Stories for 28 December 2006

Alcester

Mayor launches drive to help young people

ALCESTER mayor Eric Payne is behind a new fundraising drive to help the town's young people.  more...

Bus users benefit from new services

ALCESTER bus passengers will benefit from two new services in the New Year.  more...

Business

Rob launches own photography firm

A SPECIALIST automotive adviser with an eye for detail is embarking on his boyhood dream of starting his own photography company.  more...

Rob launches own photography firm

A SPECIALIST automotive adviser with an eye for detail is embarking on his boyhood dream of starting his own photography company.  more...

Takeover rumour for hotel chain

Shares in InterContinental Hotels are continuing to climb amid renewed speculation about a takeover offer for the Holiday Inn operator.  more...

Business News

Partnership is Eyedeal

A NEW partnership of opticians will help customers in Redditch see more clearly.  more...

Clubs & Societies

Alcester WI

THE Christmas meeting saw a break with tradition as members sat down together and enjoyed a turkey dinner with all the seasonal trimmings, cooked by the president and secretary, Pauline Vining and Angel Watson.  more...

Arrow WI

OUR December meeting was held as usual in the Communal Lounge at Jubilee Court, Alcester.  more...

Everywomens Circle

ON December 7 we held our Christmas party and members were warmly welcomed by president Angela Stearn.  more...

Everywomans Circle

ON December 7 we held our Christmas party and members were warmly welcomed by president Angela Stearn.  more...

Cymdeithas Gymraeg

OUR Christmas party was very well attended.  more...

Solihull & District Orchid Society

THE Autumn Show was a lovely afternoon, there were 47 members at the meeting including our visitors, who we hope will become members at a later date.  more...

The Redditch Society

OUR speaker on December 8 was Lt Colonel Susan Westlake, a former pupil and head girl of what was then known as the Redditch County High School.  more...

Fixtures

County football fixture round-up

SATURDAY KIDDERMINSTER LEAGUE Premier Division: Areley Kings v Cradley Heath; Brintons v Tolladine Sports; Gigmill v Wyre Forest; KS Athletic v Cookley Social; Oldswinford Harriers v Blackheath Town; Quarry Bank v Albron; Two Gates v Dudley Town.  more...

General

Home makeovers top New Year’s resolutions

ACCORDING to a new survey by propertyfinder.com, home makeovers will be all the rage in 2007 as re-decoration tops the New Year's resolutions list.  more...

RSPCA list top names for pets in 2006

RESULTS of an RSPCA pet survey show that the name Molly is now the most popular moniker for both cats and dogs.  more...

In Touch

Warriors lacking a sense of direction

IT is hard to muster much festive cheer at Sixways after back-to-back home defeats left the club's prospects of a Premiership revival in tatters.  more...

Kidder News Latest

Spotlight turns on hypnotist

THE BBC is turning the spotlight on Kiddermin-ster hypnotist, Michael Skirving, in a bid to find the most effective way to give up smoking in the New Year.  more...

Much-loved head dies at 77

MUCH-loved former Bewdley High School headteacher and popular artist, Jack Harris - described by a former colleague and close friend as the perfect boss - has died at the age of 77.  more...

No flowers or fuss for newsman Bill

THE journalist who broke the story of the 1975 kidnap of Highley heiress, Lesley Whittle, has died at his Kidderminster home on the eve of his 80th birthday.  more...

Tumour op Jackie doing well

A KIDDERMINSTER woman who prompted a heartfelt fund-raising campaign is undergoing her life-saving treatment in America.  more...

School bus stolen - head asks for help

HUNDREDS of schoolchildren could miss out on trips and outings after thieves stole their minibus, smashed it up and abandoned it on a Kidderminster nature reserve, where they set it on fire.  more...

School bus stolen - head asks for help

HUNDREDS of schoolchildren could miss out on trips and outings after thieves stole their minibus, smashed it up and abandoned it on a Kidderminster nature reserve, where they set it on fire.  more...

Tasmanian cash dash

A KIDDERMINSTER couple were "flabbergasted" when a kind-hearted shop assistant made a 100-mile round trip to return £50 after they overpaid while holidaying in Tasmania.  more...

Tasmanian cash dash

A KIDDERMINSTER couple were "flabbergasted" when a kind-hearted shop assistant made a 100-mile round trip to return £50 after they overpaid while holidaying in Tasmania.  more...

Tasmanian cash dash

A KIDDERMINSTER couple were "flabbergasted" when a kind-hearted shop assistant made a 100-mile round trip to return £50 after they overpaid while holidaying in Tasmania.  more...

Masked thieves raid grocery store

FOUR masked men, one armed with a knife, stole cash, cigrarettes and alchol after threatening a woman behind the till in a Kidderminster grocery store.  more...

Friends to pay for hospital chaplains

CUTS to chaplain services at hospitals in Worcestershire will not be as bad as first feared, thanks to a funding boost from League of Friends groups.  more...

Friends to pay for hospital chaplains

CUTS to chaplain services at hospitals in Worcestershire will not be as bad as first feared, thanks to a funding boost from League of Friends groups.  more...

Friends to pay for hospital chaplains

CUTS to chaplain services at hospitals in Worcestershire will not be as bad as first feared, thanks to a funding boost from League of Friends groups.  more...

Friends to pay for hospital chaplains

CUTS to chaplain services at hospitals in Worcestershire will not be as bad as first feared, thanks to a funding boost from League of Friends groups.  more...

Friends to pay for hospital chaplains

CUTS to chaplain services at hospitals in Worcestershire will not be as bad as first feared, thanks to a funding boost from League of Friends groups.  more...

Friends to pay for hospital chaplains

CUTS to chaplain services at hospitals in Worcestershire will not be as bad as first feared, thanks to a funding boost from League of Friends groups.  more...

Union anger at chaplain pay plan

A NATIONAL union has slammed charity funds being used to pay for NHS chaplains to minister to the sick and dying in Worcestershire hospitals.  more...

Wedding couple's last-minute search

A COUPLE from Areley Kings face a frantic last-minute search to find a new venue for their wedding reception after their first choice of Spring Grove House was destroyed by fire.  more...

Wedding couple's last-minute search

A COUPLE from Areley Kings face a frantic last-minute search to find a new venue for their wedding reception after their first choice of Spring Grove House was destroyed by fire.  more...

Latest

Car bound father and son find home

A FATHER and son who faced spending the New Year in their car have found a home - thanks to the Worcester News.  more...

Car crash man named

The man who died when the car he was in crashed into a lamppost in Worcester has been named.  more...

New world is seen by pupils

STUDENTS from Evesham High School had a chance to work on some of the latest advances in science.  more...

Olive branch is offered to tree

a mature poplar tree in an Evesham road has been saved by the vote.  more...

Concert supports memory of biker

A CONCERT has been organised to support a fund set up after a young motorcyclist died doing what he loved best.  more...

Short measures being served up

NEW YEAR revellers could be getting short measures on spirits, an investigation by trading standards officers has revealed.  more...

Charity pleads for help to give vulnerable people a voice

A WORCESTERSHIRE charity is calling on Evesham people to make a special new year's resolution - to volunteer to help others less fortunate than themselves.  more...

£142,000 prize still unclaimed

A LATE Christmas present could be on the cards for one lucky punter.  more...

Tough choice for window judges

MORE town centre businesses than ever took part in the annual contest to find the best presented Christmas window in Evesham.  more...

Crowds turn out to witness hunt meets

THOUSANDS of people turned out in force on horses and on foot for annual Boxing Day hunts across the county.  more...

Letter from PM on Farepak loss

AN EVESHAM woman who faced a bleak Christmas after losing out when the Farepak savings scheme went into administration has received a letter from the Prime Minister Tony Blair.  more...

Vale family flees blaze on Christmas morning

A MAN was taken to hospital suffering from burns after a family of three fled a fire above a Pershore pub in the early hours of Christmas Day.  more...

Pountney stays at Bees

STUDLEY FC manager Lee Adams has been celebrating an extra Christmas present - Craig Pountney's decision to stay with Bees despite being courted by Midland Alliance high-fliers Romulus.  more...

Hollis’ thanks to fans

FREESCORING Redditch United winger Simon Hollis has praised the fans who helped set-up a dream FA Trophy tie with Conference high-fliers Dagenham & Redbridge.  more...

Latets

Film star praises young fundraiser

SCOTTISH film star Ewan McGregor has written to a teenager who organised a talent contest in aid of children's charity Unicef.  more...

Film star praises young fundraiser

SCOTTISH film star Ewan McGregor has written to a teenager who organised a talent contest in aid of children's charity Unicef.  more...

Film star praises young fundraiser

SCOTTISH film star Ewan McGregor has written to a teenager who organised a talent contest in aid of children's charity Unicef.  more...

Kelly has that fresh look

FORMER Sainsbury's checkout girl Kelly Smith has swapped supermarket aisles for the catwalk after reaching the final of a national modelling competition.  more...

Taxi damaged in racial attack

POLICE believe a Redditch taxi was damaged in a racially motivated crime.  more...

Letters

Don’t take away local democracy in county

SIR - So, Mike Foster MP personally favours getting rid of the district councils and going for a county- wide unitary authority (Worcester News December 8).  more...

Merging councils would cost in jobs

SIR - I would like to add comment on the Worcester unitary authority debate.  more...

Why not pay the monkeys peanuts?

IR - So Worcester City Council considers £24,000 to be peanuts (Worcester News, November 30) In that case, perhaps each and every council tax payer should in future forward each year a 1kg bag of peanuts in full and final payment of the council tax bill.  more...

New logo should have been in game

SIR - I've been reading lots of complaints about the council's new logo.  more...

Let’s tarmac over all things green

SIR - May I refer to Robert Hartwright's letter (Letters, November 30) concerning the need for a new relief road for Worcester.  more...

Let’s tarmac over all things green

SIR - May I refer to Robert Hartwright's letter (Letters, November 30) concerning the need for a new relief road for Worcester.  more...

Please, no more new taxes Gordon

SIR - Road taxes raise £45bn each year, the equivalent of £800 for every man, woman and child, and yet only £37bn is spent on the roads.  more...

Please, no more new taxes Gordon

SIR - Road taxes raise £45bn each year, the equivalent of £800 for every man, woman and child, and yet only £37bn is spent on the roads.  more...

People who don’t fall silent for war dead are selfish and ignorant

SIR - Simon Gardner's selfish and grossly ignorant view, (Letters, December 9) headed "Didn't we fight for freedom of choice?" is exactly the reason why it is so important to educate the children of today about Remembrance Sunday and observing the two- minute silence.  more...

Sovereignty was lost to US not EU

SIR - I refer to the contribution from Tony Eaves (Letters, December 8). True, the majority of UK people were opposed to the illegal Iraq war in regard to mythical weapons of mass destruction.  more...

What about those without a dentist?

SIR - Six new dental surgeries are to open in Worcester to help alleviate the crisis for 35,000 patients left without NHS care.  more...

Elderly will be left vulnerable

SIR - You reported that an elderly couple in Warndon, Worcester, were robbed of more than £5,000 pounds by bogus water officials (Worcester News, December 12).  more...

I merely want the best for the kids

SIR - Bill Davison's letter (Letters, December 12) contains much muddled thinking about Christopher Whitehead School.  more...

Come up with a stronger defence

SIR - Philip Bushmill-Matthews MEP defends the vote by he and his EU colleagues to alter our inheritance laws to follow the Continental tradition by saying it was a non-binding vote.  more...

Why don’t people shave anymore?

SIR - Once again I must ask, am I the only one who is saddened, appalled and even ashamed, at the declining standards in this country?  more...

Brave or stupid?

SIR - John Phillpott called his wife "goofy" (Seven Days, December 16). Did you have the courage to go home that evening, John?  more...

Wall was part of mock castle

IN reply to your reader's letter, the wall they refer to formed the boundary wall surrounding parkland at the former Lea Castle.  more...

Wall was part of mock castle

IN reply to your reader's letter, the wall they refer to formed the boundary wall surrounding parkland at the former Lea Castle.  more...

Bewdley swan numbers growing

I AM writing with reference to the article concerning Bewdley anglers and the swan population (More swans at risk on Severn, Shuttle/Times & News, December 14).  more...

Serving up a treat

WE just wanted to compliment the young trainee chefs and catering students at NEW College in Redditch.  more...

Music

Band recalls sound of influential group

TRIBUTE band The Byrdz, will be winging their way to Huntingdon Hall in Worcester in the new year.  more...

Melinda gets gig with dad

MELINDA Lightfoot, the youngest daughter of British jazz legend Terry Lightfoot, has long had a dream to one day sing with her father's band.  more...

News

City boss wary of Reds threat

REDDITCH United pose a greater threat than their league position suggests, according to Worcester City player-boss Andy Preece.  more...

We’ve got nothing to lose — Brain

WARRIORS director of rugby John Brain admitted his side's Premiership chances will be "totally written off" after they succumbed to their 10th de-feat of the season against London Irish.  more...

We’ve got nothing to lose — Brain

WARRIORS director of rugby John Brain admitted his side's Premiership chances will be "totally written off" after they succumbed to their 10th de-feat of the season against London Irish.  more...

We’ve got nothing to lose — Brain

WARRIORS director of rugby John Brain admitted his side's Premiership chances will be "totally written off" after they succumbed to their 10th de-feat of the season against London Irish.  more...

Town at home on New Year's Day

MALVERN Town are away on Saturday at Willenhall Town (3.00) but have a home game on New Year's Day when they entertain Cinderford Town at Langland Stadium (3.00).  more...

Town at home on New Year's Day

MALVERN Town are away on Saturday at Willenhall Town (3.00) but have a home game on New Year's Day when they entertain Cinderford Town at Langland Stadium (3.00).  more...

Town at home on New Year's Day

MALVERN Town are away on Saturday at Willenhall Town (3.00) but have a home game on New Year's Day when they entertain Cinderford Town at Langland Stadium (3.00).  more...

Hollis’ thanks to fans

FREESCORING Redditch United winger Simon Hollis has praised the fans who helped set-up a dream FA Trophy tie with Conference high-fliers Dagenham & Redbridge.  more...

Opinion

Christine did it – and you can do it too

CHANCES are you're feeling more stuffed than the turkey by now after a Christmas of traditional feasting and carousing.  more...

Past

From the archives - December 21, 2006

100 years ago December 22, 1906 The early posting of parcels and Christmas cards on December 21 to 24 is specially requested by the Post Office. Special note should be made that on December 22 and 24, the letter box will close for the general night mail at 7.15pm instead of 7.45pm. Extra stamps will be accepted over the counter until 7.45pm. Parcels will be delivered on Sunday, December 23, wherever there is usually a Sunday delivery of letters. On Christmas Day, one delivery of letters and parcels will be made throughout the district. The dispatches will be as on Sundays. On Bank Holiday there will also be one delivery only. Day mails will be suspended and the town's letter boxes will be cleared once only, viz between 6pm and 6.30pm. No business will be transacted at the town sub-offices, and the head-office will discontinue money order etc business at noon.  more...

From the archives - December 28, 2006

100 Years Ago December 29, 1906 On the Thursday before Christmas, as usual, the annual treat was given to the children of St Michael's Sunday School at Broadway. A larger number than last year assembled at the schoolroom at four o'clock where the Vicar and Mrs Morgan, with the teachers and friends, attended to their wants with a generous supply of tea, bread and butter and cake. After the teachers' tea, an entertainment was given, this had been most kindly arranged by Mrs Pemberton and Miss Petty, to whom many thanks are due, their efforts being really appreciated. A distribution of sweets, oranges etc was followed by dismissal about seven o'clock.  more...

Pershore

Artists asked to add a bit of colour

Pershore artists are being sought to brighten up the walls of the town hall.  more...

Making a keen start

preparations have started for Pershore's entry in next years Britain in Bloom event.  more...

Better train service for Pershore

COMMUTERS in Pershore are being offered more trains from this New Year.  more...

Farmers seek blessing for the year ahead

farmers are heading for Pershore Abbey to ask for God's blessing to ensure a prosperous year ahead.  more...

Bright chance to solve problem and improve display

COMMUNITY leaders in Pershore have been urged to take advantage of a new street lighting scheme to improve next year's Christmas lights display.  more...

Heroin dealer caught in a special operation

A drug dealer has been jailed for five years after being trapped by the police's Operation Element, which was targeting heroin dealers.  more...

Co-Op boss joins the workers on the shop floor

A PERSHORE store had a special visit from one of its bosses, who pitched in to help customers Christmas shopping.  more...

Reports

Dale Humphries stars as Town tame Wolves

WOLVERHAMPTON UTD 0, MALVERN TOWN RESERVES 1  more...

Victory for ten-man Town side

MALVERN TOWN 3, SPALDING UNITED 2  more...

Review Of The Year

Review of the Year 2006

January Police began the year hunting for thugs who shot a swan on the River Avon, leaving it with a gaping wound in its neck. It was nursed back to health at the Swan Rescue Centre, Wychbold.  more...

Review Of The Year Cotswold News

Review of the Year 2006

January The Campden Society tries to solve Chipping Campden's parking crisis - by buying a 2.5 acre piece of land at Wold's End to turn it into a much-needed car park.  more...

Reviews

Pericles, The RSC Swan, Stratford

ONE of the great joys in the continuing Complete Works season at the RSC is the chance to see the less favoured works by the Bard.  more...

Round-Up

Diet Secrets of Mr & Mrs Slim

A WORCESTER mum who lost nearly four stone and won a top slimming award is now planning to follow in her husband's footsteps and inspire others to fight the flab.  more...

Diet Secrets of Mr & Mrs Slim

A WORCESTER mum who lost nearly four stone and won a top slimming award is now planning to follow in her husband's footsteps and inspire others to fight the flab.  more...

Thief dumps pensioner in road after taking car

A thief dumped an elderly lady on the side of a Worcestershire road on Christmas Day after he failed to realise she was in the back of the car he had just stolen.  more...

Binmen ignore my rubbish, so I take it myself

A FARM owner who has lived in the same place for 27 years has resorted to taking his own rubbish to the tip after council binmen stopped collected his rubbish for eight weeks.  more...

Check you get what you pay for

REVELLERS in Worcester are being warned to make sure they get all that they pay for in pubs in the run-up to the new year.  more...

Shorter waits for X-rays at hospital

PATIENTS are having shorter waits for scans and X-rays after the radiology team at Worcestershire's hospitals hit demanding national waiting time targets more than three months ahead of schedule.  more...

Christmas calamity for pensioner who slipped over twice

AN unlucky pensioner has endured a calamitous Christmas slipping and falling on his back twice in a week.  more...

Christmas calamity for pensioner who slipped over twice

AN unlucky pensioner has endured a calamitous Christmas slipping and falling on his back twice in a week.  more...

Suspect fires not linked, say police

POLICE have said there is nothing to suggest a link between two fires which mysteriously broke out in derelict buildings in Worcester over Christmas.  more...

The tale of Sam The Sunshine – by young author Catherine, eight

AN aspiring young author has seen her work in print.  more...

Hospice staff fall in love with the dog who won’t leave patient’s side

A POODLE who refuses to leave her owner's side has proved a big hit with nurses and visitors at the new St Richard's Hospice.  more...

Skateboard ace wanted to instruct youngsters

A SKATE park in Worcester is on the look out for volunteer stakeboarders to teach youngsters their skills.  more...

Climate change won’t leave the Faithful City under the sea, but we might be flooded with peopl

IF climate change continues at its current rate over the next few hundred years - producing higher temperatures and melting major ice sheets - Worcester won't be awash with water but it could be flooded with people.  more...

MALVERN

KARL Crangle and his security team from a Worcestershire bar want to start a pub watch scheme to reduce anti-social behaviour.  more...

MALVERN: Pub watch plan to put an end to trouble-making

KARL Crangle and his security team from a Worcestershire bar want to start a pub watch scheme to reduce anti-social behaviour.  more...

Take your festive tree for recycling

A GARDEN centre in Worcestershire is urging people to go green this festive season.  more...

DROITWICH: Anniversary day for first gay county couple to wed

THE COUNTY'S first gay couple to tie the knot under the Civil Partnership Act are celebrating the first anniversary of their life as partners.  more...

Call to log on to website for local charities

WORCESTER'S weather expert Paul Damari has launched a website to promote local charities for which he raises funds and encourage other people to get involved.  more...

Concert to raise awareness

A concert to raise awareness of the life-limiting illness muscular dystrophy will have particular significance for one of the performers.  more...

Santa must have had a job finding his way here

A Worcester city councillor is on a mission to get road signs improved in Warndon Villages.  more...

Diving Club attracts interest from shoppers

SHOPPERS out searching for festive bargains were inspired to try diving by local enthusiasts.  more...

County’s famous figures named greatest Britons

TWO major British figures, whose places in history are inextricably linked to Worces-tershire, have been named in a list of 12 great Britons responsible for creating institutions that shaped the country.  more...

STOURPORT: Will my new bride make it on Mongolia banger rally?

A CAR enthusiast could miss his first wedding anniversary driving 8,000 miles to Mongolia in a car that should be in the scrapyard.  more...

See how many birds you can spot in your garden

FANS of our feathered friends are being asked to keep an eye out in their gardens as part of the world's biggest bird survey.  more...

Chance to have a say on how the

ARE the authorities doing enough to combat flooding? Are too many houses being build beside the river? Is the wildlife that lives in the water being protected? If these questions concern you, now's the chance to have your say.  more...

Brown wants to build on good point

BROMSGROVE Rovers boss Rod Brown believes his side have "stopped the rot" following a poor run of results.  more...

Molloy’s festive results delight

MALVERN Town manager Paul Molloy is delighted with his side's start to the Southern League Division One Midlands holiday fixture programme.  more...

Pershore improving their bid for safety

PERSHORE Town boss Neil Hunt is looking to build on his second Midland Combination Premier Division win since he started in late November.  more...

West drawing inspiration for play-off challenge

EVESHAM United manager Paul West has called on his side to convert draws into three points.  more...

Harriers strike pair face split

MARK Yates faces a major drawback of the loan market after Saturday's Nationwide Conference clash at struggling Southport.  more...

Bulls continue pursuit of ex-Shrews hot-shot

HEREFORD United are still keen to snap up the services of out-of-favour Crewe Alexandra striker Luke Rodgers.  more...

Rovers defender assesses future after horror break

DEFENDER Paul Carty admits he may never return to football as a player after suffering a broken leg.  more...

Pensioner robbed in street

POLICE are hunting two men who robbed a pensioner as she walked along a road on a Bromsgrove estate.  more...

Restored car is a Mini marvel

A MINI, bought as a £50 wreck which has been restored to way beyond its original showroom spec, is featured in a four page spread in the January edition of a national motoring magazine.  more...

Amy jumps to it

BRAVE Amy Byng took to the skies to raise more than £825 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).  more...

Library is a page turner

BROMSGROVE'S refurbished library has increased visitor numbers by 6,000.  more...

A grave matter

A LOOK around St Mary's Churchyard, Handsworth, is the title of a talk being given to members of the Bromsgrove branch of the Birmingham and Midland Society for Genealogy and Heraldry.  more...

Switched on

THE History of Broadcasting will be the subject of Lickey Hills Local History Society's next talk.  more...

Horse and Pony - Helpful Advice

FIRST-time horse owners are being encouraged to apply for a free first horse owner information pack by the British Horse Society. Anyone who may have had their first horse for Christmas and would like some helpful advice can send an SAE to the British Horse Society, Stoneleigh Deer Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2XZ.   more...

Littleton - School pays tribute to former governor

A school paid its last respects to a much- loved former governor by planting a new tree in the grounds.  more...

Horse and Pony - Rare Chance

RIDERS from across the country are being invited to take part in a rare excursion on the Queen's estate at Balmoral next year to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the British Horse Society Scotland.  more...

Horse and Pony - Reliving those halycon days of our show-jumping greats

IT may be hard to believe that the town's Crown Meadow once resounded to the cheers and gasps of spectators watching some of the world's famous show jumping stars in action.  more...

Defford - Tenacious effort bringing a ship’s fare to landlubbers!

AT first glance it looks like a cookbook. It has recipes just like a cookbook. But In the Galley with Graham is much more than your average cookbook.  more...

Countryside - Arrival of rats in buildings is sign of winter

A SURE sign of winter is when rats start their seasonal migration from fields to stock buildings.  more...

Countryside - Firms will collaborate

Blackminster Equine Store Ltd has announced a collaboration with Wynnstay Group plc, to offer an enhanced service to smallholder farmers.  more...

Countryside - Legislation is not UK-proofed

LIVESTOCK farmers in Worcestershire were being badly let down by poorly devised legislation that was not UK proofed, Jim Webster, says CLA national livestock adviser.  more...

Countryside - Wildlife corriders help species get mobile

GARDEN owners are responding to wildlife gardening advice and taking action.  more...

Countryside - ‘Cyber-farmer’ is

JAKE Freestone, farm manager at Overbury Farms on Bredon Hill, has launched a blog under the name of Farmer Jake.  more...

Broadway - School hails its good report

BROADWAY First School has been labelled "good" by Ofsted inspectors.  more...

Badsey - Driver taken to hospital as windscreen smashed

A MAN was taken to hospital and at least four cars damaged in Badsey on Christmas Eve.  more...

Stores enjoy good Christmas

TRADE in Malvern during the run-up to Christmas was good, according to shops both large and small this week.  more...

Stores enjoy good Christmas

TRADE in Malvern during the run-up to Christmas was good, according to shops both large and small this week.  more...

Boxing Day blaze

NO-ONE was hurt when a suspected electrical fire gutted a house in Hanley Castle on Boxing Day morning.  more...

Boxing Day blaze

NO-ONE was hurt when a suspected electrical fire gutted a house in Hanley Castle on Boxing Day morning.  more...

Church numbers up on last year

CHURCHES around Malvern did well this Christmas, with attendances up on last year.  more...

No new home for sick mum and baby

WHEN Charlotte Darling was diagnosed with a crippling pregnancy-induced condition which left her barely able to walk she was surprised when Elgar housing would not move her from her first floor flat.  more...

Hobbs set for good year

HANLEY Swan-based Andy Hobbs trained 20 winners from just 66 runners last season giving him a 50 per cent strike rate and making him the leading trainer in the West Midlands, writes Peter Mansell.  more...

Fixtures

SATURDAY  more...

Young Joshua is following his dad

SIX-YEAR-OLD Joshua Senter is following in his dad's footsteps with success at his first ever Moto-cross four-round series, taking the overall runners-up spot.  more...

Jenkins has high hopes

TERRY JENKINS held off Steve Beaton's spirited comeback to book his place in round three of the Ladbrokes.com World Darts Championship.  more...

Humbug! Lee’s plea

LEE Ross is hoping there's not too much of the Christmas spirit sloshing around this year otherwise the New Year hangovers will be felt both on and off the pitch.  more...

Wolf in Church

FORMER Kidderminster, Wolves and Cheltenham Town youngster Steve Thompson has linked up with Alvechurch FC ahead of their hectic New Year fixtures.  more...

Taylor pledge

REDDITCH VC manager Tony Taylor is so happy with his first season in charge he has pledged to remain at the helm next season - provided he is still wanted.  more...

Rugby reckoning

THE season is very much alive for all the district's rugby clubs so players will be ordered to take it easy with the festivities, with a number of crucial fixtures looming on the return to league action a week on Saturday.  more...

Skippers prepared

THE Studley Blue and White Rope Skippers are already preparing for the National Speed Championships, which they will contest on home turf at Studley Leisure Centre.  more...

Skippers prepared

THE Studley Blue and White Rope Skippers are already preparing for the National Speed Championships, which they will contest on home turf at Studley Leisure Centre.  more...

'Not another takeaway!'

A PLANNING application for another takeaway and restaurant in Evesham Road, Headless Cross, has been met with anger by residents and the local ward councillor, who says "enough is enough".  more...

'Not another takeaway!'

A PLANNING application for another takeaway and restaurant in Evesham Road, Headless Cross, has been met with anger by residents and the local ward councillor, who says "enough is enough".  more...

Civil partnerships are popular

MORE than a dozen couples in Redditch have taken the opportunity to say "we do" since the Government made civil partnerships legal in England and Wales a year ago.  more...

Gordon keeps on calling

EVERY Wednesday for the last 14 years, bingo caller Gordon Hayward has entertained a full house and despite turning 80 on New Year's Eve, he has vowed to keep on going.  more...

Couple still in step

A COUPLE who met at a dance in 1944 have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.  more...

Rugby

Sevens event forms line-up

LEDBURY Charity Sevens title holders Samurai are hoping to return to defend their trophy when the tournament takes place again on May 13.  more...

Schools

Training to be world citizens

CHILDREN made models of volcanoes and tried to survive a mock earthquake during a new international course.  more...

Theatre

Art, music and film starts year

JANUARY may leave you a little less than jolly after December's festivities but Evesham Arts Centre has plenty in its New Year schedule to keep you going.  more...

  
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