A PATIENT in excruciating agony has been told she must wait 17 weeks for a pain-relieving injection. Multiple sclerosis-sufferer Valerie Condon cannot believe it will take that long for her back to be treated at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. The angry
THERE was more cause for jubilation as catalogue company Shop Direct announced it is closing its call centre in India and bringing 250 jobs back to Britain. It follows yesterday's dramatic announcement that the former Kays company could merge with March
DEBT at county hospitals has spiralled by more than £2m in two months. New figures show that, at the end of November, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust, which runs three of the county's hospitals, had overspent by £9.4m since April last year. Now the
TWO of Worcester's most impressive structures have been honoured in a set of national awards promoting well-kept public buildings. The Guildhall and All Saints Church, in Deansway, won gold and silver awards respectively after undergoing major facelifts
A MAN with more than 90 previous convictions has been jailed for five months after he punched a drinker in a Worcester pub. Leon Hencher, of Gresham Road, Dines Green, Worcester, also attempted to headbutt the manageress in the attack at the Postal Order
A MOTORIST was arrested for carrying a dangerous load after he was involved in an accident in which a cyclist was injured. Thirty-three-year-old William Appleton was driving a Ford Transit Van and trailer on Pershore's Station Road when the accident happened
A DRINK-driver who failed to stop for police was followed home and found to be three-and-a-half times the legal limit. Police were alerted to Nicholas McCrickard, of Ashgrove, Sinton Green, after he was seen "driving erratically" in his Vauxhall Astra
FRESH Worcestershire produce is the secret shared by Best Breakfast award winners Tricia Havard, Sandy Barker and Lucy Harris. Each of them serves up a daily feast to their bed and breakfast guests, adding personal touches to the traditional concept of
Blues Brothers tribute act Born In Chicagois creating a buzz in more ways that one. Not only have they been touring the length and breadth of the country, but the reaction they have been getting has been so enormous they are on an adrenaline high. The
Lnasa (left), who have been hailed as the new gods of Irish music, will be setting Hereford Courtyard alight when they play there tonight. Their first album in 1997, was hailed as one of the finest, freshest recordings of Irish music in years, and their
PEOPLE are promised a great live music event when a special Blues night is launched. It's hoped the new night, which is being held at The Railway in Evesham, will become a regular feature - but it depends on how successful the opening night is. Popular
A MALVERN man threatened a girl with a knife before punching her repeatedly in the face, Worcester magistrates heard. Paul Smith, of Hanley Road, Malvern Wells, was involved in a row with the 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when he
Two members of a gang involved in a £75,000 raid in which a lorryload of sweets and cakes were stolen have been found guilty. Three other men pleaded guilty before the trial began at Worcester Crown Court and another man in on the run from police. A jury
POLICE have travelled to Greece to interview a witness in the investigation into the death of a 21-year-old Herefordshire heroin addict. Shocking pictures of Rachel Whitear, from Ledbury, found dead in an Exmouth flat with a syringe in her hand, were
CHRISTOPHER Sheppard appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday facing 12 counts of making or downloading indecent photographs of children. The case against Mr Sheppard, aged 28, of Broadfield Gardens, off Woodfield Drive, Worcester, was adjourned
THE investigation into the death of a woman who drowned in the River Severn last summer is still continuing. Jane Turner died when the boat she was on capsized during the Stourport-on-Severn Carnival in September of last year. A police spokeswoman said
FOLLOWING their very successful production of The Gondoliers, Bosbury Players are having a play reading on Wednesday, February 11, at the Old Boys' School, Bosbury, at 7.30pm, with a view to deciding their new drama production. Anyone interested in participating
THE first jumble sale of the year at Berrow and Pendock Village Hall provided a good start to 2004. Proceeds were £280, which will contribute to the maintenance costs for the hall. The next big jumble sale will be on March 6 at 2pm. All proceeds from
PLANS are in place for the Christingle Service at Oxenhall Church on Sunday, February 1, at 10am. There was a meeting at Coldharbour Cottage on Wednesday, January 7, and another one on Thursday, January 15. The organisers are Mrs Kath Rees, Miss Lizzie
PENDOCK School is in need of items for the jumble sale on Saturday, January 31, at Berrow Village Hall starting at 2pm. Please bring items you may have surplus on the morning of the sale to the village hall. Money raised during the afternoon will help
A BIG thank-you has been given to the small band of voluntary workers who week by week throughout the year have kept Redmarley Church and its churchyard in such good order. Their tasks included mowing and trimming the grass, locking and unlocking the
IT was a good way to start the first meeting of the New Year when Staunton, Hartpury & District Over-60s held a quiz, which caused a good bit of hilarity by some of the answers given (not the right ones of course). Subscriptions were paid and there
DRUGS are a scourge on society and can decimate the lives of both addicts and their families, not to mention the misery it brings to the victims of crimes committed to fund drug habits. Phil Deakin, co-ordinator of the Substance Misuse Action Team, explains
OUR emotions are mixed, today, as a result of the significantly good and the depressingly bad news tossed to us by the hand of fate. First, we're delighted Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt has signalled the protection of 3,000 Shop Direct jobs in Worcester
A COLWALL woman who broke her back in a quad bike accident has raised more than £2,000 for the rehabilitation unit that helped her to walk again. Charlotte Powell, 23, held a party at Malvern's Club Nine on Saturday to buy new equipment for the Rookwood
A MALVERN man had the find of his life when he and a colleague dug up the skull of a woolly mammoth. Mark O'Dell, a project manager at QinetiQ, was with palaeontologist Neville Hollingworth, from the Natural Environment Research Council, when they stumbled
PLANS for a new hospital at Seaford Court in Malvern Link are starting to take shape. The hospital's project team met on Monday and member Tom Wells, the leader of Malvern Hills District Council, described progress as positive. Delays in holding the meeting
NOTHING more could have been done to prevent the death of a Colwall Green rider, crushed by her horse during a one-day event, a coroner has ruled. Samantha Hudson, 33, of Nethercote, died from severe chest injuries after her horse, Blackjack, fell on
FOLLOWING the euphoria of reaching the Worcester Nursing Junior Cup final on the first Saturday in 2004, two consecutive league defeats have mellowed things for Rangers. TENBURY UNITED 3, MALVERN RANGERS 2 Irrespective of the number of players unavailable
Dyson Perrins CE High School will benefit from two new classrooms and improved parking facilities. Permission was granted for work to go ahead at the school on Yates Hay Road at a meeting of Worcestershire County Council's planning and regulatory committee
WITH the icy weather taking its toll, the only game in Division One of The Soccer Site Malvern saw Oak Allstars regain the lead in the division, courtesy of a hard fought victory over a very competitive Kempsey United A. Previous leaders Bishops Frome's
LANGLAND visited high-flying league leaders Perrywood on Saturday and came away with a win. PERRYWOOD 2, LANGLAND SPORTS 4 Langland Sports had to withstand an opening 15 minutes that showed why Perrywood are in the top of the league putting Sports defenders
A CALL for reform of the structure of the Malvern Hills Conservators has been taken up by Malvern Town Council. Conservators chairman Dr Bryan Smith and director Ian Rowat will be invited to meet with councillors to discuss the issue. Representatives
A Bromyard butcher is preparing to carve up a treat after receiving the first delivery of beef from the Lower Brockhampton Estate. The stock of Hereford beef is currently maturing at Legge's of Bromyard and should go on sale at the beginning of February
BUS users in Malvern have criticised the publicity surrounding changes to the timetable. Frances Howie's 12-year-old son Douglas used to take the 42A bus to school at the Chase from their home in Highfield Road. He would catch the bus at a stop in Albert
Ledbury's biggest employer, Amcor Flexibles, is transferring one of its production lines to Bristol. Up to 40 local jobs will be affected by the move, which is due to take place in the first half of 2005. Company spokesman Brent Nicholls said: "We're
IT was with horror that I heard from a friend who lives in Powick about the recycling of refuse which residents will now have to do. Did the person who thought up this idea suggest where people should keep these bags? Not everyone has a garage conveniently
A Ledbury man who suffers from motor neurone disease is joining a sponsored walk to help fight the debilitating illness. Keen line dancer Don Rigby, 62, will set out from the Rose and Crown in Redmarley on February 8, from 10.30am, with a group of friends
YOU tell us (Ledbury Reporter, January 9) that, in his capacity as chairman of Herefordshire Council, Coun Peter Harling has written to Ledbury Town Council claiming that "opening the highway would involve the purchase of private land close to the barrier
NEWTOWN Sports Colts displayed their Jekyll and Hyde character in a league encounter against Oldbury Park Tigers. OLDBURY PARK TIGERS U13s 1, NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS 12 Although the Colts ran out eventual winners, they took their time to quell a determined
SO the council has decided to permanently remove the two public benches from the top of Wyche Road? They were taken from their positions at the Wyche Cutting several months ago for what I assumed was repair. Yet last month the existing railed fencing
A MALVERN children's home will be officially re-opened next week after the completion of a £600,000 rebuilding project. Worcestershire County Council has completely replaced the existing home in Barnards Green Road with a new two- storey building on the
FIVE students from The Chase school, Malvern, have received offers to study at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Two have had offers from Merton College, Oxford - Rory Holmes to study physics and Teresa Marsay to study biochemistry. Faye Cadman
THE restoration of Croome Park estate, near Upton, will be featured in a BBC2 documentary. Hidden Gardens, at 8pm on Friday, January 30, will show presenter Chris Beardshaw revisiting an area he cycled around in his youth, when his interest in gardening
MALVERN Spa Association is pressing ahead with a programme of work despite delays to its flagship project. The group has been planning a project to restore ten water spouts around the area for more than two years but has been waiting for essential funding
More than 60 teenagers took part in a music workshop using scrap metal and junk to create unique sounds. The Weapons of Sound sessions at Malvern Youth Centre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, were 'superbly attended', according to organisers. It is hoped
MALVERN is now a national centre for dowsing, an ancient art that has been used for everything from finding water in the desert to pinpointing the hidden tunnels of the Vietcong. The decision by the British Association of Dowsers to relocate from Kent
A LONG-established Malvern business has changed hands. Richard Drinkwater, Ron Sparrey and the late John Badham founded S B and D G Services in Cowleigh Road in 1969. The firm, which services and repairs garden machinery, was subsequently based in Worcester
FIRMS are being offered the chance to boost their profile and generate new sales with the launch of the 6th Platinum Awards for Business Excellence. Malvern Hills District Council has announced details of this year's awards, designed to celebrate the
A LEADING cider producer is being featured in the new series of the Taste for Success on ITV1. The award-winning Westons Cider, of Much Marcle, will be featured on Sunday, February 15, at 5.30pm. "We were delighted when Carlton approached us to do this
MANAGER John Barton is sweating on the fitness of defensive duo Paul Carty and Barry Woolley ahead of Worcester City's clash with Nuneaton tomorrow. The pair will have late fitness tests with Barton rating Carty the likelier of the two to be fit for this
THE leader of Malvern Hills District Council has admitted trials of a new recycling scheme may have confused some residents of Malvern Link. But Coun Tom Wells said the purpose of the trials was to test the scheme before it began in full in April. Many
SIMON Archer is eyeing another doubles success as he counts down to the Olympics. The Worcester badminton ace is in Bangkok competing in the Thailand Open with partners Rob Blair and Donna Kellogg. Archer and Blair, however, lost to Luluk Had and Alven
OWNERS of second homes in the Malvern Hills district will face much higher Council Tax bills. Malvern Hills District Council has decided to take advantage of new Government legislation and slash the Council Tax discount on second homes. Second homes will
LEON Kelly admits it will be a miracle if Worcester City win the league but is still backing the club for a high finish. The striker's confidence will be under the microscope tomorrow with the visit of third-placed Nuneaton Borough to St George's Lane
Things are about to change at West Malvern Cricket Club. Staff at the club, in Mathon Court, have been busy putting the final touches to new changing rooms. Building work was finished in September but plumbing and electricity work is currently under way
GEORGE Rooney will be forced to display his circus skills tomorrow against Bedworth United (3pm). Suspension and injury have hit Bromsgrove Rovers, forcing the manager to juggle his side around to cover for the absence of key midfielders Grant Beckett
HEREFORD United's enforced break from action will give key players Steve Guinan and Andy Tretton extra time to recover from injury. The Edgar Street club face two free Saturdays due to scheduled opponents Telford United's FA Cup clash with Millwall tomorrow
CSSC NOMADS started the year in good form by gaining four Brewin Dolphin Securities Malvern Table Tennis League Division Three points from Maulers. The match was, however, more closely fought than the score suggests as three sets went to five games and
AT the annual Malvern Squash Club dinner - this year held at the Farmer's Arms, Wellington Heath - the Tim Pike Trophy was awarded to Guy Rutter for his outstanding contribution to the running of the club. Bouquets of flowers were presented to Guy's wife
MALVERN RFC Saturday, January 24 1st XV v Newbold (Home). Meet Railway Inn noon. Kick off 2.15pm. No. 1 Dress code. Maroon shorts & socks From: M Richardson, T Daniell, D Irish (Capt), S Cooper, C Smith, A Ruddock, C Edwards, S Taylor, D Hill, J Anderson
SCARY MOVIE 3 (15) See review. Odeon, Worcester (11.30 Sat only), 2.00, 4.10, 6.15, 8.35. UCI Merry Hill (12.00 Sat/Sun), 12.45, 2.15, 3.00, 4.30, 5.15, 6.45, 7.30, 9.00, 10.00. Warner Village (10.00 Sat/Sun), 12.00, 2.00, 4.00, 6.00, 8.00, 10.00. Fri
four-piece guitar band Swordfish are set to rock at the Marrs Bar. The band will perform covers of songs from Blondie to Guns 'n' Roses, as well as their own tunes, this evening (Friday). Tickets are £3 or £5. Five-piece band The Fingers will play tomorrow
TWO stars of the early music scene are to appear in Malvern Concert Club's centenary season. Rachel Podger (baroque violin) and Gary Cooper (harpsichord) will be at the Malvern Theatres on Thursday, January 29, performing an all-Bach programme on authentic
A tale of love, death and marriage will be brought to life when the Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society performs The Mikado. More than 40 members of the society will take to the stage at Malvern's Festival Theatre to sing and dance their way through
Well what a result on Saturday. I'm not going to keep on about it, but the Warriors win at Orrell is what I am on about. Now for the rest of the season, there are 11 more games to remain unbeaten, so, let's have everyone at Sixways tomorrow, and for the
MANAGER John Barton is sweating on the fitness of defensive duo Paul Carty and Barry Woolley ahead of Worcester City's clash with Nuneaton tomorrow. The pair will have late fitness tests with Barton rating Carty the likelier of the two to be fit for this
IF the Festive Spirit has waned in your household rather too quickly, there's a chance to rekindle some when Alan Ayckbourn's latest comedy Sugar Daddies comes to Malvern on Tuesday, February 3. Directed by the author, it's a tale of a Good Samaritan
BY day, they are father-and-son kitchen designers, a former classroom assistant, a pharmacist, an administration assistant and a schoolboy. By night, however, the Hooper family becomes a theatrical thunderbolt for Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society
MALVERN Rugby Club return to Midlands Two West action tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain Newbold at Spring Lane (2.15pm). Fifth-placed Malvern defeated Newbold 14-3 away at the end of October in a tight, hard-fought game. Director of rugby Dave Robins
ILLNESS at Hereford & Worcester BBC Radio has caused the postponement of presenter Nicola Goodwin's appearance and broadcast at Malvern Hills Indoor Bowls Club today (Friday). Club chairman Les Thomas said: "I have been contacted by the radio to say
MALVERN Cricket Club begin winter net sessions for senior and academy players at Malvern College tonight (Friday) from 7-9pm. These sessions will run every Friday until April 2 and include fielding, fitness and coaching drills as well as nets. One-to-one
K MURPHY is incorrect when he states that "no government has ever sought a mandate from the people of Europe" (You Say, January 16). In fact, the Wilson Labour administration held a referendum on membership of the Common Market in 1975. The result was
I'm Not Scared by Niccolo Ammaniti (Canongate Books, £6.99) COMPARED to writers like Italo Calvino and Stephen King, Niccolo Ammaniti has written a powerfully emotive tale, economic in style and haunting in its effect. Told from the perspective of nine-year-old
THE winds were blowing 50 years ago, reported the Gazette, which said the "fierce countrywide gales" the previous Friday were at their worst in Malvern between 4pm and 6pm. "During that period, the sorting office window was completely blown out on to
MADRESFIELD residents were furious 25 years ago at the felling of the Waterloo Oak in the village. The tree was planted in 1815 to commemorate the famous victory over Napoleon, in which General Henry Lygon, later the fourth Earl Beauchamp, and his two
100 years ago Dr Edward Elgar, who is spending the winter in Italy, will return to England in March, says a contemporary. He has been recommended to "lie fallow" for a few months, with a view to recuperation. But we have reason to believe that, as usual
American Civil War epic Cold Mountain (15) arrives at the Malvern Theatres this evening (Friday). The film, based on a novel by Charles Frazier, features an all-star cast, including Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger and Natalie Portman. The film
Until Jan 31: Christmas Exhibition at the Haymakers Gallery, St John's Place, Hay-on-Wye. For further details telephone 01497 820 556. Until Jan 31: Dawn Ford Exhibition of small box framed creatures and toys, as well as small wire people at Worcester
Until 24: Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Everyman Gloucestershire's Theatre, Cheltenham. Box office: 01242 572573. Until Jan 24: Ombersley Dramatic Society presents The Musical Importance of Being Earnest
THE new season at Bromyard's Conquest Theatre gets off to a cracking start this week with the Conquest Productions pantomime, Humpty Dumpty. The event runs tonight (Friday, January 23), tomorrow, Sunday and then January 29-31, with evening and matinee
comedian and author Sean Hughes will appear at Huntingdon Hall as part of this week's programme. Dublin-born Sean is a familiar face from his numerous television appearances, including Channel 4's The Last Detective and BBC's Never Mind The Buzzcocks.
DECADES of music are combined into one show coming to the Roses Theatre. That'll Be The Day features music from the 50s, 60s and 70s, spanning the birth of rock and roll to the glam rock explosion and everything in between. The show comes to the theatre
A TRY at the end of each half proved Malvern U16s undoing in this close encounter with an excellent Stroud side brimming with confidence after recently beating Worcester. STROUD U16S 17PTS, MALVERN U17s 7PTS To run such opponents so close on their own
MALVERN Town visit Bustleholme tomorrow (Saturday) in another must-win Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division game. Leaders Town are just one point ahead of Tipton and sit eleven points ahead of third-placed Kington who have three games
THE countryside to the north and west of Holt Heath is not flat, but it's not exactly hilly either - it undulates just enough to make it pleasant to look at and fairly effortless to walk through. Fortunately, a good network of footpaths makes it possible
A LEADING computer manufacturer has launched an innovative new venture to capitalise on a growing segment of the market. Evesham Technology is set to expand its share of the PC market - which already stands at five per cent - with the introduction of
A MAN hurled abuse at a group of Asian males and told them they "shouldn't be walking on the streets" in Worcester city centre. Minutes later19-year old Michael Dawson, of Badger Gardens, St Peter's, Worcester was searched by police who found a screwdriver
TACKLING anti-social behaviour will be at the top of the agenda for the community support officers drafted in to make the county a safer place. A total of 55 community support officers have been appointed by West Mercia police to patrol the streets and
ELEPHANTS and a Morgan car are set to feature in a major community pageant giving life to Bromyard's past and present traditions. Plans are well advanced for the event to coincide with the official opening of the new Bromyard Library and the unveiling
A BUILDER'S labourer was arrested after swearing at a policeman outside a Worcester nightclub, saying he was too young for the job, magistrates heard. Twenty-two-year-old Lee Locke, of Rose Avenue, Tolladine, Worcester, appeared before the city's magistrates
A SERIES of roadshows will take place in a bid to attract more volunteers to help at a new multi-million pound hospice set to be built in Worcester. Detailed plans for a new £5.25m St Richard's Hospice, which will be built in Wildwood Way, were approved
THE amount of rubbish being recycled across Wyre Forest has already doubled after the partial introduction of a kerbside collection scheme. Thousands more homes across the district are due to join the "rethink rubbish" challenge in the next two months
A HEREFORDSHIRE woman has survived seven heart attacks in an hour - and says she felt more anger than relief after surviving the bolt from the blue that nearly killed her. Jennifer Stephens, of Weobley, was "miserable, hurt and very angry" when she came
GUN enthusiasts could find themselves on the wrong side of the law if they are seen touting a replica firearm in public. West Mercia police has welcomed new legislation introduced this week which makes it an offence to carry an airgun or such a firearm
A VIOLENT escaped convict is being sought by police investigating the vicious robbery of a 90-year-old Bewdley man. Isaac Price escaped from Sudbury Prison in Derbyshire in June and is wanted for questioning about raids on several pensioners homes over
TRIBUTES have been paid to former Worcester headteacher Richard McKinlay, who has died aged 78. Mr McKinlay was head of Henwick Grove Junior School between 1963 and 1983. He died peacefully in Hereford County Hospital last week. Born in Edinburgh in 1925
THE prestigious "Midlands Rich List" this year includes rock stars, industrialists and cider-makers from Worcestershire and Herefordshire. Esmond Bulmer was the highest placed multi-millionaire with a personal fortune of £85m. The head of Hereford cider-making
TASTE buds are tingling at a Worcester supermarket with a range of pork recipes being rustled up for shoppers. Ladies in Pigs (LIPS), an organisation set up by British pig farmers' wives to encourage greater use of pork, is at Sainsbury's, Windermere
TONIGHT (Friday) is bingo night at Bromesberrow Village Hall. Why not go along? You will be most welcome. It starts at 8pm. On Sunday, January 28, there will be a service of Holy Communion at 8.30am at St Mary's Church, Bromesberrow, when you will be
COLWALL Players present an evening of jazz with a little blues and a little extra featuring Marilyn Middleton and Steve Mellor's Chicago Hoods with special guests Hilary Spencer and Grant Baynham on Saturday, January 31, at 7.30pm, at Colwall Village
THERE were number of parishioners at the bi-monthly meeting of Corse Parish Council as well as a representative of Staunton Parish Council, Coun Michael Bradbury. This follows the decision by the two councils to sent representatives to each others' meetings
ON Tuesday, January 6, a very enjoyable New Year party was held in Pauntley Memorial Hall at Brand's Green. Drinks were provided, and the food element took the form of an American supper. It was a cold night but that was not a damper on the guests who
THE residents of Malvern Road have called a meeting at Powick Parish Hall on Saturday, January 24, at 2pm, to consider the proposed development of a children's nursery at 54 Malvern Road. Any parishioners with an interest in this issue are also invited
ON Sunday, January 19, there was Parish Communion at St Mary the Virgin Church in Upleadon. The celebrant was the rector, Rev Patricia Phillips assisted by Mrs Jessie Williams. Mr Bert Vye was at the church organ to accompany the seasonal hymns. The epistle
Just a quick reminder this week of the Doorstep Green meeting tonight (Friday) at the village hall at 7.30pm. Remember to bring your questionnaires, if you didn't post them to me at the post office. It is a chance for you to make a difference and have
A number of residents have called a meeting at the village hall at 7.30pm this evening (Friday) to discuss the implications of a new planning application for the redevelopment of the Runnings Park site off Croft Bank to form 23 residential units. The
Mozart in Turkey - Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail. Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Paul Groves (tenor), Lynton Atkinson (tenor), Yelda Kodalli (soprano), Desiree Rancatore (soprano). Conductor Sir Charles Mackerras. BBC/Opus Arte DVD OA 0891 D. THIS DVD recording
Principals from the ESO form the excellent Bochmann Trio. Unfortunately Michael Bochmann was hospitalised; however, Janet Masters (violin) was an able replacement, and with Helen Roberts (viola), Peter Adams (cello) and Paul Arden-Taylor (oboe), performed
Walkers on the Malvern Hills found themselves among unexpected company. A herd of cows escaped from their enclosure on North Hill last Thursday (January 15) after a power pack for the electric fence was stolen. After news of the escape, staff of the Malvern
PLANS for a mobile phone mast at Upper Welland were thrown out by councillors this week, to applause from protesters. Communication company Voda-fone wanted to put a 20.87 metre (68 feet) mast and antenna at land off Watery Lane, to extend its third-generation
A FULL-scale review of the future of Malvern Town Council's office building has been ordered, which could even result in it being sold off. The building was described as a "white elephant" and "a millstone round our neck" at a council meeting on Tues-day
THE reliability of local train services will be discussed at a meeting of Malvern Hills District Council. Council leader Tom Wells is backing a motion supporting the Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter's campaign for local rail services to be improved
Butchers from the Malvern area battled it out at the British Meat Four Counties Product Evaluation on Wednesday. Among the winners was Teme Vale Victuallers, which trades through Malvern Country Meals in Church Street, which impressed judges with its
Colwall Primary School is hoping to launch a scheme to reduce morning traffic congestion at its gates. The school intends to follow in the footsteps of Welland Primary, which has operated a 'walking bus' scheme successfully since October. Parents drop
A PIONEERING project to transform a Malvern Link estate into a pedestrian-friendly area is about to get under way. A Government grant of £600,000 was announced for the Duke of Edinburgh Way Home Zone in 2002. Since then, there have been consultations
EIGHTH-placed Inkberrow belied their position in the league against leaders Welland and fought with tremendous spirit in this Phipps Cup quarter final at Upton. WELLAND ATHLETIC 2, INKBERROW A RESERVES 0 Whilst Welland looked composed and patient, Inkberrow
A DEVELOPER is turning to the community to help put its latest project on the map. McCarthy and Stone is offering readers of the Gazette a chance to win £100 by thinking of a suitable name for the new retirement flats in Malvern Link. The firm wants people
A firm making products for disabled and elderly people has reported a big jump in orders, fuelled by new legislation. Access, based in Hanley Castle, specialises in the manufacture and installation of mobility aids for the home and workplace. It has benefited
A DRAW was just about the right result in an entertaining Worcester League Division two match at Worcester YMCA last Sunday. KAYS ATHLETICO 2, MALVERN RADAR 2 After a quick pitch inspection, the ref gave the all-clear and although a little tricky for
Plans to improve facilities at Manor Park Sports Club in Malvern have taken a step forward. An application for planning permission to enlarge the entrance to the club and its changing facilities has been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council. The
MALVERN Ladies FC, sponsored by First Floor Flooring, travelled to Hereford Pegasus for a County Cup match on Sunday. HEREFORD PEGASUS 4, MALVERN LADIES 3 Hereford Pegasus, who are two divisions higher than their visitors, started brightly and were 2-
MALVERN'S first community support officer has been appointed by West Mercia Police. Andrew Brown will help to tackle low-level disorder and anti-social behaviour, as well as carrying out foot patrols of designated areas to deter would-be criminals. Chief
WEST Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer has been asked to represent residents in Malvern Link concerned about plans for a new radio mast. The 15-metre Vodaphone mast is due to replace the existing 12-metre structure situated in a fenced compound on
MALVERN Wells Parish Council will recommend that the public entertainment licence for the Three Counties Showground is renewed. At a meeting on Thursday night, councillors agreed that, although there had been complaints in the past, they understood that
A GREATER role for young people will be discussed by Malvern Hills district councillors next week. Councillors are set to discuss a recent review of youth facilities and a consultation with young people. Pupils from The Chase, Dyson Perrins and Hanley
MEMBERS of Pickersleigh Residents' Group will be holding a public meeting to discuss the future development of the area. The group will be responding to the Local Plan, Malvern Hills District Council's blueprint for the future of the town. One of the
WEST Malvern's Phipps Cup quarter-final against Bransford Rovers last Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Tomorrow (Saturday) West Malvern return to Worcester League Division One action when they entertain Fernhill Heath Spurs. Players
DYSON Perrins High School, Malvern, is one of the venues for Kidderminster Harriers FC Community Scheme's football competitions for the coming February half term break. The programme of events will include competitions and tournaments each day with certificates
May I wish a particularly happy and successful New Year to your growing number of readers who want the UK to leave the EU and restore our right to govern ourselves? It is probable 2004 will prove to be the watershed. In true Orwellian terms, worse will
I AM happy to respond to Margo Halcomb's recent letter regarding the use of brownfield sites for low-cost housing. It is the policy of Malvern Hills District Council to encourage initiatives to identify such sites, as the council itself is unable by law
A WELLAND businessman is calling for broadband internet access to be made available in the village and surrounding area. Dennis Foster, a partner in Impact Learning Initiatives, a training and staff development firm, is appealing to other business and
Our Christmas food collection has now come to a close. We would like to say a very big thank-you to the public for their generous support and the various stores for their co-operation in allowing us to collect on their premises. Throughout our whole area
A Bastonford resident has criticised the Malvern Hills Conservators after her friend's dog received a shock from an electric fence. Alice Potter says the fences are too close to footpaths and the warning signs provided by the Conservators are not large
I FOUND my late wife's grave wrapped with hazard tape and clumsily attached to a stake by industrial plastic binder. Two civilised conversations with Malvern Town Council told me why. The headstone had failed the topple test. The Health & Safety Executive
The Downs School will be filled with music for a concert in aid of St Michael's Hospice. This will feature the musical talents of Colwall rector and chairman of St Michael's Hospice, Carl Attwood, along with local group the Volante Strings. The programme
Staff, patients and supporters of St Richard's Hospice are celebrating after plans for a new hospice were approved by Worcester City Council. The new £5.25 million hospice will be situated on a three and a half-acre site opposite the Countryside Centre
The very passionate debate over plans for a mobile phone mast in Upper Welland is a tribute to the vigorous campaign mounted by residents who did not want it. It was an example to those who feel that representative local democracy is dead and that it
THE Government has threatened to cap a council tax increase proposed by Worcestershire. The county council is currently planning a 5.3 per cent increase, but it has been sent a letter by the Government warning it could be capped. Coun Adrian Hardman,
LEDBURY Town are still facing the prospect of a players' revolt tomorrow. Up to nine players are believed to be refusing to play in tomorrow's West Midlands Premier Division clash at Smethwick in protest at the appointment of their new management team
HEREFORD'S David Park was tucked in behind the leaders after the first round of the Dunhill Championship in South Africa after a fine five under par 67. The Burghill Valley club member fired seven birdies and was only prevented from sharing the overnight
AROUND 50 dogs have been given a fresh start by Worcestershire Animal Rescue Centre over the last 12 months. Reporting on its work in 2003, shelter manager Alex Husband said the number rehomed was slightly higher than in 2002. He said the number of dogs
A teenager from Malvern is preparing to work in one of the world's poorest countries. Mary Pole will spend four months in Kazakhstan as part of the Transform Programme, run by Christian relief and development charity Tearfund. The former King's School
JAN Molby is urging his Kidderminster Harriers players to make sure they don't miss out on a chance to lift themselves further away from the Nationwide League Division Three relegation zone at Bury tomorrow. "If you look at our next batch of games, which
* (I) indicates Internet entries WINNERS of commemorative packs of steam train stamps in a Shuttle/Times & News competition sponsored by Royal Mail are: P Coles, Vale Industrial Estate, Kidderminster; P Connolly, Whitville Close, Kidderminster; B
THE first of six Ledbury and District ASC annual club championships was held last week. With only a fortnight of preparation since the start of term, over 100 members competed including many of the new 2004 intake of five and six-year-olds. The first
JAN Molby is urging his Kidderminster Harriers players to make sure they don't miss out on a chance to lift themselves further away from the Nationwide League Division Three relegation zone at Bury tomorrow. "If you look at our next batch of games, which
SATURDAY FOOTBALL WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE Premier Division: Bustleholme v Malvern Town, Smethwick ST v Ledbury Town, Bromyard Town v Ettingshall Holy Trinity. Division One South: Malvern Town Reserves v Wyre Forest Brintons, Ledbury Town Reserves v Bewdley
AN evening of jazz is happening at Colwall Village Hall on Saturday, January 31. It features Malvern residents Marilyn Middleton and Steve Mellor, who will re-unite their international touring band of the 1990s, The Chicago Hoods, for the one-off performance
LEON Kelly admits it will be a miracle if Worcester City win the league but is still backing the club for a high finish. The striker's confidence will be under the microscope tomorrow with the visit of third-placed Nuneaton Borough to St George's Lane
MALVERN Town maintained their lead at the top of the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division, following an excellent victory at Ledbury on Saturday. LEDBURY TOWN 0, MALVERN TOWN 2 Malvern had already suffered a rare league defeat at the
MALVERN'S reigning World Cup U23 cross country champion, Liam Killeen, of Subaru Gary Fisher, and the reigning UCI World Champion Downhill, Greg Minnaar (RSA), of Team G-Cross Honda, have announced their entry in The CAPE EPIC at the end of next month
ANNA Bailey of Hanley Swan and the Old Wrecks IRC was one of only two UK competitors present at the Amstel Ergohead Indoor Rowing Championships took place on Sunday and were held at the Studenten Sportcentrum in Amsterdam. This is a unique event in the
MY 37-year-old son was shopping in the city. On reaching CrownGate he became violently ill, doubled up in pain and proceeded to vomit for almost an hour. On seeing this, not one member of the general public stopped to help or even enquire if he needed
GENUINE hunters do not take pleasure from killing an animal (Diane Hillier, You Say, Tuesday, January 6). The huntsman takes satisfaction from his hounds uniquely, yet naturally culling their quarry - the hunted animal - efficiently. It is a sudden death
THE letter from Diane Hillier (You Say, Tuesday, January 6) made a very welcome contribution to the hunting debate. She has clearly taken time to consider the arguments of both sides and formed an opinion based on fact and logic. She rightly points out
WHY are seeing an ever-increasing population of morons? While being able-bodied (except for their brains) they use parking areas for the disabled and pick-up areas at our local stores, thinking it their right to do so without any regard for those people
TESCO is submitting revised plans for their supermarket, probably similar in size to the current Sainsbury's proposals. Both plans seem far too large for St John's shopping centre and would cause hardship for other shopkeepers, environmental damage for
Columbines by Robert Nold (Timber Press, £17.99) AH, sweet colum- bine... what would English cottage gardens be without these favourites of the perennial border? Like intricately fashioned grannies' bonnets, they are nodding heads of every hue that brighten
The Rough Guide to India (Rough Guide, £15.99) FROM Tamil Nadu to Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh, India is a big place. Really, really big. So, if you're planning on going there, you need a big book. And this is the perfect choice. Not
A FLURRY of snow may have fallen on Malvern last week, but the town was in the grip of rather more severe winter weather 25 years ago. "Supermarket owners were glum as ice and snow confined people to buying what they needed at their local shops," reported
n Magical Beasts by Marie Bruce (Foulsham, £9.99) ANIMALS have always been a part of magic. From the totem animals of Native Americans to beasts depicted on hereditary coats of arms, the magical powers of animals have been invoked down the ages. Magical
The increasing concern about how steep the Council Tax increase is going to be this year led to pensioners taking part in a protest march in London on Saturday. But, of course, there is nothing new in dissatisfaction with the way local government is funded
WORCESTER-based angling guided tour business Hooked recently ran a tutorial day on catching zander in the River Severn which was hailed a great success by those taking part. A large number of zander were caught with the largest being an impressive fish
Jan 23: Brian and Philomena would like to invite you to practice your ballroom and Latin skills at Fernhill Heath Memorial Hall, Worcester (A38 between Droitwich and Worcester) to Brian's Supersounds. Bring your own refreshments. For further details and
Jan 23: Swordfish, The Marr's Bar, Worcester. Jan 24: Sean, Sketchley's Social Club, Worcester; Jewel, Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester; The Fingers, The Marr's Bar, Worcester. Jan 25: Big Al, Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester; Gemma,
Jan 23: The Joyce Messenger Bequest Concert at Spadesbourne Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove. Box office 01527 874163. Jan 24: Worcester Recorded Music Society Concert at the Old Palace, Deansway, Worcester. For further details telephone 01905 421246. Feb
A PRODUCTION of A R Gurney's Love Letters is returning to the stage by popular demand. The two-hander stars Ian Gane from Powick and Pauline Beale from Wyre Piddle in the roles of Andy and Melissa. The play follows the lives and relationship of the two
AN actress who can thank Alan Ayckbourn for launching her career is looking forward to performing in his latest play when it comes to Malvern next month. Alison Pargeter plays the lead role in Sugar Daddies, a cautionary comedy about a good Samaritan
AS fixtures go, this was a tough one, in fact it is doubtful that the Malvern Pirates will play a tougher match again this season, especially against a side with such a fearsome reputation. MALVERN PIRATES 18PTS, YARDLEY & DISTRICT 14PTS And yet with
A LAWYER has switched firms after 15 years service with a Worcester practice. Family lawyer John Llewellyn-James has joined Thomas Guise, in Foregate Street, Worcester, after spending 15 years with Pinkerton Leeke & Wickstead. Mr Llewellyn-James,
PEOPLE working at home in rural areas can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to a landmark ruling. A Land Tribunal ruling that the Inland Revenue had overstepped the mark has saved home-workers a hefty tax bill, according to the head of rural business services
SATURDAY WORCESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier Division: Bretforton Old Boys v Hallow WMC (N Canning); Upton Town v Henwick Academicals (C Husband); Martley Spurs v Langland Sports (M Stephens); Tolladine Sports v Perrywood (S Bellotti); Worcester City
