Archive

  • 28/6/06 - Preece pins faith on his strike-force

    WORCESTER City boss Andy Preece believes new recruit Craig Wilding offers the perfect complement to his current attacking options. The striker has agreed a one-year deal at St George's Lane and Preece is adamant he will bolster a strike force already

  • 28/6/06 - New boy completes remarkable recovery

    GOALKEEPER Scott Bevan has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Kidderminster Harriers -- completing a remarkable recovery from a horror injury. The former Southampton and MK Dons stopper received national exposure for the best and worst of reasons

  • 28/6/06 - Harriers snap up former Magpie

    NOT many footballers plying their trade in the Nationwide Conference boast a career that in-cludes playing in the Premiership and Europe, but Kidderminster Har-riers' newest signing does. Former Newcastle United midfielder Jamie McClen has signed a

  • 28/6/06 - Solanki wins England one-day call

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S Twenty20 campaign has been dealt a blow by the news captain Vikram Solanki will miss up to three games after being called into the England one-day squad. Solanki has joined England, who have two more matches in their series with former

  • 28/6/06 - Worcs slip to opening defeat in Twenty20

    BRENDON McCullum and Michael Powell laid the foundation for Glamorgan's seven-wicket win in the Twenty20 Cup opener against Worcester-shire under the Cardiff floodlights last night. McCullum, the New Zealand wicketkeeper, shared in a second wicket stand

  • Lawyers' helping hands

    The Worcester firm of solicitors Harrison Clark acted for Personal Screening plc in its recent admission to the alternative investment of the London Stock Exchange. Simon Driscoll, managing director of the Stourbridge-based firm which supplies home

  • Opportunity to be competitive and profitable

    Worcestershire is home to a thriving business community comprising an impressive array of businesses of all shapes and sizes and from a wide variety of industries. Firms in the county are being given the opportunity to excel further as Business Link

  • Twins give clients double the money

    THE art of double entry acccounting has been taken to another level by the Worcester firm of McKnights. Clients are getting double for their money because two members of the staff are identical twin brothers. Twenty-eight-year -old Mark and Kevin

  • Does life revolve around money?

    SIR - Your leader (June 8) writes of visitors to Worcester and their spending power. Is every darned aspect of life now oriented around money? GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

  • Killing is never morally justified

    SIR -- In his letter headlined "Casualty rates and question of morals" D E Margrett condoned the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, killing can never be morally justified any more than a wrong could ever make a right. Furthermore, if killing

  • Why I'm happy to issue my denials

    SIR -- R G Spencer looks forward to my "denials" regarding his claims about who keeps the peace in Europe. I am happy to oblige. It is indeed NATO that has kept the external peace between Europe and the outside world, with considerable help from Ronald

  • Crack down on charity raiders

    SIR -- Charity Shops are supposed to be an escape from the mainstream. An Aladdin's cave of intriguing bargains. It comes to something when older members of the community cannot browse in the city's charity shops to spend a few bob helping others without

  • He should stop talking twaddle

    SIR -- What nonsense John Hinton writes. He says: "The feasibility of rebuilding on the present site to meet current or future requirements seems questionable'. What utter rubbish. The school could be rebuilt with the current buildings in place as the

  • Union Jack is the appropriate flag

    SIR - N M Dunkley (Worcester News, June 17) refers to people's pride in being British and desire to fly "the flag of St George". However, this correspondent should be aware that the appropriate flag to fly to express "British" pride is the Union Flag.

  • Outrageous demands on tax-paying public

    SIR -- The Labour Party has opened a consultation on the funding of political parties. Many people do not realise that in the past three years, the main parties have already taken around £20m of our hard-earned money. With thousands of health service

  • History may need a bit of a re-write

    PICTURE the scene. In the drawing room of a country vicarage, a parson is writing his sermon. The year is 1700. The French are making threatening noises across the Channel and the great victories of the Duke of Marlborough have yet to be fought. However

  • Children turn their hands to building

    CHILDREN at a Worcester school learnt to look at the buildings around them in a new way after taking part in a variety of activities during national architects week. Headteacher Jeremy Howard said that the week of events had been such a great success

  • Tell us how to spend cool quarter-million

    A GROUP of young people has been given control of more than a quarter of a million pounds to spend on people their own age. Worcestershire County Council's children and young people's strategic partnership has handed over responsibility for deciding

  • I'll pay you £10,000 to stop all thevandals

    A `REWARD' of up to £10,000 is being offered by a villager who says his home has been targeted by more than 200 incidents of vandalism. Richard Jackson told the Worcester News his bungalow was first targeted in 1986. A year later, in August 1987, a

  • We've got to fight phone mast plans - for a third time

    RESIDENTS who lost a battle two years ago to stop a mobile phone mast being placed just yards from their homes are now gearing themselves up for yet another fight. People living in Hardwicke Close, St John's, were distraught when a 17.5m Vodafone mast

  • Food firm is causing us traffic problems

    A COMPANY that supplied salad for the Queen's 80th birthday party has been criticised by local residents for being too big and attracting too much traffic. Kanes Foods, based in Middle Littleton, near Evesham, appeared in the Worcester News earlier

  • People save ducklings after tumber down drain

    HEROIC residents have been praised after helping to save a family of ducklings. Wychavon District Council's dog warden, Pip Singleton, has thanked people who helped save the feathered family after they fell down a drain in Waterside, Evesham. The

  • We will blockade pavilion to stop it being pulled down

    CAMPAIGNERS trying to save Worcester's historic 130-year-old cricket pavilion are hoping to put up a blockade to prevent it being demolished when bulldozers move in tomorrow. Developers have told the city council they plan to knock down the timber building

  • New advert board for pubs and clubs

    PUBS and nightclubs in Worcester could be provided with a new advertising board to make up for a ban on them handing out flyers. The leader of Worcester City Council, Simon Geraghty, says he is keen to ensure the `night-time economy' is not harmed by

  • A day to find out more about plants

    GREEN-FINGERED visitors to Hanbury Hall were able to pick up some top tips from National Trust experts at its Meet The Gardeners day. Staff and volunteers were on hand to talk about their work and answer questions at the historic estate near Droitwich

  • Pitchcroft set to host 10km race

    NEXT month sees the 11th running of the Worcester Pitchcroft 10K and fun run. Both races are on Sunday, July 11 and follow a route around Worcester Race course. The fun run starts at 10.30am and is 2.5km long. It is open to all ages although under

  • Preece pins faith on his strike force

    WORCESTER City boss Andy Preece believes new recruit Craig Wilding offers the perfect complement to his current attacking options. The striker has agreed a one-year deal at St George's Lane and Preece is adamant he will bolster a strike force already

  • Matt selected for Halfords

    WORCESTERSHIRE mountain bike trials cyclist Matt Burrows is celebrating after having been selected to ride for Halfords Development Squad. This is the first year that Halfords, the UK's leading retailer of cycles and accessories, is sponsoring the Worcester

  • New boy completes remarkable recovery

    GOALKEEPER Scott Bevan has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Kidderminster Harriers -- completing a remarkable recovery from a horror injury. The former Southampton and MK Dons stopper received national exposure for the best and worst of reasons

  • Worcs slip to opening defeat in Twenty20

    BRENDON McCullum and Michael Powell laid the foundation for Glamorgan's seven-wicket win in the Twenty20 Cup opener against Worcester-shire under the Cardiff floodlights last night. McCullum, the New Zealand wicketkeeper, shared in a second wicket stand

  • Harriers snap up former Magpie

    NOT many footballers plying their trade in the Nationwide Conference boast a career that in-cludes playing in the Premiership and Europe, but Kidderminster Har-riers' newest signing does. Former Newcastle United midfielder Jamie McClen has signed a

  • Solanki wins England one-day call

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S Twenty20 campaign has been dealt a blow by the news captain Vikram Solanki will miss up to three games after being called into the England one-day squad. Solanki has joined England, who have two more matches in their series with former

  • Wolves win place in British League

    JUST six years after forming, Worcester Wolves are preparing to play in front of thousands of fans on a weekly basis after being accepted into the British League -- the country's premier basketball competition. Following discussions three weeks ago,

  • Moray's musical foray

    MULTI-talented musician Jim Moray performs at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) on July 1, as part of the Birmingham venue's Sounds in the Round music showcase. The 24-year-old singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and arranger will perform contemporary

  • Clarinet master to serenade city fans

    LONG running British Jazz legend Acker Bilk brings his Paramount Band to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall this Friday (June 30). One of the country's leading jazz musicians the well known master of the clarinet has been performing since the 1950s. In 1961

  • Favourite of folk

    SINGER Bob Fox will be performing at Bromsgrove Folk Club tomorrow (Thursday) night. Bob has been a regular favourite around the folk clubs for over 30 years singing traditional and contemporary songs, mainly from his native north-east of England. The

  • Local Government and MPs

    Herefordshire Council Directors: Director of Environment: Mr G Dunhill; Director of Policy and Community: Ms J Jones; Director of Children's Services: Ms S Fiennes. Councillors: Aylestone: Alan Williams, 12 Gleneagles Road, Wentworth Park, Hereford; DB

  • Specialist Centres

    For people with physical disabilities Canal Road Day Centre: Canal Road, Hereford. 01432 266881, Day opportunity Manager; Jane Brobyn. Kynaston Court Residential Home: Hentland, Ross. 01989 730678. Care Manager: Brenda Wetton. FOR CHILDREN Family Centre

  • Places to Visit

    Museum Bromyard Teddy & Doll Museum: 12 The Square, Bromyard. 01885 488329. Bromyard Heritage Centre: 1 Rowberry St, Bromyard. 01432 260692. Open Easter- Oct 30 (Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm). Butchers Row House Museum: Church Lane, Ledbury. 01531 632511. Open

  • Where to go

    Wednesday, June 28 THEATRE: Confusions, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove (until July 1). THEATRE: Chitt, Chitty Bang Bang, Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street. Thursday, June 29 MUSIC: Steve Gibbons Band, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. THEATRE: Transmissions

  • Porter musical is De-Lovely

    COLE Porter's Anything Goes arrives at the Malvern Theatres on Monday, running until Saturday, July 8. The national tour of the much-loved comedy musical stars Sandra Dickinson (pictured), Barry Howard and Michael Starke, with Ria Jones as Reno Sweeney

  • Dance mix is lined up

    A MIXTURE of live, filmed and mutlimedia dance awaits audiences at The Patrick Centre this week. New Vibes 2006 starts on Tuesday with different events featuring dance and film, and live music. The show has been created by award-winning choreographers

  • Twins give clients double the money

    THE art of double entry acccounting has been taken to another level by the Worcester firm of McKnights. Clients are getting double for their money because two members of the staff are identical twin brothers. Twenty-eight-year -old Mark and Kevin Smith

  • Lawyers' helping hands

    The Worcester firm of solicitors Harrison Clark acted for Personal Screening plc in its recent admission to the alternative investment of the London Stock Exchange. Simon Driscoll, managing director of the Stourbridge-based firm which supplies home testing

  • Rid yourself of stress - ADVERTISING FEATURE

    FAMILY legal problems, divorce and separation can be some of the most stressful events in peoples lives. Lesley Bartlett, head of the matrimonial department at Hallmarks in Worcester says: "Here at Hallmarks we understand the emotional turmoil these circumstances

  • Who'll succeed when the boss steps down?

    SIXTY five per cent of Worcester's bosses recognise the need to make plans for when they step down. This has been revealed in research just carried out by Allied Irish Bank (GB). "It would be nice to think we'll all be here forever, running our own show

  • WH Smith demerger

    High street stalwart WH Smith began the process of allowing its retail and news distribution businesses to go their separate ways yesterday. The London-based company said the demerger move would allow both divisions to benefit from increased focus on

  • Profits hit

    Carpetright has posted an 11 per cent fall in annual profits, hit by a slowdown in the UK housing market last year. The carpet and floor coverings retailer said pre-tax profits for the year to April 29, fell from £72.5m to £64.2m. It came as total sales

  • Boss quits

    The British Gas boss responsible for delivering price rises to millions of UK customers has announced he is quitting. Mark Clare has been managing director of British Gas's residential energy business since 2002, will join Barratt as its new chief executive

  • Now it's just like home from home at the office

    Workers are increasingly sorting out their social and home lives from the office because of lack of time and hectic workloads. A survey of 1,600 adults has revealed a new trend of "homing from work" rather than working from home. The UK's long hours culture

  • Dish of the day

    Mention Christmas and Michaelmas and a gaggle of honking geese will spring to the minds of many rural folk. They remember the goose as the centrepiece of the dinner table on these special days. But times are a-changing and Roy Lewis explains how the goose

  • Under fire

    A REPORT from the Second World War tells of a ship carrying Herefords to America in 1940 and being torpedoed in the Atlantic. Two of the beasts managed to swim ashore to Ireland, showing the stamina of the breed.

  • Film stardom

    EVEN Hollywood came calling. In 1966, The Rare Breed, starring Maureen O'Hara and James Stewart, told of a widow's quest to fulfill her husband's dream of introducing Hereford cattle into the American West. The film centres on their efforts to transport

  • Bovine legend

    A legend among breeders in the 1950s/60s was Captain Richard de Quincey, whose exceptional breeding achievements and success in the show ring with his Vern herd won him international acclaim. He was acknowledged as the doyen of the breed up until his

  • Shipshape

    IN 1882 as many as 125 animals were shipped in one consignment to New York.

  • A breed apart

    The Hereford has become the universal beef producer and the cornerstone of the beef economy in all cattle-raising countries of the world. The breed dominates the prairies, the pampas and the Russian steppes. Roy Lewis charts its development down the centuries

  • Diary dates

    January 2 Plough Sunday. February 2 Candlemas, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. March Mothering Sunday. March 25 Lady Day, Quarter Day - when farm rents are paid. April Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Day. May Rogationtide, Ascension Day. June 24 Midsummer

  • Pax very much!

    HEREFORDSHIRE boasts one of the oldest customs of marking Palm Sunday. In the villages of Kings Caple and Sellack, the day is marked by a procession from one church to the other and, after a shared church service, pax cakes, a sort of shortbread biscuit

  • A hunting we will go

    PEOPLE hunt foxes and hares, shoot rabbits and pheasants - but the excitement of the chase doesn't compare with the adrenalin rush obtained from a nest of rats scattering in all directions and terrier dogs in hot pursuit, says Matthew Brown, who has probably

  • Chitty in the city

    AN ALL star cast motored into the Birmingham Hippodrome this week when Chitty Chitty Bang Bang burst onto the stage. Coronation Street's Curly Watts - also known as Kevin Kennedy - plays against his role by becoming the sinister Child Catcher in this

  • Three to tango

    THREE youth dance companies from the county will have a chance to show what they're about at the Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Evesham on June 30. Worcestershire's W'ire Youth dance Company, which has performed at the Birmingham Hippodrome, have generated

  • Get ready for full bodied fun

    COMEDIAN Al Murray brings his popular And Another Thing tour to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre for an evening of frothy views and bubbly jokes on July 3. Murray's opinionated Pub Landlord character, based on the stereotype of a mis-informed guv'nor whose

  • Here's looking at you kid

    Contrary to popular belief, goats will not eat any old rubbish. In fact they're particularly choosy, preferring the best quality hay. Just one of the myths debunked by top Herefordshire goat keeper Maggi Franklin in her new book. ROY Lewis finds out more

  • Making perry - while the sun shines

    Like Hereford cattle, cider and perry-making are synonymous with Herefordshire and their origins are so old they breathe history. Roy Lewis raises his glass . . . The county's soil and climatic conditions have always been ideal for growing apples and

  • Focus on the future

    Agriculture, while it feeds us all, its practices in the rural area have come in for careful scrutiny in recent years. Ian Howie, a leading voice in farming in the West Midlands, explains how one interactive meeting attempted to bring all sides of this

  • Plough factor - A hand to the plough

    A farmer's vision for the twenty-first century ONE of the underlying themes in Patrick Evans's new book is that the answer to poverty in Britain and other parts of the world is to make farming work. "If farming is encouraged and made profitable and the

  • Garage in class of its own

    Walker Renault is a friendly and welcoming dealership, fronted by Ian Barker, sales manager, who leads a professional team of five sales staff and an overall staff of 50 who can deal with all of your motoring needs. With an exciting and world renown safety

  • Wardens whipped

    Kenilworth Wardens 219-6 Barnt Green 224-8 Barnt Green won by two wickets BARNT Green ended their losing run with a convincing victory over Kenilworth Wardens, as the title race in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division hotted up over the

  • Rachael's Wimbledon chance

    A GIFTED tennis player from Bromsgrove will be playing at the same venue as her heroes after winning the county championship. Rachael Mack, aged 14, will be representing Worcestershire at the Wimbledon National 14 and Under Challenge. She will be playing

  • Moray's musical foray

    MULTI-talented musician Jim Moray performs at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) on July 1, as part of the Birmingham venue's Sounds in the Round music showcase. The 24-year-old singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and arranger will perform contemporary

  • Clarinet master to serenade city fans

    LONG running British Jazz legend Acker Bilk brings his Paramount Band to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall this Friday (June 30). One of the country's leading jazz musicians the well known master of the clarinet has been performing since the 1950s. In 1961

  • 14/06/06 - Mark is Taylor made for Rovers

    MANAGER Rod Brown has swooped for tried and trusted players to turn Bromsgrove Rovers into promotion contenders in the Southern League Midlands Division next season.The Rovers boss completed a hectic week behind the scenes at the Victoria Ground by bringing

  • Appeal on stolen bikes

    MOTOCROSS bikes and equipment worth more than £2,000 were stolen from a Riverside property. The bikes were taken from Meadowhill Road between 5pm on June 17 and 8.15am on June 19. One of the bikes is a red Honda CR125 worth £1,200 with a large plate with

  • Arrows head for play-offs

    Redditch Arrows 34 Manchester Titans 0 THE Arrows took another step towards a play-off berth with this impressive shutout against their Manchester visitors. And for the second week running it was running back Dave Mills who took the early initiative as

  • Bank get the runs

    ASTWOOD Bank skipper Dan Evans hailed his side's victory over Division One leaders Kington as their best in league cricket. The Herefordshire side came unstuck on a Jill Lane wicket that offered plenty to the bowlers, Bank's spin kings Ian Bowes and John

  • Swimmers relegated

    A BATTLING display from Redditch Swimming Club failed to halt their relegation to Division Two of the Nuneaton & District Diddy League. Redditch finished fifth in the season's final gala in Halesowen, their best performance of the season not quite

  • Nothing between club's leading trio

    A TRIO of Redditch golfers will try again this weekend after they tied at the Green Lane club's championship. There was nothing between Russ Ager, Steve Fanning and Steve Hadley after 36 holes and they will tackle another 18 holes on Sunday to decide

  • SWIMMING: Joe's not so slow in water

    EARLIER this month the best age group swimmers from the East and West Midlands came together for the ASA Midlands Championships held at Coventry's 50-metre pool. Joe Evans took his place alongside his Stratford Sharks teammates having qualified in the

  • FOOTBALL: Officials elected

    ALL officers were re-elected unopposed for the new season at the Mercian Festival Junior League's annual general meeting, There are still a few vacancies for teams in various age groups for both Boys and Girls, for Mini Soccer and 11 a side. Interested

  • GOLF: Course change

    VALE Golf and Country Club captain Trevor Sidwell staged his annual Captain's Day last Saturday. Around 150 players were on the tees for the morning afternoon sessions playing a rearranged course that delighted all who took part. The day was rounded off

  • TENNIS: Complete treble

    THE fifth Prudden Road Surfacing Inter-League Charity Cup Final was held last Saturday at the NFU Sports and Social Club courts and was an all-Stratford affair between the club's A and B teams. Rob Slatter and Chris Adams took the first rubber 6-2, 6-

  • TENNIS: Strawberry teas

    THE start of Wimbledon fortnight has prompted Littletons TC to organise a charity afternoon when strawberry teas will be the flavour of the day. The event that will benefit Breast Cancer Care takes place on Sunday between 2 and 5pm as part of the club's

  • CRICKET: Alcester in the hunt after ton-up Strain's top score

    WHILE the chase for the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division title looks like a two-horse race, last weekend's first division results leaves eight of the 11 clubs in with a championship shout. Bidford and Catherine-de-Barnes both suffered defeats, while

  • CRICKET: Tim's on song

    BADSEY'S impres-sive start to the Cou-nty League campaign continued against Cleobury Mortimer last Saturday. However, the visitors were unable to part the last two batsmen after setting a target of 196. Tim Evans top scored with 50 after Badsey had been

  • CYCLING: Venture into hills

    EIGHTEEN members of Evesham Wheelers set of into the hills of the Cots-wolds last Sunday via Sedgeberrow and Winch-combe and into Guiting Power and Bourton-on-the Water to finish at Lower Swell for coffee. The return route was along the top road to Snowshill

  • ANGLING: Shield win for Stu

    Evesham Jubilee Society THE Stillwater Shield series continued last weekend on the Worcester Canal at Blackpole. Stu Thomson won the match weighing in 7.10.0. Pegged next to the winner was Tim Hunt in second place with 4.15.0 and in third place again

  • 100 years ago - June 30, 1906

    DURING the past week, Her Highness the princess Louise Augusta of Schleswig-Holstein has been on a visit to the Marquis and Marchiness of Hertford at Ragley Hall, Alcester, arriving on Tuesday evening. In honour of the visit, Alcester was gaily decorated

  • BOWLS: Overbury overhauled as hosts show title ambitions

    BROADWAY entertained Concorde League leaders Overbury last Thursday when a 121-75 victory saw them take over at the summit. The hosts were always in control on four out of the five rinks with youngsters Richard Hall and Andrew Walters leading the way

  • SAILING: Junior success for Rob

    A HOT and almost windless day did nothing to stop the enthusiasm at the Evesham club. The popular Junior Series started the day's sport with Rob Bonham again taking the honours ahead of Edward Higson and Chris Hartwell. A Pursuit race followed with the

  • KARTING: Drivers are raring to go

    RISSINGTON Kart Club, the leading organiser of high-speed kart racing events for more than 40 years, stages another two days of frenzied action this weekend. Rissington hosts meetings on the first weekend of every month from March through to November

  • 50 years ago - June 29, 1956

    ALCESTER Carnival week concluded on Friday with a ball in which 17-year-old Shirley Palmer was selected as Queen of the carnival, to be held on September 1. The target for the week -- £100 -- easily beaten. It's expected that the final total will be somewhere

  • 28/6/06 - Solanki wins England one-day call

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S Twenty20 campaign has been dealt a blow by the news captain Vikram Solanki will miss up to three games after being called into the England one-day squad. Solanki has joined England, who have two more matches in their series with former

  • TENNIS: Chance to tread courts at Centre

    BUDDING stars of the court are invited along to Pershore Tennis Centre between 1 and 2pm on Saturday, July 8 when there will be a demonstration by Davis Cup players. Before then, adults and juniors are invited to take to the courts for a fun tournament

  • Porter musical is De-Lovely

    COLE Porter's Anything Goes arrives at the Malvern Theatres on Monday, running until Saturday, July 8. The national tour of the much-loved comedy musical stars Sandra Dickinson (pictured), Barry Howard and Michael Starke, with Ria Jones as Reno Sweeney

  • Have a drink with the pub landlord

    FOLLOWING a sell-out tour last year, Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre presents Al Murray, The Pub Landlord. Audiences can enjoy a comic night with The Guv'nor, with his usual quick-fire ad-lib interaction with the punters and plenty of British thinking

  • CRICKET: Percival's sparkling start

    PERSHORE were indebted to newcomer Percival as they picked up 15 hard-earned County League Divi-sion One points against Eastnor last Saturday. The hosts were asked to bat on a wicket that had been affected by the overnight rain and they made the worst

  • New boy completes remarkable recovery

    GOALKEEPER Scott Bevan has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Kidderminster Harriers -- completing a remarkable recovery from a horror injury. The former Southampton and MK Dons stopper received national exposure for the best and worst of reasons

  • Matt selected for Halfords

    WORCESTERSHIRE mountain bike trials cyclist Matt Burrows is celebrating after having been selected to ride for Halfords Development Squad. This is the first year that Halfords, the UK's leading retailer of cycles and accessories, is sponsoring the Worcester

  • Pitchcroft set to host 10km race

    NEXT month sees the 11th running of the Worcester Pitchcroft 10K and fun run. Both races are on Sunday, July 11 and follow a route around Worcester Race course. The fun run starts at 10.30am and is 2.5km long. It is open to all ages although under 11s

  • Club honours president's memory

    THE memory of former Avoncroft CC president John Sutcliffe was commemorated on Friday night when the club's ground was officially renamed in his honour. Wife Sue and daughter Anne were guests of honour and unveiled the new sign, which officially renamed

  • 24/06/06 - Half centuries inspire victory

    DROITWICH Spa CC continued their winning run in the Worcestershire County League Division One with an 83 run thrashing of Bewdley on Saturday. Half centuries for Richard Ferley (53) and captain Paul Bryan (55 not out) guided Spa to 178-8 in 50 overs.

  • 24/06/06 - Corbett deliver a big victory

    CHADDESLEY Corbett grabbed a crucial victory over Alvechurch and Hopwood in the Worcestershire County Cricket League on Saturday. Victory propelled Corbett into mid-table of Division One and sent Alvechurch tumbling to the bottom half of the table. Corbett

  • 24/06/06 - Seconds win

    Droitwich's second XI defeated Bewdley by 68 runs on Saturday. David Scott-Walker top scored with 43 runs, while Glen Harrison hit 36, as Spa recorded 203 all out in the 49th over. Bewdley's reply was stifled by Adrian Field's bowling, who took 4-34,

  • We will blockade pavilion to stop it being pulled down

    CAMPAIGNERS trying to save Worcester's historic 130-year-old cricket pavilion are hoping to put up a blockade to prevent it being demolished when bulldozers move in tomorrow. Developers have told the city council they plan to knock down the timber building

  • What's On Guide

    Wednesday, June 28 All & Sundry present Alan Ayckbourn's Confusions, Artrix, Bromsgrove. Until June 30. Tickets on 01527 577330 or www.artrix.co.uk Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. Until July 1. Tickets on 01684

  • 28/6/06 - Harriers snap up former Magpie

    NOT many footballers plying their trade in the Nationwide Conference boast a career that in-cludes playing in the Premiership and Europe, but Kidderminster Har-riers' newest signing does. Former Newcastle United midfielder Jamie McClen has signed a one-year

  • We've got to fight phone mast plans - for a third time

    RESIDENTS who lost a battle two years ago to stop a mobile phone mast being placed just yards from their homes are now gearing themselves up for yet another fight. People living in Hardwicke Close, St John's, were distraught when a 17.5m Vodafone mast

  • I'll pay you £10,000 to stop all thevandals

    A 'REWARD' of up to £10,000 is being offered by a villager who says his home has been targeted by more than 200 incidents of vandalism. Richard Jackson told the Worcester News his bungalow was first targeted in 1986. A year later, in August 1987, a fake

  • Enlgand end tournament on a high note

    JORDAN Crane helped England trounce Ireland 32-8 in the under-21 World Championships to seal fifth place in France. The former South Bromsgrove High School pupil played in the final match as England made it nine wins out of ten matches. England were unlucky

  • A flurry of forwards

    THREE strikers could become five by the time Evesham United's players meet up for pre-season training at Common Road next Tuesday night, writes Mervyn Collins. Having brought in Mark Owen alongside Richard Ball and James Fox, United boss Paul West is

  • Lawyers' helping hands

    The Worcester firm of solicitors Harrison Clark acted for Personal Screening plc in its recent admission to the alternative investment of the London Stock Exchange. Simon Driscoll, managing director of the Stourbridge-based firm which supplies home testing

  • Opportunity to be competitive and profitable

    Worcestershire is home to a thriving business community comprising an impressive array of businesses of all shapes and sizes and from a wide variety of industries. Firms in the county are being given the opportunity to excel further as Business Link West

  • Collected

    CATSHILL Churches Together would like to thank all those who in any way supported the recent plant sale to raise much needed funds to further the work of Christian Aid in developing countries. Our particular thanks to the head of Chadsgrove School for

  • True colour?

    "FAR from disgruntled", but "having great fun", was part of the recent statement by Councillor Nick Psirides in Your View. Having "great fun" misleading the voting public, standing under the banner of a political party with its manifesto and policies

  • Colourful!

    WITH so many newspapers, both local and national, putting so much emphasis on being full colour, I have been pleasantly surprised to get my Advertiser on two recent Wednesdays. For a long time I have thought that both pictures and newspaper pages look

  • Revellers

    A PACKED Artrix theatre revelled to the energetic and rhythmic performance of 'Catshill Boys Choir' and 'Out of the Blue' on earlier this month. There are few times that I have seen such a mix of all male talent compliment each other as I did on this

  • Ravens back with try fest

    Redditch Ravens 46 Bristol Sonics 22 THE Ravens bounced back from their mauling at Plymouth to produce an excellent display of running rugby, scoring no less than 10 tries. The first half started with both teams testing each other with differing styles

  • Chitty in the city

    AN ALL star cast motored into the Birmingham Hippodrome this week when Chitty Chitty Bang Bang burst onto the stage. Coronation Street's Curly Watts - also known as Kevin Kennedy - plays against his role by becoming the sinister Child Catcher in this

  • Bard's house

    VICTORIAN house Witley Court near Worcester is the setting for a new version of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy Romeo and Juliet on July 5 and 6. The performances will mark the start of English Heritage's season of open air theatre, which takes

  • Youthful opportunities

    A BROMSGROVE theatre group is holding audtions for its youth production. All and Sundry are staging a production for under-18's at the Rowney Green Peace Hall in Rowney Green on Friday, July 28, and they are inviting youngsters to audition. Last year's

  • Three to tango

    THREE youth dance companies from the county will have a chance to show what they're about at the Number 8 Community Arts Centre in Evesham on June 30. Worcestershire's W'ire Youth dance Company, which has performed at the Birmingham Hippodrome, have generated

  • Hadzor & Oddingley WI

    IT had been exceptionally hot weather and it had been raining outside, but inside our meeting hall we were transported to the land of ice and snow. Our speaker, Mr D Fletcher, kept us enthralled telling us of a very different way of life at the north

  • Witton WI

    PRESIDENT Jenny Kerridge welcomed members to our meeing, held on a lovely summer evening. After the secretary had updated us on news and activities, Jenny gave a full report on the recent AGM held in Cardiff. We then enjoyed a hands-on experience, each

  • Droitwich Spa Inner Wheel

    President June Bodger welcomed members to the June meeting of the Inner Wheel Club of Droitwich Spa, which took place at the Raven Hotel After supper June lit the candle of friendship remembering members old and new the world over. She was pleased to

  • The Canine Society

    Bromsgrove and District Canine Society held its second show of the year at All Saints Hall, Burcot Lane. This was judged by Penny Lester, a successful breeder of champion cocker spaniels. An entry of 81 dogs was excellent for our evening show. Best in

  • Town anger over name and shame shambles

    A MISTAKE which confused the similar sounding towns of Bromsgrove and Bromley in a 'name and shame' table of Britain's worst councils for hiking parking fees has provoked anger and embarrassment at the Council House in Burcot Lane. The table was published

  • All in a fair day's work

    BROMSGROVE is well-served when it comes to purchasing ale, bread and leather in the town. That's the opinion of members of the town's Court Leet who are 'experts' in their respective fields, and who carried out an assize, or check, of what was once staple

  • Teenage girl is talked down off scaffolding

    A TEENAGE girl, who climbed 15 storeys of scaffolding on a Bromsgrove church, had to be dramatically talked down by a trained police negotiator. Police and fire crews were called out at around 1.45am last Wednesday after the 15-year-old climbed to the

  • Exhall closing gap

    EXHALL & Wixford closed to within a point of leaders Bretforton at the top of the Premier Division following their seven-wicket mauling of basement side Broadway. The home side had no answer to Exhall's bowlers and they were all out for 100. In reply

  • OU degree celebration

    A SUCCESSFUL Open University graduate was rewarded for her years of hard work when she received her degree. Deborah Brockbank was among 727 Midlands students who were presented with their awards by Baroness Boothroyd of Sandwell at The Symphony Hall,

  • Redditch victory

    OPENERS Dan Protherough and Joe Hill inspired Redditch to a comprehensive 145-run victory over rivals Worcester in this Division Three clash. Protherough (56) and Hill (57) made a century stand before the visitors made the breakthrough. But there was

  • Defeat leaves Wythall in the relegation mire

    WYTHALL'S woeful season continued as they crashed to a 115-run defeat at Lyndworth in Division Three. And with relegation rivals Pakasheen picking up some useful points in their drawn game at Erdington Court, it means Wythall are now just six points off

  • Cathedral date for local clergy

    WORCESTER diocese has a record 19 candidates for ordination this year with ten new priests and nine new deacons and of these three will serve in Bromsgrove. The service will take place at Worcester Cathedral on July 2. The Rev Theresa Jones, who was born

  • Major extension at town doctors

    PATIENTS who visit a Spa medical practice are set to benefit from greater services after an extension to double its size. Droitwich residents visiting the Corbett Medical Practice, in Corbett Avenue, will now be able to use a total of 15 consulting rooms

  • The challenges of life as a carer

    A Spa woman has described the many daily challenges she faces caring for her disabled son, writes Chris Flavell. Following National Carers Week, Angela Hands has spoken to the Advertiser/Messenger to highlight her fear that many people are missing out

  • 30 years ago June 25,1976

    A GROUP of angry housewives from the Charford estate were demanding parity with tenants in council flats and maisonettes elsewhere in the district. They complained they had to pay £7.61 a week for a two bedroom flat and £8.53 for a three bed maisonette

  • 100 years ago June 30,1906

    THERE was great excitement at Wychbold as news of an impudent burglary at Summerfield, the home of former actress Miss Eastlake, spread round the village. It was believed the thief, who made off with valuable jewellery, entered the house via Chapel Lane

  • Travellers' rights 'more important'

    CHILDREN from schools across the town missed out on an athletics event when travellers settled at the Abbey Stadium. The middle school event was cancelled last week after the football pitch next to the sports venue was taken over by about 20 caravans

  • Drunken yobs set fire to digger

    DRUNKEN yobs are believed to be responsible for starting a fire in Morton Stanley Park, which resulted in £75,000 of damage to building equipment. The fire brigade was called out to the park in the early hours of Saturday morning to extinguish a mechanical

  • Appeal seeks sponsor

    ORGANISERS of a family fun day in aid of the Craig Evans Appeal are looking for a generous sponsor. Appeal director Jean Leathwaite told the Advertiser they "desperately needed" a major sponsor for the Arrow Valley Park event on July 22. "We need to cover

  • Mother of two stole handbag

    A MOTHER of two sneaked into an office at a Redditch curtains and soft furnishing firm and stole a handbag, Worcester Crown Court heard. Shelley Allcock was spotted as she left the premises of Hang Em High in Millsborough House, Ipsley Street, said Abigail

  • Does life revolve around money?

    SIR - Your leader (June 8) writes of visitors to Worcester and their spending power. Is every darned aspect of life now oriented around money? GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

  • Killing is never morally justified

    SIR -- In his letter headlined "Casualty rates and question of morals" D E Margrett condoned the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, killing can never be morally justified any more than a wrong could ever make a right. Furthermore, if killing

  • Why I'm happy to issue my denials

    SIR -- R G Spencer looks forward to my "denials" regarding his claims about who keeps the peace in Europe. I am happy to oblige. It is indeed NATO that has kept the external peace between Europe and the outside world, with considerable help from Ronald

  • Crack down on charity raiders

    SIR -- Charity Shops are supposed to be an escape from the mainstream. An Aladdin's cave of intriguing bargains. It comes to something when older members of the community cannot browse in the city's charity shops to spend a few bob helping others without

  • He should stop talking twaddle

    SIR -- What nonsense John Hinton writes. He says: "The feasibility of rebuilding on the present site to meet current or future requirements seems questionable'. What utter rubbish. The school could be rebuilt with the current buildings in place as the

  • Outrageous demands on tax-paying public

    SIR -- The Labour Party has opened a consultation on the funding of political parties. Many people do not realise that in the past three years, the main parties have already taken around £20m of our hard-earned money. With thousands of health service

  • Candle set flat alight

    A CRABBS Cross flat was damaged by fire after a lit candle was left on top of a fridge. It happened in a first floor flat in Leacroft Road at 4.45pm on Saturday. Although there was fire and smoke damage, a Hereford and Worcester Fire Service spokesman

  • Speeding is an ongoing issue

    TARDEBIGGE residents are looking for an answer to speeding problems. A recent PACT meeting highlighted the issue of speeding in Hewell Lane as one of its priorities. And Tutnall and Cobley Parish Council chairman Geoff Whitehouse said speeding along Hewell

  • Bordesley History Society

    WE have lectures during the winter and outings during the summer, when our secretary invariably finds us an unusual and fascinating venue. On June 17, we visited Chirk Castle, in the Welsh Marches, which was built between 1295 and 1310 by the colourful

  • Top teacher is honoured

    A REDDITCH teacher has beaten thousands of others from across the West Midlands to scoop a much-coveted title. Diane Bloomer, from St Luke's First School in Plymouth Road, won the BT Teaching Award for Teacher of the Year in a primary school at The Teaching

  • History may need a bit of a re-write

    PICTURE the scene. In the drawing room of a country vicarage, a parson is writing his sermon. The year is 1700. The French are making threatening noises across the Channel and the great victories of the Duke of Marlborough have yet to be fought. However

  • Forum's chance to question town MP

    A GROUP of Matchborough youngsters were recently given the chance to grill the town's MP. Jacqui Smith visited the Matchborough Youth Forum on June 16 to answer questions from members. Councillor Juliet Brun-ner said the youngsters asked their MP how

  • CCTV system aids the fight against crime

    REDDITCH Neighbourhood Watch Association has teamed up with the police to buy equipment to help residents in the fight against crime. The association represents 600 neighbourhood watch schemes in the district. It aims to promote good citizenship and public

  • Students to explore football psychology

    FOOTBALL fever will arrive at NEW College on the eve of the World Cup quarter finals. A-Level students from across the county will descend on the Peakman Street campus on Friday to look at the psychology behind the sport. The mind of the hooligan, footballers

  • Ipsley With Crabbs Cross WI

    FIFTY-three members and three visitors joined us for our June meeting, which was as usual very enjoyable. We were able to welcome Marie Hampton, who showed us very up-to-date methods of stamping using new ink pens and water brushes, giving a superb water

  • Varnish shows her extra class

    BROMSGROVE rider Jessica Varnish sliced a second off her Great Britain record in Belgium in June. The 14-year-old, competing unofficially at the World Championships because she is too young, took a second off her 500 metres record at the Eddie Merckx

  • Wakelam is the star for in-form B&R

    JULIE Wakelam was in inspirational form as Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club (B&R) left the Midlands Masters Championships with a large collection of medals. The team collected an impressive haul of 15 gold and silver medals on Solihull. Wakelam

  • Waste shake-up set for borough

    A RADICAL shake-up in the way household rubbish is collected has been unanimously agreed by Redditch councillors. The new scheme will be launched in September and residents will receive alternate weekly collections of recyclable and non-recyclable waste

  • Read all about it

    REDDITCH Council's newspaper for residents is dropping through letterboxes this week. Redditch Matters, eight pages of features and articles about the council's work, is being distributed to householders across the town. It covers its work on keeping

  • Schools' Artsmark success

    REDDITCH schools have proved their artistic ambitions with success in the latest round of Artsmark awards. Church Hill and Walkwood middle schools and Coppice Primary School all have gold awards, while Oak Hill first and Ridgeway and Woodfield middle

  • Tots' music group

    A NEW group is starting which will get pre-school children interested in all things musical. Top of the Tots will meet at the Windmill Centre, Rye Grass Lane, Walkwood, on Tuesdays and a second group is planned for Webheath Village Hall, which should

  • Back-to-work help

    FORMER MG Rover workers are being urged to use a new back-to-work service set up by former colleagues who have found jobs through it. The Working for Jobs programme at Northfield's Hollymoor Centre is geared towards helping more than 1,000 former MG Rover

  • New Ipsley curate

    THE Parish of Ipsley will soon have a new curate. Keith Johnson was born in Leamington Spa and spent the first 13 years of his life in the West Midlands. He met and married his wife Rachel at St James Church, Tunbridge Wells in 1994 and they now have

  • Police surgery

    ALVECHURCH residents are invited to a weekly police surgery at the library on Monday from 5-7pm. And the village's third PACT meeting will take place on Tuesday at Alvechurch Sports and Social Club, The Square, from 7pm.

  • Tots took their furry friends to picnic

    TEDDY Bears were the guests of honour at a Studley nursery's picnic. Youngsters at Bright Kids Nursery held a Teddy Bears Picnic to promote National SureStart Month and to celebrate the start of their own fundraising season. During the event, the children

  • On course for change

    A GROUP of Redditch YMCA residents have been practicing their diplomacy in a special course. Philip May, Tamuka Chakanasta, Kelly Rowland, and Chris Checkley, who live in YMCA accommodation in Church Hill, attended a course in London to teach them campaigning

  • Group wins grant

    YOUNG firefighters in Studley are celebrating after receving a £1,500 grant. The group, based at Studley Fire Station, received the money after applying to South Warwickshire Housing Association's resident-controlled Community Fund. They have used the

  • Serving up a treat

    BUDDING Tim Henmans took part in the town's second Play Tennis festival organised by Redditch Council and Redditch HDA Tennis Club recently. The festival aims to encourage all young people, regardless of age and ability, to play tennis at the newly refurbished

  • A dozen called on Lilly appeal

    ABOUT a dozen callers contacted the BBC television programme Crimewatch following an appeal for information on the death of the newborn baby found by the riverbank near Great Alne. Detectives investigating the case travelled to London to take part in

  • Children's joy at new equipment

    SOUTH African children benefited from new computer equipment thanks to joint efforts from a Studley school and other Warwickshire teachers. To top off their fundraising efforts, a group of teachers and training assistants from Studley visited a number

  • Postman suffered multiple injuries

    THE Alcester postman who was killed when his bike was struck by a lorry last May suffered multiple injuries, an inquest heard. Niki Savage, 28, of Castle Road, died at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch on May 10. He had been on his way to work, cycling

  • Laurence takes over council post

    THE new ward councillor for Wootton Wawen and Henley has spoken to the Chronicle about his hopes to continue the good work of his predecessor. Laurence Marshall (pictured) took over the post at the beginning of May after Ann Haddon had to stand down due

  • Guitarist wanted

    AN up-and-coming young rock/blues band is currently seeking a bassist to practice with. The candidate should be aged 12-16 with their own guitar and some experience of playing. Call James on 07821 196584 or email jamesgee201@myway.com for more details

  • Town's arty exhibits

    TALENTED townsfolk and art lovers are preparing themselves for a fortnight of exhibitions in and around Alcester. And Henley Street resident Bill Bayley will be contributing to the colourful event with his array of winter landscapes. Mr Bayley will be

  • Summer fete

    MAPPLEBOROUGH Green Church hosts its summer fete on Saturday. The event starts at 2.30pm and there will be a brass band, Punch and Judy, a barbecue, dancers, a bouncy castle and a range of stalls.

  • New president at Probus Club

    LADIES Probus Club in Alcester has a new president. Taking the helm for this year is Christine Scott, who has taken over from Jan Heeley. The club, for retired professional women, was founded by Hilda Mutton in 1990 and is now in its 16th year. For more

  • Green scheme seeks volunteers

    KEEN composters are sought to volunteer for a county council Master Composters programme. The scheme takes on composters who attend events and promote home composting. So far, 19 composters have signed up to the scheme and a further eight are required

  • BRIDGES

    BRIDGES Tony Janet, Jonathan and Elizabeth would like to thank the Family, Friends and Colleagues of Tony for their kind support, cards and messages of condolence at this sad time, also for attending the service and the donations to the R.N.L.I. Special

  • BOUCHER

    BOUCHER Rachel Brenda and Tony wish to thank all Relatives, Friends and Neighbours for their kind messages of sympathy, attendance at the Service of Thanksgiving and donations received for Acorn's Children's Hospice and St John the Baptist Church

  • EVANS

    EVANS Joan Mabel Of St Paul's Court, formerly of Humber Road, Worcester. Peacefully in hospital on June 23rd aged 81 years. Wife of the late Philip. Much loved mother of Lesley, Marilyn and Philip and a devoted grandmother. Funeral service at Worcester

  • ROGERS

    ROGERS Keith Remembering you is easy, We do it everyday. It's the sadness of living without you, That never goes away. A dearly loved son, brother, brother in law and uncle. Published in paper 28/06/2006

  • Lack of runs hits Boars hard again

    AN ALL too familiar batting collapse ensured that Bromsgrove CC slipped to a 28 run defeat at the hands of Water Orton in the Birmingham and District League Division One on Saturday. Bromsgrove have been suffering with the bat all season and were unable

  • Favourite of folk

    SINGER Bob Fox will be performing at Bromsgrove Folk Club tomorrow (Thursday) night. Bob has been a regular favourite around the folk clubs for over 30 years singing traditional and contemporary songs, mainly from his native north-east of England. The

  • 27/06/06 - Brown set to open Lamey talks

    ROD Brown is set to talk to striker Nathan Lamey tomorrow (Thursday) about a possible deal to bring him to Bromsgrove Rovers FC. The journeyman striker, who has played for Halesowen Town, Hednesford, Moor Green and Hinckley, contacted the Rovers boss

  • Outstanding entertainment

    Review - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Sat). THIGH-slappingly and foot-stompingly fantastic! What a great night out for a packed theatre and how the audience appreciated it... The superb voices of Dave Willetts

  • A day to find out more about plants

    GREEN-FINGERED visitors to Hanbury Hall were able to pick up some top tips from National Trust experts at its Meet The Gardeners day. Staff and volunteers were on hand to talk about their work and answer questions at the historic estate near Droitwich

  • 28/6/06 - Wolves win place in British League

    JUST six years after forming, Worcester Wolves are preparing to play in front of thousands of fans on a weekly basis after being accepted into the British League -- the country's premier basketball competition. Following discussions three weeks ago, the

  • Buildbase riders mix with the stars

    MORE than 100,000 race fans will be at Donington Park on Sunday as the Redditch-based Buildbase Superstock team line up alongside some of the world's biggest names in motorsport. Riders John Laverty and Tristan Palmer will be careering around the 2.5-

  • Volleyballers call

    EXTRA players are needed by a ladies volleyball club so that they can compete in the league next season. Tori Rushton is hoping Alcester Ladies Volleyball Club can join the West Midlands League in September but another eight or nine players are needed

  • Halford high

    NETBALL: The latest round of games in the Redditch Council's Junior Netball competition saw the opening matches for the Tournament Trophy. Bordesley Bluebirds made the best of starts, winning all four of their games, while Halford Herons were not too

  • Studley climb to second

    THERE seems to be no stopping Stratford as they maintained their unbeaten record to take another step towards the Prudden Road Surfacing Summer League Premier Division title. They just need a share of points from next week's match to guarantee the silverware

  • ROWING: Handful of crews on a high after success at Ironbridge

    FIVE Evesham crews picked up wins at last Sunday's Ironbridge Regatta. J13s Dominic Murphy and Lawrence Sullivan earned a well-deserved win in a straight final against Ross BC that saw the crews neck and neck for most of the 500m course until the Evesham

  • ROWING: Ali's at Henley

    EVESHAM Rowing Club's Ali Gregory has qualified to compete at this week's Henley Royal Regatta. He is taking part in the Fawley Challenge Cup as part of a coxless quad with three rowers from Reading RC. Gregory and his crew took part in qualifying races

  • SWIMMING: Sarah powers to gold in the pool

    ABBEY Park Middle School pupil Sarah Cowin showed her power in the pool when competing at the Midlands District Swimming Championships. The ten-year-old member of Worcester SC claimed a gold medal at Coventry and that performance allied to her efforts

  • FOOTBALL: A flurry of forwards

    THREE strikers could become five by the time Evesham United's players meet up for pre-season training at Common Road next Tuesday night, writes Mervyn Collins. Having brought in Mark Owen alongside Richard Ball and James Fox, United boss Paul West is

  • KARATE: Gradings glory as boys pass Black Belt challenge

    THERE was a real belting set of results when members of the United Sports Karate Organisation attended Black Belt Gradings. Based at Evesham Leisure Centre under the guidance of chief instructor Ed Mou-ntney, five youngsters pas-sed First Dan Black Belt

  • TENNIS: Littleton draw leaves leaders on title brink

    Prudden Road Surfacing League STRATFORD are close to wrapping up the Premier Division title in the Premier Division and two points from next week's match will see them lifting the championship trophy. Closest rivals Shipston slip-ped up after being held

  • TENNIS: Chance to tread courts at Centre

    BUDDING stars of the court are invited along to Pershore Tennis Centre between 1 and 2pm on Saturday, July 8 when there will be a demonstration by Davis Cup players. Before then, adults and juniors are invited to take to the courts for a fun tournament

  • CRICKET: Ton-up Clements is hero in Trophy

    EVESHAM booked a place in the semi-finals of the Graham Williamson Trophy Plate competition 24 hours after slumping to a Birmingham League second division reverse. Captain Barry Cle-ments led the way in the knockout match with a superb unbeaten century

  • CRICKET: Double delight

    THERE was double delight for Dumbleton last weekend when the club's two senior sides both recorded wins. The signs didn't look good at the halfway stage of the first team game after Woodmancote had taken the Dumbleton bowlers for 265 runs in their 45

  • CRICKET: Percival's sparkling start

    PERSHORE were indebted to newcomer Percival as they picked up 15 hard-earned County League Division One points against Eastnor last Saturday. The hosts were asked to bat on a wicket that had been affected by the overnight rain and they made the worst

  • MARTIAL ARTS: Training reaps rewards

    A TOUGH training schedule has paid off for a trio of local Tae Kwon Do students. Matthew Deakin has become a 1st Dan Black Belt, while Michael Perry and Charlie Roberts won bronze medals in the sparring category at the British ITS Championships. The 12

  • ANGLING: Charlie's cheer but it's late torment for Tony

    THE second Shakespeare Championship qualifier on the Warwickshire Avon at Evesham Town Waters and Hampton Ferry was once again dominated by the deep water pegs in the Cafe Meadow below the Ferry. Current champion Charlie Hague fancied his chances when

  • PIGEONS: Latest loft times

    Evesham and District FC THIRTEEN members sent 97 birds to Picauville on June 24 liberated at 8.45am in no wind. Results - 1 & 2 J Fretwell 1373.98, 1346.61; 3 M Kinchin 1340.58; 4 B Young 1311.27; 5 I Carenza 1308.51; 6, 7 & 10 1306.07, 1304.15

  • BOWLS: Captain's example

    CAPTAIN Jean Hemms led the way as Evesham's ladies triumphed 76-56 at Worcester last Thursday. Hemms, who led here side to a 25-11 win, was one of a trio of winning rinks with the others skipped by Mary Shep-hard and Ellen Upton. Rink scores - Worcester

  • SAILING: Charity benefits

    UNDETERRED by rival sports fixtures, members of the Arden club at Defford gathered for last Sunday's annual fund raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The opening race was sailed in light and changeable wind and Stuart and Caroline Stephen

  • HORSE RACING: Midweek track fun

    THE first of three July meetings at Stratford Racecourse takes place next Wednesday afternoon. A seven-race card of summer jump racing is on offer to racegoers with the first under starter's orders at 2.20pm. The feature race of the day is the JP Seafoods

  • Where to go

    Wednesday, June 28 THEATRE: Confusions, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove (until July 1). THEATRE: Chitt, Chitty Bang Bang, Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst Street. Thursday, June 29 MUSIC: Steve Gibbons Band, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. THEATRE: Transmissions

  • 25 years ago - June 26, 1981

    HER majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, flew into Studley yesterday to a fantastic welcome. The Queen Mother was in the village to open Mountbatton House -- the new headquarters of the Royal Life Saving Society and originally Studley's manor house

  • Confused? You will be!

    POPULAR theatre group All & Sundry presents its latest offering at the Artrix this week. The group will perform Alan Ayckbourn's Confusions, starting tonight and running until Saturday. Confusions is made up of five inter-related one-act plays including

  • 28/6/06 - Worcs slip to opening defeat in Twenty20

    BRENDON McCullum and Michael Powell laid the foundation for Glamorgan's seven-wicket win in the Twenty20 Cup opener against Worcester-shire under the Cardiff floodlights last night. McCullum, the New Zealand wicketkeeper, shared in a second wicket stand

  • Sarah powers to gold in the pool

    ABBEY Park Middle School pupil Sarah Cowin showed her power in the pool when competing at the Midlands District Swimming Championships. The ten-year-old member of Worcester SC claimed a gold medal at Coventry and that performance allied to her efforts

  • GOLF: Course change

    VALE Golf and Country Club captain Trevor Sidwell staged his annual Captain's Day last Saturday. Around 150 players were on the tees for the morning afternoon sessions playing a rearranged course that delighted all who took part. The day was rounded off

  • TENNIS: Littleton draw leaves leaders on title brink

    Prudden Road Surfacing League STRATFORD are close to wrapping up the Premier Division title in the Premier Division and two points from next week's match will see them lifting the championship trophy. Closest rivals Shipston slip-ped up after being held

  • CRICKET: Alcester in the hunt after ton-up Strain's top score

    WHILE the chase for the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division title looks like a two-horse race, last weekend's first division results leaves eight of the 11 clubs in with a championship shout. Bidford and Catherine-de-Barnes both suffered defeats, while

  • ANGLING: Charlie's cheer but it's late torment for Tony

    THE second Shakespeare Championship qualifier on the Warwickshire Avon at Evesham Town Waters and Hampton Ferry was once again dominated by the deep water pegs in the Cafe Meadow below the Ferry. Current champion Charlie Hague fancied his chances when

  • MARTIAL ARTS: Training reaps rewards

    A TOUGH training schedule has paid off for a trio of local Tae Kwon Do students. Matthew Deakin has become a 1st Dan Black Belt, while Michael Perry and Charlie Roberts won bronze medals in the sparring category at the British ITS Championships. The 12

  • SAILING: Charity benefits

    UNDETERRED by rival sports fixtures, members of the Arden club at Defford gathered for last Sunday's annual fund raiser for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The opening race was sailed in light and changeable wind and Stuart and Caroline Stephen

  • We've done it!

    TOGETHER we've cracked it! Operation Covert has hit its £80,000 target and the new young people's activity centre at Rhydd Covert will open in three weeks. Two organisations came forward with substantial donations this week to cover the remaining £10,000

  • Dance mix is lined up

    A MIXTURE of live, filmed and mutlimedia dance awaits audiences at The Patrick Centre this week. New Vibes 2006 starts on Tuesday with different events featuring dance and film, and live music. The show has been created by award-winning choreographers

  • Canvassing for painters

    BUDDING artists looking to share their talents and ideas can join fellow painters at a new art circle. The Art Circle at the Jinney Ring meets on a weekly basis at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre in Hanbury on a Thursday or Friday morning from 9.30-11.30am

  • Wolves win place in British League

    JUST six years after forming, Worcester Wolves are preparing to play in front of thousands of fans on a weekly basis after being accepted into the British League -- the country's premier basketball competition. Following discussions three weeks ago, the

  • Solanki wins England one-day call

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S Twenty20 campaign has been dealt a blow by the news captain Vikram Solanki will miss up to three games after being called into the England one-day squad. Solanki has joined England, who have two more matches in their series with former

  • Worcs slip to opening defeat in Twenty20

    BRENDON McCullum and Michael Powell laid the foundation for Glamorgan's seven-wicket win in the Twenty20 Cup opener against Worcester-shire under the Cardiff floodlights last night. McCullum, the New Zealand wicketkeeper, shared in a second wicket stand

  • Harriers snap up former Magpie

    NOT many footballers plying their trade in the Nationwide Conference boast a career that in-cludes playing in the Premiership and Europe, but Kidderminster Har-riers' newest signing does. Former Newcastle United midfielder Jamie McClen has signed a one-year

  • Preece pins faith on his strike force

    WORCESTER City boss Andy Preece believes new recruit Craig Wilding offers the perfect complement to his current attacking options. The striker has agreed a one-year deal at St George's Lane and Preece is adamant he will bolster a strike force already

  • Lack of runs hits Boars hard again

    AN ALL too familiar batting collapse ensured that Bromsgrove CC slipped to a 28 run defeat at the hands of Water Orton in the Birmingham and District League Division One on Saturday. Bromsgrove have been suffering with the bat all season and were unable

  • 24/06/06 - Wardens whipped

    Kenilworth Wardens 219-6 Barnt Green 224-8 Barnt Green won by two wickets BARNT Green ended their losing run with a convincing victory over Kenilworth Wardens, as the title race in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division hotted up over the

  • 24/06/06 - Ombersley no match for promotion chasers

    Ombersley slipped to a 206 run defeat at the hands of title chasing Berkswell and Balsall on Saturday in the Birmingham and District League Division Three. Ombersley's opponents made 334-5, before they were bowled out for 128 by Berkswell. Ombersley face

  • I found first use of words 'alarm clock' and 'fountain pen'

    THE earliest references in the whole of the English language to the terms 'fountain pen and 'alarm clock' have been discovered in archives in Worcester. A vicar from Pershore uncovered the words in 17th Century wills at Worcestershire Library and History

  • People save ducklings after tumber down drain

    HEROIC residents have been praised after helping to save a family of ducklings. Wychavon District Council's dog warden, Pip Singleton, has thanked people who helped save the feathered family after they fell down a drain in Waterside, Evesham. The mother

  • Food firm is causing us traffic problems

    A COMPANY that supplied salad for the Queen's 80th birthday party has been criticised by local residents for being too big and attracting too much traffic. Kanes Foods, based in Middle Littleton, near Evesham, appeared in the Worcester News earlier this

  • 21/06/06 - Protherough is the man for Droitwich

    by Peter McKinney DROITWICH Spa RFC have named former player Dan Protherough as the new man in charge of first team affairs at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial Stadium. Protherough will be unveiled as the new head coach and introduced to the players this Thursday

  • 28/6/06 - New boy completes remarkable recovery

    GOALKEEPER Scott Bevan has put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Kidderminster Harriers -- completing a remarkable recovery from a horror injury. The former Southampton and MK Dons stopper received national exposure for the best and worst of reasons

  • New advert board for pubs and clubs

    PUBS and nightclubs in Worcester could be provided with a new advertising board to make up for a ban on them handing out flyers. The leader of Worcester City Council, Simon Geraghty, says he is keen to ensure the 'night-time economy' is not harmed by

  • Tell us how to spend cool quarter-million

    A GROUP of young people has been given control of more than a quarter of a million pounds to spend on people their own age. Worcestershire County Council's children and young people's strategic partnership has handed over responsibility for deciding how

  • Children turn their hands to building

    CHILDREN at a Worcester school learnt to look at the buildings around them in a new way after taking part in a variety of activities during national architects week. Headteacher Jeremy Howard said that the week of events had been such a great success

  • Andy joins Boars with backs agenda

    ANDY Johnson has been brought into sort out the backs at Bromsgrove as Director of Rugby Iain Hall completed the radical overhaul of the Finstall Park club's backroom staff. Johnson, who has coached at Moseley, has been named the Boars' backs coach for

  • 27/06/06 - Andy joins Boars with backs agenda

    ANDY Johnson has been brought into sort out the backs at Bromsgrove as Director of Rugby Iain Hall completed the radical overhaul of the Finstall Park club's backroom staff. Johnson, who has coached at Moseley, has been named the Boars' backs coach for

  • Twins give clients double the money

    THE art of double entry acccounting has been taken to another level by the Worcester firm of McKnights. Clients are getting double for their money because two members of the staff are identical twin brothers. Twenty-eight-year -old Mark and Kevin Smith

  • Objected

    WITHOUT due warning fairground travellers moved to Rubery Park at the back of Graham Crescent, Rubery. The smell from the diesel-fired generator - and the very obvious noise, made it difficult for the residents to open their windows in spite of the recent

  • Injured

    I WOULD like to thank everyone who came to my aid when I fell at the 143 bus stop at Bromsgrove bus station at midday on Wednesday, June 15. The appropriate department at the council has been informed and the uneven ground is being looked into. Pat Cooke

  • Swept away

    CONGRATULATIONS to Bromsgrove District Council! Late the other Wednesday morning a small road/path sweeper came along our road. I can't remember the last time I saw one here! However, the clean state of the road did not last long as approximately two

  • Not alone

    YOU'RE not alone Paul Byrne (Your View June 14). He is not the only one being ignored by Bromsgrove District Council/Bromsgrove District Housing Trust. We have been e-mailing both the environmental health department and senior housing officer and have

  • Space swap

    HAS anyone else any thoughts or complaints about Bromsgrove District Council's bright idea to swap a few of the mother and baby car parking spaces for extra disabled spaces (now they're charging the disabled parkers). I have tried to contact Steve Martin

  • Bit of space

    FOLLOWING on from Bella Patterson's recent letter, I too would ask fellow drivers for a bit of space as we all know parking is at a premium in Bromsgrove, so let's use it wisely. However, while I completely oppose the charges levelled on disabled and

  • Julie helped

    I HAVE no particular political leanings but when my son, who has special needs, was threatened with having his funding withdrawn by the LEA whilst undergoing the statementing process, thus meaning his exclusion from school, I wrote to nine various MPs