Local News

RIDGEWAY Secondary School have made rugby an inclusive sport for boys and girls across the school after joining forces with an award-winning programme. The ‘Project Rugby’ programme, delivered by PREM Rugby and supported by Gloucester Rugby, aims to encourage more schools to play rugby across the country, And Gloucester’s support of the scheme includes introducing the sport to children who might not otherwise pick up a rugby ball. Astwood Bank-based Ridgeway have expanded their rugby offering from a boys-only…

The Conservatives have secured a significant by-election victory in Aberdeen South, overturning a substantial SNP majority in what party leader Kemi Badenoch had described as a “referendum” on the future of the North Sea oil and gas industry. Scottish Conservative candidate Douglas Lumsden won the seat with 14,308 votes, securing almost 50 per cent of the vote and defeating SNP challenger Richard Gordon Thomson by more than 6,000 votes. The SNP finished with 8,258 votes. Turnout was reported at…

A WELDER from King’s Coughton had a close shave when he said goodbye to his 30-year-old pony tail for a good cause. Chris Milligan, Braved the Shave for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of his friend Matt Reid, who died of liver cancer in April. Mick, who had sported the same style for three decades decided he needed to do something when he heard Matt, a friend since his late teens had succumbed to his illness. “It was a…

Andy Burnham has been elected as the new MP for Makerfield after winning the constituency’s by-election with 24,927 votes, securing 55 per cent of the vote and a majority of 9,231 over Reform UK. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester defeated Reform candidate Robert Kenyon, who finished second with 15,696 votes. Restore Britain candidate Rebecca Shepherd came third with 3,111 votes. Mr Burnham’s victory returns him to the House of Commons for the first time in more than a…

VISITORS to the GlastonBeoley charity music festival will be in for an extraordinary experience this year, as a globally renowned art installation arrives in Redditch for the very first time. Festivalgoers will be invited to step inside a Luminarium – a monumental inflatable sculpture created by internationally acclaimed Architects of Air during the festival from June 26 to 27. Alongside open exploration, Reimagine Redditch will be curating a programme of gentle, creative and wellbeing-focused activities inside the space, designed…

GIVING young people more opportunities to meet employers and explore the world of work was the focus of a major Worcestershire conference on Friday. Schools, colleges and businesses from across the county came together at Sixways Stadium to hear from Baroness Nicky Morgan, chair of the careers and enterprise company and former secretary of state for education. Hosted by Early Careers Worcestershire, part of Worcestershire County Council’s skills and employability service, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (WLEP) and the careers…

ALVECHURCH have turned Manny Ilesanmi’s loan move into a permanent deal ahead of the 2026/27 season. Ilesanmi impressed for Church on loan from AFC Telford United this season as he scored seven goals in 25 appearances. And the forward has now joined Alvechurch on a permanent basis ahead of the upcoming season. Church boss, Kyle Storer said: “I’m over the moon to have Manny back with us. “His desire to be a footballer is second to none. “His attitudes…

MORE THAN 90,000 visitors travelled to the Tree Counties Showground at the weekend, enjoying a packed programme of entertainment, local food and drink, family fun and lots of animals. Recognised nationally as one of the largest livestock and equine shows in the UK, this year the show had a record number of livestock entries. One of the highlights of the weekend included the daily Grand Parade of Livestock, in which hundreds of prize-winning animals were led around the main…

The British Red Cross is urging people to take steps to keep cool as temperatures are forecast to rise sharply across parts of England this weekend. Weather forecasters are predicting that some areas of the country could reach temperatures of up to 32C, with conditions expected to meet official heatwave criteria in several regions. As part of its heatwave safety guidance, the charity has advised households to switch off central heating systems and take other practical measures to reduce…

Is anyone else feeling it? That dangerous, unmistakable, medically inadvisable little glimmer of hope? Yes, I know. We have been here before. Every four years, I become an international football strategist with no formal qualifications beyond shouting at the television and correctly identifying when someone “needs to get it forward quicker.” But after England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in Dallas last night, even the most battle-scarred Three Lions fan must surely admit it. Something stirred. Something clicked. Something, dare…