Stories for 21 December 2006

Business

’Tis the season for crime in shops

SMALL businesses in Worcestershire are being warned to be on their guard against burglars and robbers as Christmas approaches.  more...

Business News

Sale of Santa suits soar

DURING the countdown to Christmas, Santa suit sales at a Redditch business have gone through the roof.  more...

Children have a top gear Christmas

CHILDREN enjoyed a top gear Christmas after receiving a bumper parcel of remote control and collectible cars from Halfords.  more...

Pies treat for residents

RESIDENTS of a new housing development had a festive treat when they enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine.  more...

Crime

‘Psycho’ man awaits reports

A 23-YEAR-OLD man who went "psycho" when he attacked his ex-girlfriend's new partner has been remanded for further reports.  more...

Education

Left in limbo by schools shake-up

EDUCATION changes brought about by the sweeping district schools shake-up are continuing to cause controversy - less than a year before the scheme kicks in.  more...

Football

Lacklustre display by Radar

MALVERN RADAR 0, DROITWICH SPA 2  more...

Too wet for West to play

WEST Malvern's Worcester League game last Saturday with Bedwardine was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.  more...

Victoria scrape home in Keys derby game

THE Soccer Site Malvern Football League teams played their last games before the festive break period at the weekend.  more...

In Touch

Festive fixtures will rule Warriors future

A NEW beginning or a false dawn? The next 10 days should give us a pretty good indication of Worcester's prospects for Premiership survival.  more...

Kidder News Latest

Teen gang jailed for torturing student

A 17-year-old student was burned with a home-made flame thrower during a horrifying four-hour torture ordeal, a court heard.  more...

Discover hidden world

ENERGETIC walkers can stretch their legs and discover a hidden world of wildlife at Trimpley Reservoir this winter.  more...

Designer is card sharp

ARTISTIC Dominic Davis impressed the judges with his nativity scene to scoop second place in a Christmas card design competition.  more...

Santa double on gift quest

CHRISTMAS Eve revellers in Stourport will be forced to do a double-take when the town's very own Santa Claus makes an appearance, looking for festive charity gifts.  more...

Santa double on gift quest

CHRISTMAS Eve revellers in Stourport will be forced to do a double-take when the town's very own Santa Claus makes an appearance, looking for festive charity gifts.  more...

Camera up and running

KIDDERMINSTER'S first mobile speed camera is due to go live on Habberley Lane on Boxing Day.  more...

Eagle-eyed reader returns Eeyore to rightful home

SEASONAL spirit shone for Stourport grandad, Michael Rees, whose spectacular Christmas display was targeted by thieves, with the return of one of his stolen handmade cut-outs.  more...

Pensioners fear axe will fall on vital bus

MEMBERS of a rural community on the outskirts of Bewdley fear they will be stranded if county council proposals to cut bus frequencies picks on their "lifeline" service.  more...

Police recruitment ahead of schedule

THE recruitment of an extra 95 police officers and staff to strengthen the West Mercia Constabulary's ability to tackle issues including serious and organised crime; roads policing; cross border crime and counter terrorism is ahead of schedule, it has been announced.  more...

Police recruitment ahead of schedule

THE recruitment of an extra 95 police officers and staff to strengthen the West Mercia Constabulary's ability to tackle issues including serious and organised crime; roads policing; cross border crime and counter terrorism is ahead of schedule, it has been announced.  more...

Chinese breakaway

AN INTREPID explorer will be swapping roast turkey for noodles this year when he celebrates Christmas Day thousands of miles from his Wolverley home.  more...

Chinese breakaway

AN INTREPID explorer will be swapping roast turkey for noodles this year when he celebrates Christmas Day thousands of miles from his Wolverley home.  more...

£5,000 reward over train attack

A £5,000 reward has been put up in a bid to catch the yobs who left a driver with multiple serious injuries when a 22kg block of masonry smashed through a train window.  more...

Warnign over purse snatchers

WYRE Forest shoppers have been urged to stay on their guard after three elderly women had their purses snatched in as many hours in Kidderminster.  more...

Warning over purse snatchers

WYRE Forest shoppers have been urged to stay on their guard after three elderly women had their purses snatched in as many hours in Kidderminster.  more...

Latest

Burger van breakout

PUPILS are avoiding healthy meals by sneaking out of a Worcester school to visit a fast food trailer.  more...

Family and friends bid final farewell to music fan Martyn

MOURNERS packed a Droitwich church to say a final farewell to a teenager killed in a car crash.  more...

Dogs sniff out city’s crime

Dogs were enlisted by police to help detect drug-related crime in an operation in Worcester city centre.  more...

Library plan means firm must find a new home

A 100-year-old Worcester firm will have to find a new home after council bosses approved a compulsory purchase order to pave the way for a £50m super library.  more...

Horrific injuries of train driver revealed

These horrific pictures show the extent of the injuries a train driver suffered after bricks smashed through his windscreen  more...

Mourners pay tribute to Worcester car crash girl.

MORE than 200 mourners packed out Worcester Crematorium today to remember the ‘happy young woman’ who was killed in a car crash last week.   more...

Mourners pay tribute to Worcester car crash girl.

MORE than 200 mourners packed out Worcester Crematorium today to remember the ‘happy young woman’ who was killed in a car crash last week.   more...

Mourners pay tribute to Worcester car crash girl.

MORE than 200 mourners packed out Worcester Crematorium today to remember the ‘happy young woman’ who was killed in a car crash last week.   more...

Brave woman tells how she tackled fugitive

A fearless woman has told how she stopped a fugitive on the run in Worcester.  more...

We're dreamin' of a green Christmas

TV star Alistair McGowan is joining ranks with the Evesham Journal in asking people to Keep It Green this Christmas.  more...

We're dreamin' of a green Christmas

TV star Alistair McGowan is joining ranks with the Evesham Journal in asking people to Keep It Green this Christmas.  more...

We're dreamin' of a green Christmas

TV star Alistair McGowan is joining ranks with the Evesham Journal in asking people to Keep It Green this Christmas.  more...

We're dreamin' of a green Christmas

TV star Alistair McGowan is joining ranks with the Evesham Journal in asking people to Keep It Green this Christmas.  more...

We're dreamin' of a green Christmas

TV star Alistair McGowan is joining ranks with the Evesham Journal in asking people to Keep It Green this Christmas.  more...

We're dreamin' of a green Christmas

TV star Alistair McGowan is joining ranks with the Evesham Journal in asking people to Keep It Green this Christmas.  more...

Hundreds could face cold turkey

HUNDREDS of Vale families could face cold turkey this Christmas if a team of electricity experts can't find the cause of a series of mini power cuts which have hit a large area of Evesham over the past few days.  more...

£2.3m awarded to brain-injured man

A 22-YEAR-OLD Defford man who needs 24-hour care after being starved of oxygen during his hospital birth, has been awarded £2.3 million by the High Court in London.  more...

Sex charge businessman faces extradition

AN Evesham businessman should be returned to Australia to face child sex abuse charges, the Home Secretary ruled this week.  more...

Sex charge businessman faces extradition

AN Evesham businessman should be returned to Australia to face child sex abuse charges, the Home Secretary ruled this week.  more...

Pump Rooms may need a new owner

TWO of Tenbury's most important buildings - the library and the Pump Rooms - are due for big changes in 2007.  more...

Pump Rooms may need a new owner

TWO of Tenbury's most important buildings - the library and the Pump Rooms - are due for big changes in 2007.  more...

Agreement is reached on town toilets

FULL details of the proposed deal over the Market Street toilets in Tenbury Wells have been disclosed by Malvern Hills District Council.  more...

Honours shared in ding-dong battle

UNITED'S ding-dong battle with mid-table rivals Bilbrook ended with a point going to each side in West Midlands One.  more...

Last-gasp winner sinks Woofferton

Woofferton travelled to Wellington Rangers on saturday in the quarter final of the Strongbow Senior cup and were finally beaten 3-2 in a pulsating game.  more...

Latets

Looking to the future

A BRAVE little girl who has just finished more than a year of treatment for a brain tumour is looking forward to a happier, healthier 2007.  more...

Clampers tow away driver in car

AS his car was towed away, a shocked victim of clampers operating in Redditch was actually sitting inside it.  more...

Teenager assaulted

AN 18-year-old girl was assaulted after she was approached by a man who asked her for cigarettes.  more...

Letters

Talking to our MP just doesn’t agree with me

SIR - I recently received a newsletter from Worcester MP Mike Foster which said if I had any concerns to contact him, so I did.  more...

hanks for saying you’re irrelevant

SIR - I thank Philip Bushill -Matthews (Letters, December 9) for pointing out that MEPs voted by a huge majority in favour of a report which would totally alter the inheritance laws in this country yet this vote has no legal force and - therefore - was totally irrelevant.  more...

Girls’ school is still thriving here

SIR - I felt compelled to write regarding the merger of two independent schools within the city (Worcester News, December 8).  more...

Let’s shame mums who deny access

SIR - We are being told that the Government is going to allow the Child Support Agency to name and shame the absent dads who don't pay towards their children's upbringing.  more...

Why can’t I look at green pack online?

SIR - What great news that Worcester County Council has been given a top green award for its recycling action pack.  more...

Sat-nav users are just a little sad

IR - I was driving into the city the other day and was surprised to see how many car drivers were using their sat-navs.  more...

Sat-nav users are just a little sad

SIR - I was driving into the city the other day and was surprised to see how many car drivers were using their sat-navs.  more...

Sat-nav users are just a little sad

SIR - I was driving into the city the other day and was surprised to see how many car drivers were using their sat-navs.  more...

Scrooge must be in charge of parking

SIR - I travelled by car at the weekend to Malvern to find free parking on Fridays and Saturdays in the run up to Christmas.  more...

Council could do more to save water

SIR - We are constantly told to save water. Why then don't housing associations put in low flush toilets when they up dated hundreds of houses?  more...

Lights plan would bring road chaos

THE proposal to reduce the width of the A442 Bridgnorth Road at Franche to single file by the use of traffic lights, would bring chaos to this very busy trunk road. (Dicing with death, Shuttle/Times & News, November 16) There isn't room for lights in conjunction with the roundabout, so the latter would have to be replaced by four-way traffic lights to allow for vehicles turning right from each direction.  more...

Costings ‘buried’ in the contract

n CONSERVATIVE leader of Wyre Forest District Council Councillor Stephen Clee is quite wrong to say that "£22,425 was the total cost of the new ramped entrance and not just the hand rails" (Shuttle/Times & News, December 14).  more...

Costings ‘buried’ in the contract

CONSERVATIVE leader of Wyre Forest District Council Councillor Stephen Clee is quite wrong to say that "£22,425 was the total cost of the new ramped entrance and not just the hand rails" (Shuttle/Times & News, December 14).  more...

Liberals – it’s good to talk

I READ the comments from Mike Oborski about the use of glass and chrome panels being used on the entrance to Kidderminster Town Hall with great interest (Shuttle/Times & News, December 14).  more...

First chance to see inside in 23 years

I WOULD just like to thank whoever is responsible for creating the Worcestershire Hub in Kidderminster Town Hall.  more...

Lifestyle

How to take the perfect Christmas photograph

Along with turkey, crackers and the Queen's speech, pictures are an obligatory part of the festive period. Lisa Haynes finds out what to do if you are behind - or in front of - the camera on Christmas Day.  more...

How to take the perfect Christmas photograph

Along with turkey, crackers and the Queen's speech, pictures are an obligatory part of the festive period. Lisa Haynes finds out what to do if you are behind - or in front of - the camera on Christmas Day.  more...

Music

Appeal for new faces

AN up-and-coming Kidderminster band are on the look out for two new members to play a series of gigs in the New Year.  more...

Celtic sounds at Bay Horse

FANS of Celtic sounds will be flocking to a Stourport pub tomorrow when a night of live acoustic music will be in full swing.  more...

Pupils prove you’re never too young to learn

A trio of young violin players from St George's First School are proving it's never too early to start learning to play a musical instrument.  more...

New Year'S Messages 2007

Your New Year Greetings

Tell your family and friends what you've done in 2006 - and wish everyone a happy new year. Just e-mail your messages and greetings to wenedit@worcesternews.co.uk and we'll publish them all on a special channel live on www.WorcesterNews.co.uk on Monday, January 1  more...

News

Warriors will stand by current coaches

WARRIORS director of rugby John Brain has confirmed the club will not be appointing a new head coach before the end of the season.  more...

Worcester in mood to end losing home run

SCRUM-half Matt Powell will make his one-hundredth Premiership appearance tomorrow night when Worcester Warriors open their festive camapign with the visit of London Irish (8pm).  more...

Swifts challenged to maintain momentum

STOURPORT Swifts have been challenged to keep their Phil Mullen-inspired revival rolling over the festive period.  more...

Harriers anxious to avoid a Christmas stuffing

MARK Yates has warned his Kidderminster Harriers players to stay off the booze and avoid getting stuffed with turkey over the festive period.  more...

Opinion

Do yourself a favour and eat healthily

THE news that pupils at a city school are choosing to sneak out at lunchtime and gorge themselves on sausage baguettes and fizzy drinks will hardly come as a surprise.  more...

Review Of 2006

December

IT was announced that popular Midlands news presented Nick Owen would be coming to Redditch to open the town's new cinema. After a slight delay in its construction, the opening date was set for February 1, when there will be a civic VIP reception followed by public screenings the day after.  more...

December

A LONG-awaited new doctor's surgery for the village of Inkberrow finally opened.Grey Gable, a £2 million project including three doctors' consultation rooms and three nurses' rooms, was completed in the village after 10 years of campaigning. Its name came from the Archers radio programme, which is based on Inkberrow.  more...

December

PUPILS at Webheath First School were faced with the prospect of remaining in rotten, 11-year-old, mobile classrooms for the foreseeable future. Worcestershire County Council was set to approve plans for the school to retain the mobile classrooms, which were second hand when they first arrived at the school, until 2011 but a decision has yet to be made. The matter will return to cabinet on January 30.Headteacher Chris Millward said the classrooms were "not suitable for the purpose" and a parent governor said they were "rotting from the floor up". Mrs Millward is pictured with pupils Kyle Thompson and Luisa Churchman.   more...

November

A REDDITCH teacher severely hurt in a horrific car crash started coming out of his coma.Rob Young, head of IT at Walkwood Middle School, was in Selly Oak Hospital after suffering a broken pelvis, ribs and a punctured lung in the accident, which happened on the Droitwich to Hanbury Road. His girlfriend, sister and parents said they had been extremely touched by all the cards and messages of support Mr Young had received from his pupils.  more...

November

MOURNERS, including 100 prison staff, gathered at the Ecumenical Centre to bid farewell to murdered prison officer Naomi Phipps. Fellow officers formed a guard of honour and former Blakenhurst prisoners also asked if they could attend the funeral and pay their respects to the popular woman from Oakenshaw. A man has been charged with her murder.  more...

November

MORE than 400 patients treated at the Alexandra Hospital were put at risk of being infected with HIV and hepatitis B. They were among 1,185 patients, along with 598 from Birmingham's Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, 62 from Kidderminster Hospital and 71 from Evesham Hospital who needed to have blood tests after it emerged a health care worker had been diagnosed with both conditions.  more...

October

A MAN narrowly escaped death when a tree crashed into his car as he drove along a Redditch road.  more...

October

A MAN narrowly escaped death when a tree crashed into his car as he drove along a Redditch road. The Rubery man was travelling along Hewell Road near Tardebigge when he saw the tree sliding down the embankment towards him and slammed on his brakes. The tree hit the car and he managed to fight his way out of the vehicle just seconds before it burst into flames. The terrified driver said he was lucky to be alive.  more...

October

MORE than 200 determined residents, councillors and Unison members rallied at the Alexandra Hospital to protest against the possible withdrawal of maternity and paediatric services. Speeches were given by Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride, a representative from Redditch MP Jacqui Smith's office and Tony Rabaiotti, policy services manager of Unison West Midlands. The day before the protest, Ms Smith submitted a petition to save services signed by 16,000 people to trust chairman Michael O'Riordan.  more...

October

MORE than 200 determined residents, councillors and Unison members rallied at the Alexandra Hospital to protest against the possible withdrawal of maternity and paediatric services. Speeches were given by Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride, a representative from Redditch MP Jacqui Smith's office and Tony Rabaiotti, policy services manager of Unison West Midlands. The day before the protest, Ms Smith submitted a petition to save services signed by 16,000 people to trust chairman Michael O'Riordan.  more...

October

ANIMAL rights protesters disrupted work at Triac Air Conditioning in Prospect Hill armed with a megaphone, leaflets and placards. SHAC (Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty) members claimed the company supplied Huntington Life Sciences, a research organisation which tests on animals.  more...

September

Redditch's first ever Relay for Life was held at Abbey Stadium, involving 26 teams who took it in turns to walk around the track for up to 24 hours to celebrate cancer survivors and remember those who had died. The teams raised £29,000, there were several sizeable donations from companies and AT&T vowed to try to match whatever was raised - or donate at least £15,000.  more...

September

A REDDITCH community group leader accused the council of letting down the town's black population as the group faced eviction from its Park House home on Mount Pleasant. The Desendants of Windrush were told by the council they would have to leave the building because it was no longer safe. DoW chairman Veronica Allen said the council had let them down because it had offered no appropriate alternatives. The group moved out of the building in November and it is due to be demolished soon.  more...

September

A SMOKE alarm saved the life of a mother and her four children as fire ripped through their Lakeside home. Melanie Oldnall and her children, aged 10-14, were woken by the shrieking alarm at the house in Holloway Lane, jumped out of bed and ran out of the house to safety.The fire, which gutted the family home, was believed to have been started when a tumble dryer overheated.  more...

August

ONE of Redditch's best-loved mayors and a town stalwart died, aged 79.Pat Wilson, or "Madam Redditch" as she was affectionately known by one of her long-time friends and colleagues, was a Redditch councillor for more than 30 years and was involved with the setting-up and survival of many town groups.  more...

August

ONE of Redditch's best-loved mayors and a town stalwart died, aged 79.Pat Wilson, or "Madam Redditch" as she was affectionately known by one of her long-time friends and colleagues, was a Redditch councillor for more than 30 years and was involved with the setting-up and survival of many town groups.  more...

August

A STUDLEY mum-to-be had the shock of her life when the face of Jesus appeared in her baby's scan.Laura Turner, 20, and her partner Dave Meilkle, 31, had been for a routine scan at the Alexandra Hospital but it was only three weeks later that the couple's friend noticed the "face" watching over the unborn child.  more...

July

TORRENTIAL rain deterred residents from turning out to a fun day in aid of the Craig Evans Appeal. Organisers expressed disappointment that glorious weather which had preceeded the event failed to materilaise for the community fundraiser which would help disabled people across the town. It was hoped about £10,000 could be made during the event but only 100 braved the weather conditions to attend. Pictured are Stephen Peil, Isaac O'Neil and Joshua Hamilton demonstrating martial arts.  more...

July

A DISABLED Redditch man was left cooped up in a hospital bed while the council and Primary Care Trust argued over who was responsible for making his home safe for him to live in. David Chart, a mutliple sclerosis sufferer, had spent more than six months in the hospital while he waited for an electric door to be fitted in his Winyates home. It was to be another three months before Mr Chart was allowed to return home to live.  more...

July

CHAMPAGNE corks were popping at Redditch's NEW College after education chiefs named it one of the best in the country. Principal Neil Bromley (centre), staff and students at the recently transformed Peakman Street campus were delighted when Ofsted inspectors labelled the college "outstanding" in many areas.  more...

June

PLANS were unveiled for a massive transformation of the roof in the Kingfisher Centre. The £400,000 scheme aimed to rid the centre of the outdated structure currently there, give it a much brighter look and make the centre more up-to-date and vibrant for shoppers.  more...

June

POLICE seized cannabis worth £750,000 in a series of dramatic raids across Redditch.  more...

June

POLICE seized cannabis worth £750,000 in a series of dramatic raids across Redditch. Addresses around the town were raided, as well as one in Gloucestershire and Barnt Green, during Operation Gemini and 12 people were arrested. More than 150 officers were involved and had been working on the operation for 12 months.  more...

June

POLICE seized cannabis worth £750,000 in a series of dramatic raids across Redditch. Addresses around the town were raided, as well as one in Gloucestershire and Barnt Green, during Operation Gemini and 12 people were arrested. More than 150 officers were involved and had been working on the operation for 12 months.  more...

May

MOURNERS wearing football shirts flocked to Redditch Crematorium to say a final farewell to disabled Winyates man Craig Evans. Craig, 26, who had muscle wasting disease Muscular Atrophy, touched the heart of many Advertiser readers who donated generously to a £10,000 appeal to buy him a new power wheelchair.  more...

May

THE town was shocked after the first ever British National Party (BNP) candidate was elected to Redditch Council. David Enderby (above), 45, won a seat in Winyates, ousting veteran Labour councillor Albert Wharrad by just 12 votes. The 2006 local elections left Redditch with a hung council as Labour lost overall control.  more...

May

THE new orthopaedic centre at the Alexandra Hospital was given the royal seal of approval.Princess Alexandra, who officially opened the hospital named after her 20 years previously, made a return visit to launch the £2 million unit and meet staff. She also unveiled a commemorative plaque. The Princess is pictured receiving a posy of flowers from Julia Bell, six, watched by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust chairman Michael O'Riordan.  more...

April

At the end of the month, the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair, visited Lakeside residents during a whistle-stop tour of the new Breedon Gardens homes development in Kingsley Avenue, owned by Redditch Co-op Homes.  more...

April

A WEEK later, the then Education Secretary Ruth Kelly dropped into Oak Hill First School to hear about holiday activities as well as a new SureStart centre being built on the Wirehill Drive site.  more...

April

THE town was awash with political figures - just weeks before townsfolk went to the polls for the 2006 local elections. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw visited Church Hill Centre with Jacqui Smith MP and various Labour councillors to look at CCTV provision and new alcohol-free zones.  more...

April

THE town was awash with political figures - just weeks before townsfolk went to the polls for the 2006 local elections. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw visited Church Hill Centre with Jacqui Smith MP and various Labour councillors to look at CCTV provision and new alcohol-free zones.  more...

Review Of The Year - Sport

Feb06011

Simon de Montfort girls football team.Front left:Lauren Cowley and front right:Natasha Brotherton.Back left to right:Lauren Colledge, Hannah Lowerson, Jaspreet Bassi, Sade Gerald and Lucy Rogers  more...

jul06050-a

Junior organiser Julie Johnson (front) with tennis centre coaches Andrew Banks (right) and Richard Crabtree at the Pershore Tennis Centre  more...

jan06047

Hawks floorball team: front l-r: Josh Needham, Laura Dunsby and Sam Needham. Back l-r: Anna Cowcher, Jon Bryan and Jack Bridges  more...

jul06141

Junior finalists in the PRS tennis league: front: Ben Lane and Charlie Taylor from Shipston. Back l-r: Harry and George Naylor from Bidford, Arthur and Michael Bennett from Alcester and jack Allum and Sam Hilpert-Smith from Studley  more...

jun06093

The official opening of the new extension at Weston-Sub-Edge Bowls club. From left - Cully Culliford - committee member, John Nock - head greenkeeper, Barrie Knight - chairman, Julie Girling - district councillor, Roy Jenkins - club secretary, Peter Hartwell - club president  more...

mar06034-a

Matthew Gotrel, a sailor who is hoping to make the Olympic team  more...

mar06163

Holy Redeemer school, Pershore, win the catholic schools sheild.From the left:Kevin Tse, Zac Brant, Sam Marshall, Patrick Harrison, Sean Kerr, Liam Richardson and Josh Atherton  more...

may06037

Opening of the fourth court at Beckford tennis club, Front - Terry Sharp, Club chairman and Lynda Ellis, Ladies captain with the Gloucestershire LTA club of the year shield. Front row l-r Alex Fray, Will Newman, Chris Morrow - (with most improved junior trophy), Matt Morrow Jack Newman and Tina Harrington. Back row l-r Jean Croft, Stephen Clayton, Michael Angell (correct) Chairman of Gloucestershire LTA, Ash Smith - club coach and Paul Jay  more...

may06069-a

Broadway First school football winners. From the left:Jack Witts, Alex Deakin, Ryan Leitch, Aaron Parkes, Rory Gaine, Brandon Parker and Dylan Oldham  more...

nov06076

Young racing driver Cassey Watson, 15, with her trophies for second and third places in T Car racing at Brands Hatch  more...

nov06125-b

Wychavon Parish Games presentation night - Vice Chairman of Wychavon District Council Bob Banks presents Bob Beswick captain of Bretforton with the W M C R S Silver Salver  more...

oct06063-d

Broadway Horse Trials In A Spin ridden by Alex Wyatt in the showjumping ring  more...

oct06063-d

Broadway Horse Trials In A Spin ridden by Alex Wyatt in the showjumping ring  more...

oct06063-d

Broadway Horse Trials In A Spin ridden by Alex Wyatt in the showjumping ring  more...

oct06103-b

Martin Keighley who is the new race horse trainer at Condicote stables with horse, Prince Dundee  more...

sep06043b

Four times Olympic Gold Medallist Matthew Pinsent officially opened the newly refurbished facilities at Evesham Rowing Club on Saturday with Olympic Gold Medallist Zac Purchase, comedian Alistair McGowen, and Evesham Rowing Club Chairman John Lomas  more...

aug06056

Evesham United player manager Paul West with new signings, Steve Luckett, Nathan Vaughan and Liam Dailey  more...

dc9702

Worcestershire table tennis champions Luke Moffet and Ella Parry-Reece   more...

dec06084-h

Floorball Chipping Campden (white) Vs Bledington (blue)  more...

feb06078-d

Football coach Scott Burry with Tom Nuttal (left) and Rowan Goode, both 7, at the football coaching lessons held at the leisure centre and funded by council tax on second homes  more...

Richard Taylor'S Weekly Column

December 21, 2006

THE Health Select Committee's report on NHS Deficits was published last week. There are faults in local management in some trusts. Other trusts, even well managed ones, now face large cumulative deficits from previous lack of control or under funding.  more...

Round-Up

‘Friends should not pay for chaplains’

THE decision of Worcestershire hospitals' League of Friends to fund a chaplain could fall foul of Charity Commission rules, it has been claimed.  more...

Forty arrested in police drug busts

More than 40 people have been arrested in Droitwich and Bromsgrove in a police drugs investigation codenamed Operation Cleopatra.  more...

Dogs sniff out city’s crime

dogs were enlisted by police to help detect drug-related crime in an operation in Worcester city centre.  more...

Teacher hurt in car crash will be home

THE Worcester teacher who was seriously injured in a road accident will get his Christmas wish of spending time at home with his family.  more...

Bishop gives out school prizes

THE Bishop of Worcester helped celebrate the success of a school in its annual prize-giving ceremony.  more...

College up for green award

STAFF and students at Pershore Group of Colleges have their green fingers crossed after it was shortlisted for a prestigious environmental award.  more...

Castle needs to be more ‘accessible’

HARTLEBURY Castle and its contents could be made more accessible to visitors after the Bishop of Wor-cester moves out next year, according to West Worcestershire MP Peter Luff.  more...

Hall is safe for now

A VILLAGE hall that was under threat of closure following a series of attacks by vandals is safe for the time being.  more...

Allotments put on hold

PLANS for 23 allotments in Malvern have been put on hold pending the results of an appeal.  more...

County’s WI group ends the year on a high note

THE county federation of Women's Institutes is in fine feather and finishing the year on a high note - by adding another branch at County Hall to its network.  more...

Information on private hospitals to be available

PATIENTS and the public in Worcester are to have easier access to information on how well healthcare prov-iders in the independent sector are meeting standards.  more...

Successful Christmas fund-raiser

A Christmas extravaganza held in Barnards Green, Malvern, was a great success, according to organisers.  more...

Don’t give animals as gifts

PEOPLE have been urged not to buy pets as presents this Christmas unless they can give them the care and love they need, following the death of two abandoned puppies.  more...

Don’t give animals as gifts

PEOPLE have been urged not to buy pets as presents this Christmas unless they can give them the care and love they need, following the death of two abandoned puppies.  more...

Don’t give animals as gifts

PEOPLE have been urged not to buy pets as presents this Christmas unless they can give them the care and love they need, following the death of two abandoned puppies.  more...

Pledge to listen to the views of young

YOUNGSTERS in Worces-tershire are being urged to have their say about housing and community issues.  more...

Try a new sport this new year

HAVE you ever fancied taking up a new sport or activity but have not known where to start?  more...

Girls show off their skills at school talent contest

SCORES for the Chantry High School talent competition were collated yesterday after a packed house watched the annual event. Three panels of staff at the school in Martley marked the competitors. In first place were dancers Anna Hancock, Sophie Maddocks, Elizabeth Choney, all year 11 and Angelica Choney, year 10, collectively known as Moulin Rouge. In second place were a dance group of year 10 pupils Ellie Berry, Hollie Parks and Helen Jackson. Dancers Lydia Richards, year 9, and Jodie Jacques, year 10, tied with Barry Francis, year 11, on the drums for third place. The event was organized by music teacher Maria Masters and had so many entries they held three sessions to fit everyone in.   more...

Girls show off their skills at school talent contest

SCORES for the Chantry High School talent competition were collated yesterday after a packed house watched the annual event. Three panels of staff at the school in Martley marked the competitors.  more...

Hundreds pack cathedral for anight of classic carols

CHRISTMAS is a time to be thankful for what we have, while thinking about others less fortunate - that was the message at the annual Worcester News Christmas Carol Service.  more...

Hundreds pack cathedral for a night of classic carols

CHRISTMAS is a time to be thankful for what we have, while thinking about others less fortunate - that was the message at the annual Worcester News Christmas Carol Service.  more...

Hundreds pack cathedral for a night of classic carols

CHRISTMAS is a time to be thankful for what we have, while thinking about others less fortunate - that was the message at the annual Worcester News Christmas Carol Service.  more...

Young biker’s memorial fund hits £70,000 with no sign of slowing

A MEMORIAL fund set up following the death of teenage motorcyclist Chris Jones has hit the £70,000 mark - and the fund-raising will not stop there.  more...

Bullying was reason why woman left an NHS trust

BULLYING was one of the main reasons why a top secretary with the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust became ill with stress and left her job, Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told.  more...

Heroin addict, 24, punched man over sex disease mix-up

A HEROIN addict and alcoholic who punched a man he thought had passed on a sexually transmitted disease to his girlfriend has been given a last chance to get himself clean.  more...

Crossing wanted

PEDESTRIANS in a Worcester parish are one step closer to having a new zebra crossing installed.  more...

Assistants trained for nursing duties

TALENTED staff at the county's hospitals have been recognised at a special awards ceremony.  more...

Man asked child if she wanted lift

POLICE are asking for information after a driver asked a young girl if she wanted a lift.  more...

Enjoy a film on us

MORE than 500 Worcester News readers received a Christmas treat this week.  more...

College students’ sporting success

WORCESTER Sixth Form Colleges have clinched West Midlands honours in various sports.  more...

College students’ sporting success

WORCESTER Sixth Form Colleges have clinched West Midlands honours in various sports.  more...

Westfields pursue vital points lift

FIFTH-from-bottom Westfields contest important Midland Alliance points at home to mid-table Coalville Town on Saturday (3pm).  more...

Strikers available again for Stourport

STOURPORT Swifts are set to be boosted by the return of two strikers for Saturday's Southern League Division One Midlands match with Barton Rovers (3pm).  more...

Rovers boss is setting a target

ROD Brown has targeted a 10-point haul from Bromsgrove Rovers' Christmas and new year fixtures.  more...

Home hoodoo is on the line

MALVERN Town are hoping to end their home hoodoo when Spalding United visit on Saturday (3pm).  more...

Let’s forget Trophy exit — West

EVESHAM United manager Paul West does not want his players to dwell on their FA Trophy exit.  more...

Turner bidding to right dire display

GRAHAM Turner is hoping Hereford United can reproduce their FA Cup form tomorrow night when they take on Notts County at Meadow Lane (7.45pm).  more...

Hereford inspection

HEREFORD have called a precautionary inspection for 7.30am ahead of racing tomorrow due to the threat of frost.  more...

Spa MP Peter Luff’s New Year message

IN politics you solve one problem and another comes straight along, so the only thing that's certain about 2007 is that I don't know exactly what challenges and opportunities it will bring.  more...

Festive treat for war vet

A BRAVE World War Two veteran has been treated to a special Christmas present.  more...

Pupils are cashing in

KIND-hearted pupils at Droitwich Spa High School presented cheques to three charities after raising the cash through a number of events.  more...

Broken leg nightmare

IAIN Paston has spent Christmas recovering after he broke his leg trying to avoid flooding in a Spa alleyway.  more...

School sports hall bid is refused

MALVERN St James school has been refused permission to build a controversial new sports hall.  more...

Spa hotel given the thumbs down

PLANS for a major hotel and spa development in Malvern were turned down by district council planners this week.  more...

Hanley are tag rugby champions

HANLEY Swan C of E Primary School's year 5 and 6 pupils came out tops in the Worcester Warriors Orange and Sportsmatch Tag Rugby Festival at Sixways.  more...

Victory achieved after hard games

MALVERN Chess Club played Redditch at Manor Park in the Worcester County League and won convincingly after a hard fought match with a number of interesting games.  more...

Jessica Paget top scores in ‘secret’

SIXTY Worcestershire Golf Club ladies stepped out to play in the Christmas Alliance.  more...

Road sees two crashes

TWO road crashes took place in three days on the A449 Malvern-Worcester road at Newland this week.  more...

Council offers thanks to Helen

MALVERN Town Council is to officially thank Helen l'Anson, who recently resigned as a member for the Pickersleigh ward.  more...

Council tax precept cut by ten per cent

MALVERN Town Council has cut its share of the council tax by 10 per cent for the year 2007/8.  more...

Hotel set to become apartments

A PROPOSAL to convert the Walmer Lodge Hotel, in Abbey Road, into 11 serviced apartments has been given the go-ahead by Malvern Hills planners.  more...

Hotel to become apartments

A PROPOSAL to convert the Walmer Lodge Hotel, in Abbey Road, into 11 serviced apartments has been given the go-ahead by Malvern Hills planners.  more...

Hotel to become apartments

A PROPOSAL to convert the Walmer Lodge Hotel, in Abbey Road, into 11 serviced apartments has been given the go-ahead by Malvern Hills planners.  more...

Chain links children and charity

THE world's biggest paper chain came to Redditch as part of a fundraising scheme to help vulnerable children this Christmas.  more...

Binmen bring festive cheer

TWO refuse collectors decided to bring residents some Christmas cheer when they picked up their rubbish.  more...

Going crackers!

CHILDREN have been going crackers this Christmas at Alvechurch Library.  more...

Praying for a new vicar

PARISHIONERS at St George's Church hope the New Year will bring them a new vicar, as they have been without one for 18 months.  more...

Praying for a new vicar

PARISHIONERS at St George's Church hope the New Year will bring them a new vicar, as they have been without one for 18 months.  more...

Rats on the rise

RATS are on the increase in Redditch, according to a councillor who has received numerous complaints about the rodents.  more...

Rats on the rise

RATS are on the increase in Redditch, according to a councillor who has received numerous complaints about the rodents.  more...

Music project for excluded pupils

THOUSANDS of pounds has been scooped for an ambitious project to bring music to Redditch youngsters who have been permanently excluded from school or are in danger of exclusion.  more...

Homes scheme starts

WORK has started at two sites in Lakeside to create more then 30 affordable homes.  more...

Children's joy at Towers trip

THE faces of seven life-limited children lit up when they found themselves in a winter wonderland, thanks to the generosity of Redditch people.  more...

Lolly bid to cut crime

REDDITCH police have been handing out lollipops in a bid to reduce the number of violent incidents and crime caused by drunken revellers.  more...

Roundup

Chess: Fine win for town team

KIDDERMINSTER scored a 4-2 home victory over the combined Worcester St Johns and Droitwich team in Division One of the Worcestershire League.  more...

Running: Amos is the shining light

JOHN Amos was the shining light in a busy period of racing for Amazing Feet Running Club, winning the men's over-50 category at the Wolverhampton Turkey Trot five-miler.  more...

Running: Amos is the shining light

JOHN Amos was the shining light in a busy period of racing for Amazing Feet Running Club, winning the men's over-50 category at the Wolverhampton Turkey Trot five-miler.  more...

Hick stumps up support

KIDDERMINSTER pupils were bowled over when Worcestershire and former England Test batsman Graeme Hick stumped up cash towards developing cricket at their school.  more...

Hick stumps up support

KIDDERMINSTER pupils were bowled over when Worcestershire and former England Test batsman Graeme Hick stumped up cash towards developing cricket at their school.  more...

Hick stumps up support

KIDDERMINSTER pupils were bowled over when Worcestershire and former England Test batsman Graeme Hick stumped up cash towards developing cricket at their school.  more...

Hick stumps up support

KIDDERMINSTER pupils were bowled over when Worcestershire and former England Test batsman Graeme Hick stumped up cash towards developing cricket at their school.  more...

Hick stumps up support

KIDDERMINSTER pupils were bowled over when Worcestershire and former England Test batsman Graeme Hick stumped up cash towards developing cricket at their school.  more...

Angling round-up

Furnace Mill Sunday Open, Furnace Pool and Mucky Meadow, 21 fished: Mick Round (Old Dial AC) 67-9-0, Gary Haywood (Old Dial AC) 46-1-0, Brent Wilkes (Oakdale AC) 39-2-0, Jason Astle 29-8-0.  more...

Judo: Handy Andy gains second-level black

SAMURAI Judo Club's Andy Marston put in a brilliant performance to defeat a line-up of black belts in spectacular style to gain his second level black belt at a senior grading.  more...

Judo: Carol singing after referee promotion

SAMURAI Judo Club coach and referee Carol Leverton is celebrating after gaining her National A' Referee Award at the British Senior Championships.  more...

Kickboxing: Morgan wishes for novel Christmas box

FOUR-year-old Morgan Allin has wished for a novel kind of Christmas box this year.  more...

Kickboxing: Morgan wishes for novel Christmas box

FOUR-year-old Morgan Allin has wished for a novel kind of Christmas box this year.  more...

Kickboxing: Morgan wishes for novel Christmas box

FOUR-year-old Morgan Allin has wished for a novel kind of Christmas box this year.  more...

Rugby

KCs consolidate with Yards win

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians picked up another valuable two points to consolidate their mid-table position in Midlands West Three North with a 26-7 win against Old Yardleians.  more...

Chaddesley are stung by Wasps

CHADDESLEY Corbett were unable to dent Dudley Wasps unbeaten record after losing 22-6 at home to the Midlands Six West South West high-fliers.  more...

Chaddesley are stung by Wasps

CHADDESLEY Corbett were unable to dent Dudley Wasps' unbeaten record after losing 22-6 at home to the Midlands Six West South West high-fliers.  more...

Two wins and a loss for Corbett kids

CHADDESLEY Corbett under-11s won two and lost one of their three matches at Bromsgrove, winning 25-0 and 5-0 and losing 5-0.  more...

Honours even at Upton

UPTON 3PTS, COVENTRY WELSH 3PTS  more...

Schools

Dressing up for the day

A FANCY dress day marked the end of term at Abbeywood First School.  more...

Pupils' panto was magic

CHILDREN from Beoley First School performed their annual pantomime in front of appreciative audiences.  more...

This Life - Special Reports

There are people to call if you are sad at Christmas

TIS the season to be jolly - so the song goes. But Christmas is far from a jolly time for thousands of people up and down the country who find the whole festive period stressful as it shines an unwelcome spotlight on their personal problems.  more...

Worcester Sixth Form College

Tens rugby

The Worcester Sixth Form College squad, who will play in the regional finals next month, line-up, back row (left to right): Christian Henderson, Mike Pinfield, Andy Vizor, Phil Shore, Paul Burton, Matt Wilson and Tom Hall. Front: Matthew Ford, Sam Fitch, Spencer Goggin, Sam Bastock, Sam Thomas, Luke Cooke and Russ Marsland.  more...

Table tennis finalists

Worcester Sixth Form College's Gulfraz Hussain and Raza Hussain.  more...

On the ball

Worcester Sixth Form College's girls basketball team, from left: Nicki Hilliage, Stephanie Belinger, Hannah Brehaut, Anais Finck, Nicole Harris, Katie Singleton and Christina Vasiljevic.  more...

Just champion

Table tennis victor Jamie Mills.  more...

Running away with it

The girls' cross-country team are pictured, back row (left to right): Lucy Manganiello, Lucy Dudley, Sophie Hayden and Katie Weatherburn. Front: Megan Pryce, Kirsty White and Luisa Petta.  more...

  
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