IT'S not just other drivers who hate the bad behaviour of motorists - so do pedestrians. We have baseball-capped yobs, windows down, trying to attract some female into their wagons, blasting out thumping music. How about a fixed penalty for noise pollution
FURTHER to your front page article of June 30 regarding yet another outlandish planning application for the disused former Regal cinema in Port Street and the earlier efforts of the action group set up to save the cinema, the question must be asked Do
MAY I please follow up the letter published by Messrs Davis and Palfrey (Journal June 30) about Pershore Old Henricians. There is to be a re-union for any former old Henricians, at the school on Friday, September 9, to celebrate the 400th anniversary
CAN I say a heartfelt thank you to the people of Evesham and surrounding area who turned out in their thousands last Sunday to demonstrate most strongly to the Primary Care Trust their total rejection of the proposed cuts in services at Evesham Community
I WRITE to complain about the amount of people parking on Woodrow South Road opposite the Alexandra Hospital. Just because these people do not want to pay the fees at the hospital car park, they use this road as a second, free car park. It is not. We
IN a recent letter from Kath Banks (Advertiser, July 6), it was stated a pupil at a Redditch high school receives £300 less every year than one in Birmingham. Unfortunately, the actual funding difference between a Redditch (or indeed, a Worcestershire
MAY I congratulate Ian McLeod (CEO) and the workforce at Halfords Group on its superb preliminary end-of-year report. The Washford-based company is clearly a major business that we in Redditch should all be proud of. A strong economy is vital and I am
PUPILS at St Bede's Middle School are being encouraged to go green and recycle their waste. The Holloway Lane school's Eco Council has been working hard to get students thinking about how they can improve the immediate environment. As well as recycling
A CRUMBLING Studley school needs to raise at least £30,000 to carry out urgent repair work before the start of the autumn term. Studley Junior School headteacher Tim Lee has written to local businesses asking them to donate cash or materials to help refurbish
NIGEL Kennedy is performing a charity concert in Cheltenham this weekend. The famous violin virtuoso will be at the Centaur Centre on Saturday (July 23) and at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on Sunday, July 24. He will perform Elgar's Violin Concerto in B
A DERELICT factory site, which used to make aluminium aircraft parts during the Second World War, has been sold for more than £500,000. The Aerlec Works was built in the North Worcestershire countryside so it could make supplies at a safe distance from
AN Oakenshaw man in his 60s has launched himself into a new career following his redundancy from MG Rover and proved there is life after Longbridge. John Garbett, 62, lost his job in April after working on camshafts at the plant for more than 18 years
FORGET stuffy conference rooms and picture instead a summer's day on the banks of the River Severn, enjoying a buffet lunch and chatting to like-minded business people. That is what is being offered to local businesses at a special networking event organised
A DRUG addict who burgled his mother's home by getting in through a dog flap has been jailed for 14 months at Worcester Crown Court. Craig Ivers went into his sister's bedroom, stole her play station console and sold it for £40 to buy heroin. He also
POTENTIAL entrepreneurs in Worcestershire could turn their dreams into reality with the launch of the new generation of Mustard.uk.com The high-growth business support initiative has entered its fifth year and is already promising to build on the 2,000
A LEADING businessman has tabled two bids to buy parts of collapsed carmaker MG Rover, it was confirmed this morning. David James said one bid was for the MG sports car brand and the means to build niche cars under contract to other manufacturers. The
GARDENING CLUB: The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 26 at 7.30pm at Wallace House, Oat Street. The speaker will be Mrs S Shacklock who will give a talk on Desires, Disasters and Delights. The competition this month is for a summer flowering pot
RBL WOMEN'S SECTION: The monthly meeting was opened by chairman Wendy Griffiths. After the exhortation she welcomed members and the speaker for the evening David Caswell the blacksmith from Badsey. Members were entertained with tales of his work and village
THIRTY-TWO local writers have banded together to produce a show called Journeys, being staged at The Everyman's Other Space studio theatre in Cheltenham. The Everyman's new writing group was set the task of exploring the wide world of journeys and the
IT'S not very often that Hereford Odeon rolls out the red carpet. Less often still that its guests arrive in a stretch limousine! But recently the auditorium filled with 285 children from 10 primary schools, most of whom took the opportunity to go Oscar-style
IF Geraint Bowen ever decides to write his autobiography, I can suggest a title - Blow the Trumpet in the New Moon. The words come from Psalm 80, but the connection to the director of music at Hereford Cathedral is that they are sung at a key moment in
HEREFORD Amateur Operatic Society needs more men for its next show, Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate. The show, to be performed at the Courtyard Theatre from October 28-November 5, is set in 1950s Baltimore, where actor Fred Graham is about to begin a run
AN exciting year-long Shakespeare festival, bringing together all of his works for the first time, has been announced in Stratford. The Royal Shakespeare Company is hosting the festival - The Complete Works - featuring all the 37 plays, the sonnets and
GIVE your child a leg up to being the next Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie or Tim Burton this summer by introducing them to some theatre skills early on. Local theatres and community centres are staging all kinds of workshops and summer schools for children
RETURN To The 80s is the invitation going out from The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury on Saturday. 'Classic hits from an electric era' are promised in the show which starts at 8pm. Box office: 01684 295074 (rosestheatre.org).
WHEN it comes to flight in the natural world, the first creatures that come to mind are the birds. While all birds rely basically on a similar wing structure, the various species have evolved a variety of wing designs that allow them to have very different
ABBERTON Marshall Beau, bred by Alec and Catriona Sutherland in their small herd of Aberdeen Angus at Manor Farm, Abberton, Pershore, took on and beat a lot of the big names at the Royal Show. Son of another bull bred by the Sutherlands, Marshall Beau
STAKEHOLDERS including farmers, vets, landowners, auctioneers and academics have agreed five further action points in the battle against TB in cattle and wildlife. The group is to amount a concerted lobbying campaign aimed particularly at MPs whose constituencies
BEN Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith provide the voices of Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippopotamus respectively. They are the big attractions at a New York zoo but Marty is bored and wants
Events/talks July 21 Wildlife Workshops, Wildflowers, Madley Environmental Study Centre, 7-9pm. 01981 512576. 22-24 Southern Marches Food and Drink Festival, www.wyevalleybrewery.co.uk/food. 23 St Michael's Hospice Summer Fete, 2pm. 01432 851000. 23 Bat
Third year photography degree students from the Herefordshire College of Art and Design travelled to London for a showcase of their coursework. Aptly entitled HR1@SE1 the exhibition celebrated the work of 14 students whose work ranged in style from fine
MUSIC ranging from big band sounds to 60s hits will keep visitors to Kidderminster's Brinton Park entertained in a series of summer Sunday concerts. The Bands in the Park programme, which runs throughout the rest of July and the whole of August, gets
STOURPORT Sports Centre has lined up a wide range of activities to keep the town's children occupied throughout their school summer holidays. Among sporty options available will be football, rugby, netball and badminton. There will also be trampolining
(Three stars) A YEAR after the horrific death of her husband and child, Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) tries to move on with her life by going extreme potholing with a group of tally-ho mates. Some might say there are better ways to get over a major tragedy
MAY I please follow up the letter published by Messrs Davis and Palfrey (Journal June 30) about Pershore Old Henricians. There is to be a re-union for any former old Henricians, at the school on Friday, September 9, to celebrate the 400th anniversary
IT'S not just other drivers who hate the bad behaviour of motorists - so do pedestrians. We have baseball-capped yobs, windows down, trying to attract some female into their wagons, blasting out thumping music. How about a fixed penalty for noise pollution
HAVE I got noose for you... a National Trust property will be taking a trip back in history as it reveals its scandalous and shocking past in a weekend of entertainment. Hanbury Hall, near Droitwich, is staging the Gruesome Day Out from 11am to 4.30pm
INTREPID walkers are hoping to raise as much cash as possible for Cancer Research. The 15km walk across the peaks of the Malvern Hills from the clock tower to Chase End Hill on Sunday is in memory of relatives of the participants who have died from cancer
THE deadline for residents to object to plans to move a supermarket has been extended because Sainsbury's is revising its initial plans. The grocery giant wants to pay to build a new Archdales Sports Club on its current store, and put up a bigger 40,000sq-ft
DROITWICH residents have been warned they could be charged with flyposting if they continue to put up yellow ribbons as a show of support for the restoration of the town's lido. The ripples of discontent between campaigners and Wychavon District Council
THERE was good news for Vale bus passengers this week as plans for free travel for concessionary users moved even closer. At the meeting of the Wychavon District Council executive board, Councillor Audrey Steel introduced a joint report of the head of
THE future of Tenbury's Regal Cinema was in question this week with growing fears that its "temporary" closure could become permanent. The picture house, one of the few art deco cinemas in the country, closed last week, when Jo Wall, whose family runs
THE owner of a dog that went missing from her home in Kidderminster is appealing for her safe return. Holly is a six-year-old, small tan whippet lurcher which went missing from Chester Road South on Monday, July 4 between 2.30pm and 5.30pm. Her owner,
KIDDERMINSTER town centre came to a standstill as shoppers and workers observed a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the London bombings. People stopped what they were doing and stood still to remember more than 50 people who died and 700
A KIDDERMINSTER couple claim rubbish not collected from outside their home is becoming a health hazard in hot weather. Julie Lavelle and her husband, Derek, 60, who live in a block of flats in Plane Tree Close, said although council binmen were removing
ALCESTER Grammar School had to fork out more than £2,000 to the university admissions organisation UCAS last week after it was discovered a batch of students' cheques had been lost in the post. The cheques - payment for applications for places at university
RESIDENTS of Upper Arley have been waking up to find a loo has mysteriously appeared in their garden overnight. Fund-raisers from St Peter's Church have been planting their toilet in unsuspecting residents' gardens to generate money for a new extension
ALCESTER Town Council faces bills of up to £20,000 to bring its play areas up to scratch. This follows an inspection report which revealed much of the equipment and safety surfaces were in need of repair and councillors have agreed to make this a priority
WYRE Forest is heading for crisis unless Worcestershire County Council finds more money for road repairs, a councillor has warned. District Liberal councillor Rachel Lewis, who is heading a campaign for improved road and pavement surfaces, said there
COUNTY council scientists have moved into new purpose-built premises in Stourport to cope with rocketing demand. Worcestershire's Scientific Services - which backs up the work of trading standards - has relocated into unwanted laboratories at Morgan Matroc
A MISSING cat has turned up safe and well after the owner was inundated with calls following a plea in the Shuttle/Times & News. Owner, Sharon Gibson, feared Ruby, the oriental Havana, may have jumped into a car or even on to a canal boat when he
DRUNKEN tramps dossing down in a Kidderminster park are keeping a nearby resident awake at night. Sue Hart, whose Silver Street home overlooks St George's Park, said she was being kept awake at night by noise from people drinking and sleeping there. "
A FURNITURE recycling project in Kidderminster is celebrating its 10th anniversary by setting up a new shop and taking on more workers with the help of a £90,000 grant. The Network Furniture Centre is part of the Oldington and Foley Park Community Network
YOUNG people across Wyre Forest have been encouraged to get involved in summer projects which will benefit their communities. This Lifestyle 2005 scheme, which was launched at Kidderminster Youth Centre yesterday, gives youngsters the chance to help other
GARDENING CLUB: The next meeting will be on Tuesday, July 26 at 7.30pm at Wallace House, Oat Street. The speaker will be Mrs S Shacklock who will give a talk on Desires, Disasters and Delights. The competition this month is for a summer flowering pot
RBL WOMEN'S SECTION: The monthly meeting was opened by chairman Wendy Griffiths. After the exhortation she welcomed members and the speaker for the evening David Caswell the blacksmith from Badsey. Members were entertained with tales of his work and village
THE Oughton family at Lower Rye Farm, Moreton, has creamed off the Dairy Herd Management competition organised by the Moreton Show Society for the fifth successive time. "It is a remarkable achievement," said show secretary Tim Gardner, who added that
STUDLEY came face-to-face with Prudden Road Surfacing Premier League champions Stratford B and claimed a 3-1 win. Their cause was helped when the table-toppers fielded just one stand-in pair giving their opponents a 2-0 start. The teams drew the remaining
A CRUEL one-point defeat means Redditch Arrows will miss out on this year's play-offs. The side were crowned Division Two South West Conference champions last season but their hopes of continuing their success ended with their defeat by Sussex Thunder
PRICE increases - whether it's for bread, buses or the Big Issue - are never popular. It is often difficult to understand why costs have gone up, especially if the increase is in excess of inflation. Rises in car parking charges are always a bone of contention
'THRILLING, edge-of-your-seat fun is guaranteed' say the producers of a new stage version of the classic thriller The 39 Steps, coming to Malvern. A young woman is murdered, and Richard Hannay is the suspect. He has to race against the clock to solve
WALTER Busby, a labourer from Broom was hauled before the courts charged with stealing two tame ducks. The ducks valued at 4s, were the property of Arthur Lane of Broom Court and were taken on July 9. Sergeant Sharpie stated he was on duty in Broom on
FECKENHAM begin their pre-season campaign this week with manager Lee Adams delighted to have one of his young stars back at the club. Teenage midfielder Mark Hands had been training with Southern League outfit Halesowen Town but is back with the Millers
AN angry mum whose baby almost died was shocked to read in the Shuttle/Times & News of parents suffering similar heartache - four years after she was told it would never happen again. Naomi Clarke, of Warwick Street in Stourport, suffered the agony
DARREN Avery, of Crossway Green, near Stourport, gave his brother's name when he was stopped by police and the lie caused a lot of trouble, Worcester Crown Court was told. His brother was summoned to court, tried in his absence and convicted. The sentence
CAR park fees across Worcester are set to rise in September as part of changes to encourage bus use and free up city parking. Users of Cattlemarket, King Street, Newport Street and St Martin's Gate parks can expect an hour to cost 70p, £1.40 for two hours
THE RSPCA has called on the Government to bring in new laws to curb animal cruelty after it released appalling photos of pet abuse. Two cases in Worcestershire highlight the charity's concern - a spaniel-cross 60 per cent underweight, and an eight-month
THE hunt is on for a strong-stomached individual to get a taste of the action at this year's Worcester Beer Festival as chief sampler of the vast array of tipples on offer. The annual event, which is in its seventh year, takes place at Worcester racecourse
PICKPOCKETS have been operating in Kidderminster and police are urging shoppers to take extra care to guard their purses and wallets. Two purse thefts occurred within 40 minutes as the victims shopped in stores in the Rowland Hill Centre and the High
THIEVES stole a pressure washer from a workshop after a door had been left open during the recent heatwave. The £2,500 yellow Karcher washer was taken from premises on Worcester Road, Kidderminster at about 10.15am on Tuesday last week. A police spokesman
A HOT summer afternoon saw a little frog come hop hoppity hop down the garden path. It passed the wife sitting quietly, enjoying the tranquil, relaxing scene. The little frog, concentrating on its task, went scooting close by to her bare feet, and legged
FIREFIGHTERS were called out to a fire that destroyed an abandoned car at Wilden Top yesterday morning. One fire appliance from Kidderminster Fire Station attended the blaze in the car park at 1.30am.
I WAS privileged to be at the official opening of Worcestershire County Council's new Scientific Services Laboratories at Bewdley Road, Stourport. Trading Standards now have better facilities and more capacity to extend their excellent service. I was
WELL, I've just spent another stress-related day (which is a common occurrence on Wolverley estate). In the evenings, weekends and holidays it's motorbikes tearing relentlessly up and down the estate, coupled with mini-bikes. There is litter strewn over
REDDITCH race outfit the Buildbase Knotts Magnum team claimed an impressive eighth place in the ultra competitive Metabo British Supersport Championship. But the result could have been even better as rider Matt Llewellyn looked set for a top five finish
A CROWD of around 3,000 gathered in the centre of Evesham at the weekend to protest at the proposed downgrading of the town's community hospital. "It will destroy our wonderful hospital," said the mayor councillor Frances Smith who is leading the action
D CURRIE (Letters, July 14) expressed concern about the siting of a "dog poo" bin near to a house in Offmore Road in the Kidderminster ward which, along with Councillors Graham Ballinger and Paul Harrison, I happen to represent. Wyre Forest District Council
Drumming up a career for himself in the world of rock music is schoolboy Sam Bowles. At the age of just 12, Sam has astonished experts by picking up a distinction in his grade 5 exam - meaning that he scored at least 85 per cent in the equivalent of a
DOCTORS from Evesham are frustrated over the delay in building a new health centre and claim with increasing numbers of patients they cannot to offer a high level of service. Doctors at the Abbey Medical Practice and the Merstow Green health centres reported
A VALE woman is claiming to be the first to introduce a new designer pet in the UK to animal lovers. Gaynor Jean-Louis says she is the only toyger breeder in the country and hopes these animals - cats that look like tigers - become as commonly known as
THERE was good news for Vale bus passengers this week as plans for free travel for concessionary users moved even closer. At the meeting of the Wychavon District Council executive board, Councillor Audrey Steel introduced a joint report of the head of
Prince Henry's held their annual speech day last week on the back of their excellent exam results of last year, which placed them in the top three per cent of schools nationally. This fact was represented at the event, which took place last Friday and
A VALE wheelchair user has spoken of her worry that someone could soon be hurt because of irresponsible parking at Cheltenham Road post office. Susan Grinnell, of Peewit Road, Hampton, feels something has to be done after she saw a near miss in an area
CHAIRMAN Dave Boddy re-vealed it is "unlikely" that Worcester City will dip into the transfer market for a fourth time this summer. City completed their third pre-season acquisition when experienced Des Lyttle signed on to replace retired veteran Paul
COLIN Youngjohns yesterday stepped down as Kidderminster Harriers chairman -- insisting the club is in good hands. As part of a major board-room shuffle at Aggborough, Youngjohns has resigned from the board of directors after 32 years of service. The
NEW-BOY Jon Brady hit the scoresheet as Hereford United drew 2-2 with Wrexham in last night's pre-season friendly at Edgar Street. Brady, a summer signing from Dagenham and Redbridge, and striker Adam Stansfield gave the Bulls a two-goal lead before the
WORCESTER Warriors Under 17 girls team are aiming for a successful series across the Atlantic as they take in a three-game tour in Canada. The 25-girl squad jetted out for their first ever overseas tour on Monday. They are due to play a provincial match
EVESHAM United's second warm-up match in 24 hours ended in a 1-0 defeat at home to Tamworth. The Robins went into the game having won 2-1 at Alvechurch on Tuesday, thanks to two Jae Martin goals.
JOCKEY Richard Johnson rode a double at Worcester Races yesterday on It's Definite and Tommy Spar. 2.10: 1st Chase The Sunset (IRE) 11-8; 2nd The Bay Bridge (IRE) 33-1. Jockey T J Murphy. Trainer Miss H C Knight. Distances 2 1/2l. Openide 4-5. 7 ran.
THERE was a midnight opening for excited youngsters at a Broadway bookshop last week, as they queued to be one of the first to get their hands on the new Harry Potter novel. Blandfords Books of Broadway, owned by Andrew and Elizabeth Blandford, held the
GIVE your child a leg up to being the next Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie or Tim Burton this summer by introducing them to some theatre skills early on. Local theatres and community centres are staging all kinds of workshops and summer schools for children
A SUMMER coffee morning will be held on Saturday, August 13 in the St. Wulstan's Church grounds, Vale Road at 10am. There will be various stalls, bric a brac and refreshments. This is an ecumenical event supported by all the Stourport churches.
A BARBECUE and raffle organised by Mrs G. Szczepanik on June 25, raised £715 for Kemp House and Cancer charities. All food was given by Mrs Szczepanik and helpers, and thanks were expressed to everyone who helped in any way. On Mayors Sunday, members
BEFORE the food was served at the Summer Supper evening, Liz Davis and Greta Mitchell talked about selling WI House and moving to more modern premises. A vote was taken. Volunteers are needed to help or supply cakes for Evesham. Food was served by the
WHEN it comes to flight in the natural world, the first creatures that come to mind are the birds. While all birds rely basically on a similar wing structure, the various species have evolved a variety of wing designs that allow them to have very different
ABBERTON Marshall Beau, bred by Alec and Catriona Sutherland in their small herd of Aberdeen Angus at Manor Farm, Abberton, Pershore, took on and beat a lot of the big names at the Royal Show. Son of another bull bred by the Sutherlands, Marshall Beau
A SHOW with a difference - organised by and starring young people - takes place at Rowney Green Peace Hall on Friday, July 29 at 7.30pm. The event is all the idea of Alvechurch resident Dave Berrisford, 18, the youth representative for All & Sundry
CREATIVE and greenfingered groups have helped Operation Covert's running total surge past the £30,000 milestone. Major donations from Kidderminster Horticultural Society and Bewdley Floral Art Club have helped swell the total fund to over £32,000. The
MORE than 500 letters of objection and huge public interest from Bidford residents against a planning application has led Warwickshire county councillors to delay their meeting. Members of the Regulatory committee were due to consider the planning application
STEVEN Davies reached a half century for Worcestershire at Wantage Road in the early stages of the second day against Northamptonshire. He was on 79 not out, with Worces-tershire 163-3 after 54 overs in reply to Northants' 299. Yesterday it was Shoaib
BEN Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith provide the voices of Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippopotamus respectively. They are the big attractions at a New York zoo but Marty is bored and wants
Britain's twenty-somethings have been told they need to start putting some serious money aside for their old age. But just how likely is that to happen? Features writer Emma Cullwick reports NIGHTS out on the tiles, nice clothes and regular city breaks
November 24, 2005 will be a SAD day - and that's official. It is the date the Government has earmarked as the Second Appointed Day under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003 - in other words, the date when the new regulations come into force. And it could
Birmingham Premier League STUDLEY skipper Richard Gregory is looking for his side to go on a three-match winning run in a bid to keep their season. The Washford Fields outfit claimed a winning draw from their match with fellow promotion hopefuls Attock
PRESIDENT Chirac has been criticising British food. I would suggest he tried a fried plaice, fried hard and drenched with Worcestershire Sauce. Once he'd tried that he wouldn't mess about with croissants again. JOHN SHEARON, Worcester.
A PERSHORE High School student who was chosen to represent the area in a major technology design competition has scooped one of the top prizes. Christopher Doughty was picked by the Pershore Rotary Club after they saw his CD storage system with a theme
JUDGING by Coun Geoff William's challenge (Letters, Saturday, July 16) to N Taylor's reply, to Coun Paul Denham on traffic congestion, it appears that Coun Williams sees the voting patterns of planning and other committees through different coloured spectacles
A crowd of 3,000 people gathered in the centre of Evesham on Sunday to send a message to local health chiefs. It was an unequivocal message and it was chanted over and over - No cuts, Save Our Hospital. They listened carefully as speaker after speaker
A KIDDERMINSTER man accused of stealing goods worth £14,500 from Hartlebury's industrial estate has also denied an alternative charge of handling stolen property. Ronald Calder, 44, of Hurcott Road in the town, was remanded on bail at Worcester Crown
MUSIC ranging from big band sounds to 60s hits will keep visitors to Kidderminster's Brinton Park entertained in a series of summer Sunday concerts. The Bands in the Park programme, which runs throughout the rest of July and the whole of August, gets
A FORMER teacher from Kidderminster has been jailed for nine months after downloading images of child pornography - including one of a newborn baby. James Roberts saved the images on a computer at Stourbridge's Redhill School, where he was working as
A WARTIME romance led to 60 years of happy marriage for a Stourport couple. Rose Neal was a volunteer behind the counter in her local NAAFI - the wartime caf for troops - in St Andrew's in Scotland when she met Royal Navy man, Graham Neal, who was stationed
GOING round in circles could be the key to a contented life with the guidance of a Kidderminster woman. Kathi Burrell is leading the way in a revival of the 5,000-year-old therapeutic practice of labyrinth walking. She already runs workshops in Stourbridge
VISITORS to a special party in Kidderminster would be forgiven for thinking they were seeing double as sets of twins - and even triplets - enjoyed a fun-packed afternoon. The Wyre Forest Twins Support Group organised the event at St Cecilia's Church Hall
WITH reference to your Wyre Forest at War supplement, I thought you might find the following interesting. During Warship Week in March 1942 the Borough of Bewdley and District adopted a trawler minesweeper named HMS Horatio. This was a 50ft A/S Trawler
A KIDDERMINSTER woman had a nasty shock as she awoke to find a burglar in her bedroom. The intruder ran off with a handbag belonging to the woman after getting into her Stourport Road home. It is believed the man entered the house through a small insecure
A BAXTER College pupil has received a prestigious national award recognising her outstanding contribution to the school and wider community. Stef Harvey, of Cobham Road, Kidderminster, was chosen for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award after being
DESPITE the loss of Bewdley's bandstand, performers still have somewhere to showcase their particular brands of entertainment in a new "green" theatre. The open-air facility, in the town's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens, opened recently and cost £10,000
STOURPORT Sports Centre has lined up a wide range of activities to keep the town's children occupied throughout their school summer holidays. Among sporty options available will be football, rugby, netball and badminton. There will also be trampolining
BORED youngsters looking for something to keep them entertained during the summer holidays might find something on offer through Worcestershire County Council's youth service. The service has arranged a variety of free or low-cost activities for this
KIDDERMINSTER Arts Festival has a wealth of activities lined up for the next two weeks. The fun starts on Monday with all ages invited to Paint the Pavement outside Kidderminster's Swan Centre from 10am until 3pm. Other events are: Monday - Drum Love
Los Angeles, City of Angels, is having one hell of a population crisis after thousands of demons decide to set up camp there. Keanu Reeves plays John Constantine, a chain-smoking misery who fears nothing from fighting these demons after being diagnosed
YOU are never too old to enjoy a Winnie the Pooh adventure. Whether it's sitting down with children or grandchildren, or switching off after a hard day at the office, you can guarantee a chuckle or two - if only at the absurdity of it all. In Pooh's Heffalump
STAFF from the Worcestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre got dressed up in their finery to enjoy a royal appointment. Staff from the Worcester-based charity joined 8,000 other people at the Queen's garden party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace on
FILTHY store cupboards could be helping to spread dangerous infections around the Alexandra Hospital, according to a former health care assistant. The man, who did not want to be named, worked for several months at the Woodrow hospital until earlier this
A councillor says more needs to be done to make Alexandra Hospital visitors wash their hands to minimise the risk of infections being spread. At a Redditch Forum meeting last week, town and county councillor Andrew Fry said he had visited his wife in
Thursday, July 21 Where Next Association in Easemore Road will celebrate its 21st anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by Redditch Mayor Diane Thomas.l Pinki Productions presents Stitch at Redditch Youth House, Ipsley Street, from 7pm.
THREE men claiming to be police officers tricked their way into the home of a man in the Winyates area. The trio called at the man's home at the end of June and told him they needed to search his house. A small quantity of tobacco is believed to have
BEOLEY and Wythall are among areas to benefit from a £1.2m cash injection to improve open spaces across the Bromsgrove district. Funding of £120,000 has already been earmarked for developing Wythall's play and teenage facilities as part of the district-wide
A MAJOR £12 million business development in Lakeside has been given the thumbs up by Redditch Council's planning committee. The redevelopment of 110,000 sq ft of manufacturing, distribution and light engineering units on Shawbank Road is set to begin
MINDLESS vandals have endangered wildlife inhabiting a Winyates Green nature reserve by deliberately starting fires and destroying an entrance gate. Conservationists at the Ipsley Alders Nature Reserve were horrified to discover last Wednesday (July 13
PLANS have been drawn up for extensive work at Plymouth Road cemetery and war memorial gardens to return them to their former splendour. Redditch Council's director of leisure, customer and business support, Paul Patten, told residents at a Central and
Misys healthy SOFTWARE giant Misys reported adjusted annual earnings towards the top end of its forecast and said demand for its core markets of banking and healthcare remained strong. The Evesham-based firm, which employs 300 people in its general insurance
YOU may have missed world musicians Caitlin and Sika from New Zealand perform at this year's Glastonbury Festival, but luckily you can see them play St James Church, Colwall, on July 30. The show takes you through many different moods - relaxing piano
THE Oughton family at Lower Rye Farm, Moreton, has creamed off the Dairy Herd Management competition organised by the Moreton Show Society for the fifth successive time. "It is a remarkable achievement," said show secretary Tim Gardner, who added that
Re Anger At River Festival - Mr P Wells' letter. I wasn't going to waste my time responding to this as I felt the number of people who came to watch and enjoy the festival, the illuminations and the fireworks were answer enough. But I have been persuaded
A SPECIAL one-off performance is planned at Longborough Festival Opera next week. After weeks of working hard in the chorus at the Cotswold opera venue, a group of young singers is taking the limelight on Monday. The chorus is made up of music college
'THRILLING, edge-of-your-seat fun is guaranteed' say the producers of a new stage version of the classic thriller The 39 Steps, coming to Malvern. A young woman is murdered, and Richard Hannay is the suspect. He has to race against the clock to solve
THE character Caiaphas sums it up: "One thing I'll say for him, Jesus is cool." With biblical accuracy put aside in places and rocky musical interjections, this interpretation portrays Jesus as the ultimate superstar. It's one of Lloyd Webber's most ambitious
WHILE Stratford's Royal Shakespeare Theatre is hosting a season of comedies, the Swan has been presenting its Gunpowder season, a selection of rarely performed work of a more serious nature to mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. The plays
BIRMINGHAM Arts Centre, mac, near Edgbaston cricket ground, is having a busy week of performances. Tonight, Friday and Sunday, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas is being staged mixing English and Asian traditions. On Saturday, July 23, singer-songwriter Richard
NEXT month the talented young musicians of Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra present their annual spectacular evening of Big-band Swing music at Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe. The audience is invited to bring their own picnic and enjoy an evening of foot-tapping
A SHOW with a difference - organised by and starring young people - takes place at Rowney Green Peace Hall on Friday, July 29 at 7.30pm. The event is all the idea of Alvechurch resident Dave Berrisford, 18, the youth representative for All & Sundry
HARRY'S HERE: On the stroke of midnight on Friday, the first copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were handed to partygoers after an evening of spider-counting, quizzes, film-watching and a chance to hold a real owl. The Bookshop at West Street
THE splendid summer sunshine naturally helped, but the feeling of discovering fresh sounding groups gave Sheep Music a special atmosphere at the weekend. Groups like Daz Dolczech & the Destroyers will (unfortunately) never be heard by the masses on
SINGER-songwriter, Kate Wragg, of Kidderminster, will perform at the launch event for what is intended to become a regular series of Friday night concerts in Stourbridge. The first session - under the banner of the Dark Blue Boog-a-loo - takes place tomorrow
PUPILS from numerous local schools displayed their singing and dancing talents at Voices and Visions 2005. The festival's seventh year was a celebration of the outstanding commitment to creativity and the arts in Worcestershire schools. The Malvern Theatres
DESPITE the loss of Bewdley's bandstand, performers still have somewhere to showcase their particular brands of entertainment in a new "green" theatre. The open-air facility, in the town's Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens, opened recently and cost £10,000
BORED youngsters looking for something to keep them entertained during the summer holidays might find something on offer through Worcestershire County Council's youth service. The service has arranged a variety of free or low-cost activities for this
A KIDDERMINSTER band is urging people to back its bid to win a competition to get its song played in full on national radio. Part of The Murmur's song, Measuring the Rain, from the album, Vietnam Morning, was played on Radio 2's Dermot O'Leary show last
KIDDERMINSTER Arts Festival has a wealth of activities lined up for the next two weeks. The fun starts on Monday with all ages invited to Paint the Pavement outside Kidderminster's Swan Centre from 10am until 3pm. Other events are: Monday - Drum Love
MENTION Harvington Hall to most people familiar with the moated manor house and its Elizabethan and English Civil War heritage probably most readily spring to mind. What has, maybe, not been so well documented is its subsequent decline which, by the beginning
BEWDLEY High School pupil, Becky Lock, takes to the stage tonight at the beginning of a three-night run of John Godber's play, Bouncers, in Birmingham. She is a member of Birmingham Youth drama company, which is presenting the Stage 2 production at the
Los Angeles, City of Angels, is having one hell of a population crisis after thousands of demons decide to set up camp there. Keanu Reeves plays John Constantine, a chain-smoking misery who fears nothing from fighting these demons after being diagnosed
YOU are never too old to enjoy a Winnie the Pooh adventure. Whether it's sitting down with children or grandchildren, or switching off after a hard day at the office, you can guarantee a chuckle or two - if only at the absurdity of it all. In Pooh's Heffalump
IF times ever become difficult for the Gipsy Kings and the pesetas start to dry up, they could always start their own Spanish course. This collection of Mediterranean classics 'benefits' from the Gipsies version of Hotel California (Spanish Mix), ideal
JUST as you thought you had literally heard enough of this young Welsh dragon, here comes her rather pointless debut pop album. Firstly the voice: As a child she had a gift - a pitch perfect instrument suited to the classical realm. That talent she has
AFTER the success of her undercover mission at the Miss United States Pageant, Gracie Hart (Sandra Bullock) has become too well known to carry on her field work so she is persuaded to generate a positive image for the bureau by becoming "the face" of
NIGEL Kennedy is performing a charity concert in Cheltenham this weekend. The famous violin virtuoso will be at the Centaur Centre on Saturday (July 23) and at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on Sunday, July 24. He will perform Elgar's Violin Concerto in B
CAN I say a heartfelt thank you to the people of Evesham and surrounding area who turned out in their thousands last Sunday to demonstrate most strongly to the Primary Care Trust their total rejection of the proposed cuts in services at Evesham Community
FURTHER to your front page article of June 30 regarding yet another outlandish planning application for the disused former Regal cinema in Port Street and the earlier efforts of the action group set up to save the cinema, the question must be asked Do
AS a regular visitor to Evesham, and now a resident, I have long admired the view from the top of Abbey Park, from the Bell Tower down the long green slope to the river. This week I was greatly saddened to see that an unsightly multi-coloured concrete
ON behalf of the Talking Newspaper for the Blind, I would like to thank all who kindly contributed to the collection held at Morrisons Evesham Store. Over the two days we raised £1,419.41. With this money we hope to add to the further efficiency of our
HOPES of an hourly service between Worcestershire and London have been shattered, according to Peter Luff. The mid-Worcestershire MP claimed the Commons' approval of a new cross-London rail link would put paid to improvements on the Cotwold line. Mr Luff
A BANKER is leaving behind the world of finance and putting on her safari gear as she heads out on an adventure to study zebras in the wilds of Africa. Jean Willis, from Welland, near Malvern, is setting off for two weeks of wildlife conservation work
A NEW paddling pool and metal railings are just some of the changes that could be made to Worcester's Gheluvelt Park if a Lottery grant bid is approved. Because of its historical significance as a war memorial and its potential to provide educational
EVESHAM MP Peter Luff fired off an angry letter to Tony Blair after Prime Minister's question time in the Commons. Mr Luff asked the PM why proposals to decimate Evesham Community Hospital were even being considered when they were contrary to government
ARE you female, over 16, out-going, love dancing and want to cheer on the Worcester Warriors throughout the new rugby season? If so why not try out to become a member of the new-look npowerettes? The Warriors have launched a search to find new members
MORE than 300 letters protesting at the planned cuts at Evesham Community Hospital were being posted off to the offices of health secretary Patricia Hewitt. Evesham Mayor Frances Smith and Journal editor John Murphy are enclosing covering letters, calling
FIREFIGHTERS and support staff who committed magnificent acts of bravery, or have given long service to the community will be awarded at a ceremony. The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Annual Awards Ceremony takes took place earlier this
VOLUNTEERS from all over the world have been sprucing up Worcester Cathedral and cataloguing skeletons uncovered on the site. The team of 19, from the Cathedral Camps charity have been cleaning bones, windows, painting and clearing rubbish. The charity
LITTER louts are under fire from a Kidderminster school head who admits some of his own students should carry the can. Youngsters from King Charles I High School in Comberton Road were slammed in the Shuttle/Times & News letters page for dropping
TAXI drivers in Wyre Forest fear there could be fewer cabs on the streets if a deregulation scheme wins council backing. Under the proposal, when drivers renew their licences they will have to replace their saloons with hackney carriages, which are wheelchair
CHAIRMAN Dave Boddy re-vealed it is "unlikely" that Worcester City will dip into the transfer market for a fourth time this summer. City completed their third pre-season acquisition when experienced Des Lyttle signed on to replace retired veteran Paul
POLICE are hunting a man who followed a woman with a child in a pushchair and shouted racist verbal abuse at them. The incident took place on Monday in Baxter Avenue in Kidderminster. The man pulled up beside the woman in a grey car, possibly a Vauxhall
THE parish council candidate caught up in a row over election advertising saw justice on Thursday when she beat three other contestants for a seat in Salford Priors. Jane Corbett said she was angry and frustrated when she was told to take down more than
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former chairman of Salford Priors Parish Council who died suddenly last Sunday. Doug Partridge, of Rush Ford, served on the parish council for 43 years from 1957 to 2000. He was also an Independent member of Stratford District
RAISING funds, planting baskets and fights over grass cutting - all par for the course in Alcester's annual bid for a coveted prize in the Heart of England Britain in Bloom competition. But somehow everything was sorted in time for judging day when, it
A CANAL boat owner who suffered an intimidating ordeal at the hands of a gang of youths is warning that boaters are starting to steer clear of Kidderminster. The Shuttle/Times & News reported last week how holidaymakers from Somerset were pelted with
SECURITY has been stepped up at a council depot after thieves stole £16,000 worth of diesel fuel in the latest in a series of Wyre Forest raids. Police believe gangs operating in the area have been responsible for 40 recorded thefts this year, mainly
A CHERRY tree has been planted in memory of a popular Wolverley man in the grounds of the village surgery. Family and friends of Bill Cox, who died last year, aged 95, gathered to watch the planting ceremony last Thursday. Mr Cox looked after the grounds
FOUR organisations will benefit from money raised during a recent steam rally held in Stourport. The event, organised by Steve Crump and his wife, Pat, was held at Coney Green Farm with a range of attractions for visitors including off-road and commercial
PICNICKERS enjoyed a performance of classic songs and raised over £1,300 for St Richard's Hospice at a special charity concert. Around 100 people were in the audience for Great Witley Operatic Society's A Grand Night For Singing at Worcester's St Mary's
Re Anger At River Festival - Mr P Wells' letter. I wasn't going to waste my time responding to this as I felt the number of people who came to watch and enjoy the festival, the illuminations and the fireworks were answer enough. But I have been persuaded
THIRTY-TWO local writers have banded together to produce a show called Journeys, being staged at The Everyman's Other Space studio theatre in Cheltenham. The Everyman's new writing group was set the task of exploring the wide world of journeys and the
A SPECIAL one-off performance is planned at Longborough Festival Opera next week. After weeks of working hard in the chorus at the Cotswold opera venue, a group of young singers is taking the limelight on Monday. The chorus is made up of music college
VILLAGERS in Feckenham angry at plans for a permanent camp for travellers have come up with a list of objections to the scheme. Residents have formed an action committee to oppose the county council's proposal to put a 15-pitch site at the electricity
BEOLEY Parish Church was almost in debt, it was revealed at Saturday's village fete. Mr J.H Mahler appealed to parishioners to spend as much as they could afford at the event and help boost church funds. "In the past eight to ten years £7,000 has been
A WARTIME romance led to 60 years of happy marriage for a Stourport couple. Rose Neal was a volunteer behind the counter in her local NAAFI - the wartime caf for troops - in St Andrew's in Scotland when she met Royal Navy man, Graham Neal, who was stationed
JOBS are being shed at a Stourport manufacturing firm while workers at one of the town's supermarkets will be seeking new positions when their store closes next month. Severn Road-based firm, TP Activity Toys, is cutting 10 or 11 staff while 12 employees
A SECOND sundial put up by a Wyre Forest women's group to mark the millennium has been vandalised. The ill-fated Townswomen's Guild project has now seen two sundials damaged and the third one has still not been unveiled - five years after the millennium
THE character Caiaphas sums it up: "One thing I'll say for him, Jesus is cool." With biblical accuracy put aside in places and rocky musical interjections, this interpretation portrays Jesus as the ultimate superstar. It's one of Lloyd Webber's most ambitious
A STOURPORT councillor has been given a prestigious title recognising her 43 years serving the community. Ninety-three-year-old Elizabeth Mills is the first person to be made an honorary alderman of the Wyre Forest district. Mrs Mills, who was awarded
A TOWN was brought to a standstill when a jilted lover walked into a pub brandishing a shotgun. Armed police wearing flak-jackets went to the scene and lined the waterfront at Upton-upon-Severn. They trained their guns on the door of the King's Head,
100 Years Ago July 22 1905 The annual dinner of the Court Robin Hood of the Ancient Order of Foresters took place in Pershore on Thursday. On the previous Sunday the members of the Court attended service at the Abbey Church, when the new Town Band (who
A KIDDERMINSTER man who bought a high-powered car with money from an inheritance crashed into the back of another vehicle, Worcester Crown Court heard. Allan Gavin then narrowly missed a pedestrian and slid down a pavement. In a panic he drove the damaged
WE, the public, are so quick to judge the police for not being on the ball - but they proved me wrong on a recent Sunday. I was chatting to a man while I was waiting for a lift, and when a police car passed me, I noticed the officers lean over. The officers
WE would like to thank our midwife Sally Burns, and the two paramedics (we did not get their names, but are sure they will remember us) who aided in the safe delivery of our daughter at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Thursday, June 30 after a dash from
THE Government is currently pushing a Bill through Parliament that is the second to affect our civil liberties. In the spring of this year they forced through the Terrorism Act that allows our Government to place its citizens under house arrest in a similar
REDDITCH United defender Richard Softley has urged his manager not to rule him out for the season. A snapped tibia and dislocated ankle looked set to keep the Valley Stadium favourite sidelined for the entire campaign, prompting boss Rod Brown to consider
WE have been closely following the news in the Shuttle/Times & News concerning the local hospitals, especially the maternity units, as my wife progressed through her third pregnancy. It seems appropriate now that we share the experience of the recent
GRIEVING parents of a well-known Evesham DJ and quiz master have spoken of his worsening illness in the months leading up to his death this week. Guy Gisborne, aged 54, was reported missing by his parents last Saturday. His body was recovered by police
BEWDLEY is a jewel of a town built beside the River Severn in Worcestershire. With the Severn Valley Railway running alongside, plus the West Midland Safari Park, it's a must for any tourist to visit. We live in Bewdley and consider ourselves to be very
WORK has begun on the refurbishment of the former police station on Evesham's Abbey Road, with the promise of more services for residents. The work will see the Evesham Community Contact Centre extended in order to accommodate Jobcentre Plus. Jobcentre
LIKE most successful young graduates, Sarah Keeley has been celebrating the end of her academic life and looking forward to an exciting future. But the 22-year-old from Cheltenham Road, Evesham, took time out this week to send a special vote of thanks
WE have recycled bottles, cans and papers for many years, and were grateful for the introduction of the recycling bins as it enabled us to include plastic as well. I was, therefore, amazed to read in the Shuttle/Times & News last week that in future
A WESTON Subedge mum has praised a town doctor who successfully removed a two-inch pencil embedded in her young daughter's arm. Alison Keitley received a phone call from St Catharine's RC School in Chipping Campden to say her daughter, Emily, had tripped
A former Mayor of Evesham has called for the resignation of a town councillor who was carpeted following a row at the Mayor's ball. Cllr Andrew Dyke, who was hosting the ball attended by civic dignitaries from around the region, said an investigation
Bretforton Silver Band is polishing its brass and practising for its very own Last Night of the Proms concert. Now in its seventh year, the event has become one of the highlights of the year in the Vale of Evesham. It started when the band held a free
Wannabe rally driver Richard Ellis from Evesham took a big step towards his dream at the weekend when he won through the latest round in a contest which could see him line up against the World's top drivers in Australia later this year. Richard, 29, a
Rescue missions mounted by the County Air Ambulance cost around £1,000 each, according to figures released this week. The UK's largest air ambulance service completes two or three incidents a day per aircraft, equating to more than 2,000 incidents every
A PIONEERING new three-year course in learning disability nursing to be held in two centres in Coventry and Worcester is being spearheaded by a lecturer from South Littleton. John Lahiff took up his post earlier this month as senior lecturer and course
STEVEN Davies reached a half century for Worcestershire at Wantage Road in the early stages of the second day against Northamptonshire. He was on 79 not out, with Worces-tershire 163-3 after 54 overs in reply to Northants' 299. Yesterday it was Shoaib
SOUTH African Calvin Flowers made 155 off just 99 balls to help fire Ombersley to the top of the Crusader Worcestershire League. Flowers, one of three centurions in Ombersley's 82-run victory over Bewdley, struck 19 fours and fives sixes to win our batsman
AN exciting year-long Shakespeare festival, bringing together all of his works for the first time, has been announced in Stratford. The Royal Shakespeare Company is hosting the festival - The Complete Works - featuring all the 37 plays, the sonnets and
WHILE Stratford's Royal Shakespeare Theatre is hosting a season of comedies, the Swan has been presenting its Gunpowder season, a selection of rarely performed work of a more serious nature to mark the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot. The plays
A WALK of about eight miles duration around Mickleton, Evesham, has been organised for Sunday. Ramblers are asked to meet at the Memorial Park Gates, Park Avenue, Stourport, at 9am prompt. Transport can be arranged. New walkers will be made welcome, so
MEMBERS went on a walk in Wyre Forest on July 9. On August 13 the secretary will host a garden party at her home. For details telephone 01299 403078.
TWO staff members of a Stourport rest home have had their skills recognised in the form of national qualifications. Debra Pearson and Linda Greenaway became the latest of 40 employees who have achieved the NVQ level two standard in care. Flowers were
AT the July meeting, president, Barbara Lees, welcomed Shirley White after her recent operation. Several forthcoming events were mentioned including the Autumn Council meeting which will take place at Stourport Civic Centre on October 25. Arrangements
RETURN To The 80s is the invitation going out from The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury on Saturday. 'Classic hits from an electric era' are promised in the show which starts at 8pm. Box office: 01684 295074 (rosestheatre.org).
BIRMINGHAM Arts Centre, mac, near Edgbaston cricket ground, is having a busy week of performances. Tonight, Friday and Sunday, Purcell's Dido and Aeneas is being staged mixing English and Asian traditions. On Saturday, July 23, singer-songwriter Richard
NEXT month the talented young musicians of Gloucestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra present their annual spectacular evening of Big-band Swing music at Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe. The audience is invited to bring their own picnic and enjoy an evening of foot-tapping
ON Saturday a 10 to 15-mile family ride will leave Barnett Hill Garden Centre (grid ref 891773) at 2pm. For details contact Phil and Louise Webber on 01562 60828, or e-mail phlouise@manybikes.freeserve.co.uk On Sunday there will be two rides leaving The
COLIN Youngjohns yesterday stepped down as Kidderminster Harriers chairman -- insisting the club is in good hands. As part of a major board-room shuffle at Aggborough, Youngjohns has resigned from the board of directors after 32 years of service. The
CLEOBURY MORTIMER BRIDGE CLUB - The club met at The Lion Inn on Tuesday July 5 when a Mitchell movement was played. The North South winners were Steve and Sally Clifton with 61.51 per cent. Second were John and Barbara Northfield 56.75 per cent. The club
STAKEHOLDERS including farmers, vets, landowners, auctioneers and academics have agreed five further action points in the battle against TB in cattle and wildlife. The group is to amount a concerted lobbying campaign aimed particularly at MPs whose constituencies
HARRY'S HERE: On the stroke of midnight on Friday, the first copies of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were handed to partygoers after an evening of spider-counting, quizzes, film-watching and a chance to hold a real owl. The Bookshop at West Street
EXACTLY one week after the bomb tragedies in London the two minutes of silence were held at noon last Thursday. A large crowd of us from my office block at Westminster stood together on the pavement at the bottom of Whitehall and as Big Ben struck the
MEMBERS of 1st Cookley Guides have given 4,000 pennies for their thoughts about raising cash for Operation Covert. They got their heads together to come up with the offbeat idea that generated £40 for the cause. Amanda Brighton, the group's Guider, said
A VALE jeweller travelled to London last night in the hope of winning a prize for his work, at the prestigious UK Retail Jeweller Awards. Andrew Scott, who set up business in Broadway fifteen years ago with the help of a loan from the Princes Trust, was
Journal news editor TONY DONNELLY takes a walk around Pershore and finds, thank to some expert local knowledge, quite a few surprises... Pershore, according to a newly-updated booklet, has been called "one of the 51 towns in the British Isles so splendid
ASTWOOD Bank continued their march towards the final of this season's National Village Knockout when spin kings John Summers and Paul Boycott steered them into the quarter-finals. Lancashire County League outfit Woodhouses looked set to snatch a place
CHERRY Orchard First School in Pershore was the scene of an investigation last week as the school put on its annual play, Humpty Dumpty, Did He Fall Or Was He Pushed? The play involved every child in the school but was led by Year 4 pupils who are leaving
EVESHAM'S Abbey Park was one of fewer than 400 parks in England and Wales awarded the coveted Green Flag status this week. The Green Flag scheme, which is managed by the Civic Trust, is the national standard for parks and green spaces. Winning sites -
Rescue missions mounted by the County Air Ambulance cost around £1,000 each, according to figures released this week. The UK's largest air ambulance service completes two or three incidents a day per aircraft, equating to more than 2,000 incidents every
I HAVE seen no suggestion that the slaughter of 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Christian Serbs under the aegis of the United Nations was a factor motivating those who recently killed more than 50 people in London. Surely it must have been so? As the Good
MP Peter Luff this week paid tribute to former Conservative Prime Minister Ted Heath who died at the weekend. Mr Luff, who was head of Mr Heath's private office from 1980 to 1982, said: "I count it as a great privilege to have worked so closely with one
MUCH has been written on this page about the revamping of Worcester's High Street. Now that the workers have left, the dust has settled, and city councillors have duly celebrated the official opening, I do not think much of the finished result. When one
FOLLOWING a letter that appeared in the Worcester News on Tuesday, I must set the record straight regarding Wychavon District Council's involvement in the Evesham Hospital situation. In her letter, Joyce Rose from Worcester very wrongly suggests the hospital
WHEN it comes to building community life, they do it best in Salford Priors. The village has just scooped a special award and £500 prize after being voted 2005 Warwickshire Village of the Year. In addition, it was also placed second in the Best Kept Large
BIDFORD firefighters entertained crowds at the fire station open day raising more than £1,000. Leading firefighter Mike Franklin took part in a comedy fire demonstration showing visitors the importance of fire alarms. The young firefighters also performed
AN APPEAL is being made for skilled carpet workers to take over from 80-year-old Margaret Salter as demonstrators at Kidderminster's Weavers Loft. Mrs Salter, who started working in the industry at the age of 14, has been showing visitors how skilled
Tenbury 211 Martley 212-4 A HEREFORD business has donated the proceeds from the sale of their hand-made furniture to St Michael's Hospice. Craftsmen from I & JL Brown Ltd made the items in their own time and totally free of charge for the charity,
CAMPAIGNERS for the release of political prisoners held in Burma will be drumming up support outside Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday. The Wyre Forest group of Amnesty International collected £46.19 through a street collection in Stourport on June
PARENTS and teachers at a Kidderminster first school are waiting to hear if it is to continue in special measures next term. Marlpool First School, in Marlpool Lane, which is due to merge with St Barnabas under the reorganisation in 2007, has been in
SINGER-songwriter, Kate Wragg, of Kidderminster, will perform at the launch event for what is intended to become a regular series of Friday night concerts in Stourbridge. The first session - under the banner of the Dark Blue Boog-a-loo - takes place tomorrow
A WARTIME dance brought Lydia and Jim Howell together and, as they celebrate 60 glorious years of marriage today, they still enjoy stepping out for a waltz. Kidderminster girl, Mrs Howell, fell for Mr Howell, who came from Somerset and was stationed with
POLICE band chairman, Eddie Barry, found out for himself how money raised through a concert in Kidderminster has been helping victims of the devastating tsunami in Sri Lanka. The Band of West Mercia Constabulary raised more than £6,800 from the concert
MEMBERS of the Stourport branch of the Royal British Legion have celebrated the dedication of their new standard. It was blessed during a ceremony at the town's St Michael and All Angels Church, which included the laying up of the old standard. Before
