Summary

  • Redditch MP Karen Lumley will not contest next election

  • Hereford submits City of Culture bid

  • 2015 voter turnout in Wyre Forest among worst in region

  • Call for return of hospital campaign banner on town hall

  • Updates on Friday 28 April 2017

Live Reporting

Caroline Gall

  1. Google job letter girl gets advisory panel job

    Phil Maiden
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    A Herefordshire dad says his seven-year-old daughter has been given a fantastic opportunity, after she was offered a job on the advisory panel of a technology firm. 

    Chloe Bridgewater (pictured centre) hit international headlines after a letter she wrote to Google, asking for a job, went viral. 

    She has been placed on the advisory board for computer programming education company Kano, along with her younger sister.

    Bridgewater familyAndy Bridgewater

    We were contacted on Twitter by Kano and they liked Chloe's story so much they decided to send her one of their computer kits, they're testing all their new products, the girls will try it out and give their feedback."

    Andy Bridgewater

  2. Rugby: Worcester Warriors' Sam Betty to retire

    BBC Hereford and Worcester

    Warriors centurion Sam Betty will retire from rugby at the end of the season when his contract at Sixways comes to an end. 

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    Speaking to the Warriors' website, the 30-year-old said it was "with a heavy heart" that he is calling time on his career. 

    "As with all players, I have experienced highs and lows during my time at the club and our Championship play-off win against Bristol in 2015 is something that will live with me forever." 

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  4. One-Day Cup: Leicestershire v Worcestershire

    Listen to live BBC radio Leicester commentary as Leicestershire face Worcestershire in the One-Day Cup.

    Read More

  5. 'Poems of Kindness' to mark one-year anniversary of teen's suicide

    Monica Rimmer
    Journalist, BBC Online

    A year after he killed himself because of online bullying, the friends and family of Worcestershire schoolboy Felix Alexander have come together to celebrate his life with a book of poetry, made in his memory. 

    Felix was 17 when he died and the book, Poems of Kindness, has been created with the money raised from sales going to the Place2Be charity, which helped his family after he died. 

    Felix AlexanderFamily handout

    His mother Lucy Alexander launched an anti-bullying scheme in February this year.

    The Felix Project has been set up at Pershore High School, where Felix was a pupil.   

    The programme aims to help teachers spot the signs of a child being victimised and to train pupils to give peer support.  

    School poster

    Ms Alexander said her son was subjected to "cruel and overwhelming" taunts on social media since he was 10, which eventually became unbearable.

    The sixth form student was hit by a train on 27 April 2016. 

  6. Football: Evesham United lose play-off

    Trevor Owens
    Sports Editor, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Evesham United suffered bitter disappointment in their Southern League Division One South and West play-off semi-final at Salisbury last night.

    The Robins had Ashley Williams sent off in the first half and then fell behind early in the second half, only for Adam Mann to level five minutes from time. 

    Goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer then saved a penalty in extra time, only for Salisbury to be awarded a second spot kick after 118 minutes which they scored giving them a 2-1 victory.

  7. New bridge to open after collapse

    BBC Hereford and Worcester

    The new £2m bridge in the Worcestershire village of Eastham is due to open later today.

    The original Grade II listed structure fell into the River Teme last May.

    Bridge collapse

    People living nearby have been forced to take a 10-mile detour since the collapse. 

    The new concrete bridge will open this afternoon.

    Bridge construction

  8. Video: Your 50-second weather forecast

    Lucy Martin
    BBC Weather

    After a cool start to the day, with some bright patches, cloud will thicken with outbreaks of mainly light and patchy rain and highs of 12C (54F).

    You can find a detailed forecast for your area on the BBC Weather site.

    Latest weather for the West Midlands

  9. Good morning from today's Herefordshire and Worcestershire live page

    Monica Rimmer
    Journalist, BBC Online

    I'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather as it happens. 

    If you'd like to get in touch you can email, tweet us on @bbchw or message via Facebook.

  10. Asparagus man defended by cathedral

    A pressure group says asparagus blessing is "silly" but the church says it adds a "bit of colour".

    Read More

  11. Our live coverage across the day

    Live updates for Herefordshire and Worcestershire have finished for the day but local stories will be added automatically through the night.

  12. Weather: A mixed outlook for the region

    Shefali Oza
    BBC Midlands Today

    We're forecast a real mixture of weather tonight and tomorrow, including everything from warm sunshine to snow.

    Shefali Oza with the weather forecast for the West Midlands

  13. Asparagus man at cathedral service: Why this vegetable was being blessed

    Some Anglicans may not think much of the idea of including a man dressed as an asparagus plant at a service in Worcester Cathedral, but there's no denying the importance of the vegetable to the area.

    The Vale of Evesham hosts the annual British Asparagus Festival and the EU recently gave the area protected geographical indication (PGI) status - alongside names like Champagne, Cognac, Roquefort, Parmesan and Jersey Royal Potatoes.

    The all-important first crop has been rushed to the House of Commons in a Morgan car as part of the campaign to get PGI status.

    Asparagus

    Here are some of the facts from the government's official submission for PGI status.

    - Asparagus growing in the Vale of Evesham is a tradition whose longstanding history can be traced back to 1768 when Arthur Young, the then Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, visited the town   

    - Harvest time begins when the first spears show in April until June

    - The 650-year-old Fleece Inn, in Bretforton, hosts an annual Asparagus Auction that has been held for at least 35 years

    And, according to British Asparagus, the plant is the "Usain Bolt of the vegetable world - British asparagus can grow 10cm (4in) in one day".

  14. Asparagus man at cathedral service: Your reaction

    Social media has been buzzing with comments over the decision to have a man dressed as asparagus at a service in Worcester Cathedral.

    The cathedral has defended the decision saying it "added colour". Other Anglicans have called it "absurd".

    Benedictines were banished & libraries destroyed so Henry's church could one day use it to parade walking asparagus."

    CatholicBrit on Twitter

    Next thing they'll be installing a juicero by the font."

    Harriet Coleman on Twitter

    Nothing makes me want to defend Worcs Cathedral's asparagus service more than hearing Christian Concern + that Cranmer blog didn't like it."

    JR Hollins on Twitter

    Man dressed a asparaguswww.stuartpurfield.co.uk

  16. Asparagus man at cathedral service 'infantile pantomime'

    The Archbishop Cranmer blog has been one of the fiercest critics of the decision to include a man dressed in an asparagus costume in a service at Worcester Cathedral.

    A recent blog post described the procession, on St George's Day, as "an infantile pantomime".

    Asparagus manBritish Asparagus Festival

    Would the Church of England permit a man dressed up as a baked bean to process behind a Heinz tin of the things, and sanctify the mummery with a facade of thanksgiving? And why only adoration of asparagus? Where’s the sprout liturgy, or equality for mushrooms?"

    Archbishop Cranmer blog

    The cathedral has defended the inclusion of Gus the Asparagus Man, saying the Anglican church has always has "plenty of variety and colour in its worship".

  17. Slideshow: Bluebells put on a show

    These fabulous photos of bluebells in the Knapp nature reserve in Worcestershire were taken by Dave Harford.

    The reserve, near Alfrick, is one of more than 70 run by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

    I'd love to feature your photos - you can email, tweet us on @bbchw or message via Facebook.

    Bluebells put on a show.

  18. Asparagus figure at service defended by cathedral

    Worcester Cathedral has hit back against criticism over a service that included a man dressed up as a spear of asparagus. 

    Some Anglicans described the service of blessing for the local crop as "absurd" on social media and in the Daily Telegraph. 

    Service in Worcester Cathedralwww.stuartpurfield.co.uk

    Canon Precentor Michael Brierley says the figures dressing up added to the occasion.

    I think that the inclusion of the figure added a bit of colour. The church in the past and in the present all around the world plenty of variety and colour in its worship. I think that helps to give expression to the full range of emotions, including all the wonderful things God gives us to enjoy."

    Michael Brierley, Worcester Cathedral

  20. 'Lack of funding leaving care home beds empty'

    A lack of council funding for adult social care means beds in care homes across Worcestershire are being left empty, according to West Midlands Care Association.

    The organisation, which represents care providers in the region, is calling on the county council to put millions of pounds of extra money from this year's budget into front-line services. 

    More than £20m is coming to the local authority over the next three years, as part of a rescue package announced by the chancellor.

    Holding hands

    Worcestershire County Council says no decisions have been finalised on the spending of the additional money - though they say it will be used to meet adult social care needs and reducing pressures on the NHS.