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Stories for 9 February 2006
Leisure
Band delight over success of latest EP
A KIDDERMINSTER singer says the new EP his band has been recording is even more successful than first anticipated. more...
Ian goes back to his roots
A KIDDERMINSTER singer-songwriter will be playing his first gig in his home town for five years on Sunday. more...
Private Lives - Festival Theatre, Malvern
AMANDA and Elyot, who divorced acrimoniously five years ago, have both now remarried. To their initial horror, they end up honeymooning in the same hotel. more...
Sex and city
SEX and the City of Westminster is light-hearted entertainment with music, taking you on a revealing journey from Westminster Bridge to Soho. more...
Round world with photos
TRAVEL around the globe without leaving Pershore - that's the offer to local people from Worcestershire photographer Paul Beard. more...
What's On
TONIGHT: Birmingham: Marriott Hotel - more...
Youngsters can enjoy crafty and sporty fun
A FEAST of activities has been planned to keep Wyre Forest children entertained during half-term. more...
Band delight over success of latest EP
A KIDDERMINSTER singer says the new EP his band has been recording is even more successful than first anticipated. more...
Dance contest
YOUNG dancers from across the Midlands will be performing at the annual Wyre Forest Dance Festival, which kicks off on Sunday. more...
Ian goes back to his roots
A KIDDERMINSTER singer-songwriter will be playing his first gig in his home town for five years on Sunday. more...
It's time for talking
TALKING Dialogue will be the topic of this month's Swan Playwrights' meeting at The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster on Saturday. more...
Celebration marks end of flood works
FINAL preparations are being made for a weekend of "spectacular" entertainment in Bewdley celebrating the history, location and culture of the town. more...
Museum opening for 40th season
WORCESTERSHIRE County Museum, based at Hartlebury Castle, has reopened for its 40th season. more...
Author explores murder mystery
A KIDDERMINSTER-based author is piecing together memories of a popular woman who was brutally murdered during the Second World War. more...
New trail will lead you to rarely visited wonderland
TO most of us, the countryside is a very important asset. more...
Sugar and spice and...
CANADIAN humorist Nils Ling is the first star of the Shindig tour to grace the stage at the Number 8 Arts Centre, Pershore. more...
New man takes Everyman helm
THE new chief executive of Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre is Geoffrey Rowe, who took up his new appointment on Monday. more...
Parallels with a present paranoia
ARTHUR Miller's intense drama The Crucible comes to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre on Thursday and director Dominic Cooke sees parallels between the period in which it was written and the present day. more...
A relationship out of tune
A CLASH of cultures among proud soldiers is the dramatic centre-piece of Tunes of Glory, opening in Malvern on Tuesday. more...
A great star is re-born
MOUTHPIECE Theatre Company is bringing With A Little Bit O' Luck, a show tracing the career of Stanley Holloway, arguably one of Britain's greatest stars, to Worcester. more...
Beware the wages of sin
A JACOBEAN tragedy about to open at Stratford has a theme which might easily relate to the present day rather than 400 hundred years ago. more...
News
Third age now
The U3A (University of the 3rd Age) is committed to real lifelong learning by groups of older people sharing their knowledge and experience. The topics covered by each group may be either of a recreational or more serious nature - or even just for fun. more...
Vale Mayor's week
Monday, January 30. Attended an Annual Town meeting in Melsungen - made a short speech as Mayor and enjoyed chatting with old & new friends. more...
Generous Vale
I WOULD be grateful if you would pass on our thanks, via your letters page, to all those who generously donated money to the Volunteer Centre during our Tesco collection. Despite the freezing weather we raised £540 which will be used to fund the work of the Centre helping the residents of the Vale. more...
A way to solve town parking
RE Parking in Moreton. Moreton is a market town in a tourist area; as such it should be where residents of surrounding villages - and visitors from further afield - can come to shop, lunch, visit doctors/dentists and any of the many businesses in the town. more...
Living with and loving SWPCT?
To echo the letter in last week's Journal from Cllrs. Judy Pearce and David, McGrath, the NHS proposal to "collapse" the existing Primary Care Trust structure into larger, and thus less local and immediate, organisations is not welcomed. more...
Support Our Scouts- Can you help us with our £80,000 appeal for new centre?
TODAY the Shuttle Times and News is appealing to readers to help us raise £80,000 to rebuild a Scout centre torched by vandals. more...
Thriving centre for youngsters
FOR more than half a century, Rhydd Covert has been a thriving base of youth activity and a spiritual home to generations of Wyre Forest youngsters. more...
Man who built original centre left devastated
FOR Pete Ashcroft, the destruction of the centre at Rhydd Covert was all the more upsetting, as he was one of the determined volunteers who erected the building in 1971. more...
Buy badge to support our appeal
THE Shuttle/Times and News's £80,000 appeal to rebuild a torched Bewdley Scout centre at Rhydd Covert campsite has gathered steam since its launch last week. more...
Tribute to our Suzanne
Family back appeal to help fill void after tragedy more...
Appeal passed £1,000
OUR appeal has cruised passed the £1,000 mark as more and more Shuttle/Times & News readers reach into their pockets to help Wyre Forest's Scouts. About £1,400 has been pledged to Operation Covert in the two weeks since the appeal was launched. more...
Rhydd Covert
THE centre at Rhydd Covert is at the heart of the Scout movement in Wyre Forest, a movement that helps about 700 district young people develop crucial values of responsibility and citizenship. more...
Yes sir, that's my baby
A BABY rhinoceros yet to be named goes on show to the public when West Midland Safari Park reopens to the public this weekend following its winter shutdown. more...
Bonfire
A BONFIRE and firework display at a Rock pub raised more than £300 towards Operation Covert - and the money is still coming in. more...
Appeal over £3,000
OUR appeal has passed the £3,000 mark just three weeks after being launched. more...
Politicians back appeal
POLITICIANS have elected to back Operation Covert with cash donations towards the Shuttle/Times and News appeal. more...
Operation Covert - Generous masons in major donation
FOND memories of childhoods spent at Rhydd Covert spurred a Masonic lodge into donating £250 towards Operation Covert. more...
Tuneful pupils rally round
SCHOOLS have begun to rally behind Operation Covert. more...
Stick with it and sew your support
SPECIAL badges and stickers bearing the message "I'm Supporting Operation Covert" are on sale now. more...
Money is flooding in
SEVERN Water Products in Kidderminster is the latest company to pledge its support for Operation Covert. more...
Operation Covert - Rotarians make biggest donation
ROTARIANS have pledged £1,000 to Operation Covert, the single biggest donation received by the appeal so far. more...
Money is pouring in
SEVERN Water Products in Kidderminster is the latest company to pledge its support for Operation Covert. more...
Badges selling like hot cakes
BADGES and stickers made for people to show their support for Operation Covert are selling fast. more...
Operation Covert - Teenage DJ Richard to host own fund-raiser
A TEENAGE DJ is to host a night of classic tunes in aid of Operation Covert. more...
How you can help our appeal
If you wish to make a donation to Operation Covert, you can: more...
Regulars net £500 at bonfire
GENEROUS residents helped raise £500 for Operation Covert with a raffle and whip-round at a Rock pub. more...
Fitness instructor raises £240
A FITNESS instructor rallied his students to raise £240 with a raffle at a Christmas get together. more...
Pupils net £450 with Scout day
ACTIVE pupils at Franche First School in Kidderminster raised £450 towards Operation Covert with a day of activities honouring the Scout movement's spirit of adventure. more...
Business donation
ANOTHER business has come forward with a major donation for Operation Covert. more...
Giving for Suzanne - Mum "overwhelmed" by response to appeal by family and friends.
MORE than £3,000 has been pledged to the Shuttle/Times and News Scout appeal in memory of a Wyre Forest woman who died in a road accident. more...
Badges to collectors
AN enterprising Scout president raised more than £100 for our appeal by selling special Operation Covert badges to UK collectors. more...
Ramblers Association
THE Wyre Forest group's next walk is on Sunday at Kyre Wyard (SO629638), a 5-5-mile walk. more...
Bargains at table top fair
Bargain hunters are being invited to a table top fair in aid of Operation Covert on Saturday. more...
Worcestershire County Museum Society
ON Wednesday, members have been invited to visit the Friends of Worcester Museum and Art Gallery, at Foregate Street, Worcester, for their annual meeting. more...
Worcestershire ME Support Group
A MEETING will be held on Wednesday at Kidderminster Library, from 1.30pm until 3.30pm. more...
Getting kick out of help
Young footballers have been getting a kick out of backing Operation Covert. Kidderminster Lions FC, who play in the Stourport and District League, have donated £50 to our appeal. The money was raised by the club's committee. more...
Wyre Forest Camcorder Club
AT the January 24 meeting, the Documentary Competition for the Evergreen Cup was held. more...
Peak climb nets £500
A 61-year-old who last year had a heart by-pass has climbed the highest mountain in England and Wales to raise more than £500 for Operation Covert. more...
St Michael and All Angels Church
A CELEBRATION service will be held on Sunday, February 19, at 6pm, to mark National Marriage Week. more...
Lickhill WI
AT the recent meeting, Sue Merrill related stories "From One Pig to Another", about her life as a mounted policewoman, and a pig farmer after retirement. more...
Stourport Floral Art Society
AT the annual meeting prizes were presented to competition winner by Avis Field. Joy Cook and Nat Parker were joint first, and the novice prize went to Kathy Page. Chairman Betty Bickerton presented the Chairman's Cup to Frances Bashford. more...
We've supported Operation Covert
BUSINESS more...
Kidderminster Cycling Club
THERE will be two rides on Sunday, leaving from The Green, Blakebrook, Kidderminster. more...
Soroptimists back fund
A PROFESSIONAL women's organisation has pledged more than £200 to help rebuild the "important facility" at Rhydd Covert for district youngsters, taking the total to £10,821. more...
Kidderminster Field Club
ON Wednesday at St Mary's Chantry, Kidderminster, Dr Peter Oliver, of Hereford and Worcester Earth Heritage Trust, will talk about "Malvern Geo Park". more...
Classical Music Society
DAVID and Ann Montague-Smith and Jackie Rose's evening of words and recorded music followed a short extraordinary meeting to determine subscriptions for the year 2006-7. more...
`Enterprising' way to raise money
SHOPPERS will be able to show their support for Operation Covert at the weekend as enterprising students take their products to the public. more...
Cleobury Mortimer Bridge Club
THERE were nine full tables at a recent duplication competition, playing 27 boards in a Mitchell movement. more...
Town and Parish Games
ONCE again Bewdley will be entering the Wyre Forest Town and Parish Games. more...
Boost from a classic tale
GENEROUS parents showed they were no Scrooges by pledging cash to Operation Covert at a school's retelling of the classic Christmas tale. more...
Astley Horticultural Society
THE next meeting will be on Wednesday at Astley and Dunley village hall, doors open 7.30pm, for the speaker at 8pm. more...
Rallying round for appeal
THE importance of helping young people achieve their potential has stayed with a former Kidderminster Scout who has made a contribution to our appeal. more...
Baking up a tasty treat
EXCLUDED pupils brushed up their culinary skills by making cakes for a table top sale in aid of our appeal. more...
Switched supply
MEMBERS of the Bidford Parish council recently took the decision to switch its supply of unmetered electricity to renewable sources known as Green Generation. This was effective from January 2006. more...
Bingo! More cash flows in
IT was "full house" in Stourport as two Brownie packs turned to bingo to help raise cash for Operation Covert. more...
Drowned woman
A WOMAN who drowned in the River Avon in Bidford has been named by Warwickshire police. more...
Thrilled at bird return
A BIDFORD man who hunts using his goshawk was thrilled to have the bird return back home after disappearing for days without a trace. more...
Worker gets £3.7k award
AN Evesham furniture delivery man who cannot read or write has been awarded nearly £4,000 for unfair dismissal following a dispute over a £800 payment. more...
We've supported Operation Covert
BUSINESSES more...
Turning our rubbish into currency
PIONEERS are tackling the growing waste mountain in Warwickshire with innovations that could see household rubbish turned into electricity for the county. more...
Policeman on the beat for Bidford
BIDFORD residents will have a new bobby on the beat to tackle the number of antisocial behaviour and nuisance issues in the village. more...
Appeal goes global
WEB surfers are just a click away from all the latest Operation Covert news with the launch of an internet site dedicated to our appeal. more...
Councillors lend their support
A WHIP-ROUND at a meeting of Wyre Forest District Council brought in more than £70 for Operation Covert. more...
Spare pennies turn to pounds
PENSIONER, Joyce Edwards, knows the importance of counting her pennies after donating a massive £50 in coppers to Operation Covert. more...
Rotary record for Santa collection
SCOUTS teamed up with Rotarians to raise a record £507 at a street collection in Stourport on Saturday. more...
Covert cracks £13,500
KIDDERMINSTER Scouts have said a big thank you to Shuttle/Times and News readers for raising a massive £13,550 for our Operation Covert appeal in little more than two months. more...
Country dancers show way
MEMBERS of a Scottish country dancing club celebrated Hogmanay with a donation to Operation Covert. more...
Tories pledge further support
DISTRICT Conservatives have continued to show their support for our appeal. more...
Staff at store stepping to it
SUPERMARKET staff not only raised cash for Operation Covert but also answered the age old question: how many steps do seven Sainsbury's employees take during a days work on Christmas Eve? more...
Shed pounds to raise pounds for appeal
ANYONE who ate too much over the holiday period is being urged to get trim for the New Year with a sponsored slim in aid of Operation Covert. more...
We've supported Operation Covert
BUSINESSES more...
Home-made jam creates cashpot
GREEN-FINGERED members of Kidderminster Horticultural Society also got their fingers sticky thanks to home-made jam which helped raise more than £150 for Operation Covert. more...
Vintage car fans rallying round
VINTAGE car enthusiasts have helped put Operation Covert on the road to success with a generous donation towards our appeal. more...
Get ready for Scenic Six race
DUST down your running shoes for the fifth annual Scenic Six village run around Peopleton on Sunday, April 2. more...
They call it purple love
AN outbreak of Purple Love is set to hit Pershore between 10 to 18 February. The first Purple Love Week will take place in around 550 delis, farm shops and independent food shops across the UK. more...
Demoted bookkeeper wins pay-out
A STOURPORT bookkeeper has been awarded more than £4,000 after being offered a demotion to store assistant at a supermarket following a takeover. more...
Residents back CCTV
FRUSTRATED Stourport residents, at the end of their tether over vandalism and fighting, have backed a proposal to introduce CCTV cameras in the town. more...
Picturing a bright future
PEOPLE in Stourport are being asked to share their memories of the canal basins and bring their history to life. more...
Search is on for carnival stars
STOURPORT'S annual search to find its carnival queen has already begun after organisers reported a flood of early interest. more...
Group's pride at Fairtrade status
THERE have been celebrations in Stourport after it became the first town in Wyre Forest to be handed a title recognising the help it has given to farmers in developing countries. more...
Revamp for gates
THE wrought iron gates at the front of Stourport's War Memorial Park are being removed so they can be restored to their former glory. more...
Residents given say on crime concerns
STOURPORT residents have placed tackling anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking at the top of the agenda they want police to tackle. more...
Boost for town health on cards
THE health of Tenbury Wells residents is set to receive a significant boost should an action plan to improve well-being across the Teme Valley get the go-ahead. more...
Sarah's fictional family to rival Posh and Becks
ENGLAND soccer skipper Billy Wright started the trend when he married one of the Beverley Sisters. more...
We won't tolerate anti-social youths!
BROADWAY traders are to meet local MP Peter Luff amid fears that the village will become more isolated and vulnerable when the West Mercia Police Force is absorbed into a new West Midlands service. more...
Police hunt for cruel distraction `water' duo
POLICE plan to issue an artist's impression of a man they want to interview in connection with a distraction burglary in Bidford. more...
Eyesore for too long
I AM replying to the article in January 19 edition headed "Unsafe eyesore repaired". more...
Play area fund set up
I WELCOME the interest expressed by Nigel Addison in the January 19 issue of the Shuttle/Times & News about the play area in Wolverley. more...
Saved day after bag snatch
I WOULD like to publicly thank three very spirited girls and a young man who came to my aid on Saturday evening, January 21. more...
Need for answers on path closure
I AM a district councillor for Areley Kings and there are three town councillors who represent half my ward, Areley Kings West. more...
Folly of `stop-gap' work
I WAS interested in the "revamp" of Blackstone car parks near Bewdley (Shuttle/Times & News, January 19). more...
Leave tunnels as historic site
I WAS horrified to hear of the plans to use the old Drakelow Tunnels as a retraining establishment for young offenders. more...
October 6, 2005
IN a letter to The Guardian headed "The future of the NHS is at stake" (September 24) a group of eminent people including senior Labour politicians and academics drew attention to government reforms that create a market in acute health care "that welcomes profit-driven international corporations and will compel hospitals and health professionals to compete with each other". more...
Bidford
GARDENING CLUB: Glyn Jones, head gardener of Hidcote Manor, gave a talk entitled The History of Hidcote Manor Gardens. This month's competition was for a photograph of a garden visit. First was Sue Reeves, second Lyn Newbury, third Archie Hancock and fourth Paul Reeves. more...
October 13, 2005
WYRE Forest is the place to be" were the closing words in a poem written by a visitor to the World Mental Health Day Fair in the Town Hall on Monday. more...
October 20, 2005
"YOU can only kick the Government so many times" were the words of an occasional Labour rebel MP to me as we walked to the division lobbies to vote on the Identity Cards Bill. more...
October 27, 2005
THE sense of exasperation and frustration was palpable in the House of Commons last Friday after the vote on Clare Short's Private Member's Bill when only 93 members turned up to support her. more...
November 3, 2005
THE Cabinet has decided to go down the illogical road to a partial smoking ban in public places, retreating from the total ban which they appeared to be supporting until last week. more...
Mum revives self-help group
A SELF-help group for parents who have lost babies at birth is being re-launched in Wyre Forest - almost two years after it folded. more...
November 17, 2005
THE backbench Labour rebellion on the Terrorism Bill has shown the Government that it cannot always get its own way with a majority of only 66. The first defeat was on a procedural ploy over a Government amendment to reduce the period of detention without trial from three months to 90 days. more...
November 24, 2005
WHERE has all the seasonal influenza vaccine gone to? more...
December 1, 2005
THE Christmas season is already upon us. We have had the marvellous annual First Schools' Carol Concerts and the chairman of the council's Advent Carol Service this year at Chaddesley Corbett. Father Christmas attended the hospital Open Day and the switchings on of Christmas lights. more...
December 8, 2005
THIS year's exhibition in the Kidderminster Library by members of the Kidderminster Art Society is well worth a visit. more...
December 15, 2005
I TOOK part in a debate on flood prevention on the River Severn last week and it gave me an opportunity to thank the Government for what has been done to protect parts of Bewdley and Kidderminster from flooding. more...
December 22, 2005.
ON Monday there was a debate about police restructuring. more...
January 12, 2006
MPs have returned to London and face a full programme of Bills and committee work. more...
January 19, 2006
JUST after the Health Committee report and amendment to the Health Bill, which have achieved a free vote for Government MPs on a total ban on smoking in public places, the optimism for success has received a setback. more...
January 26, 2006
LAST week I met Jane Kennedy, MP, Minister of State in the Department of Health with other MPs to impress upon her the need for NHS approval for the drugs for Alzheimer's Disease. more...
February 2, 2006
AN impossible dream came true on Tuesday. The Government lost a division by one vote, 282 to 283. My vote! more...
February 9, 2006
FOLLOWING the Government's defeat on the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill last week, the whips have been hyperactive. more...
Worst year for TB
GOVERNMENT figures confirming that 2005 was the worst year for outbreaks of bovine TB in the South West reinforced the need for urgent action to tackle every aspect of the origination and spread of the disease, according to the NFU. more...
Disease killing flocks
WITH the new lambing season under way, shock evidence has emerged that a killer disease is rife among sheep flocks. more...
Payment to farmers welcomed
THE announcement by the Agriculture Minister Lord Bach that full payments to farmers under the Single Payment Scheme would begin this month has been welcomed. more...
Trustees in presentation
THE Lifford Hall plays host to the Gordon Russell Trustees who are giving a presentation on the future activities and objectives for the Gordon Russell Heritage Centre, on Tuesday, February 14 starting at 7pm. more...
Cutting cake at the new Broadway store
BROADWAY's first supermarket, which opened its doors to the public last week, has been given a cautious welcome from the local Traders' Association. more...
Thieves bag boys' clubs
TWO junior members of Broadway Golf Club had their bags stolen on Saturday, each containing a full set of clubs worth upwards of a thousand pounds. more...
Chippy chips in
A KIDDERMINSTER carpenter who has been working on the new Rhydd Covert activity centre has put his hand in his pocket to back our appeal. more...
Keep close eye on your phone
STEALING mobile phones now accounts for the majority of thefts from individuals in the Wyre Forest area. more...
Nearly 30 assaults captured at hot spot
THE junction of New Road and Castle Road is Kidderminster's hot spot for assaults and incidents of anti-social behaviour late at night, analysis of the town's CCTV coverage has shown. more...
Special painting proves popular
A PICTURE painted by a Kidderminster artist raised £302 for Operation Covert when it was raffled at a private viewing of his first home town exhibition. more...
Man jailed for molesting girl
A MAN who molested a schoolgirl with the aid of fake breasts has been jailed for 12 months. more...
Police crack down on nuisance rail travellers
POLICE are clamping down on nuisance commuters who park in a narrow Comberton street to avoid paying the £2.50 parking charge at the town railway station. more...
Harriers fans help out
Football fans helped swell Operation Covert funds by £167 when they supported a collection at Kidderminster Harriers' home game with Grays Athletic last month. more...
Drugs stolen
A DOCTOR'S bags containing drugs and medical equipment have been stolen from a parked car in Kidderminster. more...
Police crack down on nuisance rail travellers
POLICE are clamping down on nuisance commuters who park in a narrow Comberton street to avoid paying the £2.50 parking charge at the town railway station. more...
Hotel sets out charity values
ANYONE with treasures tucked away in the attic has a golden opportunity to find out how much they are worth this month - and help Operation Covert at the same time. more...
Chris proving to be computer high-flier
A YOUNG man who failed his A-levels and never attended university is flying high as a student of enterprise. more...
Vale officer to captain powerful new warship
A FORMER Evesham man has been handed the honour of captaining the world's most powerful warship, built at a cost of more than six hundred million pounds. more...
Man's anger over a lack of bin bags
AN Evesham man is threatening to take Wychavon District Council to court - for not supplying enough bin bags. more...
A fair way to go for traders
EVESHAM will officially launch an initiative on Wednesday in order to become a fair trade town, with an introduction to the subject and how the town will benefit from joining the cause. more...
Luff hits out at PM for ignoring views on police merger
VALE MP Peter Luff has accused Tony Blair of a breach of faith after it was announced that the West Mercia force was to be absorbed into a regional superforce for the West Midlands. more...
Retired Vale GP was held in PoW camp during war
RETIRED Evesham GP Dr John Batholomew has died aged 83. more...
Medieval artefacts unearthed at site
THEY might not look like much but these rare historic artefacts unearthed at Worcestershire's County Museum last week date back to medieval times. more...
Teenage rapist `tried his luck'
A TEENAGE rapist who attacked a 29-year-old woman at a friend's house has been sentenced to four years detention at Worcester Crown Court. more...
Tight lines for angling contest
THE Angling Festival which attracts thousands of people to Evesham over the August Bank Holiday is going to be bigger and better than ever this year. The usual three-day event based on the Crown Meadow is to be extended to eight days and will include the national Ladies' Premier Angling Championship and also the Junior Championship. The Junior and Intermediate Championship will be on Saturday, August 19, the Ladies' Championship on Sunday, August 20, the Shakespeare Individual Championship on Saturday, August 26, the Wychavon Individual Championship on Sunday, August 27, and the Midland Angler Team Championship on Monday, August 28. more...
Nursery reunion
FORMER mums and children of a Kidderminster nursery are urged to attend a reunion celebrating the organisation's 21st birthday this month. more...
The squirrels are driving us nuts...!
AN Evesham mum this week pleaded for help after "squirrel wars" broke out in the roof of her home. more...
Mayor to seek health assurances
THE long-term future of Evesham's community hospital will be at the top of the agenda when Mayor Frances Smith meets South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust chief executive Paul Bates next week. more...
Man died from natural causes
A RETIRED ambulance man, discovered by his daughter lying on the kitchen floor of his Kidderminster home, died of "natural causes", an inquest heard. more...
Site opposition
RESIDENTS opposing the development of a caravan park on land near their homes in Badsey have called on MP Peter Luff to support them. more...
Council tax could be frozen at 2.5%
WYCHAVON District council announced plans this week to inject hundreds of thousands of pounds into many of the area's vital facilities and freeze the council tax increase at 2.5 per cent for the seventh consecutive year. more...
Train users praise fares on rail line
A TRAIN users' watchdog group has named Chiltern Railways as the train company with the most passenger-friendly fares - but is campaigning for service improvement. more...
MP slams the `absent' fathers
JUST days before an expected announcement on a shake up of the Child Support Agency, Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has expressed his fear that no amount of changes will make some fathers take responsibility for their children. more...
Phone number
ANYONE who wants to use the services of North Worcester-shire's Disability Information and Advice Line - DIAL - or join its volunteer teams can contact the organisation on 0800 970 7202. more...
Mast is rejected
AN application to erect a 12.5 m telecommunications mast in Kidderminster has been turned down. more...
Hotel to host district first
A HOTEL near Kidderminster is set to be the first in Wyre Forest to play host to a same-sex "marriage-style" ceremony this weekend. more...
Centre award joy
STAFF at Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre are celebrating a successful start to its 20th anniversary year. more...
Tuned up to boost dog rescue charity
MUSICIANS are rallying together to raise money for a Wyre Forest animal charity. more...
Drugs stolen
A DOCTOR'S bags containing drugs and medical equipment have been stolen from a parked car in Kidderminster. more...
New rangers port will aid youngsters
YOUNG people in Wyre Forest look set to gain a greater understanding about the environment around them thanks to the appointment of a new rangers development officer. more...
lobby group backs tunnels protest
A COUNTRYSIDE lobbying group has backed villagers fighting plans to turn Drakelow Tunnels into a training centre for unemployed people. more...
Nightclub to be apartments
A PROPOSAL to turn a former Kidderminster nightclub into an affordable housing complex has got the green light. more...
Sophia's African mission
A KIDDERMINSTER woman will be jetting off to South Africa to help teach village school children. more...
MP against plans to merge police forces
WYRE Forest's MP has likened the Government's decision to continue with controversial police merger plans to the stance it took over the downgrading of services at Kidderminster Hospital. more...
Fire tackled
FIREFIGHTERS from Kidderminster put out a small fire on open ground in Birchen Coppice. The cause of the fire was unknown. more...
Artistic fun for young
WYRE Forest youngsters are being invited to take part in a week-long series of artistic events to beat the half-term boredom. more...
Oil firm set to fuel Valentine passions
BURLY tanker drivers will bring a touch of romance to their oil deliveries when they hand out red roses to every domestic customer on Valentine's Day on Tuesday. more...
From the archives
100 Years Ago more...
Reprieve for pre-school
STAFF and toddlers at a popular village playgroup are celebrating after it was saved from possible closure. more...
Feathered friends fly in
FEATHERED friends flocked to a middle school in Stourport this week as part of their medieval celebrations. more...
Time to get on the map
The news for Evesham is not good. The much needed High Street revamp is delayed. The grant for the crumbing Regal cinema is revoked. And still the old Town Hall in the very centre of the town is dirty and neglected, a very public eyesore in a very public place. more...
Walks
SUNDAY: Ramblers Association - Vale of Evesham Group - Ilmington/Larkstoke/Foxcote, meet at Red Lion, Front Street, Ilmington, (main village through road), for a six mile undulating walk. Details: 01386 765572. more...
Pershore and District U3A
SHIPPING over 200 years was the topic on the programme for the February meeting of the Pershore and District U3A, however there was a typing error and this should have read `Shopping over 200 years'. Bernard Mills will be talking about this subject on Tuesday 21 February at their regular monthly meeting held at the Civic Centre in Pershore. more...
Moreton
FLOWER CLUB: The AGM was held at Broadwell Village Hall in January when the present committee were returned and two further members were elected. This was followed by Katherine Kear demonstrating the uses of oasis and containers plus several flower arrangements, making a most interesting evening. more...
Helping Hands
ROUNDABOUT requires double and single duvets, single sheets, double blankets, hand and bath towels and saucepans. To donate items please contact Roundabout on 01386 833030. more...
Willersey
VILLAGE FORUM: The January meeting was attended by 55 residents and county and district councillors Julie Girling, Sue Jepson and Lyndon Stowe. Also present was Mr Elcock, a county traffic engineer. more...
Shipston Arts and Crafts Society
Shipston Arts & Crafts Society began 2006 with a social evening with supper and a quiz on Tuesday, January 17. We were delighted that our president, James Butler RA, and Mrs Butler joined us for the evening. more...
Pershore
GARDENING CLUB: The January meeting took place at Wulstan Hall, and was taken by George Featonby. more...
Offenham
FLORAL ART SOCIETY: The society held its AGM on January 25, which most members attended. After the speeches and discussion of the accounts, the yearly awards for floral art were made to those members gaining most paints in the competitions during 2005. more...
North & Middle Littleton
PARISH COUNCIL: At the January meeting proposed flood alleviation works by Wychavon were discussed. Councillors felt there were additional items that required attention and it was agreed to write to Wychavon District Council with these suggestions. more...
Mickleton
Chemists
ALCESTER: Lloyds Pharmacy, 51-53 High Street, except Weds and Sats, until 6.30pm. 01789 400122. Hopkins Pharmacy, 4 Hopkins Precinct, Mon-Fri to 6.30pm. 01789 762634. No rota Sunday and public holidays. more...
Hospices Lottery
1st (£1,000) 15144, Worcester; 2nd (£100) 16740, Worcester; 3rd (£50) 13698, Worcester. more...
Harvington
GARDEN CLUB: The garden club started the year when Frank Hardy gave a talk on the care and maintenance of lawns. Business included a proposal to buy the necessary bulbs for doing some infilling in the churchyard once the bare places have been identified after this year's flowering - an imminent yearly treat gifted to the village by the club in the millennium year. more...
Protect your herbs against leaf beetle
GARDENERS need to defend their herb beds as the onward march of the rosemary leaf beetle continues. more...
Evesham Mayor's Diary
FRIDAY: 7.45pm, Mayor and Consort to attend theatre production by Red, Green and Blue Light Companies at Evesham Art Centre. more...
Evesham
ART SOCIETY: At the January meeting members and guests enjoyed an evening with Robert Churchill who painted a portrait of his wife using the unusual technique and media mix of watercolour and charcoal. more...
Gardens
THE following garden will be open for charity under the National Gardens Scheme: more...
Disability Advice
DO you have a question about a disability issue? There is an advice service in Elmley Castle and Pershore that can help you find the answer? more...
Chipping Campden
DEBATING SOCIETY: The Church Rooms was the venue for the annual debate at Chipping Campden School on Saturday. The subject was `this house believes that embryonic stem cell research offers opportunities that must not be missed'. more...
Majority object to masts near homes
THE vast majority of people responding to a survey on mobile phone masts said they would object to applications to site masts within 500 metres of their properties. more...
Farmer wins minor victory on TB Cows
A PENSAX farmer won a minor victory over Government vets who caved in to pressure and allowed four cattle, which had tested positively for bovine TB, to be destroyed at the farm. more...
Motorcyclist over the limit
A 30-year-old Kidderminster motorcyclist who was killed on the Worcester Road had been doing a wheelie moments before the accident, an inquest heard. more...
Doors remained shut until 1993
THE Drakelow Tunnels, which are currently at the centre of a controversial planning application, would have been used as a Government command post in the event of a Cold War nuclear attack. more...
Call for disabled spaces
A BEWDLEY town councillor wants the council to transfer two parking spaces used by members to disabled visitors. more...
Funfair can't find town site
A BORN-and-bred Kidderminster man is finding it no fun at all as he tries in vain to bring his travelling fair back to town. more...
Pair see efforts aid Indian tribes
TWO Wyre Forest parishioners have returned from a trip to some of the remotest parts of India where they saw their church's fund-raising efforts in action. more...
Divers find wall parts
DIVERS have been able to retrieve parts of Bewdley Bridge's north wall that had fallen into the River Severn following a collision last week. more...
Arsonists blamed for sports club fire
ARSONISTS are believed to be behind a fire at a former Kidderminster sports club in Walter Nash Road. more...
Two hurt in blast at town vets
AN explosion at a Bewdley vets surgery has left two female staff members with minor injuries. more...
Vital work to help children cope
With the news that the Brambles Trust is in danger of folding, Lisa Heritage looks at its origins. more...
Brambles fights for survival
Bereavement charity in desperate plea for help more...
Community minibus future is in jeopardy
A DECLINE in use and increasing costs has put the future of the Pershore and District Community Minibus in the balance after more than 30 years of service to residents, clubs, associations and sports and youth groups. more...
Sport
Plucky comeback but no way back after late show
Pershore 3, Kingswinford 7 more...
Riders take Lenches tour
Evesham Wheelers more...
Lions roar to top spot
BENGEWORTH Lions are the new leaders of Division Two, winning four matches in a row including an 8-2 win against their main rivals Wyre Barbedwyre. more...
Swim sisters picked for county training
TWO sisters from Pershore High School have been selected for the Worcestershire County development swimming squad. more...
Lygon end leaders' run
Evesham and District Airgun League more...
Harriers harried
LATEST action in the MK Technical Services Division 3A saw the superiority of the Harriers challenged by Eve-sham Hardhitters. more...
Record crew do it again
EVESHAM Rowing Club's Junior 14 boys were on record-breaking form again last Saturday at the Wycliffe Big Head of the River. more...
Tenbury run in 11 tries in cup match
Tenbury 65 pts Bromyard 0 more...
Honours for star coaches
SPORTING enthusiasts from across the district were recognised at Wychavon's annual Sports Development Recognition Awards for 2005. more...
Birthday girl gets the party started
Evesham Ladies 3, Cresconians 0 more...
Midfield switch is the key
Bretforton 3, East Glos 1 more...
Keeper Rachel's heroics in vain
Badsey Ladies 0 more...
Lovecy saves the day
Hereford 1, Bretforton II 2 more...
Row goes on over stay-away Clarke
REDDITCH United's claims in local newspaper articles of underhand dealings by Dave Busst have been rubbished by the Evesham United manager, writes Mervyn Collins. more...
Harriers stats
Next match - Saturday February 11, Harriers v Gravesend, kick-off 3pm, Aggborough (Conference). Top scorer: 14 Christie, 5 Atieno, 3 Hatswell, Jackson, Sheldon, 2 Blackwood, Heslop, Mullins, 1 Fleming, Harkness, Russell, Thompson. Sent off: 1 Burgess, Fleming. Star man: 6 Jackson, 5 Heslop, 3 Blackwood, Christie, 2 Danby, Hatswell, 1 Atieno, Burgess, Fleming, Francis, Graves, Harkness, Lewis, Mullins, Pugh, Russell, Sheldon, Thompson. more...
Halifax 0 Harriers 0 - Mat Kendrick reports from The Shay
KIDDERMINSTER may have failed to find the net during only their second scoreless stalemate of the season at The Shay on Saturday. more...
Midfield berth for 'Jake of all trades'
KIDDERMINSTER'S new "Jake of all trades" looks set to be utilised in his preferred position of central midfield against Gravesend on Satu-rday with Russ Penn suspended. more...
Fans scouting about to help Harriers chief
HARRIERS fans are plotting a scouting mission to help manager Mark Yates run the rule over their Conference rivals. more...
`We've got nothing to hide' insist chairman Barry and his board
KIDDERMINSTER Harr-iers' board have finally agreed to face a fans' forum to map out their future blueprint for the club to the Aggborough faithful. more...
Buzzards romp to the semis
Bredon Buzzards U-16 55, more...
Chocs away as Bournville are allowed a flying start
Evesham U-14 36pts, Bournville 14 more...
Place in semis
SENIOR members at Eve-sham have booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Worcestershire Knockout Cup. more...
Midfield switch is the key
Bretforton 3, East Glos 1 more...
Another lead lost
Littleton 2, Ettington 3 more...
Lions are tamed by Daniel
DAN Hodgkins was again the main man in front of goal as Ilmington Revolution recorded an 8-1 victory over Alcester Lions. more...
Burlish jinx strikes again as early lead wiped away
Burlish Olympic Ladies 6, Evesham United Ladies 1 more...
Extra-time treble takes Wanderers to the semi
Holders Moreton Wanderers reached the last four of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League Knockout Cup with an extra time win over Red Horse. more...
Robins are robbed by Rob's corner blunder
Gloucester City 1, Evesham Utd 1 more...
Girls go for more glory
AFTER coming out on top in the Year Six district football tournament, the girls of Simon de Montfort Middle School grabbed more glory at the county event. more...
Players ready for the off
BIDFORD Cricket Club's pre-season programme starts with a light training session on Sunday February 19 for seniors and juniors followed by indoor nets (for 15-year-olds and above) on Tuesday, February 21, at Evesham Cricket Centre. more...
Honours for star coaches
SPORTING enthusiasts from across the district were recognised at Wychavon's annual Sports Development Recognition Awards for 2005. more...
Junior rugby
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians under-14s progressed to the semi-final of the Plate after Newport forfeited the match - and then went on to beat their under-strength opponents. more...
Stourport and Chaddesley
STOURPORT face a title showdown with Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday after their rivals gave them a let-off in the North Mids South Two championship race. more...
Kidderminster Carolians
KIDDERMINSTER Carolians put their league troubles behind them to march into the next round of the North Mids Cup with a 17-7 victory over Shrewsbury. more...
Cleobury: It's different class for Love Lane chairman
LOVE Lane wasn't the only place where fingernails were being gnawed down to the quicks on Saturday - hundreds of miles away there was one man and 30 children also on tenterhooks! more...
Cleobury: Mortimer men claim semi-final spot
CLEOBURY Mortimer's Twickenham dream lives on after a solitary swing of the boot kept their magical Powergen Junior Vase run rolling in dramatic fashion. more...
Cleobury: Will Shields be kicking 'em at Twickenham?
ALLAN Shields steps up to convert the high-pressure penalty which has put Cleobury Mortimer Rugby Club just 80 minutes away from a dream Powergen Junior Vase final date at Twickenham. more...
Football tables
SOUTHERN LEAGUE more...
Girls' football
NEW girl Natasha Cwietkow's goal was not enough to prevent Ferndale under-10s losing 2-1 to Bournville Warriors in the Mercian Football League. more...
Six-a-side
THE Carrington brothers were among the goals in a high-scoring Ocean Designs victory over Cripplers in the Kidderminster Six-a-side League. more...
Kidderminster & District Football League
DANNY Leach's four goals led Mostyn Rangers Reserves to a 6-1 victory over Wribbenhall Social in a Kidderminster and District Football League Sunday Division Six Wyre Forest derby. This puts Mostyn into third place. more...
Thorns AC
Sion Farm: P Davies 32-0, M Fletcher 25-6, A Bishop 22-8. more...
Bronx AC
Winter League final round, River Stour: A Homer 11-3, D Cook 9-3, M Fletcher 7-7. more...
Black Boy AC
Ockeridge Lakes: C Royce 11-4, B Yapp 10-6, R Babb 9-12. more...
Park Inn AC
On Sunday there will be a contest on the Park Inn's Valley Pool. Anglers are asked to meet at 8am. more...
Chaddesley Corbett
CHADDESLEY Corbett goal machine Liam Binner took his tally to six in six games - but it was fellow scorer Stephen Meredith who earned the plaudits in the 3-2 win over Mahal. more...
Wrens Nest AC
The draw for Sunday's match at the Wren's Nest Pools will be at 8am. more...
Bewdley Town
BEWDLEY Town boss Craig Payton is backing his players to prolong their unbeaten run when they travel to Wyrley Rangers - the last team to defeat them - this weekend. more...
HETA AC
Winter League, Ockeridge Fisheries: Mike Carrick 12-14, Brian Oliver 6-4, Keith Moss 6-1, Ian Moss 4-4-8, Peter Hardiman 2-11. more...
Tomkinsons AC
Canal, Caunsall: J Brooks 3-8-0, P Burbridge 3-0, J Bartlett 1-15. more...
Stourport Swifts: Rencher reckons shockw win could save Swifts
STOURPORT manager Roy Rencher believes a shock success over Southern League division one west leaders Clevedon Town on Saturday could act as a springboard in Swifts' survival scrap. more...
Wolverley Social Club AS
Canal, bridges 19-20: 1 R Marks, 2 L Eades, 3 R Taylor and M Wilson. more...
Marks Tackle
Wednesday Open: B Bennett 13-2 (81), R Brennan 7-15 (82), G Hayward 7-14-8dr (63). more...
Poole Hall
Wednesday Open, Cuckoo: David Wigzell 16-4 (17), Alan Esbury 13-8 (12), Brian Emms 5-15 (14). more...
Moorlands Farm
Thursday Cost-cutter, 15 fished, Rover, all pools: Andy Newton (Shimano Tipton) 32-12 (Bank 8), Gary Picken (SBS) 18-12 (Island 15), Mal Watson (Daiwa Gordon League) 18-4 (Meadow 59). more...
Furnace Mill
FURNACE Mill's own anglers took first and third places in the Sunday Open, fished on the Furnace Pool. more...
Golf
THE top three places in Wyre Forest Golf Club's Seniors Medal, a non-qualifying competition for handicaps 0-28, each ended on 68 nett, the places being decided on last six, and last nine holes. more...
Cycling
WYRE Forest Cycling Racing Club's Elliot Dinsdale and Dan Harding rode superbly in the penultimate round of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League at Rugeley. more...
Running
WYRE Forest Cycling Racing Club's Elliot Dinsdale and Dan Harding rode superbly in the penultimate round of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League at Rugeley. more...
Point-to-point racing
THE Harkaway Club's annual point-to-point meeting will be held at Chaddesley Corbett on Saturday. more...
Trivia
WOOD Colliers tightened their grip on the Bewdley Trivia League with a convincing 74-49 win over their nearest rivals, Red Man. more...
Special Olympics
THE first event of the year for Special Olympics Worcestershire was the Indoor Athletics meeting at Eton, where Wyre Forest athletes gained two gold, three silver and four bronze medals. more...
Chess
KIDDERMINSTER Chess Club B team began this year's Worcestershire League Knockout Tournament with a 3-2 win at Redditch. more...
Judo
SAMURAI Judo Club's Kelly Edwards left the Ukraine International Open with a warm glow after overcoming freezing conditions to win a bronze medal. more...
Swimming
WYRE FOREST Swimming Club hosted the first round of the PGL League, with seven youngsters who had never taken part in a gala before. Indeed, six of these have only been club members for two months. more...
Men's hockey: Town team's rut continues
KIDDERMINSTER firsts will be hoping for a derby day boost when they face local rivals and bottom club Old Halesonians on Saturday after a worrying run of results. more...
Women's hockey: Stourport's 25-goal-den girls
STOURPORT Ladies went goals crazy with their four sides finding the net TWENTY FIVE times between them. more...
Lions are tamed by Daniel
DAN Hodgkins was again the main man in front of goal as Ilmington Revolution recorded an 8-1 victory over Alcester Lions. more...
Extra-time treble takes Wanderers to the semi
Holders Moreton Wanderers reached the last four of the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League Knockout Cup with an extra time win over Red Horse. more...
Cup chance for Town revenge
PERSHORE Town boss Andy Robbins was fuming after his side gave away a last-gasp goal to lose 2-1 at home to Massey Ferguson. more...
Honours for star coaches
SPORTING enthusiasts from across the district were recognised at Wychavon's annual Sports Development Recognition Awards for 2005. more...
Row goes on over stay-away Clarke
REDDITCH United's claims in local newspaper articles of underhand dealings by Dave Busst have been rubbished by the Evesham United manager, writes Mervyn Collins. more...
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