Archive
-
Date
Exhibitions
Library, Kidderminster - Waseley Hills Craft Guild, Thursday. Life's a Doodle, until Saturday. Museum, Bewdley - From Brush to Canvas, until August 28. Hat's Off, until July 30. Ceramicist Paul Hancox, until August 16.
-
Date
Theatre
Alexandra, Birmingham - Fimbles Live, Friday until Sunday. Festival Theatre, Malvern - Anything Goes, until Saturday. Castle, Ludlow - A Midsummer Night's Dream (July 6, 7 and 8). Rose, Kidderminster - Kidderminster College
-
Date
What's On
l TONIGHT: Birmingham: Marriott Hotel - Lupa. Ludlow: St. Laurence's Parish Church - Die Fledermaus). Wolverhampton: Little Civic -Darker the Day. Robin R'n'B2 - The Soul Survivors. Wolverley: The Queen's Head - Jazz.com.
-
Date
SPIDER'S WEB Rose Theatre Until Saturday
THE usual Agatha Christie twists and turns abound in the Nonentities' latest offering, and I certainly didn't guess "who dun it". Clarissa Hailsham-Brown loves to imagine herself in all kinds of situations, including dangerous ones, and her husband and
-
Date
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER The Grand, Wolverhampton Until Saturday
THIS show took its Wolverhampton audience back to a time when flares, platform shoes and disco music ruled the dance floors. The stage adaptation of the groundbreaking 1977 film featured all the Bee Gees' hit songs that captured the atmosphere of the
-
Date
Christopher Langdown Kidderminster Library
THE latest in the Classical Music's series of "Live and the Library" recitals featured the talented pianist Christopher Langdown, making his debut for the society, but who had played at Kidderminster Library on a previous occasion. This engaging young
-
Date
Glorious! Malvern Theatres until Saturday
THE title of this Peter Quilter play perfectly sums up the evening's entertainment. Maureen Lipman is simply superb as Florence Foster Jenkins, an American socialite who has delusions she is a great singer but really the audiences are turning up in
-
Date
Iolanthe, Swan Theatre, Worcester, Until Saturday
WORCESTER Gilbert and Sullivan Society were on top form in their story of "the peer and the peri", and obviously enjoyed every minute of this wonderful operetta - as did the audience. Robert Hanna was brilliant as the Lord Chancellor. Anyone who can
-
Date
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, Until Saturday
THIS thigh-slapping musical achieved its aim and managed to transport its Birmingham audience back to America's west of the mid 19th century. The all-singing, all-dancing production, which brought to life the 1954 Academy award-winning score, included
-
Date
Balamory Live - Strike Up The Band, National Indoor Arena, Birmingham
PRE-school idols Miss Hoolie, Spencer and Archie the inventor hit the big Brum stage to wild applause and frantic shakes of fibre optic toys. The hour and 15 minute show was just right for three-year-olds Nicholas and Sam, who sat spellbound as the energetic
-
Date
Hayseed Dixie The Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
THEY may have made a name for themselves covering classic rock songs by the likes of AC/DC, Motorhead and Queen, but Hayseed Dixie are anything but your bog standard tribute band - as their two-hour set proved. As well as performing their unusual takes
-
Date
The Island, Malvern Theatres
FIRST written in apartheid South Africa in the 1970s, this play still bears plenty of relevance today, long after Nelson Mandela gained his freedom and ended the country's hated regime. Based on a true story, the production focuses on two political prisoners
-
Date
KEY FOR TWO By John Chapman and Dave Freeman Rose Theatre, September 7-10.
THIS is one of the funniest plays I have ever seen, a real pleasure to watch. It demands good timing, as it verges on farce, but the Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society's (KODS) talented cast were on top form. Pat Scully was sparkling as Harriet
-
Date
Kidderminster Valentines, Kidderminster Town Hall
FRESH from their successful visit to Holland, The Kidderminster Valentines were in fine voice on Saturday and gave us a super assortment of music. Out of season, but a joy to hear, All in the April Evening evoked memories of that wonderful Glasgow Orpheus
-
Date
Summer Holiday Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
WHAT better way for a troupe of talented teenagers to spend their summer holidays than rehearsing for and starring in, you guessed it, Summer Holiday. While the youth of today are often derided for hanging around bus stops causing mayhem, this bunch
-
Date
PERFECT ACE TWO THE CHAMPIONS Oxygen Interactive Games
PERFECT Ace Two The Champions is for tennis fans who think running around a court with a racquet an unnecessary exertion of effort. The PS2 sequel, produced by Oxygen Interactive Games, allows up to four players to take part in a world tour or singles
-
Date
The 39 Steps Malvern Theatres
WHEN I decided to go and watch this show, I expected a night of very serious theatre. But instead I was treated, thanks to this splendid production by the West Yorkshire Playhouse, to a fast-moving and highly funny evening of entertainment. A cast of
-
Date
The Fantastic Four Cert PG UCI Cinema Merry Hill
AFTER reading the comic books as a kid this film was a real treat for me. The tale of four people, Dr Reed Richards, his best pal Ben Grimm, his ex-girlfriend Sue Storm and her younger brother Johnny, jetting off to outer space on a mission to benefit
-
Date
Madagascar (U) UCI Cinema, Merry Hill
BEN Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith provide the voices of Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippopotamus respectively. They are the big attractions at a New York zoo but Marty is bored and wants
-
Date
When Harry Met Sally Malvern Theatres
ADAPTED from Nora Ephron's 1969 film, this play cleverly explores meaningful relationships and how some lucky people manage to live happily ever after with their soul mates. Others, like Sally (Gaby Roslin), however, just do not seem to find happiness
-
Date
The Magic of the Dance Malvern Theatres
AMAZING, awesome, breath-taking, magical and sensational - these are just some of the many adjectives that could be used to describe this high octane show and I'm sure the capacity audience would have found many, many more. Fusing the best of Irish jigs
-
Date
Summer Serenade, Kidderminster Town Hall
HAVING read so much in the Shuttle/Times and News about tenor Russell Painter, baritone Jonathan Darby and pianist David Morgan, it was wonderful to finally hear them. And what a superb idea it was to have three of Kidderminster's finest musicians on
-
Date
Batman Begins UCI Cinema Merry Hill Cert 12a
HOLEY Moley, not another Batman movie. Probably not the most enjoyable for children but definitely the best so far for us grown-ups. Its mostly thanks to a superb plot and some great acting. The latest Hollywood star to don the famous cloak and mask
-
Date
The Rat Pack Live Malvern Theatres until Saturday
THE cast got a much-deserved standing ovation at the end of this superb show where the audience was skilfully transported back to 1950s Las Vegas. Henry Prego as Frank Sinatra, Nigel Casey as Dean Martin and Allie Laurie as Sammy Davis Jr brought the
-
Date
The Keith Barrett Show Live Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton
WHEN your jaw begins to ache it lets you know that something is, genuinely funny. Such was the effect Rob Brydon - as his earnest yet hapless alter ego, Keith Barrett - had during just under two hours with the transfer of the offbeat chat show to the
-
Date
The Canoldir Male Choir St George's Church Kidderminster
WE were well entertained on Saturday, when the Canoldir Male Choir sang a varied selection, including March of the Peers from Iolanthe, Yesterday and It's a Working Man I Am with an excellent solo sung by Joseph Flynn. Their best performance of the evening
-
Date
THE LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS The Nonentities, Rose Theatre, Kidderminster, until Saturday.
WHENEVER you see the magic name "Neil Simon" attached to a play, you know you are in for a treat, and the Nonentities' latest production is no exception. The ever-reliable Athol M'Donald was outstanding as Barney, faithful husband for 23 years, who decides
-
Date
Revenge of the Sith Merry Hill UCI
ALREADY Revenge of the Sith has broken numerous box office records and sent devoted fans into a frenzy, so why, after five other Star Wars films, does this one matter? Because this is the crux of the entire six-part saga - the evil empire of the older
-
Date
Ruddigore Great Witley Operatic Society Swan Theatre, Worcester
THIS Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece is performed far too rarely, so it was a pleasure to join in the madness and mayhem. The curse of Ruddigore is that the baronet has to commit a crime a day or die in agony. Ruthven didn't want to inherit the problem
-
Date
KODS Kapers Baxter College, Kidderminster
I ENJOYED an evening in the company of Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society immensely, with a programme of songs which included many old favourites from the shows, plus a sprinkling of newer items. The artistes are too numerous to mention all,
-
Date
Golden Jubilee Town Twinning Concert Kidderminster Town Hall, Saturday
TO mark 50 years of the twinning partnership of Kidderminster and Husum, West Mercia Constabulary Band, Kidderminster Valentines and Kidderminster Male Choir combined for a celebratory concert. Appropriately, the concert began with the national anthems
-
Date
Little Richard Wolverhampton Civic Hall
THE great voices - those which cut to the heart of American music - be they soul, country, gospel or blues, have all but gone. In the last two years alone we have said goodbye to Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, who have left to join the likes of Elvis and
-
Date
Hobson's Choice Rose Theatre, until Saturday
I HAVE never heard such prolonged applause at The Rose, and although this was an excellent production throughout, much of the acclamation on Monday night was aimed directly at the three leads, who are brilliant. Julie Innes is a superb Maggie, the bossiest
-
Date
Stepping Out Malvern Theatres until Saturday
PATSY Palmer proved there really is life after Bianca in EastEnders with a stunning display of acting and dancing as tap dance teacher Mavis. Written by Richard Harris, Stepping Out is both funny and moving and, for a dance fan like myself, is also well
-
Date
Napoleon Dynamite UCI Merry Hill
THE UCI cinema at Merry Hill continued its excellent Director's Chair series with Napoleon Dynamite, a quirky comedy about the pitfalls and dubious privileges of being a geek. Arriving just as the film found its way on to DVD, it tells the story of Napoleon
-
Date
The Tears The Wulfrun, Wolverhampton
HARDLY any band can fill a venue like The Wulfrun without releasing a single record - but The Tears are not just any band. Unquestionably, The Tears comprises one of the most eagerly awaited reunions in indie music, that of former Suede singer, Brett
-
Date
Cosi Fan Tutte Malvern Theatres
WITH its themes of deception, disguise and sexual fidelity, this opera's plot is more like a play by William Shakespeare than a musical work. But you only have to listen to Mozart's exquisite score and wonderful arias to realise this is one of the most
-
Date
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre until Saturday
THERE was dancing in the aisles when Bill Kenwright's brilliantly cast production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat lit up Birmingham's Hippodrome Theatre. The much-loved show proved to be as popular as ever - largely due to an excellent
-
Date
The Winter's Tale Malvern Theatres
THEATRE doesn't come much more challenging than this production by the all-male Shakespeare company Propeller. But it is a challenge that is well rewarded with a superb understanding of this complex play exploring sexual jealousies. Michael Pavelka's
-
Date
Manic Street Preachers Wolverhampton Civic Hall
ONCE they sang of personal and political despair. Then they became an all-purpose rock band, rocketing into the mainstream with arena gigs and number one albums. Judging by the show at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, the Manics are struggling to balance both
-
Date
Beverley Knight Wolverhampton Civic Hall
PERFORMING at Wolverhampton's Civic is always a homecoming for the UK's own queen of R `n' B, Beverley Knight. The Wolverhampton Wanderers scarf draped around her mike stand emphasises where her heart is and the audience is eager to welcome back one
-
Date
A Midsummer Night's Dream Ludlow Castle
KIDDERMINSTER-born director Glen Walford promised grandeur galore when staging this comedy and certainly kept to her word. From the start, the set made clear this was going to be an epic production. A solitary tree took up most of the stage with tendrils
-
Date
Kidderminster Valentines Town Hall Kidderminster
WONDERFUL music, great atmosphere and not a football in sight! Once again Kidderminster's fabulous ladies' choir organised a terrific evening of song with their guests, Kiera Lyness and the Aber Valley Male Voice Choir. The ladies included some of the
-
Date
Fireman Sam To The Rescue, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
THE firefighting equivalent of Welsh crooner Tom Jones hit the Midlands for a fun show packed with singing, dancing and pertinent safety messages. Miserable Pontypandy station boss Steele was left behind in the Valleys as Sam, Penny and rock `n' roll
-
Date
Radiohead Civic Hall Wolverhampton
MUSIC fans have been really spoiled at the Civic recently and the latest star name, Radiohead, really treated the audience to a stunning two-hour set. What I really like about this band is the way they move effortlessly from hard rock tunes to tuneful
-
Date
KODS Capers Baxter College Kidderminster
KODS entertained with an evening of songs from popular musicals, featuring many solos as well as ensemble items. Songs from South Pacific got the programme off to a rousing start and we progressed through The King and I, The Sound of Music, Joseph and
-
Date
Matthew Kettle and Robert Markham Kidderminster Library
VIOLIST Matthew Kettle and pianist Robert Markham are without a doubt very talented musicians and certainly know how to please an audience. Robert's hands seemed to effortlessly dance across the keys as he accompanied Matthew through the varied programme
-
Date
Blithe Spirit Rose Theatre, Kidderminster
CHARLES Condomine is delighted when his first wife, Elvira, returns from the dead but things soon get complicated in the latest comedy from the Nonentities. Blithe Spirit, staged at the Rose Theatre, provides plenty of laughs as a seance led by the
-
Date
Grease Grand Theatre Wolverhampton
WHEN a show tops a list of the 100 greatest musicals of all time, it would not take the biggest of gamblers to bet on having a decent night when the show rolls into town. Judging by the reaction of the Black Country crowd at the end of the pulsating
-
Date
Buddy Alexandra Theatre Birmingham
GRAB your dancing shoes and join in the fun of the swinging fifties in this musical extravaganza. Having read the rave reviews about the musical after the Birmingham tour in 2003, I was sceptical as to whether the show would live up to expectations,
-
Date
Hard-Fi, Civic Hall Wolverhampton
THE poster at the front of the hall - Hard-Fi Rock - just about says it all. For a band with just one album - albeit the wonderful Stars of CCTV released in 2005 - their stage presence is superb and everyone in the crowd knows every song, showing how
-
Date
Kidderminster Male Choir Kidderminster Town Hall
THE gentlemen songsters did MD Justin Parker proud when he conducted them for the last time, with excellent performances of popular songs, and some new to the choir. The men in red entered á la Peter Kay and friends to the strains of Is This the Way
-
Date
The Amateurs Let the Sun Shine In EP
KIDDERMINSTER band, the Amateurs, have high hopes for their latest EP and I can see why they are feeling so confident. The three-song CD kicks off with the title track, which is quite laid-back, with a bold piano sound. Singer Matthew Colley reaches
-
Date
When We Are Married The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster
A LAVISH set and stunning period costumes take the audience back in time to 1908 for this comic play. Three couples are celebrating their silver wedding anniversaries in the Yorkshire town of Clecklewyke, having all got married on the same day at the
-
Date
Sweeney Todd Alexandra Theatre Birmingham
ANYONE who only knows Jason Donovan as one of the most famous residents of Ramsay Street in Australia will get a shock when they see him in this latest role. His Sweeney Todd character, lovingly referred to as "The Demon Barber of Fleet Street", is
-
Date
The Witches of Eastwick Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Wednesday, April 26
The Witches of Eastwick Wolverhampton Grand Theatre Wednesday, April 26 MAGICAL musical comedy, The Witches of Eastwick, provided plenty of laughs and surprises at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre. Members of West Bromwich Operatic Society took
-
Date
Gary Numan, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
Gary Numan Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton DESPITE being a big fan of Gary Numan, I have never had the opportunity before to see him perform live. And what a treat I had missed out on. Numan came onto the stage all clad in black and didn't look
-
Date
Arctic Monkeys, Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
THE crowd went ape as the band of the moment hit the stage for one of the most hotly anticipated gigs for ages. Just like for The Jam back in 1977 and Duran Duran in 1980, this was the moment for the magical Arctic Monkeys. All tickets for the gig
-
Date
Miss Saigon Birmingham Hippodrome
THE intense and riveting Miss Saigon had everyone gripped to their seats. The moving and dramatic tale swiftly moves between three different countries - Vietnam, Thailand and the United States - and from the outset draws in the audience with the cast's
-
Date
Kidderminster Male Choir Kidderminster Town Hall Saturday
THOUGH depleted in numbers, the choristers sang their hearts out to produce another terrific programme, under the baton of David Barclay. Among all the great music, one item was outstanding, the best song from Miss Saigon - Bui-Doi, when the solo was
-
Date
3 Doors Down Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton. Tuesday
3 Doors Down Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton Tuesday WOLVERHAMPTON's Wulfrun Hall was rocking as Mississippi band 3 Doors Down belted out their hits. The four-piece group, made up of singer Brad Arnold, guitarists Matt Roberts and Chris Henderson
-
Date
Electric Six Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
US band Electric Six lived up to their name when they descended on Wolverhampton and performed an energising set of old and new tracks. Lead singer Dick Valentine's comment "you chose to come to see us on a Friday night - that was a good call" effectively
-
Date
Jekyll and Hyde The Musical Civic Centre, Stourport. Until Saturday
THIS classic tale of schizophrenia is brought to life by Stourport Choral and Operatic Society, superbly directed by Claire Worboys, and starring her husband, Jonathan Darby, as the tortured Dr Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde. As expected, Jonathan gave a
-
Date
The Kidderminster Valentines Bewdley Pines Golf Club
SENIORS captain's night at the golf club was a very relaxed evening, with lots of fun, Tom Morris having invited the Valentines to entertain at the end of his term in office. Presentations were made in the interval, but the rest of the evening was devoted
-
Date
BLOOD BROTHERS Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Until Saturday
AS a first-timer to this show, I was warned about the heart-breaking ending and had my hankies at the ready. But I wished someone had also told me about the dramatic special effects at the end which had me and everyone in my section of the theatre
-
Date
PRESENT LAUGHTER Malvern Theatres Until Saturday
SIMON Callow is perfectly cast as the devastatingly handsome Garry Essendine in this splendid Noel Coward play. Despite the fact he is nearing middle age, everyone Garry encounters - both male and female - ends up totally infatuated with him. Coward
-
Date
LAURETTA BLOOMER Kidderminster Library Friday, March 10
THERE can surely be no better way to relax after a stressing day, or week, at work, than to listen to sublime piano playing, and we had a real treat on Friday night. The last time Lauretta Bloomer presented a programme for the Classical Music Society
-
Date
THIS IS ELVIS Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Until Saturday, March 18
WITH a play-list of songs that reads like an encyclopaedia of modern pop music it was little wonder the show charting The King's life in the late 60s was anything but a pleasure. Yet the quality of the production does not simply lie in the familiar
-
Date
BLOOD BROTHERS Wolverhampton Grand Until Saturday, March 25
BLOOD Brothers doesn't so much tug at the heart strings as pluck them with a plectrum to within an inch of breaking point as the Willy Russell classic musical makes a welcome return to the Grand. In an emotional journey that shows it is not always merry
-
Date
MY FAIR LADY, Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society, Rose Theatre, until March 11
NEVER mind how cold it is outside, anyone with a ticket to see this production will have a heart-warming experience guaranteed to beat the winter blues. The casting was inspired - we all knew Nigel Preece would be brilliant as Henry Higgins and, as
-
Date
JACK JOHNSON Birmingham NEC Wednesday, March 1
HAWAIIAN singer songwriter, Jack Johnson, certainly knows how to please a crowd. The Brit Award-winning artist did not seem at all daunted playing to a full house in Birmingham. Johnson, who used to make surfing films before releasing his debut album
-
Date
TWO THOUSAND YEARS Malvern Theatres Until Saturday
ACCLAIMED writer Mike Leigh's first new play in more than a decade is both a moving and funny tale of three generations in a Jewish middle-class family. Set against a year's worth of political and historical events, the play covers a wide range of issues
-
Date
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Malvern Theatres
MALVERN-BORN actor Richard Swerrun starred as Joseph in this sparkling production of the classic Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice musical and he certainly stole the show with a deserved standing ovation at the end. Softly spoken, but with a strong and
-
Date
CBSO Symphony Hall, Tuesday
JAAP van Zweden was the CBSO's guest conductor on Tuesday, when the programme begin with Dvorak's excellent Scherzo Capriccioso. This is Dvorak at his tuneful best, and though only a short piece, lasting 12 minutes, he managed to include a whole range
-
Date
FROZEN Rose Theatre Studio Until Saturday
FROZEN promised to take the audience on an emotional journey and it certainly delivered. In Briony Lavery's play, presented by The Nonentities, housewife, Nancy Shirley (Julie Innes), sends her 10-year-old daughter, Rhona, to visit her grandma's house
-
Date
PETER PAN Areley Kings Players Areley Kings Village Hall
OLD favourites, Tinkerbell, The Lost Boys and Captain Hook, were brought to life in Areley Kings Players' impressive production of Peter Pan. The performers kept an audience of all ages entertained at the opening night of their annual pantomime. Joanne
-
Date
The Creeper Malvern Theatres Until Friday
A CHANCE to see this psychological drama before it starts its West End run was not to be missed, especially with stage legend Ian Richardson CBE taking the leading role. Forty years ago, this play by Pauline Macaulay was staged at St. Martin's in London
-
Date
Private Lives, Malvern Theatres
SET in 1930s France, this masterclass in wit proved a fitting vehicle for two of the country's finest actors. Belinda Lang, best known as the star of television's 2Point4 Children, and Julian Wadham, who appeared in blockbuster film The English Patient
-
Date
Billy Liar The Rose Theatre, Kidderminster Until Saturday
THERE are plenty of laughs in the latest Nonentities production, Billy Liar, at the Rose Theatre. It tells the story of Billy Fisher who cannot stop telling tales to make his life seem more interesting. During the first two acts you learnt a lot about
-
Date
Footloose Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Until Saturday
THERE have been quite a few hit films modified for the stage over the years and judging by the audience's reaction someone made the right decision to follow suit with Footloose. From the opening note an electric atmosphere spread around the theatre and
-
Date
Zathura (PG) UCI/Odeon Cinema Merry Hill
IF you remember and enjoyed Jumanji, then you are going to love this. The story revolves around two young brothers left on their own in their dad's (played by Tim Robbins) creepy old house. Walter, the eldest, wants to watch sports on TV whereas young
-
Date
Grease Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
HIT musical, Grease, was back by popular demand at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre and the audience loved it. The fast-paced show delivered all that it promised with back-to-back toe-tapping songs and impressive dance routines. Full of favourite tunes
-
Date
Peter Pan, Birmingham Hippodrome. Until January 29
THE phrase `all that glisters is not gold' could easily apply to the Hippo's lavish seasonal offering. There's no shortage of talent, sparkling costumes and jaw-dropping special effects, but I'm afraid it doesn't make up for the lack of good old-fashioned
-
Date
Stephen Hough and the CBSO, Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tuesday
AS I write this I am still on a "high" from attending this superb concert. The CBSO are always a pleasure to hear, and last night they opened the programme with Prokofiev's rousing Russian Overture. The piéce de resistance of the evening, was Stephen
-
Date
Magic Roundabout UCI Cinema Merry Hill
"BOING" said Zebedee, "time for bed-lam!" If you are looking for Round-about 90 minutes of pure Magic for both you and your kids then climb aboard the all new Magic Roundabout. Zebedee's evil nemesis Zeebad is released into the world and attempts to
-
Date
Cbeebies Live! National Indoor Arena, Birmingham
AFTER two days of festive films and frequent dips into a jumbo-sized Dairy Box, I was desperate to get out of the house - even if it did involve being surrounded by hundreds of excited pre-schoolers. Hosts Justin Fletcher and Sarah-Jane Honeywell (from
-
Date
Viennese Concert, New Year's Day, Kidderminster Town Hall
KIDDERMINSTER and District Lions Club were responsible for organising the New Year's Day concert, and what a success it was. The Midland Concert Orchestra, led by David Joyce and conducted by Jonathan Hill, provided a rousing start with the overture
-
Date
Aladdin, Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton. Until February 5.
THE Grand has a tradition for top notch pantos - and this one is no exception. A fast-flowing mix of slapstick, schoolboy humour and songs - including McFly's All About You and, bizarrely, Hanky Panky by Madonna - kept the audience of all ages beaming
-
Date
Christmas with the Rat Pack, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham Until January 7
THERE cannot be many better ways to get into the festive spirit than taking in the glitz, glamour and unforgettable sounds of the three kings of swing. Sadly the memory of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr taking to the world famous cabaret
-
Date
Hard-Fi Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton December 7
WHEN you see an army of ticket touts lining the streets of a venue you get the feeling the gig might be a bit special and has been eagerly anticipated. Hard-Fi, who must hold the title of band of the year, did everything and more to justify the hype
-
Date
The Kidderminster Valentines, Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir and Kiera Lyness Kidderminster Town Hall Saturday
THE Kidderminster Valentines were joined by The Abertillery Orpheus Male Choir and soloist Kiera Lyness to bring some festive spirit to Kidderminster Town Hall. Among the songs performed by the impressive male choir, who were singing in the town for
-
Date
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Rose Theatre until Saturday
ROALD Dahl's classic tale is brought to life by The Nonentities this week and is very well presented and performed. I'll get my criticism out of the way first, as I was not happy with the start. There is an over-long scene-setting dialogue, which for
-
Date
Maximo Park Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall Sunday
THERE is always a worry that new British bands with a critically acclaimed debut album might not be able to live up to the hype when they play before an audience. The biggest compliment I could pay Maximo Park was that they sounded even better live than
-
Date
The Human League Wolverhampton Civic Hall Monday
THE Synth City tour arrived in style at the Civic Hall and proved good music just doesn't go out of fashion - even if it is more than 20 years old. From the opening lines of Tell Me When to the last bars of Together In Electric Dreams, the band were
-
Date
José MOURINHO Made in Portugal the official biography by LuÃs Lourenço
mannager José Mourinho arrived to coach Chelsea in the summer of 2004. Lured by the club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho has quickly taken Chelsea to Premiership leaders and favourites to win their first title. He has made an immediate
-
Date
Scrooge Alexandra Theatre Birmingham until Saturday
SHANE Richie is best known as dopey Alfie Moon in TV's EastEnders but his tedious on-off relationship with Kat Slater is a poor vehicle for his talents. Ever since I saw him in Boogie Nights in Brum several years ago, I've been convinced that Richie's
-
Date
The Ashes The Greatest Series DD Home Entertainment £19.99
THERE can have been no greater series of cricket matches since Ian Botham almost single-handedly snatched victory over the Australians in 1981. This time two new cricketers are the stars of the 2005 Ashes victory - all-rounder Andrew "Freddie" Flintoff
-
Date
Snow White on Ice Forum Theatre Malvern until Sunday
THIS performance had everything one could wish for in an evening's entertainment - drama, humour, passion,beautiful music and splendid dancing. The Russian Ice Stars, who are all former competitors at national, European, world or Olympic level, took
-
Date
John Humphreys and The Nero String Quartet Kidderminster Library
FOR the fourth annual Birmingham Conservatoire recital, the Classical Music Society welcomed pianist John Humphreys and The Nero String Quartet. This was the first Live at the Library performance I had been to and the first time I have had the chance
-
Date
Abigail's Party The Rose Theatre until Saturday
THE Rose Theatre audience was taken back to the 1970s for a very entertaining production of Mike Leigh's popular play. Abigail's Party featured a cast of five from the Nonentities, directed by Do Evans, and was set in the home of married couple Beverley
-
Date
The Rivals Malvern Theatres until Saturday
POPULAR actress Stephanie Cole proved a splendid Mrs Malaprop in this delightful play exploring life among the "upper classes" in 18th century Bath. Her many malapropisms in the play were superbly delivered and I sometimes found myself missing one because
-
Date
Man for All Seasons Malvern Theatres until Saturday
PERHAPS best known today for his television role in Judge John Deed and previously for playing Doyle in The Professionals, actor Martin Shaw showed he is a real star of the stage as well. Playing the principled Sir Thomas More, who would rather die than
-
Date
Nabucco Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
THE brilliant Chisinau National Opera company made a welcome return visit to Birmingham this week, performing both Carmen and Nabucco. I went to see the latter on Tuesday, and was treated to a superb evening's entertainment. This story of power, jealousy
-
Date
Stourport Choral and Operatic Society Town Hall Kidderminster
IN a departure from their normal mixture of songs from the world of opera, operetta and the musicals, the society performed a programme in memory of Grace Evans, who died in April. The programme began with Vivaldi's Gloria in D, and the choir gave a
-
Date
Janine Smith Kidderminster Library October 20
JANINE is playing even better than before, judging from this superb performance. The programme began with the eight Lyric Pieces op 12, by Grieg, which range from the gentle Arietta, through a waltz, Watchman's Song, a jolly Fairy Dance, Popular Melody
-
Date
HABEAS CORPUS By Alan Bennett Rose Theatre
THE Nonentities' latest production is the best version of this famous play that I have ever seen and easily the funniest. The choice of cast was inspired, Trevor Bailey superb as the lecherous doctor, Arthur Wicksteed, and Nicola Blakemore acted her
-
Date
Terry Waite The Ramada Hotel Wednesday
THERE cannot be many people who are unfamiliar with the story of Terry Waite's five-year incarceration in Beirut, but the chance to hear about the experience from the man himself proved a popular choice with Bewdley Festival-goers. Waite did not disappoint
-
Date
Richard Digance Ramada Hotel Thursday
CONVINCING a room full of people to do elephant impressions may seem like a challenge but comedian Richard Digance managed it with great ease at the Bewdley Festival. As he recited the poem Eric the Elephant during his comedy set, the Ramada Hotel audience
-
Date
Kidderminster Male Choir Annual Concert Kidderminster Town Hall
I DON'T remember ever seeing the members of Kidderminster Male Choir giving their guests a standing ovation, but that is what happened on Saturday night. The Sirens, aka Janine Smith (piano), Dawn Foxall (mezzo) and Diana Sharp (soprano), totally enchanted
-
Date
Oliver! Civic Centre, Stourport, Until Saturday
A SWEET-FACED little boy as Oliver and a superb character actor as Fagin, and you cannot fail with a production of Oliver Bart's masterpiece. Timmy Spalding, 11, is excellent as Oliver, not only looking the part, but singing well, and he was word perfect
-
Date
Music For You, Town Hall, Kidderminster.
THE undoubted highlight of the 24th annual evening of music-making was provided by the talented 15-year-old John Garner. This young violinist, who is West Midland Light Orchestra's youngest member, superbly played the solo part in the theme music from
-
Date
Hamlet Malvern Theatres until Saturday
HAMLET has always been my favourite Shakespeare play and this English Touring Theatre production is one of the best I have ever seen. Ed Stoppard, son of the playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, played a softer, more likeable Hamlet than I have seen before but
-
Date
Bewdley Festival Acker Bilk and the Paramount Jazz Band The Ramada Hotel Friday
LEGENDARY musician, Acker Bilk, certainly kept the audience entertained at the opening night of the Bewdley Festival as he and the Paramount Jazz Band performed to a full house. The appreciative crowd was treated to fast-paced numbers, including Memphis
-
Date
Bewdley Festival An Audience with Ian Lavender The Ramada Hotel Saturday
BEFORE Ian Lavender began sharing his memories with the Bewdley Festival audience, he showed one of the most well known scenes in British comedy - the "Don't tell him, Pike" clip from Dad's Army. After joking that he had shown the best bit first, he
-
Date
Bewdley Festival Mark Bebbington The Ramada Hotel Sunday
IT would not be possible to attend a better piano recital than we were treated to on Sunday afternoon, when we heard the "dream" programme played superbly. Mark, who is one of the most talented pianists I have ever had the privilege to hear, not only
-
Date
Bewdley Festival The Reduced Shakespeare Company The Ramada Hotel Tuesday
AFTER tackling the bard, the Bible and books the Reduced Shakespeare Company is taking on Tinseltown. The Californian three-man comedy troupe's latest sharp show, Completely Hollywood (abridged), takes a more alternative look at the film industry. The
-
Date
ATHLETE Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
TALENTED Athlete frontman, Joel Pott, certainly had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. He sounded entirely genuine when he said "this has been one of the best nights we've had" as the sold-out gig drew to an end - and all the signs were there
-
Date
THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE Festival Theatre, Malvern
WORCESTER'S Gilbert and Sullivan Society took us to visit those famous soft-hearted pirates and cowardly police with great aplomb. Frederic ends his apprenticeship with the pirates on reaching 21, but as he was born on February 29 is actually only five
-
Date
SIRENS Elgar School of Music, Worcester
WHEN you go to a Sirens concert, you know you are going to enjoy it, and that you will be treated to a slick performance of wonderful music. On Thursday the ladies - Diana Sharp (soprano), Dawn Foxall (mezzo) and Janine Smith (piano) as always gave an
-
Date
Kings of Leon Wolverhampton Civic Hall
WHEN it comes to picking the handful of truly great bands which have defined the first few years of the 21st century, Kings of Leon will undoubtedly be on the list. The sheer quality of their two albums, released in 2003 and 2004, have won over any cynics
-
Date
Dancing in the Streets Alexandra Theatre Birmingham
WHEN I was growing up Motown was just a few songs DJs played at family parties just to make my mom and aunties happy while they danced in small circles. Despite my first experiences of this music phenomenon, which changed the face of the industry in
-
Date
NEW YEAR'S DAY VIENNESE CONCERT Kidderminster Town Hall
AT the start of this year's concert, the mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Siri Hayward, gave a short history of the Town Hall to mark its 150th anniversary, then asked for a minute's silence in respect of the victims of the tsunami disaster. Possibly
-
Date
College student joins Macca's fame academy
SIR Paul McCartney's "fame academy" has offered one of its prestigious degree course places to a student of Kidderminster College. Christin Stangner, 20, has completed the year-long advanced music industry management (MIM) course in the college and
-
Date
Interpreting Orwell novel
THERE will not be too many creature comforts in the final production being staged by Kidderminster College students for this year. The town's Rose Theatre will be the venue for their version of George Orwell's Animal Farm, tonight and tomorrow. Devised
-
Date
Time for dancing
A BAND is already planning to mark the end of summer with a ball at Kidderminster Town Hall in September. Spurred on by the success of its first Valentine's ball in February, the N C Big Band is hoping people will turn out in their droves and put on
-
Date
Musicians invited to rehearsal
A FEW places are still available for string and wind players in a social musical event taking place in Wribbenhall on Sunday. Members of the Bewdley String Ensemble are holding a rehearsal and play-through of movements from Haydn's Symphony No 88 between
-
Date
Drumming up success
A KIDDERMINSTER born and bred drummer beat off the opposition to land a place in the line-up of a band with its roots in the Republic of Ireland. Jamie Desogus returned to his home town as a member of Ideamotion when they played at the Boar's Head Taphouse
-
Date
Society playing the host
THE Kidderminster-based Classical Music Society will host the Federation of Recorded Music Societies' 70th annual meeting on Wednesday, October 18, at Bromsgrove Golf Club. The society last hosted the event in 1989. The business meeting will be followed
-
Date
Vintage vehicles on show
A MONSTER engine that is the heaviest and most powerful of its type in Europe will rumble into Stourport this weekend. Coney Green Farm is staging the second Stourport Vintage Steam Rally on Saturday and Sunday, following on from the success of the
-
Date
Art put on display
CHADDESLEY Corbett Village Hall is hosting an art exhibition where visitors will be able to meet the artists and buy works on sale. Admission to the Barnt Green Art Club event, which runs from 10am until 5.30pm on Saturday, is free.
-
Date
Hat's the way to do it at museum
STAFF at Bewdley Museum are letting their latest exhibition go to their heads. Hats Off is showcasing the range of headwear belonging to the museum's permanent collection, ranging from top hats to parade helmets and babies' bonnets. Replicas of the
-
Date
Jazz at library
THE Simon Deeley Trio will play in the next Gallery Jazz Nights concert at Kidderminster Library. They perform in the library's music gallery during the event, beginning at 7.30pm on Thursday, July 13, with special guest, Chris Gumbley, on alto and
-
Date
Old rulers of the skies are joy to watch
FROM rom a time before dinosaurs existed, dragonflies have ruled the skies. Fossils have shown that back then, some species could grow to have a wingspan of 70cm or more. These days, the biggest dragonflies in terms of wingspan can be found in Australia
-
Date
Hungry cows help marsh orchids thrive
PUXTON Marsh is now entering its seventh year as a nature reserve looked after by Wyre Forest District Council. For many of these years, the site has been home to a herd of cattle that munch on the various plants, increasing the biodiversity of the
-
Date
Steady progress made in pretty valley
HABBERLEY Valley has been the scene of a lot of conservation work over the last couple of years. However, judging the success of such projects can take some time for the natural communities to recover and begin to improve. One example of this is
-
Date
They do love to be beside the seaside
JUNE is traditionally recognised as the first week of summer and we may be feeling a little hard done by that one of the few disadvantages of living in the Wyre Forest district is that we are many miles from the nearest piece of coastline. While this
-
Date
Don't overlook charismatic coltsfoot
The thing with a late spring is it is so difficult to keep up with all the changes that happen in the natural world. As everyday sees new wild flowers come into bloom, different species of insect whizz past you and the landscape seems to change colour
-
Date
Wicked wasps present a drama on our doorstep
ON heathland nature reserves and elsewhere where compacted sand exists, where they have a southerly aspect and are exposed to the sun, you may begin to notice that small holes are appearing. If the holes form part of a group and are not circular in
-
Date
No time like present to view fantastic predators
Spring has sprung you could say, but it's not just pretty flowers or cuddly mammals who are awaking from their winter hibernation, some of the more fear-provoking predators have also emerged. On the heathland the tiger beetles are now at large. From
-
Date
Brilliant yellow gorse can transform the landscape
THE first week of spring colour has just arrived much later than last year but no less welcome. Spring is still very much in its infancy with very few species coming into flower. However, last week a few species which have an abundance of blooms
-
Date
Bonding buzzards search for a home
LAST week I had planned to spend most of the day out on Redstone Marsh, Stourport. With the biting, bitter weather and the drab, miserable skies we had been experiencing, I became a little worried that I was in for a most uncomfortable and uninspiring
-
Date
Rare sighting of barn owl raises hopes for future
IT is unfortunate that probably one of England's most charismatic birds, the barn owl, has for the last 100 or so years, seen a constant decline in numbers. Intensive agriculture, developments and increased road traffic have all taken their toll over
-
Date
Dancing newts are sharp contrast to brutal frogs
MARCH is the first month of spring - or at least we hope so. Lambs will be born, and the first splashes of colour will start to appear as the first of the wild flower open their blooms. Frogs will also awake from their hibernation and make their way
-
Date
Shetland calf warms all our hearts
For one reason or another I have spent a large portion of this week based on the Rifle Range Site of Special Scientific Interest, and what a week it's been. The weather has been so varied. It has changed from very grey and overcast one day to bright
-
Date
It's best to let a snake find its own way home
WE are extremely fortunate in Wyre Forest District to have a fantastic variety of high quality and accessible countryside. Living in Kidderminster, we have some of the county's finest marshes and heathlands right on our doorsteps. Some householders
-
Date
Broadleaf species boast different survival methods
YOU may think that after visiting the nature reserves of Wyre Forest district year in, year out, there would be very few mysteries to be solved, especially on a dull winter's day. However, here lies the wonder of the natural world. Just when you think
-
Date
Heathland beauty on our doorstep is national rarity
WALKING across the heathlands of Burlish Top and Rifle Range last month, there was very little bright colour to be seen, the only exception was the occasional patch of gorse just coming in to bloom. For this reason, my eye was drawn to the subtle colours
-
Date
Skylark's emotive song is a pleasure to listen to
Dawn is still not too early in the morning to make it worthwhile rising just that little bit earlier than usual to witness one of nature's most amazing but under-rated spectacles, the dawn chorus. It never ceases to amaze me just how loud this spectacle
-
Date
Top DJ Trevor at Mirage
TOP R n B DJ, Trevor Nelson, will be in Kidderminster tomorrow night when he performs at Mirage Night Club. The Radio One star, who has also made frequent television appearances, has been at the cutting edge of music since the early 1990s. He graduated
-
Date
Musicians tuning up to aid charity
ACOUSTIC artist, King Rich, is to play a sixth charity concert in Kidderminster, having already raised hundreds of pounds for various causes during previous events. The organisation benefiting from the upcoming gig, at Kidderminster Library on Monday
-
Date
Golf: Anyone for a Swifts round?
STOURPORT Swifts are looking for teams to take part in their golf day at Bewdley Pines Golf Club on Friday, July 7. Teams of four can enter the competition for £140, including a breakfast bap and coffee, 18 holes and a two-course meal. There
-
Date
Swifts rebuild under way
STOURPORT Swifts boss Roy Rencher is refusing to rest on his laurels after making a glut of summer signings. Rencher guided Swifts to Southern Football League safety in dramatic style on the final day of last season. But he has swelled the Walshes
-
Date
One-kidney Kidderminster keeper is fighting fit
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers new keeper Scott Bevan is fighting fit and raring to go after the severe kidney injury that almost cost him his life. Bevan insists he is in good shape and looking forward to a second chance despite having the organ removed following
-
Date
Harriers host St Albans City in Conference opener
MARK Yates has greeted the release of the Conference fixtures with excitement after Harriers were handed a home start against newcomers St Albans City on opening day. They will kick off their campaign against the Conference South play-off winners on
-
Date
Deano and Co join Harriers
KIDDERMINSTER Har-riers manager Mark Yates believes he has the makings of a competitive Conference squad after snapping up striker Dean Sturridge, keeper Scott Bevan and midfielder Jamie McClen. The triple signing takes the Aggborough playing staff
-
Date
Red Army to play a part on the pitch
HARRIERS fans have the chance to play their part in Harriers on-pitch success with the launch of a new fundraising scheme. The Red Army Fund, run in conjuction with the Kidderminster Harriers Independent Supporters Trust (KHIST), aims to generate money
-
Date
Sturridge: 'I'm not a big-time Charlie'
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' star signing Dean Sturridge is relishing the challenge of non-league football, insisting: "I'm not a big-time Charlie." Sturridge put pen to paper on a one-year deal at Aggborough earlier this week as part of a glut of new signings
-
Date
Creighton signs on
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have beaten off competition from several Football League clubs to land defender Mark Creighton from Redditch United. The 24-year-old defender put pen to paper on a one-year deal at Aggborough yesterday afternoon. Manager Mark
-
Date
430 season tickets sold by Harriers
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have sold more season tickets than at the same stage last season - dispelling fears of apathy at Aggborough. The club's early bird scheme finished last weekend, with 430 supporters taking advantage of the reduced price offers.
-
Date
Harriers just do it with Nike
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have signed a three-year kit deal with sportswear giants Nike who will also take over the running of the Aggborough club shop. They join Aberdeen, Walsall and Southend United in linking up with Just Sport Pro Club, the official
-
Date
All White for Harriers new signings
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' squad rebuilding is taking shape after boss Mark Yates snapped up two more transfer targets. Former loan striker Andy White has returned to Aggborough on a 12-month contract while defender Stuart Whitehead has agreed a two-year
-
Date
Harriers announce pre-season friendlies with Albion and Wolves
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have announced their programme of pre-season friendlies which will give Mark Yates's new-look squad the chance to test themselves against Albion and Wolves. By the time Harriers report back for training in the first week of July
-
Date
Harriers' courses
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' football in the community section will be hosting a series of football courses for children during the forthcoming school holidays. There will be a World Cup theme with the chance to win the Golden Boot, recreate great goals
-
Date
Harriers freeze admission prices
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have frozen their season ticket and matchday admission prices for their second season back in the Conference. The club hope to tempt fans of the future along to Aggborough by reducing the cost for youngsters in certain parts of
-
Date
Yates closing in on targets
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Mark Yates is closing in on his "four or five" main targets after receiving positive signals from a host of players. With Jake Sedgemore, Russ Penn and Gavin Hurren already on board, Yates has now added the signatures of
-
Date
Harriers Mullins over their transfer options
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have missed out on one summer transfer target - but are still holding out hope of persuading the club's player-of-the-season to stay. Former Aggborough loan striker Andy Bishop was high-up Mark Yates's wish-list after a prolific
-
Date
Harriers ring the changes
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Mark Yates has triggered another frantic season of transfer activity at Aggborough by releasing half of his under-achieving squad. Goalkeepers John Danby and Daniel Lewis have both been shown the door as part of the cull
-
Date
One last hurrah from Harriers
Harriers 2 Accrington 0 - Mat Kendrick reports from Aggborough MARK Yates's men signed off in style by toppling title-winners Accrington - but it was too little, too late for half of the Harriers squad. Of the 11 who started Saturday's match, only
-
Date
Should they stay, or should they go now?
SPORTS editor Mat Kendrick has followed Harriers' fortunes home and away all season. Here he gives his verdict on which of the current players should still be in the Aggborough dressing room next term. Judgement day arrives for Mark Yates and
-
Date
Yates out to poop champions' party
MARK Yates has challenged Kidderminster Harriers to end their season on a high by ruining champions Accrington Stanley's promotion party at Aggborough on Saturday. The Conference winners are expected to bring a strong away following when they roll into
-
Date
Sharp Daggers cut hapless Harriers wide open
Dagenham 3 Harriers 0 - Mat Kendrick reports from Victoria Road THE Daggers might have cut Kidderminster wide open, but it will be Mark Yates who rips through the heart of the Harriers dressing room over the next few days. Yates gave his strongest
-
Date
Cool hand Luke is in Yates' sights
HARRIERS have hinted that man-of-the-moment Luke Reynolds has a future at Aggborough with manager Mark Yates and the player himself keen on doing a deal for next season. Reynolds has been the silver lining during an inconsistent conclusion to the campaign
-
Date
Campaign Peters out with rare win
Harriers 1 Cambridge 0 - Aggborough AN OWN goal by Cambridge captain Mark Peters was enough to settle a game that had `end-of-season encounter' written all over it in Harriers' favour. Peters' bullet header past his own keeper from Jonny Harkness's
-
Date
Harriers didn't treasure Island trip
Canvey Island 2, Harriers - Park Lane KIDDERMINSTER didn't like to be beside the seaside as their losing jaunt to Canvey Island ensured it was anything but a Good Friday for Mark Yates's men. The 172-mile trip to the Essex coast was the furthest
-
Date
Deal or no deal as boss delays talks
MARK YATES insists a decision on his players' futures could be delayed until the end of the season as he prepares his troops for their Easter double header against Canvey Island and Cambridge. Harriers have back-to-back clashes against midtable opposition
-
Date
Manager Yates blasts foul-mouthed duo
ANGRY Aggborough boss Mark Yates has blasted Michael Blackwood and Johnny Mullins after their foul mouths ruled them out of the Easter fixture programme. The duo were both sent-off for swearing at the referee during the battling 2-2 at York - with Mullins
-
Date
Harriers get a swear of the spoils in York thriller
York 2 Harriers 2 - Kit Kat Crecent KIDDERMINSTER were left cursing after a late lapse and two red cards for foul and abusive language meant they had to settle for a draw at play-off chasing York. Harriers had Michael Blackwood dismissed for swearing
-
Date
Burgess blow as Harriers head for York
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' delicate defence have been challenged to cope with the absence of captain Daryl Burgess at York City on Sunday. Burgess will miss the trip to Kit Kat Crescent after being shown a straight red card for a professional foul in last
-
Date
Luke warms to his Harriers challenge
HARRIERS assistant boss Neil Howarth has hailed the impact of raw talent Luke Reynolds - who is facing a race to be fit for Sunday's trip to York. The striker scored on his debut against Aldershot and has looked lively in his outings against Hereford
-
Date
Professional job ends even Stevens
Harriers 0 Stevenage 0 - Mat Kendrick reports from Aggborough FROM the team's improved performance to the skipper's cynical sending off, everything about Harriers was professional as they made a point against play-off seeking Stevenage. After the
-
Date
Harriers hit by Aggborophobia
BOSS Mark Yates has challenged Kidderminster Harriers to overcome their fear of playing at home as league attendances at Aggborough plunged to their lowest point in more than seven years. Play-off chasing Stevenage are the next visitors out to make
-
Date
Jekyll and Hiding
Harriers 0 Grays 5 - Mat Kendrick reports from Aggborough THE time has come for manager Mark Yates to pull on his boots again. Not necessarily for a playing come-back. Just to give these so-called professional players a collective kick up the backside
-
Date
Improved Harriers shock raging Bulls
Hereford 0 Harriers 1 - Mat Kendrick reports from Edgar Street WHAT a difference a week makes for Kidderminster Harriers and Michael Blackwood. In the space of seven days, Blackwood went from 4-1 fall-guy to derby-winning hero. And Mark Yates's
-
Date
Big money was myth, says Yates
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have admitted that the "substantial funds" they trumpeted upon Mark Yates's arrival as manager do not exist. Chairman Barry Norgrove pledged that there would be a lump sum of money set aside for team strengthening when the new
-
Date
Board admit ticket price reduction is unlikely
THE HARRIERS board have conceded that there is unlikely to be a reduction in admission prices next season - despite complaints from supporters that the cost of attending matches is too high. At Friday's forum, chairman Barry Norgrove and directors Neil
-
Date
Iyseden was not an idol - Yates
MARK Yates has revealed that departed goal hero Iyseden Christie is not the idol that some Harriers fans might think - after defending his decision to sell the top scorer. Yates has come under fire for cashing in on Christie at the end of January, especially
-
Date
Harriers might make a move for Bishop
EX Harrier Andy Bishop has emerged as an end-of-season target for Mark Yates - after the Aggborough boss said he failed with a swoop to land the York goal machine before transfer deadline day. Yates admitted he was interested in talking to Bishop, who
-
Date
Hot Shots hammer hopeless Harriers
IT'S a good job the fans' forum was on Friday rather than Saturday night. Because Harriers would have struggled to explain away this shambolic showing. Before last weekend, the Aggborough faithful had been led to believe that the board would be open
-
Date
Harriers face question time
HARRIERS boss Mark Yates is looking forward to tomorrow night's long-awaited fans' forum - providing the event is constructive and doesn't become "stupid". Yates and chairman Barry Norgrove will face supporters in a question and answer session in the
-
Date
Mullins is mulling over his future
HARRIERS hero Johnny Mullins has hinted that he would be willing to stay at Harriers if his Premiership dream fails to materialise. The 20-year-old Aggborough fans' favourite is still hoping for a new contract with Championship champions elect Reading
-
Date
Youth team fixtures
HARRIERS have published their forthcoming programme of youth team fixtures after a string of cancellations. Poor weather and the club's desire to protect the Aggborough playing surface have led to Phil Mullen's youngsters having several games called
-
Date
Harriers keep moving the goalposts
MORECAMBE 2 HARRIERS O AT LAST Kidderminster have a goal between now and the end of the season - to score more regularly, writes Mat Kendrick. Never mind drifting aimlessly in mid-table, Harriers have something tangible to aim for - those white posts
-
Date
Lee, FF and Gaz can get us goals - Yates
MANAGER Mark Yates is "not unduly worried" about Kidd-erminster's depleted strike-force ahead of Saturday's trip to Morecambe despite Andy White's return to Notts County. Harriers expressed an interest in extending White's loan stay beyond the initial
-
Date
Spot of bother for Harriers and Thommo
Forest Green 0 Harriers 0 Mat Kendrick reports from The Lawn HARRIERS and Lee Thompson depressingly paid the penalty in a match which, like their season, petered out towards an inevitable conclusion. With determined defences winning the day against
-
Date
Burgess and Blackwood benefit from break
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Mark Yates believes Harriers will have benefited from their break from the cut and thrust of the Conference when they return to action at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday. Harriers fixture-free weekend has allowed some of
-
Date
New medical man at Aggborough
UNCERTAINTY surrounds the future of suspended Kidderminster Harriers physio Jim Conway with a new medical man taking over at Aggborough until the end of the season. While the board are still following legal advice not to comment on the investigation
-
Date
Harriers set for major turf out
MARK Yates is hoping to sow the seeds of success for next season - by insisting on a complete overhaul of the Aggborough playing surface. Yates has spoken of his desire for Harriers to express themselves more during matches, but admits his players have
-
Date
Harriers 1 Crawley 0 - Mat Kendrick reports from Aggborough
KIDDERMINSTER crawled past Crawley with a win which was more a making your mind up exercise for the manager than a match of any consequence for the current campaign. Until Mark Yates decides which of his present players are for keeps it's difficult
-
Date
Harriers postbag
LAST Saturday's performance by the Harriers was, in my opinion, shapeless, witless, spineless and certainly the worst I can recall. The pre-match team cuddle supposedly to indicate team unity, responsibility and commitment, is a pathetic gesture and
-
Date
Tamworth 1 Harriers 1 - Mat Kendrick reports from The Lamb
HARRIERS were "all White" as they produced a decent enough display to share the spoils in the Staffordshire-Worcestershire derby at The Lamb. While most of Mark Yates's men put in improved performances following the previous weekend's Gravesend defeat
-
Date
Youth are on the agenda at Harriers
THE FUTURE of the Kidderminster Harriers youth set-up will be one of the items on the agenda at an Aggborough board meeting this evening. Chairman Barry Norgrove and his directors will meet with the 250-Club, a fans' group set up to generate funds
-
Date
Yates backs troops to bounce back against strugglers
HARRIERS hope to have a full compliment of players available for their next two games against Conference strugglers Tamworth and Crawley. Russ Penn returns from a one-game ban on Saturday, while Paul Smith has resumed training after family problems
-
Date
Harriers 0 Gravesend 2 - Mat Kendrick reports from Aggborough
THE brakes on the Gravesend team bus might have failed en-route to Aggborough - but the Kent men still brought Mark Yates's Conference bandwagon to a shuddering halt. Harriers' four-game run proved all too fleeting as they suffered a breakdown of their
-
Date
Harriers stats as of 17/2/06
Next matches - Saturday February 18, Tamworth v Harriers, kick-off 3pm, The Lamb (Conference); Tuesday February 21, Harriers v Crawley, kick-off 7.45pm, Aggborough (Conference). Top scorer: 14 Christie, 5 Atieno, 3 Hatswell, Jackson, Sheldon, 2 Blackwood
-
Date
`We've got nothing to hide' insist chairman Barry and his board
KIDDERMINSTER Harr-iers' board have finally agreed to face a fans' forum to map out their future blueprint for the club to the Aggborough faithful. Chairman Barry Norgrove insists he and new manager Mark Yates are ready to form a panel to respond to
-
Date
Fans scouting about to help Harriers chief
HARRIERS fans are plotting a scouting mission to help manager Mark Yates run the rule over their Conference rivals. But the Kidderminster supporters will not be joining the boss in visiting the division's outposts on cold February evenings. Instead
-
Date
Halifax 0 Harriers 0 - Mat Kendrick reports from The Shay
KIDDERMINSTER may have failed to find the net during only their second scoreless stalemate of the season at The Shay on Saturday. But Mark Yates is well on his way to achieving his first goal with a heartening Harriers display which builds on the new
-
Date
We're stronger now, says Yates
MARK Yates believes the squad he has assembled during his first month in the Harriers hotseat is stronger than the one he inherited. Yates and assistant Neil Howarth have been busy revamping the dressing room with a host of comings and goings. They
-
Date
Harriers stats
Next match - Saturday February 11, Harriers v Gravesend, kick-off 3pm, Aggborough (Conference). Top scorer: 14 Christie, 5 Atieno, 3 Hatswell, Jackson, Sheldon, 2 Blackwood, Heslop, Mullins, 1 Fleming, Harkness, Russell, Thompson. Sent off: 1 Burgess
-
Date
Goal-crazy Harriers sink sad 'Port
SOUTHPORT 1 HARRIERS 4 MARK JACKSON and Iyseden Christie signed off in style by helping Harriers to their most convincing Conference victory of the season at sorry Southport. Harriers have shown encouraging signs of resoluteness during the new era
-
Date
Conway is suspended by Harriers
JIM Conway has been suspended from his dual role as Kidderminster Harriers physio and general manager after more than 20 years at the club. Conway was sent home from Aggborough on Monday morning and has been placed on leave by Harriers bosses. Harriers
-
Date
Iyse would be happy to stay
IYSEDEN Christie has revealed that he would be happy to remain a Harrier - but the prospect of him staying at Aggborough is unlikely. With the transfer window slamming shut on Tuesday, speculation is mounting that the top scorer will be on his way.
-
Date
Howarth wants to play part on pitch
KIDDERMINSTER coach Neil Howarth is ready and waiting for a Conference call - but the assistant boss will not be knocking on the manager's door if he is not given an on-pitch part to play. Howarth, who came on as an injury time substitute in the LDV
-
Date
Long LDV trip ends in defeat
CARLISLE 1 HARRIERS 0 THE debate will rage as to whether the Harriers cup is half full or half empty after the last drop was drained from their involvement in knockout football. Pessimists will point to them being battered into submission in a one-sided
-
Date
Defenders strike to sink Seadogs
HARRIERS 2 SCARBOROUGH 1 ANOTHER hectic week in the Kidderminster Harriers soap opera should not detract from the fact that new boss Mark Yates has made a sold start to life in the Aggborough dugout. While transfer speculation continues to mount
-
Date
Christie's auction could set a series of deals in motion
ROCHDALE have made a bid for Harriers top scorer Iyseden Christie, potentially triggering a flurry of transfer activity at Aggborough. Wayne Hatswell is also on the verge of returning to the Football League with a move to Rushden and Diamonds. The
-
Date
Holders make a McLean getaway
ANOTHER injury time gut-wrencher from Grays Athletic wrecked Mark Yates's Harriers homecoming as Kidderminster crashed out of the FA Trophy. Having held the holders for 90 minutes the Aggborough men looked to be heading for a replay down in Essex on
-
Date
Hard work is the key, says new boss Yates
MARK Yates has lifted the lid on the intense training regime his Harriers squad must follow if he is to instill togetherness and team spirit in the Aggborough dressing room. The new boss knows all about hard work after a whirlwind introduction to life
-
Date
"Substantial" cash available
THE new man in the Aggborough hot-seat has been promised money to strengthen the squad in his bid to steer the club away from the wrong end of the Conference table, writes Paul Whittaker. Mark Yates, who was installed as manager last Friday, has been
-
Date
New manager makes Mark at Woking
WHATEVER Harriers lacked in craft they more than made up for in graft as Mark Yates got off to winning ways at Woking. The new manager's first game in charge after a whirlwind 48 hours in the job didn't boast the prettiest of performances. But it
-
Date
"True Harrier" Yates is out to make his Mark as new boss
MARK Yates has been dubbed a "true Harrier" by chairman Barry Norgrove after being appointed Kidderminster's fourth manager in as many years. Yates was hurried into the Harriers hot-seat on Friday morning after crunch late night talks in the Aggborough
-
Date
Watkiss scouting for Wolves
SACKED Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss has been handed a part-time scouting role at Wolves - the club where he launched his professional playing career. Watkiss, who lives in Wolverhampton, was appointed after talking to the Championship club's chief scout
-
Date
Crunch time in Harriers boardroom
HARRIERS will today begin crucial boardroom talks over the future direction of the club with an urgent managerial appointment at the top of the Aggborough agenda. One name sure to be on the director's lips at tonight's meeting is Keith Alexander who
-
Date
Jacko, Hatswell and Iyseden could be off
THE Harriers powers-that-be will also discuss the futures of a host of key players including club captain Mark Jackson, former skipper Wayne Hatswell and top scorer Iyseden Christie at tonight's board meeting. That trio, who are the club's top earners
-
Date
Exchange and Mart at Harriers
CARETAKER boss Martin O'Connor looks set to be given licence to wheel and deal as he prepares for potentially his last game in charge of Harriers at Woking on Saturday. Harriers' dip in form under O'Connor and the player-coach's reluctance to apply for
-
Date
Tai woe is reason for Atieno exit
TAIWO Atieno has admitted that Kidderminster Harriers did not see the best of him after calling time on his spell at Aggborough. The 20-year-old striker ended his three-month loan stint by returning to parent club Walsall earlier this week. And Atieno
-
Date
Keepers' fate is in their hands, says Martin
MARTIN O'Connor has challenged either Dan Lewis or John Danby to make the number one jersey their own after blunders from both keepers in recent matches. Having ousted former first choice Danby for the last three months, Lewis was dropped for Monday's
-
Date
Desperate Danby is faulty at Alty Altrincham 3, Harriers 0
HARRIERS' search for a new manager took on fresh urgency as two goalkeeping howlers from John Danby condemned caretaker boss Martin O'Connor to his third Conference defeat from four games. Making his first start for 14 games after Dan Lewis gifted Burton
-
Date
Sad Harriers get Brewers' droop again Harriers 0,Burton 1
AT at a time when Harriers are sifting through a long list of possible candidates they have finally found a leading contender - for worst performance of the season, that is. Without tempting fate, it's fair to say Harriers would be hard-pressed to
-
Date
Mart might want boss job after all
CARETAKER boss Martin O'Connor has dropped his biggest hint yet that he could be tempted to consider managing Harriers on a more permanent basis. O'Connor has experienced mixed fortunes during his temporary tenure in the Harriers hot-seat with two cup
-
Date
Robins abreast of poor Harriers
HIT-AND-miss Harriers paid the penalty for their failure to kill off Conference also-rans Altrincham in a Boxing Day tale of two spot-kicks at Aggborough. A decent crowd of 2,206 would have been better off staying in watching repeats on the telly as
-
Date
Chairman says he rates Yates
HARRIERS' homegrown hero Mark Yates has emerged as a strong contender for the managerial vacancy with chairman Barry Norgrove looking for a "young, hungry and hard-working boss." Norgrove revealed Yates could have the kind of credentials the Aggborough
-
Date
Norgrove worried about board delay
HARRIERS chairman Barry Norgrove is concerned about the board's failure to convene quickly to appoint a new manager for the second season running. The Aggborough supremo fears the delay could weaken Harriers' hand in the January transfer window. But
-
Date
Festive joy as Bantams plucked
HARRIERS 2 BRADFORD 1 TIS the season to be jolly! The 2005-06 campaign might not have given Harriers too much to shout about, but this latest LDV Vans Trophy triumph has certainly filled them with festive cheer. The £15,000 that Kidderminster will
-
Date
Four-midable Harriers sink the Seadogs
HARRIERS 4 SCARBOROUGH 0 HAVING conquered arguably the Conference's worst club in the previous round, Harriers reward is a clash against one of the division's best. But if Martin O'Connor's men can repeat the kind of performance they produced to sink
-
Date
Barry set to shortlist six of the best
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' board today began whittling down more than 20 applicants to "six of the best" as Jimmy Quinn became the first candidate to publicly declare his interest in the manager's job. Chairman Barry Norgrove and directors Neil Savery,
-
Date
Farewell to Pugh
MARC Pugh has been forced to cut short his promising loan spell at Aggborough because of injury. The Burnley teenager picked up a hamstring problem in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at leaders Accrington Stanley. His month's loan was almost up anyway and he
-
Date
Exit for Watkiss: Play-off challenge for Harriers' next boss
KIDDERMINSTER Harr-iers expect to be inundated with applications for their managerial vacancy - despite setting sacked Stuart Watkiss's successor the daunting challenge of making the promotion play-offs. Watkiss cleared his desk yesterday morning, 53
-
Date
O'Connor and Quinn in frame
MARTIN O'Connor is in pole position to succeed close pal Stuart Watkiss after being given the Harriers manager's job on a caretaker basis. But with the vacancy already attracting interest there is talk that O'Connor might not fancy the role on a permanent
-
Date
Players' verdict: Mourinho would have struggled in this job
HARRIERS players have spoken of the high regard for the departing manager in the Aggborough dressing room and suggested even Jose Mourinho would have struggled to do the job. Wayne Hatswell admitted the squad were "stunned" to learn of Watkiss's sacking
-
Date
Harriers 3 Dagenham 1
ONE per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration did the trick as Mark Pugh's pure genius and Kidderminster Harriers' hard work won the day against Dagenham. But it was not enough to save boss Stuart Watkiss, who was subsequently sacked despite
-
Date
Harriers fan honours war dead
A FAN is compiling a roll of honour for former Kidderminster Harriers players who lost their lives in either World War or any other conflict. Phil Baker would like to hear from local historians, relatives of the war dead or anybody with information about
-
Date
Harriers mailbag
THE first game I can remember watching the Harriers was in 1946 against Walsall at Aggborough. It was a Birmingham League match. I was 10, and I was puzzled how a Polish team came to be playing the Harriers! I stood on an unterraced mound of earth,
-
Date
Will the real Harriers please stand up?
BURTON 1 HARRIERS 0 FROM the sublime to the ridiculous... Just days after their season's best at Boston, Harriers returned to their frustrating old selves at Burton, writes Mat Kendrick. The inventiveness that characterised their LDV victory over
-
Date
Harriers' new boys going for a Burton
HARRIERS boss Stuart Watkiss hopes to have recruited two new faces - a striker and a midfielder - in time for Saturday's trip to Burton Albion, writes Mat Kendrick. The Aggborough manager spent the build-up to last night's LDV clash in Boston on the
-
Date
Double for Christie in Boston tea party
BOSTON O HARRIERS 3 IYSEDEN Christie put himself firmly in the shop window with a match-winning double as Harriers enjoyed a Boston LDV Trophy party on a freezing night at York Street, writes Mat Kendrick. Rumours doing the rounds among the hardy Harriers
-
Date
Grand old joke of York as ref robs Harriers
HARRIERS O YORK 0 THE Conference's infamous officials continued to be Kidderminster's toughest opponents of the season as Harriers once again paid the penalty for dodgy refereeing, writes Mat Kendrick. While Stuart Watkiss's men have matched high-flying
-
Date
Penn writes his name on team-sheet
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers could hand a Conference debut to promising midfielder Russ Penn at home to York City on Saturday - with Michael Blackwood set to fill in for suspended Wayne Hatswell at left back. Harriers boss Stuart Watkiss - who was braced for
-
Date
Harriers postbag: Fans have their say
WITH talk of continuing cash problems behind the scenes at Aggborough coinciding with frustrating on-pitch fortunes for Stuart Watkiss's men, Kidderminster Harriers fans have written in to the Shuttle/Times & News to air their views. ON Saturday Kidderminster
-
Date
No Stamp of approval for Harriers referee
STEVENAGE 3 HARRIERS 1 A Harriers old boy might have put his Stamp on Stevenage's success - but it was the young referee who delivered the telling blow to Harriers, writes Mat Kendrick. Gavin Ward's decision to award a controversial penalty to Boro,
