A MAN who was charged with a shop robbery after a worker recognised him in the street has dismissed the accusation as "complete rubbish". James Patterson claims he was set up because he was hated by his girlfriend's estranged husband. The 21-year-old
Bidford Ladies 0, Blockley 3 THE visitors netted their chances to take the honours in last weekend's friendly on the Big Meadow. Blockley led 3-0 at the break but Bidford had chances to hit back only to fall foul in front of goal. The home side are grateful
PATIENTS are missing vital appointments because they cannot park at the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital site, a top county health boss has revealed. Dr Ian McPherson, director of mental health for Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust,
TARANTULAS and cockroaches are just some of the horrors experienced by two former Royal Grammar School, Worcester pupils who are spending their gap year in Brazil. Ed Box and James Huguenin, both 18, took full-time temporary jobs to fund their trip to
SIR Michael Spicer is to attend a meeting in Kempsey to discuss the findings of a feasibility study into flood alleviation measures for the village. The West Worcestershire MP will meet residents, local councillors and members of the Environment Agency
A FOURTEEN-year-old Army cadet from Malvern has won a competition collecting money for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal. Julian Robinson, of the Malvern Battery ACF, managed to collect £179 from outside the Co-op, Kwiksave and McDonald's in the
AN Evesham man who fled when police tried to search him for drugs told a court he ran off because he had a panic attack. Worcester magistrates heard 31-year-old Jason Taylor was taking 26 Valium tablets a day to calm his nerves when he was arrested. Taylor
A CHEMICAL company polluted Droitwich Canal with effluent, killing fish and covering the canal with foam, a court heard. Baxenden Chemicals Ltd admitted causing trade effluent to enter controlled waters from its premises on Union Lane, Droitwich. The
WORCESTER Rugby Club's stars of the future have already made a name for themselves by clinching the North Midlands under 12 shield. The Sixways stars travelled to Bromsgrove for the annual tournament and returned victorious having scored 22 tries and
A LAST-DITCH effort is being made to save a crisis-ridden Kidderminster engineering firm. Under the deal about 70 jobs would go at United Engineering Forgings, Stourport Road, leaving just 70 out of the original workforce of 250. UEF was formed in 1997
THE village of Blakedown lies between Kidderminster and the Clent Hills. Though surrounded by agricultural land, it was for about 350 years involved in a thriving ironworking industry, along with Belbroughton and other nearby villages. The numerous small
ART SOCIETY: The March practical evening provided members with several interesting still life subjects as well as the opportunity to do a figure drawing or a portrait from two models. The programme for this year consists of eight professional demonstrations
PARISH COUNCIL: Sports & Recreation Club: Councillor Simpson reported that he had written to the Parish Council following the news that a Sport England grant had been obtained for £179,000 which in turn had released grants of £20,000 from Wychavon
PARISH COUNCIL: Football and Cricket Club agreements: The Cricket Club agreement had been signed by both parties, and the two Football Club agreements had been sent to the clubs for signature. Church Tower Floodlighting: The demonstration on March 1 had
WEDNESDAY CLUB: The club met last Wednesday when Mrs M Boath presided. Birthday cards were distributed after which four new members were welcomed - Mr and Mrs Robson, Mrs Audry Smith and Mrs Pauline Smith and hoped they would enjoy this friendly club.
TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD: The April meeting of the Townswomen's Guild began with members observing a minute's silence in memory of the Queen Mother. Mrs Lockhart, the chairman, explained that because of the Queen Mother's funeral, a decision had been made to
"IF you ever doubted Worcester's ability come together and tackle the mundane in the name of the community - no fun, no frolics, no fairground rides, no fancy lights - then think again." That's how we anticipated the Just Bin It! anti-litter campaign
AN exciting new production based on Shakespeare's Henry V is coming to King Edward VI School in Stratford next month. Following its sellout tour of Macbeth, dynamic theatre ensemble Generator is touring the country with The Battle of Agincourt designed
WORCESTER Theatre Company is presenting Sheridan's classic comedy The Rivals at Worcester Swan Theatre from Thursday, April 18 to Saturday, May 4. Jenny Stephens' direction is a joyful rendition of the timeless tale on intrigue, romance and deception
ATHLETICS: Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club recorded their highest finish in the Midland Counties 12-stage relay at Sutton Park, Birmingham. A great team effort gave the club fifth place overall, winning them qualification to the nationals. Tom
JUDO: All 18 Samurai Judo Club players returned from the Midlands Minimon and Kyu Grade Championships with medals, including six golds. Newcomer Archie Shrimpton, Chris Evans, Karl Gaughan, Benji Connor, Jordy Disspain and Paul Clarke all returned with
ROWING: Cheshire was the latest destination for Stourport Boat Club to compete at Northwich Rowing Club's annual Spring Head on the River Weaver. With Evesham Regatta just a month away, it was the last long-distance event before the summer campaign. In
MOTORSPORT: Kart racing Star Nathan Freke is in second place in the 125 Gearbox British Kart Racing Championships after the first round at Shenington. As one of the favourites to lift the title this year, it was important for the Kidderminster teenager
FENCING: Pupils at a Chaddesley Corbett school are continuing to excel in the sport of fencing. Winterfold House's foil team finished runners-up in the National Schools U-12s Championships at Cambridge despite all being aged 10 or below. They lost to
NETBALL: Royal Oak still lead the Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre Ladies League Division One after beating Kingfishers 17-4. Sue Broome scored nine of their goals with Sam Harding adding the other eight, while Karen Davies (two) and Terri Wilson (two)
ATHLETICS: Amazing Feet Running Club members helped to raise funds for Worcester's St Richards Hospice in the first Scenic Six race at Peopleton. In dry conditions, Brian Humphries finished seventh in 36 minutes 17 seconds. Rob Edwards was 30th in 43-
SNOOKER: With one match to go in the Kidderminster Wednesday League, the fight for second place goes on between British Sugar B and Pockets A. St George's A are already the champions. Results: British Sugar A 3, Pockets B 2; St Johns A 1, British Sugar
CHESS: Wolverhampton and District League's long-serving records secretary, Graham Humphreys, has resigned. Humphreys held the position for 25 years and with only five weeks to the annual meeting, the league are anxious to find a successor. Kidderminster
HAYE Farm Opens Monday: R Evans 70-1, D Ashcroft 35-12, D Hickman 22-10. Sunday: D Krukow 27-8, P Cook 26-13, A Bentley 22-2. There will be an open at Haye Farm on Tuesday with a 4pm draw and fishing from 4.30pm until 8pm. Call 01299 871735 for details
Evesham United 1, Atherstone United 1 UNITED'S wretched home form continued on an afternoon when a draw was probably a fair result as a gusty wind and bone hard pitch made life difficult for both sides. Evesham have now gone seven games without a win
EVESHAM paper boys have secured a place in the finals of a national competition. Hampton Express, the five-a-side team of delivery boys from Hampton Post Office and News, won through to the finals at Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers, as Midlands
WYRE Forest will meet Ounsdale in the Kidderminster Harriers Junior Cup final after a 3-0 win over Chaddesley Corbett Reserves. The Kidderminster League side began the game well in blustery conditions but Forest grabbed the only goal of a poor first half
A CONTEST will be held on Sunday at Bennetts Farm Pool, Worcester. Members leave the village at 7.30am. All members are asked to join a working party on Saturday, April 27 - meet on the playing fields at 1.30pm.
Perrywood 0, Bishampton Utd 4 BISHAMPTON claimed a quick double over Perry-wood with a comfortable victory at Worcester. The home team played with the wind advantage in the first half and could have taken the lead as early as the fifth minute but Rob
SUNDAY Division Two leaders Queen's Head Wolverley enjoyed a brilliant week and collected county silverware. They won the Worcestershire Sunday Junior Cup 3-1 over Evesham WMC with a hat-trick by Paul Mason. And in a midweek fixture they beat Kingswinford
WELLFIELDS Pool: G Wright 4-6, P Walker 3-7, A Fletcher 3-2. All members are asked to help with cutting out on Strawberry Pool on Sunday, starting at 10am.
DIVISION One leaders Moreton Wanderers increased their lead at the top with an emphatic Evesham Sunday League victory over Hospital Club. The win included a superb individual performance from Matt Winter who hit ten of Wanderers goals. Further goals from
THE club is holding a match on Sunday at Hundred Pool, meeting at the Park Inn from 7.30am.
PARISH councillors all over Wychavon are getting ready to resign or be sacked, following the new Code of Conduct to be introduced in May. The volunteer community leaders are hitting back at what they see as a serious intrusion into their private lives
CENTRAL Warwickshire League champions Ferndale Youth Girls U-14s ended the season in true title-winning style. They completed an 8-0 thrashing of Bustleholme who were previously the only side to beat them. Stacy Whittall scored a superb 25-yard free-kick
AN Evesham woman has spoken of her fears and the pride she has for her son who is helping to keep peace in war-torn Afghanistan. Ross Haines, aged 25, is a lieutenant in the 19th Regiment Royal Artillery based at Colchester, which has been helping to
A RECORD number of entry forms have been sent out for Sunday's Blossom Trail Bikeaway and over 70 people had registered to ride by last Monday, the highest number at that stage for many years. "We are hopeful that as the event is growing in popularity
A COUPLE who narrowly avoided serious injury when their Beckford home was struck by a lorry could face a six-month wait for it to be repaired. Experts have estimated that it could take that long to rebuild George and Maureen Francis' house off the A46
KD1/21 beat KD9 3-1 in the Kidderminster and District Cub Scout Football League Cup final after extra-time. Scorers were Rebecca Wright, Chris Harler and Thomas North with Matthew James replying. The trophy and medals were presented by Kelvin Morris and
WORCESTERSHIRE Football Association are running coaching and volunteer courses over the next few months. Junior team managers' football coaching courses will be held on May 11 and May 19 in Worcester and on May 18/19 at Welland. A coaching certificate
MOTHER of three Linda Loomes is taking part in this year's Race for Life at Stratford Racecourse to prove there is life after breast cancer. Linda, who will be taking part in her third Race for Life at Stratford, was diagnosed with the disease four years
BEN Smith hit a half-century for Worcestershire as their two-day friendly with Derbyshire ended in a draw at Derby yesterday. The former Leicester batsman scored an unbeaten 52 as the County closed on 145-4 in their second innings, supported by fellow
COUNTY Sports threw away a two-goal half-time lead in a 2-2 draw with Handsworth Star in the Midland Combination Premier Division last night. Carl Hobbs and Simon Judge were on target for Sports. In other local games last night, a battling Bromyard Town
KEVIN Spacey is the most enigmatic of actors. More is known about the surface of Mars than about his private life and on-screen he has metamorphosed into wildly different characters. We know that this rather baffling and secretive star is 42, a bachelor
ON Sunday at Stourport Hockey Club, Worcester Norton Ladies will seek to defend their Worcestershire Clubs' Championship Trophy. It will be a special event this year not only as it is the centenary year of the Worcestershire Womens' Hockey Association
MALVERN Rugby Club say farewell to prop Kim Withnall and coach Rudy Smith, both of whom are retiring at the end of the season, after their final Midlands One game at home to relegated Banbury. But Director of Rugby David Robins warned: "Although they
WORCESTER Rugby Club's stars of the future have already made a name for themselves by clinching the North Midlands under 12 shield. The Sixways stars travelled to Bromsgrove for the annual tournament and returned victorious having scored 22 tries and
ALL aboard for the last performances of The Railway Children at Worcester Swan Theatre. Ali Gorton's adaptation of E Nesbit's classic adve-nture by the Middle Ground Theatre Company will come to the end of its run this Saturday, April 13. The production
THE mysteries of how British and American intelligence deciphered German codes - shortening the Second World War by an estimated two years - will be unveiled tomorrow. Mark Baldwin, who runs a Cleobury Mortimer bookshop, is giving a talk entitled Codebreakers
THE Rotary Club of Chipping Campden's ninth Jazz Concert promises a fun packed evening with the Bob Kerr Whoopee Band, magician Jimmy Carlo and Balloon man Craig Sinclair at Chipping Campden School on Saturday, April 20. Bob Kerr and his Whoopee Band's
AN Evening of Music featuring The Ferndale Singers, The Ferndale Madrigal Group and other young artistes takes place at All Saints Church, Deansway, Worcester, Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets costs £5 (concessions £4) and refreshments will be available. Proceeds
SPORTS EDITOR'S MAILBAG AT the moment the Harriers are going through a difficult period and it is understandable that officials and supporters feel passionate about what is going on. I have seen many comments from Messrs Newton, Molby and supporters that
SPORTS EDITOR'S MAILBAG WITH regard to the resignation of Jan Molby, I have no wish to minimise his contribution to Kidderminster Harriers, nor do I deny his right to try and better himself. However, I am concerned at the spurious circumstances of his
EX-ENGLAND footballer Alan Ball is at Aggborough for the next Sportsman's Dinner on Friday, May 10. More details and tickets are available from Terry Church on 07973 256161.
NORTH Cotswolds Young Cricketers Club are holding a skittles night for both existing and new eight to ten-year-olds and their parents. The event takes place on Saturday at the Blockley Jubilee Centre, Park Road, Blockley from 6.30 pm. Bookings can be
IN Division Five of the Worcester & District Ladies Skittles League the Portobellas and Comediennes battled it out in a closely fought match. Although the Comediennes took three legs, they failed to maintain their lead on the final leg flooring only
August 18 Shepshed (h) 2-0 Booth 2 21 RC Warwick (a) 1-0 (og) 25 Clevedon (a) 0-2 27 Evesham (h) 2-3 (og), Cowley September 1 Rugby Utd (h) (FA Cup preliminary round) 5-1 Marsh 2, Charlton, Booth 2 8 Gresley (h) 2-0 Booth 2 11 Redditch (a) 2-1 Langford
100 years ago April 12 1902 A VERY successful Ping Pong tournament took place in Pershore's Music Hall on Tuesday afternoon and evening, the proceeds of which was nearly £2, which will be divided between the Working Lads' and Girls' Clubs recently started
LEADING golfers from all over the world have confirmed their participation in the 32nd staging of the Benson and Hedges International Open this year, which takes place at The De Vere Belfry, from May 9-12. British stars Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and
LADIES interested in taking up golf are invited along to the Evesham club for a trial lesson. Beginners will be given a free lesson while ladies wishing to take up their clubs again can play nine holes free of charge in an attempt to get them back in
JEREMY Robinson was caught in the worst of the conditions that caused last week's Algarve Portuguese Open to be reduced to just 36 holes. "It was as bad as I can remember playing in last Thursday, the rain was just horizontal," the Evesham player vividly
BROADWAY ladies staged a stableford event in windy conditions that proved so difficult for most of the competitors that the CSS was raised to 75. Sue Jones, though, was untroubled by the conditions to card an excellent 42 points, reducing her handicap
THE founder of a swan rescue centre in Wychbold will conduct an illustrated talk at a Birmingham venue this week. Jan Harrigan, founder of the Swan Rescue Centre in Wychbold, will give her talk on the rescue and rehabilitation of swans and her studies
WILDLIFE and farm animal lovers have a treat in store for them next month. An event, organised by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, will see conservation demonstrations, donkey rides, sales and craft stalls at the Lickey Hills on Sunday May 12. Visitors
TWINKLE-toed pupils of a Bromsgrove dance school stepped to the beat and dazzled judges with their funky moves at the West Midlands Dance Festival. Twenty-two dancers from the Stage Door Dance Academy, in Fox Lane, took part in the annual event held in
Friday April 12 Simon Honeyboy Hickling. The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester. Rock 'n' Roll Night with Brian's Supersounds. Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester Saturday April 13 The B Movie Heroes. The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester
I WOULD like to send a message to those people who are either too lazy or ignorant to use our very good rubbish disposal skip sites. I was driving along a very attractive country lane between Kempsey and Worcester when I saw an old cooker just dumped
The Railway Children. April 8-13. 7pm and matinees at 2.30pm. The Swan Theatre, The Moors, Worcester. Tickets from box office (01905) 27322. Worcester Theatre Company production of Sheridan's timeless comedy The Rivals. April 18-May 4. 7.45pm and matinees
AFTER a two-year absence from Worcester's Swan Theatre, many of the venue's regulars will be pleased to see the return of Alan McMahon. After performing in seven plays and seven Christmas shows at the theatre, the actor gained quite a following in the
HENRY "Blowers" Blofeld, best-loved voice of Test Match Special, is at the Forum Theatre, Malvern, on Saturday, April 20, for an evening that weaves between the stumps of a quintessentially English pastime. With almost 50 years' association with the game
A FARMER thrown off his land in Zimbabwe has fled to the Vale of Evesham with no money and no help. Neil McPherson, aged 38, his wife Jann, aged 35, and daughters Cara, aged nine, and Kayley, aged seven, arrived in Britain a few weeks ago with four suitcases
FOUR local fencers, Will Garrity from Chipping Campden, Robin Allen from Stratford, Peter Kirby from North Littleton, and Louise Bond-Williams from Ebrington have just finished competing in the Junior and Cadet World Championships. Garrity came 24th in
THE timeless story of Cinderella is to get the Stourport Choral and Operatic Society treatment later this month. Audiences can catch The Slipper and the Rose at Stourport Civic Hall from Wednesday, April 24, until Saturday, April 27. There will be a full
A POPULAR folk duo are making a come back at a Bromsgrove venue this week. Munday Turner have become an annual fixture at the Ladybird pub, in Stoke Road, courtesy of Bromsgrove Folk Club. They will be re-appearing for some more toe-tapping, self-penned
A BIDFORD company has been ordered to pay more than £8,000 after it pleaded guilty to endangering the lives of its staff by contravening health and safety regulations. Peak Trailers Ltd, of Waterloo Industrial Estate, was ordered to pay a total of £8,354
CROPTHORNE racer, James Calado, competed in the opening round of this year's British Kart Championships. The 12-year-old's late entry into the Champions of the Future event saw him race in a completely different class with a completely new race team and
FOUR local fencers, Will Garrity from Chipping Campden, Robin Allen from Stratford, Peter Kirby from North Littleton, and Louise Bond-Williams from Ebrington have just finished competing in the Junior and Cadet World Championships. Garrity came 24th in
A PERSHORE company has welcomed West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer, when he opened the firm's new sales office. Schloetter Company Ltd, which makes and sells electro-plating chemicals and paints, has extended its New Road premises to include a
In your front page story last week, you reported that the unfortunate lorry driver who died after his vehicle crashed into the house at Beckford, was not pronounced dead until six and a quarter hours after the accident took place, when structural engineers
THE weekend before Easter while shopping at Tesco in Evesham I had my purse and wallet stolen in the store. Someone in the store at the time kindly paid for my trolley of groceries. They did not however wish me to know who it was and I felt the only way
HAVING just read the reports of local vandalism in the Cotswold Journal I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or emigrate to somewhere that treats criminals with something approaching a serious attitude. Despite the police arresting several people for criminal
THE committee of the North Cotswold Branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association would like to thank all those who supported their flag day in Stow-on-the-Wold last Saturday when £322.92 was collected. With ever-rising prices, the cost of breeding
MAY I say how much I agree with your correspondent Amanda Peters, in her letter of March 28. I live in Devon which is known, to our great shame, as the 'heartland of hunting'. Down here we have stag hunting, fox hunting, hare hunting and hare coursing
I am offended by the insinuation made by Amanda Peters in your letters' page on March 28, regarding the criminality of people associated with fox hunting. The need for control of foxes and other vermin is established. Alternative methods of control do
HUNDREDS of Reality Group workers in Worcester and Droitwich could lose their jobs in a major shake-up, it has been revealed. Staff were given letters yesterday revealing the latest blow as a result of the company preparing itself for "future business
Worcester Norton 1, Evesham Ladies 1 EVESHAM travelled to Worcester Norton for the last league game of the season and with both teams near the foot of the table, it was always going to be a tough relegation battle. The visitors started the brighter with
Evesham 0, Bretforton 5 BRETFORTON'S final fixture of the season was a friendly match against their local rivals. Both teams started out confidently, eager to finish the season on a high. Bretforton were first to put the pressure on the Evesham defence
HUNT supporters will march in Worcester tomorrow in protest against a ban on the bloodsport. Around 300 people representing the 25 hunts in Worcestershire, as well as other country sports, will march to the regional office of the Department for the Environment
WORCESTER'S Mayor added to his collection of American memorabilia when he was given a gift by a Californian policeman. Councillor David Clark was presented with a police badge when the officer came to the city last week with a group of American visitors
HOME Office Minister Lord Jeff Rooker has postponed Westminster talks about controversial plans to build an asylum seeker centre in Worcestershire. Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff had secured a meeting with the asylum Minister to call for the scrapping
THE death of a Worcester man who complained of chest pains was directly linked to his time spent working in the coal industry, an inquest heard. Retired factory worker David Probert died on Tuesday, February 12, from pneumoconiosis, a condition found
CARS abandoned in Worcestershire can now be towed away within 24 hours under a Government clampdown to clean up Britain's streets. Local authorities have been given new powers to take away wrecks after just one day, rather than having to wait seven days
OUTDOOR practice for juniors starts next week at Victoria Carpets Sports Ground in Kidderminster. Monday is for 13 to 16-year-olds and Tuesday caters for eight to 12-year-olds with new members welcome. For more details, call Rob Wood on 01562 67641.
PEOPLE in Worcester are missing out under the Tories, claimed Frank Dobson Labour MP, when he visited the Faithful City. Mr Dobson spoke at the launch of Labour's local election campaign in Worcester, which took place by an abandoned car in Edgworth Close
A WORCESTER student brought a hole new meaning to art when he unveiled his latest work - a semi-buried car in a field. Nathan Cole spent seven hours with family and friends digging a ditch in the middle of a field at his relative's Sinton Green farm before
A TELEVISION programme about the ghost of Hanbury Hall has been put back by a week. The programme, part of the BBC Midlands Today series Myths and Legends, will now be broadcast on Thursday, April 18, after initially being scheduled for tonight. It tells
PETE Tong, Carl Cox and Seb Fontaine please step aside. Four fresh and funky Droitwich DJs are about to take to the decks and wow the crowds. Hardened clubbers can reach for the lasers when four Spa DJs headline their own night at Club Evolution in Worcester
WAYS of reducing crime and the fear of crime in Herefordshire over the next three years are highlighted in a new document launched this month. The Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy 2002-2005 is the result of months of community consultation. Local
WEST Mercia Police have been meeting with Sikh leaders in an attempt to better understand the communities they serve. Chief constable Peter Hampson welcomed elders from the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, in Wolverhampton, to the force's Hindlip headquarters
CAMELS, zebras and llamas will be delighting visitors to a Worcester circus. Peter Jolly's Circus, on Broomhall Way, had its first performance on Tuesday, and runs until Sunday, April 14. "We have got exotic animals like the camels, llamas and zebras,
PEOPLE from all walks of life paid their respects to the Queen Mother this week as the district came to a standstill. Both Kidderminster's main shopping centres, the Rowland Hill Centre and the Swan Centre, observed the two-minute silence at 11.30am on
THE match at Malvern RFC's Spring Lane tomorrow (Saturday) sees the last league game involving prop Kim Withnall and coach Rudy Smith, both of whom are retiring at the end of the season. Banbury, already relegated, are the visitors, but director of rugby
MALVERN RFC Saturday, April 13 1st XV v Banbury (Home). Meet Railway 12.30pm. Kick off 3pm. S Cooper, D Handy, K Withnall, V Hill, M Williams, S Taylor, O Banwell, P Hart, G Blakeway, A Longley (Capt), R Young, P Jenkin, G Richards, B Hughes, R Fleming
PARISH COUNCIL: Report from the latest meeting. Cemetery: Much of the work on integrating the land at the rear of the cemetery has been carried out by contractors. The yew tree at the end of the pathway has had to be removed, other yew trees have had
BEN Smith hit a half-century for Worcestershire as their two-day friendly with Derbyshire ended in a draw at Derby yesterday. The former Leicester batsman scored an unbeaten 52 as the County closed on 145-4 in their second innings, supported by fellow
THERE is something about the name "hero" that seems to be causing a stir in the Worcester music scene at the moment. First we had Antihero who have recently recorded a session with John Peel. Now we have B Movie Heroes whose current single has been distributed
IT seems a pop name with blue in it is a bit of a winning formula in the chart stakes. If you think about it, boy band Blue are the hot popsters of the moment and, if you cast your minds back to the 80s, you may remember that pop kings Deacon Blue ruled
I FIND myself writing to your columns in support of Evesham Town Council. I have many years experience of market trading and organising outdoor events. So I feel my comments should ring true to any of your interested readers. I was pleased to hear councillors
THE Borrowers by Mary Norton, author of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, a magical treat for young people of five and over, along with their friends and families, is at the Festival Theatres, Malvern, from Wednesday, April 17 to Saturday April, 20. Performance
HOCKEY: Stourport are immersed in a fight for National Hockey League Division One survival after a 4-2 weekend home defeat by Chelmsford. They have a crucial clash at champions St Albans on Sunday which they need to win to help avoid the drop. If rock-bottom
TWO Kidderminster sportswomen will have a major part to play in the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Ireland next year. Goalscorer Claire Andrews, 18, has been selected for the Great Britain ladies' five-a-side football team after impressing in
DUNLEY driver Elton Sheldon hopes to make a flying start to his racing season at Donington Park in the opening rounds of the Volkswagen Racing Cup. The 42-year-old will be at the wheel of his 2.8-litre Beetle RSi on Saturday and Sunday. Sheldon enjoyed
JUDO: A gold, five silvers and a bronze made it a successful weekend for Samurai at the Millennium National Club League. Samurai represented the Midlands in seven of the eight finals and finished brilliantly out of nearly 1,000 British Judo Association
SNOOKER: Wyre Forest snooker ace Lee Page reached the final of the U-15s National Series event at Willie Thorne's, Leicester. But the Kidderminster teenager met the home club's Ben Woollaston who took the match 3-2. It was Woollaston's second victory
GOLF: Doreen Fellows won the March Sunday Medal at Little Lakes Ladies section, beating Dianne Whitehouse on the back nine as both scored 75 nett. Pam Kay won the March Midweek Medal with a nett 77. Men's Monthly Medal, March, Division One: Matt Whitehouse
GOLF: The new captain and committee has been chosen at Wharton Park ladies section's annual meeting. Carole Allsop is lady captain, replacing Sue Smart, and vice-captain is Kath Chuter. The Bewdley club's full annual meeting is today from 7.30pm. Other
TABLE TENNIS: The Regent Cup final took place between the top two sides in Kidderminster League Division Three with Hospital B beating Bewdley Institute B 5-4. Hospital had easily won both league meetings but this time the result was much closer. Alan
GOLF: Rob Blakeway and his wife Joyce won the Mixed Greensomes Competition at Kidderminster Golf Club. Full result: R and J Blakeway 36 points, Alan Palmer and Jean Caddick 34, Barry Westwood and Ann Hunter 33.
TWELVE trout to 3lb fell to Kidderminster's Brian Jones with a cat's whisker on the Masters Lake at Shatterford Fishery. A buzzer was used to catch 11 trout to 3lb on the same venue and a third angler used a montana to catch nine trout to 3.5lb. Stourport's
MONDAY: Mark Pincher 69lb 3oz, Lee Richards 68-10, M Talbot 64-1. Tuesday: M Chard 47-3, D James 47-2, C hill 42-8. Wednesday: Richards 90-14, Mike Henshall 85-12, G Evenson 76-13. Thursday: J Allerton 78-10, A Newton 58-11, B Perry 52-78. Friday: David
PERSHORE Town's King George's Playing Fields home is the setting for this season's Pershore Hospital Charity Cup semi-final matches. The first takes place tonight when Upton Snodsbury from the Evesham Sunday League face St George's Sports with the second
A POWERFUL second-half display from home side Chaddesley Corbett earned them a place in the Worcester Nursing Cup final for the second consecutive year. Chaddesley grabbed three goals in a one-sided last 45 minutes after being tied 2-2 at the interval
Badsey Rgrs U-12 2, Southside Reds 2 RANGERS warmed up for Sunday's cup final at the home of Cheltenham Town (11.45am) with a battling draw. They were pinned in their own half for much of the opening period as they faced a strong wind but they defended
STACKPOOL: G Birch 4-9, C Price and C Meacham 1-1. The presentation date has been rearranged for April 20 in the Old Bear lounge with food and music. A juniors contest will start on April 27 with the first match on the Stackpool, draw 9am.
Bromyard Tn 1, Pershore Tn 0 PERSHORE missed out on a place in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup after Satur-day's far from memorable semi-final clash! Former Town player, Nathan Owen, grabbed the winner after 21 minutes against a weakened visiting side
Coleshill Res 0, Littleton 4 LITTLETON consolidated their position at the top of Midland Combination Divi-sion Three with a 4-0 demolition of the only side to have beaten them this season. They are now a point clear of Halfords, who have played one more
REDDITCH Borough celebrated knockout success but then saw their Stratford Alliance promotion hopes suffer a setback. Steve Evans scored twice in Thursday's Division One cup triumph over Clav-erdon Old Boys. However, a similar Robbie Walsh two days later
THERE will be no swans and their young on the River Avon at Pershore this year after attacks by stone-throwing youngsters. The pen, which was sitting on eggs quite close to the river bank has been badly injured, the cob upset and as a result the nest
TWO Vale first aiders were on duty in London for the Queen Mother's funeral. The Reverend Jim Geen and Michelle Dickens, both members of the Evesham Division of St John Ambulance, were on hand to help the thousands of people who thronged the streets for
ANGLERS with disabilities who feel they are good enough to represent England in this year's World Championships in Wales are asked to act now. They must send a CV to Dick Clegg OBE at the NFA Central Office, Egginton Junction, Derbyshire DE65 6GU. Applicants
STELLA McCartney, fashion designer daughter of Sir Paul, is busy planning more alterations at the £1.3m farmhouse she bought in Bishampton last year. She has already successfully applied for permission to demolish all the modern outbuildings and now she's
PRAWN Stars stay top of Kidderminster Six-a-side League Division One with a 3-1 win over Woodthorpe Wanderers. Results, Division One: Prawn Stars 3, Woodthorpe Wdrs 1; F.C. Harriers 5, F.C. Magic 4; Champs 0, Bewdley Utd 3; Briars 5, Bridge Inn the Gap
A LONG- AWAITED riverside feature was due to burst into light and life in the centre of Evesham last night. As part of Evesham's Market Town Initiative, the riverside lighting system in Workman Gardens was to be switched on. The project, the brainchild
THE Government has bowed to public pressure to hold a public inquiry over the proposed asylum seekers' centre at Throckmorton, near Pershore. Ministers have decided not to use emergency measures to press through their plans to house 750 refugees on the
PERSHORE High School students saw a different side on life last week. Eight students from the school's A-Level Health and Social Care group spent a day experiencing the difficulties of coping with everyday life in a wheelchair at school and in the town
WORCESTER Coaches Association's meeting tonight (Thursday) has been cancelled after Jan Molby's departure from Kidderminster Harriers. For more details on courses, call the county football association's Andy Norman on 01905 827261 or 0779 089 4121.
EVESHAM'S Emma Kearsey played a major role in the procession that took the Queen Mother's coffin from St James's Palace to Westminster Hall. Emma, of Blackberry Way, was one of 10 regional standard bearers from the Royal British Legion women's section
FIREFIGHTERS alerted by worried neighbours smashed their way into the home of an elderly woman to find her already dead. Friends of Kathleen Jennings raised the alarm after she failed to answer the door at her house in Collinsfield, at about 9am last
ORGANISERS of this year's Evesham Carnival are urging town residents to join in. This year's carnival theme --Kings and Queens of England - has been especially chosen to tie in with the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Entries are already flowing in from groups
VILLAGE residents are celebrating after district planners rejected a scheme to turn farm buildings into business units. They claimed the industrial units would have brought too much extra traffic onto narrow roads. Many Abbots Morton residents turned
INJURY-HIT Kidderminster Carolians failed to get into their stride in a 17-17 home draw with relegation-threatened Selly Oak in Midlands Three West (North). The point may save Selly Oak from relegation and a KCs' win at Old Halesonians on Saturday could
THE seconds recorded another good win after a slow start to their away match. But as KCs' forwards got into their stride with good work in the ruck and set scrums, it opened up chances for their backs. The first try came from Andy Webber before two more
KCs played well and opened the scoring with a try from Iain Crockett. Ken Bickley added two more and, with Crockett converting two of the three, KCs were well in front. Peter Gurr scored two further tries to make it 29-0 at half-time. Tracey Foster replied
SOME much-needed cheer returned to Cleobury Mortimer as they thumped bottom club Wheaton Aston 47-0 in Midlands Four West (North). The victory left Colin Smith just two points short of the historic 1,000 club career mark which he will look to complete
STOURPORT earned a crucial 13-5 win over bottom-of-the-table Woodrush in Midlands Four West (South). The Walshes Meadow side now appear to be safe in third-from-bottom position as Dunlop are two points behind them with a game to play. Fixture, Saturday
LIFE'S been rather stressful of late. Mind you, it's nothing I can't handle - but then, I was always an old worry guts. No, the cause of the furrowed brow has nothing to do with being in harness at Berrows House. Far from it - the wardens treat us with
GOALS from Ben Martin and James Quinn earned Worcester Norton third team a 2-0 win when they entertained Old Halesownians in a friendly. Martin tapped in a characteristic goal towards the end of the first half. Worcester's defence protected their lead
BROMSGROVE Rugby Club's destiny will be decided in their final Midlands Two West game of the season on Saturday. Victory or a draw at title rivals Old Laurentians will give them the title and promotion to Midlands One. But defeat will see them miss out
North Midlands stage their second County Youth Festival of the season for under 14s and under 15s at Luctonians' Mortimer Park ground on Sunday, starting at 1.30pm. Youngsters from Birmingham, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and the Black Country
Evesham United 1, Atherstone United 1 UNITED'S wretched home form continued on an afternoon when a draw was probably a fair result as a gusty wind and bone hard pitch made life difficult for both sides. Evesham have now gone seven games without a win
COUNCILLORS have been blamed for dragging their feet over providing facilities for skateboarders in Broadway. Residents at the village's annual meeting also complained about skateboarders causing a nuisance outside their homes. Ken Marshall, from Mills
A Stroud-based artist who has battled against dyslexia to write and illustrate her own book is exhibiting at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, until May 18. Mary Shelley's paintings will hang in the County Bar and will be available to buy. Self-taught
THE celebrated Brighton String Trio are performing in a charity concert in the Cotswolds on Saturday, April 13. The trio are performing at St Laurence's Church in Wyck Rissington, where Gustav Holst served as organist from 1892 to 1893, at 7.30pm to help
ACCLAIMED rocker and country singer Joe Brown is coming to Worcester's Huntingdon hall. The new Joe Brown special, which hits the hall stage at 8pm on Friday April 19, takes the form of a musical journey with two hours-worth of his favourite songs. The
ALAN Price brings his piano full of memories, songs and stories of a musical life for An Evening With Alan Price at Huntingdon Hall, CrownGate, Worcester, this Saturday. It includes The Animals, The Alan Price Set, Georgie Fame, Bob Dylan, The Lindsay
SINGER songwriters Iain Matthews and Ad Vanderveen are at Huntingdon Hall, CrownGate, Worcester, in The Iain Ad Venture tonight at 8pm. Tickets cost £10 (concessions £8) from the box office on 01905 611427.
THE Elvis Collection, starring Billy J McGregor, at Cheltenham Town Hall on Saturday. April 20 at 8pm is a unique celebration of the music of The King that goes way beyond rhinestones, jump suits and false Memphis accents.Tickets cost from £6.50 to £12.50
POPULAR former midfielder Mike Marsh is one man linked with Kidderminster Harriers' top job - but caretaker boss Ian Britton is looking no further than the end of the season. Britton, who aims to upset rivals Rushden and Diamonds play-off party on Saturday
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers reserves have finished third in Avon Insurance League Division Two after yesterday's 1-1 draw at Mansfield Town. Harriers had been in the top two for some time but Hull City have emerged to finish just below champions Macclesfield
FORMER Kidderminster Harriers boss Jan Molby has hinted he could return to haunt the club in the summer with a swoop for new signings. Molby, who has seen his new players at Hull City lose their first two games under him, refused to rule out a possible
SPORTS EDITOR'S MAILBAG WE shall always be grateful to Jan Molby for taking us into the Football League, but his actions of the last two weeks have left a very nasty taste in my mouth, along with many other fans. As a regular supporter, he was God in
THREE generations of a Wyre Forest family gave Harriers their full support on Saturday. Bill Knight, 74, a Harriers player in the early 1950s and an avid fan since, was at Aggborough with his son Alyn, 50, and grandson Alex, 18. They sponsored the Lincoln
PLAY AREA: It has been good to see so many children using the play area over the Easter holidays. Some finishing touches have still to be applied, for example the fencing must be erected. As the result of the work carried out there is a small amount of
LORD PLUMB, former Euro MP for the Cotswolds and president of the NFU, has appealed to farmers to join the national beacon chain as part of Queen Golden Jubilee celebrations on Monday, June 3. Lord Plumb, president of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent
K-PAX (12) Kevin Spacey is an alien in New York. Odeon, Worcester. 1.00, 3.30, 6.00, 8.30. UCI Merry Hill (12.10 Fri-Sun), 3.15, 6.00, 8.45. Fri & Sat late 11.20. Warner Village 2.30, 5.30, 8.30. Sat late 11.30 BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (12) Feelgood footy
ON Sunday at Stourport Hockey Club, Worcester Norton Ladies will seek to defend their Worcestershire Clubs' Championship Trophy. It will be a special event this year not only as it is the centenary year of the Worcestershire Womens' Hockey Association
MEMBERS of the Worcester Three Choirs Festival ladies committee hold a bridge drive at a Spa church on Wednesday, May 1. The Sacred Heart Church Hall, in Worcester Road, will host the eventwhich runs from 2-5pm. There will be a raffle and a prize for
WE have a major test of character when Exeter come to town on Saturday. It is a massive game for all involved and one everyone wants to be part of. After picking up an abdominal injury at Rugby at the weekend, I'm not sure whether I'll be playing but
GETTING in the swing for a future on the golf course were a dozen young girls who took advantage of a couple of "taster sessions" at Broadway Golf Club. The idea came from ladies section captain, Sheila Lawson, in an attempt to boost female membership
Evesham 6pts, Pershore 5 THIS fixture has, and will always be, the top priority of the season for both clubs. This season there were league points at stake as well as bucket loads of pride. Pershore were victors of the opening round, managing to hold
Thursday April 11 Rock/Country: Emmitt Till, The Fiddle & Bone, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, 8pm. Comedy: Unsuitable Girls, The Old Rep, Station Street, Birmingham. Film: Cool & Crazy, cinemac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 9pm. Friday April
BROMSGROVE residents can dabble in a spot of painting when Lickey Hills Art Society holds a watercolour demonstration. The workshop, entitled Landscape, will be run by Lewis Howe-Bennett on Saturday May 4. The group meets at Lickey Parish Hall, in Old
Sketchley Sports & Social Club, Weir Lane, Worcester, 'Friday Night Disco' Non-members and children welcome. Callow End WI Gardening Question Time with Reg Moule & Mike George. April 12. 7.30pm. CallowEnd Village Hall. Tickets £5.00 to include
Evesham and District Disabled AC & Partnerships TEN members travelled to Droitwich last Sunday when they fished the third round of their Spring Shield at Herriots Pool. Roy Thomson led the field home with a weight of 11.7.0, made impressive with a
Madrigal Group and other young artists. April 13. 7.30pm. All Saints Church, Deansway, Worcester. Tickets £5, refreshments available. For further details please telephone (01905 357833). City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra presents a concert to include
OVER the last few years your readers have given my charity swim challenges tremendous support and I am hoping they will once again take up the challenge by supporting the 2002 National Mile Swim Challenge in May. I'm delighted to say that this year's
DID I miss something in your report on a parents' "dilemma" in getting her child to school - is this child disabled? A lad around the corner plus one in the same road as the child concerned both manage to get on the bus to Nunnery Wood every morning (
THE news that the Highways Agency has not yet completed the investigation into the first crash at Beckford is worrying, and in view of the alarm of local residents after last week's tragic crash, I must urge them to complete their investigations with
WHEN I wrote to you about the failure of the county council budgeting process, I correctly advised you that there is no money in the budget toward the building or design costs of the new Worcester City Library and Record Office. Tory Councillor Stephen
PICTURE framer Ed Dudfield has become one of the latest people to pass the Fine Art Trade Guild's picture framing test. Ed, of Broadway's Orion Galleries, is now qualified as a Guild Commended Framer and to pass his test, examiners had to study three
AN inquest into the death of a Broadway man returned a verdict of natural causes. Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round said at the inquest yesterday that Brian Eric Holmes, aged 74, of Mill Avenue, Broadway, died at his home on Saturday, February 2. Mr
INFLUENTIAL coach John Powell could leave Stourport Swifts boss Tim Langford with a potential summer problem. Langford declared Powell, who heads to the USA at the weekend to take up a coaching job, had been his "best signing". Powell will be passing
Evesham 6pts, Pershore 5 THIS fixture has, and will always be, the top priority of the season for both clubs. This season there were league points at stake as well as bucket loads of pride. Pershore were victors of the opening round, managing to hold
THE sweet sound of Mendelssohn can be heard at a Bromsgrove venue this week. The event, including performances by the Schidlof Quartet, will take place on Friday April 12 at The Spadesbourne Suite at The Council House in Burcot Lane. Doors open at 8pm
THE culmination of years of hard work by lovers of historic buildings will come to fruition this year. Neglected listed buildings in Cowl Street, Evesham, are about to be completely renovated. The old pet shop forming number 31 and 32 is to be taken back
AN Evesham woman rescued from a hostel fire in Australia in which 15 people died has spoken of her relief now the trial of the arsonist is over. Amy Baker, aged 22, returned to Evesham after giving evidence at the trial of Robert Long, who was sentenced
STRATFORD trainer Robin Dickin rattled up a winning treble last week when Channahrlie won a handicap hurdle at Hereford on Saturday. The eight-year-old 16/1 shot had a little under a length to spare on a return to racing over hurdles. The previous afternoon
Evesham and District Association WYRE Elite's Matthew Hartwell made it fifth time lucky and Lynda Reid completed a hat-trick at the Association's finals and presentation night on Saturday. Hartwell, runner-up for the last four years, finally got his name
"PROJECT Oarsome" is an ongoing initiative to encourage young water rowers around the country, and an indoor competition in Ivy-bridge, Devon, did just that. Several Old Wrecks club members supported the event with Anna Bailey of Hanley Swan first again
MICHELLE Parsons continued her successful run in fitness events by competing in the second Annual Ashbourne Duathlon on Sunday based around Carsington Water in Derbyshire. The event promoted by, aptly named, 'Punishing Events' was the launch race in the
LAST Sunday saw some eagerly awaited fierce competition for the Chelmay Cup, the first trophy to be awarded this year at the sailing club. With skies of the clearest blue, bright sunshine and with a strengthening wind from the East conditions could not
THE opening round of the British Superbike Champio-nship at Silverstone saw Team UCL Honda out in force for their first domestic race of the year. Riders Simon Andrews and Luke Quigley were both in action in the Superstock race with the former also contesting
THE Evesham Whe-elers' first evening club ten-mile time trial of the year was held last Wednesday in almost perfect conditions - warm for the time of year and windless. Members generally achieved some excellent times. Particularly noteworthy were personal
SEVERAL members of the Evesham club walked away from the County Championships with a haul of medals and pennants. County age group records were broken by Evesham swimmers and both Midland District and National Qualifying Times were posted made by several
Evesham and District Airgun League EIGHT points was the difference as Lygon Arms defeated Wickhamford SSC to move within a point of inactive Offenham at the top of the table. Keith Harris top scored for the winners with 47 but the best of the night was
A WORCESTER law firm is getting its searches done in super-quick time thanks to a new internet-based legal search programme. It means searches for home buyers now come back from local councils in a matter of hours, rather than days, at Thomas Guise Solicitors
A SURVEY carried out by a leading accounting body has found that thousands of small firms, already coping with heavy red tape burdens, are to be further crippled by the forthcoming Employment Bill. Provisions of the Bill - due to come into effect next
LANDOWNERS in the two counties should prepare themselves for the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, a leading business organisation has claimed. The Country Land & Business Association (CLA) has begun a series of seminars around the region to explain
A TEMPLE Grafton woman has a mountain to climb, four of them in fact, as she aims to raise money for charity. Marian Benjamin, aged 51, will be taking part in the Four Peaks Challenge, scaling the summits of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon, and Carrauntoohil
THE eyes of the jazz world turn towards Cheltenham over the coming weeks as the town gears up for its famed International Jazz Festival. The festival is the seventh to be held since its inception in 1996 and, once again, it has attracted some of the biggest
WE would like to reply to a letter in last week's Journal from Mr R Amphlett of Pershore where it was stated by him that the councillors at Wychavon District Council have repeatedly turned down an application by Evesham United Football Club for a new
MAY I on behalf of all concerned thank all who attended by father's funeral, the funeral directors, the vicar and the nursing staff on Ganderton Ward, Castle Street. Bill Smith was a well-known figure in Evesham, having spent all his life in the area,
THE baying of foxhounds is like wild natural music compared to the screeching of the anti-hunters. Aided by a Government that cynically introduced a bill in an effort to get a transport minister off the front page of every national newspaper, they are
