Worcestershire | Archive | 2005 | April

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Stories for 14 April 2005

Leisure

Film rentals chart

1 The Incredibles   more...

Wrestler plans show

KIDDERMINSTER wrestler, Chris Cage, will not be taking part in the American Wrestling 2005 show at Stourport Civic Centre this month.   more...

Vikings coming to a centre near you

ANYONE who has ever wondered what life was like in the Saxon and Viking periods can satisfy their curiosity this weekend with a visit to Bishops Wood Education Centre, near Stourport.   more...

Spirit of Broadway - Everyman, Cheltenham

WHO doesn't love a good show tune? Spirit of Broadway has collated some of the most popular songs from the world's principal musicals and wrapped them in one non-stop glitzy package.   more...

Pair to display musical skills at village

A GREEK-Canadian composer and musician will be showcasing his skills in Kidderminster in the latest instalment of a scheme taking professional live art shows to community venues across Wyre Forest.   more...

Feast for jazz fans

SWINGING jazz music will fill Kidderminster Library gallery next Thursday, courtesy of the Simon Deeley Trio.   more...

Young in music festival

SCHOOLCHILDREN from across Wyre Forest will sing and play their hearts out at Kidderminster Town Hall next week as part of the 10th annual Youth Makes Music festival.   more...

In the mood for dancing

ENJOY your own version of Strictly Come Dancing and get fit at the same time by joining in with all kinds of dance classes on offer locally.   more...

Funny peculiar

A wry, comic look at all things paranormal is promised in a Psychic Spectacular in Pershore on April 22.   more...

Kidderminster Male Choir Kidderminster Town Hall

THE gentlemen songsters did MD Justin Parker proud when he conducted them for the last time, with excellent performances of popular songs, and some new to the choir.   more...

Beverley Knight Wolverhampton Civic Hall

PERFORMING at Wolverhampton's Civic is always a homecoming for the UK's own queen of R `n' B, Beverley Knight.   more...

Manic Street Preachers Wolverhampton Civic Hall

ONCE they sang of personal and political despair. Then they became an all-purpose rock band, rocketing into the mainstream with arena gigs and number one albums.   more...

Musical at Rose

THE musical version of the much-loved children's tale, Stig of the Dump, is being performed at the Rose Theatre today.   more...

Youngsters sought to tread the boards

TALENTED youngsters are being sought to tread the boards in a forthcoming production of the much-loved musical, Oliver!.   more...

Win stamps to celebrate the Royal Wedding

ROYAL Mail had to postpone the launch of its Royal Wedding stamps, commemorating the wedding of HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, and Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles for 24 hours until Saturday, April 9.   more...

Castles coming alive 50 years on

FIFTY years after they were first issued, Royal Mail is marking the anniversary of the first Castles High Value Definitive stamps.   more...

SPLINTER CELL CHAOS THEORY

THE year is 2008. Citywide blackouts, stock exchange sabotage and electronic hijacking of national defence systems leads to information warfare, which has become the most dangerous threat to global stability.   more...

Delicate bedstraws are splendid sight

AS spring unfolds its wealth of new life, I always enjoy watching for new wild flowers to come into bloom across the reserves.   more...

Coppin is back on the record

TOP Cotswold singer-songwriter Johnny Coppin has released his first major album in 12 years.   more...

Guitar ace in concert to boost Tracy fund

TOP guitarist and Vale favourite Gordon Giltrap is playing another charity concert for the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust this month.   more...

The mellow sound of a Sixties singer

SIXTIES star Donovan is heading to Cheltenham next month.   more...

Singer Sheena's tribute to the stars

FOLLOWING her previous sell-out performances, vocalist Sheena Davis and her backing band will be at Harvington village hall on Sunday at 7.30pm as part of the Shindig spring season of events.   more...

Jazz superstar's never a stranger

TWO nights of jazz next week will be delighting fans of traditional and modern masters at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall.   more...

Back to start for ensemble

THE ensemble Chroma will be in concert at Charlton Church on Saturday, back in the venue where they started the series of chamber music concerts back in 1998, then as a clarinet trio.   more...

Inspector is still calling all the shots

AN award-winning production of a classic thriller is heading the new season line-up at the Everyman in Cheltenham.   more...

Are you a winner?

* (I) indicates Internet entries.   more...

Aussie Pinafore

THE Australian version of HMS Pinafore is being performed by Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society from next week.   more...

Nicky's knighted for a Night

SHAKESPEARE'S dark comedy, Twelfth Night, is being tackled by the RSC's head director for its latest show, opening next week.   more...

Make a date with Marje

TWO thought-provoking shows are being staged in Chipping Norton this weekend.   more...

Exhibitions

Bevere Art Gallery, Worcester - Seascapes, until May 5.   more...

Theatre

Rose, Kidderminster - Stig of the Dump,   more...

News

Crisis in recruiting part-time law force

THE number of special constables serving with West Mercia police has more than halved in the last eight years, Home Office figures have revealed.   more...

Pass on suggestion

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Mark Turner's letter about disability being the preserve of the elderly.   more...

Manifesto move by other parties

WHY is Blair and Kennedy jumping up and down with irritation having read the Conservative manifesto, instead of spending the time expounding their own? Is it because, they are thinking what we are thinking? Personally I prefer the Conservative policies to their own respective ones. Less waste; better, cleaner hospitals; less taxes a better Britain; oh yes and more importantly better immigration controls; who wouldn't.   more...

Have fun on the farm

WOODPECKERS and lapwings might be spotted by ramblers enjoying a new walk on a farm near Worcester.   more...

A better World in which to live

ALL Roger Martin's negative letter about Christianity illustrates is that we are fallible sinful people. The moral teachings of Christianity have been an enormous influence for good down the centuries. If only today we all loved our neighbours as ourselves, as Christ advised us, it would be an infinitely better World.   more...

Chamber of secrets under church floor

A SECRET burial chamber has been found under the floor of a village church.   more...

Consulting on old site's future

I NOTE in a recent edition that Wychavon District Council are spending up to £50,000 on consultants to look at the future use of the old sewage works site now known as Abbey Road Depot.   more...

ELECTION 2005: MID WORCESTERSHIRE

PETER LUFF, CONSERVATIVE   more...

Dangers of the dreaded weed!

IT is only in recent times that we have become aware of the effects of passive smoking of tobacco. Concern being particularly for young children's health.   more...

Business is booming

THE country's only indoor human cannonball is wowing audiences at a circus visiting Worcester.   more...

Dealing with a litter menace

Members of Charity Crescent Residents Association (CHACRA) carried out a successful litter pick recently.   more...

Watching the big race? Then get a TV licence

WORCESTER'S TV licence fee dodgers are being warned that they will be caught, as enquiry officers will be out in force once again this spring.   more...

We'll fight to stop new village homes

A VILLAGE that is already bigger than Upton-upon-Severn is uniting to prevent further expansion.   more...

Diamond ahoy for ex-Navy couple

A COMMUNITY-minded husband and wife team celebrates 60 years of happy marriage together today.   more...

Couple's terror in road cable `prank'

A COUPLE have spoken of their terror after a car ran into a cable deliberately tied across a street and was catapulted back into their own car.   more...

Bradders moved off Sunday show

POPULAR DJ Dave "Bradders" Bradley has controversially been moved off his Sunday morning slot as BBC bosses "refresh" the schedules.   more...

Judge orders gipsies off land

A HIGH Court judge has rejected a bid to postpone the eviction date of a group of gipsies living on an unauthorised site near the village of Eckington.   more...

DO NOT BLAME US FOR MUCK

TRAVELLERS have been accused of leaving urine trails, human excrement and building rubbish on a busy industrial estate.   more...

£3m smuggler gets five years

A Worcestershire meat trader named as the right-hand man of the Mr Big in an international cigarette smuggling plot has been jailed for five years at Worcester Crown Court.   more...

Boss's bid for security is blocked

A BIDFORD businessman has failed in his bid to boost security at his premises.   more...

Young people to have a voice at parish council meetings

YOUNG people in Bidford are being urged to speak up about issues of concern to them.   more...

Landlord defends sign

A SALFORD Priors landlord has defended his new pub sign in the face of complaints from residents that it is out of keeping with the area.   more...

Cinema's ready to roll

A TOP-UP loan from a Malvern company has helped realise a Kidderminster community's dream of creating its own independent cinema.   more...

Innovation prizewinner promises to treat staff

AN engineering firm which makes communications equipment has been named as the cream of the crop of Malvern businesses.   more...

Woolworths offer lost

THE suitor for Woolworths today said it was withdrawing its interest in the high street retailer.   more...

Shoppers cut back big buys, say GUS

CATALOGUE retailers GUS today said shoppers had cut back on buying furniture and other big-ticket items at Argos as trading worsened.   more...

Car parking machine dumped

A PAY and display cash machine taken from a Kidderminster car park was later found abandoned in Stourport.   more...

Act of solidarity for world's poor

CONGREGATION members of a Kidderminster church are backing a week of protest in aid of a worldwide campaign to improve the plight of the poor.   more...

Hats off to the royal couple

RESIDENTS of a Stourport care home dressed up to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles.   more...

Bin there, helped the environment

HOUSEHOLDERS are being offered the chance to clear dead winter leaves from their gardens with cut price compost bins on offer from Wyre Forest District Council.   more...

Couple Mark 25 years

A COUPLE who have spent 25 years working at a Kidderminster store have been rewarded for their loyal service.   more...

Health therapies on display at fair

A WIDE range of therapies, including reflexology, will be on offer at a holistic health fair in Wolverley this weekend.   more...

Principal praises college students

STUDENTS' achievements were celebrated at Kidderminster College during an event hosted by principal, Andrew Miller.   more...

Cat escapes death after air rifle attack

A CAT narrowly escaped death when it was shot by a high-velocity air rifle - the pellet lodging just a centimetre from its heart.   more...

Making it snappy

BUTTERFLY Theatre puppets entertained youngsters at a Kidderminster nursery celebrating its 20th anniversary.   more...

Shops boost former garage

THE site of a former petrol station on a major road into Kidderminster is to be turned into shops and apartments.   more...

Villagers to air views on quarry

A PARISH poll could be organised in Bidford to test local feeling about plans for an extension to sand and gravel workings at Marsh Farm Quarry, Salford Priors.   more...

Chelsea meeting stars at Harriers

A SIX-year-old girl savaged by a rampaging dog was all smiles - less than two weeks after the attack - when she became a guest of honour at Kidderminster Harriers Football Club.   more...

Drugs alert: Phials found in field

glass phials which may contain deadly morphine have been found on land used by children in the Vale.   more...

Plan for gates

COACH House Farm in Cheltenham Road, Broadway is to get a new pair of wrought iron gates if Wychavon District Council pass the plans to replace the existing ones.   more...

House extension

A HOUSE in Morris Road, Broadway is to be extended to include an en-suite shower room if Wychavon councillors pass the plans. They are due to go before the planning committee within the next six weeks.   more...

Church is ideal setting for historic concert

A BROADWAY musician is offering people the chance to step back in time at a special performance of early music.   more...

Using the password can prevent anguish of theft

WITH reference to your article headlined "Check ID of callers" (Worcester News, Wednesday, April 6) I work for a large company whereby my day-to-day activities involve visiting consumers in their own homes across three counties to access gas, water and electricity meters.   more...

Far better life under Labour

ACCORDING to a recent correspondent, Labour's eight years in office is comparable to Stalin's Soviet rule.   more...

Challenge for Blair

WHEN I was called out with my sappers to investigate a "suspicious object" when serving in Jerusalem in 1947, we were accompanied by a platoon of infantry, who protected us, unlike L/Cpl Keys of the Royal Military Police and his comrades, who were murdered by Iraqi dissidents.   more...

Some facts

SOME interesting observations were made recently in a letter from Coun Paul Denham about Worcestershire's Local Education Authority, which, since coming under Conservative guidance, has been rated as "excellent."   more...

Tributes to former mayor Shirley Newman

THE funeral is to take place today of a former mayor of Pershore, Shirley Newman.   more...

Waste site

HAVING seen the latest reports on the disaster zone on the High Street, I feel that from henceforth, the High Street be renamed Shambles and - to avoid confusion - The Shambles should be renamed Sanity.   more...

Step closer to hospital

THE realisation of Pershore's groundbreaking cottage hospital has moved a step closer with building work expected to begin in July.   more...

I wonder...

I SEE in his recent response N Winter rejected all my views, quoted me out of context and ignored the rest of the information, because it did not suit his own particular tired old argument.   more...

Pershore prepares for In Bloom battle

PERSHORE is set to flourish this summer when the town enters the Britain in Bloom competition for the first time.   more...

Hive of activity as council makes plans for elections

WHEN Prime Minister Tony Blair announced the General Election would be on May 5, he signalled the start of a huge logistical operation.   more...

From the archives

100 Years Ago   more...

Now pack health into lunchboxes

FOLLOWING Jamie Oliver's national campaign for healthier school dinners, Nicola Phipps, a nutritionist from Kersoe, is keen to turn the spotlight on lunchboxes,   more...

Fun for youngsters

HUNDREDS of youngsters flocked to Rhydd Covert recently for its first major event since the fire which kickstarted Operation Covert.   more...

Plan for centre gains go-ahead

OUR bid to build a Scout centre for district children has taken a major step forward after building plans were given council approval.   more...

Thrifty newlyweds spurn gifts for cash

TOASTERS and cutlery sets are officially the wedding present of the past - with cash now the newlyweds' ideal gift.   more...

New machine is shot in the arm for hospital

A VITAL piece of equipment for the treatment of patients including leukaemia sufferers is up and running at Kidderminster Hospital, thanks to the fund-raising activities of building companies in the district.   more...

Prostrate op waiting times reduced

WAITING times for Wyre Forest patients' prostate biopsies have been reduced after health chiefs admitted they were longer than they should be.   more...

Callers besiege dentist hotline

OPERATORS struggled to cope as hundreds of callers besieged a phone line set up to take on new NHS dental patients, a health spokesman has admitted.   more...

Evesham

ART SOCIETY: The March meeting was a practical session where a good turnout of members enjoyed an evening painting and drawing a model and still life arrangements of flowers.   more...

Forest fences in need of new homes

CONSERVATION chiefs are urging home owners to help find a home for 6,000 metres of fencing which is no longer needed in the Wyre Forest.   more...

Caring rockers hit right note

A ROCK band from Bewdley has hit the right note with music fans after raising almost £8,000 in two years for a cancer charity.   more...

Nursery jubilee

ORGANISERS of a Bewdley nursery are inviting "old boys and girls" to join in the celebrations for its silver jubilee.   more...

Transition must be smooth (Richard Taylor, Independent Health Concern)

AFTER the trauma of the Wyre Forest review it is essential to make sure that the transition from the three-tier system to two tiers goes smoothly with as little disruption to the children's education as possible and that the result of the change fulfils the predictions of those who voted for it that the quality and outcomes of education for all Wyre Forest children will improve.   more...

Group offering help to parents

FAMILIES with young children have been invited to join a support group in Bewdley run by a voluntary organisation.   more...

District review botched (Fran Oborski, Liberal Party)

THE Tories have totally botched the Wyre Forest schools review. There is no public demand to get rid of our brilliant middle schools or to close excellent first schools.   more...

More autonomy for schools (Rustie Lee, UKIP)

THE government attitude to state education is like its attitude in other areas of public provision. It prefers centralised bureaucratic control rather than trusting the professionals who do the work.   more...

Rhinos at home

A SCALED down plan to accommodate rhinoceroses at West Midland Safari Park has been given the go ahead.   more...

Keep disruption to minimum (Mark Garnier, Conservative)

WYRE Forest schools are nearing the completion of a review, instigated by Tony Blair's Government, that required 1,400 surplus places to be axed within the district. This will result in uncertainty for all those people involved in education at the current time, be they pupils, staff or parents.   more...

Quiet revolution in schools (Marc Bayliss, Labour)

CONTINUING to improve education remains Labour's highest priority and, for me personally, it was a desire to give children a better start in life through better schooling that initially led me into politics and the Labour Party.   more...

Updating NFU members

A SERIES of meetings for NFU members aimed at updating them on the latest information on the Single Payment Scheme take place during April.   more...

Chance to quiz would-be MPs

CANDIDATES vying to represent Wyre Forest in Parliament will be grilled during a Question Time-style event in Bewdley.   more...

Flying flag for farming

FARMERS and landowners are calling on the Government to trumpet the public benefits delivered by the new payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy, particularly as interest has been heightened by the release of old figures by the Regional Payments Agency.   more...

Gamekeepers guide launch

A NEW guide for gamekeepers, produced by British Association for Shooting and Conservation, BASC, is to be launched at the Gamekeepers' Fair at Shugborough, Stafford, this weekend.   more...

Candidates speak on education

THE candidates in next month's General Election will be speaking directly to Shuttle/Times and News readers in the coming weeks.   more...

A sheep trick to get a snack!

A EWE in the flock at Overbury Farms is proving to be one in a thousand.   more...

Friends of Acorns Children's Hospice Wyre Forest Group

ON May 25, the group is organising a sponsored walk from the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre, Bewdley, followed by a ploughman's supper. For details contact Graham Taylor on Severn 01299 826256 or e-mail graham@sevenhills.freeserve.co.uk   more...

Take Heart Wyre Forest Heart Support Group

AT the next meeting on Wednesday, at 7.30pm, the speakers will be Mr T Graham and Dr D Pritcher.   more...

Worcestershire M.E. Support Group

THE group now has monthly informal gatherings in Worcester, Malvern, Kidderminster and Pershore.   more...

Wyre Forest Society

THE annual meeting will be held tomorrow in the community centre, Lickhill Road, Stourport, starting at 7.30pm.   more...

Ramblers Association

TONIGHT members of the Wyre Forest Group will be enjoying an evening meal at The Plough, Far Forest.   more...

Friends Worcester Group

THIS social group meets every Tuesday at around 8.30pm at various public houses.   more...

Worcestershire County Museum Society

THE society meets six times a year, including a Christmas Celebration in the saloon at Hartlebury Castle.   more...

Live Wyres

LIVE Wyres are a group of singles who meet regularly to arrange social events such as dances, meals out, theatre trips, walks and weekends away.   more...

Lickhill WI

THE next meeting will be held at the Memorial Park Community Centre, Stourport, on Wednesday, at 10am.   more...

Stourport Justice and Peace Group

THE subject of the next meeting will be "Reconciliation in Cyprus" when the speaker will be David Blakeway-Smith.   more...

Stourport Civic Society

THE annual meeting will be held on Thursday, April 21, at 7.30pm in the Social Day Centre, New Street, Stourport.   more...

Stourport Carers Group

THE next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 21, from 11am until 12.30pm, at Olive House, Minster Road, Stourport.   more...

Hand-picked home from home

BROADWAY pensioners moving into part of the Russells development have handpicked furnishings for their housing association flats.   more...

Stone WI

ON April 4 Joan Loftus reported on the skittles match against Dodford which Stone won. The Stone team has won three of the five matches played so far.   more...

Prostate Cancer Support Group (Kidderminster and District)

ON Saturday, April 30, there will be a sponsored bluebell walk. The leader will be Geoff Neale.   more...

Kidderminster Horticultural Society

ON Thursday, April 21, Michael Ecob, from Astley, will give a talk on "A Year with an Itinerant Gardener", in Holy Innocents community hall, Kidderminster.   more...

The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship

THE Kidderminster group of the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship (CSRF) has moved from the Baxter Church Hall and now have monthly get-togethers at the Three Shires Restaurant, Lower Mill Street.   more...

Kidderminster Cycling Club

ON Sunday, there will be two rides, both leaving The Green, Blakebrook, Kidderminster, at 8.30am.   more...

Classical Music Society

IN her programme entitled "Anyone for Tennis!", Alison Osborne concentrated on "doubles" - recordings of duos. Among the items included were Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp, Sulla Tomba from Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti, sung by Luciano Pavarotti and Joan Sutherland, O Soave Fanciulla from La Boheme by Puccini, sung by Juissi Bjorling and his wife Anneliese, an extract from CPE Bach's Magnificat, Holst's trombone/organ duet, Dvorak's Slavonic Dance number 10, on two pianos, JS Bach's concerto for oboe and violin, and the popular Au Fonds du Temple Saint from The Pearl Fishers, by Bizet.   more...

Broome WI

THE speaker on March 16 was Kevin Bailey, head of Hagley Primary School, whose talk, illustrated by slides, was entitled "From Hagley to Gambia".   more...

Astley Horticultural Society

AT the March meeting G Hargreaves talked about rhododendrons, from their history and origins in the upper regions of India, Nepal and China to the large collection at Kew Gardens. He accompanied his talk with slides.   more...

Ceremony celebrates the achievements of prisoners

PRISONERS at Long Lartin near Evesham have something to celebrate.   more...

Grandparents annoyed at holiday closure of play area

GRANDPARENTS from Evesham have criticised the district council for closing a children's playground in the Easter holidays.   more...

Firm asks for time to obey quit order

BETTA Bedding in Bretforton is asking a government inspector to allow the company to stay on the Station Road site for another 12 months while arrangements are made to move.   more...

Boat is lifeline for survivors

A FAMILY from Southern India, whose livelihood was devastated as a result of the tsunami disaster, is making good use of a fishing boat bought for them by the Rotary Club of Evesham.   more...

Event to celebrate life of de Montfort

MEMBERS of the Simon de Montfort Society are planning a 18th birthday celebration at an annual meeting next Thursday and they want anyone with an interest in local history to join them.   more...

Teacher James heads off to Pole for race of his life

Outdoors fanatic James Abbott, a teacher from Wyre Piddle, has left the classroom behind to take part in a race to the North Pole.   more...

Homes scheme `too intrusive'

A NEW bid to build houses at Greenavon, Princess Road, Evesham, described by planning officers as creeping urbanisation, looks set to fail at a development control meeting today.   more...

Blossom trail is on at the Vale

CYCLISTS from the Vale and beyond have responded well to the Blossom Trail Bikeaway, which is to be held this Sunday.   more...

Josh is back

PINVIN schoolboy, Josh Sheppard is back home after suffering a terrifying ordeal when he was impaled on the branch of a tree.   more...

D-day for Kanes expansion plans

CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend the Kanes Foods site could be granted today amid massive opposition from residents across the Vale.   more...

Cat's death underlines snare campaign

MANY readers will have been upset by the recent story of the cat killed in a snare trap (Shuttle/Times & News, March 3).   more...

Journal reader Diana recognises herself as child in wartime photo

A PHOTOGRAPH that was kept in a wallet for more than 60 years has been claimed by its owner from Harvington.   more...

Gap in care may have killed me says OAP

AN Evesham pensioner is concerned about the lack of on-site care in her sheltered housing complex after collapsing and almost dying in her home.   more...

Vital to include adders in rare valley habitat

I FEEL I must address points raised by the letter of April 7 regarding management work in Habberley Valley.   more...

Disused town cinema in a state of collapse

THE decorative ceiling inside Evesham's Grade II listed cinema is collapsing, according to English Heritage, which wants a notice served on the owner to make urgent repairs.   more...

Such a waste, says battling Rover wife

THE Vale wife of a worker at the crisis-hit MG Rover's Longbridge factory in Birmingham is doing her bit to help other employees and their families who fear for their jobs.   more...

Strategy dictates recycling change

I FEEL that I must respond to the article regarding kerbside recycling in the Shuttle/Times & News on March 17 and the letter on this page the following week.   more...

Gipsies told to quit Vale site

A HIGH Court judge yesterday rejected a bid to postpone the eviction date of a group of gipsies living on an unauthorised site near Eckington.   more...

Raising cash and enjoying it

ON behalf of the district Scout association I would like to thank the general public of Wyre Forest for the generous support given to us at the recent supermarket bag packing.   more...

Sign language raises a smile

I FOUND the incident of the Welsh/English road signs rather amusing (Shuttle/Times & News, April 7).   more...

Camera snatched

ALMOST £700 of electrical equipment items were taken during a burglary in Kidderminster.   more...

Teenager in street attack

AN 18-year-old man had two teeth chipped when he was attacked by two other men late at night.   more...

Benefit cheats are sentenced

A BENEFIT cheat who fraudulently claimed more than £13,500 has appeared in court.   more...

Go-ahead for units to boost jobs

NEW jobs could be on the way to Stourport after plans to expand an industrial estate were given the green light.   more...

Text idea should be dropped

ONE of the most vital duties of any form of government is to keep people informed about what those in power are doing.   more...

Haven't got a prayer

HOW I agree with Roger Martin about the ills of religion.   more...

Sparrows take top spot in `big' survey

HOUSE sparrows have taken top spot in the world's biggest bird survey, the RSPB Garden Birdwatch.   more...

Willersey

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: Fifty residents attended the Willersey annual parish meeting at the village hall. In his annual report the chairman of the parish council, Maurice Andrews, referred to several matters being dealt with, most of which had been referred to the appropriate authority. Included were Badsey Lane and Church Street car parking; sewer and drainage problems; planning and the long outstanding question of the proposed weight-restriction order. On the latter he said he had again written to the county council, with a copy to the Department of Transport, drawing attention to the lack of action and the question of the Collin Lane bridge which had been declared as unsuitable for heavy-goods vehicles yet was still being used. Gloucestershire County Council has not yet replied to the letter but had phoned to say officers would be unable to attend the meeting. Many of the village organisations presented their reports showing again how active the community is. County councillor Julie Girling and district councillors Sue Jepson and Lyndon Stowe also gave their reports.   more...

Pershore

RBL WOMEN'S SECTION: Held their monthly meeting at St Wulstan's Hall. The meeting was opened by chairman Wendy Griffiths.   more...

Mickleton

GARDENING CLUB: Daffodil, tulip and hellebore classes were strongly entered in the spring show and the class for the jug of spring flowers was a spectacular sight showing both colour and variety.   more...

Honeybourne

WEDNESDAY CLUB: Met on April 6 when Mrs M Boath presided. After the distribution of birthday cards, two new members were welcomed, Mr and Mrs Addis. A few members were still away sick and the club sent them wishes for a speedy recovery. Mrs Joan Crook was congratulated on winning the ladies' pairs championship at Stratford Bridge Club last month. The trip to Hereford took place on Wednesday. The programme for the afternoon was a demonstration of Old Buttons given by Mrs Sheila Taylor of Badsey. Mrs Peggy Miller gave the vote of thanks.   more...

Harvington

BEETLE DRIVE: The Beetle Drive run by the St James' Social Committee in the village hall last Saturday evening proved a great success, attracting more than 40 players and raising £200 for church funds. At the end of the evening, John Redman, chairman of the village hall management committee, took the opportunity of advertising the event which is to take place at 7.30pm on Sunday evening, a concert being promoted by the committee as a fund-raising event for the new hall appeal. He explained that the Sunday night date was the only one possible at this time for the Sheena Davis group, who are in great demand in the area. They are professional artistes whose services are available because of the subsidies they receive from the Arts Council, the county council and Wychavon District Council. Tickets can be obtained from any member of the hall committee. Prices are £6 with £5 as the concessionary rate   more...

Aiming high for hospice

SUPERMARKET workers from Kidderminster will soon be tackling the highest peaks in Britain to help a charity providing day care for people with life-limiting illnesses.   more...

People went overboard as boat `flipped'

A COURT heard of the dramatic scenes when a pleasure boat filled with partygoers capsized on the River Severn, resulting in a woman's death.   more...

Soldiers' homecoming

TWO Territorial Army soldiers have returned to their Kidderminster homes following six-month tours of duty in Afghanistan.   more...

Tribute to staff who make big difference

A GROUP of disabled people - including a former international cricketer - from Wyre Forest have made a film about the difference social care staff have made to their lives.   more...

Friends reunite at happy event

FORMER employees of Kidderminster carpet companies based at Mill Street site are being urged to meet up with their old workmates at a reunion being held next week.   more...

Learners rewarded for their top efforts

PEOPLE in Wyre Forest are celebrating after scooping top prizes at an annual awards ceremony for learning achievement.   more...

Open verdict on man who died in hotel room

THE sister of a Wyre Forest man found dead in a Thailand hotel room told an inquest she thought he had been murdered.   more...

Ambulances meet target

AMBULANCES across the area covering Wyre Forest met their target of responding to three-quarters of life-threatening calls over the past year.   more...

Tasty treats draw foodies to town

FRENCH and English market traders enjoyed some entente cordiale when a mix-up over dates resulted in traders sharing the town centre pitches.   more...

Three-tier school axe confirmed

WYRE Forest will adopt a set-up of primary and secondary schools from 2007, it was confirmed this week.   more...

Wayne takes bite of the Big Apple

AN up-and-coming movie maker has high hopes for the future as a music video he shot in Kidderminster with a budget of "nothing" is set to be shown at the largest film festival in the world.   more...

Rustie launches her campaign

LOOKING after the elderly was a key priority for the UK Independence Party, said election hopeful, Rustie Lee, after a visit to a Kidderminster care home.   more...

County council candidates for Wyre Forest

BEWDLEY (one seat)   more...

44 to battle it out for county seats

BATTLE lines are being drawn for next month's Worcestershire County Council elections after 44 candidates put their names forward for the crunch poll in Wyre Forest.   more...

Back in election spotlight

BBC Television's coverage of the General Election campaign kicked off in the West Midlands on Monday and saw the spotlight fall on Kidderminster.   more...

Race is on to open new silver screens

WORKMEN are going flat out to finish Kidderminster's first cinema in more than two decades for tomorrow's grand opening.   more...

Royal opens new centre

THE immaculately dressed Duchess of Gloucester brought a touch of royal glamour to Kidderminster Hospital when she officially opened the state-of-the-art treatment centre and described it as an "excellent new centre".   more...

Ferret snatchers targeting homes

FERRET thieves are targeting homes in Kidderminster with a spate of snatches, including taking a ferret previously abandoned in an "appalling" condition.   more...

Budget chain Netto takes over town site

A KIDDERMINSTER supermarket set to close tomorrow will reopen under a new name and new ownership - but outgoing staff will not be guaranteed a job.   more...

Couple in catapult horror

Cable stretched across   more...

Gipsies told to quit Vale site

A HIGH Court judge yesterday rejected a bid to postpone the eviction date of a group of gipsies living on an unauthorised site near Eckington.   more...

Diamond ahoy for ex-Navy couple

A COMMUNITY-minded husband and wife team celebrates 60 years of happy marriage together today.   more...

We'll e-mail you about next door's extension

E-MAILS and text messages alone could be used to inform people about planning applications if Wychavon Council decides to opt for this method.   more...

Car set on fire by discarded cigarette

A driver was forced to pull over after a discarded cigarette, thrown from the window of another vehicle, set fire to his car.   more...

Date set for baby-in-block inquest

AN inquest into the death of a baby found entombed in a block of concrete will take place on Monday, July 18.   more...

Princess to visit old folk

STAFF and residents at an old people's home in Malvern are preparing for a Royal visit as Princess Alexandra drops in to join in a birthday celebration.   more...

Inquiry into school letter

WORCESTERSHIRE education chiefs are investigating a "mischievous" letter sent to a Worcester school, containing several undisclosed allegations.   more...

New son forces Kennedy to cancel trip to Malvern

THE demands of fatherhood have forced the Liberal Democrat leader to cancel a visit to Malvern this morning.   more...

City cafe open

THE café at Worcester's Pump House Environment Centre is open for business. The café, which is run by people with learning needs, is run by the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust, off Waterworks Road, Barbourne.   more...

Correct art

THE winning entry of a sculpture design competition will be displayed at a construction training centre, not an art training centre as the Worcester News reported on Tuesday, March 15. A-level art student Richard Read won £250, not £100.   more...

Belarussian extravaganza

THE world-renowned White Russian Central Band from Belarus is coming to Worcester next month to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Victory in Europe.   more...

Sport

14/4/04 - Moody targets big advantage

TOM Moody wants his side to bat Derbyshire out of the game on day two at the County Ground.   more...

14/4/05 - Moores named as academy director

PETER Moores was today named as England's new director of the national academy.   more...

14/4/05 - Job still not done despite great win

WHEN we came back down to earth following Newcastle, there was one stark realisation. The job wasn't done.   more...

Mullen delights fans with stories

BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has few regrets in his 37-year long football career but he rues missing out on Brazilian genius Pele's shirt.   more...

14/4/05 - Harriers build-up hit by flu bug

ILLNESS has crept into the Aggborough camp to give Kidderminster Harriers a bigger headache ahead of another huge clash.   more...

County sides cannot avoid national drop

COUNTY hockey suffered a double blow on the national stage as both Stourport and Worcester had teams relegated with a game remaining.   more...

City cup ambition is halted

WORCESTER City's first Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup final for 20 years ended in defeat last night.   more...

Harper reaches new heights at showpiece

TEENAGE showjumping sensation Falon Harper has underlined her potential in the sport by finishing second at a prestigious event.   more...

County rivals set for battle

RUGBY rivals Hereford and Luctonians will meet in the quarter-finals of the North Midlands Cup on Saturday.   more...

Moores named as academy director

PETER Moores was today named as England's new director of the national academy.   more...

200 fans to boost Wolves bid

WORCESTER Wolves are hoping their legion of loyal supporters will cheer them to the England Basketball League Division One play-off final.   more...

Harriers build-up hit by flu bug

ILLNESS has crept into the Aggborough camp to give Kidderminster Harriers a bigger headache ahead of another huge clash.   more...

Moody targets big advantage

TOM Moody wants his side to bat Derbyshire out of the game on day two at the County Ground.   more...

Junior rugby

On the junior rugby scene, Kidderminster Carolians under-7s topped a triangular tournament after drawing six tries each with Halesowen and beating Bridgnorth 6-5.   more...

Chaddesley

Chaddesley Corbett signed off their North Mids South Two season with a disappointing 10-7 display defeat at Greyhound - with a performance which summed up their campaign.   more...

Stourport

Stourport shared the spoils in a hard-earned 7-7 draw at Bromyard in their penultimate North Mids South Two league game.   more...

Cleobury Mortimer

Cleobury Mortimer's disappointing last day 19-15 defeat at Redditch could not detract from a wonderful promotion season in North Midlands South One.   more...

KCs lose survival tussle by a point

THE scoreline was not the only thing that was low after a 7-6 home defeat to fellow strugglers Wednesbury left Kidderminster Carolians sinking deeper into Midlands Three West North trouble.   more...

Stourport Youth League

GEORGE James scored a hat-trick for Bewdley Town Under-15s in a Stourport and District Youth Football League match at Perrywoods United, helping his side to a 4-1 victory. The fourth Bewdley goal was contributed by Gary Swain.   more...

Tables

SATURDAY PREMIER   more...

Harriers placing Trust in title bid

HARRIERS Trust FC could hold their heads high after a brave defeat to a strong Bretforton Sports OB side in the Sunday Minor Cup final at Evesham United's Common Road ground.   more...

Golden Maggot AC

Kidderminster angler Richard Billingham completed a trio of fine performances with a second place at Woodlands View Fishery.   more...

Bronx AC

Gothersley: Peter Hatton 3-4, Derek Aston 2-6, Dave Angel 1-7.   more...

Old Bear AC

Seniors, Cookley canal: G Billingsley and C Price 2-1, S Boulter 1-7.   more...

Wrens Nest AC

Wrens Pools: R Coles 46-12, P Knowles 16-6, J Moon 16-3.   more...

Bewdley AS

Lyttelton Canal: M Scott 0-13-8, C James 0-6, S James 0-5-8.   more...

Waggon and Horses

Island Pool, Moorlands: S Phillips 25-7, B Edwards 16-10, A O'Donnell 13-14.   more...

Tomkinsons AC

A contest will be held on Sunday on the Staffordshire/Worcestershire Canal, bridges 39-42 (Botterham Lock-Hinksford Lock). The draw will be 8am at the venue.   more...

Chaddesley

Chaddesley Corbett beat Sporting Khalsa 2-0 in a mid-week West Midlands League division two fixture at Bloxwich Town's ground.   more...

Black Boy

Willow Marsh: Rmoule 12-4, C Royce 10-6 (carp 10-4), B Hudson 7-2.   more...

Bewdley Town

Bewdley Town were made to work hard against battling Bilston - but eventually secured a 3-2 win which takes them to the top of West Midlands League division one.   more...

Wolverley AC

Franche Pool: S Garrington 16-6.5, P Garrington 5-13, M McGowan 3-10.   more...

Gilt Edge AC

Canal, Bonemill, Lyttelton pegs 1-18: Pete White 0-8-12dr, Colin Garbett 0-8, John Gale 0-7.   more...

HETA AC

There will be a match on Sunday at Moorlands. Breakfast is at 8am, the draw to be made at 9.15am.   more...

Woodward Grosvenors AC

Birmingham/Worcestershire Canal 43-44: D Saunders 1-3, P Cox and K Tombs 0-12, S Campbell 0-7.5, P Bruce 0-4.5, T Cooke 0-4.   more...

Regent AC

A contest will be held on Sunday on the Hundred Pool, Great Witley.   more...

Octoplus Boldings

Wednesday Open: Sean Price (Dawley MG) 73-2 (Ash one), Bob Tromans (Tromans T) 50-3 (Ash five), Harry Colley (OB Wolves) 48-11 (Oak 15).   more...

Shatterford Lakes

Wyre Forest angler Tom Walker caught four trout to 2lb on a jack frost on the Wyre Dell, another angler landing four trout to 2lb on a cats whisker.   more...

Poole Hall

There has been good fishing on all coarse waters throughout the week.   more...

Moorlands

Fisheries' own anglers took the top two places in the Wednesday Open event, fished by 11 anglers on the Moors Pool.   more...

Athletics

Kidderminster's Heidi Jarosinski, who competes for Halesowen Athletics Club, opened her season with a personal best long jump of 5.53 metres, giving her first place in the competition at Tipton Harriers opening meeting on Sunday.   more...

Darts

Teams wishing to join the Monday Darts Summer League may do so on Monday at The Sportsman, between 8.15pm and 9.15pm. The entry fee must be paid at this time.   more...

Chess

Kidderminster Chess Club Knights' captain John Wrench finally beat Worcester St John's Steve James, at his 12th attempt.   more...

Running

Only two members of the Amazing Feet Running Club were in action at the weekend, many others busy preparing for the London Marathon.   more...

Car trials

Kidderminster's Malcolm Brown, in his Westfield SEi sports car, leads the 30-strong entry for the Worcestershire Production Car Trial on Sunday.   more...

Trivia

HARE and Hounds beat Red Man BCC in their Wyre Forest Trivia League encounter, but needed to prevent them scoring 50 points, to claim the title. In the event Red Man scored 51 to win the league.   more...

Swimming

ELIZA Bradley, Hannah Wear and Robert Smith each gained two first places at the concluding weekend of the Worcestershire County Championships, held in Wolver-hampton.   more...

Cycling

STEVE Burns, of Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club, started his season in style, finishing eighth overall in the Veteran Time Trial Association (Birmingham and Midlands) 10-mile time trail on the Fosseway, Leamington Spa, on Saturday.   more...

Sailing

WYRE Forest sailing sensation Alison Young put in a right royal performance in the RYA Youth Championships after meeting Princess Anne.   more...

Golf

STEVE Morris won the February Sunday Stableford Division One at Little Lakes with 33 points, just one point ahead of Rick Sander.   more...

Judo: Samurai are magnifique!

FRESH from defeating the best of Britain with their three gold medals at the North-West Junior Open, Samurai Judo Club's terrific trio crossed the channel for further success.   more...

14/4/05 - City cup ambition is halted

WORCESTER City's first Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup final for 20 years ended in defeat last night.   more...

Ref justice as Harriers get late Shakes

NATHAN Tyson, Junior Agogo, Andy Kirk, Simon Brown . . . and now Clive Oliver.   more...

Forty two games gone and four to go in survival scrap

"WE'RE one good day at the office away from being right back in the survival fight, equally we're one bad day at the office away from it being almost impossible to stay up..."   more...

Harriers are better than Yeovil (over the past nine games, that is!)

STUART Watkiss will point to the League Two formbook to inspire Kidderminster Harriers to the first of four potential status-saving fixtures at home to leaders Yeovil on Saturday.   more...

13/04/05 - Mullen delights fans with stories

BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has few regrets in his 37-year long football career but he rues missing out on Brazilian genius Pele's shirt.   more...

Swifts

Report: Coldfield curse costs Swifts

STOURPORT Swifts crashed to defeat at the hands of bogey side Sutton Coldfield Town, a penalty two minutes from time handing all three points to the visitors.   more...

  
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