Worcester News - Stories for 30 November 2006

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Worcestershire | Archive | 2006 | November

Stories for 30 November 2006

Acorns

Hospice call for bigger share from government

THE chief executive of Worcester's Acorns Children's Hospice has backed calls for better government funding. more...

Angling

Roberts returns for league win

THE second round of the MUAA winter league saw another good turnout gathered at the club's pool in Mathon. more...

Business

MilSys is best new business

A HEREFORDSHIRE company has been named the Most Promising New Business in Britain. more...

New role for Peter

A KIDDERMINSTER-based partner in a solicitors' group has taken over its residential conveyancing division. more...

DRP Group is a golden wonder

PRESENTATION business, DRP Group, took centre stage by winning a prestigious award. more...

What a Carrie on for trip winner

IT will be to Russia with love when account manager, Carrie Orgee, takes her husband to Moscow after winning a sales competition. more...

What a Carrie on for trip winner

IT will be to Russia with love when account manager, Carrie Orgee, takes her husband to Moscow after winning a sales competition. more...

What a Carrie on for trip winner

IT will be to Russia with love when account manager, Carrie Orgee, takes her husband to Moscow after winning a sales competition. more...

What a Carrie on for trip winner

IT will be to Russia with love when account manager, Carrie Orgee, takes her husband to Moscow after winning a sales competition. more...

What a Carrie on for trip winner

IT will be to Russia with love when account manager, Carrie Orgee, takes her husband to Moscow after winning a sales competition. more...

Horsing around

A RACEHORSE named after a couple running a Chaddesley Corbett hotel galloped to victory at Wincanton. more...

Safety award for firm

HARTLEBURY firm, AirTube Conveyors, has signed up to an initiative driving improved safety standards in industry. more...

Coach'S Column

We must build on hard-earned victory

IT was a huge result for us on Sunday but what really pleased me was the character all the guys showed to battle back in the second-half. more...

Cricket

BARNARDS Green Cricket Club are counting the weeks until the start of the new season which will see the 1st XI up against old rivals Malvern CC in Division Two of the Crusader Worcestershire County League. more...

Exhibition Details 2007

Three Counties Package Details

For details of our forthcoming Bridal Shows at the Three Counties Showground, please click here. more...

Film Reviews

STAR INTERVIEW - EMMA THOMPSON

Two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson plays suicidal author Kay Eiffel in new film Stranger Than Fiction, which opened on Friday. She talks about celebrity, family and playing crazy. more...

STAR INTERVIEW - EMMA THOMPSON

Two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson plays suicidal author Kay Eiffel in new film Stranger Than Fiction, which opened on Friday. She talks about celebrity, family and playing crazy. more...

'This new celebrity culture is so vulgar'

Two-time Oscar winner Emma Thompson plays suicidal author Kay Eiffel in new film Stranger Than Fiction, which opened last Friday. She talks about celebrity, family and playing crazy. more...

FLUSHED AWAY (U)

The voices of Kate Winslet, Hugh Jackman and Ian McKellen feature in this enchanting and hugely entertaining new film from Aardman Animations about a pampered pet mouse who ends up in the sewers of London. The film is an absolute joy, is packed with visual gags, and will appeal to all ages. more...

BIG NOTHING (15)

The lack lustre title of Jean-Baptiste Andrea's black comedy, which stars Simon Pegg and David Schwimmer, pretty much sums up the response to this unlikely tale of a botched blackmailing scheme. The gags are thin on the ground, and the 86 mins running time feels considerably longer. more...

STRANGER THAN FICTION (12A)

With impressive performances from Will Ferrell, Emma Thompson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, this surreal and touching comedy has echoes of Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, with Ferrell playing a man who discovers he is the central figure in an as-yet-unfinished novel about love and death. more...

Football

Boss believes Bewdley have turned a corner

BEWDLEY Town Reserves entertain Bustleholme on Saturday with manager Rich Downey insisting they have turned a corner after back-to-back league and cup wins. more...

Chaddesley: Corbett chasing home run

CHADDESLEY Corbett manager Gary Moore has challenged his high-flyers to cement their place in the West Midlands League Division Two promotion race. more...

Newtown blown out in penalty showdown

WORCESTER COLTS 3, NEWTOWN SPORTS COLTS U14S 3 more...

Radar blank

RADAR have another Sunday without a game this weekend and are waiting to return to Worcester League Division One action on Sunday, December 10, when they are away at Worcester Juniors. more...

Derby clash

WEST Malvern's game against VBL Sports was postponed on Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch. more...

Five in county squad

FIVE members from Malvern Town have been selected for the Worcestershire FA youth squad to play against Northumberland in the County Youth Challenge Cup. more...

Villagers hit six goals

VILLAGERS 6, ANCHOR 3 more...

Third loss on the trot for Ladies

MALVERN TOWN LADIES 0, REDDITCH VC LADIES 1 more...

Powick through after penalty shoot out win

POWICK RESERVES 3, INKBERROW 3 more...

Fir Tree felled as Bell Inn go on goal spree

TEAMS in the Soccer Site Malvern Football League were in action again at the weekend with a mixture of league and cup ties being played. more...

General

Family craft day

FAMILIES can try their hand at Christmas crafts at Bishops Wood Centre near Stourport on Sunday. more...

Showcasing new art talent

ARTISTS in Wyre Forest are being offered the chance to showcase their talents at Stourport Library next year. more...

Snowy safari

THE scene is set for a snowy Christmas at West Midland Safari Park when it welcomes Father Christmas for the festive season. more...

Brits reckon USA is tops for driving

WITH its oversized cars, hellish traffic and litigious drivers, the USA may seem like an unlikely contender for the UK's number one drive. However, from Paris to Perth, it has completely over-taken its rivals. more...

They say the silliest things

DESPITE his recent departure from office and a series of ludicrous one-liners its still Rumsfeld's ex boss and country leader that came out top in a poll of UK business leaders. more...

In Touch

Revival is sparked by return of Reg

WARRIORS fans finally have something to cheer about and it hasn't come a minute too soon. more...

Kidder News Latest

First queen Vi dies aged 95

KIDDERMINSTER's first carnival queen, who was "incredibly proud" to wear the crown in 1928, has died aged 95. more...

Magial parade dazzles shoppers

HUNDREDS of children made Kidderminster's big Christmas lights switch-on a magical time as they paraded through the streets in colourful fancy dress costumes. more...

Magial parade dazzles shoppers

HUNDREDS of children made Kidderminster's big Christmas lights switch-on a magical time as they paraded through the streets in colourful fancy dress costumes. more...

Town lighting up with day of fun

THE Christmas season will be kicking off in Bewdley with a host of entertainment on Saturday. more...

Town lighting up with day of fun

THE Christmas season will be kicking off in Bewdley with a host of entertainment on Saturday. more...

Town lighting up with day of fun

THE Christmas season will be kicking off in Bewdley with a host of entertainment on Saturday. more...

Ambitious boss has ice plan for town

AN ice rink boss has expressed interest in building a rink in Kidderminster and is to meet councillors in the new year. more...

Makeover project seeks help

HANDY travel agents have issued a call for help to Wyre Forest businesses to assist them in their mission of transporting Cookley Sebright First School's computer room into another world. more...

Call to stop study of 'violent, crude' play

CALLS have been made for a controversial play littered with violent and crude language being studied by Stourport High School pupils to be banned amid claims it is unsuitable for teenagers. more...

New record store opens in centre

KIDDERMINSTER shoppers now have more chance to buy their favourite tunes after a specialist music shop opened on Tuesday. more...

Paying the price

A KIDDERMINSTER great-grandmother facing blindness in one eye is having to rely on her daughter to pay £6,000 for treatment because it is not available through the NHS. more...

Election call for youth parliament

YOUNG people in Wyre Forest wanting a bigger say on issues that affect them are being urged to stand in the Worcestershire Youth Cabinet elections. more...

Weekend of light

KEMP Hospice will be holding a dedication service for its annual Tree of Lights Appeal at the Swan Centre on Sunday, at 4pm. more...

Late night cabs initiative

AN INITIATIVE aiming to ensure Kidderminster's late-night weekend revellers get home quicker and safer in taxis is being launched this weekend The new marshal scheme, run by West Mercia Police, Wyre Forest Community Partnership and licensing authorities, starts on Friday, December 1. more...

Latest

They stole our £5,000 savings

AN elderly couple have spoken of their ordeal after more than £5,000 was stolen from their home in Worcester by men posing as water board officials. more...

They stole our £5,000 savings

AN elderly couple have spoken of their ordeal after more than £5,000 was stolen from their home in Worcester by men posing as water board officials. more...

They stole our £5,000 savings

AN elderly couple have spoken of their ordeal after more than £5,000 was stolen from their home in Worcester by men posing as water board officials. more...

New logo labelled a waste of money

A NEW city council logo set to cost at least �24,000 has been dubbed a "needless waste of money" by a taxpayer who was consulted on it beforehand. more...

Mixed fortunes for city traders this Christmas

SHOPS in Worcester centre are experiencing mixed fortunes in the run up to Christmas. more...

New investigation looks at 1981 rape

POLICE are to reopen their investigation into a brutal rape in Evesham 25 years ago, it was confirmed this week. more...

Bus company pressed to act

A CONCERNED father believes it is only a matter of time before a child is seriously injured if they have to continue crossing a busy road to catch their school bus. more...

Time called on drinkers

LANDLORDS are being told not to continue serving drunken people this Christmas. more...

Stolen tractor in crash with lorry

Two stolen tractors were found abandoned a mile away after one was involved in an accident. more...

Housing plans supported

Town councillors are backing plans to build a housing development on Evesham United's former Common Road ground. more...

Cafe’s blues at licence decision

THE manager of Costa Coffee in Evesham has hit out at Wychavon District Council after a blues music evening had to be cancelled due to licence restrictions. more...

Father Christmas prepares to make his annual town tour

FATHER Christmas and his sleigh, complete with reindeer, will take to the streets of Evesham on Saturday. more...

Dark cloud lifts as tests show all-clear

A RELIEVED Evesham grandmother has been given the results of blood tests which have revealed she has not been accidentally infected with two deadly diseases. more...

Responding with support and care

FROM the outside it looks like just another home on a residential street in Worcester. On the inside, the specially-designed West Mercia police rape interview facility is much the same. more...

£25 million investment will create 30 jail jobs

A £25 million investment is to be ploughed into Long Lartin prison creating a new wing and 30 new jobs early next year. more...

High School chalks up another award

By David Hetterley TENBURY High School staff, parents and pupils are on the crest of a wave after chalking up a number of top marks. more...

United aim to go one step beyond

TENBURY manager Colin Powell's men reached the last four of the Worcester Junior Cup on Saturday but want to go one step beyond. more...

Cleobury find confidence

Cleobury 3 sets v City of Salford 1 (25-21, 25-18, 19-25, 25-21). more...

Tenbury club prospering

TENBURY Tennis Club was prospering now that it had resumed playing on the Burgage courts after an absence of two years, it was reported at the club's annual meeting. more...

Mistletoe, holly and Christmas lights make town place to be

MORE than 400 people attended the Tenbury Wells Christmas lights switching-on ceremony last Friday. more...

Lottery grants Regal a new sound system

By John Corness THE Regal Cinema in Tenbury Wells has been given a £4,000 Lottery cash injection from the UK Film Council. more...

Keeping an eye on councils

WITH neighbouring Shropshire looking ever more likely to replace existing county and district councils with one new streamlined unitary authority, Tenbury Wells residents will be watching closely the outcome of a special Worcester County Council meeting on December 14 to discuss the issue. more...

Latets

‘Devastating’ burglary at football ground

REDDITCH United FC chairman Steve Rossiter is devastated after a burglary at the team's Valley Stadium. more...

Alert as flasher strikes

AN "old" man has been seen dropping his trousers and exposing himself in two areas of Redditch. more...

Letters

Stop the tinkering and build us a relief road

SIR - I refer to the article "City centre comes to standstill - but no one knows why" (Worcester News, November 22). more...

Letters after my name mean little

SIR - Recent coverage of graduations at Worcester caused me to reflect on how times have changed. more...

Fascinated by tales from the barracks

SIR - I was fascinated by Mick Pryce's article about Peggy Edwards and her links with Norton Barracks, and especially interested in the photograph of the barracks school in 1912. more...

Ghost story was not fair on Derek

SIR - With response to your article (Worcester News, November 20), reference the TV medium Derek Acorah, I was very angry at reading the headlines which stated that Derek could not banish the ghost that haunts Worcester Porcelain. more...

Even the hospital food was excellent

SIR - These days we hear so much about the shortcomings and failings of the NHS, so I would be grateful if you would allow me to use your columns to express my gratitude for the superb treatment that I recently received in the Beech Unit at the Royal Hospital. more...

Model man

REGARDING the beautiful model and dancer Fiona Holloway - I always maintain only good things come from Sedgeberrow - I was born there nearly 70 years ago. more...

My closure

NOW that the exponents and supporters of the Wyre Piddle by-pass have vacated their seats on the parish council and/or moved from the village. Followed by the previously predicted closure of the shop/filling station this weekend. more...

...and paying homage to those who fell

I AM an organiser for the War Research Society which was founded over 30 years ago by serving police officers and ex-servicemen. The society supports a number of causes including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Normandy Widows and Veterans and other charities. more...

Paying for the privilege in Army

OVER the past two weeks or so you have published two letters relating to the housing of prisoners into Army camps as opposed to their present overcrowded hotel type accommodation where they can even claim their human rights and be compensated £5,000 each for their lack of heroin supply! more...

Ring mystery

I AM wondering if you would be able, through your newspaper, to help me find a missing ring that is of great sentimental value - it was given to me by a close friend before she died. more...

The penalties for shopping in town?

I don't usually shop in Evesham and always experience a lot of hassle trying to get very short stay parking to unload or load my car with heavy items just purchased or returned. more...

Equality officer to beat tunnel vision

I WRITE in response to the article Equality officer will cost £35,000. more...

Apathy is factor in loss of civic centre

IT is with regret and disappointment that I read the letters regarding the loss of Stourport Civic Centre and hall. more...

One authority means efficiency

THERE is a real issue regarding the kind of local government we have in Wyre Forest and Worcestershire. It's about the council tax we pay. more...

Revive rail link for Stourport

STOUPORT'S population in 1969 was quite small compared to present day and more homes are scheduled to be built. more...

Letter from Westminster - 22 November 2006

ON Friday, I visited the Acorns Children's Hospice inWorcester. more...

Steamed up over jobless figures

I THOUGHT I had become immune to MP Jacqui Smith's statements but her latest claim that the UK had sustained the longest period of growth since the "invention of the steam engine" was remarkable, even for a member of this Government seeing as the steam engine was invented in 50BC by Heron of Alexandria (Advertiser, November 29). more...

Holding Labour to account

UNHINDRED by facts, we yet again are treated to a Robin King diatribe. more...

Mp'S Column

Peter Luff your MP writes

Council tax levels have rocketed largely because the government imposes costs on local authorities like the county council and the police that it won't then pay for. more...

Music

Pioneers of folk rock

STEELEYE Span will play Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, on Wednesday, December 6. more...

Tommy’s unique

Australian guitarist and singer Tommy Emmanuel will be at Huntingdon Hall in Worcester on Thursday, December 7. Tommy, whose career spans 45 years, is famous for his unique "finger style", likened to playing guitar the way a pianist plays the piano. more...

Chance to sing with opera stars

aMATEUR singers are invited to audition for a chance to perform on the same programme as the Welsh National Opera. more...

Critic tells of musical journey

MEMBERS of Shipston Music Society were treated to a talk from Birmingham Post music critic Christopher Morley. more...

Band aims for big time with release of EP

EVESHAM rockers The Irony are hoping the release of their debut EP this week will give them a crack at the big time. more...

Raising the roof

WYRE Forest Symphony Orchestra will be welcoming the festive season at its annual Christmas concert at Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday. more...

Hearts full of love at seasonal events

THE Kidderminster Valentines will be helping to spread some Christmas cheer with a string of seasonal concerts during December. more...

Nature Notes

Shopping put on hold for walk

AUTUMN, or at least the traditional autumnal landscape, was all too brief this year. The early months were very mild and there was little change in the colour of the trees. We then had a couple of morning frosts which kick-started the trees changing colour. more...

News

Brain aims to build on success in cup battle

WORCESTER'S big guns will be on display for the visit of Newport Gwent Dragons in the EDF Energy Cup on Saturday (3pm). more...

City out to fold Celtic challenge

WORCESTER City travel to Stalybridge Celtic in Nationwide North on Saturday looking to maintain their excellent away form. more...

Garvey set to step back into spotlight

WORCESTER'S Marcel Garvey is determined to announce his return as a major force in English rugby this weekend after spending the last year in rugby purgatory, out of favour at Gloucester and barred from an England Sevens call-up. more...

White and Reynolds told to play game of patience

OUT-OF-FAVOUR frontmen Andy White and Luke Reynolds have been told to "be patient" by boss Mark Yates following the arrivals of another loan striker. more...

Harriers dismiss talk of relegation

KIDDERMINSTER go to promotion-chasing Gravesend & Northfleet on Saturday with boss Mark Yates dismissing talk that they will become embroiled in a relegation battle. more...

Harriers dismiss relegation talk

KIDDERMINSTER go to promotion-chasing Gravesend & Northfleet on Saturday with boss Mark Yates dismissing talk that they will become embroiled in a relegation battle. more...

Harriers dismiss talk of the drop

KIDDERMINSTER go to promotion-chasing Gravesend & Northfleet on Saturday with boss Mark Yates dismissing talk that they will become embroiled in a relegation battle. more...

Harriers should relish MacDonald test

MARK Yates has given his Harriers defence the inside track on Charlie MacDonald after revealing he is a former team-mate of the Gravesend goals machine. more...

Kidderminster confident of covering captain's absence

HARRIERS boss Mark Yates insists he has sufficient defensive cover for the trip to Gravesend if captain Stuart Whitehead fails to come through a late fitness test. more...

Kidderminster confident of covering captain's absence

HARRIERS boss Mark Yates insists he has sufficient defensive cover for the trip to Gravesend if captain Stuart Whitehead fails to come through a late fitness test. more...

Stourport warned by Stourbridge boss

STOURPORT new boy Steve Frost renews acquaintances with old club Stourbridge when the clubs meet in Saturday's Southern Football League Division One Midlands clash at Walshes Meadow. more...

Stourport warned by Stourbridge boss

STOURPORT new boy Steve Frost renews acquaintances with old club Stourbridge when the clubs meet in Saturday's Southern Football League Division One Midlands clash at Walshes Meadow. more...

McClen could be set to return

JAMIE McClen could be set to return from his loan spell after picking up a suspension which rules him out of his final game. more...

Teams

MALVERN RFC more...

Opinion

Today's Comment : City doesn’t need to have a new image

WORCESTER City Council's decision to change its logo was always going to be a controversial move. The use of public money to make a minor alteration to the council's image - when the majority of people would be hard pushed to describe the existing logo - was bound to make some folk more than a little angry. more...

Past

From the archives - November 30, 2006

100 Years Ago December 1, 1906 The proceedings in connection with the opening of the new Parish Room at Moor on Friday last commenced with a hymn and prayer, and the Rector (the Rev C Jerram Hunt), in explanation, said that they could not and never ought to try to separate their lives into two parts and call one part secular and the other religious. This is an expression of opinion with which everyone will be in accord, but which nevertheless needs to be reiterated from time to time. So many people seem to think that religion is to be kept stored away somewhere during the week and only paraded on Sundays. We are glad the Rector dwelt upon the necessity of regard for religion in everyday life. more...

Pershore

Christmas present for charity

Pershore and District Arthritis Research Campaign held its Christmas fair at Almonry Close. more...

Student’s design

A PERSHORE schoolgirl is taking the first steps towards fashion stardom after having a design made up for next week's Clothes Show in Birmingham. more...

Student’s design

A PERSHORE schoolgirl is taking the first steps towards fashion stardom after having a design made up for next week's Clothes Show in Birmingham. more...

Student’s design

A PERSHORE schoolgirl is taking the first steps towards fashion stardom after having a design made up for next week's Clothes Show in Birmingham. more...

Student’s design

A PERSHORE schoolgirl is taking the first steps towards fashion stardom after having a design made up for next week's Clothes Show in Birmingham. more...

Calling for youth

a radical shake-up of the youth service in Worcestershire is being demanded after it was dubbed totally inadequate'. more...

Town offers festive treat

residents and visitors can take a well-deserved break from last-minute shopping to enjoy Pershore's Christmas fair. more...

Rescuers in search for boat

ALL three emergency services swept into action for a rescue mission in Pershore on Tuesday morning after reports of an overturned boat on the River Avon. more...

Thelma still in plaster six weeks after shopping fall

A woman is seeking compensation from a supermarket for an incident in October that has left her in plaster for the past six weeks. more...

Reports

Angels sweep aside nearest challengers

MALVERN ANGELS 22pts, LICHFIELD II 10pts more...

Leaders too strong for Town Reserves

MALVERN TOWN RES 0, DARLASTON 2 more...

Another away win for Town

BISHOPS CLEEVE 0, MALVERN TOWN 2 more...

Reviews

The Zutons, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, November 27

There was a danger midway through the set that the Scouse band's distinctive sound was not hitting the spot but by the end any fears had well and truly subsided. more...

The Zutons, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, November 27

THERE was a danger midway through the set that the Scouse band's distinctive sound was not hitting the spot but by the end any fears had well and truly subsided. more...

The Zutons, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, November 27

THERE was a danger midway through the set that the Scouse band's distinctive sound was not hitting the spot but by the end any fears had well and truly subsided. more...

The Zutons, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, November 27

THERE was a danger midway through the set that the Scouse band's distinctive sound was not hitting the spot but by the end any fears had well and truly subsided. more...

Round-Up

Price of train fares will go up in January

THE cost of travelling by train through Worcestershire will rise in the new year because rail chiefs say it is the only way they can improve stations and services. more...

Time is running out for 20 abandoned cats

TWENTY cats are facing a grim Christmas unless new homes can be found for them quickly. The cats - all abandoned or mistreated - have been rescued by the RSPCA, but time is running out to rehouse them. It is RSPCA policy not to rehome animals over Christmas so any owners must come forward by December 17 or the cats, will have to stay in the pens until the New Year. The charity's pens are now full with 20 cats. Volunteer Geraldine Haynes said: "There are just so many cats out there without owners and very few people ever come forward to claim these cats." The charity has organised a cat rehoming day on Sunday, between 11am and 3pm,at Top Cat cattery, Green Street, Kempsey. To adopt a cat, call Mrs Haynes on 01886 822083. more...

Time is running out for 20 abandoned cats

Looking forward to the fayre

THOUSANDS of folk are set to step back in time today as Worcester Christmas Fayre heralds the festive season with four days of merriment. more...

Calls for a partial ban on women’s veils backed

A LEADING Worcester Muslim has backed calls for a partial ban on women wearing veils. more...

Care for adults is top class

THE quality of social care for adults living in Worcestershire has been given the top three-star rating for the second year running. more...

150 more Santas sign up for fun run in just a week

ORGANISERS of a charity fun run which will see Worcester's streets filled with jogging Santas have been swamped with entrants in the past week. more...

Cars are torched at community centre

TWO cars were set on fire in a community centre in Warndon on the same night. more...

Awards prove college apprentices have got the skills to succeed

APPRENTICES at Worcester College of Technology were recognised at an awards evening. more...

Awards prove college apprentices have got the skills to succeed

APPRENTICES at Worcester College of Technology were recognised at an awards evening. more...

Top teaching assistants get together

TEACHING assistants were celebrated at a conference this week. more...

DROITWICH: Giant bear and Santa will be a school fair

SANTA Claus and his magical reindeer are to be the guests of honour at a Droitwich school when it holds its annual Christmas fair tomorrow. more...

Women get together for green waste trial

WOMEN'S Institute members in Worcestershire have been chosen to pilot a new scheme to see how easily they can reduce their household waste and fuel bills. more...

Volunteers needed to give blood

LOCAL people are being urged to do something amazing - give blood. With just five per cent of the eligible population giving blood the National Blood Service always needs new donors. more...

Historic Pirton paintings could go for £30K

PAINTINGS which were missing' for the best part of 400 years could fetch up to £30,000 at auction. more...

Composer takes on Jamie’s global show

A MALVERN composer is busy writing the music for a new globe-trotting show starring television presenter Jamie Theakston. more...

High-flying cadets are tops when it comes to awards

A GROUP of high-flying air cadets from West Mercian Wing Air Training Corps have earned their stripes at a special presentation evening held at Worcester's Territorial Army Centre. more...

Volunteers needed to give blood

LOCAL people are being urged to do something amazing - give blood. With just five per cent of the eligible population giving blood the National Blood Service always needs new donors. more...

Historic Pirton paintings could go for £30k

PAINTINGS which were missing' for the best part of 400 years could fetch up to £30,000 at auction. more...

Swifts boss is after a reaction

STOURPORT Swifts boss Phil Mullen is looking for a reaction from his players on Saturday. more...

Table-topping Rovers tackle Barton

BROMSGROVE Rovers boss Rod Brown is hoping his injury-ravaged side can come through Saturday's Southern League Division One Midlands tussle with Barton Rovers unscathed. more...

Hunt has plans for Pershore recovery

NEIL Hunt takes charge of Pershore Town for the first time on Saturday when the Midland Combination Premier Division basement boys travel to Meir KA (3pm). more...

Hunt has plans for Pershore recovery

NEIL Hunt takes charge of Pershore Town for the first time on Saturday when the Midland Combination Premier Division basement boys travel to Meir KA (3pm). more...

Malvern set off on a revenge mission

MALVERN Town host Aylesbury United in Southern League Division One Midlands on Saturday (3pm) looking to gain revenge for a 2-0 away defeat in October. more...

Robins face test of promotion credentials

STEVE Duncan and Steve Lutz begin three-match bans for Evesham's home encounter with Southern League Division One Midlands high-flyers Brackley Town on Saturday (3pm). more...

Turner keeping an eye on Vale

GRAHAM Turner is hoping his preparations ahead of Hereford United's FA Cup second round clash with Port Vale at Edgar Street on Saturday do not turn out to be a video nasty. more...

Yates hopes his belief in players will rub off

MARK Yates bids to upset another fancied team on Kidderminster Harriers' travels to stop talk of relegation trouble. more...

They’re thinking out of the box

YOUNGSTERS at a Bromsgrove primary school have been boxing clever by getting involved in the Operation Christmas Child appeal. more...

Gordon takes charge

A NEW man has taken the reins at Bromsgrove Cricket, Hockey and Tennis Club. more...

Bike theft

POLICE investigating the theft of three bicycles and two lawn mowers from a garage at a private property at Elmbridge, near Droitwich, are appealing for witnesses. Among the items stolen were a red and black Specialized mountain bike valued at £700, a silver Kona mountain bike valued at £600, and another blue mountain bike, value £200. They were stolen together with a Mountfield petrol-driven lawn mower, valued at £800, an orange Hower electric mower, valued at £100, and a strimmer. The theft occurred between Saturday, November 18, and the morning of Saturday, November 25, when access was gained through a rear door. more...

Vale Mayor’s week - November 23, 2006

MONDAY, November 20: 10am, meeting at the Community Contact Centre with my secretary and afterwards with the Town Clerk to run through the budget papers for the town council meeting tonight. more...

Willersey - grassroots

WEDNESDAY CLUB: At the recent meeting, a full house of members and guests listened to an illustrated talk, The Last Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang, by Tony Caldwell. This largely unknown land in Nepal and on the Tibetan borders had been visited by the speaker. For many years, he has been a major fundraiser for the Leukaemia charity and for this work has been awarded the MBE. The vote of thanks was given by Maurice Andrews. more...

Offenham - School’s hard work gets its reward

STAFF and pupils from Offenham First School have been awarded National Healthy School status. more...

North & Middle Littleton - grassroots

PARISH COUNCIL: At the November meeting, LPO Officer Steve Baldwin attended and outlined the roles of the LPO and CSO, which are now being introduced. more...

Little Comberton - grassroots

GARDENING CLUB: The recently formed Gardening Club held a very successful meeting at Little Comberton Village Hall. A highly entertaining presentation to an audience of around by 40 was given by Frank Hardy, who spoke on significant developments in domestic gardening over the past 60 years. He illustrated his talk with slides of typical small-scale gardens and described the momentous changes in gardening since the war, such as the immense popularity of roses during the 1960s and the advent of large-scale mail order selling. more...

Harvington - grassroots

ST JAMES' CHURCH: The Youth Service in St James' Church on Sunday will begin at 7.30pm, not 6.30pm. Its title is New Life - are you the person you want to be? The service is being organised and run by young people, headed by Scott Crew, and a warm invitation is extended to everyone, both young and old. On this occasion, in order to accommodate this extra service, evensong will be at 5.30pm. more...

Hampton - Larry’s power and passion delivers gold Down Under

YOU may not recognise the name, but Evesham is now very much on the sporting map thanks to Larry Whyte, who has returned from Australia as a world champion powerlifter. more...

Eckington - Shoe appeal helps give African poverty the boot

THREE girls from Eckington First School are helping with the latest Blue Peter Appeal by asking people to donate their unwanted footwear instead. more...

Drakes Broughton - Householder is left shaken after men force way into house

POLICE are hunting two men who forced their way into the home of an elderly Drakes Broughton woman and searched the house. more...

Cleeve Prior - Family told to get candles in

ACA CLEEVE Prior family say they could face a cold Christmas without heating, electricity or hot water after changing from solid fuel to gas central heating. more...

Countryside - Impressive speakers

AN imposing array of speakers has been lined up for a major conference in the Cotswolds on Friday, December 15. more...

Countryside - Expert advice offered

FARMERS will be given the chance to test their sheep and cattle selection skills at the Smithfield Christmas Fair tomorrow and Saturday, thanks to the English Beef and Lamb Executive. more...

Countryside - Early signs prove positive

Cotswold Grey Partridge Group was updated on efforts to halt the decline in the species at its autumn meeting. more...

Countryside - ELS form earns no cash whilst sat in the drawer

THERE'S a new face at Worc-estershire Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG). more...

Countrside - Helping them may actually save your life

DESPITE modern navigation systems, emergency vehicles are still having difficulty in finding some addresses. more...

Countryside - Excellent farming testing for judges

PRIZE winners in the Gloucestershire Root Fruit and Grain Society farms and crops competitions were rewarded at its annual dinner and presentation at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. more...

Broadway - Exhibition will spice up your life

A BANGLADESHI sculptor and poet will be holding a small exhibition of his work at a restaurant in Broadway next Tuesday. more...

Broadway - Charity shop marks its first anniversary

THE St Richard's Hospice shop in Broadway will celebrate its first anniversary on Saturday. more...

Broadway - Playgroupgets a £7k handout

STAFF at the Broadway and Towerview Playgroups are celebrating this week after being awarded a Local Network fund grant of £7,000. more...

Bretforton - Glittering charity success for silver band

BRETFORTON Silver Band raised £300 for St Richard's Hospice in a concert at St Leonard's Church on Saturday. more...

Blackminster - Double honour for school

PUPILS from Blackminster Middle School had a double celebration after receiving two awards. more...

Bidford - Club still blooming 35 years on

MEMBERS of the Bidford and District Gardening Society celebrated the 35th anniversary of the group. more...

Bidford - Tributes to a ‘fabulous guy’

TRIBUTES flooded in this week following the death of a popular Bidford businessman. more...

Fixtures

SATURDAY more...

Hill climb’s celebration

THE Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb programme for next year will include a celebration of 60 years of the British Hill Climb Championship. more...

Winners in the clear

PAT Gaffney and Mark Lockyer were clear winners of the Sapey Golf Club's winter league fourth qualifying round played on Sunday. more...

Scoring was high

THE mixed betterball stableford at the Worcestershire Golf Club was contested by 32 pairs. more...

College girls in county and national squads

THREE girls from Malvern St James Girls College and School have been selected to play for the Midlands lacrosse squad. more...

Campbell lifts race and series

ARDEN Sailing Club's last race of the autumn series, and of 2006, took place with the Avon running at around six knots, and the water level well above its banks. more...

Confident Malvern side defeat leaders

MALVERN LADIES 4, BADSEY LADIES 2 more...

Chase in regional finals

THE U18 hockey girls at The Chase have earned a place in the indoor regional finals. more...