Worcester News - Stories for 5 July 2007

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Worcestershire | Archive | 2007 | July

Stories for 5 July 2007

Alcester

Tea dance is a first at hall

REVELLERS can enjoy dancing, afternoon tea and a live band at the first ever tea dance at Ragley Hall. more...

Sisters shine

MUSICALLY-minded sisters from Alcester Grammar School have shone at the Leamington Music Festival. more...

Business

Last call to win a car parts accolade

THE emergence of the Worcestershire automotive industry as a world leader will once again be in the spotlight, after the final rallying call for the Accelerate Supplier Awards 2007. more...

Gardeners dig in for party

A POPULAR garden centre near Droitwich is celebrating its 70th birthday this weekend with a host of family activities. more...

Catherine’s sound travel advice

WORCESTER travel agent Catherine Thorburn is someone who is going far. more...

Cricket

Lashings side back to entertain you all

THE star-studded lashings World XI are all set to take the region by storm again when they play Colwall CC on Friday, July 27. more...

Education

Youngsters and staff ready to get party started

THE emphasis has been placed on having a fun farewell by staff and pupils at a Stourport school as the clock ticks down to closure after 70 years of lessons. more...

Star pupil returns for fun-packed farewell

A NAME familiar to millions through her role on Radio One's Chris Moyles Show is returning to her former Kidderminster school to join teachers and youngsters saying goodbye. more...

In Brief

Holiday scheme

PARENTS have the chance to keep their children entertained this summer thanks to the Redditch YMCA playscheme. more...

Kidder News Latest

Cameras go live to benefit towns

NEW CCTV cameras have gone live in two Wyre Forest towns in what has been called a "much-needed" £184,000 project by one district councillor. more...

Army medic visits No10

AN Army medic who helped injured soldiers in Basra came face to face with former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, after being invited to Downing Street as a VIP guest. more...

Have your say on factory site plan

PLANS to build 159 new homes and commercial premises on the site of a former Stourport carpet factory are to face public scrutiny. more...

Owner braced for £500,000 rebuild

THE owner of the fire-struck building and neighbouring properties believes it will cost around "half a million pounds" to restore them to their former glory. more...

Knock-on effects of blaze could be ‘devastating’

THE manager of a Kidderminster jewellery shop believes Sunday's blaze will be "devastating" for small businesses forced to temporarily shut their doors. more...

Rooftop rescue in town blaze

CCTV footage is being examined to find the cause of the "suspicious" fire which ravaged a three-storey building in Coventry Street during the early hours of Sunday morning. more...

Nursery targeted by raiders

RAIDERS have struck at a Kidderminster nursery after forcing a window open to steal £365. more...

Shoppers snap up free purse alarms

A CAMPAIGN to help shoppers beat the menace of purse snatchers has been hailed a success after 300 free alarms were snapped up. more...

Kids learn more about foster carers

YOUNG artists have used their skills to help promote the important and part Wyre Forest foster carers play in the lives of children. more...

Kids learn more about foster carers

YOUNG artists have used their skills to help promote the important and part Wyre Forest foster carers play in the lives of children. more...

Kids learn more about foster carers

YOUNG artists have used their skills to help promote the important and part Wyre Forest foster carers play in the lives of children. more...

Warning about fake notes

SHOP owners and staff have been warned by police to be on their guard after incidents of people trying to use fake Scottish £20 notes to buy goods. more...

Family feud led to assault

A HISTORY of discord between the children of two Kidderminster families led to violence involving the mothers, Worcester Crown Court was told. more...

Date set for train damage case

THE trial of a man and a youth accused of being involved in an incident when masonry was thrown off a railway bridge in Kidderminster is to take place on November 5 at Worcester Crown Court. more...

Date set in injured train driver case

THE trial of a man and a youth accused of being involved in an incident when masonry was thrown off a railway bridge in Kidderminster is to take place on November 5 at Worcester Crown Court. more...

Date set in injured train driver case

THE trial of a man and a youth accused of being involved in an incident when masonry was thrown off a railway bridge in Kidderminster is to take place on November 5 at Worcester Crown Court. more...

Binge drinker jailed for attack

A BINGE drinker has been jailed for 15 months for taking part in an attack on a 40-year-old man near a Kidderminster night club. more...

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Latest

Trainers in road could have made car swerve

A SHOP manager may have crashed because he saw a pair of trainers and thought someone was lying in the road. more...

Special website set up to save Worcester's ambulance centre

A SPECIAL website has been set up in an attempt to save Worcester�s ambulance call centre from closure. more...

Rejected: plan with no cheap housing

PROPOSALS for 20 new Worcester houses have been shelved because none of them are affordably priced. more...

Hundreds face gym cash wait

HUNDREDS of gym users have been left in limbo after a popular Worcester fitness centre went into administration. more...

Hundreds face gym cash wait

HUNDREDS of gym users have been left in limbo after a popular Worcester fitness centre went into administration. more...

Paedophile vicar still being paid

A paedophile vicar who once served in Malvern is still being paid his £20,000-a-year salary by the Church of England - two months after he was sent to prison for abusing young boys, it emerged today. more...

Jenny, 19, joins police

A NEW community support officer is one of the youngest to join Worcester police. more...

Sat-navs lure motorists into ford that killed judge

THE swollen ford that claimed the life of Judge Eric Dickinson is still being recommended as a shortcut by in-car satellite navigation systems. more...

It’s nice weather for ducks at Pitchcroft

RACING organisers refused to let flood water at Pitchcroft dampen their spirits by racing giant inflatable ducks instead of horses. more...

No-smoking sign falls foul of ‘petty’ official

A WORCESTER flower shop owner has criticised the city council for being over-zealous after she was forced to put up a new no-smoking sign. more...

Fall leads to death of pensioner

AN 83-year-old man died after falling over and hurting his head at his home in Worcester. more...

Eleanor slips into an open drain on her way to school

A LITTLE girl fell down an open drain while walking to her school. more...

Man is jailed after trying to hit paramedics

A MAN who was threatening and abusive to paramedics called after he collapsed and stopped breathing has been sentenced to three months in prison. more...

Free book club for teenagers

A FREE book club for teenagers is being launched in Worcester. more...

Officer did nothing as my gate was vandalised

A SHOP manager is furious after a police community support officer (CSO) stood by while youths vandalised his gate, he says. more...

One week left to sign city petition

WORCESTER people have less than a week left to sign a petition urging the Post Office not to relocate a city branch. more...

Ex-butcher choked on bit of cake

A RETIRED butcher died after he choked on a piece of sponge cake, an inquest was told. more...

Ex-butcher choked on bit of cake

A RETIRED butcher died after he choked on a piece of sponge cake, an inquest was told. more...

Why we’re pouring Malvern spring water on to town’s floral displays

MALVERN is using its world-famous natural resource to help it get a second successive award in the annual Britain in Bloom contest. more...

I was such an idiot to go so fast, says biker

A MAN caught riding his motorcycle at more than 110mph in Evesham has been branded "totally reckless" by magistrates and disqualified from driving. more...

Drivers named and shamed on website

BAD drivers are being named and shamed on a website. more...

Pounce on owners of dogs that foul roads

PARISH councillors should hide behind trees and pounce on dog owners who let their pets foul the streets. more...

Pounce on owners of dogs that foul roads

PARISH councillors should hide behind trees and pounce on dog owners who let their pets foul the streets. more...

DROITWICH: We will bring more choice to the town

MUCH-needed entertainment facilities could be on the way to Droitwich as part of a future development idea to expand the western side of the town centre. more...

Too much sunshine is bad for your eyes

THE chairman of Wychavon District Council donned his sunglasses to raise awareness of the damage too much sun can do to people's eyes. more...

Snarl-ups at roundabout: ruling looms

DRIVERS have been told to expect an announcement next week on the latest plans to cut congestion at Powick roundabout. more...

Rotarians have new president

ROTARIAN John Pooley has been inducted as the new president of Worcester Rotary Club. more...

Don’t miss the fun at party in the park event

THERE will be a host of attractions on offer in Droitwich Lido Park during the Rotary Club's Party In The Park. more...

DROITWICH: Don’t miss the fun at party in the park event

THERE will be a host of attractions on offer in Droitwich Lido Park during the Rotary Club's Party In The Park. more...

HEREFORD: Vision to breathe new life into city

A MASTERPLAN for a £900 million regeneration of Hereford has been unveiled as the first step in the biggest building project in the city's history. more...

Luff backs call to end ‘insulting’ ME research

MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has added his support to a call to stop any further funding for psychological and psychiatric research into ME. more...

Ambulance service wins four awards for skill and bravery

THE West Midlands Ambulance Service has scooped four awards at the industry's Oscars. more...

DROITWICH: Rain spoils festival but fails to halt town’s plan

A DEFIANT town centre manager has vowed to create a vibrant calendar of outdoor festivals for Droitwich - despite recent events being scuppered by bad weather. more...

Nursery burgled

A NURSERY in Worcestershire has been burgled. more...

Purse alarms handed out

MORE than 300 alarms have been handed out in a Worcestershire town to combat purse thefts. more...

Forged Scottish £20 notes in circulation in county

FORGED Scottish �20 notes are in circulation in Worcestershire. more...

Help for businesses affected by floods

WORCESTERSHIRE businesses affected by flooding can apply for a share of a half-million pound fund to get them back on their feet. more...

School to hold final speech day after 700 years

AN INDEPENDENT Worcester school will hold its final Speech Day tomorrow after 700 years. more...

Public toilets to re-open

THE public toilets in Market Street, Tenbury Wells, are to be reopened tomorrow by Malvern Hills District Council leader Councillor Serena Croad. more...

Hippowaste to help flood victims

VICTIMS of the recent floods have been offered help clearing waste and debris from their homes. more...

Hippowaste to help flood victims

VICTIMS of the recent floods have been offered help clearing waste and debris from their homes. more...

Three arrested following school break in

THREE people remain in police custody following a break in at a Malvern school. more...

Three arrested following school break in

THREE people remain in police custody following a break in at a Malvern school. more...

The route to death

THE swollen ford that claimed the life of Judge Eric Dickinson is still being recommended as a shortcut by in-car satellite navigation systems, the Journal can reveal. more...

Leisure centres kitted out with defibrillators

STAFF at leisure centres in Evesham and Pershore are being kitted out with life-saving defibrillators for use in an emergency situation should anyone suffer heart failure. more...

School receives top marks in report

THE HEADTEACHER of an Evesham special school is "over the moon" after receiving an excellent Ofsted report. more...

Eco-friendly school awarded green flag

THE whole of St Richard's First School in Evesham has been celebrating being awarded a third green flag from the Eco-Schools initiative. more...

Fine warning for smokers

SMOKERS who drop their cigarette ends in the street could face an instant fine, Wychavon District Council has warned. more...

Play facilities set to be improved

EVESHAM children are on course to receive a new BMX track, a restored multi-use games area and an improved adventure playground, thanks to a £200,000 lottery grant. more...

Chairman backs Shades Day

THE chairman of Wychavon District Council did his bit to raise awareness about eye health last Friday when he donned his sunglasses as part of The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association's Shades Day. more...

Alcoholic helped nephew attempt to steal a car

AN alcoholic helped his nephew attempt to steal a car after a drinking session, a court heard. more...

Two men die in the Vale

INVESTIGATIONS were going on Into two sudden deaths on the same day in the Vale. more...

Workers locked out without their wages

ELEVEN employees at an Evesham firm have been locked out without wages after the business was sold off. more...

Letters

Tougher sentences for drunken crooks please

SIR - I refer to John Phillpott's article,'You can't blame drink for low-life crimes' (Seven Days, June 23). I wholeheartedly agree with him. more...

Ban the bomb and buy more stamps

SIR - We are told that the Post Office is losing about £70 million a year. more...

A change of heart on supermarkets

SIR - It's hard to credit that Councillor George Lord should present the latest Christopher Whitehead Languages College news so positively (Worcester News, June 22). more...

Send superstores packing, please

SIR - Councillor Peachey (Letters, June 21) is quite right, the Sainsbury saga in St John's is a public disgrace and it has continued for far too long. more...

Thanks for helping

SIR - Worcester Quakers would like to thank the Cooperative Store in Upper Howsell Road, Malvern, and the Bran Tub on Worcester Road, Malvern, for their help in catering for the local stage of the March Of The Abolitionists, which was much appreciated by the Marchers. more...

Go check town plans

The disastrous road works in Pershore earlier this year caused enormous strain on the traders in the town. more...

Taking time to pause for thought

I AGREE with Caroline Homan (Thought for the Week, Journal, June 28) that we all need to pause for thought. more...

In tune with a most successful music festival in Evesham

I WOULD like to congratulate Evesham Rotary Club for starting a music festival, and hope that it becomes an annual event. more...

What constitutes an elected first minister

WHAT decides a Constitution? An unelected Prime Minister, deciding its Constituent parts? more...

Local News

Free book club for teenagers

A FREE book club for teenagers is being launched in Worcester. more...

Memory Lane

100 Years Ago, July 13, 1907

A REPORT entitled Health of the District was given to Bromsgrove Urban District Council, which found that during the month of June, 1907, there had been one death of a child from scarlet fever in the Isolation hospital, Hanover Street, a death from whooping cough in an infant at Ednall Lane and one case of diphtheria in an infant of eight months in Charford. The report commented that with these exceptions, the town had been free from infectious disease. more...

50 Years Ago, July 13, 1957

HANBURY Horse Show and Gymkhana was hit by sudden, violent winds and thunderstorms. Jumps were blown over and officials flung themselves across tables to act as human paper weights, which kept the worst from happening to paper and cash. One pony, frightened by a clap of thunder, escaped and tore madly around the ground. After two circuits, committee men managed to catch it with no damage done, apart from a few scratches. more...

25 Years Ago, July 9, 1982

CATSHILL First School headmaster Gordon Elvins warned that acrobat teenage vandals were risking their lives in treating scaffolding along the school, as an adventure playground. High and middle school pupils had been seen sliding a wheelbarrow down a roof and using ladders to climb to the highest point to tear out slates. more...

Meat to please you

THE retail world has come a long way since this photo of butcher Sam Banner outside his shop in Aston Fields was taken sometime in the 1920s. more...

Music

Classical event

CLASSICAL music lovers are to be treated to the annual Summer Symphony at West Midlands Safari Park on Saturday. more...

History on stage as play cycle continues

BATTLES, rebellion and family feuds are among the themes of history plays the Royal Shakespeare Company will be performing in Stratford-upon-Avon this summer. more...

Only the music

Queen tribute band GaGa will perform at Malvern Theatres on Saturday, July 14. more...

Go mob-handed to great musical

THE hit musical Bugsy Malone comes to Pershore High School on Thursday and Friday, July 12-13. more...

Go mob-handed to great musical

THE hit musical Bugsy Malone comes to Pershore High School on Thursday and Friday, July 12-13. more...

Simon’s a player in active music scene

AN EVESHAM graduate is climbing the musical ladder since completing a degree in professional musicianship. more...

Victorious band thanks supporters

THE winner of this year's countywide Battle of the Bands competition is Backlight from Evesham High School. more...

Inaugural festival is sell-out success

MORE than 500 local musicians and singers helped to make Evesham's first-ever Festival of Music a triumphant success. more...

Midlands bands battle for rock festival slots

WYRE Forest music fans are being urged to prepare for a blast from the past after organisers announced the return of the Kidderminster Rock Festival. more...

Raising roof at church event

SOME of Wyre Forest's top vocal talent will be raising the roof at a concert in aid of a 129-year-old church. more...

News

Wolves start with Everton trip

WORCESTER Wolves begin their second season of top-flight basketball with a trip to the newly-formed Everton Tigers. more...

Wolves start with Everton trip

WORCESTER Wolves begin their second season of top-flight basketball with a trip to the newly-formed Everton Tigers. more...

Wolves start with Everton trip

WORCESTER Wolves begin their second season of top-flight basketball with a trip to the newly-formed Everton Tigers. more...

Wolves start with Everton trip

WORCESTER Wolves begin their second season of top-flight basketball with a trip to the newly-formed Everton Tigers. more...

City spared facing former strikers

WORCESTER City's hopes for a good start to the season have been boosted by suspensions to two opposing star strikers. more...

More rain leaves hopes in balance

WORCESTERSHIRE'S hopes of qualifying for the quarter-final stage of the Twenty20 Cup were left hanging by a thread after their penultimate Midlands/Wales/West group game was washed out. more...

Hard work starts at Harriers

TRAINING started at Kidderminster Harriers this week, with manager Mark Yates confident his side will be well prepared by the time the Blue Square Premier Division starts. more...

Gillard is the club president

MALVERN Rugby Club's retiring president Dr Terry Hunt handed over the presidential mantle to Ray Gillard for the next two years at the club's annual general meeting last week. more...

Town drawn at home in FA Cup

MALVERN Town have been drawn at home in the preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, September 1. more...

Robins has eyes on the top three

HAVING gone through two seasons of transition and consolidation as older players retired and new blood was introduced, Malvern's director of rugby David Robins is looking for a successful 2007/8 season across the board. more...

Opinion

Nice weather for ducks at racecourse

The going was a bit soft yesterday at Pitchcroft, but there was still plenty of action at the famous Worcester racecourse despite the floods that have left it lying under several feet of water. more...

Past

Archives- July 5, 2007

100 Years Ago July 6, 1907 The prevailing topic of conversation is the weather, which now occupies a position of even greater prominence than usual in the conversation which takes place when two or three people are gathered together. The farmers cannot harvest their hay crop. the market gardeners bewail the fate of their strawberries, and the drapers and milliners see black ruin staring them in the face. The only people who do not mind the rain - the people that in fact welcome it and hope there is more to come - are those who sell umbrellas, waterproofs, galoshes, cough mixtures, cold-cures and - well, we were going to say coffins. What the poor holiday-makers think of the prevailing meteorological conditions we do not care to say, because the "Journal and Advertiser" is a respectable family newspaper. more...

Pershore

Pupils enjoy a night at the proms

THE streets of Pershore were awash with glamour as a fleet of stretch limousines ferried students to the town high school's annual prom. more...

Hong Kong party in Pershore

EIGHT delegates from the Far East visited the Civic Centre in Pershore to learn more about Wychavon's choice based lettings scheme. more...

Workers not hurt in blast

WORKMEN escaped injury when an explosion occurred as they cut through disused oil containers in Drakes Broughton. more...

Subsidies will help fund opera at Number 8

A FULL opera is to be staged at Pershore's Number 8, now the Arts Council has come up with £30,260 in subsidies. more...

Bubbly pupils are world record holders

NINE-year-old Richard Shepherd and more than 100 of his fellow pupils at Cherry Orchard First School this week joined thousands of other schoolchildren from across the country to blow their way into the record books. more...

Grateful mother has vital message

A PERSHORE mother is urging parents to be vigilant for the signs of meningitis. more...

Places To Eat

Family friendly pub chains

Hungry Horse Pubs: more...

Family friendly pub chains

Hungry Horse Pubs: more...

Places To Go

The Black Country Museum

Venue: Black Country Museum Where: Tipton Road, Dudley, W.Midlands. DY1 4SQ Tel: 0121 557 9643 (bookings) What's on offer: The Black County Museum is an award-winning visitors attraction which offers a unique view of the historic Black Country region, uniting the past and present in an unforgettable living' experience. more...

The Black Country Museum

Venue: Black Country Museum more...

The Black Country Museum

Venue: Black Country Museum more...

The Black Country Museum

Venue: Black Country Museum more...

The Black Country Museum

Venue: Black Country Museum more...

Property News

Property of the week - Wonderful views in every direction

Waters Edge in Great Com-berton, near Pershore, maximises its stunning surroundings and uninterrupted views across to the Bredon and Malvern hills. more...

Reviews

Review: Gala Night, All Saints Church

ALL good things must come to an end but few manage it in such spectacular style as Evesham's first Festival of Music. more...

Review: Schools Together Concert, Evesham Arts Centre

TAKE four schools, a group of dedicated teachers and 130-plus enthusiastic youngsters aged between 11 and 18 and you have the recipe for an outstanding evening's entertainment. more...

Pete & Dud, Malvern Theatres

THE satire boom of the 60s spawned any number of subversive comic talents who went on to become household names. more...

CD - I Created Disco - Calvin Harris

THIS album reminded me of my old Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that I had when I was a mere eight years old. more...

CD - Icky Thump - The White Stripes

IT is hard to tell anymore if The White Stripes are being weird for the sake of it or are genuinely eccentric. more...

DVD - Arthur And The Invisibles (U)

THE film, a mix of live action and CG animation, is about 10-year-old Arthur who goes looking for hidden treasure in a bid to save his grandparents' house from being demolished. more...

CD - An End Has A Start - Editors

AN End Has A Start is the second album from moody, Birmingham-based indie band Editors. more...

CD - My December - Kelly Clarkson

KELLY Clarkson jumped out of obscurity in 2002 after winning the first series of American Idol: The Search for a Superstar in the United States. more...

DVD - Hannibal Rising (18)

HANNIBAL Rising? Sinking into obscurity is what I believe the future holds for this dreadful film. more...

Richard Taylor'S Weekly Column

July 5, 2007

THE Government re-shuffle has taken place. It is easier to ask which ministers have stayed rather than which have moved. Five out of six Health Ministers have been changed. We have lost Andy Burnham with whom I had a good working relationship. The new Ministers will have to prove themselves quickly at this difficult time. more...

Round-Up

Jenkins through in Vegas

TERRY Jenkins ended the hopes of American Ray Carver with a 6-3 first-round triumph at the Las Vegas Desert Classic. more...

Families invited

LEDBURY Rugby Club are staging a family day to celebrate 125 years as a club on Sunday. more...

Falcons celebrating first tournament win

NUNNERY Wood Falcons Under Eights won their first tournament with success at the Ledbury Swifts annual summer competitions. more...

Ivor expert angler at Willow Marsh

PORTOBELLO angler Ivor Taylor is proving something of a Willow Marsh expert with the veteran matchman recording yet another victory from the Sandpiper' pool. more...

Williams wraps up his move to Pirates

ANDY Williams has finally completed his protracted move to Bristol Rovers. more...

Quality award

STAFF at a Rubery car company are celebrating after receiving the Ford Q1 award. more...

Clamping down on alcohol-related crime

POLICE and their partner agencies in Bromsgrove have joined forces to develop a new alcohol arrest referral scheme. more...

Was Gordon Ramsay’s lamb killed by a big cat?

LIVESTOCK keepers in the Bromsgrove and Droitwich areas and right across the UK are being asked to take part in an on-line survey to see whether or not they believe in the existence of wild big cats that have been blamed for killing a lamb belonging to controversial TV chef Gordon Ramsay. more...

Was Gordon Ramsay’s lamb killed by a big cat?

Christine’s brush with art success

A BROMSGROVE art student's work of screen prints have scooped her a top prize. more...

Support group

THE Worcestershire ME support group's next meeting will be held in the town next week. more...

Electoral review

BROMSGROVE residents are being asked their views on their polling stations. more...

Raising a toast to beer festival

DRINKERS will be raising a toast this week to the fifth Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Bromsgrove Beer Festival. more...

Diabetics

DIABETICS and their carers can expect to learn some important details by attending a talk organised by the Bromsgrove/Redditch branch of the Diabetes UK self-help group. The talk will be given at Smallwood House, Church Green, Redditch, by Peter Sue and Steve Bainbridge, on Wednesday July 18, at 8pm.The talk is called The future of retinopathy screening for diabetics and changes to the PCT. more...

New homes

BROMSGROVE saw 489 new homes created in 2005/2006, while 358 were built in Wychavon - according to the latest government figures. However, the figures have been criticised by the GMB union as the vast majority of the new homes have been built by the private sector, with 468 new homes in the Bromsgrove district and 315 for Wychavon. Only 21 permanent dwellings were created through registered social landlords (RSL) in Bromsgrove, with 43 in Wychavon. The figures, released by the communities and social government table, were similar across the region and the country. Of the 16,191 new houses in the West Midlands, 14,908 were built by private companies. more...

Extension

Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride has been given permission to extend her second floor flat. Members of Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee approved the scheme for the additional bedroom at the MP's apartment in Beoley. more...

Track down

AN American woman is trying to track down family members in Bromsgrove. Loretta Landerman, from Wisconsin, visited the family in 1991, but has since lost touch with them. She is trying to find Doreen and Terry Lacey. Anyone who can help should contact her at llegacy@verizon.net or at N816 Club Circle Drive, Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, 53578, USA. more...

Give blood

The National Blood Service is holding a blood donor session on Friday, July 20, at the Labour Club, Worcester Road, Bromsgrove, from 1.30- 3.15pm and 4.30-7.15pm. Please call 0845 7 711 711 to book an appointment. more...

Mobile ashtrays keep streets clean

FREE personal ashtrays are being issued to smokers in the hope of keeping Droitwich's streets clean now that the new smoking ban has arrived. more...

Successful grant bid is child’s play

A CUTNALL Green playground has been given a new lease of life thanks to a £5,000 grant. more...

Hospital violence concern

DROITWICH Spa's MP has expressed his anger and alarm over the rising levels of violence towards NHS staff in Worcestershire. more...

Was Gordon Ramsay’s lamb killed by a big cat?

LIVESTOCK keepers in the Droitwich and Bromsgrove areas and right across the UK are being asked to take part in an on-line survey to see whether or not they believe in the existence of wild big cats that have been blamed for killing a lamb belonging to controversial TV chef Gordon Ramsay. more...

New homes

Diamonds days

A BORN and bred Spa couple are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. more...

Hoping to lay a firm foundation

DROITWICH Spa is set to get a major jobs boost with an ambitious property developer laying foundations in the town. more...

Vale Mayor's week - July 5, 2007

THE weeks seem to be flying by and there aren't enough hours in a day any more. more...

Vale Mayor's week - July 5, 2007

THE weeks seem to be flying by and there aren't enough hours in a day any more. more...

Willersey - grassroots

VILLAGE FORUM: At the quarterly forum held in the village hall last week reports on various matters of concern were reported on and other matters raised. The chairman, Maurice Andrews, said the investigation by OFWAT was ongoing and Severn Trent had again promised a report early in July on the Badsey Road flooding and sewer problems. Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP is actively pursuing this and will attend the next meeting of the forum. more...

Wick - grassroots

FARM SUNDAY: Tom and Isobel Meikle, assisted by Harry Green of the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, gave an interesting morning to a group of people drawn to Wick Grange farm by a notice in The Journal. They were brought face-to-face with an immense variety of wildflowers, insects, animals and birds which have been encouraged to live in or near the margins of the crop-growing fields. The range of wildlife was much greater than most of the visitors had expected. Tom strongly made the point that balancing crop production and environment protection is a win-win process. more...

Wick - grassroots

Weston-sub-Edge - Club celebrates 20 years

MEMBERS of Weston-sub-Edge Bowling Club held a special evening to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club's founding. more...

Salford Priors - Cash boost for cyber cafe

THE cyber café at Salford Priors Memorial Hall is set to become even more popular after receiving a substantial cash boost to improve its services. more...

Salford Priors - Concern as Bomfords goes into administration

A LEADING international supplier of fresh produce based in Salford Priors has gone into administration. more...

North and Middle Littleton - grassroots

PARISH COUNCIL: The council is now at full strength with the co-option of four parishioners to the council. more...

Mickleton - grassroots

PARISH COUNCIL: The monthly meeting was held in King George's Hall. Cllr Gittens chaired the meeting, apologies received from Councillors J Franklyn and D Stowe. Mrs Gwen Melon has been co-opted on as a parish councillor. County councillor J Girling also sent her apologies. more...

Mickleton - Little gardeners help village look good

TODDLERS at Mickleton Playgroup got their hands dirty as they helped to make the village look its best this summer. more...

Horse and Pony - Event cancelled

THE Cropthorne and Evesham Vale Riding Club event was cancelled at the weekend because the ground was too wet. Conditions underfoot posed a danger to horses and their riders and lorries would have had trouble getting on and off the field. Organisers are working to reschedule the competition for later in the year. more...

Horse and Pony - Event cancelled

Horse and Pony - Training seminar

HORSE lovers keen to know more about training are being invited to a seminar and open day at stables in Bredon's Norton. The event, on Sunday, July 15, is being organised by Alice Beardsworth of 4 Feet Forward Equine Training Solutions in Lampitt Lane. She specialises in trust based on leadership, known as horse whispering. The event is at 2pm and includes a free barbecue and light refreshments, demonstrations and talks. To book, call 07970510072 or e-mail alice.beardsworth@btinternet.com. more...

Horse and Pony - Award for service

A WOMAN from Hampton has received a prestigious long-service award for her volunteer work with young people. Angie Sinclair has been given the Cubitt Award, which is for volunteers who have served The Pony Club for over 20 years. She was nominated by the North Cotswold Hunt branch. The Pony Club is the biggest combined youth organisation in the country with over 48,000 members spread across 348 branches and 417 centres. The Cubitt award gains its name from Guy Cubitt, who was chairman for 25 years and president from 1970-1979. more...