RECORDED crime across West Mercia is up by 30 per cent - with a 117 per cent rise in violent crime. But despite the rise, Assistant Chief Constable Ian Arundale has acted to dispel fears that the streets of Worcestershire were more dangerous than before
THE multi-talented boys of the Cathedral Choir have been performing in the Cathedral Chapter House as part of Worcester's Fringe Festival. The trebles were directed last night by Adrian Lucas, director of music at King's School, Worcester. Coming up today
BIG Brother's Tim Culley has been publicly criticised for dying his auburn hair black. As his roots start to appear, digital channel E4 continues its countdown to G-Day on Big Brother's Little Brother - when his ginger mane will become apparent. Tim,
FASHION retailer Next is set to be the anchor store for the new Lychgate development, the complex's owner revealed today. Tops Estates said the pre-letting would be a major draw for the centre and achieve its objective of developing the Lychgate into
VILLAGERS in Worcestershire are celebrating after the Government suffered a major setback in its plans to build accommodation centres for asylum seekers. Councillors in Oxfordshire and Nottinghamshire rejected plans to build centres in Bicester and Bingham
YOUNGSTERS at a Worcester school have had a taste of original Antipodean life during the school's art week. The pupils from Thornton House School, in Wyld's Lane, had a go on the didgeridoo, the instrument that was made famous in the UK by television
A DETERMINED stroke survivor is set to receive a prestigious award for showing artistic talent and courage. Christine Hare, who had a stroke five years ago which paralysed her right-hand side, has won the art award from The Stroke Association. Despite
A HUB where Worcestershire residents can access council information at the touch of a button is in the pipeline. Worcestershire County Council's E-Government strategy will enable residents to obtain information on matters involving a variety of different
A BBC team of builders has brightened up the life of a Worcestershire family by turning their garage into a playroom. The team from DIY SOS finished off a job Jan Carne had started for her two boys, Christopher, 14, and Michael, 10. The task had proven
BUDDING engineers from St Mary's Convent Preparatory School had designs on a regional competition. Two pupils from the school's engineering club were chosen to go through to the next round of the competition at Birmingham University. The school's Young
A WOMAN whose pint glass injured a love rival in a nightclub told a jury she had not acted deliberately. Nicola Mosley claimed Charlotte Owen pushed the glass into her face during a row over an ex-boyfriend of them both. Giving evidence at Worcester Crown
ANURAG Singh scored his second Frizzell County Championship century of the season as Worcestershire assumed control of their Division Two clash with Essex at Southend. Tom Moody's men ended the day on 332-6 -- a lead of 135 with four first-innings wickets
AFTER the difficulties encountered last week in south-east Worcestershire, it seemed a good idea to head for an area where footpath problems are almost unknown - and where better than the Cotswolds? Tackle this easy walk from Moreton and you will enjoy
MALVERN RFC are one of 14 clubs who have entered the new North Midlands U17s League which has been introduced to provide competitive rugby for teenagers below Colts level. Matches will be played on Sundays between September 15 and April 6. Teams: Luctonians
WELLAND Juniors will be holding two pre-season training sessions at the Hill Centre, Upton, tomorrow (Saturday) and again on July 20, commencing 10am prompt concluding with refreshments at 11.30am. New players interested in playing league football at
BARNARDS Green Seconds found the going tough against Alvechurch in this WCL Division Three match but managed to hold on for a draw thanks to the efforts of Mark Jones who frustrated the visitor's bowlers for 15 overs. BARNARDS GREEN II v ALVECHURCH II
BARNARDS Green visited Old Elizabethans in a Worcs Sunday League Division One game. OLD ELIZABETHANS v BARNARDS GREEN SUNDAY Skipper Kevin Ratcliffe lost the toss and the Green were asked to field. They made an excellent start with Tim Williams getting
BARNARDS GREEN Saturday, July 13 1st XI v Victoria & Blakeley (Home). Meet 1pm. R Williams (Capt), P Drinkwater, B Hancock, T Clarke, T Williams, A Lamb Jnr, P Spencer, G Glendinning (Wkt), K Golder, C Hill, I Scullion. Match sponsor: David Whyman
THIS week 250 years ago, Worcester people were offered the chance to gaze on possibly the world's tallest man at that time. The Worcester Journal of 1752 carried a public notice and engraving "to acquaint the curious that Mr Blaker, the modern Living
WITH PEACE restored at last at the end of the Boer War, the nation gave a rapturous hero's welcome home from South Africa to Lord Kitchener this week a century ago. Under the headline "The Conquering Hero's Homecoming," the Journal of 1902 described the
THE temptation to compare this latest Eric Chappell offering to one of his many previous comedy successes is overwhelming. And why not? Duty Free, for those of us old enough to remember it, is the sort of television comedy classic many a writer would
THIS celebration concert by Malvern & District Community Arts Privision (MADCAP) featured local amateur societies. Sign language was given throughout. Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society presented excerpts from West Side Story. In meaningful
A COLOURFUL procession of umbrellas will follow the water festival parade through the streets of Upton for the first time ever this summer. Organisers are introducing a competition to find the best designed decorative umbrellas as part of the parade,
A CHAMPIONSHIP-winning family butchers is celebrating 70 years of selling top-quality meat to the people of Hanley Swan - but staff are too busy to celebrate! Pauline Phipps, grand-daughter of Robert Allen Phipps, who established the business in 1932,
A CABARET revue starring tribute acts to Cher, Neil Diamond and Tina Turner, is to be staged at Upton's Memorial Hall next week. An Evening with the Stars will also feature Marade, Marc Drew and Bobby Bee, the United Stars Dancers and a fully licensed
AN exhibition of the work of Malvern Terrace Artists takes place at Hanley Swan Village Hall this weekend. Between 180 and 200 pieces of work by 50 artists are expected to go on show at the exhibition and sale, which will raise funds for the League of
HANLEY Castle Badminton Club is appealing for more players to make use of the new facilities at Hanley High School. The club meets on Wednesdays from 8pm to 10pm and welcomes players aged over 16, from beginners upwards. Fore more information, ring 01684
THE garden at Severn End is the next venue for St Gabriel's Women's Institute meeting on Tuesday, July 16. Elizabeth Kay is hosting the meeting, which will hear a talk given on the subject of "Cross Stitch".
A JAZZ Festival service that took place at Upton Parish Church was broadcast at 7am on BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester last Sunday. The service, conducted by The Rev Chris Hardwick, attracted more than 1,000 people when it was held on Sunday, June 30
MALVERN Hills District Council has revealed its programme for public consultation over the future management and operation of Malvern Theatres Members of the council's executive committee will be asked to rubber stamp the programme when it meets on Tuesday
A DISUSED public toilet with a built-in bus shelter could be sold off by Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) in order to bring in more than £25,000. MHDC officer Richard Allison will recommend the authority submits a planning application to change the
MAY I please say a big thank you to the good folk of Upton-upon-Severn for the splendid jazz festival. You gave me, my brother and his wife your usual friendly welcome. We travelled from Lincolnshire, the gentle way! No M1 or whatever. We were fed and
THE appointment of consultant to assess the possible move of Malvern Hills District Council to a single site will be debated by the council's executive committee on Tuesday (July 16). Also recommended is that consultants Structural Soils Ltd be employed
THANK you for publishing details of my troubles with the Trustees of the Buchanan Trust Estate at Bosbury (Ledbury Reporter, June 28). I appreciate your fair and balanced coverage, however, I am concerned that, as this issue is very complex, and that
IN your article 'Skatepark faces legal action' (Malvern Gazette, June 28), you describe the skatepark as a "magnet for young people". The skatepark is situated in Victoria Park along with two tennis courts, a full-sized grass football pitch and two tarmac
FURNITURE from Croome Court fetched a total of almost £170,000 when it was auctioned at Christie's in London last Friday. The items which fetched the highest price were a pair of George III torcheres - tall stands for candlesticks - which sold for £89,150
ANYONE who has been into Ledbury these past weekends and even during the week cannot help but notice the increase in the amount of traffic and the consequential gridlock. This can, of course, be put down to an overall increase in vehicles in general terms
DOZENS of people will be learning new skills and gaining qualifications this September after signing up to courses at Malvern Hills College's open day. The event, which took place on Saturday, saw people of all ages visiting the Albert Road North-based
A LEDBURY fitness instructor claims she was forced to quit using Ledbury Rugby Club as a base for her yoga classes after refusing to move her times to accommodate new classes. Wendy Preston said she has been treated "very poorly" by the club, after being
The son of the headmaster at the Downs School, Colwall, when W H Auden was a teacher there, was the guest at an event celebrating the poet's links with the area. Dr James Hoyland is the son of Geoffrey Hoyland, to whom Auden dedicated the poem, A Summer
Cleaning lofty windows or chimneys at Eastnor Castle has never been easy. Up to now, such maintenance work has often had to be carried out from the top of very long ladders - and only in settled weather conditions. But this week, Ledbury-based specialist
A DILAPIDATED footpath that offers disabled and elderly people the only possible route to Malvern Link station's western platform is to be resurfaced and have street lighting installed. The path, currently leased by Central Trains from Railtrack's successor
WHEN Ken Harris, the founder of Severn Leisure Cruises, arrived in Upton in 1978, his new riverside premises consisted of a single-storey warehouse with a corrugated iron roof. At that time, the town had fallen into a depression and was home to a dozen
villagers who have been objecting to a proposed housing development in Cradley are angry that a Herefordshire Council committee has assessed the plans merits before the end of a consultation period. Parish council clerk Patricia Courtney said they were
WE hope Malvern Hills District Council always planned to hold the "full, open and well-informed debate" on the future of Malvern Theatres which it announced this week. To be fair, the council has always promised that there would be full public consultation
A MALVERN-BASED housing association is expected to change its policy over helping elderly and disabled residents with repairs after an elderly resident was given £25 to redecorate his kitchen by himself. Leonard Williams, a 77 year-old widower, was left
ANURAG Singh scored his second Frizzell County Championship century of the season as Worcestershire assumed control of their Division Two clash with Essex at Southend. Tom Moody's men ended the day on 332-6 -- a lead of 135 with four first-innings wickets
WORCESTER Rugby Club have admitted that Richard Smith sees his future at Cardiff Arms Park. Sixways' director of rugby John Brain has revealed that the scrum-half is ready to quit Worcester for the chance to return to the international arena. "Having
BRAZIL may be famous for its samba and fine football but a Malvern student is about to experience a very different side of life when he visits the South American country later this month. James Hern, 20, of Wilton Road, will see at first hand how street
RAIN on Friday resulted in the wheels of trucks churning up tracks on Bromyard Gala's Birchyfield site, but sunshine over the weekend ensured high spirits and a successful event. Helping to increase the thrill quotas were the Royal Signals' White Helmets
WORCESTER Rugby Club have underlined their fighting fit policy by adopting judo into their training regime. Sixways' director of rugby John Brain has drafted in martial arts expert Eddie Awford -- Worcester's 'Mr Judo' -- to ensure his squad belt up for
TWO Hereford Rowing Club members are having trials for England's Commonwealth Games team this weekend following success at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta. Adam Gibbs and Tracey Matthews will be striving to impress the national selectors in the Nottingham-based
SCOOBY DOO (PG): Super Scooby (voiced by Neil Fanning) is reunited with Fred (Freddie Prinze Jr), Daphne (Sarah Michelle Gellar), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) and Velma (Linda Cardellini) on the trail of strange crimes on Spooky Island. Odeon, Worcester 1.00
MALVERN'S resident reggae star Ben Okafor is to turn his attention back to recording his latest album after a successful performance at this year's Glastonbury Festival. The talented musician graced Glastonbury's World Jazz stage at the Festival, as did
A splendid evening's entertainment was provided by pupils aged four to 19 from schools across the county. Woodfield String Group began in style, with the singers of Cleeve Prior First School maintaining their parts well in The Wreck of the John B and
THE BBC Big Band is booked at Worcester Cathedral later this month, a rather unusual venue for this genre of music. The acclaimed band will appear alongside a 100-voice chorus from the Worcester Festival Choral Society on Saturday, July 27, to perform
ANNIE the musical is being staged at the Swan Theatre in Worcester to help raise money for families with disabled children. The youth section of Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society (WODS) will perform the show from Tuesday, July 30, to Saturday, August
BANDS with names like Groovyhead and Gumbo Ya Ya will be rocking the pubs of Upton on Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20, at the town's first ever blues festival. The event is being held in response to the International Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival,
IT'S becoming obvious that President Bush is spinning a very dangerous web of deceit on the international scene. He has become a war- monger who thinks might is right. Mr Bush was instrumental in bringing down the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and replacing
FOLLOWING Upton Rugby Football Club's recent annual general meeting, the North Midlands League One club has announced its new committee members for the season ahead. Taking over the top job from Ray Gidley, new club chairman David Gower promises a year
PLANS have been resubmitted to Wychavon District Council for new agricultural access to property on the Droitwich Road, Hanbury. The application will be considered shortly under delegated powers.
FAST talking chat show host Clive Anderson will reveal his secret passions and private horrors in a show at the Ledbury Poetry Festival. The host of Clive Anderson Talks Back and Whose Line Is it Anyway? will improvise a witty evening of encounters with
WITH the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II still fresh in the memory, reader Diana Crews of Newland has lent us a copy of the Malvern Gazette of May 11, 1935, a special edition to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. Judging by its coverage
THE commercial possibilities offered by the motor car were appreciated in the Malvern Gazette a century ago. The columnist Ariel was remarking on the enterprise of a grower from Evesham who brought a car-load of fine strawberries to sell in Malvern. "
100 years ago The excellence of Malvern cricket was displayed in the Universities match last week. A London contemporary says that W H B Evans' innings was undoubtedly the best played in the match and there was no-one who appeared more likely to develop
Elgar & Royalty Exhibition at The Elgar Birthplace Museum, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcester, from April 23 to October 31. n Celebrating Worcester's Royal Connections Exhibition at The Elgar Birthplace Museum, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath
Worcester Male Voice Choir in concert at St John the Baptist Church, Whitbourne, on Saturday, July 20. Ticket enquiries call 01886 821501.
WEST End, stage and screen legend Lionel Blair will take a side-step from his normal image when he appears at Malvern Theatres in Who Killed 'Agatha' Christie? later this month. Lionel and his long-time friend George Sewell star together in Tudor Gates
Mad Dogs Theatre is looking for new talent to appear in its production of The Skin Game. The touring production by the Herefordshire-based company will be at the Market Theatre in Ledbury as well as the Lion Ballroom in Leominster and All Saints' Church
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers will em-bark on their opening pre-season friendly at Stratford Town tomorrow (3pm) with literally a spring in their step. New manager Ian Britton has hired national athletics coach Bob Andrew to help the players boost their fitness
DAVE Twigg won Malvern Angling Club's club cup fished on the River Avon at Birlingham. Conditions were perfect for the match but for some reason it did not fish well with most anglers struggling for a bite. In very deep water Dave used pole tactics, fishing
THE Worcestershire Golf Club's A team was in scintillating form in their recent home league match against Kidderminster. The opening pair of course manager, Graham Wallace and Terry Lloyd proved far too strong for their Kidderminster opponents and returned
THE annual general meeting of the Malvern Table Tennis League, sponsored by Whatley Recordon, Solicitors, was held at the Vaughan Hall, Manor Park recently. The secretary, Cicely Palmer, reported on a year in which the Malvern League had bucked the national
ONCE again Ledbury swimmers were centre stage at the Worcester County Champion-ships for 9-year-old relay teams and 10-year-old individual swimmers, held at Wolver-hampton on Sunday. Although a minority, Ledbury parents made themselves heard as they cheered
TAP water in Worcestershire is among the best in the world and that is official. Severn Trent Water was found to have tap water that was statistically significantly above the average of the standard by the Drinking Water Inspectorate. The independent
A WORCESTERSHIRE trading estate has been bought from its South African owners in a multi-million pound deal. London-based chartered surveyors Strutt & Parker handled the £4m sale of Ikon Trading Estate in Hartlebury for one of its clients, a private
MALVERN entertained Oldswinford in Saturday's Worcestershire Cricket League Division Two encounter and emerged with a winning draw after a good solid performance. MALVERN v OLDSWINFORD Malvern enjoyed an excellent start thanks to a brilliant opening stand
WORCESTER Rugby Club have underlined their fighting fit policy by adopting judo into their training regime. Sixways' director of rugby John Brain has drafted in martial arts expert Eddie Awford -- Worcester's 'Mr Judo' -- to ensure his squad belt up for
NOMADS got back on track with a needed and well-earned WCL Division Two win against high-flying Eastnor on Saturday. WORCESTER NOMADS v EASTNOR In a thoroughly entertaining game, Nomads came out on top by four runs in a very close finish. The juniors
MALVERN Town have been back in pre-season training now for two weeks and a new -look squad is beginning to be put in place. A number of players who have featured for Town during the past few seasons will not be returning. General Manager Richard Anson
COLWALL raced to an important 53 run win over Wootton Bassett in the league on Saturday after Dave Powell's top score of 67 and skipper Dave Sutton's six wickets. COLWALL v WOOTTON BASSETT On the back of three consecutive league defeats Colwall needed
MALVERN cyclist Tim Wood was supposedly taking it easy prior to a weekend national event in Northumberland but he still managed to win the VC Sevale's Chance Lane 10 by more than a minute. This race was also the first of two club championship events with
SATURDAY CRICKET WEST OF ENGLAND CLUBS GLOS/WILTS Division One: Malmesbury v Colwall. Division One 2nd XIs: Colwall II v Malmesbury II. WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE Division One 1st XIs: Bromyard v Pershore. Division One 2nd XIs: Pershore II v Bromyard
MALVERN College 1st XI has finally defeated their old rivals Harrow School by 104 runs after a long wait of 36 years. For some reason, Harrow have been their bogey team over the years but at last they have put that pesky ghost to rest with a thoroughly
MALVERN Ladies Football Club are recruiting players for an U11 team to play in the Mercian League next season. Players must be aged 9 or 10 on August 31 this year to qualify and the club are looking for a good turn out at their first training session
SOCCER coaching aimed at seven to 13-year-olds and run by District Sports Services is being held at The Chase from July 22 to July 26 and the Hill Centre, Upton, from August 19 to August 23. For more information contact Neil Bond on (01684) 592363 or
CRICKET coaching weeks are being held at Barnards Green CC, North End Lane, Malvern, next month. Nets, skills, techniques, fun games and individual coaching will all be included. Up to 11 years is on Monday, August 12 to Friday, August 16 and 12 years
MALVERN RFC are one of 14 clubs who have entered the new North Midlands U17s League which has been introduced to provide competitive rugby for teenagers below Colts level. Matches will be played on Sundays between September 15 and April 6. Teams: Luctonians
THIS Sunday (July 14) is fun day at Malvern Cricket Club, Regency Road, starting at 9.30am and continuing all day. There is an U14s cricket competition on all day, with eight teams taking part, and side stalls including barbecue, beat the goalkeeper,
REBEL pensioner Nellie Copson has been forced to cough up her outstanding business rates to the council after years of legal wrangling. Miss Copson's debts of £3,103, which included money she owed Wychavon District Council in legal costs and bankruptcy
YOUNGSTERS in Worcester are being offered the chance to quiz Education Secretary Estelle Morris on burning issues such as school funding. City MP Mike Foster, a Parliamentary aide in the education department, has arranged for children to put questions
A KIDDERMINSTER teenager killed in a car accident has been described as a "fine young man" by his teachers. Duncan Pimm died after being involved in the crash with a Peugeot 205 at 11.15pm on Tuesday. He was rushed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital, but
A CAR thief who had a head-on smash following a high-speed police chase is facing a jail sentence. Dean Wilkinson, aged 22, drove the stolen car at 90mph through Featherstone, in Staffordshire, after police spotted him and gave chase, Worcester Magistrates
CHILDREN of all sporting abilities enjoyed an all-inclusive sports day at a Worcestershire school. Martley Primary School held the day yesterday for the first time. It is a Sport England initiative aimed at including all children and competing as a team
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for an incinerator in Kidderminster are celebrating today after Worcestershire County Council's decision to throw plans out was upheld at an appeal. The decision by the Planning Inspectorate follows a four-year campaign by residents
A DISQUALIFIED driver from Worcester who jumped behind the wheel to get to his community punishment session on time has narrowly escaped a jail sentence. Abdul Hamid, aged 24, was caught by police as he drove down The Tything, Worcester Magistrates Court
MORE than 50 years after their teenage eyes first met across the aisles of a church, a Worcester couple are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Lionel Wheat, aged 72 and his wife Joan, 71, grew up in the neighbouring villages of March and Wimblington
WORCESTER Magistrates Court has come under heavy criticism in a "warts and all" report. In the 83-page report, the Justices Chief Executive of the West Mercia Magistrates Courts Service calls for an investigation by the national audit office into why
ANYONE who is keen to help Worcester police crack crime can become involved on the front line by joining the force's team of special constables. The special was once nicknamed the "hobby bobby", but the police are keen to explain that the special of the
COMPENSATION of £25 per household has been paid by Severn Trent Water to 240 people in Kempsey because of problems with sediment in their tap water. Complaints about cloudy or sandy water began at the end of April after a new main was laid to the village
GIRL Guides in Droitwich are launching an ambitious campaign to raise £100,000 to save their meeting place. The Guides, who meet at their headquarters in Acre Lane, are urging people to help them with their mammoth task by supporting their fundraising
RESIDENTS and graziers are to be consulted about proposed cattle grids for Kempsey's Stonehall Common after a renewed claim that objectors dare not protest. The scheme for two cattle grids was drawn up as part of a plan to bring back grazing, in response
GIRLS from a Worcester high school put on their dancing shoes to take part in a prestigious show in Malvern. The pupils from Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School impressed the judges so much at the County Dance Festival earlier this year that they were
PROMISING Hereford golfer Gregg Morgan continued his impressive run of form with a joint fourth finish in the Carad Trophy. It was the Belmont youngster's best finish to date in a top class senior event and he shot a four round total of 287 for the Konica
AS preparations for a tilt at qualifying for the 131st Open Championships go, not picking up a club for five weeks doesn't rank among the best ways of approaching the task. For Worcestershire Golf Club professional Richard Lewis, however, it paid dividends
HOT-AIR balloons, colourful medieval jousting and displays of radio-controlled planes, cars and boats will feature in Eastnor Castle's Fun-Fest 2002 next weekend (July 20 and 21). Set in the Deer Park in the castle's beautiful grounds, the new Fun-Fest
RARELY can the adage "lies, damned lies and statistics" have been more pertinent than in relation to the crime figures released today. Over the years, police forces - prompted by the political doctrine of the party in power - have urged the media to exercise
COLWALL marched on to the last 16 of the National Village Knockout on Sunday as Richard Williams performance with both bat and ball took centre stage to gain a comfortable four wicket win over Isham of Northamptonshire. COLWALL v ISHAM In a repeat of
IF you missed Glastonbury, don't worry - next month there's a chance to soak up the vibes at another great British music festival. This year's V2 event will be bringing some of the finest live acts to Weston Park, Staffordshire, for the weekend. Stereophonics
MALVERN Seconds returned to winning ways on Saturday with a maximum points victory. MALVERN II v OLDSWINFORD II The drying pitch was always going to be lively early on as openers Cox and Walwyn soon found out. Cox departed early on soon joined by Prosser
IAN van Dahl, Sonique, Dave Pearce and Boy George are just some of the big names who will be taking part in Wales's largest outdoor festival. Around 30,000 people are expected to descend on Escape Into The Park 2002 when the dance festival takes place
NEWLAND made the trip to Brintons and a shocking display in the field confined them to a 41-run defeat in this WCL Division Five game. BRINTONS v NEWLAND Skipper Tolley asked Brintons to make first use of a damp wicket and his side then proceeded to fail
AFTER being put in to bat a young Nomads Third XI had no answer to the bowling of the OE's Phil Prosser and Tony Neal, and at one stage were an astonishing 8-7. WORCESTER NOMADS III v OLD ELIZABETHANS III Terry Birt, coming in with the score on 8-6, batted
WORCESTERSHIRE won the toss and asked Malvern to bat first. MALVERN CC v WORCESTERSHIRE U16s Getting the ball away was very difficult with the accurate opening bowlers of Haines and Siwicki (1-26). After 16 overs Malvern only had 40 on the board. Arnold
1802: At the Worcester County Quarter Sessions this week, Thomas Price, convicted of felony, and Thomas Smith for stealing nine fowls and a turkey cock were each sentenced to the transported for seven years, while Joseph Attwood for stealing a hen was
AN OUTING to Malvern by nearly 400 West Midlands politicians this week exactly 100 years ago was marred by a serious accident on a hillside road. The Journal reported the incident under the heading "Wagonette Accident at Malvern":- "A party of politicians
A CALL by Sir Michael Spicer for a referendum on the controversial development at Upton Marina has received a lukewarm response from planners and developers. The West Worcestershire MP has written to Malvern Hills District Council's planning department
A BARBECUE and fete day organised to raise funds for the refurbishment of Upton Primary School's outdoor play areas on Saturday raised £2,750. Rupert Chambers, chairman of the Friends of Upton Primary School, hailed the event as a "smashing success" and
A SUMMER fair takes place at Upton Memorial Hall tomorrow, organised by Queenhill and District WI. It runs from 10am to noon.
CO-OPTIONS are to take place to fill vacancies on Upton Town Council and Hanley Castle Parish Council. Resignations from Joyce Brown, due to pressure of other commitments, and Gordon Williams, due to the introduction of the new Code of Conduct, have left
THE father of Big Brother contestant Tim Culley has promised his son a party whenever he returns to Upton from television's most famous house, writes Ally Hardy. Neil Culley, a town councillor and owner of the historic Swan Hotel was on holiday in Portugal
HIGH-profile reports claiming vitamin pills are "useless" have been condemned by the Hanley Swan-based company that supplies local, national and international markets with food supplements. Research carried out at Oxford University made headlines in the
REGARDING transfer of ownership of the island at Barnards Green (Malvern Gazette, June 14), could I prompt the community who live in and around the Green to write to the Conservators at Manor House, Grange Road, to urge them not to relinquish ownership
FORMER Three Counties Agricultural Society chief executive Chris Milne has been appointed co-ordinator of the Enigma Business Park Partnership. Mr Milne left the Three Counties in January in controversial circumstances, with former showground general
THE late Paul Eddington of TV's The Good Life had this to say about Malvern Theatres: "It deserves every penny of support it is given because it is a marvellous thing for the town and the surrounding area." It could not do without its volunteers who contribute
TWENTY-SEVEN Malvern women have pooled their sewing skills to create a unique wall hanging for the Queen during her Golden Jubilee year. The members of Malvern Cross Stitch Club each embroidered a colourful 3.5 square inch image of an English flower,
I WAS disturbed by the response of the town clerk to your reporter's questioning about the Victoria Park skateboard area (Malvern Gazette, June 28). She said that improvements "must be done in consultation with all users, not just the people who shout
TWO children found their mother hanging from the stairway when they returned to their Malvern home from school, an inquest has heard. The inquest was told that Virginia Croft, who worked as an accountant, was found on Wednesday, July 3. Worcestershire
IS it only parents who appreciate the incalculable asset of Victoria Park skater's ramps and children's play area? No, rather, it was a group of representatives who understood that a town of Malvern's civilised status should look after the needs of all
CONCERNS that an 18-month old speed gun bought by the Malvern Highways Partnership for Powick had been broken and removed from service have been scotched by police. PC Mike Digger, traffic management officer for Worcester, said a microchip in the £700
I AM endeavouring to compile a Malvern's Tour Guide, which identifies buildings that have a connection with famous visitors to the area. Every week your paper offers up fascinating references. Last week for example we saw that Ian Ogilvy and Ken Russell
SINCE the £228,000 pay-off to our former town clerk and the dreadful condition of the bus shelter at the bottom of Church Street seem to have caused no public reaction at all, why have "fears been raised" (Malvern Gazette, July 5) that the off-licence
AN historic landmark familiar to thousands of motorists who use the M5 has been designated as a "building at risk" by English Heritage. The Panorama in Croome D'Abitot, near Upton-upon-Severn, was created in the 18th Century as a place from which to admire
YOUR correspondent Alan Cook (Your Letters, June 28) made remarks which I feel need answering. He asks "if so many people are against fox hunting why do 2,000 people turn out to see the Ledbury Hunt meet?" I would suggest most of the onlookers are there
I WAS astonished to read in last weeks' Malvern Gazette the item headed "One-stop shop plan unveiled by councils". We are already supposed to have such a shop, run by Malvern Town Council, in its expensive new offices on Belle Vue Terrace. As I recall
THE Three Counties Agricultural Society's (TCAS) box office has reported a surge of interest in its Leisuretime Show, which is taking place for the first time ever next month. The society has taken more bookings and organised more events than ever before
IT was interesting to see yet another spread in the Malvern Gazette about recycling, with again no mention of what we are supposed to do with plastic. We are a family of six; we give the dustmen one black plastic bag a week. What is in it? About 95 per
WORCESTERSHIRE County Council cabinet members agreed on Monday to invest £60 million in improving public access to county services over the next ten years. The authority wants to cut the time people waste trying to locate the appropriate person or department
TWO workers from Malvern's Plum Tree Women's Project will be jumping from a plane in the skies over Nottingham next month to help raise money for the women's refuge. Project manager Sharon Rolestone and project worker Sarita Sharma say that over the years
HOW often do you talk about the things that really matter to you? When preparing to take the funeral of an elderly gentleman in a former parish - a regular churchgoer and committed Christian - I referred to how much his faith meant to him. "Did it?" his
A MALVERN couple who have just returned to the town after years in South America are looking for a home for their pet dog. John McCarry and his wife Dorothy brought back six dogs and four cats when they returned from Lima in Peru The animals are currently
WORCESTERSHIRE'S John Bick-erton was tucked in behind the leaders as the second round of the Barclays Scottish Open got under way at Loch Lomond today. The Droitwich Golf Club member fired a magnificent four- under-par 67 to trail overnight leader Justin
MALVERN Hills Conservators are confident of winning the battle against a weed that could devastate the breeding ground of three species of newt, despite problems caused by recent wet weather. Officers are treating Berrow Down pond, on Castlemorton Common
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers will em-bark on their opening pre-season friendly at Stratford Town tomorrow (3pm) with literally a spring in their step. New manager Ian Britton has hired national athletics coach Bob Andrew to help the players boost their fitness
CRADLEY'S Royal British Legion branch has moved to allay villagers' fears over its future by announcing it has resolved to carry on as long as it can. The branch, which also has members in nearby Storridge, Mathon and Bosbury, is suffering from a drop
MALVERN Rugby Club, the North Midlands Cup holders, have been given a tough home draw in the first round of next season's competition. The Spring Lane club, who won the cup for the first time when they defeated Aston OE in the final at Stourbridge in
A FORMER journalist with the Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, Richard Milne, has secured his dream job at the Financial Times. Richard, 23, who lived in Hornyold Road before moving to Nottingham in April, worked in the offices of the Malvern Gazette
WESTFIELDS Football Club are jubilant following a £126,000 windfall from the Football Foundation. The grant will allow the Hereford club to relocate to the Moor House Sports Field and, in conjunction with Hereford Sixth Form College, construct a purpose
A SUGGESTION that £11,000 of the Malvern Millions should be spent on two sheep sculptures is to be considered by the district council's executive committee on Tuesday (July 16). A resident of the district has asked the council to buy the sculptures, which
LIVERPUDLIAN songstress Connie Lush and Blues Shouter kick off another week of music at the Marr's Bar, Worcester tonight (Friday). Their blues will set punters back £6.50 on the door. Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the return to the Pierpoint Street venue
PLANS to build a 'local centre' at a Bromsgrove housing estate have been dropped. Marshgate Developments wanted to build a convenience store, two retail premises, a flat and a children's nursery in Regents Park Road, The Oakalls. Plans were submitted
THE Rev D G Griffin writes as though the policy of prohibition achieved an element of success (You Say, July 8). It did not. Both in the case of alcohol and other insidious substances, the result of legislation was to create market conditions in which
RECENTLY, our 659 MPs - on at least £1,060 a week - voted themselves three free foreign holidays a year. These are supposed to be fact-finding trips, at an annual cost to the taxpayer of around £2m. At the same time, 108-year-old Alice Knight was dying
MAY I congratulate Pershore Midsummer Brass for their 30th anniversary concert on Saturday, July 6. The entertainment was wonderful. Hundreds of people travelled from far and wide to attend. Thanks to all concerned. BETTY HUGHES, Pershore.
I PRESUME that Della Lewis (You Say, July 4) is advocating socialism. The socialist experiment has been tried. Were there another attempt at redistributing the world's wealth, the money that Della Lewis would like to see spent on health would quickly
IN reply to L Spiteri (You Say, July 4) Christ told us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Surely our most immediate neighbours are our own English homeless and down-and-outs, rather than asylum seekers. The Government doesn't have a bottomless pit of
NEW Labour pressures to cut trade union links with the Labour Party on the spurious pretext of removing suspicions of undue influence should be vigorously opposed by party members and trade unionists alike. To equate trade union affiliations with donations
GEORGE Sewell is one of those actors who never seems to be an "actoor", if you know what I mean. With a rough-edged East End accent, he invariably appears to be playing some version of himself. Which was exactly how he got into the acting profession in
WHEREAS some writers might take inspiration from an anecdote or experience, new Worcester playwright Rose Marshall got hers from an A-level science text book. This inspiration led her to win the Swan Playwrights Competition for her play The Pathless Land
Malvern Cinema: Minority Report (12) Daily 7.30pm, Sun 7pm, Sat & Sun 3pm. Odeon Worcester: Minority Report (12) 2.00, 5.00, 8.00 (Free List Suspended); Resident Evil (15) 1.00, 4.00, 6.15, 8.30; Bad Company (12) 12.30, 3.00, 5.30, 8.30; Spirit: Stallion
n First Marks play & arts activity programme at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, for children aged 0-2. To find out more or to book a place, telephone 01905 25371. n Summer Fun at the Commandery, every weekend
n Friday, July 12: Connie Lush and Blues Shouter. The Marr's Bar n Saturday July 13: Kate Philips, Sketchleys Sports & Social Club. Generation Duo, Barbourne Ex-Servicemens Club. Tony McPhee and The Groundhogs, The Marr's Bar. n Sunday July 14: Neil
Republic Youth Theatre present West Side at The Courtyard, Hereford July 10-12. For further information telephone the box office on 01432 359252. A Night of Fun with Hiss & Boo starring Barry Cryer at The Courtyard, Hereford, on Saturday, July 13.
Theatre July To July 13-Snakes & Ladders by Eric Chappell at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. 2.30pm and 8pm. £12-£20. Box Office (01684) 892277. Concerts July 12-Bravura in Concert at Malvern Priory. 7.30pm. 13-Handel's Messiah conducted by
AN Upton-upon-Severn wine merchant has been named the new head of a regional wine and food society. Alan Goadby succeeds the Earl of Bradford as the new head of the Heart of England Branch of International Wine and Food Society. The branch was formed
Shareholders were anxiously hoping for better news on the London stock market today after it hit a fresh five-year low yesterday. More than £45bn was wiped from the value of blue-chip shares yesterday, with the FTSE 100 Index of leading shares slumping
MALVERN College pupil Roko Mijic, aged 17, who lives at Abbey Road, Malvern, won the individual rifle trophy at the annual schools shooting championships at Bisley last Thursday. Thirty three schools competed in the annual schools' competition at Bisley
ON a wet wicket last Saturday Barnards Green skipper Rich Williams lost the toss and the Green were asked to bat first in this WCL Division Three match. BARNARDS GREEN v ALVECHURCH Both opening bowlers Reck and Battersley were finding considerable movement
WORCESTER Rugby Club have admitted that Richard Smith sees his future at Cardiff Arms Park. Sixways' director of rugby John Brain has revealed that the scrum-half is ready to quit Worcester for the chance to return to the international arena. "Having
MANOR Park BC duo Jean Meek and her partner Juanita Lyon won their semi-final of the Worcestershire County Pairs at Broadway last Thursday They will now go to Leamington Spa to play in the National Championship which take place from August 7-17 as both
THREE members of Malvern Chasers, the orienteering club of The Chase, competed in the open class event in last Sunday's Avon Schools Relay Championships at Ashton Court. The intrepid trio pulled off a surprise victory against strong opposition from local
AVON Sailing Club, situated on the River Severn at Chaceley Stock, will be holding an open day tomorrow (Saturday) from 1.30pm. Whether beginner or expert, come and sample a variety of boats, or just enjoy a day by the river and an informal barbecue afterwards
THE Mercian Elgar Junior Football League has a few vacancies for Mini Soccer Teams in the Boys' Under 10s and the Girls' Under 11s. Application forms can be obtained from the treasurer Den Smallman on 01905 421468. Teams who have already applied to join
