Archive

  • Charter hopes end in defeat

    AE:lm@nqmids.co.uk:LIAM MOAKES A FIVE-YEAR battle to create a Kidderminster Town Council has ended in defeat. The Charter Trustees of Kidderminster and Wyre Forest District Council was told of the decision by the Government's department of the Environment

  • 9/11/00 - Back joins in with poison-pen gang

    COACHES in any sport will tell you that the dressing room is the sanctuary for any team and it's manager. It, traditionally, has been the place where players and management can feel safe to air their opinions and expletives without them ever being heard

  • Trophy hand-out

    THE annual meeting and presentation of trophies for the Stainweld Cricket League will be held at Wilden Club next Tuesday. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and will be followed by the presentations. All clubs are requested to attend and also any new teams

  • A RULE TOO FAR: Legion's parade is hit by red tape

    DEVASTATED ex-servicemen have been forced to call off their Remembrance Day parade for the first time in 20 years. "Barmy" new legislation meant St John's and Hallow Royal British Legion had to apply 28 days in advance to close the quarter-mile stretch

  • River levels staying high as the nightmare continues

    FLOOD problems looked set to continue blighting Worcester City Centre today as the River Severn levels showed no sign of falling. The waters reached a high point at midnight and this morning Worcester Bridge remained closed. "It will probably be closed

  • FLOODS ROUND-UP: Praise for the heroes

    A STROKE victim has heaped praise on her carers who failed to let the floods stop their daily visits. Eighty-year-old Jean Stewart said the efforts of her carers, Sam, Dorothy and Kay, had reinforced her faith in people. Her plaudits were echoed by Worcestershire

  • Police hunt lay-by gang

    A £25,000 reward has been offered after more than half-a-million-pounds worth of antiques were stolen from a Worcestershire lay-by. The valuable hoard of paintings and furniture was in a lorry stolen from outside a Kidderminster pub. Police say the driver

  • Death of link road councillor

    Ronald Carrington, OBE, was chairman of Hereford-Worcester County Council from 1989 to 1993. The bridge and road have become the city's main lifeline during the current flooding, which has left the old bridge and New Road impassable. It was during his

  • Ship of dreams...

    AN historian researching the Titanic is hoping to erect a plaque in a Worcester street in memory of a city sweet shop owner who lost his life on the doomed liner. Sean Szmalc, president of the Falkirk Titanic Association, Scotland, intends to honour Henry

  • Hauliers sceptical

    HAULIERS around Worcestershire have reacted sceptically to new measures to cut petrol prices and road tax. Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday announced a duty freeze on all types of fuel and a cut of 2p and 3p per litre to new green ultra low sulphur petrol

  • Bid for slice of £51m flood aid

    MAJOR floods in Bewdley and Stourport for the second consecutive week have sparked action to guard against future havoc from climatic change. A meeting tomorrow at Bewdley Baptist Church aims to rally a response that will ensure Bewdley gets its fair

  • Rallying to help out

    AMONG good Samaritans to emerge from the flood disaster in Bewdley were members of the Rotary Club. They advertised their willingness to help with the massive clean-up operation once the floods recede and to give practical help to individuals whose homes

  • Nursing home drama

    A POLICE helicopter swooped out of the sky to bring staff into work at a Stourport nursing home which was left marooned by the floods. The West Mercia chopper brought staff to the Lickhill Manor Nursing Home last Thursday because its entrance road was

  • Parking woes solved

    SOME residents were looking on the bright side when flood waters advanced across Bewdley's Severnside North towards their front doorsteps. They were the householders who have objected to the double yellow lines newly painted along the stretch of riverside

  • Firms paralysed

    BUSINESSES on a Stourport industrial estate were left deluged by up to four and a half feet of water after the floods swept onto the site. About 10 firms on the Sandy Lane Industrial Estate were left paralysed as vehicles and offices were swamped by rampaging

  • Ady's quick delivery smashes a record

    POSTMAN and powerboat racer Ady Dickinson delivered the goods with a national endurance record on Lake Windermere. Dickinson, of Chaddesley Corbett, completed 73 laps in a three-hour period in the offshore circuit racing A class with driver Ian Stirling

  • Ready for action

    KICKBOXING champion John Wyatt aims to put himself in the Japanese spotlight when he fights for Great Britain on Sunday, November 19. Kidderminster's Wyatt and his fellow countrymen head to Aston Villa Leisure Centre aiming to defeat three of Japan's

  • Evans claims gold

    PROMISING hockey star Tina Evans helped lead the Midlands U-16 girls to victory in a regional tournament at the National Stadium, Milton Keynes. Vice-captain and sweeper Evans, 14, plays for Stourport Ladies 1sts and attends King Charles High School.

  • Struggle continues for Stourport men

    STOURPORT Hockey Club had a disappointing weekend, registering yet another English Hockey Association Division One defeat and being knocked out of the Men's Cup. In Sunday's cup third round fixture, Phil Lashford was the only scorer against Belper, who

  • Kidder snatch unlikely win

    KIDDERMINSTER Boundary Hockey Club staged a brilliant comeback in the DTZ League to beat Tamworth 5-4 after trailing 3-0 inside the first 15 minutes. Tamworth made the most of early poor marking and sloppy passing from the home side to take firm control

  • No end to form

    Chaddesley Corbett's recent good form in the DTZ League continued with a fiercely contested 2-2 draw at home to Atherstone. The visitors took an early lead and controlled much of the first half until Nick Hemmings sparked a Chaddesley fightback. Hemmings

  • Space at the gym

    THREE spaces are available at the Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre Gym Club on Wednesdays between 5pm and 6pm. The club runs until November 29 and is taken by Ann Davies and Julia Toone, assisted by Anna Dimond and Becky Toone. For further information,

  • Taste of Wimbledon for Bewdley stars

    BEWDLEY Tennis Club duo Dawn Gumbley and Lesley Reeve-Parker fulfiled a dream by heading to Wimbledon for the national finals of a tournament. They were one of just 18 pairs to qualify for the last stage of the Tate and Lyle-sponsored competition after

  • Another title win

    THE A team of Stourport Pistol and Rifle Club have won the Muzzle Loaders Association Championships first division for the fifth consecutive season. They achieved their tremendous result in a division that was open to entries from Great Britain and Northern

  • Whitehouse ahead

    KEITH Whitehouse pipped the men's October Medal at Little Lakes Golf Club, winning by one point nett over R Hill. Hill was also runner-up in the Mixed Greensomes, where he partnered Whitehouse's wife Diane. And Diane also matched up with Alison Groves

  • Gould impresses across the country

    STEVE Gould was the first Kidderminster Running Club man to finish the opening Birmingham Cross Country League race at the city's Sennellys Park. Competing in Division Two, he finished 16th in 40 minutes 19 seconds. Robin Sedman Smith was the next club

  • Cobras slither into top three

    ONLY one match was played in the Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre Junior Netball U-11s League Division One when Cleobury Cobras beat Stottesdon 5-1 and leap-frogged over them into third place. Laura George was the Cobras' star with four goals, the fifth

  • Snooks hit top

    SNOOKS A marched to the top of the Kidderminster and District Monday Snooker League with a 5-0 win over Blakedown. St Johns A have found their form and are recovering from a poor start to the season after beating St Ambrose A 5-0. Pockets C are romping

  • Wren's Nest in form

    WREN'S Nest edged past New Inn Pound Green in the Wyre Forest Trivia League. Results: Rising Sun Stourport 64, Radcliffe 61; Angel A 68, Black Boy 73; George B 65m Rising Sun B 59; Wren's Nest 70, New Inn 68; Bird-in-Hand 63, Squirrel 57. Bridge B won

  • 9/11/00 - Singh turns down Warwicks offer

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire. The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain

  • Bail is refused

    MAGISTRATES have refused bail to 24-year-old tyre fitter Jamie Dunn, of Callow Hill, Rock, after he admitted driving while banned, without insurance and with more than twice the permitted level of alcohol. He was facing similar charges in Worcester, said

  • Christmas cones stolen in £4,000 nursery raid

    A NURSERY is set to lose £4,000 worth of Christmas orders after decorations including painted cones and straw rings for wreaths were stolen. Ivy Stone and Carol Woods, owners of Old Lye Nursery, Rock, had spent two months collecting 2,000 cones from the

  • Fined for driving without insurance

    A DRIVER who was stopped at the Worcester Road traffic island in Kidderminster because he was not wearing a seat belt has been fined £550 with £75 costs, by magistrates. Andrew Gledhill, 37, of Lea Street, Kidderminster, admitted having no insurance or

  • Letter from Westminster

    LAST week's visit by Tony Blair to Bewdley was a further chance for local people who were opposed to changes at our hospital to demonstrate their opposition. This is a free country and people have the right to demonstrate and express their concern - and

  • It's an enviable life..

    THE Stakhanovites inside that bureaucratic job-creating paradise known as the European Commission have yet again demonstrated their devotion to The Cause: I refer to their latest success - the drafting of regulations governing food laws that will, amongst

  • No apologies for not following the script

    I FEEL David Lock was way out of order in trying to proscribe what topics we may or may not approach our Prime Minister with, on Tony Blair's visit to flood-beset Bewdley. Sadly, his constituents do not have his access to Number 10, and any of us who

  • Man in police attack

    A DRUNKEN man ordered police out of his house, then threw a heavy ornament at them from the top of the stairs, Kidderminster magistrates heard. Prosecutor Paul Whitfield said in the police car, Philip Hambrey punched PC Lloyd Davies. Hambrey, 34, of Lea

  • No need for shame over driving a car

    I APPLAUD Dr. Martin's letter to the Journal on November 2 and look forward to seeing him get off the bus from South Littleton to do his shopping, or does he use his car? Dr. Martin, there is nothing to be ashamed of using a car. A lot of people who live

  • Fearful of challenging the luddite mentality

    I AM fed up with being told that Kidderminster Hospital as it was would have been the best thing for all of us. What I want is a national health service that delivers the best results for me and my family. I want the best consultants, the best equipment

  • .... And is anyone checking the effect

    I HAVE lived on the A44 for 18 years and watched the volume of traffic increase. However,since the introduction of the 40mph zone at Cropthorne, I find it increasingly difficult to join the main road from my drive which is just out side the zone. This

  • Improvements will take time

    GOING into the Regal cinema, Evesham is like going into a time warp. I can remember in the 40s/50s when the foyer was painted in chocolate brown, inside the cinema was beautifully painted in lovely colours. Now its blue ceiling and red walls are not too

  • Jail sentence is suspended

    A woman who made "a vicious and unprovoked attack" on a Stourport postman as he sat in his van in the Post Office yard has walked free from Worcester Crown Court. Recorder Richard Rundell told Lisa Boswell, 26, that she had escaped prison "by a whisker

  • Letter of the week

    I READ with interest the "Letter of the Week" sent in by AJ Williams (October 26), and I am in full support of his views on the proposed incinerator site. But how many people know that we now have acquired a landfill site at Burlish Top, next to the nature

  • Phil is top boss again

    PHIL Mullen has been named Dr Martens League Western Division Manager of the Month for the second time this season The Common Road chief, though, will be hoping the award doesn't again tarnish a topsy-turvy season which, for the moment, has been left

  • We seem to be paying more for less

    I WAS most concerned to read in your October 12 issue that there are plans to consider raising council tax again. Wyre Forest people are already having a raw deal, losing their hospitals and essential hospital services, and are having to pay extra for

  • Timing of work is unfortunate

    I NOTE in October 19 issue of the Shuttle/Times & News that improvements are being made to Kidderminster town centre. This is mainly a new Tesco superstore. We are to have our River Stour realigned, and the art deco frontage of Brintons on Castle

  • Just seeing red over 'pointless' lights

    I AM trying to fathom the point of the traffic lights on the A449 at the Black Bridge. They are driving me round the bend. They were switched off on Monday morning, October 30, and there were no queues in any direction on each of the four times I went

  • Ground doubt for big Vase fixture

    STOURPORT Swifts must switch their FA Vase second round match with Chasetown this weekend due to the floods that have swept across their Walshes Meadow ground. Tuesday night's game with Bloxwich Town was postponed and secretary Nigel Green admits clearing

  • Brintons win town battle

    BRINTONS swept through to the cup quarter-finals after an ill-tempered 3-2 victory over nine-man rivals Wyre Forest. As the Banks's Brewery League side recorded their first win over Forest in recent seasons, both teams received yellow and red cards in

  • A stroll for Chaddesley

    CHADDESLEY Corbett strolled into the Worcester Nursing Cup semi-finals with a comfortable 5-2 victory over Worcester League side Lamb and Flag. But the visitors opened the scoring against the Banks's Brewery League side after just 10 minutes of play when

  • Holly hits hat-trick

    A HAT-TRICK for Holly Penwarden helped Ferndale Girls record another superb victory in the Central Warwickshire U-14 Girls League as they beat Bustleholme 4-2. Nikola Palmer opened the scoring for Ferndale but Bustlehome replied within five minutes and

  • Stourport withstand a Woodrush onslaught

    STOURPORT came out 47-7 winners in a friendly match that Woodrush 2nds were more intent in spoiling than playing. The town side were forced to play away after their pitch on the banks of the River Severn was under several feet of water for most of the

  • Shields marks his birthday with try

    BIRTHDAY boy Allan Shields scored yet again as Cleobury Mortimer 2nds slipped 26-5 at Telford 4ths in a friendly. Telford cut loose in the second half after scoring just an unconverted try in the first period and their strengthened back division increased

  • Tuipulotu blow hits cup hopes

    SATEKI Tuipulotu has been ruled out of Worcester Rugby Club's glamour Tetley Bitter fifth round cup tie at Saracens through injury. The Tongan injured his ribs and shoulder in training and will not be fit in time for the match according to Sixways' director

  • Singh turns down Warwicks offer

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire. The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain

  • White is waiting for Maguire

    NEW Scottish snooker sensation Stephen Maguire is on a collision course for a Saturday showdown with Jimmy White in the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship at Malvern. Maguire, 19, recently won the IBSF world amateur title in China and last night at

  • Hero's tale is on stage

    THE heroic tale of a Stourport man's astonishing journey during the First World War will be remembered in a production in Areley Kings this weekend. The performance is the third in a series remembering those who took part in war and will feature the story

  • Doing the can-can to beat fuel crisis

    SALES have shot up for a car parts firm supplying jerricans to drivers filling up as the country stands on the brink of another fuel crisis. APB Trading Ltd, of Hartlebury Trading Estate, has been inundated with calls from across the country for its stock

  • College site near library

    KIDDERMINSTER College has chosen a site in preparation for its £9 million move into the town centre. The multi-storey car park in Market Street will be demolished to make way for the new college, which is expected to be in place by September 2002. A planning

  • Teams swap togs for Pudsey appeal

    FUN-loving netball players are aiming to raise £1,000 for this year's Children in Need appeal. But they may not be instantly recognisable, as men will play in women's kit and vice-versa to take part in the one-off fancy dress event at Wolverley High School

  • Top award for 'career move'

    CAREER women who left their jobs to set up a children's nursery have proved it was a "first class" move by scooping a top district business award. Rose Large and Lyn Breakwell have transformed a disused community centre into a thriving nursery in only

  • Candle-power lights the way

    VISITORS will have to look even harder for the cunningly concealed priest holes at Harvington Hall when candlelit tours are held later this month. The ancient manor house is staging its first candlelit tours for the public after successful ventures with

  • Christmas cheer is piling up

    THE Shuttle/Times & News and Kidderminster and District Lions Club need the support of shoppers and readers. We have teamed up to provide food hampers for needy folk in Wyre Forest this winter - but we can only do it with your help. Tinned and non-perishable

  • Pensioner has to quit home

    A PENSIONER'S battle to stay in a house in the face of eviction threats from her church landlords has ended in defeat. Margaret Harley, 67, of School House, Arley, saw her last ditch effort to have the eviction order suspended fail when a county court

  • 9/11/00 - Chance for guys to shine on the big stage

    AFTER our solid display against Tynedale on Saturday we have a golden opportunity to test ourselves against the very best at the weekend. We travel to Vicarage Road to play Zurich Premiership leaders Saracens in the fifth round of the Tetley Bitter Cup

  • Physio team hailed

    A HOSPITAL team more used to using its hands for treatment has been rewarded for using its brains. Kidderminster's physiotherapy team landed second place for innovation in the Frontline Excellence Award 2000. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Award

  • Wickhamford

    n PARISH COUNCIL: Sir Timothy Harford met councillors before the meeting to explain the position regarding finance. The chairman thanked Sir Timothy for his presentation. The minutes of the meeting held on October 11 were signed as a true and correct

  • Moreton

    TROLLEY DASH: If you feel like doing wheelies in a supermarket trolley and getting all your Christmas food for only £1 then now's your chance. The North Cotswold Rotary Club is linking with the Moreton Budgens store to raise funds for charity. Tickets

  • Mickleton

    n PARISH COUNCIL: Councillor C Spencer chaired the meeting with all councillors present, also 15 parishioners attended. The parish clerk, Mrs A Cox, now has a fax machine and a new parish council phoneline: 01386 830127. Ms A Morris, from Cotswold District

  • Longborough

    BOWLS SESSION: Another session of short mat bowls will be held in the village hall, at 7.30pm tonight (Thursday). All welcome, admission only £1, to include coffee or tea. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY: On Sunday, there will be an act of remembrance at the village

  • Ilmington

    PARISH COUNCIL: Councillors, chaired by Councillor Tony Wilkins, heard that the culverts by the Dower House in Back Street had been filled in, the manhole cover on the pavement by the manor had been smoothed out and the road surface at the entrance to

  • Fladbury

    PARISH COUNCIL: Football Clubs: The chairman and Councillor Anderson had had a satisfactory meeting with Mr Young, secretary of Pershore Manor Rovers FC prior to the start of their matches. The football club, it was noted, had left the facilities very

  • Evesham

    PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday The Vale of Evesham Camera Club will welcome Terry Harrison and Ron Curtis to give a photographic lecture entitled Glass Slides, at The Friends Meeting House, Cowl Street, at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. New members always welcome

  • Eckington

    ROYAL BRITISH LEGION: The millennium year party for the Eckington branch was held last month and attended by 63 members and friends. Mr J Mole was MC for the evening, and ladies of the British Legion provided the buffet at the village hall. The entertainer

  • Defford

    RAF DEFFORD REUNION ASSOCIATION: Members recently travelled from all points of the compass to spend a day in rural Worcestershire, revisiting the site which was their home from 1942 until 1946. This year proved to have a double treat, one of which was

  • Condicote

    REMEMBRANCE SERVICE: On Sunday there will be a remembrance service in St Nicholas Church, at 9.30am, which will be taken by Janet Page. COUNCIL MEETING: Next Monday the parish council meets in the village hall, at 7pm.

  • Brailes

    REMEMBRANCE SERVICES: 8.30am Holy Communion and 10.50am a United Remembrance service at St George's Church, Lower Brailes and 3.30pm a remembrance service at St Thomas and Beckets Church Sutton-under-Brailes. PARISH FELLOWSHIP: Tonight (Thursday), at

  • Bourton-on-the-Hill

    PARISH COUNCIL: Councillors are dissatisfied about late postal deliveries. The village used to get its letters between 8am and 9am and, when the deliveries got later, councillors complained to the Royal Mail which which said the daily post would have

  • Bourton

    QUIZ NIGHT: Tomorrow (Friday) there will be a quiz night at Little Rissington Village Hall. Entry is £3 per person, to include a light supper, and all are welcome. Proceeds to the Great Rissington Primary School. FROG RACING: On Saturday, there will be

  • Old and young join up in Betterball clash

    THE half term holiday was a great opportunity for the seniors and juniors from Evesham to get together to play a match - not against each other - but a senior paired with a junior in a four ball better ball stableford match play format. Two teams were

  • Bakery firm shuts after 100 years

    A BLEAK Christmas is in store for 20 workers who are facing redundancy at a Kidderminster bakery which is closing its doors after more than 100 years. West End Bakery in Crescent Road, will shut on December 9 after 38 years at its present site, and a

  • Carpet firm hosts top-level meeting

    A CARPET company has hosted a gathering of key people in business and public life anxious to promote Kidderminster and Wyre Forest as a target for outside investment. About 30 Worcestershire Ambassadors met at Brintons, Kidderminster, on Tuesday night

  • Second half tries clinch it

    DESPITE stopping their opponents crossing the try line with the elements in their favour, Prince Henry's crashed out of the Daily Mail Schools Under-15 Cup last Wednesday. Hosts Coundon Court Community College provided a storm of their own with four second

  • Pay heavy price for trio of sin bin sentences

    Redditch 13pts, Evesham 5 EVESHAM suffered a defeat at the hands of local rivals at Redditch on Saturday in a game which ended in farcical conditions. Playing down the slope, Evesham dominated the first 20 minutes but failed to take their scoring opportunities

  • The Minstrels fell victim to PC

    AT Rowan Court, for a small charge, tenants can see a film show each week. Recently, we had a film featuring the old-time Black and White Minstrels. It was wonderful to see. Political correctness gone mad ended the Minstrels show. There was nothing involving

  • Pressure on arms controls

    WE are trying to put pressure on this Government to include in the Queen's Speech to Parliament new legislation on Arms Controls. The law has not changed since 1939, and the loopholes in the law have allowed business to broker arms through other countries

  • Canal development

    I WOULD like to take this opportunity of expressing the appreciation of the Droitwich Spa Civic Society for the public response to the recent library exhibition of proposals for the development of the Canal Basin area. An analysis of these responses indicates

  • Language and dogma

    THE Tories have been accused of "playing the race card" by the Liberal-Democrats. The reason for this political opportunism was that Dr Liam Fox, Tory Health spokesman, had the temerity to suggest that some overseas-registered doctors in the NHS posed

  • Weights still good all over

    Tunnel Barn Farm DESPITE the terrible weather, weights on the pools still remain respectable. Smaller baits are now playing a bigger part in getting good catches. There are lots of small carp to pinkie and maggot on the Top Pool but better carp from against

  • Where was plan to cope with failing computers?

    I WAS saddened to read Peter Pinfield's letter headlined "High-tech gremlins add to county's woes." The fact that it is now apparently claimed £17m of cuts has taken its toll of social services computers, suggests that, even with the best will in the

  • 9/11/00 - Singh turns down Warwicks offer

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire. The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain

  • Tory policies have come home to roost

    I WOULD like to point out one or two observations to the members of the Countryside Alliance. Their genuine grievances about the lack of banking facilities, the closing down of village post offices, lack of affordable housing and the poor public transport

  • 9/11/00 - Singh turns down Warwicks offer

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire. The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain

  • Health staff moaning gripers, perhaps?

    I WOULD like to respond to Joy Turner's letter (You Say, Nov 1), in which she expressed her annoyance with the "miserable, moaning gripers" who voice concerns regarding our Health Service. I would like to assure Mrs Turner that although many people have

  • 9/11/00 - White is waiting for Maguire

    NEW Scottish snooker sensation Stephen Maguire is on a collision course for a Saturday showdown with Jimmy White in the Benson and Hedges Snooker Championship at Malvern. Maguire, 19, recently won the IBSF world amateur title in China and last night at

  • It's time to support NHS management

    I WAS very disappointed with the amount of space given to the general and personal criticism of the Acute Hospitals NHS Trust in last Friday's paper (Evening News, November 3). If a week is a long time in politics, then a year is a lifetime in the present

  • Floods force closure of two shows

    THE curtain has fallen on two shows because of flooding problems for organisers. The Bewdley scout and guide variety show was last week postponed because of the floods. A cast of 250 was due to perform Stagestruck for three nights at Bewdley High School

  • Action packed fun for all the family

    WRESTLEMANIA comes to Kidderminster this weekend for what promises to be an action-packed evening of wacky heavyweight drama. The UK Wrestlemania 2000 tour pays a visit to the Glades Arena and provides the chance to catch top super-heavyweight crowd pullers

  • JO GREGORY Chairman, Kidderminster Ladies' Circle

    KIDDERMINSTER Ladies' Circle's "gregarious" chairman is on a mission - to tell the world: "We are absolutely NOT a knitting group!" Jo Gregory cites the "fun and friendship" of life with the circle - despite the stereotypical image of "cliquey coffee

  • Sam shines

    SAM Morris has recently represented the West Midlands Regional basketball squad in the inter-area tournaments at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Shropshire. The 14-year-old Pershore High School student did exceptionally well to be one of 12 picked

  • Piddle power earns Wyre a summit spot

    WYRE Piddle Triple X are the early leaders of the H20 Plumbing and Heat-ing Division of the Eve-sham and District Asso- ciation, although the chasing sides all have games in hand. Adam Monks, Jonathan Monks and Craig Pitcher beat clubmates Red Devils

  • Quartet impress in unbeaten start

    PERSHORE'S four men's teams have made an impressive start to their winter season campaigns, remaining undefeated after 13 matches. Having won the WICA Stratford and District League Division One for the past two seasons, the men's A team is again leading

  • Individual and relay wins bring a real Trophy tonic

    EVESHAM Swimming Club travelled to Oldbury to compete in their annual Trophy Gala. The 11 and under boys team of Harvey Simms, Will Gayton, Andrew Dagnall and Patrick Hughes achieved first places in both their medley and relay team events. Dagnall then

  • Long trek all in vain

    Market Drayton 3, Pershore 0 PERSHORE returned empty handed from the long trip to North Staffordshire after a disappointing performance in this DTZ encounter. With several enforced changes and a long trip up a mercifully clear M6, Pershore took time to

  • Controversy at the death as Hamed leads revival

    Evesham 3, Worcester Norton 3 EVESHAM started positively dominating the first 15 minutes of this intense DTZ derby match. Evesham pushed forward but failed to capitalise on their creative play. Mullett and Chatterly both squandered good opportunities

  • On top after treble

    Pinvin and District League THE Old Chestnut continue to set the pace after they made it three wins out of three with a 6-3 win over Pershore WMC. The visitors trailed 3-0 after the doubles with Mags Tyler and Colin Gardiner in good form, and there was

  • Pebworth's first final misery

    IN the 2000 Wychavon Parish Games, the final of the crib took place last Thursday at Norton WMC between Evesham Hampton and Pebworth. This was the first time that the latter had reached a final in the annual competition. Evesham Hampton built up an early

  • Bridal scoop for tea-gown design

    A HEREFORDSHIRE designer has scooped one of the top prizes at the British Bridal Awards. Jan Knibbs beat tough competition from all over the country with her wedding dress based on a 1920s tea-gown design, which won her top prize in the embroidery, beadwork

  • Machines for mould-making on display

    TOOLMAKERS are being invited to a mould-making presentation at one of Worcester's leading engineering companies. Yamazaki Machinery Ltd is running a series of demonstrations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, December 5, 6 and 7 at its factory in Badgeworth

  • Computer error

    A COCK-up at Wyre Forest Conservative Association's HQ meant its new website address published in last week's Shuttle/Times & News was wrong. A spokesman for the association said the address should read www.wyre-forest-tory.org

  • Planning move 'doubts'

    A PIONEERING move designed to allow Wyre Forest town councillors to vote on planning decisions is being treated with scepticism. Stourport Town Council initially welcomed the option and agreed to act as a pilot for the venture, but is unwilling to commit

  • Boy in hit-run incident

    A TEENAGE boy was recovering today after being injured by a hit-and-run driver in Worcester. The car driver sped off after colliding with the 14-year-old just before 8.30 last night, outside the Citroen garage in Bransford Road, St John's. The teenager

  • St John's residents to check out Tesco plans

    LEAFLETS asking people for their opinions about relocating a Worcester school are to be distributed next week. Worcestershire County Council is to include a consultation leaflet with copies of the Berrow's Worcester Journal, the sister paper of the Evening

  • Bed-blockers half a ward's patients

    PATIENTS with mental health problems account for almost a quarter of "bed-blockers" in Worcestershire, it has been revealed. In one community hospital ward for patients with mental health problems, "bed-blocking" was recently running at 50 per cent and

  • WAITING LISTS OF SHAME

    SHOCKING figures have revealed it will be a bleak winter for hundreds of pain-ridden Wyre Forest patients who are being kept on waiting lists at the expense of Worcester and Redditch folk. The figures show Wyre Forest waiting lists, which trounced the

  • More misery and mayhem

    MISERY and mayhem has returned to Bewdley which is now enduring traffic chaos and flooded homes for the second successive week. As the rains continued to fall relentlessly throughout the Midlands, Kidderminster also came under flood alert on Tuesday as

  • Residents rescued from park

    MORE than 40 residents were evacuated from a Stourport caravan park after it became swamped in four feet of water at the height of the storms. Town fire crews helped lift many of the 44 people on to the back of a Territorial Army vehicle before it took

  • 'Overseas aid' booster

    OVERSEAS aid is on tap for the worst cases of flood distress thanks to the initiative of a Wyre Forest charity group Kidderminster and District Lions Club zone organiser Graham Taylor has secured a $10,000 (£6,900) contribution to Worcestershire flood

  • Top of agenda at summit meeting

    MEMBERS of Wyre Forest Friends of the Earth have been contemplating flooding in Bewdley and Stourport in the run-up to the sixth world summit meeting on climate change starting in The Hague, Holland, on Monday. Spokesman Dave Finch said the movement had

  • Mum-of-six says: 'I'm not a hijacker'

    A MOTHER of six has reacted angrily to charges that hospital campaigners "hi-jacked" the Prime Minister during his visit to Bewdley to see the floods. Rachel Muir, of Meadow Rise, Bewdley, walked several yards up Load Street side-by-side with Tony Blair

  • 'Blackspot' fear on homes insurance

    BEWDLEY seems set to become an insurance blackspot affecting even people whose homes are well out of the flood plain. And the price of living in one of Worcestershire's most beautiful town's could be high for people wanting to sell their homes as a result

  • Panoramic views

    THE Severn Valley Railway has been "high and dry" during the floods. In fact it has been advertising better riverside vistas than ever. Marketing manager John Leach said the worst floods for 50 years may have brought Bewdley to a standstill but it was

  • Come back - quick!

    WYRE Forest's newly appointed emergency planning chief admitted Bewdley and Stourport's flooding crisis threw him in at the deep end just as he was getting to grips with the new job. Peter Jones in the corporate policy unit at Wyre Forest District Council

  • Remembrance: Do the right thing

    AS readers will know, Evening News columnist John Phillpott is this week following in the footslogging footsteps of the British infantry through the fields of Flanders. His reports from the killing grounds of the First World War will move everyone who

  • What's On

    THURSDAY: Kidderminster: Town Hall - Organ Recital by Tim Morris (lunchtime). Stourport: Black Star - Spinner. Worcester: Huntingdon Hall - Vin Garbutt. Birmingham: Symphony Hall - CBSO. Ronnie Scott's - Jo Hamilton with The Solar Flares & The Lobsters

  • Injury no obstacle for Ted

    TALENTED sportsman Ted Baylis is determined to make the most of his second chance at a place in the English Schools football squad. The Stourport High School A-level student is going for Midlands trials on Saturday, just 12 months after a bad leg break

  • Snooker derby

    BEWDLEY snooker professional Richard King faces Kidderminster's Terry Murphy, the World No 30, in the Benson and Hedges Championship third round at Malvern today (Thursday). No 146 King, 26, grabbed his first victory in the competition since 1992 with

  • First-time success

    FIVE of the Kidderminster School of Tae Kwon-Do won medals in the Kick-It 2000 tournament in Gravesend. And three of those competing for the Wyre Forest Glades-based club achieved success in their first competitions. One of the first-timers, Tim Spilsbury

  • Squash star Adam gives future hope

    STOURPORT Juniors provided a taste of future success at the Worcestershire County Closed Junior Event at Hagley Golf and Country Club. Adam Granger was the toast of the club as he beat his cousin Christopher Granger in the final of the U-13s knockout

  • Same time for Rich

    RICHARD Baker proved consistent as he recorded the same time for the second week in a row over a five-mile course. Amazing Feet Running Club's Baker ran the first in an eight-race winter series at Chelmsley Wood over two-and-a-half laps. He finished 21st

  • Cleobury cruising

    CLEOBURY Mortimer Ladies cruised comfortably home by three sets in their first double header of the year at Solent in National League Division Two. They gave an almost flawless display of serving for the first time this season which allowed the whole

  • Black belts

    MEMBERS of Tsunami, Bewdley and Kidderminster's Shukokai Karate Club attended a three-day course at the West Midlands headquarters. Shihan Eddy Daniels, chief European instructor, gave the instructions and several Tsunami students graduated for their

  • Competition on the way

    KIDDERMINSTER Chess Club committee members John Wrench, Paul Thomas and Clive Billings are organising an open tournament which will mainly cater for Worcestershire players. Plans are also underway for the club's centenary celebrations. Meanwhile, Kidderminster's

  • £10,000 raid on ironmongers

    RAIDERS have stolen £10,000 of electrical tools from a Kidderminster ironmonger's store. A passer-by alerted police on Monday at about 6am when he saw a smashed door and heard the alarm at John Beard's store in Bridge Street, Kidderminster. Mr Beard said

  • Teenager faces robbery charge

    A 16-YEAR-OLD boy accused of attempting an armed robbery at the Hop Pole Stores, Cleobury Road, Bewdley, on Saturday evening has been refused bail by Kidderminster magistrates. He appeared in court charged with attempting to rob Mrs Urma Sharmer and was

  • £600,000 of art stolen in raid

    THIEVES have made off with an "astonishing" £600,000 haul of fine art and antiques during a theft in Kidderminster. The goods, which included a Madonna and Child painting by Borgnone and a Steinway baby grand piano, were taken from an articulated lorry

  • Probation for firebomb threat

    A TEENAGER from a hard-working family committed "a catalogue of loutish behaviour" over six months including a firebomb threat, Worcester Crown Court heard. Stephen Ash, who left school with high academic potential, had been the despair of his parents

  • But parking poses a village problem

    I HAVE just read the report about the parking ban in Longborough and to say I am amazed would be putting it rather mildly - it is just beyond belief. The proposed double yellow lines came about because of the dangerous traffic hazard over the years. Many

  • Just how fast are we supposed to go?

    A small matter in the sum total of the worlds problems but does any one know the speed limit on Station Road towards Evesham from Broadway village to the roundabout at the Broadway bypass? I am confused and think that it is now 30 mph but as all the repeater

  • Thoughtless mob bring shame on Wyre Forest

    AT a time when our hearts go out to the flood victims of Bewdley, local hospital protesters have brought shame on the people of Wyre Forest. The Prime Minister visited the town on Thursday out of genuine interest and concern for the townsfolk. At times

  • Problems which come first here

    I MUST reply to the letter from K Marshall, accusing me of making excuses for the lack of response by the people of Evesham to the charges of homophobia and racism. I was making excuses for no one, rather I was trying to put across the point that there

  • Bail for teenager in lorry theft case

    A LORRY worth £23,000 was stolen when a building at Cornhill Farm, Shatterford, was broken into, Kidderminster magistrates have heard. Mark Southall, 19, of Siddons Road, Coseley, was bailed until Wednesday, accused of burglary and theft.

  • MP bashing has overtaken the welfare of patients

    AS a pragmatic objective researcher looking carefully at the facts, I understand the reasons why the changes are being made at Kidderminster Hospital and have every confidence that "investing in excellence" will deliver high quality health care. Death

  • CS gas used on driver

    A MAN who tried to dodge a "lunatic" driving charge by claiming he was only a car passenger was yesterday warned he faced jail. Kenneth Wilding narrowly missed two sisters as he drove off a pub car park and collided with another car, Worcester Crown Court

  • Ten on trot lifts Town clear at top

    Pershore Town 3, Meir KA 1 A TENTH straight win has strengthened Town's position at the top of the Midland Combina-tion's Premier Division. It took the hosts less than a minute to breach the Meir defence but Pershore were lucky still to be ahead at the

  • Dredging is the answer

    AS someone Bewdley-born and raised in the town but now living in Kidderminster, I cannot, for the life of me, see why someone hasn't come up with the idea of dredging the river from Dowles Ford to below Lax Lane ford. I used to swim in the river regularly

  • First half double helps Town earn Urn win

    TOWN made hard work of Tuesday's Worcestershire Senior Urn tie but they were full value for their second win in four days, writes Mervyn Collins. Goals from Paul Jones and Nathan Owen gave Pershore a 2-0 lead on the half-hour and, had they converted one

  • 9/11/00 - Singh turns down Warwicks offer

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire. The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain

  • Rangers run riot to halt pacesetters Peopleton

    EARLY Division Two pacesetters, Peopleton, were stopped in their tracks when they met an inspired Ilmington Rangers side. Rangers hit five past their Evesham Sunday League visitors with goals from Cooper (2), Sampson, Riskowski, and Millichap. Smith netted

  • Flood of goals as forwards rule

    THE wet weather might have abated on Saturday but it was raining goals in the Stratford Alliance. A handful of fixtures fell victim to the elements but the seven surviving matches produced a flood of goals as defences were breached on 45 occasions. Top

  • Faced by a sea of water

    I WRITE concerning the pedestrian subway, half-way up the Kidderminster ring road between the Crossley Park traffic lights and Blackwell Street, which provides pedestrians with access from Church Street to St Mary's Church. However, when I went to use

  • Refs wanted inside

    REFEREES of all standards are required to help run a popular five-a-side indoor league that is currently running in this area. The league is the only league of its type in the town and represents an opportunity for officials to try their hand at another

  • With the juniors

    Evesham Colts U-14 3, Southside Tigers 1 THE Colts turned in one of their best-ever performances to tame the Tigers in Sunday's Cheltenham and Gloucester League knockout competition. Tim Beattie beat two players before striking a shot into the corner

  • Shame about noisy store

    I WOULD like to thank everyone who organised and took part in the children's violin concert held in aid of the NSPCC at the Rowland Hill shopping centre on Saturday, October 28. Everyone played beautifully and I look forward to more events of this type

  • Confidence in high level of standards

    I WISH to respond to your story "Furore over home plan" in the November 2 issue. In my opinion, comments made by councillors at Bewdley Town Council's recent planning meeting imply doubts about not only my own integrity but also that of our Wyre Forest

  • Jordan joy at fishery as angler Ray bags big catch

    Kidderminster angler Ray Jordan landed a 70lb total bag of roach, bream, crucians, orfe and carp on the coarse lakes at Shatterford Fishery. Jordan took the fine catch with worms on the Stella Lake, while one angler landed three mirror carp to 19lb, using

  • Talented Textron show home side the way to goal

    BRINTON ARMS underlined their top position in Sunday Division Four of the Kidderminster and District Football League with a 15-0 demolition of Railway Bell at the weekend. Kidderminster side Textron won 9-0 at Micro Harriers in Saturday Division Six,

  • Hawks hover over the rest

    HABBERLEY Hawks went top of the Stourport and District Boys League U-14 Division One with an 8-2 victory over St Johns Tigers. Jack Taylor scored a hat-trick for Ferndale Youth in their 6-0 U-15 defeat of Rock Sports. Ashley Wood was another hat-trick

  • Oldington crash

    BARBARIANS and Gate Crashers recorded 4-0 victories over KRCS and Oldington United respectively in the Wyre Forest Glades Football League. Results: Kidderport 0, Fab FC; Barbarians 4, KRCS 0; Ocean Designs 0, Stourport Towen 3; Shadwell Villa 0, RJC 2

  • KCs put up a fight in national trophy

    KIDDERMINSTER Carolians travelled home happy after playing far better than a 48-18 NPI Cup third round defeat at Old Laurentians might suggest. They had a good second half but were left with a big struggle after trailing 29-6 from the first period against

  • Lewis backing Hereford coach

    HEREFORD Rugby Club skipper Jason Lewis is convinced new coach Andy Douthwaite can lead his side into a comfortable mid-table spot this season despite their awful start. Douthwaite, who has had previous stints as Hereford coach, has taken over from Chris

  • Wolves hit form to stay on top

    WORCESTER Wolves maintained their lead at the top of the National Basketball League Division Three table with a 72-93 win at lowly Tamar Valley Cannons. The long trek to Plymouth saw Worcester confirm the form book against a Plymouth-based team still

  • Cleobury set to test Droitwich

    DROITWICH Rugby Club's title ambitions face a stern examination on Saturday when they welcome Cleobury Mortimer to the Memorial Ground in Midlands Four West (South), kick-off 2.15pm. Both clubs have eight points from five games this season with the two

  • Leicester boost for 11

    WORCESTERSHIRE will again provide the backbone of the North Midlands 18-group schools rugby union team for their game against Leicestershire at Welford Road on Monday (7.30pm). Eleven members of the starting line-up are from schools in the county - one

  • Take Tiraldo to score

    TIRALDO looks to have plenty in his favour when he lines up in the Thomas Pink Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase at Cheltenham tomorrow. The French-bred son of Royal Charter is not the most consistent of performers but his only victory last season came over

  • Wendy is toast of the town!

    A CHEF has cooked up her magic ingredients to win a catering award for the second time in four years. Wendy Didlick, who works for catering company Quadrant at Kidderminster's Royal Mail sorting office, picked up her award at a special award ceremony

  • Pub's CCTV plan will tackle crime

    THE landlord of a Wolverley pub is hoping residents in the village can sleep easier thanks to a new initiative to tackle crime in the area. Nigel Addison, who moved to the Queens Head in May, has successfully pressed for the introduction of an eight-camera

  • Safety first with new control room

    THE new matchday control room made its debut at Kidderminster Harriers Football Club on Saturday to complete the final part of a £340,000 improvement scheme. And officials reported a smooth running operation during the encounter with Cheltenham Town.

  • LETTERS HOME The Nonentities Rose Theatre, Kidderminster

    THIS play, by Rose Leiman Goldemberg, has been compiled from letters written by poet Sylvia Plath, but I can't see why. Covering from when she was a student until her death, Sylvia came across as a self-centred person, with an over-exaggerated sense of

  • 9/11/00 - Singh turns down Warwicks offer

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire. The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain

  • In-depth reasons why your Journal is late

    YOU may be reading your copy of the Journal today, Thursday, but you may have to wait another 24 hours - like last week - and fume about the lateness of your Journal - but take a look at the pictures elsewhere on this site. The Worcester headquarters

  • Trust status bid

    DISTRICT doctors have voted to give patients more of a say in their health care by agreeing to the formation of a primary care trust. Wyre Forest Primary Care Group agreed to apply for health trust status at a meeting on Tuesday. Under the trust plan

  • Friends to meet for the first time

    A DOCTOR'S practice in Stourport has officially become the first in the country to establish its own League of Friends. Officials of York House Medical Centre, York Street, launched the ground-breaking group at an inaugural meeting earlier this month.

  • Stratford

    n Photographic Club: Members were shown that the camera can tell some whoppers after all. Digital imaging expert and seasoned photographer Hilary Roberts dropped in to show some clever computer manipulation of images. Interested members can have a go

  • Pershore

    n FLOWER CLUB: This month is the open meeting, in Frank Parkinson Hall, Pershore College. Margaret Fairhurst is demonstrating Christmas, next Wednesday, at 7.30pm. All visitors are very welcome and tickets are available from 01905 840 611 and are £6 each

  • Honeybourne

    WEDNESDAY CLUB: After the distribution of birthday cards, four new members were welcomed: Mr and Mrs Seddon and Mr and Mrs Simpson. It is hoped they will enjoy the club. The evening drive and supper at Wheelbarrow and Castle were thoroughly enjoyed by

  • Harvington

    C OF E FIRST SCHOOL: The school has responded to an invitation to contribute children's art work to a big display in the town hall. The work was being assembled last week, all based on the styles of various selected innovative artists past and present

  • Chipping Norton

    FASHION TREAT: Chipping Norton School Association presents a fashion show on November 17. Clothes for the evening will be supplied by local retailers, New Look, Top Marks and Henry's Menswear and will be modelled by staff and pupils. The fun starts at

  • Theatre

    Rose, Kidderminster - Letters Home until Saturday. Alexandra, Birmingham - Annie until Saturday. A Tribute to Freddie Mercury & Queen Sunday. Rockin' On Heaven's Door Monday. Harry Hill Tuesday. John Williamson Wednesday. Crescent, Birmingham - Carmen

  • Pershore in seventh heaven

    King's Norton 21 pts, Pershore 29 PERSHORE'S impressive start to the season continued with their seventh win in nine games and at last they were able to take their good home form to what proved to be a difficult away fixture. In contrast to last week's

  • 9/11/00 - Tuipulotu blow hits cup hopes

    SATEKI Tuipulotu has been ruled out of Worcester Rugby Club's glamour Tetley Bitter fifth round cup tie at Saracens through injury. The Tongan injured his ribs and shoulder in training and will not be fit in time for the match according to Sixways' director

  • No mean feat

    THE decision to close the city bridge on the evening of Tuesday, November 7, was no mean feat. It was clear to the many who were able to traverse New Road that west-bound traffic could and should have been given the right of way. But this would have meant

  • No more out-dated cheap stunts

    PEOPLE and non-political groups have done what political parties could never do. Differences and self-interest are put aside to unite and deliver the message - the BNP is not liked, wanted nor welcome. What has the Labour Party done/doing about this?

  • This was the man who saved my life

    THANK you for airing the views of consultant Mr Hywel Williams regarding the reorganisation of the Health Service in the area (Evening News, November 3). I speak from experience in saying that Mr Williams was a hard-working and dedicated consultant who

  • High fuel taxes unfair to poorer motorists

    AT the meeting of the People's Fuel Lobby there was evident unity of purpose among the protesters, in stark contrast to recent Press reports of in-fighting. The Lobby supports "peaceful protest", not "direct action", nor violence or intimidation. David

  • Centre stage for top star

    SINGING sensation Elkie Brooks is the second star attraction at Kidderminster's Glades Arena this month. The 55-year-old, who first hit the headlines with her 1975 debut album Rich Man's Woman, takes centre stage on Saturday, November 18. Her second album

  • Pal out to get Carter!

    DEFENDING champion Ali Carter today begins his attempt to become the first player to retain the Benson and Hedges Snooker title. Carter's is one of eight matches scheduled to start this morning when he faces Munraj Pal for a place in the last 32. Opening

  • Fladbury net league win!

    FLADBURY Tennis Club's junior section proved unbeatable in this year's Summer League, organised by Wychavon. The club entered an under-14 mixed team, consisting of one set of singles and a doubles, and they won four of their five matches, drawing the

  • Split into two

    EVESHAM Wheelers' club run was supported by 18 members last Sunday. Divided into two groups the race training run took a route through Harvington, Cook-hill, Feckenham, Bradley Green, Hanbury and on to the coffee stop at Webbs Garden Centre at Wychbold

  • Settled early on

    Pershore II 2, Sikh Union II 1 THIS return to winning ways in the DTZ League for Pershore should have been reflected in a wider margin than the single goal. Pershore opened sprightly enough and took the lead on five minutes when Phil Taylor slipped the

  • Bragg's brace gives Campden the honours in local clash

    Campden Ladies 4, Bidford 3 UNDER difficult conditions, the game could have gone either way but it was Sarah Bragg who clipped the ball from a shot from Angharad Morgan to steal the opener for Campden. Soon after, Sally Holmes caught the ball sweetly

  • Ladies shine in the sun

    Bretforton Ladies 3 Cirencester 1 SATURDAY morning's sunny weather was perfect for playing hockey and inspired Bretforton to make an excellent start. From the outset they pushed Cirencester on to their defensive side, as casual passing moves through the

  • Mixed start well

    WELFORD'S mixed indoor squad started the season well with a 215-56 demolition of Emtoo. They followed that convincing win up with a 127-106 defeat of Solihull only to lose 98-65 at Erdington Court. The club's ladies defeated Avon Valley by 22 shots and

  • Visitors Offenham owe it to Lewis

    REIGNING champions Offenham RBL took on Evesham Servicemen's Club and they came away with a win by 12 points. Doug Littlewood and John Wilks both scored 46 for Evesham and Paul Lewis 49 for Offenham. Bidford RBL played host to Wickhamford SSC who gained

  • 9/11/00 - Singh turns down Warwicks offer

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of signing highly-rated batsman Anurag Singh have been boosted after he turned down the offer of a new two-year contract to stay with Warwickshire. The County are believed to be favourites to sign the 25-year-old, a former captain

  • New roads could boost confidence

    BETTER roads to attract new businesses could salvage the outlook for Worcestershire's construction industry currently at an 18-month low. The latest quarterly survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors said confidence had plummeted in the region