LEDBURY & District ASC swimmers faced the rather daunting race of 60 lengths to conclude their long distance championships for this year, with the 1,500m freestyle. Fastest in the water was Jamie Dunn who had to go out hard from the start as he had
DESPITE the atrocious weather conditions Manor Park Men's D match against Ludlow & Burway went ahead. Ludlow & Burway adapted far better to the conditions running out winners by four rubbers to nil. Colin Weedon & Michael Lane lost 2-6, 4-
A SCHEME for levering private sector cash into deprived schools in Herefordshire has been labelled an "embarrassing flop". The area's Education Action Zone was intended to attract £250,000 a year in sponsorship from local firms. But statistics obtained
FORMER Beatle George Harrison has finally lost his battle against cancer. Harrison, aged 58, lead guitarist in the world's most famous band, died last night in Los Angeles with his wife Olivia and son Dhani, 24, at his side. Tributes poured in for the
SCHOOLBOY thieves - aged around 10 - made off with a 74-year-old woman's shopping and pension as she let herself into her Worcester home. Their victim, who has not been named, had cashed her weekly pension and bought a few groceries in the city on Tuesday
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a massive supermarket in Droitwich is facing further problems, with English Heritage indicating its bid to have the site declared an ancient monument. The organisation is to recommend to the Secretary of State that the remains
THE campaign to release a former Worcester man from a Greek jail is gaining pace. Wayne Groves, pictured here, and 13 colleagues, have been held for 22 days in Greek custody on espionage charges. The 38-year-old, who lives in Tamworth, Staffordshire,
FARMERS in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been paid £29.5m in foot-and-mouth compensation by the Government. The highest payment to a single farmer was £1.193m, according to figures released in a written Parliamentary answer. The smallest payment
A WORCESTER man suffering from mental health problems admitted burgling a chip shop even though he could not recollect a thing. Last month, Robert Bevan admitted breaking in to St John's chip shop in Lambert Road after samples of his blood were found
FIXTURES MIDLANDS ONE Saturday, December 1. Longton v Malvern. Saturday, December 8. Banbury v Malvern. Saturday, December 22. Malvern v Barkers Butts. Sunday, December 30. North Midlands Cup second Round: Malvern v Luctonians. RESULTS MIDLANDS ONE 8/
A DREAM anniversary cruise turned into a holiday from hell for a Worcestershire couple who feared for their lives as their ship was besieged by violent storms. Celebration turned to terror for Brian and Zelda Little on a trip from Palma in Majorca, which
FORMER World's Strongest Man finalist Russell Bradley will be swapping weights for champagne flutes when he officially opens his new venture - Britain's first strongman training camp. The camp is set to open just before Christmas and Mr Bradley aims to
A NEW railway carriage shed has been given the royal seal of approval at Kidderminster. The Duke of Gloucester visited the Severn Valley Railway to officially open the new single-storey building. The shed stretches for a fifth of a mile and was constructed
A BURST water main, which has plagued a Worcestershire village, has finally being corrected by Severn Trent Water. Main Road, in Peopleton, near Pershore, has had an extra "stream" for nearly 10 days after the pipe underneath the pathway burst. A resident
FIXTURES Saturday, December 1 Premier Division: Ettingshall HT v Malvern Town (2.45). Division One (South) League Cup Round One: Malvern Town Reserves v Brereton Social (2.45). Saturday, December 8 Premier Division: Malvern Town v Causeway United (2.45
LAST Sunday's Christmas fayre raised £560 for parish hall funds. Thank you for your support. Tonight (Friday), at 7.30pm, Arts Alive bring the North Country Theatre Group to the parish hall for a performance of their comic spoof, 2001 - A Space Idiocy
PUPILS in Years 4, 5 & 6 from Callow End Primary School spent a busy yet exciting day of dance at Welland Primary School last Friday. Also taking part were pupils from Welland and Malvern Wells Primary Schools. Workshops took place during the week
ST James' Church Mothers' Union will hold a Christmas anthology at the Ale House at 2.15pm on December 6. Colwall Players prize bingo evening at the Village Hall last weekend attracted just over 60 people young and old. The evening was in aid of the Colwall
THE prize winners at the village hall fortnightly whist drive were: Joan Palmer, Joan Spragg, Jacky Hartley, Ann Pullen, Marjorie Halling, Nancy Devereux, Ethel Brookes, Doug Bartlett, Richard Pullen, Ron Baxter, Dave Bunn, Philip Warner, Pat Gisby, Molly
The next Saturday lunch at Hartpury Methodist Church is tomorrow (Saturday) from noon to 2pm. Members of the church will also be singing outside Tesco's again this year for an hour when all the money raised will go to charity. They found it great fun
ATROCIOUS weather greeted everyone at Tewkesbury on Sunday afternoon, but despite the cold and wet a small profit was made on Berrow/Pendock's charity stall in the street market. Due to the awful weather conditions and lack of customers we still have
TOMORROW (Saturday) there will be a quiz evening in Powick Parish Hall starting at 7.30pm. Organised by 7th Worcester Scout and Cub group (who meet in Powick Hall) tickets are on sale at £5 each with a maximum of six members in a team. There will be a
AS visitors to Redmarley Church Christmas fair entered the Village Hall they were greeted by a colourful display of Christmas stockings made from different coloured card. The toddlers from Redmarley Playgroup had decorated them with cut out pictures,
ON Friday afternoon, November 23, Miss Annie Lawrence was guest of honour at a tea party arranged for her in Upleadon Village Hall. This was to celebrate her 90th birthday on November 26. The party had been organised by Mrs Dorothy Parker and Mrs Betty
Renowned local artist Olwen Tarrant is to exhibit around 30 oil paintings at the Mall Galleries, London, from Wednesday, December 5 to Tuesday, December 18. The special show features a wide range of works by Mrs Tarrant, from landscapes to the abstract
THE Malvern Singers are giving two carol concerts next week. The first is at the Baptist Church in Abbey Road, Malvern, on Saturday, December 8, at 7.30pm, when the 40-strong choir will be singing a variety of festive tunes. On Thursday, December 13,
Comedian Lenny Henry brings his own inimitable brand of humour to Malvern when his new one-man show arrives the Forum Theatre on Sunday (December 2). Featuring all-new material, the show Have You Seen This Man? takes audiences on a journey back to the
ANGST, love, identity and parenthood are all mixed up in the themes of a new play soon to hit the stage in Ledbury. Riding Lights, a critically-acclaimed company with 24 years' touring experience, is bringing its latest production, Love Fifteen, to St
CHRISTMAS will come early for a youthful group of dancers set to sample the magic of a professional pantomime from the stage. Youngsters from the Cecilia Dance Centre in Malvern will be providing supporting roles throughout Malvern Theatre's forthcoming
SINCE 1751, when Worcester Porcelain began, thousands of craftsmen and women have passed through its doors. To celebrate its anniversary, hundreds of archive photographs and illustrations of those workers have been uncovered and restored to portray 250
Prokofiev's 1st and 2nd violin concertos, Tchaikovsky's Serenade melancolique SOLOIST Leila Josefowicz is no shrinking violet when it comes to enhancing her profile with the public. With all the youthful exuberance of a 20-something, she likes the cut
WORCESTER Rugby Club's young players will get the chance to meet New Zealand star Jonah Lomu next week and raise money for a local charity at the same time. Players from Worcester's mini and junior section have been invited to meet the awesome All Black
INJURY-jinxed Craig Chalmers looks set to make his Worcester Rugby Club comeback against Rugby Lions tomorrow (3pm). The fly-half, who has struggled all season with persistent hamstring problems, is included in Worcester's squad for the National One clash
MEMBERS of the Malvern Angels RFC are celebrating after receiving a grant of £5,000 from the National Lottery's Awards for All programme. The Malvern Angels are a new Rugby Club, under the umbrella of Malvern RFC, which provides rugby for women of all
FOOTBALL and Malvern this week lost an iconic figure who officiated at every level of the game for more than 50 years. Robert Allen Cole, known to everyone as Bob, died of heart failure at his Wells Road home on Monday (November 26), after returning from
A famously witty and intelligent dissection of love, betrayal and language, The Real Thing at Malvern Theatres was a slick production that left the audience enthused. Henry, brilliantly portrayed by Neil Pearson, is a playwright who is experiencing emotional
WHEN an inspector calls on the well-to-do 1912 Birling household, he already knows each family member is so steeped in arrogant selfishness that they have provoked the suicide of a beautiful woman. The situation is explored by a cast of six in the latest
MALVERN RFC director of rugby Dave Robins is looking for four more Midlands One points from the three games before the end of the year to consolidate the team's effort to maintain their divisional status. Promoted to Midlands One this season Malvern made
MALVERN Town are looking to appoint a new first team coach as the first step in a gradual readjustment of the club's management structure. The Express and Star League Premier Division side developed a new framework some months ago as the club continue
WORCESTER City face a difficult trip to Dr Martens Premier Division leaders Crawley Town tomorrow (3pm) with John Barton's side hit yet again by injury and suspension. Manager Barton will be forced to reshape his midfield with Darren Bullock serving a
AN executive with the group that recently sold Upton's Star Hotel has quit her job and joined forces with the friends that snapped it up. Until mid-November, Maxine Nicholson worked as a sales executive for Fownes, the Worcester-based hotel group which
A Goodmans hi-fi system worth £100, a £10 CD carry case and £105 in cash were stolen when thieves forced open the patio doors of a house in Laburnam Walk, Upton, on Saturday (November 24).
A RETIRED army officer was safely back home in Malvern this week after surviving a terrifying hijack ordeal in South America. Retired Lt Col Barrie Burke was with three friends travelling on a Trans Guyana Airways flight from Lethem to Georgetown when
PASSENGERS waiting for buses on Church Street could soon be making use of a brand new £30,000 bus shelter if Malvern Town Council gets its way. The new shelter would replace the current one outside Claremont House as part of an on-going town council programme
FOOTBALL and Malvern this week lost an iconic figure who officiated at every level of the game for more than 50 years. Robert Allen Cole, known to everyone as Bob, died of heart failure at his Wells Road home on Monday (November 26), after returning from
The Malvern branch of nationwide estate agency Your Move, which is owned by Norwich Union, is to shut by the end of December as part of a cull of poorly performing offices. Following a strategic review of the 340-branch network, 27 offices are to be closed
I AM so glad the gas lamps have been listed. I have had the contract for cleaning them for about two years. I will lose this job now because it has to be done by a Corgi-trained person. It makes me think we will have to have Corgi people in to clean our
Traders are putting on a special day of entertainment for all the family this Christmas in Barnards Green. As well as shopping at their favourite stores, customers will be able to listen to carols, have their faces painted and, of course, meet Father
THE 'Malvern Gas Lamp debate' encapsulates in many ways the continuing failure of vision and imagination of MHDC and many others, including the editor of the Malvern Gazette. Clive Perry and Alec Beattie (Postbag, November 16) have the argument in a nutshell
BEFORE residents of Knapp Lane and Woodleigh Road get too excited about apparent proposals to make these roads one-way I would urge everybody to sit down and think carefully of the consequences such actions would have on the rest of Ledbury. It is accepted
ANGRY residents of a Malvern housing estate are mounting a campaign to get rid of a play area they say is blighting their lives. The group lobbied Malvern Town Council last Thursday night, asking for the Avon Close play area to be moved somewhere else
NOISE pollution caused by youngsters using the skate facilities at Victoria Park has prompted neighbours to call for action by the town council. In a letter to the authority, Viv Thomson, chairman of the Victoria Park Residents' Association, is demanding
SADLY once again, a big name builder in Laing has won - this time to the detriment and really obvious highway danger of the immediate community. It is unsound to allow the side-by-side double driveways of two newly approved developments at Croftdown School
In last week's Postbag (November 23), we published a letter by town councillor Freda Johnson in which it was alleged that Coun Graham Myatt had supplied a reference for former the town clerk, Stuart McDonough. We should like to make it clear that Coun
A WEST Malvern brewery is stepping back in time by producing an ale identical to that supped by a famous author with links to the town back in the 1800s. Roget's Reviver, a one-off batch of traditional 19th Century strong ale is being created by Malvern
A LEADING Malvern Hills district councillor is calling on the authority to exercise its right to hold markets in the Waitrose car park. Coun Roger Hall-Jones said the Friday market is in "apparent decline" on its current site in the Council House car
THE newly installed chairman of Herefordshire's branch of the National Farmers Union this week welcomed news that the county is officially foot and mouth free but has urged more Government action on remaining restrictions. Liz Pursey was elected into
THE weather is still being very considerate for us farmers; this must be one of the mildest and driest autumns for years. It's been a real saviour to those who are short of forage and straw for bedding being able to keep stock outside in the fields. Foot
INJURY-jinxed Craig Chalmers looks set to make his Worcester Rugby Club comeback against Rugby Lions tomorrow (3pm). The fly-half, who has struggled all season with persistent hamstring problems, is included in Worcester's squad for the National One clash
A MALVERN musician has added his own unique touch to a much-loved Gilbert and Sullivan show being staged in Bosbury this weekend. The Bosbury Theatre Players' production of Iolanthe will include a version of a song included in the original script but
WORCESTER City face a difficult trip to Dr Martens Premier Division leaders Crawley Town tomorrow (3pm) with John Barton's side hit yet again by injury and suspension. Manager Barton will be forced to reshape his midfield with Darren Bullock serving a
WORCESTER City's talented midfielder Darren Middleton may face surgery on his knee if a scan reveals a tear in his cartilage. The 22-year-old is hoping to have the injured knee scanned in the next 48 hours, but admits the delay in returning to fitness
ARTS groups in Malvern have been given a deadline of January to apply for grants or risk missing out. The First Base scheme is run by Worcestershire County Council's Arts Service and offers up to £500 to new or existing groups in any of the arts. The
A MALVERN group campaigning for world peace received a positive reaction from shoppers in Barnards Green when they protested against Allied bombing in Afghanistan. Nine members from Malvern Churches Justice & Peace Group took to the streets last Saturday
YOUNGSTERS from the Malvern area who skip school to visit Worcester are putting themselves at risk of arrest, say police. Officers have joined forces with Worcestershire County Council to pick up youngsters in the city centre, return them to school and
ANNA Bailey from malvern and Worcester's Janet Parker flew the county flag in style when they won gold medals in the British Indoor Rowing Championships at the National Indoor Arena Birmingham. Bailey, the current world record holder, won the women's
Wife walks out on family 1801: Mary, the wife of William Jorden of Bell Heath in the County of Worcester, eloped from her husband on Sunday and left him with six small children. This public notice is therefore to caution all persons harbouring the said
THE dress sense of Worcester people was still under the national spotlight at this time a century ago. Berrow's of 1901 reminded readers of a survey in a leading London journal that had compared sartorial standards in several cities across the kingdom
THE results of Sunday morning's fixture between Malvern and Bromsgrove would do little justice to the effort and commitment put in by a Malvern side which was playing a team a year older. MALVERN U7/8S v BROMSGROVE U8S The match took the form of two games
HARRY POTTER (PG): Harry and his wizarding chums Ron and Hermione face the terror of You-Know-Who. Odeon Worcester (12.15, 1.30, 3.30, 4.45, 7.00, 8.00 Fri & Mon-Thurs) (10.15, 11.00, 1.30, 2.15, 4.45, 5.30, 8.00, 8.45 Sat & Sun). UCI Merry Hill
NONE of the Redditch squad were paid after Tuesday night's 3-1 slump against Atherstone. Manager Rod Brown fined the team their wages and said they would not see the money until their first win. "I was embarassed on Tuesday and can honestly say that will
A YOUTHFUL Malvern Town side gave an excellent account of themselves at high riding Midland Alliance outfit Bromsgrove Rovers in this Second Round Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup tie at the Victoria Ground on Tuesday evening. BROMSGROVE ROVERS 4, MALVERN
UNITED physio Lee O'Neil has his hands full after the side picked up two more injuries in last night's 3-1 loss. Player-coach Nigel Niblett faces up to three weeks on the sidelines with a puleld thigh muscle and Tommy Byrne is unlikely for the Worcestershire
REDS assistant Gary Whild has warned it is time to bring in recruits in the wake of last night's 3-1 loss to Atherstone United. The former Stourport assistant said there were at most half a dozen players with the talent to play at United's level after
ON a wet and windy day with very slippery conditions underfoot, Welland opened the scoring in this Malvern League Under 18's fixture when Simon Craddock caught Town's defence napping and slotted home. MALVERN TOWN 9, WELLAND 2 Former Welland player Graham
Worcester Film Society presents " Bollywood Night". Nov 30. . 8pm. 41. Foregate Street, Worcester. Tickets available on 01905 355171/611742. Mulled Wine, Mince Pies and Music (in aid of RNLI). Nov 30. 7.30pm. Memorial Hall in Upton. Tickets £2.50 available
Nov 30. Bad Habbits. The Marr's Bar, Pierpoint Street, Worcester. Dec 1. Simon Honeyboy Hickling. The Marr's Barr, Pierpoint Street, Worcester. Trivia. Barbourne Ex-Servicemens Club. The Moors. Worcester. The Disciples. Pershore Working Men's Club. Mike
AFTER seeing the Midland Musical Theatre Group show at Malvern I think they should change the group's name to the magnificent musical theatre group. To sit for more than three hours, and still want more from fantastic performers who are called amateur
The Great Barr based Central England Concert Band. Nov 30. St Teresas Club, Perry Barr. For more information tel. 0121 360 8326. The Elgar Chorale & Camerata commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Benjamin Britten's death. Conducted by Donald Hunt. Dec
I WOULD just like to say how disappointed and annoyed I am at the standard of the bugler at the Remembrance Day parade this year. In my opinion, this is not the standard we would expect for our fallen. I am sure many would agree with me. I used to be
The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard starring Neil Pearson. Nov 26-Dec 1. Malvern Theatres. Box Office (01684 892277). Mouthpeice Theatre Co presents "Kept Woman", "Pru", "Blackberries" by Helen Kelly. Nov 28-Dec 1. Bulls Head Inn, Inkberrow, Worcs. Tickets
LAST week, in the Royal Courts of Justice in the Strand, London, five honest men appealed against convictions for their so-called crimes of selling bananas, sprouts, sweet potatoes, and mackerel by the pound. Anybody who has not been studying this case
n COUNTY Councillor Stephen Clee is absolutely right, of course (You Say, November 26). Worcestershire MP Peter Luff also has warned that Britain's historic counties, including Worcestershire, will be scrapped under Labour's plans for regional assemblies
A SERIOUS charge was exercising Malvern police court 100 years ago, when Frank Charles Bannister, alias 'Scratch' Attwood, was charged with stealing "ten tame fowls, value 25 shillings" which belonged to Mary Wisdom, the mistress of Newlands School. The
A NEW bus shelter in Church Street was defended by the Priory Ward Electors' Association 50 years ago. The association "felt that. . . the new shelter was an improvement on old conditions and a distinct improvement to the appearance of the town. The shelter
A PANTO wouldn't be a panto if at the end everyone lived happily ever after, but for two of the actors in the Everyman's seasonal offering the fairytale ending really becomes reality when the curtain goes down. Because at the end of the Cheltenham theatre's
100 years ago Following the example of Malvern, we are to have a Temperance Mission in the Link. There are a number of staunch teetotallers here and good meetings should result. We have a Good Templar Lodge and a Band of Hope, both of which meet regularly
Theatre December To Dec 1-The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. 2.30pm & 8pm. £12-£20. Box Office (01684) 892277. To Dec 1-My Fair Lady at the main hall, The Chase, Malvern. 7.30pm. Tickets £5, concs £3 from school
THE Malvern Football League is pleased this season that they have the backing of local based online football retailer the Soccer Site. The Under 18's Youth Division is sponsored by the Soccer Site along with all clubs in the League, each receiving a Mitre
RANGERS travelled to Feckenham to play Midland Combination Division Two side Droitwich Spa in the quarter final of the WFA Junior Cup on Saturday and after a pretty awful opening 30 minutes clawed their way back into the game to eventually go through
A FIVE-GOAL thriller, which was almost a six-goal one, at Victoria Park last Sunday as Radar overcame local rivals Express 88 to gain their fifth win in a row. MALVERN RADAR 3, EXPRESS 88 2 The Express started strongly kicking down the slope with Matt
DESPITE being three players down with injuries the Morgan Aero 8 played a strong game beating Talbot Head 4-1. MORGAN AERO 8 4, TALBOT HEAD 1 Talbot Head scored the first goal early on but Richard Bird soon equalised for the home side. The visitors hit
MALVERN League leaders Bull Allstars certainly made their intentions clear after their home encounter versus Old Bush Willie Thornes resulted in a 20-1 win for the home side. The first three minutes of this tie set the tone for the remainder of the game
THE West forced to make numerous changes due to players being unwell, gave an improved performance on Saturday against a strong Inkberrow side. WEST MALVERN 0, INKBERROW RESERVES 4 The first half was fairly even but with half time drawing near Inkberrow
WITH both teams having reached the cup quarter finals last week the return to league action saw Evesham take the honours in a most entertaining Mercian Elgar U13 game. WELLAND JUNIORS 1, EVESHAM COLTS 3 Welland took the game to Evesham from the start
MIKE Foster, left, warmed up for the education announcement by showing that he must surely have the quickest brain and fingers in Westminster. For he managed to put out a comprehensive Press release on exactly what the Chancellor's pre-budget review meant
AS a boxing promoter might say, Tuesday is judgement day for Worcestershire schools. At around 3.30pm, Local Government Secretary Stephen Byers will stand up in the Commons and reveal the county's spending settlement for next year. But Mr Byers' announcement
THE Littlewoods Extra store in High Street, Hereford has officially opened its doors following a £1m radical refurbishment project. Now the store incorporates the 40,000 strong range of goods from the Littlewoods Index catalogue as well as the usual Littlewoods
GLOUCESTER entertained Malvern in the Malvern Hills Indoor Bowls Inter-Club League last Saturday but the side failed to build on their previous success. The game however was extremely close on three rinks with only two ends to play. Gloucester held on
FLOODLIGHTS have now been installed on the all-weather astro turf pitches at Malvern Girls' College, which adds greatly to the uses of this facility. It will mean that not only the College, but also many local clubs will be able to use these pitches during
DREWE Broughton returns to Kidderminster Harriers attack for tomorrow's Nationwide League Division Three clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Luton Town at Aggborough (3pm). Broughton missed last Saturday's 3-0 home victory over former Conference rivals
COLWALL were hosts to top of the West Premier League Div 1 (Ladies) table Lansdown hoping to build on recent form against their local rivals. COLWALL 0, LANSDOWN 1 Lansdown had suffered their first defeat of the season the previous week, which had given
SUCKLEY'S Steve Gray duly clinched the 2001 British Club 100 Rookie Kart Championship with a conservative drive to 12th place on Sunday at Buckmore Park in Kent. His nearest rival, 19-year-old Dan Polley from Dublin, put in an inspired drive in the appalling
THE Malvern Squash Club's annual dinner was once again held at Mellbreak in Malvern Wells. This year's wonderful meal was preceded by the confirmation of Roger Ison as the new club chairman (replacing the long serving Rob Wright) and of Bob Brown as secretary
THE Chase year 11 student Jonathan Wilmshurst was on top of his form last weekend when he won the Wolverhampton Junior Open Ten Pin Bowling competition. Bowling star Jonathan bowled a total of nine games and averaged 190 pins per game. His highest game
SATURDAY FOOTBALL EXPRESS & STAR WEST MIDLAND LEAGUE Premier Division: Ettingshall HT v Malvern Town, Ledbury Town v Westfields, Bromyard Town v Heath Hayes. Division One (South) League Cup Round One: Malvern Town Reserves v Brereton Social, Malvern
A VAGRANT whose plight was highlighted by concerned traders in Evesham has been found a home. Traders were worried Fred Jacques, who begged in the town in flimsy, filthy clothes, might freeze to death if he was left to sleep under trees or derelict buildings
CATAPULTING the city into a scene from A Christmas Carol, Worcester's ninth Victorian Fayre got off to a winning start last night. Streams of Christmas shoppers converged on more than 100 stalls selling seasonal goodies, while entertainers put their own
DISCARDED syringes littering a play area on a Worcester estate could soon be a problem of the past after the promise of a new spy camera. People living near Millennium Garden which is in a secluded spot between St Peter's Village Hall and Tesco claim
A SCHOLARSHIP set up in memory of a musical student killed in a car accident is now benefiting two talented Worcester schoolgirls. The name of Kate Davies will live on forever at the Elgar School of Music thanks to the love and generosity of her parents
CAMPAIGNERS trying to stop a proposed new supermarket in Worcester face six weeks of baited breath before learning the site's fate. Government Inspector Emlyn Williams told yesterday's public inquiry into Sainsbury's planned St John's development that
PUPILS at a Pershore school are celebrating after a successful campaign to introduce a lollipop patrol. Worried schoolchildren at Abbey Park Middle School, Abbey Road, wrote to MP Sir Michael Spicer to highlight the problem of crossing the stretch. The
TEACHERS in Worcestershire schools have been praised by national bodies for their provision of sport and environmental studies. The Director of Education at Worcestershire County Council's Local Education Directorate spoke at a variety of conferences
UPTON-upon-Severn's new water rescue unit has been awarded nearly £5,000 in a fast-track Lottery grant to buy protective clothing. The grant came as a welcome bonus, possibly just in time to kit out eight crew members before the first floods of the winter
KEEP fit fans have managed to raise £1,800 for a baby recovering from meningitis. They teamed up with Worcester Carnival Queen Jenni Francis to hold an aerobics session in aid of Isla Rose Barrett-Campbell who was left with problems following a rare form
JANET thanks everyone from the bottom of her heart for all the hard work and generosity in helping to make her jumble sale such a tremendous success. An amazing £475 was raised for CLIC and children's charities last Saturday. Thank you to everyone who
THERE are a host of events taking place in the village over the festive season, the first of these is a Christmas fayre in the village hall on Saturday, December 9, starting at 4pm. There are all sorts of Christmas goods on offer, also tombola, bric-a-brac
THIS Sunday a Carols for Advent service is being held at St Mary's Church, Guarlford at 6.30pm. Leading the service will be the combined voices of the Parish Singers and Powick Church Choir. All are welcome to this special benefice service (a rehearsal
Saturday's home match against Luton Town was postponed today (Friday) because the visitors were unable to field a team due to injuries and a flu epidemic.
SUCH great support was given to Staunton & District Women's branch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Fund sale that every one is thanked very much who attended and helped raise the splendid sum of £312. Held in the lounge at Johnstone Close there
West Malvern's fame is spreading world-wide! David Constable, who is responsible for sales of the West Malvern Book, published last year by the Friends of St James's Church, reports receiving an order from someone in Malaysia - who wanted a copy sent
RENOWNED actor Timothy West returns to Malvern Theatres on Sunday for one performance only of his show A Thousand Years of Christmas. The show gives Christmas the in-depth treatment, looking at every side of the event from medieval mysticism to a hangover
A RARE chance to hear Handel's Messiah in its entirety will be offered at Worcester Cathedral on December 8. The work is generally performed in an abridged version with several items omitted, but Worcester Festival Choral Society will perform the complete
A NEW exhibition of landscapes by young Malvern artist Antony Bridge opens at the Foal Yard Gallery, Bransford, on Saturday. In the collection painted exclusively for the gallery, the 21-year-old artist attempts to capture the dramatic beauty of the Malvern
ARTIST Colin Ruffell is exhibiting works at Malvern Theatres until the end of December. Colin Ruffell became a professional artist at 26, after studying painting, design and printing in Hornsey and Portsmouth. He also has an Open University degree in
THE valley of the river Frome, meandering through the Herefordshire countryside west of Ledbury, is the setting of the latest chilling novel by county author Phil Rickman. The Cure of Souls, published in hardback by Macmillan this week, is his ninth novel
AUTUMN is a great time of year to explore the Malverns and a few weeks ago we featured a walk around the northern end of the hills. This week we're tackling the central section, between Wyche Cutting and British Camp. This is even more varied and attractive
GEORGE Harrison may have been part of the world's most famous pop band, but he often said he had not sought fame or riches. Indeed, among the Fab Four he was the one who first saw the value of exploring his spiritual side. He once reflected on his search
SEX Tripping, a name which suggests a spicy trip down a lane of heightened senses, is in fact a showcase for new bands and artists. It promises a sizzling collection of real stories performed by bands and artists recently signed to Mighty Atom Smasher
MALVERN Rugby Club have been drawn at home to Midlands One rivals Luctonians in the quarter-finals of the North Midlands Cup on Sunday, December 30. Luctonians beat Halesonians 55-5 in the first round last weekend.
MALVERN RFC Saturday, December 1 1st XV v Longton (Away). Bus meet Spring Lane 11am, Ketch Hotel Worcester 11.30am. Kick off 2.30pm. No. 1 Dress Code. Navy blue shorts. S Cooper, D Irish, S Lancett, V Hill, J Owen, S Taylor, A Garner, A Ridley, G Blakeway
MORE than 170 lots go under the hammer tonight (Friday) when West Malvern Cricket Club host their auction of promises, goods and cricket memorabilia at The Lyttelton Rooms in Church Street, Malvern. The auction follows the success of a similar event 10
WELLAND rally ace Robert Ceen suffered heartbreak when he retired within sight of the finish on the Network Q Rally of Great Britain which finished in Cardiff last Sunday. The 46-year-old amateur Worcestershire driver was co-driven by Malvern's Alistair
HANLEY Swan's Anna Bailey rowed to first place winning a gold medal at the largest indoor rowing championship in history recently. Present World record holder Bailey, aged 50, won gold in the Women's 50-54 heavyweight category at the PPP Healthcare British
A DOUR Birmingham Sunday afternoon North Midlands Cup game greeted a changed Malvern side, but the Hillsiders had way too much horse power for their old nemesis of previous league campaigns as they ran out easy winners in appalling conditions. SELLY OAK
THE theatre was in total darkness as we saw torches moving towards, and onto the stage. When the lights went up 30 or more youngsters, in varying black leotards, were moving and dancing energetically to Razzle Dazzle. Lighting effects and the singing
FOR Handel's oratorio Saul to be a success it requires soloists who can convey the thoughts of the main characters to the audience. Unfortunately, in this performance at the Malvern Theatres, most of them - Rachel Nicholls (soprano), Elizabeth Cragg (
THE ESO, with William Boughton on the rostrum, swirled into the gypsy rhythms of Brahms's Hungarian Dance No. 1. With strong tempi and surges of colourful sound, along with the double-basses and cellos in plucking episodes, this was a stimulating start
A TRANSPORT service for disadvantaged people in and around Upton could be up and running by the New Year. The Countryside Agency has increased the available grant for the Dial-a-Ride service from £7,500 to £13,000, which can only be released if funding
AFTER 33 years spent teaching pupils at Hanley Castle High School, Ken Williams is to retire at the end of the term. The 55-year-old, who teaches German and careers, is leaving to set up a painting and decorating business. "I always wanted to do something
A United Carol Service will take place at Upton Methodist Church on Sunday (December 2). It will start at 6.30pm and a collection will be taken for the Angel Tree charity, which buys presents for prisoners' children.
WORCESTER City's talented midfielder Darren Middleton may face surgery on his knee if a scan reveals a tear in his cartilage. The 22-year-old is hoping to have the injured knee scanned in the next 48 hours, but admits the delay in returning to fitness
Upton's Christmas lights are due to be switched on Monday (December 3). Around 80 Christmas trees have been installed on flagpoles outside the town's shops by volunteers directed by the Tourism and Trade Association. They have been paid for by the TTA
AN Autumn fair in Upton Memorial Hall last Saturday (November 24) raised £1,477 for St Joseph's and Blackmore Park RC churches.
A dance tonight (Friday) at the Star Inn to raise funds for SARA and the Tourism and Trade Association has been cancelled because of lack of interest.
A MEDIEVAL fayre is being held at Upton Memorial Hall on Saturday, December 8, from 2pm to 4pm. The event, organised by Longdon St Mary's CE Primary School Parents and Friends Association, will include a tombola, refreshments, second-hand toys and a Santa's
PLANS to transform the grounds at Upton CE Primary were unveiled at the school's autumn fair last Saturday. They show the first phase of an ambitious project to create a new "outdoor environment". Habitats for animals, insects and plants are to be constructed
A MEETING will be held next month to try and set up a Shopwatch scheme in Upton. Around 60 traders have shown an interest in the initiative and will meet in the Memorial Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, December 11. It is hoped to get it up and running by Christmas
THIEVES have stolen holly from trees at Hollybush church, destroying three mature trees in the process. The associate vicar of All Saints' Church, Rev Joy Birkin, said everyone connected with the church was saddened by the attack on Monday evening. "This
A United Kingdom-wide baton relay to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee will miss Malvern despite passing through near-neighbours Ledbury and Worcester. The Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay, also being run to celebrate the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games,
THE story of a 'missing' bronze bust of the world famous opera singer Jenny Lind, who died in Malvern, could be about to enter another chapter. Originally paid for by another Swedish singer, Elizabeth Soderstorm, after a 1987 Malvern concert, it was commissioned
COULD I make some practical suggestions to the long-running argument regarding the historical gas lamps. I think no one will disagree when I say that as a form of illumination they are totally inadequate. Even when all the four mantles are working (a
A new clerk has been appointed by Malvern Town Council - at the second attempt. Shirley Young will relinquish her current post as head of street cleaning and operations at Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council to start her new job at the beginning of February
OPPOSITION from several members failed to prevent Malvern Town Council from handing out grants to voluntary organisations. At a full council meeting last Thursday Coun Keith Phillips (MTAG, Priory) voiced fears the council could not afford to part with
VISITORS to Great Malvern are being offered double the seasonal merriment this year. There will be not one but two Christmas events livening up the town centre and tempting people to come out, have fun and spend some money. Malvern Town Council invites
Patrick Skelton's suggestion (Postbag, November 16) of moving Malvern's gas lamps to a central location where they may enhance the atmosphere of Malvern is eminently sensible. They are an attractive feature, but hopelessly inadequate for their primary
THE true meaning of Christ-mas is not being forgotten in Malvern Link with services and community events throug-hout the festive season. The choir of Dyson Perrins School and the musicians from Malvern Link Primary School will put on a joint concert at
I WOULD like to congratulate Councillor Nussbaum on her well reasoned letter (Postbag, November 16) on the question of "The Madness of Ledbury Loos". I fear that what she has unearthed in Herefordshire Council is a bad case of TMIAG (Trust me I'm a Genius
CHILDREN throughout the Malvern Hills area have been unselfishly collecting over the past few weeks to make sure those less fortunate abroad get a present this Christmas. Operation Christmas Child is a regular yearly collection which sees shoeboxes filled
I SUPPOSE it will not be generally known to your readers that about three or four times a year Catholic bishops write what is called a pastoral letter to the people of their diocese. This is usually welcomed - it relives the priest of the anxiety of writing
A simple place but homely That lies deep in a farmer's yard The going has not been easy, Its life's been very hard White walls of stone and mortar Are beginning to show their toil The place needs things adoing Once more to make it royal Evening sun through
COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to Malvern health visitor Lesley Knight, who died last Thursday at her home in Cherry Tree Drive. Ms Knight, 52, worked from Malvern Health Centre and had two separate spells living in the town. Team leader for district nursing
AUDIENCES at the Malvern Theatres and its cinema could be boosted by moves to make the venue more accessible to residents in Ledbury and Colwall. A mass mailshot of 3,750 Ledbury addresses is to be carried out to see if there is enough support for a late
THE Malvern-based Partnership Housing Association has announced a merger with Spa Housing Assoc-iation of Droitwich. The new organisation, to be called Festival Housing Group, will be the third-largest such association in the West Midlands. The merger
Young music makers in the Malvern area are being given the opportunity to record in a state-of-the-art studio and appear on a special compilation CD. Musicians, DJs and singers will have access to professional musical advisers and a portable 64-track
YOU'D forgive Guarlford farmer Geoffrey Bott for thinking the turkeys he has successfully farmed for some thirty years might just help bring his family bit of seasonal cheer. But after a miserable 2001 the few hundred birds he has reared for Christmas
VOLUNTEERS who look after a wildlife reserve on the flanks of the Malvern Hills say they are downing tools until its future is sorted out. The group wants Malvern Hills District Council to get its act together over the St Wulstan's Local Nature Reserve
'IN the beginning was the Word ...' John 1:1. These familiar words reflect the fact that Jesus, born on the first Christmas day, was alive in the most creative way before the day of His birth. Jesus had come to bring life to men yet John himself had personally
A WORCESTERSHIRE contracting business has been fined £12,000 for damaging protected trees in Malvern Wells. Droitwich magistrates heard how Pencroft Ltd sliced through the roots of 12 lime trees while carrying out work at Kings Road on Wednesday, April
JUST one goal separates Bromsgrove Rovers from rivals Bridgnorth Town who meet in the Midland Alliance tomorrow (3pm). Third-placed Rovers travel to Bridgnorth, who are fourth, with both clubs desperate to keep in touch with leading clubs Stratford Town
WORCESTER Rugby Club's young players will get the chance to meet New Zealand star Jonah Lomu next week and raise money for a local charity at the same time. Players from Worcester's mini and junior section have been invited to meet the awesome All Black
THE pastor of Malvern's Pentecostal Church, in Somers Road, celebrates ten years in the job this weekend. Pastor Alan Coyle and his wife Jill are inviting everyone who has had anything to do with the church to celebrate throughout the day on Sunday with
MALVERN College Combined Cadet Force (CCF) has triumphed in two key annual competitions that test military skill. The Infantry Section, made up of boys and girls, won the Best CCF Cup at the recent Military Skills Competition, following a 48-hour exercise
A TOUCH of magic is required to end Hereford United's mini-goal drought, says caretaker manager Phil Robinson. The Bulls travel to fourth-placed Barnet in the Nationwide Conference tomorrow (3pm) with just two goals in their last five games despite a
DREWE Broughton returns to Kidderminster Harriers attack for tomorrow's Nationwide League Division Three clash against fellow promotion hopefuls Luton Town at Aggborough (3pm). Broughton missed last Saturday's 3-0 home victory over former Conference rivals
THE Worcestershire football world has paid tribute to Bob Cole -- one of its long-standing servants. Mr Cole died suddenly at his Malvern home on Monday, aged 77. He was a Football League linesman during the 1950s and 1960s and ran the line on Stanley
HOMECOMING heroes from the fierce fighting and carnage of the Boer War in South Africa were treated to a civic lunch at Worcester and presented with their service medals during this week exactly a century ago. The Journal of 1901 stated:Centuries ago,
BRUCE Willis has had more than a few ups and downs in his movie career. For every Die Hard there's a Bonfire of the Vanities, for every The Sixth Sense there's a Hudson Hawk, and for every moment of his brilliance in Pulp Fiction there's the disappointment
A NEAR perfect display from Malvern's in-form Second XV swept aside Old Richians at Spring Lane last Saturday, extending their winning run of games to seven. MALVERN SECONDS 62pts, OLD RICHIANS SECONDS 0 From the start it was clear that Malvern's control
MALVERN U16's narrowly lost to the visitors from Birmingham having dominated large parts of the game. MALVERN U16'S 8pts, BIRMINGHAM EXILES U16'S 12pts Having taken the lead with a penalty from Adam Dixon, Malvern should have driven forward their advantage
THE weather conditions were not the best for a high scoring game, but the Malvern U17 'Stags' came together just at the right time in the second round of the North Midlands U17 Cup. OLD HALESONIANS 0, MALVERN U17S 32pts The home side began well and the
AFTER the long haul north to Tamworth last Sunday, it took two early converted tries to shock the 'Pirates' into action against a home side that were significantly bigger and quicker in all departments. TAMWORTH U13S 33pts, MALVERN U13S 'PIRATES' 5pts
MALVERN Town still missing several key players through injury, gave a much improved performance at Heath Hayes on Saturday, but a 65th minute strike enabled the home side to claim all three Express and Star Premier Division points. HEATH HAYES 1, MALVERN
Rare Drawings and watercolours by Dr Edward Wilson go on display at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. Dec 1- March 2002. For further details. Information Officer on 01242 237431. The Spirit of Enterprise. (Discover the secrets of Worcester). Until
WHILE every sympathy must go to city traders suffering from the effects of homeless people on city streets and although applaud your We Say article on Page 6, to call them street rejects is a disgrace. With regard to using doorways as toilets, perhaps
WHILE I was walking to work the other morning, I noticed with pleasure how many swans we have on the river after the massive decline in the 1970s. When I was a little girl I was always told they belonged to my grandfather, Alfred Bland, who traded as
TWENTY-FIVE years ago saw the first mention of plans to move an entire cottage to create a new museum in Ledbury. The building was originally part of Butcher Row, a line of eight half-timbered houses in the middle of what is now the High Street, stretching
A RUNAWAY horse caused "considerable excitement" in the North Malvern-Link Top area a 100 years ago, according to the Malvern Gazette. "It appears from the facts our representative gathered from PC Ellison that the animal belonged to Mr George Hill, builder
TWO Worcester girls are to have the perfect Christmas present after securing roles in a prestigious festive ballet. Ten-year-olds Katie Webb and Emily Hunt are preparing for their places within the Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker
Malvern Cinema: Legally Blonde (12) 7pm Fri, Sat & Sun, 7.30pm Mon-Thurs, 3pm Sat & Sun. Forum Film Special: Lagaan (Once Upon a Time in India) (PG) 7pm Weds, Dec 5 in the Forum Theatre. Odeon Worcester: The Lord of the Rings (PG) Release date
AN indignant article in a leading Sunday broadsheet last week condemned the Indian film Lagaan for its alleged violently anti-British attitudes. Now Malvern audiences can make up their own minds, as Lagaan (PG) is showing for one night only at The Forum
Chewing the Cud, by Dick King Smith (Penguin Books, £12.99) This is the autobiography of the famous farmer. The story is about growing up on a farm with his family and animals who he loved very much, and that is the main reason his farm fails and a new
Benny Green On Jazz: Such Sweet Thunder Foreword by Elvis Costello and edited by Dominic Green. (Published by Scribner, £25). THIS epic volume is the story of one man's romance with the original American art form. Here in all their bravery, honesty and
Cassell's Rhyming Slang by Jonathon Green (Cassell, £15.99) Madonna only decided to make London her permanent home last year but she has already picked up the local lingo Cockney rhyming slang. The American-born pop superstar has revealed that her English
A PERSHORE school is to have a crossing patrol and the search is now on for a Vale lollipop man or lady to escort children across it. Abbey Park Middle School staff are delighted that children who walk to and from the school will be safer following a
LANGLAND Sports increased their lead at the top of the Worcester Sunday Division Two and extended their unbeaten run to ten games. LAKE SPORTS 3, LANGLAND SPORTS 4 Langland opened the scoring when Rob Perrins chipped the home keeper after a long kick
A GOOD result for Keyz against high flying All Blacks, indeed a Worcester Sunday Division Three game they could well have won. ALL BLACKS 0, KEYS RM 0 The game started scrappily then All Blacks took control of midfield and went close several times. Keyz
AN investigation has been launched after a lorry driver died instantly in a crash on the M42 near Hopwood Services in the early hours of Friday. Police do not know what caused two lorries travelling south in the left-hand lane to both career down the
SWIPE cards could be introduced at Worcestershire schools to stop pupils skipping lessons. The Government plans to introduce "e-registration" at 500 secondary schools in England to help teachers keep tabs on errant youngsters. Worcestershire County Council
A WORCESTER law firm is celebrating following a 'David and Goliath' legal victory. Harrison Clark Solicitors, in Deansway, helped two Spanish vets receive a fair deal after they came to England to help with the foot-and-mouth crisis. The vets - Carlos
WORCESTER-based farming and rural supplies business Countrywide has invested in a major redevelopment programme culminating in a major overhaul of its flagship store in Evesham. The redevelopment comes on the back of extensive research into customer requirements
THE Malvern Table Tennis League's Division Two game between Broadheath and Oak was much closer than the 2-8 score suggests. Four games went to a fifth set with the visitors winning them all. David Elliott was the only winner for Broadheath. Paul Coleman
LEGIONNAIRES are top of the Malvern & District Pool League after beating Baldies Battlers 8-1 last week at the Cradley British Legion Club. They are on level points with Lee Tandy's FEAR crew who beat the Lager Louts at Upton Social 7-2 with the Cross
AFTER a week's rest Upton were at home to Droitwich Thirds at MGC. UPTON 4, DROITWICH THIRDS 0 Despite putting Droitwich under pressure from the start Upton had to be patient with Tania Philips, playing in an unaccustomed position on the right, giving
