Stories for 3 October 2006

Acorns

Mum’s sky-high help for hospice

PLUCKY mum Debra Dallimore conquered her fear of heights to leap from 12,000 feet and raise £2,000 to support the Acorns Children's Hospice.  more...

Business

Jenny is outstanding employee of the year

WORCESTER Racecourse hospitality manager Jenny Cheshire was first past the post in a major awards competition.  more...

James is on hand to help with land sale

THERE'S a new face in the Worcester office of the estate agents Knight Frank.  more...

Cinema

Learning to cope with life

DRIVING Lessons (15), starring Julie Walters, is showing at Malvern Theatres from today (Friday) to Wednesday, October 4.  more...

Memoirs of a Geisha

THE Oscar winning film Memoirs of a Geisha (12A) shows at Ledbury's Market Theatre on Wednesday, October 11, at 10.30am.   more...

Education

How to change your child’s bad behaviour

FOR most parents, children are rewarding and fulfilling - even if they play up sometimes. But some mums and dads find themselves at their wit's end dealing with a youngster that constantly misbehaves.  more...

DROITWICH: Results improving as targets are met

WITTON Middle School in Droitwich provides a safe environment for children who benefit from good care, support and guidance from teachers.  more...

Magnificent seven hit the right stage

A GROUP of city school teachers have reached the first stage of a national development programme.  more...

Health

Fear of abuse is the spur for talks

CARE home owners in Worcestershire have called a meeting with county council bosses because they fear adults with learning disabilities being supported to live in the community are at risk of abuse from their carers.  more...

Latest

Beware of falling pears

WORCESTER City Council has fenced off two trees in a park and put up signs warning people: watch out for falling pears!  more...

The park of heroes gets ready for a major rejig

THE first stage of a £1.4m development of a popular Worcester park has been given the go-ahead.  more...

We don’t want the waste from two counties here

RESIDENTS of a village near Worcester are outraged over plans to build a major recycling centre there.  more...

Hick hosts an evening to put £3,000 in trust

A RECORD number of people attended a black tie evening in aid of the Prince's Trust.  more...

Anger at pub plan

A WAR of words has broken out in Knighton-on-Teme over plans to turn a pub into a private house.  more...

Manager unhappy with away defeat

THE opposition were poor, but we were even worse. That was the view of United manager Colin Powell after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at the hands of Sporting Khalsa.  more...

Latets

Fast food field trip is slammed

PARENTS at a Redditch first school have slammed the headteacher for taking the children on a field trip to McDonalds.  more...

Outrage over use of halal meat in schools

PARENTS in Redditch have been contacting town schools over the use of halal meat in dinners.  more...

Leisure General

Cathedral venue for play about mystery of pilgrim

A Play by a Malvern writer is being performed in Worcester Cathedral in what he describes as a "totally unique" event.  more...

Lyttleton House Gallery

SEASONAL variations in Malvern will be celebrated through an exhibition at the Lyttelton House Gallery, Priory Steps, Malvern. Part of the Autumn in Malvern Festival, the display of paintings, photographs and prints is open Monday from 10am to 4pm and Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm from tomorrow (Saturday) to October 22.  more...

Cheltenham Literature Festival

CHELTENHAM'S annual literature festival opens next weekend bringing lectures, debates and interviews with leading writers from all over the world. There are special events for children and a range of creative writing courses, a poetry cafe and story telling sessions. For more information see www.cheltenhamfestivals.com or call 01242 227979 to request a brochure.  more...

Snapped up

THE Malvern Hills have helped a local photographer win a place on the books of a prestigious London photographic agency.  more...

Paul's book is guiding light

INSPIRED by Malvern, traditional acupuncturist Paul Hougham has published a book exploring how various cultures view the human body, mind, and spirit.  more...

Dudley puts pen to paper

LEDBURY Art Society holds its first winter meeting of this year on Tuesday (October 3) at the Catholic Church, New Street, at 10am.  more...

A Matter of Patter

MESMERISING music, perfect diction and rich humour will be on show during A Matter of Patter, at Cliffords Mesne Village Hall. It is organised by the Newent Initiative and features the many talents of Richard Stuart and will take place on Saturday, October 7, from 8pm. Tickets are available on 01531 821693.  more...

Harvest ceilidh

CELEBRATE harvest in the traditional way with a ceilidh. A harvest ceilidh is being held at Bosbury Parish Hall on Friday, October 6, at 7.30pm. There will be music from Ringerike Folk Band and a caller will guide you through the steps. There will be a ploughman's supper at the dance. For more information call Esther Kay on 01531 670634.  more...

Letters

Catalogue of woe on my trip to the capital

SIR - I don't use trains very often. The fact that I have used today's new trains so infrequently makes me doubt the veracity of the recent statement from First Great Western that passengers on their early morning trains can enjoy getting there on time.  more...

Barry won’t be a very popular man

SIR - I would imagine our farmers and rural communities will not be at all happy with the Labour Party's Barry Gardiner, who claims to be Labour's rural affairs minister.  more...

A reply in plain English, please

SIR - Further to Liz Eyre's recent letter and the subsequent reply letter from Paul Saunders, perhaps she can advise us all in straightforward terms and in plain English just what the current position is in regard to the county council's contract signed in 2001 with Tesco Stores Ltd in regard to the Christopher Whitehead site? I think the people of St John's have a right to know.  more...

Halal meat and blatant PR stunt

SIR - I am shocked that the Worcester News has fallen for a blatant BNP PR stunt based on the issue of halal meat. What a coup for BNP organiser Martin Roberts to have his family on the front page and a separate letter in the same issue. Providing the oxygen of publicity to one bunch of fanatics plays into the hands of all extreme nutters who seek to fragment our communities.  more...

Halal meat and blatant PR stunt

SIR - I am shocked that the Worcester News has fallen for a blatant BNP PR stunt based on the issue of halal meat. What a coup for BNP organiser Martin Roberts to have his family on the front page and a separate letter in the same issue. Providing the oxygen of publicity to one bunch of fanatics plays into the hands of all extreme nutters who seek to fragment our communities.  more...

Congratulations to Worcester City FC

SIR - I would like to congratulate Worcester City Football Club on their outstanding comeback on Saturday, September 23, against Blyth Spartans. City never play well in front of a big crowd but I am sure they would take that chance on Saturday - so please come down and bring a friend.  more...

These toilets will be really missed

SIR - What a pity a minority has to affect the majority regarding the closure of the toilets in All Hallows. This was the only public toilet on the south side of Bridge Street and it will be missed by many people who enjoy St Andrew's Gardens, the fountain and the riverside.  more...

My many faces

SIR - Little Reg, aged 74, a neighbour, says I look like Sir Edward Elgar as I sit on my plastic chair on the pavement. He also once said I looked like Gabby Hayes, Roy Rogers' sidekick.  more...

Bungs and gongs

SIR - Politicians appear to go after honours, and football managers go for a bung. So is a bung worth more than a gong?  more...

Unsightly wheelies

SIR - Regarding wheelie bins, I honestly do not see any point at all in them. They're just unsightly.  more...

The simple facts

IT is no surprise to see letters in this week's Malvern Gazette in defence of the Sound for Sight entertainment in Priory Park on Saturday, September 16.  more...

Bland buildings

AS the Market House is opened up once again for all to see, the most prime example of Ledbury's wonderful architectural history is again on show.  more...

Cafe not missed

MY initial response to your editorial of September 15 regarding the installation of cable cars on the hills was that this was a thinly disguised, provocative attempt to revive interest in your letters page. However, with no less a political heavyweight than Coun Clive Smith now lending momentum to the bandwagon, I feel a more explicit response is called for.  more...

Impossible idea

CONSIDERING Clive Smith sat on the board of Malvern Hills Conservators for a few years, his letter of September 22 shows a lamentable ignorance of the factors surrounding the rebuilding of the Beacon Cafe and the erection of a cable car. Let me explain the facts once again for the sake of his "bewildered residents".  more...

Protected by theory

OF COURSE Coun Tretheway (Malvern Gazette, September 15) wants to see Wells House developed as passed by MHDC planning committee, as he was chairman of it.  more...

Manager'S View

Red mist has given cause for concern

LOSING players through ill-discipline is a concern.  more...

Mayor'S Column

IAN IMRAY, The Mayor's Diary

MAYORAL dignity was severely tested this week when I was hanging upside down from the roof of Debenham's store in the High Street. First off in the Big Abseil' and I slipped.  more...

Memory Lane

Echoes from the Past

100 years ago An enormous motor car with metal and enamel shining resplendently, and an aristocratic-looking coat of arms on the panel of the brougham-like tonneau, essayed to negotiated the steep incline at the top of Church Street. The chauffeur tried in vain to coax the car over the crest of the hill, and eventually, realising he and his charge could not manage, backed it ignominiously the whole way down Church Street, and found his way to Belle Vue Terrace via Graham Road and the Link Top. The amusing part of the incident was the presence on the car of two gentlemen, a lady and a boy. Had they been content to get out and walk for a few yards, the chauffeur would probably have succeeded in getting right up the hill. Malvern News, September 29, 1906.  more...

Puzzle over market find

HELEN Reeves of Walwyn Road, Colwall, has written to Malvern Memories after finding an old photograph at a flea market at the Three Counties Showground.  more...

Slow death of town ...

UPTON is slowly dying, the chairman of the town's chamber of commerce told the Gazette 50 years ago.  more...

Suspicious fires fuel speculation

THE suspicious spate of hill fires continued for another week, according to the Malvern News 100 years ago.  more...

Derailed coaches disrupt service

RAIL traffic was completely held up and passengers had to be transported by bus between Malvern Wells and Malvern Link, reported the Gazette 50 years ago The cause? Two coaches had become derailed on catch-points just outside Great Malvern station one morning.  more...

Music

Serenade for Strings

THE Orchestra of St John's plays a programme including Elgar's Serenade for Strings Op. 20 at Cheltenham Town Hall tomorrow (Saturday), at 7.30pm. Tickets from £9  more...

Clare Teal

Jazz singer Clare Teal is at Malvern Theatres on on Friday, October 13, as part of a major UK tour. The concert at the Forum starts at 7.30pm and tickets (£17, £15) are available on 01684 892277.  more...

Cradley Singers

CRADLEY Singers start their new season of concerts with a performance at St John's Church, Bedwardine, Worcester, on December 2, featuring Vivaldi's Gloria and Mozart's Coronation Mass. The choir rehearses at Storridge Village Hall on Wednesday evenings from 7.45pm. Anyone interested in joining should call 01885 482157 or turn up at a rehearsal.  more...

Jazz is the aisle

THERE will be jazz music at Little Malvern Priory on Sunday, October 8. Jazz group the Perdido Street Quartet are giving a free concert in the church at 3pm. Donations to the Farmers' Overseas Action Group are requested.  more...

Songs picked to suit all tastes

STEPOUT Theatre will bring live musical entertainment to Gorsley Village Hall on Friday, October 6.  more...

Singing chefs

LOCAL music sensations The Singing Sous Chefs will play two local dates before hitting venues across the country.  more...

Songs from album

KIRSTY McGee and Mat Martin perform music from their Mercury Music Prize nominated album Two Birds at Colwall Village Hall on Saturday, October 7, at 8pm. The duo play contemporary folk, tinged with jazz, jump and soul. Tickets are £10 (concs £5) on 01684 540366.  more...

Angst-ridden rock

CRITICALLY acclaimed singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore will be at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester tomorrow (Saturday), at 8pm.  more...

News

Danks was targeted claims City manager

WORCESTER City manager Andy Preece believes Mark Danks was targeted by Romulus in their FA Cup replay.  more...

Brain banking on a repeat cup display

WORCESTER director of rugby John Brain has called on his side to produce a repeat of the Northampton performance when they host Leicester in the EDF Energy Cup on Saturday.  more...

Opinion

Watch out, pears peril in city park

AMAZING things can happen when certain items fall to earth. Yes, Icarus may have come unstuck - literally - when he flew just that little bit too close to the sun. Nevertheless, it is possible to take a modicum of comfort reflecting on his untimely end when speculating that gravity might never have been discovered had the apple not fallen on to the head of a certain Isaac Newton.  more...

Opinion

WELLAND woman Suzette Birch, who features on the front page of today's Malvern Gazette, is another example of the injustice that can result from speed cameras.  more...

Reports

Reserves run out of steam

MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 1, LUDLOW TOWN RESERVES 2  more...

WFA Junior Cup progress

MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 3, ALVECHURCH RESERVES 2  more...

Round-Up

Worcester lose out to Old Hals

A DEPLETED Worcester Wanderers side went down 13-3 to Old Halesonians in Midlands Four West (South).  more...

Christine sets her sights on big time

A TALENTED Worcester vocalist is setting her sights on stardom by entering a national singing contest.  more...

Down-and-outs record life in the raw on film

PEOPLE who have lived rough in Worcestershire have joined forces to put together a DVD about their experiences.  more...

Apples, angels and a good time

A MICHAELMAS fair in a Worcestershire village has celebrated rural life.  more...

Army memories came flooding back

COUNCILLOR Mike Selby is so keen on a few exercises that he donned his track suit and had a test run on Malvern's new activity area for youngsters before changing into his suit and chain of office to officially open the trim trail.  more...

Cathedral artist remembers tsunami victims

A MOVING art exhibition remembering the Asian tsunami is to be staged at Worcester Cathedral.  more...

Autumn’s joys celebrated

THE joys of autumn will be celebrated at Worcester-shire County Council's museum in Hartlebury next weekend as it hosts a range of activities for all of the family.  more...

MALVERN: Teenager to share limelight with cast of stars

A WORCESTERSHIRE school girl has landed a role in a major film.  more...

New champion for over-50s in the jobs market

Older people who have been discriminated against at work or in applying for jobs have a new champion, thanks to a service that's just been launched in Worcester.  more...

Everyone agrees, Libby is a real star

A LOCAL star has made it into the shortlist for a national award.  more...

Watch out crooks - PC Chuter's on the beat

PC ANDY Chuter is the new bobby on the beat in St Peter's, Worcester.  more...

Droitwich keep unbeaten record

DROITWICH maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 34-12 win at Old Leamingtonians in Midlands Division Four West (South).  more...

Kidderminster suffer setback

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians welcomed Sandbach to Marlpool Lane for the first ever meeting of the two clubs which the Cheshire side won 22-12.  more...

Fine victory as Pershore see off Sils

PERSHORE ended Silhillians' unbeaten start to the season in Midlands Three West (South) with a fantastic 26-18 victory at Piddle Park.  more...

West happy with cup draw

EVESHAM United manager Paul West believes his team have been handed the pick of the ties in the FA Cup third qualifying round.  more...

Barnes takes on his biggest challenge

WORCESTER teenager Kevin Barnes will take on some of the best young golfers in Europe this week in an event hosted by Britain's most successful ever player.  more...

Goal-shy Harriers beaten away

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' woeful goal tally hit new depths tonight as Halifax Town kept their first clean sheet of the season.  more...

Rovers and Swifts earn boosts with league wins

BROMSGROVE Rovers and Stourport Swifts both picked up Southern League Division One Midlands wins tonight.  more...

Woman told to ‘keep peace’

A WOMAN repeatedly banged on the walls and threatened to kill her neighbour in a long-standing feud, Worcester magistrates heard.  more...

Malvern trio put in a star turn at show

A TRIO of craftsmen from the Malvern area have scooped the three top prizes in the World Pole Lathe Championships.  more...

Stylist is cut above others

COLWALL hairdresser Jo Ludlow has made it to the finals of two national hairdressing competitions.  more...

Pupils draw on Korky’s skill as artist

CHILDREN at Northleigh Primary School in Malvern picked up some top tips from children's book illustrator Korky Paul.  more...

Homes policy failing public

MALVERN Hills District Council's affordable housing policy is a failure, according to a leading councillor.  more...

Station gets spruced up

WORK has started on revamping Malvern Link Railway Station, thanks to Malvern Town Council.  more...

Defendant to enter plea

A SELF-employed businessman has appeared at Worcester Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. The case against Nigel Gilbey, 55, of Cedar Cottage, Colwall Green, Malvern, has been adjourned until December 11 for a plea to be taken. Judge Andrew Geddes granted Mr Gilbey, a marketing consultant in the drinks industry, bail.  more...

Security improved

QINETIQ in Malvern has won a £1.6 million contract to help protect patients from out-of-date or fake prescription drugs.  more...

Celebrating with special gift

LOCAL estate agent John Goodwin has raised more than £15,000 for charity.  more...

Keys to hospice are handed over

MALVERN builders Speller Metcalfe officially handed over the keys to the new £5.25m St Richard's Hospice this week.  more...

Mountain challenge for fundraising pair

Inspired by a friend suffering with cancer and in memory of another who died from the disease, Karen Ellaway-Bell is climbing Ben Nevis for charity.  more...

Storm is followed by floods

A violent thunderstorm swept through Bromyard this week, damaging several homes.  more...

Way to success in life is open to everyone

MARK Baldwin, the county's youngest taxi driver, says he is proof that business success is open to people who struggled at school.  more...

Health funding

MP Sir Michael Spicer has challenged Labour health secretary Patricia Hewitt to make a statement on funding for Malvern's new community hospital.  more...

Pioneering initiative

MALVERN'S plans to be the first place in the UK to trial an American system for town centre regeneration will be under discussion at a meeting today.  more...

Raising money in the long run

A MALVERN College pupil has just finished running and cycling nearly 400 miles to help improve schools in Afghanistan.  more...

Drink was sold to youngsters

TWO Malvern off-licences face investigation after they were caught selling alcohol to 15-year-olds.  more...

Flasher guilty on five counts

A 50-year-old man has been convicted on five charges of outraging public decency, following offences committed between January and April 2004.  more...

Teachers back from Africa mission

TEACHERS from Somers Park Primary School, Malvern, who spent their summer holidays working in Africa have returned with big plans to help the country.  more...

Council moves to new system

REDDITCH Council's revenues and benefits department is moving to a new computer system and customers are being advised that the council will be unable to make any updates during the changeover.  more...

Revamp to start

A MOUNT Pleasant boy's garden makeover will soon begin.  more...

Art display keeps it in the family

A TALENTED mother and daughter are staging an exhibition display of art work in Redditch Library until October 14.  more...

Ratings success

FIRE and rescue services in Hereford and Worcester and Warwickshire have been recognised as being among the best in the country.  more...

At your service

REDDITCH Council is currently celebrating National Customer Service Week.  more...

St Richard'S Hospice

Solicitors give fees from wills to hospice

A CAMPAIGN encouraging people to write their wills has raised almost £28,000 for St Richard's Hospice in four years.  more...

Solicitors give fees from wills to hospice

A CAMPAIGN encouraging people to write their wills has raised almost £28,000 for St Richard's Hospice in four years.  more...

Theatre

Diana says message of play still relevant

ACTRESS Diana Quick is starring in Bertolt Brecht's most famous play, Mother Courage and her Children, this month at Malvern Theatres.  more...

Double delight

A CELEBRATION of comedy double act Morecombe and Wise is coming to the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. The Play What I Wrote, featuring a mystery guest star, runs from Monday to Thursday, October 2 to 5.   more...

Children's production

STODGE and Podge Invaded is a theatre production for children at the Swan Theatre, Worcester, next month. It is the first of a series of plays for children by the Swan Theatre Amateur Company and is all about a group of garden gnomes who think their garden is about to be invaded by a soldier called Major Roadworks. Tickets cost £1.50 or £5 for a season ticket for all of this seasons children's productions. The play is on Saturday, October 7, with performances at 10.30am and 11.45am. Call 01905 611427 for details.  more...

Coming of age tale will be a sweet treat for theatre-goers

GROWING up in a rural Cotswold village is the theme of the latest production by Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society, Cider with Rosie.  more...

Upton

Pepperpot Players

TICKETS for the latest Pepperpot Players production go on sale tomorrow (Saturday). The group will perform musical comedy The Boyfriend in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm from Wednesday-Saturday, October 25-28. Tickets are available from PS Present in Old Street  more...

Pepperpot Players

TICKETS for the latest Pepperpot Players production go on sale tomorrow (Saturday). The group will perform musical comedy The Boyfriend in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm from Wednesday-Saturday, October 25-28. Tickets are available fr  more...

Town Council

PEOPLE in Upton can apply to serve on the town council. following Simon Wilkinson's resignation. It will be filled by co-option after there were no calls for an election. Anyone interested should collect an application form from the Memorial Hall and return it by Monday, October 9.  more...

Bingo evening

A BINGO evening at Beechwood residential home on Tuesday, October 3, at 7.30pm will raise money for residents and day care clients.   more...

Upton fire

FIREFIGHTERS were called out to Backfields, Upton, after reports of a White Ford Escort van ablaze just after 6am on Saturday, September 23. Firefighters also alerted police, who are treating the incident as suspected arson. Witnesses should call 08457 444888, quoting 22S/230906.  more...

Croome Park

SEE nature at work during a Fruit, Nuts and Berries Walk at Croome Park on Sunday, October 1. The walk meets at the visitor reception at 11am and will last around 90 minutes, costing £6 for adults and £4 for children (National Trust members £4 and £2). For further information call 01905 371006.  more...

Upton Upon Severn Education Foundation

FEMALE students from Upton still have time to apply for financial help with their studies. The Upton upon Severn Education Foundation is offering grants to women under 25 who live in Upton parish and are in higher education. Applications will be considered on Friday, October 13. Anyone wishing to apply should write, stating course and university or college, to: Mrs J.C. White, Chairman to the Trustees, 3 School Lane, Upton upon Severn, Worcester, WR8 0LA.  more...

Flower power

THE seeds of next year's Britain in Bloom entry will be sown at Upton in Bloom's annual general meeting this week.  more...

Bright talent

BRIGHT young musical talent will shine during a piano masterclass in Upton.  more...

Trouble over bridge works

A £500,000 repair job to Upton Bridge could see the town grind to a halt.  more...

Villages

Bosbury

HARVEST festival service is on Sunday at 11am, followed by harvest lunch in church. The clergy and churchwardens issue a warm invitation to all to join in the thanksgiving celebrations.  more...

West Malvern

ANOTHER long-exiled West Malvernian has got in touch with us as a result of seeing news from the village on the Gazette's web site.  more...

Staunton and Corse

THE official opening of the new Staunton and Corse Scout Group headquarters will long be remembered as a landmark by the group and all the many people from both Staunton and Corse who had helped to make it possible.  more...

Powick

DAVID Derrett, of Dawes Hill, and his son-in-law, Gregg Atkins, originally from Bowling Green Road, are in final training for their sponsored cycle ride in Peru next month.  more...

Colwall

THIS morning (Friday), Macmillan Cancer Relief invite you to the World's Biggest Coffee Morning at Chevenham at 10am. There will be cakes, Christmas cards and a raffle.  more...

Castlemorton

ON Monday morning, Class Blue children from Castlemorton CE School walked from school to the village hall under the guise of World War Two evacuee children from London.  more...

What'S On

What's On

Cinemas Malvern Cinema: Driving Lessons (15) Daily 7.45pm, Sat & Sun mats 4.30pm.  more...

  
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