Worcestershire | Archive | 2005 | January
Christmas and the New Year celebrations are over. The last of the turkey soup has been supped, the bottle bank has been visited - at least twice - and endless sacks of wrapping paper have been re-cycled. more...
Theatre January more...
CRADLEY production The Wind in the Willows will play at the village's primary school from Tuesday to Saturday, January 11-15, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for children from Cradley Post Office. The performance dates given in last week's Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter were incorrect. We apologise for the error. more...
Fun and frolics on the high seas will be coming to Malvern with the latest performance by the Worcester Gilbert & Sullivan Society. more...
A WAR-TORN provincial theatre is the setting for the next production at the Malvern Theatres. more...
FILM buffs can see a wide range of movies at the Roses Theatre this month. more...
DESCRIBED as an intoxicating mix of wicked comedy and smart drama, Being Julia (12a) is showing for a week at Malvern Cinema from today (Friday, January 7). Based on Somerset Maugham's novel, Theatre, and adapted by Ronald Harwood, it is a story of love and revenge set in the world of London thespians. Annette Bening plays the title role, backed by a cast including Jeremy Irons, Juliet Stevenson, Michael Gambon, Miriam Margolyes and Rita Tushingham. Being Julia is daily at 7.30pm, with a 4pm matinee on Saturday, Sunday and Thursday. more...
Until Jan 15: Fusion, designer jewellers and textiles artists from Europe and North American, have created a unique show of work at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. For further information, telephone 01242 237431. more...
Jan 18: Worcester Concert Club presents El Ultimo Tango from the CBSO at Huntingdon Hall, Worcester. Box office: 01905 611427. more...
If you have any gigs going on at your pub/venue call Joby Mullens on 01905 742252 or more...
Until Jan 8: Images of Nature and Travel, a visually stimulating range of pictures by photographer James Boardman at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. For further information, telephone 01242 237431. more...
Jan 7: Brian and Philomena invite you to an evening of ballroom, Latin and sequence dancing at Powick Village Hall, Powick, Worcester. Bring your own refreshments. Telephone Brian or Philomena on 01905 454338 for further details. more...
EL Ultimo Tango entertain Worcester Concert Club at the city's Huntingdon Hall on Tuesday, January 18, at 7.30pm. more...
A JAZZ trumpeter from New Orleans will be playing at Cradley Village Hall on Friday, January 14. more...
LOCAL band Taxi will play at The Lamb, West Malvern, tomorrow (Saturday), at 8.30pm. Admission is free. more...
members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will be visiting the Downs School, Colwall, on Wednesday (January 12). more...
A TRIO of stand-up comics are coming to Huntingdon Hall, Worcester, this month. more...
THE Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is at Nature in Art gallery, Twigworth, from January 18 to March 6. more...
Lost and Found is the name of a new exhibition featuring Malvern textile artist Valerie Gilmer. more...
THE new season at The Courtyard arts centre brings Julian Lloyd Webber, Tony Robinson and Jack Dee to the Hereford stage. more...
TICKETS have sold out for An Evening with Jim Davidson on January 13 and Van Morrison in Concert on January 15 at Malvern Theatres. more...
A course of yoga lessons begins in Malvern on Tuesday, January 11. The nine weekly lessons will include yoga exercises and relaxation techniques. They take place at Hatfield House, Malvern Girls' College, Imperial Road, from 9.30am to 11.30am, on Tuesdays. The total cost is £38.25. For details, contact Jane Roberts on 01684 593281. more...
SINGERS keen to take part in the next production by Worcester Festival Choral Society are invited to join rehearsals beginning on Monday (January 10). more...
PREACHER and artist Daniel Cozens will tell the colourful story of his life on Friday, January 14, at the Lyttelton Rooms in Malvern more...
FROM a bizarre circus to classical music, comedy and drama, the new season at the Roses Theatre promises exciting new performances as well as old favourites. more...
ANCIENT moated castles, deserted medieval villages and Second World War runways are just part of the invisible history of Herefordshire. more...
The chance to trip the light fantastic and enjoy good food is on offer at a Come Dancing evening in Alfrick. more...
IF Father Christmas failed to bring you the gifts you wanted then it is time to console yourself with the goodies the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury is set to offer. more...
SUSAN Hampshire has been taking a well-deserved rest. more...
FANS of acoustic instruments and traditional songs will have a place of their own when a folk club opens its doors in Stourport-on-Severn. more...
TRIBUTE act Nearly Dan will be "Reelin' In The Years" in Worcester this month as they trawl through a selection of their icon's hits in the city. more...
NEW regulations could leave Worcestershire customers facing longer telephone calls to complete insurance polcy paperwork. more...
A PUB in Worcester is popping the champagne corks after reaching the finals of a prestigious awards scheme. more...
ICELAND-to-Booker group Big Food today said its recovery hopes had been hit by a 3.5 per cent fall in like-for-like sales over Christmas. more...
100 years ago more...
THE future of Malvern Hills College hit the front of the Gazette 25 years ago. more...
THE Malvern News of a century ago carried an account of an early cinema show at the Assembly Rooms, precursor of today's Malvern Theatres. more...
WORCESTER City Council's leader Stephen Inman is reported as saying that there is much misunderstanding on bus passes. more...
COUNCILLOR Richard Bird slates Helen Donovan for her criticism of the poor educational funding Worcestershire receives. more...
REGARDING the letter from Samuel Richardson (You Say, Tuesday, December 28) David Blunkett did not resign because of a adulterous affair with Kimberley Quinn. more...
I HOLD the opposite view to P Drysdale (You Say, Saturday, December 18). more...
ON behalf of the Worcester Lions Club, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Worcester for their unprecedented generosity towards our recent Santa Sleigh collection. more...
THE Bishop of Worcester's Christmas Sermon which talked of "using the ploy of terror and fear to create indefensible conditions" is worth echoing. more...
I DIALLED a friend, but she wasn't in. A voice said: "I'm sorry, this mail-box is full." I hung up - and lost my 30p. I'm not made of money, BT. more...
I SPENT Christmas in Ramsgate, where upon parking my car I found the meter covered up with a bin liner to which a note was secured. more...
I AM one of George Cowley's lemmings who lives in the countryside. more...
REGARDING Patricia Ash's comments in her recent letter (You Say, Wednesday, December 29, I agree that Christmas has become more commercial. more...
There is a phrase, "Restoring one's faith in human nature". This week has restored my faith in human nature. more...
A ROYAL Air Force officer who lived in Malvern Link has died, aged 48. more...
A man from Evesbatch was left severely traumatised after confronting burglars at his home. more...
It's full steam ahead for the Downs Light Railway, after a volunteer secured a grant to help build a new station. more...
BILL Wiggin, MP for Leominster, became a father for the second time on New Year's Eve when his wife Milly gave birth to a son. more...
VANDALS have razed to the ground a shed and greenhouse at the allotments on Madresfield Road, Malvern, less than a month after five other sheds were burned down. more...
A village shop closed since April will reopen next week. more...
OUR correspondents are right, of course, it is ridiculous for a place the size of Malvern, and one with its musical history - not to mention a pretty healthy present - to be without a proper music venue. more...
A keen fundraiser is encouraging the people of Bromyard to get their knickers out in a good cause. more...
A Malvern grandmother just back from Romania says she has discovered the true meaning of Christmas. more...
THE out-of-hours doctors' service in Herefordshire has again been criticised after a Colwall resident was forced to make a 42-mile round trip to see a GP. more...
A new executive director has been appointed by the Three Counties Agricultural Society. more...
THIEVES used a stolen Range Rover to hijack three cash machines from a motorway service area. more...
Veteran Poppy Appeal organiser Philip Powell of Ashperton has been awarded the MBE for services to the Royal British Legion. more...
The family of cider-maker Norman Weston has vowed to carry on his traditions and values, which have made the Much Marcle firm an international success. more...
COCA-Cola Enterprises, which extracts and bottles Malvern Water, has confirmed its withdrawl of a plan to open up a second source of water on the hills - but only temporarily. more...
A CAMPAIGN to save a live music venue in Malvern was launched this week when a 76-signature petition was sent to the district council. more...
Do I remember the good old days before the ghost town? more...
Success was mapped out for a Leigh Sinton man made an OBE for 34 years' work with Ordnance Survey. more...
IN answer to Mr Berry's question (Your Letters, December 31), Central Trains is definitely not getting there. more...
ABOUT ten per cent of Central Trains' services on the line through Malvern and Ledbury have been hit by an industrial dispute that started on Monday (January 3). more...
I was most interested to read Keith Berry's letter (Your Letters, December 31) with regard to the two journeys he made to Birmingham that took more than two hours. more...
A generous donor left an extraordinary Christmas gift after attending a concert for the Worcester Appeal for Music and Light. more...
I was so saddened to hear that the Con club may be closing. more...
A DAY of fundraising and healing to help victims of the Asian tsunami has been organised by complementary therapists from Malvern. more...
I was disappointed to hear the Great Malvern Club, formerly the Conservative Club, may have to close due to plans to redevelop the Post Office building. more...
After reading Rodney Hales' letter (Your Letters, December 31), I visited his Brown Hare Preservation Society website and found it most interesting. more...
BELLE VUE shopkeepers this week paid tribute to colleague Annie Hofton, still missing and now presumed dead in Thailand. more...
THE chairman and members of the Powick and Callow End branch of the Royal British Legion wish to thank the public for their continued generosity in supporting the Poppy Appeal in 2004. more...
The family of Annie and John Hofton have called off the search for the couple after visiting the area where they were swept away by the tsunami. more...
MAY I ask if any of your readers have memories or photographs of any of the airfields within the county during the Second World War. more...
FUNDRAISERS in the Malvern area have been staggered by the response to collections for the Asian tsunami appeal. more...
G Lewis (Your Letters, December 31) is right. We weren't forced to buy a house in a narrow road. Buying a house is about choice and one of the reasons why we chose to live here was because we thought that a little one-way road with a 20 mph speed limit and restricted access would be reasonably quiet with little traffic and noise pollution, that would be relatively safe for children. more...
A MALVERN man who survived the Asian tsunami disaster is setting up a long-term aid effort to help the Sri Lankan villagers who saved his life. more...
A CRADLEY couple who saw tsunami waves devastate a Sri Lankan coastal resort have stayed behind to help the country's disaster victims. more...
MAY I suggest to all your readers who are supplied by Severn Trent and have water meters that they check carefully to see if their meters have been read correctly. more...
THE chairman and committee of the Malvern branch of Save the Children wish to thank Malvern Hills District Council for its swift `yes' on Thursday, December 30, to our request to hold a collection on Friday, December 31, in aid of earthquake victims. more...
I HAVE a revolutionary idea for the North Site, which, of course, will need discussion on various aspects, but would remove the traffic congestion problem at a stroke. more...
THE proposed North Site development has resulted in suggested plans for road and traffic calming schemes. It is noteworthy that Upper Howsell Road, already a dangerous cut through race track, is apparently to receive no alterations at all, yet this would obviously bear a heavy load of the envisaged 25 per cent to 36 per cent increased traffic in this area. more...
THE ban due to come into effect on February 18 is in abeyance until the appeal against the use of the Parliament Act has been heard and adjudicated upon. Meanwhile, we carry on as normal. more...
UPTON Folk Group meets at Bridge House, Waterside, on Monday, January 17. Members meet every third Monday of the month at 8.30pm. For further details call 01684 591580, or just turn up on the night. more...
A concert on `The Art of Song and Piano' takes place at Upton Memorial Hall on Sunday, January 23, at 3pm. Hosted by Upton Arts Music Group, it will include a variety of music from opera, lieder, English song, piano solos and music from the shows. The locally-based performers include soprano Hilary Wilkinson, pianist Margaret Dixon, mezzo-soprano Emma Gough and pianist David Jones. Tickets are £4 or £4.50 (non-members) on 01684 593465. more...
UPTON firefighters have enjoyed a relatively quiet Christmas and new year. Firefighter Gary Bumfrey said that bonfires lit on New Year's Eve had caused some concern among the public, but otherwise there had been no major incidents. more...
UPTON Parish Church will host a special service of prayer to remember all those affected by the Asian tsunami. more...
A NURSE from Upton has enjoyed a white Christmas after competing in the annual army snowboarding championships in Austria. more...
RUMOURS that this year's jazz festival could be the last have been dismissed as "complete nonsense" by the organiser. more...
Organist and choirmaster Paul Derrett will play at Upton Parish Church for the last time on Sunday (January 9). more...
CROWDS of people are expected to line the riverbank in Upton to cheer on competitors in the annual heads of the river race. more...
ORGANISERS of a special parade to mark the diamond anniversary of the ending of the Second World War and VE Day are calling on businesses and groups to dig deep to help. more...
WHEN Floriana Olivieri is stopped in the street by passers-by who admire her tot and remark how tiny she is - the county mum can only smile with pride. more...
A NEW environmentally friendly salt product aimed at combating corrosion is being tested on Droitwich's roads this winter. more...
Operation was a success say top officers more...
SEVERE weather warnings have been issued for tonight, with strong winds likely to damage trees and cause power cuts in parts of Worcestershire. more...
CAMPAIGNERS have won their battle to save two 1930s homes in Worcester from demolition. more...
YEARS of speculation over the future of the Northwick Cinema has ended after councillors agreed it could be used as an antique furniture shop. more...
THE Government's new NHS treatment centres are proving a hit with patients in Worcestershire, Health Secretary John Reid said today. more...
A POLICE officer is calling on people in Worcestershire villages to name and shame yobs who are leaving a trail of destruction and frightening residents. more...
ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour seems to be a topic close to the heart of many of our national politicians. more...
The attention of the world is rightly focussed on the awful impact of the tsunami in Asia. more...
The deep impression made on everyone by the recent disastrous events around the Indian Ocean was evident at the Lamb Inn on New Year's Eve, when a spontaneous collection taken during the evening for the relief effort raised a remarkable £700. more...
THE weeks leading up to Christmas were pretty hectic, with most organisations doing something extra by way of celebration. more...
YOUR support would be greatly appreciated at the sale in aid of the Tsunami Disaster Fund, which is being organised by Mrs Tegwin Harrison, of Redmarley, in the village hall on Saturday, January 15 from 10.30am to noon approximately. more...
POWICK Parish Ramblers meet on Thursday, January 13 at Newland Church almshouses at 10am for a six-mile walk via hop fields, around Bastonford and Deblins Green. Good boots are recommended, as the paths are likely to be muddy. The leaders are Rita de Boer (01905) 830256 and Jo Walker (01905) 357764. more...
ON Saturday, January 15 the Wells Revellers will be celebrating the new year with a casino evening - but don't worry, as no one will lose a penny. The village hall will be decked out with the usual gaming tables. As punters arrive they will be given a glass of champagne and £1,000 worth of chips to play with. At the end of the evening the person with the most money wins a bottle of champagne. Tickets are £6 including buffet supper, obtainable from Pat O'Malley (01684) 575682. Please book by January 12 at the latest. more...
Broadband is coming to Cradley! The service will be available for internet users in the village from Monday, January 17. more...
THE Taste of Christmas Advent carol concert held on November 27 in St James' Church raised £500. This has been sent to Jessie's Fund, the charity which helps sick and disabled children through music. more...
THIS week, the village shop has been a hive of activity with the new management, Craig Bradbury and Katie Cocks, rearranging and re-stocking in preparation for the re-opening on Monday, January 10. They hope you will come and see for yourself, that all you need will now be available on your doorstep. No parking problems and a warm welcome from the staff. The facilities afforded by the village shop and Post Office have been sorely missed by many people, especially those who rely on public transport and we have an opportunity now to ensure that Bosbury retains a popular village shop and Post Office. Kate looks forward to welcoming you at the shop next week. more...
WE start 2005 with an early jumble sale at Berrow Village Hall to raise funds for Berrow/Pendock churches. If you have any jumble for tomorrow (Saturday), take it along to the hall during the morning. Offers of help gladly received. Doors open 2pm. more...
THIS little pooch is the toast of one Worcestershire village today after he was crowned Pro Plan Pup of the Year. more...
A CRECHE at Worcestershire Royal Hospital is to be expanded after an application has been submitted for a conservatory to be added to it at the Newtown Road site. more...
THE former Bishop of Manchester became the focus of attention at a meeting of Worcester Camcorder Club. more...
A BILL of nearly £1,500 for running costs at Callow End sports pavilion, including caretaking fees for the last 18 months, is to be paid by Powick Parish Council. more...
STUDENTS in Worcester have used an art and poetry competition to raise awareness of mental health problems. more...
PLANS to erect a wind generator in an Area of Great Landscape Value in a Worcestershire village have been put on hold so planners can pay a visit to the site. more...
DROITWICH residents are being urged to join the fight against crime in the region. more...
VOLUNTEERS are urgently needed to help run two charity shops which support the County Air Ambulance. more...
HOSPITAL chiefs in Worcestershire have reassured patients that their health is not being put in danger. more...
FAIR funding campaigners who have been trying out an alternative cash formula for Worcestershire's schools are to meet education authorities from other areas to compare results next month. more...
THE New Year has brought new challenges for the Malvern Angels rugby squad at Spring Lane with the senior side setting their sights on league status at the start of the new season. more...
MALVERN Cricket Club recently held their AGM at their Regency Road headquarters. more...
MALVERN Rugby Club start the second half of their Midlands Two West programme with an away fixture tomorrow (Saturday) at Old Laurentians (2.15pm). more...
MALVERN Town slipped to a surprise 4-3 home defeat to bottom- of-the-table Bridgnorth Town in the Travel Factory Alliance on Bank Holiday Monday. more...
FORMER PE teacher Jane Powell is heading off to India today (Friday) as the highest qualified woman in the world of cricket coaching. more...
COMPETITION for places is vitally important to aid Kidderminster Harriers' Coca-Cola League Two relegation fight, according to boss Stuart Watkiss. more...
DUNCAN Roke has been handed a chance to resurrect his Sixways career. more...
MALVERN RFC more...
SATURDAY more...
WORCESTERSHIRE Schools Badminton Association, who are supported by Worcestershire County Council, are holding their annual U17 Championships on Sunday, January 23. more...
TURNER'S Tae Kwon Do's most successful student rounded off a triumphant year by taking a bronze medal at the AIMAA Open Martial Arts World Championships in Dublin. more...
MALVERN Chess Club's good run of form at their new venue at the Manor Park Club continued into the new season. more...
MALVERN cycling club VC Sevale's annual freewheel competition was decisively won by veteran rider Eric Gorton. more...
AT just about the half way stage in the Brewin Dolphin Securities-sponsored Malvern Table Tennis League Division One, last year's champions Manor Park Cavaliers again lead the way. more...
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen expects to have Ross Collins and Matt Lowe back in the frame as his side attempt to get their promotion challenge back on track. more...
FUMING Evesham United boss Dave Busst threatened to carve up his squad ahead of tomorrow's home clash with lowly Bracknell Town (3pm) after an alarming form slump in Southern League Division One West. more...
WORCESTER City boss John Barton has vowed to punish managerless Ashton United at St George's Lane tomorrow, despite a 'flu crisis sweeping through his ranks. more...
HEREFORD United coach John Trewick reckons victory over Burton Albion at Eton Park tomorrow would be the perfect tonic after a lousy points haul over the festive period. more...
COMPETITION for places is vitally important to aid Kidderminster Harriers' Coca-Cola League Two relegation fight, according to boss Stuart Watkiss. more...
BROMSGROVE can give themselves a New Year boost by beating Scunthorpe at Finstall Park. more...
WINGER Nick Colley and defender Shabir Khan could make shock inclusions into Worcester City's squad facing Ashton United at St George's Lane tomorrow (3pm). more...
DUNCAN Roke has been handed a chance to resurrect his Sixways career. more...
THE Mercian Junior Football League will be presenting fair play awards for the 2003/4 season at the league meeting at the Bell Inn, St Johns, Worcester on Sunday (January 9) at 8pm. more...
WEST Malvern return to action tomorrow (Saturday) with a Worcester & District Football League's Phipps Cup league one match at Inkberrow A. more...
MALVERN Premier's Worcester Sunday League division one match against league leaders Exel Star & Garter was abandoned at Victoria Park on Sunday after a visiting player sustained a broken lower leg. more...
AFTER winning their first six games, Malvern Radar have now only won one of their last seven and rarely looked like stopping the rot with a disappointing performance last Sunday. more...
AFTER a two week lay off Malvern Rangers, sponsored by the Cross Keys Inn, are scheduled to resume West Midlands division two action with an away trip to Kington Town Reserves tomorrow (Saturday). more...
WORCESTER City boss John Barton has vowed to punish managerless Ashton United at St George's Lane tomorrow, despite a 'flu crisis sweeping through his ranks. more...
WINGER Nick Colley and defender Shabir Khan could make shock inclusions into Worcester City's squad facing Ashton United at St George's Lane tomorrow (3pm). more...
ANDY Keast is pleading with England to take a look at Chris Horsman. more...
THE Chase U15s rugby team have won their way through to the last 16 of the national Daily Mail Vase competition. more...
MALVERN Town Reserves travelled to Oldbury for this West Midlands League division one fixture and knew they were in for a tough time as Blackheath Town are lying in fourth place in the table, having lost only twice all season. more...
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