DR Richard Taylor is hoping to help spread Bewdley's flood expertise across the country after joining a group of MPs set up to lobby the Government on the issue. The Wyre Forest MP has joined up with seven other members whose constituencies lie on the
A MIRACLE tot has found his feet and is looking forward to a happy New Year after recovering from serious injuries in an accident with a taxi. Toddler Hamad Shahid is walking again after having a brain clot removed. His injuries were described as critical
A BALLOON race is being held to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Worcester's Thornton House Special School. The helium-filled balloons will be released in the centre of Worcester on Saturday, January 26
A LEADING charity is urging Worcester people to dust off their trainers and run in the London Marathon. The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust needs runners to help combat leukaemia. Last year, the team raised a massive £250,000 to help fund the fight against
A LEARNER driver gave police a false identity after being caught in a road check, Worcester Crown Court was told. Shakur Hussain supplied officers with the name and address of a friend, who later had to explain to magistrates that he was not the man at
CAMPAIGNERS desperate to save the Droitwich Lido are calling for Mid-Worcester-shire MP Peter Luff to prove accusations that he levied at them. In a speech in the House of Commons before Christmas, Mr Luff criticised the Save A Lido Today and Action for
A TEENAGE girl claims she was sexually assaulted by a man in a children's play area in Worcester on Christmas Day. The incident is believed to have taken place after the victim walked along the alleyway that runs along Langdale Drive, Warndon, into the
LIFE was not going swimmingly for a group of swans that became stuck in thick ice on a Worcester canal. One eyewitness said members of the Swan Study Group had to break the ice with poles in order to free the birds trapped near the Commandery lock on
ANTI hunt campaigners claim they have video and photographic evidence of hunts not complying with regulations to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. But the claims have been denied by Worcestershire Hunt spokesman Bob Brierley, who has challenged
A DRUG addict who stole a handbag from a 75-year-old woman working in a Worcester charity shop has been jailed for 12 months. James Gibson walked into the muscular dystrophy shop in Sidbury and was spotted in a private section of the building by Mary
FOUR robbers attacked a defenceless man in Hereford and stole his wallet. The young male victim suffered an eye injury and was taken by ambulance to Hereford General Hospital. The robbers, who are described as white males, carried out the attack outside
DISTRICT diabetes sufferers - whose numbers are mysteriously rising - may be at risk if a new branch leader of a national charity is not found. The founder of the Kidderminster and Wyre Forest branch of Diabetes UK - formerly the British Diabetic Association
TWO young sweethearts were killed in a festive tragedy when their car was in collision with a lorry. Stewart Cowan and Karen McEwen, both 24, of Farmlodge Lane, Shrews-bury, died instantly when their Ford Mondeo hit an articulated lorry on the A442 Kidderminster
DEFENDER Craig Hinton admitted he has enjoyed watching Kidderminster Harriers recently - even though he has been part of the action on the pitch. Hinton, despite being up against one of the most prolific Division Three strikers in Hull City's Gary Alexander
FIFTIES pop idol Marty Wilde is returning to the Lifford Hall in Broadway next week after his sell-out success last year. His Born to Rock 'n Roll show was so popular twelve months ago that this time he's been booked for two nights, on January 12 and
MALVERN RFC Saturday, January 5 1st XV v Longton (Home). Meet Railway Inn noon. Kick off 2.30pm. No. 1 Dress Code. Maroon shorts. S Cooper, D Handy, S Lancett, V Hill, M Williams, S Taylor, A Thomas, D Merlin, G Blakeway, P Jenkin, R Young, S Phillips
ANDY Keast swept through Worcester Rugby Club's revolving doors today promising fans 'total rugby'. The 39-year-old coach stepped into Steve Townend's shoes as the former Wakefield man left Sixways after just four months of the season gone. Worcester's
Address: Common Road, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 4PU Tel: 01386 442303 Fax: 01386 443902 Capacity: 2,000 (350 seated) Directions: Turn into Oat Street off the High Street and then left to join one way system. Turn next right down Conduit Hill into
AMY Darch, Ellen Ingram and Kate Walker have been selected to represent Great Britain in an international event in Holland this month to round off a great year for the Kidderminster-based Samurai Judo Club. The highlight of 2001 was undoubtedly the five
IN the wonderful world of Worcester Rugby Club nothing, it seems, stands still. Just four months into his tenure as backs coach, Steve Townend left Sixways yesterday to make way for newcomer Andy Keast. The club have often been criticised for the rapid
HOCKEY: Dan Hurley scored two hat-tricks to help Stourport to victory when they hosted the Worcestershire U-11s Mini Final. Stourport won all three of their matches under coach Pete Terry. Hurley, a regular player for the Badgers as a 10-year-old, scored
Pre-season 21/07/01 - Redditch United 0 Kidderminster Harriers 3 (Hadley, Hinton, Middleton) (friendly) 24/07/01 - Redditch United 2 (Danks 2) Gloucester United 3 (Tatton, Meadows, Freeman) (friendly) 28/07/01 - Weston St Johns 2 Redditch United 6 (Campbell
ANYONE offered distinctive collectible kitchen equipment for sale is being urged to contact police following a raid on a Kidderminster home. Property valued at £1,200 was taken from a house in Stourport Road between noon on Sunday, December 16 and 5.30pm
A MAN was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill someone in a Boxing Day confrontation. He has been bailed to report back to Kidderminster Police Station following the incident in Lister Road, Kidderminster, at 2.30pm.
A KIDDERMINSTER man accused of a glassing attack in the Horn and Trumpet pub in Bewdley has been sent for crown court trial. Neil Mole, 25, of Masefield Gardens, faces a charge of wounding Martin Taylor, intending to cause grievous bodily harm. Kidderminster
MAY I through your columns, express my appreciation of the service given by the hospital, surgery, and dispensaries at Waterside? On at least three occasions I have had to use them in an emergency and doctors, nurses, and pharmacists have been most courteous
WHILE coming off the roundabout to ascend Greenhill, my sharp-eyed son spotted a change in speed limit from 40 down to 30 mph. "Never," said I, and looked out for repeat signs all the way into the centre of town - none! Seems to me a perfect set up for
STOURPORT Swifts are keeping their fingers crossed that Saturday's Dr Martens Western Division home game against Weston-super-Mare will beat the weather. The icy Walshes Meadow pitch was unfit for the New Years's Day derby with Redditch United, and the
BRENT Aldred of Kidderminster used boilies to catch four carp to 22lb and a 13lb catfish on the Stuarts Lake at Shatterford Fishery. Stourport angler Peter Dempster fished the same lake with maggots and sweetcorn to catch a 20lb mixed bag of roach and
What is it with these pyrotechnic maniacs that possess them to continually blast off fireworks, day after day? For a fortnight in the run-up to Bonfire night, and for the next three weeks, we had fireworks, literally, for breakfast, dinner and supper.
I AM very disappointed that the Journal printed Bert Crosby's very negative letter regarding Port Street. For one it seemed to relate to some time ago as it referred to 'the recent floods', the campaign to save The Regal Cinema (a worthy cause I'm sure
A POLICEMAN was taken to hospital after coming into contact with a mystery chemical on an abandoned lorry in Kidderminster. The unknown chemical splashed into the officer's eye as he searched the lorry on Captain's Pool Road. He went to hospital for a
A BIG difference between the district council offices and Stratford Town Hall is that whereas the Town Hall is only for Stratford Town, the district council offices are for the administration of the whole district which comprises about 45% of the area
Grant Allbutt was the carp winner of the Ultimate Double, fished on Sunday, with 63lb 12oz. The Silver Fish winner was Ian Whitehouse, with a 6lb 9oz catch. Result: Allbutt 63lb 12oz, P Williams 49-8, H Maybury 48-12. Saturday, Bank and Moors: D Clewley
The former Hare and Hounds AC held their Fur and Feather at Woodlands View when joint winners were C Brown and B Hale. Trophy presentation night is on Saturday at the The Old Bear, at 8pm. For more information telephone 0775 916 5381.
Strawberry Pool match, Sunday: C Willis 5-2, B Reeves 2-11, A Williams 1-0. The next match will be at the same venue on January 13, draw at 8am.
WELL now, isn't that a surprise? So all the consultants within the Worcestershire Health Authority, who once tugged their forelocks and bowed the knee to Musgrove and his crew over the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital, have now changed their minds
WYRE Forest Business Club would like to acknowledge the huge support of the public for the Christmas Tree Appeal. Donations for this year amounted to more than 500 gifts. Heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to the people of Kidderminster and district
BEWDLEY'S Waggon and Horses thrashed bottom side Cookley St Peters 7-1 in a Division Two match in one of the few Sunday fixtures in the Kidderminster and District Football League to survive the wintry conditions. Saturday results Premier: Oldington United
I AM writing with regard to the letter headed "Critical MP who has no constructive ideas" (Letters Page, December 20). For those readers who don't know who Tony Clay is, he is a Labour member of Bewdley Town Council. For those readers who don't know where
Chaddesley Corbett are at home to Malvern Rangers in the semi-final of the Worcester Nursing Cup on Saturday. Players are asked to meet at Longmore for 12.30pm. Squad: Anthony Shuck, Damian Ash, Gavin Knight, Jamie Roberts, Andy Shuck, Brian Burton, Andy
I READ with astonishment the attack on Dr Richard Taylor MP (Letters Page, December 20). Since the election the Government has invested a lot more money in the National Health Service. Almost on a weekly basis they announce reforms into it and further
I AM the local contact for the War Research Society run by retired and serving police officers and ex-servicemen as a charitable hobby. It was founded many years ago and supports a number of charities including the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Fund
BOTH of Worcester Rugby Club's ladies sides will travel north in their respective National Cup draws this season. Worcester ladies' firsts will visit Blaydon in the first round of the RFUW National Cup on Sunday, February 10. Meanwhile, the ladies's seconds
WORCESTER Norton Hockey Club's ladies are eagerly anticipating 2002 because several of their teams are still in the running to achieve success by the end of the season. The first team begin the new year in second place on goal difference in the Premier
Hereford United's impressive young defender Tony James has overhauled Stourport Swifts' Asa Charlton in the race for the Evening News' annual Ray Mercer Trophy award. James has played 26 games for the Nationwide Conference outfit and is averaging 7.38
BULL Allstars have extended their lead in the Malvern Football League after the majority of games fell victim to the wintery conditions. The leaders played against rivals Brewery at a crisp Ross Road playing fields in Ledbury and triumphed 5-0. Bull Allstars
NOW 2002 has arrived riders will be looking to fill their new calendars with a whole host of events and competitions, both amateur and professional. One not to be missed is an equine event which is being held at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire on
ENVIRONMENTAL experts from Brazil swapped rainforest for Wyre Forest when they visited Kidderminster on a fact-finding mission. The Environment Agency hosted the visit by officers from SEMA, the State Environment Agency of Amapa, in northern Amazonia,
HOAX 999 calls to the county's fire brigade service rose by 17 per cent for the period July to September compared with the previous three months. The rise and a corresponding increase in non-malicious false alarms has prompted an investigation by Hereford
OVER the festive season I decided I needed a break from eating and making small talk with relatives. I took a trip up to Burlish Top Nature Reserve, walking from there over the Severn Valley Railway tunnel and then down onto the Rifle Range and Devil's
IT was another quacking start to the New Year in Bewdley as the annual duck race drew hundreds despite the cold weather. The event, organised by Kidderminster and District Lions Club, attrracted 290 entries and cheering crowds lined both sides of the
A SALES manager from Bewdley enjoyed his first Christmas and New Year with his 16-year-old son for seven years after taking part in a radio phone-in competition. Steve Burrows, 38, of Winbrook, was reunited with his son, Mark, who lives in Canada after
OPERATION Opportunity Bewdley will be reporting findings back to people in the town at a community event next week. Following a public meeting last July, a steering group and four workings groups have been carrying out a health check of the town. Groups
THE Everyman Theatre at Cheltenham has lined up a stunning array of top shows for the spring. The programme includes ART, The Blues Brothers, The Pirates of Penzance and The Reduced Shakespeare Company - the Everyman Theatre really does have the best
ENTRIES are being sought for the Worcestershire Theatre Festival. The festival will be hosted by EODS (Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society) at the Evesham Arts Centre from March 8-10 and the organisers are looking to hear from anyone who would be interested
HARRY Potter and his magic helped Cotswold Building Supplies in Broadway win a prestigious village award. The annual window competition run by the Broadway Traders Association, aims to encourage shopkeepers to dress their windows during the Christmas
A rallying call has gone out to the people of Broadway and surrounding villages for information about soldiers billeted in a house in Prestatyn during the second world war. About a year ago Rebecca Davies moved into Rangemoor, 50 Beach Road, East Prestatyn
REDDITCH have rearranged two fixtures next month and may have to rearrange a third. United's home game against Gresley Rovers is on Tuesday, February 5 (ko 7.30pm) and the trip to Stourport, postponed on New Year's Day, will be played on Tuesday, February
REDS number two Gary Whild says the wheeler-dealing at the Valley is almost at an end after the arrival of league leading scorer Lee Booth. Booth made his Reds bow in the 3-1 Boxing Day defeat to leaders Halesowen Town and former Stourport assistant Whild
PARISH WALKS: The first organised walk of 2002 will be on January 13. Meeting at the Jubilee seat at 2pm for a three to four mile leisurely walk. WEDNESDAY CLUB: The last talk for 2001 was a most interesting talk with slides on Eight English Cathedrals
THE news of Steve Townend's departure has only just begin to sink in today and it really came as a shock to all of the players. We all feel for Steve because he is a great guy but, as he is well aware, sport can be a funny business sometimes. Six months
Dr Simon Penn, the director of Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, has accepted the office of president of the society in succession to the late Dr Graham Webster. Dr Penn is a distinguished historian and archaeologist and Dr Sally Dickson, chairman, said
THE one thing of which you cannot accuse Julian Thake is consistency. Initially, he argues (You Say, November 11) that, because an EU Directive required the separation of track and operating costs, the only way to do this was to set up separate organisations
WELL, there's nothing like flushing out a liberal is there? I refer to John Norwood's letter (You Say, December 24). I never said the Conservative Party was fit to win the last General Election, indeed the outcome reflected the feeling I found on the
NATURE lovers are being urged to have a care for their feathered and spiky friends during the winter months. The feeding of both birds and mammals in freezing cold weather could be vital for some, according to Caroline Gould, founder of Vale Wildlife
ALTHOUGH the European Single Currency - the euro - has replaced a dozen European currencies at the start of 2002, it has been with us longer than that. The euro has been in use since January 1, 1999, on foreign exchange markets and between banks and large
STUDLEY manager Mark Chambers has made a seven day approach to Midland Combination Premier neighbours Feckenham for BKL's former captain Mark Davis. The sweeper captained Studley to a promotion and Worcestershire Senior Urn double last season before moving
INFIRM elderly people who cannot speak up for themselves could once again become victims in the struggle to balance the books at county hall. Chief executive officer of the Nursing Home Association, Frank Ursell warned that Worcestershire County Council
VILLAGERS in Norton and Lenchwick have been assured that they will never be without a village hall. Concerns were first raised after rumours that the relatively new village hall in Norton was to be knocked down as part of a planned development on the
THE Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has called plans to extend developers' planning gain obligations a "stealth tax on regeneration". Proposals for extending the system of planning gain - whereby developers pay for projects not directly related
A FORMER Worcestershire journalist has founded his own promotions and public relations constancy under the title Richard Bull Promotions. Richard Bull (seen right), who was news editor of the Worcester Evening News and editor of the Bromsgrove Messenger
THE managing director of a Broom-based lifesaving firm has helped to float new safety standards on swimming aids throughout Europe. Andrew Ebben, of The Institute of Qualified Lifeguards (IQL), the awarding body responsible for lifeguard qualifications
FINAL preparations were under way today for the launch of Worcester's Anne Frank Exhibition. Drama, dance and poetry performances are a handful of the events taking place as part of the world-renowned display - due to be officially unveiled in Worcester
THE fire brigade has urged people to make sure they don't fall victim to flooding from burst pipes - as it could result in fires. Alec Mackie, spokesman for the Hereford and Worcester brigade, warned people to ensure water pipes were properly insulated
BARGAIN-hunters looking to snap up new furniture in the sales are being urged to put their old belongings to good use with a Worcester-based charity. Armchair Furniture Recycling is appealing to people not to throw out old chairs, tables, wardrobes and
A WOMAN was injured when a teenager snatched her handbag in Kidderminster. She was pulled to the ground as she tried to keep hold of the bag during the incident in Perrett Walk on New Year's Day. The woman was walking home on her own at 4.10pm when the
TRADERS in Bewdley and Stourport have had a very merry Christmas - at the expense of beleaguered Kidderminster. Now owners of "struggling" smaller shops in Kidderminster town centre are considering demanding compensation from Wyre Forest District Council
THE headteacher of a school formerly at risk from closure has done such a good job he has beaten national competition to secure the post permanently from September. Tom Revell was appointed to Kidderminster's crisis-hit Sladen Middle School, Hurcott Road
SHOCKED car workers returned to work after Christmas and were told to hit the road. Staggered staff at Bob Julier Nissan were sacked on the spot as the Kidderminster showroom and filling station shut on December 28. Eight jobs have been lost with the
A FATHER'S death has spurred his son to take time off as a company director and trek across the Sahara desert to support a cancer charity. Neale White, of Hop Hole Lane, Bewdley, is travelling to Morocco in March to undertake the six-day, 100 kilometre
PUB-goers in Stourport saw in the New Year in their local after the landlord celebrated a last-minute reprieve from the brewery. Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, owner of The Bell, had given Barrie Rogers just four days' notice to vacate the premises
THE Mellstock Band features in Love and Liquor, Death and Dancing - the great things in life according to Thomas Hardy - at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall on January 19 (8pm). The band plays and sings the dances, songs, carols and music of English village
BEN Okafor, whose new album Coffee with Lazarus sees reggae music moving into new places with some African folk, ska, and a little jazz thrown into the equation, is in concert at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall on January 15 (8pm). Featuring the single See
WITTY words and toe-tapping tunes are promised when a distinguished double-act returns to The Everyman theatre later this month as part of their second farewell tour. Lyricist Richard Stilgoe and musician Peter Skellern, last seen at the Cheltenham venue
THE world-renowned Anne Frank Exhibition, which is due to be opened officially in Worcester Cathedral tomorrow, promises to be a moving start to the new year. The story of teenager Anne, how she hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam and kept a diary of her
LOCAL knowledge proved invaluable for Philip and Wendy Lord when they won the Mixed Greensomes Open at Little Lakes Golf Club. Full result: P and W Lord (Little Lakes) 35 points, Simon Tee and Janet Skura (Wharton Park) 34, Mike and Marilyn Wood (Little
MAMBLE'S kart racing ace Daniel Rowbottom was presented with the PF Cadet Champion Award at the end of a most successful season, and is now testing in bigger karts, in preparation for the 2002 championships which start in April. Rowbottom became S1 National
SNOOKER: Snooks B needed a win over Snooks A to keep in touch with them at the top of the Kidderminster Monday Snooker League, and gained a 3-2 victory, to hand the A team their first defeat of the season. Division Two leaders St John's D were beaten
CHESS: Jim Friar was the winner of Kidderminster Chess Club's annual lightning tournament, finishing a point ahead of his nearest rivals Maurice Bissell and John Wrench. Full scores: Friar 8.5, Bissell and Wrench 7.5, Peter Yates 7, Peter Kitchen 5.5,
I have had a super family Christmas and I am very grateful that people have been so considerate during this time. I attended a retirement party for Dr Martin Lewis, the well-loved consultant haematologist and joined in the tributes to someone who contributed
A THUG who has robbed and knocked two women to the ground is being hunted by police. The teenage lout has attacked two women in Perret Walk, Kidderminster. The Shuttle/Times and News reported two weeks ago how the slightly built yob floored a 65-year-old
A BOGUS worker stole a handbag from a Kidderminster woman in her 90s - as she made him a cup of tea. The man called at the pensioner's home in Cedar Drive at 5pm on Thursday, December 27, asking if she wanted work done on her roof. When she refused he
MY sister lives in the beautiful village of Evenlode. I live on an estate, a bit rough in places. But the council have put some lovely new windows in for us. We can see people passing by and see the children playing. Nice when you are a pensioner. My
POLICE are hoping to reel in burglars who stole nearly £5,000 worth of fishing equipment from a Kidderminster home. The raiders broke into a garage in Avocet Drive between 11am on Sunday, December 16 and the same time on December 21. They took a collection
I TRUST you will be able to publish this letter as it contains a quote from a message to a World Exhibition by one of our country's best respected and loved ladies. The message is timely for this time of the year when people offer goodwill to one another
THROUGH your paper I would like to thank everyone for their continued support during 2001. Special thanks must go to an anonymous benefactor who sends us a substantial donation at this time of year and also to Safeway's supermarket and Wilson's Pet Store
I WOULD like to thank all those kind people in Evesham who gave so generously to our flag-days on December 6 and 7. They raised a magnificent total of £1,188.38. A huge thank you also goes to the manager and staff of Safeways for allowing us to hold the
TWO brothers are awaiting sentence after admitting an attack on another man in Kidderminster town centre last year. Richard McCormack, 29, of Willow Close, Cradley Heath, and Ryan McCormack, 17, of Usmere Road, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to assaulting
A DRIVER whose Range Rover left the road at 1am on December 23 was almost three times over the alcohol limit, Kidderminster magistrates were told. Vehicle engineer Nigel Bull, 45, of Button Bridge, Kinlet, was banned for three years for a second offence
A MAN has been remanded on bail for trial on a charge of threatening to burn down a house at Hartlebury. John Gaynor, 35, of Ringwood Drive, Frankley, pleaded not guilty at Worcester Crown Court to threatening to destroy Mark Doe's home at Torton Villas
BRINTONS Athletic reached the second round of the West Midlands League Cup with a 2-1 home victory over Ludlow Town Reserves, despite playing with 10 men for most of the match. The first 20 minutes between the West Midlands South teams was rather subdued
MOSTYN Rangers, who play in the Stourport and District Youth Football League, have become the first club in Worcestershire to be awarded a Football Association Charter Standard Club Award. It is designed to reward quality football provision and a commitment
MAY I take this seasonal opportunity to thank all those volunteers and supporters who have helped Kemp's fundraising efforts in the past year. Our street collections alone brought in £426.14 in Bewdley, £421.28 in Kidderminster, £359.28 in Stourport and
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians Rugby Club landed seven tries in a 39-25 home victory over Wednesbury on Saturday. The town club's scheduled fixtures against Shrewsbury were cancelled and hastily arranged A and B games against Wednesbury. The A fixture proved
ANDY Keast swept through Worcester Rugby Club's revolving doors today promising fans 'total rugby'. The 39-year-old coach stepped into Steve Townend's shoes as the former Wakefield man left Sixways after just four months of the season gone. Worcester's
HEREFORD United's combative midfielder Scott Goodwin has been told to cut out the silly fouls after receiving his second red card of the season in Saturday's 3-0 win against Stalybridge Celtic. Goodwin was also sent off in the 0-0 draw with Doncaster
MALVERN Town are proposing to move to a new ground after being given the go-ahead to pursue the sale of their current Langland Stadium. The ambitious West Midlands League Premier Division outfit have agreed a three-year contract with Barratts West Midlands
A reduced League programme was affected by heavy overnight frost, but third division Honeybourne Gate Inn maintained their push for promotion hitting eight past Oddfellows Arms. Phil Layton netted five and Carl Benfield grabbed a hat-trick for the Gate
100 years ago - January 4, 1902 Cropthorne: The bellringers and adult members of Cropthorne choir were entertained at the vicarage on New Year's Eve. Supper was served soon after evensong and the rest of the evening was spent in a very pleasant and social
A TROOPER from Kidderminster has seen in the New Year in Kosovo where he is serving on a six-month tour of duty. Matthew Davies, 22, is working as part of NATO's peacekeeping force where his duties include driving armoured vehicles in support of search
A MAN who knows a thing or two about postal votes opened the Royal Mail's new delivery office in Kidderminster. Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, who sealed a stunning electoral triumph last year, helped with the festive post at the new building at the
A COUPLE who have lit up the lives of their neighbours for six years have scooped the accolade of best seasonal spangles. Gillian and Arthur Jones, of Vicarage Road, Stone, have won the inaugural best Christmas decorated house competition. Not only has
THE county fire brigade has received a prestigious award for continuing to improve its public services. The Charter Mark, announced by the Cabinet Office, follows the original accolade given to the brigade three years ago. "The re-award of the charter
A BABY boy was the perfect gift for a Kidderminster couple on Christmas Day. Baby Mason arrived a week late to give Carrie Meaker and partner Adam Swingler the best present of all. Carrie, 19, of Trimpley Drive, said she was overwhelmed with her 8lbs
A MAN died following a fall while he was cleaning windows at his Kidderinster home, an inquest heard. Joseph Farmer, 66, fell into a rockery in the garden in Kennedy Close as he cleaned the first floor windows. His wife, Jean, went out to check on him
A MYSTERY Bewdley collector is £42,500 better off this New Year after figurines fetched a fine price at auction. The collector, who does not want to be named, had 54 Royal Worcester figures and animals up for grabs at Halls Fine Art's auction in Shrewsbury
THE Swan Theatre in Worcester is to share in an £8.6million grant from West Midlands Arts. The theatre, which is classified as a key regional organisation by the board, has been allocated £179,262. The grants are awarded to major galleries, theatres,
THE Royal Shakespeare Company is launching its new artistic model this spring with three projects in London and Stratford demonstrating the company's new approach to its artistic programming. Rather than one company of actors performing a pre-determined
LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY: The first meeting of the new year will take place on January 9 when the speaker will be Diane Perowne a guide at Soho House in Birmingham and her subject will be The Lunar Society of Birmingham. Meetings are held at the Greig Hall
JAN Molby will be forced to make a change as rampant Kidderminster Harriers seek their first Third Division double of the campaign at Torquay on Saturday. Giant defender Abdou Sall, who has played a significant role in the club's charge towards the play-off
News: A Christmas service was held at Saint Laurence's Church for the Childrens Society for the Church of England and the Church of Wales Voluntary Society. At Ragley Hall on December 18 and 19 the DVLA held a sale of number plates. The most sought after
PHOTOGRAPHY: Next Monday The Vale of Evesham Camera Club will welcome Joan Bloore LRPS, to give a photographic lecture entitled 'An Evening of AV Entertainment' at The Friends Meeting House, Cowl Street, Evesham 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. New members
ST JAMES' CHURCH: On January 26 an illustrated talk has been arranged to be held in the village hall at 7.30pm. The speaker, Tim Bridges, (keeper of collections at Worcester City Museum) is regarded as an authority on the churches of Worcestershire and
FILM SOCIETY: The next film, Bread and Roses, showing at Number 8 will be on Saturday at 7.30pm. This is a Cert (15) film and will run for 1 hr 50 mins. The first US set film from director Ken Loach, the film concentrates on the plight of a group of Latino
There will be one ride on Sunday, starting at 9.30am from The Green, Blakebrook. The ride will go to The Three Horses Inn, Wheathill, to meet members of other cycling clubs for lunch. All cyclists will be welcome. On Tuesday there will be a quiz at New
A coffee morning was held at York Street Medical Centre on December 8, giving members the opportunity to renew their membership for the year and to meet Dr Caroline Heath and practice manager Sue Bennett, who joined the surgery recently. Roy Crowe, chairman
A committee meeting will be held on Monday at 7.30pm when finance, fund-raising and refurbishment of furniture will be discussed. All ideas will be welcome - non-committee members are invited.
The final meeting of the year for this Kidderminster club featured entertainment by the Black Country group Cum Sing Wi' We followed by an American supper. In January the lunch venue will be The Old Beams at Stourport, meeting at noon for 12.30pm. The
The Wyre Forest and District Centre met at Blakedown parish room in December, when Richard Offen, manager of the trust's Neptune Coastline Campaign, gave a talk. The project was launched in 1965, and over the years £38 million has been raised to protect
IN reply to John Hinton (You Say, December 14) I felt sure he would take the bait as I believe he enjoys what he may think is a one-upmanship. It appears that his favourite phase is "thought-provoking." If he thinks the waffle he refers to is purposeful
I AM anxious to hear from other people over 50 who have had a similar experience to myself and my family with the NHS. I believe my mother was treated like a second-class patient because of her age. In July, 1997, my mother Eileen Webster, aged 66, contracted
IT'S never nice to see point-scoring wearing the mask of principled political debate, which is what makes Julie Kirkbride's continuing badgering of Tony Blair so distasteful. Far from encouraging real debate on the benefits and dangers of the MMR vaccine
WE ended the year on a high with a brilliant last minute winner against Weymouth to send us into the New Year with our third win in four matches. The aim for the rest of the season has to be to try and improve on our points tally and position from last
Founded: 1882 President: Roy Crowe Chairman: Chris Reynolds Secretary: Nigel Green Treasurer: Bill Inns General manager/groundsman: John McDonald Manager: Tim Langford Assistant Manager: Jan Mulders Coach: John Powell Physiotherapist: Malcolm Cowell Directions
SENIOR probation officer at Evesham, Chris Pearson has taken early retirement and tributes were paid to her when colleagues made presentations to her recently. Mrs Pearson was described by Pam Pimpernel as: "The epitomy of all that a probation officer
A GROUP of Evesham Venture Scouts are showing the advantages of sticking together as all 10 are gaining a top award. The members of the Galaxy Venture Scout Unit received their Queen's Scout Award at a presentation night at Hampton Scout Hall last Saturday
A YOUNG dancer from Evesham hopes to be making a name for herself now she's gained a BA with honours from a top London contemporary dance school. Hayley Rose from Kings Road in Evesham, who graduated from the Laban Centre in London last month is already
SEVENTY-FIVE new jobs could be created in Evesham if brewers Whitbread plc get the go-ahead to invest £2.5m in an edge of town hotel and restaurant facility. The company has submitted plans for a restaurant, public house and 41 bedroom hotel on land next
FRESH moves are underway in Pershore to get a link road built to relieve the town of industrial traffic. Town Mayor John Grantham wants to hold a public meeting to put pressure on Worcestershire County Council and the government to build a road connecting
A CRACKDOWN on speeding through towns and villages in a bid to save lives is being called for by the Council for the Protection of Rural England in Worcestershire. The answer, according to the CPRE, is the use of speed cameras, but fear West Mercia Police
TWENTY years ago, British people owed about £4b on credit and store cards. Today, the figure is close to £85bn, according to a national building society. The Evangelical Alliance maintains the average level of consumer credit per person is set to double
THE majority of company directors in the Midlands believe that cracking politically incorrect jokes and using slang are now acceptable in many business situations, according to the fifth annual Aziz Management Communications Index. The research by The
A RURAL business which suffered because of last year's foot-and-mouth crisis has started this year with renewed hope. Kidderminster-based Detton Beef and Lamb is benefiting from a £3,800 Rural Recovery Fund grant. Administered by Advantage West Midlands
BIDFORD households are set to receive their parish appraisal questionnaires this month. The questionnaires, originally for distribution in November, will give an insight to what people in the village want in the Local Plan. Brian Tafft, said it was carrying
SEVERAL objections to a scheme to redevelop Marriage Hill nurseries have not been addressed in fresh plans, according to a pressure group. Walter Stafford, spokesman for the Bidford-on-Avon Residents Group, said the new development plan from Color Estates
