Archive

  • Drunken dad set off hospital alarm

    A DRUNKEN father taken to Ronkswood Hospital after a family barbecue lashed out at staff before triggering the fire alarm. Malcolm Watts set bells ringing around the hospital corridors when he thought the alarm box was an exit button and put his fist

  • Helping young cope with death

    DELEGATES at a seminar have heard how families can receive support following a bereavement of a close family member. The Noah's Ark Trust held a seminar at Ronkswood Hospital to provide people with an insight into the work of the trust. More than 100

  • Upton to have health care under one roof

    A NEW purpose-built community medical centre, thought to be the first of its kind in the country, is to be provided in Upton-upon-Severn. The £2m project, underpinned by Government funding, will combine all the town's primary health care services under

  • Still keen after 30 years in the role

    PLUCKY firefighter Nev-ille Turner is still fired up for action - after more than 30 years in the job. But the sub-officer, from Bromyard Fire Station, says his celebrations will only stretch to a trip down memory lane and an early night to prepare for

  • Merger best for service in the county

    PEOPLE in Worcestershire have been assured that the amalgamation of the Probation Service will be to the county's advantage. Eithne Wallis, the national director of the Probation Service for England and Wales, said the West Mercia Probation Service would

  • POWICK Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

    CONGRATULATIONS to Oliver Woodward of Colletts Green on gaining a First Class BA Honours Degree in Education with Maths at the University of Exeter, after four years of study. Oliver, a past pupil of Powick Primary School and the Chase High School, Malvern

  • Party sets seal on the start of festival

    The Town Party, organised by the Ledbury Poetry Festival, attracted crowds in excess of 1,000 on Saturday. The High Street came alive to the sounds of salsa band, Raices Cubanas, who made sure their audience celebrated in style. The word on the street

  • Ruth's workshops are 'knockout'

    The poetry workshops taken by expert Ruth Padel have been one of the big success stories during the opening week of Ledbury Poetry Festival. Festival manager Charles Bennett said: "They are sold out and they are a knockout! "We've had a lot of people

  • Poets inspire children's art

    The Shell House Gallery in Ledbury's Homend is hosting an exhibition of children's paintings, which have been inspired by poets in residence at local schools. Poetry festival manager Charles Bennett is keen to stress that the festival is not just about

  • Stumped by the flooding problems

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S difficult start to the cricket season has highlighted the need to establish a conveyor belt of young talent coming through. That's why news today that the county club has decided to put on hold its plans for the Basil D'Oliveira cricket

  • Juiced enjoying a busy summer

    JUICED are to play three dates at Birmingham International Festival next week. The Worcester band's saxophonist and backing vocalist Carolyn Evans said: "This is our first time playing in Birmingham and at the jazz festival - it's a major breakthrough

  • City company almost landed in the pea soup

    THIS week 100 years ago, panic was caused at a Worcester sauce and canning factory when a gigantic food order arrived from Whitehall. The Journal explained: "A telegram received last week at the offices of Courtenay's Worcester Sauce Syndicate at South

  • Faithful City marks the Restoration of Charles II

    ON a celebratory note, the Journal of 250 years ago reported a day of special events in 1751 to mark the anniversary of the Restoration to the Throne of Charles II. "The day was observed in a very suitable manner. The morning was ushered in with the ringing

  • Methodists come in for strong criticism

    RELIGIOUS intolerance and prejudice was clearly rife in and around the Faithful City 250 years ago, judging by a remarkable report in the Worcester Journal for this week of 1751. "Every evening of late, this City has been greatly disturbed by a meeting

  • City spire when it had a church

    ON an inspiring religious note, the Journal of 200 years ago this week sought public subscriptions towards the urgent restoration of one of Worcester's most prominent and familiar landmarks. "St Andrew's Spire: It being the general wish of the Inhabitants

  • Easily mistaken for Haydn

    Leopold Hofman's flute concertos Vol 1 THERE is something wonderfully mesmeric about the high-pitched tones of the flute. The allegro movements bounce along with a kind of, almost, child-like jollity and the thoughtful, considered, adagio passages offer

  • Blake on Blake, Market Theatre

    IN a gripping event, journalist, poet and author Blake Morrison took the audience on a journey from William Blake's Songs of Innocence and Experience to the High Court and the Bulger case, which he covered. Mr Morrison wrote a book about the trial, and

  • Paul Muldoon, Community Centre

    In 1982, Irish poet Paul Muldoon was one name among a number of rising stars in the important anthology, The Penguin Book of Contemporary British Poetry. Now he is hailed by some critics as the natural heir to Seamus Heaney and "the most significant English-language

  • Derby wilt as Worcs run riot

    GRAEME Hick was left out of England's plans for the first Test against Australia but he remains one of the most ruthless accumulators in good batting conditions. On a lifeless pitch against a weakened Derbyshire attack, Hick plundered 171 as Worcestershire

  • Lord Gowrie and Al Alvarez, Burgage Hall

    From a poetry point of view, the "in conversation" event between Al Alvarez and Lord Gowrie was the highbrow, less showbiz version of the Clive James and Francine Stock discussion which followed it. There were differences, not least because Alvarez and

  • Clive James and Francine Stock, Community Centre

    The erudite Clive James is clearly an intellectual in that he expects to be understood both in his prejudices and in his loves. He sang the praises of Australia on stage, comparing his homeland to "Byzantium," and poor old England to "Ancient Rome, overrun

  • Laurie Lee - The Well Loved Stranger, Market Theatre

    The Cider with Rosie author, Laurie Lee created the impression that both he and his sundrenched world were accessible and real. The truth was sometimes different as his biographer Valerie Grove explained to a spellbound audience in Ledbury's Market Theatre

  • John Betjeman's Summoned by Bell's, Community Centre

    A REMARKABLE performance recreated aspects of the former Poet Laureate's childhood and early life as Tim Heath mined the autobiographical poem Summoned by Bells. Betjeman's life as a child in Highgate in north London, the family business he refused to

  • Alistair McGowan, Community Centre

    McGowan's return to the Ledbury Poetry Festival brought out a very good audience on Saturday night and they were rewarded with a charming and accomplished performance. The impressionist had to strike a difficult balance between providing a glimpse of

  • Colwall in cup win

    AN emphatic nine wicket win over Malvern Ramblers crowned Colwall winners of the Worcester Carnival Cup on Monday evening. COLWALL v MALVERN RAMBLERS In a 20-over final at Stowe Lane, Colwall elected to field and the decision paid dividends as Will Hards

  • Divers recover body from quarry depths

    A STUDENT has drowned in Gullet Quarry just weeks after an appeal was made not to swim at the beauty spot. Yunus Ismail Moolla, aged 17, began struggling in five metre deep water on Tuesday afternoon (July 3). Despite an operation involving police, the

  • Town first in Britain with new one-stop health care

    A new purpose-built community medical centre has been announced for Upton, which would be the first of its kind in the country. The £2 million project, underpinned by Government funding, will bring together all the town's primary health care services

  • Grudging response

    I COULD not believe the mean and grudging attitude of Alan Buckley, organiser of Upton Jazz Festival, to giving Upton Youth Band a slot. I look forward to their performance every year and to me, the festival would not be complete without them. Here we

  • Make most of park

    I AM writing re the article about what to do with the £66,000 earmarked for improving Priory Park. I was amazed to read that, in fact, the council cannot afford to employ a full-time gardener, whatever next! How on earth can you keep a park looking neat

  • Sizable task faces Louise

    TEENAGER Louise Cowell is finding buying shoes in her hometown an impossible task - because her feet have outgrown shop sizes. The 14-year-old from Malvern can't find a pair to fit her and will now have to get some specially made. Louise takes a size

  • Plea for vigilance

    MIGHT I be allowed to make a plea to all dog owners? Please, please, be vigilant at all times as far as your pets are concerned and ensure that they don't wander into busy and dangerous roads. On Sunday night, June 24, I was travelling in a coach along

  • Firm pulls off takeover bid

    MALVERN cord and rope maker English Braids has taken over a specialist braiding company based in Manchester. The company, John H Blakey Ltd, of Radcliffe, Manchester, has been making natural fibre cords and ropes since the early 1900s, when it was a significant

  • 'Scandalous abuse'

    I WAS astonished to learn that only two weeks after Labour returned to power, Tony Banks has been harassing and firing up back bench MPs regarding hunting with dogs, having tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) on the issue. I fail to understand why certain

  • Whistle blown on poor state of council pitches

    SOCCER pitches owned by Malvern Town Council are in such a poor state that they will need a cash injection of £25,000 a year just to keep them fit for use. That's verdict of the Sports Turf Research Institute and the National Playing Fields Association

  • Blighted gem

    I HAVE just spent a short period in your lovely town of Ledbury and found it delightful, unspoiled, friendly and full of ancient history. The natural beauty of the area was reflected wherever the eye turned. How sad, then, to have this gem blighted by

  • Funding delay in £2.75m flats plan

    THE sight of a derelict historic building in Malvern Wells still faces visitors to the Malvern Hills, despite long-time approval for its development. The former Wells House School, where Sir Edward Elgar once taught, has been empty for nearly 10 years

  • MoD throws open development site

    MALVERN people are being invited to visit the Army base which could become the town's major focus for development in the future. The MoD is to sell off the 47-acre North Site, off Yates Hay Road, North Malvern, a former radar establishment later occupied

  • Vets' surgery set to expand

    A veterinary surgery on Avenue Road, Malvern, has been granted planning permission to build a rear, single-storey extension. Several representations were made by concerned local residents, worried at the increase in traffic and the potential for noise

  • Local growers in market ban

    LOCAL producers were banned from the first Farmers' Market to be held in Ledbury since the foot and mouth crisis began They were told to say away from last week's market, which attracted just three stallholders, because their businesses fell within restricted

  • New MP calls for foot and mouth inquiry

    Ledbury's new MP Bill Wiggin has urged the Government to hold a public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak. Mr Wiggin was making his maiden speech in the House of Commons on Tuesday, after winning the Leominster constituency seat for the Tories last

  • Motorcycle killed on first lesson

    A LEDBURY-based arable specialist was killed last Saturday (June 30) on his first motorcycle riding lesson. George Urquhart, 36, who worked for Dalgety Agriculture Ltd, had been on a one-day course with the Midlands School of Motorcycling at Long Marston

  • Travellers face fines in foot and mouth breach

    Herefordshire Council plans to evict, pursue and prosecute travellers who have defied foot and mouth restrictions by parking caravans on Riverside Park Walk. On Thursday, there were five vans on the site, off Ledbury Bypass, which falls within a 3km foot

  • Derby wilt as Worcs run riot

    GRAEME Hick was left out of England's plans for the first Test against Australia but he remains one of the most ruthless accumulators in good batting conditions. On a lifeless pitch against a weakened Derbyshire attack, Hick plundered 171 as Worcestershire

  • Cost of car park charges revealed

    Malvern Hills District Council has revealed the "true" cost of imposing car park charges in Newtown Road, after being challenged by a Link Top businessman. Arthur Steady, a director of Teleradio, had spoken out in the wake of the introduction of ticket

  • Grant aid improves childcare

    TWENTY-four extra places in out-of-school childcare schemes will be created through cash from the New Opportunities fund. Grants will go to Bumbles Barn, Leigh Sinton, Kids Kapers, Upton and the day nursery being built at Clive's Fruit Farm, Upton. They

  • Veteran driver ready to race after accident

    A VETERAN Malvern racing driver is ready to get back in the driving seat after recovering from an accident that nearly cost him his life. On Sunday, April 8, Gordon Rae was at the controls of a new Shane International Formula Vee, during a practice session

  • Civic leaders learn to face media probe

    MALVERN'S mayor and deputy mayor are to attend a workshop to help brush up their skills on handling the media. The one-day workshop, called "Managing The Media Interview", will teach them how to spot media tactics and avoid potential pitfalls. It will

  • Medicean all set to star

    Always forgive a horse a bad run -- or so the saying goes. And what the race punters should forget when looking for the winner of the Coral Eurobet-Eclipse at Sandown tomorrow is last season's John Smith's Cup at York. That handicap over 10 furlongs is

  • Reds narrow defeat

    THE semi-final of the Birmingham League Knockout Cup between Wolverhampton and Redditch took place on Wednesday and ended in a narrow 11-run defeat for Redditch. Wolverhampton batted first reaching 161-5 in the 16 8-ball over game, their biggest run-maker

  • 6/7/01 - Barton misses target

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton has been dealt a blow after losing the race to sign a striker to bring to St George's Lane. The player in question, believed to be Clevedon Town front man Paul Milsom, has elected to move to Bath City instead and Barton

  • Reward for Riaz as leaders slip

    NEWLAND entertained rivals and league leaders Hanley Castle & Upton in a top of Division Five clash which turned out to be an enthralling match with Newland gaining a winning draw. NEWLAND v HANLEY CASTLE & UPTON Newland lost the toss and were

  • Rob Francis takes 6-53 to sink the Green

    MALVERN Ramblers visited their neighbours Barnards Green on Saturday in the Second Division of the Worcestershie County League and produced their most convincing performance of the season to win by the massive margin of 141 runs. BARNARDS GREEN 1ST XI

  • First Sunday League points

    BARNARDS Green Sunday 1st XI recorded their first win in the Worcestershire Clubs Sunday League at North End Lane beating Evesham by eight wickets. BARNARDS GREEN 1ST XI v EVESHAM 1ST XI The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and made a steady start

  • Struggle for Nomads

    ALL five Worcester Nomads sides struggled against various opposition over the weekend but nevertheless some useful performances were made. Unfortunately the three Saturday teams all lost ground in their various leagues and the arrival of some of the younger

  • Apollo to launch youth deal

    THE Worcestershire Cricket Board has announced a major sponsorship deal. Apollo 2000, a Midlands-based gas and electrical retailer, are sponsoring the WCB Youth Development Programme with £37,500 over a three year period. Sportsmatch have agreed also

  • Debut for elite group

    A NEWLY-formed group of elite young musicians from the Malvern area performs for the first time next weekend. Bravura is a string ensemble formed by teacher Janet Masters, comprising 19 young musicians aged from 13 to 20. On Sunday, July 15 they will

  • Star names line up for Ross Festival

    TOP names from the world of music and the arts will be appearing at the Ross International Festival in August. For the sixth year running, the giant marquee will rise from the riverside meadows and play host to some of entertainment's biggest stars by

  • Festival offers something for all

    THE Cheltenham International Festival of Music continues with a wide range of recitals. Highlights include Sir Colin Davis conducting the BBC Singers, the boys of Gloucester Cathedral Choir and an instrumental ensemble that includes cellist Steven Isserlis

  • Castle grounds host to summer night specials

    HISTORIC Eastnor Castle will host two nights of the very best music later this month with Summer Nights, Summer Fun. The grounds of the Georgian castle will ring to the sounds of the sixties, the seventies, jazz and big band music over two nights, Friday

  • Upton set to tackle season

    UPTON Rugby Club's pre-season training programme got underway this week with first team captain, Rob Heeley laying down the gauntlet to all players to 'fight for their places'. With training now at the Club every Tuesday at 7pm, Heeley is promising a

  • In glass houses...

    THE hunting fraternity should be really proud of themselves. The Japanese are now using the excuse, that, because hunting of deer with dogs is allowed in this country, they are quite entitled to torture and kill whales. They say there is no difference

  • Religious bigotry Man's undoing

    MATTHEW Clarke's letter (You Say, July 2) beggars belief. Does he not have the wit to see that through history such religious bigotry has been Man's great undoing? Even now, we have to look no further than Northern Ireland, the Middle East and the Balkans

  • Event's taking place in and around Worcester

    Family Fun Evening (tombola, barbecue, bouncy castle). July 6. 6-8pm. Dines Green Primary School. Tudor Way. Worcester Cricket Club Gala Night-(barbecue, raffle, face-painting, bowl the batsman plus much more). Worcester Norton Sports Club, Norton Barracks

  • Un-Christian

    I THOUGHT that George Cowley was supposed to be a Christian. That was not a very Christian remark to make about Richard Adams, (You Say, June 29), was it, Mr Cowley? Mr Adams, in endeavouring to serve the public in Parliament, is far more use than Mr

  • Humourless

    RITA Joyner, of Blackpole, (You Say, June 28) is obviously a woman with no sense of humour who takes herself too seriously. I sit outside Sainsbury's to get my breath back (I have angina) and also to rest the, at times, agonising pain in my heel. The

  • Lottery pounds

    HUNDRED of millions of pounds of Lottery money has been being allocated to projects not originally visualised as Lottery-funded causes. Richard Branson has a right to feel aggrieved if not cheated and I truly hope he exposes those Lottery commissioners

  • Britain... drowning in concrete

    MR MARGRETT writes of the respective land areas and population of India, China and the UK. I calculate India has 783 people per square mile; China has 325, while the UK, with just 94,000 square miles of land area, has 617 people per square mile. With

  • What's on at your local theatre

    Henry V by William Shakespeare. (Festival Players Theatre Co). June 24. 5.30pm, ground open 4pm Sounion, Old Road North, Kempsey.(open air production, please bring own chairs, picnics etc, indoor if wet). (01905 820436). They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

  • America polluting rest of the world

    I TEACH environmental studies to school children all around the world. My students and I are of one mind in that global warming and other forms of air pollution remains the biggest threat to World safety. Sea level rises, the increasing spread of malaria

  • Large firms would like us in euroland

    ONCE more I feel that I should endeavour to educate Julian Thake. Maybe, at the moment, this country occupies fourth position in the World Economy League. Well done, Tony Blair! The fact remains that the really large American and Japanese companies would

  • So which way did Phillpott really vote?

    WHAT provoked the outburst of insulting language against the Labour party in the Phillpott File (Evening News, June 12)? Could it be the kind of reaction one would expect from a right-wing Tory supporter having to accept that his party had suffered another

  • Bick makes it two out of two with carp bag

    THE second round of the Malvern United Angling Association Wednesday night Sandford Series was well attended due to the recent good form the Club's pool had shown and once again members were not disappointed. Leading the way once again was carp expert

  • Cinemas

    Malvern Cinema: Shrek (U) Daily 7pm, Sat, Sun & Weds 3pm. Odeon Worcester: See it First - Pokemon: Spell of the Unknown (U) Sat/Sun Only 12.10, 2.15 (Free list suspended); Lara Croft - Tomb Raider (12) 12.00, 12.30, 2.45, 3.15, 5.30, 6.00, 8.15, 8.45

  • Lacking in the usual brilliance

    The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell (Black Swan, £6.99). Just like people who tell you they have a wicked sense of humour, books that promote themselves as "a comic masterpiece" or "achingly funny" rarely are. This, Willy Russell's debut novel was published

  • Langland Sports hold presentation night

    LANGLAND Lions Sports Club held their Presentation Evening on Thursday, June 28 at the Langland Arms. Each of the players received a Worcester League Division Three medal and were handed the Division Three Cup by Jennette Davy MBE. Other awards were,

  • Debut novel is packed with suspense

    Paradise Salvage by John Fusco. ( Scribner, £10.00) Twelve-year-old Nunzio's innocence is lost forever when he opens the boot of a wrecked Pontiac Bonneville in his father's junkyard and finds a corpse. But who will believe the tale of the horror that

  • Soccer course

    CHILDREN from school years 3-6 are invited to attend the four day course which is being held during the summer holidays at Malvern Town FC's Langland Stadium from Monday, July 23 until Thursday, July 26. The course, which is designed on FA guidelines,

  • Now's the time for a major makeover

    LONG summer days, with hours and hours of daylight, are great for lounging around, sitting in the garden, and entertaining. But the extra daylight hours can also be good for something else - house renovations! During winter, major refurbishments are a

  • Distribution centre will boost jobs

    JOBS are to be created in Worcestershire by agricultural supply company Countrywide - a year after it axed 60 workers. The firm wants to expand its site at Defford, near Pershore, after shutting its feed mill in April, 2000. The company, formed in 1999

  • Carpet company wins top award

    BRINTONS Carpets has fought off competition from multi-national companies to scoop the top award in what is considered to be the Oscars of the manufacturing business. The Kidderminster carpet manufacturer, which is the world's largest producer of Axminster

  • Bowlers progress

    MANOR Park secured a place in the first round of the Travelsphere Top Club Championships, with a 3-1 victory at Overbury, after taking all but the fours in the preliminary round. Junita Lyon had a close 21-20 victory in the singles, while Jean Meek and

  • Charity tennis is a big hit

    TWENTY one doubles pairs competed in the first Charity Doubles Tournament held at Manor Park in aid of OXFAM. Organised by Tennis Chairman, Jane Poynder, the tournament consisted of four groups the winners being: Red Group - Alison Tuck (Manor Park &

  • Dolly temple plan stumped

    PROPOSALS for an indoor cricket school at Worcester's New Road have been stumped, the county club admitted today. Worcestershire County Cricket Club chairman John Elliott blamed "horrendous" costs and flood protection policies for a decision to put the

  • Tories quizzed over claims by ex-colleague

    TORIES on Worcester City Council have been quizzed over allegations about planning matters levelled by a former political colleague. Councillor Gary Kibblewhite quit the Conservative administration in late April to become an Independent Conservative.

  • Recovery sparks fund aid

    THE family of a schoolgirl who made a miraculous recovery after being in collision with a car plans to raise much-needed funds for the hospital which saved her life. Doctors feared Stefanie Mace would be left in a vegetative state, but she has astounded

  • Wildlife centre's plea after foot and mouth crisis

    A COUNTY wildlife centre is desperate for cash after being closed for almost five months due to the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The Vale Wildlife Visitor Centre, near Evesham, has missed more than £1,000 a week in income for the 19 weeks it was closed. Now

  • Lottery grant delight

    A WORCESTER theatre company for people with disabilities has been awarded a Lottery grant to stage a performance of dance, acting and film. The Other Voices Theatre Company applied for one of the Lottery Grants for All in December so that it could stage

  • Asbestos to be removed from cattle market

    DRIVERS in Worcester could face disruption as asbestos is removed from the city's former cattle market. Temporary planning permission has already been given for the land alongside The Butts to be converted to extra car parking spaces. Councillors will

  • Time capsule visits in style

    A TIME capsule celebrating the 125th anniversary of The Mother's Union was carried through Worcester as part of a national procession. The time capsule began its tour of the country at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, June 7 and arrived in Worcester on

  • Arts out of Africa

    THE sound of tom-tom drums has been ringing out at a Worcester infants' school as pupils learned about, and celebrated, African culture. Pupils at Northwick Manor Infants School enjoyed an African Arts Week, involving music, dance, drama and art. The

  • Primary colours a golden award

    A WORCESTER primary school has struck gold by winning the highest award from the Arts Council. Pupils and staff at Stanley Road Primary are celebrating after becoming the first primary school in the county to win the Artsmark Gold award. It is the top

  • and finally ... Monsoons and flash flooding predicted

    MONSOON storms and flash flooding were predicted in Worcestershire today by Evening News weatherman Paul Damari. "I'm expecting slow moving storms to move from south to north during the afternoon and evening," he said. "There will be thunderstorms from

  • BUSHLEY Correspondent: Ms M Wilkes Tel: Tewkesbury 293435

    THE weather was ideal and the surroundings were perfectly idyllic for Bushley Fete last Saturday. For the first time, this event was centred around the cricket pavilion, the stalls all shaded under the huge trees on the edge of the wood helping to make

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

    A BARN Dance with a bar and barbecue, with dancing to live music is being held in Flax House Barn, Beau-champ Lane, Callow End on Saturday, July 14 from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. It will be fun for all the family! Tickets are priced at £10 per family (2 adults

  • Tough start for Malvern

    MALVERN Rugby Club open their Midlands Division One campaign with five of the hardest possible fixtures. They start away to Old Dunstablians on September 8, who were promoted from the eastern area with an unbeaten record. Director of Rugby David Robins

  • Ledbury Scribes, Black Pepper Carvery

    The Black Pepper Carvery was packed out for Ledbury Scribes' evening of verse on Monday. By 8.15pm, all of the seats had been taken and special chairs were broken out to accommodate the audience, who were there for the only show in town that night. Latecomers

  • Hillstone Youngsters, Huntingdon Hall

    THIS week's Young Musicians Concert, supported by npower, was given by Hillstone, Malvern College. It was a joy to see so many talented pupils performing with such panache. The choir, of some 60 voices, began serenely with a well-tuned rendering of Rutter's

  • What the Butler Saw, Malvern Theatres

    WHEN a policeman clad only in blood, a police helmet and a leopard print dress holds aloft Winston Churchill's most private member to the heavens, then you know that you're witnessing a performance that is anything but run of the mill. Racy even now,

  • Handley captains MCC side

    CORAL Handley has been chosen as captain of the MCC Women's team on their inaugural overseas tour next month to Holland. Coral, who lives in Naunton village, near Upton-upon-Severn, will lead the team in three matches against the Dutch national side from

  • Festival fun for all family

    I JUST had to put finger to computer to say how much my family and I enjoyed Clive James and Alistair McGowan over the weekend at the now-famous Ledbury Poetry Festival. I thought Alistair McGowan's orange shirt was very co-ordinated with the Ledbury

  • Criticism unfounded

    IT was good to read the letter from visitor to Malvern, Helen Clarke (Malvern Gazette, June 22). Yes indeed, Great Malvern Priory is alive - in all sorts of ways, of which only one or two were mentioned by her. But what a pity that she spoiled her letter

  • Show is over for loss-making opera

    AN opera company which has been putting on productions at Malvern's Festival Theatre since 1977 has disbanded after losses on its last production. Malvern Hills Opera decided to call a halt after Mozart's Don Giovanni, staged in February, made a loss

  • Abduction attempt

    A boy escaped a suspected abduction attempt in Malvern on Sunday. The 11-year-old was grabbed by one of four men in Cowleigh Bank, who attempted to drag him away. The boy managed to get away when his assailant was disturbed by a white BMW driving past

  • Kindness shown

    I WOULD like to say a big thank you to the nurse who stopped to help my son when he came off his bike. The accident happened on June 20 at 12.30pm on St Andrews Road, Malvern. Unfortunately, the car who contributed to this accident did not stop. I just

  • QinetiQ celebrates launch with phone mast link-up

    A NEW venture by QinetiQ, DERA'S private successor, is set to halve the number of mobile phone masts in the country. In the week of its launch, QinetiQ announced the formation of Quintel Ltd, with mast landlords the Rotch Group. The new company is having

  • Quick to condemn

    AS a regular churchgoer I am sad that some people feel we have to choose between church or secular Christmas celebrations. Thanking God and celebrating the birth of Jesus in church on Christmas morning is wonderful, but I really do not think going home

  • Armoured vest unveiled

    A MALVERN company has come up with a body armour vest specifically for civilians. Among the first customers for the personal armour are community workers on the London estate where schoolboy Damilola Taylor was killed last year. The vest was invented

  • Marathon effort

    I COMPLETED the London Marathon this year and finished with a time of 5hrs 13mins, due to turning my ankle at 13 miles. I am currently training for next year's London Marathon and hope to record a better time of 3hrs 30mins. I would like to thank my two

  • Olympians seek help

    MALVERN Special Olympics group is looking for financial and voluntary assistance to help members celebrate its 10th anniversary in style this year. The Malvern group, which is part of the Worcestershire branch of the international Special Olympics organisation

  • Help appreciated

    MAY I, through your letters' page, thank the people who came to my aid and called an ambulance when I collapsed in Madresfield Road on the morning of Thursday, June 28. Also, my thanks to the paramedics who treated me with much kindness and consideration

  • Morgan fans to celebrate

    FANS of the Morgan sports car will converge on Cheltenham next weekend to celebrate the owners' club's 50th birthday. The Morgan Sports Car Club will toast the event with a four-day rally at the town's racecourse. Organiser David Gibbons said: "They're

  • Park vandalism blamed on gangs

    A SECOND vandal attack in as many weeks has highlighted a growing problem in Malvern. Last weekend's incident at Priory Park saw flowerbeds trampled, a young tree broken and a trail of broken glass, chip wrappers and empty cans and bottles. It follows

  • Bickerton and Park battle to beat cut

    JOHN Bickerton and David Park both face a battle to make the cut at the Smurfit European Open in Dublin. Droitwich's Bickerton is seven shots off the lead after a two-over-par first round of 74, while Hereford's Park is one shot further back. But Colin

  • Barton misses target

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton has been dealt a blow after losing the race to sign a striker to bring to St George's Lane. The player in question, believed to be Clevedon Town front man Paul Milsom, has elected to move to Bath City instead and Barton

  • Worcester in the last eight

    WORCESTER Rowing Club are left to uphold local honour at Henley Royal Regatta. Their coxless four reached the quarter-finals of the Visitors Cup yesterday with a 1-length victory over Dutch crew DSR Proteus-Eretes, in a race that had to be re-rowed. The

  • Trio head for G8 summit protest

    three Christians from Malvern will be travelling to Italy to take part in a demonstration calling for the abolition of debts owed by the world's poorest countries. Eileen Richardson and Philip and Mary Weatherall will be among those demonstrating outside

  • Wight eyes new Shelsley record

    THE new hill record holder at Shelsley Walsh will be the man to beat at the historic Teme Valley venue this weekend. Scotsman Graeme Wight Jnr stunned the large crowd at last month's meeting by breaking the nine-year old record with a sensational time

  • Hunt sees threat of ban eased

    The joint master of Ledbury Hunt says he welcomes signs that a blanket ban on hunting could be receding. The Countryside Alliance says the new Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) appears open minded on the issue and committed

  • Dayus shines for fine fifth position

    JONATHAN Dayus raced to an outstanding fifth place in the 120 miles British Road Race championships at Car-diff. The Worcester cyclist, now a professional with Nantes 44, rode brilliantly throughout the tough race. The pace was relentless from the gun

  • Matchbox man John strikes gold

    VERSATILE matchman John Maloney notched up his most impressive victory to date when he won the opening round of the division one Drennan Super league, fished on the Shropshire Union canal at Gailey. Drawn on the fancied 'A' section Maloney, who has changed

  • What's on at your local Cinema

    TOMB RAIDER (12) Lara Croft (in the form of Angelina Jolie) crashes on to our screens, pony tail a-swinging and guns a-blazing. Odeon, Worcester 12.00, 12.30, 2.45, 3.15, 5.30, 6.00, 8.15, 8.45. UCI Merry Hill, 11.00 2.15, 3.15, 4.00, 4.15, 5.45, 6.30

  • Video vixen's Jolie good show

    SHE'S finally here. The award-winning video game Tomb Raider somersaults on to the big screen, featuring the exploits of buxom, all-kicking heroine Lara Croft, in the form of Angelina Jolie. Lara Croft is the tough video game vixen who encapsulates the

  • Powell hits 102no

    DESPITE an excellent unbeaten century by Dave Powell, Colwall conceded their league home record on Saturday as Hatherley & Reddings gained a 31 run win. COLWALL v HATHERLEY & REDDINGS Batting first, Hatherley took the initiative early on as Bray

  • West Malvern held to draw by Fossils

    BATTING first West Malvern relied heavily upon the anchor role played by Brian Pleass to establish a sound total as West's other batsmen fell around him. WEST MALVERN v THE FOSSILS Dave Cantrell and Chris Martin provided the attacking flourish to enable

  • Declaration was too late

    MALVERN College 1st XI drew with Rugby School on Saturday in a match ruined by a poorly judged declaration. MALVERN COLLEGE v RUGBY SCHOOL Rugby amassed 258-7 declared but took 61 overs to do it, leaving Malvern only 43 overs to make a reply. Tolchard

  • Newland finish short

    A TEN man Sunday XI were destined to spend a long afternoon in the field and despite two relatively early successes they were worn down by T Weston (104) his maiden century and A Spencer (82no) making 262 off their 40 overs. NEWLAND SUNDAY XI v PEDMORE

  • Chris Hill and Dick Brown see Green II safely home

    BARNARDS Green 2nd X1 tightened their grip on top position in the WCL second division with a convincing victory over local rivals Malvern Ramblers. MALVERN RAMBLERS II v BARNARDS GREEN II For the fifth time in a row, skipper Dick Brown won the toss and

  • Walker is one short of fifty

    AFTER winning the toss for the third week running, Ramblers' captain Andy Croft opted to bat first. MALVERN RAMBLERS SUNDAY 2ND XI v OVERBURY After a steady start by Ramblers' openers D Sharp and J Jauncey the first wicket fell at 38. Jauncey was the

  • Loose bowling

    ON A breezy Saturday afternoon Barnards Green 3rds took the trip to Worcester CC and came away losers by 16 runs. WORCESTER 3RD XI v BARNARDS GREEN 3RD XI Batting first Worcester got off to a solid start and had reached 110 for one off just 18 overs after

  • ESO plays at open-air proms

    THE English Symphony Orchestra takes to the open air at Sudeley Castle on Saturday, July 14, for a Night at the Proms. Organised by the Civil Service Motoring Association, it is part of the celebrations for the orchestra's 21st anniversary. A rousing

  • Best of British link up for stirring performance

    ONE of Britain's best bands is joining forces with one of the country's top choirs for a concert in Malvern's Forum Theatre next Sunday. The Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Morriston Orpheus Choir will be presenting a varied programme of stirring

  • Exhibitions in and around Worcester

    Design and Technology - By pupils of Droitwich High School. June 26-July 7. The Librarian, Droitwich Spa Library, Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, Worcs (01905 773292 or 779970). mac Staff Show - work by tutors of mac visual art and craft classes. June

  • Your day to day guide to the best sounds around

    July 7 Junksion Nine Duo. Barbourne Ex servicemen's Club. The Moors. Worcester. July 8 Clive John. Malvern Rugby Club, Malvern. Eddie K. Barbourne Ex servicemen's Club. The Moors. Worcester. July 9 Clive John. Foley Arms Hotel, Worcester Road, Malvern

  • Classical and Easy listening, a guide to what's on near you.

    "Music for a Summer Evening". Played by The Worcester Symphony orchestra & conducted by Adrian Lucas. A concert in Worcester Cathedral. 7th July. 7pm. Tickets available from Music 47, cathedral gift shop and The Guildhall, also at wso@tesco.net (01905

  • 6/7/01 - Derby wilt as Worcs run riot

    GRAEME Hick was left out of England's plans for the first Test against Australia but he remains one of the most ruthless accumulators in good batting conditions. On a lifeless pitch against a weakened Derbyshire attack, Hick plundered 171 as Worcestershire

  • Awards that make whole school proud

    LAST week I was invited to the presentation ceremony at one of the county's new beacon schools. Hundreds of pupils at Pershore High School were recognised for their academic achievements and other activities within school. Naturally I jumped at the chance

  • Guardians stand firm over parking

    THERE must have been far fewer cars on the road 50 years ago, but the need for parking space was still a concern. One controversial plan, which never came to fruition, was to build a new car park on Wells Road, just south of Rosebank Gardens, on a plot

  • Names put to past players

    The Malvern Gazette recently published a team photograph taken in 1911, which had been given to West Malvern Cricket Club. Chairman Bob Blackbourn, asked if readers recognised the location or any of the team members. We have had a good response from John

  • Pub pair get a boozy send-off

    THE Malvern Gazette of 25 years ago had the sad duty of reporting the closure of the Fermor Arms, a "popular little pub" in Church Street. The Fermor, a pub since 1815 and often known as the Hole in the Wall, was one of a block of properties fated for

  • Echoes from the Past

    100 years ago Last week we conveyed the gratifying intelligence that the price of gas would be reduced from 3s. 9d. per 1,000 cubic feet after the end of September next, and today we make the additionally pleasing announcement of a reduction of 3d. in

  • Stacey looks forward to her gig in the Faithful City

    MOST people who reach the top in their chosen industry decide from an early age they want to be successful and devote their life to achieving it. But the hottest property in the jazz vocal department at the moment simply decided to visit some friends

  • Bracketed together

    THOSE dear ladies, Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket, celebrate 25 years together in Worcester next week. Alias Patrick Fyffe and George Logan, they will be appearing at Huntingdon Hall on Friday, July 13, for an evening of music, magic and song.

  • Your complete entertainments guide for the area

    Theatre July Until July 7-They Shoot Horses don't they? At the Courtyard, Hereford. 7.30pm. £9.50, concs £8. Box Office (01432) 359252. Until July 7-What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. 2.30pm & 8pm. £12-£20,

  • Pressure is stepped up for a western bypass

    VALE bypass campaigners claim that a fatal road accident only strengthens their case for a new road link. Wyre Hill residents say the soon-to-be-built Wyre Piddle bypass will do little to ease the dangers and noise created by lorries driving past their

  • Heartwarming tale of familiar folk

    Sea of Dreams by Susan Sallis (Bantam Press, £16.99) Holly and Mark Jepson always go to Uncle Reg for Christmas. His holiday chalets are always full, and Holly spends her time with Maude cooking lunch for everyone. Not this year however; Holly is determined

  • Radar FC meeting

    MALVERN Radar FC are holding a meeting this Sunday (July 8) at RSRE Club to discuss a number of important issues. All players and officials are invited, 12.30 start. Anyone interested in joining the Football Club in any capacity please phone Steve Harness

  • Cleaning firm sweeps the board

    CLEANING company Rainbow International has swept the board in the British Franchise Association Awards, being named the best franchise in Britain. The firm, with a branch in Wickhamford, near Evesham, cleaned up at the HSBC and Daily Express-sponsored

  • Steve on top at midway point

    STEVE Warburton leads the Club Formula Palmer Audi Championship at the half way stage of the motor racing championship. The 26-year-old driver from Leigh Sinton claimed victory in the fifth and sixth rounds of the 12 race series at Mondello Park near

  • Liz Evans wins National competition

    LIZ Evans has put the Worcestershire Golf Club on the map by winning a final of the LGU Gold Medal Competition for Silver Division at Sherborne in Dorset with a three below par score of net 69. Evans was one of only four players to break par and won on

  • Snooker sets up

    MALVERN & District Snooker League is holding its annual general meeting at the RSRE Club on Monday, July 16, starting at 8pm. All team entering the League must be present on the night.

  • Spirit was good

    MANOR Park Men's D concluded their Summer League fixtures when they visited Bromwich Lane B on Wednesday losing by four rubbers to two. The team's number one pairing of Ian Elias & Colin Weedon featured in two closely contested matches winning the