
SHOPPERS had to evacuate Tesco in Kidderminster after a fire in a bakery oven pumped smoke around the massive superstore. About 100 customers had to leave the Castle Road store when the electrical fire broke out at about 4.20pm on Monday. A member of
-
Date
Phone mast fears spark ill health
A PENSIONER has said fear of a proposed phone mast - thrown out by planners this week - has driven her to a stress-related illness. Heather Needham, 66, said she was seeking treatment for a gastric ulcer after a second attempt by a mobile phone giant
-
Date
Tax rate frozen
WOLVERLEY and Cookley parish councillors have voted to freeze the rate of council tax charged in the villages. A resolution to increase the parish rate by 2.5 per cent was rejected when the council met on Tuesday last week. Councillor John Wardle led
-
Date
Pensioners blast poor club grub
FIRST they were turfed out of their long-standing premises and now the elderly users of a Bewdley lunch club have come up against another problem - the quality of the food. Some pensioners have decided they do not want the WRVS service because of the
-
Date
Red tape holds back key changes - Tory
HORRENDOUS bureaucracy is holding back key improvements at Kidderminster Hospital, a health campaigner told the Shadow Secretary of State for Health during his visit to the site. Janie Thomas, of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum watchdog, said
-
Date
Action to speed up prostate tests
MEN in Wyre Forest are waiting longer than they should for prostate biopsies, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has admitted. Action is now being taken to combat the problem, exacerbated by the absence of Kidderminster Hospital consultant radiologist
-
Date
Traffic cone attack
A MAN needed hospital treatment for cuts to his head and face after being hit with a traffic cone, Worcester Crown Court heard. It was an unprovoked attack on Aphie Davies as he walked to his sister's flat in Grasmere Close, Kidderminster, said Michael
-
Date
Fashion parade is pupil's brainwave
A BIG-hearted teenager turned fashion guru is hoping to bring a taste of the Paris and Milan catwalks to her Kidderminster school and raise hundreds of pounds for charity in the process. Not content with dedicating her spare time to raising funds by selling
-
Date
Art lovers flock to see rare pre-Raphaelite windows
MORE than 1,000 art lovers flocked to the tiny Wilden church at the weekend for a glimpse of a previously little-known art treasure. The 24 stained glass windows designed by the pre-Raphaelite artist, Edward Burne-Jones, in the 19th century church of
-
Date
Recycling centre to close its doors
A POPULAR Kidderminster recycling centre which sells old televisions and electrical goods to residents on low incomes is to close its doors next month, less than a year after opening. Bosses at The Network Worcestershire, on the Firs Industrial Estate
-
Date
Jobs set to go at carpet firm
UP to 85 jobs could be axed at Victoria Carpets' Kidderminster factory, it has been revealed in a shock announcement. Company bosses dropped the bombshell yesterday, as they declared they would be pulling out of Axminster weaving. The grim news had been
-
Date
Match report: Poorly Harriers squander point
Scunthorpe 2 Harriers 1 Mat Kendrick reports from Glanford Park NEVERMIND the mumps, there's something much more infectious spreading around the Harriers dressing room - it's called optimism. Despite a late lapse leaving them with nothing from their trip
-
Date
Pershore
LADIES GUILD: On February 1, members celebrated their first birthday with a party. The proceedings began with the vice-chairman, Mrs A Brown, introducing chairman Kelsoe from the Macmillan unit at Evesham hospital, to whom she presented a cheque for £750
-
Date
Sedgeberrow
RBL WOMEN'S SECTION: Held their February meeting in the Betteridge Room. After the business David Cresswell gave a talk Tales of a Village Blacksmith. David was thanked by Mrs Brown. The evening ended celebrating Mrs Bright's 90th birthday, and members
-
Date
Burying head in sand
In recent weeks, letters have appeared in the Journal expressing outrage towards "Jerry Springer - The Opera" and theatre in general. It is a shame that people don't have anything more useful to do with their time than to jump onto this bandwagon of narrow-mindedness
-
Date
Brighter future for city
JUST two days ago, this column bemoaned the lack of investment along Worcester's riverside. Commenting on Arena's decision to scrap planned improvements to Pitchcroft, we argued that the Faithful City was never going to achieve its true potential unless
-
Date
Calm down, dear it's only Michael
FILM director, writer, food critic and advert star extraordinaire - calm down dear, it's Michael Winner! In more than 40 years, Michael Winner has made more than 30 movies and directed stars like Charles Bronson, Sophia Loren, Joan Collins, Orson Welles
-
Date
Neighbour George is minding his business
A TOP scriptwriter and some well-loved actors are combining forces in a new play coming to Malvern. Party Piece is by Richard Harris, scriptwriter for Outside Edge and The Darling Buds of May. Another comedy, it looks at conflicts between two very different
-
Date
Crowning glory replaces Vanessa
THE Royal Shakespeare Company is wheeling out a tried and tested production to replace the much-heralded return of Vanessa Redgrave. Veteran actors Sir Donald Sinden and Alan Howard are returning to the RSC in Stratford next month to appear in The Hollow
-
Date
Colin ready to face fans
CHAIRMAN Colin Youngjohns has admitted he is looking forward to tomorrow evening's fans' forum at Aggborough - albeit with an air of trepidation. Although the Harriers supremo is expecting a tough time from some disgruntled supporters at the meeting,
-
Date
10/2/05 - Heeley sounds warning to City players
CARL Heeley insists the pressure is on Worcester City's players to save their careers at St George's Lane following back-to-back defeats under new boss Andy Preece. Veteran defender Heeley, 35, currently out of action after damaging his knee in a freak
-
Date
Cricket
COOKLEY Cricket Club, who compete in Division two of the Crusader Worcestershire League, have enlisted the services of Gavin Haynes to coach some of their youngster players. The former Worcestershire all rounder will be running a six week course at Kinver
-
Date
Match report: Poorly Harriers squander point
Scunthorpe 2 Harriers 1 Mat Kendrick reports from Glanford Park NEVERMIND the mumps, there's something much more infectious spreading around the Harriers dressing room - it's called optimism. Despite a late lapse leaving them with nothing from their trip
-
Date
Basketball
KIDDERMINSTER Cobras' topsy turvy season continued with two defeats in the West Midlands Basketball League. They struggled to get going against West Midlands Police and ended up losing 62-56. Their first quarter deficit of 20-3 inflicted the greatest
-
Date
Volleyball
Volleyball DEFENDING champions Cleobury Mortimer came through the first round of the West Mids Cup with the minimum of fuss by winning 3-0 at Tamworth B. Despite the absence of key players Jon Nock and Mark Fish, Cleobury had no problems easing past their
-
Date
Fixtures
July (friendlies) Thurs 15 PERSHORE TN (H) 6-1 Ross, Vincent, J Clarke (2), Stokes, og SAT 17 HALESOWEN TOWN (H) 1-0 O'Toole TUES 20 COVENTRY CITY (H) 0-1 TUES 27 HEREFORD UTD (H) 0-3 WEDS 28 REDDITCH UTD (H) 1-3 Williams FRI 30 WORCESTER CITY (H) 3-2
-
Date
ID cards: Tories to play waiting game
WORCESTERSHIRE Conservatives will refuse to support controversial plans for identity cards - unless Ministers address worries about the cost. The Government is preparing for a crunch vote on the ID Cards Bill tonight when the details of the legislation
-
Date
Girl, 15, suffers assault
A MIDDLE-aged man grabbed a 15-year-old girl around the back of the neck in Bewdley town centre after she refused to pick up paper from a fish and chip shop. Police are looking for the man, aged about 50, after the incident, outside the Merchant Fish
-
Date
Lido 'run down like railways by Thatcher'
DROITWICH Spa Town Council has accused Wychavon of bad management over the Lido affair. Councillors claimed that if the district council had refurbished the pool some years ago, when the costs would have been much lower, the Lido would not be facing demolition
-
Date
Dangerous driving charges are denied
A MAN denied a charge of dangerous driving on several roads in Kidderminster when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court. Matthew Kimberley, 36, of Jubilee Drive, Foley Park, Kidderminster, also denied driving while disqualified. Judge David McEvoy QC remanded
-
Date
How me and Best Mate won the Gold Cup three times...
HORSE racing enthusiasts will be able to hear Worcestershire's most famous racehorse owner talk about his profession at a pre-Cheltenham Festival lunch Jim Lewis, from Callow End, will give a talk on Wednesday, March 9, about how he became a champion
-
Date
We want you to sing Elgar
SINGERS are being offered the chance to perform one of Sir Edward Elgar's finest works at the place where the man himself was born. The Elgar Birthplace Museum, in Lower Broadheath, near Worcester, is holding a choral day led by Dr Donald Hunt, a leading
-
Date
The £4m flood barrier that could transform Worcester's riverside
FLOOD campaigners have given a warm welcome to plans for a multi-million pound permanent barrier to protect Worcester homes and businesses. The 700-metre long bund will be part of a new superstore scheme being proposed for the old fruit and vegetable
-
Date
Man head-butted phone box
A DRUNKEN Stourport man head-butted a telephone box after being denied entry to a pub, a court heard. David Case admitted being drunk and disorderly and failing to turn up to court. Worcester magistrates were told that the 19-year-old, of Power Station
-
Date
Young Alex puts on his running shoes for charity
WORCESTER City Council's youngest councillor is training hard to fulfil a life-long dream to take part in the London Marathon to raise money for charity. Coun Alex Kear, the 26-year-old Liberal Democrat member for Claines ward, is aiming to raise £1,200
-
Date
Fears over the price of ID cards
WORCESTERSHIRE Conservatives will refuse to support controversial plans for identity cards - unless Ministers address worries about the cost. The Government is preparing for a crunch vote on the ID Cards Bill tonight when the details of the legislation
-
Date
'Favourite' store will be missed
IT is with great regret that I read of the imminent closure of Waitrose in Kidderminster. The quality and range of its products is of the highest standard, and has no comparison. Councillor James Dudley, who was quoted in your story, is mistaken in thinking
-
Date
Swimming
WYRE Forest Swimming Club's unsung heroes were celebrating success with a series of first places in the first round of the Ross PGL League at Droitwich. With the league aimed at swimmers who do not normally compete for the team it was a chance for several
-
Date
Addict stole model tools
A DRUG addict from Kidderminster stole tools worth over £800 after breaking into a model maker's workshop. The victim awoke, however, to see lights on in the building and grabbed Nicholas Walker as he ran out. He had known the raider for 15 years and
-
Date
Not seeing big picture
B & Q have shown their "generous" community spirit to the people of Kidderminster with their comments on car parking and the new cinema. The store's manager must have has his tongue firmly in his cheek when he spoke of his "abused" car park. B &
-
Date
Running
AMAZING Feet's Andy Grice returned home to Worcestershire for the weekend, and walked off with the Champions Trophy for the 10 mile multi-terrain Stourbridge Stagger. It is Grice's second race victory since signing up for the club as a second claim member
-
Date
'Big boy' bikers unchallenged
WOULD Wyre Forest beat manager, PC Dan Wood, please explain an apparent contradiction. The police act promptly to four complaints of youngsters on mini motorbikes, threatening seizure of the bikes for contravening the Road Traffic Act (Shuttle/Times &
-
Date
Thieves take DVD player
BURGLARS stole a DVD and video player from a house in Kidderminster. The Sanyo machine, together with a meter box containing cash, were taken from the property in a road off Rifle Range Road between 10.45am and 1.20pm on Saturday. Police can be contacted
-
Date
LYTTELTON VETRANS SECTION
RESULTS from round 5, Mick Millinchip 7/6 2nd Brian Hill 6/5 3rd Stan James 6/0 4th Roy Vaux Harvey 4/14. Round 6 will be fished at Elmbridge, Heron on Wednesday. Draw 9. Fish 10-3.
-
Date
Cycle route obstacles
ISN'T it time a decision was made on whether to retain cycle routes? At present cyclists are in far more danger by using the routes than if they were not there. Kidderminster's Bewdley Hill (one of many) is an obstacle course where the cyclist has to
-
Date
WRENS NEST ANGLING CLUB
RESULT of the match on the bottom pool, 1st D. Davis (13-15-0) 2nd J. Moon (13-0-0) 3rd E. McKeowm (9-10-0). There will be an extra match to the fixtures on Sunday on the pools if not frozen, no points or golden peg on this contest, draw at 8am.
-
Date
Dangers of paying extra for policing
A DANGEROUS precedent would be set if law-abiding businesses and citizens were expected to pay extra for the police to sort out yobbish behaviour in public places, as suggested on this Letters Page by a former chief superintendent of Kidderminster Police
-
Date
Vale prayers full of hope for the Pope's recovery
CHRISTIANS throughout the Vale have been praying for the recovery of Pope John Paul II. The 84-year-old Pope who has been suffering from frail health for several years has been a patient at Rome's Gemelli hospital since Tuesday February 1 after being
-
Date
Villagers kick-up a stink over burger van plans
VILLAGERS and community leaders have united to stop a hamburger van operating in Willersey - saying it will attract rats, yobs and create foul smells. Mr Mehmet Okten from Chipping Norton has applied to Cotswold District Council for street trading consent
-
Date
Modest fee for museum?
HOW pleasing to read (Shuttle, Times and News, January 27) that Bewdley Museum's future is to be guaranteed for the next three years if the Conservatives, who control Wyre Forest District Council, get their budget approved next month. But what a cost!
-
Date
POOLE HALL
PAUL Bailey from Alveley landed a 2lb 13o Perch. Bait used double bronze maggot. Poole Hall Wednesday open. Abbey. 1 Reg Ford 35lbs - 3-0; 2 Dave Haney 11lbs - 4-0; 3. Eddy Foster 10lbs - 14-0. Poole Hall Saturday open. Kingfisher. 1 Ron Francis 15lbs
-
Date
Officers at desks do not fight crime
I READ with interest the campaign by Mark Garnier, the prospective parliamentary Conservative candidate, regarding the 24-hour manning of the front desk at Wyre Forest police stations. I find the campaign manifestly contradictory. On the one hand, they
-
Date
Hopes for new dental surgery
VALE health chiefs' plans for a much-needed NHS dental surgery in Evesham could be realised within six months. A planning application has been received by Wychavon District Council to convert a shop in Port Street into a dental practice. Applicant Mohamed
-
Date
Mercy mission 'n marriage
A VALE lorry driver married the woman of his dreams, after meeting her on a mercy mission to Belarus. Steve and Natasha Worton, who live in Bewdley Street, Evesham met when Steve delivered a lorry load of aid to the hospital where, Natasha, 24 was working
-
Date
Disabled drivers told not to cross the line
EVESHAM parking chiefs have urged disabled drivers parking on double yellow lines to show consideration to other road users. Drivers issued with a valid disabled sticker can legally park on double yellow lines for up to three hours. But Wychavon District
-
Date
Diabetic collapsed at wheel
A DIABETIC Evesham man banned from driving passed out at the wheel and crashed during a desperate bid to buy chocolate bars. Philip Fulford, from Peewit Road, was trying to raise his blood sugar levels, a court heard on Monday. He tried to find a shop
-
Date
Phil and Heather's Uganda retirement
A VALE couple have sold their home and forgone a well-earned retirement to volunteer in Uganda for the next two years. Phil Woodcock, aged 57, from Bishampton will be helping to manage a conservation project in the country's capital city Kampala. His
-
Date
Man smashed into home with hammer
A FORMER Environment Agency employee who smashed his way into a house at night armed with a lump hammer was convicted of affray last Friday. Antony Hediger, from Evesham, drank six pints of lager before the terrifying incident on New Year's Eve 2003.
-
Date
Kidderminster Carolians: KCs clinch another win
A SECOND successive victory for Kidderminster Carolians has placed a comfortable cushion between the-mselves and the Midlands Three West North drop-zone. The Marlpool Lane men followed up their win at Willenhall with a vital 22-12 victory over fellow
-
Date
Cleobury Mortimer
CLEOBURY Mortimer hope to have a friendly with Bishops Castle seconds on Saturday after last weekend's practice match at Ludlow was cancelled due to a lack of players. The seconds travel to Bridgnorth thirds.
-
Date
Chaddesley Corbett
CHADDESLEY'S match with Upton was cancelled after the opposition cried off, but the seconds romped to a convincing 36-0 win over Harborne. Connel Kavanagh and Jason Jew got two tries each, with Charlie D'auncey and Phil Page also touching down and D'auncey
-
Date
Junior round-up: Quarters for Corbett
CHADDESLEY Corbett swept into the quarter finals of the North Midlands under-15s plate competition with an impressive 22-12 win at Birmingham Solihull. Despite falling behind, Chaddesley soon hit back with two tries from man of the match Wayne Cooper,
-
Date
Heeley sounds warning to City players
CARL Heeley insists the pressure is on Worcester City's players to save their careers at St George's Lane following back-to-back defeats under new boss Andy Preece. Veteran defender Heeley, 35, currently out of action after damaging his knee in a freak
-
Date
Transfer coup on cards for Watkiss
STUART Watkiss is bidding to pull off a transfer coup that would create waves in Coca-Cola Two. The Kidderminster Harriers boss has been keeping tabs on a talented wide midfielder and is poised to swoop if the player can agree a settlement with his current
-
Date
'A' team spot for Brown
JAMES Brown has been included in England's 'A' 22 to face France at the Recreation Ground tomorrow (7.45pm). The fly-half is on the bench with Leicester's Andy Goode starting at 10. The game will be televised live on Sky Sports 3 from 7.30pm. Richard
-
Date
Top two ready for battle in title race
DROITWICH Hockey Club face a huge match this Saturday in their march towards promotion. Paul Atkinson's side, currently five points clear at the top of West Midlands Division One, host second-placed Walsall, who have a game in hand. Victory would greatly
-
Date
Good run brought to halt by Kynoch
PERSHORE Hockey Club's' good start to the year in Coaching Solutions West Midlands Division Two came to an abrupt end with a 1-0 home defeat to Kynoch. Kynoch went ahead after 15 minutes, while Pershore wasted a number of good chances. Despite having
-
Date
Defeat upsets Evesham
EVESHAM Hockey Club captain Martin Husbands claimed hosts Wednesbury used intimidating tactics after his side were beaten 3-1. With the game at 1-1, Wednesbury appeared to pressure the umpires, resulting in Evesham's Seb Seneque being dismissed for 15
-
Date
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust
THE Wyre Forest group annual meeting saw Richard Cory re-elected chairman, and the committee re-elected en bloc. After business matters, Mervyn Needham gave an illustrated talk on his visit to Argentina and Chile. Th first indoor meeting will take place
-
Date
Worcestershire ME Support Group
THE next meeting in Kidderminster, will be held at the library from 1.30pm until 3.30pm on Wednesday. All people with myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, their carers, friends and relatives, are welcome to meetings. Information
-
Date
New estate water snag riles village
A BROADWAY development for 70 houses and offices on the former Gordon Russell site has come in for criticism from parish councillors. The water supply, they say is not adequate for the site, which has been partially developed, and more disruption is on
-
Date
Midland Gershwin Mayerl Society
GUY Rowland will present "A Light Programme" of piano music and comedy at Kidderminster Library on Thursday, February 17, at 7.30pm. Telephone 01562 751527 for further details.
-
Date
Time for acting up
THERE'S no excuse for boredom this half-term, no matter what the weather as theatres all over the area have lined up children's events by the bucketload. Pershore's Number 8 arts centre has a choice of activities. Professional artist Rachel Higgins is
-
Date
Kidderminster Horticultural Society
SPRING flowers of Cyprus" is the subject of Dr Tony Hughes's talk at the Holy Innocents community hall on Thursday, February 17. The talk will start at 7.30pm and there is a nominal entrance charge.
-
Date
Brintons Walking Club
ON Sunday, a walk will leave the Rose and Crown, Shrawley between 9am and 9.30am, with check-in from 8.30am. For an entry form contact Eric Perks on 01299 404216.
-
Date
Kidderminster District Probus Club
JOHN Sparry returned to talk to members at the February meeting, this time his topic was his favourite comedians. He talked about Max Hall, Tony Hancock, Rob Wilton, Tommy Cooper, Ken Dodd and many more. The annual general meeting will be held at Chester
-
Date
The Shack are back in town
STAN Webb's Chicken Shack are back on the road and swinging by Worcester on their latest tour. The legendary band are now in their fifth decade of providing top rock and blues for audiences all over the country. Guitarist and singer Stan Webb is bringing
-
Date
Broome WI
THE speaker was Bernard Hackett, who wrote and recited his own Black Country poems to members. The poems covered all aspects of everyday life. Mr Hackett has written more than 150 poems and many had been published. Diary dates: luncheon club meeting at
-
Date
Farmers expecting cuts in their entitlements
FARMERS and growers are being primed to expect a considerably greater cutback in their entitlements to fuel the National Reserve because of an underestimation of the number of farmers who will claim from it. The three per cent cutback which has been proposed
-
Date
10/2/05 - Twickers dream still on for Lloyd
WORCESTER Wanderers can go one step nearer a Twickenham final on Saturday when they take on Solihull in the quarter-finals of the Powergen Junior Vase. The two Midlands Four West (South) rivals meet at Sharmans Cross Road for what promises to be a massive
-
Date
10/2/05 - Warriors boost as Daly regains fitness
BEN Daly looks set to be in the shake-up for a Stoop showdown. Worcester Warriors' hooker, who has been out of action since November because of a torn bicep muscle, is back in full training and could make a dramatic return at Harlequins next Saturday.
-
Date
February 10, 2005
I HAVE learnt of the recent allocation of Community Support Officers (CSOs) by the Home Office. West Mercia is very keen to increase the local complement of CSOs and applied for an additional 40. It is disappointing that they were only granted an additional
-
Date
10/5/02 - Transfer coup on cards for Watkiss
STUART Watkiss is bidding to pull off a transfer coup that would create waves in Coca-Cola Two. The Kidderminster Harriers boss has been keeping tabs on a talented wide midfielder and is poised to swoop if the player can agree a settlement with his current
-
Date
The young are staying connected
MORE than 96 per cent of people age 18 to 24 have a mobile phone compared to just 48 per cent of those aged over 65, according to new research. The survey by Agilent Technologies Inc, also found that only 29 per cent of over-65s who have a mobile phone
-
Date
Helping hand for shoppers
SCOUTS are to be mobilised for a massive bag-packing operation on Saturday, which, it is hoped, will raise more than £2,000 for Operation Covert. Shoppers at Morrisons and Sainsbury's in Kidderminster are to be given a helping hand with their shopping
-
Date
Magic Roundabout UCI Cinema Merry Hill
"BOING" said Zebedee, "time for bed-lam!" If you are looking for Round-about 90 minutes of pure Magic for both you and your kids then climb aboard the all new Magic Roundabout. Zebedee's evil nemesis Zeebad is released into the world and attempts to freeze
-
Date
How your love will grow
LOVE grows, flowers wilt, according to countryside officers, who are urging folk to buy trees for Valentine Day gifts. Instead of buying the usual gift of roses for that special someone that wilt after a few days the county's countryside service is offering
-
Date
One bloody hour in Vale changed course of the war
ONE terrible and bloody hour in Evesham changed the course of the English Civil Wars in Worcestershire. That crucial hour came in May 1645 when an attacking force of 2,000 parliamentarians lead by Colonel Edwards Massie took the town from a valiant but
-
Date
A complete Shambles
THE news that the restrictions on vehicular access toThe Shambles, Angel Square are to to be tightened, would be more welcome were there any evidence that the existing restrictions were being enforced. But cars and vans regularly use the Angel Place entrance
-
Date
Be seen, be safe at night
A MAN who spent 25 years training people to avoid being seen is now spearheading a campaign to get them to "wear white at night." When PC Tom Iddon was in the Armed Forces he was an expert at camouflage but now as Evesham rural beat manager he wants people
-
Date
It's about anti-social behaviour
WITH reference to the recent invasion of St Peter's by so-called travellers masquerading as Romanies (Evening News, Thursday, February 3) I see that a Mohammed Aslam of the Worcestershire Racial Equality Council has stuck his oar in. I am fed up with
-
Date
Now that's magic
A MAGICICAL morning is to be created in Pershore Library for children looking for half term fun. A magician is set to perform various magic tricks next Tuesday, February 15. The entertainment starts at 10.30am and all children over the age of five are
-
Date
Nursing home helps wave victims
CREATIVE residents and staff at a Worcester nursing home have raised £500 for the victims of the Asian tsunami. Floral cards, knitted scarves and paintings made by the pensioners of Henwick Grange Nursing Home, in Hallow Road, went on sale at a jumble
-
Date
Final batch on the way!
THE eagerly-anticipated arrival of the final batch of tsunami Wishbands is due to arrive soon and will be going on sale across Worcestershire. The first 5,000 bands, which arrived last week, were snapped up and already the total amount raised for the
-
Date
Four in line for learning awards
FOUR Wyre Forest learners have been nominated for achievement awards in recognition of their hard work and determination to succeed. They have been chosen from nearly 100 entries to go forward to the Learning Achievement Awards organised by the Learning
-
Date
On right track to swell trust funds
RUNNERS stepped out to raise vital funds for a Wyre Forest charity that helps families cope with bereavement. More than 300 people took part in the Brambles Trust 10k and 5k road races in September and helped swell profits to £3,707, it has just been
-
Date
Cheers as new-look hall opens its doors
SEVERAL years of hard work will be toasted tomorrow night at the grand opening of the newly refurbished Shrawley Village Hall. The £200,000 facelift is set to provide a village facility fit for the 21st century, complete with a side extension housing
-
Date
A rare off day sees United lose points
Tenbury 3 Hinton 4 THE UNITED defence had a rare off-day, allowing visiting Hinton to get a flying start to each half, and try as they might the home side were unable to overcome the handicap and lost the seven-goal bonanza at Palmer's Meadow in Division
-
Date
Generous support of public praised
KEMP could not continue without the generosity of fund-raisers, who organise events ranging from coffee mornings to black tie nights. A sausage and mash evening and sponsored welly walk are among the more unusual events that have been run. "Then we have
-
Date
Chaplain team offers a listening ear
IF someone at Kemp needs a listening ear there is usually one to be found in the form of a member of the hospice's chaplaincy team. Rev Bob Murrin, 62, has been team leader for eight years. He said: "Really, chaplains are responsible for the spiritual
-
Date
'We come here to enjoy our lives'
KEMP patient, John Lacy, said that if it were not for the care and support he and his family received from the hospice he would not be alive today. Mr Lacy, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease four and a half years ago, has been a patient at
-
Date
Revamp work nears completion
REFURBISHMENT work is proceeding apace to prepare the hospice's new base to receive patients. "The whole of 2004 was given up to the redesign, planning, refurbishment and equipping of the former hotel," said John Fletcher. "That is almost complete now
-
Date
Two trapped in collision
A MAN in his 30s was taken to hospital with serious injuries after his car was in a collision with a lorry. Three fire engines and 11 police officers attended the accident, which involved a green Ford Mondeo estate car and cream DAF articulated lorry
-
Date
Help the disabled cross road near nursing home
ROAD alterations to help wheelchair users cross a Bidford road have been called for by a county councillor - after an outline planning application with a nursing home has been agreed. Warwickshire County Councillor Peter Barnes said that he would like
-
Date
Search is on for carnival celebrities
ORGANISERS of Stourport Carnival are already looking ahead to the summer and seeking candidates for the roles of carnival queen, princess and rosebud. The annual meeting of the carnival committee - which is open to the public - will be held on Monday,
-
Date
Donor sessions
DONORS are being asked to give blood during sessions being held in Kidderminster tomorrow. They take place at Trinity Methodist Church, Churchfields between 1pm and 3.15pm and from 4.30pm until 7.15pm.
-
Date
Golden Moments from Opera - No 8, Pershore
THE trouble with opera is that people take it too seriously. The image, rightly or wrongly, is of stuffed shirts dining on caviar and champagne before snoozing in a private box as two overweight ageing juveniles make mad, passionate musical love to each
-
Date
Exhibitions
MAC, Birmingham - Lost and Found, until February 27. Makeshift, until February 27. Room: Piujatat Hemmatat, until March 6. Jerwood Drawing Prize 2004, until March 6. Ikon, Birmingham - Where the stars are coming one span closer...., until March 28. Writing
-
Date
Theatre
Rose, Kidderminster - Caught on the Hop, until Saturday. m Alexandra, Birmingham - Madama Butterfly, Sunday. Hippodrome, Birmingham - The Sleeping Beauty on ice, until Saturday. Tommy, Wednesday until February 26. Repertory, Birmingham - Curry Tales,
-
Date
Christian Chorale is on the look-out for more tenors!
THE Christian Chorale will be performing Handel's oratorio Saul on April 23 at Holy Trinity Church, Whitecross, Hereford. It is a lesser-known oratorio which originally would have been acted in costume, more like an opera. Nowadays it is treated more
-
Date
Honeybourne
WEDNESDAY CLUB: Met at the Round of Gras, Badsey, for the annual dinner and AGM. Mrs Boath welcomed everyone and after the meal, the AGM was held. Minutes were read and agreed by Mrs Miller and Mr Hitch. Programmes for the meetings had been varied and
-
Date
Sedgeberrow
RBL WOMEN'S SECTION: Held their February meeting in the Betteridge Room. After the business David Cresswell gave a talk Tales of a Village Blacksmith. David was thanked by Mrs Brown. The evening ended celebrating Mrs Bright's 90th birthday, and members
-
Date
Burying head in sand
In recent weeks, letters have appeared in the Journal expressing outrage towards "Jerry Springer - The Opera" and theatre in general. It is a shame that people don't have anything more useful to do with their time than to jump onto this bandwagon of narrow-mindedness
-
Date
Calm down, dear it's only Michael
FILM director, writer, food critic and advert star extraordinaire - calm down dear, it's Michael Winner! In more than 40 years, Michael Winner has made more than 30 movies and directed stars like Charles Bronson, Sophia Loren, Joan Collins, Orson Welles
-
Date
Neighbour George is minding his business
A TOP scriptwriter and some well-loved actors are combining forces in a new play coming to Malvern. Party Piece is by Richard Harris, scriptwriter for Outside Edge and The Darling Buds of May. Another comedy, it looks at conflicts between two very different
-
Date
Crowning glory replaces Vanessa
THE Royal Shakespeare Company is wheeling out a tried and tested production to replace the much-heralded return of Vanessa Redgrave. Veteran actors Sir Donald Sinden and Alan Howard are returning to the RSC in Stratford next month to appear in The Hollow
-
Date
Hell and hopes of the hostages
THE issue of hostages in the Middle East has a special resonance for contemporary audiences as disturbing images such as the death of Ken Bigley are beamed into our lounges from Iraq. In the 1980s the hostage-taking capital was Beirut and, although there
-
Date
Green light for actors
ENTHUSIASTIC performers are being sought for new projects at Evesham Arts Centre. Under the centre's latest revamp, it has formed its own Red Light Theatre Company and now more volunteers are being encouraged to join in with two new productions scheduled
-
Date
Ambition pays off for company
STEEL Magnolias, the latest touring production from Bare Bones Theatre Company, is delivered in a very professional manner. Written by Robert Harlin, the play is set in a fictional Louisiana town, where we follow the lives of six women who frequent a
-
Date
Cousins proves that he hasn't lost the magic
Anyone already in on the Holiday on Ice secret won't need persuading - they'll have their tickets already for Hollywood, the new show from the creators of the world's most popular live entertainment. But anyone who loves the big numbers in any show, the
-
Date
Beef cattle make a clean sweep at show
SEZINCOTE Farms, Moreton, made a clean sweep in the beef cattle competitions organised by the Moreton Show Society. The estate won both the class for cattle up to 15-months-old and that for cattle 15 months and over. Results were as follows: Cattle up
-
Date
Farmers expecting cuts in their entitlements
FARMERS and growers are being primed to expect a considerably greater cutback in their entitlements to fuel the National Reserve because of an underestimation of the number of farmers who will claim from it. The three per cent cutback which has been proposed
-
Date
Elmley Castle
DO you have a question about a disability issue? There is an advice service in Elmley Castle that can help you find the answer? DIAL South Worcestershire will have a member of staff at the Village Hall Post Office on Tuesday, February 15 from 10am to
-
Date
Eric has show on the road
LATER this month, a face familiar from 24 years on TV's Antiques Roadshow invites his Courtyard audience to bring along their own treasures. Eric Knowles - a consultant at Bonhams auction house in London - has just returned from New York, where he has
-
Date
More comedy at Cox's
HEAD out to Cox's Yard in Stratford next Thursday if you're in need of cheering up. The comedy zone is back in residence when there will be another line-up of top stand-up talent. Doors open at 7.30pm and the shows start at 8.30pm. Call 01789 404600 for
-
Date
A great night... and £5,600 for tsunami appeal
FRIDAY night saw Hereford rock to its roots, with a 400-capacity gig at the Royal National College raising £5,600 for the tsunami disaster recovery fund. Martin Blake and Aidan Sheehan - aka the Whiskey River Boys - opened to an already crowded hall.
-
Date
Celebrate the music and art of county youngsters
ROSS Creative Learning Centre plays host to ArtsFest, a celebration of music and art produced by young people from all over Herefordshire, on February 17 from 2pm-10pm. During the day there will be the opportunity for young people to observe demonstrations
-
Date
Bands bring own style to Wulfrun
BAND Low are appearing at the Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton on Saturday, February 19. Winners of Pop CD of the Week in the Sunday Times on January 16 this year, Low have just re-invented themselves. The band has turned away from its long-established mellow
-
Date
Weak13 drumming up cash for charity
THE enigmatic frontman of a Kidderminster rock band is appealing for support to drum up cash for a centre supporting victims of rape and sexual abuse. Nick Townsend said metal outfit, Weak13, had arranged a concert in aid of Worcestershire Rape and Sexual
-
Date
Golden Moments from Opera - No 8, Pershore
THE trouble with opera is that people take it too seriously. The image, rightly or wrongly, is of stuffed shirts dining on caviar and champagne before snoozing in a private box as two overweight ageing juveniles make mad, passionate musical love to each
-
Date
Friends putting studies into action
TWO artists who met while studying in their 60s are preparing to exhibit their work in Kidderminster. Margaret Pritchard, 69, and Ruth Cherry, 70, are displaying a collection of mixed media paintings and photographs, entitled Encounters on the Shore,
-
Date
Youngsters just want to dance
A DESPERATE call for help is being made by Kidderminster dance troupe members whose appeals for a new leader have fallen on deaf ears for more than a year. The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters' Regimental Dance Band has been on the look-out for a
-
Date
Folkies are more than just beardies
FOLK-loving folk of all types will be set to enjoy a weekend of their favourite music in Cheltenham, starting tomorrow night. The ninth annual Cheltenham Folk Festival kicks off at 6pm and organisers are set to prove folk isn't all beards and woolies
-
Date
Truth behind a V-day reality
AS we celebrate loving relationships on Valentine's Day, we should spare a thought for those trapped in relationships blighted by fear and violence. The true extent of domestic violence in the UK is not known, but surveys have indicated that there are
-
Date
Thanks for memories
HOW sad to see Jim Capaldi has died so young. Much has been written about Jim's professional life as a solo artist and of his time with Traffic, but I'm sure many people remember Jim starting his career with The Sapphires not as a drummer but as the singer
-
Date
Friends putting studies into action
TWO artists who met while studying in their 60s are preparing to exhibit their work in Kidderminster. Margaret Pritchard, 69, and Ruth Cherry, 70, are displaying a collection of mixed media paintings and photographs, entitled Encounters on the Shore,
-
Date
Extra trains for diners and visitors
MORE passengers will be able to enjoy lunch or an evening dinner on steam trains travelling along the Seven Valley Railway line. Plans to increase the number of dining trains this year have been announced to help meet a growing demand for tables. There
-
Date
Herefordshire charity urges marine conservation policy
SHOPPERS across the country are being urged to protect the oceans by following the advice of a new fish-buying guide produced by a Herefordshire charity. Under-threat species such as cod (pictured right) have all been listed in a publication by the Ross-on-Wye-based
-
Date
Crime in business under investigation
A SPECIAL working group is to investigate the impact of crime against businesses on industrial estates. The move follows extensive lobbying by the Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and will involve looking at the level of crime against
-
Date
Being stirred to writing letters
With reference to your letter in the Journal of February 3 regarding traffic in Birlingham I would comment as follows. I have never written to a paper before. How often is that said these days in the press as peoples views harden ? I am the epitome of
-
Date
Truth behind a V-day reality
AS we celebrate loving relationships on Valentine's Day, we should spare a thought for those trapped in relationships blighted by fear and violence. The true extent of domestic violence in the UK is not known, but surveys have indicated that there are
-
Date
On the rock and road with Jim
It was with real sadness that I read of the death of Jim Capaldi. For me, many people who were around the Vale dance hall scene in the early sixties, he was our mate who made the big time. While I have followed his successful career in the music world
-
Date
Thanks for memories
HOW sad to see Jim Capaldi has died so young. Much has been written about Jim's professional life as a solo artist and of his time with Traffic, but I'm sure many people remember Jim starting his career with The Sapphires not as a drummer but as the singer
-
Date
Pupils' ping pong perfection
TALENTED youngsters from a Worcester school are aiming for ping-pong perfection after having their moves analysed by a hi-tech computer system at University College Worcester. The under 11 boys' and girls' teams from St George's Primary School, in St
-
Date
Learn how you can complain
ADVICE on how to complain effectively is the latest service on offer in county libraries, thanks to a trading standards campaign. Encouraging people to know their consumer rights and complain when things are not up to scratch is the aim of the campaign
-
Date
Valerie's won more than most people!
A CRUISE, two trips to the World Cup in Paris and an all-inclusive holiday in Jamaica are among the prizes won by a Kempsey competition enthusiast. Valerie Dallimore runs Kempsey Compers, 13 people devoted to entering competitions. The group includes
-
Date
More cash for county primary care services
PRIMARY care in Worcestershire is to benefit from inflation-busting funding increases over the next two years, Health Secretary John Reid has announced. South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust will receive a 9.1 per cent rise in its grant to £313.5m in
-
Date
A Matt finish to safe sex appeal
A HARD-HITTING message to remind young people of the dangers of HIV has been designed by a Worcester student. Matt Bryan, from the city's College of Art, won a competition for his design to be printed on posters, leaflets and wallet-friendly small cards
-
Date
Join point-to-point race fun as ban draws near
HUNT organisers, remaining buoyant despite the looming ban, are encouraging the public to join them at their annual point-to-point race meetings. The Harkaway Point-to-Point at Chaddesley Corbett, in north Worcestershire, will be held on Sunday. Organisers
-
Date
Park is blooming
GREEN-fingered Worcester residents will be able to enjoy the blooming delights of Spetchley Park Charitable Trust gardens on Good Friday. The 30-acre grounds - which contain a large collection of spring bulbs, trees, shrubs and plants, as well as a new
-
Date
Garden shop weaves Webb of magic for half-term holiday week
AN EXCITING programme of half-term activities has been arranged at a Wychbold garden centre. Webbs of Wychbold, in Worcester Road, is running a variety of events for youngsters throughout the week, beginning on Monday with a magic show. The programme
-
Date
CAMERAS ON THE STREET
CLOSED CIRCUIT television cameras go live in Kidderminster today to give police almost total coverage of the town centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Seven cameras will be monitored around the clock to catch shoplifters and drunken yobs who cause
-
Date
Father took his own life
A 28-year-old father ransacked the house he and his girlfriend were days away from moving into and then hanged himself, an inquest heard. Lorry driver, Dennis Biggs, smashed up furniture and wrote on the walls with black paint before taking his own life
-
Date
Cameras will be watching you in town centre streets
KIDDERMINSTER'S new CCTV cameras will cover virtually every street in the town centre to catch thieves and troublemakers on film. They will be monitored from the offices of Bromsgrove District Council alongside a host of other cameras from throughout
-
Date
Theatre
Rose, Kidderminster - Caught on the Hop, until Saturday. m Alexandra, Birmingham - Madama Butterfly, Sunday. Hippodrome, Birmingham - The Sleeping Beauty on ice, until Saturday. Tommy, Wednesday until February 26. Repertory, Birmingham - Curry Tales,
-
Date
What's On
TONIGHT: Birmingham: Marriott Hotel - Lupa. CBSO Centre - lunchtime concert. Symphony Hall - CBSO. Actress and Bishop - StrangeKid amd The Dorty Back Beats. MAC - Caratinga. Worcester: Huntingdon Hall - The Hamsters. Coventry: Warwick Arts Centre - students
-
Date
Lovely 'ladies' coin in cash for kids
CROSS-dressing by staff at a Kidderminster building society has coined in £120 for a children's home. Manager, Matt Freemantle, said they came up with the idea of cross-dressing when some female members of staff realised they did not have evening dresses
-
Date
'Real' nappies are promoted
PARENTS and prospective parents are being invited to find out more about the benefits of using real cloth nappies. The next meeting of a recently launched nappaccino club is being held in Blakedown on Saturday enabling parents to chat over a cup of coffee
-
Date
Timely boost
MORE than £2,000 has been raised by a Wyre Forest group for a new hospice that will care for young people with life-limiting illnesses. The district's group of Friends of Acorns Children's Hospice has amassed donations from various events and organisations
-
Date
Auctioneer dies, aged 90
THE son of a man who founded an agricultural auctioneers in Kidderminster at the end of the 19th century has died. Tony Banks, who was 90, was the son of George Herbert Banks, who established G Herbert Banks in 1898. He joined his father in the business
-
Date
Maximum points from two games, Simon says
DETERMINED defender Simon Weaver has revealed that Harriers have set themselves a six point target from their next two games. The former Lincoln man insists anything less than a maximum haul from Saturday's clash with Chester and the subsequent trip to
-
Date
Honeybourne
WEDNESDAY CLUB: Met at the Round of Gras, Badsey, for the annual dinner and AGM. Mrs Boath welcomed everyone and after the meal, the AGM was held. Minutes were read and agreed by Mrs Miller and Mr Hitch. Programmes for the meetings had been varied and
-
Date
Mickleton
MICKLETON SOCIETY: The chairman welcomed around 70 members to the second meeting of the year. the speaker was Jan Bollington, a tutor in Countryside Exploration from the WI's Denman College in Oxfordshire, who described some Surprises in Cotswold Churches
-
Date
Martial arts: Brian's girls emulate dad
MARTIAL arts all-rounder Brian Smith is keeping it in the family by passing down his experience and expertise to his young daughters. Smith recently started his 35th year in combat sports by gaining his Keysi Fighting Method black-belt and apprentice
-
Date
Hockey: Stourport
THE second half of Stourport's National Premier Two campaign got off to a disappoinitng start when they let a two-goal lead slip before losing 5-2 at home to Bowdon. Coach Caroline Frye had a full squad to choose from with newcomers Rob Allen and Peter
-
Date
Hockey: Kidderminster
KIDDERMINSTER captain Chris Pocknell hailed their first points of 2005 after they came out on top in an 11-goal thriller at Solihull Blossomfield. He said: "This was a great performance from the guys. We really needed this result to keep in touch with
-
Date
Hockey: Chaddesley Corbett
THE absence of Chaddesley Corbett's regular strike force cost them dear as they went down 3-0 at home to Berkswell and Balsall Common. With Matt Boden and Jay Da Costa both missing, the scoring burden fell onto the young shoulders of Richard Swann and
-
Date
Martial arts: Brian's girls emulate dad
MARTIAL arts all-rounder Brian Smith is keeping it in the family by passing down his experience and expertise to his young daughters. Smith recently started his 35th year in combat sports by gaining his Keysi Fighting Method black-belt and apprentice
-
Date
Latest: Boss blast lifted Birch
GARY Birch has set his sights on scoring the goals to keep Kidderminster Harriers up after admitting a stinging attack from his manager made him take a long hard look at himself. The former Walsall striker has finally opened his Harriers account with
-
Date
Trivia
IN the Trivia League Wyre Forest section, Red Man BCC posted the best score of the week against the Black Boy whose score of 40 was their worst of the season. Rising Sun 'A' remain top having played an extra game. Results: Black Boy 40, Redman BCC 74;
-
Date
Report: Duck is broken by Webb's foot
STOURPORT may have been held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Corby Town on Saturday but there were still celebrations at Walshes Meadow - not for the result but for defender Craig Webb whose second half equaliser broke his Swifts duck. Webb capped a man of
-
Date
Snooker
SNOOKS 'B' are closing in on their third Kidderminster & District Monday Snooker League Premiership title after taking maximum points against Bewdley. Their march towards another championship comes despite good wins from the chasing pack of three.
-
Date
Badminton
YOUNG badminton players can compete at Worcester Schools Badminton Association under-13s championships on Sunday February 27. Participants must live or go to school in Worcestershire and must have been born after January 1 1992. For an application form
-
Date
Cycling
WYRE Forest Cycle Racing Club's Joe Rowe raced to a superb first place in his age group and eighth place overall in the final round of the West Midlands cycle cross league. The race at Hagley Park Sports College, Rugeley on Sunday, continued a superb
-
Date
Short Mat Bowling
CHESTNUTS, who are having an in and out season in the Gilt Edge Short Mat Bowling League, scored their first Hot Shot 6 against Just for Fun. They won the first half 10-6 then their trio of Joan Didlick, Muriel Atkins and Bobbie Baulk went on to take
-
Date
CHARLES, CAMILLA NAME THE DAY
THE Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles have set a date for their wedding. The couple will marry in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle on Friday, April 8, presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Clarence House said this morning. And after
-
Date
Boy wizard is working his magic once more
Harry himself would be hard pressed to cast a spell this good. Five months before JK Rowling's sixth Harry Potter novel hits the bookshelves, Worcester booksellers say they are doing a roaring trade, with hundreds of pre-orders already taken. Harry Potter
-
Date
Paying their last respects to couple lost in tsunami
FRIENDS and family of a popular couple who went missing in the tsunami disaster are set to pay their last respects at a memorial service this week. The private service for Annie and John Hofton, of Wichenford, near Worcester, is being held at Malvern
-
Date
If you're four years old, borrow a book!
CHILDREN are being encouraged to pick up books at as young an age as possible - and the staff at Worcester's Warndon Library reckon it should be before they reach school age. The library, in Cranham Drive, has launched what it calls a Baby Book Crawl
-
Date
Top Tory visits city in battle for votes
TOP Tory, shadow chancellor Oliver Letwin, has said his party's plans for the NHS would let health chiefs in Worcestershire tackle their £25m debt mountain. Mr Letwin made the claim during a visit to Worcestershire Royal Hospital yesterday. He spoke to
-
Date
Officers could fine litter louts
A CRACK team of officers could soon be on the streets fining litter louts, under new plans for Worcester. The city council is considering funding two community support officers (CSOs) briefed to issue what they term "enviro-criminals" with £50 fixed penalty
-
Date
Report highlights Deansway dangers
TWO Worcester students with disabilities have highlighted the everyday difficulties they face in getting to college. Mark Guest and Barrie Hillier, learning opportunities students at the College of Technology, have written a special academic piece called
-
Date
Invitation to enjoy a year's good fortune
EAST will meet West at the Guildhall on Sunday when the Worcestershire Chinese Association holds its annual Chinese New Year celebration. Visitors will be able to watch firecrackers being lit followed by an extravagant lion dance to celebrate the Year
-
Date
Centre vow despite land price rise
THE cost of a huge new library and history centre in Worcester should stay within original cost projections, despite land prices being higher than expected. Worcestershire County Council said it was confident that the final scheme - to be built in The
-
Date
Teenager in petrol scam
REPORTS of a teenage girl trying to swindle householders by claiming her car has run out of petrol are on the rise. Three residents of Areley Kings said a girl, aged about 17 or 18, had turned up on their doorsteps, asking for cash for petrol, saying
-
Date
Ladders snatched
LADDERS were taken in an overnight theft in Stourport. The set was stolen from the roof of a grey Renault panel van parked off Mitton Street between 11pm on Friday and 8am on Saturday. A police spokesman said: "It may be that someone noticed these ladders
-
Date
New town? No way
I WAS surprised to read the headline article in a Conservative publication circulating in Areley Kings. It claims that there are plans to build what would amount to a new town immediately adjoining Areley Kings, in Astley and Dunley parish. Immediately
-
Date
Chess
TWO Kidderminster Chess Club players were selected to represent Worceste-rshire's team for under 100 grades against Shropshire at Redditch. Terry Pountney won his game but Bill Pugh was beaten in the match, which ended in a 6-6 draw. Kidderminster are
-
Date
Ex-Scout leader in legal battle
A FORMER Cub Scout leader who sexually abused three young teenagers - a youth and two girls - has been given the green light to challenge his sentence. Michael Daniel Jay, 24, of Hurcott Road, Kidderminster, was jailed for five-and-a-half years at Worcester
-
Date
SHATTERFORD
SHATTERFORD'S Opening week went with a bang Masters: Des Taylor from Bewdley took 3 trout to 6lb including a 7lb Brownie on an orange lure. Ron Cornfield from Bewdley took 4 to 6lb 8oz on a buzzer. Steve Roberts from Birmingham took a 7lb rainbow on a
-
Date
Response - at last
LAST week you published my letter highlighting the problems I and my family have endured since November with attacks upon our cars and house, and a lack of police response. I write to tell you that we did eventually receive a phone call from Stourport
-
Date
TOMKINSONS A.C.
RESULTS from the last two contests. Sunday January 16 January, fished on the Wrens Nest Pool, R. Bastable, (14-10-0), Bob Harris (8-12-0), J. Fox (8-10-0), Sunday February 6. Fished on Staffordshire/Worcestershire. Canal Bridges 26-27(Caunsall) Ralph
-
Date
Civic Centre plea
IT is with grave concern that we read the letter from a Stourport resident regarding the neglect of the Civic Hall and, we would like to add our fears over the Civic Centre. Many Stourport people have spoken to us about the concern they have for these
-
Date
WOODWARD GROSVENOR'S A.C
THERE is a contest on Larford Lakes (Burr) Sunday February 13. Please meet at venue 7:30am. Two keepers are required for this contest. Any members still with trophies at home please return on this contest.
-
Date
MP to rescue over telephone saga
MAY I be allowed to reply to the criticism of our MP, Dr Richard Taylor. Three years ago myself and my four neighbours were having difficulties with our telephone lines. Four of the bungalows are occupied by people in their 80s, and we have been supplied
-
Date
From the archives
100 Years Ago February 11, 1905 Preparations are making rapid progress for the laying out of a garden on French lines in Bengeworth, and on Monday last the French gardener who is to have charge of the work came into residence in the town. The field, which
-
Date
Goal-den girl
STOURPORT High School's girls under-16s football team have set their sights on national cup glory - with one of their star players keen to further her own international ambitions. Fresh from helping her team-mates progress to the last 16 of the national
-
Date
Doctors want to stay on the Green
EVESHAM'S new state of the art health centre could be permanently sited on Abbey Road despite doctors' refusal to back the plans. Wychavon District Council is spending £50,000 on surveys and technical investigations. The studies, due to be completed next
-
Date
Finders keepers as two Harriers get England call
TWO goalkeepers from Kidderminster Harriers Girls Centre of Excellence have been selected for hands on training at an England development camp. Sophie LeGros and Abbey Lewis will take part in the February half-term get-together after impressing national
-
Date
MARKS TACKLE
WEDNESDAY: 1 S. Braithwaite 10-12-0 BNA 6; 2 G. Farmer 10-5-8 P65; 3 D. Roberts 9-6-0 P82. Saturday: 1 S. Maher 20-9-0 P88; 2 T. Pargeltor 14-7-8 P79A; 3 S. Braithwaite 12-7-8 P81 Sunday: 1 L. Hughes 7-12-0 P58; 2 S. Pierpoint 6-3-8 P75; 3 D. Frost 6-
-
Date
Bewdley below par
TITLE-CHASING Bewdley Town breathed a sigh of relief after producing their worst performance of the season - but still beating West Midland League Division One basement club Wolverhampton United 4-2. A Jamie Hart brace and goals from Lewis Pountney and
-
Date
Taxpayers to dig deep into pockets
COUNCIL tax payers across the Vale of Evesham are likely to have to dig deeper into their pockets to meet demands dropping through letter boxes from April. Worcestershire County Council will be asked to approve a 3.94 per cent increase at the council
-
Date
Corbett are crushed
CHADDESLEY Corbett's West Midlands League division two form took a turn for the worse when they were comprehensively beaten by 5-1 at home by Sporting Khalsa. The visitors, spearheaded by the dangerous Nathan Glanville, were 3-0 up in twenty minutes with
-
Date
Harriers Ladies hit Glades rivals for six
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers Ladies came back from a goal behind to record a convincing 6-1 win over Solihull Glades. Holly Alldred fired Solihull in front after just two minutes, but Harriers soon hit back in style. Kidderminster levelled the scores on five
-
Date
Brass band for Tracy's charity
A BRASS band that starred in the stage version of Brassed Off at Birmingham's Repertory Theatre is to perform a concert for an Evesham charity. The Stourport Brass Band will be playing at Evesham Methodist Church on Thursday, March 3 at 7.45pm in support
-
Date
St Johns are six-a-side champions
ST Johns became champions of the Kidderminster Six-a-side Football League when they won their final game to finish a point ahead of last year's winners, Yates's. Ads's lads are third. Feredays Fliers were top scorers in the first week of the new season
-
Date
Parents face £50 spot fines if pupils don't go to school
PARENTS in the Vale of Evesham who continually fail to ensure their children attend school regularly could be hit with £50 on-the-spot fines. Meeting on Tuesday, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet members discussed how best to incorporate the Anti-Social
-
Date
County Call-ups
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers trio Richard Evans, Danny Ludlow and Steve Thompson and Burlish Olympic Youth's Andrew Lacey have been selected for Worcestershire's clash with East Riding. The Midland Youth Football Championships match is at Worcester City on
-
Date
Stourport
STOURPORT firsts had a weekend off after their friendly at Handsworth was cancelled so attention turned to the seconds. But despite an encouraging display by the twos, they slipped to a 41-19 defeat at home to University Worcester. Stourport were out
-
Date
Warriors boost as Daly regains fitness
BEN Daly looks set to be in the shake-up for a Stoop showdown. Worcester Warriors' hooker, who has been out of action since November because of a torn bicep muscle, is back in full training and could make a dramatic return at Harlequins next Saturday.
-
Date
Twickers dream still on for Lloyd
WORCESTER Wanderers can go one step nearer a Twickenham final on Saturday when they take on Solihull in the quarter-finals of the Powergen Junior Vase. The two Midlands Four West (South) rivals meet at Sharmans Cross Road for what promises to be a massive
-
Date
Hell and hopes of the hostages
THE issue of hostages in the Middle East has a special resonance for contemporary audiences as disturbing images such as the death of Ken Bigley are beamed into our lounges from Iraq. In the 1980s the hostage-taking capital was Beirut and, although there
-
Date
Green light for actors
ENTHUSIASTIC performers are being sought for new projects at Evesham Arts Centre. Under the centre's latest revamp, it has formed its own Red Light Theatre Company and now more volunteers are being encouraged to join in with two new productions scheduled
-
Date
Wyre Forest Family Rambling Club
A THREE-MILE walk at Churchill, including the Roman road, will take place on Sunday. Those taking part should meet at Churchill Church at 2pm, and are asked to note that this walk is unsuitable for pushchairs. Contact the walk leader on 01299 861263 for
-
Date
Wyre Forest Film Club
THE Decline of the American Empire is the featured film on Tuesday. Directed by Denys Arcand in 1986, this Canadian film is about a group of men who are preparing dinner while their women go to the gym. Each group talks about sex, relationships and life
-
Date
Stourport Floral Art Club
AT the AGM on January 31, competition winners were announced. Eileen Fletcher was the winner of the flower of the month. Jean Delo was first and Joy Cook second in the floral art competition. The chairman's cup was given to Beth Jones. The committee was
-
Date
Lickhill WI
MARY Smith told members of the origins of antiques they took to the January meeting. "Thank you" letters for donations had been received from Operation Covert and Cancer Research, and the certificate from the Macmillan Nurses. The National Federation
-
Date
Kidderminster Field Club
THE next meeting will be held on Wednesday in St Mary's Church, Chantry, at 7.30pm when Jon Clatworthy will speak on "fossils in the West Midlands". Mr Clatwortry is the curator of the Lapworth Musuem of Geology at Birmingham University.
-
Date
Cookley WI
THE guest speaker for the January meeting was Mr R Richardson, who talked about his visit to Machu Picchu in Peru with his family and as a 21st birthday treat for his son. His talk was illustrated by slides. Members' attention was drawn to subscriptions
-
Date
Award-winners in concert
A SCOTTISH cellist and a Swedish pianist join forces for the latest concert in Chipping Campden and District Music Society's 44th season of events. Marie Mcleod started on the cello at eight and progressed to the Yehudi Menuhin School, afterwards studying
-
Date
Cleobury Mortimer Bridge Club
AT The Lion Inn on January 25, a Mitchell movement was played. North-south winners were Terry Lucey and Doreen Round with 57.92 per cent, with Steve Clifton and Nigel Wilkinson second with 53.75 per cent. Nick Holcomb and Sarah Green were east-west winners
-
Date
Brockencote
A CHRISTMAS lunch was held in Harvington Hall. Several members attended the WI carol concert in Kidderminster in December, and five went to the "Christmas Goodies" day in Worcester. At the January meeting Denzil Smith gave a talk on the subject of prison
-
Date
Astley Horticultural Society
THE committee were re-elected at the annual meeting but the president/treasurer, R Clarke, advised that he will have to resign in the spring, as he is leaving the area. Anyone interested in either post is asked to contact Mr Clare, or Michael Ecob, at
-
Date
Beef cattle make a clean sweep at show
SEZINCOTE Farms, Moreton, made a clean sweep in the beef cattle competitions organised by the Moreton Show Society. The estate won both the class for cattle up to 15-months-old and that for cattle 15 months and over. Results were as follows: Cattle up
-
Date
Digging deep to replace toys
SORROW has turned to joy at a vandal-hit Bewdley play scheme, which has been inundated with generous donations - including an anonymous £500 cheque. Children at the Wribbenhall After School Play Scheme - WASPS - were devastated when they discovered their
-
Date
Dad jailed for role in faked robbery
A FATHER-of-two who stole £10,500 in a faked robbery at the Kidderminster petrol station where his brother worked has been jailed for 21 months at Worcester Crown Court. Judge John Cavell said 28-year-old Mark Bassral had taken part in a sophisticated
-
Date
Elmley Castle
DO you have a question about a disability issue? There is an advice service in Elmley Castle that can help you find the answer? DIAL South Worcestershire will have a member of staff at the Village Hall Post Office on Tuesday, February 15 from 10am to
-
Date
10/2/05 - 'A' team spot for Brown
JAMES Brown has been included in England's 'A' 22 to face France at the Recreation Ground tomorrow (7.45pm). The fly-half is on the bench with Leicester's Andy Goode starting at 10. The game will be televised live on Sky Sports 3 from 7.30pm. Richard
-
Date
Uplifting results of bird survey
FOR the past couple of months the Ranger Service has employed an ornithological consultant to survey the birds as they over winter on the wetland nature reserves of the Wyre Forest District Council. This is quite a big project and will not be complete
-
Date
New role for trust chief
A WORCESTERSHIRE health chief has taken the helm of a new national assembly for NHS bosses. John Rostill, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, has been named chairman of the 204-member NHS Employers group. He addressed the assembly
-
Date
Birth centre petition set for hand-over
A MOTHER turned health campaigner is hoping people power can save Wyre Forest Birth Centre as she prepares to present a petition signed by more than 2,000 people to a health chief next week. Elizabeth Bytheway will hand over a petition to the chief executive
-
Date
Splash out on your loved one this year
VALENTINE'S Day is almost upon us once again and the shops are brimming with clichd gifts that include giant-sized teddy bears and heart-shaped chocolates. Come Monday morning, some of us may be grateful to even receive a solitary card from a secret admirer
-
Date
Total nearing £18,000 mark
WE are almost a quarter of the way to our £80,000 target after edging towards the £18,000 mark. The latest running total for our appeal stands at £17,947 - less than four months after the campaign was launched. Cash has flooded in from all walks of life
-
Date
Jos MOURINHO Made in Portugal the official biography by Lus Loureno
mannager Jos Mourinho arrived to coach Chelsea in the summer of 2004. Lured by the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho has quickly taken Chelsea to Premiership leaders and favourites to win their first title. He has made an immediate,
-
Date
Latest: Swifts skipper on road to return
STOURPORT Swifts have been boosted by the news that skipper John Newall is finally on the road to recovery after a 15-month injury lay-off. Newall has resumed light training with the Walshes Meadow squad and could be back in contention for first team
-
Date
Diabetic collapsed at wheel
A DIABETIC Evesham man banned from driving passed out at the wheel and crashed during a desperate bid to buy chocolate bars. Philip Fulford, from Peewit Road, was trying to raise his blood sugar levels, a court heard on Monday. He tried to find a shop
