Stories for 14 December 2006

Acorns

Couple light up to help children in city hospice

A HOUSE in a Worcestershire village has been illuminated in the hope that it will light up children's lives.  more...

Making every day special for Acorns kids and families

YOU can often find Alex Jordon competing on the PlayStation or splashing around in the Acorns hydrotherapy pool.  more...

Alcester

Woman released on bail

A WOMAN arrested in connection with the death of Baby Lilly has been released on police bail.  more...

Business

Mike is bowing out

ONE of the best known names in Worcester's engineering industry, Mike Hadley, general manager of Lynrose Engineer-ing on the city's Shrub Hill Industrial Estate, is retiring.  more...

Business News

Anglican appoints new director

A NEW director of Anglian Home Improvements is feeling right at home in his new job.  more...

Clubs & Societies

Alcester & District Local History Society

FOLKLORE of Warwickshire was an entertaining evening of story and song by the renowned author and folk singer Roy Palmer.  more...

Alcester U3A

THE Christmas meeting this month was warmly enjoyed by members despite the stormy weather outside.  more...

Cookhill Keyboard Club

WHAT a super evening's entertainment was given to members at the club meeting on December 6!  more...

Hollywood WI

SHEILA Jennings, president, welcomed members to the December Christmas party night.  more...

Wythall WI

THE new president, Anne Laugharne, greeted 50 members with a glass of mulled wine at our December meeting and started the meeting by introducing the new committee.  more...

Crime

‘Psycho’ attack on ex’s new man

A FAR Forest man broke the collarbone and thumb of his ex-girlfriend's new partner in a "psycho" attack.  more...

Education

Most middle schools still make progress

THE latest Government performance tables revealed mixed fortunes for Wyre Forest's primary and middle schools - less than a year before a major education shake-up takes place.  more...

County gets more cash but wants fairer share

THE annual amount of Government money handed over to Wyre Forest schools has increased but critics have argued children are still being let down by a "postcode lottery".  more...

Film Reviews

Katrina tragedy was beyond imagination

Double Oscar-winner Denzel Washington plays a time-travelling federal agent in new blockbuster Deja Vu, opening tomorrow, Friday December 15. He talks about filming in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.   more...

Fixtures

County weekend soccer fixtures round-up

SATURDAY WORCESTER & DISTRICT LEAGUE Bedwardine v West Malvern (M Stephens); Hallow WMC v The Talbot (N Canning); Hanley Swan v University of Worcester (M Bullock); Upton Town v Powick (R Fisher); Martley Spurs v Pershore Manor (C Hibbert).  more...

Football

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Latest fixtures

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16 (3pm unless stated) FA Trophy: Harriers v Vauxhall Motors.  more...

Bewdley Reserves play game of patience

BEWDLEY Reserves boss Rich Downey will adopt a patient approach with his young West Midlands League, Division Two side after their topsy turvy start to the season.  more...

Junior Soccer Scene

WELLAND U16S 3, LITTLETON U16S 1  more...

Oak Allstars sink Bell Inn in spot shootout

TEAMS in the Soccer Site Malvern Football League were looking for a place in the Norman Simmons Senior Cup semi-finals on Sunday.  more...

General

Comic at charity gig

KIDDERMINSTER-based comedian, Roy Beech, will be making audiences laugh in aid of charity on Friday, December 22.  more...

Crafty townsfolk make their mark

CREATIVE Bewdley residents have been busy with needles and thread to leave their mark on the town's new tapestry.  more...

Crafty townsfolk make their mark

CREATIVE Bewdley residents have been busy with needles and thread to leave their mark on the town's new tapestry.  more...

Lose the moaning habit

BRITONS waste more than three full days a year moaning, according to a new survey. The experts reveal why women spend so much time moaning and offer ways to beat the nagging habit.  more...

Lose the moaning habit

BRITONS waste more than three full days a year moaning, according to a new survey. The experts reveal why women spend so much time moaning and offer ways to beat the nagging habit.  more...

Lose the moaning habit

BRITONS waste more than three full days a year moaning, according to a new survey. The experts reveal why women spend so much time moaning and offer ways to beat the nagging habit.  more...

The truth about white lies

Most parents tell white lies to their children - in fact a new poll reveals that 83% of parents were told the same mistruths by their own mums and dads. We find out why parents lie and ask if there's anything wrong with telling little fibs to children.   more...

Neat footwork

A YOUNG Kidderminster disco dancer has added yet another prestigious title to her collection of more than 100 trophies.  more...

In Touch

Thomas is hoping for a happy return

THOMAS Lombard will touch down in his native France tomorrow but a warm welcome is the last thing he is expecting.  more...

Kevin Laidlaw - Photographer

Kevin Laidlaw - Photographs

A fairy delight  more...

Kevin Laidlaw Photgraphs

Spirit of the Horse, Worcester 2006  more...

Kevin Laidlaw Photographs

Spirit of the Horse Show, Worcester 2006  more...

Kevin Laidlaw Photographs

Spirit of the Horse, Worcester 2006  more...

Kidder News Latest

Vandals wreck oak story seat

MINDLESS vandals have destroyed a wooden storytelling chair designed by Kidderminster schoolchildren to bring the community closer together.  more...

Row over 'eyesore' hand rails continues

HISTORIC buildings watchdog, English Heritage, did "encourage" Wyre Forest District Council to use modern glass and chrome for the hand rails leading to Kidderminster Town Hall's new entrance, it has been revealed.  more...

Jobs boost as firms take empty units

TWO shopping centres in the heart of Kidderminster are looking forward to thriving times after attracting new companies to take empty units.  more...

Abused during flats lift rescue

FIREFIGHTERS were abused and their fire engine pelted with eggs as they tried to rescue a group of men trapped in a Kidderminster lift.  more...

Residents’ anger as barrier fails to go up

FLOOD-hit residents in Wribbenhall were left with only sandbags to protect their homes as the River Severn rose to 4.5 metres on Sunday.  more...

Residents’ anger as barrier fails to go up

FLOOD-hit residents in Wribbenhall were left with only sandbags to protect their homes as the River Severn rose to 4.5 metres on Sunday.  more...

Orbital plan is ditched

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a £50 million bypass to take traffic congestion away from Kidderminster, Blakedown and Hagley have finally been scrapped.  more...

‘I’m luckier than some younger people'

IT is business as normal for long-serving Liberal councillor, Mike Oborski, despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer. The 60-year-old Wyre Forest district and Worcestershire county member spoke openly to SARAH COUSIN about how he is coming to terms with the fact he has liver and lung cancer.  more...

Profits triple for booming Brintons

PROFITS at carpet-maker, Brintons, are up by more than three-and-a-half times on the previous year.  more...

Star treatment for sick children

A KIND-HEARTED Kidderminster chauffeur is hoping to spread some festive spirit on Christmas Day by handing sick children a little bit of star treatment.  more...

Devoted couple’s funeral

TWO horse-drawn carriages will carry the coffins of a devoted Kidderminster couple, who died only four hours apart, to Holy Innocents Church today.  more...

Found dead in Portugal

THE inquest into the death of a 31-year-old Kidderminster man, who was found dead outside his flat in Portugal, has been opened.  more...

Tributes paid to 'bright' teen

A KIDDERMINSTER College student who dreamed of being a computer games designer was one of four teenagers killed in an horrific crash on Sunday.  more...

B&Q make U-turn in parking row

DIY giant B&Q has caved in to public pressure - highlighted in the Shuttle/Times & News - and agreed to relax the car parking restrictions imposed at its Kidderminster store.  more...

Jet to Lapland to see Santa

TWO brave schoolboys, who have each endured a three-year battle against leukaemia, were today due to jet off to Lapland for a trip-of-a-lifetime to meet Santa.  more...

Don't let con men in

WYRE Forest residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, have been warned never to let strangers into their homes in a bid to cut distraction burglaries over the festive period.  more...

Handbags snatched at nightclub

POLICE have reminded revellers enjoying festivities in pubs and clubs to keep hold of their handbags after two were stolen at a Kidderminster nightspot.  more...

Latest

Hospitals' lessons in cleanliness

HOSPITAL staff are being forced to clean up their act after cases of the MRSA killer bug exceeded limits across Worcestershire.  more...

Cash-strapped hospitals may turn down heat

STAFF at the county's cash-strapped hospitals may turn the heating down and have been asked to cut down on paper in a last-ditch bid to save a further £2m needed to achieve financial targets.  more...

Councillors vote down unitary plan

Worcestershire County Councillors voted against plans to scrap district councils and become a unitary authority this afternoon.  more...

Man hurt in chainsaw accident

A MAN was recovering in hospital today after a serious injury to one of his legs in an accident involving a chainsaw.  more...

Warning issued in bogus diary scam

people in the Vale of Evesham have been warned to guard against a scam that claims to have the backing of local police.  more...

Fundraising is like a walk in the park

THREE Vale woman raised more than £600 for a club for children with special needs by taking part in a 15-mile sponsored walk at the weekend.  more...

Support for headteacher

AN EVESHAM headmaster has won the backing of town councillors in a bid to stop motorists parking dangerously outside his school's gates.  more...

College is top of the class

EVESHAM and Malvern Hills College has been described as outstanding' in a report by the Adult Learning Inspectorate.  more...

Lucky escape for a family bombed by the Luftwaffe

SIXTY-SIX years ago, high in the freezing night sky, the Luftwaffe droned their way over the Vale to bomb industrial centres in the Midlands.  more...

New homes provided

NEW shared ownership properties are being developed in Evesham, Harvington and Bretforton and will be ready for occupation early in the New Year.  more...

Emily wears gold ’n blue...and pyjamas

At just over a year old, and little over a foot tall, Emily Cairns from Badsey must be the youngest Sixways season ticket holder.  more...

Kind-hearted donor sees where his money is being spent

DAVID Badham was shown new equipment in the Macmillan unit at Evesham Community Hospital.  more...

Council flushed with loos contest success

WYCHAVON District Council is once again flushed with success.  more...

Traffic plan will change town centre

EVESHAM High Street could become one-way, with traffic then sent down Swan Lane and onto Waterside.  more...

“Pensioners face their harshest winter for years”

THE chairman of a Vale pensioners group has criticised Gordon Brown's pre-budget report claiming it does nothing to help the elderly.  more...

Pub cellar becomes a big kettle!

AN Evesham pub was back trading normally today after a freak flooding incident closed it at the weekend.  more...

Man brought ‘terror’ to his neighbourhood

AN Evesham man brought terror to his neighbours by walking down a street holding home-made petrol bomb.  more...

Council looks to put more brass in festival

WYCHAVON'S prestigious annual Festival of Brass may get extra cash help from Evesham Town Council.  more...

It’s open rebellion in the Women’s Institute

THE entire membership of a Vale Women's Institute are set to quit at the end of the month and set up their own breakaway group.  more...

Town will suffer if bus firms axe services

THREATS to bus services in the Tenbury area are causing serious concern.  more...

Costs of restoring Regal Cinema could top 300,000

REVAMPING the Regal Cinema in Tenbury Wells could cost in excess of £300,000, it has emerged.  more...

Lions’ club may lose it's roar

THE future of Teme Valley Lions is in the balance. Once a flourishing group, the Lions are now down to nine members and the president and secretary are both finding the jobs increasingly difficult because of family health problems.  more...

Pump Rooms dates set

PLANS to open Tenbury's famous Pump Rooms to the public at weekends in 2007 were unveiled at a special Community Day at the town's Round Market last Saturday.  more...

Hazel calls it a day at resource centre

HAZEL White has stepped down from her role at Tenbury Resource Centre after her stint of being in charge of the purse strings.  more...

United stunned by disputed goal

TENBURY lost out to an offside decision over the only goal of the match at Cressswell in West Midlands One.  more...

Latets

Missing diabetic man found

A MISSING man suffering from diabetes has been found following a police appeal.  more...

Friends in bid to keep chaplains

CUTS to the Alexandra Hospital's chaplaincy service will not be as bad as first feared, thanks to a rescue package from the League of Friends.  more...

Letters

Good dectorations

SIR - I would like to congratulate those responsible for the lovely Christmas decorations in the Hop Market. I had a real Christmassy feeling when I visited with the shops decorated in green and red.  more...

Good dectorations

SIR - I would like to congratulate those responsible for the lovely Christmas decorations in the Hop Market. I had a real Christmassy feeling when I visited with the shops decorated in green and red.  more...

Yobs taking over

SIR - Every day in the Worcester News I read about yobs doing this, yobs doing that. Are the brain-dead idiots slowly taking over Worcester and the nation as a whole? What can be done?  more...

Time to shop local

EVESHAM has some good shops with friendly and helpful staff (Best Wishes - for example - the best card shop I have ever been to) but I cannot be the only person to have noticed that they are all saying trade is down and they ae praying for better sales with Christmas fast approaching. These shops are the life blood of the town and when they are gone we shall be the poorer for it. Remember what happened to our excellent butchers shop in the High Street? Do we want a town full of empty shop fronts, building societies and charity shops?  more...

Year donation

ONCE again the people of Pershore and District have been more than generous in their response to the Poppy Appeal. This year they have donated £11,404.81 which is the most this branch of The Royal British Legion has ever received. We are most grateful for their continuing support.  more...

Year donation

ONCE again the people of Pershore and District have been more than generous in their response to the Poppy Appeal. This year they have donated £11,404.81 which is the most this branch of The Royal British Legion has ever received. We are most grateful for their continuing support.  more...

Year donation

ONCE again the people of Pershore and District have been more than generous in their response to the Poppy Appeal. This year they have donated £11,404.81 which is the most this branch of The Royal British Legion has ever received. We are most grateful for their continuing support.  more...

Think about presenting

MAY I please ask your readers to think carefully before buying Christmas presents for their children and grandchildren?  more...

The planning issue

I am sorry that Mr. Brixey (last week's letters) dislikes the current Christmas lights in Pershore, but in view of the short time scale that was left it was a choice of leased lights or none at all until the question of planning permission could be addressed.  more...

What Christmas means

Could I once again on behalf of the Rotary Club of Evesham, thank all those people, and local businesses, that have so generously contributed to the 2006 Tree of Light.  more...

Protection on the roads

THE letter "Easier for police to chase errant drivers?" has a point about the degree of protection people can reasonably expect police to provide and I sympathise with the burgled.  more...

Compliance not a problem

I READ "Equality officer will cost £35,000" and that Councillor Clee thinks the district has a large ethnic population and one presumes that this is the justification for spending such a huge amount of money on one position.  more...

Equality and fair treatment for all

IN REPLY to the three letters in last week's Shuttle/Times & News criticising the district council's decision to appoint an Equality and Diversity Officer, I would like to put the council's viewpoint.  more...

Children’s reaction is our satisfaction

I WAS saddened to read the letter from Mrs Doreen Darkes.  more...

Mayor'S Ball

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November.  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November.  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November.  more...

Music

Happy to be merry with RSC

ALISTAIR McGowan, Evesham's very own boy done good', is treading the boards at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in Stratford-upon-Avon this month in Merry Wives the Musical.  more...

Blues filling the Hall

THE British Blues Quintet and Maggie Bell will play Huntingdon Hall on Tuesday, December 19.  more...

ESO returns with a celebration

AFTER being placed in administration earlier this year, the English Symphony Orchestra returned to the magnificent Tewkesbury Abbey on Wednesday for a Christmas celebration.  more...

Rocking back in on national tour

LET The Good Times Roll returns to The Theatre in Chipping Norton in the New Year as part of a national tour.  more...

Prize money is worth the battle

BANDS from across the Midlands will descend on Evesham early next year for a major Battle of the Bands event.  more...

Ring cycle in full will be real first

LONGBOROUGH Opera's 2007 season opens with a new production of Das Rheingold, the first in a new Ring cycle.  more...

Carols will fill the air

A FEAST of traditional Christmas carols will fill the air when a group of singers take to the stage in Stourport on Saturday.  more...

Duo’s music mix

MUSICAL duo, Rare Breed, will be bringing their mix of jazz, new country, blues and folk to Stourport on December 21.  more...

News

Fans standing by battling Warriors

WARRIORS fans have won praise for their loyalty during the club's troubled start to the Premiership campaign.  more...

Fans standing by battling Warriors

WARRIORS fans have won praise for their loyalty during the club's troubled start to the Premiership campaign.  more...

Fans standing by battling Warriors

WARRIORS fans have won praise for their loyalty during the club's troubled start to the Premiership campaign.  more...

Webster lining up comeback

ADAM Webster could be a surprise inclusion in Worcester City's squad for their FA Trophy test at Barrow on Saturday.  more...

Warriors bank on pace for cup test

UCHE Oduoza will make his first start of the season for Worcester in tomorrow's European Challenge Cup Pool Five clash at Albi.  more...

Wedgbury returns to boost City festive bid

SAM Wedgbury has joined Worcester City on loan until the beginning of January.  more...

Harkness aiming for new Harriers contract

JONNY Harkness's aim has been spot on lately and the set-piece specialist is hoping it stays true between now and the end of the season.  more...

Swifts determined to bounce back

STOURPORT Swifts will be determined to bounce back at home to Aylesbury on Saturday after being left frustrated by a defeat and a postponement.Swifts went down 1-0 at Rothwell last weekend despite dominating the Southern Football League Division One Midlands clash.And their hopes of getting that reverse out of their systems straight away were dashed when their scheduled match with high-flying Brackley on Tuesday was rained off."Rothwell was even stevens in the first-half but we dominated the second-half so to lose in that manner was disappointing," said boss Phil Mullen. "We were up for the game against Brackley but there was a lot of rain on Tuesday so irt was called off after a pitch inspection in the afternoon."We've got Aylesbury at home on Saturday and we drew there in my first game back here so I would class this match as a winnable one."I would expect us to go there, get three points and put things right after last weekend, but we won't take anything for granted."Swifts will be hoping to have either Richard Burgess (back) or Dean Curtis (hamstring) available on Saturday to play up front with Chris Brindley, the former Harriers stalwart signed from Halesowen Town last week."Chris did what we asked off him at Rothwell, he was big and strong and had a presence about him," added Mullen.  more...

Swifts determined to bounce back

STOURPORT Swifts will be determined to bounce back at home to Aylesbury on Saturday after being left frustrated by a defeat and a postponement.  more...

Swifts determined to bounce back

STOURPORT Swifts will be determined to bounce back at home to Aylesbury on Saturday after being left frustrated by a defeat and a postponement.  more...

Yates warns against FA Trophy upset

MANAGER Mark Yates has warned Kidderminster Harriers to make sure they are not on the receiving end of an FA Trophy upset against Vauxhall Motors on Saturday.  more...

Teams

MALVERN RFC  more...

Rewards for U7/8s tag rugby team

WITH Christmas nearly here, the many weeks of training are paying off for Malvern U7s and U8s tag rugby teams.  more...

Vigorous test for MRFC U12s

MALVERN RFC U12s played their inaugural match at the newly laid out Dukes Meadow pitch on Sunday, against a well-drilled and physical, visiting Droitwich squad.  more...

Power show

MALVERN RFC came through a potential banana skin' North Midlands Cup tie against University of Worcester 25-16 on Saturday following a strong forwards display.  more...

Watkins signs at Spring Lane

MALVERN Rugby Club have have strengthened their back division with the signing of Ryan Watkins, a centre or full back, from National Two side Stourbridge.  more...

Opinion

Road closed – by barriers not flooding

DRIVERS have been happily travelling along Worcester's Hylton Road this week thanks to the flood barriers that have kept the rising waters of the River Severn at bay.  more...

Past

From the archives - December 14, 2006

100 Years Ago December 15, 1906 ON Thursday evening Messrs. E. G. Righton and Son offered for sale at the Swan Hotel several lots of Broadway property. There was a large attendance. Messrs. Byrch, Cox and Son were the solicitors for the vendors. Lot 1. offered for sale by the trustees of the late Mr. W. Davis, consisting of a shop in the occupation of Mr. E. L. Fosse, the old post office, and a house at the rear, which started at £400 and went up to £1,140, at which figure it was withdrawn, the reserve not having been reached Lot 2. Also offered by the trustees of the late Mr. W. Davis, consisted of two cottages in the Bell, and was started at £50, and was knocked down to Mr. J. Jacques, jnr. at £56. Lot 3. a cottage in the Bell Yard, the property of Mr. J. King, was put up at £25, and secured by Mr. J. Jacques, jnr., for £40.  more...

Pershore

Grassroots

LADIES' GUILD: At the meeting held in Wulstan Hall on Tuesday, December 5, chairman Jean Lockhart welcomed members and the speaker, Mrs Kear, whose subject was Christmas flower arranging. It was a most delightful talk on the history and legends of the use of holly, ivy and mistletoe for flower arrangements. During her talk, Mrs Kear arranged holly wreaths and floral designs for centrepieces, which were then donated for the raffle.  more...

Rain stops work

A convicted criminal failed to turn up to perform unpaid community work - because it was raining!  more...

Cheerful visitor enjoys special thank-you event

VOLUNTEERS in Pershore had a special visitor to their annual coffee morning last week.  more...

Dad’s plea for festive lights to be reinstated

A PERSHORE man has launched an online petition in opposition to the town's controversial new Christmas lights.  more...

First patients admitted to state-of-the-art hospital

THE first patients were admitted to the new state-of-the-art Pershore Hospital yesterday morning.  more...

Remembrance Day

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A poppy wreath lays on Chipping Nortons war memorial after the service on 11th November  more...

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Poppy wreaths lay on Chipping Nortons war memorial after the service on 11th November  more...

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John Robert Brooks from the British Legion and Peter Flick from the British Legion and Burma Star at Chipping Nortons war memorial after the service on 11th November  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November.  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November. Bugle player Les Taylor plays the Last Stand  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November. Chipping Norton Town Mayor Gina Burrows lays a wreath  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service held by Father Frank Hull at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November  more...

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The fallen are remembered during a service at Chipping Nortons war memorial on 11th November. Chipping Norton Town Mayor Gina Burrows (centre)  more...

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Pershore Remembrance day parade  more...

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Pershore Remembrance day parade  more...

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Pershore Remembrance day parade  more...

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Pershore Remembrance day parade  more...

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Pershore Remembrance day parade  more...

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Pershore Remembrance day parade  more...

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Pershore Remembrance day parade  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

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Remembrance day parade in Evesham.  more...

Reviews

Snow White - Swan Theatre pantomime, Worcester

A night of great fun, big noise and excited children was provided by a talented and enthusiastic cast.  more...

Merry Wives the Musical, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon (world premiere)

YOU'LL be singing the praises of Alistair McGowan for a spectacular performance in the RSC's Merry Wives - The Musical.  more...

Richard Taylor'S Weekly Column

December 14, 2006

CHRISTMAS began for my wife and me when we joined a sell-out audience for the Kidderminster Male Choir's Christmas Concert last Saturday.  more...

Round-Up

Hospital disaster has damaged our services

SIR - The disclosure by the Health Secretary that the government has "learnt lessons" from the early PFI schemes must be the understatement of the year (Worcester News, December 1).  more...

Has Tony always been for the EU?

SIR - Can any Worcester News reader please tell me the month Tony Blair said the following: "Above all, the European Economic Community takes away Britain's freedoms to follow the sort of economical policies we need."  more...

Has Tony always been for the EU?

SIR - Can any Worcester News reader please tell me the month Tony Blair said the following: "Above all, the European Economic Community takes away Britain's freedoms to follow the sort of economical policies we need."  more...

Your dad was a real old character

SIR - I was particularly interested in the letter from C Garner (Letters, November 30) concerning his family connection with Norton barracks.  more...

Lions deserve more credit for efforts

SIR - I am a new member of Worcester Lions and was so pleased to see the Children in Need cash counting photograph in your paper (Worcester News, December 4) but I was very disappointed when I read the write-up.  more...

Blunder over NHS cash is disturbing

SIR - It is disturbing to read that the Secretary of State for Health acknowledges that lessons must be learned from the disastrous and amateurish financing under PFI of the new Worcester hospital (Worcester News, December 1).  more...

Bags packed and ready for action

SIR - I've been up in the loft to get my cricket gear out, and I've put plenty of linseed oil on my bat.  more...

Job losses at site that makes bits

AS many as 80 people are set to lose their jobs at a factory that makes car parts in Worcester because of a drop in orders.  more...

Hanged man was bothered by debts

A MAN who was found hanging by his scarf from railings in Droitwich had been feeling down and bothered about debts for a couple of weeks beforehand, an inquest heard.  more...

Extra cash likely if councils join

WORCESTER MP Mike Foster has poured fuel on the fire by claiming up to £52m extra cash could be spent on schools and social services if all the councils in the county merged into a unitary authority.  more...

Chaos as city’s flood barriers come down without any warning

The Environment Agency caused traffic chaos in Worcester yesterday after taking down the flood defences.  more...

City volunteer off to the Balkans to help children

A 70-year-old Worcester man is travelling to Romania to work with poverty stricken children.  more...

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

THE festive season of yesteryear, before the days of the Christmas tree, or the Queen's speech, was recreated in Worcester.  more...

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

THE festive season of yesteryear, before the days of the Christmas tree, or the Queen's speech, was recreated in Worcester.  more...

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

THE festive season of yesteryear, before the days of the Christmas tree, or the Queen's speech, was recreated in Worcester.  more...

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

THE festive season of yesteryear, before the days of the Christmas tree, or the Queen's speech, was recreated in Worcester.  more...

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

THE festive season of yesteryear, before the days of the Christmas tree, or the Queen's speech, was recreated in Worcester.  more...

Boy thieves take expensive bikes

A COUPLE who cycled into Worcester on their expensive mountain bikes to do a spot of late night Christmas shopping watched in horror as thieves took the machines and rode off on them.  more...

FERNHILL HEATH: Party time for the village campaigner

A CAMPAIGN over a community sports field and access roads led Fernhill Heath resident Paul Coley to 25 years in local politics.  more...

Sixty years not out for golden couple who met near the cricket ground

A Worcester couple who met by chance near Worcestershire county cricket ground are celebrating reaching 60 years of marriage not out.  more...

Chaplaincy services in hospital will not go yet

THREATENED hospital chaplaincy services in the county have received a slight reprieve thanks to the league of friends at the county's three hospitals.  more...

Mack bags seven goals to lead girls through cup

WORCESTER Girls' Under 15s stormed through in the National Cup with a 17-0 third round beating of Burton.  more...

Cook and Hinds lift Pippins

WORCESTER Badgers Pippins excelled against strong opposition, beating Bromsgrove 2-0.  more...

Pershore in a good position for second half of season

PERSHORE are just four points behind leaders Ludlow after defeating Chaddesley Corbett 4-1 in West Midlands League Division Two.  more...

Stourport men dish out thrashing

HIGH-flying Stourport men's firsts continued their impressive season with a 7-0 thrashing of top-five side City of Peterborough.  more...

City side battle at the title hopefuls

WORCESTER women's firsts were denied a point in a 2-1 defeat at promotion-chasing Aldridge in English Hockey League National North.  more...

Players to retain shirts for ’Fields

WESTFIELDS look set to have the luxury of an unchanged side when they host Quorn in the Midland Alliance on Saturday (3pm).  more...

Hunt is setting sights on a victory

PERSHORE Town manager Neil Hunt says victory is vital at Brereton Social on Saturday (3pm).  more...

Fingers crossed over the weather

STOURPORT Swifts are hoping for better luck with the weather when they host Aylesbury United on Saturday (3pm).  more...

Fingers crossed over the weather

STOURPORT Swifts are hoping for better luck with the weather when they host Aylesbury United on Saturday (3pm).  more...

Molloy praise for in-form Malvern

MALVERN Town manager Paul Molloy has praised his players for their efforts after the club's best spell of the season.  more...

West hopes to give Weston a super ’mare

EVESHAM United boss Paul West believes his side are more than capable of springing a surprise in the FA Trophy.  more...

Skipper Stu is back in frame

SKIPPER Stuart Whitehead looks set to return as Kidderminster Harriers bid for a first under boss Mark Yates on Saturday.  more...

Bulls stunned by Stoke’s recall for Eustace

JOHN Eustace has rocked Hereford United by returning to Stoke City on the eve of the club's match at local rivals Shrewsbury Town.  more...

Major water pipe upgrade

SEVERN Trent Water is to spend £2.5m to improve the quality of supplies to its customers in Bromsgrove.  more...

Budding entrepreneurs

TWO Droitwich Spa High School pupils won top marks for their entrepreneurial skills when they raised money for St Richard's Hospice.  more...

Tight at the back but lack of bite in attack a problem

Evesham Utd U-16 0, Cinderford Tn 1 JUST when they looked like taking a point from Saturday's Midland Junior Premier League clash at Common Road, the visitors took advantage of a defensive lapse to grab the winning goal.  more...

United chasing success in couple of cups

A COUPLE of knockout contests in the space of three days will determine whether Evesham United will have anything but a place in the Southern League play-offs to play for in the new year.  more...

Vale Mayor’s week

MONDAY, December 4: 9.30am, final clearing up from the ball.  more...

Prize-winning students show it is good to talk

PERSHORE High School has continued its tradition of producing top-class public speakers after winning a debating competition for the second year in a row.  more...

Hundreds head to Christmas events

SEASONAL celebrations are taking place in Pershore this weekend with hundreds of people expected to descend on the town for the festivities.  more...

Man admits obtaining money by deception

Pershore man Neil Birch has admitted obtaining £7,000 by fraudulent means.  more...

Wick - grassroots

WICK WALKERS: November is the month when optimists wear walking boots and pessimists wear wellingtons, and when Tom Shaw led the November walk from Longborough, the ten walkers were about evenly divided. The rain had cleared up, the sun had begun to shine, and the route started along footpaths across firm pastureland with excellent views over Moreton-in-Marsh to the Brailes Hill. Following the plentifully-waymarked fallen trees, and passing through attractively decorated gates, the walkers enjoyed the spectacle of Sezincote House, with its Indian dome, and turned right just before Bourton-on-the-Hill. Here the wellington-shod walkers began to feel a little smug, as the past few weeks' rain had turned the soil more liquid. As the sun began to set, some dramatic clouds built up, but everyone arrived back at the starting-point before dark and rain came down.  more...

Throckmorton - New village hall will finally be connected to power supply

A NEW village hall will finally be supplied with electricity, weeks after construction work was completed.  more...

Sedgeberrow - grassroots

BRITISH LEGION WOMEN'S SECTION: After the December meeting, Wayne Finch and Tom Cullimore gave an excellent talk accompanied with excellent slides of the steam train run from Toddington to Cheltenham. Wayne and Tom are associated with the Great Western Railway. The evening ended with a glass of wine and mince pies. The next meeting is on February 7 and the speaker will be Roger Tolman, of The Woodland Trust. Hostesses M Bought, S Bull, M Carter. Monthly prize R Rencher.  more...

Sedgeberrow - Looking forward to term-time holidays!

SEDGEBERROW First School's headteacher Fiona Smith retires this term after 15 years.  more...

Littleton - Successful winter proms

Eileen Meads, a pensioner living in South Littleton, held a second winter proms as a birthday celebration.  more...

Honeybourne - Grassroots

WEDNESDAY CLUB: Mrs M Boath presided over the meeting on December 6. Birthday cards were distributed. The shopping trip to Redditch was enjoyed by all.  more...

Harvington - Grassroots

ST JAMES' CHURCH: The Singers concert, which took place last weekend, was another big success with all tickets sold for Friday evening and a creditable number for Saturday afternoon's performance.  more...

Fladbury - Celebration inspired by African tales

FLADBURY First School resounded to musical rhythms and dancing feet last week, as the children enjoyed a diverse variety of exciting new experiences in their celebration of culture during Africa Week.  more...

Drakes Broughton - Demonstration is held

MORE than 100 protesters including many from Drakes Broughton attended a demonstration on Monday in opposition to a planning application that could see a new recycling plant close to their village.  more...

Countryside - Region best for produce

THE Heart of England region has emerged as the best in England for its excellent choice of locally produced food and drink, according to UKTV Food's new series Local Food Heroes.  more...

Countryside - School children set to learn about farming

NEXT year will see the beginning of a year of food and farming in both primary and secondary schools, The campaign by the Country Land and Business Association has been specifically designed to improve the understanding of the role played by farming in the food chain.  more...

Countryside - Prizes galore for cross-cattle breed

THREE Charolais cross cattle exhibited by Richard Hassell and Rachael Wyllie, of Lower Brailes, Shipston, were among the tickets at the new Royal Smithfield Christmas Fair on the Royal Bath and West Showground.  more...

Countryside - Gunsmith Lewis is master of trade

EVER since he put a shotgun back into working order when he was just 13, Lewis Potter has worked with guns.  more...

Broadway - Raising the roof at a festive sing-a-long

STAFF of Rooftop Housing Group visited residents of The Court, Broadway, for traditional carol singing round the Christmas tree on Tuesday.  more...

Broadway - Use the post office or you could lose it

The boss of the Broadway post office is calling on villagers to use his the service or risk losing it.  more...

Bidford - Party for award winning village

BIDFORD parish councillors organised a party for villagers after winning the Calor Village of the Year Award.  more...

Bidford - Cash boost to help migrant workers

MIGRANT workers living in Bidford will benefit from a £2,000 grant from Warwickshire County Council's race equality budget.  more...

Bidford - Home Farm is festival winner

STAFF and residents from the Home Farm Trust in Bidford were thrilled when they were announced overall winners of the annual Christmas tree festival held in St Laurence's Church.  more...

‘Light at end of tunnel’ in plans for a new hospital

PROPOSALS for a new Malvern hospital moved a step nearer this week.  more...

‘Caring and bubbly’ daughter will be missed by all

THE mother of a teenage horse-riding enthusiast who died in a road traffic accident has spoken of her "bright and lively" daughter.  more...

M5 crash victim was a brilliant IT specialist

The parents of a former pupil at Hanley Castle High School have have paid tribute to their talented son who died in an accident on the M5 motorway.  more...

Yellow peril

WHEN the rain swept in the organisers of the Yellow Ball Alliance Stableford at the Worcestershire Golf Club took a decision to reduce the competition to 12 holes.  more...

Course leaders find the going gets tough

MALVERN Orienteers travelled to Haugh Wood near Mordiford on Saturday where a surprisingly good turn out of well over 100 people enjoyed brilliant winter weather and some tough courses planned by Dave Nevell and checked by Ashley Ford.  more...

College pupils in national finals

TEN teenagers from Malvern College were selected for the National Schools Championships in the explosive sport of rackets, the ancient forerunner of squash.  more...

Colwall in front twice

LANSDOWN II 2, COLWALL 2  more...

Roundup

Probe into takeaway fire

AN investigation has been launched into the cause of fire at a Kidderminster takeaway restaurant yesterday.  more...

Snow business at park

STAFF at West Midland Safari Park wanted to make sure Snowy the reindeer was not piling on the pounds ahead of the Christmas festiavities.  more...

VIP on tour

MEMBERS of Kidderminster and District Lions Club are touring Wyre Forest with Santa in the run-up to Christmas Day.  more...

Freke set for American challenge

KIDDERMINSTER'S Formula Ford champion Nathan Freke is on track to continue his motor-racing career in the Champ Car Atlantic Series in America.  more...

Rugby

Centre Steve is Chaddesley doubt

CHADDESLEY Corbett are sweating on the fitness of centre Steve Bellerby ahead of Saturday's Midlands Six West South West trip match with high-flying Dudley Wasps.  more...

Cleobury clubbing together for Christmas cheer

CLEOBURY Mortimer hope to have something to celebrate on Saturday when they combine their Midlands Four West South trip to Worcester Wanderers with their Christmas do.  more...

Junior sections show right spirit

FOR any critic of the necessity of youth sports development then a visit to Upton upon Severn Rugby Club last Sunday would have dispelled any lingering doubts they had of its true value.  more...

Carr sparks Upton’s try riot

UPTON entertained Five Ways, who had travelled from Birmingham, on Saturday.  more...

Schools

Curtain up on nativity plays

THE MAGIC of Christmas came to three schools when pupils performed their Christmas plays.  more...

St Richard'S Hospice

Golfing ladies are a hit with hospice

KAY Byrne, the ladies captain of Worcester Golf and Country Club, has presented a cheque for £1,423 to Tricia Cavell, St Richard's Hospice fund-raising manager.  more...

The Floods

The Floods

Pitchcroft. By Stanley Jackson  more...

The Floods

Sunrise across a flooded Pitchcroft. By Andy Mills  more...

The Floods

Sunrise. By Michael Probert  more...

The Floods

Pump House. By Michael Probert  more...

Theatre

Happy to be merry with RSC

ALISTAIR McGowan, Evesham's very own boy done good', is treading the boards at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (RST) in Stratford-upon-Avon this month in Merry Wives the Musical.  more...

Showcase for

ENCORE School of Dramatic Arts has celebrated the end of its first term in style with a massive turnout at its first ever performance, Take One.  more...

Rocking back in on national tour

LET The Good Times Roll returns to The Theatre in Chipping Norton in the New Year as part of a national tour.  more...

This Life - Special Reports

A COUPLE who cycled into Worcester on their expensive mountain bikes to do a spot of late night Chri

FARM manager at Leigh Sinton Farm Christmas Trees Nick Beard says he will sell about 5,000 real trees before Christmas this year.  more...

What is the best type of tree to buy this year?

FARM manager at Leigh Sinton Farm Christmas Trees Nick Beard says he will sell about 5,000 real trees before Christmas this year.  more...

What is the best type of tree to buy this year?

FARM manager at Leigh Sinton Farm Christmas Trees Nick Beard says he will sell about 5,000 real trees before Christmas this year.  more...

What'S On

Rockers pipped at the post

EXPERIMENTAL Redditch rockers Scrambled Man beat more then 50 bands in a competition only to finish a close second.  more...

  
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