Stories for 4 January 2008

Business

Podcasts to help companies grow

THE business support message is taking to the Worcestershire airwaves as part of a new marketing drive by Business Link West Midlands.  more...

Kidder News Latest

Routine ops put on hold

NO routine elective inpatient surgery will take place at Kidderminster Hospital until next Wednesday at the earliest due to pressure on bed spaces.  more...

Garage break-in and arson

A RESIDENTIAL garage was broken into and then set on fire.  more...

Car vandals sought

WITNESSES are being sought following two incidents of cars being damaged in Kidderminster town centre.  more...

Garage burglary £3,000 haul

PROPERTY worth almost £3,000 has been stolen from the garage of a house in Stourport during a burglary.  more...

Police stepping up patrols

POLICE patrols are being stepped up at a Kidderminster industrial estate after two burglaries this week.  more...

City load for harriers defender

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers defender Jon Munday has started a month's loan at Worcester City.  more...

City loan for Harriers defender

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers defender Jon Munday has started a month's loan at Worcester City.  more...

Bennett back at Aggborough

Dean Bennett is back with Kidderminster Harriers for a third time.  more...

Crash victim information appeal

POLICE are appealing for information following the death in hospital of a male pedestrian 15 days after he was in collision with an estate car on the A449.  more...

Jail for drug user

A DRUG user has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for using a black sock to break into a woman's home in Kidderminster.  more...

Latest

Latest travel news

Check out the latest travel news before you make your way to work.  more...

Latest travel news

Check out the latest travel news before you head off home.  more...

Brides will get dream dresses once more

IT looks like brides will once again be buying their dream wedding dresses at a Worcester shop just months after the previous owner closed down.  more...

COMMENT: The tagging experiment has failed

THE system of electronically tagging offenders instead of sending them to jail has always been flawed. Today we report on a classic case that exposes all the inadequacies of the system.  more...

Vomiting bug sees surgery cancelled at Worcestershire hospitals

A VIRULENT vomiting bug has seen routine surgery cancelled at Worcestershire’s hospitals.  more...

Man dies in Herefordshire car crash

A MAN died after a two car crash in Herefordshire last night.  more...

Man dies in Herefordshire car crash

A MAN has died after a two car crash in Herefordshire.  more...

Blazing forklift causes £100k of damage

VANDALS caused more than £100,000 worth of damage after a forklift truck was driven into buildings and set alight.  more...

More doctors are ready to see you now

WORCESTERSHIRE has one of the highest number of GPs per head of population.  more...

Super slimmers’ date with breakfast TV star

SUPER slimmers from Worcester who overcame obesity got up close and personal with TV presenter Ben Shephard at an annual awards ceremony.  more...

Friends endure life under siege

A WOMAN who has built a business to ethically trade and help poor people in Kenya has spoken of her fears for friends living under siege conditions amid inter-tribal violence.  more...

Don’t let garden birds starve in cold weather

WE should all be doing more to ensure our gardens have plenty of food and water in them to help birds survive the cold weather that has been forecast for January.  more...

Friends endure life under siege

A WOMAN who has built a business to ethically trade and help poor people in Kenya has spoken of her fears for friends living under siege conditions amid inter-tribal violence.  more...

Artist has famous singer as his fan

AN artist who counts Noel Gallagher as a fan is exhibiting work in Worcester.  more...

Chronic alcoholic spared a jail term

A CHRONIC alcoholic who purposely hit his partner's head against the ground has been spared a jail sentence.  more...

Councillors clash over design of new homes

A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 57 new homes on the site of a former medals office in Droitwich has been given the green light.  more...

Mum will be missed so much

THE daughter of a 93-year-old woman who died in a Worcester park this week has spoken of her love and affection for a mother who was a hugely independent, talented former Alice Ottley pupil.  more...

Vehicle thefts down across the region

NEW FIGURES suggest more motorists are taking police advice and keeping their sat-navs and laptop computers out of the hands of thieves.  more...

Hospital resources unable to cope with pressure

THERE will be no non-emergency surgery at Worcestershire Royal Hospital until the middle of next week at the earliest.  more...

Hospital resources unable to cope with pressure

THERE will be no non-emergency surgery at Worcestershire Royal Hospital until the middle of next week at the earliest.  more...

Hospital resources unable to cope with pressure

THERE will be no non-emergency surgery at Worcestershire Royal Hospital until the middle of next week at the earliest.  more...

High value vehicle thefts down

NEW FIGURES suggest more motorists are taking police advice and keeping their sat-navs and laptop computers out of the hands of thieves.  more...

Vandals fork lift truck rampage causes £100,000 damage

VANDALS have caused more than £100,000 worth of damage, after driving a fork-lift truck into a building and setting the vehicle alight.  more...

Flood recovery money helps local sports clubs

SIX sports clubs badly damaged during the summer floods of 2007, are to receive donations from Wychavon.  more...

Flood recovery money to help local sports clubs

SIX sports clubs badly damaged during the summer floods of 2007, are to receive donations from Wychavon.  more...

New private

FROM the end of January private hire vehicles with less than nine seats will need to be licensed, including those that were previously exempt.  more...

New licensing rules for private hire vehicles

FROM the end of January private hire vehicles with less than nine seats will need to be licensed, including those that were previously exempt.  more...

Letters

John Hewlett’s MBE honour is deserved

SIR - With an amount of pleasure I read in your publication (December 29) that John Hewlett was given an MBE in the honours list for his commitment to Royal British Legion.  more...

People won’t turn to veganism overnight

SIR - If Pauline Burgess is promoting veganism, then why did she not say so openly in the first place?  more...

The self-righteous really make me sick

SIR - I read with interest the response by your readers concerning the theft of some artefacts by a young man who as a result spent time in prison over Christmas. This heinous crime should, of course, be punished by public flogging at least. Some of your readers could no doubt make a good case for hanging him if it was possible.  more...

Councillors can save cash if they want to

SIR - Re the headline on Saturday, December 15 - Council Forced To Slash Budget. Councillor George Lord suggested a way for the council to save money but it was voted down.  more...

Thank you for your support of the hunt

SIR - Once again, may I thank all the people in and around Pershore for their great support on Boxing Day to see the Croome and West Warwickshire hunt meet.  more...

Stop squandering money at council

SIR - It is a scandal that we have been robbed of our weekly refuse collection to save money which is wasted on irrelevant, unnecessary so-called improvement like the refurbishment of the High Street. We shall have the biggest rats in England.  more...

Rugby supporters must be faithful

SIR - The gap between first division and Premiership rugby must be greater than between Premiership and Championship in football.  more...

Music

From Mika to Leon – it has been a thrilling year

In the Chinese lunar calendar, 2007 was the year of the boar. People born during this period are said to thrive as entertainers, so it's perhaps fitting that the past 12 months have been, musically at least, some of the most thrilling in recent memory.  more...

News

Injuries biting as City boss tackles strugglers

MANAGER Richard Dryden is facing up to a major injury crisis as Worcester City prepare to take on Blue Square North strugglers Hinckley United.  more...

Wolves chase repeat victory

WORCESTER Wolves will be looking to repeat their first ever away victory in the British Basketball League when they travel to Everton Tigers tonight (8pm).  more...

Wolves chase repeat victory

WORCESTER Wolves will be looking to repeat their first ever away victory in the British Basketball League when they travel to Everton Tigers tonight (8pm).  more...

County duo get Lions call

KABIR Ali and Steven Davies has been called up to the England Lions squad that will tour India later this month.  more...

Dropped Drahm starts for A team

AXED fly-half Shane Drahm will start for the Warriors second string in their Guinness A' League top-of-the-table clash with Northampton Wanderers at Sixways on Monday night (7.30pm).  more...

No family loyalties for the Belfords

HINCKLEY United player-coach Dale Belford ins-ists success against Worcester City tomorrow will come before family loyalties.  more...

Warriors find gem in Chris: Connolly

FORMER Australia coach John Connolly believes Chris Latham could prove to be the greatest signing in Warriors' rugby history.  more...

Kabir surprise at call-up

KABIR Ali says he was pleasantly surprised to earn a shock call-up to the England Lions squad that will tour India later this month.  more...

Places To Go

A to Z OF PLACES TO GO IN AND AROUNG re

Croft Castle (NT)  more...

A to Z OF PLACES TO GO IN AND AROUNG re

Croft Castle (NT)  more...

Reader'S Pictures

That's Got It

worcester News reader Terry Barnett from Kempsey sent us this photograph of a grey squirrel enjoying a scratch.  more...

That's Got It

Worcester News reader Terry Barnett from Kempsey sent us this photograph of a grey squirrel enjoying a scratch.  more...

That's Got It

Worcester News reader Terry Barnett from Kempsey sent us this photograph of a squirrel  more...

Recipes

Tuscan Bean Soup

Christmas and all that cooking may be over, but the meals go on and a new year is a good time to introduce a few fresh dishes into your weekly repertoire.  more...

Chilli Chicken Fajitas

WHAT DO I NEED?  more...

Restaurant Reviews

The King's Head, Sidbury, Worcester

IN case you haven't heard, the Kings Head in Sidbury, Worcester, has had a facelift. It now has a smart new exterior, a restaurant upstairs and there is new decor throughout.  more...

The King's Head, Sidbury, Worcester

IN case you haven't heard, the Kings Head in Sidbury, Worcester, has had a facelift. It now has a smart new exterior, a restaurant upstairs and there is new decor throughout.  more...

Reviews

Climb the barricade and enjoy

Review: Beyond the Barricade at the Forum Theatre, Malvern, on Thursday, December 27.  more...

Round-Up

Rangers enhance championship prospects

SUFFOLK Rangers Under 16s kept up their Mercian Festival Junior League Division One title push with a 2-1 win at Ferndale Flyers.  more...

Dring tops the times

STEVE Dring won Worcester St John's Cycle Club's Boxing Day meeting.  more...

Boys storm to 14th league win

BEER Belly Boys continued their 100 per cent start by beating Noisey Bunch 5-2 in the Malvern Wednesday Winter Darts League.  more...

Cookley back in training

COOKLEY Cricket Club launch their indoor nets at Stourport Sports Centre on Sunday from 2.30pm until 4.30pm.  more...

Harriers sign Bennett until end of the season

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have confirmed the signing of Chester City midfielder Dean Bennett on a season's long loan.  more...

Turner is ready to recruit in the window

LIONEL Ainsworth may have left Edgar Street in November, but the talented winger is still a Hereford United player for the time being.  more...

Bennett signs on for the season

MARK Yates was determin-ed to keep De-an Bennett at Aggborough and last night the Chester City midfielder was signed on-loan for the rest of the season.  more...

Bennett signs on for the season

MARK Yates was determined to keep De-an Bennett at Aggborough and last night the Chester City midfielder was signed on-loan for the rest of the season.  more...

Beyond the grave

THE diary of a mother, who died three years ago, has been published to offer comfort to bereaved and seriously ill people.  more...

Bike ready for gruelling rally test

MOTORSPORT engineer Dennis Osborne has turned his hand from building four-wheel race and rally cars to two wheels for this year's Dakar Rally.  more...

Bike ready for gruelling rally test

MOTORSPORT engineer Dennis Osborne has turned his hand from building four-wheel race and rally cars to two wheels for the Dakar Rally.  more...

The pride of the school

PUPILS at a Rubery school celebrated a successful year when they enjoyed their awards ceremony.  more...

Coal shed fire

BROMSGROVE firefighters were called to a blaze in a coal shed at a premises in Hampton Avenue, Bromsgrove, shortly before 8am on Wednesday, January 2. They removed the coal and damped down the structure.  more...

Car crash

EMERGENCY services were called to a road accident in Hagley on December 27. Two vehicles, a blue Mitsubishi Space Wagon and a black Renault Clio, were involved in the incident southbound on the A456 Birmingham Road, at the junction with School Lane. Firefighters and police attended and both cars were made safe. There were no reported injuries. Witnesses should call Hagley police on 08457 444888.  more...

Help to live independently

HELP is at hand for adults living in Bromsgrove seeking information about how to live more independent lives.  more...

Get fit in the New Year

HAVE the delights of Christmas hit both your diet and your wallet hard?  more...

Get fit in the New Year

HAVE the delights of Christmas hit both your diet and your wallet hard?  more...

Mini-tennis returns

MINI tennis sessions are set to kick off at Bromsgrove's Ryland Centre next weekend.  more...

Last chance for free sports gear

SCHOOLS and sports club in Bromsgrove and Droitwich have until next Friday to apply for free sports equipment through the Tesco Sport for Schools and Clubs scheme.  more...

Pulled from the icy water

RESCUERS saved the life of a man after pulling him from a freezing river on New Year's Eve.  more...

Today's events

Friday The Courtyard Comedy Club. The Courtyard's famous Comedy Club is here again! The Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford. 8:30pm. £10, (£9). 0870 1122330.  more...

Weekend weather forecast

Saturday: sunshine and local blusrtery showers. Winds gusty from the west/south-west 35mph. Clear and dry overnight as any showers fade away.  more...

Philippa fears for Kenyan friends

A WOMAN who has built a business to ethically trade and help poor people in Kenya has spoken of her fears for friends living under siege conditions amid inter-tribal violence.  more...

Internet heralds film revolution

AN ex-Hanley Swan student has swapped Malvern for the movies and is seeking funding for his first short film in northern California.  more...

Frankie sets new world record

Champion show dog Frankie from Callow End and his mum Merrybear have set a new world record.  more...

Cash stolen from theatre

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at Malvern Theatres in which charity cash was stolen.  more...

Latest Worcestershire Planning Applications

THE following Planning Applications were made to Malvern Hills District Council on January 3, 2008:- MALVERN CHASE - Proposed conservatory. 1 Beacon Grange, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3EU for Mr and Mrs Hannis, 1 Beacon Grange, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3EU per L S Smith, 27 Hillview Lane, Twyning, Tewkesbury, Glos, GL20 6JW.  more...

Drivers ignore 'access only' signs

A MOTHER who issued repeated warnings over speeding cars using her road as a cut-through has seen her pet dog hit by a vehicle.  more...

Share your views on gym club plan

A FORMER nightclub premises on a Malvern industrial estate could be converted into a gymnastics club.  more...

Share your views on gym club plan

A FORMER nightclub premises on a Malvern industrial estate could be converted into a gymnastics club.  more...

Parish council to meet

THE next meeting of Eldersfield Parish Council takes place at Eldersfield Lawn School on Thursday, January 10 at 7.30pm.  more...

Search out your family secrets

A chance to pick up tips on researching your family tree is on offer at the next meeting of the Malvern Family History Society.  more...

Honour for water-cure GP

A RETIRED GP from Malvern with a string of medical and local heritage achievements has been awarded an OBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.  more...

Next bloom meeting

THE next meeting of the Malvern in Bloom steering group takes place on Thursday (January 10).  more...

Black Pear beer is a winner

THE Malvern Hills Brewery is toasting a major success at the start of its 10th anniversary year.  more...

Hospital likely to become housing

MALVERN's existing community hospital is likely to become redeveloped for housing when it is replaced.  more...

Stars queus fro Morgan super car

COMEDIAN Rowan Atkinson - best known as Mr Bean and Blackadder - has put his name down for a £110,000 supercar to be built in Malvern.  more...

Shoppers urged to extend their visits

A NOTICE board to entice shoppers at Waitrose to visit the town centre is being planned by Dudley Brook of Malvern Civic Society.  more...

Meeting is chance to air views

THE Pickersleigh local policing team is holding a Partners and And Community Together (PACT) meeting at St Mary's Church, Sherrards Green, on Monday, January 14, at 6.30pm.  more...

Patients to be asked their views

PATIENTS visiting doctors surgeries in Malvern over the coming weeks may be asked exactly what they think of the care they receive.  more...

Quest for best building

THE quest is on for the best new or renovated building in Malvern.  more...

Atlantic crew put in the hours

WHILE most of us were at home enjoying Christmas dinner or sleeping in front of the TV, Malvern businessman Carl Theakston was putting in yet another hard stint in his bid to row across the Atlantic Ocean.  more...

Rachel's determined to stay slim

DETERMINATION to be a positive role model inspired a Malvern mum to bin the junk food and begin losing weight.  more...

Matt's lost an astonishing ten stone

WHILE many may have piled on the pounds over the festive period, a former 25 stone man has shown that there's hope for even the most fanatic food lover.  more...

Girl hit by bottle in town venue

A 19-year-old girl was hit in the face with a glass bottle on New Year's Eve at the Vaults nightclub, Malvern.  more...

Floods service earns award

AN electricity worker from Malvern has been awarded an MBE for his efforts during the atrocious 2007 summer flooding.  more...

Dance the night away to help hall

GUESTS will dance the night away to help raise money for a major refurbishment project at Alfrick Village Hall.  more...

Major's MBE is 'fantastic honour'

A SOLDIER who left school without a qualification to his name has spoken about the "fantastic honour" of being made an MBE.  more...

Chief executive's service is recognised

THE man who created "the new Worcestershire" during almost a decade in charge at County Hall has been recognised in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.  more...

Gym club near finding home - what do you think?

A FORMER nightspot on a Malvern industrial estate could be the new home that a popular club for children has been seeking for eight years.  more...

Gym club near finding home - what do you think?

A FORMER nightspot on a Malvern industrial estate could be the new home that a popular club for children has been seeking for eight years.  more...

Crossword winner takes home bubbly

PENSIONER Lois Barefield won a bottle of bubbly in this year's Malvern Gazette Christmas crossword competition.  more...

Roundup

Harriers defender goes on loan

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers defender Jon Munday has started a month's loan at Worcester City.  more...

Bennett back at Aggborough

Dean Bennett is back with Kidderminster Harriers for a third time.  more...

Schools News

We’re very happy with our Ofsted

A NURSERY school in Worcester is providing quality care and education, according to Ofsted inspectors.  more...

Society

Stourport

LICKHILL TG - At the December meeting Paul Maguire entertained members with a musical quiz, most of the music was taken from the 1960s.  more...

Theatre

Fox to star in a double helping of legal drama

A DOUBLE dose of legal drama comes to the Malvern Theatres next month.  more...

Head to the stage to spot the talent

A MUCH-loved story of good versus evil, fur coats and stolen dogs is being staged by the Malvern Theatre Players.  more...

Puccini's classic

PERSHORE Number 8 is to host a performance of Puccini's Madam Butterfly.  more...

CENTRE STAGE with Chris Jaeger of Worcester Live

Firstly, may I wish all my readers a really great 2008. I have started the new year with a stinking cold, and absolutely exhausted at the end of 45 pantomime performances at the Swan, as well as a busy Christmas season at the Hall.  more...

This Life - Special Reports

Students report on an

Retreat offers youngsters a place for some quiet reflection/p By Ella Hyland  more...

Upton

Bid to make Upton a plastic bag-free zone

UPTON is set to become one of the first places in the country to go plastic bag free.  more...

Bid to make Upton a plastic bag-free zone

UPTON is set to become one of the first places in the country to go plastic bag free.  more...

Flagpole and community on the agends

ALTERATIONS to the flagpole at Memorial Hall and a new community event will be discussed by Upton Town Council.  more...

Showcase for town pride

UPTON is set to receive a first-hand glimpse of what the county has to offer during a new event organised by the town's Community Pride group.  more...

  
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