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The latest coverage of Redditch United celebrating clinching the Dr Martens Western title.

CRITICS of a new recycling scheme have been slammed for "scaremongering" on the eve of Wyre Forest's "rubbish revolution". Council leader Howard Martin has hit out at opposition members' "constant sniping" and issued a call for unity over what he sees

A "REVOLUTION in rubbish" is to finally get under way in parts of Wyre Forest in seven weeks. Weekly kerbside recycling collections and a fortnightly wheelie bin collection service will be introduced in tandem at 9,000 households in parts of Kidderminster

ARTISTIC youngsters across Wyre Forest are today given a wonderful opportunity to make their mark on a new recycling initiative - and help spread the Get Sorted! message. District council chiefs are offering schoolchildren aged four to 14 the opportunity

MORE than 500 people bagged a cheap compost bin as part of a promotion during national composting awareness week which finished at the weekend. Wyre Forest District Council teamed up with Original Organics to offer cut-priced bins for between £10 and

THE Waresley site is in a quarry used by neighbours Baggeridge Brick. It opened eight years ago, with the rubbish filling in the void created by the extraction works. The site will be temporarily vacated in a couple of years to allow the brick firm to

MIDLANDS TWO (WEST) Saturday, November 12: Old Laurentians v Malvern. Saturday, November 19: Malvern v Barkers Butts. Saturday, December 3: Malvern v Stoke. Saturday, December 10: Hinckley v Malvern. Saturday, December 17: Barkers Butts v Malvern. Saturday

A STUNNING new mural has brightened up Pershore High Street and put a garden shop on the map, thanks to the talents of a local student. Rune and Resolution shop owner Fiona Abbott was concerned the front of her garden-based gift store was lacking a little

WI MEMBERS across the county are preparing to turn their backs on giant supermarkets in order to save their village shops. The move was initiated by their Cornish counterparts and now Worcestershire women say they will support any national proposals by

ORGANISERS of an annual charity Christmas Fun Run in Worcester have set their sights high for this year's event - hoping to smash the previous sum raised. Last year, more than 700 people ran the three-and-a-half-mile circuit through the city, dressed

COUNCIL chiefs are urging people to step up their recycling now, rather than wait for the new doorstep service to come into force. The current sites are: KIDDERMINSTER: Bromsgrove Street: bottles, cans, paper, textiles, junk mail; Franche Co-op, Wilton

ANYONE in Worcester with a ghoulish streak who is hoping to see a few spooks or hobgoblins tonight could be in for an apparition anticlimax. According to Worcestershire author Anne Bradford, who has published her sixth book of local ghost stories, the

THE new recycling system will be slowly phased in across Wyre Forest from July. Every household will eventually get two recycling boxes for newspapers, plastic, cans, glass and textiles, which will be collected weekly. A wheelie bin for the remaining

THE issue of recycling - and how to encourage people to think before they bin their rubbish - is set to be a high priority for Wyre Forest District Council in the year ahead. The proportion of rubbish recycled in the district stands at just 5.58 per cent

PLANS to give district councillors a raise have been attacked by opposition groups. The leading Health Concern group has proposed reinstating basic expenses for all 42 councillors to 2001 levels. Last year the allowances were cut as part of £3 million

FIXTURES Harvey World Travel Midland Football Alliance Tuesday, November 8, Malvern Town v Oldbury United (7.45). West Midlands League Division One Tuesday, November 1, Smedley Crooke Cup, Malvern Town Reserves v Boldmere St Michaels Res (7.45). Saturday

ONCE, it was jam and Jerusalem with maybe a few knitting patterns thrown in. Nowadays, the Women's Institute is a force to be reckoned with - their slow hand-clap of Tony Blair is still fresh in some people's memories. Gone are the twin set and pearls

The promising keeper did enough in friendlies and training with Harriers during season 2003-04 to become Jan Molby's first signing of the summer break. Lewis broke into Studley's first team the season before and kept his place with the Midland Alliance

The uncompromising defender was Ian Britton's last signing before the manager was sacked in October 2003 and cost Harriers a four-figure fee. Hatswell has a second chance to impress in the Football League after leaving Oxford under Ian Atkins due to a

The defender joined Harriers for a second spell in March 2004, signing a contract until the end of the season. A left-footed player who can deliver a good set-piece and likes to attack down the flank with a fine range of passes, Burton played just 14

DAVE Boddy was delighted and overwhelmed by the huge demand for FA Cup tickets over the weekend. Less than 60 Worcester City tickets remain on sale for Saturday's first round clash at Chippenham, following a rush for tickets at St George's Lane. A total

HEREFORD United chief Graham Turner was happy to escape with a point as Kidderminster Harriers manager Stuart Watkiss praised his troops. The two clubs drew 1-1 at Aggborough in the big Nationwide Conference derby, watched by 3,241 fans, with Harriers

JUST as they did on the last occasion the sides met in Conference action five seasons ago, honours remained even between the Herefordshire and Worcestershire rivals at Aggborough. Jamie Pitman's seventh minute strike was cancelled out by Taiwo Atieno

A LEADING British equine welfare charity is calling on horse and pony enthusiasts in Worcester-shire and Herefordshire to help its cause. The Brooke is organising a life-saving donkey train to take desperately needed food and medicines to Pakistan's earthquake

I ALWAYS get excited as spring draws near, particularly as it is a wonderful time for wild flower spotting. If, like me, you always seem to walk along the same bit of land, whether it is in either a nature reserve or even along the same piece of wild

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' community team have been recognised for the quality of their holiday coaching courses for the second successive year with a FA Charter Standard Award. The team, who hold the sessions at schools throughout Worcestershire during

TICKETS have gone on sale to catch legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall later in the year. The superstar singer will be taking to the stage with his band Strange Sensation on Monday December 12. Plant joined up with

UNDER-FIRE boss Stuart Watkiss admits he must take the rap for "the worst back to back performances" of his Kidderminster Harriers reign, writes Mat Kendrick. Home defeats to Forest Green Rovers and Halifax Town have undermined Harriers' steady start

DAVID Gray (above) returns to Wolverhampton Civic Hall later this year to promote his new album almost five years since he last took to the stage at the venue. The singer will be performing on Tuesday December 6 towards the end of his UK and Ireland tour

THE beginning of September is an excellent time to visit the district's heathlands. The heather is in full flower and the heaths both look and smell spectacular. Working within the Wyre Forest District Council Ranger Service looking after the heaths can

HARRIERS 0, Halifax 1 AS the seconds ticked away Mark Jackson attempted to pass a 10-yard free kick to Wayne Graves which instead of finding its target rolled straight out of play for a throw, writes Mat Kendrick. And in that one seemingly insignificant

KINGSWINFORD band Red:Line:Ratio have made it through to the national final of Chicago Rock Caf's Rock Academy talent search. The indie pop/rock outfit scooped £500 cash in the regional final of the competition held at Burton on Trent last night (Tuesday

HARRIERS have been drawn at home to Darlington in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy. The tie against Dave Hodgson's League Two side will take place at Aggborough at 7.45pm on Tuesday October 17. Club bosses are considering a price reduction against

AS would seem to always be the case, the school holidays start and so does the bad weather. While this is bad news for both children and their parents, the wet weather has provided a much-needed reprieve for wildlife, which would certainly have been suffering

ASSISTANT boss Martin O'Connor has saluted the Kidderminster Harriers defence for "laying themselves on the line" in pursuit of success so far this season. O'Connor, who is rated 50/50 to face Forest Green Rovers on Saturday because of a knee injury,

THE town of Kidderminster is very fortunate in that it has some wonderful wildlife. There are, of course, both the impressive heaths with their spectacular and rare wildlife and the wet woods and marshlands along the Stour and its tributaries. Away from

Some plants have strange common names such as Jack in the Hedge or Mouse Ear. With most, their names can be traced back to herbal remedies, country traditions or perhaps because they have a passing resemblance to something. For example, the leaf of the

HARRIERS will learn who they will face in the first round of this season's LDV Vans Trophy when the draw is made live on television on Saturday. The teams will be picked out of the hat between 9am and noon on the Soccer AM programme on SkySports 1. Harriers

Next match - Saturday: Harriers v Forest Green Rovers, Aggborough, kick-off 3pm. Top scorer : 4 Atieno, 3 Christie, Fleming, Hatswell, Jackson, Sheldon. Booked: 2 Christie, Fleming, Hatswell, Wilson, 1 Atieno, Blackwood, Burgess, Evans, Sheldon, Star

HARRIERS travel to Conference pace-setters Grays Athletic on Saturday with several fringe players forcing their way into boss Stuart Watkiss's first team reckoning, writes Mat Kendrick. Watkiss was openly critical of his side after they scraped an exciting

OUT on Puxton Marsh Nature Reserve in Kidderminster, the summer flora has begun blooming in style. The spring flowers of cuckoo flower and buttercups are starting to be overtaken by the far more vigorous summer blooms. Looking down across the nature reserve

"IS this the way to Aggborough physio, asks lonely Christie." Duck-breaking Iyseden Christie insists his constant injury demons will not affect his rumbustuous approach to the game despite fears that his playing days could be numbered. Christie ended

THROUGHOUT my time as a ranger I have spent many hours searching through the undergrowth looking for a variety of little bugs and beasties. Even now I feel a great deal of excitement when a bug hunt leads me to find a member of the beetle family. I have

HARRIERS 3, Canvey Island 2 SHOULD there ever be a remake of Escape to Victory, Terry Fleming, Taiwo Atieno and Iyseden Christie could replace Pele, Bobby Moore and Sylvester Stallone after dramatically helping Harriers rescue a thrilling win from the

Back in July 2003, a female dragonfly hovered motionless above the still waters of a pond, dipping its abdomen beneath the water and laying an egg upon a piece of pond weed. This was the moment of birth for the Emperor dragonfly, Britain's largest dragonfly

THE Cambridge hack who suggested the Abbey Stadium was becoming a happy-hunting ground for Kidderminster Harriers was given short shrift by Stuart Watkiss after this victory. "Some good it did us last year, let's hope it has more of a knock-on effect

THERE is estimated to be over 10 million different species of insects living on earth. In fact, there are so many that no-one knows the true figure. In Britain alone, there is thought to be at least 20,000 different species, bearing in mind that this

STUART Watkiss wanted Harriers to turn the clock back and bury Southport under a pile of goals. But what did the frustrated Aggborough boss get? Yet another toothless display up front which allowed the grateful Sandgrounders to slip off the hook. It was

SIMON Russell is hoping to live up to his nickname "Scholesy" by adding the Manchester United and former England playmaker's shooting prowess to his game, writes Mat Kendrick. Russell was given the moniker as a youth teamer at Hull because of his physical

By Mat Kendrick DESPITE the dodgems, the helter skelter, the amusement arcades and the hook-a-duck stall, there was absolutely nothing "fair" about Scarborough on Saturday. Harriers spent the evening before the match relaxing along the seafront and going

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss is satisfied with the club's first week back in the Conference -- but he admits his plans to overhaul the youth set-up have been put on hold for another season. An opening day 2-1 win over Woking and a midweek

AS spring unfolds its wealth of new life, I always enjoy watching for new wild flowers to come into bloom across the reserves. One plant family which is now starting to come into bloom, is the bedstraws. Bedstraws have delicate stems and fine narrow leaves

WYRE Forest residents are being given the opportunity to turn their attic clutter into cash while raising funds for Operation Covert. That is because leading auction house, Halls Fine Art, which has offices in Kidderminster and Shrewsbury, is holding

HARRIERS boss Stuart Watkiss has warned his players to expect a Scarborough backlash when they travel to Yorkshire on Saturday. Boro have endured a torrid start to the season with a 4-0 hammering at Hereford and a 1-0 home defeat to Morecambe. And Watkiss

There's a small wooden building in the middle of Habberley Valley that many years ago used to be a teahouse. For the last few years it has been put to use as a small visitors centre. Unfortunately, though, there are only a few Rangers responsible for

HORSE riders are being reminded they can enjoy a pleasant ride and a drink while raising money for Operation Covert this weekend. Wyre Forest Ride is being organised by Cordelia Noble - a freelance photographer who works for the Shuttle/Times & News

THE bid to rebuild the Rhydd Covert activity centre is on the brink of passing the £50,000 milestone after a staggering £10,000 was donated by Kidderminster and District Youth Trust. The cash is the largest single donation to date and has taken the £80,000

HARRIERS will do well to heed the reception Gareth Sheldon got on returning to his former club -- because Kidderminster won't be the most welcome of visitors around the Conference this season. Jeers rained down on the ex-Exeter winger as he warmed up

DON'T be surprised if Harriers' Conference fate is not resolved until the final day of the season. Because the Aggborough men have developed a habit of leaving things until the very last moment. The boardroom power struggle ended just weeks before the

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THE most wonderful thing about wildlife is its amazing diversity. In Britain alone there are over 1,000 different plant species and tens of thousands of different animal species, when one takes into account the multitudes of different insects. There is

NEW money man Gordon Howard is dangling a pre-season trip to Bermuda in front of the Harriers squad as an incentive for success. Howard says a tour of his adopted home could be on the horizon next summer, depending on how Harriers perform during the forthcoming

IF you wish to make a donation to Operation Covert, you can: Call in at the Shuttle/Times and News offices in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, during normal business hours from 9am until 5pm. Post donations to Operation Covert, c/o Becky Parkinson, Shuttle

BEING a human living in England, you may rightly think that we are at the top of the food chain and have little to fear from any natural predator. This is indeed mostly the case. There used to be a few wild animals in Britain that if desperation threw

By Mat Kendrick KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have added the final piece to their Conference jigsaw, for the time being, with the arrival of a mystery striker. Boss Stuart Watkiss has ended his frustrating search for fresh firepower by snapping up a new frontman

SUNSEEKERS will have the chance to indulge themselves this winter - while helping Operation Covert - after Co-op Travel donated £500 of travel vouchers to a raffle in aid of the appeal. Five thousand tickets have been printed for the Rhydd Covert Warden's

STEVE Burton is relishing his battle with Wayne Hatswell for the left back berth after being given a chance to revive his Kidderminster career. Boss Stuart Watkiss has employed both Burton and Hatswell in that role during the pre-season programme, sparking

ALTHOUGH I try to reply to all letters, sometimes subjects of wide concern arise, bringing overwhelming correspondence composed by a central organisation and signed by constituents. I regret I cannot reply to all these letters personally. The subjects

HARD on the heels of the proposals for mergers of health trusts and authorities comes the latest proposal for mergers, this time of police forces across the West Midlands. My immediate reaction is one of suspicion. Where is the evidence that larger police

FOR the past couple of months the Ranger Service has employed an ornithological consultant to survey the birds as they over winter on the wetland nature reserves of the Wyre Forest District Council. This is quite a big project and will not be complete

Exclusive by Mat Kendrick BERMUDA-based backer Gordon Howard has revealed that the enthusiasm of Kidderminster Harriers president Colin Youngjohns convinced him to invest some of his personal fortune into the club. In an exclusive interview with the Shuttle

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers supporters are hoping the future is bright after setting up a fundraising scheme to provide a youth team at Aggborough. The 250-club has been established to pay for 20 apprentices to receive full-time coaching and education. Fans

KIDDERMINSTER fans are being asked to cast their minds back for their favourite memories of former Harriers hero Lee Hughes during happier times. The striker, who is currently serving a jail sentence for manslaughter after a fatal road accident, is being

January has certainly been a windy month. Fortunately for us in Wyre Forest district, we have managed to avoid the severest gales that have battered northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Once gusts of wind reach 70mph there is a real risk that

Exclusive by MAT KENDRICK AXED assistant manager Gary Barnett could be set for an amazing return to Kidderminster Harriers just days after losing his job because of budget cuts. Barnett has already been lined up for a possible full-time role coaching

THE Health Select Committee completed five reports towards the end of the last Parliament. The Government is supposed to respond within two months of such reports, and even allowing for the General Election I find it unacceptable that responses to three

GLENN Hoddle has tipped Kidderminster Harriers to bounce back to the Football League at the first attempt -- providing they can regularly repeat the display that tamed his Wolves side, writes Mat Kendrick. The former England boss was full of praise for

EACH winter Britain plays host to millions of avian visitors from the continent. Recent weather notwithstanding, the UK climate is generally milder than that of mainland Europe, and the extra few degrees of temperature make our islands comparatively balmy

HARRIERS' pre-season winning streak came to an end against Paul Merson's Walsall, writes Mat Kendrick. But as the Saddlers boss was quick to point out, there were still plenty of positives for his opposite number Stuart Watkiss. Once again Kidderminster

Over the Christmas period it seems to me that we have had almost every sort of weather imaginable. There were days of torrential rain, snow, and bitter frosts, gales and bright sunny days where at a push you might have possibly got away with wearing a

OPERATION Covert has received roaring support from a Kidderminster club, with its former president personally dropping in to Rhydd Covert to hand over £500. Tony Rhoden abseiled down a wall to present a cheque on behalf of Kidderminster and District Lions

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have already been forced to re-arrange some of their fixtures during their first season back in the Nationwide conference. Their home match with Canvey Island has been brought forward a day to Friday September 2 (kick off 7.45pm

STUART Watkiss has defended his policy of recruiting experienced players after seeing his squad labelled as a "Dad's Army". The Harriers manager has been upset by the flak he has received from some fans for bringing in 30-somethings Martin O'Connor, Daryl

SLOWLY but surely Stuart Watkiss's new-look Kidderminster Harriers squad is beginning to take shape after the arrival of half a dozen new faces. Watkiss was hoping to tie up the signing of Exeter winger Gareth Sheldon to add to the captures of Martin

IT is hoped a Christmas raffle will generate £5,000 for Operation Covert. But help is needed in providing prizes that will make the public clamour for tickets. Rhydd Covert site warden, Mark Woodward, has arranged for 5,000 tickets to be printed, free

BEWDLEY Carnival last Saturday was a great success with, I believe, more visitors than last year. The field was crammed with stands and although, because of insurance difficulties, there were few large floats, the parade was spectacular with excellent

ONE excitement in London is that as there are now nearly 30 MPs who are not members of a major party, as a group we may be able to call for Opposition Day debates. Also there may be money available from Parliamentary allowances for extra support as already

THE sound of music has boosted Operation Covert by £650 after soul band, Blind Lemon, rocked a Kidderminster social club. Blind Lemon guitarist, Nick McCarthy, told the Shuttle/Times and News that a great night had been had by all who attended the gig

A LUCRATIVE non-uniform day at Comberton Middle School has given Operation Covert a £500 cash boost. The fund-raiser, which has taken the total amount raised by the appeal so far to £32,500, was part of a district-wide dress down event in May, when first

MEMBERS of 1st Cookley Guides have given 4,000 pennies for their thoughts about raising cash for Operation Covert. They got their heads together to come up with the offbeat idea that generated £40 for the cause. Amanda Brighton, the group's Guider, said

AFTER the Easter recess we return to London on April 5 to hear if the Prime Minister will call the General Election. There is much to be completed and I can only guess which parliamentary business will lapse. Rumour has it that the Identity Cards Bill

OPERATION Covert is a step closer to reaching the £30,000 milestone after members of Bewdley Rotary Club collected £1,000 in a bumper bucket-shake and car boot sale. Alan Wood, who took over from John Cox as president of the club last week, said members

OPERATION Covert is to receive its largest single donation yet following the unprecedented success of a gardens open day by Kidderminster Horticultural Society. The green-fingered group, which is the largest of its kind in Worcestershire, generated a

AFTER last week's rebellion on the Prevention of Terrorism Bill second reading, the major scare for the Government came on Monday during the committee stage when the first amendment that would have made the Home Secretary apply to the court for detention

A HOST of tribute acts hoping to make it onto the books of Kidderminster-based entertainment agency, Upfront, are to give Operation Covert a musical boost next week. A showcase of new acts is being held in aid of the campaign to rebuild the Rhydd Covert

1st Wilden Guides 5th and 6th Stourport Brownies 10th Hereford Cubs 12th Kidderminster (Blakedown) Scout Group Ash Friendship Fund Ballroom Glitz Beards Ironmonger Bulls Head, Cookley Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club Cadspec Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons

ADULTS who make the Scouting experience possible raised £100 with a quiz night in aid of Operation Covert. The Stourport Scout Fellowship, which comprises helpers and leaders, held the battle of the brains at the Vale Road HQ the 1st Stourport St Michael's

THE year is 2008. Citywide blackouts, stock exchange sabotage and electronic hijacking of national defence systems leads to information warfare, which has become the most dangerous threat to global stability. To prevent these attacks, gamers must infiltrate

ARE you ready for great cars, courses, race modes and online gameplay? If so, then Gran Turismo 4 is the game for you. Gran Turismo 4 features a wide variety of new and exciting features. You can enjoy a realistic driving experience in which characteristics

IN terms of randomness and originality, Under The Skin is certainly an intriguing concept. In this game, your name is Cosmi and you originate from the Mischief Planet. Traditionally inhabitants are sent to other planets on their third birthday to cause

TOCA Race Driver 2 claims to be the ultimate racing simulator. This is an enormous claim to make and would put it ahead of all other racing games. Unlike many games that falsely label themselves as being the greatest in their genre, Toca Race Driver 2

NOT so long ago the battle for the top football game on any console opened up a bit when This Is Football 2002 was released giving Fifa and Pro Evolution Soccer a real run for their money. Three years on, however, and it all seems to have gone horribly

THE title of this Peter Quilter play perfectly sums up the evening's entertainment. Maureen Lipman is simply superb as Florence Foster Jenkins, an American socialite who has delusions she is a great singer but really the audiences are turning up in their

1st Wilden Guides 5th and 6th Stourport Brownies 10th Hereford Cubs 12th Kidderminster (Blakedown) Scout Group Ash Friendship Fund Ballroom Glitz Beards Ironmonger Bulls Head, Cookley Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club Cadspec Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons

A GREEN-FINGERED couple are to open their colourful garden in Kidderminster to raise cash for Operation Covert. Keen gardeners are invited to the Comberton Avenue house to pick up tips on creating a vibrant display for late spring. Owners, Sheila and

THEY may have made a name for themselves covering classic rock songs by the likes of AC/DC, Motorhead and Queen, but Hayseed Dixie are anything but your bog standard tribute band - as their two-hour set proved. As well as performing their unusual takes

IT has been more than 15 years now since the first Street Fighter was released. Street Fighter has always been a classic beat 'em up, rivalled by the likes of Soul Calibur, Tekken and Mortal Kombat. Capcom have released a treat for fans of the series

FIRST written in apartheid South Africa in the 1970s, this play still bears plenty of relevance today, long after Nelson Mandela gained his freedom and ended the country's hated regime. Based on a true story, the production focuses on two political prisoners

FROM the beginning in an almost Jackass like way, violators imitating moves are warned that they will be smacked. This is fittingly appropriate for Tony Hawk's Underground 2 is far more than just a sequel to the original THUG but rather a game that pays

SCHOOLS have rallied behind a Shuttle/Times and News fund-raising drive that it is hoped will raise hundreds of pounds for Operation Covert. Five Wyre Forest schools will invite pupils to wear their own clothes or their Scout uniform on Friday, May 27

WHAT better way for a troupe of talented teenagers to spend their summer holidays than rehearsing for and starring in, you guessed it, Summer Holiday. While the youth of today are often derided for hanging around bus stops causing mayhem, this bunch of

A MINI film festival in Netherton will be showing three cinema classics to tie in with a touring borough exhibition. Dudley Performing Arts and Netherton Library are teaming up for the Thursday afternoon showings at Netherton Arts Centre. The movies being

Director Michael Bay makes a welcome departure from his usual no-brainer, all-action fare with this thought-provoking offering. The Island tells the story of Lincoln Six-Echo (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan Two-Delta (Scarlett Johansson) who live in a utopian

THE creators of Resident Evil have unleashed a treat in the form of Viewtiful Joe, a self-proclaimed, superhero kung-fu platform masterpiece! Gamers take control of Joe, who battles his way through many enemies in an attempt to save his kidnapped girlfriend

PERFECT Ace Two The Champions is for tennis fans who think running around a court with a racquet an unnecessary exertion of effort. The PS2 sequel, produced by Oxygen Interactive Games, allows up to four players to take part in a world tour or singles

FORGET Richard Burns Rally and all the other mediocre rally games littering the market, Colin McRae 2005 is without a doubt the king of the rally games. Gamers should not expect CM 2005 to be a simple pick up and play affair, though, for it is a realistic

Dynasty Warriors has evolved an enormous amount from the original version back on the PSONE. The PSONE version was a simple beat them up affair but now gamers indulge in full-scale battles. Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires is the latest addition to the series

AFTER reading the comic books as a kid this film was a real treat for me. The tale of four people, Dr Reed Richards, his best pal Ben Grimm, his ex-girlfriend Sue Storm and her younger brother Johnny, jetting off to outer space on a mission to benefit

MYSTERY, horror, gore, and a rewarding storyline are just a few of the factors that make Resident Evil one of the greatest games of all time. When the Resident Evil remake was first released, hard core fans of the series flocked to the shops in thousands

1st Wilden Guides 5th and 6th Stourport Brownies 10th Hereford Cubs Ash Friendship Fund Beards Ironmonger Bulls Head, Cookley Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club Cadspec Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons Classical Music Society Comberton Wives Group Cum Sing

Gamer's play undercover cop Tanner in the third instalment of the Driver series. As Tanner you must infiltrate the biggest car theft of all time! Graphically Driv3r's FMV's are nothing short of amazing providing gamers with a cinematic display of beauty

AMAZING, awesome, breath-taking, magical and sensational - these are just some of the many adjectives that could be used to describe this high octane show and I'm sure the capacity audience would have found many, many more. Fusing the best of Irish jigs

THE importance of Rhydd Covert to children from throughout the UK has seen a Birmingham Cub group pledge more than £200 to our appeal. Youngsters from the 129th Birmingham Cub Pack took part in a gruelling activity programme to raise £160. Cash raised

WITH a selection of prequels on the PSONE, Syphon Filter: The Omega Strain has a lot to live up to. In terms of meeting the expectations set there are both high and low points that will be encountered throughout the endurance of the game. Gamers will

HAVING read so much in the Shuttle/Times and News about tenor Russell Painter, baritone Jonathan Darby and pianist David Morgan, it was wonderful to finally hear them. And what a superb idea it was to have three of Kidderminster's finest musicians on

"If there is a God, then why has he let me die?" Torque finds this scrawled on the wall of a cell and it serves as a general introduction to The Suffering, a game in which reality is obscured and horror is very much the flavour of the day. Gamers control

HEREFORD United chief Graham Turner was happy to escape with a point as Kidderminster Harriers manager Stuart Watkiss praised his troops. The two clubs drew 1-1 at Aggborough in the big Nationwide Conference derby, watched by 3,241 fans, with Harriers

1st Wilden Guides 5th and 6th Stourport Brownies 10th Hereford Cubs Ash Friendship Fund Beards Ironmonger Bulls Head, Cookley Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club Cadspec Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons Classical Music Society Comberton Wives Group Cum Sing

WE were well entertained on Saturday, when the Canoldir Male Choir sang a varied selection, including March of the Peers from Iolanthe, Yesterday and It's a Working Man I Am with an excellent solo sung by Joseph Flynn. Their best performance of the evening

1st Wilden Guides 5th and 6th Stourport Brownies 10th Hereford Cubs Ash Friendship Fund Beards Ironmonger Bulls Head, Cookley Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club Cadspec Chaddesley Corbett Freemasons Classical Music Society Comberton Wives Group Cum Sing

A DARTBOARD signed by top players set to face off in Kidderminster next week is aiming to raise more appeal cash. Top contestants, including Phil Taylor, Colin Lloyd, Peter Manley, John Part and Roland Scholten, are to sign the board which will then be

I ENJOYED an evening in the company of Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society immensely, with a programme of songs which included many old favourites from the shows, plus a sprinkling of newer items. The artistes are too numerous to mention all,

VAN Helsing is based on the new movie currently showing at cinemas all around the country. As Van Helsing, gamers are brought face-to-face with the likes of Frankenstein, Dracula and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Rather than opting for a survival horror approach

SHOWDOWN is without a doubt the wrestling fan's wrestling game. Graphics beautifully recreate legends such as Andre The Giant and Jimmy Snuka, while gameplay is sluggish and true to the reality of wrestling as opposed to the fast-paced arcade action witnessed

RED Dead Revolver is the first game to fully immerse itself into the Wild West genre. Red is a bounty hunter who is desperate to trace his father's killer. Gamers will find themselves absorbed into the storyline as it slowly unravels over 27 chapters.

GREEN-fingered Kidderminster residents are hoping to raise more than £2,000 for Operation Covert by inviting keen horticulturists into their gardens. A total of 10 homes from throughout the town will open to the public this summer, with proceeds from

WITH Onimusha 3 gracing consoles within the next month, Capcom have released Onimusha Blade Warriors to serve as an appetiser for fans of the series. Blade Warriors is an ideal game for multi-players as it is not too distant in style and concept from

I HAVE never heard such prolonged applause at The Rose, and although this was an excellent production throughout, much of the acclamation on Monday night was aimed directly at the three leads, who are brilliant. Julie Innes is a superb Maggie, the bossiest

PATSY Palmer proved there really is life after Bianca in EastEnders with a stunning display of acting and dancing as tap dance teacher Mavis. Written by Richard Harris, Stepping Out is both funny and moving and, for a dance fan like myself, is also well

OUR appeal has been given a major boost from Rhydd Covert neighbours, West Midland Safari Park. Bosses at the major tourist attraction have pledged to donate £1 to Operation Covert for every Scout who visits the park this season. Youngsters have also

THE UCI cinema at Merry Hill continued its excellent Director's Chair series with Napoleon Dynamite, a quirky comedy about the pitfalls and dubious privileges of being a geek. Arriving just as the film found its way on to DVD, it tells the story of Napoleon

THIS is the first glimpse of the new state-of-the-art Scout centre that the Shuttle/Times & News is aiming to build through our Operation Covert appeal. Plans have been submitted for a new £80,000 facility at the Bewdley Scout camp which show a modern

Saturday, October 29, 2005 SLOPPY passing and disjointed play led to a scrappy and frustrating victory for the Worcester Warriors in their second European Challenge Cup group match. Worcester should have started as favourites against Amatori Catania following

HARDLY any band can fill a venue like The Wulfrun without releasing a single record - but The Tears are not just any band. Unquestionably, The Tears comprises one of the most eagerly awaited reunions in indie music, that of former Suede singer, Brett

If you wish to make a donation to Operation Covert, you can: l Call in at the Shuttle/Times and News offices in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, during normal business hours from 9am to 5pm. l Post donations to Operation Covert, c/o Oliver Evans, Shuttle

BLEACHED blond 80s star Billy Idol is set to stop off in the Black Country later this year. Following the release of Devil's Playground, his first album in ten years and his triumphant comeback at Download Festival earlier this year, the White Wedding

NOT one but two evenings of top musical entertainment are coming to Wyre Forest in aid of Operation Covert. Popular glam band, Ballroom Glitz, will blast out seventies classics next month while country music singer, Keith Manifold, will play at Stourport

THERE was dancing in the aisles when Bill Kenwright's brilliantly cast production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat lit up Birmingham's Hippodrome Theatre. The much-loved show proved to be as popular as ever - largely due to an excellent

THEATRE doesn't come much more challenging than this production by the all-male Shakespeare company Propeller. But it is a challenge that is well rewarded with a superb understanding of this complex play exploring sexual jealousies. Michael Pavelka's

NBA Jam is one of the most addictive, fast-flowing, and fun-filled basketball titles to grace any console. Gamers partake in three on three gameplay in one of the three main modes available: Exhibition, Jam Tournament, and Legends Tournament. Before every

THREE Stourport cross-Channel travellers have completed a unique 1,100 mile journey that helped boost funds for a Kidderminster charity. Emily Foxall, Matthew Parker and Nigel Richardson raised over £1,400 for Kemp Hospice, which helps people with life-limiting

DBZ: Budokai 2 sees gamers take control of Goku in this cartoon style beat 'em up. Graphically DBZ resembles the anime screened on television with impressive, colourful backdrops and perfect recreations of the popular characters onto the PS2. DBZ is an

WHEN the emperor of Rome is killed in unusual circumstances, Aruntius, a mad, power-crazed individual succeeds him. To celebrate, he forces champion gladiator Thrax to fight in the bloodiest gladiatorial event ever staged. Thrax dies in battle but, in

US band Electric Six lived up to their name when they descended on Wolverhampton and performed an energising set of old and new tracks. Lead singer Dick Valentine's comment "you chose to come to see us on a Friday night - that was a good call" effectively

WHEN England captured the Rugby World Cup it was inevitable that there would be a rugby game produced. Acclaim brings gamers World Championship Rugby so gamers can relive the glory of Jonny Wilkinson and the rest of the England team. It would have been

MALVERN-BORN actor Richard Swerrun starred as Joseph in this sparkling production of the classic Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice musical and he certainly stole the show with a deserved standing ovation at the end. Softly spoken, but with a strong and

"BOING" said Zebedee, "time for bed-lam!" If you are looking for Round-about 90 minutes of pure Magic for both you and your kids then climb aboard the all new Magic Roundabout. Zebedee's evil nemesis Zeebad is released into the world and attempts to freeze

mannager Jos Mourinho arrived to coach Chelsea in the summer of 2004. Lured by the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho has quickly taken Chelsea to Premiership leaders and favourites to win their first title. He has made an immediate,

THE Nonentities' latest production is the best version of this famous play that I have ever seen and easily the funniest. The choice of cast was inspired, Trevor Bailey superb as the lecherous doctor, Arthur Wicksteed, and Nicola Blakemore acted her socks

THE idea of a hospice is said to have been born out of an ecumenical prayer meeting at Wolverley Church towards the end of the 1960s. It was the desire of Rev Jennifer Binnian, a lay member of the Anglican Church at the time, to translate prayer into

(Available on Xbox, Gamecube, PS2 and GBA) JAMES Bond is back with his latest assignment in 007 Everything or Nothing. Unlike the previous two titles, 007 Nightfire and 007 Agent Under Fire, Everything or Nothing goes into third person view, and although

A FRIENDSHIP group based in Kidderminster held coffee mornings and bring and buy sales to raise cash for our appeal. A group of friends who set up the Ash Friendship Fund were pleased to help fund the rebuilding of the Scout hut at Rhydd Covert, said

WORCESTER'S Gilbert and Sullivan Society took us to visit those famous soft-hearted pirates and cowardly police with great aplomb. Frederic ends his apprenticeship with the pirates on reaching 21, but as he was born on February 29 is actually only five

BUSINESSES Cadspec Duke William pub Exilco Hartbeat Fitness Training Horwath Clark Whitehill MJS IT Services Sainsbury's, Kidderminster Severn Water Products Topstitch Webb Tolley SCHOOLS Franche First Mayfield House Kindergarten Sutton Park First Wolverley

(Available on PS2, XBOX, GC) SONIC makes his debut appearance on the PS2 and the XBOX with the release of Sonic Heroes. Unlike the previous Sonics, the levels appear in 3D, from a perspective of behind the character. Also, another brand new element of

WHEN it comes to picking the handful of truly great bands which have defined the first few years of the 21st century, Kings of Leon will undoubtedly be on the list. The sheer quality of their two albums, released in 2003 and 2004, have won over any cynics

THE district's Macmillan Nurses are to be based at the new hospice enabling them to work closely with the health care professionals within Kemp. They are in the process of moving from their former base at Stourport Health Centre. These specialist nurses

AT the start of this year's concert, the mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Siri Hayward, gave a short history of the Town Hall to mark its 150th anniversary, then asked for a minute's silence in respect of the victims of the tsunami disaster. Possibly

STEERING the development of the hospice is a board of seven trustees with former nurse and hospital manager, Isobel Dale, at the helm since 2004 when she became chairman. The hand-picked group of volunteers were chosen for their range of skills covering

SCOUT badges made especially for our appeal are back on sale after the first run sold out. The first 500 badges - bearing "I'm Supporting Operation Covert" - were snapped up by Scouts young and old and more have been produced to meet demand. The badges

SIR - John Phillpott says (October 16) that men are more powerful than women. Most married men would disagree. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

Cadspec Duke William pub Exilco Hartbeat Fitness Training Horwath Clark Whitehill MJS IT Services Sainsbury's, Kidderminster Severn Water Products Topstitch Webb Tolley SCHOOLS Franche First Mayfield House Kindergarten Sutton Park First Wolverley Sebright

SIR - I read Peter Lunnis's letter about Tudor House Museum in Friar Street and can remember going there to attend the schools' dental clinic. I should estimate that it would have been in the middle to late 1930s though, as I was born in 1927 and would

SIR - Your correspondent Peter Lunn asks for information regarding Tudor House when it was a school clinic. I well remember being sent, with other pupils, from the Samuel Southall School sometime in 1938, to receive an inoculation against diphtheria.

IT costs more than £500,000 a year to run Kemp Hospice - and the vast majority of that comes from the generous people of Wyre Forest. About 15 per cent comes from the NHS, but the lion's share comes from fund-raising events, legacies, general donations

SIR - The Chief Medical Officer predicts that 50,000 Britons will die of bird flu. Grim stuff for a disease that, at present anyway, cannot be transmitted from person-to-person, and can only be caught from infected birds. However, would you not think

SIR - A knock at the door on Guy Fawkes night is an annoyance for most people, but generally these callers turn out to be completely harmless. However, we at Help the Aged are concerned that in some cases unsolicited callers at this time of year are particularly

A WOMAN who shed eight stone to achieve her ambition of completing a half-marathon realised her dream and has handed over the resulting sponsorship cash to Kidderminster's Kemp Hospice. Pat Morley, 53, recorded the creditable time of two hours, 52 minutes

THE special Grand Theft Auto double pack is possibly the ultimate Christmas present for all gamers over the age of 17. The pack includes both GTA3 and GTA: Vice City. For those unfamiliar with the GTA series the action takes place in Liberty City. Gamers

THREE Stourport residents are set to embark on a cross-Channel road trip to raise money for charity. Emily Foxall, Matthew Parker and Nigel Richardson will be driving between the landmark towers of Blackpool and Paris on June 11 and 12 in the fourth member

A GROUP of talented young people have transformed a town office into a work of art. The group on an E2E entry to employment programme at NEW College was asked for its views on the Connexions premises in Windsor Street. It was felt certain areas needed

SUPERMARKET workers from Kidderminster will soon be tackling the highest peaks in Britain to help a charity providing day care for people with life-limiting illnesses. Richard Smith, Tom Jennings and Tom Mason who work at Sainsbury's are taking part in

AFTER a string of poor Simpson's titles Hit and Run will be welcomed by fans of the cult television show. Hit and Run is similar in parts to Grand Theft Auto but, rather than taking part in mass criminal activity, gamers control the likes of Homer, Bart

A NEW era in care for patients with life-limiting illnesses is moving closer with the imminent move of Kidderminster-based Kemp Hospice to new premises. It is hoped the relocation of patient facilities and administration from the current Sutton Park Road

Saturday, October 29, 2005 JUST as they did on the last occasion the sides met in Conference action five seasons ago, honours remained even between the Herefordshire and Worcestershire rivals at Aggborough. Jamie Pitman's seventh minute strike was cancelled

THIS latest instalment in the Smackdown series is simply the best wrestling title available for the PS2. The season mode has advanced with superstar points based on popularity, financial reward to be spent on unlocking extras, and experience points based

PEOPLE giving freely of their time is vital to the running of the hospice. "We rely on about 150 Kemp volunteers," said John Fletcher. "Without them, we wouldn't have a service. "That includes collecting and bringing patients in, so we have volunteer

SMACKDOWN 4 sees a much-improved story mode as gamers work their way from the bottom to the top of the wrestling ladder. Storylines are identical to those seen in the WWE a few years ago so, although in no way original, they will evoke memories. Smackdown

ONE of the five-strong team of nurses caring for Kemp's patients describes the work as "a privilege". Staff nurse Diane Egginton, explaining how she became involved, said: "I visited for a course while I was nursing, doing something else. "I just loved

KEMP patient, John Lacy, said that if it were not for the care and support he and his family received from the hospice he would not be alive today. Mr Lacy, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease four and a half years ago, has been a patient at

MARK Hammond has just been released from prison to return to a normal life. Sadly, life is anything but normal for Hammond as his wife is killed and his son kidnapped! Hammond is determined to get his son back but Jolson, the kidnapper, makes Hammond

THE Great Escape sees gamers control four characters from the film: Hendley, Sedgwick, MacDonald and Hilts. Gamers are constantly captured and on the run. First it's a matter of escaping from a basic camp and hiding from guards behind crates. As the game

JILL Valentine, star of the original Resi, is the main character in Resident Evil 3. The game is split into two parts, 24 hours before Resident Evil 2 and 24 hours after Resident Evil 2. Like Resi 2, Resident Evil 3 is a direct conversion rather than

HAVING released both Resident Evil and Resident Evil 0 for the Nintendo GameCube it seemed only logical that Resident Evil 2 would follow. Rather than being a remake, like the original Resident Evil, this is a conversion. However, there are notable improvements

After a mass of Resident Evil games for the Nintendo GameCube the PS2 finally gets another instalment of survival horror. This time, however, gamers get to play in a game that promises to mix the best elements from both Resident Evil and Resident Evil

VINTAGE car enthusiasts have helped put Operation Covert on the road to success with a generous donation towards our appeal. Bridgnorth Vintage Machinery Club donated £200 as a thank you to district Scouts, who help organise one of its major rallies.

BUSINESSES Cadspec Duke William pub Exilco Hartbeat Fitness Training Horwath Clark Whitehill MJS IT Services Sainsbury's, Kidderminster Severn Water Products Topstitch Webb Tolley SCHOOLS Franche First Mayfield House Kindergarten Sutton Park First Wolverley

ANYONE who ate too much over the holiday period is being urged to get trim for the New Year with a sponsored slim in aid of Operation Covert. A drive to shed pounds to raise pounds has been launched, with slimmers asked to collect sponsorship to reach

SUPERMARKET staff not only raised cash for Operation Covert but also answered the age old question: how many steps do seven Sainsbury's employees take during a days work on Christmas Eve? Fellow employees had to guess the amount, which finally came in

MEMBERS of a Scottish country dancing club celebrated Hogmanay with a donation to Operation Covert. Wyre Forest Scottish Country Dance club pledged the money because of the effect Scouting had on members lives, said treasurer Gillian Wire. She said: "

SATURDAY SOCCER FA VASE First round: Bromyard Town 0 Chasetown 1; Wellington 0 Alvechurch 1; Westfields 1 Bridgnorth Town 0. NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE Kidderminster Harriers 1 Hereford United 1. NATIONWIDE NORTH Worcester City 1 Barrow 0; Hyde United 1 Redditch

Considering the prequel to this game was labelled as a fear evoking psychological experience which would reduce grown men to a cowering wreck, it is a tough task for Konami to create a game even parallel to the mighty Silent Hill 2. Yet again gamers are

PENSIONER, Joyce Edwards, knows the importance of counting her pennies after donating a massive £50 in coppers to Operation Covert. The Bewdley resident and her son, Bruce Edwards, kept their spare change in a giant whisky bottle and, after reading about

WEB surfers are just a click away from all the latest Operation Covert news with the launch of an internet site dedicated to our appeal. A new website will bring you all the stories about Operation Covert and tell you how to donate and get in touch about

No longer can Resident Evil be known as just another games series, for it can now be officially recognised as a franchise. There are many followers of Resident Evil and a lot of merchandise to keep the fans more than content whilst they wait for each

WHAT an unbelievable season it has been for Redditch United. First becoming champions of the Western Division and now winning the Southern league play-offs against King's Lynn and Merthyr Tydfil to make their way to the new Conference North. The Conference

IT was "full house" in Stourport as two Brownie packs turned to bingo to help raise cash for Operation Covert. About 80 people turned out for an evening of the popular game at the Mid-Severn Scout Centre in Lickhill Road. The event, organised by the 5th

EXCLUDED pupils brushed up their culinary skills by making cakes for a table top sale in aid of our appeal. Youngsters from the Pupil Referral, Unit in Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, baked more than 80 cakes for Saturday's sale, which raised £130. The sale

THE importance of helping young people achieve their potential has stayed with a former Kidderminster Scout who has made a contribution to our appeal. Teacher, Nigel Balchin, who now lives and works in Reading, said he was pleased to help Operation Covert

GENEROUS parents showed they were no Scrooges by pledging cash to Operation Covert at a school's retelling of the classic Christmas tale. A collection at Wolverley Sebright First School's production of Scrooge, based on Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol

A PROFESSIONAL women's organisation has pledged more than £200 to help rebuild the "important facility" at Rhydd Covert for district youngsters, taking the total to £10,821. Kidderminster Soroptimists have donated £225 to our appeal. The contribution

Bargain hunters are being invited to a table top fair in aid of Operation Covert on Saturday. The fair will be held at the John Stretton Hall in New Road, next to Bed City, in Kidderminster. The event - organised by the KD9 Spennells Scout group - will

MORE than £3,000 has been pledged to the Shuttle/Times and News Scout appeal in memory of a Wyre Forest woman who died in a road accident. It is the biggest donation to Operation Covert so far and means the fund has passed the £10,000 mark in just six

ANOTHER business has come forward with a major donation for Operation Covert. Kidderminster firm MJS IT Services Ltd has pledged £350 to our appeal. Treasured memories of Rhydd Covert spurred the donation, said managing director, Matthew Simms. Echoing

Thursday October 20 Don O' Lee - Pie Factory, Tipton Jam Night - The Moorings Tavern, Stourbridge Acoustic Open Mic - The Olde Queen's Head, Halesowen RnB Night - The Kingfisher Hotel, Kingswinford Country and Western Night - the Broadway, Norton Open

A FITNESS instructor rallied his students to raise £240 with a raffle at a Christmas get together. Deane Hart threw a Christmas party for about 130 keep-fit fanatics who attend his classes at Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre. A total of £240 was raised

Sat July 13 Stratford Town (a) 1-1 Lewis Mon July 15 Evesham United (a) 4-0 Ducros, Broughton, Corbett, Shilton Fri July 19 Reading (h) 2-4 Broughton, Henriksen Sun July 21 Solihull Borough (a) 3-4 Shilton, Foster (pen), Corbett Wed July 24 Wolverhampton

If you wish to make a donation to Operation Covert, you can: l Call in at the Shuttle/Times and News offices in Blackwell Street, Kidderminster, during normal business hours from 9am to 5pm. l Post donations to Operation Covert, c/o Oliver Evans, Shuttle

A TEENAGE DJ is to host a night of classic tunes in aid of Operation Covert. Richard Oakley, 16, will play music from the 60s to the 80s at the Coopers Arms in Canterbury Road, Kidderminster on Saturday. All proceeds from the event, which features food

BADGES and stickers made for people to show their support for Operation Covert are selling fast. Generous readers have snapped up the embroidered cloth badges and car stickers which declare "I'm Supporting Operation Covert" from Scout leaders and the

SEVERN Water Products in Kidderminster is the latest company to pledge its support for Operation Covert. The Baldwin Road firm has donated £30 to our appeal. The family business, which specalises in filtration equipment and water audits, was pleased to

Chaddesley Wood National Nature Reserve is worth a visit at any time of year, but it's particularly lovely in autumn. This walk uses many of the paths within the wood, as well as equally attractive paths through neighbouring woods and farmland. A network

SPECIAL badges and stickers bearing the message "I'm Supporting Operation Covert" are on sale now. An attractive embroidered cloth badge and car sticker are available from the Shuttle/Times & News offices in Blackwell Street and through Wyre Forest

FOND memories of childhoods spent at Rhydd Covert spurred a Masonic lodge into donating £250 towards Operation Covert. The cash - one of the biggest donations to the appeal so far - has been donated by Chaddesley Corbett Lodge of the Freemasons. Lodge

POLITICIANS have elected to back Operation Covert with cash donations towards the Shuttle/Times and News appeal. Wyre Forest MP, Dr Richard Taylor and district Conservatives have pledged cash towards Operation Covert, hailing the drive to rebuild the

THE centre at Rhydd Covert is at the heart of the Scout movement in Wyre Forest, a movement that helps about 700 district young people develop crucial values of responsibility and citizenship. Scout groups have existed in Wyre Forest since 1909 - two

REDDITCH United will play their last game of the season on Saturday...the biggest in their history. United were crowned champions of the Dr Martens Western on Saturday after beating Cirencester. But their was no time to stop and look back on their glory

OUR appeal has cruised passed the £1,000 mark as more and more Shuttle/Times & News readers reach into their pockets to help Wyre Forest's Scouts. About £1,400 has been pledged to Operation Covert in the two weeks since the appeal was launched. Donations

Family back appeal to help fill void after tragedy THE FAMILY of a former Guide who died after her car was swept away in a swollen river are attempting to "fill the void" with a collection at her funeral for the Shuttle/Times and News' Operation Covert

A TOTAL of £400 has been pledged to Operation Covert by kind Wyre Forest residents since its launch seven days ago. Donations to our appeal have flooded in to the Shuttle/Times and News offices in Blackwell Street and to Kidderminster & District Scout

A ROCK pub is to celebrate the launch of Operation Covert with a bang on Guy Fawkes night. The Duke William, on the A456 at Callow Hill, is to host a bonfire and fireworks display next Friday, with proceeds towards our appeal. Hot food will be served

THE fire drama at Rhydd Covert began at about 3.50pm on Sunday, October 10. Fire crews raced to the scene to tackle the blaze, which destroyed part of the roof along with tents, tables, chairs, a fridge/freezer and microwave. What was once a cosy, wood-panelled

TODAY the Shuttle Times and News is appealing to readers to help us raise £80,000 to rebuild a Scout centre torched by vandals. We have teamed up with Kidderminster and District Scout Council to launch Operation Covert to replace a vital facility for

China invite ABOUT 200 former MG Rover engineers have been invited to work for the car firm's new owner, Nanjing Automobile. Letters have been sent to workers who lost their jobs when the firm collapsed in April. The letter asks workers: "Would you like

REFUSE chiefs celebrated one year of recycling waste from 35,000 Wyre Forest homes and pledged to exceed Government targets even further in 2005. Refuse collectors were treated to a cake for helping to get 24 per cent of the district's waste re-used -

HOUSEHOLDERS in Wyre Forest are recycling around a quarter of their waste - a record that outstrips the district's statutory obligation. The target figure is 18 per cent but with over 24 per cent being recycled, Wyre Forest District Council's waste minimisation

A LEADING campaigner who helped get the notorious Kidderminster incinerator bid kicked out has warned the district could be "picked on" with a new waste plan. Two years after a controversial bid for Stourport Road was thrown out, Nigel Knowles said residents

A nightspot that has been entertaining Worcester people for nearly two decades has closed. Thousands of people have celebrated birthdays, marriages and retirements at the Westside in Hylton Road Retail Park, St John's. They have also enjoyed 10-pin bowling

people will have their say on plans for the future of Worcester, including pedestrianising the Cathedral roundabout, if a consultation exercise is extended to include their views on overhauling the city centre. The city council has announced a series

A NEW gym is to open at the YMCA in Worcester, thanks to an anonymous donation of several thousand pounds. Mel Smith, community development officer at the centre in Henwick Road, St John's, said they were contacted by a third party on behalf of the mystery

WASTE chiefs in Wyre Forest are celebrating after netting more than £200,000 of Government cash to help introduce kerbside recycling to thousands more homes later this year. The cash aid, announced by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural

DAVE Boddy was delighted and overwhelmed by the huge demand for FA Cup tickets over the weekend. Less than 60 Worcester City tickets remain on sale for Saturday's first round clash at Chippenham, following a rush for tickets at St George's Lane. A total

WYRE Forest is being given a £17,115 central government cash boost to help it recycle rubbish. Defra announced the recycling grant as part of a £20 million package distributed among local authorities for 2004-05. Wychavon District Council receives £23,318

TEN years have now passed since I started writing the Nature Notes column. It is amazing just how swiftly time can seem to go by. At moments like this, I believe it is good to stop for a moment of reflection to see how, and if, things have changed. In

I ALWAYS get excited as spring draws near, particularly as it is a wonderful time for wild flower spotting. If, like me, you always seem to walk along the same bit of land, whether it is in either a nature reserve or even along the same piece of wild

KINGSWINFORD band Red:Line:Ratio have made it through to the national final of Chicago Rock Caf's Rock Academy talent search. The indie pop/rock outfit scooped £500 cash in the regional final of the competition held at Burton on Trent last night (Tuesday

THE first phase of the archaeological investigations on the Rifle Range nature reserve in Kidderminster has been completed. It was strongly suspected that the Rifle Range area was an important location for new Stone Age man and with the help of DEFRA

THE field of home entertainment has come on leaps and bounds in the last few years with DVDs, MP3s and enormous flat screen televisions being advertised in almost every paper and magazine. However, it has long been recognised, particularly by the producers

THIS summer, the Ranger Service had quite a few calls from people who were alarmed at having just encountered a snake either out in their garden, on a reserve or, in one or two bizarre cases, in their house. I can understand many people's sense of alarm

THE town of Kidderminster is very fortunate in that it has some wonderful wildlife. There are, of course, both the impressive heaths with their spectacular and rare wildlife and the wet woods and marshlands along the Stour and its tributaries. Away from