Archive

  • Here's a surprise for music lovers

    THE world of music is an odd one, which often throws up a few surprises here and there. And the group Homespun (pictured) are such a surprise - bringing together one of the most original contemporary songwriters with the voice behind one of the late 80s

  • A Payne you'll enjoy...

    JUGGLING his time between writing, teaching and performing, accomplished musician Rick Payne has made a huge impact on the blues scene with his talents. The musician's reputation often precedes him, with many fans making 100-mile round trips to see him

  • Unique qualities win recognition

    A textile designer whose work is her passion has just won a professional photography shoot to publicise her latest creations. Nicola Thomson designs and produces knitted and felted fashion clothing and interior furnishings, including cushions and throws

  • Good music and a warm welcome at ESO concert

    FRIENDS and supporters of the English Symphony Orchestra are being invited to a concert to celebrate the new year. Directed by Michael Bochmann and featuring ESO musicians and the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, the concert will showcase the orchestra's principal

  • Elgar connection is celebrated

    The centenary of Edward Elgar's appointment at the University of Birmingham will be marked with a range of events. Elgar was made the university's first Professor of Music in 1905 and enjoyed a long relationship with the city. The centenary celebrations

  • Alex - or Mary - is on his way to the West End

    ALEX Weatherill is pinching himself. For as long as he can remember, the 27-year-old actor has dreamed of landing a role in a West End production. And this week his dreams turned into a reality. From the end of February the former Worcester Royal Grammar

  • Whats on at your local theatre

    Until Jan 22: Kays Theatre Group presents Robinson Crusoe at The Swan Theatre, Worcester. Tickets: 01905 420083. Until Jan 22: Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen at Forum Theatre, Malvern. Great songs, lots of action and audience participation.

  • Cinemas

    Malvern Cinema: The Merchant of Venice (PG). Evenings 7.30pm, Sat, Sun & Thurs mats 4pm. Satyrday, January 22 only - The Incredibles (U) 1pm only. Odeon Worcester: Advance Screening - Meet the Fockers (12A) Thurs only 2.10, 4.20, 6.35, 8.50 Free list

  • Meet Jane Hunter, the woman in wine

    JANE Hunter is New Zealand's first woman of wine. She was born Jane Arnold in South Australia ,where her father had a vineyard and she went to New Zealand in 1981, to escape from wine. There, she ran a restaurant for two years before, in 1983, becoming

  • The birds and the trees

    Birds and trees are two of the main features of this walk. The birds include a variety of species, from blackbirds to buzzards, but it is wetland birds which are most numerous, thanks to the proximity of the River Severn and the proliferation of pools

  • 19/4/03 - Carty is backing Barton outburst

    PAUL Carty insists John Barton was right to unleash a few home truths following Worcester City's 3-2 defeat to Ilkeston Town last weekend. The St George's Lane manager kept the players back for more than an hour in a bid to thrash out the root cause of

  • 100 years ago July 26, 1902

    A BROMSGROVE man was told it was "most disgraceful to hit a woman" when he was fined 10s 9d 6d by the chairman of Bromsgrove Petty Sessions. Eoch Wilkes, of Staple Hill, was found guilty of assaulting elderly Jane Layton, also of Staple Hill, after he

  • 15/1/00 - Chris settling into Sixways captain's role

    CHRIS Raymond has plenty to think about on a Saturday -- leaping to claim line-out ball ten feet in the air and helping to shove backwards over 100 stone of opposition scrummage. But the 31-year-old Worcester Rugby Club lock has had more responsibility

  • 24/10/03 - Cox and Halion strike for Town

    MALVERN Town moved four points clear at the top of the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division with this hard fought victory at Lye on Saturday. BRIERLEY HILL & HAGLEY 1, MALVERN TOWN 2 Following an even opening spell, during which

  • Nottingham Forest 4 Kidderminster Harriers 0

    Wednesday, September 11, 2002 PREMIERSHIP-chasing Nottingham Forest snuffed out Kidderminster Harriers' hopes of a Worthington Cup upset with a clinical 4-0 first round job last night. The gulf in class between the former European Cup winners from Division

  • 29/4/04 So close to point

    BATTLING Kidderminster Harriers Ladies were unlucky not to claim a West Midlands League Premier Division point at TNS. They fought well at Park Hall Stadium, Oswestry, on Sunday but lost 3-2 which was at least an improvement on their 6-2 defeat to the

  • 6/3/03 Supporters trust up and running

    ORGANISERS hailed Saturday's official launch of the Kidderminster Harriers Independent Supporters Trust (KHIST) a success. Around 150 fans attended the meeting after the Scunthorpe match along with Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor and Supporters Direct

  • 30/06/04 - Is wonderkid related?

    COULD former Bromsgrove Rovers manager George Rooney be related to England strike sensation Wayne Rooney? Well, quite possibly, according to Liverpool-born George, himself on the books at Everton as a youngster. He said: "My father was one of nine - eight

  • 7/5/01 - Time and money needed says Barton

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton says it will take time and money to turn his side into title contenders. Barton's side finished a disappointing eighth in the Dr Martens League Premier Division following Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville

  • Huge crowds greet Parliamentary hopeful

    REMARKABLE crowd scenes clearly greeted a prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Worcester area at this time 250 years ago, according to an account in the Journal for this week of 1753. "On Monday last, Henry Crabb Boulton Esq., made his public entry

  • 19/01/00 - There's still a place for Greenman

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton says he is determined to keep faith with crocked defender Chris Greenman. The 31-year-old club captain had an operation yesterday on a ruptured cruciate knee ligament and will not play again this season. But although his

  • 28/4/04 A summer of change ahead

    HARRIERS 0, ROCHDALE 1 NOW they are mathematically safe from relegation, Kidderminster Harriers' Division Three struggle really can not end quickly enough. Saturday's 1-0 home defeat to third-from-bottom Rochdale was typical of too many abject displays

  • 23/06/04 - Chairman misses out

    BROMSGROVE Rovers chairman Tom Herbert has missed out on becoming a Southern Football League director. Mr Herbert was put forward by the Victoria Ground club for election as a Midlands representative on the League's board at their annual meeting in Torquay

  • 5/5/01 - No regrets at City move says Danny

    WORCESTER City goalkeeper Danny McDonnell says he hasn't regretted his move to St George's Lane. McDonnell has been a key figure in City's rise this season, helping them win the Dr Martens League Cup and be in with a chance of finishing fourth in the

  • 17/01/00 - Players told to forget Trophy

    WORCESTER City manager John Barton is urging his players to put thoughts of FA Umbro Trophy glory aside tonight and concentrate on a crucial league game. City entertain bottom club Grantham Town in the Dr Martens League Premier Division (7.45), fresh

  • 9/6/01 - County fall just short in win bid

    MARK Davis helped Sussex to victory with a career-best return of six for 116 as Worcestershire went down by 33 runs on a turning Horsham wicket. Davis claimed four of the last six Worcestershire wickets as the visitors, chasing 327 to win, were bowled

  • 25 years ago November 7, 1978

    STAGE two of a three-week project to improve sewers in Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, was well underway. Workmen had already laid two concrete pipes and an access tunnel in an effort to renew the brickwork, which was put down 200 years ago. Severn Trent

  • 27/7/02 - Kabir back for Royals crunch

    KABIR Ali returns to first team action tomorrow when table-topping Worcestershire Royals take on Yorkshire Phoenix in a crucial Norwich Union League Division One clash at New Road (1pm). The County hope the young paceman will be firing on all cylinders

  • Yapp urged to be patient by coach Skeggs

    TONY Yapp starts once again on the bench today at Exeter with Worcester Rugby Club coach Adrian Skeggs telling him: "patience is the key." The 23-year-old has made just one start this season and has found it impossible to jump ahead of Worcester's key

  • 28/2/03 - O'Leary rejects Warriors

    GLOUCESTER winger Daren O'Leary has decided not to sign for Worcester Rugby Club. O'Leary, a former England 'A' and sevens star, has dropped down the Kingsholm pecking order this season and the Gloucester management were willing to release him, but the

  • 7/10/03 - Town go back on table top

    MALVERN Town went back to the top of the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division, with this incident-packed victory at the Langland Stadium on Saturday. MALVERN TOWN 2, WOLVERHAMPTON UNITED 1 From the start, the visitors approach was intimidatory

  • 22/4/04 Planning for future

    JAN Molby has revealed current loan signing Simon Brown is a potential target for next season's revamp. Brown, with two goals in five matches for Kidderminster Harriers, could be available again on a temporary basis if West Brom secure Premiership status

  • 5/3/03 Melligan magic inspires Harriers

    HARRIERS 1 SOUTHEND 0 FANS could not have been blamed for falling asleep during the first hour or so of Tuesday's match but they would have missed a rip-roaring finale. A dull Division Three encounter with Southend suddenly burst into life as shots rained

  • 16/06/04 - Former England star to be coach

    ANDY Sinton is staying with Bromsgrove Rovers as a coach. The former England international spent the final six games of last season with the club. And he has agreed to stay on to help with coaching although work commitments mean he won't be signing as

  • 11/12/03 Dean Bennett after Woking

    DEAN Bennett is now looking to break his Division Three goal drought after four goals in just two FA Cup games. The midfielder, known for his tireless non-stop running, has looked a lively operator behind lone forward Andy White on away trips. But while

  • 4/5/01 - Next step will be hardest to take

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton has warned that the next stage of progression for his side will be the most difficult. City round off their Dr Martens League Premier Division campaign at Havant and Waterlooville tomorrow (3pm), with fourth place now their

  • Powick Mental Asylum food under discussion

    THE quality of meals served to the hundreds of inmates of the Powick Mental Asylum was under discussion by Worcestershire County Council at this time 100 years ago. The Journal of 1903 said the councillors had before them an official report from the Commissioners

  • 25/1/02 - Kilfoyle sounds backlash warning

    ROTHERHAM Rugby Club chief executive Jim Kilfoyle has warned his players to beware a Worcester backlash tomorrow in the biggest match of the National One season. Kilfoyle's side lead the league table by three points with a vital game in hand going into

  • Bromsgrove Rovers 5 Gresley Rovers 0

    Saturday, September 14, 2002 QUITE how Bromsgrove Rovers managed to beat Gresley Rovers 5-0 last Saturday will remain one of life's unanswered questions. At 77 minutes, Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side led by Kevin Banner's 45th minute goal and were hanging

  • 16/4/03 - Sponsor boost for City coffers

    WORCESTER City have struck a new two-year shirt sponsorship deal with local firm E & E Engineering. The Blackpole-based long-standing family business will pay a five-figure sum each year to display their name on City's new shirts. E & E proprietor

  • 27/2/03 - Richardson back in the fast lane!

    SPEED king Tom Richardson has been given the job of shooting down Exeter Chiefs' Twickenham dreams. Worcester Rugby Club's pace ace is named in the side to face Ian Bremner's men in Saturday's Powergen Shield semi-final clash at Sixways (3pm). Richardson

  • 13/1/00 - Worcester duo in Orrell recall

    CLUB captain Bruce Fenley and leading points scorer Tony Yapp both return for the trip to Orrell on Saturday as Worcester bid to get their promotion hopes back on course. The scrum-half and stand-off come in for Sililo Martens and new signing David Pears

  • 5/6/03 Swoop prepared for goal ace

    ONE of last season's leading scorers in the Dr Martens Western Division will be a Stourport Swifts player next season if Dave Titterton has his way. The Swifts boss is hoping to tie up a deal for the striker, a midfielder and another player to add to

  • Search for oysters and a Preece

    MEMORIES are being sought of the former Oyster Bar which stood opposite the Theatre Royal in Angel Street, Worcester. The plea for recollections comes from Shirly Line who was the Berrow's Worcester Journal cookery writer in the 1980s, and who ran the

  • Kidderminster Harriers 1 Darlington 1

    Saturday, August 31, 2002 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers had to settled for their fourth draw in their opening six Nationwide League Division Three outings after a 1-1 deadlock with Darlington at Aggborough on Saturday. Harriers took the lead with a 53rd minute

  • 22/4/04 Next for Harriers

    ROCHDALE may just have moved up a gear in their battle to survive in the Football League after last weekend's 3-0 success over Leyton Orient. Two goals from Grant Holt and one by Northern Ireland international Patrick McCourt earned Steve Parkin's side

  • 5/3/03 More woe from Lincolnshire

    HARRIERS 1 SCUNTHORPE 3 IF Kidderminster Harriers' play-off aspirations do go flat, then the county of Lincolnshire will have played a big part. Harriers are yet to beat a team from that neck of the woods this season following comprehensive defeats to

  • 09/06/04 - Rovers face former favourite

    BROMSGROVE Rovers will face former captain Steve Pope as they prepare for the new season. Joe Jackson is taking his side to Halesowen Town, Pope's new club, on Saturday, July 31, for one of their five pre-season friendlies. The Victoria Ground side, who

  • News Items Down the Years

    1803: The triennial meeting of the Three Choirs of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester commenced here yesterday. The stewards, with their friends and the principal vocal performers, dined at the Unicorn Inn and spent the evening with the utmost hilarity

  • 100 years ago November 7, 1903

    FIVE troublemaking boys were summoned before the courts for lighting up fireworks in a public place. Robert Troth, aged 12, William Pinfield, 11, Albert Stanton, 11, William Peplow, 12, and Frank Crawford, aged ten, all of Bewell Head, were accused of

  • 26/1/01 - ESDR reject latest plans

    ENGLAND'S National League rugby union clubs, including Worcester, have rejected the latest proposals for promotion to the Premiership. An automatic promotion place for the next two seasons, with a play-off to follow in the three years after that, had

  • 25 years ago July 8, 1977

    PAST and present staff and their families at the Blue Bird toffee factory at Hunnington enjoyed an open day to celebrate the firm's golden jubilee. n WORRIED traders in Bromsgrove met district councillors to tell them of their fears for the proposed retail

  • 11/1/00 - Maynard award

    PHIL Maynard's long and distinguished service to Worcester Rugby Club has been recognised with a prestigious national award. The club's director of player management, who has now been at Sixways for seven years, was presented with an unsung hero award

  • Did Harper drive the very first Morgan?

    DESCENDANTS of a Malvern wheelwright firmly believe he made the wheels for the first ever Morgan "car." Harper Edgecombe Gillam was employed for many years as a wheelwright on the Madresfield Court Estate of Earl Beauchamp. He was born in 1861, at Hook

  • 22/4/04 Lift for ladies' survival

    SUNDAY'S 4-3 victory over relegation rivals Rushall catapulted Kidderminster Harriers Ladies out of the West Midlands League Premier Division drop zone. Emma Bowdler bagged two goals with the others from substitutes Vicky Roberts and Kelly Preece as Harriers

  • 26/11/03 Jan Molby after Torquay

    A DIVISION Three home win eluded Kidderminster Harriers for the fourth match in a row on Saturday. Boss Jan Molby admitted their struggles on Aggborough turf would just drag them deeper into a relegation battle, despite fine form on the road. Molby said

  • 24/1/02 - Brain sticks by winning team

    JOHN Brain has kept faith with Worcester's weekend heroes for the promotion showdown at Rotherham on Saturday (2pm). The Sixways head coach has named the same side that comprehensively beat Henley Hawks 66-17 last Saturday -- despite a return to fitness

  • 14/1/00 - Weir poised to lift City hopes

    MARTIN Weir is poised to give Worcester City a massive boost for tomorrow's FA Umbro Trophy third round clash with Bromley at St George's Lane (3pm). The former Kidderminster Harriers defender, one of the key men in City's recent revival, could return

  • 06/12/00 - Hick set to keep his place

    GRAEME Hick looks set to retain his England place now that Michael Vaughan has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Pakistan which opens in Karachi tomorrow. The out-of-form County star has been told to standby for action after Vaughan failed

  • 13/1/00 - City wait on Weir Trophy verdict

    WORCESTER City will check the fitness of defender Martin Weir at training tonight to see if he will be fit for Saturday's FA Umbro Trophy second round tie against Bromley. Weir had to come off with a rib injury against Newport last Saturday and missed

  • 24/1/01 - Second Sixways injury setback

    WORCESTER Rugby Club have been dealt a second injury blow in as many days with the news that Greg Meredith is out for the rest of the season. The centre, who is regarded as a big prospect for the future, injured his knee in Worcester under-21s' recent

  • 19/6/03 Harriers start at home yet again

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers will open the new season with a home fixture for the fourth time in a row since joining the Football League in the year 2000. Harriers, who have previously met Torquay, Scunthorpe and Lincoln on the first day, will this time encounter

  • 12/4/03 - Snape is eager to make City comeback

    WORCESTER City favourite John Snape remains optimistic of a return to first team action before the end of the season. The midfielder, who underwent surgery on his groin a month ago, reports the injury is healing well but he is reluctant to put a firm

  • 100 years ago July 12, 1902

    THE date for the execution of Samuel Middleton, who had been found guilty of murdering his wife at Foxlydiate, had been set for July 15 at Worcester Jail. He was reported to be indifferent and not appearing to dread the fate that awaited him. He had recently

  • 15/5/03 Five's week to respond

    FIVE potential signings have been set a week's deadline to give their answers by Stourport Swifts. Boss Dave Titterton is keen to sort next season's squad out with plenty of time to spare after most of his current players committed their futures. He confirmed

  • Barwell 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 1

    Saturday, August 31, 2002 BROMSGROVE Rovers can have few complaints at being forced into a replay following their 1-1 draw at Barwell last Saturday. Gary Hackett and Jon Ford's side squandered good first half chances to kill their Midland Alliance opponents

  • 19/6/03 Harriers target freed by club

    THE release of Tony Barras has improved Ian Britton's chances of bringing the experienced centre-half to Kidderminster Harriers. Britton has reportedly already made an offer to Barras whose contract with Division One side Walsall will not be renewed.

  • 25 years ago July 1, 1977

    MEMBERS of the newly formed Lickey End Hospital Tenants' Association were shocked to discover an area of ground designated as a play area for staff children since 1957 was about to be developed. Following negotiations with the Health Authority, the Red

  • 8/5/03 Contracts for defenders

    A FIRM platform has been built for next season's Dr Martens Western Division campaign after Stourport Swifts re-signed the majority of their squad. Boss Dave Titterton has also clinched contracts for key defenders Dave Davies and John Newall. He described

  • 3/3/03 Foster turns down Burton

    IAN Foster has turned down an approach by Burton Albion as he looks for a more permanent full-time offer. The Kidderminster Harriers striker spent part of last week training with Chester City who are now considering a bid for the 27-year-old. Foster,

  • 26/05/04 - Moore seeking stars

    FORMER Bromsgrove Rovers player Michael Moore is hoping to unearth the stars of tomorrow at a football development course which already lists West Bromwich Albion ace Lloyd Dyer among its graduates. The Great Barr campus at Sutton Coldfield College is

  • 6/11/03 John Williams after Cambridge

    A MUSCLE spasm in his groin has put a halt to John Williams' involvement for Kidderminster Harriers in the last two matches at Aggborough. But the veteran forward was predictably far happier after the latest fixture against Cambridge United on Saturday

  • 22/1/02 - Rotherham may face RFU probe

    WORCESTER Rugby Club were today waiting to see whether Coventry would make a formal complaint to the RFU against title rivals Rotherham after Saturday's clash. Officials from the Coundon Road club are investigating supporters and players' claims that

  • 11/1/00 - City to recall striker Owen

    STRIKER Mark Owen is poised to return for Worcester City in tonight's crucial Dr Martens League Premier Division game at Burton Albion (7.30). Owen has shaken off the influenza bug that ruled him out of Saturday's 4-3 home defeat against Newport. He is

  • 100 years ago October 31, 1903

    THE ruling guardians at Bromsgrove Workhouse, where a child had gone down with measles, had on the advice of the medical officer, ordered other young inmates to be kept in contact to ensure they all caught the disease. THE heavy rain, which had been an

  • 23/1/01 - Baxter hit by fractured eye socket injury

    WORCESTER Rugby Club were today stunned by the news of Nick Baxter's suspected fractured eye socket which could rule him out for months. The winger, who only made his comeback into the Gold'n'Blues first team at Otley recently after a long spell out of

  • 19/6/03 Cash boost from change

    VISITING fans are to be housed in part of the new East Stand next season in a change to admission policy that should net Kidderminster Harriers more gate receipts. Travelling supporters will be given at least 591 seats rising up to 760 if necessary, meaning

  • 11/4/03 - Webster looks to stay on goal trail

    ILLNESS sidelined Adam Webster during Worcester City's flying start to the season but he has bounced back to become a key figure in the side. While collectively City's form has dipped of late Webster has remained a model of consistency built on his incredible

  • 22/2/03 - Skipper salutes Officer

    WERNER Swanepoel believes David Officer could give Worcester Rugby Club the boost they need after Orrell. The Sixways skipper was delighted to see the former Scotland A player back in full training after a long-term ankle injury. And after Worcester's

  • 07/01/00 - No mind games this time

    WORCESTER Rugby Club will delay naming their side until tomorrow for their crunch Allied Dunbar Premiership Two title clash with Leeds at Sixways (3.00). They will select from a 22-man squad with the only notable absentee being fly-half Tony Yapp. He

  • 5/9/03 - Cox grabs four in first half riot

    MALVERN Town maintained their place at the top of the West Midlands League Premier Division table, following a scintillating first half display at Smethwick on Saturday, which saw Town race into a 6-0 interval lead. SMETHWICK ST 0, MALVERN TOWN 6 Scott

  • Kidderminster Harriers 1 Lincoln City 1

    Saturday, August 10, 2002 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Ian Britton took the blame for Drewe Broughton's late penalty miss in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Lincoln City at Aggborough. Broughton had the chance to get Harriers' Nationwide Third Division campaign

  • 19/05/04 - Rovers hoping Sinton will stay

    FORMER England international Andy Sinton could still be a Bromsgrove Rovers player next season. Rovers chairman Tom Herbert is meeting with the star this week in a bid to persuade him to stay with the Victoria Ground club. He said: "I am having a meeting

  • 30/10/03 Craig Hinton after Doncaster

    GOLF enthusiast Craig Hinton believes Kidderminster Harriers will eventually get into the swing of Division Three this season under new management team Jan Molby and Gary Barnett. The defender, forced to play as a makeshift left-back due to Scott Stamps

  • 26/4/01 - Barton sounds final warning

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton is calling for a disciplined performance from his side as they look to land the Dr Martens League Cup tonight. City travel to Crawley Town for the second leg of the final (7.45), leading 4-0 from last week's first game

  • 21/1/02 - Teki hits form in time for weekend title clash

    SATEKI Tuipulotu admitted he is now firing on all cylinders before Saturday's National One showdown with Rotherham after putting a distressing year behind him. The likeable Tongan had to cope with the death of his mother last year and, after scoring a

  • 10/01/00 - Weir set to miss crucial City battle

    MARTIN Weir looks almost certain to miss Worcester City's crucial Dr Martens League Premier Division game at Burton Albion tomorrow. The former Kidderminster Harriers defender, who has played a key role in City's recent revival, had to come off in the

  • 23/4/02 - County success pleases Moody

    DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody was delighted with the confident way Worcestershire launched their Frizzell County Championship Division Two campaign with a crushing 206-run win over Gloucestershire at New Road. It was the first time since 1998 that the

  • 9/4/03 - City fix up Belgian test

    WORCESTER City will kick-off next season with a pre-season friendly in Belgium against Premier League outfit KSK Beveren on Saturday, July 12. Beveren have links with City's outgoing shirt sponsors Petrochem Carless, who have agreed to finance the trip

  • 24/4/03 Red cards cost midfielder

    MIDFIELDER Leon Blake is set to be the only summer casualty of Dave Titterton's team building at Stourport Swifts. Titterton has room to bring in three or four new faces and has decided to axe Blake who he signed shortly after joining as manager. The

  • 7/8/02 - Lee debut at Chester Road

    AUSTRALIAN newcomer Shane Lee will make his Frizzell County Championship Division Two debut for promotion-chasing Worcestershire when they open their match against Nottinghamshire at Kidderminster's Chester Road ground tomorrow. The all-rounder's inclusion

  • Fate's tragic hand in life of war victim

    THE remarkable bitter-sweet life story of a courageous but ill-fated Worcester man can now be fully revealed, 60 years on, thanks to a touching letter from a local "exile" living in Cheltenham. Today, I pay belated homage to Albert Edward Williams, who

  • 12/05/04 - Long journeys ahead

    BROMSGROVE Rovers face some lengthy treks in their bid to bounce back from the disappointment of last season. Rovers' failure to secure a top seven spot has seen them placed in Dr Martens Division One West for the start of the 2004/05 season. The Eastern

  • 19/1/02 - Worcester duo ready for D-day

    TWO of Worcester Rugby Club's biggest summer signings have been told they could both still play a part in the title decider at Rotherham next weekend. Elton Moncrief and Winston Stanley arrived at Sixways with two of the most impressive CVs but, as Worcester

  • 08/01/00 - Broken leg tough on new City boss

    THE broken leg suffered by Andy Ellis against Tamworth on Monday could not have come at a worse time for Worcester City. For the experienced midfielder was just beginning to show the form that had made him such a valuable player for Woking in the Nationwide

  • 50 years ago October 24, 1953

    A 24-YEAR-OLD man from Elmley Lovett was committed to Worcestershire Quarter Sessions charged with breaking into a garage at Elmbridge and stealing a pencil worth 4d (1.5p). He was bailed in the sum of £20 on condition that he agreed to a medical examination

  • 22/1/01 - Worcester back on gold standard

    ADRIAN Skeggs described Scott Barrow's Worcester Rugby Club debut as a "revelation" after the youngster shot down Henley Hawks with a superb display in a 56-18 romp. The 20-year-old was making his first start in National One since his November switch

  • 4/01/00 - Kicking game hits Worcester

    WORCESTER Rugby Club's bid for a major cup upset were scuppered at Sixways as a streetwise London Irish secured a 12-8 victory. They scored the only try of the Tetley Bitter round four clash but Richard Denhardt's injury time effort had no impact on the

  • 17/4/03 Season over for duo

    MIDFIELDER Tim Nicholls has been ruled out of Stourport Swifts' final four Dr Martens Western Division games with a broken toe. Swifts boss Dave Titterton will also have to do without Leon Blake who is banned until the end of the season. So young players

  • 05/05/04 - Jackson is the man

    JOE Jackson has been named as the new manager of Bromsgrove Rovers. Jackson, who led Stourbridge to back-to-back Midland Alliance titles, was unveiled at the club's presentation evening last Saturday. He becomes the seventh manager in four years at the

  • 23/10/03 Wayne Hatswell after Swansea

    WAYNE Hatswell is targeting more clean sheets for Kidderminster Harriers after a sterling debut in the goal-less draw at Swansea on Saturday. The 28-year-old centre-half gave a rugged display as Harriers kept the opposition out for the first time in 13

  • 18/1/02 - Brain in warning to his players

    JOHN Brain is warning his players that appearances can be deceptive as Henley Hawks travel to Sixways tomorrow. Worcester's head coach is ea-ger for his side to show no mercy in the National One tie and has underlined the need for 100 per cent focus against

  • 100 years ago October 24, 1903

    TWO hay ricks at Mr Green's Holyoaks Farm, Tardebigge, containing a total of 150 tons of winter fodder worth £300, were destroyed in a blaze which may have been started by spontaneous combustion. A mounted messenger sent to Bromsgrove to raise the alarm

  • 20/1/01 - Mather magic

    ADRIAN Skeggs is backing Cameron Mather to carve out a regular place in the Worcester Rugby Club line-up after the Scottish international won his place back in the first team. Mather started just his second game since October today against Henley Hawks

  • 7/4/03 - Double red card setback for City

    WORCESTER City's hopes of a top two finish have been dealt a blow by the double dismissal of David Foy and Dan Jones in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Cambridge City. Foy will miss three key games after his red card for violent conduct in stoppage time which

  • 17/2/03 - Brain accepts defeat as a 'major blow'

    DOWNBEAT John Brain described Worcester Rugby Club's 27-24 defeat at Orrell as a 'major blow' to their Premiership ambitions. The Sixways coach was particularly low after watching his side go down at Edge Hall Road, a defeat which puts Rotherham in control

  • Kidderminster Harriers 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2

    Wednesday, July 24, 2002 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers survived an injury scare over Scott Stamps in last night's 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers reserves at Aggborough. The Harriers defender was stretchered off in the 78th minute

  • 50 Years Ago

    May 31, 1952 Studley Parish Council broke away from a tradition at its annual meeting on Tuesday by appointing a woman as its chairman for the ensuing year. The new chairman, Mrs A S Midlane, is the only woman member on the council and is the first woman

  • 9/5/02 - County openers make slow progress

    WORCESTERSHIRE made cautious progress when they resumed their first innings against Glamorgan in the Frizzell County Championship Division two match at overcast New Road today. Anurag Singh, on 18, and Stephen Peters (9) began against pacemen Mike Kaspro-wicz

  • 9/10/03 Danny Williams after Carlisle

    DANNY Williams blasted home his third free-kick of the season to defeat Carlisle after grabbing the ball off set-piece hopefuls John Melligan and Lloyd Dyer. After struggling to find the net over the past two seasons, midfielder Williams is now Harriers

  • 21/4/01 - Shepherd aiming to grab more City glory

    MARK Shepherd is relishing the "fresh challenge" awaiting him at Worcester City. The 23-year-old striker has made a big impression with City fans since his arrival from Moor Green in February. And having played a major role in putting City within reach

  • 25 years ago October 13, 1978

    POWERFUL motorbikes and ceramic foodstuffs were on show as part of the LG Harris Arts Festival at Stoke Prior. There were exhibits from 20 countries. ALAN Curry, a member of the giant family-owned electrical retail firm, visited the Bromsgrove store to

  • 12/6/03 Molby making comeback

    KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' Conference-winning connection, Molby and Mike Marsh, have both linked up with Nuneaton. Midfielder Marsh, now retired from playing, will be assistant manager to Alan Lewer at the Dr Martens Premier Division club. Ex-Kidderminster

  • 5/4/03 - Middleton beats spot kick nerves

    DARREN Middleton exorcised a few spot kick de-mons last weekend with two penalties on his way to a match-winning hat-trick. The Worcester City midfielder confessed to a few nerves before taking the first of the penalties against Weymouth after missing

  • 50 years ago June 28, 1952

    THE Rev J Crofts was given a cordial welcome by parishioners at All Saints Church in Bromsgrove when he was installed as the new vicar, the second in 18 months. In the congregation was his father who had been rector of Romsley from 1935-41. n A FIVE-TON

  • 10/4/03 Danby recalled by Harriers

    TEENAGE keeper John Danby has been recalled from his loan spell at Stourport Swifts to join Kidderminster Harriers' play-off push. The 19-year-old is replacing Fraser Digby who will not be figuring in their six-match run-in as boss Ian Britton prefers

  • School days remembered

    DURING the last year or so, Memory Lane has, from time-to-time, carried readers' recollections of their childhood days at Worcester's Stanley Road School. These reminiscences were sent in to me in response to a plea from the school's current head teacher

  • Solihull Borough 4 Kidderminster Harriers 3

    Sunday, July 21, 2002 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers suffered a second defeat within three days with a surprise 4-3 defeat to Dr Martens outfit Solihull Borough yesterday. Ian Britton's side started brightly and were ahead after just five minutes when Sam Shilton

  • 25 Years Ago

    May 27, 1977 Studley-born Sir Edward Perkins, who became personal detective to the Queen, has died aged 68. Educated at Alcester Grammar School, he joined the Metropolitan Police in 1927. He became personal body-guard to the Queen Mother in 1941. In 1954

  • 05/05/04 - Rovers' top seven failure stems from departure

    IT was supposed to be the season when Bromsgrove Rovers secured promotion to the Dr Martens Premier. In the end it turned into a disappointing anti-climax with Rovers, who knew their ninth place fate before last Saturday's fixtures, watching other teams

  • 05/01/00 - Ellis ready to sit out season

    WORCESTER City midfielder Andy Ellis has conceded that he is unlikely to play again this season. The former Woking player, who broke his leg in Monday's 4-2 defeat at Tamworth, could be in plaster for up to 10 weeks. Ellis, now recovering at his home

  • 50 years ago October 17, 1953

    AN idea to make Bromsgrove a borough had been floated. The Messenger reflected that while many were in love with the idea of the higher status it would bring, the cost of a mayor, alderman and other officials would turn folk off the idea. It went on to

  • 18/1/01 - Barrow handed Sixways debut

    FORMER St Helens star Scott Barrow is standing by for his first Worcester Rugby Club start against Henley at Sixways on Saturday (3pm). The 20-year-old, who swapped League for Union back in November, will start his first game for the National One leaders

  • Alvechurch 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 4

    Saturday, August 10, 2002 BROMSGROVE Rovers completed their pre-season warm-up ahead of Saturday's opener with a 4-0 victory at Midland Combination premier division side Alvechurch. Summer acquisition Ashley Read did his chances of starting at Warwick

  • 12/6/03 No change to play-offs for now

    PLANS to expand the Nationwide League play-offs to include six teams have been put on hold after doubts were raised by the Football Association and the Premier League. The 2003/04 Division Three fixtures will be released next Thursday.

  • 4/4/03 - Owen stands by for recall

    MARK Owen is on stand-by to replace Adam Webster in the Worcester City squad if the striker fails to recover from illness ahead of tomorrow's trip to Cambridge City (3pm). Webster was sent home from work yesterday after complaining of feeling unwell and

  • 100 years ago June 28, 1902

    THE sad news, less than two days before it was set to take place, that the Coronation would have to be postponed because of the King's grave illness was met with disbelief in Bromsgrove at first. Organisers of the many celebratory events in the town and

  • Who was Hallow's Spitfire benefactor?

    THE help of Memory Lane readers is again being sought, this time in the hope that someone can provide detailed information about a worthy local benefactor who lived at Hallow. I've been contacted by David Williams of Stoke Gifford, near Bristol, who is

  • 05/05/04 - Szewczyk wins our top award

    PAUL Szewczyk has won the Advertiser/Messenger player of the season award. Szewczyk has picked up seven man of the match gongs and scored 20 goals since his arrival at the club in November. Captain Steve Pope was a close second with six man of the match

  • 19/4/01 - Barton targets goals cushion

    WORCESTER City will be going all out to build up a first-leg lead against Crawley Town in the Dr Martens League Cup final tonight (7.45). City boss John Barton will be looking for City to establish a cushion at St George's Lane to take into next Thursday's

  • 04/01/00 - City revival blow as Ellis breaks leg

    WORCESTER City midfielder Andy Ellis could miss the rest of the season after breaking his leg. Ellis suffered a clean break of his tibia late in yesterday's 4-2 defeat at Tamworth. It is a major blow to City, with the 33-year-old former Woking player

  • 16/1/01 - Higgins soon to resume training

    ANDY Higgins is hoping to re-start his comeback from injury in three week's time after his horrific car crash. The 19-year-old centre, who has already missed most of the season after a wrist operation, suffered a broken thumb and deep cuts to his right

  • 14/2/03 - Brown returns to side at Orrell

    JAMES Brown will make his first Worcester Rugby Club start since September as the National One leaders face Orrell on Sunday. The fly-half replaces former Scottish international Craig Chalmers who is ruled out with a thigh strain for the 2pm clash at

  • Victorian values still hold true at city hotel

    THIS year has marked the centenary of the completion of arguably Worcester's most impressive and imposing piece of Victoriana - the Hopmarket block. The only close competitor for the architectural accolade is the Victoria Institute in Foregate Street.

  • 50 years ago

    June 21, 1952 OVER £180 was raised for the Studley Roman Catholic Church restoration fund as the result of a successful garden fete held at Haye Farm, Mappleborough Green, last Saturday. The event was organised jointly by members of the Catholic Young

  • 28/04/04 - Rovers set sights high

    TWO people with Football League experience have been interviewed for the Bromsgrove Rovers manager's job. The unnamed pair are two of four candidates already quizzed by chairman Tom Herbert for the position left vacant by George Rooney. Mr Herbert hopes

  • 14/4/01 - Joyce is aiming to make his mark

    WESLEY Joyce hopes to make more of a name for himself at Worcester City after his match-winning Dr Martens Cup semi-final display. The 19-year-old has made a handful of first-team appearances since making his debut in the final game of last season. But

  • Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Hereford United 2

    Tuesday, July 30, 2002 BROMSGROVE Rovers continued their pre-season build-up with a 2-1 defeat to Conference side Hereford United at the Victoria Ground. Rovers took an early lead after only four minutes when Richard Burgess sprinted into the penalty

  • 5/6/03 Danny is still a Harrier

    MIDFIELD maestro Danny Williams has given Kidderminster Harriers a major boost by agreeing a new 12-month deal at Aggborough. Player-of-the-season Williams signed on the dotted line yesterday, despite speculation linking him with bigger clubs. The 23-

  • 31/3/03 - Barton targets runners-up spot

    WORCESTER City rekindled hopes of a top two finish with a 3-1 victory over Weymouth at the weekend inspired by a Darren Middleton hat-trick. Manager John Barton was relieved to see his side claim their first win in five games although he admitted it had

  • 50 years ago June 21, 1952

    TWO shocks made Bromsgrove School's annual Commemoration Day one of the most remarkable ever. The head, the Rev Walters, senior master Major Mashiter and the Chaplain announced their retirement. And the main guest, World War II legless Group Captain Douglas

  • JEAN FRY School music director

    THE successes of Burlish Middle School choir would make anyone think Jean Fry was blessed with a collection of angels under her baton. How does a school music director attract 70 children, nearly a fifth of the school, into a choir that keeps a strict

  • 100 years ago

    June 21, 1902 While on the subject of police arrangements at Redditch, necessitated by the impeding retirement of Superintendent Jeffery and the formation of Redditch into a separate sessionary division with a superintendent together stationed there,

  • 28/04/04 - Reserves finish fourth

    ROVERS Reserves drew 1-1 at Tamworth to finish fourth in their first Midland Combination Reserve Division season. Rovers took the lead when Sean Maynard headed in Stuart How's free-kick. Tamworth were level on the hour but needed an offside flag to keep

  • 11/9/03 Lloyd Dyer after Bristol Rovers

    NEW loan signing Lloyd Dyer, signed for an initial month from West Brom, admitted he found his Harriers debut difficult at Bristol Rovers. Dyer, who is 21 on Saturday, had previously only played a League Cup tie for the Baggies last season. He said: "

  • Havant and Waterlooville 2 Worcester City 0

    Saturday, May 5, 2001 WORCESTER City finished a disappointing eighth in the Dr Martens League Premier Division after failing to halt their nightmare finish to the season. A 2-0 defeat at Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday was their fifth straight defeat

  • 13/1/01 - Baxter boost

    WORCESTER coaches Geoff Cooke and Adrian Skeggs are banking on the three recalled players making a big impact in their National League Division One game at Otley later today. Dave Sims, Chris Simpson-Daniel and Nick Baxter return to the line-up at Cross

  • Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Willenhall Town 0

    Saturday, July 27, 2002 BROMSGROVE Rovers continued their pre-season warm-up with a 2-0 victory over Willenhall Town at the Victoria Ground last Saturday. Joint managers Gary Hackett and Jon Ford were both among the 17 players used during the course of

  • 8/2/03 - Keast praise for Worcester star

    ANDY Keast believes Nnamdi Ezulike has 'grown' this season along with Worcester Rugby Club. The Sixways coach was delighted that the former London Irish flyer joined the club in the summer and has been able to extract the talent from the winger. Ezulike

  • 20/12/99 - Battling Worcester back on title track

    WORCESTER Rugby Club survived a scare before scoring a crucial 30-22 victory against Midlands rivals Moseley at Sixways. They cruised into a early 10-0 lead, fell behind by half-time, but recovered for a crucial win which takes them back to the top of

  • 20/3/03 Titterton turns to young guns

    YOUTH is the way forward for Stourport Swifts boss Dave Titterton who saw his team find their shooting boots in style on Saturday. Swifts' young stars delighted Titterton by thrashing relegation-threatened Rocester 5-0 in the Dr Martens Western Division

  • Lost history is found in a sack

    A WORCESTER club which quietly celebrated its centenary last year is delightedly catching up on its "lost" history! Or, to be more precise, the County Ground Bowling Club has suddenly found itself re-united with much of its documented past. Recently,

  • 100 years ago

    June 28, 1902 AT the Worcestershire Assizes on Tuesday before Mr Justice Wright, Samuel Middleton, Labourer, of Spring Hill Lane, Foxlydiate, was arraigned on the charge of murdering his wife, Hannah Middleton, at Foxlydiate, near Redditch, on May 10th

  • 21/04/04 - Over for the Rovers?

    BROMSGROVE Rovers have all but blown their chances of moving up to the Dr Martens Premier. The 2-2 draw with Cinderford Town last Saturday leaves them ninth in the Dr Martens Western. A play-off was their best hope before that but now Rovers have to win

  • 11/9/03 Matt Gadsby after Bristol Rovers

    MIDFIELDER Matt Gadsby held his hands up to admit he should have given Kidderminster Harriers the lead before Bristol Rovers' goal on Saturday. But it was a rare chance for Harriers who failed to muster a shot on target in the 1-0 defeat to the side managed

  • 13/4/01 - Young guns to fire again

    WORCESTER City are set to stick with their exciting young guns for tonight's Dr Martens League Premier Division game at Newport County (7.45). Teenagers Wesley Joyce and Jamie Hyde are set for starting roles after playing major parts in Tuesday's Dr Martens

  • Crawley Town 1 Worcester City 0

    Thursday, May 3, 2001 WORCESTER City crashed to their second 1-0 defeat at Crawley Town in the space of eight days last night. City will now have to beat Havant and Waterlooville tomorrow in their final Dr Martens League Premier Division match to stand

  • 12/1/01 - Otley aim to revive Sixways form

    OTLEY coach Peter Clegg is hoping to build on their second-half Sixways show back in November as they lock horns once again with Worcester tomorrow. The Yorkshire side won that period at Worcester 9-0 after going down 37-3 in the first-half and, on the

  • 28/3/03 - Barton renews player swoop

    JOHN Barton will make a second bid to sign a midfielder today ahead of Worcester City's home clash with Weymouth tomorrow (3pm). The St George's Lane manager has already had one bid for the unnamed player snubbed, but remains keen to strengthen his squad

  • CLIVE WEBSTER New Kidderminster town crier

    CIVIC events in Kidderminster are unlikely to pass quietly now Clive Webster has been chosen as the new town crier. He was selected after winning a proclamation contest held in the courtyard at Kidderminster Town Hall to determine who had the best voice

  • Search to find Tech boys of 49 years ago

    CALLING all surviving members of the Class of '51 at the former Worcester Technical High School! You're attendance is warmly requested at a proposed Golden Jubilee re-union next September on the 50th anniversary of your entry into the "Tech" school, which

  • 50 years ago

    June 28, 1952 AT a meeting of Worcestershire Health Committee today (Saturday) the ambulance sub-committee will recommend the acquisition of a site in Hewell Road, Redditch, offered by Redditch Urban District Council for the erection of a prefabricated

  • 10/1/02 - Baxter on track to grab century of tries

    RECORD-breaking Nick Baxter has Worcester in his sights as he goes in search of a century of tries in Saturday's National One clash of the day (2.15pm). Birmingham & Solihull's wing ace, who left Sixways last summer following a fabulous six-year stay

  • Bromsgrove Rovers 1 WBA 6

    Saturday, July 20, 2002 THERE are six divisions between Bromsgrove Rovers and West Bromwich Albion, and we should not forget that. Their pre-season friendly meeting at the Victoria Ground last Saturday - in front of a 2,158 - crowd was more about personal

  • 5/6/03 Aggborough set to be Premier stage

    PREMIERSHIP stars are set to be on show at Aggborough next season after West Bromwich Albion cut a deal to play reserve-team fixtures at Kidderminster Harriers. The Hoo Road ground will host six or seven Premiership Reserve games during the mid-season

  • 28/3/03 - Mick tips City to finish in fine style

    MICK Tuohy believes Worcester City have the mental strength to emerge from a poor run of results and finish the season strongly. City's assistant manager admits to being puzzled by their dip in form but with professional pride at stake is confident the

  • 5/2/03 - Wigram looks set to stay

    WILL Wigram looks to have secured his stay at Worcester Rugby Club until the end of the season. Worcester's director of rugby John Brain said the former Wasps man, who joined the Sixways promotion challenge in December, is "very likely" to stay on for

  • 25 years ago

    June 24, 1977 SOMETHING distinctly fishy has been going on down at Arrow Valley Lake recently. Passers-by may have noticed two men with fishing rods landing fish as if they were going out of style. Onlookers may be forgiven for thinking the men were two

  • 4/2/03 - Warriors in injury booster

    DAVID Officer and Mark Gabey look set to hand Worcester Rugby Club a double boost this week. The Sixways stars, who have been out of action with long-term injuries, could both be back in training at the end of the week as they count down to their National

  • 100 years ago June 7, 1902

    TRAMPS seeking a night's board and lodging at Bromsgrove's Workhouse in Birmingham Road would not in future need a police ticket verifying that they were a genuine and deserving case. The practice was being discontinued because police were too busy. PEACE

  • Soldier killed by an accident of nature

    A RECENT e-mail to the Evening News offices has brought back in focus a freak and tragic million-to-one accident which befell a Worcester man more than half-a-century ago. A.C Hill of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, asked if I would look in our bound

  • 25 years ago

    July 1, 1977 TOWN planners have flatly turned down an offer by Redditch United boss Mr Bill Lawrenson to take them out on an all-expenses trip to see a greyhound track in Willenhall - in case of idle gossip. Planning committee members were told the club

  • 07/04/04 - It's make or break time!

    BROMSGROVE Rovers face two huge matches over the Easter weekend as their chances of securing a top seven spot hang in the balance. Rovers host Solihull Borough, immediately below them in the table, in a must-win game this Saturday and travel to local

  • 9/4/01 - Barton targets three players

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton has targeted three new players to help his side mount a Dr Martens League Premier Division title challenge next season. He is chasing a full-back, a midfielder and a striker and hopes to land all three during the summer

  • 8/1/02 - Lewis turns on the 'natural' gas

    JOHN Brain hailed trialist Simon Lewis as a 'natural finisher' after watching him score his fourth try in three games in a 14-12 win for Worcester Warriors at Northampton Saints last night. The 21-year-old, who joined from Rugby League giants Bradford

  • Nature Notes

    IT is always nice to spend a few moments reflecting on the previous months at this time of year. I have prepared a recap of the developments and wildlife encounters spotted, while out and about on the Wyre Forest District Council nature reserves. Winter

  • 24/3/03 - Barton targets goals reward

    WORCESTER City manager John Barton has urged his players to be ruthless in front of goal ahead of tonight's clash with Halesowen Town at St George's Lane (7.45). Barton's misfiring side have managed just two league wins in their last eight games and paid

  • 25 years ago June 3, 1977

    THE Queen's Silver Jubilee was the main talking point in Bromsgrove. The event would be celebrated with street parties, a carnival and a bonfire, barbecue and music in Sanders Park. The town was gaily decorated and workers from Garringtons at Aston Fields

  • 11/12/99 - Time to axe the dinosaur

    NOT so long ago it was certainly the Holy Grail but Sunday's disrupted launch of the North Midlands Cup poses a question. Is it time to think the unthinkable and axe the dinosaur? It would certainly allow the increasingly important and expanding leagues

  • 27/2/03 Loan star fighting for life

    STOURPORT Swifts responded to the shock news one of their players was fighting for his life by giving their best display of the season to beat the league leaders. While young midfielder Ashley Read was on a life support machine, Swifts won 3-1 at Dr Martens

  • TIM MORRIS District Organist

    TIM Morris would say Kidderminster is lucky to have a "gem" of an organ so admired it draws visitors from as far away as Australia and America. There are many who would add the historic Hill Organ in the Town Hall is fortunate to have a custodian and

  • Anne's look back to days at school

    TWO long-lost Worcester schools are fleetingly back in the picture today through the memories of an "exile" of the Faithful City. Mrs Anne Crowe, now living in Salisbury, Wiltshire, has written to me nostalgically of the Holy Trinity schools which closed

  • 50 years ago

    July 5, 1952 Studley Parish Council is to seek the advice of Mr John Profumo MP for the division on the possibility of obtaining ministry permission for the provision of a pedestrian crossing along what was described by Mr AG Cooke at a previous meeting

  • 07/04/04 - Late goal coats

    A LATE goal denied Bromsgrove Rovers Reserves three points as they drew 1-1 at Shepshed Dynamo Reserves in their penultimate match of the season. Rovers, who just have Tamworth to play, had many chances to win last Saturday's game but surrendered their

  • 2002/3 season

    Articles from last season can be found by following the 'archive' link, left.

  • Worcester City 4 Crawley Town 0

    WORCESTER City have one hand on the Dr Martens League Cup after a stunning 4-0 win over Crawley Town last night. Two goals from in-form striker Mark Shepherd and one from the outstanding Jamie Hyde added to an early own-goal at St George's Lane in the

  • Weather washes out Zimbabwe clash (Zimbabwe H May 7)

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S players are "champing at the bit" to entertain Australia on Monday after yesterday's World Cup warm-up match against Zimbabwe at New Road was ruined by rain. Only ten overs were possible before the wet weather left the County high and

  • 5/6/03 Add a bit of flair to game

    COMMUNITY coaches will be working with budding footballers during the close season to improve their technical skills and flair. Kidderminster Harriers' player development centre will encourage youngsters to try skills they are afraid to use in competitive

  • 25/2/03 Keep on believing: Titterton

    BOSS Dave Titterton is confident Stourport Swifts can upset the odds at Dr Martens Western Division leaders Merthyr Tydfil tonight (7.45). Swifts led 2-0 at Walshes Meadow earlier this season before Leon Blake and Titterton were both sent off, and the

  • DENISE HODGETTS Worcestershire Business Woman of the Year

    WHEN Denise Hodgetts was asked: "What are your hobbies and interests?" for the Worcestershire Business Woman of the Year Award she won in 1996, she was dumbstruck. "When on earth would I have time for hobbies!" she exclaims. The founder of Kiddies Day

  • Business has succeeded by changing tack

    ONE of Worcester's oldest surviving family firms still enjoys a flourishing business both in the Faithful City and throughout the county. John Barnett Limited is now 127 years old and has thrived for so long as one of the cornerstones of the Worcester

  • 15/4/04 Bad run costing youth

    A THIRD defeat in four games has almost distinguished Kidderminster Harriers' hopes of winning the Midland Floodlit Youth League Premier Division. Harriers slipped to a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to mid-table Boldmere on Wednesday night, a week after

  • 17/8/02 - County ease to second in table

    WORCESTERSHIRE swept to a nine-wicket demolition of Derbyshire to move up to second place in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two table. Worcestershire opener Vikram Solanki clubbed four sixes and 12 fours for an unbeaten 81 off just 56 balls

  • 31/03/04 - Ex-England star for job?

    FORMER England international Andy Sinton has emerged as a surprise contender for the vacant manager's job at Bromsgrove Rovers. Sinton, who made 12 appearances for his country in the early 1990s, signed for the Victoria Ground club last Thursday after

  • 5/1/02 - Keast ready for friends reunion

    ANDY Keast will be am-ong old friends when he begins his first week at Worcester Rugby Club on Monday. The 39-year-old enjoyed a successful six-month stint at Glouc-ester last season where, among others, he coached Elton Moncrief and Chris Yates. The

  • 29/5/03 Midfield star on the move?

    PLAYER-of-the-season Danny Williams is looking increasingly likely to leave Aggborough in the summer. Speculation has been rife about Kidderminster Harriers' out-of-contract midfield general since the campaign ended earlier this month. The 23-year-old

  • 50 years ago June 7, 1952

    TWO members of Bromsgrove Youth Organisation met with a tragic accident while canoeing on the lake at Hewell Grange, Tardebigge. The youths, John Hollis, aged 17 from Churchfields and Brian Jones, 18, from Broad Street, Sidemoor, were members of the club's

  • 10/12/99 - Skipper Fenley returns for Exeter battle

    WORCESTER Rugby Club make three changes for tomorrow's crucial Allied Dunbar Premiership Two match at Exeter (3pm). Skipper Bruce Fenley returns at scrum-half in place of Tongan star Sililo Martens, while Australian hooker Marco Caputo replaces Jimmy

  • The Freddie Starr Show Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre

    A NIGHT of music, jokes and lots of innuendo - the Freddie Starr show was warmly received by its Kidderminster audience. Funny man Freddie received a standing ovation at the end of his hour-long performance after he impressed with his powerful voice and

  • GEOFF RICHARDSON Railway buff and charity worker

    A CHANCE visit to the memorabilia shop at the Severn Valley Railway in Bewdley was the beginning of a railway buff's loyal 18 years voluntary work there. Geoff Richardson is now the sales manager of the Erlestoke Manor Fund and buys collections of railway

  • He was one of the greatest

    FRANK Greatwich of Malvern, who died recently at the age of 93, had a clear influence on the first decade or so of my 47 years to date with the Evening News and Berrow's Journal. He was my "boss" from when I started as a lad in 1953, until he retired

  • 100 years ago

    July 5, 1902 Feckenham. When the news was received at this village on the serious illness of His Majesty the King and that the coronation was postponed, it caused a feeling akin to consternation. The coronation committee were very anxious to know the

  • 6/4/01 - Right reaction needed to loss of form

    WORCESTER City boss John Barton is looking for his side to react in the right way to their sudden loss of form. Two successive defeats, following a run of 11 games unbeaten, have ended City's hopes of a cup 'double' and seriously affected their chances

  • Newport County 0 Worcester City 1

    Friday, April 13, 2001 MARK Owen grabbed his 30th goal of the season to give Worcester City a 1-0 win at Newport County last night. Owen's 55th minute strike was enough to give City their second victory over Newport in the space of three days and keep

  • 5/2/02 - Worcester match off

    WORCESTER Rugby Club's scheduled National League Division One match against Manchester today has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. A pitch inspection at Grove Park was made yesterday and the match will now be re-scheduled for a later date. Worcester's

  • Grey squirrels

    THE festive season is upon us and many of us will be sending each other Christmas cards. On the front of these there will often be an animal or bird portraying a Christmas or winter scene, robins seem to be a particular favourite in a snowy scene. This

  • 100 years ago June 2, 1902

    FOLK living in the north of Bromsgrove were becoming healthier and living longer, it was revealed. In a report to North Bromsgrove District Council, the medical officer said in the first five months of this year there had been 18 deaths compared with

  • 13/2/03 Injuries and bans biting Swifts

    AN INJURY-ravaged Stourport Swifts squad will have extra incentive to give Clevedon Town a Dr Martens Western Division beating on Saturday. Swifts need the home points to move away from the lower reaches of the table and end a run of four defeats following

  • Discipline dealt by the Captain

    WILFRID Widdows - another old boy of Worcester's Stanley Road School - has sent some personal recollections to be included in the Millennium Book being compiled on the 85-year life-span of the school. In his notes, posted to head teacher Barbara Dunn,

  • 25/4/01 - Weather hits County again

    WORCESTERSHIRE finally had to admit defeat when the opening day of their County Championship Division Two match against Sussex at New Road was washed out today without a ball being bowled. For frustrated County officials and players it was a bitterly

  • 15/4/04 Jan slams 'powder puff' display

    CARLISLE 1, HARRIERS 0 IT is little wonder Kidderminster Harriers have such a poor record at Brunton Park with performances like Saturday's. Rookie goalkeeper John Danby and the woodwork kept the score down as Harriers came perilously close to a real

  • Keeping the memory of Jaymie alive

    TODAY marks the first anniversary of the death of little Jaymie Reynolds and as Christmas approaches her mum Lesley Brown is trying to put on a brave face. But behind the faade is a grieving mother battling to overcome her loss. Now, Lesley is hoping

  • 100 years ago

    July 12, 1902 The execution of Samuel Middleton for murdering his wife Hannah Middleton at Foxlydiate on May 10th has been definitely fixed for Tuesday next the 15th inst. At eight o'clock in Worcester Gaol. Billington will be executioner. Astwood Bank

  • 5/4/01 - Barton sounds cup tie warning

    WORCESTER City manager John Barton is warning against over-confidence ahead of to-night's Worcestershire FA Senior Cup semi-final replay against Evesham United at St George's Lane (7.45). City will be firm favourites to book a two-legged final against

  • 23/9/02 - Hick thumbs up for victory

    GRAEME Hick overcame the pain barrier of a broken thumb to seal a thrilling one-wicket victory for Worcestershire against Derbyshire in the last Frizzell County Championhip Division Two match of the season at New Road. He went out to bat at the fall of

  • 21/3/03 - Heeley backing City to find form

    CARL HEELEY is backing City to rediscover the winning habit at Havant & Waterlooville tomorrow and reignite their charge for runners up spot. Worcester's captain is the first to admit last week's Tiverton display was dire but refuses to allow that

  • 31/1/03 - Warriors snap up hooker

    JAMES Parkes has been drafted in to ease Worcester Rugby Club's injury worries. The 22-year-old will play in the Warriors' United match with Northampton at Sixways on Monday and could then be included in the first team squad to face Bedford next week.

  • 31/8/02 - County revival makes Middlesex struggle

    WORCESTERSHIRE battled every inch of the way before their County Championship Division Two promotion hopes were hit by a six wicket defeat against table-topping Middlesex at New Road yesterday. The visitors finally won with 10.2 overs to spare after being

  • Calling checkmate for 55 years

    He's 88 years-old Wilfrid (Tom) Widdows of Droitwich, who, under the byline Checkmate, has been writing our chess column for no fewer than 55 years! Wilfrid lays claim to not only being the longest continuous contributor of any Evening News column but

  • Chocolate-lovers go sweet on Acorns

    A CHOCOLATE-making company in Upton-on-Severn has come up with a mouth-watering way of raising cash for a charity that helps life-limited children and their families. Cromwells - a specialist chocolate and furniture shop - is raffling a giant Father Christmas

  • 4/4/01 - Newport play at the Lane

    WORCESTER City have arranged to play their twice postponed Dr Martens League Cup semi-final against Newport County at St George's Lane next Tuesday (7.45pm). Newport have agreed to switch the match to St George's Lane because of difficulties with their

  • 29/5/03 Sports editor's mailbag

    I HAVE supported Kidderminster Harriers Football Club for over 30 years and I am astounded to read in the Shuttle/Times & News on May 22 that Peter Picken has resigned because the club would not discuss his concerns on safety issues, which is a most

  • 20/3/03 - Snape targets early return

    JOHN Snape is on course to return to first team action before the end of the season. The Worcester City midfielder is making good progress after recovering from groin surgery and will begin a rehabilitation programme next week. The 33-year-old underwent

  • 50 years ago May 31, 1952

    WORK had started on the construction of the new traffic island at the junction of Alvechurch Road and Cofton Road. It would be used as a turning point for buses when new services were introduced following the scrapping of trams in July. n THE Messenger

  • 7/12/99 - Richardson takes on the Tigers

    WORCESTER will give an outing to trialist Tom Richardson when they take a strong second team to Leicester Tigers tonight (7.30). Richardson, a scrum-half previously with Gloucester, is hoping to impress Worcester's coaching staff although Director of

  • Family takes its cue from the limelight

    MEMORY Lane raises the curtain in homage this week to the theatrical Wyatts of Worcester, who have now been delighting local audiences for more than a century and through three generations... so far! It has been on the amateur entertainment scene, and

  • 8/4/04 Next for Harriers

    THERE have been no Division Three wins at Brunton Park for Kidderminster Harriers. In fact, Harriers have just beaten Carlisle once, 2-1 at Aggborough earlier this season, in seven league meetings. The Cumbrians are putting up a tremendous fight against

  • Artists to raise cash for Acorns

    AN artful afternoon will be held in aid of Acorns Children's Hospice Trust. A collection of art by Worcestershire artists will be exhibited to raise money for the children's charity. Arts for Acorns, at Powick Village Hall, will include watercolours,

  • 25 years ago

    July 8, 1977 REDDITCH'S Bordesley Meadows were the scene of a major event in European history recently - the routing of the French forces following the Battle of Waterloo. Capturing the effects of a fight to the death were 40 members of the Sabre Society

  • 24/03/04 - Fans forum

    BROMSGROVE Rovers fans can have their say on the latest happenings at the club at a fans forum next week. It starts at 7.30pm at the Victoria Ground club on Tuesday, March 30.

  • Worcester City 1 Welling United 2

    Saturday, April 7, 2001 THREE successive defeats have threatened to undo all the good work created by Worcester City's 11-match unbeaten run. Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against Welling United leaves them still fourth in the Dr Martens League Premier Division

  • 3/1/02 - Keast in pledge to turn on style

    ANDY Keast swept through Worcester Rugby Club's revolving doors today promising fans 'total rugby'. The 39-year-old coach stepped into Steve Townend's shoes as the former Wakefield man left Sixways after just four months of the season gone. Worcester's

  • 6/12/99 - No Sixways crisis claims Cusworth

    LES Cusworth described Worcester's narrow 35-32 victory over struggling Orrell as one of the worst performance in his two-and-a-half year reign. The club's Director of Rugby called a hasty 40-minute meeting of the Sixways rugby management after seeing

  • STEVE SWANSBOROUGH Chairman of Wyre Forest PHAB

    A CAR accident at the age of seven was a life-changing event in the life of Steve Swansborough. He was paralysed from the shoulders down after being knocked down in Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, in 1983. Now aged 23, he is the chairman of Wyre Forest

  • 18/4/03 - Late kick leaves Malvern on edge

    MALVERN lost this crucial Midlands One relegation battle after a last minute penalty from Bromsgrove's prolific kicker Matt Birch. BROMSGROVE 25pts, MALVERN 24pts The game was played in an atmosphere so tense that it often spilled over into fisticuffs

  • 7/4/03 Surprise slip but Viveash still key

    HARRIERS 1, HULL 1 ADRIAN Viveash has been one of the key men behind Kidderminster Harriers' turn in fortunes but left Aggborough a disappointed figure on Saturday. The reason was his uncharacteristic slip-up which provided the move for Hull's equaliser

  • 100 years ago

    July 19, 1902 The execution of Samuel Middleton, the Foxlydiate murderer, took place at Worcester prison on Tuesday morning. Middleton was very pale as he approached the scaffold. He murmured not a word, looked neither to the right nor to the left and

  • 2/4/01 - Cottrill and Carty lift City cup bid

    WORCESTER City hope to be boosted by the return of key players Ian Cottrill and Paul Carty as they bid to reach the Dr Martens Cup final tonight. Both should be back in the starting line-up for their semi-final at Newport County (7.45). The pair, who

  • Worcester City 1 Evesham United 2

    Thursday, April 5, 2001 THERE will be a new name on the Worcestershire Senior Cup this season after Evesham United beat Worcester City 2-1 in last night's semi-final replay at St George's Lane. Evesham showed far greater desire against a lethargic City

  • 2/1/02 - Sixways coach under threat

    THE future of Steve Townend will be settled today after Worcester Rugby Club admitted they were in discussions with former British Lions coach Andy Keast. Backs coach Townend will meet with chairman Cecil Duckworth and chief executive Geoff Cooke in the

  • 30/12/99 - Bowen warned by City manager

    WORCESTER City's Sam Bowen has been warned about his future conduct by manager John Barton. Bowen was fortunate to escape punishment after clashing angrily with Gloucester City defender Wayne Thorne in the closing stages of their 4-0 win on Monday. Barton

  • Beech trees

    ALL the deciduous trees this year put on a fantastic autumn colour show, transforming our country landscape in the most delightful way. My favourite though, has to be the colours of the beech tree. Beech trees are a proud and prominent tree wherever they

  • 17/3/03 - Barton fumes as City slump

    JOHN Barton delivered a scathing assessment of his Worcester City side after they crashed to a 2-0 defeat to Tiverton at the weekend. The City manager accused them of lacking pace and quality, adding the players had to take responsibility for their poor

  • 28/1/03 - Sixways injury crisis deepens

    WORCESTER Rugby Club's centre crisis deepened last night when James Ogilvie-Bull was taken to hospital with a suspected broken collarbone. The National One pacesetters are already without broken leg victim Ben Hinshelwood while David Officer is still

  • 4/12/99 - Goodwin grabs last-gasp winner

    WINGER John Goodwin grabbed an injury-time try to give Worcester Rugby Club's second team a dramatic 31-24 victory at Cinderford last night. Two minutes from the end of normal time, Worcester were trailing 17-24 to a Cinderford team which used their powerful

  • 28/1/03 Swifts eager to make amends

    STOURPORT boss Dave Titterton has no worries about motivating his team ahead of their Dr Martens Western Division clash at Bedworth United tonight (7.45pm). Swifts' players are still smarting after Saturday's 4-0 defeat at Mangotfields and are eager to

  • 29/01/01 - Hick flies out with mission

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S Graeme Hick jets out with England tomorrow with a clear message to the Sri Lankans: "We're determined to carry on where we left off in Pakistan." Hick was one of England's heroes when they won the third and final Test to clinch an historic