Archive

SIR - John Phillpott suggests (August 12) that psychiatrists could write a column in this paper called `Why nutters do things.' Can I volunteer for the job, John? GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

SIR - Things have changed across the classes to a degree in my lifetime. But what a divided country we still are in many ways. For example, the north seldom elects Tory MPs, yet in some parts of the south, they seldom elect a Labour MP. Consequently,

SIR - Mr Webb is over- generous when he states of D E Margrett (August 16) that he "does not understand the difference between Europe and the EU." Mr Margrett is no fool. He clearly understands that difference perfectly but, without blurring the distinction

SIR - If airport authorities embark on what has been described as a more targeted approach to screening for possible terrorist activity, and only people thought likely to be terrorist-oriented or acting "suspiciously" are stopped for screening such as

SIR - Your rather excitable corresopondent Lyn Harwood (Worcester News, August 19) wants to know who "anglers think they are" for daring to "demand to fish when and where they like". We are, for the record, citizens and taxpayers of Worcester who

SIR - With reference to David Candler's letter of August 22, could he reveal the source(s) of his various claims that the people of the UK are becoming increasingly pleased at being a part of the EU? CHRIS EDMONDSON, Huddington, Droitwich.

SIR - The letter headlined `Most English people want to be in the EU', has come to our notice. I can do nothing better to refute this uninformed statement than to refer your readers to the Patriotic Poll which says it all. The EU is the biggest con-trick

SIR - What a surprise to read (Worcester News, August 22) of someone that actually believes a survey that alleges that, "support for the European Union is at its highest level since the 1980s". That makes two of you then? The EU's actions are alienating

SIR - David Candler is a city councillor for St John ward, Worcester. Could someone please tell me what planet this man is on (Letters, August 22)? The majority of us wants out of the EU and now. He should not be allowed to peddle stuff like this as it

IT is truly disturbing how a small group of individuals can virtually hold an entire city to ransom. A group of travellers arrived over the bank holiday weekend and settled on Croft Road car park. There then allegedly followed the usual depressing sequence

A LEADING business support service is celebrating its first birthday in style with news that it has unlocked £10m for West Midlands enterprises during the last year. The announcement by Route to Investment comes at a time when access to business finance

TRIBUTES have been paid to a prolific county fund-raiser known to many as `Mr Air Ambulance'. Charles Knight, from Leigh Sinton, who raised thousands of pounds for the County Air Ambulance as a volunteer co-ordinator over the past 13-and-a-half years

THOUSANDS of people are expected to turn out to see antiques expert Henry Sandon declare open a village fete on Saturday. Mr Sandon will be opening the 55th Alfrick and Lulsley Horticultural Show at 1.30pm. The arena events at the popular show include

This group of 18-year-old Royal Grammar School pupils are celebrating fantastic A-level results and looking forward to a bright future. The Worcester School announced a 99.2 per cent pass rate when the results came out last week, with 71.8 per cent

THE promise of traffic calming measures on a road in Ronkswood, Worcester, moved on a step after it was revealed early sketches have been drawn up. A mini-roundabout and new yellow lines to restrict parking could be part of the package to slow down

YOU'VE heard of Dances With Wolves - now meet the woman who dances with dogs. Leading dog trainer Mary Ray is bringing her eye-catching show to Malvern's Three Counties Showground next month. Audiences can expect her to perform with up to five dogs

A SECOND attempt has been made to build affordable and social housing on a derelict industrial site in Worcester. Nexus Housing Association has re-submitted an application to Worcester City Council to build 103 homes on the site of the former Wescol

MID-WORCESTERSHIRE MP Peter Luff met with a city environmental group to discuss climate change. As part of the Big Ask campaign, the Worcester branch of Friends of the Earth is lobbying MPs to make a new climate change Bill become law. The Bill would

POP star hopefuls took to the stage at a Worcester nightspot over the bank holiday weekend in the latest round of a talent competition. More than 150 people came along to see eight contestants battle it out on Monday night in this week's heat of RSVP

AN UNDERGROUND car park near Worcester Cathedral to help solve the city's parking problems is still an option being considered by council bosses. Leader of Worcester City Council Coun Simon Geraghty said a review of car parking in the city - which is

A FRESH row has broken out over affordable housing after a senior councillor said the city council had a "moral duty" to use resources earmarked elsewhere towards dealing with the problem. That argument has been angrily rejected by leaders, who insist

A TWENTY-first birthday is always cause for celebration, but for the Whittall family the big day will be extra special as it is one they never expected to see. Lee Whittall, of Kingston Avenue, off Bilford Road, was born with a defective heart and had

A MAJOR recycling centre, that would handle 105,000 tonnes of material a year, could soon be built just outside Worcester. The waste management contractor Severn Waste, which is based in Evesham, has today submitted a proposal for the plant to be built

A CHILDREN'S centre in Droitwich may have been damaged by two youngsters - one as young as infant school age. Droitwich police are investigating damage carried out at Wands Children's Centre in Farmers Way, Droitwich, during the bank holiday. A window

THE office of a city youth centre was destroyed when fire swept through the ground floor of the building. Nine firefighters spent an hour tackling a number of blazes on the ground floor of City Youth House in City Walls Road. Luckily, the fire caused

THEY were pulled over by police, found they didn't have the right visas, didn't get enough sleep and often went without food - but it was all part of the fun of the Mongol Rally for two university friends. John Owens and Owain Mugford have just returned

TRAVELLERS who set up camp on a city car park over the bank holiday weekend are still there - despite being told to pack up and move on. Worcester City Council issued the families with the notice to leave Croft Road car park immediately on Tuesday evening

AN angry father-of-four is campaigning for a bus stop to be moved from outside his house after being harassed by passengers making rude gestures at him and his family. Peter Smith said his family had to endure teenagers making offensive hand gestures

AFTER all the hard work we've done it will be nice to finally get a chance to put it into practice on the pitch! Physically, we are in very good shape at the moment. Everybody has worked really well and hopefully that will show when we play. Our performance

WORCESTER'S veteran prop Tony Windo faces the prospect of surgery if his back problem doesn't respond to rest and rehabilitation. The 37-year-old will miss the start of the Premiership season and director of rugby John Brain is not confident of him

WORCESTER City believe they have made the best of a bad situation by opting to play their Nationwide North match at Workington tomorrow night. The fixture, City's second longest trek of the season with a round trip of 472 miles, has been moved because

LOU Vincent became the first Worcestershire batsman since 1982 to score a century before lunch as his side made an impressive start to their crucial Liverpool Victoria County Championship division two game with Essex. The Kiwi opener reached three figures

KINGTON firsts have secured the Crusader Worcestershire League title and promotion to the Birmingham League. They beat fellow high-fliers Brockhampton by four wickets on Monday after dismissing the visitors for 130. Worcester Nomads are closer to

MALVERN prepare for their new season with a warm-up match at Hereford on Saturday (3pm). They are looking for a telling work-out before the opening Midlands Two West match at Bromsgrove the following weekend. Malvern have signed Pershore scrum-half

OLD Elizabethans firsts produced a disappointing batting display as they went down by five wickets at Fordhouses on Monday. A damp pitch delayed the start and reduced the Birmingham League division two fixture to 48 overs per side. OEs, asked to bat

CENTRE Dan Maund and flanker Steve Strong made their firsts debuts as Pershore lost 30-26 at Kidderminster Carolians in a friendly. KCs started stronger and kicked a 10th-minute penalty. But Pershore countered swiftly with Adrian Hanson grabbing an

WEST Malvern turned giant-killers in the Crusader Worcestershire League Saturday Cup quarter-final. Knighton-on-Teme were in good spirits having been crowned division five champions, but West Malvern, who finished third in division six, had other ideas

RUN-machine Andy Maiden signed off for the season by smashing 171 in Brintons' huge 226-run win over rivals Kidderminster Victoria fifths in Crusader Worcestershire League division four. Opening batsman Maiden shared in two partnerships worth more than

WORCESTER City believe they have made the best of a bad situation by opting to play their Nationwide North match at Workington tomorrow night. The fixture, City's second longest trek of the season with a round trip of 472 miles, has been moved because

WORCESTER'S veteran prop Tony Windo faces the prospect of surgery if his back problem doesn't respond to rest and rehabilitation. The 37-year-old will miss the start of the Premiership season and director of rugby John Brain is not confident of him

LOU Vincent became the first Worcestershire batsman since 1982 to score a century before lunch as his side made an impressive start to their crucial Liverpool Victoria County Championship division two game with Essex. The Kiwi opener reached three figures

PALMER Maureen Ann Mo Passed peacefully away on August 28th at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, aged 61 years. Dearest mum of Beverley, Mark and Emma, dear nan of Lisa, Helen, Dean, Louise, Adam, Scott, Ellie and Josh, also great nan of Ashleigh and a dear

ROGERS MaryNee Richards Passed away peacefully at her home in Cornwall on August 23rd, 2006, aged 80 years. Beloved wife of the late Bert, a dearly loved mother of Mark and Julie, loving grandma to Adam, Josie and Christopher, dear sister of John and

ROBERTS Connie Three years today. A loving wife and mum. Always in our thoughts, today and everyday. Love Terry, Shawn and Andrew. xxx Published in paper 31/08/2006

SHUCK Trevor In memory of Trev. Still remembered after thirty three years. Ann, Gordon, Pat, Phil and Roly. Published in paper 31/08/2006

SHUCK Trevor Always in our thoughts. So much loved. So sadly missed by Mum, Dad, Sally and Viv. Published in paper 31/08/2006

WORCESTER'S veteran prop Tony Windo faces the prospect of surgery if his back problem doesn't respond to rest and rehabilitation. The 37-year-old will miss the start of the Premiership season and director of rugby John Brain is not confident of him returning

WORCESTER City believe they have made the best of a bad situation by opting to play their Nationwide North match at Workington tomorrow night. The fixture, City's second longest trek of the season with a round trip of 472 miles, has been moved because

KIDDERMINSTER Victoria gave their Birmingham League Premier Division survival hopes a major shot in the arm with a winning draw at home to Kenilworth on Monday. It completed a mixed weekend for the Chester Road men who only took five points from their

KINGTON firsts have secured the Crusader Worcestershire League title and promotion to the Birmingham League. They beat fellow high-fliers Brockhampton by four wickets on Monday after dismissing the visitors for 130. Worcester Nomads are closer to promotion

FORMER England Ladies cricket captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint will stop off at Cookley Cricket Club to present a cheque from the Lords Taverners next month. She will hand over the £3,000 cheque at 11.30am on Saturday, September 23, to cover the cost of the

LOU Vincent became the first Worcestershire batsman since 1982 to score a century before lunch as his side made an impressive start to their crucial Liverpool Victoria County Championship division two game with Essex. The Kiwi opener reached three figures

MALVERN prepare for their new season with a warm-up match at Hereford on Saturday (3pm). They are looking for a telling work-out before the opening Midlands Two West match at Bromsgrove the following weekend. Malvern have signed Pershore scrum-half Julian

BEWDLEY Town are sitting proudly atop the West Midlands League Premeir Division for the first time after showing no signs of travel sickness. Craig Payton's men have been made to play their first six fixtures away from home while the refurbishment of

Chaddesley Corbett refused to blame the men in black for their 1-0 defeat at Penkridge Town in Division Two - despite some debatable decisions by the officials. Ravens striker Jon Baker said: "You could go on about the officials, but at the end of the

Friday, September 1 Nationwide Conference: Harriers v Rushden (7.45pm). Saturday, September 2 West Midlands League (3pm) Premier Division: Bromyard v Bewdley. Division Two: Penn Colts v Bewdley Reserves; Wednesbury Town v Chaddesley. Kidderminster and

KIDDERMINSTER track star Nathan Freke clocked up UK Formula Ford Championship win number five on Saturday and increased his series lead in the process. The 22-year-old Newnet-backed driver now has a 90-point advantage - the equivalent of three race wins

A BEWDLEY teenager is back on the road again after kind-hearted members of a family business stepped in to replace his stolen bike. Luke Halford, of Springhill Rise, was left distraught when his £375 blue GT Chucker jumping bike, which he had spent six

Wharton Park DI Owen was the winner of the August Medal Silver Division in the ladies section at Wharton Park. August Medal, Silver division: D Owen 81-18-68, Hannah Whibley 81-11-70; Bronze Division One: Kath Chuter 94-27-67, Gay Hartwell 94-23-71. Midweek

SWIFTS manager Roy Rencher is confident things will only get better for his side and is hopeful of adding to the squad ahead of Sunday's "tough" away FA Cup preliminary round clash with Romulus, writes Paul Whittaker. The Walshes Meadow boss took heart

A SPIRITED Swifts performance was not enough to earn the bragging rights on Tuesday night as they went down to a powerful Bromsgrove Rovers side in a hard fought Worcestershire derby. The men from Walshes Meadow should have snatched a dramatic equaliser

SAMURAI Judo Club's lower grade players and juniors have followed the recent success of their senior blackbelt colleagues by achieiving promotions. Senior gradings Top brown: Carrie-Anne Beddow, John Connor; brown: Paul Meese, Amanda Curley-Floyd; green

VERBAL abuse and concerns over changes to bus services between hospitals were among issues raised by people with disabilities when they met police. Kidderminster's first PACT - Partners and Communities Together - meeting specifically for people with physical

A FARMER made a grisly discovery when he found 40 dead hares that had all had their throats cut. The animals had been dumped by the roadside off Parsons Lane in Hartlebury and were found just before 4pm last Thursday. It was believed they had been dumped

I FULLY agree with Councillor Meikle's views about the new skateboard park being built on Pershore Abbey Park. I would, however, like to point out that the plans were passed at town council level by a majority vote as both myself and Councillor Mrs Hughes

HOORAY for the letters of sense from Ian Brown and Julian Alington regarding the issues surrounding the proposed new sports centre. Can someone please tell me what is wrong with the Davies Road facility please? I think I read somewhere that there is an

PET owners in Wyre Forest can put a smile on the faces of their cats or dogs by taking them for free dental check-ups during September. Vale Veterinary Group, which has surgeries in Birmingham Road, Kidderminster and Areley Kings, Stourport is taking

CONFUSION over house numbers has prompted councillors to change two postal addresses in Kidderminster. Wyre Forest District Council's cabinet committee decided to change numbers 8 and 9 Bewdley Grange to 1a and 1b The Lea after a complaint was received

A FAMILY of five had a lucky escape after a smoke alarm alerted them to a fire in an upstairs bedroom. Two guitars, a collection of model cars, badges and a Scout uniform were among the sentimental possessions that went up in smoke when flames ripped

AN angry father-of-four is campaigning for a bus stop to be moved from outside his house after being harassed by passengers making rude gestures at him and his family. Peter Smith said his family had to endure teenagers making offensive hand gestures

AFTER all the hard work we've done it will be nice to finally get a chance to put it into practice on the pitch! Physically, we are in very good shape at the moment. Everybody has worked really well and hopefully that will show when we play. Our performance

OUR Shuttle Challengers have put in their biggest effort so far as they progress towards the Shuttle/Mercer 10k and 4k Fun Run on Sunday, September 24. The group completed a 3k challenge this week, following on from their mile and 800m tests earlier in

A KIDDERMINSTER man is racing into the unknown this weekend as he bids to boost the coffers of a national charity in memory of his late father. Russell Rhodes has been pounding the streets of Franche and Marlpool for more than 14 months, limbering up

TWO horses worth almost £11,000 have been stolen from a farm at Wolverley The bay thoroughbred racehorse, worth at least £10,000, and a £750 light bay pony were taken some time between last Friday and around noon on Saturday. The thieves used wire clippers

HOME, away (Midlands Division Two West fixtures unless stated) SEPTEMBER Sat 09 MALVERN Sat 16 Solihull Sat 23 BURTON-ON-TRENT Sat 30 BARKER BUTTS OCTOBER Sat 07 Camp Hill Sat 14 KENILWORTH Sat 21 Newport Sat 28 Sheffield Tigers (North Two East), EDF

RESIDENTS have been warned to be on their guard after a bogus water board official carried out a distraction burglary at the home of an 84-year-old woman in Kiddermin-ster. Police are appealing for information after the pensioner answered the door to

WYRE Forest residents have the chance to win £200 by telling council chiefs how they are using their compost bins. Worcestershire County Council is seeking feedback on the scheme, which has seen more than 50,000 subsidised bins sold throughout the county

THREE Kidderminster schoolgirls have shown they have a way with words while working at Gingerbread Nursery. Bryony Corkin, Hannah Bentham and Sophie Thomas, all 11, wrote poems about children they met during the two weeks they spent looking after them

A KIDDERMINSTER man who admitted careless driving and failing to stop after hitting a lamp-post has received 10 penalty points and a £200 fine. Bartosz Grabowski, 30, of Wood Street, admitted the charges when he appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates Court

A CHARITY fund-raiser's passion for the cause has earned her national recognition. Sue Medcalf, who works with Cancer Research UK's Wyre Forest committee, has been given one of the charity's Leadership Behaviour awards. She said: "I am delighted to have

FREE low energy lightbulbs and water-saving cistern hogs are set to be distributed to residents across the Wyre Forest district. Up to 200 will be available for each district councillor to distribute locally at community events, councillor surgeries or

AN A to Z guide produced by Worcestershire County Council has been designed to make it easier for residents to access services. The guide, which will be distributed throughout the county during early September, is a 16-page booklet that uses the same

FIREFIGHTERS were kept busy in Wyre Forest when they were called out to 13 minor fires in only 15 hours. The rush of small bonfires, grass and rubbish blazes began at 3.40am on Tuesday, August 15 when crews were called out to tackle a fire caused by a

A KIDDERMINSTER 24-year-old who stole a pair of trainers from a town store has been fined £80 by magistrates. Dale Ashley Cooper, of Avon Road, admitted the theft of the Reebok shoes from Sports World when he appeared at Kidder-minster Magistrates Court

SATIRIST, columnist, broadcaster, comedian and all-round grumpy old man, Jeremy Hardy has strong views on politics, computers and parenthood. He will share them with theatregoers as part of the autumn season at Tewkesbury's Roses on Saturday, September

AN action-packed evening featuring paintballing, climbing frames and military demonstrations is being held in Kidderminster to drum up recruits for the Territorial Army. The TA Centre, in Birmingham Road, is the venue for the event, hostead by B (WFR)

PHARMACISTS and pharmacy technicians have the right prescription for quality of care and safety at Worcestershire's hospitals, according to a health watchdog. The Healthcare Commission awarded Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust the second highest

KEEPERS at West Midland Safari Park can take increased pride in the African lion population there, which has recently been boosted by the birth of six cubs. The new additions, born to two different lionesses, take the number of lions at the popular Bewdley

THE sight and sounds of water trickling from an ornate new fountain will delight visitors to an attraction in Wolverley this summer. Potter, Paddy Smith, who has a studio at Bewdley Museum, was commissioned by Bodenham Arboretum to create an eyecatching

A MAJOR recycling centre, that would handle 105,000 tonnes of material a year, could soon be built just outside Worcester. The waste management contractor Severn Waste, which is based in Evesham, has today submitted a proposal for the plant to be built

A FRESH row has broken out over affordable housing after a senior councillor said the city council had a "moral duty" to use resources earmarked elsewhere towards dealing with the problem. That argument has been angrily rejected by leaders, who insist

AN UNDERGROUND car park near Worcester Cathedral to help solve the city's parking problems is still an option being considered by council bosses. Leader of Worcester City Council Coun Simon Geraghty said a review of car parking in the city - which is

MID-WORCESTERSHIRE MP Peter Luff met with a city environmental group to discuss climate change. As part of the Big Ask campaign, the Worcester branch of Friends of the Earth is lobbying MPs to make a new climate change Bill become law. The Bill would

YOU'VE heard of Dances With Wolves - now meet the woman who dances with dogs. Leading dog trainer Mary Ray is bringing her eye-catching show to Malvern's Three Counties Showground next month. Audiences can expect her to perform with up to five dogs at

THE promise of traffic calming measures on a road in Ronkswood, Worcester, moved on a step after it was revealed early sketches have been drawn up. A mini-roundabout and new yellow lines to restrict parking could be part of the package to slow down traffic

This group of 18-year-old Royal Grammar School pupils are celebrating fantastic A-level results and looking forward to a bright future. The Worcester School announced a 99.2 per cent pass rate when the results came out last week, with 71.8 per cent of

THOUSANDS of people are expected to turn out to see antiques expert Henry Sandon declare open a village fete on Saturday. Mr Sandon will be opening the 55th Alfrick and Lulsley Horticultural Show at 1.30pm. The arena events at the popular show include

TRIBUTES have been paid to a prolific county fund-raiser known to many as 'Mr Air Ambulance'. Charles Knight, from Leigh Sinton, who raised thousands of pounds for the County Air Ambulance as a volunteer co-ordinator over the past 13-and-a-half years,

AN Evesham man was this week counting the cost of an internet courtship which has left him more than £3,000 in debt. Stephen Bailey shelled out the cash to bring the girl of his dreams from Russia with love. But the pretty girl who showered him with pictures

POLICE have appealed for witnesses to a road accident in which a driver had to be cut free from the wreckage of his vehicle. The accident took place on the A4184, between the Greenhill and Twyford roundabouts, on the outskirts of Evesham on Sunday evening

SHOPPERS at Morrisons in Evesham can now benefit from an own-brand Free From food range offering an alternative to customers with allergies or special dietary requirements. The initial range of 14 products covers snacks, bread and pasta free from gluten

THE Vale of Evesham branch of the Chernobyl Children's Project, which this year played host to five children and their mothers, is organising a concert to raise money. The orchestral concert will be held in the historic St Peter's Church, Inkberrow, with

THOUSANDS of revellers from all over the region flocked to Pershore on Bank Holiday Monday to join in the celebrations at the town's tenth annual Plum Fayre, writes Tony Donnelly. The event, which has attracted more visitors year-on-year since it began

THE Batsford Road showground at Moreton will be the venue for all that is best in British agriculture on Saturday. Moreton Show has earned a reputation of being not only Gloucestershire's top show but the best one-day event of its kind in the country.

Addis, Natalie: En, Elit, Ma, Sc, It, Re, So, Bs, Fd; Airns, Jade: Dr, Ma; Anderson, Jamie: En*, Elit*, Ma, Sc*, It*, Re, Md, Pe*, Rm*; Archer, Jenny: En, Ma, Re; Bailey, Natasha: En*, Elit*, Ma, Sc, It, Re, Da, Dr*, Mu*; Bailey, Stuart: En*, Elit*, Ma

Woking 3 Harriers 0 Mat Kendrick reports from Kingfield Stadium FROM the sublime to the ridiculous. After producing their best performance of the season in unluckily losing to league-leaders Weymouth on Saturday, Harriers slumped to their joint worst

Harriers 0 Weymouth 1 Mat Kendrick reports from Aggborough THE Conference table will show a fourth straight win for Weymouth and a second successive home defeat for Harriers. But the stats don't even begin to tell the story on a day when Kidderminster

WHAT is it about Worcestershire and hospitals? It hardly seems yesterday that we were embroiled in the controversy about the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital, and now we are told that the Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust is planning to lose around

CASH-strapped Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust plans to save £100,000 by reducing its seven- strong team of full and part-time chaplains to just one. The survivor will cover the county's three hospitals at Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester

AN array of colourful floral and vegetable exhibits greeted judges at the annual Bewdley and District Horticultural Society Show. The two-day event, which included crafts and domestic classes, was hailed a success by organisers after attracting a record

A SELF-taught Stourport artist is celebrating after scooping a top prize for her work while on holiday in Devon. Mary Bradley, 74, received a highly commended award for her watercolour of Dartmouth harbour at the Brixham Society of Arts annual exhibition

I WOULD like to express my gratitude through your newspaper to Blue watch fire crew who freed our cat Flexi when he was trapped at our home. Their manner and professionalism were second to none and we are truly fortunate to have men such as these in our

ENTHUSIASTIC singers are invited to raise their voices and join Bewdley Choral Society for its new season. The group will start its rehearsals on Tuesday at St Anne's Church, Bewdley from 7.45pm until 9.45pm. It meets every week and this year will be

I READ with interest the article in the Shuttle/Times & News about feeding ducks near Tesco in Kidderminster. Two thoughts occurred to me. Firstly, the problem of rats happens everywhere because so many people are lazy about the way they dispose of

WITH reference to letters on recycling, food waste such as vegetable peelings, egg shells, fruit etc., it takes hardly any effort and produces good quality free compost to us at home. The council subsidise the price of compost bins and a basic bin is

PERSHORE High School has joined forces with Number 8 Community Arts Centre to organise a contest for local bands to do battle and see who emerges victorious. The contest takes place at Number 8 on Friday, September 15 at 7.30pm and will pit six student

THE Playhouse in Cheltenham is launching its new programme for the autumn with music and a mix of plays from the pens of such literary luminaries as Francis Durbridge and Timberlake Wertenbaker. The season kicks off with one of the UK's leading professional

100 Years Ago September 1, 1906 Egg plums are getting ripe, and the bulk of the trade is probably over. They are selling very well, anything that is not messy making from 9s to 9s 6d. Victorias are fetching from 14s to 15s. Apples are in fair supply and

CHEESEMAKERS from the North Cotswolds will be among the finalists competing for medals at the Great British Cheese Festival. The event runs from Friday, September 29, to Sunday, October 1, at Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham. Gorsehill Abbey Farm, Broadway

DEMAND for land in the area is on the up according to property consultants Bruton Knowles. The company says it has sold seven different parcels of land in Gloucestershire, many above expected guide prices, within the last few weeks. It says demand for

REGIONAL food group Heart of England Fine Foods is launching an online system to help food and drink firms distribute produce. The system will be shown at the Speciality & Fine Foods Fair at London Olympia on Monday. 'HEFFroads' will be available

EMILY Skett from Salford Priors will receive a card from the Queen on Sunday, September 10 to mark her 106th birthday. Emily, a resident at Salford House residential home, will celebrate her milestone with a party thrown by staff. Originally from Redditch

BIDFORD Parish Council has expressed concern over changes to healthcare being discussed today. Proposals suggest paediatric assessment units at Warwick and George Eliot (Nuneaton) hospitals are amalgamated. It is proposed the George Eliot hospital unit

BROADWAY parish councillors have backed plans for a major housing survey in the village to determine the extent of the need for more affordable homes. Wychavon's housing development officer Francis Evans put forward the suggestion to councillors last

BROADWAY cyclists are being encouraged to join the Historic Churches Cycle Ride on Saturday, September 9. This will be the 17th year of the scheme, which encourages cyclists, walkers and horse riders to visit as many churches as possible on the day. Last

CHURCHES open day and cycle ride: Saturday, September 9, in aid of Worcs and Dudley Historic Churches Trust. Saddle up your horse or bike and fundraise for your local church. For more information call Derek Potter on 750628 Ecumenical evening service:

HONEYBOURNE teenagers will have a new meeting place with the decision by Worcestershire County Council's youth services to move an under-used mobile unit to the village. The decision was announced as Anne Weinstock, a senior Government official, visited

SIR - John Phillpott suggests (August 12) that psychiatrists could write a column in this paper called 'Why nutters do things.' Can I volunteer for the job, John? GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

SIR - Mr Webb is over- generous when he states of D E Margrett (August 16) that he "does not understand the difference between Europe and the EU." Mr Margrett is no fool. He clearly understands that difference perfectly but, without blurring the distinction

SIR - If airport authorities embark on what has been described as a more targeted approach to screening for possible terrorist activity, and only people thought likely to be terrorist-oriented or acting "suspiciously" are stopped for screening such as

SIR - With reference to David Candler's letter of August 22, could he reveal the source(s) of his various claims that the people of the UK are becoming increasingly pleased at being a part of the EU? CHRIS EDMONDSON, Huddington, Droitwich.

SIR - The letter headlined 'Most English people want to be in the EU', has come to our notice. I can do nothing better to refute this uninformed statement than to refer your readers to the Patriotic Poll which says it all. The EU is the biggest con-trick

EVESHAM Operatic and Dramatic Society's new production, Little Shop of Horrors, is set to hit the stage with a bang when it opens at the Evesham Arts Centre this month. Little Shop of Horrors is a story of Seymour Krelborn, a simple-minded but good-hearted

SATIRIST, columnist, broadcaster, comedian and all-round grumpy old man, Jeremy Hardy has strong views on politics, computers and parenthood. He will share them with theatregoers as part of the autumn season at Tewkesbury's Roses on Saturday, September

FORGET about seeing your rock idols as tiny specks on stage at Wembley or getting close to that truck in New York. U2UK have heart, passion, drive and excitement by the bucket-load and will be performing at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury on Friday, September

WITH the return of the BBC's popular Dragons Den programme, many entrepreneurs may well be wondering how they can attract the vital cash injection needed to build their business dreams. For entrepreneurs in Worcester there is a solution to this problem

MOST of us understand that stress in the workplace reduces productivity; can make people ill and inevitably increase management pressures. There are oodles of statistics on the subject, for example stress is believed to trigger 70 per cent of visits to

NEXT month's Jobs & Careers Fair organised by the Worcester News will run for two days - instead of one - ensuring that recruitment opportunities for Christmas, late places on courses and ongoing agency positions can be filled. The event will take

SMALL businesses are the lifeblood of any economy and thanks to a local business support agency scores of new companies are now operating around the region Business Link West Mercia exists to help businesses start, survive and thrive and offers new and

GO-karting and rifle shooting are on offer at a sales seminar with a difference. The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcester-shire is organising lessons in sales presentation techniques and venue host, the March Hare Leisure Centre, at Broughton

FEW people imagined, when Nigel Lawson introduced inheritance tax (IHT) back in 1986, that it would worry anyone but the very wealthy. But inflation plays strange tricks, and who would have guessed IHT would be a bonanza for Chancellor Gordon Brown? IHT

Working next to water has a positive effect on employees' productivity, according to a new report. Office developments close to rivers, docks and canals create a stimulating environment for staff, research has discovered. A survey of more than 2,000 workers

Robert Wiseman Dairies has completed the purchase of two dairies in the south-west of England after the move was given clearance by the Office of Fair Trading. Glasgow-based Wiseman has bought Peninsula Milk Processors at Okehampton, Devon, and Newlands

ONCE the big day is over, the cake is eaten, the presents unwrapped, the dress back on the hanger and the rings firmly planted on your fingers - it's the photos you are left with. For this reason, choosing the right wedding photographer couldn't be more

LOOKING fantastic on your wedding day is surely top of any bride's to do list. All brides-to-be imagine themselves gliding down the aisle radiant - a picture of health and beauty - and luckily for brides in Worcestershire, expert help is on hand to ensure

ANYONE who has made it down the aisle will tell you what a huge task the organisation can be, often fraught with tough decisions and frustrating complications. But there is a company in Malvern aiming to take away some of the stress by handling all of

A PARTY just isn't a party without a balloon according to Mike Lapac, director of Universal Display Ltd. As the area's largest supplier of balloons and helium, the company is able to accommodate all your party needs, whatever your colour scheme. "When

BRIDES-to-be are guaranteed to find the dress of their dreams at the sixth Worcester News Wedding Fair. Specialist bridal wear companies from around the county will be displaying their latest collections of beautiful gowns guaranteed to make a bride look

IF you're looking for something fun and unique at your wedding - and a guaranteed talking point - look no further than Chocolate Fever which can provide a chocolate fountain to delight you and your guests. Chocolate fountains are an unforgettable conversation

IF you think wedding discos are restricted to cheesy tunes think again! Waveform Productions has taken wedding music to a whole new level and offers a bespoke service to couples on their wedding day. Set up 10 years ago by schoolfriends Alex Daw and Paul

AN array of colourful floral and vegetable exhibits greeted judges at the annual Bewdley and District Horticultural Society Show. The two-day event, which included crafts and domestic classes, was hailed a success by organisers after attracting a record

THERE'S a chance to win one of a number prizes when you visit Sunday's Ultimate Collection Wedding Fair being organised by the Worcester News at the Fownes Hotel in City Walls Road. You could be the lucky winner of: One night, dinner, bed and breakfast

A KIDDERMINSTER photographer is hoping to leave a lasting impression on visitors to her exhibition at the town's library. It is the first time Katie Doolan, of the Horsefair, has displayed her work to the public and she wants to show people what she can

MUSIC lovers are being urged to grab their dancing shoes for an end of summer ball at Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday. The NC Big Band and singers will perform music by Miller, Ellington, Basie, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Ted Heath and the Dorseys

ENTHUSIASTIC singers are invited to raise their voices and join Bewdley Choral Society for its new season. The group will start its rehearsals on Tuesday at St Anne's Church, Bewdley from 7.45pm until 9.45pm. It meets every week and this year will be

BUILDING on the success of the last five Worcester News wedding fairs, the venue for the sixth event on Sunday, September 3, is once again The Fownes Hotel in City Walls Road. Established as a popular choice for wedding ceremonies and receptions, the

Alpha Limousines. Artcrafts. Art & Soul. A-Z Wedding Services. Beautiful Wedding Photographs. Bridal Gallery. Caketastic. C&J Cars. Chez Caroline. Chocolate Fever. Chris Downton Photography. Claire's Wedding Services. FK Consulting. Floral Experts

LOU Vincent became the first Worcestershire batsman since 1982 to score a century before lunch as his side made an impressive start to their crucial Liverpool Victoria County Championship division two game with Essex. The Kiwi opener reached three figures

RUN-machine Andy Maiden signed off for the season by smashing 171 in Brintons' huge 226-run win over rivals Kidderminster Victoria fifths in Crusader Worcestershire League division four. Opening batsman Maiden shared in two partnerships worth more than

WEST Malvern turned giant-killers in the Crusader Worcestershire League Saturday Cup quarter-final. Knighton-on-Teme were in good spirits having been crowned division five champions, but West Malvern, who finished third in division six, had other ideas

OLD Elizabethans firsts produced a disappointing batting display as they went down by five wickets at Fordhouses on Monday. A damp pitch delayed the start and reduced the Birmingham League division two fixture to 48 overs per side. OEs, asked to bat first

KIDDERMINSTER Victoria Cricket Club are confident of preserving their Birmingham League Premier Division status as they plot to spring another surprise on leaders West Bromwich Dartmouth. KVCC recorded a shock victory over the table-toppers earlier in

Results Saturday Birmingham League Premier Division Himley v KVCC. Match abandoned. KVCC (5) 105-6 (30.3 overs), Himley (7). 2nd XI Premier Division KVCC v Harborne. KVCC won by four wickets. Harborne (3) 159, KVCC (20) 160-6. Crusader Worcestershire

Results Saturday Birmingham League Premier Division Himley v KVCC. Match abandoned. KVCC (5) 105-6 (30.3 overs), Himley (7). 2nd XI Premier Division KVCC v Harborne. KVCC won by four wickets. Harborne (3) 159, KVCC (20) 160-6. Crusader Worcestershire

Chris Fellows was the star of the show as Bewdley Town Reserves made it four points out of a possible six with a 3-1 win at Division Two rivals Brereton. Fellows opened the scoring on 20 minutes, grabbed an assist for Rob Moore's goal on 30 minutes and

Saturday, August 26 Nationwide Conference: Harriers 0, Weymouth 1. Southern Football League, Division One Midlands: Bedworth 0, Swifts 1. West Midlands League, Premier Division: Dudley Sports 1, Bewdley 2. Division Two: Penkridge Town 1, Chaddesley 0;

FRIENDS and family of a much-loved sportsman - described as the "heartbeat" of his rugby club - are holding a memorial day in celebration of his life this weekend. Relatives and close rugby colleagues have arranged the event, which will include a tournament

A "SUSPICIOUS" fire in a children's play area at a Kidderminster pub was being investigated by police yesterday. No-one was hurt in the blaze at The Cavalier, in Tennyson Way, which broke out at around 2am. The landlord and landlady had been awoken by

STOURPORT Hockey Club's ladies sections are gearing up for the new season with their annual club day at Stourport Sports Club on Saturday. The event, which runs from 1pm until 4pm, is open to old and new members and will feature team-building exercises

AN inquest into the death of a 26-year-old Cookley man who was killed in a car crash on Sunday was due to be opened today. Daniel Bennett died following the accident in Racecourse Lane, Stourbridge, when his Toyota Celica collided with a Renault Laguna

THE Banks's Bewdley Darts & Foley Vehicle Hire Bewdley Shadow Darts League gets under way tomorrow evening. Last seasons champions Bliss Gate will take to the oche against Wribbenhall Social A, who finished bottom last term. Fixtures: Bowling Club

A KIDDERMINSTER teenager who pleaded guilty to robbery was remanded in custody at Worcester Crown Court. Layton Virgo, 18, of Park Street, admitted robbing Oliver Barlow of a mobile phone worth £180, cigarettes and a lighter on May 13. Judge David Matthews

THE family of a brave Kidderminster youngster who lost her fight against a respiratory illness have raised buckets of cash for a charity set up in her memory. Lesley Beard, of Queen Elizabeth Road, together with her daughter, Sheena Williams and friend

KIDDERMINSTER Carolians warmed up for the Midlands Three West North season with a 30-26 friendly victory over Pershore at Marlpool Lane. Head coach Andy Stooksbury described the win as "an encouraging start". KCs trailed 14-8 at half time with Pershore

Moorland Farm Tuesday Junior Open, 12 fished, Meadow: Paul Isaew (Stourport) 63-2-0 (peg 59), Lawrence Connolly (Kidderminster) 56-0-0 (57), Mike Feke (Kidderminster) 21-3-0 (53). Wednesday Over 50s, 16 fished, Meadow: Steve Berry (Smiths) 111-4-0 (peg

A FORMER Bewdley High School pupil is bidding to scale one of the world's tallest peaks to help a charity find a cure for an illness that has affected his sister's life. Simon Winnall, whose 23-year-old sister, Nicola, suffers with ME, will begin his

BEWDLEY'S town clerk and mayor's secretary will be doing their bit to raise money for good causes in September. Paul Mann, of Wyre Hill, will don his running shoes to compete in the Wolverhampton Half-Marathon on Sunday. The 62-year-old will be raising

WORCESTER City believe they have made the best of a bad situation by opting to play their Nationwide North match at Workington tomorrow night. The fixture, City's second longest trek of the season with a round trip of 472 miles, has been moved because

A WOLVERLEY mother has proved it is never too late to go back into the classroom after scoring one of the best GCSE grades in the country. Julie Webber enrolled at Kidderminster College for the part-time science course more than 19 years after originally

I READ with some astonish-ment Malcolm Meikle's letter published in the Journal. An overwhelming sense of deja vu overcame me and I was compelled to get in my car to see what this dreadful blight on the landscape was. Readers should perhaps cast their

HOURS of GCSE exam revision paid off for the majority of Wyre Forest students after this year's results left district schools with plenty to cheer. Baxter College and Bewdley and Wolverley high schools all boosted their percentages of pupils obtaining

THE other day I was driving along Waterside, Evesham and observed a banner in Workman Gardens saying something to the effect 'come and try petanque'. No mention of when it was available. No mention of where to borrow the equipment to use, and presumably

HAVING recently returned from a holiday to Spain, I was astounded to find what great English everyone spoke over there! Usually my holidays have been to the US, so this was quite a shock for me. Everyone in Spain was really friendly and were not at all

I HAVE no sympathy with grandmother Kate Holcombe, anti-war protester (Journal, August 10). British citizens should abide by the laws of the country, or face the consequences. GEORGE COWLEY, Windermere Drive, Worcester.

A WOMAN trapped in her car had to be released by the emergency services following a collision in Kidderminster. The incident happened in Tennyson Way at the junction with Ruskin Avenue at 8am on Monday and involved a Ford Escort and a Ford Ka. The 58-

TRAVELLERS who set up camp on a city car park over the bank holiday weekend are still there - despite being told to pack up and move on. Worcester City Council issued the families with the notice to leave Croft Road car park immediately on Tuesday evening

THEY were pulled over by police, found they didn't have the right visas, didn't get enough sleep and often went without food - but it was all part of the fun of the Mongol Rally for two university friends. John Owens and Owain Mugford have just returned

THE office of a city youth centre was destroyed when fire swept through the ground floor of the building. Nine firefighters spent an hour tackling a number of blazes on the ground floor of City Youth House in City Walls Road. Luckily, the fire caused

FEMALE drivers are revving up for an event that will test their skills behind the wheel of vehicles ranging from articulated lorries to fire engines while raising money for charity. Members of Kidderminster Advanced Motorists are taking part in Marie

A STOURPORT fund-raiser's training has been put into top gear as he prepares for a gruelling race to help children with life-limiting illnesses and their families. Glenn Conlon, of Golden Hind Drive, will cover more than 1,250 miles in just four days

PEOPLE in Kidderminster interested in working with children or young people can find out more about opportunities available during events being held in the town. Free advice will be given in information sessions at Kidderminster Library on Saturday, October

A LEADING business support service is celebrating its first birthday in style with news that it has unlocked £10m for West Midlands enterprises during the last year. The announcement by Route to Investment comes at a time when access to business finance

POLICE believe a caravan fire in a locked compound in Caunsall was started deliberately. Officers were called out to cordon off the area at the Blueball Business Park in Caunsall Road at around 8.45pm on Sunday, August 20. It was initially thought a garage

STUDENTS at Kidder-minster's Baxter College are among the first in Worcestershire to have their innovative work published on a prestigious educational website. John Cartwright and David Crellin were two of the 10 pupils in the 11-13 age group who collaborated

CREATURES of all shapes and sizes will be delighting young visitors to Stourport Library today. The Animal Man will be giving children a closer look at a chinchilla, a kestrel, snakes, spiders and many other creepy crawlies between 10.30am and 11.30am

WORD of mouth has helped to boost the membership of a group making learning more accessible for the older generation. Wyre Forest and District branch of the U3A - University of the Third Age - began last October and now boasts more than 60 members. It

PATIENTS and relatives travelling from Kidderminster to hospitals in Worcester or Redditch will no longer be able to catch just one bus to take them to their destination. From Monday, the 303 service, operated by First, will not run from Kidderminster

FIVE community-spirited girls from Bewdley will be entertaining children at the town's bookstore tomorrow. Aimee Green, Amy Ford, Natalie Trossell, Ashlee Price, all aged 14, and Mollie Clarke, 13, will be reading to youngsters at Bewdley Books in Load

A STOURPORT couple who first met on a blind date have celebrated their golden wedding. Brian and Ann Rogers, both 72, settled in the Wyre Forest area after being brought up in Walsall. They were introduced through a mutual friend who then went on to become

A KIDDERMINSTER couple have defied the odds and feel lucky to still be in each other's company to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Gordon and Doreen Peach, 73 and 74 respectively, marked their golden anniversary last Friday with friends and family at their

A KIDDERMINSTER charity is making an appeal to local businesses to help complete an educational project for Wyre Forest children. A team from Oldington and Foley Park Community Network, together with Wyre Forest Community Housing wardens, has been clearing

A 20-YEAR-OLD from Kidderminster accused of a mobile phone robbery was granted bail to await trial at Worcester Crown Court. Benjamin Davies, of Hurcott Road, pleaded not guilty to the robbery at a bingo hall on April 12 and also denied the theft of £40

MY Mother Said I Never Should is a play about four generations of women across a century, living in Manchester and London. Charlotte Keatley's poignant elegy about growing up and growing wiser, will be staged at the recently-opened Coach House Theatre

EVESHAM Operatic and Dramatic Society's new production, Little Shop of Horrors, is set to hit the stage with a bang when it opens at the Evesham Arts Centre this month. Little Shop of Horrors is a story of Seymour Krelborn, a simple-minded but good-hearted

LIONS Club members are flaunting their specs appeal as they try to help people in the Third World. Collection boxes for discarded spectacles are being provided by Kidderminster and District Lions Club to Wyre Forest opticians. Once they have been topped

A NEW play celebrating the changing face of rural Britain will tour village halls, schools and festivals throughout next month. Created by the Theatre, Chipping Norton, Taste is a treat for all the senses. It is set around a large farmhouse table and

A CHARITY helping disadvantaged people into jobs has a good track record for developing their personal and social skills, according to Government inspectors. Beacon Employment, which has its main office and training centre in Stourport, was awarded the

A CHILDREN'S centre in Droitwich may have been damaged by two youngsters - one as young as infant school age. Droitwich police are investigating damage carried out at Wands Children's Centre in Farmers Way, Droitwich, during the bank holiday. A window

A TWENTY-first birthday is always cause for celebration, but for the Whittall family the big day will be extra special as it is one they never expected to see. Lee Whittall, of Kingston Avenue, off Bilford Road, was born with a defective heart and had

POP star hopefuls took to the stage at a Worcester nightspot over the bank holiday weekend in the latest round of a talent competition. More than 150 people came along to see eight contestants battle it out on Monday night in this week's heat of RSVP

A SECOND attempt has been made to build affordable and social housing on a derelict industrial site in Worcester. Nexus Housing Association has re-submitted an application to Worcester City Council to build 103 homes on the site of the former Wescol factory

EVESHAM was gripped with fishing fever at the weekend as the annual three-day angling festival took place along the Warwickshire Avon, attracting more than 30,000 visitors to the town. Local anglers put their in-depth knowledge to good use, scooping a

A DISTRAUGHT mother has denounced Pershore town councillors as "grave robbers" after the area permitted for memorials was halved without warning. Mary Gowing has kept a weekly vigil at the grave of her 24-year-old son, who died in December 1999, and has

EVESHAM is just a few weeks away from finding out whether it has officially made Fairtrade status. Members of the town council, who helped launch the initiative back in February, have been continuously urging individuals and businesses to help the town

THE rise of internet dating has meant a whole new vista for singles in recent years. Just enter the words "dating website" into Google and you learn there are 2,130,000 pages available to have a browse through. But until a couple of years ago, online

AN ambitious plan to clean and green a derelict site on the banks of the River Avon has cleared the first hurdle. As semi-retired businessman David Heritage revealed an artist's impression of the project to redevelop the former Gasworks Wharf, planning

SIX directors are needed for a new charity set up to help conserve the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Friends of the Cotswolds has been created by the Cotswold Conservation Board to help promote conservation projects and foster greater understanding

VALE MP Peter Luff has joined the chorus of protest over plans to drastically reduce chaplaincy services in three of Worcestershire's biggest hospitals. The MP said Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust was slashing services to "a level so low as to be

AN appeal has gone out for the return of three teddy bears which disappeared after parachuting from the tower at Pershore Abbey at the town's plum fayre on Monday. Colin Reeves, a representative of the abbey, said: "We have lost three much-loved teddies

FLADBURY councillor Tom McDonald is the new West Midland regional chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and plans to raise awareness of problems facing the countryside. Mr McDonald says he takes over the central steering role at a time when

A PERSHORE girl who excelled at school and gained a first class degree at Cambridge University has been remembered by the North Cotswold Polo Club team following her death less than a fortnight before her 21st birthday. Caroline Evetts, manager of the

A MILESTONE in the construction of Barford Bypass has been reached with huge steel girders lowered into place for a bridge across the River Avon. The work is expected to last about three weeks and will be undertaken by Warwickshire County Council's contractors

A FORMER head of biology at Pershore High School has turned his hobby into an award-winning pastime after receiving a national award in a top competition. Dr Gene Preece, who was head of biology at the high school for all his working life, has scooped

RAIL enthusiasts will have a rare opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look at the work of Long Martson rail depot near Honeybourne on Sunday. Organised by the Stratford and Broadway Railway Society, train rides round the depot will give enthusiasts the

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Mark Yates has dropped a bombshell ahead of tomorrow night's home clash with Rushden and Diamonds by releasing misfiring midfielder Duane Lee. The former Barnet and Exeter schemer parted company with the club this morning after

WORCESTER'S veteran prop Tony Windo faces the prospect of surgery if his back problem doesn't respond to rest and rehabilitation. The 37-year-old will miss the start of the Premiership season and director of rugby John Brain is not confident of him returning

HISTORICAL and cultural attractions across Wyre Forest will be throwing open their doors to celebrate England's heritage over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10. Kidderminster Town Hall, Bewdley Museum, Churchill Forge and Witley Court

HOW many people have gone for interviews, never to hear the outcome? I think it is such bad manners and there is simply no excuse for it. I went for an interview nearly four weeks ago - it was a 38-mile round trip, plus £2.50 parking and all the other

I WORK as a veterinary nurse at a practice in Kidderminster and in July received a phone call about a female duck and eight ducklings found wandering on Kidderminster ring road. The member of the public who found them was concerned for their welfare and

I READ Terrie Heid-Brazier's letter (Soldiers are not blowing up civilians) with sadness and disgust. Saddam Hussein killed about 300,000 Iraqis not "millions". The UK and US-led sanctions killed 500,000 children over 10 years and reduced living standards

SPRINGING from an idea that originated from a small group of Vale music fans, Pershore Jazz Festival is still going strong as it moves into its fifth year. This year's festival takes place from Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 10, with Number

A KIDDERMINSTER photographer is hoping to leave a lasting impression on visitors to her exhibition at the town's library. It is the first time Katie Doolan, of the Horsefair, has displayed her work to the public and she wants to show people what she can

FOLLOWING our letter (Shuttle/Times & News, August 10) appealing for help to provide summer activities for children living at the Women's Aid refuge, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all those who responded. We are so grateful to Kidderminster

PERSHORE High School has joined forces with Number 8 Community Arts Centre to organise a contest for local bands to do battle and see who emerges victorious. The contest takes place at Number 8 on Friday, September 15 at 7.30pm and will pit six student

MUSIC lovers are being urged to grab their dancing shoes for an end of summer ball at Kidderminster Town Hall on Saturday. The NC Big Band and singers will perform music by Miller, Ellington, Basie, Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Ted Heath and the Dorseys

THE Elvis Collection, a pure tribute show, features the vocalist Billy J McGregor and his amazing 10-piece band. Under the musical direction of Alan Wearmouth, it pays homage to the world's greatest rock and roll star, Elvis Presley, at Cheltenham Town

AS a regular user of the No 3 bus "service" I have found it not unusual to have to wait 40-50 minutes for a bus to turn up and have two arrive at the same time. (Universal No 3 bus, Letters, August 24) It is intended to run every quarter-hour through

THE Playhouse in Cheltenham is launching its new programme for the autumn with music and a mix of plays from the pens of such literary luminaries as Francis Durbridge and Timberlake Wertenbaker. The season kicks off with one of the UK's leading professional

I HAVE been reading the many letters on the rubbish collection and recycling problems in Wyre Forest. I left Kidderminster just as the current refuse collection system was being introduced, so I can't really comment on how well or not it is functioning

IT is very noble of Health Concern leader Howard Martin (Letters, August 10) to take the "credit" - albeit to the well-worn refrain of "we had no alternative" - for the innovations which led to so many Wyre Forest residents welcoming maggots and smells

THE Elvis Collection, a pure tribute show, features the vocalist Billy J McGregor and his amazing 10-piece band. Under the musical direction of Alan Wearmouth, it pays homage to the world's greatest rock and roll star, Elvis Presley, at Cheltenham Town

A LEADING farmer from the Vale of Evesham has been recognised by the award of fellowship status by the Royal Agricultural Society of England. "It is a great honour and I am very proud," said Richard Steele, of Chapel Farm, Netherton, Elmley Castle, Pershore

BIDFORD has fought off opposition from more than 80 communities to claim the Calor Warwickshire Village of the Year title. Judges assessed communities on various aspects of village life, from caring for young people and older residents to the way business

A BROADWAY horse rider will compete in the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials next week, taking on the challenge of a cross-county course designed by Captain Mark Phillips, a former Olympic gold medal-winning rider. Louise Scammell, known as Wizz, of Little

THE Broadway Horticultural and Craft Show will be held on Saturday, September 9, running from 1pm until 5pm on the village green. The show will offer visitors more than 111 classes plus flower arranging, advice and tips on pot plants, along with fruit

SIR - Things have changed across the classes to a degree in my lifetime. But what a divided country we still are in many ways. For example, the north seldom elects Tory MPs, yet in some parts of the south, they seldom elect a Labour MP. Consequently,

SIR - Your rather excitable corresopondent Lyn Harwood (Worcester News, August 19) wants to know who "anglers think they are" for daring to "demand to fish when and where they like". We are, for the record, citizens and taxpayers of Worcester who have

SIR - What a surprise to read (Worcester News, August 22) of someone that actually believes a survey that alleges that, "support for the European Union is at its highest level since the 1980s". That makes two of you then? The EU's actions are alienating

SIR - David Candler is a city councillor for St John ward, Worcester. Could someone please tell me what planet this man is on (Letters, August 22)? The majority of us wants out of the EU and now. He should not be allowed to peddle stuff like this as it

IT is truly disturbing how a small group of individuals can virtually hold an entire city to ransom. A group of travellers arrived over the bank holiday weekend and settled on Croft Road car park. There then allegedly followed the usual depressing sequence