Archive

  • Make way for the magic of Jack Jones

    IT'S not every day that you would have got the late great singer Frank Sinatra to sing in your school. But that was exactly what happened when Jack Jones' fellow high school pupil and daughter of Frank, Nancy, invited her father in to perform, writes

  • Big band

    THE City of Birmingham's Little Big Time Band is set to visit Colwall near Malvern this weekend for a concert at the village's Downs School. The free concert takes place at 7.30pm tomorrow night. For details, contact the school on 01684 540277.

  • Jazzer Deeley

    JAZZ music will be the order of the day in Kidderminster next week as the Simon Deeley Trio put on a performance in the town's library. The concert takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 3 and will also include Sally Erskine on trumpet and flugel

  • Sticking together all the way to the top

    IT'S been a great 2004 for one Worcester band who have played scores of gigs across the country to growing audiences, performed with ex-Smiths members - and even been tipped for the top. And, the jelly and ice-cream will be out tonight as five-piece band

  • Upton news in brief . . .

    n Rector Chris Hardwick is the new chairman of Upton Ecumenical Council. He took over from the Rev Ian Sim at a service at the Parish Church on Sunday. n AN under-11s disco takes place at the Hill Centre tonight (Friday), from 7pm to 9pm. Entry to the

  • Lido decision looms

    THE fate of Droitwich's Lido could be decided next week at a meeting of Wychavon District Council's executive board. Following deliberations over campaign group SALT's (Save a Lido Today) business plan to reopen the historic open air pool, councillors

  • Lights riddle of teen death rider

    A TEENAGE motorcyclist was killed after colliding head-on with a car that was overtaking another vehicle. Seventeen-year-old Ben Patterson, of Castlemorton, near Malvern, was travelling on the B4208 towards Hanley Swan when the accident happened at Garrets

  • BERROW Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    A TRULY amazing weekend in our benefice, what caring people we have in our community! The total raised so far from our concert, a whist drive, Mothers' Union lunch, the children's marvellous effort at Pendock School and with Janet's jumble sale still

  • BIRTSMORTON Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    South Worcestershire NHS Primary Care Trust is asking people what they think about plans for a new hospital in Malvern. Representatives will be travelling on the mobile library in Castlemorton, Berrow and Pendock on February 17, Hanley Swan, Brotheridge

  • BOSBURY Correspondent: Mrs R Krinks Tel: 01531 640076

    LINE-dancing sessions continue at the parish hall on Friday evening from 7.30-9.30pm. New members are always welcome, the charge is a very reasonable £2 for an enjoyable evening's entertainment and keep-fit exercise. Holy Trinity Bosbury will be the venue

  • REDMARLEY Correspondent: U Groves-Smith Tel: 01452 840273

    FANTASTIC was the only word for it - Tegwin Harrison's wish to do something to help raise money for the Tsunami Disaster resulted in the unbelievable sum of £3,160. Tegwin organised a sale in the village hall, with people coming from everywhere, including

  • WELLINGTON HEATH Correspondent: Mrs P Jacobs Tel: 01531 634941

    AT the Garden Club meeting on Wednesday, February 9, Peter Thompson will give a talk on the Landscapes and Flowers in the Alps. Mr Thompson was a tutor at Bristol Polytechnic, teaching geology, geography and ecology, but his special interest is orchids

  • Professor brings curtain down on summer season

    THE summer season in Weymouth just won't be the same this year without the familiar figure of Professor Guy Higgins. The entertainer, having performed his Punch and Judy show on the beach every summer since 1974, has quit for health reasons. "It was a

  • Guest star Titchmarsh should draw the crowds

    CELEBRITY gardener Alan Titchmarsh has confirmed he will be at this year's Malvern Spring Gardening Show, which runs from May 13 to 15. Mr Titchmarsh, famous for appearing in BBC programmes Ground Force, Gardeners World and British Isles: A Natural History

  • Work from Bath

    AN exhibition of work by members of the Bath Society of Artists is currently on display at Malvern Theatres. The event has been organised by Bill Nicholls, of Malvern's Cowleigh Gallery, curator of Malvern Theatres' visual arts. It features work by Ian

  • Brightening up a dull January

    A NEW textile exhibition has filled Ledbury's community arts centre with colour. The fibre art display, at the Artistree, in Church Lane, features images created from colourful fabric and fibres. Angie Hughes, from Ledbury, is one of the artists with

  • A flipping good time is promised

    A FLIPPING good time is promised at a pancake racing afternoon at Storridge Village Hall on Sunday, February 6. Organised by Moira Starkey to raise funds for Hereford Haven breast cancer support, the event is open to all ages and entry is £1.50 per person

  • Bus pass fares fuel OAP angst

    MORE than 150 people have returned their Worcester bus passes after confusion over the price of fares. The refunds were offered by the city council after passengers were angered about changes in ticket price structures introduced by bus company First.

  • People power wins over demolition bid

    A BATTLE has been won by residents in St John's campaigning to stop a controversial housing development. Worcester city councillors voted against allowing two 1930s semi-detached houses in Malvern Road to be demolished and replaced by 23 homes, including

  • Calls for understanding

    THE people of Worcester paid tribute to the six million Jews killed in the Nazi Holocaust, as they joined in poignant commemorations held around the world. Sixty years to the day the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland was liberated, city dignitaries

  • I feared for life, says driver in chase drama

    A MOTORIST has described how she feared for her life when she found herself in the path of a high-speed police car chase across the city yesterday afternoon. Cheryl Usher was driving along Windermere Drive, Blackpole at around 1.45pm when she spotted

  • Sold down the river

    A FLOOD rescue service chief has hit out at what he says is the lunacy of Lottery cash distributors - claiming the organisation has been denied funding because it is "too white". Dave Walker, chairman of the Upton-upon-Severn station of Severn Area Rescue

  • The Dresser Review: Malvern Theatres

    ANYONE intrigued about what happens backstage in a theatre should go and see The Dresser. The play shows emotions behind the scenes are equal to or perhaps more intense than the feelings depicted on stage. It demonstrates jealousy, love, hatred and even

  • Cash total is just oar-some

    WATER lot we've got... Worcester South Rotary Club's Dragon Boat Festival really pulled in the pounds. The event - held on the Severn last July - raised £10,000 for local charities. County Air Ambulance, St Richard's Hospice, Acorns Children's Hospice

  • 28/1/05 - Keyz 04 smash league's only winning record

    THE only 100 per cent record in The Soccer Site Malvern Football League was swept away on Sunday when home side Keyz 04 defeated division two leaders Perowne Park Rangers. After a close contest, it was Keyz 04 who took the points with a 3-2 victory. The

  • Paper charity quits town as part of merger

    A LEADING conservation charity is to quit its Upton headquarters to become part of a new a national body. The Institute of Paper Conservation (IPC) was established in 1976 and has been based at Bridge House, Waterside, for the past three years. It is

  • Pulling together

    PARENTS and teachers at Hanley Swan Primary School raised more than £1,000 at a sponsored indoor rowing event at Malvern Splash on Saturday. Headteacher Anna Streather, a team member, said: "It was a super evening and the Splash were brilliant." The money

  • Top marks for Kapers

    AN Upton playscheme is celebrating this week after receiving an excellent Ofsted report. Kids Kapers, which runs games and activities for youngsters during school holidays, was rated 'good' following a visit by inspectors in November. This is the highest

  • Feast of culture

    INTERNATIONAL cuisine will be on the menu at Bushley Village Hall on Tuesday February 8. Organised by the Upton Deanery, the event will give people the opportunity to try traditional dishes from five countries, including Mexico, Italy and France. It starts

  • Bands to play hall

    TICKETS will go on sale shortly for an event to raise funds for Upton Blues Festival. Local bands The Fabulous Boogie Boys and The Barflys will play at Upton Memorial Hall at 8pm on March 12. Tickets are £8, available from The Anchor Inn from Tuesday

  • How can we have confidence?

    ON Monday night I turned up at the Elgar Suite of The Abbey Hotel to witness what can only be described as a chaotic shambles. As you are aware, the 'meeting' had to be abandoned due to health and safety rules, namely the number present exceeded the legal

  • 100 per cent more on bus

    IT was interesting to read the comments made by David Maciejewski, the spokesman for the First bus company, at the meeting held in Malvern on Tuesday, January 19, (Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter, January 21). He stated that the residents on part

  • One possible site

    WYCHAVON District Council have set the stumbling Malvern Hills District Council an excellent example of what real leadership can produce - threats and petulance do not lead to solutions, especially where greater bodies such as the Strategic Health Authority

  • Trust had been warned to find a larger venue

    Malvern Town Council warned South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust to expect a large turn-out at Monday's public meeting. Concerned the trust was not giving enough publicity to consultations over the new hospital, the council wrote to every household

  • Students learn of Holocaust horror

    A POIGNANT collection of photographs, personal belongings and documents have gone on display at The Chase high school to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Created by the school's art department, the exhibition features enlarged black and white photographs

  • Should get tough

    I MUST take issue with the comment of Sergeant Robert Werner de Sondberg who stated (Malvern Gazette, January 21) that a degree of flexibility is required when considering punishment for cyclists who ride on pavements. The fact that "many roads in Malvern

  • Son to raise funds for young victims

    A MALVERN man is looking for a venue for a cultural evening to raise money for an Indian orphanage run by his father. Marc Norton wants to help his father, Dr Manihar Norton, who has been unable to raise funds for the orphanage due to ill-health. The

  • Actions don't match the words

    I was dismayed to read that Malcolm Murray, the referee featured in your page 3 article last week, has been charged with bringing the game of football into disrepute. As a witness to what took place at that game in October last year I can only support

  • Family's fury at damage to grave

    A MALVERN family has been left seething with anger after their daughter's grave was driven over. Doug Meadows, of Tennyson Drive, said his wife Mary and daughter Kelly visited Malvern Cemetery yesterday (Thursday) afternoon to put flowers on the grave

  • Early indication of Council Tax rise

    Herefordshire Council's cabinet was due to meet yesterday (Thursday) to discuss initial proposals for a rise in Council Tax. County treasurer Ian Hyson said the rise was likely to be between 4 per cent and 4.5 per cent, around £43 for an average Band

  • Build on what the town is good at already

    I am writing with reference to the letter of Mr J H Ling (Your Letters, January 21). The comment made by the lady from Cheltenham, that the charity shops are much better in Malvern, should be considered seriously by all of those who have plans for the

  • MPs to hear of bus success

    A bus service linking Malvern and Ledbury will be presented as an example of a successful community project to MPs. The two-night-a-week 657 service, launched in October 2003, connects Malvern, West Malvern, Malvern Wells, Colwall and Ledbury. It was

  • 28/1/05 - Junior Soccer Scene

    WELLAND needed to bounce back following their shock defeat the previous week where an excellent keeper stood between them and at least a share of the spoils. LYPPARD RANGERS 0, WELLAND JUNIORS U16s 12 It was the home side that began with more purpose

  • Curb this parking menace

    This is an open letter to the relevant authorities responsible for the safety of our children arriving and leaving school. When is action going to be taken against the stubborn minority who are quite happy to park in the most dangerous position outside

  • Awards for best in business

    A COMPETITION celebrating the best of business and industry in the Malvern Hills area is being launched next week. Entries for the sixth Platinum Awards for Business Excellence open on Monday (January 31). Run by Malvern Hills District Council in association

  • Store bids to cut noise fear

    Waitrose in Malvern is making another attempt to get its delivery hours extended. When the Edith Walk supermarket was given planning permission in December 1997, one of the conditions was that deliveries had to be between 7am and 8pm on Monday to Saturday

  • Spring start likely for £250,000 water project

    The Malvern Spa Association is keen to start work on an important restoration project involving the town's water features. Ten major spouts and numerous smaller ones are due to get a facelift as part of the £250,000 project, paid for by the National Lottery

  • Search on for Woman of Year

    THE search is on for Worcestershire's Women of the Year for 2005. The winners will be announced at a charity lunch on Wednesday, June 29, at Madresfield Court. Nominees must live or work in the county and have excelled in one of three categories: business

  • 28/1/05 -Fixtures

    SATURDAY FOOTBALL THE TRAVEL FACTORY MIDLAND FOOTBALL ALLIANCE Malvern Town v Coalville Town. WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE Premier Division: Heath Hayes v Ledbury Town: Market Drayton Town v Bromyard town. Division One: Brereton Social v Malvern Town Reserves

  • 28/1/05 - Youth rugby cup dates

    MALVERN Rugby Club's U15 squad will have to put in a strong performance to overcome a useful Stourbridge team and qualify for the quarter-final stage of the North Midlands U15s Cup competition before Easter. The second-round tie will be played at Stourbridge

  • 28/1/05 - Teams

    MALVERN RFC Saturday, January 29 1st XV v Newbold (Away). Meet Spring Lane 11am, Ketch Hotel Worcester 11.30am. Kick-off 2.15pm. No 1 dress code. Maroon warm up jacket, navy blue shorts & socks. M Richardson (capt), A Wenden, S Cooper, A Ruddock,

  • Bradders on Friday

    I see the Oscar nominations were out this week. It seems there are many awards ceremonies in this day and age, but the Oscars are still prized - although one or two people have turned them down. As a big film fan, I was interested to note those that had

  • Jazz session

    A Jazz session takes place at Malvern Rugby Club, Spring Lane, on Sunday (January 30). The concert, organised by Abbey Jazz, features Ted Taylor on trumpet, Roger Heeley on Piano, Martin Veasey on trombone and Ken Wright on drums. The event runs from

  • Quartet perform

    The Bochmann Quartet perform at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall tomorrow (Saturday). The quartet will play pieces by Mozart and Dvorak from 8pm and at 7.15pm promoter John Brain will give a talk about the pieces, with a violin demonstration by quartet leader

  • Snap shot on art as theatre stages double camera action

    A DOUBLE dose of arts is on the menu for audiences at Number 8 in Pershore in February. Upside Down and Back to Front is a project comprising a new play by Worcestershire playwright Lance Woodman and a visual arts installation by artist Sheila Farrell

  • BRIEFLY what's going on

    Organ awe KIDDERMINSTER Town Hall's organ is 150 years old this year and to celebrate, famous organist David Briggs will be presenting a programme of greatest works for the instrument tomorrow night. The concert at the town hall will feature music from

  • Stunning show of Moscow

    THE Nutcracker will be keeping the magic of Christmas alive at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham from Wednesday. Moscow City Ballet's production involves an outstanding company of over 70 people, plus full orchestra, and is guaranteed to dazzle audiences

  • 28/1/05 - Sam Black nets for a double

    FOLLOWING last week's disappointing show against local rivals Malvern Town Reserves in the Evesham Hospital Cup, Rangers returned to league action at Victoria Park. MALVERN RANGERS 1, ELLESMERE RANGERS 0 They entertained fourth-placed Ellesmere Rangers

  • All the latest gigs and where to find them

    Jan 28: Rick Payne, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester; Stone Farm, Drummonds Bar, New Street, Worcester; And What Will Be Left Of Them? Marr's Bar, Worcester, Jan 29: Inside Out Duo, Barbourne Ex-Services, Worcester; Letz Zep, Swan Theatre, Worcester; Ian Parker

  • Classy and easy listening music at a venue near you

    Jan 22: Forces Sweethearts, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. Box office: 01905 611427. Jan 27: All That Jazz, Swan Theatre, Worcester. Box office: 01905 611427. Jan 28: Paul Lewis, pianist, at Spadesbourne Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove. For further details

  • Loyalties to the church

    IF Dr Peter Selby does not mind a Roman Catholic Head of the Church of England (Evening News, January 19), he does not show much spiritual and pastoral commitment to his own organisation. Let us not start with the liberal agenda - the facts are: 1) All

  • Whats on at your local theatre

    Until Jan 29: The Dresser, starring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Julian Glover at Festival Theatre Malvern. Box office: 01684 892277. Until Jan 30: Jack and the Beanstalk, starring Joe Pasquale, Letitia Dean and Don Maclean at Birmingham Hippodrome. Box office

  • Be warned, St John's

    I WONDER if the residents of St John's are aware of the planned alterations/extension to Cripplegate car park, known as Tybridge Street car park. A large section of parkland is to be sacrificed to make room for more tarmac. Mature trees, that are just

  • 28/1/05 - Malvern CC set for 40th season

    MALVERN Cricket Club's annual presentation night was held at the club's Regency Road headquarters last Friday night. The evening was a great success with over 50 players and guests attending. Chairman Martin Mudway congratulated all players for making

  • Mystery fireballs spotted over hills

    mysterious fireballs were seen over the Malvern Hills 50 years ago. The first was reported in the Gazette on Friday, January 21, 1955. Mrs Lawson, of Hillus Cottage, Malvern, claimed to have seen a huge ball of fire with a long green tail passing rapidly

  • Snowfall brings rush to get out toboggans

    MALVERN people were enjoying the wintry weather 100 years ago. So much so, that Gazette columnist Ariel said Link Common "resembled a miniature Davos". The writer continued: "The snow which fell earlier in the week, although it did not lie thick on the

  • Documentary film show

    Film documentary Winged Migration (U) shows at The Roses, Tewkesbury, on Tuesday, February 1. The film, shot over three years, follows the migratory habits of hundreds of different birds. It shows at 11am and 7.45pm. Action adventure After the Sunset

  • 28/1/05 - Seconds run in seven tries

    ON a clear but cold afternoon Malvern's seconds made the short trip to Sixways last Saturday. WORCESTER WANDERERS II 0pts, MALVERN II 41pts The Spring Lane side served up an impressive display of all round rugby to outclass their opponents, running in

  • 28/1/05 - Malvern Angels win their fourth festival

    THE Malvern Angels youth Section went to Old Coventrians RFC on Sunday to play in the West Midlands Tag festival. There were 12 teams present, with three clubs, including Malvern, entering two teams. The captain of the A team was Lauren Davies (The Chase

  • What's on

    Theatre January Until 28-Frankenstein the Pantomime performed by Dymock Amateur Dramatic Society at Dymock Parish Hall. 7.30pm. £5 adults, £3 children from (01531) 890778. Until 29-The Dresser by Ronald Harwood at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres

  • 28/1/05 - Celebrations and nets

    WEST Malvern Cricket Club's annual dinner is being held this year in the cricket suite at the County Ground, New Road, on Saturday, April 9. The coming year is the 20th anniversary season and some celebrations are being planned during the season. It is

  • Avon to be alone with the wildlife

    ONLY a few decades ago, the floodplain of the River Avon was teeming with wildlife. However, like other floodplains, it has been subject to agricultural "improvement", which invariably includes drainage, leading to a catastrophic loss of habitat. Nearly

  • Agents joining forces

    TWO of Worcestershire's estate agents are to join forces from Tuesday, February 1. Humberts Worcester yesterday announced the merger of Whitt Yeates & Ridley, Malvern. Initially, the business will trade from Malvern as Whitt Yeates & Ridley in

  • Typical Worcester worker feels fulfilled

    THE typical Worcester worker enjoys their jobs, feels more fulfilled when busy, and likes a challenge according to new research by Keele University. It also showed that almost half of people in the Midlands made sure work did not dominate their lives.

  • Free training on offer to suit business needs

    COMPANIES in Herefordshire and Worcestershire have been invited to take advantage of £1,000 worth of free training. The Chamber of Commerce in the two counties is offering firms with between 20 and 249 employees training tailored to their individual needs

  • Search starts for woman of year...

    THE search is once again on to find Worcestershire's most impressive female business entrepreneur...as well as other worthy women Three special county females are being sought to take the coveted title: Worcestershire Women of the Year 2005. The competition

  • 28/1/05 - Revenge for Town Reserves

    WITH the Malvern Town first team having a well-deserved break this weekend, the action centred around the Reserves who entertained Bilston Town at Langland Stadium. MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 3, BILSTON TOWN 2 On the back of last week's cup victory against

  • Make way for the magic of Jack Jones

    IT'S not every day that you would have got the late great singer Frank Sinatra to sing in your school. But that was exactly what happened when Jack Jones' fellow high school pupil and daughter of Frank, Nancy, invited her father in to perform, writes

  • Professor brings curtain down on summer season

    THE summer season in Weymouth just won't be the same this year without the familiar figure of Professor Guy Higgins. The entertainer, having performed his Punch and Judy show on the beach every summer since 1974, has quit for health reasons. "It was a

  • Exhibition marks a new beginning

    NEW Beginnings is the title of an exhibition being held to mark some changes at a Malvern gallery and picture framing business. After 18 years of running the Lyttelton House Gallery at the Priory Steps, Abbey Road, Margaret Edgar is moving on. Mrs Edgar

  • Event sells out

    A FUNDRAISING soul and motown night at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern, is a sell-out. The event on Saturday, February 19, will aid the fight against motor neurone disease. It follows the success of a similar night in November, which raised £870. Promoter Rob

  • Work from Bath

    AN exhibition of work by members of the Bath Society of Artists is currently on display at Malvern Theatres. The event has been organised by Bill Nicholls, of Malvern's Cowleigh Gallery, curator of Malvern Theatres' visual arts. It features work by Ian

  • Brightening up a dull January

    A NEW textile exhibition has filled Ledbury's community arts centre with colour. The fibre art display, at the Artistree, in Church Lane, features images created from colourful fabric and fibres. Angie Hughes, from Ledbury, is one of the artists with

  • Garden open

    A CHANCE to see Aconites, Snowdrops and Camellias is on offer when the gardens of Barnards Green House, Poolbrook Road, Malvern, open to the public next Sunday (February 6). The gates are open from 2pm to 5pm and entry is £2.50.

  • The Dresser Review: Malvern Theatres

    ANYONE intrigued about what happens backstage in a theatre should go and see The Dresser. The play shows emotions behind the scenes are equal to or perhaps more intense than the feelings depicted on stage. It demonstrates jealousy, love, hatred and even

  • Are you a winner?

    * (I) indicates Internet entries. THE following each won a set of Farm Animals stamps: C Abdy, Darley Road, Manchester (I); S Chapman, Norwood Road, March (I); A Charlish, Monkswood Crescent, Coventry (I); C Dunkley, Ryeburn Way, Wellingborough (I); D

  • A whole world of music is coming to Much Marcle

    Traditional Polish music, song and dance will come to Much Marcle on February 5. The Warsaw Village Band performs a concert at the Great Barn, Hellens, as part of the Arts Alive Rural Touring Programme. The band was founded in 1997 by six young musicians

  • Feel the beat

    An African drumming session takes place at West Malvern Village Hall on Sunday (January 30), from 7pm to 9.30pm. Visitors are asked to bring their own djembe drums, though there may be some available to borrow. People can also come along to listen. Admission

  • Jazz session

    A Jazz session takes place at Malvern Rugby Club, Spring Lane, on Sunday (January 30). The concert, organised by Abbey Jazz, features Ted Taylor on trumpet, Roger Heeley on Piano, Martin Veasey on trombone and Ken Wright on drums. The event runs from

  • Haunting the theatres

    CELTIC vocal group Anuna will bring the haunting sound of Irish choral music to the Malvern Theatres on Saturday, February 5. The group shot to fame in 1994 with a performance of their choral piece Cloudsong, which became the introduction to Irish dance

  • Rotary celebrate

    Contemporary country rock group the Sarah Jory Band will perform at the Courtyard in Hereford this evening (Friday). The band performs at 8pm and tickets are £12 (concs £10.50). Hereford Rotary Club, in conjunction with Hereford Amateur Operatic Society

  • A variety of sounds

    THE sounds of Appalachian mountain music will be brought to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall. Four-piece band, The Gathering, will perform gospel songs, hoedowns and old time dance at the venue on Wednesday, February 2. The concert begins at 8pm. Tickets are

  • Snap shot on art as theatre stages double camera action

    A DOUBLE dose of arts is on the menu for audiences at Number 8 in Pershore in February. Upside Down and Back to Front is a project comprising a new play by Worcestershire playwright Lance Woodman and a visual arts installation by artist Sheila Farrell

  • Talk before quartet play

    AUDIENCES at Huntingdon Hall are in for a treat tomorrow night when the Bochmann Quartet perform a concert. On the programme is Mozart's moving D minor Quartet K 421, Beethoven's Op.18 No 4 and Dvorak's well known American Quartet. The concert starts

  • Stunning show of Moscow

    THE Nutcracker will be keeping the magic of Christmas alive at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham from Wednesday. Moscow City Ballet's production involves an outstanding company of over 70 people, plus full orchestra, and is guaranteed to dazzle audiences

  • Brassketeers' bid to banish blues

    A VIVACIOUS quartet from Birmingham Conservatoire will be performing in College Hall, next to Worcester Cathedral, tomorrow night to give audiences a taste of this year's forthcoming Worcester Three Choirs Festival. The Brassketeers' fund-raising concert

  • Convent girl's eyes opened by Anuna

    WHILE the world was being swept up in the global phenomenon that was Riverdance, one woman, born and brought up in Fladbury, remained blissfully unaware of its existence. Classically trained musician Lucy Champion was working for the Ulster Orchestra

  • Whats on at your local theatre

    Until Jan 29: The Dresser, starring Nicholas Lyndhurst and Julian Glover at Festival Theatre Malvern. Box office: 01684 892277. Until Jan 30: Jack and the Beanstalk, starring Joe Pasquale, Letitia Dean and Don Maclean at Birmingham Hippodrome. Box office

  • Jolly hockey sticks, the Players are back!

    IT'S jolly hockey sticks and gym slips at the ready for the first West Malvern Players performance in almost a decade - a play about a 1930s girls' boarding school. The re-formed group's rendition of Daisy Pulls it Off, by Denise Deegan, should be memorable

  • Hip, hip, hooray for the hip flask

    Whether or not fox hunting is over hip flasks, so beloved by sportsman all over the world, will surely continue. I know fox hunting squires whose hip flasks are filled with Port, others with brandy, and indeed some with a mixture of the two which is a

  • Avon to be alone with the wildlife

    ONLY a few decades ago, the floodplain of the River Avon was teeming with wildlife. However, like other floodplains, it has been subject to agricultural "improvement", which invariably includes drainage, leading to a catastrophic loss of habitat. Nearly

  • TOP 10 albums

    1. The Killers - Hot Fuss. 2. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters. 3. Green Day - American Idiot. 4. Kasabian - Kasabian. 5. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand. 6. Keane - Hopes and Fears. 7. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane. 8. Damien Rice - O. 9. Eminem - Encore

  • REVIEWS with Joby Mullens

    VARIOUS - OCEAN'S TWELVE (out February 7) SO THE inevitable follow-up to the massive blockbuster Ocean's Eleven is almost upon us, carting with it another attempt at a piece of musical artwork in the form of the soundtrack album. Whereas the original

  • £3,000 made for tsunami appeal

    A MASS of top musicians have raised more than £3,000 for the tsunami disaster appeal through two charity concerts held in the city last weekend. The city's Marr's Bar, in Pierpoint Street kicked off the charity fund-raiser with an all-day extravaganza

  • Music from the moonshine hills

    AUDIENCES will be transported back to the golden age of American country music next week as the band The Gathering (right) roll into the city. The group comprises Debby McClatchy on banjo, vocals and freestyle clogging; Brad Leftwich on fiddle and vocals

  • County children are all set to get growing

    SCHOOLCHILDREN across Worcestershire are being asked to put their green fingers to the test in a national schools' competition to grow a prize-winning petunia. Youngsters aged from four to 11 will have the chance of winning a £1,000 cash prize for their

  • Eaterie backing SARA

    RESTAURANT owners have pledged to raise at least £5,000 for an Upton rescue service, after it was repeatedly turned down for Lottery funding. Nick and Jay Jethwa, of Bristol eaterie Tiffins, will hold a Bollywood theme evening in the city to raise cash

  • Greening up parkland

    THE front of an environmental centre in Worcester's Gheluvelt Park has been transformed by the addition of some living greenery. Plants are being put in the sensory garden outside the Pump House Environment Centre, run by the Worcestershire Duckworth

  • Conservation organisation is pulling out

    A LEADING conservation charity is to quit its Upton headquarters to become part of a new a national body. The Institute of Paper Conservation (IPC) was established in 1976 and has been based at Bridge House, Waterside, for the past three years. It is

  • New lease of life for volunteers and PCs

    WHERE in Worcester can you find top-notch computers for under £200? The charity Lifestyles is pioneering the practice of restoring and recycling old machines and selling them on - as good as new - to raise funds. Lifestyles' shop in Lowesmoor has just

  • Freezing experience for a city pensioner

    A RETIRED Worcester man has had to endure two weeks living in a flat without gas or electricity during the coldest weather spell of the year. Former painter and builder Richard Broughton (right), aged 61, said when he moved into his new freezing cold

  • Fortune smiles on lucky Pauline

    PAULINE Price has once again proved her friends right. The 60-year-old retired administrator from Linksview Crescent, off Newtown Road, Worcester, has scooped £1,000 in the Evening News' fabulous Lucky Numbers competition. "My friends say I am a lucky

  • Malvern Town FC - Fixtures/Results - 2004/5 Season

    The Travel Factory Midland Football Alliance Saturday, January 29: Malvern Town v Coalville Town (3.00). Saturday, February 5: Alvechurch v Malvern Town (3.00). Saturday, February 12: Oldbury United v Malvern Town (3.00). Saturday, February 19: Malvern

  • CASTLEMORTON Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    CASTLEMORTON bell-ringers will be participating in BBC Hereford and Worcester's hospice appeal on Sunday, January 30. The benefice service will be at Longdon at 10.30am, where the benefice ringers will be joined by others from neighbouring villages to

  • Cradley Correspondent: N G Holden

    An auction of promises and Wind in the Willows memorabilia will be held in Cradley Village Hall tonight (Friday). Items up for auction include Toad's car and caravan, and many more props and costumes from the production. A Filbert Splosh abstract painting

  • ELDERSFIELD Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

    IT is now 20 years (what a life sentence) since Brian and Leta Woodcock edited, collated and printed our benefice parish magazine and how it has grown under their leadership. Brian and Leta now feel that they are ready to hand over the reins and printing

  • POWICK Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

    AT the inter-church games evening held last week at Somers Park Avenue Methodist Church Hall, a team of David and Margaret Allen (playing snooker and Ludo respectively) and Meg Allsopp (table tennis) represented St Peter's Church, Powick. The team which

  • West Malvern Correspondent: Colin Jackson: 01684 577604

    Live drama returns to West Malvern next week for the first time in several years, with the re-formed Brewers Troupe of the West Malvern Players staging a full length play the village hall on Friday and Saturday. Daisy Pulls it Off by Denise Deegan is

  • Exhibition marks a new beginning

    NEW Beginnings is the title of an exhibition being held to mark some changes at a Malvern gallery and picture framing business. After 18 years of running the Lyttelton House Gallery at the Priory Steps, Abbey Road, Margaret Edgar is moving on. Mrs Edgar

  • 28/1/05 - Last gasp kick denies Upton

    UPTON Rugby Club's first XV played their first home game after a five week period covering the Christmas holidays and two away matches. UPTON 17pts, HANDSWORTH 20pts An overcast but dry day welcomed Handsworth to their first ever visit to Upton as they

  • Event sells out

    A FUNDRAISING soul and motown night at the Abbey Hotel, Malvern, is a sell-out. The event on Saturday, February 19, will aid the fight against motor neurone disease. It follows the success of a similar night in November, which raised £870. Promoter Rob

  • Linking theme

    AN exhibition of work by Malvern artist Bridget Macdonald is on show in Birmingham. Work based on art historical and literary sources, including William Blake and Ted Hughes, is being shown in the Rotunda at the Aston Webb Building of the University of

  • Roll out for a barrel of laughs

    A BARREL of laughs is promised at Malvern Theatres on February 10 with the venue's first ever comedy club night. The line-up includes Kevin McCarthy, Gordon Southern and Noel Britten, three up and coming British comics. Noel Britten has been described

  • Platform for young actors

    THERE are a few places left for budding young thespians in a youth drama group. The Drama Platform, based in Malvern, offers out-of-school classes for four age ranges. While there are only a few junior places left, for children between eight and 11, there

  • Garden open

    A CHANCE to see Aconites, Snowdrops and Camellias is on offer when the gardens of Barnards Green House, Poolbrook Road, Malvern, open to the public next Sunday (February 6). The gates are open from 2pm to 5pm and entry is £2.50.

  • On display

    Watercolours and photographs by a West Malvern artist are on display in the gallery at Worcester Arts Workshop. David Kelly's exhibition Landscapes and Seascapes will be at the gallery on Sansome Street, Worcester until February 4. Opening times are 10am

  • 28/1/05 - Weather wallops weights

    THERE was a good turnout for the latest round of the Malvern United Angling Association's winter league on the pool at Mathon. Members were greeted with icy conditions and temperatures just above freezing, well some of them were at least, those lucky

  • PC gone mad at the Lotto

    They save the lives of dozens of people each year. They are called in to rescue many who are in difficulties on the Severn and many other rivers and tributaries. They work on conjunction with other emergency services. Their skills and commitment are highly

  • POLICE SWOOP ON ILLEGAL WORKERS

    POLICE and immigration officers swooped on a Worcester kebab shop in a huge operation to tackle illegal workers. Four men were arrested in Worcester Kebab House in Shaw Street at around 4pm yesterday suspected of working illegally, while a further 39

  • TV pair hit back at 'Piece of Fluff'

    PETER Luff says he is not concerned that a children's show he criticised called him The Right Honourable Piece of Fluff. The MP for Mid Worcestershire hit out at the BBC1 Saturday morning programme Dick and Dom in da Bungalow, asking whether children

  • Trial bins set to be wheeled in

    HOUSEHOLDS in Worcester will be asked to trial different types of wheelie bins to determine which design would be the most suitable for the city. Several UK-based firms have supplied sample bins and the city council is calling on residents to help evaluate

  • Two county heroes awarded honours

    TWO Worcestershire men who are involved in two very different fields have been honoured for their achievements. Cecil Duckworth, pictured left, the chairman and benefactor of Worcester Rugby Club, was named Central West Midlander of the Year 2004 for

  • Family and friends recall dad and son

    THE family of a teenager killed alongside his father in a helicopter crash have paid tribute to the close-knit pair. James Tartaglia, aged 15, of South Littleton, near Evesham, was on board the ill-fated Jetranger 206B when it came down in the Blackdown

  • Youth dance means a quiet night for police

    A MONTHLY dance dreamed up by five 16-year-olds which has been credited with keeping young people out of trouble kicks off its 2005 season tonight. The Celler Project is a monthly get together for 13 to 17-year-olds which now attracts around 200 people

  • Forum head jets to Germany to speak out for silver sector

    THE chairman of Droitwich's Forum for Older People is jetting off to Germany next month to represent the West Midlands at a European conference. Eve Freer said she intends to put older people in Worcestershire on the European map when she attends the

  • Happy birthday to Ivy... she's 102

    A SPRIGHTLY old lady of 102 has celebrated her birthday surrounded by friends and family. Ivy Wade, who lives at Norton Hall Nursing Home, in Norton, celebrated the magnificent milestone at the home yesterday. She is an embroidery enthusiast, and regularly

  • 28/1/05 - Powick in semi-final spot

    POWICK confirmed their place in the semi-final of the Phipps Cup with a good victory in bitterly cold and snowy conditions. PERSHORE MANOR 1, POWICK FC 7 Powick had to reshuffle the team with several players missing and this meant Dale Humphries, at left-back

  • 28/1/05 - West Malvern hit four for first time

    WEST Malvern travelled to Fernhill Heath Spurs in the Phipps Cup on Saturday and scored four goals for the first time this season. FERNHILL HEATH SPURS 2, WEST MALVERN 4 Once again they were forced to make late changes due to players being unavailable

  • Delight to watch

    I JUST had to write and say how very much my seven-and-a-half-year-old grandson loved The Owl and the Pussycat last Saturday at the Ledbury Market Theatre. He spent most of the performance with his arms on the seat in front - luckily the elderly lady

  • It's a fiasco...

    A FIASCO and a public relations disaster - that's the verdict on Monday night's aborted meeting on Malvern's new hospital. The phrase came from Coun Ralph Madden, chairman of Malvern Town Council, but was echoed by many who came to the meeting. Up to

  • Regain the vision

    RE: 'Lost paradise could be regained' (Your Letters, January 21) about the so-called 'grot spot' car park next to the Splash, which misrepresents the intended use of the site. The council wanted that site to build a public sports centre combined with

  • PCT denies acknowledging problems over out-of-hours GP service

    A PATIENT representative has demanded answers to problems with the out-of-hours doctors' service for Colwall and Ledbury. Colwall's Marcus Allen, a Patient and Public Involvement Forum member, outlined concerns at a board meeting of Herefordshire Primary

  • False impression

    AN otherwise accurate and informative report on page 3 of last week's Ledbury Reporter may have left readers with the wrong impression about RE teaching at the school. The report stated that "religious education is unsatisfactory". This could give the

  • Pub plans new skittles alley

    A MALVERN Link pub could soon boast a new skittles alley. A planning application to convert a room at The Anchor, on Yates Hay Road, has been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council. Landlady Jayne Peters said: "There's a bit of a shortage of skittle

  • Roads not safe

    ROADS with bumpy edges, pot holes and dropped drain covers make road cycling uncomfortable and dangerous. Less terror from certain motorised and motorist behaviour together with local/national investment in cycle routes/quiet pedestrian ways could help

  • Sport has changed Joel's life

    A little boy who suffers from autism has discovered a new lease of life after taking up motocross racing. Six-year-old Joel Wright from Malvern has a range of conditions, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), speech problems and autism

  • Give community a centre at its centre

    AS a fan of music and the arts and having a professional interest in regeneration strategies, it is with sadness that I hear of the closure of the Great Malvern Club. It has long been recognised that the way to avoid divisions in a community is through

  • A real alternative for club-goers

    The Great Malvern Club, in Church Street, shut its doors for the final time on New Year's Eve. Although I've only DJ'd at the club a couple of times, I've been made more than welcome. What makes it even more special for me is that I grew up and lived

  • We'll fight on, says store firm

    LIDL has reaffirmed its commitment to building a super-market at the former eurohaus garage in Malvern Link, despite advertising it for let. If a planning application by the budget supermarket chain is refused once again, the company says it will lease

  • Down to parents

    With reference to last week's letter from S Charlton, my husband and I have lived in Callow End for many years and believe Tom Wells is an extremely hard working district and county councillor for the area. He not only believes in trying to get results

  • Thefts a drain on cemetery funds

    Money set aside to improve Bromyard cemetery is being drained away by repeated thefts. The brass tap at the cemetery has been stolen seven times in two months, the latest incident having taken place on Friday. The joint burial committee, in charge of

  • Kieran has right moves to be king of the board

    A YOUNG Malvern chess player who has only just started playing in competitions has already shown star potential. Kieran Jeffrey, 10, has qualified for the National Junior Chess Championships in Nottingham in April. After being taught chess by his dad

  • Plastic plan for hill feature

    A FUTURE replacement for the toposcope could be made from plastic instead of bronze. The idea is being considered by Malvern Hills Conservators, who are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the feature on Worcestershire Beacon. The engraved bronze

  • First class send-off for postal pair

    Customers at Malvern Link Post Office have said goodbye to a couple who ran the business for more than 30 years. Martin and Valerie Bumphrey were showered with gifts, including flowers and chocolates, when they retired last Friday. The couple took over

  • Private ambulances come to aid of trust

    PRIVATE ambulance staff are being employed after NHS ambulances failed to reach targets for emergency response times. The move has angered staff, including Andy Kibble, a paramedic for 20 years, who works from Ledbury Ambulance Station. Figures show that

  • Lind legend to live on in opera

    LEGENDARY opera singer Jenny Lind, who is buried in Malvern, has inspired a new opera being written by rock musician Elvis Costello. The Secret Arias will tell the story of the unrequited love of Hans Christian Andersen, the fairytale writer, for Lind

  • Opinion

    MALVERN Town Council should be commended for its campaign to get the public involved in the decision-making over plans for a new hospital. If that campaign played a part in the fiasco of this week's public meeting, which had to be cancelled after around

  • Tyre firm is on the move

    A FAMILY business is moving out of Malvern town centre - at least for the time being. Millers Tyres Ltd will be leaving its Edith Walk premises for a unit at Spring Lane North, Malvern Link, in the next few weeks. Wayne Miller, co-owner with his brother

  • Homes planned for village hall site

    A GROUP of Alfrick residents, unhappy at proposed housing developments in the village, have come up with a scheme of their own. Six individuals, under the banner Alfrick Community Development, have submitted an application for outline planning permission

  • Deal opens up markets

    A high-tech firm in a very rural location has just agreed a new distribution deal . . . in Japan. Freeman Technology makes a patented powder measuring device for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The small, but rapidly growing company, has its

  • Ann's story one of faith and hope

    WHEN a US tourist visited Suckley searching for information about his ancestors, he opened up an important chapter of the village's history. Floyd Rigby travelled from Utah in 2003, hoping to find out more about Ann Jewell Rowley, one of hundreds of South

  • It's top marks all around for nursery

    A Malvern nursery has been praised for providing a warm and welcoming environment that captures children's imagination. Playhouse Nursery, on Abbey Road, was given an excellent report from education watchdog Ofsted. The nursery, which currently caters

  • Are you a winner?

    * (I) indicates Internet entries. THE following each won a set of Farm Animals stamps: C Abdy, Darley Road, Manchester (I); S Chapman, Norwood Road, March (I); A Charlish, Monkswood Crescent, Coventry (I); C Dunkley, Ryeburn Way, Wellingborough (I); D

  • 28/1/05 - Four man team is outstanding

    WITH the Worcestershire Golf Club course enveloped in cold wintry weather, it was to the credit of the membership that a full field of hardy golfers competed in the Winter Alliance competition. Playing in teams of four, and with two scores to count on

  • 28/1/05 - Colwall hit back for good point

    COLWALL WHC fought back from 1-0 down to snatch a point against Severn division one leaders Newent at Ledbury Leisure Centre on Saturday. COLWALL WHC 1, NEWENT 1 Colwall started brightly and were unlucky not the take the lead with Coral Handley, Nicky

  • 28/1/05 - Club ride is a mystery

    MALVERN cycling club VC Sevale's club ride on Sunday will be led by Steve Price. The destination is unknown as it is one of the occasional mystery rides into the wilds of Hereford and Worcester, or Gloucestershire, that the club organises. Hopefully the

  • 28/1/05 - Chess club top at half way

    MALVERN Chess Club convincingly won their away match against Kidderminster Pawns in the Worcester and District League division one to reach the halfway point of the season with three points out of four and hold the top spot. The result was obtained in

  • 28/1/05 - Ian Sage saves the whitewash

    IAN Sage saved the whitewash for Dynamos in Division Three of the Malvern Table Tennis League but could not make it a point when they played Crackpots B. Ted Cates and Stephen Lindner each won three for Crackpots and Alan Forsdike two and the doubles

  • 28/1/05 - Success for annual tournament

    MALVERN Girls' College held its annual Junior Schools Netball Tournament on Saturday with 10 teams representing eight schools. The Elms School won the U11s section with Hillstone as runners-up. St Johns on the Hill (Chepstow) won the U12s section with

  • A whole world of music is coming to Much Marcle

    Traditional Polish music, song and dance will come to Much Marcle on February 5. The Warsaw Village Band performs a concert at the Great Barn, Hellens, as part of the Arts Alive Rural Touring Programme. The band was founded in 1997 by six young musicians

  • Feel the beat

    An African drumming session takes place at West Malvern Village Hall on Sunday (January 30), from 7pm to 9.30pm. Visitors are asked to bring their own djembe drums, though there may be some available to borrow. People can also come along to listen. Admission

  • Haunting the theatres

    CELTIC vocal group Anuna will bring the haunting sound of Irish choral music to the Malvern Theatres on Saturday, February 5. The group shot to fame in 1994 with a performance of their choral piece Cloudsong, which became the introduction to Irish dance

  • Rotary celebrate

    Contemporary country rock group the Sarah Jory Band will perform at the Courtyard in Hereford this evening (Friday). The band performs at 8pm and tickets are £12 (concs £10.50). Hereford Rotary Club, in conjunction with Hereford Amateur Operatic Society

  • A variety of sounds

    THE sounds of Appalachian mountain music will be brought to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall. Four-piece band, The Gathering, will perform gospel songs, hoedowns and old time dance at the venue on Wednesday, February 2. The concert begins at 8pm. Tickets are

  • Talk before quartet play

    AUDIENCES at Huntingdon Hall are in for a treat tomorrow night when the Bochmann Quartet perform a concert. On the programme is Mozart's moving D minor Quartet K 421, Beethoven's Op.18 No 4 and Dvorak's well known American Quartet. The concert starts

  • Brassketeers' bid to banish blues

    A VIVACIOUS quartet from Birmingham Conservatoire will be performing in College Hall, next to Worcester Cathedral, tomorrow night to give audiences a taste of this year's forthcoming Worcester Three Choirs Festival. The Brassketeers' fund-raising concert

  • Convent girl's eyes opened by Anuna

    WHILE the world was being swept up in the global phenomenon that was Riverdance, one woman, born and brought up in Fladbury, remained blissfully unaware of its existence. Classically trained musician Lucy Champion was working for the Ulster Orchestra

  • 28/1/05 - Tough test at Newbold RFC

    MALVERN retained third place in the Midlands Two West table, behind also winners Hinckley and Burton, after their win against Stafford on Saturday. Malvern's director of rugby, David Robins, said he had been impressed by his side's performance, especially

  • 28/1/05 - Malvern Town at home

    THIRD-placed Malvern Town are at home to Leicestershire side Coalville Town tomorrow (Saturday) in the Midland Alliance. Malvern will be hoping to extend their recent winning run that has seen them take maximum points from their last four league games

  • 28/1/05 - Vintage display seals Malvern victory

    MALVERN had a point to prove in this match, having conceded their first Midlands Two West defeat away to Stafford in the autumn. MALVERN RFC 36PTS, STAFFORD 7PTS The visitors obviously thought they could put in a repeat performance, starting strongly

  • Events in and around Worcester

    Jan 29: Bring and buy sale organised by Churches Together in aid of the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal, at Cleobury Mortimer Market Hall. Refreshments will be available. All welcome. For further information telephone 01299 270061. Jan 29: Ballroom and sequence

  • Exhibitions in and around Worcester

    Until Feb 12: Fibreart Exhibition at Artistree Church Lane Ledbury. The Barber's Baroque masterpiece, The Marriage Feast at Cana, by Bartolom Esteban Murillo has just gone back on the walls of the main gallery following a nine-month leave of absence,

  • Discipline in society

    THREE teenage boys committed a criminal offence on school premises some years ago, by knocking down a fellow pupil before kicking him while he lay on the ground.The Head, with the approval of the chairman of governors, immediately suspended them. The

  • No wonder support is growing

    HOW to make a farmer's life difficult in three easy EU lessons. As of January 1: 1) Farmers can no longer use tractors or other heavy equipment if their fields are wet or there is a puddle anywhere other than within 20 yards of the gate. 2) Because of

  • Better training is the key to safety on our roads

    YET again, we read a headline (Evening News, Wednesday, January 19) telling us that we have another "dangerous" road. It is about time that people realised that there is no such thing as a "dangerous" road, or a "dangerous" car, or a "dangerous" lorry

  • Echoes from the Past

    100 years ago Today we have to record with regret, which will be shared by very many in Malvern and the district, the death of a well-known and highly esteemed resident, Mr Richard Woodyatt, Tintern Lodge, Abbey Road. In his demise, Malvern loses one

  • A series of unfortunate events

    MALVERN Cinema is screening Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (PG) for a week from tonight (Friday, January 28). The adaptation of the children's classic stars Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Jude Law and Billy Connelly. It is showing daily at

  • Jolly hockey sticks, the Players are back!

    IT'S jolly hockey sticks and gym slips at the ready for the first West Malvern Players performance in almost a decade - a play about a 1930s girls' boarding school. The re-formed group's rendition of Daisy Pulls it Off, by Denise Deegan, should be memorable

  • 28/1/05 - Pirates remain calm in the storm

    THIS match was not one for the faint of heart and the Pirates let their rugby do the talking as their opponents resorted to the 'rough stuff' as the Malvern lead built up. OLD YARDLEIANS U16S 5pts, MALVERN U16S Pirates 55pts This was a shame, because

  • 28/1/05 - Nomads look back on disappointing year

    LOOKING back over the 2004 season, Worcester Nomads Cricket Club have concluded that it proved well below the expectations at the outset. The first XI league side, captained by Malcolm Jones, had the added strength of Phil Newport and their first overseas

  • Hip, hip, hooray for the hip flask

    Whether or not fox hunting is over hip flasks, so beloved by sportsman all over the world, will surely continue. I know fox hunting squires whose hip flasks are filled with Port, others with brandy, and indeed some with a mixture of the two which is a

  • They're blooming booming

    ONE of the West Midland's leading wholesale florists has moved out of the centre of Birmingham into the North Worcestershire countryside. Prince Flowers Ltd has bought a 7,100sq ft packaging warehouse at the Harris Park in Hanbury, near Droitwich. The

  • Trial bins set to be wheeled in

    HOUSEHOLDS in Worcester will be asked to trial different types of wheelie bins to determine which design would be the most suitable for the city. Several UK-based firms have supplied sample bins and the city council is calling on residents to help evaluate

  • TOP 10 albums

    1. The Killers - Hot Fuss. 2. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters. 3. Green Day - American Idiot. 4. Kasabian - Kasabian. 5. Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand. 6. Keane - Hopes and Fears. 7. Maroon 5 - Songs About Jane. 8. Damien Rice - O. 9. Eminem - Encore

  • REVIEWS with Joby Mullens

    VARIOUS - OCEAN'S TWELVE (out February 7) SO THE inevitable follow-up to the massive blockbuster Ocean's Eleven is almost upon us, carting with it another attempt at a piece of musical artwork in the form of the soundtrack album. Whereas the original

  • Big band

    THE City of Birmingham's Little Big Time Band is set to visit Colwall near Malvern this weekend for a concert at the village's Downs School. The free concert takes place at 7.30pm tomorrow night. For details, contact the school on 01684 540277.

  • Jazzer Deeley

    JAZZ music will be the order of the day in Kidderminster next week as the Simon Deeley Trio put on a performance in the town's library. The concert takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 3 and will also include Sally Erskine on trumpet and flugel

  • £3,000 made for tsunami appeal

    A MASS of top musicians have raised more than £3,000 for the tsunami disaster appeal through two charity concerts held in the city last weekend. The city's Marr's Bar, in Pierpoint Street kicked off the charity fund-raiser with an all-day extravaganza

  • Music from the moonshine hills

    AUDIENCES will be transported back to the golden age of American country music next week as the band The Gathering (right) roll into the city. The group comprises Debby McClatchy on banjo, vocals and freestyle clogging; Brad Leftwich on fiddle and vocals

  • Sticking together all the way to the top

    IT'S been a great 2004 for one Worcester band who have played scores of gigs across the country to growing audiences, performed with ex-Smiths members - and even been tipped for the top. And, the jelly and ice-cream will be out tonight as five-piece band

  • Guest star Titchmarsh should draw the crowds

    CELEBRITY gardener Alan Titchmarsh has confirmed he will be at this year's Malvern Spring Gardening Show, which runs from May 13 to 15. Mr Titchmarsh, famous for appearing in BBC programmes Ground Force, Gardeners World and British Isles: A Natural History

  • Linking theme

    AN exhibition of work by Malvern artist Bridget Macdonald is on show in Birmingham. Work based on art historical and literary sources, including William Blake and Ted Hughes, is being shown in the Rotunda at the Aston Webb Building of the University of

  • Roll out for a barrel of laughs

    A BARREL of laughs is promised at Malvern Theatres on February 10 with the venue's first ever comedy club night. The line-up includes Kevin McCarthy, Gordon Southern and Noel Britten, three up and coming British comics. Noel Britten has been described

  • Platform for young actors

    THERE are a few places left for budding young thespians in a youth drama group. The Drama Platform, based in Malvern, offers out-of-school classes for four age ranges. While there are only a few junior places left, for children between eight and 11, there

  • On display

    Watercolours and photographs by a West Malvern artist are on display in the gallery at Worcester Arts Workshop. David Kelly's exhibition Landscapes and Seascapes will be at the gallery on Sansome Street, Worcester until February 4. Opening times are 10am

  • A flipping good time is promised

    A FLIPPING good time is promised at a pancake racing afternoon at Storridge Village Hall on Sunday, February 6. Organised by Moira Starkey to raise funds for Hereford Haven breast cancer support, the event is open to all ages and entry is £1.50 per person

  • Quartet perform

    The Bochmann Quartet perform at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall tomorrow (Saturday). The quartet will play pieces by Mozart and Dvorak from 8pm and at 7.15pm promoter John Brain will give a talk about the pieces, with a violin demonstration by quartet leader

  • BRIEFLY what's going on

    Organ awe KIDDERMINSTER Town Hall's organ is 150 years old this year and to celebrate, famous organist David Briggs will be presenting a programme of greatest works for the instrument tomorrow night. The concert at the town hall will feature music from

  • Events in and around Worcester

    Jan 29: Bring and buy sale organised by Churches Together in aid of the Tsunami Earthquake Appeal, at Cleobury Mortimer Market Hall. Refreshments will be available. All welcome. For further information telephone 01299 270061. Jan 29: Ballroom and sequence

  • Exhibitions in and around Worcester

    Until Feb 12: Fibreart Exhibition at Artistree Church Lane Ledbury. The Barber's Baroque masterpiece, The Marriage Feast at Cana, by Bartolom Esteban Murillo has just gone back on the walls of the main gallery following a nine-month leave of absence,

  • All the latest gigs and where to find them

    Jan 28: Rick Payne, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester; Stone Farm, Drummonds Bar, New Street, Worcester; And What Will Be Left Of Them? Marr's Bar, Worcester, Jan 29: Inside Out Duo, Barbourne Ex-Services, Worcester; Letz Zep, Swan Theatre, Worcester; Ian Parker

  • Classy and easy listening music at a venue near you

    Jan 22: Forces Sweethearts, Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. Box office: 01905 611427. Jan 27: All That Jazz, Swan Theatre, Worcester. Box office: 01905 611427. Jan 28: Paul Lewis, pianist, at Spadesbourne Hall, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove. For further details

  • A series of unfortunate events

    MALVERN Cinema is screening Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (PG) for a week from tonight (Friday, January 28). The adaptation of the children's classic stars Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep, Jude Law and Billy Connelly. It is showing daily at

  • Documentary film show

    Film documentary Winged Migration (U) shows at The Roses, Tewkesbury, on Tuesday, February 1. The film, shot over three years, follows the migratory habits of hundreds of different birds. It shows at 11am and 7.45pm. Action adventure After the Sunset

  • What's on

    Theatre January Until 28-Frankenstein the Pantomime performed by Dymock Amateur Dramatic Society at Dymock Parish Hall. 7.30pm. £5 adults, £3 children from (01531) 890778. Until 29-The Dresser by Ronald Harwood at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres