AMBULANCE crews are working 15-hour double shifts to keep the chronically under-staffed service afloat. High sickness levels are forcing some crews to take extra shifts to provide cover for South Worcestershire. Ambulance union leaders say the beds' crisis
A STRATEGY to ease pressure on Worcester Royal Infirmary is paying off, it was claimed today. Assurances were given three days after a senior nurse at Ronkswood described conditions in the casualty department as "chaotic", as ambulances queued for up
A 27-YEAR-OLD man was due to appear at Worcester magistrates court today charged with rape. Richard Anthony Miles Bawden has been in custody following an incident which allegedly took place in the city's Gheluvelt Park on Sunday, August 27.
A WIDOWED mother of a child with behavioural problems says she does not know how she will get him to school this week, after education chiefs refused her bid for free transport. Betty Faulkner, who lives in Dines Green, says that her nine-year-old son
PROPOSALS to alter the way Worcester City Council works are to be debated openly for the first time this week. A working party will meet at the Guildhall on Wednesday evening to consider whether a single-party "cabinet" of senior councillors should draft
TROUBLED high street giant C&A has put a date on the closure of its Worcester outlet. The CrownGate-based store will cease trading on Saturday, January 13, 2001, with the loss of 24 jobs. Fashion chain New Look has already announced it will take up
ALMOST one in five people in Worcestershire is more than 65 years old and that figure is growing. And while the proportion of people aged over 75 and 85 is a lot smaller, at 7.1 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively, these percentages are rising at an
A DEVASTATED war veteran who found his camera had no film in it after an emotional pilgrimage to the beaches of Dunkirk is set to retrace his steps. Percy Williams said he was shattered when he realised the camera used to take photographs during the anniversary
WHILE disconcerting tales of dipping morale, lengthening queues and the confidence-sapping diversion of ambulances continue to reach the Evening News, county health officials are keen for us to anticipate other things. Matters like the Royal Infirmary's
NEW signing Carl Tranter is poised to make his home debut for resurgent Worcester City in tonight's Dr Martens League Premier Division home clash with Clevedon Town (7.45). The former Kingstonian and Bridgnorth striker was a last-minute signing before
FORMER table-toppers Worcestershire Royals are facing the threat of relegation from the Norwich Union National League Division One after crashing to a disappointing two-wicket defeat against Lancashire Lightning at New Road yesterday. The bottom-of-the-table
VIKRAM Solanki again confirmed his rich potential with another masterly unbeaten 57 in the rain-affected Championship draw against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. In a game in which almost a days play was lost because of rain, Worcestershire were never in
TRACK improvements total-ling more than £100,000 have been carried out at Hereford Racecourse. Runners and riders will be under starting orders next week for first meeting of the season. Refurbishment includes a brand new mile long all weather canter
FORMER table-toppers Worcestershire Royals are facing the threat of relegation from the Norwich Union National League Division One after crashing to a disappointing two-wicket defeat against Lancashire Lightning at New Road yesterday. The bottom-of-the-table
ORGANISATIONS such as Claines Action Group have never stopped muttering that plans are afoot to extend Worcester's orbital road between St John's and the northern suburbs. Assuming they are right, I wonder if a new stretch of road would be single or dual
MALVERN Rugby Club sent out a warning to Midland Division One rivals with a convincing 36-5 victory over Newport on Saturday. Last season's Midland Division Two champions began in fine style with a free-flowing display to which visitors Newport had no
I ENTIRELY agree with your editorial (Monday, August 21) that we should all, where at all possible, count our blessings. After nearly a third of my life in and out of hospital with manic depression, I have now lived alone in Warndon for more than 20 years
J A Daniels chooses to try and discredit my account of appalling poverty I once encountered in premises in Lich Street. (You Say, August 10). He may be assured that the facts were exactly as related. They referred to one particular dwelling and no other
OVER the past few weeks, you have published a number of letters regarding asylum seekers most of which have been hostile to their presence in this country. There are good bad and indifferent among any nationality that you care to mention, it's simply
THE arithmetic of the euro argument is actually quite simple. It's only Mr Margrett who is trying to complicate it and pull the wool over your readers' eyes. Visible trade is very important, but no kind of argument for the euro as Mr Margrett pretends
TAIL-backs on the M5 delayed the kick-off in Evesham United's FA Cup preliminary round clash with Bideford at Common Road for nearly two hours. Referee Phil Jones stopped the afternoon degenerating into farce and agreed to start the game at 4.45pm, but
NEW signing Carl Tranter is poised to make his home debut for resurgent Worcester City in tonight's Dr Martens League Premier Division home clash with Clevedon Town (7.45). The former Kingstonian and Bridgnorth striker was a last-minute signing before
ADRIAN Skeggs believes Worcester Rugby Club's latest signing will give his side the mean streak they need to clinch promotion. The Sixways director of coaching has signed Mohamed Benbouhout on a one-year contract after the French Under-21 international
SAMUEL Pepys was a man who looked out of his London window and saw England's destiny unfurl before his eyes. Few can have been as blessed as this most revered of chroniclers, this man who committed his thoughts to paper during an age when the foundations
Haydn - Anno 1776 Sonatas Ronald Brautigam, piano THIS is a cracking little CD. I know I rarely really hate a record reviewed here, but also rarely do I love one. But this is marvellous. It doesn't have grandiose sweeping themes or terrific tenors and
Secret Agent: The True Story of the Special Operations Executive by David Stafford (BBC Worldwide, £16.99) IN 1940, Britain stood alone as Europe lay under the heel of the Nazi jackboot. As the British stared invasion in the face, a group of unconventional
WORCESTER witnessed a riot on its streets this week 200 years ago as mobs stormed local bakers' shops in protest at a dire shortage of bread. It came at the peak of public protests and anger over severe nationwide shortages of essential supplies such
BROMSGROVE started their Midlands West Two campaign in style with a morale-boosting 21-18 victory at Belgrave. Dave Wilkinson, Neil Brighton and David Bridge were the try scorers while Matt Birch kicked three conversions on Saturday. Rob Kyle and Darren
PLANS to develop Worcester's Lychgate shopping precinct are a "non-starter" because of its multi-storey car park, it has been claimed. Worcester City Council planning officers hope the area around Sainsbury's and the Giffard Hotel will be revamped. The
A DEVASTATED war veteran who found his camera had no film in it after an emotional pilgrimage to the beaches of Dunkirk is set to retrace his steps. Percy Williams said he was shattered when he realised the camera used to take photographs during the anniversary
AUTOGRAPH hunters were out in force when Worcester author Dilip Sarkar launched his latest book about the Battle of Britain - in the year of its 60th anniversary commemoration. The third in his Kaleidoscope series contains snapshots taken by pilots in
PARENTS of a firefighter killed in a blaze at Sun Valley Foods will attend a memorial service for their son this weekend. Bernard and Joy Davies will gather at the National Firefighters Service of Remembrance in London to pay tribute to Leominster fireman
VIKRAM Solanki again confirmed his rich potential with another masterly unbeaten 57 in the rain-affected Championship draw against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. In a game in which almost a days play was lost because of rain, Worcestershire were never in
DEFENDER Lee Knight capped another fine display with two goals to help take Redditch United through to the next round of the FA Cup. The former Blakenall centre half grabbed a goal in each half to seal a 3-2 victory over Northern Counties East League
VIKRAM Solanki was obviously delighted when he became the first Worcestershire player this season to complete 1,000 first-class runs -- but he's convinced he should have done it quicker! The stylish 24-year-old reached the magical milestone during last
ADRIAN Skeggs believes Worcester Rugby Club's latest signing will give his side the mean streak they need to clinch promotion. The Sixways director of coaching has signed Mohamed Benbouhout on a one-year contract after the French Under-21 international
MALVERN Rugby Club sent out a warning to Midland Division One rivals with a convincing 36-5 victory over Newport on Saturday. Last season's Midland Division Two champions began in fine style with a free-flowing display to which visitors Newport had no
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians Rugby Club warmed up for their NPI Cup clash with Shrewsbury with a convincing 33-0 home victory over Kings Norton at Marlpool Lane on Saturday. Despite playing without any recognised centres, KCs proved too strong for the visitors
Epsom trainer Brett Johnson continues to do well with limited resources and Butrinto can serve up another reminder of the Australian's skills in the Showcase event at Lingfield tomorrow, the Tote Quick Pick Stakes. The six-year-old has been in good form
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians Rugby Club warmed up for their NPI Cup clash with Shrewsbury with a convincing 33-0 home victory over Kings Norton at Marlpool Lane on Saturday. Despite playing without any recognised centres, KCs proved too strong for the visitors
HUMAN cloning is one of the topics councillors in Malvern have been asked to consider this month. Trevor Norton, the head of policy and review at Worcestershire County Council, has circulated a series of questions to the Malvern Area Joint Councillor
The one bright spot to come out of the disappointing loss to Kent the previous Sunday was the opening partnership and, in particular, James Pipe's role in it. Ever since extra fielding restrictions have been imposed at the start of an innings, batting
Saturday, September 4, 2000 HEREFORD United have now won their their first three away games of the season for the first time following their 3-0 victory in the Nationwide Conference at Kingfield on Saturday. Following wins at Kettering and Hayes, the
SUPERMARKETS aren't necessarily so super, at least when votes are concerned. As with everything else, the Government wants to modernise elections and in May this year encouraged authorities to start experimenting. It suggested innovations such as putting
A LATE Sean Cotterill goal gave Malvern Town their first victory of the season in the Banks's Brewery League Premier Division, 3-2 at Brierley Hill Town. Richard Congrave fired them in front in the 15th minute, and 10 minutes later Simon Judge capitalised
WOULD you kindly allow me to thank both gentleman, Mr D E Margrett and Mr John Hinton for their kind words. They were much appreciated. E COPSON, High Street, Droitwich, Worcs.
I HAVE nothing but respect for D E Margrett. Although I certainly don't agree with a few of the views he puts forward it all makes for interesting and sometimes lively debate. Long may this man contribute. D PARKER. Worcester.
IN answer to N Taylor's letter of August 25, I don't suppose it crossed his mind that most people might think that park-and-ride is a good idea. A Conservative voting friend of mine said that it worked very well in Norwich, so why not Worcester? As for
WHY not take the plunge? Ockenden International works in Africa and Asia, helping survivors of war and famine to put their lives back together. You can help by fulfilling a lifetime ambition or just by having some fun because Ockenden is looking for people
Mr Carry On: The Life and Work of Peter Rogers, by Morris Bright and Robert Ross (BBC Worldwide, £15.99) THEY became an institution as British as roast beef, warm beer and cricket on the village green. The snooty intelligentsia may have mocked and rebuked
Saturday, September 4, 2000 BROMSGROVE Rovers early season generosity continued as they again let a lead slip to draw 1-1 in their FA Cup preliminary round match against Sutton Coldfield Town at Coles Lane. Just like on Monday, when visitors Blakenall
WORCESTERSHIRE'S business leaders plan to confront the issue of the euro at a major debate held by the Institute of Directors. The IoD claims its members in the region are still undecided about whether Britain should join the new currency. And many company
HUNDREDS flocked to choose fresh local produce at Worcester's new farmers' market at the weekend. City Centre manager Georgia Smith said even that before the Royal Worcester building opened at 10am on Sunday, customers were waiting at the doors. "The
THE best of Britain's speciality food producers have gathered together to promote themselves in a new virtual farmers' market. FoodUK.com, the brainchild of Herefordshire farmer Richard Vaughan, is home to food companies from cheese specialists in the
September 2, 2000 KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Jan Molby admitted to being bitterly disappointed with his side's performance in Saturday's 1-0 Nationwide Division Three defeat by Carlisle United at Aggborough. "We never put them under any sort of pressure
Saturday, September 2, 2000 CRISIS? What crisis? Anyone who thought Worcester City had serious problems following their Bank Holiday disaster was confounded by an impressive 4-2 win at Ilkeston Town on Saturday. City, who were a shambles at Merthyr, looked
DROITWICH Rugby Club claimed the notable scalp of Bedworth on Saturday with a 13-10 home victory. Their visitors play a league above Droitwich and showed their quality in patches in a bruising but entertaining encounter. Bedworth made the early running
BROMSGROVE Rovers early season generosity continued as they again let a lead slip to draw 1-1 in their FA Cup preliminary round match against Sutton Coldfield Town at Coles Lane. Just like on Monday, when visitors Blakenall were allowed back into the
