Archive

  • WORCESTER RESULT:

    Labour hold - Michael Foster (Lab) 21,478; Richard Adams (Con) 15,712; Paul Chandler (Lib D) 5,578; Richard Chamings (UKIP) 1,442. Majority: 5,766 Turnout: 62%

  • Pensioner seeks compensation from water giant

    A PENSIONER wants compensation from Severn Trent Water, claiming a catalogue of errors has caused him to fear for his safety. Ron Apps endured a "torrent" of water gushing from his driveway for almost five weeks before it was eventually fixed by the water

  • Reward after armed robbery

    AN antiques dealer who was bound and gagged by armed robbers is offering a reward for information about them. The two men stole 10 clocks with a total value of around £8,000 after holding Peter Ridler at knifepoint in his Pershore shop. Now the 59-year-old

  • Hall celebrates with The Archers

    ITS fine 18th Century ceiling murals and elegant gardens have made it one of Worcestershire's most popular attractions. But Hanbury Hall is equally beloved for its fictitious counterpart - Lower Loxley Hall in the famous radio soap opera The Archers.

  • Free, fun brass concerts around the parks

    IF sitting in a beautiful park listening to brass band music on a warm summer's afternoon is your idea of fun, you're in the right town. Worcester City Council is repeating its summer season of free brass band concerts in the city's parks, following the

  • Powerful donation to group

    MEMBERS of Great Witley Operatic Society will be hitting the high notes thanks to a £500 donation from npower. The money was presented to the group via the service provider's community volunteer scheme. "The aim of the operatic society is to encourage

  • And finally ... Jenni wins the crown

    SIXTEEN-year-old Jenni Francis was crowned Worcester's new Carnival Queen despite a blunder by one of the judges. The sell-out ceremony at Huntingdon Hall was brought to a standstill as the blonde "restaurant meeter-greeter" was pronounced third runner-up

  • WORCESTER CONSTITUENCY

    WORCESTER MP Mike Foster swept back into power today after a second victory at the polls. But the MP's majority slipped by more than 1,600 after a poor turn out of voters, totalling just over 62 per cent. Worcester's Mayor, David Clark, confirmed Mr Foster's

  • Time for an open rational debate

    THE district is waking up to the staggering news health campaigner Dr Richard Taylor has obliterated the opposition in a landslide victory in Wyre Forest. Only hours ago the retired hospital consultant recorded an unprecedented win to become the first

  • Troops to rally for doctor

    WYRE Forest District Council chairman Frank Baillie said members would become troops in the battle ahead for Dr Richard Taylor. The Health Concern dominated authority is delighted at the prospect at working with the retired medic rather than follow the

  • Previous results in Wyre Forest

    1983 Esmond Bulmer (Conservative) 24, 809 Anthony Batchelor (Lib-SDP Alliance) 16,632 Roger Williams (Labour) 9,850 TURNOUT: 75% 1987 Anthony Coombs (Conservative) 25,877 Anthony Batchelor (Lib-SDP Alliance) 18,653 Nigel Knowles (Labour) 10,365 TURNOUT

  • BERROW Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    THOSE of you who were fortunate enough to be entertained by the Benefice Choir last year will remember what a wonderful evening it was. Now you can repeat the experience when once again The Benefice Choir will 'Sing for your Supper'. Enjoy a buffet style

  • CALLOW END Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

    MRS Ann Conaboy would like to thank all who supported the Coffee Morning in aid of St Richard's Hospice last Saturday morning when £123 was raised from the raffle and sale items. Special thanks are due to the landlord of the Blue Bell Inn for hosting

  • LONGDON Correspondent: Mrs Eileen Moss. Tel: 01684 833256

    TOMORROW (Saturday) Longdon Fete will be held on the village field and in the Village Hall. It starts at 2.30pm and there will be games, pony rides, raffles, books, skittles, tombola, plant stall, hoopla, cakes, white elephant and teas. Also Longdon St

  • POWICK Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

    THE collection for Christian Aid Week in May from Powick and Callow End exceeded £943. Grateful thanks to all who gave so generously and to the collectors. Members of 1st Powick Brownies will be taking part in 'It's a Knock Out', an afternoon of silly

  • Why Blair must stand and deliver

    IT was described as the most tedious election for generations, a foregone conclusion which left many voters - far too many - sitting at home, whatever William Hague's fixed grin said about the Tories' chances of denying Tony Blair a second landslide.

  • Mark makes international debut

    MALVERN pool star Mark Stephenson was inspired by the New Zealand flag during his international debut at the Embassy World Pool Championships at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool. Mark, aged 35, from Poolbrook, only knew he was playing in the championship 24

  • Troops arrive at double for battle

    THE 350th anniversary of the Battle of Upton Bridge could be marked this August by visits from two different Civil War re-enactment groups. Troops from the English Civil War Society will be camping around the Pepperpot, the only remaining part of the

  • Bonfire organisers look for venue

    ORGANISERS of a summer bonfire and fireworks display are desperately looking for another venue, because a field at Upton Marina is no longer available. The bonfire in aid of Upton Water Festival is planned for next Saturday (June 16), to make up for the

  • Go-ahead for workshop

    PLANS for a new workshop and storage building in Upton Backfields were approved this week. The application was identical to one granted in 1993, which had lapsed. The parish council objected, as did two neighbours, who said the building would spoil their

  • Booters load up

    A car boot sale is being held on Welland playing field on Sunday (June 10). Vehicles will be allowed on site from noon. Admission will be £5 for cars, £7 for vans and trailers. Teas will be available.

  • Hospice delight over woman's £1 million legacy

    A MALVERN woman has left £12 million in her will to 10 charities, including over £1m to St Michael's Hospice. Christine Van Gulik (pictured left), who died in November aged 95, lived at Hardwick House, Abbey Road, before moving into Mowbray Rest Home

  • Residents to face parking charges

    A resident has accused Malvern Hills District Council of being greedy after it installed ticket machines in the two car parks in Newtown Road. Ron Harris has lived in Newtown Road for the past two and a half years and says he has always used the smaller

  • Healthy move?

    THE very thought of a new hospital on the very busy Worcester Road seems crazy and closing all other health centres in the area to transfer facilities to the Worcester Road area belies belief. It will be more and more traffic drawn to that one spot, and

  • Enlightened runner

    I would like to say what an enlightening experience running in the recent Dymock half-marathon was. I travelled from Walsall to participate in this event. I regularly run and tend to race in big city events. However, here I found myself shipped to the

  • Morgan car offered as raffle prize

    A NEW £26,000 Morgan car straight from the factory awaits the winner of a raffle run by the British Heart Foundation. The classic motor car was made available to the charity as part of its 40th anniversary, after a chance meeting in a hotel. "I met a

  • Residents get say in planning area's future

    A SERIES of surgeries are being held around the Malvern Hills as residents are asked for their views on the development of the district. Malvern Hills District Council has published its Key Issues Report as it begins the process which will lead to the

  • Inconveniently ill

    How inconsiderate of those seriously-ill patients to expect that there might be a bed for them. They should of course have formed an orderly queue and been ill at regularly spaced intervals to ensure that all beds were kept full at all times, so avoiding

  • Policy switch to put squeeze on builders

    MORE and more developers could be forced to contribute to social housing under changes in local planning policy. Malvern Hills District Council has to provide about 100 new social houses every year to make up those lost to Right to Buy legislation. But

  • Drastic action

    HAVING attended the meetings to try and remove Malvern Town Council and watched in amazement their arrogance and refusal to resign, there only seems one step to take - don't pay their part of the Council Tax. This might seem drastic but it might be the

  • Confusion reigns as candidate ceases fight

    CONFUSION surrounds the Malvern Town Council by-election in the Link ward after one candidate appears to have ceased campaigning. Three candidates were nominated to fight for two seats, Paul Tuthill and Vivien Thompson under the banner of Malvern Town

  • DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE

    THE district is waking up to the staggering news health campaigner Dr Richard Taylor has obliterated the opposition in a landslide victory in Wyre Forest. Only hours ago the retired hospital consultant recorded an unprecedented win to become the first

  • Minister to rule on listed hall

    A PLAN to enlarge Cradley's listed village hall has been referred to the Government for permission. The village hall committee has submitted an application to extend the rear of the building to provide toilets, add a meeting room and build a local history

  • Troops to rally for doctor

    WYRE Forest District Council chairman Frank Baillie said members would become troops in the battle ahead for Dr Richard Taylor. The Health Concern dominated authority is delighted at the prospect at working with the retired medic rather than follow the

  • Openers leave County trailing

    MURRAY Goodwin and Richard Montgomerie compiled centuries to put Sussex in the driving seat after Worcestershire claimed a first innings lead of 46 in the County Championship Second Division match at Horsham. The hosts closed the second day on 242 for

  • Lidl protesters celebrate victory

    A PLAN by the supermarket chain Lidl to build a store in Malvern Link was refused planning permission this week. Members of Malvern Hills District Council's southern area planning committee voted overwhelmingly to turn down the scheme to develop the former

  • Back injury blow for Monty

    COLIN Montgomerie is doubtful for the US Open next week after quitting the Compass Group English Open after less than four holes today. The world number nine was struck by the same back problem which forced him out of the eve-of-tournament pro-am at the

  • CCTV extension wins town council backing

    A BID for Government funds to extend Malvern's CCTV system has received support from the town council. The district council's initiative in applying for Home Office funds was welcomed by the town's management committee, although some members would like

  • County ground search

    COUNTY Sports have had to put their promotion celebrations on ice as they bid to find a ground for next season. The club is frantically searching for a floodlit ground to cement their promotion place to the Midland Combination Premiership Division. The

  • Unit maps out new cycle routes

    CYCLING should be less of an uphill struggle in Malvern with the introduction of a new cycle network. Malvern Hills Highway Partnership Unit has put together a map showing the proposed Malvern Cycle Route Network, which has an estimated cost of £320,600

  • Kiwi test for Worcester trio

    THREE members of Worcester Rugby Club's ladies will face World Champions New Zealand in the first of two international matches. Wing Nicola Crawford and Scrum Half Joanne Yapp will both start for England as they take on the Black Ferns at Rotorua on Saturday

  • Flyball dog club planned for town

    DOG flyball racing could soon become a regular sight at Sling Lane, Malvern, with teams of dogs competing in relays. Agility trainer Sally Hopkins wants to start a dog flyball club, meeting once a week on Tuesday evenings. She suggested holding the races

  • Dilshaan for Stoute treble

    DILSHAAN is a solid selection to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute his third victory in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom tomorrow. Stoute hit the mark with the legendary Shergar in 1981, while Sharastani followed suit five years later. And he has a enviably

  • 8/6/01 - Canada star in move to Sixways

    WORCESTER Rugby Club have pulled off a stunning signing with the acquisition of Canadian international Winston Stanley. The winger has been released by Leicester Tigers after they decided to add to their non-EU contingent this summer, leaving Stanley

  • Reds win

    REDDITCH breezed past neighbours Bromsgrove in the Birmingham League Knockout Cup. After the hosts posted 144, Brian Powell knocked an unbeaten 65 with Marcus Busfield 35 not out as Redditch recahed the target with two balls and eight wickets to spare

  • BROMSGROVE: Doubled majority for Julie

    BROMSGROVE's Tory MP Julie Kirkbride was returned to the House of Commons for a second term last night having scooped more than half the votes and almost doubling her majority. Miss Kirkbride firmly retained her seat having beat her nearest rival, Labour's

  • BROMSGROVE RESULT:

    Conservative hold - Julie Kirkbride (Con) 23,640; Peter Mc Donald (Lab) 15,502; Margaret Rowley (Lib D) 5,430; Ian Gregory (UKIP) 1,112. Majority: 8,138 Turnout: 67.1%

  • Ramblers win in second nailbiter

    MALVERN Ramblers claimed their second successive league win against Evesham in another nail-biting finish on Saturday. MALVERN RAMBLERS 1ST XI v EVESHAM 1ST XI Evesham batted first and they immediately went on the attack with captain Jon Gregory looking

  • White falls one short

    NEWLAND travelled to Cutnall Green on Saturday in this WCL Division Five encounter and emerged victorious by five wickets in a high scoring match. CUTNALL GREEN v NEWLAND Winning the toss and electing to bowl Newland were subjected to a torrid time in

  • Lewis on song

    BARNARDS Green 3rds entertained Belbroughton on an excellent Newland wicket last Saturday. BARNARDS GREEN 3RD XI v BELBROUGHTON 3RD XI Invited to bat first, the Green got off to a solid start through Alex Lamb (26) and Marc Jones (39) who put on 43 for

  • Green Seconds in third spot

    BARNARDS Green 2nd X1 consolidated their position in the top three of the second division of the WCL with a well deserved victory over Cookley. COOKLEY II v BARNARDS GREEN II Skipper Dick Brown won the toss and had no hesitation in asking the home side

  • Murtagh boosts College

    A MATURE and disciplined innings of 61 from young Will Murtagh guided Malvern College to a three wicket win against the Free Foresters, a victory that had at one stage seemed improbable. The home side had been toppling at 99-6 in pursuit of a Free Foresters

  • Captain returns well

    IN a 40 over match at Mathon Court Abberley won the toss and elected to bat. WEST MALVERN v ABBERLEY After losing their first wicket a partnership between R Savory (24) and N Massey (26) took the score to 70 in the 19th over before four run outs, unusually

  • Green suffer in opener

    GREEN played their first game in the Sunday League for Worcestershire clubs and went down by six wickets to old rivals Ombersley. OMBERSLEY I v BARNARDS GREEN I On a breezy sunny day Green skipper Andy Lamb elected to bat and after the early loss of Jez

  • Green Seconds win first Sunday League match

    BARNARDS Green Sunday 2nd XI entertained Ombersley 2nd XI in the first Sunday league game of the season. BARNARDS GREEN SUNDAY 2NDS v OMBERSLEY 2NDS The Green skipper lost the toss and was put into bat and got off to a bad start losing D Goodman second

  • Horn player soloist at Abbey

    PERSHORE Abbey is the venue for the latest concert from the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra tomorrow (Saturday). The orchestra will be joined by Nicola Daw, on French horn, to perform Strauss' Horn Concerto in C minor, as well as the Fantasy Overture

  • Junior Cricket ...

    COLWALL lost a wicket in the first over when Hornyold was run out taking a suicidal run but Wheeler and Jones then batted slowly against the Ramblers' attack of Dominic Taylor and Harry Knight. MALVERN RAMBLERS UNDER 13S v COLWALL UNDER 13S Tom Poole

  • Concert aids Suzuki class

    THE Downs School, Colwall is the venue for A Midsummer Serenade later this month. Violinist Barrie Moore and friends will be performing a varied programme of music to raise money for the Malvern Suzuki school for strings, which Mr Moore runs. The programme

  • Czech ensemble launching season

    MALVERN Concert Club has announced its 2001/2002 season of Thursday concerts at the Forum, Malvern Theatres. This begins on September 20 when Czech chamber ensemble the kampa Quartet perform Mozart's Quartet in E Flat (K428), Beethoven's Quartet in B

  • BROMSGROVE RESULT:

    Conservative hold - Julie Kirkbride (Con) 23,640; Peter Mc Donald (Lab) 15,502; Margaret Rowley (Lib D) 5,430; Ian Gregory (UKIP) 1,112. Majority: 8,138 Turnout: 67.1%

  • New Image's World Cup day

    THE Youth Development Section of Malvern Rugby Club ran its annual World Cup day for the New Image 9th end of season tournament. Lifted by the near perfect playing conditions and the use of the new MRFC clubhouse, a large crowd watched an excellent display

  • Process of dying

    JOHN Norwood says (You Say, May 17) there is no need to be afraid of death. I agree - whether it means eternal oblivion or eternal life. The problem is more the process of dying. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester

  • Good clean moral standards

    WITH all the noise and immature finger-pointing by all the politicians during the election campaign a vital issue was overlooked. The issue of moral concerns. Not one of our candidates offered to show their desire to maintain or restore good clean moral

  • People missed the point

    IN saying that the Labour giveaway at Christmas was worth sacrificing to retain our freedom, did Peter Alcock (You Say, June 2) know that his remark would have the reverse reaction to what he inferred? In any case, the £200 heating allowance was stated

  • Man of integrity

    I SEE the hunting fraternity has been particularly vitriolic in its ceaseless campaign to wreak vengeance on Mike Foster for having had the temerity to oppose the vile activity that is hunting with dogs. Their letters have dripped with the venom. Their

  • Event's taking place in and around Worcester.

    National Council for the Conservation of Plants & Gardens; Worcester Group. Meet on the second Tuesday of the month. 7.30pm. Frank Parkinson Centre, Pershore & Hindlip College (01562 777014). Gardener's Market - good selection of hardy plants.

  • Exhibitions in and around Worcester

    Trompe I'oeil by John Flint. June 9-July 29. Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham (01242 237431). Toy Stories. June 16-Sept 2. Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum, Clarence Street, Cheltenham (01242 237431). Seydou Keita: Photographic

  • Local people

    COUNCILLOR Williams of Malvern states that he would only resign if 100 per cent of the local people voted for such an opinion. He then goes on to say that at election time, turn-out is only around 20 per cent. It would appear that he is happy to accept

  • Classical and easily listening- a guide to what's on near you.

    Symphony Hall's 10th Birthday Celebrations - CBSO. June 10. 7pm. Symphony Hall, Broad Street, Birmingham (0121 780 3333). Centre Stage Series. June 12. 1.10pm. CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham (0121 780 3333). CBSO artSites Tour - Community Concert

  • What's on at your local theatre.

    Guess Who's Coming to Dinner/Present Laughter - Middle Ground Theatre Company. Until June 9. 2.00pm & 7.30pm. The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford (01432 359252). Noel Coward's Present Laughter. Until June 9. The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford

  • Cornerstone of our democracy

    WHEN France held its currency referendum only a few years ago, 50.95 per cent of the French voted in favour of joining the single currency. The British euro referendum will require, for voting purposes, an extreme simplification of the pros and cons.

  • County Council election results

    THERE was more bad news for Labour in the county council elections with the loss of six seats to Independent Health Concern, Liberal Party and Conservatives candidates, slashing the number of Labour councillors on Worcestershire County Council from 21

  • MITTON

    ELECTED John Gordon (Health Concern) 2,532 Gary Talbot (Conservative), 1,282 Jim Cooper (Labour) 1,232 Jim Millington (Independent) 208

  • ROCK AND BEWDLEY

    ELECTED Frank Baillie (Health Concern) 1,844 Kenneth Peers (Conservative) 1,537 John Simmonds (Independent) 635 Robert Bash (Labour) 595

  • ROCK AND BEWDLEY - Frank Baillie (Health Concern)

    I have lived in Bewdley for 23 years. I am chairman of Wyre Forest District Council and a Health Concern councillor - one of the original seven from the 1999 district elections, where 8,377 of you voted for us, with another 2,174 voting for our colleagues

  • ST CHADS - Mike Oborski (Liberal Focus Save Our Hospital)

    Wyre Forest District Council leader Mike Oborski is defending the county council seat he has held since 1973 - now with the extra support of Health Concern's Richard Taylor. Mike's priorities are: restoring accident and emergency and acute services at

  • Festival that has universal appeal

    MALVERN'S Summer Festival will soon be here again and it's offering something for everyone - comedy, drama, music and the morals of the use of nuclear weapons. As part of the Festival's eight-week extravaganza, which starts next month, the festival theatre

  • SEVERN - James Parish (Health Concern)

    Married to Kathleen and having an adult daughter, Jim currently runs two businesses in the Black Country. Originally from Cambridge, they settled in the centre of Stourport seven years ago and he says: "I love the place, the people are so genuine, but

  • Stark classic given a humorous touch

    THOMAS Hardy's classic rural tragedy Far from the Madding Crowd is the summer production from the Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society (LADS). The play, which starts its run next week at the town's Market Theatre, is set in rural Dorset in the 1840s and follows

  • Jacqui's back - just

    LABOUR'S hold on Redditch was left severely bruised this morning after Jacqui Smith's majority was slashed to just 2,484. Ms Smith, a schools minister in the last Government, was returned with 16,899 votes while Tory rival Karen Lumley polled 14,415.

  • Conservatives secure county council election victories

    IN the Worcestershire County Council elections, Alvechurch voters helped Conservative candidate Dr George Lord to victory, 51 per cent of total votes. Labour's Derek Waters polled 32 per cent and the Lib Dem candidate Sandra Docker tallied 17 per cent

  • MID-WORCESTERSHIRE RESULT:

    Conservative hold - Peter Luff (Con) 22,937; David Bannister (Lab) 12,310; Robert Browne (Lib D) 8,420; Anthony Eaves (UKIP) 1,230. Majority: 10,627 Turnout: 62.4%

  • WORCESTER RESULT

    Labour hold - Michael Foster (Lab) 21,478; Richard Adams (Con) 15,712; Paul Chandler (Lib D) 5,578; Richard Chamings (UKIP) 1,442. Majority: 5,766 Turnout: 62%

  • Mercian champions for second year

    NOTHING less than a victory would do for Malvern Wanderers to clinch the Mercian U12s league title, their second league title in succession. EVESHAM UNITED 2, MALVERN WANDERERS 12 The pre-match nerves were soon settled as Michael Dicapita finished from

  • Welland FC AGM

    WELLAND Juniors Football Club will be holding two training sessions on Saturday, July 14 and July 21 at the Hill Centre, Upton-upon-Severn. They are looking for players for their Under 12s to Under 16 league teams who play in the Mercian Elgar Junior

  • REDDITCH RESULT:

    Labour hold - Jacqueline Smith (Lab) 16,899; Karen Lumley (Con) 14,415; Michael Ashall (Lib D) 3,808; George Flynn (UKIP) 1,259; Richard Armstrong (Green) 651. Majority: 2,484 Turnout: 59.2%

  • Underage drinking scourge

    OFF-licences in south west Redditch will be targeted by police after a growing underage drinking problem. Police have received scores of complaints from residents about the problem which has lead to a spate of criminal damage. And now Crabbs Cross police

  • Text message tactic confusion

    NEW Labour made good its threat to make this the first high-tech election - but the jury is out on whether the tactic worked. Millbank was confident a sizeable chunk of first-time voters preferred Tony Blair to his rivals. But they doubted whether the

  • Seeing funny side of life

    THE defeated Conservatives were staring down the barrel of a gun from day one. The polls were predicting a Labour landslide from early, the public wasn't bothered about their favourite topic - Europe - and the building next to Central Office was being

  • Eak answers title call

    MALVERN Chess Club's second team, Malvern Sharks, has won the Worcester League Division Two championship after a close and tense finish. At the end of the season three teams were competing for the trophy beside Malvern Sharks, Redditch, Headless Cross

  • Prescott hill climb is back

    PRESCOTT hill climb is back in business this weekend (June 9/10) with the annual Classic and Members meeting. This traditional June event features cars from the classic motoring decades and always brings an interesting collection of Bugattis to their

  • WEST-WORCESTERSHIRE RESULT:

    Conservative hold - Michael Spicer (Con) 20,597; Mike Hadley (Lib D) 15,223; Azmi Waqar (Lab) 6,275; Ian Morris (UK Ind) 1,574; Malcolm Victory (Green) 1,138. Majority: 5,374 Turnout: 67.1%

  • LEOMINSTER RESULT:

    Conservative hold - Bill Wiggin (Con) 22,879; Celia Downie (Lib D) 12,512; Stephen Hart (Lab) 7,872; Pippa Bennett (Green) 1,690; Christopher Kingsley (UKIP) 1,590; John Haycock (Ind) 186. Majority: 10,367 Turnout: 69.34%

  • NOW CARRY ON, DOCTOR

    TORY leader William Hague resigned today after his party suffered a crushing election defeat. Tony Blair secured his place in history by leading Labour to a second successive term in office with a predicted majority of 169. There was high drama in Wyre

  • Double votes claim by city student

    A WORCESTER student claims he and his fellow academics could have changed the outcome of the election, because of a loophole in the way electoral registers are drawn up. Alastair Little received two voting cards - one at his home in Bedwardine and one

  • Industrial action by UCW staff ruled out

    INDUSTRIAL action at University College Worcester has been ruled out for the time being, following a pay settlement. Staff belonging to the union NATFHE have been balloted about whether to accept a new deal. Earlier this year union members shrugged off

  • Man went berserk in store

    AN estranged husband went berserk in a Worcester supermarket during a confrontation with his wife. David Smith left a security guard with a split lip after headbutting him as Sainsbury's staff tried to restrain him. The confrontation became so violent

  • Caring ways to help carers

    THE county's "unsung heroes" will have their qualities recognised during National Carers' Week, which starts next Monday. Members of the Worcestershire Association of Carers is organising two "pamper days" and two free pub lunches for carers. The "pamper

  • Top prizes up for grabs in auction

    PARIS for two, a flat for four near Marbella in Spain and an executive box at Kidderminster Harriers will be on offer at an auction tonight. More than 80 lots will go under the hammer in Hartlebury Parish Hall from 7.30pm as auctioneer David Parker takes

  • Partner throttled

    AN enraged father strangled his partner in a Droitwich telephone box as she tried to call a friend for help. Engineer Craig Burgess left Samantha Hemming screaming and gasping for breath after he attacked her during a night out. Magistrates in Droitwich

  • Clean sweep by Blessed Edward's staff

    CLEAN kitchens at a city high school have won its catering team a top health and safety award. Catering manager Muriel Bell and her staff at Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School have picked up a Heartbeat Award for the cleanliness of their section and

  • Doctor in the house

    THE district is waking up to the staggering news health campaigner Dr Richard Taylor has obliterated the opposition in a landslide victory in Wyre Forest. Only hours ago the retired hospital consultant recorded an unprecedented win to become the first

  • Wyre Forest result:

    Health Concern gain - Richard Taylor (Health Concern) 28,487; David Lock (Lab) 10,857; Mark Simpson (Con) 9,350; James Millington (UKIP) 368. Majority: 17,600 Turnout: 68%

  • FREE election special today

    THE Shuttle/Times and News editorial team will be working through the night to produce a special eight-page edition on the Wyre Forest General Election result by 8.30am today. It will include interviews with the winner and losers and will be packed with

  • BIRTSMORTOn Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    ON Sunday, June 17 from 2-6pm Birtsmorton Court gardens will be open under the National Gardens Scheme. Entrance will be through the Conference Centre car park. Teas will be served in the Conference Centre during the afternoon by Birtsmorton Parochial

  • COLWALL Correspondent: Mrs P Hockett Tel: 01684 564872

    DON'T know what to do with your old birthday, Christmas, Easter, anniversary or any other celebration cards? The answer is to take them to Chevenham, where the wardens are collecting used cards and used stamps for Cheltenham Cobalt Unit. The cards are

  • WEST MALVERN Correspondent: Mr Colin Jackson. Tel: 01684 577604

    AS work continues apace on the first stage of re-roofing St James's Church (luckily in dry weather so far!), another fundraising event has been arranged for Midsummer's Night to help keep the project moving ahead. St James's School and West Malvern Village

  • Imagery inspires poet to published first book

    The Ledbury Reporter's Gary Bills has had his first book of poetry published. Called The Echo and the Breath, Mr Bills, of Wellington Heath, said his aim in writing poetry was to entertain his readers. "The mood of the book is really inner life - the

  • Gomez in town for John, Danny

    MERCURY prize-winning band Gomez are expected to visit Worcester next week to watch legendary musicians John Martyn and Danny Thompson perform. The acclaimed five-piece, who scooped the best album prize three years ago as rank outsiders with their debut

  • Villa and Blues Ladies in action

    SOME of the region's most talented female footballers will be in action tomorrow (Saturday) playing in a charity match at Callow End. Usually the teams of Aston Villa and Birmingham City are the greatest of rivals but they will be playing just for fun

  • Try out on your bike

    MALVERN cycle club, Velo Club Sevale, are inviting people to try their hand at a 5.5 mile time trial on Tuesday (June 12) starting at Hanley Swan village green at 7pm. There will be no entry fee and all types of bicycles are acceptable. The minimum age

  • A festival of tag-rugby

    HUNDREDS of schoolchildren in the Malvern Hills area have been in training to compete in a Tag-Rugby Festival on Tuesday (June 12). The Central England Region of the British Heart Foundation, Worcestershire Health Authority, Malvern Rugby Club and Malvern

  • Elijah, Malvern Theatres

    CENTRAL to Malvern Festival Chorus's performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah was the fine interpretation of Ian Caddy (bass-baritone). His first prophetic declamation was the prelude to a stirring and discerning portrayal of Elijah's character; a deep sincerity

  • Hill Centre helpers clear the way for bulldozers

    MANAGER Sheila Murray, chairman Sheina Stockton and a band of helpers will be doing some final packing at Upton's Hill Centre this weekend before it is finally demolished. Work on the centre, which includes knocking down everything except the gym and

  • Sale aids Hillbillies

    A TABLE-top sale in aid of Upton Hillbillies Playgroup will be held in the Church Rooms tomorrow (Saturday), from 10am to noon. The cost of reserving a table is be £5. Call 01684 833636.

  • Who are the real heroes?

    RECENTLY, local councils were being praised for opening footpaths on the Malvern Hills as if some selfless, heroic deed had been enacted (I recall, prior to this, they were being equally praised for keeping them closed). May I venture to suggest that

  • Reply 'insensitive'

    May I through your letters' page express my disgust at the crass insensitivity displayed by the Railtrack spokesman in your coverage of the tragic events surrounding Dave Boycott's death on the railway line at Malvern Link. Common compassion costs nothing

  • Priority decision

    CONCERNING the letter in the Malvern Gazette on June 1, I am sure society does not consider dogs more important than young people as a general premise. However, in the context of the homeless one has to ask the question why are they in this position?

  • Paper wins sales award

    THE Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter has picked up a national award in recognition of its sales success last year. The Gazette & Reporter was awarded a certificate of merit for best sales performance by a weekly newspaper at the Newsquest Media

  • Perspective needed

    IN REPLY to Andrew Lewis's letter in the Malvern Gazette of June 1, maybe Mr Lewis you should 'get things into perspective'. Homeless dogs do not choose this way of life and rely entirely upon human kindness, this quality, it seems, has by-passed yourself

  • Summer show a family affair

    DETAILS of the Three Counties Summer Show in August are starting to emerge. The event replaces this month's Three Counties Show, which had to be cancelled because of the foot and mouth crisis. "It's not a farming show but a family show and we're confident

  • Home Start group launched for 'families in trouble'

    A NEW group to help families in trouble in the Malvern area was launched this week. The Guesten Room at Lyttelton Rooms was full for the inaugural meeting of Home Start Malvern Hills on Tuesday (June 5). Ruth Proctor, a regional consultant for Home Start

  • Twinning thanks

    I would be obliged if you would convey the thanks of the Cecilia and Laudate Choirs from our twin town of Strmstad and our twinning group to the people of Ledbury during their stay and performances in the town. The choir members and families were impressed

  • Lucky escape

    I WOULD like to thank everyone involved in helping my son, Lee Coppin, after his accident near Earnslaw Quarry on the afternoon of Sunday, May 20 - the walkers for their kindness who telephoned for the ambulance, his friends who stayed with him and organised

  • Singing praise

    Could I, through your columns, on behalf of Malvern Light Opera Society thank audiences for supporting their last production The Pajama Game. Special thanks to those who helped raise £531.76 for the Tuberous Sclerosis Association. Lizzie Clutterbuck,

  • Homes group plans £8.5m spending spree

    MORE than £8.5 million will be spent in Herefordshire and Worcestershire this year by Partnership Housing Group. Besides providing 100 new homes, the money will pay for improvements to around 700 others from the group's 5,000-strong stock. A grant of

  • Safety given priority

    TALKS are being held over further road safety schemes in Malvern Link. The Malvern Hills Highway Partnership unit has identified accident cluster sites around the town where safety schemes need to be introduced. Traffic lights were recently installed

  • To those who nobly served

    THE Great War claimed the lives of more than a million British men and women, around 450 of whom came from the Malvern area. Unfortunately, the dead have, by and large, remained just names on the Roll of Honour in churches, schools and libraries. It would

  • How the town council hopefuls stack up . . .

    LINK WARD (Two Seats) PAUL TUTHILL - Malvern Town Action Group: "MALVERN deserves and needs a better Town Council. The Malvern Gazette has accurately reported the shambolic performance of the current Council. The letters to the paper have clearly stated

  • Minister visits high school

    EDUCATION minister Jacqui Smith visited The Chase in Malvern in the run-up to yesterday's General Election. Ms Smith, the Labour MP for Redditch, talked to the head, David Fawbert, during the brief visit on Tuesday (June 5). Mr Fawbert said: "I took the

  • Off to Lords . .

    FORMER MP Peter Temple-Morris will fight Labour's corner in the House of Lords, having accepted a peerage in the pre- election Resignation Honours List. Mr Temple-Morris, soon to be Lord Temple-Morris, was the Conservative MP for the Leominster constituency

  • Pub's future in doubt

    A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of the Horseshoe Inn at Broom's Green, which has been sold and is now closed. Following one planning bid to turn it into a house earlier this year, locals fear the Horseshoe will now stay shut, ending 200 years of

  • Funeral send-off a tribute to Dave

    THE funeral has taken place of Malvern man Dave Boycott, who died last week after being hit by a train. Mr Boycott, from Matthias Close, was killed after trying to rescue his wife's dog from the path of a train at a pedestrian crossing in Malvern Link

  • Time for an open rational debate

    THE district is waking up to the staggering news health campaigner Dr Richard Taylor has obliterated the opposition in a landslide victory in Wyre Forest. Only hours ago the retired hospital consultant recorded an unprecedented win to become the first

  • Canada star in move to Sixways

    WORCESTER Rugby Club have pulled off a stunning signing with the acquisition of Canadian international Winston Stanley. The winger has been released by Leicester Tigers after they decided to add to their non-EU contingent this summer, leaving Stanley

  • Charity gives mum a new lease of life

    A MALVERN mother who has been severely disabled for 13 years has found a new lease of life through Worcestershire Lifestyles. Sarah Coates-Halls, aged 39, was one of 16 people presented with bronze certificates at the Worcestershire Lifestyles annual

  • Ninth spot for Poupart in regionals

    GAVIN Poupart, ninth in the Midlands Regional Championships at the weekend in Staffordshire, recovered sufficiently from the 95 mile race to win the Worcester St John's mid-week time-trial over ten miles at Peopleton. Poor road surfaces and road-works

  • Grandstand to be levelled

    VICTORIA Park's grandstand could be demolished in June 2002, when the next football season has ended. Malvern Town Council's management committee has agreed to demolish the structure, subject to available funds, after Coun Brian Pilcher said the building

  • Worcester at the double for Pitchcroft feast

    WORCESTER are preparing for their first meetings at Pitchcroft since the floods earlier this year. A racecourse spokesperson said: "We are delighted with the resumption of racing here at Worcester. "Entries for this weekend are sure to produce some very

  • Kirsten tries to get over it

    NINTEEN-year-old Kirsten Dunst was destined for screen stardom from birth. The blonde, blue-eyed beauty has already been in some 30-odd movies, as well as more than 100 television commercials. She made her screen debut at seven in New York Stories but

  • County council election results

    Batchley Colin Beardwood (Labour) 1,768 (elected). June Griffiths (Conservative) 1,206. Nigel Hicks (Liberal Democrat) 585. David Glover (Green Party) 125. Church Hill Diane Thomas (Lib Dem) 1,606 (elected). William Hartnett (Labour) 1,579. Kevin Hunt

  • Green still left waiting

    BARNARDS Green 1sts are still seeking their first league win of the season but a much improved performance almost saw them claim victory in a high scoring game against Cookley at North End Lane on Saturday. BARNARDS GREEN v COOKLEY Winning the toss Martin

  • Nomads cruise to ten-wicket victory

    WORCESTER Nomads 1st XI took the headlines this weekend with a thoroughly emphatic victory over Lye in this Worcestershire County League Division One game at Bransford. Once again Derek Austin was the man in destructive form, but this weekend with the

  • Leaders fall to Naveed's 9-37

    HANLEY Castle and Upton lost their first game of the season, in a hard fought encounter against Cape Hill Victoria. HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON v CAPE HILL VICTORIA After having lost the toss, Hanley and Upton were put into bat and the home batsmen made

  • Heming hits 146no

    HANLEY Castle & Upton 2nds travelled to Chaddesley on Saturday for their Worcestershire County League (3rd XI Single) game. CHADDESLEY CORBETT 3RD XI v HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON 2ND XI After again losing the toss Hanley & Upton were asked to bat

  • Dominies dominate U11s cup

    THE South West Midlands Regional Round of the Lords Taverners Under 11s Cup was played at Malvern Ramblers CC on June 1 with the teams divided in to two groups. The first match in Group A saw Malvern Ramblers easily beaten by Dominies & Guild. Ramblers

  • Whats on at your local cinema

    THE MUMMY RETURNS (12): Spectacular sequel opens the summer blockbuster season. Odeon, Worcester. 12.30(not Wed), 3.15, 6.00, 8.45. UCI Merry Hill, 1.30(Sat/Sun),12.30, 1.30, 2.30, 3.30, 4.30, 5.30, 6.30, 7.30, 8.30, 9.30, (10.30, 11.45 Sat/Sun only).

  • Final ball drama

    RAMBLERS Sunday Seconds captain Andy Croft lost the toss and was asked to bowl first. MALVERN RAMBLERS SUNDAY 2ND v LYE 2ND On a good batting wicket and lightning out field, the batsman found runs quite easy to come by and after their 40 overs Lye were

  • Folk pair back on the road again

    BACK on the road but not just down memory lane, John Martyn and Danny Thompson are teaming up once again for a 24-date tour. The pair will be stopping off at the Huntingdon Hall in Worcester on Thursday (June 14) and Mr Thompson said he hopes that it

  • Multi-cultural life reflected in music

    A LONDON band is stopping off in Malvern as part of an international tour promoting a new album. Praying For the Rain formed seven years ago and Harmony of Mind and Nature is their sixth album. The group's vision comes from two brothers, Dominic and Vincenzo

  • Sir Michael looks to the future

    SIR Michael Spicer was already looking to help rebuild the Conservative Party as he made his acceptance speech for the West Worcestershire seat last night. Sir Michael thanked voters for the eighth time that he's been returned to Parliament after winning

  • Bittersweet triumph for Luff

    ELECTION night triumph was bittersweet for Mid-Worcestershire's victorious Conservative candidate, Peter Luff. On a night of bad news for the Conservative Party nationally, Mr Luff increased his majority from 9,412 to 10,627, despite the turnout falling

  • Hot air

    IT will be interesting to see today if the people of Wyre Forest believed passionately in Kidderminster Hospital - or if it was a lot of hot air about nothing. J NORWOOD Kidderminster

  • Ronkswood Hospital

    I WISH to thank Ronkswood Hospital for the care and attention I received. The doctor and nurses were wonderful. I'm sure I could not have better care had I been a private patient. Also, I would like to thank my own doctors and staff who have always been

  • Publicising hunt

    REGARDING R H Hawker's letter (You Say, June 2) I would say that no, Mr Michael Foster should not plant a tree outside the Worcestershire Hunt Kennels. The hunters used a charity to gain publicity for their cruel sport and to try and discredit Mr Foster

  • The British Korean Veterans' Association

    THE British Korean Veterans' Association is trying to contact those former members of HM Armed Forces who served in Korea/Japan during the Korean War between 1950-1953 and also those members of the peace-keeping force who served in these two places at

  • Nurse in WW2

    IS it not obvious that nurses, when expected to get more work done in a shorter time, will be forced to work more ardently in yet less time? I was a nurse in the Second World war and have been a patient in three hospitals and rest and nursing homes since

  • Think about pensioners' problems

    WE don't need another supermarket in St Johns but we do need one near the bus station. Asda's offer to build one on the old cattle market should be allowed. It's ideal for the people who haven't got a car and would encourage people to use the park-and-ride

  • your day to day guide to the best sounds around.

    June 8 Talisman. The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester. June 9 Clive John. Green Dragon, Guarlford Road, Malvern. Roger Wood - Trio. Barbourne Ex-Servicemens Club, The Moors, Worcester. The Hamsters. The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester.

  • Election Rigging

    IN reply to D E Margrett (You Say, June 4 ) I would say never mind USA, if he is seeking an example of election rigging, look no further than New Labour. After rigging the voting for the Welsh Assembly, and then the voting for the candidature for the

  • Quangos

    D E Margrett must know that a lot of his statements are the opposite of the facts. His remark (You Say, May 30) that the Tories had more quangos than we have at present is laughable. It was Maggie Thatcher who got rid of a lot of Labour's quangos and

  • Stop the moaning and back Elgar High

    I AM fed up with reading on the front page of the Evening News how parents do not want to send their children to The Elgar High School. If these parents put as much energy into supporting the school as they do in pulling it apart, it would be one of better

  • 8/6/01 - Openers leave County trailing

    MURRAY Goodwin and Richard Montgomerie compiled centuries to put Sussex in the driving seat after Worcestershire claimed a first innings lead of 46 in the County Championship Second Division match at Horsham. The hosts closed the second day on 242 for

  • CHADDESLEY

    ELECTED Stephen Clee (Conservative) 1,927 Harry Grove (Health Concern) 1,456 Adrian Sewell (Labour) 820 Peter Dyke (Liberal/Democrat) 670

  • PUXTON

    ELECTED Michael Shellie (Health Concern) 1,563 John Wardle (Labour) 1,328 Neil Anderson (Conservative) 769 Nigel Tackley-Goodman (Liberal/Democrat) 204

  • ST CHADS

    ELECTED Mike Oborski (Liberal Party Focus Save Our Hospital) 2,629 John Gretton (Labour) 696 Margaret Gregory (Conservative) 569

  • Crackdown called for to stop street traders

    THE subject of street trading was much in the news a century ago, with the shopkeepers of Newtown and Malvern Link raising the topic at the district council meeting. A report in the Malvern Gazette indicated the local traders were incensed by the conduct

  • Famous author was guest

    A DISTINGUISHED visitor at the third annual Elgar festival 50 years ago was the famous writer J B Priestley, who was the guest of Malvern Writers' Circle. Mr Priestley spent two hours talking about aspects of his craft and dealing with subjects which

  • SEVERN

    ELECTED James Parish (Health Concern) 1,715 David Little (Conservative) 1,468 Carol Warren (Labour) 1,465

  • Echoes from the Past

    100 years ago Confetti throwing at marriages, so far as the Priory Church is concerned, is doomed. When large quantities are showered upon bridal parties, it becomes a great nuisance about the porch and well-kept grounds of the church. The Vicar has in

  • Maples secures Stratford seat

    ABOUT 55,000 people turned up to vote in the general election for the Stratford-on-Avon district with conservative candidate John Maples coming out the victor once again. Mr Maples received 27,606 votes, more 50 per cent of the total, which was 2,300

  • Grantham still plays the affable charmer

    LESLIE Grantham has been enjoying his tour with Roy Hudd in Eric Chappell's play Theft, due to come to Malvern from June 11 to 16. The actor, who came to fame as Eastenders villain Dirty Den, was affable and charming as he snatched a few minutes between

  • Preece quits Alvechurch

    OUTGOING Alvechurch chairman Andy Roberts denied manager Mick Preece had been forced out of the Combination Premier club because of a boardroom struggle. Preece, who failed to turn up for the final match of the season against neighbours Feckenham, confirmed

  • But what have the Romans ever done for us?

    CENTURIONS and slaves marched into Peopleton's Bowbrook House School this week. There was no need for panic, though, as these weren't ancient Romans, but the school's older pupils working on a history project. As part of their work to find out what the

  • REDDITCH: Jacqui's back - just

    LABOUR'S hold on Redditch was left severely bruised this morning after Jacqui Smith's majority was slashed to just 2,484. Ms Smith, a schools minister in the last Government, was returned with 16,899 votes while Tory rival Karen Lumley polled 14,415.

  • Mixed fortunes as West finish

    WEST Malvern completed their Worcester & District Football League Division One season with mixed fortunes. On the Saturday they beat Spetchley Harriers 8-1 goals coming from three for Mike Dean, two from Lewis Wray, one of which one consisted of a

  • Junior Soccer ...

    NEWTOWN finished their Mercian Elgar Under 12s Junior League campaign in dramatic style. NEWTOWN SPORTS 5, LYPPARD RANGERS 2 The match saw two milestones being achieved with Adam Oakley scoring the team's 100th league goal of the season and David Reynolds

  • Plenty for Peter to get his teeth into

    TIMES really have changed for Peter Mandelson. Four eventful years ago, he was busy masterminding Labour's breathtaking General Election victory. Yet this week he was pleased just to be given an alligator, named Arthur. Mr Mandelson, who twice resigned

  • Farmers warned not to take safety risks

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S farming community is being warned not to take excessive risks when disinfecting their farm buildings in the wake of foot-and-mouth. The advice comes from The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is concerned about recent deaths of

  • Bosses urged to help disabled

    COUNTY and national agencies are urging firms to help them in their fight to find work for Worcestershire's disabled. The LETWORK Consortium was set up by a number of organisations, which all share information relating to employment for the disabled.

  • Steve races to third spot

    LEIGH Sinton's Steve Warburton finished third in the latest rounds of the Club Formula Palmer Audi motor racing championship at Donington Park near Derby on Sunday. The Worcestershire driver had started the third and fourth rounds of the 12 race series

  • Handicaps reduced after WGC Ladies closed meeting

    HANDICAPS came tumbling down for the Ladies of the Worcestershire Golf Club at their Closed Meeting. Suzy Bird won the Members Cup with the outstanding score of net 59, this was equalled by Helen Simpson who lost on count back. Both had long awaited reductions

  • Spicer bucks trend to increase majority.

    CONSERVATIVE Sir Michael Spicer conceded that he had bucked the trend last night after increasing his majority in West Worcestershire. The MP beat off a challenge by the Liberal Democrat candidate Mike Hadley and pushed his majority over 5,000, polling

  • Back in the Tory fold

    CONSERVATIVES were delighted to have regained Leominster, a seat lost to the defection of former Tory MP Peter Temple-Morris to Labour. Despite Conservative fears about the possible effect of Mr Temple-Morris' personal vote, Bill Wiggin actually increased