Archive

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Help the aged

I AM both appalled and disgusted to read in the Malvern Gazette (January 11) that we may have to put our dustbin bags at the front of our properties. What inconsiderate planning by the councillors. I am 76 years of age and there is no way I can carry

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Plan no threat

The article 'Skate park under threat' (Ledbury Reporter, January 4) claiming that our planning application for bungalows on Area 15 at New Mills is jeopardising a possible skateboard park for youngsters is misleading. Under a legal agreement signed in

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Minister's healthy interest

Health minister Jacqui Smith was due to attend a health and the workplace conference at the Bank House Hotel in Bransford today (Friday) The conference, organised by Worcestershire Health Authority and the Chamber of Commerce in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

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Better solution

With reference to the comments by Coun Pat Raven (Malvern Gazette, January 11) concerning the road crossing the common, I agree the road is hazardous to pedestrians and has a blind spot on the brow of the hill. She is incorrect in stating the Tennyson

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Vision for future takes to the road

THE Vision 21 initiative to shape the future of the Malvern Hills area over the next 10 years will be launched next week. It takes the form of a 'vision vehicle' which will tour the district acting as a mobile forum for people to express their views on

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Shelter plan welcomed

PLANS to replace a derelict bus shelter on Link Top with a memorial garden have been welcomed by Malvern British Legion. Secretary John Kimberley said he hoped it would stop people desecrating the site by using it as a public toilet. Malvern Town Council

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Newts barred as 'weed' runs riot

A POND home to three different species of newt has become the focus for Conservators in a battle against a particularly pernicious plant. Crassula helmsii - introduced from New Zealand - is running riot in the Berrow Down pond on Castlemorton Common.

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Lifetime's dream is cut short

SO many mourners turned up to pay their last respects to Cheryl Lewis at Great Malvern Cemetery last Friday (January 11) that some were forced to stand outside. A secular ceremony was conducted by Thelma Brazier, a British Humanist officiant. Tributes

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Opinion

THE news Malvern Hills District Council is considering reviving the role of town centre manager two years after it axed the post, while ironic, strikes us as a potentially positive step. While it is understandable some should be cynical about yet more

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Holiday journey ended in fatal crash

A couple's holiday ended in tragedy when their car veered off the motorway and crashed into a broken down van, killing Sadie Taylor, aged 66, of Earl's Croome. Her husband John was so devastated by the loss of his wife he no longer felt life was worth

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Brain in warning to his players

JOHN Brain is warning his players that appearances can be deceptive as Henley Hawks travel to Sixways tomorrow. Worcester's head coach is ea-ger for his side to show no mercy in the National One tie and has underlined the need for 100 per cent focus against

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Kadeer top scores for U19s

A TOP score of 37 by Worcestershire's Kadeer Ali failed to prevent England from losing by six wickets to Sri Lanka in their final warm-up match before the start of the ICC Under 19 World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand. Having won the toss and deciding

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Watchdogs to rethink plans

CONSERVATOR David Ward has called for a rethink on how the body studies planning applications. Mr Ward, chairman of the land management committee, believes plans that meet certain criteria should be more fully discussed by board and committee members.

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Trio should be fit for Harriers'

ABDOU Sall, Colin Larkin and Scott Stamps are expected to be off the casualty list in time for Kidderminster Harriers' Nationwide Lea-gue Division Three clash against play-off rivals Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park tomorrow (3pm). Defender Sall suffered

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Pitmen will hold no fears for City

HEDNESFORD Town's fall from grace has been spectacular but no-one in the Worcester City camp is wiping away any tears at their predicament ahead of their clash at Keys Park tomorrow (3pm). The Pitmen, who have plummeted from the relative heights of the

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Fantastic four ready for challenge ahead

A FORMER Paralympics star is going in search of triathlon glory this year as he pushes back the sporting boundaries with a four-man team. Mark Fosbrook, manager of Worcester's Peak Fitness Club, is a double below knee amputee who has already starred at

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Double delight for Terry

GLOUCESTER canal guru Terry Girdlestone produced a stunning performance when he not only paralysed the 60 peg opposition during last weekend's Eckington AC Les Sumner Memorial contest but, along with Starlets ace Steve Ashmore, secured top place in the

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News Items Down The Years

1802: Advert: Chilblains - In every way, the penetrating powers of Whitehead's Essence of Mustard has frequently succeeded of curing the most desperate cases of chilblains, rheumatism, Gout, Lumbago an, Sciatica, Headache and Palsy. It can be bought in

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Plans afoot for a new Dad's Army

PEOPLE today may well think of Dad's Army as having been solely a Second World War outfit, but not so. The Journal for this week of 1952 tells us that England was then in the process of setting up a new-style Home Guard nationwide. "Considerable progress

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Problems reversed

AN additional 100 car parking spaces look set to be created for visitors and patients visiting the Alexandra Hospital following a number of complaints, writes Becky Procter. Both patients and the hospital union have complained the car park was full up

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18/1/02 - Town snap up Wes Joyce

Malvern Town last night signed 20 year old Former Worcester City and Moor Green player Wes Joyce. Joyce who has been playing for Moor Green in the Doc Martens Premier Division, has not featured for The Moorlands club since Christmas and although they

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18/1/02 - Under 14s in resounding victory

THE New Year started in resounding fashion for Malvern Under-14s with a 64-5 victory away to Old Salteians. Because of the Christmas lay-off and a match lost to the weather this was their first game in several weeks and there were signs of rustiness,

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18/1/02 - Devils work hard

MRFC Devils in thrilling encounter. The newly named MRFC U10 squad, The Devils, hosted Old Salts in a thrilling game to start the second half of the season. Old Salts came out running and soon opened the coring from a penetrating run. The Devils had to

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18/1/02 - Bradley back at The Grove

FULL Back Andy Bradley has linked up with Express & Star Premier outfit Causeway United after parting company with Redditch. The former Halesowen Town full back is back at The Grove, where Causeway groundshare with his old club, and was on the bench

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18/1/02 - Shaw set for debut tomorrow

LEA Shaw is the final piece in Rod Brown's jigsaw - for the time being at least, according to the manager. The former Stourport Swifts skipper signed for United last night after just one match for Bilston, the club he joined from Walshes Meadow. Redditch

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What's on at your local cinema

RAT RACE (12) Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding, John Cleese and Rowan Atkinson in a race to reach a $2m jackpot. Odeon, Worcester 12.30, 3.00, 5.30, 8.00. UCI Merry Hill (11.45 Sat & Sun), 2.15, 4.45, 7.15, 9.40. Fri & Sat late 12.10. Warner Cinema

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Double enjoyment as Trial

THERE cannot be many theatre companies that will go to the lengths that Worc-ester Gilbert and Sullivan Society have to ensure auth-enticity in its shows. But when Malvern Festival Theatre plays host to the traditional productions of HMS Pinafore and

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Tribute band will please Dan fans

IF you saw Nearly Dan at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall when they performed their outstanding Steely Dan tribute show at the venue back in March 2000, then you'll know what to expect. If you didn't, their return date is on Saturday, January 26, and prepare

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Local talent combines at event

A host of musicians from across the Malvern region play a special evening of acoustic music at the Downs School in Colwall on Saturday, January 26, at 8pm. Caf Malvernia features Heather Joyce, a professional musician from West Malvern, playing original

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Ted's in line-up

CORNET and flugel specialist Ted Taylor will be joining bassist Len Thwaites on Sunday (January 20) at the latest Abbey Jazz concert. The lineup for the concert, which takes place at Malvern Rugby Club in Spring Lane, will be completed by Chris Pearce

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18/1/02 - Cup news

TOWN will visit Wellington in the second round of the West Midlands League Cup on a date still to be arranged, although the tie will almost certainly be played next month. With the second round of the Worcester Senior Urn still to be concluded, Town do

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18/1/02 - Stourport are ringing the changes

AFTER losing 4-2 to Bloxwich last Saturday Stourport Lad-ies first team will entertain Olton 2B on Saturday in their last friendly before they re-start their Worcestershire First Division programmes against Droitwich the following weekend. There are changes

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7/12/01 - Ramblers dropped from name

MALVERN Ramblers Cricket Club will be known as Malvern Cricket Club following their recent annual general meeting. The most important item on the agenda was the proposal by the members, backed by the executive committee, to change the name of the club

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18/1/02 - Upton II clip Seagulls

WITH Bishops Castle 'crying off' from what was a scheduled fixture against Upton's seconds, the black 'n' whites opted for a hastily re-arranged pool fixture against Malvern Seagulls. MALVERN SEAGULLS 14pts, UPTON II 29pts. Despite the score line, this

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Your guide to the best sounds around

January 18 Cradle, Thee Virus House and Bring out the Freaks. The Marr's Barr, Pierpoint Street. Worcester. January 19 Come Together. Barbourne Ex Servicemens Club, The Moors, Worcester. New Blood supported by Groovy Head. The Marr's Barr, Pierpoint Street

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King George

A YOUNG man from Keswick Drive has very kindly given me a parcel of pens, pencils, envelopes and writing-pads, addressed to "George, Worcester's witty, wacky writer". So you see, Messrs Thomas and Norwood, I do have some fans. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester

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What's on at your local theatre

Dick Whittington Pantomime at Norbury. Until Jan 26. 7.30pm. Norbury Theatre, Friar Street, Droitwich. Tickets from box-office (01905 770154/795619). Goldilocks & The Three Bears. Pantomime. Starring Frank Bruno, Sophie Lawrence, Richard Cadell. Dec

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Rake over old coals

I READ with interest Coun Derek Prodger's letter (You Say, December 4) regarding quality of life, and environmental fears concerning a route across the Severn Valley. He has no need to worry. There is no road building proposal in any city, or county structure

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Why are rare animals hunted?

IN a rare moment of honesty from the bloodsports brigade we have Audrey Steel admitting "abuse and exploration", is a factor in "hunting with dogs" (You Say, January 7). What the hunt fraternity is not so honest about is its attempted portrayal of anti-hunt

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Hunt fans free to go where they wished

IN reply to Audrey Steel's letter (You Say, January 7) I must correct her allegations regarding the purpose of the barriers. At the December, 2000, meet barriers were erected on one side of the road only and protesters were requested to remain behind

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Humble success for comedy writer

A FORMER pupil at Worcester's St Mary's Convent School is celebrating her meteoric success after hearing that her play is to be staged in London's West End starring Felicity Kendal - after a writing career stemming just four years. Charlotte Jones' latest

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Susan likes to splash out while she's in town ...

IF ever Malvern feels the need to appoint an ambassador, it could do a lot worse than approach actress Susan Hampshire, who, quite frankly, is in love with the place. "It's one of my favourite towns in the whole country," she enthused. "I visit it at

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Fear over future of town centre finds echo in past

concern among traders about the future of Great Malvern as a shopping area and disquiet over a supermarket development are as true today as they were 25 years ago. Things were very different, however, when the Malvern Gazette reported on proposals for

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Priory counts cost of passing years

Fundraisers from Malvern Priory have reached the £250,000 mark in their quest to raise £400,000 to save the church's organ. But compare that to 50 years ago, when it all seemed somewhat cheaper. The Malvern Gazette reported that just £700 was needed for

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Echoes from the Past

100 years ago The Vicar of Christ Church, having taken up the scheme for the erection of a parish room, or as it is proposed to call it, the Queen Victoria Memorial Room, means to see it through and at the parochial tea in Mill Lane School on Friday evening

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Cinemas

Malvern Cinema: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (PG) 7pm daily, 2pm Sat, Sun & Thurs. Odeon Worcester: Booking now for Monsters Inc (U) - Released Feb 8th. See it first. Vanilla Sky (15) Thurs only 6.15, 9.00; Black Hawk Down (15

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Were you here?

A LARGE amount of money was stolen during a post office burglary between 8.30pm on Thursday and 6.45am on Friday. Redditch police are appealing for witnesses to the incident at the Mount Pleasant Post Office and house-to-house inquiries are being carried

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Maverick's mystery house reveals secrets

Midnight Bayou, Nora Roberts (Piatkus, £9.99) Declan Fitzgerald has always been the family nonconformist; the one who flies against the normal. This time he has surprised himself too. The purchase of Manet Hall is an impulse he can't justify; he just

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Clark declares himself fit after hospital visit

ALVECHURCH defender Ray Clark wants to play for Church at Romulus on Saturday - four days after coming out of hospital with a neck brace! Clark suffered severe whiplash in Tuesday's 3-1 Worcestershire Senior Urn exit at Malvern and was taken to Ronkswood

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Redditch and South Warwickshire League results

Jim Fleeman Cup Final: Hayes Harriers 1 Finnegans 3 Terry Cup R4: Mappleborough 1 Garringtons Sunday 4; Bournbrook Utd 0 Rubery Red Star 4; Austin Ex App 5 Droitwich Spa 1; Bromsgrove Athletico 0 Black Horse 2; Wychbold RBL 10 Thomas Bros 2; Alcester

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Savoury spread is still a kitchen mate

LOVE it or hate it, Marmite still reigns as one of our favourite foods, despite being created 100-years-ago around the time Edward VII was crowned. It seems that despite the array of delectable delights, from dried Japanese seaweed to kaffir lime leaves

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18/1/02 - Penalty miss in dismal display

RANGERS travelled to Great Barr on Saturday to play basement club Bustleholme Res in the Express & Star Division One South. BUSTLEHOLME RES 2, MALVERN RANGERS 1 Without wishing to detract from the home side's victory, Rangers gave undoubtedly their

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18/1/02 - Fromes Hill are still looking for first points of the year

FROMES Hill are still searching for their first win of 2002 after Talbot Head recorded the double over them in the Malvern Football League Division One. On two occasions Fromes Hill took the lead but were still unable to record any points for the second

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18/1/02 - Express 88 crash to Stu Harvey's triple strike

EXPRESS made a bad start to the day when kit man Andy Bottomley turned up with the wrong kit and they had to swap shirts with Radar to avoid a colour clash. EXPRESS 88 1, LANGLAND SPORTS 5 Express' performance on the day left manager Phil Smalley wandering

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18/1/02 - Falcons smash record

RED Lion Falcons put an end to the last remaining Division Four unbeaten record on Sunday when they triumphed 2-1 over Virgin Sports at Perdiswell and made it five league wins on the trot to boot. VIRGIN SPORTS 1, RED LION FALCONS 2 It was a physical

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Hazy days of history lessons

PETER Luff achieved quite a coup this week - outflanking Alan Milburn in the Commons. He forced the Health Secretary into a factual blunder, a rare event given that Mr Milburn is normally a very impressive despatch box speaker. It was not on a question

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Chance for firms to trade globally

A WORCESTER IT company says the world wide web has "flung the shop door wide open" for local businesses. KD Bancroft, of Chase End Close, Battenhall, is helping companies in Worcestershire pursue international trade through the web. "Utilising worldwide

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Change of name for DIY store

A DIY and gardening store in Bromsgrove is undergoing a £150,000 refurbishment and is changing its name. The former Focus Do It All will become Focus and will take on a whole new look with a completely new layout. The Birmingham Road store will remain

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Firms urged not to hide their success

MALVERN companies are being urged not to hide their light under a bushel but to shine forth - in the Malvern Hills District Council's annual Platinum Awards for Business Excellence. Businesses within the district are being urged to promote their successes

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18/1/02 - Points elude Manor Park Express Juniors

BEN Salisbury of Express Juniors took a game from Ed Palmer of Crackpots C and Geoff Burford one from each of Stan Ginn and Richard Cullis but they were not able to clinch a set and gain a point for their team in Division Three of the Malvern Table Tennis

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18/1/02 - Inter club bowls league

ONLY one game was played in the Malvern Hills Inter Club Bowls League over the Christmas and New Year's recession. Malvern Victoria entertained Ledbury and made a little progress toward recovering their position having won the competition last year. They

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Tactical changes prove the key to Bretforton success

Bretforton Ladies 2, Banbury 1 SOME tactical repositioning by coach Phil Talbot proved the key to Saturday's narrow win. Banbury were the first to apply the pressure but Debbie Slatter helped start a series of incisive passing moves that produced some

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Seconds' seven-up sparkle

West Bromwich II 2, Pershore II 7 PERSHORE travelled up the M5 for their first DTZ League fixture after the the Christmas break with a team boasting a good mix of youth and experience. Early pressure was competently dealt with by a rearranged defence

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Horror at crash scene

A YOUNG man was critically ill today after a driver "lost control" of his car and ploughed into a group gathered by a Worcester road. Two women also suffered serious injuries in the "horrific" accident outside the Evening News' Hylton Road offices during

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Helen grabs the first-half winner

Shipston Ladies 1, Evesham 0 A DOUBLE booking ended Saturday's friendly fixture prematurely with Shipston leading courtesy of a goal from Helen Patrick. The Christmas break had taken its toll on the Shipston side but they were determined to start the

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Top jobs could go in major shake-up

STAFF redundancies are on the cards as part of a major reorganisation at Malvern Hills District Council. Chief executive Chris Bocock said streamlining the council's management would result in a more efficient service and hopefully boost flagging staff

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Charity aids young people's activities

A YOUTH group will be able to afford some computer equipment thanks to a Worcestershire-based charity. The Spa Voluntary Youth Organisation Fusion has been granted £1,000 by The Margaret Westwood Trust to purchase the equipment. Fusion is a youth organisation

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£36,000 parking ticket

A SECRETARY had a surprise when a parking meter spat out two tickets and one displayed nearly £36,000. Sheila Barritt was on her way to work when she went to obtain her pay and display ticket at Castle Street car park, Worcester. But she received two

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Death of charity stalwart

ARTHUR Allen, a supporter of many local charities and organisations, has died at the Old Rectory Nursing Home in Tenbury Wells, aged 86. A dedicated countryman, Mr Allen devoted much of his time to the local history society and Tenbury Hospital's League

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Luff set to give F&M details

MP Peter Luff today welcomed the European Parliament's decision to hold a full inquiry into the foot-and-mouth epidemic which devastated Worcestershire and Herefordshire. The parliament has established a committee that will spend the next 12 months looking

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BUSHLEY Correspondent: Ms M Wilkes Tel: 01684 293435

A SPECIAL meeting of the parish council was held in the village hall on Tuesday, January 8, regarding the resurfacing of the roadway leading to the Elgar Housing and other properties across Bushley Green. All those residents concerned were invited to

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COLWALL Correspondent: P Hockett Tel 01684 564872

TICKETS for the Colwall Scouts' dinner dance event can be obtained from any of the Scouts' parents or Dee Jones on 01684 540920. This is to be held in the village hall on Saturday, January 26, at 8pm. There will be an open meeting on Monday, January 28

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LONGDON Correspondent: Mrs Eileen Moss Tel: 01684 833256

ON Sunday, January 13, some 38 people of all ages took part in our fourth Kaleidoscope alternative worship service. We learned some new worship songs, including a solo performed by Peter Fowkes, aged 17, with his own electric guitar accompaniment. Kathryn

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MALVERN WELLS Correspondent: Tom O'Malley Tel: 01684 575682

IT'S casino time again down at the old village hall on Saturday, February 2. Life, they say, is a gamble, but people have very different ideas on what constitutes a gamble. Take the Southern gentleman who drawls "I'll stake mah whole plantation to save

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POWICK Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

THE Worcester & Malvern centre of the National Trust celebrated the New Year with a dinner party in Powick Parish Hall recently. Over 90 people enjoyed a hot buffet meal followed by entertainment in the form of a slide show of National Trust properties

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STAUNTON Correspondent: U Groves-Smith Tel: 01452 840273

WITH the start of the New Year, the first meeting of Staunton & District Over-60s Club was well attended with new club cards issued and subs paid. The club always has a splendid programme planned throughout the year with really good coach trips as

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WELLINGTON HEATH Correspondent: Mrs P Wilkin Tel: 01531 633853

THE horticultural society met in January for the AGM. This meeting was very well supported, Mr G N Rose was elected as chairman, Mrs Pat Jacobs as secretary and Barry Sharples, of Bosbury, was elected as treasurer for the coming year. The formal part

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West Malvern Correspondent: Colin Jackson Tel: 01684 577604

A site meeting arranged by the parish council was held last Saturday to consider proposals for major modifications to the Croft Bank/West Malvern Road/WestminsterBank/De Walden Road under the Government-initiated, County Council-administered Safer Routes

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Backbeat Beatles a tribute to Fab Four

IT seems fitting that the Backbeat Beatles are a tribute band to the Fab Four, because since George Harrison's death the word tribute emphasises the notion of memory rather than admiration. Of course, with a tribute band the idea has always been of appreciation

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Open the arteries to heart of city

AS we reveal on Page 5 today, Worcester's park-and-ride system is likely to run at a loss of £261,000 this year. In the first six month's of operation, 40,944 tickets have been sold to people who are prepared to leave their cars at the Perdiswell site

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18/1/02 - Medal success for Kendall duo

FATHER and son Barry and Brian Kendall took the honours in their respective division's during Sapey Golf Club's January mid-week medal. Results: Division One (0-14); 1 B. Kendall(gross 81, nett 70), 2 P. Broadrick (76, 70), 3 I. Duggan (83, 70). Division

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18/1/02 - Park shines to keep in touch with the leaders

HEREFORD'S David Park maintained his good early season form when he finished four strokes behind the leaders on two under par after the first round of the Dunhill Championship in Johannesburg. It could have been a lot better for the Burghill Valley professional

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Cut me off from the real world

Mussorgsky and Ravel, Pictures at an Exhibition, Bolero and others THE world is hardly littered with Mussorgsky's work. This composer, one of the ''Mighty Handful'' from the Russian nationalist school, was modest in output but innovative enough to compensate

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Fixture changes

WOODRUSH'S planned trip to neighbours Five Ways Old Edwardians at the weekend has been cancelled because Five Ways have arranged a friendly against Silhillians. The Midlands Four West south side will now visit Warwickshire One neighbours Alcester, who

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17/1/02 - 'Revolutionary' Keast armed with honesty

THERE surely could not have been more modest surroundings in which to begin a fresh chapter in your career than Sharmans Cross Road. That, however, will have served as a stark reminder for coach Andy Keast that there is much to do at Worcester Rugby Club

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Great escape still on

WOODRUSH kept their slender survival hopes alive with their second win of the season at the weekend. The Icknield Street side exacted vengeance for a 40-0 hammering at the hands of Coventry Welsh earlier in the season with a timely 15-8 home win. The

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Woodrush record second win

Woodrush 15 Coventry Welsh 8 THIS vital league win was actually more com-fortable than the scoreline suggests. Apart from a consolation try for Coventry towards the end the result was rarely in doubt. One of the main reasons for the Woodrush im-provement

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Exiles need to improve

Redditch Exiles 20 Kenilworth Veterans 14 Redditch got a nasty shock when Kenilworth broke through with their first meaningful attack for a converted. The response was immediate, driving play put the Exiles to within touching distance of the line, which

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18/1/02 - Pitmen will hold no fears for City

HEDNESFORD Town's fall from grace has been spectacular but no-one in the Worcester City camp is wiping away any tears at their predicament ahead of their clash at Keys Park tomorrow (3pm). The Pitmen, who have plummeted from the relative heights of the

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18/1/02 - New face set for Casuals

MALVERN Town go into tomorrow's (Saturday) home Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division fixture with championship-chasing Wolverhamp-ton Casuals (2.45pm), hopeful of including at least one new face in the starting line up. This comes on

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15/1/02 - Shepherd hits two

MALVERN Town moved into the semi-final of the WFA Senior Urn after an extra time success against Alvechurch at the Langland Stadium on Tuesday night. MALVERN TOWN 3, ALVECHURCH 1 (AET) Town, who were missing several players through suspension, injury

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18/1/02 - Deserved reward for Edwards

CHRISTIAN Edwards, who plays as a back-row forward for the Malvern RFC Under 17 'Stags', has been selected to play for the North Midlands Under 17 (Clubs) Group. The sixth form student at The Chase received the news of his selection to this elite squad

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18/1/02 - Malvern in nets

MALVERN Cricket Club (formerly Malvern Ramblers) will be holding their winter nets session this year at Dyson Perrins High School, Yates Hay Road, commencing on Sunday, January 20. The indoor nets session will run through to Sunday, March 24.

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Six-hit Littleton book Junior Cup final date

Littleton 6, Badsey Utd 1 LITTLETON moved into the final of the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup with a 6-1 victory over their near neighbours and old friends. The margin of the victory was harsh on Badsey who at times held the upper hand. Littleton made the

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Call-up sounds for 21st reunion of youth band

A RALLYING call has been sounded for former members of Upton Youth Band to take part in a reunion marking the group's 21st anniversary. Corps director Helen Lane - one the its founding members - is on the trail people who have performed with the band

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Rev's sign upsets council

A Harley-Davidson specialist in Upton could be ordered to take down a large orange sign outside his premises. The sign was condemned by town councillors on Tuesday, when they recommended refusal of a retrospective planning application. It will be up to

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Driver responds to appeal

AN appeal for witnesses to a hit-and-run accident involving a 12-year-old girl in Upton has resulted in a man coming forward to say he was involved. He will be interviewed in connection with the incident, which saw the girl sustain minor injuries and

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SARA puts radios to test

THE Severn Area Rescue Association's new radio link has passed its first serious test with flying colours. The system, developed by Upton's Duncan Williams, links SARA members from Stourport to the Severn Estuary. It was put through its paces last Saturday

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Council approves a reshuffle and top level redundancy

A SENIOR officer at Malvern Hills District Council is to be made redundant as part of a high level reshuffle aimed at improving performance. New top-end management structures were approved by the authority's Executive Board on Tuesday ahead of a Best

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Age no barrier

COMPUTER tuition for the over-50s is now available free of charge in Upton.The 45-minute sessions are conducted on a one-to-one basis and can be booked by contacting Mary Wilkinson on 01684 593704.

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In Custer's boot steps

ANYONE who's ever fancied a taste of life in the American Wild West is being offered the chance to buy some land in Montana by a Malvern estate agent. Whitt, Yeates and Ridley has taken on 20 acres of land just 20 miles from Little Bighorn, where General

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Unforgettable

RECENTLY my uncle died after many happy years living in Great Malvern. He was a Normandy veteran and desired the British Legion to be present at his funeral. I contacted them and they came and did a splendid task both in the chapel and at the graveside

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Vandals ruin Hill

A MALVERN widow has told of her anger and sadness after motorists illegally driving over Hereford-shire Beacon destroyed her family's commemorative bench. The vandals smashed into the bench, bought by Peggy Hill in 1981 to remember her husband, Ted, in

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Dangerous view

I was astonished by the illogical statement from Mike Davis (Malvern Gazette, January 4), manager of Worcestershire's Highway Partnership that lowering the speed limit may make the A4104 road more dangerous if drivers ignore the limit. Surely what should

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Report vandals

I WAS most disturbed to hear of a recent spate of vandalism aimed, it seems, at our elderly and vulnerable community here in Malvern. Specifically, during the last two weeks both house and green house windows belonging to elderly residents in the vicinity

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Review of skatepark

Malvern Town Council is to thoroughly review the controversial skateboard park in Malvern's Victoria Park and explore whether to improve it or even dismantle it. The review will look into concerns raised by skaters about poor maintenance at the park as

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Plough Sunday

I WONDER how many of your readers know that January 13 was Plough Sunday. By chance I was present at a Plough Blessing. The farmer who owned the plough was the first to give a blessing, then the vicar gave a second blessing, each time a hand was put on

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Tree's end

TREE surgeons began the mournful task of chopping down one of Colwall's most famous trees yesterday. The mature horse chestnut will be the first of several trees in the area to be replaced with young imitations by Adrian Hope Tree Services, after being

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Horror movie

IF, as claimed, a demonstration of ownership by Malvern Girls' College of Hayslan Field were needed, surely the marking up and use of the field for the occasional sporting fixture either by themselves, or maybe other local sports clubs, would have been

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Enlightened?

WHERE there was once a beautiful English meadow where rare wild flowers and grasses grew, we are now faced with the ugly and roughly ploughed field of Malvern Girls' College. It is extremely surprising that from a college, where education, learning and

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Lesson for life

I see that M.G.C. has given the girls a lesson on how to plough through the Environmental issues when they go out in the big world of business. william atkinson, Pound Bank Road, Malvern.

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Shop restores sign rescued from skip

A VINTAGE shop sign is back outside the Great Malvern branch of W H Smith thanks to the family of a woman who once worked there. The painted wooden sign was removed from the frontage of the Belle Vue Terrace shop during a makeover in the 1970s. The traditional

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Service and not surveys

RE: MALVERN'S purported back door rubbish collection and its imminent demise (Malvern Gazette, January 11). We have lived in Baldenhall since 1994 and have never been served by such a collection. We have always had to place our black bags outside the

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Parking plan for stores

A PLANNING application for 38 additional car parking spaces at the Enigma Business Park has been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council. If approval is given, an area to the north west of the existing McDonald's car park will be expanded to meet

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Parking mad

I AGREE completely with the points made by Mrs Summer (Your Letters, January 4) about parking in the centre of Malvern. She could have added the area by Brays and other shops in the Worcester Road and on the opposite side - Abbey National. This is a favourite

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Choice denied

Like a number of other parents, last October I took my child, who is in year six at primary school, to the secondary schools in and around Malvern to make her decision as to which school she would like to go to ie Hanley Castle, The Chase and Dyson Perrins

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Hall upgrade begins

WORK is under way at Malvern Wells Village Hall to help provide disabled access. Improvements are also being made to the kitchen and serving hatch, as fundraising events continue to pay for the refurbishment. A casino evening, barn dance and murder mystery

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God heals

MAY I, on behalf of the Lyttelton Well, thank the Gazette for an excellent article in last week's edition. The reporter from the Gazette came at very short notice and by asking about my past experiences at work and within our church gathered the necessary

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In their thoughts

ELDERLY residents all over Malvern received a bowl of bulbs and a visit from a member of the Inner Wheel Club as part of the organisation's Founder's Day celebrations last week. The Inner Wheel movement was started by the wife of a Manchester Rotarian

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Elgar Housing part of merger

THE new housing association group formed from a merger including Malvern-based Elgar Housing is to be called Festival. Elgar - part of the Partnership Housing Group - will formally become part of the Festival Housing Group on March 31, if its merger with

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More crashes at death spot

TWO car crashes just yards from the scene of the accident in which a young couple were killed three weeks ago have led to renewed calls by residents for a change in speed limit. The accidents took place at around 8.30am last Saturday (January 12), leaving

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Cull of badgers back on agenda

A Government cull of badgers in the south Ledbury and north Gloucest-ershire area will resume in May following almost a year's break due to the foot and mouth outbreak. The cull - which also takes in the wider south east Hereford-shire - is part of a

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Time to get clock ticking

GREAT Malvern station's antique clock will be telling passengers the right time again within months after the funding for its restoration was secured. Clock expert Richard Manning has been commissioned to carry out the work by a mystery benefactor and

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D-day survey for play area

COMPLAINTS about anti-social behaviour at a play area will be put to residents before of a debate over whether it should be sold off. A number of residents have been calling on Malvern Town Council since November to close the Avon Close recreation area

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Greenman goes in City clear-out

WORCESTER City have released long-serving defender Chris Greenman. The 33-year-old former Coventry player has been freed by manager John Barton to give him a chance of first team football elsewhere, having been restricted by injury in the last two seasons

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Throw-away habit is such a waste . . .

THE amount of rubbish households in the Malvern Hills district throw away every day would fill over 400 double-decker buses. That translates to nearly 24,000 tonnes of waste disposed of between April and December 2001, according to Worcestershire County

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Grant aid needed to meet loss

Malvern Hills Homeless Young Adults Trust has begun a search for someone to guide its new funding bids as lottery cash dries up. Grants from the National Lottery, which have helped the trust provide young residents at its 12-bed Foyer in Malvern Link

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Injury threat to United revival

PLAYER-coach Phil Robinson has a potential injury crisis ahead of Hereford United's Nationwide Conference clash with Margate at Edgar Street tomorrow (3pm). Several key players are battling to be fit including striker Rob Elmes (back), Ian Wright (flu

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Speeding up Jubilee plans

A MOVE to speed up preparations for Malvern's Golden Jubilee celebrations has been agreed by Malvern Town Council. Councillors meeting on Thursday (January 10) also voted to start the process of booking brass bands for Sunday afternoon concerts in Priory

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Germans hail Elgar work

ELGAR'S Dream of Gerontius was being recognised for the first time as a great choral masterpiece at this time a century ago - although ironically in Germany rather than in his native England. The premiere of the work at Birmingham Town Hall in 1900 had

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Fire creates havoc at an historic city chemists' shop

A BLAZE at an historic Worcester chemists' shop caused many thousands of pounds worth of damage at this time 50 years ago. The Journal of 1952 reported: "Fire at the 200 years-old chemists' business of Kitsons at No.1 Broad Street was discovered in the

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Two weeks in jail for wife's manslaughter

A MIDLANDS judge was clearly guilty of gross male chauvinism with the glaring leniency of a sentence he imposed at Worcester during this week exactly a century ago. The Journal of 1902 commented: "Husbands with hasty tempers will welcome the arrival of

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Black day for Delta Force

ON October 3, 1993, American Army Rangers and members of the elite Delta Force took part in a covert operation in Mogadishu, Somalia, that went horribly wrong. Sent to abduct two lieutenants of a vicious Somali warlord, the soldiers found themselves surrounded

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18/1/02 - Pirates board Old Saltleians

Old Saltleains U13's 0pts, Malvern U13 "Pirates" 36pts. THE day couldn't have started on a worse footing for the "Pirates" losing of Phil Shore, Ben Mason and Jack Pritchett to heavy colds and then four more squad players who "disappeared" somewhere along

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New season at Roses Theatre

SEASONED folk rockers Fairport Convention, now in their 35th year, head up the list of attractions at Tewkesbury's Roses Theatre in 2002. The five-piece band, endowed with legendary status by the thousands of fans who have followed it since the 1960s,

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Beatles' death adds special poignancy to Backbeat gig

The recent death of George Harrison has added a special poignancy to the Backbeat Beatles' concert at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall next week. One of Britain's premier Beatles tribute bands, the group, which plays the venue on Friday, January 25, were born

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Festival brings in great bands

CAJUN and Zydeco bands from around the world will be descending on Glouc-ester next week for what promises to be a rip-roaring International Festival. Some of the biggest names in roots music are playing the Gloucester Intern-ational Cajun and Zydeco

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Singing blues

BLUES singers Paul Jones and Dave Kelly will be performing a mostly acoustic set of favourite blues standards during a fundraising concert at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall on January 31 at 8pm. Both singers in the Blues Band, the pair have gone on to individual

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Club's next concert

A piano recital by award-winning musician Charles Owen is Worcester Concert Club's latest event taking place on Sunday (January 20) at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall. Owen, who was a finalist in the London Philharmonic young soloist of 1996 and won a silver

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Expert tuition

YOUNG musicians from across the country came to Malvern at the weekend in the hope of earning a place performing alongside the English Symphony Orchestra. The Malvern-based orchestra's Side by Side scheme enables gifted young musicians to be tutored by

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Teenage talent is a welcome guest

ONE of the most outstanding young musicians of the classical world is coming to Malv-ern to perform not one but two concerts. Sergei Khachatryan, who won the Sibelius Violin Competition in 2000 at the tender age of 15, will be performing a recital concert

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17/1/02 - Trophy celebration for Norton ladies

WORCESTER Norton Under 19 women's squad retained their Worcestershire Clubs Championship Trophy with three convincing wins at Stourport and now qualify as the county's representatives in the Midland Counties Under 19 Clubs' Finals at Northampton on March

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18/1/02 - Steer and Cosh the stars for Worcester

TAMWORTH 1 WORCESTER 2 WORCESTER Norton started the second half of their DTZ League campaign in determined style, overcoming a resiliant Tamworth side in difficult conditions. They dominated for long periods of the first half but good possession and build-up

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17/1/02 - Cunning Foxes sniff out victory

RED Foxes triumphed 341-330 over Flintstones in Division One of the Worcester & District Ladies Skittle League. DIVISION ONE Red Foxes 341 (9) (C. Hitchcock 37 (14) J. Clarke 32), Flinstones 330 (2) (L. White 38 (13) (J. Oseman 31); Hallow Belles

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17/1/02 Molby looks to secure Bo

JAN Molby is bidding to fend off interest from other clubs and clinch the permanent signing of impressive loan man Bo Henriksen. The 26-year-old striker, who won the Danish Super League with Herfolge, has scored five goals in 10 games for Harriers. Henriksen

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18/1/02 - Promotion in mind with visit to Warley

UPTON Rugby Club still have their sight set on promotion from the North Midlands One this season and after an indifferent start have put together a winning run of five matches. Rob Heeley, Upton's 1st XV captain talks to the Malvern Gazette about the

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18/1/02 - Upton in contention with fifth league win in a row

UPTON RFC opened up their 2002 account in similar fashion to the way they closed 2001 with a win. UPTON 1st XV 16pts, BISHOPS CASTLE 1st XV 13pts After a five-week break from league and friendly matches due to Christmas activities and weather conditions

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Events taking place in and around Worcester

Worcester Film Society presents 'Sorry, he's here to help'. Jan 18. 8pm. Worcester City Museum & Art Gallery. Foregate Street. Worcester. for more details (01905 611742/355171/426987). 'Wit's End' - Gyles Brandreth's A-Z of Wit and Wordplay. Jan 18

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Exhibitions in and around Worcester

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. Drokpa- people of the Solitude's. an intimate portrait of nomadic life

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Classical and easy listening - a guide to the best concerts around

Nightjar at The Courtyard 'Blue Horses' (A fiery full-on-folk-rock concert). Jan 18. 8pm. The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford. Tickets available from box office (01432 359252). Worcester Concert Club presents Charles Owen - Piano who has won several

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Sad reality of Christmas tree

LIKE your correspondents, L S and S Davies, I am saddened to see the Christmas tree on the Cathedral Roundabout removed so early on New Year's Eve. Unfortunately, experience has shown that, if this were not the case, the tree and its expensive illuminations

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Parents pull their son out of primary

IT'S difficult not to feel some sympathy for the family from Doncaster who have decided to educate their son at home after he was taught by 13 teachers in the space of 16 months. Karen Hague believes her nine-year-old son Levi will fare better under her

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Coat of arms is 'asset to district'

THE College of Heralds placed a coat of arms for Malvern Urban District on its rolls, "an undoubted asset to the district" according to the Malvern Gazette on January 18, 1952. The project had started the previous year - the Festival of Britain year -

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Dream of a book for fat-busting recipes for life

The Classic 1,000 Low Fat Recipes by Carolyn Humphries (£6.99) CHRISTMAS is but a fading memory and such a pity that our only reminder is the spare tyre spilling out over the waistline of one's slacks. So be honest. These days, you undo a couple of buttons

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Swifts in hunt for striker

18/01/02 INJURED player-manager Tim Langford is stepping up his search for a striker to help Stourport Swifts' bid to regain a top six spot. Swifs travel to Cirencester Town in the Dr Martens Western Division tomorrow (3pm), having dropped to eighth place

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Lavender stars

Written by the actor who portrayed Private Godfrey in Dad's Army, The Ghost Train plays at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre from January 28-February 2. The 'sinister' play stars Ian Lavender, who played the cosseted Private Pike alongside author Arnold Ridley

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Comedy tops Courtyard bill

MUSICAL comedy tops the bill at Hereford's Courtyard arts centre tom-orrow (Saturday) with a Compact Theatre Production of Three Steps to Heaven. The tale follows six men keen to escape the present and find another destiny touring with the ultimate club

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Roles up for grabs

AUDITIONS for Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society's next production, The Talented Mr Ripley, are scheduled for Friday, February 1. The group is hoping to unearth new talent to swell its ranks and has appealed for anyone interested in joining to get in touch

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Lakin is Bees number one

FORMER Redditch United keeper Martyn Lakin has become first choice shot-stopepr at the Beehive. Previous incumbent Matt Pugh is doubtful for around three months because of work commitments, leaving Lakin the jersey and Duncan Turk as back-up.

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Women stroll it

Darlaston Town Ladies 0 Redditch Utd Women 6 ONLY three points behind the league leaders, Redditch were keen to start the year with the title firmly in their sights. Although this game was a friendly, the post-Christmas run-out gave manager Steve Tayler

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What's on

Theatre January To Jan 26-Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society present Rapunzel by Michael Buchanan-Smart at the Market Theatre, Market Street, Ledbury. Tickets £6, £4 students from theatre or telephone (01531) 633760/632769. To Jan 19-Malvern Theatre Players

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Jobs to be axed as firm loses £26m contract

JOBS are expected to be axed at an Evesham produce packing firm after it lost business worth £26 million. Primafruit, which imports and packs fresh fruit and produce for supermarkets, has been told by Asda its services are no longer needed by the supermarket

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18/1/02 - Junior Soccer Scene ...

MERCIAN Elgar Under 15's Junior Football League Cup quarter finals and from the first whistle Welland threw themselves into the attack, determined not to let Pershore settle. WELLAND JUNIORS 3, PERSHORE TOWN 0 After only five minutes, Welland's direct

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18/1/02 - Lowen's double sets up Keyz RM

KEYZ continued their recent Worcester Sunday League Division Three revival with a good team effort at third placed Perdiswell. PERDISWELL 2, KEYZ RM 4 The home side started quickly and Keyz had several scares before settling and gradually taking control

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18/1/02 - Radar run sees end

RADAR had won all seven of their home league games this season and with visitors Kays in the lower half of the table, must have been confident of maintaining the run. MALVERN RADAR 1, KAYS 2 However, they were beaten by a goal in the last minute of a

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18/1/02 - Stylish Powick victory

POWICK hosted Cutnall Green and after two wins were hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the Worcester Sunday League Division One. POWICK 4, CUTNALL GREEN 1 Both sides started well but it was Powick who took the lead in the seventh minute. Lee Richardson's

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Lock may secure a place in new Lords

COULD it be that David Lock's Ministerial career is not dead and buried after all? The very suggestion would have bought howls of laughter in the wake of his General Election hammering by Dr Richard Taylor. The former junior Minister in the Lord Chancellor's

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Deadly Daniel's a hit

SIX months after joining Worcester Athletic Club, Daniel Keen has already notched up a quartet of cross country triumphs. The 13-year-old pupil of Simon de Montfort School has monopolised this season's Gloucester League event - winning the opening three

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Luff back in full favour

A DAY is a long time in politics. At least that's how long it took to turn Peter Luff from villain to something of a hero on the Tory benches. Last week, this column told how Peter had made himself deeply unpopular by enforcing a three-line whip on a

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Smith put on spot over MMR policy

IT'S no secret John Humphrys views Government ministers in much the same way as a dog looks upon a bone. But even his own bosses admit he did not play by the rules in a recent mauling of Redditch's Jacqui Smith. Jacqui was booked to appear on Radio Four's

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18/1/02 - Trio should be fit for Harriers'

ABDOU Sall, Colin Larkin and Scott Stamps are expected to be off the casualty list in time for Kidderminster Harriers' Nationwide Lea-gue Division Three clash against play-off rivals Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park tomorrow (3pm). Defender Sall suffered

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Buyers are keen to make green checks

HOUSE-buyers are becoming far more environmentally aware, according to a leading Worcestershire law firm. Chris Bovey, head of conveyancing at Morton Fisher Solicitors, said more and more homebuyers were insisting on having an environmental search of

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18/1/02 - Four gymnasts in county squad

TEN gymnasts from Malvern Hills Gymnastic Cup Club took part in Country Trials last Sunday and four of them were chosen to represent Malvern in Hereford & Worcester County squad. The gymnasts are Sophie Loader, aged 6, Hayley Smith, 8, Sylvia Moeskops

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18/1/02 - Division crown is within sight

MATHON, Cradley & Storridge (MCS) Men's A team maintained their unbeaten Winter Tennis League record with a hard earned draw away to Ludlow Castle. Ludlow put out a strong side, which included their club coach. In damp overcast conditions Tony Dalley

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18/1/02 - Bailiffs peak to whitewash Studs

CAPTAIN Shaun Daly saw his Bailiffs side record their first maximum Malvern & District Pool League win this season as they cruised past the Bar Studs 9-0. Dave Jones started the rout then Harding, Reynolds, Kyte, Daly and finally Ken Jones took all

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18/1/02 - Weekend county soccer fixtures

SOCCER fixtures across Worcestershire and Herefordshire this weekend include the following: SATURDAY WORCESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE Division One: Hanley Swan v Goodrest Sports (B Martin); Plumbers Arms v Langland Sports (K Denton). Baylis Cup quarter-finals

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18/1/02 - Malvern too strong for visitors

WITH the normally very strong Stourbridge team depleted by late withdrawals, Malvern had an easier passage than might have been expected in this Worcestershire Squash League Division Two game. Even after Malvern's top player, Nigel Long, had withdrawn

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18/1/02 - Fixtures ...

SATURDAY FOOTBALL EXPRESS & STAR WEST MIDLAND LEAGUE Premier Division: Malvern Town v Wolverhampton Casuals, Ledbury Town v Gornal Athletic, Dudley Town v Bromyard Town. Division One South: Malvern Rangers v Leominster Town, Sedgley White Lions v

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Police quiz shoppers after death of Mary

DETECTIVES investigating the death of a Worcester pensioner were today due to quiz shoppers at the supermarket where she collapsed after her handbag was stolen. Mary Tudge is believed to have suffered an angina attack in the pet food aisle of Tesco, St

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Cost of Cup fevers

THOUSANDS of soccer fans plan to take "sickies" to watch England World Cup games - at a cost of £3.2bn. A poll of 4,500 supporters showed that 40 per cent will take time off to see England games in Japan this June. As office workers across the UK were

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Thumbs-up for the new Rover

AN Evening News reader proved he was in the driving seat after collecting the car he won. Derek Bradley gave his new Rover 25 a big thumbs-up when he collected it from Startin Rover. Mr Bradley found out he won the car just before Christmas after entering

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Model start for Acorns hospice

PLANS for a hi-tech hospice fit for the needs of children in the 21st Century have now been unveiled in Worcester. The model, on which the £4m Acorns Children's Hospice Trust development on Bath Road will be based, was put on public display at the site

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Victim dived under fridge

A MAN had to dive under his fridge-freezer to dodge blows rained down on him by an attacker who burst into his home, a court heard. Magistrates were told Sean Roberts watched Peter Berry crouch down under the partly toppled-over appliance, kicked him

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Coward comedy on stage

THE Swan Theatre Company is starting 2002 with a production of Blithe Spirit, Noel Coward's "gay comedy about a ghost." The play, written in 1941, tells the story of writer Charles Comdomine, who wants to learn about seances while writing a book. He invites

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£3,000 fraud by a city shop worker

A SHOP assistant who conned more than £3,000 in refunds out of Worcester's Marks & Spencer store has been warned he faces jail. Mark Bailey was working in the High Street shop's menswear department when he embarked on his three-month fraud spree.

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Ex-mayor calls for second bus scheme

WORCESTER desperately needs to build its next park-and-ride site to reduce traffic pressure on the Bromwich Road says a former city mayor. Derek Prodger said Worcester's traffic flow could be helped dramatically if a park-and-ride venue was introduced

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Fresh calls over death crash road

A FATAL accident near Upton-upon-Severn has prompted fresh calls for safety measures on the stretch. The crash happened just after the Christmas period near Duckswich Farm on the A4104 Welland Road and saw Malvern couple Paul Kitsull and Cheryl Lewis

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Electronic bollards are unveiled at last

A PAIR of long-awaited electronic bollards finally rose to the occasion in Worcester City Centre yesterday after two years of "mystery hitches". The new traffic-calming measure in Angel Street - which allows only buses and emergency vehicles through -

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Starter homes prices soaring

STARTER homes in Upton-upon-Severn have almost doubled in price over the past five years, leaving first-time buyers with little chance of stepping on to the housing ladder. On the average rural wage of £15,000, the maximum mortgage available would be

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Back in the spotlight

WORCESTERSHIRE MPs Peter Luff and Mike Foster are preparing for a new clash over proposals to ban hunting with dogs. The controversial issue has returned to the top of the political agenda after the launch of a fresh campaign by an alliance of anti-hunt

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Attackers jailed for five years

TWO men who robbed a garage cashier at knifepoint have each been jailed for five years. While Istasharm Hussain went to the toilet at Rock Garage in Callow Hill, near Bewdley, accomplice Stephen Hagan posed as a customer. Hussain then grabbed cashier

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James aims for a Harry Potter role

A HEREFORD schoolboy is working his wizardry on casting directors for the second Harry Potter film. James Wisker dreams of swapping Hereford Cathedral School for Hogwarts school for wizards and has auditioned to play Justin Finch-Fletcher in Harry Potter

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CRADLEY Correspondent: H Prescott Tel: 01886 880594

SUNDAY, January 13, the Parish Communion at St James's Church, Cradley, was well attended. Both Rev Sam and Rev Mike were with us. The Sunday School children were also with us at the beginning of the service for a while, before leaving us in order to

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FORTHAMPTON Correspondent: Gill Warner Tel: 01684 292395

AS in the past, senior members and widows of former members of Forthampton & District Royal British Legion were given a Christmas gift from the branch. Letters and cards of thanks have been received showing their appreciation. President F Remmer is

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River views, parkland, farmland and villages

This enjoyable and varied walk includes pastoral and arable farmland, beautiful villages, parkland, the River Severn and some surprisingly far-reaching views, extending from the Malverns to Brown Clee Hill. It also includes short stretches of two long-distance

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18/1/02 - Brain in warning to his players

JOHN Brain is warning his players that appearances can be deceptive as Henley Hawks travel to Sixways tomorrow. Worcester's head coach is ea-ger for his side to show no mercy in the National One tie and has underlined the need for 100 per cent focus against

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18/1/02 - Kadeer top scores for U19s

A TOP score of 37 by Worcestershire's Kadeer Ali failed to prevent England from losing by six wickets to Sri Lanka in their final warm-up match before the start of the ICC Under 19 World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand. Having won the toss and deciding

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18/1/02 - Mayers pips Lewthwaite on countback

KEVIN Smith and Eric Mayers grabbed the first New Year golfing honours when they returned scores of 64 and 66 to win their respective sections in the Belmont Golf Club's January medal. Smith, playing off a 10 handicap shot a gross 74 to pip Phil Skyrme

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Alcester match reports

Trinity Guild RFC 28 Alcester 0 From the kick off Trinity took possession, belying their league position and put Alcester under constant pressure. The three week gap without a game could be seen in Alcester's approach. The visitors were slow on the uptake

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Redditch juniors

Redditch U'8s 30 Old Halesonians U'8s 25 Redditch visited Old Halesowenions for two games fielding two sides. In the first game the visitors took control early on with Tom Field scoring within seconds of the start and woke up Old Hales who quickly levelled

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Alcester Colts report

Alcester Colts 0 Pershore 16 COLTS lost a close encounter against neighbours Pershore by two tries and two penalties. Playing down the slope in the first half, Alcester conceded a bizarre try when from a penalty at goal the Pershore kicker completely

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18/1/02 - Greenman goes in City clear-out

WORCESTER City have released long-serving defender Chris Greenman. The 33-year-old former Coventry player has been freed by manager John Barton to give him a chance of first team football elsewhere, having been restricted by injury in the last two seasons

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18/1/02 - New Morgan racer geared up for the track

MALVERN-based Morgan Motor Company's keenly anticipated new GT(N) racer made its official debut at the 2002 Autosport International Show last weekend The new GT(N) racer has been developed from the acclaimed Aero 8 road car under the guidance of Chief

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Ben Okafor n Review: Huntingdon Hall

Rockin' On Heaven's Door, a tribute to four great rock 'n' roll legends, is at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre from January 22-25. Performers recreate the magic of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and Roy Orbison in a two-hour journey back to the

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Malvern Theatre Players n Review: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

ROME was gallantly - and very cheerfully - recreated in this colourful and entertaining production by the Malvern Theatre Players. A good house in The Forum enjoyed an evening to brighten the winter gloom and some extremely good performances from a large

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18/1/02 - Strong test

MALVERN RFC travel to Sharmans Cross Road tomorrow (Saturday) to take on the second string of National Division One side Birmingham and Solihull. Director of rugby Dave Robins said: "This will be a strong test for our squad. The 'Bees' are in the same

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Rapunzel n Review: LADS, Market Theatre

Rapunzel must be the best pantomime offered in recent years by the Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society, if the opening night on Tuesday was anything to go by. There were hardly any first night jitters. The sets were solid, beautiful and imaginative. For

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12/1/02 - Goal for Dean on his Town debut

MALVERN Town returned from Walsall Wood on Saturday, disappointed to have only picked up a single point in this Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division fixture. WALSALL WOOD 1, MALVERN TOWN 1 Despite always being more composed on the ball

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Terrific ten turn on style to win

Evesham Utd 2, Swindon Supermarine 1 THIS was just the result that could turn Evesham's season around, writes Mervyn Collins! Down to ten men with only half-an-hour on the watch, the Robins produced a courageous display and fully deserved their win over

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18/1/02 - Olympic gold medallist at Hartpury College

AN evening with Triple Olympic Eventing Gold medallist Matt Ryan takes place on Thursday (January 24) at Hartpury College, near Gloucester. Matt, who lives at How Caple, won individual and team gold medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and team gold

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Semi-final success is no stroll for section leaders

Willersey 2, Lower Moor United 1 WILLERSEY booked their place in the semi-final of the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup following Sunday's hard-fought battle with their Division Two rivals, writes Mick Clewes. Seemingly cruising to a two-goal victory, the

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Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up

Littleton U-11 8, Evesham Utd 0 BOTH teams took time to settle in Saturday's cup quarter-final but it was Littleton who took the lead when Matt Goss converted Dan Keen's cross. Keen then set up Goss for his second after a great four-man move and Ben Johns

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Police Police perish in cup rout

Pershore Town 7, WM Police Res 0 AS EXPECTED, in form Town took the Police to task as they made comfortable progress in Saturday's Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup clash. Richard Congrave was Pershore's goal hero in the seven-goal drubbing, the striker finding

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Calling all fans

MUSIC fans in Upton are to be given the chance to become patrons of the town's first blues festival. "The idea is for people to support the festival by becoming a patron for a yearly subscription of £10," said organiser Rachel Willoughby. "This will give

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We already get Best Value

SINCE the announcement at the beginning of December about the possible commercial take over of Malvern Theatres subsequent developments, if any, have been shrouded in secrecy. It is not even clear whether the discussions with the Ambassadors Theatre Group

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Plans to put the pedestrian first

THE pedestrian is to be given precedence over the motorist on a Malvern estate after almost £600,000 was earmarked for a revolutionary traffic experiment. Residents in Duke of Edinburgh Way, Malvern Link, have broadly welcomed news that their area is

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Grateful for sympathy

AN Old Street jeweller whose shop was raided says she is grateful for the sympathy shown by people in Upton. Anne Manning, of David Manning Jewellers, said gifts and kind words received in the wake of the theft on January 8 had made it easier to cope.

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Bin proposed change, council told by elderly resident

HOUSEHOLD rubbish collected by Malvern Hills District Council will be collected from the front of properties in a bid to improve services and cut costs if it gets final approval from full council this week. As part of a Best Value review by MHDC officers

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Plan seems irresponsible

I HAVE been surprised at the modest response to the news of the probable changes to the management and operation of the Malvern Theatres. Despite your articles and William Boughton's announcement at a recent concert, there seems to be little interest

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Garden design talk

A TALK on garden design is being given at Upton Memorial Hall on Thursday (January 24) at 7.30pm. Ring Liz Jones on 01684 593821.

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Dumbing down

I WRITE on behalf of the Cotswold Rambling Club, based in Cheltenham. As its social secretary, I organise several visits to Malvern Theatres each year; we fill a coach each time. Many members also visit the theatre privately, just as my wife and I do

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Summer fun

I agree wholeheartedly with Anthony Hopwood (Your Letters, January 4) and his idea of a light electric railway to the top of the Hills. This would provide disabled people with access to the top, and also parents with young children for whom it is too

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Worcestershire Beacon to be site for mobile cafe?

A MOBILE cafe to serve walkers at Worcestershire Beacon is under discussion by the Malvern Hills Con-servators. A mix of public response, trader reaction and legal guidance will help the body decide if the Beacon is an appropriate long-term site. Board

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I returned in tears when field was ploughed

I FELT impelled to write in response to the decision by Malvern Girls' College to plough up Hayslan Field. I, unlike the college, do not own the field, but I love it with a passion, which they cannot possibly feel for it, or they would not have been able

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Disquiet over big tax rise

A GROUP of Malvern town councillors have made a representation to Worcestershire County Council to complain about an imminent Council Tax increase of 7.9 per cent. Nine councillors attended a budget consultation at County Hall on Monday to ask questions

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Bad example

IT is common knowledge that Malvern Girls' College is involved with a school in The Gambia, a country that has suffered severe environmental degradation due to over grazing and other destructive forms of agricultural management. It therefore seems ironic

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Established firm to close

THE owner of a Court Road timber yard that has existed for more than a century has announced he is to close it at the end of this month. Doringe Timber's owner Simon Hull is leaving to take up a post with Solihull-based timber firm Wyckham Blackwell.

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Decision due

PLANS for the resurrection of the Malvern town centre manager post will go before a full meeting of Malvern Hills District Council on Tuesday after provoking little comment at this week's Executive Board meeting. The matter was discussed in passing as

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MYP election

ELECTIONS to the UK Youth Parliament are being held at County Hall tomorrow. Worcestershire elects three MYP to the national body, which discusses issues concerning young people. ID, a group founded to improve the image of young people in Worcestershire