Worcester News, Worcester Sport, Worcester Leisure - From The Worcester News

Worcestershire | Archive | 2006 | May

Stories for 12 May 2006

Leisure

Comedy has serious side

MALVERN Wells Players are staging a hilarious play set in the world of adult literacy classes. more...

Teen idol has new passion

JACK Ryder, known to many as teen heart-throb Jamie Mitchell from EastEnders, is on stage in Malvern next week. more...

`Perfick' play just rolls along

The Darling Buds of May will be bought to the stage at Conquest Theatre in Bromyard. more...

Tragic tale packed full of intrigue

THE court intrigues of one of Britain's most famous monarchs will be brought to the stage by Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society. more...

You can learn to be a star

COUNTY youngsters are being given the chance to tread the same boards as hundreds of stars of both stage and screen. more...

Arabian classic is told in French

A FANCIFUL story of sorcerers, jewels and genies is set to be vividly performed for youngsters in simple French at The Courtyard, Hereford. more...

Laugh along with Paddy

ANYONE who fancies clowning around at the Swan Theatre in Worcester is invited to join a very special visitor when he drops in. more...

A day for children at the sea

IF you do like to be beside the seaside a children's theatre production in Droitwich could be just for you. more...

These pirates are heading this way

PIRATES of the River Severn, a nautical adventure, is set to sail into the county. more...

Cinemas

Malvern Cinema: Rent (PG) Fri-Sun 7.15pm, Mats Sat & Sun 4pm. The Squid & the Whale (15) Mon-Thurs 7.30pm. more...

Finest music is offered for free

AUDIENCES can see Birmingham Contemporary Music Group perform at Ledbury's John Masefield High School for free on Sunday, May 28, at 7.30pm. more...

Nash Ensemble n Review: Malvern Concert Club

MCC'S 103rd season ended with a splendid concert featuring Schubert's Octet in F and Beethoven's Septet in E flat. more...

Festen n Review: Malvern Theatres

THE darkest of black comedies, Festen is a risk that pays off for Malvern Theatres. more...

Manchester calling for every Clash fan

OVER the years they have bashed out the hits of their idols The Clash - and now one band is set to take the stage at a major gig in memory of its lead singer Joe Strummer. more...

Big names at festival on town's racecourse

MERCURY Music Prize nominees and World Music award winners are set to be among the line-up of this year's Wychwood Music Festival, taking place next month. more...

He'll blow you away

ONE of the country's top saxophonists and flautists is set to show off his talents in Worcester this month with a gig at the city's Huntingdon Hall. more...

ROUND-UP: SINGING CHEFS WILL TAKE YOU TO ANCIENT EGYPT

l THE all-singing, all-dancing Singing Sous'Chefs will again be bringing their entertaining show to Worcestershire next month with a two-date gig in Malvern. more...

News

Stay vigilant but remain calm, too

IT'S every parent's nightmare. Despite the vigilance, warnings and constant assessments of risk and probability, all mums and dads know in their hearts that there is no complete defence against the neighbourhood pervert. more...

Clamping saga a case of passing the buck

SIR - The whole episode of Courts car parking is a classic example of passing the buck. The owners don't appear to want to know, it seems. more...

What about police and the tax office?

SIR - Cars have been clamped while parked on former Courts car park in Lowesmoor, Worcester. I would ask if Rowencroft Immobilisers is legally clamping these people, or is it just making a fast buck at the expense of more...

Worcester in need of a concert hall

SIR - The announcement of the development in Lowesmoor means more shops for Worcester. No surprise there, then! This council is only capable of building shops and apartments. It has no vision - what we need is a concert hall that will attract top class live entertainment to the city. Until this happens, Worcester will continue to be soulless. more...

It was Conway, not Nye Bevan

SIR - D E Margrett's letter (May 2) discussing current problems in the NHS comments that "up to 1979, NHS managers were expected to reflect the spirit of Aneurin Bevan's dream." The NHS is merely an extension on a national level of a medical scheme that existed for many years in Tredegar, South Wales, for the benefit of the others and their families. The moving force in the scheme was Walter Conway - a fact acknowledged in that a street in Tredegar is named after him. more...

We will serve to best of our ability

SIR - I am very grateful to everyone in Battenhall ward who voted for me in the city elections. more...

Thanks to people of Bedwardine

SIR - May I thank the people of Bedwardine for returning me to Worcester City Council. more...

I will continue to work for my ward

SIR - I would like to thank the people of St John's for re-electing me as their city councillor. To receive so many votes was a very humbling experience. I will continue to work hard for the community, ensuring their voice is heard. more...

What is happening to this country?

SIR - Not so long ago this nation was told by the politicians of all three main parties that unless appropriate and substantial rewards were made for their services, people with the required abilities and of appropriate bearing would never be attracted to become parliamentarians. more...

This immoral war

SIR - Are you not sickened when newly-appointed Defence Secretary Des Browne tells us he is "deeply saddened" by the deaths of at least four more British service personnel in Iraq? more...

Parking charges

SIR - Regarding George Cowley's letter about the council trying to balance the books with car parking charges, councillors have put the charges so high that it drives out shoppers. more...

Eggs over candles

SIR - In order to reduce pollution and conserve energy (Mr Reynolds, May 3), I now boil my eggs over a candle. It takes ages. more...

This is a case of the wrong Liz

SIR - Before the correspondence regarding the county council's recent report on public transport goes any further, I'd like to point out - for the sake of clarity - that the scrutiny task force that produced it was in fact chaired by Liz Tucker, the Lib Dem county councillor for Pershore, and not by Liz Smith, the Lib Dem city councillor for Claines. more...

Abbey Stadium scheme rejected

REDDITCH Council's ambitious plans for the Abbey Stadium have been turned down. more...

Echoes from the Past

100 years ago more...

Scientist ushered in the digital era

THE life and work of one of the most brilliant - and unusual - scientists of the 20th Century was commemorated at a lecture this week. more...

Record-breaking year for awards

SIXTY entries have been received for the Chamber Awards 2006 to make it a record-breaking year for the prestigious annual awards scheme. more...

Scrabble needs loving new home

SCRABBLE is a very special ferret looking for someone to give him a loving new home. more...

New sight on the river

AS its predecessor rusts in the Diglis Basin, the Earl sets sail on the Severn. more...

Plea for a home and wages link

AFFORDABLE housing in rural areas should be linked to local wages, according to a report published this week. more...

We must stop louts spoiling our riverside

DRUNKEN louts are jeopardising Stourport-on-Severn's reputation as a tourist destination by vandalising the town and daubing it in graffiti. more...

Shake-up schools to get mobile buildings

MOBILE classrooms are to be installed at 11 Wyre Forest schools if Worcestershire County Council chiefs get their way. more...

Why I'm telling of my drug torment

TWO former drug addicts are using their experiences to help current users seek treatment and take a responsible approach to drug-taking. more...

No one wanted to know about the Kestrel's death

A WOMAN has hit out at authorities for refusing to take responsibility over the disposal and investigation into the death of a kestrel which fell into her garden while she was gardening. more...

We're bouncing to new world record

THE University of Worcester trampoline squad will be taking part in a gruelling 24-hour charity `bounceathon', and aiming for a new world record in the process. more...

After 30 years looking like this, old Pickfords site will get posh flats

A CITY centre site that has stood derelict and abandoned for more than 30 years is now being transformed into a luxury apartment block. more...

Sunshine and palm trees as another Spring show begins

GLORIOUS sunshine ensured the 21st Malvern Spring Gardening Show got off to a bright start yesterday. more...

Dentist declined to treat our girl who was in agony

ANGRY parents have spoken out after a dentist allegedly refused to treat their distressed six-year-old daughter. more...

Big new Tesco will look like a factory, say critics

PEOPLE living close to Tesco in Warndon Villages say designs for an expanded store look more like a factory and would be an eyesore. more...

I was in bed, then police stormed in

AN animal rights campaigner has spoken of her shock after police smashed through her door and arrested her. more...

JOGGER TRIED TO SNATCH MY KIDS

A FATHER fears his children were in danger of being kidnapped and killed after a mystery jogger twice tried to snatch them. more...

Glamour pair in spotlight

THE tables turned for two beauty therapy students from Malvern Hills College who made it through to the finals of this year's Miss Worcestershire competition. more...

New festival will bear fruit for hall fund

ORGANISERS of a new event being held for the first time this weekend hope it will become an annual attraction. more...

Howard wins `Oscar' with radio series

A RADIO series about mental illness produced by a Malvern man has scooped gold at the Sony Radio Academy Awards. more...

Double delight for lucky school

THERE was a double celebration at Powick CE Primary this week after a pupil won £10,000 of sports equipment and Ofsted inspectors praised the school. more...

Speed fear in village

CRADLEY Parish Council says Herefordshire Council should be held responsible if there is a fatality on the village's roads. more...

Threat perceived to Chartist settlement

COUNCILLORS are to visit the site of a controversial planning application in Staunton. more...

Opinion

IT'S been a while since I was at school and I have no idea how today's teenagers like to spend their lunch hour, but I remember how important that time was to me. more...

Switch to short day is likely

Parents at The Chase are due to hear within days if the school is moving to new hours. more...

Young writers find the winning words

TALENTED young writers received awards from Malvern Writers' Circle this week for their entries in its annual competition. more...

Youth awards marred by dispute over prize

A SPIRALLING row has marred the presentation of Ledbury's youth awards and already led to one resignation from the town council. more...

French honour Luis for wartime exploits

A VETERAN from Stoke Lacey has received a top medal for his service in Operation Chariot in the Second World War. more...

Jacqui made chief whip in Cabinet reshuffle

THE father of Labour's new chief whip says he is "tremendously proud" of his daughter, who grew up in Malvern. more...

Trust seeks partner for hospital project

A NEW hospital for Malvern came a step closer to reality this week. more...

Book deal is signed after 120 rejections

MALVERN writer David Bilsborough has been penning stories since he was a schoolboy, but has just signed a deal with top publisher for his first book. more...

Mast victory for phone firm

A PLAN for a 40ft phone mast that was thrown out last year has been allowed on appeal. more...

Police hail guilty verdict on rapist

A police officer who led the investigation into a 34-year-old Malvern man found guilty of raping a girl of 15 said she was delighted by the verdict. more...

Rewarding time

The last 26 years of my life here in Malvern have been most rewarding and stimulating. Since founding the ESO in 1980 the people of the area have been incredibly supportive, for which I give my heartfelt thanks and appreciation - the venture would not have been possible without them. Some remarkable concerts that have taken place here will always remain with me. more...

It's a show to be proud of, says TV's Monty

CELEBRITY gardener Monty Don officially opened Malvern Spring Gardening Show yesterday (Thursday). more...

Costly experiment

I ATTENDED the meeting on April 28 at which the Environment Agency announced to some residents of Upton what flood defence system it intends to experiment with, and to which Malvern Hills District Council was reported to be contributing £10,000. more...

Water firm's bird flu flap

STARTLED hotel owners have been told that the flap over bird flu stopped their water meter being read. more...

Angels of mercy

ON Thursday, April 27, outside the garage opposite the Co-op at Malvern Link, I had a very bad fall, straight on to my face, blood everywhere! more...

Best option

I have been following the ever-increasing emotive comments in the press regarding Malvern Hills District Council's decision to close some public toilets. more...

Double standard

Residents asked that the toilets should remain open, but Malvern Hills District Council boarded them up anyway. So parts of our towns will look a mess throughout the tourist season. more...

Generous gift

I agree with everything that has been written in favour of continuing to use the existing Malvern Hospital building and site. more...

Get a grip

I WRITE with reference to the article (Malvern Gazette, April 28) about Mr McCarthy complaining about the jets. more...

Our future looks bleak

With reference to the North Site development, it is inevitable there will be substantial additional traffic problems to those that already exist. more...

Is this the image we want?

THE affair of the Bromyard golliwogs is, of course, hugely amusing and political correctness is an easy and popular target. more...

Club plays host

Upton Garden Club will host a coffee morning and plant sale at the Memorial Hall tomorrow (Saturday), from 10am to 11.30am. more...

Contact Chris

UPTON Rugby Club president Chris Carkeek has changed his email address. Parents of prospective junior section players can now contact him at chris@c3-consulting. co.uk. more...

Meal fundraiser

A Bangladeshi meal at Pundits on Old Street, Upton, on Sunday (May 14) will raise funds for Upton Parish Church. Places can be booked for 12.30pm, 6pm or 8pm. The meal will cost £10 per person, with drinks and sundries extra. To book, call 01684 594017 or 01684 593663. more...

Shake it up

IT'S girls only for a fun evening of belly dancing on Thursday (May 18), organised by the Friends of Upton Primary School. Agarma Tan will lead the dance workshop at the school from 6.45pm to 8pm. Comfortable, loose clothing is advised. Entry is £5 for adults and £2.50 for under-16s, to include drinks. more...

In the frame

Another `Faces of Upton' photograph session takes place at the Baptist Hall tomorrow (Saturday), from 9.30am to 1pm. It costs £1 to have your picture taken for the 2007 calendar to raise money the County Air Ambulance. Local business people can have their business name and phone number included with their picture for £5. more...

Charity walk

MACMILLAN Cancer Relief's local fundraising committee is holding a six-mile circular walk around Upton on Saturday, May 20. The easy cross-country route will include a couple of pub stops. Walkers can make a donation to take part on the day. Meet in the Riverside car park at 10.45am. For further details, call 01684 311348. more...

Bands in line for jazz event

UPTON Jazz Festival has released details of its line-up this year. more...

Your chance to pull on oars

Upton Rowing Club is staging a special event for pubs, clubs and firms as part of this year's regatta. more...

`Metropolis'welcomes new rector

UPTON is a metropolis for its new rector, who comes to the town from rural Cumbria. more...

Traders out to beat crime

CRIMINALS may think twice before targeting Upton businesses following the relaunch this week of the town's Shopwatch scheme. more...

We went under the razor to raise funds

Three Worcester women have had their heads shaved for charity. more...

West Malvern Correspondent: Colin Jackson Tel: 01684 577604

Increased police cover is in prospect for West Malvern following recent changes announced by the Government, the parish council heard at its meeting on Monday. more...

Welland Correspondent: Stephen Try Tel: 01684 310068

Gardeners' Question Time is being held in, and proceeds go to, St James' Church, Welland on Friday, May 19 at 7.30pm. It features BBC Hereford and Worcester's Mike George and gardening guru Reg Moule. Tickets are £6 each (£5 concs) and include light refreshments and a glass of cider or soft drink. They can be ordered from 01684-572720 or from any PCC member. more...

STAUNTON Correspondent: Mrs U Groves Smith Tel: 01452 840273

During the next two weeks, ladies of St James' Church will be preparing it for the flower festival, Floral Rhapsody, from May 27-29, starting with a preview evening with wine and cheese. All proceeds are for church funds. more...

MALVERN WELLS Correspondent: Mrs V Greaves Tel: 01684 566860

Groping for Words, by Sue Townsend, is presented by the Wells Players on May 18-20 at 7.30pm. The cast is Mandy Shrimpton as Joyce Chalmers, the teacher, Evan Peach as the caretaker and Paul Allsop and Helen Reade as pupils. This is a play about adults who cannot read but are desperate to learn and who try to hide disability with unfortunate consequences. It is funny and touching, with strongly-drawn characters. Tickets are £4.50 from Daniels Garage or Wells Post Office. Details from Mike Jackson on (01684) 563824. more...

HOLLYBUSH Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

A VERY happy and successful plant sale at Hollybush Church Rooms last Saturday, £347 being raised by the sale of plants and cakes. Thank you to our very loyal supporters for making this such a profitable occasion. Please remember to make a note in your diary for your next fundraising event, which is the flower festival on July 8-9. The theme is Capital Cities. Hollybush has a reputation that is hard to beat, so this is really worth a visit. more...

CORSE Correspondent: Mrs U Groves Smith Tel: 01452 840273

THE United Benefice of Hartpury, Corse, Staunton and Maisemore, together with Hartpury Methodist Church, held a service at St Margaret's Church, Corse. It was conducted by Canon John Evans and The Rev. Penny Hamer, with some members from all the churches present. more...

Cradley Correspondent: N G Holden

The 1st Cradley Scouts will be holding a fundraising flea market, raffle and tombola on Saturday May 20, 2pm-4pm. Donations are welcome, call 01886 880686 or 638. more...

COLWALL Correspondent: Mrs P Hockett Tel: 01684 564872

THE Wyche Free Church extend an invitation to join their Jubilee 150th anniversary celebrations tomorrow (Saturday) and Sunday. At 3.30pm on Saturday, there will be a service with The Rev. Richard Underwood from Market Harborough (formerly from Soham) followed by tea. On Sunday, services will be at 10.30am with The Rev. John Cook (Leominster) and 6.30pm with The Rev. Norman Pearson (Blackburn). more...

CASTLEMORTON Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

CASTLEMORTON Gardening Club meets at the parish hall on Thursday, May 18 at 7.30pm for its annual meeting, followed by a talk at 7.45pm on Persian and Islamic gardens by Nathalie Mignotte. Non-members welcome. more...

CALLOW END AND POWICK Correspondent: Mrs M Allsopp Tel: 01905 830746

CONGRATULATIONS to the football team from Callow End Primary School who won the Malvern and District small schools' tournament. The event was held at The Chase in Malvern and the team beat five other schools without conceding a goal to win the trophy for the third year running. more...

BOSBURY Correspondent: Mrs R Krinks Tel: 01531 640076

AT the annual parish meeting, the new chairman of the parish council, Gerald Blandford, paid tribute to the hard work and excellent stewardship of his predecessor, David West. more...

BERROW Correspondent: Mrs R Bolton Tel: 01684 833287

FINAL jumble sale until September 9 but this still didn't deter the faithful followers of Janet's efforts who once again supported wholeheartedly last Saturday's event, which netted £276 for village hall funds. Thank you to all contributors and helpers. more...