THERE are many possible problems that pass through the minds of concerned parents when their young child shows behavioural or learning difficulties. From dyslexia to autism, the potential worries are endless. But sometimes the solution is a lot simpler
Schools spend more on tests than on books SCHOOLS are spending two-and-a-half times as much on exam fees as they are on books, according to new figures. Private firms also benefited, as spending on insurance and computer software soared since 2003, the
THERE are many possible problems that pass through the minds of concerned parents when their young child shows behavioural or learning difficulties. From dyslexia to autism, the potential worries are endless. But sometimes the solution is a lot simpler
NORTH Midlands trio Tim Streather, Michael Penn and Charlie Fellows took their chance to impress the England Under 18 selectors as the Midlands defeated the North 36-15 in their final divisional match of the season at Castlecroft in Wolverhampton. Fly-half
WORCESTER City's colossal three-man defence deserves every plaudit thrown their way. At the moment, breaking down the rear-guard of Chris Smith, Justin Thompson and Des Lyttle is akin to unlocking Fort Knox. Teams up and down Nationwide North, including
WORCESTER City crashed out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup 4-3 on penalties last night to Moor Green. Justin Thompson and Jai Stanley both blazed over spot-kicks at St George's Lane, as rivals Moors kept their cool to book a final spot with Halesowen
WORCESTERSHIRE trio Vikram Solanki, Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali could not prevent an England 'A' defeat. West Indies 'A' secured a sensational one-wicket victory as they successfully chased the 365 needed to win on the final day of the first Test in Antigua
TWO second-half tries by evergreen back-row forward Jon Andrews helped Droitwich come from behind to beat Worcester Wanderers 23-16 in the North Midlands Shield. The gusting wind was very much a factor and Worcester took advantage in the first-half to
COUNTY residents are being invited to tuck in and help a good cause. Worcestershire businesswoman of the year, Esther Ruggiero, is hosting a special charity lunch in aid of St Richard's Hospice as part of her fund-raising activities. Esther was awarded
A COUNTY family is still facing an agonising wait to find out if their five-year-old daughter has HIV or hepatitis - almost seven months after she was pricked by a drug user's needle. Last August, the Worcester News reported that little Andrea Griffin
WYRE Forest's health campaigning MP, Dr Richard Taylor, is seeking views from sufferers of ME as part of a national study. The independent MP is a member of the Group on Scientific Research, set up by the Government last December to assess the progress
MALVERN College is among 50 leading independent schools which have been fined a combined total of £3.5m after being found guilty of fee-fixing by the Office of Fair Trading. It comes after the school, in Malvern's College Road, admitted it exchanged detailed
A WOMAN more at home in water than on the track is preparing to run her first marathon. Julie Hall, aged 35, of Begonia Close, Worcester, is a baby swimming teacher but she is spending more time pounding the streets of Worcester than splashing around
HOUSEHOLDS will finally get the news they were waiting for tonight when council tax rates are finalised for Worcester. The Worcester News first reported two days before Christmas how local authority bosses were considering a modest council tax increase
SMALL and medium-sized companies in Worcestershire and other counties across the West Midlands are set to benefit from up to £4m of new funding to help them diversify. The Diversification Prog-ramme 2 from Advantage West Midlands is delivered by the Business
IT was the return match. Having walked around the House of Commons with MP Peter Luff, the people from Arrow Distributors invited him back to their place. After the Mid-Worcester-shire MP accompanied Arrow Distributors to Westminster in November to collect
SIR - In reply to the the resent correspondence from M Billingham (February 22 and 23 ) on the subject of tail docking for working dogs. The most important reason for tail-docking is the welfare of the dog. After this, the decision is based on the breed
SIR - It never ceases to amuse me how your correspondent Bill Davison, and others, (letters, February 13) continue to claim that residents of St John's have some sort of exclusive right to determine the location of Christopher Whitehead School. Historically
SIR - Through the letters page we are able to read a diversity of political veiwpoints, which, although I may not necessarily agree with, find interesting. It was with some increduality that I read Frank Jones' latest missive (letters page, February 13
PRITCHETT William Bill The Wife and Family, wish to thank all who attended Bill's Funeral Service and for the messages of sympathy, floral tributes and donations for Leukaemia Care. Thank you to Reverend Arnold for a lovely Service and to A.V. Band, Funeral
HUGHES PEPLOW Donna and Simon Congratulations Donna and Pep on the birth of baby Kai. Love to you all. Mum, Dad, Dean, Liam and Jen. xx ------------ Congratulations Donna and Pep on the Birth of baby Kai. Love Di, Pete, Luke and Jen. x Published in paper
CARTRIDGE Muriel Sending you all my love Mu on your 80th Birthday, Den. xxx ---------- Wishing a very special mum a Happy 80th Birthday. All our love, Denise and Gerald. xxx ---------- Sending you all our love and very best wishes on your 80th Birthday
HEATH Sonia Of Barbourne, Worcester. Peacefully in hospital on February 23rd after a short illness borne with courage and dignity, aged 69 years. Greatly loved mother of Michael and Joanne and a special grandmother to Lauren, Barnabas, Josiah and Reuben
LAYLAND Paul Died peacefully at home with his Family by his side on Thursday, February 23rd, 2006, aged 57 years. Beloved husband of Karen, much loved dad of Penny and Bone, father in law to Steve and special grandad of Jade and Ellie, much cherished
O'GRADY Bernard Late of Fernhill Heath and St Georges R.C. School. Passed away peacefully in Australia on February 25th, 2006. Aged 72 years. Beloved husband to Fran, father to Alison and the late Geraldine and a loving grandad. Eldest son to the late
PEARCE Beryl On February 23rd, peacefully at Glenside Nursing Home, Sidmouth, Devon, aged 78 years. Much loved sister of Brian, sister in law of Michelle and aunt of Christopher, Colin, Jonathan and James. A former member of Staff at the City of Worcester
NARRAWAY Dorothy Sadly missed but never forgotten. Love from Aloma, Belinda, Ian and Families. Published in paper 28/02/2006
DAY Ted Of Pershore, on February 22nd 2006 peacefully in hospital aged 79 years. A much loved husband, father and gramps. Funeral service at Pershore Abbey on Thursday, March 2nd at 3 p.m., followed by private cremation. Family flowers only. Donations
RHODEN John Passed away peacefully at his home on February 23rd, aged 67 years. A much loved husband, father and grandfather. Funeral Service at St Georges Church, Barbourne on Monday, March 6th at 12.15 p.m., followed by Cremation. Family flowers only
STOKES Harry Aged 56 years, passed away peacefully on February 21st 2006. Sadly missed by all his Family. May he Rest in Peace. Published in paper 28/02/2006
BAND MAGUIRE Stuart and Claire Would like to announce the safe arrival of their baby son, Matthew William, born on February 22nd, weighing in at 6lbs 6ozs. Many thanks to Friends and Family. Published in paper 28/02/2006
COLLINS Donna Emily Happy birthday sweet Angel. Love always. Nan, Grandad, Nicola, Robert, Kate and Tracey. xx Published in paper 28/02/2006
LONG Norman Treasured memories of a dear husband, father and grandfather. Passed away February 27th, 2001. Always remembered, Joan, Martin, Julie, Martin and granddaughters Charlotte and Emilia. Published in paper 28/02/2006
SKYVINGTON David Treasured memories of a very dear husband and dad who passed away eight years ago today. God saw you getting weary he did what he thought best put his arms around you and whispered come to rest. Love and miss you loads. Jenny, Sam and
A SECONDARY school is offering acupuncture to students stressed out by exams. Pupils at Stanchester Community School in Somerset, are being offered the ancient therapy after a teacher went to China to train as an acupuncturist. Special needs teacher Heather
A CHARITY in Worcester that helps children and their families cope with bereavement has been awarded more than £200,000 to expand. Noah's Ark Trust, which has been supporting youngsters throughout Worcestershire for the past eight years, has been awarded
HEREFORD United's teenage strike sensations struck again last night to lift them back into second place in the Nationwide Conference. Andy Williams and Stuart Fleetwood were both on target in a 2-0 win over fellow promotion-chasers Stevenage Borough at
THE University of Worcester's student sports teams have enjoyed an incredible year of success, including both men's football and basketball first teams winning their respective leagues by staying undefeated. A record number of 27 teams competed for Worcester
BROMSGROVE Rovers boss Rod Brown has bolstered his squad by re-signing Riad Erraji and raiding former club Redditch United for attacking midfielder Daire Doyle. Doyle has moved to the Victoria Ground on a short-term deal, but midfielder Erraji, a firm
MALVERN Town have a key Midland Alliance promotion clash at home to Romulus tonight (7.45). Leaders Town boosted their title chase on Saturday, beating Studley 2-1 at the Langland Stadium (report -- Page 33). But Romulus are one of the main challengers
POOL aces Marc Evans and Andy Jones missed out on a place in the European Eight-Ball Pool Championship semi-finals by just one frame. The duo, who practice at Suzy Q's in Shrub Hill, were part of the five-man Wales 'B' team for the event which was held
WORCESTERSHIRE trio Vikram Solanki, Gareth Batty and Kabir Ali could not prevent an England 'A' defeat. West Indies 'A' secured a sensational one-wicket victory as they successfully chased the 365 needed to win on the final day of the first Test in Antigua
Taxi drivers slam city facelift TAXI drivers and traders in Worcester city centre are up in arms over major footpath works they say has caused absolute chaos and slashed their business. The £440,000 works on pathways at The Cross and Foregate Street have
ORGANISERS of a re-enactment event that entertained thousands of people in Worcester have hit out over having to pay to hire the Guildhall. The Living History extravaganza on Saturday saw scores of re-enactors from far and wide volunteer their time to
VANDALS are making the life of a city pensioner a misery by continuously knocking down his wall. John Georgeovich's property, off London Road has been attacked twice in one week and four times in just one year. Heavy brick pillars and wooden slats have
A HUGE £24m overhaul of the public transport system in Worcestershire is in line for the next five years. The plans involve a vast expansion of the park-and-ride system and a proposed Worcester to Birmingham coach service designed to be as convenient
FEARS that a major roadwork scheme on a busy Worcester road would hit traders have proved true. Businesses in Wyld's Lane have seen a fall in trade since the entry to the road from London Road was closed. The Worcester News reported last month that shopkeepers
A NEW bridge is set to be constructed in Worcester's Gheluvelt Park as part of a Lottery-funded package of improvements after planners have given the green-light. The wooden footbridge will cross over Barbourne Brook in the park, off Barbourne Road. The
AN angry councillor has hit out at comments made by West Mercia police about the frequency of its patrols through a village. Tom Wells said that comments made by a police spokesman in a Worcester News article about vandalism in Callow End, near Malvern
A FATHER-of-three is jubilant after being told his children's climbing frame in their garden can stay - providing he plants some hedging to screen it from the roadside. Jonathan Roberts, of Frome Brook Road, New Mills, Ledbury, was dumbfounded last month
A PUB which closed after a shooting four years ago is set to re-open. The Masons Arms at Wichenford hit the headlines when former licensee Christopher Salisbury shot a man in the back whom he mistook for a burglar. Charges of wounding against the landlord
LIVESTOCK farmers in Worcestershire and Here-fordshire are being urged to make their feelings known to a Government consultation about bovine TB before it is too late. The National Farmers' Union wants farmers to say whether or not there should be a wildlife
VANDALS have caused "soul destroying" damage to Tenbury's bowling green, in Palmer's Meadow, just weeks after expensive maintenance had been carried out in preparation for the forthcoming season. Bicycles were ridden over the green, owned by Tenbury Town
SIR - After reading so many bad stories about our local hospitals I felt I must put pen to paper. My mother spent three weeks in Hereford Hospital before Christmas and then went into a nursing home. She then had to return to hospital and was sent to Royal
remember morals SIR - H F Morris states in your letters page that there is no difference between members of the public and Members of Parliament as regards being "gay". The point to be made is this - The MPs in question lied to and misled the people who
SIR - With reference to your headline in Worcester News, Wednesday, February 22, "Fury over houses in field next door". I lived with my parents, for the first 20 years of my life, in Tolladine Road, Warndon, (from 1960) and every morning, for as far back
A NUMBER of roadworks have sprung up throughout Worcester over the last few days and they have produced the usual chaos. Sadly, it's a fact of life in the Faithful City that It doesn't take many cones or orange barriers to snarl up the traffic or cause
Monday, February 27, 2006 WORCESTER City crashed out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup 4-3 on penalties last night to Moor Green. Justin Thompson and Jai Stanley both blazed over spot-kicks at St George's Lane, as rivals Moors kept their cool to book a
