SUSTAINED serious illness and injury to staff has been blamed for another slump in the performance of Worcester City Council’s planning department. Less than half (44.4 per cent) of planning applications received were processed between July
EVESHAM ace Simon Andrews secured a podium finish in the Kings of Wanneroo race in Australia. Jonathan Rea won the overall event, but Andrews put in a strong performance to secure joint third with Australian rider Daniel Stauffer and Suzuki’s Ian Lowry
FUNDING from Europe could be used to save Droitwich’s brine baths in their traditional form. Droitwich’s Euro MP has now joined the fight to ensure the town’s brine baths are replaced. Following her support of the 2005 campaign to save Droitwich Lido
EVESHAM have received a bye into the fourth round of the RFU Junior Vase after six clubs were disqualified from the competition for fielding unregistered players in the second round. Due to the eliminations, there are two fewer fixtures in the third
CONCERNS have been raised about the possibility of an incinerator being built at Hartlebury, near Stourport-on-Severn. We reported yesterday on the unveiling of plans for the plant, which would turn unrecyclable waste from Worcestershire and Herefordshire
BACK-row tyro Matt Cox is poised to fill the void left by injuries to Worcester Warriors number eights Kai Horstmann and Netani Talei for Saturday’s LV Cup trip to Scarlets (3pm). The academy product impressed on loan at Championship side Birmingham
AN author has been appointed as the new writer in residence at Worcester University. Helena Attlee of Presteigne, Powys, is a non-fiction author who specialises in gardens. She writes specifically about the cultural history of gardens and the lives of
SCARLETS head coach Nigel Davies has brought back some of his big guns for Saturday’s LV Cup clash with Worcester Warriors. Following their 15-15 draw at Harlequins on Saturday, Davies has recalled number eight David Lyons for the clash in west Wales
WORCESTER Women’s six-match winning run came to an end in the Midlands Hockey League Premier Division. They fell 3-1 at home to a lively Leicester Seconds side but still lead the division by two points from Kettering. Worcester could only score once
A MUM hit who hit another woman with “hammer-fist” blows because she had slapped her brother-in-law’s face was advised by a magistrate to keep out of other people’s arguments. Carmel Panesh punched Jess-ica Rowberry in the face while she was sitting
WORCESTER Wolves Seconds beat Coalville Cougars 83-75 in an exciting English Basketball League Division Four match. Albert Ziwa was in fine form for Wolves as he made a number of long-range threes in 20-point tally. The hosts appeared to be well in
THE Upton community joined together to fill shoeboxes with festive gifts and wrap them ready to be sent to less privileged children across the world this Christmas. A shoebox workshop was held at Upton Baptist Church Hall on Friday as part of this year
A GREAT grandfather with a devastating lung disease does not need to tell young people not to smoke – they only have to look at him to see the damage it has done. Eiron Roberts gave up smoking 17 years ago when he suffered four heart attacks in one terrifying
GETTING totally immersed in a country’s culture has been proven to be one of the best ways to improve your knowledge of a language and feel more confident using a new skill. It can be very different from learning a language in a familiar classroom.
STOURPORT Hockey Club put their disappointing loss against Old Georgians to the back of their minds with a convincing 4-1 win over Whitchurch. Their visitors had sought to postpone the England Hockey League Men’s Conference West game, citing four of
ALLOTMENT-holders want tighter security measures after vandals broke in and damaged polytunnels. Users of the allotment at Perdiswell blame the unsecured perimeter for the problems. In the latest incident, Linda Smith, of Great Meadow, Warndon Vill-ages
AN Evesham shopkeeper has criticised county council highways staff for blocking disabled parking spaces during the town’s High Street enhancement scheme. Neil Cuthbert, who has owned the Mobility Centre in High Street, Evesham, for eight years
Families around the city such as the Clarke-Morris’ are clearly much more focused on recycling with each year that goes by. Support from the council in the form of campaigns such as Real Nappy Week and mobile phone recycling helps too. Recycling
SATURDAY WORCESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE Hallow WMC v Powick (P Abram); Northway v VBL Sports (L Croy); University of Worcester v Perrywood AFC (M Stephens); West Malvern TC v Martley Spurs (J Watson). KIDDERMINSTER LEAGUE Division One: Orton Vale
SATURDAY BODYKRAFT MIDLANDS MEN’S LEAGUE Midlands Division One: Nottingham v Worcester (2pm). West Midlands Premier Division: King’s Heath Pickwick v Evesham. Division One: Droitwich v Bromsgrove; Whitchurch v Kidderminster. Division Two: Leamington
PERSHORE shaped up with a 5-0 thumping of newcomers Dudley Knights in BodyKraft Men’s Hockey League West Midlands Division Two. Stephen Ridsdale slotted home the opener and Rob Handley added a second with a fine solo effort. Russell
SICK medical staff mean our mental health wards are understaffed, costing the NHS thousands every month and causing standards of care to slip, according to a “disappointing” new report. Bosses at Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS
SIR – At a coffee morning on November 29, the grand total of £350 was raised in aid of the proposed stained glass window for the Jenny Lind Chapel at the Old Infirmary site, Castle Street. My thanks to all helpers and many friends who came. MURIEL BALLINGER
Sir – The Worcester News writes again about the Pershore Day Centre being under threat of closure. Perhaps the people who say it should close just to save some money should think to themselves “There but for the Grace of God stand I”. Perhaps they
SIR – I cannot understand why the Government wastes so much money and time on these useless wind farms. Especially when there’s so much water around. We have the Severn, Teme, Avon and Wye. Each have weirs that could easily work turbines. How much better
SIR – May I, through your letters column thank everyone who supported us at the Bazaar in Kempsey on October 24. With some donations, we raised a total of £415 for the Midlands Air Ambulance. Grateful thanks to all who helped us, gave donations of goods
SIR – James Savage reports that although there are 60 community support officers in the south Worcestershire division of West Mercia Police, none have issued fixed penalty notices in 12 months. They have powers to do so for offences such as dog fouling
SIR – I wonder how many Worcestershire County Council transport officers have looked at the new bus timetables. I doubt any! I wish we could have the old-fashioned timetables back – at least you would be able to see various destinations of the routes
SIR – Regarding Droitwich to Worcester Royal Hospital on Sundays. There is still no direct public transport provision, but do look at my autumn compilation of ways to go hospital visiting, and returning, including the various costs. If you don’t have
A PERSON was killed on railway lines in Herefordshire today. West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to track near Leominster Railway station shortly before 8.45am. An ambulance spokesman confirmed that someone died at the scene. He said: "The crew
SIR – Clearly, there are great gaps in the knowledge of Stanley D Parr. In his letter of October 29, Mr Parr refers to “the rise of optimism and public wealth during the early 1930s,” ie in Britain. I think I have a longer memory than this correspondent
Sir – I have just finished reading the article in the Worcester News (Tuesday, November 3) with regard to illegal parking and parking restrictions in and around St John’s, especially around the university area. I have every sympathy with residents in
HOPKINS Kathleen Ann November, 11th 2008. One year ago today we lost a devoted wife, mother, nan, sister and soulmate. As each day passes our hearts still ache to have you here in our lives again. You were so brave and courageous in your illness right
INCE Geoff Passed away suddenly in hospital on November 5th, 2009 aged 70 years. Much loved husband of the late Janet. Funeral service at Worcester Crematorium on Tuesday, 17th November at 1 p.m. No flowers by request please, but donations to the British
GOODMAN Pete Formerly of Gheluvelt Court. Passed away on November 5th 2009, aged 83 years. Sadly missed by his Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchild and Brother. Funeral service at Worcester Crematorium on Friday, November 13th at 3 p.m. Family flowers
HEEKS Muriel Mue Passed away at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on October 31st, 2009, aged 84 years. A beloved wife to the late Len, a much loved mum to Eddie, Lyn, Mike and Kerrin and a dearly loved nan to Emily. Funeral service to take place at Worcester
HUGHES Glen Passed away at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on November 6th, 2009, aged 32 years. Much loved son of Billy and the late Sandra. Loving dad to Kira and brother to Mandy, Lisa and Nathan, and a wonderful uncle. Funeral service at Worcester Crematorium
CHAMBERLAIN Norman Sadly passed away at home on November 4th 2009, aged 61 years. Beloved husband of Linda and a dearly loved dad and grandad. Funeral service will take place at Worcester Crematorium on Monday, November 23rd at 2.30 p.m. Donations to
HEMPSTOCK Rose Passed away November 11th 2004. Also, Dad, Decmber 26th 1970. No more tomorrows for us to share, but yesterdays memories will always be there. Beryl, June, Sue and Families. Published in paper 11/11/2009 in Worcester News
WILSON Jean In loving memory of a dear mother and mother in law who passed away five years ago today. We will always love you, from your Son Michael, and Ann Cheltenham. Published in paper 11/11/2009 in Worcester News
ARCHITECTS are hoping new plans for flats on the site of a former restaurant will avoid fresh controversy. Developers have put in proposals to build five upmarket flats where the Little Sauce Factory, now Pete’s Restaurant, currently stands at the corner
AN incinerator which could turn household rubbish from Worcestershire and Herefordshire into electricity may be built at Hartlebury, near Stourport-on-Severn. The EnviRecover plant could generate enough power to serve a town the size of Kidderminster
CLIFTON-on-Teme street luge ace Will Stephenson has returned victorious from a World Cup meeting in Brazil. The 22-year-old extreme sports fanatic raced at speeds of up to 80mph in claiming a gold medal at the event in Teutonia in the South American
AWARD-winning Martyn Joseph, dubbed ‘The Welsh Springsteen’, is heading for Worcester as part of his autumn UK tour. The acclaimed singer-songwriter from Cardiff will return to the Huntingdon Hall stage on Tuesday, November 24. In demand on both sides
DOING the double over Dorchester has to be our aim now after a poor few days at St George’s Lane. Not getting anything from the games against Welling United and Chelmsford City was disappointing. They were two contrasting performances but the
CRICKET legend Sir Ian Botham will pass through Worcester during a charity walk to celebrate 25 years of raising funds for Leukaemia Research. The former Worcestershire and England all-rounder will be dusting off his trainers once more for
Sir – So, about 800 bicycles have been stolen in the city in three years. At a very conservative estimate that’s about £150,000 worth of goods. The result? 19 convictions and slaps on the wrist for other offenders. The solutions offered?
Sir – Being close to retirement age and registered disabled I am appalled that from the middle of this month I will be unable to park my car outside my own house during the day. This, apparently, is to improve bus services in the area and to assist our
SIR – The omnipotent swine flu virus is rarely out of the headlines, but your recent article (Worcester News, November 3) tried way too hard to maintain the pandemic fear level. Bacterial viruses? Bacteria developing into killer viruses?
SIR – Mike Foster MP is spinning again when he draws attention to the out-dated buildings in Castle Street and Ronkswood as though their replacement was impossible without a PFI deal (Worcester News, November 3). PFI debts cannot be refinanced without
People working or shopping in Worcester city centre will fall silent at 11am today to mark Armistice Day. Members from the Royal British Legion will join Canon Paul Tongue to lay wreaths at the war memorial outside Worcester Cathedral.
WORCESTER City Amateur Boxing Club middleweight Adam Harper claimed a points victory over Lee Jones, of Towy ABC, at the Hereford Shirehall. Boxing for the first time in a Worcester vest, Harper brought an unbeaten record of four wins from his time with
AT 11am on November 11, 1919, the nation joined together at the request of King George the Fifth in a two-minute silence to remember the fallen of the Great War that had ended a year before. Ninety years later this morning’s silence is as important
THE sacrifice of a young Worcester soldier who died in the trenches following a tragic accident will be remembered alongside other casualties of war. The name of Sergeant Fred Carter is one of many on the war memorial outside St Martin’s Church
WORCESTER City chairman Anthony Hampson has vowed to take seriously a petition calling for Dave Boddy’s removal from the club’s board of directors. Hampson was presented with the document, which has been signed by 352 supporters, by organiser
A SCHOOL has celebrated the refurbishment of its new hall with an open day. Staff and pupils at Eckington First School, near Pershore, proudly opened their doors to the community so they were able to see the transformation of the new hall. About 90
A WOMAN who smashed a bottle in her ex-partner’s face after an argument in a pub beer garden has been found guilty of causing actual bodily harm. Laura Lock had been in a “violent” relationship with Gavin Young for about five years, Worcester
University of Worcester professor Richard White, right, completed a 45-mile sponsored bike ride less than a year after heart surgery. He cycled from Tintagel to Truro in Cornwall, raising £2,300 for HeartSWell South West. He is pictured getting a cheque
WORCESTER’S Magic Whiteboard team was joined at the Baby Show in London’s Earl’s Court by one of its Dragons’ Den investors Deborah Meaden, for the launch of the company’s latest product the Magic Blackout Blind. This is a quick and easy way to completely
A GROUP of Worcestershire businesses have come together to launch a new website aimed at helping small businesses in the county develop and grow. The internet portal of Worcester and Droitwich Small Business Support Group (worcesterbusinesssupport.info
YOUNG politicians from Worcestershire have helped make history in the House of Commons. The youngsters travelled to Westminster and championed the causes that matter most to them in the House of Commons. UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) members Ario Bagheri
The Ladies in Business Worcester networking meeting at St Mary’s Convent School was attended by 55 business women. The charity raffle raised £225 for the Worcestershire Breast Care Campaign, and the first prize was a personal training session with Worcester
THE latest young candidates for the Youth Parliament are preparing to pen their manifestos. Worcestershire's next generation of politicians will move a step closer to representing their views on a local, regional and national level this month
WITH a final effort, a big-hearted walker single-handedly raised £3,000 for new wheelchairs. Mark Grooms, of Monarch Drive, in St John’s, Worcester was greeted by supporters 79 miles away in Somerset after a determined walk in aid of city adults with
DAY THRRE IT’S not just at home that the Clarke-Morris family, from Norton, near Worcester, thinks about recycling. At the girls’ local first school, recycling is high profile and much encouraged, with bins and information around the school site.
