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

Worcestershire | Archive | 2006 | August

Stories for 30 August 2006

Leisure

Jasper's festive run in

POPULAR Birmingham comedian Jasper Carrott has been gearing up for the festive season and preparing for his Christmas Rock With Laughter show which opens on December 20 at the National Exhibition Centre. more...

Now they just `8' to mention it

THE number eight will take on special significance for the WYJO, the Worcestershire Youth Jazz Orchestra, next month. more...

Lakeman heads up Moseley bash

SETH LAKEMAN heads up a strong collection of bands that will be performing at the Moseley Folk Festival on September 2 and 3 in Birmingham. more...

Town hall set to be swinging, man

DANCERS from the 1940s, 50s and 60s are invited to take part in a big band concert at Kidderminster Town Hall on September 2. more...

Explore kids' world

ADULTS will be given a glimpse of what it's really like to be seven-years-old and children are set to be entertained when Dora the Explorer Live comes to the Alexandra Theatre between August 30 and September 3. more...

Group ready to rehearse

REDDITCH Choral Society is starting rehearsals again for a new season of music making. more...

Dora set to explore

SMASH hit show Dora the Explorer Live! hits the stage at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre tonight. more...

Searchers return to Palace

UNIQUE band The Searchers return to Redditch's Palace Theatre on Friday. more...

Boys will be boys

BIRMINGHAM Repertory Theatre's autumn season opens in style with a multi-award winning production of Alan Bennett's The History Boys. more...

Comedy legend in summer show

ONE of the country's most popular comedians will be treading the boards at the town's Palace Theatre on Saturday. more...

What's On Guide

Wednesday, August 30 more...

Changes to heathlands could attract the nightjar

WHILE visitors to our local nature reserves can't have failed to notice the many changes that have taken place over the years as a result of various ongoing management projects, perhaps the most obvious example can be seen on the lowland heath site at Rifle Range SSSI. more...

Where to go

Wednesday, August 30 more...

Triumph for youth

Review - West Side Story at the more...

Rodent band to bare their teeth

MUSIC mavericks the Hamsters are set to rock the Artrix this Friday when they perform classic tracks by some legendary musicians. more...

Guitarist to pull the strings

IT'S not often that one of the country's most renowned guitarists teaches the secrets of how to master the instrument, but that's just what happening when John Etheridge holds a workshop and concert at the the Artrix this Saturday. more...

News

Centre push for new businesses

REDDITCH'S Kingfisher Centre management is seeking to attract new and varied businesses to the centre by changing the planning use of some units. more...

Exam joy for students

TALENTED teenagers in Redditch and Studley are again celebrating a bumper crop of GCSE results. more...

Abuse threat to charity's future

REDDITCH'S Youth Afloat charity may consider abandoning its summer activities after staff were faced with verbal abuse from parents. more...

FLAIR is forging ahead for future

PLANS are already being firmed up for next year's FLAIR festival - the biggest celebration of arts in Redditch. more...

Changes set for Taxibus scheme

NEW charges are being introduced to the town's Taxibus service. more...

Cold water poured on pipeline pledge

WATER company Severn Trent has come under fire from Redditch residents. more...

Police appeal on car-jackers

AN Alvechurch man narrowly escaped injury after he was dragged out of his Vauxhall Astra in a car-jacking. more...

Former schools to be torn down

BULLDOZERS will be moving in on a pair of school sites in Redditch after vandalism has forced the county council to demolish them. more...

Mum praises Craig appeal

A MOUNT Pleasant mum is calling on the town to recognise the kind help that will finally allow her disabled son to play in his own back garden. more...

Policeman had to drive ambulance

THE Abbeydale toddler who died tragically on a family holiday in Weston-super-Mare was taken to hospital in an ambulance driven by a police officer. more...

Trio in knife raid on shop

THE manager of a Wythall shop has hit out at the ``thoughtless'' men who stole cigarettes and cash at knifepoint. more...

Patient tells of Alex `hell'

A WOMAN who was admitted to the Alexandra Hospital in July for major surgery has told the Advertiser she would rather die than return there after the "horrific" way she claims she was treated. more...

Wyre Forest

WORCestershire and SHERWOOD FORESTERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION - The next meeting will be at 11am on Sunday at The TA Centre, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, Details from Ron Harris on 01562 820855. more...

Stourport

FLORAL ART CLUB - Members celebrated the 50th anniversary of the club with a lunch at Blakelands Country House, Halfpenny Green, followed by a flower demonstration by Andrew Lloyd on Wednesday, August 16. A pen inscribed with the club's name and date was presented to each member. Joan Southerton provided a golden rose in a miniature glass vase and Betty Bickerton gave a painting of Nerines she had done on canvas for the raffle on behalf of Acorns Children's Hospice. more...

Kidderminster

TG - The national council meeting in Harrogate on July 4 was attended by Dorothy White and Edna Plimley Rodriguez. more...

Chaddesley Corbett

GARDENERS CLUB - The August meeting took the form of a visit to Greenacres, the home of David and Margaret Mills. Members wandered around the garden and then had refreshments on the patio. Photographs of the garden at different times of the year were displayed and an old aerial photograph proved how much work David and Margaret had put into the garden over the last 18 months. more...

100 Years Ago September 1, 1906

AN interesting fire drill was set to take place in Bromsgrove next week. The Norwich Union Brigade was to come to Bromsgrove for a combined exercise. The visit was being greatly anticipated as the Worcester crew was bringing its new motor steam fire engine. more...

50 Years Ago September 1, 1956

YOUNG vandals were suspected of damaging a cherry tree planted in the grounds of St Laurence's church in Ludlow in memory of the Bromsgrove-born poet and scholar Alfred Housman whose ashes are buried there. Housman died in April 1936. more...

25 Years Ago August 28, 1981

ENTHUSIASTS from all over Britain travelled to Cofton Park for a Midland Austin Seven Car Club rally. On show were examples of Rubies, Opals and Pearls, as well as the ever popular Chummies. Next year's event to mark the Seven's silver jubilee was set to be even bigger and better. more...

Bewdley

ROUNDTABLE - August is normally a quiet time for Roundtable as members go on holiday. This year those still at home had a masterclass in petanque at the Hop Pole Inn and trek around Stottesdon on quad bikes. more...

Diary of Events

Friday, September 1 more...

Thanks for donations

MEMBERS of Carers Careline have thanked the people of Redditch who gave generously during a flag day on June 10. more...

Peahen still on the loose

AN elusive peahen has been captured by a Redditch man - but only on film. more...

Mysteries of moated site unveiled in book

A CALLOW Hill woman has written a book charting the fascinating history of one of the biggest moated sites in Worcestershire. more...

Catshill WI

IN place of the usual monthly meeting an evening garden tour had been organised by Cynthia Newnham to view gardens planted out with a difference. more...

Chaddesley Corbett Gardeners' Club

The August meeting took the form of a visit to Greenacres, the home of David and Margaret Mills. more...

Service offers help to job seekers

CAREER-minded residents are being given a helping hand from Worcestershire County Council. more...

Soroptimists International

A barbecue was held by the Bromsgrove and Redditch branch of Soroptimists International at the home of the president, Gail Teague. more...

Wychbold WI

our garden meeting was held at Wychwood, Hadley Heath, courtesy of Joyce and Fred Parkes - a lovely setting with weather to match. more...

Bible Society Action Group of Droitwich Spa

THE Bible Society Action Group of Droitwich Spa held its annual songs of praise in the Sacred Heart church. more...

Landlords in hot water

REDDITCH landlords are being warned they face hefty fines of up to £20,000 if they fail to licence their bedsit properties with the local authority by tomorrow. more...

Where there's muck...

RESIDENTS are in with a chance of winning £200 as part of a feedback exercise on composting. more...

Family fun day praised

A FAMILY fun day at Morton Stanley Park has been given the thumbs up by a Redditch councillor. more...

Dogged hunt for rare breed

FRIENDS thought a Redditch dog trainer was barking mad when he undertook a strange mission to track down a particular breed. more...

A faith in regular meals

A REDDITCH churchgoer who recently celebrated her 100th birthday says her faith, along with eating regular meals, is the secret to a long and happy life. more...

Award for Sue

A REDDITCH fundraiser has scooped an award for fundraising commitment. more...

Puppets perform children's classic

YOUNGSTERS at Alvechurch Library know the dangers of telling lies and misbehaving after being treated to a performance of Pinocchio. more...

Brushing up on your pet's dental hygiene

PETS in Redditch now have the chance to get a bright Hollywood smile. more...

Terrific trio deserves all our thanks

FOR some time, this newspaper has not minced its words regarding the perceived excesses of some of our young people. In particular, problems on the riverbank at Worcester have been highlighted both in our news and comment columns. Basically, a minority of youngsters have been getting a rather bad Press of late. more...

Child advice on offer at special day

PARENTS-to-be can learn more at a county council seminar. more...

Councillor's EU claim is unadulterated tripe

SIR - I do not know what EU polls David Candler is referring to in his recent letter talking about the EU in glowing terms. What unadulterated tripe! Some 70 per cent of the British people would like to learn more about the impact the EU has on their lives. I am astounded at the audacity of his proclamation - since when were the British people asked about this EU cancer? Even the last General Election did not get a response from 70 per cent of the British people, so his EU propaganda does not ring true. more...

He's confused over support for the EU

SIR - David Candler seems a little confused regarding support for the EU. more...

Island work was `complete fiasco'

A HUNT End man has criticised work carried out by Worcestershire County Council on an Oakenshaw traffic island a year ago, labelling it a "complete fiasco". more...

It's a short-term trip to Utopia

SIR - Whatever Councillor David Candler is drinking or smoking I want some of that. If it changes the real world to the one that he sees, it is a short-term trip to Utopia. more...

No credible plan to relocate Chrissies

SIR - Worcestershire County Council committed itself to sell the Christopher Whitehead site to Tesco on July 17, 2001, without a credible plan to relocate. This appalling lack of judgment is now certain to involve at least 10 years of neglect and uncertainty for the school. more...

That was my father

SIR - Regarding the photograph of munition workers in a foundry (Letters, August 14), second on right back row was my father Toby Atkins. He was a great fisherman and had a clock presented to him in 1922 by Lord Carlton at the Albion pub, Diglis. Seventh man on right was Bill Cartright from Lowesmoor. more...

More on pigeons

SIR - On Wednesday, August 2, as I was weeding in my front garden I discovered a dead pigeon. Having picked it up I discovered it was no ordinary bird - in fact it had attached to its right leg a yellow and silver band with the inscription in black letters KO9314 GB. more...

Let children have their fun

I WOULD like to educate those residents who seem intent on complaining about the noise from the new water feature at the lido in Droitwich of `how to enjoy yourself'. more...

Parking charges

SIR - I cannot ever remember paying to park on a city car park and am therefore unperturbed at the news that charges are to be increased. more...

Dilemma over dentists

RESIDENTS are finding it even harder to register with NHS dentists since new contracts were introduced in April, claims a Redditch councillor. more...

Records will prove the point

I READ the letter allegedly from Waterside Residents Association calling my concerns about Chapel Bridge development "absurd exaggeration" and denying any past parking problems. more...

`No' was enough

SIR - John Phillpott (August 19) mentioned corporal punishment in a recent article. My late dad only had to say a firm "no" and I knew to obey. He was strict but kind, a wonderful dad, the salt of the earth. more...

Don't feed cat

MY long haired marmalade cat (aged 12) has taken to having the odd meal elsewhere! I think in Windsor Road. more...

On the bounce

AFTER visiting Webbs for their celebration weekend I have to say I found it disgusting that I had to pay for my three year old son to go on a bouncy slide. more...

Heading for a ghost town

I AM disappointed to see only two shops come out of all the disruption caused by this promise of a better more user-friendly shopping centre in Droitwich. more...

Dylan helped dad win prize

A NEWLY established Studley photographer snapped up a top award in a prominent national competition. more...

Miguel needs a host

A STUDENT from Santiago is hoping for a less than "Chile" reception when he arrives in Redditch later this month. more...

Group meets crime fiction writer

BIRMINGHAM writer and acclaimed crime fiction novelist Chris Collett recently visited the town to talk to Redditch Library's readers group. more...

Make some noise!

THERE will be a lot of noise in Studley on Friday when a group of local youngsters get together. more...

Concert meeting

COOKHILL Keyboard Club is set to meet next Wednesday. more...

Clubs stolen

THIEVES smashed their way into a BMW in Hollywood to steal a set of golf clubs. more...

The balloon goes up on fun and fitness...

FAMILIES had the chance to have fun while learning about keeping healthy at an event organised by SureStart Redditch. more...

Brave trio to do it by the letter!

THREE men from a Studley company are proving raising cash for good causes is as easy as ABC. more...

Let children have their fun

I WOULD like to educate those residents who seem intent on complaining about the noise from the new water feature at the lido in Droitwich of `how to enjoy yourself'. more...

Shock at hospital summons

AN Alexandra Hospital patient had a shock when he was summoned to an appointment with a doctor who had died last year. more...

Records will prove the point

I READ the letter allegedly from Waterside Residents Association calling my concerns about Chapel Bridge development "absurd exaggeration" and denying any past parking problems. more...

Charges are confusing

IT is quite easy to arrange- you collect up two or three bulky items you wish to dispose of, ring Bromsgrove District Council, they send a form for you to complete and you return it with the money. more...

Don't feed cat

MY long haired marmalade cat (aged 12) has taken to having the odd meal elsewhere! I think in Windsor Road. more...

On the bounce

AFTER visiting Webbs for their celebration weekend I have to say I found it disgusting that I had to pay for my three year old son to go on a bouncy slide. more...

Call for more concessions

RESPONDING to the letter recently submitted by Jack Francis, of Bromsgrove, regarding concessions at NEW College it is with reluctant disappointment in my local community that I greatly sympathise with his situation and strongly support his argument. more...

Ex-lover jailed for `terrifying attack'

A REDDITCH man who broke into his former girlfriend's home and beat up her new lover has been jailed for 20 months. more...

Services are turned away...

LIVING at the end of Crabtree Lane in Bromsgrove has advantages - near the town centre but surrounded by countryside. However, I am increasingly become aware of the disadvantages of living in this location. more...

Heading for a ghost town

I AM disappointed to see only two shops come out of all the disruption caused by this promise of a better more user-friendly shopping centre in Droitwich. more...

Seeking a homeless solution

I HAVE reason to bring to the attention of readers the ever increasing problems relating to Bromsgrove's Homeless. more...

Shops refuse to sell booze

TOWN shopkeepers are impressing Trading Standards officers by refusing to sell alcohol to underage drinkers. more...

Mystic music festival

BANDS from Redditch and beyond will be descending on the town on Friday for a live music festival. more...

It never rains but it pours!

A WEBHEATH motorist was literally stopped in her tracks when she fell victim to the effects of last Wednesday's storm. more...

At the top of the class

DROITWICH Spa's school pupils gathered together to discover if they were top of the class after five years of hard work. more...

Mobile phones were robbed

Three men on their way to see a concert in Worcester were robbed of their mobile phones in the street. more...

Lashed by the force of nature

TORRENTIAL rain and electrical storms wreaked havoc across Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. more...

Lightning ravages school

A MASSIVE lightning strike hit Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, at 9.50pm last Wednesday causing around £60,000 worth of damage. more...

Girl was seconds from death

A YOUNG girl was just seconds from death when a lightning blasted into her bedroom and destroyed the bed she was about to sleep in. more...

Protesting by angry letters

DROITWICH Spa campaigners, angry at plans to develop St Georges Square, handed out nearly a thousand protest letters to residents over the weekend. more...

We're happy at our centre, but council is going to move us

A DAY centre in Malvern for people with physical disabilities is to change hands after nine years, much to the disgust of those who use it. more...

Advice on working with children

ESSENTIAL advice on working with children is being dished out by the experts. more...

Manic, melodic musical trip

FLIP-flops, fish tanks and a singalong song about long johns in French - these are just some of the weird and wonderful ways the audience is taken on a manic, but melodic, musical journey by the New Rope String Band. more...

Man of many talents they'll have to carry off the stage

ACTOR, comedian, TV presenter, straight man, raconteur - Nicholas Parsons is all of these and more, as the ageless entertainer proved when he brought his one man show A Laugh A Minute to Worcester's Swan Theatre. more...

Cyclists raise £1,500 for Lance Armstrong charity

TWO cyclists have raised £1,500 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation after using pedal power to travel the length of the United Kingdom in a sponsored ride. more...

US help for city Civil War plans

AN American historian is keen to get involved in a Worcester project to commemorate the city's part in the English Civil War. more...

The course of true love is not running smooth today

TODAY could be a bad day if you are in a relationship. more...

HUNDREDS TURN OUT FOR PHASE TWO OF WHEELIE BIN RECYCLING

ALMOST 700 people attended a series of summer roadshows to receive advice on the biggest expansion yet of the wheelie bin recycling service in Worcester. more...

You won't feel the bite from bin bugs just yet

BIN bugs to monitor how much waste is being thrown out by Worcester households won't be operational for a few months. more...

EU-hater off to see reality for himself

A LEADING county eurosceptic has been invited on a three-day tour of the European Parliament in Strasbourg so he can see what it is all about. more...

Union steps up fight over cuts

THE trade union representing doctors and nurses has said it is against plans that would see all women in the county giving birth in Worcester. more...

People confused over health care shake-up

CONCERN is growing that adequate provision for mental health patients in the county has not been put in place following the ann-ouncement that their services are to be changed. more...

Luff horrified at trust chaplaincy cuts

MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has added his voice to the growing condemnation of the decision by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust to cut chaplaincy services to what he describes as "a level so low as to be worthless." more...

Travellers camped by riverside `used car park as a toilet'

VISITORS to Worcester over the bank holiday say they were left disgusted after witnessing appalling behaviour from travellers who set up camp on a riverside car park. more...

Union backs local hospital campaign

UNISON, the UK's largest trade union, has signed up to support the campaign to save the services at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch. more...

Time to get on your bike

TIME is running out for keen cyclists to get on their bikes and raise cash for a good cause. more...

A brush with success

A STOKE Prior company helped top TV reality show Big Brother create its colourful decor in the main house and house next door. more...

Clampdown on graffiti

GRAFFITI taggers who are scrawling their names across Bromsgrove are facing a crackdown by town police. more...

Church service for hospital job cuts

A SERVICE is to be held to pray for staff whose jobs are to be axed at the Alexandra hospital and elsewhere in a bid to reduce Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust's cash deficit. more...

Security boost

A RECREATION centre in a village near Bromsgrove has clinched a lottery grant for new security equipment. more...

At the top of the class

BRAINY Bromsgrove pupils proved they were top of the class when they received their GCSE results. more...

Armed robbery

A QUANTITY of cash and cigarettes were stolen by armed robbers at an off-licence in Wythall. more...

Village will miss Mary

MOURNERS packed Dodford's picturesque church to say farewell to a woman who, during her lifetime, did much to ease the suffering of children and who enriched the lives of those with whom she came into contact. more...

New lease of life for unloved tools

IF you have recently tidied your shed, garage or sewing cupboard and been left with a lot of unwanted, but still servicable items a Bromsgrove church can help you find them a new home. more...

Lightning ravages school

A MASSIVE lightning strike hit Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, at 9.50pm last Wednesday causing around £60,000 worth of damage. more...

Spotlight on latest flood defence plan

UPTON residents had a close look at a £150,000 scheme hoping to make flooding a thing of the past. more...

Lashed by the force of nature

TORRENTIAL rain and electrical storms wreaked havoc across Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. more...

Thousands have fun by riverside

UPTON'S annual Water Festival attracted thousands of visitors to the town over the bank holiday weekend. more...

Girl was seconds from death

A YOUNG girl was just seconds from death when a lightning blasted into her bedroom and destroyed the bed she was about to sleep in. more...

Man dies after fall from bridge

A MAN died after falling from a bridge in Rubery. more...

Speared by a wooden fence

A MALE driver was killed after he was speared by a wooden fence when his car left the M42 near Lickey End on Bank Holiday Monday. more...

Firm sees its future in tips from a student

Company plugged into a storehouse of university talent more...

Firm sees its future in tips from a student

Company plugged into a storehouse of university talent more...

Extra day for Careers Fair

NEXT month's Jobs & Careers Fair organised by the Worcester News will run for two days - instead of one - ensuring that recruitment opportunities for Christmas, late places on courses and ongoing agency positions can be filled. more...

£1m fund can firm up your business

WITH the return of the BBC's popular Dragons Den programme, many entrepreneurs may well be wondering how they can attract the vital cash injection needed to build their business dreams. more...

New link will put firms at a greater advantage

THE number of Worcester-shire businesses receiving in-depth help from Business Link is to radically increase following the signing of new contracts to deliver the service from April 1, 2007. more...

New blitz on bugs at Alex

A NEW ``bug-busting'' weapon against hospital superbugs has been launched at the Alexandra Hospital. more...

Letter objects to service cuts

THE leader of Redditch Council has written to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust voicing the council's unanimous objections to the possible scrapping of full maternity and paediatric services at the Alex. more...

Let's light up Queen Victoria statue

WORCESTER'S Queen Victoria statue should be floodlit and shown off as part of a general clean-up, conservation chiefs have said. more...

we bought a heart attack machine for our village

The people of Ombersley, near Worcester, have been thrown a lifeline by the British Heart Foundation and members of a doctors' surgery who have helped fund a more...

Black day on the roads lands three drivers in hospital

THREE people are in hospital - one critically ill - following two separate traffic accidents near Worcester. more...

we rescued disabled woman from river

QUICK-thinking action by three youngsters helped to save the life of a wheelchair-bound woman who fell into the River Severn in Worcester. more...

Waitrose starts on revamp

WORK started this week on a multi-million pound revamp of a Malvern town centre supermarket. more...

Hands-on skill gets babies chatting

BABIES around Malvern could soon be chatting away -- in sign language. more...

Driver breaks legs in crash

A MAN was taken to hospital with suspected broken legs following a car crash on the A4107 Hereford to Worcester road at Bransford. more...

Tack stolen from farm

Equestrian equipment worth more than £1,500 has been stolen from a farm in the Cradley area. more...

Stall supports cancer charity

A CHARITY shop in Alcester raised more than £2,000 to help cancer sufferers in the region. more...

Flag award for reserve

THE River Arrow Nature Reserve near Alcester has won a prestigious Green Flag award. more...

Proud to represent town

NEWLY elected Conservative councillor Susan Adams is "overjoyed and proud" to be representing Alcester on the district council. more...

Bright futures lie ahead for pupils

BRIGHT Alcester students were celebrating when they picked up their GCSE results last week. more...

Vow to tackle issues

DISTRICT councillor Susan Juned has vowed to get to the bottom of serious antisocial behaviour and flooding problems in Alcester. more...

Warning on pellet gun danger

A FUNDRAISER for an Alcester cancer charity has spoken out after being shot in the chest by a pellet gun - and has urged parents to think twice about buying toy guns. more...

Centre access anger

A DISABLED Alcester councillor is angry about wheelchair access in the town centre - and believes it will lead to an accident. more...