Worcester News, Worcester Sport, Worcester Leisure - From The Worcester News

Worcestershire | Archive | 2002 | January

Stories for 9 January 2002

Info

Leisure

TV star hosts abbey revelry

CELEBRITY archaeologist Mick Aston, from TV's Time Team, is to kick off a seven-week exhibition and activity programme celebrating Bordesley Abbey and Redditch's history. more...

Official Receivers will be in search of charity cash

A SOUL train will be calling in at a Bromsgrove venue for a fundraising bash later this month. more...

Why not BOGOF to see folk favourite?

PURSE strings might be a little tighter this month following the expense of Christmas but townsfolk can still enjoy a night out, as long as they BOGOF. more...

Getting on their musical soapbox

A BROMSGROVE band will be making themselves heard at a gig on Friday. more...

Hayley set to sing for the Queen

A PARKSIDE pupil is set to receive the royal seal of approval when she sings for the Queen later this year. more...

Comedy will help drama group mark its special anniversary

FUNNY bones will be tickled when a well-established drama group stages a comedy to mark its golden anniversary. more...

This Is The Moment Adam Watkiss

Three star more...

A dark side to the law

A PLAY by the acclaimed writer of Rumpole of the Bailey will be staged at Birmingham Repertory Theatre next month. more...

Super Swedes!

THE magic which kept Swedish supergroup Abba at the top for a decade will be recreated at the Alexandra Theatre this month. more...

Palace line-up set to impress

THE spring programme at the Palace Theatre promises some great nights out with stars such as Stephanie Cole and Joe Brown performing in the coming months, writes Melina Cannon. more...

Group bagged big cash boost

THE Break-A-Leg Theatre Company raised an impressive £1,770 in just three days thanks to the efforts of its members. more...

News

Farmer takes to the web to fight crime

A DAIRY farmer with a passion for the internet has designed a pioneering website to fight crime in the countryside. more...

£750 national award for Malvern practice

A MALVERN veterinary surgery has been named as the national winner of a new business challenge. more...

Survey predicts more job losses

EMPLOYMENT prospects in Britain face a sharp dive in the first quarter of 2002, according to a survey by one of the country's largest recruitment consultants. more...

Ray's the man of the moment

A WYTHALL man has been voted the West Midlands man of the year after collecting more votes from the public than the Prime Minister. more...

Parties mark diamond day

A WINYATES couple who met after their siblings began courting are celebrating 60 years of married life, writes Becky Procter. more...

Fire alert success

THERE were no serious house blazes in Redditch during the Christmas holidays following a huge campaign to raise awareness of festive fire hazards, writes Becky Procter. more...

Success in store

TWELVE people who took part in a pilot scheme to gain retail skills and qualifications all found jobs in the Kingfisher Centre by Christmas. more...

Museum's thumbs-up

A mystery customer awarded Forge Mill Museum 76 per cent during a recent visit to the Riverside venue. more...

Help get Craig on the move

A REDDITCH mum is launching a campaign to help her wheelchair-bound son retain his independence, writes Melina Cannon. more...

Fuel drama

Redditch fire crews were called to a fuel spillage on a garage forecourt in Washford just after midnight on Friday. more...

Helpers needed

Volunteers are needed to help run North Worcestershire Disablement Advice Line (DIAL). more...

Pool's back in business

A REDDITCH swimming pool re-opens its doors tomorrow after being closed for maintenance. more...

Firm hit by pay strike

A PAY dispute at a Redditch engineering firm has sparked a one-day-a-week strike by workers, writes Julian Seva. more...

THE design of a toilet block in the Kingfisher Centre which has just opened as part of a £60million revamp will be looked at again following complaints over its inadequate disabled facilities, writes Becky Procter. more...

Ice led to three crashes

PART of the A435 near Portway was closed for more than five hours after three cars crashed in icy conditions. more...

Bus tragedy

A CHURCH Hill man died from his injuries after being in collision with a bus in Studley Road, near Kingsley College. more...

Inquest opens on freak crash

AN inquest into the death of an Oakenshaw woman who died after being struck by a Range Rover at a Redditch petrol station was opened and adjourned by the Worcestershire Coroner on Monday. more...

Extra fun caps stint for Nicky

A REDDITCH soldier has been sharing the limelight with an Eastenders star in a new television drama about the Royal Military Police. more...

Mystery over last moments

POLICE are still trying to trace the last known movements of Venetia Walsh. more...

'She was my best friend'

A DEVASTATED Southcrest man has expressed his heartbreak after the body of his wife was found in a Redditch car park eight days after she vanished from home, writes Helen Clarke. more...

A prestige pool!

STUDLEY'S new leisure centre will open its doors on Friday, January 25. more...

Wythall History Society

Light-hearted gems from the archives of Worcestershire sparkled from Tony Wherry when he told of his experiences in 25 years as County Archivist. more...

Wythall Gardening Club

A FREEZING January evening saw speaker Mr Pettifer give a talk on Sweet Peas at their Best. more...

Studley Local History Group

AT the last meeting, members heard the good news that their journal, The Studley Historian, was now on sale at £1. more...

Solihull & District Orchid Society

THE Christmas meeting and members' show was an excellent and enjoyable afternoon and it was nice to welcome some new members. more...

Royal British Legion, Cookhill Branch

AT the AGM in November, a full complement of branch officials was elected. more...

Ipsley WI

THE November meeting was members' evening, when Liz Williams encouraged them to take stock. more...

Everywoman's Circle

THE speaker at the December 6 meeting was Carol Gaugh, representing Sunfield Children's Homes at Clent. more...

Bordesley Historical Society

ON December 20, the society held its AGM and all officers were re-elected. more...

100 years ago January 11, 1902

RUBERY Hill Asylum advertised in the Messenger for male attendants, preferably those skilled in bookbinding and gardening, at a salary of £28 per year including board and uniform. It would rise by £2 a year to a maximum of £34. more...

Alcester & District Local History Society

THE December meeting proved one of the most successful Christmas meetings the society has held. more...

Accolade for village sculpture

A VILLAGE'S efforts in providing a lasting monument to commemorate the millennium has been rewarded, writes Julian Seva. more...

Miller's sale

An exhibition of paintings by artist Tony Miller will be on display at Wythall Library next month. more...

Roll up for talk on fairs

ALL the fun of the fair will be the focus at a talk next month. more...

Mummers the word!

ALVECHURCH pub-goers were treated to a traditional form of theatre on New Year's Day - which has also become quite a tradition in the village. more...

Beat bobbies' bike bonanza

STUDLEY villagers can meet one of their beat bobbies at a police surgery on Saturday, January 26. more...

Reaping the reward

A FECKENHAM farmer has been rewarded with an MBE for his dedication to the Young Farmers movement. more...

Hair style!

Alvechurch hairdressing salon Imagination has won the village's annual award for the best-dressed Christmas window. more...

Store singing was a success

DEAR EDITOR - I would like to thank all those who gave their up time - the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and Leaders, to sing carols in the ASDA store in Bromsgrove just before Christmas. more...

Helping hands

DEAR EDITOR - Will you please allow me, via your Letters page to say thank you to the good folk who came to my aid when I stumbled and fell in Bromsgrove town centre, near to the Mill Lane precinct, shortly before Christmas. more...

It's appreciated

DEAR EDITOR - I write as co-ordinator of the local Worcester and District Cats Protection, for two reasons. more...

County council deserves the praise

-DEAR EDITOR - I am writing to agree with Councillor Dave McGrath that Bromsgrove District Council have not had any involvement with flood prevention work in Callowbrook Lane. more...

Everyone must now work together

Dear Editor - The last year has been a landmark one in more ways than one, but inevitably must be coloured by the memory of the terrible crimes committed on September 11. more...

Brighten up!

DEAR EDITOR - During my early morning journeys from Blackwell to the Alexandra Hospital, I travel via country roads and dual carriageways. more...

Santa and team say thank-you

DEAR EDITOR - MAY I thank everyone who made donations and brought their children to my home to see Father Christmas during the past few weeks. more...

Councillors defend stance

DEAR EDITOR - We should like the opportunity to give a categorical answer to the implication by Cllr Meikle that we are members of any pressure group formed recently in Droitwich. more...

Local voter's view of `bare' facts

DEAR EDITOR - I am not a member of any poliical party, nor do I belong to Action for Droitwich or any other lobby group - simply a local voter sick of arrogance, ignorance and incompetence by Wychavon District Council. more...

Drop in violence at home

INCIDENTS of domestic violence fell by 36 per cent over the festive period compared to the same time last year. more...

Police praise for cameras

TOWN centre CCTV cameras proved their worth over the festive period with three incidents being caught on video within the space of an hour during one night, writes Becky Procter. more...

Custody for smiling thief

A smiling serial burglar was admonished by a judge before being given two years' youth custody. more...

Thieves hit charity shop

ABOUT £1,000 damage was caused to the Primrose Hospice charity shop in Redditch on New Year's Eve, writes Melina Cannon. more...

Thieves target burial ground

THE managing director of a woodland burial ground near Astwood Bank believes thieves who stole £8,000 of machinery, equipment and tools pre-planned the raid, writes Melina Cannon. more...

Man knifed for mobile phone

A 38-year-old man was stabbed in the hand with a kitchen knife when thieves tried to steal his mobile phone in Church Hill at about 8pm on Monday. more...

Cops face anger at response

POLICE and bus companies need to work together to tackle crimes against drivers, says First Midland Red after youths allegedly attacked a driver for just £3. more...

Sword terror in raid

TWO masked raiders armed with a sword stole cash from a Redditch hotel just after midnight on New Year's Eve, writes Becky Procter. more...

Relentless growth is causing the gridlock

I SHOULD like to suggest to Councillor Kibblewhite that it is his own fault that he sits in his car, in traffic jams, with his temper coming to the boil. more...

Introducing euro by stealth

SO now we know! We will never be allowed a fair and an un-manipulated vote on joining the euro, a currency that has constantly been rescued by British taxpayers' money. more...

Another way of putting it

I WAS sorry that Mr Thake thought, in his most recent letter, I was asking him to prove a negative. As my learned friends might say - let me re-phrase the question. Perhaps he could inquire of his German contact the answers to the following: more...

Labour

WE should understand that our New Labour Party is nothing like the genuine Labour Party of old. New Labour are a breed of their own, neither Labour, Conservative or Liberals. more...

I'd like to set the record straight...

MAY I apologise to Mr John Norwood for the letter that appeared in You Say on January 2. Unfortunately, an error occurred in the translation of my letter, where Mr Norwood's name was printed erroneously. It should have read the Rev D G Griffin. The following should correct matters. more...

Gulliver's travails

JOHN Phillpott kindly awards me the Jonathan Swift Medal for Literature. more...

New Year honour

A FORMER Bromsgrove businessman has been recognised for his dedication to a county club by being awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours List. more...

Angry workers want tribunal

STORMY waters could be ahead for a haulage giant as scores of its redundant Droitwich Spa workers plan to take it to an industrial tribunal. more...

Achievment is praised

BROMSGROVE District Ccouncil received a pat on the back in an annual report carried out by its external auditors. more...

Inquiry called for on tip vote

AN investigation into the conduct of Tory district councillors over a controversial planning application for the former Marlbrook tip has been called for by the leader of the opposition Labour group. more...

Sporting celebrations on order

A BROMSGROVE club will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year and hopes to encourage new members to join in its activities. more...

Worldwide winner

A FORMER South Bromsgrove High School student is Big in Japan after winning a competition which took him to Tokyo to collect his prize. more...

Drink-driving down by half

WHILE sensible town revellers swapped their car keys for taxis over the party season, more motorists than ever were behind the wheel of a faulty vehicle -- a report published today claims. more...

Blue line is getting thinner

THE thin blue line will be stretched to the limit in Bromsgrove it is feared, if a merger between two police divisions comes about. more...

Off the menu

A POPULAR restaurant in a village near Bromsgrove could be turned into a house if planning chiefs give the scheme the thumbs up. more...

Thugs make it misery on bus

AN angry bus driver from Bromsgrove has hit out at thugs who he claims are bringing danger and misery to the lives of him and his colleagues more...

Delays expected

MOTORISTS in Catshill should add some extra travelling time onto their journeys this week thanks to temporary traffic lights in place at Wildmoor Lane, near the Blue Cross Animal Adoption Centre. more...

Trees for the chop!

RESIDENTS in and around Bromsgrove were reminded this week that there is still time for them to do their bit to help the environment and re-cycle their Christmas trees at one of the many centres in the district. more...

Prisoners' art on display

DRAWINGS, paintings and poetry by inmates at a prison near Bromsgrove will be on display throughout the month. more...

Long tradition is `chopped off'

AN independent Bromsgrove butcher will close its doors for the last time this weekend after trading for nearly three-quarters of a century. more...

Local council is set to discuss new ways to solve the problem of dumped cars

MEASURES to solve the growing "blight on the landscape" of cars being abandoned in and around Bromsgrove are to be discussed at a meeting tonight. more...

Light had lots of love

THE Primrose hospices's annual Light of Love Appeal which featured a giant Christmas tree in Bromsgrove town centre, has been a resounding success by raising more than £13,600. more...

Concrete lampposts `should be scrapped'

A CALL to scrap all Worcestershire's 20,000 concrete lamp-posts and replace them with ones made of more durable materials was made this week by a leading Labour councillor. more...

Further charges avoided

LICKEY End residents will not face an additional charge to fund parish projects when council tax bills drop through their letterboxes in March. more...

HANBURY WOMEN'S INST.

PARTY time on December 13 took place in our festively adorned Hanbury village hall. more...

Oh baby - it's New Year joy

A BROMSGROVE couple enjoyed a double New Year's celebration with the early arrival of their first child. more...

SPADESBOURNE LADIES CLUB

THE club's December meeting was held at the Ladybird Inn, and with the aid of a couple of games and a quiz, and the serving of a very nice buffet supper, it became the Christmas party for about 60 members. more...

Rooftop incident

POLICE were called following reports of a man on the roof of the Princess of Wales Community Hospital in Bromsgrove on Sunday night. more...

Doris dies

A WOMAN, believed to be Bromsgrove's oldest resident, has died at the age of 106. more...

Death of rags to riches lottery man

A HARD-UP man who moved to exclusive Barnt Green after scooping more than £1.8m on the National Lottery has died just two years after his win, it emerged this week. more...

It's Arctic hell!

TELEPHONE lines at the council house in Bromsgrove were red hot when scores of residents lost their cool and rang in to complain during last week's big freeze up. more...

Gate scheme to slow cars down

BROMSGROVE MP Julie Kirkbride has stepped into a row over proposed traffic calming measures in Stoney Hill after residents took the `hump.' more...

Factory facing closure

CLOSE on 500 staff at Bromsgrove's stricken United Engineering Forgings Factory in Aston Fields are likely to be out of a job by April. more...

Setback for care centre

A FINSTALL-based cancer care centre suffered a crushing blow when its application to fund an extension was rejected. more...

Time to reward town's `gems'

THE hunt is on to find present-day architectural gems in the Bromsgrove district. more...

Rubbish piled up as snow proved problem

RUBBISH piled up in some Bromsgrove streets last week after householders, many of whom had already waited two weeks for a collection, were forced to hang on even longer because of the snow. more...

WYCHBOLD WI

THE annual meeting was attended by WI adviser Sylvia Perkins, who gave an entertaining account of her recent holiday of a lifetime covering thousands of miles of the North American continent. She then enlightened members about the refurbishment of WI house in Worcester and the consequent improvements that were already being much appreciated. more...

Hospice fails in lottery bid

THE Primrose Hospice has been refused more than half a million pounds for an extension which could increase day capacity for cancer patients by at least half annually, writes Melina Cannon. more...

Women get new service

A NEW fast-track initiative has been launched at the Alexandra Hospital for gynaecological patients with non life-threatening problems. more...

MP's care quiz

REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith will be answering questions on the provision of long-term care in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. more...

Alex's share of cash boost

THE Alexandra Hospital will be receiving its slice of £1.5 million which is being injected into Worcestershire to reduce "bed blocking" in the NHS. more...

Eye review is due

A CONTROVERSIAL review of ophthalmic services, which could affect Redditch patients, is likely to go before health trust board members next week. more...

A call for pooling of resources to eradicate fly-posting problems

DEAR EDITOR - A recent letter was right to draw attention to Bromsgrove District Council's inaction on the unsightly fly-postiong problem prevalent in and about Bromsgrove town centre, and other local areas. more...

We should dig deep for the angel in red

ACCORDING to legend, it was started "on a wing and a prayer" and rarely can a phrase have been better used. more...

Road closure campaign gets a new lease of life

A campaign to close a road across Malvern Link Common has been re-launched by district councillor and Conservator Pat Raven. more...

Rubbish left as big freeze hits

ANGRY townsfolk were left with piles of festive rubbish after bin collections were axed at the start of the year. more...

Watchdog is wanted

A CHAIRMAN for a new watchdog is wanted to check Redditch councillors and council officers are working within the rules. more...

Budget cuts blow to CAB

VITAL services provided by the town's Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) will suffer according to its chairman after Redditch Council cut its budget, writes Julian Seva. more...

Let's hit drink-drivers unaware

THERE are reasons for us all to be pleased that, if police figures reflect the true festive story, drivers in the West Mercia region heeded the warnings and decided not to risk a drink-drive conviction. more...

Letter from Westminster

LAST year will always be remembered for the horrific events of September 11. more...

New signs

People visiting Redditch town centre will be pointed in the right direction when a new £12,000 signing system is introduced next month. more...

Firm backing

WE would like to take this opportunity on behalf of The Meningitis Trust to thank the following companies who generously sponsored Willem's tandem skydive in memory of Danielle Senior - Unity Trust Bank, Xavier Footwear, Maersk Medical, Marks & Spencer, Brooklyn Ford and Charles Henry Foyle Trust c/o Boxfoldia. more...

MP backs farm family

REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith has taken an unprecedented step to support a farming family in their latest bid to survive after the foot and mouth crisis forced them to sell their home and most of their land. more...

Pupils in danger

AGAIN I write with regard to what I witness every time I go to Woodfield School to fetch my daughter and her friend. more...

Bike business still suffering

FOOT and mouth disease is still being felt by a Redditch bike shop almost a year after it swept the country, writes Julian Seva. more...

Thief can have no conscience

THIS letter is to wish the recipient of my children's climbing frame a very happy Christmas. more...

Centre hit by vandal attack

VANDALS have damaged newly built stonework, which took more than a month to complete, around Arrow Valley Lake. more...

God of greed

HOW many empty shop units are there in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre? Why couldn't one of them have been used for the Christian Nativity scene to satisfy old fogies like me who are not enamoured of new Redditch with its brash commercialism, whose god is Mammon and its alter the cash register? more...

Called to order

A BUS firm which has refused to accept pensioner and disabled bus passes in Redditch for the last three months is to be ordered to do so in the latest stage of a long-running dispute, writes Becky Procter. more...

Guided by the Spirit

I was grateful for the comments in your Boxing Day letters page from a group of ladies from various churches. more...

Bus cheer

Redditch Council has assured Redditch pensioners their bus passes will still be accepted despite the expiry date having passed on many. more...

Santa's helpers

I WOULD like to thank those members of Studley Sports & Social Club who took the time to provide and construct the sleigh for Santa and to transport him around the village. more...

Look what's here!

'EURO creep' was evident in Redditch just one day after the European Central Bank issued the new euro banknotes and coins across most of the continent. more...

In praise of pantomime

ON December 20, my husband and I went to the Palace Theatre to see Jack and the Beanstalk and would like to say well done to all the actors for an enjoyable evening. more...

Yellow fever takes hold of council

GO green this month and recycle your Yellow Pages is the message from Redditch Council. more...

Fund boost

I AM writing to say a very big thank you to Safeway and to everyone who contributed towards the collection on our behalf. more...

Cards cash

I WOULD like to thank everyone who supported my sale of cards at the coffee morning in November. more...

Cracker of a concert

THE Christmas concert held on Saturday, December 15, at Mappleborough Green Village Hall, of which all proceeds will be donated to the Primrose Cancer Hospice, was well attended by an enthusiastic audience. more...

Residents not to blame for jams

I COULD not let the letter from Mr Clifford regarding Bordesley (Advertiser, December 19) pass without comment. more...

Evesham Road

ABOUT 100 years ago, this was the scene along Evesham Road in Crabbs Cross. more...

25 years ago

January 7, 1977 more...

50 years ago

January 12, 1952 more...

100 years ago

January 11, 1902 more...

Classic panto comes to town

THE curtain will rise on Norbury Theatre's production of Dick Whittington at the end of this week. more...

Control point for regattas and races

WORK is well underway to build a new training centre for Worcester Rowing Club on site of the old building that burned down almost seven years ago. more...

Son's `silly decision'

A WORRIED son leapt into his car after drinking six pints of beer to reach his arthritic mother, who had taken a fall. more...

Sunday school's set for Christmas!

SUNDAY school pupils from Malvern could be putting their stamp on next year's festivities after designing a Christmas window made from tissue paper. more...

Kathy finds the glass slipper that really fits the bill!

A LUCKY mum-of-four scooped a bagful of goodies thanks to a top competition organised by the Droitwich Spa Advertiser. more...

Health bosses in alert over use of antibiotics

HEALTH bosses are trying to persuade patients not to demand antibiotics for illnesses that cannot be treated by them. more...

Family's delight

A SEVERELY disabled Droitwich girl is this week settling into a special bed, thanks to a donation from a Spa organisation. more...

Man on trial for nightclub arson attack

Thirty firefighters were called to deal with a £38,000 blaze started deliberately outside a Hereford nightclub. more...

Urgent need for helpers

KIND-HEARTED townspeople are being urged to give just a few hours a week to help support the elderly and continue a much-needed service in the county that urgently requires moe volunteers. more...

Girl, 12, in critical condition

A TWELVE-year-old girl remains in a stable but critical condition today after she was in an accident with a car in Kidderminster. more...

Controversial lido plan suffers further delay

PROPOSALS to submit what has proved to be the controversial planning application for Droitwich Lido have received a set back, and are not expected to be put forward until April or May this year at the earliest. more...

County couple's timeshare grief

A COUPLE who have fought a four-year battle with a timeshare company are urging others to learn from their experience. more...

It's time for everyone to see the light

TOWNSPEOPLE are being asked to nominate their darkest street in the Spa, as left- over money is set to be spent on street lighting for Droitwich. more...

Gran refuses to pay fines

BAILIFFS are to raid the sheltered accommodation which is home to the 80-year-old nuclear arms campaigner who refuses to pay compensation to the Ministry of Defence. more...

`Bran' new baby!

A FIREWORKS display at a New Year's party sparked off the arrival of a little cracker for one Droitwich mum, whose baby decided it was finally time to make an appearance during the celebrations. more...

Police officers are proud of honours

A DROITWICH man has been knighted in the New Year's honours for his services to the police. more...

`Attacker held a knife to me'

A MAN claims he was held at knifepoint in a Worcester supermarket car park and ordered to hand over his wallet. more...

Ice warning for parents

YOUNGSTERS in Droitwich are being urged not to dice with death again as more icy weather is forecast. more...

Death of one of the city's most colourful journalists

ONE of Worcester's most colourful freelance journalists, Eric King, has died. more...

New group to combat crime

AN action group looks set to be formed by Spa dignitaries to tackle the growing problem of graffiti and anti-social behaviour which has plagued the town in recent months. more...

Bomb thrown at gran

A WHEELCHAIR-bound great-grandmother had a lucky escape after a homemade bomb was thrown at her home. more...

Campaigners deny claims

A PRESSURE group which has been campaigning against plans for a Waitrose in the town has responded to claims from the Spa's MP that a superstore was backing it. more...

Top award for popular pupil

A COURAGEOUS youngster from Worcester has been chosen to receive a prestigious award for her outstanding contribution to her school. more...

West Mercia bucks trend

THE percentage of motorists testing positive in breath tests following road crashes in West Mercia was halved over Christmas and New Year - bucking the national trend. more...

Saucy undie show a hit!

SAUCY WI stalwarts raised more than a titter when they stripped to their bare essentials for a village hall poetry reading. more...

Knife-attack man recovering

A MAN is recovering well after he was stabbed in an unprovoked knife attack outside his home in Worcester. more...

Spy camera bid to catch fly-tippers

SECURITY cameras could be used in the battle against fly-tippers in Offerton Lane, Warndon. more...

£2m to spend on new health site

DETAILED plans for Upton-upon-Severn's new community medical centre are due to be unveiled next month. more...

Robins

Robins ready for a lift-off

HAVING plummeted to their lowest league standing for more than two years, Evesham United start the task of climbing the Western Division table at home to basement outfit Swindon Supermarine on Saturday. more...