IT was never going to be a quick fix. Pulling the beleaguered Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust up from where it is currently mired - rated as inadequate - will not happen overnight. Few would argue with that but there will be some sinking
WORCESTERSHIRE Health and Care Trust said “high demand for beds” is to blame for its failure to reach targets on sending mental health patients out of the county. The trust’s annual report for 2018 shows 11 patients were subjected to ‘inappropriate
Spring is in the air. Time to dig out last year’s summer wardrobe. Does it fit? Typically most of us gain a little weight over the winter and it’s undoubtedly cheaper to shed those extra pounds than to buy new clothes. So, it’s off to the gym –
I’m terrible at meeting new people. I get nervous, and when I get nervous I try to be funny, which is not always a good idea. I am aware that my sense of humour can be a bit.. you know… Marmite. So I’m not that keen on socially challenging situations
A LORRY was “lucky” not to roll over after coming off the M5 and crashing into a field. The Morgan McLernon lorry came off the M5 northbound between junctions 8 and 7 on Wednesday morning, with Highways England made aware at 6.23am. A spokesman
THE county's MPs have welcomed a plan to invest more than £5 million in a new IT project for hospitals across Worcestershire. The extra funding, confirmed by Health Secretary Matthew Hancock, means the hospital trust can now move ahead with plans
A CRICKETER accused of committing rape during a sexual conquest "game" had slept with 20 women during a similar competition a year earlier, a court has heard. Former Worcestershire all-rounder Alex Hepburn denies raping a woman who claims he began
A WORCESTER bowel cancer survivor has spoken out to urge anyone concerned with having the disease to “just go and get themselves checked”. Barbara Moss, who was diagnosed in 2006, was given just three months to live, said: “I really thought that
THE Swan Theatre Amateur Company (STACS) will be presenting Alan Ayckbourn's "Woman in Mind (December Bee) from April 16 to April 20 at the Vesta Tilley Studio, The Swan Theatre, Worcester. A spokesman said: "The comic poet of middle-class life,
PRANKSTER Riki Wessels hopes to be a calming influence in Worcestershire’s dressing room — even if he does like to throw in the odd bit of chaos. The 33-year-old winter recruit from Nottinghamshire is happy to provide New Road with a sensible head
GEORGE Rhodes made sizeable contributions as Worcestershire Rapids defeated Royals in the traditional early-season game involving seconds and academy players at Kidderminster. The all-rounder top-scored with 97 as Rapids totalled 275-9 in their
CENTRE-BACK Gavin Podmore went between the sticks to help leaders Worcester Raiders claim a 0-0 draw at third-placed Sikh Hunters in West Midlands League Division One. In a game of few chances the hosts struck the bar when Raiders goalkeeper Lewis
ALEX Gidman says Worcestershire are “confident and looking forward” to the new season in the Specsavers County Championship. The County have completed their 12 days of build-up cricket — five in Abu Dhabi and seven in this country — ahead of Thursday
BOSS Alan Solomons says he has “no problem” throwing young lock Andrew Kitchener into the front line as Worcester Warriors fight for survival in the Gallagher Premiership. Struggling Warriors could be without Michael Fatialofa (back), Anton Bresler
The ongoing political and economic uncertainty is now becoming a real challenge for many businesses in the UK, with the latest Government figures showing that productivity is falling. In fact it has done so for two successive quarters. Our own Small
PUPILS at Bowbrook House Prep School have entertained a packed audience at St Peter’s Baptist Church in Worcester. Youngsters had three days to learn seven songs, accompanied by some very funky moves; record a CD and take part in a live performance
WORCESTER cut loose at Weston's Fields with an 11-try 67-14 thrashing of Moseley Oak in the penultimate game of the Midlands One West season. Dave Serafini struck four times and Chris Griffiths and Sam Harper both crossed twice as the hosts piled
THE new chief executive of the county’s hospitals has vowed to take hard line on expensive agency staff as he battles to pull the troubled trust out of special measures. Matthew Hopkins, who took over the role of chief executive of Worcestershire
A GROUP of Midlands businesses that have found export success overseas have been recognised as Export Champions by the Department for International Trade. The 56 leading exporters have been selected by DIT for their approach to growing their businesses
A SCHOOL in Worcester is celebrating after receiving the news that they have been given a prestigious award. Oasis Academy Warndon has been given the ‘Investors in Diversity for Schools Award’ by the National Centre for Diversity in recognition
KAZOKU-KAN Judo Club's Liam Jones won the national title at the British Schools Adaptive Championships in Sheffield. Jones claimed the gold medal while representing the Droitwich club with Corey Chapman securing silver in his second major competition
WORCESTER Hockey Club women’s seconds were confirmed as Worcestershire League Division One champions on goal difference despite losing 2-1 at second-placed Bromsgrove firsts. The city side’s keeper Liz Furber and her defence kept the score level
THERE are doubts over the fitness of a number of Worcester Warriors’ stars ahead of Saturday’s clash with Sale Sharks at Sixways (3pm). Wingers Josh Adams (leg) and Bryce Heem (foot), locks Michael Fatialofa (back), Anton Bresler (calf) and Pierce
YOUNGSTERS from schools across the city have taken part in an anti-bullying training session run by a charity set up after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. Pupils from years three to six, from Norton Juxta Kempsey CE First School, Claines
TWO men accused of being armed with a knife and a cricket bat have denied affray and weapons offences. Tommy Jauncey and Scott Fewtrell of Worcester denied the offences when they appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday. Jauncey, aged 22,
SIR – A lot of anger has been expressed recently about the delays to the work at the M5 Junction 6, but six months will soon pass. Let us not forget that the real travesty regarding our roads is how the original Carrington Bridge route was allowed
CITY MP Robin Walker has warned no deal has not gone away, as the Prime Minister heads off to ask the European Union for a Brexit extension. The default legal position is the UK will leave at 11pm on Friday but Prime Minister Theresa May is urging
A PETROL station manager has spoken of the 'terrible' impact of people who drive off without paying for fuel - as police say they are launching a new scheme to combat the problem. Sibe Batham, manager at a BP petrol station in Whittington Road,
A FIREFIGHTER from Worcester is retiring after 30 years saving lives across the county. During 30 years as a firefighter with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Rob Barr has experienced a huge variety of different roles. The 50
THERE was traffic chaos on the A38 in Droitwich yesterday as work started to improve a dangerous junction off a new estate. Motorists were caught up in tailbacks reaching back at least a mile from the Pulley Lane junction through Martin Hussingtree
A LONG-STANDING Tory councillor has criticised UKIP’s attempts to take a parish council by force, causing the first election in its history. Alongside the city council election, an election will also be held next month to re-select all nine members
DRUGS conspirators who trafficked up to £73,000 of heroin and cocaine into Malvern are behind bars after dealing to undercover police officers. Gang 'commander' Nicholas Ward, his‘right-hand man’ Aleksander Savcuks and 'runners' Anthony Clarke,
A RESIDENT is worried about an estate management company hiking the cost of an annual maintenance fee that homeowners are forced to pay. County councillor Tony Miller previously claimed that some residents at Cherry Tree Park, in Bevere, near Worcester
PARENTS say they are struggling to pay for uniforms after a series of schools changed their outfits. One Worcester mum said she was frustrated because of the cost of the uniform at her son's city school. City councillor Richard Udall says the
THE outdated laws of this country on divorce are finally been scrapped and it seems madness to me it has taken this long. It is absolutely pathetic the law that one spouse has to allege adultery or unreasonable behaviour by the other for divorce
THE new chief executive of the county's hospitals wants the trust out of special measures and into a 'good' rating within the next five years. Matthew Hopkins, who was appointed the new chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
With this year's RHS Malvern Spring Festival fast approaching, today's picture comes from May 1997, when it was the plain old Malvern Spring Gardening Show, and shows Chris Rodway, of Caves Folly Nurseries, putting the finishing touches to the summer
CAPTAIN Gerrit-Jan van Velze is set to be back for Gallagher Premiership strugglers Worcester Warriors’ final three fixtures of the season. Warriors who are three points above the drop zone have been without van Velze for almost two months after
