WIN-LESS Stourport remain rooted to the bottom of Worcestershire League Division Two after another defeat on Saturday. After losing the toss to Worcester Nomads, they were asked to bat and compiled 171-8 from 50 overs. It was thanks mainly to Adam Sellick's
WORCESTERSHIRE League Division Five strugglers Stone lost a vital relegation clash to Belbroughton on Saturday by three wickets. Stone, asked to bat first, could not cope with the wicket and good bowling, falling for just 119 runs. A McKenzie took 3-33
THE Cutnall Green express keeps running after a comprehensive defeat of West Malvern in Worcestershire League Division Five. League leaders Green skittled their visitors out for just 35 runs on Saturday with bowler Kevin Shuck (7-9) tearing through the
CHAINWIRE'S chase for the top suffered a major setback with a home defeat to fellow challengers Highley. Junior Boyce's hat-trick finished off the Kidderminster side as they collapsed to 83 all out in Worcestershire League Division Five. Highley were
CLEOBURY Mortimer's batsmen chipped in with the runs as they gave high-flying Badsey a surprise in Worcestershire League Division Six. Pursuing 200-8, Cleobury's N Wilkinson (42) top scored in their narrow two-wicket win over the third-placed side. Badsey
Evesham 8, Yardley 1 EVESHAM continue to make impressive progress in their Summer Hockey League campaign after a comprehensive victory in their latest outing. Choosing to play fast atta-cking hockey, the home side controlled the game from the start and
IT was great to see the young folk of Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society's youth section (KODYS) so obviously enjoying themselves while entertaining us last week. This was a shortened version of the Gilbert and Sullivan favourite, but most of
NEIL Bailey helped Worths to a 200-run victory over Moat Farm in the Stainweld Sunday League by scoring 121 runs. Mike Kirby-Davies steered Spennells A to a nine-wicket victory over Cookley with 34 not out and taking 5-9. Three Sunday League teams, Waggon
THE U-12s at Kidderminster Victoria have turned the tables after a disappointing start to the season. They achieved their first win at Rushwick after setting a good total of 134, achieved through excellent calling and running from the batsmen. Daniel
BATTING TOP 10 200 Paul Thomas (KVCC 2nds Sun) June 20 142no Will Gifford (KVCC) June 26 141no Neil Fletcher (Cutnall Green) June 12 138 Lee Stuart (Chainwire) June 19 134no Andrew Kimberlin (KVCC 4ths) May 22 131no Matt Boden (Chaddesley 2nds) July 3
SATURDAY (1.30pm unless stated) BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE DIVISION ONE KVCC v Smethwick (1pm) SECONDS PREMIER DIVISION Knowle & Dorridge v KVCC 2nds WORCESTERSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE CHADDESLEY CORBETT v Stourbridge (2nds away) Pershore v BEWDLEY (2nds home
THE grief-stricken parents of a Bewdley 25-year-old who died on holiday in France have said her death has broken her fiance's heart. Nicola Fantom died after the Citroen her 27-year-old fiance, Richard Green, was driving was in collision with a Range
PLANS to close all Wyre Forest middle schools and four first schools have been rubber-stamped by councillors - but Wolverley High has been saved from the chop. The controversial £150 million education shake-up - the biggest in the district for 30 years
AN anti-flood campaigner from Worcester will join a host of high-profile speakers at a prestigious conference in London today. Mary Dhonau has been invited to talk alongside representatives from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA
TWO Evening News readers are keeping their fingers crossed after becoming finalists in the Win a Polo competition. The Evening News has joined forces with Listers Volkswagen to give readers the chance to win a VW Polo, worth £8,095. Rebecca Tranter, of
AN ANTIQUES and collectors fair will be held at Worcester Rugby Club next week. The monthly event, organised by Worcester Events Ltd has rapidly expanded since it started in May. It began with around 30 exhibitors and is now attracting up to 75, with
YOUNGSTERS from a city dance school are taking part in one of the jewels of the classical ballet repertoire with one of the most famous of ballet companies. Seventeen members of Worcester's Academy Dance, which is based in Infirmary Walk, are joining
A MOTORIST fled the scene after causing early-morning chaos in Pershore and damaging three cars. Police said they were shocked by witness statements that suggested the driver involved in the collision had children among the passengers in his car, registration
A TENBURY Wells driver, high on drink and drugs, killed a teenage passenger in what other road users termed a "suicidal" crash on the outskirts of Bewdley, a court was told last week. Worcester Crown Court heard that James Birch was at the wheel of a
JUBILIANT staff and students at Wolverley High School are celebrating the ending of two years' uncertainty after the threat of closure was lifted. Education chiefs targeted the school for the axe as part of long-term plans for the next 30 years to reduce
BAYTON church fete will be held in the gardens of Shakenhurst House on Saturday. Highlights include music from the Teme Valley Band, dancing by children from Bayton School and a silent auction, plus stalls, a bouncy castle and raffle.The event will be
THERE was a good turnout for the Tenbury Town Council's civic parade at the end of last month. New town mayor, Councillor Maureen Pardoe led the parade comprising mayors from adjacent market towns and other dignitaries to the annual service in St Mary's
EVERY job in all Wyre Forest schools will be up for grabs in the run-up to the re-organisation, with the positions "ring fenced" to give existing staff the first shot. Education bosses said there would be job losses but "95 per cent" of Wyre Forest's
A DISTRAUGHT Kidderminster woman is appealing for witnesses to a mindless attack of vandalism - in which paint stripper was poured over her car - to come forward. Deborah Ellerton, 26, of Peel Street said she was "sickened" by the sight of the damage
COUNCIL staff were subjected to "hostile" phone calls and visits by poll clerks called in to administer last month's election - over a pay shortfall of £10. A council boss said he was "taken aback by the hostility expressed towards me and my staff over
ONE frequently asked question is "what is the difference between a butterfly and a moth?" The answer is a little fuzzy, as the distinction is much more historic than it is scientific. In general, moths fly at night and butterflies fly during the day.
DEBTS in Wyre Forest are increasing each year, according to the district's Citizen's Advice Bureau, which is piloting a scheme to educate residents in financial literacy. Kate Bennett, manager of the CAB service in New Road, Kidderminster, said her organisation
A KIDDERMINSTER mother has praised staff at the town's hospital for their quick actions in safely delivering her little girl - even though births at the site are officially suspended, due to an inquiry into baby deaths. Deliveries were suspended at the
BOGUS workmen or criminals who frogmarch old or vulnerable people to their banks, building societies or post offices to draw out money are being targeted in a clampdown. Trading standards officers and police are working with the financial outlets to tackle
MORE than 11,000 visitors were in the mood to take in the atmosphere of 1940s weekends as they descended on the Severn Valley Railway. The railway company staged the event over two consecutive weekends, ending last Sunday, with the overall attendance
Novel idea out of the Far Forest could oust the conservatory AN enterprising idea 'out of Africa' impressed judges in a top countryside show and looks set to become a business success for Far Forest brothers. Martin Winfield and Paul Glover-Winfield have
THE generosity and kindness of a Kidderminster woman has led to her winning a prestigious Good Neighbour award. Sue Carter, of Greatfield Road, Kidderminster, is officially the best neighbour in the Midlands after being chosen as the overall winner of
KEEN gardener, Heather Flack, has been doing some digging of a different kind to unearth the fascinating history of Bewdley Horticultural Society. The society is celebrating its 150th anniversary and member,Miss Flack, of Stourport Road, Bewdley has written
To order, telephone 01905 742269 and ask for Photographic Administration or e-mail wenphotoadmin@midlands.newsquest.co.uk. QUOTE THE SCHOOL NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH NUMBER
I was interested to read your article on Ann Gilmartin (Journal Page 10 July 1) as I too was evacuated at the tender age of six. My cousin and I were the last to be chosen as no one wanted two children. Eventually we were billeted with Grannie and Grandad
REGULAR readers will well remember the rumpus just over 18 months ago when Age Concern charity shop workers in St John's walked out after their manager was suspended. The heinous crime committed by Lorraine Seymour - deemed by the charity's local trustees
ATHLETICS: Runners will be out in force at the weekend for two big events in Wyre Forest. Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club are hosting a Sport Relief mile run, promoted by Fitness First, on Saturday. And Amazing Feet Running Club stage the Runaround
CHRISTMAS may seem a long way off but Chipping Norton Theatre has announced its latest pantomime, which gets under way in November. This year the theatre is promising to transport its audience across the seven seas to a land of magical adventure for Sinbad
JUDO: Stourport and Bewdley Judo Club joined Samurai in earning medals at an event for new players to the sport alongside the Cockburn Cup. The trio took on clubs from Redditch, Birmingham, Telford and Hereford with Kidderminster's Samurai returning with
CYCLING: Bill Picton belied his years with an impressive double race for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club. The 74-year-old won the Ted Gittings Memorial Cup in the Shirley RC 50-mile time trial as quickest veteran on standard time in two hours 20 minutes
GYMNASTICS: Wyre Forest Gymnastic School are holding their annual summer activities in Kidderminster again this year. They are for boys and girls aged between five and 17 at Baxter College over three weeks, running from 10am until 11.30am every day. The
VOLLEYBALL: Cleobury Mortimer are encouraging new teams to sign up for several fund-raising sports tournaments. The cash raised will be split between the volleyball club and a charity to be decided. Cleobury are holding a fun volleyball tournament on
HOCKEY: Rusty Kidderminster shrugged off a man shortage to earn a well-deserved 3-3 draw at Worcester. The fact Worcester had played throughout the summer showed when they went two goals ahead inside the first 15 minutes. But good midfield play by Bruce
BOWLS: Grant Burgess did his best to save England but they suffered their worst humiliation in 22 years at the British Isles International Series. The Kidderminster-based Gilt Edge ace powered to two wins in a row at the competition, staged in Llandrindod
GOLF: Bewdley Pine members braved atrocious weather to make a success of their Lady Captain's Day with more than 40 entrants. Colleen Massey won the cup, ahead of Di Heilbronn in second and third-placed Deanne Robson. Other results, longest drive: Michelle
ROWING: Juniors will get a taste of competitive rowing at an invitation event hosted by Bewdley Rowing Club on Sunday. Nine to 14-year-olds from Worcestershire are to take on various events, both individually and as teams, in a range of boats from singles
GOLF: Penny Marchant won the Straughton Salver on Captain's Weekend with 36 points at Cleobury Mortimer. Marchant followed up her success in the Lynne Pinner Cup on Lady Captain's Day three weeks previously. Jan Peutherer was second with 35 in the latest
GOLF: Bill Sutton won the Alan Lloyd Cup, Kidderminster's handicap championship which was played over two days. Result: Sutton 69 and 70, total 139; Paul Lamb 71, 69, 140; Mike Nicholson 71, 71, 142; Wayne Smith 70, 72, 142; Mike Pexton 72, 71, 143; Pat
MORE than £322 was raised for Cancer Research by four women who attend a Stourport day centre for people with brain injuries. Pat Metcalf, Lisa Price, Jean Birch and Marge Garratt were sponsored in last month's highly successful charity Race for Life
THE green light has been given to plans to moor a floating baguette shop on the Stourport Canal Basin. Despite the Inland Waterways Association's assessment that the design of the boat was "out of keeping with other craft that traditionally use the waterway
CHESS: Kidderminster Rooks and Knights were knocked out at the semi-final stage of the Worcester and District League Cup. Droitwich beat the Rooks 3-1 but the Knights drew 2-2 at Malvern only to be eliminated anyway. The rule stating the bottom board
YESTERDAY'S front page article about a drug den which addicts created between a garden and land belonging to Worcester City Football Club gave the impression that the fence would be fixed at the weekend. We have been asked to point out that a contractor
TWO men dressed as superheroes protested on the roof of Worcester Crown Court as part of an "escalating" campaign for divorced fathers' rights. The duo, dressed as Batman and Spiderman, used ladders to climb the 60ft building at around 1.30am yesterday
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build flats and houses on open space in Droitwich are being reviewed in light of immense public pressure. Wychavon District Council has said developers are looking at the plans again for Blake Avenue after dozens of angry residents
A report of a court appearance by Karl Bicknell on Friday, June 18 described Jean Holt, manageress of Lyttelton Well Ltd, as his boss. We have been asked to point out that Mrs Holt never employed Mr Bicknell, and we apologise for any embarrassment this
THE achievement of Allah Ditta in becoming the first Asian Mayor of Worcester has been praised in Westminster. Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff congratulated Councillor Ditta in an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons and hopes that his election will
AMBULANCE officials in Worcestershire have welcomed news that they will no longer have to waste valuable time appealing against a deluge of speed camera fines. The Evening News reported in January that Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Church of England communities in Worcestershire have been given a boost with the ordination of new priests and deacons. The annual ordination at Worcester Cathedral on Sunday saw new clergy for many parishes. And the Worcester Evening News' Sheila Nall
ANDY Newton won the Friday Evening Open with 72lb 9oz of fish, caught at four metres, feeding corn. John Fox fished the waggler with large chunks of meat on the hook to secure second place with a 58lb catch. Friday Evening Open, Dragonfly: Newton 72-9
EVESHAM United's players will be at Common Road for the first time during pre-season tomorrow afternoon. Manager Dave Busst has been overseeing training at Abbey Park in Redditch but is now ready to let his charges do some ball work. Assistant boss Paul
SHIMANO Tipton's Mark Jones used worm and caster to land 74lb 1oz of carp which won the Sunday afternoon open. Horace Davis was second with 59lb 3oz as the day remained warm and sunny, despite the threat of rain. Result: Jones 74-1, Davis (Fisherman's
A CAREER burglar who stole more than £30,000 worth of property during raids on houses in Kidderminster and Birmingham has been jailed for five years. Anthony Glenn, 30, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to four charges of burglary
ALMOST 40 stolen garden tubs have been recovered by Kidder-minster police. They were believed to have been taken from gardens in the Land Oak and Hurcott Road area of the town during the past fortnight. PC Bob Fernall, Kidderminster beat manager, said
WHILE it is sad that schools, like Kidderminster's Lea Street and Sladen, are closing, people have missed the point. All schools in Wyre Forest are closing on August 31, 2007. This is going to be a huge upheaval for everyone and a time of uncertainty.
ROUND Three: Brian Hill 85-7, Derek Davis 54-12, Brian Rutland 38-12, Roy Vaux-Harvey 34-2. Round four will be fished at the Wren's Nest Pools on Wednesday, draw 9am, fishing from 10am until 3pm.
I FAIL to see how anyone who has been involved, will be surprised to learn that the outcome of the so-called consultation into the make-up of schools in Wyre Forest will be to go two-tier. We have been listened to, our opinions have been taken on board
A CONTEST will be held on Sunday on Hallow three, four and five, draw 8am at the venue. Members requiring directions should meet behind Stourport Leisure Centre no later than 7.30am.
COUNCILLOR Peter Dyke and myself attended the meeting on Monday, June 28, held to give a preview of the results of the Wyre Forest schools review. We are both school governors as well as local councillors, so attending this meeting was very important
THE next match will be at Sion Farm on Sunday. Those taking part should meet at the venue at 7am.
CANAL: M Sztybel 4-6-8, J Moon 3-6-0, P Knowles 2-0-0. On Sunday, July 18, an afternoon contest will be held on the Wren's Pools with a 2pm draw and fishing from 2.30pm until 7pm.
IN the light of the review of education currently being undertaken in this area, I would like to commend Wyre Forest schools for their support during the last five years. Settling the children into school as quickly as possible is always our priority
HURST Farm: Barry Southall 10-0, Brian Darby 9-5, Mick Rowe 8-14, Harold Price 7-14. The Hobson Shield will be competed for on Wednesday at Wellfield, Island Pool, draw at 9am.
INKBERROW Eagles Junior FC are looking to recruit new players for their Under 10, 11, 12 and 15s sides that play in the Ambassador Evesham and Mercian Festival Junior Leagues. The progressive and friendly club is committed to the FA Charter Standard and
FURNACE Mill is the venue for Sunday's contest. The draw will take place at the venue at 7.45am. Those wishing to fish must contact 01299 822320 by tomorrow.
DAVE Lewis enjoyed his first win of the season on the Curtis Pool at Hay Farm Fishery, taking carp to 6lb on worm and caster. Lewis's win catapulted him to the top of the aggregate, while Barry Blizzard caught well using the same method for second place
JUNIORS, Three Crowns: K O'Brien 9-3, A Buxton 6-8, W Mills 6-0. Seniors, Summer Cup: L Coldrick 27-8, M Jones 10-13-8, K Preece 5-8. The next seniors contest is on Willow Marsh Fishery, meeting at the venue for 7.30am. Anyone interested is asked to put
A HIGH Court injunction has been granted against gipsies living in Eckington but it could be months before the group are forced to leave. Wychavon District Council's legal application was granted in London last Wednesday, but was suspended pending the
NOW that a new Conservative administration for Wyre Forest District Council has been formed, we hope that they will pay particular attention to all health issues and in particular continue to press the Acute Hospitals Trust Board for the return of services
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers Ladies B team won the Cradley Ballpark five-a-side football tournament on Saturday with a 4-3 final victory over TNS. The club entered two sides but the As were knocked out by TNS, from Wales, 5-2 in the quarter-finals after winning
A VILLAGE stalwart is looking back on a quarter of a century at the heart of a parish council as he announces his retirement. Gary Robinson, aged 62, said he had seen many changes over the 25 years he has spent with Wyre Piddle Parish Council, 18 of them
I AM writing regarding this year's Wolverley Carnival, which was very well attended and showed the degree of community spirit present in the village. I was, however, disappointed at the lack of police presence at the event. It appears that the local constabulary
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' soccer schools will start again across Worcestershire later this month. The Football in the Community Scheme at Aggborough are providing courses which will feature the Soccer Olympics. Players will strive to win a gold medal, while
SIR Michael Spicer, MP for West Worcestershire, will chair a public meeting at Eckington Village Hall this Saturday at 11am to discuss anxieties of villagers caused by the gipsy encampment on the edge of the village. He will be joined by Councillor Adrian
EVESHAM police are hunting 'sick' vandals who tore up flowerbeds in Abbey Park hours before the arrival of Britain in Bloom judges. About £250-worth of damage was caused when 20 shrubs were ripped up and thrown into the park's boating lake. Red and white
VIC Colts now hold a massive 10-point lead in the Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre Adult Five-a-side League. Colts gave Cleobury Town a lesson in football in a 6-1 victory and saw second-placed Spice Boys lose pace. Boys were 2-0 up against Mozers Menagerie
GOLD medals were dished out in the Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre U-11s Five-a-side League. Cleobury Magic took the plaudits by finishing top of Division One A with 1-0 wins over Farlow Fliers, Coreley Cruisers and Super Strikers. The champions also
AN Eckington mother whose daughter suffers from cancer has raised thousands of pounds for the hospital unit that treats her. Joan Green, aged 71, became a fund-raiser as a way of saying 'thank you' to Cheltenham Hospital's oncology department, where her
KIDDERMINSTER Athletic U-14s are aiming to build on a good campaign with the help of some new players. At U-13s level last season, they finished third in Stourport and District Youth League Division Two. Athletic have been constantly improving and are
ST Richard's New Hospice appeal has got off to a flying start following the official launch of the Journal-backed campaign. More than £182,000 has been donated in recent weeks and an impressive £3,500 was collected by fundraisers during last Saturday's
CONCERNED Vale businessmen fear Worcestershire County Council's decision to temporarily close a main road will drastically effect trade. Phil Jenkins, who runs Blackminster Equine Store on the nearby business park, believes a planned three-week closure
MORE than 200 Badsey residents have called on Wychavon planners to refuse a scheme to build a new six-acre glasshouse in the village. The applicants, Richard and Laura Holt, say the proposed development on Willersey Road is necessary for their business
THE bells that inspired the poet A E Housman to write Bredon Hill, part of his collection The Shropshire Lad, are ringing again after being silenced for decades. The five bells at St Giles's Church, Bredon, have not been heard since the 1920s due to persistent
FLADBURY Parish Angling Club has written to Lord Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Olympic bid. The club is, supporting the action taken by Fladbury Paddle Club in withdrawing support for the London 2012 bid following Lord Coe's sore bad losers comment
A RISE in the number of teenagers injured in collisions has prompted West Mercia police to launch a scheme to improve the road skills of young drivers. Officers hope that 17 and 18-year-olds will take advantage of the Streetwise initiative which offers
100 Years Ago July 9, 1904 Edward Jones, a dwarf, was fined 5s. including costs for being drunk, which he paid. PC Nicklin discovered the defendant sleeping on some waste ground near Pershore Bridges, away from the road, with his trousers off. The constable
EVESHAM United won't know their first FA Cup opponents of the new season until 14 days before their scheduled preliminary round tie is due to be pla-yed at Common Road on Saturday, September 4. That's because the Robins face the winners of the extra preliminary
THE Richard Ball saga has finally ended with the wantaway Stourport Swifts' striker signing for Sutton Coldfield Town. The 22-goal forward has joined the Southern League Division One West rivals for a "substantial four-figure fee". Manager Dave Titterton
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are set to cash in on the Carling Cup after netting a potential money-spinning home draw against Cardiff City. The Coca Cola Championship side are one of the best-supported clubs outside the Premiership. Elsewhere in the first round
IT proved impossible to separate them, so century-making brothers Matt and Sam Boden have jointly scooped the best batting award. In a remarkable co-incidence the siblings eached scored 131 for Chaddesley Corbett seconds against Bromyard to become the
KEVIN Shuck lived up to his name to leave West Malvern reeling, and lift the bowler of the week award. The Cutnall Green bowler claimed 7-9 to leave the visitors 'all Shuck up' as they were dismissed for a miserable 35 in 19.2 overs during their Crusader
A FINE 91 from Wor-cestershire opener Stephen Moore fail-ed to prevent Sri Lanka 'A' from breezing to a six-wicket win at wind-swept New Road yesterday. Watched by a bigger than expected crowd of around 800, the tourists were powered to victory by Saman
GAVIN Poupart was the emphatic winner of Worcester St John's cycling club's 14-mile time trial in the lanes around Suckley. Poupart took full advantage of the warm conditions to post a time of 34.26, only about 50 seconds off Tim Woods course record set
COMMUNITY champions in Broadway who work tirelessly without personal reward or benefit now have the chance to be commended for their efforts. Nominations have been invited for this year's Broadway Community Award, an annual accolade given to unsung heroes
Members spent an evening at Hodge Hill Nurseries, and their car boots were overflowing with flowers and shrubs when they returned home. The summer outing on August 4 is to Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury, and Tetbury Lavender Gardens. On Wednesday Angela
Dr Malcolm Nixon will give a talk on Maritime History, especially the Severn Trow/Wich barges of the salt trade, at the meeting on Thursday, July 15. Members and non-members will be welcome to the meeting in the Social Day Centre, New Street, Stourport
Margaret Cooper gave a talk on "Going to school a century ago" at the June meeting. Four members sold WI goods at the summer fayre organised by Wyre Leisure Services to benefit people using the Memorial Park community centre. Order forms for spring flowering
Liz Cornish was awarded second place in the Makower Challenge competition for her quilt depicting "Country Life". The 10 winning quilts chosen from the 58 submitted were displayed in Sheffield Hallam Arena, and will be on show at Denman College, and various
OZZY Osborne tribute band Wizards of Oz are set to take the Corn Hall in Cirencester by storm this Saturday. The band, formed in 1998 by vocalist Mike Jurgens, cover every aspect of Ozzy's career and also add the occasional early Sabbath numbers right
AN audience in Cheltenham will have the chance to hear the soprano who will represent Wales in next year's BBC Singer of the World competition. Camilla Roberts, who won the Young Welsh Singer competition last month, will appear at the Pittville Pump Room
A PIONEERING country music band will bring their show to Huntingdon Hall tonight. Hank Wangford and the Lost Cowboys, who filmed their tour of the Falkland Islands for the BBC, play well-crafted songs, harmonies and display tear-jerking humour. Hank Wang-ford
A HOUSE full of hi-tech gadgets to enable elderly people to remain independent has been launched by Wyre Forest Community Housing. Pam Trim and her husband John were just a couple of the eager residents from Purcell House who attended the launch of the
THE archetypal moaning male chauvinist farmer was more myth than reality an NFU survey has revealed. Detailed questions were put to 200 farmers across the South West region relating to their businesses and personal development. Regional director Anthony
HAVING a flutter on the lottery is safeguarding the flora and fauna of the West Midlands. Figures reveal how 10 years of the lottery has helped raise more than £19 million to reverse some of the alarming rates of wildlife loss in the region, safeguarding
A BRACE of big bashings left Bards bewildered and Exhall exultant after a stupendous Saturday of action in the Cotswold Hills League supported by John Shepherd Estate Agents. Leaders Exhall and Wix-ford had struggled to 135-5 with nine overs to bowl at
WORCESTER City manager John Barton admits he faces a juggling act if he wants to further strengthen his squad. Barton set a target of five new signings over the summer but, with three new arrivals on board already, his options are restricted. "If someone
EVESHAM'S Birmingham League Division Three revi-val was brought to an abrupt end when they cra-shed to a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Kings Heath. Missing the services of the influential Neal Radford, the home side were indebted to skipper Barry
THE top four teams in the Jack Grove Memorial League will contest the semi-finals at Ashton next week. Lenches appear set to face Overbury, while Elmley Castle and Exhall and Wixford are the other two sides chasing a place in the final on July 21. More
FORMER Harriers star John Melligan has been snapped up by Cheltenham in a £25,000 transfer swoop. The midfield ace, 22, has left Wolves for Kidderminster's League Two rivals on a three-year contract. Melligan scored 12 goals for Harriers in the 2002-03
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers Ladies B team won the Cradley Ballpark five-a-side football tournament on Saturday with a 4-3 final victory over TNS. The club entered two sides but the As were knocked out by TNS, from Wales, 5-2 in the quarter-finals after winning
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' soccer schools will start again across Worcestershire later this month. The Football in the Community Scheme at Aggborough are providing courses which will feature the Soccer Olympics. Players will strive to win a gold medal, while
HARRIERS have agreed a two-year shirt sponsorship deal with town firm Hire It who have a lengthy connection with the club. Hire It director John Davies, a fan for many years, has made plenty of efforts to promote the club at his Worcester Road company
RELEASED midfielder Graham Ward is having a trial with League Two rivals Cheltenham. Ward links up again with manager John Ward who he worked with at Wolves.
LONG-serving Dean Bennett has insisted an ambition to play at a higher level prompted him to quit Kidderminster Harriers after nearly six successful years. The hard-working midfielder or forward, 26, has opted to join Wrexham on a two-year contract, despite
VAN Helsing is based on the new movie currently showing at cinemas all around the country. As Van Helsing, gamers are brought face-to-face with the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Rather than opting for a survival horror approach
THE third Shakespeare Qualifier fished on Hampton Ferry and Evesham Town waters enticed 52 anglers last Sunday. The winning weight came from peg 32 on the Town caught by Andy Bruce of Stratford fishing for W B Clarke VDE. He caught a Barbel weighing 6lbs
MOTORISTS illegally using a Vale village as a rat-run will be caught on camera from today. Even though a traffic order was introduced last year prohibiting all vehicles except emergency vehicles from using the road through Wyre Piddle on the completion
HOW absolutely deplorable of the West Mercia Police Force sending civilian workers out in marked cars to make believe that there are more officers on the beat! Apart from the fact that years ago police officers would have to go through rigorous training
LEE Fortey's pre-season training has stalled after a serious car crash. The Worcester Warriors' prop, who is likely to be a key figure for the National One champions next season, is recovering from whiplash injuries after his car was written off. The
PLANNING and design has gone to pot. The High Street is in a state not much better than a bombsite. Perhaps the planning committee forgot one simple little fact and that is the thousands of tourists in the summer months. What photographs they will take
A PERSHORE teenager died after drinking 70 millilitres of her boyfriend's methadone, an inquest heard. Worcestershire coroner Victor Round recorded an open verdict on the death of 17-year-old Lucy Frankum, because he had no way of knowing whether she
PERSHORE firefighters were called to a road accident directly outside their station. Two vehicles needed to be made safe after the incident on Defford Road at midday on Saturday, June 26. Station sub-officer Chris Parsons said nobody was trapped in the
C ANDREWS' letter headlined "Population rise not caused by migrants" (You Say, Monday, June 28) is a typical piece of politically correct codswallop. An £80 rise in water and electricity bills produces £2bn worth of addition income for the water and electricity
VOLUNTEER gardeners and handymen are needed to give a few hours a week to help elderly people in Pershore. The appeal has been issued by Age Concern Hereford and Worcester, which needs people to help with tasks such as mowing, weeding, changing light
PUPILS, parents and teachers at St David's Primary School in Moreton have plenty to smile about this week after getting the results of two recent inspections. The school emerged with great credit from a full Ofsted inspection, which took place in May,
WINCHCOMBE School hosted a special science day on Monday, only days after being awarded specialist science school status. Year Seven pupils at the school joined with pupils from Pate's Grammar School and Pittville, St Benedict's and Kingsmead schools
A COMPUTER glitch is preventing Stratford district residents paying their council tax by debit card over the telephone. A software problem has led to residents being told that they have to come to the district council's office in person if they want to
ALTHOUGH we have suspected that the county council would decide on a move to a two-tier system for Wyre Forest schools, the announcement still came as a shock. My plea to separate the decisions about individual schools from the decision about tiers went
AN annual cricket tournament in the north Cotswolds may be hit for six this year because it is becoming too dangerous for spectators. The six-a-side in Nether Westcote has been run for the last six years by Appeal Court judge and local resident Sir Peter
TOWNS and villages will need to be looking their best over the next fortnight as the second round of judging for this year's Bledisloe Cup takes place. Cold Aston, Icomb, Bourton-on-the-Hill, Willersey, Mickleton, Moreton and Stow are among 16 towns and
STOW Primary School Parent-Teacher Association is celebrating after achieving its £15,000 target to build a new adventure play area at the school. Chairman Rebecca Whitby said: "We have done it with just days to spare. We are hoping to get the work done
TOP Cotswold racehorse trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has been fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 16 months after admitting driving while two and a half times over the alcohol limit. Twiston-Davies, aged 47, who trained the 2002 Grand National winner
COTSWOLD District Council chairman Sue Jepson is urging people to look cool for charity by taking part in the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's Shades for a Day. The Chipping-Vale district councillor will be one of thousands making a donation to
BROADWAY First School pupils went off to see the wizard for their annual production at the Lifford Hall. All children at the school, aged four to 10, took part in The Wizard of Oz which was adapted by headteacher Mike Appleby and directed by deputy head
MEMBERS of the public will now have to submit any questions they would like to raise at Broadway Parish Council meetings to the clerk at least 48 hours before the meeting. Residents could previously have their say at the end of meetings but the council
BUNNIES from Hell will be among the Morris sides coming to Evesham this Saturday. More than 100 Morris dancers will dance in Bridge Street before helping to open the River Festival. The dancing will start at Bridge Street at 10am before moving to the
STOURPORT Swifts will have a tough task to progress in the various cup competitions next season after details of the draws emerged. The Southern League Division One West club must travel to Derbyshire to take on Buxton in the FA Cup Preliminary Qualifying
A WOMAN had a heart attack after being confronted by post office robbers, who caused mayhem as they made their getaway through the Vale. A man was later arrested in Wick and police are still hunting a second suspect following the robbery at Bengeworth
BIG hitting followed by Big Brovaz, while the Sugababes followed the sweet smell of success as Exhall and Wixford blasted their way into the last 16 of this year's npower Village Cup, writes Mervyn Collins. The hits were big at Ragley Hall but they were
EVESHAM United won't know their first FA Cup opponents of the new season until 14 days before their scheduled preliminary round tie is due to be pla-yed at Common Road on Saturday, September 4. That's because the Robins face the winners of the extra preliminary
WE would like to congratulate you on your coverage of the LEA officer proposals for Wyre Forest. In a short space of time, your reporters were able to capture complex proposals and the range of reactions to them. It is a very worrying time for many of
PERSHORE face a preliminary round match in the forthcoming rugby season's North Midlands Cup. The Piddle Park outfit face a visit to Telford Hornets on the weekend of November 6/7 with the winners guaranteed a home tie in round one against Ledbury (November
ANOTHER maximum points haul maintained Pershore's advantage at the top of the Worcestershire County Lea-gue first division when they completed the double over Stourbridge on Saturday. The strugglers asked their visitors to bat first but a strong middle
MEMBERS of the Defford-based Arden club competed in the Pursuit and Strensham Series last weekend. After sailing for an hour, Niall Campbell (Enterprise), crewed by Caroline Stephens, was able to make his way to the front despite being penalised for having
THE second Birmingham Mail Family Raceday takes place at Stratford this weekend. More than 8,000 people attended last year's inaugural sponsored meeting and there's more of the same on Sunday. Free entertainment and attractions remain the centrepiece
DUE to several rain postponed league matches, which by fortunate coincidence occurred on important European Football Championship nights, not all the fixtures were completed in week ten of the Prudden Road Surfacing League. Stratford B resumed normal
A HARRY Potter fancy dress competition will be one of the highlights of St Barnabas Church fair in Franche, Kidderminster. The fair, on Saturday between 2pm and 4pm, takes place on St Barnabas school field, in Wolverley Road, Franche. Other attractions
THE 90th anniversary of the declaration of the First World War is being marked in Wyre Forest with a feast of music, drama, dance and verse. A summer charity concert is being held at Kidderminster Town Hall on Wednesday, August 4, to raise cash for the
HEALTH bosses need to go one step further and increase the range of emergencies seen at Kidderminster Hospital, Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor, has said. In a paper sent to NHS managers, the Health Concern MP said the new Treatment Centre at the site
A HOST of Wyre Forest artists will show off their wide-ranging and colourful skills as part of Kidderminster Arts Festival 2004. Wyre Forest Arts Forum are holding their fifth showcase as part of the extravaganza, which kicks off with pavement painting
Pre-season friendlies Wed July 14 Cinderford (a) (7.30pm) Sat July 17 Gloucester (a) (3pm) Wed July 21 Bristol City (h) (7.45pm) Sat July 24 Walsall (h) (3pm) Mon July 26 Worcester (a) (7.45pm) Wed July 28 Wolves (h) (7.45pm) Sat July 31 Redditch (a)
A HORSE breeder is urging "selfish" walkers to stop breaking through fencing leading to her field. A stile used by walkers was damaged when a car crashed into it in the latest of a series of accidents near the Honeybrook Stud. Lyn Phillips, who runs the
ARCHAEOLOGISTS of tomorrow will converge on Hartlebury Castle to indulge in an annual feast of activities including brass rubbing and potsherd washing. Worcestershire County Museum's archaeology day on Sunday, July 18 is one of a host of activities taking
WYRE Forest members of an organisation dedicated to maintaining the rural nature of the countryside have expressed concerns over waste management strategy in the district and speeding drivers. The annual report of the Worcestershire branch of the Council
A BRIGHT young tribute band are looking forward to playing in their home town less than three weeks after sharing the stage with chart-topping group, Girls Aloud and pop diva, Jamelia. Darkness tribute act, The Lightness, have performed 17 gigs since
A 46-year-old resident of Lea Castle Hospital, Wolverley, died when he choked after eating a muffin, an inquest heard. Peter Stedman, who had severe learning difficulties, died on June 28 at the hospital. The inquest in Stourport was told by coroner,
KEEN walkers are being invited to ramble around Mamble on Saturday. Participants in the eight-mile walk around woods, farm and parkland will meet outside Mamble Craft Centre at 10am.
WHY percussionists have so many instruments is just one of the questions that will be answered tomorrow in a tuneful evening at Holy Innocents' Community Hall in Kidderminster. A presentation, called Shed Building for Beginners, is being given by talented
AN urban music festival which was set to take place tomorrow night at West Midland Safari Park featuring jazz legend Courtney Pine has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Safari park spokeswoman Wendy Jackson said it was not all bad news, however
STUDLEY came alive on Saturday when villagers enjoyed the third incarnation of a lively festival and community get-together. Studley Jubbley proved superbly successful said co-organisers Sean and Sally Macreavy, particularly the big musical finale which
ONE lucky budding chef from Redditch spent a day cooking up a treat with a celebrity chef. Lynda Watkins, from Webheath, enjoyed an afternoon of culinary creativity with the restaurateur and TV chef Brian Turner after winning a recipe competition run
THE most comprehensive guide to the part Redditch played in both world wars has been published for the first time in a fascinating new book. Redditch At War, by historians Alan Foxall and Ray Saunders, is the culmination of more than two decades of collecting
THERE was fun-a-plenty at the weekend as hundreds of people flocked to the ever-popular Alexandra Hospital fete organised by the League of Friends. Attractions on offer included numerous arena events, music, side stalls, games and plenty of refreshments
MARK Hampton's excellent year continued when the Offenham youngster helped Great Britain take the bro-nze medal at the European Universal Trench Cha-mpionships in Corsica. The most experienced member of a three-man jun-ior team, the Vale ace added a third
A REDDITCH fitness fanatic who has proved you're never too old to stay in shape will be celebrating her 90th birthday tomorrow. Yvette Gittins (pictured) has attended aerobic classes in Oakenshaw for more than 14 years and during her class on Monday,
FIFTEEN members of Eve-sham Wheelers set out in cool, overcast conditions last Sunday with Roger Blears leading the B run for the first time to Stow-on-the-Wold. The A run, meanwhile, headed for Bengeworth and on to Off-enham, South Littleton, Honey-bourne
THE second Birmingham Mail Family Raceday takes place at Stratford this weekend. More than 8,000 people attended last year's inaugural sponsored meeting and there's more of the same on Sunday. Free entertainment and attractions remain the centrepiece
COTSWOLD Youth Grass-track Club hosted round one of the Youth Nationals at Badsey. In the Autos and Cadets, Jack Shuttleworth was unbeatable and to compliment this, his brother Ben produced his best efforts so far by winning the Junior class. The Inters
WELFORD'S Courier League squads had mixed fortunes against Royal Leamington Spa. The first team recorded a 61-40 victory to collect six points and consolidate their mid-table position. Neville Clark skipped the highest scoring rink that earned a 25-11
BROADWAY started another hectic week of fixtures with a Willersey Provisions Cup match at Overbury. Playing three games home and away, Broadway triumphed by 13 shots. The highlight of the evening came when Brian Ford bowled his last wood and Tony Meredith
PAST and present members of the Absolute Beginners drama group at Alcester Grammar School will be celebrating its 15-year history with a special performance on Sunday. Absolutely Quitessential is a mixture of the music and drama which has made the group
SHE discovered her artistic talents only two years ago but artist Caroline Berwick is going from strength to strength. Mrs Berwick (pictured left), who lives in Evesham Road, Crabbs Cross, is exhibiting a collection of works called Variety is the Spice
A WORCESTERSHIRE weighing machine manufacturer is proving it is no lightweight with an industry award from Her Majesty the Queen. Euroweigh, based on Maylite Trading Estate, Martley, near Worcester, has been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise for
A BIDFORD garden was one of only two in the county to open to the public as part of a national event to celebrate the bicentenary of the Royal Horticultural Society. Andy and Lallie Cox often open Woodpeckers at The Bank in Marlcliff for other gardening
INTERNATIONAL concert organist Carlo Curley is coming to Pershore for a special one-off performance at the town's Abbey. The American-born musician will be supported by Droitwich Spa organist Keith Hearnshaw and the Worcester Cathedral Chamber Choir when
PUPILS at Salford Priors Primary School created a huge model of The Crystal Palace in a workshop this week. The Warwickshire Education Business Partnership organised for a professional architect from the company Architecture Workshops of Cambridge to
BY now we all must know that when people say that something is "new and improved" whilst it mat be "new" it is rarely "improved". Doubtless this will apply to Pershore when the local councils have spent over half a million pounds on the place (your report
TEENAGE sensation Will Gifford sizzled with the bat yet again as Kidderminster Victoria extended their Birmingham League Division One leadership to 16 points. With second-placed Leamington clinging onto a losing draw, KVCC took advantage with an impressive
I HAVE been following Evesham's sun-cream saga with a modicum of disbelief! - for such correspondence is beginning to rival that long drawn out 'Wyre Piddle by-pass bore' and now the 'on your Wick waffle'! However perhaps by adding my half-penny worth
GOOD contributions from Simon Smith and Simon Mauger guided Bewdley into the Worcestershire League Division One top five on Saturday. The town recorded a five-wicket home triumph over Ombersley after restricting their visitors to 187-9 with Robert Combes
WORCESTER City manager John Barton admits he faces a juggling act if he wants to further strengthen his squad. Barton set a target of five new signings over the summer but, with three new arrivals on board already, his options are restricted. "If someone
THE 2004 season at Longborough Festival Opera continues with performances of Mozart's Figaro's Wedding and a newly commissioned production of Puccini's Madame Butterfly. Performances of each opera were scheduled over two weeks and finish with Madama Butterfly
A FINE 91 from Wor-cestershire opener Stephen Moore fail-ed to prevent Sri Lanka 'A' from breezing to a six-wicket win at wind-swept New Road yesterday. Watched by a bigger than expected crowd of around 800, the tourists were powered to victory by Saman
A barbecue was held on June 26, when £320 was raised for cancer charities. The following day members from Kidderminster and Wolverhampton travelled to Portsmouth for the re-dedication of a memorial to all Polish soldiers who were bound for the USA in
On Sunday there will be two rides leaving The Green, Blakebrook, Kidderminster, both starting at 7.30am and calling at Highley caf for breakfast. All cyclists will be welcome, and should take a packed lunch. On Wednesday an evening ride will leave The
Jim Page, aided by his wife, Frances, and Mike Richardson, told of the last 10 years of Leos Janacek. After a brief resume of the composer's early life, Mr Page concentrated on the last 10 years, including extracts from letters, some from the composer
AMERICAN painter Thomas Kinkade, known as the Painter of Light, will hold an exhibition in Broadway tomorrow to raise money for St Richard's Hospice. The artist, who has already raised millions of dollars for charities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation,
A group of 18 members spent a week-long diving holiday in Cornwall, visiting wrecks and reefs in the Penzance, Lamorna Cove and Lands End areas. Six members joined forces with six from a Droitwich dive club to charter a boat for a weekend at Weymouth,
After dancing the night away at Gilt Edge Club tomorrow, when music will be provided by John Boonham, several members will have a more leisurely evening when they attend Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra's concert in West Midland Safari Park on Saturday.
At a meeting at Osborne Court, Malvern Link, the chairman spoke about the British Lung Foundation's change of policy for regional offices and changes to group's finances. Reflexology expert Elaine Such was the guest speaker. On July 19 a meeting will
THE Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham will be the venue for a rare opportunity to see Roland Gift and The Fine Young Cannibals live on stage. The concert will be this Saturday and tickets, priced between £14.50-£16.50, can be ordered by calling 0870 607
A VALE singer is hoping to hit a hole in one as well as the high notes when she performs at the Vale Golf and Country Club. Debbie Miles, aged 33, from Drakes Broughton, has been singing professionally since her schooldays, after her mother spotted a
ST PETERS Church in Willersey is holding another musical event this weekend with Triple Time, a local trio of musicians. Soprano Luise Horrocks , mezzo-soprano Alison Mary Sutton and pianist John Brierley will perform music by Mendelssohn, Haydn, Offenbach
IF you're a firm believer that they don't write songs like they used to, you'll love a trip down memory lane at The Everyman in Cheltenham with Roll Out The Barrel. The show will include all the songs you don't hear on the radio anymore and song sheets
THE Kings of Swing will bring the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Dean Martin to life at Huntingdon Hall on Saturday. The fantastic band will perform great hits like My Way, Volare, Mack the Knife, That's Life, Send in the Clowns and Moon River
THE new Organic Directory 2004-2005, published by the Soil Association with Green Books, is an easy to use guide for consumers looking to find anything organic. It covers local shops and box schemes to restaurants and holiday accommodation. Patrick Holden
Mum pays tribute after keen angler son Jamie dies in tragic accident THE grieving mother of a Bewdley 16-year-old killed as he returned home from an end-of-school party has told the Shuttle/Times and News of the "absolute devastation" her family is suffering
A BEWDLEY woman who was found dead in the town's river has been described as "gentle and quiet" by her best friend. The body of Janet Anne Cooper, who was unmarried and known to most people as Anne, was recovered from the River Severn at the bottom of
JOYRIDING golf buggy snatchers were back in Bewdley this week, again causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Bewdley Pines Golf Club in Habberley Road was hit for the second time in a month when three buggies were raced around the greens, at night
SPORTY Wychavon youngsters were bowled over when they took part in a Kwik Cricket tournament organised by Wychavon DC. The event, organised by sports development officer, Mark Williams, was staged at Pershore CC and Badsey First School came out on top
EVESHAM'S Birmingham League Division Three revi-val was brought to an abrupt end when they cra-shed to a five-wicket defeat at the hands of Kings Heath. Missing the services of the influential Neal Radford, the home side were indebted to skipper Barry
BROADWAY stages its annual six-a-side tournament for the Phil Hatt Memorial Trophy on Sunday. The action starts at 11am and refreshments will be available throughout the day. The club's young wicket keeper Stuart Clark scored his maiden century last Sunday
ANOTHER maximum points haul maintained Pershore's advantage at the top of the Worcestershire County Lea-gue first division when they completed the double over Stourbridge on Saturday. The strugglers asked their visitors to bat first but a strong middle
THE Worcestershire Cri-cket Board is organising a Summer School for boys and girls aged 6-9 and 10-14 at Evesham CC during the school holidays. The course runs for five days from Monday, Aug-ust 9 to Friday, August 13, split into two three-hour sessions
KIDMORE End CC, a touring team from Reading, are seeking a fixture for Sunday, July 25. They are staying in the Tewkesbury area and any clubs that could accommodate the village side are asked to contact Martin New on 07786 445741 or 0121 680 3841.
A LARGE field contested the second annual Chair-man's Cup day at Evesham last Saturday. Contestants were confronted by tricky blustery conditions that the chairman Derek Boocock did his best to relieve by providing beverages at the 13th tee! Those players
PERSHORE face a preliminary round match in the forthcoming rugby season's North Midlands Cup. The Piddle Park outfit face a visit to Telford Hornets on the weekend of November 6/7 with the winners guaranteed a home tie in round one against Ledbury (November
TRAINING started earlier this week for Bredon Star RUFC under the supervision of newly appointed head coach Mark Stevens. Already deep in planning, Stevens sees recruiting front row players as the key to success for the forthcoming season. "If you possess
THERE'S no doubt one of the consumer's biggest bugbears is having to be habitually suspicious of everything. Too-good-to-be-true contracts with indecipherable small print and deliberately confusing product descriptions are just two of the flies in the
Evesham and District Disabled AC and Partnership's A DOZEN members visited Lemington Lakes at Moreton-in-Marsh last Sunday when an interesting match was enjoyed. Consistent netting was tricky in the changeable weather conditions but Frank Lake was the
A START has been made on the new £1 million all-weather pitch and associated facilities at Pershore High School. Head teacher Clive Corbett ceremoniously cut the first sod on Monday and he said the pitch was due for completion by the start of the new
I WOULD like to echo Mr Tyler's comments (You Say, Wednesday, June 30). My son had learning difficulties at school, and had a very low self-esteem. He was placed on the Project 19 scheme. As a youngster, his dream was to become a mechanic, but was not
A MOTHER has been fined for her son's poor school attendance - just two-and-a-half months after the family was devastated by the death of her daughter. Sarah Frankum appeared in Worcester Magistrates Court to explain why her 15-year-old son Luke had failed
I WAS most incensed by Margaret Harper's letter, when she says "our new mayor will be able to put Worcester on the map." I have nothing at all against him and I hope he has a very happy and successful year in office, but she obviously knows nothing of
RESIDENTS using half fare bus passes could soon see extra benefits, thanks to talks between Wychavon District Council and local community transport groups based in Evesham, Pershore and Droitwich Spa. The groups provide transport from rural areas where
IN response to a number of letters published recently, what I actually said was "the birth of the trade unions, and subsequently the Labour Party, owed more to Methodism than to Karl Marx." Messrs Spiteri and Nielsen are beginning to sound more like George
THE Pershore branch of Arthritis Research Campaign is appealing for volunteers to help with the flag day street collection in the town from 9am to 4pm on Saturday, July 10. "We are always glad of any help on the day," said Helen Fowler who can be contacted
POLICE are warning shoppers and traders to be on their guard against fake £20 notes circulating in Pershore. Two counterfeit notes were passed at two separate shops in the Bakers Arcade, off the High Street, last week. Police are now studying CCTV footage
A COMPUTER glitch is preventing Stratford district residents paying their council tax by debit card over the telephone. A software problem has led to residents being told that they have to come to the district council's office in person if they want to
BUDDING chess champs Jay Taylor and Holly Parker are pitting their wits and skills against some of the best school players in the country this weekend. The youngsters from Stow Primary School are taking part in the National Giga-Final of the British Land
NORTH Cotswold residents are being urged to row, walk or swim a mile at Chipping Norton Leisure Centre on Saturday in aid of Sport Relief. Participants can swim a mile from 1pm to 4pm, walk a mile from 10am to midday or row a mile from 2.30pm to 4pm.
SWIMMERS at Chipping Norton Lido had something to get their teeth into last Saturday, when a Jaws-themed day was held at the outdoor pool. Members of the Keep Our Pool Open campaign organised the special event as part of their continuing campaign to increase
MORETON country market opened for business again last Thursday in the town's newly-refurbished WI Hall. The market, formerly Moreton and District WI Market, returned to its former venue and usual day of the week, after having to move to the Redesdale
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save children's inpatient services at Cheltenham General Hospital are urging people in the north Cotswolds to take action. David Downie of the Save Battledown Children's Ward campaign wants parents, grandparents and anyone else
ONE of south Warwickshire's newest tourist attractions is now accessible by public transport Stagecoach has joined forces with Compton Verney to introduce a bus stop outside the art gallery, which opened this March after a ten-year restoration programme
BUILDINGS could be pulled down in a courtyard off High Street in Broadway to make way for a new house. An application has been submitted to Wychavon District Council for listed building consent to demolish buildings behind 117 High Street and planning
A GARDENING shop in Pershore is continuing to support local artists with a new series of exhibitions at its High Street premises. The shop, Rune and Resolution, gives space to a different artist every six weeks. Among the artists who will be showing their
THE annual summer exhibition of painting and ceramics by members of the North Cotswolds Arts Association is being held at St Edward's Hall, Stow, from July 28 until August 8 from 10am to 5.15pm daily. Entrance is free and all the works on show are for
RICHARD Ball has finally put an end to a turbulent time at Stourport Swifts. Last season's 22-goal star has joined Southern League Division One West rivals Sutton Coldfield for a "substantial four-figure fee". Ball had two spells at Walshes Meadow last
A TYPICALLY wet Knockhill circuit in the Scottish Highlands played havoc with the Piranha Racing team's tyre choice and prematurely ended rider Simon Andrews' weekend in a delayed Supersport race. In what is considered unusual conditions, the first qualifying
FOUR buildings in the Vale of Evesham are included in the English Heritage Buildings at Risk Register for 2004. Brian Barry, chairman of the Vale of Evesham Civic Society, said: "We have relatively few such buildings in this area and each one is individually
LAST weekend was another busy one for local triathletes with Michelle Dige and Phil Parsons travelling to Bishop's Castle in Shropshire to take part in Saturday's 19th Tandem Triathlon. This year's event attracted more than 90 pairs taking on the challenge
Tenbury 262ao Himbleton 263-7 TENBURY went down by three wickets in the final over as the runs flowed freely on the small Himbleton ground on Saturday in Division 5 of the Worcester-shire County League. In spite of setting a massive target they realised
THE huge changes to Wyre Forest's education system could still be scuppered by an independent committee which has the power to object to part or all of the proposals. The plans will be referred to the Schools' Organisational Committee towards the end
A MAN of words and letters has been commemorated with the dedication of a plaque in Cleobury Mortimer. Simon Evans, who became known as the postman-writer of Cleobury, carried out his rural round for more than 10 years - walking an estimated 75,000 miles
POLICE say they have put out of action most of the drug dealers in Redditch town centre after a seven-month operation. Sixteen people were arrested last week for more than 70 drugs offences as part of Operation Sabre, which targeted suppliers of Class
TEAMS willing to go to 'crate' lengths are being invited to take part in a towering challenge. The Cleobury Mortimer-based Pioneer Centre is seeking teams of between six and 10 people to build the highest towers they can out of milk crates in 10 minutes
CHILDREN are being warned to beware of hazards ranging from rivers to railway lines during their school summer holidays. Police are alerting the youngsters to the potentially fatal consequences of getting out of their depth. The temptation to cool off
PLANS to build a new runway at Wolverhampton Airport have been slammed by campaigners, who warn the bid poses an environmental threat to Wyre Forest. A year after district residents took part in a major campaign against expansion plans for the airport
SOUTH Warwickshire Police which has increased patrols of Bidford to cut down on rising crime levels has warned residents they also need to be vigilant. The initiative is aimed at targeting areas of concern like drunken behaviour and vandalism which were
WYRE Forest residents whose upcoming summer holidays do not measure up to promises made in operators' brochures are being urged to let trading standards know about their experiences. Worcestershire County Council trading standards officers want families
