Archive

  • Overseas ace does his best

    AN UNBEATEN 98 by 19-year-old New Zealander John Blakeley helped Cookley to 237-4 in their Worcestershire League Division Two encounter with Evesham at Lea Lane. But it was not enough to help the home side secure victory as their county rivals went on

  • Victoria hit the bottom of division

    A BIG defeat at home to Barnards Green left Victoria and Blakeley Hall bottom of Worcestershire League Division Three. The Kidderminster side put together 195-6 on Saturday with David Mitchell firing 67 runs in the second league game of the season. But

  • A strong start

    SIZZLING Stone continued their good early-season Worcestershire League Division Five form with a 133-run win at Bridewell. Having been asked to bat, Pete Glover and Adrian Blackledge put on 108 runs for the first wicket when the former was out for 42.

  • TORTURED LIZ's HELL TALE

    A PREGNANT mum tortured and beaten by her husband has warned other women in her situation to leave before it is too late. Lizzy Lee, who suffered four years of abuse at the hands of her husband, Jordan, revealed he would probably have killed her if police

  • Cheery Cavaliers

    BEWDLEY Cavaliers recorded a comfortable 83-run win over Feckenham in Worcestershire League Third Teams Division. They made 137-9 and then skittled out the village side for 54 with Andy Stannard taking 4-21. Cavaliers claimed 24 points as a result and

  • Teenager admits assaults on care workers

    A WORCESTER teenager has appeared in court charged with assaulting care workers at a children's home. The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admits carrying out a series of assaults on workers at the Worcester home last month. The attacks

  • Man fined £150 for stealing trolley full of treats

    A MALVERN man decided to stock up for Christmas by attempting to steal a trolley full of goods from a supermarket. Mark Williams, aged 31, was caught as he tried to leave Droitwich's Safeway supermarket on Wednesday, November 28 last year. Liz Tweed,

  • Gaping hole in NHS dentistry

    WORCESTER patients wanting dental care will now have to travel out of the city to get an appointment on the NHS. The two remaining NHS dental practices in the city are closing their books and are accepting no more new patients. Both Abbotsbury Court and

  • Grant to help adoption scheme

    LONELY grandparents in Droitwich may soon find themselves "adopted" by a youngster. A cash grant to a voluntary service in the town means the project could soon be underway. It will form one part of a three-pronged scheme to tackle isolation in the town

  • Platt's precise

    STOURPORT U-12s enjoyed a winning start to the season at home to Studley. Daniel Platt was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets as Studley totalled 79 from their 20 overs. After Adam Leek top scored with 16, an unbroken stand of 38 between Aaron Griffiths

  • Community teams up to wage war on litter

    ABANDONED trolleys, a car exhaust and an old Severn Trent sign were just some of the findings during a parish council litter pick. Six members of St Peter's Parish Council and residents joined forces to collect rubbish from the estate's playgrounds and

  • Bombshell for residents

    WORRIED homeowners in Throckmorton fear DEFRA could use the proposed asylum seekers' centre as a get-out clause in an on-going dispute over the plummeting value of their homes. People living alongside the former RAF airbase in the picturesque Worcestershire

  • Lobby to count the true cost of floods

    SIR MICHAEL Spicer is to urge the Government to take account of the true cost of flooding when allocating funds for flood prevention and alleviation schemes. After a meeting with Kempsey flood victims and officers of the Environment Agency, the West Worcestershire

  • Stress-busting creative courses

    STRESS will be busted by arts and craft classes being held at a Worcester workshop. The classes, which are aimed at adults with no art experience, are being held at Astley Village Hall and Worcester Arts Workshop. The sessions will teach adults, in a

  • Tidy finish to month-long green campaign

    A HUGE month-long environmental project to clean-up Worcester has been hailed a success. Organisers of the Rubbish? Sort It! campaign have revealed that more than 1,000 people from across the county pitched in to help. The project, organised by the Duckworth

  • Slum school action plan

    A MAKESHIFT school in a slum area of Kenya is set to be re-developed, thanks to some of the people of Upton-upon-Severn. Parishes throughout Upton deanery are joining forces with All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi to raise cash for the school. The funds

  • Youth 'hit with cue'

    A YOUTH suffered a fractured skull after being hit over the head with a pool cue in a Kidderminster wine bar. Michael Bowen told a jury at Worcester Crown Court that Paul Smith "offered out" his group of friends before attacking him. Mr Bowen, who was

  • In memory of Chezzie

    A MEMORIAL stone has been laid at the Malvern grave of Cheryl Lewis, the 22-year-old who died in a road accident in December. Miss Lewis and her 31-year-old fianc, Paul Kitsull, were both killed when the red Mazda RX7 he was driving hit a barn wall near

  • Amateur operatic star dies

    ONE of the best-known members of Worcestershire's amateur operatic scene has died. For nearly half a century, Jean Wilson was a familiar figure in productions by Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society and also worked with similar societies in Malvern

  • Architects' award for Hill Centre

    UPTON Civic Society has singled out the architects of the Hill Centre at Upton-upon-Severn for a top 2002 award. Chairman, Simon Wilkinson, congratulated Holyer Purchase Design, of Bushley, and the clients, Malvern Hills District Council, for achieving

  • Lifesaving first for new drugs

    THE first patient in Wyre Forest has been successfully treated with life-saving clotbusting drugs. The man, who has not been named, was treated last Friday morning after suffering a heart attack. He is comfortable at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Hereford

  • Boy,15, in road attack terror

    AN enraged driver threw a teenager into a hedge three times after he tried to warn him of cyclists approaching while acting as a marshal during a bike race. Liam Preece, 15, of Worth Crescent, Stourport, was left bruised and shaken up following the incident

  • Town in May poll position

    VOTERS will go to the polls over a controversial proposed Bewdley traffic calming scheme at the end of this month, it has been revealed. The town's historic first parish poll will be held on Thursday, May 30. Twenty-seven residents opposed to the £223,000

  • Jail threat for father

    A KIDDERMINSTER father has been given a suspended jail sentence for failing to send his four children to school regularly. It is the first time Wyre Forest magistrates have used new powers given to them in truancy cases. Previously they were limited to

  • Town future 'is at stake'

    THE outgoing Stourport mayor fears the Health Concern bandwagon will obliterate the opposition if it contests next year's town election. Labour town councillor Mick Grinnall, who stood down as Mayor of Stourport at last Thursday's annual parish meeting

  • Ticket plan for pub TV

    MORE pubs in the district are being allowed early morning opening hours as the World Cup draws nearer. Magistrates have received a flood of applications from pubs keen to open their doors early to show televised first round games involving England and

  • Harvington

    ART GROUP: The group were pleased to welcome two new members to the May meeting at which final arrangements were made regarding the work to be exhibited at the Jubilee Exhibition at the weekend. Details were confirmed of the proposed outdoor painting

  • 16/5/02 - Donald all set to join Worcs

    WORCESTERSHIRE are set to draft in former South African Test star Allan Donald as a possible temporary replacement for pace ace Andy Bichel. Bichel could miss a batch of matches for the County next month because of international duties and I understand

  • Offenham

    SPRING FAIR: Offenham First School is holding its annual Spring Fair on Saturday with gates opening at 2pm. Attractions include maypole dancing, a well-stocked plants and produce stall, as well as all the usual activities like face painting and bouncy

  • Lighting-up the times

    How disappointed I was to read Margaret Stuart-Turner's letter regarding the church lighting in Blockley. I am one of very many people who are delighted with the subtle effect of lighting the church at night. It was an inspiredMillennium project and provides

  • Big step in the wrong direction

    A FORTNIGHT ago, the people of Worcester made plain their apathy towards local politics and local politicians by staying away from the city council election in their droves. At the time, observers from all corners of the city agreed that something needed

  • Blueprint to tackle A and E crisis - MP

    DR Richard Taylor has put forward a blueprint for a national strategy on accident and emergency services to avoid another "crisis" in healthcare. The Wyre Forest MP urged the Government to grasp recommendations made by Prof Ara Darzi on services in County

  • Heart man in 10-hour trolley wait

    A PATIENT with a life-threatening heart condition had to wait for more than 10 hours on a trolley at Worcester's new hospital while a bed was found. His plight was discovered when Kidderminster and District Community Health Council carried out a routine

  • A chance to hear new opera stars

    ONE of Europe's leading opera companies is visiting the Oxford Apollo Theatre on its first British tour. More than 100 soloists, chorus, musicians, technicians and ballet dancers from the Ukrainian National Opera of Odessa will be presenting lavish productions

  • Locked in the pub with Jeff

    THE acclaimed comedy Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, based on the life and writings of the celebrated and often inebriated Spectator columnist is being staged at the Talisman Theatre, Kenilworth, from next Monday, May 20, to Saturday, May 25 at 7.30pm. The

  • Youth set to buzz at Games

    ABOUT 900 children and many more spectators will converge on Stourport for the annual Worcestershire Youth Games on Sunday. All six local authorities across the county will be represented in seven sports, including athletics, netball, rugby, hockey and

  • Tough fifth for Forest's young stars

    SWIMMING: Tough opposition forced Wyre Forest into fifth place in the Nuneaton Junior League Division One meet at Stratford. Forest, up against top Midlands clubs, achieved two first places, four seconds and four thirds in the races. There were excellent

  • Preece prize in Ross ride

    CYCLING: Teenager Liam Preece proved he is in form, racking up another win for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club. The 15-year-old took top junior prize in one hour 14 minutes 38 seconds at the tough Ross-on-Wye 25-mile Mountain Time Trial and was 15th overall

  • Plan faces rejection

    A CARPET company's expansion plans are facing rejection by Wyre Forest District Council. The authority's planning (development control) committee is being urged to reject a scheme by Carpets of Kidderminster which wants to erect two production and storage

  • Library tribute to former PM

    A BUST of Stourport's most famous son has been rescued from obscurity to resume pride of place in the town's library. The bronze head-and-shoulders of three-times former prime minister Stanley Baldwin - born in Bewdley in 1867 but who spent more time

  • Charity rafters back on river with a splash

    HUNDREDS of people lined the River Severn in spring sunshine on Sunday to cheer on crews in an annual raft race which has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years. The eight-and-a-half mile Arley to Stourport event was held in aid of river

  • Points for Elton

    MOTORSPORT: Dunley driver Elton Sheldon scored his first points in the 2002 Volkswagen Racing Cup on Saturday at Oulton Park with a brace of top-10 places. The 42-year-old, who qualified sixth on the grid in his Beetle RSi, collected eighth position in

  • Card from Queen for Victoria, 105

    A KIDDERMINSTER woman can lay claim to being the oldest resident in the district still living at home. A card from the Queen took pride of place on the mantlepiece as Victoria Hiles celebrated her 105th birthday with her family and friends. Mrs Hiles

  • Runners-up hope

    CHESS: Kidderminster look set for runners-up spot in Wolverhampton and District League Division One following a 4-2 home victory over Stourbridge. Results (Kidderminster names first): Brian Sharp 1, G Thomas 0; Maurice Bissell 0.5, B Dudley 0.5; John

  • Awards in their hands

    FOURTEEN students are celebrating passing their Wado Ryu karate grading after training hard for up to six months. Young Gloves Karate pupils were also presented with best student certificates from 160 people within the organisation. Instructor Justin

  • Herring and meat lure big cats

    SHATTERFORD Fishery proved a good venue for Kidderminster's Brian Warren who used a damsel nymph to catch eight trout to 3.5lb. A fellow trout fisherman managed nine to 3lb with a buzzer and an angler from Bridgnorth was grateful to cats whisker for hauling

  • Willow Marsh

    The Friday Evening Open provided excellent sport and was won by Martin Taylor, fishing with a long pole and using worms. Willow Marsh Open Dragonfly Pool: Martin Taylor 38-4, Mick Warrilow 29-15-8, Mitch Bradley 19-7-8. Sunday Morning Dragonfly Pool -

  • HETA AC

    HETA Pool: P Baker 13-15, P Reynolds 7-4, J Connolly 4-9. The next match is on Sunday on the Stack Pool with a 7am draw.

  • Three face jail for £80,000 OAP scam

    THREE people, including a Kidderminster man, who carried out an £80,000 scam to obtain goods by using the details of elderly patients in Midlands' hospitals are facing jail. Brian Wells got his ex-wife Patricia to supply him with a medical admissions

  • Marks Tackle

    LARFORD Open: R Evans 39-0-0, M Haines 27-8-0, J Johnson 16-0-0. The next Larford Open is on Sunday, May 26. Haye Farm Open: P Davis 43-2-0, P Pearsall 18-15-0, P Cook 18-4-0. The next Haye Farm Open is on Sunday with a 1.30pm draw. For the Wednesday

  • May 16, 2002

    NATIONAL Epilepsy Week starts on Saturday with the announcement of an audit of epilepsy-related death. This will highlight this extremely sad cause of about 1,000 deaths per year, mostly of young adults. Government reports have shown that epilepsy management

  • Teenager attacked

    Three youths beat a teenager and stole his mobile phone in a robbery near Kidderminster town centre. The victim, who was in his late teens, was punched by his assailants after he was attacked in Comberton Hill subway at 3.45pm last Wednesday. Two of the

  • Wolverley Angling Club

    HAYE Farm Match: G Reece 13-5, H Paczkowski 11-2, P Brookes 10-14. The next meeting is on June 12 and for the match on Stanley Waters all members wishing to fly fish should attend this meeting.

  • Spring cutting ruins roadside habitats

    I AM disgusted that for the second year running Worcestershire County Council have chosen to cut the Bewdley bypass verges in the spring when our precious wild flowers are in full bloom. The unfortunate contractor was stopped by me, and questioned as

  • Sticking with professionals

    I REALISE that Mr Boyle (Shuttle/Times and News Letters, May 9) must have had vast experience of the technicalities of walking. His condemnation of the thousands of professional mountaineers and guides, throughout Europe, who use ski-type walking sticks

  • A second for Town

    BEWDLEY Town secured the West Midlands League Division One South runner-up spot on Tuesday after a 1-0 win over local rivals Chaddesley Corbett. The prolific Grant Gibbs scored the only goal to decide a hard-fought contest as Bewdley leapt over Hinton

  • Tomkinsons AC

    COOKLEY Canal competition: M Sztybel 8-13-0, G Owen 6-11-0, J Baylie 5-0-0. Bank clearing is on Sunday at Lyttelton Waters, meeting by peg 60 at 8am. The next contest is on Sunday, May 26, at Wren's Nest pool.

  • Event nicely stitched up

    I WISH to express my sincere thanks to everyone involved with "Stitches in Time" at Cleobury Mortimer. The parish hall was packed with exhibits from the history society, library services (museum and archaeology), Cleobury Millennium map, fire service,

  • Forest grab cup for fifth time

    WYRE Forest picked up their 54th trophy in 19 seasons when they beat much-fancied Ounsdale 3-1 to take the Kidderminster Harriers Junior Cup for the fifth time. Better finishing could have seen Forest win the match by half-time but they had to settle

  • Willis Bund AC

    The next contest will be at Cob House Farm on Wednesday with a 9am draw. Elmbridge contest result: Harold Willey 36-7-0, Barry Southall 26-3-0, Roy Griffiths 21-7-0, Ron Russell 20-13-0.

  • With the juniors

    MERCIAN Elgar League champions, Malvern Town Wanderers, proved too strong for Evesham Colts in Sunday's clash. The opening half was even and goalless but Wanderers struck soon after the break and they then took control. Colts pushed forward in search

  • Wasted journey to new hospital

    I WOULD like it to be known about the way my wife was treated at the "centre of excellence" otherwise known as the Worcestershire Royal Hospital. She attended Kidderminster Hospital on May 8 for a pre-operation assessment, along with five more female

  • Wren's Nest AC

    TOP Pool contest result: A Andrews 14-14-0, K Woodhead 13-10-0, J Brooks 11-11-0. The next match is on Sunday on the Wren's Nest Pools with an 8am draw. The club plans to carry out work on pegs after the contest and are asking for help from members.

  • Final success is Taylor-made!

    A LAST-GASP goal from Paul Taylor helped Spartak Park lift the Stratford and District Alliance's R M Smith Cup. Craig McSweeney had earlier given the first division side the lead at FISSC but top flight opponents, Bretforton Old Boys, hit back to lead

  • Gilt Edge AC

    CHAIRMAN'S Cup, Siligrove pool: P White 8-12-0, R Evans 7-0-0, J Jackson 5-5-0. The next contest will be fished on the KDAA pool for the Oakley cup first round knock-out on Sunday.

  • Cookley AS

    Cookley have bank-clearing duties at Hallow Tip, near Worcester, on Saturday, June 1, meeting at the venue at 1pm. A contest at the Cobhouse pool is on Sunday with members leaving the village at 6.30am. Their annual meeting will be held following the

  • Woodward Grosvenor AC

    CONTEST at Hazelhurst 12th May: G Mansell 12-11, K Tombs 8-3.5, T Cooke 7-13, J Brown 6-4, D Saunders 3-4.

  • Gardener in cat appeal

    GARDENS have been alive with colourful spring flowers, and we keen gardeners are busy buying summer and autumn displays to complement what we have spent hundreds of pounds on. We have removed the "inverted" hanging baskets which have provided a "suit

  • Bewdley AS

    WELLFIELD contest: Don Evington 13-0-0, Dereck Buckle 9-4-0, Mike Taylor 6-10-0, Dave Williams 5-0-0, Geoff Ife 4-10-0.

  • Knife terror at petrol station

    A CASHIER at an Evesham petrol station was threatened at knifepoint when he was ordered to hand over cash. A man entered the Esso filling station in Cheltenham Road at about 3.19am last Saturday (May 11) and threatened the cashier, Stuart Matthews, with

  • Seven-up for two

    IT WAS seventh heaven for two teams in Kidderminster Six-a-side League Division Two as Steve Bull Followers beat Young Uns 7-0 and Swan FC defeated Harriers United 7-1. Results, Division One: Woodthorpe Wanderers 1, FC Magic 2; Mistermen 1, Briars 4;

  • When the cat's away the motorists play...

    TRAFFIC wardens used to be the scourge of motorists who would leave their cars illegally parked on double yellow lines. Now town councillors from Evesham and Pershore have called for police action after the four-month absence through illness of a traffic

  • Curtain falls on a rich and varied life

    PERSHORE centenarian Gee Nelmes died last Thursday at her home in Ganderton Court, with her husband Alec at her side. She was 103. Born at Cricklewood, London, her father was a premier champagne importer and among his clientele were celebrities and socialites

  • Serious misuse of cash

    YOUR ill-informed and emotionally charged correspondent from Kidderminster (Shuttle/Times and News Letters, May 9) who suggests that opposition to the massive Bewdley traffic-calming project is based on selfishness has missed the point by a mile. The

  • Two weeks to the big day out...

    THERE'S just over two weeks to go until Evesham's big day out. The town's carnival takes place on Saturday, June 1 and will form part of the celebrations for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Entries for floats for the carnival procession are now flooding in

  • HELMET The Door, Birmingham Rep

    HATS off to the Rep for staging theatre aimed at a younger/less traditional audience. Written by award-winning playwright Douglas Maxwell, this short piece - just over one hour long - is set in a computer games shop and structured, intriguingly, as a

  • Amy's View Rose Theatre, Kidderminster

    ANYONE wanting an evening of light entertainment had probably better steer clear of this play, which runs at The Rose until Saturday. It is challenging, for cast and audiences alike, and full attention is required throughout - but as Esme Allen might

  • Tens cancelled

    CLEOBURY Mortimer cancelled their 10s tournament at the weekend which had been arranged to help celebrate the club's 10th birthday. Five local teams withdrew last Friday, leaving the villagers with no option but to scrap the event.

  • Windo signs new contract

    TONY Windo has spoken of his delight after re-signing for Worcester Rugby Club. The 32-year-old prop finally put pen to paper yesterday on a new one-year contract ending weeks of uncertainty over his future. Windo has been waiting since the final game

  • Birthday bonus for handy Andy

    ANDY Platt gained himself a belated birthday present by winning the Evening News/Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. Cricketer of the Week award. The Stourport bowler, who was 36 on Monday, scooped the award by taking 7-49, including a hat-trick, in a

  • Youth the key in bid to return

    YOUTH is the way forward at Kidderminster Cricket Club as they try to bounce straight back from relegation. The Chester Road side were relegated from the Premier Division of the Birmingham League last season - their first demotion in over 100 years of

  • What's On

    THURSDAY: Kidderminster: The Boar's Head Tap House - The Bat Whispers. Wolverhampton: Civic Hall - Runrig. Little Civic - Easy World and The Moonies. Robin R'n'B2 - Nick Harper. Birmingham: NIA - Destiny's Child and Friday. Brierley Hill: Robin R'n'B

  • 'Hamster-eating' Starr is unwrapped

    ZANY Freddie Starr, the Liverpudlian comic -- once reported to have bitten the head off a hamster -- is appearing at Malvern Theatres. His show: Freddie Starr 'Unwrapped' is sure to contain all the unpredictable style of manic comedy he's been famed for

  • Mother mourns son killed in holiday crash

    THE grieving mother of a Kidderminster man killed in a tragic motorbike accident while holidaying in France has paid tribute to her loving son. Patrick O'Brien died after his bike developed a mechanical fault on Sunday, May 5 while he was touring with

  • Couple check out after silver service

    A COUPLE from Kidderminster who have notched up more than 50 years service between them for a major supermarket chain are checking out for a well-earned six-month sabbatical. Steve and Jacqueline Hemphill, who work at the town's Waitrose store, have opted

  • Crafty way to tackle stress

    A WOMAN who overhauled her life after being diagnosed with cancer has launched a series of arts and craft classes in a bid to help people in the district beat stress. Jenny Saunders, of Church Walk, Stourport, was working as a full-time group health and

  • Funny man who tickled the Queen

    LIKE another David before him, former chief petty officer David Rushforth proved a dab hand at slaying. As one half of a Two Ronnies-tribute act - The Two Grimeys - on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during the 70s, Mr Rushforth, 52, of Kidderminster,

  • Friends climb high for wheelchair-bound Sandra

    MORE than a dozen people are to scale southern Britain's highest mountain to help a wheelchair-bound woman paralysed on her right side. Between 15 and 20 employees of Kidderminster carpet giant Brintons will climb Mount Snowdon in north Wales on June

  • Sunday farewell for vicar

    A YEAR-LONG festival of church events is under threat when its vicar leaves this weekend. After seven years as the driving force in one of the district's most creative parishes, the Rev Andrew Vessey will take his last service at St Bartholomew's Church

  • Song and dance for free

    THE University of Gloucestershire will be the venue of a performance of song and dance routines from famous West End musicals and Hollywood movies at a free event on Saturday. The extravaganza, called Musical Mania, is a toe-tapping tribute to the movies

  • 16/5/02 Wolves to add bite in friendlies

    DIVISION One disappointments Wolverhampton Wanderers will be the big draw to Aggborough in Kidderminster Harriers' pre-season programme. Dave Jones takes Wolves to Harriers on Wednesday, July 24, as his team look to get over their failure to gain promotion

  • 16/5/02 Released players proving popular

    THERE has been immediate demand for Harriers players released at the end of the season. Promising young midfielder Ben Davies has already signed a two-year-deal with former Liverpool defender Mark Wright at Conference side Chester City. Forward Tony Bird

  • Cellist stars in church's annual concert

    CELLIST Sheida Davis, accompanied by Jill Morton, is giving a the annual concert at St Laurence's Church, Bidford, on Saturday. The evening is part of the Concerts in Warwickshire Churches season and starts at 7.30pm. The programme features Bach's Sonata

  • 16/5/02 Harriers third favourites?

    VICTOR Chandler, a leading internet tipster, has made Harriers third favourites to win Division Three in the first set of odds to be released for next season. Hull are favourites and Rushden have been placed just behind them.

  • Phone box must go

    A VANDALISED public telephone kiosk is for the chop despite the objections of Bewdley Town Council. Stephen Clee, Wyre Forest district councillor for Bewdley, had demanded the kiosk on the corner of Richmond Road and Yew Tree Lane be removed after being

  • Evesham

    Women In Business Club: The first meeting of the Evesham and Pershore Women In Business Club took place on Wednesday 24th April 2002 at the Waterside Hotel, Evesham. A total of 17 women from various businesses and professions took part in the meeting

  • Scaffolder ensures solid platform for success!

    EVESHAM Cricket Club's youth development programme has been given a massive boost with the generous sponsorship of £1,000 from T & P Scaffolding of Evesham. Company Director, Tim Davies, said "I have been impressed with the progress Evesham Cricket

  • Cash secures future of rare breed sheep

    THE rare breed of Cotswold sheep will benefit from a £425,000 grant to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's Regeneration Appeal. The future of 28 rare breeds of sheep will be secured by the systematic collection and storage of semen. Among them are the Cotswold

  • Sheward shackles Shipston

    CRAIG Sheward signalled his intent, imperiously cutting Steve Righton's first delivery for four and so he continued in commanding fashion, dominating an opening partnership of 118 with Rob Eaton in 25 overs as Elmley Castle made the early running against

  • Ground for hire

    EVESHAM CC is still offering use of their ground to teams playing friendly evening matches. "We have had a half-a-dozen bookings from various local works and business house teams, but we are still looking for more", revealed club secretary, David Higginson

  • Barry's the star turn

    BARRY Clements guided Evesham to an outstanding Worcestershire County Lea-gue victory at Cookley on Saturday. Chasing a daunting 238 for victory, Clements scored a superb 96 containing some fine shots mixed with discipline to lead the visitors to a famous

  • Community meeting

    RESIDENTS in a Bromsgrove village got to grips with the latest community news at a yearly gathering. Cofton Hackett Parish Council held its annual meeting at the village hall, in Barnt Green Road, on Monday. Residents were invited to attend.

  • Fund's 'max' appeal

    A GROUP of businessmen, including some from Chaddesley Corbett, have raised more than £3,000 for a support group for families affected by a rare genetic disorder. Max Appeal was set up by Paul Wootton, development manager for Wyre Forest Com-munity Housing

  • Job losses not planned says wheel firm

    REDUNDANCIES look to have been averted at a major steel-making company. But there is still no sign of business picking up at Titan Steel Wheels at Cookley. The company, which makes huge wheels for heavy plant vehicles, has been laying off some workers

  • CLEOBURY MORTIMER BRIDGE CLUB

    At last week's duplicate competition it was impossible to separate two pairs in second place on the north-south side as they both returned 51.25 per cent. The two teams were Tony Wilson and Pat Smith, Nigel Wilkins and Steve Clifton. The winners were

  • KIDDERMINSTER CIVIC SOCIETY

    The annual meeting, chaired by the Rt Hon The Lord Sandys, was held at Gainsborough House hotel. Following the business meeting, Chief Superintendent Suzette Davenport of West Mercia Constabulary gave a talk. She confirmed that this is a comparatively

  • STOURPORT SOCIAL DAY CENTRE

    Ian Prust from Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade gave an illustrated talk, explaining how hosts/hostesses should lead their members to safety should the need arise. The following week members of Rock Heartstart gave instructions on resuscitation and

  • RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION WYRE FOREST GROUP

    On Sunday Peter Wright will lead a six-mile walk at Eckington. Those taking part should meet at New Road, Kidderminster at 9.30am. Telephone Peter on 01299 405166 for further details.

  • Theatre

    Rose, Kidderminster - Amy's View until Saturday. Civic Centre, Stourport - Fame until Saturday. Crescent, Birmingham - Moll Flanders until May 25. Repertory, Birmingham - Elizabeth Rex until Saturday. Getting to the Foot of the Mountain until June 18.

  • WORCESTERSHIRE WIs

    Thursday, May 30 will be the final chance for WI members to book a place at the International Evening to be held at Abberley Village Hall on June 26. The evening will feature a speaker from the country the jumpers are being sent to, and will start at

  • BRINTONS WALKING CLUB

    On Wednesday evening, a three-four mile "Bear Shoot" Walk will leave the Duke William at Rock at 7.15pm. There is no entry fee, but donations for the BBC's Children In Need will be invited. Adults and children will be welcome to take their bears on the

  • Graffiti

    VANDALISM receives a lot of coverage in your columns. Graffiti, too - but perhaps if shopkeepers stopped selling spray paint to young people the problem would disappear overnight. What do you think? JIM STOTE, Worcester.

  • Fox numbers are self-regulating

    IT appears that Jon Burgess, Robert Brierley and other apologists for bloodsports remain in denial about the nature of their chosen pastime. Foxes are not classed as pests. The brevity of the hunters' knowledge of animal ecology and its environs is astounding

  • Ofsted should take factors into account

    I HAVE just received a watered-down copy of the Ofsted report relating to my children's school St Barnabas C of E in Green Lane, Worcester. 1) Do these inspectors not take into account that the children in each year vary in age, in some cases by almost

  • Night of stars returns

    THE Spring Centre Trust Fund, Gloucestershire's premier charity for children with disabilities, hosts Night of the Stars II at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, on Monday. Last year's show was a sell-out and again this year's organiser, Gloucestershire

  • Host of summer events at court

    COUGHTON Court near Alcester, the home of the Throckmorton family, is throwing open its gates to an array of summer events. Starting with a plant fair on June 29, the stately pile continues to offer visitors a range of activities and shows throughout

  • Andrews shines bright in tough Italian tester

    SIMON Andrews, the 19-year-old Wickham-ford teenager, opened his account in the European Superstock at the world famous Monza circuit in Italy last weekend on board his Team UCL Honda Fireblade. Monza is the fastest track on which the youngster has competed

  • Gipsy site advice puzzles villagers

    BIDFORD'S parish appraisal group has frowned on a leaflet issued by a resident advising others on how to fill in a forthcoming survey. Villagers were puzzled when they received a leaflet last week telling them to fill in their appraisal forms supporting

  • Football results

    Worcs Infirmary Cup Final: Rednal Social 1 Al-vechurch S&S (AET) Alve-church won 4-2 on penal-ties BSA Cup Final: Alcester Rovers 2 Longbridge S&S 4 Premier Division: Gar-ringtons Sunday 3 West-bury Celtic 2; Black Horse 1 Bromsgrove Athletic

  • Women storm to the finish

    Villa Aztecs Ladies 3 Redditch United Women 6 A DEPLETED Villa team took on an injured Redditch side whose numbers were bolstered by reserve team players, Caroline Staples and Sue Fletcher. Redditch took the initiative from the off when captain Sam Tayler's

  • Fishers win

    Glebe Farm B 0 - Redditch Kingfisher Juniors 6 This was the first meeting between these two teams and despite the score line, the first half was a very close affair. Ben Marcle, making an impressive debut for Kingfisher scored after 15 minutes, to give

  • Dancing star Aimee is 'one in a million'

    A BRIGHT future has been predicted for a seven-year-old Kidderminster disco star who has wiped the dancefloor with the opposition in every competition she has entered. Aimee Laux, a student at Expressions Dance School - based at Holy Innocents Community

  • Fascinating history of river town

    THE first comprehensive history of Stourport since the 1930s has been launched in the town. Based on oral history from established residents, the book is the result of a two-year collaboration between Stourport holidaymaker Anne Bradford and Mike Kettle

  • Drumming up uniform cash

    A MARCHING band from Malvern is hoping to drum up some cash for new uniforms and equipment when it holds its annual competition and fete. The West Mercia Championships, which are being hosted by the Malvern Lynx Marching Band, will take place on Sunday

  • City centre art

    ENTRIES are being invited for artwork to brighten up the new-look Bull Ring, Birmingham, which will be the largest retail development in Europe when completed. The commissioned works will be small scale, aimed at creating "interest, detail and a sense

  • Greenham veterans still on call to protest

    TWO pensioners from Pershore remain on 24-hour call, 20 years after their first demonstration at Greenham Common. Freddie Fredericks and Anji Clarke from Farleigh Road are so committed to the peace movement and the protection of the environment that they

  • Calado happy with a second place finish

    CROPTHORNE racer James Calado had to settle for second place in the latest round of the Mini-Max class in the prestigious BRDC backed Champions of the Future series at Larkhall, Scotland. Sutton Coldfield's Adam Christ-odoulou was the youngster to take

  • Court chance

    PERSHORE Tennis Centre is throwing open its doors for free on Saturday as part of Play Tennis 2002, the UK's biggest participation event. It doesn't matter how old you are or how you play, go and give it a try at Pershore College from 10-11.30am or 12

  • Win gold after medal misery

    EVESHAM Rowing Club's junior internationals, Alex Gregory and Andrew Walker, were selected to row at Ghent last weekend. Gregory competed in a composite GB quad scull in the Junior 18 and under 23 events. On Saturday, in Junior 18, they took an excellent

  • Ladies get out their Friday frocks for races

    THE first of three Friday evening fixtures at Stratford Racecourse takes place tomorrow with the first race starting at 6.05pm. Annual Ladies Day is sure to be an evening of sophistication and reverie and a chance for all to dust of those hats and dress

  • Labour keep hold

    LABOUR will have the all-important casting vote on Redditch Council's new powerful executive body despite losing their overall majority in the May 2 elections. The move caused sparks to fly at last week's full council meeting when councillors met to decide

  • Sunday opening

    VISITORS to Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire will soon be able to enjoy a relaxing game of bowls when the first ever National Trust bowling green opens for play this Sunday. The bowling green is one of the final parts of a decade's worth of restoration

  • Healthy cushion

    EVESHAM Sailing Club held its first round of the annual competition against Arden SC. The event is three races over the day each of well over an hour with five boats from each team competing for the Avon trophy. This was Evesham's home leg with the away

  • Local players help county to victory

    EVESHAM players were again at the forefront of Worcestershire County's battle for survival to stay in division three. In the B games, Carol Jones, saw off her opponent in straight legs. Both Rachel Leeming and Claire Hill were unlucky to lose in the fifth

  • Make a date on the Avon

    STRATFORD Boat Club stages its annual regatta next month. The first such event, held in 1874, actually preceded the Boat Club founding. The entries consisted of two pair' events and a sculling event. Since that time, the club has hosted an annual regatta

  • Trio of Michelles relish claiming Ketchup scalp!

    SUNDAY'S Stratford Triathlon held at the Stratford Leisure Centre proved to be a successful start to the new season for local triathletes competing in both the sprint and relay race. The event was the first leg of the 220 Triathlon magazine's 2002 National

  • Top national riders at Badsey

    THE British Championship round of the National Mot-orcycle Youth Grasstrack Club's National Series will be staged at Badsey on Sun-day, June 30. The event, hosted by the Evesham Vale club, will see around 50 of the top young riders in the country in action

  • Top trio triumph

    PRS Summer League THE latest round of first division action produced three fairly comfortable 4-0 victories for each of the teams expected to be challenging for the title. Studley A won on their visit to Henley, dropping only one set, and leaving Henley

  • Here's a firm with a lot of bottle

    TRANSPORT logistics firm Taylors of Martley has clinched a major new contract with a polyester bottle manufacturer. Taylors of Martley, based in Martley, near Worcester, runs a fleet of 150 vehicles and 300 trailers from 12 locations across the UK. The

  • Golden pale ale just cannot fail

    REVELLERS can toast the Queen's Golden Jubilee with a special beer produced by the Malvern Hills Brewery. Golden Reign is a golden pale ale containing hops from throughout the Commonwealth. It is being supplied "ready to brew", meaning it is free of duty

  • The Bear must be a growling success

    LOCAL radio station FM102 The Bear is celebrating after figures showed it was attracting more listeners than ever before. According to the latest audience figures, released last Thursday, 61,000 local people tune in to The Bear each week. Station bosses

  • Rise in county's jobless total

    UNEMPLOYMENT has gone up in Worcestershire, bucking the national trend. Figures released for April 2002 show that unemployment in Worcestershire rose from 5,518 people in March to 5,652 people in April. While it is only a rise of 134 people, it flies

  • KCC reaping early rewards

    A NEW professional outlook at Kidderminster Cricket Club is beginning to reap dividends after a double weekend success. They completed their first Birmingham League Division One win of the season by six wickets over neighbours Bromsgrove. And Kidderminster

  • Appreciation for the persistence of voters

    THROUGH your newspaper I would like to give my sincere thanks to all the voters of New Town and Avenue who have elected me to continue as their representative on the District and Town Council. I would like to give a special mention to those voters who

  • Enjoy white knuckle ride, it won't last

    Re the letter's page - white knuckle ride. In response to Mr George Rowlinson's letter I appreciated the humour. I agree some criticism is understandable but some of your comments may be premature? After inspection by Highways staff and the contractor

  • Mansell magic inspires KCC

    JUBILANT Kidderminster powered to a fine victory at home to county rivals Bromsgrove in Birmingham League Division One. Mark Mansell and the returning Mandeep Singh crashed 99 and 72 respectively in a 127-opening stand as KCC reached their target of 233

  • Chaddesley keep going

    UNDEFEATED Chaddesley Corbett hung on for a draw at Bromyard in Worcestershire League Division One. They survived despite a league record 158 not out from the Herefordshire club's Ashley Bullock as they rattled up 281-2 in their 50 overs. In reply, Chaddesley's

  • Platt hat-trick is not enough

    HAT-TRICK hero Andy Platt ripped through the Bewdley batting but Stourport still had to settle for a thrilling derby draw in Worcestershire League Division Two. Platt was in terrific form for Stourport, finishing with figures of 7-49 from a marathon spell

  • Brintons beaten

    CUTNALL Green came out on top in a derby clash with Brintons in Worcestershire League Division Five. Despite skipper Neil Waldron's 54 for Brintons in their 155 total, the villagers were led home by Neil Fletcher (66 not out). Green, with A Evans weighing

  • Dark installment is latest offering

    STAR-bound cinemagoers packed into Worcester's Odeon just after midnight to test the force of George Lucas' latest offering. The city was one of the first places in the country to screen Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones to a storm-trooping army

  • Chainwire hunt

    CHAINWIRE are still searching for their first Worcestershire League Division Five win after a losing draw at Newland. The Kidderminster side were left chasing a daunting 266-4 but they made a good effort in reply. M Kirby-Davies hammered 66 runs in a

  • Social hit back for victory

    DAVE Cowdrey claimed a hat-trick for British Sugar but they went down by 52 runs to Wolverley Social in the Sunday League Cup. Cowdrey took 3-27 alongside Dan Millman's 4-26 but Dean Wilkes countered with 55 runs for Social and 14-year-old James Cryer

  • Henry's girls are early risers

    ALARM clocks will require setting tomorrow night ahead of Saturday's National Hockey Association's Plate Final. Prince Henry's High School's Under-15 girls are set to take centre stage at the National Stadium in Milton Keynes for the day's opening match

  • Mayor 'in conflict with planning role'

    WORCESTER'S new Mayor could be seen as compromising the city's planning committee if he remains its chairman, a fellow councillor claims. Labour Group leader Adrian Gregson told Worcester City Council's annual meeting that he feared the planning committee

  • Parking petition is handed over

    A PETITION calling for access-only parking to stop hospital staff and visitors leaving their cars in Ronkswood streets has been presented to the new Mayor of Worcester. The document was prepared by Ronkswood Action Group (RAG) and signed by 230 Linksview

  • 16/5/02 - Windo signs new contract

    TONY Windo has spoken of his delight after re-signing for Worcester Rugby Club. The 32-year-old prop finally put pen to paper yesterday on a new one-year contract ending weeks of uncertainty over his future. Windo has been waiting since the final game

  • Asian cash donation

    YOUNG Asian women across Worcester will benefit from a cash injection into an education programme. The Young Women's Christian Assocation has been given a donation of nearly £10,000 by The Nationwide Foundation, which will fund an outreach worker. The

  • Hospital criticism is not supported

    WORCESTERSHIRE county councillors have distanced themselves from comments made against the county's new hospital by a colleague. Coun Stephen Clee, Coun Pauline Norton and Coun Louise Edginton have denounced the criticism expressed by Health Concern Councillor

  • Estate's joy at return of beat bobby

    AFTER two years of campaigning, residents on a troubled Droitwich estate look set to see the return of their beat bobby. Residents of Westlands are celebrating a triumph for people power after it was revealed that West Mercia Police has earmarked a beat

  • Farmer's disease shame

    A FARMER has been accused of delaying the countryside's recovery from foot-and-mouth disease by repeatedly allowing his animals to escape. During yesterday's hearing at Hereford Magistrates Court, Philip Probert admitted allowing five cows to stray from

  • Lido's oak for Queen Mother

    AN English Oak tree has been planted in memory of the late Queen Mother in Droitwich's Lido Park. The Mayor of Droitwich, Councillor Maureen Lawley, chose the tree and attended the planting ceremony yesterday afternoon, with her husband Coun Don Lawley

  • Funds are left to church and trust

    A PARISHIONER who died in September last year has left £3,000 to Upton-upon-Severn Parish Church and £3,000 to Upton-upon-Severn Medical Support Trust. Retired schoolteacher Beryl May Daulman, of Berrow Court, Gardens Walk, had lived in Upton for 20 years

  • Body found

    A MAN'S body has been found on the banks of the River Teme, police have just revealed. The man, who has not been identified yet, was discovered by fishermen at around 6.30pm on Sunday, May 12. Police are keeping an open mind about the incident which took

  • £2m arts centre hope

    PLANS to build a £2 million state-of-the-art centre in Stourport to provide a much-needed arts venue for Wyre Forest have been unveiled. The centre, housing a theatre with between 350 and 500 seats, rehearsal space and a gallery, as well as a caf and

  • Arboretum rescue is complete

    ONE of the country's oldest and most spectacular arboretums has finally been opened to the public after almost 200 years. Arley Arboretum, in Upper Arley, with its "magnificent" trees up to 150 ft tall, is now open regularly for the first time since it

  • Burger 'rewards' under attack

    A SCHEME to reward youngsters with burgers to discourage them from playing hooky has come under fire. Health Concern district councillor Dr Reg Johnstone, a consultant anaesthetist who opposed plans by McDonald's to build a third takeaway in Kidderminster

  • Alderton

    THERAPY EVENING: Oak Hill School raised £220 from its Complementary Therapy Evening at Alderton Village Hall. The event was well attended, many sampled the therapies on offer, the most popular ones being Indian Head Massage, Sports Massage and Reflexology

  • The Littletons

    PARISH COUNCIL: Items from the May meeting of North and Middle Littleton Parish Council: Mr Alan Lloyd was re-elected as chairman and Mr Colin Emms as vice-chairman. Mr John Brandish was welcomed as a new councillor. Various items have been discussed

  • Sedgeberrow

    BRITISH LEGION WOMENS SECTION: Held their monthly meeting in the Betteridge Room. After the business Lesley O'Connell was introduced who spoke and demonstrated Hand Spinning, Lesley was thanked by Mrs Brown. It was decided to have a fashion show, date

  • Pershore

    FILM AT NUMBER 8: Saturday, May 18 at 7.30pm, The Man Who Wasn't There, cert 15, 1hr 55mins. A classic Hollywood thriller from the Coen brothers. NUMBER 8 GALLERY: Currently showing until May 25, an exhibition of paintings by Peter Wright. COMING UP AT

  • Bishampton

    GARDENING CLUB: The Gardening Club held the third in a series of monthly meetings last Wednesday. The members enjoyed a demonstration and talk on the planting and care of hanging baskets. Drawing on their past experience of running a plant nursery and

  • Top Tory visits hospital for fact-finding tour

    A TOP Tory dropped in at Worcester at the invitation of Wyre Forest Conservatives to view the county's new £95 million hospital. Dr Liam Fox, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, was the first shadow cabinet member to tour the state-of-the-art facilities

  • Gary got hot under the collar in Vicar of Dibley

    GARY Waldhorn has been a star of stage and screen for decades now. He has played in Shakespeare and Beckett productions, films and innumerable television shows, but will forever be associated with one of the most popular sitcoms ever devised. In the popular

  • The owl and the pussy cat

    THE Swan Theatre Company, Worcester, is offering young audiences a half-term treat that is also its contribution to the Queen's Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday celebrations. Since its premiere at the Worcester Swan Theatre in 1968, The Owl and the Pussy Cat

  • Acclaimed play graces stage

    THE acclaimed West End production of The Woman in Black is coming to Malvern Theatres. The play, adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from a novel by Susan Hill, is now in its 13th year in the West End and Malvern audiences will have the chance to see it between

  • King targets main tour return

    SNOOKER ace Richard King is aiming for a return to the sport's main tour after the biggest win of his 11-year professional career at the weekend. The Bewdley 27-year-old clinched the prestigious English Open Championship with an 8-5 win over world number

  • Ladies land Division One spot for winter

    STOURPORT Ladies A team are celebrating a successful winter programme with promotion to Herefordshire and Worcestershire League Division One. Captain Hilary Hatt's summer side, who also play in Division One, have not started the season quite so convincingly

  • Another success for Tom in Hereford challenge

    ATHLETICS: Tom Kenderdine continued his top form for Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club with a victory at Hereford in the second race of the 5km series. The talented runner created a personal best with a time of 15 minutes 28 seconds and was nearly

  • Big competition

    ATHLETICS: Wyre Forest athletes will be going for gold at the Midlands' biggest championship event for people with disabilities on Sunday. They take on the npower active Regional Athletics Competition at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium from 10am. A record

  • Rebecca's Evesham delight

    ROWING: Fourteen Stourport Boat Club crews raced at Evesham's two-day regatta with the current season in its infancy. Rebecca Stackhouse took the women's senior III single sculls title with an impressive one-and-a-half length verdict over a Gloucester

  • Cleobury clinch shield

    GOLF: Skipper Alan Sykes lifted the Droitwich Shield after Cleobury Mortimer's scratch team won a brilliant final against Wharton Park. Tim Hall with Andy Greenhalgh and Joe Ferguson with Dean Carpenter both recorded wins. Sykes and Jim Pearce lost their

  • Drivers rallying around

    MOTORSPORT: Rally team West Midlands Motorsport are looking forward to another good weekend when they head to Louth. Three of the Kidderminster-based outfit's Peugeot 205 GTis will contest the second round of the National Rally Championships. More than

  • 900 plants on show

    MORE than 900 varieties of plants will be on display to the public on Sunday when a retired Stourport nurseryman throws open his garden to the public in aid of charity. The plantsman's garden at 44 Gilgal will be open from 11am until 5pm and all proceeds

  • Brian home first

    ATHLETICS: Ten Amazing Feet Running Club members competed in the inter-club race league's fifth event at the Halesowen Hillock 10 mile multi-terrain race on Sunday. Brian Humphries finished 13th in one hour 11 minutes 48 seconds, followed by Eddie Sanders

  • Tontine 'can be catalyst'

    A "LANDMARK" building in Stourport basin that has been lying empty for a year will be the catalyst to regenerate the area, according to owners British Waterways. The former Tontine pub and hotel, a Grade II listed building dating from the late 18th century

  • Cup draw made

    BOWLS: The Kidderminster and District League's next delegates meeting will be on June 6. All delegates are asked to attend to collect cup draws. Logan Cup draw: St Johns B v Stourport B (St Ambrose), Kinver B v Brintons D (British Sugar 1), Tomkinsons

  • Calling for shared traffic warden

    PARKING abuses have led a lobby group to call for a full-time traffic warden. Stourport's town centre forum - which represents businesses and councils among other interests - made the request to Kidderminster Police in response to illegal parking, especially

  • Grading greats at a town club

    MARTIAL ARTS: Four second-dan black belt students have made the grade at Kidderminster Tae Kwon Do Club. The Glades Leisure Centre-based group also has a new black belt after a grading this month. Members endured a two-hour long examination in demonstrating

  • Lombard Les

    GOLF: Les Madeley was Cleobury Mortimer's Lombard qualifier, winning the Division Two Men's April Medal. Full April Medal and Lombard Qualifier results (91 entries), Division One: Mark Roberts 82 gross 12 handicap 70 nett, Jim Chapman 83-12-71, Andy Greenhalgh

  • Fascinating history of river town

    THE first comprehensive history of Stourport since the 1930s has been launched in the town. Based on oral history from established residents, the book is the result of a two-year collaboration between Stourport holidaymaker Anne Bradford and Mike Kettle

  • Mixed fortunes

    GOLF: Ombersley beat South Hereford but lost matches against Abbey Park and Bromsgrove. The club were also beaten 5-3 in a mixed match with The Vale. Men's April Midweek Medal: Paul Brindley 91 gross 28 handicap 63 nett. Jeff Wright Shield: William Woodhouse

  • MOORLANDS

    MEADOWS Bank, Monday: C Hill 89-8-0, A Newton 79-15-0, K Walker 65-14-0, B Marklew 59-5-0, B Jones 56-5-0, M Bradley 53-13-0. PM: A Newton 81-13-0, D James 74-6-0, D Ashington 71-4-0, A Toal 44-3-0, N Pountain 41-5-0, M Bradley 39-2-0. Sunday Silver Pool

  • Poole Hall

    THERE has been good fishing on all coarse waters throughout the week with weights varying from 11lb up to 82lb. One Smethwick angler landed a 60lb bag fishing peg three on the Abbey, while another caught 17 carp from 3 to 5lb fishing from the Heron peg

  • Larford Lakes

    VINE AC Charity Open, 57 pegs: J Billingham 67-0, S Cooksey 34-14, I Giddings 31-10, P Tolley 29-11, C Tolley 29-8, A Gethen 28-14 (all on maggot and trout pellet).

  • Punch leads to pub ban

    MAGISTRATES have imposed a three-month ban from the Cricketers' Arms, Lorne Street, Kidderminster, on a customer who punched another man in the face. Michael Vickers was also ordered to pay £75 compensation and £69 costs. He was conditionally discharged

  • Rabbit taken from hutch

    The owners of a one-year-old pet rabbit have issued a plea for its return after it was stolen from a hutch in a Kidderminster back garden. The sable and white male, worth about £60, was taken from Willowfield Drive between 11pm on Monday, May 6 and 9am

  • Old Bear AC

    JUNIORS Canal: N Carter 1-4-0, W Coldrick 0-13-8, G Hart 0-10-0. Seniors Uckinghall: S Boulter 3-2-0, C Meacham 2-2-0, W Coldrick 1-13-0. The seniors' next contest is on Sunday at Cookley Canal and anglers should meet on the playing fields at 7am.

  • First School in first spot

    BROADWAY First School won the ninth annual small schools football competition on Saturday when they overcame Elmley Castle 3-0 in the final. The tournament, sponsored by Group 4, took place at Broadway First and St Mary's Braodway and eight teams were

  • Girls wanted!

    EVESHAM United will be running training sessions for girls who wish to play football from age ten upwards, in particular current school years 4 and 5. The aim is to form teams to play in a local league. For more details contact Simon Parry on 01386 48088

  • Gibbs strikes triple as Bewdley run riot

    GRANT Gibbs grabbed a hat-trick as Bewdley Town returned to winning ways with a West Midlands League Division One South 5-0 hammering of Leominster Town on Saturday. It left Bewdley needing one point from their derby match with Chaddesley Corbett on Tuesday

  • Coaching courses

    THERE are a few places still available on the Football Association's Level Two Certificate in coaching football course to commence on Saturday, May 25 at Unive-rsity College, Worcester. This is for football coaches over the age of 17, who have experience

  • Agony as villagers lose at last hurdle again

    CHADDESLEY Corbett were losing finalists in the Worcester Nursing Cup for the second year in a row as they lost 4-2 to Tolladine Sports at Worcester City. In front of a vociferous crowd, they found themselves 2-0 down within 20 minutes against the Worcester

  • Horse on a high

    THE RED Horse will be out to record a notable double at Broadway United FC on Sunday. The Evesham Sunday League side defeated Sporting Harbourne 2-0 last weekend to lift the Worcester Nursing Cup and they now face Droit-wich Sports in the Eve-sham Hospital

  • Where to write with comments

    WHILE we are always happy to give the information out to the increasing number of people asking where to send comments, compliments or complaints about NHS services, (particularly hospital ones), it may be of help to your readers to inform them of the

  • Brintons spot on in final shoot-out

    PENALTY drama proved no obstacle for Brintons Chainwire as they won the Worcester Royal Infirmary Sunday Cup against Cradley Olympic. The Kidderminster and District League Division One side won 5-4 on spot-kicks after no goals in two hours of football

  • Teacher is suspended

    A TEACHER at St Nicholas Middle School, Pinvin, has been suspended for fourteen days, pending an investigation. Staff were informed last week by new headteacher, Keiran Saddington. Neither the nature of the investigation, nor the name of the individual

  • Praise for Lee

    WOLVERHAMPTON Wanderers star Lee Naylor delighted Ferndale Youth by spending about four hours at their presentation night on Saturday. The VIP guest presented trophies to almost 180 of the club's players as well as various special awards and also signed

  • United in friendship

    VISITORS from the USA, Germany and France were united in praise for Evesham. About 90 twinners were in town to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the twinning of Evesham with Dreux. Three mayors, from New Jersey, Melsungen and Dreux attended the five-day

  • Marvellous help from mayor

    ON behalf of Age Concern Wyre Forest may we extend our grateful thanks to Councillor Carol Gittins for her marvellous donation of £1,300, raised during her year as Bewdley town mayor. We are very proud to have been chosen as Carol's charity for the year

  • Coaching days

    THERE are still a few places left on the Worcestershire FA's level two coaching certificate which runs from Saturday, May 25, at Worcester's University College. Days are from 9am until 5.30pm up to June 1 for coaches aged over 17 and anyone interested

  • Journal helps find grandad's grave

    A SEARCH of the Journal files helped an Essex woman in her bid to track down the grave of her grandfather who was killed in France during the First World War. All Evelyn Beales, aged 69, of Berechurch Hall Road, Colchester, knew about Pte William Bennett

  • MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford

    BUY, beg or steal a ticket to see Much Ado about Nothing at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre which is a joy from start to finish. Gregory Doran who directed this marvellously life-affirming production must now surely be a front-runner for the position of

  • Donald all set to join Worcs

    WORCESTERSHIRE are set to draft in former South African Test star Allan Donald as a possible temporary replacement for pace ace Andy Bichel. Bichel could miss a batch of matches for the County next month because of international duties and I understand

  • Essex in cautious response

    ESSEX found runs hard to come by when they resumed on 9-0 in reply to Worcestershire's 367 in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at New Road. Paul Grayson, on three not out overnight and Darren Robinson, with six, began against the pace

  • Pitchcroft problems solved

    OFFICIALS at Worcester Racecourse have announced that the track problems which marred last Saturday's racing have been repaired. Twenty-nine horses were withdrawn from the opening meeting of the summer season when owners and trainers voiced concerns over

  • Historic final place beckons for Norton

    WORCESTER Norton Women's under 15s hockey team is set to make history on Saturday with the club's first ever appearance in a national final since it was founded in 1892. The final at Milton Keynes' National Stadium is also set to be a big consolation

  • Bike ace revs up for fresh title bid

    WORCESTER-based speedway ace Brent Werner is gearing up for a crack at the World Championships. The American travels to Ljublijana in Slovenia on Saturday for the first qualifying round in a series which will decide qualification for next year's Grand

  • Lottery's nursery booster

    FIFTY "badly-needed" childcare places are coming to Kidderminster following a lottery cash boost of more than £30,000. The places will be at First Class Nursery, based at Sutton Farm Com-munity Centre in Lister Road, and have been hailed a major boost

  • Lottery windfall for village

    GROUPS in Wyre Forest have shared in a £308,717 windfall aimed at helping voluntary and community groups across the Midlands celebrate the Golden Jubilee. Winners include Cookley 2000 which netted just under £4,000 for its project to hold a community

  • David's ton of 'hits'

    DOUBLE amputee and ex-navy lieutenant David Beard, who is setting out on a 120-mile journey around Guernsey next Tuesday, has attracted considerable interest in his odyssey. An event website received 1,000 hits over a five-day period last week and Mr

  • Nightingales

    Here in the Wyre Forest district visitors from Africa are arriving. Migrating birds, which have spent the cooler months in tropical Africa, are now arriving to feed on the abundance of insect life, which are begining to emerge from their dormant winter

  • Dean on a winner by losing pounds

    KEEPING fit has changed the life of a 38-year-old Kidderminster man who weighed in at a portly 16st 10lb just over two years ago. Former pipe fitter and electrician Dean Shepherd is now a trim 10 stone and is looking for a job as a personal trainer after

  • Appeal for help to make hospice grow

    OWNERS of beautiful gardens in and around Broadway are being urged to throw open their gates to raise cash for St Richard's Hospice. The Broadway, Badsey and Willersey fund-raising volunteer group also urgently needs more helpers to swell its ranks. Chairperson

  • Work of art is simply heavenly

    AN angelic glass sculpture has been unveiled in the grounds of a clinic to bring a heavenly touch to patients' surroundings. Park Attwood Clinic in Trimpley, which treats people with conditions such as cancer and arthritis and uses art in therapy, is

  • 16/5/02 Appleby set to leave Harriers

    MIDFIELDER Richie Appleby has turned down Kidderminster Harriers' offer of a new contract, paving the way to join former boss Jan Molby at Hull City. The 26-year-old, who made a big impression at Aggborough after signing from Swansea City on a free transfer

  • Volta face up to star chance

    AN Evesham band are hoping to hit the big time with a new album and a chance for stardom. Volta have made it through to the final round of a nationwide Battle of the Bands contest and they are offering music fans a chance to see the final for themselves

  • Another brick in the moon

    PINK Floyd tribute act Dark Side of the Wall will bring the sound of the legendary rock band to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall on Saturday. The Coventry octet will be playing more than two hours of Floyd classics. Tickets cost £10 and are available from

  • And the piper comes too...

    SCOTTISH folk band The Tannahill Weavers (right) bring traditional Celtic music to Worcester next week. The band, who must be one of few bands to use full-size bagpipes on stage, will be at the Huntingdon Hall on Thursday, May 23. Tickets are £9 from

  • Talented trio at hall

    SIX million seller Jacques Loussier brings his trio to Huntingdon Hall on Friday, May 24. The musician, who has released four albums and this year celebrates 43 years in the music business, will appear with Andre Apino on percussion and Benoit Dunoyer

  • Cricket fixtures

    CRICKET FIXTURES (2pm start unless otherwise stated) Saturday, May 18 BIRMINGHAM SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2 WEST REDDITCH v Shifnal 1pm BIRMINGHAM SENIOR LEAGUE DIVISION 2 EAST Blossomfield v STUDLEY 1pm WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ASTWOOD

  • National centre for flood victims

    WASHED-out flood victims from across the country will be turning to Bewdley for help and advice following the launch of the National Flood Forum in the town. Bosses say the forum, which sees the town become the UK's centre for flood defence expertise,

  • MP's key 'crisis' group position

    DR Richard Taylor is a key player in a new cross-party group of politicians which looks set to give "teeth" to the National Flood Forum. The Wyre Forest MP has been appointed vice-chairman of a group of about 15 MPs from across the country set up to share

  • Big hitter Botha's efforts all in vain

    LEON Botha was in magnificent form with the bat as Pershore rattled up almost 500 runs in their two weekend matches. However, the big-hitting South African couldn't inspire his side to victory in either league or friendly action although the Worcestershire

  • Juniors at the double

    NORTH Cotswold Young Cricketers enjoyed another successful weekend with wins for the club's Under-12 and Under-14 sides in the Junior League. The former defeated Bredon by the massive margin of 81 runs after openers Andrew Fisher and Matt Goss rattled

  • Champs crash as trio of double winners lead way

    A TRIO of clubs boast unbeaten starts in the Premier Division of the Cotswold Hills League but champions Bidford have made an embarrassing start to the defence of their title. Stratford Bards, Kineton and Exhall and Wixford are the sides with two straight

  • Kineton to host Exhall

    GROUP champions last year, Exhall and Wixford will start their campaign in the National Village Championship with a trip to Kineton on Sunday, May 26. Kineton overcame Thorpe Arnold by 64 runs last weekend in the Leicestershire and Warwick-shire group

  • Title makes Laura's day!

    EVESHAM'S Laura Day lived up to her reputation as one of the county's top female golfers when she was crowned Worcestershire champion. The 22-year-old, who plays at The Vale Golf and Country Club, is a regular member of the county squad. It was the first

  • Bidford take spoils

    BIDFORD Grange defeated The Vale Club's second string 6-0 as they prepare to enter a league team next year. The club then staged its first open competition when the overall winner was Steve Marino with a net score of 68. The winning guest was Gary Harding

  • Pro-Am duo on course for dream Portugal trip

    A TRIP of a lifetime awaits amateur Michael Sandalls and Broadway PGA professional, Martyn Freeman, if they can come through the next stage of what is now long established as Europe's biggest Pro-Am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Sandalls took his first

  • Locke has key to Trophy win

    HARVINGTON Golf Society held their first away day of the new season when they made an inaugural visit to Kings Norton. Apart from obvious problems with the greens, the course was in excellent condition and the weather mainly good for most of the day.

  • 'Expand or move' threat by boat firm

    A LUXURY yacht manufacturer has said it must be allowed to extend its factory in Kidderminster or risk losing business overseas. Sealine, which is based at Whitehouse Road, wants to create an additional 1,300 square metre unit on vacant land at the western

  • Tourists triumph in annual contest

    Stratford Development XV 0, SCUF 10pts FOR the traditional annual end of season fixture against SCUF (Sporting Club d'Univ-ersitaire Francais) from Paris, Stratford put out a full Development XV side. The Stratford young hopefuls rose to the occasion

  • KIDDERMINSTER AND DISTRICT ARTHRITIS CARE SELF HELP GROUP

    Monday's meeting will be at a new venue - Horsefair Community Centre - from 2pm until 4pm. The guest speaker will be Kerry Perks on Beauty Treatment, telling how people can improve the way they feel. Anyone wishing to join the group's hydrotherapy sessions

  • KIDDERMINSTER AND FRANCHE FLORAL CLUB

    On April 4 members and friends visited Margaret Thomas's design studio at Marden, near Hereford where they saw a demonstration by Margaret and Carola Wilson. Names are being taken for a visit to Hampton Court, Herefordshire, on July 23. Carol Hunter,

  • ARELEY KINGS WIVES

    The Swan Theatre was the venue for the May meeting, where members watched a performance of West Side Story. The next outing will be to Ashorne Hall, Warwickshire, for the Nickelodeon Tour and Mighty Cinema Organ Show. The coach will leave Areley Kings

  • WYRE FOREST VEGETARIAN SOCIETY

    A vegetarian "pig-out" was held at Fred Bennett Centre, Kidderminster, on May 7, which included a vegetarian and vegan buffet, and a cake sale. The event raised £52.50. The next event, Bhaji on the Barge, coincides with National Vegetarian Week, July

  • Successful defence as Hunt hangs on to Centenary cup

    Evesham Jubilee Society MARTIN Hunt won the Centenary Trophy staged at Lemington Lakes last weekend. The 2001 winner wasn't going to give up the trophy easily and he netted 7lb carp on a regular basis, fishing feeder with sweet corn hook bait, to record

  • Business with euro countries

    BILL Harrison reveals that he knows nothing whatsoever concerning economics (You Say, May 2). My statement in a previous letter that "The UK's share of investment in Europe fell from 26 per cent to 19 per cent" did not relate to British investment in

  • Motorists victim of taxation by stealth

    MAY I be allowed to respond to H E Hooper's letter in which he stated that speed kills (You Say, May 9,). It is not speed that kills but inappropriate speed that kills. A 20mph speed limit may be entirely appropriate near a school during the time children