DINERS are having their fresh air feasts at a Worcester restaurant ruined by pigeons. Hodson's Coffee Shop and Restaurant has had to remove its pavement chairs and tables because so many customers are complaining about the droppings coming from pigeons
POLICE are appealing for information after thieves attacked four beehives in a Malvern garden. The thieves broke into the garden of a home on Wells Road between 8pm on Thursday, September 12, and 8am on Friday, September 13. They removed the tops of four
A LAPTOP device that gives a teenager who does not have any speech the ability to "talk" has gone missing from a bus. Ann Brant's 13-year-old daughter has used the "lightwriter" since February this year. "It has opened up her whole world," said Mrs Brant
FIREFIGHTERS evacuated homes near a Herefordshire hop farm after fire ripped through a barn. The blaze took hold of the large barn at Brierley Court Hop Farm, near Lentwardine, at around 10.30pm last night, and quickly involved diesel storage tanks, electrical
WORCESTERSHIRE families from communities under potential threat from flooding have attended as special meeting organised by the Environment Agency. The delegates, including representatives from Worcester and Kempsey, travelled to the Agency's Solihull
A TRAIL of 50 beacons is due to be lit across Worcestershire tonight as part of the lead-up to the Liberty & Livelihood March in London on Sunday. They will be fired up from 7.30pm at prominent sites in the county, the local link in a chain that stretches
A LEARNING support assistant at a Worcester school has gone to great lengths to help secure specialist status. Sharma Bevan swam a mile to help Blessed Edward Oldcorne RC High School achieve technology status. The school, in Timberdine Avenue, needs to
A PLUCKY day-tripper who leapt into the River Severn to save a suicidal man from drowning is to be rewarded for his bravery tonight. Ex-Royal Marine Stuart Thompson will be presented with his bronze lifesaving medal and Certificate of the Most Venerable
A LONG-running feud between families living in Malvern ended with a 56-year-old man nursing a broken jaw. Twenty-eight-year-old Matthew Hadley admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Lawrence Skinner - who was not in good health. A judge at Hereford
TINY the lop-eared rabbit looks the picture of health as she prepares to munch her way through a stick of celery with St Mary's Convent School sixth-former Louise Winer. And the organisers of International Rabbit Day, due to take place on Saturday, September
WORCESTER residents were today being invited to explore their heritage by taking a free tour of the Guildhall's 18th century cells. The tours, also held yesterday, explore the dark world of crime and punishment in the place where prisoners, many of whom
HUNDREDS of music lovers enjoyed a feast of folk music, morris dancing, ceilidhs and accordion-playing at the annual Bromyard Folk Festival. Visitors flocked to the three-day event, which began on Friday evening with a concert featuring the Old Rope String
THIS is the final stage of the Worcestershire Way - though it's all in Herefordshire. It's a lovely but very short walk from Colwall to Hollybush, where the Way finishes rather lamely in a car park by the A438. If you feel that's a bit of an anticlimax
Saturday, September 14, 2002 FOUR goals in eight second half minutes put Rovers into the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round. Kevin Banner, Paul Danks, Steve Frost, Richard Burgess and Grant Beckett got the goals. Full match report to follow.
An Introduction to Dvorak: Symphony No 9 "The New World" Have you always intended to find out more about classic compositions, but never quite knew how or where to start? The series Classics Explained, brought out by Naxos, could be just the answer. A
FOR a 13-year-old student of Worcester's Manor Park School, a missing piece of technology has meant that her life has taken a turn for the worse. As Ann Brant, her mother, reveals on Page 3 today, the laptop device had given the youngster, who cannot
Released by Aston Villa, Brock signed for Harriers in September 1997 after a short spell at Northampton Town where he failed to make an appearance. He made his Harriers first-team debut in November of the same year and has proved himself a fine shot-stopper
Senegal-born Sall began his career with French Third Division Montauban and impressed enough to be snapped up by Toulouse. However, a switch to England earned the giant defender a trial with Harriers and a two-year move in August 2001. Powerful in aerial
The son of former England goalkeeping legend Peter spent two seasons at Hartlepool before his free transfer move to Third Division opposition Harriers. An attacking midfielder who also filled in at wing-back, he moved from Plymouth Argyle to Coventry
Ex-England youth and schoolboy international Ducros has been used by Harriers both behind a front-two and in attack. He was a record signing for £80,000 from Nuneaton Borough in July 2000 after only 12 months at the Conference side. The diminutive Ducros
Tall target-man who made an immediate impact with his aggression, spirit and goal-scoring on being signed for £50,000 from Peterborough in January 2001. Despite his disciplinary problems, Broughton is a first choice when fit and wins a lot of aerial challenges
A player with an impressive reputation in homeland Denmark, Henriksen signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Aggborough in February 2002. The flamboyant striker, who impressed in an initial three-month loan spell with an immaculate first touch, signed from
A SECOND half comeback from Old Halesonians condemned Droitwich Rugby Club to a undeserved 20-19 defeat in Midlands West Four (South). Late injuries to Droitwich backs Bruce Thomas and Leon Hopkins meant a re-shuffle for the Spa side with Ian Kilner coming
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians got their rugby season off to a flyer with a 26-6 win over Shrewsbury at Marlpool Lane. In truth, it was a harder Midlands Three West (North) contest than the score suggests but KCs were the better side. Kidderminster opened the
THE curtain came down on Worcester's Birmingham League Division One cricket programme when they visited Sutton Coldfield. But due to another dismal batting performance they suffered a heavy defeat. Batting first on a hard, dry pitch, Worcester never came
MALCOLM Storry, star of the Royal Shakespeare Company's latest production of The Tempest, is one of the least actorly actors you could wish to meet. A big bear of a man, he ambles into the RSC's press office after a hard morning's graft on the complex
Saturday, September 14, 2002 BOSS Ian Britton predicted better times ahead after Kidderminster Harriers were only held to a sixth Division Three draw of the season at Scunthorpe United by a terrific equaliser. Harriers have still only been beaten once
Explorers of the Mississippi, by Timothy Severin and Views on the Mississippi: The Photographs of Henry Peter Bosse (University of Minnesota Press, £13 and £33 respectively) DIVIDING the landmass of North America into almost equal parts, the great waters
I MUST reply to the never-ending rambling of Tim Pinney and John Burgess who constantly try to defend their bloodthirsty sport of hunting. Let's face the facts, without the spin. Hunting with dogs is cruel, whether it is chasing foxes, deer or hare coursing
CONTRARY to what John Hinton's letter said (You Say, August 28) there is no connection between Worcester Consolidated Municipal Charities and the Six Masters' Charity. Both charities have been independent since 1836. Worcester Municipal Charities did
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE did their promotion chances the world of good with a 114-run victory over Worcestershire at Trent Bridge. Lying in third place in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two, Nottinghamshire had reduced the visitors to 40 for four overnight
Saturday, September 14, 2002 POWER, pace and finishing prowess were enough to see off Otley at Cross Green but Worcester must suspect that tougher challenges await. The Sixways side ran in 10 tries against a team which, palpably, had no answer to intelligent
HOME, away (Dr Martens Western fixtures unless stated) JULY Thu 18 Cradley Town (Friendly) 1-0 (Crisp) Sat 20 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Friendly) 1-6 (Burgess) Tue 23 STOURBRIDGE (Friendly) 1-3 (Lloyd) Sat 27 WILLENHALL TOWN (Friendly) 2-0 (Laydon, Palmer
Saturday, September 14, 2002 IF proof were needed that John Barton has forged a side capable of hurdling the obstacles a championship season can throw up then look no further than Saturday's magnificent result at the Broadfield Stadium. Shorn of Mark
JOHN Brain was satisfied with Worcester's 10-try demolition of Otley despite a slow start in Yorkshire. The Sixways director of rugby watched on as Worcester came from 7-0 down to romp home 62-24 winners. "It was a good afternoon's work," he said. "We
GARETH Batty sent Nottinghamshire Outlaws spinning to an 81-run defeat at Trent Bridge as Worcestershire Royals claimed the Norwich Union League Division One runners-up spot. Anything other than victory for leaders Glamorgan Dragons in their clash with
TOM Cruise abseiling down the side of Worcester Cathedral may not be out of the question following news of the region's first fund to support film-making in the region. Regional development agency, Advantage West Midlands, is helping set up the region's
AN OIL and chemical spill specialist has opened the first of a planned national network of response centres. Ceto Environmental Ltd is investing £250,000 in the latest protection and recovery equipment to provide a centre capable of dealing with any oil
WORCESTERSHIRE begin the final week of their eventful season with leading officials piling praise on two players at contrasting stages of their New Road careers. Thirty eight year-old wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes has again been a key figure in the County
WORCESTER City have a good chance of progressing in the FA Cup after drawing Dr Martens Eastern Division outfit Stamford at home in the second qualifying round. Bromsgrove Rovers are also at home to Tamworth as are Evesham United who play Cinderford Town
THIEVES made off with two van doors after breaking into a Worcester compound. They climbed over a fence to the compound at Newey and Eyres, in Charles Street, between 1pm on Saturday, September 14, and 7am today. After vandalising a white Ford Transit
A £10 note minted two centuries ago in Worcester could fetch up to 40 times its face value when it is auctioned in London next month. The valuable tenner was issued by the now defunct Worcester Bank on November 1, 1792, when King George III was on the
WORCESTER'S state-of-the-art hospital has been awarded teaching hospital status in a link with the University of Birmingham. Medical students will have further opportunities to develop clinical experience with the opening of new facilities at Worcest-ershire
WORCESTERSHIRE has always had a strong connection with Yorkshire. How grateful will Worcestershire be for the grit traditionally associated with that part of the world and demonstrated in ample quantities by Steve Rhodes and David Leatherdale on Thursday
THE BODY of a Kidderminster man was discovered hanging from a tree by a postman. John Hughes had a history of suffering from depression, said Worcestershire coroner Victor Round. "In July 2002, his mood had become very low," added Mr Round at an inquest
ROSE Hill Special School in Worcester has received a grant of £5,000 to help fund a new soft play area. Pupils at the school have a wide range of physical, sensory and learning disabilities. And the new area, which is currently under construction, will
WARNDON'S outdated youth centre has been given an overhaul designed by the youngsters who will use it. The centre's coffee bar area, kitchen and function room have been given a complete remake, and have so far proved popular with the youngsters. "It was
A CHURCH of England minister is leaving behind the rolling hills of Worcestershire to take a new post in the holiday hotspot of Corfu. The Rev Clifford Owen, rector of Clifton-upon-Teme, is to leave the post he has held since 1989 after being appointed
CHILDREN at a Worcester school have been getting their teeth into more than a difficult sum. The reception class and Years 1 and 2 at Pitmaston Primary School are taking part in a Government fruit scheme. The pilot initiative, which is taking place across
THIS week a century ago, a hugely significant first performance took place at the Three Choirs Festival in Worcester of Elgar's great choral masterpiece, The Dream of Gerontius. The world premiere in Birmingham Town Hall two years earlier had been a disaster
Versatile Hinton began his career at right-back before reverting to a centre-half role during the Conference championship-winning season. The change of position proved the making of the former Birmingham City trainee who was once rated at £1 million and
Another Mr Versatile, long-serving Smith signed for Harriers in 1997 for £19,000 from non-league rivals Bromsgrove Rovers. Smith's performances in non-league earned him three caps for the England semi-professional team as well as a Nationwide Conference
Stamps started with Torquay United despite being brought up in Birmingham and his obvious talent earned him a £10,000 move to Colchester United in 1997. The left-footer moved to Harriers on a free in September 1999 after playing in the Second Division
Rangy Ayres joined Harriers as a youth-team player from Walsall but progressed to the reserves after impressing at the heart of the defence. A big future is predicted for the youngster who signed a two-year deal and made his competitive debut in the tough
After starting off as a trainee at Liverpool, Williams was released at the age of 19 to return to his native Wrexham. The Wales U-21 international played on-off for the Second Division club but made a good impression with many for his uncompromising style
Bennett was a then club record buy of £30,000 from rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in January 1999 and proved a goal-scoring menace to Conference opponents in the title-winning season. The ex-England semi-professional international signed a two-year deal at
Summer signing Parrish has enjoyed three promotions before from Division Three, twice with Northampton Town and once with Chesterfield. The competitive left-footed midfielder with an eye for goal turned down a one-year deal with Chesterfield to sign for
Vastly-experienced Flynn took over the captaincy in Mark Blake's absence after putting pen to paper on a year's deal before the first league game with Lincoln. The influential central or right-sided midfielder is known for his tough tackling and will
Pacy Foster was top scorer during the Conference-winning season and appears to have overcome the injury problems that have plagued him as a professional over the years. An England schoolboy and later semi-pro international, he was released by Liverpool
SO now we know. After months - possibly years - of stealth, subterfuge and concealment, Transport Minister Alistair Darling's gang of consultants has placed a pin in the map and chosen the possible site for Britain's new airport. Unknown to the people
GARETH Batty sent Nottinghamshire Outlaws spinning to an 81-run defeat at Trent Bridge as Worcestershire Royals claimed the Norwich Union League Division One runners-up spot. Anything other than victory for leaders Glamorgan Dragons in their clash with
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE did their promotion chances the world of good with a 114-run victory over Worcestershire at Trent Bridge. Lying in third place in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two, Nottinghamshire had reduced the visitors to 40 for four overnight
WORCESTER City have a good chance of progressing in the FA Cup after drawing Dr Martens Eastern Division outfit Stamford at home in the second qualifying round. Bromsgrove Rovers are also at home to Tamworth as are Evesham United who play Cinderford Town
JOHN Brain was satisfied with Worcester's 10-try demolition of Otley despite a slow start in Yorkshire. The Sixways director of rugby watched on as Worcester came from 7-0 down to romp home 62-24 winners. "It was a good afternoon's work," he said. "We
KIDDERMINSTER finished their Birmingham League division one cricket fixtures with a losing draw against Harborne at Chester Road. Winning the toss, Harborne elected to bat and made a good start. They lost their first wicket with the score on 126 in the
1802: Many of our readers will doubtless recollect to have observed an apparently miserable object begging in the streets of this city who has lost one leg and had the other so much diseased as to excite the compassion of every beholder. This poor wretch
FIREFIGHTERS took 20 minutes to cut free a man and a woman from the wreckage of their Vauxall Astra after it was in collision with a tractor on Hewell Road between Burcot and Tardebigge at 5pm on Saturday. Both were taken to the Alexandra Hospital.
A SPA-based health agency claims backlogs caused by the vetting of staff is hitting the recruitment of local nurses and care workers. Abacus Care, in Friar Street, says that the problems facing the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) could cause a crisis in
The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans (Corgi, £6.99) The "Smoke Jumper" is Connor Ford, a gritty, loyal and adventurous firefighter. Not for him suburban chip pan fires and cats in trees - his patch is the wild expanses of Montana, where the only way to
MUCH has been written in recent months regarding fox hunting. As a town and city dweller, it is only natural for most of us to find this practice unacceptable. Perhaps a compromise situation could be achieved by giving the fox a well-deserved break from
IN response to the interest of M Burcher (You Say, September 6) please allow me to inform readers about John Wycliffe. Wycliffe was an Oxford scholar who preceded the Reformation by over 200 years. He opposed many Roman Catholic teachings, such as the
WHY is it that when the issue of a Federal Europe is raised, certain correspondents to these columns fall into two categories, namely pro-American or English Nationalists. Their tired-out warnings of Hitler, Nazi and German domination is polarising this
EIGHT parishes withdraw their funds from the diocese and talk of forming a breakaway church. Every churchgoer in Worcester should give that much thought. The Diocese of New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada, and its Bishop, proudly proclaim it is
SATURDAY SOCCER NATIONWIDE LEAGUE Division Three: Scunthorpe United 1 Kidderminster 1. NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE Hereford United 0 Chester City 0. DR MARTENS LEAGUE Premier Division: Crawley Town 0 Worcester City 0. FA CUP First qualifying round: Bromsgrove
Sat July 13 Stratford Town (a) 1-1 Lewis Mon July 15 Evesham United (a) 4-0 Ducros, Broughton, Corbett, Shilton Fri July 19 Reading (h) 2-4 Broughton, Henriksen Sun July 21 Solihull Borough (a) 3-4 Shilton, Foster (pen), Corbett Wed July 24 Wolverhampton
THIS week's fixtures for clubs across the two counties include: TOMORROW Nationwide League Division Three: Southend United v Kidderminster Harriers (7.45). Nationwide Conference: Hereford United v Yeovil Town (7.45). Dr Martens Premier Division: Hinckley
