EXISTING universities are trying to block Worcester's attempt to win its own fully-fledged university - writes James Slack from the House of Commons. But Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge has vowed to forge ahead with a controversial review which
A MAN who set fire to his own home was depressed after he heard a friend was dying from cancer, Worcester Crown Court heard. Leslie Davies phoned the fire brigade from a public callbox and said he was trapped in a flat fire. He then returned to his home
SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's has decided to submit written evidence to outline its objections to Worcester's Local Plan. Representatives from the chain, which wants to build a store on the site of St John's Leisure Centre, have handed their portfolio
MANY of the most common diseases are well publicised and the public often know how to reduce the risk of falling foul of them. This is not the case with prostate cancer, however. Almost 22,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with this disease every year,
AN epileptic fit by a driver may have caused the crash in which her elderly mother-in-law died, an inquest has heard. Pauline Rodgers, aged 70, was on her way to the Cotswolds towns of Broadway and Moreton-in-Marsh with her mother-in-law Elsie Rodgers
A WOMAN wrongly fined five times for allegedly dodging the London congestion charge has received a letter of apology. Alison Chedgzoy was stunned to receive the fines because she had not been to the capital for 15 years. Mrs Chedgzoy was first fined for
BOGUS officials conned their way into the house of an elderly woman but ran off empty-handed. Two men claiming to be from the water board convinced the woman to allow them in her home. They searched the house on Ransom Avenue, Cherry Orchard, Worcester
CHILDREN put television presenter Adam Henson through his paces when he came to Worcester to promote green issues. Adam Henson, who appears on the BBC's rural affairs show Countryfile, spoke to pupils and their headteachers about waste and energy at a
MRS Diana Preece retires on March 31 from the post of clerk to Bosbury and Coddington Parish Council, which she has served for 30 years. Recently the parish council made a presentation to Diana in appreciation of and gratitude for her dedication, efficiency
JUMBLE sale on Saturday, April 5 starting at 2pm in Castlemorton Parish Hall. Plenty of jumble as usual with many good bargains, cakes, raffle and teas. For details of delivery of jumble please ring (01684) 833339.
THE annual parish assembly in March attracted a number of parishioners who took the opportunity to express their views on a range of local issues, including the speed of vehicles on the B4211, parking outside the school, footpaths, crime and Neighbourhood
THIS Sunday, the Mothering Sunday service for both churches is being held at St Mary's Guarlford at 11am. Madresfield Court gardens are open this Sunday for Daffodil Sunday between 2pm and 5pm. Come and enjoy the masses of daffodils and early blossom,
LAST Saturday, the Village Hall echoed to the swish and slurp of over 40 wine tasters swilling a variety of red and white wines. Lest you think that Bacchus had taken over, let me assure you that all was decorum and most of the samples ended up down the
GRAND spring jumble sale tomorrow (Saturday) at 2pm in Berrow Village Hall. Raffle, bric-a-brac and jumble, usual stalls. Proceeds for Pendock Playgroup Outdoor Scheme. Contact Judi Dallimore on (01531) 650258, if you have any donations or need further
PLEASE don't forget that nominations for the parish council election on May 1 have to be in by April 1. Anyone who is a registered elector of the parish, who has lived or worked in the parish for the last 12 months or who owns property in the parish is
MALVERN Academy of Arts is enrolling students for spring and summer courses. Introduction to drawing, colour and painting will take place on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10am and 12.30pm. A series of evening classes will be start ing on Monday, April
ART classes for beginners or experienced painters have increased due to demand in Malvern. Ian Fearnside's classes have been running for the past two years and due to added interest he is now offering regular classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
A STUDENT from Malvern College has won second prize in a countywide arts and crafts competition. Samuel Muluka, aged 17, submitted a sculpture entitled Four Heads to the Sixth Form Arts Awards, organised by the Malvern Hills Decorative and Fine Arts Society
PRIME Minister Tony Blair admitted last night that the war in Iraq might well go on for a long, long time. The only surprise to us is that his frank assessment appears to have come as a surprise to millions of onlookers - and not a few military commanders
UPTON'S only pharmacy could close and local GPs become swamped with patients if new industry regulations are approved, the town's pharmacist claims. Max Harris, of Talbot Cooper Chemists, will present a petition of more than 1,100 signatures to Sir Michael
A FATHER hit by a moped has said he is just thankful it was him and not his three-year-old daughter. Sean Sims, of Bluebell Close, Poolbrook said he was knocked over outside his house by a youngster riding a 50cc motorbike at full speed on the pavement
PEACE vigils, demonstrations and prayers to stop the war in Iraq are to continue in Malvern. Some churches are setting aside corners for prayer and the newly formed branch of the Stop the War Coalition is holding nightly vigils on Belle Vue Terrace. Tomorrow
FLORAL designer Carola Wilson will be giving a demonstration of designs for spring and Easter at Hanley Swan Village Hall. Design accessories will also be on sale at the event, which is on Tuesday at 7.45pm. Tickets are £8 to include wine and refreshments
A FIRE that engulfed part of the Malvern Hills may have been started deliberately. Police and fire officials remain suspicious as to the cause of the blaze, which raged from Saturday afternoon until Monday morning. About 70 firefighters and 12 engines
TALENTED youngsters are being sought to join Upton Youth Drama, known as the Peppercorns, when they start rehearsing for their new show soon. Musicians, dancers and actors are required for the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
A CONSERVATION project in Langland has been awarded a £118,00 lottery grant. Conservation group BCTV will receive the money over three years to pay for a "green gym". The scheme, one of only 32 around the country, will attempt to improve the mental and
THE West End premiere of Malvern Theatres' first major co-production in recent times has been received favourably by crowds and critics. Nic Lloyd, chief executive at the theatres, said newspaper reviews and advance ticket sales for King Lear have both
A BINGO evening is being held in Upton to raise money for the Friends of Beechwood. The event takes place at Beechwood, Holly Green, on Tuesday at 7pm. There will be a raffle and refreshments, and all proceeds will go towards the care of residents and
A SERVICE has been recorded for radio at Dyson Perrins High CE School to celebrate Mother's Day. Staff and pupils feature in the half hour programme being aired on BBC Radio Hereford & Worcester from 7am on Sunday. Headteacher Peter Buchanan said
SCHOOL Lane in Upton will be closed for resurfacing from the junction of Court Street to the junction with Minge Lane. No date has been set for the work but it will be during school holidays, over two days in the three months from Monday, April 14.
MALVERN Museum will re-open next month for the first time since thieves broke in and raided it. Its centuries-old door, which was badly damaged during the January break-in, has been repaired, although the exhibits stolen are still missing. Items worth
AN Upton-upon-Severn phone box threatened with removal by BT will now stay in the town. The kiosk on the Hanley Road car park was earmarked for removal as part of a national rationalisation scheme. BT records showed the box was one of two call boxes on
MUMS and toddlers threw a party for a Malvern health visitor who is moving on. About 30 visitors to St Mary's Hall, Langlands presented Margaret Gorman with a cake and gifts on Friday. Ms Gorman helped set up the mothers and toddlers group six years ago
I AM a registered disabled person and a frequent caller at both the Court Road Surgery and the Victoria Road Health Centre and I would like to say how nice it would be if the Court Road Surgery, in particular, could be removed to a more convenient site
I am writing to express my concern over irresponsible teenage children and the use of scooters. I have had to call the police out on occasions. A few weeks ago they raced up and down the Guarlford Road in the dark on a bike with no exhaust or lights.
Churches Together in Mal-vern is hoping to secure funding for a Christian youth worker. Parishioners are being asked to put forward their views on the issue at the next parish annual general meeting in Malvern's Christ Church on April 7. Before the meeting
The stormy pubic meeting at Malvern last week illustrated the importance of the word "care". An uncaring approach will always lead to complaints from those who need the care - the patients. South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust should give priority
ANGRY Bransford businesspeople claim a road closure is costing them thousands in lost trade. The A4103 between Hereford and Worcester, which runs through the village, is currently shut while a £674,000 road-raising scheme is carried out. Garage owner
IN response to Sean Kirtley's letter (Your Letters, March 21) in which he encouraged his own children to take part in an anti-war 'walk-out', I wonder if he has bothered to give them the full facts. True enough, war is an awful situation, but the citizens
CORIN Redgrave is to appear in his one man show in Bromyard. Mr Redgrave's Blunt Speaking dramatises the thoughts of spy Anthony Blunt. Tickets for the show, at 7.30pm on Sunday, cost £12. All proceeds from the event, at the Conquest Theatre, go towards
YOUR readers really must stop moaning about their Council Tax and learn to look on the bright side. At the present rate of progress, the D band Council Tax should hit the £2,000 mark in no time at all. When that happens there is a remote chance (I put
FAIRTRADE Fortnight has just come to an end. On behalf of the Malvern Fairtrade Group I would like to thank all those who helped to make it such a success. The Mayor of Malvern, Coun Frances Victory hosted a splendid coffee morning where not only was
KEMPSEY United Reserves earned a trip to Morgan Aero 8 when they defeated visitors Fromes Hill 3-1 in the second round of the Soccer Site Malvern League's President's Cup. In a game which had to be restaged following the abandonment of the original tie
OAPS in the Malvern area are being offered a chance to cut their heating and lighting bills. Free work will be carried out by a handyperson as part of a scheme run jointly by Malvern Hills District Council, the Worcestershire Energy Efficiency Advice
Coun Alec Wall (Your Letters, March 21) appears to be suffering from a bad case of selective memory. If the Liberal Democrats in 1997-98 were so reckless and irresponsible, as he implies in his letter, how come the then Tory/Rural group supported the
THE first of a limited edition set of glass water flasks has been presented to the Queen by Malvern Spa Association. Carly Tinkler, chairman of the association, has presented the pilgrim flask to Steve Dunn, the Queen's protection officer at Buckingham
IT is with a very heavy heart that I write to you with regard to the short-sighted, selfish and uncompromising people who have voiced unjustified concern over Castlemorton Common and the possibility of introducing cattle grids. I live on Castlemorton
CONCESSIONARY bus fares for men in the Malvern Hills are being reduced by five years from Tuesday. The reduction in the age limit for men to 60 brings them in line with the eligibility age for women. Malvern Hills District Council will be welcoming applications
BLACKHEATH TOWN 3, MALVERN RANGERS 1 RANGERS travelled to Oldbury United's ground on Saturday to play Blackheath Town, newcomers to the West Midlands Division One South. Despite the home team being third in the table and contesting runners-up position
FREDERICK White (Your Letters, March 21) raises so many baffling points about the planning problems to do with the Crown Inn in Cradley, I don't know where to start. Public houses are now recognised as having a crucial role to play in the development
MALVERN RADAR 0, MARTLEY SPURS RESERVES 0 THERE were no goals at Victoria Park last Sunday in a match best described as average. The drying uneven pitch caused the ball to bounce a little higher than usual and immediate control was needed to create anything
AT the same time as announcing job losses, one of Malvern's leading high-tech companies has also signed a deal with a top German firm. Malvern Instruments has closed its machine shop with the loss of eight jobs. Paul Walker, the firm's managing director
A DIAMOND necklace is just one of a host of goodies being auctioned in aid of St John Ambulance. The necklace, worth £250, has been donated by Parry's the Jewellers of Malvern to raise money for life saving equipment. It will join 100 other lots including
A PUBLIC meeting over plans to construct a new slip road onto the M50 has been called by Worcester-shire County Council. Local people will have an opportunity to comment on the plans, which would see a new road built from the A438 Ledbury to Tewkesbury
FARM safety in Herefordshire has been criticised after an inspection blitz at 85 farms yielded "disappointing" results. A series of enforcement notices have been issued after a team of nine Health and Safety Executive inspectors embarked on a whistle-stop
A DATE is in sight for restoration work on Little Malvern Priory to begin, following a major fundraising campaign. Over the last two years, Friends of Little Malvern Priory have raised £194,000 to restore the 830-year-old church. An additional grant of
A TWISTED ankle didn't stop a group of determined youngsters hobbling around Malvern, chained together, to raise money for charity. Eight 15- and 16-year-olds from Dyson Perrins CE High School dressed as cops and robbers, pulled in £625 towards a trip
STAFF will be dressing up as Wizard of Oz characters to celebrate the first birthday of a local pet centre. Face painting, a best hero competition, fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind and a host of other activities will be taking place at Wilsons
THIS week's 'Youthful Vision' conference at Hereford was at times depressing to listen to and for educationalists should have been an uncomfortable experience. Many of the youngsters who spoke had serious criticisms of the educational system. Careers
WHEN Diana Walker first thought about taking part in a charity bike ride she had not been on a bike for 40 years. Keen however to take part, initially had the idea of walking the mammoth distance, until she decided to make a leap of faith and get back
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have signed midfielder Hugh McAuley from Cheltenham Town until the end of the season. The 25-year-old is expected to make his debut in tomorrow's Division Three clash at Macclesfield Town. McAuley joined Cheltenham in a £20,000
A CONTROVERSIAL attempt to turn a stable block into housing has been thwarted by Malvern Hills District Council planners. The stables, at Brook Farm Drive in Welland, were the subject of a planning application to turn them into a one-bedroom house. Last
HEREFORD United's promotion push will succeed or fail at Edgar Street beginning with Margate's visit tomorrow (3pm). The Bulls have six games remaining and with four at home are still well positioned to stake a claim for a Nationwide Conference play-off
A CONTROVERSIAL Malvern play area is to remain open after an eventful meeting of Malvern Town Council. About 70 residents living near the Avon Close play area crammed into the council's headquarters on Monday to hear the decision on its future. One resident
MICK Tuohy believes Worcester City have the mental strength to emerge from a poor run of results and finish the season strongly. City's assistant manager admits to being puzzled by their dip in form but with professional pride at stake is confident the
CAMPAIGNERS will be highlighting what they say is cruelty to mother pigs tomorrow (Saturday) in Great Malvern. As part of a national protest co-ordinated by vegetarian group Viva! the campaign is dubbed Unhappy Mother's Day. Forty two demonstrations are
BO Henriksen and Scott Stamps look set for a place in Kidderminster Harriers' starting line-up for tomorrow's Nationwide League Division Three clash against relegation-haunted Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose (3pm). Both have made substitute appearances
STRIKERS Mark Shepherd and Wes Joyce will return to boost Evesham United's attack ahead of tomorrow's Dr Martens Western Division trip to Shepshed Dynamo (3pm). Keeper Tim Hart could also feature after missing the Robins' midweek victory against Moor
* (I) indicates Internet entries WINNERS of a pair of tickets to the Miniature spring exhibition at the NEC were: Mrs Baulk, Franche Road, Kidderminster; Paula Baylis, Loynells Road, Rednal (I); Brian Brooke, Aylestone Lane, Leicester (I); Mary Charlish
THE Manor Park hosted Billy Clifford Memorial tournament was won by Allan Homfray who defeated last year's winner Guy Rutter 3-0 in an entertaining final. This was an excellent game with the score in each game being very close. Allan just managed to win
A RECORD entry of 56 players took part in the 21st Annual Malvern Area Junior Chess Congress at The Downs School, Colwall on Saturday. Players aged from six to 18 years, competed in six age-group competition which had a gruelling eight round series of
THE ladies section at the Worcestershire Golf Club continues to flourish and over 50 competitors played in the monthly stableford competition. Sadly, the lady captain Kate Foster was not one of the competitors as she is recovering from a severe Achilles
THE CORE (12A): Hilary Swank plays Major Rebecca 'Beck' Childs, the navigator of a space shuttle who manages to beat NASA's computers to save an out-of-control space shuttle. Instead of being hailed as heroes, Childs and pilot Commander Robert Iverson
There will be a Herefordshire Youth Music Concert at Colwall Village Hall on Monday from 7.30pm. Jazz bands from the Ledbury area, including youngsters from the John Masefield High School, will come under the baton of Marie Oldland. Proceeds will be in
MALVERN A XV 46pts, WORCESTER WANDERERS XV 21pts A MIXED Malvern side played a Worcester Wanderers team, which included many first XV players, at Spring Lane on Saturday and were tested for long periods before running out fairly easy winners. Sam Hardcastle
MALVERN U17s 42pts, KIDDERMINSTER 12pts MALVERN ran out comfortable winners of a match dogged by injury and late withdrawals. For the first 20 minutes both sides matched each other in attack and defence until Malvern number eight Jason Tolley broke from
WORLD indoor rowing champion Anna Bailey from Hanley Swan was in splendid form at the Cambridge Indoor Rowing Championships last Saturday. The championships, at the Q-ton Fitness Centre, provided rowers with the only opportunity in the year to compete
THE Mercian Elgar Junior Football League is already making plans for next season and increasing its commitment to girl's football. Chairman George Silverman said: "Following the successful introduction of girl's football this season, we intend to extend
LAST week marked the anniversary of Saddam Hussein's attack on his own people, using chemical and gas weapons on innocent men, women and children. It was with no small amount of incredulity that I witnessed a "protest" march consisting of school truants
MALVERN Town entertain Wolverhampton Casuals tomorrow (Saturday) in an Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division fixture and Town have to win if they are sustain any chance of promotion to the Midlands Alliance. Town, whose Langland Stadium
REALISING that Government plans to build millions more houses would fire local Nimby groups into orbit, the Government has destroyed the freedom of local councils to prevent over-development. Having successfully castrated the ability of the people to
I FIND it refreshing to know that among the usual armchair generals that regularly contribute to this column on the war in Iraq, there are still opposing individuals who are prepared to stand up and be counted. I'm referring, of course, to Councillor
AFTER nearly two years of hard work moving Arden Sailing Club to its outstanding new venue the club is pleased to concentrate once more on actual sailing. The early season fleet has consisted mainly of Enterprises with the odd Solo and Topper. They have
YOUR ignorance as an editor has become evident by your front page story headlined Saddam Blitz. Of course he hasn't been harmed or injured in the slightest, whereas the thousands of Iraqis already suffering will be killed by this act of genocide. You
THE Upton-upon-Severn annual charity fun run is being held on Sunday, April 27 at 10am. Runners can choose between a three mile and a five mile route, with both races starting and finishing at Hanley Castle HS. The event raises money for the Acorns Children's
JOHN Barton will make a second bid to sign a midfielder today ahead of Worcester City's home clash with Weymouth tomorrow (3pm). The St George's Lane manager has already had one bid for the unnamed player snubbed, but remains keen to strengthen his squad
MICK Tuohy believes Worcester City have the mental strength to emerge from a poor run of results and finish the season strongly. City's assistant manager admits to being puzzled by their dip in form but with professional pride at stake is confident the
MONTY Python is always going to be funny. No matter how many years go by, it survives. But it very nearly didn't. Back in the early 70s when the Pythons had just completed the third series, all the tapes of the show were due to be deleted by the BBC,
LIVERPOOL, the Picasso caf, some time in the 60s. Bob Dylan is worrying about his career over a cappuccino with the poet Roger McGough. Fortunately 'Rog' is on hand to deliver some sage advice: "Forget the folksy stuff and go electric. Get yourself a
A BOOK dealer from the Malvern area is looking for more information about a series of unique handmade magazines dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jonathan Gibbs, for many years proprietor of the Malvern Bookshop on the Priory Steps
Lenten Cantata by G F Handel at St Gabriel's Church, Hanley Swan. April 10: Hereford Concert Society presents Nicholas Daniel and Julius Drake, at The Courtyard, Hereford. Box office 01432 359252. April 11&12: L'elisir d'amore (The Love Potion) at
MALVERN Theatres has announced the big names behind its new season. Theatre Royal Bath and Carl Rosa Opera are among the companies bring productions to Malvern and stars include Patrick Stewart, Sue Johnston, Twiggy, Elaine Page, Liza Goddard and Lesley
Theatre March Until 29-The Duchess of Malfi at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. 2.30pm & 8pm. £14-£22. Box Office (01684) 892277. 28-Mort by Terry Pratchet presented by Dymock Amateur Dramatic Society at Dymock Parish Hall. 7.30pm. £4, £2.50
EUROPEAN regulations are costing British business £8bn a year, according to the Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The cost to British business of new regulation has risen to more than £20bn, up £6bn on last year, it says. According
A RECRUITMENT drive in Droitwich, which has already secured 100 full-time jobs, now promises to deliver a further 60 part-time posts. The Mortgage Group, a mortgage advice centre, which was officially opened on Monday, originally started with 30 staff
A LIFE on the tiles could be a prosperous future for Worcester youngsters. Up to 1,000 job places need to be filled in the West Midlands' roof sheeting and cladding industry during the next three years, according to the National Construction College Midlands
MALVERN TOWN 0, HEATH HAYES 2 MALVERN Town crashed to a shock Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division defeat, against mid-table Heath Hayes at the Langland Stadium on Saturday. In game where Town never really got into their stride, they
A SHOCKED woman is lucky to be alive today after surviving two night-time arson attacks. Susan Brennan was preparing for bed when a plastic container full of flammable liquid was set alight and pushed through the letterbox of her home in Linksview Crescent
FORMER Worcester Mayor Frank Poole and his wife Jane were celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary today with their bridesmaid of 50 years ago. And they have asked all their guests to a planned party not to give them gifts - but to make a donation
THE moat surrounding an historic Worcestershire house was not enough to ward off thieves who broke in to steal treasured possessions. They used a small boat to gain access to Madresfield Court near Malvern. Having broken into the home, which dates from
THE journey from Worcester to Birmingham involves a climb of about 122m (400ft) from the Worcestershire plain to the Birmingham plateau. It does not sound much and it does not look much - in fact, most of us probably don't even notice it. Nevertheless
MANAGERS of Worcester's troubled £96m hospital have been accused of a cynical attempt to beat Government waiting time targets. Independent MP Dr Richard Taylor said a ward used for storage on the hospital's Newtown site had just been re-opened. Dr Taylor
THE family of a man who died while serving a life sentence for the murder of his ex-lover has vowed to carry on fighting to clear his name, despite his appeal being rejected. Harold "Ginger" Williams was jailed in November 1977 for killing Hereford woman
WEB designers at the Diocese of Hereford are calling for the Muslim militants who hacked into their site to contact them. Four video stills, two showing fatally injured children, appeared on the site after the Bishop of Hereford announced his support
SINCE the 1997 General Election campaign, Fran Richman has been dubbed Worcester Woman. In a regular feature, she discusses her thoughts on recent developments in the war in Iraq. "The shocking incident of the two British soldiers, who were apparently
THE emergency planning in Worcestershire is as good as anywhere in the country, according to one of the region's health experts. Dr David Kirrage, a consultant in communicable disease control for South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said the county's
A PEACE vigil against war in Iraq is due to be held by members of Amnesty International outside Worcester Cathedral tomorrow. The focus will be placed on human rights issues says Alexander Woodward, chairman of the group's Worcester branch. He is calling
RESIDENTS in and around Wyre Piddle will be able to see how the village would be affected by a proposed road closure when plans go on display at a public exhibition. Since the opening of the £5m Wyre Piddle Bypass, in December, some through traffic has
A RESIDENTS' group is to consult with people who live in a sheltered housing complex in Worcester, following the destruction of a 75ft-long fence. The Riverside Residents Group will ask people who live in St Clement's Sheltered Accommodation for their
A TERRIFIED newspaper girl was left with singed hair after a youth tried to set it alight. The girl was on her newspaper round in Kidderminster when four boys aged between 14 to 16 ran off with her paper trolley. When she chased after them they set fire
A MAN was hit in the face with a piece of metal and had his wallet stolen. The man, in his 20s, was walking home along a footpath that joins Waterfield Road in Hereford when he was approached by a man who demanded money. When the victim refused, he was
A POLICE officer has swapped her truncheon and boots for a pair of trainers to raise vital funds for a leading children's charity. Det Con Annie Hamer from Worcester division's domestic violence unit is aiming to complete the London Marathon with Reality
RAIL travel ground to a halt this morning as train guards took part in the first of a series of one-day strikes. Central Trains made arrangements for tickets to be used on bus services. Cross-country services run by Virgin Trains were the most badly affected
BORED teenagers in Stourport-on-Severn are being given the chance to have a go at challenging activities at the town's youth centre which is undergoing a facelift. Young people, aged 13-19, have already tried out quad trekking, go-karting, archery, paintballing
EMPTY packets of painkillers were found next to an elderly widow discovered dead in bed by one of her daughters. Augusta Cale, aged 88, was found at her home in Kingsbury Road, St John's, Worcester, on Monday morning. A post mortem failed to find a cause
THIS Sunday, beginning at 10am, we will be celebrating Mothers Day at our parish church. The service will be conducted by local children from our benefice who will be reading suitable items with mums in mind. We will also be treated to singing by the
DEADLINE day signing Hugh McAuley is set to make his debut in Kidderminster Harriers' vital Division Three visit to Macclesfield. The versatile midfielder or forward has signed from Division Two strugglers Cheltenham until the end of the season. A prolific
CONGRATULATIONS to Irene and Ray Barker of Kings End Road, Powick on celebrating their diamond wedding last weekend in Swindon with their family and friends. They met at a dance while Ray was with the RAF in Hereford and Irene was in the WAAF. Ray worked
MOTHERING Sunday will be celebrated at St James Church, Staunton on Sunday by the united benefice of Hartpury, Corse, Staunton and Maisemore with the traditional cake making by Canon John Evans and his eager band of helpers - the children! The cake will
An important note for your diary this week is 7.30pm on Monday, April 14. This is the evening that the parish council has arranged for an open parish meeting to discuss, and debate, the possible cattle-grids (and the necessary ancillary fencing of the
The public toilets at the Dingle 'bus terminus' are likely to be closed and demolished within the next few months. This follows the recent decision by Malvern Hills District Council, as a cost-saving measure, to no longer to maintain the toilets. The
PAINTINGS of bygone Malvern by an eminent transport artist form part of a new range of coasters from a local company. The artwork by Much Marcle's Eric Bottomley appears on a set of coasters, placemats and mousemats manufactured by The Coaster Company
ARTISTS concerned about the plight of prisoners of conscience are organising an exhibition to raise funds for Amnesty International. The free show, at the Friends' Meeting House in Orchard Road, Malvern, is being jointly organised by Malvern branches
AS a crafts group based in the Three Counties you know you are succeeding when you receive membership enquiries from Glasgow. That is what has happened with one local group, which will show off its wares in Malvern's Lyttelton Rooms on Saturday, April
KIT car fanatics will have the opportunity to attend Malvern Kit Cars and Specials Club meetings. The monthly meetings will commence today (Friday) at the Marlbank, Welland, and will continue on the last Friday of every month throughout the summer, until
HORTICULTURAL ideas, personalities and designs galore have been bedded in to the programme for this year's Spring Gardening Show. Last May's event attracted a record 88,000 visitors to the Three Counties Show-ground, and organisers have added new events
EVENTS at the Three Counties Showground this week include Rottweiler and flat coated Retriever dog shows tomorrow (Saturday) and a toy fair on Sunday. The Queen's stallion Balmoral Dee will be parading at the showground during the WM Stallion show on
ALLURING wood and metalwork designs are now being turned out at Bransford's Foal Yard Gallery thanks to the arrival of two new artists. Sharon McSwiney has moved there from Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, where she worked for 12 years, to set up a workshop
FANS of the Dymock poets gathered together for a daffodil walk near the village. As part of a spring weekend of events organised by the Friends of the Dymock Poets, about 40 people strolled through wild meadows on Saturday. Chairman of the group Roy Palmer
MALVERN Town are holding a fund-raising race night in the social club next Saturday (April 5), first race is at 6pm. Tomorrow (Saturday) supporters are reminded that the England European Championship qualifier against Litchinstein will be show live in
MALVERN Town entertain Wolverhampton Casuals tomorrow (Saturday) in an Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division fixture and Town have to win if they are sustain any chance of promotion to the Midlands Alliance. Town, whose Langland Stadium
BILLED as the next Harry Potter, and commanding a six-figure advance, Inven-ting Elliot certainly has a lot to live up to. Graham Gardner's novel about a youngster confronting bullying at school and unhappiness at home is a world away from Hog-warts.
PERFORMING a play written four centuries beforehand can be very difficult to do well. For a start, language can be a barrier for anyone unfamiliar with the play or the literature of the time. Society has changed almost beyond recognition, so translating
A FIREFIGHTER used his first aid skills to save the life of a choking woman during a dramatic roadside incident. Sheina Stockton, aged 48, from Upton, has paid tribute to the calmness with which Ledbury-based Andy Phillips went about the rescue. Mr Phillips
POTENTIAL sites have emerged that could allow two Malvern surgeries to move to new, modern facilities without having to leave the centre of town. Surgeries that have outgrown their premises at Court Road and Victoria Park want to move to a combined base
LADY Morrison has issued an appeal for help following a burglary at Madresfield Court. The historic home near Malvern was broken into and items of sentimental value stolen. The Morrison family is appealing to the public to help the police locate the stolen
THERE is no provision in the law for establishing an alcohol-free zone in Upton, town councillors have heard. Police would like such a zone to be created to combat alcohol-related anti-social behaviour by youths, but councillors are opposed to the idea
THE popular Kids Kapers play scheme will operate in Upton once again over the Easter holidays. Among the attractions is a visit from Vale Wildlife, which will be bringing animals to the Hill Centre, where the scheme is being run. There will also be the
A HOTLINE for reporting anti-social behaviour has been set up in Malvern. The moves follows the introduction of a community safety officer by Malvern Hills District Council. Mark Mckay, a former Soho police officer, is building up a complaints system
IT is time to dust off the trainers as preparations begin for the fifth Upton-upon-Severn annual fun run. The race takes place at, and will raise money for, Hanley Castle High School. Some of the money raised will also go to the Acorns Children's Hospice
A DRIVER was airlifted to hospital and a main road closed for three hours following an accident just outside Upton-upon-Severn. A collision involving a grey Nissan saloon, a red Peugeot 307 estate and a white Ford Transit van occurred on the A38 at Ryall
AN attempt to discuss selling Malvern Town Council's offices has ended in dispute. A motion by town councillor Adrian Ward for the council to consider either selling or leasing out the building was on the agenda for Monday's full council meeting. However
UPTON Arts Music Group will present a concert by St Mary's Convent School, Worcester tomorrow (Saturday). Girls aged between 11 and 18 will perform works for choir, soloists and chamber groups at 7.30pm at Upton Memorial Hall. Entry is £4.50 on the door
REDUNDANT workers say they cannot claim income support despite having not been paid for eight weeks. The workers were employed by Global Digital Trading Ltd, formerly Retail Futures, on Malvern Hills Science Park, which has ceased trading. It operated
A SELL-out audience of 100 enjoyed Call My Antiques Bluff at Hanley Swan Village Hall and raised £780 for charity. Three experts entertained and bewildered with their descriptions of a variety of antiques, with the proceeds from the evening going to St
JAZZ singer Clare Teal will be performing with her quintet at Hanley Castle High School at 8pm on Friday, April 11. Tickets are £10, available from Pepperpot Print, High Street, Upton.
A COFFEE morning and bring and buy sale in aid of Earls Croome Church will take place at Earls Croome House tomorrow (Saturday) at 10.30am.
MONEY for improvements to St Ann's Well has still to find its way into the Malvern Hills Conservators' coffers. The Conservators received notice in November that they were to receive £30,000 from Heritage Lottery funds for landscaping work around the
ARTS groups throughout the area are to benefit from increased funding. The cash injection is part of a 21 per cent rise in spending by the Arts Council England's West Midlands office. One group which will benefit is Arts Alive. The Welsh theatre group
CULTURED Malvern Hills residents are being sought to join a high-powered regional consortium aiming to promote and stimulate creativity and change in the West Midlands. West Midlands Life, a body set up to develop and speak for the region's arts, tourism
SLAVERY, poverty and chocolate were focused on by Malvern Girls' College pupils at an educational day organised in association with Christian Aid. They explored issues of slavery in chocolate production and took part in role-playing exercises. These included
LANGLAND SPORTS 6, GOODREST SPORTS 1 LANGLAND Sports did not take this game lightly as Goodrest have had some good Worcester Saturday League Division One results lately. With some difficult games to come in the last third of the season Langland need to
NEW INN PERSHORE 2002 2, WEST MALVERN 2 WEST Malvern gave a much improved performance from the previous week and returned from Pershore with a creditable draw. The game opened brightly and the West were in front inside six minutes. New signing Derek Brown
HAS anyone thought that should the local medical profession remove themselves from Malvern Link and Barnards Green to a single site on Townsend Way, the population of Malvern Wells will be outside the three mile limit for registration with a doctor. We
A new water clock is to be unveiled in front of its inventor at Malvern Theatres tonight (Friday). French sculptor, designer and horologist, Bernard Gitton will watch as actress Janet McTeer unveils the clepsydra, commissioned to celebrate Malvern's aquatic
ANCHOR FALCONS 5, AFC NORTHWICK RES 0 ANCHOR Falcons completed their first double of the season in emphatic style on Sunday. Their goals came from a superb hat-trick from outstanding winger Rich Bryan and a brace for leading marksman Dave Jenkinson. Following
AT 64 years of age I still feel I am very much in the prime of my life. I recently acquired a border collie puppy, Frosty, who is now 14 months old. As the breed are originally working dogs they do need a lot of exercise. I thought this would be the perfect
A COLWALL woman's protest against the war in Iraq has drawn criticism from nearby residents. Dicken Justice-Courier has painted multicoloured slogans and signs on the side of her house overlooking Colwall Station. But locals say it is spoiling the look
REDDITCH UNITED 0, MALVERN LADIES FC 4 MALVERN Ladies travelled to Redditch United for a Wyvern Associates Cup game on Sunday. Malvern started brightly and kept the Redditch defence under continuous pressure. After 15 minutes a clearance from the home
The prophets of doom are once again circling like vultures over the future of Leadon Bank Care Home sowing fear and despondency among the elderly and the staff. The facts are the sale, privatisation or closure of Leadon Bank has never been proposed. A
FORTUNATELY, few people know what it is like to see other human beings killed or severely wounded. Most of us will never have to try to deal with the crushing guilt of surviving an enemy attack in which friends and colleagues died. But for many who return
MALVERN PREMIERS 3, EXPRESS 3 EXPRESS maintained their unbeaten record, stretching back to last November, but were disappointed to leave this game without all three points after leading for most of the game and playing the better football. Express made
A 'waste consultation document' was included in the Gazette a couple of weeks ago from Wocestershire County Council and Herefordshire Council. It was appallingly difficult to read - it seemed to be aimed at people with a waste management degree - not
WELLAND JUNIORS 4, SALFORD ROVERS 3 THE Glebe provided the perfect setting for an entertaining game between the fourth and fifth placed teams. The visitors had beaten Welland earlier in the season and when they went two goals up after just six minutes
CAN I appeal to the better nature of the person who, on Wednesday, March 12, between the hours of 9.15am and 4.45pm, whilst entering or leaving the parking spot next to the bottle bank in St Katherine's car park, Ledbury, collided with my wife's red Suzuki
TEENAGERS from the Malvern area were given the opportunity to tell an invited audience of "opinion-formers" about their vision for the future this week. They were speaking at 'A Youthful Vision 2020', a conference at Hereford's Courtyard Theatre on Tuesday
THE Mercian Elgar Junior Football League has released dates for its internal cup competition finals. The mini soccer finals will take place on Sunday, April 13 and the 11-a-side finals will be on Sunday, May 4. Both sets of final will be played at Langlands
SO, Westbury Homes has been given permission to knock down two houses and build 11 in New Street (Ledbury Reporter, March 7) and in return will make a "contribution" to the community. How big a contribution? Enough to buy 24 square yards of land? That
A PLAQUE commemorating the life and work of David Percy will be unveiled on Saturday. Mr Percy, who died in 1985, was a member of Colwall Parish Council, the Probus Club and Malvern Hills Conservators, all three of which arranged for the plaque with his
POULTRY farmers are being warned of a potential nightmare if an incurable bird disease spreads from Europe to the UK. Avian Influenza has caused havoc in Italy and a new strain spread from Germany to Holland within the last two weeks. Now experts are
A MALVERN woman who is raising funds for seriously ill children has beaten the target she set by nearly £3,000. Maureen Edwards, a retired teacher, needed to raise a minimum £2,750 in sponsorship to take part in a trek along China's Three Gorges. The
THIS weekend it's Mothering Sunday and throughout the country families will enjoy spoiling Mum for the day. In recent years there's been a growing popularity in celebrating this special Sunday with the giving of cards, flowers and chocolates and the treat
JOHN Barton will make a second bid to sign a midfielder today ahead of Worcester City's home clash with Weymouth tomorrow (3pm). The St George's Lane manager has already had one bid for the unnamed player snubbed, but remains keen to strengthen his squad
A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to put cattle grids on Castlemorton Common was due to be discussed this week by Malvern Hills Conservators. The plan has aroused a good deal of opposition from local residents on a number of grounds, including hazard to horses
ANURAG Singh scored an unbeaten century to help Worcestershire win their first match of their pre-season tour to Northern Transvaal in South Africa. Playing against a Limpopo Province Invitation XI in Polokwane, County skipper Ben Smith won the toss and
EASTER came early at a fundraising fair at Hillstone School in Malvern. On Saturday pupils from the school joined parents and teachers for a spring fair in the grounds. Children of all ages involved with Hillstone Dance Club joined together to show off
BROMSGROVE Rovers look set to fail in their bid to sign former Birmingham City striker Kevin Francis ahead of the transfer deadline next week. Joint manager Gary Hackett admitted that Rovers were interested in the 6ft 8in veteran but he seems unlikely
MALVERN 1, NEWENT 2 MALVERN entertained Newent in this friendly match and were unlucky to be on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline. In a even game it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 15th minute when the ball was crossed from the wing and
THE English Symphony Orchestra will be performing Bach's magnificent St Matthew Passion at Tewkesbury Abbey for Easter. The St Matthew Passion was composed for use at the Thomaskirche on Good Friday in 1729. Bach used the entire Passion story as it appears
A RARE chance to hear one of the world's foremost tenors is being offered at Malvern Theatres. Despite being in his early 30's, Ian Bostridge has already won two prestigious Gramo-phone Awards for his interpretations of Schubert. He only embarked on a
MALVERN RFC Saturday, March 29 1st XV v Barkers Butts (Home). Meet 1.30pm. Kick off 3pm. No 1 Dress code. Maroon shorts and socks. S Cooper, C Pemble, S Lancett, V Hill, C Smith, N Smith, T Ananndale, A Ridley, G Blakeway, D King, S Hardcastle, M Eastwood
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have signed midfielder Hugh McAuley from Cheltenham Town until the end of the season. The 25-year-old is expected to make his debut in tomorrow's Division Three clash at Macclesfield Town. McAuley joined Cheltenham in a £20,000
BO Henriksen and Scott Stamps look set for a place in Kidderminster Harriers' starting line-up for tomorrow's Nationwide League Division Three clash against relegation-haunted Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose (3pm). Both have made substitute appearances
A NEW type of sports extravaganza is being held for Malvern Hills youngsters during the Easter holidays. Sport Zone, organised by the district council, will give up to 120 youngsters, aged 11-13, from all over the district, the chance to receive expert
MR Partridge (You Say, Tuesday, March 18) asks "will any legal eagle take on my case where I am asking for £60,000 compensation?" He says he is "very depressed" at the way asylum seekers find us an easy touch and are so readily given thousands in compensation
HANLEY Castle HS are the queens of the netball court after they won the Malvern & District U13 netball tournament at The Chase. Unbeaten Hanley Castle defeated The Chase, Dyson Perrins, Malvern Girls' College and St James's. Their only blemish being
THE fourth and final round of the regional league of the National Cadet Team Championships for players aged under 15 was held at Ledbury Leisure Centre last Sunday. Six teams from Malvern, Evesham and Hereford had been battling it out since autumn of
I MUST apologise to Helen Donovan, (Unfair attack on Peter Luff, You Say, Friday, March 21) for my description of Mr Peter Luff MP and other local MPs as "gutless" over their stance on war with Iraq. In the case of the local Tory MPs, I should have described
MEDICS are swapping one theatre for another in the world premiere of a play at the Conquest Theatre in Bromyard. A Minor Operation was first written by Frank Ryding 13 years ago as a single act play for the Hereford Drama Festival. Now the anaesthetist
TV STAR Matthew Kelly makes his Malvern Theatres debut next week, when he stars in a new production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Putting the troubles of his immediate past well behind him, Kelly has launched himself with gusto into a touring version
A LITTLE piece of Malvern's history left the town recently when Joyce Lewis left her home in Steamer Point to move to Lancashire. Mrs Lewis is notable because she, her mother and brother were the first family in the area to become Jehovah's Wit-nesses
100 years ago Harold Betteridge, son of Mr Enock Betteridge, Link Farm, was summoned by PS Williams for removing pigs without a licence on March 2. The sergeant stated that he saw the defendant and some workmen driving four pigs along the Worcester Road
TWO railway bridges in Malvern were replaced in just 30 hours this week, fifty years ago. Work on the bridges, spanning Thirlstane Road and Woodshears Road, started at midnight on Saturday and finished at 6am on Monday. The project was carried out by
March 29:Ballroom and Sequence Dance, in aid of Leukaemia Research Fund 2003 at St John's Sports & Leisure Centre, featuring Keith Bell. For bookings please telephone Jacque on 01905 455265. March 29: Malvern Hills Rock and Roll Club, featuring The
Exhibition at Number 8, High Street, Pershore. For further details contact Charlotte Saunders on 01386 561906. April 12 - May 11: Cheltenham Schools Art at Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum. For further information telephone Julien Parsons on 01242 237431
Tonight: The Magnets, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury. March 29: Wayne Rivers, Sketchley's Social Club, Worcester; Gemma, Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester. March 30: Sean Smith, Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester; April 3: Comedy Zone, The
Until March 29: Gap Theatrical Productions Ltd present Go And Play Up Your Own End, featuring Malcolm Stent and Don Maclean at Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Box office 0870 607 7533 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk Until March 29: National Theatre present The
A TRAGEDY bursting with pent-up emotion, penned by a writer who himself became a tragic figure in Spanish literary history, is to go on stage in Malvern. Federico Garcia Lorca was born in 1898 near Grenada. He wrote poems as a teenager, reciting them
CHARLES Dickens' classic tale Great Expectations will soon be transported to the stage at Malvern Theatres. The award-winning Unicorn Theatre brings to life a new adaptation by playwright John Gifford, aimed at children aged nine to 14. Viewed through
BOSBURY Players are looking for chorus members and back-stage helpers for their new production. The group will stage Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers at Bosbury Village Hall on December 3, 4, 5 and 6. Anyone interested in taking part is welcome to
ANURAG Singh scored an unbeaten century to help Worcestershire win their first match of their pre-season tour to Northern Transvaal in South Africa. Playing against a Limpopo Province Invitation XI in Polokwane, County skipper Ben Smith won the toss and
ONE of Worcester's oldest law firms is expanding its insolvency and litigation department with the appointment of a new associate. Harrison Clark Solicitors, which turns 100 this year, has appointed Mike Gilmour to head its insolvency team, part of the
A WORCESTER company has been able to expand its range of innovative coat hangers because of a new support agency for manufacturers. Thanks to help from the Manufacturing Advisory Service West Midlands, M2M has been able to rapidly develop, test and halve
BUSINESS chiefs have been urged to stay calm and keep their enterprises running as smoothly as possible during the war in Iraq. Christopher Harvey, the head of membership at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce and Business Link, said
Cancer Research UK's Race for Life started with just 600 women taking part in Battersea Park in 1994. From these humble beginnings it has grown to become Cancer Research UK's biggest fundraising event. Since 1994 over 590,000 women have taken part in
THIS weekend's county football fixtures include: SATURDAY WORCESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier Division: Bromyard Town v Tolladine Sports (P Daffin); Hallow WMC v Bretforton Old Boys (R Fisher); Henwick Academicals v Kempsey United (B Martin); Powick
