EPIC matches with Lancashire have normally been of the one day variety and they don't come much more epic than last year's C&G semi-final. This year's early season four-day encounter starting on Wednesday promises to have the same intensity, but spread
COURT: The driver of a minibus that was in collision with a train near Evesham was due to stand trial today for the manslaughter of three of his passengers. Adnan Kadir Karim, an Iraqi Kurd, is alleged to have been at the wheel when a train hit the minibus
COUNCILLORS have stepped up their commitment to moving Christopher Whitehead High School from St John's to new premises on the outskirts of Worcester. The 1950s buildings at Christopher Whitehead High School have decayed over the years, and education
WORCESTER is proving it's environmentally friendly after hitting its recycling targets, official figures have revealed. Households in Worcester are recycling twice as much waste since a £400,000 doorstep collection scheme was introduced. Worcester City
A RECORD number of county residents have pledged to don their trainers and get walking to raise cash for people with life-threatening illnesses. More than 500 people have signed up to take part in the 20th annual Malvern Hills Walk in aid of St Richard's
OTHER FIXTURES 15/5/04: Pilkington day at Spring Lane. Results MIDLANDS TWO (WEST) 6/9/03: Malvern 37, Barkers Butts 10. 13/9/03: Hereford 22, Malvern 31. 20/9/03: Intermediate Cup round one: Stafford 24, Malvern 13. 27/9/03: Malvern 21, Kenilworth 19
THE nephew of a former popular Warndon landlady has paid tribute to his aunt who died after a long battle with a health condition. Iris Smith, who retired from the Glovers Needle 16 years ago, died on Friday, April 30, after losing her fight with diabetes
WYCHAVON District Council is banking on success after being nominated for a national award. The council has entered the PricewaterhouseCoopers Public Reporting and Accountability Awards. Run by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
BRITAIN'S rarest bat remained elusive as a group of nature-lovers went on a night-time hunt in the Malvern Hills for the creature. A total of 20 adults and two children turned up to the bat walk in the hills - organised by the Malvern Hills Conservators
FIXTURES WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE Monday, May 10 Division One (South): Bewdley v Malvern Town Reserves (7.45). Tuesday, May 11 Premier Division: Bromyard Town v Malvern Town (7.45). Friday, May 14 WFA Senior Urn final: Malvern Town v Alvechurch (
Il Campanello - Gaetano Donizetti. Historic recording from 1949, featuring Sesto Bruscantini, Renato Capecchi, Miti Truccato Pace and Orchestra Lincae Coro de Torino della RIA. Warner Fonit 5050467-1044-2-6 Gaetano Donizetti was born of poverty-stricken
Released by Aston Villa, Brock signed for Harriers in September 1997 after a short spell at Northampton Town where he failed to make an appearance. He made his Harriers first-team debut in November of the same year and has proved himself a fine shot-stopper
Stepped onto the bench after the release of Brendan Murphy and was needed to make two substitute appearances in season 2001/02, including a league debut at Luton. The Stoke-born teenager had been playing for the U-19s, including during their fine FA Youth
Versatile Hinton began his career at right-back before reverting to a centre-half role during the Conference championship-winning season. The change of position proved the making of the former Birmingham City trainee who was once rated at £1 million and
The versatile Gadsby was Ian Britton's first signing after the 2002/03 season, agreeing a one-year contract at Aggborough. A player with good defensive qualities in the air or on the ground, he did not figure much in a turbulent Division Two campaign
The giant Senegal-born defender returned to Aggborough on a non-contract basis in February 2004 after training with the club for a few weeks. Sall, who left Aggborough the previous season and eventually went back to France, did not have the best of second
The defender joined Harriers for a second spell in March 2004, signing a contract until the end of the season. A left-footed player who can deliver a good set-piece and likes to attack down the flank with a fine range of passes, Burton played just 14
The Republic of Ireland U-20s captain did well in the reserves at Wolverhampton Wanderers but failed to make his first-team debut. Ward was released at the end of the 2002/03 season as a result but caught Ian Britton's eye in a trial with Harriers and
Eight goals in West Brom's reserve team caught the eye of Harriers director of football Jan Molby who signed Brown on a month's loan in March 2004. The right-sided midfielder or attacker quickly fitted into Molby's preferred 4-3-3 formation, scoring in
WORCESTER City have landed a prized slot in the newly-formed Conference North. Delighted chairman Dave Bod-dy believes it can spark the start of a new era for the St George's Lane club who will renew rivalries with old foes such as Altrincham, Northwich
A THREE-wicket haul for Mark Harrity failed to prevent Worces-tershire from coming in for a battering from century-maker Jacob Oram in the weather-hit four-day match against New Zealand at New Road. Paceman Harrity took 3-111 in 22 over as Oram made an
SIXWAYS was the focus of attention again yesterday as BBC's Rugby Special came to Worcester. Chairman Cecil Duckworth and coaches John Brain and Andy Keast were the guests of stand-in presenter Austin Healey, the Leicester scrum-half. The programme provided
ASTON Old Edwardians retained the North Midlands Cup with a 12-9 win over Malvern Rugby Club in the final at Dudley Kingswinford's Heathbrook ground. The game was a repeat of the 2002 final which was won by Malvern, but on this occasion Aston's pack took
Thierry Paulin leafs through his work diary stopping at two pages crammed with names and addresses. These are potential new customers who have contacted him since the beginning of the year. There are 15 or 16 names but Thierry is quick to point out that
Saturday, May 8, 2004 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers director of football Jan Molby was happy with the way his side finished their Nationwide League Division Three campaign with victory over Boston United at Aggborough on Saturday. They controlled the match for
WORCESTER City have landed a prized slot in the newly-formed Conference North. Delighted chairman Dave Bod-dy believes it can spark the start of a new era for the St George's Lane club who will renew rivalries with old foes such as Altrincham, Northwich
Shade by Neil Jordan, (John Murray, £16.99). BETTER known as a film director than as a writer. the director of hits like The Crying Game and Interview With The Vampire, Jordan should, in a fairer world, be just as renowned for his fiction. Shade is a
Darien Dogs by Henry Shukman (Jonathan Cape, £12.99). THE dustjacket makes grand claims... the portrayal of washed-up Westerners adrift in the developing world has "echoes of Graham Greene - but Shukman's writing has an imaginative depth, an erotic, muscular
Nag Club by Anne Fine (Walker Books, £7.99). BOGGLE hats are the latest thing. Everybody wants one - but only Lola, expert parent-nagger, actually has one. So, she decides to teach the other children how to beg, wheedle and tantrum their way into getting
I AM becoming increasingly bemused by the lack of logic, tolerance, and respect for freedom displayed by those obsessed with their quest to outlaw smoking in public places. Smokers would, I daresay, be happy to accept further prohibition in restaurants
THE Liberal-Democrats claim they want to abolish council tax and introduce a Local Income Tax (LIT). But in power in Scotland with Labour, they are saying and doing something different. Only last month, the Lib-Dems voted against a proposal to scrap the
I CAN only support the words of retiring Worcester City Councillor David Barlow. There is a core within the New Labour Group that behaves in a manner which at best could be seen as childish, who see greater importance in behaving as ghostbusters to force
I REMAIN perplexed why, after the very full debate on the Local Plan in council, the main spokesmen for the Football Club continue to insist that their plans/hopes have been destroyed/dashed by the Inspector's findings and the council's support for them
SUCH is the low standard of path maintenance on this walk that the route description has to be ridiculously detailed and there is no space for any background information. Suffice to say, that it's worth doing: the countryside is lovely, Mere Hall is spectacular
MARKS & SPENCER is searching for a new chairman after Luc Vandevelde was forced out by boardroom colleagues and investors, it was reported. His departure is expected to be confirmed to the stock market this week and follows concerns that he was spending
FIRMS that file their tax returns on-line can receive a bonus. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW) is reminding small businesses they can benefit from a £250 incentive from the Inland Revenue if they file their PAYE returns
A FLOORING company is experiencing rapid growth - thanks to the popularity of home renovation shows. Karndean International, in Evesham, designs and manufactures vinyl flooring. It has grown so rapidly since it was established in 1973, that last year
BEGGING, urinating and binge-drinking "thugs" have been terrorising St John's residents and plaguing a church, a vicar and a councillor have claimed. If police action is not taken soon residents will take the problems "into their own hands," Worcester
FIRE chiefs were due to meet with unions today to discuss the threatened £2m cut to fire services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Government has said it will cut the cash from Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority's proposed budget and cap
DETECTIVES awaiting crucial DNA test results have taken new steps in a desperate bid to unravel the mystery of why a baby girl was entombed in a concrete block. Details of tragic baby Lara have now appeared on the National Missing Person's Helpline website
A CELEBRATION of 10 years of women priests has been held at Worcester Cathedral. A decade ago, Worcestershire led the way on the ordination of women as priests, when the Rt Rev Philip Goodrich ordained 27 women deacons from the Worcester diocese. Hundreds
AN SAS veteran who works for a Hereford firm that sends trained security guards to Iraq claims British rookie bodyguards are being killed seeking their fortune in the war-torn country. Risk assessment expert Deck Lower, who works for AKE-Ltd, one of only
A FINANCIAL adviser from Worcester will today appear at Chester Crown Court accused of murdering a pensioner and stealing her money. Peter Crittenden, of Beech Avenue, Barbourne, denies smothering 71-year-old spinster, Joan Beddeson, with a pillow at
IT was a right chip off the old block for celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw at Malvern's Spring Gardening Show, when a surprise gift really took him back to his roots. Several months ago, Chris, who was born and brought up at Broad Green, near Broadwas
A NEW vicar at a Worcester estate has pledged to work with the community to improve residents' "spiritual lives". Rev Robin Charles became the new vicar of St Michael's Church, in Burleigh Road, Dines Green, just over a week ago. The 54-year-old, who
Mum hails her son a hero in fire rescue - A TEENAGE girl trapped in a blazing tent is so traumatised by her ordeal she becomes "hysterical" when confronted with anything to do with fire. Jess Stevens, 15, cannot cope with any reminder of the shocking
AN inspirational Worcester woman is set to run her fourth Race for Life to celebrate being given the all-clear from cancer. Nurse Beverley Hicks originally ran the Worcester charity event, proceeds of which go to Cancer Research UK, in memory of her mother
THE spirit of wartime will be coming to a Hereford tourist attraction this week to mark museums and galleries month taking place throughout May. Herefordshire Lore is creating a display in the community cases at Hereford Museum about the experiences of
THOUSANDS of primary and secondary schools across Worcestershire and Herefordshire are preparing for a testing time this week - as they sit their SATS exams. Pupils aged seven, 11 and 14 years old will take the controversial exams this week - which critics
HANBURY Hall is to hold its annual spring plant fair on Sunday to raise money for the National Trust home. Last year's sale was a roaring success raising more than £3,000 for the Hall's stunning gardens. Plants on offer this year have been lovingly grown
FIREFIGHTERS in Worcester were hosing down county residents' cars at the weekend in a bid to raise cash for charity. Kind-hearted crew were at the Homebase car park in Tybridge Street on Saturday, washing people's cars for a donation. All the cash raised
THE long-suffering residents of St John's have waited years for the resolution of the Christopher Whitehead High School relocation saga. The will-it, won't-it move plan has been kicking around for what seems like forever. The conflicting claims of rival
AN historic pub said to have inspired the works of poet Dylan Thomas recently went up for auction. It was bought by Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey. Thomas would have known all about bad behaviour. He is supposed to have sat in a corner of this
Stamps started with Torquay United despite being brought up in Birmingham and his obvious talent earned him a £10,000 move to Colchester United in 1997. The left-footer moved to Harriers on a free in September 1999 after playing in the Second Division
The uncompromising defender was Ian Britton's last signing before the manager was sacked in October 2003 and cost Harriers a four-figure fee. Hatswell has a second chance to impress in the Football League after leaving Oxford under Ian Atkins due to a
The young centre-half made the substitutes bench for the first time in the Football League at home to Huddersfield on April 12, 2004, but did not feature. McHale's impressive youth-team displays had marked him down as one for the future and director of
Parrish has enjoyed three promotions before from Division Three, twice with Northampton Town and once with Chesterfield. The competitive left-footed midfielder with an eye for goal turned down a one-year deal with Chesterfield to sign for two years with
Jenkins moved on to pastures new in December 2003 on an 18-month contract after 181 games over more than seven seasons at Swansea. The midfielder or full-back, Jan Molby's first permanent signing in his second spell in charge at Harriers, is a hard-working
Once capped by England U-20s and also in the national youth sides, the Birmingham-born midfielder has had a turbulent 2003-04 season. Murray signed for Harriers on an 18-month contract in January 2004 following a brief loan spell of three games earlier
Director of football Jan Molby caused a stir by recruiting former captain Yates to help in Harriers' battle against relegation in February 2004. The midfield anchorman, whose versatility also makes him useful as a defender or attacker, spent four seasons
The Birmingham-born front man was once known as the Flying Postman from his non-league days at Cradley Town. Williams was 23 when he broke into professional football with Swansea City and he became a well-travelled player before signing for an initial
The pacey striker started off at Derby as a youngster but failed to make a first-team appearance and had trial spells at Walsall, Mansfield and Oldham. Rickards ended up at Tamworth on a free in July 2001 and immediately bagged 17 goals, leading them
Christiansen's signing was another major coup for Harriers director of football Jan Molby in January 2004. The giant Danish striker attracted plenty of interest from clubs in his homeland but he wanted to play in England after a failed trial at Grimsby
INSTEAD of wringing his hands and complaining of "catastrophic" consequences for the fire service, the chairman of the fire authority (Richard Udall) would have done better to have explained its actions. He could tell us why it is necessary for such a
AS the driver of the bus to which Ann Thompson threatens to chain herself (Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, April 30), I must take issue with Mr Radbourne's (of the county council's passenger transport group) ill-informed comments. I understand
OLD Elizabethans gained a commendable winning draw when they hosted local rivals Worcester in a rain- affected Birmingham League Division Two fixture at the Memorial Ground. The game did not get underway until 3.30pm which meant that both sides only had
RAIN-interrupted play left Kidderminster Victoria chasing 170 off 37 overs to secure a winning Birmingham League Division One draw against visiting Dorridge but they came up 60 runs short with six wickets remaining. Bad weather delayed the start, reducing
AN extra-time Brian Powell penalty condemed Malvern Town to a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Feckenham in the Worcester Royal Infirmary Senior Cup final at Pershore. However, they received a massive boost before the match when they learned that West Midlands
REIGNING champion point-to-point jockey Richard Burton went to the Wheatland Hunt meeting at Chaddesley Corbett in search of winners to try and retain his title. But he came away winnerless and had to watch one of his cast-off mounts triumph in the Men's
A THREE-wicket haul for Mark Harrity failed to prevent Worces-tershire from coming in for a battering from century-maker Jacob Oram in the weather-hit four-day match against New Zealand at New Road. Paceman Harrity took 3-111 in 22 over as Oram made an
Secret Dreams: A Biography of Michael Redgrave by Alan Strachan (Weidenfeld& Nicolson, £25). THIS biography of British actor Sir Michael Redgrave, who died in 1985 aged 77, lifts the lid on a talented but ultimately tragic figure and focuses heavily
I DO not believe in coincidence when it comes to politics - so it was with no surprise that I listened to Prime Minister Tony Blair say that immigrants will not be given council housing. Didn't MP Michael Foster say this about Worcester Council housing
TOM Meikle's dedicated involvement in nature conservation throughout his farming career has earned him well-deserved recognition. He won the national Farming and Wildlife Award, sponsored by English Nature, and presented to him at a special dinner in
SIXWAYS was the focus of attention again yesterday as BBC's Rugby Special came to Worcester. Chairman Cecil Duckworth and coaches John Brain and Andy Keast were the guests of stand-in presenter Austin Healey, the Leicester scrum-half. The programme provided
A FAMILY from Bromyard is helping to promote the latest horsy craze of vaulting which it hopes will take Britain by storm. This form of "equine gymnastics" is sweeping through the horse world in both Europe and America, but there are still only a handful
PAUL Keetch couldn't resist a dig at Bill Wiggin during a Commons debate on the decision to "cap" the Council Tax rises of Worcester and Hereford Fire Authority and Herefordshire Council. The Hereford MP, who has had memorable spats with Bill over ownership
COMETH the hour, cometh the Welsh teacher. Back in March, I told how Bill Wiggin (below), the Tory party's Welsh spokesman, was looking for someone to help him learn the language. He has been successful. His first lesson was scheduled to take place this
LABOUR strategists were breathing a sigh of relief this week after David Lock's name was excluded from the new list of working peers. It was nothing personal - but they had feared the consequences of Tony Blair handing the former minister in the now defunct
Pre-season friendlies Sat July 12 Evesham (a) 3-1 Lewis, J Williams, Paschalis Sun July 13 Stratford (a) 1-0 Ward Sat July 19 Boldmere (a) 6-1 (og), J Williams 2, Lightbourne, Wilding, Danks Mon July 21 Leicester (h) 1-1 Shilton Sat July 26 West Brom
IT'LL be a posh frock if not quite her tiara for Caroline Orgee this weekend as she takes her place at the high court of horticulture, the Royal Horticultural Society Malvern Floral Marquee at the Spring Gardening Show. After only half a dozen years of
STAFF at Specsavers Opticians in Worcester are in the frame for a customer service accolade, after coming top in a mystery shopper survey. During 2003, secret shoppers visited 477 Specsavers stores across the country and examined each one on customer
AN ON-SITE hose repair company has strengthened its national network with the opening of a new, dedicated service and supply centre, in Worcester. The new Pirtek Worcester Centre will deliver faster response times and service to customers in the area
ANDY Bichel is back in the old routine at New Road -- and he's loving it! Worcestershire supporters were delighted when they heard the popular Australian was returning to the scene of where he had so much success in 2001 and 2002. And, despite a wet start
