Archive

  • Winners given wake-up call by surprise starter

    Bretforton 3, Devizes 2 SATURDAY'S visitors to the High School made a flying start to the first league match of 2006 and a simple cross was converted to leave Bretforton chasing the game. This turned out to be a wake-up call for the home side and forwards

  • Rachel stars in draw

    Badsey Ladies 2, Kidderminster 2 SATURDAY'S re-arranged Worcestershire League second division fixture was a closely-fought encounter between two evenly matched teams. Badsey began the match subdued manner, as they have been prone to do all season and

  • Help is at hand for the sufferers of dyslexia

    A SPECIAL needs exhibition for people with dyslexia, learning difficulties and sight impairments will take place in Worcester tomorrow, in an effort to put the city on the education map. With more than 25 per cent of children in education suffering with

  • How a Kempsey corner shop is helping people in Kashmir

    Shoppers at a village store in Worcestershire have dipped deep into their pockets to help victims of the Asian earthquake. They raised nearly £670 at a collection at the Original Stores, Main Road, Kempsey, and have handed the money to the Worcester Muslim

  • Here's a leaflet to help you win votes

    A NEW guide to becoming an elected official has been produced by the city council in an attempt to make local politics more appealing. Bosses hope the guide will answer all the important questions about life as a councillor. It describes how people stand

  • Sausages marathon a sizzling success

    IT was a race against time when contestants attempted to eat two-and-half feet of sausages at a country pub. Ten teams of five hungry contestants went head-to- head to devour five sausages each when the Red Hart pub, at Kington, near Inkberrow, held its

  • Lots of fun planned for youngsters this summer

    TURNING detective, saving the earth and learning about DIY are just some of the activities that could be in store for Worcester youngsters this summer, in what is being seen as a revolutionary line-up of events for children. The charity Worcester Action

  • 24/01/06 - Kingly Bromsgrove knock leaders out of League Cup

    Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 1 King's Lynn (0) 0 Errea Cup fourth round By Peter McKinney GOALKEEPER Tim Clarke produced two brilliant saves to help Bromsgrove Rovers knock holders Kings Lynn out of the Southern League Cup, on a bitterly cold Tuesday night at

  • 14/01/06 - Cool Davis on target

    Bromsgrove Rovers 2 Paulton Rovers 0 Southern League Division One West By Peter McKinney TWO new signings sealed a much-needed victory for Bromsgrove Rovers as they bounced back from a mid-week defeat by overcoming Paulton Rovers on Saturday. Striker

  • 20/12/05 - Out of sorts Rovers beaten

    TOOTHLESS Rovers failed to show enough adventure to break down lively Sutton, as they crashed out of the Worcester Senior Cup with a whimper on Tuesday, December 20. Rovers huffed and puffed to break down ten man Sutton for much of the second half, after

  • 05/11/05 - Gary makes Hay as Rovers fade

    Bro msgrove Rovers 1 Willenhall Town 4 Southern League Division One West ROVERS' soft centre was cruelly exposed by rugged Willenhall Town, as their promotion hopes were struck with another hammer blow at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. A heavy defeat

  • 25/01/06 - Rovers boss vows to turn side into promotion force

    BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown has asked restless supporters to give him time to change the team into promotion winners. Brown has yet to fully win over Rovers supporters since taking over the hot seat at the Victoria Ground three weeks ago. Some

  • 05/01/01 - Mullen quits Rovers

    JIMMY Mullen has quit as manager of Bromsgrove Rovers on Thursday (January 5) morning. Mullen decided to call it a day after his trusted assistant Bernard Mackie was sacked a week before. He said: "I'm disappointed because I've always felt that the club

  • 27/09/05 - Rovers aim for good run

    BROMSGROVE Rovers coach Bernard Mackie has urged the players to build on their brilliant FA Cup defeat of Hinckley. Rovers were the better team against their Conference North opponents in a hotly contest FA Cup tie. The victory means Rovers have won the

  • 01/06/05 - Top scorer leaves Rovers

    BROMSGROVE Rovers' need to add some firepower for the 2005/2006 season became a top priority for manager Jimmy Mullen this week after last season's top scorer Paul Szewczyk joined Hednesford Town. Szewczyk, who scored 45 goals in 76 appearances for the

  • 100 years ago

    January 27, 1906 On Wednesday night last week, at a meeting of the Smallwood Hospital Saturday Committee, a well deserved compliment was paid to Mr T Clarke, proprietor of the "Gondolas" and other shows which visit Redditch annually. For several years

  • 50 years ago

    January 27, 1956 ALCESTER rural district Council agreed at its meeting on Wednesday to sell one of its houses on the new Conway Estate to an applicant on its housing list. This is the first post-war house to be sold by Alcester Council, and it is believed

  • Bromsgrove RFC First XV fixtures 2005/2006

    HOME, away (Midlands One fixtures unless stated) SEPTEMBER Sat 03 Whitchurch (Powergen National Trophy, Midlands round one) 3-51 Sat 10 BURTON 14-41 Sat 17 Luctonians (Powergen National Trophy, Midlands round two). Sat Dudley Kingswinford 48-12 OCTOBER

  • Test for threadbare Millers

    Feckenham manager Lee Adams is looking to freshen up his side with memories of a recent run of eleven wins in 12 matches becoming distant after three defeats in four. The Millers followed up their Smedley Crooke Cup shock at lower league Fairfield with

  • The cat's whiskers!

    A FELINE frenzy is set to take over Inkberrow this week with a new performance by the village's drama group. Following last year's success with Lionel Bart's Oliver!, the Inkberrow Players present the pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat, starting tomorrow

  • Solid defence guides VC to victory

    Redditch VC followed up last week impressive performance with another battling display to beat current league champions Malvern 1-0. The visitors began well and VC almost went behind when a ball was drilled along the six-yard line only for the Redditch

  • 21/01/06 - Spa match their leaders but miss out on points

    Droitwich men's 1st XI 0 Solihull Blossomfield men's 1st XI 1 DROITWICH matched leaders Solihull on Saturday and were separated by just a single goal in the West Midlands Premier Division. Spa made a mockery of their lowly status by testing the leaders

  • Hot on trail of top scorers

    RICHARD Ball's double strike at Mangot-sfield last weekend lifted his season's Sout-hern League tally to 15. The brace that helped earn Evesham a crucial point took took Ball within one goal of the Premier Division's leading goalgetters Daniel Bloomfield

  • Ladies turned over by ten

    Evesham Utd Ladies 1, Worcester City Res 2 A LETHARGIC home team succumbed to defeat against a Worcester side reduced to ten players after the sending off of their goalkeeper on the stoke of half-time. The home goal had an early let-off, while goalkeeper

  • New boy Danks inspires City win

    A LETHAL brace from new signing Mark Danks gave Worcester City their second away win in four days at Hinckley United last night. Danks smashed home low shots with both feet as City eased their Nationwide North relegation worries. Adam Webster, scorer

  • Another month out for Delport

    WING Thinus Delport, who injured his knee 11 days ago against Amatori Catania, could face another month on the sidelines. The former South African international has been to see a specialist and director of rugby John Brain believes the time-scale for

  • Bulls unable to chase goal deficit

    A POOR first-half cost Hereford United dearly as they were knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy last night. The Bulls could not repeat their shock defeats of Mansfield, Port Vale and Scunthorpe earlier in the competition at Moss Rose. Macclesfield claimed

  • Jenkins reaches Gibraltar cup final

    LEDBURY arrowsmith Terry Jenkins was as solid as a rock as he reached the final of the Stan James Players' Championship in Gibraltar. Jenkins played brilliantly all week, before succumbing to seasoned professional Dennis Priestly by three sets to two.

  • Ladies turned over by ten

    Evesham Utd Ladies 1, Worcester City Res 2 A LETHARGIC home team succumbed to defeat against a Worcester side reduced to ten players after the sending off of their goalkeeper on the stoke of half-time. The home goal had an early let-off, while goalkeeper

  • 25/1/06 - County youngsters are put through their paces

    SOME of the brightest cricketing prospects in the county have spent the winter training hard with Worcestershire's academy and now they have their sights set on making the grade and breaking into the first team. New Road director of cricket Steve Rhodes

  • Last-gasp win

    Worcester Cricket Board League REIGNING champions Dumbleton had to wait until the penultimate ball to secure victory over an improved St Benedict's side in last week's indoor action. Powell and Jones gave the Saints a flying start with a stand of 56 off

  • 21/01/06 - Promotion hopes take a knock

    Edwardians 15 Droitwich 10 Midlands Division Three South (West) DROITWICH'S hopes of a top two finish took a severe dent as their promotion rivals in the Midlands Division Four West (South) edged them out. Spa produced their most lacklustre performance

  • Monitors

    REPORTS on the Boxing Day hunts - 'Hunts are riding a wave of support' saw quotes from the Countryside Alliance Opinion Poll used which reportedly found that two thirds of the public felt that the Hunting Act, which came into effect in February 2005,

  • Recycling response

    HAVING been vilified by the leader of the council and criticised by some readers I would like to take the opportunity to clarify what I said about the refuse and recycling service in my original letter (January 4). I must stress that I am not the author

  • Leaked?

    I REFER to the letter that appeared at the beginning of the month from Councillor Stephen Peters, in which the final paragraph stated there was reference to the issue of a third wheelie bin for recyclable materials which would presumably replace the black

  • No extra bin

    I WISH to reply to the letter from Councillor Stephen Peters, the chairman of the refuse and recycling scrutiny task group. Hopefully those who attended the Rubery Spotlight meeting will verify my statement and name the councillor who made the statement

  • Damaging the hills

    I AM seriously concerned about the deliberate vandalism and environmental damage being done in the Lickey Hills park. Mountain bikers are ripping branches off, ripping trees out by the roots, digging large holes and stripping top soil off exposing the

  • 21/01/06 - Sinclair's strike stumps Rovers

    Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Southern League Division One West By Steve Riddick BROMSGROVE Rovers' first visit to Hemel Hempstead Town's Vauxhall Road ground ended in disappointment thanks to a 66th minute effort by Stephen Sinclair on Saturday

  • 21/01/06 - Walsh double seals an easy win

    Kenilworth KH 0 Fairdield Villa 2 FAIRFIELD Villa comfortably overcame Kenilworth to keep their place at the top of the Midland Combination Division One on Saturday. Joint manager Paul Oakes admitted he was delighted with his side's form. He said: "It

  • 21/01/06 - Droitwich test leaders' mettle

    Droitwich Spa 0 University of Birmingham 2 HARD working Droitwich Spa gave the Midland Combination Division Two leaders a fright before they slipped to defeat on Saturday. Despite missing a host of first team regulars Spa matched the division's pace-setters

  • Tough test ahead of key contest

    Kings Norton 12 Broadstreet 2nds 33 Without any pre-arranged fixture, Kings coach Ian Jackson needed a tough test from the fixture pool to prepare for this weekend's crucial league clash with neighbours Woodrush. And he was not disappointed as a very

  • Junior rugby reports

    Kings Norton Rhinos u15s bounced back from last week's crushing defeat to Camp Hill to record an excellent 29-5 victory over Bromsgrove. The away match had finished all-square but coach Paul McGlynn picked out the Flint twins, James Shore and Joe Carr

  • Beneficial

    A REPORT recently stated that it was 'feared' that Waitrose would take trade away from the High Street in Droitwich. Not by the Civic Society which - with others - consistently supported the Waitrose project on the grounds that the reverse was more likely

  • Beirns bags a leveller after heroics halt hosts

    Shipston 6, Evesham U-10 6pts SUPPORTERS of both sides were treated to an excellent demonstration of competitive rugby. At the first scrum, Aaron Parkes, Adam Johnson and Alex Tarplee showed great skill when faced with the larger Shipston forwards and

  • Sharply scripted show set to be a delight for young and old

    SWAN Theatre will be the venue for refined wit and humour this weekend when the classic Importance of Being Earnest comes to the stage. A sharp, ribald comedy written by one of Britain's greatest ever playwrights The Importance of Being Earnest follows

  • Sci-fi drama has point

    A DRAMA inspired by residents who worked near the ill-fated Rover plant in Longbridge has inspired a science fiction docu-drama at the MAC in Birmingham. Production company Stan's Cafe ventured out onto the streets of Longbridge to research docu-drama

  • Park is on Target

    CONSTRUCTION has begun on a £12 million development in Lakeside - only the third new industrial park to be built in Redditch in five years. The Target Park development is being built in two phases. Due to the high level of interest being shown, work on

  • Eradication of school inequality

    SIR - I find it ironic that James A Alexander writes with such passion about Christian children not being allowed to wear a crucifix to school and then goes on to brand the BNP as a party of 'thugs'. This is a party whose policies include the eradication

  • Restaurant will put us on map

    SIR - Shaun Hill's new proposal sounds fascinating. It will indeed be some restaurant that can make Sidbury 'one of the food capitals of the world'. Your report doesn't say that the venture depends upon a Lottery grant, like so many recently reported

  • My appreciation of hospital staff

    SIR - In recent times, the National Health Service and Worcestershire Royal Hospital has been having some critical press. The treatment I received at Worcester Royal Hospital was excellent. Recently, I attended the Laurel Three Haematology Unit in Worcester

  • Longevity and obesity mystery

    SIR - I read that the Ford Motor company and Virgin Airlines are going to make their seats two inches bigger because it appears people are becoming larger. Yet according to the pensions people, we are all living longer. Isn't this confusing? JOHN SHEARON

  • Teachers haven't time to be bored

    SIR - The Worcester News carried an item on teachers that referred to class boredom. This stated that a study showed a quarter of teachers "daydreamed, doodled or even counted window panes in the classroom to relieve boredom". In 30 years of teaching,

  • Salwarpe WI

    IN the absence of our president, Jennie Williams - our vice president, conducted the business of the evening and one of her pleasant duties was to present a member who had just celebrated her golden wedding anniversary with a plant and our good wishes

  • Recycling is just a confidence trick

    SIR - I wonder if D E Margrett can remember that the trigger for "recycling" was Labour's landfill tax? Wasn't this levy inflicted upon Mr Margrett's beloved Labour Party by Mr Margrett's beloved and utterly unelected European Commission? At £10 per wheelie

  • Hadzor & Oddingley WI

    A Happy New Year was wished by Jenny Marsh to a full hall of members. Interesting plans for 2006 included the annual lunch, the group meeting at Crowle, ideas and entries were welcomed for the spring rally, a theatre visit to Cheltenham and news of a

  • WRGS is not the UK's oldest school

    SIR - I do not know which is Britain's oldest school, but it is certainly not Worcester Royal Grammar School. When I was a pupil at King Edward VI Grammar School, Camp Hill, Birmingham, we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the school

  • Spadesbourne Ladies Club

    CHAIRMAN Betty Long greeted 58 members to the January meeting of the Spadesbourne Ladies Club and wished them all a very happy New Year. Mary Rutter was asked about programme planning. She replied that no start had been made yet on the 2007 speakers,

  • School league tables don't tell whole story

    I FEEL compelled to write to you in sheer exasperation concerning your editorial (Worcester News, January 19) that once again uses sloppy, emotive language to depict the education provided in Worcester. To describe Elgar Technology College as "abysmal

  • Heading for bright new future

    BROMSGROVE has taken a huge leap forward in the technological age, as work began this week on a groundbreaking technology park. Bromsgrove Technology Park is expected to create around 350 jobs, and contractors Laser were given the go-ahead to move in

  • It's the end of the road for Jeff

    A POPULAR carnival chairman is leaving his top post after a decade of hard work. Jeff Evans, of Moorsom Way, Aston Fields, is retiring from the job after being the longest serving chairman of the Bromsgrove Carnival committee. Jeff said he would be very

  • The cash floods in

    A BROMSGROVE group is celebrating a record collection for good causes in the town. Bromsgrove Round Table's annual Santa Sleigh raised a massive £5,413, which was collected from residents whose roads they visited. In the run up to Christmas the dedicated

  • It's adopt a station

    COMMUTERS are being given the chance to adopt their local railway station. Central Trains, which operates the route through Bromsgrove and Droitwich, is giving voluntary groups and individuals an opportunity to work in partnership with their local station

  • CCTV camera's cold comfort

    NEWS that Bromsgrove's CCTV cameras are spotting more wrongdoers, which led to 25 arrests in December alone, is not much comfort to Conservatives in the town. A large window in the Tory association's office in Worcester Road has been smashed for the fifth

  • TV cameras for Florrie

    A STORY featured in the Advertiser/Messenger in 2002 about a young Bromsgrove woman who was brutally murdered during the Second World War is to be the subject of a popular BBC programme. In October 1944 Bromsgrove was stunned by the news that Florrie

  • Donations are down

    A BROMSGROVE cancer charity's festive appeal has been hit by a lack of donations. Primrose Hospice's Lights of Love Appeal this year raised around £17,500, about £1,000 less than the previous year. The festive tree stands in Mill Lane during the Christmas

  • Could your's be the right face?

    A NEW face is needed on a parish council near Bromsgrove after one member resigned. Councillor Kevin Clarke left Stoke Parish Council earlier this month after serving for about a year. Now signs have been put up in the area giving the public 14 days to

  • Best ever

    PUPILS from Bromsgrove and Droitwich helped Worcestershire record its best ever results in the Government's latest GCSE league tables. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) released the final figures for GCSE results in its annual performance

  • Getting tough with graffiti?

    THE writing is on the wall for graffiti 'artists' in Bromsgrove for whom the sight of any blank space prompts them to reach for a spray can. Bromsgrove District Council is toying with the idea of spending £25,000 on a second-hand machine to rid the district

  • Go ahead for Lido plans

    DROITWICH Spa's new Lido development was given the go ahead by councillors last night (Tuesday). The plans for the 21st century Lido were put before Wychavon District Council's executive board before moving immediately to a consecutively held meeting

  • Pressure mounts for 'Klan' graffiti clean-up

    Graffiti spelling out the initials of the racist Klu Klux Klan is still blighting a Droitwich Spa wall, despite calls from police for it to be removed. Two police officers have reported the "offensive and disgraceful" KKK slogan daubed on brickwork at

  • CD - The Wonderful World Of Louis Armstrong

    I HAVE a soft spot for Louis Armstrong. My first musical memory is listening to What A Wonderful World and I am still moved each time I listen to the gravel-voiced crooner. Armstrong, known to his millions of adoring fans as Satchmo, was regarded as one

  • Grinnall homes mystery

    A MAJOR planning application to build apartments in Droitwich Spa has been put forward by a company using the name of a top property tycoon who called in the receivers only a few months ago. Neil Grinnall, who ran up estimated millions of pounds worth

  • DVD - Lords of Dogtown (15)

    THIS film is a nostalgic look at the birth of skateboarding and the rise in fame of three beach-bum teenagers who changed the sport completely. The setting is the 70s, when Venice Beach, California, was not the tidy tourist spot it now is. Back then it

  • DVD - The Longest Yard (15)

    AFTER being caught driving when completely sloshed, Paul Crewe, a former star football player, is sent to one of the USA's toughest prisons to help him see the error of his ways. He is asked by the menacing guards to form a football team so Crewe enlists

  • Cinema - Get Rich or Die Tryin' (15)

    THIS semi-biographical film recounting the rise of Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will undoubtedly throw up all the usual questions about whether US rap music glamorises drug-related gang warfare. And while I am not ignoring this valid, if exhausted debate,

  • Youth section is flourishing

    THE head of youth cricket at Evesham Cricket Club, Dave Martin, has reported to parents that the Avon Street youngsters had their best season ever last summer and are looking forward to even more success. "The Under-16s reached the finals of both the

  • Special day on a Sunday

    THE Worcestershire Disability Football Club is hosting an inaugural competition under the banner of Ability Counts West Midlands on Sunday, February 5. The AC League is in its first year of organising matches and is using the early experience to establish

  • Crunch meeting on cuts

    CASH-strapped Redditch councillors will be sitting down on Monday to decide what facilities and services are going to axed in a bid to save £1.158 million. A raft of cost-cutting measures are on the table, including controversial proposals to close Forge

  • Ambassador's revenge as Snodsbury suffer

    AMBASSADOR gained revenge for their recent Knockout Cup defeat with a two-goal win at fellow Division One title contenders Upton Snodsbury. Second half goals from Graham Hay and Tim Beattie secured the win that lifted the winners up to second level on

  • Revived under Robbins

    PERSHORE Town continued their revival under the guidance of Andy Robbins with a 4-0 victory over Pilkington XXX last Saturday. Town went into the Midland Combination Premier Division clash just four points ahead of the side in third from bottom spot and

  • Lisle's triple helping a recipe for success.

    Chaddesley Corbett 2, Pershore 4 ONLY excellent defending from Wright, Rushin, and Powell kept Saturday's hosts at bay early on but it was Pershore who opened the scoring after a mistake led to Rich-ard Lisle continuing his excellent form in front of

  • A chorus of disapproval...

    I WRITE on behalf of the members of Redditch Choral Society to express our immense concern at the news of the council's proposal to cut the funding to the Arts Council. Our choir recently celebrated 40 years of presenting choral and classical music locally

  • Last-gasp win

    Worcester Cricket Board League REIGNING champions Dumbleton had to wait until the penultimate ball to secure victory over an improved St Benedict's side in last week's indoor action. Powell and Jones gave the Saints a flying start with a stand of 56 off

  • Lewis leads the way

    Evesham and District Airgun League TEENAGER Amy Lewis recorded her first-ever lea-gue maximum to help Offen-ham RBL to an easy victory at Honeybourne RC. Picking up where mum Ady left off, the 15-year-old's efforts helped lift her team into third place

  • Latest crib league news

    Evesham and District League Results - Division One: Railway Club 7 (2), Coach & Horses 2 (1); Rowing Club 9 (2), Norton Grange 0 (1); Bretforton RBL 5 (3), Angel Vaults 4 (0); Hospital Club 7 (1), Hampton WMC 2 (2); Wheatsheaf Inn 4 (2), Swan Inn

  • PCT shake-up 'could hit Alex campaign'

    A REDDITCH dad who is campaigning to save services at the Alexandra Hospital is worried proposed changes to the set-up of Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust could weaken his fight. Neal Stote is concerned about the plan to merge Redditch and Bromsgrove

  • Luke all set to bowl 'em over

    A HUNT End student is set to represent his country on an international cricket tour this month. Luke Sugg, 15, (right) from St Augustine's High School, is jetting off to Sri Lanka to represent the England Blind Cricket Team this Friday. During the three-match

  • Get ready for a new Palace era

    AN exciting programme of events will attract the crowds when Redditch's famous Palace Theatre reopens in April after a twelve-month refurbishment. On April 23, Celtic Feet will deliver an extravaganza of fiery Irish dance. The troupe comprises world class

  • Centre staff help wildlife

    WE at Wychbold Swan Rescue are shocked and saddened at the threat of closure of Arrow Valley Countryside Centre. Having worked with the staff since it opened some years ago, we have first-hand knowledge of their dedication and caring to both wildlife

  • One last hurdle in the race for status

    ST Augustine's Catholic High School is near to reaching the £50,000 target it needs to become a specialist science school and is now making an 11th-hour plea for business support. Parents and businesses have already given generously and frantic fundraising

  • Missed the point

    COUNCILLOR Juliet Brunner may or may not have supported the AIR Festival at council but the Conservative group did. However, she is now blaming the festival for everything she can think of. The festival was put on so we could all have a good time but

  • Chance to learn on the job

    BUDDING marketing executives are being offered the chance to gain on the job experience at Redditch NEW College. The Peakman Street college is giving two undergraduates the opportunity for a one-year work experience placement in it's marketing department

  • Keep sight of bigger picture

    I AM concerned and dismayed. Concerned that all the stories on your front page (Advertiser, January 11) were about cuts to services both to our local hospital and local cultural services. More concern because this seems to be an ongoing theme of recent

  • Help needed on centre incident

    NEW Year's Eve shoppers are being urged to cast their minds back and help police solve an incident in the Kingfisher Centre. A police spokesman said that while they were aware December 31 was some time ago, people tended to remember what they were doing

  • Wanton hooliganism at Palace

    WITH regard to the report on the Palace Theatre (Advertiser, January 18), though there has been some excellent restoration, the rear part of the original 1913 auditorium has not been restored - it has been demolished. The Stake Holder's Group was promised

  • Boss kept cash she should have banked

    AN off licence manageress kept more than £1,700 which she should have banked and then claimed it had been stolen while she was shopping in a supermarket. But since then Debra Watson has repaid nearly all of the money, a judge at Warwick Crown Court has

  • Business challenge

    THE Primrose Hospice is challenging local businesspeople to play a game which tests who can run their business best. The hospice has teamed up Action International to host "Leverage" at the Quality Hotel, Redditch, on Thursday, February 9. Not only will

  • Parents urged to look beyond league tables

    A REDDITCH headteacher is urging parents to look beyond Government league tables when choosing a school for their child. Peter Woodman, head at Arrow Vale High School, made the comments following the publication of the secondary school league tables on

  • Councillor's views go national

    A REDDITCH councillor has featured in a national magazine. Matchborough ward councillor Juliet Brunner (above) has featured in Local Government First magazine, a weekly publication for councillors. Mrs Brunner, a member of the town's Conservative group

  • One way to tackle teens

    PARENTS of teenagers can at times find it very challenging as their children develop opinions and test out their independence. Relate's Riding The Storm courses are being offered in Redditch and Worcester and start in the first week of February. Relate

  • Housing award

    FOR the third time, Redditch Housing Services has been awarded the prestigious Charter Mark accreditation for excellence in service to customers. After an examination of all the evidence, including an onsite visit, interviews with tenants, and an inspection

  • Festival set to be better than ever

    REDDITCH is being promised a bigger and better community arts festival this year. Flair (Festival of Live Arts), is planning an exciting programme of events in May - including live music and dance. The voluntary arts festival group has changed its name

  • Bromsgrove Rovers fixtures and results 2005/2006

    HOME, away (Southern League Division One West fixtures unless stated) JULY Wed 13 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS (friendly) 2-4 (Blakemore, Hadland). Sat 16 HEDNESFORD TOWN 0-3 (friendly). Tue 19 MOOR GREEN 0-1 (friendly). Sat 23 BRISTOL ROVERS 3-4 (friendly)

  • Payment payout

    A BATCHLEY hair technician has been awarded £2,267 after the salon which employed her failed to pay her full wages. Lindsey Greenhouse, of Cedar View, was awarded the money at a Birmingham employment tribunal against Redditch's Kingfisher Centre branch

  • Astwood Bank Flower Club

    WE started the year with our AGM. Members of the committee were all prepared to stand again and Glynis Pearce will be chairman for another year. We go into the year with a full programme of demonstrations, starting on March 14 with one by Nancy Cooper

  • Pathway campaign

    THE Matchborough community has united in a campaign for a new pathway in the area. Students from Arrow Vale Community High School and ward Councillor Juliet Brunner are exploring the possibility of a new path from the bus stop near the underpass on Matchborough

  • Honey overcomes Lewis on the way to the last eight

    DROITWICH arrowsmith Dave Honey continues to stride up the Professional Darts Players Association's (PDPA) rankings after reaching the quarterfinals of a major tournament over the weekend. Honey moved up to 64 in the world rankings after reaching the

  • Barber cuts the mustard

    JUNIOR martial artist Joshua Barber came top of his class when he was awarded with his black belt.JUNIOR KICKS: Joshua Barber, aged seven, earned his black belt in Sankukai karate. Barber, aged seven, was one of the youngest fighters at Rob Lock's Martial

  • Club starts season well

    BROMSGROVE Swimming Club have made a promising start to 2006 by coming second in the opening round of the Worcester Winter League. The team finished just 25 points behind winners Worcester in a hard fought contest. Daniel Strange enjoyed a solid debut

  • Inner Wheel Club of Redditch

    TO mark Inner Wheel Day in January, president Valerie Pickering welcomed district chair Dawn Williams, who lit the candle of friendship to "The World Over". A table collection for the Salvation Army raised £47 to mark the day. Elsie Hayden won the raffle

  • Merry Wives of Alcester

    THERE was an evening of nostalgia on January 10 with Drainpipe Trousers to Rock'n' Roll, a talk and slideshow by Graham Sutherland. It covered everything and anything about the transformation of society from the end of the Second World War into the 1950s

  • Top twenty-five finish

    DROITWICH professional golfer John Bickerton continued his fine form in the European Tour by finishing 24th at the Abu Dhabi Championship over the weekend. Bickerton finished the tournament on a six-under-par score of 280 after four rounds at the Abu

  • Redditch Speakers Club

    THE beginning of 2006 saw the start of the second half of the Speakers' season. It was pleasing to welcome two members who had joined this season to give their first speeches. This first speech is for us all the most daunting but once done it gives he

  • Studley Local History Group

    OUR speaker in November was Prof McGinty, who takes his travelling museum to primary schools throughout the country. He covers seven periods from the Roman to WW2 in order to bring history alive. During the evening he showed and allowed us to handle his

  • White Hart Inn Garden Club

    HURRANS Garden Centre in Burcot hosted our January meeting and, after refreshments, we had a very interesting talk by Reg Moule on winter shrubs and the latest vegetable seeds. The nursery was opened for us and we were able to browse and buy. Our thanks

  • 25/1/06 - Wedgbury at Blades

    WORCESTER City's academy whizz-kid Sam Wedgbury was yesterday picked in Sheffield United's reserve match against Bradford City. The talented 16-year-old midfielder, currently on trial at the Championship high-fliers, earned selection to Blades' 16-strong

  • Wythall Photographic Society

    THE second print competition on Wednesday was well supported and judged by Barry Wheway. First and second places in the colour section went to Alan Fackrell with Rudder and Wheel Centres. Brian Hiscock was third with A Stone's Throw from the Light. In

  • 50 years ago January 28, 1956

    STOKE Prior Parish Council discussed a mixed bag of issues when it met for its monthly meeting in the village school. Topics included housing, letter-boxes, the weather, the state of local industry and the H-bomb. However, it was Bromsgrove Rural District

  • Hinckley 1 City 3

    Tuesday, January 24, 2006 A LETHAL brace from new signing Mark Danks gave Worcester City their second away win in four days at Hinckley United last night. Danks smashed home low shots with both feet as City eased their Nationwide North relegation worries

  • Sparkling set of seven races

    THERE promises to be a truly sensational Jump Racing card at Cheltenham on Saturday. Seven top quality races feature the £80,000 Letheby & Christopher Chase and the £110,000 Victor Chandler Chase transferred from Ascot - Europe's most valuable two-mile

  • Harriers are flying high

    EVESHAM Harriers have made a winning start to the MK Technical Services Division 3A campaign. Harriers have won all five matches including a 3-2 defeat of Wyre Double Trouble whose twins Luke and Adam Gordon have made an excellent start to the season.

  • Turning on heat

    A COLD but fine morning welcomed visitors and members to the picturesque shoo-ting ground at Throckmor- ton Clay Pigeon Shooting Club. The Skeet discipline was the first to produce solid scores with many competitors topping 20. John Arnold dropped only

  • Dominoes round-up

    Vale of Evesham League Results - Division One: Talbot 4, Queens Head 5; Swan 4, Evesham WMC 5; Angel B 2, Ambassador 7; Bret-forton RBL 3, Offenham RBL 6. Division Two: Dug Out 4, Angel 5; Railway Club 6, Horse & Hounds 3; Chestnut Club 5, Cider Mill

  • With the Wheelers

    MEMBERS of Evesham Whee-lers travelled to Hailes Abbey last Sunday when a group of 20 riders visited Lenchwick, Chadbury, Fladbury, Crop-thorne, Elmley, Dumbleton and Toddington before reaching Hailes for coffee. The return route was cut short and passed

  • News from the oche

    Broadway and District League Results: Broadway FC 5, Corner Cupboard 3; Bretforton Spts 5, Blockley Spts 3; Wheatsheaf 5, New Inn 3; Stanton Club 5, Sun 3; Bretforton RBL 2, Great Western 6; Crown & Trumpet 5, Sandys Arms 3. Highest checkout: 142

  • Pair forced front doors

    POLICE are seeking two men who tried to break into an Alcester business. The men, who are described as tall, slim and wearing dark hooded tops, forced the front doors of Ross Motors in Evesham Street with bolt croppers at 11.40pm on January 10. They left

  • Rural thefts alert

    RESIDENTS who live in rural areas are being warned to take extra care of their valuables following a spate of thefts. The Bidford area, including Ardens Grafton and Temple Grafton, has suffered nine incidents of theft from motor vehicles towards the end

  • Left on its own, the calf whose mum is sentenced to death

    BARNEY the calf is set for a grim start in life after being separated from his mother, who is due to be slaughtered in a row over tuberculosis. He was born in the early hours of Monday, but because his mother is one of eight cows tested positive for bovine

  • Standing ovation for a musical that simply has the lot

    Review - Blood Brothers at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday) AUDIENCES at Malvern are normally a wee bit reserved - but not for the opening night of this, one of the great musicals of our time. Here was the rare sight of a standing ovation

  • Where to go

    Wednesday, January 25 THEATRE: Aladdin, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich (until January 28). CINEMA: Stoned, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove (7.45pm start). THEATRE: An Audience with Johnathan Miller, Malvern Theatres, Malvern. CELEBRATION: Burns Night celebrations

  • The cat's whiskers!

    A FELINE frenzy is set to take over Inkberrow this week with a new performance by the village's drama group. Following last year's success with Lionel Bart's Oliver!, the Inkberrow Players present the pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat, starting tomorrow

  • Everybody cut footloose!

    PREPARE to get those toes tapping as Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre presents Footloose the Musical, starting on Monday. Made famous by the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon, the new show is set to take audiences by storm with its high-octane cast and electrifying

  • Collins and Rice star in Monologues

    TV STARS Anneka Rice and Michelle Collins star in the Vagina Monologues at the Birmingham Hippodrome, starting on Monday. The pair will feature in the return of the popular comic and moving show, which runs until February 4. Based on author Eve Ensler's

  • Paris play is set to thrill

    LIGHTWORK presents genetic detective thriller at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, starting tomorrow. Here's What I Did with My Body One Day will play at The Door until Saturday and is touring until March 4. The thriller, set in Paris past and present, promises

  • Boffins at QinetiQ are still on track with racing certs

    MALVERN-based QinetiQ, the leading defence and technology solutions company, is in the fast lane in more ways than one. It has just announced it is extending its technical partnership with Williams F1, the top Grand Prix motor racing team. The existing

  • What's On

    Wednesday, January 25 Peter Pan, Birmingham Hippodrome. Until January 29. Tickets on 0870 730 1234 or www.birminghamhippodrome.com Grease, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Until January 28. Tickets on 0870 607 7533 Willy Russell's Blood Brothers, Festival

  • Business talking - Louise Hewett

    AS we launch into 2006, the annual debate on the expected state of the economy for the year ahead unfolds. The national media sometimes has conflicting predictions and forecasts. One well known broadsheet reported that although Gordon Brown has promised

  • Experts organise exhibition

    A leading computer company is organising a special needs exhibition in Worcester tomorrow to show how modern technology can help children with learning difficulties. Dolphin Computer Access, which has its headquarters at Blackpole Trading Estate, Worcester

  • Agency set to launch consultant academy

    HEWETT Recruitment is launching a training academy for its own consultants. "The new HR Training Academy will offer further opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge at a much more personal and individual level," said Louise Hewett. "Our promise

  • Advice given on financial matters

    ENGLISH Mutual is situated in one of the old Kay's buildings in The Tything, Worcester. The head office for the growing Independent Financial Adviser group, there are 18 friendly advisers serving the financial needs of Worcestershire and beyond. English

  • Passport to the world of printing in colours

    Evesham-based print colour specialist Mellow Colour is enjoying an exciting period of expansion into overseas markets thanks to UK Trade & Investment (UKT&I). ISOLithO - the company's unique and innovative colour quality management system - has

  • Free help for all new firms

    RUNNING your own business could be the greatest challenge of your life, and perhaps one of the scariest. Starting up is the biggest challenge - there are so many new things to learn - but what a lot of people possibly may not know is that there is a raft

  • How the 2005 winners lined up

    Finalists and winners from the Chamber Awards 2005 are pictured at Worcester Cathedral. Award for Skills and Workforce Development (sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council Herefordshire and Worcestershire). Winner: Milsys UK, Hereford. Finalists:

  • Chamber prizes set to honour top businesses

    THE crme de la crme of businesses in Worcestershire and Herefordshire are to be honoured at the area's biggest awards ceremony of the year. The date has now been set for the fifth annual Chamber Awards, organised by the Chamber of Commerce Here-fordshire

  • MPs vow to probe accounts for poor

    An cross-party group of MPs pledged to investigate which banks refused to help the most financially vulnerable people in Britain. The Treasury Select Committee said there needed to be greater transparency surrounding which banks were willing to open basic

  • Car building is going into reverse gear

    CAR production in the UK went into reverse during the final three months of 2005, official figures are showing. A drop in domestic and export orders left total output down 8.2 per cent compared with the previous three months, the Office of National Statistics

  • Profit delays

    Fishmongers and restaurants group FishWorks said pre-tax profits for the year to July 31 would be around £250,000 due to delays in site openings and an acquisition.

  • Revenues down

    Intelligent Environment, a Surrey-based online banking software provider, said total revenues for last year were only £3.2m after a major project took an unexpectedly long time.

  • Jones joins

    Mortgage and savings provider HBOS said Karen Jones, the 49-year-old former chief executive of the Spirit pubs group and founder of the Cafe Rouge chain, had joined its board as a non-executive director.

  • DVD - Lords of Dogtown (15)

    THIS film is a nostalgic look at the birth of skateboarding and the rise in fame of three beach-bum teenagers who changed the sport completely. The setting is the 70s, when Venice Beach, California, was not the tidy tourist spot it now is. Back then it

  • DVD - The Longest Yard (15)

    AFTER being caught driving when completely sloshed, Paul Crewe, a former star football player, is sent to one of the USA's toughest prisons to help him see the error of his ways. He is asked by the menacing guards to form a football team so Crewe enlists

  • Theatre - Grease, Alexandra Theatre

    FOR a great night's entertainment, you generally can't go wrong with a musical, let alone one of the bestselling shows of all time. The film itself is a hard act to follow, and although the show may not have starred John Travolta or Olivia Newton-John

  • Cinema - Get Rich or Die Tryin' (15)

    THIS semi-biographical film recounting the rise of Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will undoubtedly throw up all the usual questions about whether US rap music glamorises drug-related gang warfare. And while I am not ignoring this valid, if exhausted debate,

  • WILDE

    WILDE Elizabeth Elizabeths Family wish to thank everyone who attended the Funeral and for the many cards received, they were a great comfort. For donations to South Hayes, who's care and kindness from Staff past and present will never be forgotten Published

  • WRIGHT

    WRIGHT Patricia Suddenly in hospital on January 17th. Formerly of East Comer, Worcester. The funeral service will take place at Worcester Crematorium on Tuesday, 31st January at 12 noon. Flowers may be sent to Holland Funeral Service, 71 Barnards

  • SHAW

    SHAW Sybil nee Bartram Ex Kays and Local Shopkeeper. Passed away peacefully in hospital on Thursday, January 19th, aged 76 years. Cherished mom to Sue and her partner George, loving nan to Olivia and Richard, Adam and Emily, dear sister to

  • ALLINGTON

    ALLINGTON Gilbert Treasured memories of a dear dad and grandad. Always in the thoughts of all his Family. xxx Published in paper 25/01/2006

  • KELLY

    KELLY Dorothy Died January 25th, 1999. Always lovingly remembered, Maureen and Philip. Published in paper 25/01/2006

  • Kingly Bromsgrove knock leaders out of League Cup

    Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 1 King's Lynn (0) 0 Errea Cup fourth round By Peter McKinney GOALKEEPER Tim Clarke produced two brilliant saves to help Bromsgrove Rovers knock holders Kings Lynn out of the Southern League Cup, on a bitterly cold Tuesday night at

  • Lisle's triple helping a recipe for success.

    Chaddesley Corbett 2, Pershore 4 ONLY excellent defending from Wright, Rushin, and Powell kept Saturday's hosts at bay early on but it was Pershore who opened the scoring after a mistake led to Rich-ard Lisle continuing his excellent form in front of

  • Rovers boss vows to turn side into promotion force

    BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown has asked restless supporters to give him time to change the team into promotion winners. Brown has yet to fully win over Rovers supporters since taking over the hot seat at the Victoria Ground three weeks ago. Some

  • Starting struggle

    Droitwich 4, Evesham Ladies 2 EVESHAM'S last friendly before the league restarts at Malvern this weekend saw them face a side from a division higher. It couldn't have started any worse when the hosts took the lead after a mere ten seconds and they went

  • Lose ten-goal thriller

    Evesham 4, Stone 6 SATURDAY'S latest Coaching Solutions West Midlands Premier game saw Evesham's victory hopes slip away a game that they could have won. After pulling level at 3-3, the home side failed to capitalise on some shaky defending, while always

  • Get ready to chortle at funny threesome

    A TRIO of funnymen are hoping to have comedy fans in stitches when they take to the stage in Worcester for the first in a new season of stand-up shows. Gordon Southern, Tom Wrigglesworth and Markus Birdman will kick off the 10th year of the Comedy Zone

  • Celebrating Mozart's birth

    THE Dante Quartet will perform classical tunes by Mozart and Schubert as part of Bromsgrove Concerts' popular winter programme at the Artrix on Friday, January 27. This year is the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth and the cosmopolitan foursome, containing

  • We'll make owners fix shabby cinema - once we find them

    THE owners of a dilapidated cinema in Evesham could be ordered to tidy up the site - if it can be established who they are. The Regal Cinema in Port Street has been empty for three years and has been dubbed an eyesore by residents and traders. Planning

  • Music by can-delight

    A CANDLELIGHT concert is being held at Ribbesford Church in Kidderminster on Sunday, January 29 (7.30pm start). The youth choir of Kidderminster Choral Society performs a Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten and other seasonal music at the church near

  • CND veteran Kent set for county talk

    RENOWNED peace campaigner Bruce Kent is set to call in on Malvern to join a debate arguing against the replacement of Britain's nuclear deterrent system. Mr Kent - who is vice president of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament - is one of two speakers

  • Wanted: people who just keep on sneezing

    PEOPLE who suffer from sneezing and a runny nose all year round are needed to take part in a Worcester research project. It will test the effectiveness of a particular rhinitis remedy in adults who are allergic to house dust mites that live in all our

  • 21/01/06 - Sinclair's strike stumps Rovers

    Hemel Hempstead Town 1 Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Southern League Division One West By Steve Riddick BROMSGROVE Rovers' first visit to Hemel Hempstead Town's Vauxhall Road ground ended in disappointment thanks to a 66th minute effort by Stephen Sinclair on Saturday

  • Malvern Town FC - Fixtures/Results - 2005/6 Season

    FIXTURES Harvey World Travel Midland Football Alliance Saturday, January 28, Malvern Town v Racing Club Warwick (3.00). Tuesday, January 31, Malvern Town v Oldbury United (7.45). West Midlands League Division One Saturday, January 28, Ellesmere Rangers

  • 25/1/06 - Another month out for Delport

    WING Thinus Delport, who injured his knee 11 days ago against Amatori Catania, could face another month on the sidelines. The former South African international has been to see a specialist and director of rugby John Brain believes the time-scale for

  • 22/10/05 - First round slips out of Rovers' grasp

    Bromsgrove Rovers 0 Morecambe 2 FA Cup fourth qualifying round BROMSGROVE Rovers' dream of making the FA Cup first round was dashed by efficient Morecambe at the Victoria Ground on Saturday, but the home side acquitted themselves admirably against the

  • 25/1/06 - Sixways girls selected to take on Wales

    WORCESTER'S Joanne Yapp will lead England into battle when they take on Wales in the Six Nations opener next week. The scrum-half has been named captain for the clash at Old Albanians RFC on February 4. She will be joined in the starting '15' by Sixways

  • 10/09/05 - Rovers' cup cruise

    ROVERS (1) 2 NEWCASTLE TOWN (0) 0 FA Cup first qualifying round Goals from Kevin Banner and Jason Ramsay secured Rovers' passage into the FA Cup's second qualifying round draw at the Victoria Ground on Saturday. Not even a late start, due to the visitors

  • Success of festive blitz cheers police

    By Emily Bridgewater A POLICE initiative to crackdown on drink-related crime over the festive season has been hailed a success. According to figures published yesterday, Operation Christmas Presence resulted in a 22 per cent drop in antisocial behaviour

  • New year sees six assaults reported

    A TEENAGER was left with a broken nose and fractured cheekbone after what police described as a "nasty attack" in Bromsgrove Road, Redditch. The assault was one of six reported incidents in the town since the new year. On this occasion, the 18-year-old

  • Indecent exposure near lake

    A MAN described as having a foreign accent indecently exposed himself to a woman near Arrow Valley Lake. The woman was walking along the path under the Warwick Highway from Arrow Valley Lake to Battens Drive at around 11.25am on Monday, January 16 when

  • New recruit joins force

    A REDDITCH man is preparing to make a difference after signing up to join Warwickshire Police. Twenty recruits, including a former sales assistant, an airline recruitment consultant and a DJ are all embarking on a new career in uniform. Paul Gunnell,

  • Transit taken

    A WHITE Ford transit van was stolen from Badbury Gardens in Studley. The theft took place on January 12 between 2-8am. Anyone with information can call Sector Insp Emma Walton at Alcester police station on 01789 762207.

  • 10/01/06 - Brown asks fans for their support

    BROMSGROVE Rovers' new manager Rod Brown made a plea for unity by asking the club's disgruntled fans to get behind the team. Brown, who replaced Jimmy Mullen as manager on Thursday, January 5, wants fans to forget the last few weeks and concentrate on

  • Standing ovation for a musical that simply has the lot

    Review - Blood Brothers at the Festival Theatre, Malvern (until Saturday) AUDIENCES at Malvern are normally a wee bit reserved - but not for the opening night of this, one of the great musicals of our time. Here was the rare sight of a standing ovation

  • Busst puzzling over Shane's starting spot

    EXPERIENCE or enthusiasm! That's the conundrum facing Dave Busst should John Williams shake off a hamstring strain, writes Mervyn Collins. United head for Halesowen on Sat-urday seeking to extend a four-match unbeaten sequence but also hoping for a first

  • Kevin rues departures

    STUDLEY manager Kevin Rowlands was in sarcastic mood after seeing two of his players leave last weekend. Rowlands, who spent a short time at Common Road when Dave Busst first arrived, was reflecting on more movement between his past and current employers

  • Hot on trail of top scorers

    RICHARD Ball's double strike at Mangot-sfield last weekend lifted his season's Sout-hern League tally to 15. The brace that helped earn Evesham a crucial point took took Ball within one goal of the Premier Division's leading goalgetters Daniel Bloomfield

  • 03/11/05 - Dyer puts pen to paper

    MIDFIELDER Wayne Dyer ended any fears of him leaving the club after signing a two-year deal with Bromsgrove Rovers on Wednesday night. Dyer had been a transfer target for AFC Telford and Redditch United after a series of sparkling displays for Rovers

  • 25/10/05 - Hands off our players!

    BROMSGROVE Rovers' management team has vowed not to lose the club's best players. Manager Jimmy Mullen has becoming increasingly concerned about losing some of his star performers to their rivals after Rovers caught the eye of many clubs during their

  • 19/10/05 - Mullen: Fans can give us FA Cup edge

    BROMSGROVE Rovers fans are being urged to come out in force to support the team in their titanic FA Cup clash against Morecambe on Saturday. Rovers will be the underdogs when they kick off against their high-flying Conference opponent at 3pm at the Victoria

  • Dream must not wither on the vine

    SO near and yet so far. After all this time, just when the relocation of Christopher Whitehead Language College seemed to be within our grasp, events may have conspired to deny us the prize. Great efforts have been made to solve the problems of this popular

  • Reds Dis-united

    By David Lawrence, Sports Editor THE future of crisis club Redditch United hangs by a thread after directors cancelled a planned meeting of shareholders. Reds chairman Pat Cremin had called an EGM for tomorrow morning in a bid to vote a number of directors

  • Britt stars in opener

    SWIMMING: Redditch SC held its first gala of the year at Droitwich when 22 youngsters improved their personal bests. Individual first places went to David Green in the boys 10y freestyle and Michaela Britt in the girls 12y breaststroke. William Fidoe,

  • Meeting

    ANGLING: The Redditch Federation of Anglers will hold its AGM on Friday, February 3, at The Rocklands Social Club, Headless Cross. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and representatives of new clubs are urged to attend along with existing members. For further

  • All square

    TENNIS: Wythall B eased their relegation worries in Division Three of the Stratford Winter League with a 2-2 draw at home to leaders Warwick Boat Club. Rob Blair and Kevin Turner won their opening rubber 6-7, 6-4, 7-5 but there was a 6-2, 6-1 defeat for

  • Where to go

    Wednesday, January 25 THEATRE: Aladdin, Norbury Theatre, Droitwich (until January 28). CINEMA: Stoned, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove (7.45pm start). THEATRE: An Audience with Johnathan Miller, Malvern Theatres, Malvern. CELEBRATION: Burns Night celebrations

  • 25 years ago

    January 23, 1981 A SEVEN-foot Redditch man has made a desperate appeal for girls not to be put off by his height. But 23-year-old Phillip Harrison isn't fussy - he would like to meet any girl around 5ft 8ins, preferably blonde. If you fit the bill, Phillip

  • Blueprint to be launched at roadshow

    RESIDENTS can find out more about the range of county council services on offer at a roadshow next week. Worcestershire County Council representatives will be out and about on the upper tier of the Kingfisher Centre from Monday until Sunday, February

  • Boss Kev feeling woof as trio exit

    IT has been a bad week for Studley manager Kevin Rowlands, despite a hard-fought goalless draw at Racing Club Warwick on Saturday. "Since last week I've lost my star striker Shane Benjamin to Evesham, my sweeper and coach Andy Smith to Malvern and my

  • Everybody cut footloose!

    PREPARE to get those toes tapping as Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre presents Footloose the Musical, starting on Monday. Made famous by the 1984 movie starring Kevin Bacon, the new show is set to take audiences by storm with its high-octane cast and electrifying

  • Collins and Rice star in Monologues

    TV STARS Anneka Rice and Michelle Collins star in the Vagina Monologues at the Birmingham Hippodrome, starting on Monday. The pair will feature in the return of the popular comic and moving show, which runs until February 4. Based on author Eve Ensler's

  • Paris play is set to thrill

    LIGHTWORK presents genetic detective thriller at Birmingham Repertory Theatre, starting tomorrow. Here's What I Did with My Body One Day will play at The Door until Saturday and is touring until March 4. The thriller, set in Paris past and present, promises

  • 21/01/06 - Bromsgrove's dreams of promotion are dashed

    Bromsgrove men's 1st XI 0 Whitchurch men's 1st XI 4 A SECOND heavy defeat at the hands of one of their rivals seems to have ended Bromsgrove's hopes of winning promotion from the West Midlands Division One. Defeat to title chasing Whitchurch leaves Bromsgrove

  • Ball's late show rescues a point

    ANOTHER point in the battle against relegation on an afternoon when it could easily have been none but should really have been three! It's hard to understand just how United find themselves in such a predicament when you look at the spirit and commitment

  • What's On

    Wednesday, January 25 Peter Pan, Birmingham Hippodrome. Until January 29. Tickets on 0870 730 1234 or www.birminghamhippodrome.com Grease, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Until January 28. Tickets on 0870 607 7533 Willy Russell's Blood Brothers, Festival

  • Kevin rues departures

    STUDLEY manager Kevin Rowlands was in sarcastic mood after seeing two of his players leave last weekend. Rowlands, who spent a short time at Common Road when Dave Busst first arrived, was reflecting on more movement between his past and current employers

  • Special day on a Sunday

    THE Worcestershire Disability Football Club is hosting an inaugural competition under the banner of Ability Counts West Midlands on Sunday, February 5. The AC League is in its first year of organising matches and is using the early experience to establish

  • Ambassador's revenge as Snodsbury suffer

    AMBASSADOR gained revenge for their recent Knockout Cup defeat with a two-goal win at fellow Division One title contenders Upton Snodsbury. Second half goals from Graham Hay and Tim Beattie secured the win that lifted the winners up to second level on

  • Revived under Robbins

    PERSHORE Town continued their revival under the guidance of Andy Robbins with a 4-0 victory over Pilkington XXX last Saturday. Town went into the Midland Combination Premier Division clash just four points ahead of the side in third from bottom spot and

  • Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up . . . Junior round-up

    Evesham Utd U-12 1, Churchdown Panthers 0 THERE were bitten finger nails all round after Sunday's proverbial game of two halves! Unbeaten Panthers piled on the pressure and limited their hosts to a handful of attacks in the first half. Goalkeeper Leon

  • Blinded by the basement boys

    Kenilworth 4, Littleton 3 SATURDAY was typical of Littleton's topsy-turvy season when, following a run that saw them beat three of the top four teams and draw with the other, they should lose to a side firmly rooted at the foot of the table. However,

  • Deadly Dan delivers a trophy triple

    KNOCKOUT action was the order of the day in the Stratford and District Alliance when, unlike the previous weekend, all ties were settled in normal time. Welford and Stratford Spartak were the biggest winners with the former inflicting an 8-1 Alun Rees

  • Wedgbury at Blades

    WORCESTER City's academy whizz-kid Sam Wedgbury was yesterday picked in Sheffield United's reserve match against Bradford City. The talented 16-year-old midfielder, currently on trial at the Championship high-fliers, earned selection to Blades' 16-strong

  • Sixways girls selected to take on Wales

    WORCESTER'S Joanne Yapp will lead England into battle when they take on Wales in the Six Nations opener next week. The scrum-half has been named captain for the clash at Old Albanians RFC on February 4. She will be joined in the starting '15' by Sixways

  • Harriers are hit by late Murray goal

    THE Brunton Park hoodoo continued for Kidderminster Harriers who gave Carlisle United a real fright last night. An 87th-minute winner by Glenn Murray knocked Harriers out of the LDV Vans Trophy northern semi-finals. Mark Yates' Conference side worked

  • County youngsters are put through their paces

    SOME of the brightest cricketing prospects in the county have spent the winter training hard with Worcestershire's academy and now they have their sights set on making the grade and breaking into the first team. New Road director of cricket Steve Rhodes

  • Ball's late show rescues a point

    ANOTHER point in the battle against relegation on an afternoon when it could easily have been none but should really have been three! It's hard to understand just how United find themselves in such a predicament when you look at the spirit and commitment

  • 21/01/06 - Battling Boars show spirit in home loss

    Bromsgrove 14 Kettering 37 Midlands Division One A FIRST half scoring blitz on Saturday ensured relegation threatened Bromsgrove are still waiting for their first win in the Midlands Division One, despite a second half fight back. The Boars produced a

  • Colts suffer misery in the North Cup

    BROMSGROVE Colts were knocked out of the North Midlands Cup by a powerful Worcester side on Saturday. Two penalties and a try condemned the Boars to the North Midlands Plate for the fourth season in a row. Bromsgrove were unable to cope with Worcester's

  • Junior rugby round up

    BROMSGROVE under-7s were pushed all the way but came out on top over three games against Dudley. The young Boars were beaten 25-10 in the first game, despite two tries for Jonathan Hawkins. Bromsgrove won the second game 25-15, with tries by Ladi Abudu

  • Reds Dis-united

    THE future of crisis club Redditch United hangs by a thread after directors cancelled a planned meeting of shareholders. Reds chairman Pat Cremin had called an EGM for tomorrow morning in a bid to vote a number of directors off the board. Five directors

  • Time we began to clean up our act on highways

    DRIVING through our county and motorway network, it's obvious that since 1997 the whole country has got dirtier. The familiar rubbish lies on the road side - plastic bags that drivers now throw out, and the endless discarded plastic bottles on every motorway

  • Benefit

    I COULD not agree more with last week's letter showing concern over the temporary closure of the bridge leading to the re-vamped bus terminus. Cllr Dennis Norton and myself are pursuing the installation of a new bridge at the earliest opportunity; the

  • Tape mess

    I DO like to see the Christmas lights in Bromsgrove town centre, but it is a pity that the contractors responsible for erecting them cannot be given an appropriate receptacle in which to place the coloured pieces of tape they use. Is it really necessary

  • Generosity

    THROUGH Your View may I thank people who came to our Christmas Services at St. John's and St. Andrew's Churches in Bromsgrove over the festive season and gave generously to our Christmas collections. Our Christmas theme was 'A Long Way From Home' and

  • Blackout

    RECENTLY there was a story in the Advertiser/Messenger relating to the Bromsgrove 'blackout' on Saturday, January 7. I also note the 'one sentence' relating to the 53 residents who were without power until Sunday lunchtime. My 84-year-old father was one

  • Bus park

    I WOULD like to apply to the council for a license to operate a bus route in and around Rubery. It is my intention to turn Whetty Lane into a single lane road by parking up to three buses at any one time to create a dangerous but rent free terminus. I

  • Cost concern

    OF greater concern than the third wheelie bin is Councillor Stephen Peters' allegation that 'errors' inherited from 'so called expert consultants cost taxpayers (Bromsgrove) thousands of pounds'. Charles Bateman Old Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove

  • Whild's delight as star stopper shines

    Redditch manager Gary Whild believes he has a star of the future in defender Mark Creighton. The former Willenhall Town player has been the star of the show in United's back-to-back wins against Nuneaton and Vauxhall Motors and Whild thinks the best is

  • Next for Reds

    Redditch head to Lancaster City on Saturday looking for a third straight victory. When the sides met at the Valley Stadium back in August, a solitary goal from Joe McMahon was enough to secure the points for the Dolly Blues. The last time Redditch played

  • Fightback earns Alcester victory

    Rugby St Andrews 13 Alcester 17 After trailing 13-0 at the break, Alcester produced their best 40 minutes of rugby of the season to produce a dramatic fightback. And not only did the King's Coughton side secure two valuable league points but they also

  • 24/01/06 - Kingly Bromsgrove knock leaders out of League Cup

    Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 1 King's Lynn (0) 0 Errea Cup fourth round By Peter McKinney GOALKEEPER Tim Clarke produced two brilliant saves to help Bromsgrove Rovers knock holders Kings Lynn out of the Southern League Cup, on a bitterly cold Tuesday night at

  • 25/01/06 - Rovers boss vows to turn side into promotion force

    BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown has asked restless supporters to give him time to change the team into promotion winners. Brown has yet to fully win over Rovers supporters since taking over the hot seat at the Victoria Ground three weeks ago. Some

  • 25/01/06 - Manager warns of Corbett banana skin

    FAIRFIELD Villa manager Paul Oakes has warned his side not to take Chaddesley Corbett lightly when the two sides clash in the Worcestershire Junior Cup semi-final on Saturday, January 28 (1.30pm kick off). Villa go into the match against the West Midlands

  • Woodrush coach has injury woes for derby

    Woodrush 0 Tenbury 3 INJURIES remain a key concern for Woodrush coach Matt Elwell ahead of this weekend's derby clash with Kings Norton. A penalty seven minutes from time gave Tenbury the points at Forhill on Saturday. But Elwell admits his side still

  • 21/01/06 - Victory keeps Spartak on track

    Castle Vale 2 Barnt Green Spartak 3 BARNT Green kept the pressure on the leaders Atherstone Town with a battling performance in the Midland Combination on Saturday. Goals for Leroy Murphy, Kevin Brookes and Emad Bouanane made sure of maximum points. Spartak

  • Davies back with a try

    Redditch 31 Malvern 2nds 19 REDDITCH warmed up for this weekend's crucial North Midlands One (South) clash at Upton with an excellent five-try victory over Malvern 2nds. And the try of the game came from Gareth Davies, starting his first full game for

  • Deeper plea

    I HAVE read with care the report on the consultation over the lido pool and the earlier documentation about the parish vote etc. One consistent message within all of this is that the pool should be suitable for swimming in. Yet despite this I note the

  • Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club - Match Stats - 2005/2006

    GOALSCORERS 10 - Hadland, Banner. 6 - Barnes-Homer, Dyer 5 - Danks. 4 - Porter. 3 - Curtis, Szewczyk. 2 - Smith, Ramsay, Johnson, Maguire. 1 - Collins, Mitchell, Geohaghan, Willetts, Davis, Hurren, Moore. ADVERTISER/MESSENGER MAN OF THE MATCH 3 - Male

  • Town ruined

    DOES someone want to turn attractive Droitwich into a copy of thousands of other shopping centres? Who decided to spend taxpayers' money on changing the shopping centre into something nobody wants? Why were we not consulted? Many people from the surrounding

  • Reality check

    I have watched with some disbelief as the southbound A38 dual carriageway has been coned-off to one lane for the past three months, ostensibly to 'check the road surface'. Has anyone seen anyone doing any 'checking?' All of this follows the two nasty

  • Too drastic

    I MUST express my dismay at the reported proposal by the Worcestershire County Council highways partnership unit to make permanent the current coned-off single lane of the Worcester carriageway of the Droitwich by-pass. I do understand that it must always

  • Folly of a single lane

    WHAT a bunch of retrogrades at Worcestershire County Council's Highways Partnership. A single lane on a by-pass (Last week's front page)? I doubt if they even live anywhere near Droitwich Spa. They may as well follow the same ideology and make all roads

  • Defenders shine but hosts are too strong

    Droitwich 54pts, Evesham U-13 0 EVESHAM started well but it was instantly obvious that the pure size and physical presence of the opposing side were going to be a huge factor. Droitwich were soon camped in the Evesham half but good defensive play from

  • Whistling women

    A RECRUITMENT drive to attract more women referees into rugby has produced an eight per cent increase in new female match officials across the Midlands. The joint initiative between the Rugby Football Union and Rug-by Football Union for Women was launched

  • Top official takes charge as Buzzards land double

    UNDER-13 players from Bredon Buzzards were surprised to find England international referee Chris White officiating last weekend in a triangular against Cheltenham, for whom the referee's son plays, and Dursley. Cheltenham were first up and they needed

  • Meet the genie

    THERE is still chance to grab a seat for the hottest show in town as the Norbury Theatre's annual pantomime reaches its final week. Aladdin has been playing to sell-out crowds for nine performances and tickets are going fast for the final five shows this

  • Springer makes a daring comeback

    PROVING that the best shows don't fade away but go on living controversial production Jerry Springer: The Opera marches defiantly into the Birmingham Hippodrome at the start of February. The opera, a parody of the trashy talk show made famous in the late

  • 21/01/06 - Battling Boars show spirit in home loss

    Bromsgrove 14 Kettering 37 Midlands Division One A FIRST half scoring blitz on Saturday ensured relegation threatened Bromsgrove are still waiting for their first win in the Midlands Division One, despite a second half fight back. The Boars produced a

  • 25/1/06 - Success on road is not before time

    IT seemed a long time coming winning our first league game away from home -- it was about time too! Last Saturday at Gainsborough, I thought it was going to be another of those games where I'd say 'We missed this and that', but we finally put the ball

  • Trophy is shared after top tussle on the Town

    LAST Sunday saw the Ernie Huxley Memorial Trophy, known as the Evesham Rose Bowl, up for grabs at Hampton Ferry and Evesham Town Waters. It was 27 years to the day since Ernie died and it was nice to see so many anglers - 45 - in action on a cold morning