KIDDERMINSTER Victoria got their promotion push off to a winning start with a convincing nine-wicket victor over newly-relegated Cannock in Birmingham and District Premier League Division One. The weather could have been the winner, but speedy covering
KIDDERMINSTER Victoria seconds got their Birmingham League 2nd XI Premier Division campaign off to an encourging start with a winning draw at Coventry and North Warwick. A good innings of 53 from Andy Siwicki helped KVCC towards a reasonable score, but
DEFEAT put a dampener on Kidderminster Victoria County League firsts' visit to Netherton as they went down in wet and windy condition. Having lost Aussie Kyle McAllister early on, inexperienced Kidderminster slumped to an alarming 18-5 and had to rely
CLIVE Smith's impressive figures of 5-51 helped Chainwire to 13 points from a winnig draw against Cleobury in Division Five. Chainwire were put in to bat and struggled on the damp pitch. Cleobury's opening bowlers O Rowlands (2-29) and Grant Carbines,
ON Sunday, John Blakely of the White Swan hit 112no, sharing in a 160-run stand with Mick Pountney (61no), leading their team to a 161-run victory over Chainwire in their Wilden Industrial Estates Cricket League match. Matt Morris, of Spennells, was Wednesday's
KIDDERMINSTER Victoria will begin the defence of their 2nd XI title in the Fearnley Factory Shop Worcestershire Sunday Club Cricket League this weekend. The league, which has a new sponsor, is in its sixth year and features Kidder-minster, Bewdley and
CONCERNED residents were learning tonight whether 85 new homes will be built on a field they have fought to save twice before. Today, Wychavon District Council Planning Committee is debating a plan proposing 85 flats, bungalows and two-storey houses be
DIANE Rayner has taken the reins as leader of Malvern Hills District Council. Coun Rayner, who has been involved in local government for nearly 30 years, was elected at a meeting of full council on Tuesday. Outgoing leader Tom Wells said: "It's been a
JUST days after the General Election polls closed, staff from Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust are boarding their own battle bus today as it tours ambulance stations across the two counties. The bus is part of a programme to raise staff
CAMPAIGNERS battling to save Droitwich's Lido have claimed two county council candidates lost in the elections because they failed to support the pool. Former Conservative county councillor Pam Davey lost her Droitwich East seat while Tory hopeful Michael
A DAY of family fun at the gee-gees is being offered at Hereford Racecourse later this month. The racecourse is hosting its family fun day on Sunday, May 22, when all under-16-year-olds accompanied by adults and all pensioners will get in for free. Alongside
A CENTRE specialising in natural health for women is offering mums-to-be a free introduction to a natural approach to pregnancy. The Wheel of Life Centre in North Malvern Road, Malvern, will be talking about the complementary approach to improving fertility
PEOPLE still have a chance to slip on their hiking boots and join a charity walk across the Malvern Hills. The Malvern Hills Lions Club has organised the eight-mile-trek, from Gullet Quarry in Castlemorton to Tank Quarry in North Malvern, for Sunday,
A TALENTED teenage pianist has won a cash prize to help fulfil her dream of becoming a professional musician. Holly Harrison, aged 13, was given £300 by the Awards for Young Musicians charity, which gives support to up-and-coming performers. The multi-talented
TONIGHT: Birmingham: Marriott Hotel - Lupa. Symphony Hall - Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra. Hippodrome - Music to Watch Girls By. Worcester: Huntingdon Hall - Fairport Convention. Coventry: Warwick Arts Centre - Nitin Sawhney. FRIDAY: Stourport: The
Rose, Kidderminster - Hobson's Choice, until Saturday. Edgecliffe School, Kinver - The King and I, until Saturday. Swan, Worcester - Sleuth, Thursday. Three Men in a Boat, Friday and Saturday. Hippodrome, Birmingham - Compagnie Kafig Corps est Graphique
MAC, Birmingham - Street Trilogy, Thursday and Saturday. The House by the Lake, Thursday and Saturday. Birmingham Print Makers, Saturday until July 3. The Ballad of Hoa, until June 26. A Boy in a Woman's Body, until June 26. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
How Wyre Forest voted Richard Taylor (Health Concern) 18,739 Mark Garnier (Conservative) 13,489 Marc Bayliss (Labour) 10,716 Fran Oborski (Liberal) 2, 666 Rustie Lee (UKIP) 1,074 Bert Priest (Monster Raving Loony) 303 Majority: 5,250 Turn-out: 64.2% DR
MEMBERS of Parliament who represent people in Hartlebury and Rock kept their seats - but Cleobury Mortimer have welcomed a new MP. The Conservatives' Bill Wiggin, who covers Rock and Far Forest as part of the Leominster constituency, and Peter Luff, who
THE battle for control of Kidderminster Harriers has reached a complete stalemate with major shareholder Lionel Newton still waiting for chairman Colin Youngjohns to make the first move. Tomorrow's Friday the 13th deadline will pass without the Aggborough
STUART Watkiss has moved to resolve the future of his players - even though his own future at Aggborough remains unclear. While the battle for control of the club goes on behind the scenes, Watkiss faces the unenviable task of ploughing on without a clear
A TEACHER learned a lot about himself after completing a gruelling trip to reach the North Pole. James Abbot, who teaches design and technology at Abberley Hall Prep School in Great Witley, took part in the Scott-Dunn Polar Challenge, setting off on Saturday
IF the proposed Kidderminster Harriers takeover consortium popped into Sixfields for a sneaky look at their potential investment on Saturday, they won't have learned much new. For in their 230th and final Football League game it was same old Harriers
MORE than £200,000 of improvements have been made to a Kidderminster special school to cater for new pupils with profound and multiple learning difficulties from the defunct Alexander Patterson School. A new therapy suite has been created at Blakebrook
A FIREFIGHTER from Kidderminster is to pit his professional skills against his counterparts from all over the globe in an international competition. It will be a team effort, as James Bainbridge will be partnered by his wife, Nikki, a management consultant
Double success brings party out of wilderness THE Wyre Forest Labour Party has made a "breakthrough" at the county poll after years of voter anger over the downgrading of Kidd-erminster Hospital, one of its new councillors has said. The party was on its
PROBABLY the oldest voter in Wyre Forest was centenarian Gladys Oakey who was determined to exercise her democratic right despite her great age and being wheelchair-bound. For the 100-year-old great, great grandmother, who can remember the suffragettes
BUTTERFLY spotters are being sought to monitor rare varieties living in the Wyre Forest. National insect charity, Butterfly Conservation, has called for volunteers to help keep an eye on population numbers of exotically named species ranging from pearl
SUNDAY: Stratford Ramblers - Chedworth, start 10am for a joint walk with Mid Warwickshire group, 12 miles of hilly walking. Details: Brian 01295 670937. Evesham Ramblers - Start 10am for an eight mile walk, through fields and orchards in gentle undulating
BIDFORD: Colin Harris, Bidford Pharmacy, 17 High Street, Mon-Fri, 5.30-6pm. 01789 772433. No rota Sunday and public holidays. BROADWAY: Lloyds Pharmacy, 22 High Street, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5.30pm. CHIPPING NORTON: Today and tomorrow, Boots the Chemist
PERSHORE Group of Colleges is celebrating its 50th anniversary and as part of the celebrations students will be designing and building a series of celebratory show gardens as part of their Gold Tour, taking in all the major horticultural and garden shows
Redditch Arrows 50 Andover Thrashers 12 Redditch Arrows returned to winning ways with a resounding 50-12 over a spirited Andover Thrashers side. Andover is a newly-formed team who will take heart from scoring their first ever touchdowns. The Arrows started
FORMER Worcestershire star Neil Radford proved too hot to handle for Redditch as he steered county neighbours Evesham to a 37-run victory. The Bromsgrove Road side failed to contain the all-rounder who top scored with an impressive 81 and then took 4-
FECKENHAM may have finished with the losers' medals but the champagne corks were still popping in the Millers' dressing room at the end of the Challenge Cup final. "We took 10 bottles with us and what wasn't drunk ended up sprayed around the dressing
DARTS: The Butcher Boys look the team to beat in the Astwood Bank Darts League at the moment following their 9-0 drubbing of Book B, A Whadcoat's maximum helping them to an emphatic victory in Division One. A 180 from V Cozens could not prevent Book's
NINE months of effort and enterprise, delight and despair, hits and misses, plaudits and criticism have ended in ecstacy and elevation for Evesham United. Saturday was unimaginable when Dave Busst and Paul West joined forces 18 months ago in a bid to
MUCH has been written in these columns during the past nine months about refereeing standards, so it would be very remiss of me not to have the 'official' final say! Essex man in the middle John Hopkins controlled Saturday's game between Evesham and Bromsgrove
RESIDENTS of Wyre Forest are being given the opportunity to say what they think about how their district planning chiefs consult the public. Over the next month, Wyre Forest District Council, in line with new planning laws, is seeking the views of people
JAMIE Dancyger took three gold medals for the Worcestershire Special Olympics squad at the Greater London Regional Athletics event. Dancyger won the 200m, 800m, and was part of the winning relay team. Richie Styles won the standing long jump, Claire Andrews
KIDDERMINSTER Tennis Club are hosting an open day on Sunday, sponsored by the LTA, when everyone, young or old, is invited to play. Prizes to be won at the event, which starts at 2pm, include a holiday for two in La Manga, Spain, a year's free coaching
FANTASTIC scenes that matched the performance resulted in party time at Common Road last Saturday. This was a dazzling Evesham display and the joyous scenes at the final whistle celebrated the club's elevation to top flight Southern League football for
PETER Luff's career as a Conservative whip in the House of Commons is set to end in the post-election Tory reshuffle. The Mid-Worcestershire MP has asked to leave behind the cut and thrust of the whips' office so that he can play a bigger role in Parliament
THE father of a brave Worcester schoolgirl who has been diagnosed with cancer is appealing to Worcester residents to support her through chemotherapy by shaving their heads. Five-year-old Danielle Hesti was diagnosed two weeks ago with Wilms Tumour -
A CHARITABLE mother will be losing her locks to raise cash for a charity which has helped her son, who suffers from a brain malfunction. Forty-year-old Faith Harper, of Rye Lea, Chawson, Droitwich, will be bravely undergoing the close shave - having her
AFTER a year of service the mayors of two Worcestershire towns are putting their feet up starting with a relaxing dip in Droitwich Brine Baths. Andrew Dyke stepped down as mayor of Evesham on Monday, May 9 and Anne Taft is to step down as Droitwich mayor
BUS users could have one of their routes returned to the timetable if the council decides new survey results reveal a pressing need for better transport. In a survey of homeowners in the Redhill and Wyld's Lane areas of Worcester, 88 per cent of the people
MORE than 200 balloons will be launched outside a Worcester centre tomorrow to mark the number of foster carers who look after children throughout the county. The publicity drive is also a bid to encourage more people to take up the vocation by providing
i THIEVES have left a 20-year-old Kidderminster student distraught after breaking into his car and stealing a precious album packed with irreplaceable photographs of a trip of a lifetime to America. i Matthew Keynes, a part-time barman at the Mare and
STREET hip hop comes to Birmingham's Hippodrome Theatre next week when "fresh and funky" French dance troupe Compagnie Kafig present Corps est Graphique. Part of the theatre's 2005 Wide World International performance season, Compagnie Kafig features
A VIDEO and distribution business is hoping Malvern Hills chiefs will allow it to use outbuildings on its premises for storing video tapes and DVDS. Kate Preston, who runs Double Vision Video Ltd at Halfkey Farm in Halfkey Road, Malvern, has applied to
A WOMAN whose bag containing expensive jewellery was stolen while she was shopping at a Kidderminster supermarket has put up a reward for the arrest and conviction of the offenders. The bag contained an 18ct gold ring with a pink sapphire surrounded by
AN angry neighbourhood watch co-ordinator has slammed police in Malvern claiming they have failed to stem a wave of vandalism. Tim Robinson - who helped set up the Dukes Meadow Neighbourhood Watch group last summer - said vandals were repeatedly smashing
KIDDERMINSTER'S Andy Price won the first Friday Afternoon Open of the season at Willow Marsh Fishery, with a 76lb 2oz catch. He caught mainly carp, up to 10lb, backed up with quality roach, taken with open-ended feeder filled with corn, fishing the middle
YOUNGSTERS in Worcestershire are finding learning lots of fun thanks to a donation to a toy library from the Co-Operative Group. The Malvern-based Borrower's Toy Library, in Sixways Trading Estate, Barnards Green, is a toy lending service for parents,
A CARAVANETTE worth £18,500 was stolen from outside a Kidderminster bank. The vehicle, which had been left secure outside Barclays, in Vicar Street, was taken between 9.10pm and 9.55pm on Friday. The vehicle's registration was P750 FDA. Witnesses or anyone
PRECIOUS twin sons of a Stourport-on-Severn couple saw double this week when they celebrated their first birthday with another pair of twins - with the same name. Alfie and Archie Stokes were born on May 10, 2004, after mum and dad Helen Roscoe and Russell
POLICE alerted to a gun incident in Great Witley found a gas-operated firearm in the boot of a vehicle being driven on a hotel car park. Terrance Hope, who was living at the Hundred House Hotel in the village, had earlier had an airgun and a hunting knife
A WARNING that street violence would not be tolerated was given by a judge after hearing how two armed men confronted each other in Kidderminster. Alan Jordan was carrying a wooden stave and threatened to cut a woman's head off while Matthew Lavelle had
A KIDDERMINSTER woman wrongly claimed almost £3,000 in benefits, a court heard. Paula Bliss, 35, of Hawfinch Rise, Kidderminster admitted failing to report a change in her circumstances. Kidderminster magistrates heard she was claiming benefits as if
100 Years Ago May 13, 1905 For some time past the spring flowers at the workhouse have been supremely beautiful, and were the admiration of all who have seen them. The large circular bed in the centre, which is twelve or fourteen feet in diameter, was
Thursday Open, 22 fished: Harry Colley (OB Wolves) 129-0 (Sycamore 23 - meat close in, carp 10lb, tench 3lb), Colin Reynolds (OB Wolves) 102-10 (Sycamore 47, meat close in, carp 10lb, bream 3lb), Mick Jameson (Middy ML) 98-5 (Chestnut 32). Saturday Open
Tuesday Cost-Cutter, Middle, 11: Dave Parsons (Sensas R&D) 74-10 (4), Chris Lyons (Sensas R&D) 53-4 (8), Alan O'Donnell (Moorlands) 30-6 (1). Wednesday Open, Meadow, 15: Brian Cawley (Kamasan) 112-5 (50), Carl Astbury (SBS) 108-9 (53), Alan James
Larford Lakes 1-20: S Campbell 33-10.5, J Middleton 28-.05, R Campbell 23-6.5, K Green 20-.05, K T Cooke 19-15.
Wash Pool: M Galazewski 31-7, L Tyler 19-6, B Edwards 19-0. The next contest will be on May 22 at Woodside bottom pool, Cleobury Mortimer. The draw will be made at 7.15am.
NINE months of effort and enterprise, delight and despair, hits and misses, plaudits and criticism have ended in ecstacy and elevation for Evesham United. Saturday was unimaginable when Dave Busst and Paul West joined forces 18 months ago in a bid to
I AM writing regarding the path/roadway which has been completed - at the expense of yet more trees, birds and insects - in what local walkers call Chestnut Wood in Stourport. Who makes these fatuous, inane, absurd, preposterous, ludicrous decisions?
Canal 8-9: P Butler 2-4, P Knowles 1-15, J Moon 1-1. On Sunday there will be a match on both the Wrens Pools, draw at 8am.
KDAA Pool: Frank Guest 4-4, Graham Rosser 3-0, John Gale 2-8, Jeff Garbett 1-10. This week's contest is at Woodside Fishery's top pool. Phone 01562 824651 for details.
Latest match: B Oliver 15-12, J Connolly 15-5, K Moss 14-6. Wassell Grove is the venue for Sunday's match, which will be draw at 7.30am. Anglers are to meet at the venue.
A Juniors contest will be held at Wellfield Pools on Saturday, cars to leave Old Bear at 9am. On Sunday there is a Seniors contest on the Staffordshire/Worcestershire Canal, 19-20. Those interested in taking part should meet at the venue for the 7.30am
BEWDLEY Town are bracing themselves for a winner takes all title tussle with rivals Great Wyrley at Ribbesford Meadows this evening (kick off 6.30pm). Craig Payton's men go into the match on the same points as their Cannock opponents but having played
A WEEKEND OF Thanksgiving is being held at Ashton-under-Hill to mark the 900 years of St Barbara's Church. The role of St Barbara's at the heart of the village community is being marked with an exhibition of the church's history and a Service of Thanksgiving
Elmbridge Peacock Pool: Mark Brickles 43-5, Dennis Moles 28-1, Mick Swalwell 11-11-8dr.Stackpool: Dave Lavelle 1-3-4, Steve Raynor 0-13-0, Trevor Hyrons 0-11-12. Points to date, first six: Swalwell 56, Moles 55, Raynor 45, Ray Jordan 43, Geoff Wilkes
I AM absolutely devastated about the decision to close some of our community schools. Two of my children have the privilege of attending Lea Street First School in Kidderminster, a privilege which has now been taken away from my third child. There are
AN EVESHAM policeman disarmed a drunken knifeman who had stabbed his father. Now PC Peter Davey has been commended for his bravery along with three other Evesham policemen. PC Davey, aged 45, was first on the scene of an incident last August after the
IT was a night of very little change last Thursday after voters had spent the day at the polls. In Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff retained his seat by polling more than twice the Labour vote with 24,783 but MP Sir Michael Spicer's majority was cut by
SATURDAY PREMIER P W D F A P Cradley Hth 26 21 4 83 15 67 Wyre For 25 16 4 69 36 52 Brintons 25 14 4 75 35 46 Kinver 26 14 4 62 45 46 Two Gates 26 12 6 77 51 42 Quarr Bank 26 10 7 44 51 37 Areley King 26 10 5 52 51 36 George & Dr 26 8 11 54 45 35
UNDER-8s DIVISION ONE P W D F A P Nunnery Ls 21 17 0 70 18 51 Ferndle Fly 21 14 3 57 27 45 Warndon L 21 11 3 37 36 36 Areley Kgs 21 11 2 46 39 35 Kidder Lion 21 6 7 27 28 25 Nunnery Spts 21 6 3 24 39 21 W For Panth 21 6 3 22 44 21 Mostyn Rng 21 2 1 9
AN old play with a theme of interest today is opening at the RSC next Wednesday. Believe What You Will is about a Middle Eastern leader who comes out of hiding to reclaim his identity. He has been denied his crown and denounced by the all-powerful Roman
THE Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham lives up to its name over the next week with a range of theatre for all tastes. The classic farce Arsenic and Old Lace opens on Monday and runs to May 21. It stars Angela Thorne from To the Manor Born, Brigit Forsyth
D HARRINGTON will give a talk entitled "Worcestershire Curiosities" at Hartlebury parish hall on Thursday, May 19, starting at 7.30pm. Members and visitors will be welcome - there is an entry fee.
AT the April meeting, John Boynton talked about "Railways of Worcestershire", illustrating his talk with slides of engines, rolling stock and stations in the county. He reminded members of platform tickets and carriages without corridors, and concluded
BARN dance supremos Dampiers Round are coming back to Pershore's Number 8 for another evening of swinging partners and do-si-doing. The event is on Friday, May 20. Call in for tickets or phone 01386 555488.
ON May 2, Brenda Barrett reported on the walk in the Wyre Forest, and she also had organised a meal and talk at Barnett's Hill. Carol Howell reported on the visit to a lunch at Astley village hall, when Paul Cook gave a talk on "The Road to Chelsea".
THE world's leading counter-tenor James Bowman has offered to sing at a concert at Pershore Abbey on Saturday, May 28, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. Bowman was recently voted the experts' expert counter-tenor by his colleagues. He is celebrated for
WITH silage-making getting under way and more tourists heading for the country as the weather improves, NFU Mutual is warning tractor drivers to take special care on the roads. "Our claims statistics show that accidents involving tractors and other road
PLANS for a drive-through tiger compound at West Midland Safari Park have been denied council permission - despite having already been built. An underground tunnel and watchtower are in put in place but park owners could now have to take them down. Two
ENTERPRISING Bewdley High School sixth formers are putting a host of items up for auction tomorrow in a bid to raise more than £2,000 for Cancer Research UK. The eight-strong team of 16 and 17-year-olds have been given 70 items, ranging from candles to
THE only petrol station in Bewdley is to close next month. The Texaco garage in Kidderminster Road, beside Bewdley Police Station, will shut on Thursday, June 2. Twelve people work at the station and a Texaco spokesman said the firm was doing everything
BEWDLEY celebrated the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe with a tribute flower festival, a 1940s social evening and a church service of remembrance. St Anne's Church in the town centre was filled with 23 displays depicting aspects of wartime, created
PARISH COUNCIL: The April meeting of the parish council, chaired by Cllr Tony Wilkins, heard that two new dog bins had been put up, the broken manhole at the back of Windmill Close had been replaced, and that the Cotswold AONB marker stone at the junction
LAST weekend proved to be a record breaking one for Evesham. Following Saturday's maximum points Birmingham League win over Redditch, the senior side smashed the club record for the highest ever score with a mammoth 428-2 off 42 overs against Studley.
BADSEY made a fabulous start to the new surroundings of Division Five of the Worce-stershire County League when they accounted for Hallow in emphatic fashion. The sides finished first and second in the sixth division last summer and it was the champions
Wolves Wizards 76 Redditch Ravens 6 The Ravens' first match in the Total RL Conference ended in a heavy defeat. But the inexperienced visitors, some of whom were playing their first competitive game of rugby league, were not disgraced against a large
READING Kathryn Dawes' harrowing experience of developing skin cancer in yesterday's Worcester News is enough to make the most dedicated sun worshipper think twice before frazzling themself on the beach. Undoubtedly, the best way to avoid the potential
THIS Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece is performed far too rarely, so it was a pleasure to join in the madness and mayhem. The curse of Ruddigore is that the baronet has to commit a crime a day or die in agony. Ruthven didn't want to inherit the problem
PATSY Palmer proved there really is life after Bianca in EastEnders with a stunning display of acting and dancing as tap dance teacher Mavis. Written by Richard Harris, Stepping Out is both funny and moving and, for a dance fan like myself, is also well
EVESHAM'S new mayor Frances Smith already has some idea of the demands of the role having served as mayoress alongside her husband. Councillor Smith, who has lived in Hampton all her life, is looking forward to her year in office and the contribution
PERSHORE'S fire crew is getting into the carnival spirit by opening their station to the public for the Bank Holiday Monday event. Members of the team will be greeting visitors on May 30 to explain more about their job. Carnival committee chairman Dave
AN elderly Indian migrant farm worker who has no driving licence, speaks no English and does not know how old he is appeared in Worcester Magistrates' Court after he caused a road accident. Sarban Singh, who thinks he is about 68, admitted careless driving
WE are told that the national average wage is approximately £26,000 per annum. In Worcester, it is probably less than half that amount. In Liverpool, reckoned to be a deprived area, the average household income is £22,511 per annum. In Worcester it is
DAVID Barrie (Letters, Thursday, May 5) is right to highlight the Government's plans to ban certain vitamin and food supplements from sale, and right to point out that the Government has said that it was "compelled to implement" a new EU directive. However
IT is becoming increasingly obvious that the main faults in the NHS are due to poor management by those who are supposed to be managing. Glaring examples are the endless encircling cars trying to find parking in the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The
EXHALL & Wixford have been given a walkover into the next round of the National Village Knockout competition. They were due to face Gracidieu Park on Sunday but the opposition pulled out of the match on Saturday night. The result means Exhall can
SILVERWARE dealers and collectors are being urged to be on their guard for offers of stolen property following a theft in Broadway. Two silver Georgian cream jugs were taken from the back of an unlocked car in Back Lane at around 11.30am last Friday.
This weekend sees the start of the Worcestershire Sunday Club Cricket League - the sixth season for the competition. And the organisers have announced new backing for the competition with the Fearnley Factory Shop sponsoring this season's games. The WSCCL
NEVER one to rely solely on his Led Zep glories, Plant has produced possibly his best solo work to date. Comparisons to Zeppelin are obvious and you can draw all the parallels you like between his new songs here and various Zep classics. However, on its
JIM COCKERTON and Dave Busst are both united in the task of ensuring that Evesham United's stay in the top flight of Southern League football isn't a short one, writes Mervyn Collins. The Common Road chairman, who revealed a ground sharing plan with Worcester
FANTASTIC scenes that matched the performance resulted in party time at Common Road last Saturday. This was a dazzling Evesham display and the joyous scenes at the final whistle celebrated the club's elevation to top flight Southern League football for
A HARMONIOUS Stourport family is hoping to spread the sound of music throughout Wyre Forest by performing at venues such as hotels and residential homes. The Billington Music Group, which has its own website, consists of Heidi and Mike Billington on keyboard
THE acoustics of an historic church in Kidderminster will add to the atmosphere when a well-known Danish cellist performs a concert with Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra next month. Troels Svane is playing in orchestra's Summer Concert at St Mary's Church
A FOLK act which regularly tours the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is dropping into Stourport to perform at the Riverside Folk and Acoustic Club. Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies will perform at Stourport Boat Club tomorrow night and the doors will
Jacqui Smith (Lab) 18,012 Karen Lumley (Con) 15,296 Nigel Hicks (Lib Dem) 5,602 John Ison (UKIP) 1,381 REDDITCH'S "shocked" Conservative candidate was left licking her wounds on Friday morning after a jubilant and relieved Jacqui Smith was returned for
AN evening of musical fun and prose celebrating music from every era of the 20th century will bring Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society 2004/2005 season to an energetic end this month. KODS Kapers will be performed at Baxter College in Kidderminster
ROADS in Kidderminster will be closed on Sunday for a parade to mark the 150th anniversary of Kidderminster Town Hall. The ecumenical parade takes place between 4.30pm and 5pm, beginning from St Mary's Church and ending at Weavers Wharf, where a service
iARISH councillors in Chaddesley Corbett are pressing their Wyre Forest counterparts to delay the decision on a controversial affordable housing plan that has split the village. The bid to build 10 two and three-bedroomed houses and five bungalows on
A TELEVISION programme inspired a Bewdley man to recreate in miniature an enduring symbol of the Second World War. Kidderminster-born Colin Evans, a retired construction industry site agent, made a model of the Bridge on the River Kwai that was on show
MAKING music at Kidderminster Town Hall made money for a charity that helps bereaved families. Bramble's Trust was among beneficiaries to receive a share of cash raised through the Youth Makes Music 2005 concert held last month. A total of £473.80 was
A WYRE Forest club for people "in the prime of their life" has been relaunched and is inviting new members to join. The Hartlebury Young at Heart Club, for over-55s, meets every second and fourth Tuesday at 2.15pm in the Parish Hall, Waresley Road. It
THREE goals in four first half minutes decided the destiny of the Birdseye Sports Evesham and District Sunday League first division title. Moreton Wanderers needing to win to complete a League and Cup double found the Red Horse in determined mood, seeking
MATT Nicoll-Jones had a successful weekend at Croft in the AVO Ginetta Cham-pionship when he finished fifth in Sunday's point scoring final. Nicoll-Jones was dogged by mechanical problems all weekend and a loss of power on Saturday meant he only qualified
VILLAGERS in Bidford have voiced their outrage at plans to develop part of the High Street. They turned out in force at a parish council planning meeting on Monday to express concern about two houses and six apartments planned for the Fraser House site
LIFE in the new surroundings of Birmingham League Division Three started enco-uragingly for Pershore last Saturday. However, it was left to a trio of old hands to ensure last season's Worcestershire County League champions didn't start the summer on the
THE man convicted of the manslaughter of a 44-year-old tax worker who drowned in the River Severn at Stourport will be sentenced at the end of next week. At Birmingham Crown Court last Thursday, a pre-sentence report on Tom Prescot, of George Street,
THERE was a moderate turnout of dinghies at Arden Sailing Club last Sunday. The first race at Defford was the third in the Arden Trophy Series and Ralph Evans (Solo) looked poised for a perfect start when a gust put him into irons. The Enterprises of
NEW foster carers are being sought in Wyre Forest as part of a countywide initiative. The scheme is being run in conjunction with the national Fostering Fortnight campaign, which began on Monday and runs until May 22 to highlight the need for more volunteers
BLOOD donors are needed to help meet the demand from hospitals. The National Blood Service will be holding a donor session at Trinity Methodist Church, Churchfields, tomorrow from 1pm to 3.15pm and from 4.30pm to 7.15pm.
NEWLY re-elected Redditch MP Jacqui Smith has pledged her support for fairer education funding for the county after being appointed Minister for Schools. Ms Smith's new role, giving her responsibility for school standards and discipline, was revealed
THERE was a happy ending to the ''tail'' for the owners of Staffordshire bull terrier Gemma after she was stolen nearly two weeks ago. The Advertiser reported last week how eight-month-old Gemma was taken from Liz Kortbeek and her family, of Hampton Close
A WINYATES granny has warned parents to be on their guard in certain Redditch play areas after a spring-hinged gate hit her granddaughter in the face, causing severe bruising. Susan Heeks' granddaughter Kayleigh, six, was opening the gate to the play
A SOUTHCREST woman has spoken of her relief after receiving a cheque from Redditch Royal British Legion club a year after a Birmingham employment tribunal ruled she had been unfairly dismissed. The tribunal decided in favour of 47-year-old Elizabeth O'Donnel
A TOT of whisky a day is the key to a long life according to a Kidderminster woman who has celebrated her 100th birthday. Nellie Helmore made a promise to her late husband, Sidney, that she would have a little tipple each day and believes that is what
REDDITCH ambulance crews are being called to an increasing number of incidents involving drunk young teens, according to a town paramedic. Frank Knight told the Advertiser alcohol-related violence among both youngsters and adults accounted for about 70
A KIDDERMINSTER primary school is holding a summer fete to raise funds for new outdoor play equipment. Bayton Church of England school will host the event, which starts at 2pm on Saturday, June 11. Children will be entertained with pony rides and a bouncy
A 15-YEAR-old girl who is regularly seen in the Redditch area has gone missing from her grandmother's home. Katie Shepherd was last seen at the address in West Heath, Birmingham, on May 4. The last time the dark haired, blue-eyed teenager went missing
I JUST wanted to say how sorry I am D. Hayes has been so inconvenienced by disabled people (Letters, May 6). It must be terrible and a true nightmare to have difficulty getting into your car with a child seat. How dare my wife, who has cerebral palsy,
ANYONE stopped by police in Wyre Forest will now be entitled to a copy of details recorded by the officer or community support officer. New national guidelines give members of the public the right to see why they were stopped and the outcome. The right
A BATCHLEY war veteran whose arm was blown off as he escaped a Nazi massacre has condemned a new film about Hitler's last days for portraying a German general behind the atrocity as a hero. Bert Evans, 84, is the last man alive who survived the 1940 '
MY name is Carlo and I am a guide dog. I am nine years old. Last august, my ''dad'' Paul Brookes and I almost died when we were hit by a car near our home on Prospect Hill. Now I have to pay another visit to the vet, this time it is for a very trivial
A Matchborough man has put his devastating redundancy from MG Rover behind him and set up a new business in home and garden maintenance. David Cartwright, of Kenchester Close, worked as a technician at Longbridge for 10 years before the recent collapse
THIS was a brave effort at a difficult and complex play involving characters on the edge of reason. It centred on two dysfunctional young urban Americans, one (Glen Andrews) a violent mugger, his brother (Craig Rogers) a nervous, isolated semi-child,
I AM writing to express my overwhelming joy at the re-election of Redditch MP Jacqui Smith with an increased majority. I have been proud to be part of a growing team of activists who, to a person, will work endlessly to help keep Jacqui entrenched as
ON behalf of Dot Dudley and myself, I am writing to thank all those people who voted for us in the Redditch North county council election on May 5. Over the next four years, we will aim to serve all the people of the ward, whatever their political persuasion
THE Rotary Club of Redditch Kingfisher advise there are still a few places left for their week's holiday to Blackpool from July 7-14 . The holiday costs £122 per person and includes all transport from Redditch to Blackpool and return, bed, breakfast and
SIXTY years after the guns fell silent in Europe, Redditch ex-servicemen and women, as well as younger generations, came together to remember VE Day on Sunday. A ceremony was held at St Stephen's Church in the town centre, which organisers also felt was
A HARMONIOUS Stourport family is hoping to spread the sound of music throughout Wyre Forest by performing at venues such as hotels and residential homes. The Billington Music Group, which has its own website, consists of Heidi and Mike Billington on keyboard
THE first four years of the new Millennium in Cookley are explored in a new book by veteran author Betty Caswell. Cookley In The 21st Century is the retired teacher's 14th book about the village where she has lived for the past 55 years. It includes chapters
LETTERS left in school bags are a distant memory for Matchborough parents, who can now tap into school events. Arrow Vale Community College's IT technician, Maria Jenkins, has launched a new email facility to keep parents up to date on events at the Greensward
THERE was success for the Midlands area at the national competitions. The national conference and AGM was held at the Hanover Island Hotel, Hinckley. Speakers gathered from all around the country to conduct the business of the AGM and then to listen to
THE group held its meeting on April 28 at Wythall Village Hall. Members were welcomed and the meeting opened with the group prayer. As president Miriam Knowles was on holiday, vice-president Sue Barnard took the meeting. Sue reminded members the cost
PEOPLE have had the first glimpse of plans for an exciting £63 million scheme to build a new first and middle school in Alvechurch. The project, which will see Crown Meadow First School and Alvechurch Middle School rebuilt on one site, was taken a step
THE third week of action in the Prudden Road Surfacing League saw reigning champions Stratford B draw away from the pack at the top of the Premier Division after blasting their own C team 4-0. Closest challengers Chipping Campden and Inkberrow were both
MATT Nicoll-Jones had a successful weekend at Croft in the AVO Ginetta Cham-pionship when he finished fifth in Sunday's point scoring final. Nicoll-Jones was dogged by mechanical problems all weekend and a loss of power on Saturday meant he only qualified
SATURDAY promises more fantastic action when Worcester Racecourse stages a Family Night at Pitchcroft. The picturesque tree-lined location, on the banks of the river Severn, offers the perfect place to spend your evening with something for everyone. In
North Cotswold Dominoes League Sponsored by Waverley TBS Honours 2005 - League: Winners, Plough Inn; runners-up, Crown & Trumpet. Len Court Shield: Round of Gras; Weston Club. Knockout Shield: Round of Gras; Bretforton RBL. Captain & Secretary's
Evesham and District Flying Club FOURTEEN members sent 126 birds to Pic-auville on May 7, liberated at 9.45am into a blustery north west win. 1 & 2 T Gould 1189.13, 1188.85; 3 G Carter 1184.30; 4 Mrs J Heckingbottom 1177.24; 5 & 6 J Fretwell 1168.95
Evesham & District League THE Super Doubles competition got under way last Monday when 44 pairs were in action at Evesham Rowing Club - all with sights set on the first prize of £75. Eight pairs now remain and they complete the competition at the
EIGHT members of Evesham Wheelers set off with the wind on their backs for Sunday's weekly ride out to Warwick. The group passed through Cleeve Prior and Welford before climbing through Binton and on to Aston Cantlow, Norton Lindsey before a well-earned
THE Al Ward Memorial Cup has been the main focus over the past two weeks in the Tewkesbury Pool League when the 16 qualifiers played down to a winner. There was plenty of experience and ability on show as former winners Gary Francis (2003), Glynn Craze
BIDFORD'S Darby and Joan Club celebrated its 50th birthday on Friday. Thanks to a legacy from former supporter Ada Roberts Leach, who left the club £3,000 in her will, 88 guests enjoyed a supper and entertainment at the Crawford Memorial Hall. Betty Langston
TOMORROW promises more fantastic action when Worcester Racecourse stages a Family Night at Pitchcroft. The picturesque tree-lined location, on the banks of the river Severn, offers the perfect place to spend your evening with something for everyone. In
MINUTES after the county council count began on Friday morning, the hall at Stratford Leisure Centre had to be evacuated. Confused counters and candidates looked around for guidance before leaving the building where loose ballot papers adorned rows of
ALCESTER'S new county councillor Nina Knapman has paid tribute to her predecessor after holding on to the seat for the Liberal Democrats in Thursday's elections. Mrs Knapman said she felt she had a tough time ahead of her following in the footsteps of
BIDFORD parish councillors came under fire last Tuesday night when residents accused them of being secretive and discussing village business behind closed doors. They were abused and threatened with a takeover as villagers vented their anger over the
THE West Midlands Co-op has defied the recent retail slump to register half-yearly profits of more than £3m. The society announced interim profits of £3.04m for the six months to Saturday, March 26 a 33 per cent increase on the same period last year.
THE European Parliament yesterday voted to stop the UK opting out of the 48-hour maximum working week. Employees will therefore be restricted to working an average of 48 hours a week. However, the Parliament voted to extend the period which 48 hours must
A BIKER who has realised his dream of setting up a travel company with a difference now wants to help others achieve their aspirations. Lee Mears, of Cheviot Close, Blackpole, has set up Kudu Expeditions to take groups of 10 on motorcycling adventures
MEMBERS from the Derby and Joan Club in Bidford celebrated their 50th birthday at the Crawford Hall. The party was held thanks to the generosity of Ada Roberts-Leach, a former member who left a sum of money to the club enabling them to hold the event.
I HAVE lived here since 1938, in the days of open coal fires, each day's ashes going into the dust bin in the back garden - no plastic bags in those days. Each week the whistling dustman came down the back garden, hoisted the full dustbin on his shoulder
WHERE were you Evesham? On Saturday, April 16 Avonbank Brass Band, conducted by Alan MacRae produced a brilliant evening of well-chosen, well-performed music. It was an evening of toe-tapping hand-clapping music dedicated to the memory of their president
The first thing I do as I settle back behind my desk in the House of Commons is to thank my constituents for the very great privilege of being returned once again as your Member of Parliament. The election campaign in Mid Worcestershire was conducted
WE read with interest the article on Cropthorne Walkabout (Evesham, Journal, May 5), particularly noting the claim, made by Mr Mumford that their Walkabout was the first open garden event in the area. We feel that in the interest of historical accuracy
Rose, Kidderminster - Hobson's Choice, until Saturday. Edgecliffe School, Kinver - The King and I, until Saturday. Swan, Worcester - Sleuth, Thursday. Three Men in a Boat, Friday and Saturday. Hippodrome, Birmingham - Compagnie Kafig Corps est Graphique
MAC, Birmingham - Street Trilogy, Thursday and Saturday. The House by the Lake, Thursday and Saturday. Birmingham Print Makers, Saturday until July 3. The Ballad of Hoa, until June 26. A Boy in a Woman's Body, until June 26. Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry
HEREFORD'S premier alternative music night The Lock Up has gone through the latest stage of its evolution. The night started out at the Jailhouse before moving to the Crystal Rooms (RIP) and then found its latest venue at the compact but cosy Scream.
MOZART lovers are in for a treat this Saturday, as Ludlow Concert Society performs an evening devoted to his work in St Laurence's Church, Ludlow. Patrick Larley conducts the choir, which will be joined by soloists Julie Thomas (soprano), Margaret Davis
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION: The women's section held its monthly meeting last Tuesday. The meeting was opened by chairman Wendy Griffiths, and after the exhortation she welcomed members. Laura Joyce reported on the national conference in Brighton. A list of
PERSHORE Group of Colleges is celebrating its 50th anniversary and as part of the celebrations students will be designing and building a series of celebratory show gardens as part of their Gold Tour, taking in all the major horticultural and garden shows
DIAL South Worcestershire will have a member of staff at Pershore Library on Monday, from 10am to noon and at Elmley Castle Village Hall Post Office on Tuesday, from 10am to noon. They will be providing a free and confidential drop-in advice session for
THE following gardens will be open for charity under the National Gardens Scheme: SUNDAY: March House, Broadway, two miles towards Evesham (A44), teas, from 2pm to 5pm. White Cottage, Stock Green, near Inkberrow, teas, from 10am to 5pm. Stanway Fountain
ONE cobweb no-one wants to spring clean away is the famous Agatha Christie murder mystery Spider's Web. Cheltenham Little Theatre are staging the thriller at the Playhouse Theatre, promising 'something different for young and old alike'. It is set in
CARDIFF-based theatre company Earthfall visits Brecon's Theatr Brycheiniog on Monday with its technically ambitious production, At Swim Two Boys. Inspired by Jamie O'Neill's award-winning novel about the deep friendship between two teenage boys, the production
AN enthusiastic audience greeted the Berkley Salon Ensemble last Thursday in the Courtyard theatre for a performance that marked the end of another successful season promoted by the Hereford Concert Society. The series has included a number of excellent
WARWICKSHIRE churches will be ringing out with the sounds of special concerts through the summer months. Audiences can enjoy summer's evenings in some of the county's most beautiful churches, listening to some fine music as part of the Concerts in Warwickshire
BARN dance supremos Dampiers Round are coming back to Pershore's Number 8 for another evening of swinging partners and do-si-doing. The event is on Friday, May 20. Call in for tickets or phone 01386 555488.
AN original Dire Straits family member and a 'self-taught world music phenomenon' are providing a couple of interesting evenings in Worcester next week. Next Wednesday, David Knopfler, brother of Mark and co-founder of Dire Straits, comes to Huntingdon
WITH silage-making getting under way and more tourists heading for the country as the weather improves, NFU Mutual is warning tractor drivers to take special care on the roads. "Our claims statistics show that accidents involving tractors and other road
A SPRINKLING of glamour has been added to the Courtyard these past weeks, as actors Zoie Kennedy and Stephen McGann have rehearsing for Educating Rita. Stephen, who is 42, and 27-year-old Zoie have been regular lunch partners as they get to grips with
HEREFORD Courtyard is looking for adults and children to take part in this autumn's in-house musical, Oliver! Professional actors will take on the roles of the adult main characters, but, as is usual with the Community Company productions, a fair share
THIS Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece is performed far too rarely, so it was a pleasure to join in the madness and mayhem. The curse of Ruddigore is that the baronet has to commit a crime a day or die in agony. Ruthven didn't want to inherit the problem
THE great voices - those which cut to the heart of American music - be they soul, country, gospel or blues, have all but gone. In the last two years alone we have said goodbye to Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, who have left to join the likes of Elvis and
THE telephone number given for The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster, in last week's preview of Hobson's Choice was incorrect. The number to contact is 01562 743745.
NEVER one to rely solely on his Led Zep glories, Plant has produced possibly his best solo work to date. Comparisons to Zeppelin are obvious and you can draw all the parallels you like between his new songs here and various Zep classics. However, on its
THE violent age of the 12th century crusades is resurrected Ridley Scott-style in his latest action epic . This film has blockbuster written all over it, with its common man-turned heroic knight plot line, colossal battle scenes and sizzling love triangle
FOR many years, Wythall Theatre Company has presented popular, high-quality plays at the Palace Theatre. The temporary move to Kingsley posed many problems but they were all overcome. The high standards have been maintained, if not improved. Director
INSTRUMENTS are at the ready for a performance by Worcestershire Jazz Concert at The Briars Hotel in Kidderminster. The concert, which starts at 8pm on Friday, May 20, will be directed by Ian Hattersley and will feature singer Gary Rutter. Tickets can
A FOLK act which regularly tours the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is dropping into Stourport to perform at the Riverside Folk and Acoustic Club. Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies will perform at Stourport Boat Club tomorrow night and the doors will
DESIGNER-maker Amy Twigger is a working example of the fruits of Herefordshire Council's Creative Industries initiative. Drawn to Herefordshire from her home in Huddersfield, she was aware of the county's reputation for craft. In September 2004 she was
A DISPARATE group meeting for weekly tap dance lessons might not sound like a barrel of laughs but that's exactly what Stepping Out is. The characters' differing backgrounds and personal dilemmas combine in turn to create hilarious, poignant and dramatic
THIS was a brave effort at a difficult and complex play involving characters on the edge of reason. It centred on two dysfunctional young urban Americans, one (Glen Andrews) a violent mugger, his brother (Craig Rogers) a nervous, isolated semi-child,
A STAGGERING sum of around a quarter of a million pounds has been raised by Kidderminster Lions Raft Race during the last 25 years. The number of people competing in the water-based dash for cash has plummeted in recent years, however, and organisers
A SCUBA diver's keen interest in conservation is the inspiration behind an art exhibition currently being displayed at Bewdley Museum. Rural Icons by Kidderminster artist Shaun Parrin consists of a host of digital images designed to challenge people's
Malcolm Meikle last week suggests that the Bishop of Worcester seems to advocate a policy of do-as-you-like in society with regard to the Church's stance on the issue of the Travellers. As many of us know and understand the Bishop of Worcester, this would
I HAVE lived here since 1938, in the days of open coal fires, each day's ashes going into the dust bin in the back garden - no plastic bags in those days. Each week the whistling dustman came down the back garden, hoisted the full dustbin on his shoulder
WHERE were you Evesham? On Saturday, April 16 Avonbank Brass Band, conducted by Alan MacRae produced a brilliant evening of well-chosen, well-performed music. It was an evening of toe-tapping hand-clapping music dedicated to the memory of their president
The first thing I do as I settle back behind my desk in the House of Commons is to thank my constituents for the very great privilege of being returned once again as your Member of Parliament. The election campaign in Mid Worcestershire was conducted
THREE goals in four first half minutes decided the destiny of the Birdseye Sports Evesham and District Sunday League first division title. Moreton Wanderers needing to win to complete a League and Cup double found the Red Horse in determined mood, seeking
Newtown 1, Peopleton U-16 2 THE end of an era ended in success when Peopleton lifted the Mercian Festival Junior League's Reg Box Cup at Malvern Town FC. It was the squad's final competitive outing and their three seasons together culminated with a cup
THERE'S a double helping of charity cup final action at Evesham United's Common Road home this weekend. Badsey Rangers face Malvern Town Reserves in the Evesham Hospital and Charity Saturday Cup Final on Saturday. Rangers will be looking to bring more
I WRITE regarding the April 28 letter from Mr and Mrs Meese concerning the Kidderminster St George's Day parade. They and, no doubt, countless others, do not seem to realise that Bewdley and Stourport also hold these parades but never get the press coverage
HEALTH chief Mike Ridley has denied any hidden agenda, following criticism from Evesham doctors that he is keeping them in the dark over health centre plans. Mr Ridley, chief executive of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, has appealed for the trust
MAY I draw your attention to the Remembrance Festival at St Anne's Church, Bewdley on Saturday. Each window faithfully represented a wartime activity, with articles and equipment, to represent some wartime activity which people were involved in, accompanied
RESIDENTS and gipsies in Cleeve Prior are joining forces in opposing a second gipsy site being set up in the village. The villagers and English gipsies living on the official site along Evesham Road are united in their concerns. They fear the new group
THIEVES ripped out the front of a Badsey shop and made off with a collection of chainsaws and hedgecutters worth an estimated £3,000. The incident at Vale Gardens on Birmingham Road is thought to have happened at 10.15pm on Monday. It is believed a 4x4
I WISH to congratulate the men who tend Kidderminster cemetery, for their dedication to their work, and for the extreme perfection of the way the whole of the cemetery is kept. It must be the best in the Midlands. Thank you Mark and Reg for all your hard
A FARM on the outskirts of Ashton-under-Hill may take on a new lease of life as a women's counselling centre. A planning application for a change of use has been submitted to Wychavon District Council by an organisation called Women For Change with facilities
WEST MIDLANDS DIVISION ONE P W D F A P Great Wyrl 33 27 5 123 27 86 BEWDLEY 34 27 5 105 32 86 Wyrley 34 21 3 77 50 66 Riverway 35 20 4 91 61 64 Walsall W 35 19 2 79 51 59 Hinton 35 16 9 78 66 57 Stafford 34 15 8 68 56 53 Ashbourne 34 16 6 55 48 53 Malvern
A VALE businessman made an unprovoked attack upon a guest arriving at a 50th birthday party - only to find he had made a mistake and injured a friend. Anthony Lippett saw Julian Keyte coming through the door and thought it was a man who was having a relationship
BURLISH Olympic lifted the Kidderminster Hospital Sunday Cup after a thrilling extra time victory over fellow finalists Church. A dream double from midfielder Kevin Haycock was enough to see Burlish sink their Bromsgrove opponents with a 2-1 victory at
THE Fleece Inn at Bretforton has opened its doors once again to welcome back customers. Fire ripped through the National Trust's traditional English pub in February 2004, gutting the interior. Now it has been fully restored. Landlord Nigel Smith said:
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians press officer Brian Gittins reflects on a pleasing end to a season of struggle for the town's leading rugby club. Not until the last week of the season did Kidderminster Caro-lians know if they were to be relegated. Lying third
CHADDESLEY Corbett under-eights had a muddy good time when they braved soggy conditions to win the Old Hales Mini Tournament. They sealed success with a 40-20 victory over Luctonians in the final having taken on Droitwich and Old Halesonians. Try scorers
A TALE of murder, treachery, conspiracy and corruption in 17th century south London is all locked up in The Clink, coming to Malvern next week. At the time when Elizabeth I is dying and the Jacobean era is about to begin, the play is set in an area of
ON April 20, John Snocken, the only judge for stripped tulips outside Yorkshire, gave a slide show and talk on violas and pansies. The next meeting, in Astley village hall, will be on Wednesday when Alison Caldwill of the Orchid Society will be the guest
ON April 26 at The Lion Inn, Cleobury Mortimer, a Mitchell movement was played. The north-south winners were Steve Clifton and Nigel Wilkins with 58 per cent, Norman and Jo Hall coming second with 53 per cent. Liz Leslie and Sadie Sainsbury were east-west
THERE will be two rides on Sunday, both starting from The Green, Blakebrook, Kidderminster. The A ride, which starts at 9am, will explore the Marcle Hills, Ledbury. The B ride will leave at 9.30am to visit Brockhampton Court, Bromyard. All cyclists will
A VALE businessman is embarking on a charity transatlantic crossing in a yacht named after the doctor who saved his life. Father-of-four Jonathan Shingleton, aged 58, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October, 1997. He was given the all clear following
TOMORROW evening, Tony Baines, secretary of the Federation of Recorded Music Societies, will give a presentation entitled "Something to Write Home About" at Holy Innocents community centre, starting at 7.30pm. Visitors will be welcome to attend. Anyone
A MEETING will be held on Wednesday at the Railway Bell, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, at 8pm. The show, presented by Dick Courtenay, will be entitled "South African Railways", and non-members will be welcome.
TWO speakers described wartime radio interception and code-breaking at the May meeting. Charles Tranter, G3BQQ served in the Y-Service during the Second World War, spending some time at Station X at Bletchley Park. He talked about his experiences and
WARWICKSHIRE churches will be ringing out with the sounds of special concerts through the summer months. Audiences can enjoy summer's evenings in some of the county's most beautiful churches, listening to some fine music as part of the Concerts in Warwickshire
ON Sunday, members will visit the Malvern Spring Show, setting off at 9am from Tomkinsons car park, Kidderminster. The monthly talk, on Thursday, May 19, will be given by Stuart Dixon, of Nottingham, who has entitled his talk "Choice Plants (phlox, penstemons
A MEETING will be held on Monday at 2pm in Holy Innocents Church hall, Kidderminster. Anyone requiring information is asked to contact 01299 826109. Everyone is welcome at meetings.
HALF of the proceeds from the strawberry tea in June will be donated to Acorn's Children's Hospice. Betty Rooney has requested knitted garments to be taken to the May meeting. She has on sale knitted bonnets and mittens. All money raised will be donated
THE Wyre Forest Group's next event will be a 3.5-mile family walk at Wolverley (woods and water) on Sunday, leaving The Queen's Head car park, Wolverley, at 2pm. The walk is not suitable for pushchairs. For further details contact the leader on 01299
AN original Dire Straits family member and a 'self-taught world music phenomenon' are providing a couple of interesting evenings in Worcester next week. Next Wednesday, David Knopfler, brother of Mark and co-founder of Dire Straits, comes to Huntingdon
THE Spring Food Flower and Craft Day will be held at the Ramada Hotel, Bewdley on May 23, from 10.30am until 3.30pm. The morning speaker will be Andrew Lloyd, flower arranger, while in the afternoon Charles Nordhoff will talk about buying and cooking
ON Wednesday at Kidderminster Library, Dr Alastair Miller, a consultant in infectious diseases, with a special interest in ME/CFS, will be the guest. The meeting will be held from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. The following Saturday, May 21, there will be a group
DR Catherine Gordon, who has recently published a book on the Coventrys, will talk about "The Coventrys of Croome" at a meeting on Wednesday at Worcester County Museum and Art Gallery, starting at 7.30pm. The society meets six times a year, which includes
THE Rural Stress Information Network is sending all newly elected rural MPs a briefing on the causes and effects of rural stress. The briefing will also include a shopping list of proposals aimed at improving awareness and responses to dealing with the
FARMERS who actively encourage wildlife on their farms are being invited to enter the country's most prestigious farm conservation competition - the 2005 Silver Lapwing Awards. The awards go to farmers who can best demonstrate a commitment to conservation
LIFE in the new surroundings of Birmingham League Division Three started enco-uragingly for Pershore last Saturday. However, it was left to a trio of old hands to ensure last season's Worcestershire County League champions didn't start the summer on the
I AM pleased to be writing my weekly column again. Being re-elected to Parliament is a huge satisfaction to me as it recognises the hard work that I and my staff have put in during the last four years and so I am delighted to go on serving the people
RUGBY UNION: Nearly 150 members from Woodrush RFC will be heading to Twickenham on Saturday for the climax of the Zurich Premier season. The club will be taking three coaches to the home of English rugby, a first visit for many of them, as Woodrush celebrate
GLAM rock band Ballroom Glitz put on a glittering show for Operation Covert to raise more than £1,000. The seventies tribute band cranked out rock classics from the likes of T-Rex and Slade at a sold out show in Kidderminster. A total of £1,175 was pledged
1st Wilden Guides 5th and 6th Stourport Brownies 10th Hereford Cubs Ash Friendship Fund Beards Ironmonger Bulls Head, Cookley Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club Cadspec Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons Classical Music Society Comberton Wives Group Cum Sing
VOTERS keen to find out who won last week's General Election in Wyre Forest helped raise £18 for our appeal. Residents were asked for a minimum donation of 25p for a special election bulletin produced by the Shuttle/Times and News team, which featured
FIVE youngsters from Broad-way will be in action at Sunday's Gloucestershire Golf Union's 53rd Junior County Championship. Filton is the venue for this weekend's prestigious competition that will see James May, Oliver Coombes, Chris O'Hagan, Ed Kennedy
THE great voices - those which cut to the heart of American music - be they soul, country, gospel or blues, have all but gone. In the last two years alone we have said goodbye to Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, who have left to join the likes of Elvis and
