TRADITIONAL lowland hunting in Worcestershire and Herefordshire will be outlawed under proposals due to be unveiled by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael today. The legislation, which will be introduced in the next session of Parliament, will ban the
Stratford 8, Evesham 0 LEAGUE Champions Stratford turned on the style at home on Saturday as they thrashed local rivals Evesham. Despite dropping two points against the same opposition on their visit to Evesham in December, Stratford's performance was
Evesham Ladies 2, Worcester Norton II 1 THIS was going to be the toughest game of the season against the side at the top of the league. Worcester had the pushback which was quickly intercepted and allowed Evesham to take control early on in the game.
Badsey Ladies 5, Kings Heath II 4 AFTER two successive defeats, Badsey rediscovered their form in Saturday's penultimate league match. A highly entertaining game began well for the home side as they completely dominated the first half when Kings Heath
A TEENAGER accused of a firebomb attack on a Worcester home told a jury how shocked he was when police arrested him in his bedroom in the early hours. "I struggled at first because I didn't know why I was being arrested," Sajad Hussain said. Hussain,
A RETIRED hospital matron has been found dead after a massive blaze ripped through her cottage in Cropthorne, near Pershore, today. Two fire crews from Evesham were called to the scene just before 7am to find fire raging through the ground floor of the
THE historic move of patients into Worcestershire's new hospital has been hailed a success by health chiefs. Four days after the multi-million pound acute hospital in Newtown Road opened its doors for business members of the trust board allowed themselves
A TAXI driver convicted of beating up a teenager has failed in his bid to get his licence back. Worcester City Council's Licensing Committee has rejected the application by Asif Saleem to drive again in the city following his imprisonment for the attack
VOLUNTEERS are needed to help Worcester pensioners maintain independence in their own home. Sally Ellison, manager of Worcester City Volunteer Bureau, would like to hear from anyone who can help. "Following discharge from hospital, volunteers will visit
BUDDING cooks from across the county served up their favourite meals to win the Young Chef of the Year Award. More than 175 pupils entered the Rotary Club of Worcester Severn's competition, to discover the county's most talented chef. Competing in two
A PROPOSED change to the way schoolchildren learn has been met with concern. At a meeting of Worcestershire County Council's Education and Lifelong Learning Panel members discussed a Government's green paper. The consultation document is called 14-19:
STAFF banned from parking at Kidderminster's new superstore have been subjected to verbal abuse and had their cars damaged by angry neighbouring residents, it has been claimed. Now managers of Tesco say they will try to secure a site as a dedicated staff
THE much-vaunted and delayed use of life-saving heart drugs will be introduced in Wyre Forest in May. The district will be one of the first in the country to have paramedics using vital clot-busting drugs as part of pre-hospital treatment. They are seen
A PACKED and charged meeting at Kidderminster Town Hall heard residents, campaigners and councillors lined up to condemn the bid by Severn Waste Services to build an incinerator in the town. Speaker after speaker was warmly applauded, despite a warning
AUGUST 18 H Weymouth DML 3-3 (Owen 3, inc 2 pens) 21 A Kettering Town DML 1-4 (Owen) 25 A Ilkeston Town DML 2-1 (Stant, Heeley) 27 H Hinckley United 4-3 (Owen 2, inc 1 pen, Middleton, Burrow) SEPTEMBER 01 A Newport IOW DML 1-1 (Owen) 03 H Moor Green DML
THE inquiry into the siting of the burner on the former British Sugar site has now moved into its fifth week with this week earmarked for visits to and around the Stourport Road spot. All the evidence for and against Severn Waste Service's appeal against
COUNCILLORS who gave the go-ahead to allow the development of a waste incinerator in the county were subjected to an atmosphere of "intimidation and threat" at County Hall, it has been claimed. Former county councillor Nigel Knowles said "legal people
A NEW front in the battle against the proposed incinerator has been opened up - and teenagers are in the vanguard. Two friends from Walter Nash Road - in the shadow of the would-be £40 million facility - on Kidderminster's Birchen Coppice estate have
THE number of samples which would be taken each year to monitor emissions of dioxins, heavy metals and hydrofluoric acid if the burner went ahead were dismissed as "ridiculous." Ken Stroud, of Bewdley Civic Society, told the meeting on Thursday the Environment
A FATHER whose partner went through Wyre Forest's first home water birth has hailed the experience as better for parents and baby. Charles Tibbetts, 41, and his 27-year-old partner Zoe Guck are now the proud parents of baby Kaya Crystal. She was born
JOHN Brain has revealed he will not be following up his interest in Sale's hooker Bernard Jackman. Worcester Rugby Club's head coach ran the rule over the out-of-favour Shark in Tuesday's 44-5 Warriors defeat by Harlequins but will not be calling him
IT may have been on the cards but it is still an impressive trick. A former insurance salesman from Kidderminster has been elected president of the British Magic Circle - just like that. Andy Kirk, 36, is the youngest-ever head - in waiting - of the society
AN animal lover says she has left been left traumatised after being savaged by what is thought to be a Japanese hunting dog. Lisa Davies, 38, of Millfield Gardens, Kidderminster, may have to have reconstructive surgery on her arm after the attack by dog
A RALLYING call has been made to residents across Wyre Forest by organisers of a district-wide Neighbourhood Watch scheme which is going "from strength to strength". A new committee was formed last summer after the resignation of the existing group, with
railway ramble starting at Kidderminster Station on the Severn Valley railway. Those arriving at the given time of 10.15 had a good half hour to visit the station's museum before boarding the restored carriage which had been reserved for the party. The
WEDNESDAY CLUB: Members met on March 6 when Mrs M Boath was welcomed back after her illness and she thanked everyone for their kindnes. Birthday cards were distributed and this month Mrs A Coldicott celebrates her 90th birthday. Good wishes were sent
BREDON HANCOCK'S ENDOWED FIRST SCHOOL: The Gardening Club has put itself on the local map with vengeance. Fund-raising by the enthusiastic Morag Potter and Joanne Hill, with the help of other mothers and children, has achieved an amount of funds to really
FRIDAY, March 22: 7pm, Mayor and Mayoress to attend a Civic Charity Banquet given by the Mayor of Worcester at the Guildhall. MONDAY, March 25: 6.30pm, Planning and General Purposes Meeting, Town Hall. WEDNESDAY, March 27: 7.30pm, Mayor to attend Evesham
YOUTH PROJECT: The recently-formed Girls' Group who now meet regularly in St James' Church on Tuesday evenings under the leadership of Vickie Edwards will be breaking fresh ground on Saturday week with an innovative Easter celebration. This will be an
PERSHORE CONSERVATIVES: The AGM of Pershore Conservative branch re-elected one of their youngest members, coun Mrs Trudy Burge, as chairman for the forthcoming year. Held at Pershore Town Football Club, the meeting was well attended by many branch members
BRITISH LEGION WOMENS SECTION: The March meeting was held in the Betteridge Room. Mr Gordon Ottewell gave a talk accompanied with slides entitled Cotswold Curiosities, and was thanked by Mrs Brown. Hostesses for the evening were Mrs H Cragg, Mrs D Collins
THE radical sidestep in the Government's moves to deal with hunting will have caught most onlookers off balance. Few people have anticipated a system which regards some areas as being in need of hounds to control foxes as pests, but others not. Fewer
REDDITCH captain Mark Rose will be cheering on Yardley and District to the title after weekend results. The Kingfishers did all they could by recording an impressive 20-14 win over league leaders Veyseyans but saw promotion rivals Edwardians beat second
NOMADIC outfit Dixonians' bid to groundshare with Kings Norton next season, agreed between the two executives, has been rejected by the Kings committee. Ash Lane landlords Norton have offered an alternative arrangement to their would-be tenants with a
ALCESTER'S hopes of a third place finish were dented by a 34-7 loss to lowly Old Wheats at the weekend. And the display left Kings Coughton skipper Alan Williams fuming. "We were crap," he said, "I can't put my finger on it because we had a great game
A DEFEAT at home to high-flying Southam was no surprise for Woodrush RFC at the weekend and means the basement boys have to win their final two fixtures to climb out of the bottom three. Fellow strugglers Stourport and Dunlop provide the opposition and
AFRICA Africa, written and directed by Iain Storey, at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, tomorrow presents a musical of Traditional Zulu Cultural Vibrancy that echoes the essence of The Mighty Zulu Nation and the heart beat of Africa. A kaleidoscopic blend
YOUNGSTERS in Cleeve Prior are joining older villagers in a new stage show. A cast of more than 30 people step on to the stage today for the first performance of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The production is the first time the village's
AWARD-WINNING Weird Sisters is coming to the Swan Theatre, in Worcester. The show features a vain actress and her stupid sidekick on a theatrical tour of the globe playing 24 rather unlikely characters. The show has won five international theatre awards
THOMAS Middleton's riotous city comedy A Chaste Maid in Cheapside, by The Almeida Theatre Company, is on stage at the Malvern Theatres, from next Tuesday to Saturday. A cast of 17 Almeida actors, including Graham Seed, who takes time away from his role
MARTIAL ARTS: Kidderminster tough guy John Wyatt admits his confidence is "through the roof" in time for Sunday's big UK K-1 challenge at Aston Villa Leisure Centre. The 33-year-old bricklayer must win three fights to claim a place in the next Grand Prix
THE hospital battle is accelerating and spreading. This week we have had news of threats to Whitehaven, nearly 40 miles from Carlisle, to Kendal which we have regarded as a workable model, and to the A and E Department at Oswestry. On the other hand,
HOCKEY: Three more crucial points slipped away from Stourport as they dropped to the bottom of National League Division One. Stourport lost 1-0 at Brooklands with Chris Hart scoring in the second half of an important relegation battle. Although Brooklands
HOCKEY: A poor first half saw Kidderminster Hockey Club lose a high-scoring encounter at Sikh Union 7-4. The Notts-based home side were 5-2 ahead at half-time but Kidderminster played better in the second half where honours were even. R Upton scored two
A CONTROVERSIAL new £95 million hospital in Worcester - which has meant services being lost at Kidderminster - opened its doors for the first time at the weekend. A military-style operation saw 231 patients transferred from the city's ageing Ronkswood
GYMNASTICS: Two Wyre Forest Gymnastics School members have qualified to represent the West Midlands at the National Club grade finals. Hannah Pietkowicz, 13, and Harriet Atterbury, 11, made the squad after fine displays in the West Midland British Development
GYMNASTICS: Gymnast Alex Perry picked up an individual silver medal at the West Midland Recreational Floor and Vault preliminaries at Fenton Sports Centre, Stoke. Wyre Forest Gymnastic School's Perry, seven, performed an outstanding floor routine to gain
A FORMER life-saving medical service is to give hope to people suffering with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Wyre Forest Flying Doctors, which folded last year, is to give £5,500 to the Kemp Hospice fund. The hospice is busily raising cash
MOTORSPORT: Preparations are full steam ahead for Red Marley Hill Climb on Easter Monday, April 1. Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts will be flocking to Walsgrove Farm, Great Witley. More details will be available in next week's Shuttle, Times &
ATHLETICS: Kidderminster and Stourport Athletic Club have been crowned Birmingham Cross Country League Division Two champions. Their second place in the fourth and final race of the series secured them the title. Simon Wilkinson was one of the running
SNOOKER: Pockets Snooker Club is among the first 25 clubs to be given recognition by World Snooker as an accredited centre. The sport's governing body hopes the Kidderminster centre will be part of a network recognised for high-quality facilities and
TABLE TENNIS: Kidderminster Table Tennis League B banished all thoughts of relegation from the Midland Veterans League with a 6-4 defeat of fellow strugglers Leicester B. They were 5-1 ahead before Leicester fought back but one victory in the last three
THE Worcester Street surgery, Stourport, is holding a charity dance at Gilt Edge Club, Kidderminster, tomorrow at 8pm. The surgery has hit its target cash for an ECG machine, and the dance will start their fund for a defibrillator. John Harrison is providing
SNOOKER: The race for second place in the Kidderminster Wednesday Snooker League is close with five teams separated by just three points. However, the team at the top, St George's A, suffered a rare defeat at the hands of fourth-placed Pockets A. Results
WYRE Forest took second place at the Ross Diddy League second round in Cheltenham. The event, for swimmers aged between nine and 13, was graded with speeding tickets issued for swimmers exceeding a certain time. Tickets went to Jessica Smith for the 10
BUSINESSES in Stourport town centre are applying for rate reductions after slamming the state of the area. About 20 traders are appealing for business rate reductions from the Valuation Office - the body that sets the level of the tax - citing a range
GOLF: Habberley Ladies beat Droitwich in the Mail on Sunday National Golf Club Classic Competition second round. The team was made up of Margaret Greenfield, Edna Cox, Anne Binns and Janet Harrison. Men's Sunday Medal Div One: Mark Edwards 71 gross 13
DARTS: The pressure has set in on league leaders Red Lion with only four games to go in the Bewdley League. Their six-match unbeaten run came to an end in a tense clash with past title winners Bowling Club A who won 4-3. Hop Pole's R Pollard must have
TRIVIA: Bay Horse were the only team with a 100 per cent record after the final Round Robin matches in the Wyre Forest Trivia Cup. They will be joined in the quarter-finals by both Angel teams, Bridge B, Black Boy, Bird-in-Hand, Rising Sun Stourport and
Stamps started with Torquay United despite being brought up in Birmingham and his obvious talent earned him a £10,000 move to Colchester United in 1997. The left-footer moved to Harriers on a free in September 1999 after playing in the Second Division
Rangy Ayres joined Harriers as a youth-team player from Walsall but progressed to the reserves after impressing at the heart of the defence. A big future is predicted for the youngster who has signed a two-year deal and made his competitive debut in the
Senegal-born Sall began his career with French Third Division Montauban and impressed enough to be snapped up by Toulouse. However, a switch to England earned the giant defender a trial with Harriers and a two-year move in August 2001. Powerful in aerial
Bennett was a then club record buy of £30,000 from rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in January 1999 and proved a goal-scoring menace to Conference opponents in the title-winning season. The ex-England semi-professional international signed a two-year deal at
Dubliner Doyle began his career back in his native Ireland with Cherry Orchard before being snapped up by Premiership Coventry City for a nominal fee in 1998. However, he was mainly confined to academy football and a trial spell with Harriers earned him
Faulds, born in Solihull, progressed through the youth side into the reserves after linking up from Northampton Town where he was a scholar. A tough-tackling, mobile teenager, he signed a 12-month professional deal with Harriers in May 2001 but has only
TWO friends tried to con police after their car was caught by a speed camera on the Kidderminster to Birmingham road. David Taylor was at the wheel of the Metro as it did 43mph in the 30mph limit, said Peter Tooke, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court
Ex-England youth and schoolboy international Ducros has been used by Harriers both behind a front-two and in attack. He was a record signing for £80,000 from Nuneaton Borough in July 2000 after only 12 months at the Conference side. The diminutive Ducros
ELDERLY victims parted with cash in response to a bogus charity appeal, magistrates heard. They agreed to pay sponsorship for a walk up Snowdon in support of Children in Need, said Kerry Moreton, prosecuting at Kidderminster. The scheme was an invention
A WOMAN fought off a man who indecently assaulted her as she walked home from a late-night shopping trip to Kidderminster. The victim, who is in her mid-forties, bit the hand of her attacker causing him to bleed. He then pulled her on to the ground causing
CLIVE Munslow won the Thursday Cost Cutter on the Meadow Pool at Moorlands Farm. Results: Munslow 46lb 14oz (peg 20), K Bennett 26-0, M Mosley 21-14. Friday, Bank: John Allerton 21-10, R Amonby 16-0, A James 13-13. Wednesday: P Gould 30-6, C Newton 15
A MOTHER whose children had been taken into care hated the social services officials responsible, she told police. She tried to burn down the service's day centre at Foley Park, Kidderminster, magistrates heard. The police found paper soaked in lighter
I DON'T know who rattled R Goodman's cage (Shuttle/Times & News Letters, February 28), but let me assure him that, overwhelmingly, atheists do not scoff, nor are they cynical of, the beliefs of anybody. Neither do they get a free weekly propaganda
A FOX on the Heightington road at Ribbesford caused a driver to swerve and knock down a telegraph pole. Police who were called to the accident arrested the driver after a breath test, Kidderminster magistrates heard. Robert Broadley, a 29-year-old electrician
MY grandfather, John Shearon, was born in Stourport in 1884. He married Jane Kershaw in St. George's Chapel in September 1911. On the outbreak of the first world war he enlisted with the 2nd Bn. Worcester Regiment and was killed at Ypres in 1917. I know
HAYE Farm: Dave Parry 19-10, Mark Pearce 11-9, Dean Ashcroft 9-11. The presentation night is on Saturday at The Park Inn from 7.30pm.
POLICE were taunted for 20 minutes in Stourport town centre in the early hours, magistrates were told. John Barnett, prosecuting at Kidderminster, told the court a patrol in Lombard Street heard a man saying "I can smell coppers. You can smell them a
NOW, let me see, have I understood Mr Oborski's reports? He proposes we all pay a lot more council tax, and then services will be cut. Is that it? Surely he means that although we have to pay more, things will improve, at last, for all of us? All rubbish
WITH regard to Bewdley traffic calming, the Shuttle/Times & News correspondents have not "lost the plot" as Frank Baillie claims (Letters, February 21). Has he lost touch with opinion in Bewdley? Have alternatives to the proposed traffic calming in
ELECTRICAL equipment worth more than £1,400 was stolen during a raid on a Kidderminster home. Burglars smashed a rear window at the house in Yellowhammer Court, before making off with a Hitachi TV, an Aiwa CD changer and other appliances. Damage worth
WHILE the malevolent spectre of the incinerator still hovers over Foley Park, soon to hang upon the recommendation of the inspector hearing evidence in the town hall, it was heartening to see and hear the evidence given during the public evening on Thursday
A MOPED stolen from a garage near Somerleyton Court in Kidderminster has been found completely burnt out. The red 50cc Yamaha - worth over £2,000 - was discovered in an alleyway off Eastwood Drive, Kidderminster, late last Saturday night.
ST Egwin's swept all before them to win the inaugural Evesham Middle Schools Six-a-Side tournament. The Year 6 squad defeated Bredon, Black-minster and Simon De Montfort to win the round-robin event staged indoors at Evesham High School. Kirsty Jones
CHADDESLEY Corbett gained revenge for an early-season hammering when they beat Malvern Rangers 4-2 at home in West Midlands Division One South. With Ashley Phillips in tremendous form, Chaddesley were unlucky not to take the lead when a Craig Pratt effort
I WAS horrified to learn from an English friend that Wyre Forest District Council is considering closing down Bewdley Museum. As a visitor to Bewdley since 1959 and a Dutch life-member of the museum, I am very disappointed to hear of this suggestion.
THE shock resignation of Lionel Newton should not have come as any great surprise since he did give plenty of warning that in the absence of support from local businesses, the council and fans, then he would walk away. We should just be grateful for everything
Inkberrow 2, Bishampton United 0 BISHAMPTON took their patched up team to the home of the Worcester league Premier Division title challengers where two first half strikes condemned them to another defeat. The early play saw Inkberrow enjoy the lion's
THERE will be a contest on Sunday on the canal, sections 11-13, meet by Watermill at 6.30am. Names should now go on the list for the first round of the Knockout. Outstanding funds must be paid within the next two weeks.
FOOTBALL: The future of Kidderminster Referees' Association is under the spotlight on April 8. Members are urged to attend the RAOB Club from 7.30pm to discuss whether the group will continue after poor attendances at past meetings. The committee wants
ST John's Tigers Seniors comprehensively beat Olympic Cheshire 10-3 in Kidderminster and District Football League Sunday Division Six. Station Inn improved their position in Division Four with a 6-1 home victory over Rumba. It came as no surprise when
A MATCH will be fished at Kings Nordley on Sunday - meet at 7.30am at the venue. New members and guests will be welcome. For details, call 0775 916 5381.
I SUSPECT that I speak for many Harriers supporters when I express equal measures of regret and concern at the resignation of the chairman, Lionel Newton. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude both for his financial help and for all the time and effort
UNEMPLOYMENT levels have fallen again in the Vale of Evesham. Latest statistics show that the number claiming unemployment benefits in the Evesham travel-to-work area fell by 129 from February last year to February this year to 423, 1.2 per cent of the
AN eight-year-old Vale of Evesham boy has been hailed a hero by his mum and firefighters. Damien Smith, of Leys Road, Harvington, followed what he had been taught by firemen and led his mother to safety when fire broke out in their home last Saturday.
TOMORROW (Friday) will see the last-ever farmers' market in Evesham High Street. Farmers and growers attending the markets say the site is not viable, and the rent being demanded by Evesham Town Council for stalls in the Market Place is too high. Stallholders
FERNDALE girls U-16s lost 3-2 in the Open Cup semi-final second leg at Premier side Wolverhampton. They were 2-1 ahead early in the second half but Wolves finished with two late goals to take victory. Sam Rogers and Nicole Allison scored, while Nikki
A VALE transport firm hit with a massive crime bill has been targeted again. Thieves stole £1,500 worth of Garners' pickled onions and catering-sized tins of Margetts fruit fillings and jams when they broke into the trailer of a Leyland DAF lorry at R
POLICE have issued a warning about security after a distraction burglary in Evesham when two men posed as police officers. An elderly man was alone in a bedroom at his home in Cheltenham Road during last Thursday afternoon while his wife was out when
THE campaign against the Throckmorton asylum seekers' hostel has moved to the House of Commons. Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff presented a petition signed by more than 3,500 people to the Commons on Tuesday night. "When a petition has provoked such
SPORTS-MAD Wribbenhall Middle School pupils have been celebrating a double success. The school was handed a prestigious Sportsmark award at Birmingham City Football Club to mark their commitment to physical education. And year five pupil Victoria La-Borde
AN appeal for railway memories has gone out from a man doing research for a book he is writing. The author is John Boynton and his book is about the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway - the Old Worse and Worse - which reached Pershore and Evesham
EVESHAM'S biggest nightclub is set to close when the company that owns it opens a new club in the town. Marilyn's nightclub, in Bridge Street, will probably close when the new club in the former High Street bingo hall opens, said Ciaran MacCana, managing
A MAVERICK was clearly in town at Worcester this week exactly 250 years ago. The Worcester Journal of 1752 explained: Last Sunday a person whose name is Morice was taken up in the High Street of this city on suspicion of being a highwayman. A large horse
A PROPOSED Eastertide circus at Malvern caused quite a public stir around this time a century ago. Crowquill, in his Journal comment column of March, 1902, explained the background to the hillside controversy: Football and other games are played on Good
THE expansion of Pershore College has again been halted by councillors who refused to pass plans for a library and small animal care unit. The plans were first deferred in January because councillors from Wychavon District Council's planning committee
A DAUNTING prospect for Cleobury Mortimer saw few surprises as they were well beaten 55-0 at Midlands Four West (North) leaders Burntwood. Only Ian King was missing from the previous week's defeat at Ludlow but Burntwood boasted a superb record with just
STOURPORT are three places off the bottom of Midlands Four West (South) after a 22-5 defeat at rivals Kings Norton. The Wyre Forest club are level on points with Dunlop and two ahead of Woodrush but fell behind Norton after the weekend loss. They play
JOHN Brain has revealed he will not be following up his interest in Sale's hooker Bernard Jackman. Worcester Rugby Club's head coach ran the rule over the out-of-favour Shark in Tuesday's 44-5 Warriors defeat by Harlequins but will not be calling him
WORCESTER City striker Mark Shepherd is hoping to be back in training tonight after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old has not played since the beginning of February when he came on to rescue a point with a late goal
100 years ago March 22 1902 A MEETING of the Evesham Joint Hospital Board was called to try to find a solution to the overcrowding of the hospital. The Medical Officer of Health explained that there were 35 patients under treatment, which was a larger
THE Worcestershire Grasstrack Club stages the country's first meeting of the year on Sunday. The 'Three Pears Flyer' will be the first adult event to be held in Worcester since August 1982, when the historic venue of Per-diswell Park held its last event
KIDDERMINSTER Male Choir were in excellent voice on Saturday evening, with songs to please every taste, while their guests, Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra, had us all tapping our feet. Does the old adage that one is getting old when policemen look younger
MORE than 400 of the city's best young rugby talent competed at Sixways' theatre of dreams in the Worcester & District High Schools Floodlit Rugby Tournament. Bishop Perowne, Blessed Edward, Chantry, Christopher Whitehead and Nunnery Wood all did
WORCESTER Norton's men first eleven uncorked the champagne after a 3-2 win at Nuneaton clinched promotion for the second year running. They sealed a place in the DTZ sponsored Midlands Division One next year with two counter attacking goals from Dave
Evesham Utd 1, Gresley Rvrs 4 SATURDAY'S eight reverse in 14 Common Road outings is a damning illustration of just how bad things have become for the Robins. Two wins in nine Western Division matches is more evidence of the decline of Phil Mullen's side
MAC Productions is presenting Cooking the Books, aimed at children from the age of four and family audiences at Worcester Swan Theatre next Monday and Tuesday, March 25 and 26. A letter arrives at The Restaurant of Dreams and things do not look good.
WEST Midland Safari Park took the first step towards bouncing back from the effects of last year's foot and mouth epidemic at the weekend. The Bewdley attraction opened its doors for the new season - and is hoping for bumper visitor numbers after the
THE Great Hall at an historic Elizabethan stately home has been given a grand spring makeover in time for the launch of the new season. The room at the Grade II-listed Harvington Hall has been fitted with a new Elizabethan-style candelabra made by an
A PICTURE framer from Broadway, who started his own business in January has reached a national competition final. Richard Christie, aged 23, of High Street, has to wait until the awards ceremony in Coventry on May 11 to see how he has fared against the
A YOUNG top shot has got the competition in his sights after receiving "fantastic" support from Wyre Forest folk following an appeal for support. Andrew Howard, 18, of Imperial Avenue, Kidderminster, is the top county shot for both men and juniors and
HANBURY Hall and Gardens re-open for the season this Sunday. The stately home offers a wealth of things to see and do during the Easter holidays. The successful Tercentenary Exhibition will be open again this year but with more new information and interactive
The music of Rogers and Hammerstein, the team that wrote some of the world's best-loved musicals - Oklahoma!, Carousel, The King and I and The Sound of Music - will be heard in Stratford in the spring. To celebrate the centenary of the birth of Richard
SOUTH Warwickshire churches will resound to the sound of music this year. The Concerts In Rural Churches has announced its new programme for 2002, featuring a special Queen's Golden Jubilee Concert. The concert is a harp recital by soloist Jemima Phillips
RESIDENTS from Bewdley are being invited to have their say on what is special about their town at a public meeting being held next month. Conservation and landscape officers from Worcestershire County Council want to tap into local knowledge and identify
PRINCE Henry's Sports Hall is the venue for a one-day coaching course during the Easter break. Boys and girls aged 8-14 of any ability or playing experience are invited along to the Worcester-shire Cricket Centre between 10am and 4.30pm on Friday, April
A TRIO of sides have ama-ssed the same number of points at the top of the Eve-sham Indoor League after Evesham Casuals comfortably saw off Dumbleton's challenge. Presse (31no) and Boorman (33no) helped the Gloucester-shire side reach 118-4 a smaller total
LETTER THE shock resignation of Lionel Newton should not have come as any great surprise since he did give plenty of warning that in the absence of support from local businesses, the council and fans, then he would walk away. We should just be grateful
LETTER I SUSPECT that I speak for many Harriers supporters when I express equal measures of regret and concern at the resignation of the chairman, Lionel Newton. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude both for his financial help and for all the time
LETTER HAVING read in the Shuttle/Times & News that Lionel Newton has resigned as chairman of Kidderminster Harriers, I feel it is a great shame. He was so approachable and would listen on all matters relating to football. I feel that we will not
CAMERAS have been panning in on Kidderminster Harriers in recent weeks for a documentary being produced by two university students. The football club has come into sharp focus as part of a project undertaken by Harriers' fan Nick Hatton and his Aberystwyth
A KIDDERMINSTER Harriers fan and successful businessman is hoping to raise a windfall for the cash-strapped club. Ernie Lane, 65, has this week started contacting businesses in a bid to drum up more interest in Harriers. Chairman Lionel Newton quit the
WORCESTER Norton's men first eleven uncorked the champagne after a 3-2 win at Nuneaton clinched promotion for the second year running. They sealed a place in the DTZ sponsored Midlands Division One next year with two counter attacking goals from Dave
Redditch Company of Archers secured first place in the British Archer Frostbite League (Recurve Div 6) with a steady performance in their final match on Sunday. The champions romped to the title after winning every league match. Shooting at Kingsley College
Redditch Angling Club members C Newton and G Upton finished first and second in an Open at Tunnel Barn Farm. l Studley Angling Society AGM is on Thursday 28th March at the Entaco club Studley, from 8pm in the dance room. Any notices of motion or topics
The quiz team has reached the final. Two members represented the group in a golf tournament. Members were reminded of the Lucy Hingley lecture, a visit to Longleat and special short stays at Hoar Cross Health Spa. Mel Mills was the March speaker, on My
Nearly 50 members and friends attending Gardeners' Question Time, featuring Reg Moule and Mike George from Radio Hereford and Worcester. The questions were many and varied, including suitability of plants, dealing with camellias and how to deal with two
The forge will be open to the public for this first time this year on Easter Monday. The next date to note is May 12, when the forge will open for National Mills Day. The latter is one of the forge's regular open days, but this year coincides with Local
Again a Howell movement was used over five tables playing 27 boards. After many weeks of coming second or third, Tony Wilson and Pat Smith won with a score of 63 per cent. In joint second place were Norman and Jo Hall, Nigel Wilkins and Sarah Green. Anyone
IT says much about this Worcester side's development that we handed Bracknell their heaviest home defeat of the season on Saturday. We've studied the performance and although it wasn't the best of the season, we've still managed to score 59 points on
The Spring Fayre was a success, and the group did not come last in the quiz night at Chaddesley Corbett. A trip was made to the new Walsall art gallery. Travel arrangement were made for the annual council meeting in Malvern on Tuesday and the Leys Group
Jim Bowler was elected chairman, and Bill Aston vice-chairman, at the 28th annual meeting. Frank Tschak is again arranging the programme of speakers for the year. Club member Bill Aston gave a talk on March 6, describing the judging requirements for athletic
A BOUT of tennis elbow plagued Jeremy Robinson's trip to the Middle East. After missing the cut in Dubai, the 36-year-old Evesham golfer was forced to withdraw from last week's Qatar masters in Doha after an opening round of 78. "The whole trip was a
The February talk was on Scotland, its Wildlife and Loch Ness Mystery. Tonight Mr Drury from Kings Heath, Birmingham, will talk about Alpines at Holy Innocents Community Hall, starting at 7.30pm. There is a nominal entry fee, which includes refreshments
The new society president. Dr Simon Penn, will give a talk entitled Mediaeval Builders/Workers on Wednesday. The meeting, at St George's Church annexe, will begin at 7.15pm.
Two new members were added to the committee at the recent annual meeting. Pat Downton was re-elected to serve another year as president. Janice Jones supervised the election, then provided A character study by lipstick shapes. Chris Haynes gave the annual
The 28th Young Musicians Recital featuring two of president Beryl Chempin's pupils, Yealin and Chaelin Chung, attracted a large audience to Kidderminster Library. Chaelin played Bach's Concerto in the Italian Style, John Field's Nocturne in D Minor, Chopin's
A LUXURY boat firm in Kidderminster is ruling the waves after receiving an American magazine award for a new motor cruiser. US publication Motorboating said Sealine's F42/5 Flybridge Motor Cruiser represented the "leading edge in marine technology for
At the March meeting, chairman Angie McCarthy remarked on the visit to the Rose Theatre, to see the Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society's production of Carousel. A talk and slide show was given by members of the Worcestershire Barn Owl Society
Bedworth 27pts, Evesham 11 STRUGGLING Evesham kicked off in ideal conditions to start the forward exchange as Bedworth, using a combination of mauls, rucks and loose forwards, tested the defence to its limits in the first quarter. In return Evesham put
Pershore 22pts, Birmingham Exiles 0 SATURDAY'S match highlighted Pershore's strength of character with over half the regular first team either injured or not available. The home team was made up of players playing out of position and unfamiliar to patterns
FOOTBALL'S loss is rugby's gain as Jon Gregory bagged a hat-trick of tries as Evesham's fourth team defeated Alcester 53-22. Another player from the round ball ranks, Geoff Cowley, grabbed his first try for the club while cricketer Will Bailey would appear
The annual meeting was held on February 26. The club meets on Tuesday evenings at 8pm at the Horsefair Community Centre, Kidderminster. Coming events include: April 2 party night, April 6 Spring dance at Harriers, April 9 dancing and bingo, April 16 party
The guest speaker was David Chatterly, who collects teddy bears. He had brought along some of his collection and explained how making the bear began as a cottage industry in Germany in the 1880s. He told how the bears became popular, and of the growth
The next event is a spring bazaar at the Day Centre, New Street, Stourport, on Saturday, April 6, from 10.30am until 12.30pm. Everyone will be welcome at the event, which includes coffee and cakes, tombola and raffles. The sponsored bluebell walk will
Returning officers at the annual meeting were Betty Bridgewater and Margaret Brooks. The present committee will stand for a further year. Jean Jones is organising a visit to Symphony Hall, Birmingham, in July. On April 9 Mrs Booth of Lockside Antiques
At the February meeting Mr and Mrs Williams gave a talk with slide show on their travels in Thailand. Visits have been arranged to the Rose Theatre, Kidderminster to see Katharine Howard on Tuesday, April 16, and Amy's View on May 14.
On Monday Nigel Gilbert will give a talk about the Mansions of the Kidderminster Carpet Barons. The next speaker, on April 22, will be P Selby on Roman Britain, and Bob Field will explain How the Poor Law Worked on May 27. Meetings held on the fourth
There were four entries in the annual natural history competition. Alan Baker's entry was Foxes in my Garden, Vic Vernon entered Sand Sea and Surf, while Roy Rowles had been to see the Swannery and Dolphins. Jim McIntyre's A Garden is for Birds was adjudged
The annual meeting of the Kidderminster and District branch will be held on Monday, April 15 in the Chainwire Club, Zortech Avenue, Kidderminster. Anyone interested in the work of this association will be welcome. The meeting will begin at 7.30pm.
Evesham and District Association THE Canal Series was fished at St George's and Parks Section in Worcester and excellent results were recorded for canal fishing. There were 27 anglers in action in the four-match series of open matches and the majority
GEORGE Cowley says in the better weather he enjoys nothing more than to watch the motorists' expressions as he sits upon his brick stump (You Say, March 13). I suggest to the readers that we have a whipround and send him a fishing rod, pair of red wellies
YOUR front-page article about drug-takers around Maggs Day Centre (Evening News, March 8) begs a response from us. I think some of the quotes you reported are exaggerated, possibly for effect. We at Maggs recognise that many of our clients are drug addicts
I HOPE you won't mind if I correct the wholly misleading impression created by L Spiteri and D E Margrett in their recent comments about the International Brigades and The Spanish Civil War. A legitimate Popular Front government was elected in Spain in
RESIDENTS in the Spetchley area have been accused of being opposed to the football club, but happy to accommodate other developments such as a public house, and a rugby club park-and-ride, and so on. But these are only two of a series of imposed developments
FIREFIGHTERS were called out at around 8am last Thursday to put out a post-box fire in Ormond Road, Frankley.
THE new exhibition season at The Gall-ery at the Drawing Room in Bridge Street, Pershore, opens tomorrow. Glorious Gardens, which continues until April 13, will show the works of Richard Box, a painter and embroiderer, Lizzie Fairy, a maker of works in
MEMORABILIA of the swinging sixties is being sought by Worcester's Swan Theatre for its latest production which features class divide and the end of the world. Staff at the theatre are hoping people with photographic slides of the Faithful City between
NOT many people can lay claim to having the autograph of Miss Sri Lanka 1986 or 'Nicole' from the famous Renault television adverts, but these are just a couple of the more unusual signatures that Bidford man Dennis Malin has collected. Mr Malin, aged
Cirencester Town 2 Redditch United 3 IT took three attempts but the win promised by a recent upturn in performances finally came on a rain-lashed night in Gloucestershire. A pre-match soaking had left the centre circle a quagmire but Reds boss Rod Brown
FORMER Redditch schoolboy Jimmy Davis was celebrating last week after bagging his first brace in an England shirt. The Man Utd forward hit two for England under 20s in their 3-0 win over Finland at Bolton's Reebok Stadium. And Davis, a regular alongside
STUDLEY player-coach Trevor Whittington says he is happy to fill in when needed for the Bees until the end of the season because of continuing knee trouble. The BKL coach, who took charge of the side along with veteran forward Nicky Cross for Saturday's
Shifnal Town 0 Studley BKL 0 STUDLEY extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches in a dreary game at lowly Shifnal. BKL were frustrated at every turn by a stern Shifnal rearguard and it was five minutes before the break when their first chance came. Target
FECKENHAM manager Clive Campion faces the mother of all selection headaches for his club's biggest match of the season tonight (Wednesday). The Millers take on Worcester City Reserves at their adopted Valley Stadium home in the Worcestershire Senior Urn
KINGS Heath manager Sean Lawless has signed a new forward and said he could bring in two more new faces before the transfer deadline at the end of the month. Attacking midfielder Matt Devine has joined from Shirley Town and Lawless is taking a look at
Redditch United manager Steve Tayler says he will have to call on his reserves ahead of this Sunday's League Cup clash with Southam (ko 2pm), writes David Lawrence. Redditch suffered a 5-2 defeat at the hands of visitors Leafield Athletic on Sunday -
A DRAMA academy which operates around the world is making an entrance in Wyre Forest to give budding thespians the chance to shine on stage and screen. The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is setting up a studio at Cookley First School in April and is hoping
COMPUTER confidence in two hours is promised with two free taster sessions being held in Kidderminster next week. The sessions will be held at the ISTC Centre, Callows Lane, on Monday from 4pm until 6pm and on Tuesday from 10am until noon. Further information
A SCHOOL in Kidderminster has come up with a novel way of ensuring its youngsters are not left on their own during playtime. Holy Trinity School has introduced a "friendship stop", similar to a bus stop, at which children without a playmate can queue
Spring is in the air and flowers are blooming and that's just in the high street. Last year's studded rock chick look has been replaced by the flounces and frills of a gypsy princess, in an array of pretty colours and floral patterns guaranteed to brighten
IT'S been success after success for Evesham youngster Daniel Keen. He has proved almost unbeatable in cross-country races and is now looking to transfer his talent on to the track during the summer months. After being crowned Worcestershire Under-13 champion
YOUNGSTERS in the Vale will get a shot at tennis thanks to Sport England. Pershore Tennis Centre has been successful with an Awards For All application and has been granted £3,718 to help local children. A major part of the grant will be used to take
AFTER weeks of hard work, the team finally rolled out of the Unilock Construction yard last month, ahead of them two and a half weeks of driving, testing and of course racing. The team arrived at Cartagena in Spain their home for six days. Four days testing
THERE are still places available on the five courses running during the Easter holidays at Stratford Community Sports Centre. Places are going fast, though, so book now to avoid disappointment. Following the success of their 'Circus Project' and 'Extreme
IT was fours all round during Tuesday afternoon's racing programme at Hereford and Sedgefield. A trio of lesser known trainers landed a quartet of fourth places with Stratford's Robin Dickin leading the way with two finishers just outside the places.
MES Pinvin and District League SWAN (Birlingham) were confirmed as winners of Group B to secure their place in the Harwood Cup final on Monday, April 29. Their 6-3 defeat of Pinvin RBL ensured that they can't be overtaken but they will have to wait to
EVESHAM Sailing Club held its first competitive event of the year on Sunday when there was an encouraging turnout of freshly painted and varnished boats. It was John Robertson and John Pickford who took first and second spot respectively in both races
THE recent Business Festival 2002 was so successful the date for next year's event has already been set. Organised by the Chamber of Commerce and Business link Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the festival's aim was to help local firms do business. More
I FEEL I must write to say how disappointed I was to read in the Journal of Willersey Parish Council's objections to the application for planning permission to build 32 extra bedrooms on the former Group 4 site at Fox Hill. Although I have worked at Group
I must say that I really do think that the amount of time being wasted by Parliament on the debate on hunting with hounds is a national disgrace. The horrendous growth in murder and injury through the use of handguns in inner cities, the levels of lawlessness
I WOULD like to thank, through your paper, the two gentlemen who came to my assistance, when I suffered a fall in Waterside last week. They were Inspector Ineson and his colleague from the Midland Red garage in Redditch. My thanks also go to the crew
BETTY Gould, secretary, Churches Together, wonders how many of us do embroidery. I personally prefer listening to Shirley Bassey singing 'Kiss me, honey, honey, kiss me'. GEORGE COWLEY, Windermere Drive, Worcester.
A "DRUNKEN fool" who stripped down to his boxer shorts and tried to swim across the freezing River Severn in Worcester had to be rescued by firefighters today. They were called out at 1am and found a young man clinging for life to driftwood near the arches
A SINGLE goal was sufficient to guarantee Prince Henry's Under-15s hockey squad a place in the semi-finals of the English HA Plate competition. JoJo Barker was the goal star with a neat finish after 20 minutes following a neat passing move involving four
MEMORIES of fresh bread being delivered by bicycle - and even by boat at times of flood - have been revived in Kempsey with the imminent sale of the Old Bakery, in Main Road. It is 25 years since the bread ovens were used, but they can still be seen in
A STRANGER who climbed into the passenger seat of a car stuck in traffic, demanded to be taken to the railway station and left £30 with the shocked occupants. Kidderminster police say the female driver in her 30s, was scared of what might happen if she
A "DIE-hard" drunk swore at police, spat at their feet and threw a punch, Worcester magistrates were told. Paul Green, aged 56, had skipped a court appearance for stealing alcohol days before he confronted the officers. "At about 3pm on Friday, March
Pershore II 3, Rugeley II 2 PERSHORE consolidated their mid-table position with a win more comfortable than the score suggests in their final DTZ League home match of the season. They started strongly with some excellent passing movements which set up
A WORCESTER man will be running the London Marathon in memory of his younger brother. Andrew Perkins is set to tackle the gruelling 26-mile course to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund. His brother Glen died of the disease in September 2000 at
Bretforton 1, Portishead Firebrands 1 THE first half of the final league game of the season began with the visitors setting the pace but the home defence held firm and Firebrands were unable to produce any telling shots. The home soon picked up the pace
A SEVERELY-disabled woman had to be bundled into her daughter's car to make it to her carer's birthday party because a pre-booked taxi failed to show up - despite four reminders. Pensioner Betty Wheeler, who suffers from motor neurone disease and needs
THERE is a meeting of Kidderminster District Cricket Umpires Association at Harriers Social Club on Tuesday from 7.30pm. The format has been changed so Pat Albert, of the WCUSA, will give a talk on his experiences. Albert has been a football referee and
A STRETCH of road in Upton-upon-Severn could be raised to beat floodwater and allow business to carry on when the river bursts its banks. Sir Michael Spicer, MP for West Worcestershire, says the Minister for Floods is sending a letter of support for the
WORCESTERSHIRE League Division Five club Stone are appealing for players for their Saturday games. Anyone interested can call Rob Batsford on 01562 822158. Or they can contact the club via its website, www.stonecricketclub.co.uk, set up by member Dave
A WORCESTER cocktail bar proved the tonic for a long and happy union for one pair of sweethearts. Sixty years on, Pauline and Clem Longden are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary after that evening in the bar at The Star Hotel, Foregate Street
A FORMER Malvern College student bought his ex-girlfriend gifts using credit card details obtained from his workplace. Gavin Charlesworth bought flowers, chocolates and a teddy bear for the girl, a fellow student at the college. Charlesworth, aged 20,
COOKLEY are holding a committee meeting at the Sports and Social Club at Lea Lane on Monday at 8pm.
A DROITWICH woman woke up to find her caravan had been moved across the road and a neighbour was asleep inside it. Sean Carroll, of Ploughmans Walk, Droitwich, moved Pamela Haines' caravan and spent the night inside it, Worcester Magistrates Court heard
WORCESTERSHIRE Sauce could be the latest ploy to rival the marketing strategy of Warwickshire's "Shakespeare's County". New signposts using Worcestershire's unique Lea & Perrins sauce to promote the county as a top tourist destination are among a
A CRITICAL report warning that councillors are too easily swayed by public opinion in planning matters has made the district auditor "reach for the yellow card". The draft report recommends three changes to the culture of Worcester City Council's planning
A TALENTED Worcestershire painter has been displaying her work at the Society of Women Artists' annual exhibition. Anne Cherry, from Naunton, near Upton-upon-Severn, is among some of the finest contemporary artists from all over the world who have been
THE Maldives is usually a honeymoon destination, but for one Worcestershire teacher one of its islands became home as he taught local schoolchildren. Now the Voluntary Services Overseas organisation hopes the experiences of Michael Prowle, an English
THREE lucky Evening News readers have new additions to their families after winning an aquarium competition. Worcester Garden Centre and Droitwich Road Aquarium teamed up with the newspaper to offer a complete tank in a recent competition. More than 200
A MAN was assaulted in Hereford after he followed a group of youths who he believed had stolen his bicycle. He was left with bruising and minor facial injuries after the attack, in the Ship Inn area at 9.45pm on Monday, March 11. The group of seven males
A TOP cricket team in Worcester has donated a £250 prize to a city school. Worcester Nomads under-15s scooped the cash from the Lord Taverners Charity after coming runners-up in a 1,481-team competition. Terry Birt, who is manager and coach of the team
FEARS the siting of an incinerator on the British Sugar site would cause "planning blight" were supported by district councillor Fran Oborski. At the public meeting she said: "The applicants have singularly failed to demonstrate this is the most suitable
Upton's charms are well known and it's always a good place to start a walk, and perhaps an even better place to go back to afterwards, with its welcoming pubs and tea shops. For anybody who appreciates beautiful buildings, Upton-upon-Severn has more than
PLANS for an incinerator on the former British Sugar site would "seriously" damage attempts to attract firms to Kidderminster, already hit by job losses. Councillor Howard Martin, vice-chairman of Worcestershire County Council's economic development,
A MASSIVE press is being installed at a Cookley firm 50 years after it sank to the bottom of a canal. Titan Steel Wheels, which makes huge wheels for heavy plant vehicles, hopes the new 5,000-ton press, believed to be the biggest in the Midlands, will
MANUFACTURING in the county is bucking the national trend by declining at a slower rate, a new report has revealed. However, the service sector within Worcestershire is out-performing the manufacturing industry by far and is more confident of increased
CRICKET CLUB: At the AGM members were told that the 2001 season had seen an improvement on the previous season. The first team had finished fourth in their league and the seconds were in a mid-table position. Overall, the club played 52 matches, won 21
TENNIS CLUB: The well-attended AGM was held recently in the playing field pavilion. The retiring chairman Jeremy Snowden in his report commented on the healthy position both regarding playing and finances. The club was now affiliated to the Lawn Tennis
BULB SHOW: Saturday, March 9 was an incredibly windy day in Inkberrow but in spite of this the Inkberrow and District Horticultural Society's Spring Bulb Show took place in great style. The village hall was filled with the colours and scents of Spring
WHEN I came to live in Norton over 40 years ago it was a thriving village community. We had a school, caf, shop, youth club and social club. Now it has all disappeared. The final blow was the social club being forced to close down. The first anyone knew
WORCESTER City striker Mark Shepherd is hoping to be back in training tonight after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old has not played since the beginning of February when he came on to rescue a point with a late goal
TWO of Kings Norton's stalwarts are set to enjoy a landmark game on Saturday. The Midlands Four West South strugglers take a break from their battle to beat the drop with a friendly at home to Aldridge (ko 3pm). And second rows Bill Hendon and Dickie
FIVE Ways Old Edwardians' miserable run ended with an emphatic 39-10 win against North Midlands One whipping boys Warley at the weekend. Jez Williams' side halted a winless run of 14 matches, including only one draw, at the expense of a Warley side yet
WARWICK'S Playbox Theatre has two contrasting special projects lined up for Easter. The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) will be performing its production of Arthur Miller's The Crucible from Tuesday March 26, while the Playbox Theatre
A NEW production of Funnybones is being presented by the Snap Theatre Company at The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, on April 4. The very popular story is aimed at five to 11-year -olds and starts at 2pm. Tickets cost £7 (concessions £6) from the box office
THE devastation brought by the foot and mouth disease is being explored in a new show at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre. Neverending Sunset is a compilation of five stories performed by pupils from Gloucestershire primary schools and it takes to the stage
AUDIENCES at The Everyman have their very last chance to Shake A Tail Feather when The Blues Brothers make their final appearances next week. The smash hit musical, which is the only official performance endorsed by the John Belushi estate, will be storming
THE Ashton Players take to the stage this week for their annual pantomime. This year's show runs with the novel title, Cinderella or From Ashton With Love, and is at a new time of year for the players, who normally stage their shows in January or February
A funny and spooky play for eight to 11-year-olds, Smashed Eggs is being put on at Worcester Swan Theatre on Thursday March 28 and Saturday March 30. Using a stunning set, magical puppets and spooky special effects, Smashed Eggs is a terrifically entertaining
THURSDAY: Wolverhampton: Robin R'n'B2 - The Ozric Tentacles. Brierley Hill: Robin R'n'B - The Sabbath. FRIDAY: Kidderminster: Town Hall - Wyre Forest Young Voices Springfest. Birmingham: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Centre - Centre Stage Series
JUDO: Two young Samurai Judo Club stars won their first international medals while representing Great Britain in the Belgium Open at Lommel, near Antwerp. Kate Walker, 12, and Emmy Kimberley, 16, took bronze medals at the prestigious event. Fellow Kidderminster
ROWING: Six crews from Stourport Boat Club took the chance to jump back into competition at the weekend in the first races of 2002. Opportunities have been limited recently with the River Severn being in flood for most of the winter which meant rowing
EQUESTRIAN: A Stourport couple have made a big impression in the equestrian event of Western Riding. Terrie Heid-Brazier has been named British champion in the Junior Horse Trail for the second year in a row, run by the British affiliate of the American
HOCKEY: Stourport U-16s wrapped up the Worcestershire League title for a second season in a row with a game still to play. The visitors squeezed the winning goal with two minutes left of an exciting end-to-end 7-6 win at Old Halesonians. Sub Andrew Bickerton
PATIENTS from Kidderminster have helped make history at the new Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Tracey Towgood, of Dunlin Drive, Kidderminster, was the last expectant mother to have a baby - Ashley, who weighed in at 8lbs 2oz - at Ronkswood Hospital, Worcester
AMBULANCE chiefs have insisted single response vehicles are not a half-way measure. The system has come under fire from Wyre Forest paramedics who say they are being deployed merely to meet Government time targets. While the single-man crew can administer
A LEGACY of gratitude will help Kidderminster ambulance staff relax from the stress of work. Margaret Currell, of Vernon Road, Stourport, left £65,000 to the service in her will. Now £25,000 of the legacy is to be spent on a conservatory at Kidderminster
A "LIVEWIRE" little girl who has a life-threatening condition was the inspiration for a fund-raising afternoon for a national charity. Two-year-old Phoebe Birch, who attends a playgroup in Wilden Village Hall, Wilden Lane, Stourport, has cystic fibrosis
GOLF: Bewdley Pines will be welcoming television celebrity Chris Tarrant on May 18 but they have no chance of winning a million pounds. Tarrant is visiting to officially open their new clubhouse in a busy 2002 which has also greeted a new professional
ABOUT 50 Kidderminster hospital campaigners are to lobby parliament on Monday over a new blueprint for district hospitals. Health Concern is warning a shortage of specialists, junior doctors and nurses is threatening the downgrading of at least half of
PLANS to build a 15 metre high mobile phone mast with dishes and equipment cabins at Severn Trent's pumping station at Worcester Road, Stourport, have been announced. Applicant Orange also plans to extend an existing 15 metre mast at Habberley Golf Course
HORSE RACING: Major Benefit provided Kidderminster trainer Penny Grainger and jockey Michael Keel with their third success of the season at Saturday's Harkaway Club fixture in Chaddesley Corbett. There were 13 runners in the Combined but the impressive
THERE is still time to enter this year's competition to find a queen, princess, or rosebud for the Stourport carnival on September 7. Further forms are available from Mr Roberts on 01299 826930. Judging will take place on April 28 at Stourport Sports
TEN single-handed boats took part in Trimpley's annual Laser day. Seven Lasers and three of the newly acquired Toppers sailed in brisk and gusty conditions. Phil Quarry was in his element as the winds made life difficult for the less experienced single-handed
CYCLING: Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club's 15-year-old Liam Preece claimed a great third place in only his second road race. Preece, racing in the 20-lap 35km race around the Milton Keynes Bowl, held his nerve in a bunch sprint to finish high up the order
NETBALL: Sue Broome's 10 goals and Sam Harding's nine made sure The Royal Oak continue to dominate the Ladies Netball Spring League at Cleobury Mortimer Sports Centre. Their recent 19-10 victory over third-placed Black Panthers puts them nine points ahead
SPORTS-MAD Wribbenhall Middle School pupils have been celebrating a double success. The school was handed a prestigious Sportsmark award at Birmingham City Football Club to mark their commitment to physical education. And year five pupil Victoria La-Borde
MOTORSPORT: Home racers Malcolm Herbert and Ken Garfield beat Kidderminster's Bill Evans into third place in the Over-40 class at Bewdley Motorcycling Club's trial, near Clows Top. Evans dropped 20 marks, while his young son, Richard, won the Schoolboy
