GEOFF Hopcraft, Worcester's best known family and portrait photographer for more than 30 years, has died. His studio at 57 the Tything, became a regular port of call for babies, brides and grooms, students with degrees, beaming family groups and anyone
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Mark Yates is hoping that Mark Creighton signing a new contract will lead to other players committing their futures to the club. Central defender Creighton has penned a two-year deal at Aggborough to keep him at the Blue
A COMPASSIONATE woman has received an award for outstanding acts of kindness' towards her neighbour. Geraldine Fowler, of Woodmancote, Warndon, was nominated for the Good Neighbour Award by her friend Kim Aingel after helping to care for Miss Angiel's
RAINBOW secured the Worcester Table Tennis League Division One crown after completing the double over Pavilion Players. Wyre kept their noses in front with a strong performance against St George's which saw Doug Payne and Nick Mytton unbeaten in the
A CITY councillor is to stand down at the next election so she can spend more time caring for her elderly mother. After four years in local government Pam Clayton will not stand again when local elections are held in May, but she has vowed to continue
A POLISH man has been fined for driving a car that could have caused "injury or death" and had his car scrapped. Marcin Majewski appeared in court after a series of faults were found with his unroadworthy 16-year-old BMW. Majewski, aged 32, of Wyld's
WORCESTERSHIRE took more awards than any other county in the npower Midlands Disability Sports Awards held at Aston Villa, winning four of the 11 accolades. The EFDS Young Male Achiever of the Year was athlete and swimmer Ben O'Brien from Rigby Hall
WORCESTERSHIRE will be closing in on victory tomorrow in their opening LVCC Division Two match at Warwickshire after taking three wickets in the final hour this evening. Having set the Bears 482 to win, the New Road side left 16 overs to bowl at the
DROITWICH residents have demanded to know who will be exempt from a new wheelie bin scheme when it comes to the town. The controversial plan for alternate weekly collections is planned to start from October this year but people living in the town say
THE most talked-about parasol in Worcestershire has been given the seal of approval after a year-long battle with planners. Pete and Lynne Browne, owners of Pepper and Oz, in Malvern, called the decision a "victory for common sense". Members of Malvern
BUDDING foodies have just days left to submit their recipes to create the Official Dish of Worcestershire. Your Worcester New has teamed up with Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce to launch the search for a dish worthy of a place among the UK's renowned
WORCESTER Rugby Club Under 13s have booked a place at the National Gulliver's Tournament final at Twickenham for the third year running. They qualified in Nottingham and will play against Bishop's Stortford on Saturday, May 31, before the Guinness Premiership
A CHARITY raffle for a new car has sold tens of thousands of tickets and produced one very happy winner. Charity workers from St Richard's Hospice were thrilled to sell more than £39,700 worth of tickets for their annual raffle with a Honda Jazz as the
THE shadow Chancellor was full of praise for one of Worcester's leading manufacturers yesterday during a pre-election visit to the city. Conservative MP George Osborne became the third member of the shadow cabinet to visit Worcester in the run-up to
CHRIS Sanna will have his chance in goal for Worcester City after Cameron Belford left the Blue Square North club. On-loan Belford proved a popular figure after making his debut in Richard Dryden's first match in charge on December 1 and won City fans
WORCESTERSHIRE cat lovers are being urged to tune in to BBC1 this Sunday. Animal charity Cats Protection will feature on the Life Line programme with a 10-minute piece on the mid-Warwickshire branch and the different volunteer roles it has available
AVENGERS are champions of Worcester and District Skittles League Division Two. Meanwhile, Westsiders won the Team Knock-out Cup final, beating Newman by three pins. In the Coronation Cup decider, the District League defeated the Friendly League by five
A NEW library is to be developed in Ledbury after almost £3 million of funding was agreed. Herefordshire Council is investing £2.9 million, over the next two years, which will see an extension built between the Master's House and St Katherine's Barn.
PLAYERS, officials and fans at Sixways will all be turning pink tomorrow as the Guinness Premiership offers Worcester women a weekend of rugby with a difference. Tackled Pink is a nationwide event kicking off at all six premiership rugby matches this
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SCREAMING and shouting broke out in the public gallery at Worcester Crown Court after a jury convicted a man and two women of a £30,000 nationwide identity theft scam, which included two Worcester pensioners among their victims. Two defendants, husband
NUNNERY Wood Leopards Under 10s pipped club rivals Tigers 1-0 in the Stourport Youth League. The result put Leopards one point behind second-placed Tigers with a single game to play. Ben Harrington scored the only goal, finishing off Sam Hayes' free-kick
WARNDON Villages Tigers Under Nines secured third spot in Mercian Festival Junior League Division One with a 3-0 win over Malvern Town Wanderers Colts. Keeper Hayden Lewis was man-of-the-match, producing intelligent passing when outfield in the second-half
TODAY is your final chance to register your vote for the Miss Worcester 2008 competition. With lines closing at midnight tonight, Worcester News readers are being asked to vote for who they think should be in the top 10 and compete at a gala event in
AN elderly woman has died after being crushed by a car - reportedly being driven by her husband. Emergency services were called to Hazelton Close, Marlbrook, Bromsgrove, just after 9.30am today, following reports that a man had hit the woman while reversing
THE Deputy Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary has been appointed Chief Constable of Dyfed-Powys Police. Ian Arundale, 48, is expected to take up his new post in June. Chief Constable Paul West said Mr Arundale had been a key figure in strengthening
GANDY George Thank you to Family and Friends for donations given on my 70th Birthday. £600 was raised for Acorns Children Hospice. Published in paper 18/04/2008
WIGGETT Olivia Happy 1st Birthday Princess. Lots of love and kisses. Mummy and Daddy. xx Published in paper 18/04/2008
JONES Brian Passed away peacefully at St. Richard's Hospice on April 14th, 2008, aged 74 years. Beloved husband of the late Gwen, dad to Mike, Mandy, Rich and Chris. A very good friend to Ian, also a much loved grandfather and great grandfather. Funeral
BRISTOW Terry Ted Passed away suddenly but peacefully on April 14th, 2008, at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, aged 60 years. Loving husband of Wendy, dad to Heidi, son of Joyce and Terry and brother to Barrie, much loved brother in law. Will be sadly missed
THOULD Elizabeth Of Kempsey. Peacefully on April 12th, 2008. A much loved sister in law, aunt, great aunt and great, great aunt. The Funeral service will take place at St Mary's Church, Kempsey on Thursday, April 24th at 2.30 p.m. followed by Cremation
DOODEY Margaret Grace What a star you always were, never out of our thoughts and we know you are up there with a smile on your face. With all our love from Ray, Fred, Ellie, Matthew, Alex, Sophie and great granddaughter Afton. xx Published in paper 18
DANIEL Martin Danny A true friendsadly missed, but always remembered by Thelma, Geoff, Chris and Steve. Published in paper 18/04/2008
THORLEY Anthony Died on January 25th, 2008, aged 62 years. Graveside service at Astwood cemetery on Wednesday, April 23rd, at 9.30 a.m. Enquiries to A V Band. Tel: 01905 22892 Published in paper 18/04/2008
SHEPHERD Stanley Dennis Passed away peacefully on April 15th, 2008, aged 93 years. Much loved husband of Ena and father of Sue and Chris. A special father in law, grandfather and great grandfather. The Funeral service will take place
HOPCRAFT Geoffrey Norman Peacefully at his home in Bristol, on Tuesday April 15th, 2008.Formerly of Worcester, aged 84. Funeral Service on Thursday April 24th, at 2.00 p.m.at Memorial Woodlands, Thornbury, on A38 Rudgeway. Enquiries and flowersor donations
BULLOCK Jack Peacefully in Malvern Hospital on April 15th, 2008 in his 87th year. Much loved husband of Anna, dearly loved father of Alan and a much loved grandfather. A Thanksgiving Service for his Life will take place at St Matthias Church, Malvern
SEAL Claire Emma Not so innocent now! Happy 30th. Love Mum, Dad, Cheryl, Dann, Ellie, Nat, John, Paige. Have a good night. Published in paper 18/04/2008
LOCKYER Geoffrey April 18th 2007 Always in our hearts Dot, Andrea, Oli and Elliot. Published in paper 18/04/2008
MIKE Ruddock recalls his first team stars as Warriors take on Bath in the Guinness Premiership at Sixways Stadium tomorrow (3pm). Worcester's director of rugby knows victory in the clash will guarantee Warriors top-flight rugby next season and he is
WORCESTERSHIRE have agreed a £100,000 sponsorship contract with Advantage West Midlands which will see the regional development agency support a series of international matches and prominent domestic games over the next two years. Mark Pearce, corporate
LEDBURY'S Terry Jenkins needs to pick up wins in his final two Whyte & Mackay Premier League darts games if he is to finish in the top four and make the play-offs. Last night he played out a 7-7 draw with Wayne Mardle. James Wade and Phil Taylor, however
IT'S St George's Day next Wednesday so celebrate England's patron saint with a traditional feast of delicious beef complete with all the trimmings. Gather friends and family to raise forks on April 23 with a host of beef recipe ideas from the English
Today's local and national news headlines from the Worcester News are read by Chester Smith from Elgar Technology College, Worcester.
WORCESTER Greenman ace Bob Patrick recorded a fantastic three consecutive wins in the Alan's Tackle Spring Pairs League at Brockamin. It was a remarkable comeback for the angler who dry- netted in the first round. A return to form on the bottom lake
A VICAR who carried out a sex attack on a teenage girl has been set free by a judge who said the decision may seem "ludicrous" to the public. Judge Alistair McCreath said the offences committed by the Rev Nduna Mpunzi, who also assaulted his wife, were
WINNING is the only option according to Malvern's director of rugby Dave Robins as his side now need one more victory from tomorrow's do-or-die clash at Solihull (3pm) to clinch the title. The Spring Lane side have the destiny of the Midlands Two West
WHEN Browns restaurant was forced to close its doors following the devastating floods last summer there were a lot of disappointed diners. However, less than 12 months on and a £350,000 refit later, the popular restuarant has re-opened and, I'm pleased
CALLOW End and Victoria Barnt Green contest the Worcestershire FA Sunday Junior Cup final at Bromsgrove Rovers' Victoria Ground on Sunday (6pm extra-time and penalties to decide if necessary). A new name is guaranteed on the trophy this year as neither
COWBOY songs are being combined with colonial dance next weekend. New Mexico band Bayou Seco are to perform at the Fold, Bransford, on Saturday, April 26, offering a lively night of Cajun music. Described as a unique show of toe-tapping tunes and tales
SIR - I loved your photo of flowers in the snow in the Worcester News. I am not a gardener but I think the flowers featured are polyanthus not pansies. A Horsfall, Malvern.
WILL Hunt has spent the best part of the Noughties soaking up creativity in Kentish Town. The former Worcester Sixth Form student, who fronts the gentle yet infectious band Soapbox Story, may have music in his blood but cites the capital city as a major
POSTERS urging people to love their park are on display in a Worcester park. The posters in and around Gheluvelt Park promote the Love Your Park campaign and are the winning designs chosen after a competition at St George's CE Primary School, St George's
SIR - I would like to thank the gentleman who returned my bank card to the reception desk at Tesco, Warndon Villages, after it became trapped in the cash machine. DEBORAH WILLIAMS, Worcester.
I am directing two different plays at the moment, the Blue Room and the Taming Of The Shrew. In some ways, they could not be more different but there are also some surprising similarities. The Blue Room is based on a play called La Ronde which shocked
SIR - I read your article with disbelief on April 11, Becky is banned from class for her piercing'. It is an unfortunate fact of life and a paradox of a democracy that rules exist for the benefit of the majority and should be obeyed. Children who are
KINGS, queens and fairy godmothers will bring enchantment to a Worcestershire stage next month. The Vienna Festival Ballet company will perform Sleeping Beauty at Evesham Arts Centre on Sunday, May 11. With haunting music from Tchaikovsky, the
GREG Cunningham has been promoted to Provident Financial's regional operations manager for Worcester, Redditch, Stourbridge and Dudley areas, with nearly 30,000 customers. Mr Cunningham joined Provident in 1990 as manager of a handful of agents in Worcester
SIR - It was interesting to read the comment from Mike Foster MP regarding the case of Joao De Oliveira, the knifeman convicted last month of murdering frail Worcester man John Lloyd in Windermere Drive, Warndon. Self-elected defender of the foxes is
A PIONEERING scheme that encourages companies to work with universities and colleges to incorporate new technologies and services into their businesses has returned with £240,000 in grants up for grabs in Worcestershire and neighbouring counties. The
RAW, distressing, steely and relentless. According to the critics, David Grindley's revival of Blackbird, at Malvern next month, has a slow-burning intensity that nags away in the memory like the mental equivalent of a toothache.' David Harrower's drama
COUNCILLORS have ignored the pleas of hundreds of concerned parents and voted unanimously to close down an "award-winning" primary school. Members of Worcestershire County Council's ruling Tory cabinet agreed yesterday to move forward with plans to close
SIR - Our national fund-raising and profile-raising week is fast approaching and you can help animals in your area. From April 28 to May 4, your RSPCA branch will be holding collections at Tesco stores in Redditch and Worcester. In 2007 we raised more
THE ill-fated liner may have plunged to the bottom of the ocean 96 years ago this week but one thing's for sure - this ice-breaker of a show is absolutely unsinkable. It's a modern folk tale and must therefore feature the essential characters. White
Pet-friendly accommodation is becoming more popular across the UK and Worcestershire is no exception. Luxury dog beds are even available in Travelodges. Sylvia and Ted Tottman are happy for dogs to spend a few nights at Cannara Guest House, Barnards
WORCESTER City have an added incentive to do well in their last three games - to avoid their lowest league finish in eight years. The St George's Lane side ended up 15th at the conclusion of a turbulent 1999/2000 season that saw John Barton replace Graham
A CHILDREN'S bereavement charity based in Worcester is appealing for holidaymakers to donate their unwanted spare change. People who may have a few odd coins and notes can help the Noah's Ark Trust, which provides support to children, young people and
YOU know when you were a kid there was stuff you just didn’t want to eat but your mom and dad made you? Are you now grateful that they did? Stuff I never used to eat, or only ever eat because I had to, vegetable, fruit, fish (well, not all fish), salad
A TOP Conservative politician was shown a scale model of the new Worcester University campus on his visit to the city. David Willetts, shadow cabinet member for innovation, universities and skills, met the university's vice-chancellor Professor David
SIR - In response to your article, Cabbies putting girls in danger! (April 12), could I please add. Young girls are not the only ones. Writing as a middle aged man, may I inform Mohammed Ali, the city council and readers, we can also suffer the same
MANAGER Graham Turner says Hereford United's last two results prove they have what it takes to win automatic promotion. The Bulls returned from Darlington last Saturday with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of striker Gary Hooper, and drew 0-0 at League Two leaders
SIR - I read Ian Habbit's letter with interest and agree that school buses would help relieve the congestion he mentions, but that is not an option to many parents in Worcester anymore as their children have to go where the county council dictates with
THE headteacher of a Worc-ester school has hit out at the confusion caused over chan-ges to transport funding. Sean Devlin, principal of Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, said he and parents were under the impression that subsidised travel for
IT IS no surprise that television programmes like Watchdog are never short of material when we hear stories like that of Steve Hickman. The Worcester man, as we report on page 3 today, has been battling telecoms giant BT for a year over the botched installation
THE headteacher of a Worcester school has hit out at the confusion caused over changes to transport funding. Sean Devlin, principal of Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, said he and parents were under the impression that subsidised travel for
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers assistant manager Neil Howarth believes the fear of relegation will be a factor in tomorrow's Blue Square Premier trip to Weymouth (3pm). The Terras go into the game at the Wessex Stadium just three points above the drop-zone despite
CRICKET fans will be banned from taking alcohol into Twenty20 matches at Worcester's New Road ground. The controversial decision made by Worcestershire County Cricket Club following talks with the English Cricket Board (ECB) has angered one member, who
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A PET health expert from Worcester has won a top national award. Jan Stevenson who works at the Severn Veterinary Centre in Tybridge Street, St John's, Worcester, won the pet health counsellor of the year at the British Small Animal Veterinary Congress
A CONVENTION celebrating the classic film Quadrophenia has proved so successful the Worcester organiser is al-ready planning next year's. Tim Evans, who owns movie memorabilia store Video-drome, in Broad Street, Worcester, said Target 30 - a weekend-long
