Events in and around Worcester and where to find them

n July 9: New monthly ballroom, Latin and sequence evening at The Greig Centre, Kin Warton Road, Alcester. Licensed bar. Telephone Brian or Philomena on 01905 454338 to book a table or 01789 400073 for directions and further details. All welcome.

n July 9 and every Friday: Country Western Partner Dancing at Whitbourne Village Hall, all levels welcome including beginners, for further details telephone Jeff and Thelma on 01886 821772.

n July 9: DJ Ape 11 will be delivering a selection of chilled beats, cosmic jazz, funk and African grooves in the Octagon Bar above St Ann's Well Caf on the eastern slopes of the Malvern Hills. Doors open at 7pm and entry is free. For further information telephone Rob McDowall on 01684 560285.

July 10: Food and folk at Rushwick Village Hall, Rushwick, (no bookings necessary). Enquiries to Eddie on 01905 425651.

July 10: Whitbourne village fete with school sports day and flower show at Whitbourne Church. All welcome. Come along and join in the fun.

July 10: Karaoke and disco at Westside Club, Hylton Road, Worcester, with your favourite compare Dave. Come along and have a good night out. Free admission, all welcome. For further details telephone 01905 429300. (Find us at the back of the Evening News building, turn left and drive down to the bottom).

July 10: Jumble sale in aid of Herdington Church at the Old Library, Ombersley Street, Droitwich. All welcome.

n July 10: Brian and Philomena invite you to a ballroom, Latin and sequence evening, in aid of St Richard's Hospice. Dancing to Brian's Supersounds at St John's Sports Centre, Worcester. Licensed bar. Telephone Brian or Philomena on 01905 454338 to book a table.

July 10: Summer fair at Saint George's Church, Saint George's Square, Worcester. Opening ceremony midday by James McDonald (BBC TV presenter). Come along and join in the fun.

July 10: Ramblers Association Worcester Group is meeting at the Little Hereford Church for an easy but energetic eight-mile walk to include Brimfield, Ashford Carbonell and Little Hereford. For further details telephone Cedric on 01905 779872.

July 10: Broadheath Primary School Summer Fete. Tombola, barbecue, rodeo bull ride. Fun for all the family. All welcome.

July 10: Grand summer fair at St Michael's Church, Burleigh Road, Dines Green, Worcester. Activities for all the family.

n July 10: Come along to Christopher Whitehead School, Bromwich Road, Worcester for a night of rock 'n' roll featuring Class of 58 and Chas McDevitt, plus support disco. Everyone welcome. Admission on the door. Bring your own refreshments. For further details telephone Gerry on 01905 21313 or 07811 045210.

July 10: Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter table top sale at Holt Village Hall. Lots of bargains. All welcome. For further information telephone 01905 830014.

July 11: Fun day at The Arboretum Inn, Northfield Street, Worcester. Fun for all the family. Come along and help raise money for Acorns Children's Hospice. For further details telephone Mr Curran on 01905 611227.

July 11: Powick Parish Ramblers are meeting at Church Lench Church for a five- mile walk. For further details telephone 01905 830256.

July 11: Rushwick & Upper Wick Garden Club Annual Open Gardens for Charity. Admission by programme which will be available outside the school on the day. All proceeds to The Noah's Ark Trust and Acorns. For further details telephone 01905 421115.

July 12 and every Monday: Country Western Line Dancing at Whitbourne Village Hall, all levels welcome including beginners, for further details telephone Jeff and Thelma on 01886 821772.

July 12: Timberdine Machine Knitting Club meet at the Timberdine Rest Home, Timberdine Avenue, Worcester. New members welcome. Contact Linda on 01684 593344 or email stananna@tiscali.co.uk for further details.

July 13: Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Family Support Group are meeting at Perdiswell Young Peoples Leisure Club, Perdiswell, Worcester, with speaker Dr Ruth White, consultant adult psychiatrist for Worcestershire NHS. Contact Caroline Causier on 01905 455191 for further details.

July 13: Worcester and Malvern Members Group of the RSPB are meeting at The Fox and Hounds, Lulsley for a three- mile morning walk through the northern end of Suckley Hills. For further details telephone Mike Stephens on 01905 820891.

July 14: Take Two, social group for the unattached is meeting at The Portobello, Bransford Road, Worcester. For further details telephone 01905 427281 or 330209.

July 14 and every Wednesday: Ballroom and sequence dancing with Brian's Supersounds, at Droitwich British Legion, Salwarpe Road, Droitwich. Licensed bar. For further enquiries telephone 01905 770080. Members and bonafide guests.

July 14: Live Wyres, social singles are meeting at the Old Leaking Well, Dunhampton. For further details telephone Chris 01299 824619.

July 14 and every Wednesday: Country Western Line Dancing at Martley Village Hall, all levels welcome including beginners, for further details telephone Jeff and Thelma on 01886 821772.

July 15: Evening Primrose Bereavement Support Service is meeting at United Reformed Church, Albany Terrace, Worcester. For further details telephone 01905 26966

July 15: Ramblers Association Worcester Group is meeting at the A438 lay-by, a short distance from the Hobnails Inn for a moderately demanding 7 mile walk through pleasant countryside near Tewkesbury. For further details telephone Sandra on 01386 556543.

July 16: Brian and Philomena would like to invite you to practice your ballroom and Latin skills at Fernhill Heath Memorial Hall, Worcester (A38 between Droitwich and Worcester) to Brian's Supersounds. Bring your own refreshments. For further details and table reservations, telephone Brian or Philomena on 01905 454338.

July 16 and every Friday: Country Western Partner Dancing at Whitbourne Village Hall, all levels welcome including beginners, for further details telephone Jeff and Thelma on 01886 821772.

July 16: Caesar's Cabaret Venue presents a Night of Comedy with a tribute to Billy Connolly, plus supporting disco. For further details telephone 01905 429300, Caesar's Cabaret Venue, Westside, Hylton Road, Worcester (find us at the back of the Evening News building, turn left and drive down to the bottom).

July 17: Ramblers Association Worcester Group is meeting at Rectory Lane, Cradley, for an 8-mile walk in the direction of Storridge and Birchwood. For further details telephone Doug on 01905 451125.

July 17: Paul and Enid invite you to Come Dancing, in aid of County Air Ambulance, at Dyson Perrins CE High School, Malvern. For further details and bookings telephone 01684 574741.

July 17: Hanley Swan Village Hall Fete at Quaker's Farm, Welland Road. All proceeds in aid of village hall. For further details telephone 01684 310272. All welcome.

July 17: Midlands Area Stag Owners Club 25th Anniversary Summer Extravaganza at Lower Bentley Farm, Lower Bentley, Bromsgrove. Classic Cars and competitions, craft demonstrations and fair etc. Tickets available on the day, children under 14 free.

July 17: Gardeners' Market, good selection of plants, many unusual, at Church Room, Upton upon Severn. All welcome. Admission free.

July 17: Brian and Philomena invite you to an evening of Ballroom and sequence dancing at Powick Village Hall, Powick, Worcester. Bring your own refreshments. Telephone Brian or Philomena on 01905 454338 for further details.

July 18: Farmers' Market at Welland Village Hall, Worcestershire. Come along and purchase your local season fruit and veg preserves, eggs, cheese, wines, breads, sausages and much more. For further details telephone Anne Mietke on 07730 326945 or visit www.worcestershirefarmersmarkets.net

July 18: The Fifth Reunion of the former pupils and staff of Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Bromyard at Bromyard Leisure Centre. Tickets, including buffet, can be obtained from Barbara Bullock on 01905 451469.

July 18: Holy Trinity and St Matthews' Church, Ronkswood - Thanksgiving Service for work on the Drum. Preacher The Ven Dr Joy Tetley, Archdeacon of Worcester. All welcome.

July 18: Worcester and District Model Engineers are meeting at the club in Waverley Street, Diglis for a running day. For further details telephone 01905 452063.

July 19: Powick Parish Ramblers are meeting at Old Hills second car park for a four-mile walk. For further details telephone 01905 830256.

July 19 and every Monday: Country Western Line Dancing at Whitbourne Village Hall, all levels welcome including beginners, for further details telephone Jeff and Thelma on 01886 821772.

July 20: Evening Primrose Bereavement Support Service is meeting at United Reformed Church, Albany Terrace, Worcester. For further details telephone 01905 26966.

July 20: Live Wyres, social singles are meeting at The Gilt Edge Social Club Lounge Bar, Zortech Avenue, Kidderminster. For further details telephone Chris 01299 824619.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES

Worcester: Guildhall, High Street (01905 726311).

Bromsgrove: 26 Birmingham Road (01527 831809).

Droitwich Heritage Centre: St Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich (01905 774312).

Evesham: The Almonry Heritage and Tourist Information Centre, Abbey Gate (01386 446944).

Malvern Tourist Information Centre: 21 Church Street, Malvern (01684 892289).

Upton Tourist Information Centre: (01684 594200).

PLACES TO VISIT

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, timber-frame houses, mission church and the National Telephone Kiosk Collection. Contact for opening times (01527 831886/831363).

Bevere Vivis Gallery and Picture Framers: Exhibitions by local up-and-coming professional artists, one-day art and craft courses for adults and children. Contact for opening times (01905 754484).

Bewdley Museum and Tourist Information Centre. Load Street, Bewdley. Wyre woodland crafts and industries, daily demonstrations of rope and clay pipe making. Please ring for details of opening times (01299 403573).

Burford House Gardens, Burford, Tenbury Wells. Rare trees, shrubs, clematis, roses, herbaceous plants. Coffee shop open every day. Ring for opening times. (01584 810777).

Cider Museum and King Offa Distillery, Hereford (off A438 to Brecon). Explore the fascinating heritage of cider making. Please ring for details of opening times (01432 354207).

Commandery, Civil War Centre, Sidbury, Worcester. Charles II's Royalist Headquarters during the Battle of Worcester in 1651. 16th and 17th Century period rooms and Civil War museum. Special events all year. Ring for opening times. (01905 361821).

Conquest Theatre, Bromyard. For current programme (01885 488575) and see local press.

Croft Castle, near Leominster. Restored 14th Century mansion in 1,400-acre estate. Iron Age fort of Croft Ambrey nearby. Please ring for opening times. Tearoom available (01568 780246).

Dean Forest Railway, Lydney, Glos. Locos, coaches, wagons. Shop and museum open daily Easter to Christmas. Open daily for static display. Steam train rides as advertised. Talking timetable (01594 843423).

Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre, St Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa. Two thousand-year history of Droitwich from the Iron Age settlement to the present day spa town. Ring for opening times. (01905 774312).

Eastnor Castle -- Georgian fairytale castle stands at the end of the Malvern Hills. Lavish interiors, surrounded by an arboretum, deer park and lake. For opening times (01531 633160).

Elgar's Birthplace Museum, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, near Worcester. Cottage where Elgar was born in 1857, now museum. Ring for opening times. (01905 333224).

Green Badge Guide Walks. Ring for opening times. Parties/groups and other times by arrangement. Cost, adults £3, children under 12 free with accompanying parent. (01905 726311 or 07890222117).

Greyfriars, Friar Street, Worcester. National Trust House. Late 15th Century timber-framed town house with walled garden. Ring for opening times. (01905 23571).

Hagley Hall. Palladian home of the Viscount Cobham, built 1760, in 350-acre parkland setting. For times of opening (01562 882408).

Hanbury Hall, School Road, nr Droitwich. Red-brick, Wren-style house with painted ceilings, porcelain collection and Dutch flower pictures. Ring for opening times. (01527 821214).

Harvington Hall, near Kidderminster. Moated mediaeval and Elizabethan manor house famous for its priest holes and unique wall paintings. Ring for opening times. (01562 777846).

Hellens, Much Marcle. 600-year-old mansion. Pictures, tapestries, armour, carriages and pleasant gardens. Ring for opening times. Contact Nick Stephens (01531 660504).

Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, Broad Street, Hereford. Archaeology, social history, natural history, decorative art and fine art. Temporary exhibitions. Please contact for opening times. (01432 260692).

Herefordshire Waterworks Museum. Broomy Hill, off A49 in Hereford. Diesel pumping engines, horse-drawn fire engine, pumps and gauges for visitors to work. For opening times (01432 361147).

Huntingdon Arts and Swan Theatre. Chris Jaeger, CrownGate/Moor Street, Worcester. Tel (01905 611427).

Ledbury Craft Centre: 1 High Street, Ledbury, Herefordshire. Gift shop, picture framing, craft books. Please contact for opening times. Coach parties welcome (01531 634566).

Lower Brockhampton, near Bromyard. Late 14th Century moated manor house with 15th Century gatehouse. Contact for opening times (01885 488099).

Ludlow Castle, Shropshire. Magnificent 11th-16th Century castle. Please contact for opening times. (01584 873355).

Malvern Museum. Abbey Gateway, Malvern. Featuring the history and development of Malvern. Please contact for opening times. (01684 567811).

Malvern Priory Church. Church Street, Malvern. Benedictine foundation priory church of early Norman and Perpendicular architecture. Open daily, please contact for opening times (01684 561020).

The Malvern Theatres. (Including Festival Theatre, Forum and Cinema). (Box office 01684 892277. Admin 01684 569256). For current programme see also Evening News, Worcester/Malvern Gazette.

The Museum of Worcester Porcelain, Severn Street, Worcester. Please ring for opening times. (01905 746000).

Museum of Local Life (Tudor House), Friar Street, Worcester. Museum in 500-year-old buildings containing displays of Worcester's history. Please ring for opening times. (01905 722349).

Old Grammar School, Ledbury, Heritage centre in Church Lane. Please contact for opening times. (01531 636147).

Pershore Abbey, Pershore. Decorated vaulting, intricately-carved bosses, fine Norman architecture. Please ring for opening times. (01386 561520).

Ragley Hall, Alcester. 17th Century home of Marquis and Marchioness Hertford. Gardens, park, adventure wood and country trail. House, garden and park. Contact for opening times. (01789 762090).

Ravenshill Woodland Reserve, Alfrick, near Worcester. Private woodlands, picnic area, waymarked trails. Contact for opening times. (01886 821661).

Royal Worcester Ltd, Severn Street, Worcester. The oldest continuous porcelain factory still in production. Museum -- largest collection of Worcester Porcelain in the world. Museum and a variety of shops. Guided tours. Also family restaurant. Ring for opening times. (01905 746000).

Severn Valley Railway Station, Bewdley. 16 miles of nostalgic steam travel along Severn Valley to Bridgnorth. Steam trains daily. Station open all year. Santa Steam specials each Please ring for all opening times. Steam locomotive footplate duties (learn to drive a train) (01299 403816).

Spetchley Gardens (Charitable Trust), Spetchley, near Worcester. Thirty-acre garden with rare trees, shrubs and plants, red and fallow deer. Please ring for opening times. (01905 345213).

Tewkesbury Abbey, Church Street, Tewkesbury. Dates from Norman period. Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Please ring for opening times. Admission Free. Guided tours of Abbey and tower. For details and bookings contact (01684 850959).

New Visitors Centre with refectory and exhibitions. Refectory (01684 273736).

Abbey Shop 9.30-5pm. For information (01684 276655).

Warwick Castle, Warwick: Set in 60 acres of grounds. State rooms, armoury, dungeons, torture chambers. Open all year daily Please ring for opening times. Tel (0870 4422000).

n Wychbold, Droitwich: 50 acres of gardening, leisure and pleasure, inspirational gardens, gift shop. Please ring for all opening times. Tel (01527 860000).

West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, Bewdley. Drive around wild animal safari. Pets' corner, live sows. Amusement area featuring Zambezi Water Splash ride. Please ring for opening times. (01299 402114).

Witley Court and the famous St Michael's Baroque Church by James Gibbs, Gt Witlcy, Stourport-on-Severn. Great Witley, near Worcester. The court is a ruined Italianate mansion and grounds, once the home of the Earls of Dudley. Contact for opening times. Refreshments and toilets available (01299 896636).

Worcester Cathedral. Dates from 11th Century, contains tomb of King John, fine cloisters and crypt. Guided tours by arrangement. contact Deputy Stewart (01905 28854). Please ring for opening times.

Volunteers always required, contact Mark Glossop (01905 333265).

Worcester City Museum and Art Gallery. Foregate Street, Worcester. Includes exciting programme of temporary art exhibitions, River Severn Gallery, 19th Century chemist shop and the museums of the Worcestershire Regiment and Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry. Cafe, shop. Toilets. Access for disabled. (01905 25371).

Worcester Garden Centre, Droitwich Road, Worcester: Open all year. Please ring for all opening times. (01905 451231).

Worcester Guildhall, High Street. Queen Anne building. Assembly Room. Restaurant and facilities. Please ring for all opening times. (01905 723471).

Worcester Racecourse, Pitchcroft. One hundred acres with tree-lined promenade beside River Severn. For race dates (01905 25364) or see Evening News.

Worcester Woods Country Park, Wildwood Drive. Free access to public to more than 100 hectares of woodland and meadows. Exhibits, refreshments, room for hire. Please ring for opening times. (01905 766493).

Worcestershire County Cricket Club, New Road. For match fixtures (01905 748474) or see Evening News.

Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury Castle, nr Kidderminster is housed in North Wing of Hartlebury Castle. Home of the Bishops of Worcester for over 1,000 years. Ring for opening Times. (01299 250416).