THE music of cult figure Nick Drake continues to endure despite his untimely death at the age of 26 three decades ago. The musician, from just over the Worcestershire border in the pretty village of Tanworth-in-Arden in Warwickshire, only released three
THE sweet melodic sounds of instrumental jazz will be coming to Malvern as the Gareth Hall Quintet get set to stage a concert in the town. The group - who will be playing as a duo - combine historic standards from the 50s to the present day with some
Blondie tribute act Bleach are set to return to Worcester next week for what could prove to be an "Atomic" performance. The foursome were formed in 1999 when all members Helen, Paul, Andy and Martyn worked together in Bill Kenwright's 70s show Thankyou
MUSIC fans can be prepared to be blown away as a couple of stars, whose careers have spanned the decades ,take to the stage at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall. American singer-songwriter Janis Ian began playing piano at the tender age of two-and-a-half, taking
PUNK and ska fans will be in for a treat tomorrow when Worcester's Marrs Bar hosts three bands who combine both musical styles. Bristol-based ska-punk act Kenisia - who are about to record their third album - will kick off the event with a mixture of
FANS of talented rock artist Van Morrison, pictured below, will be delighted to hear he is booked in to play Cheltenham this month. The legendary musician - who has had a string of hits over his 30-plus-year career including Gloria and Have I Told You
IT'S not every day you get the chance to perform songs by your idol to a mass of appreciative fans, let alone meet the musician himself. But that is exactly what has happened to Lonnie Donegan fan Paul Leegan, who has been touring the country for more
THE sounds of Black Country comedy and music will be heading to Worcester this month as the city's Huntingdon Hall plays host to a couple of big-name acts. The cream of Black Country entertainment will be appearing at the venue on Friday, September 17
IT'S not every day that you would have got the late great singer Frank Sinatra to sing in your school. But that was exactly what happened when Jack Jones' fellow high school pupil and daughter of Frank, Nancy, invited her father in to perform, writes
1. The Killers - Hot Fuss. 2. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters. 3. Green Day - American Idiot. 4. Kasabian - Kasabian. 5. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand. 6. Keane - Hopes and Fears. 7. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane. 8. Damien Rice - O. 9. Eminem - Encore
ONE of Birmingham's landmark comedy venues will be serving up a barrel of laughs this month to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The Glee Club has hosted more than 8,000 performances throughout its years, with big name acts such as Peter Kay, Lee Evans,
VARIOUS - OCEAN'S TWELVE (out February 7) SO THE inevitable follow-up to the massive blockbuster Ocean's Eleven is almost upon us, carting with it another attempt at a piece of musical artwork in the form of the soundtrack album. Whereas the original
THE City of Birmingham's Little Big Time Band is set to visit Colwall near Malvern this weekend for a concert at the village's Downs School. The free concert takes place at 7.30pm tomorrow night. For details, contact the school on 01684 540277.
JAZZ music will be the order of the day in Kidderminster next week as the Simon Deeley Trio put on a performance in the town's library. The concert takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 3 and will also include Sally Erskine on trumpet and flugel
THERE were a few dishevelled figures wandering among the giant foam footballers and ever-present waft of hot dogs on Sunday morning. Big Brovaz, The Divine Comedy, and Athlete were the first three bands to open Sunday's festival on the V Stage. They were
FESTIVALS conjure up a host of glamourous images - live music, flamboyant outfits, booze, mud and portaloos. I was very excited to be attending V2004, but decided to head down to Weston Park, Staffordshire, on Saturday morning, a day later than intended
TWO exciting music names have announced live gig dates at Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Finnish rockers The Rasmus and cool cats Franz Ferdinand will both be playing at the venue on separate autumn tour dates. The Rasmus, whose music has been described as
FANS of acoustic instruments and traditional songs will have a place of their own when a folk club opens its doors in Stourport-on-Severn. The Riverside Folk and Acoustic Club - held at the Stourport Boat Club in Dunley Road - is set to start the proceedings
AUDIENCES will be transported back to the golden age of American country music next week as the band The Gathering (right) roll into the city. The group comprises Debby McClatchy on banjo, vocals and freestyle clogging; Brad Leftwich on fiddle and vocals
A HARD House DJ competition is gearing up for its final round at Worcester's Caesar's Nightclub. Three DJs beat of stiff competition from 12 other contestants when the first round of the event took place a fortnight ago. Now it will be all hands to the
PEOPLE can "party like it's 1999" in Worcester tonight as The Dr Teeth Big Band pull out all the stops to see in 2005 with a gig at the city's Marrs Bar. Former bouncer and heavy metal singer Dr Teeth moved all the way from Chicago to front to this wildly-swinging
A SPECIAL gig tonight will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of John Coltrane's recording of A Love Supreme. A Love Supreme is a spiritual jazz song, and the DJs at the event will be playing a selection of other songs in the same music genre. DJs Ape
IT'S been a great 2004 for one Worcester band who have played scores of gigs across the country to growing audiences, performed with ex-Smiths members - and even been tipped for the top. And, the jelly and ice-cream will be out tonight as five-piece band
JUGGLING his time between writing, teaching and performing, accomplished musician Rick Payne has made a huge impact on the blues scene with his talents. The musician's reputation often precedes him, with many fans making 100-mile round trips to see him
SINGER Jacqui Dankworth (right) will be bringing her distinctive vocals to Worcester next week when she plays a concert at the city's Huntingdon Hall. The musician grew up on tour with her parents John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine and she has imposed
ELKIE Brooks, whose career took off after supporting The Beatles on the early 1960s, will be the star name on the bill when she plays on the first night of the Worcester Festival. Elkie who embraces rock ballads, blues and jazz, is the biggest-selling
THE Waterboys will be playing a live acoustic gig at The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, on Sunday, October 24. The band, who have been going for two decades, move through the worlds of rock and folk music. The Waterboys are led by guitarist, songwriter and
AN up-and-coming Worcester band which is causing a stir on the music scene is looking forward to toasting a successful first year together - with the addition of a new band member. Rising stars Rainmaker formed in January, this year, after 24-year-old
A RECOVERED transplant patient is celebrating after winning a silver medal at an international athletics event. Simon Harris, who underwent a heart transplant in 1996, represented Great Britain in the volleyball at the World Transplant Games in Ontario
A NUMBER of acts signed to Kidderminster College's MAS Records will be wowing the crowds when they take part in the 2004 Ross-on-Wye International Festival. Episonic, from Bristol, will be joined by other MAS acts The Boswells, Girls Love Ponies, King
PROFESSIONAL skaters and bikers who turned up to mark the official opening of a £500,000 Worcester skate park had their wheels firmly on the ground after rain stopped their display. But despite the wet ramps being too dangerous to use, the event on Saturday
NEW York's Lord Bishop Rocks will be bringing their loud and proud sound all the way to Worcester's Marr's Bar in what promises to be a wild show. Lord Bishop, the front man of the trio, is a larger then life character who whips the crowd into such a
NEW legislation is needed to stop local councils closing vital public toilets, say campaigners. The British Toilet Association (BTA) has seized on figures revealing a major decline in the number of conveniences between 2000 and 2004. They show that the
THANKS to the brilliant Scissor Sisters, pop music has exploded in an edgy, sexy, and tuneful commotion. The band's songs cover a variety of colourful subject matters such as coming out of the closet. Their creative sparks first ignited five years ago
WITH Christmas over for another year and 2005 just hours away, it's time for theatre audiences to look forward to an exciting programme of drama, dance, musicals, opera and comedy. And Malvern Theatres has a jam-packed spring season offering fun and enjoyment
MALVERN based DJ Ad Lib returns to the Octagon Bar at St Ann's Well Cafe, Great Malvern tonight to deliver a selection of chilled beats & funk-soul grooves. n A night of roots and dub, old school and new DJs will be taking place against the glorious
ANYONE looking for some traditional, festive, family entertainment this winter need look no further than the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. This Christmas, Daylight Theatre's hugely successful and much loved fairytale Ivan's Christmas Eve, comes to the
Youngsters cool down in the summer sun after a water play area opened in Pershore's Abbey Park. Wychavon District Council's Parks Officer Lynn Stevens said: "We chose to create water play areas because they are not only great fun but children of all ages
IT is thanks to public transport and a hairy start that an unlikely friendship blossomed into a folk soul group. Nizlopi, an acoustic duo consists of Luke Concannon, a vocalist, acoustic guitarist and percussionist, and John Parker, on double bass, human
TYPE "Dr Karl Kennedy" in to the Google search engine and within seconds you will be bombarded with pages which will give you all you need to know about television's famous medic. One site proclaims the dishy doc as one of TV's top five hunks, while another
JAZZ-lovers can enjoy a live performance by violinist Ralph Allin and his band at Croome Park, near Upton-upon-Severn, tomorrow. The event is taking place at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, in the park, and kicks of at 7.30pm. Gates open at 6.30pm, and
REMEMBER the girl-fronted band Echobelly? Well, Swedish the band - that had minor British hits with Insomniac, I Can't Imagine the World Without Me and Close... But in 1994 - are back in full force, and are playing Bar Academy, at Carling Academy Birmingham
An unusual night for female DJs only will be starting up in September, with a special competition for an unknown DJ to win a residency. The event called B.O.D.S (birds on deck) will take place at Images nightclub in Worcester every two weeks. During the
SU Pollard is remembered by millions as loveable cleaner Peggy in the hugely popular sit-com Hi-de-Hi. But she is a highly talented and versatile actress with numerous television and stage credits. Her most recent role, for which she has won rave reviews
A COLOURFUL production featuring some of the most poptastic chart topping hits from the 60s and 70s is set to hit the Swan Theatre stage next week - and one of the stars of the show will be on familiar territory. Damian Matthews - from Low Fold Close,
A RENOWNED ghost hunter has made it his mission to pursue the paranormal across the length and breadth of Britain and nowhere has been ignored - including Worcestershire. Richard Felix, star of Living TV's Most Haunted, visited the county as part of his
EVERYONE knows the saying, never judge a book by its cover, but that's exactly what critics did when it came to the Alarm's new record. After 21 years in the rock and roll business, the band knew the possibility of being snapped up on the critics hit
WHAT do you do when three women you know all reach a stage in their lives when they develop an interest in New Age beliefs? Kim and Lynn Davies, a husband and wife team from Evesham, claim to know three such women and used them as inspiration for a fascinating
JOHN Tams is a man of many talents - radio producer, actor, and respected songwriter. In 2001, he won BBC Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the Folk Awards with his album Unity. His follow-up album, Home, was regarded by many as the finest folk
Lachrymae - Music for Strings. Purcell, Britten, Part, Walton, Vaughan Williams, Tippett. Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Viola - Nicholas Bne. n Warner Classics CD 2564 60190-2 THIS CD, one of two recordings, was recorded live in a series of concerts presented
THIS year was the first time in 23 years that Swedish supergroup, ABBA could finally reunite on stage for fans across the globe. Super troupers and dancing queens waited with baited breath to see if the 30th anniversary of ABBA'S Eurovision Song Contest
AN artist who helped revive an interest in English Morris dancing and its music will be playing at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall tonight. Ashley Hutchings released the first ever electric Morris album, Morris On, in 1972. It was followed by Son of Morris
Missa Solemnis - Beethoven. Chicago Symphony Chorus and Orchestra. Conductor Daniel Barenboim. Warner Elatus 256461172-2 Ludwig von Beethoven was born into a musical family in Bonn. At the age of eight he made his first public performance, and by the
AN unusual CD of Icelandic traditional music has been recorded by a Worcester woman who was born in north Iceland. Soprano Bra Grmsdttir, has recorded songs learnt from her father, and grandparents, as well as music found on manuscripts. She believes
Il Campanello - Gaetano Donizetti. Historic recording from 1949, featuring Sesto Bruscantini, Renato Capecchi, Miti Truccato Pace and Orchestra Lincae Coro de Torino della RIA. Warner Fonit 5050467-1044-2-6 Gaetano Donizetti was born of poverty-stricken
WHEN Vicky Binns stepped out of the shoes of troublesome teenager Ollie Reynolds after four years in the long-running TV soap Emmerdale, she vowed to take her acting talents to the stage. And after spending a year away from the goings-on in Beckindale
THE Lightness are a tribute band to The Darkness and even dress like the lads. The band, who hail from Kidderminster, Bewdley and Bridgnorth, are beginning to tour the country, and have been playing such places as Edinburgh, Swansea and Liverpool. Now
Tomasz Stanko Quartet - Suspended Night ECM Records CD No: ECM 1868 981 1244. Tomasz Stanko is acknowledged to be one of the best of today's jazz musicians, with a faithful following of fans across the world. He was one of a large group of Polish musicians
So the Festival has finished for another year. We always greet the final fireworks with a mixture of sorrow that's it's all over, and relief that we can start getting our lives back to something like normal, or as normal as it ever is working for Huntingdon
My Love. Soloist Malena Ernman. Guitar soloist/accompanist Mats Bergstrom. Bis NL CD 5020. Here is a compilation of some very varied and very different music. It is sung by Swedish mezzo-soprano Malena Ernman - and what a find she is! She has a wonderfully
RENOWNED singer and songwriter Jamie Knight is set for his big break after being chosen to be part of an international music compilation in aid of charity. The Greatest Music You've Never Heard, Volume 1, is to help raise money for breast cancer research
Curtain Up! The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael Ball, Jose Carreras, Mary Carewe and others. Warner Classics 2564 61330-2. IF you enjoy the musicals and your choice of venue would be Broadway or Leicester Square for a night on the town, then this
A LIVE music event featuring local bands is being held by Worcester City FC Supporters' Trust. The event is being held to raise funds for the newly-founded trust as well as giving people the chance to listen to some top music. Bands Snorkel and Sideways
THEY liked it so much, they're doing it again. Great Witley Operatic Society is to repeat the formula of its Golden Jubilee concert, which had audiences enthralled at Worcester's Swan Theatre two years ago. Billed as A Celebrity Gilbert and Sullivan Concert
PEOPLE who enjoy Celtic, Balkan, Gypsy, Spanish, or Cornish music will be able to hear these influences in the sounds of 3 Daft Monkeys. The Cornish band, who write their own songs, have varied musical backgrounds which range from dance, ska, and reggae
Albinoni Concertos, op. 10, nos. 1-6 Piero Toso -violin. Giuliano Carmigola - violin. I solisti Veneti, conducted by Claudio Scimone. Warner Classics - Apex CD 2564 61136-2 BORN in Venice in 1671, Tomaso Albinoni's music should be one of the most easily
Fazil Say Black Earth. Fazil Say, piano; Laurent Korcia, violin. Nave. Sometimes you take a chance - this CD is one, and is it different? Yes, very different. Fazil Say is Turkish, and has been playing music since he was a child. He started by studying
A SONG, which is becoming a favourite on the line-dance floor, is helping raise funds for a disease that nearly spelt tragedy in one woman's life. Half the profits new CD, If I Can Have This Dance makes, will be donated to the Meningitis Trust. Meningitis
A CELEBRATION of the life of Vera Lynn is among the highlights of the new season at the Rose Theatre, Kidderminster. Later in the year, pluck and stiff-upper-lip give way to saucy sex, music, myth and magic, in a programme ranging from Alan Ayckbourn
FOLLOWING the announcement of their retirement in November last year, Lindisfarne were faced with a predicament - should they proceed with their planned acoustic shows in 2004? After some considerable thought and soul-searching, it was decided that rather
PENELOPE Keith, one of the best-loved actresses and television personalities of the last 30 years, makes a return appearance at Malvern Theatres next week. Enduringly famous for her roles in the BBC sitcoms The Good Life and To the Manor Born, Penelope
AN open-air concert featuring much-loved film theme classics and proms favourites is set to be performed in Malvern by the world-renowned English Symphony Orchestra tomorrow. A Night at the Movies and Proms Finale is being held at Malvern's Three Counties
PEOPLE who have always fancied being part of a theatre production will now have the opportunity to do so in one performance - thanks to the interactive show HMS Pinafore From Scratch. London Operetta will be presenting its famous Gilbert and Sullivan
IN an admission that will probably give heart to all aspiring thespians, Roy Hudd said he has the very devil of a job remembering his lines. "Always have done," he complained. "Ever since the age of 12. "I don't know what it is. I suppose I can put it
A SINGER who has previously won the Best British Vocalist category at the British Jazz Awards, will be showing off her talents when she comes to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall. Claire Martin won the Best British Vocalist category in 1995 at the British Jazz
SOME of the hottest new musical talents from Worcestershire and Herefordshire have been chosen to battle it out in a new television series for ITV called Music Uncovered. Pop rock bands, Volta from Pershore and Frantik from Hereford, and acoustic folk
DJ Pin-Up, a former model, will be making a welcome return to a Worcester club when she plays at Caesar's, Westside, next Friday. Lisa is world famous among fans of her favourite dance genre, hard house, and is also a respected producer, who writes and
EVERYONE will be going Aussie-mad when an Australian film extravaganza takes place during the Worcester Festival. Movie buffs will be able to enjoy Strictly Ballroom, Rabbit-Proof Fence and comic hit the Dish when the movies are screened at The Swan Theatre
THE ninth Cheltenham International Jazz Festival will be bringing some of the hottest names in jazz to town, as well as providing a platform for some of the best new talent. Ranging from international legends to home-grown British stars, artists to hit
THE epitome of Englishness will be on show when a Noel Coward play hits the theatre next week. Design for Living will be the latest production to be staged at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. The play runs at the venue from Tuesday, August 10, until
STRING and brass players interested in playing some orchestral masterpieces are in demand to join Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra is due to give four concerts to large audiences at Pershore Abbey next season, besides performances for children
ITS internationally renowned, potently hot and has its roots firmly embedded in our very own Faithful City - let's hear it for Worcestershire Sauce. Since the early 19th Century, the legendary Lea & Perrins kick has livened up tongues across the globe
CHELTENHAM'S Everyman Theatre has proved to be a showstopper in itself after smashing its record for ticket sales. In just a week, the theatre sold 8,019 tickets for this autumn's productions, making it the most successful week ever. On Friday, June 25
THE standard of amateur theatre is generally very high in Worcester. With some of the companies, it is outstanding. And not just the actors and singers who normally get all the credit - all the aspects of theatre are done very well. The companies have
JIVE bunnies are invited to don their dancing shoes and get down to Tewkesbury's Roses Theatre for a night of nostalgic musical mayhem. The Red Hot Blue Jeans Band are paying homage to a host of stars at their next show on Saturday, August 14, singing
A STUNNING selection of plays whose cast include Penelope Keith (The Good Life, To the Manor Born) and the actress behind the 1980s TV policewoman Juliet Bravo, are being brought to Malvern this summer by the founder of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
DISTINCTLY diverse interpretations of a work of art by a husband and wife provide the backbone to a new play taking centre stage at next month's Worcester Festival. Mouthpiece presents the UK premire of Ugly Art, by American playwright Terry Roueche,
STROLL along the banks of Britain's canals and you'll probably see a tourist or three supping wine as they watch the world go by from the helm of their narrowboat home. Even A-list celebs such as Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart have succumbed to the
BILLED as the David Beckhams of dance, the infamous Ballet Boyz are whirling their way into Tewkesbury's Roses Theatre on Saturday, September 18. The ex-Royal Ballet principal dancers burst on to our screens last year with their video diary documentaries
NICHOLAS Parsons takes his tea strong, with just a splash of milk. He's not terribly keen on dairy products and, as he is in his 70s and still very sprightly, avoiding them can hardly be said to have been to his detriment. In fact, the veteran entertainer
ONE of Britain's best-loved comedy performers, Nicholas Parsons is taking part in a show being staged at Worcester's Swan Theatre by youngsters of a city amateur dramatics group. He is to be the newsreader in Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society Youth
RABBI Lionel Blue may come across as a doting grandad, signing off our interview with a sincere "Goodbye, my dear, and God bless", but he is still a force to be reckoned with. Known to millions for his poignant Thought of the Day on BBC Radio Four, which
YOU'LL like this - but not a lot" is not exactly how Paul Daniels hopes to go down when he does an appearing act in Worcester next week. Although the notoriously cheesy magician fell out of favour with the nation during the early 90s with the rise of
LESLEY Joseph is one of those lovely ladies who invariably plays an over-the-top character on stage or screen, yet in real life is as down to earth as your best mate. She talks like a real friend, not some show biz prima donna and so I considered it only
WITH a mother called Peg, what chance did writer, performer, festival frolicker and all-round mischief-maker Marcus Moore ever have of fitting in? But the result has been a life of wonderful opportunities, outrageous scrapes and daft adventures, according
AMIDST Christian Moore's revenge double, Les Hines' bloody broken nose and the plethora of debuts, another statistic almost went unnoticed at Kettering. Graham Hyde was handed the Worcester City captaincy -- an almost inevitable decision with limited
PATRONS of Huntingdon Hall shouldn't be surprised tonight if they are stopped at the door and asked to pop a topic into a bucket. For this evening's legendary entertainment is no other than king of the one liner, Barry Cryer, who is out to prove he can
TOP comedienne Jo Brand has put a Herefordshire arts centre at the top of her menu. Ms Brand, who is famous for her sharp wit and cutting tongue, has agreed to become an honorary patron of The Courtyard, Herefordshire's Centre for the Arts, as it nears
WORCESTER Wolves have had their pre-season plans thrown into disarray with a double body blow. The University College Worcester club have been rattled by the news recent signing Mark White has fractured an ankle, while at the same time learning forward
Tom Cruise - Hollywood superstar, Mr Nice Guy and all-round onscreen hero. But the A-lister seems to be shaking off his clean-cut image and showing a darker side - onscreen, at any rate. Following his recent role as a haunted American civil war veteran
His latest movie The Village has just topped the US box office charts but actor Joaquin Phoenix definitely won't be queuing up for his popcorn. The famously shy star says he never watches himself on screen and hates listening to the sound of his own voice
Plenty of people would say actor Guy Pearce is a bit of a sexy beast, but he pales into insignificance next to his latest co-stars, a pack of real tigers. And while the Aussie heart-throb is clearly playing second fiddle to his majestic sidekicks in the
Confessions of a teenage drama queen (pg) Lola Cep (Lindsay Lohan) is forced to move from glamorous New York to a new school in New Jersey. Odeon, Worcester (1.40, 4.00, 6.10, 8.20 Fri & Mon-Wed). UCI Merry Hill (11.10 Sat/Sun) 1.20, 3.40 VAN HELSING
ASHTON Kutcher may have a very impressive Hollywood career already, but there's no denying he's more famous for his romance with Demi Moore than for his acting. Despite roles in films like Cheaper By The Dozen and Just Married, with former girlfriend
Former wild child, now Hollywood power babe Drew Barrymore is renowned for her quickfire love life. And in her latest screen role in 50 First Dates, opening on Friday, April 9, she gets to fall in love every day. Playing Lucy, she has a rare neurological
A FAMILY faces an agonising wait to find out if their four-year-old girl has hepatitis or HIV after she was pricked on her wrist with a used needle dumped by a drug addict. Andrea Griffin was playing near to her Thatcher's Court home in Westlands, Droitwich
WORCESTERSHIRE cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has vowed to do his bit to fight against Islamic extremism and terrorism. The Pakistan international, who is based at the New Road club in Worcester, has agreed to tour the UK to speak to young British Muslims. He
A KEEN amateur singer had his dreams come true when he received a crash-course in conducting and led the English Symphony Orchestra in Worcester Cathedral. Businessman David Parry-Smith was taking part in the Bring And Sing Messiah at the end of The Three
WORCESTERSHIRE have swooped to sign world-class all-rounder Chris Gayle for the rest of the season. The elegant West Indian opener, one of a select band to have reached 300 runs in a Test match, arrives to replace Zander de Bruyn after next Monday's totesport
BROMSGROVE Rovers defender Ross Collins scored and was then sent off after two yellow cards as his side grabbed a 1-1 draw at Sutton Coldfield last night. Collins' goal came in the 18th minute, but he got his marching orders in the 41st minute and almost
Comedian and film star Lee Evans is heading to the region ahead of a series of national stand-up performances. The star will perform at some of the UK's biggest venues, but before his tour begins in the autumn, he is trying out his gags out at smaller
REMEMBER your rations, don your gas masks and hang out your bunting at open-air performances celebrating the 60th anniversary of the end of Second World War. Heartbreak Productions, the UK's leading professional open-air touring company, will be bringing
tenors for a fiver The Worcester Male Voice Choir will be singing at Droitwich Spa High School on Friday, July 8, as part of the Droitwich Music Festival. For more information or tickets, which cost £5, log on to www.droitwichspa.com or call John Armstrong
COMEDIAN Joe Pasquale was such a hit in last year's pantomime at the Birmingham Hippodrome he's back this Christmas as well - this time starring in Peter Pan rather than Jack And The Beanstalk. The show will run from Wednesday, December 21, until Sunday
ROUND-UP: PRIORY VOICES Birmingham Festival Choral Society will be at Malvern Priory on Saturday at 7.30pm to present a concert of music by British composers. Tickets are available on the door, or in advance from Malvern Tourist Information Centre on
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
A SHOW marking the 40th anniversary of the legendary Nat King Cole is coming to Worcester - and the music has been arranged by Worcestershire talent Steve Hill. The House That Nat Built takes you on a musical journey down memory lane, when men were baritones
twinklehooves A LINE-dancing horse, operatic pig and rapping dog will bring a children's book to life at Malvern Theatres. The Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business is aimed at children aged from three upwards. It takes place on Saturday, June 11,
A DRAMATIC look at the life, loves and works of one of the most celebrated literary figures of the 19th Century is coming to Pershore. The life of Oscar Wilde will be depicted on stage when Number 8, in the High Street, stages Wilde at Heart, on Saturday
I have just come back from a week's holiday in Las Vegas, courtesy of a 2-flights-for-the-price of-one air fare and a very cheap hotel voucher. (Just in case, for one remote moment, you thought that arts administrators were paid well!!) Now, I know what
A CHURCH in Worcester will be alive with the sounds of classical English music when the Elgar Chorale and Camerata performs at the venue tomorrow night. Tickets are available by from Huntingdon Arts box office, the Elgar School of Music on 01905 28613
WANNABE stars at University College Worcester will be donning their leg-warmers and limbering up to perform Fame the Musical. Students at the St John's campus will be dancing, singing and acting out the musical from Wednesday, May 18 until Friday, May
WORLD-renowned dancer and choreographer Anurekha Ghosh is coming to a Hereford theatre with a dazzling display of dance. Using Indian folk, martial arts, yoga and western contemporary dance, Ghosh's international cast of four dancers, accompanied by musicians
WORCESTERSHIRE have swooped to sign world-class all-rounder Chris Gayle for the rest of the season. The elegant West Indian opener, one of a select band to have reached 300 runs in a Test match, arrives to replace Zander de Bruyn after next Monday's totesport
JOSEPH and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be back after popular demand this May when it comes to the Birmingham Hippodrome theatre for one week only. The show, to be staged at the theatre from Monday, May 2 until Saturday, May 7 and tells the
PERFORMER Roy Hudd is to tread the boards at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre in a one-man show that will include his favourite stories, songs and impressions. The show - entitled Roy Hudd's Exceedingly Entertaining Evening - will celebrate the star's 50
COMEDIAN and columnist Mark Steel is set to bring his anarchic brand of humour to Cheltenham's Everyman theatre for one night only on Friday, April 29. A regular on the British comedy circuit since 1983, Mark has written and presented four series of The
THE hit West End Musical Fame is set to be staged at a Midland theatre next week - promising an "all-singing, all-dancing" night of entertainment. The show, starring two-time Olivier Award winner Barbara Dickson, who has been the leading lady in some
Last Saturday, I had the privilege of adjudicating the Worcestershire Theatre Festival. It is the first round of the All England Theatre Festival which is the largest theatre competition in the world (probably!). There were some very good performances
A THEATRE in Hereford is hoping two familiar television stars will entice audiences in to watch its first professional production of 2005. The Courtyard has just announced that Educating Rita will star Stephen McGann - now appearing on the soap Emmerdale
MUSIC and dance is set to entertain theatregoers in Worcester when a comic opera is staged at the city's Swan Theatre. HMS Pinafore will be performed by the Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society - and is particularly significant as it was the group's
THEATRE fans can cash in on a buy one get one free offer on show tickets. The Roses Theatre, in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, has launched the offer to celebrate two shows - Transitions Dance on Wednesday, April 13 and More Grim(m), on Sunday, April 17
ONCE described as a "national treasure", Mo Mowlam has regularly topped the polls as the UK's most popular political figure - and she's set to talk about her life in politics at a Worcester theatre. "The evening will be a behind-the-scenes look at my
KEN Dodd is celebrating 50 years in showbusiness and says he is over the moon to be bringing his Happiness Show to Kidderminster. "By jove missus! ", said Ken in an interview with the Worcester News. "There's nothing quite like a good laugh. "It's still
WITH twinkling eyes, a dazzling smile and a personality to match, it's hard to understand why Damian Matthews is "going through hell and back" on the Atkins Diet. The 22-year-old singer has been described in The Stage as "undoubtedly having female appeal
The Swan Theatre Amateur Company is presenting the play Cider With Rosie at the Swan in June. In normal circumstances, it would be too early to be telling you about this. However, on the Monday of the run, June 20 to be precise, it is a very special anniversary
A "DISTURBING" film based on the real-life story of young Irish women who were abused by nuns up until less than a decade ago is to be screened in Worcester. The Magdalene Sisters will be shown at the Swan Theatre, on Monday, February 28, at 7.30pm, in
MODERN tango dancing classes for absolute beginners are set to start at a Worcester school. The modern, ballroom dance classes till start on Tuesday, February 22, from 7pm to 8pm at Northwick Manor Junior School, in Northwick Road. All ages are welcome
AN evening of "electrifying energy" is in store for an audience at Malvern Theatres when a flamenco dance company comes to town. Alma Flamenco will be making an eagerly awaited return to Malvern on Friday, February 25, and will include performances from
THE Who's hit rock musical Tommy is currently being premiered at Birmingham's Hippodrome Theatre before embarking on a UK tour. It is the story of a deaf, dumb and blind child who endures a life of torment and ridicule until the day he happens to play
INTERVIEWING comedian Lee Mack rather aptly got off to a comical start. Calling him on the mobile phone number given to me by his PR agent, Mack couldn't be quicker to get me off the line - telling me, in all seriousness, he was convinced God wouldn't
SWORD-FIGHTING and blood-sucking are set to entertain audiences when two plays are staged next week. The Roses Theatre, in Tewkesbury's Sun Street, will come to life with music and comedy when it stages Vampires Rock and Spud Pirate. The former is set
HOLLYWOOD movie star Will Smith is set to make his first-ever visit to the Midlands to meet fans and walk the red carpet in a whistle-stop tour to promote his new film. He will be at Birmingham's UGC cinema in Broad Street at 2.45pm for the premiere of
THE comedy Joking Apart is set to be staged at Worcester's Swan Theatre this month and people are being urged to book their tickets. The play will be performed by the Swan Theatre Amateur Company and is being directed by Brian J Burton. A spokesman for
A PLETHORA of television stars are promising to keep audiences hooked tomorrow night when a drama is staged at a Gloucestershire theatre. The Gentle Hook will be performed for the last night at the Everyman in Cheltenham, and the cast includes The Bill's
Long-standing supporters of the Swan Theatre may well remember John Doyle, who was the director for seven years in the 1980s. Many people refer to his time as "the golden age of the Swan" and say that he was one of the nicest and one of the most talented
WHEN Richard Swerrun literally bounces into the Circle Bar at Malvern Theatres it's impossible not to smile back at his beaming grin. A ball of energy, he brushes his hands through his shoulder-length blond locks and places a hand over his impressively
VILLAGE halls and community centres across Worcestershire are to be treated to sounds from Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean. The touring group Boka Halat will be presenting its show Mutual Inspiration - a programme of multi-cultural music
A DOUBLE dose of arts is on the menu for audiences at Number 8 in Pershore in February. Upside Down and Back to Front is a project comprising a new play by Worcestershire playwright Lance Woodman and a visual arts installation by artist Sheila Farrell
Organ awe KIDDERMINSTER Town Hall's organ is 150 years old this year and to celebrate, famous organist David Briggs will be presenting a programme of greatest works for the instrument tomorrow night. The concert at the town hall will feature music from
A VIVACIOUS quartet from Birmingham Conservatoire will be performing in College Hall, next to Worcester Cathedral, tomorrow night to give audiences a taste of this year's forthcoming Worcester Three Choirs Festival. The Brassketeers' fund-raising concert
WHILE the world was being swept up in the global phenomenon that was Riverdance, one woman, born and brought up in Fladbury, remained blissfully unaware of its existence. Classically trained musician Lucy Champion was working for the Ulster Orchestra
ALEX Weatherill is pinching himself. For as long as he can remember, the 27-year-old actor has dreamed of landing a role in a West End production. And this week his dreams turned into a reality. From the end of February the former Worcester Royal Grammar
The Jerry Springer - The Opera argument has got everyone fired up. The Evening News was full of letters, and we also had headline comments from an MP (be nice to see you at the Swan some time, Peter). In addition to the Jerry Springer controversy, we
Change of Heart by Barbara Anderson (Jonathan Cape, £16.99). IT takes an ambitious author to create a first-person narrator whose raison d'etre is to be trying. Readers demand rewards for spending time with someone like Olly Perkins, the anti-hero of
The Road to Muckle Flugga by Phil Llewellin (Haynes Publishing, £19.99). YOU don't have to be a car - or truck - enthusiast to appreciate these drives across five continents. You just relax in the comfy seat, let Llewellin take the controls and enjoy
Port Mungo by Patrick McGrath (Bloomsbury, £16.99). Brimming with passion, death, ghoulish psychic energies, there is also incest and a steamy tropical setting. Like a ghost train ride at a funfair, the spooks and thrills whizz past on either side but
Radical Prince - the Practical Vision of the Prince of Wales, by David Lorimer (Floris Books, £20) LET'S face it, the planet is in a mess and large-scale farming is just not making any sense any more. Europe is producing far too much food, but rather
Beneath The Pyramid by Christian Jacq (Simon & Schuster, £10.99) THIS is the first in a new trilogy of historical adventures by Jacq - and I'm now eagerly looking forward to reading the second. The author first visited Egypt when he was 17 and went
Palmerston - The People's Darling by James Chambers (John Murray, £25). THIS massive biography of one of Britain's greatest 19th Century statesmen brings home with a jolt how much our influence in Europe and the rest of the world has diminished. For most
Pillars of Fire: The Battle of Messines Ridge, June 1917 by Ian Passingham (Sutton £8.99) THE success of the British at Messines in the third year of the First World War greatly contributed to the ultimate defeat of the German Army. When news of the Allied
Being Jordan by Katie Price (John Blake Publishing, £16.99). Labelled a tart, a man-eater and even a freak by the very red-tops that made her name, the long-awaited autobiography from the UK's most infamous glamour model tells a very different story to
Secret Dreams: A Biography of Michael Redgrave by Alan Strachan (Weidenfeld& Nicolson, £25). THIS biography of British actor Sir Michael Redgrave, who died in 1985 aged 77, lifts the lid on a talented but ultimately tragic figure and focuses heavily
Darien Dogs by Henry Shukman (Jonathan Cape, £12.99). THE dustjacket makes grand claims... the portrayal of washed-up Westerners adrift in the developing world has "echoes of Graham Greene - but Shukman's writing has an imaginative depth, an erotic, muscular
Nag Club by Anne Fine (Walker Books, £7.99). BOGGLE hats are the latest thing. Everybody wants one - but only Lola, expert parent-nagger, actually has one. So, she decides to teach the other children how to beg, wheedle and tantrum their way into getting
Little Miss Naughty and the Good Fairy written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves, original concept by Roger Hargreaves (Egmont, £2.50) MR Men and the Little Misses have been with us for more than 30 years. Their design is elegantly simple - bright shapes
Saving the Planet Without Costing the Earth - 500 Simple Steps to a Greener Lifestyle by Donnachadh McCarthy. (Vision Paperbacks, £11.99) ARE you concerned about the environment and long to do something to hold back the rapid demise of our natural resources
Miffy and the Caterpillar (Egmont, £3.99) MIFFY has been delighting parents and children throughout the world for more than 40 years. As well as the original Dick Bruna stories, there is now, of course, a TV show - and it is from this that Miffy and the
Secrets Of The Desert by Christian Jacq (Simon & Schuster, £10.99). HAVING discovered a monstrous conspiracy to overthrow the pharaoh, Ramses II, Judge Pazair has been deported for a crime he did not commit and sentenced to die in a prison camp. But
Bolt of Fate by Tom Tucker (Sutton, £20) BENJAMIN Franklin is an undisputed hero of the United States, and indeed, of Western democracy. The son of a candle-maker, he used his talents and abilities to rise in colonial American society and became a politician
Can't You Sleep Little Bear? (Walker Audio. WB 132) This delightful, heartwarming tale which is sure to bring a lump to every parents' heart has been expanded on to a CD, complete with music, for little ones to dance and sing along to. If you haven't
Duveen The Story of the Most Spectacular Art Dealer of All Time by SN Behrman (The Little Bookroom, £8.99) THE story of Joseph Duveen gives a fascinating insight into how the modern day art and antiques dealer came into being, and how many of the world's
n Mediaeval Mischief: Wit and Humour in the Art of the Middle Ages by Janetta Rebold Benton (Sutton, £20). WITTY, clever or humorous imagery has a long history in art - and the Middle Ages were no exception. In her new book, Rebold Benton demonstrates
Almonry Heritage Centre Abbey Gate, Evesham. Local history. Contact for opening times (01386 446944). Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove. Restored buildings including working windmill, agricultural buildings, industrial buildings
Annabel: An Unconventional Life. The memoirs of Lady Annabel Goldsmith (Widenfeld & Nicolson, £20) Annabel Goldsmith very quickly learned when she married her long time lover Sir James that in doing so, she created a vacancy... And it wasn't something
J S Bach - Cello Suites. Soloist Alexander Kniasev. Warner Classics 25646 1294-2. Three-CD set. THE Bach Cello Suites have a special place in the repertoire of cellists who are masters of their instrument. A solo platform means that the player must be
THE staff and dogs at Dogs Trust Evesham would like to offer their thanks to everyone who came along to our annual Open Day on Sunday, July 31. The event raised more than £4,000 which will help us to find more homes for stray and abandoned dogs across
SO there will be Elgar celebrations in 2007 to mark 150 years of the composer's birth. Wouldn't it be nice if we had a concert hall in Worcester to hear orchestras play his music for us? The car parking space in Copenhagen Street would be an ideal site
VCs of the First World War: Cambrai 1917 by Gerald Gliddon (Sutton, £20) THE last volume of this series bridges the stories of 43 men who won Britain's highest award for gallantry. Gerald Gliddon covers the men who won the VC on the Western Front in 1916
The Gravedigger's Story by Ged Simmons (I.M.P. Fiction, £7.99) MASON is nearing 40, a loner who lives in a bedsit. He likes drinking beer and whisky and most Sunday nights he bleaches his hair. Illegitimate, he walked out on his no-good mother when he
Some Kind of Wonderful by Sarah Webb, (Pan, £6.99) ROSIE'S life has become an exhausting string of stresses and strains... getting her four-year-old to school, getting to work on time, conjuring up "clever" ideas for marketing campaigns and she's only
Coffee: A Dark History by Antony Wild (Fourth Estate, £18.99) IN an age when there's a Starbucks on every corner and most of us wouldn't even venture outside the front door in the morning without a caffeine pick-me-up, it's hard to imagine a time when
Essential Guide for Reading Groups by Susan Osborne (Bloomsbury, £6.99) I'VE never been one for keeping the name of a good read to myself. Five Fall Into Adventure... Down With Skool... Far Forest... The Catcher In The Rye... The Sword of Honour trilogy
Maggie: The First Lady by Brenda Maddox (Coronet Books, £8.99). HERE is an attempt to paint an intimate portrait of the family background, the political life and, yes, the handbags behind a woman whose figure still looms large in British politics. Maddox
Civil War: The Wars of the Three Kingdoms 1638-1660 by Trevor Royle (Little, Brown £20). IT is easy to regard the great cataclysm of the mid-17th Century as being a purely English revolution, fought out on the rolling fields of the North and Midlands
Collins Gem English Dictionary (Collins, £3.99). LET's hear it for uptitling, targetitis, deskfast and me-time. Words that sound so awful they must be made up or, even worse... American (a sure sign that the world as we know it is on the slippery slope
Night Fighters by Bill Gunston (Sutton £25) SUTTON has cornered the military history market in recent years and this latest offering maintains the standard that we have come to expect. Spanning the last 90 years of flight - basically the history of the
THIS summer why not enjoy the ultimate of taste-and-buy wine experiences? A guided tour of English and Welsh vineyards where you can see the grapes growing before you taste and buy. But don't go alone. Take a copy of the new colour guide to The Vineyards
THE New World obsession with varietial wines, those made from a single variety of grape such as Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, is all very well, but it is surprising how often a blend of two varieties add so much more to the wine. This was brought
VETERAN New Zealand winemaker Nick Nobilo, who created White Cloud by blending Muller Thurgau with Sauvignon Blanc, had a long-held vision. It was to create a world-class Gewurztraminer to run alongside his nation's iconic Sauvignon Blanc, Cloudy Bay.
I WANT to share two Italian white wines with you which I discovered when wandering round the Worcester Wine Company in St John's. Both priced at £6.75, they show the rich diversity that can be found away from souless supermarket shelves. The first is
ALL of us, at one time or another, have dreamed of owning our own vineyard in France. We imagine ourselves sitting watching the setting sun, as we sip a particularly fine vintage. We forget the 12 months of a year hard labour that went into that bottle
A GLASS or two of wine is no longer seen as the first step on the road to perdition. Nor should it only be the preserve of weekends and special occasions... but a glass when eating alone might seem extravagant if you are going to open a full bottle. Nowadays
IN the middle of the most serious crisis to hit the French wine industry a number of winemakers are fighting back. They have recognised that in their search for bigger crops to make more wine they have been damaging the soil. For over 50 years they have
I WAS standing in a Post Office queue, when somone said to me: "What's wrong with Aussie wines?" The words came from Bruce, a huge guy standing behind me. He explained that he was originally from Adelaide, that he read my column in the Worcester News
FANS of rock giants Depeche Mode will have a chance to catch the band when they drop in on the region for a show. The hugely-influential band will be playing Birmingham's NEC Arena on Friday, March 31, 2006, and tickets have now gone on sale for the show
A couple of weeks ago I was lunching in London with Bordeaux winemaker Benoit Calvet. He also forays into Spain to create some interesting inexpensive wines that could well be coming our way in the late Spring and Summer. We were discussing his latest
Reader Mr. R.H lives in a village near Redditch. He wrote to say he is a "Bingo Bachelor" and when the girls go off to bingo, two or three of men get together at one another's homes for a quiet TV-free evening of cards or a chat. They are all pensioners
THIS beautiful and rewarding walk combines rights of way with 'countryside stewardship' sites, where the farmer receives payments in return for sound environmental management and the provision of enhanced public access. On the main stewardship site at
Whether or not fox hunting is over hip flasks, so beloved by sportsman all over the world, will surely continue. I know fox hunting squires whose hip flasks are filled with Port, others with brandy, and indeed some with a mixture of the two which is a
JANE Hunter is New Zealand's first woman of wine. She was born Jane Arnold in South Australia ,where her father had a vineyard and she went to New Zealand in 1981, to escape from wine. There, she ran a restaurant for two years before, in 1983, becoming
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
SUMMER may not always bring sunshine but it does bring a bumper crop of festivals. One of the best is Hay Festival, which runs this year from Thursday, May 26 to Sunday, June 5. Though essentially a literary festival, its scope broadens annually, with
Christmas and the New Year celebrations are over. The last of the turkey soup has been supped, the bottle bank has been visited - at least twice - and endless sacks of wrapping paper have been re-cycled. Now is not the time to be thinking of red wine
TO the north-west of Bromsgrove is what looks superficially like an unremarkable, farmed landscape, notable only for some unusually large patches of woodland. But if you explore it on foot, you will find there is more to it than first meets the eye. Some
RISING star Katherine Jenkins has had a remarkable career to date -achieving two number one albums and being the only singer to perform at both the FA Cup and Powergen Challenge Rugby Cup finals. But those successes are just the tip of the iceberg for
HEAVY folk-rock act Bluehorses will be bringing their fusion of Celtic themes, classic rock improvisations and thoughtful, witty lyrics to Worcester this weekend. The group - who have shared stages with bands as diverse as Hawkwind, Levellers and Oysterband
THIS is a short walk, but complicated, so there's little space for additional information. The main thing to note is that it's very beautiful, and will be at its best over the next few weeks, as millions of bluebells bloom in High Wood and Rough Hill
AT a time when the latest music act may seem more like a manufactured ploy to get the cash-tills ringing rather than stir the senses, it's refreshing to see an artist breathe fresh life into the scene. Yorkshire-born Clare Teal is such a singer - a woman
THE distinctive piano-drenched music of talented singer and songwriter Tori Amos will be coming to the Midlands later this year. Tori, born Myra Ellen Amos, was one of several female singer/songwriters who combined alternative rock with a distinctly 1970s
IN 1206, a castle was built on the orders of King John, close to the confluence of Pool Brook and Mere Brook, just over a mile north of Upton, and a quarter-of-a-mile south of what was then known as Potters' Hanley. This was one of 13 villages situated
HOW well do you know Worcester? Have you explored Offerton Lane Nature Reserve, for instance, or visited Anglo-Saxon Warndon? Are you familiar with the 17th Century buildings at Trotshill, and have you looked for great crested newts at Lyppard Grange?
WITH flowers in the woods and lambs in the fields, spring is definitely in the air. Primroses and dog's mercury have already been in bloom for some time, and will continue for many weeks yet. Primroses brighten the greyest of days, but you may have to
IT'S a well-known fact that Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery houses one of the world's finest collections of pre-Raphaelite art. What is not so well known is that an otherwise unremarkable Worcestershire church also has a notable collection, with 14
Birds and trees are two of the main features of this walk. The birds include a variety of species, from blackbirds to buzzards, but it is wetland birds which are most numerous, thanks to the proximity of the River Severn and the proliferation of pools
There's not much space here for background information, as this is a relatively complex route with patchy waymarking. Briefly then, it's a lovely walk with fine views, in what is now mostly farmland but used to be mostly woodland, in the days when Wyre
THIS is a delightful walk with plenty of variety, though water is a dominant theme. The River Severn is obvious enough to anyone crossing the bridge at Holt Fleet, but only those exploring on foot will discover the lovely pool, fringed by reedbeds and
A MUSICAL duo from a former Worcester band are hoping to cause a storm with their latest project after calling time on their last group. Twenty-four-year-old Jamie May was one of the original members of Rainmaker, who formed in January last year after
VENTURE a little further afield this week for a walk in beautiful countryside between Ludlow and Craven Arms. There are wonderful views to enjoy from the aptly named View Edge, while other highlights include the paths through Brandhill Gutter and Aldon
A SLICE of Manchester will be coming to the Malvern Hills this month as Mancunian singer songwriter Clive Gregson, pictured, journeys to the area for a concert. Clive is one half of Gregson Collister with Christine Collister and now plays with Eddi Reader
PIPER'S Hill Common is also known as Dodderhill Common and as Hanbury Woods. Whatever you call it, there's no doubt it's a lovely place and very popular with local people. Many come just to visit the woods, while others explore the surrounding countryside
More than a decade ago a band from this very county was belting out Flamenco rock tunes in Spain, touring alongside such big name bands as The Ramones. How could they possibly know that years later the tunes would act as a catalyst for a renaissance of
THE name Malvern probably derives from "moel bryn" - Celtic for "bare hill". The tops of the Malvern Hills are still relatively bare, carpeted mainly by acid grassland. Lower down, however, the Hills have plenty of woodland, which looks particularly lovely
FOLK-rock veterans Fairport Convention will be breezing into Worcester next week for a concert at the city's Huntingdon Hall. The band has been together for nearly 40 years and the late radio DJ John Peel was one of the many staunch champions of their
NATURE reserves which are considered to be of particular significance are designated National Nature Reserves by English Nature. Chaddesley Wood is one of only four National Nature Reserves in Worcestershire. It is part of a group of contiguous woods
WYRE Forest is always a great place for a walk, especially in the autumn, when it erupts into a riot of colour. Apart from the obvious reds, yellows, oranges and browns of leaves, berries and bracken, there is also a more subtle range of colours to be
MUSICAL couple John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine are hoping to put on a faultless performance in Worcester next week with a show at the city's Huntingdon Hall. The couple have been making music for more than 50 years and have a special place in the hearts
GLANCE at OS Explorer map 203 and you will see, at a tiny place called Leysters, not far from Tenbury Wells, the intriguing words "Poet's Stone". So who is the poet who is remembered at this remote spot? Surprisingly, perhaps, it is William Wordsworth
CAROLE King and Joni Mitchell fans will be in for a treat next week as some of their hits have an airing in Worcester. The band Blue Tapestry was born out of a love that musicians Chris While and Julie Matthews had for performing the singers' songs in
THE spirit of the samba will be coming back to Malvern this month as the town welcomes the return of a Brazilian night. The event - at Club Nine in the town's Spring Lane South - is the brainchild of student Barnaby Simons, who grew up in nearby Birtsmorton
THE location of this walk looks seriously unpromising when seen from the A449. Views from the railway are more enticing, but only those who explore on foot will discover all the pleasant surprises in store, particularly in the charming valley of Elmley
A MASSIVE fund-raising drive in aid of a young Worcester boy has been launched with the help of his grandparents. Linda Gormley and Cherry Jones let 200 balloons off at a youth activity day in Brickfields Park, Tolladine, to raise money for Marshall Gormley
THIS delightful walk in the quiet countryside north of Martley includes a short stretch of the prominent ridge of which Pudford Hill and Rodge Hill form the highest part. The lovely Teme Valley lies below the ridge to the west and there are superb views
BRISTOL band Santa Dog will unfurl their heartfelt delicately-fried guitar pop in Worcester this month with a debut gig. The group got together last year, fuelled by a lack of summe, cocktails and a desire to hear something new, with their resulting output
This short walk visits one of the most unspoilt corners of the county. It includes ancient cherry orchards, secluded valleys and a wonderful dingle - one of those steep-sided, wooded, fern-filled valleys for which the Teme Valley is famous. Cut by a tributary
THE latest trio of musical offerings to play Worcester's Marr's Bar's weekly Free Bands for Free Quid night are Hey Pablo, Animotorso and Freak Porn Experiment. The bands night takes place at the Pierpoint Street venue on Thursday and Hey Pablo consists
THIS is one of the loveliest walks you can do close to Worcester. In fact, as you walk along the riverbank from Grimley to Hallow, it's hard to believe that the city begins just a couple of miles away. The riverside woods and meadows are extensive, and
A MUSICIAN who does a fine line in bittersweet love songs is set to put Worcester on the musical map as his tunes finally hit high street shelves across the country. Jamie Knight, from St John's, Worcester, has been singing for 10 years and playing the
THIS is a gorgeous walk in an area which is at its glorious best in the spring when there is a succession of blossom from March to May. It's too late now for blackthorn, plum, pear and cherry, but there's still time to catch the apple blossom and the
SUPERHEROES - ALCOHOL AND FIGHTING THIS four-piece band of young Stratford-upon-Avon hopefuls are a force to be reckoned with live - their performance at Worcester's Marr's Bar last week was testimony to that. Fortunately, their raw energy also translates
Stourport is famous as the only British town to have come into being solely as a result of the canal system. What is not so well known is that the little town is surrounded by a cluster of small but important nature reserves which provide a glimpse of
AN energetic blend of folk and country music will be served up at Worcester's Marr's Bar this weekend as the group Clearwood play a gig there. The band formed 18 months ago and have already built up a considerable following in the area with their live
It is almost 400 years since the increasing persecution of Roman Catholics inspired a conspiracy to blow up the House of Commons, a conspiracy we call the Gunpowder Plot. The ringleader was Robert Catesby, of Northampton, but several of his co-plotters
ROCK guitarist and former Genesis member Steve Hackett will be showing off his musical talents in Worcester next week with a visit to the city. Steve joined the band Genesis in 1970, becoming an integral part of the line-up and, within a couple of years
SOME of the best names across world, folk, roots and contemporary music will be playing at this summer's Wychwood Music Festival. The new event runs from Friday, June 3, to Sunday, June 5, at Cheltenham Racecourse and will give festival-goers the chance
POPULAR musical Thoroughly Modern Millie is coming to the stage of a Midland theatre. Running from Tuesday, April 5 until Saturday, April 16 at the Birmingham Hippodrome, the show stars Lesley Joseph (Birds of a Feather, Vagina Monologues) as the eccentric
THE music of critically-acclaimed singer Frank Zappa will come to life in Worcester as Jimmy Carl Black and the Muffin Men roll into the city. The musicians will be playing a selection of Zappa's best-known songs together with some of their own arrangements
A MUSICAL Easter is promised at one Worcester venue staging a selection of young hopeful bands aiming to rock the socks off audiences. Che, Two Minute Warning, Colour Moves and Utoxator will all be playing the city's Marr's Bar on Easter Sunday, March
RISING Worcester stars the B-Movie Heroes will be hoping for a warm welcome as they return to the faithful city for a homecoming gig next week. The band will be playing Drummonds Bar in New Street, on Wednesday, March 30, and the gig will be a launch
MARKS & Spencer is to open a 6,500 sq ft Simply Food store in Evesham's Riverside Centre. The launch, on Friday, September 2, will create 50 new jobs in the area. It will be one of more than 100 Simply Food stores in the UK, which sell Marks &
