Parkway residents are fighting plans for a storage park for up to 200 caravans at Noad Farm, off the busy A417, two miles outside Ledbury. Eight people have expressed concern to Herefordshire Council, ahead of the northern area planning sub-committee
A Ledbury family is celebrating five living generations of women, following the birth a baby girl just before Christmas. Old and young gathered at Birchams Grange Residential Care Home, in Eastnor, on Saturday, for the first ever meeting between all five
A DISPUTE between members of the Foley family of Stoke Edith is heading for the High Court in London. Rupert Foley, aged 32, has issued a writ claiming that since his father Andrew's divorce from his mother Gillian and remarriage, trustees for the estate
MEMBERS the Ledbury branch of Amnesty International are to pay tribute to chairman Jim Absalom, who died on Saturday, aged 80. They will gather at the Leadon Bank Day Centre on Monday, January 19, to honour Mr Absalom, who founded the branch two years
A thanksgiving service for former Ledbury GP Dr Desmond Burrowes takes place at 2.30pm tomorrow (Saturday), at St Michael and All Angels' Church, Ledbury. It will follow a private family service and burial in the morning, at Christ's Church, Wellington
firefighters from Ledbury entered a burning home and rescued most items of value, even though the blazing roof could have collapsed at any time. The occupants of Hill Top Cottage, Cleeve Mill Lane, Newent, had earlier fled when the blaze broke out last
YOUNGsters pressing for improvements to the town's skateboard facility will get a say in shaping its future. Ledbury Town Council says funds have been secured to upgrade the facility on the Recreation Ground. Letters are to be sent to both John Masefield
THE Probus Club of Ledbury has agreed its programme for the first part of 2003, leading up to its annual meeting in April. The group meets on Mondays, at 10.15am, at the Burgage Hall, Church Lane, and next week's meeting will see members describe their
Ledbury and District Tourism Association will hold its AGM at The Talbot Hotel, in New Street, on Tuesday, January 21, at 12.30pm. The meeting will see the election of a chairman, secretary and treasurer for the year ahead. The present treasurer, Brian
THE RNLI has awarded a bronze and a silver badge to members of its Ledbury guild, for their fundraising work over the past six years. More than £30,000 has been raised by the branch, with £6,000 collected last year alone. Of that, around 50 per cent has
THE Ledbury branch of the Religious Society of Friends, or Quakers, starts the New Year with a new meeting place and the hope that membership will increase, following a fall in recent years. The Friends have been a presence in Ledbury for a decade and
firefighters in Ledbury are holding a fundraising car wash on the Tesco car park. The event will take place on Sunday, January 26, when the two charities to benefit will be Tesco's charity of the year, the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, and the Firemen's Benevolent
brother and sister Peter and Olivia Rhodes will take the lead roles in the panto Babes in the Wood. The production takes place at Woolhope Parish Hall on Thursday and Friday, January 30 and 31, at 7.30pm, and on Saturday, February 1, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Ledbury Tourist Association is spending thousands of pounds to help promote the town all over the world. The group's web-site, www.visitledbury.co.uk, is being relaunched, reworked and redesigned by former town councillor Spencer Lane. The association
THE North Ledbury Hunt has apologised to West Malvern Parish Council after a rider was seen on the playing fields at Old Hollow. Residents were concerned when a member of the hunt staff had to ride on to the playing fields to retrieve hounds. Val Allfrey
AN increase of up to 19 per cent in its Council Tax precept is being considered by West Mercia Police Authority. John Cairns, of the authority, told Wednesday night's meeting of the Police Community Consultative Group that a raise of 13 per cent was needed
valuable and unique historic artefacts have been stolen in a burglary at Malvern Museum. Thieves forced their way through a wooden door dating back hundreds of years, before taking items worth an estimated £1,800. Among them were ten school attendance
LEDBURY swimmers started their New Year with great promise when they hosted the first round of the Wyvern League that saw fellow teams from Chepstow, Cwmbran, Mon-mouth and Worcester provide two hours of exciting competition. From the first event it was
LEDBURY Thirds will be kicking themselves following this game which they had every chance of winning. LEDBURY III 0, CHELTENHAM CIVIL SERVICE III 14pts Despite good passages of play, there was a distinct lack of cohesion and consistency. Cheltenham on
A FREE car park in Bromyard is to be cordoned off soon for the start of building work. Twelve homes are to be built at the Tanyard, in Pump Street, once the site of a tannery and warehouse dating from the Middle Ages. Since February 2001, Pencombe developer
EASTNOR Cricket Club is holding its annual general meeting at the Brewery Inn, Bye Street, Ledbury on Wednesday (January 22) at 7pm. All present and any new members welcome.
Line dancing classes will continue for beginner and intermediate dancers at the Falcon Hotel, Bromyard, from 8.15pm to 10.30pm on Tuesdays. Admission is £3. For more information, call Pam or Roger on 01905 452123.
The Hollies will be performing at Bromyard's Conquest Theatre on Saturday (January 18). Providing support will be local musician, Henry Carson, with friends. Tickets £12, £11 concs from 01885 488575.
HEREFORDSHIRE Free Stop Smoking group will be offering Bromyard people help to kick the habit at five weekly sessions at Nunwell Surgery, from Thursday, January 23. Call 01432 262019.
HEREFORD United have snapped up right back Jay Lovett on loan from Second Division Brentford to boost their suspension hit squad for tomorrow's Conference clash with Gravesend. The 24-year-old played in the Bees 2-1 defeat at Oldham Athletic in mid-week
BROMYARD Town Council holds its first meeting of the year at 7.30pm on Monday (January 20) at the Council Buildings on Rowberry Street. The public are welcome to attend.
BRAZLIAN samba teacher Karla Maria Partes is at Pencombe Village Hall this afternoon (Friday) teaching youngsters from Pencombe Primary School to capture the Latin dance spirit.
STOKE Lacy Village Hall is the venue for a Race Night next Saturday (January 25) starting at 7.30pm. There will be a bar.
THE widow of a car parked in the yard behind Bromyard's Kings Arms was cracked sometime between Saturday January 11 and Sunday 12.
CHURCHES Together in Colwall is holding a service of celebration on Sunday, January 19, at 6.30pm, at St James's Church.
A battery was stolen from a wood chipper left, chained and secured by railway workmen in Colwall Tunnel, on Monday night (January 6).
Guest speaker at Colwall Village Society's next meeting is Nigel Bailey, who will talk about Restoring the Hereford and Worcester Canal. The meeting is on Monday, January 27, at 7.30pm, in the village hall.
COLWALL Cricket Club is appealing for goods and promises for a fundraising auction in March. Anyone who can help should call Janet Sutton on 01684 540300 or 540552.
SATURDAY FOOTBALL WEST MIDLANDS LEAGUE Premier Division: Shawbury United v Malvern Town, Little Drayton Rangers v Ledbury Town, Heath Hayes v Bromyard Town. Division One South: Malvern Rangers v Lye Town Reserves (1.45). WORCESTER AND DISTRICT LEAGUE
Soccer players from Picklenash Junior School are determined to hold on to one of the most prestigious six-a-side trophies in Gloucestershire. And to prove it, the Newent youngsters have two teams through to the semi-finals of the annual Wilden Cup contest
A decision by Budgens to restrict car parking to customers-only has prompted Newent Town council to seek a "friendly" agreement with management. Signs went up before Christmas telling motorists of the decision. In response, local councillors contacted
A stolen Subaru car was found burnt out in Boulsdon Lane, Newent, on Sunday (January 12). Police were called to the scene at 9.30pm.
POLICE are hunting a teenager who exposed himself to a woman in Vauxhall Road, Newent, just after midnight on Saturday, January 11. He is described as white, in his late teens, wearing a hooded dark top with dark jogging bottoms. Anyone with information
COLWALL Cricket Club are planning to capitalise on their successful season with a number of pre-season activities and events. Indoor nets take place every Sunday from 10am-noon at John Masefield School, Ledbury starting on March 2. A warm welcome is awaiting
SOLICITOR Bill Masefield, who was made an MBE in the New Year Honours list, has helped set up a thank-you fund for Sister Sue Roig, following her resignation from Ledbury Community Hospital. The fund will enable people to show their appreciation for the
Former Ledbury Grammar School pupil Anne Griffiths has received on OBE in the New Year Honours list for her work on the City Hall in London. Ms Griffiths, who was at the school in the 1960s, was project co-ordinator for the City Hall development, which
A YOUNG woman from Ledbury has died following a horseriding accident. Rachael Helena Watkins, aged 27, was injured while riding at Tarrington on Friday, January 3. She was flown by County Air Ambulance to the neurological unit at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol
The speed limit on the A417 road past Ashperton Primary School could be cut from 40mph to 30mph. This follows talks between parish councillor Ian Newberry and Herefordshire Council's lead engineer Rob Wood. A 20,000-vehicle study last autumn showed the
Ledbury people have a month to catch up with a new exhibition at the Tourist Information Centre, which celebrates the work of three gifted friends. The trio have formed a thriving art group that lacks only one thing . . . a name. They are Roy Willett,
Ledbury line dancer Emily Williams has returned to the UK in triumph after finishing second in the World Line Dance Championships in Nashville, Tennessee. The 13-year-old John Masefield High School pupil made it to the finals after winning a heat in Ireland
LEDBURY town council-lors are recommending plans for six cottage-style homes at the rear of the former Plough Inn are refused, after visiting the site this week. The town council is objecting to the plan on the grounds of a lack of parking car parking
THE success of a play launched by Malvern Theatres in breaking in to the West End could provide a platform for the town to become the birthplace of worldwide touring productions. King Lear, Malvern Theatres' first major co-production in recent times,
The Duke of York will climb the Malvern Hills next week to visit a peak named after the Queen. He will unveil a plaque on Jubilee Hill, named last year to commemorate the Queen's Jubilee Year. The prince's visit takes place on Friday, January 24, in response
LEDBURY Town hit back from 2-0 down to grab victory in the second period of extra time in this pulsating Worcester Royal Infirmary Senior Cup quarter-final at New Street on Wednesday evening. LEDBURY TOWN 3, WESTFIELDS 2 (After extra time) Ledbury got
LEDBURY Town FC are looking for a coach/manager to run their youth team for next season. At present Ledbury have a number of young players who are spending too much time 'on the bench' and the club has decided to enter a team in the Midland Youth Floodlit
FIFTY new jobs are being created in Bromyard by a company moving to the town's Station Industrial Estate. Leading door specialists, Securidor, has taken the 50,000 square feet premises vacated by Hydro Automotive after its move to Worcester last year.
THREE Bromyard residents are to stand for election to the town council on February 6. Town crier Peter Dauncey, former councillor Bernard Hunt and Andrew Pack will all be contesting the seat left vacant by the late Daphne Davies. Postal votes must be
PLACES are still available for weekly evening classes in basic computing and desktop publishing at Queen Elizabeth High School, from 5pm to 7pm, on Thursday evenings. Call 01885 483371.
RING-rusty Hereford United must come out fighting against Gravesend & Northfleet tomorrow (3pm) to keep their season alive. Manager Graham Turner admits his side were off the pace against Yeovil Town in their midweek FA Trophy defeat but warns there
NON-alcoholic drinks were stolen during a break-in at the canteen of a Bromyard factory on Monday evening (January 13). Thieves entered the premises on Bromyard Industrial Estate after breaking a window.
BROMYARD'S two fire pumps were called to a house fire in Munderfield Road, Avenbury, on Sunday (January 12), at 9.30am. No one was injured in the blaze, which was confined to a ground-floor room.
THE felling of trees beside the railway line in Colwall has infuriated villagers and prompted one to put her house on the market. Rail operator Network Rail has been carrying out the work, between the tunnel at the Malvern Hills and the village station
LEDBURY DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB THIRTY-ONE pairs braved the weather on January 8 to play a Mitchell movement event of duplicate bridge. In the N/S direction, the winners were Peter Edkins & Bill Hoare who scored 64.53. They were followed by: Judith
HEREFORDSHIRE county chairman John Griffiths awarded prizes to the series winners at the Marches Bridge for All Club's latest meeting. Results were, teams ladder round one: 1 Maureen and John Dinnis, Jan and Tony Burke +68, 2 Eileen Sidders and Joan Burton
DETECTIVES continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the death of a man found collapsed in a public toilet in Hereford. Julian Kings, 28, of Newton Farm died at Hereford County hospital on Wednesday morning (Jan 14). Just hours earlier he had been
A Plan to upgrade CCTV coverage in Newent is being considered following a rise in petty crime in the run-up to Christmas. A meeting with police sergeant Richard Boyles to discuss the way forward was agreed by town councillors this week. Members heard
THE Crime Through Time Museum looks set to stay in Newent, despite rumours that it is to move to the Cotwolds. The news has been welcomed by mayor Fred Passant, who said he was delighted the museum would remain as a major tourist attraction. Coun Passant
A NEWENT woman has spoken of her delight that a French town has chosen to honour her grandfather for a special "patois" dictionary he compiled some 88 years ago, during the First World War. Delphine Isaaman has given original working notes by her French
NEWENT Town Council has declined to fund the Forest of Dean Farmers' Market for one more year, with councillors pointing out that the £1,000 granted for 2002/2003 was believed to be a start-up sum. Discussing the grant application at this week's council
Newent Mothers' Union will hold its AGM in St Mary's Church Rooms, on January 22, at 2pm. Speaker Derek Porter will give a talk on "Life as a Reader in Town and Country".
Newent Orchestra will resumes rehearsals on Saturday, January 18, at Upleadon Village Hall, at 10am. For further details, ring 01531 821 075.
Newent Community School will be the venue for a free course on spreadsheet basics on Tuesday, January 28, at 6pm to 9pm. There will also be a design a newsletter class on Tuesday, February 11, and a five-week introduction to computers aimed at people
