January

The introduction of the Euro across much of Europe was cheered by Malvern-based Automated Packaging Systems. It supplied the bags the starter pack of Euros came in - a contract worth £100,000.

Malvern Wells musician Clementine Stott, 13, performed for Prime Minister Tony Blair at a Downing Street party. Clementine, a trumpet player, was selected for a brass quintet made up of members of the National Children's Orchestra.

Residents on the Duke of Edinburgh Way estate in Malvern Link were looking to put pedestrians first after securing £600,000 from the Government to create a Home Zone. One of just 61 nationally, the Home Zone is aimed at putting the needs of pedestrians over those of motorists and planning work is now well under way.

Wells residents who help to run the St Wulstan's Nature Reserve were horrified after news that Malvern Hills District Council was considering selling part of the land for housing to create funds for its future maintenance.

LEDBURY Town Football Club opened the year with some good news. Securing a 25-year lease on its New Street ground ended longstanding uncertainty over the future of the site, amid fears it could be redeveloped.

THE Rose and Lion in Bromyard was named Herefordshire Pub of the Year by the Campaign for Real Ale. The award came 12 months after 22-year-old landlady Philippa Herdman took over from mum Fran.

Pedestrianisation of Ledbury and the completion of the northern bypass to the Worcester Road were two suggestions as the future of traffic management in Ledbury was discussed by Ledbury Town Council.

Plans for a skatepark on Area 15 of the New Mills estate in Ledbury were running into opposition from residents, who feared noise and vandalism as a result of the proposed development.

February

ORGANISERS were left disappointed after a meeting called at The Chase High School by Vision 21 to help plan the future of the Malvern Hills district attracted just three people.

Traders in Upton-upon-Severn were complaining that radio and TV reports of flooding in the town were damaging trade. The chamber of trade said reports gave the impression the town was cut off when it was in fact open for business.

QinetiQ was facing criticism in Parliament after the enforced shut down of the 1901 Census website. The site, for which QinetiQ was the contractor, closed in the face of massive and overwhelming demand.

MALVERN Hills District Council announced it was considering building a new single site headquarters. One site being considered was the depot at Pickersleigh Road. The council is currently spread around four offices in Great Malvern.

BISHOP'S Frome farmer John Pudge won a top award from the National Farmers' Union for his successful diversification. Mr Pudge owns the Hop Pocket Craft Centre and is a director of the Hereford Natural Oils Company.

TRADER Gordon Jones, of Dual Sport motorcycle shop, grappled with an intruder at his Worcester Road business and put him to flight. It was the 28th burglary in 25 years endured by Mr Jones, who has since relocated to new premises in Ledbury.

WILLIAM Tuberfield was named Ledbury's new town crier after a shouting audition in the Walled Garden. Mr Tuberfield is only the second official town crier and beat off the challenge of four other applicants.

LEDBURY'S Malcolm Morrison was asked to represent England at shooting, even though he is registered blind. Mr Morrison, a member of Hereford Acoustic Shooting Club, shoots 'by ear', targets emitting a different sound as the aim improves.

March

FUNDRAISERS looking to raise £348,000 to restore Little Malvern Priory e-mailed the four Malverns in America to appeal for help. The first $100 came from a former tail-gunner from Malverne in New York, who served in the UK during the Second World War.

The owners of Upton Marina, Walton Marine, were preparing to unveil plans for a £3 million expansion of the facility. Some local concerns about the impact of the development remain, however, and discussions continue.

MARK Pallen, of Malvern, was preparing for University Challenge for the second time. He was part of the Imperial College London team which won the BBC show in 1996 and was invited to have another go in a contest pitting past winners against each other.

The Elgar statue, on Belle Vue Terrace, was left lying at the bottom of the steps after a failed attempt to steal it. Thieves wrenched the bronze statue, weighing almost a tonne, from the terrace but were unable to cart it away.

LURCHER dog Fern, who escaped being put down after being found as a stray in Sunderland four years ago, hits the heights with owner Jo Kingham of Dymock. She received a special invitation to appear at Crufts to highlight her work as a Pets as Therapy dog visiting Highfields Residential Home in Newent.

THIEVES who stole a caravan from Biddulph Way, Ledbury, got more than they bargained for. Neighbours drove after the thieves, forcing them to abandon the caravan in Gloucester Road. It was hailed a success for Neighbourhood Watch.

LEDBURY'S new £4.3 million hospital officially opened on the former Cattle Market site. The development also saw the relocation of St Katherine's Surgery to the site.

LEDBURY mum Annette Jones, who died of cancer in 2000, was being remembered with the publication of the book The Fat Ladies Club. Annette was one of five mums who collaborated on the book, published by Penguin, after they all met at ante-natal classes.