Bretforton Ladies 2, Banbury 1 SOME tactical repositioning by coach Phil Talbot proved the key to Saturday's narrow win. Banbury were the first to apply the pressure but Debbie Slatter helped start a series of incisive passing moves that produced some
Shipston Ladies 1, Evesham 0 A DOUBLE booking ended Saturday's friendly fixture prematurely with Shipston leading courtesy of a goal from Helen Patrick. The Christmas break had taken its toll on the Shipston side but they were determined to start the
TWO police operations over Christmas have been hailed as successes in reducing disorder on the streets of Worcester - but taxi drivers claim more work needs to be done. Worcester police ran two five-week operations starting in December to try and tackle
A CAMPAIGNER is outraged after discovering cattle grids are to be installed in several roads throughout Castlemorton. Dick Dawe staged a protest outside the village's parish hall after learning that the cattle grids are to be laid on stretches including
PREPARATIONS are underway to deal with the transfer of housing stock away from direct Worcester City Council control. Councillors have already applied to the Government for a place on the 2002/3 Stock Transfer programme. Now, they are calculating the
AN umpires course run by the Kidderminster and District Cricket Umpires Association has started on Tuesdays at Chainwire. It will run for 10 weeks, while the annual dinner will be held tomorrow at Habberley Golf Club.
THE Malvern division of the St John Ambulance service is celebrating after raising £1,000. The cash, which will be used to buy essential equipment such as bandages, was donated during collections outside Waitrose on Friday, November 30, and Saturday,
A WORCESTER pasty shop has been given the go-ahead by the city council, despite concerns that its presence contravenes the 1998 Local Plan. The Falmouth Pasty Shop was granted temporary planning permission to trade in St Swithin's Street in 1995, when
FEARFUL paramedics have warned people will die if county ambulance provision is not changed. They also fear stressed-out staff at Kidderminster Ambulance Station will leave in droves because of increased pressure. Under-siege Kidderminster paramedics
FOLLOWING the case Government inspectors warned the manufacturing industry to give more attention to the safety of their workforce when using large machinery. Health and Safety Executive inspector Kay Brookes said: "This was an horrific case and the judge
BUSINESSES in Stourport have invested thousands of pounds to install CCTV cameras across the town centre in a "ground-breaking" bid to combat criminals. Ten cameras - as opposed to between three and six envisaged last summer - capable of reading car number
BURGER giant McDonald's has seen its plans for a drive-thru restaurant - its third site in Kidderminster - thrown out by district planners amid widespread public opposition. Wyre Forest District Councillors hailed the decision as a triumph for democracy
HELP is at hand for sufferers of chronic pain and fatigue following the founding of a fibromyalgia support group by a former Kidderminster nurse. Julie MacDonald, 43, of Chester Road North, was diagnosed with the condition two years ago after her car
A STATUS Quo-endorsed tribute band will be rocking all over the Cotswolds this weekend. Piledriver, recognised by the legendary rockers as the number one Quo tribute band, will be playing two shows at Stanton Village Club, near Broadway, tomorrow and
THIS rustic scene was photographed in 1930. It shows Ron Styler, of Hunt End, in the foreground with his grandfather William Styler driving cattle from Berrow Hill, near Feckenham, to Poplar Lane, near the site of an electricity substation. The picture
AN application to extend the Public Entertainment Licence at a popular town centre pub until 1am three nights a week has prompted objections from residents. The application would see The Litten Tree, in Market Place, licensed from 10am to 1am the following
DUNCAN Roke looks set to be handed a key role for Worcester against Henley Hawks on Saturday. The 27-year-old centre, who made his name at Dry Leas before his summer move, is likely to start at full-back for the Sixways clash after winning back his first
THURSDAY: Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - The Numan Principle. Stourbridge: Rock Caf 2000 - Moore Or Less. FRIDAY: Birmingham: Symphony Hall - Aldred Brendel. Stourbridge: Rock Caf 2000 - The Police Force. Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - Northern Soul Night
ATHLETICS: Matt Vaux-Harvey won the Birmingham Cross Country League Division Two race at Northampton on Saturday. Vaux-Harvey led Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club back into first place in the league by finishing in 31 minutes 20 seconds. Alan
ATHLETICS: The 2002 Amazing Feet Inter-Club Race League got off to a good start with eight runners in the Roman nine-mile road race at Stratford. The first leader is 2000 champion Wayne Slater who finished first for the club in one hour five minutes 31
TABLE TENNIS: The battle between the second and third placed teams in Kidderminster Table Tennis League Division One saw KF Hawks complete the double over Jim's Gym B. Hawks were again indebted to Jason Jones and Steve Smith in a 6-4 win as the duo won
SNOOKER: Snooks A came from 2-0 down to beat Pockets A 3-2 and stay top of Kidderminster and District Monday Snooker League Division One. St John's stay top of Division Two after beating Pockets D 4-1 but Legion also won, 3-2 over St John's F, to stay
SAILING: The opening races of Trimpley Sailing Club's new winter series began with light to moderate winds and a good turnout. Three GP14s and one Laser raced in the Saturday Snowflake Series. Ray Drury and crew Simon Fletcher won both races with Rob
DARTS: Great Western claimed revenge over leaders Red Lion as the second half of the Bewdley League season got underway. Beaten 6-1 on the opening day of the season, Western hit back 4-3 by winning the deciding game in the return match. The Rising Sun
CHESS: Kidderminster again took a share of the points in their home Wolverhampton League Second Division match against Lucas. The 3-3 stalemate was their third draw in succession, continuing the season's unbeaten record. Individual results (Kidderminster
Versatile Hinton began his career at right-back before reverting to a centre-half role during the Conference championship-winning season. The change of position proved the making of the former Birmingham City trainee who is now rated at £1 million and
TRIVIA: Joint Kidderminster Triva League leaders Hare and Hounds and Red Man BCC both recorded good victories. Hare and Hounds beat Boar's Head 75-58 and Red Man BCC beat Red Man Extras 71-52. Other results: Eagles Nest 65, Red Man Allstars 62; King Billy
MIDFIELDER Leon Jackson is doubtful for Worcester City's clash with Hednesford Town this weekend. The 23-year-old had been hoping for a return to action after straining his medial ligament in the 4-0 win over Newport Isle of Wight on December 22 when
Stamps started with Torquay United despite being brought up in Birmingham and his obvious talent earned him a £10,000 move to Colchester United in 1997. The left-footer moved to Harriers on a free in September 1999 after playing in the Second Division
Rangy Ayres joined Harriers as a youth-team player from Walsall but progressed to the reserves after impressing at the heart of the defence. A big future is predicted for the youngster who has signed a two-year deal and made his competitive debut in the
Senegal-born Sall began his career with French Third Division Montauban and impressed enough to be snapped up by Toulouse. However, a switch to England earned the giant defender a trial with Harriers and a two-year move in August 2001. Powerful in aerial
Pacy Foster was top scorer during the Conference-winning season but has been hit by injury throughout his professional footballer days. An England schoolboy and later semi-professional international, he was released by Liverpool after being a reserve
Tall target-man who made an immediate impact with his aggression, spirit and goal-scoring on being signed for £50,000 from Peterborough in January 2001. Despite his disciplinary problems, Broughton is a first choice when fit and wins a lot of aerial challenges
HEAVY plant equipment worth almost £10,000 was taken from a Kidderminster business after thieves cut through a perimeter fence. Birch Brothers in Sandy Lane, Stourport, suffered the break-in to two outbuildings between Friday evening and Monday morning
A KIDDERMINSTER man has been jailed for 15 months for sex attacks on a young girl. Ronald Hussey, 46, of Woodbury Road, was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault by a jury after a trial at Worcester Crown Court last year. But he still maintains
THE Government has given former Labour Wyre Forest MP David Lock, who suffered a devastating election defeat last year, a top crime-busting role. The former minister, who lost by 17,630 votes to Independent Dr Richard Taylor, has been appointed new service
Further to Irene Mackenzie and Brian George's letter in the Journal January 10, regarding my comments on the Regal Cinema, I would like to make an open reply on the letters page, I could nip across the road and speak to them in person but they are probably
RESIDENTS of Wyre Piddle have recently received a leaflet outlining traffic restrictions proposed for the village. These proposals appear to be set in stone, when they are not. There is still the option to prevent all through traffic using Wyre Piddle
One can sympathise with Mr Parr in his quest for information on the Regional Development Agency. It is in fact one of several quangos set up by the Government which play an active part in running our region, but are not accountable to us. What we badly
MECHANIC Steven Randall used his trade skills to help a friend hot-wire a car in a dealer's compound. His fingerprints were on the car when the police found it at Aggborough, magistrates were told. Randall, 19, of Cobham Road, Kidderminster, was bailed
MENINGITIS and meningococcal septicaemia can kill children and young adults within hours. Today there is still no effective vaccine available for the prevention of meningococcal group B meningitis which accounts for most cases of bacterial meningitis.
I REFER to a recent series of articles in the Shuttle/Times & News. Is it just me being cynical, or has anybody else noticed the strange coincidence between the forthcoming incinerator appeal and the new sports centre in Foley Park? One of the grounds
A KIDDERMINSTER man said to be a heroin addict has been warned he faces custody unless he complies with a drug testing order. Wayne Crowther is required to report twice a week for checks to see whether he is clear of drugs, Worcester Crown Court was told
CHRISTMAS match: Paul Pearsall 8-0, Gary Owen 4-0, Bob Harris 3-0, Mick Sztybel 2-12, Andy Bentley 2-8. Round three of the Winter League will be held on Saturday, draw 8am at The Woodman.
A REGISTERED blind man is facing trial at crown court on charges of making and distributing pornographic images of children. Paul Hawkesford, 39, of Lucy Edwards Court, Kidderminster, appeared before magistrates on 10 allegations of making the pictures
A CONTEST has been organised for Sunday at Poole Hall, Cuckoo Pool. Those taking part should meet at The Horsefair, Kidderminster, at 7am or at the venue at 7.30am. For more details, call 0775 916 5381.
THERE will be a match at HETA Pool on Sunday, draw 9.15am. Members are asked to note subs must be paid prior to fishing this event.
Littleton 6, Badsey Utd 1 LITTLETON moved into the final of the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup with a 6-1 victory over their near neighbours and old friends. The margin of the victory was harsh on Badsey who at times held the upper hand. Littleton made the
I WAS very disappointed to experience a total lack of support when in need recently. We arrived home to find a stray dog on our doorstep and because it was found after 5pm I was told by the RSPCA, the dog warden and police that it was our problem. The
SUNDAY, Lyttelton 21-43: P Wilson 3-9 (bonus peg), R Harris 3-4, M Carey 1-10-8dr - 22 fished, only three weighed in. The next contest is on Sunday, February 10 on the BAA Staffordshire/Worcestershire Canal 26-27. Members interested in fishing an annual
IT was a bad day for Bretforton Old Boys in more ways than one after the Stratford Alliance leaders crashed out of the Nursing Home Cup. Two goals from Ade Smith proved enough to sentence the Journal Premier Division side to defeat at the hands of Needlemakers
WHEN visiting Kidderminster recently I was disgusted at the McDonald's litter - plastic and polystyrene containers etc - strewn around the benches in Worcester Street. People were sitting, eating their takeaways, with litter all around their ankles, even
BEWDLEY Town were knocked out of the Kidderminster Hospital Cup by West Midland League Division One North side Ounsdale by the only goal of the match. Ounsdale were the better side in the first half and could have been three or four goals ahead but for
Bishampton 5, All Blacks 3 BISHAMPTON continued their winning run but almost contrived to throw the points away with a poor second half display. Although the All Blacks are one place off the bottom of the division they started the game brightly and put
Pershore Town 7, WM Police Res 0 AS EXPECTED, in form Town took the Police to task as they made comfortable progress in Saturday's Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup clash. Richard Congrave was Pershore's goal hero in the seven-goal drubbing, the striker finding
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers Ladies began 2002 in style with a 3-0 victory over Billesley to keep them top of the West Midlands Premier League. They took the lead in the 34th minute when a Louise Holmes corner found Lauren Haswell unmarked to blast home from
LATEST match: Paul Waters 45-8, Mark Johnston 8-6, Colin Reed 2-4, J Mills 1-12. The next match will be at Willow Marsh on January 27, draw 8am. Inquiries should be directed to M Wood on 01562 862611.
FOR many people, men's health and men's diseases meas only one thing, and that is the prostate gland and it's diseases. Prostate is a small walnut shaped organ, situated deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder. In fact, its position is so extraordinary
Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League THE First Division championship race was blown wide open as Moreton Wanderers crashed to a surprise defeat at Bredon. A Lee Diamond double, including a penalty, was enough for the home side. Wanderers replied through
STRAWBERRY Pool: B Roberts 19-3, T Hughes 4-15, C Willis 4-6. A match will be at the same venue on Sunday, January 27, draw 8am.
I WAS interested in the photograph of members of Remove at King Charles I School in 1953 in the Shuttle/Times & News of January 3, and I was pleased that Mick Shuck had tracked down a number of his old school mates as a result of it. However, probably
OWEN Davies scored a hat-trick to help St John's Tigers U-17s to a 4-2 victory in a day of Stourport Youth League Cup action. The fourth goal was added by Dave Greaves as St John's defeated Kingsbridge Colts. Burlish Olympic, U-13s league leaders, demolished
I AM somewhat amazed and yet bemused at Councillor Frank Baillie's letter in the Shuttle/Times & News (January 3). Coming from him, his complaint about Bewdley Town Council doing nothing borders on the hysterical. Just look at his record to date,
THE Samba Boys' beat is still playing in the Stourport Five-a-side League Premier Division after a big 7-2 win over AC Ram at Stourport Sports Centre. Latest results, Premier Division: Professionals A 2 Indoor Milan 3, Professionals B 5 Men Behaving Badly
FOCUSED Ferndale Girls U-13s hold a 5-1 lead from the first leg of the League Cup semi-final after a comfortable home win over Hednesford Town. They play at previously unbeaten Hednesford, who they drew against earlier in the season, in the second leg
A FIRST defeat in six years to rivals Bridgnorth put a dent in Kidderminster Carolians' Midlands Three West (North) title bid. They lost 20-10 as the Shropshire side won every game down to fourth team level in a bad weekend for KCs. President Ian Wilson
BOTTOM club Cleobury Mortimer slipped further into Midlands Four West (North) relegation peril with a narrow 17-15 defeat at Handsworth. Cleobury hoped to avenge a 7-17 defeat earlier in the season but the home side settled much quicker. Handsworth were
MIDFIELDER Leon Jackson is doubtful for Worcester City's clash with Hednesford Town this weekend. The 23-year-old had been hoping for a return to action after straining his medial ligament in the 4-0 win over Newport Isle of Wight on December 22 when
THREE North Midlands players have been included in the England 18-Group Schools final rugby union trial at Nottingham High School this weekend. Number eight Luke Narraway, scrum-half Nick Major and fly-half Ross Laidlaw, who are all students at King's
MALVERN Rugby Club travel to Sharmans Cross Road on Saturday to take on the second string of National One side Birmingham and Solihull. "This will be a strong test for our squad" said director of rugby David Robins. "The Bees are in the same league as
LUCTONIANS took over the leadership of Midlands One last weekend when they beat Leicester Lions 11-3 at Kingsland. But on Saturday they face another top challenge when they take on Yorkshire visitors Halifax in the sixth round of the Intermediate Cup,
WORCESTER Norton Under 19 women's squad retained their Worc-estershire Clubs Championship Trophy with three convincing wins at Stourport and now qualify as the county's representatives in the Midland Counties Under 19 Clubs' Finals at Northampton on March
AFTER losing 4-2 to Bloxwich last Saturday Stourport Ladies Hockey Club first team entertain Olton 2B on Saturday. It is their last friendly before they re-start their Worcestershire First Division programmes against Droitwich the following weekend. There
A NEW sports complex available for both Kidderminster Harriers and the community could be built in the town following the thumbs-up from district planners. The plans, identical to those given approval in 1997 but which did not materialise due to the club's
THE owner of the remains of a medieval tower in Kidderminster who rescued it from ruin has had rate charges waived by grateful council chiefs. Members of Wyre Forest District Council's executive committee agreed discretionary rate relief of 100 per cent
A WOMAN born before the Boer War broke out in the late 19th century celebrated her 104th birthday last week. And "independent-minded" Beatrice Richards, who moved to the district 17 years ago from her native Black Country, is still living on her own in
THE British Horse Society has welcomed Government consultation on an animal welfare bill and proposed updating of laws protecting domestic or captive animals. Among issues the society wants addressed in any new legislation is introduction of powers to
A POPULAR hospital visitor who grew vegetables for the elderly has died. Bob Andrews, 75, of Hemming Street, Kidderminster, had visited elderly and bed-bound patients at the town hospital since 1977. The sprightly visitor used to give vegetables and run
A MEMORIAL concert for Stourport 70s pop star Clifford T Ward will be held next month. A musical line-up will pay homage to the singer/songwriter at The Gainsborough Hotel, Kiddermin-ster, on Sunday, February 3. And a collection will be held with proceeds
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers joined in celebrations for the 21st anniversary of Kemp Hospice during Saturday's 1-0 win over Darlington. The football club is raising money for the hospice through its fortnightly Goalden Six lottery which has 6,000 members and
COLLECTORS will be looking to raise cash in aid of children in Afghanistan later this month outside Sainsbury's in Kidderminster. Save the Children estimates more than 500,000 people have been forced from their homes in northern Afghanistan by drought
IT was a rum deal for marathon man Andrew Dickens who braved 106 degrees C to complete the Jamaica marathon for charity. The Wyre Forest District Council leisure chief was aghast to find runners collapsing all around him after a late start to the gruelling
Bewdley Town Council has recommended a bid for permi- ssion to fit demountable flood doors to the front and back of a house in Severnside South be approved. But members have suggested Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee
EVESHAM CC wants to make their ground available to works and office teams, and pub sides. Last year, a non-turf cricket match pitch was installed on the main square at the Albert Road ground with the intention that it should be used by local teams, especially
Barry Hopkins is swapping his false boobs and frilly frocks for the director's chair in this year's pantomime, Babes in the Wood, by the Pheonix Theatre Group. Barry played Nurse Dora Dumpling in the highly successful Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs last
BOURTON PANTO GROUP is gearing up for a beautifully beastly production this year. Yes, it's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and the show will be staged at the Victoria Hall in Bourton from January 29 to February 2. There's even a wise old snowy owl in the play,
Redditch United Grand Christmas Draw Result; 1st: Mr K Jones c/o Linread; 2nd: Sanders Clan; 3rd: Mr DK Broome c/o Howard; 4th: D Dyson c/o J Mee; 5th: Rana Micro Springs c/o Rg; 6th: J Slater c/o Howard; 7th: M Harris c/o Good food group. For prizes
ROD Brown is hoping to talk to former Stourport skipper Lea Shaw tonight about a move from Bilston. The Reds boss can talk to the midfielder after making a seven day approach and wants to have Shaw on board for Saturday's trip to Sutton Coldfield Town
REDS manager Rod Brown was this week hoping to tie up the signing of former Stourport captain Lea Shaw in time for the trip to Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday. 'The General' captained the Walshes Meadow side to their Midland Alliance title last season
RAIDERS broke into two Volvo cars which were parked near Broadway Tower between 2.35 and 2.45pm on January 2. The raiders stole a leather handbag and purse after smashing the rear quarterlight of a silver car, but the owner of a red Volvo, a man aged
MANAGER of the Lygon Arms in Broadway, Barry Hancox, has promised that repair work outside the hotel will start soon. The news follows months of complaints by Broadway villagers and visitors, that the uneven pavements outside the hotel, and outside Barn
THREE stone ornaments were taken from the back garden of a Broadway house last weekend. The grey items, worth £80, were stolen from Cheltenham Road between 11pm on Saturday, January 5, and 10.45am the next day. Anyone with information about the theft
STAFF at a tiny branch of HSBC in Broadway raised more than £1,100 for charity during 2001. Headed by bank manager, Ellen Wagstaff, with full-timer Juliet Fisher and part-timer, Alison White, the staff must be among the most community-minded in the country
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers Ladies began 2002 in style with a 3-0 victory over Billesley to keep them top of the West Midlands Premier League. They took the lead in the 34th minute when a Louise Holmes corner found Lauren Haswell unmarked to blast home from
CAROLS IN THE BARN: Armed with a torch and wearing as many layers as I decently could, including my husbands worst scenario woolly golf hat, I set out for what I fear could be the last carols in the barn. Getting there early is not a good idea, in view
Evesham Rambling Club: Fourty ramblers assembled at Salwarpe Village Hall and set off at a cracking pace because it was so cold. We marched under the ancient yew arch of the local churchyard, then along the Salwarpe canal running beside the Salwarpe river
INNER WHEEL CLUB: Pershore Inner Wheel Club celebrated its annual Inner Wheel Day last week by cooking and serving lunch at Almonry Close in Pershore. The 30 residents were served a Christmas lunch of roast turkey with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas
WE'VE banned all talk about the Rotherham match this week because everyone needs to focus 100 per cent on Henley at Sixways. We, of course, travel to South Yorkshire on January 26, but before that have a vital home clash with the Hawks on Saturday. It
The first meeting of the year featured a talk on Food for Thought by Rosemary Hubbard. A wall hanging made by members was due to be presented at the official opening of the new extension of the village hall, on January 12. The next meeting will be on
PRINCE Henry's Under-18s rugby side crashed out of the Daily Mail Schools Vase last Wednesday. The local lads visited Solihull Sixth Form College when a place in the quarter-finals was the prize for the winners. However, the home side ran out 32-12 winners
There will be a meeting of this self help group on Monday at a new venue - Horsefair Community Centre. The meeting, from 2pm until 4pm, will include a general discussion. New members are always welcome. For further information telephone 01562 851517.
Due to illness and the bad weather, there were only a few members at the January meeting. Members were asked to return the voting slips about the re-scheduling of the time of meetings, and were reminded about forthcoming trips. A letter from Patricia
The Gunpowder Plot and the Midlands is the subject of Vince Hemingway's talk on Wednesday, which starts at 7.30pm at St George's Church Annexe, Radford Avenue.
The annual meeting will be held at Stourport Day Centre on Thursday, January 24, starting at 7.30pm. With increased entries and exhibitors, the annual show was a great success, and made a considerable profit, even after paying for the damage to the tent
THE letter from D Sheppard (You Say, January 5) is a perfect example of how little knowledge the anti-hunt brigade have about the countryside. They have glib answers to problems they don't even understand and, worse, they think they can solve problems
WE run a unique Helpline for people in need, their relatives or people who advise them. The Association of Charity Officers (ACO) is an umbrella body which represents a network of more than 200 charities that help individuals. The ACO Helpline is a gateway
THE national audit office recently reported that some notable hospital trusts had been massaging their hospital waiting lists to improve or retain their position on the hospital league table. It was alleged that patient appointments were postponed or
PHILLPOTT'S Files - every one a winner, guaranteed! But why was "Don't gamble with the euro" written under "taking a look at the not-so-obvious"? Surely, to anyone with an iota of interest in the future well-being of the UK, it is as obvious as the nose
ANITA Knittel (Evening News, January 8) has allowed herself be sucked in by the twisted emotional propaganda of animal extremist groups and has therefore let down her patients. Like her, I am also a nurse, and witness the benefits of animal research everyday
ALCESTER Hospital was built in 1914 at the beginning of the Great War with the purpose of serving a workhouse situated on the Fields Park Drive site. It has now earned its place at the heart of the community. When first built, there were four wards, including
WYRE Forest Citizens Advice Bureau has taken the unusual step of organising a concert as its latest fund-raising activity. Award-winning Kidderminster Male Voice Choir will be performing in aid of the service, which operates from a base in New Road, at
AFRO addicts can get their fix of 70s action when a brand new Jackson Five tribute burst onto the stage in Bewdley next month. Bookings are being taken for the newest act to sign up to Kidderminster-based Upfront Entertainments Agency - Hull's J5. They
A MEMORIAL concert for Stourport 70s pop star Clifford T Ward will be held next month. A musical line-up will pay homage to the singer/songwriter at The Gainsborough Hotel, Kiddermin-ster, on Sunday, February 3. And a collection will be held with proceeds
A TRADITIONAL pantomime with a modern day twist is being staged by a charity theatre company in Stourport next week. The Monday Night Group has chosen Jack and the Beanstalk as its 36th annual pantomime - and have promised what they hope will be sell-out
NEW Year, new talent - that is the situation at Kidderminster's Rose Theatre as resident group The Nonentities get 2002 underway with an "up-to-the-minute comedy". Mr Wonderful is a play by James Robson, a writer new to The Rose stage - and the script
FOOTBALL fans have the chance to quiz one of the most prolific scorers in recent years in a special event taking place in Bewdley next week. Wolverhampton Wanderers legend and one-time England striker Steve Bull will be at Bewdley Institute, Load Street
BUDDING poets have been quick off the mark to enter a poetry competition aimed at raising funds for a good cause. Entries are already rolling in after last week's Shuttle/Times and News story about the venture into verse in aid of a new £2.2 million hospice
THE curtain goes up on the new season - which promises musicals, drama, comedy, opera and family shows - at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre next month. It all kicks off with the return of one of the theatre's favourite performers, Mark Rattray, in the special
EVESHAM High School has launched a fund-raising campaign in a bid to become South Worcestershire's specialist Sports College. If pupils and staff raise £50,000, there will be a big share-out of cash from the Government and other sports and lottery grants
HELEN Barnett was given the runaround at Evesham's Rivers Gym, but it turned out to be all in a good cause. She won a nine-event competition for women using the gym in which entrants had to dash round using different items of equipment in the quickest
DOCTORS in the Vale fear for the future of the Evesham and Pershore community hospitals following the announcement of a huge NHS budget deficit. The Worcestershire Community and Mental Health Trust revealed a deficit of nearly £300,000 by the end of last
WORK began this week on a £385,000 road safety scheme on the A46 at Beckford. It marks the end of a long campaign by villagers, councillors and MP Sir Michael Spicer for improvements. The scheme follows a consultation in the village by the highways agency
THE county of Worcestershire is in the "last chance saloon" if it is to avoid eventual abolition, the Vale's MP has claimed. Peter Luff told members of Evesham Rotary Club that the Government's White Paper - expected next month - on plans for regional
PARTY-goers are being urged to take action to make sure that their Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations go with a swing. Environmental health officers are reminding residents that public entertainment, including singing and dancing, has by law to be licensed
RICHARD Brenda, a pupil at Alcester High School, was the youngest member of a triumphant Warwickshire Fencing Team in Nottingham this weekend. The Northern Counties Championship pits the best fencers from six counties against each other in foil, epee
SIX months after joining Worcester Athletic Club, Daniel Keen has already notched up a quartet of cross country triumphs. The 13-year-old pupil of Simon de Montfort School has monopolised this season's Gloucester League event - winning the opening three
COMMITTED Elaine Gale has been instrumental in pushing forward netball in the Wyre Forest area. Gale has coached Kidderminster Carolians to success in the Kidderminster and District League through her dedication and organised planning. She is now county
Cotswold League A SMALL but vociferous band of supporters were treated to one of the most exciting and skilful sessions of floorball in this year's league. Mickleton opened with a 2-1 win over St David's, thanks to two goals from Will Begg. Ed Dale replied
EVESHAM'S junior girls have again been in good form as they enjoyed success at the Head of the Avon Gorge race. The 4/-mile row on a tidal river was one of the first major events attended by the latest group of 13-year-old girls to come up into the junior
HOTSHOTS at Kidderminster Rifle Club have had a tremendous centenary year, both at local and national level. James Bennett, one of many talents produced by Kidderminster, represented Great Britain against the rest of Europe. He also won the Chairman's
MES Pinvin and District League QUEENS (Elmley Castle) recorded the most impressive win in the quarter-finals of the Cooper Cup. League leaders Swan (Birlingham) were the victims of an 8-1 defeat and only a last singles win from Terry Price prevented a
Evesham C 22, Chiltown 19 TRAILING by three goals at half-time, Evesham hit back to level going into the final quarter and then pulled out all the stops to snatch a superb victory. A final period substitution proved the key to Evesham's fightback as their
EVESHAM Swimming Club stages its 17th Annual Biathlon on Sunday April 28. This event is usually very well attended with about 250 competitors taking part from all parts of the country. The Biathlon consists of a swim and a run, but you do get a rest in
TENNIS ace Lewis Barnes is one of the country's talented up-and-coming players who could one day follow in the footsteps of Tim Henman. The 11-year-old Lickhill Middle School pupil, who lives in Torton, is in the LTA's National Futures Squad after impressing
BIDFORD county councillor Peter Barnes has slammed proposals to close the village fire station. Closure of the station is just one of the options which has been put forward by the county council to try and save the fire service £200,000 a year, but Coun
JRR Tolkien's classic tale of the Lord of the Rings, which is sweeping cinemas world-wide, comes nearly 30 years after the author's death in 1973. Members of the great man's family, who live in and around Evesham, have been amazed and delighted by the
West Bromwich II 2, Pershore II 7. PERSHORE travelled up the M5 for their first DTZ League fixture after the the Christmas break with a team boasting a good mix of youth and experience. Early pressure was competently dealt with by a rearranged defence
AMBULANCE workers have put out an emergency warning that the service is deeply under strain - and patients could die. Paramedics in Kidderminster raised the alarm after answering night calls from across the two counties, sometimes leaving the whole of
WINCHCOMBE School has been running a mixed hockey club for all age groups and abilities since last September. This has proven a great success, with up to 25 students and girls from all year groups, going along to after school practices. Practice nights
A TEENAGE girl who was celebrating the end of her GCSE examinations has been convicted of handling stolen goods in a Worcester nightclub. The 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found with another woman's handbag at the Torch
STUDENTS from Worcester College of Technology have been put through their paces in a series of sport, fitness and health challenges. The gruelling tests, carried out at Cannons Fitness premises in Droitwich Road, Worcester, involved a planned workout
UP to £1m which doctors feared was to be stripped from Worcestershire to pay for bureaucratic redundancies looks set to be returned to the county. The Department of Health has now said only £100,000 to £200,000 will be taken back from the county as "efficiency
A NURSE pushed an elderly woman into a chair so hard that it left the ground and hit the wall behind. Jacqueline Davies claimed pensioner Edith Hutchinson had become aggressive, but admitted an "error of judgement" in the force she used to deal with her
INDOOR coaching is being run for youngsters through Victoria Carpets Cricket Club junior section. Sessions run on Tuesdays from 7pm until 9pm at Harry Cheshire High School, Kidderminster. New and old members are welcome. Anyone interested can call 01562
A SHAKE-UP among West Worcestershire Liberal Democrats has brought the temporary suspension of the Malvern branch and the resignation of the prospective Parliamentary candidate. The party had high hopes for its candidate, Mike Hadley, after he made serious
A DROITWICH pensioner who refuses to pay her business rates is to be made bankrupt. Eighty-two-year-old Nellie Copson has been served with a bankruptcy petition by Wychavon District Council. Miss Copson refuses to pay the business levy on her disused
A WORCESTER mental health unit which was closed when bacteria was found in the water system has been reopened to patients. The east wing of the Elgar Unit at Newtown Hospital is back to normal after being out of use since July last year. Patients were
A MEMORIAL to 12 children and a teacher who died in the Hagley school mini bus crash has been attacked by vandals. The vandals caused £1,000 of damage to the memorial garden at St Ambrose RC Junior School, Kidderminster, which had been dedicated to the
FIXTURES MIDLANDS ONE Saturday, January 19. FRIENDLY: Birmingham & Solihull II v Malvern. Saturday, January 26. Malvern v Camp Hill. Saturday, February 2. Broadstreet v Malvern. Saturday, February 9. Malvern v Walsall. Saturday, February 16. Saturday
A FARMER forced out of the family home because his mother died has had his application to build himself a bungalow thrown out. Despite pleas from Councillor David Lee, Wychavon's planning committee rejected plans to replace the steel-framed hay barn at
SCHOOLCHILDREN who took a trip into Worcester's past had plenty to smile about when they were presented with history awards. Clever youngsters proved they were well on form when they scooped the top prizes at the Worcester City History Awards Scheme for
A SCHOOLBOY told a jury he visited a Kidderminster flat to buy drugs with money he made by selling stolen goods. He picked out 46-year-old David Round on a police identification parade and said he had also recognised him in the street on other occasions
BOGUS callers posing as plain-clothed police officers are believed to be responsible for a series of distraction-type offences in Hereford. Police are warning residents to be on their guard after a quantity of cash and a pension book were taken from a
ARTISTIC students at Evesham High School have been inspired by works of art from the past - and their creations are now being put on display next to them. Pupils from the school visited the Museum of Worcester Porcelain for a behind-the-scenes tour and
A "GODSEND" for the most socially deprived ward in Worcestershire will bring 30 new jobs and health facilities after plans for a new fitness centre were approved. The proposed health and fitness centre on Foley Business Park, Stourport Road, Kidderminster
ONE heart attack, two strokes, two cases of high blood pressure and one broken relationship - this has been the price of flooding for people in one part of Bewdley. These are the statistics cited by Lax Lane resident Jenny Hanson, 52, who will tonight
FIREFIGHTERS were called out to the River Severn in Bewdley in a special boat to fish for an unusual catch - a Ford Orion. The crew from Worcester was launched at 9.20am on Monday morning after being told the car was in the river opposite the Woodman
A CARPET company has been fined £45,000 after a worker got caught in machinery and suffered horrific injuries. Carpets of Kidderminster, based in Wilden Lane, Stourport, admitted three breaches of health and safety regulations. The Wilden Lane premises
BIG changes are in the pipeline for Bewdley with a revamped town centre, theatre and arts centre and skate park all in the offing. Townsfolk have been urged to grasp a "once in a lifetime" chance to shape its future over the next 10 years. A 2002 Domesday
RESIDENTS are paying twice for the same service and Wyre Forest District Council "couldn't care less" about it according to the leader of Stourport Town Council. Labour councillor Reg Knott claims the council is united in lobbying the district for the
VULNERABLE teenagers face the "devastating" experience of being moved away from family, friends and schools in Wyre Forest due to an acute shortage of foster carers in the district. Worcestershire County Council has only three-quarters of the carers it
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a housing estate in a conservation area of Cleobury Mortimer have been thrown out by South Shropshire District Council. Members of the planning committee backed the objections of Cleobury Mortimer Parish Council, which voted
A NERVY opening failed to stop record signing Andy Ducros turn only his fifth Football League start of 2001/2002 into a successful one. Ducros netted the winner and had numerous other efforts at goal in a three-man attack alongside Bo Henriksen and Ian
SPORTS centres in Kidderminster and Stourport could be transferred from local authority management to charitable trusts in a move aimed at slashing costs. It would involve the Glades Leisure Centre in Kidderminster and Stourport Sports Centre. But Bewdley
PAUL Jones and Dave Kelly, in concert at Huntingdon Hall, CrownGate, Worcester, on January 31, are both well-known lead singers with The Blues Band. They'll play a mostly acoustic set, performing old blues favourites as well as their own compositions.
MALVERN RFC Saturday, January 19. 1st XV v B'ham/Solihull (Away). Meet 12 noon. Kick off 2.15pm. No. 2 Dress Code. Navy blue shorts. J Daniell, D Irish, S Lancett, D Short, M Williams, S Taylor, O Banwell, P Hart, I White, P Jenkins, R Young, A Hills,
A MAJOR scheme costing more than £1million has been drawn up in an attempt to improve the town centre around Church Green, writes Becky Procter. A bid will be submitted to Worcestershire County Council through the Local Transport Plan and Kingfisher Centre
HEADLESS Cross residents are being urged to help landscape parts of their own neighbourhood. Headless Cross Green, which was saved from housing development two years ago, and Nailpasser Green on the corner of Rectory Road and Birchfield Road, are to be
IF you live outside the Wyre Forest area, you might think that the crisis over night-time ambulance cover has nothing to do with you. In a direct sense, that will be the case for most people. But, indirectly, it affects everyone for whom the service is
HOCKEY: The experienced David Knott was Stourport indoor side's leading scorer in the first round of national league matches at the Glades, Kidderminster. Knott scored seven, including four in one match, while Phil Lashford notched six and Shilen Tanna
HOCKEY: Richard Wheeler's hat-trick helped Kidderminster Boundary to a 4-4 draw at home to Solihull Blossomfield in DTZ League Midlands One. The visitors went two ahead in the first 10 minutes but Kidderminster pulled back to go ahead at the break Wheeler
A TEENAGE driver embedded his father's car into the family's Stourport house after he clipped a kerb and lost control early on Sunday morning Robert Drysdale, 19, escaped serious injury when the Mercedes CLK he was driving careered through a fence and
PEOPLE can feast their pampered 21st century eyes on "labour-saving" cleaning products and paraphernalia from the last 100 years at a new Stourport library exhibition this month. "Spick and Span," on loan from the county museum at Hartlebury, is a history
SNOOKER: St George's A have extended their lead at the top of Kidderminster Wednesday Snooker League to 10 points with a 4-1 victory over Pockets B. Full results: British Sugar B v Pockets Z - late card; Pockets A 3, St Georges B 2; St Johns A 3, St Johns
TRADERS and residents of Stourport have united in opposition to regular funfairs being held in the town. A council poll revealed 70 per cent of the public objected or strongly objected to them, while businesses voiced "extreme concern" about them and
THIS week has seen the Third Reading of the NHS Reform and Healthcare Professions Bill. The debate started at 4.30pm and had to conclude at 10pm so it was no surprise that only clauses in the first half of the Bill actually achieved any debate. The part
MEMBERS of Stourport Town Council have slammed on-going disruption in York Street claiming it poses a "danger to the community". Wyre Forest Highways Partnership has launched legal action against the developer of a new block of flats on the street, Key
GOLF: Alan Sykes and Nigel Smith won the Christmas Competition at Cleobury Mortimer which attracted 68 entries. Result: Sykes and Smith 66 nett, Andy Greenhalgh and Bob Butcher 68, Jim Pearce and Mike Hale 59 (on back three), Clive Wycherley and Jack
DARTS: Blount A moved back into second place in the Rock and District League with two victories in one evening against the Sun & Slipper (6-3) and the Blount B (7-2). Unbeaten leaders Royal Forester won 6-3 against Bliss Gate and are two points ahead
Released by Aston Villa, Brock signed for Harriers in September 1997 after a short spell at Northampton Town where he failed to make an appearance. He made his Harriers first-team debut in November of the same year and has proved himself a fine shot-stopper
Another Mr Versatile, Smith signed for Harriers in 1997 for £19,000 from non-league rivals Bromsgrove Rovers. Smith's performances in non-league earned him three caps for the England semi-professional team as well as a Nationwide Conference team of the
A broken tibia temporarily ended his professional career and Clarkson was forced to play outside the Football League, signing for Harriers in November 1999. But the break from full-time football allowed the injury to recover and he was allowed to return
San Diego-born Joy began his footballing education at Tranmere Rovers but did not make the first team. After leaving Prenton Park, he moved to Scottish side Stirling Albion and made a couple of substitute appearances before joining Montrose last season
Ex-England schools, youth and U-21 international Blake was a big hope at Aston Villa before moving to Portsmouth, Leicester, Walsall and Mansfield. A central midfielder with a big engine, an eye for goal and a competitive attitude, Blake switched to Aggborough
After starting off as a trainee at Liverpool, Williams was released at the age of 19 to return to his native Wrexham. The Wales U-21 international played on-off for the Second Division club but made a good impression with many for his uncompromising style
The son of former England goalkeeping legend Peter spent the past two seasons at Hartlepool before his free transfer move to Third Division opposition Harriers. An attacking midfielder who also filled in at wing-back, he moved from Plymouth Argyle to
Bennett was a then club record buy of £30,000 from rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in January 1999 and proved a goal-scoring menace to Conference opponents in the title-winning season. The ex-England semi-professional international signed a two-year deal at
Ex-England youth and schoolboy international Ducros has been used by Harriers both behind a front-two and in attack. He was a record signing for £80,000 from Nuneaton Borough in July 2000 after only 12 months at the Conference side. The diminutive Ducros
LARKIN joined Harriers on a month's loan on Friday, September 14, but suffered a dead leg in training and lasted only 45 minutes on his debut against Plymouth. The Wolverhampton Wanderers man continued to develop steadily for his club last term, mostly
JAN Molby took Richie Appleby to Swansea in August 1996 and is now reunited with him until the end of the season at least. The versatile Appleby, who can play on the wing or in midfield, began his career at Newcastle United and represented England at
A player with an impressive reputation in homeland Denmark, Henriksen headed to Harriers on a three-month loan in November. The flamboyant striker, who has impressed with an immaculate first touch, is unwanted at current club, First Division Herfolge,
THREE men from Kidderminster pleaded not guilty at Worcester Crown Court to being involved in a conspiracy to supply heroin worth £150,000. Alan Bramley, 45, of Park Lane, Anthony Sewell, 41, of Hurcott Road, and Wayne Cleavely, 25, of Jubilee Drive,
I FIND the attitude of Kidderminster Swan Centre shop managers amazing. Don't they realise that by continually spreading "doom and gloom" they are turning customers away from coming to Kidderminster to shop. Good salesmen/women never talk negatively,
A BOY of 13 is to undergo further psychiatric assessment to see whether he is fit to answer a £350,000 arson charge. Judge Andrew Geddes adjourned the case at Worcester Crown Court after hearing conflicting reports on whether the boy is fit to plead.
I WOULD like to respond to the attack on me by Councillor Stephen Clee in last week's letters page. Firstly, a two-tier education system including Blakedown will have an effect on Kidderminster schools. Secondly, on the question of me knowing that "one
A MAN was hit by a brick in a "vicious and unprovoked" attack by three teenagers in the early hours of Sunday morning in Stourport. The assault took place in Grosvenor Gardens at around 3.10am when the man was walking back alone from a night out. He fell
THE Ultimate Double event will take place at Moorlands Farm Fishery on Sunday with £400 each to the winners of the carp and silver fish contests. There are also 14 six-peg sections and the draw will be made at 9am. Saturday Open on Island, Moors and Bank
ONCE upon a time in Wyre Forest -- I relate the following tale, which is not so much a pantomime, but yet another health service disaster. My wife was unfortunate enough to break and dislocate her ankle on Wednesday, January 2. She was assisted by some
THERE has recently been some publicity concerning the proposed and controversial plans of the Royal Shakespeare Company for the town of Stratford upon Avon but I feel that the average Stratfordian has not been sufficiently consulted or correctly informed
DRAGONFLY Pool provided excellent sport despite the frost. Common and mirror carp to 9lb were taken on maggot baits, together with roach and tench. Sunday Morning, Frobisher AC, Dragonfly: Roger Layton 32lb 6oz, Ernie Gill 18-7, Dick Adams 16-4.
COUNCILLOR Mike Oborski is right to think that the incinerator fiasco will damage public confidence in Worcestershire County Council (Shuttle/Times and News, December 27). I am struggling to decide if some of the councillors are nave, or just plain stupid
Evesham Utd 2, Swindon Supermarine 1 THIS was just the result that could turn Evesham's season around, writes Mervyn Collins! Down to ten men with only half-an-hour on the watch, the Robins produced a courageous display and fully deserved their win over
IN separate articles in the December 27 Shuttle/Times & News district political allies Councillors Mike Oborski (Liberal) and John Gordon (Health Concern) attack Worcestershire County Council of which they are members. Councillor Oborski attacks the
Willersey 2, Lower Moor United 1 WILLERSEY booked their place in the semi-final of the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup following Sunday's hard-fought battle with their Division Two rivals, writes Mick Clewes. Seemingly cruising to a two-goal victory, the
Littleton U-11 8, Evesham Utd 0 BOTH teams took time to settle in Saturday's cup quarter-final but it was Littleton who took the lead when Matt Goss converted Dan Keen's cross. Keen then set up Goss for his second after a great four-man move and Ben Johns
CHADDESLEY Corbett play their first match since their 4-1 win over Wyre Forest on December 22 against the same team on Saturday. Wyre Forest will no doubt be eager to avenge their defeat at Longmore. It has been a difficult season for Chaddesley, both
WITH reference to LJ Jones's letter in the Shuttle/Times & News of January 10, concerning Sainsbury's "hazardous potato situation" in the run-up to Christmas, I have to point out that unfortunately I don't think our local fire-fighters benefited from
LOWLY Brintons recorded a shock in Kidderminster and District League Sunday Premier Division with a 4-3 win over high-flying Grange United. Arley won a Sunday Division Two Wyre Forest derby match against bottom side Cookley St Peters 8-1. KWF Celtic,
POOLE Hall is the venue for a contest on Sunday. Those taking part are asked to meet at Park Inn at 7.30am.
WOODTHORPE had an impressive 4-0 victory over Mistermen in Kidderminster Six-a-Side League Division One at Stourport Sports Club. Division Two's JDFC enjoyed an emphatic 8-0 win over Elmits. Full results, Division One: The Championships 3, FC Harriers
I WOULD like to thank our local team of health councillors and the workforce they employ for the magnificent job they did during the recent cold snap to help the young, elderly, infirm, mums-to-be etc to get around the town centre in the icy and dangerous
NEWS that Worcestershire is to get a £1.5 million cash boost to cut "bed-blocking" in hospitals has been welcomed by Worcestershire County Council. The handout is one of the biggest under a £200 million scheme aimed at freeing more than 1,000 beds in
INJURY-hit Stourport coach Ronnie Hobbs was philosophical after a 23-3 Midlands Four West (South) defeat at Southam kept them second from bottom. A Richard Dorrell penalty was their only score as Southam maintained their top-of-the-table position. Hobbs
BEWDLEY returned to the league programme after seven free weeks to lose 26-0 at in their first North Midlands Three return fixture of the season. They were hoping to change a run of bad form into a win but were thwarted by Greyhound who had valuable recent
DUNCAN Roke looks set to be handed a key role for Worcester against Henley Hawks on Saturday. The 27-year-old centre, who made his name at Dry Leas before his summer move, is likely to start at full-back for the Sixways clash after winning back his first
THE North Midlands Cup and Shield competitions have again been affected by rearranged league matches. The twice-postponed first round tie between Camp Hill and Kidderminster Carolians, which was due to be played on the weekend of January 19 or 20, has
100 years ago - January 18 1902 HENRY Huxley, a labourer of Wickhamford, was charged with being drunk and refusing to quit licensed premises at Badsey, and with doing wilful damage to a window on January 1. PC Merritt stated that prisoner was in gaol,
GLOOM over car parking in Kidderminster has deepened after a town centre car park was placed off limits to some season ticket holders. The three upper levels of Blackwell Street car park will no longer be available to restricted season ticket holders.
HEARTLESS vandals have run riot at a Kidderminster school, destroying a millennium garden which was put together following a fund-raising push by pupils. Staff arrived at St Ambrose School, Leswell Street, on Tuesday morning to find yobs had rampaged
VINTAGE railway footage will be delighting steam buffs on Saturday at Kidderminster Railway Museum. The winter film season continues with footage including Floods in the North (1948), a record of the flood which swept away large areas of the east coast
BATTERED lurcher Heather is close to being rehomed after an article in the Shuttle/Times and News highlighting her plight prompted a big response. The 14-month old was taken in by Far Forest-based Forest Dog Rescue after being "kicked to pieces" and left
THE Best British Foal Show, which was introduced by Brightwells Auctioneers last year and sponsored by Supporters of British Breeding and Equilibra, will take a new direction in 2002, with three separate classes to reward the Best British show jumping
RISING star Jimmy Chamberlain is celebrating more success after winning a part in a top production at the London Palladium following six weeks of tough auditions. The 12-year-old, of Holmcroft Road, Kidderminster, will be appearing in Chitty Chitty Bang
THE problem of flooding in Kingsford Brook, Wolverley, looks set to continue despite talks with landowners last month, Wyre Forest District Council chiefs heard. Rob Key told the authority's executive committee there was a "long history" of flooding in
A NEW-look village hall has been unveiled following a lavish lottery-funded transformation that has provided a "real community resource". Following a successful bid for £141,000 from the Lottery's Community Fund Astley and Dunley Village Hall now boasts
A PROMINENT pensioners' campaigner who fought for the rights of Wyre Forest's elderly has died. Pat Moorfield-Webb, who proved you were never too old to fight for your rights, passed away after a long battle against cancer aged 80. A funeral will be held
Evesham Utd 2, Swindon Supermarine 1 THIS was just the result that could turn Evesham's season around, writes Mervyn Collins! Down to ten men with only half-an-hour on the watch, the Robins produced a courageous display and fully deserved their win over
Mangotsfield Utd 1, Evesham Utd 3 FROM the moment the recalled Shaun Pratt darted down the right wing and crossed for Richard Leadbeater to slide the ball into the net, Tuesday was going to be a magical night. There were just 43 seconds on the watch when
A CHARITY helping an increasing number of crime victims has appealed for volunteers. North-West Worcestershire Victim Support, which offers free, confidential support and advice to crime victims, wants more people from the area. Last year the Kidderminster-based
AS the frost and snow of the New Year period melt, the first green leaves to be seen in the woody areas of Habberley Valley are thoseof the small and unobtrusive plant called dog's mercury. It grows no more than 30cms tall, in large numbers and can be
METHODS of tackling the bad behaviour of drivers in Bewdley should be an important part of shaping the town's future. This was the view of the group set up to look at transport as part of the Opportunity Bewdley process. Plans are in the pipeline that
THE work of everyone involved in Opportunity Bewdley was praised by the men who hold the key to unlocking vital funding. Kevin Westwood, of the Countryside Agency, and Advantage West Midlands representative David Campbell were both impressed by the progress
THE ongoing success of Bewdley Festival has sparked talks aimed at creating a theatre in the town as part of Opportunity Bewdley. Town councillor Ian Read, speaking for the social and community working group, said: "The festival has done so well year
CHAMPIONS Ashton triumphed in the opening contest of the 2002 Eve-sham Indoor League season. The winners were indebted to a fine knock of 44 from Archer and some superb fielding from Richard Wood who produced four direct hits to see off a quartet of Dum-bleton
IAN Lavender is far from being the "stupid boy" his character was witheringly labelled by Captain Mainwaring in the classic TV comedy series, Dad's Army. Anyone who has chortled at Private Pike's humiliation in the misadventures of the Walmington-on-Sea
NICKY Cross is set to declare himself fit to play against his former employers on Saturday. The veteran striker has been sidelined with knee trouble this season but is hoping to figure against the club who dispensed with his services as player-manager
AN APPLE a day keeps the doctor away, but not the bank manager, children of St Mary's First School in Broadway learned. They popped into the HSBC branch in the High Street to sample local Vale produce, courtesy of fruit grower Paul Dunsby. Bank manager
FIFTEEN silent vigils have now been held in Bewdley following September's terrorist attacks on the US. Bewdley Quakers have staged vigils in Load Street every Tuesday evening - including Christmas Day and New Year's Day - since the atrocities. Up to 40
FINES totalling £150, with £35 costs, were imposed on Jamie Bennett, aged 18, of Lime Tree Avenue, Broadway, by magistrates at Evesham last Thursday. He pleaded guilty to having no insurance or test certificate for a motorcycle and riding otherwise than
APPARENTLY, it don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing - but don't worry if it swung away, or never dangled there in the first place, it's never too late to learn, or re-learn, those dance steps of the golden age of the big band sound. Robbie Williams's
ACCLAIMED comedian Dave Gorman is bringing his hit show to Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre this month. The winner of two BAFTA awards and a Perrier Award nominee in 2000, Dave Gorman has worked with stars such as Jenny clair, Caroline Aherne, Jennifer Saunders
RED Foxes triumphed 341-330 over Flintstones in Division One of the Worcester & District Ladies Skittle League. DIVISION ONE Red Foxes 341 (9) (C. Hitchcock 37 (14) J. Clarke 32), Flinstones 330 (2) (L. White 38 (13) (J. Oseman 31); Hallow Belles
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers joined in celebrations for the 21st anniversary of Kemp Hospice during Saturday's 1-0 win over Darlington. The football club is raising money for the hospice through its fortnightly Goalden Six lottery which has 6,000 members and
ANDY Ducros kick-started his Kidderminster Harriers season and handed Jan Molby the "biggest result" of the campaign so far. Molby was again delighted with the way Harriers overcame defeat in Division Three after the midweek Luton loss. They ran the show
FIVE dropped shots in the space of six holes cost Jeremy Robinson a top ten finish at last weekend's Bell's South African Open. The Evesham golfer produced some fine play to move six-under for the event after ten holes at Saturday's third round in Durban
Rose, Kidderminster - Mr Wonderful Monday until January 26. Hippodrome, Birmingham - Dick Whittington until February 24. Alexandra, Birmingham - Me and My Girl until Saturday. Repertory, Birmingham - The Wind in the Willows until Saturday. Old Repertory
A Christmas party was held in December, with seasonal music, and a talk by John Fletcher on the new Kemp House Hospice building and its extra amenities. Fund-raising is well underway for this project. The New Year dinner was held at the Black Boy Hotel
Leamington Spa 8 pts, Pershore 6 THIS was Pershore's fourth league loss by two points or less. Once again, though, the visitors dominated territorially and had the lion's share of possession but failed to turn dominance into points. Quite clearly, Pershore
