A FUND-raising concert which is being held in memory of a popular singer, musician and teacher is a very great honour, say members of her family. Friends and colleagues packed into Worcester Cathedral to say farewell to Barbara Williams, of Rushwick
MORE than 1,400 people have signed a Save Our Car Park petition to stop pay-and-display charges being introduced in Upton-upon-Severn. Traders fear the introduction of anything but a “nominal” charge for using the Old Street car park would stop
A LEAD statue discovered hidden among bushes in a Worcestershire garden could make more than £10,000 when it comes under the hammer next month. It is the work of Swiss sculptor Louis Weingartner, who moved to Bromsgrove in 1904 and became chief
HEALTH experts are backing a fizzy drinks tax and a ban on pre-watershed junk food adverts to tackle the county’s ‘obesity epidemic. The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, which represents UK doctors, called this month for unhealthy food and drink
BOOSTED by the Worcester News 100 in 100 initiative, which aimed to have 100 Worcestershire companies taking on apprentices in 100 days, the county soared ahead of regional percentages for new apprentices last year. Figures reveal there were 5,670
AN elderly man with dementia who went missing from his home earlier today has been found safe and well. Joseph Lilley, aged 76, of Heron Close, off Bromwich Road, Worcester, has been returned to his family. There was concern for his welfare
The lover of a Herefordshire undertaker accused of murder has told a jury she thought his wife had left him because she had found out about their relationship. Alison Dearden said the disappearance of Alethea Taylor cast "a black cloud" over her
A councillor is calling for a pedestrian crossing so pensioners can get across a “dangerous” road safely. Coun Richard Udall, who represents St John’s, Worcester, conducted his own survey of 250 elderly residents at the end of January and found
WEST Mercia Police has made an appeal to trace an elderly man with dementia who has gone missing in Worcester. Joseph Lilly, aged 76, of Heron Close, off Bromwich Road, went missing from his home at about 1pm today and has not been seen since.
FIREFIGHTERS have tackled a small fire in a fast food restaurant this afternoon. Two crews attended the incident at the McDonald's restaurant in Malvern Retail Park, Townsend Way at about 4.25pm to deal with a fire behind a deep fat fryer.
PEOPLE are being encouraged to sign up to a new scheme that could save them money on energy bills. The scheme, which is offered by the company ichoosr, is a collective energy switching initiative and is open to people regardless of where they live
THE owner of a county hotel and golf course says its future is secure after new financial backers were found. Richard Bailey took over the Bank House at Bransford, near Worcester, last summer, promising a fresh start for the venue after it suffered
ALMOST 90 per cent of people cannot name their police and crime commissioner, according to a damning new survey today. The 41 new commissioners are paid up to £100,000 a year to head up the police force. Among their powers is hiring and firing
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have reported an incident of racial abuse to police after claims striker Amari Morgan-Smith was targeted by the away support. The 23-year-old, on loan from Macclesfield Town, alleged on Twitter that he had been subject to
LOCAL band Done by Sunrise will play the biggest gig of their music career when they support Girls Aloud at the LG Arena tomorrow night. The indie-pop three-piece from St John’s in Worcester is comprised of Howland siblings, Loren, aged
A MAN has been charged with committing a serious knife assault in a pub last year. Pierre O’Shaughnessy, aged 31 of no fixed address, was charged by West Mercia Police with grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an incident at Chancers
SIR – Many people were disappointed that the name of the “new” Diglis Bridge did not acknowledge the staunch work of the man who pushed it through. Now we have another opportunity. I see that this worthy public servant is tireless in his campaigning
PLANS to transform a business site into a residential development will be discussed this week. The owners of Malvern Gates Business Park, off Bromwich Road, Lower Wick, Worcester, are proposing to transform the former headquarters of Severn Trent
ONE of Worcester’s newest buildings is well on course to attracting one million visitors ahead of its first anniversary. The Hive has welcomed 600,000 people through its doors in Sawmill Walk, the Butts, in just 224 days after seeing nearly 84,000
WORCESTER City manager Carl Heeley believes his team can take immense credit from their performance against Guiseley. Despite last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at St George’s Lane, in which the Yorkshiremen snatched victory in the 87th minute, Heeley
SIR – There is much talk about whether we should or should not leave the EU. Many people seem to think that we would sink without trace economically if we left. I think that if the Government gave us an incentive to buy British goods
SEX establishments are being charged almost £4,000 if they want to open a new shop in Worcester – leading to criticism that council chiefs are taking a “moral” view. The city council has published a raft of licensing fees for 2013/14, revealing
THE sight of Danny Glover lying face down in the St George’s Lane turf following Guiseley’s winning goal just about said it all for Worcester City. For 87 minutes, City had strained every sinew in pushing one of the league’s best sides all the
SIR – Rubber bands discarded by postal persons are not just unsightly but are also a hazard to wildlife. There have been many reported cases of hedgehogs suffering injuries after getting caught up in them, possibly after mistaking them for a tasty
TWO brothers in their 30s behaved “like 14-year-olds” when they beat up a man in an argument over a woman. James Dunkley met Mark Harrison in the Doverdale pub, Droitwich, on the evening of May 27 last year, Worcester Crown Court was told.
NETWORK Rail and one of its signalman have been found guilty of breaching the Health and Safety Act after a train crashed into a car causing the death of its passenger. Signalman Adrian Maund, aged 42, and Network Rail were found guilty today at
SIR – I am always happy to debate political issues with representatives of other political parties but I do expect them to do so courteously and with a respect for the facts. Can I therefore invite Carl Humphries of UKIP to withdraw the allegation
AN unusual trio playing a curious mix of original songs and awry covers can be caught next week. The Players, who are Ed Steele-Fox on drums and percussion, Phil Keys on electric bass guitar and lead guitar and Paul Jeffery on acoustic finger-style
FIIVE teens have been arrested on suspcion of murder following the death of a man yesterday. The males, three aged 17, one aged 16 and one 18-year-old are in custody following the death of a 50-year-old man who was attacked in Sillins Avenue,
SIR – So West Mercia Police chief constable David Shaw has announced that as well as a dozen or so police stations closing across the force area, the number of local policing teams will almost halve from 145 to 82 (Worcester News, February 22).
A SCHEME is to be trialled in Worcestershire aimed at filling hundreds of vacant jobs in the farming industry with local people. Positions in production horticulture and agriculture have been typically taken by international workers, but all that
IT doesn’t rain, but it pours and Richard Hill seems to have a hole in his umbrella at the moment. The luckless Warriors head coach was spitting feathers after the television match official awarded a controversial penalty try to hand Gloucester
SIR – Film on ITV1 – Pretty young woman: “I am Church of England.” Old Roman Catholic nun: “In other words, you don’t believe in anything much.” GEORGE COWLEY Worcester
SIR – The lead-up to Valentine’s Day was an exciting time. Lots of people, young and old, will have started up new romances and many of these will lead to sexual relationships. For those who think about the potential unintended consequences
MOTORISTS are reporting delays of up to 20 minutes due to road works coming into Worcester. Drivers are experiencing delays this morning coming from Hallow into the city. More to follow
SIR – Pope Benedict XVI has had the sense to tender his resignation despite a 600- year-old tradition that he should continue till death. Our Queen Elizabeth II has loyally served her subjects since 1952 in a system which also expects her to continue
OLD St Bartholomew’s Church at Lower Sapey is a simple sandstone building of enormous charm, tucked away in a peaceful valley to the south-west of Clifton upon Teme. Externally, St Bartholomew’s has survived almost unchanged for 1,000 years, apart
LOSING your beloved horse is something any animal lover dreads. However, a unique scheme means that nobody will ever have to face the situation alone thanks to a new initiative launched by the British Horse Society (BHS). More than 100 volunteer
I HAVE to admit it, I love formal gardens, those with a definite structure, sense of purpose and everything in its place. Clipped box hedges, strong geometry using evergreens shaped carefully into balls and pyramids, evenly spaced in uniform lines
AS the cold snap continues, it’s important to stay warm and well, particularly for older people and those who spend all day at home. People with heart or respiratory (breathing) problems may also have worse symptoms during a cold spell and for
KARA Tointon’s star is rising. The actress, who found fame in EastEnders, can justifiably be happy about a storming debut in the West End as Eliza Dolittle in Pygmalion and acclaim for her role in The Sweeney, the movie remake of the 1970s police series
CLOSE-harmonies will be served up by some of the Midlands’ leading acoustic musicians who create their own sound. Mumbo-Jumbo is and eclectic, semi-acoustic piano-led outfit and they return to Ledbury's Market Theatre on Friday, March 1. Having
MANAGER Carl Heeley said he felt like Worcester City had been ‘mugged’ following their 1-0 home defeat to Guiseley. James Walshaw’s strike three minutes from time proved decisive as City lost for the third game running to leave them still without
THE sight of Danny Glover lying face down in the St George’s Lane turf following Guiseley’s winning goal just about said it all for Worcester City. For 87 minutes, City had strained every sinew in pushing one of the league’s best sides all the
A BRAVE baby boy who died after he was born with half a heart has inspired his parents to help save the lives of other children. Baby Theo George Rachel, of Worcester, described as “a little warrior” by his dad, was just three months old when he
