A MOTHER and her six-week-old baby were trapped in their flat after arsonists set light to a settee outside their front door. Twenty-four year old Kelly Norrey, of Gamekeepers Drive, Brickfields, Worcester was alerted to the smoke seeping into her second-floor
AN ELDERLY man with health problems is breathing a sigh of relief after finally having a bench reinstated on a Malvern common after seven years of campaigning. Seventy-three-year-old Thomas Hooper, of Malvern, first tried to have the bench, on Poolbrook
A WOMAN cyclist was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after being in a collision with a van in Lower Wick, Worcester, this morning. The woman, who has not been named, was in collision with a white Mercedes Sprinter van at about 7.20am on the
BLANCHE Harrison may be a century old but the intrepid adventurer says age is not going to stop her from travelling the world. Mrs Harrison, who lives in the city centre, is set to turn 101 in November and cannot wait to celebrate her birthday by setting
A WORCESTER teenager has claimed her self-employed driving instructor molested her at his family home after she failed her test. The girl, who cannot be named, said Stephen Burge offered her a cup of tea to console her after her second driving test, in
A "LUNATIC fringe" of anti-hunt protesters is responsible for vandalised two giant posters promoting the blood-sport, a spokeswoman for the Countryside Alliance has said. Vandals have torched one of the giant posters near Junction 2 of the M50 and have
AN ASSISTANT ranger with a passion for sketching Worcestershire's wildlife is holding a workshop for artists of all abilities. Malvern-based Trevor Smith, a city council ranger by day and artist by night, has also written a 160-page book on drawing animals
A COUNTY farm with a sideline in cider-making is over the moon - after winning a prestigious national award for its tipple. Barkers Cider, of Greenstreet Farm, Shoulton Road, Hallow, has been awarded a bronze medal for best cider in the country by the
Worcestershire youngsters have the chance to get their photographs published in a competition run by Severn Trent Water. Education staff from the water company are asking children to capture pictures that reflect the importance of water to our lives.
UNSCRUPULOUS car traders who are putting lives at risk with their illegal roadside deals have been warned away from one of Herefordshire's busiest junctions. Police have received complaints from members of the public and legitimate salesmen about cars
A CLAMPDOWN on violent crime in Worcester netted 15 arrests around the city yesterday. Twenty officers were involved in the operation, which resulted in six arrests for alleged assaults, with four of those being charged. Police inquiries are continuing
A RIGHT royal romance has led to wedding bells for a Wyre Forest couple who found love in the linen room at Buckingham Palace. Oliver Stockley-Von Statzer and wife Angela are celebrating their majestic matrimony just four years after setting eyes on each
THE MP for Wyre Forest has set out the questions he says must be answered over the scrapping of services at a Kidderminster maternity unit. Dr Richard Taylor said he hoped to be given a chance to take part in the investigation into six unexplained deaths
A PROMINENT business leader has given a stark warning that firms are "struggling to survive" in Bewdley. Members of the town council have to help find extra car parking spaces in the town for trade to pick up, the vice chairman of the Bewdley Chamber
CONTROVERSIAL changes which saw voters in Rock and Ribbesford barred from taking part in electing the MP for Wyre Forest look set to be reversed. Electorates in the two wards could be adjusting their voting habits after the Boundary Commission for England
PARENTS are being urged to join a mass protest at the Houses of Parliament, calling for more money for cash-strapped Wyre Forest schools. Leaders of the fair and equal funding campaign for all Worcestershire schools are hoping to take 500 parents to lobby
THE district council should stump up emergency cash to save an under-threat initiative credited with combating crime and anti-social behaviour, it has been claimed. Four neighbourhood warden and street warden schemes - three in Kidderminster and one in
RESIDENTS who endured separate power cuts two days running found it impossible to alert chiefs at electricity firm Aquila - because the company's emergency phone lines were faulty. Frustrated callers hit by the power cuts on Wednesday and Thursday last
THERE are not many people who can boast they have been nominated for the Mercury Prize once in their life, let alone twice. Folk singer, songwriter and fiddler Eliza Carthy has earned herself this accolade, and the way things are going, you wonder if
I FELT extremely proud on Monday night when I saw our two choirs, Kidderminster Male Choir and the Valentines Ladies Choir on stage at the Alex. Not only did they provide a backing to Peter Karrie for various "Songs from the Shows" but also had a slot
IT is easy to fall into the trap of thinking of older people purely as victims. Whether it is as actual victims of crime - such as distraction burglaries or street crime - or as victims of circumstance, suffering through privation with reduced incomes
REDDITCH United were knocked out of the FA Cup by minnows Shirebrook Town on penalties and then lost the services of club coach Kim Casey at an ugly night in Mansfield. In the FA Cup replay last night (Wednesday, October 1) the Northern Counties East
JUDO: Veteran Sue Cosnett has become Samurai Judo Club's latest national success after winning the British Veterans Championships in Norwich. At the same time, the club's juniors dominated the British Kata Championships' junior section, winning gold and
SAILING: Trimpley Sailing Club prospect Alison Young has had a busy and impressive summer in her laser radial boat. The Bewdley teenager was pleased with a fine display at the World and European Laser Radial Youth Championships at Lake Garda, Italy. Young
BOWLING: Jim Bailey completed a successful year at the Chester Road club by scooping a third trophy in the mixed triples final. He teamed up with his successful county veteran partner Dave Tipper and Margaret Tipper to meet wife, Jean Bailey, Tom Jones
BOWLING: There were mixed fortunes for St Ambrose in the last of the Kidderminster and District Midweek League finals. In the Presidents Cup, St Ambrose B overcame a strong challenge from last years winners Kidderminster Carolians at Wolverley. They added
VOLLEYBALL: Cleobury Mortimer failed to secure their first National League win of the season after losing a deciding set at home to City of Salford. They went down 25-27, 25-23, 30-32, 26-24, 10-15 in a gruelling two-hour plus encounter between two determined
TABLE TENNIS: The Kidderminster League's new season has got underway and two teams recorded faultless victories. In Division Two, Sea Scouts beat Kidderminster Hospital B 10-0 and Division Three's Bewdley CC beat Franche First School by the same score
SNOOKER: Franche A, Oldington A and St John's A top the Kidderminster Wednesday League after two matches. They are all level on games, frames and points. Results: Wribbenhall A 2, Wribbenhall B 3; St Johns E 2, Pockets A 3; St Ambrose A 1, St Johns A
GOLF: Barbara Fascione won both the September Stableford and LGU Pendant Medal at Wyre Forest. Sue Giblin scored a hole-in-one on the 10th in the medal event. Stableford: Fascione 41 handicap 40 points (last nine), Anne Mertens 42-40, Sue Gibbard 41-37
OCTOBER may not seem the most lip smacking of months for Worcester supporters. In reality it is exactly what is needed. Two cup games and league matches against Manchester and Wakefield hardly fire the imagination. But for a Worcester side which has struggled
CHESS: Kidderminster A began the defence of their Wolverhampton League Division One title in unexpected circumstances. They were awarded a 6-0 default home win as opponents Lichfield A could not raise a team. Kidderminster B had to settle for a 3-3 home
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
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
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
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
KIDDERMINSTER angler Geoff Marlow caught a fully finned 5lb rainbow on the Stella Lake at Shatterford Lakes Fishery. It was the biggest single fish caught on the lake last week but one angler from Wales caught 12 trout to 2lb 8oz. The best flies proved
Signed a one-year deal with Harriers in September 2003 after turning down an offer from Rochdale where he scored two goals in six games in a non-contract spell. Betts, who started off as a 16-year-old in the Doncaster Rovers first team, had been released
The Republic of Ireland U-20s captain did well in the reserves at Wolverhampton Wanderers but failed to make his first-team debut. Ward was released at the end of the 2002/03 season as a result but caught Ian Britton's eye in a trial with Harriers and
THERE has been good fishing on all coarse waters with weights varying from 17lb to 33lb, all being mixed bags. Maggots, meat and sweetcorn have been the most popular baits. Saturday Open, Heron: Dave Haney 68lb 12oz (peg 28), Geoff Hodge 68-4 (20), Ivan
WEDNESDAY, Meadow and Moors: Nigel Davis 141-11 , Pete Short 129-10, Harry Ward 96-9. Thursday, Bank and Silver: Chris Hale 155-10 (Bank 8), Andy Newton 91-11, Steve Watson 77-0. Friday: Dave James 119-11, Davis 87-5, Mike Henshall 77-5. Saturday, Meadow
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
The Birmingham-born front man was once known as the Flying Postman from his non-league days at Cradley Town. Williams was 23 when he broke into professional football with Swansea City and he became a well-travelled player before signing for an initial
FOR many years now I have been organising and leading children's "bug-hunting" activities. Most of these have taken place in one particular area of woodland in Habberley Valley. It was decided to allow this style of activity to take place in only one
RIVER Severn, Hawkesbatch: Dave Montroy 2-15, John Gale 1-2, Ray Evans 0-10. On Sunday, the Lyttelton Canal is the venue for the last round of the John Grant Aggregate Weights Cup. Weights so far: John Gale 3-2-8dr, Pete White 2-15-8, Frank Guest 2-4-
A CONTEST is on Sunday on Stubbs Pool, BAA waters, with an 8.30am draw. Those taking part are asked to meet at the lay-by opposite the Mitre Oak at 7.30am. Names of those fishing should be submitted to M Scott on 01299 861289.
WREN'S Pools, contest one: G Bird 30-2, K Woodhead 26-2, M Carey 22-8; contest two: G Kershaw 11-4, D Morris 9-6, A Andrews 6-12. The next match is on October 18 on the canal, bridges 11-13, draw 8am at Caldwell Lock.
PENALTY shoot-out heartache hit Chaddesley Corbett who suffered a shock Worcestershire Junior Cup defeat at Hallow. They drew 1-1 at the Worcester League club after extra-time but were then beaten 5-4 on spot-kicks. Boss Martin Westcott said: "I was disappointed
SUNDAY'S contest will be on the Birmingham/Worcestershire Canal numbers 45-46. Those fishing are asked to meet at Green Street car park, Kidderminster, at 7am.
WYRE Forest Brintons threw away a three-goal lead over title-chasing Hinton to end up sharing the points in a 3-3 West Midlands League Division One South draw. Forest Brintons took the lead on 15 minutes when Stuart Brogan's pass found Lee Jordan and
MOORLANDS Farm, Meadow Pool: D Fearnall 30-14, M Johnson 26-1, M Galaszewski 25-14.
BETWEEN 1996 and 1999 much effort was put into trying to establish a CCTV scheme for Kidderminster town centre. Interested parties were West Mercia Police, the district council, local retailers/shopping centres, Kidderminster Town Centre Partnership and
THERE will be a contest on Hurcott Pool on Saturday. To book a place, telephone 0798 5502 123. On Sunday, a contest will be held on the River Avon at Twyford Farm and anglers are asked to meet at the lay-by near Forest Farm.
I AM writing in response to the news story about Kidderminster maternity unit halting deliveries of babies. I have been lucky enough to be able to have two of my three children in the unit and I have nothing but praise for all the staff there. They showed
ROCK-BASED Plough Dukes marched through to the Worcestershire Sunday Minor Cup second round in style. The Kidderminster and District League Division Five side thrashed Worcester opponents Severn Rangers 13-2. In the Worcestershire Sunday Junior Cup, Wolverley
A POOR pitch at Kinver forced the abandonment of leaders Chaddesley Corbett's latest Kidderminster and District Saturday League Premier Division match. The game lasted just 35 minutes with three players already substituted and Andy Potter taken to hospital
THERE were more goals for Mary Calder and Debbie Prescott in Burlish Olympic Ladies' latest victory. They crushed Bredon 9-0 in the Kidderminster and District County League with Calder (three) and Prescott (two) top scoring. Katie Jakeman, joint player-of-the-match
WHY should one little punk be allowed to ruin the life of many of the upstanding citizens in the community? (Ban for town terror, Shuttle/Times and News, September 25) One more offence and he's in the slammer. Give him the choice to join the forces ,
HAVE you noticed something odd happening in Kidderminster recently? It has been going on for a few years now, just one or two here, and then three and four there - insidiously done under our very noses, slowly spreading like a disease. I am talking about
WE would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who helped when our house cat Fudge went missing. She got out on the night of Wednesday, September 25. She had never been outside before and we knew she had no road sense. But my faith was restored in
HAVE we a Pensioners' Association in the Wyre Forest area? If so, what are they doing about objecting to any increase in Council Tax? If there is an association, why not have a recruitment drive? After all, there is strength in numbers. I, for one, would
SATURDAY (3pm unless stated) NATIONWIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS v Carlisle United FA TROPHY PRELIMINARY ROUND Halesowen Town v STOURPORT SWIFTS WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH Malvern Rangers v WYRE FOREST BRINTONS (2.45pm
A LOT of hard work needs to be done if Kidderminster Carolians are to rediscover their edge after another defeat at the weekend. KCs slumped 59-9 at Burton in Midlands Three West (North) and have lost all four games so far this season. Burton played well
CLEOBURY Mortimer were brought crashing back down to earth after a good start to the season with Saturday's North Midlands One derby defeat. They were overwhelmed 50-18 at Bishop's Castle as Cleobury's fearsome forward unit was for once conquered. Five
IMPROVING Stourport were unlucky not to win at Stourbridge Lions on Saturday in a 7-7 North Midlands Two tie. They enjoyed most of the possession and territory but the home side started stronger through good attacking moves down the wing. Stourport defended
PRE-SEASON fitness training proved the telling factor as Chaddesley Corbett U-14s defeated Woodrush 22-5. Tries from Bobby Lawrenson and Adam Banner secured victory in the second half as the visitors tired under relentless pressure. In a tight, competitive
RUGBY LEAGUE: Worcestershire Saints are looking for players aged 16 and over to compete in a West Midlands winter competition. Anyone interested in the Worcester-based club can call Jason Spafford on 07957 248464 for more details.
HEREFORD United are set to complete the loan signing of West Bromwich Albion defender Tamika Mkandawire later today. The 20-year-old will be included in the Bulls' squad for Woking on Saturday and manager Graham Turner is delighted to have him on board
STOURPORT boss Dave Titterton is hoping to persuade Stewart Hadley into a swift about-turn on his decision to retire. The 29-year-old Worcester City striker decided to hang up his boots this week, but Titterton admits he would love to bring the forward
John Powell will give a talk on Victorian Parlour Games at Astley Cross Methodist Church on Thursday, October 9. The talk will start at 8pm. For further details contact Audrey Daw at 01299 826041 or Angela Barwise on 01299 871012.
The autumn season of programmes began with a talk on beekeeping by Mike Jones of Stourport. The talk covered not only how things should happen, but also the unpredictable, such as when he ended up sitting in his car with a swarm of bees in the back window
Following the barbecue in July it is planned to hold a similar event next year. Jenny Lindon was the September speaker, with Observations of a Craft-Aholic. She showed examples of her patchwork quilts, cross-stitch pictures and hand-made cards and cushions
On Tuesday, September 9 the group celebrated its 40th anniversary. The group is really older than that but meetings did not take place for two years. Members met at Far Forest Centre, many wearing clothes from the 1960s. This being the "ruby" anniversary
On Saturday the David Oswald Ceilidh Band is coming from Stirling to Baxter United Reformed Church, Kidderminster, where there is a "rerr flerr" (a great dance floor). There will be the chance to do Scottish country dancing or just watch the dancing and
KIDDERMINSTER AND DISTRICT ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY - On Wednesday Ken Godfrey will give a talk entitled The Building of Elan Dam and the pipeline to Birmingham. Meetings are held at St George's Church annexe, Radford Avenue, Kidderminster
On Friday, October 10, popular music critic Christopher Morley will present a programme of recordings entitled Music of the Mountains. A regular visitor to the society, Mr Morley has promised to include in his programme music by Richard Strauss, Elgar
The monthly meeting of the Wyre Forest branch will be held at the community centre, in the Memorial Park, Lickhill Road, Stourport, on Thursday, October 9, starting at 7.30pm. Ann Ockendon will demonstrate Marzipan Modelling. Members share their knowledge
Brian Draper opened the Wyre Forest and District Centre's new season of indoor meetings on September 16 with a talk on A Wanderer in the Scottish Highlands. Making a return visit to the centre, Mr Draper took his audience on an illustrated tour of the
On Tuesday, a romantic thriller called L'appartement will be shown at Kidderminster Library. This film, directed by Gilles Mimouni, includes a plot with twists and turns, which will keep viewers in suspense until the end. Made in 1996, the film is one
A two-mile family walk has been organised at Wolverley on Sunday to leave the Queen's Head, Wolverley, at 2pm. This walk is not suitable for pushchairs. Contact the leaders for further details on 01562 755508. Walkers are reminded to wear suitable boots
MATCHSTICK MEN (12A) Roy (Nicholas Cage) is a most unlikely con man in this splendid example of misdirection and sleight of hand from director Ridley Scott Odeon, Worcester (6.35 Fri & Sat), (5.35 Sun-Thurs). UCI Merry Hill (1.30 Not Sat & Sun
Pre-season friendlies Sat July 19 Bromyard (a) 7-1 Ball 3, Robinson, Giddings, A Wright, Wood. Wed July 23 Studley (h) 1-3 Ball Tues July 29 Westfields (h) 1-1 Wood Sat Aug 2 Bilston (a) 6-1 Ball 4, Sayer, Wood Tues Aug 5 Stourbridge (h) 4-1 Robinson
n IT isn't just Tony Blair's who should be concerned about the possibility of another Gordon Brown challenge for Prime Minister. We should be worried, too. Brown has raised taxes again and again, sold what was left of Britain's assets, failed to see the
ON his 80th birthday, my friend, who incidentally was one of the first troops to enter Belsen during the Second World War, received notice of prosecution for travelling at 35mph. He was fined £60 and awarded three penalty points on his driving licence
IT has been proposed that A-level grades from comprehensive schools in socially-deprived areas should carry more weight than those from public schools. This is a poor substitute for the upgrading of all schools to an acceptable standard. Furthermore,
A BURGLAR fled a Stourport home on a push-bike after being disturbed by a pensioner. The 65-year-old was alone in her home in Dunley Road when the burglary took place just after 11.30am on Sunday and police are appealing for anyone with information to
WHERE the KD9 Cub Pack is concerned, it's a man's world - until now. The pack of about 28 boys has been bolstered by two new recruits, who just happen to be its first female members. Brogan Gibbons, 10, and eight-year-old Danielle Davies from Kidderminster
A BEWDLEY caf owner has been killed in a motorbike crash near the Welsh border. Trevor Brennan died following the smash in Dyfed-Powys on Tuesday. The owner of the Riverside Caf, on Severnside North in Bewdley, hit a tractor travelling in the opposite
AN entire herd of dairy cattle comes up for auction at Hartlebury tomorrow. The 46 Holstein Friesians at Old House Farm, Hartlebury, are being sold by farmer Phillip Terry due to his ill health. The high-yielding herd comprises 32 milking cows and heifers
A SECOND car-busting scheme to introduce a park and-ride-bus running into Bewdley town centre was put before councillors at Monday's meeting. Up to 1,500 vehicles could be sited at a strip of land on the Wribbenhall side of the river, said Councillor
Tenbury United Reserves 1 George and Dragon Colts 2 UNITED Reserves are still looking for their first Kidderminster League Division One win of the season after conceding two second half goals and an interval lead. Tenbury opened up confidently and made
Arley Kings 0 Tenbury United 3 TENBURY booked their place in the second round of the Worcestershire Junior Cup with a confident performance against their Kidderminster Premier League hosts from Stourport. Manager Colin Powell used the opportunity to rotate
A COURAGEOUS teenager's bid to raise awareness of a rare genetic condition paid off when a fun day she helped organise generated £403. Fourteen-year-old Emma Browning, who discovered she had Turner Syndrome - which causes infertility and stunted growth
A TIRELESS campaigner who fought to save his beloved local from the axe has had a beer named in his honour. Both barrels of Woster's SWAG were gone by closing time on Saturday after regulars at the Waggon and Horses pub in Wribbenhall raised their glasses
A KEEN club rugby player is heading Down Under to cheer on England after he scooped two free tickets to the Rugby World Cup in November. Kidderminster Carolians second row Matt Poole said the prize - which includes flights and 10 days in a top Sydney
WITH the disappointing results from the Harriers, due partly to the low level of support and hence the available cash and the loss, hopefully only temporarily, of the Wyre Forest Birth Centre we need some good news. Thank goodness there is some thanks
PLANS to demolish two detached houses and replace them with a block of flats have been slammed as out of character and likely to create traffic chaos at a busy Kidderminster road junction. David Wilson Homes has applied to Wyre Forest District Council
STOURPORT Swifts boss Dave Titterton is to make an audacious bid to quickly tempt Stewart Hadley out of early retirement. The forward, best remembered for scoring Kidderminster Harriers' first Football League goal against Torquay, has ripped up his contract
Pre-season friendlies Sat July 12 Evesham (a) 3-1 Lewis, J Williams, Paschalis Sun July 13 Stratford (a) 1-0 Ward Sat July 19 Boldmere (a) 6-1 (og), J Williams 2, Lightbourne, Wilding, Danks Mon July 21 Leicester (h) 1-1 Shilton Sat July 26 West Brom
AS organisers gear up for the 16th annual Bewdley Festival, reporter BECKY HAYES speaks to Rabbi Lionel Blue whose appearance on October 15 is already a sell-out. HIS dad wanted him to be a boxer and his mum a property solicitor - and Lionel Blue said
A CRUCIAL decision whether to support the installation of a mobile rubble crusher at the former British Sugar site in Kidderminster should be put on the back-burner, a leading councillor has urged. A special meeting of the planning (development control
A MAN who brandished a blank-firing pistol in his former girlfriend's flat was acting like "a drunken show-off," Worcester Crown Court heard. Michael Hyde loaded the weapon but only made a vague threat before leaving, said David Iles, prosecuting. Hyde
GOOD-time musicians will swing into Kidderminster this Monday for a fun-filled evening of jazz. Bev Pegg and his Good Time Jazz Gang are the third act to perform in Aggborough Jazz's autumn programme and guarantee "a load of laughs and superb musicianship
CHILDREN from Bewdley will show off their artistic flair in a series of exhibitions starting on Monday. The displays, which are part of this year's Bewdley Festival, follow a locomotive theme and consist of paintings and friezes by youngsters from all
A BARN dance featuring music from the Bedcote Ceilidh Band will be held tomorrow at Wolverley Memorial Hall by the Friends of Cookley School. More information is available by calling 01562 850397.
CHOIRS from Kidderminster are toasting success on the stage after taking part in a celebrity-packed show at a leading Birmingham theatre. The Valentines ladies choir and Kidderminster Male Choir, who recently returned from Kidderminster's German twin
KINGSPAN Insulation is transforming a brownfield site on the Shobdon Airfield Industrial Estate, near Pembridge, Herefordshire. The building is the former home of Torvale Building Products. The revitalised building, due to be completed by the end of the
A WORCESTER beauty salon is celebrating after one of its therapists was named Beauty Therapist of the Year. Jo Lupson, aged 26, from St John's, was awarded the accolade by Guinot, the French skincare company, after impressing her clients at Beautique,
1803: Fine Pyefleet and Native Colchester Oysters are to be had during the season of D. Westbury of No.71 Broad Street, Worcester who begs leave to return thanks for the many favours already received from the public and friends, and hopes for the continuance
CHAIRMAN Colin Youngjohns pointed to the history books in his defence of boss Ian Britton and Kidder-minster Harriers' poor start to the season. Some fans have been calling for Britton to be axed after a dreadful run of three wins in 22 Division Three
BOGEY side Carlisle United are hardly the ideal opposition for Kidderminster Harriers to recover from their current predicament. Carlisle visit Aggborough on Saturday and are the only side to prevent Harriers hitting the bottom of the Division Three table
HUDDERSFIELD 1, HARRIERS 0 SPIRITED Kidderminster Harriers could at least hold their heads up high after making life difficult for Huddersfield in Division Three on Tuesday night. But a 1-0 loss at The Alfred McAlpine Stadium, their fourth straight defeat
THERE seems little point in slating manager Ian Britton because he is out of his depth. He is okay working with youth teams but he should never have been given the job when you consider he has never managed at any senior level. Now I hope the chairman
HULL 6, HARRIERS 1 IAN Britton's plan to keep the lid on Hull's attack back-fired spectacularly in the end with Kidderminster Harriers' biggest Division Three defeat. A late goal rush condemned Harriers to a thrashing and a record-equalling eighth game
A WORCESTER man has been charged with abduction, sex with a minor and helping a teenage girl to attempt suicide. Andrew Taylor, from Fleet Row, in St Peter's, will now stand trial at Worcester Crown Court. The 37-year-old appeared at Worcester Magistrates
TAXPAYERS look set to foot the bill for the Droitwich Lido as plans for its redevelopment finally take a step forward. Wychavon Leisure has been in exclusive talks with Wychavon District Council since the withdrawal of Thermae Ltd at the start of last
THE Ledbury community is celebrating after the town scooped a prestigious prize in a national gardening competition. Ledbury has been awarded a silver gilt medal after coming first in the small town category of the Britain in Bloom competition. The scheme
A MAN was savagely beaten on the head with an iron bar in an horrific attack after he attempted to protect a woman by stopping a fight between two armed men. The incident started when two men had a row in the Royal Oak Hotel, in Southend, Ledbury, at
VILLAGERS have claimed the earth moves for them every night - because of articulated lorries delivering to a vegetable packing firm. Residents from Birlingham, near Pershore, say their houses vibrate every time the 43-ton vehicles, destined for Red Star
MORE patients in South Worcestershire are waiting longer than six months for surgery than anywhere else in our region - with some people having to wait up to 12 months. The news was revealed during a board meeting of the South Worcestershire Primary Care
COUNCIL bosses should be allowed to order First Bus to run a more affordable, more regular service in Worcester, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has been told. Worcester's delegate at the Labour conference, Paul Denham, said a regulated service would
SCHOOLchildren will be asked to name a revamped piece of land in St Peter's after only 10 people entered a competition to name it. Some of the suggestions for the land, which is at the back of the electricity sub station by Broomhall Way, were St Peter's
A McDONALD'S raffle was a roaring success with more than £2,000 raised for charity. Worcester City striker Mark Owen made the prize draw at the Hylton Road branch of the fast food chain. Jags Manhota, McDonald's area manager, donated a mini hi-fi, digital
BUSINESSES in Worcester are being warned about misleading letters circulating in the city urging them to register under the Data Protection Act. Trading Standards has been inundated with calls from people who have received a demand for £95 to do this.
A NATIONAL pressure group has hit out at a mobile phone company's proposals to install a mast at a Malvern church tower. Lisa Oldham, director of Mast Sanity, a pressure group fighting for the "safe and sensible" sighting of phone masts, said it would
WORCESTER's Labour Group made a silent protest at this week's city council meeting over a shake-up of its scrutiny committees. Councillor Adrian Gregson, Labour group leader, said he questioned the Conservatives' moral justification to vote on changes
A CHILDREN'S home principal had sex with a girl in his care when they played hide-and-seek in bluebell woods on the Lickey Hills, a court heard. Children from The Uplands in Blackwell, near Bromsgrove, were taken on outings to the beauty spot and Brian
KEEP fit fans in Worcestershire are being urged to don their trainers and start walking to help raise cash for charity. A sponsored walk is being held in aid of the national charity Cancer Research UK, at the Malvern Hills, on Saturday, October 11. Walkers
THE ringleader of a teenage gang in Franche has been banned from parts of Kidderminster after a five-year campaign of terror. Sixteen-year-old Myers Donohue, of Audley Drive, was yesterday handed a two-year anti-social behaviour order by Kidderminster
THE man charged with promoting Kemp Hospice has pledged to push the charity to the "forefront of people's minds" as it gears up for the biggest expansion in its history. Next year the hospice will have to find £1.5 million a year - almost quadruple the
A SINGING star who has given up days and nights galore to raise thousands of pounds for children with cancer has been hailed for his efforts. Country and western singer Billy Farnsworth has spent 31 years hosting an annual cabaret night in aid of Sargent
A ONCE-overweight musician who hit the headlines by shedding 10 stone will return to his old school - to advise A-level drama students on their portrayal of eating disorders. Ty Richardson, of Puxton Drive, Kidderminster, will talk to 17-year-olds at
THE beautiful moan of a percussive organ gently bleeds into familiarly sounding, laid-back jazz. Eventually, the lyrics start. "Well there ain't no use to sit and wonder why, babe, if you don't know by now." What the...? Bob Dylan done as jazz? Isn't
A LOW winter sun probably contributed to a fatal road accident in which a 74-year-old driver was killed turning on to a dual carriageway, an inquest heard. Nina Jones died in January when her Daewoo Lanos was hit side on by a Toyota MR2 as she pulled
SKIPPER Adam Willis believes Kidderminster Harriers' players restored some self-belief at Huddersfield after Saturday's heaviest Division Three defeat at Hull. The 6-1 shocker was described by summer signing Willis as "demoralising to say the least" but
ANGRY boss Ian Britton was scathing about Kidderminster Harriers' late collapse at Hull on Saturday. The Harriers manager said: "I've known for some time that we have a soft underbelly and a result like this has been coming. "I've been unhappy about our
IT was a pleasure to see Mark Bebbington back in the latest Live at the Library organised by the Classical Music Society. From the opening two Scarlatti Sonatas, through to the encore, of Liszt's paraphrase on Rigoletto, we were treated to a polished
MOTORSPORT: Gary Jackson and Carl Pugh have won the British Sidecar Speedway Championships for the second year in a row. The Bewdley Motor Cycle Club duo went through the complete programme unbeaten at Poole in Dorset, taking six wins in all. The championship
HOCKEY: There were plenty of questions left unanswered after Stourport's pre-season spluttered to an end with a mixed bag of results. Stourport start their National League Division One campaign on Sunday (1pm) at Bristol side Firebrands but are yet to
HOCKEY: Stourport Ladies seconds finished their build-up to the Worcestershire League programme with a 5-1 victory over Cannock thirds in a Saturday friendly. Cannock took an early lead when a Stourport foot gave away a penalty but the lead was short-lived
HOCKEY: The last friendly for Kidderminster ended in defeat before they begin the West Midlands Premier League campaign. They started well at home to Kings Heath before their higher-graded opposition took control and won 4-0. For the first 20 minutes,
SWIMMING: Competition best times were recorded at the Wyre Forest Swimming Club championship by Aimee Cook, Amy Smith, Jonathon Baylie and Nick Carmichael. The event was the beginning of the main distance swims for older competitors, plus sprints for
MOTORSPORT: Kidderminster's Lee Bennett drove well for fifth in the penultimate UK Monoposto Championship round at Mallory Park. Slow traffic and damp conditions kept Bennett down to eighth in qualifying but the gamble of car changes to improve his straight-line
SWIMMING: Caroline Allen-Trew bagged three gold medals at the Cheshire Penguins Special Olympics Gala in Macclesfield. Twenty-one swimmers from Worcestershire gained 16 golds, 20 silver and 14 bronze medals. The next event will be the City of Birmingham
GYMNASTICS: Two girls from Wyre Forest Gymnastics School returned with medals from the West Midlands Levels and Regional Championships in Solihull. Harriet Atterbury, 13, picked up a silver in the modified FIG with a score of 26.85, while Chelsea Hodges
CYCLING: On-song Phil Blacker took fifth place in the 104km race at the VC Prestige Melbourne road race in Derbyshire. The Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club man held on in Sunday's final sprint but the event was won by Long Eaton's Paul Spencer. Blacker travels
ATHLETICS: Amazing Feet Running Club have finalised details for next year's eighth ROC Fencing Wyre Forest 8 multi-terrain race. It will be run over a traffic-free eight-mile course in the Wyre Forest on Sunday, February 8. All finishers get a medal and
ATHLETICS: Two Kidderminster and Stourport members tackled the Great North Run at Newcastle. Sue Saunders clocked two hours 10 minutes and Carol Dourneen completed the course in 2-16.
DARTS: Defending champions Great Western have now started to find their feet after a poor start in the Banks's Bewdley League. Ashley Batten opened Western's account in a 16-dart opener to settle their shaky start to the season against off-form Black
GOLF: Hannah Whibley won the September Stableford Silver Division at Wharton Park, three points ahead of Gail Loftus. Silver Div: Whibley 12 handicap 38 points, Loftus 17-35; Bronze Div One: Carole Allsop 24-41, Brenda Kerrigan 26-40; Div Two: Judith
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
Impressed on trial with Harriers during pre-season and signed a one-year deal before the start of the 2003/04 season. Started his career as a young professional at Coventry but was not given a first-team debut for the then-Premiership club. The promising
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
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 two years with
The tricky left winger, who can also operate as a wing-back, was brought into Aggborough on a month's loan in early September. Birmingham-born Dyer has been a regular in West Brom's reserves but his only first-team action was in a 3-1 League Cup defeat
THERE has been good sport on all coarse waters with catches of roach to 2lb and carp to 25lb. Thursday morning, Starlets Veterans, Dragonly: Alan Ryan 24-8, Brian hill 22-0, Mike Cluley 15-14. Sunday Morning, Bird-in-Hand, Dragonfly: Bill Anselle 33-7
The Walsall striker was unheard of outside the Bescot Stadium until his 2002/03 loan spell at Harriers. Manager Ian Britton repeated the deal for an initial month in August 2003 to increase his options up front. Bishop, a youth-team sensation at Walsall
ON SUNDAY, October 12, a match will be held at Mildenham, Droitwich Canal, to be drawn at 7.30am. For further details, call 01299 871735.
A JUNIORS contest will be held on the Stackpool on Saturday. Those taking part should meet at the venue for the 9am draw. The following day, a seniors contest has been organised on the Three Crowns' Pool, meeting there for 7.30am.
LAST year's runners-up Bewdley Town mounted another Worcestershire Junior Cup bid with a 2-0 victory over Fairfield Villa. Striker Paul Edwards replaced Steve Mares in the tough first-round tie against their Midland Combination Division One opponents.
A MATCH will be held on Sunday on Lyttelton, pegs 21-43 with a 7.45am draw on the bank. Those wishing to fish should contact Geoff Bellamy on 01299 822320.
INJURY-HIT Kidderminster Harriers Ladies' miserable start to the West Midlands Premier Division season continued on Sunday. They played the final 20 minutes with only nine women as they lost 6-2 to Rea Valley. Alison Thorpe and Vicky Roberts were forced
STOURPORT Swifts and Kidderminster Harriers teams both enjoyed victories in the Midland Floodlit Youth League. Swifts picked up a second Southern Division win in a row by triumphing 2-0 at Bromyard. Harriers beat Hereford 3-2 in the Premier Division with
AS a coach driver I am intrigued by the statement made by Andrew Dickens, head of commercial services for Wyre Forest, when talking about the price of parking a coach in Bewdley ( Coach fees hit town say traders, Shuttle/Times and News, September 18)
AFTER shopping at Sainsbury's in Kidderminster, and stopping for a meal, we found it impossible to obtain a black cab at 3.45pm. We were told, by three taxi companies, that a black cab would only be available between 5pm and 6pm. So how does a disabled
I CRIED when I saw Kyle McLeod Finch on the front of Shuttle/Times and News of September 25. I remember this boy, as I used to live near him. He has such a lot of qualities and has had so little positive input through his life. It is not fair to apportion
TOM Calder scored four goals for Kidderminster Athletic Under-13s as they beat Perrywoods 5-1 in the Stourport and District Youth League. At the top-of U-14s Division Two, Kidderminster Athletic thrashed Perrywoods Youth 17-1. Jay Jackson scored a hat-trick
FERNDALE Girls U-16s bounced back from the previous week's cup disappointment with a top-of-the-table weekend win. They won 1-0 at TNS Shropshire in the Central Warwickshire League Premier B Division with a battling display. Sarah Lojko grabbed the only
RED Devils ended their losing streak in the Kidderminster Six-a-side League, thanks to the outstanding performance of their new goalkeeper. He made excellent saves to help them a 2-1 win over FC Irrelevant. Other results: Dreamers 8, FC Magic 2; Bobby
JOHN Barton has no fears about striker Adam Webster putting himself in the firing line at Nuneaton Borough on Saturday. The Worcester City player missed a great chance in last week's FA Cup defeat but manager Barton believes Webster will be at the heart
NORTH Midlands will have to overturn a five points first leg deficit when they take on Warwickshire in the second leg of their Midlands U19 Championship decider at Droitwich on October 15. Warwickshire edged a 12-7 win in the first leg at Broadstreet
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians will be bidding to put a disastrous start to the season behind them when they welcome Burntwood to Marlpool Lane on Saturday. The Midlands Three West (North) side have lost their opening three league games and been knocked out
DROITWICH High School won the girls' competition at the West Midlands Army Sevens, held at Droitwich Rugby Club. The team, who had the shortest distance to travel of all the participating schools, beat Bishop of Hereford School by seven tries to five
STOURPORT 3 WORCESTER 2 WORCESTER men went into their final warm-up game before the start of the DTZ Midlands Premier Hockey League against Stourport who are two leagues higher. After five minutes a break into the Worcester circle saw Stourport rewarded
STOURPORT men spluttered to the end of the pre-league hockey season with a mixed bag of results and plenty of unanswered questions. The first team start their National League campaign on Sunday away at Firebrands of Bristol having yet to assemble their
The September meeting was held at the Eagle and Spur, Cookley, when the guest speaker was Derek Harrington, showing slides of London. Members completed a survey on travels to hospitals in Worcestershire. Names were taken for the Christmas shopping trip
Diana Ferris took a selection of hats to the September meeting and gave a demonstration of hat-blocking, explaining the different stages which go into making a hat. The competition for "My best hat" was won by Marjorie Carr. Names were taken for the group
On Sunday two rides will leave The Green, Blakebrook, Kidderminster. The A ride, which starts at 9am, will go to Sned Wood, near Aymestry, Herefordshire. At 9.30am the C ride will begin, and this is a half-day trip to Bodenham Arboretum, Wolverley. All
At the September meeting Godfrey Jones was Looking back at Kidderminster with slides of the small, individual shops, the old indoor market, and the traffic policeman in the "pulpit" - and all types of town memorabilia. The October 21 meeting will feature
A programme of talks begins on October 16 with Godfrey Jones on Looking Back at Kidderminster - from the Chester Tavern to an off-licence in Wood Street. The talk at Kidderminster Library will begin at 7.30pm. Non-members and guests will be welcome -
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday in the booking hall at Severn Valley Railway station, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, starting at 7.45pm. The guest speaker will be Colin Washbourne, on the subject of Steam in the Isle of Man. Admission is free
The group provided refreshments at a cross-stitch sale at Wolverley Memorial Hall on September 20. The group meeting will be held on October 27. It is "open day" at Kidderminster Magistrates Court on November 11, a Christmas event will be organised at
At the first meeting after the summer break, the consequences of not having a written health and safety policy were conveyed. The new Kidderminster magistrates' courts, Comberton Hill, are opening their doors to the (law-abiding) public from 9.30am until
OVER the past three years, playground activities ranging from football and tag, to conkers and making daisy chains, have been banned in various schools across the UK. Dan Kendrick takes a look at how county schools have tackled the nationwide trend towards
IT'S funny to be going into an operation feeling upbeat. I will undergo surgery today on the knee I injured against London Welsh but I'm far from down about it. At Sixways on Saturday, I thought I'd seriously injured myself at the end of the game. I heard
TONY Blair (right) is still allowing himself to be unofficially advised by Peter Mandelson. If the people one chooses to have around oneself is a reflection of personal judgement, perhaps Blair's judgement is in question? His only mitigating excuse must
HUNTERS say vets support hunting, even though millions of citizens with excellent education believe a vet's top priority is to alleviate and stop an animal's pain and suffering. What gullible fools we are. Polls show twenty million people, or 40 per cent
MAKING spurious comments often and loud do not make them right, N Taylor, and blaming the ills of a society on a minority has been used before with tragic results. I also notice that although I am accused of "puff and wind" I still notice that there is
COMMUNITY leaders are hung over whether the High Street should be open to motorists on Saturdays. Councillor Kate Spencer (Con-East) fears that at present the road is an "accident waiting to happen." She reckons that by opening the High Street, the Spa
MARK Hammond has just been released from prison to return to a normal life. Sadly, life is anything but normal for Hammond as his wife is killed and his son kidnapped! Hammond is determined to get his son back but Jolson, the kidnapper, makes Hammond
HARVEST time conjures up images of golden corn, rich brown earth, deep orange vegetables and shiny green fruits. Unfortunately, the reality is much different, with our fruits and vegetables served up in scrunchy polythene and intransigent polystyrene,
RUSH hour rail services in Wyre Forest were shut down on Monday after a man died when he was hit by a train. Some 3,000 people were forced on to a fleet of 12 buses following the death just outside Kidderminster station at about 4pm. Sgt Clare Bonsall
HEALTH chiefs are gearing themselves up for a legal challenge over one of six baby deaths - of which the most recent has seen births suspended at Kidderminster Hospital. Solicitors for one of the parents who lost their child at Wyre Forest Birth Centre
SUPPORT by a couple from Kidderminster for the World's Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief brought in more than £200. Ann and Eric Mole, of Pelham Lodge, Chester Road, put the kettle on to raise £219.17. The successful event brought
A FORTY-MILE cycle ride provided the new fund-raising chief with his first sponsored donation. Some 20 staff from Titan Steel Wheels in Cookley took on the trip to Wolverhampton and back to raise more than £700 for Kemp Hospice. Alan Ierston said the
THE manager of the Bengal Lancer restaurant in Kidderminster was attacked at night by a woman as he stood outside his premises. Bodrul Mustafa was racially abused and struck several times in the face and head, said Zaheer Afzal, prosecuting at Worcester
A 72-YEAR-OLD charity stalwart whose fund-raising efforts were thwarted by a heartless thief is celebrating after a Kidderminster pet shop replaced her stolen cash. Jean Meredith was featured in last week's Shuttle/Times and News after chasing the thug
A BUSY junction of a town centre ring road was closed for an hour-and-a-half after a Wyre Forest District Council road sweeper overturned in a unique incident. The district council's commercial services manager Andrew Dickens said the Jack Allen Mini
AT least 10 first schools have joined battle to produce the poster for the campaign to cut medicine waste. Prescriptions worth £638,000 were returned unused to Wyre Forest pharmacies in 2002 - and health chiefs are urging patients to think before they
A GREEN-fingered granddad from Franche is celebrating winning a trophy for the best allotment in Wyre Forest. Ray McTear, of Wilton Avenue, said he was thrilled his Franche estate allotment had been crowned best on site and best in show at the annual
A WOMAN who walked into a bank and demanded money has been spared a custodial sentence. Laura Wright, 24, went into Lloyds TSB in Stourport and passed the cashier a note, Worcester Crown Court heard. It read: "I want you to give me the money in the till
FIREFIGHTERS were called to Bewdley Hill in Kidderminster after a cracked fuel line caused a Porsche to catch fire on Thursday night. Leading firefighter Tony Wilks said it took five crew members with two sets of breathing apparatus about half an hour
AN out-of-shape councillor has signed up to a gruelling 350km cycle ride through hilly tropical terrain for charity - and to shed a few pounds. Chris Nicholls will take to the saddle for five days in the Caribbean next February and he is determined to
MORE than 100 jobs are up for grabs in Kidderminster next week. Kidderminster Jobcentre has invited employment hunters to the jobs fair at the Rowland Hill Centre between 10am and 4.30pm on Thursday, October 9. Full and part-time positions with the likes
JOHN Barton has no fears about striker Adam Webster putting himself in the firing line at Nuneaton Borough on Saturday. The Worcester City player missed a great chance in last week's FA Cup defeat but manager Barton believes Webster will be at the heart
THE Red Cross is holding its first open day on Saturday in a bid to attract fresh volunteers to the under-pressure charity. The Kidderminster group - which is just six-strong - is looking for more people to help out at a variety of sporting and social
THE Wyre Forest branch of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust will get its autumn/winter programme of indoor meetings underway on Thursday, October 9 at the Corn Exchange, Kidderminster Town Hall. The guest speaker will be Gordon Forrest, making a return visit
AN impassioned plea has been made for more support to save a Stourport live music club from closure. The Galleon Acoustic Club at Stourport Boat Club rose out of the ashes of the popular Galleon Folk Club two years ago and has attracted some of the leading
UP-for-sale Witley Court has been handed a swift return on a £700,000-plus investment with visitor numbers rocketing by 87 per cent. The ruined 19th century stately home welcomed 53,220 visitors between April and August this year, an increase of 24,760
AN exhibition of landscapes and battlefields by an artist of European renown will hit Bewdley Library Gallery on Wednesday. And Cynthia Pearson, visual arts director of Bewdley Festival, is urging art lovers to make the most of the powerful display by
A DIVERSE range of entertainment has been planned for DSP Promotions' October showcase at Kidderminster's Gainsborough House Hotel tonight. Somethin' Else offer an "electric mix" from 1950s rock 'n roll through to blues classics, pop and soul, while Latin
"HISTORY is more or less bunk" Henry Ford famously said in an interview to the Chicago Tribune but the millions of viewers who tuned into Simon Schama or David Starkey's documentary series on television would disagree. And so would author Robert Lacey
A GROUP of 50-somethings dealing with their "mid-life crisis" in a novel way play their second gig since reforming after 20 years tomorrow. Phaze2 - the new incarnation of popular Wyre Forest band Haze, who formed in the 1970s and split up in the early
BROTHERS-in-law from Bewdley are hoping to hit the high notes at a charity concert in aid of Breast Cancer Research. Guitarist Nigel Mayall and singer Geoff Betty of Bewdley rock band Onan have organised the fund-raising gig in memory of their late Kidderminster
PASSIONATE entrepreneurs are being sought for an innovative business programme that helps people set up their own companies. The call has gone out to Worcestershire business people as the third phase of the TeamStart programme rolls out. TeamStart provides
THE FORMER Dolday poor quarter of Worcester was clearly a rough and tough area in times past, judging from regular Journal reports of drunken brawls and street fights. And these punch-ups were certainly not confined to men, as we can see from just two
SADLY, perhaps, this summer has seen an end to the tradition of Worcestershire CCC playing one of its first-class home games at Chester Road, Kidderminster. In previous times too, the county used Dudley as the venue for one of its home games each season
AS feedback from a previous Journal Journey, Ann Mayor, of Ascot Close, Fernhill Heath has been in touch. I reproduced a Berrow's Journal photograph from 50 years ago of a children's Christmas party laid on by Morganite Crucible and posed the question
WHAT is going on at the Harriers? Who knows? Is Conference football heading back next season? I hope not. I know it is still early season but not winning our last nine games is a sign of disaster. I am very angry at the way the Harriers have been playing
IT IS quite amusing to read that Ian Britton is asking the fans to lay off the players' backs. When you consider the way he has been castigating the players to the press, I think the manager needs to look at himself first. I think the players are not
FORMER Harriers skipper Sean Flynn made a match-winning start for Evesham United on his debut. Flynn bagged a long-range effort in a 1-0 Dr Martens Western Division win over Solihull on Saturday. Lee Ayres is still in his loan spell at Tamworth, while
