Archive

KIDDERMINSTER and District Umpires Association are mourning the death of one of their most respected members. Umpire John Morris used to play for Highley Cricket Club.

A PROJECT to remove tons of illegal waste from a Worcester lane has not gone far enough, according to one critic. Mike Robbins, operations director for Worcester Rugby Club, has dubbed the rubbish abandoned in Offerton Lane a "faade of filth". Mr Robbins

HEALTH bosses across Worcestershire are uniting to try to beat the latest so-called bed-blocking crisis. The chairmen and chief executives of health trusts from all areas, as well as members of Worcestershire County Council's social services department

TOM Moody described yesterday's disappointing Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy quarter-final defeat against Somerset at Taunton as a 'real kick in the teeth'. But the County's Director of Cricket was quick to put a positive 'spin' on the situation by

AN Art Week at a Worcester school ended with the children's work being professionally mounted and framed for exhibition and sale. Pupils at Our Lady Queen of Peace RC Primary School, St John's, spent the first week of this month working with visiting

PUPILS at Whittington CE Primary School put on a production of the gangster musical Bugsy Malone to celebrate the end of term. Year 6 pupils, who will transfer to high school in September, took the principal roles of Fat Sam, Tallulah and the gang, while

BLIND and partially sighted students are taking part in a long-distance swim to raise money for a challenging expedition to central America. Seventeen students from RNIB New College will be taking part in the Costa Rica adventure next year. Last Friday

PEOPLE who can remember an Elgar television documentary made on location across Worcestershire and Herefordshire are being asked to write down their memories. The programme was produced by film director Ken Russell in the 1960s, for the BBC Monitor series

A WALK on the wild side caused a Worcester mum-to-be to go into labour near a herd of elephants. Jeff and Helen Shelton decided to visit West Midlands Safari Park with a group of relatives despite their baby's imminent due date. As the family made their

A PLANNING inspector's decision to throw out an appeal by a waste firm to build a £40 million incinerator in Kidderminster will set a national precedent, it is predicted. Wyre Forest campaigners - worried about a raft of issues including possible toxic

MEMBERS of SKI claim the defeat of the burner is good news not just for Kidderminster but for two counties. And they are hoping Worcestershire County Council will switch its attention from burning to recycling following the dismissal of the appeal. Spokesman

ROCKETING violent crime, robberies and sexual offences statistics have been dismissed by police. The number of these offences doubled and overall crime figures in Kidderminster Police division for the 12 months to March 31 were up 33 per cent on the same

A LEGAL chief has called for an investigation into flaws at Kidderminster's groundbreaking multi-million pound "supercourt". The magistrates court at Comberton Place, which opened last year, is in the dock after being slammed in a report. Hereford and

ANGRY mothers say their children's lives were at risk after a lollipop lady went on holiday three days before the end of term. Children heading for different schools were left to cross the busy Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, on their own after the crossing

CRIMINALS in Bewdley have a new enemy following the start of a revamped Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the town. The launch of Bewdley and District Neighbourhood Watch marks the completion of a shake-up of Wyre Forest crime-fighting following the creation

MOTHERS' UNION: The Gloucestershire Diocese of the Mother's Union, of which we are one branch, had it's annual meeting and summer council meeting in the Chapter House at Gloucester Cathedral at the end of June. The whole event was very interesting and

Minutes of meeting held in Lower Moor Village Hall: Wyre Piddle & Upper Moor Bypass: The decision to close the road at Wyre Piddle has been call for scrutiny. It was learned that the petition of signatures for the road to remain open has been mislaid

A VALE farmer, who was responsible for the death of more than 500 fish when he polluted a brook with slurry, has been fined £2,000. Michael Miller, of Greville Farm, Hinton-on-the-Green, answered a charge of polluting Battleton Brook, brought by the Environment

STROUD Theatre Company is presenting two plays about the same subject at the Everyman Theatre. Both stories focus on journeys to the same destination - love. Left Luggage showcases two new plays combining humour, tension and captivating tales of human

SWIMMING sensation Todd Cooper is bidding for Commonwealth Games glory but there has been heartache for another Kidderminster sports star. Cooper, a student at Stirling University, competes for Scotland at the Manchester games which open next Thursday

HOCKEY: The goalkeeper production line at Stourport Hockey Club rolls on with the latest prodigy representing Midlands U-13s. David Lewis joined a roll of honour that includes internationals Ian Taylor, Steve Taylor and current Wales number one Matt Simkin

MOTORSPORT: A hole in the exhaust failed to stop a Kidderminster kart ace taking second overall in the British Long Circuit Championships fourth round. In only his second drive at Brands Hatch and in wet conditions, Nathan Freke set the second fastest

ATHLETICS: Dave Hall qualified for the European Police Championships after finishing second in the National Police Championships' 800 metres. The Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club member ran one minute 57 seconds to ensure qualification for the

ATHLETICS: A record entry of 315 ran in the second Wyre Forest half-marathon on Sunday organised by Amazing Feet Running Club. Runners from Paris, South Wales, Yorkshire and Liverpool tackled the 13.1-mile multi-terrain course on one of the hottest days

TENNIS: The mixed doubles honours went to Martin Bradley and Sally Martyn Smith at Stourport Tennis Club's annual tournament. David Ward was master of ceremonies for the event which was organised by Gareth Williams and Roger Houldsworth. Meanwhile, Stourport's

A HISTORIC Stourport building looks likely to be demolished after planners voted in favour of a scheme to replace it with nine new flats. Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee voted in favour of John Martyn Construction's

TENNIS: Wyre Forest players scooped the prizes at Stourbridge Tennis Club's championships. Kidderminster's Charlotte Lines won the ladies' singles by beating Jo Watson, of Chaddesley Corbett, 6-3, 6-2. Jayne Powell, of Blakedown, and Watson took the ladies

JUDO: Another superb display from Great Britain junior Kate Walker earned her a silver medal at the Kent International Open Championships. Walker picked up one of six medals for Samurai Judo Club at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London. A series

A STOURPORT man who denies stealing £3,855 from his 76-year-old father, has elected to be tried by a crown court jury. Paul Plant, 52, of Chesshire Avenue, is alleged to have stolen the money from a joint bank account over three months. Kidderminster

BOWLS: Two teams of triples from Chester Road Bowling Club have reached the semi-final stages of the Worcestershire County Men's Triples competitions. They could both qualify to represent the county at August's National Championships in Worthing as they

MOTORSPORT: Stourport motorbiker Glenn Coombes recovered from a shaky start to win the trophy for second place at Tonfanall race circuit. Coombes was thrown over the handle bars during the second practice race at the Welsh venue recently. But with the

ROWING: Bewdley Rowing Club gained five wins at Burton Regatta on Sunday. Rob Parker, Phil Vaughan, Mick Edmunds and Hayden Hughes, coxed by Annie O'Connell, gained an impressive victory in the men's senior 1 fours. John and Chris Hinton followed suit

GOLF: Trevor and Edna Cox won the Broster Cup Mixed Foursomes at Habberley with 67 nett ahead of Alan and Jan Harrison (70.5). Dave Quinn Memorial Div One: Les Wright 38 points, Mark Dudley 38; Div Two: Mark Phillips 46, Neil Tanner 42. Two-Ball Texas

GOLF: Sue Giblin won July's LGU Medal at Wyre Forest ladies. Shirley Caldwell and Barbara Fascione were the top two in the follow-on Stableford competition. Results: Giblin 99 gross 29 handicap 70 nett, Val Bow 89-16-73, Millie Whitmore 113-39-74. Stableford

PEOPLE who take today's mod cons for granted have been given a glimpse into the days of tin baths and the Sunday newspaper hanging in the lavatory. Severn Trent environmental adviser Colin Green is pictured giving a glimpse into how Victorian people used

A TEENAGE entrepreneur hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the Acorns Children's Hospice as he starts the first of a series of car boot sales. Seventeen-year-old Adam Singh will hold the first sale on Saturday on Droitwich Road, Worcester. The Royal

A WORLD-FAMOUS actor joined students behind the camera to promote an anti-crime message. Pete Postlethwaite and young people from the performing arts department of Kidderminster College enacted a dodgy deal as part of the "We Don't Buy Crime" police initiative

THE top angler of the week landed 85lb of mixed fish, the best a 15.25lb mirror carp with others from 4lb to 11.25lb. He used casters and luncheonmeat bait, fishing peg 22 on the Kingfisher. Other weights recorded from all pools varied from 18lb to 68lb

FRIDAY Evening Open, Dragonfly Pool: Keith Parsons 34-15, Pete Willis 20-12, Stuart Thompson 20-0. Sunday Morning, Dragonfly Pool, Severnside AC: Paul Davis 50-0, Kelvin Hughes 13-6, K Highem 12-8. Sunday Afternoon, Dragonfly Pool, Oscott Social AC: D

A TEENAGE girl robbed a pensioner at a cashpoint because she needed money to feed her cat, Worcester Crown Court heard. Kim Hardwick targeted a 72-year-old as she collected £200. But she only got a few yards in High Street, Stourport, before passers-by

BROMSGROVE Rovers have snapped up Stewart Brighton from Moor Green. The veteran defender, linked to a possible move to Worcester City over the summer, returns to the Victoria Ground where he enjoyed success during Rovers' Conference days. Rovers travel

THE Larford Open is on Sunday with a 2.30pm draw. Those wishing to take part should call 01299 871735.

BEING a Scooby-Doo fan since childhood, it was a real treat to see my favourite cartoon characters transformed into real-life by actors. The elite team from Mystery Inc are despatched to solve the puzzle of "Spooky Island" theme park. Basically fun-loving

A JUNIOR contest is on Saturday with a 12.30pm draw at the Wren's Nest Pool. All juniors with association cards can fish and anyone needing transport can call 01562 822047.

SHOPPERS who use wheelchairs have been urged to keep a close watch on their personal property after two bag snatches in Kidderminster town centre. On Friday afternoon a bag was snatched from the back of a pensioner's wheelchair in Littlewoods, Worcester

LARFORD Lakes: G Mansell 36-11.5, T Cooke 27-13, E McKeown 27-6, K Green 26-15, T Hyrons 22-12.5.

SKI would like to say a big thank-you to all those groups and individuals who have supported us in many different ways during our campaign. The generosity of many people made it possible for us to make certain we were properly represented at the public

The former manager of the Officers' Club clothing shop in Kidderminster's High Street has been fined £450, with £118 costs, for stealing from his employer. Danny Sanghera, 25, of Santolina Drive, Walsall, had no previous convictions, Kidderminster magistrates

WALCOT Lake: Richard Billingham 8-14, M Pitt 8-3, S Garrington 2-2.5. The next match will be against Franche at Haye Farm on August 11. There will be a meeting to organise this match on Thursday, August 8.

I WOULD like to thank the readers of the Shuttle/Times and News for their determination not to see the siting of a waste incinerator in our district. I was one of the county Conservatives who opposed the signing of this contract from day one. We were

THE people of Wyre Forest must be greatly relieved at the removal of the spectre of a waste incinerator at Foley Park. I would like to express my appreciation to fellow district councillors from Health Concern and all other groups, as well as the council's

STAND-IN keeper Jo Carpenter was player-of-the-tournament for Ferndale U-16s in Nottingham's Golden Jubilee Victoria U-17s competition. Top scorer was Vicki Roberts but they did not make the finals.

FUTEBOL de Salao Brazilian Soccer Schools is an organisation based to improve children's and adults skills using the training methods the Brazilians use. Training is based upon small sided games played on a hard surface using a smaller, weighted and specially

CANAL: P Knowles 7-15, K Woodhead 7-7, G Bird (visitor) 3-14. The Matroc Challenge is the next match on Wren 's Pools on Sunday, July 28, draw at 8am. There will be a 24-hour sponsored fish in aid of Air Ambulance and Kemp Hospice on the Wren's Pools

I WOULD first like to express my sympathy toward Janet Billingham, whose husband died before an ambulance could reach him (Shuttle/Times and News, July 4). Sadly, such events are not uncommon, and distressing as they obviously are to relatives, it is

A SECOND BODY has been pulled from the Avon in Evesham in the space of just over two weeks. Sixty-six-year old Roger Hall, from Sally Close, Wickhamford was recovered from the River Avon last Friday at Chadbury. Evesham station officer Steve Fellows said

IS it any wonder that response times to life-threatening calls by the Hereford and Worcester NHS Trust can be affected (Shuttle/Times and News front page, July 4) when ambulances have to make a return journey to Worcester every time they are called out

STRIKING staff at Wychavon District Council manned a picket line in support of a pay claim on Wednesday. The staff of UNISON staged a one-day strike yesterday as part of a national dispute after rejecting a three per cent pay offer. Almost half of the

AN Evesham man could land a huge compensation pay out after customs seized his car and a haul of tobacco he was bringing into the country. A judge has told customs officials they must reconsider a decision to confiscate 3,400 cigarettes and 30 kilos of

RECORD crowds thronged the banks of the River Avon in Evesham for the illuminated precession of boats, the highlight of the River Festival. Festival organiser Hazel Hanlon said: "It was my birthday Saturday so I think I had the biggest birthday party

A CONTEST will be held on Sunday at Hazelhurst, draw at 7.30am.

PARISH Councillors at Hinton-on-the-Green and Aston Somerville have pledged to continue the fight to block plans by Evesham United to relocate in Cheltenham Road. The site, apart from the entrance. is in Hinton parish, and the council unanimously decided

A £50,000 STATUE of Eof looks likely to take its place in Evesham's Market Place. The swineherd's statue was selected by the public vote from a shortlist produced by six sculptors and consultation has now been carried out on its exact location. Wychavon

HEAD of planning for Wychavon District Council, Jack Hegarty and leader Malcolm Meikle were today due meet Home Office Minister Beverley Hughes to discuss the proposed asylum centre at Throckmorton. Joining them will be leaders and chief executives of

A FORMER Vale couple have been extolling the virtues of life abroad in sunny Spain. Peter and Jill Surtees, who lived in Harvington, decided to say "hasta la vista" to England almost ten years ago after realising how much they loved Spain, following regular

WORK has started on Stella McCartney's country retreat in Bishampton now the plans have been passed. The famous Gucci fashion designer, and daughter of Sir Paul McCartney, has obtained listed building planning permission to carry out extensive restoration

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians entertain Ledbury in the Powergen Intermediate Cup first round. Stourport have been drawn to face Wolverhampton at home, while Cleobury Mortimer must travel to Telford. Bewdley will host Bromyard in the Junior Cup and Chaddesley

TOM Moody described yesterday's disappointing Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy quarter-final defeat against Somerset at Taunton as a 'real kick in the teeth'. But the County's Director of Cricket was quick to put a positive 'spin' on the situation by

BROMSGROVE Rovers have snapped up Stewart Brighton from Moor Green. The veteran defender, linked to a possible move to Worcester City over the summer, returns to the Victoria Ground where he enjoyed success during Rovers' Conference days. Rovers travel

MALVERN Rugby Club are inviting former 'Stags' to return to Spring Lane as senior players. Invitations have gone out to all the club's former youth players, giving details of a development venture to provide all U18s in the district the chance to progress

RUGBY UNION: Kidderminster Carolians have been handed one of the ties of the first round in the Powergen Intermediate Cup. The Marlpool Lane side will welcome local rivals Ledbury in a September 21 showdown. Other notable ties see Bromsgrove travel to

AN EXPLOSING double century including 24 fours and 12 sixes has earned Adam Binks the Evening News/Duncan Fearnley Cricket Sales Ltd. Cricketer of the Week award. The 22-year-old blasted 211 for Worcester during their demolition of Ombersley in the Worcestershire

COLWALL hope to move within two matches of a dream trip to Lord's on Sunday. The Stowe Lane club has once again reached the last 16 of the National Village Championship, where they entertain Warwickshire side Fillongley this weekend. They hope for another

LIONEL Blair is trying to get away from the image he has created for himself since he began his show business career in the 1950s. He's also trying to figure out the route from London to Malvern, which he will navigate when he comes to the Malvern Theatres

PEOPLE in Caunsall and Cookley are still suffering water torture as investigations continue into the foul-tasting fluid. The Shuttle/Times and News revealed last week villagers had stopped drinking tap water because of contamination fears. Severn Trent

IT has been four years now since cattle grazing was introduced on Wyre Forest nature reserves. Habitats such as marshland and heathland were naturally created and maintained by large grazing animals which, many thousands of years ago, used to wander wild

A MASSIVE explosion at an electricity substation on Tuesday night cut power to thousands of residents. More than 3,000 people were without electricity from 11.30pm for up to three hours after a switchgear failure triggered a blast at the 11,000 volt substation

HOT prospect Matt Lewis' growing reputation is set to earn him his chance for Kidderminster Harriers in Division Three this season - if he is still at the club. Lewis, who made two promising substitute league appearances in 2001-02, linked up with Aston

UNION bosses were pleased with the efforts of Wyre Forest local government workers as services were hit by a national strike over pay yesterday. Schools, libraries, social services, leisure services and refuse collections were affected as employees formed

KIDDERMINSTER'S top hotel, the privately-run Gains-borough House, has been sold. The new owner, Symphony Hotels, has vowed all staff will be retained and there are no plans to make major changes. The three-star hotel on Bewdley Hill, which boasts 43 bedrooms

ARSON is suspected as the cause of a blaze at the disused Piano Building in Kidderm-inster. Firefighters were called to fires on three storeys of the former factory on Weavers' Wharf soon after 5.30pm last Thursday. Two fire engines from Kidderminster

MORE than 20 Polish Catholic priests and hundreds of UK-based Poles gathered in Kidderminster to remember a "very deeply loved" parish priest who had served the town for 10 years. A mass was held at the Polish Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Ostra

A MAN will undergo pain only women usually experience to raise money for a marching band. Scott Harrison, 30, of Princess Way, Stourport, is having his chest and back waxed for the town's Severnsiders Marching Jazz Band on Saturday as part of a "massive

THERE will be a chance to dig around at Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury on Sunday when it marks National Archaeology Day with a host of attractions. A wide range of activities to suit all ages is promised and there will be a unique chance to

SIGNPOST, the popular community resource centre based in Broadway, has suffered a setback. Volunteers at the charity have been given until the end of September to leave their offices. The centre was previously loaned out to them by Peter Keil, of HW Keil

At the July meeting numbers were taken for a group walk, flower arranging, and gardening talk. A report was given on the group's Jubilee Celebration Evening, organised by Margaret Johnson at Astley Village Hall. Canon Geoffrey Brown gave a talk on his

FIREFIGHTERS had to free an injured man from a car following a crash in Kidderminster. The accident happened shortly before 7.25pm last Thursday outside the Old Bear pub on Stourbridge Road. Specialist rescue equipment from Worcester joined two fire engines

The work of the club continues with appearances at carnivals and fetes. At Bewdley Carnival members ran a fund-raising stall, and also manned one of the gates to assist the Carnival Society. At Kidderminster Carnival, again a fund-raising stall was run

A FANTASTIC festival of flowers has been drawing the crowds to an historic stately home. Coughton Court, near Alcester, has been the setting for the stately home's first foray into flower festivals, entitled The Coughton Court Festival of Garden Flowers

Mike Crump of the Dvorak Society began by explaining the title of his programme - God's Warriors. He had chosen music with a common theme, part of a 13th century Hussite hymn tune entitled Ye who are God's Warriors. Throughout the programme Mr Crump played

A night of music is sure to go with a bang at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury later this month. Performing Arts Management is hosting a new programme for 2002 - Symphonic 70s with fireworks at the castle, on Sunday August 25. The Performing Arts Symphony

Eve Bowler read a report on the jubilee party where there had been a display of clothes and artefacts relating to the past 50 years. Muriel Owen organised Members Night on July 1, when Joan Loftus gave a talk on her career in nursing. She joined Kidderminster

New equipment has been presented to a Stourport practice by its fund-raising group. Friends of York House, the first league of friends in the country for a doctor's practice when it started in November 2000, donated an examination couch and blinds for

The Wyre Forest group has organised a seven-mile walk at Wolverley on Sunday. Those taking part should meet at Wolverley Memorial Hall at 10am and should take a packed lunch. On July 25, there will be a three-mile walk at Bewdley, leaving Gardeners Meadow

THE Private Finance Initiative (PFI) has suffered further criticism in the national press and by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. Sadly - to me - the warnings about PFI in the Parliamentary Health Select Committee Report were overshadowed

STINGING nettles, the bane of farmers and growers, could soon be looked at in a new light, as a solution to helping the agricultural industry out of a crisis. The fibre from special hyrbid nettles, currently grown in Austria and brought into Britain as

THE box office at the Three Counties Showground has received a surge of telephone inquiries about next month's major new event as the July 26 advance ticket-booking deadline nears. The Three Counties Agricultural Society is staging its first "Leisuretime

SHEEP dog owners from many parts of the country will be flocking back to the Cotswolds this weekend for the 10th Cotswold Open Sheep Dog Trial after missing out last year because of the foot and mouth epidemic. The National Trust's Lodge Park, Eastington

A PLAYGROUP in Bewdley which has been running for 22 years is facing closure unless the number of children using it doubles. Chairman Gail Lawrence said a change in policy by nursery schools to take three-year-olds as opposed to three-and-a-half-year-olds

PERSHORE enjoyed no luck when they visited Bromyard in Saturday's Worcestershire County League Division One game. The hosts invited Pershore to bat on a damp wicket that was to give variable bounce early on. Despite losing three wickets, foundations had

EVESHAM returned to winning ways with a vengeance after Saturday's eight-wicket Worcester-shire County League win at Feckenham. The toss saw the home side inserted and they made a steady start with a half-century opening partnership. Paceman Warren Irvine

BRETFORTON put aside their struggles in the Cots-wold Hills League to win the Jack Grove Memorial Cup. The competition, staged in memory of Jack Grove, a lifelong member of Ashton CC, saw seven teams in action. The top four sides then qualified for the

JULIAN Morris recorded his first half century of the season and, in the process, laid the foundations for a healthy Shipston total of 236-3. Gary Betteridge started brightly and had posted 25 in an opening stand of 45 before Elmley's Neil Cooper was gifted

NCYCC's Under-16 team reached the final of the Cotswold Hills League Shield Knockout competition after a comprehensive 78-run victory over Wellesbourne. A 54-run opening partnership between Wil Green (27 ret) and Tim Peachey (20) provided the platform

IN CELEBRATION of the 125th anniversary of Kineton CC, a Cotswold Hills League representative side will be in action at Bridge Street on Sunday. Four clubs from the Premier Division provide two players with first division Norton Lindsey's Andy Dewar and

HEALTH Concern has been accused of hypocrisy following a decision to throw out plans to improve a nursing home's facilities. Lickhill Manor Nursing Home, Stourport, had its proposals to build three new extensions for disabled residents rejected by Wyre

TUCKED away in a small office in the middle of Worcester are the answers to all parents' questions about schools. The Parent Partnership Service is a valuable asset to the education department at Worcestershire County Council. Hidden behind the daunting

GARETH Allen has been re-elected captain of Bredon Star RUFC for a second successive season. The appointment was made at the club's annual general meeting when second team skipper Keith Christian was also elected for a second term. Kevin Falvey will act

PERSHORE Rugby Club welcome old, present and future players to the club for pre-season training for the 2002-2003 season. Last season was successful, finishing fourth in the league, in their first year at that level and semi-finalists in the North Midlands

THE wheels on the Kemp Hospice Appeal are still spinning thanks to a tireless orthodontist who has raised £10,000 cycling across a continent. Christopher Gait completed the 3,000-mile sponsored marathon in 30 days from Washington State to Massachusetts

Evesham and District Disabled AC and Partnerships THE club met last Thursday at Forest Farm, Pinvin for round four of the Summer Evening League. With the rain holding off until the final hour, fish were caught at irregular intervals, then came the rain

Ho hum. I see Mr Spiteri's feeling the need to scratch his anti-American itch again. Mr S has been treating us (You Say, July 12) to the interesting concept of a so-called "web of deceit" from President Bush that's both "obvious" (in which case it isn't

GEORGE Harrison's family is understandably concerned about the reported discharge from hospital of the man who attacked him. But while schizophrenia is a serious illness, it can be treated successfully. Unfortunately, such is the public stigma attached

I WRITE with reference to the two articles headlined "Blair hits out at village attitude" and "Cook follows Blair's line" published in the Evening News on June 15 and 27 respectively. I have been asked by the parish council to set the record straight

TIM Langford goes into his first full season of management with no illusions about the task that faces him. Stourport Swifts were rightly proud of a top-eight finish in their first Dr Martens League Western Division campaign. But it is well known that

THE pre-season friendlies will get progressively harder for Stourport Swifts before their league opener at Swindon Supermarine next month. Alliance sides Halesowen Harriers, Boldmere and Stourbridge will provide the lower-graded opposition. Then Swifts

THE renowned team spirit at Stourport Swifts is epitomised by some well-known names in local circles. One of the key ingredients is assistant manager Jan Mulders who has played across Worcestershire and built up a reputation as a dependable defender.

PROBABLY the match that underlined Stourport Swifts' impressive rise up the non-league pyramid was last season's FA Trophy encounter with Chester City. Just four or so years earlier, Chester had been doing battle with other established Football League

A BLOOD donor session is being held on Thursday, August 1, in Droitwich. The session will be run at the Royal British Legion, Salwarpe Road, Droitwich, from 1-7.15pm. For more details phone 0845 7711 711.

DROITWICH golfer John Bickerton has every reason to feel confident when he steps out for his third Open Championship in as many years at Muirfield today (Thursday). Bickerton, who is due to tee-off at 3.41pm, has qualified automatically as one of the

ALL seats were sold at the Lifford Hall, Broadway, for the show by Broadway First School last Wednesday and Thursday. Every one of the 87 children in the school, from pre-reception children up to 10 year olds, had parts in an adaptation of the Pied Piper

WORCESTERSHIRE'S Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy dreams were shattered by a fine century from Keith Parsons who powered holders Somerset to a deserved four wicket win at Taunton. Parsons stole the show as he helped his side book a home semi-final showdown

PHIL Mullen was upbeat about his squad's efforts despite Monday's 4-0 opening friendly defeat at the hands of one of his former clubs, writes Mervyn Collins. Kidderminster brought a full strength side to Common Road and the final result flattered the

DROITWICH golfer John Bickerton has every reason to feel confident when he steps out for his third Open Championship in as many years at Muirfield today (Thursday). Bickerton, who is due to tee-off at 3.41pm, has qualified automatically as one of the

SCHOOLS in Wyre Forest have helped the county score the second biggest haul of Artsmark awards in the country this year. Wolverley High School and St John's Middle School were among 19 which scooped the prestigious award for their commitment to the arts

YOUNG people can look forward to a dramatic summer. Kidderminster Youth House, part of Worcestershire Youth Services, is putting on three weeks of theatre and musical theatre workshops from July 29 until August 23. Youth Action Extra funding worth £13,000

EIGHT Kidderminster bands are taking to the stage for an all-day feast of live music on Sunday in the biggest event ever staged at a popular town venue. The Boars Head Tap House in Worcester Street is hosting the last - and largest - of three extravaganzas

A FLOATING theatre company drops anchor at two Wyre Forest canalside pubs next week as part of its landmark 21st annual waterways tour. Cheshire-based Day-Star Theatre will be at Wolverley's Lock Inn on Wednesday and The Black Star in Stourport on Thursday

"A WONDERFUL treat for family audiences" takes to the stage in Stourport tonight courtesy of Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society's youth section. Forty youngsters aged between eight and 15 are performing the county premiere of the new musical

ORCHESTRA members are being sought for a rehearsal and play-through of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 5 first movement with members of Bewdley String Ensemble. Extra string players of grade five standard and above are welcome while, at grade six to eight level

A POPULAR outdoor showcase for live bands has returned to Kidderminster's Brinton Park for the summer. The annual Bands in the Park series, organised by Wyre Forest District Council's event section, moves into its second weekend on Sunday with a performance

MORE about life on RAF Stations at Honeybourne and Long Marston are revealed in a book written by an Evesham man with a passion for aircraft and aviation history. The text, drawings and tables have been updated and improved in the second edition of Brian

A HANDSOME rink win by 22 shots helped Bidford easily overcome Studley hosts, Entaco. Paul Clarke, Graham Steed, Barry Tyrrell and Nigel Undery made up the triumphant rink on a day of two drawn matches and a 25-shot success for the visitors. Two days

THE region's chamber of commerce has welcomed much of the spending plan outlined by the Chancellor earlier this week. The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire praised the extra funding for education and measures to raise productivity outlined

SPINNER Mandeep Singh aims to guide Kidderminster to their first double of the season at Bromsgrove on Saturday after taking nine wickets in two games. Singh has hit tremendous form in sun-baked conditions and nearly led the town to a weekend victory

LEAGUE leaders Shrewsbury ended up clinging on for a draw against first-class bowling from Kidderminster in Birmingham League Division One. KCC were just one wicket short of victory but 13 points from a winning draw moved them above county rivals Worcester

CHADDESLEY Corbett dropped to seventh place with a shock Worcestershire Saturday League Division One defeat at struggling Hagley. Grenville Wilson (58) top scored as they totalled 181 all out and the home side knocked off the runs for the loss of only

A TWO-MONTH unbeaten run crashed to a halt as Stourport slumped to a seven-wicket drubbing by bogey side Worcester Nomads. The home side chose to bat in Worcestershire Saturday League Division Two but were soon in trouble against superb seam bowling from

IN-CONTROL Bewdley threw away a high-flying Worcestershire Saturday League Division Two encounter with Eastnor at the last minute and lost by 21 runs. With 10 overs to go and two established batsmen at the crease, Bewdley needed only 36 runs with six

PLEASE, please, please tell me you have made a mistake when you reported (June 27) that £42 million pounds is to be spent on providing free fruit for four to seven year olds. You can't be serious or you are having your leg pulled by Worcestershire's '

SPILLED catches cost Cookley a home Worcestershire Saturday League Division Two win against struggling Martley. They had no hesitancy in batting first on an excellent Lea Lane wicket with Phil Dixon (43) and Phil Divito (97) establishing a sound platform

I welcome the news that Vale school children are tucking into free fruit as part of a nationwide health awareness promotion. I note that satsumas and bananas are being offered alongside apples and pears and wonder why in mid-summer with the strawberry

VICTORIA and Blakeley Hall finished 24 runs short at Barnards Green in Worcestershire Saturday League Division Three but claimed a losing draw. The home side batted first against a hostile attack led by David Bannister (3-59). With Green at 19-3, depleted

CUTNALL Green's prolific batsman Neil Fletcher was in unstoppable mood again against rivals Brintons in Worcestershire Saturday League Division Five. Fletcher hammered 140 runs in a brilliant unbroken 257-opening stand with Derek Higgins (100 not out)

MORE wicket-taking success from Cleobury Mortimer's J Griffiths helped them beat Vine in Worcestershire Saturday League Division Five. Cleobury remain top of the table, leading Knighton-on-Teme by just four points as the top five places remain relatively

GAVIN Bryan took 6-12 to steer Stainweld Wednesday Cricket League Division B leaders Brintons to a 42-run victory over British Gas. Brintons also beat British Gas by five wickets in the Wednesday Supplementary Cup final, while West Hagley remain top of

A MAN was stabbed in the chest five times after he confronted a midnight burglar at his home. Roger Jones had just put his car in his garage when a man with a scarf over his nose lunged at him. The 58-year-old's attacker fled but Mr Jones, who recovered

BLUES Festival organisers are desperately searching for more camping space at Upton-upon-Severn after filling the available site almost overnight. Organiser Stuart McEwan, of the Anchor Inn, said the response from would-be campers was immediate when camping

AN American flag, which was flown at Ground Zero, New York, after the September 11 terrorist attack, has been presented to a leading Worcester firefighter. The Stars and Stripes was handed over after leading firefighter Dave Smith helped raise money for

VILLAGERS are demanding action after claiming toxic gases released from the Throckmorton burial pits have affected their health. Pinvin families living near the foot-and-mouth pits say they have suffered the same illnesses as homeowners in nearby Throckmorton

Bretforton Specials 2, Badsey 0 BRETFORTON gathered together for the second summer league match and i t didn't take them long to make their mark. After a fine save from the Badsey goalkeeper, Lisa Workman opened the scoring after some good work in midfield

A PENSIONER who sexually abused boys in Hereford over a 13-year period died of a stroke days after being given a five-year jail sentence. Charles Washbourne, aged 79, was found collapsed in his cell in the Gloucester Prison health care unit, an inquest

COUNCIL services are back to normal after strike action in parts of Worcestershire. Schools and libraries were closed and refuse was left waiting to be collected outside homes. But the strike was not as crippling as first feared. Only three schools in

A WORCESTERSHIRE farmer lashed out at an RSPCA inspector after a row over an injured sheep. Worcester magistrates heard how Geoffrey Bott attempted to get the ewe into his 4x4 vehicle, despite inspector Julia Sly asking him to leave the injured animal

THIS summer, Worcester's Chapter Meadow will be hosting a recruitment day for the new generation of rangers. Budding rangers are being invited to go along to the Meadows on Saturday, August 3, between 12.30pm and 3.30pm to complete the challenges, which

A LONG-serving Worcestershire St John Ambulance volunteer is to be invested as a member of the Order of St John. The special ceremony is due to take place tomorrow in the Grand Priory Church, Clerkenwell, London. In recognition of her 24 years of service

SECOND-placed Worcestershire will make chan-ges to their Frizzell County Championship side for the Division Two match against Northamptonshire which opens at New Road tomorrow. Director of Cricket Tom Moody revealed that the final line-up has yet to be

A ST John's company is holding a raffle in a bid to raise £2,000 for a wheelchair-bound Worcester boy. Midland Financial Consultants is raffling off some holidays to raise the cash for nine-year-old Robert Davison, who suffers from cerebral palsy and

DRESSING to impress for interviews is just one way a grant will help Worcester people back into work. A new course, entitled You Can Do It, has recently been launched to help people into employment. The course, which targets the disadvantaged long-term

A CHANCE remark in a pub started John East running - and now he is in training for the New York Marathon. The 46-year-old married man said he was "a typical middle-aged couch potato with a beer belly" when he announced in the pub that he was going to

A SPECIAL website has been set up for people to vote Worcestershire Big Brother contestant Tim Culley out of the famous house. The website, www.votetimout.co.uk, says the telly toff is boring, and claims if he wins, he will spend the winnings on hair

WATCHING the Queen's Jubilee Baton Run as it passed through Worcester today was 13-year-old Sarah Leadbetter, a Nunnery Wood High School pupil. Sarah was watching with special interest because she is due to carry the baton at the City of Manchester Stadium

THE equivalent of 150 football pitches of new woodland will be planted across Worcestershire, thanks to new Government funding. Cash will come from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), which is desperate to increase tree

HOSPITAL bosses have approved a plan to ban violent and abusive patients from having treatment. The board of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust gave the thumbs-up to the "red card" system, which bans for a year patients who have been consistently

MAGISTRATES in Worcestershire and Herefordshire will be allowed to give criminals longer jail sentences to cut the number of costly and time-consuming jury trials. Home Secretary David Blunkett has unveiled plans to double the maximum prison term handed

RESIDENTS escaped serious injury when the kitchen of a Worcester home went up in flames. Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade was called to the house, in Stallard Road, at 7.34pm yesterday. When they arrived, the fire had already been extinguished and

SENIOR figures across the district and key players in the fight against the incinerator have expressed their delight at the verdict. Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor was reminded of events a year ago when he was elected to Parliament on the back of a

ANY appeal against the latest rejection of the burner will depend upon inspector Ken Smith's decision being challenged in the courts. Severn Waste Services has said it will carefully consider the grounds on which the appeal has been rejected before deciding

OPPOSITION to the proposed incinerator has been strong since Severn Waste Services first submitted the plan in 1998. Worcestershire County Council was at the centre of controversy due to a perceived conflict between its role as a waste management authority

RESIDENTS living less than a third of a mile from the mooted incinerator are "delighted" at the inspector's decision. Forest Gate Residents Group addressed the closing stages of the hearing at Kidderminster Town Hall in March. Its members lined up with

GLOWING tributes have been paid to a Kidderminster teenager who was killed the night before he was due to be offered the apprenticeship he had set his heart on. King Charles I High School pupil Duncan Pimm was hailed as "a model son" and "someone you

A DELUGE of compensation claims could be in the pipeline following a successful bid for cash by a Bewdley business hit by flood defence work. The Environment Agency has agreed to a payout for The Quay Gallery in Severnside North, which opened its doors

KIDDERMINSTER'S top hotel, the privately-run Gainsborough House, has been sold. The new owner, Symphony Hotels, has vowed all staff will be retained and there are no plans to make major changes. The three-star hotel on Bewdley Hill, which boasts 43 bedrooms

A MOTHER has vowed her son will be educated at home because he has been refused a place at a school just 100 yards from their doorstep. Victoria Collier, 24, has alleged Kidderminster's Franche First School still has spaces and accused the Local Education

FIRST SCHOOL: Harvington First School ends its summer term with its usual burst of activities not the least of which was the recent sponsored skip. This event was organised and accomplished by class 4 - Miss Ludlow's class of 8-9 year olds - who raised

FETE: The Senior Playing Field Committee held their fete in the garden of The Kings Arms. Sadly it was not well supported but the monies raised will go towards the new shower unit. There were many lucky raffle prize winners. Marble game won by William

FILMS AT NUMBER 8: There will be no films shown at Number 8 until Saturday, August 3, which will be Monsters Inc. NUMBER 8 GALLERY: Currently showing until Saturday. Angelic Landscapes and Interiors an exhibition of paintings by Kate Wrigglesworth. SUMMER

ON behalf of my family, I would like to thank the Pershore Carnival Committee for their dedication and hard work which has ensured a thoroughly enjoyable event from beginning to end. My children really enjoyed taking part and walking in the procession

THE consequences of the so-called bed-blocking crisis affecting county hospitals have been written large, and small, in headlines for many years. The unacceptable fact - and often the tragedy - is that nothing has so far solved it. Today, health executives

THURSDAY: Kidderminster: Seven Stars - Episonic. Birmingham: NEC Arena - Neil Diamond (until Sunday). Ty's - Jazz and Spice "All Stars". Wolverhampton: Civic Hall - Pet Shop Boys. Little Civic - Stoopi, Jor and Shouting Myke. Robin R'n'B2 - Ready &

SWIMMING: Aimee Cook was a multi-medal winner for Wyre Forest Swimming Club at the Midland District age-group championships in Coventry. Cook took gold in the 10-years 200 metres freestyle and butterfly, silver in the 50m and 200m backstroke and bronze

MOTORSPORT: Surprise Peugeot 205 Rally Championship leader Matt Barker makes his first foray into forest rallying at Swansea Bay this weekend. Barker starts the next round as the leader despite being originally seeded at 61 and is now current favourite

SHOOTING: British junior international Andrew Howard admitted to some nerves as he finished 40th out of 65 at the World Championships. Howard also had to contend with high winds in Finland as Great Britain held their own but finished outside the medals

FORMER pubs and alehouses in Stourport are the heady subject of an exhibition. John Cook, a committee member of Stourport Civic Society, is displaying some of the photographs he has unearthed since last autumn at Stourport Library until next Friday. He

BOWLS: Stourport Bowling Green Club are holding their annual Lord Ednam Trophy on Sunday. The popular event starts at 2pm and entries are needed by 9pm on Saturday. There may be limited entry on the day but it will be on a first-come-first-served basis

BUDDING mathematicians have come up trumps in a national competition. Twenty children from Stourport's Windmill Middle School entered the National Mathematical Challenge to compete with thousands of other youngsters. The group scooped two gold, one silver

MOTORSPORT: James Crumpton made a superb comeback from a dislocated shoulder with best newcomer award at the Southern 100 on the Isle of Man. The Stourport motorbike racer finished third behind eventual winner Robert Dunlop and runner-up Ian Lougher in

ARTISTIC schoolchildren have turned their attention to global matters with the stunning refurbishment of a can bank. Pupils at Windmill Middle School in Stourport have taken an active part in improving the recycling site on the Walshes Estate. Once a

ELDERLY residents of a Stourport street have been told their crumbling houses will be demolished. Twenty pre-fabricated bungalows on Martley Road, Areley Kings, will be knocked down within five years after inspections revealed water-damaged concrete-panels

THE prospect of a children's hospice in Worcester is a step nearer after the fund-raising total hit the £500,000 mark. The Acorns' Three Counties Appeal, launched in April, now stands at £538,246. Last month, the appeal was boosted by an enormous £150,000

A JUNIOR open event is held every Tuesday at Moorlands Farm Fishery and teach-ins are organised every Monday and Friday for those aged from six to 16. Wednesday, Meadow: Bob Jones 74lb 7oz (peg 11), David James 55-3, S Juliff 54-13. Thursday, Meadow and

RAM-raiders have struck at a Kidderminster cash and carry warehouse for the second time in less than a fortnight. A Land Rover stolen from Wythall was driven through shutters at Booker Cash and Carry at Hoo Farm Industrial Estate at 11.30pm on Monday.

A JUDGE has ordered a psychological assessment on a 53-year-old sex offender. Thomas Ross, of Woodbury Close, Hartlebury, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a girl under 16. He was sent for sentence at crown court, but barrister Nicolas Cartwright

ONCE again I enjoyed a relaxing evening of beautiful music, very varied, and well-performed in the company of this talented society. There were many highlights among the many songs packed into this show, which were mostly from musicals, operas or operettas

A MAN who cheated an 89-year-old out of £4,000 has been warned that he can expect a "substantial" jail sentence. Roody Smith, 23, of Trimpley Lane, Shatterford, was given a cheque for work he carried out on the pensioner's drive, Worcester Crown Court

WEST Diglis: Harold Price 5-12, Bernie Partridge 4-15-8dr, Dave Smith 4-0.

A man is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court tomorrow, accused of having a firearm to cause fear of violence. Alan Brown, 43, of Broom Crescent, Kidderminster, is charged with possession of a Walther gas pistol and putting a woman in fear on June 30

LICKHILL: C Royce 4-4, B Yapp 3-0, P Walker 2-14. The next match will be on Sunday, July 28, on Strawberry Pool, draw 8am.

TIM Langford goes into his first full season of management with no illusions about the task that faces him. Stourport Swifts were rightly proud of a top-eight finish in their first Dr Martens League Western Division campaign. But it is well known that

STAFFORDSHIRE/Worcestershire Canal, bridges 36-37: Trevor Wills 3-8-8, M Sztybel 2-4-8, W Philips 2-2-0, D Oliver 2-0-0. The junior contest will be on Saturday, August 3. Names of those wishing to take part should be given to J Brooks. Members are asked

THE environment is our means of survival. How do we treat it? We pollute and exploit it. We poison the fields, the animals and ourselves with chemicals, we choke the roads with vehicles which choke us. We throw away much of what we buy, because of useless

BRIARS were crowned Kidderminster Six-a-Side League Cup winners, having come from 3-0 down to beat FC Harriers 5-3 in the final. In an exciting semi-final, Briars beat Roger le Moore 8-7 on penalties. Division One: FC Harriers 3, FC Magic 3; Prawn Stars

FRANCHE Pool: N Williams 17-0, A Plowright 12-1, F Hutton 11-6, B Bowers 10-14. A contest will be held at Ripple on Sunday.

DISTRICT councillors Mike Oborski and Rachel Lewis have recently issued a leaflet asking the people of Kidderminster to support a cinema in the town. The leaflet goes on to explain that by law, councillors cannot favour one application over another. The

A CONTEST will be held on HETA Pool on Sunday with a 7am draw.

THERE is a match on Saturday at Cookley Canal. Members can meet at the venue for 3pm.

I AM writing with regard to the report on the front page of the Shuttle/Times and News of July 4 concerning the tragic case of a Kidderminster man who on suffering a heart attack had to wait for an ambulance to come from Worcester. Unfortunately, when

I WAS sad to read that the name of Harry Cheshire High School is to be changed. Do the powers-that-be really think a change of name will "re-launch" the academic record? Alderman Harry Cheshire was an outstanding philanthropist for the town of Kidderminster

SECOND-placed Worcestershire will make chan-ges to their Frizzell County Championship side for the Division Two match against Northamptonshire which opens at New Road tomorrow. Director of Cricket Tom Moody revealed that the final line-up has yet to be

MORE than 2,000 punters enjoyed a cracking night's racing at Pitchcroft with Tony McCoy again tasting victory at Worcester. Champion jockey McCoy has already enjoyed some superb racing at Worcester this year and he held off the challenge of rival Richard

PHIL Mullen was upbeat about his squad's efforts despite Monday's 4-0 opening friendly defeat at the hands of one of his former clubs, writes Mervyn Collins. Kidderminster brought a full strength side to Common Road and the final result flattered the

A RUSSIAN widow's bid to track down her long-lost daughter has ended successfully thanks to the Wyre Forest Community Safety Partnership. Co-ordinator Paul Schubert was approached for help via e-mail by the 70-year-old woman, who cannot be named, after

June was a busy month for the society, with visits to the royal gardens at Highgrove and Bodenham Arboretum, Wolverley, both in the same week. On June 23, seven country gardens were opened around the parish. These attracted more than 300 visitors, including

The annual strawberry supper was held in Habberley Church Hall. Sue Stone raised £100 for Habberley funds at an afternoon tea. At the July meeting, Pat Darby, from Wribbenhall institute, reported on the annual meeting at which she was a delegate. Members

IF you ever thought it was difficult getting one toddler to behave, how would you cope with six? Graham Walton, father of the only surviving all-girl sextuplets in the world, will visit Wyre Forest to talk about his family. Jenny, Ruth, Sarah, Hannah,

BRINTON Park in Kidderminster was temporarily transformed into Toyland when Noddy and friends came to town. The summer event, arranged by Wyre Forest District Council, was aimed at children aged five and under and featured a children's roadshow with a

On July 9 in St Ambrose Hall, social secretary Edna Plimley-Rodriguez finalised forthcoming events, including the federation's annual lunch at The Mill Hotel on July 29, a sponsored walk in Wyre Forest on August 13, and the annual guild outing to Eastnor

Members visited Harvington Hall in June. In July Margaret Burbey commented on visiting Perdiswell and Beryl Evans reported on the production of 50 Golden Years, at the Swan Theatre, Worcester. Shirley Stanworth-Hall gave a talk entitled You're Never Too

There are two rides on Sunday. The A ride, a Three Choirs ride to Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester, starts at 8.30am. The B ride also will start at 8.30am, this being car-assisted to Boulden, for a ride to Bury Ditches, a hilltop fort in Shropshire.

Names were taken at the July meeting of those wishing to attend the group meeting at Arley. Dorothy Hadwell and Barbara Austin will share the Denman College bursary for 2003. The guest speaker was Dr Simon Penn from Avoncroft Museum, who illustrated his

A painting and sketching day will be held at Harvington Hall on Wednesday from 10am until 3pm. There is no need to book in advance and each member can take a guest. Friday, July 26 is the closing day for applications for tickets to the September 20 soiree

A SORCERER will bring waxwork characters to life in Bromyard as part of the Three Choirs Fringe Festival. The Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society will be staging a play based on favourite tunes from the pair's popular operettas. Wicked Waxworks includes

DOZENS of elderly and disabled residents face "hardship" with the downgrading of a bus route, it has been claimed. The route which serves homes north of Kidderminster Road in Wribbenhall, Bewdley, will cease on September 1. First in the Midlands, formerly

U3A: Once again we had an excellent speaker at the last meeting in the Public Hall in Evesham on Thursday, July 4, given by Paul Oppenheimer, entitled from Belsen to Buckingham Palace. This was a very tragic and indeed a traumatic, yet for the listener

PREMIER Division leaders Kineton failed by a solitary run to match Overbury's 166-8 and in doing so surrendered the leadership of the Cotswold Hills League. Wins for Shipston and Exhall and Wixford lifted them into the top two spots, while there was a

THE campaign to restore services to Kidderminster Hospital is not over despite health chiefs approving a controversial project for the site. Health Concern, set up to oppose the downgrading of the hospital, has come out fighting after the £14 million

AN outgoing hospital chaplain has spoken of the major trauma faced by patients and staff due to changes at Kidderminster. Kidderminster Hospital chaplain Canon Paul Brothwell has retired after 10 years tending to people's spiritual needs at the site.

A SUCCESSFUL health campaign in the Midlands could be the template for services returning to Kidderminster Hospital. Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust, which commissions health services for 110,000 people in the area, said it will consider future provision

100 years ago- July 19 1902 HERBERT Emms, a labourer of Broadway, was summoned for using obscene language at Broadway on July 2. Defendant admitted the offence. PS Lewis said, that at 9.45pm, he heard a disturbance near the New Inn. He found the defendant

PAR golf proved nowhere near good enough to secure Jeremy Robinson a place in the Open Championship that started at Muirfield this morning. The Evesham European Tour golfer carded successive 71s at Gullane in Scotland but on two days of low scoring, Robinson

Civic Centre, Stourport - Honk Thursday until Saturday. Lock Inn, Wolverley - The Hero of Sandy Edge Wharf Wednesday. Grand, Wolverhampton: The Edge of Darkness until Saturday. Hay Fever Tuesday until July 27. Repertory, Birmingham - Faust and Furious

THERE are different reactions to be had when you mention to a school that you would like to drop in. Some are fearful because of the misconception of the Press. Others are only too keen to welcome you in. The latter was my experience last week at Stanley

A UNIQUE memento for a former pupil or teacher of a Kidderminster school is on offer. The main sign which used to welcome people to Harry Cheshire Community High School is being auctioned off to boost Kemp Hospice's fund-raising appeal. Sixty-five years

A SHOOTING afternoon is aiming to keep the Kemp appeal on target this weekend. Kidderminster Gun Club is hosting a clay pigeon shoot on Saturday for the campaign for a new home for the hospice. There are sections for men, women and youngsters in the 100

THE sun shone on a group's bid to boost Kemp Hospice. Kidderminster Horticultural Society raised £2,500 at an annual open day - cancelled last year because of the foot and mouth outbreak - at 13 gardens around Wyre Forest on Sunday. A window box and hanging

WHY is it, as Mr Spiteri points out, that Anglican Bishops and Rabbis sit in the House of Lords, but no Roman Catholic Cardinals. Isn't this a rather outdated concept? GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester

SADLY, England never made it to the final of the World Cup and, alas, the nostalgic image of Bobby Moore lifting the cup in 1966 has to be relished for the foreseeable future. In the days of pre-World Cup hype and million-pound-players, people still managed

AS one who, in the distant past, studied the skills of the salesman I have long been conscious of the "oversell". Worcestershire people were never a walkover, as many a glib tongued Smart Alec from the big cities found to his cost. There was one in particular

AN exhibition of the various community projects which are masterminded by Bromsgrove District Council's arts development service is to go on show later this year. The exhibition, covering both the street theatre and the youth service, will run from September

AMBITIOUS Stourport Swifts are launching a £170,000 scheme to boost training facilities for the club and the community. The Dr Martens League Western Division side want to set up a floodlit astroturf area with two five-a-side pitches at Walshes Meadow

A LACK of major financial investment at Stourport Swifts has forced them to work extra hard for funds in the Dr Martens League. Like in the professional leagues, the bigger spenders tend to prosper in the competitive Western Division. Swifts' promotion

A WEEKEND of events is taking place at a house in Broadway to raise money for charity. Orchard Farm in Upper High Street is the venue for open gardens and a two-day fete to raise money for the Evesham and Pershore branch of Mencap, to help local people

VILLAGES are bracing themselves for a Green war after an incinerator plan was turned down for the north of Worcestershire. Vale residents fear this will bring the county's waste to an already over-stretched landfill site on their doorsteps and lead to

HISTORICAL finds unearthed in Bidford are likely to remain in the county. This was the view of Warwickshire coroner Michael Coker, when an inquest on two artefacts discovered by a Studley man was opened at Leamington Town Hall last Friday (July 12). Robert

IT has always struck me as being a particularly British custom that we lie on a beach and stay there until our skin is seriously damaged, but apparently we're novices compared to the Australians. A staggering one in two of our friends from Down Under

BRINTON Park in Kidderminster was temporarily transformed into Toyland when Noddy and friends came to town. The summer event, arranged by Wyre Forest District Council, was aimed at children aged five and under and featured a children's roadshow with a

THE Hollow Crown started life as a one-off "divertissement" for the 1960 Stratford-upon-Avon Poetry Festival. Since those humble beginnings director John Barton's anthology of words and music has proved a hit with audiences all over the World. It is an

MOTOWN magic and classic old soul courtesy of DJs Steve Russell, Mr Tee and Basil is on offer at The Briars in Habberley Road, Kidderminster, from 8pm until late tomorrow. More information about the West Midland Soul Club event is available by calling

A TRIBUTE to foul-mouthed funnyman Roy Chubby Brown will drop into Cookley's Eagle pub. Kris Kenny will be in action from 9.45pm at the Castle Road venue on July 25, with earlier entertainment starting at 8pm. He is the latest doppelganger to appear there

THREE talented young musicians are the star attraction of a concert at St James' Church in Wollaston, Stourbridge, on Saturday. Cellist Heather Uren, soprano Felicity Brown and pianist Patrick McBeth will be performing from 7.30pm in aid of the Mary Stevens