BROMSGROVE Rovers need a helping hand from teams around them if they are to salvage anything from their season. One point from two games over the Easter weekend has left them ninth in the Dr Martens Western - out of the Premier places - with just two
WORCESTER City Football Club has been told to stop pursuing its "impossible dream" of building a giant superstore to help pay for a new stadium. The blow was delivered yesterday when senior city councillors endorsed objections of a Government inspector
SIR Michael Spicer is to press the Highways Agency to erect a noise shield on a two-mile stretch of the M5 motorway as it passes Baughton, near Upton-upon-Severn. The West Worcestershire MP said noise levels had become intolerable as the amount of traffic
PRAISE for Worcestershire Royal Hospital has come from a patient who received life-saving treatment there last week. Eileen Yuce, of The Hopmarket, Worcester, who was rushed to hospital after a heart attack on Tuesday, was impressed with the level of
PHOTOGRAPHY enthusiasts have been going wild snapping entries for a competition to capture the best images of nature in Worcester. Entries for the Wild in Worcester have been flooding in, with images of plants, trees, animals and landscapes from throughout
CONCERNED residents campaigning for safety measures on a notorious accident blackspot near Droitwich are furious after being told the road does not justify "radical work". Hundreds of people have called for the lowering of speed limits on the A449 between
A MAN found dead in Gloucestershire with his hands and feet bound may be from Worcestershire, police believe. Detectives are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination on the man, who was discovered in the River Severn at Epney, Gloucestershire
AMAZING Amy has been dealt another cruel blow shortly after her last dose of chemotherapy for the leukaemia which almost claimed her life. Four-year-old Amy Lambert, who was given just one hour to live in 2002, was rushed to Birmingham's Children's Hospital
Monday, April 12, 2004 BROMSGROVE Rovers must have left The Grove wondering what they had done to deserve the luck they were dealt. Rovers hit the woodwork three times - twice from Wesley Joyce and once by Lee Williams - and saw an inspired Mark Sheils
MODEL Mum Nicky Worton and her daughter Kerrie Bishop felt fantastic after a day being pampered at a luxury health spa. The pair enjoyed a day at Obsession Salon and Spa, The Mailbox, in Birmingham, after winning a Mother's Day competition in the Evening
LIVES are being put at risk because people cut corners in gas safety. The Council For Registered Gas Installers, CORGI, has launched a new campaign, ''Never DIY with gas'', to warn homeowners of the dangers. Dubbed the silent killer, carbon monoxide (
BROMYARD came alive as residents and community groups took part in a pageant to coincide with the unveiling of a huge frieze depicting its history. A total of 380 people from about 40 of the town's organisations - including the brownies, cubs, Conquest
WORK has started on a bypass that was first proposed 17 years ago. The improvement to the Evesham bypass - a link road between Chadbury and Twyford - has been under consideration for 17 years as part of the proposal to improve the strategic highway network
A SOULFUL Bromsgrove vocalist will perform in Bromsgrove later this month. Louise Maguire and her funky jazz band, Life In A Tin, will be bringing smooth grooves to the Crabmill, in Birmingham Road, on Saturday, April 24. The group will play a selection
A NIGHT of good, solid country music is on the cards at a Droitwich Spa club this weekend. Dorn Valley Country Band will be performing at the End of the Trail Country Music Club this Saturday. The Oxfordshire-based group has played at the club before
JOBCENTRES and benefits offices in Worcestershire and Herefordshire have remained unaffected by a nationwide strike over pay. It has been business as usual for the two counties' workers at the Department of Work and Pensions, while elsewhere, 90,000 staff
EXPANDED housing plans in Diglis have been thrown out over fears of a lack of rented housing. Worcester City Council's planning committee was unhappy that the Albion Mill scheme did not include enough rented affordable housing. Martyn Single, from the
SCOUTS and Cubs from across Worcester are set to perform on a musical extravaganza in Droitwich tomorrow, Friday, April 16, and Saturday, April 17. Worcester District Scouts will present All That Jazz at the Norbury Theatre, with productions starting
FAMILIES spending time in Worcestershire beauty spots have been warned by police not to leave valuables in their cars. Officers have issued the alert after a handbag was stolen from the boot of a silver Vauxhall Astra parked in Hanbury Woods, near Droitwich
CAR owners in Worcestershire suffered a spate of vehicle thefts over the Easter weekend. A dark grey Vauxhall Vectra, registration DU51 WMM, was stolen from an address in Weir Lane, St John's, Worcester, between 8am and 9.15am on Friday. A gold Ford Fiesta
BRITAIN'S bid for gold medals at this year's Olympics has received a £500 boost from Worcester City Council. The authority last night agreed to hand over the cash to aid athletes' preparations for the Athens games in August. "It doesn't sound like much
IT'S not easy to find love when you are a Black Swan. Native to Australia, by law all Black Swans must be kept in captivity and their wings pinioned, so they can't breed in the wild and overwhelm the British swan population. But a lone cob first spotted
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club Men's Second XI have missed out on promotion by a single point. Simon Clifton's side finished with 38 points but were beaten to second place in West Midlands Division Two by Stafford. Bromsgrove had been in the promotion places
KICKBOXING champ Karl Bryant will be jetting off to Italy with younger brother Chris to represent the nation. The 14 year old Arrow Vale pupil beat off competition from all over the country in semi-contact and continuous events held at Nottingham to get
A HEADLESS Cross man who was isolated in a side room at the Alexandra Hospital has hit out at the conditions he endured. Sean King was admitted to the hospital suffering with a severe, highly contagious stomach bug commonly known as C Diff. Mr King was
A Wythall TaeKwon-do club had a double celebration this week with two of its members celebrating black belt promotion. Charles Baker and Geoff Heath were awarded their belts and certificates at the end of a gruelling day-long grading which saw more than
Redditch Swimming Club signalled their intention to return to Division One of the Nuneaton and District Junior League with an emphatic victory at Wombourne. Amassing an impressive 210 points, which included 18 first places, the club finished 17 points
ORNAMENTS worth between £25 and £350 were taken from a garden in Foxlydiate Crescent, Batchley. Eight stone ornaments, including a jardiniere featuring three ladies holding a pot, were taken between 7pm on Sunday, April 4, and 4pm the next day. A police
SPORTING stars from all over the town have been recognised for their achievements this year. The Worcestershire All Sports Programme (WASP) invited sporting individuals as well as representatives from teams from all over the county to the star-studded
Studley 2 Alvechurch 1 THE battle at the Beehive ended with Studley taking the spoils capping a roller coaster Easter weekend for the Bees. After losing by the single goal at Barwell, a rejuvenated Studley returned up for the derby clash on Monday and
AN upfront charge for a community alarm service, which may have been putting off elderly or disabled people from using the scheme, has been scrapped by Redditch Council. Instead of an initial payment of between £50-£124 for homeowners, a weekly service
ENGLISH Touring Opera, celebrating its 25th anniversary year, makes a first visit to Malvern next week. Accompanied by a full 26-piece orchestra, the critically acclaimed company will perform Mozart's famous The Marriage of Figaro and Benjamin Britten's
(HOME, away) April 24 KINGTON (1.30pm) May 1 Luctonians 8 BROMYARD 15 Eastnor 22 Chaddesley 29 NETHERTON 31 Ombersley June 5 PERSHORE 12 Stourbridge 19 Bewdley 26 Brockhampton July 3 Kington 10 LUCTONIANS 17 Bromyard 24 EASTNOR 31 CHADDESLEY August 7
(HOME, away) May 1 BARNARDS GREEN (1.30pm) 8 Coombs Wood 15 ENVILLE 22 Harborne 29 MARTLEY June 5 Lye 12 OLDSWINFORD 19 Rushwick 26 WORCESTER DOMINIES July 3 Barnards Green 10 COOMBS WOOD 17 Enville 24 HARBORNE 31 Martley August 7 LYE 14 Oldswinford 21
COMPLAINTS flooding in from Alvechurch, Beoley and Wythall about new refuse collection schemes have led to phone lines being jammed at Bromsgrove Council. The council's corporate director of services, Lesley Waller, apologised for any worry or inconvenience
HEREFORD United's title hopes are hanging by a thread after Chester City's 0-0 draw at Shrewsbury Town last night. Mark Wright's team can now clinch the Nationwide Conference championship with victory against Scarborough at the Deva Stadium at the weekend
MALVERN Town contest the Smedley Crooke Memorial Trophy semi-final at Bromyard tonight (7.45). Bromyard will be buoyed by Saturday's 4-2 win over Bustleholme, though Ted Baylis (head wound) may be a doubt. But Town are very unlikely to field a full strength
BROMSGROVE RFC First XV are attempting to repeat history this Saturday as they head to Derby for their winner takes all Midlands Two (West) championship decider. It is almost two years to the week since Bromsgrove travelled to Old Laurentians for the
FORMER England rugby captain Dean Richards MBE (pictured) was the guest of honour at Bromsgrove Rugby Club. Richards, who won 48 caps for his country and six for the British Lions, presented trophies and medals following the North Midlands U12s tournament
DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV play their final match of the season this Saturday away at Ledbury. Julian Bailey's side are looking to secure fifth place in Midlands Three West (South).
FOUR Bromsgrove rugby stars were on the losing side of an international fixture. Jordan Crane, Alan Keylock, George Robson and Matthew Mullan were part of the England Schools 18-Group side beaten 12-8 by Ireland at Newcastle on Good Friday. Crane, of
MARITAL relations are the subject of the Ullenhall Players' next production at Ullenhall Village Hall from April 21-24. Set in Yorkshire around 1900, When We Are Married by J B Priestly tells the story of three couples, all married on the same day by
IT'S crunch time for Headless Cross Ladies play third placed Marconi at the Abbey Stadium on Sunday (ko 2pm). Second placed Cross are two points behind leaders Coventry and have two games left to make sure they get promoted. With just two promotion spots
DROITWICH Spa RFC First XV play their final match of the season this Saturday away at Ledbury. Julian Bailey's side are looking to secure fifth place in Midlands Three West (South).
BROMSGROVE Rovers need a helping hand from teams around them if they are to salvage anything from their season. One point from two games over the Easter weekend has left them ninth in the Dr Martens Western - out of the Premier places - with just two
FORMER England rugby captain Dean Richards MBE (pictured) was the guest of honour at Bromsgrove Rugby Club. Richards, who won 48 caps for his country and six for the British Lions, presented trophies and medals following the North Midlands U12s tournament
MATT Hawker's solitary strike condemned Bromsgrove Rovers to defeat. Hawker struck a 41st minute winner at the Victoria Ground last Saturday to push Rovers into ninth place. Rovers had much more of the ball throughout the game. Time and time again good
Callowbrook Swifts U8s 1 Percival FC Enfield U8s 0 (After Extra Time) Declan Chinn's extra time winner ensured Swifts returned from their tour of Cornwall with the R&T Trophy, presented by former England international Tony Cottee (pictured). Lee Atkins
VICTORIA Barnt Green and New Olympic go head to head in the Advertiser/Messenger Cup final this Sunday. The top two sides in division one meet at Redditch United's Valley Stadium at 6.30pm. Latest results in the Advertiser/Messenger League Division One
THE Northfield Starlets Veterans resumed their usual Tuesday matches for the rest of the year, and this week they were at Moorlands Farm's Meadow pool. Taking a clear victory was Bill Drew (Bewdley) who short poled corn at peg 38 to take ten Carp for
WORCESTERSHIRE'S cricketers went before the cameras today for their pre-season photo-call at New Road. The picture opportunity was a break in the County's hectic build-up to the new campaign which starts in earnest next Wednesday, April 21, with a Frizzell
I AM beginning to question why exactly I am paying any council tax at all. Don't get me wrong I don't deny the chunk of money that goes to local schools (even though I didn't go to school here), or facilities such as libraries (even though I don't know
WAS I reading a late April Fool prank? Our council wants to encourage 'evening culture', more bars, and cafes opening late? Already pubs and clubs are closing at unprecedented rates across the area. Is this the same council which extended parking charge
WE now know the reason why Wychavon District Council has stopped the tokens for pensioners. As from April 17, there will be no buses to Hampton Lovett to spend them on. To begin with, we only have one bus per day each morning at 9.35am. This service was
CALLING all my fellow senior citizens. On April 26 it is the annual open Droitwich Spa Town Meeting. Last year at election time, town and district councillors promised to defend our travel tokens and bus services. Back in power, they sold us down the
EARLIER this month I attended a meeting hosted by parents whose children attend Rigby Hall School, Bromsgrove, who are gravely concerned regarding the Review of Special Schools currently being undertaken. Both myself and my co representative have attended
THERE had been reports of several thefts from hospitals in Bromsgrove, which included vital medical equipment. An x-ray machine, which had been bought with a £500 donation from Rubery Round Table has been stolen from the General, even before it had been
I AM beginning to question why exactly I am paying any council tax at all. Don't get me wrong I don't deny the chunk of money that goes to local schools (even though I didn't go to school here), or facilities such as libraries (even though I don't know
WAS I reading a late April Fool prank? Our council wants to encourage 'evening culture', more bars, and cafes opening late? Already pubs and clubs are closing at unprecedented rates across the area. Is this the same council which extended parking charge
THE resignation of Immigration Minister Beverley Hughes reinforces The Freedom Association's call for a full public debate on immigration and population growth. We have consistently warned that immigration from Eastern Europe is out of control and is
RESPONDING to the letter from a Harwood Park reader recently printed under the heading 'Expanding properties' we would like to respond. It seems this person has nothing better to do than call us 'NIMBYS' ( Not In My Back Yard). If the nosey reader had
I WOULD like to thank very much, our volunteers who turned out to participate in Rubery's bi-annual clean up day. A huge amount of rubbish and litter was collected and bagged for removal. I want particularly to thank the members of the Air Force Cadets
CALLING all my fellow senior citizens. On April 26 it is the annual open Droitwich Spa Town Meeting. Last year at election time, town and district councillors promised to defend our travel tokens and bus services. Back in power, they sold us down the
A FORMER Bromsgrove student is bringing night fever to Birmingham in a lavish new musical. Alex Jessop is starring as main player Bobby C in a production of 'Saturday Night Fever' at the Hippodrome Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday, April 24. The show
Wednesday, April 14 Film: Finding Nemo, Cinemac, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 1pm. Show: Treasure Island, Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry. Until Saturday. Show: Jesus Christ Super Star, Swan Theatre, Worcester. Until Saturday. Music:
OUR guest speaker in February was Chris Carley, well known to us through her visits to Wychbold with the Droitwich Spa Salvation Army, of which she is a committed officer. She spoke of her several years of nursing during the mid-1970's in what was then
THE society's social evening in the village hall was very well attended. Guest speaker, Judy Berrows, county organiser for the National Gardens Scheme, gave a full and fascinating account of the history of the scheme, which benefits district nurses, hospices
A visit to Witley Court was the theme of the evening when Catshill WI members gathered for their March meeting. Mr and Mrs Betts, an accomplished husband and wife team of photographers, gave an interesting talk and slide show on the history of this famous
CHILDREN at a Bromsgrove school held a special assembly to celebrate their history topic, The Mayflower, the ship which carried the first pilgrims to America. History-loving tots at Fairfield First School studied the story of the ship on the internet
ROLL up! Roll up! From the smell of the sawdust to the dazzling lights, the circus experience is nothing short of magical. Next week the circus comes to Bromsgrove so I visited the famous show and was almost seduced into running away with them. As a little
STUDENTS at Waseley Hills High School learnt a lesson in law when they spent a day carrying out a mock trial. The pupils went to Worcester magistrates court and battled it out with Evesham High School and Prince Henry School, Evesham, in mock court cases
A BRICKLAYER, electrician, administrator, museum director and the Bishop of Worcester are among 18 people commemorated in wood and stone for their contribution to the town's Avoncroft museum. The faces of these people are depicted in stone and wooden
CHILDREN at St Peters have had a busy Lent raising money for a Thai orphanage. The kind-hearted tots braved the April showers to do a sponsored walk round the school playing fields, earning pounds for each lap. Cash raised at the event will go to the
FUTURE generations in Finstall will have good reason to thank present day youngsters who, keen to improve their environment, gave up their leisure time to plant trees in the village. About 16 children responded to a call from the parish council to roll
A CHARFORD watering hole has helped fulfil the dreams of a seriously ill young man. Twenty-year-old Michael Bates has just returned from a long-awaited trip to the Black Mountains, something he has wanted to do for several years. Michael, from Wordsley
EASTER treats made for double the reason to party at a special needs children's group. Little Oaks Special Needs Children's Club, based at Providence Road, Sidemoor, celebrated its 10th birthday on Saturday.
ANGRY market traders in Bromsgrove say they face being forced out of business if the town's Market Hall is torn down and replaced by an open sided building. As revealed on our front page last week a covered market building is included in ambitious sketch
PERFORMANCES from some of the world's brightest young musicians will kick off the annual Bromsgrove Festival tomorrow (Thursday). The preliminary rounds of the International Young Musicians Platform will run at the New Guesten Hall at Avoncroft Museum
WHETHER we like it or not we are in a rut again! As much as we've tried to ensure we avoid a repeat of previous seasons, we find ourselves slipping off the pace again. Although the campaign is nearing its end and the pitches are drying up and everybody
THE Lady Dudley Cup, one of point-to-point racing's most prestigious trophies and the feature race at the Worcestershire meeting at Chaddesley Corbett this Saturday, has attracted 43 entries. The race, first run in 1897, could turn out to be one of the
the regular town spotlight meetings are interesting, clear and understandable, a new survey reveals. More than 300 townsfolk were sent a questionnaire to gauge their feelings about the spotlight meetings, which are organised by Bromsgrove District Council
HUNDREDS of pounds of damage and a serious concern for safety has prompted police to again remind parents to be aware of the whereabouts of their children. Droitwich shopping precinct manager, Kevin O'Hara, is at the end of his tether with youths finding
A BIG-hearted Spa man is preparing to run the 26-mile Flora London Marathon in memory of his late grandfather, who died of cancer. Thirty-year-old Ian Webley, of Monnow Close, hopes to raise a total of £1,500 for Cancer Research UK. His bosses at Black
MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has been in talks with the Highways Agency and police over the safety of the A449 between Ombersley and Claines. At a recent meeting with contractors AmeyMouchel and West Mercia Constabulary, Mr Luff discussed the progress
THERE will be summer fun and entertainment for the entire family when the Droitwich "Sounds" Music Festival kicks off. This year, the retail association, For Droitwich Spa, which was formerly known as DARTS, is organising the week-long event from Sunday
FRIDGE bassist Adem is obviously so illustrious he doesn't need a surname. Adem probably thinks he's in the same league as Elvis or Simon and Garfunkel - but unfortunately this couldn't be further from the truth. I don't believe many would have heard
JOHN Brain has paid tribute to Werner Swanepoel after the South African made his decision to return home. Worcester's director of rugby brought the scrum half to the club two years ago and he believes his input on and off the field has been a significant
AS a headteacher, I feel I must protest at the way some Redditch schools are currently being kicked around as political footballs. When a school's pupil numbers fall too low, the school becomes extremely difficult to manage and eventually it is impossible
REDDITCH youngsters can sail through spring with the Youth Afloat group at Arrow Valley Country Park. Based at the Countryside Centre, the trust enables children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to take part in outdoor activities such
WITH the 60th anniversary of D-Day approaching, this association is trying to contact as many former members as possible to recount their memories before they are forgotten. The Pioneer Corps landed more personnel on that day than any other regiment or
THE people of Redditch have been given a kick in the teeth by their councillors, who recently decided the funding paid to the Citizens Advice Bureau should be cut by 10 per cent for the next three years. This can only have an adverse effect on the service
I FEEL it would be in the interest of the community that they are made aware of the council funding cuts. All agencies that are funded by the council do valuable work in their relevant field. The Citizens Advice Bureau has always been overstretched and
AT a meeting on Monday, March 29, Redditch Council gave pre-planning permission for a communications mast on the roof of the town hall. The council has a "duty of care" to its employees at the town hall, to provide them with safe working conditions, not
I DID not realise Morton Stanley Park was for the exclusive use of dogs and their owners. My friend and I took our young children for a picnic last week and we were not prepared for the events that followed. We were subjected to not one but two attacks
By Helen Clarke A WOMAN with a love of all things feline has devised a purr-fect re-homing scheme for those cats which are no longer called kittens but are still young at heart. Patti Smith-Owens, a volunteer for Friends of Birmingham Shelter Cats Protection
IT seems increasingly important to take health and safety into account in all areas of life these days. Organising three rambles a month, two of seven to 10 miles and one of four to six miles, the group certainly contributes to the health and well being
THE new season began with an excellent talk on Francis Kilvert by historian Ralph Richardson. Robert Francis Kilvert was an obscure priest who lived from 1840-79. He became well known when his diaries were published in the 1930s. Originally there were
AT the March meeting, Mr Stanton gave a lecture on the history of road signs and street furniture. Mr Stanton is a road sign historian with an international reputation who has been researching the subject for 33 years and has built up a remarkable collection
THIS picture of the fire brigade printed in our Memory Lane column on March 31 prompted a bit of head scratching among readers. It was actually the brigade of Herbert Terry's factory, off Millsbro Road in Smallwood - not British Aluminium. Clifford Taylor
THE meeting opened with a minute's silence in memory of Doreen Ansell, who had been such a part of the WI both as a member and a hard-working president, and who will be sadly missed. Secretary Margaret Harrison told members about several interesting trips
April 16, 1954 IT is expected the new Studley Road school will be completed by Easter next year, Redditch District Education Committee was told at its meeting last Friday. But, said the clerk, Mr WA Sharpe, the matter had been discussed with the education
April 19, 1904 HENRY Hawkes and George Heath, lads, were summoned for playing football near the railway station. Pc Penlington proved the case. Heath said it was only a halfpenny ball and the policeman had taken it. Supt Hayes said the boys had become
THE Lady Dudley Cup, one of point-to-point racing's most prestigious trophies and the feature race at the Worcestershire meeting at Chaddesley Corbett this Saturday, has attracted 43 entries. The race, first run in 1897, could turn out to be one of the
A NEWSAGENT in Headless Cross was left fuming after receiving a £50 fine for recycling papers. Andrew Allcott, who lives and works in Rectory Road, had taken several bundles of newspapers to the recycling bank in Tesco car park, Oakenshaw. After leaving
ALVECHURCH villagers will be out in force with red roses and red and white lapel badges on April 23 for a fun-packed St George's Day celebration. At 10.30am, the red and white flag of England's patron saint will be unfurled from the top of St Laurence's
ChanneL 4 is looking for families from Redditch to take part in a new series of the hit TV show Wife Swap. The programme was one of the biggest hits of last year and saw the wives of two families swap places during 10 days of filming. Any families interested
A JOINT housing scheme designed to help young people in supported housing is celebrating the success of its first nine months. The Move On Scheme began last June and is operated by a partnership involving Redditch Council, the town's YMCA , Step Out Drop
THE skate park on Alcester's Conway Fields may have to be demolished following another bout of vandalism. Alcester Town Council has set up a working party to decide the future of the wooden ramps, which are attacked and repaired on an almost daily basis
A serial arsonist who set fire to a Redditch guest house is facing a long prison sentence. Trevor Woods, aged 57, of Mount Pleasant, Redditch, pleaded guilty to arson while reckless whether life was endangered. He was remanded in custody at Worcester
THE man responsible for clearing up after acts of vandalism in the town has called for public co-operation to catch the culprits. Richard Hands works in the parks and open spaces of the town on behalf of Alcester Town Council and in Hopkins Precinct for
KINGSLEY College students have proved they have great heads for figures after excelling in a national maths challenge. The pupils sat the Intermediate Maths Challenge in February and the school has now received two gold, three silver and seven bronze
HOME and garden enthusiasts were tempted by an array of goods at a three-day show at Ragley Hall at the weekend. The Country Homes and Gardens show, organised by a Buckinghamshire-based company, also featured cooking demonstrations and gardeners' question
THERE was a recent note of success for Sergeant Mark Evans, of Mappleborough Green, after he was chosen to join the exclusive Bandmaster's Course at the historic Royal Military School of Music. Sgt Evans, 31, is one of only a few students each year to
IAIN Blaikie believes in providing the best facilities for his students. But after a trip to Siberia, the headteacher of Alcester Grammar School has new views of what that entails. Mr Blaikie was one of a group of UK headteachers taking part in a programme
MARKS & Spencer's Worcester branch is thriving, according to new manager Martin Woodhouse on the day the retail giant revealed another drop in trade. Figures revealed year-on-year sales were down more than 3 per cent in the 11 weeks to March 27. However
TOWN criers from around the country gathered in Alcester on Saturday for the annual Town Criers' Competition. Trevor Heeks was crowned champion. Last year's winner, Peterborough crier Pearl Capewell, was second and third was George Carpenter, from Wotton
YOUNG sportsmen and women at Bidford on Avon Primary School have welcomed the opening of the new pavilion at the school.
A TEAM of scientists from Alcester Grammar School has won the West Midlands section of an online competition. The Science Race 2004 was organised by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and attracted students from more than 1,000 schools
REDDITCH air cadets are to go the extra mile to help people living with cancer. A team of cadets and staff from 216 (Redditch) Sqn ATC are taking part in the Macmillan Miles challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief . The event, which takes
WORCESTER'S speed cameras are slowing drivers down in the city centre. A total of 3,194 drivers have been caught exceeding the speed limit since March 12, when five new cameras "went live" at the southbound carriageway of City Walls Road, Rainbow Hill
A VILLAGE is in shock and mourning after the launch of a police investigation into an "unexplained" death of a baby within months of another sudden infant death in the tight-knit community. Ambulance and police were called to an address in the sleepy
FIRMS in the centre of Worcester have been criticised by a city councillor for not offering to help fund the troubled High Street improvement scheme. City councillor Ian Imray condemned traders for spurning an appeal by the Mayor of Worcester, Coun Gareth
A CLOSE friend of Tamara Whitty's family has said he would be willing to give up his complimentary flu jab for a toddler. Len Hutton, known as "Grandpa Len" to the Worcester toddler who died suddenly from a vicious flu strain last November, said he believed
Saturday, April 10, 2004 MATT Hawker's solitary strike condemned Bromsgrove Rovers to defeat. Hawker struck a 41st minute winner at the Victoria Ground last Saturday to push Rovers into ninth place. Rovers had much more of the ball throughout the game
PUPILS have proved they have pride in their city after blitzing their Worcester schools of a total of 246 bags of rubbish. Twelve schools and 1,300 pupils took part in the Keeping Worcester Tidy Week that saw tonnes of crisp packets, cans and other litter
A burglar was given a chance by a judge to get help with quitting drugs. While serving his current jail term for dangerous driving, Joseph Smith, of Meadow End, Evesham, was also convicted of a burglary at a trial last month. He is set to be released
BEAUTIFUL music will be performed in a Dodford church next month. Singers from Fairfield, Belbroughton and Clent are joining forces with a highly acclaimed early music vocal group called Opus Anglicanum. On Saturday, May 15, all the singers will meet
JAZZED up scouts will be swinging into a Droitwich Spa theatre later this week. The Worcester District Scout Council is putting on Scouts and All that Jazz at the Norbury Theatre from tomorrow (Thursday) until Saturday. Performances will run at 7.30pm
THREE balaclava-wearing raiders escaped empty-handed when they were disturbed breaking into a Pershore business. The gang, all wearing dark clothes, drove off in a stolen blue Audi after aborting their Broad Street raid at around 11.30pm on Monday. The
A PETROL station attendant was hurt in a terrifying knife attack in Studley on Friday evening. The young man, who was serving at the Texaco garage in Alcester Road, was attacked when two men entered the service station and stole cigarettes at about 8pm
POLICE are appealing for information after a man grabbed a woman as she was walking along Ipsley Street, near the town centre. The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 16, at about 10.15pm. As the woman was walking down the road, a car pulled out of Spice
"IT'S still in our hands," said a disappointed Rod Brown as United's once imperious grip on the Western division now looks less certain. It was definitely Easter weekend to forget for the Reds as they suffered a 2-0 loss at strugglers Cinderford and could
ASTWOOD Bank speedster Andy Tinsley claimed his first win of the season in round two of the Superstocks Championship at Brands Hatch. The Tinman, who is out to regain his champion status, is now top of the championship table after the Easter Monday win
CHURCH Hill's year 5 netball squad have just been crowned champions of Redditch. In the Redditch under 10s netball tournament, held at St Bede's Holloway Lane school, Church Hill humiliated the competition after winning all their six matches.
IT seems you can set your clock by Worcester City's end-of-season demise. The first whiff of summer and bang - off the boil they go. It's the St George's Lane equivalent of Groundhog Day but no laughing matter for John Barton who after three defeats in
THERE was a nice surprise for young patients at the Alexandra Hospital's children's ward when a kind-hearted company presented TVs, computer games and videos. Employees of Kenilworth-based Midmark held various events, including a sponsored walk around
A 30-YEAR vision on how to manage waste in Redditch and the county has been produced. The county council's Joint Municipal Waste Strategy contains principles, policies and targets which all authorities have signed up to. But now the group which produced
REDDITCH'S Palace Theatre has pulled off a coup with the opening date of Ian Dickens Production's hilarious Westminster farce Out of Order next month. And tickets are already selling fast for this star-studded show, which features Paul Shane, of TV's
Feckenham 4 Bolehall Swifts 3 A SEVEN-goal thriller at the Valley saw the Millers take another three points and put their dismal run well and truly behind them. Lee Adams' men have taken seven points from nine putting the on course for a solid top six
A DAY in the life of an amnesiac is the subject of comedy Fuddy Meers at The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, from Friday. Written by award-winning American playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, the Rep performances mark the show's European premiere before
SO the new cricket season will soon be upon us. Once again our six local sides will do battle in the Birmingham and District League and Worcestershire County Leagues. And once again the Advertiser/Messenger will follow every ball in our top weekly coverage
Saturday, April 17 FOOTBALL Dr Martens Western - Bromsgrove Rovers v Cinderford Town (3pm). Midland Combination Division Two - Droitwich Spa v Handsworth United (2.45pm). RUGBY Midlands Two (West) - Derby v Bromsgrove. Midlands Three West (South) - Ledbury
TWO Bromsgrove cricketers have made an early start to the season by facing first class opposition. Bromsgrove Cricket Club skipper Nick Davies and Nick Husbands both represented Herefordshire against Gloucestershire last Saturday. Davies, who has been
Thursday, April 15 Saturday Night Fever, Birmingham Hippodrome. Until April 24. Tickets from 0870 730 1234. Mixed Feelings, Festival Theatre, Malvern. Until April 17. Tickets from 01684 892277. Mrs Brown's Last Wedding, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.
(HOME, away) May 1 Wellington (1pm) 8 HALESOWEN 15 Himley 22 MOSELEY 29 OLD HILL 31 Cannock June 5 COVENTRY & NW 12 WALSALL 19 Water Orton 26 WB Dartmouth July 3 KNOWLE & DORRIDGE 10 WELLINGTON 17 Halesowem 24 HIMLEY 31 Moseley August 7 Old Hill
(HOME, away) May 1 Kenilworth Wardens (1pm) 8 STRATFORD 15 WOLVERHAMPTON 22 Aston Unity 31 LEAMINGTON SPA June 5 Dorridge 12 Kidderminster Victoria 19 SHREWSBURY 26 Smethwick July 3 HARBORNE 10 KENILWORTH WARDENS 17 Stratford 24 Wolverhampton 31 ASTON
(HOME, away) May 1 Tenbury (1.30pm) 8 OLD HALESONIANS 15 Old Vigornians 22 STOURBRIDGE 29 Alveley June 5 AMBLECOTE & WOLLASTON 12 Birlingham 19 CLAVERLEY 26 Hanley Castle & Upton July 3 TENBURY 10 Old Halesonians 17 OLD VIGORNIANS 24 Stourbridge
(HOME, away) May 1 West Malvern (1.30pm) 8 HIGHLEY 15 Knighton-On-Teme 22 STONE 29 Alvechurch & Hopwood June 5 BARNARDS GREEN 12 Belbroughton 19 BRINTONS 26 Chain-Wire July 3 WEST MALVERN 10 Highley 17 KNIGHTON-ON-TEME 24 Stone 31 ALVECHURCH &
DANNY McDonnell is a serious doubt for Saturday's crunch clash with Eastbourne Borough after being laid low by a bout of salmonella poisoning. Worcester City's star goalkeeper, who missed their disappointing 2-0 defeat at Stafford Rangers on Monday, was
JOHN Brain has paid tribute to Werner Swanepoel after the South African made his decision to return home. Worcester's director of rugby brought the scrum half to the club two years ago and he believes his input on and off the field has been a significant
WORCESTERSHIRE'S cricketers went before the cameras today for their pre-season photo-call at New Road. The picture opportunity was a break in the County's hectic build-up to the new campaign which starts in earnest next Wednesday, April 21, with a Frizzell
CAUGHT At Dawn and jockey Tim Weston took the plaudits at the Croome and West Warwickshire Hunt point-to-point meeting at Upton-upon-Severn yesterday. The partnership scored their fourth win of the season in the Mixed Open for Novice Riders. Sent off
WORCESTER City's academy youngsters will bid for cup success tonight in the final of the Worcestershire FA Youth Cup. Ray Woods's side will be up against Sutton Coldfield Town at St George's Lane in a 7.45 kick off with the visitors starting as favourites
ALL roads led to Great Witley's Walsgrove Farm for the annual Red Marley Freak Hill Climb. Around 3,500 spectators turned up for the action-packed motorcycle event. The historic event, which has been a roaring success since it was revived in 2000 after
BROMSGROVE RFC First XV are attempting to repeat history this Saturday as they head to Derby for their winner takes all Midlands Two (West) championship decider. It is almost two years to the week since Bromsgrove travelled to Old Laurentians for the
BARNT Green Spartak have secured their second successive promotion by winning the Midland Combination Division One championship. GJ Singh's side, who won division two last season, wrapped up the crown with three victories in a week. They defeated Stockingford
BROMSGROVE Rovers must have left The Grove wondering what they had done to deserve the luck they were dealt. Rovers hit the woodwork three times - twice from Wesley Joyce and once by Lee Williams - and saw an inspired Mark Sheils make several saves. The
FAIRFIELD Villa eased their relegation worries with a 4-1 thumping of Stockingford AA. Neil Gallagher's side, under early pressure last Saturday, took the lead on 12 minutes when Wayne Davies cut in from the right and fired a left footed shot past goalkeeper
DROITWICH Spa's hopes of reaching the Midland Combination Challenge Vase final were dashed with defeat at Wellesbourne. Kevin Blaber's side, leading 3-2 from the first leg, were beaten 3-0 on Easter Monday to end up on the wrong end of a 5-3 aggregate
"IT'S still in our hands," said a disappointed Rod Brown as United's once imperious grip on the Western division now looks less certain. It was definitely Easter weekend to forget for the Reds as they suffered a 2-0 loss at strugglers Cinderford and could
THE resignation of Immigration Minister Beverley Hughes reinforces The Freedom Association's call for a full public debate on immigration and population growth. We have consistently warned that immigration from Eastern Europe is out of control and is
I WOULD like to thank very much, our volunteers who turned out to participate in Rubery's bi-annual clean up day. A huge amount of rubbish and litter was collected and bagged for removal. I want particularly to thank the members of the Air Force Cadets
DANNY McDonnell is a serious doubt for Saturday's crunch clash with Eastbourne Borough after being laid low by a bout of salmonella poisoning. Worcester City's star goalkeeper, who missed their disappointing 2-0 defeat at Stafford Rangers on Monday, was
THE district council was considering three designs that had been submitted for the layout of the new Sanders Park off Kidderminster Road. Meanwhile, the four-acre former tip nearby was to be leased at a peppercorn rent as a playing field for Watt Close
"SUNDAY -- how shall we keep it?" was the subject of the latest special service for working men at St John's Church, Bromsgrove. The vicar, in his sermon, pinpointed three areas for consideration. They were rest of the body and soul, not simply lying
RUGBY League side Worcestershire Saints has moved to Kings Norton's popular Hopwood home for the coming season. The Rugby League south west division team, which struggled last year with just three wins from 10, will be hoping for better results as they
IS your house Behaving Badly? Could your house look like paradise if only you had the time? Then Houses Behaving Badly - a new BBC show from BBC Birmingham wants to hear from you! l cupboards crammed with clutter l cookers caked with unidentified frying
WE now know the reason why Wychavon District Council has stopped the tokens for pensioners. As from April 17, there will be no buses to Hampton Lovett to spend them on. To begin with, we only have one bus per day each morning at 9.35am. This service was
EARLIER this month I attended a meeting hosted by parents whose children attend Rigby Hall School, Bromsgrove, who are gravely concerned regarding the Review of Special Schools currently being undertaken. Both myself and my co representative have attended
SATURDAY Night Fever is now gripping the Midlands with the hit West End musical disco currently on stage. The popular musical will be dancing its way daily onto the Birmingham Hippodrome stage through until April 24. Stephane Anelli, who plays the role
CYNTHIA Hughes will be showing members of a flower-arranging group that anything goes tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon. The experienced craftswoman will be sharing her expertise with the Bromsgrove and District Flower Arrangement Society from 2.30pm at All
MEMBERS thoroughly enjoyed Neil Cook's presentation about the restoration of the gardens at Hanbury Hall. He always gets his subject across with a gentle humour. Our first outing will be on August 4 to Abbey House Gardens, Malmsbury, and then to the Tetbury
THE AGM was held in February and Ruth Bottomley was elected chairman for a fifth year. Peggy Mears was re-elected as secretary for a fourth year and an honorary membership was awarded to Pat Kay. The annual awards were presented to the winning members
MAGGIE Parker's work is all about getting people back on their feet. Maggie has joined the Red Cross as assistant co-ordinator for the Home from Hospital project in Bromsgrove and Redditch. Based at the town's Princess of Wales Community Hospital, Maggie
FAST-walking girl guides from Rubery put their clogs forward and won a challenge against tough opposition. The team of four from the 150th Birmingham Guides took part in the eight-mile hiking competition in the Wyre Forest, near Bewdley, and picked up
RESIDENTS whose lives are being made a misery by yobs this week resolved to fight back against the problem. Youths hanging around Cofton Hackett are lighting fires, vandalising property and terrorising elderly residents with childish pranks. Firefighters
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IF you like watching hard drugs being injected in close up, graphic scenes or a woman being handcuffed to a bed and left there for a couple of days while she struggles and screams for release, then this is the film for you. There are few more details
A mother-of-two has been jailed for seven years for her part in a £6.5 million conspiracy to smuggle drugs into Britain. Gayle Formby, of Shrubbery Road, Bromsgrove, gave her husband Martin, one of the gang's ringleaders, "moral support", said Judge Michael
A PLAN to engage highly paid fund managers to oversee Bromsgrove District Council's £30m investments has angered the opposition Labour group. They claim the task could be done, as it was in the past, by the council's own treasurer, who enjoys a salary
RUBERY teenagers are being urged to voice their views on how a grant of £250,000 should be spent to improve facilities in their village. Young people are being asked to fill in an online questionnaire to gauge what facilities they would like and where
IT was no surprise that rubbish featured prominently in debates when Bromsgrove District Council met for its full April meeting. Last Tuesday was the first time councillors had had the opportunity to air their views and those of residents in their respective
ROLL up! Roll up! From the smell of the sawdust to the dazzling lights, the circus experience is nothing short of magical. Next week the circus comes to Bromsgrove so I visited the famous show and was almost seduced into running away with them. As a little
PETER Weir's film is a masterly study of men at war on the high seas during the Napolionic era. It probably would have come away with more than just a brace of awards at this year's Oscars had it not been out-gunned by the final instalment of Lord of
Maybe the writers and directors, the Wachowski brothers, had bitten off more than they can chew with the Matrix trilogy. Or maybe it's just the law of diminishing returns at play as stunts, sets and effects get ever bigger and the budget goes through
Father-of-four Tony, of Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove, had worked in advertising and as an art director for a greeting card company for many years. But he had always wanted to write children's books and kept submitting ideas to publishers until his first book
Anastasia is back with a bang with this heady mix of 80s style rock and thoughtful, soul-searching lyrics. Her self-titled album follows the artist's gruelling ordeal last year in which she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent months of radiation
MORE than 140 golfers took part in events at Bromsgrove Golf Club last weekend to complete the April medal compeititons. In the men's section, Stephen Holmes fired a nett 67 to win division one while Daniel Downes' nett 68 won him division two. Roy Shotton
IT is an indisputable fact of life that the best stories are the true ones. But then being a journalist, I guess I would say that! And as is so often the case with such tales, if Hollywood had made a film with this plot, it would have been dismissed as
KINGFISHER Centre shoppers will be able to treat themselves to manicures and massages as part of a five-day health and wellbeing event. From Saturday until next Wednesday, the centre will be hosting a programme including sports demonstrations and make-up
THREE Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic Club runners joined 30,000 others to take part in the Paris Marathon. Rowena Bales, Gordon Marshall and Huw Jenkins took to the streets of the French capital on Sunday, April 4. All three performed well with Marshall
SCHOOL governors have reacted angrily to what they claim is "scaremongering" about school closures by Redditch MP Jacqui Smith. The governors of Woodrow's Dingleside Middle School hit out after recent rumours of possible school mergers - which they say
EVEN before two much-vaunted Redditch cinema projects have got off the ground, one developer is casting doubt over the "deliverability" of another's scheme. In a planning report by Harris Lamb Chartered Surveyors on behalf of Abbey Stadium developers
A WILDLIFE consultant has been called in to carry out a study at a Redditch pond which anglers believe has led to the death of thousands of fish and several birds. Redditch Council's environmental team is drawing up plans to dig out all the silt from
REDDITCH police are to take stronger action against offenders and will be stepping up the amount of prosecutions they carry out. The get-tough stance is to ensure persistent offenders or violent criminals feel the full weight of the law. Detective Chief
AS the 'gentleman' who is engaged in the hedge laying along Evesham Road from Crabbs Cross to Astwood Bank, I would like to thank Keith Enston for his kind and favourable comments on the project's results and the activity as a whole (Letters, March 31
WHAT a wonderful afternoon was spent on March 26 at the official opening of Matchborough First School when invited guests, including Jacqui Smith MP, were very well entertained. The pupils and staff did themselves proud by singing the world premier of
I absolutely agree with the sentiments of those readers who wrote in about the recent senseless killing of the swan at Arrow Valley Lake and the amount of litter and vandalism on our streets. Where has responsibility towards one's environment gone? Why
TWO pupils at Ridgeway Middle School have been chosen to receive Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Awards for their outstanding contribution to the school. William Brazier and Christopher Devey, both 13, were chosen because of the inspirational qualities
AS Councillor Karen Lumley has asked me a direct question (Letters, April 7), I would like to answer her and make it plain I am not talking for anyone but myself. I have a 10-year-old daughter at a Redditch school and doing very well thank you, and a
A NIGHTCLUB customer lost a front tooth and had another fractured in a vicious attack, Worcester Crown Court heard. James Emms, aged 24, of Cardy Close, Redditch, pleaded guilty to wounding Nicholas Whitmore on November 28 last year. Judge Andrew Geddes
REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith is urging residents to get involved in a consultation exercise which will shape the future of town planning. The council is consulting on the Local Plan, which contains a strategy for the next decade or so on how Redditch should
RESIDENTS are warned to stay alert for an enticing mail scam which is currently rife in Worcestershire. Trading standards officers have been swamped by complaints from the public about a congratulatory letter they have received. The residents, mainly
A REDDITCH teacher has come back from Germany where he investigated how the use of computers and IT differs there from schools in England. Walkwood Middle School deputy headteacher Colin Merriman was also invited to the German Embassy in London to meet
MEMBERS were welcomed to the first meeting in March by chairman Jenny Johnson, who thanked members for their donation of £25 to the RNLI in memory of the late Diana Wheeler. Speaker Annette Dickins, a JP in the Birmingham area, shared her memories of
THE Bromsgrove and Redditch Club held its 38th AGM on April 1 at Perry Hall Hotel, Bromsgrove. There was a good attendance of members and president Judy Green led the meeting. Treasurer Cynthia Hammond gave a full report of the finances and announced
April 13, 1979 WHEN James Duncombe drove to victory in a west Germany "rally" several weeks ago, he wasn't behind the wheel of a highly modified saloon car. Instead, the ex-Bridley Moor High School pupil was at the control of a half-ton army Land Rover
A HIGH-visibility poster campaign on buses in Redditch is being launched to keep the spotlight on the police's Rat on a Rat initiative. The campaign was launched last year with the aim of increasing the number of calls to the Crimestoppers hotline with
"ROLL out the barrel" was the order of the day at a Redditch pub when staff did their bit for a good cause. The Bramley Cottage in Callow Hill was the starting point for staff who rolled a cask ale barrel six miles for Macmillan Cancer Relief last Tuesday
YOUNG people from Studley and Alcester celebrated at a passing out parade recently after completing a FireBreak youth education programme. Joe Bragg, Stephanie Campbell, Ben Crookson, all from Studley, and Jamie Quirke, of Alcester, were four of 17 members
VISITORS may warm to the latest theme at Forge Mill Needle Museum with an unusual display of Amish quilts. The quilts are from the personal collection of Jan Jefferson, who is from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A museum spokesman said: "Jan uses the quilts
REDDITCH bosses are being warned they could be liable if employees are struck down by a potentially fatal disease found in water systems. Cases of Legionnaires Disease are on the increase across Worcestershire, according to Rentokil, and steps are now
A WARWICKSHIRE lad won the Heart of England Town Criers Championship in Alcester on Saturday, on behalf of his adopted home in Wiltshire. Trevor Heeks has lived in Trowbridge for 35 years but grew up in Shipston. He became a town crier 18 years ago, making
LEN Wade has played a lot of leading roles in Alcester. For many years he was at the centre of the town's political arena. He has been on the Court Leet and was a founder member of the Alcester Vallet Twinning Association and he has also been a key player
SKATEBOARDERS and BMXers can roll along to a free party at Redditch Skate Park on Monday. Redditch Wheels Project, the charity that manages the skatepark, has teamed up with Connexions, a youth service providing support and positive activities for young
RESIDENTS who would like to be beside the seaside this summer can take advantage of a trip organised by the Rotary Club of Alcester. The club is taking about 50 people to Blackpool during the first week in June, offering door-to-door transport, full board
RESIDENTS claim small birds have disappeared from a residential part of Alcester since workmen cleared a controversial dog walking area. Lavinia Nixon, who lives in Jubilee Court, has always enjoyed watching tits and robins feed on the nuts hanging from
ANYONE wishing to put their vocal skills to the test for a good cause can join the Primrose Choir, which holds hugely popular concerts each year. The choir was formed by Kay Hadley four years ago and since then, the 32-member group has raised about £6,000
ALCESTER folk turned out to watch the traditional Easter parade along High Street on Monday. Led by High Bailiff Keith Tomlinson, his wife Cath and their three-year-old granddaughter Ellie Short, the parade featured representations from churches and organisations
A UNIQUE event will be taking place at a Feckenham church this month which will unite two cultures in a concert of celebration and hope. On Tuesday, April 27, from 7.30pm, the Chililabombwe Young People's Choir from Zambia will be raising the rafters
DUE to popular demand, Studley Village Hall's coffee morning will now run an extra day a week on a Thursday. The coffee shop, in the foyer of the hall in High Street, currently opens between 10am-noon on a Monday and Tuesday. Organiser Hazel Wright said
A SMOKE detector failed to alert a Batchley man to the fire in his kitchen - because the battery had been removed. Firefighters were called to the house in Batchley Road when a neighbour smelled smoke. They found the householder unconscious and resuscitated
COUNTRYSIDE Bird Farm, Gardens and Pottery in Feckenham will be opening its doors to the public in aid of the Diabetes UK scheme from Monday, May 29 to May 31. There will be a plant stall and the pottery will be open, as well as more than 44 different
AN electrical store employee has 'pulled the plug' on his job after 50 years of working for the same company. Grandfather Tony Barber began working for Currys at the age of 15 when it was in Market Place. After completing National Service, he returned
IF music be the food of love, get married! Teachers Jennifer Argent and Austin Poll have done just that, tying the knot at St Nicholas' Church on Monday. The bride is a flautist, has lived in Arrow for the past 11 years and has pupils at Alcester High
THE Redditch Pakistan Community Forum is celebrating a cash windfall which will allow it to employ a worker to help with the administration it needs to carry out. The organisation has been given about £7,000 to fund the position from the Lloyds TSB Foundation
