Archive

  • Victory boosts quest to avoid end of term drop

    Old Halesonians 1, Evesham 2 EVESHAM secured a valuable victory against determined opponents to put some daylight between themselves and the bottom two. Having to make more enforced changes, Saturday's visitors gave a first senior start to Richard Haines

  • 2/3/06 - Duo ready to test French

    WORCESTER Warriors duo Richard Blaze and Nick Runciman retain their places in a 24-man training squad for England Under 21s. They are preparing for the important penultimate Under 21 Six Nations clash at France in Perigeux a week on Saturday. Sale Sharks

  • 2/3/06 - City girls on bench

    TWO Worcester players have been named on the bench as England women's academy take on Canada Under 19s in Vancouver today. Stephanie Cousins and Laura Keates will be replacements in a side captained by Lichfield hooker Ollie Poore. England's Under 19s

  • Coach's pep talk leads to sterling second half show!

    Kidderminster 0, Evesham Ladies 5 A POSITIVE team talk from head coach Lis Stirling ensured Evesham were up for Saturday's top of the table clash. And, it didn't take long for the visitors to stamp their authority on the game and Danny Cox and Kate Fle-tcher

  • Road chaos fear over turning ban

    Land Oak crossroads plan branded 'idiotic' KIDDERMINSTER'S roads would be thrown into chaos by "idiotic" changes to one of the town's busiest junctions, says a campaigning councillor. Rachel Lewis has launched a petition after uncovering a radical proposal

  • Council Tax bills set to rise by £56

    THE average council tax payer in Wyre Forest is set to stump up an extra £56 in the coming year after figures from local authorities were finalised this week. Police and fire authorities and councils have balanced the books and kept increases as low as

  • Bid for titles will be a family affair

    A FAMILY of Wyre Forest dog lovers is keeping its fingers crossed for success at the world's most famous event for top pooches. The Bettises, of Pound Lane in Rock, will make the journey to the NEC in Birmingham with nine of their pets for this year's

  • Vow to finish charity trek

    A DETERMINED Kidderminster man has vowed to complete a charity trek in memory of his father after failing to complete the journey, due to a back injury. Kevin Booth, of Gould Avenue East, set out on the four-day walk to Wales on Wednesday last week but

  • Buyer on cards for former sugar site

    A BUYER for the former British Sugar beet site in Kidderminster is due to announced, according to a leading Worcestershire county councillor. The bidder cannot be revealed at this stage because of sensitive contractual negotiations. Councillor Alwyn Davies

  • Seafood surprise as TV chef drops in to cheer up couple

    A BEWDLEY couple had a day to remember when a celebrity chef popped round to cook them a meal. James Martin, who also starred in Strictly Come Dancing, visited Don and Jean Moore, on Tuesday last week. As a regular feature on Channel 4's Richard and Judy

  • Dynamic duo in awards bid

    COMMITMENT and effort have earned two Wyre Forest women places in the finals of a regional contest rewarding learning achievements. Mother-of-three, Vander Browning, of Kidderminster and 19-year-old Rosanna Humpage, of Bewdley, will compete for a share

  • New initiative to aid home buyers

    PEOPLE in Wyre Forest struggling to get their foot on the first rung of the property ladder are set to benefit from a new initiative. Wyre Forest Community Housing is lending a helping hand by piloting a new shared ownership scheme in Worcester Road,

  • Have a say on police merger

    WYRE Forest residents opposed to the proposed merger of the police force serving the district are being given the chance to register their disapproval. Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, has outlined plans to join the West Mercia Constabulary with forces

  • Bourton

    NAIGHT CLUB: Next Tuesday will be the 20th anniversary of the opening of the centre by The Princess Royal and coffee and biscuits will be served to visitors between 10.30am and 11.30am. The club (formerly Centre for the Handicapped - North Cotswold) was

  • Bourton Vale

    HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The society's biennial quiz in the Baptist Church Room proved to be an entertaining evening with the members matching their brain-power against Ruth Manning's questions. The winning team was Chris Northing, Carolyn Fardon, Jo Wallis

  • Eckington

    THURSDAY CLUB: The outing on March 16 is to The Bridge Inn at Hindlip for the two-course carvery, plus tea or coffee, followed by 1940s-style entertainment. Leave Eckington at 10.30am. On March 30 at 2.15pm in the village hall the annual meeting will

  • Late goal in vain

    Fairfield Villa 2, Littleton 1 LITTLETON'S interest in the President's Cup came to an end last Saturday when they went down 2-1. On a wild and windy afternoon, the game was a bit of a lottery as the ball swirled and bounced all over the place. Littleton

  • Bostock's brace boosts Broadway

    BROADWAY United took a huge step towards first division survival in the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League by completing a quickfire double over relegation bound Mick-leton Rangers. Goals from Jamie Bostock (2), Alcock and Dyke gave Broadway the win

  • Simon seals final spot to cap fine comeback

    SIMON Judge fired in a last minute winner to book Pershore Town a place in this season's Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup Final, writes Mervyn Collins. Tuesday's tie appeared destined for extra-time - or even an abandonment in the freezing conditions - until

  • Hitman Hickman wins it

    AN EXTRA-TIME goal from Anthony Hickman secured Gardeners Arms a place in the WFA Sunday Minor Cup semi-finals and also maintained the prospect of two Evesham League sides appearing in the final. Bretforton Old Boys also reached the last four last weekend

  • Submit your views on school proposals

    WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has published its proposed catchment area and feeder school arrangements for the 30 new Wyre Forest schools created by the district's education shake-up. Residents are being given the chance to submit their views before a

  • Women Beware Women - Swan, Stratford

    THE Government health warning-style title of Thomas Middleton's Jacobean tragedy does what it says on the script, although the leading male characters do not come out of it too well either. Beginning as a simple love story, with merchant's clerk, Leantino

  • Give blood

    THE National Blood Service is holding a session today at the Civic Centre in New Street, Stourport. Volunteers can donate between 1pm and 3.15pm and 4.30pm and 7pm.

  • Cyclist dies after collision

    A 63-year-old Kidderminster cyclist has died following a collision with a motorcycle in Vale Road, Stourport. Niall Scully, of Chester Road North, died in hospital after the collision, which took place at around 4.20pm on Monday. He was taken to Worcestershire

  • Fund-raiser has bags of bounce

    A SPONSORED bounce will be held in Kidderminster this weekend to help a multiple births support group raise cash. The Wyre Forest Twins Support Group event will take place on Saturday between 2pm and 4pm at St Cecilia's Church Hall, Hoo Road. Children's

  • Gropus putting focus on women

    TWO groups supporting women in Wyre Forest have marked International Women's Day. Monica Rees, president of Kidderminster and District Soroptimists, presented a picture to Carol Warren, former leader of Worcestershire County Council and current chairman

  • Library opens for longer hours

    EXTENDED library opening hours in Kidderminster are being publicised in a bid to tempt more people through its doors. A special leaflet has been sent to hundreds of lapsed library users throughout the Wyre Forest district telling them about the change

  • Smoke alarm alert after toaster fire

    WYRE Forest residents are being urged to check their smoke alarms following a house fire in Spennells. The fire, caused by an electrical fault on a toaster, broke out in Dunlin Drive just before midnight on Thursday, February 16. The householder managed

  • IT expert 'shocked' by national award victory

    A SWITCHED on IT expert from Kidderminster has carried off a national award for his pioneering use of web technology. Phil Young, of Chester Road South, works for Amtrak Express Parcels and earned the accolade CIO innovator of the year in the eighth annual

  • Veteran collects his medal after 54 years

    WAR veteran Bill Green has received a campaign medal for his service in Egypt - 54 years later. Bill, of Elmley Castle, wrote to the Ministry of Defence after reading in the Journal last year, how ex-servicemen could apply to the Ministry of Defence if

  • Oil at wildlife haven

    BROADWATERS residents expressed their concerns for wildlife after seeing oil floating on the surface of a park pond. Environmental agency officers joined RSPCA inspectors to examine the site where they found oil on the ground earlier this month. Residents

  • Map is tribute to late resident

    THE historical and geological diversity of the Great Witley and Hillhampton parish have been put on the map. Diana Winsor has spent three years completing a map measuring almost four feet square, recording the area's geology, history, landscape, buildings

  • Office space created at Vale old bus depot

    A FORMER Midland Red bus depot is to undergo a significant facelift as the site is to be turned into modern offices. The depot on Abbey Lane, Evesham, will soon have ten offices built onto it, which are designed to fit easily into the look of the towns

  • Tunnel group's appeal

    THE campaign group opposed to the scheme of transforming Wolverley's Drakelow Tunnels into a training centre for the unemployed is looking for support from other Wyre Forest villagers. Members of Drakelow Preservation Trust - DPT - are hoping to receive

  • Warning over bank scam

    POLICE in the Vale would like to hear from anyone who has been sent a letter from a Singapore bank in Hong Kong, which they believe is a scam to cheat people out of their money. South Worcestershire police are warning members of the public to "beware"

  • Boost for training centre at RAF site

    WEST Mercia police has received a further boost to its controversial plans to turn the former MoD airbase, RAF Defford, into a new police training centre following the grant of a Certificate of Lawful Use of an Existing Development (CLUED). The formal

  • Residents in a rage at new parking ban

    RESIDENTS in an Evesham street were up in arms this week after parking restrictions were painted on the road close to their homes. They were angered when a parking space for a residential home minibus replaced four parking spaces they had used for years

  • Residents 'scared' about airfield plan

    HONEYBOURNE residents are "scared to death" that they are completely helpless to stop building work on the airfield industrial estate that will cause increased traffic in the village. An application has been made to construct three new buildings, including

  • Duo ready to test French

    WORCESTER Warriors duo Richard Blaze and Nick Runciman retain their places in a 24-man training squad for England Under 21s. They are preparing for the important penultimate Under 21 Six Nations clash at France in Perigeux a week on Saturday. Sale Sharks

  • Supporters deserve big performance

    PAT SANDERSON COLUMN WHAT happened at Leeds last Friday night has been a bitter pill to swallow! We don't think we performed particularly well. Leeds showed great resolve and commitment and you have got to match that at least. They showed they are a very

  • Sunk by two quality shots

    Evesham Utd 0, Chippenham Tn 2 AS if the absence of suspended trio Richard Ball, Lee Knight and Steve Duncan and the departure of captain Gavin O'Toole wasn't enough, injuries also prevented ever-present Anthony Watson and goalkeeper Dave Adey taking

  • St Austell dish out a Cornish pasting

    DISORGANISED Worcester Women's Firsts slumped to a 5-2 home defeat at the hands of St Austell. The Cornish visitors took the lead in this English Hockey League Women's National South Division match after just five minutes. Worcester responded strongly

  • Stones thrown at car

    POLICE are appealing for information after a driver's windscreen was damaged by youths throwing stones at the vehicle. A taxi was being driven along Castle Road, near the former Zanzibar nightclub when two youths beside the canal threw a brick at the

  • Night police patrols will cut crime - MP

    NIGHT-TIME police patrols in Broadway are essential if crime in the tourist-trap village is to be cut, Evesham's MP Peter Luff has warned. In a letter to West Mercia chief constable Paul West, the Mid Worcestershire MP said: "I was particularly concerned

  • Village plans concert series

    THE sixth Bledington Music Festival takes place on June 6, 7 and 8 in the village's St Leonard's Church. The first concert is with the young international violinist, Chlo Hanslip, whose concert will include Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata and Prokofiev's

  • Successful year for music club

    AS Evesham and District Music Club approaches the end of its 2005-2006 programme of concerts it can look back over a successful year where a number of international artists have visited the Vale. The season finale will come on March 28, at Evesham's All

  • Busking beauties move up the scale

    TWO of the most popular and glamorous faces on the classical music scene are performing at Malvern Theatres next month. The Operababes will join guest singers from Covent Garden and the ENO for A Night at the Opera on Saturday, March 18. In Spring 2001

  • Rutter leads choral event

    WORLD-famous composer John Rutter is to lead a choral workshop in Worcester on Saturday, March 11. The event, which will take place at Worcester Cathedral, is in aid of the cathedral's Appeal for Music and Light. The cathedral is running an ambitious

  • SPEAK UP, TIM

    ONE of Britain's most distinguished actors, Timothy West, was interrupted in full flow at Malvern Theatres by an irritable member of the audience asking him to speak up. It was a moment in the opening night of Alan Bennett's play The Old Country that

  • Drama group's treading the boards to aid Africa

    YOUNGSTERS from a Worc-ester drama group are gearing up for a charity performance on Saturday to raise money for a homeless project that has been set up in Nigeria. The Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society's Youth Section, affectionately known as WODYS

  • Councillors to blame for the housing crisis

    THERE is a housing crisis in Worcester because the local authority is failing to help provide enough cheaper homes, according to opposition councillors. Worcester City Council plans to help build 77 new homes each year despite an in-house report saying

  • Lifestyle buyers put pressure on land sales

    SOME bare land values may have declined slightly at the end of 2005 but the New Year had brought a strong demand for farms from the lifestyle buyer, a demand which was not fulfilled due to lack of availability in the market place, according to Charles

  • March 2, 2006

    CURRENTLY the Health Committee is studying charges for NHS patients. To understand the exorbitant cost of 49p a minute for phoning your relatives on their bedside phone in hospital, I visited the hospital in Worcester with the chairman of Patientline.

  • Hunt ball set for comeback

    ONE of the highlights of the social calendar in Broadway could be on the way to making a comeback. The "eight to 80s" hunt ball, a regular fixture at the Lygon Arms until around 20 years ago, has captured the imagination of the hotel's director and general

  • Mini World Cup to pay tribute to Chris

    A TALENTED Droitwich schoolboy, who was killed during a motorbike race, is to be honoured by football teams across the county. Chris Jones died last year after crashing at a race in Lincolnshire. The youngster, from Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove, was seriously

  • I'm bowled over by all these gifts for charity

    BUSINESSES have handed the Worcester Mayor's Charity Banquet a major boost ahead of the event by donating fantastic prizes. One of the top donations is a special Trafalgar Bowl from Royal Worcester Porcelain - made from bone china and decorated with four

  • Murray is Kate's marathon incentive

    AN eight-year-old boy suffering from a rare muscle wasting disease has inspired a Worcester woman to run her first ever marathon. Kate Tonge, aged 37, of Barbourne, took up running about three years ago but never dreamed she would be taking part in the

  • Second night of soul set to raise cash for research

    A NORTHERN soul night to raise funds for Cancer Research UK proved so successful a second event has now been announced. Organisers Julian Smith and Wayne Gormley have said the next would take place on June 10 - the same day as England's first World Cup

  • Dumbleton top as Saints sink Overbury

    OVERBURY missed out on the chance to claim top spot in the Worcester Cricket Board Indoor League last week when they lost to St Benedict's by ten runs. Jamie Powell smashed his usual early quickfire retirement quota before Jones and Shepherd continued

  • Help ease the burden of dealing with cancer

    MORE than 100 cancer patients living in the county of Worcestershire received financial help totalling £38,434 in 2005 thanks to Macmillan Cancer Relief. Macmillan grants can help to cover expenses such as fuel or travel. Rolf Millican, patient welfare

  • Rock bands to gain showcase of talents

    UP and coming musical talent from across the Midlands will be showcased by a Kidderminster record label on Sunday. The Sonic Boom event has been organised by Mighty Atom Smasher (MAS) Records and will take place at the Rock Caf 2000 in Stourbridge from

  • New map for walkers

    WALKERS will have no trouble accessing all areas of the Wyre Forest thanks to a new Ordnance Survey - OS - map. The new OS Explorer map has been revised to include areas previously closed to the public but which walkers now have the access rights to.

  • Film club to screen movies

    WYRE Forest Film Club will host a variety of movie screenings this month, including a comedy and a Chinese action adventure fable. The films are shown at Kidderminster Library from 7.30pm and on Tuesday, the film will be Bombon. It is directed by Carlos

  • Hall stepping back with the Tudors

    HISTORICAL re-enactors will take visitors back to the 15th century when Harvington Hall reopens its doors to the public. The attraction's new season will begin with a Tudor Living History Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday. The programme of events also includes

  • Evacuee plea for memories

    I RECENTLY spoke to schoolchildren on being evacuated from Smethwick to Kidderminster in September 1939. It occurred to me that it would be of interest to trace any Kidderminster people who recall having had an evacuee from Smethwick, and record their

  • Soldiers meet up

    I AM writing to bring to readers' attention the fact that a group of ex-soldiers who served with the First and Second Battalions Mercian Volunteers are beginning to meet at The Shrubbery, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, on a social basis for a drink and

  • Charting Severn from source to sea

    THE natural beauty of the River Severn and the history of the towns situated alongside it have been captured by a Kidderminster film maker. Paul Bye, of Hazelwood Close, has produced the DVD - A Journey Down The Severn - which provides a guided tour of

  • Big band apology

    ON behalf of the NC Big Band, I would like to thank all the dancers who supported our first venture in Kidderminster, the 150th Festival of Kidderminster Town Hall committee and Wyre Forest District Council staff for their help and support in putting

  • Spare us the agony of schools consultation

    HOW ironic! The residents of Wyre Forest are to be asked their opinions regarding the proposed new school catchment areas, in yet another formal consultation period. If the views of Wyre Forest residents are held in such high esteem why are Stone, Lea

  • 2/3/06 - Supporters deserve big performance

    WHAT happened at Leeds last Friday night has been a bitter pill to swallow! We don't think we performed particularly well. Leeds showed great resolve and commitment and you have got to match that at least. They showed they are a very committed side. I

  • Twice the fun at town carnival

    STOURPORT is preparing for double the fun after carnival organisers confirmed this year's extravaganza is to be an all weekend party. It is the first time in six years the annual event, which is the biggest land and river carnival in the country, has

  • Spirited display

    EVESHAM Under 8's travelled to Tewkesbury and continued to display the team spirit and form shown on their previous week's outing. In the first game of two matches, the visitors attacked from the off with strong running a feature with Harry Howells, Will

  • Slow starters pay losing price

    Tewkesbury 42pts, Evesham U-12 10 EVESHAM, as usual, were slow to start that led to a couple of early scores that served as a wake-up call to the Avon street side. Good scrummaging and loose play from the forwards including Zak Bailey, Peter Johnson,

  • NEC extravaganza

    THE 2006 Go Fishing Show, Europe's largest angling event, will be casting off at Birmingham's NEC tomorrow. This year's show will cover the four core disciplines - Coarse, Carp, Sea and Game fishing and, with over 200 exhibitors and 150 live demonstrations

  • Boost for training centre at RAF site

    WEST Mercia police has received a further boost to its controversial plans to turn the former MoD airbase, RAF Defford, into a new police training centre following the grant of a Certificate of Lawful Use of an Existing Development (CLUED). The formal

  • Art of the seaside

    GALLERY Encore, the Everyman Theatre's exhibition space, is going coastal with a brand new showcase of work which runs until Saturday, April 8. Cheltenham-based artist Chris Hoggett is exhibiting his range of exquisite watercolour landscapes and seascapes

  • Areley Kings WI

    THIS year is the institute's 80th birthday, and suggestions for celebrating it are welcome. Ideas already submitted were a dinner in the Village Hall, a church service, and a memento placed somewhere in the village. Twenty-five members had attended the

  • Cleobury Mortimer WI

    OTHER WIs were invited to the social evening. The Silver Horseshoes line dancers provided entertainment. There was no competition this month and there were three entries for the flower of the month. Jenny Van de Hook was first, Stella Wilcox second and

  • Cleobury Mortimer Bridge Club

    ON Tuesday, February 14, the annual meeting was held where a new chairman was elected along with two new committee members. Play then commenced over eight tables with the following results. North/south clear winners were Terry Lucey and Doreen Round with

  • Kidderminster Camera Club

    ON February 20, Andy Lound of the British Planetary Society gave the club's centenary lecture, The Earth From Space "Pale Blue Dot", in the gallery of Kidderminster Library. On Monday at Baxter Church hall, Bull Ring, Kidderminster, members will present

  • Wribbenhall WI

    THE February speaker was Mike McQuade, on the history of guide dogs for the blind. With him was his labrador/retriever cross guide dog, and he said what a difference Zante had made to his life. He described how dogs are chosen, puppy walked and trained

  • Swimmer Joe stars

    JOE Evans, a member of Stratford Sharks, has attended the first of two weekend courses being held by Greater Warwickshire Sport desig-ned to help develop the next generation of competitive swimmers. The weekend, under the leadership of Mark Rose, head

  • Trefoil Guild

    A"THINKING Day" meeting included a talk by Kidderminster Guide Emma Ashman, who joined a party from the Midland region to an international Scout camp in Meerson, Holland. At the meeting on Thursday, March 16, at 7.30pm in Trinity Methodist Church, Kidderminster

  • Kidderminster Cycling Club

    THERE will be two rides on Sunday, starting from The Green, Blakebrook, Kidderminster. The A ride will begin at 9am, heading for Shobden, Herefordshire. Cyclists should take a packed lunch. The C ride, which starts at 9.30am, is a half-day trip to the

  • British Sugarcraft Guild

    THE Wyre Forest branch's next meeting will be held on Thursday, March 9 at 7.30pm in Stourport Memorial Park community centre. Cassie Browny will demonstrate how to make sugar flowers using templates made from specimen blooms. Visitors are welcome at

  • Worcestershire M.E Support Group

    THE group has monthly informal gatherings in Bromsgrove, Malvern, Pershore, Worcester, and Kidderminster. The March meetings are: City Centre Community Centre, Midland Road, Worcester on Friday, March 10, from 2pm to 4pm; Malvern Evangelical Church, 204

  • Severnside Ramblers

    A WALK of around eight miles has been organised for Sunday around Bewdley and the Severn valley. Ramblers are asked to meet at the Memorial Park gates, Park Avenue, Stourport, at 9am prompt. Transport can be arranged. New walkers will be welcome. For

  • Live Wyres

    THE group for social singles meets at various public houses at 8.45pm, and the following have been organised: Tuesday, Queens Head, Wolverley; Wednesday, Bull, Fernhill Heath; Tuesday, March 14, Cookley Arms, A449; Wednesday, March 15, The Perdiswell,

  • Wind is a tester

    COLD and overcast conditions greeted competitors at Throckmorton Clay Sho-oting Club with a wind to test even the most experienced member's mettle. However, shooters on the Down the Line Single Barrel competition produced some top scores with Roy Spooner

  • Promotion hopes disappear but Pershore can mix it with best

    Newtown 2, Pershore 2 IF PERSHORE'S own promotion prospects have now disappeared, they will continue to have a huge impact on which teams do eventually secure a move up the Coaching Solutions League ladder. They started well against the section leaders

  • Hitman Hickman wins it

    AN EXTRA-TIME goal from Anthony Hickman secured Gardeners Arms a place in the WFA Sunday Minor Cup semi-finals and also maintained the prospect of two Evesham League sides appearing in the final. Bretforton Old Boys also reached the last four last weekend

  • Bostock's brace boosts Broadway

    BROADWAY United took a huge step towards first division survival in the Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League by completing a quickfire double over relegation bound Mick-leton Rangers. Goals from Jamie Bostock (2), Alcock and Dyke gave Broadway the win

  • Free speech and paying the price

    SIR - Your interesting old picture of a flock of sheep being driven through Worcester city streets may well have been taken in Victorian times but it was a common enough occurrence when I was a lad. The men driving them usually had sticks with which they

  • This is one gap that has to be filled

    ON Tuesday, this column felt it necessary to gently point out to a large organisation that an efficient publicity machine could often prevent problems before they occurred. The issue concerned the chaos caused by roadworks in the centre of Worcester.

  • Pianist Lauretta to perform at library

    WORKS by Joseph Haydn and Frederic Chopin will feature in the Classical Music Society's next Live at the Library performance. Lauretta Bloomer, pianist with the Virtuoso Horn Duo, will give a recital at Kidderminster Library on Friday, March 10. Lauretta

  • Rock bands to gain showcase of talents

    UP and coming musical talent from across the Midlands will be showcased by a Kidderminster record label on Sunday. The Sonic Boom event has been organised by Mighty Atom Smasher (MAS) Records and will take place at the Rock Caf 2000 in Stourbridge from

  • Legend to entertain

    A LEGENDARY musician who formed the popular group, The Groundhogs, will be performing at a Wyre Forest village pub. Blues artist, Tony McPhee, will play at The Queen's Head in Wolverley on Saturday. Tony and The Groundhogs were formed in 1968 and released

  • Brothers in debut show

    THE Royal Blues Brothers will make their debut performance at the Gainsborough House Hotel on Friday, March 17. Brothers, Tom and James Faulks, have recently signed to Kidderminster-based Upfront Entertainments Agency. Since the start of the year, they

  • Harriers flyinghigh

    Evesham and District Table Tennis Association HARRIERS still lead MK Technical Services Division 3A by three points from Wyre Double Trouble. Twins Adam and Luke Gordon who got the better of Colin Green and Don Gould 3-2, while Adam Gordon almost became

  • Buckley wins bronze medal

    PERSHORE'S Rob Buckley claimed a bronze medal at the World Indoor Rowing Champio-nship in America last weekend. The 50-year-old raced to third spot in the 50-54 lightweight category in a time of six minutes and 49.4 seconds, less than a second away from

  • The rights and wrong system?

    I MUST support the call by Steve Marshall (Journal, February 16) when he asks that Swan Lane/Mill Bank be made into two-way traffic. Ever since Bridge Street was pedestrianised and Swan Lane/Mill Bank traffic reversed to come into town there have been

  • Gratitude to our A and E service

    RECENTLY, following a fall in our house, my wife was taken to the A and E Department of Cheltenham Hospital by a very quick and efficient ambulance. We had expected that she would be patched up in an hour or so, but her wounds had to be stitched after

  • Never tire with this kind service

    MAY I through your column, express my gratitude and appreciation to ATS Tyres, Worcester Road, Evesham. Fearful of a slow puncture, and with my 85 year old mother as a passenger, I pulled onto the forecourt, to ask for advice. It was a bitterly cold Saturday

  • HODSON

    HODSON Kate and Simon Thank you for our first granddaughter, Emily Grace, a sister for Jack. With all our love and best wishes from all the Family. Nangy and Gangy Hodson. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • CROUCH

    CROUCH Stella The Family would like to thank everyone who attended Stellas Funeral at Claires Church and for their Donations to Acorns Childrens Hospice Trust. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • COPSON

    COPSON Jessie Florence At peace February 23rd 2006. Funeral service at Upton Cemetery Chapel on Tuesday, March 7th 2006 at 11.30 a.m. Family flowers only please, but donations if desired, to Haematology Unit, Worcestershire Royal Hospital, c/o F W Spilsbury

  • ROWBERRY

    ROWBERRY Dorothy nee Symmonds Of Cradley, peacefully at home on February 28th 2006, aged 80 years. Beloved mother of Freda, George, Eric, Jane, Linda, Yvonne and Sandra, much loved mother in law, grandmother and great grandmother. Gone to rest with husband

  • BURBIDGE

    BURBIDGE Cynthia Mary nee Ashby Peacefully on February 28th A much loved mother of Jayne, grandmother of Matthew and Sarah. Sadly missed by all her Family. Reqiuem Mass 11.30 am, March 10th and Crematorium 1.pm. Family flowers only but donations to St

  • DAVIES UHL

    DAVIES Shirley Peacefully surrounded by all her Family on February 25th, 2006, aged 67 years. Beloved wife of the late Ivor and a much loved mother and grandmother. The funeral service will take place at Bransford Chapel, on Tuesday, March 7th, at 10.30

  • STANTON

    STANTON Winifred A dearly loved sister, aunt, great aunt and great great aunt. Missed dearly Joan and Gordon. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • HODGES

    HODGES Dorothy and Lad Dorothy 1977 and Lad February 4th, 1991. Lovingly remembered by their Family. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • HOPE

    HOPE. Donald. It's been ten years today. Thinking of you today and everyday. Love Becky and Family. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • HAYES

    HAYES Arthur March 2nd, 1990 The years pass by but memories stay. Loving sister Barbara Rose, and Family also friend Antony. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • Band flushed with success

    Five Herefordshire lads have achieved international airplay without even leaving the county. Inspired by Jack Black's School of Rock film, the keen musicians, featuring brothers Scott Newberry, aged 13, Ryan Newberry, 15, Daniel Greenway 11, Sam Newberry

  • Badsey

    FLOWER SHOW: This year's show, the oldest and largest in the Vale, will be held on July 22 and details of the schedule will be announced shortly. Anyone wishing to have a stall should contact Pat Sparrow on 01386 830985. At a well-attended AGM, Gordon

  • Bourton

    NAIGHT CLUB: Next Tuesday will be the 20th anniversary of the opening of the centre by The Princess Royal and coffee and biscuits will be served to visitors between 10.30am and 11.30am. The club (formerly Centre for the Handicapped - North Cotswold) was

  • Bourton Vale

    HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY: The society's biennial quiz in the Baptist Church Room proved to be an entertaining evening with the members matching their brain-power against Ruth Manning's questions. The winning team was Chris Northing, Carolyn Fardon, Jo Wallis

  • Evesham

    BURMA STAR ASSOCIATION: The Evesham branch will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, March 15 at 11am, at the Bengeworth Sports and Social Club, and all branch veterans are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served afterwards. ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION

  • A chance to dance on the big stage

    TWELVE young dancers from the Vale will get the chance to perform alongside a professional company from Wales when they take part in the rarely-performed La Fille Mal Gardee. The children are all part of the Symphony Dance School which operates out of

  • Dancing to the beat of a heart

    THE mysteries of the human heart are explored in a ground-breaking new dance work. Random Dance come to the Forum at Malvern Theatres for one performance of their new piece Amu next Tuesday. Random Dance have gained an international reputation for their

  • Women Beware Women - Swan, Stratford

    THE Government health warning-style title of Thomas Middleton's Jacobean tragedy does what it says on the script, although the leading male characters do not come out of it too well either. Beginning as a simple love story, with merchant's clerk, Leantino

  • How do we love her? Let us count the ways

    THE life and work of one of England's most romantic poets will be celebrated in a new show to mark the 200th anniversary of her birth. Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Victorian Poet and Enigma was written by David Robertson, of West Malvern, and will be premiered

  • Successful year for music club

    AS Evesham and District Music Club approaches the end of its 2005-2006 programme of concerts it can look back over a successful year where a number of international artists have visited the Vale. The season finale will come on March 28, at Evesham's All

  • Lifestyle buyers put pressure on land sales

    SOME bare land values may have declined slightly at the end of 2005 but the New Year had brought a strong demand for farms from the lifestyle buyer, a demand which was not fulfilled due to lack of availability in the market place, according to Charles

  • CBSO Symphony Hall, Tuesday

    JAAP van Zweden was the CBSO's guest conductor on Tuesday, when the programme begin with Dvorak's excellent Scherzo Capriccioso. This is Dvorak at his tuneful best, and though only a short piece, lasting 12 minutes, he managed to include a whole range

  • Rock bands to gain showcase of talents

    UP and coming musical talent from across the Midlands will be showcased by a Kidderminster record label on Sunday. The Sonic Boom event has been organised by Mighty Atom Smasher (MAS) Records and will take place at the Rock Caf 2000 in Stourbridge from

  • Writing displays to make you smile

    AN exhibition of calligraphy which aims to make people smile will open at Bewdley Library on Saturday. Wyre Forest-based group, Severn Scribes, will host the display, which will feature work members have created using different writing and painting techniques

  • Pianist Lauretta to perform at library

    WORKS by Joseph Haydn and Frederic Chopin will feature in the Classical Music Society's next Live at the Library performance. Lauretta Bloomer, pianist with the Virtuoso Horn Duo, will give a recital at Kidderminster Library on Friday, March 10. Lauretta

  • New map for walkers

    WALKERS will have no trouble accessing all areas of the Wyre Forest thanks to a new Ordnance Survey - OS - map. The new OS Explorer map has been revised to include areas previously closed to the public but which walkers now have the access rights to.

  • Film club to screen movies

    WYRE Forest Film Club will host a variety of movie screenings this month, including a comedy and a Chinese action adventure fable. The films are shown at Kidderminster Library from 7.30pm and on Tuesday, the film will be Bombon. It is directed by Carlos

  • Hall stepping back with the Tudors

    HISTORICAL re-enactors will take visitors back to the 15th century when Harvington Hall reopens its doors to the public. The attraction's new season will begin with a Tudor Living History Weekend, on Saturday and Sunday. The programme of events also includes

  • What's On

    Events/talks 4 Printmaking Workshop, Leominster Library, 10am-4pm. 01432 383290. 4 The Fabulous Clothes Sale, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief, Shire Hall, Hereford, 10am-3.30pm. 4 Coffee morning and cake sale, Dilwyn Cedar Hall, 10.30am. 01568 720291

  • What's On

    TONIGHT: Birmingham: Marriott Hotel - Lupa. Symphony Hall - Jethro Tull. CBSO Centre - CBSO Players (lunchtime). Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - The Wetton Downes Band. Civic Hall - James Blunt. Coventry: Warwick Arts Centre - Breakestra. Sedgley: Dormston

  • Art of the seaside

    GALLERY Encore, the Everyman Theatre's exhibition space, is going coastal with a brand new showcase of work which runs until Saturday, April 8. Cheltenham-based artist Chris Hoggett is exhibiting his range of exquisite watercolour landscapes and seascapes

  • Fitting finale for hall celebrations

    KIDDERMINSTER Town Hall will be rocking with the sound of Mike Sanchez and the 11-piece Rhythm and Blues Revue band next week. The multi-talented singer, guitarist and pianist will perform at the venue on Saturday, March 11. Sanchez has travelled around

  • Brothers in debut show

    THE Royal Blues Brothers will make their debut performance at the Gainsborough House Hotel on Friday, March 17. Brothers, Tom and James Faulks, have recently signed to Kidderminster-based Upfront Entertainments Agency. Since the start of the year, they

  • Life behind the mask

    CLASS A drug use in the county may have peaked while the majority of its inhabitants continue to turn a blind eye, but Leominster-based Fetch Theatre Company is tackling the issue front on. The company first performed its hard-hitting show, The Masque

  • Not all favour development

    REFERENCE the proposed development of land at Simms and Woods, Chapel Lane, Wyre Piddle. Your article Family firm hopes to leave village legacy refers. Our village may not benefit in the way the proposal suggests, and Wychavon District Council, the Parish

  • An inspector's security review

    RECENT discussion in the media as to the need for examining the efficiency of our constabulary has reminded me of a system in use in the remoter regions of the New Territories and Islands of Hong Kong when I was a police inspector there in the 1950s.

  • Gratitude to our A and E service

    RECENTLY, following a fall in our house, my wife was taken to the A and E Department of Cheltenham Hospital by a very quick and efficient ambulance. We had expected that she would be patched up in an hour or so, but her wounds had to be stitched after

  • Never tire with this kind service

    MAY I through your column, express my gratitude and appreciation to ATS Tyres, Worcester Road, Evesham. Fearful of a slow puncture, and with my 85 year old mother as a passenger, I pulled onto the forecourt, to ask for advice. It was a bitterly cold Saturday

  • Promotion hopes disappear but Pershore can mix it with best

    Newtown 2, Pershore 2 IF PERSHORE'S own promotion prospects have now disappeared, they will continue to have a huge impact on which teams do eventually secure a move up the Coaching Solutions League ladder. They started well against the section leaders

  • Revenge reward for a solid display

    Bretforton II 4, Cirencester 0 A BLUSTERY day saw Bret-forton gain revenge for a def-eat in an earlier clash between Saturday's two combatants. Kim Barry had the first cha-nce of the match in the early stages only to shoot wide of the goal. Most of the

  • Town reaps rewards from faith in Glades

    THOUSANDS of swimmers, sports enthusiasts and gym members have been through the doors of Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre since it opened 20 years ago. The centre, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Monday, was opened by the late Diana, Princess

  • Poles land store jobs

    EASTERN European workers are being employed at a major supermarket branch in Kidderminster - despite 1,327 people in Wyre Forest district currently being registered out of work. Supermarket giant, Tesco, says, however, it is finding it difficult to recruit

  • Joining bid to save badgers

    A VETERINARY nurse from Bewdley is campaigning against Government proposals for a mass badger cull as it bids to halt the spread of TB in cattle. The disease is endemic in parts of Great Britain and is rife in the countryside around Pensax - where eight

  • 'Hurtful' baby grave slabs are taken away

    A GRIEVING mother incensed by what she described as "insensitivity" shown at a Kidderminster cemetery is delighted action has been taken to remove baby grave slabs she found upsetting. The town resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted the Shuttle

  • Badsey

    FLOWER SHOW: This year's show, the oldest and largest in the Vale, will be held on July 22 and details of the schedule will be announced shortly. Anyone wishing to have a stall should contact Pat Sparrow on 01386 830985. At a well-attended AGM, Gordon

  • Harvington

    VILLAGE PLAN AND DESIGN STATEMENT: The drop-in day at the village hall last Saturday prompted a good response from residents. A number of village organisations had put great effort into producing displays of their activities and their interest in the

  • Mickleton

    GARDENING CLUB: Members were welcomed to the meeting and reminded that next month the club is hosting the Inter-club Quiz. Notification was given about the change of date for the annual supper which will now be on October 27. Mervyn Davies told everyone

  • Pershore

    GARDENING CLUB: The February meeting took place at Wulstan Hall last Thursday at 7.30pm. George Featonby chaired the meeting and introduced Mike Smith from the National Trust, who gave a talk about the history and gardens of Croome Park Estate. This was

  • Evesham

    BURMA STAR ASSOCIATION: The Evesham branch will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, March 15 at 11am, at the Bengeworth Sports and Social Club, and all branch veterans are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served afterwards. ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION

  • Goals set in bid to avoid the drop

    AFTER seeing his side concede two quality goals last Saturday, Evesham United manager Paul West has set his players the task of producing two of their own, writes Mervyn Collins. Those "goals" should be enough to stave off relegation from the Southern

  • Pepe is Pete's lucky mascot

    A WORCESTER fish and chip shop owner will once again swap his fried chips for poker chips in the semi-final of a gambling competition. And he says that his luck, so far, has all been down to his mascot - a soft toy dog called Pepe. Peter Djiallis, who

  • Poor show leads to a loss on road

    Redditch VC 3, Evesham Utd Ladies 0 SUNDAY'S trip to in-form Redditch saw United produce a poor performance as the home side stretched their winning sequence to six games. The visitors almost went behind after seven minutes but they weren't as lucky two

  • Home not so sweet!

    A HANDFUL of home teams couldn't manage a win between them in Aqu-aid Division One of the Stratford and District Alliance last Saturday. In fact, only Earlswood managed to find the net and that only earned them a point from a 1-1 draw with Halfords Athletic

  • Top marks for school

    STAFF and youngsters at a Stourport school are celebrating after they received a glowing report following a recent Ofsted inspection. Inspectors from the independent education watchdog praised Stourport First School for its overall effectiveness, with

  • A chance to dance on the big stage

    TWELVE young dancers from the Vale will get the chance to perform alongside a professional company from Wales when they take part in the rarely-performed La Fille Mal Gardee. The children are all part of the Symphony Dance School which operates out of

  • Dancing to the beat of a heart

    THE mysteries of the human heart are explored in a ground-breaking new dance work. Random Dance come to the Forum at Malvern Theatres for one performance of their new piece Amu next Tuesday. Random Dance have gained an international reputation for their

  • Fixtures

    July 2005 (friendlies) Tues 19 Alvechurch (a) 2-1 Martin 2 WEDS 20 TAMWORTH (H) 0-1 SAT 23 Leamington (a) 2-1 Ball, Pinkney TUES 26 MOOR GREEN (H) 2-1 Duncan, Ball SAT 30 WORCESTER CITY (H) 0-0 August TUES 2 REDDITCH UTD (H) 1-1 O'Toole THURS KIDDERMINSTER

  • Hero Scooby joins book day fun

    STAFF at a Kidderminster store are getting into the spirit of World Book Day today by ditching their traditional uniform and dressing up as well-known characters. Workers at WH Smith Books, in High Street, are taking to the shop floor and assuming the

  • Accident mystery

    WITNESSES are being asked to come forward after a 17-year-old male was found with injuries consistent with him being struck by a vehicle in Kidderminster on Saturday. Police are appealing for witnesses to a road collision that occurred in Gheluvelt Avenue

  • Driver hurt in collision

    The Kidderminster driver of a Ford Escort was taken to hospital with a broken collarbone after a collision with a telegraph pole and bus shelter. The incident took place at 10 minutes past midnight on Sunday in Walter Nash Road and the male driver was

  • Meet new beat manager

    COOKLEY and Wolverley have a new beat manager who intends to bring in new schemes to tackle crime in the villages. PC Sally Sliwinska, an officer for three years, plans to introduce the national initiatives of Horse Watch and Farm Watch for villagers.

  • What do you want in town?

    TRADERS and residents in Wyre Forest are set to have their say about the future of shopping and leisure facilities in Kidderminster through a comprehensive lifestyle study. Wyre Forest District Council's key aim is to establish what leisure and retail

  • Shock for Vale staff as stores merge into one!

    AN EVESHAM town centre supermarket is set to close later this month with the loss of more than 50 jobs. The Somerfield store in Swan Lane store will disappear as the KwikSave shop in High Street is rebranded as Somerfield. Now bosses at the Somerfield

  • Council's tax rate is set

    RESIDENTS in Wychavon will pay less than people in any other district in Worcestershire, with a rise of 2.5% for the seventh consecutive year. The figure, now the tenth lowest in the country, was announced this week as Wychavon District Council voted

  • Riverside scheme in running for trio of awards

    A RIVERSIDE park, new boat moorings and footpaths created under Evesham's regeneration scheme have helped catapult the initiative into the running for three national awards. The town's regeneration project - Rediscovering Evesham's River Heritage - has

  • Disgrace of access at Evesham station

    A MEMBER of a national pensioners' organisation has slammed the delays which mean disabled people cannot access both platforms at Evesham railway station. Richard Barrett of UNITE, the National Federation of Royal Mail & BT Pensioners, and local secretary

  • Town ready to go Fairtrading

    EVESHAM will be declared a Fairtrade town before summer 2006, more than seven months earlier than expected - that's the promise of town Councillor Robert Raphael. Cllr Raphael had originally predicted the town would achieve Fairtrade status by 2007 but

  • Family skip firm backing project

    A KIDDERMINSTER family firm with close links to Scouting has been giving valuable backing to Operation Covert by providing skips for the Rhydd Covert site during construction of the new centre. Lawrence Skip Hire has saved the project hundreds of pounds

  • Towering job for welder

    ARE you a welder with a good head for heights? Then, the Rhydd Covert team needs to hear from you! While the first phase of building the new centre reaches its conclusion this week, other work is being carried out on some of the activity areas on the

  • Great Scott bidding to win England call

    A TEENAGE pool prodigy from Worcester is heading off to Great Yarmouth tomorrow to try and cement a place in the England Under 18 squad. Scott Surridge, captain of the Worcestershire Under 18s team, has earned the right to try out for the national side

  • City girls on bench

    TWO Worcester players have been named on the bench as England women's academy take on Canada Under 19s in Vancouver today. Stephanie Cousins and Laura Keates will be replacements in a side captained by Lichfield hooker Ollie Poore. England's Under 19s

  • Eight facing drugs charges

    EIGHT men from Stourport and Kidderminster, arrested last autumn in a West Mercia police operation codenamed Midas, have appeared at Worcester Crown Court on drugs charges. Undercover detectives with aliases such as Sophie, Amanda and Ian were mentioned

  • Goal ace on target as Town are held

    MARK Owen twice put Malvern Town in front but they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by fellow Midland Alliance title-chasers Romulus. The ex-Worcester City striker scored on seven and 75 minutes but Seb Hamilton countered with a second-half double, including

  • Man faces another trial

    A 35-year-old Kidderminster man is to face another trial on a charge of attacking his estranged wife. A jury at Worcester Crown Court was unable to reach a verdict last month on Cengiz Sadik, of Wolverley Road, Kidderminster. He had pleaded not guilty

  • Stourport hold lofty Brooklands

    STOURPORT Men's Firsts played out an entertaining 4-4 draw with second-placed Brooklands MU in the English Hockey League National North Division. Imran Yousaf scored twice for Stourport, while Phil Lashford and Rob Allen were also on target. The point

  • Evesham move clear of the bottom two

    EVESHAM Men's Firsts picked up a valuable 2-1 win at Old Halesonians and moved five points clear of the Coaching Solutions West Midlands Premier Division bottom two. Matt Baumber and Seb Seneque dominated midfield for the home side and Stuart Harris played

  • It's best to let a snake find its own way home

    WE are extremely fortunate in Wyre Forest District to have a fantastic variety of high quality and accessible countryside. Living in Kidderminster, we have some of the county's finest marshes and heathlands right on our doorsteps. Some householders have

  • Dentists still offering NHS places locally

    MANY Worcestershire residents are going without dental care because they wrongly believe there are no NHS vacancies within the county. According to a survey by Worcestershire Citizens Advice Social Policy Cluster Group, more than half (57 per cent) of

  • Counters will help save grey partridge

    VOLUNTEERS are being asked to carry out bird counts on farmland in spring and autumn in a bid to help restore the wild grey partridge, one of the most threatened birds. The Game Conservancy Trust manages the Grey Partridge Count Scheme, one of the most

  • CBSO Symphony Hall, Tuesday

    JAAP van Zweden was the CBSO's guest conductor on Tuesday, when the programme begin with Dvorak's excellent Scherzo Capriccioso. This is Dvorak at his tuneful best, and though only a short piece, lasting 12 minutes, he managed to include a whole range

  • Foster backs the PM over schooling Bill

    Worcester MP Mike Foster has pledged his support for Tony Blair's controversial school reforms as the Prime Minister faces a massive backbench revolt. The Government looks set to rely on Tory votes to get its Education Bill through the Commons after it

  • Lucky Phil is in the saddle

    TRAVELLING to work the green way will become easy for one council employee who won himself a top-notch mountain bike after taking part in a survey. Philip Instan, an HGV lorry driver for Worcester City Council, won the bike after answering questions about

  • Open up to heritage

    DO YOU own, work in or know of a building whose story you would like to share? If so, a special workshop in Worcester about how to unlock that building's potential and open it to members of the public should help. The Civic Trust, in partnership with

  • Getting shipshape for a special visitor

    MALVERN sea cadets rode on the crest of a wave as they celebrated another successful annual inspection. The youngsters were greeted by inspecting officer, Com mander Josh Binns, who made a quick tour of their base. The special evening kicked off with

  • Cash is big boost to racial harmony

    WORCESTERSHIRE Racial Equality Council has been awarded a £20,000 grant to build good race relations and tackle discrimination in the county. The money has been awarded through the Commission for Racial Equality's (CRE) and its Getting Results funding

  • Tickets go on sale

    TICKET office phone lines opened yesterday for the public to book tickets for the npower Test Match against Sri Lanka. Edgbaston will host the match that starts on Thursday, May 25 and, after the success of last year's Ashes match at Warw-ickshire, it

  • Workers top fund-raising goal by an extra

    LEARNING and Skills Council staff at Progress House in Worcester exceeded their target when they helped Hereford-shire special school Barrs Court raise £750,000 for its Hydrosense Appeal. Barrs Court's deputy head teacher Phil McKinnie said he was delighted

  • Writing displays to make you smile

    AN exhibition of calligraphy which aims to make people smile will open at Bewdley Library on Saturday. Wyre Forest-based group, Severn Scribes, will host the display, which will feature work members have created using different writing and painting techniques

  • Pianist Lauretta to perform at library

    WORKS by Joseph Haydn and Frederic Chopin will feature in the Classical Music Society's next Live at the Library performance. Lauretta Bloomer, pianist with the Virtuoso Horn Duo, will give a recital at Kidderminster Library on Friday, March 10. Lauretta

  • Turn council into useful plastic tub

    I CANNOT imagine a more perfect example of the duplicitous way Wyre Forest District Council conduct their affairs, than the response of Becky Robinson concerning recycling (Letters, February 16). For a start, the people of Wyre Forest did not vote for

  • PCT works well and serves our needs

    I WRITE in connection with Stephen Clee's comments regarding the proposals concerning the Wyre Forest Primary Care Trust. He ends his letter by stating that Option 2 , for a Worcestershire PCT, would be supported if there were to be a change to the status

  • Why angel was first on our list

    I WRITE in response to the anonymous letter Plea on Memorial Work in the Shuttle/Times & News (February 16). During 2004 the trustees of the Kidderminster War Memorials Conservation Trust unanimously agreed that the Angel of Peace outside St Mary's

  • Sewer no longer a problem?

    FOLLOWING the article "Go-ahead for homes plan" (Shuttle/Times and News, February 16), I wish to query a fact. Some years ago, when the Old Anchor pub, Stourport, first closed, Thomas Vale applied to build homes on the site. This application was turned

  • Birdie clincher

    THE extended Winter Lea-gue competition at Evesham concluded in competitive fashion last Saturday when Geoff Insall and Phil Whee-ler took on father and son duo Paul and Stuart Ridley. The former pair recorded an eagle three on the par five eighth hole

  • Canine capers to aid charity

    OWNERS of creatures great and small have been invited to bring their pooches along to Stourport's answer to Crufts. Canine challengers of all shapes and sizes are expected at the Civic Centre, in New Street, on Sunday for the Mayor's annual charity dog

  • Golf pro plans marathon run

    STOURPORT golf professional who vowed "never again" after completing last year's London Marathon, is to tackle the gruelling 26-mile course again in a bid to help young cancer sufferers. Graham Glenister, 38, has been training since October for the 26.2

  • Top marks for school

    STAFF and youngsters at a Stourport school are celebrating after they received a glowing report following a recent Ofsted inspection. Inspectors from the independent education watchdog praised Stourport First School for its overall effectiveness, with

  • Forwards impress but skipper Phillips shows way to try line

    Evesham U-14 15pts, Bredon 5 THE home side started in determined mood and the forwards, led by Josh Greatrix, camped themselves in the Bredon half for the opening ten minutes. Evesham's normal forward supremacy was cancelled out by a spirited visiting

  • Ian's hat-trick spurs visitors

    Tewkesbury 0, Evesham U-10 7 DISAPPOINTMENT still felt from the previous week's defeat was swiftly forgotten as a spirited an determined Avon Street players took to the field. The deadlock was broken when Thomas Heneghen sidestepped through three players

  • What's On

    TONIGHT: Birmingham: Marriott Hotel - Lupa. Symphony Hall - Jethro Tull. CBSO Centre - CBSO Players (lunchtime). Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - The Wetton Downes Band. Civic Hall - James Blunt. Coventry: Warwick Arts Centre - Breakestra. Sedgley: Dormston

  • Rob rules to book place at Festival

    THE final match in the Ham-pton Ferry Teams Winter Lea-gue took place last Saturday. Six of the results from the seven-match competition count with the winning team invited to fish the Midland Angler Teams Championships at this year's Evesham Festival

  • Council's tax rate is set

    RESIDENTS in Wychavon will pay less than people in any other district in Worcestershire, with a rise of 2.5% for the seventh consecutive year. The figure, now the tenth lowest in the country, was announced this week as Wychavon District Council voted

  • 'Satnav' alert

    MOTORISTS in Evesham are being warned to treat their plug-in satellite navigation systems as they would their mobile phones, stereos and laptops, by taking them with them when their vehicles are not in use. The warning has been given by South Worcestershire

  • Manuel flying solo for charity

    A VALE man who successfully won a battle against bowel cancer six years ago is hoping to complete another momentous challenge, as he sets off on a round-the-world trip to raise funds for the charity that helped save his life. Manuel Queiroz, aged 59,

  • Minster Ladies

    THE annual meeting was held on February 1. The officers re-elected were chairman Margaret Beddoes, secretary Mary Roscoe, treasurer Barbara Barker and social secretary Mary Bulmer. A varied programme has been arranged, plus coach outings.

  • Villages fight the 999 services plan

    VILLAGERS in Bidford and Salford Priors are being asked to fight a decision made by the Department of Health to merge Warwickshire ambulance service with the West Midlands region. Parish councillors are against the proposed merger, as they believe the

  • Brush-up your homes for award

    VILLAGES in Warwickshire will be trimming their hedges and cleaning up their footpaths again this year as they attempt to win two major competitions. The Warwickshire Best Kept Village and Village of the Year competitions offers residents the opportunity

  • Getting your teeth into dental problem

    A PERSHORE couple have travelled abroad to find their own solution to achieving the perfect smile. Ann and David Barrett contacted Ann Smith, managing director of Flight2Beauty in Birlingham near Pershore, after they decided to resolve their oral complaints

  • University of the Third Age

    THE next meeting will be on Monday, March 13 at St Ambrose Social Club, Leswell Street, Kidderminster, at 2pm (doors open 1.30pm), when Kidderminster fire station officer David Williams will be the speaker. There will be a walk on Tuesday, starting at

  • Goals set in bid to avoid the drop

    AFTER seeing his side concede two quality goals last Saturday, Evesham United manager Paul West has set his players the task of producing two of their own, writes Mervyn Collins. Those "goals" should be enough to stave off relegation from the Southern

  • Simon back in saddle

    PIRANHA Racing is back to contest the British Supersports Championship with Simon And-rews in the saddle on the factory backed Yamaha R6. Team manager Andy Colbourne commented: "The fight for this year's British title is going to be fantastic, there are

  • Veterans show paces to claim surprise Head win

    CREWS from Evesham brought home the medals again last weekend. Two junior boys crews blazed down the Worcester Head of the River course in winning times and there was also a surprise win for the men's veteran C crew. A bitterly cold day saw a chill wind

  • Classical Music Society

    VICE-president Lyndon Jenkins gave a talk about the BBC Symphony Orchestra, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, the first concert having taken place on October 1, 1930. The orchestra's first conductor was Sir Adrian Boult, and guest conductors

  • Stourport Civic Society

    ON Thursday, March 9 at 7.30pm, Francesca Llewellyn will give a talk entitled "Monumental Inscriptions". Non-members will be welcome to attend the talk, for a small donation, which will include refreshment. The meeting is at the Day Centre, New Street

  • Cats Protection

    CHICAGO Rock Caf in Stourbridge and the district branch of Cats Protection have teamed up to hold a party night to help raise money to look after cats and kittens. The event follows on from a very successful similar evening last September, which raised

  • Buckley wins bronze medal

    PERSHORE'S Rob Buckley claimed a bronze medal at the World Indoor Rowing Champio-nship in America last weekend. The 50-year-old raced to third spot in the 50-54 lightweight category in a time of six minutes and 49.4 seconds, less than a second away from

  • Simon seals final spot to cap fine comeback

    SIMON Judge fired in a last minute winner to book Pershore Town a place in this season's Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup Final, writes Mervyn Collins. Tuesday's tie appeared destined for extra-time - or even an abandonment in the freezing conditions - until

  • Council cannot keep to budget

    SIR - Who's taking the Mick? It's no wonder the council can't work to a budget and has doubled the council tax in the last few years. I see they've got to spend lots of money to cut the city staff sick leave. I wonder if any other business could afford

  • A policeman on foot is rare sight

    SIR - Further to the article regarding vandalism in our village, (February 14) and the reply by Coun Tom Wells (February 23), I fully agree with Tom on all points, a policeman on foot is a rare sight indeed, in fact. I haven't seen one since the old police

  • I've nothing but praise for hospital

    SIR - People complain about Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Well here's one lady who won't. My physically mentally handicapped son, aged 39, suffered a heart attack and was taken to hospital. He was there for 14 days and had to have a pacemaker fitted.

  • Come on John, stick to the facts

    SIR - I must reply to John Hinton's recent letter and the spurious claims he made about Christopher Whitehead School and its facilities. The claim that the current school site could not be adapted is nonsense. There is ample room to rebuild a new school

  • Tragic soldier did not throw away his rifle

    SIR - I refer to John Phillpott's Seven Days article headlined "Soldier's tragic death leaves a weeping wound (Worcester News, February 6, 2006). Sergeant John Wall was never accused of having abandoned his rifle, not even when he and his comrades were

  • Orchestra set for church concert

    WYRE Forest Symphony Orchestra will be making the most of the acoustics in a Kidderminster church when it performs on Saturday. The concert will take place at St Mary's Church at 7.30pm and the group, which has around 50 members, will be performing the

  • Fitting finale for hall celebrations

    KIDDERMINSTER Town Hall will be rocking with the sound of Mike Sanchez and the 11-piece Rhythm and Blues Revue band next week. The multi-talented singer, guitarist and pianist will perform at the venue on Saturday, March 11. Sanchez has travelled around

  • Musical classic will celebrate 90th year

    ONE of the most popular musicals of all time will be performed by members of Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society next month. The society, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, will present My Fair Lady at the Rose Theatre until

  • Patrick powers Shipston through play-off thriller

    PLAY-OFF action in the Cotswold League started on Tuesday evening when wild card duo St David's and Ilmington fought it out to reach the next round. Ilmington started brilliantly with a goal from Ned Plackett after just five seconds and he went on to

  • Festival curtain-raiser

    AS THE annual curtain-raiser to the Cheltenham Festival, Stratford Racecourse is proud to announce that Betfair has generously sponsored the first meeting of 2006. The gates open at 12 noon on Monday, March 13 with the sounds of the Milestone Band playing

  • League is more popular

    THE Prudden Road Surf-acing Summer Tennis League covering the South Warwickshire and district region, staged it's annual general meeting at Bidford RBL Club. There has been yet another record entry of team applications for the 2006 season and the arrival

  • Beauty and the banks

    Is it just me, or is anyone else appalled by the damage being done to the beautiful Avon. The fishing platforms look hideous and they spoil the whole look of the bank and the river. My Father was a keen angler but he had a fishing stool which at the end

  • Not all favour development

    REFERENCE the proposed development of land at Simms and Woods, Chapel Lane, Wyre Piddle. Your article Family firm hopes to leave village legacy refers. Our village may not benefit in the way the proposal suggests, and Wychavon District Council, the Parish

  • An inspector's security review

    RECENT discussion in the media as to the need for examining the efficiency of our constabulary has reminded me of a system in use in the remoter regions of the New Territories and Islands of Hong Kong when I was a police inspector there in the 1950s.

  • LAYLAND

    LAYLAND Paul Died peacefully at home with his Family by his side on Thursday, February 23rd, 2006, aged 57 years. Beloved husband of Karen, much loved dad of Penny and Bone, father in law to Steve and special grandad of Jade and Ellie, much cherished

  • EYNON

    EYNON Graham Passed away peacefully on February 26th 2006, aged 75 years. Sadly missed. The Funeral Service will be held at Worcester Crematorium on Monday, March 6th at 11 a.m. Family flowers only, donations if desired for The Critical Care Unit, Worcestershire

  • EDWARDS NEE BATTIN

    EDWARDS NEE BATTIN Joan Florence Of St Oswald's Close, Worcester. Peacefully in hospital on February 24th, aged 86 years. Wife of the late Jack and much loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Funeral Service at St Oswald's Chapel on Friday

  • POWELL

    POWELL Kenneth Joan and David would like to thank those who attended Ken's Funeral Service and for the cards, letters, flowers and donations received for the Parkinson's Desease Society. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • HILL

    HILL Alice Ethel Maureen, Geoff and Family wish to express sincere thanks to Relatives and Friends for the kindness shown and support given during the sad loss of a dearly loved mom and nan. A special thank you to mom's many Friends at the Arden Centre

  • CAVE

    CAVE Formerly Gurney Doreen Pat, Pete, Carolyn and Rob would like to thank Family and Friends for their floral tributes and also Avon 1 ward at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital for everything they for our mum. Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • CLARKE

    CLARKE Ena Treasured memories of a dear wife, mother and grandmother. Remembered always, love Tom and Family. x x x Published in paper 02/03/2006

  • Eckington

    THURSDAY CLUB: The outing on March 16 is to The Bridge Inn at Hindlip for the two-course carvery, plus tea or coffee, followed by 1940s-style entertainment. Leave Eckington at 10.30am. On March 30 at 2.15pm in the village hall the annual meeting will

  • Harvington

    VILLAGE PLAN AND DESIGN STATEMENT: The drop-in day at the village hall last Saturday prompted a good response from residents. A number of village organisations had put great effort into producing displays of their activities and their interest in the

  • Mickleton

    GARDENING CLUB: Members were welcomed to the meeting and reminded that next month the club is hosting the Inter-club Quiz. Notification was given about the change of date for the annual supper which will now be on October 27. Mervyn Davies told everyone

  • Pershore

    GARDENING CLUB: The February meeting took place at Wulstan Hall last Thursday at 7.30pm. George Featonby chaired the meeting and introduced Mike Smith from the National Trust, who gave a talk about the history and gardens of Croome Park Estate. This was

  • It's best to let a snake find its own way home

    WE are extremely fortunate in Wyre Forest District to have a fantastic variety of high quality and accessible countryside. Living in Kidderminster, we have some of the county's finest marshes and heathlands right on our doorsteps. Some householders have

  • Village plans concert series

    THE sixth Bledington Music Festival takes place on June 6, 7 and 8 in the village's St Leonard's Church. The first concert is with the young international violinist, Chlo Hanslip, whose concert will include Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata and Prokofiev's

  • Busking beauties move up the scale

    TWO of the most popular and glamorous faces on the classical music scene are performing at Malvern Theatres next month. The Operababes will join guest singers from Covent Garden and the ENO for A Night at the Opera on Saturday, March 18. In Spring 2001

  • Rutter leads choral event

    WORLD-famous composer John Rutter is to lead a choral workshop in Worcester on Saturday, March 11. The event, which will take place at Worcester Cathedral, is in aid of the cathedral's Appeal for Music and Light. The cathedral is running an ambitious