A CHRISTMAS fire that left more than a dozen Moreton residents homeless a year ago has spurred housing managers to press home the need for people to insure their home contents. Work is only now coming to an end to rebuild the flats at Dunstall House a
HUNDREDS of hunt supporters from across the Cotswolds took part in a mass protest outside the Houses of Parliament last week. Coachloads of hunt staff and supporters travelled to London to take part in the demonstration which was timed to coincide with
THOUSANDS dreaming of a white Christmas finally had their wish come true today when Herefordshire and Worcestershire woke to a blanket of snow six inches deep in places. Evening News weatherman Paul Damari said two-a-half inches fell in most of the county
MOTORISTS are being promised it will be "all systems snow" in the next few days as an Arctic chill continues to grip the county. Worcestershire County Council is not obliged to grit roads, following a High Court ruling earlier this year. But lorries have
DETECTIVES investigating a stabbing in a Worcester alleyway are searching for an eight-inch knife used in the attack. A 22-year-old man spent Christmas Day in intensive care with a serious stomach wound after the fight near Tramps nightclub in the city's
A TEENAGE girl is recovering today after being indecently assaulted in Worcester. The 15-year-old was walking along Berwick Street - which links Bath Road and Diglis Lane - at 5.30pm yesterday when her attacker grabbed her and told her she had "a lovely
TWO swans are fighting for their lives today after being attacked by "uncontrollable" dogs on Worcester racecourse. A furious Jan Harrigan, of Swan Rescue in Wychbold, said five others had been mauled to death on Christmas Eve. "The police rang us to
A RETIRED vicar from Droitwich Spa with a weekly income of £100 has been told to pay a High Court bill of more than £5,000. The Rev Ronald Waters was saddled with the debt after persisting with what a judge branded an "utterly hopeless" challenge to development
POLICE ranks in the two counties are expected to swell after almost 300 people showed an interest in joining up. New figures released yesterday revealed that West Mercia Police received 276 enquiries during the first stage of a nationwide recruitment
WHEN friends and family gather to welcome in the New Year, one Worcester mother's thoughts will be thousands of miles away with her daughter. Becky Mooney spent Christmas in the Gulf, and will still be several time zones apart as the drinkers at her mum's
THE Conservatives' parliamentary candidate for Worcester has offered to act as umpire in a debate featuring his Labour rival, Mike Foster. Richard Adams said he was "delighted" that Worcester MP Mr Foster was prepared to meet Tim Pinney, chairman of the
A MAN needed stitches to the face after an unprovoked attack in Kidderminster during the weekend. Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack on the Asian man, who was assaulted after leaving Mirage nightclub in the town's New Road. The victim was
Journal readers are warmly invited to join the Cotswold Warden Walk on New Year's Day. The walk is called the First New Year Footings around Broadway, taking in Broadway Tower. It starts at 10am next Monday and will be led by Gerry Burgess and David Jelfs
A GROUP fighting to save a medieval Droitwich Spa landmark is delighted after church leaders backed the crusade. St Andrew's Church, in St Andrew's Street, faces an uncertain future unless £750,000 is raised to improve its structure and replace the rotting
A DROITWICH Spa couple with hearts of gold have been recognised for their community work. Pensioners Tom and Margaret Cheek, of Seven Dale, devote their lives to making other people happy. For 28 years they have run a popular children's club at Emmanuel
A GROUP fighting to save a mediaeval Droitwich landmark is delighted after church leaders backed the crusade. St Andrew's Church, in the town's St Andrew's Street, faces an uncertain future unless £750,000 is raised to improve its structure and replace
BRITISH Sugar A are back at the top in the Dot Comm Wednesday Snooker League Division One after crushing Brintons Old A 5-0. Main rivals St George's A beat Pockets B 4-1 and St John's A defeated their bottom-of-the-table D team 4-1. Results: Pockets Z
MARK Riley put in a superb finish to take Kidderminster Chess Club's traditional Christmas Lightning Tournament Trophy. With seven points after eight rounds, Maurice Bissell had looked unstoppable but the club secretary faltered in the closing stages
Amazing Feet Running Club's Lindsay Pulley recorded a time of 54 minutes 29 seconds at the Telford Christmas 10km event in Town Park. Andy Norris, meanwhile, ran through the mud of the Mortimer Forest 10-mile multi-terrain event, finishing in 1 hour 42
Bridge B kept up their 100 per cent record in the Stourport League, winning a hard-fought contest with Angel B by three points. Results: Angel B 55, Bridge B 58; Astley Croxx 58, Bridge C 27; Boat Club B 60, Hope and Anchor 48; Steps B 36, Red Lion 57
Stratford Town 3, Stourport Swifts 2 A STRANGELY subdued Stratford were on the ropes for the second period of this Boxing Day clash, but it was Peter McBean who delivered the knockout blow. Just four minutes were left on the watch when the veteran striker
Littleton 3, All Blacks 1 LITTLETON almost took the lead after ten minutes. Darren Reeves shooting on the turn from 20 yards, hit the post with the keeper well beaten. A minute later they went one up. From a corner on the right the ball fell to Tim Davies
A SECOND successive late postponement brought more frustration for Evesham players, officials and supporters. The club's Boxing Day clash at Solihull was given the thumbs up at 9am, but again when the match referee arrived he felt he had no option but
SHATTERFORD Fishery proved popular over the Christmas period with top trout angler Gary Lamb landing 19 to 2lb using a viva on the Masters Lake. Lamb, of Evesham, was joined by a Dudley angler who caught 17 to one-and-a-half lb, using a montana. A Worcester
GOAL machine Lee Booth notched a hat-trick on Saturday as Stourport Swifts triumphed 5-1 at second-from-bottom Stapenhill. The Midland Alliance victory removed fears that Swifts may struggle against a lower side as has happened in the past. Despite a
Bewdley Town continue to be the team to beat in Banks's Brewery League Division One South after a tremendous 5-1 win at Leominster Town on Saturday. Bewdley have won all seven league games and lead local rivals Brintons, who did not play, by two points
WHEN centenarian Mary Revers took her place before the organ at St Michael's, Bricklehampton on Christmas Day it was an emotional moment. She gave the congregation an extra special Christmas present by celebrating her 100th birthday on December 25 playing
PUBS and clubs across the Cotswolds, Vale of Evesham and Stratford will be open to welcome in the New Year after being given extended licensing hours for New Year's Eve. Stephen Murphy, of the Green Dragon in Evesham, is chairman of the area's Licensed
TWO men have been charged with intent to endanger life. Neil Greensall, aged 26, and Lee Williamson, aged 19, appeared before Worcester magistrates on Monday December 18 accused of setting fire to a Vauxhall Carlton car and premises in Droitwich. Greensall
A COUPLE accused of theft and perverting the course of justice had their cases committed to Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday December 20. Alan and Theresa Stevens are charged with the theft of a cash box containing £1,502.67 from Martin's Newsagents
Stourport Rugby Club are riding high in North Midlands One after an excellent 10-0 win over promotion rivals Bishops Castle on Saturday.
EDUCATION watchdogs have given a Droitwich Spa school a big thumbs up. St Peter's CE First School, in Church Lane, has been praised by Ofsted inspectors, who noted the school has made good progress since their last visit in 1996. Their report said the
A last look back at the local stories that made the news in the year 2000. January CONCERNED Droitwich Spa town councillor John Cook (Lab, Droit.West) blasted bus company First Midland Red which left Westlands pensioners stranded over the holiday period
WORCESTER Rugby Club coach Adrian Skeggs has named an unchanged side to face Henley Hawks on Saturday as the National One leaders get back to league action after the Christmas break. The former Australian international will keep faith with the team which
A FEAST of goals at St Georges Sports saw the hot favourites for the Worcester and District Football League Sunday Division one title completely overwhelm Express 88 14-2. Ex-Walsall YTS starlet Danny Hilditch netted five times, Jimmy Hughes grabbed a
Valley Henry looks set to continue his climb to the top of the ladder bytaking the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury tomorrow. Paul Nicholls' charge has gathered a large band of admirers in the two races he has contested since joining the Ditcheat trainer
100 years ago December 29, 1900 EVENLODE: The church was tastefully decorated and the services throughout Christmas Day were both cheerful and hearty. The Rev H J Kelsall (rector) preached in the morning. In the evening a service of song with carols,
THINGS are definitely looking "awight" for a Vale singer after she found herself to be one of Michael Barrymore's kind of people. Next month sees Debbie Miles make her TV debut on the top funnyman's show My Kind of Music. The programme was filmed in October
WORCESTER Rugby Club coach Adrian Skeggs has named an unchanged side to face Henley Hawks on Saturday as the National One leaders get back to league action after the Christmas break. The former Australian international will keep faith with the team which
HERITAGE AND HISTORY SOCIETY: "Do we speak English?" is the subject for the January meeting of the society when Mr Way will speak on the development, oddities and beauty of our national language. The venue as usual is Wulstan Hall, Priest Lane, Pershore
HILL & MOOR PARISH COUNCIL: Minutes of meeting held in Lower Moor Village Hall on December 7. Benches: Mr Miller had looked into various types of benches to replace vandalised benches on the Village Green. The cost of replacement would be from £215
Evesham 29, Ludlow 0 Evesham celebrated Christmas in style this year with a comprehensive victory over Ludlow in a non-league fixture at home on Saturday. The visitors started well, but Evesham were soon in control as their forwards put together some
MR Pinney of the Countryside Alliance is perfectly entitled to his own views. However, that does not give him the right to speak for the rest of us. How dare you presume to speak for me, Mr Pinney. I am perfectly capable of speaking for myself. In fact
ANITA Knittel, in tonight's Evening News (December 21), yet again allows her fixation with the class system and passionate belief in animal rights to cloud her judgement when it comes to the question of animal welfare and hunting. The original letter
ALTHOUGH Mr Tim Pinney is a prolific letter writer, he has consistently failed to present an eloquent or factual argument to justify hunting. Instead, he has constantly fallen back on personally attacking any dissenting voice. However, his odious attack
IT is with regret that I find myself complaining about your recent editorial on foxhunting. If the sole reason for the Evening News coming out in favour of a ban on hunting is "pomp and glory" and enjoying a stirrup cup, then heaven help democracy and
AS one of Droitwich's Christian ministers, can I appeal to those who are, apparently, giving Pam Johnson a hard time, to leave her alone. Ms Johnson, like every citizen, is entitled to freedom from harassment and abuse. Conduct of the kind described is
PETER Jarrett's letter about the economy was all doom and gloom and mostly wrong. He claims that under Labour this country has lost an average of 300 jobs each day from manufacturing industry. He must get his "facts" from a parallel universe! The Conservatives
IN Lickey End, we have halls for meetings - the working men's club, the Methodist Chapel, and the Marlbrook church hall. In any case, we are not an isolated village community, being only one mile from Bromsgrove and its existing and promised facilities
REGARDING the proposed Lickey End Parish Council and Mr Howard's letter. We understand the democratic process perfectly well, but does he? It is because of our understanding that we complain - 22.5 per cent imposing their views on 77.5 per cent is not
ANDY Walford, (Evening News, December 12) misses the point about dredging the river. He talks of the hydraulic gradient controlling speed, static amount of water and lifting North Wales. What he fails to mention is friction. The first three feet of water
COLD Aston resident Christopher Tilly fears that someone in the village is waging a vendetta against cats. He voiced his fears after a series of brutal attacks on both his own cats, Muffin and Crumpet, and those belonging to friends living nearby. In
TEMPTING smells from new dishes will be wafting out of Broadway's Lygon Arms Hotel following the appointment of two new chefs. Scots Ian Samson and Mark Walker join the firm as head chef and deputy head chef of Oliver's Brasserie respectively. Mr Samson
IT'S been 12 years since the Alex staged a pantomime - but it certainly hasn't forgotten how to do things properly. While there is nothing like a dame in this, JM Barrie's timeless classic has effortlessly become a show more in the traditional panto vein
CRICKET clubs, umpires, scorers and fans will have the chance to learn the sport's new laws in a series of classes. Kidderminster's Chainwire Social Club, Oldington, hosts the course from Tuesday, January 9, to Tuesday, March 13, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm
WORCESTER City Council employees are to sit tests to scrutinise their sensitivity towards disabled people. The authority has pledged to offer disabled residents a better deal in future. It claims to be one of the first in the country to sign up to a new
A WORCESTER primary is celebrating after gaining an International School Award. St Clements CE Primary School, in St John's, was granted the award by the Central Bureau at the British Council, for international work undertaken during the past academic
CONCERTGOERS who love a church atmosphere could hardly do better than to attend St Eadburgha's on Twelfth Night. The ancient church, off the Snowshill Road in Broadway, lit by candlelight and bedecked with traditional Christmas foliage, will be providing
AFTER a Christmas of too much of everything have a relaxing evening on January 7 listening to the dulcet voices of Cheryl Campbell, Alec Jennings and Adrian Schiller. They team up with the music from the Goldberg Trio in Perchance to Dream, a word and
HEARTFELT thanks have gone out to the generous supporters of the first Tree of Light in Droitwich Spa - which has been hailed a remarkable success. More than 150 people have honoured a loved one this Christmas by sponsoring a light on the cedar tree,
A WOMAN accused of driving with excess alcohol has denied the offence. Dawn Alsop, of Harris Close, Droitwich Spa, is also accused of driving with two defective tyres. She pleaded not guilty to all three charges at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday
TWO hard-working, long-serving judo coaches have been promoted up the black belt levels. Stourport Judo Club founder and coach Ron Cook was given honorary promotion to second dan. And Samurai Judo Club senior coach Ian Mills, one of Britian's top veterans
TRAMPOLINING and gymnastics will be all the craze at Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre in the New Year. A new club runs from Wednesday, January 17, to Wednesday, February 14, and from Wednesday, February 28, to Wednesday, March 28. Under the supervision
CLEOBURY Mortimer Golf Club's Christmas competition over 11 holes was won by D Carpenter. Result: D Carpenter 5 handicap 27 points, A Sykes scratch-24, M Fowle 18-23.
Bridgnorth Town 2, Stratford Town 1 THERE was little festive spirit on offer from players and officials as Stratford crashed to a surprise defeat. It was a disappointing performance from the visitors who ended with just nine men after Steve Ferguson's
Pershore Town 0, Sutton Town 5 SUTTON Town gave Pershore a right Christmas stuffing to put an end to their unbeaten run of 12 Midland Combination Premier division matches on Saturday. Sutton's hat-trick hero Duncan Ferguson opened the scoring in the second
Evesham United 2, Weston-super-Mare 0 PHIL Mullen received an early Christmas present with a first clean sheet of the season at Common Road as his side got back to winning ways. It was a vital game to win after the previous week's setback and there was
STOURPORT Swifts endured mixed festive results as they trounced strugglers Stapenhill 5-1 but lost 3-2 to high-flying Stratford Town. Rod Brown's men are now 12th in the Midland Alliance but still have games in hand over many of their rivals. They entertain
CHADDESLEY Corbett earned a good 2-2 draw at Banks's Brewery League Division One South top scorers Ledbury Town on Saturday. It was backs-to-the-wall straight from the kick-off for the visitors and keeper David Batsford was called upon to make several
THE Kidderminster and District Football League fixtures kicks-off at the weekend after a short Christmas break. Saturday's fixtures Premier: Furnace Sports v Cookley Social, Kinver v Clee Hill United, Wyre Forest v Chaddesley Corbett, Tipton Town v Ludlow
D WILCOCK hit a hat-trick as Kidderminster Lions won 4-3 at Bewdley Youth in U-11s Division One of the mini league. N Lloyd was also on target for the Lions, while Cookley Colts had a good 6-1 win at Arboriginals and Kidderminster Athletic A beat Lions
THE president of Pershore's Rotary Club visited the Cotswold Farm Park to get a closer look at what the club is to help buy for Ugandan farmers. Clive Crouch said the Rotary Club raised £322 during a collection at Strensham services in August, and were
FORMER head of Bredon School at Bushley, Colin Wheeler was sent to prison for nine months after being convicted of a sex offence against a male pupil in his care. Wheeler, aged 43, of Pinvin, Pershore, fondled the naked teenager under the guise of measuring
CHILDREN are being warned not to play with fire following a blaze at a house in Evesham. Firefighters, called to the terrace house in Edward Street just after 11.30am on December 15, said the flames took hold after three children started playing with
ENVIRONMENT chiefs are producing a strategy on air quality to safeguard the health of Droitwich Spa residents. Wychavon District Council will produce the plan following extensive research by its environmental health staff. The authority is required by
IT was bear hugs all round when a furry friend popped in to see village pupils. Burkey Bear paid a flying visit to Cutnall Green CE First School, in School Lane, to promote an exciting competition. The school has been invited to design a comic strip about
A TEENAGER has been hauled before the courts for graffiti offences in Droitwich Spa. The 15-year-old appeared at Worcester Youth Court on Friday December 15 and was given a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay costs of £30 and compensation.
AN EXCELLENT display by Kidderminster Carolians' pack gave them a 28-17 friendly win despite a spirited comeback from county rivals Droitwich. KCs were in total command from the first whistle and coach Ross Baxter, playing in the second row, was an inspiration
ADRIAN Skeggs has challenged Sixways favourite Nick Baxter to save his Worcester Rugby Club career by insisting: "You can't live on the past". Worcester's director of coaching believes Baxter, who is now in his seventh season at Sixways, can get himself
WORCESTER City midfielder Andy Ellis' latest comeback attempt looks set to be scuppered by the weather. City boss John Barton had planned to arrange a full-scale practice match at training tonight, in which Ellis would have been involved. However, heavy
WORCESTER badminton ace Simon Archer is hoping to end a memorable year on a high note. Archer, who won a mixed doubles bronze medal at the Olympics in Sydney, is in Denmark for the Copenhagen Masters, a round-robin invitation event featuring six of the
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians gave themselves a timely boost with a 28-17 win over struggling Droitwich on Saturday. The Memorial Ground club have seen their season take a nose-dive in recent weeks, conceding ground in the race for the Midlands Four West (South
RICHARD Smith clinched victory in Worcester St John's CC's Boxing Day cycling time-trial held in frosty conditions. Smith, who raced round the 10 miles Clerkenleap course in 24-29, beat Kempsey's Lee Finch by just under two minutes. Finch, riding for
100 years ago December 29, 1900 STRATFORD: William Sutton, who drives the mail from Stratford to Shipston, was returning to the former place on Monday night when approaching Alscot Park, he pulled up, thinking that someone wished to hand letters to him
100 years ago December 29, 1900 PERSHORE: Helpless but Civil - Ernest Pratt, labourer, Elmley Castle, was charged with being drunk at Elmley on the 10th. PC Thomas found him almost helpless, but very civil. Fined 2s6d and 5s 6d costs. 75 years ago December
YOUR recent report about the attacks on graves at Bromsgrove cemetery presents a disturbing picture. The distress caused to those whose loved one's graves have been desecrated is of concern to everyone and all possible steps should be taken by the authorities
ADRIAN Skeggs has challenged Sixways favourite Nick Baxter to save his Worcester Rugby Club career by insisting: "You can't live on the past". Worcester's director of coaching believes Baxter, who is now in his seventh season at Sixways, can get himself
WORCESTER City midfielder Andy Ellis' latest comeback attempt looks set to be scuppered by the weather. City boss John Barton had planned to arrange a full-scale practice match at training tonight, in which Ellis would have been involved. However, heavy
IT was fun in the snow for Bromsgrove folk who took to the hills for a day of sledging following last night's snowfall. They raced down the Lickey Hills, which was transformed into a Winter wonderland for families who flocked there, braving the cold to
PAUL Stammers states (Evening News, Monday, December 11), that the Saturday Christmas Park-and-Ride operation has been a huge success. I'm sure that, at 50p a time, one can't go wrong. But what are the charges going to be when the proper park-and-ride
I AM all in favour of honouring Sir Edward Elgar but can think of nothing more dull or unimaginative than simply naming places after him. Far better to use the name of some of his works. For example the Nimrod Newroad would distinguish between the two
FRIENDS I made while conducting a petition opposing the plan to build a Sainsbury's on Swanpool often ask me about the current position. As reported in the Evening News, Sainsbury's have produced an amended plan, the main difference being that all traffic
IN their latest "celebration" of country sports or "bloodfest", coursing enthusiasts turned up in their thousands to venues near Newmarket to gloat over the spectacle of hares being torn apart by greyhounds. This was Greyhound 2000, billed as a "festival
HOW wonderfully ironic it is that Mr Tim Pinney's diatribe against Mike Foster should appear in the Evening News just a day after he suggested to another correspondent that she needs to check her facts very carefully before spouting off. As everyone except
UPTON could soon have its own emergency rescue service to cope with future floods. And it looks as though the town will ask the Fire Brigade to return the Upton Community Rescue Boat. The move follows problems in the past two months, when use of the boat
THE penalising of Bromsgrove council taxpayers for electing a prudent Conservative council by cutting its rate support grant to well below neighbouring Labour councils (Redditch and Worcester) is nothing short of political blackmail. This Government will
STUDLEY BKL manager Mark Chambers says he has spoken to chairman Dave Robinson about whether the Beehive will be fit for the Alliance if he wins the Midland Combination. The Bees boss is sitting pretty at the top of the table after a 5-1 derby day thrashing
IT'S the time of year when people are pacing themselves through that last packet of cigarettes before midnight strikes to signal the start of the New Year - and the beginning of their new life as a non-smoker. Without wanting to disappoint people, most
BROADWAY residents hoping for a letter by wing or prayer could be feeling lucky to have Tony Wells in their midst, writes Pat Smith. When the Rev Tony Wells is not working as a part-time postman, he is assisting Canon Peter Burch with services at St Michael's
BADSEY villagers are being urged to come up with ideas for a new home for their post office which is being closed by Post Office Network following investigations into "irregularities". The village post office was moved from its own premises to the specially
WORCESTER Rugby Club's Sixways Conference Centre has enjoyed its most successful Christmas ever, organisers have reported. The commercial side of the National Division One leaders produced more than 2,300 traditional Christmas meals over the festive holiday
THOUSANDS of bargain hunters have packed Worcester's streets for the post-Christmas sales, leaving retailers raking in the profits after a slow start. Shoppers queued across the High Street yesterday to cash in on the first few hours of the sales. The
WORK on a state-of-the-art playground will begin at the Alexandra Hospital at the end of this month, it has been announced. The play area will cost £35,000 to create and an appeal by the hospital's League of Friends to raise the money is now almost complete
IT IS a magnificent vision that has given us this great sweep of English history for the millennium. The Royal Shakespeare Company's This England - The Histories began in March with Richard II, has followed through with Henry IV and Henry V and now, triumphantly
