Archive

  • County eyes on Reuben

    SKIPPER Mark Mansell hailed Kidderminster Cricket Club's first Birmingham and District League Premier Division win of the season as crucial. They defeated West Bromwich Dartmouth by three wickets with a fine 87 not out from Worcestershire's Reuben Spiring

  • Duo guide town home

    BEWDLEY hung on to a Worcestershire League Division One draw and four points against Luctonians, thanks to Mark Hudson and Sam Stretton playing out the last four overs. The venues for the first and second team matches had been switched at Luctonians'

  • Villagers progress

    CHADDESLEY Corbett reached round two of the National Village Championship with a 140-run victory over Holt and Grimley. After electing to bat, Chaddesley scored steadily against a persevering Holt attack. They managed to score 89 in the last 10 overs

  • Joy for the Vic

    WORCESTERSHIRE County League Division Three side Victoria and Blakeley recorded two winning draws to leave both their firsts and seconds in the top three. Division Three first teams: Victoria and Blakeley 222-7 (15), Alveley 160-8 (7). Division Three

  • Waldrons hold bowling ace in Brintons success

    A FAMILY of bowlers made sure of a nine-wicket victory for Brintons over ROS in Wednesday League Division B. Neil Waldron took 3-9 and his sons Lee and Ian 4-11 and 3-2 respectively to bowl ROS out for just 58. Prince Albert's Chris Fox produced the best

  • Day with the stars

    YOUNGSTERS can spend the day with the stars at Worcestershire's match with the Australian touring side on Sunday, June 3. Anyone aged 11 to 14 can join in net practice and hone their cricket techniques at New Road, Worcester, in support of ChildLine.

  • Easing the pain

    A SPECIALIST nurse has been appointed to sit down with parents and talk them through information released over the retention of their children's organs. The nurse has been put in place by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to deal with the sensitive

  • Clean streets across the city

    WORCESTER'S streets are cleaner than the national average, according to Government inspectors. But the authority ought to recycle more, a report claims. The Best Value Inspection Service studied the city council's refuse collection service, street cleaning

  • Kirsty falls for her crowning glory

    WORCESTER Carnival Queen Kirsty Evans will be scaling new heights at the weekend when she raises money for charity. Kirsty will hand over her crown on Thursday, June 7, but before then, she will host her charity day. She plans to make a 12,000ft free

  • Airfield artefacts to go on show to public

    ANCIENT artefacts discovered at Throckmorton airfield, near Pershore, will be put on display for the public. People visiting Wychavon District Council's Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, will be able to see rare late Roman pottery, jewellery

  • Julie defies her cancer

    A TERMINALLY ill woman weighing six-and-a-half stone will defy her cancer and fulfil a lifelong ambition this weekend - by abseiling down an 80ft rock face. Stourport's Julie Smith, 31, will take part in the sponsored event in aid of Kidderminster's Kemp

  • Planning new £2.25m hospice

    A NEW £2.25 million purpose-built hospice is expected to be up-and-running in Kidderminster within two years. The state-of-the-art building will replace the existing Kemp care centre and will contain a five-bed unit to cater for cancer patients requiring

  • Economy is set for huge boost

    AN immediate boost of £35 million to the district economy will be provided by Kidderminster's extended town centre, it has been claimed. Developer Centros Miller said research revealed people have £213 million disposable income a year in the Kidderminster

  • Village in call to 'halt' waste

    FEARS hazardous waste could be dumped in a Hartlebury quarry will be discussed by villagers tonight. Waste firm Biffa will have its appeal for a licence to dispose of "special waste" at the Whitlenge quarry heard by the planning inspectorate in July.

  • Jail for £50,000 shop con gang

    TWO Kidderminster men - nicknamed the bookman and bagman for their roles in a £50,000 scam to con stores out of cash - have been jailed at Worcester Crown Court. They were part of a gang which obtained goods using stolen cheque books and then returned

  • In tune for new bandstand bid

    MEMBERS of Stourport Rotary Club are gearing up for a mammoth series of summer events to raise funds to build a riverside bandstand for the town. The Millennium Bandstand project is gathering pace and the group's community service members hope the final

  • High notes

    THE Kentwood Choir will be aiming to hit the high (bank)notes when it teams up with The Band of the Army Air Corps for a charity gala performance on Sunday. From Glenn Miller to the 1812 Overture, the choir will be music to everyone's ears. The concert

  • Election 2001

    Coming soon - full election coverage from your Malvern Gazette news team.

  • They've brought it on themselves

    IF you judge the news agenda by the yardstick of what people will be talking about in the pub, yesterday will never be forgotten. It began with the news of the Liberal Democrats' withdrawal from the fight for Worcestershire's Wyre Forest seat in favour

  • Win tickets to rock

    OLD and new faces of rock will meet face to face next month when AC/DC join Megadeth, Queens of The Stone Age and The Offspring for a massive outdoor gig. And never ones to shy from a power chord or two, The Pulse has two pairs of tickets up for grabs

  • Love of life is an attack on apathy

    A 10-YEAR-OLD African boy bleeds to death after being stabbed by a gang of his peers, while a war veteran is beaten to a bloody pulp by Asian youths. Meanwhile, in Rome, Lazio football players have to beg their fans to stop chanting anti-semitic and racist

  • What's On

    THURSDAY: Birmingham: Ronnie Scott's - Backdoor Blues Corporation. Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - Glen Tillb- rook & The Party. Worcester: Huntingdon Hall - Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies. Brierley Hill: Robin R'n'B - Viva Santana. FRIDAY: Birmingham

  • Fabulous Francesca

    FENCING: Sporty Francesca Pioli has become Winterfold House School's first national champion after foiling the attempts of opponents. Pioli, nine, won 11 contests to take the British U-10 foil fencing contest in Much Wenlock. The Chaddesley Corbett youngster

  • A defeat for John

    THAI boxer John Wyatt admitted his weekend fight in Russia was one of the experiences of his career - but it also marked his only knockout. Wyatt's scheduled opponent was changed and the replacement was a former world champion who caught him with a fine

  • Big breaks at Pockets finals

    SNOOKER: Eight century breaks were made at Pockets Club, Kidderminster, in the English snooker finals. World U-21 champion Luke Fisher, of Skegby, the world U-21 champion, won the blue riband event, the English Amateur, beating London's Sunit Vaswani

  • A salute for the seniors

    JUDO: Samurai Judo Club's senior beginners made an impressive competition debut, clocking up seven medals. There was also an excellent gold medal in the junior girls section for Amy Evans. Rod Lane's Friday night beginners group is developing rapidly

  • Landlord toasts regulars

    A PUBLICAN, who has spearheaded a fundraising drive in aid of the Cancer Research Campaign, has toasted regulars who have raised a massive £50,000 for the charity. Brian Whetton, landlord of the Kings Arms, and his wife, April, say cheers to fundraising

  • Half-a-marathon

    ATHLETICS: Organisers have cancelled the Wyre Forest Marathon on June 24 after difficulties agreeing a route in the wake of the foot and mouth crisis. But promoters Amazing Feet Running Club will definitely have a half-marathon in the Forest on the same

  • Stourport get off to fine start

    TENNIS: Stourport Tennis Club Men's B opened their Herefordshire and Worcestershire League Division Two campaign with a narrow 4-3 win at home against Ross. Although the match score was level, under new league rules Stourport won by virtue of winning

  • Amy creates record

    SWIMMING: Amy Smith won three of the four events she entered at the Nuneaton Open Sprint Meet and broke the Worcestershire junior record. Wyre Forest Swimming Club's Smith smashed the freestyle sprint time with a fine effort of 27.96 seconds. The record

  • Warning on bike

    THIEVES have been warned they may not realise the power of the motorbike they have stolen. The warning comes from Kidderminster's Paul Timms after his valuable off-road motorbike was taken from outside his workplace. The £1,500 Aprilia racer, registration

  • Faces charge of forgery

    A Kidderminster man has denied trying to pervert the course of justice with a forged letter to magistrates. Jonathan Phipps, 50, of Honeybrooke Terrace, Franche, was remanded on bail at Worcester Crown Court for a trial date to be fixed. He is accused

  • What a super morning we had

    MAY I, through your column, thank the kind people of Evesham for supporting our plant/cake sale in the Methodist Church Courtyard on Saturday. Not only were we blessed with beautiful weather but also with many kind people who bought generously in aid

  • Think once, twice, think bike

    I READ with interest the contents of your article Campaign to Cut Bike Death and felt the need to reply. My husband is a 'biker' and he rides with other like-minded people but he has had the misfortune to have been involved in three accidents. These were

  • Stolen video appeal

    A DISTRAUGHT family has appealed for the return of a precious video of a five-year-old boy. The film, which has clips of the boy at various ages as a baby and toddler, was inside a camcorder stolen from the family's home in Chaddesley Corbett during the

  • Refusal reasons cover traffic fear

    I HAVE been reading with increasing concern, the articles which have been published in Kidderm-inster newspapers about the reporting of the decision made by the planning and regulatory committee to reject the application for the integrated waste management

  • Hypocrisy of forcing pub to instal CCTV

    SO a local pub is required by the district council to instal closed circuit television (CCTV) at a reported cost of £10,000. Under any circumstances this could be considered unreasonable. Such a demand coming from the council that has notably failed to

  • Double figure romp as Rangers eye title

    A REPEAT of the previous week's cup final saw Norton Under-13s inflict a second defeat on Welland but this time the margin was far greater as Ran-gers chase a season's double. They gave a championship style performance in amassing double figures and no

  • Halfords put brake on Shipston success story

    SHIPSTON'S hopes of a clean sweep of trophies in the Stratford Alliance were dashed after an injury-time goal earned Halfords a 3-2 Edwards of Stratford Cup win last Thursday night. Paul Hayden had given the Redditch-based side a 2-0 interval lead at

  • Golden opportunity to beautify pools

    IT was 6.50am, and the morning was aware, but hadn't risen. There was a symbol of light to the east, enough to give the buildings firm shadows, and I stood on the rise behind Spennells' school when I heard them coming - a squawking of flying geese. There

  • Rainbows are gold for McIntyre

    KIDDERMINSTER'S Stuart McIntyre took the top catch, 13 rainbows, at Silligrove Fishery. In second place was Hartlebury angler Dean Evans with 11. Two big specimens were caught of 10lb 8oz and 10lb 4oz, one with a damsel and the other an apetiser. The

  • Bewdley are back

    A STEVE Mares double helped Bewdley Town to a welcome three Banks's Brewery League Division One South points in a 4-0 win at Pershore Reserves. The visitors began well and took the lead when Grant Gibbs rounded the goalkeeper after being put clear by

  • Chris, take a Bow

    CHADDESLEY Corbett voted Chris Bow player of the year at their presentation night in Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough Suite. Master of ceremonies was Captain Crazy, aka Roger Harris, while Harriers striker Stewart Hadley also paid a visit. Awards, first

  • Teenagers are feeling fired up

    FIREFIGHTERS of the future proudly completed the first section of their basic training in front of friends and family on Saturday. A passing out parade was held at the town's fire station, off Saltway, for Young Firefighter Association (YFA) members.

  • Cleobury thoughts turn to the summer

    CLEOBURY Mortimer players were clearly looking forward to their summer deck chairs after a lacklustre 22-17 win at relegated Stoke Old Boys in Midlands Four West (South). However, early attacks by the driving forwards put Cleobury in command and Colin

  • County washed out for second day running

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire was washed out for the second day running at New Road today. Further rain made it impossible for the game to get underway and umpires Jeremy Lloyds and Bob White abandoned play

  • Dream debut for Jakeways

    OPENING batsman Ian Jakeways enjoyed a dream debut for Old Elizabethans seconds to win the Evening News/Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd Cricketer of the Week award. The 35-year-old struck two sixes and 12 fours in a match-winning 111no to help his new

  • Big chance for fans to meet stars

    CALLING all young cricket fans! Worcestershire CCC are opening their doors to players aged 11-14 by inviting them to spend the day at New Road with the stars, joining in net practice, receiving tips on their batting, bowling and wicketkeeping techniques

  • United future in hands of planners

    THE fate of Evesham United was in the hands of planners today as they considered proposals for a new stadium. Wychavon District Coun-cil planners are weighing up proposals for a switch to land to the west of the town off the Cheltenham Road. Councillors

  • Residents put golf site in spotlight

    DETERMINED villagers have being showing the strength of feeling against a plan to build a large-scale golf course which goes under the spotlight tonight. A group of Wolverley and Cookley residents have long been against the bid by Derbyshire-based Bloor

  • Race meeting switched

    NEXT Wednesday's National Hunt race meeting at Worcester has been transferred to Folkestone. The Pitchcroft course has not fully recovered from the beating it took from the weather over the winter months. No racing has taken place at Worcester for over

  • Invested for Cantor trial

    THE picture for the Vodafone Oaks is still a little unclear after the somewhat-controversial defeat of Flight Of Fancy at York on Tuesday. As a result, tomorrow's Cantor Index Fillies' Trial Stakes at Newbury could see Fully Invested redeem her reputation

  • Death road safety actions on hold

    SAFETY action on a road which claimed the lives of two Wolverley friends is on hold for at least three months. Worcestershire County Council has to await a coroner's report before deciding on safety measures at the Park Gate junction on the A451 Kidderminster

  • 'Weakest wink' Kim hosts quiz

    A CYCLING charity fundraiser is hoping her latest money-spinning wheeze, hosting her own version of a popular TV quiz dressed as Anne Robinson, will ensure she will soon be saying, "goodbye," to Kidderminster. Kim Calder as Anne Robinson. Kim Calder has

  • Man, 76, dead in bath

    A FORMER military man who thought he was being persecuted was found dead in his bath. Walter Bennett, 76, of Perrett Walk, Kidderminster, was discovered by a sheltered accommodation warden, an inquest heard. He had superficial cuts to his neck and wrists

  • Annual date for match to honour pals

    AN FA Cup final day football match in memory of two tragic Wolverley friends was so successful it is set to become an annual event. Lee Antcliff's Saturday team, Lock FC, played his Sunday team Stourport Town at noon on Saturday in memory of the 23-year-old

  • Plea to find lost handbag

    A WOMAN is appealing for the return of a bag containing her diary and holiday details which was left in McDonald's drive-thru restaurant, Worcester Road, on Tuesday. The black rucksack also contained a purse with credit cards, a cheque book and a child's

  • Doing the business

    BUSINESS will be on the agenda for the four General Election candidates at a Question Time session next week. David Lock, Labour, Mark Simpson, Conservative, Richard Taylor, Health Concern, and Jim Millington, UK Independence, will be put under the microscope

  • Reaching for the skies

    THE sky is the limit for a Kidderminster man who has graduated as a RAF officer in his bid to become a jet fighter pilot. Ben Plank has graduated after completing six months' training at RAF College Cranwell, Lincolnshire. The 22-year-old's success comes

  • Final line-up for county poll

    THE final list of candidates contesting the 11 Wyre Forest seats for the Worcestershire County Council elections on Thursday, June 7 is: BRINTON PARK: William Bradley (Labour), Peter Carter (Liberal Democrat), Alfred Lote (Conservative) CHADDESLEY: Stephen

  • Nicola takes to the skies

    A HIGH-FLYING woman from Kidderminster is taking to the skies to raise cash for charity. Nicola Craddock will fulfil a lifetime ambition by completing a parachute jump for Mencap. Kidderminster's Nicola Craddock prepares for her sky-high leap in Leicestershire

  • 'Positive response' to launch

    HEALTH Concern launched its election campaign outside Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday. Richard Taylor on the campaign trail with Allan Pritchard. Candidate Dr Richard Taylor said it was an "enjoyable and stimulating" experience due to the positive

  • From the archives

    100 years ago - May 18, 1901 Bengeworth: Joseph Lampitt, a labourer from Bengeworth, was summoned to Pershore Petty Sessions for riding his bicycle without a light through Hill and Moor village after the proper time to light up on May 5. PC Johnson said

  • Lib Dems to back Health Concern

    THE Wyre Forest election campaign has reached fever pitch with the news the Liberal Democrats have backed Health Concern. The party, which polled 4,377 at the last election, has announced it will not field a candidate in Wyre Forest and will back Health

  • Ambition to put town live on the internet

    COMPUTER buffs could soon be able to see Bewdley live on the internet if new town mayor Carol Gittins has her way. Mrs Gittins will take over from Bill Mason at Bewdley Town Council's annual meeting tomorrow - following in the footsteps of her husband

  • Fooled by a 'fortune teller'

    A LOCAL "rogue" was in the news in the Journal this week 200 years ago, when it seems that fortune telling was a crime. An 82 years-old gypsy woman found herself in jail because of the incredible gullibility of a Droitwich man. The Journal explained:

  • Hall destroyed by civic vandalism

    THIS week 50 years ago, Worcester's historic Public Hall was officially re-opened following expensive internal restoration work financed by the City Council. The Journal reported in 1951: "At the civic re-opening of the Public Hall, the City Chamberlain

  • Former city Mayor appointed as a full partner in Tattersall

    THE Journal edition for this week of 1951 announced that the Hon. John Coventry, a former Mayor and alderman of Worcester, had become a full partner in Tattersall, the horse racing organisation. "He is the grandson of the 9th Earl of Coventry, owner of

  • Castle crumble

    ELMLEY Castle failed to capitalise on an excellent start and ultimately missed out on the chance of recording their first win against Shipston. The home side crawled to just eight runs off the initial ten overs. By the 17th over they were fairing a little

  • In conversation

    STRONG language and scenes of a disturbing nature give the impression that Conversation with a Cupboard Man is not something to be taken lightly. Booker prizewinner Ian McEwan's short story will be brought to life by Craig Rogan at the RSC's new entertainment

  • Star line-up

    MARILYN Monroe, Joe Di Maggio, Albert Einstein and Senator McCarthy will all be starring in Terry Johnson's tragi-comic masterpiece Insignificance, at The Theatre, Chipping Norton Theatre, on May 24 and 25 at 8pm. Tickets on 01608 642350.

  • Animal cruelty

    EVESHAM magistrates adjourned a case against a Broadway farmer accused of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep, including failing to provide them with an adequate water supply. Andrew Furness, of Vale Farm, Saintbury, is now due to appear before magistrates

  • Puzzling leaving gift

    THE UNUSUAL gift of a fretsaw was presented to Shelagh FitzGibbon who retired as a GP on May 1 after 33 years at Barn Close Surgery in Broadway. The popular doctor was given an excellent send off by her patients at a party at The Lifford Hall in Broadway

  • Broadway

    GARDEN CLUB: The April meeting was informed by the chairman coun David Roberts that the club had received the following donations for plants for the millennium garden - £75 from the Broadway Traders, £135 from the ladies choir as a result of a concert

  • Unveiled

    PAINTINGS by Kieran James Stiles and Nick Maitland will be unveiled at The Theatre, Chipping Norton, on Sunday at noon. The paintings will be exhibited from 10am-1pm Tuesday to Friday and during all performances until June 7.

  • Bredon

    DIAMOND WEDDING: Congratulations to Ray and Betty Chandler who celebrated their diamond wedding on May 3. Both are well known in the village for their contributions to community life. For many years, Betty played the piano for the local ballet classes

  • Pershore

    ARP/O50: The April meeting was well attended when over 70 members and visitors enjoyed a talk entitled 'Coast to Coast' given by Mr Tony Caldwell on behalf of the Heart Foundation. He described in detail the walk from the coast in Yorkshire to the Lake

  • Peopleton

    PONY AND DOG SHOW: Reminder - the show has been postponed from Sunday and will now be held on September 16 at Lower Norchard Farm. Schedules will be available from John Francis (Dogs) on 01905 841347 and Ann Price (Ponies) on 01905 840204.

  • Clean up could be a shambles

    THE clean up operation following foot and mouth is in danger of becoming another organisational shambles, according to the Gloucestershire branch of the Country Land and Business Association. Geoffrey Hopton, regional director of the CLA, said there were

  • Thunderstorm foils Robinson

    SUNDAY'S early evening thunderstorms struck just at the wrong time for Jeremy Robinson. The Evesham professional carded a best of the day 64 - six under par - at the Midland PGA /Pro-Am at Stourbridge but he missed out on the top prize when play was suspended

  • Long wait adds spice to seasoned duo's win

    THE Joe Steward Better Ball Cup, Broadway's stableford competition, has been won by the seasoned pairing of Graham Taylor and Mike Follett who scored an excellent 45 points. They may not have been troubled by the rigours of the course, however, waiting

  • Just the job as Bob's best tops

    HARVINGTON Golf Society held their first away day of this year when members paid an inaugural visit to the Kenilworth club. Nine holes were played in the morning and 18 in the afternoon on a course which was in very good condition despite heavy overnight

  • Premier triumph

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers Ladies are celebrating the West Midland Premier League championship with one match still to play. They beat Rea Valley Rovers 2-1 at the weekend with goals from Mel Fowler and Vicky Hyde. The first goal came after 14 minutes when

  • BEWDLEY E TG

    Rita Cartwright demonstrated Delight in Simple Things at the April meeting, featuring flowers. A group of members attended the West Midlands Federation 70th birthday celebration on April 25. An invitation was received from Burlish Guild, to a Micro Magic

  • Theatre

    Rose, Kidderminster - Frankenstein Saturday. Malvern Theatres - Business Affairs until Saturday. Tom's Midnight Garden until Saturday. Rep, Birmingham - Morning Glory tonight until June 16. Crescent, Birmingham - Little Shop of Horrors tonight until May

  • CHADDESLEY CORBETT WI

    Resolutions for the intermediate meeting - an adequate school nursing service, and training to prevent abuse of the elderly in care homes - produced much discussion. Afterwards there was a tasting of members' favourite foods, including fruit cake, tea

  • KIDDERMINSTER, CLASSICAL MUSIC SOCIETY

    Vice-chairman Von Stewart reprised her programme of 1994 with Nuts in May Revisited. There was William Ratcliff's Dream from the Mascagni opera, excerpts from Anna Bolena by Donizetti and The Rake's Progress by Stravinsky, both featuring Samuel Ramey,

  • KIDDERMINSTER, FRANCHE WI

    After business matters were dealt with at the May meeting, members were reminded of the Leys Group arts and crafts exhibition at Bewdley Library until May 25. Members had brought along a selection of crafts to be displayed. Mrs Ellis then took members

  • County council election nominees

    VOTERS in the Vale go to the polls on June 7 - which is also the date for the General Election - to elect members to Worcestershire County Council. All 57 of the council's seats are being contested, with eight of them in the Vale. Below are details of

  • KIDDERMINSTER AND FRANCHE FLORAL ART CLUB

    Diane Prichard, area demonstrator and trainee judge, was the May guest demonstrator. She entertained with tales of the carnival in Venice, and entitled her arrangements Venetian Romance and Masquerade. First was a crescent around a silver mask, with laurel

  • WYRE FOREST, ARTHRITIS CARE

    The meeting on Monday of this Kidderminster and District self-help group will be held, as usual, in the Clubman Room at the Glades Leisure Centre, but will be at the new time of 2pm until 4pm. The speaker will be Mike Jones on Honey Bees. New members

  • Meat-free

    I'M sorry if I confused Jon Burgess with my letter of April 17. The address I gave for people to contact about meat-free diets is not foreign and it only promotes dairy-free, meat-free lifestyles. As for livestock markets being monitored by RSPCA inspectors

  • When I were a lad...

    PAUL Stammers writes (County Commentary, April 30) that affluent and successful migrants might inject a bit of life into the ailing countryside. When I was a village lad in the 1940s, there was plenty of life around - blackbirds, bullfinches, blue tits

  • Martin hunts down sport to win trophy

    Evesham Jubilee AS THE Centenary Trophy fished at Lemington Lakes, Moreton-in-Marsh last Saturday attracted an excellent attendance in the scorching conditions. Unfortunately, the hot weather affected the catches and fish were caught in pockets of shallow

  • We would be better off without EU

    A HUMBLE greengrocer is given a suspended sentence, for selling a pound of bananas to an undercover trading standards officer, and is made into a criminal. District Judge Bruce Morgan ruled that European Union law takes precedent over our parliamentary

  • Your guide to the best sounds around

    May 18 K-Passa and Skinflik. The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester. Clive John. Railway Inn, Ripple, Worcs. May 19 Mark Brannelly. Bidford on Avon WMC, nr Evesham. Marty Wilde - Born To Rock and Roll. The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford. King

  • Blair-faced

    SO Tony Blair announces the elections in a stage-managed event. How typical of New Labour. No questions were allowed. No ordinary voters were present. Mr Blair's audience was made up of school children too young to vote. This is fantasy politics. Spin

  • Classical and easy listening- what's on near you.

    Philharmonia Orchestra. May 18. 8.00pm. Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham (0121 780 3333). City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra - Matinee Series. May 23. 2.15pm. Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham (0121 780 3333). City of Birmingham Symphony

  • Earnings, pensions link can be restored

    E F Showell (You Say, May 1) claims there isn't enough money in the kitty to restore the earnings link to the state pension. He is wrong. The Government has admitted that the NI Fund now has a surplus of about £18bn. Cash is paid into the fund as a proportion

  • Burgers dubious reward for citizenship

    ONE of the first social skills you're taught at school is how to time manage effectively. Not only do you have to finish homework and get to lessons; you have to get to school on time as well. This can be easier for some than for others. Some people are

  • Smash hit show

    A FAVOURITE theatre with Worcestershire art lovers is to host an award-winning box office smash from Broadway and the West End. Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre is to host the brand new production of Rent, the show which has taken the world by storm since

  • Playgroup celebrates report

    STAFF at a Blakedown playgroup are celebrating after being given the thumbs-up by Ofsted inspectors. St James Pre-School Playgroup is described as providing a happy and calm environment which promotes children's learning. The quality of teaching is described

  • A Langford goal seals it

    A LATE winner from Kidderminster Harriers' Richard Langford clinched the Worcestershire Youth Cup for the seventh time in nine seasons. Harriers beat Alvechurch 2-1 at Evesham United's Common Road ground last Thursday. Though Junior Hewitt put their opponents

  • Summer rest and ops

    TALENTED Kidderminster Harriers duo Craig Hinton and Andy Ducros are due for minor operations to prepare for next season. Defender Hinton will have corrective surgery on a groin complaint, while Ducros needs a clean-up operation on his knee. Mark Shail

  • Faulds full of energy

    ANYONE who has not seen the reserves or youth team may be unfamiliar with young signing Peter Faulds. But assistant boss Gary Barnett admitted the midfielder is not a hard player to spot. Barnett said: "He's all over the football field. His energy is

  • If you want to get a head

    BIG blue heads! That's really all you can think when you go into the new sculpture garden at Broadway's newest art gallery. Step out into the newly-created garden area behind Broadway Modern and you can't help but be dazzled by the stylish heads in sky

  • Players released

    BOSS Jan Molby has released keeper Tim Clarke - on the transfer list for some time - and centre-back Steve Pope alongside forward John Durnin. Clarke, 35, served Harriers superbly during the Conference season, giving the defence confidence with some commanding

  • Lucy wins a BAFTA TV award

    MILLIONS of television viewers saw a Vale-born programme producer and her team carry off a top television award for their documentary, Britain at War in Colour, last Sunday night. But what they did not realise was that 32-year-old Lucy Carter had to take

  • My fair dollies

    FRILLS and frocks and a host of captivating lovelies are on show in Evesham Library which is hosting an exhibition of more than 40 dolls collected by staff member Bernadette Pilling. The dolls are shown in an array of colourful period costumes and librarian

  • Bus timetables not the ticket

    A VALE pensioner has exposed anomalies in bus timetables that cause passengers travelling between Pershore and Stratford to miss a connection by five minutes, meaning a wait of an hour for the next one. Betty Swann's experiences have prompted the bus

  • Wheely great

    CHILDREN at Eckington Under-fives Playgroup took part in their own mini Grand Prix to raise money for charity. Seventy per cent of cash raised from the wheelie event will go to the NSPCC, with the rest going to the playgroup.

  • Mystery still surrounds Vale man's India death

    EVENTS leading up to the death of a Vale man in India 17 months ago may never be known, said Worcestershire coroner Victor Round. The coroner adjourned James Downing's inquest after receiving last minute information from the British Deputy High Commission

  • TV stars shine at school gala night

    DARREN Day and Anthea Turner were the star attractions at a gala evening last Friday which raised more than £2,000 for new arts facilities at Evesham school. The two personalities donated their time for free following a request from one of the school's

  • Mixed Ofsted report for Evesham High School

    PUPILS at Evesham High School learn well as a result of consistently good teaching according to Government inspectors. Thirteen Ofsted inspectors visited the school between March 12 and 15 and praised the staff for the quality of teaching, their caring

  • Anger as dog kills squirrel in park

    A PERSHORE boy has slammed a dog owner who let his pet savage a squirrel in Abbey Park. Matthew Schneider, aged 14, was sitting with his friend by the Abbey at around lunchtime when a man let his dog off the leash to chase after a grey squirrel. The dog

  • EDUCATION - MARK SIMPSON (Conservative)

    EDUCATION, education, education. That was Labour's pledge in 1997. Four years on and where are we? Class sizes up, teachers under pressure as never before and Worcestershire's education funding among the lowest in the country. In fact, Labour have spent

  • Some revealing secrets of the simple sarnie

    EVER since the Earl of Sandwich slapped a piece of meat between two slices of bread so he didn't have to leave the gambling tables, we have been eating a rather strange concoction called a sandwich. A sandwich can be any size, can contain virtually any

  • EDUCATION - RICHARD TAYLOR (Health Concern)

    WE all wish to see a fair share of the financial cake coming into this county's schools as it is unfair that our schools receive less Government money than schools in other counties. One secondary school head teacher has put it to me excellently. "Lack

  • Two wins and Ted grabs top award

    EVESHAM road racer Ted Roebuck had a pleasant surprise when called into the office at Mallory Park on Sunday. Roebuck, riding his sponsored Chapman/Tyrell Racing Honda GP 125 in the third round of the East Midland Racing Association Championships, feared

  • EDUCATION - JAMES MILLINGTON (UK Independence)

    I PUT forward a 10-point plan for education in this country. Recruit far more primary and secondary school teachers so that class sizes can be reduced to 20 pupils. A dramatic improvement in educational standards would result. Raise teachers' basic salaries

  • Sporting spectacle promises a feast

    THE Worcester Youth Games will have more than top sporting excitement to capture the imagination of the 2,000 competitors and spectators expected at Droitwich Spa on Sunday. This year's games are being hosted by Wychavon District Council and staff have

  • Matt back on track in style

    MATT Neal was back on track with a vengeance in the Team Dynamics Motorsport Nissan Primera Supertourer last weekend. After the disappointment of being released from British Touring Car Championship duties Peugeot, Neal clambered back into the car that

  • Host club honours

    EVESHAM archers were again to the fore when Worcestershire triumphed over Gloucestershire on Sunday in the inter-county match hosted by the club at Badsey. Tim Haines took the honours in the junior gents' Olympic bow section with an excellent 1056 Bristol

  • Hornets have a sting in the tail!

    Hornets 43, Evesham B 31 A SLIPPERY surface hindered both teams and led to a low tempo match as caution proved the watchword. Sharon Hunt dominated early on for Evesham in her new role in the centre, following on from her player of the match efforts at

  • Bike bonanza as Raceway hosts top European riders

    THIS month's second round of the highly acclaimed Super Series Drag Racing Championship for Sportsman races takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on Saturday and Sunday. The event heralds the return of the European Top Gas series of races for four

  • Broadway at the double as Parfitt powers to victory

    VICTORY for Joan Parfitt's triple by 19 shots helped Broadway's ladies defeat Bredon by 29 shots in the latest Concorde League match. The men's team ensured double success with a comfortable victory over their Bredon counterparts. Concorde League Broadway

  • Daniel's track delight

    DREAMS can come true, as they did earlier this month for Daniel Cummings, as 24-year- old from Upton-upon-Severn, whose ambition was to race motorcycles. This he accomplished by racing at both Mallory and Doning-ton Park at the start of the Honda CB500

  • Help on hand for former workers

    CASH-strapped ex-Owen Owen workers could be in line for a hardship grant. Trustees of the former department store group, which had branches in Evesham and Kidderminster, are looking to trace personnel living in difficult circumstances who could be eligible

  • Jobs cut demo

    Thousands of workers from the UK and Europe were today due to stage a demonstration in the UK against plans by Marks & Spencer to close stores on the Continent. Union members from France, Belgium and Spain were being joined by UK workers at a march

  • Grand launch for community plan

    AN exciting project that could breath new life into Bidford has been unveiled. Stratford MP John Maples and William McCarthy, chairman of Stratford District Council, joined other civic leaders for a presentation by The Bidford Sports and Community Initiative

  • Twelfth Night, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford

    THE first thing you notice about the set for the RSC's latest production of Twelfth Night is a massive carpet which dominates the stage. And the company has served up a real magic carpet ride of a show with this delightfully entertaining version. Shakespeare

  • Spiring is the star

    WHEN a win looked a mere formality, Kidderminster gave themselves a scare before recording a three-wicket success over West Bromwich Dartmouth in Birmingham and District Premier League. The home side were cruising to their first victory of the season

  • Cookley crumble

    COOKLEY followed their previous week's wins against Evesham with both sides experiencing defeats at the hands of Feckenham. The firsts, playing at home in Worcestershire County League Division Two, were 43-0 after just seven overs. But they finished up

  • Surprise for Stourport

    STOURPORT suffered a shock eight-wicket reverse against Martley at Walshes Meadow in Worcestershire League Division Three. Simon Smith (49) and Dave Cook (39) both looked in good form but the home innings subsided from 108-2 to 150 in the 42nd over. Gary

  • Black bags to replace bins to end backache

    HOUSEHOLDERS in Worcester are to be issued with black bags - partly to protect refuse collectors' from backache. The city council claims the way it collects rubbish at the moment is "dangerous and outdated". The authority is worried that its employees

  • A tall story for county attraction

    AN impressive new feature will stun visitors to one of Worcestershire's most popular stately homes. Twenty tons of stone from the Forest of Dean have been used to construct two pairs of gate piers leading into and out of the Parterre at Hanbury Hall,

  • Raid decoy man jailed for 2 years

    A MAN who acted as a decoy for a raid on a riding school near Evesham has been jailed for two years. Peter Goodwin went to owner Joan Bomford and lied that he had collided with one of her horses. They walked together down a lane - but he then jumped into

  • Assault charges dismissed

    CHARGES against a Worcester man have been dismissed after a vital witness failed to turn up at court. Evesham magistrates yesterday dismissed charges of assault brought against Mark Richards. The 24-year-old, of Gorse Hill Road, Brickfields, also faced

  • Safari Park's go-slow thieves

    TWO spur-thighed tortoises which need specialist care have been stolen from the West Midlands Safari Park. Thieves removed the animals from a glass-fronted cage in the reptile house by breaking into the air vents. The break-in took place some time between

  • Twinnners enjoy barbecue and entertainment

    TRIPS to Amsterdam and Arnhem were part of the entertainment organised for Worcester tourists who visited their twin town of Kleve in Germany. Members of the Worcester Twinning Association spent a week in the northern German town staying with host families

  • Councillor cleared in report - Homes row is resolved

    A STORM over a housing allocation to Wyre Forest district councillor Rachel Lewis has ended with her being cleared of any wrongdoing. Council chief executive Walter Delin said there had been "no breach of systems and procedures" in Mrs Lewis' allocation

  • Stores sign up to £60m centre

    THE long-awaited £60 million Kidderminster town centre development should be up and running by Christmas next year. The controversial scheme, whose first phase has been hit by a series of delays, has attracted several major companies. However, the consortium

  • Doubts raised on plans

    POOR plans look set to lead to further delays for the controversial town centre development. Planning chiefs have recommended councillors throw out proposals for phases two to four at a meeting tonight and a decision is likely to be deferred. The proposals

  • Date set for £2m anti-flood scheme

    WORK on a £2 million flood prevention scheme for Bewdley is set to start within four months. The Environment Agency, which has been given emergency money by the Government to spend on flood alleviation, aims to avoid a repeat of last year's flooding misery

  • Hero feared for own life

    A HERO who dived into the River Severn to save a drowning man feared for his own life as he battled freezing water and strong currents. Chris McAdam, a former pool attendant, of Stourport, struggled to keep the 20-year-old man's head above the water as

  • 'Prisoners' claim by angry residents

    ELDERLY and disabled people claim they are prisoners in their homes because of delayed repair work on a busy Stourport road. Many of the pensioners who live in the Mitton area are too scared or unable to cross at the corner of Vale Road where the gas

  • Superloo plan is in firing line

    POPULAR public toilets in Stourport will be demolished next month despite pleas for them to stay. Wyre Forest District Council will knock down the Bridge Street toilets because of vandalism and misuse. Andrew Dickens, head of the council's cultural, leisure

  • Bouncer pay-out to victim

    A Kidderminster nightclub bouncer who butted a man in the face and damaged two teeth has been ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim. David Knight had originally been ordered to do 200 hours community service when he appeared at Worcester crown

  • Police plea to find road rage driver

    POLICE are hunting the driver of a Vauxhall Cavalier who overtook and then reversed at speed into another vehicle in a road rage attack. The incident, which police described as "calculated and aggressive", happened on the A450, between Mustow Green and

  • Hendrix night is an experience

    GET the Jimi Hendrix Experience when tribute band Stone Free come to Evesham next month. The Cardiff-based three piece have attracted rave reviews from all areas of the press and there is sure to be lots of crosstown traffic making its way to the Vale

  • County trophy

    GOLF: Karen Greenfield, a member of Kidderminster Golf Club ladies section, won the Worcestershire Ladies County Championship, held at Stourbridge last Friday. April Stableford Silver Division: Paula Newton, runner-up Betty Pryce-Jones; Bronze First Division

  • Stourport hold off challengers

    HOCKEY: Stourport U-16s won the Worcestershire League for the second consecutive season with an excellent performance from a squad that only played eight games together. The team won six, drew one and lost just one of their matches, bringing much pride

  • Royal line-up ready for carnival day

    THIS year's Stourport Carnival will see an all-town queen, princess and rosebud cast for the second successive year. Organisers were delighted with the number of entries for the roles ahead of the event on Saturday, September 1, and the holders of all

  • Perfect sailing

    SAILING: Trimpley Sailing Club's Sunday Spring Series continued in perfect weather with Roger Stretton and Jeff Halford battling out a close contest. In the Noon Single Handed Race for GP14s, Roger Stretton was pipped to the post by Norman Quarry. Simon

  • Tennis tutoring

    TENNIS: Skills will be honed at a summer tennis coaching course for youngsters at Kidderminster Youth House. Applied Sports Coaching, run by Wyre Forest's Ray Shuck, holds the annual summer courses on Saturdays between May 26 and June 16. Boys and girls

  • Second stint as mayor

    NEW Stourport mayor Michael Grinnall reaped an unexpected benefit when he was last elected mayor in 1997. And as he looks forward to his second stint as the town's civic leader, Mr Grinnall is hoping for a few more pleasant surprises as well as pushing

  • Robin's flying

    ATHLETICS: Robin Sedman-Smith was the leading Kidderminster Running Club member in the first of the Worcestershire Midweek 10k Road Race series at Arley. Sedman-Smith's fine performance in 34 minutes 23 seconds gave him first position for the club and

  • Gym opportunity

    GYMNASTICS: There are spaces available for children over six years old at Cleobury Mortimer Gymnastics Club. Wednesday's session at Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre will be the last before the half-term holiday, then the club starts again on Wednesday,

  • Pregnant woman in crash escape

    A seven-months pregnant woman had a lucky escape when her car spun on to its roof after a collision in Stourport. A Stourport Fire Station spokesman said her Ford Escort clipped another car, of the same model, and crashed in Bridge Street at 9.30pm on

  • Friendly Lakes

    GOLF: The seniors at Little Lakes Golf Club have played three recent friendly matches. At Habberley, members were beaten 6-1 but they beat Wharton Park at home 4.5 and 3.5 and drew 3-3 with Branston. The Winter League presentation was won by Phil Hobby

  • Friar takes cup

    CHESS: Jim Friar won Kidderminster Chess Club's seventh annual handicap tournament by the narrowest of margins. Friar finished just half-a-point ahead of Maurice Bissell. Full scores: Friar 6.5, Bissell 6, Paul Thomas and John Wrench 4.5, Bill Pugh and

  • Youth test in county

    YOUTH GAMES: Wyre Forest compete in the third annual Worcestershire Youth Games on Sunday at the Wychavon team's Droitwich Spa base. They take on Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester City and Wychavon for the pride of the county. Sports featured

  • Bin fire leads to arson alert

    KIDDERMINSTER firefighters have warned of potentially disastrous consequences if "idiotic" arsonists continue to set fire to wheelie bins. The latest incident came on Tuesday at 8.35pm when a bin full of rubbish was set alight outside St John's Church

  • Bail for men on affray charge

    FOUR men have appeared at Worcester Crown Court accused of taking part in a violent incident in Yates's Wine Lodge, Kidderminster. Kevin Kilkenny, 18, of Foxholes, Kidderminster, denied violent disorder but agreed to be bound over in the sum of £250 to

  • Blaze hits scout troop

    TEENAGE arsonists are being blamed for a fire which destroyed a caravan belonging to a scout troop in Bewdley. A group of youths aged between 12 and 14 were seen attempting to smash a window in the caravan before the blaze at around 10pm on Saturday,

  • Two tortoises taken in raid

    TWO Mediterranean tortoises worth £400 each have been stolen from the West Midland Safari Park. The banana-coloured spur-thighed creatures, with a shell about five inches in diameter, were taken from the Bewdley park at 5pm on Saturday. Head warden Bob

  • Police launch hunt for man

    POLICE are hunting a man who indecently assaulted and exposed himself to two women in two sex attacks in Kidderminster over the weekend. One of the victims was left badly bruised following the first assault which happened between 11.30pm on Saturday and

  • Thank you whoever you are

    ON behalf of my parents I would like to thank the man in Tesco, Evesham, who saw my mother, unknowingly, drop her purse, and returned it to her last Friday. She thanked him but, unfortunately, he did not give his name. They believe he was a member of

  • Custody 'likely' for police stab youth

    A teenager who stabbed a Kidderminster policeman has been cleared of intending to cause him serious injury. Rejected Eoin Bellison had gone to his ex-girlfriend's house to apologise for pestering her. But when her family alerted police, he was involved

  • Litter woe

    I HAVE visited Evesham twice recently - over Easter and after the recent Bank Holiday. The park and the river setting are a tremendous asset for the town and obviously well used. The many visitors are clearly using, or attempting to use, the litter bins

  • Crown court for youths

    A 10-YEAR-OLD Kidderminster boy and his co-accused, 13, are to be tried at crown court on a charge of causing £350,000 of damage by setting fire to a shop. The premises of Dillons' newsagents at Foley Park were burned out on February 16 and the neighbouring

  • Smith scoops top award

    ANDY Smith has become the first Evesham United player to win the Worcester Evening News' Ray Mercer Memorial Trophy. Smith, who averaged a mark of 7.38 from 56 matches, edged out teammate Paul West (7.35) to take top honours and confirm the 29-year-old

  • Town draw to avoid drop

    THE Evesham Sunday League season concluded with first division Tewkesbury Town earning a point to secure their survival while relegating Knockout Cup winners Upton Snodsbury. Visiting Inkberrow, Town found themselves behind at the interval to goals from

  • Changes can't halt Littleton's charge

    Littleton 4, Malvern Rangers 1 DUE to a combination of injuries, prior engagements and non appearance, Littleton were forced to make seven changes from the side that won the Baylis Cup. This meant that the average age of the side went up to 33 years and

  • Examining good and evil concept

    GEOFFREY Shilvock writes in last week's issue of the Shuttle that "we can no longer read the Bible with a fundamentalist approach. It doesn't work". Surely what doesn't work and isn't working is our own concept of what is good and evil. I think the reference

  • Ran garage in Bewdley

    I AM researching my family history and would like to hear from any descendants of Lizzie Evans (nee Cooper) and her husband William James (Bill) Evans. Lizzie was the older sister of my father, Fred Archie Cooper. They ran Evans Garage at 7 Load Street

  • Studying language types

    AT the National Centre for English Cultural Tradition, University of Sheffield, we are currently working on a project assessing the continuity and change of traditional types of English between the years 1950-2000. The language types under investigation

  • Fate in Swifts hands

    THE Midland Alliance title race has swung into Stourport Swifts' favour as they chase two wins to reach the Dr Martens League. Swifts visit Bloxwich tonight and entertain Oadby on Monday (both 7.45pm) with six points the target. Fellow challengers Barwell

  • No stopping Swifts

    TWO more goals from hot-shot Lee Booth eased Stourport Swifts to a valuable 4-0 Midland Alliance win at Wednesfield last Thursday. The win took Swifts to second, level on points with Rushall but behind on goal difference, after Barwell were surprisingly

  • Double joy for Chaddesley Corbett

    CHADDESLEY Corbett reserves not only won the Saturday League Senior Cup but they are Kidderminster and District Football League Saturday Premier Division champions for the first time. They recorded victories in their final two league matches - 5-1 over

  • Fine Ferndale finishing

    CHAMPIONS Ferndale Youth U-13s ended their Stourport and District Boys Football League season on a high note with an 8-1 victory over second-placed Perdiswell Braves. Tom Duffield and Brett James also finished the season in style with a hat-trick each

  • Fortunes change

    A FOOTBALL team have turned around their fortunes to win the Stourport and District Youth League U-11s Division Two by four points. Kidderminster Athletic remained unbeaten in the league after losing the majority of their games the previous season. According

  • Ryan's at top

    RYAN'S Wanderers stay top of the Kidderminster Six-a-Side Soccer League following their 5-2 win over Baggeridge. Woodthorpe Wanderers are in second place, having a convincing 5-1 victory over Demons at Stourport High School, while Three Lions were also

  • Lions roar to title

    UNBEATEN Kidderminster Lions U-10s are celebrating winning Stourport and District Youth League Division Two. An impressive record saw the Wyre Forest side win 21 games and draw just one, scoring 81 goals and conceding four. The management team of Roy

  • Sims to pledge Sixways future

    FORMER England star Dave Sims is the latest big name star to pledge his future to Worcester Rugby Club. The popular lock will put pen to paper on a new deal next week after being offered a contract by Geoff Cooke. Sims, who enjoyed an outstanding season

  • Bowl-out misery for Board side

    WORCESTERSHIRE Cricket Board suffered the heartbreak of sudden-death defeat in their Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy second round tie with Cumberland at Kidderminster. Heavy rain washed out play in early afternoon, which led to a bowl-out, with five

  • 17/5/01 - Calling all young cricket fans!

    Worcestershire CCC are opening their doors to players aged 11-14 by inviting them to spend the day at New Road with the stars, joining in net practice, receiving tips on their batting, bowling and wicketkeeping techniques. And, as a special bonus, there

  • 17/5/01 - County washed out for second day running

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S County Championship Division Two match against Derbyshire was washed out for the second day running at New Road today. Further rain made it impossible for the game to get underway and umpires Jeremy Lloyds and Bob White abandoned play

  • Police drive for security

    POLICE have launched a new campaign aimed at driving car crime out of Kidderminster town centre. PC Tim Bower gives car security leaflets to Christian Roelink in Bromsgrove Street car park, Kidderminster. Officers with a mobile unit will be visiting car

  • £4,000 booster for pop star

    A CHARITY soccer match in aid of Kidderminster rock legend Clifford T Ward is expected to raise more than £4,000. More than 1,000 people attended the game at the Harriers' Aggborough ground. The event saw a team led by Kidderminster Harriers' boss Jan

  • Aiming to break down barriers

    A call for more civic participation by townsfolk has been made by John Stevens, Kidderminster's Mayor elect. And Mr Stevens invited people to attend the mayor making at the town hall next Thursday, June 24 at 7.30pm when he will be installed as the town's

  • Police warn on aviary thefts

    THIEVES made off with 29 birds in two separate raids on homes in Stourport on the same evening. Leslie Case surveys the aviary from which 14 canaries were stolen. Bird-owners are being warned by police to be on their guard following the thefts, which

  • New home for town beat police

    SHOPPERS in Kidderminster are being invited to drop in and meet beat officers at a new office opening in the town centre. The office, which opens in the Town Hall buildings on Monday, is aimed at providing an informal setting where officers can chat to

  • Bus investment is welcomed

    DAVID Lock donned a hard hat as he welcomed the Prescott Express to town. John Prescott and David Lock urge voters to jump on their bandwagon. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott ditched his two jags for a coach as he stopped off to visit his Government

  • Nature wardens to warn walkers on reserves

    WARDENS are patrolling Wyre Forest nature reserves every day in a bid to catch people who are ignoring signs warning them to keep out due to foot and mouth. Andrew Dickens, head of the district council's cultural, leisure and commercial services division

  • Tory promise on pound

    CONSERVATIVE candidate Mark Simpson put his money where his mouth is over his anti-Euro stance. Volunteer Keith Fletcher and Conservative candidate Mark Simpson. He drove home his message on the European currency by bringing the Tory Keep the Pound truck

  • 'Locks of love' are boost for charity

    A WOMAN whose parents received wonderful care at a Kidderminster hospice has lopped her locks to boost funds. Christianne Shuttleworth, who has lost her locks to help two charities. Christianne Shuttleworth has had her 18-inch locks shorn to raise cash

  • Well day's ark theme

    YOUNGSTERS at a Cleobury Mortimer school will be creating a splash of colour for a festival of flowers and music on Saturday. Pupils at Lacon Childe School will be dressing a well as part of celebrations being held at St Elizabeth's Church from 2pm. Lacon

  • Decision due on homes

    OUTRAGED residents on a Kidderminster estate will discover tonight (Thursday) whether the green light is given to a proposed housing scheme which they say will rob the area of a vital play space. Members of Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development

  • 17/5/01 - Sims to pledge Sixways future

    FORMER England star Dave Sims is the latest big name star to pledge his future to Worcester Rugby Club. The popular lock will put pen to paper on a new deal next week after being offered a contract by Geoff Cooke. Sims, who enjoyed an outstanding season

  • House firm's clean pledge

    PEOPLE living in Habberley Road, Bewdley, are to get their windows cleaned for free until the dust settles on a huge housing development being built nearby. David Wilson Homes has promised to provide window cleaning for about 90 houses. The pledge came

  • Date set for £2m anti-flood scheme

    WORK on a £2 million flood prevention scheme for Bewdley is set to start within four months. Tim Ive of the Enviornment Agency demonstrates the new flood barrier system. The Environment Agency, which has been given emergency money by the Government to

  • Agency barrier pledge

    THE Environment Agency has pledged to pull the plug on the proposed demountable steel flood barriers along Severnside North and South should Bewdley folk oppose the scheme. Kevin Boulton also reassured people living in other areas of the town they would

  • Fair is to display defence systems

    BEWDLEY is to host the country's first flood defence trade fair next month as residents seek individual solutions to the problem which has blighted the town. All companies marketing methods of keeping floodwater out of individual properties are being

  • Council votes three years in exile for drunk

    LOCAL government history was almost certainly made at Worcester Guildhall this week exactly a century ago. Surely there can have been no other case of a city or town council in Britain ever debating whether or not to send a notorious local drunk into

  • Champions crushed as crown sits precariously

    CHAMPS to chumps in the space of a week. That's the embarrassing decline of reigning Cotswold Hills League title holders Exhall and Wixford. The Millennium's best must fear the worst for the rest of the summer when, after losing their Premier Division

  • Lose out on their travels

    PERSHORE made a disappointing start to their away campaign when losing to Chaddesley in Saturday's Worcestershire Cou-nty League Division One game. The home side invited Pershore to bat on a slightly damp wicket and Stephen Cooper (25) and Lea Hawkes

  • Alcester hit by rain

    SUNDAY'S early evening storms put paid to Alcester and Ragley's hopes of a second successive Cotswold Hills League win. The home fixture, scheduled for 24 hours earlier, was switched to Twyning's ground because of continuing Foot and Mouth problems at

  • London Symphony Orchestra tops the music festival bill

    MUSIC lovers should find a cornucopia of delights if they make a date to visit Cheltenham in July. People can see the London Symphony Orchestra under the baton of world-famous conductor Andre Previn, the distinctive sound of Indonesian Gamelan music or

  • The lady vanishes

    ALFRED Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes is due to appear at The Everyman Theatre next Tuesday. One lady who has vanished from the cast list though is veteran actress Dulcie Gray CBE, who recently suffered a fractured hip when she tripped on a broken kerbstone

  • Go west

    THERE'S a place for you in the auditorium of Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre when it hosts a production of West Side Story. Singers, actors and dancers from Cheltenham and Gloucester College will be bringing to life the 20th century version of Romeo and

  • Just where is granny?

    TRAVELLING Light Theatre bring a production to the Chipping Norton Theatre on May 30 - promising something for everyone. Walking the Tightrope, by children's writer Mike Kenny, is aimed at five to nine-year-olds, but has appeal to older audiences too.

  • Scheme aims to put a stop to flooding

    RESIDENTS in a Broadway street who fear their houses will be flooded every time there's heavy rainfall, could soon get relief. Wychavon District Council has put aside £77,000 to carry out flood alleviation works for Mill Avenue. So far nearly all landowners

  • Panto time

    SUMMER is barely here but Malvern Theatres is already looking to its Christmas pantomime. Lined up to play the fairy godmother in Cinderella is Marti Webb, no stranger to Malvern audiences and best known nationally for her hit Take That Look Off Your

  • Let's salsa

    SALSA classes for beginners are being held in Cleeve Prior Village Hall each Tuesday, between 8.30 and 10pm. Newcomers are welcomed to the sessions, which also include some Latin dancing. No partners are needed. Details on 01789 778007.

  • This is your chance to meet the artists

    ART enthusiasts have a rare opportunity to meet three of the area's artists when they stage a spring exhibition. Louise Darby, of Redhill, Rachel Higgins, from Long Marston, and Mary Holmes, of Shottery, will be showcasing the beauty of nature in ceramics

  • 17/5/01 - United future in hands of planners

    THE fate of Evesham United was in the hands of planners today as they considered proposals for a new stadium. Wychavon District Coun-cil planners are weighing up proposals for a switch to land to the west of the town off the Cheltenham Road. Councillors

  • Aston Somerville

    CHILDREN'S ARTS AND CRAFTS GROUP: Almost all our members returned to our group after the April break. We are using African Art and Crafts for our theme in May and June, covering practice geometric paintings, then painting their design on to mugs. They

  • Evesham

    CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT FELLOWSHIP: Thirty members of the Evesham group of CSRF enjoyed tea and biscuits at their meeting in the Function Room of Evesham Library, Oat Street on May 8. Following the usual business, Mrs Ann Innis, chairman extended a warm

  • Ilmington

    WEDNESDAY CLUB: The club gave an enthusiastic welcome to Mr John Baldwin from Ebrington, and to the bottles of wine he brought with him! Mr Baldwin is well-known to several members of the club and is now considered a friend by all of us. He gave a short

  • North Cotsowlds

    RNLI: At a well attended AGM of the North Cotswold branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution at the White Hart Royal Hotel in Moreton in Marsh on May 8 it was reported that over £13,000 had been raised in the area during the past year for RNLI

  • Wellesbourne

    FLOWER CLUB: 'Bringing Art to Life' was the theme of the flower club's guest speaker at this month's meeting. Travelling through four centuries of famous artists Carolyn Gordon gave members the 'Sun Flowers' of Van Gough which was followed by the impressionist

  • Willersey

    WILLERSEY FOOTLIGHTS: Yet another successful Footlights Show was presented on three nights in the village hall and on each night to capacity audiences. This year's show was 'The Best of Footlights (or the least worse of') and repeated some of the sketches

  • Malvern Bloodstock Sale is moved to June

    PRESSURES and restrictions caused by the foot and mouth crisis have caused Brightwells Auctioneers to combine the Malvern Bloodstock Sale, which was due to take place on May 29, with the Ascot Derby Sale on June 5. All the original Malvern entries are

  • Scratch success is sweet revenge

    EVESHAM gained handsome revenge for defeat in the Mail on Sunday Classic when they recorded a Scratch league double over their neighbours from the The Vale. The only Craycombe loser was team captain Stuart Ridley on a day when there were wins for Craig

  • BEWDLEY, LEYS GROUP WI

    Bewdley's mayor, Bill Mason, accompanied by the mayoress, his daughter, opened the arts and crafts exhibition. County chairman Elizabeth Johnson spoke of the contrast in the crafts at the start of WI - ie thatching, cobbling and soldering - to the array

  • Callum shares in final win

    IT'S been another successful season on the rugby field for Prince Henry's High School pupil Callum Black. The 15-year-old played in his second successive North Midlands Cup final, helping Worcester Under-15s to a 27-0 victory over Moseley. Callum, who

  • CLEOBURY MORTIMER BRIDGE CLUB

    Mamble's Norman and Jo Hall were too good for the rest of the field in the Duplicate Tournament. Only Catherton's Steve and Sally Clifton offered competition to the accurate play of the club champions. The previous week former club champions Charles and

  • KIDDERMINSTER, FRANCHE LADIES

    There will be a talk entitled All About Jigsaws on Wednesday at 8pm at Franche Village hall in Wolverley Road. For further information contact Mrs Matthews on 01562 66512.

  • KIDDERMINSTER CIVIC SOCIETY

    At the annual meeting, Nick Hughes and Chas Townley were re-elected chairman and vice-chairman respectively. The chairman referred to the recent death of Dr Graeme Wilcox, paying tribute to him as a valued and active founding member of the society, and

  • Ignore the 'grey' vote at your peril

    THE "grey" vote is one that aspiring Westminster hopefuls ignore at their peril. With an increasing number of people living to riper old ages, they make up a significant number of electors. Their influence spreads even further, however, than their one-man

  • KIDDERMINSTER CYCLING CLUB

    There are two rides this Sunday. Both visit Meriden in Warwickshire for the annual cyclists service. The A ride starts at 8am and the B ride, which is car assisted, starts at 9am. Both rides leave from the Green, Blakebrook, opposite the hospital. All

  • STOURPORT, WALSHES AND DISTRICT TG

    Tricia Hignett was the May speaker, on fashion jewellery, showing how items can be adapted for all occasions. Margaret Tew, chairman of West Midlands Federation, welcomed all guilds to the 70th birthday party at the Civic Centre, Brierley Hill, when the

  • STOURPORT FLORAL ART CLUB

    When the organised demonstrator telephoned at the last minute to say she was unable to attend the meeting, chairman Marguerite Stokes telephone committee members who brought containers, flowers and foliage for a Ready, Steady flower-arrangement. The impromptu

  • WYRE FOREST, AMATEUR RADIO SOCIETY

    At a recent meeting Henry Brugsch gave a talk entitled Ham Radio in the USA. Henry (known as Hank K1HBJ to his American friends) described his introduction to the hobby in the early 1950s and the differences between the USA and UK licencing arrangements

  • WYRE FOREST GROUP WIs

    Brenda Banner, president hostess institute, Areley Kings, welcomed representatives from 11 groups to Astley Village Hall, when Margaret Johnson, group co-ordinator and Shirley Walker, treasurer, reported on past and future activities. Areley Kings members

  • WYRE FOREST, NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

    A new garden is opening for the scheme. Culverness Cottage, Bayton Common, home of Keith Wilkins and Dorothy Beadsworth, will open for the first time on Sunday. The cottage is situated on the A456 on the Kidderminster road from Clows Top. Take the B4202

  • Clean up

    THE Duckworth Trust has done a marvellous job clearing litter from Worcester's public places. Commendable though this may be, surely the time has come for people to take responsibility for themselves - and not leave rubbish lying around in the first place

  • Event's in and around Worcester

    Charity Line Dance (in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief) May 18. 7.30pm. Archdales Sports & Social Club, Windermere Drive, Warndon, Worcester. Bar/Supper.(01905 20375). Tea Dances (In aid of Malvern & District Age Concern). May 18. 2.30-5.00pm.

  • Exhibitions in and around Worcester

    Outdoor Sketching & Painting, (The Worcester Society of Artists). May 21. 5.00pm. Worcester Cathedral & College Green. (01905 641739). Diana Wake - Paintings and Ceramics and Painted Silks. Until May 26. 11am-10pm. Worcester Swan Theatre, The

  • Rot In Peace

    I'M amazed by how many people have their bodies cremated when they die. That's not for me. I have bought my plot on a woodland burial ground. It is so peaceful there. In my imagination there I am in a long sleep. Just gradually composting away like compost

  • Case of royals and regulations

    I HAVE never understood how inanimate objects can be "royal" such as trains, yachts, toilets or bricks and mortar in the shape of a hospital. Just what is the process by which they become imbued with whatever "royal" qualities are? If the practice is

  • What's on at your local theatre

    Romeo & Juliet - Cwmni Ballet Gwent. May 18. 7.30pm. The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford (01432 359252). Tom's Midnight Garden. Until May 19. Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern (01684 892277). A Slice of Saturday Night - Bottleneck Theatre Company

  • No smoke without ire

    IT may excite the anti-smoking lobby but the news that a barmaid in Australia has been awarded damages for allegedly developing throat cancer from years of "passive smoking" is hardly the breakthrough it is claimed. Australia itself placed the alleged

  • There is no middle way

    TERRORISTS plant a bomb at a police station, detonate it and spray the rubble with small-arms fire. An Army patrol returns their fire, killing all of them. The European Court of Human Rights concludes that the terrorists' rights have been violated, as

  • English rose who mixes glamour with grit

    STEPHANIE Beacham is one of those fortunate people who never appear to age. Or if they do, it's all done very gradually and you never see the join. Smoulderingly glamorous, she is a prime example of a certain type of English lady who shops on account

  • Jazz club hots up as curtain comes down

    A FLOURISHING Kidderminster jazz venue is to host an internationally renowned New Orleans-style musician as the curtain comes down on a successful season. Organisers of Aggborough Jazz, based at Kidderminster Harriers' executive suite, are hoping to do

  • New group for young voices

    KIDDERMINSTER Choral Society is planning to nurture the voices of the future by setting up a group for youngsters. "Primary Chords" for children aged five to nine, will launch in September and will serve to complement the adult choir - which has about

  • School music on show

    YOUNGSTERS from 12 schools across Wyre Forest will have the chance to show off their musical talents in a special festival next week. Wyre Forest District Council has arranged the event at Kidderminster Town Hall, which will run at 7.30pm for three nights

  • Sports plan is unveiled

    PLANS to develop a £150,000 community sports and fitness centre have been unveiled by a Cleobury Mortimer school. Lacon Childe School wants to build a single-storey extension housing 18 to 20 workstations at its Love Lane site, close to its sports hall