Archive

CROWDS steamed their way to the village of Toddington last weekend and then found they couldn't stop steaming when they got there. The village is the base for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, which was holding its biggest event of the year last

A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to introduce no parking zones to Longborough seems to have bitten the dust. The proposal is now almost certain to be dropped after Sezincote landowner Suzanna Peake decided to withdraw her offer of land for a village car park to

WITNEY MP Shaun Woodward is backing Chipping Norton Rugby Club's Trash for Cash scheme. The club is hoping to raise £2,000 a year for its funds by persuading town people and businesses to recycle their used ink jet, bubble jet and laser cartridges. In

RESIDENTS at a Cotswold sheltered housing scheme say they are unhappy that their warden has been taken away from them and the warden's house left empty. Badger's Field in Chipping Campden, run by Fosseway Housing Association, is home to 32 mostly elderly

STOUR Valley farmer Robert Cole has been reaping the rewards of a successful growing season. Mr Cole picked up two first prizes when judges paid a visit to his farm in Stourton, near Shipston, for the annual crop competitions run by the south Warwickshire

SHIPSTON Lawn Tennis Club is in the running for a national club of the year award. Only three clubs in the whole of the country have been nominated for the final stages of the award, which is run by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Shipston's club president

THE company running Worcester's racecourse has ditched plans to dig a 4ft trench around the outside of the track. The move by Arena Leisure has delighted campaigners who protested against the Pitchcroft plans, saying children's lives would be at risk

MILLIONS of pounds could be pumped into Worcestershire to prop up the county's rural economy - but not a penny has yet been pledged by regional bosses. The development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM) has agreed to list a batch of wards in Malvern

A WORCESTER couple fear two garages crammed with rubbish could be torched, putting nearby residents' lives at risk. Michael and Joan Long's lounge window overlooks the open garages in Worcester's Lock Street. During the past few months, the garages have

CHILDREN are being blamed for a spate of hoax calls to firefighters. Pranksters are a constant problem for Droitwich Spa Fire Brigade, based in The Saltway. And next week's October half-term has prompted a warning from Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade

VISITORS to a Women's Institute autumn bazaar this weekend could be in for a surprise. "We're keen for people not to keep seeing us as the blue rinse brigade," said Warndon WI's events organiser Pauline Wildman. And if the bazaar this Saturday is anything

AE:pc@nqmids.co.uk:Pauline Clark - Exclusive HEALTH campaigners have set up a new dedicated hotline for people who have "horror" stories to tell in the aftermath of the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital. The move follows reports of patients suffering

A COMMUNITY will decide today the future of its old parish hall just a week after a piece of ceiling fell during a playgroup session. No-one was hurt in the incident at the hall in the centre of Cleobury Mortimer. But it has heightened controversy in

HOSPITAL chiefs are closing down a helpline that was opened to monitor health changes in Worcestershire. The three-month helpline was set up to help patients as radical changes were implemented to health services in Worcestershire, including the downgrading

A POLICE chief has called for CCTV to be installed throughout Kidderminster town centre in the wake of a terrifying armed robbery. Supt Ron Whitfield, of Kidderminster Police, believes the robbery on Monday at the Yorkshire Bank , Coventry Street, could

ONE of Worcestershire's top tourist attractions is under threat from the Government's new tax on energy, an MP has warned. Peter Luff fears the Climate Change Levy could force the Severn Valley Railway to close. Now the Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP and

SUNDAY: Moreton, Batsford area, four and a half miles - relatively easy. Details: 01386 443668. TUESDAY: Shelfield, start 10am for a five and a half mile walk. Details: 01789 762752. WEDNESDAY: Lickey Hills/Bittell Reservoirs, start 10am for a 10-mile

CHILDREN are being blamed for a spate of hoax calls to firefighters. Pranksters are a constant problem for Droitwich Spa Fire Brigade, based in The Saltway. And next week's October half-term has prompted a warning from Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade

RICHARD KING and Terry Murphy will be taking part in this year's Benson and Hedges Snooker Championships at Willie Thorne's Club in Malvern next month. Bewdley's King, competing for England, has a bye to the second round where he will meet Scot Kearney

HARRIETT Atterbury became level three county champion at the annual Hereford and Worcester Championships, hosted by Wyre Forest Gymnastic School at Harry Cheshire High School, on Saturday. She saw off the opposition by collecting gold on vault, bars and

THERE was a massive entry for the Samurai Judo Club's Boys Minimon, with clubs coming from as far away as Wigan and London, and the host club collecting eight medals. Super-lightweight Sam Stone started the ball rolling by taking bronze. Lightweight Daniel

ROWERS from two Wyre Forest schools recorded victories in a national event where their day was made complete by meeting Olympic champions Steve Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent and James Cracknell. In the Supersprint Rowing Grand Prix at Dorney Lake, near Eton

STOURPORT Hockey Club collected their first point in their English Hockey League Division One campaign when they drew 1-1 with visiting Barford Tigers on Sunday. Tigers scored after 26 minutes but the home side salvaged a point with a second-half strike

TENNIS player Jo Watson, of Chaddesley Corbett, has reached the national final of the ladies 35-and-over doubles competition in the AXA British Futures tournament. She will be competing with her partner Tracy Nash, of Brierley Hill, at Telford International

Redditch 8 Dunlop 12 Despite recalling a number of players, including captain Andy Douglas, Redditch could not do enough to prevent another loss. The hosts started the first half playing down the slope and immediately put pressure on Dunlop. With good

WOODRUSH are set to appeal against the sending off of second row John Bloomer at the weekend. Bloomer had an early bath, along with two of Stratford's second XI, as a mass brawl erupted 15 minutes from time. We will probably appeal against the red card

Manor Park 23 Alcester 22 ALCESTER suffered a last gasp defeat, in controversial circumstances. The visitors dominated for long periods and led by ten points at the break, but couldn't turn domination into the victory they deserved, with the hosts scoring

KIDDERMINSTER magistrates this week sent two men accused of taking part in an attempted robbery at the Wolverley Post Office for trial at Worcester Crown Court. Neal Frost, 32, of Brook Street, Wall Heath, and Patrick Crane, 37, of no fixed address, did

A MAN who attacked his ex-girlfriend was suffering from a worrying personality trait, Worcester Crown Court was told. Christopher Humpidge had been examined by a doctor but was found not to have any mental illness, said defence counsel Andrew Lockhart

A DRIVER involved in a fatal crash in which his 20-year-old girlfriend died on the A451 Kidderminster-Stourbridge at Five Ways, Ismere, in May, is to stand trial accused of causing death by dangerous driving. David Barnard, 23, of Queen Elizabeth Road

A STOURPORT businessman who ran a building firm that collapsed with debts of £347,000 has been disqualified from being a company director for seven years because of the way he ran the failed company. The disqualification order against Philip Hunt, of

A MAN convicted of trying to break into a Bewdley store was warned he could be jailed for the offence. Anthony Alberici was remanded on bail at Worcester Crown Court for a pre-sentence report. A jury was unable to reach a verdict on a charge that the

I refer to your report A Growing School Alarms Neighbours in your edition of October 12, which saddened me very much. That Chipping Campden School is oversubscribed should be no surprise to anyone who has had any contact at all with it. Chipping Campden

THROUGH the Journal I wish to congratulate Evesham Town Council, Evesham Schools, every organisation and all the people who helped Evesham to win the Britain in Bloom Trophy. It was truly a community working together which brought success to the town.

IN response to Mrs Fairclough's letter of October 5, I would say: The Mayor of Evesham's departure has created a vacancy in the East Ward, an area of Evesham in serious need of attention. Both residential and business life in Bengeworth are causing considerable

REGARDING the closure of the Regal Cinema, in the mid-1950s I once (only once) took a young lady called Eleonore (Nora) there. When in the film a tiger suddenly appeared, she leant over and grabbed my arm - the first time we had touched! And that's about

A BANNED teenage driver who accused police of perjury has been sent to detention for six months by Kidderminster magistrates. Clifford Hodgkins, 18, of Victoria Place, Foley Park, was also banned for another two years. He denied that he was at the wheel

WE write to pay tribute to our friend Coun Angela Colbeck, who sadly lost her fight against cancer last week. Last year, despite the diagnosis being given just before being sworn in as Mayor, she refused to let it stop her fulfilling the role she had

I CONGRATULATE our current MP, Mr Lock, on his Ministry of Thought statement, (Shuttle, October 5) that France and Germany and all the others have now given us all freedom under the law. I had mistakenly thought that the British had such freedoms granted

I AM not prone to writing to newspapers, but I am incensed by the effects that Worcestershire Health Authority's plans for health care are now so patently - and predictably - having on my patients' care. For brevity's sake I give merely two examples.

I TOTALLY agree with your correspondent Mike Thackeray (Shuttle, October 5) concerning the terrible parking situation in Stourport High Street. I , too, believe that to change the regulations is a silly move. The regulations in place are totally adequate

I WRITE following the letter which appeared in your columns on October 12, headed "Benefit to the Town" and had a scurrilous attack of the district council planners and associated elected members. May I respond to Mr Nock, by saying I and my colleagues

Littleton 2 Kempsey 1 LITTLETON became the first team to beat Kempsey in the Worcester Premier League this season, winning by the narrow margin of 2-1 and in the process stretching their run of wins to five. Although they deserved their victory Littleton

Malvern Radar 1 Bishampton United 6 (aet) BISHAMPTON finally broke their losing run, but it took extra time to see off Radar in this Worcester Nursing Cup match. In a poor first half both teams showed why they are struggling in the league. Play improved

DAVID Lock's latest Letter from Westminster was truly breathtaking in its arrogance. Much of it consisted of a shallow political attack against the Conservatives, with his claim that a Conservative Government would cut £16 billion. This is entirely spurious

Pershore Town 5 Highgate United 0 PERSHORE Town's impressive run of wins extended to nine, after they defeated visitors Highgate United in this Midland Combination Premier division league match. Highgate were the weakest opposition Town had played this

Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League THIRD division leaders Swan Sports may have a perfect league record, but that did not stop them crashing out of the Black and White Garages Bluck Cup at the first hurdle to fourth division Servicemens who won a nine

PLEASE print my words of praise to the person, or persons, who have transformed the children's memorial garden in Brinton Park - well done. It was a pleasure to see. Thank you. H CLARKE Address supplied

A PERSHORE dentist with 4,000 NHS patients fears his practice might have to close if he cannot find a new surgery. Last Thursday, Wychavon District Council's planning committee heard that Worcestershire Community and Mental Health NHS Trust's plan to

IT was heartening to read that Wyre Forest District Council has, at long last, agreed to encourage more entertainment in Kidderminster. However, they still have not gone far enough. A cinema is long overdue, but this is a sedentary amusement. The young

MOORLANDS Farm anglers almost made a clean-sweep of the honours in the fishery's Wednesday Open contest. Terry Larden won with a weight of 53lb 9oz, Allan Higgs came third, Bob Jones fourth, Allan Smith fifth, and Allan Underwood sixth. Spoiling the Moorlands

CONCEDING two first-half goals proved to be the crucial factor when Stourport Swifts' FA Cup adventure came to an end with a 3-1 defeat by Enfield at Boreham Wood on Sunday. Swifts, playing in the third qualifying round - and in London - for the first

PLANS to turn an Evesham Market Place shop into a pub have been rejected by Wychavon District Council's planning committee for the second time in a year. At last Thursday's meeting, councillors decided Surrey Free Inns Group Plc's application to convert

THE two heavyweights of North Midlands One clash on Saturday when Ledbury travel to Stourport in a vital game for both sides. Both clubs have 100 per cent league records so far, with Stourport and Ledbury on six points after three games. Ledbury improved

BEWDLEY jumped from third place to take over the under-15 Division One leadership in the Stourport and District Boys Football Leaue thanks to an 8-0 drubbing of Brockmoor Badgers on Sunday. Cookley were in the goalscoring mood when they notched a 12-2

DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett has joined in the row following Kidderminster Harriers' ill-tempered Nationwide League Division Three clash with The Quakers on Tuesday. He has accused Harriers chief Jan Molby of being a "disgrace" and inciting the home

CHADDESLEY Corbett knocked out Worcester Nursing Cup holders Fernhill Heath with an impressive 2-0 away victory over their Midland Combination hosts in a first round tie on Saturday. The Banks's Brewery Leaguers had to weather some early threats from

BIDFORD long distance charity walker David Hughes completed his 1,000-mile trek from John O Groats to Lands End this week. The 60-year-old semi-retired country musician, is now back at his Marleigh Road home having reached his journey's end at 10.30am

FIVE arts projects in the Vale have been given cash as part of a new start-up grant from Worcestershire County Council. First Base has been set up by the county's arts service to encourage community and voluntary groups to start new arts projects and

STOURPORT Rugby Club notched their third successive win in North Midlands One when they gained a 30-7 away verdict over bottom club Erdington on Saturday. The town side have made an excellent start to their league campaign and are level on points at the

CHADDESLEY Corbett Rugby Club are finding it tough going in North Midlands Three and crashed to a 97-0 away defeat at the hands of leaders Worcester Wanderers on Saturday. The bottom-of-the-table villagers have now lost all three of their league fixtures

DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett has joined in the row following Kidderminster Harriers' ill-tempered Nationwide League Division Three clash with The Quakers on Tuesday. He has accused Harriers chief Jan Molby of being a "disgrace" and inciting the home

GEOFF Cooke has blasted the Rugby Football Union for their "inability to make a decision" after the governing body set up another meeting to resolve the promotion row. Worcester Rugby Club's chief executive was reacting to the RFU's new solution to the

EVESHAM golf ace Jeremy Robinson made a flying start to his latest European Tour event - the BBVA Turespaa Masters in Madrid. He eagled the 411-yard par four opener and then hit par on his next two holes to find himself one shot behind early leader, Spain's

FEEDING cows with "digestives" may take the biscuit as far as animal husbandry is concerned. But Wyre Forest District Council rangers like to keep on good terms with their cattle because it makes life simpler. Cows are apparently partial to cookies and

THE two heavyweights of North Midlands One clash on Saturday when Ledbury travel to Stourport in a vital game for both sides. Both clubs have 100 per cent league records so far, with Stourport and Ledbury on six points after three games. Ledbury improved

HEREFORD-based Greyhound face an uphill struggle to be at the races when North Midlands Three leaders Worcester Wanderers visit on Saturday. Worcester hit top gear at the weekend when they crushed Chaddesley Corbett 97-0 at Sixways -- scoring 15 tries

THE topping out ceremony has been completed at the new showpiece magistrates court in Kidderminster with plans for its opening in 2001 still on course. Worcestershire County Council chairman Peter Carter laid the final piece of concrete to the roof before

ADRIAN Lynch has quit as manager of Bromyard Town. Former boss Dougie Newman has agreed to take temporary charge of the Banks's Brewery Premier Division side. Club chairman Tony Watkins said work pressures had been the main reason for Lynch's decision

THE quick-thinking of a Kidderminster man saved him from serious burns when he was splashed with sulphuric acid in a town factory. Machine operator Paul Cox rushed to the shower room at the Romwire works in Stourport Road to wash off the acid while colleagues

A BUILDER was airlifted to hospital after being trapped by rubble in his van in a crash at an accident blackspot on the outskirts of Kidderm-inster. The man suffered "serious but not life-threatening" injuries during the incident near the spot where 20

SERVICES may have been lost at Kidderminster Hospital but its charity radio station remains on a "sound" footing after a programme shake-up. Kidderminster Hospital Radio has trimmed its schedule because of the loss of inpatient services. But spokesman

A PENSIONER has vowed to fight "to the bitter end" to stay in a house church landlords have told her she must leave. Margaret Harley, 67, of School House, Arley, has been given until noon on Thursday to vacate the home she has lived in for 14 years. A

ART enthusiasts can enjoy a one-off exhibition showing nature in all its glory at Stourport Library this month. Water pastel paintings and oil creations inspired by the environment and nature are on display at the Worcester Street venue until Saturday

A HOUSING company has been labelled a "killjoy" by a Kidderminster woman who was threatened with eviction for painting a 'baby face' mural outside her home. Corina Harper, of Grasmere Close, Horsefair, went to work with her paintbrush outside the front

COMMUNITY activities have been highlighted as "the icing on the cake" in the wake of the most successful Bewdley Festival in its 13-year history. The audience count at around 3,000 may not have been greatly higher than last year but that was only because

A BIG-hearted relapsed keep-fit fan remembered suffering orphans in Romania when she no longer wanted the costly exercise equipment she kept in her cellar. Like many people who acquire gymnastic aids in healthy living crazes, Vanessa Halford, of Chester

DRIVERS were left "frightened" when they were overtaken by a motorcyclist moments before he died, an inquest was told. John Stanton, 51, of Droitwich, was killed when he lost control of his Honda 919cc motorcycle and slid into the path of a Toyota MR2

THE lopping of almost a third off a landmark Kidderminster tree has sparked concern among staff and users of an old people's day centre that takes its name from it. The Tulip Tree Centre, Castle Road, is named after the tree, which is more than 100ft

100 Years Ago October 20, 1900 PERSHORE: A Present From The Queen. Another illustration of the interest the Queen takes in her soldiers was when she sent £2 from her privy purse to Mr Samuel Clifton of Newlands whose three sons are all away serving in

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Cutnall Green man who died in a road crash near Worcester. Michael Cooper, 64, was travelling from Malvern when his Citroen ZX collided with a lorry at Holt Heath on Tuesday, October 10. Lorry driver, Robert Edwards, of Kington

MAKING their second appearance at the festival, this quartet from Covent Garden did not disappoint. Though Chi Mi Frena from Lucia di Lammermoor, is a sextet, the four singers gave a terrific performance to open the programme. We were treated to solos

SIR John Mortimer calls his Mortimer's Miscellany act "my gig". His roving show with two gifted actresses Polly James and Rohan McCullough and accomplished classical guitarist Simon James has delighted audiences everywhere. It is a wittily put together

A COUPLE who moved out of their Worcester home to make way for a larger family want answers about why the council moved in a single mother-of-one. John and Marjorie Spragg decided to swap their three-bedroomed home of 15 years in Dines Green for a smaller

THE grip on tradition held by the RSC could be loosened slightly next week when Henry V goes striding into battle again with a nice line of accessories to match her armour as Stratford College's theatre group takes its cross-gendered play to The Other

ILMINGTON residents with a yen for the greasepaint are being urged to step forward to take their place in the limelight. Several residents have got together to form a new drama group in the village and are looking for anyone else living in the village

THERE'S still a little way to go until Christmas but it hasn't stopped Chipping Campden Entertainment Group kicking off the pantomime season. The group presents its annual panto, Hickory Dickory Dock at Broadway's Lifford Hall, the first time it has appeared

Comic masterpiece A SERVANT to Two Masters, at Malvern Theatres, is described as an hilarious comic masterpiece and you can see it for yourself when, after a sell-out success in Stratford and at the Young Vic, Tim Supple's production arrives next Monday

EASTERN rugs are in view again thanks to expert Brian MacDonald. The owner of Samarkand Galleries, in Stow is staging a new exhibition: Birds, Beasts & Fishes, featuring a woven menagerie in antique rugs, tribal bags and other items. Some of the weavings

A FAIRYTALE ballet will be the culmination of two years of work when it takes to the stage at Evesham Arts Centre next week. About 300 members from the Jacqueline School of Dance in Willersey have been rehearsing for the past year in preparation for their

SPORT: For a place of its size, Bredon is very well blessed with good sports facilities. The cricket and bowls seasons have ended, and football and rugby are in full spate. This does not mean to say that our tennis club will fold for the winter. Four

SAFARI SUPPER: On Saturday there will be a repeat of last year's successful Safari Supper. Tickets are £10 and can be obtained from Sue Pearce on 01451-832007. CHURCH NEWS On Sunday, there will be Holy Communion in St Nicholas, at 9.30am, conducted by

WHIST DRIVE: The weekly whist drive at the village hall, was organised by Miss F Ricketts and Mrs B Hodges to raise funds for the County Air Ambulance Service. Mr John Chester was MC. Mr C Bromfield, drawmaster, 13 tables in play. Whist, raffles and mystery

DAY TRIP TO LONDON: Liz Nunn of Orchard Close, Village Street, is organising a day's outing to London on October 26. The coach is due to leave the village hall at 8am for the Victoria Embankment, near Westminster and close to the underground so that anyone

COFFEE MORNING: On Saturday, there will be a coffee morning with ploughman's lunches and cream teas throughout the day at Blue Cedar House, Stow Road, between 10.30am and 3.30pm, bring and buy, cake stall and raffle. Proceeds in aid of a new defibrillator

Evesham, Wednesday CABBAGE duncan £1.60 to £2.20 crate, primo £2.50 to £2.55 crate, savoy £2.50 to £2.80 crate, cauliflower £3 to £4 doz, purple sprouting 60p to £1 lb, sprouts £2 to £5 net, calabrese 35p to 50p lb, courgettes 35p to 40p lb, stick beans

Gloucester, Thursday, October 12 GLOUCESTER Market report medium steers to 81p (average 72.6p), heavies to 93.5p (84.9p). Heavy heifers to 90p (73.1p). Standard lambs to 81.1p (79.5p), medium to 84.8p (81.5p), heavies to 80.4p (78.3p). Stratford, Tuesday

Spartens 18 Shipston 18 ON Saturday Shipston travelled to Spartens for their fourth league match of the season ending in a draw. Shipston playing downhill and against the wind in the first half, got off to a slow start allowing Spartens to score a converted

OAKENSHAW ace Enzo Mucci is gunning to take the touring car world by storm after a Jensen Button-style elevation from Formula 3. The 23-year-old (pictured below) was left in the cold after his move from Formula Ford into Formula 3 stalled last year because

HERITAGE watchdogs have given their blessing to a new design for a Tesco superstore as plans to create a Kidderminster town centre for the 21st century move closer to reality. Civic Society leaders have welcomed new drawings which echo the style of traditional

Redditch 2 Kingswinford 2 The game started at a ferocious pace and within the first minute substitute keeper Colin Birch was beaten at his near post. A goal down so early Redditch could have folded but skipper Jason Spyer encouraged the team to play through

KES 21,Warwick 7 THE importance of this fixture was well-known by both teams weeks before the match. Usually KES v Warwick games are scrappy and riddled with errors. However, this year was a little different. Both teams came onto the pitch with strong

Redditch 1 - Pickwick Old Sils 0 Redditch continued their fantastic start to the season against neighbours Pickwick Old Sils. Redditch outplayed the opposition with ball control and hard work. Early pressure saw the hosts win penalty corners and after

REDDITCH Hockey Club changed formations to win a morale-boosting 2-2 draw against Kingswinford. The higher-league visitors started with a goal in the first minute but the hosts, playing a new-look 4-3-3, held out and Tom Hiles bagged a brace. Redditch

GEOFF Cooke has blasted the Rugby Football Union for their "inability to make a decision" after the governing body set up another meeting to resolve the promotion row. Worcester Rugby Club's chief executive was reacting to the RFU's new solution to the

HI-TECH Bromsgrove councillors agreed to allocate £25,000 to cover the cost of putting the Local Plan map on the Internet. At a meeting of Bromsgrove District Council's planning and highways committee an officer explained with changing technology the

POLICE are investigating a spate of tool thefts from vans in Bromsgrove. The incidents all happened overnight on Monday (Oct16) when thieves stole £700 of equipment, including a Honda generator and drills from a Bedford van, in Barley Mow Lane, Catshill

MIKE Pryce writes, (Evening News, October 5), about turning to religion, " but in times of crisis, when there is nowhere else to go, even the hardest can feel the need of support from somewhere." Perhaps some of my letters harp on about religion too much

I CANNOT let H Klee get away with his anecdotal account of the Western World's economical history (You Say, October 11). Depending on which version of history one reads, America was a Johnny-come-lately in both the last century's world wars. The armaments

6 PAUL Griffiths of the Lib Dems (You Say, October 12) states that the reduced transaction costs and increased competition entailed by the euro will benefit Britain. That just about sums up the Lib Dems' rather feeble argument for joining the single currency

I HAVE been quite amazed at the numbers of public figures who have "come clean" about their use of cannabis. Nothing I have read in the current cannabis debate seems to point to cannabis being any worse, in its effects, than nicotine addiction. Now we

A MIX-up over nationality almost led to a Kidderminster teenager having to miss out on a college course that could lead to a degree. Eleftherios Mouskos was only able to join his HND course - two weeks late - after Wyre Forest MP David Lock took up his

FECKENHAM midfielder Chris White has vowed to return to the game after suffering horrific facial injuries in a collision with a team-mate. The new signing, playing only his second game for the Millers after moving from neighbours Studley BKL, had to have

KINGS Heath manager Sean Lawless said he was confident star striker James Miah would rebuff an approach from Lye Meadow landlords Alvechurch. I've spoken to James, who can't play every Saturday because of personal commitments, and he told me he is staying

Continental Star 2 Feckenham 3 The Millers gained three vital points with an indifferent performance. Teenage Redditch keeper Duncan MacDonald was handed a Millers debut and was not tested in the first half, when the Millers attacked at will. The visitors

BEWDLEY Town Rugby Club gained their second win in a row when they beat hosts Stourport 3rd 18-0 on Saturday. Bewdley started strongly, and were 8-0 up at the break thanks to a penalty from Alan Banks and a try from a guest player playing at full-back

EVESHAM'S town manager, Lew Hammond, has put forward new proposals to change the flow of traffic through Evesham centre. Mr Hammond, appointed six months ago, says he has listened to comments from residents, visitors and business people in the town. He

EVESHAM'S early post office would no doubt have been a coaching inn, with the landlord, the postmaster. It is known that the first postmaster at Evesham was Mr Rowland Broadstock back in 1685 when the post office was situated in the premises now occupied

AT the end of the day, primary responsibility for men's health lies with men themselves, says Alec Kendall, assistant director of public health in Worcestershire. "It's about saying my health is important to me, it's as important as the work I do and

THERE will be spooky goings on when the Bromsgrove Junior Chamber stages Hallowe'en II -- The Dinner. The group is staging the event next Friday, October 27, at The Hilton Hotel, Birmingham Road. Fiendish fancy dress is essential for the evening, which

NEEDY home-seekers in Stratford could be robbed of a roof over their head because of a planning loophole that allows some developments without social housing provision. Coun Peter Moorse wants to close the hole, which says only developments of 15 homes

A TRIP down under has brought an Australian flavour to pumpkins this year. Shipston resident David Goodenough went to the land of barbecues last year and sa w almost every restaurant had pumpkin soup and other pumpkin dishes on its menu. Inquiries revealed

STRATFORD MP John Maples swapped life in the Commons for a life outdoors last week when he helped youngsters at Brailes Primary School create their outdoor learning area. He planted a tree to mark the completion of stage one of the area which is designed

A VOLUNTEER group working to create a nature reserve on a popular Stratford beauty spot has welcomed plans to buy land owned by a housing developer, which stands nearby. District councillors Jill Dill-Russell and Bill Lowe said this week they were going

CHIPPING Norton charity Volunteer Connection is calling for public support in a desperate SOS bid to ensure its future. The charity helps hundreds of elderly and disabled residents in and around Chippy by finding volunteers to help with tasks such as

Blockley Ladies 3, Gloucester III 2 THIS was never going to be an easy game on a sticky surface at Blockley and both sides took time to adjust. The home side found their feet first and put pressure on the Gloucester defence. Kerry Cassey found the net

Stratford Athletics Club THE recent weather has taken its toll on the off-road athletics events which take place during the winter months. The Bells of Pattingham multi-terrain event near Bridgnorth was held in very wet and muddy conditions, made worse

ALL the knock-out events in the 2000 parish games are progressing well and have now reached at least the quarter-final stage with mixed fortunes for last year's winners. Neither Bretforton nor Bredon are through to the semi-finals in the crib, both having

Evesham Ladies 3 Bromsgrove Ladies II 2 IN the third league game of the season Evesham continued to improve their tactics and were rewarded with another win. In the first half, play was evenly matched, but after a lucky break Vanessa Dufty scored a skilful

Warwick University III 8 Evesham III 2 EVESHAM travelled in their second match of the new DTZ West Midlands Premier league season to take on a strong Warwick University side, and were given a comprehensive lesson in attacking hockey. Starting off strongly

Stratford 1st XI 0, Hinckley 0 Stratford's second league game of the season was away to Hinckley. Hinckley are newly-promoted to this league, but any ideas that they were going to provide easy opposition was soon dispelled. This was a hard fought match

Pershore 4 Yardley 1 Pershore opened their DTZ League home programme with a convincing win over a potentially difficult Yardley side which witnessed a hat-trick from Chris Smith and encouraging displays from new players Paul Adams and Alex Longhi. The

LEE Perry was able to put the disappointments of South Africa behind him when he bagged a very creditable fourth place at the Biathle International & National Championships at Weymouth. Lee, who comes from Evesham, had a disappointing world championships

PUPILS at St David's School in Moreton have gone skipping mad. The youngsters raised a massive £1,400 for the British Heart Foundation earlier this year through their Jumprope for Heart event, skipping their sponsored way to fitness and some tidy takings

THERE could be chaos in Stow next week when gipsies arrive for their annual October fair. Some are already camped on verges and lay-bys around the north Cotswolds in preparation for next week's fair on October 26, but there are now fears that the event

TRAFFIC issues in Bourton will be top of the agenda next month with parish councillors demanding more traffic lights and action on speeding. Representatives from the police and Gloucestershire County Council highways department are being invited to come

A CALL for a top level meeting in Wyre Forest over social service economies has been made amid anger over a county spending crisis. Warning the aged will suffer most, district councillor Fran Oborski has urged Worcestershire County Council to meet with

THERE was a delicious irony in the Premiership clubs' threat to breakaway from the Rugby Football Union last week. The 12 sides decided enough was enough and they would give the RFU a couple of days to implement Rob Andrew's plan or they would take their

A CATERING assistant is today cooking up plans to spend nearly £100,000 she scooped playing bingo. The 63-year-old grandmother's lucky numbers came up during a game at the Gala Club in Foregate Street and she won £97,000. Gala assistant manager, Valerie

A gang burst into a Pershore man's home and robbed him at knifepoint of cash and a mobile phone, a court heard. Raphael King, aged 26, said he was petrified because he knew Haydyn Juliff, one of the robbers, had been to prison for a stabbing. He described

MOURNERS were expected to pack a Bromsgrove church today for the funeral of a man who died after helping others in the community. Michael Cooper was killed last week, when his car was in collision with a lorry at Holt Heath, near Worcester. The 64-year-old

DONALD the duck had Worcester firefighters in a flap when he went quackers in the city's Lychgate Shopping Centre. Shoppers had their feathers ruffled when they spotted the stray duck in the city precinct early yesterday. But the mallard knew he was top

A COUPLE from Kidderminster have proved they have more than one string to their bow by starring in a television programme about their Oriental introduction service. Lawrence and Thapanee Lynch, who run Strings Music/Lawrence Lynch Violins shop in Blackwell

A COUPLE who work in Stourport are thanking their eight-year-old daughter for choosing the lucky numbers which scooped them more than £145,000 on the National Lottery. Alan and Louise Watkins were stunned when they realised five numbers and the bonus

THEY have the children, the dog and the evil Bill Sykes and now the Stratford Operatic Society is ready to wow the crowds with its performance of the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! Oliver! starts a run at the Swan Theatre tonight (Thursday) as part of the

OCTOBER 26: Bourton House Garden, Bourton-on-the-Hill, near Moreton, 10am to 5pm, plants and teas. Topiary, knot garden, water features, potager, late season interest. Open in aid of the National Gardens Scheme.

A GERMAN soldier who was held as a prisoner of war in Droitwich revisited the camp for the first time in fifty years -- thanks to a Spa historian. Josef Nohlen, aged 75, of Koeln, was imprisoned in Britain from 1946 to 1948 and spent more than a year

OVER the years, the Evening News has documented the rapidly changing face of rural life in Worcestershire. We have reflected the decline in traditional rural industries and the development of our villages as commuter dormitories. Village schools have

WORK in the world of provincial newspapers does not reap immense financial rewards. Yes, I realise this may come as a bit of a surprise to some of you, yet it's a cross I have always borne. So no tears, please. Behave. But as long as it keeps dear old

THURSDAY: Kidderminster: Zanzibar - Cheeky Monkey. Birmingham:Ronnie Scott's - Colin Vearncombe. Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - Walter Trout. Wulfrun - Eliza Carthy Band. Worcester: Huntingdon Hall - Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen. Brierley Hill: Robin R'n'B

IRISH eyes are certainly smiling on Kidderminster snooker ace Terry Murphy. The 28-year-old has been handed a place in the last 16 of the prestigious Telford Grand Prix - and a pay-day of nearly £5,000 - after opponent Anthony Hamilton pulled out of the

MATT Vaux-Harvey has won a place in the British team for the World Half-Marathon Championships in Mexico on November 12. The 24-year-old Stourport Athletic Club runner finished the Bristol half-marathon in one hour four minutes and 28 seconds, gaining

ZOE Chamberlain won two individual races and was part of two winning relay squads, helping Wyre Forest Swimming Club B to second place in Division Three in the first round of the Speedo League on Saturday. The A team were third in Division Two and achieved

JIM'S Gym, who lie second in Division One of the Kidderminster Table Tennis League, were in unstoppable form and beat Harriers D 10-0. In Division Three, Sea Scouts featured in two matches with 10-0 scorelines. The A team beat Franche MS C 10-0 but the

LAST year's runners-up Franche D put early leaders Snooks D in their place when they beat them 5-0 to take over top spot in Division One of the Kidderminster and District Monday Snooker League. Blakedown, returning to Division One after a year's absence

KIDDERMINSTER Hockey Club were the victims of a comeback when they were beaten 2-1 at Sutton Coldfield in the DTZ Debenham Thorpe League on Saturday. The town side promoted Norman Lamb to the first team due to a shortage of goalkeepers and things appeared

REDDITCH Rugby Club are considering their Midlands Four West South future after being plunged to the foot of the table after four matches. The injury-ravaged side were left the only team in the division without any points after losing 12-8 to fellow strugglers

ALCESTER RFC could be set to take the controversial decision not to ban Mark Kilbride after a controversial red card in Saturday's last-gasp 23-22 loss to Manor Park. Kilbride was given his marching orders after taking a swing at the home skipper but

DARLINGTON manager Gary Bennett has joined in the row following Kidderminster Harriers' ill-tempered Nationwide League Division Three clash with The Quakers on Tuesday. He has accused Harriers chief Jan Molby of being a "disgrace" and inciting the home

A COLLISION in which a car overturned was caused by deliberate bad driving, the prosecution alleged in court at Kidderminster. Renato Gualano, 27, of Masefield Gardens, Kidderminster, elected to be tried by a crown court jury on a charge of dangerous

A MAN from Kidderminster has blasted the "worthless scum" who trampled across the roof of his car in the town at the weekend. Archie Greer, of Bruce Road, said he and wife Gail were staggered when they returned to their vehicle in Franchise Street at

A WEST Mercia policeman has been cleared of involvement in a New Year's Eve pub fracas. The trial of 40-year-old Stephen Taylor was halted part way through the prosecution case at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Mark Worsley, prosecuting, said he would offer

A ROOFER has failed in a court bid to have a five-year driving ban lifted. Kidderminster magistrates told Stephen Jackson, 40, that his record prevented them removing the disqualification imposed in 1997. Jackson, of Sion Avenue, Kidderminster, had been

A PRISONER serving 18 months for attempted burglary was given another two months, to run concurrently, when he appeared before Kidderminster magistrates. Simon Lander, 21, of Burlish Crossing, Stourport, admitted taking a strimmer from a shed in Inn Lane

I THINK Bidford-on-Avon Health Centre's operation 'flu jab was absolutely marvellous. Patients had no need to heed the government's ad recommending we phone to make an appointment for one, as all patients over a certain age and some younger ones with

THE District Council is to be congratulated for its imaginative proposals for the new development of the brown field site created by Gordon Russell's move to pastures new. Unfortunately the 25% 'affordable' housing clause reported at the parish council

NEARLY £4,000 worth of equipment was stolen in a night raid on a Kidderminster company. Burglars at Transport & Plants Services, Worcester Road, took a range of power tools from a container in a yard including en electric sander and Bosch air-gun.

I READ with great sadness the news that the Regal Cinema in Port Street, Evesham, is to be offered up for sale. I try to go to the cinema there as much as possible and have done so for much of my life. True - it isn't the most up to date cinema in the

CAR owners in Kidderminster have been warned to be extra vigilant after a spate of petrol thefts. Sub-officer Mick Rowlands, of Kidderminster Fire Station, said thieves were regularly targeting vehicles in car parks, removing their petrol pipes and draining

Stratford Town 3 Stourbridge 2 Stratford started brightly and created a few half chances, but Stourbridge looked dangerous on the break, especially Michael Moore. After 12 minutes Stratford took the lead when Craig Martin found Leon Woodley who cut into

Malvern Wanderers 2 Vale Youth 4 Vale's unbeaten start to the season continued at Malvern despite falling behind to a free kick after ten minutes. New signing Jimmy Phelps equalised within five minutes, then two goals from Chris Aston and a second from

Evesham United 1 Atherstone United 1 SAM Bowen's 12th goal of the season saw Evesham United share the points in a 1-1 draw at home to Atherstone United in the Dr Martens Western division. With five players unavailable, Phil Mullen swooped the previous

HEALTH Watch is a free-standing community-based charity without affiliation to any other body, political or otherwise. Health Watch has been established to produce high quality, unbiased evidence about the effects of the changes in health care locally

WITH reference to the lack of response by young people to volunteer for the police cadets scheme. In July last year I had the privilege, as Mayor of Bewdley, to attend the passing out parade at Kidderminster Police Station. I spoke to several of the cadets

EMPLOYEES at Wood Norton Hall and Conference Centre have been told the BBC facility is up for sale but that their jobs are safe. The 120-strong staff were told two weeks ago of the BBC's intention to sell the prestigious top class hotel and conference

STOURPORT Swifts produced a spirited display before bowing out of the FA Cup when they lost 3-1 to non-league giants Enfield in a third qualifying round tie at Boreham Wood on Sunday. The Midland Alliance side never really got into their stride but created

IT COSTS £12.50 a minute to keep one of the county's air ambulances operating. Scarcely a week goes by without the flying rescue team being called to an incident in the Vale. The familiar red-liveried helicopters have been called out to road accidents

A THRILLING battle in the Kidderminster Hospital Saturday Junior Cup saw Cookley Social edge to an 8-7 victory over Kinver in a first-round tie. There were several tight matches in the Kidderminster Hospital Sunday Minor Cup, Waggon and Horses beating

PERSHORE MP Sir Michael Spicer says he will be keeping a close eye on efforts to extend social and recreational provision for young people in the town. The MP visited the Under-18 Drop In Centre last Thursday evening to meet the staff and the young people

STEVEN Mares netted a hat-trick as Bewdley Town swept to the top of the Banks's Brewery League Division One South with a 7-0 victory over Mahal. This result takes Bewdley to the top of the league, with five straight wins. Bewdley were well on the way

A NEW era in the collection of household rubbish is on the horizon for Wychavon residents. The district council's refuse contractor, FOCSA, has 11 new high-tech vehicles decked out with the council's logo and website address. For the first time, nine

WYRE Forest bowed out of the Kidderminster Hospital Cup when they went down 3-2 away to holders Ludlow Colts on Saturday. Ludlow were two up inside 25 minutes, but Forest fought back to level the scores, with two strikes by Andy Oakes, the second from

BARBARIANS were the highest scorers of the week in the Wyre Forest Glades Six-a-side Football League when they beat KRCS 5-0. Results: Hire It 0, Ocean Designs 1; Stourport Town 2, RJC 2; Franche Boys 0, Spot Kick Rovers 2; Diviate 1, Oldington United

EVESHAM and Warwickshire Colleges are to share in the cash injections aimed at improving the skills of people in the West Midlands. The grants from Advantage West Midlands, the Regional Development Agency, include £200,00 for Evesham College and partners

PUPILS enjoy attending Pebworth First School and achieve high standards in all subjects according to schools inspectors. A team from Ofsted visited the school in July and recently released its report which confirms the school offers a good quality of

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians have been drawn away to Old Laurentians in the third round of the NPI Cup on Saturday, November 4. The Warwickshire side are in Midlands Two West, one division above KCs. They have won all four of their league games, scoring 115

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians Rugby Club suffered their second heavy defeat in Midlands Three West (North) when they went down 35-14 to Old Yard-leians at Marlpool Lane on Saturday. KCs were up with their opponents for much of the game but the visitors took

A 14-6 defeat at Southam put paid to Cleobury Mortimer Rugby Club's unbeaten sequence in Midlands Division Four West (South). The villagers were unable to produce the kind of form that had seen them record three successive victories to set the early pace

WORCESTER Rowing Club's veteran oarsmen are flying to America to tackle the Head of the Charles river race in Boston on Sunday. In front of a TV audience of millions, three eights of veterans will battle crews from all over the world along the famous

DANEHURST can bridge the gap between an all-weather novice stakes and a Group Three event on turf by taking the rearranged £25,000 Vodafone Cornwallis Stakes at Newbury tomorrow. She showed that she was a cut above the ordinary competitor on Fibresand

THE Severn Valley Railway proved just the ticket for television programme-makers when the BBC's Watchdog programme was broadcast live from Kidderminster station. The consumer show, which went out on Friday, picked the railway as a location because it

RESIDENTS who overfill wheelie bins have been rebuked for thoughtless behaviour after jagged glass was seen sticking out from under a lid. Wyre Forest District Council leaders launched an appeal for more consideration by the public because of what they

AE:pc@nqmids.co.uk:Pauline Clark A CHILLING picture of German tanks rumbling through familiar Wyre Forest streets is conjured in a rare book acquired by an historian. Cleobury Mortimer Bookshop owner Dr Mark Baldwin is treasuring the first item in what

THE number of old folk living in half-empty houses but with nowhere better to go is worrying country dwellers. Councillors at Upper Arley have lodged a plea with planners to be more aware of the need for suitable homes for the elderly within the area

THE countdown has begun to the big switch-on of the Christmas lights and parade in Stourport. And town folk are being urged to play their part in making sure next month's spectacular goes with a bang. The illumination of the town centre streets is again

CHRISTMAS has come early for a farmer from Rock who scooped the runners-up spot in his first attempt at entering a national event. Andrew Nott's Norway spruce Christmas tree was awarded second place in the British Christmas Tree Growers Association competition

100 Years Ago October 20, 1900 STRATFORD: The Mop - Serious Stabbing - Extraordinary Shooting Affair. Shooting galleries were placed in front of some of the roundabouts and a bullet hit a young man on one of the rides. He was not dangerously injured and

100 Years Ago October 20, 1900 CAMPDEN: Campden Rural District Council - The medical officer of health reported that during the month he received notification of infectious disease, a case of imported typhoid fever at Campden. 75 years ago October 17,

A 'GREEN' tax could land Severn Valley Railway, with an additional annual bill of £25,000 for coal. The extra cost could affect the railway company's ability to re-invest its profits in the business, it is feared, prompting an MP to take up the matter

THE annual general meeting of Bretforton Cricket Club takes place at the sports club on Sunday. Business is scheduled to start at 6pm and all members are requested to attend.

THE onset of winter may see the temperatures cooling but the Everyman Theatre, in Cheltenham, promises to keep us warm with a huge variety of hot shows. Already proving popular is Why Me? starring Colin Baker and Jean Boht, and The 39 Steps, with Simon

BIOGRAPHER, broadcaster and raconteur Sheridan Morley will be joined by pianist Michael Law for an irreverent celebration of the song lyric as part of Cheltenham Festival of Literature tomorrow (Friday). People can join the duo for a sparkling evening

Trumpet treat PERSHORE Abbey should echo to sounding brass on Saturday when young musician Simon Jones performs Haydn's Trumpet Concerto. Also ringing out will be the strains of Weber's Der Freischtz Overture, the Plleas and Mlisande Suite from Faur and

FIRSTLY I'd like to apologise to the supporters for the shambles they saw at Sixways on Saturday -- I would have bought each and every one of them a pint if I could have. Worcester beat Wakefield 22-3 but I was absolutely shattered by the performance

Bishampton Tiddlers: A jumble sale has been planned for November 4th, from 2-4pm, at the Villages' Hall. Proceeds to the village hall funds. Children's photographs: Mums are reminded that the photographer will be at the Villages' Hall on November 14,

FRIDAY CLUB: Tomorrow (Friday) Mornee Button is due to give an illustrated talk on Salmondsbury Meadows. The meeting starts at 3pm, in the Royal British Legion Hall. CRAFT FAIR: On Saturday and Sunday, there will be a craft fair in the village hall at

CAMERA CLUB: Mr J Farley and Mrs Farley were welcomed to the club last Friday. Tthey have been regular contributors to our entertainment for many years, and last week was no exception to their usual interesting programmes. They showed more than 600 slides

SOCIETY AGM: The Chipping Norton Society will be holding its AGM next Tuesday, in the White Hart Hotel, starting at 7.30pm. Along with the business of electing the officers of the society, the meeting will also be reporting on some of the projects that

CSRF: Mrs Anne Innis, chairman, opened the meeting and told members of the change of dates from the second to the third Tuesday in February, when the speaker will be Reuben Lynch, toastmaster. She mentioned about the bring and buy in November and the

PARISH COUNCIL: The chairman, Councillor Marshall, declared an open meeting due to the number of residents from the parish who attended. The residents, mainly from Upper Moor, wished to air their views on the proposed resubmitted planning application

SCHOOL FAIR: The autumn school fair was held at Mickleton Primary School with all the usual stalls and attractions and £803.94 was raised for general school funds.

WEDNESDAY CLUB: The posters announcing the October meeting had asked "Do you remember Children's Hour?" Indeed, we did. For a happy hour, under the guidance of Gillian Andrews, we revisited Toytown and Wurzel Gummidge, met Uncle Mac, sang the Ovaltineys

OPEN FELLOWSHIP: Tonight (Thursday), another of the open fellowship evenings takes place at the Methodist Chapel in Nether Westcote. Entitled Jesus in the Feasts of Israel, the evening will be led by Sue Barnes. Starts at 7.30pm with coffee at 8.30pm.

GARDENING CLUB: Held late in the year, the trestle tables had no need to groan under the weight of vegetables and flowers, but the largest sunflower must have arrived either by removal van or carried over ones shoulder with a red flag hanging from its

THE hard-pressed farming community is to receive a huge boost thanks to the launch of a funded training project by a Warwickshire College partnership. Access to a wide range of subsidised courses is available to farmers, farm workers and small businesses

SKATEBOARDING on pavements and in car parks could become a thing of the past with the opening today of the first indoor centre for the sport in Worcestershire. Businesswoman Jane Belmonte is celebrating reaching the target date for opening the Roll N'

A MAJOR retail development in Kidderminster has come under fire from town heritage supporters who have dubbed it "shed city". The broadside against Crossley Park came from Kidderminster Civic Society in its response to Wyre Forest District Council's Local

SHOPPERS at a popular Kidderminster supermarket have faced traffic snarl-ups due to extra visitors to a new multi-million pound development. Visitors to Sainsbury's on the Crossley Retail Park have witnessed worsening delays caused by an influx of people

REDDITCH Hockey Club changed formations to win a morale-boosting 2-2 draw against Kingswinford. The higher-league visitors started with a goal in the first minute but the hosts, playing a new-look 4-3-3, held out and Tom Hiles bagged a brace. Redditch

Rose, Kidderminster - Sand Castles until Saturday. Gala Evening Sunday. Vita & Virginia Tuesday. Alexandra, Birmingham - Annie until November 11. Lonestar Sunday. Swan, Worcester - Rumble Fish until Saturday. Malvern Theatres - Peggy For You until

Southern Counties North League Grove 16 Chipping Norton 17 Chippy were slow to start and Grove capitalized on this scoring 13 points to Chippy's three in the first 20 minutes. Grove's big second row did most of the damage popping up at outside center.

Witney 20, Stow 18 STOW'S poor start to the season continued last Saturday with defeat to newly-promoted Witney. At the start the signs for the visitors were very encouraging with the home side barely touching the ball in the first ten minutes. Stow retained

A GROUP of Alcester fencing stars followed up success in the national under 15 Team Sabre contest with a good showing in more senior events. Brothers David, 15, and Richard and Thomas Brenda, both 14, competed in the under 17 and under 20 sabre championships

THE Ambassador of Bosnia-Hercegovina visited Kidderminster to say thank-you on behalf of his people for the aid they have received from Wyre Forest residents. Osman Topcagic toured Brintons Carpets and attended two receptions at Kidderminster Town Hall

Stratford U-16 13, Bromsgrove U-16 26 Bromsgrove applied early pressure to a depleted Stratford team, however good defensive play by Stratford led to a penalty being converted by Simon Brain. Soon after, the home side were awarded a midfield penalty and

Pershore IV 15, Camphill IV 25 BOTH sides produced a surprisingly high standard of rugby considering the conditions with standing water in several places on the playing surface. The home side were under pressure from early on when captain Geoff Buckard

A STUDLEY man who triumphed in a national bowls competition at the eighth time of asking looks set to be denied the chance to defend his crown. Phil Green lifted the Police Athletic Association National Flat Green Bowls Singles Championship at Derby after

OLD LEAMINGTONIANS 32, EVESHAM 17 Evesham failed to produce the same type of performance as the previous week away at Old Leamingtonians. Evesham were soon trailing to an Old Leamingtonians penalty, but managed to stop the home side's best try scoring

MOURNERS were expected to pack a Bromsgrove church today for the funeral of a man who died after helping others in the community. Michael Cooper was killed last week, when his car was in collision with a lorry at Holt Heath, near Worcester. The 64-year-old

Evesham and District Disabled and Angling Club and Partnerships THE autumnal weather failed to dampen the spirits of the 11 members on Sunday when they visited Lemington Lakes in Moreton. The winner this week was Elliot Canning who had a creditable weight

BEFORE all final decisions are made for the Lottery, would it not be a good idea if a certain proportion of the profits were allocated to the NHS? PETER ALCOCK, Upton Snodsbury.

CANNABIS is very much in the news these days. This reminds me of a story I heard years ago - that servicemen regularly smoked the drug during the Malayan Emergency. Is this true? JIM STOTE, Worcester.

DOES anyone know why two effigies of knights in the Cathedral have their legs crossed? The information desk made reference to them having served in the Crusades - but what would that have to do with the position of their legs? It was great to renew acquaintance

SUMMER has not quite ended - or at least not at Kidderminster's Rose Theatre. The Broadwaters venue is keeping summer alive by offering a brand new play to town audiences. Sandcastles, written by Bob Larbey of television's The Good Life and As Time Goes

SEVENTIES tribute band Fools Gold take centre stage at Yates's Wine Lodge in Kidderminster next week. The five-piece male group have been together for eight years and will perform a series of favourite hits from the era including songs by the Bee Gees

A THEATRE group needs a woman to come to the rescue and take to the boards by playing a major part in their next production. Members of Wyre Forest's Acting for Charity Theatre, which has donated thousands of pounds from performances to various county

A WYRE Forest school is establishing cyber links with others across the Continent through European Union educational projects. Wolverley High School has gone online with an internet magazine - Europe Target - sponsored by EU educational institutions Comenius

PP:44sport.jpg:Tasmin Clayton. WHETHER it is putting a spring in their step by trampolining or taking the plunge to go swimming, Wyre Forest youngsters should not find themselves bored during the autumn half-term. Energetic children can make the most

STUDLEY BKL boss Mark Chambers has added former Redditch and Moor Green midfielder James Cope to his squad. Cope came off the bench in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Massey Ferguson after joining from Stourbridge. But the newboy is looking for match fitness

ALVECHURCH manager Mick Preece has lured old boy Matt Pugh back to Lye Meadow. The Redditch United defender rejoined his former team-mates after moving to The Valley in the close season. He was unable to train twice a week for United and left the club

Sutton Tn 0 Alvechurch 1 At 0-0 the scoreline reflected the balance of play and merits of both sides. Alvechurch had Dave Inman to thank for their clean sheet, particularly in the closing stages when he rallied to shore up an ailing defence in the face

Studley BKL 0 Massey Ferguson 0 THE Bees spent a frustrating 90 minutes trying to overcome a new look Massey side. The visitors created little in front of goal, content to stifle the midfield and allow few chances for BKL's forwards. Kevin Rowlands fired

CAMPAIGNERS may have lost the battle to keep Tysoe Fire Station, but its memory lives on in a new book. The long saga of the station's threatened future and the forceful campaigns by residents to save it, made the headlines throughout the 1990s. Despite

IF the traditional image of a painter's life is of isolation in a garret with only an easel for company, it does not fit with Colin Simmonds, of Kidderminster. Mr Simmonds is a well-known personality in Wyre Forest and he will not have to rely on posterity

CRIME in Stratford is on its way down, said Stratford police this week, just hours before the Government revealed that burglaries, violence and thefts are dropping right across the nation. Insp Chris Ward said on Monday that, despite a violence-filled

A MAN suffered a heart attack yesterday morning (Thursday) after he arrived at the scene of an Offenham road accident in which his grand-daughter was hurt. His relative, a young woman, suffered head injuries and was trapped in her Peugeot 306 following

THE gag on Stratford's Guild Chapel bells at night-time has stirred up resentment among locals who miss the hourly peals during darkness. The chimes are switched off between midnight and 7am to help residents and guests at the nearby Stratheden hotel

CELEBRITY chef Tony Tobin brought his own version of popular TV show Ready, Steady Cook! to Stratford College to help celebrate the opening of student kitchens. Mr Tobin, a former student at Stratford, lead young chefs from the college in a cook-off against

Bourton Roadrunners BOURTON Roadrunners excelled themselves at the Midland Road Safety championships by entering two ladies' teams and one men's team, it would have been two men's teams if several members had not been injured. The men's A team was hastily

Stratford Swimming Club STRATFORD Swimming Club's senior team had a tough introduction to the second division of the Speedo League on Saturday, but emerged with credit following a whole host of fine individual and team performances. In their first outing