Archive

  • You mustn't dodge this

    CHRISTMAS without a trip to Worcester's Swan Theatre for a panto is like Santa minus his reindeer, a big let down. This year's offering is the traditional old favourite - Cinderella - which writer/director Paul Tate has geed-up by introducing some lively

  • Great enthusiasm from all

    ALL for one and one for all! That was the valiant cry when Lickey End players staged their swashbuckling Christmas play The Three Musketeers. As usual the large cast of enthusiastic amateurs threw themselves into their various roles to the delight of

  • RESIDENT EVIL OUTBREAK

    AFTER months of eager anticipation Resident Evil Outbreak is finally here, but it's not quite what one may have initially envisaged. Gamers were disappointed when it was announced that the European release would not feature an online mode. Originally

  • DRIV3R

    Gamer's play undercover cop Tanner in the third instalment of the Driver series. As Tanner you must infiltrate the biggest car theft of all time! Graphically Driv3r's FMV's are nothing short of amazing providing gamers with a cinematic display of beauty

  • THE SUFFERING

    "If there is a God, then why has he let me die?" Torque finds this scrawled on the wall of a cell and it serves as a general introduction to The Suffering, a game in which reality is obscured and horror is very much the flavour of the day. Gamers control

  • THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK: ESCAPE FROM BUTCHER BAY

    GENERALLY games bearing any relation to movies, aside from the mighty Goldeneye, are at best decidedly average. It is therefore unsurprising that The Chronicles of Riddick has not received as much hype as say Halo 2. For those expecting a mediocre shoot

  • Van Helsing

    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

  • Holly and Taylor triumph yet again

    TWO energetic youngsters are dancing with delight after winning yet another competition. Dancers Holly Davies, 10, and Taylor Hopkins, 9, both from Bromsgrove School of Dance, won their age category at a Dancer of the Year competition in Stoke-on-Trent

  • FIFA 2004

    FIFA 2004 is the finest Fifa game to grace games consoles ever since ISS bettered it back in the days of the PSONE. Now gamers can play as football teams from any division so this means that, you too, can control the Kidderminster Harriers in season mode

  • Pro Evolution Soccer 3

    RELEASED tomorrow, PES3 is the best football game on the market. Unfortunately the commentary is as poor as before but there is a wealth to do ranging from the huge master league mode to a series of challenges in the training mode. PES3 is the most enjoyable

  • Chaos Legion

    CHAOS Legion can best be described as Devil May Cry with no puzzles and all action! Whenever our hero Seig attacks an enemy "soul" points are gained. With enough points, legions can be summoned to assist Seig. Legions vary from swordsmen to 20ft monsters

  • Tomb Raider

    Finally Tomb Raider is upon us once more. Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel Of Darkness is the sixth Tomb Raider instalment, but the first Tomb Raider to appear on the PS2 and the first to include more than one playable character. The Angel of Darkness

  • Starsky and Hutch

    Starsky and Hutch has been a hit ever since it first hit television screens in the mid '70s. Even now the duo has many fans and Starsky and Hutch is getting a revival. There are endless reruns of episodes on Satellite television, a film coming out (although

  • EVIL DEAD

    Cast your mind back about twenty years. It was an era where zombie films were huge, the two most successful being George A. Romero's trilogy of the dead and Sam Raimi's Evil Dead. The fundamental difference between the two was the approach, whilst Romero

  • WWE Crush Hour

    It's not quite wrestling, it's not quite a racer, and it's not quite a shoot 'em up! Which begs the question -what exactly is WWE Crush Hour? GRAPHICS Visually WWE Crush Hour is distinctly average. Admittedly each wrestler accurately represents their

  • Tori treble but ladies rue late refereeing decision

    Kidderminster Harriers Res 3, Evesham Utd Ladies 3 A TORI Southern hat-trick earned United a share of the spoils on Sunday as they battled back from a two-goal deficit. Evesham bossed the early stages with Southern's pace causing problems for the Harriers

  • Charity clash

    SOCCER players in Eckington are hoping to raise a few hundred pounds for the Air Ambulance when they take to the village field next Tuesday morning. The Sunday morning side will face an Over-30s select that will include current league team manager Stuart

  • Warriors winger becomes a Chief

    SIONE Kepu has moved to Exeter Chiefs after Worcester decided against a permanent deal. The New Zealander, who arrived at Sixways in October on a three-month trial, is too raw to add anything to Worcester's Premiership campaign and will link up with Ian

  • City firsts plunged into reserve outing

    A HOST of first-team regulars are to line-up for Worcester City's reserves in tonight's Central Conference Cup fixture at AFC Telford United (7.30). City manager John Barton has taken the step as part of his preparations for Boxing Day's Nationwide North

  • Back on the village trail

    EXHALL and Wixford's attempt to go one better than last season and be crowned npower National Village Cup champions starts with a home tie against Gracedieu Park on Sunday, May 8. Last summer's beaten finalists at Lord's have received a bye in round one

  • Rovers edge chiller

    Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Bracknell 1 By Peter McKinney ROVERS kept the pressure on the teams above and maintained their promotion push by seeing off cynical ten man Bracknell on Saturday. Goals for Steve Frost and Kevin Banner put Rovers 2-0 up, before striker

  • Spa victory

    DROITWICH Spa Reserves put manager Richard Goode in contention for December's manager of the month award by beating Northfield's second string 2-1. Will Patz opened the scoring after he was set up by strike partner Rob Bell in the first half. Captain

  • Shield success stings Wasps!

    Dudley Wasps 20, Evesham 26pts EVESHAM took their first successful stride into the North Midlands Shield on Sunday when they recorded a well-deserved win. The visitors were made up of first, second and third team players - all prepared to carry forward

  • Dave packs 'em in to win match

    THE third round of the Fisheasy Teams Winter League was fished on Hampton Ferry and Evesham Town Waters on Saturday when a cold but clear river produced some decent weights. Local tackle dealer Dave Packwood, fishing for Portway, had three bream for 12lbs

  • Wheelies a problem waiting to happen

    I AM surprised that the council considers there will not be any objection to the imposition of wheelie bins. Have they asked the taxpayer? Some of the problems are quite obvious. But this council sees fit to ignore the potential. Many residents have nowhere

  • Plenty of ammo for a tit-for-tat

    IT seems that Robert Woodward took an exception to my references about the sleaze of the last Conservative government (You Say, Saturday, December 4). So fair enough, his letter cited the cases of some past Labour Party ministers. I am sure Mr Woodward

  • We're on the road to utter doom

    THE real reason, R Hartwright, that bus services are poor is that few people use them. Like lemmings playing follow my leader, because one person has a car everyone else has to have one, and to hell with polluting the atmosphere and our children's future

  • Proof of pudding

    PERSHORE Operatic and Dramatic Society presented Show Stoppers at Pershore's No 8 Community Arts Theatre from December 4-11. What a wonderful show. The standing ovation on Saturday evening was proof of appreciation by the audience. The acting skills from

  • Lights aid air rescue

    ONE Bromsgrove household has lit up the dark night sky in style with its generous festive fundraising for charity. Residents of Lickey End have been treated to the Clarke family's festive illuminations to raise cash for the County Air Ambulance. The house

  • Full of festive spirit

    FESTIVE Bromsgrove youngsters were full of Christmas spirit as they sang carols to their fellow pupils. Children in class four of Lickey End First School, School Lane, were in full voice as they sang to the rest of the school at All Saints Church, Burcot

  • Wonder-ful year for Peg

    A WONDERFUL Wychbold woman and her band of trusty volunteers are celebrating a bumper end to their 20th year of fundraising for St Richard's Hospice. Peg Poultney and the Wychbold Wonders have raised almost £4,000 in the last year through their monthly

  • Christmas starts here

    YOUNGSTERS from a town pre-school were treated to an end of term party before they broke up for their Christmas holidays. Children from Marlbrook Pre-school, which meets in St Luke's Church Hall, Braces Lane, enjoyed a festive party. The day featured

  • Managing the change

    A FORMER management consultant, who became a Minister in mid-life, has been welcomed by Methodists in Bromsgrove. Rev Brian Hunt has followed his calling and moved from Torquay to take over as Superintendent Minister at the Methodist Church and Centre

  • Records expected at hunts

    HUNTING supporters are being encouraged to back the traditional Boxing Day meets in Droitwich Spa, Feckenham and Hagley. The hunts are expecting record turnouts as countryside folk show their determination to support their local hunt in the face of the

  • School bus accident

    A POPULAR teenager from a Bromsgrove school is in a serious condition in hospital after being knocked down shortly after getting off a bus. Andrew Perrygrove, a year nine pupil at South Bromsgrove High School, was in collision with a white Ford Transit

  • Poll to be held over Lido plans

    EMOTIONS ran high at a meeting to discuss whether Droitwich Spa Town Council should throw their weight behind plans to save the town's Lido. At least a dozen members of the public, including representatives from the Save a Lido Today (SALT) group, attended

  • 22/12/04 - County star is fit for Pakistan

    SHOAIB Akhtar looks set to play in Pakistan's Boxing Day Test with Australia after recovering from a shoulder problem. Worcestershire's new pace ace has shrugged off the injury picked up in the 491-run defeat to the Aussies in Perth last week. Shoaib

  • Recycling glitch sparks anger

    RESIDENTS in Rubery have been urged to be patient and carry on recycling their rubbish despite last week's glitch which left many householders fuming. As had happened elsewhere in the district, when the new refuse and recycling scheme has come on stream

  • Councillors' views on SALT's plans for Lido

    l COUNCILLOR Peter Pinfield said it was only right and proper to ask the people of the town for their views on the Lido. "This is a major decision on behalf of our town," said Cllr Pinfield, as he asked for a parish poll to be held on the matter. He said

  • Help protect the presents

    SPA officers will be helping residents protect their Christmas presents with a greater police presence this yuletide. Inspector Steve Brooker, head of Wychavon policing, said the number of homes and cars targeted by thieves often rises over Christmas.

  • Brilliant back row the catalyst for super show

    Pershore 25pts, Old Silhillians 11 PERSHORE ended the first half of the season on a high note after Saturday's magnificent display. The first 30 minutes saw the hosts produce their best form of the season and, even without several injured players, they

  • HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

    THE grandchildren of a terminally-ill Redditch woman have made a special plea to Father Christmas asking him to deliver their presents to grandma's house so they can be opened in front of her. Daniel Yeomans, nine, and brothers Jake, seven, and Sean,

  • Charity clash

    SOCCER players in Eckington are hoping to raise a few hundred pounds for the Air Ambulance when they take to the village field next Tuesday morning. The Sunday morning side will face an Over-30s select that will include current league team manager Stuart

  • Shipston's six hitters too hot for Cross men

    SHIPSTON Excelsior continue to adapt to life in Division Two of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League following successive promotions and last weekend they convincingly defeated Golden Cross to move into mid table. Shipston's goals came from Hill

  • Honour for Vinay

    A SOUTHCREST teenager born with a rare kidney disease has been given special recognition at a recent ceremony. Vinay Ladwa is busy studying for 10 GCSEs and eventually wants to run his own restaurant. And his achievements and positive attitude to life

  • Bauble bounty

    An Alvechurch pub's Christmas tree is decked with a different kind of decoration to help the needy at Christmas. Pub-goers at the Red Lion are being given the chance to pluck a label, detailing a small gift, from the Giving Tree. Gifts will be given to

  • Pupil is hurt in collision

    A schoolboy was critically injured after he was struck by a van in Alvechurch. The white Ford Transit collided with the 14 year old after he stepped off a school bus at about 4.20pm last Tuesday. The accident happened near the junction of Birmingham Road

  • Drive on town bus services

    AN evening bus service will be provided for residents living in Batchley, Oakenshaw, Crabbs Cross and Headlesss Cross as part of a pilot project being spearheaded in just a few areas across the country. The "taxi bus" service, which has been set up by

  • Expert help with tracing your roots

    RESEARCHING family history has never been so popular and with that in mind, one historian has set up his own course to help people in their quest for information. Richard Churchley, of Astwood Bank, is a former deputy headteacher but is also a bit of

  • Music for all

    AN exciting new musical venture is about to start in Studley. A new music centre called Music For You starts at Studley High School in the new year offering lessons to both children and adults on a range of instruments. Each week, professional musicians

  • Firm fined over loss of fingers

    A LAKESIDE business has been fined £2,000 with costs after an employee partially amputated two fingers at work. Crystalware Limited, of Brook Street, last week pleaded guilty at Redditch Magistrates Court to breaching The Provision and Use of Work Equipment

  • Building work to resume at village school

    WORK on a £1 million extension at Studley Infants School will start again some time in the new year after Warwickshire County Council ditched its original contractor because of long delays in completing the project. In November, Meades of Evesham were

  • Super Briggs makes splash

    DROITWICH swimming star Kim Briggs maintained her blistering form at the Welsh Winter Disabled Championships in Swansea. Kim, who has Cerebral-palsy, set two new personal best times at the Wales National Swimming Pool and won her first medals in a long

  • Aggressive McDermott wins

    TWO teenage boxers came to the fore for Droitwich ABC when they featured on a tournament at Bishop's Castle. Robin McDermott (16) and Sean Donnelly (15) continued the good recent form of the Spa club when they were both boxing opponents from the Victoria

  • Pupils branch out!

    ONE Redditch school is a much greener place thanks to a donation from the Tree Council. It donated trees to Matchborough First School to enhance the grounds of its building. The school, which was formed in 2001, is a merger of Claybrook and Icknield First

  • Three cheers for Jen

    A POPULAR school secretary who pupils and staff always turn to for help is retiring after more than 25 years in the same role. Jen Turner has seen Mount Carmel First School in Webheath triple in size since she began as school secretary. Headteacher of

  • Festive joy for traders

    SHOPKEEPERS in Alcester have cashed in on increased local support in the run-up to Christmas. Andy Mills, chairman of the town's chamber of trade, said a series of high-profile events such as the St Nicholas Festival, had encouraged visitors to come in

  • 60 years ago December 23, 1944

    CHISTMAS suddenly looked much brighter for Stoke Works residents Corporal and Mrs Hughes, from Sagebury Terrace, when they heard their son, Private Tony Hughes, was safe and well in a German prisoner of war camp. Paratrooper Private Tony Hughes had been

  • Archers on a high

    THE Worcester County Field Shoot Championships saw a glut of top awards for Evesham archers. Paul Stead put in an outstanding performance to take the gents' Recurve title with a score of 175. Worcestershire's top lady - indoors and outdoors - Linda Haines

  • Catch up with track's star names at NEC

    THE countdown has begun for Autosport International at the NEC, Birmingham, on Saturday and Sunday, January 15 and 16. It's the only motor sport show to bring top celebrities headed by David Coulthard, Mark Webber, Allan McNish, Eddie Irvine and Jodie

  • Crib results round-up

    Evesham and District League Week 11 results - Division One: Norton Grange 5 (0), Bretforton RBL 4 (3); Hospital Club C 4 (1), Rowing Club 5 (2); Angel Vaults 4 (1), Hospital Club B 5 (2), Railway Club 5 (1), Angel Vaults B 4 (2); Bidford RBL 7 (2), Hampton

  • Lygon leap to summit

    Evesham and District Airgun League LYGON Arms took advantage of Offenham's defeat at Campden RBL to open up a two-point lead at the top of the table. Bob Pitcher's 48 helped Campden's title cause, while John Walker and Ray Hemming both scored 47 for the

  • Drunken fines

    ALCESTER drinkers celebrating with too much Christmas spirit could find themselves paying the price. And it won't be just hangovers revellers could be nursing after police warned of a crackdown on binge drinking over the festive season. On-the-spot fines

  • SDM in control at top

    Evesham and District Association SIDES from Simon-de-Montfort are dominating proceedings in Section 3C of the MK Technical Serv-ices Divisions. Karl Clissold and Scott Coulson from SDM Eagles lead the way following a 3-2 success over Littleton All-sorts

  • It's Christingle time

    CHILDREN at an Alcester school learned all about the Christingle as part of their preparations for Christmas. It originated in the Moravian church as a symbol of the Christian faith and the word Christingle means Christ Light. The orange represents the

  • Vital cod fishing ground to stay open

    VITAL North Sea, West of Scotland, and Irish Sea cod fishing grounds are to stay open under a European fisheries deal hammered out in Brussels early today. Despite grim warnings from scientists about the state of dwindling stocks, European Commission

  • New airbus wins first order

    EUROPEAN plane maker Airbus has won its first customer for its new 245-seater Airbus A350. Air Europa of Spain has signed a memorandum of understanding for 10 of the new planes and two further options. UK aerospace company BAE Systems has a 20 per cent

  • Test case go-ahead over working hours

    A SOCIAL worker has been given the go-ahead to make a test case claim for compensation for not having enough rest between shift work at a children's home. The claim could spark off hundreds of other similar claims if he is successful. Paul Emery, of Evesham

  • Fair is hailed festive winner

    ORGANISERS of the first Studley Christmas Fair were overwhelmed by its success. Hundreds of people turned up to Studley Village Hall - so many, in fact, that not everybody could get inside. Parish council clerk Dot Mitchell said: "It was a huge success

  • Studley is put on the map

    A NEW guide to Studley has been published and will be posted through every letterbox in the new year. The Official Studley Guide has been produced by Heritage Guides on behalf of Studley Parish Council for 2005. The 16-page guide includes a detailed history

  • Plea for old mobiles

    AS hundreds of Redditch people look forward to receiving new mobile phones for Christmas, a national charity is asking them to donate their old phones and help others. Deafblind UK is asking for people's unwanted phones, which will be recycled and the

  • Rovers edge chiller

    Bromsgrover Rovers 2 Bracknell Town 1 ROVERS kept the pressure on the teams above and maintained their promotion push by seeing off cynical ten man Bracknell on Saturday. Goals for Steve Frost and Kevin Banner put Rovers 2-0 up, before striker Gavin Smith

  • Celebrate without suffering

    An animal charity has urged people in Worcestershire to be compassionate to animals at Christmas. Animal Aid has issued the following tips to consumers so that they can celebrate without causing suffering. Avoid buying cosmetics that have been tested

  • Work off the pud

    PEOPLE looking for ways to work off the Christmas pudding will be welcomed as countryside volunteers. Worcestershire County Council wants more people to get involved with local nature sites, learning new skills such as hedge laying, path construction,

  • Transco's on call

    WHILE the Christmas celebrations are in full swing, emergency workers for Transco, which transports gas to 20 million homes and businesses, will be working around the clock. "Safety is our main priority and our emergency teams will be available during

  • Great enthusiasm from all

    ALL for one and one for all! That was the valiant cry when Lickey End players staged their swashbuckling Christmas play The Three Musketeers. As usual the large cast of enthusiastic amateurs threw themselves into their various roles to the delight of

  • Real belters!

    TWO teenage Alcester Grammar School pupils have been rewarded for more than a decade of dedication to their sport. Robert Brown, 16 and an Ben Holdstock, 15, both achieved black belts in judo on Saturday, December 11. Both Robert and Ben have been training

  • Fair result for council

    A "DIFFICULT year is being overcome", says the Leader of Redditch Council after it was rated as "fair" in a recent performance assessment. Councillor David Cartwright spoke of his confidence in the council's future after receiving the Audit Commission's

  • Fixtures

    July (friendlies) Thurs 15 PERSHORE TN (H) 6-1 Ross, Vincent, J Clarke (2), Stokes, og SAT 17 HALESOWEN TOWN (H) 1-0 O'Toole TUES 20 COVENTRY CITY (H) 0-1 TUES 27 HEREFORD UTD (H) 0-3 WEDS 28 REDDITCH UTD (H) 1-3 Williams FRI 30 WORCESTER CITY (H) 3-2

  • Rikki's green gifts

    RIKKI the Recycling Rat has been visiting pupils across Redditch to encourage them to recycle over the festive period. Redditch Council's waste management mascot has already visited 14 schools and handed out recycling bookmarks to about 3,500 children

  • Lee hits Bees

    Studley 0 Coalville 3 A FIRST half double from Lee McGlinchey saw-off Studley's hopes of escaping the relegation mire. The Coalville hitman scored on 22 and 34 minutes after mistakes which Bees boss Kevin Rowlands described as pre-school errors. "I would

  • O come, all ye faithful

    MORE than 1,200 people packed Worcester Cathedral last night for the Evening News carol service, where they were treated to a spectacular choral performance. All the pre-booked tickets were snapped up for the second largest festive service in the Cathedral

  • New year homes promise for pups

    TWO of the seven puppies suffering from neglect and abandoned in Worcester last week have died from malnutrition. However, the remaining five from the same litter are now thriving in the care of the RSPCA and will go to new homes after Christmas. The

  • Keep your pet away from the poinsettia

    VETS are warning people to be alert to the extra hazards their animals face over Christmas to ensure their festive season runs smoothly. Alex Chapple-Hyam, trainee veterinary nurse at Brentknoll Veterinary Centre in Bath Road, Worcester, said pet-owners

  • Contract lost due to power blunder

    MINCE pie production will soon be back on track at a Worcestershire catering firm - thanks to the intervention of the Evening News. John Dunn, of Eaton Mess Patisserie, lost a major contract and had to lay off two members of staff after a series of blunders

  • Death of former Berrows director

    A FORMER director of Berrows Newspapers in Worcester has died after a short illness with cancer. Brian Thomas, who lived in Leigh Sinton with his wife of 60 years Irene, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 14, aged 80. The father and grandfather

  • Shoot-out sickener

    Evesham Utd 0, Studley 0 (aet) Studley won 5-3 on penalties KNOCKED out and knocked off! That was Tuesday's tale of torment for Dave Busst's ailing side after Grant Pinkney's shot-out penalty miss saw the Robins lose out on a semi-final place in the Worcestershire

  • Saviour Sangha rescues a point

    Evesham Utd 1, Marlow 1 TWO goals hardly in context with a scrappy contest and there would have been a third spectacular finish had Marlow keeper Lee Knott not flung himself to his left to keep out Ravi Sangha's 86th minute thunderous volley, writes Mervyn

  • Tori treble but ladies rue late refereeing decision

    Kidderminster Harriers Res 3, Evesham Utd Ladies 3 A TORI Southern hat-trick earned United a share of the spoils on Sunday as they battled back from a two-goal deficit. Evesham bossed the early stages with Southern's pace causing problems for the Harriers

  • Saviour Sangha rescues a point

    Evesham Utd 1, Marlow 1 TWO goals hardly in context with a scrappy contest and there would have been a third spectacular finish had Marlow keeper Lee Knott not flung himself to his left to keep out Ravi Sangha's 86th minute thunderous volley, writes Mervyn

  • Clarke forced out of match

    DAVE Busst revealed that Jermaine Clarke was forced out of Saturday's match when the diabetes sufferer's sugar levels dropped, writes Mervyn Collins. "Jermaine takes a jab before every game but he wasn't feeling well at half-time," the Evesham manager

  • Shoot-out sickener

    Evesham Utd 0, Studley 0 (aet) Studley won 5-3 on penalties KNOCKED out and knocked off! That was Tuesday's tale of torment for Dave Busst's ailing side after Grant Pinkney's shot-out penalty miss saw the Robins lose out on a semi-final place in the Worcestershire

  • Commission waiting for Wesley

    WESLEY Joyce has been suspended from all football following his sending off against Mangotsfield last month. The fiery striker has already served a three-match ban for the red card on November 13 but he failed to answer a charge of threatening and/or

  • Hall was packed

    AN EXCITED babble of chatter cascading from a school hall packed to overflowing with expectant parents and children subsided only when the first pupils clambered onto the stage and belted out Jingle Bell Rock. This was the scene for Catshill Middle School's

  • STREETFIGHTER:ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION

    IT has been more than 15 years now since the first Street Fighter was released. Street Fighter has always been a classic beat 'em up, rivalled by the likes of Soul Calibur, Tekken and Mortal Kombat. Capcom have released a treat for fans of the series

  • TONY HAWK'S UNDERGROUND 2

    FROM the beginning in an almost Jackass like way, violators imitating moves are warned that they will be smacked. This is fittingly appropriate for Tony Hawk's Underground 2 is far more than just a sequel to the original THUG but rather a game that pays

  • FIFA 2005

    THIS year's new feature to the FIFA series is the first touch system. Although this is another nice addition to improve the gameplay, EA have not added much more meaning once again FIFA 2005 does not quite live up to the standards of the mighty Pro Evolution

  • VIEWTIFUL JOE (12+)

    THE creators of Resident Evil have unleashed a treat in the form of Viewtiful Joe, a self-proclaimed, superhero kung-fu platform masterpiece! Gamers take control of Joe, who battles his way through many enemies in an attempt to save his kidnapped girlfriend

  • COLIN McRAE 2005

    FORGET Richard Burns Rally and all the other mediocre rally games littering the market, Colin McRae 2005 is without a doubt the king of the rally games. Gamers should not expect CM 2005 to be a simple pick up and play affair, though, for it is a realistic

  • DYNASTY WARRIORS 4: EMPIRES

    Dynasty Warriors has evolved an enormous amount from the original version back on the PSONE. The PSONE version was a simple beat them up affair but now gamers indulge in full-scale battles. Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires is the latest addition to the series

  • RESIDENT EVIL

    MYSTERY, horror, gore, and a rewarding storyline are just a few of the factors that make Resident Evil one of the greatest games of all time. When the Resident Evil remake was first released, hard core fans of the series flocked to the shops in thousands

  • SYPHON FILTER: THEOMEGA STRAIN

    WITH a selection of prequels on the PSONE, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain has a lot to live up to. In terms of meeting the expectations set there are both high and low points that will be encountered throughout the endurance of the game. Gamers will

  • WORLD WAR ZERO

    IMAGINE we're in the year 1964, a whole 50 years after the First World War broke out. Now try to imagine that the war never ended, that we are still in the middle of a world war. World War Zero presents gamers with this scenario and throws them straight

  • ATHENS 2004

    THE Olympics are upon us once again, but this time you too can participate with Sony's Athens 2004. What this offers is a series of modes ranging from practice to multiplayer to the actual Olympics competition for gamers to participate in. There are a

  • Onimusha 3: Demon Siege

    STARRING Jean Reno as Jacques and Takeshi Kaneshiro as Samanosuke, one could be forgiven for believing Onimusha 3 is the latest Hollywood movie to hit the box office. Actually it is the third and, arguably, the best in the exciting Onimusha trilogy. Onimusha

  • FORBIDDEN SIREN

    THERE are two approaches to the horror genre - a bloody gore fest or a psychological horror. Forbidden Siren fits into the latter category and bears many similarities to the popular film, The Ring. Graphics are gritty, using wobbly camera angles and distorted

  • Red Dead Revolver

    RED Dead Revolver is the first game to fully immerse itself into the Wild West genre. Red is a bounty hunter who is desperate to trace his father's killer. Gamers will find themselves absorbed into the storyline as it slowly unravels over 27 chapters.

  • Onimusha Blade Warriors

    WITH Onimusha 3 gracing consoles within the next month, Capcom have released Onimusha Blade Warriors to serve as an appetiser for fans of the series. Blade Warriors is an ideal game for multi-players as it is not too distant in style and concept from

  • Hit and Run

    AFTER a string of poor Simpson's titles Hit and Run will be welcomed by fans of the cult television show. Hit and Run is similar in parts to Grand Theft Auto but, rather than taking part in mass criminal activity, gamers control the likes of Homer, Bart

  • Smackdown

    THIS latest instalment in the Smackdown series is simply the best wrestling title available for the PS2. The season mode has advanced with superstar points based on popularity, financial reward to be spent on unlocking extras, and experience points based

  • Silent Hill 2

    ALTHOUGH the game is admittedly getting on in age there is no denying that Silent Hill 2 is one of the finest fear evoking games available for any console. James Sunderland is a traumatised young man and is lured to Silent Hill when his wife, who supposedly

  • SMACKDOWN 4

    SMACKDOWN 4 sees a much-improved story mode as gamers work their way from the bottom to the top of the wrestling ladder. Storylines are identical to those seen in the WWE a few years ago so, although in no way original, they will evoke memories. Smackdown

  • The Italian Job: LA Heist

    THE Italian Job: LA Heist is based on the new blockbuster film currently showing at the cinema. LA Heist's main mode is the story mode. This involves completing missions in the legendary Mini, whether it's to reach a certain destination or race. Sadly

  • The Getaway

    MARK Hammond has just been released from prison to return to a normal life. Sadly, life is anything but normal for Hammond as his wife is killed and his son kidnapped! Hammond is determined to get his son back but Jolson, the kidnapper, makes Hammond

  • The Great Escape

    THE Great Escape sees gamers control four characters from the film: Hendley, Sedgwick, MacDonald and Hilts. Gamers are constantly captured and on the run. First it's a matter of escaping from a basic camp and hiding from guards behind crates. As the game

  • Resident Evil 3

    JILL Valentine, star of the original Resi, is the main character in Resident Evil 3. The game is split into two parts, 24 hours before Resident Evil 2 and 24 hours after Resident Evil 2. Like Resi 2, Resident Evil 3 is a direct conversion rather than

  • Divided Galaxies

    After the extremely advanced Uncommon Valour, Just Flight has released the latest Starships Unlimited, entitled, Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies. The game caters for the average gamer, providing them with a user-friendly tutorial which will prove

  • Dead Aim

    After a mass of Resident Evil games for the Nintendo GameCube the PS2 finally gets another instalment of survival horror. This time, however, gamers get to play in a game that promises to mix the best elements from both Resident Evil and Resident Evil

  • Uncommon Valour

    Campaign For The South PacificJust Flight is famous for providing gamers with top quality flight simulations whether they are new to the genre or experts. As one would expect the flight simulations vary considerably in difficult, some will be picked up

  • Ikaruga

    IT'S not often that games come along that concentrate fully on addiction and gameplay rather than a great storyline and bold graphics but Ikaruga is just that game. Ikaruga has the potential to be a classic as it takes the shoot 'em up back to basics

  • Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up

    Newtown Spts 3, Evesham Utd Robins U-9 1 THE Robins fell to their first away defeat of the season after a lacklustre performance. It started well as they went 1-0 ahead when Jordan Izod converted a cross from Sol Sanchez. In the second half, though, some

  • Stunner Staley torments Town

    Littleton 3, Kenilworth Town 1 AFTER successive league defeats, Littleton returned to winning ways with a convincing home victory last Saturday. On a heavy pitch, the hosts dominated play for long periods and should have won by a far larger margin. Littleton

  • Shipston's six hitters too hot for Cross men

    SHIPSTON Excelsior continue to adapt to life in Division Two of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League following successive promotions and last weekend they convincingly defeated Golden Cross to move into mid table. Shipston's goals came from Hill

  • Danby back to his best

    The highly rated 'keeper, whose eye-catching form has encouraged the scouts to flock to Aggborough, pulled off a string of saves to deny Halesowen Town. But the Southern League Premier Division visitors still triumphed 2-0 against a Harriers team otherwise

  • Swimmers making waves in Midlands

    WORCESTER Swimming Club continue to make a splash on the Midlands scene after recording a good finish in a prestigious competition. The club took fourth place behind regional super power City of Coventry, Perry Beaches and City of Derby in the West Midlands

  • Luckless Spa left in limbo after ref injury

    Droitwich Spa 10 Ledbury 7 DROITWICH'S relegation battle took another twist after Saturday's relegation battle was abandoned with just minutes to go. Spa had been leading 10-7 with the game nearly over when the referee stopped it after sustaining concussion

  • Boars see off rivals

    Bournville U15 15 Bromsgrove U15 17 BROMSGROVE signed off for the festive period with a hard fought win over Bournville on Sunday. The Young Boars had to show a great deal of spirit to ensure they won their penultimate game of 2004 against a tough Birmingham

  • Buoyant Boars keep on rolling

    Mansfield 14 Bromsgrove 27 BROMSGROVE ended the first half of the season on a high note as they trounced Mansfield away from home on Saturday. Victory in Mansfield mean the newly promoted Boars took another step towards safety in Midlands Division One

  • Early goal puts the skids under Fairfield revival

    Fairfield Villa 1 Knowle 6 VILLA'S hopes of maintaining their revival came to an end against a powerful Knowle side on Saturday. Fairfield's hopes of making it three wins in a row were ended by Knowle, who scored three goals in each half. Villa never

  • Spartak hold Coventry

    Coventry Marconi 1 Barnt Green Spartak 1 UNDER strength Spartak proved to be more than a match for title chasing Coventry Marconi in the Midland Combination Premier Division on Saturday. Despite being without first team regulars Rodalph Richards, Nasir

  • Try feast in friendly

    Evesham II 47pts, Ludlow II 12 EVESHAM finished 2004 off in style with a comprehensive home victory in Saturday's friendly encounter. Running in seven tries, the home side showed the kind of form that has seen them win the 2003/2004 Hereford and Worcester

  • Nice as pie!

    Redditch United 2 Barrow 0 TWO goals in the last ten minutes left the Bluebirds sick as parrots at Valley Stadium. A Redditch United double substitution with 15 minutes remaining saw the introduction of striker Arthur Appleton who made one and scored

  • Holly and Taylor triumph yet again

    TWO energetic youngsters are dancing with delight after winning yet another competition. Dancers Holly Davies, 10, and Taylor Hopkins, 9, both from Bromsgrove School of Dance, won their age category at a Dancer of the Year competition in Stoke-on-Trent

  • The Bible needs to be treated as a whole

    I THINK Pauline Huckridge is much nearer the truth than Jed King. Human nature is not inherently good. Even babies and young children never need to be taught to be naughty. Has Jed had much experience of them, I wonder? I have spent my life working with

  • Death warrant

    I WOULD like to thank our Government for issuing a death warrant for thousands of healthy, happy hounds so that we can now shoot, gas, poison and snare foxes into extinction. Do all you anti-hunt protesters believe that you are animal lovers? I question

  • It's lights fantastic

    BIG-HEARTED Bromsgrove residents have helped the town-based Primrose Hospice set a new record for its annual Lights of Love remembrance campaign. When the campaign closed on Monday close on £18,000 had been raised here and from Redditch, where a similar

  • Muscling in

    A PRISON near Bromsgrove was the setting for a fiercely contested battle - but fortunately it was for charity. Inmates and gym staff at Blakenhurst Prison, Tardebigge, went head to head in a triathlon in aid of the Primrose Hospice, which cares for ill

  • Blitz on binge drinkers

    ALCOHOL related crime and binge drinking is being targeted by Bromsgrove police during the Christmas period. Pubs and clubs in the area are being reminded of their legal responsibilities to prevent irresponsible drinking as part of Operation Christmas

  • You must work together

    DISTRICT councillors must set aside party differences and work together if major problems facing the failing authority are to be overcome. That's one of the chief priorities for Bromsgrove District Council set out in a hard-hitting letter from Phil Hope

  • D-Day for local hunts

    HUNT supporters are being encouraged to throw their weight behind the traditional Boxing Day meets in Droitwich Spa, Feckenham and Hagley. The hunts are expecting record turnouts on Sunday as countryside folk show their determination to support their

  • Cheers to new laws

    A COMMUNITY leader for Droitwich Spa has raised a glass to new licensing laws. Wychavon district councillor Don Lawley, of Droitwich, said he welcomed the changes to the laws. The authority's licensing committee, of which Cllr Lawley is chairman, set

  • Brilliant back row the catalyst for super show

    Pershore 25pts, Old Silhillians 11 PERSHORE ended the first half of the season on a high note after Saturday's magnificent display. The first 30 minutes saw the hosts produce their best form of the season and, even without several injured players, they

  • New hope for bypass

    THE question of whether Studley will ever get a bypass rumbles on after Warwickshire County Council decided to appeal to the High Court over a government decision to revoke route orders. The county council said the decision was based on "legal opinion

  • Facing up to 'shock' treatment

    AS a society, we have become slaves to self-improvement, a neurosis reflected in the popularity of gritty dramas like the recent Channel 4 Nip/Tuck series, grotesquely graphic documentaries about plastic surgery and adverts for various lotions and potions

  • Back to school for ex-prisoner

    A REVOLUTIONARY scheme to cut crime by bringing former prisoners face-to-face with Wythall schoolchildren is hoped to take off next year. A recent trial presentation by former offender Gary White - who served five years for armed robbery at Wellingborough

  • Drumming up kids' interest

    PUPILS at St Bede's Middle School learnt some "handy" tricks of the trade recently when an African drummer dropped in. Head of music at the Holloway Lane school, Phil Page, said: "It is always a great pleasure having Goggie Ifill at St Bede's delivering

  • Minister quizzed by panel of chiefs

    A LIVELY discussion about manufacturing and its place in the regional economy has taken place in Redditch. The debate was a chance for local manufacturers to quiz Minister for Industry and town MP Jacqui Smith, as well as a panel of manufacturing experts

  • Due in court

    A MAN has been arrested and charged with drink-driving after being spotted by CCTV cameras in Redditch town centre. Shortly before 1.30am on Monday, December 13, the 29-year-old man from Redditch was seen getting into his car in Grove Street. CCTV operators

  • Ghostly start to festival

    EXCITING plans are now beginning to take shape for Redditch Community Arts Festival Event (CAFE) which takes place next year. The event should begin with a ghost walk on the evening of Thursday, June 9 and the following evening there will be a variety

  • Free fighters launch DVD

    INNOVATIVE self-defence school the British Free Fighting Association (BFFA) held an action packed launch of its new DVD, Survive the Streets, on December 16. Representatives from lads magazine Loaded were just some of the luminaries who attended the official

  • 25 years ago December 21, 1979

    SIR Barrie Heath, chairman of engineering giant GKN, paid a flying visit to its Garringtons factory in Bromsgrove. The 63-year-old boss, who was about to retire, dropped in by helicopter to tour the world-renowned works and say goodbye to staff. THE retiring

  • 50 years ago December 25, 1954

    THE sale of live birds at Bromsgrove's Market Hall had been well up on last year. Town autioneers Luce and Silvers reported having sold 2,200 head of turkeys on one day, the average price being 5/7 (28p) per pound. A CENTURY of gas production in Bromsgrove

  • Latest darts news

    Evesham Ladies League Results - Division One: Corner Cupboard 4, Beckford SC 6; Fairfield A 2, Norton Grange 8; Golden Cross 6, New Inn 4; Hospital B 7, Long Lartin B 3; Littleton Bowls 5, Sun Nomads 5. Division Two: Evesham WMC 4, Cider Mill 6; Offenham

  • Closure shock at factory

    STAFF at an Alcester company had an unpleasant shock when they were told their firm was to close just weeks before Christmas. Severn Lamb, in Tything Road, employed about 40 people in its workshop where they made rail and road trains. Customers included

  • It's that together feeling...

    BUSINESSES in the area will have access to one of the strongest support agencies in the country after the merger of two local Business Links yesterday. The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire, which has been delivering the two counties

  • Nativity delight around Alcester

    THE Christmas story has been performed in halls and churches in Alcester over the past two weeks as schools and nurseries produced their annual nativity plays. Many have found a modern drama to delight family audiences but the traditional tale of Mary

  • Sprout and about!

    LOVE them or loathe them, sprouts are an essential part of Christmas. There is a tradition in our household that everyone has to have at least one on their plate at the start of the meal. It is often fobbed off onto an unsuspecting guest, or even the

  • Police in search for prisoner

    WARWICKSHIRE police are appealing for help to trace a man wanted in connection with a series of burglaries in the county, including ones in Haselor and Welford. They want to question him about more than 100 burglaries at isolated houses in south Warwickshire

  • Spotlight on landlord

    STAFF at Worcestershire's leading landlord are to be put under the spotlight by employees of another housing group. In an innovative move, workers at Festival Housing Group, which manages 8,000 homes throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire, will be

  • Training 'present' for staff on cards

    EMPLOYERS in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being urged to give their workers a well-deserved Christmas present by taking advantage of £1,000 worth of free training. The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire is offering

  • Giant turkey fetches £1,700

    A GIANT turkey that could feed more than 100 people has been sold for a massive £1,700. The 74lb bird, which will take more than 24 hours to cook and is too big for a domestic oven, was the subject of a fierce bidding war. The bird was reared by Donside

  • Can we trust the trustees?

    AS an Alcestrian, I naturally welcome the large amount of taxpayers' money that is to be spent on the Greig Centre. However, I fear for the future of the Hannah Susan Greig Memorial Hall. We are told by the trustees that profit from the sports hall will

  • Rovers may contest goalkeeper's red card

    BROMSGROVE Rovers could be without goalkeeper Matt Lowe for three games after he was sent off on Saturday. Lowe was handed a straight red card while warming up near the end of Saturday's 2-1 win over Bracknell. Manager Jimmy Mullen is now waiting for

  • Luckless Spa left in limbo after ref injury

    Droitwich 10 Ledbury 7 DROITWICH'S relegation battle took another twist after Saturday's relegation battle was abandoned with just minutes to go. Spa had been leading 10-7 with the game nearly over when the referee stopped it after sustaining concussion

  • Paving the way for pupils

    A SCHOOL in Drakes Broughton, near Pershore, has received an early Christmas gift from Raynesway Construction Southern Ltd (RCS). Teenage apprentices from the construction firm paved two small patches of grass at St Barnabas Church of England First and

  • Council's £1.5m fine if waste targets missed

    A CHRISTMAS message calling on households in Worcester to start recycling or face financial penalties is being renewed by the city council. With the amount of waste produced over the festive period rising to a fifth above the normal level, the council

  • It was mince pies and sherry, actually

    THIS year's Evening News Senior Citizens Film Show proved a roaring success at Odeon Cinema in Foregate Street, Worcester. Older readers enjoyed mince pies, courtesy of Greggs, together with the odd glass of sherry, while watching free of charge the romantic

  • Eight held as police swoop

    EIGHT people were arrested on Friday night for offences including drink-driving, criminal damage, assault and disorder. Dozens of police officers flooded Redditch town centre as part of Operation Christmas Presence, aimed at tackling drink driving, alcohol-fuelled

  • Man bit attacker

    AN assault victim had to bite the cheek of his attacker in order to escape. The 64-year-old man was walking along a footpath leading from High Street to the Co-op car park in Studley when he was approached from behind by three men. One knocked him to

  • You mustn't dodge this

    CHRISTMAS without a trip to Worcester's Swan Theatre for a panto is like Santa minus his reindeer, a big let down. This year's offering is the traditional old favourite - Cinderella - which writer/director Paul Tate has geed-up by introducing some lively

  • Hall was packed

    AN EXCITED babble of chatter cascading from a school hall packed to overflowing with expectant parents and children subsided only when the first pupils clambered onto the stage and belted out Jingle Bell Rock. This was the scene for Catshill Middle School's

  • Stay safe to avoid another tragedy

    OUR thoughts and sympathies go to the family of Kelly Bicknell. Kelly was killed attempting to cross the A38 in Bromsgrove. She had been on a night out with old school friends and was on her way home, when tragedy struck at 2am on Sunday. The loss of

  • DERBY DAYS

    THE festive season has thrown up a Christmas plateful of derby dishes to set mouths watering across the town. First up, Redditch United will be working off their turkey dinners as they travel two junctions up the M42 to Moor Green on Boxing Day for a

  • Stroud up in round 3

    A COMFORTABLE victory over Bicester saw Redditch through to round three of the HA Vase as they completed their competitive schedule for the year. The Bromsgrove Road men have been drawn away against Stroud in the next round which will take place on February

  • Eye services joy

    LONG-awaited improvements to the eye department at the Alexandra Hospital, including new clinics and more staff, should be in place by April. The upgrades to ophthalmology services were set out in detail in a letter to town MP Jacqui Smith by Worcestershire

  • Dunked in glory

    KINGSLEY College's under 19 boys basketball team have been crowned West Midlands champions. The Woodrow Drive School's hoop shooters beat sqauds from Newcasle-under-Lyme, Stafford and Stoke before taking on Bromsgrove School and winning in the final.

  • Appearances and Goals 2004/05

    Dave Adey Apps 11, gls 0; Linton Bailey (1), 0; Leon Blake 23 (3), 5; Marc Burrow 14, 1;David Carns 15 (3), 3; Jermaine Clarke 22 (6), 8; Tim Clarke 10 (1), 0; Steve Duncan 22 (1), 4; Simon Fitter (8), 0; Steven Hands 17 (2); 0; 5; Stuart Hamilton 13

  • Clarke forced out of match

    DAVE Busst revealed that Jermaine Clarke was forced out of Saturday's match when the diabetes sufferer's sugar levels dropped, writes Mervyn Collins. "Jermaine takes a jab before every game but he wasn't feeling well at half-time," the Evesham manager

  • Nice as pie!

    Redditch United 2 Barrow 0 TWO goals in the last ten minutes left the Bluebirds sick as parrots at Valley Stadium. A Redditch United double substitution with 15 minutes remaining saw the introduction of striker Arthur Appleton who made one and scored

  • Commission waiting for Wesley

    WESLEY Joyce has been suspended from all football following his sending off against Mangotsfield last month. The fiery striker has already served a three-match ban for the red card on November 13 but he failed to answer a charge of threatening and/or

  • Hungry Wolf

    ALVECHURCH muscled their way into the last eight of the Polymac Services League Cup after a 2-0 win away at Oldbury United. The 'Churchmen's Dominik Wolf opened the scoring after 14 minutes before Craig Hall settled the cup encounter on 75 minutes. The

  • A bright and beautiful woman

    THE family of a Droitwich girl who died in a road accident following a school reunion has paid tribute to a "bright and beautiful" young woman. Kelly Bicknell, formerly Kelly Warrilo, was killed as she attempted to cross the A38 in Bromsgrove following

  • Mary's Commons hope moves a step nearer

    WORCESTER campaigner Mary Dhonau has passed the first hurdle in her bid to become a Liberal Democrat MP for the city. But it could be February before she knows whether she has been chosen by local Lib Dems as the prospective parliamentary candidate for

  • Term's work in stolen vehicle

    THIEVES stole a lecturer's car and took a bag full of coursework before writing-off the vehicle. The worksheets and papers were in the Mini Metro owned by Worcester College of Technology tutor Sue Williams, when it was stolen from outside her home Battenhall

  • Don't stop the rot over holidays

    THE inevitable indulgence of food during the festive period may be bad for your waistline but it's great for your garden. Up to a third of the rubbish households in Worcestershire throw away could be recycled back into gardens to make flowers and plants

  • 'Arrogant' response to safety survey

    A COUNCILLOR was branded "patronising and arrogant" for his response to a report into making children's school journeys safer. A group of backbench Worcestershire county councillors spent a year looking into Safer Routes to School schemes, with recommendations

  • 22/12/04 - City firsts plunged into reserve outing

    A HOST of first-team regulars are to line-up for Worcester City's reserves in tonight's Central Conference Cup fixture at AFC Telford United (7.30). City manager John Barton has taken the step as part of his preparations for Boxing Day's Nationwide North

  • Quinton surprise as seconds shine

    HALFORDS encountered a mixed weekend with an early Edwards of Stratford Cup exit but the goals flooded in for the club's second string. Quinton's 3-2 knockout triumph on the road arrived courtesy of goals from Jim Bunn, Sean McKendry and Chris Evans with