A PAIR of doting dog lovers were compelled to do their bit for the £4m Acorns Children's Hospice Three Counties Appeal after a neighbour's "beautiful" little girl died at the age of nine. Bob and Lynda Smith raised £1,140 from their dog companion show
WORCESTER PEOPLE of 100 years ago were not doing enough to drive out the "Demon Drink," according to the Temperance Movement locally. Berrow's Journal for this week of 1903 carried a lengthy report of speeches made at "a Temperance Party" held in the
A MYSTERY buyer amazed auctioneers by bidding almost £2,000 for a rare and valuable letter. The letter, which was sent to Mrs Kelly at Wolthorpe Cottage in Great Malvern 145 years ago, was expected to fetch only £1,200 at the auction in London last Friday
TWO acts of bravery were honoured at ceremonies this week exactly a century ago. Under the heading "Sequel to Bromsgrove Sensation," the Journal reported in 1903: "In London on Thursday, the Prince of Wales in his capacity as Grand Prior of the Order
WORCESTER people of 100 years ago were not doing enough to drive out the "Demon Drink", according to the Temperance Movement locally. Berrow's Journal for this week of 1903 carried a lengthy report of speeches made at "a Temperance Party" held in the
ENJOYING a soak in the bath, a refreshing shower or even a simple "cuppa" has proved a turn-off for residents on one Worcester estate. A water shortage nightmare has hit Ronkswood residents, who claim the taps have run dry eight times in just four weeks
TEACUPS have been banned from a council chamber because the clinking of china is making meetings too difficult for the public to follow. Pauline Hayward, the Conservative chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, made the decision after people sitting
A BRITISH lumberjack champion will be chopping trees for charity when he helps drum up funds for an ultrasound scanner. Spike Milton, who is the reigning underhand champion for Britain, will be defending his title at the Clifton upon Teme Country Fair
IN true Famous Five fashion, there will be sticky buns and lashings of ginger beer for everyone who comes to see Anne Howarth set off in a rowing boat from Pershore on Saturday. Like Enid Blyton's tomboy heroine, George, she will have her faithful dog
SCHOOLS in Worcestershire will share an extra £5m over the next two years in a bid to prevent another cash crisis - but head teachers say it is not enough. Several schools in the county, one of the worst funded in Britain, are already severely cash-strapped
A MAJOR new body has been set up to manage a near £1m cash injection into improving rural transport throughout the Malvern Hills. The Malvern Hills Transport Group has been established in response to residents' concerns over travel difficulties. One of
AS temperatures soared last weekend so did the bank balance of a village hall. The Clifton upon Teme grand summer fete raised a massive £3,500 for its community hall and the Early Years Centre, a childcare centre in the village. As the mercury hit 30C
PEOPLE who suffer heart attacks should receive more rapid treatment thanks to life-saving new ambulance equipment bought with Lottery funding. The New Opportunities Fund, which distributes National Lottery money, has provided Hereford and Worcester Ambulance
POLICE will be issued with bullet-resistant vests in the autumn affording them greater protection than ever before. Around 2,700 police officers and staff working for West Mercia police are currently being measured for the vests which are also stab-resistant
EDUCATION bosses were under fire for drawing up plans to change the county's school system at the same time as pleading for extra cash. City MP Mike Foster said he was "amazed" Worcestershire County Council had no idea how much it would cost to re-organise
A BIGGER and better computer centre is set to educate people of all ages when it runs another set of workshops in August. Online@stjohns, part of Community Online, began holding its workshops last Christmas for people attended computing courses. The workshops
AT Holy Trinity Bosbury on Sunday at 10am the Children's Church will meet and later that evening at 6.30pm there will be a Concert for a Summer Evening. The programme includes Mozart's Clarinet Quintet and Dvorak's American Quartet to be performed by
IT is with great sadness that I report the death of Mrs Gladys Millard on July 10 at Tewkesbury Hospital. I have known Gladys all my life, she has always been a cornerstone within the village. Having been born here, an only child, her only time away was
CONGRATULATIONS to David Boswell of Pole Elm Close, on gaining a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Environment and Geoscience at Cardiff University. David was a pupil at Powick Primary School and Worcester Royal Grammar School.
THE sun came out adding to the warm welcome given to the many visitors to the delightful garden of Andrew and Inis Compton at Ambleside, Corse, which they opened to the public in aid of the Gloucester branch of Motor Neurone Association and which will
SUNDAY, July 27, from 3pm come and enjoy a garden party at Follicott House (next door to the church). There will be activities for all the family, traditional stalls, teas and musical entertainment. Everyone welcome. Entrance 50p. Enquiries (01684) 833339
LAST Monday on a scorching hot evening saw the return of the benefice cricket match (courtesy of Eldersfield Cricket Club) Vicars team against the rest. This was a 20 over match with all ages participating. An excellent lady wicket keeper and marvellous
A successful quiz was held on Friday, July 11, at Pauntley Memorial Hall, Brands Green. The questions were set by the hall committee chairman, Mrs Eunice Cooper. The question master was Mr Graham Hale of Redmarley. Around £100 was made for the new kitchen
OVER 100 people of all ages enjoyed a brilliant evening at the barbecue held at The Hill, Staunton, by kind permission of Mr and Mrs John Luard, in aid of Staunton Church funds. Everything had been prepared by the PCC and friends and special thanks to
THE Conservators' programme of scrub control on the Hills using cattle should begin in earnest in the next few days. The herd of 16 Galloway and Belted Galloway bullocks is to be turned out for some weeks in a temporary enclosure on the west side of End
A FORMER boxing champion is visiting Bromyard with his cabaret act. John H Stracey, who was undisputed welterweight boxing between 1975 and 1976, performs classic ballads by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Matt Munro and charms his audiences thanks to
ACTIVITIES based around themes of farming, forestry and the countryside will entertain crowds at Brockhampton Estate. This weekend visitors will be able to learn how to care for trees at the forestry display, enjoy a woodland walk and take in a tour of
STAR of TV's comedy Sketch Show, Tim Vine, is appearing at the Marr's Bar in Worcester. Vine will be performing with Australian Adam Hills at the Pierpoint Street venue on Thursday. Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £10.
A WELLAND company is supporting a pair of actors in a two man Gilbert and Sullivan show. Robert Traynor and Kevin Tillett will be taking their show This Was Your Life to Birmingham International Arts (Fringe) Festival next month. They are being sponsored
IF used sensibly and knowledgeably, the internet is a fantastic resource that can help children to work and play. But as illustrated by the case of 12-year-old Shevaun Pennington, it is open to abuse, and there are many possible pitfalls for naive and
A STAGGERING £15,000 has been raised for Acorns by more than 200 walkers striding out across the Three Counties. Glorious sunshine beat down on the band of travellers as they set out to complete all, or just one leg, of the 26-mile trek through Worcestershire
BUSINESSES are being urged to join the recycling revolution and turn used printer cartridges into cash for Acorns. Acorns has teamed up with Recycle King to provide a free printer cartridge recycling scheme to help the environment and raise money towards
Ruth Rosen was introduced as one of the foremost performers of poetry in the UK, and Keats's Last Summer in the Burgage Hall last Sunday did not disappoint. Somehow, she breathed fresh life into the poems and letters of a young man who died 182 years
The reading by Wendy Cope in the Community Hall lasat Sunday was another sell-out event for the Ledbury Poetry Festival. I left the performance amused, entertained but strangely unmoved, like someone who had sat next to an entertaining talker over dinner
Spain came to Ledbury last Friday, with the ghost of the murdered poet Lorca, who assured us, "All should know I have not died". Judging by the popularity of the Born Between Mirrors event in the Market Theatre, the writer's prophesy is a true one, all
Never can the Market Theatre have witnessed a more powerful performance than that of David Keller in Simon Rae's Grass: The Life of John Clare, on Sunday evening. Keller conveyed successfully all the tortured anguish of a genius born at the wrong time
WITH girls football one of the biggest growing sports in the country, a Newtown club is considering setting up its own team. Newtown Sports Junior Football Club already run successful boys teams but will set up a Under-10/12 girls outfit - to play in
AFTER being without high speed internet for years, two different broadband services could launch in Upton in the next few weeks. Worcester-based company Serv-IT Ltd launched its wireless broadband service, Air-Band, across the Hanley Swan and Welland
THE Blue Bell Inn landlord in Ryall has applied to extend the pub to cope with demand. Ian O'Neill has submitted a proposal to Malvern Hills District Council to add a storeroom to the back of the pub and new toilets at the side. The existing toilets would
A TRIP of 84 miles around the Three Counties awaits an intrepid Severn Stoke cyclist raising money for charity. Jackie Bunn, together with Paul Handy, of Worcester, will hit the road to the cathedrals in Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester over two days
UPTON Youth Band has been named European Show Band Champion after a successful weekend in Somerset. The band was top in the intermediate category of the competition in Midsomer Norton last Sunday, also winning the best wind trophy and taking second in
THIEVES stole a yellow tipper truck from a car park in Hanley Road, Upton and drove it to Chepstow before setting it alight. Police are appealing for information about the theft, which took place between 6.30pm on Thursday (July 10) and 6.20am on Friday
THE sun shone, children sang and flowers were on full display to welcome the Heart of England in Bloom judges to Upton. The two-man judging panel arrived early on Wednesday morning to inspect the town for the regional competition. They were greeted at
THE Upton Sports Field car boot on Sunday (July 20), from noon until 4pm, is in aid of the town's water festival.
THE Rev David Kerrigan will bring Upton Baptist Church's 350th anniversary celebrations to a close with a 10 years of Christianity in Mizoram, India, presentation on Sunday, July 20, at 10.30am.
THE Ripple Church Kneelers Group meet at the Parish Hall on Wednesday, July 30. Call 01684 592018/593161 for more information.
THE Mothers' Union North Upton Deanery's next meeting on Tuesday, July 22, at 2.30pm, will be in member Marie Booth's garden. Visitors and new members are welcome. Call 01684 592309
ANYONE with foreign coins left from a trip abroad can put them to good use at Ye Olde Upton Delicatessen, Old Street, in aid of the Noah's Ark Hospital Appeal.
AN UPTON public meeting to discuss policing will be chaired by West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer and attended by Chief Superintendent Simon Adams and Chief Inspector Sharon Gibbons, of West Mercia Constabulary, at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday,
A GARDEN party, in aid of the Ripple Parish Hall refurbishment fund, takes place at Gubberhill Farm on Sunday, July 27, from noon to 4pm. Advance tickets are £12.50, on 01684 592343.
THE last remaining vacant seat on Upton Town Council has been filled by Tunnel Hill's Roy Tyler, a former Gloucestershire police officer for 27 years.
I WAS somewhat concerned at the prominence you gave to the problem at Malvern Link C E School. I am concerned that uninformed readers may gather the impression that the school is run by the British National Party when nothing could be further from the
THE Worcestershire director of education has said a Malvern school made mistakes during events leading up to it being branded institutionally racist. Julien Kramer said staff at Malvern Link CE Primary School were "caught off balance" in the absence,
I find myself writing to you about a matter which a only a few weeks ago I would have found unbelievable. That Malvern Link CE Primary School should suddenly be given such a stigma-laden label after a suspect allegation and subsequent woolly investigation
A CRICKET team is bowled over after recording its first victory - after seven years. A stunned Chasers cricket team from Colwall admitted to being stumped as to how to celebrate after their shock result. The momentous occasion came after around 70 games
MALVERN Gazette and Ledbury Reporter trainee Jo Lafferty has already picked up an award. Miss Lafferty, from Malvern, is about to complete her preliminary training at Darlington College. She will begin her apprenticeship at the Gazette's Malvern office
I NOTE with interest your recent item concerning MHDC staff morale; this is not a new problem it has existed to my knowledge for the last three years and some time before then. It is unfortunate that Coun Tom Wells sees fit to infer criticism of the CEO
CHILDREN from Chernobyl holidaying in Malvern enjoyed their month in the town. Ten youngsters from the city, which was ravaged by a nuclear reactor accident in 1986, took part in a series of events, including a discovery day at Malvern Priory, a visit
NOT long ago I wrote to you to protest about a proposed threat to the traffic island in Barnards Green and those plans were subsequently withdrawn. Since then we have had a zebra crossing installed which, while not exactly a tourist feature, is at least
ON behalf of 1st Leigh Guides I would like to thank Paul Ferguson of Malvern Outdoors for all his help and to wish him the very best for the future. Two years ago we were putting in an application for lottery funding for hiking equipment for our Guides
ONE of the founder members of Malvern Town Council has resigned. Philip Wright, who represented Malvern Link, quit on Wednesday having been first elected when the council was established in 1996. The non-party political member did not want to comment
I HAVE never written to a publication before but I find myself compelled to do so now. I am not writing about any great burning local issue, nor even to complain about the number of pensioners these days who seem to demand a living wage in the form of
MALVERN is being touted as a 'cultural thirst-quencher' for Australians looking to experience an English holiday. The Sunday Mail in Queensland has run a large article on Malvern and the surrounding area in its Escape holiday section. Headlined Sample
IN April you published a photograph of about 30 people who were taking part in a vigil on Belle Vue Island. These people were expressing their misgivings about the war in Iraq. They acknowledged the despotic nature of Saddam Hussein's regime, but they
A COUPLE from Leigh, near Malvern, have won a dream motorcycling holiday in Canada. Andrew Smith and Kellie Hambrey-Smith will shortly be leaving to enjoy a fortnight of two-wheeled touring in and around the scenic Rocky Mountains. They won the holiday
A PILGRIMAGE is to take place from Malvern to Worcester in support of trade justice. It is being organised by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, and will set out from the car park of Safeway in Malvern's at 10am on Sunday, September 14. It
SOMERS Park Avenue Primary School in Malvern Link has emerged with flying colours from a double inspection. Not only was the school visited by a team from Ofsted, but a member of Her Majesty's Inspectorate came as well, checking out the Ofsted team. The
INFORMATION on childcare services will be available in Malvern next week. Worcestershire County Council's Playbus will be at Malvern Retail Park, Roman Way, on Wednesday from 10am to 3pm. Information is available on childcare, funding places for three
FOR a Malvern primary school to have been branded "institutionally racist" was always going to be a difficult and controversial story to cover. We tried, as we always do, to tell the story straight and to talk to as many of those involved as possible.
ORGANISERS of South Worcestershire's health services have been given only one star for performance. South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust says it is "disappointed" with the rating, which was announced on Wednesday. The Commission for Health Improvement
a bid for compensation has been launched by Malvern Hills Conserva-tors following a sewage leak which killed around 530 fish in May. The fish, mostly carp, were suffocated when a sewer overflowed into Moat Pond, Madresfield Road, Sher-rards Green. Conservators
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Ian Britton will be checking on a number of injuries before making his final selection plans for tomorrow's pre-season friendly at Midland Alliance outfit Boldmere St Michael's (3pm). Danish front-runner Bo Henriksen, last
RICHARD Tomkins is expected to figure for Bromsgrove Rovers as they open their pre-season programme at home to First Division Walsall tomorrow (3pm). The young winger made several appearances for Worcester City last season having been a member of their
MALVERN is just one step away from becoming an official Fairtrade town. The initiative is organised by the Fairtrade Foundation, which provides an independent guarantee of a better deal for Third World producers selling through Western shops. Cafs, supermarkets
THE Evesham Golden Mile Indoor Rowing Championships were held at Evesham Rowing Club. The entry doubled in size with just under 100 entries, due to the efforts of Robin Walker of Evesham RC and Evesham's Eddie Fletcher, coach of the Old Wrecks Indoor
MADRESFIELD Movement Club will be taking gymnasts to the World Gymnaestrada in Portugal. Three members of staff and six gymnasts from the club, located near Malvern, will be jetting out to join the Great Britain team in Lisbon tomorrow. Great Britain
* (I) indicates Internet entries WORLD Book Day Competition winners are: Mrs JM Dainty, Hernes Nest, Bewdley; Mrs BP Elford, Burlish Close, Stourport; Soteris Georgiou, Friesland Close, Worcester (I); Mrs M Greenfield, Harriers Green, Kidderminster; Arthur
LISBON is the destination for a troupe of young Madresfield gymnasts who are representing the country at the world's largest sporting spectacle. Staff and gymnasts from the Madresfield Movement Club will be travelling to Portugal as part of the Great
AS the weather has improved so have the entries for the Wednesday evening meetings of Arden Sailing Club in Defford. Last week, the small fleet decided just to enjoy messing about in boats with Helen Williams joining in with the spirit by being seen helming
AFTER coming second to super-vet Mike Amery in the Velo Club Sevale 10-mile championship event, Brian Boswell gained his revenge by winning the 25-mile Club Championship by the close margin of 15 seconds. The full results were :1. Brian Boswell 58.51,
Malvern RFC, playing in Midlands Two (West) next season, have resumed full pre-season training under new coach Paul Essenhigh and assistant Gareth Richards. Training sessions take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7pm and 9pm, when players of all
A DEFINITIVE history of a concert club still going strong 100 years after Sir Edward Elgar helped establish it is to be published by one of its members. Michael Messenger OBE has written Elgar's Legacy: A Centennial History of the Malvern Concert Club
ILLUSTRATED talks and insights into the composer's life and times have been lined up for the Elgar Society's new season. Its first event, a coffee and croissants breakfast before a David Owen Norris recital on Wednesday, August 20, has already sold out
THE Ross-on-Wye gig by chart hit band Big Brovaz has been moved to a bigger venue because of huge ticket-sales. The concert, on Friday, August 15, will now be held on a specially constructed stage beside the river. With the whole of Waterside beings closed
AUDITIONS for parts in a new Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society production are being held. The group will be performing The Mikado at Malvern Theatres in January and auditions for principal parts will take place at 2pm on Sunday, August 10, in Worcester
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Ian Britton will be checking on a number of injuries before making his final selection plans for tomorrow's pre-season friendly at Midland Alliance outfit Boldmere St Michael's (3pm). Danish front-runner Bo Henriksen, last
The Malvern Football League has announced the continuation of its sponsorship deal with The Soccer Site for the forthcoming season. Due to a large number of clubs joining the senior league, it will now be split into two divisions. This means there a chance
AS the Mercian Elgar Junior Football League continues to grow there is a desperate need for more referees. The league is heading towards 120 teams this season from throughout Worcester-shire and surrounding counties. "It's very important that young footballers
BARNARDS Green Cricket Club has dedicated its new scorebox to the memory of a young member who died in a car accident. Team member Andy Lamb unveiled a plaque on the side of the new box, remembering his son Alex who died in January this year. Wednesday's
I RESENT N Taylor's appalling attitude towards domestic cats, (You Say, Monday, July 7). These loveable small creatures bring endless pleasure to many humans - particularly elderly spinsters and widows. Of course, cats kill many rats and mice. In doing
BUSHLEY rower Zac Purchase has been selected for the Great Britain squad for the World Junior Championships in Athens next month. The 17 year old is one of six students from the Kings School, Worcester, to make the squad. Last week, he warmed up at the
FRENCH Formula One legend Jacques Lafitte will be driving a Morgan Aero 8 GT car in a race in Belgium later this month. One of the biggest names on the international motor racing stage in the 1980s, Lafitte recorded six wins and ten second places in 176
WE read about drivers complaining about the speed cameras on City Walls Road, but if drivers obeyed the rules there'd be no fines for speeding. They have the choice to speed or not to speed. Most people know that, on entering a town or city, the speed
Over the summer, Manor Park forwarded six teams in the National Junior Club League. The team will first play against other county clubs of the same age groups with the winner of each group going through to a county final. The winner of the county finals
I WOULD like to respond to firefighter Pug Molloy (You Say, Thursday, July 10). The issue of body recovery from the River Severn is not a matter for members of the Combined Fire Authority. It is, quite rightly, an operational issue and a matter for the
POLICE have congratulated Wychbold's Neighbourhood watch scheme after a thief who stole a garden ornament was arrested and cautioned. A 12 inch stone ornament, depicting two kittens was taken from outside the owner's front door in De Wyche Road earlier
THE world premiere of a new production of HMS Pinafore kicks off a Gilbert and Sullivan double bill at Malvern Theatres. The operetta, which takes a satirical swipe at the English class system, will be followed by Gilbert and Sullivan's equally famous
A PLAY based on a Seventh Century Persian poem is being performed for the first time in the UK. Layla Majnun is a love story that has often been compared to Romeo and Juliet, although it was written by the poet Nizami almost a millennium before the bard
JEAN Rochefort and Johnny Hallyday star in the film L'Homme du Train (12A), a gentle fable about two strangers whose lives intersect. One is planning to rob a bank and the other is about to have a heart bypass operation. The film shows at The Forum Theatre
JIM Carrey stars in Bruce Almighty (12), showing at Malvern Cinema for a week from tonight (Friday). Bruce Nolan gets fired from his TV job and rails against God - who challenges him to do better. But Bruce does not realise how tough it is to run the
July 18: The Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra is playing at Worcester Rugby Club. For tickets telephone Worcester Tourist Centre on 01905 726311. Today: Billy Smart's Circus at Tiverton, Riverside Field. Bookings/information call 0870 444 1505 or visit website
July 22 - Aug 23: The Wildside Gallery in Great Malvern is holding its fourth exhibition of woodcuts, linocuts, collagraphs, silkscreens and etchings. Telephone 01684 578785 for further details or visit www.onthewildside.co.uk July 26-Sept 7: Andy Goldsworthy
July 22-26: Carl Rosa Opera presents HMS Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan, at Malvern Festival Theatre. Box office: 01684 892277. July 28-31: Carl Rosa Opera presents The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan, at Malvern Festival Theatre. Box
OPERA Babe Rebecca Knight will be making a return visit to one of her childhood haunts when she appears in The Pirates of Penzance at the Malvern Theatres. "I've always lived in London until last week, but I really like being in the country," she said
Theatre July 18&19-Quackery Codswallop Edition No 2 at the Theatre of Small Convenience, Edith Walk, Great Malvern. 11am-4pm. £1. 22-26-HMS Pinafore by Gilbert & Sullivan at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. 2.30pm & 8pm. £14-£20. Box
Old Moore's Horoscope Daily Astral Diary 2004 - Scorpio (Foulsham, £3. 50) EMOTIONAL, reserved, compassionate and caring Scorpio (October 24 - November 22) here's next year all mapped out for you. Monday, January 19: You may have an unsuspected admirer
Collins English Dictionary (Collins, £30). CAN this sixth edition of the mighty opus really contain 5,500 new words? That's five thousand, five hundred! It depends very much what constitutes a new word. Not slurk (which my ma made up to describe courting
Who Was Your Granny's Granny? by Paul Burke and Audrey Collins (Foulsham, £7.99) MILLIONS of people around the world are gripped by the notion of researching their family history. Where did they originate? Where did they live? What did they do? Was there
WORCESTER City take a trip into the unknown this weekend when they continue their pre-season preparations in Belgium. City face a tough task against top-flight outfit KSK Beveren tomorrow (4pm) but they are determined to do themselves justice. Trialist
LEON Kelly has become Worcester City's long-awaited first summer signing. The 25-year-old striker signed for an undisclosed four-figure fee from Ilkeston Town last night. Manager John Barton is delighted to have got his man following protracted negotiations
Having lost the toss again, Colwall Seconds' opponents Wooton Bassett chose to bat on what was a hard and dry wicket but lost their opener Smith after two overs. Things continued to go well for Colwall and Wooton Bassett were left struggling on 82-6 after
The Green had the worst possible start after Rich Williams won the toss and elected to bat first and then was caught behind without scoring to a ball which bounced sharply. Drinkwater soon followed to leave the Green 27-2. Dan Flynn played some exquisite
Worcester Nomads 2nd XI were in no mood to take prisoners on Saturday and visiting Stourport were simply no match for a superb performance from the bowlers. Youngster Rob Allen began the procession with a superb one-handed diving stop at backward square
Electing to bat, Worcester Nomads got off to a disastrous start against Barnards Green 3rd XI losing Ranscombe who was bowled around his legs by Liam Paddock, off the second ball of the game. Rob Tyler clean bowled Kelly, before Dave Price deceived both
Charlie Griffiths and Tom Longley, two of Worcester Nomads Sunday 1sts' promising youngsters, opened the bowling, restricting home side Pencombe to 23-1 from the opening 10 overs. Ollie Griffiths then took over and in a hostile spell, took 4-14 from eight
DISGRACED novelist Jeffrey Archer is to be freed from jail next week after serving half of a four-year sentence for perjury. According to Paul Keetch , the occasion should be marked by booting the Peer out of the House of Lords. Under current rules, there
West Malvern gained their fifth consecutive win when Kidderminster were the visitors for a Crusader Worcester League Division 6 match. Kidderminster batted steadily to reach 186-8 in their 45 overs, with opening batsman Logan scoring a fine 50. Excellent
FOR months, Tory MPs have been moaning about the amount of Parliamentary time given to debating a ban on hunting. The Government has lost all sense of priority, they have complained. Hospitals and schools have been forced to take a back seat by Labour
MALVERN got back to winning ways with an impressive win against Hereford on Saturday. After winning the toss captain S Walker decided to field. After a steady start it was Llewellen who looked the most competent batsman who eventually made a confident
The Redbats touring team, made up of old school friends from around the country, met up at Newlands last Sunday to take on Barnards Green in what turned out to be an exciting finish. Batting first, Redbats found the early going difficult with Ian Bryant
A WORCESTERSHIRE hotel has stressed it is still very much open for business after it was reported in the press the previous owners had gone into liquidation. The new management at St Andrew's House Hotel, in Droitwich, said it was important customers
AN EVENTS company has been making waves at a prestigious event for the radio industry. JTA Creative Communications, in Ombersley, near Worcester, played a pivotal role in the successful production of the Radio Festival, in Birmingham, earlier this month
1803: Mr Painter presents his compliments to his friends and the public and informs them that he has taken residence at No.2 Mealcheapen Street, Worcester, where he intends opening An Academy for the instruction of Young Ladies and Gentlemen in dancing
CORPORAL punishment in Worcester schools was very much in the spotlight 100 years ago, especially the issue of whether it should be administered solely by head teachers and confined to the cane. Berrow's Journal for this week of 1903 reported the debate
A PUPIL of Worcester's Royal Grammar School was selected to take part in an expedition to British Columbia at this time 50 years ago. The Journal of 1953 explained: "Christopher Shaw, youngest son of Mr and Mrs A.T Shaw of Hill View Road, Hanbury Park
DOCTORS and staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital are getting hot under the collar as temperatures in the "state of the art" building rose well into the 80s during the recent heatwave. Concerns were raised as temperatures soared in the city this week
NUSH fever has hit Worcester in a big way as local people rally around to keep their favourite Big Brother contestant in the house. Responding to a cry from the beauty's parents not to evict her, dozens of residents have offered their support. The Evening
A reconstruction of the events leading up to the suspected murder of Herefordshire skydiver, Stephen Hilder, is to be staged on national television. The 20-year-old Army cadet, of Stretton Sugwas, was taking part in a competition at Hibaldstow Airifeld
A MOTORIST whose overtaking manoeuvre preceded a fatal crash, had "seconds" between seeing the car she collided with and the collision itself, a jury heard. Katherine Dawkes was overtaking a lorry in her Land Rover Discovery on the A4538 between Crowle
RESIDENTS on a Worcester estate are sick of being left high and dry, with water supplies switched off four times last week alone. Ronkswood resident Kim Weston claims the latest shutdowns have left houses in the area without water on eight separate occasions
A THANKSGIVING service for three members of a Ledbury family killed in a bus crash which stunned the community, will take place on Wednesday. Ledbury newsagents Martin McCoig-Lees and his wife Denise, both aged 47, and their youngest son Ryan, aged nine
COUNTY police officers have brought more criminals to book in the last year, according to performance figures released for North Worcestershire police. The national crime statistics for the year 2002/03 show a continued improvement, since a new recording
A PAIR of doting dog lovers were compelled to do their bit for the £4m Acorns Children's Hospice Three Counties Appeal after a neighbour's "beautiful" little girl died at the age of nine. Bob and Lynda Smith raised £1,140 from their dog companion show
THE new NHS star ratings have triggered a row about the value of the controversial rating system. Following the news that three of the county's health trusts received just one star from the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI), both politicians and
A FORMER Stourbridge Grammar School pupil is returning to Worcestershire to become social responsibility officer for the Diocese of Worcester. Rev John Paxton is leaving his post as senior chaplain in the South London Industrial Mission and rector of
WONDER women from all corners of the county have been put forward for the title - but only 10 people have made it to the finals of Worcestershire Woman of the Year. Judges have spent the week interviewing the contenders and are due to make their decision
STATE-of-the-art surveillance equipment is to be installed at the eastern end of Wyre Piddle to police a ban on cars when an order comes into force in the autumn. Worcestershire County Council has voted to close the main road through the village at the
A GREEN space at Kings Hill, Kempsey, will be lost if Festival Housing Association pursues a plan to build seven homes for rent. The village needs more affordable housing, but the scheme has not won any support from Kempsey Parish Council. Members heard
USERS of a day centre in Pershore have been rewarded for their hard work in helping wildlife and the environment. Dawn Williams, Robert Cole, Marie Holder, Michael Camm and Phillip Mills, all from the Three Springs Day Centre, a day centre for people
TOMORROW (Saturday, July 19) sees the return of the annual church fete in the grounds of Berrow Vicarage. Gates open 2pm. Usual stalls, cakes, bottles, bric-a-brac, books etc. If you have any items you would like to donate please bring them along on Saturday
A SUMMER fling is being held at Bromsberrow village hall on Saturday, August 2, from 7pm, organised by Bromesberrow Gardening & Social Club. It will include a picnic (take your own supper and liquid refreshment) and this will be followed by a barn
LAST Sunday evening a jazz service took place at St James Church, Colwall. Those taking part were Carl Attwood, John and Pamela Frith and Phil Probert. The theme was love and numbers including Summertime and What a Wonderful World were played. The service
LAST Sunday the family service at St Peter's Church included baptism. The service was led by The Rev. David Nichol who baptised Joshua James and Nathaniel Luke Parry, a pair of twins from Byron's Wood. The organist was Sally Lindsey who also read the
ON Sunday at St Mary the Virgin Church, Upleadon, there will be parish communion at 9.30am led by Reverend Vi Chester.
followed by drinks and nibbles. All will be welcome. A forthcoming attraction will be a plant sale on August 2. More news on this item later. followed by drinks and nibbles. All will be welcome. A forthcoming attraction will be a plant sale on August
A CONGREGATION of 65 enjoyed the service at Christ Church last Sunday which was sub-titled Get Me out of Here, I'm an Amphibian, and based on scenes from The Wind in the Willows. There were memorable contributions from Richard Allsopp (who wrote the sketches
ALES from local breweries are being lined up for the Worcester Beer and Cider Festival next month. Among the 95 breweries contributing are St Georges in Callow End and the Malvern Hills Brewery. Their brews are among the 170 beers and 65 ciders and perries
WORCESTER Rugby Club's chief executive Chris Laidlaw has been axed as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Chairman Cecil Duckworth confirmed the move with Laidlaw set to leave Sixways at the end of the month. Laidlaw was only appointed chief executive last
ARTISTS in and around Malvern are preparing for a busy summer. Malvern Art Club's summer exhibition began on Monday at Malvern Theatres. Around 30 pieces are being displayed until Saturday, August 2, under the title The Very Best of Malvern Art Club.
HE'S lean, mean and totally wired. I am talking about Wilko Johnson who will be bringing his band to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall tonight. As a co-founder of Dr Feelgood, Wilko was part of a band which produced a high-energy stage show and an unusual brand
THE nutty boys will be back when Madness return to The NEC Arena, Birmingham, on Thursday, December 18. The seven-piece Camden Town band promise a show jam-packed with original nutty sounds. In 1978 Madness sprang to prominence, alongside ska bands such
VARIETY is the spice of life when it comes to Morso's lyrical content, for they sing about subjects ranging from getting lost in charity shops, to bathrooms. The band, who have been influenced by Led Zeppelin, have been writing and recording lots of new
BROS captured many a teenage heart in the 1980s when they made the charts with the catchy hit When Will I be Famous? Heart-throb brothers Matt and Luke Goss, together with bass player, Craig Logan, may no longer be a band, but fans will be pleased to
IT'S a worrying world in which we live, and no mistake. The temperature rises a few degrees on the thermometer and parts of our civilisation begin to crumble. Take the multi-million pound, nearly-new lone star Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Doctors are
TWO nurses went that extra mile - 190 to be exact - in an energetic fund-raiser for Acorns Children's Hospice. District Nursing Sisters Heather Mann, aged 49, of Spring Gardens Health Centre, Worcester, and Desi Green, aged 58, walked from St Bees, Cumbria
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves, Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Judd. Naxos DDD 8.555867. Ralph Vaughan Williams was considered to be the natural successor to Sir Edward Elgar, and his
IT is not often one can study the changing exp-ressions of a major novelist at leisure, while enjoying some of the finest flute music in the canon. Louis de Bernieres came to Ledbury's Community Hall with a flute trio last Saturday. He left Captain Corelli's
THE complete history of poetry in under an hour and a half seemed an optimistic target. Nevertheless, it was with not inconsiderable enthusiasm that Nick Yapp, John Burns and Erica Grant began their quest with Beowulf, put their head down and headed for
RESIDENTS in Furlongs Road, Upton are complaining about car parking and speeding around the junction with Rectory Road. They say that cars park too close to the junction, restricting visibility, and that Rectory Road traffic travels too fast which makes
UPTON town councillors have given a cautious welcome to the new Old Street bollards. At a meeting on Tuesday, coun Simon Wilkinson said: "They seem to remarkably effective at disrupting the traffic. If lorries now regard driving through Upton as a damn
THE Rector of Upton, Rev Dr Christopher Hardwick, has been appointed an honorary canon of Worcester Cathedral. He is one of six members of the clergy from across the diocese to have been appointed. The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, said:
A TRAIL around local gardens is available to Earls Croome visitors, to raise money for the church tower. The £3 admission map is available from Earls Croome Village Hall on Sunday, July 27 from 1pm to 5pm. Call 01684 593780/593885 for details .
WORCESTERSHIRE County Council's mobile library, which returns to Upton's Hill Centre, is welcoming new members for free. It will arrive on Tuesday, July 22, from 5.45pm to 7.15pm.
A COUNCILLOR with more than 30 years service has been banned from holding office for a year. Barclay Stewart took a stand on a point of principle and refused to complete the controversial new register of interests for parish councillors. Mr Stewart, a
I WAS pleased to read that Mr Bradford's grandson had a positive experience at Malvern Link C of E School (Your Letters, July 11). I wish my child had the same experience as a pupil at the school. Like Mr Bradford, I have had a long association with the
RESIDENTS admit they are likely to lose their fight to have Hayslan field in Malvern designated as a village green. The official decision on the ten-year battle is expected to be made public within days. But residents say the independent public inquiry
PEDESTRIANS in North Malvern can cross the road in safety - thanks to a mirror that is the first of its kind in the area. Until now, walkers - many of them children on the way to Northleigh School - have had to lean out from behind a high wall to see
YOUR headline article (Malvern Gazette, June 4) has inevitable led to a serious misapprehension about the situation at Malvern Link CE Primary School. Your article was, to say the least, one-sided. Even the quoted comments from the LEA and the diocese
AROUND 150 mourners have paid their final respects to the seven-year-old who died of suspected meningitis last week. Emily Davidson's funeral was held at Worcester Crematorium on Monday. Rather than traditional black mourning outfits, many members of
MALVERN has enjoyed its hottest weather of the year - but still has some way to go before reaching its record. Temperatures reached 32.7 degrees Celsius (91 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, the hottest it has been since 1995. But the sun will have to beat
YET again the question has been asked about how the people who pay for the upkeep of the Malvern Hills are represented on the Conservators Board (Your Letters, July 11). It's a thorny question isn't it? It is one that always comes up as Conservator's
THIS week is the last chance for local people to have a say in the great GM debate. Friday, July 18, is the last day that people can submit their views on this vital topic, as the nationwide public consultation comes to an end. Readers can visit the GM
STATE-of-the-art body armour developed by a Malvern firm will be protecting police officers across the Midlands from the autumn. West Mercia Constabulary has awarded a £1 million contract for the supply of about 2,700 dual-purpose stab and ballistic resistant
THE airwaves were filled with the sound of The Chase's very own radio station, run from the Geraldine Road school. The school was granted a five-day temporary radio license to broadcast 24 hours a day as Chase FM 107.2 during last week. The broadcasts
THE last and only time I was given the opportunity to vote on Europe concerned a free market. Now we are all but governed by people for whom there was no election. PM Blair intends to force us to accept even more dictation and subservience to peoples
Malvern company 20/20 Speech has teamed up with a private company to bring talking computing to life. Codeway, based in Colchester, is one of the leading independent companies in the field of "identification and data capture systems". In simpler terms
FOR the first time Malvern contestant Nush Nowak is facing the real possibility of eviction from Channel 4's Big Brother house tonight (Friday). She and the popular Orkney islander Cameron are the only two housemates up for eviction. But it would be a
A SIXTH-former at Malvern College has achieved the top mark possible in the International Baccalaureate exam. Sam Brewitt-Taylor, aged 18, who lives with his parents in Malvern, got a maximum 45 points out of 45 in the exam. Sixth-formers at the college
THE Malvern chapter of Business Networking International has launched a new website. The website, at www.bnimalvern.co.uk, tells people about the chapter and has a list of its members. The chapter meets every Thursday morning at the Abbey Hotel to exchange
UP to 25 classic and vintage Jaguars will be visiting Malvern next month. The SS Register of the Jaguar Drivers' Club is holding its summer tour in the Three Counties and has decided to base itself at the Abbey Hotel. The Register is for owners of cars
LEON Kelly has become Worcester City's long-awaited first summer signing. The 25-year-old striker signed for an undisclosed four-figure fee from Ilkeston Town last night. Manager John Barton is delighted to have got his man following protracted negotiations
WORCESTER Rugby Club's chief executive Chris Laidlaw has been axed as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Chairman Cecil Duckworth confirmed the move with Laidlaw set to leave Sixways at the end of the month. Laidlaw was only appointed chief executive last
DRUG help groups are trying to find a new site for a needle exchange and advice centre in Malvern. Worcestershire Council's Substance Misuse Action Team (SMAT) and charity Worcester Turning Point Druglink had a proposal for a centre in Church Street rejected
WORCESTERSHIRE, whose bid to beat Derbyshire at New Road yesterday was delayed by rain, hope to have Graeme Hick back in action next week. His return is being pencilled in for their Frizzell County Championship division two match with Gloucestershire
WORCESTER City take a trip into the unknown this weekend when they continue their pre-season preparations in Belgium. City face a tough task against top-flight outfit KSK Beveren tomorrow (4pm) but they are determined to do themselves justice. Trialist
COLWALL'S rector Carl Attwood made it to the church on time last Saturday thanks to a friend with a helicopter. He was due to conduct a wedding at the village church at 2pm - which was a problem, because at lunchtime he had to address a meeting of Acorns
FIRST it was a llama - now it's a donkey. A plan by Malvern Hills Conservators to use a llama to protect its sheep has been abandoned and the use of a donkey instead is now being investigated. Richard Graves, chairman of the Conservators, told its board
MORE than 50 people attended the demonstration day last Saturday that marked the opening of the Malvern Warriors Eskrima Club. The day was a great success with some top martial artists attending, including Guro Krishna Godhania (world chief instructor
Hartpury College is to open the new Modern Pentathlon Academy to train elite junior athletes to international standard, ready to compete in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. An agreement has just been signed between Hartpury College and The Modern Pentathlon
HANLEY Swan's Anna Bailey recorded the fastest woman's time of the day at the Evesham Golden Mile Indoor Rowing Championships last Saturday. Her time of 5:42.0 in the 50-59 category was just 0.7 outside her own record. Another competitor from the Old
HELPING people both home and abroad is high on the agenda for Neil Hardwick, who has been sworn in as president of Bewdley Rotary Club. And Mr Hardwick, 55, said he wants to bring new members to the club, which has been helping good causes throughout
THE HULK (12A): Dr Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) discovers his rampaging alter-ego in Ang Lee's interpretation of the comic book story. Odeon, Worcester 11.00, 1.00, 2.00, 4.00, 5.00, 7.00, 8.00. UCI Merry Hill (11.20, 12.00 Not Fri), 1.40, 2.15, 3.15, 4.50
A FOUNDER member of the Malvern-based Vital Spark choir was remembered on Sunday. The choir, which sings West Gallery church music, presented a picture in memory of Diana Hannah to the church of St Clydawg, in Clodoch, Wales, where it has been a frequent
ABBEY Jazz's fortnightly jazz session at Malvern Rugby Club will return on Sunday. The band will be playing from 8pm to 10.30pm at the club, in Spring Lane. Admission costs £2.50.
RECORDS tumbled at The Worcestershire last Sunday as the club's best golfers competed in the Club Championship Competition played over 36 holes. Peter Lupino, who had one the competition on six previous occasions, was in his usual good form in the morning
COLWALL Cricket Club will be using a PA System to give more of a Twenty20 feel to its six-a-side tournament on August 25. The cost of entry is £25 a team and will include at least three games in a league format as well as a knockout stage. Teams interested
MALVERN CC SUNDAY XI v WORCESTERSHIRE U16s MIllingworth, son of Worcestershire's Richard Illing-worth, and I Mateen opened the batting for Worcestershire and got off to a fairly good start putting on 30 for the first wicket. Illingworth was the first
DESPITE a serious fall three weeks ago at the Summer Solstice Ride at Ludlow which left him unable to ride, Malvern's Derek Francis is still enjoying success. At the Cirencester Park F E I International Races, his horse Simba, ridden by Catriona Moon,
I cannot believe the amount of construction and refurbishment that is going on in Worcester at the moment, usually resulting in nearby stores and shops being forced to close down. When this is coupled by the sheer amount of fast food litter dropped from
I'M concerned about the amount traffic now using Shepherds Way, on Westlands, in Droitwich, including juggernauts, which come past our house. They're too wide for the roads and are cutting up the grass and backing on to private gardens. It's a housing
Leigh & Bransford Badgers FC - need a team coach after the successful expansion of the club. A coach is required to manage the under-12s soccer team in the Mercian Festival Junior Football League. The club says it's prepared to fund any necessary
WORCESTERSHIRE, whose bid to beat Derbyshire at New Road yesterday was delayed by rain, hope to have Graeme Hick back in action next week. His return is being pencilled in for their Frizzell County Championship division two match with Gloucestershire
WHEN Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors was first performed on December 28, 1594, at Gray's Inn in London, it seems that trouble kicked off big time. The high-spirited audience got so out of hand a public enquiry "into great disorders and abuses" was
July 18: Wilko Johnson Band, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. July 19: Darren Richards, Sketchleys Social Club, Worcester; Mark Lee, Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester; The Saloon Drifters, Royal British Legion Club, Droitwich Spa. July 20: Barry Vincent
Until 19 July: Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd, starring Stephen McCann, Frazer Hines and Kevin Pallister, at The Swan Theatre. Box office: 01905 611427. July 22-26: HMS Pinafore at Malvern Festival Theatre. Box office: 01684 892277. July 24
AUDIENCE participation will become a reality during a Tewkesbury theatre production. In the first half of The Railway Children, at the Roses Theatre, performers will invite members of the crowd onto the stage to learn roles. The 'actors' will then be
Dame Judi Dench and Sir Anthony Sher are returning to the Royal Shakespeare Com-pany at Stratford. Dench features as the Coun-tess of Rossillion in All's Well That Ends Well, her first role at RSC Stratford since 1979. Sir Anthony, who performed in the
Malvern Town face up to their first pre-season friendly this Saturday when they visit Pershore Town (3pm). Their next game is on Thursday July 24, when they visit Bewdley Town (7pm). Other fixtures: Shortwood United, August 2 (3pm); Westfields, August
Where's my dinner? by Rebecca Elgar (Egmont, £4.99) CHILDREN like shouting. And lots of it. They especially like shouting when they are encouraged to do so by adults and not told to be quiet. This book will give your children the opportunity to do lots
Butt Out! A Quitter's Little Instruction Book by Mike Anderiesz (Boxtree, £2.99) LOOKING for practical help to give up smoking? Well, this may NOT be the book you thought it might be. It doesn't say much when the author, a smoker for 15 years, has made
WOOTTON BASSETT v COLWALL DESPITE another patchy performance, Colwall managed to earn a valuable narrow win at Wootton Bassett. The home side won the toss and decided to bat first on a dry and cracking pitch. Colwall made reasonable early progress with
NOMADS 1st XI's victory was almost as emphatic, completing a win by the margin of eight wickets. Stourport batted first and struggled early on, particularly against the pace and accuracy of Ian Jinks, whose first 12 overs resulted in nine maidens, three
THE Green II kept up their challenge at the top of the WCL third division with a maximum points victory over Martley. Martley chose to bat first and made a promising start despite losing Vale, caught behind off Chris Hill in the second over. The score
IN the battle of the 'Greens', it was Cutnall who emerged victorious with an emphatic ten-wicket victory over the 'singles' as local run machine Neil Fletcher smashed a chanceless 147 not out to see his side past the 217 run target. Freeman and Genever
Website device proves a real hit TOM Watson, the former chairman of Wyre Forest Labour party, has been causing a stir at Westminister by trying to lure teens into politics via the "interwebnet". Initially, the West Brom MP and Kidderminster Harriers fan
Hanley Castle and Upton travelled to Halesowen to play Coombs Wood in the tranquil but faded setting of the old British Steel ground. With a superb track on offer, Hanley skipper Charles Robinson had no hesitation in electing to bat. With the first ball
Once again county calls prevented Nomads from fielding a full-strength team. In a match reduced to 16 overs, Dominies took full advantage of some wayward bowling and posted 67 before the first wicket fell in the tenth over. Ryan Edwards held a difficult
This game had everything from skilful batting, slices of good luck and ultimately a tense finish. Hanley put Worcester in on a good track, in front of a large, sunbathing crowd. J Ellis (19) and J Gullich (13) were to top score but all of the Hanley bowlers
MALVERN travelled to Hereford on Saturday and came away with a winning draw after another good team performance. Malvern batted first and got off to a fine start again from Adam Dovey and Mark Baugh, before Dovey was out for 33 with the score on 63. Mark
MALVERN College's cricket season ended with a festival flourish. This year Malvern were the hosts, entertaining Rugby, Charterhouse and a combined Irish side from Leinster. Will Gifford, who must have a great cricket future, has dominated Malvern's batting
WORCESTER has been chosen as a front-runner for a new scheme that could benefit about 250 independent retailers in the town. The scheme involves a team of researchers consulting with Worcester's independent retailers to determine both barriers to, and
WYRE Forest is one of the UK's largest surviving oak woods and much of it is protected as a National Nature Reserve, managed by English Nature. But it's not just about trees. Historically, the forest has always consisted of a mosaic of different habitats
