A POPULAR rock and roll and blues band now needs someone else. Somethin'ELSE, the band that opened last year's Droitwich Music Festival, are in search of a new frontman after vocalist Richard Smith decided to quit to concentrate on recording original
The Vagina Monologues, Artrix, Bromsgrove DOZENS of eager theatre-goers packed Bromsgrove's newest arts facility for the eagerly awaited performance of The Vagina Monologues. A group of local women, The Fou Fou Fighters, took to the stage to present stories
THE first film showing at the Artrix has been hailed as a huge success after an impressive turn out. More than 70 people attended the School Drive venue for the opening screening on Thursday, April 28 when Hollywood blockbuster The Aviator, featuring
A PRESENTATION of the work of one of Britain's best-loved Poet Laureates will be held in Worcester. Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, will be the venue for the event, which is part of the Worcester Three Choirs Festival. Paul Vaughan will present the work of
THE waste. The sheer, mind-numbing, senseless, stupid waste of life leaves the audience shocked by this evocation of life and death in the Great War. RC Sherriff's 1929 play is enjoying a major revival in London and on tour thanks to this dignified and
GAS masks and identity cards were some of the memorabilia being examined by pupils from Kidderminster's Holy Trinity School. The artefacts were part of a 1940s Home Front workshop experience launched by Severn Valley Railway and the National Trust. "It
FARMERS in Worcestershire face severe reductions in subsidy payments if they miss Monday's deadline for Single Payment Scheme applications. Anyone who does not get their application form to the Rural Payments Agency at Whittington Road, Worcester, by
AN ex-Rover worker who advertised himself for hire in the Worcester News, and went on national TV with his plight, is still no nearer to finding another job. Forty three-year-old father-of-two, Stewart Hart, spent 21 years at Longbridge as a process manager
WEST Midland Safari Park has lost its battle to secure the future of its newest attraction. Councillors last night refused a planning application for its 'drive through' White Bengal Tiger pen following concerns about traffic safety and an 18ft watchtower
EVESHAM (2) 4 ROVERS (0) 0 Division One West By Peter McKinney ROVERS promotion dreams were left in tatters at Common Road on Saturday as they were out played in a one-side affair by Evesham. Two goals in each half ensured Rovers lost for a third time
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Jimmy Mullen has pledged to build a team that will avoid the tension of the play-offs - by finishing in an automatic promotion spot next season. The manager saw his side suffer heartache in the Southern League Division One West
THE MEMORY of a Bromsgrove Rovers football star who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2002 is to be honoured in a charity tournament this weekend. Rovers will host the Ashley Read Memorial Shield this Saturday and Sunday (May 14 and 15). Read
SUPPORTERS, players and club officials tried to keep their spirits high at the club's annual awards ceremony on Saturday night. Despite defeat to Evesham chairman Tom Herbert felt the season had been a success. He said: "We may have suffered disappointment
CARL Heeley has signed for Worcester City's Nationwide North rivals Hinckley United on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old fans' favourite (pictured left) made the switch to the Leicestershire club after failing to agree fresh terms at City last week. Heeley's
The Vagina Monologues, Artrix, Bromsgrove DOZENS of eager theatre-goers packed Bromsgrove's newest arts facility for the eagerly awaited performance of The Vagina Monologues. A group of local women, The Fou Fou Fighters, took to the stage to present stories
Wednesday, May 11 Music: Bryan Adams, NEC, Birmingham Walk: Trench Wood Walk, Worcestershire Wildlife Week, 10am, Chequers Pub car park. Thursday, May 12 Talk: The Fairground Calendar, history of fairs, Feckenham Village Hall, Feckenham, 7.30pm. Poetry
THE bodies of a couple who went missing in the tsunami disaster have now been formally identified. John and Annie Hofton, of Wichenford, near Worcester, were holidaying in Khao Lak, Thailand, when the tsunami struck on Boxing Day. John's sons Edward,
PENSIONERS from Worcester have complained about the hidden cost of paying their council tax in person. Anyone from the outskirts of the city who wants to pay over the counter faces either travelling into the centre or coughing up £1.65 per instalment
THE first possible sighting of Barney the parrot has been reported after a pensioner claimed she saw a 'big budgie' in her garden. Catherine Robinson thought her 81-year-old mum was seeing things when she said there had been a large green-blue bird in
PEOPLE living in a village near Worcester have been offered some reassurance about the future of a local landmark. An anonymous letter distributed in Callow End this week had raised fears about possible development at Stanbrook Abbey. It described an
BBC Hereford & Worcester's mid-morning host Katie Johnson has been treated to a make-over by Beatties beauticians to raise awareness for a charity dedicated to helping women who have had cancer. Look Good...Feel Better is the cosmetic industry's charity
MORE than 90,000 green fingered goddesses, chaps who are handy with a dibber and others who just like messing about in the garden will descend on Malvern's Three Counties Showground this weekend for 2005's first major horticulture happening. Malvern Spring
WORCESTER have lost out in the race to sign Laurent Emmanuelli. The French prop, who looked set to join the Sixways club after a meeting with coaches John Brain and Andy Keast, has instead decided to stay put at AS Montferrand. The Warriors looked in
CARL Heeley has signed for Worcester City's Nationwide North rivals Hinckley United on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old fans' favourite (pictured left) made the switch to the Leicestershire club after failing to agree fresh terms at City last week. Heeley's
WORCESTERSHIRE lost Stephen Peters, Graeme Hick and Ben Smith early on after choosing to bat against Derbyshire. The County made first use of the New Road strip but saw Peters caught behind in the third over of the day off Ian Hunter's bowling. Hick began
STUART Watkiss has cried foul over an alleged illegal approach for Kidderminster Harriers striker Chris Beardsley. Harriers manager Watkiss is determined to hold out for compensation as Beardsley is under 24 and cannot leave on a Bosman-style free transfer
TWO members of Worcester Triathlon Club flew the flag for the Faithful City in the Netherlands. Michelle Parsons, also a Great Britain elite team member, and Marc Scriven competed in the European Powerman Championship in Venray. The event is comprised
TONY Windo has been named Worcester Rugby Club's player of the season. The veteran prop, who played in all but one of the Warriors' Premiership games, was awarded the title by coaches John Brain and Andy Keast. The 36-year-old has continued his rock solid
* (I) indicates Internet entries. WINNERS of a set of Castle stamps were: K Barry, Albans Grove, Carshalton (I); S Brown, Hartlebury Road, Stourport; B Clarke, Habberley Road, Kidderminster; E Clarke, Ladyfields Way, Coventry (I); S Collinge, Montpelier
RUN scorers Dave James and Jon Bird made sure Avoncroft found their form in Saturday's winning draw with Oldswinford. The duo's third wicket stand of 82 gave 'Croft the impetus the team needed to take the lion's share of the points in the Worcester League
Eastnor 208-8 Droitwich Spa 154-8 Eastnor get a winning draw CAPTAIN Steve Walsh scored his first half-century for Droitwich to help his side take a share of the points in the Worcester League Division One on Saturday. Walsh (55 not out) formed a staunch
Belbroughton 233-4 Barnards Green 234-3 Barnards Green win Belbroughton were out-gunned in their second Worcester League Division Two match on Saturday. William Pardoe (48) and Geoff Day (46) had top scored as the Tons made 233-4. However, a century by
Cutnall Green 319-7 Tenbury 130-3 Cutnall Green get a winning draw NEIL Fletcher smashed a Worcester League Division Four batting record of 194 not out , but Cutnall Green were frustrated by stubborn Tenbury on Saturday. Fletcher had provided the backbone
Harborne 282-8 Bromsgrove 260-8 Harborne get a winning draw CAPTAIN Nick Davies saved Bromgrove from defeat against Harborne in Birmingham by hitting a century on Saturday. The skipper showed a cool head to record 153 (which included 17 fours and seven
OMBERSLEY defeated Bewdley by nine wickets in the Worcester League Division One on Saturday. After Bewdley were restricted to 186-7, Ombersley replied with 188-1, with Duncan Catterall (91) top scoring. Chaddesley Corbett suffered a 124 run whitewash
Chaddesley Corbett under-8s won Old Halesonians' mini-tournament last week. Corbett defeated the hosts 40-20 in the final, with tries for Sally-Anne Smith, Declan Hadley, Oliver Gough, Ed Roden, Joe Wilson and Jenny Turner. To reach the final Chaddesley
TRADERS in Rubery were worried the village was becoming an island and had suggested that a mini bus be run to ferry customers in from the outskirts. BROMSGROVE Citizen's Advice Bureau last year dealt with a record 3,836 inquiries. The number had increased
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Julie Kirkbride for all her help and support through the MG Rover crisis. I would deeply like to thank her for all the help and support she personally gave me in getting the training I required, as I was having
I WOULD like to know whom the council asked for an opinion regarding the new facilities at the Dolphin Centre. Being a regular, swimming at lease twice a week, I looked forward to the opening of the new changing rooms. What a disappointment! Tiny cubicles
I TRULY do feel for MG Rover and the loss of hundreds and thousands of jobs. However, I have my own take on it all and I feel it is justified. I lost my job over six months ago and have been diagnosed as asthmatic. Thus bringing my line of income in the
I WRITE in support of comments made in last week's paper by Ben Perry. I was convenor at UEF (Garringtons) at the time of closure in March, 2002. Mr Perry was absolutely right in saying Garringtons workers were not offered any help with council tax or
IN a recent house-to-house collection in Sandhills Road, Barnt Green, I managed to collect £86.20 for the Scope charity and I would really like to thank the many people who gave so generously for such a worthy cause. This money has gone towards enabling
May I please address some of the comments made by Mr P Byrne, of Rowan Close, Wythall. Firstly. I have no knowledge of his dealings with Councillor Denaro, but his comments come as somewhat of a surprise as this is not the style I have been accustomed
Recently I have received two Labour Party propaganda notices. After sixteen years on the county council, Russ Clayton boasts that he "takes a keen interest in social services" and "will work ... to reduce anti-social behaviour." Geoff Hulett, after two
THERE needs to be better customer care from Bromsgrove District Council. Regular customers accepted, during alterations to the Dolphin Centre, months of inconvenience while tiles and walls were removed and replaced, the old changing areas falling into
THE top two in the Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger League both kept up the pressure in the title race. Alvechurch Darts defeated Man on the Moon 3-1 to stay at the top of the table, but second placed Church remain three points behind after beating Blackwell
I WOULD like to know whom the council asked for an opinion regarding the new facilities at the Dolphin Centre. Being a regular, swimming at lease twice a week, I looked forward to the opening of the new changing rooms. What a disappointment! Tiny cubicles
I AM writing in response to Mr Major's letter in last week's paper where he was complaining about Danemere's "Exorbitant re-homing fees" for rescued animals. I do agree with Mr Major that a loving home is what these animals need, however this is only
THE first thing I must do as I settle back behind my desk in the House of Commons is to thank my constituents for the great privilege of being returned once again as your Member of Parliament. The election campaign in Mid-Worcestershire was conducted
I WOULD like to endorse the comments made by 'Driver of Droitwich' and in particular regarding the lights at the corner of Worcester Road and Tagwell Road. Who sanctioned these lights? They have been in force for several months now, and I have been observing
IN the past four months Asia has suffered the loss of more than 100,000 lives with the tsunami affecting a million plus human beings. Iraq still sees daily loss of life through terrorist attacks. In the UK children are being beaten to death by so called
WORCESTERSHIRE lost Stephen Peters, Graeme Hick and Ben Smith early on after choosing to bat against Derbyshire. The County made first use of the New Road strip but saw Peters caught behind in the third over of the day off Ian Hunter's bowling. Hick began
IT'S been quite a week with Carl Heeley and John Snape leaving St George's Lane. Both players helped me tremendously when I came back to Worcester City and are terrific professionals on and off the pitch. But these things happen in football and we must
A PRESENTATION of the work of one of Britain's best-loved Poet Laureates will be held in Worcester. Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, will be the venue for the event, which is part of the Worcester Three Choirs Festival. Paul Vaughan will present the work of
A Ludlow gallery is hosting 80s 'man of the moment' artist Edward Bell in a new exhibition. The Stunning Moment, an exhibition of Shropshire landscapes and atmospheric interiors is being held at Ludlow's contemporary art gallery, Arterie, until May 31
Southern steam in the late 1950s, early 60s, is the club's topic for the May meeting, this will be a slide presentation with Trevor Owen, from Aberystwyth. Trevor will be travelling from Wales to do this presentation for us, bringing with him a wealth
AT the meeting on April 21, the president, Maureen Timmins, welcomed members - especially two new members - bringing the total to 26. Maureen spoke briefly of the progress of the WI, specifically thanking Pearl Prior for her help. A rose bush had previously
WHEN I started my career as a young bobby at the local Nick, the smallest recruit in a force of large men, I wondered how the sergeants, who all looked so ancient, would ever survive in a roughhouse. My doubts were soon dispelled when I had their help
IN reply to Mrs I Chambers (Letters, Tuesday, May 3) what are you talking about? My husband was one of the MG Rover workforce who according to you "only lived for today". He travelled from Worcester to Longbridge never having a day's sickness for 10 years
President Dot Waldron welcomed 26 members - including our newest member, Cynthia Wall, who was applauded - and two guests to the meeting on April 11. The Corbett Group has proposed a visit on Monday, July 4 to the Royal Show. The county flower quiz entry
A DEVOTED Charford husband is giving his wife the most precious gift he can - life. In just over two weeks Tony Kershaw, of Austin Road, is donating one of his kidneys to wife Julie so she can live a normal life. The operation is rare as only about one
IT was bon voyage to a group of French residents who visited Bromsgrove. The group, from Saint Sauveur Lendelin, came to the town as guests of Bromsgrove and District Twinning Association. During their stay they visited various attractions, including
A TOP TV gardening guru caused chaos in Bromsgrove High Street when he arrived to sign his latest book. At one point, last Wednesday, around 70 people were queuing outside Ottakars Bookstore to meet Alan Titchmarsh. Shop manager Stuart Lemon said there
YOUNGSTERS at a village school used their loaf for a lesson with a difference. As part of Dodford First School's design/technology curriculum, children designed and made healthy sandwiches and snacks with the help of a team from Warburtons. The company
A NEW face was set to take to the helm of Bromsgrove District Council last night (Tuesday). Councillor Jill Dyer MBE (Con-Drakes Cross and Walkers Heath) was due to be elected as chairman for the forthcoming year. Jill will take over the role from outgoing
A BROMSGROVE school headteacher could scoop a top teaching award. Headteacher Phil McTague of South Bromsgrove High School, Charford Road, has been short-listed for the regional heat of the National Teaching Awards. If he is named top teacher at the West
BARGAIN hunters are being invited to a fundraising auction at a town school this week. St Peter's RC First School, in Rockhill, is holding the event this Friday at 7.30pm to raise cash for equipment for youngsters. There are lots of great prizes up for
A SCHOOL in Bromsgrove has been described as "very effective with many excellent features" in a recent Ofsted report. Staff and pupils at Millfields First School, in Swift Close, are celebrating after inspectors identified no areas of weakness or areas
OFFICERS in the road-policing unit of North Worcester have moved to a new base at Rubery Police Station. They will have the use of both marked and unmarked cars from the New Road building, as well as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment
A 34-year-old man has been found not guilty of murdering a disabled Charford resident near his home. Andrew Edwards, who was lodging in Austin Road, Charford, was also cleared on an alternative charge of the manslaughter of 44-year-old Andrew Lammas,
A PACKED programme of entertainment is on the cards for visitors to Bromsgrove's Sanders Park this summer. There will be fun for all gathering around the Jubilee Bandstand from now until the middle of September. Music and mirth, storytelling, puppets,
ONE of the major stumbling blocks to getting fit and staying healthy, if you are past the flush of youth, is confidence. Sadly, in these days of celebrity worship, it's easy to think that if your body doesn't match to the images on our TV screens, you
THOUSANDS of garden enthusiasts will be seeking inspiration from the work of a Bromsgrove designer who is exhibiting at one of the country's top horticultural shows this weekend. It will be the first time Lindsay Stanton from Birmingham Road, Marlbrook
TORY MP Peter Luff held on to his Mid-Worcestershire seat in the general election last Thursday. He received 24,783 of the votes and increased his majority from the 2001 election by nearly 3,000. Peter said it was a magnificent result and said that Mid-Worcestershire
A SCHOOLGIRL was seriously sexually assaulted last Thursday - and police are looking for witnesses to the incident. Police said the assault on the Droitwich Spa High School pupil is believed to have taken place in the Briar Mill area between 9.15am and
A woman suffered a broken finger after a long-standing neighbour dispute erupted into violence, a jury heard. Hazel Rothery was painting her shed when she was quizzed by Linda McCormack over a missing piece of wood securing a fence post on the boundary
HISTORY repeated itself when a scout group unveiled a stained glass window to the memory of three former members who died during World War Two. The carefully refurbished window, which was originally unveiled on November 12, 1947, is in memory of former
A COUNTY councillor was given a bloody nose after being ousted from her Droitwich South seat in dramatic fashion. Pam Davey, who is also vice-chairman of Wychavon District Council, contested the seat in the Droitwich East ward, due to boundary changes
THOUSANDS of visitors and residents flocked to the town centre over the weekend for the amazing celebrations of the 60th anniversary of VE day. Organiser Graham Gopsill said: "The weekend was above all expectations. The streets were absolutely packed
FORMER MG Rover workers have been given another helping hand following assistance with council tax. Now the Bromsgrove District Housing Trust, which is responsible for 3,200 homes in the district, has given affected tenants the chance to defer their rent
A POPULAR Spa councillor faces an uncertain future after he discovered his job barred him taking office. County councillor Peter Pinfield, who was elected to the Droitwich West ward with 46 per cent of the vote last Thursday, also works in Social Services
PARENTS and children rolled their sleeves up last Friday and dug out a new wildlife pond for Ombersley First School. Children from the Droitwich Road school now have a pond in which they can study all manner of creatures and insects including birds, newts
A SPA mum and her seven-year-old daughter will be getting their heart rates pumping when they take part in a charity bike ride next month. Sacha Elsey and her daughter Alexandra, of Droitwich Spa, will be taking on the challenge of the Hearts First Worcester
THE waste. The sheer, mind-numbing, senseless, stupid waste of life leaves the audience shocked by this evocation of life and death in the Great War. RC Sherriff's 1929 play is enjoying a major revival in London and on tour thanks to this dignified and
NORTH Bromsgrove High School has dominated the courts this term. The school has enjoyed unprecedented success with its basketball and netball teams. The under-16s netball side won the Redditch and District League. Even more impressively North Bromsgrove's
GAUDET Luce Golf Club is set to have some of the brightest young talent in the Midlands competing on May 17 (Tuesday). The Droitwich club is hosting the Powerade PGA Assistants Championship, where some of the region's brightest up-and-coming golfers will
Droitwich Dolphins finished fifth in the first round of the Mercian League at Tamworth. Strong individual performances by Dolphins' swimmers sealed fifth place. Georgina Buck won the ten-year-old 50 metres backstroke and 25m butterfly. Tom Hartwright
BROMSGROVE enjoyed their most successful tournament ever at the County Age Group Championships. Swimmers from Bromsgrove came away with 63 medals, with many impressive with personal best times. Victoria Law, Claire Ashford and Stuart Corbett also won
DANIEL Downes saw off 99 other challengers to win Bromsgrove's May medal competition. Downes sealed Division One with a net score of 65, while junior player James Wheeler showed promise by winning Division Two with 62. Anthony Coombs won Division Three
A FORMER Worcester News advertising rep is hoping to make a splash with his new job as sales manager for the 2005 Severn Boat Festival in the city. Ben Groves has joined Farrier Street-based Worcester Events, which has secured a 10-year deal on the festival
A WOLF-whistling parrot who is part of the family at a Worcester garden centre has been stolen from his cage, leaving staff and shoppers devastated. Barney, an African Grey, has been a favourite at St Peter's Garden Centre for two-and-a-half years, but
It's OK to ask - that's the message to patients and visitors at Worcestershire Royal Hospital who are being encouraged to join the battle against infection. From this week, posters at the Royal, Kidderminster Hospital and the Alexandra in Redditch will
And a Nightingale Sang, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich. THE audience at the Norbury Theatre was thrown back in time to World War Two to share the hopes, fears, loves and grief of the Stott family. And a Nightingale Sang begins at the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne home
Wednesday, May 11 Music: Bryan Adams, NEC, Birmingham Walk: Trench Wood Walk, Worcestershire Wildlife Week, 10am, Chequers Pub car park. Thursday, May 12 Talk: The Fairground Calendar, history of fairs, Feckenham Village Hall, Feckenham, 7.30pm. Poetry
* (I) indicates Internet entries. WINNERS of a set of Castle stamps were: K Barry, Albans Grove, Carshalton (I); S Brown, Hartlebury Road, Stourport; B Clarke, Habberley Road, Kidderminster; E Clarke, Ladyfields Way, Coventry (I); S Collinge, Montpelier
HAGLEY Theatre Group is staging two one-act plays about the trials and tribulations of amateur dramatic groups. The comedy plays will be performed together in a production called Comedy-2-Nite on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 at the Community Centre
LIVE horse racing, an on-site bookmaker and top entertainment is in store for visitors to a charity race day. A Day at the Races will be held by the Primrose Hospice in the beautiful setting of Grafton Manor, off the Worcester Road, Bromsgrove. The event
A Ludlow gallery is hosting 80s 'man of the moment' artist Edward Bell in a new exhibition. The Stunning Moment, an exhibition of Shropshire landscapes and atmospheric interiors is being held at Ludlow's contemporary art gallery, Arterie, until May 31
A GROUP designed to give school governors a stronger voice over education issues is appealing for more support. Worcestershire Association of Governors has vacancies on its executive committee for governors from schools across the county. Chairman Alan
A GROUP designed to give school governors a stronger voice over education issues is appealing for more support. Worcestershire Association of Governors has vacancies on its executive committee for governors from schools across the county. Chairman Alan
A POPULAR rock and roll and blues band now needs someone else. Somethin'ELSE, the band that opened last year's Droitwich Music Festival, are in search of a new frontman after vocalist Richard Smith decided to quit to concentrate on recording original
AN ex-employee of the Army Medal Office in Droitwich, who was made redundant after its controversial closure in March, claims he was left unable to claim benefits for six weeks as the paperwork he needed from his old bosses failed to materialise. Richard
A 13-year-old boy from Herefordshire has been missing since Bank Holiday Monday and police are appealing for information from people across the two counties. Joshua Gibson, from Leominster, was last seen getting on a train at Craven Arms railway station
FORMER EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer provided a ray of sunshine to shoppers in Worcester when she promoted her self-tanning products - and also showed her support for a Worcester hospice. The redheaded celebrity spent an hour chatting about the products
THE biggest library lover in Worcestershire will be heading for the maps section after winning £350 holiday vouchers in a book-borrowing competition. Stephen Drewer, from Dines Green, Worcester, took 200 items home from his local library during the first
The Travel Factory Midland Football Alliance Wednesday, May 11: Worcester Infirmary Cup final: Malvern Town v Bromyard Town (at Ledbury Town FC, 7.45pm). Malvern Town Reserves West Midlands League Division One Saturday, May 14: Evesham Hospital Cup final
And a Nightingale Sang, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich. THE audience at the Norbury Theatre was thrown back in time to World War Two to share the hopes, fears, loves and grief of the Stott family. And a Nightingale Sang begins at the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne home
ANYONE who has suffered in their homes at the hands of teenage thugs will know what a terrifying ordeal it is. The indiscriminate nature of the attacks - whether against people or properties - can drive even the most patient of us to distraction. The
UNDER-siege residents plagued by drink and drug-fuelled violence, sex and vandalism are pleading for cash to improve their area. The park next to Great Oaty Gardens in Warndon Villages has, for many years, attracted teenagers who leave condoms and beer
A SCHEME to get youngsters who have been excluded from school back on track has started successfully. Two students from the Oakfield Pupil Referral Unit will be joining staff from the Duckworth Worcestershire Trust once a week for the next eight weeks
HOSPITALS in Worcestershire missed out on £400,000 after consistently failing to meet A&E waiting time targets. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust could have received an incentive payment of £100,000 per quarter to spend on capital projects
THE new Minister for Schools has pledged to talk about giving cash-strapped Worcestershire schools more cash. Jacqui Smith - Redditch MP and Schools Minister after the Government reshuffle - sent a letter to county schools last month in which she promised
WARNDON Villages' newly constructed youth shelter has come in for a barrage of criticism - with one parish councillor branding it 'a diabolical eyesore'. The long-awaited shelter, built to provide teenagers with a place to congregate, was put up a fortnight
MOST politicians who survived the General Election campaign would be forgiven for opting to take a break in the sun before leaping straight into the Westminster cauldron. But there is nothing further from Dr Richard Taylor's mind as he prepares to return
OPULENT treasures gracing the rooms of one of the county's most astounding stately homes have gone on display to the public for the first time. The exhibition, The Treasures of Croome - Revealed, has been opened at Worcester Library and Museum on Foregate
A RIDING instructor is campaigning for tougher restrictions on foreign lorry drivers after cheating death in a high-speed motorway crash. Islay Auty, of Oakleigh Avenue, Hallow, was returning from a dressage event near Buckingham when she was in collision
TONY Windo has been named Worcester Rugby Club's player of the season. The veteran prop, who played in all but one of the Warriors' Premiership games, was awarded the title by coaches John Brain and Andy Keast. The 36-year-old has continued his rock solid
THE big 100 will be celebrated at Shelsley Walsh Speed Hill Climb as the first meeting of the 2005 season gets underway on Saturday and Sunday. With the high point of the season a three-day meeting in August, this weekend's bumper entry will see cars
THE sixth season of the Worcestershire Sunday Club Cricket League starts this weekend. Droitwich Spa are defending the first XI championship and Kidderminster Victoria the second XI championship. The league has been a major factor in keeping Sunday cricket
WORCESTER have lost out in the race to sign Laurent Emmanuelli. The French prop, who looked set to join the Sixways club after a meeting with coaches John Brain and Andy Keast, has instead decided to stay put at AS Montferrand. The Warriors looked in
BATSMAN Paul Bedford helped Barnt Green CC to an emphatic victory over Ludlow and South Shropshire in the second regional round of the National Knockout Cup on Sunday. Bedford's 113 not out provided Green with the impetus the batting order needed as they
BELBROUGHTON CC's first taste of action in the Npower Village Knockout Cup for 30-years came to a swift end on Sunday. The Tons met their match against a strong Colwall side. Belbroughton's opponents set a challenging target of 243 for victory. However
Himbleton 251-7 Claverly 152-4 Himbleton get a winning draw RUN machine Andy Howorth made a fine debut as Himbleton were held to a draw on Saturday in the Worcester League Division Four. Howorth, a winter addition from Birlingham, made an immediate impact
Old Hill 81 all out Barnt Green 82-2 Barnt Green win by eight wickets GARETH Williams produced a devastating performance with the ball as Barnt Green made a comprehensive start to the Birmingham and District League Premier Division on Saturday. The paceman
STUART Watkiss has cried foul over an alleged illegal approach for Kidderminster Harriers striker Chris Beardsley. Harriers manager Watkiss is determined to hold out for compensation as Beardsley is under 24 and cannot leave on a Bosman-style free transfer
Droitwich under-9s were joint winners with Widnes in the Moseley mini festival. Scott Howell's hat trick and a try for Josh Feek secured the draw in the final, after Spa had beaten the hosts and St Mary's Bristol to reach the final stage. In Halesonians
BROMSGROVE was to get a new swimming bath. The town's last bath at Watt Close had been forced to close 14 years ago on health grounds when a particular type of duckweed had been discovered in the water. The urban district council was to look at schemes
A RECENT spate of motor car accidents prompted members of Bromsgrove Urban District Council to call on the town's police to look at ways of preventing drivers from speeding. It was said cars were often driven at 'reckless' speeds through the town and
Droitwich Spa 2 Archdale 1 Worcester Nursing Cup final A WONDER goal from Ian Cottrill ensured Droitwich won the first silverware in its history on May 4. Cottrill's stinging volley in the 83rd minute sealed a spirited comeback by Droitwich over the Midland
Droitwich Spartek under-12s are looking for new players to strengthen their squad for the 2005/2006 season. Anyone interested contact Richard Vigurs on 01905 794237.
Rubery under-7s beat Bournville 3-1, with goals for Louis Hobbis (2) and man of the match Jordan Williams. The under-7s Colts beat Santiago Colts 3-2, with Olivia Rainsford, Kia Schwaek and Bradley Maiden on target. Joseph Maiden was man of the match.
Catshill under-13s edged Sporting 2-1 on Sunday, with goals for Joe Brooks. Cory Bennett was man of the match.
Bromsgrove Fairfield under-15s experienced fixture congestion by playing three games in a week. Andy Court scored a hat-trick as Fairfield defeated Halesowen 3-1 on May 3. Bromsgrove then defeated Maypole 7-0 two days later, with goals for Chris Booker
AUSTIN Ex-Apprentices won the Terry Cup by defeating Black Horse 3-2. Rubery suffered disappointment in the BSA Cup final - losing 2-1 to Abbeydale Social. In the Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination League Premier Division Bromsgrove General defeated
WHAT a fantastic weekend Droitwich Spa was treated to, the organisers for the 60th anniversary of VE day deserve a pat on the back for an amazing event, what a superb achievement. I understand this was the biggest celebration throughout the Midlands;
I TRULY do feel for MG Rover and the loss of hundreds and thousands of jobs. However, I have my own take on it all and I feel it is justified. I lost my job over six months ago and have been diagnosed as asthmatic. Thus bringing my line of income in the
IN response to Mr Major's letter about the plight of animals at Danemere rescue centre. We too run an animal rescue centre, taking animals into the rescue centre, neutering, vaccinating, home-checking and delivering animals to and from the vets and foster
I LAUGHED, I cried I danced and I sang, and I had a kiss with a spiv who had some stockings to sell! Many, many thanks to everyone who helped to organise a most wonderful, 60th anniversary of VE Day. Eunice Williams, Stalls Farm Road, Droitwich Spa
I WOULD like, through your paper, to thank the two young ladies who helped me when I fell over in Ombersley Street on Thursday, April 28. You were both so kind to me and for staying with me till my grandson arrived. Also, to the staff at Age Concern who
ON April 16 and 23 our volunteers were in Droitwich raising money for the Parkinson's Disease Society. On April 16 we were at Morrison's supermarket and with the help of the young firefighters we collected £531. On April 23 we were collecting in Droitwich
HAGLEY Theatre Group is staging two one-act plays about the trials and tribulations of amateur dramatic groups. The comedy plays will be performed together in a production called Comedy-2-Nite on Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 at the Community Centre
THE first film showing at the Artrix has been hailed as a huge success after an impressive turn out. More than 70 people attended the School Drive venue for the opening screening on Thursday, April 28 when Hollywood blockbuster The Aviator, featuring
LIVE horse racing, an on-site bookmaker and top entertainment is in store for visitors to a charity race day. A Day at the Races will be held by the Primrose Hospice in the beautiful setting of Grafton Manor, off the Worcester Road, Bromsgrove. The event
IT was so good to see Jess the rottweiler and the collie Penny nursed back to full health after they had been treated so cruelly. This kind of cruelty will always go on as people get away with it so easily. Whoever treats any animal in a cruel way should
JOHN Phillpott (April 30) shouldn't write about Tory Margaret Harper's "fixed grin." I reckon she's gorgeous, John, so there. GEORGE COWLEY. Warndon, Worcester.
I HAVE just read on the internet that you have published a thank you letter from the BNP candidate for allowing him to express his views. When the BNP is refused a platform, it's not the BNP's rights that have been violated, but every voter in this country
Ruth Bottomley, chairman, welcomed a good attendance at the meeting on April 12, when the speaker was Judy Berrow, who presented a talk with slides entitled 'Starting from Scratch,' which illustrated the development of a garden and its flowers. This alone
BY now, everyone should be aware of the importance of re-cycling, due to significant press coverage and the difficulty the council will face in reaching next year's targets. However, despite this, my wife and I have put out notes for three weeks running
REPLYING to John Norwood (Thursday, April 28) Britain was the greatest power in the world in 1914. However, at the end of the Second World War in 1945, there were two superpowers, USA and the Soviet Union. During the period 1958-1968, France was resurgent
The president, Jenny Marsh, welcomed members to the April meeting. She thanked Phyl Healey and Jean Westwood for stepping into help with the teas and Ann Ballard for the flowers. The Corbett Group are proposing a trip to the Royal Show on July 4. A spring
CHILDREN at a Bromsgrove nursery were treated to a fun day when a police officer paid a visit. PC Matt Lucas, from West Mercia Constabulary, stopped off at Jack and Jill Nursery, in Millfields Road, on Monday. His visit was part of Helping Hands Week
A TODDLER group hosted a tabletop fair and balloon race to raise £350. St Godwald's Pre-School Playgroup and Toddler Group held the event at their base at St Godwald's Church Hall, Finstall Road, last Saturday. There was a range of activities for children
AN elderly man died at the wheel before smashing into a bus stop in Bromsgrove. Frederick Wood, who is believed to be 84 and from Manor Court Road, had travelled the short distance along the Worcester Road on Monday when he was taken ill near to the entrance
BROMSGROVE Court Leet's, Bailiff Jeremy Sharp, was delighted when Bromsgrove School generously offered the use of its marquee on their lawns for what promises to be a hugely successful Champagne, Strawberries & Jazz night. Previously held as a St
WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going. That was the message from Peter Jackson, the health and safety manager at Bromsgrove-based Foster Care Associates when he led a party of staff on the Three Peaks Challenge. Peter got 35 of his colleagues
TORY MP Peter Luff held on to his Mid-Worcestershire seat in the general election last Thursday. He received 24,783 of the votes and increased his majority from the 2001 election by nearly 3,000. Peter said it was a magnificent result and said that Mid-Worcestershire
THE Conservatives have secured the biggest share of members on Worcestershire County Council following election success. Elections held on Thursday, May 5, throughout the county, were to elect 57 councillors that will form the council's administration
THE majority of people in Bromsgrove turned out to re-elect Julie Kirkbride as town MP. Townsfolk went to the polls on Thursday May 5 to choose who they wanted to represent them in Parliament. After the votes were counted in the early hours of Friday
THE Roman era was brought to life at a Spa school on Monday. Cutnall Green First School hosted the Roman Day and fascinated children heard amusing talks in Latin and were told how bathhouses and toilets from that time worked. Teacher Sarah Foster said
OWNERS of businesses in Bromsgrove which will have to be licenced under new laws set to come into force in the autumn have been told to apply for them immediately. Around 280 premises are affected, but so far the district council has received only 12
TINY tots took part in a traditional English celebration last Friday. The children at The Salvation Army Pre-School Group skipped and pranced around the maypole at the Ombersley Way hall. Supervisor Michelle Day said: "All the children had the chance
AN angry father who set about a 13-year-old boy involved in an argument with his two sons has been jailed for a year at Worcester Crown Court. Lawrence Matthews was said to have grabbed Michael Pegram by the neck, punched him in the face, thrown him against
TUNEFUL tots have been drumming rhythms and learning to make music at special classes. Rhythm Time has been running in the Droitwich area for four months and children as young as six weeks old have been attending classes. Vicky Taramasco, who teaches
JOHN BICKERTON missed the cut at the Telecom Italia Open over the weekend by two shots. The Droitwich professional finished the tournament at the Castello di Tolciniasco club with a level-par score of 144 after two rounds two shots off making it through
RIDER Paul Prince savoured double success last week. The Bromsgrove resident was the fastest rider for his club, Wyre Forest, in the Stourbridge ten mile trial and came third in the Two Counties road race in Bridgnorth on the following day. Prince completed
LICKEY Monarchs tempered their disappointment of missing out on the Bromsgrove and Redditch League Division One championship by winning the Clements Brothers Cup. Monarchs, pipped to the title by Cofton Hackett B, defeated Cofton's A side 7-2. To reach
THE Wheatland's fixture, the first ever Sunday point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett, produced a nine-race marathon which saw five favourites score. Eastnor handler Nicky Sheppard sent out two winners with Lost in the Snow successful in Division II of
THE Australian owner of two historic regional banks, Yorkshire and Clydesdale, has announced plans to close 100 branches in the UK. National Australia Bank said 60 sites at Glasgow-based Clydesdale and 40 Yorkshire branches would shut down within the
RETAIL figures in Worcester nosedived last month, but were not nearly as bad as in other parts of the UK. The British Retail Consortium yesterday reported that sales nationally fell to their lowest level in a decade. And while the situation locally was
THE people of Bretforton have been celebrating after being able to pop into their local for a pint for the first time in 14 months. The Fleece Inn, which was ravaged by fire in February 2004, opened its doors again yesterday. Regulars had been frequenting
