Stories for 20 January 2006
Leisure
Theatre January more...
ACTOR Ian Richardson plays an eccentric millionaire deceived by a charming young man in The Creeper, a psychological thriller coming to Malvern Theatres. more...
A HEREFORD actress is set to return close to home when she performs in an Oscar Wilde masterpiece at Worcester's Swan Theatre. more...
A CHARITY concert to help Worcestershire's wildlife will take place at Powick Village Hall on Saturday, January 28. more...
FOLLOWING a sell-out visit in September 2002, the international smash hit musical Blood Brothers is returning to Malvern on Monday. more...
Malvern Cinema: The Libertine (18) 7.30pm, Sat, Sun & Thurs mats 4pm. more...
TONIGHT more...
TALENTED young musicians from across the Midlands will be competing at St James's School, West Malvern, on Saturday, January 28. more...
THE renowned Feinstein Ensemble is performing at Malvern Concert Club's first event of the year on Thursday, January 26. more...
Worcester Gilbert and Sullivan Society has been rehearsing twice as hard as usual for its latest production. more...
A MALVERN ballerina is currently in China with the Northern Ballet Theatre. more...
KIPLING'S classic story The Jungle Book, performed by the Malvern Theatre Players, was an enjoyable post-Christmas production aimed at family audiences. more...
MUSIC lovers will soon be able to sup a pint while listening to the strains of the acoustic guitar as a Worcester pub throws open its doors to musicians. more...
FORMER Verve front-man Richard Ashcroft is set to call in on the region this spring as part of a UK tour. more...
ONE OF Britain's hotly-tipped bands for 2006 will be hoping to turn up the heat in Worcester when they put in a support slot at one of the city's venues this month. more...
Well, I'm back from sunny climes of Australia. more...
RATS, mice, wizards and lizards are all set to appear in Bromyard's annual pantomime when it kicks off later this month. more...
News
THE success of Malvern College's radical alternative to A-levels has led to plans for a £20m expansion. more...
A LEADING campaigner for Fathers4Justice in Worcester has expressed his sadness that the fathers' rights group has been disbanded. more...
A CHAMPION cat born and raised in Worcester will meet his adoring fans tomorrow. more...
SHOCKED councillors cannot believe a pub with "horrific" noise levels managed to extend its opening hours after they refused its initial application. more...
THREE companies trying to make their mark in international sport are representing Tenbury Wells in this year's Winter Olympics in Turin. more...
DROITWICH Land Rover is throwing its support behind Worcester Warriors Rugby Club's Community Development Programme for a further three years with the provision of a new vehicle, reinforcing its commitment to rugby at both a national and international level. more...
KIDDERMINSTER'S economy has been dealt a new blow with the closure of a shoe shop that has been trading in the town for more than a decade. more...
rivers who deliver fuel to Tesco forecourts are to stage a two-day strike in a row over jobs, it was announced today. more...
WORCESTERSHIRE MP Peter Luff has launched an independent inquiry into the Government's role in the collapse of MG Rover. more...
Head of steam - the Kidderminster to Bridgenorth train approaching Areley. more...
SIR - Paul Denham recently wrote about the effect of local planning decisions on the plight of the homeless in Worcester. We should be under no illusions, because the sobering reality suggests the 1,000-strong waiting list is the tip of the iceberg. more...
SIR - Philip Bushill-Matthews writes "Blair signed up to a deal that confirmed there would be no change to the CAP until 2013 at the earliest" (Worcester News, January 5). Is Mr Bushill-Matthews telling us that we cannot believe a word Mr Blair says? I am not surprised we were stitched up years ago. Isn't the entire history of "Europe" one of stitching up the British people into deals, done in the dingy cellars of so-called European democracy? As far as I am concerned, failed President Blair and his Iraqi albatross have been here far too long for the good that they do and should go. But they won't. We will continue to be mislead, misinformed, hoodwinked and lied to by this appalling Labour administration, who have no electoral right to be in power. more...
SIR - The hunting with dogs Act has not set about to ban hunting, only to stop hounds chasing its quarry to death. This is entirely why support for the hunts have increased. When the debate was being discussed horse riders said they were not following the hunt to see a kill. It was only to have a free ride of their horses around the countryside. more...
SIR - Is there no level to which Worcester MP Mike Foster is not prepared to sink? In his recent rant, he blames teachers for not stretching the gifted and able pupils enough. more...
SIR - No matter how much people try to define and defend their support for bloodsports, there is no animal welfare in shooting and wounding game birds or chasing a nocturnal animal, such as a fox, on horseback with hounds to exhaustion for sport. more...
SIR - Closing the mental health hostel at 2 Stanley Road is part of a relentless drive to save public money. more...
SIR - We are told that council tax is to increase by 10 per cent, so why have we just had delivered, by hand, a glossy leaflet telling us of the joys and benefits of walking round Worcester? For this the council have had to pay for design, photography, printing, delivery and recycling - since most of them will go straight into the bin. more...
The Victorian Society has joined the fight to protect Stanbrook Abbey from damaging residential development. more...
ONE of the most successful high-tech spin-offs from QinetiQ is launching a spin-off of its own. more...
A MALVERN resident is leading the battle to save a "little oasis" from the type of development he feels is destroying the town. more...
TWO lifelong friends have been rewarded after clocking up more than 100 years of service with the Royal British Legion. more...
DRIVERS using the M50 face delays due to roadworks. more...
MALVERN'S only nightclub has closed its doors, blaming new licensing laws and a poor Saturday night turnout. more...
EVER since the last donkey retired, Malvern has puzzled over the problem of how to link its greatest tourism asset, the hills, to the town centre, and now Malvern Hills Conservators have come up with a really simple solution. more...
A MENTAL health charity and a housing association have joined forces to provide new housing in Malvern. more...
MALVERN College this week unveiled a £20 million expansion plan. more...
A PETITION of more than 1,000 signatures protesting against the closure of Bromyard Ambulance Station has been handed to the NHS. more...
Christ Church in Wellington Heath was packed yesterday (Thursday) for the funeral of popular fruit farmer and author, Allen Leeds. more...
Sixty per cent of children left local schools with at least five GCSE's at A-C, according to new Government league tables. more...
AN elderly woman watched in horror as her beloved terrier was savaged by another dog. more...
A NEW planning application has been made for a key site in Malvern Link. more...
GANGS of children armed with airguns are terrorising shoppers at Malvern Retail Park. more...
HUNDREDS of people around this country have recently saved my life, writes Lindsay Holder. more...
ON behalf of the committee of the Friends of the English Symphony Orchestra, I would like to thank everyone who supported our fundraising concert, The Maestros' Choice, at The Forum on Friday, January 6. more...
A PRE-school struggling against planning regulations to build its own facilities was offered a lifeline this week. more...
I would like to appeal to the better nature of the young people who socialise in Malverns' pubs and clubs, and in particular the people who walk home along the Worcester Road in the early hours of the morning. more...
TWO large advertising boards at North Site will have to be taken down after a retrospective planning application was refused. more...
I WAS surprised by your claim that Malvern Rugby Football Club is Malvern's biggest sports club (Malvern Gazette, December 30) and wonder on what basis this claim is made. more...
MALVERN Civic Society has hit out at plans for a new £6.5 million district council headquarters in the town. more...
Although I no longer live in Malvern, I have visited frequently over many years to see my mum, Marjorie Chater-Hughes, who sadly died on January 6. I felt I really had to write, as I have been reading so many critical letters about Worcestershire Royal Hospital. more...
Kwik Save supermarket in Malvern Link will close on Monday, February 23, leaving 30 staff without jobs. more...
I NOTED the small article on QinetiQ on page three last week. more...
FURTHER to my letter of December 18 last and Coun Raine's comments the following week regarding rubbish bags; you will be pleased to hear - as I am - that this matter has been satisfactory concluded. more...
MALVERN Civic Society has hit out at plans for a new £6.5 million district council headquarters in the town. more...
I EXPECT Malvern will get a new council palace before a hospital - by the way, what colour bags should we use for rubbish councillors? more...
VISITORS to Malvern could be transported from the town centre to St Ann's Well in a tractor-pulled land train, if a proposal by Malvern Hills Conservators goes ahead. more...
I would like to try to explain why the proposed redevelopment of one of the council's existing sites is in the financial interests of Council Tax-payers. more...
What a brilliant idea to install a portable skate ramp in the Priory more...
FREE property marking stickers will be available at a crime reduction day at Upton Police Station on Saturday, January 28, from 10am to 4pm. Beat manager PC Mark Taylor has organised the event, where crime prevention information will also be available. more...
Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Saturday) for the Pepperpot Players' pantomime Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood. Performances take place at the Memorial Hall from Tuesday to Saturday, February 14 to 18. Tickets will be on sale at P S Presents in Old Street, priced £4.50-£5, depending on performance. more...
A series of family games afternoons will be held at Upton Library until the end of March. This follows a successful one-off event on Saturday, January 7, to celebrate the library's extended opening hours. more...
A PLAN to create new industrial units in Upton, has been submitted to Malvern Hills District Council. more...
THE history and restoration of Croome Park is the subject of an Upton Garden Club talk at the Memorial Hall on Thursday, January 26, at 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome. Admission is free. more...
A KEEN Upton gardener will be getting a helping hand with his plants this year... from worms. more...
MALVERN Hills District Council was spared a vote of no confidence from Upton town council after a clerical mix-up saw the item omitted from a council meeting agenda. more...
UPTON'S Memorial Hall could be used as a cinema in the future. more...
IT hasn't taken long for the new licensing laws to degenerate into farce. The test of any new legislation is always its potential for loopholes - and you could drive a brewer's dray through the particular chasm we have in mind. more...
THERE will be a jumble sale to raise funds for Pendock Playgroup at Berrow/Pendock Village Hall on Saturday, January 28 from 2pm. Please bring any items along on Saturday morning. Details from Judi Dallimore on (01531) 650258. more...
THE Parochial Church Council meets on February 2 at 7.30pm at Berrow vicarage. more...
A VARIED programme of fundraising for the parish hall refurbishment is planned over the coming weeks, including 3hird Wheel Theatre Company's Changed Priorities. A hapless but ambitious town planner arrives in sleepy Noware full of zeal and soon gets his plans under way. A fast-paced anarchic comedy as three actors create a village of characters driven round the bend by road signs, double yellow lines and bureaucracy! Tickets from (01531) 640415 or available on the door. The only performance is on Tuesday, February 7 at 7.30pm. more...
ON Sunday, there will be a Churches Together in Colwall covenant service at Colwall Village Hall at 6.30pm. more...
FANCY leaving the cold, wet Wells for the sunny shores of Monaco for a few hours? Let your imagination take you there, courtesy of The Revellers who have organised another of their popular casino evenings. It is at the village hall at 7.30pm on Saturday, February 4. The charge is £6 per person to include a bucks fizz reception and light supper. Call Pat O'Malley on (01684) 575682 or Brian Davies on (01684) 569776 for tickets by Wednesday, February 1. more...
LAST Thursday, 25 members of Powick Parish Ramblers (including some visitors and four dogs) met at Leigh Sinton Garden Centre for a two-and-a-half hour walk. The route included a stretch of the Worcestershire Way and passed through part of Norbury's apple orchards and skirted the foothills of Storridge Common, with views across the Severn Valley. Thanks to Joy and Phil Bunyan for leading the walk. more...
DUE to transport problems, some members were unable to attend Staunton and District Over 60s Club's first meeting of the new year but John Southall was there. more...
NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch has been alerted by the police to a gang who are targeting the villages around Ledbury and breaking into cars parked in driveways in a search for GPS navigation equipment - so do take extra care over the security of vehicles. more...
Some of the brightest young classical musicians in the Midlands will be performing in West Malvern next week -- and local residents will be able to hear them free of charge. more...
THE new community gym at Worcester's YMCA held two open days to show people the facilities on offer. more...
THE husband of a woman who had to lie on the ground in freezing conditions for three-quarters of an hour after her car hit black ice is advising people to carry foil survival blankets in their cars. more...
A TRIO of promising students from Pershore have been offered the chance to visit the White House in America, but only if they can find more than £1,000 in sponsorship. more...
A COUNTY teacher will be swapping the classroom for a wrestling ring when he competes to become a tag champion next month. more...
MALVERN is set to be in full bloom this summer as it prepares for a national flower competition. more...
ELDERLY and disabled people in Worcester sheltered housing are planning to question the board of their housing association about a new warden scheme. more...
A LANDLORD in Droitwich is celebrating after real ale enthusiasts named his hostelry pub of the season. more...
THERE are just three more hurdles to jump before work can start on the new Droitwich Lido after an ambitious revamp was given the green light by an influential council committee. more...
A NEW fund-raiser has been appointed to boost the coffers of the county British Red Cross. more...
A TASTE of the orient came to Powick when a pair of traditional giant Chinese dancing lions marked the opening of a new restaurant. more...
Sport
RANGERS made the long journey to Stafford on Saturday seeking revenge for the 4-2 West Midlands division one defeat inflicted on them at the beginning of September. more...
MALVERN Town Reserves travelled to Brereton last weekend and found a small pitch with a considerable slope, which proved to be a great advantage for the home side. more...
LANGLAND Stadium visitors Leamington are by far the best supported team in the Harvey World Travel Midland Alliance but their fans were silenced on Tuesday as Town romped to a 4-1 victory. more...
LIVEWIRE Mark Danks is poised to receive a dream debut tomorrow as Worcester City chase much-needed Nationwide North points. more...
YOUNG Worcester City striker James Smith is to sign for Bromsgrove Rovers. more...
TOMORROW (Saturday), Harvey World Travel Midland Alliance leaders Malvern Town are away at mid-table Oldbury United (3pm). more...
MALVERN U12s Vipers took on this game at short notice, facing their visitors for the first time at this level. more...
AFTER several weeks of enforced inactivity, Malvern's second XV got back on track with a home fixture against local rivals Tewkesbury. more...
COLWALL Cricket Club has finalised many of the details for its match against the Lashings World XI on Friday, July 28. more...
MALVERN Town won their 18th league game to extend their lead at the top of the Midland Alliance to six points with a game in hand over second-placed Romulus. more...
LATE changes forced fairly major last minute changes to the Malvern line-up for this North Midlands Cup quarter-final. more...
MALVERN Rugby Club return to Midlands West Two action tomorrow (Saturday) with a visit to Stafford (2.15pm). more...
MALVERN'S Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Liam Killeen continued his preparations for this year's games with a silver medal in the British National Cyclo Cross Championships. more...
LANGLAND Stadium visitors Leamington are by far the best supported team in the Harvey World Travel Midland Alliance but their fans were silenced on Tuesday as Town romped to a 4-1 victory. more...
NEW Harriers signing Jonny Harkness is set to fit straight in at left-back for tomorrow's Conference visit of Scarborough (3pm). more...
MALVERN RFC more...
WORCESTERSHIRE have been boosted by the news that Zimbabwe Cricket has decided to withdraw from all of its Test match commitments during 2006. more...
SATURDAY more...
JOHN Garrad won division one of the Sapey Golf Club January midweek medal more...
A NEW Jeet Kune Do Concepts beginners' class takes place on Wednesday at the Wyche Institute, Old Wyche Road, Malvern Wells from 8.15pm. more...
SUNDAY saw the running of Malvern cycling club VC Sevale's reliability ride which attracted 57 riders. more...
MALVERN Ladies returned to their winning ways despite fielding only ten players. more...
MALVERN started the new year with a home game against Chaddesley Corbett. more...
IN a hard-fought match played in a good spirit, Colwall Women's Hockey Club drew with second-placed Yate and South Gloucester to maintain their position at the top of Severn division one. more...
MALVERN played against St Johns/Droitwich in the Worcester County Chess League and lost a close match by 3.5 points to 2.5 more...
THE first event in the Malvern and District Orienteers' Mini-League took place on Castlemorton Common on Saturday and was a great success. more...
THE draw for the second round of the Malvern Table Tennis League handicap competition has taken place. more...
IN an exact reversal of their first match of the Brewin Dolphin Malvern Table Tennis division three season, Crackpots B suffered their first defeat at the hands of CSSC Nomads. more...
ROY Rencher admits he felt "sick" after losing key players as Stourport Swifts fight for Southern League Division One West survival. more...
PAUL West is hoping Evesham United's lionheart performance at Grantham Town will breathe fresh life into the club's league campaign. more...
NEW Harriers signing Jonny Harkness is set to fit straight in at left-back for tomorrow's Conference visit of Scarborough (3pm). more...
JOHN Trewick is delighted to see Hereford United goal-getter Adam Stansfield in blistering form. more...
LIVEWIRE Mark Danks is poised to receive a dream debut tomorrow as Worcester City chase much-needed Nationwide North points. more...
YOUNG Worcester City striker James Smith is to sign for Bromsgrove Rovers. more...
DROITWICH'S John Bickerton made a solid start to the inaugural Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, carding a level par round of 72. more...
WORCESTERSHIRE have been boosted by the news that Zimbabwe Cricket has decided to withdraw from all of its Test match commitments during 2006. more...
ANCHOR Falcons turned in one of their worst performances of the season on Sunday when they were well beaten by Perowne Park Rangers at Pitchcroft. more...
WEST Malvern travelled to VBL Sports, who are top of the Worcester Saturday League division one, and their dismal run continued when they were beaten 4-0. more...
THERE was plenty of good news for Worcester fans this week after the announcement of the various international squads for the forthcoming Six Nations matches. more...
AFTER an encouraging draw away to Old Griffinians the previous week, the leaders of Upton's parallel league north, the team faced Ross-on-Wye, another unbeaten team at the top of their league. more...
MALVERN Town U16s played Littleton Juniors U16s in this exciting Mercian Festival Junior League fixture at Victoria Park. more...
SWIFTS U14s first game after the Christmas break saw them take on bottom side Orleton and cruise to a comfortable victory. more...
WITH Radar languishing near the foot of the table and Claines near the top, this was a fine win for the home side even though the visitors were not at full strength. more...
HAVING performed poorly against Tolladine in the previous league meeting, Powick began this Worcester Saturday League premier division game in determined manner and matched the physical approach of their opponents. more...
POWICK were disappointing in the first half of this Worcester Sunday League division one game and failed to make much impact. more...
SUNDAY saw thesoccersite.co.uk Malvern League leaders Bell Inn 98 consolidate their position when they entertained bottom-of-the-table Keys Victoria and took the points with a comfortable 14-0 victory. more...
