Archive

TEMPERATURES in Worcestershire plummeted last night - but, by a quirk of nature, the county escaped lightly compared to other parts of Britain. The county woke up to temperatures as low as minus 3C this morning, though much of northern and eastern England

MANY Worcestershire students have a clearer idea of what they might decide to work in after attending a major careers convention. The event, at Droitwich Spa High School yesterday, involved more than 30 employers being on hand to give careers advice to

A GRANDMOTHER who feels her life is being blighted by young vandals has asked other people to come forward so something can be done about the problem. Pam Kimberley, of Hamble Close, Worcester, claims a gang of youths, some as young as 10, are making

THE owners of Worcester's RampAge skate park are to go ahead with a £5,000 soundproofing scheme, in the hope it will solve the noise problem. But an appeal for help in funding the project has raised only one offer of assistance, from AE Probert and Bradfords

AN accounts clerk was found to be nearly two times over the drink drive limit after police were called out to a domestic argument. Mother-of-three, Vicci Lloyd, was rowing outside her house in Hurst Road, Pershore, when police arrived to diffuse the situation

THE parents of a toddler who died in a neighbour's swimming pool have pledged to fight for new laws to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. Timothy and Tammie Gowans, whose two-year-old son Matthew drowned last July after wandering off from his home in Clent

THE inquiry report into the death of young Victoria Climbi is sure to give sleepless nights to anyone responsible for the safety of children in this country. The eight-year-old was murdered by her great-aunt and the woman's boyfriend, despite being well

IT will be tee time at Perdiswell Leisure Centre this spring when pro-golfer Mark Woodward helps youngsters get behind a golf club for a driving test. The centre will be one of a number of venues providing opportunities for disabled young people to try

A SPORTS centre has started the year with a splash - by being named in the top one per cent in the country for swimming lessons. Stourport Sports Centre has been given "Premier Scheme Status" by the Amateur Swimming Association. The scheme gauges the

UPTON-upon-Severn could soon add a French market to its list of tourist attractions after the idea found favour with the town council. March de France, of Normandy, has asked for permission to hold a market, with up to 29 stalls, selling French crafts

A MAN who hanged himself was depressed after being told he would have to move out of his home, an inquest heard. David Keene, 37, was found hanging from the loft ladder at his house on Sion Avenue, Kidderminster, by friends last Saturday. The county coroner's

A chance meeting between a shy woman walking her dog and a soldier has led to 60 years of wedded bliss. Joan and Leslie Creese met for the first time on the streets of the Lincolnshire town of Spalding in August 1940 and fell in love at first sight. "

A PHARMACIST who stole drugs from his Stourport-on-Severn employer has been struck off. John Hodges, aged 60, of Worcester Road, Shrawley, was caught red-handed by police with £100 worth of stolen medicines. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's statutory

NOW that autumn is here, the trees have already started to change colour, though it's a slow process which will continue in some species until December. When exactly the colours will peak is dependent on the weather over the next few weeks. Just how bright

The Worcester and Birmingham Canal was built between 1791 and 1815 but enjoyed only a few decades of prosperity before it was superseded by the railway, after the Birmingham and Gloucester line opened in 1840. Trade declined steadily but didn't cease

Astwood Bank developed in linear fashion along the Ridgeway, a prehistoric trackway which ran along the ridge which now forms the border between Worcestershire and Warwickshire just to the south of Redditch. Despite the trackway, there is no evidence

This is another of those walks, which didn't turn out like it was meant to, defeated by the atrocious state of some of the footpaths. Still, what remains is a good walk, mostly on good or good enough footpaths, though you might be wise to take secateurs

THOSE of you who have been following my month-by-month hike down the Worcestershire Way since April will know that the end is in sight. You could easily complete the walk in one final day, but it would be a shame to rush through such lovely scenery so

THE Severn Valley Country Park spans the River Severn a couple of miles north of Upper Arley, linking the former coal-mining communities of Alveley and Highley. The bulk of the park is on the Alveley side, but there's plenty of interest across the river

TEWKESBURY'S a remarkable town, with an enormous number of beautiful buildings surviving from the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries. It has a great location too, at the confluence of the Severn and Avon, and there are lots of pleasant walks to be had beside

AFTER the difficulties encountered last week in south-east Worcestershire, it seemed a good idea to head for an area where footpath problems are almost unknown - and where better than the Cotswolds? Tackle this easy walk from Moreton and you will enjoy

FIXTURES WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL LEAGUE Saturday, February 1 Premier Division: Brierley & Hagley v Malvern Town (2.45). Division One South: Malvern Town Reserves v Hinton (2.45). Wednesday, February 5 Premier Division Cup round Two: Ledbury Town v

Those of you watching Simon Schama's BBC2 series, a History of Britain, may have been interested last week to see the Worcestershire village of Dodford featured. Tucked quietly away in delightful countryside near Bromsgrove, Dodford, is not at all well-known

THE Rivers Severn and Teme play a big part in this lovely walk on the edge of town. It doesn't feel like an edge-of-town walk: once Diglis is left behind the downstream view is simply gorgeous, the Severn's well-wooded banks providing a lush green backdrop

This is an unexpectedly lovely walk above the Avon valley on the edge of Evesham. The optional loop may look hardly worth bothering with but, on the contrary, it's probably the best bit. It includes a delightful riverside walk through buttercup meadows

SHRAWLEY Wood's famous bluebells may be past their best by the middle of May, but there's no shortage of flowers to enjoy on this delightful walk. The wood plays host to a wide variety of species such as ramsons (wild garlic), stitchwort, yellow archangel

This lovely walk takes you through the lush green country to the north of Bromyard, providing glimpses of the secluded valley of the River Frome, and visiting the site of the deserted mediaeval village of Edwyn Ralph. As you walk through a field towards

THIS is a beautiful walk in mainly pastoral countryside north-east of Worcester. One of the highlights is Trench Wood, once famous for its nightingales, though they are no longer present. Fortunately, a gorgeous display of bluebells is. The path leads

THE village of Blakedown lies between Kidderminster and the Clent Hills. Though surrounded by agricultural land, it was for about 350 years involved in a thriving ironworking industry, along with Belbroughton and other nearby villages. The numerous small

There has been considerable noise and activity in the past week on End and Table hills. Conservators' staff have been clearing significant areas of mature gorse using their 'cut-and collect' machine, the first stage in their scrub clearance programme

ONE of the finest characteristic features of west Worcestershire is the dingle woodland. A dingle is a narrow, steep-sided valley and there are lots of them above the Teme Valley where they have been formed by tributary streams cutting down through the

CONGRATULATIONS to Mark Nugent of Malvern Road, Powick, who was one of 44 national finalists in the St John Ambulance Cadet of the Year. Representing Worcestershire Mark took part in the competition staged at Eynshall Hall, Oxford earlier this month.

THE good news is that the bridge at Payford is still open giving access to Pauntley via Redmarley. Repairs, which will mean that bridge will be closed, are delayed for the time being. The bridge will therefore be open for the immediate future. Repairs

ON Sunday, February 9, at 7.30pm there will be a concert at St Peter's Church when musicians and singers from St James's School, West Malvern will present a programme of sacred and secular music. This is a splendid choir with a huge reputation and it

This delightful linear walk leads through woods, meadows and orchards between the rail stations at Ledbury and Colwall. Ledbury Station is right next to the first footpath of the walk, which climbs through pasture and orchards to Frith Wood. However,

The fields flanking the River Teme at Powick are known as Powick Hams, or sometimes Powick Commons. A "ham" in this sense is a low-lying flood meadow, and the term is applied in a number of places alongside the Teme, Severn and Avon. Some of these meadows

The rock which constitutes the Malvern Hills is a type of granite and it's among the oldest rock in England, so old that it contains no fossils because it pre-dates life on earth. In contrast, the gentler hills to the west and north of the Malverns are

This enjoyable and varied walk includes pastoral and arable farmland, beautiful villages, parkland, the River Severn and some surprisingly far-reaching views, extending from the Malverns to Brown Clee Hill. It also includes short stretches of two long-distance

Upton-upon-Severn is a delightful small town very popular with summer visitors. At this time of year it's much quieter, which makes it easier to appreciate the Tudor, Jacobean and Georgian buildings which grace its streets. The White Lion, currently resplendent

POP history, writing and publishing in modern Britain and masterpieces of the 20th Century will be subjects of a series of spring lectures at Malvern Girls' College. All three are open to the public, and the first will take place on Thursday at 7.30pm

REMEMBER Evesham based band Volta? They appeared in NightLife in August last year, but since then have been through some changes. Last year, Ginger, who sings and plays in the successful band Wildhearts, e-mailed the band to say how impressed he was with

THE Three Counties Showground will be a hive of activity over the next two weeks. On Sunday, an antiques fair will take place in the Severn Hall, while in the Avon Hall it will be the Cheltenham Dog Show. On Tuesday, Brightwells Horse Sale runs in the

COMPOSER and poet Ivor Gurney will be the subject of an illustrated talk at the Elgar Birthplace Museum at 7.30pm on Wednesday, February 12. Anthony Boden, chairman of the Ivor Gurney Society, will be making the presentation about the poet of Severn and

The Ledbury Reporter's Gary Bills has come third in the Everyman Press poetry competition. Already a published poet, his award-winning poem A Song for March will now be featured in the Eclipse literary magazine, and he will receive a cheque for £25. The

I suppose as a rather crooked crow flies, Malvern could be described as about halfway between Royal Tunbridge Wells and the Yorkshire Moors. So when the latest production of Charlotte Bronte's epic Jane Eyre visits the Festival Theatre next week, one

NEIL Simon's comic masterpiece California Suite is being performed by Hatherley Players at the Playhouse Theatre in Cheltenham next week. The play, which premiered in 1976, was a belated follow-up to his 1968 hit Plaza Suite, in that it followed the same

AUDIENCES in Tewkesbury have some magical treats in store over the next few months as the Roses Theatre continues its winter season. From the demon barber of Fleet Street, Sweeney Todd, performed by TADS, from February 6 to 8 to the belly dancing Omid

CYCLING has never been for Derek Morris but his sheer hard work behind the scenes over 10 years at Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club has earned him the Appreciation Award. Derek, of Hartlebury, admits he is not the sporty type but he became heavily involved

If you're looking for a thrilling double dose of suspense, mystery, intrigue and romance then look no further than Double Double, at the Everyman from Tuesday, January 28 to Saturday, February 1. It stars Jonathon Morris (Bread) and Sabina Franklin (Keep

KIDDERMINSTER'S Joe Dourneen has landed Coach of the Year by succeeding in a tough task and making endurance running enjoyable for teenagers. The 42-year-old company operations manager also keeps his two children, talented runners Elizabeth and Aiden,

WORRIES that Rik Mayall might not be suited to Noel Coward's brand of brittle comedy were blown away with a performance of enormous energy which was tremendous fun to watch. Coward reputedly wrote the part of Gary Essendine in Present Laughter, which

TWO wins for Manor Park Travellers have seen them shoot to the top of Division Two of the Whatley Recordon Malvern Table Tennis League. Their match with Manor Park Rangers was very close and could have gone either way with three games going to five sets

LEDBURY swimmers were rewarded for a fortnight of intense training when they were victorious in the second round of the Wyvern League held at Monmouth on Saturday. Nineteen personal best times were recorded in the individual events and with 15 winning

THE Downs School, Colwall, U11 Girls' hockey team became Hereford-shire champions last weekend. The successful team will now join their sister U13 team in representing the county in the West of England Championships in March. The U11s won the title without

COMMENT is often made that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place but in Rangers' case it does. WYRE FOREST BRINTONS 6, MALVERN RANGERS 1 Accepting that the venue and opponents differed, Rangers again coveted a 1-0 advantage similar to last

AN UPTON-based nurse is leading a campaign to get schoolchildren in the area to reduce the amount of salt in their diet. Pauline Edwards, school nurse at Upton Clinic, warned that children should have no more than four grams of salt in a day, but many

TRADERS in Church Street are bracing themselves for disruption for up to three weeks as a major sewerage repair project goes ahead. The road will be closed to traffic from the Graham Road-Grange Road junction to Belle Vue Terrace, with work due to start

CATHOLIC priest Father Keith Enston is to say goodbye to Upton-upon-Severn after admitting the pressures of running the parish are too much. The priest, who assu-med responsibility for the parish 18 months ago at the age of 66, is to join Fr Paul Fitzpatrick

A HOSTILE reception has been given to police plans to increase demands on Council Tax-payers. Members of Malvern Hills District Council this week voted to tell the West Mercia Police Authority to look again at its proposals. The authority says a rise

A HARD earned Worcester Sunday Division Three point for Keyz against a physical Virgin side at Perdiswell. VIRGIN SPORTS 0, KEYZ RM 0 The home side should have taken an early lead but missed a penalty. Keyz fought back and Simon Barnett should have done

EXPERIENCES of life as a rural GP in the early days of the National Health Service will be described by Dr John Harcup at the next meeting of Upton-upon-Severn Civic Society. His talk, Gumboot GP, will start at 7.30pm on Thursday (February 6) in the Memorial

MALVERN Football League leaders and present champions Bull Allstars cruised into the semi-final of the Sunday Senior Cup with a 6-1 victory at Fromes Hill. Jamie James and Nick Welch both scored two for the Bull with Chris Stone and Mark Toman also on

THE Worcestershire Football Association has announced its plans for the last referee's course to be held this season. The course is intended for anyone wanting to take up the whistle, whether they have serious ambition to progress to the top, or just

OVER 80 retired people gathered at Priory Lodge Hall on Wednesday for the public launch of an action group especially for them. Social Services organised the event to inform older people about the group, which will by run by and for Malvern's retired

MALVERN United's first game of the year saw them travel to Cropthorne to meet fourth-placed Evesham Colts and they were dealt an early blow when defender Craig Philpotts had to go off through injury after just two minutes. EVESHAM COLTS 0, MALVERN UNITED

RESIDENTS have described a £30,000 project to improve security at Victoria Park as ugly and a waste of money. Malvern Town Council is installing a 13-foot high fence, bollards and an electronic gate near the skate and multi-sport facility, in an attempt

RECENTLY our house and others in the locality were informed by a council leaflet that the solution to the 'Safer Route to Schools' initiative associated with, in this case, Somers Park Primary School had been found. The solution duly appeared as sleeping

MALVERN Town Council is to advertise for a financial consultant in a move designed to save money. The council currently employs chartered accountant Paul Shenton but has decided to advertise the position in order to seek the cheapest possible option.

WITH reference to the letter by M J R Charles headed 'Here we go again' (Your Letters, January 17) regarding proposed increases in Council Tax bills, I could not agree more. How can Worcestershire County Council justify this massive increase in taxation

I READ with alarm, but no surprise, that there have been no alterations made to the plans to develop North Site following the 'public consultation' (Malvern Gazette, January 24). Such meetings only tell us what is going to happen and there seems to be

PLANS for a four-storey-high extension to a house at the heart of Great Malvern's Conservation Area have been refused. Planning officers at Malvern Hills District Council said the scheme, for 2 Orchard Road, submitted by Dove Quality Homes Ltd, should

I WISH to give any suggestion of the building of some 600 homes at the old North Site a very big no. How on earth, apart from the already over congested roads are schools, doctors and dentists etc to absorb the extra people? When you consider the average

IN response to your front page article (Ledbury Reporter, January 17), I am surprised how short the memories are of the neighbours to Noad Farm. As a previous owner, now retired, we had thousands of tons of farm produce using this access onto the A417

A SIX-year-old Malvern boy was flown by helicopter to hospital after a car reversed over his chest. It is thought the boy fell out of the car he was in, while it was reversing out of a driveway of a house in Ramsons Close just before 9am on Friday. Police

the Duke of York was joined by 100 members of the public and dignitaries from councils and Malvern Hills Conservators for a march up Jubilee Hill on Friday (January 24). The hill was named by the Conservators last year in honour of the Queen's Golden

I write in support of John Brook and his recent planning nightmares. Here we have, for once, a very acceptable proposition to replace one existing retail business with another quality local outlet and our inward-thinking, problem-making planners turn

I was very aggrieved by the report on the front page of the Ledbury Reporter (January 24) concerning the item "Pupils face clean it up call". I would take issue with Len Huff, the chairman of the Independent Traders' Association, in his assertion that

MEMBERS of the Fire Brigades Union are due to stage another 48-hour strike starting tomorrow (Saturday) at 9am. Full-time firefighters at Malvern fire station returned to work on Thursday morning after the most recent two-day strike. During that time

RECENT comments in Your Letters reveal just the tip of an iceberg of concern regarding the decision by the Malvern Hills Planning Committee on December 18 not to reject the proposed expansion at Upton Marina. We have generally found the committee to give

MAY I, as a one time Worcester resident and displaced nurseryman, ask your readers what they think the future direction for a diminishing farming and land use structure should be together with the needs of the rural villages and their communities. I am

A GUARLFORD resident says action must be taken to prevent a tragedy outside his home, following a series of accidents. Toby Bruce-Morgan, Mal-vern Hills district councillor for the Hanleys, said in the last two months there had been three crashes within

REMINISCENCES of a village headmaster will be shared at the next meeting of the English Speaking Union's Worcester-shire branch. The Rev. Robert Webb will be the guest speaker at the hospitality suite, Malvern Theatres, on Thursday, February 6, the luncheon

MEMBERS of the public are to be given an opportunity to put their point of view across at Malvern Hills District Council planning meetings. At present, the public have to keep quiet at meetings while councillors debate planning applications. The council

LONG-awaited improvements to a play area in Jamaica Crescent are at the top of Malvern Town Council's priority list. At the council's meeting on Monday, Coun Keith Phillips asked what had happened to works at the play area, which were originally planned

A COUPLE who married only five months after meeting celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary yesterday. Joan and Frank Taylor, who live in Upton, met in August 1942 in the sick-bay of the Royal Air Force base at Weston Super Mare. They married on

IT'S playtime for pigs after a DEFRA announcement that they must be given toys. Farmers face fines of up to £2,500 if they do not obey the new ruling, which says pigs must be provided with 'manipulable materials'. The regulations come into force on Friday

AN angry resident has expressed disgust that some books no longer needed at Malvern Library are thrown on the rubbish heap. Regular library user Frank Bentley said he finds it "extremely offensive" that library staff are throwing books away once they

JAMES Parkes has been drafted in to ease Worcester Rugby Club's injury worries. The 22-year-old will play in the Warriors' United match with Northampton at Sixways on Monday and could then be included in the first team squad to face Bedford next week.

WORCESTERSHIRE golf ace John Bickerton shares fifth place after the second round of the Heineken Classic in Melbourne. The Droitwich player shot a 70 to join a group of six on six-under-par, six shots behind leader Paul Casey. Hereford's David Park was

TODAY'S race meetings at Catterick and Hereford have been abandoned because of the cold snap. Officials at Hereford made a second inspection of the morning just before 9am and had to admit defeat. Commercial manager Simon Kershaw said: "We've had to abandon

A COLOURFUL mural is brightening up the outside play area at Colwall Primary thanks to the efforts of pupils and the expert eye of a professional painter. Nina Dowdeswell, whose daughter Beth attends the school, has helped children cover beach huts they

NEWCOMER Dion Scott could make his debut for Kidderminster Harriers in tomorrow's Nat-ionwide League Division Three clash against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank (3pm). The 22-year-old defender has signed on a non-contract basis after being released by Mansfield

HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner will consider appealing against Danny Williams's red card for violent conduct at Morecambe. The Edgar Street boss has viewed a video of last Saturday's Nationwide Conference match, which the Bulls lost 3-1, and said

GARY Hackett insists Bromsgrove Rovers are not feeling the pressure despite being toppled by Merthyr Tydfil. Rovers are three points adrift of the Martyrs at the top of the Dr Martens Western Division after losing to Gloucester last Saturday and the Welsh

FORTIES music, including the swing classics of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey, will bring back memories for people who lived through the Second World War years. The New Squadronaires Orchestra plays at Cheltenham Town Hall tomorrow at 8pm

CHELTENHAM Folk Festival's growing status has been recognised by the extension of the event into an extra day, with this year's festival running from Thursday, February 6 until Sunday, February 9. Among the biggest names in traditional folk who will be

ABBEY Jazz continue their 2003 season with a gig at Malvern Rugby Club at 8pm. Bassist Len Thwaites will be joined by clarinettists Chris Pearce and Roy Hubbard, Brian Mellor on banjo and guitar and Tony Caldicott on drums.

MALVERN musicians Paul White, Tony Beech and Vo Fletcher will present their inimitable style of ambient music at a gig next week. The trio will be at the Paper Moon Restaurant, Worcester Road, Malvern Link on Saturday, February 8. The music, featuring

LINDA Lewis, the first black British singer to cross-over soul, folk and rock in the 1970's, will kick off a new week of events at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall on Satur-day, February 8. Performing the best of her hits between 1971 and 1974, Linda will

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Malvern cricketer who died in a car crash near Rugby. Alex Lamb, aged 21, a university student from Powick, played for Barnards Green CC, where his father, Andy, has been a stalwart for many years. Alex first played for the

ONCE again I agree with everything Peter Nielsen has to say about Iraq (You Say, January 25). Blair has made Britons at home and abroad a prime target for terrorist outrages. By his servile pandering to America and its powerful Israeli lobby he is now

MORE ill-considered waffle from Julian Thake (Evening News, Monday January 20). The EU finds states together in friendship and is therefore bound to be in the cause of peace. There is nothing like as much corruption in the EU as there is among the vast

THE GOVERNMENT has been challenged to consider a new Worcester railway station which would ease Spa commuters' nightmare journeys. Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP Peter Luff called on the Secretary of Transport Alistair Darling to get rail links between Worcestershire

TWO Droitwich Spa sportsmen have had their skills recognised at the inaugural Wychavon District Council sports awards evening. Mark Edwards, of Droitwich Spa Rugby Football Club, was named senior sports personality of the year while Chris Andrews picked

A BEST-selling Vict-orian novelist whose ashes are buried in Bosbury churchyard is commemorated in a centenary exhibition. Ada Ellen Bayly, who published under the name Edna Lyall, was one of the most well-known and controversial novelists of her time

A BROMSGROVE pensioner is appealing for anyone in Malvern with memories of her father to contact her. Rose Mary Healey, nee Bond, is trying to trace information about her father, Percy Bond, who was born at 10 Gordon Terrace, Malvern, in 1895. Percy was

100 years ago On Thursday next, Mr H W Stevenson, the champion of the world at English billiards, will play two games with Mr W Smith in the billiard room of the Belle Vue Hotel. The visit of the champion is creating considerable interest and judging

A TRUE-life story about the treatment of Aborigines in 1930's Australia provides the basis for Rabbit Proof Fence (PG), showing at Malvern Cinema for a week from tonight (Friday). Three Aboriginal girls escape from a government camp where they have been

JAMES Parkes has been drafted in to ease Worcester Rugby Club's injury worries. The 22-year-old will play in the Warriors' United match with Northampton at Sixways on Monday and could then be included in the first team squad to face Bedford next week.

THE Malvern DT Dogs returned to familiar territory as issues over pitch allocation took them into the muddy reaches of the middle pitch at Spring Lane. MALVERN DT DOGS 21pts, DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD WASPS 17pts As it was they just had enough fire power to

MALVERN travelled to Yardley to play their first game in six weeks and were tested to their limit by a very experienced team who showed great skill, particularly at the breakdown, by securing the majority of the loose ball. YARDLEY AND DISTRICT U17s 7pts

Valerie Briggs and Trevor Smith (Worcestershire Wetlands Wildlife). The work of two artists showing 'A passion for Swans' and other birds and water in Worcestershire. Feb 1-28. The Gallery at Droitwich library. Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, Worcs. (

January 31 - Grass and Fine Line. The Marr's Bar, Worcester; Joe Brown and the Bruvvers, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury. February 1 - Errol Linton's Blues Vibe, The Marr's Bar, Worcester; February 2 - Reaction. Barbourne Ex-Servicemen's Club, Worcester

Friday, January 31 - City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry. For tickets Tel 024 7652 4524 or on line box.office@warwick.ac.uk Love and The English, a diverse evening of readings and music at The Courtyard, Hereford on

A REPLACEMENT Dame has saved the day for the Bromyard pantomime Babes in the Wood, at the town's Conquest Theatre. Richard Hulbert, from Worcester, stepped in to take over the role of nurse to the babes, Glenda Gerty Glucose, when Alan Tipple had to retire

A new play on the Dymock Poets celebrates "one of the greatest love stories in 20th Century literature", the transatlantic friendship between Edward Thomas and Robert Frost. The playwright, Paul Downey, of Tetbury, in Gloucestershire, believes the relationship

THE troubled life of screen legend Marilyn Monroe comes to the stage of the Market Theatre, Ledbury next weekend. Still Marilyn takes a snapshot of the star during the 1950s, when she married twice and became a household name across the globe. The play

DAN Jones and Mitch Counsell are in line for starting roles in Worcester City's FA Trophy clash with Margate tomorrow. Manager John Barton has several suspension and injury worries ahead of the fourth round tie and will delay picking his team until shortly

DAVID Holmes can go some way to erasing one of his worst FA Trophy memories by dumping Margate out of the competition at St George's Lane tomorrow (3pm). The Worcester City forward was part of the Gloucester City side that was within three minutes of

THE festive mood is overshadowed by family secrets in Wynyard Brownes's The Holly and the Ivy. What sets out as a traditional celebration of Christmas with the relatives round becomes a confessional for the daughters and son of vicar Martin Gregory (Tony

Theatre January Until Feb 1-Present Laughter by Noel Coward at the Festival Theatre, Malvern Theatres. 2.30pm & 8pm. £12-£20. Box Office (01684) 892277. 1&2-Topiary dance & music workshops at the Forum, Malvern Theatres. 10am-4pm. £10 each

TWO Droitwich Spa sportsmen have had their skills recognised at the inaugural Wychavon District Council sports awards evening. Mark Edwards, of Droitwich Spa Rugby Football Club, was named senior sports personality of the year while Chris Andrews picked

HAULAGE contractors in Herefordshire and Worcestershire face a tough 2003 because of decreasing margins and the threat of more insolvencies. A new report shows that while contractors experienced a buoyant 2002, it was shadowed by major insolvency problems

A BUILDING contractor has set up a new Insurance Repair Division to tackle commercial and domestic claims for fire, flood and storm damage, vehicle impact and subsidence. The service, offered by EG Carter, of Vincent Road, Worcester, is available throughout

A WORCESTERSHIRE photographer has scooped a major trophy for a new concept in calendars. Nic Gaunt, of Stockton-on-Teme, received the accolade at the National Business Calendar Awards, amid competition from such well-known calendar giants as Pirelli.

MAKING it in the musical world takes talent, hard work and luck according to international clarinettist Emma Johnson, who will be performing in the Chipping Norton Music Festival in March. Born and brought up in Bromley, Kent, Emma Johnson was thrown

SATURDAY WORCESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier Division: Droitwich Spa v Kemspey United (S Plane); Henwick Academicals v Bretforton Old Boys (N Jeynes); Inkberrow 'A' Res v Powick (N Canning); Perrywood v Upton Town (P Daffin); Tolladine Sports v Martley

THE sky will be the limit for a former cancer patient who plans to fly round the world in a record-breaking bid - on his own. After winning the battle against bowel cancer, action man Manuel Queiroz is taking on the solo challenge to repay those who saved

A MOBILE phone operator has won permission to put up a mast disguised as a flagpole on a Worcester pub. The 13ft mast will be the second one to be erected in the city following the siting of one on Solitaire Stores, St John's. The city council's planning

TRANSPORT Secretary Alistair Darling has been urged to sort out train journeys "from hell" between Worcester and Birmingham, despite major improvements on the route. In a Westminster debate, Tory MP Peter Luff said the route was plagued by delays, overcrowding

PERSHORE residents have vowed "to fight to the death" to keep their hospital after a heated meeting with a health chief. South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust chief executive Mike Ridley did nothing to scotch the rumours that the hospital was to be

Castlemorton Common was once part of Malvern Forest, which was one of several Royal Forests designated by William I as hunting territory for himself and his successors. Like the other Royal Forests, Malvern comprised a variety of habitats, including woodland

CITY chiefs have said "no" to a Birmingham-based directly elected West Midlands regional assembly. The majority of Worcester city councillors also said there was little interest in a referendum on the issue. To establish the order in which regions should

A GRIEVING mother whose son was killed in a horrific motorbike crash has pledged to keep his memory alive by supporting a Bosnian child. Kevin Taylor, who suffered fatal injuries when his 600cc Yamaha collided with a Renault Clio on a country lane in

A PATIENT pensioner has embarked on a knitting marathon in a bid to make 100 sweaters and baby vests for villagers in Africa. Gill Granger's whole-hearted support to The Jumpers Galore initiative will keep Gambian natives in clothes for a whole year.

AN ORGANISED gang of criminals has been blamed for stealing 4x4 vehicles worth more than £500,000 and selling them on for spares. Police are warning 4x4 owners to be on their guard after a spate of thefts across Herefordshire resulted in 30 vehicles being

ANGRY residents of a busy street have launched a petition to curb speeding traffic which they claim is putting their lives at risk. People living on Mill Road, Stourport, want traffic calming to slow down cars which use the route as a short-cut between

A FORMER textile worker will arrive as the new priest of one of the district's most diverse parishes in May. The Rev Mark Turner will take over the Areley Kings patch, Stourport, centred on St Bartholomew's Church, a year after the Rev Andrew Vessey left

STAFF working at a Worcester opticians are celebrating after they succeeded in earning a top investment award. Specsavers Opticians, in Broad Street, took only four months to scoop an accreditation with distinction in the Investors in People scheme. The

Small, irregularly shaped fields, ancient hedgerows and lots of oak trees characterise this enjoyable walk close to town. It's a low-lying area and many of the fields were originally poorly drained, with the result that each autumn saw an influx of those

CHILDREN as young as seven will be able to answer positively when asked "parlez-vous Francais?" thanks to a collaboration between schools. Natalie Walters, deputy head at Pershore High School as well as a French teacher, has been visiting Fladbury CE

IN the Middle Ages a large area of north Worcestershire, south Shropshire and south Staffordshire was covered by a mixture of woodland and heath known as Kinver Forest. This was Royal Forest and it contained hunting enclosures, one of which was Iverley

One of the most striking aspects of this lovely figure-of-eight walk is the panoramic view across Worcestershire that greets you when you reach the top of the ridge which runs to the south of Cleobury Mortimer. The border between Shropshire and Worcestershire

THIS is the final stage of the Worcestershire Way - though it's all in Herefordshire. It's a lovely but very short walk from Colwall to Hollybush, where the Way finishes rather lamely in a car park by the A438. If you feel that's a bit of an anticlimax

Worcestershire's share of the Cotswolds may be small, but it's enormously popular: Broadway is always thronged with visitors. Only relatively few explore the surrounding countryside, however, and most of those use the Cotswold Way, and the paths which

We left the Worcestershire Way a month ago at Knightwick so this is where we pick it up again for the fourth stage, a beautiful walk along the limestone ridges of the Suckley Hills. The views are superb, whether you're looking west across Herefordshire

Shuttle/Times and News reporter MARS CHUA sounded out the mood when she joined Wyre Forest firefighters on the picket line in Kidderminster on Tuesday as they started the latest two-day stoppage in their pay dispute. STRIKING firefighters in Kidderminster

THESE walks don't always work out as planned, especially in the east of the county, which has more than its share of neglected and deliberately obstructed footpaths. This one is a case in point. The original plan for a Pershore-based exploration of Besford

IT'S time to tackle the third stage of the Worcestershire Way and, for many people, this may be the very finest stretch of the entire walk. Right from the start there are glorious views, with the Clee Hills prominent to the north-west as you walk through

This is one of the easiest and pleasantest walks imaginable and ideal for a summer afternoon. It begins in Upton, one of the most charming of Severnside towns, and takes you through riverside meadows before returning through Holdfast, a straggling hamlet

A MONTH has gone by since we featured the first stage of the Worcestershire Way, so here's the second stage, a gorgeous walk of hills and valleys, woods and meadows from Bewdley to Abberley. Like the first stage, it is undulating throughout but not unduly

IT'S always nice to hear from readers who enjoy doing these walks and it's interesting that so many of the letters and phone calls I receive concern the Worcestershire Way. There's obviously considerable enthusiasm for this route so, this year, I intend

BY popular demand another ceilidh of gaelic folk dancing will be held in the Memorial Hall on Saturday, February 8 at 7.30pm. The music will again be by Ringerike and tickets costing £6 for adults, £3 for children or £15 for a family will cover the evening

THIS week's walk is for Evening News readers Eileen and Tim, but anybody who appreciates the countryside should enjoy this pleasant part of the Teme Valley. The landscape is a mixture of pastoral and arable farmland, with orchards, ancient hedgerows and

THE service on Sunday, January 25 at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church was the family service conducted by Jill Bond. The Bible reading was by Jessie Williams who also acted as sidesman. Bert Vye was at the church organ. Next Sunday is Candlemas and the

Upton's charms are well known and it's always a good place to start a walk, and perhaps an even better place to go back to afterwards, with its welcoming pubs and tea shops. For anybody who appreciates beautiful buildings, Upton-upon-Severn has more than

IT was reported at a meeting of Staunton Parish Council that no further information had been received about the re-scheduling of the Local Plan Review, but both hearings had been held. The two sites affected are Chartist Way and Jubilee Place. Coun Brian

Most people are familiar with Hartlebury Common, a patch of lowland heath which offers a glimpse of what much of north-west Worcestershire used to look like before the demands of agriculture, industry and housing took their toll. While Hartlebury Common

The fields are so thoroughly sodden at the moment that only the keenest walkers are likely to venture out. After all, it's not much fun when every step is an effort. It's hard to say which is worse: stumbling across a newly ploughed field with half a

AT a meeting of Corse Parish Council, chaired by coun Pat Lewis, the clerk, Norman Davis reported that a notice regarding the Declaration of Freedom Act 2003 was to be posted on the parish notice board. No reply had been received concerning street lighting

The Daffodil Way is an eight-mile walk devised in 1988 to highlight the wild daffodils which grow in a small area of north Gloucestershire and south Herefordshire. At one time they used to carpet the fields, but modern farming methods have decimated them

BERROW/Pendock Village Hall was once again the venue for one of Janet's jumble sales. Together with her many helpers the afternoon's events raised £281 which will be used for the upkeep and running of this beautifully maintained village hall. Once again

After the last Ice Age, as the glaciers retreated and the climate warmed up, Britain gradually acquired a covering of broadleaved woodland. Countryside historians refer to this as the "wildwood" and the analysis of preserved pollen grains has revealed

One of the most popular walking areas in Worcestershire lies just to the east of Droitwich where pleasant, pastoral countryside contains such gems as Piper's Hill Common and Hanbury Park. A fairly high density of public footpaths means there's scope for

CHILDREN at Malvern schools were moving to the beat of the Brekete African dance and drumming workshops this week. Ten dynamic dancers and drummers visited pupils from the Grove, St Josephs, Malvern Link and Malvern Wells primary schools and Dyson Perrins

THE V2002 event at Staffordshire's Weston Park was a blinder of a weekend, and one of the best experiences I have had in a long while. The likes of Primal Scream, Stereophonics and The Chemical Brothers played some storming sets, and the heat and atmosphere

LOCAL vernacular architecture will be explored in a talk by Michael Peach as part of a programme of events hosted by Malvern Architectural Society. The talk will be held in the Beacon Room, Malvern Hills College, Albert Road North at 7.30pm on Friday,

MALVERN Storytelling Club will play host to some spooky tales next week. Professional storyteller Cat Weatherill will be at the Foley Arms Hotel with her show Ghost: Whispers in the Dark on Wednesday, February 5. Ghost is a collection of dark and brooding

1803: The Governors of our Infirmary return thanks to the Worcester Lodge of Free-Masons for a liberal donation of Five Guineas. T. Weston respectfully informs his friends that he has taken Fearnal Heath House near this city for the education of Young

A VERY British tale of burning desire snuffed out by the constraints of society is being staged at Hereford's Courtyard Theatre. Brief Encounter is adapted for the stage from David Lean's classic piece of British cinema of the same name. It is the winter

IMAGINE putting on a virtual reality visor and stepping into a room which does not exist to carry out peace talks face to face with someone miles away. It sounds like the rants of an over zealous Tomorrow's World presenter, but Peace Talks, a piece of

THE Battlefield Band play the kind of music you dream of stumbling across in some remote pub and sing along to drunk out of your mind, without knowing any of the words. But the band, pictured left, famous for playing Scottish music with a kick, are performing

TODAY, it's worth taking a moment out of our busy days to wonder at - and give thanks for - the sheer courage of the human spirit. What reason might there be for us put to one side the pressures of our existence and reflect on how we can tackle the trials

The Ray Mercer Sporting Foundation, run by the Shuttle/Times and News, will be making its annual cash awards on the night. Eight young sportsmen and women, taking part in activities ranging from swimming to cycling, will share £1,500, bringing the total

The classic tale Toad of Toad Hall by AA Milne comes to the Royal shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, next month. It is a classic, magical tale of riverbank animals - wise old Badger, kind Ratty, gentle Mole, and conceited, boastful,bossy Toad, whose addiction

JUNIOR sports personality Alison Young has been earmarked as a future Olympian with her inclusion in the Royal Yachting Association transition squad. The 15-year-old Bewdley High School pupil, based at Trimpley Sailing Club, has moved up into Laser competition

PRESENT Laughter on at the Malvern Theatres all this week, is a very entertaining production. Rik Mayall, who plays the ruthlessly charming actor Gary Essendine, is a powerful figure in the play that Noel Coward wrote and built around himself and his

IN this top of the table clash, a depleted Colwall side took on league leaders St Austell and were unlucky to lose 3-0. COLWALL 1ST XI 0, ST AUSTELL 1ST XI 3 With four first team players missing and only the bare 11, Colwall had to play players out of

SATURDAY FOOTBALL WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE Premier Division: Brierley & Hagley v Malvern Town, Ledbury Town v Tipton Town, Bromyard Town v Kington Town. Division One South: Malvern Rangers v Leominster Town (2.15), Malvern Town Reserves v Hinton. WORCESTER

CAMPAIGNERS for a new hospital at Seaford Court in Malvern say they will fight tooth and nail against any proposals to abandon the plan. A meeting of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust next week will be told it is "unlikely" that any public money

POWICK entertained Kempsey United in the Worcester League Premier Division on Saturday at Lower Howsell playing fields. POWICK 4, KEMPSEY UNITED 2 Powick, playing down hill with the wind, had most of the play in the first half. In the 19th minute a good

UPTON waterfront could be bustling with the sights, sounds and smells of an authentic French market in the summer. The town council has expressed an interest in the notion of a Gallic bazaar after receiving an email from March de France, a company that

WEST Malvern started disastrously and conceded two goals in the first ten minutes of this Worcester Saturday Division One game. WEST MALVERN 5, BRANSFORD ROVERS 2 The first was a mix up which allowed Dave Moore to score and after ten minutes they went

AN UPTON shopkeeper is to join a fundraising walk through some of the world's most famous scenery before it is submerged underwater forever. Brenda Till, who runs The Old Sweet Shop on Court Street, has set her sights on taking part in a trek along the

NEW minibuses and people carriers will soon be offering their services to carry both workers and recreational travellers to and from Malvern. As part of the Vision 21 consultation by Malvern Hills District Council, more than 900 people made complaints

WELLAND continued their fine Worcester Saturday Division One form, with their third successive win, completing a double over local rivals Hanley Swan. WELLAND ATHLETIC 2, HANLEY SWAN 1 A vintage display by the experienced Roy Furlong up front ensured

A TRAGICALLY short but fulfilling life will be celebrated at the funeral of a Powick man who died in a road accident last week. Alex Lamb, 21, died when his Ford Mondeo left the road near Rugby and hit a tree last Wednesday. The funeral is being held

ANYONE turning up to see a good old local derby would have been very disappointed by the fare served up by Radar and the Prems last Sunday at Victoria Park. MALVERN RADAR 0, MALVERN PREMIERS 1 The only goal came from the penalty spot with other chances

AN article by an Upton-upon-Severn businesswoman giving tips on how best to keep children happy and under control during aeroplane journeys has been published in a national flight magazine. Issues of Baby On Board, handed to passengers flying from Midlands

A BIGGER line-up of bands has been booked for Upton-upon-Severn's second Cajun and Zydeco Swamp Hop. Organiser Martyn Smith said the May event broke even when it was launched last year, and he expects tickets for this year's to sell out. K-Zee will get

MORE than 30 firefighters from across the region were rushed to the Malvern Hills on Sunday morning following reports of flames leaping from a railway tunnel vent. Two tunnels pass through the hills, a rail tunnel and a service tunnel. Outlets run from

A move to sell Avon Close play area by Malvern Town Council has taken a step closer. A group of residents had asked for the site to be closed down, claiming it is a gathering ground for anti-social youths. Others say it is a much-needed facility for youngsters

TONIGHT (Friday) is quiz night at Upton-upon-Severn Sports Club. Doors will open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start, and teams of four or five people will be welcome, with admission £3.50 per person. A licensed bar will be open and a raffle organised to raise

A £1.5 million project to turn Malvern Library into a one-stop-shop for county and district council services has drawn questions from Malvern Town Council. The town council building on Belle Vue Terrace was purchased with the idea of turning it into a

A BUS driver was assaulted in Milestone Road, Upton-upon-Severn, just after midnight on Sunday. The bus driver sustained minor injuries in the attack. PC Andy Rees is appealing to anyone with information about a blue saloon car, possibly a BMW, being

EXPRESS continued their recent good run with a convincing league victory on a good playing surface at Martley. MARTLEY SPURS RES 0, EXPRESS 5 Most impressive for manager Phil Smalley was the clean sheet kept and the dominance of their performance. With

CONGRATULATIONS on your news writing competition and the standard of entries from the youngsters published in last week's Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter (January 24). I was particular impressed with the winning entry by Bethany Fuller. Her article

QINETIQ has signed a deal with an Australian company to develop a lifesaving device for ambulance crews. Scientists and engineers from the Malvern-based technology centre will be working with HAS Sol-utions to perfect QinetiQ's e-medICS system, unveiled

AN elderly man was flown to hospital by an Air Ambulance helicopter after suffering a stroke in an attic on Sunday (January 26). Malvern firefighters had been called to Blackmore House in Blackmore Park, Hanley Swan after being alerted about the situation

ONCE again LADS have provided the people of Ledbury with a stunning high quality pantomime. The story (Dracula) may have been different, but this was a true old-fashioned pantomime for the whole family, and there was a great deal of audience participation

CHILDREN at Hillstone School in Malvern have been given a magic carpet with which to explore the globe. The brightly coloured woollen rug cannot fly but can be used to visit every continent, as it is a map of the world. Pupils who board at the school

IT is sad to read the recent correspondence about staffing difficulties at Ledbury's new hospital and to hear wider worries over unforeseen costs for more agency staff etc. and especially after being so well cared for at Hereford General Hospital and

THE crew of Captain Cook's ship Endeavour discovered Malvern when they paid a visit to English Braids in Spring Lane. Of course, the visitors were not the original explorers, but the crew of the Bark Endea-vour, a replica of Cook's famous vessel, constructed

WITH reference to Mr Cooper's letter (Your Letters, January 24), he has omitted to mention that several shops, particularly in Church Street, are not "disabled friendly" as they have steps at their entrances. After heavy rain Church Walk becomes a paddling

REVAMPS to Malvern's bus shelters will continue over the coming month. Several new shelters have already been installed by Malvern Town Council and during February more dilapidated shelters will be replaced. Old wooden shelters on Madresfield Road, near

CORIOLANUS is performed with a masterly display of acting talent, yet the production leaves the audience with no sense of satisfaction. The cast, burdened as they were with Japanese costume, struggled I felt to act as the true Romans envisaged by Shakespeare

I can well appreciate the rage and frustration felt by John Brook (Your Letters, January 24) and in many ways I share the sentiments expressed. I feel a brief history of this site in planning terms is necessary in order to see how we have come to this

Herefordshire Council Tax-payers can expect an average increase between £80 and £160 or face cuts in services. Marcle Ridge councillor Don Rule, a member of the council's ruling cabinet, said the Government has indicated that it wants the authority to

LEGIONNAIRES disease has been blamed for the death of a Bransford woman. Ann Bristow, of New House Cottages, could have contracted the illness while showering on holiday, an inquest heard. Mrs Bristow and husband Roy holidayed in a villa in Majorca in

TERRY Ford makes a nice point when he accuses Tom Wells of unfair use of his position as county councillor to represent his views (Your Letters, January 17). On the other hand it seems quite reasonable that a person who is a responsible public figure

SO, the Probation Service has decided Tony Martin is deviant because he is nostalgic for the fifties! Well, I'm afraid I must be deviant too! I grew up in the fifties in one of the poorest and roughest parts of London yet in many ways life was better,

GLASS fibre litter bins have been installed across Malvern this week as the second phase of a replacement programme. Richard Chapman, operations manager for Malvern Town Council, said 30 bins were being put in each costing around £300. He said the new

INNOVATION, dedication and all-round excellence in business and community work are qualities being sought for this year's Platinum Awards. Application forms will be winging their way to organisations of all shapes and sizes next week, asking each for

ALL 110 exhibition spaces at the second Business Festival 2003, taking place at the Three Counties Showground on March 13, have been snapped up. Organisers, the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Herefordshire and Worcestershire, say the festival will

MALVERN Hills District Council has been given £22,000 to help combat homelessness. The money from the Government will help protect young people who lose their homes or who are left to fend for themselves after having lived in care. A large house at the

POLYTHENE tunnels, used by farmers to grow fruit, may be ugly but they are here to stay. On February 6 Herefordshire Council will review a code of good practice devised for the use of polytunnels at an executive committee meeting In order to create a

NEXT week a meeting of the South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust will be told it is "unlikely" any public money will be available in the near future to build a new hospital for Malvern. The news will come as a body blow to all those who have been campaigning

AS I sit and pen this letter, the sun is beaming through the windows, the blackbirds and thrushes are busy feeding and singing, even the crocus are in bloom - all this, and it's still only January! Surely we should be covered in snow and ice, or at the

WORCESTERSHIRE today announced the capture of Australian left-arm paceman Mark Harrity. The 28-year-old, who holds a British passport, has agreed a two- year contract at New Road. Harrity has an English father and does not count as an overseas player

DAN Jones and Mitch Counsell are in line for starting roles in Worcester City's FA Trophy clash with Margate tomorrow. Manager John Barton has several suspension and injury worries ahead of the fourth round tie and will delay picking his team until shortly

A Malvern man has been awarded the coveted Green Beret to become a Royal Marine Commando. Daniel Austin, 18, a former Chase High School pupil, has successfully completed the 30-week training course, considered the toughest initial training in the world

PARISH and town councils will have take on more responsibilities and staff and councillors gain qualifications if they do not want to be refused grants and opportunities in future. That was the message given by Pat Edwards, executive officer of the County

A COMPANY based at Malvern Hills Science Park has signed a deal with a firm to help produce the next generation of liquid crystal displays (LCD). ZBD Displays was founded in 2000 as the first spin-off company to come out of QinetiQ. The firm has developed

A Hanley Swan beekeeper is celebrating the increasing popularity of British honey. Jim Kitchen, secretary of the Malvern and Upton branch of the Worcestershire Beekeepers Association, said that British honey is currently at a premium. Its competitor,

The classic tale Toad of Toad Hall by AA Milne comes to the Royal shakespeare Theatre, Stratford, next month. It is a classic, magical tale of riverbank animals - wise old Badger, kind Ratty, gentle Mole, and conceited, boastful,bossy Toad, whose addiction

MUSICALS, comedy and concerts provide a varied line-up of events for Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre's spring season. First up is Boogie Nights, the 70s musical that recreates the disco fever decade. It stars ex-EastEnder Sophie Lawrence and Sam Kane and

THE 91st Chipping Norton Music Festival, coming up in March, will give musicians and actors an opportunity to showcase their talents. It includes classes for piano, guitar, woodwind, strings and brass, as well as vocal and choral categories. A new feature

SINGERS John Martin-Stevens and John Southern make a return visit to Broadway's Lifford Hall next Saturday. Both are local to the area. John Martin-Stevens is a professional actor, who has been in BBC's Casualty and on the big screen in Mike Bassett with

FANS of the music of Queen can see one of the leading tribute bands - Magic - at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester on Thursday, January 30. Magic were formed in 1974, the time when Queen were making their name, and soon added the music of Freddie Mercury and

THE GOOD GIRL (15) Jennifer Aniston stars as a married woman whose life seems the pits, holding down a dead end job. Boredom leads her to have an affair with a younger man. The Odeon, Worcester (4.30, 9.00 Fri-Wed) THE BANGER SISTERS (15) Goldie Hawn

THE Malvern-based Eng-lish Symphony Orchestra has received an unusual accolade from across the Atlantic The orchestra was sent a letter from a visitor thanking it for "a most wonderful and highly unexpected evening of great musicmaking" in Novem-ber.

POWER pop group Grass will be headlining at Worcester's Marr's Bar tonight (Friday). Supporting them will be Coventry-based Fine Line, winners of the Sennheiser Unsigned Artists 2002 competion and the Country Youth Festival. Harmonica player Errol Linton

MALVERN Town travel to rivals Ledbury Town on Wednesday (February 5) in the second round of the West Midlands Premier Division Cup (7.45). Ledbury qualified for the second round, courtesy of a 9-1 win at home to Gornal on Wednesday night and would have

MALVERN RFC, hit by injury and unavailability in their recent poor run, face what appears a mountainous task against Luctonians tomorrow (Saturday). The North Herefordshire side have been in sparkling form of late, running in tries at will against sides

MALVERN Town kept the pressure up at the top of the Express and Star West Midlands League Premier Division table, with this remarkable win at Wolverhampton Casuals. WOLVERHAMPTON CASUALS 4, MALVERN TOWN 6 Although this was the sixth occasion that Town

MALVERN decided to use this friendly to look at several promising young players from University College, Worcester and the experiment proved well worthwhile. DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD II 0, MALVERN DEVELOPMENT 39pts The Malvern pack tore into their counterparts

THREE martial arts students from a Malvern Link club have achieved black belt grading successes in Ju Jutsu. Robert Tiene, aged 28, who runs the Somers Park School-based club, has become the youngest member of Tai Jutsu Kai to achieve a 4th degree black

NEWCOMER Dion Scott could make his debut for Kidderminster Harriers in tomorrow's Nat-ionwide League Division Three clash against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank (3pm). The 22-year-old defender has signed on a non-contract basis after being released by Mansfield

ENGLISH supermarkets make twice as much money as those in any other country in Europe. And contrary to what consumers think about delivering good food and value, all they deliver is profits to the supermarket. Better meat can be bought cheaper from a

GIVEN Councillor Lankester's impending battle for re-election this May, it is perhaps not surprising he chooses to misrepresent the scale of the city council grant increase (You Say, Saturday January 11), and blames the Government for the Conservative

THE Evening News must be congratulated on the geographical spread of its most excellent newspaper. It is such a good newspaper it seems members of the UK Independance Party from the far-flung reaches of the country must be rushing to their newsagents

BRIDGES are being built between Rubery youngsters and leisure chiefs in a joint venture to revamp the village. The district council has agreed to work with the young people of Rubery to restore two bridges in Brook Road park, says Labour district councillor

'EXCELLENT', 'eye-opening', 'invaluable' and 'worthwhile' were some of the comments made by the primary school teachers and community sports leaders who qualified as RFU tag rugby coaches in the first of three coach education evenings hosted by Malvern

MUSIC lovers are being urged to attend The Avon Singers' latest concert next Saturday at Evesham Arts Centre. The choral group will be presenting a short comedy musical, entitled The Audition. Originally written for the group by Les Emmans, a founder

DANCERS wearing period costume will trip the light fantastic in a Johann Strauss Gala at Cheltenham Town Hall next Wednesday. The Johann Strauss Orchestra, directed from the violin in the traditional Viennese manner, includes a programme of favourites

JOHN Cooper of Malvern Link has written in response to the picture published in Malvern Memories in January 10. He thinks the picture, taken in Priory Park, shows the VE Day parade of auxiliary forces, which took place when he was seven years old. "In

Brian's Supersounds Disco at Barbourne Ex-Servicemens Club, Worcester on February 1. For further details telephone 01905 25674. Ballroom & Sequence Dance at Christopher Whitehead School, Worcester on February 1. Telephone Debbie or Steve on 01905

The Nonentities Society present Glengarry Glen Ross in the Main House, The Roses Theatre, Kidderminster Jan 27 - Feb 1. Tickets available from Box Office 01562 743745. Sam Kane and Sophie Lawrence in Boogie Nights, the 70's musical at The Alexandra Theatre

MALVERN Theatres has a new manager who is excited about taking on the challenging and varied role. Sarah-Jane Browning took over from Carol Mitchell as manager on December 16 and is now responsible for all aspects of the theatres' running during performances

WORCESTERSHIRE today announced the capture of Australian left-arm paceman Mark Harrity. The 28-year-old, who holds a British passport, has agreed a two- year contract at New Road. Harrity has an English father and does not count as an overseas player