January

JANUARY: A mother and daughter had a lucky escape when an 80ft tree came crashing down minutes before they were due to leave their house as gales lashed Wyre Forest. Elaine Morris had been getting ready to take her 12-year-old daughter, Beth, to Holy Trinity School, in Kidderminster, when the tree fell with a bang like "a bomb going off". Luckily, no-one was injured as the large beech fell away from the house, in Whinchat Grove,Kidderminster, hitting the garage and crushing two cars on the driveway. The tree was one of several brought down by the overnight gales. Lucky escape: No-one was in these cars as the tree crashed down on them.

January

JANUARY: The car park behind Stourport's Civic Centre and the town's Riverside Meadows flooded as the waters of the Severn rose across the district in the stormy weather. Residents in Wribbenhall, however, were able to breathe a sigh of relief after flood defences erected at Beales Corner for the first time kept 27 properties dry. The £11 million flood defences along Severnside North and part of Severnside South were also put up before the water level peaked. Both Bewdley Bridge and Stourport Road were re-opened when flood barriers were removed after four days. Under water: The flooded Stourport Civic Centre car park.

January

JANUARY: The new year got off to a quacking good start in Bewdley as hundreds of people caused a splash in the annual duck race. Crowds lined both sides of the River Severn to watch the plastic and home-made waterbirds float along the water. The event, organised by Kidderminster and District Lions Club, attracted more than 400 entries and helped raise around £1,183 for club funds. First duck past the winning post belonged to seven-year-old Ben Fallon. Ducks away: Kidderminster and District Lions Club president, Colin Hill.

January

JANUARY: A hairdresser who made the final of a national competition would have to pass up the chance of finding out if she had won as she was already booked to go on honeymoon. Luisa Butera, of Kidderminster, was a contender in the Clynol Young Stylist of the Year 2006 awards but was flying out to Lanzarote on the day of the final after tying the knot with her fiance, Ross Bradley. Examples of her hair designs at Elizabeth and Giovanni's salon, in Kidderminster, were submitted to judges of the competition, which was part of Clynol's annual business and creative awards.More than 80 contestants had entered. Cutting it: Hairdresser, Luisa Butera.

February

FEBRUARY: Rebuilding of fire-gutted Spring Grove House would begin within six months, bosses of West Midland Safari park announced. Staff at the Bewdley tourist attraction were working closely with English Heritage and the Wyre Forest Conservation Team and had appointed architects. The fire had started on Christmas Eve, with about 50 firefighters called out to bring the blaze under control. Artefacts, including framed pictures, a clock and decorative pots, were rescued from the remains of the house. Rebuilding pledge: Ivan Knezovich, chief executive of West Midland Safari Park, outside Spring Grove House.

February

FEBRUARY: Stourport student Lewis Beech confirmed his reputation as one of Britain's elite young rowers by helping his country top the medals table at the Australian Youth Games. It was the first time Britain had entered a team of under-20s at the games but the decision paid off as they clinched six golds, five silvers and a bronze. Seventeen-year-old Lewis, a member of Stourport Boat Club, was a member of the gold medallist coxless fours and won silvers in the coxless pairs and an eight. Eight Australian states took part in the games, along with participants from China and New Zealand. Oar-some: Rower, Lewis Beech, with his medals.

February

FEBRUARY: A marathon effort by a Kidderminster man ran up £1,500 for a leading heart charity. The cash was raised for the BHF by Russell Rhodes, who who completed the 26-mile Wolverhampton course in less than four hours. His own family experiences of his father, Roy, and Roy's brother dying following heart attacks inspired Russell to run for the cause. The sponsorship money was presented to BHF fund-raising manager, Hannah Rose, while another £400 was given to St Mary's Chantry Group, represented by Canon Owain Bell. From the heart: From left, Canon Owain Bell, Russell Rhodes and BHF's Rachel Newey.

February

FEBRUARY: Wintry conditions turned Wyre Forest white, bringing joy to youngsters but misery to drivers. The cold snap, with temperatures dipping below freezing, meant lessons were scrapped as schools closed, enabling chldren to play in the snow. Rush hour drivers making their way home had to endure some of the worst road conditions the district had seen for many years. Rubbish and recycling collections were hit, despite workers doing their best to try and get rounds completed. All white: Kidderm-inster's St George's Park.

March

MARCH: Two Kidderminster posties were seeing who could wear their shorts the longest. Dave Rollings and Neil Price dropped their trousers in favour of shorts for almost a year as they delivered letters in a challenge that started with about 30 of their colleagues. They set themselves a target of carrying on in their shorts for another year, hoping to raise some cash for charity. Even snow failed to deter them in their friendly bet, with just pride at stake. Shorts shift: Dave Rollings, left, and Neil Price in their shorts.

March

MARCH: Things went swimmingly for Francesca O'Connor, who won seven medals in the pool at national junior championships. The 16-year-old swimmer from Kidderminster's Holy Trinity School, competed at Sheffield, winning two golds, three silvers and two bronzes. Francesca, who had mild cerebral palsy, was representing the West Midlands Disability Squad. She was a member of Wyre Forest Swimming Club. Making splash: Francesca O'Connor.

April

APRIL: Baby wallaby, Willow, was receiving extra special care at West Midland Safari Park. The tiny creature was rescued from the pouch of her mother, who died in her sleep during a cold snap. Senior keeper, Angela Potter, was hand-rearing Willow, whose weight had doubled thanks to the care she was getting. The wallaby was named by Miss Potter's nine-year-old daughter, Shannon. Bouncing baby: Willow with senior keeper, Leanne Perkins.

March

MARCH: Store manager, Vernon Dix, took the plunge into a 100-litre custard bath in aid of Comic Relief. The boss of the Carpet Trades Way-based Sainsbury's in Kidderminster raised £15,000 for the cause through his efforts. Staff of the store joined in with the spirit of the event, taking part in their own bushtucker trial, eating unappetising foods in return for donations. Yellow peril: Vernon Dix bathes in custard.

March

MARCH: Pat Lancaster, of Stourport, conquered her fear of water brought on by a family tragedy to raise money for a charity aiding terminally ill cancer patients. She swam a mile in an hour and 45 minutes, just two months after her first swimming lesson, during the Swimathon at Stourport Sports Centre. The 65-year-old completed 64 25-metre pool lengths, watched by husband, Ted, raising £250 for Marie Curie Cancer Care. As a youngster, the drowning of her uncle in the sea had contributed to her fear of water. Conquered fear: Pat Lancaster.

March

MARCH: Pupils of Franche First School went wacky for Red Nose Day as people all over Wyre Forest did their bit for Comic Relief. The school's pupils and staff, like their counterparts at Birchen Coppice First School, paid to wear items of red clothing and take part in red-themed activities. Well red: From left, Franche First School pupils, Megan Bourne, Charlotte Hale and Oliver Birch.

April

APRIL: A pair of guinea pigs found stranded in a Far Forest ditch by a passer-by were recovering in the care of the RSPCA. The furry friends, named Bob and Alice by the RSPCA, were found by Nick Nevey, of Stourport, as he was taking his dog for a walk. The tree surgeon rang the animal charity after spotting the rodents in a car park near the Horse and Jockey pub.Judith Haw, RSPCA spokeswoman, said the guinea pigs were lucky to have been found, as they would have been unlikely to survive for long outside a domestic environment. Furry lucky: Nick Nevey with Alice and Bob.

April

APRIL: A Second World War air-raid siren, which was perched on top of Stourport's Steatite factory to warn against the approach of Hitler's bombers more than 60 years earlier, was donated to the Severn Valley Railway. The heritage railway had restored the siren and would demonstrate it during its popular 1940s weekends in the summer. The heavy cast-iron siren, about the size of a filing cabinet and weighing around a quarter of a ton, was presented to the SVR by the owners of the Steatite factory, Morgan Advanced Ceramics. It had been rescued 25 years before when the building on which it was placed was demolished. Wailing warning: Severn Valley Railway volunteers, Steve Fulcher, left, and Peter Haskett, who dressed up as air raid wardens during 1940s weekends, with the siren.