A PENSIONER'S childhood dream to reach the magnetic North Pole has been ended by gruelling Arctic conditions and equipment failure. Former Worcester man David Vale, 65, cut short his 350-mile attempt after being hampered by a series of setbacks including
KEMPSEY Parish Council has managed to keep its bank balance healthy despite the pressures of anti-social behaviour and the catastrophic floods. The financial report was discussed at this week's annual parish meeting at the community centre, Main Road
TALENTED young cricketers are being given the chance to showcase their ability in an exciting new Worcester News competition. We have teamed up with Fearnley Factory Shop to launch the search for a young cricketer of the month. Throughout the cricket
A STUDENT is to spend six weeks making a difference in Rwanda. Rebekah Wood, 18, will spend her summer in the African country as part of the Transform programme, run by Christian relief and development charity Tearfund. The Worcester Sixth Form student
ALL the latest results from the Worcester and District Women's League. Division One: Rising Stars 356 (1) (K Smith 38, D Suthard 34, I Ritchie 34 (12), Flintstones 386 (10) (J Smith 36, L White 35); Poppies 340 (1) (P Price 34, J Taylor, P Lloyd 31),
CHRIS Horsman is set to make his long-awaited return to the gold n' blue of the Warriors in Saturday's Guinness Premiership clash at Bristol (3pm). The tight-head has suffered terrible luck with injuries over the past two seasons but is in line for a
THERE will be more chances during the cricket season to help raise money for local clubs and the Acorns Children's Hospice in Worcester. Ray Julian has again compiled a series of matches at a handful of clubs during 2008, starting on Sunday, May 25,
A MAN stole a £300 mobile phone after finding it in the back of a taxi. Daniel Gurney, of Deacle Place, Evesham, claimed he found the phone on the floor and did not know, when he took it on Tuesday, April 15, that it belonged to the taxi driver. At
WORCESTER Warriors are planning to announce what their ticket allocation for the European Challenge Cup final will be tomorrow. The Sixways side had hoped to reveal how many tickets they will have for the final against Bath, which will take place at
GIANT lock Tim Collier has been recalled from his loan spell at Launceston to cover for Greg Rawlinson, who is doubtful for Saturday's trip down the M5 to Bristol. With Rawlinson struggling with soft tissue damage, Collier could take a place on the bench
THE ninth season of the Worcestershire Sunday Club League starts this weekend. Astwood Bank and Barnt Green have brought the total of clubs involved to 22. The Fearnley Factory Shop are also backing the competition, which aims to help teams develop
MALVERN'S annual celebration of its springs and wells is all set to be the most spectacular event ever staged in the town. Some new features are being included in the well-dressing weekend this year and a record number of entries - 32 - have already
IT would be easy to jump to conclusions as scene one unfolds - street girl and cab driver, grubby exploitative sex and nothing more. The next two settings appear to reinforce the victim theme, loveless liaisons that depress rather than titillate. David
ROSIE Thomas is among the entries at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials which runs from tomorrow until Sunday. Tenbury Wells-based Thomas, 27, makes her debut at the famous event near Bristol, riding her own 14-year-old chestnut Barry's Best
WORCESTERSHIRE director of cricket Steve Rhodes was very close to naming Simon Jones in the team to play against Northamptonshire. The Welshman has been out since the opening day of the season with a neck injury and the New Road chief said the 29-year-old
A FORMER Worcester schoolgirl killed during a freak accident in New Zealand was a "bright, clever and intelligent" woman. Emily Jordan became trapped between rocks and drowned while "riverboarding" in the Kawarau River Gorge near Queenstown on New Zealand's
VERSATILE Gavin Hurren's three-year stay at Kidderminster Harriers has come to an end after he was released by the Blue Square Premier club. The 22-year-old former Nottingham Forest player made 101 appearances for the club since joining in the summer
SPEED hill climb action returns to the Shelsley Walsh course for the Bank Holiday weekend. The two-day meeting is a round of the UK Changes Midland Hill Climb, the Richard Egger Insurance/HSA Speed and the Porsche Club Speed Championships. There will
ELDERLY people in Worcester will have to pay double for their hot meals because of county council cuts. The service for elderly people in sheltered accommodation across Worcestershire will be axed from June 30 this year. Worcester Community Housing,
TEAMS are being invited to join the King's School Worcester Summer Netball League. The competition begins on Thursday, May 8, at the school and runs for eight weeks. There will be a women's league with matches starting at 6.15pm and a mixed competition
FLASH flooding has hit many parts of Worcester during today, with more rain and hail expected overnight. Firefighters were called to Timberdine Close residential home at 12.30pm after reports of storm water edging close to the buildings following heavy
Check out the latest travel news before you head home. Click here for latest travel news
OLD Elizabethans cruised to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Birmingham League Division One side Halesowen at the Memorial Ground in their final warm-up game. The hosts won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first on a pitch that looked like
KIDDERMINSTER Victoria made the Williamson Trophy semi-finals with a six-wicket win over newly-promoted Wolverhampton. The sides meet again on Saturday in the Birmingham League Premier Division opener. Arfan Khan's good opening spell gave KVCC a good
FANCY yourself as a Sudoku wizard or a crossword king? Maybe you're a traditional gamer with a thirst for Battleships or Minesweeper. Or maybe you prefer platform games, shoot-em-ups or puzzles. Whatever it is you need to fill a few spare minutes in
BIRLINGHAM got their Worcestershire League Division Three campaign off to a perfect start with a 24-point, 80-run win at home to Hagley. Asked to bat first, they struggled before the middle order took control with the returning Gavin Spares striking
FORMER teachers of a 21-year-old Worcester tourist who died while taking part in an extreme sport in New Zealand have paid tribute to a young woman who "relished challenges". Emily Jordan became trapped between rocks and drowned while "riverboarding"
SATURDAY BIRMINGHAM PREMIER CRICKET LEAGUE FIRST XI (1pm) Premier Division: Wolverhampton v Kidderminster Victoria. Division One: Dorridge v Bromsgrove. Division Two: Evesham v St George's; Old Elizabethans v Newport; Ombersley v Water Orton.
RAIL lines between Hereford and Worcester have re-opened. The track was closed in th early hours after an engineering train came off the track at Malvern Wells. The Tamper - which was not carrying passengers - came to a halt at about 12.25am, causing
OLD Vigornians lost in their final friendly to Alveley before the Worcestershire League Division Four season starts. The Worcester visitors opened poorly after being put into bat in overcast conditions. With the ball seaming, turning and bouncing, Nick
SATURDAY KIDDERMINSTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier Division: Millfields v Ounsdale Athletic. SUNDAY WORCESTER LEAGUE Katherine Rayer cup final (at Worcester City FC, kick-off 7pm): Martley Spurs v Perrywood (P Tyler). Premier Division: Kempsey
Arboretum A1 - The Magdalene Room, St.George's Square A2 - St Mary's Church Hall, Northfield Street A3 - Portakabin in the car park of The Goodrest Inn, Barker St. /Gillam St A4 - Sharman Close Club room, Somers Road Battenhall B1 - Redhill
ANTIQUE heirlooms and treasures are hard to come by at your average car boot. Then again, the country house car boot sale and fun day being held at Madresfield Court, Malvern, is not your run-of-the-mill clear out. On Sunday, May, 18 the Worcestershire
THIS afternoon's meeting at Worcester has been given a tentative go-ahead following an inspection. Clerk of the course Fergus Cameron assessed conditions with a number of trainers and jockeys after the course was hit with a deluge of rain. Cameron was
TAXPAYERS keen to keep tabs on how Worcestershire's local authorities are spending their cash could be interested in a new campaign group. The county is getting its first TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) branch following a successful activists' meeting at Fownes
BRITISH Airways has reiterated its support for an heroic pilot who helped avoid a disaster when his jet crash-landed at Heathrow. We reported yesterday how Captain Peter Burkill, who was in charge of the BA flight which crashed in January, had not flown
TWO fire crews are pumping water from a Worcester school and residential home, that were flooded last summer. Firefighters were called to Timberdine Close at 12.30pm today after reports of water edging close to the buildings following heavy rain. Alec
Highways Agency is advising motorists to expect delays on the M42 between junctions 1 and 2 following a road traffic incident at approximately 11.40am. A HGV has overturned and has come to rest on the barrier, closing the fast lane in both directions
A FORMER pupil of King's School, Worcester, will take time out from his rugby career to return to the school and open its Bank Holiday fete next week. Luke Narraway, of Gloucester Rugby Club and England, played for England as back row forward in the
SIR - I have just witnessed a young lady from the university drive into the back of my car while she was trying to park outside our house. When I remonstrated with her, she smiled and said: "Well, I didn't do it on purpose" before driving away! MITCH
HADLEY Jean Jo and Dave would like to thank the Friends and Family of Jean for their kind thoughts, cards and messages of sympathy and support, following their sad loss. Thank you to all those who attended Jean's funeral and gave flowers and donations
BOSWELL Melvin Mel Enid and Angela would like to express sincere thanks to everyone for their kind support following their sad loss. Thank you to all who attended the service, and for the kind donations. Special thanks to Reverend Clare Griffiths, F W
BOWSER Rene Passed away peacefully at home on April 28th, 2008, aged 88 years. Beloved wife of Jack. She will be sadly missed by all her Family and Friends. Funeral service will take place at Worcester Crematorium on Thursday, May 1st, at 3.30 p.m. Family
LEWIS Winifred Win Peacefully at The Lawns Nursing Home, Kempsey on April 27th, 2008, aged 98 years. Much loved and missed by all her Family and Friends. Funeral service at St. Mary's Church, Kempsey, on Tuesday, May 6th, at 2.00 p.m. followed by interment
GUNNELL Anne Passed away peacefully at home on April 24th, aged 62 years. A loving sister, auntie and a friend to many. Funeral service will take place at Worcester Crematorium on Tuesday, May 6th 2008 at 2.30 p.m. No flowers please by request, but donations
KITSON John Val Kathleen would like to thank Family and Friends for their cards, messages and donations received, following her recent loss. Thank you to Everyone who attended the funeral and to Reverend M Nott for the lovely service. Also toE J Gumery
PADLEY John Sydney On April 22nd 2008 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, aged 65. Beloved husband of Meg, loving father of Philippa and Bridget, and devoted grandfather of Auryn, Lukas and Anaya. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Acorns
HOWARD DAVIES Madge Peacefully in hospital on April 24th 2008, aged 95 years. Wife of the late George and dearly loved mother of Megan and Lynn and of the late Tudor. Also a much loved grandmother and great grandmother. Requiem Mass will take place at
JOHNSON Darren Diz Of Malvern. On April 23rd, 2008, suddenly aged 27 years. Much loved dad to Cameron, beloved son to Ann and Ken and brother to Chris and Emma. Funeral service at Worcester Crematorium on Wednesday, May 7th, at 10.30 a.m. Family flowers
HUGHES Gerald Gerry Passed away peacefully in hospital on April 25th, 2008, aged 78 years. Beloved husband of Dorothy, a much loved father to Andrew and Keith, father in law to Sarah and Julie and a loving grandad to Ellen, David, Samantha, Vicky and
DUKE Rose Ellen Formerly of Claines. Passed peacefully away in hospital on April 26th, 2008, aged 89 years. Beloved wife of the late Walter. Much loved mother of Shirley, Bobby, Margaret, Joan, Jennifer, Anthony and sons in law and daughters in law. A
SMITH Iris In loving memory of my darling wife, passed away April 30th, 2004.The more time goes by the more I miss you. Love forever Patrick. xxx Published in paper 30/04/2008
PRICE Christopher John Remembering a much loved husband and dad who passed away two years ago today. Always missed, never forgotten.Memories are our comfort. Val, Linda, Teresa and Families. xxx Published in paper 30/04/2008
HARTSHORE Zach April 3rd, 2007. April 30th, 2007. Our beautiful grandson and nephew, so greatly missed. Here for a short time, Then gone in a kiss, Was an angel needed in heaven that day. Never forgotten. Remembered forever. Nan, Grandad, Nathan and Laura
WORCESTERSHIRE hospitals are still failing to meet A&E waiting time targets, which could endanger a bid for foundation trust status. The Government says 98 per cent of all A&E patients should be seen, treated, admitted or discharged in four hours. The
SIMON Jones once again missed out on his return to Worcestershire as his neck injury kept him out of the LVCC Division Two match at Northamptonshire. The Welshman suffered a whiplash type injury when trying to avoid a short ball from Warwickshire's Neil
In at the Deep End A comedy by Derek Benfield Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Wednesday, April, 28 - Saturday, May 31 Gerald, a building contractor, in search of peace and tranquillity decides to take a break at a health farm. Unfortunately his daughter
SIR - I read that people have been up in arms about the fly-tipping at Warndon. It's not only Warndon, but the whole country is getting scruffier with litter strewn all over the place. We should really go back to the weekly bins collection but the councillors
WORCESTER Sixth Form College could cater for an extra 500 pupils if ambitious expansion plans get the go-ahead. The college is currently putting together designs for a new modern block and a remodelling of its existing building - set to cost tens of
A JUNIOR five-a-side tournament takes place at Kidderminster Harriers' Aggborough Stadium this weekend. Teams at under nines, 10s, 11s and 12s level can take part in the event on Sunday. Matches kick-off at 10am for under nines and 10s, while under
A WORCESTER woman has died while taking part in an extreme sport in New Zealand. Twenty-one-year Emily Jordan became trapped between rocks and drowned while "riverboarding" - riding a body board on fast-flowing rapids. She died in the Kawarau River
Today's local and national news headlines are read by Kathryn Organ and Danielle Cave from Elgar Technology College, Worcester
A FORMER headteacher was celebrating his 103rd birthday today. Richard Clay marked the occasion with a small pre-lunch drinks party for friends at the Rashwood Care Home in Wychbold, near Droitwich, where he lives. Mr Clay, was born in 1905 in Hallow
SIR - I had a crashing fall from my bike in Offerton Lane by the canal on Wednesday, April 23. As I am a disabled person, I found myself completely unable to move. I was so fortunate to have five good samaritans come to my aid. I cannot speak highly
PERSHORE B' need two frames in their last game of the season to be sure of the SEC Worcester Snooker League title. But that is only needed if Hallow take all five frames against St Stephens E'. The Division Two champions are Droitwich B'. DIVISION
THEY are among the most hated people in society. But how do the clampers feel? We spoke to an employee of Midland Parking Contracts (MPC) as he clamped a car on private land just off Hylton Road. He agreed to be interviewed, but refused to give his name
THE boss of a clamping firm that illegally clamped cars in Worcester and then blackmailed the drivers into handing over cash is facing jail. Rebecca Meakin, aged 27, of Rowencroft Immobilisers, was found guilty at Stafford Crown Court this week of conspiracy
LAWS which allow cowboy clampers to inflict misery on the lives of Worcester drivers WILL be changed, the city's MP has revealed. Worcester's Labour MP Mike Foster told your Worcester News he has secured a Home Office pledge that the rules surrounding
SIR - Bob Churchill writes (Worcester News, April 8) on how little people today care about Christianity. Christianity, Bob, is about love - are you saying that today people no longer love their immediate kin and neighbours? Our whole British culture
ST Stephen's B' defeated their A' side 4-0 in the final match of the season to clinch their first William Hill Worcester Billiards League title. The Painter Trophy for topping the statistics has been won by the donor, Mick Painter, who played 14 matches
SIR - S W Clayton (Peddling myths over post offices', Worcester News, April 23) recycles the same story covered in these same columns a year ago, that "Brussels" is in some way responsible for the closure of UK post offices. If this were the case,
A FORMER pupil of King's School, Worcester, will take time out from his rugby career to return to the school and open its Bank Holiday fete next week. Luke Narraway, of Gloucester Rugby Club and England, played for England as back row forward in the
A WORCESTER butcher shop is celebrating after getting top marks in a health inspection. H Dayus Family Butchers, in St John's, Worcester, is the only butchers in the city so far to receive a five-star rating in Worcester City Council's scores-on-the-doors
HOME births are becoming more popular among expectant mothers - and one mum who had both her children at home swears by them. Helen Hunt gave birth to Oliver and Daisy in the comfort of her own Worcester home and would do the same again if she fell
WORCESTER Sixth Form College could cater for an extra 500 pupils if ambitious expansion plans get the go-ahead. The college is currently putting together designs for a new modern block and a remodelling of its existing building - set to cost tens of
SIR - I hear a national daily newspaper is reporting that Birmingham wants another 100,000 immigrants to move there to boost the city's economy and that Peter Luff feels we need more immigrants to work on our local farms. There is a growing divide in
SIR - With reference to J Green's letter (Worcester News, April 21) I appreciate his support for the Government's policy but can only emphasise that the actions of this government is making all of us far poorer. Its abolition of the 10p tax rate makes
WHEN the country was crippled by the fuel protests of 2000, the average price of a litre of unleaded petrol was about 77p. Last night, prices per litre at the pumps in Worcestershire were as high as £1.14 for unleaded and £1.24 for diesel. For those
THE University of Worcester hosts the finals of School Sport Partnership Basketball for Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Year 10 pupils from North Bromsgrove High School, Blessed Edwards, The Chase and Wolverley High have all won their leagues. They
WHEN a shadow cabinet minister visited Worcester University recently he was suitably impressed with a scale model of the city's new campus. But few could have guessed that the small table-top model cost £16,000 to produce. The University of Worcester
Check out the latest travel news before you head out to work. Click here for latest travel news
WORCESTERSHIRE chief executive Mark Newton believes that an English Premier League Twenty20 tournament should not be made up of city-based franchises. A staunch supporter of the fast and furious format of the game, Newton feels that a league containing
A WORCESTERSHIRE MP has furiously denied claims made in Parliament by a Government minister that he wants immigration rules "relaxed" to help county farmers. MId-Worcestershire's Conservative MP Peter Luff has written an angry letter to Liam Byrne, the
PARISH councillors have agreed to "press the button" and write to Worcestershire County Council over a long-running pedestrian crossings saga. St Peter's Parish Council members will send the letter following drawn-out proposals to build crossings near
WORCESTERSHIRE'S presentation and communication specialist drpgroup won gold at the International Visual Communications Association gala awards ceremony at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The event celebrated the year's finest achievements in the corporate
A WORCESTER butcher shop is celebrating after getting top marks in a health inspection. H Dayus Family Butchers, in St John's, Worcester, is the only butchers in the city so far to receive a five star rating in Worcester City Council's scores-on-the-doors
SHADOW environment minister Peter Ainsworth visited Upton-upon-Severn to find out what measures are being taken to protect the town against flooding. He was shown around New Street, where many buildings are still uninhabited after July's flooding, and
