Archive

Kempsey - 49503302

Wichenford is set in lovely countryside, but it's not easy to explore because too many of the footpaths are in a shameful condition - some are impossible to follow at all. This is one of the few walks which can be completed without too much difficulty

Sunnyside School - 49504701

Sunnyside School - 49504702

A celebration of Christmas

A MOTHER whose daughter died in a car crash is urging people not to drink and drive to prevent other families facing the same heartache. Gina Curnock has been campaigning ever since her 18-year-old daughter Allison died days before Christmas in 1984,

POLICE have warned they will be clamping down on drink-drivers over Christmas. The West Mercia force will be supporting the Government's anti-drink drive initiative this Yuletide with extra officers running breathalyser tests. Last year, eight people

worse for the city than the threatened closure of Rover's Longbridge plant in 1998, which would have left 14,000 on the dole. Mr Foster said that it would deal Worcester a bigger blow in terms of population. Ms Hewitt is due to receive a Competition Commission

DESTROYED decorations, aggressive carol singers and holly thieves have taken the festive spirit out of Christmas for several Worcestershire residents. David Davies woke to find "Scrooges" had been at work outside his Malvern house, after his distinctive

Two former lovers broke down in tears as they were cleared at Worcester Crown Court of sex offences involving girls aged 12 and 14 more than a decade ago. A jury of seven women and five men was out for nine-and-a-half hours before bringing in not guilty

NIGHTCLUB bosses should be hit with a levy to compensate police for the drain on resources caused by patrolling Worcester. In a House of Commons debate city MP Mike Foster said while officers maintain law and order as clubbers make their way home, other

THE Nativity was given a truly modern twist by Worcester youngsters, who decided to swap tradition for the razzmatazz of Hollywood. The play, based loosely on the Christmas story, was written by five budding actresses from the Medway Road Youth Club and

SOUTH Worcestershire police are linking three thefts and a suspicious incident that all took place in between 6.50pm and 7.53pm on Monday, December 16. The first incident took place at 6.50pm at an address in Tibberton, near Droitwich, when £200 in a

WILY burglars are stealing car keys before fleeing with vehicles parked on their victims' drives. Since the beginning of April this year, 156 car key burglaries have been reported to West Mercia police prompting officers to issue a warning. Families are

YOUNGSTERS at a Worcestershire school transported audiences to an exotic Pacific island - for their last-ever Christmas production. A total of 18 pupils from Cliffey House School in Hanley Castle, took part in Christmas in the Sun. The production, which

TENS of thousands of pounds has been granted to University College Worcester to boost its art and design department. The college has been awarded a £30,000 grant - the maximum available - as a result of its bid for funding from the United Artists@WestMidlands

CHRISTMAS comes but once a year - but for one lucky social group it has come twice! The Evergreen Darby & Joan Club enjoyed a slap-up Christmas lunch this week with the help of a cash boost from the Making a Difference campaign. The club, which meets

DRIVERS in Worcestershire could face delays today as the Christmas getaway is expected to start - with thousands of motorists set to take to the roads. More than 18 million cars out of a total 26 million in the UK will be driven on the country's roads

RESIDENTS in Worcestershire are being given their say on Government proposals for the future of the police service. A major Home Office consultation document on policing in local communities has been put on West Mercia Constabulary's website for people

THINGS are hotting up for The Fever after a chance hearing of their debut album landed them a support slot with The Proclaimers on their Scottish tour last week. It started to take off when The Proclaimers heard the album Call It What You Want while they

Theatre December Until Jan 11-Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. Times and ticket details from (01684) 892277. Concerts December 20-Christmas concert with the Cotswold Singers & Newent Orchestra at Newent

young members of Worcestershire Operatic and Dramatic Society are about to bring a taste of jazz to residential homes around the area. Fifteen performers, aged 11 to 17, will visit homes around Worcester and Malvern. They will be visit the Touchstone

YOU would be a fool to miss next week's show at the Theatre of Small Conven-ience, during which, it is said anything can happen. The five-minute-long show entitled Fools Panto, starring local performers Dee Watkins and Simon Blakeman, will take place

Things are about to get BAD in Bromesberrow. Bromesberrow Amateur Dramatics (BAD) has been set up by Sara-Jane Watkins, chairman of Bromesberrow parish council. The first meeting will take place on January 14 at Bromesberrow Village Hall, at 7.30pm, and

EVERY year around Christmas people die due to drink-driving. This year will be no different. With an all-too depressing regularity, every season sees the same sad sequence of events. A few drinks at lunchtime. One for the road. Go on, it's Christmas -

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (12A, 201mins) Action. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Bernard Hill, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban

Central to this concert by the ESO, conducted by William Boughton, was a performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, with the young Finnish pianist Antti Siirala as soloist. Antti's assured technical prowess was matched with beauty of tone

A Well-known Ledbury woman has died in a car crash. Joan Robinson, aged 78, of New Street, was best known as the chairman of the popular Ledbury Evergreen Club and a great supporter of Arthritis Care She died in a crash on the A438 Hereford Road just

THE fire brigade has issued fresh warnings to owners of electric blankets after a blaze this week. Firefighters from Malvern were called to The Farleys, Cradley, just after 10.30pm on Monday. An electric blanket left on a bed while turned on had caught

AN application for four new bungalows with garages in Holly Green has been submitted by a Warwickshire developer. Jade Land Services wants to build the properties on what is now grazing land off Ryall's Close, near Upton.

A THANKSGIVING service for the life of Mary Jeffries will be held at Malvern Priory tomorrow (Saturday). Mrs Jeffries lived in Malvern for 47 years until her death in October and was an active member of the community. She was married to Dr John Jeffries

LONGDON'S new village hall will soon be kitted out with a new kitchen thanks to money from the lottery. Longdon Church Women's Fellowship successfully bid for £4,336 from the lottery's Awards for All fund, which was set up to benefit small groups. The

Malvern Hills District Council debated genetically modified food at a meeting on Tuesday. Councillors voted that the council would not use GM food, but Coun Reg Farmer raised the question of how much food was actually used by the council. Coun Sue Adeney

BUDGET plans proposed by Malvern Hills District Council for next year show a possible five per cent increase in Council Tax. Provisional details indicate the council will receive a £3.75m Government grant next year but council leader Tom Wells said at

Traffic calming measures on Oak Street are coming closer to implementation. The mayor of Upton, Coun Eric White, along with fellow town councillors, has met John Wallace, from the Malvern Hills Highways Partnership, to discuss possible measures to reduce

A pupil at St James's School, West Malvern, has won a national art competition. Marietta Kirkbride, a year nine pupil at the school, has won a special award in a competition organised by art material suppliers Supply Desk Ltd. Hundreds of children, including

Upton has been praised for the effort it has put in to this year's Christmas decorations. Malvern Hills district councillor and Upton town councillor Mary Wilkinson said: "I must congratulate Upton on looking marvellous this year. The Rotary Tree of Light

Malvern's new dental centre will not open until February because building work at the site is not yet finished. The centre, in Osborne Road, has cost an estimated £270,000 and was due to open in January. Janet Ferguson, spokesman for the South Worcestershire

A TOUCH of Victorian class will be added to Upton over Christmas as shopkeepers dress up to attract customers. Members of the Upton Tourism and Trade Association will be donning Victorian and festive clothes during the final week of Christmas shopping

A GOVERNMENT inspector has upheld a decision by Malvern Hills District Council to refuse permission for a house on the flanks of the Malvern Hills. Applicants Mr and Mrs V Low were refused planning permission to build a dwelling on a wooded site on Old

WORK preserving the unique natural environment of the Malvern Hills was highlighted at the national launch of a report by English Nature in London. Ian Rowat, the director of the Malvern Hills Conservators, was among the guests at the event, on Thursday

I WOULD like to extend a warm welcome to all your readers and the rest of the local community to come and join the hunts in Herefordshire and Worcestershire at their traditional Boxing Day meets on December 26. Boxing Day is the highlight of the hunting

The National Blood Service is urging people to give hospital patients the best Christmas present they will ever receive: the gift of life. The demand for blood never stops and in the West Midlands alone, hospitals require 1,000 units a day. However, only

A Malvern church is joining the Fairtrade campaign to help tackle the poverty of farmers in developing countries. Holly Mount United Reformed Church in Queens Drive will become a Fairtrade church by using Fairtrade tea and coffee at all its meetings.

A PARISH council has come under fire for its refusal to make a recommendation on a phone mast application. Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council met on Monday to discuss Voda-fone's application for a mast at Mayall Farm. However, six of the eight

While it is understandable for Mr E J Dawe (Your Letters, December 12) to be very frustrated after being asked not to take photographic images of his grandson playing football for Newtown Sports FC, he must appreciate the reason behind the 'photography

WILLING Spirit Gospel Choir provided the music at a fundraising event for Noah's Ark Trust. The Birmingham-based choir provided a repertoire ranging from Caribbean and gospel music through to traditional carols at the event, at Earls Croome Church. More

I was delighted to observe that the Malvern Festival Chorus's performance of J S Bach's B minor Mass merited two mentions in the Malvern Gazette (November 5), a letter from Mr Ian J Morgan and a review from Jill Hopkins. It is good news indeed to know

A COLLECTION box containing money to maintain the pond at Hanley Swan has been stolen from the village post office. Staff noticed the sweet jar, containing between £25 and £30, was missing from the post office counter on Saturday morning after being alerted

WEST Malvern finished the year in a dismal fashion and once again it was the same old story with players crying off at the last minute and one failing to turn up. PLUMBERS ARMS 5, WEST MALVERN 1 The 11 that did play performed reasonably well but due to

I WAS very sorry to see in the Malvern Gazette (December 12) that Ann Silk had resigned from Malvern Town Council. She has worked long and hard on the Town Council and has achieved a lot over the years. She will be missed very much for her dedication

THE County Air Ambulance has issued a Christmas appeal for donations as it prepares to enter its busy period. The organisation has to raise £2.4 million a year to run the service, which covers Herefordshire and Worcestershire, plus eight other counties

MALVERN Radar's game was postponed last Sunday as opponents AFC Mazak were unable to raise a team. Hopefully back in action this weekend with an away fixture at Colwall, Radar players meet RSRE Club 9.45am.

A WELLAND toddler group has organised a Christmas drawing and colouring competition for children at schools near the village. The contest was organised by the Welland Teddy Bears committee and children were asked to draw a picture showing what they liked

I AM not a Christian but the way Christmas is celebrated in our culture has troubled my conscience for most of my adult life. It is surely a good thing to observe and celebrate festivals and holidays, to take time out from busy lives to spend with family

A SPECIAL needs school earmarked for closure is celebrating its last Christmas. A Christmas play was performed by Cliffey House School pupils on Wednesday and will be its final production, as the school is scheduled to close in July. The production, Christmas

CHASE headteacher Kevin Peck paid tribute to the efforts of pupils and staff at the school's speech day, adding that there was more to their success than simply exam results. Sporting achievements, productions of Cold Comfort Farm and Roald Dahl's Revolting

Subject Prizes Geography: A level John Tovey, GCSE Ffion Christie. French: A level Beth Williams, GCSE Thomas Wood. German: A level Lucy Nicholson, GCSE Laura Stone. Spanish: GCSE Emily Pickering. Government & Politics: A level Naomi Kirton. Economics

FOUR cars were damaged and part of a wall was demolished after an accident in West Malvern in the early hours of last Friday morning. A white Rover was in collision with a Citroen AX parked on the side of West Malvern Road, driving it through a stone

CARDIFF City manager Lennie Lawrence could move to sign Hereford United's Wales semi-professional international midfielder Paul Parry next week. Parry recently spent a week training at Ninian Park and played in the reserves' friendly at Derby. "Cardiff

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers continue their Nationwide League Division Three relegation battle on Sunday by putting their improving away record under the microscope at York City. Harriers are just three points from the drop zone but have been boosted recently

SAFETY measures to improve a Hanley Castle road are being undertaken by Worcestershire County Council. The council's Highways Partnership is to apply an anti-skid surfacing to the B4209 between Hanley Castle and Hanley Swan, to cut down on the number

Cradley Primary School was saying goodbye to its headmaster this week. Today (Friday) will be David Townsend's last day at the school after holding the position for 11 years. A special assembly was to be held in his honour this morning and a gathering

SAM Bowen is in for a busy weekend after being drafted into Westfields' squad for their Midland Alliance trip to struggling Pelsall Villa tomorrow (3pm) The striker will start for Forest Green Rovers against Hereford United in the Nationwide Conference

THIS year's Malvern Table Tennis League handicap competition has already seen some close finishes. In the battle of the youngsters Poolbrook Allsorts had the advantage of a 220 handicap when pipping Poolbrook Juniors by four points. The Allsorts were

DESPITE atrocious weather conditions, a large field of golfers turned out to compete in the third round of the Winter Better Ball competition at The Worcestershire Golf Club. The weather was particularly fierce for the early morning golfers. They experienced

MALVERN Chess Club played Kidderminster in Division One of the County League at home and had a good win 4-2 against a strong team. Kidderminster had white on the odd boards. Individual results are given below, Malvern names first. 1 B Turner - J Friar

RESULTS from the Sapey Golf Club's midweek medal played on December 5. In Division One Nick Rendle took first place with a net 66 (gross 78) with Will Matthews in second spot also on a net 66 (79). In third place was Barry Kendal on a net 69 (80). In

SATURDAY FOOTBALL WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE Premier Division: Bromyard Town v Malvern Town, Ledbury Town v Bustleholme. Division One South: Gornal Athletic v Malvern Town Reserves - postponed, Malvern Rangers v Blackheath Town (1.45), Cradley Town Reserves

MALVERN first XV return to Midlands West Two action tomorrow (Saturday) with a visit to basement-club Bedworth. Struggling Bedworth have lost all their 11 league fixtures to date and have even been deducted two points for a misdemeanor. Third-placed Malvern

COLWALL Cricket Club held their annual dinner dance in the beautiful surroundings of the Worcestershire Golf Club and it was one that will be remembered by all 125 who attended. The room was adorned in the club colours, menus/programme in the design of

I WAS going to have my hair done in Lichfield Avenue, and somehow tripped over. The man who cleans my windows was nearby with a young lady who had a mobile phone. She dialled for an ambulance, which was there in a couple of minutes. I would like to thank

MALVERN Aikido Club recently gained a further two 1st Dan black belts at a British Ki Aikido Association (BKAA) seminar earlier this month. Graham Stokes and Tim Cossali-Francis achieved this grade after seven years' hard work and were awarded the accolade

WORCESTER Mayor Gareth Jones must be a bit of a snob. I think he doesn't want Ann Summers near the Guildhall - because he's often there - and no Northwick Cinema, either, because he probably doesn't live that far away. I also tried forbidding my two daughters

PROFESSIONAL Anglers' Association qualified coach Neil Sarkar is running a week of fishing events throughout the Christmas holidays designed to give Malvern youngsters the chance to catch that fish of a lifetime. Commencing on Monday, December 22, children

I'D like to ask you to help a very worthwhile charity over Christmas - in a very simple way. If you are given a new mobile phone for Christmas, please think about recycling your old one on behalf of the Arthritis Research Campaign. I'd also like to encourage

COLWALL Cricket Club's annual Christmas draw takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at Peter's Fruit and Veg (Colwall) at 11am. There will be a first prize of £100 and 100 other prizes to be won. There are a few tickets left (£1 each) and they can be obtained

WHILE Jai Stanley goes under the knife tomorrow Worcester City will endeavour to put visiting Welling United to the sword and clock up their first league double of the season. Victory will be all the more sweet for John Barton and Co as they commence

SAFETY improvements will be made on the Ombersley stretch of the A449 which earlier this month claimed two young lives. The works between Ombersley and Claines roundabout will be welcomed by villagers after the tragic double death of 22-year-old Michael

AS the party season gets underway, town police have issued some precautionary measures to ensure this year's festivities are fun for everyone. Sergeant Jan Heritage has issued a few 'Do's and Don'ts' to ensure party revellers take full advantage of the

SHOPS and shoppers will get a boost from Droitwich's new town centre officer. Jill Campbell will be working to promote the town as a thriving centre for shoppers, residents and visitors. She takes over from Wychavon District Council's town centres manager

A SPA bass guitarist can expect a very happy New Year, according to a top international style bible. Tom Swann, aged 21, joined Scottish band, Speedway back in July and has been on a rock 'n' roll rollercoaster ever since. Speedway released their debut

STAFF and pupils at a school near Droitwich are celebrating a sparkling report from education watchdogs, Ofsted. Ombersley Endowed First School, off Droitwich Road, has been hailed for its standards of teaching and learning and for its good relationship

A RETIRED sailor, who took to the bottle after his wife left him, hurled drunken abuse at Droitwich shoppers. Fifty-five year-old Michael Graham was spotted shouting and swearing at people in Victoria Square, Worcester Magistrates heard. Prosecuting,

ANOTHER devoted cat lover is urged to come forward and share their warm and loving home with this cute puss. Pebbles is a ginger, domestic shorthaired cat. She is neutered and is looking for some love and happiness in her life. The affectionate, pretty

THE debut performance of the Chandos Sinfonia was reviewed in the Malvern Gazette 25 years ago this week. The reviewer, identified only as A W B, described the ensemble as "an orchestra of Mozartian-size composed mainly of local professional, talented

100 years ago ON Boxing Day and the following day, Mr Arthur Hare is due at the Assembly Rooms in A Pair Of Spectacles. J M Barrie's popular work, Quality Street, will be produced here twice on Tuesday, December 29, by Messrs Addison Bright and Walter

Cats' X.Y.Z. by Beverley Nichols (Timber Press, £14.99) TO those of a certain age the name of Nichols will be familiar. A name from an age of not-quite-so-political-correctness. An age of infant television before it turned into the enfant terrible in

Forgotten Battlefronts of the First World War by Martin Marix Evans (Sutton, £25). THE problem with media interest in the First World War is its fixation with the attrition and stalemate of the Western Front. Dramatisation, too, also dwells on the starkly

The Judy Moody Mood Journal by Megan McDonald, illustrated by Peter H Reynolds (Candlewick Press, £5.99) FANS of this young literary genre will be eagerly awaiting an actual diary in which they can secrete their most secret thoughts. And here it is, a

Dec 19: Bluehorses, Marr's Bar, Worcester. Dec 20: Marade, Sketchley's Social Club, Worcester; Laura, Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester; B Movie Heroes, Marr's Bar, Worcester. Dec 21: Caroline, Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester; Nizlopi

THE Malvern Angels 1st XV showed the hard work and dedication that they have put in to training this year by defeating Hucclecote WRFC 54-5 on Sunday. Malvern played quite hard to begin with, getting down the first few tries, then seemed to settle back

JULIE Kirkbride, fresh from the Downing Street rugby dust-up, has switched her attention to some of the more interesting job adverts being taken out by the Government and local councils. She's unhappy with where they are being placed - as it could lead

WORCESTERSHIRE'S MPs headed away for the Christmas break with thoughts of changing Parliament's working hours again. A year ago, the sitting times were changed to make the Commons more "family friendly". Monday remained the same, with a 2.30pm start to

LAST month, Mike Foster suffered a torrid time on the Today programme as he sought to defend Margaret Hodge's record as Children's Minister. He wanted to talk about his boss's achievements with Sure Start. The presenter wanted to know - for seven minutes

A PERSHORE kitchen company claims it is the "best kept secret in Worcestershire" after carrying out work for world-famous chef Raymond Blanc. Sprint Refrigeration and Catering Equipment Ltd has designed and built two kitchens for the gastronomic genius

Oldbury Park Primary - 49493303

Oldbury Park Primary - 49493301

Kempsey - 49503301

St Joseph's Close Primary - 50508402

St Joseph's Close Primary - 50508401

THE loss of up to 2,400 jobs at a home shopping firm would be a bigger disaster for Worcester than the Rover crisis at Longbridge, trade secretary Patricia Hewitt was warned last night. City MP Mike Foster gave the grim assessment in crunch talks with

REPORTER John Brenan was invited to test West Mercia Police's advance driving "skid pan" car to simulate the dangers of drink driving on icy roads. ON the television it looks exciting - cars spinning around with screeching tyres spreading smoke across

COUNCIL leaders in Wychavon have embarrassed their Worcester City counterparts by refusing a rise in pay. The district's Executive Board, together with the chairmen of two committees, decided not to accept £100 increases in their allowances, quoting higher

A FARMER whose lost lamb is retrieved by an angel is the heart-warming theme of a play being put on in Droitwich tomorrow. The 45-minute play, Farmer Christmas, is specially designed for children between the ages of three and 10, and will be performed

THE parents of two Worcester children have escaped a prison sentence and community punishment order after admitting failing to ensure they attended school. The couple, both aged 42 - who cannot be named so as to protect the identity of the youngsters

THE spirit of Christmas was in evidence at Worcester Cathedral as a packed crowd enjoyed the festivities of the Evening News carol service. More than 1,500 people, many of them Worcester's best-known dignitaries, enjoyed an evening of traditional music

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was knocked to the ground and kicked after being attacked in Lowesmoor, Worcester The victim, who had to be treated at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, had earlier spoken to the attacker, who he had seen urinating

LABOURERS are believed to have stolen £1,500 from the bedroom of a home at Packers Hill, Upton-upon-Severn, after being given £900 in advance for installing a new door. The incident happened when the workers - two men and a youth - arrived in a white

THE deaths of two Ombersley men has prompted a safety survey on a notorious stretch of road in the village. Michael Jennings, aged 22, and Billy Hall, 19, were both pronounced dead at the scene of a collision on the A449, between Ombersley and Crossway

MALVERN planners have given the thumbs-up to former offices in a conservation area is being turned into six flats. The scheme relates to 211 Worcester Road, Malvern and will involve an extension to the rear of the existing building, which is set back

RESIDENTS in Hereford's St Nicholas Ward will be asked to "make a note to post their vote" early next year in the second postal ballot to be held in Herefordshire. Following the resounding success of a postal ballot in this year's local election held

AN all-star jazz line-up will be bringing some post-New Year entertainment to Inkberrow during a charity evening. The Alan Barnes Quartet will be playing at new music venue The Bull's Head in January next year in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. The event

THE memory of Christmas past can be enjoyed as Malvern Theatre Players showcase the talents of its dedicated costume team. As Christmas approaches, the Players are facing a hectic time preparing for the next production, A Christmas Carol. That is not

AN evening of fancy dress entertainment, featuring celtic-rock band the Bluehorses, will take place at the Marrs Bar tonight (Friday). The band, which usually holds its Christmas party in Winchester, is holding an extra one in Worcester this year and

Abbey Jazz will present the final fortnightly jazz session of 2003 on Sunday. The evening, at Malvern Rugby Club, Spring Lane, will feature double-bass player Len Thwaites, along with John Burnett on trumpet, Mike Turner on clarinet, Roger Heeley on piano

What an owl, a buzzard and a polecat ferret have in common will be revealed at the John Moore Countryside Museum in Tewkesbury next Saturday (December 27). Visitors will also be able to meet Barney the Barn Owl, Merlin the Eagle Owl and Duke the Buzzard

AN art exhibition to remind people of the true meaning of Christmas is taking place at Worcester Cathedral. Madonna and Child, by Paul Langford, from Tenbury Wells, opened on Saturday and is a collection of paintings featuring a young Jesus with his mother

Sergei Prokofiev Stage Works & Film Scores. Boxed 50th Anniversary edition. Warner Classics 0927 49636-2. THIS offering is huge. It's a six CD set of the stage works and film scores written by Sergei Prokofiev and I chose to review it because there

A small village occupied by evil dictators is at the centre of a play at Holy Trinity Hall. A cast of 15 five to 11-year-old children from the Malvern-based Jane Lush Drama School are performing a Christmas play at 5.45pm today (Friday) and have chosen

PUPILS from St James's School, West Malvern, will be singing at a Christmas concert at Worcester Cathedral tomorrow (Saturday). Around 400 people are expected to attend the event, raising funds for the cathedral's music appeal for Sound and Light. Readings

Ross-on-Wye International Festival has been thrown a lifeline after talks with Herefordshire Council. The council has agreed to make a £30,000 loan and an advance payment of its annual grant as part of the rescue package. However, it has also demanded

Things are set to go with a swing at Huntingdon Hall tomorrow (Saturday) courtesy of Sticky Wicket and his Swingin' Little Big Band. Headed by Alan 'Sticky' Wicket, a percussionist who has worked alongside artists such as Van Morrison and Lonnie Donegan

FOLLOW in the footsteps of Ray Ward, who led 28 members of Malvern Hills District Footpath Society on this walk on November 8, as the first of his 90s. Cross Evendine Lane and take the road to Netherpaths. In about 120 metres, go over the first stile

Walkers hoping to burn off some of the excesses of Christmas have rushed to book the final places for a winter walks programme around Herefordshire. A walk through Ledbury on December 29 is one of seven walks featured in the programme, which takes place

Children at primary schools around the area treated parents and fellow pupils to a range of festive entertainment. Pupils from Eastnor Primary School raised the roof of Eastnor Church. The whole school filled the building with a mixture of dance and song

STOKE Lacy Village Hall Amateur Dramatics' first ever pantomime certainly won't be its last. Everyone involved deserves praise for what was a thoroughly entertaining production. If the cast weren't always word-perfect, it was all part of the fun and generally

A HEART-WARMING shaggy dog story has turned a much-loved pet into a prize winner. Sean, a part German Shepherd, actually grew up on the streets of Chile before being taken in by a British couple and brought to England. When they could no longer care for

THE future of a sports hall project at Dyson Perrins CE High School rests on an application for National Lottery funding. The estimated cost of the project, to link the school's gymnasium and sports hall and update both buildings, is £800,000. The new

MALVERN Town Council is preparing to open the debate over the future of its office building on Belle Vue Terrace. Council met on Tuesday and agreed its budget for next year, which will result in a third reduction in council tax in a row. This year's reduction

The Government has set out a timetable for Malvern's new Seaford Court hospital after being pressed about delays to the project. Both town and district councils this week unanimously called on South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust to reaffirm its commitment

THE Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt will thank the emergency services when it holds its annual Christmas Eve meet in Upton. A cheque for £15,000 is to be handed over to the County Air Ambulance by Jacky Allen, a member of the hunt and founder of the

PEOPLE who receive benefits for council tax or housing should know what to expect from Malvern Hills District Council. At a meeting on Tuesday the council agreed to improve its strategy for awarding benefit and make the information more easily available

A PARTY organised by Upton Rotary Club was swinging at Hanley Castle High School at the weekend. Some 74 residents of the area gathered for the community party for three hours on Sunday afternoon. The event included musical entertainment, refreshments

CHURCHES around the Upton area will be coming together to sing carols at a service tomorrow (Saturday). Anyone wishing to take part is asked to meet at Upton Baptist Church at 10.30am.

Upton Town Council is investigating complaints that building regulations for the extension to the Baptist Church Hall have been breached. The council has received letters from residents, concerned about several aspects of the building that they say do

MALVERN Boilers Ltd has been awarded a government grant towards developing a revolutionary new heating technology. The Department of Trade and Industry SMART award will provide £45,000 of the £150,000 development costs for what is believed to be the world's

THE Malvern local group of the Gatekeeper Trust is holding a Winter Solstice Walk in the Old Hills, just south of Callow End. The group says members will enjoy stunning views of the Malvern Hills and exploring Old Hills, with its dead trees in the woodlands

THE Worcestershire Farmers' Christmas Market comes to Hanley Swan Village Hall this weekend. Special guests include Dennis Nightingale-Smith, of the Organic Living Association, who will be signing copies of The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young. The

MALVERN Hills Conservators will not increase its precept on the council tax this year. At the organisation's administration and resources committee meeting last week, members agreed a budget strategy which aims to shift some of the financial burden of

A DINNER and dance aboard the MV Conway Castle in Upton raised £260 for charity. The cruise saw 35 people enjoy music and food on the Severn. The money raised will be split between UNICEF's appeal for the children of Iraq, and Worcester-based Noah's Ark

A special nativity service is being held at St Matthias Church, Malvern Link, on Sunday. The team service, encompassing members of St Peter's, Cowleigh and the Church of the Ascension, will be given by Sunday School children. The children will take a

MONEY has been found to back an extensive archaeological investigation at Longdon Marsh. Work restoring a 120-acre area of the marsh at Hill Court Farm to its original wetland status will be delayed until April while a team of Oxford archaeologists investigates

MORE than 30 staff at Malvern Girls' College took part in their traditional Christmas pantomime. Every year the staff put on a production and this year the play was The Wizard of Oz. The Wicked Witch was played by the head of English, Linda Melhuish,

FOLLOWING a morning inspection this local derby went ahead on what was a very good playing surface. MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 1, MALVERN RANGERS 3 Three very good goals enabled Rangers to take three good points against their local rivals in what was one of

A quiz night to raise funds for the Chernobyl Childrens' Project was described as a "huge success" by its organiser. Eight teams competed for prizes at the event on Saturday, which was held at the Lyttelton Well in Church Street. Charity member Kelly

I heartily agree with all Mr Dawe's sentiments regarding the photographing of young people (Your Letters, December 12). It is, quite simply, a case of taking a sledge hammer to crack a walnut, but I wonder how the Government can square this policy with

THE game of the day was once again in The Soccer Site Malvern League Division Two and again it involved Madresfield in another 11-goal thriller. This time however, Madresfield didn't throw away their advantage and took the points with a 6-5 victory over

NINE-year-old Banaeshia Tooley's picture of a colourfully dressed snowman has taken first prize in a Christmas card competition. The competition was open to junior-age children at Bredon School and was sponsored by John and Jacqueline Collins, owners

EXPRESS 88 visited Blackpole in this Worcester League Division One fixture and manager Mark Taylor had to make several changes at very short notice due to injuries and other commitments. BLACKPOLE 4, EXPRESS 88 1 Ben Ash and Duncan McKerracher both made

WHILE reading the Malvern Gazette on December 12, I was delighted to see an old photograph of my son playing football for Newtown Sports. It is always a great pleasure to see one of your children in the paper. However, my pleasure turned to disbelief

SHOPPERS at Matalan, in Malvern, can get their hands on a really big prize in a Christmas draw. Humphrey, a six-foot-tall cuddly bear, is the top prize in the raffle and staff at the store, on the retail park off Roman Way, have selected St Richard's

MALVERN Ladies entertained Evesham Ladies in a league game at Victoria Park in front of a large number of supporters on Sunday. MALVERN LADIES 3, EVESHAM LADIES 0 Both sides started well with end-to-end football. Malvern scored first in the 15th minute

Young and old in Malvern Link joined voices last week for some festive carol singing. Pupils from Malvern Link Primary School met elderly visitors at Rowan House Day Hospital in Malvern Link last Thursday and filled the air with song. The children visit

ANCHOR Falcons continued their rich vein of form with an impressive win over second place Pillar of Salt in this Sunday Division Four encounter at Pitchcroft. PILLAR OF SALT RESERVES 3, ANCHOR FALCONS 5 Despite having the edge for much of the game The

MAY I convey my most grateful thanks to a good many people who supported my son, John Lowry, of Yates Hay Road, Malvern, in his bid to raise money for The Rainbow Trust, Malvern, last Wednesday by a sponsored swim of 12 hours. The Rainbow Trust is a local

I WAS pleased to see Jackie Carey's letter (Your Letters, December 12) correcting the constant inaccuracy over where Mr Boycott died; it was indeed the American's crossing and not Hanbury/Goodwood Road crossing. I use this crossing every day, both during

MALVERN United FC is still looking for a few more players to complement their squad prior to joining the Mercian Festival Junior Football League next season. The team, consisting of players aged 12/13 years, is training at Sling Lane, Malvern, on Saturdays

I WOULD like to inform the NIMBY by the name of W Harper of Malvern Wells (Your Letters, December 12), that I have both lived and worked in the area for the best part of 20 years. He should not be so quick to dismiss letters of support for a success story

A PROGRAMME for testing the hearing of newly-born babies is being launched by the NHS in Worcestershire. From January 1, parents of all babies born in the area will be offered the opportunity to have their child's hearing screened within the first two

I SO agree with Pauline Burgess (Your Letters, December 12) that the 40 million animals killed each year for the fur trade is an important issue. One aspect of this trade which is not highlighted sufficiently is the growing trade in cat and dog fur within

CLUBS are reminded that the next Mercian Festival Junior Football League Meeting is on Sunday, January 11, at the Bell Inn, St Johns, Worcester, starting at 8pm. All clubs must be represented and should bring their Fair Play Award Forms for November and

I WOULD like to thank the very helpful and kind gentleman who helped me carry my wife to my car after she fell and broke her leg while walking on the hills on November 2. His help was much appreciated by both of us. DON SUMNER, Westward Road, Malvern

TAXI drivers in the area will be checked more thoroughly before they can receive council licences. At a meeting of its executive committee on Tuesday, Malvern Hills District Council voted through new arrangements for granting licences. New applicants

ENJOYING all the possession and territory early on, Malvern Town Wanderers could not still find the end product against a resolute Newtown Sports. MALVERN TOWN WANDERERS U15s 6, NEWTOWN SPORTS U15s 1 The home side finally broke the deadlock on 25 minutes

THE healthy eating message has been taken to pupils at Dyson Perrins CE High School with a week-long display. Funding from the school's Friends' Association and Waitrose saw an old-fashioned market barrow stacked with healthy produce go on display at

PUPILS and staff at The Chase were celebrating a good year this week after the publication of the Key Stage 3 exam results. The exams, which test pupils in science, maths and English, show the progress they have made between the last year of primary school

CHILDREN in the Kaleidoscope group enjoyed two days of fun activities at Malvern's Osborne Court last weekend. The group is for children with severe special needs from all over South Worcestershire. On Saturday the children decorated pots to give to their

WEST Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer will be making his annual Christmas visit to nursing homes in the area today (Friday) and tomorrow. Sir Michael's tour today includes Sherborne Tower Care Centre, Malvern Wells, The Boynes, Upton-upon-Severn and

NEW council tax proposals are being drawn up after the government granted more money to Worcestershire County Council. The council was originally seeking an increase in Council Tax of up to seven per cent. However, the government's announcement of more

Phill Tromans pays a visit to Nicholson's Organs, where the Malvern Priory organ is currently being renovated HAVING lived in Malvern for many years I had seen the Priory's organ in the church on many occasions. There it sat, a keyboard and a frontage

MANAGER John Barton will be forced to reshuffle his pack as Worcester City bid for a hat-trick of league wins tomorrow. The St George's Lane club entertain Welling United (3pm) harbouring doubts over full-back Allan Davies, while record signing Jai Stanley

THE case of a Bosbury man charged with four offences of supplying class A drugs to others has been adjourned until next year. Wesley Reece Furber, of Forge Bank, Bosbury, appeared before Hereford Crown Court on Friday but the case was adjourned until

RIVAL boss Colin Addison has tipped his former club Hereford United for a return to the Football League. Addison, now in charge of Forest Green Rovers, has touted the Bulls as promotion favourites but will pull out all the stops to halt their Conference

MALVERN snooker club Simply Snooker, that opened in March, has now closed. The Spring Lane business shut last week after an event attended by snooker star Jimmy White. It was owned by Sharon Smyth John Hennessy, who also run Strikes Ten Pin Bowling Memberships

WHILE Jai Stanley goes under the knife tomorrow Worcester City will endeavour to put visiting Welling United to the sword and clock up their first league double of the season. Victory will be all the more sweet for John Barton and Co as they commence

GETTING money and land for affordable housing will be a key challenge for Festival Housing Group in the months ahead, says its chief executive. Guy Weston, speaking after the publication of the group's annual review, said the group has to be part of the

MARK Allen's dazzling debut has given Bromsgrove Rovers boss George Rooney cause for optimism in a bleak week which saw James Dyson break his leg. The Birmingham City loan player starred in Monday's 3-1 League Cup win at Cinderford and Rooney has the

EVESHAM United manager Dave Busst has completed two more signings ahead of tomorrow's trip to Ilkeston Town (3pm). Busst snapped up Redditch United striker Lee Ross and former Robins defender Steve Hands from Studley last night. Both should to play tomorrow

* (I) indicates Internet entries THE following each won a video of Bewdley in the recent competition: WJ Caldwell, Marlpool Lane, Kidderminster; J Jordan, Shrewsbury Road, Kidderminster; D Kennedy, Wilton Avenue, Kidderminster; G Riches, Bowbrook Close

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers continue their Nationwide League Division Three relegation battle on Sunday by putting their improving away record under the microscope at York City. Harriers are just three points from the drop zone but have been boosted recently

LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (12A) This is what fans have all been waiting for - the final part of the epic trilogy based on the novels of JRR Tolkein. (See review). Odeon, Worcester (10.50, 11.50, 3.00, 4.00, 7.10, 8.10 Fri-Tues), (10.00

Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra will perform a seasonal concert at the Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham. The orchestra will be joined by the Leckhampton Junior School Choir for the concert, which will include performances of works by Faure, Grieg, Bizet

PRESERVING the sweet, soaring music of Worcester Cathedral is obviously something Chris Tarrant holds dear to his heart. But, as the legendary TV quizmaster and former Kings' schoolboy prepares to visit the awesome landmark for the first time in 20 years

A MALVERN Town team, showing a number of changes from the side that hammered seven goals past Dudley Town on Saturday, moved into the second round of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup with this comfortable victory against a young Bromsgrove side at the

MALVERN Town maintained their seven point lead at the top of the West Midlands League Premier Division table with this emphatic victory at Dudley on Saturday. DUDLEY TOWN 1, MALVERN TOWN 7 It was Lee Hooper who opened the scoring for Town in the 18th

THE first-ever European Indoor Rowing Championships were held at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin in Paris on Sunday. At least 20 different countries were represented, with nearly 1800 athletes taking part. Around 40 British competitors travelled to Paris

I AM totally in favour of Tony Blair's plan for education. Ireland is one of the most preferable locations for investment in Europe and it is especially preferable for U.S. investors, because it has a higher proportion of young people in third level education

THE Meningitis Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank readers for helping Focus DIY stores raise a fantastic £21,121 towards the Support for Life appeal. Stores across the UK held fun days in September and raised an amazing £100,000 nationwide

I WAS disturbed to read some weeks ago of a contributor saying he found it impossible - and therefore too dangerous - to keep his eyes on the road while driving as well as checking on his speedometer. It must take courage to confess in the pages of a

MANAGER John Barton will be forced to reshuffle his pack as Worcester City bid for a hat-trick of league wins tomorrow. The St George's Lane club entertain Welling United (3pm) harbouring doubts over full-back Allan Davies, while record signing Jai Stanley

AFTER gorging yourself on turkey and Christmas pud, all you feel like doing is slumping on to the sofa to stare at your new Simpsons socks, obligatory bubble bath and video box set. There's also the option of settling down in front of the hundredth re-run

PROVIDING they have been good, residents can rest assured Santa will visit the Spa this year - he's just had his sleigh serviced. Each year, Droitwich Spa Round Table members take Santa around the streets of Droitwich in his illuminated sleigh to meet

A FAST food seller who deliberately drove his car at a rival in a burger bar 'war' on a Droitwich car park has been convicted by a jury. Mark Doe flew into a rage when he found Anthony Astle had been given his pitch on the DFS furniture superstore site

A LOOK at what was on sale for Christmas a century ago is available in the Malvern News of 1903, which devoted several columns to local shops and their festive stock. Most of the shops are now long gone, of course, but one exception is Brays, which was

The Bee-Man of Orn by Frank R Stockton, illustrated by PJ Lynch (Walker Books, £12.99) ARE you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin. This is one of those huge, hard-backed, lavishly illustrated children's books which tells a tale never to be forgotten

Dec 6-23: A Christmas Gift from the Elgar Birthplace Museum: Free Admission. A craft fair is being held on December 6, in the Carice Elgar Room in the Elgar Centre, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath. All welcome. For further details telephone 01905 333224

Until Dec 19: Malvern Art Club presents an exhibition of original Christmas Designs in the Sir Barry Jackson Room (next to the CAB Building) Grange Road, Malvern. Entry Free. Artists cards on sale. Mince pies & coffee and lots of Christmas cheer.

Dec 22/23: Cathedral Carol Service at Worcester Cathedral. For further details telephone 01905 28854/21004. Dec 23: The English Symphony Orchestra is giving a candlelit concert of Handel's magnificent oratorio, Messiah, at The Forum, Malvern Theatres.

Dec 19-Feb 1: Cinderella starring Julian Clary, Dave Benson Phillips, Henry Luxemburg and Rosemary Ashe at Birmingham Hippodrome. Box office: 0870 730 1234. Dec 20: A Surprise for Farmer Christmas at The Norbury Theatre, Friar Street, Droitwich Spa. Box

AS we know to horrendous effect, the roads of Britain are now crammed with millions of cars and other motor vehicles, but it's all a far cry from the highway scene a century ago when genuine horse-power was still the most widely used form of transportation

1803:The prisoners in our county gaol return thanks for £2 from a lady unknown and also for 80lbs of beef sent them by a gentleman. And the prisoners in our city gaol likewise send grateful thanks to the Lord Bishop of Worcester for one guinea. 1903:

MUCH was being done with flowers, trees and shrubs to beautify the railway stations of the Midlands at this time 100 years ago, according to Berrow's Journal for this week of December 1903. "The Great Western Railway prides itself on its stations. For

MIKE Foster popped up in the Commons to remind us of the joy of the "planted" question. Spotting Peter Luff was first on the order paper for health questions, he made his own way to the chamber of the Commons. Peter asked about the finances of the local

AUTOMOTIVE repair specialists, ChipsAway International, based on Hoo Farm Industrial Estate, Kidderminster, has launched an operation in Greece. Managing director Steve Bignall said there was high demand for automotive repairs in Greece. The firm, established

BANK of Scotland Business Banking has strengthened its local team with the appointment of Ken Bate as new business director for Hereford and Worcester. A motorcycle enthusiast, Mr Bate, aged 42, from Malvern, has 25 years corporate banking experience.

HEREFORDSHIRE workers are trailing behind their national counterparts when it comes to wages. Workers in Herefordshire earn an average salary of £19,667, which is £5,074 less than the national average and the biggest shortfall in the country, according

THIS walk through meadows on the edge of town begins beside the River Teme, probably the loveliest of Worcestershire's rivers. The meadows beside the Teme here are known as Powick Hams and have been grazed for centuries. Sheep and ponies roam the Hams

WYRE Forest is one of the UK's largest surviving oak woods and much of it is protected as a National Nature Reserve, managed by English Nature. But it's not just about trees. Historically, the forest has always consisted of a mosaic of different habitats

Oldbury Park Primary - 49493302

This walk got off to an encouraging start, with the footpaths heading north from Leigh Sinton proving to be the very model of what cross-field paths should be. Typically, it was too good to last and plans to include the lovely countryside around Coles

YES, I remember Adlestrop" is the first line of a poem written by Edward Thomas after a journey from Paddington to Ledbury in June, 1914. You will surely remember Adlestrop too after passing through it on this lovely walk. Thomas had only a glimpse of