Archive

  • Don't fear trouble on the estate

    A ST Peter's resident has defended the estate as a nice place to live. The Worcester News reported on Tuesday how it was hoped the new Baptist Church, to be built in Abbotsbury Court, would help to curb anti-social behaviour. Vandalism and abuse in the

  • Take steps and lose the pounds

    A DANCE routine to help shed the pounds is being offered to people with gym-phobia. Dance at 8 has organised more of its Video Pop Stars courses for everyone who wants to dance to lose weight. Every Wednesday night between 8.15pm and 9.15pm at the Lyppard

  • Do you like my snake?

    STIRRING in the heart of Warndon are snakes, lizards, iguanas, chinchillas, gophers - you name it, even a blue-tongued skink. But don't worry, they aren't on the loose, they are all being looked after by 'Animal Lady' Carla Saunders. Carla, who divides

  • Lido battlers to fight on after setback

    THE group campaigning to save the Droitwich Lido has vowed to continue the fight after the Government rejected calls for the buildings to be protected from development. Speaking to the Worcester News this morning, Save A Lido Today (SALT) press officer

  • Rehab clinic for the elite - Ambitious scheme for Areley House

    AN upmarket rehabilitation centre for people suffering addictions including drug dependency and alcoholism is due to open in Stourport in six weeks, the Shuttle Times and News can reveal. The private clinic is aiming to tap the same affluent national

  • BIRTSMORTON Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    DON'T forget the beautiful natural gardens are open on Sunday afternoon and it promises to be a lovely weekend. So come and park, pay and wander around in a corner of England that is still peaceful and beautiful. Our parish church will be open, step inside

  • COLWALL Correspondent: Mrs P Hockett Tel: 01684 564872

    A LARGE audience enjoyed Music for a Summer Evening held last Saturday evening at St James's Church Colwall. Philomusica, from Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, performed St Nicholas' Mass by Haydn and Faure's Requiem. Other items included arias by

  • ELDERSFIELD Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    ST John the Baptist (Eldersfield Parish Church) will once again be joining forces for the annual summer fete at Eldersfield Lawn School on Saturday, June 18 commencing at noon with a pig roast. Come and have lunch before you sample the many attractions

  • POWICK Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

    THE Rev. David Nichol's final service in the benefice will be this Sunday, June 12 at 10.30am at St Peter's Church, Powick. All are welcome to attend this service, which will include worshippers from St James', Callow End and from St Mary's, Guarlford

  • REDMARLEY Correspondent: U Groves-Smith Tel: 01452 840273

    IT was wet with a cold wind blowing as Redmarley WI members left for their visit to Highgrove House, home of Prince Charles. The weather cleared later and a guided tour of the gardens took them to see the various areas, including the tulip walk and the

  • Make a tiny change for a better planet

    FROM Tokyo to New York, people across the globe celebrated World Environment Day last Sunday - but did it slip by you unnoticed? The event was part of a desperate bid by the Environment Agency (EA), one of a host of organisations that are working tirelessly

  • Show's historic setting

    THE fascinating past of Witley Court is celebrated in Dreams and Ruin, a three-day festival of dance, the visual arts and music. County schoolchildren are working alongside professional artists and performers to create the event, a promenade performance

  • Warning after dog is killed by virus

    PEOPLE are being urged to be on the alert after a killer virus struck down a dog in Droitwich. The stray dog was found suffering from canine parvo in the town last week by Wychavon District Council's dog warden Pip Singleton. It was brought in but subsequently

  • Rescuers take the bull by the horns

    A young bullock stranded on the banks of the River Severn was saved by the Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue team. The Upton-based team was carrying out a training exercise last Sunday (June 5) when the incident happened. The bullock was stuck at the bottom

  • Rector heading west to key post at cathedral

    THE Rector of Upton, Canon Christopher Hardwick, has been appointed Dean of Truro Cathedral. Canon Hardwick, who has served his whole ministry in the Worcester Diocese, is currently Rector of Upton, Ripple, Earl's Croome, Hills Croome and Strensham, as

  • Bid gathers pace

    planted tubs will be placed near the entrance to town and along the river next week, as the Upton in Bloom bid gathers pace. They are in addition to the hanging baskets outside shops, pubs and other premises, as campaigners look to emulate last year's

  • Look forward to it

    An evening of clairvoyance with Margaret Lloyd takes place at the Star Hotel, Upton, tomorrow (Saturday) at 7.30pm. Admission is £3.

  • Kind donations

    A street collection in Upton for Worcester Samaritans on Saturday, June 4, raised £266.

  • Down to deft bee handlers!

    MR Charles Green (Your Letters, May 27) was kind enough to comment enthusiastically on the miniature radar transponders we used to keep track of honeybees in flight. He asks, as a beekeeper of many years' experience, whether the bees were not alienated

  • Vandalism 3, Cruelty 2

    IN reply to Alex Smart (Your Letters, June 3), he did a survey on the hills and put down "Vandalism 0, Dog mess 18". Maybe he should walk down the road where he lives in Avenue Road? I quote from your excellent paper: "Trees on Avenue Road, Malvern, were

  • Missed the point

    Once again, regarding the alleged traffic problems in Upton, our glorious powers-that-be have, as usual, despite an expensive two-day traffic survey, completely missed the point. There are no traffic problems in Upton, certainly not in terms of congestion

  • Heart-felt thanks

    Ralph Madden and his colleagues from Malvern Town Council are to be congratulated for their fantastic efforts in raising £936 for the British Heart Foundation and £1,057 for Malvern Friends of the Elderly. The British Heart Foundation is playing a leading

  • 10/6/05 - Six-a-side

    THE annual Bromyard Gala six-a-side football competition will again be held at the home of Bromyard Town FC (Stourport Road) on the weekend of June 25 and 26. Clubs are reminded to return entry forms by the weekend of June 18 to avoid disappointment.

  • Music to many ears

    THE letter from Mandep Sohal Rice (Your Letters, June 3) must be one of the most bizarre ever published by the Gazette. If we are meant to take it at all seriously, then mild sympathy might be expressed for the distress the Priory's Sunday bells cause

  • Pat aims to boost England ambition

    WORCESTER captain Pat Sanderson has claimed nothing less than victory will do as England jetted out to the Churchill Cup in Canada. Sanderson will captain Joe Lydon's shadow side, who take on Canada next week for the right to play either Argentina or

  • 10/6/05 - U13s wanted

    THIS season's U12s Mercian Cup runners-up, Newtown Sports Colts, are looking for new players to join next season's U13s team (Year 8 as of September). The first training session will be on Saturday, July 2, starting at 10am at Lower Howsell playing fields

  • Here for 900 years

    I QUITE understand the sound of church bells may not be to everyone's taste, however, I would not move to live near an established mosque and complain about the call to prayer, a tradition and religious heritage passed down over the years. Likewise, I

  • Victims hit boot sales to get back stolen goods

    A family turned detective and tracked down a birdbath stolen from their garden at a car boot sale. The Turner family's work means some ornaments taken from neighbours in Birtsmor-ton will also be returned. On Sunday morning, Robin Turner and his sisters

  • At odds with reputation for tolerance

    WHILE it would be easy to dismiss the views expressed by Mandep Sohal Rice (Your Letters, June 3) as eccentric, I fear such views are sincerely held. To describe the ringing of the Great Malvern Priory church bells as "religious imperialism" is arrant

  • 3/6/05 - U8s' football

    THE Mercian Festival Junior Football League is going ahead with its plans to introduce U8s football for the first time next season. This will be in the format of a league, but instead of a knock-out cup competition, a fun day will be arranged later in

  • Facelift plan for gardens

    MALVERN Library's grounds could be given a major facelift if funding is found. Town councillor Alistair Macmillan has suggested that the gardens in front of the building would be an attractive place to hold community events. His ideas include removing

  • Firefighters praised for quick-thinking

    braVery and quick-thinking from two part-time firefighters saved their own factory from being destroyed. Eight fire crews spent seven hours tackling the blaze at Securidor Ltd, Bromyard, on Wednesday. Securidor employees Michael Beale and Andy Cozens

  • Former Arts Council chairman opens school music centre

    A FORMER pupil and leading figure in the arts world revisited the Downs School in Colwall for the first time in more than 50 years to open its new music facilities. Lord Michael Birkett cut the ribbon at the £15,000 music technology centre and recording

  • Smith century sparks County

    BEN Smith and Stephen Moore made Somerset pay for dropped catches on the second day of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at Bath. Smith struck an unbeaten 107 -- his third ton in successive innings -- and Moore 86 as the County reached

  • Charity walker issues a challenge to grannies

    A 65-year-old walking 600 miles across Britain is challenging other grannies to join her when she passes through Malvern. Beryl Griffiths left Lowestoft, in Suffolk, last month and plans to reach St David's Head, in Pembrokeshire, in July. Her epic coast-to-coast

  • Blue plaques plan for town

    BLUE plaques could be put on historic buildings in Malvern explaining their connection with famous figures from the past. The Civic Society has devised a list of places it considers worthy of plaques and is in talks with the district council about the

  • Killeen wants to pedal for more medals

    MOUNTAIN bike ace Liam Killeen aims to repeat his Commonwealth Games medal winning performance in Melbourne next year. The Malvern cyclist won a bronze medal in Team England colours as a 20-year-old at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games -- his first

  • Range of events extended by show

    AN array of new attractions will draw visitors to this year's Three Counties Show on June 17, 18 and 19. Organisers are hoping to smash last year's 99,000 visitor record with an extended range of events. For the first time, the National British Angora

  • County refs whistling up promotion success

    WORCESTERSHIRE FA referees have played their cards right with a series of notable promotions. Pride of place has gone to Worcester's Steve Dorr who will be in the middle on the Coca-Cola League next season. But James Cox, of Evesham, is joining him at

  • 10/6/05 - Sailors return home

    AFTER their annual trip to Saundersfoot, the majority of the Arden Sailing Club fleet returned to sail at Defford on Sunday. The first race of the day was a pursuits, a sudden gust shortly after the start forced John Tildersly (Comet) to retire, leaving

  • 10/6/05 - Fixtures ...

    SATURDAY CRICKET WEST OF ENGLAND PREMIER LEAGUE Glos/Wilts One: Goatacre v Colwall; Redmarley v Bredon. Glos/Wilts One 2nd XI: Colwall v Dumbleton. Glos/Wilts Two 2nd XI: Hinton Charterhouse v Redmarley. CRUSADER WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE Division

  • John's steps to dance success

    AN explosive Irish dance show is coming to the Midlands and for the first time ever, audiences will see dancers' shoes literally burst into flames live on stage. Magic of the Dance is one of the most popular and spectacular Irish Dance show's in the world

  • The gift of the gab

    FAKING an orgasm in front of thousands of people was initially, she admits, a daunting task for celebrity Gaby Roslin. She's being doing it night after night for the last nine weeks. Not because she has acquired a poorly-skilled lover, but because she

  • 10/6/05 - Smith century sparks County

    BEN Smith and Stephen Moore made Somerset pay for dropped catches on the second day of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match at Bath. Smith struck an unbeaten 107 -- his third ton in successive innings -- and Moore 86 as the County reached

  • 10/6/05 - Killeen aims for Games medal

    MALVERN mountain bike ace Liam Killeen aims to repeat his Commonwealth Games medal-winning performance in Melbourne next year. The cyclist won a bronze medal in Team England colours as a 20-year-old at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, his first

  • 10/6/05 - Flynn and Lewis flay bowling

    BARNARDS Green travelled to fellow newly-promoted Coombs Wood in the Worcestershire County League division two for what was expected to be a close and hard-fought game on Saturday. COOMBS WOOD v BARNARDS GREEN Again Green skipper Chris Smedley lost the

  • 10/6/05 - Tipton collects player award

    MARK Tipton won the manager's player of the year award when Malvern Rangers held their presentation evening on Friday. The venue was the home of their main sponsor, the Cross Keys Inn, and the evening was well supported by players, family, friends and

  • EXHIBITIONS

    June 11-July 23 The Forests of Vancouver Island, British Columbia Paintings by Joanna O'Connor at Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum. Telephone: 01242 237431. June 18-Aug 20 A Cotswold Home, the People's Arts and Crafts Show Cheltenham Art Gallery and

  • The roadworks will lead to an increase in traffic

    HOW interesting to see the senior engineer at the county's transportation partnership telling us that 'rat runs' as a result of the impending road works will 'spread themselves across all routes.' I have every sympathy with Ken Hanns from Fort Royal Hill

  • Scheme to help Vale's vulnerable

    TENANTS of a Vale housing association are urged to take advantage of a scheme that helps vulnerable people live independently in their own homes. Evesham and Pershore Housing Association is continuing to develop its Visitor Liaison Service, which offers

  • THEATRE

    Tomorrow Last of the Red Hot Lovers The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster. Box office: 01562 743745. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Tom Stoppard's comic masterpiece. Malvern Theatres. Box office: 01684 892277. The Mole Who Knew It Was None Of His Business

  • And all I got was a bike

    I WAS rather concerned and surprised to read your headline 'Why I promised my son sex with a prostitute if he passed his GCSEs'. All I got promised was a second-hand bike if I did well when I left school. But I suppose it would have been more energy efficient

  • 10/6/05 - Malvern CC celebrate

    MALVERN Cricket Club, formerly Malvern Ramblers, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a summer ball at Regency Road on Friday, June 24. This will be a great opportunity for friends old and new to gather and celebrate this milestone in the club's history

  • County refs whistling up promotion success

    WORCESTERSHIRE FA referees have played their cards right with a series of notable promotions. Pride of place has gone to Worcester's Steve Dorr who will be in the middle on the Coca-Cola League next season. But James Cox, of Evesham, is joining him at

  • Solemnity spoilt by terrier's antics

    THE big news story in the Gazette 100 years ago was the laying of the foundation stone at the Victoria Memorial Hall, Christ Church. The event included lunch at the nearby Imperial Hotel, now Malvern Girls' College, a service, the stone-laying itself

  • Bar ban likely after fighting at jazz concert

    TROUBLE at a jazz concert in the Winter Gardens was reported in the Gazette 50 years ago. More than 500 people came to the concert and Mr Cosgrove, the council's entertainment manager, said that two or three fights took place, two patrons were thrown

  • Cinemas

    Malvern Cinema: The Assassination of Richard Nixon (15). Daily 8pm, Sat, Sun & Thurs 4.30pm. Weds, June 15 only - Closer (15) 8.15pm. Odeon Worcester: Advance screenings - Batman Begins (12A) Thurs 1.50, 4.25, 7.00, 9.30; Mr & Mrs Smith (15 1.00

  • What's on

    Theatre June 10-Oedipus the King at the Market Theatre, Ledbury. 7.30pm. £4 from Ledbury Books & Maps. Until 11-Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard at the Festival Theatre, Malvern. 2.30m & 7.45pm. £12-£20. Box office (01684

  • Tuning up for showcase of bands talent

    SCORES of the Midlands' bright young things will be coming together in Kidderminster to make some noise - as the town hosts a musical showcase next week. The Sonic Boom event is in its fifth year and is organised by Kidderminster-based record label M.A.S

  • 10/6/05 - Eastnor brush Colwall aside

    EASTNOR marched on to the area final of the national Village Championship after pushing Colwall aside with a six wicket win in the 34th over. EASTNOR v COLWALL Batting first, Colwall made a good start with 66 runs for the loss of their first wicket. Tom

  • 10/6/05 - Last wicket pair show how to do it

    BARNARDS Green thirds entertained a strong Brintons team on a cool and showery afternoon on an excellent track at Newland. BARNARDS GREEN III v BRINTONS Opting to bat first, Brintons were a shade fortunate to have opener Maiden still at the wicket after

  • 10/6/05 - Third successive win

    COLWALL second XI made it three league wins in a row, with what turned out to be a comfortable away victory against Swindon. SWINDON II v COLWALL II Captain Matt King won the toss and decided to bat first. Early wickets of Hankins, Sparks and Burgess

  • 10/6/05 - Nomads II in last over loss

    WORCESTER Nomads 2nd XI played at Belbroughton and in the end were denied victory by T Oliver and lost by one wicket. Nomads batted first and were in- debted to Chris Bland (58) and Matt Humphries (26) as J Raybould (3-54) and S Bateman (4-45) restricted

  • Woolworths boosts management after sales fall

    WOOLWORTHS unveiled a trio of senior appointments today as part of moves by the retailer to bring "added strength and expertise" to its boardroom. The group, which this week reported a 4.4 per cent fall in like-for-like sales, said one of the posts was

  • Butty bar's health kick

    O'BRIENS Sandwich Bar in Foregate Street, Worcester is to get a makeover as part of its new healthy living concept. The store will have a new juice bar and an organic meat carvery, which it hopes will build on the success of its 2003 healthy lifestyle

  • 10/6/05 - Teams

    BARNARDS GREEN CC Saturday, June 11 1st XI (Home) v Malvern (meet 12.15pm). C Smedley (capt), T Williams, T Clarke, K Golder, D Flynn, P Drinkwater, C Harrison, A Binks, R Williams, M Hooper, A Sanders. 2nd XI (Away) v Malvern (meet 12.30pm at Green,

  • John's steps to dance success

    AN explosive Irish dance show is coming to the Midlands and for the first time ever, audiences will see dancers' shoes literally burst into flames live on stage. Magic of the Dance is one of the most popular and spectacular Irish Dance show's in the world

  • Jazz legend Bilk to head festival line-up

    Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band will be appearing for the first time at the International Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival. The legendary clarinet player, honoured with a CBE in 2001 for services to music, is one of the headline acts at the 20th annual

  • EVENTS

    Tonight Narrow Gauge Railway Society Meet at United Reformed Church Hall, Malvern Link, for a talk by Bryan Boskett on Vintage Welsh NG. For further details telephone Bill Burton on 01684 567928. Country Western Partner Dancing Every Friday at Whitbourne

  • CONCERTS

    Tonight The Seven Tones Musical Evening Rose Hill School, Windermere Drive, Worcester. For further information telephone 01905 454828. Tomorrow Vocal Variations The group for solo singers will meet at the Carice Elgar Room of the Elgar Birthplace Museum

  • THEATRE

    Tomorrow Last of the Red Hot Lovers The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster. Box office: 01562 743745. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Tom Stoppard's comic masterpiece. Malvern Theatres. Box office: 01684 892277. The Mole Who Knew It Was None Of His Business

  • Cinemas

    Malvern Cinema: The Assassination of Richard Nixon (15). Daily 8pm, Sat, Sun & Thurs 4.30pm. Weds, June 15 only - Closer (15) 8.15pm. Odeon Worcester: Advance screenings - Batman Begins (12A) Thurs 1.50, 4.25, 7.00, 9.30; Mr & Mrs Smith (15 1.00

  • What's on

    Theatre June 10-Oedipus the King at the Market Theatre, Ledbury. 7.30pm. £4 from Ledbury Books & Maps. Until 11-Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead by Tom Stoppard at the Festival Theatre, Malvern. 2.30m & 7.45pm. £12-£20. Box office (01684

  • Tuning up for showcase of bands talent

    SCORES of the Midlands' bright young things will be coming together in Kidderminster to make some noise - as the town hosts a musical showcase next week. The Sonic Boom event is in its fifth year and is organised by Kidderminster-based record label M.A.S

  • Roadworks will be finished today

    MOTORISTS around Evesham will be glad to hear the road widening works on the A44 Worcester Road in Evesham should be finished by today. The road improvement project has been taking place at Fladbury Cross since Monday, April 4, and has cost up to £250,000

  • Ginja Ninjas don decorated bras for marathon

    TWO sisters from Worcester are set to don decorated bras to step out in aid of breast cancer research and cancer care. Jayne Collins, from St John's, and Nicola Payne, from Claines, will join 15,000 others to take part in the Playtex Moonwalk power-walking

  • Sun shines on sports day

    SPORTY students and proud parents enjoyed glorious sunshine for Lyppard Grange Prim-ary's school sports day. The friendly competition was the high point in an activities week at the Worcester school, which included specialist football, basketball and

  • Nuns on the run - to sheep farm

    AN order of nuns in Worcestershire could soon be packing their cases and heading north - after being given permission to set up a new convent on a Yorkshire sheep farm. The 24 sisters at Stanbrook Abbey in Callow End agreed to move two years ago as they

  • China factory will be knocked down

    DERELICT former Worcester Royal Porcelain factory buildings are going to be demolished to make way for an ambitious riverside housing and leisure complex. The disused brick buildings - 13 and 15 Mill Street and a building next to 86 Portland Street -

  • BERROW Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 83387

    A VERY successful coffee morning at Berrow Village Hall last Saturday morning. A wonderful display of cakes and cookies for sale resulted in a profit of £231, which will go towards the church funds. A big thank-you to our hosts, Reverend Mike and the

  • BOSBURY Correspondent: Mrs R Krinks Tel: 01531 640076

    LINE-dancing restarts tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm in the parish hall. Bosbury Artmakers will hold a free heritage workshop tomorrow (Saturday) from 1pm-3pm in the parish hall. The workshop will explore the rural life of Bosbury and will be a chance to

  • CALLOW END Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

    ON Sunday there is no service at St James' Church, instead come and say goodbye to the Nichol family at the united service at St Peter's Powick at 10.30am. Callow End Primary School is holding its summer fete next Saturday, June 18 at the school and on

  • Cradley Correspondent: N G Holden

    Nine of Cradley's many keen gardeners will open their gardens to the public over the weekend of June 18-19, in aid of Cradley Church funds. A variety of plants and styles will be on show, with stalls, a 'garden raffle' and teas available in the different

  • PENDOCK Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    THE fun and games begin tomorrow (Saturday) at Pendock summer fete at Pendock School at 2pm. The theme this year is the seaside. A sea-side quiz, priced £1, is available from school or Pendock Post Office. Teas and a barbecue, tombola, plant stall, cakes

  • West Malvern Correspondent: Colin Jackson Tel: 01684 577604

    The Friends of St James's Parish Church has a new chairman and treasurer as well as new faces on its committee. This follows the decision of founder chairman Laurie Gregory and treasurer Jerry Tudge to step down at the April AGM. Together with other long-serving

  • Three Counties provide lovely routes to walk

    A YEAR'S worth of walks around the beautiful landscapes of the Three Counties is the subject of a Malvern author's new book. A Year of Walks in the Three Choirs Counties is the latest publication from Malvern author Roy Woodcock, who has published ten

  • Lucky 13 for bus travellers

    THIRTEEN is unlucky for some. But for Worcester commuters travelling on the 144 service to Birmingham, it's rather fortuitious. Because that's the number of new vehicles ordered by First in a bid to make people's journey between the Faithful City and

  • Chief to quit as job is merged

    HIGH-profile county schools chief Julien Kramer is retiring in October - before his position is scrapped when the education department merges with social services. The directors of both departments were warned before May's county council elections that

  • Share-a-car plan to make jams a thing of the past

    A CAR club that would see a pool of vehicles available for Worcester residents to hire on an hourly basis is on the cards in a bid to clear traffic jams from the city's roads. A range of ideas are being mooted in an effort to encourage people to ditch

  • There's good news for bus users, too

    BUS passengers in Worcester can look forward to a better service after company First announced it was splashing out £1.5m on a fleet of new vehicles. The 13 full-size single-deck easy access buses will be introduced on route 144 - which runs between Worcester

  • Viaduct scheme wins industry award

    THE project to built a new viaduct at Upton has won a top construction industry award. The £3.5 million project won the overall prize at the Institution of Civil Engineers West Midlands Awards. Judges were impressed with the ingenious and practical solution

  • Season lasts even longer

    THE strawberry season has started at Clive's Fruit Farm in Upton - and this year it could last until August. The farm has grown some strawberries in fields as normal and some in polytunnels. "The advantage of this is that we should be able to extend the

  • Pictures from wartime past

    SOLDIERS in uniform, Spitfires and street parties feature in an exhibition of wartime photographs at Upton Library this month. The exhibition is to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and has been organised by the Upton Branch

  • Fun for the family

    There will be fun for all on Upton Sports Field tomorrow (Saturday) when the parish church hosts a special family day. A fun cricket match and children's fancy dress competition are among the attractions, along with games, stalls, tombola and a licensed

  • Drop in for coffee

    There will be a cake stall, tombola and raffle at a coffee morning at Beechwood, Holly Green, on Saturday, June 18. The coffee morning has been organised by the Friends of Beechwood, in aid of the residents and day care clients, and is open from 10.30am

  • Chorus fundraiser

    A garden party to raise money for Malvern Festival Chorus takes place at Naunton Farmhouse, Naunton, on Saturday, June 18, at 2.30pm. There will be stalls selling plants, cakes, books and a tombola. Admission is £2, including tea and cake.

  • Money well used

    A STREET collection by Upton Community Care on Saturday, May 21, netted £260. The money will be used to fund the group's work of providing transport for the ill and disabled.

  • Evidence is there

    I WAS interested to hear Dr Crebbin's remarks (Your Letters, June 3) about being accosted while walking his dog, Diana. I was one such person. Far from walking on the hills, he had allowed his dog to make a mess on the pavement in Court Road. In response

  • What is bus for?

    THE recent publicity of a free bus ride for residents in West Malvern heightens the local discussion - public transport, who uses it and if not, why not? Perhaps a few points mentioned by some of the residents may give some clues. 1. "I would prefer to

  • First class service

    I AM writing to thank all the staff who were involved when my husband recently needed emergency treatment on his eyes. He was swiftly referred to the new Worcester Royal Hospital via Joan Royds and Dr McCracken and the ophthalmology department was kept

  • Profiteering?

    I HAVE been a visitor to the Malvern Hills as a man and boy for the past 60 years and always enjoy my visit because, as far as I am concerned, nothing has changed. That is until last Friday, when I was confronted with a demand to pay to park my car on

  • Changing lives

    MICHAEL Lever (Your Letters, May 13) questioned the ethics of Fair Trade in selling foods containing sugar, salt and caffeine, but apart from snacks, tea and coffee there are over 830 Fair Trade products. Shoppers can be confident that buying Fair Trade

  • Mine is tolerant

    WHAT is it The Rev. Dr Colin Beevers and David James fear (Ledbury Reporter, May 27)? Dwindling church attendances or the fact that someone, other than church-sanctioned deities, perform acts of healing. Which century do these people think they are living

  • 10/6/05 - Soccer course

    DURING the summer school holidays, children from school years 3-7 are invited to attend a five-day soccer course being held at Malvern Town FC. The course, designed on FA guidelines and incorporating the FA Soccer Star Challenge, will be run by Les Jones

  • Evil origins

    I'M rather bemused at being called 'political' just because I do endorse the sheet that was handed out at the recent healing show in Ledbury. Is watching out for each other being 'political'? While most alternative therapies are proven and can be of great

  • 10/6/05 - Hale is tops

    ANCHOR FALCONS FC held their fifth annual presentation night at the Anchor Inn, Malvern. The main presentations went to: Players' player: Will Hale, runner-up Paul Park; Manager's player: Marcus Henney, r/u John Goode; Top goalscorer: Paul Park; Most

  • Couldn't agree less

    I COULDN'T agree less with Mr Rice's comments about the Priory bells. They invoke a wonderful English ambience every time they practise on a Thursday evening or peal on a Sunday. We are privileged to have such a magnificent peal of eight bells played

  • Neighbours to protest at homes plan meeting

    CONTROVERSIAL plans by QinetiQ to develop two sites at its Malvern base go before planners this week. The technology company has applied to build 28 homes on the "barrack store" site behind Court Road and a further 28 on land next to the main entrance

  • Crafty editor's ploy

    ON the assumption Mr Mandep Sohal Rice's letter (Your Letters, June 3) is not a crafty editor's ploy to introduce a subject other than dogs to the Gazette's correspondence columns, I will treat it seriously. Mr Rice is complaining of the sound of a peal

  • Play area dream faces threat

    A couple's dream of opening an indoor play area for children is under threat from planners. Adrian and Paula Duncan want to transform a building on Malvern's Enigma Park industrial estate for youngsters aged up to 12. Their change of use application for

  • Some minority

    IT was with disbelief that I read the letter from Mandep Sohal Rice concerning the Sunday morning Priory bells (Your Letters, June 3). The Priory and its bells have been in Malvern for an awful long time, a little longer than Mr Rice, and I assume he

  • New viaduct wins award

    THE project to built a new viaduct at Upton has won a top construction industry award. The £3.5 million project won the overall prize at the Institution of Civil Engineers West Midlands Awards. Judges were impressed with the ingenious and practical solution

  • Malvern winning fight in attack of the clones

    GREAT Malvern is one of the top ten towns in Britain for local identity, according to a new survey. The New Economics Foundation report named it as a place with character, compared to other British town centres. According to the report, Britain is being

  • Fundraising gran leads hospice plea

    A COLWALL grandmother is urging others to join her in fundraising for Acorns Children's Hospice, which has given her grandson a new lease of life. Five-year-old Josh Loader was one of the first children through the doors of the Worcester hospice, when

  • Traffic grinds to halt after crash

    DECORATORS were lucky to escape unscathed after a lorry hit scaffolding they were working from at Top Cross, Ledbury. The men were busy limewashing the side of Ledbury Books and Maps when an articulated Gregory Distribution lorry backed into the scaffolding

  • Film maker Neil wins award from Channel 4

    MALVERN film maker Neil Oseman, described as 'a British Tarantino in the making', has won a prestigious award from Channel 4. Neil, 25, whose dark fantasy film Soul Searcher is set in and around Hereford and Worcester, has been selected as a winner by

  • Market still going strong 50 years on

    A Malvern market celebrating its 50th anniversary is as successful as ever, say organisers. Malvern Country Market began life as the WI Market and is still based at its original home, the Lyttelton Rooms on Church Street. Fifty years on, the weekly Friday

  • Opinion

    THE report this week by the New Economics Foundation, which named Malvern has one of the top ten towns in Britain for its local identity, highlights what is often seen as a weakness of the town centre, its lack of 'big name' stores, could, in fact, be

  • The real Miss Worcestershire

    MALVERN's first ever Miss Worcestershire contest ended in controversy when it emerged that the winner, 21-year-old Rachel Davies, was from Stoke-on-Trent. Although Miss Davies was not hiding her lack of Worcestershire connections when asked about it after

  • Turner moves in to sign Brady

    JON Brady has become Graham Turner's first summer signing at Hereford United. The former Stevenage winger pen-ned a 12-month contract at Edgar Street as director of football Turner assembles a squad capable of clinching next season's Conference title.

  • Worcs prepare for Batty absence

    WORCESTERSHIRE are expecting Gareth Batty to be absent from New Road for the full duration of the NatWest Series. The County are preparing for life without their top-rank spinner for almost four weeks following his addition to England's one-day squad.

  • Spa hotel plan near fruition

    A POSSIBLE nursing home on a Malvern site where permission for a £6 million spa and hotel complex was granted two years ago has been ruled out. Developer John Williams, who owns the two-and-a-half acre site off Townsend Way, said BUPA had expressed an

  • Young blades show off skills

    An amateur skate competition attracted the crowds at Victoria Park in Malvern. The TG's Skate Project competition last weekend attracted 16 competitors, while more than 200 people turned up to watch. Those taking part were given up to two minutes to demonstrate

  • Poupart's time trial puts him top of tree

    WARM, still conditions bought a bumper turn-out of 32 riders for the latest of Worcester St John's Cycling Club's evening time trials. Saints' Gavin Poupart put in a super-fast 22 minutes 19 seconds for the win around the Old Hills 10-mile circuit. Malvern's

  • Campaign closing at Chaddesley

    THE West Midlands point-to-point season comes to a close tomorrow when the Harkaway Club hold their re-arranged fixture at the Chaddesley Corbett course. Six races are planned with a 2pm start and the Men's Open is looking competitive after attracting

  • 10/6/05 - Course pulls in county events

    THE Worcestershire Golf Club in Malvern Wells is situated in beautiful surroundings and the course is in excellent condition, which is a credit to Graham Clarkson, the head greenkeeper, and his hard- working staff. It is no surprise that the course is

  • 10/6/05 - 'Come and try it' races

    VELO Club Sevale (Malvern) are inviting cyclists to their 'come and try it' 5.5 miles time trials on Tuesday (June 14) and Thursday, June 30. The races start from Hanley Swan at 7pm, there is no entry fee and all finishers will be awarded a certificate

  • 10/6/05 - Parsons is Midlands age group champion

    LEDBURY Swimming Club can boast a Midlands district age group champion following a fantastic performance by 10-year-old George Parsons, who won the 100m breaststroke championship at Coventry on Sunday. Seeded fastest in the heats, the pressure was on

  • 10/6/05 - Athletics success at Girls' College

    SEVERAL athletes from Malvern Girls' College will be taking part in the Hereford & Worcester athletics event tomorrow (Saturday) at Nunnery Wood following selection for the Malvern Hills district team. The girls who gained selection are: Jo Lambie

  • 10/6/05 - Harkaway Club meeting all set

    THE Harkaway Club point-to-point takes place at Chaddesley Corbett tomorrow (Saturday), with the first race at 2pm. Angela Rucker and Young Whack had to share the spoils with the winner at Kingston Blount recently and on the basis of that performance

  • Jazz legend Bilk to head festival line-up

    Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band will be appearing for the first time at the International Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival. The legendary clarinet player, honoured with a CBE in 2001 for services to music, is one of the headline acts at the 20th annual

  • Chance to catch Kennedy at work

    MUSIC fans have a rare chance to go behind the scenes when top violinist Nigel Kennedy and the English Symphony Orchestra rehearse in Malvern. Kennedy and the ESO will be performing concerts in Chelten-ham and Birmingham to raise money for the Acorns

  • Hall offering music and poetry

    Australian musician and songwriter Tommy Emmanuel performs at Huntingdon Hall, in Worc-ester, on Tuesday at 8pm. Tommy has recorded four platinum and three gold albums and has toured around the world. Tickets are £14 (concs £13). The Kathryn Tickell Band

  • 10/6/05 - Worcs prepare for Batty absence

    WORCESTERSHIRE are expecting Gareth Batty to be absent from New Road for the full duration of the NatWest Series. The County are preparing for life without their top-rank spinner for almost four weeks following his addition to England's one-day squad.

  • 10/6/05 - Francis and Lee turn game

    MALVERN returned to winning ways with a win over high-flying Netherton in an absorbing WCL division two encounter at Regency Road. MALVERN v NETHERTON Malvern captain David Arnold again lost the toss and Netherton skipper Mark Cloyston had no hesitation

  • 10/6/05 - Andy Jones in the last 32

    MALVERN pool ace Andy Jones reached the last 32 of the World Eight Ball Championship at Blackpool's Hilton Hotel. Jones was also part of the Wales team that finished mid-table in the team league format against teams from Australia, India, South Africa

  • EVENTS

    Tonight Narrow Gauge Railway Society Meet at United Reformed Church Hall, Malvern Link, for a talk by Bryan Boskett on Vintage Welsh NG. For further details telephone Bill Burton on 01684 567928. Country Western Partner Dancing Every Friday at Whitbourne

  • 10/6/05 - Cash boost for Malvern Town

    TRAVEL Factory Midland Alliance club Malvern Town have teamed up with neighbours Worcester City to boost club funds. Monies raised through City's long-running SuperGold lottery, which provides much-needed revenue for the Nationwide North side, will now

  • CONCERTS

    Tonight The Seven Tones Musical Evening Rose Hill School, Windermere Drive, Worcester. For further information telephone 01905 454828. Tomorrow Vocal Variations The group for solo singers will meet at the Carice Elgar Room of the Elgar Birthplace Museum

  • Wrecking climate of our planet

    GO get em, tiger! How nice to read Peter Jackson's letter headlined "Building yet more roads is no answer to problem" (Thursday, June 2). I have lost count of the number of times I have lambasted the "Development Mad" for unsustainable development in

  • Too much and too fast

    THE French and Dutch rejections of a European constitution and reportedly more general concerns about too much enlargement too fast, open borders, unemployment, sovereignty strike me as what many eurosceptics have been banging on about for years on a

  • Public are denied say

    THIS week sees the 30th anniversary of the Common Market referendum. Although the "No" side came second, they have been proved right by events. Since then, the public has been denied a say on how they are governed. It was practically swept under the carpet

  • Killeen wants to pedal for more medals

    MOUNTAIN bike ace Liam Killeen aims to repeat his Commonwealth Games medal winning performance in Melbourne next year. The Malvern cyclist won a bronze medal in Team England colours as a 20-year-old at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games -- his first

  • Campaign closing at Chaddesley

    THE West Midlands point-to-point season comes to a close tomorrow when the Harkaway Club hold their re-arranged fixture at the Chaddesley Corbett course. Six races are planned with a 2pm start and the Men's Open is looking competitive after attracting

  • Loss of turf deplorable

    A LETTER deploring the state of the Malvern Hills was published in the Gazette 60 years ago. Stephen Ballard, of the well-known Colwall family, wrote that in years gone by, the hills were "coated with a very fine turf that was the envy of everyone that

  • Echoes from the Past

    100 years ago Despite the number of fires on the hills during the past few months, and in face of the numerous warnings which have been given, smokers still persist in throwing lighted matches among the gorse. On Sunday last, I noticed a man after lighting

  • An unexpected pleasure as stars turn out for fundraiser

    ACTORS Peter Bowles and Sian Phillips enjoyed a break from the rigours of touring at a fundraising lunch at the Colwall Park Hotel. The pair, currently appearing in The Unexpected Man, took time out from performing at Malvern Theatres to meet 65 fans

  • Tickell your ears with a few tunes

    WORCESTER'S Huntingdon Hall will be graced by the presence of award-winning musician Kathryn Tickell when she stages a gig with her band at the venue this month. The artist - whose roots are in Northumberland - released her first album at the age of 16

  • Queen buzzes into CrownGate centre

    ABOUT 20,000 bees kept Worcester buzzing with activity when they forced part of the city's bus station to be closed after swarming in a nearby tree. The honey bees descended at about 3pm yesterday afternoon, leading to a concourse at the station being

  • 10/6/05 - Colwall fizzle out after good start

    COLWALL were outplayed by a confident Swindon team, who seized the initiative on the dismissal of Colwall's openers. COLWALL v SWINDON Batting first on a drizzle-dampened wicket, openers Tom Wolf-endale and Nick Panniers got off to a racing start, scoring

  • 10/6/05 - Seconds were run shy

    BARNARDS Green seconds entertained Coombs Wood in the WCL Saturday league and were asked to bat first on a good wicket. BARNARDS GREEN II v COOMBS WOOD II Coombs Woods' policy of bowling very experienced bowlers, who took the pace off the ball, had the

  • 10/6/05 - Singles crack on to winning total

    BARNARDS Green made the trip to Shropshire on Saturday for a division five league encounter. CLEOBURY v BARNARDS GREEN SINGLES Skipper Kevin Ratcliffe lost the toss for the fourth game running and the Green were asked to bat on a track which proved to

  • Wonder women on award shortlist

    THREE innovative business women have been shortlisted for the Worcestershire Woman of the Year Award. The business category of the award formally recognises a woman who has set up her own company or is able to demonstrate a major contribution to the firm

  • Sham Chinese deals warning to local firms

    COMPANIES based in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are being warned about a possible scam coming out of China. Chinese firms are sending UK companies bogus offers for large contracts to supply manufactured goods leading to many UK firms parting with

  • 10/6/05 - Junior Cricket Scene

    EASTNOR U15s travelled to the Forest of Dean to take on a strong Parkhill side in their recent league game. With Parkhill batting first, Eastnor's opening bowlers, Emery and Beale kept things very tight with only four runs coming from the first four overs

  • Developers Maximus makes new signings

    WORCESTER-based development and investment group Maximus has restructured and appointed 32-year-old Paul Jones as managing director. Mr Jones, of Droitwich, joined the group two years ago after spending nine years in the investment departments of property

  • Show's historic setting

    THE fascinating past of Witley Court is celebrated in Dreams and Ruin, a three-day festival of dance, the visual arts and music. County schoolchildren are working alongside professional artists and performers to create the event, a promenade performance

  • Three Counties provide lovely routes to walk

    A YEAR'S worth of walks around the beautiful landscapes of the Three Counties is the subject of a Malvern author's new book. A Year of Walks in the Three Choirs Counties is the latest publication from Malvern author Roy Woodcock, who has published ten

  • The gift of the gab

    FAKING an orgasm in front of thousands of people was initially, she admits, a daunting task for celebrity Gaby Roslin. She's being doing it night after night for the last nine weeks. Not because she has acquired a poorly-skilled lover, but because she

  • Chance to catch Kennedy at work

    MUSIC fans have a rare chance to go behind the scenes when top violinist Nigel Kennedy and the English Symphony Orchestra rehearse in Malvern. Kennedy and the ESO will be performing concerts in Chelten-ham and Birmingham to raise money for the Acorns

  • Hall offering music and poetry

    Australian musician and songwriter Tommy Emmanuel performs at Huntingdon Hall, in Worc-ester, on Tuesday at 8pm. Tommy has recorded four platinum and three gold albums and has toured around the world. Tickets are £14 (concs £13). The Kathryn Tickell Band

  • EXHIBITIONS

    June 11-July 23 The Forests of Vancouver Island, British Columbia Paintings by Joanna O'Connor at Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum. Telephone: 01242 237431. June 18-Aug 20 A Cotswold Home, the People's Arts and Crafts Show Cheltenham Art Gallery and

  • An unexpected pleasure as stars turn out for fundraiser

    ACTORS Peter Bowles and Sian Phillips enjoyed a break from the rigours of touring at a fundraising lunch at the Colwall Park Hotel. The pair, currently appearing in The Unexpected Man, took time out from performing at Malvern Theatres to meet 65 fans

  • Tickell your ears with a few tunes

    WORCESTER'S Huntingdon Hall will be graced by the presence of award-winning musician Kathryn Tickell when she stages a gig with her band at the venue this month. The artist - whose roots are in Northumberland - released her first album at the age of 16