KIDDERMINSTER could enjoy a share of a new £59 million boost to the West Midlands economy, a key Government leader has forecast. Hours after announcing a further massive injection into the Rover Task Force fund, Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers
East Glos 1, Bretforton U-15 1 BRETFORTON travelled to Saint Edwards on Sunday morning for a friendly match. Bretforton had the better of the early exchanges, with the midfield passing and moving well and they opened the scoring, following a fine run
THE prestigious Three Counties Show will go ahead in June despite the escalating foot-and-mouth crisis it was announced today. The traditional livestock classes have been excluded from the Malvern event, but show classes for horses, poultry, rabbits and
A 21-YEAR-old driver overtook a line of traffic in his mother's sports car as he trailed a fire engine racing to an emergency call. Worcester magistrates were told how a fire crew was called to a road accident last November and travelled along the A449
NIGHT owls will be able to spend an evening out in Worcester and travel home by train with the launch of a new late-night service. City MP Mike Foster was celebrating today after his appeal for an extra service between Worcester and Moreton-in-Marsh was
MORE than 20 birds may have been condemned to a lingering death after a break-in at a Worcester garden centre. The owner of St Peter's Garden Centre believes opportunist thieves were to blame for the disappearance of 22 birds overnight on Sunday. Someone
A MAN has been cleared of stabbing his disabled flatmate in the back and wrist. John Coles claimed he fell asleep after drinking five pints of lager and taking painkillers for a soccer injury. But 26-year-old Colin Dimmock complained to police that he
A MARTIAL arts expert from Kidderminster has conjured up a career change after being accepted into one of the world's most secretive societies.Don Fascione Don Fascione, 55, pulled more than a rabbit out of the hat by becoming only the second town magician
THE last district postmaster, known for his love of wild plants and animals, will be buried today in a "back to nature" ceremony. Ken Edmondson, a committed vegetarian and environmentalist who died last Thursday, is to be buried in a bio-degradable coffin
THIS year's Kidder-minster Mayor's Ball is facing cancellation for the second time in four years due to poor ticket sales. Only 30 have been sold for the traditional gala on Friday, March 30 and Mayor Nigel Knowles has called on people to support the
A SUCCESSFUL six-a-side football league is under threat following a district council decision to close popular sporting facilities. Kidderminster's only astroturf pitches - at King Charles I High School - will be closed to the public from April 1. Paul
A "SHOP while we drop" call in town raised £1,500 for charity and had shoppers stopped in the street with their hearts in the mouths.Venture Scout Tom Lane More than 20 young Scouts happily agreed to be roped in to an abseil from the roof of a Kidderminster
PIG farmers who have to slaughter their own stock for animal welfare reasons will be able to claim compensation after their MP stepped in. Hereford MP Paul Keetch has intervened with MAFF to help Paul and Sue Snell, from Pencoyd, South Herefordshire.
THE foot-and-mouth crisis will not peak until May at the earliest, just when Tony Blair appears likely to hold the General Election, a leading disease expert has warned. Professor Roy Anderson, the epidemiologist called in by MAFF to prepare projections
SHOPS, pubs and libraries have been approached by the National Farmers' Union to help them say "thank you" to the public. Businesses across Britain are being asked to display posters printed by the NFU that express farmers' gratitude to the public for
AN award-winning cheesemaker could run out of cheese for its Christmas market because it cannot use its own milk. Colin Anstey, of Ansteys of Worcester, says that their farm's location within an infected area meant they had to pasteurise milk from their
IT was only four weeks ago when the first case of foot-and-mouth was reported. Just four weeks, but it seems like a lifetime. Since then the Government has won many plaudits for the way it has handled the outbreak, seeming to be in touch and in tune with
PILES of litter on a Redditch housing estate have provoked the council into action. Three litter pickers have been arranged by the council to clean up the Abbeydale housing estate in a blitz on Monday. Townsfolk on the estate have started a petition to
l TONIGHT: Worcester: Huntingdon Hall - King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys. Birmingham: Ronnie Scott's - Into The Music Special. Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - Gunz 'n' Rozes. Brierley Hill: Robin R'n'B - John Wetton Band. l TOMORROW: Kidderminster:
PEOPLE with learning difficulties are hoping Wyre Forest firms will dig deep to help them take part in a ground-breaking project. Users of the Stourport-based Beacon Employment charity are set to build a garden which will be on display at the Royal Horticultural
PERFORMING arts students at NEW College are putting the finishing touches to a specially adapted version of Macbeth. The production, to be performed at the drama studio from Tuesday, March 27 until Thursday, March 29, promises a new perspective on the
A BEOLEY woman has been forced to use the treadmill at the gym to train for a charity walk because of foot and mouth. Ellie Meaking, of Wapping Lane, is preparing to tackle the challenging Great Wall of China and leaves for the Far East on September 30
THE Pakistani community is forging well ahead with its fund-raising for a new mosque and community skills centre, having collected about £150,000. The Redditch Pakistan Community Forum is also gaining support in high places, as MEP Liz Lynne dropped in
WEST Mercia Police band, which consists of officers from Redditch, has proved its musical mastery after coming third in the Regional Brass Band contest in Burton on Trent earlier this month. It was the first time the band had entered a contest and their
Plans to hold a farmers' market in Redditch town centre on Saturday have been scrapped due to the foot and mouth crisis. Town centre manager Jane Muckle said the situation would be reviewed in April after further talks with the Ministry for Agriculture
A DISABLED man who had been on invalidity benefit for 10 years was found to have heroin worth £3,000 in his possession. Police swooped on Paul Ashcroft's home in Ismere Way, Kidderminster, and seized the hoard along with seven growing cannabis plants.
STUDLEY villagers are taking a step back in time after forming their own history group aimed at recording the village's past, writes Julian Seva. The Studley Local History Group will hold its first public meeting in May and organisers are urging as many
A BARRISTER gave a judge a list of 10 text messages he claimed were phoned by a woman to a man who attacked her. Timothy Gough caused bruising to Susan Hardiman's finger and wrist and pulled out some of her hair, defence counsel Terry Munyard told Worcester
A charge against a Kidderminster woman of wounding with a glass in a nightclub has been sent by magistrates for trial at crown court. Pauline Harley, 36, of Wood Street, is accused of wounding Sharon Pitman, int-ending to cause her grievous bodily harm
A CHARGE of robbing the Britannia Building Society, Vicar Street, of £1,000 last November has been sent for crown court trial. Stuart Dixon, 25, of Chester Road South, Kidderminster, is also charged with attempting to rob the Crown Post Office in the
AN allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice has been sent for trial at Worcester Crown Court. Jonathan Phipps, 50, of Honeybrook Terrace, Franche, Kidderminster, is accused of trying to procure forged alterations to a letter to use as
THE Conservative support for the Save the Hospital Campaign would be laughable if it wasn't so sickening. The rot started to set in at the hospital years ago under the governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major, when hospital budgets were continually
A RECENT report on the Radio 4 "Today" programme told us that the Advertising Standards Authority will not process complaints about party political advertising because "political parties are under no obligation to be honest or truthful". What a relief
EVESHAM United have been expelled from the Birmingham County Senior Cup competition after missing the deadline set to play their third round tie against West Bromwich Albion. All fixtures should have been completed by January 13 but United were given
Kempsey 3, Littleton 5 THERE was an amazing finish to Saturday's Baylis Cup semi-final as Littleton snatched victory from the jaws of defeat! With just two minutes left on the watch Littleton were losing 3-2 and seemingly on their way out. However, three
I AM the father of three children, all under eight, the youngest being nearly two. On Saturday, March 10 my wife and I decided we would take our family swimming at the Forest Glades Leisure Centre. Unfortunately, when we arrived at the pool we were turned
EVESHAM WMC are in grave danger of suffering relegation from the top flight of the Evesham Sunday League. The fall from grace of one of the league's strongest sides over the past years was compounded last weekend when they crashed 5-1 at home to Bredon
Bishampton 1, Perrywood 0 ONE goal was enough to give Bishampton a hard earned victory in a highly entertaining game. The home team almost took a fourth minute lead following a mistake. Greg Mason ran through only to tamely shoot at Craig Gourley in the
WHILE my heart goes out to each and every farmer in the country, I do feel that Wyre Forest District Council are being over officious in closing down all public footpaths and bridleways in the area. In many cases there is no sign of any livestock, nor
THE reward for winning the County Cup was a place in the National Under-16 Schools Trophy and Prince Henry's were again successful as they moved into the last 32. However, a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Burleigh Community College (Leics) ended their quest
I LIVE close to the open fields bounded by Habberley Road and Habberley Lane, Kidderminster. As a dog owner, in the past I have regularly walked the edges of these fields as well as the adjoining tarmac footpaths. But with the advent of "foot and mouth
LAST week unemployment dropped below a million for the first time since 1975, a major milestone which went largely unnoticed because we are now used to the economy performing well in Britain. The number of unemployed claiming benefit has dropped by over
LITTLE sweeties at a town nursery have made tasty treats for their mums to mark Mothering Sunday. Pupils from Valley Nursery, in Cockshute Hill, have whipped up chocolate coated peppermint creams and cluster cakes to give to their mums this Sunday. A
WORCESTER City Football Club are now almost £600,000 in the red. The club lost nearly £120,000 over the last two years, bringing its total accumulated deficit to £574,811. But they remain hopeful of moving to a new ground and selling their St George's
ENGLAND begin the final leg of their international winter schedule tomorrow with their one-day specialists now fully aware of the demands and difficulties of playing high-intensity cricket in Sri Lanka. Although the five newcomers who flew in for the
UPTON Rugby Club have issued a plea for former players to get in touch for a re-union weekend. The North Midland One side are to celebrate their 20th anniversary on the weekend of April 20-22 with a series of events. A players' dinner is planned on April
TWO of Worcester Norton Hockey Club's ladies teams have every reason to celebrate. The third team ensured elevation to Worcestershire League Division One with promotion for the second successive season with their 5-0 victory over Kings Heath seconds and
IGNORE the draw and side with Iron Mountain at Doncaster tomorrow. Punters will be looking for clues to Saturday's Lincoln from the randombet.com Spring Mile. The best place to be drawn over the straight mile at Town Moor these days appears to be on the
A GOVERNMENT decision to increase public consultation on plans for the siting of mobile phone masts has been welcomed in Wyre Forest. Construction Minister Nick Raynsford has strengthened planning controls on masts by allowing local authorities to reject
A KIDDERMINSTER town centre pub is finally set to reopen after being boarded up for 18 months. A spokesman for owner the Punch Pub Company said The Swan opposite the town hall should be open "in the next four or five weeks" after refurbishment.
WYRE Forest District Council has been told to stop blaming others after failed bids for CCTV, a cinema and now an arts centre. Wyre Forest MP David Lock is fuming plans for an arts centre on the multi-million pound Kidderminster town centre development
FIVE firms are competing to build about 100 homes on the former Kiddermin-ster cattle market. Wyre Forest District Council has given the go-ahead for negotiations with landlords for the project at Comberton Place. Thirty per cent of the properties will
POSTAL votes have been made available to the entire electorate. Voters will no longer need an attestation from a GP or empl-oyer. It is good news for those housebound by the foot and mouth crisis but the revised system is not as a result of the outbreak
IMPROVED Wyre Forest schools have been rewarded with cash boosts of about £5,000 each. The Department for Education and Employ-ment has given School Achievement Awards, which mark improvement in pupil performance between 1997 and 2000, to 15 schools across
JETTING out to Hungary for a family re-union will be the highlight of a Kidderminster couple's golden wedding celebrations. Molly and Harry Andrews, of Cardinal Drive, Kiddermin-ster, who notch up 50 years together this Saturday will join their son, David
TIP-top Kidderminster Hospital has shone in an independent cleanliness and friendliness survey. The hospital, which was downgraded in September, scored high standards in the Government initiative to clean up Britain's hospitals. The Patient Environment
A HOSPITAL campaigner has derided health chiefs for blaming the "busy" New Year period for failing to meet bed targets. Health Concern prospective parliamentary candidate Dr Richard Taylor said Worcestershire must have been the only place in Britain with
COUNCIL workers have been urged to check on post-flood cleaning operations in Bewdley after revelations sandbags could spread disease. Residents fear there may be forgotten bags harbouring germs. Flood victims have praised Wyre Forest District Council's
A MATCHWINNING partnership between Cross and Pitcher helped Evesham Casuals record a third successive win in the Evesham Indoor League. Chasing Dumbleton's 100-5, the chasers slumped to 63-4 after an opening stand of 35 between Charlton and Steed had
WORCESTER City Football Club are now almost £600,000 in the red. The club lost nearly £120,000 over the last two years, bringing its total accumulated deficit to £574,811. But they remain hopeful of moving to a new ground and selling their St George's
JEREMY Robinson finished tied 21st in Madeira last Sunday after shooting four consistent rounds at the Island Open. However, the 35-year-old feels he should have scored better than his eight-under-par finish despite rounds of 68, 72, 69 and 71. "I played
THE Vale Golf and Country Club overcame local rivals Evesham to book a place in the third round of this year's prestigious Mail on Sunday Classic. The action took place on the Blue Course at the Fladbury links when some competitive matches resulted in
n Rose, Kidderminster - Night Must Fall Monday until March 31. n Wolverley Memorial Hall - Visiting Hour Friday & Saturday. n Alexandra, Birmingham - Polka Dot Shorts Thursday. Big Time American Wrestling Friday. Masters of the Musicals Sunday. Ken
A HOSPITAL ward is the setting for the latest play by Wolverley Amateur Stage Players. Visiting Hour, by Richard Harris, features different scenes set on the ward, "mixing the comic with the not so comic". The first scene sees a wife visiting her husband
Construction firm Thomas Vale has been shortlisted for a prestigious industry "Oscar" for its performance in 2000. Out of more than 100 companies entering the 2001 Building Awards, the Stourport company was voted by industry experts to be one of the best
EVESHAM'S hopes of picking up vital points in their bid to stave off relegation suffered another blow at Avon Street last Saturday. While relegation rivals had informed newly crowned Midlands Three West champions Stratford, that their pitch was "unsafe
Evesham IV 27 pts, Fiveways Old Edwardians 0 EAMONN Farrell's hallmark on the game is to chip and chase and this resulted in an early try converted by Phil O'Neill. Old Eds' pack was very solid but they lacked the pace and strength of Evesham's back division
HEREFORD United goalkeeper Scott Cooksey faces a race against time to play in tomorrow night's Nationwide Conference game at Leigh RMI. Cooksey is due to play for the England semi-professional team against Holland in Weert, near Eindhoven, tonight. He
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Wythall have had to cross a potentially lethal road for four months because attempts to find a lollipop person have proved fruitless. Now staff and pupils at Innisfree Primary School are desperate to find someone willing to help youngsters
I RATHER like Dan Wicksteed since he reminds me of the politics of a more gentlemanly age. He is a councillor who is deeply and seriously concerned with the education of the children of Worcestershire. So it was with some concern that I read his letter
I HAVE nothing personal against Tesco, I just feel it is much too large a store for the size of St John's. It would, therefore, attract motorists from outlying districts resulting in traffic congestion and other serious problems. They would undoubtedly
IN a recent letter, Brian Hunt speaks of the devastation of the fishing, farming and manufacturing industries and blames this on Europe. The decline of the fishing industry is due to over-fishing by several nations, including ourselves. Farming has been
AN Alcester building may be transformed to provide a meeting facility for town organisations and church groups, writes Helen Clarke. Representatives from Alcester churches are calling on groups within the town to say what they would like to be done with
RAFT race organisers have cancelled one of the most popular river events of the year in Wyre Forest to avoid last-minute disappointment. Kidderminster and District Lions Club has called off its race due on May 13 because organisers believed it would be
CRIME was the subject on everybody's minds as Alcester Library organised an awareness day for townsfolk. The event took place throughout the day last Wednesday and representatives from many organisations, including Victim Support, the fire service, Crimestoppers
THE farmer at the centre of the latest outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Chaddesley Corbett has spoken of his heartbreak over the news he has been dreading for two weeks. Sixty-five-year-old Bill Meredith, who works the 900-acre farm The Woodlands
STUDENTS from Alcester Grammar School have set off for Saumur, in Central France, as part of the sixth annual work experience exchange with Warwick's twin town. The sixth form students will be undertaking a week of work experience in cafs, bars, shops
YOUNG pupils from all over the Alcester area recently had the chance to cluster together and take part in a day of activities with an African theme. The youngsters gathered at the Greig Centre and had the chance to take part in workshops involving art
TWO weeks ago, councillors and residents got the chance to quiz Environment Agency representatives over the flood defence maintenance programme for Alcester, writes Helen Clarke. A walk was conducted around the proposed works and councillors and members
A VICAR was hoping he would not have to postpone a funeral and burial due to take place tomorrow at the village church because of the latest foot and mouth disease outbreak. The Rev John Cox, of Chaddesley Corbett, said he feared the funeral for 78-year-old
BURGLARY victims who have lost jewellery are being asked to come forward to identify stolen goods recently received by Redditch police. The haul is believed to have come from house burglaries and includes a gold locket and gold bangle. Some of the items
STAFF at a Redditch nightclub became suspicious when they saw two men dancing 'strangely' together, Worcester Crown Court was told. Delroy Bennett was touching hands with his partner and apparently passing an object over, said Mr Antonie Muller, prosecuting
ALVECHURCH'S home Challenge Cup tie against Romulus tonight (Thursday) has been called off. The match was postponed after a pitch inspection at noon. No date has been set for the clubs to try again.
MORE than £70,000 has been recovered by Redditch Council fraud investigators following the launch of a hotline in August. The revelation comes after the council introduced a phone number to call if someone was suspicious of a fraudulent benefit claim
INGENIOUS students took their ideas direct to the public and pocketed some handsome profits. The teenagers were taking part in the Young Enterprise scheme which encourages them to develop business skills by researching, manufacturing and marketing products
I AM researching my family tree and seeking information on Eli Round (born 1838) and Elijah Round(born 1836) in Dudley. They left for Australia about 1858 on the "Tradewinds". Their parents are believed to be Richard and Esther. Any information on this
SO Stephen Clee (You Say, March 14) states that "passenger comforts are now looked after meticulously". Might I respectfully suggest that following Railtrack's appalling record resulting in the death and injury suffered by passengers travelling on their
I REALISE that Worcester has a traffic problem but surely it is high time something was done about motorists parking on pavements. In the Battenhall area of the city, there are some roads that are so congested by cars that pedestrians are often forced
CAN you help me find thrill-seekers eager to conquer their fear and leap out of a plane for charity? I'm leading Mencap's search for brave locals prepared to raise the minimum sponsorship and take the plunge at a participating local parachute centre.
IT is a great shame that Alan Cook did not understand the point of the letter to which he has referred. This twisting of what was actually stated, emanating from the usual quarters, is so tediously predictable. The letter was not an attack on farmers
IT is virtually safe to say that music by composers Vladigerov and Ligeti had never been performed in Redditch until the society's March concert by two exceptional young artists, Katherine Spencer, clarinet, and Sam Haywood, piano. Opening with Debussy's
THIS year, for the third time, the St David's Day lunch was held at the Perry Hall Hotel in Bromsgrove. The dining room was full to capacity - a sign of a healthy, thriving society. President Mrs Mayrose Warner welcomed everyone. Mrs Pat Edwards said
AT the last meeting, David Worthington presented a show entitled The Garden in Spring. He brought potted plants, cuttings taken from his own garden in Birmingham and a selection of slides. A theme that he developed was how surprising it was that so many
IT has been a busy week on the local floorball scene. Cotswold Cobras have been presented with the Southern League trophy and have won the inaugural League Cup, while the Cotswold League play-offs saw Dormer House overcome Ilmington in the final. The
KNOTTS Motorcycles are on the verge of quitting the British Championship after ten successful years on the track, writes Mervyn Collins. The Stratford based company is set for one last outing at Donington Park on April 1 before deciding whether to pull
EVESHAM archer Simon Tarplee rounded off his preparations for the World Indoor tournament at Castellanza, Italy this week with a silver medal at the National Championships. The event held at RAF Cosford saw the current world compound bow bronze medallist
HEAVY overnight rain caused more postponements to last Saturday's local sporting calendar. Soccer matches involving Evesham United and Pershore Town bit the dust, while only four matches survived in the Stratford upon Avon Alliance. Rugby was also hit
WYRE Barbedwyre's Colin Green is the new Evesham Journal sponsored Lower Divisions Singles champion after beating Wyre Outcasts' Graham Fisher 21-16, 21-17 in the final at Bengeworth Church House on Sunday. Both Green, seeded one, and No 2 seed Fisher
EVESHAM moved up four places in the Women's First Division of the National League following a fine display at the Wycliffe Big Head in Gloucester. Competing on the Gloucester Canal, the J14 coxed quad of Emily Banting, Sarah Fisher, Kate Wilkinson, Liz
ONCE again the national dominance of Stratford-Upon-Avon as a sabre centre of excellence was demonstrated at a home international competition for Under-18 and Under-16s held last weekend. Forty-four teams representing England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Thursday, March 22 Into the Music Special, Ronnie Scott's, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 643 4525. The SOSage Factory: Bugsy Malone, Solihull Arts Complex. Until March 24. Tickets from 0121 704 6962. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall
WYTHALL Theatre Company swept the board at the recent Worcestershire Theatre Festival by scooping four prestigious awards. The company, which performed Jimme Chinn play Too Long an Autumn, won best play of the festival and overall winner. And Estelle
A SERIES of assaults - including an ambush-style hold-up - have left bus drivers fearing for their safety, writes Julian Seva. Three assaults were reported between March 8 and 11 and First Midland Red bosses believe the same offenders could be involved
Gloucester 1, Bretforton Ladies 2 VICTORY over their closest rivals in the Severn League increased Bretforton's lead at the top to five points. The Evesham-based side wrapped up warm for their visit to Gloucester with snow covering the ground and a 20
Bretforton Ladies 7, Chipping Campden 2 SUNDAY'S friendly fixture at Evesham saw 'Bret' sporting some new and older faces as they locked horns with their Cotswolds adversaries for the first time this term. Tina James gave Bretforton the lead before old
A LINESMAN took off his glasses and head-butted a player during a Worcester Sunday League football match. But Andrew Hill pleaded not guilty to assaulting teenager Steven Turberfield, causing him actual bodily harm, after claiming that he was simply defending
ONE of Sir Edward Elgar's greatest works is to be sold as part of a £1m project to aid young musicians. Worcestershire's most famous composer penned The Dream of Gerontius in 1900, after he was commissioned to write a piece for the Birmingham Music Festival
HARDCORE young offenders in the two counties will be tagged or watched round the clock instead of going to prison. Worcestershire and Herefordshire are among 22 areas selected for a pilot scheme targeting youngsters who have been charged or warned for
SATURDAY, MARCH 24 BANKS'S BREWERY LEAGUE Premier division: Causeway United v Malvern Town. Division One South: Chaddesley Corbett v Malvern Town Reserves. SATURDAY, MARCH 31 BANKS'S BREWERY LEAGUE Premier division: Shawbury United v Malvern Town. Division
A GIANT home improvement retailer is arriving early in Kidderminster after finding a temporary home while it builds a new multi-million pound store. Confirming a report last week's Shuttle/Times and News B&Q owner Kingfisher plc said it had bought
TROOPS have been called in to Worcestershire to help with the burning and rendering of slaughtered livestock. A reconnaissance team was due to arrive in the county today from the Green Howards Regiment, which is based in Warminster, Wiltshire. Around
PLANS to create a Chicago Rock Caf on waste ground opposite the Palace Theatre are in doubt after fears it would not be financially viable, writes Becky Procter. Building contractors Finnegan's are creating the South East Quadrant, which has seen the
A CONTROVERSIAL decision on the future of the Megabowl site in Greenlands Drive has been deferred again. Plans to convert the building into a health and fitness club looked set to be approved last week by the council's planning committee despite serious
FOLK in Stourport have been urged to get snap-happy after a poor response to a photographic competition. The closing date for the Stourport and what it means to me contest is little more than a fortnight away, but organisers Stourport Civic Society and
Organisers of this year's Stourport Carnival are appealing for new members for their committee. Carnival publicity officer Pete Roberts said new faces were much needed and extremely welcome at the annual meeting next month. It will take place at Stourport's
A LONG hot summer bathing in the river sealed the beginnings of what was to become a long and happy marriage for a Stourport couple. Frank, 73, and Betty Ryan, 72, of Pembroke Way, celebrate their golden wedding on Saturday remembering romantic days in
ARROW Valley Countryside Centre remains open despite the foot and mouth crisis. In fact, members of the Ledbury and district Age Concern Bosbury Club and Smiths Industries retirement club visited the adjoining Lake View Caf on Wednesday. The trips, billed
A REDDITCH Church has been given 2000 square metres of land in Romania to help poverty-stricken children, writes Matt Smith. The Abundant Life Church, Greenlands, was given the land after its work helping children in Romania for more than 10 years. The
TOWNSFOLK proved they had a wicked sense of humour on Friday as they got up to all sorts of antics to raise money for this year's Comic Relief appeal. Weird and wonderful costumes were in evidence as people got into the spirit of the day throughout the
WE'LL all be springing into summer when the clocks go forward this weekend. Lighter evenings will be on the horizon when the time changes from 1am to 2am on Sunday.
TRAFFIC will be prevented from travelling along the Redditch Ringway from the roundabout at St George's twice this week. The road will be closed on Friday and next Tuesday from 6.45-7.15am for essential work.
NEW Year's Day violence in the nightclub area of Kidderminster town centre put a man in hospital for the night. He had been headbutted, fell to the ground and cracked his head, magistrates heard. Richard McDermott, 19, of East Street, Kidderminster, admitted
A MAN who planned a £1,250 raid on his ex-wife's home in a bid for revenge has been jailed for 18 months. Darren Samways got a 16-year-old to break into the house in Linden Avenue, Stourport. He stole two videos, a radio casette player, CDs and jewellery
HOW does Nic Polmear (Shuttle Letters, March 15), think that Bewdley Town Council could possibly have recommended the spending of £3 million for a flood barrier for some 24 properties on Severnside North and Dog Lane? The councillors are elected to look
MY attention was caught by the letter from CM Smith entitled "Why are wheelies overflowing?" in last week's issue. I do not agree that Wyre Forest District Council needs to investigate why "everyone" has a greater mass of rubbish than the internal capacity
I AM at a loss to understand Dr J Goodman's statement about Government directives such as 24-hour access to GPs. When my husband was working as a GP the terms of service were that the GP was responsible for his/her patients for 365days a year; the only
I HAVE read and seen the letters and articles concerning traffic-calming on the Cleobury Road, Bewdley, from people with shops in the town to people who live on Park Lane. What I would like to ask is - what about our children? Children walk to and from
IT is not often I am given to write to protest about something, but your correspondent S Jones on your letters page on March 8 deserves support. Soon after the cycle lane was installed at the bottom of Bewdley Hill I noticed how badly the traffic flow
Evesham Utd 3, Solihull Boro 2 COASTING to victory with 12 minutes left, a relieved United side were grateful to referee Steve Flanagan as they bagged a fourth successive home win on Tuesday night. After handing Solihull a lifeline with a dubious penalty
SATURDAY'S curtailed league programme caused more head-aches for the Stratford upon Avon Alliance's fixture secretary. Seven matches bit the dust as heavy overnight rain left waterlogged pitches from Shipston to Studley. Campden Town were lucky enough
Bredon Colts 4, Welford 0 BREDON ended their league campaign in fine style with a convincing win in an entertaining encounter. Stephen Derrett was on hand to finish a flowing move with an early opener and it was 2-0 when Jamie Morrow struck soon after
HEREFORD United goalkeeper Scott Cooksey faces a race against time to play in tomorrow night's Nationwide Conference game at Leigh RMI. Cooksey is due to play for the England semi-professional team against Holland in Weert, near Eindhoven, tonight. He
A LUCKY county snooker enthusiast got one of the thrills of his life last night when he took on former world champion Dennis Taylor. Terry Payne, a retired driving instructor from Newland, near Malvern, was the winner of an Evening News competition, in
DROITWICH Rugby Club continue their quest for the Midlands Four West (South) title when they travel to Berkswell & Balsall on Saturday for a re-arranged league clash. The Memorial Ground side beat Berkswell earlier in the season 21-13 but found their
A CHARITY theatre group is celebrating after scooping a batch of awards at a county festival. Wyre Forest's Acting for Charity Theatre's production of Round and Round the Gooseberry Bush was runner-up at the Worcest-ershire Theatre Festival. And director
THREE district support groups have joined forces to organise an event in aid of dementia sufferers. Members of Community Action Wyre Forest, Alzheimer's Society (Wyre Forest & District) and Wyre Forest Citizen Advocacy will highlight new anti-dementia
KIDDERMINSTER could enjoy a share of a new £59 million boost to the West Midlands economy, a key Government leader has forecast.MP David Lock, Christine Jones (Chamber of Commerce) and Stephen Byers Hours after announcing a further massive injection into
TWENTY gipsy families on a Stourport caravan park are to benefit from a £360,000 facelift of the run-down site. Lower Heath Caravan Park, Watery Lane, is one of 38 gipsy sites in the country selected to receive a share of a £17 million three-year refurbishment
A CIVIC funeral will be held for a German prisoner of war, who became an adopted son of Kidderminster, tomorrow. The funeral of Bert Pfuell, 76, will be held at the town's St Mary's Church, at 2pm. Mr Pfuell was made an honorary burgess, one of the highest
INGENIOUS students took their ideas direct to the public and pocketed some handsome profits.Remya Muralikuttan on the Harry Cheshire High School stall The teenagers were taking part in the Young Enterprise scheme which encourages them to develop business
Unemployment figures in Kiddermin-ster have bucked the national trend over the past month with 80 more people joining the dole queue. Unemployment fell nationally below the magic million mark for the first time since 1975. But in Kiddermin-ster a rise
A TEENAGE unicyclist has been mixing with circus stars as she took part in a television appearance during her latest round of performances. Kayleigh Grainger, 15, a member of Wyre Forest Community Circus and world unicycle champion in the 14-year-old
THE lack of county hospital beds has once again been highlighted with up to 80 patients filling emergency places. Hospital and social services chiefs have admitted they are under renewed strain with the so-called bed blockers. These are patients who should
MYSTERY surrounds the death of a pensioner who lived alone in an isolated country cottage. John Baker, unemployed and single, of Ribbesford, Bewdley, sustained a broken leg but was taken to hospital suffering from chest problems. Mr Baker, 69, died after
Bookworms can pop along to two events at Bewdley Library in the next fortnight. The first is a book, tape, CD and video sale on Saturday, March 31, between 9.30am and 12.30pm, which is followed by a jigsaw swapping session on Thursday, April 5, between
A CONTROVERSIAL application for longer opening at a Bewdley holiday caravan park has been approved despite fears occupants lives are at risk from flooding. Riverside Caravan Park, Dowles Road, has been closed in December and January except at weekends
WE all pride ourselves on our honesty at Worcester in the way we look at our performances. Even though we beat Manchester comfortably at the weekend, there were many aspects of our play that need tightening up before we go head to head with Leeds on April
Evesham 14pts, Bedworth 24 EVESHAM were unlucky not to come away with a win in a closely fought Midlands West Three (South) League encounter with Bedworth on Saturday. In fairness, the game was so evenly balanced either side could have taken a deserved
THE Easter 2001 Scottish Amicable Festival at Nottingham will see the Bredon Buzzards strive to reach the final against 12 of the best junior clubs in the country. The festival takes place on April 11-14 with the final at Twi-ckenham on Sunday, May 27
A RETIRED factory machinist from Bromsgrove knifed himself in the heart on the spur of the moment, an inquest heard. Leslie Binner, aged 64, from Sidemoor, had been argumentative towards his family leading up to the incident but there was no evidence
EIGHT Redditch middle schools will take part in a music and dance performance at Arrow Vale Community Sports College, produced with the help of professional artists. The sound and movement project, entitled Tribal Encounter, portrays the individual and
FOR some reason, we British seem to delight in knocking the good things. With all the recent publicity and criticism of our hospitals I would just like to set the record straight. I was recently taken ill at home and had to be rushed to Ronkswood. I have
Evesham and District Disabled AC and Partnerships FOURTEEN members defied appalling conditions to fight out the third match in the Sunday League Series. Last weekend's winner was match secretary, Max Woehrle, who weighed in a net of 3.9.0 on maggot to
THE letter from Liz Smith, the former Mayor of Worcester, (You Say, March 9) was like a breath of fresh air. I absolutely agree that any more greenfield development will change the city's character. I share her concern that further development of our
IT'S about time farmers owned up to their own responsibility for the foot-and-mouth crisis. They have blamed foreigners, from "bogus asylum seekers" who supposedly smuggled in ham sandwiches, to meat imports from Third World countries. In their anti-foreigner
I AM puzzled as to why Tory MP Peter Luff thinks it sad that party politics feature in the debate over Worcestershire's funding (Evening News, March 12). Political parties embody significant differences of principle and policy and it is only to be expected
THE present government's attitude towards the state pension, amplified in the recent budget, is not the correct way, either in an economic or social sense, to consider this essential social service. Old people do not want handouts, whether means-tested
A VILLAGE has come "under siege" after devastating news that foot and mouth disease has struck the community for a second time. Confirmation on Tuesday of infection at The Woodlands Farm in Chaddesley Corbett came as a cruel blow to farmers hoping vets
COMIC Relief fever gripped Wyre Forest last Friday as people across the district said "pants to poverty". And children at St Ambrose Pre-school in Kidderminster took the message literally as they made a line full of paper underpants which were bought
THE Alcester in Bloom committee is to have some help from a slightly unusual source as it launches its competition bid. Several weeks ago, the town council was contacted by a member of Warwickshire Youth Offending Team, who was inquiring about schemes
A PUBLIC inquiry will be held tomorrow following an appeal by farmer John Summers against the refusal of plans for a new access road at Wootton Wawen, writes Helen Clarke. The application is for the improvement of existing highway access and construction
March 24, 1967 IT takes time for sewage in a new sewage works to settle down and some sort of a smell is inevitable, Alcester Rural Council surveyor Mr I Williams said last Tuesday. And the council, he claimed, is having the area around the sewage works
A FARMER who saw his entire livestock killed because of foot and mouth disease has told how messages of support from the general public have raised his spirits and the morale of his family. Robin Feakin, his wife and five children remain virtually marooned
GIRLS in Alcester are getting wise to the career opportunities available to them in science and engineering. Pupils from St Benedict's, Alcester High and Alcester Grammar schools are taking part in the South Warwickshire Education Business Partnership
THE only in-patient hospice to cater for terminally ill patients, covering the whole of Warwickshire and Coventry, is to open a charity shop in Alcester. Myton Hamlet Hospice, which is situated two miles from Warwick town centre, is a registered charity
A COUNCILLOR has resigned from the ruling Health Concern group on Wyre Forest District Council amid a storm over a housing allocation for a fellow group member. Wribbenhall and Arley councillor Ron White said he is now standing as independent to represent
A SINGING duo are hoping to make a big "impact" when they make their Wyre Forest debut next week. Backed by songwriters who have worked with luminaries such as Point Break and N'Sync, Impact promise a "musical cocktail of funk, rock and pop laced with
STOURPORT Choral and Operatic Society are planning something a bit different from their usual programme in the forthcoming months. The orchestra and choir of Villeneuve-le-Roi will be meeting their Wyre Forest counterparts for a special concert at Kidderminster
A WOMAN has been left distraught after all the tack she uses to retrain mistreated horses and ponies at a Rowney Green stables was stolen, writes Becky Procter. Karen Grant runs the Horse and Pony Rescue Association in Chapel Lane which became the target
EVESHAM manager Phil Mullen has been told his club cannot appeal against the decision to expel them from the Birmingham Senior Cup. The Birmingham County FA's stance has given the go-ahead for Kings Heath to play West Bromwich Albion at home in the quarter
REGARDING Counterpoints (March 15), on Guinness, with my GP's approval, I've recently supped half a pint of Guinness each evening. Then I lie awake watching the green snakes with bloodshot eyes writhing over my ceiling. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.
JOHN Phillpott's heading (Evening News, March 13) "Who'll put an end to all this rubbish?", made me think for a moment that he was referring to my frequent letters.
HAVING read your news items about shops in Worcester, I would say that at the moment the only winners are those who collect the rent and rates. Trade can change but some things never do. R V FOWLER, Worcester.
I FOUND Paul Bevand's letter sad. His is only the second I have seen supporting the Sainsburys/ Tesco proposals in St John's. He may, though, be part of a majority view - perhaps Sainsburys/ Tesco should organise a local referendum. Personally I like
6 DAN Wicksteed says we should remember the last Budget while casting our votes whenever we have the opportunity (You Say, March 12. We should also remember what the New Labour Party has taken from us in the previous Budgets and the pittance they are
BOWEL cancer is the second biggest killer of cancer in the UK, with 46 people dying from the disease every day. As part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, The Cancer Research Campaign is asking people in the area to organise a Cheeky Walk, which will help
ONE of the men who keeps the ambitious Stourport Swifts Football Club ticking insists he prefers to stay in the background. John McDonald has been involved with Swifts for 32 years, playing a part in their rise from Kidderminster League Division Three
WITH this week's snow and icy weather at bringing a real winter flavour to town it's hard to believe British Summer Time starts on Sunday. These youngsters -- Jay Lees, aged three, and Samuel Grounds, four, from Abacus Nursery School, in Lickey End, Bromsgrove
AT the Greig Hall on March 13, Jan Craven, accompanied by Andrea Blood, gave an interesting and moving talk about The Children's Society. The society is a voluntary Christian social justice organisation covering England and Wales and speaks out on behalf
PRESIDENT Christine Dyer welcomed members to the March meeting and details were given of forthcoming events, including the spring council meeting today and the group meeting on April 24 at Great Alne. Members were informed about Fair Trade Week and Penny
THE speaker this month was mountaineer Len York. His is a man of enthusiasm, joy, determination and tremendous faith - a contented man who is glad to be alive and well. In his youth, he was a keen sportsman and marathon runner and then he began mountaineering
THE speaker for March was Mr Woodfield, who gave an interesting talk on lupins. Not only did he give the history of lupins and the origin of the famous Russell lupins but also went on the describe how they are cultivated today and the enormous amount
NVQ Bricklaying student Anthony Wilson from Peopleton has just gained a place in the Tri-UK national triathlon squad. The 20-year-old will be travelling to Canada in August to compete in the World Championships. Triathlon is an endurance sport consisting
Stratford-on-Avon and District Men's Winter League WITH only two matches remaining, Pershore B have moved into top spot in Division Two following a comfortable 4-0 win against struggling Aston Cantlow. Previous leaders Henley were held to a 2-2 draw at
EVESHAM exacted sweet revenge by reversing a 3-2 margin of defeat in an earlier fixture to record their second league win at Birmingham University. It's proving a challenging division but the players certainly gave coach Errol Harris plenty to smile about
NEWLY formed Smart Cut finished the Perdiswell Indoor Netball League season as they began, on a winning note. The last game was always going to be a tough match with honours even at quarter time, but the team then took a firm grip on the game and won
THE National Federation of Builders in Herefordshire is expanding to improve its support for the region's building and contracting companies. The federation is increasing its team of industry professionals. Regional director Gareth Morgan will lead the
A WHITTINGTON-based company is helping a Worcestershire football club keep its eye firmly on the ball. GPU Power UK, which was formerly Midlands Electricity, donated £250 to Redditch United Under 8s football team to buy new tracksuits and wet weather
A WORCESTER-based tour operator has re-launched itself at the Travel Trade Fair with the help of the Environment Minister, Michael Meacher. The MP, who is spearheading the Government's Rural Task Force, dropped into the trade fair yesterday for the re-branding
IN the middle of the Rugby Football Union's roadshow this week, you were almost tempted to buy into their dream for the future of the game. But then you realised what you were seeing in front of you - an illusion, nothing more, nothing less. Like the
BAFFLED engineers have been forced to close a major route through Studley after a mysterious hole appeared under the road. The A435 was partially closed two weeks ago when 'voiding' appeared under the surface near Watts Road. The road has been closed
