A FRESH bid to remove a barrier on Ledbury's Deer Park estate and create a through route is being opposed by nearby residents. A barrier currently divides Biddulph Way from Oakland Drive and residents say a pleasant cul-de-sac has been created by the
A career background as a nanny did not prepare Wendy McNally for the task of having to deliver her friend's premature baby on the bathroom floor. Mrs McNally, a former pupil at Ledbury Primary School and Newent Community School, said instinct took over
A disabled Newent pensioner was left marooned in his powered wheelchair after a bus failed to arrived to take him home from Ledbury John McMahon had travelled into town on a Stagecoach low-floor bus in the belief that one would be available to take him
The restoration appeal fund for St Michael and All Angels' Church has passed the £500,000 mark but work will now be needed on the spire. Malcolm Brothers, secretary of the parochial church council, said rain may have been getting into the landmark and
The Independents and Con-servatives could form an alliance to run Herefordshire Council. With no party in overall control after the election, a coalition is inevitable and the Independents could ditch the alliance with the Liberal Democrats, which provided
The youngsters of the newly-formed Ledbury Youth Theatre are now rehearsing for their first show. The group meets every week, and will soon be rehearsing twice weekly, for the comedy, Daisy Pulls It Off. The play, by Denise Deegan, is an affectionate
The Ledbury in Bloom annual spring clean day takes place tomorrow (Saturday). Volunteers will meet at Queen's Walk, on the Town Trail, at 10am. A barbecue will be held at the end for those involved. Ledbury in Bloom secretary Chris Clarke said: "The trail
Ledbury's own artists' guild, Artistree, will hold an exhibition in the Old Toy Museum, on every day of the Ledbury Poetry Festival, from July 4 to July 13. Also on display at the Church Lane venue will be an exhibition by artist Pete MacKenzie, who will
The new Mayor of Ledbury, Keith Francis, has highlighted a number of issues that he wishes to tackle for the town in his year ahead. Speaking just after his election last week, Coun Francis said that one matter to be resolved was what should be done about
The stationmaster at Ledbury, John Goldrick, says the new timetable will give the town its finest ever train service. Mr Goldrick, stationmaster for ten years, said for a town of its size, Ledbury would have a "remarkable" service to Birmingham and London
The Ledbury parents of Rachel Whitear will not rule out the exhumation of her body if police re-investigating her death consider it necessary. At the heart of the concerns of Pauline and Mick Holcroft is the open verdict recorded by the coroner in Exmouth
The Valdorian Ensemble will give a concert on behalf of Amnesty International. The concert will feature the world premiere by Ledbury composer, John Frith, of his String Quartet No 1. Also on the programme is the Mozart Piano Quintet in Eb, which Mozart
People who speak Swedish, have been to Sweden or would simply like to are invited to a tongue-twisting Swedish evening, organised by the Ledbury and Stromstad Twinning Group. The event is at the Baptist Church hall in the Homend, on Tuesday, at 7.30pm
HARD-working Bromyard people have been recognised for their efforts in the latest citizens' awards. The annual awards are given by Bromyard and Winslow Town Council to notable local people who have served the community. The winners include Rodney and
BROMYARD'S new mayor Pearl Briggs has been officially installed into her office. Coun Briggs was unanimously elected on Monday at the first full meeting of Bromyard and Winslow Town Council following the recent local elections. She told her fellow councillors
A NEW car park could be built in Bromyard after councillors decided to investigate a land sale in the town. A plot near the HSBC bank, in Pump Street, has been put on the market with a guide price of £135,000 to £150,000. At a full meeting on Monday,
ARTISTS are being encouraged to think of ideas for Bromyard's latest piece of community art. Bromyard and Winslow Town Council has invited local artists to to submit ideas and designs for a piece of art based around the themes of learning, hop growing
A GARDEN near Stanford Bridge is to be opened to the public. Orleton House, in Orelton, features colourful herbaceous borders, a small orchard and climbing roses. The gardens will be open from noon to 5pm on Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31. Admission
ALTERNATIVE routes to health and well-being will be the theme of a talk organised by a mental health charity. Herefordshire User Group has invited Rachel Goddard to speak at its meeting in Bromyard's Public Hall on Tuesday, May 27, at 10.30am.
EASTNOR collected a maximum 24 points and moved into second place in the Crusader Worcestershire County League with this 108-run win against Pedmore. EASTNOR v PEDMORE Batting first Eastnor made a fine 232-9 with A Hussein top scoring and unbeaten on
THE next production by the Colwall Players, A Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson, continues tonight and tomorrow evening at Colwall Village Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets at £6 are available from John Goodwin Estate Agent or on the door. A Churches Together
LAST weekend a group of 70 left Ledbury for its eighth annual skittles weekend. This year's venue was at Weston- Super-Mare where there was 44 teams playing on ten alleys. Ledbury Ladies (J Mitchell capt), The Wallbangers (K Wall), F Troop (J Preedy),
THE roll of honour for the Ledbury Skittles League is: First division champions: F Troop; Runners-up: Brewerey Pirates. Second division champions: Dreamers; Runners-up: Mixers. King Pin winners: Wallbangers; Runners-up: F Troop. 2nd Division Knockout
LEDBURY beat Leominster 5-0 in the first round of the National Top Club competition at Ledbury. Ledbury: 4 wood singles M Smith 21-16; 2 wood singles R Jaynes 17-14; Pairs D Pugh, D Waters 20-16: Triples R Green, K Bufton, B J Read 10-14; Rinks G Parker
SATURDAY CRICKET WEST OF ENGLAND CLUBS GLOS/WILTS Division One: Hatherley & Reddings v Colwall. Division One 2nd XIs: Colwall II v Hatherley & Reddings II. CRUSADER WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE Division One: Bromyard v Evesham, Hagley v Eastnor
The owner of Newent's Crime Through Time Museum has confirmed that he is planning to relocate the tourist attraction away from the town. The former police station and court house looks set to become a new day care nursery by the autumn, if permission
Gorsley and Kilcot Parish Council has launched its first ever parish plan, which highlights problems to the tackled and targets to be achieved over the next ten years. Parish clerk Margaret Highton said she hoped it would prove a positive factor in the
Broad Street is "beginning to look like a ghost town", according to Newent's mayor. Coun Fred Passant voiced concerns about the number of empty shops there and elsewhere, at the town council's annual meeting on Monday. He also revealed that several shops
A seminar and buffet lunch to discuss the draft strategic plan for the Newent Initiative takes place in the Memorial Hall, on June 19. Groups invited will include Gloucestershire County Council and Forest of Dean planners. Mayor Fred Passant said: "There
The lakeside area in Newent looks set to become a venue for community barbecues and brass band performances. Newent Youth Centre has asked if it can hold a barbecue this summer, and the idea has won the backing of the mayor Fred Passant. Coun Passant
Gloucestershire County Council has confirmed that the repairs carried out to the York stone paving in the Market Square were of a temporary nature only. Newent town councillors expressed concern last month over the quality of the work. The county council
Newent Community School is offering free sessions in computing for the "nervous novice", aimed at the over-50s and the absolute beginner. For further details, ring 01531 822101.
Newent Association for the Disabled is looking for volunteers to help out on its annual day trip to Weston-Super-Mare on June 12. Further details are available from Sheppard House on 01531 821227.
Newent Hockey Club is hoping to run summer leagues for both male and female sides. New players will be made welcome. The club meets at Newent Community School. For details, ring 01432 52529.
The Ledbury Area Cycle Forum is calling for the building of a cycle bridge over the busy Bromyard Road into the train station yard. The forum says the move will complete the Town Trail to its original specification. It also wants the widening of the Orchard
A pensioner will re-turn to The Royal Oak Hotel, 40 years on from when she had a ghostly encounter there. Nancy Bealing will visit Ledbury on May 27, when the best-selling author Jennifer Davies, of Parkway, will take her to the hotel for a spectral walk
A new rock band based at the John Masefield High School is celebrating winning a £50 cheque - plus respect -- in a fundraising talent concert at the school. The event attracted 25 entrants and £2,000 was raised, to be split between the Rotary Club's Polio
Bike Week 2003 in Ledbury will be marked with a series of events next month. A new Cider Route map will be launched on June 15 and details will be carried in the window of the Ledbury's Tourist Information Centre. Youngsters and staff at the John Masefield
LEDBURY Swifts U9s collected their medals for securing runners up in the Herefordshire U9s Junior Football League at Edgar Street, the home of Hereford United Football Club. Later that day Ledbury Swifts U9s competed in the Ken Long tournament. The event
THE destination of The Soccer Site Malvern League title was finally decided last Thursday night when both contenders ended up being held to 2-2 draws by their visitors. Green Dragon started the night as favourites as they only needed one point to ensure
THIEVES stole a Land Rover Defender from a farm on the edge of Bromyard during Saturday night. Children were blamed for a house window being smashed at 11.50am on Sunday, in Pump Street, Bromyard. A burgundy and cream Ifor Williams horsebox was stolen
VETERANS of the Korean War are holding a coffee morning, including an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia from the 1950-53 war. The event takes place at St Peter's Church hall, in Bromyard, from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesday, May 28.
LEDBURY DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB It was teams night on May 7 and 15 teams took part. Leading scores were 1, Marjorie Archer, Greta Dallimore, Rex Plimmer & Maureen Flaux 37imp, 2, Steve Clegg, Ken Brookes, Chris & Joan Mason 33imp, 3, Brian Kingsley
The Mayor of Newent, Coun Fred Passant, has been elected for a third term in office. He was the only nomination at the annual meeting of the town council on Monday. The deputy mayor, Coun Bill Offord, was also re-elected at the same meeting, again as
Newent Civic Society is hoping that Forest of Dean MP Diana Organ will give a talk to the group on July 29, although details have still to be finalised.
CANON Frome began their Marches Division One season by asking visitors Ross to bat first. CANON FROME v ROSS Skipper Andy Rogers struck early to remove Farmer and Chris Styles grabbed two wickets as Ross stumbled to 40-3 from 19 overs. Nick Panniers took
BOSBURY gained their first victory of the season in the Hereford District Cricket League Division One away at Strollers on Saturday. STROLLERS V BOSBURY Having put Strollers into bat, 10-man Bosbury put in a fine performance in the field to restrict the
THE LRFC's Hop Pickers cricket team, based at the new square at Ross Road playing fields, has had good support for their first two games. Although losing their first game against the old '80's Much Marcle' team they gave a good account of themselves,
Dead poets, "the undead" and living wordsmiths all feature in this year's Ledbury Poetry Festival. Running from July 4 to 13, the festival will be both a celebration of the present day and a glance back to the glories of the past. When festival director
A PUTLEY man died following a car crash at the Trumpet crossroads, an inquest heard. Jason Smart, 27, was on his way to work as a fork-lift driver when the accident occurred at 7am on Monday, September 23. The head-on collision involved Mr Smart's silver
Canon Frome Cricket Club starts a new season with a storm-damaged pavilion, a broken boiler and a need for new equipment. Now the club fears its problems could lead to it being thrown out of the Marches League or landed with a fine, unless more money
PUPILS from a school near Bromyard are close to becoming the best young journalists in Britain. Bredenbury Primary School received a distinction - the highest mark possible - for its efforts in the Times Educational Supplement "Newsday" contest which
MONEY from council reserves has been used to cover a £9,691 overspend in the last financial year. Details of the accounts were made public at a full meeting of Bromyard and Winslow Town Council. Town clerk Mike Cresswell said reserves now stand at £57,000
A PLANT sale and car boot takes place at Queen Elizabeth High School, Bromyard, tomorrow (Saturday), from 10am to noon. Items on sale will include cakes, books, nearly new items. A car boot pitch costs £5. Anyone interested in taking part should ring
BULL Allstars put the disappointment of losing out in The Soccer Site Malvern Football League championship race behind them to lift the league's Senior Cup played at Ledbury Town's ground on Sunday. Watched by a large crowd and in a game exciting and
FOR the first time in five years Colwall will not be featuring in the later stages of the National Village Knock Out. CHADDESLEY CORBETT V COLWALL Chaddesley progress to the next stage having disposed of their visitors by a significant margin. Put into
THE Ledbury and District Swim-ming Club's second championship gala resulted in 15 new records. Event one saw 20 of the youngest swimmers tackle their most difficult stroke, 25m butterfly, and the winners in the 7/U category were Katherine Berry and William
A COLWALL school is to start catering for three-month-old children following the success of its new nursery. The Downs School opened Brockwood Nursery this term for children aged two-and-half to four. It has three classrooms, a dedicated "wet area", rest
THE circus will roll into town when Colwall Primary School puts on a show with all the fun of the big top. The school's annual May fayre takes place tomorrow (Saturday) and has a circus theme. Liz Hallam, secretary of the Parent Teacher Association, said
Newent is in danger of losing its ailing Farmers' Market to Coleford, which will then have two markets a month. Hostility to the market by a number of local retailers and some members of the public has been pointed to as a factor in its failure. Alison
Newent Mothers' Union will meet at St Mary's Church Rooms on Wednesday, May 28, at 2pm, when Teresa Vearncombe will give an illustrated talk on her travels in Burma.
