HUNDREDS of police officers from West Mercia are set to march in protest against poor pay. About 300 off-duty officers, including many from Worcestershire and Herefordshire, are expected to join up to 15,000 of their colleagues from across England and
HEREFORD United gained their third League One scalp in this season's competition as they moved into the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in 16 years. Simon Johnson's fine strike settled the issue in the 71st minute in a game which Tranmere dominated
A COUPLE who have dedicated themselves to easing the plight of battery hens are pleased the issue is now hitting the headlines. John and Monica Hall, of Holt Fleet, near Droitwich, who have been re-homing hens across Worcestershire for more than three
DROITWICH has welcomed a new face to help the town organise events and attract new visitors. Janet Yates has taken up her role as Wychavon District Council's new area partnership manager. Janet replaces former manager Joe Ling who helped with Droitwich's
NINE Midlands players have been included in the England Under 16 Elite squad for a training session at Broadstreet Rugby Club near Coventry on January 25 and 26. All were named in the 40-strong squad after they impressed the national selectors playing
A CHARITY for the elderly is looking for volunteers in Worcester to help bring isolated old people closer together. Contact The Elderly is a national organisation that has been uniting people for cakes and company' for more than 40 years. But the group
WORCESTER Arts Workshop is facing a huge financial blow as the Arts Council proposes to stop its £25,000 annual grant from April this year. The city-based arts organisation would lose 20 per cent of its annual funding if the Arts Council goes ahead and
HOMES throughout Worcestershire are being checked to ensure their hot water boilers do not have a potentially fatal fault. The moves follow the death of 10-month-old Rhianna Hardie, who suffered severe burns when a hot water tank in the loft above her
MATT Neal is relishing the challenge of proving himself in new surroundings after joining Vauxhall. The Droitwich race ace ended four years with Pershore-based Team Halfords and Honda to join up with reigning British Touring Car champion Fabrizio Giovanardi
A SIXTY-four-year-old vicar from Malvern has won a bursary to enable him to take a three-month sabbatical to learn about the use of modern technology in the church. Rev Peter Furber from Christ Church, Barnards Green, applied for the bursary in September
ENGLAND Sevens recruit James Collins has been called into the Worcester Warriors team for Saturday's European Challenge Cup home clash with Bucuresti (3pm). The 21-year-old back-rower replaces club captain Pat Sanderson, who is rested. Drew Hickey returns
A DRUNK student who caused public outcry by desecrating a Nativity scene has narrowly escaped jail. Christopher Geisler hit the headlines last month after the Christmas crib outside the Guildhall in Worcester's High Street was vandalised and the figures
PERDISWELL Park Golf Club handed out 40 trophies and 37 medals at their annual presentation evening. The first competition of 2008 was the fifth round of the mid-week winter league for the president's mug. Brian Hodgetts won with 39 points followed
A mother-of-four wept in the dock as she pleaded guilty to an offence of affray. Stephanie Jones denied two original charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault - and was given not guilty verdicts. The guilty plea by 32-year-old
MALVERN Hills District Council, in partnership with Malvern Comets, are running a 10-week programme of netball coaching sessions at Sport Dyson Perrins. Sessions run every Monday for school years four to six from 4pm until 5pm and for years seven to
AN INNOVATIVE project for Worcestershire youngsters with learning difficulties has scooped a national award. New self-guided trails and a living sculpture' have been created at the historic Witley Court and gardens, near Worcester, by 35 youngsters from
THE latest results from the Worcester and District Women's Skittles League. Division One: Heenans Rebels 369 (9) (L Lewis 39 (14), J Moffatt 37), Flintstones 357 (2) (C Scott 38 (15), L White 36 (12)); Arboretum 375 (9) (J Price 36, A Hemming 35 (13)
A SILVER sledgehammer was wielded to officially mark the start of work at the University of Worcester's £120m second campus. The Mayor of Worcester, councillor Stephen Inman and Alwyn Davies, the vice- chairman of Worcestershire County Council, were
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MORE disabled people in Worcester will be able to adapt their homes thanks to extra Government funding. Worcester City Council has received an extra £23,000 towards its disabled facilities grant which funds home adaptations to help disabled people live
A PLANNED 48-hour strike by hundreds of rail guards has been called off, averting travel chaos for thousands of commuters. About 500 guards at First Great Western - which runs services from Worcestershire to London - were due to walk out from Sunday
THE River Severn has not yet reached its peak in Worcester and Upton-upon-Severn according to the Environment Agency. Although it was predicted to peak this afternoon it may now do so on Friday. A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "Something
STEVE Grant bagged the winner as Worcester Men's Firsts moved up to fourth in the BodyKraft Midlands Premier with a 1-0 hockey win at Lichfield. They increased their points tally to 22 but the game was close in a high-tempo opening spell. Worcester
HUMPTY Dumpty and Pudsey Bear are joining forces to raise money for Children in Need by performing a village pantomime. Bishampton Barnstormers Humpty's panto is being performed this week by villagers, and all profits from ticket sales will go to the
SATURDAY WORCESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE FC Tything v Upton Town (J Williams); Grosvenor Sports v Martley Spurs (N Canning); Worcester YMCA v Pershore Manor (R Fisher); VBL Sports v Hanley Swan (M Francois); West Malvern v University of Worcester (M Stephens
ACCESS to records of Worcester's history will be vastly improved thanks to a £228,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant. Worcestershire County Council's Record Office has been awarded funds for a project to list and improve the historical archives of the city
STOURPORT Women's Firsts hit back from a goal down to beat Redditch 4-1 in a hockey friendly. They continued their unbeaten run into Saturday's friendly at Lansdowne before their Midlands B' Division campaign resumes. In chilly conditions at home to
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers and Stourport Swifts will now play their Worcestershire Senior Cup tie at Aggborough on Tuesday, January 29 (7.30pm). The match was due to take place next Tuesday but had to be moved because of Harriers' rearranged FA Trophy second
FEARS about flooding in Herefordshire have eased but people are being urged to stay vigilant and take care on the roads. The River Wye peaked at 4.76 metres in Hereford shortly after 10am this morning, with water now moving downstream towards Mordiford
PERSHORE Men's Firsts face a hockey relegation dogfight after losing 3-1 at fellow strugglers Ludlow in BodyKraft West Midlands Division One. The visitors briefly held the lead and were a match for their well-drilled opponents for much of the game.
A STUNNING six-goal salvo led Droitwich Men's Firsts to a 6-1 hammering of Evesham in a BodyKraft West Midlands Division One county hockey derby. Droitwich are still four points off second-placed Bromsgrove who defeated basement boys Rugeley 3-0. In
A WORCESTERSHIRE man is lobbying employers to support his vision of a day in bed every four years. James Cox, from Evesham, has launched Duvetday, which aims to get employers to sanction a day off from work and headteachers to allow students a day off
DROITWICH Men's Seconds suffered another defeat on their hockey travels, going down 5-0 at Walsall in the BodyKraft West Midlands Premier Division. Droitwich lacked fluency and struggled to string several passes together. At half-time, they were 2-0
A DROITWICH golf club has raised more than £35,000 for research into Motor Neurone Disease after one of its much- loved members died from the illness. We previously reported how John Bickerton, father of Droitwich golf professional John Bickerton, had
NORREY Ellen The family would like to thank, Relatives, Friends and Neighbours for all there kind messages of sympathy received in their sad loss. Thanks to all who attended the funeral service atSt. Clements Church. Special thanks to the Reverend Sherry
NEWBROOK Ivor Suddenly on January 7th 2008, aged 68 years,of Suckley. Beloved husband of Kathleen, loved and greatly missed by all his Familyand Friends. The funeral service will take place at Suckley Church on Tuesday, January 22nd at 11.30 a.m. followed
HATTERSLEY Louise It's two years since we lost you. Every day you are in our thoughts, Just as you will always be in our hearts. Miss you Lou and love you loads. Love Mum, Mat, Kirsty, Jodie, Megan and Jack. xx ---------- Miss you Mummy. Love Louis and
GREEN Alan January 16th 2004. Treasured memories of a dearly loved husband and father. Always in our hearts and thoughts, never to be forgotten. Love always,Susan, Sarah, Lewis and Mum Broadbent. xxx Published in paper 16/01/2008
KERSHAW Cyril Gordon Died peacefully at home on January 12th 2008. Beloved husband of Doris and father of Sue and Jo. Proud and devoted grandfather of Clare, Becky, Richard and Emily. Much respected father in law, brother in law, friend and neighbour.
SMITH Peter Leslie Of Tibberton. Passed suddenly away in hospital on Monday, January 7th 2008, aged 59 years. Will be very sadly missed by Margaret and Doreen, Father, Brothers and Sisters. A much loved father and grandfather and a loving uncleto many
CLARKE ErnestTom Passed peacefully away, whilst in hospital, on January 8th 2008 after a sudden illness, bravely borne,aged 68 years. Much loved dad to Sean and Caroline, father in law to Mandy and dear grandad to Thomas, Scott and Tamara. He will be
LAYTON Florence Edith Doll Passed away peacefully on January 14th aged 92 years, at Severn Heights Nursing Home. Wife of the late Arthur, loving mother of Brian and wife Sheila and nan to Nicola and Jamie, Mark and Zoe and great grandma to Sarah, Emily
GWILLIAM Sybil nee Bowen formerly Mapp ex. Kay & Co. Widow of Victor, mother to Andrew and Lynette, mother in law to John, much loved grandmother and great grandmother. Passed away peacefully after a short illness, at The Worcestershire Royal Hospital
DELAHAY Arthur JohnJack Margaret, Linda and Richard wish to thank all Relatives, Friends and Neighbours for their many kind messages of sympathy, love and support received at this sad time. Special thanks to Everyone who attended the funeral and for donations
VERNON Barry In loving memory of a dear son and brother. In our hearts, Your memory we treasure, Loving you always, Forgetting you never. Love mum and all the Family xx Published in paper 16/01/2008
A pedestrian in his thirties was taken to hospital with shoulder, facial and suspected chest injuries after he was in collison with a vehicle that drove off without stopping. The injured man walked from the incident, in Farleigh Road, to an address in
MOTORISTS should avoid unnecessary journeys in Herefordshire because of flooding. A Herefordshire police spokesman said, although many of the roads that were affected by floodwater yesterday had now cleared, there were still hazardous driving conditions
DRIVERS have been warned not endanger themselves and others by trying to photograph floods from moving cars. Police issued the warning after traffic management advisor Mike Digger spotted a driver leaning out of his car to take a picture with his mobile
WATER seeping beneath Worcester's flood barriers is being pumped back in to the river. Environment Agency workers are currently pumping water off the verge near Sabrina Bridge in Hylton Road. The water is seeping beneath the barriers as the river levels
MATT Neal has left Team Halfords to launch an assault on the 2008 British Touring Car Championship with Vaxuhall. The Droitwich driver will line-up alongside reigning champion Fabrizio Giovanardi in the team's new Vauxhall Vectra. The first meeting
PAUL Carty has been appointed as fitness coach at Worcester City. Carty joined the backroom staff at St George's Lane on a voluntary basis when John Barton took over as caretaker manager and stayed on when Richard Dryden was appointed. The 41-year-old
SIR - The best way to lose weight (Body and Soul, January 2), is, as my GP told me, to eat less. It is a simple as that. A little will-power, not a tummy-tuck. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester
A 65-year-old cyclist suffered serious injuries after he was knocked off his bike and then run over. The man suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable. The driver
A SERIES of crashes throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire during rush hour traffic has prompted warnings of black ice on the roads. West Midlands Ambulance Service said the first call came in at 7.55am on the Bromyard to Tenbury Road about a mile
SIR - What a good letter from Bob Churchill! When shall we hear more about certain politicians? I mean those local and central government people who still wish to serve. We hear too much about those whose main aims are to cover their own backs, to
SIR - I should like to thank everyone who contributed to the appeal at St Barnabas Church, Worcester, for Christmas shoeboxes for the homeless in Worcester. We were so pleased to receive over 200 beautifully decorated boxes full of gifts, which were
Getting into the fitness groove for 2008? Make fashion your main motivation so you don't quit by the end of January. Here are nine outfits which are perfect for you to get out of the house and strut your stuff atthe gym or on the street.
A TEENAGER was hit by a car outside a Worcester school this morning. Police and an ambulance were called to the Nunnery Wood School, Spetchley Road, at around 8.15am today (Wednesday). A spokesman for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said a 13-year-old
HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner is convinced his side can be more than a match for Tranmere Rovers in tonight's FA Cup third round replay (7.45). The Bulls, second in League Two, take on the 10th-placed League One side for the second time in 11
SIR - A recent contributor to Five Minutes With said that his biggest fear is getting old, and that he would like to see the end of the nanny state. Well, he can rest assured that when he does get old there will be little sign of the nanny state when
HEREFORDSHIRE Council has released a list of roads that are affected by flooding in the county. Click here to view a .doc (Microsoft Word) document of all the roads, but remember the list was accurate as of 8.30am today. Meanwhile: Click here for the
A pedestrian in his 30s was taken to hospital with shoulder, facial and suspected chest injuries after he was believed to have been in collision with a car. The ambulance service was called to Priors Walk in Pershore, just after 7.20pm on Tuesday and
A family of six were all taken to hospital after a crash which closed the M5 southbound for over an hour in Worcestershire. West Midlands Ambulance Service crews sent to the scene found a people carrier which had been in collision with a lorry on the
SIR - Do county MPs deserve a pay rise of £6,000? (Worcester News, January 10). Well, I don't think so! They should receive the same pay rise that pensioners receive and, with the cost of energy, it amounts to nothing. In fact, we've got far too many
Festive spirit was still in abundance at the Norbury Theatre, with the cast of Dick Whittington defying the January blues. The first night audience was determined to have a good time, singing along with many of the songs and enthusiastically booing the
A WORCESTERSHIRE-based chain of pet stores has been taken over in a £5.16 million deal. Wilsons Pet Centres, which began in Bromsgrove in 1993, has been taken over by Wynnstay - a national retail and agricultural supplies business. Since 1993 Wilsons
ABOVE is an artist's impression of what a Worcester special school will look like following a £4.5 million revamp. Worcestershire County Council's property services is set to transform Regency High School in Worcester with a multi-million project later
SIR - Although the planning application for the Venture Business Park in Worcester has been passed by a council committee, and strongly opposed by local residents, the main concern now is the inevitable rise in traffic and pollution levels. With the forthcoming
SIR - Recently, the Worcester News reported that an employer in the area was to declare 100 employees redundant. As it happened, my bills from BT and nPower had both just arrived in the post. I noticed that the BT invoice had come from Durham and the
THESE days it is difficult to avoid television programmes about the quality and standard of the food we eat. Whether it is Jamie Oliver's campaign against turkey twizzlers on school menus or, more recently, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall urging us to only
NINE years ago when Cary Taylor's father died suddenly it left her mother suffering severe depression. On top of this grief, coming to terms with the loss and shock of a loved one committing suicide, her mother was left looking after the three teenage
A Worcester special school is set to undergo a £4.5 million revamp. Worcestershire County Council's property services is set to transform Regency High School in Worcester with a multi-million project later this year. Headteacher Frank Steel said: "We
KABIR Ali has hit out at the England Lions' management after he was told he would not be touring India due to an ankle injury. The Worcestershire seamer was packed and ready to head off to the sub-continent, but the 27-year-old was informed he was carrying
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AN MP paid tribute to ambulance staff, referring to them as "heroes", when he visited staff in Droitwich and got behind the wheel of a rapid response car. Peter Luff, MP for Mid Worcestershire, visited Droitwich Ambulance Station to see the eight new
THERE are fears more flooding could be on the way as heavy rain looks set to hit Worcestershire again later this week. The Environment Agency warned flood barriers at Worcester and Upton-upon-Severn will remain up as water levels continue to rise. Agency
A ST Valentine's charity ball is being organised in Droitwich in memory of a woman who lost her battle with cancer. Carolyn Gregory registered as a £1,000 challenger for Breakthrough Breast Cancer after her friend was diagnosed with the disease. She
A JOBCENTRE Plus employee has completed his first ever skydive, raising more than £1,000 for charity. Twenty-four-year-old Gareth Niblett jumped from 12,000 feet - freefalling at 120mph - to raise £1,114 for the Macmillan Renton Appeal, in memory of
With more rain forecast across Worcestershire tonight and tomorrow, people in the county are watching the skies with concern given the events of summer 2007. Keep up to date with the latest flood warnings, weather and travel news with your Worcester
A SUICIDAL man threatened to stab a teenager before locking himself in his house and trying to cut his own throat. Richard Smith was sitting outside a 16-year-old boy's house on Monday, August 13, and threatened to stab him when he walked past. Smith
