Archive

  • DISABLED LEFT IN THE STREET

    DISABLED William Cotton has to stay out in the cold if he wants to enjoy a pint at his local - often leaving him feeling like a second-class citizen. A lack of wheelchair-friendly pubs and restaurants in Droitwich means the 80-year-old has to be passed

  • Royal 'just can't cope with patient numbers'

    AN elderly Droitwich woman's "appalling" experiences at Worcestershire Royal Hospital have encouraged her councillor son to call for the full reopening of Kidderminster A&E. Wychavon District Council member Andrew Christian-Brookes has been to Worcestershire

  • Victorian jubilee tree is for the chop after 120 years

    A TREE planted almost 120 years ago to commemorate the jubilee of Queen Victoria is to be felled. The 80ft Wellingtonia tree, in Rushock, near Droitwich, is the centrepiece of the village, but is being cut down because it has died. It will be missed by

  • Man, 83 found injured

    POLICE are appealing for information after a pensioner was found injured in Stourport-on-Severn on Tuesday morning. A passer-by discovered the 83-year-old man at the bottom of steps near the footbridge over the canal in Vale Road in Stourport. He was

  • Householders alerted to asphalt gang

    POLICE are warning Malvern householders to be on their guard against a gang of aggressive workmen offering to resurface residents' driveways. The warning follows two incidents in Malvern - in Trinity Road and Pickersleigh Road - in which elderly residents

  • Jams top city's headache list

    TRAFFIC and fear of a crime surge dominate Worcester residents' anxieties, according to a new survey. Worcester City Council sent questionnaires to 3,000 city households, asking what areas people think have improved or worsened since the last study in

  • Park's rustic rabbits spark flurry of interest

    WHEN rangers at Worcester's Gheluvelt Park sited the first of several larger-than-life oak bunnies last month, little did they know they would spark off a spate of interest in the carved creatures. Press reports about the unveiling of the first rustic

  • Eco-centre works resume

    THE second phase of the renovation to turn a Victorian pump house in Worcester's Gheluvelt Park into an eco-centre is due to begin soon. The Duckworth Worcestershire Trust recently received two further cash boosts to convert the site into a community

  • High-performing school ranked among the best in the country

    STATE schools in Worcester may soon close the gap on their independent counterparts if they follow the example of Hanley Castle High School. Pupils at the school, near Upton-upon-Severn, averaged an A and two B grades in last year's A-level exams, and

  • Stourport man named as death crash biker

    THE motorcyclist who died in a crash in Kidderminster on Tuesday has been identified as Stourport man Nicholas Balmer. The accident happened at 8.10am on Tuesday on the Stourport Road in Kidderminster near to the Loom and Shuttle pub. Mr Balmer, aged

  • Village couple are laid to rest

    PERSHORE Abbey filled with mourners as the husband and wife found dead in their Pinvin home shortly before Christmas were laid to rest. The bodies of Christine and Lawson Stephens were found by their son, Gary. At the joint funeral service for the couple

  • Festive cheer for churches

    EXPECTATIONS are high that Tenbury Wells churches followed a national trend by celebrating a particularly busy Christmas. And the 2004 festive celebrations are already under way, with St Mary's Church, Burford, boasting packed pews for a recording of

  • Play site to remain

    TENBURY town councillors have voted to keep the Burgage playground open, a decision which in flies the face of an earlier recommendation for it to shut indefinitely. The full council overturned its parks and cemetery committee's decision, taken in December

  • Historic barn in 'new build' planning row

    Controversy surrounds the future of a 350-year-old timber and brick building at Woodhouse Farm, Pensax, mentioned in the 1649 Parliamentary Survey and located to the north of the main farmhouse in an area of natural beauty. Accessed via a private shared

  • Business ending up on scrap-heap

    THE owner of a Stourport car breakers' yard claims his business has been consigned to the scrap-heap by bureaucracy and red tape. Roger Hall, of Potters car dismantlers' yard, has been running his one-man business on the Sandy Lane Industrial Estate,

  • Red carpet for royalty

    CARPET-makers from Kidderminster are enjoying royal success after weaving their magic on the world's largest passenger ship. Staff at Brintons Carpets have supplied floor coverings to more than 500 ships - including the QE2 - and are also particularly

  • Furore over 'resign' call

    CALLS for the resignation of a Stourport county councillor have provoked a political row in the town. The storm, between the political parties, Health Concern and Labour, is over Stourport's much-needed relief road scheme. It erupted as Health Concern

  • 15/1/04 Craig Hinton after Wolves replay

    DEVASTATED Craig Hinton now just has one wish from this season's FA Cup - let Wolves win it. But the centre-half, who grew up in the Wolverhampton area supporting the city club, will turn his own attention towards Harriers' Division Three relegation fight

  • Man jailed for heroin possession

    A PANICKY passenger threw out film-wrapped heroin worth £7,775 when drugs detectives stopped a car in a country lane near Kidderminster, Worcester Crown Court heard. John Baker claimed that when the police struck, the driver took the drug from the glove

  • 15/1/04 Jan Molby after Mansfield

    JAN Molby blamed the madness surrounding Kidderminster Harriers' penalty for their 1-0 defeat at Mansfield on Saturday. The director of football was amazed to see Graham Ward step up to have the spot-kick saved as he expected Dean Bennett to do the honours

  • Elmley Castle

    BARN DANCE: Come and join Number 8 in Stripping the Willow at their fund-raising barn dance at the village hall on Friday, February 20, 8pm to 11pm. Music by Damplers Round, bar and refreshments. Tickets £5 from Number 8, Pershore or telephone 01386 550430

  • Harvington

    VILLAGERS' SUPPER: The next Villagers' Supper will be held in the village hall on Saturday, January 24, and tickets for the occasion are now on sale. Readers who have attended other such suppers in the past know that they are designed to bring together

  • Mickleton

    THE MICKLETON SOCIETY: The chairman welcomed members of the society to St Lawrence Church for the first meeting in 2004 and introduced Colin Bowden, former Drum Major in the Royal Marines Regimental Band to speak on Marching Along - Strike up the Band

  • Richard delves into threatened Custom

    THE Evesham Custom - the traditional way in which rented land changes hands - has come under threat and has prompted Richard Mumford, of Timothy Lea & Griffiths, to write a paper on the subject which he intends to expand into a booklet. Mr Mumford

  • Pershore

    TOWNSWOMEN'S GUILD: At the January meeting, which was their last as members of Townswomen's Guild, an unusual visitor was present with the speaker, Mrs R Dudman - a Labrador/Retriever called Mel. She was having an enforced rest from her work as a guide

  • The Twits to storm stage

    THE world's most revolting couple, Mr and Mrs Twit, will be rampaging into Birmingham for a week of performances. The Roald Dahl creations will perform in a spectacular production combining circus and aerial skills, trickery and physical theatre to create

  • Fine friendly form

    HOCKEY: Kidderminster started the second half of the season with 2-1 friendly wins over Telford and Shifnal and Bridgnorth. The town had to work hard to keep out the Telford and Shifnal forwards at the weekend. Man-of-the-match Stewart MacIntyre was outstanding

  • Drive the Safari

    MOTORSPORT: Rally drivers will test their abilities and vehicles in Kidderminster Car Club's annual practice day at the West Midland Safari Park on Sunday. The first car of around 30 expected tackles the Bewdley course from 8.30am and times will be handed

  • Chestnuts cracked

    BOWLING: Stourport just held onto an overall victory after a storming fightback from Chestnuts in the Gilt Edge Short Mat League. The town side won the first half 12-5 but were then pegged back in the second 11-6. Blakedown bounced back with a 17-12 victory

  • Club bowl over Sun win hopes

    DARTS: Bowling Club A completed an astonishing turn-around to defeat Rising Sun A 4-3 in the Banks's Bewdley League. They were 3-0 down after wins from Ritchie Wilson, Richard Mason and Steve Bateman but Sun's best player Rob Jones could not wrap up the

  • Gym stretch lead

    TABLE TENNIS: Jim's Gym extended their lead at the top of the Kidderminster League after beating second-placed Harriers B 7-3. M Madkins and P Garner won three games each. Bewdley CC A moved into the title race with a 9-1 victory over strugglers Bewdley

  • Coach plaudits

    GYMNASTICS: Three coaches from the Wyre Forest School have been presented with awards by the West Midlands Amateur Gymnastics Association. Sue Childs and Sue Statham were awarded long-service medals and certificates after coaching for more than 10 years

  • 'Bin it, don't fling it', dog owners told

    DOG walkers in Stourport are being urged to bin their pet mess after a caravan site became littered with dozens of bags of it. The bags containing dog faeces are being flung over a fence on a lane, leading to the River Severn, off Elmfield Walk, in the

  • Breeze for Brian

    ATHLETICS: Amazing Feet's Brian Humphries had a storming run at Aldridge in the third event of the Birmingham and District Cross Country League Division Four. Humphries finished sixth in 36 minutes 19 seconds as the club were 14th of 16 teams present.

  • Dragon upset?

    CANOE POLO: Blakedown's appearance at London's Boat Show has been delayed until Sunday. The National League Division Four side aim to upset the odds when they play a demo game against Dragon, a Division One club from south Wales.

  • Teams are level

    GOLF: The inaugural Solheim Cup at Cleobury Mortimer ladies section resulted in a 6.5-6.5 draw between the "Europeans" and "Americans". The Europeans were led by current lady captain Sue Jarman and the Americans by out-going skipper, Jan Peutherer. A

  • Bissell's men fall

    CHESS: Skipper Maurice Bissell drew his game but Worcestershire lost 11-5 at Staffordshire in a gruelling five-hour match. Kidderminster's Bissell was on board six at Stafford as the county remained level with their opponents for much of the match. But

  • MOORLANDS FARM

    WEDNESDAY, Island, Bank, Middle pools: Richard Noakes 66lb 8oz (Middle peg 5), Mike Henshall 46-8, J Gardner 26-15. Saturday, Meadow, Island: Stuart Pulsar 49-0 (Island 14), Mal Watson 43-6, L Thompson 35-0. Sunday, Meadow, Bank, Silver: John Cockayne

  • LYTTELTON AA VETERANS

    WINTER League, round three: Jim Gould 16-8, Mick Millinchip 15-0, Brian Hill 11-11, Geoff Kershaw 10-2. Round four will be fished at Woodlands View on Wednesday with a 9am draw and fishing from 10am until 3pm.

  • WOLVERLEY AC

    A MEETING will be held next Thursday to make arrangements for the canal match, bridges 41-42, on January 25.

  • Thieves go for old cars

    OLDER cars are being targeted by thieves, police have warned. Vehicles without modern alarms or immobilisers are attracting thieves, who have broken into or stolen cars throughout Wyre Forest. Detective Constable Frank Concannon of Kidderminster Police

  • WOODWARD GROSVENORS AC

    AT 12.30pm on Saturday, a meeting will be held at The Cavalier pub. Members with trophies are asked to return them.

  • Cancelled ops now running at four a day

    THE article "Wait list warning over centre delay" (Shuttle/Times and News, January 8) missed two vital points. Firstly, it is not just the current, unexpected, avoidable delay in opening the Kidderminster treatment centre that makes us so angry. It is

  • Police witness appeal after late night attack

    A REVELLER needed hospital treatment after he was hit in the face outside a Kidderminster nightclub on Friday. The victim had just left Redwoods, in Dixon Street, when he was struck by "at least" one other man, a police spokeswoman said. He was taken

  • TOMKINSONS AC

    COOKLEY Canal contest, transferred from Lyttelton: M Sztybel 1-13-8dr, J Brooks 1-11-0, J Zamur 1-11-0, N Smith 1-8-0. The next contest is on Sunday, February 8, on BAA Lady Ham (Winnalls C).

  • Police working in partnership

    I WOULD like to respond to the letter from Michael Dunn (Stepping up war on the motorist, January 1). Wyre Forest is a great place to live and work and crime rates are well below the national average. We have a better detection rate in comparison to similar

  • Pregnant mum robbed in street

    A PREGNANT woman is recovering from the shock of having a necklace snatched from around her neck by a youth. The 28-year-old woman, who was six months pregnant, was walking along Spencer Street in Kidderminster with her three-year-old son when the theft

  • Donations go to help disabled people

    OVER the past year the Carpet and Commerce lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes raised and presented £581 to this charity. I and the trustees wish to thank them and are most grateful for the hard work put in to achieve this target. The purpose

  • No price can be put on human life

    I AGREE that we should all have more of a say in where our hard-earned cash goes. Yet I am alarmed that Michael Dunn (Letters, January 1) actually appears more upset with the fact that organisations are trying to reduce speeding motorists on our roads

  • GOLDEN MAGGOT AC

    THE annual meeting is on Sunday at the Old Rose and Crown, Stourport, from 5pm. All members are asked to attend and subs need to be paid.

  • Undefeated run ended by high-fliers

    WYRE Forest Brintons suffered their first loss since November when promotion-chasing Bilston beat them 4-1 in West Midlands League Division One South. The visitors took the lead in a fairly even first half when Neil Knight scored at the second attempt

  • Way of life is clogging roads

    DAVE Finch argues (Letters, January 8) that by-passes do not solve congestion, citing the Bewdley by-pass as a failure. A logical extension of his argument would be that closure of the by-pass, thus re-routing through-traffic back through the middle of

  • Save school so others can benefit

    I WENT to Alexander Patterson School and I wouldn't have been able to write this letter if it wasn't for that school. If they close down Alexander Patterson they will be closing down the memories of all the other children who went there. I have good memories

  • Great moves

    BURLISH Olympic Ladies produced their best pass-and-move display of the season to win 6-0 at Bredon in the Wyvern Associates League Cup. Debbie Prescott ran wild with four goals, while Mary Calder and Carla Worrall were also on target. Left-back Jo Carpenter

  • Granted bail

    A MAN accused of torching an Evesham farm, causing £172,000 damage, has had his case adjourned. Edward Allcock, of Redditch, is facing an arson charge after an alleged incident at the former Staite Nurseries Farm, now Avon Nurseries, off Avon Street,

  • My fond memories of market

    I WAS saddened to hear about the Kidderminster market being closed down. Although I have lived in Australia for the last 12 years, I have very fond memories of going to the market every Saturday with my nan up until the age of 11, where we used to buy

  • Double hat-trick ousts Raiders in cup clash

    JAMES Matthews and Redd Savage each scored a hat-trick for Wyre Forest Brintons Under-11s to help them to a 7-0 victory over Northside Raiders. Ryan Parker added a single strike to give Forest Brintons a place in the Stourport and District Youth League

  • Party in park

    VOLUNTEERS are needed to help organise a party in the park in Pershore. The planned concert, provisionally called Pershore Celebrates, would be held in Abbey Park after Pershore Carnival and would see talent rubbing shoulders with big-name professionals

  • Help celebrate pack's 30th party

    FORMER members of Ashton-under-Hill Brownies are being invited back to help celebrate the pack's 30th birthday. The 1st Ashton-under-Hill Brownie Pack held its first meeting on Tuesday, February 5, 1974, with a membership of 13 Brownie-guides. "Thirty

  • Yates's dazzle with goals

    TOP scorers in the Kidderminster Six-a-side League were Yates's who hammered Bobby Dazzlers 9-2. Other results: Ads Lads 1, Harriers United 1; FC Irrelevant 3, Dreamers 2; FC Golden Balls 3, Loom & Shuttle 2; Loom & Shuttle 6, Stourport Social

  • Football fixtures

    SATURDAY (3pm unless stated) NATIONWIDE LEAGUE DIVISION THREE KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS v Darlington DR MARTENS WESTERN DIVISION Mangotsfield v STOURPORT SWIFTS WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE SOUTH Malvern Town Reserves v WYRE FOREST BRINTONS (2.45pm)

  • Homes on greenfield sites to be scrapped

    WYCHAVON councillors have decided to scrap a number of housing allocations on greenfield sites around Vale villages. The decision to cut the 100 houses was part of the final revision to the Local Plan - the document that sets out the future development

  • Head finds a lollipop lady

    A VALE head teacher has been able to hang up his lollipop after spending months helping his pupils cross the road to school safely. Charlie Lupton, head of St Barnabas CE First & Middle School in Drakes Broughton juggled his duties as headteacher

  • Victory for growers in tunnel bid

    WYCHAVON district councillors have granted planning permission for the construction of 37 polytunnels on land in Offenham despite residents' fears over increased traffic. The tunnels will allow V & S Pilade Growers, a major supplier of Kane Foods,

  • Spirited side battle drop

    A VITAL 15-3 win at fellow strugglers Bromyard with 14 men gave Cleobury Mortimer renewed hope in North Midlands One. With more home matches in the near future against their rivals, Cleobury aim to move away from the relegation zone. Saturday's victory

  • Stourport have the rugby sting

    TRIES from Matt Willis and Malcolm Bourne fired Stourport to a tough 13-7 victory over Dudley Wasps in North Midlands Two. Stourport dominated possession in the first half with better line-outs and a stronger scrum. The first unconverted try arrived early

  • Towe's try double secures second

    CHADDESLEY Corbett's defence remained firm as they moved up to second in North Midlands Three with a 15-0 win at Essington. They completed the double over the home side by getting off to a perfect start through Ben Towe's try from a Carl Booth assist.

  • Warriors aim to keep Orrell in dark

    ANDY Keast has admitted to "sleepless nights" over his Worcester selection for Saturday. Worcester will not be naming a team until match-day for the National One showdown at their closest rivals Orrell with coach Keast still mulling over a number of options

  • Bickerton prepares for new season

    WORCESTERSHIRE golf ace John Bickerton has opted for the sun of Dubai rather than the rain of Droitwich as he prepares for the new season. The Spa professional, aged 34, has been warming up for the PGA European Tour with a trip to the Middle East ahead

  • Stourport hit back for Bromsgrove draw

    STOURPORT Hockey Club ladies first team drew 3-3 at Bromsgrove. With only five minutes left of this friendly they were 3-1 down, but fought back to score two goals to level the scores. This Saturday the ladies continue their preparations for the re-start

  • From the archives

    100 Years Ago January 16 1904 A triple entertainment consisting of tea, concert and dance was given in the Old Schools, Badsey, on Tuesday, in aid of the Clock Fund. The tea was not so well patronised as might have been expected but the concert attracted

  • Caravan site wins two major awards

    A BROADWAY caravan site has received two prestigious national awards after a major investment programme to improve its facilities. The Caravan Club site at the Old Goods Yard at Broadway Station picked up the Most Improved Site award and the Best Overall

  • KIDDERMINSTER SCOTTISH SOCIETY

    Society members will join forces with associates from Kemp Hospice for the annual Burns Night dinner-dance at the Ramada Hotel, Bewdley on Saturday, January 24. Beverley Worboys and Michael Robinson will entertain with Scottish songs. Everyone is welcome

  • Learn a new art or craft

    VISITORS to the Needles and Crafts Show at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern can learn from the experts on a range of subjects. Workshops and demonstrations on all facets of needlecraft, home crafts and arts will be on show, including Forge Craft

  • STOURPORT DIVERS

    A new six-week "learn to snorkel" course, aimed at eight to 12-year-olds, has been introduced this year. The course consists of pool training for one hour on Sunday afternoons, from 3.45pm until 4.45pm, and is designed to demonstrate the safe use of snorkel

  • LIVE WYRES

    The club for social singles is meeting on Saturday at Angel Chef in Worcester for a Chinese meal. Members are asked to meet at 6.45pm. Contact 01299 878772 for details. The following day a five-mile walk will take in Shrawley church and Shrawley brook

  • Good vibrations

    THE Beach Boys Inc. will be surfing into Colwall near Malvern with the aim of keeping summer alive with some of the greatest hits of their namesakes. The five Bristol lads, international stars of the Good Vibrations theatre production, will appear at

  • NFU set to move to new centre in Warwickshire

    THE National Farmers' Union is quitting its London headquarters for a prestigious new landmark building in the heart of rural Warwickshire. A planning application for the new headquarters at Stoneleigh Park has been put in and the two-storey crescent-shaped

  • Tennis Clubs

    Beckford Tennis Club: Tina Harrington (01386 881005). Bromwich Lane LTC: St John's. Contact Richard Underwood (01905 831165). Boughton Park Tennis Club: Sec, Mrs Sue Beesley (01905 820989). County Council Sports Club: R Warner (01905 356771). Droitwich

  • Swimming Clubs

    Droitwich Dolphins: (swimming for disabled people), Hydrotherapy Pool. Rheumatology Dept, Newtown Hospital, Newtown Road, Worcester. (01905 798687). Droitwich Indoor Pool: Droitwich Sports & Leisure, Briar Mill, Droitwich Spa (01905 771212). Evesham

  • Shooting Clubs

    Malvern Rifle and Pistol Club: J Bibby (01684 576988). Royal Oak Clay Shooting: M Warden (01684 562018). South Worcestershire Shooting Ground: J Clements (01684 310605). Worcester Norton Shooting Club: N Brazier (01384 390601).

  • Rambling

    Worcester Rambling Club: Kath Mottram (01905 28567).

  • Racing

    Worcester Racecourse: Pitchcroft, Worcester, (01905 25364). For race details see Worcester Evening News.

  • Pool Clubs

    Malvern: Reg Reynolds (01684 572945). Malvern and District Pool League: G Deegan (01684 574777).

  • Martial Arts

    Droitwich Spa Judo Club: T Ewins (01905 796365). Judo Kwai: D Cotterill (01527 836168). Karate (general): Mark Beeby, Lyppard Grange Community Centre, Millwood Drive, Worcester (01905 771564). Lions Claw Kung Fu: Sijo Lee (01905 423884/07932 683357).

  • Life Guards

    South Worcester Life Guards: Anthony Higgs (01386 553565).

  • Keep Fit Clubs

    Body Firm Workouts Droitwich Spa: C Rosborough (01905 358412). Dolphin Centre: (01527 877123). Women's League of Health and Beauty: M Sharpe (01527 574870). Women's League of Health and Beauty: G Boswell (01905 830015). Mrs Z Dickerson (01905 421089).

  • Darts Clubs

    Bromsgrove Darts League: Mr B Tustin (01527 873282).

  • Cycling Clubs

    Cyclists Touring Club: (South Worcs Section. David Hudson (07970 770069). St John's Cycling Club: Contact, Carl Burnell (01905 358340). The Rookery Road Wheelers Veteran Cycling Club: Keith Welch (01905 423377).

  • Defford and Besford

    PARISH COUNCIL: Report of parish council meeting of December 16: The precept was agreed at £5,400 an increase of 1.9 per cent on last year's figure. Information had been received from Highways regarding the introduction of a parish lengthsman scheme.

  • Chess Clubs

    Malvern Chess Club: Mr M R Ginger (01886 880010). Worcester (St John's) Chess Club: Sec Mr G Dyett (01905 421859). Worcester City Chess Club: Sec, J Keene (01905 458417).

  • Badminton Clubs

    Badminton Juniors and Adults: Owen Sidaway, Lyppard Grange Community Centre, Millwood Drive, Worcester (01905 21459). Challenge Badminton Club: Fran Sparrey (01684 575656). Chase and Upton: Malcolm Knight (01905 820431). Dolphin Centre: Badminton Club

  • Archery Societies

    romyard Bowmen: Gillian Ison (01885 482575). Droitwich Archery Society: Sec Mrs E Duggan (01905 454348). Malvern Archers: Jo Monger (01531 636281). Severn Archers: Greg Middleton (01684 592820). Worcester Bowmen: Hon Sec, Miss M Coughling (01905 351397

  • Funeral Directors

    A V Band Ltd: 41 St Nicholas Street, Worcester (01905 22892/22048). Bedwardine Funeral Services: 1 St John's, Worcester (01905 748811). Co-operative Funeral Service: 17 Lowesmoor, Worcester (01905 22137); also 105 Barnards Green Road, Malvern (01684 574733

  • Useful sources of advice

    Age Concern England: Astral House, 1268 London Road, London, SW16 4ER (020 8765 7200). Information Line 0800 00 99 66. Cruse Bereavement Care: Cruse House, 126 Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey. General enquiries 0208 939 9530 Helpline 0208 940 4818. The Samaritans

  • Religious Groups

    Disabled Christians Fellowship: Worcester contacts, Mr and Mrs S Jelfs (01905 21239). Seventh Day Adventist Church: 2 Severn Street, Worcester, Dr C Lamont (01905 421850).

  • Methodist Circuit Ministers

    Rev Anne Greet: 39 Barnes Way, Worcester (01905 767025). Rev David Meacem (Bromyard Road/Ombersley Road Methodist churches): (01905 422180). Rev Kenneth Crawford, C of E, recognised Methodist: (01905 616109). Rev Richard Barley: (01905 775282).

  • Weather

    Weather Communications International: Mr P Damari, 10 Northwick Walk, Worcester (01905 28888).

  • Advice Bureaux

    Droitwich: 44 High Street Street, Droitwich (01905 795225). Malvern: The Grange, Grange Road, Malvern (01684 563611). Pickersleigh: Community Services (01684 563611) Tenbury Wells: (01684 563611). Worcester: The Hopmarket, Worcester (01905 611371). Wychavon

  • Transport

    British Rail: (Enquiries 08457 484950). Stations: Shrub Hill, Foregate Street, Droitwich Spa, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Evesham, Pershore. First in the Midland Buses Ltd/Citibus: Worcester, Enquiries and information (01905 763888)

  • Fire Services

    Malvern Fire Station: Worcester Road, Malvern Link (01684 572948). Hereford & Worcester Fire Station HQ: Copenhagen Street, Worcester (01905 24454). Droitwich Fire Station: Friar Street (01905 771515). Training Centre (01905 795889). Fire emergency

  • Libraries and Museums

    City Museum and Art Gallery: Foregate Street, Worcester. Includes Museum of the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry (Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars) and the Museum of the Worcestershire Regiment. Also full programme of art exhibitions and events. Museum

  • Air Cadets

    187 (City of Worcester) Sqn Air Training Corps: Flt Lt Chris. Meet Perdiswell Park, Droitwich Rd (01905 755005). Droitwich Air Cadets: Chairman Brian Watkins (01905 770769). Tue/Thurs 7.30-9.30pm, Heritage Way.

  • Army Cadets

    Worcester Troop: Hereford & Worcester) Dancox House, Silver Street, Worcester. Troop Commander, Lt Tindall. All enquiries (01432 359917).

  • Territorial Army

    TA Centre: 214 BTY Royal Artillery (V), Silver Street, Worcester (01905 613574).

  • HM Services - Regular Army

    Careers Information Office: 44 Foregate Street, Worcester (01905 723677). Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment HQ: Norton Barracks, Worcester (01905 354359).

  • Nightclubs

    Bushwackers: Church House, The Cross. (01905 26878). Chicago's: 4-5a New St. (01905724910). Images on Glass: The Butts. (01905 21005). Bamboo: Tybridge St. (01905 429800). Tramps: Angel Place. (01905 20218).

  • Public Houses

    Amaday, Cardinal's Hat: 31 Friar St. (07812011118). Brewsters: The Manor Farm, Malvern Rd. (01905 427760). Brunswick Arms: 50 Malvern Rd. (01905 421579). Bush Inn: 4 Bull Ring. (01905 421086). Conservatory: 36 Friar St. (01905 26929). Coppertops: Oldbury

  • Cafe/Coffee Shops

    (Daytime lunch and snacks). Assembly Rooms: Guildhall, High St. (01905 722033). Balcony Caf: City Museum, Foregate St. (01905 724488). Britannia Restaurant: CrownGate Shopping Centre, Friary Walk. (01905 21939). Caf Vienna: CrownGate Shopping Centre,15

  • Takeaways/ Delivery Service

    Buddy's Baguettes: The Tything. (01905 724932). Burger King: 21 The Cross. (01905 617727). Cornish Bakehouse: 69 Broad St. (01905 610323). Crown Burger & Kebab House: Angel Place. (01905 613998). Curry Hut: 46 Upper Tything. (01905 21945). Dallas

  • Thai Restaurants

    Orchids: 21 Friar St. (01905 745902). Thai Crystal Restaurant: 109 Sidbury (01789 778324). Thai Gallery: 26 Friar St. (01905 25451).

  • Indian Restaurants

    Abduls: The Tything. (01905 723478). Akaash Balti Restaurant: 63 Lowesmoor. (01905 611124). Amipam: 85 Church St, Malvern. (01684 573814). Anarkali: 47 The Tything. (01905 21412). Asha: Spring Lane, Malvern. (01684 576915). Ashley's Balti: 11 The Tything

  • Restaurants

    Bear and Ragged Staff: Station Rd, Bransford. (01886 833399). Bridges Carvery: Hindlip Lane. (01905 75717). Copcut Elm: Worcester Rd, Droitwich. (01905 778845). Coppertops: Oldbury Rd. (01905 421230). Fruiterers Arms: Stonehall Common, near Norton. (01905

  • Tourist Information Centres

    Worcester: Guildhall, High Street (01905 726311). Bromsgrove: 26 Birmingham Road (01527 831809). Droitwich Heritage Centre: St Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich (01905 774312). Evesham: The Almonry Heritage and Tourist Information Centre, Abbey

  • Youth Groups

    Boys Brigade: Meet Wednesdays, Bromyard Rd Methodist Church, St John's, Worcester. Anchor Boys (6-8 yrs) 5.45-6.45pm. Juniors (8-11 yrs) 6.45-8.15pm. Company Section (11-18 yrs) 7.30-9pm. Contact Mr M Boswell (01905 820017). British Red Cross Youth: Vicky

  • Scouts Groups

    Worcester and District Scout Council: District secretary: Mrs Mary Hooper (01905 23178). District Commissioner: Mr Nigel Brooks (01905 28587). Assistant District Commissioner (Beaver Scouts): Mrs Lynn Richards (01905 358934). Assistant District Commissioner

  • Women's Institutes

    Worcestershire Federation of Women's Institutes: 11 Pierpoint Street, Worcester (01905 22575, fax 01905 619912). Federation Administrator: Heather Jefferies (as above). Alfrick: Mrs G Mansell (01886 884234) Barnards Green: Mrs N Shaw. (01684 753318) Broomhall

  • Lions Clubs

    Droitwich: President, Graham Howard (01905 773476). Worcester: President, David Orr (01905 616092).

  • Round Table

    Droitwich Spa: Chairman, David Lockett (01905 776135). Worcester Round Table: Sec, Steve Appleton (01905 795243)

  • Clubs - Music, Dance, Film and Theatre

    Appleyard Traditional Ladies Dancing: Contact, Mrs Diane Maiden (01684 565204). The Band of West Mercia Constabulary: Chairman, Mr E W Barry, Police HQ, Hindlip Hall, Worcester (01905 723000). CATS Claines Amateur and Theatrical Society: Gem Field (01905

  • Young Farmers Clubs

    ordinator: Mrs Helen Sykes (01905 621616); Youth Field Worker Lucy Rollett (01905 620064); WFYFC County Office, Shires Farm, Hawford, Worcs (01905 621616). County Groups at: Abberley, Bromsgrove, Crowle, Cutnall Green, Hagley, Hanley Swan, Inkberrow,

  • Clubs and Societies

    Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society Ltd: Midland Branch (0121 4721921). Amnesty International. (Asst Sec): David Keyworth, (01905 745420). Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry (Worcester Branch): Chairman, Mr R G Field, (01905

  • Countryside Agency and Independent Retailers

    Alliance of Independent Retailers: Adam House, Waterworks Road, Worcester (01905 612733/613106). Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire & Worcestershire: Enterprise House, Castle St, Worcester (01905 723200). The Countryside Agency: West Midlands Regional

  • Special Schools

    Alexander Patterson, Kidderminster: Mrs M E Calvert (01562 851396). Blakebrook Special, Kidderminster: Mr M D G Russell (01562 753066). Chadsgrove Special, Bromsgrove: Mr R H Aust (01527 871511). Cliffy House Special, Hanley Castle: Mrs H P Maskew (a/

  • Colleges

    Evesham & Malvern Hills College, Evesham: Mr D Blades (01386 712600). Hillstone (Malvern College), Abbey Road, Malvern: P H Moody (01684 581600). Kidderminster College of Further Education, Kidderminster: Mr A Miller (01562 820811). Malvern College

  • Schools - Middle

    Abbey Park Middle School, Pershore: Mrs L P Evans (01386 552667). Aston Fields Middle School, Bromsgrove: Mrs J Adams (01527 876026). Birchen Coppice Middle School, Kidderminster: Mrs W Taylor (01562 824024). Blackminster Middle School, Evesham: Mr T

  • Schools - Maintained Primary/Junior

    Abberley Parochial Primary School: Mrs J C Taylor, Abberley, Worcester (01299 896332). Abbey Park First & Nursery School, Pershore: Mrs J Chambers (01386 552722). Areley Common First School, Stourport-on-Severn: Simon Tupp (01299 822915). Areley Kings

  • Registered pre-school playgroups - Droitwich area

    Heath: Contact, Mrs Foweraker (01905 756920/07733031636). Droitwich Spa Pre-School, Methodist Church, Droitwich: Contact, Mrs J Wickson (0794 9062805). Field House Nursery Group, Himbleton, Worcs: Contact, Mrs M Jenkins (01905 391222) and Mrs S Boaz (

  • Doctors - Pershore area

    Drs P J S Keating, F J Borchardt, G J G Ralphs, N A O'Loghlan, Claire M Wunsch, Alison C Atkinson: Abbottswood Medical Centre, Defford Road, Pershore (01386 552424). Drs T J Pitts-Tucker, Catherine M Young, J S Rankin, Katherine M R Edwards, C E Perks

  • Doctors - Malvern Area

    Drs G M Wilson, D A Webster, Susanna M Everill, J Barrell, A R Havercroft: The Surgery School Lane, Upton (01684 592595). Drs K W Jarett, A S Meredith, D J Radley, Julia Edwards, G L Busher: Malvern Health Centre, Victoria Park Road, Malvern Link (01684

  • Chiropodists

    Mrs E Allen: York Ave, Droitwich. (01905 776732). C R Burrows: Hampden Rd, Malvern Link (01684 561168). M D Caryl: Friar St, Droitwich (01905 771405). Emma Coley and Jonathan Nicholls: 23 Bransford Rd, Worcester (surgery or home visits) (01905 428434)

  • Dispensing Chemists

    J and J Pharmacy Ltd: 177 Bath Road, Worcester (01905 354651). Lloyds Chemist: 3-4 Tesco Complex, St Peter's Drive, Worcester (01905 359926); 10 Cornmarket, Worcester (01905 20086); 93-95 Barnards Green Road, Malvern (01684 573811); 30-36 High Street,

  • Ophthalmic Services

    OPHTHALMIC OPTICIANS (Who test sight and supply glasses). Actons & Attewell: Corn Market Corner, Worcester (01905 22156/723537). Barnards Green Opticians: 113 Barnards Green Road, Malvern. (01684 892586) Brauchli Opticians: 7 St Swithin's Street,

  • Red Cross

    British Red Cross, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire: Green Hill, London Road, Worcester (01905 351212, fax 01905 350450) also Worcester City Centre: Centre Organiser, Mr Stephen Holmes, Red Cross House, Green Hill, London Road, Worcester (

  • Dentists - Pershore area

    Simon M Ford, Geoffrey P Sharples: Abbey Dental Practice, Pershore Health Centre. Pershore (01386 555345). Andrew G Udall, Jon D Page, Mrs Jenny Page: Lincoln House, 35 High Street, Pershore (01386 552659).

  • Dentists - Evesham area

    Richard Colebourne, T Fraser: Evesham Dental Health Team,16 Broadway Road, Evesham (01386 422833). Peter J James: Dental Clinic, Evesham Health Centre, Evesham (01386 502305). John R Jones, Jennifer Wood: High Street Dental Practice, 102 High Street,

  • Dentists - Droitwich area

    P Davis: 18 Corbett Avenue, Droitwich (01905 773887). R A J Morris, K Mountford, Sally J Evans: 67 Ombersley Street East, Droitwich (01905 778873). I Hussain, Valdet Januzaj, Reza Ardalan: The Dental Surgery, 47 Blackfriars Avenue, Droitwich (01905 773111

  • Dentists - Worcester area

    Alan R Ashton: The Beeches Dental Centre, 2 Beech Avenue, Worcester (01905 756256) W.J. Biddle, D N Howcroft, Sally-Ann Clarke: 7 Shrubbery Avenue, Worcester (01905 20136). P.J. Brooks, D Tipton, I B Hetherington: Oasis Dental Care, 25A St John's, Worcester

  • Special Clinics

    Genito-Urinary Medicine (for sexually transmitted diseases): Clinics held at Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester (01905 351601) for both male and female. Please ring for appointment opening times.

  • HOSPITALS

    BUPA South Bank Hospital: 139 Bath Road, Worcester (01905 350003). Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester. (Enquiries 01905 763333); Social Services Dept (Newtown Hospital) (01905 763333); Newtown branch (01905 763333); Pathological

  • Souvenir stamps are up for grabs

    A HISTORIC engine named after a13th century manor house steamed into Kidderminster to launch a new range of Royal Mail stamps.Severn Valley Railway driver Vic Smith, Jane Beese of the Royal Mail and SVR marketing manager John Leach with the 42p stamp

  • Land tickets for Go Fishing Show

    VISIT The NEC in Birmingham to catch the latest products and land top tips from Britain's top anglers at this year's Go Fishing Show, from Friday, February 27 to Sunday, February 29. Go Fishing is the UK's largest and most comprehensive angling event

  • Local Councillors

    Badsey: Mrs S K Ealey (Lib Dem), (01386 422942). Bowbrook: Mrs A M Rowley (Lib Dem), (01905 345307). Bredon: Adrian Hardman (Con), (01684 773172). Bretforton and Offenham: G F Bourne (Lib Dem), (01386 832582). Broadway/Wickhamford: D W Folkes (Con), (

  • 15/1/04 - Pressure is on Orrell in this top-two clash

    WE'RE used to the good old 'title decider' every season but I'm not sure that the Orrell clash is exactly that. It's a big game alright and Orrell have to be respected opponents. However, I think we have to look at this match as number 15 of the league

  • City Councillors - Worcester

    All Saints: Allah Ditta (Con), (01905 763637); Francis Lankester (Con), (01905 353996); Mohammed Altaf (Ind), (07958378252). Bedwardine: David Clark (Con), (01905 423628); Derek Prodger (Con), (01905 426293); Gary Kibblewhite (Ind Con), (01905 748217)

  • Worcester City

    Chief Executive: Mr David Wareing (01905 722200). Director of Corporate Services P Betts (01905 722000). Chief of Finance Officer: Mr Graham Lucas (01905 722100). Director of Community Services: Mr Anthony Audas (01905 722300). Director of Development

  • County Councillors - Wyre Forest

    Wyre Forest Brinton Park: Mr P Carter (Lib Dem), 49 Sutton Park Road, Kidderminster (01562 824384). Cookley, Wolverley and Wribbenhall: Mrs E M Davies (Ind Kidd Hospital and Health Concern), Wassell View, Habberley Road, Bewdley (01299 403053). Habberley

  • County Councillors - Malvern Hills

    Malvern Hills Croome: Mr R A A Bullock, (Con), The Drive, Whittington, Worcester (01905 360103). Hallow: Mr A E Davies (Con), The Cobbins, Wichenford (01886 888263). Malvern Chase: Mrs Diane Rayner (Lib Dem), Tintern House, 12 Abbey Road, Malvern (01684

  • Worcs County Councils

    Worcestershire County Council. County Hall: Spetchley Road, Worcester (01905 763763). COUNTY SERVICES County Youth Service: County Buildings, St Mary's St (01905 763763). Education and Services: PO Box 73, Worcester -- Pupils admission transfers and exclusions

  • Recycling and Waste Disposal

    Glass Banks College of Technology, Deansway; County Hall, Spetchley Road; Dines Green Shops, Gresham Road; Hill and Moor, Throckmorton; Homebase, Hylton Road; Household waste site, Bilford Road; Household waste site Hallow Road; Lower Wick Shops, Canada

  • Pupils heed call from Samaritans

    PERSHORE High School pupils have answered the call to help the Samaritans help others. The youngsters have collected about 20 old mobile phones towards an appeal that was launched before Christmas. The phones are to be exchanged for cash to raise funds

  • Postal services are just deteriorating...

    I FEEL the Post Office is the biggest con artist at the present. They offer a so-called consultation period, then ignore petitions and letters, and carry out what they want. In fact, postal services deteriorate. JOHN NORWOOD, Kidderminster.

  • What a performance for top form schools

    SCHOOLS in the Vale are celebrating after the publication of government performance league tables based on their GCSE and A-level results today. Prince Henry's High School was named in the top 35 per cent of schools nationally and 12th in Worcestershire

  • Why was bank left out of the narrative?

    IT IS good to see the Phillpott File (Evening News, Monday, January 5) scratching the surface of a critical period of our history, but why was the Bank of "England" left out of the story? Briefly, after a group of aliens had been removed from England

  • Council vacancies

    PERSHORE Town Council will be holding its monthly meeting next Thursday, January 22. The meeting, which will be held in the new Town Hall from 7.30pm, is open to the public. Residents may participate in the meetings by prior arrangement with the town

  • Just a foregone conclusion

    IT comes as no surprise that the plans for a park-and-ride at Whittington have almost been rubber-stamped. After all, everyone knows it is just an overspill car park for the hospital. Environmental issues do not come into it. With so many complaints about

  • Affordable housing and what it means

    I AM writing in response to the letter from Terry James (You Say, Tuesday, January 6). I would like to explain the meaning of the term "affordable housing", a much-used but misunderstood phrase. As Mr James points out, in certain parts of the country

  • Purr-fect present

    A COLLECTION of food in Pershore for cats and dogs has been declared the most successful ever. Since the beginning of December, generous shoppers at the Co-op have given cat food worth nearly £200 to the annual Cats' Protection League collection. The

  • Secure a place at the RGS

    TIME is running out for parents in the Pershore area to secure their child a free place at the Royal Grammar School in Worcester. Applications are invited for a special bursary open to children currently studying at either St Barnabas Middle School in

  • Crews fight to stop chemical threat

    SEVEN fire crews attened a double barn fire near Pinvin which destroyed 50 tonnes of hay and two tractors. Firefighters fought the blaze for 16 hours to stop it spreading to sheds where dangerous chemicals were being stored. Crews from Worcester, Evesham

  • Latest must-have in high-tech gadgets

    If you are scouring the shops and the internet desperately trying to get your hands on the gadget of the moment - the iPod - then you are not alone. Hundreds of desperate shoppers missed out when the new portable digital music players vanished from the

  • Vicar to give sermons about sex, marriage and adultery

    A COTSWOLD vicar is giving his congregation a series of sermons on the subject of sex. The Rev Stephen Wookey, who is vicar of St David's Church in Moreton, is tackling issues such as the institution of marriage, sex outside marriage, adultery and homosexuality

  • Clubs see red at pitch price rises

    THE FUTURE of amateur football in Evesham could be in jeopardy because of a proposed rise in ground hire charges - by more than 60 per cent. Town councillors at a meeting on Monday vowed to do all they could to stop the rise, after four clubs wrote to

  • Farmers' markets awarded national approval

    FARMERS' markets, including monthly ones held in Kidderminster and Bewdley, have been given a national seal of approval. The National Association of Farmers' Markets has certified Worcestershire markets, assuring customers the produce they buy comes directly

  • 15/1/04 Drewe on target

    DREWE Broughton bagged his first Division Three goal in 22 games for Southend in Friday's 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Cheltenham. The ex-Harriers target man, who joined the Essex side in the summer, scored on 70 minutes but a late Leon Cort own goal

  • Last respects paid to Kerry

    FAMILY and friends of brave Kerry Jackson - who died just hours before she was due to receive a life-saving mobile oxygen machine from generous Shuttle/Times & News readers - turned out in droves to pay their last respects. The courageous 40-year-old's

  • Candle starts bedroom fire

    A candle is thought to have started a bedroom fire at a Stourport home. Firefighters from Stourport and Kidderminster rushed to the house, in Seedgreen Close, and needed breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze, on Monday. The fire was likely to have been

  • Group plea for members

    The January meeting of Kidderminster and District Arthritis Care Self Help Group will be held on Monday. It runs from 2pm until 4pm at Holy Innocents Community Centre, Sutton Park Road, Kidderminster. New members are welcome to call 01562 741518 for further

  • 15/1/04 Swifts aim for Mangotsfield double

    STOURPORT Swifts are looking for a repeat of their recent 2-1 win over Mangotsfield when they make the return trip on Saturday. Defender Mark Jones and midfield man Ronnie Sayer bagged the goals on January 6 but the Bristol club are likely to be a different

  • Collision killed biker, 32

    A 32-year-old motorcyclist was killed after a rush hour smash on a busy Kidderminster highway.the scene of the collision in Stourport Road, Kidderminster. Nicholas Balmer, died shortly after his white Yamaha motorbike collided with a red Vauxhall Astra

  • Police hunt driver after crash

    POLICE are looking for the driver of a white Peugeot 205 who failed to stop after being in collision with a moped. The incident happened near the Wagon and Horses pub on the A451 Kidderminster to Stourbridge Road. The rider of a grey Aprilla RS50 moped

  • Fall in drink drive figures

    THE number of people caught drinking and driving in the police force area covering Wyre Forest fell during the festive period. Nine per cent of motorists were caught, compared with 25 per cent the year before, West Mercia Constabulary reported. Of those

  • Teenager fined for headbutt

    A TEENAGER who "heard voices" headbutted a man who went to his house to confront him, a court heard. Benjamin Bailey's search for someone who had been taunting him that day led to the attack, likely to have been spurred by his mental health problems,

  • Rescue centre staff fear 'dogs may die'

    HUNDREDS of stray and unwanted dogs in Wyre Forest could be destroyed unless a financial lifeline is thrown to a rescue charity suffering a funding crisis. Forest Dog Rescue has been saving the lives of stray and unwanted dogs for 20 years but volunteer

  • No need for bumps after car survey

    SPEED bumps will not be included in a safety scheme on a notorious Bewdley highway - home to two schools - because road bosses said traffic did not travel fast enough along it. The news that vehicles on Stourport Road were averaging just 28mph during

  • 'Blame the drivers, not our bollards'

    BOLLARDS designed to stop motorists hitting newly-extended kerbs in a Kidderminster street have been damaged after both were apparently run down by drivers, it has been claimed.measures to flag up the new kerbs at the junction of Plimsoll Street and Park

  • Night club is step closer

    PLANS for a new nightclub in Kidderminster have taken a further step towards a grand opening. The proposed DY Eleven club, at a disused carpet factory in Green Street, has been granted a provisional public entertainment licence. The man behind the plan

  • Stunned at rugby boy death

    PLAYERS in a Kidderminster junior rugby team were stunned by the death of one of their opponents following a match. Kidderminster Rugby Club's under-15 side were playing away to Birmingham and Solihull when the home side's James Radburn, 14, complained

  • Parents hit out at school closure

    ANGRY parents remained unimpressed with plans to close a special school after coming face to face with the officers behind the plans. Parents were told that Alexander Patterson School in Wolverley had to close to arrest falling pupil numbers during a

  • Charity shop targeted

    BURGLARS who targeted a Kidderminster charity shop have been branded as "despicable" and "heartless" by police. The raiders broke into the Kemp Hospice shop in Oxford Street between 6pm on Saturday and 9am on Monday.Kemp Hospice shop manager Jackie Medhurst

  • New line for loans

    CUSTOMERS who need emergency help from Kidderminster's social security office can now apply for crisis loans by telephone, rather than in person. Among emergencies the loans cover are loss of money, fire or flood damage or hardship caused by wages arrears

  • Plea for old photographs

    THE organiser of a reunion for wartime pupils at a Kidderminster school is appealing for photos from the era to help people recall "the good old days". Percy Woodhouse wants to get together ex-pupils of Sladen Modern School, now Sladen Middle School,

  • Signed Led Zep CD will boost Kemp concert

    ORGANISERS and performers for an eagerly awaited charity extravaganza are celebrating a double coup - having sold all 500 tickets within two weeks as well as bagging a signed Led Zeppelin album to auction off. Wyre Forest singing sensations Beth Dunn

  • Chance for youngsters to develop artistic skills

    ARTISTIC youngsters are being given the chance to develop their creative skills with an exciting double bill of art clubs. Stef Connolly of Springfield Lane, Kidderminster, is giving step-by-step lessons on art and design to eight to 12 year olds at Kidderminster

  • Movie feast for lovers of silver screen

    SILVER screen stars from all over the world are on the cards for movie fans in Kidderminster as Wyre Forest Film Club presents its new season. The international showcase kicks off on Tuesday with The Quiet American, directed by Phillip Noyce, and starring

  • Masterplan for Malvern's Science Park development

    A MASTERPLAN is to be drawn up for the future development of Malvern Hills Science Park. The 10-acre park, off Geraldine Road, Malvern, provides high-technology companies with an ideal environment in which to grow, and is a magnet for inward investment

  • Artist of year treat for 2004

    CAMPDEN and District Music Society's first concert of 2004 will feature pianist Bobby Chen, who was named young concert artist of the year in 2003. Bobby Chen began his career at the Menuhin School, where he was chosen as soloist for a CD entitled Menuhin's

  • Boy hurt in crash

    A TEENAGER suffered a fractured wrist and cuts to his legs when was in collision with a car in Bidford. The 13-year-old boy was taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for treatment for a fractured left wrist. The driver of a white Honda Civic, involved

  • Hospitals hit by 40,000 no-shows

    MORE than 40,000 patients failed to turn up for appointments at three county hospitals last year. They are wasting one in 10 appointments, putting a huge strain on waiting lists and depriving others of swifter treatment, say health officials. Worcestershire

  • Monkey business for hospice cash

    DINERS were "monkeying around" at a charity dinner last night to herald the start of the Chinese New Year. A total of 70 people attended the meal, held at The Four Seasons Restaurant in Lowesmoor - helping to raise more than £4,000 for Worcester's St

  • MP urges use of schools' facilities

    CITY MP Mike Foster is planning to open a public debate on school sports pitches being opened up to the public when they are not being used. Mr Foster said one secondary school in the city would not allow children to play cricket during the summer holidays

  • Police appeal for help in tracing missing Abbey Hotel man

    POLICE have issued a photograph of the Malvern hotel manager who has been missing for a week in a fresh appeal for information as to his whereabouts. Twenty-two-year-old Tim Hunter - also known as David - works as under-manager at the Abbey Hotel in Abbey

  • Rises put games at risk

    THE future of amateur football in Evesham could be in jeopardy because of a proposed rise in ground hire charges - by more than 60 per cent. Town councillors vowed to do all they could to stop the rise, after four clubs wrote to them appealing for help

  • Judge offers addict a get-out clause

    A WORCESTER Crown Court judge has struck a bargain with a 23-year-old engineer who admitted drug dealing and growing cannabis. Judge David McEvoy QC told Scott Blackburn he would not send him to prison if he kept off drugs and did not commit any offences

  • Landscape changes with a touch of winter wonderland

    RAMBLERS were walking in a Worcestershire winter wonderland yesterday as the countryside was covered with a light sprinkling of snow. Motorists took extra care on the area's roads as temperatures dropped below freezing and the snow settled before turning

  • Girls on top in schools' tables

    WORCESTERSHIRE schools followed the national trend in the latest batch of performance tables, with girls and comprehensives taking the top spots. Under the new value-added system - designed to assess a school's ability to boost children's achievements

  • Victim's fury at students' caution

    A MAN whose property has been repeatedly vandalised is disgusted students found carrying part of his damaged wall have only received police cautions. Long-suffering Richard Delingpole of Henwick Road, St John's, has seen his six foot wall demolished three

  • Loss of trade is feared

    BUSINESSES in a village near Worcester fear they will lose trade when an historic bridge closes for repairs - cutting them off from some customers. The Holt Fleet Bridge, which is a major commuter route over the River Severn, will be closed to through-traffic

  • Young flock to religion

    MORE youngsters in Worcestershire are turning to God, according to new figures. While traditional Sunday services have experienced a slight downturn in numbers - from 2,200 in 2001 to 2,100 in 2002 - around 2,600 11 to 25-year-olds have been flocking

  • Figures reveal state of our schools

    A COMPLETE performance table for Worcestershire's high schools and colleges this morning gave a comprehensive overview of county education. The Secondary School Performance Tables include GCSE, Value Added and A-level results for high schools across the

  • Russell is new trust leader

    THE former boss of Nuneaton and Bedworth Primary Care Group has been appointed as the new chief executive of Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Russell Hamilton, aged 45, is currently on secondment as director of strategic and corporate

  • Doubt over fines for truant families

    A DROITWICH headteacher has slammed plans to fine parents who take their children out of school for family holidays. As part of a tough new stance on truancy, schools will have the right to slap a £100 fine on anyone who breaks this rule. But Droitwich

  • Poignant moments

    IT was a poignant moment for Jennifer and Warwick Gledhill, of Upper Rochford, when they met members of the Kyre Disabled Riding Group at the stables in Bockleton. Their 24-year-old daughter Nicola, an experienced horsewoman, died while exercising horses

  • £12,000 for new skateboard ramp

    A NEW skateboard ramp with additional features is on the cards for Tenbury's daring whizz-kids. A successful bid to secure funding, made by community safety officer for Malvern Hills District Council Mark McKey, has secured £12,000. A steering committee

  • Police death crash appeal

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 20-year-old Mamble man died on his way home to the Sun and Slipper Inn from work in Wolverhampton. David Carr, 20, was the son of Roger and Wendy Carr who have run the popular village pub for the past 10 years

  • Bishop is appointed

    THE new Bishop of Hereford - whose area of responsibility includes Ludlow and the Tenbury and Teme Valley ministry - has been appointed. The Rt Rev Anthony Priddis, formerly Bishop of Warwick, takes over from the Rt Rev John Oliver. The 104th holder of

  • New hope for piano building

    AN exciting scheme to transform Kiddermin-ster's historic Piano Building into a plush shops-and-flats complex is unveiled today - signalling a dramatic U-turn by its owners. Attempts to have the former carpet warehouse demolished to make way for a cinema

  • End of era for coach firm

    FAMILY ties to Kidderminster's famous Whittle bus and coach empire are to be severed after 77 years. Senior partner Ron Whittle, whose father and two uncles founded the firm in 1926, has, "with some sadness", announced he is selling the company to a bigger

  • Landlady forced to flee naked

    A PUB landlady fled naked from her premises after her former lover threatened to kill her and ripped off her clothing in a violent struggle. Susan McPhee, licensee of the Old Bear in Stourbridge Road, Kidderminster, had decided to end her eight-year relationship

  • Treasure find goes on show

    STAFF at the County Museum at Hartlebury hope to be coining it in soon thanks to the diligent detective work of a Kidderminster man.Phil Harriman with his metal detector in front of a Worcestershire County Museum display of the earlier cache of coins

  • Show boat set to be a bestseller

    BOATMAKERS from Kidderminster are having a whale of a time after unveiling plans for an £830,000 flagship at the 50th London International Boat Show. Staff at Sealine International, on Whitehouse Road, began creating the prestigious T60 Motor Yacht about

  • Church House is given star listing

    HIDDEN away in a quiet backwater of Stourport is a building which has caused quite a stir in Worcestershire's world of archaeology and beyond. It had already been known Church House, which stands in the peaceful churchyard of St Bartholomew's Church,

  • 'Fuel poverty' shock

    NEARLY one in three residents in the most deprived areas of Wyre Forest are struggling to heat their homes properly, shock new figures show. With temperatures already having plummeted below zero this winter, energy experts say 27 per cent of homes in

  • On track for record year

    MORE people flocked to the Severn Valley Railway last year than ever before, new figures show. An extra 12,000 visitors got on board the heritage line during 2003, pushing the grand total to a massive 248,760. Takings were also up by six per cent to £4

  • 15/1/04 Craig Hinton after Wolves replay

    DEVASTATED Craig Hinton now just has one wish from this season's FA Cup - let Wolves win it. But the centre-half, who grew up in the Wolverhampton area supporting the city club, will turn his own attention towards Harriers' Division Three relegation fight

  • Campaign bids to restore fountain

    A CAMPAIGN for the restoration of a rundown century-old Kidderminster fountain has been launched by one of the town's councillors. James Dudley, who represents Sutton Park on Wyre Forest District Council, has labelled the Richard Eve drinking fountain

  • Row plays on at bandstand

    "KNOCK it down" was the advice of a top flood campaigner who urged people attending a public meeting to support demolition of a "stump" bandstand on the Bewdley riverside. The bandstand base - set to go as part of a flood defence project on Severnside

  • Tourism guide shows the way

    A NEW 2004 tourism guide has been launched to help Wyre Forest visitors and residents enjoy the attractions the area has to offer. The brochure, produced by Worcestershire County Council, is colour coded and lists all the county's attractions and accommodation

  • Evesham

    ART SOCIETY: Once again members enjoyed an excellent Christmas lunch - this year at The Fish and Anchor where they were well looked after with a lovely log fire in a private room. At the November demonstration, Sally Brookes talked about her pictures

  • Honeybourne

    WEDNESDAY CLUB: Members met on January 7 when Mrs M Boath presided. Birthday cards were distributed after which a few minutes' silence was observed for Bill Dyde. The annual dinner will take place on February 4 at the Round of Gras, Badsey. A coach will

  • Grey Hair Grass

    WHEN I first started work with Wyre Forest District Council within its Ranger Service things were very different. For a start there was only one local nature reserve, Redstone Marsh, in Stourport, and the emphasis of the job was on environmental education

  • 40,000 reasons to feel ashamed

    THE thorny issue of Worcestershire's controversial strategic health review, and its detrimental effect on the lives of thousands of county people, returned to this column yesterday. The point that echoed from dozens of previous We Says was this: The concentration

  • Ribtickler of a night

    BRITAIN'S only mobile comedy club is all set to roll into Warwick later this month. The troupe of comedians, who have been touring Britain for the past 18 months, will be at the Dream Factory in Warwick on Thursday, January 29. The Ribticklers team includes

  • Still time for a panto

    n Royal Shakespeare Company. Beauty and the Beast. Tickets available until February 22. Box office: 0870 6091110. n The Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham. Cinderella. December 20 until the beginning of February.Box Office: 0870 730 1234. .n Bourton Panto

  • Joe celebrates veteran award

    CYCLING: Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club's Joe Rowe has been crowned national champion at 50 to 55-year-old level. Rowe won his category at the League of Veteran Racing Cyclists' National Cyclo-Cross Championships in Ashbourne, Derbyshire and took overall

  • Guildford points are crucial

    HOCKEY: A victory over Guildford kept Stourport off the bottom of the Higgins Group Indoor English League National Premier Division. Stourport's 5-4 success condemned the Surrey side to the basement and the Wyre Forest side also sit above Bournville.

  • Honour for district duo

    SPECIAL OLYMPICS: Worcestershire's Debbie Allen-Trew and Claire Andrews have been picked to play for Great Britain at a major football tournament. The Kidderminster women will head to Luxembourg in May for the seven-a-side European competition. Worcestershire

  • 15/1/04 - Chance to prove their Premiership worth

    "I'VE never seen a weaker bunch of rugby players" - that was Phil Richards' first evaluation of Worcester's players when he arrived at the club in the summer. The fitness coach pulled no punches on his introduction to the squad and has kept reminding

  • Bewdley upset in Division One race

    SNOOKER: There have been changes at the top of Kidderminster and District Monday League Division One. Snooks C beat old leaders Bewdley 4-1 to jump into second place, so Chester Road are top despite losing 3-2 to Legion. St John's E are third, pushing

  • Adam takes title

    ATHLETICS: Adam Roberts won the U-13s boys event over 3km at Worcestershire Cross Country Championships in Droitwich. Fellow Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club member Tom Sparkes was fifth. Other positions: U-13s girls (3rd Laura Baldwin, 6th Caroline

  • Eades does best

    VOLLEYBALL: Cleobury's men crashed to a 3-1 defeat against rivals Wombourne in West Midlands League Division One, despite the efforts of player-of-the-match Simon Eades.

  • DEAN BENNETT - Midfield 13/12/77. 6ft. Squad number 7.

    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

  • SEAN PARRISH - Midfield. 14/3/72. 5ft 10ins. Squad number 14.

    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

  • Plea to find thugs after night attack

    A 20-year-old man suffered head and eye injuries when he was assaulted after a night out in Kidderminster. Police are appealing for anyone who saw the attack, which took place on Saturday outside the new Oswald Bailey Shop on Weavers Wharf, to come forward

  • Trout is caught by a whisker

    A BROWN trout weighing 7lb 8oz was caught on the Masters Lake at Shatterford Fishery with a cat's whisker. The same angler caught a 4lb rainbow trout, while another used a bronze fritz for four trout weighing a total of 16lb 8oz. On the Stella Lake, a

  • Vicious assault led to surgery for 17-year-old

    POLICE are appealing for a woman to come forward who may have vital information on an assault which left a teenage girl needing reconstructive surgery. A 24-year-old woman has been arrested and bailed pending further enquiries on the incident, which took

  • Sex assault admitted

    A 27-year-old Kidderminster man is awaiting sentence after admitting a sex assault on a woman and demanding £2,000 from her with menaces. Paul Wyatt, of Imperial Avenue, was remanded on bail after entering his pleas at Worcester Crown Court to blackmail

  • Buses should match needs

    I WRITE this letter with a great deal of disgust at the county council and the First bus service. As a keen reader of the Shuttle/Times and News, I found out that the bus service I regularly use, along with many other services, is possibly going to be

  • BLACK BOY AC

    STRAWBERRY Pool: B Hudson 10-8, T Hughes 9-0, R Moule 6-15. A match at the same venue will be fished on January 25 with an 8am draw.

  • WRENS NEST AC

    THERE will be a match on Sunday on the canal 16-18, draw at 8am. All members and associate members are asked to submit a passport photograph to Bill Downing for pool permits. The old permits cannot be used.

  • Lack of backing for town

    IN his latest leaflet Councillor Stephen Clee reminds us that parish councils are the backbone of our society, that the members do an enormous amount of good for their local communities and that the Wyre Forest Conservative group fully support them. I

  • Weakened Town are brushed off

    DEPLETED Bewdley Town battled bravely at Gornal Athletic in West Midlands League Division One South but were beaten 2-0 by the leaders. With eight key players missing and no forwards available, Bewdley were always going to struggle and had to change the

  • BANKSIDERS AC

    THERE will be a contest on the canal on Sunday, meeting at Springfield at 8am.

  • OLD BEAR AC

    ON Sunday there is a knockabout on the Stackpool with an 8am draw. Honoraries are welcome and can ring the secretary on 01562 631611.