Diary

The marriage of Claire Dudley, eldest daughter of Brian and Marylyn Dudley of Redditch, and Mark Schaus, only son of Marion and Vin Brighton of Evesham, took place at St Philip's Church in Redditch on November 27. The bride was given away by her father and accompanied by her sister Lisa Elvins and Hannah MacManus. The groom chose Mark Palethorpe as best man, and David Dudley and David Elvins served as ushers. After a reception at Stone Manor Hotel, near Kidderminster, the couple honeymooned in San Francisco, Hawaii and New York.

Photography by Angela Lloyd-James of Worcester.

OSMOND - BOSWELL

Rachael Jane Osmond, only daughter of David Osmond of Henley-on-Thames and the late Susan McManus, married Darren Jason Boswell, only son of Joan Boswell of Quarry Bank and the late Joseph Boswell, at Blakelands on December 7. The bride was given away by her father, and after the reception the couple spent their honeymoon in Jamaica.

Photography by Angela Lloyd-James of Worcester.

CULL - SANT

Nichola Lucy Cull, daughter of Pat and Jim Cull of Bromsgrove, married Dominic Howard Sant, son of Lesley and Howard Sant of Dedham, Suffolk, at St John's Church in Bromsgrove on October 8. The bride was given away by her father and attended by friends Alexandra Hussey and Johanne Westcott and the groom's niece Holly David. The groom chose his brother Adam Sant and friend James Thomas as joint best men. After the reception at The Elms in Abberley, the couple spent their honeymoon in the Seychelles.

Photography by Angela Lloyd-James of Worcester.

HOMER - JOSH

The marriage of Ree Homer, only daughter of George and Kathleen Homer of Halesowen, and Ian James Josh, only son of Alan and Bernice Josh of Knowle, took place at Eastnor Castle on October 15. The bride was given away by her father and attended by her nieces Beth, Megan and Neve and the groom's daughters Emma and Lucy. The groom chose Richard Stilgoe as best man and Gerry Whetton served as usher. After the reception, also held at Eastnor Castle, the couple honeymooned in Dubai and the Seychelles.

Photography by Angela Lloyd-James of Worcester.

BERESFORD - BROOKE

Dawn Beresford, eldest daughter of Trevor and Ann Beresford, of Spain, formerly of Stourport-on-Severn, married James Andrew Brooke, son of David and Barbara Brooke, of Sheffield, at Brockencote Hall in Chaddesley Corbett on December 29. The bride was given away by her father and attended by her niece Jasmine May Morris. The groom chose his sister Caroline Brooke as best 'man', while his friends Mark and Clive Robinson served as ushers. After the reception the couple honeymooned in the Maldives.

Photography by Angela Lloyd-James of Worcester.

SHEPHERD'S DELIGHT

The coveted title of British Hairdresser of the Year 2005 was awarded to Lisa Shepherd of Lisa Shepherd Midlands in a glitzy London ceremony in November. It was a triple success for the Kidderminster salon, with Lisa also retaining her title of British Colourist of the Year for the third year running, and colleague Tim Scott-Wright winning Midlands Hairdresser of the Year. The ceremony, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, was hosted by Jonathan Ross with entertainment from Sugababes.

ART PARTY

Jodie Kidd was the special guest at the official launch of Warwickshire's newest art gallery in November. Love Contemporary Art, part of Longbarn Village near Alcester, welcomed Jodie along with exhibiting artists and selected guests to enjoy champagne, chocolates and unusual artwork in the gallery's beautiful setting. Artist Katy Bailey unveiled her collection of sensual underwater scenes, which are exhibited alongside work from some of the Midlands' best artists.

DUCK RACE

The Great Bewdley New Year's Day Duck Race along the River Severn attracted more than 450 entries this year and drew a crowd of over 200 spectators. Organised by the Kidderminster and District Lions Club, the fun event for home-made and plastic ducks raised £1,000 for the Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester. On May 14 the Lions will hold their annual Raft Race on the Severn from Areley to Stourport, in support of KEMP Hospice - entry forms from Ron Cross on 01299 825230.

Pictured: Fran Winterbourne from Acorns and Lions president Jeff Pardoe with some of the "entrants".

NEW SEASONS

Worcestershire restaurateur Frankie Tsang celebrated the opening of his new Four Seasons restaurant at Powick with over 170 guests at a colourful ceremony. After a traditional Chinese blessing, Hinckley Choi Lee Fut Martial Arts Group performed a special Lion Dance, and guests were treated to a spectacular cookery demonstration. A prize draw and donations raised over £1,000 for Leukaemia CARE, a national charity based in Worcester.

Pictured: Frankie Tsang and the Hinckley Choi Lee Fut Martial Arts Group.

LEGAL EAGLES

Black Country law firm Waldrons Solicitors has been awarded the Law Society's Lexcel Award, which recognises excellence in customer care, case management and risk management. Waldrons, which has offices in Merry Hill, Dudley and Kingswinford, joins an exclusive 'club' made up of only around five per cent of the country's legal practices, and only a handful in the region.

Pictured: Waldrons staff celebrate the firm's award.

WORCESTERSHIRE WAY

St Richard's Hospice in Worcester is seeking keen walkers to join this year's Worcestershire Way Challenge, a 31-mile dawn-till-dusk trek on June 9. Participants will raise money for the charity through sponsorship as they march from Bewdley to the Malvern Hills. Last year's inaugural event raised over £28,000. To find out more, call Tricia Cavell on 01905 763963 ext 232.

Pictured: Angela Bill of Worcestershire Countryside Services and Cheryl Peters of Wychavon District Council taking part in the 2005 Challenge.

SAFER BUSINESS

Kidderminster's long-standing Retail Business Crime Reduction Partnership has been recognised in the first round of Safer Business Awards to be awarded in the West Midlands. The Kidderminster Retail Initiative and Safety Programme (KRISP), a partnership of local retailers, businesses and organisations working together to deter crime and anti-social behaviour in the town, is also part of the Midlands Retail Crime Initiative and is able to share data across the region.

Pictured: Bill Crook, founder member of KRISP, receives the Safer Business Award certificate from Ian Pearson MP, Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs.