Worcester News, Worcester Sport, Worcester Leisure - From The Worcester News

Worcestershire | Archive | 2003 | December

Stories for 12 December 2003

Leisure

POPULAR pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk will come to Cheltenham next week. The Bacon Theatre, in Dean Close School, will be staging the production by Chaplins Pantos on Monday (December 15). The show starts at 2pm and tickets cost £5. To book, call 01242 258002. more...

Film is climax of Ring cycle

The fellowship prepares to battle for Middle Earth as Frodo and Sam continue their quest in the finale to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. more...

Hall plays host to the swinging Barber sound

THE Big Chris Barber Band will be providing the music at the Huntingdon Hall in Worcester tomorrow (Satur-day). more...

Monkey business

ROCK band Monkey Boy will headline at the Arts Workshop in Worcester tomorrow (Saturday). more...

Haunting refrain to raise the roof

A Christmas refrain from 16th Century Coventry will haunt St Katherine's Hall as the Ledbury Choral Society performs its annual carol concert. more...

Bar is host to punk and funk

Punk rock band the Blind Grannies will kick off the week's events at the Marrs Bar in Worcester. more...

Flatworld music shows its roots

A taste of Eastern Europe will be brought to the Arthouse Café Bar at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall this evening (Friday). more...

Concert by candle-light

Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra will perform a seasonal programme by candle-light tomorrow (Saturday), including include pieces by Boyce, Sutherland, Warlock, Corelli and Haydn. Principle clarinettist Verity Butler will also perform a new work, written especially for her. The evening will begin at 7.30pm at St Andrew's Church, Montpellier, Cheltenham. Tickets range from £20 to £8 (£5 for students) on 01242 227979. more...

ESO in a glowing tribute to Handel

THE ESO is to embark on its traditional Christmas performances of Handel's Messiah. more...

Seasonal songs

DEC Verse and friends will perform seasonal music and readings at Whitbourne village hall tonight (December 12). Tickets are £6, include a mince pie and a glass of wine and proceeds will go to Whitbourne Hall conservation trust. Contact Liz Cousins on 01886 821197. more...

Dick Whittington n Review: Swan Theatres

IMMEDIATELY the show started, enthusiastic children in the audience were engaged in repartee with the pantomime cast. more...

Dec Verse n Review: All Saints' Church, Worcester

THIS Worceter Concert Club performance by two trebles, a soprano, counter-tenor, tenor and baritone began with sacred music and readings. more...

Time and the Conways n Review: Malvern Theatres

TIME and the Conways is both an exploration of the effects of time and a deeply compelling play about family relationships. more...

Aldwyn Voices n Review: Tewkesbury Abbey

The Aldwyn Voices' Sequence of Music & Literature for Christmas, with James Vivian conducting, was a choice selection. more...

Historian uncovers past of a medieval landmark

Ledbury historian Joe Hillaby has turned to some of the town's most notable buildings for his latest book. more...

Cardiff is target for club outing

DANCE fans will be departing Malvern for a coach trip to a club night featuring homegrown talent in Cardiff. more...

Pastels go on display in latest theatre exhibition

More than 40 works by members of the Birmingham Pastel Society are on display at the Malvern Theatres. more...

Rail is on line

A COMPREHENSIVE history of the impact of Herefordshire's railways is now available on the web. Historic Herefordshire Online has published excerpts from historical documents to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the railways in the county. The site is run by the Herefordshire Council's Herefordshire Sites and Monuments Record and can be accessed at www.smr.herefordshire.gov.uk. more...

Opera in shot

PHOTOGRAPHS depicting the ancient art of Chinese opera go on display in Hereford today (Friday). more...

Art show gets a response

A range of ideal Christmas gifts was on display at the Barry Jackson Room, Grange Road, from Friday to Sunday. more...

On the decks

DJ collective P-Nut Butter Funk will be at the Great Malvern Club, Church Street tomorrow (Saturday). DJs Ad Lib, Ape 11 and Dave Cool will play `a selection of funk, soul and Afro-beats' from 9pm. Tickets are £3.50. more...

Youngsters add drama to the Christmas story

Children at a host of schools donned their costumes and took to the stage to present their own versions of the nativity. more...

St Trinian's among influences on Alan

JAZZ musician turned painter Alan King will be exhibiting his work at Malvern's Lyttelton House Gallery from tomorrow (December 13). more...

Work of fantasy

AN exhibition by a Worcester artist opened in the city's Bevere Vivis Gallery on Saturday. The Fantasy World of Gary Walton contains a selection of paintings and prints including The Occupations, a work inspired by houses and shops. The exhibition runs until December 24. more...

Travel inspires abstract art

A LEDBURY hairdresser, who has travelled all over the world is staging an exhibition of paintings at a Bishop's Frome gallery. more...

Taking a fresh look at town

THE origin of Tewkesbury's name is one of many points explored in a new edition of a book about the Gloucestershire town. more...

Solstice dance

An evening of psychedelic dance music takes place at the Great Malvern Club. more...

Make your pulse race to the music

FUNKY DJ, Lisa Lashes will be playing her own uplifting blend of tough Euro house when she headlines at Worcester's Pulse night. more...

Sting spreading happiness

INTERNATIONAL superstar Sting will be returning to Birmingham's NEC on Wednesday, May 12 with a brand new concert as part of his Sacred Love Tour 2004. more...

Versatile Two Timers has double the talent

THE last thing you would expect from a song about death is for it to be a happy number, but listening to the music of Two Timers may change your mind. more...

News

Made in Malvern, but sights set on the USA

THE Duke of York began his day in the county with a visit to the Morgan Motor Company, Malvern. more...

Duke shows his grasp of business at buffet

THE Duke of York is very well-informed when it comes to business matters. more...

Machines that make things from jewellery to jet engines

The Duke of York was treated to a slice of "Mazak World" as he toured the county yesterday wearing his trade representative hat. more...

Echoes from the Past

100 years ago more...

Fall danger fails to halt flats plan for elderly

Fall danger fails to halt flats plan for elderly more...

Respect paid to soldier of empire

THE death notice of an old soldier of the British Empire appeared in the Malvern News a 100 years ago. more...

Paying the price of Kidder downgrade

IN an article in the Evening News (Saturday, November 29) we read of ambulance crews "missing targets" and of emergency patients being treated by paramedics because A&E could not accept them. Obviously the two are connected. more...

Maybe she should challenge her MP on voting record

WHO does Helen Donovan think she is kidding? (Evening News, Monday, November 24). more...

Nothing could be worse

SORRY Reg Price, but we have moved on since the Conservatives were in power. Michael Howard seems straightforward to me and no government could be worse that the one we have at present. more...

Surely an earth bund would have sufficed?

I READ the Evening News (Wednesday, December 3) regarding the flood barrier with interest but was shocked that £600,000 had been spent on it. more...

Hare-brained

REGARDING the proposal for creating a bus lane in Newtown Road, Worcester, as someone who daily uses the road, I must say what a hare-brained idea this is. more...

Doctors and nurses did a great job

AS a patient in the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital, I enjoyed the best of treatment, care and consideration. more...

BOSBURY

BOSBURY Players' production of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers was very well received last week. It had a good review in this newspaper and was enjoyed by about 400 people over the four nights. Friday and Saturday nights were particularly popular and many of you were disappointed not to be able to see it on the last two nights, but for Linda Sinker, the producer, the "sold out" signs were confirmation of the Players' increasing reputation for providing excellent family entertainment. The next production is undecided as yet but could be Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience. Robert Hood-Wright, Bosbury Players chairman, thanks everybody who contributed to the very successful show. more...

Fizz lost in house move

A tortoiseshell cat has gone missing from an address in Moat Way, Malvern. more...

Creative opportunity

ARTISTIC youngsters could win a special present from Lapland if they enter a competition being run by a Malvern business. more...

Pensioners tuck in

CHELSEA Pensioners will be celebrating Christmas by tucking into cheeses made in Worcestershire. more...

Caroline squares up to sitting MP

BUSINESSWOMAN Caroline Williams has been selected to fight the Leominster seat for the Liberal Democrats at the next General Election. more...

Bazaar boosts hospice

FUNDRAISERS enjoyed a successful Christmas bazaar in aid of St Michael's Hospice on Saturday. more...

Fair is a record-breaker

A CHRISTMAS fair at Cradley's Royal British Legion Club raised a record-breaking amount for the village hall, which was damaged by fire at the end of September. more...

Opinion

IN the run up to Christmas senior council leaders are falling over themselves to promise the early present of lower Council Tax rises next year. more...

Plans for playground

Autistic children at Codding-ton Court School, near Ledbury, are hoping to benefit from plans to improve playground facilities. more...

Action demanded on speeding cars

SPEEDING problems in Welland are to be addressed at a meeting in the New Year. more...

Residents meet to oppose mast

FEARS that a phone mast may be erected in Upper Welland brought more than 80 people to a meeting on Monday night. more...

Music exam success for Gill

A MALVERN woman has passed her Grade VIII piano exam - 50 years after she last took one. more...

Look at universe is a prize-winner

A Malvern Girls' College pupil was the winner of a major science award. more...

Mobile camera slows speeders

A MOBILE speed camera set up in Great Malvern has resulted in a big cut in the number of drivers caught going too fast. more...

Understanding Islam

THE Lyttelton Well, in Church Street, Malvern, will host a course on understanding Islam on January 17 and 31. The course, mainly aimed at Christians, will be led by Dr Chris Hewer, advisor on inter-faith relations to the Bishop of Birmingham. For details ring 01562 823265. more...

Flat scheme is on the agenda

COUNCILLORS are to consider an application to convert a Malvern property into five apartments next week. more...

Crash mystery

POLICE are appealing for information after a Rover 620 ended up on its side in a field off the Storridge to Cowleigh Road at around 1am on Tuesday morning. more...

Two dangerous crossings

Are Network Rail only going to consider one of the Jamaica Road rail crossings but not the other? more...

Lions' Santa sleigh returns to bring festive jollity

AS Christmas approaches, a familiar sight is preparing to take to the Streets of Malvern. more...

Not guilty of snobbery

AS the fellow councillor who seconded Roger Hall-Jones's proposal to refuse Millers Tyres' first planning application, I do take exception to David Cunliffe's accusation of snobbery (Your Letters, Nov-ember 21). more...

New tree is memorial to wartime sacrifice

A NEW tree in memory of Malvern's wartime dead was planted in Link Top on Monday. more...

The wrong place

WHILE I applaud the efforts of Mrs Davy and the Malvern Access Group to create a sensory garden, I feel the site chosen in Victoria Park is not the most suitable. more...

Only for under 25s

MALVERN'S family planning clinic will not take people over 25 years old in the new year. more...

Walk in my shoes

IT was extremely disappointing to discover that from the time I went to college last week till the time I went to college this week, the bus shelter seats in Graham Road had been altered from high and unfixed to low and fixed. Who decided they should be altered? more...

House plan to be discussed

AN application to build a bungalow in Malvern Link could be approved on Wednesday. more...

Not encouraging

I WRITE with regard to the on-going correspondence in your pages on the new bus stop in Church Street. more...

A valid protest

I WAS sad to read that Chris Ridler (Your Letters, November 28) thinks that 40 million animals killed every year for the fur trade is petty. more...

Indebted to you

MAY I say a very big thank-you to Malvern Social Services and the physiotherapy department, in particular, for the months of dedicated care they have given me following a very damaging fall I had in mid-June. Following an operation, nine days in hospital and some weeks in a wheelchair, their professional skills and encouragement have enabled me to gradually get back to walking again. more...

Home halted

PLANS for a new detached house in Leigh Sinton have been refused. more...

Unjust system

HAVING been on holiday, I have only recently seen Adrian Hardman's letter (November 14) on what to do about the inequitable council tax. more...

Following up bright ideas

IDEAS for improving Malvern were put forward at a conference in the town by members of the Vision 21 scheme. more...

Someone knows

SOMEONE who walks their dog down Campion Drive is allowing it to mess on the pavement. Anyone who walks a dog on a lead knows when it stops to do its business, so come on, doggie walker, take a bag with you and pick it up! more...

Late-night bus just the ticket

AN innovative late-night bus service between Ledbury and Malvern has had a successful first month. more...

Children enjoy outdoor learning

Children from Hampton Pre-Prep School are enjoying the great outdoors thanks to a new `outdoor classroom' scheme. more...

Hard to believe

AS I came down through Ledbury this morning and saw the beautiful Leadon Valley spread out before me backed by the orchards and woodland of Wall Hills, it seemed impossible to believe that within the next few months, this view will also include the garish green façade of a Homebase store. more...

New building plan up for approval

Planners are being asked to approve an application by Millers Tyre Services to replace its existing building in Edith Walk, Malvern. more...

Some feather!

YOU cannot believe the admiration I have for Pettifer Estates associate director Mr. Andrew Stanley; clearly he has our well-being in mind when he claims (Ledbury Reporter, November 28) that a Homebase store is a "feather in the cap" for Ledbury and a "real boost for tourism". DIY tourism? more...

WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is planning a further rise in Council Tax but says it will not be as b

WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is planning a further rise in Council Tax but says it will not be as big as in previous years. more...

Times are not changing for the better

WE are sponsors of Newtown Sports under-nine football team and after several requests from our grandson, who plays for them, we went down to Lower Howsell Playing Field on Sunday, December 7, to watch them play. more...

An early present

THE Borrowers Toy Library in Malvern was this week celebrating the arrival of an early Christmas present. more...

An option of last resort

ON November 27 I decided to use public transport to visit Worcester Fayre. more...

School takes on new name

POOLBROOK Primary School hopes to make a fresh start by changing its name to Malvern Hills Primary School. more...

Inviting dismissal

ILL-informed letters from those who live well away from the Showground invite dismissal. more...

Dyson Perrins prize winners

Foundation Prizes more...

A dead end

I have read with great interest the matter of Great Malvern cemetery. more...

Thanks to all

I WOULD like to thank all those who contributed and supported the joint URC Angel Fayre, held at the Malvern Link URC Hall last Saturday, December 6. more...

Head recalls best parts of school year

THE highlights of the year for Dyson Perrins CE High School were recounted by headmaster Peter Buchanan at the annual prizegiving ceremony on Friday. more...

In the right spirit

Congratulations and thanks to the members of Malvern College involved in the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols performed this Monday evening. They provided the perfect traditional start to the Christmas celebrations. The choir sang with purity matched by the gusto of the congregation. more...

Rail passengers are up in arms

SUPPORT is growing for a campaign to improve train services in the area organised by a Malvern rail passenger. more...

Lorry slashed in raid

BABY products and women's sanitary products were stolen when the sides of a lorry were slashed at Upton this week. more...

Riverside hotel has new licensees

Regulars at the Swan Hotel in Upton can expect to see a greater variety of food on the menu under its new management. more...

Santa flies in for visit

A SANTA wearing sunglasses arrived by helicopter to wish everyone at Leigh Sinton Farm a `cool Yule'. more...

Youngsters to put on sparkling show

youngsters will be dressing up in tinsel and bells for the Peppercorns' Christmas production. more...

Armed raiders hit supermarket

TWO thieves stole £400 from a Malvern supermarket after threatening a cashier with a knife. more...

Pupils box clever

Pupils at Upton-Upon-Severn CE Primary School have been helping children less fortunate than themselves by putting together special Christmas boxes. more...

Priest's is role made official

Father Dominic Round has been officially inducted as parish priest for St Joseph's Church, Upton, with Our Lady and St Alfonsus, Blackmore Park. more...

Snowy scene wins prize

STAFF at the Gas Appliance Showroom in Worcester Road, Malvern, were basking in the glow of success this week. more...

Improving field

OPEN ground in Longdon is in the process of being enhanced by the parish council. The field, in Bear Lane, was bought for use as a cemetery when the existing one becomes full. However, it is currently used by local children as a playing field. more...

£3m trials to test drug carry system

A MALVERN company will shortly begin trials of a new system of delivering cancer drugs that could reduce some of the unpleasant side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. more...

Plea for help

VOLUNTEERS are needed for two regular events taking place in Longdon. more...

Christmas lights budget to be halved

MALVERN Town Council is planning to cut spending on Christmas lights next year to help lower its tax demand. more...

Boat speeds up rescue response

A NEW rescue boat that will allow a faster response to emergency calls has been launched by the Upton branch of the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA). more...

MP asks about hospital

SIR Michael Spicer has asked the government when building work will start on Malvern's new hospital at Seaford Court. more...

Arrest made

A MAN was arrested in Court Street, Upton, last Friday at around 11.20pm on suspicion of using threatening words and behaviour. He was warned and released. more...

New sides for shelter

SIDES will be fitted to the bus shelter in Church Street, Malvern, in the new year. more...

Council heads off criticism

MALVERN Hills District Council is taking action to head off criticism that it is forcing elderly and disabled people to carry heavy bin bags to the front of their properties for collection. more...

Duke takes time out to understand businesses

DURING his tour, the Duke of York took time to find out more about the two Malvern companies he visited from the staff themselves. more...

Andrew charms staff at Morgan

MORGAN Motor Company was given a personal good luck message by Prince Andrew during his tour of the firm's works yesterday (Thursday). more...

Shopping around for history

AN exhibition charting the history of Stourport shops since the 19th century is on display at the town's library until June 14. more...

Vince takes over shop

AN Old Street shop that has been empty since August has been taken over by an existing Upton business. more...

Fiasco of planning system?

THE latest chapter in the Christopher Whitehead High School chronicles is published today. more...

CASTLEMORTON

LAST Sunday evening Malvern College Chamber Choir joined the congregation of St Gregory's for an evensong service with music and readings for Advent. Thank you to director Mr Sloan and the students for this enjoyable occasion. more...

COLWALL

CHRISTMAS fling in aid of Cradley's new school fund will take place at Colwall Village Hall tonight (Friday, December 12) at 8pm. Please bring your own food and drinks. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be on sale, but no bar. Tickets cost £5 from John Goodwin Estate Agents on 01684 540300. more...

LONGDON

ON Tuesday, December 9, Longdon Leapfrogs Playgroup, together with the reception class from Longdon St Mary's School, came to St Mary's Church for their annual Christmas service. Some simple Christmas songs were sung, accompanied by Edward Lane on the piano, with the children playing their own musical instruments. The Christmas story was told, illustrated by pictures, and the children received a small Christmas treat at the end. more...

PAUNTLEY

THE service at St John the Evangelist Church, Pauntley, on Sunday, December 7, was parish communion conducted by the rector, Reverend Pat Phillips. She took as her subject John the Baptist. The readings were by Mr Eric Solesbury and the sidesman was Mrs Jane Bristow. The rector lit the second of the Advent candles. Mrs Anne Solesbury was ready to play the organ but unfortunately there was a power cut so the singing was unaccompanied. Power was restored only after the service had ended. more...

REDMARLEY

TRIBUTE was paid to a long-serving committee member of over 30 years on the resignation of Mrs Molly Barratt at the annual general meeting of Redmarley Village Hall when she was thanked for all her years of service and support as an active member of the committee. more...

UPLEADON

ON Saturday, December 6, a very enjoyable super was held in Upleadon Village Hall. The hall had been superbly decorated for the festive season. The supper tables all had festive arrangements on them. Christmas crackers were much in evidence. Guests sat down to a selection of hot casseroles accompanied by vegetables. There followed a variety of puddings, cheese and biscuits. Wine and soft drinks were served with the meal. To end there was coffee and mince pies. Complimentary comments are circulating such as "It was a very good evening indeed" and "It was a great success". Mr Ross Woolfrey, village hall chairman, thanked all who had helped in any way with the evening. Proceeds are for hall funds. more...

West Malvern

Singers sought! Basses from Blackheath Way, baritones from Brockhill Road, tenors from The Dingle. As the augmented church choir practices for the annual Carols By Candlelight service at St James's a week on Sunday (December 21), an appeal has gone out for anyone, especially men, who would like to swell the choir for this special community occasion. The next rehearsal (in the church) will be tomorrow (Dec 12) from 7.30pm to 9.15pm, with another at the same time next Friday, December 19, plus a final session on the afternoon of the December 21 between 2pm and 3.30 pm. Potential Pavarottis and budding Bryn Terfels, come forth, and get in touch with organist and choirmaster John Raine on 01684 565052. West Malvern needs you! more...

Vandals target festive lights

VANDALS have also attacked the Christmas tree at the centre of Bewdley's festive decorations in what organisers called an act of "deliberate sabotage." more...

Judge praises whistleblower

A "WHISTLEBLOWER" who reported the destruction of protected birds' nests at the Hereford quarry where he worked has been praised by a judge. more...

It's hoe-hoe-hoe for Christmas

Sweeping changes have been made at Worcester Parks Department! more...

Lawyer's deep sense of shame

A RESPECTED solicitor "went to bits" after his wife died from cancer and his professional partner was diagnosed with having the same disease, a tribunal heard. more...

Fiona's big chance to dance with her Indian prince

AN Evesham woman plucked from obscurity to dance in a Punjabi pop video has vowed to return to India despite the culture shock of her first visit. more...

A wet spell, but water stocks low

PEOPLE have been warned not to waste water as reservoir levels have become dangerously low. more...

Christmas comes but twice a year!

A DASH of sparkle has been added to a children's Christmas party, thanks to an unexpected gift. more...

War cartoonist to be honoured on battlefield

A RENOWNED county war cartoonist, dubbed "The Man Who Won the War" will be honoured on a Belgian battlefield tomorrow. more...

Terry in farming hot seat

A DAIRY farmer whose land borders the M5 motorway is the new NFU county chairman for Worcestershire. more...

Harman in support for drug scheme

A CAMPAIGN to warn teenagers they are dicing with death if they take drugs has won the backing of Solicitor General Harriet Harman. more...

Step into a new world

THE Fantasy World of Gary Walton is an exhibition of trains and boats taken from the artist's imagination. more...

Long wait for call on school's future

PARENTS and teachers at a Worcester school are becoming frustrated waiting for a Government verdict on its future. more...

Nurse's date with adventure

A DISTRICT nurse has raised £2,500 for Acorns Children's Hospice and is now preparing for an Amazon adventure. more...

I never took part in three-in-a-bed session with a schoolgirl, claims sex case woman

A MARRIED woman denounced as "false" an allegation she took part in a three-in-a-bed session with her lover and a schoolgirl. more...

Flushed with success

THE Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings has been chosen as Worcestershire's family attraction of the year. more...

Waving a WAND on poverty trap

CHILDREN have become the focus of a regeneration programme on a Droitwich estate with the official opening of a new nursery. more...

School treats elderly to party medley

OLDER people in Droitwich donned their party hats yesterday, and enjoyed a real festive knees-up, thanks to the generosity of local school children. more...

Charity day in memory of Kyle

A DISCO and non-uniform day will take place today to help raise funds for a skateboard park in memory of teenager who died from a rare leukaemia strain. more...

Indecent images found on computer

A MAN has admitted possessing pornographic images of children. more...

It's a litter fun in the woods!

VISITORS to a city beauty spot saw the devastating effects of litter on wildlife in black and white with the help of a sketch performed by people with learning difficulties. more...

`Everybody wants post office to stay'

A PENSIONER'S crusade to save a post office in his Worcester neighbourhood is gathering pace. more...

Transport problem for bridge of size

TAKING a large model of a bridge by train to London is the latest challenge facing a group of young engineers after they impressed judges in a national competition. more...

Brown's lifeline for council tax

WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has been thrown an extra £4.5m which could stave off big council tax increases. more...

Prince Andrew praises county businesses

PRINCE Andrew flew the flag for British industry when he visited three Worcestershire factories. more...

Cat flap kids on rampage

TWO toddlers sparked mayhem after breaking into a Droitwich house through a cat-flap for a three-hour spree which sparked a police helicopter search. more...