A BRAILES musician is returning to his roots for a Sunday lunchtime gig this week. Dylan Kay will be playing at the George Hotel in Lower Brailes at 2pm. On Monday night the hotel will play host to solo blues performer Papa George, while on Wednesday
GLOUCESTERSHIRE and England player, Mark Alleyne, is to become one of the pioneers of a new form of international cricket - Power Cricket. Alleyne is to play for 'The Brits' against the Rest of the World in Europe's first international indoor cricket
A SHIPSTON district councillor is urging his administration to end the uncertainty over the future of Shipston swimming pool. Councillor Trevor Russel will urge his colleagues to start a £1.5million redevelopment within the next financial year. Coun Russel
A giant freshwater mussel found near Pershore is believed to be a regional record. It was found by Peter Boulton at his Thornleigh Nursery, Drakes Broughton, who explained: "I was just checking the fishing lake and was surprised to see this large shell
THE photograph of the class group you published recently, dated 1920, has created surprising interest, considering the age group of those in any way concerned. Some 10 people have written or phoned me: all over 80 years. What is most encouraging is the
ONE hundred years of Beatrix Potter's most famous literary creation will be celebrated at both Worcester Swan Theatre and Birmingham Hippodrome later this month. Peter Rabbit and His Friends marks the centenary in words and song by the Unicorn Theatre
STRATFORD first team took part in Warwickshire Men's Club Day on Saturday at Warwick University where they faced an initial test of life in a new league. In an event which is designed for match practice before the league season, Stratford faced two tough
Bidford Ladies 4, Ilmington 2 RACHAEL Paddock struck her first hat-trick in a Bidford shirt as the hosts saw off their Cotswolds rivals. Goals were in plentiful supply in an action-packed opening half. Ilmington twice took the lead but goals from Paddock
Evesham Jubilee Society IT WASN'T a good weekend for the society as both Gold and Silver squads were knocked out of the EDAA Knockout Cup at the quarter-final stage. Fishing at Shipston, new member Mark Kibble weighed in with 11.8.0 to record his first
THE roar of Aslan will be heard once again in Stratford this winter when the Royal Shakespeare Company's hit family show The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe returns to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The stage version of CS Lewis's classic runs from November
LABOUR firebrand Tony Benn and author Beryl Bainbridge are among those appearing at the new Warwick Literary Weekend next month. Former MP, Mr Benn will be at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, at 7.30pm on Sunday, October 6 for a poignant and often humorous
THE Vale's own Avon Singers are urgently looking for new members. The group, which raises money for charity, are seeking singers for all parts. The most recent performance the singers gave locally was at All Saints Church, Evesham, for Jubilee year and
SWING and ragtime jazz comes to Broadway next month for one night only in a special charity concert. Swing music comes from Duke's Jazz Group, while Nick Gill and Debbie Arthurs, will be providing the ragtime, stride and boogie at the Lifford Hall on
JAZZJIVE-SWING classes have just started up in Fernhill Heath, Worcester. The classes, which began last Sunday and will run every Sunday at Fernhill Heath War Memorial Club, will teach people this modern form of partner dance. Jazzjive-swing is based
STRATFORD'S popular am-dram group The Phoenix Players is sending up amateur dramatics this evening, when it takes to the stage in its latest production The talented Phoenix performers are bowing to public demand by staging the hilarious spoof The Farndale
THE final of the National Battle of the Bands will be fought out at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Sunday, September 22. The last half-dozen have been whittled down from an original entry of 3,500. The finalists will be Positive Firefly, Oneyesblue, Available
THE heart of Stratford would have avenues of trees under new proposals to reshape and improve the key Waterfront area of the town. The focal point of the town would be opened up to give visitors dramatic new views of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre across
STRATFORD'S new cattle market could be open for business early next year after planning chiefs gave it the go-ahead on Tuesday. Members of Stratford District Council's Stour Area Planning Committee approved the scheme to build the market on Wincot Lands
IT was up, up and away at Long Marston Airfield last weekend when the fourth Midland Aerotow competition took to the air. Hang gliders from all over the country descended on the airfield near Stratford for two days' of competition. Thirty-five gliders
THE man behind an ambitious plan to build a Shakespearean theme park near Stratford is insisting that it is still on track despite claims that he does not have the money. Former film producer Kris Kliszewicz said that work is continuing on Shakespeare's
A STRATFORD antiques dealer specialising in guns shot himself with a single-barrelled shotgun, an inquest heard this week. Widower Robert Wigington, aged 68, of Avon Bank Drive, Luddington, had suffered from Parkinson's Disease for six years prior to
FARM hands at Mary Arden's House in Wilmcote near Stratford welcomed a new arrival. He is a bull calf that made his entrance at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust property. Farm manager Joe Moore said the English Longhorn is the eighth calf born to Dido
CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 80 apartments on land currently occupied by two hotels in Shipston Road, Stratford, come before councillors this evening. More than 200 letters of objections have been submitted to Stratford District Council, including one
A TRAINER in optimistic mood boded well for the Paxford Optimists when Zeloso lined up at Hereford last Wednesday. The four-year-old, trained by Milton Harris in the Cotswolds village, won a handicap hurdle over two miles three furlongs by almost two
THE Prudden Road Surfacing South Warwickshire Summer League held its end of season Floodlit Tournament and presentation evening last Sunday at Henley TC. Following the competition which was sponsored by Tony King and Keith Burke of "Motor Caravan sales
NOTTINGHAM'S fastest driver, Barry Sheavills, has vowed to return to the drag strip this weekend despite his horrifying 270mph crash in qualifying for the European Finals at Santa Pod two weeks ago which destroyed the Tri-ple R/Carlube sponsored dragster
STRATFORD Sharks began their warm-up for the Speedo League season in style by winning the Leamington Trophy Gala at the Newbold Comyn pool last Saturday. What was almost a full strength side took to the water against teams from Halesowen, Leamington,
STRATFORD Boat Club sent a strong contingent for the Boston Marathon - a demanding event which takes place over a 31-mile course held on the River Witham between Linc-oln and Boston. Once again, the club was successful as Katherine Lapworth and Kate Bicknell
WELFORD brought a successful summer to en end with victory at the annual Warwick- shire Fours Championships. The quartet of Mario Rosso, Richard Groom, Martin Timms and Trevor Francis overcame a side from The Avenue 25-20. A side from the same club also
Evesham and District Airgun League THE league started its 70th year with reigning champions Offenham RBL recording an opening match win at Campden by five shots. Lygon Arms, second last time out, won easily at home to Badsey Rec with Keith Harris top
HORACE Hewitt won two finals and finished runner-up in two more when Pershore Bowls Club staged its competitions finals at Abbey Park last weekend. Eight other members qualified for two finals during two days of excellent action and close matches in the
A NEW exhibition of wall hangings will be on view at Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum from Saturday, September 21 until Saturday, November 2. The exhibition - Wall Hangings, Maenads, Mobius and More - features the works of Dinah Prentice.
STRATFORD Golf Club's junior section staged its annual championships last Sunday in good playing conditions. Judging by the scoring however , the course was not playing easily and a number of players were in serious trouble of missing the first fairway
IN what some describe as Broadway's most difficult challenge of the year for members - the Challis Cup - a greensome bogey competition for married couples played off half combined handicaps - was won by a delighted John and Jenny Bruton. Their marriage-preserving
THE Royal Shakespeare Company's latest production, The Tempest, originally opened "in the round" at The Roundhouse in London. It is therefore no surprise that its spectacular mix of Cirque de Soleil-style acrobatics and pyrotechnics does not fit as comfortably
ONE knockout avenue has closed but another opens up on Saturday when Stratford Town play host to Wednesfield in the FA Vase. The visitors have conceded 57 goals in losing their opening nine Midland Alliance fixtures but Masons Road boss Lennie Derby is
FROM champs to chumps in the space of 12 months. That's the sorry tale of Stratford Cricket Club after defeat last Saturday condemned the club to relegation from the Birmingham Premier League, writes Mervyn Collins. Spencer Platt's side, though, went
THERE were goals galore in last weekend's Stratford Alliance programme with Blockley Sports leading the way with a double figure rout of Dog and Pheasant. Terry Santry scored four and Paul Keyte a hat-trick in a 10-2 Cutler Division Two victory on a day
Birdseye Sports Evesham Sunday League PEBWORTH have taken an early lead at the top of Division Two thanks to the goals of recent signing Paul Keyte. He followed up his four debut goals with a hat-trick at Bredon. A further goal from Wright gave the visitors
FOLK music legends The Yetties will be coming to Worcester's Huntingdon Hall at the end of this month. Sing-alongs are guaranteed when the Dorset trio, who have a mammoth 38 albums under their belt, come to town. This visit will be to promote their latest
I AM writing to you on behalf of the Divisional Commander for the Salvation Army in the West Midlands in response to the article in the Stratford Journal on Thursday August 15. The Salvation Army, West Midlands Division, would wish to respond to the content
I SEEK the Liberty to encourage the return of Otters to our Vale of Evesham Rivers. To watch them enjoying their unique Livelihood, whose continued success would be a sure indicator of the health of our threatened Waterways. Men and their Dogs pounding
I WONDER what the many proud people that worked at Gordon Russells over the years would think of the state of the building now. The listed frontage that was once the reception, showroom and museum are an utter disgrace to the memory of a once great institution
ILMINGTON Singers are looking for a new accompanist as the current player prepares to start university. Sophie Gallant, aged 18 and from Ilmington, is leaving to study music at Oxford Brookes University. She said she had enjoyed her time as the youngest
SHIPSTON Town Council decided not to go ahead with its proposed supermarket referendum when it met last week. Town Mayor Penny White had suggested that all residents be asked whether they wanted out-of-town shopping facilities. However, councillors decided
CRICKET section chairman, John Dodge, was in philosophical mood after Saturday's sad end to what promised to be another successful season at Swan's Nest Lane. "There's a whole range of things that have gone wrong and, if you look at the side that we started
SHIRLEY Maybey is likely to shed a few tears at the end of the month when she steps down as director of services of Springfield Mind, the registered charity that provides day care for those with mental health problems in the Stratford and Shipston area
A GIGANTIC glowing hound from Hell will be in Cheltenham to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of a fiction masterpiece. There is no need to worry though, as the hound is not real, but a chilling stage backdrop as the Everyman Theatre recognises the
A STAR-STUDDED whodunit spoof opens at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre next Monday. Murdered to Death, which runs at the theatre until Saturday, September 28, is set in a country manor house in the 1930s and has a colourful cast of characters, mostly played
A Russian born in Siberia in 1957, Andre Makine always dreamed of France. Thirty years later he reached Paris, determined to write novels - in French and became a bestselling novelist. From the Steppes to Monmartre - A journey through the life and books
BRETFORTON defeated Bidford in the final to win the annual hockey festival at the village club's ground. Ten teams took part and it was Blockley and Bretforton in one semi-final and Badsey and Bidford in the other. The finalists provided a fitting climax
100 years ago September 20 1902 SUPERINTENDENT Clarke, who has been stationed in Shipston for four and a half years, has been promoted to serve in the district of Rugby, following the death of Supt Wilson. Mr Clarke came into the district 20 years ago
A TOURIST boat on the River Avon at Stratford came under fire last Saturday when youths with an air rifle took pot shots at it. The boat, belonging to Rose's Boathouse, at Sw-an's Nest Lane, was attacked as it neared Holy Trinity Church. Five youths were
Raj is 32-years-old and has spent eight years of his life in prison as a result of crime committed to feed his drug habit. His life of crime began at 13, when a "short, sharp, shock" of six weeks in a young offenders' unit kept him away from crime for
STRATFORD'S ancient market bell could soon be coming home. The 14th century bell, which used to be called to summon people to market, most recently hung in Bell Court shopping centre, but was removed prior to the centre being redeveloped. The bronze bell
A STRATFORD county councillor has attacked plans to put illuminated advertising signs on lamp posts in the town. Coun Jill Dill-Russell, who is vice-chairman of Warwickshire County Council, says the plan would be a disaster and could lead to accidents
A 13-year conservation project to boost perry pear production in Worcestershire, Glouc-estershire and Herefordshire is celebrating another milestone. Dedicated conservationists have been gradually recovering lone examples of ancient and virtually extinct
THE need for compost sites in Worcestershire and how farmers could profit from the new opportunity has been highlighted by Anthony Mayell, who heads Fisher German's office at Dumbleton. He pointed out that Waste Strategy 2000 policy was to recycle 25
PLANS to redevelop Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, home of the Royal Show, as an international visitor and education centre, have won strong initial support. Detailed plans are now being drawn up by the Royal Agricultural Society of England for a planning
FIVE local youngsters produced some superb results in Holland last weekend at the third round of the Biathle World Tour. The Great Britain squad members found the day cool and windy and the lake where the swim took place was very cold which made conditions
TWO Stratford athletes have returned home triumphant after their recent exploits in Europe. Helen Ruffell and Craig Evans both competed for Great Britain against some top world-class athletes in two separate events. Ruffell took part in the World Long
EVESHAM Arts Centre has announced its programme for the first two months of the new season. The curtain raiser will be Evesham Operatic and Dramatic Society's (EODS) comedy production Salad Days, which opened at the arts centre on Tuesday and follows
BROADWAY golfer, Ben Storey, is off to South Africa. The 17-year-old three handicapper has qualified for this year's Daily Telegraph Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Junior Championship after shooting a superb round of 66 at his home course. Some 40,000 players
Stratford 3 pts, Hereford 21 BRAVE rearguard action from a Stratford team ravaged by absences and injuries held a lively Hereford side in check until the last quarter of the match. Seven first choice absentees left too big a hole, despite the game efforts
Berkswell & Balsall 0, Shipston 6pts AN UNBREACHED try line ensured opening day league success for Shipston last Saturday. The home side were thwarted time and time again by solid Shipston defence, led by man of the match Brian Smith, and especially
Leamington Jnrs U-11 4, Stratford Utd 1 THIS wasn't so much a game of two halves as a game of one quarter followed by three-quarters! For the opening 15 minutes or so, United looked comfortable and it was no surprise when they took the lead courtesy of
BIDFORD residents have hit out at 'lazy' motorists for parking irresponsibly and illegally outside a new school. Wilkes Way residents are having problems moving their vehicles on weekday mornings because of inconsiderate parking from parents at the newly
BIDFORD residents joined village firefighters to pay their respects to the people killed in the World Trade Center disaster. Members of the parish council, along with the village's brownie unit and representatives of the primary school, were also among
MEMBERS of the public are being urged to help police fight crime in a major new initiative launched this week. The Warwickshire Police campaign, backed by posters, window stickers and a video starring Hollywood star Pete Postlethwaite, is called We Don't
A 13-YEAR-OLD BMX cyclist from Bidford was lucky to escape with cuts and bruises after a car went into the back of him as he was waiting at the Pleck junction of the B439 last Thursday. The driver of the car, possibly a black VW Golf, failed to stop after
I WOULD like to thank everyone who supported the recent Evesham Vintage Rally held at Ashdown Farm. I hope you enjoyed yourselves and I look forward to seeing you next year. This was the first time that the public car park was off Knowle Hill; due to
The economic health of a country is determined by fundamentals, such as rule of law, low taxes and good incentives to save and invest, according to Allister Heath in the Financial Times. He rightly goes on to say that adopting inappropriate currency arrangements
MAY I through your column bring to light another act of the 'Good Samaritans'. A couple found my handbag dangling from a Tesco trolley and returned it to me - I have tried in vain to contact the couple and would like to thank them here in public for a
