Archive

  • 5/4/06 - Rookies do their chances no harm

    TROY Wood and Lewis Skyers can be pleased with their performances for Worcester City against Alfreton Town. Both are young players learning the game and Saturday was a good test for them. They came through fine, although the result should have been

  • Stalybridge 2 City 3

    Tuesday, April 4, 2006 ADAM Webster's 89th-minute strike completed a thrilling 3-2 Nationwide North win for Worcester City at Bower Fold last night. City seemed to have tossed away victory when, after snatching a two-goal advantage through debutant

  • 5/4/06 - Gotting agrees to link up with Warriors

    WORCESTER Warriors continued to bolster their squad in preparation for next season when they completed the signing of Wasps hooker Ben Gotting. The deal to sign Gotting, exclusively revealed in last Saturday's Worcester News, will see the 25-year-old

  • 5/4/06 - Davies in MCC line-up for Lord's

    PROMISING Steven Davies has been selected to play for the MCC against reigning county champions Nottinghamshire in the cricket season's annual curtain-raiser at Lord's. Davies, Worcestershire's wicketkeeper-batsman who received an England `A' call-up

  • 5/4/06 - Rhodes backing Hick to roar back

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S director of cricket Steve Rhodes is backing Graeme Hick to bounce back from the disappointments of 2005 as he strives to earn another contract at the age of 40. Former England batsman Hick will reach that milestone in June in what is

  • 5/4/06 - Veteran back in the old routine

    GRAEME Hick struck 71 runs but Worcestershire were beaten by Essex in an entertaining start to the pre-season campaign at Chelmsford yesterday. Hick was well backed up by youngsters Stephen Moore (67) and Daryl Mitchell (44) in the County's total of

  • 5/4/06 - Veteran back in the old routine

    GRAEME Hick struck 71 runs but Worcestershire were beaten by Essex in an entertaining start to the pre-season campaign at Chelmsford yesterday. Hick was well backed up by youngsters Stephen Moore (67) and Daryl Mitchell (44) in the County's total of

  • Davies in MCC line-up for Lord's

    PROMISING Steven Davies has been selected to play for the MCC against reigning county champions Nottinghamshire in the cricket season's annual curtain-raiser at Lord's. Davies, Worcestershire's wicketkeeper-batsman who received an England `A' call-up

  • Amber loses in last eight

    A TABLE tennis star has smashed her way into a national competition. Amber Perry, of St George's CE Primary School in Worcester, was knocked out in the quarter-finals of the under 11s national championships in Bristol, landing her in the top eight in

  • Nerves jangle for Droitwich BTCC holder

    REIGNING champion Matt Neal has admitted to feeling nervous about his chances in Sunday's opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds at Brands Hatch, Kent. The 39-year-old, of Droitwich Spa, is aiming to become the first driver for

  • Danny's back with a bang for Hereford

    DANNY Carey-Bertram returned from the Hereford United fringes with style as he bagged two handy goals in the Conference last night. The striker, making his first Bulls start since January 31, pounced to rescue the visitors and secure a 2-2 draw, denting

  • Webster grabs thrilling victory

    ADAM Webster's 89th-minute strike completed a thrilling 3-2 Nationwide North win for Worcester City at Bower Fold last night. City seemed to have tossed away victory when, after snatching a two-goal advantage through debutant Gareth Seddon and Webster

  • Rhodes backing Hick to roar back

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S director of cricket Steve Rhodes is backing Graeme Hick to bounce back from the disappointments of 2005 as he strives to earn another contract at the age of 40. Former England batsman Hick will reach that milestone in June in what is

  • Gotting agrees to link up with Warriors

    WORCESTER Warriors continued to bolster their squad in preparation for next season when they completed the signing of Wasps hooker Ben Gotting. The deal to sign Gotting, exclusively revealed in last Saturday's Worcester News, will see the 25-year-old

  • Veteran back in the old routine

    GRAEME Hick struck 71 runs but Worcestershire were beaten by Essex in an entertaining start to the pre-season campaign at Chelmsford yesterday. Hick was well backed up by youngsters Stephen Moore (67) and Daryl Mitchell (44) in the County's total of

  • Three hit the target as ladies sign off in style

    Badsey Ladies 3, Harborne IV 1 AFTER two successive defeats Badsey concluded their Worcestershire League Division Two campaign on a high with one of their best team performances of the season. They were in control right from the off with good movement

  • Darrell makes the grade

    DROITWICH pool player Darrell Bareham more than matched his England team mates to book his place in the European Championships over the weekend.ON CUE: Darrell Bareham is off to the European Pool Championships. Bareham took on his fellow England squad

  • Visiting sides earn the spoils

    SUNDAY'S annual jun-ior tournament organised by Bretforton and staged at Evesham High School saw Gloucester and Cheltenham take the honours. Boys and girls took part in Under-12 and an Under-16 seven-a-side competition with the former seeing Gloucester

  • In memory of members

    BROMSGROVE Choral Society are set to pay tribute to the memory of two benefactors and start the build up the Easter by performing a concert at St John's Church. The choir will sing John Rutter's Te Deum, Three Songs of Praise by George Dyson and will

  • Bold as brass

    ONE of the Midlands top brass bands will be performing at the Artrix on Saturday, April 8. The Langley Band will be performing a mix of contemporary music and classics at the School Drive venue (7.30pm start). Under the leadership of its musical director

  • 04/04/06 - Thame torn apart

    Thame United 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Southern League Division One West STRIKER Paul Moore bagged a brace as Bromsgrove Rovers ran out comfortable winners over the Southern League Division One's bottom side on Tuesday night. A goal in each half by the striker

  • Purse stolen

    A WOMAN in her 80s had her purse stolen in Marks and Spencer in Redditch. Police are appealing for information following the theft on Thursday between 11.20-11.35am. The pensioner was pushing a trolley round the store with her handbag in the front of

  • 04/04/06 - Fixture worry for Rovers manager

    BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown is hoping that the team's fixture congestion does not disturb the club's end of the season. Combined with last night's game against Thame United Rovers are set for a gruelling schedule of four games in seven days. Rovers

  • Tom has faith in cup magic

    CHAIRMAN Tom Herbert has backed his Bromsgrove Rovers team to add some much-needed magic to the season by winning the Errea Southern League Cup. After a season that has not lived up to fans' expectations in the Southern League Division One West Rovers

  • Keeper Vaughan wobbles in Wales

    FROM the sublime to the ridiculous! That's the verdict on Nathan Vaughan who endured a horrendous 90 minutes in Wales. The larger than life goalkeeper has played a huge part in United's attempts to stave off relegation but his antics led to the Common

  • Women's coaching

    THE Worcestershire FA, in conjunction with the County Sports Partnership's Active Sports Programme, is running a women's only FA Level Two Coach-ing Course at a cost of £120 per person. There are also two free places for successful candidates who can

  • Ben fits bill as Alderton bury Bear

    Birdseye Sports Evesham and District Sunday League SECOND division Alderton reached the Evesham Mechanical Services Subsidiary Cup Final for the second successive year after a shock penalty shoot-out win over the Bear. Alderton took an early second half

  • Peach packs an eight-goal punch

    A COUPLE of Stratford All-iance sides made April fools of their opponents as the goals flowed last Saturday. Cubbington scored 13 times when despatching Tysoe from the Alun Rees Trophy, while Henley Forest A banged in 11 in their Cutler Division Three

  • Browned off by sly Steve!

    Littleton 2, Mile Oak Rvrs 0 SATURDAY'S game was spoiled by the strong swirling wind, but both teams coped well with the tricky conditions. The match started with a period of fairly even play with the home team attacking positively down both flanks. Both

  • Soap stars in soccer skirmish

    Leukaemia CARE reports that almost 1,000 tickets have already been sold for the footballing clash of the soap stars on Sunday. It is clearly becoming an important day for Soap watchers across the region with stars from Hollyoaks and Coronation Street

  • In the swim

    SWIMMING: STUDENT swimmers took to the water in the town's annual Middle Schools Swimming Gala. Youngsters from across the town entered a variety of events including freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and medley relays, as well as a non-swimmer race to

  • Farm high

    ANGLING: Label Innovations AC held a match at Tunnel Barn Farm with 25 anglers taking part. Feeder expert Carl Bovington caught carp on the corn for a total winning weight of 33lb 6oz, just edging Scott Poynton into second with a haul of 33lb 2oz. Arnie

  • 50 years ago - April 6, 1956

    AMONG the busiest men in Redditch during the Easter holidays were Redditch firemen, who answered 17 calls in six days. The spate of outbreaks started at midday on Thursday and ended with a chimney fire on Wednesday morning. Nine of the calls were to grass

  • 25 years ago - April 3, 1981

    WHEN some people buy a new car they take care of it, polish it and perhaps top up the oil occasionally. But Viv Rowe has done a bit more than that - he's torn his new metro apart. Roof, doors, bonnet - even the wings have been torn off the car. Viv's

  • Final date for mighty Millers

    FECKENHAM will meet Midland Combination Premier Division leaders Atherstone Town in the final of the Endsleigh Challenge Cup. But the Millers had to battle hard to book their place, Lee Adams' side only winning through thanks to a nail-biting penalty

  • Villa date

    JUNIOR FOOTBALL: There is still time to enrol on the latest Aston Villa soccer school to be held in Redditch this Easter. Coaches from the Premiership club will be staging the event at Kingsley Leisure Centre for four days from Monday. Boys and girls

  • Men wanted to star in musical

    REDDITCH Operatic Society is on the lookout for men to star in this year's production of the classic show South Pacific. The society, one of the biggest in the area, is desperate for people to fill male roles in the show, set for the Palace Theatre in

  • Return of spoof Stones

    MASTER musical mick-takers the Counterfeit Stones are making a triumphant return to the provinces by lighting up stages and theatres all over the country, including the Artrix in Bromsgrove. The new tour, a Bigger Bong, which kicked off in Hammersmith

  • Ladies sunk in cup tie

    Worcester City Res 5, Evesham Utd Ladies 3 SUNDAY'S League Cup semi-final was switched to St George's Lane where United succumbed to their second successive cup defeat. The visitors fell behind from an eighth minute corner when the ball struck the unfortunate

  • Rhodes backing Hick to roar back

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S director of cricket Steve Rhodes is backing Graeme Hick to bounce back from the disappointments of 2005 as he strives to earn another contract at the age of 40. Former England batsman Hick will reach that milestone in June in what is

  • Gotting agrees to link up with Warriors

    WORCESTER Warriors continued to bolster their squad in preparation for next season when they completed the signing of Wasps hooker Ben Gotting. The deal to sign Gotting, exclusively revealed in last Saturday's Worcester News, will see the 25-year-old

  • Davies in MCC line-up for Lord's

    PROMISING Steven Davies has been selected to play for the MCC against reigning county champions Nottinghamshire in the cricket season's annual curtain-raiser at Lord's. Davies, Worcestershire's wicketkeeper-batsman who received an England 'A' call-up

  • Nerves jangle for Droitwich BTCC holder

    REIGNING champion Matt Neal has admitted to feeling nervous about his chances in Sunday's opening Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship rounds at Brands Hatch, Kent. The 39-year-old, of Droitwich Spa, is aiming to become the first driver for almost

  • Danny's back with a bang for Hereford

    DANNY Carey-Bertram returned from the Hereford United fringes with style as he bagged two handy goals in the Conference last night. The striker, making his first Bulls start since January 31, pounced to rescue the visitors and secure a 2-2 draw, denting

  • 5/4/06 - Rhodes backing Hick to roar back

    WORCESTERSHIRE'S director of cricket Steve Rhodes is backing Graeme Hick to bounce back from the disappointments of 2005 as he strives to earn another contract at the age of 40. Former England batsman Hick will reach that milestone in June in what is

  • County aid at grounds

    A TRIO of local clubs are expecting county assistance this weekend the CricketForce 2006 takes place. Evesham, Pershore and Ashton have all requested the visit of a member of the playing staff at Worcestershire to help with ground work required ahead

  • Spa make it two

    DROITWICH under-8s won the Nuneaton Festival on Sunday. Spa clinched its second tournament in a fortnight by defeating Lutterworth in the final. In Droitwich's opening game Droitwich edged Northampton Old Scouts 35-25, with tries for Ieuan Howells (3)

  • Young Boars seal fifth

    BROMSGROVE under-11s finished the North Midlands tournament unbeaten to seal fifth place at Dudley Kingswinford. The young Boars did not concede a try or lose a match and were unfortunate not to make it into the final four of the competition. Thirteen

  • 04/04/06 - Trevor adds to appearance tally

    BROMSGROVE RFC celebrated the feats of its legendary record appearance holder with a special dinner at Finstall Park.GOLDEN OLDIES: Trevor Lacy (front row, middle right), celebrates an illustrious career with his team mates from the 1960s. Back row -

  • The facts

    WE would like to point out that in M Finlay's letter in last week's edition the issues raised concerning highway and schooling matters are the responsibility of the county council and not the district council. Neither has the district council built new

  • Well done

    I Called at a local store in Catshill to purchase the obligatory Mother's Day card. On leaving the store I was greeted by a sea of smiling young faces. I and other people leaving the store were presented with a very pretty small pot plant and wishes for

  • Flag mystery

    I am looking for information on a trooper of the QOWH from Bromsgrove, c1917 whose name was GH Field. He was the signaller of the QOWH in the charge at Huj. He was only armed with his flags. I need to know if he survived the charge and/or First World

  • Williams nets crucial points

    Redditch 5, Woodrush 3 A FIRST half try from Lee Williams proved enough to hand Redditch the bragging rights in this derby match. But the result was in doubt until the final whistle with the visitors missing a late penalty that could have handed them

  • Fixture worry for Rovers manager

    BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown is hoping that the team's fixture congestion does not disturb the club's end of the season. Combined with last night's game against Thame United Rovers are set for a gruelling schedule of four games in seven days. Rovers

  • Letter to rally fans

    ABOUT thirteen years ago the average home crowd was one thousand two hundred and Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club was the best non-league side in the country - when both league and cup results were being considered. The club was managed by former West

  • Supporters' scheme launched

    BROMSGROVE Rovers Supporters Society (BRSS) pledged to involve the club at the heart of the town at the launch of its loan note scheme on Thursday, March 30. BRSS announced that the club would become more involved with the community if it was bought by

  • 03/04/06 - Star shot down in cup

    Church FC 7 Star and Garter 2 CHURCH FC emphatically won the Advertiser/Messenger League Cup by winning a goal feast and denying Star and Garter for a second year in a row at Redditch United on Sunday. Church deservedly lifted the cup after producing

  • Last four date for Norton

    Kings Norton 25, Bredon Star 22 Kings Norton held on against a determined Bredon side to secure an excellent victory and move into the semi-finals where they will face Old Griffinians. And it was the third time Kings shave beaten their rivals who always

  • 02/04/06 - Jenkins uses his head as Spa share points

    Droitwich Spa 1 Feckenham Reserves 1 RESURGENT Droitwich continued to prove their qualities with a battling draw in the Midland Combination Division Two on Saturday. Spa came from a goal down to extend their unbeaten run and continue to cement a mid-table

  • Warriors training for side's Rhinos

    youngsters from Alvechurch and Hopwood were among those who linked up with Kings Norton's u15 rugby team for a training session with a trio of star players. The three Worcester Warriors stars took an exciting session at the club's Ash Lane ground. England

  • Non-political

    WHILE we are grateful for the manner in which the last two mayors have conscientiously carried out their duties during a most difficult town period, my husband and I feel that there is now a public reaction towards a non-political appointment and the

  • Show us how

    I couldn't believe the naivety of MP Peter Luff to say that Britain is losing jobs to India because British workers don't work hard enough. Surely he knows the truth. It is the fact that in India they are not taxed to the hilt, they have hardly any bills

  • Easy as B and C

    THE opening club match of the new season resulted in a resounding 6-0 victory for a combined Evesham B and C team. The opponents were Cleobury Mortimer who failed to win a match and only came close in two of the pairings with Chris Phillips and John Curtis

  • 25/03/06 - Bromsgrove fade against pacesetters

    Bromsgrove 17 Bedford Athletic 41 Midlands Division One COACH Iain Hall praised his Bromsgrove RFC players for pushing Bedford Athletic on Saturday but was left ruing missed chances in the defeat to the second placed side at Finstall Park. Hall watched

  • Sidemoor WI

    Glasses were raised at Sidemoor WI to celebrate its 50th birthday. The toast was given by the president Maureen Smith. She also welcomed Chris Marriott, Greta Mitchel, Christine Hickman-Smith, and Janas Jones. Also, Marion and Jill, from Finstall WI,

  • Hadzor & Oddingley WI

    TWO beautiful spring-flower arrangements, made by president Jenny Marsh and Mary Gray, greeted the members as they entered the hall. News reports told how our quiz-team had represented us very well. We were asked our opinions on a piece of ware to be

  • Bromsgrove Canine Society

    MEMBERS of the ringcraft section of Bromsgrove and District Canine Society were very successful at this year's Crufts Dog Show. Those who achieved a first are to be particularly congratulated, as in the highest competition in the country this is a great

  • Witton WI

    THE president welcomed an excellent turnout of members and visitors on a very cold evening. Our membership is now 60, not a record for us, but gratifying nonetheless. Jenny was presented with our new WI silver President's badge by May Evans. It was bought

  • Buster's back in the arms of the family

    A HEARTBROKEN family, whose dog was stolen from a Bromsgrove home, has been reunited with their pet. Buster, a two-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was taken in January from a house in Catshill where he was being cared for by Diane Newey, on behalf

  • DVD - A History of Violence (18)

    SHOCKING is definitely one word that can describe this film - and unexpected would probably be the second to spring to mind. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) seems to live the perfect life with his wife and their two children in the small, peaceful town of

  • Scooping a top award

    A HARDWORKING woman has scooped a top national award for tackling anti-social behaviour in Charford and Sidemoor. Debbie Roberts, chief officer at the Multi Agency Resource Centre, in Humphrey Avenue, is one of six West Midlands winners of the Home Office's

  • DVD - Keeping Mum (15)

    ROWAN Atkinson and Dame Maggie Smith head a star studded cast in this all-British deliciously funny black comedy. The story centres on a hugely dysfunctional family living in the idyllic village of Little Wallop. Vicar Walter Goodfellow, played by Atkinson

  • They've got success all wrapped up

    PROUDLY waving their newly-knitted scarves, Catshill pupils showed off their artistic talents to Bromsgrove MP Julie Kirkbride. Julie was invited to Catshill Middle School, in Meadow Road, to judge a school scarf design competition. The contest was organised

  • Book - Little Face - Sophie Hannah

    ALICE Fancourt gives birth to her first child, Florence, just two weeks before she ventures out of the house for the first time. Gone just two hours she returns to find the door open, her husband asleep and Florence replaced with a different baby. With

  • They're turning the clocks back

    TALENTED youngsters at a Spa school performed the Charles Dickens classic David Copperfield as a musical for parents. Year four, five and six pupils at Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School joined together for a memorable show that featured three girls

  • It's all systems go

    A TOP Stoke Heath museum is planning a host of fun-packed activities over the Easter break. Avoncroft Museum is having a week of drop-in 'arts activities' for all the family. They will be encouraged to paint, collage and draw the Danzey Green windmill

  • Payout helps Nick to rebuild shattered life

    THE first day back at work in the new millennium is a day Nick Jones will never forget. When the 61-year-old left his home in Bromsgrove for a normal day at work he had no idea that his life would be changed forever by a tragic accident in which he was

  • Spa to hit 'em for six

    DROITWICH Spa's mayor is hoping businesses and organisations in the town can stump up support for a six-a-side charity cricket tournament. Councillor Richard Morris is planning a cricket competition for Spa people who fancy trying their skills. He came

  • In line for top gong

    A BROMSGROVE school has been short-listed for this year's prestigious npower Disability Sports Awards. Designated a specialist sports college last September, Chadsgrove School, in Catshill, has been nominated for the School of the Year Award. However,

  • A bird in the hand

    CHILDREN at a Spa school enjoyed a taste of spring after they successfully hatched six chicks. The youngsters from the reception class at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, in Ombersley Way, kept the eggs in a special incubator until they hatched last

  • Cricket club's call to arms

    PLANS are being drawn up to transform Droitwich Spa Cricket Club's pavilion. Cricket could well be played in style and comfort this summer if townsfolk rally round to help at the popular club venue. A national initiative aims to enhance the St Peter's

  • DVD - Keeping Mum (15)

    ROWAN Atkinson and Dame Maggie Smith head a star studded cast in this all-British deliciously funny black comedy. The story centres on a hugely dysfunctional family living in the idyllic village of Little Wallop. Vicar Walter Goodfellow, played by Atkinson

  • New era for the Chateau

    PLANS to extend Droitwich Spa's Chateau Impney hotel have been given the go ahead. Members of Wychavon District Council's development control committee agreed unanimously to the major planning application at the landmark building. The scheme, to create

  • DVD - A History of Violence (18)

    SHOCKING is definitely one word that can describe this film - and unexpected would probably be the second to spring to mind. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) seems to live the perfect life with his wife and their two children in the small, peaceful town of

  • Shoot-out sickener as Town downed in semi

    DEVASTATED, deflated and distraught were just three of the adjectives that best described the feelings of Andy Robbins after his Pershore Town side had missed out on a place in the Endsleigh Challenge Cup Final. It was the second successive season that

  • Barry bags a final Fishery triumph

    Evesham Jubilee Society BARRY Stayte narrowly pipped Jeff Spiers for top spot at the Last Chance Open. The Fishery provided good sport with carp and chub the chief catches on a day when there were several other decent returns. The Fishery is now closed

  • Brothers make life grim for court challengers

    THE opening round of pool matches in the Prudden Road Surfacing Junior Cup competition have now been completed with Bidford, Henley, Shipston and Alcester topping their respective groups. Finals night between the winning teams from each of the four pools

  • John in flying farewell visit to former base

    POPULAR Redditch entertainer John Emms took a final trip down memory lane when he visited an RAF base where he served 57 years ago - just weeks before it was closed. Armed with many happy memories, Mr Emms was one of only six former servicemen and civilians

  • Readers rally to our appeal

    JUST two weeks after we launched the Craig Evans Wheelchair Appeal, almost a seventh of the money needed has been raised. On Monday, appeal director Jean Leathwaite said so far readers had dug deep and donated £1,437, which includes the £40 she raised

  • Wife harassed by love poems

    A FORMER Studley careers adviser harassed a married woman in the area for three months with poems, letters and cards in an attempt to woo her, a court was told. John Adair, now living in Bristol, had previously pleaded not guilty under a Harassment Act

  • A great net result

    SHARPSHOOTERS took part in Redditch's first High Fives Netball Festival at the Abbey Stadium. Pupils from eight schools in the town attended the event, which was organised by Redditch Council's sports development team. Sports development officer Vicci

  • Artwork fit for a Palace

    THE artist commissioned to produce a unique stained glass window for the newly refurbished Palace Theatre has given Advertiser readers an insight into how his final design was created. Steven Cartwright took these work-in-progress pictures to show how

  • Helpers boost total by 20pc

    YOU may recall a few weeks ago I put a plea out to your readers to help my family collect for Marie Curie Cancer Care's Great Daffodil Appeal on Saturday, March 25 (Letters, March 15). Four wonderful members of Redditch Rotary responded and joined my

  • David lucky to have the cash

    CONGRATULATIONS to David Rogers on having his much-needed operation performed in India (Advertiser, March 29). He was fortunate to have the money and to be able to spend time away from his son. No doubt the state helped with the latter's constant care

  • Men on sexual assault charge

    TWO 20-year-old men appeared before Redditch magistrates charged with the sexual assault of a pair of 16-year-old girls in Riverside. Ricky Gall, of Alvechurch, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared before magistrates on Friday charged with rape. He

  • Give us area for mini motos

    I AM writing to express my views on mini motos in Redditch. We are all aware of the crackdown on mini motos at the moment. I think there are too many pubs in Redditch which are for older people and the younger people do not have many facilities to enjoy

  • Men on sexual assault charge

    TWO 20-year-old men appeared before Redditch magistrates charged with the sexual assault of a pair of 16-year-old girls in Riverside. Ricky Gall, of Alvechurch, was arrested on Wednesday and appeared before magistrates on Friday charged with rape. He

  • Bar beam could aid stuck trucks

    HIGH-tech measures are being investigated to help solve traffic problems on a town centre road. An infra-red bar beam could be put in place to stop the regular problem of vans and trucks getting stuck under the ring road bridge near Grosvenor House on

  • Perhaps now is time to grow up

    WHEN I was a child, I spoke as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians, chapter 13, verse 11). May I be permitted to suggest, with respect, to the ubiquitous Howard Bellaby that he gives consideration

  • 25 Years Ago April 3, 1981

    VANDALS had caused £250 worth of damage by knocking down and smashing a number of gravestones. Two years ago the world famous railway gravestones, dating from 1842 in St John's churchyard, had been wrecked by vandals. MEMBERSHIP of Catshill Community

  • Palms return in a starring role!

    THE once celebrated Kingfisher Shopping Centre palm trees are set for a return visit to their former home on Sunday. Branches from the trees, which were removed from the centre in October, will be used in a Palm Sunday procession through the centre. The

  • Gala tickets up for grabs

    ADVERTISER readers are being given the chance to go to the Gala Night re-opening of the town's Palace Theatre, with a free ticket giveaway. The recently refurbished venue has teamed up with the Advertiser to offer eight pairs of tickets to the grand re-opening

  • Droitwich Spa RFC First XV fixtures 2005/2006

    HOME, away (Midlands Three West (South) fixtures unless stated) SEPTEMBER Sat 10 HARBURY 48-12 Sat 17 North Derbyshire (Powergen Vase) 15-18 Sat 24 Worcester Warriors 15-12 OCTOBER Sat 01 MARCONI COVENTRY 41-0 Sat 08 STOURBRIDGE LIONS 0-20 Sat 15 Worksop

  • Keeping alive the spirit of Dunkirk

    AN Alvechurch man is looking forward to relaunching an historic boat more than 65 years after it played an important role in the Second World War. Stan Rzeznicznak, of Redditch Road, has spent four years, with the help of friends, restoring the classic

  • Review of prisons

    THE treatment of women within the criminal justice system at jails including Tardebigge's Brockhill Prison will be the subject of a Government review. The review, which will look at facilities and support for women, was ordered last week by Parliamentary

  • 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)

  • Alvechurch WI

    OUR last two meetings have been very enjoyable with congratulations given to Joan Clarence on her birthday and Pam Horsfield on becoming a grandmother to Millie Gwen on February 26. We had a coffee morning and raised £159 for Alan Peace, who mountain

  • Local duo sweep board at county tournament

    TWO members of Bromsgrove Swimming Club returned from the Worcestershire Age Group Championships with a large haul of medals. Nicola Strange and Richie Edmunds returned from the championships in Worcester sharing an impressive 13 medal collection. Members

  • Cookhill & District Gardening Association

    ON March 13 the chairman of the association, David Morgan, stepped in at late notice to replace the advertised speaker. David gave an excellent presentation on his early years as a teacher in Tanzania. He outlined how he and his young family grew vegetables

  • Holders pushed

    DEFENDING champions Barnt Green B were pushed all the way before beating Droitwich Hawks 6-4 in the Redditch and Bromsgrove Table Tennis League Division One. Pat McCabe and Sasha Grokhotov both won their three singles matches for Barnt Green, while Dave

  • Feckenham Forest History Society

    AT the March meeting members had an illustrated talk on The Avoncroft Museum and its Historic Buildings from Ian Jenkins. He has been a volunteer at the museum since 1972 so has followed its development since its early days. Avoncroft, started in 1961

  • Inkberrow Spring Show

    TOM Hodgkinson, chairman of Inkberrow and District Horticultural Society, was delighted to welcome a good number of visitors to the society's Spring Show at Inkberrow Village Hall on March 4. He said congratulations were due to all the exhibitors for

  • Kingfisher WI

    AS our meeting coincided with Fair Trade Fortnight we had a fair trade stall. Also on show were the scrapbooks of memoirs of the past 22 years and also of our association with HMS Kingfisher, which lasted till the ship was decommissioned. Our speaker

  • Woodland uproar

    OAKENSHAW residents are furious at the lack of consultation they received from Redditch Council over recent changes made to nearby public woodland, which included the closure of a well-used footpath. People living in Rockford Close, Oakenshaw South, claim

  • Droitwich C have the title in their sights

    DROITWICH Spa C maintained their excellent form in the Indoor County League by beating Colwall. Spa made it four wins in a row to confirm the team's position as genuine contenders for the championship. Bowler Paul Foster was in fine form with the ball

  • Redditch Music Society

    JUDITH Hall and Deian Rowlands' harps delighted an enthusiastic audience on a bitterly cold evening at the society's March concert. Deian proved to be a superb replacement for the advertised harpist Hugh Webb, who was unable to appear due to a combination

  • Wythall Gardening Club

    AT our March meeting we welcomed a return visit from Philip Aubrey, director of Birmingham Botanical Gardens. He gave a very interesting talk on the 175-year history of the gardens, followed by a tour of the gardens shown on slides. In 1829 a group of

  • World first for students' work

    BUDDING Kingsley College composers are looking forward to the world premiere of their work on Friday. Young musicians from the Woodrow school have been working with nationally-renowned composer Dobrinka Tabakova and the fruit of one student's labours

  • Surgery comes step nearer

    THE campaign to open a doctor's surgery in Inkberrow has moved a step further. A cutting of the turf ceremony has taken place, with Dr Stuart Paton, Worcestershire county councillor Clive Holt, district councillor Audrey Steele and parish council chairman

  • 01/04/06 - Out of sorts Spa taste shield defeat

    Droitwich 5 Kidderminster 13 North Midlands Shield Quarter final DROITWICH RFC crashed out of the North Midlands Shield after Kidderminster Carrolians edged them out at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Saturday. A second half fight back by Droitwich's

  • Tory politician to vote with his feet

    A TOWN councillor is swapping politics for plimsolls to take part in the third Redditch Fun Run. Gavin Smithers, a Conservative councillor for Webheath, has signed up to run the 10km race, which is taking place at Arrow Valley Countryside Centre on Saturday

  • Easter activities

    AN array of Easter activities to entertain town children is on offer at Forge Mill Museum this holiday. On Tuesday, April 18 youngsters can get into a carnival spirit, making masks and taking part in a parade. On the Wednesday there will be a Chocolate

  • Cassey gets track boost

    CASSEY Watson's campaign to win the 750mc's new SAXMAX championship for 14-17 year olds has been given a massive boost. After impressing former British Touring Car Championship driver Eugene O'Brien at a recent test session, he has volunteered his time

  • Silver lining as top shooter Beadle bags first maximum

    Evesham and District Airgun League ANDY Beadle scored his first ever maximum 50 after shooting regularly for the past 25 years. The Wickhamford SSC hot shot helped his side to victory over Bengeworth SSC during a week in which the top four teams all triumphed

  • Hotel worker's dedication honoured

    A BRIGHT young Redditch apprentice was runner-up at the 2006 Learner First Awards. Axel Vinnet, 22, who works at the Quality Hotel in Southcrest, was nominated for one of the awards handed out by the Learning and Skills Council National Employer Service

  • Finals keenly fought

    Evesham and District Association THE BBC Club played host to the finals night of the 2005/06. The finals of the knockout tournaments of this long-running general knowledge quiz, were, as usual, keenly contended. Although the scores look somewhat one-

  • Micra on a mission

    TWO intrepid students are going on the adventure of a lifetime when they drive a 14-year-old, faded blue Nissan Micra half way around the world for charity. Friends Harry Fox, 21, from Alcester and Simon Amor, 22, of Evesham, plan to take their £50 on-line

  • Trust's joy at award

    THE levels of clinical care, patient safety and staff training at Worcestershire's hospitals - including the Alex in Redditch - have been given the thumbs up. For the first time, Worcest-ershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust achieved Level Two accreditation

  • Girls on a mission

    A HEARTFELT tribute has been paid to a group of young girls in Redditch who have been working so hard to raise cash for breast cancer research. One of them is 13-year-old Jenna Carter, whose sister Cheryl Lehane Jalloh died just weeks ago from the disease

  • Angel duo claim top pairs success

    Evesham and District Crib League THE league staged its members' only pairs competition at Bretforton RBL on Mon-day when 22 pairs were in action. After several close finishes the victors were John and Brian Townley (Angel Vaults B) who defeated Edwards

  • Trophies up for grabs

    Birdseye Sports Evesham Ladies Darts League THE Hospital Club will stage the league's two knockout finals on Monday, April 24. The Oddfellows and Coach and Horses will contest the Knock-out Cup Final, while the B teams from the Talbot and the Hospital

  • Winds of woe

    THE programme at Evesham Sailing Club was interrupted last weekend when near gale-force winds proved too strong for even the most experienced sailors. Competing for the Charity Cup, racing had to be abandoned after a number of incidents and capsizes kept

  • Wet and windy

    LAST weekend's club run for Evesham Whe-elers was to Earl's Croome Garden Cen-tre. An early shower greeted the riders as they progressed towards Elmley Castle, Combertons, Eckington, and Pershore passing Croome Court. However, the sun was shining when

  • MEP warns over home care cuts

    CUTS in home care in Alcester will hit the elderly hard, an MEP has warned. Home care service contracts are due to be changed to larger companies to save money - but current clients are worried they will lose carers they know and trust. Liz Lynne, MEP

  • Results of river study on view

    ALCESTER residents now have the chance to see the results of a pre-feasibility study on the navigation of the River Arrow. The results of the study, which looked into opening up a 10km stretch of the river between Salford Priors and Alcester for use by

  • Tips for tots

    STAFF at an Alcester hair salon have shown that charity does not always start at home. The team at Mavericks, on Evesham Street, decided to put a little back into the community as a number of their customers had children - and so saved all their tips

  • Village in bloom for annual show

    SPRING was in full bloom at the annual Feckenham Flower Show on Saturday. Visitors to the village hall, off High Street, enjoyed the colourful exhibitions of flowers while the little ones in tow took advantage of the face painting, ice creams and games

  • Time for a reggae revival

    THE Descendants of Windrush (DOW) are staging a Grand Easter Reggae Revival party on Saturday, April 15. The party will be held at the Centrepoint Club in Ipsley Street from 8pm till late. Guests, who must be 18 or over, will be entertained by Redditch

  • 5/4/06 - Gotting agrees to link up with Warriors

    WORCESTER Warriors continued to bolster their squad in preparation for next season when they completed the signing of Wasps hooker Ben Gotting. The deal to sign Gotting, exclusively revealed in last Saturday's Worcester News, will see the 25-year-old

  • FERNANDEZ FORD

    FERNANDEZ-FORD Mark and Luisa Are proud to announce the birth of their beautiful baby son Harry George born on March 27 2006. Many thanks to the midwives at Hereford County Hospital Published in paper 05/04/2006

  • WARNER

    WARNER Tony The Wife and Family of the late Tony Warner would like to thank everybody for their cards and messages of sympathy in their time of great sadness, and to Everyone, who attended his Service to pay their last respects. Your thoughts and kindness

  • PARKER

    PARKER Charles Edward Formerly of Greenhill Place Passed away peacefully in Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Wednesday March 29th 2006, aged 94 years. A dearly loved father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. Funeral Service will take place at

  • HOWELLS

    HOWELLS Betty Jean Of Eckington, formerly of Droitwich, peacefully on March 31st 2006 aged 80 years. Beloved wife of Keith, dear mother of Christopher and David and a much loved mother in law, grandmother and great grandmother. Funeral Service at Eckington

  • WILDE

    WILDE Mary Jane Jenny Passed away suddenly but peacefully at home on April 2nd, 2006, aged 82 years. Beloved wife of the late Bill, loving mother to Clive and Phil, mother in law to Sue and Lesley, devoted grandmother and great grandmother. Funeral service

  • CRUMP COPD

    CRUMP Katharina Passed away on March 30th 2006 aged 77 years. Beloved wife of Percy and mother of James and John. She will be sadly missed by all. Funeral Service at Worcester Crematorium on Wednesday, April 12th at 12.30 p.m. Immediate family flowers

  • BOWKETT

    BOWKETT. Rose. Mum, four years today. Always in my thoughts. Love Sylvia. xx Published in paper 05/04/2006

  • Bold as brass

    ONE of the Midlands top brass bands will be performing at the Artrix on Saturday, April 8. The Langley Band will be performing a mix of contemporary music and classics at the School Drive venue (7.30pm start). Under the leadership of its musical director

  • Imitation 'Stones' to give satisfation

    THE Counterfeit Stones continue their sell out tour, A Bigger Bong, at the Artrix on Friday, April 7. The band takes a comedic look at the history of the ultimate rock'n'rollers, The Rolling Stones, and play some of the band's most famous songs. The Counterfeit

  • Jazz legend is one of several stars heading for Brum

    CELEBRATED singer and jazz pianist Buddy Greco, one of the greatest names from the golden era of entertainment, is to make an exclusive Birmingham appearance at the Jam House next month. The former member of Frank Sinatra's 'Rat Pack' and the man responsible

  • What's On Guide

    Wednesday, April 5 Miss Saigon, Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Until April 29. Tickets on www.birminghamhippodrome.com or 0870 730 1234 Promises and Lies, Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham. Until April 15. Tickets on www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

  • Where to go

    Wednesday, April 5 CINEMA: Brokeback Mountain, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove. MUSIC: Time Enough, Hop Pole Inn, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove. HISTORY: Droitwich History and Archeology Society presents Worcestershire Milestones, Droitwich Community Hall

  • Tale of the demon barber

    AWARD-winning musical Sweeney Todd arrives at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre next week. The inspired production about a demon barber starts on Monday, running until Saturday, April 15. It stars Jason Donovan, who recently starred in Chitty Chitty Bang

  • Tough life for young Spider

    A GRIPPING adaptation of Dick King-Smith's The Crowstarver is on offer for children during the Easter holidays at Malvern Theatres. Brought to life by a five-strong cast and two musicians playing an original score on piano and violin, the show is geared

  • Return of spoof Stones

    MASTER musical mick-takers the Counterfeit Stones are making a triumphant return to the provinces by lighting up stages and theatres all over the country, including the Artrix in Bromsgrove. The new tour, a Bigger Bong, which kicked off in Hammersmith

  • Emporer has his hands full

    A NEW production at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre gives an old story a new twist to delight young and old alike. The Emperor's New Machine, which runs at the theatre between April 7 and 22, follows the story of a vain Emperor whose love for clothes

  • Serious side to big walk

    HANBURY Hall is the place to be this weekend - not only to enjoy the delights of this tourist attraction between Bromsgrove and Droitwich, but also to lend support to the many walkers who will be taking part in the Spring Walk 2006 in aid of cancer research

  • DVD - A History of Violence (18)

    SHOCKING is definitely one word that can describe this film - and unexpected would probably be the second to spring to mind. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) seems to live the perfect life with his wife and their two children in the small, peaceful town of

  • Book - Margrave of the Marshes

    MARGRAVE: definition "princely" (Wikipedia). John Robert Parker Ravenscroft is surely worthy of such a title. Brought up in Shropshire (the Marshes) and soon dispatched to boarding school, the boy who was to become known to millions as John Peel, influential

  • Unmistakably classy

    HIMBLETON owner Christine Banks was thrilled when she emulated her grandfather's achievements by winning the Lady Dudley Cup on Saturday.CUP JOY: Fleur Cushman, from sponsors The Racing Post, hands owner Christine Banks the Lady Dudley Cup. Mrs Banks

  • Neal eyes title defence

    DRIVING ace Matt Neal begins his defence of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) title he won so emphatically last year at Brands Hatch on Sunday.British Touring Car Champion Matt Neat is gearing up for the new season. Neal, aged 39, will be aiming

  • Thame torn apart

    Thame United 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Southern League Division One West STRIKER Paul Moore bagged a brace as Bromsgrove Rovers ran out comfortable winners over the Southern League Division One's bottom side on Tuesday night. A goal in each half by the striker

  • Rockers ready to roll

    A BROMSGROVE heavy metal band are on the verge of hitting the big time with the release of their first album. Hardcore metallers Decimate release their album, 11 Rounds, on Monday, April 17. The long player is set to be sold in major retailers such as

  • Imitation 'Stones' to give satisfation

    THE Counterfeit Stones continue their sell out tour, A Bigger Bong, at the Artrix on Friday, April 7. The band takes a comedic look at the history of the ultimate rock'n'rollers, The Rolling Stones, and play some of the band's most famous songs. The Counterfeit

  • Getting a message to you

    THE Bee Gees first burst on to the music scene in 1967 and have stayed at the top ever since - but when did they last play Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre? Well, if you're a fan of music, you're sure to be a fan of The Bee Gees... and if you're a fan of

  • Jazz legend is one of several stars heading for Brum

    CELEBRATED singer and jazz pianist Buddy Greco, one of the greatest names from the golden era of entertainment, is to make an exclusive Birmingham appearance at the Jam House next month. The former member of Frank Sinatra's 'Rat Pack' and the man responsible

  • 04/04/06 - Brown calls away fans

    BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown believes the travelling fans could make all the difference in securing the Errea Southern League Cup. With the final's first leg a testing away clash at Hitchin Town on April 11 the Rovers boss knows how important away

  • 05/04/06 - Letter to rally fans

    ABOUT thirteen years ago the average home crowd was one thousand two hundred and Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club was the best non-league side in the country - when both league and cup results were being considered. The club was managed by former West

  • Run along for fantastic fun

    Review - See How They Run at the Festival Theatre, Malvern, until Saturday. ALL that was missing from this most traditional of British comedies was a nun or two on the run! Not that they were needed as there was plenty of fun with prancing parsons, vaulting

  • Ladies sunk in cup tie

    Worcester City Res 5, Evesham Utd Ladies 3 SUNDAY'S League Cup semi-final was switched to St George's Lane where United succumbed to their second successive cup defeat. The visitors fell behind from an eighth minute corner when the ball struck the unfortunate

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

    Churchdown Panthers 1, Badsey Rgrs U-11 5 RANGERS reached the final of the C & G League's League Cup after a powerful second half display. Facing the elements in the first half, Badsey fell behind after Jack Milward had gone close to opening the scoring

  • Golden sabre secures victory

    ALCESTER fencer Richard Brenda clinched the West Midlands Men's Sabre title at the Regional Championships which were held in King's Norton. The former Alcester High and Grammar School pupil was favourite to lift the title and he duly delivered. Brenda

  • Quick-fire double sinks Redditch

    WOMEN'S hockey: Worcester 2, Redditch 1 Redditch lost out in a tight game to champions Worcester, the damage being done in a five-minute burst. The first 20 minutes were evenly balanced with both sides pressing for a breakthrough. Redditch then allowed

  • Families secure places at the top

    TENNIS: BIDFORD and Alcester made good starts to the new season with some fine tennis to top their leagues in the Prudden Road Surfacing Junior Summer Tennis Cup The competition is open to players aged 12 and under with teams making up four pools. Each

  • Robinson secures a double

    SWIMMING: REDDITCH came fourth overall in the Harvey Novice Gala held at Nuneaton. The team swam really well with Taylor Hartley, 10, and Oliver Plevey, 11, receiving speeding tickets for swimming too fast! Gaining a double first was Cassandra Robinson

  • Race joy

    CYCLING: Redditch youngsters carried their excellent winter cyclo-cross form into the current road racing season with some good performances at the WCRR circuit races at the Milton Keynes Bowl. In the 15km u12 event, Joe Reeves rode an intelligent race

  • White off

    DARTS: It was all change in the Astwood Bank Summer League as the Queens dropped out of the C Division and the White Lion moved to the Astwood Bank Club. But the latter could not have wished for a tougher start, losing 8-1 to the Nomads. Church Hill A

  • What's On Guide

    Wednesday, April 5 Miss Saigon, Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Until April 29. Tickets on www.birminghamhippodrome.com or 0870 730 1234 Promises and Lies, Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham. Until April 15. Tickets on www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

  • 100 years ago - April 7, 1906

    THE saddest and most significant result of the variable weather experienced last month - when east winds prevailed most of the time, varying while in the degree of their biting coldness - is seen in the reports of the various medical officers' health.

  • Where to go

    Wednesday, April 5 CINEMA: Brokeback Mountain, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove. MUSIC: Time Enough, Hop Pole Inn, Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove. HISTORY: Droitwich History and Archeology Society presents Worcestershire Milestones, Droitwich Community Hall

  • Fixtures

    July 2005 (friendlies) Tues 19 Alvechurch (a) 2-1 Martin 2 WEDS 20 TAMWORTH (H) 0-1 SAT 23 Leamington (a) 2-1 Ball, Pinkney TUES 26 MOOR GREEN (H) 2-1 Duncan, Ball SAT 30 WORCESTER CITY (H) 0-0 August TUES 2 REDDITCH UTD (H) 1-1 O'Toole THURS KIDDERMINSTER

  • Misery as VC suffer late on

    Redditch VC 2, Phoenix Hereford Ladies 3 (after extra time) There was heartbreak for Redditch VC on Sunday as they missed out on a cup final appearance. VC twice took the lead but an extra time fightback ensured it was the Hereford side that went through

  • Tale of the demon barber

    AWARD-winning musical Sweeney Todd arrives at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre next week. The inspired production about a demon barber starts on Monday, running until Saturday, April 15. It stars Jason Donovan, who recently starred in Chitty Chitty Bang

  • Tough life for young Spider

    A GRIPPING adaptation of Dick King-Smith's The Crowstarver is on offer for children during the Easter holidays at Malvern Theatres. Brought to life by a five-strong cast and two musicians playing an original score on piano and violin, the show is geared

  • Roll call

    JUNIOR FOOTBALL: A Redditch-based team is looking for extra players in time for the new season. Studley Youth u10s need to recruit as they make the step-up from seven-a-side to 11-a-side. Young footballers currently in Year 5 should contact manager Richard

  • Albion's surprise

    LEISURE LEAGUES: Villapool Albion produced the surprise result in Sunday's games with their 3-1 defeat of second-placed Sickadem. The opening game of the afternoon saw Albion start well, taking the lead just before the break. They went on to dominate

  • Open audition

    FOR those who yearn to tread the boards or work backstage at Bromsgrove's Artrix theatre, there's a chance this month. Members of theatre group All & Sundry are holding an audition on Tuesday from 7.30-10.30pm in the Peace Hall, Rowney Green. They

  • Honours even at Littleton

    Littleton Jnrs U-13 1, Evesham Utd B 1 EVESHAM opened the scoring early in the first half after goalkeeper Leon Ballard's clearance bounced over the defence and Henry Woods finished in some style. They should have added to the tally but their inability

  • Webster grabs thrilling victory

    ADAM Webster's 89th-minute strike completed a thrilling 3-2 Nationwide North win for Worcester City at Bower Fold last night. City seemed to have tossed away victory when, after snatching a two-goal advantage through debutant Gareth Seddon and Webster

  • Veteran back in the old routine

    GRAEME Hick struck 71 runs but Worcestershire were beaten by Essex in an entertaining start to the pre-season campaign at Chelmsford yesterday. Hick was well backed up by youngsters Stephen Moore (67) and Daryl Mitchell (44) in the County's total of 251

  • Amber loses in last eight

    A TABLE tennis star has smashed her way into a national competition. Amber Perry, of St George's CE Primary School in Worcester, was knocked out in the quarter-finals of the under 11s national championships in Bristol, landing her in the top eight in

  • 5/4/06 - Veteran back in the old routine

    GRAEME Hick struck 71 runs but Worcestershire were beaten by Essex in an entertaining start to the pre-season campaign at Chelmsford yesterday. Hick was well backed up by youngsters Stephen Moore (67) and Daryl Mitchell (44) in the County's total of 251

  • 5/4/06 - Davies in MCC line-up for Lord's

    PROMISING Steven Davies has been selected to play for the MCC against reigning county champions Nottinghamshire in the cricket season's annual curtain-raiser at Lord's. Davies, Worcestershire's wicketkeeper-batsman who received an England 'A' call-up

  • Thriller ends in a tie

    EVESHAM Casuals and Overbury fought out a thrilling tie in last week's Worcester CB Indoor clash at Prince Henry's. Needing 14 off the final over, Jamie Munro blasted 13 off the opening four balls but was unable to find the wall off the last two and was

  • 01/04/06 - Out of sorts Spa taste shield defeat

    Droitwich 5 Kidderminster 13 North Midlands Shield Quarter final DROITWICH RFC crashed out of the North Midlands Shield after Kidderminster Carrolians edged them out at the Glynn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Saturday. A second half fight back by Droitwich's

  • Trevor adds to appearance tally

    BROMSGROVE RFC celebrated the feats of its legendary record appearance holder with a special dinner at Finstall Park.GOLDEN OLDIES: Trevor Lacy (front row, middle right), celebrates an illustrious career with his team mates from the 1960s. Back row -

  • 21/03/06 - Coach ushers in new era at Boars

    HEAD coach Iain Hall has started his revolution at Bromsgrove RFC by drafting in a fitness expert to get the first team players in super-fit shape. The headman at the Finstall Park club has also hinted that there will be sweeping changes to the coaching

  • New arrivals to bolster Reds

    REDDITCH manager Gary Whild has brought in three new players as United look to safeguard their Nationwide Conference North future. The Reds entertain Hucknall Town on Saturday, the first of five crucial games in the run-up to the end of the season. Damon

  • Broms Proms

    I AM very disappointed that the Broms Proms event, which was such a successful way to round off last year's carnival, will not be happening again this time around. I am sure many other residents will join me in putting in a personal plea to the carnival

  • Town devil

    CONGRATULATIONS on highlighting once again the saga of the Bromsgrove Devil. He is a piece of local history and as such should be cherished in Bromsgrove, where he has always lived. The newly-refurbished library is the ideal location as one of its roles

  • Prized asset

    PRAISE be for the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and NHS Direct. Out of hours, my wife suffered continuous agonising stomach pain. A doctor was soon sent, who immediately summoned an ambulance. My wife received every possible care and attention. The consultant

  • We need civic pride

    IN a letter you published from Garth Alger, he complains that Bromsgrove "is bordering on a dump" and he castigates our council and our MP for this. He claimed that "the roads are a disgrace, most pavements are dangerous and there is rubbish and graffiti

  • Hit and run driver hunt

    I would really like to thank the driver of the tractor and trailer unit, registration T740 WFH, who was driving in Swan Lane, Upton Warren, at 2.25pm on Saturday, March 24, for ruining my parents' life. They were driving towards Upton Warren when they

  • 04/04/06 - Thame torn apart

    Thame United 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 4 Southern League Division One West STRIKER Paul Moore bagged a brace as Bromsgrove Rovers ran out comfortable winners over the Southern League Division One's bottom side on Tuesday night. A goal in each half by the striker

  • Title challengers to take it game at a time

    FAIRFIELD Villa FC manager Paul Oakes has warned his side to take every game as it comes in their bid for the Midland Combination Division One title. Fairfield are well poised to top the division but Oakes has stressed that the team must keep winning

  • Tom has faith in cup magic

    CHAIRMAN Tom Herbert has backed his Bromsgrove Rovers team to add some much-needed magic to the season by winning the Errea Southern League Cup. After a season that has not lived up to fans' expectations in the Southern League Division One West Rovers

  • Brown calls away fans

    BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Rod Brown believes the travelling fans could make all the difference in securing the Errea Southern League Cup. With the final's first leg a testing away clash at Hitchin Town on April 11 the Rovers boss knows how important away

  • 29/03/04 - Own goal misery for goal-shy Fairfield

    Fairfield Villa 0 Archdale 73 1 FAIRFIELD Villa suffered heartache in the Worcestershire Junior Cup final as an own goal by Carl Dainter brought defeat at Worcester City. Dainter's second half own goal was enough to guarantee Villa's cup defeat last Wednesday

  • Tourists struggle to deal with Irish backs

    Navan 38, Alcester Tourists 12 The centre point of Alcester's 18-strong party long weekend in Dublin, was the hour long journey to the County Meath countryside to play a strong Navan side who are a big club in the Leinster rugby scene having several former

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

    GOALSCORERS 10 - Hadland, Banner, Dyer. 9 - Davis. 8 - Moore. 6 - Barnes-Homer. 5 - Danks. 4 - Porter. 3 - Curtis, Szewczyk, Johnson. 2 - Smith, Ramsay, Maguire, Reynolds, Williams, Geohaghan. 1 - Collins, Mitchell, Willetts, Hurren, Benbow. ADVERTISER

  • It's cause and effect

    IT is sad to note that Kwik Save is to close in Droitwich, however no action happens without having an effect on something or someone. If planners do not know and understand a town's needs, they are going to make mistakes. When Waitrose was built it was

  • End of an era

    IT is so sad to see the unexpected demise of Dewhursts with its overnight closure across the country and in particular in our Droitwich precinct. The Droitwich shop has been a pleasure to use with helpful and dedicated staff who must now be wondering

  • Double defeat on the road

    EVESHAM'S Under-8s made the trip to Gloucester to meet Matson for the first time. In early exchanges of the opening match, Evesham pushed their hosts back but it was clear that the Gloucester side were a determined outfit and remained composed as Eve-sham

  • Dodge and Ali cross in win

    NEAR perfect conditions promised a good morning's rugby when Bredon's Under-14s faced opposition from Stow-on-the-Wold. The visitors drew first blood to take an early five-point lead but Bredon then got into their stride and defended and att-acked with

  • 5/4/06 - Rookies do their chances no harm

    TROY Wood and Lewis Skyers can be pleased with their performances for Worcester City against Alfreton Town. Both are young players learning the game and Saturday was a good test for them. They came through fine, although the result should have been a

  • Emporer has his hands full

    A NEW production at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre gives an old story a new twist to delight young and old alike. The Emperor's New Machine, which runs at the theatre between April 7 and 22, follows the story of a vain Emperor whose love for clothes

  • Barry bags a final Fishery triumph

    Evesham Jubilee Society BARRY Stayte narrowly pipped Jeff Spiers for top spot at the Last Chance Open. The Fishery provided good sport with carp and chub the chief catches on a day when there were several other decent returns. The Fishery is now closed

  • Serious side to big walk

    HANBURY Hall is the place to be this weekend - not only to enjoy the delights of this tourist attraction between Bromsgrove and Droitwich, but also to lend support to the many walkers who will be taking part in the Spring Walk 2006 in aid of cancer research

  • Chaddesley Corbett Gardeners

    DUNCAN Coombes was the guest speaker at our well attended march meeting and he entertained us with a very interesting talk about lilies. He also showed us slides of many beautiful examples of this much-loved plant, which can be grown in a surprising range

  • Fairfield WI

    SHIRLEY Walker, our president, warmly welcomed members and especially new members to our March meeting. The annual dinner at the Gate Inn was enjoyed by all and thanks were given to Ann Griffin, who did all the organisation. At the recent county quiz

  • Lickey WI

    President Sue Mayne welcomed members and two visitors to the March meeting of Lickey WI. Fares were collected for the April coach outing to Bristol. Judy Berrow, of Chaddesley Corbett, gave an illustrated talk entitled Starting from Scratch - The Story

  • Famous names and faces the town has known

    A CHANCE remark on television recently that the BBC's 'hard man' Newsnight presenter, Jeremy Paxman, had once lived in Bromsgrove flagged up an idea in the mind of well known local historian and author, Dr Alan Richards. He wondered who else had found

  • Poster removals isn't fair - says Tom!

    FOR proprietor Thomas Jones who has been coming to Bromsgrove with his touring fair every spring for over 50 years, much of the fun has gone out of his latest visit thanks, he says, to red tape. This year Mr Jones put out 40 posters advertising his fair

  • On display

    BUDDING artists at a Bromsgrove school displayed their creative talents with their very own art exhibition. Children at Lickey Hills Primary School showcased their work to parents with an exhibition last Thursday. Each class, from nursery to year six,

  • Lucky escape in bedroom fire

    A MUM and son had a lucky escape from their burning Stoke Heath home - just days after taking the battery out of their smoke alarm. Firefighters from Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa were called to the blaze in an upstairs bedroom in Hanbury Road, at 8.50pm

  • For the boys (and girls) from Brazil

    COURAGEOUS Mark Jones is gearing up for a 1,200-mile fundraising hike, to help children in a Brazilian village that he says changed his life. The 40-year-old, from Fordhouse Road, will take on a mammoth walk from Land's End to John O'Groats in a bid to

  • Book - Margrave of the Marshes

    MARGRAVE: definition "princely" (Wikipedia). John Robert Parker Ravenscroft is surely worthy of such a title. Brought up in Shropshire (the Marshes) and soon dispatched to boarding school, the boy who was to become known to millions as John Peel, influential

  • Thrown out

    YET another U-turn in the long-running saga over Bromsgrove's Oakalls estate has seen plans to build 58 houses turned down. The council's planning committee yet again refused the application from Gallagher Estates Limited to build further housing on the

  • Phone mast plan is put on hold

    PLANS for three new mobile phone masts next to St John's Middle School have been temporarily shelved after pressure from concerned residents. A meeting at the school saw parents, governors and local residents raise concerns about the scheme for more masts

  • People power's war on drugs

    A GROUP of concerned residents are taking action in the hope of cleaning up Droitwich Spa's growing drug problem. Parents of children in the area, members of the Westlands Forum, the local housing association, schools and the police are forming a special

  • Club's birthday celebrations

    DROITWICH Spa's Inner Wheel Club is celebrating its 62nd birthday. Members marked the occasion when they gathered at the town's Raven Hotel for a fellowship tea. They were joined by ladies from clubs in the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire

  • Probe after pollution

    A CLEAN up operation swung into action after the pollution of a Tibberton watercourse. Now Environment Agency officers are appealing for information which might lead to the source of the pollution which hit the watercourse behind the village store last

  • Riding high for success

    A DISABLED horse rider, who scooped a top award only a few weeks ago, is now hoping to continue her success with the help of Spa folk. Determined Philippa Bishop won the Paralympic Winter Championship in Leicester on her dressage horse. The 25-year-old

  • Book - Margrave of the Marshes

    MARGRAVE: definition "princely" (Wikipedia). John Robert Parker Ravenscroft is surely worthy of such a title. Brought up in Shropshire (the Marshes) and soon dispatched to boarding school, the boy who was to become known to millions as John Peel, influential

  • Anstiss heroics can't save side

    Droylesden 2, Redditch United 1 Chances came and chances went but at the end of a miserable night in Manchester, Redditch found themselves slumped in the relegation places. A win for relegation rivals Leigh RMI at basement club Hednesford Town was enough

  • Keeper Vaughan wobbles in Wales

    FROM the sublime to the ridiculous! That's the verdict on Nathan Vaughan who endured a horrendous 90 minutes in Wales. The larger than life goalkeeper has played a huge part in United's attempts to stave off relegation but his antics led to the Common

  • Indoor facility is almost ready

    PERSHORE Tennis Centre staged the Topping-Out ceremony for its new indoor facility on Monday. Years of planning and hard work have led to this point, where the roof is on, the walls are up, and everything is proceeding towards completion at the end of

  • United recover from early set-back

    Worksop Town 1, Redditch United 1 MANAGER Gary Whild was hoping for three points from this clash with fellow relegation candidates Worksop. In the end it was a hard-earned draw for the Reds who showed plenty of spirit in battling back after conceding

  • Indoor facility is almost ready

    PERSHORE Tennis Centre staged the Topping-Out ceremony for its new indoor facility on Monday. Years of planning and hard work have led to this point, where the roof is on, the walls are up, and everything is proceeding towards completion at the end of

  • County aid at grounds

    A TRIO of local clubs are expecting county assistance this weekend the CricketForce 2006 takes place. Evesham, Pershore and Ashton have all requested the visit of a member of the playing staff at Worcestershire to help with ground work required ahead

  • Ben fits bill as Alderton bury Bear

    Birdseye Sports Evesham and District Sunday League SECOND division Alderton reached the Evesham Mechanical Services Subsidiary Cup Final for the second successive year after a shock penalty shoot-out win over the Bear. Alderton took an early second half

  • Finals keenly fought

    Evesham and District Association THE BBC Club played host to the finals night of the 2005/06. The finals of the knockout tournaments of this long-running general knowledge quiz, were, as usual, keenly contended. Although the scores look somewhat one-

  • Shoot-out sickener as Town downed in semi

    DEVASTATED, deflated and distraught were just three of the adjectives that best described the feelings of Andy Robbins after his Pershore Town side had missed out on a place in the Endsleigh Challenge Cup Final. It was the second successive season that

  • Anxious wait on Alex jobs

    STAFF at the Alexandra Hospital are waiting on tenterhooks to see if a jobs axe will swing in their direction. Crunch talks on the future of jobs across Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust are expected to take place at a board meeting tomorrow. Workers

  • End of season pool standings

    Evesham and District League Final standings Division One P W L F A Pts Hospital Club 16 14 2 100 44 128 Cider Mill B 16 11 4 94 50 116 Victors 16 13 3 88 65 114 Round of Gras 16 7 9 78 64 92 Lions 16 8 8 76 66 92 Fairfield A 16 7 9 63 61 77 New Inn Boys

  • Track's busy diary

    LAST Sunday's opening meeting of 2006 at a reva-mped Worcester Race-course was the first of 21 during the summer mon-ths. The £1m modification of facilities can be seen at the popular Family Fun Days. There's Ladies day on Saturday, June 3 which is also

  • Angel duo claim top pairs success

    Evesham and District Crib League THE league staged its members' only pairs competition at Bretforton RBL on Mon-day when 22 pairs were in action. After several close finishes the victors were John and Brian Townley (Angel Vaults B) who defeated Edwards

  • Stop slagging off our town

    I HAVE been a Labour councillor in Abbey Ward for the last two years and I would like to think I have made a difference. Many people think, misguidedly, we do the job for the money. I can assure them this is not the case. Also, a lot of people have the