Archive

SIR - John Phillpott (August 19) mentioned corporal punishment in a recent article. My late dad only had to say a firm "no" and I knew to obey. He was strict but kind, a wonderful dad, the salt of the earth. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

SIR - I cannot ever remember paying to park on a city car park and am therefore unperturbed at the news that charges are to be increased. If I only want to look around Worcester my old pedal cycle is adequate transport. For serious shopping I make

SIR - On Wednesday, August 2, as I was weeding in my front garden I discovered a dead pigeon. Having picked it up I discovered it was no ordinary bird - in fact it had attached to its right leg a yellow and silver band with the inscription in black letters

SIR - Regarding the photograph of munition workers in a foundry (Letters, August 14), second on right back row was my father Toby Atkins. He was a great fisherman and had a clock presented to him in 1922 by Lord Carlton at the Albion pub, Diglis. Seventh

SIR - Worcestershire County Council committed itself to sell the Christopher Whitehead site to Tesco on July 17, 2001, without a credible plan to relocate. This appalling lack of judgment is now certain to involve at least 10 years of neglect and uncertainty

SIR - Whatever Councillor David Candler is drinking or smoking I want some of that. If it changes the real world to the one that he sees, it is a short-term trip to Utopia. The EU has robbed England of the ability to defend her own borders, to make

SIR - David Candler seems a little confused regarding support for the EU. He doesn't specify which report shows the highest support for the EU since the 1980s but I assume it was the EU's own Euro-barometer report which showed an increase in support

SIR - I do not know what EU polls David Candler is referring to in his recent letter talking about the EU in glowing terms. What unadulterated tripe! Some 70 per cent of the British people would like to learn more about the impact the EU has on their

FOR some time, this newspaper has not minced its words regarding the perceived excesses of some of our young people. In particular, problems on the riverbank at Worcester have been highlighted both in our news and comment columns. Basically, a minority

THE number of Worcester-shire businesses receiving in-depth help from Business Link is to radically increase following the signing of new contracts to deliver the service from April 1, 2007. Business Link West Midlands is being transformed from five

WITH the return of the BBC's popular Dragons Den programme, many entrepreneurs may well be wondering how they can attract the vital cash injection needed to build their business dreams. For entrepreneurs in Worcester there is a solution to this problem

NEXT month's Jobs & Careers Fair organised by the Worcester News will run for two days - instead of one - ensuring that recruitment opportunities for Christmas, late places on courses and ongoing agency positions can be filled. The event will take

Company plugged into a storehouse of university talent RECRUITING graduates on to the company payroll has long been recognised as a way of advancing a firm's profile. Each year, more employers look to take graduates into their businesses, but what

A DAY centre in Malvern for people with physical disabilities is to change hands after nine years, much to the disgust of those who use it. The service has been run by the cj in Newtown Road since 1997 and helps people with conditions such as MS, epilepsy

ESSENTIAL advice on working with children is being dished out by the experts. Worcester residents who are interested in working with youngsters are being urged not to miss a series of information-packed sessions being run by Worcestershire County Council's

FLIP-flops, fish tanks and a singalong song about long johns in French - these are just some of the weird and wonderful ways the audience is taken on a manic, but melodic, musical journey by the New Rope String Band. The evening starts formally enough

ACTOR, comedian, TV presenter, straight man, raconteur - Nicholas Parsons is all of these and more, as the ageless entertainer proved when he brought his one man show A Laugh A Minute to Worcester's Swan Theatre. The sprightly octogenarian, arriving

TWO cyclists have raised £1,500 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation after using pedal power to travel the length of the United Kingdom in a sponsored ride. Forty-year-old Bryn Griffiths, of Broughton Hackett, near Worcester, and 19-year-old friend Joe

AN American historian is keen to get involved in a Worcester project to commemorate the city's part in the English Civil War. The Battle Of Worcester 1651 Project aims to increase the profile of the city's role in the conflict by creating a battlefield

TODAY could be a bad day if you are in a relationship. Wednesday, August 30, has been labelled as Relationship Black Wednesday by a relationship advice service. This is the day that couples are more likely to have an argument than any other day in the

ALMOST 700 people attended a series of summer roadshows to receive advice on the biggest expansion yet of the wheelie bin recycling service in Worcester. Environmental health boss Mike Harrison said the six summer roadshows had gone "very well" as

BIN bugs to monitor how much waste is being thrown out by Worcester households won't be operational for a few months. As reported in the Worcester News last year wheelie bins being gradually introduced to households across the city have been fitted

A LEADING county eurosceptic has been invited on a three-day tour of the European Parliament in Strasbourg so he can see what it is all about. Stanley Parr, aged 71, a regular letter writer to the Worcester News, has been invited on a whistlestop tour

CONCERN is growing that adequate provision for mental health patients in the county has not been put in place following the ann-ouncement that their services are to be changed. The Worcester News reported in July how adult mental health services and

THE trade union representing doctors and nurses has said it is against plans that would see all women in the county giving birth in Worcester. Health chiefs at Worcest-ershire Royal Hospital have proposed moving all of the county's maternity, paediatrics

VISITORS to Worcester over the bank holiday say they were left disgusted after witnessing appalling behaviour from travellers who set up camp on a riverside car park. Twelve camper vans allegedly broke through the barriers to get into Croft Road car

MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has added his voice to the growing condemnation of the decision by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust to cut chaplaincy services to what he describes as "a level so low as to be worthless." Trust bosses announced at

WORCESTER'S Queen Victoria statue should be floodlit and shown off as part of a general clean-up, conservation chiefs have said. The city's council's conservation officer Will Scott said the sculpture, outside the Crown Court in Foregate Street, would

The people of Ombersley, near Worcester, have been thrown a lifeline by the British Heart Foundation and members of a doctors' surgery who have helped fund a defibrillator for the village's medical centre. Patients raised half the money for the machine

THREE people are in hospital - one critically ill - following two separate traffic accidents near Worcester. A teenager had to be cut free from the wreckage of his car following a crash on the A4103 Worcester-Hereford road in the early hours of Monday

QUICK-thinking action by three youngsters helped to save the life of a wheelchair-bound woman who fell into the River Severn in Worcester. The teenagers were among a group of 10 who were relaxing by the Diglis Hotel when one saw the woman rolling towards

I AM delighted with what we have achieved so far, the last three games especially. I think the lads have shown a great work ethic but there's a lot of things we can improve on. We are not passing the ball well and there's a lot more to come but you

ADAM Webster is hoping he won't need surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Kidderminster Har-riers. Scan results last Friday showed the Worcester City striker ruptured a ligament in his left ankle following the tackle by Mark Creigthon in

DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes doesn't envisage his players having any problems switching back into four-day mode after a scintilating run of form in one-day cricket. Worcestershire host Essex today (11am) in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship

WORCESTER Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth wants supporters to join his crusade to make Sixways the cleanest ground in Guinness Premier-ship rugby. He's calling on them to leave the ground litter-free and environmentally-friendly and to do the same

WORCESTER'S Jo Yapp will lead England into their Wo-men's World Cup curtain-raiser against the US Eagles tomorrow night at Ellerslie Park in Edmonton, Canada. The scrum-half is joined by club-mates Kim Shaylor and Nicola Crawford, both of whom play

WESTFIELDS collected another home point in the Midland Alliance after a 0-0 draw with Bank Holiday visitors Studley. Westfields, yet to concede a goal at allpay.park in their three games to date, gave a solid performance at the back but could not break

STOURPORT Hockey Club's ladies section are gearing up for the new season with their annual club day at their home pitches at Stourport Sports Club, next door to Stourport High School, on Saturday. The ladies, who field four sides of various abliities

A TEENAGE athlete from Malvern has dreams of competing for England following a string of successes. Jenny White surpassed her own expectations when she took gold in the 75 metres hurdles at the Amateur Athletic Association of England Under 15 Championships

WORCESTER'S Jo Yapp will lead England into their Wo-men's World Cup curtain-raiser against the US Eagles tomorrow night at Ellerslie Park in Edmonton, Canada. The scrum-half is joined by club-mates Kim Shaylor and Nicola Crawford, both of whom play

WORCESTER Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth wants supporters to join his crusade to make Sixways the cleanest ground in Guinness Premier-ship rugby. He's calling on them to leave the ground litter-free and environmentally-friendly and to do the same

ADAM Webster is hoping he won't need surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Kidderminster Har-riers. Scan results last Friday showed the Worcester City striker ruptured a ligament in his left ankle following the tackle by Mark Creigthon in

LEDBURY Town suffered their second home defeat in two days when they lost 3-1 to Bridgnorth Town. The defeat came on the back of Town's 4-0 thumping against Pelsall Villa in the West Midlands League premier division on Saturday. Ledbury, with one

DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes doesn't envisage his players having any problems switching back into four-day mode after a scintilating run of form in one-day cricket. Worcestershire host Essex today (11am) in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship

CIRIC ENDACOTT Kaylen Rose Marie Congratulations Claire and Nathan for giving me my great grandchild Kaylen. All my love Grandad xxx Published in paper 30/08/2006

ABBATIELLO McELROY Seb and Beckie are proud to announce the Birth of their daughter Serece Pink born Thursday, August 24th, at 5.06 p.m., weighing 6lb 5 oz, sister for Seb Jnr and Sergio. Many thanks to the Midwife and all Staff at the Delivery Suite.

WARBURTON Antony Hugh Peacefully at home on August 25th, aged 62. Beloved husband of Wendy, much loved father of Tracy and Caroline. Funeral Service at Worcester Crematorium For arrangements and enquiries contact Beechwood Funeral Services Cheltenham.

ELSON Bertram Peacefully after a short illness at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, on August 26th, 2006, aged 88 years. Beloved husband of Joan, father to Christine and father in law to Garth. Funeral Service to take place at Worcester Crematorium, on Thursday

BRERETON Vincent Thomas Of Crowle. Ex Farmer of Oddingley. Suddenly on August 24th, 2006, aged 95 years. Husband of the late Mona Mary Brereton. Dear father of Vincent, Nicholas, Bridget, Caroline and Charlotte and a much loved father in law, grandad

GRIFFITHS Vera nee Challen Formerly of Broadwas on Teme. Passed peacefully away at Morton House Nursing Home on Thursday, August 17th 2006, aged 94 years. Beloved wife of the late Tom. Much loved mother, mother in law, grandmother, great grandmother

CHEESE Wendy nee Everiss Passed away tragically on August 21st, 2006 aged 45 years. Beloved wife of Tony, loving mother of Kayleigh and Richard, much loved daughter of Pamela and Tony and sister of Martin. Will be greatly missed by all her Family and

WALTON Arthur Memories are all we have left of a dad we loved and will never forget. Love Jack, Ruby and Family. Published in paper 30/08/2006

WALLACE Jean. MBR One year today. Never forgotten. Missing you always. Raymond, Barrie, Jannette and Ellie. x Published in paper 30/08/2006

Bromsgrove Rovers 1 Rothwell Town 1 A second half triple substitution breathed life into a lack lustre performance by Rovers against a stubborn Rothwell side at The Victoria Ground on Saturday. Neal Davis came off the bench to equalise to preserve Bromsgrove's

WORCESTER Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth wants supporters to join his crusade to make Sixways the cleanest ground in Guinness Premier-ship rugby. He's calling on them to leave the ground litter-free and environmentally-friendly and to do the same with

A TEENAGE athlete from Malvern has dreams of competing for England following a string of successes. Jenny White surpassed her own expectations when she took gold in the 75 metres hurdles at the Amateur Athletic Association of England Under 15 Championships

IT'S not often that one of the country's most renowned guitarists teaches the secrets of how to master the instrument, but that's just what happening when John Etheridge holds a workshop and concert at the the Artrix this Saturday. Etheridge is widely

A FUNDRAISER for an Alcester cancer charity has spoken out after being shot in the chest by a pellet gun - and has urged parents to think twice about buying toy guns. Chairman of the Alcester Macmillan branch Sylvia Hyde was injured last Monday as she

DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes doesn't envisage his players having any problems switching back into four-day mode after a scintilating run of form in one-day cricket. Worcestershire host Essex today (11am) in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship

WESTFIELDS collected another home point in the Midland Alliance after a 0-0 draw with Bank Holiday visitors Studley. Westfields, yet to concede a goal at allpay.park in their three games to date, gave a solid performance at the back but could not break

DISTRICT councillor Susan Juned has vowed to get to the bottom of serious antisocial behaviour and flooding problems in Alcester. Following a number of incidents in the town over the past few weeks, Mrs Juned is arranging separate meetings with the police

STOURPORT Hockey Club's ladies section are gearing up for the new season with their annual club day at their home pitches at Stourport Sports Club, next door to Stourport High School, on Saturday. The ladies, who field four sides of various abliities,

WESTFIELDS collected another home point in the Midland Alliance after a 0-0 draw with Bank Holiday visitors Studley. Westfields, yet to concede a goal at allpay.park in their three games to date, gave a solid performance at the back but could not break

LEDBURY Town suffered their second home defeat in two days when they lost 3-1 to Bridgnorth Town. The defeat came on the back of Town's 4-0 thumping against Pelsall Villa in the West Midlands League premier division on Saturday. Ledbury, with one point

NEWLY elected Conservative councillor Susan Adams is "overjoyed and proud" to be representing Alcester on the district council. Mrs Adams beat off stiff competition from two other candidates after Liberal Democrat councillor Clifford Meade resigned from

A CHARITY shop in Alcester raised more than £2,000 to help cancer sufferers in the region. The stalls in Alcester Town Hall sold an array of bric-a-brac in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Chairman of the Alcester branch Sylvia Hyde said she was thrilled

ADAM Webster is hoping he won't need surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Kidderminster Har-riers. Scan results last Friday showed the Worcester City striker ruptured a ligament in his left ankle following the tackle by Mark Creigthon in the

Equestrian equipment worth more than £1,500 has been stolen from a farm in the Cradley area. Entry was forced into a locked store room and saddles and tack removed, some time between 6pm on Wednesday, August 23, and 9am the next day. Police want to hear

A MAN was taken to hospital with suspected broken legs following a car crash on the A4107 Hereford to Worcester road at Bransford. The crash, at about 2.30am on Monday, August 28, near the Fox pub, involved a Vauxhall Astra car and a Daf van belonging

BABIES around Malvern could soon be chatting away -- in sign language. Mum-of-three Liz Merrifield is starting a new Sing and Sign class, teaching babies to communicate in sign before they are able to talk. The classes teach babies from the age of seven

WORK started this week on a multi-million pound revamp of a Malvern town centre supermarket. The renovation project at Waitrose, Edith Walk, is expected to be completed by the end of October. It follows surveys of shoppers by the company to find out what

BROMSGROVE Rovers face a difficult task to repeat last season's FA Cup heroics when they take on Eastwood Town in the preliminary round this Saturday. Rovers take on the Nottinghamshire side which has only lost once in the Unibond Northern League so far

RIDER Jessica Varnish defended her sprint title and won three medals at the National Under-16 Championships in Newport. The gifted 14-year-old from Finstall won a gold and two silver medals to confirm her status as one of Great Britain cycling's rising

WHAT is it about Worcester City and away games? Since securing a last-minute winner at Gainsborough in January, Andy Preece's side have seldom looked back, with just two defeats on the road. They have started this season in similar form away from St George's

THE number of Worcester-shire businesses receiving in-depth help from Business Link is to radically increase following the signing of new contracts to deliver the service from April 1, 2007. Business Link West Midlands is being transformed from five individual

NEXT month's Jobs & Careers Fair organised by the Worcester News will run for two days - instead of one - ensuring that recruitment opportunities for Christmas, late places on courses and ongoing agency positions can be filled. The event will take

Company plugged into a storehouse of university talent RECRUITING graduates on to the company payroll has long been recognised as a way of advancing a firm's profile. Each year, more employers look to take graduates into their businesses, but what many

WYTHALL Cricket Club's battle to beat the drop ended in defeat at home to Lyndworth on Saturday, with one match still to play. The Warwickshire League Division Three side, which has produced the likes of Worcestershire and England star Kabir Ali, Gloucestershire-based

REDDITCH Arrows American football team go into their biggest game of the season at Ash Lane on Sunday, hoping to secure a play-off semi-final at home the following Sunday. A perfect 10-0 regular season record secured the Arrows the league title and home

A MALE driver was killed after he was speared by a wooden fence when his car left the M42 near Lickey End on Bank Holiday Monday. A paramedic car, two ambulances, firefighters and police were called to the scene between junctions one and two of the M42

A YOUNG girl was just seconds from death when a lightning blasted into her bedroom and destroyed the bed she was about to sleep in. Eight-year-old Jasmine Griffiths had a narrow escape as the bolt blasted a hole in the roof of the family home at Fernhill

A MASSIVE lightning strike hit Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, at 9.50pm last Wednesday causing around £60,000 worth of damage. A hole was blown out of the roof of the school's mathematics and Special Educational Needs block by the strike and

GRAFFITI taggers who are scrawling their names across Bromsgrove are facing a crackdown by town police. A spate of incidents has seen tags, a name, appear on cars and houses across Lickey End over the past two weeks. Ten vehicles at Spa Cars, in Birmingham

TIME is running out for keen cyclists to get on their bikes and raise cash for a good cause. The annual North Worcestershire Bikeathon, organised by the Leukaemia Research Fund Bromsgrove, raises thousands of pounds for research into leukaemia. The event

UNISON, the UK's largest trade union, has signed up to support the campaign to save the services at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch. UNISON West Midlands is concerned at the proposed downgrading of services at the Alex, which could mean the axing of

VISITORS to Worcester over the bank holiday say they were left disgusted after witnessing appalling behaviour from travellers who set up camp on a riverside car park. Twelve camper vans allegedly broke through the barriers to get into Croft Road car park

MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff has added his voice to the growing condemnation of the decision by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust to cut chaplaincy services to what he describes as "a level so low as to be worthless." Trust bosses announced at

CONCERN is growing that adequate provision for mental health patients in the county has not been put in place following the ann-ouncement that their services are to be changed. The Worcester News reported in July how adult mental health services and the

WHILE visitors to our local nature reserves can't have failed to notice the many changes that have taken place over the years as a result of various ongoing management projects, perhaps the most obvious example can be seen on the lowland heath site at

Wednesday, August 30 Dora the Explorer Live, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Until September 3. Tickets on 0870 607 7533 or www.getlive.co.uk/birmingham Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Until September 2. Tickets on www.birminghamhippodrome.com

A LEADING county eurosceptic has been invited on a three-day tour of the European Parliament in Strasbourg so he can see what it is all about. Stanley Parr, aged 71, a regular letter writer to the Worcester News, has been invited on a whistlestop tour

BIN bugs to monitor how much waste is being thrown out by Worcester households won't be operational for a few months. As reported in the Worcester News last year wheelie bins being gradually introduced to households across the city have been fitted with

AN American historian is keen to get involved in a Worcester project to commemorate the city's part in the English Civil War. The Battle Of Worcester 1651 Project aims to increase the profile of the city's role in the conflict by creating a battlefield

ONE of the country's most popular comedians will be treading the boards at the town's Palace Theatre on Saturday. The Bernie Clifton Summer Spectacular offers Bernie's own unique brand of family entertainment. The entertainer became a household name on

TWO cyclists have raised £1,500 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation after using pedal power to travel the length of the United Kingdom in a sponsored ride. Forty-year-old Bryn Griffiths, of Broughton Hackett, near Worcester, and 19-year-old friend Joe

FLIP-flops, fish tanks and a singalong song about long johns in French - these are just some of the weird and wonderful ways the audience is taken on a manic, but melodic, musical journey by the New Rope String Band. The evening starts formally enough

DROITWICH Spa campaigners, angry at plans to develop St Georges Square, handed out nearly a thousand protest letters to residents over the weekend. The letters, addressed to Wychavon District Council's planning department, lists reasons why the proposed

A YOUNG girl was just seconds from death when a lightning blasted into her bedroom and destroyed the bed she was about to sleep in. Eight-year-old Jasmine Griffiths had a narrow escape as the bolt blasted a hole in the roof of the family home at Fernhill

TORRENTIAL rain and electrical storms wreaked havoc across Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. The thunder, lightning and heavy rain deluged the two towns last Wednesday night (August 23) when Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service received more than

Three men on their way to see a concert in Worcester were robbed of their mobile phones in the street. A group of youths surrounded them and they were searched. One victim, Edward Bentley, said he recognised Matthew Hughes among the robbers because they

DROITWICH Spa's school pupils gathered together to discover if they were top of the class after five years of hard work. Youngsters in the town joined school friends and teachers to get their GCSE results last Thursday. Overjoyed pupils called loved ones

DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes doesn't envisage his players having any problems switching back into four-day mode after a scintilating run of form in one-day cricket. Worcestershire host Essex today (11am) in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship

Worcester 188 all out Ombersley 190-4 Ombersley won by six wickets JOPH Young and Neil Slade starred for Ombersley as the team inflicted another defeat on bottom side Worcester in the Birmingham and District League Division Three on Saturday. Slade was

Chaddesley Corbett slipped up as they went down to Worcestershire League Division One leaders Kington on Saturday. In a game cut short because of rain Corbett were kept to 107 all out and Kington replied with 108-7. In Division Two Belbroughton fell foul

TWO defeats over the Bank Holiday weekend plunges Avoncroft further into the relegation mire in the Worcestershire League Division Two. 'Croft are second from bottom and 31 points behind closest side Hagley. On Saturday 'Croft went down by 116 runs to

WORCESTER Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth wants supporters to join his crusade to make Sixways the cleanest ground in Guinness Premier-ship rugby. He's calling on them to leave the ground litter-free and environmentally-friendly and to do the same with

WORCESTER'S Jo Yapp will lead England into their Wo-men's World Cup curtain-raiser against the US Eagles tomorrow night at Ellerslie Park in Edmonton, Canada. The scrum-half is joined by club-mates Kim Shaylor and Nicola Crawford, both of whom play on

TOWN shopkeepers are impressing Trading Standards officers by refusing to sell alcohol to underage drinkers. A county council-run operation in Redditch saw young volunteers try to buy alcohol in six licensed retail premises. And in each shop where they

A REDDITCH man who broke into his former girlfriend's home and beat up her new lover has been jailed for 20 months. Mark Hurlbutt shinned up a drainpipe at Amy Townsend's home in the town, climbed through a window and then burst into her bedroom. He landed

RESPONDING to the letter recently submitted by Jack Francis, of Bromsgrove, regarding concessions at NEW College it is with reluctant disappointment in my local community that I greatly sympathise with his situation and strongly support his argument.

AFTER visiting Webbs for their celebration weekend I have to say I found it disgusting that I had to pay for my three year old son to go on a bouncy slide. I would have thought with the so called £4 million redevelopment, and the custom this attracted

MY long haired marmalade cat (aged 12) has taken to having the odd meal elsewhere! I think in Windsor Road. Please, if you read this, do not feed him again. He is my cat and my responsibility. Eventually he went to my usual cattery early (prior to my

IT is quite easy to arrange- you collect up two or three bulky items you wish to dispose of, ring Bromsgrove District Council, they send a form for you to complete and you return it with the money. But the form is not totally clear . It states that the

I READ the letter allegedly from Waterside Residents Association calling my concerns about Chapel Bridge development "absurd exaggeration" and denying any past parking problems. I referred to articles, photographs, and residents own letters that appeared

AN Alexandra Hospital patient had a shock when he was summoned to an appointment with a doctor who had died last year. The Redditch resident, who did not want to be named, received a letter summoning him for a hospital appointment on Septmber 20 with

I WOULD like to educate those residents who seem intent on complaining about the noise from the new water feature at the lido in Droitwich of 'how to enjoy yourself'. Didn't they have fun when they were children and didn't they scream with excitement,

STUDLEY manager Kevin Rowlands will have a few days to reflect on what has been a torrid opening month for the Birmingham Road side. The Bees have picked up just one point from their opening five games and their FA Cup exit at the first hurdle means they

FAMILIES had the chance to have fun while learning about keeping healthy at an event organised by SureStart Redditch. A free fun day was held at Arrow Valley Country Park last Wednesday, featuring an array of entertainment for families as well as advice

TEAM Halfords head into a critical meeting in Scotland at the weekend as they bid to retain the BTCC Team title and help lead driver Matt Neal retain his drivers' crown. The Redditch team top the standings by just nine points from SEAT Sport UK ahead

THIEVES smashed their way into a BMW in Hollywood to steal a set of golf clubs. The clubs were stolen from the car in Sycamore Drive between 7.45pm on Thursday and 7.56am the following day. Thieves smashed the back windscreen of the BMW and escaped with

THE FA Cup will be at Lye Meadow this week and Alvechurch manager Shaun Cunnington hopes his side's interest in the competition with last a little longer than the trophy's whistle-stop visit. The cup arrives at the clubhouse on Thursday evening when supporters

Stourport Swifts 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 2 DAIRE Doyle grabbed a 92nd minute goal to seal a hard fought win at Walshes Meadow for Bromsgrove Rovers on Tuesday night. In a game of few chances striker Neil Davies opened the scoring in the 58th minute and Rovers

COOKHILL Keyboard Club is set to meet next Wednesday. The concluding concert, which takes place at the village hall from 7.30pm, will be an extended version by Adam Evans, 2002/3 International Young Theatre Organist of the Year. Entry is £2 for non-members

BROMSGROVE Rovers face a difficult task to repeat last season's FA Cup heroics when they take on Eastwood Town in the preliminary round this Saturday. Rovers take on the Nottinghamshire side which has only lost once in the Unibond Northern League so far

STUDLEY LFC kick-off the season earlier than most on Sunday with a mouthwatering derby at home to neighbours Headless Cross. Studley, who have a doubt over midfielder Sam Wilkinson who has tweaked knee ligaments, are out for an improvement after finishing

PORTWAY-based Solihull have been drawn at home to Mansfield in Round One of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup. Five Ways Old Edwardians kick off pre-season with a friendly at Redditch on Saturday (ko 3pm). Although Five Ways will be playing at their Masshouse

WE were very, very pleased with our win over Somerset in the Pro40 League. They have not done that well in the competition so far, but we played in front of a big crowd and were determined to come out on top. The way we played in the first 15 overs, which

A STUDENT from Santiago is hoping for a less than "Chile" reception when he arrives in Redditch later this month. A town family is being sought to host 16-year-old Miguel Campos, who is taking up a high school exchange placement over the next year. The

I AM disappointed to see only two shops come out of all the disruption caused by this promise of a better more user-friendly shopping centre in Droitwich. Argos was good, but did we really need another mobile phone shop. The hardest thing to come to terms

AFTER visiting Webbs for their celebration weekend I have to say I found it disgusting that I had to pay for my three year old son to go on a bouncy slide. I would have thought with the so called £4 million redevelopment, and the custom this attracted

MY long haired marmalade cat (aged 12) has taken to having the odd meal elsewhere! I think in Windsor Road. Please, if you read this, do not feed him again. He is my cat and my responsibility. Eventually he went to my usual cattery early (prior to my

SIR - I cannot ever remember paying to park on a city car park and am therefore unperturbed at the news that charges are to be increased. If I only want to look around Worcester my old pedal cycle is adequate transport. For serious shopping I make my

I WOULD like to educate those residents who seem intent on complaining about the noise from the new water feature at the lido in Droitwich of 'how to enjoy yourself'. Didn't they have fun when they were children and didn't they scream with excitement,

SIR - On Wednesday, August 2, as I was weeding in my front garden I discovered a dead pigeon. Having picked it up I discovered it was no ordinary bird - in fact it had attached to its right leg a yellow and silver band with the inscription in black letters

SIR - Worcestershire County Council committed itself to sell the Christopher Whitehead site to Tesco on July 17, 2001, without a credible plan to relocate. This appalling lack of judgment is now certain to involve at least 10 years of neglect and uncertainty

PARENTS-to-be can learn more at a county council seminar. The Children's Information Service is putting on the session at The Three Pears in Worcester on Wednesday, September 13, for prospective parents across the county. The free information session

PETS in Redditch now have the chance to get a bright Hollywood smile. The Hollywood Veterinary Centre will be taking part in a Pet Smile Month as part of a national campaign to promote better animal health through dental care. Vet and owner of the Alcester

A REDDITCH fundraiser has scooped an award for fundraising commitment. Cancer Research UK community fundraiser Sue Medcalf, 51, was presented with the charity's Leadership Behaviour for work she has done in helping to develop the town's first Relay for

ADULTS will be given a glimpse of what it's really like to be seven-years-old and children are set to be entertained when Dora the Explorer Live comes to the Alexandra Theatre between August 30 and September 3. Dora the Explorer is the smash hit show

A REDDITCH churchgoer who recently celebrated her 100th birthday says her faith, along with eating regular meals, is the secret to a long and happy life. Nancie Jones (right) marked the milestone occasion on August 17 with a family party and then with

FRIENDS thought a Redditch dog trainer was barking mad when he undertook a strange mission to track down a particular breed. Peter Sedgwick, from Brockhill, went on a bizarre hunt which led him on a journey around Europe to find 147 breeds of dog that

A DEBUT goal from new signing David Walker secured Redditch United's first win of the season on Saturday - a 2-1 win against Harrogate Town. And although the Reds went down 3-1 at Hinckley United on bank holiday Monday, there is renewed confidence in

Monday, August 28, 2006 SKIPPER Stuart Whitehead was pulling no punches after Kidderminster Harriers offered Woking their first win of the season yesterday. Harriers were hit by their second Conference defeat in three days but the performance in Saturday's

SUPERSUB David Walker has yet to start a game for Redditch United but manager Gary Whild has seen enough to believe he could help end his side's goal drought. The Reds have managed just five goals in their six games so far this season - only Gainsborough

A FAMILY fun day at Morton Stanley Park has been given the thumbs up by a Redditch councillor. Conservative group leader Carole Gandy, who represents the Headless Cross ward, says the annual council-organised event was "a real success". Scores of visitors

REDDITCH landlords are being warned they face hefty fines of up to £20,000 if they fail to licence their bedsit properties with the local authority by tomorrow. Landlords who fail to apply for a licence risk fines and may lose the right to manage properties

The August meeting took the form of a visit to Greenacres, the home of David and Margaret Mills. Members wandered round the various parts of their large and beautifully kept garden and then enjoyed refreshments and Margaret's delicious sandwiches on the

IN place of the usual monthly meeting an evening garden tour had been organised by Cynthia Newnham to view gardens planted out with a difference. Members were able to take a steady stroll up steps and winding paths to see planting set out on different

AN elusive peahen has been captured by a Redditch man - but only on film. The escaped bird is still on the run despite efforts by Hunt End residents. And it was only eagle-eyed Basil Botherway who managed to snap a picture of the bird as it wondered down

MEMBERS of Carers Careline have thanked the people of Redditch who gave generously during a flag day on June 10. A total of £291 has been raised so far and more is due to come in from people who organised stalls outside St Stephen's Church on the day.

Friday, September 1 A golf day will be held at Bidford Grange Hotel and Country Club with a pig roast at the Golden Cross, Ardens Grafton, in the evening. For more details, call Tom Benjamin on 07786 920166. Saturday, September 2 Cookhill Village Hall

ROUNDTABLE - August is normally a quiet time for Roundtable as members go on holiday. This year those still at home had a masterclass in petanque at the Hop Pole Inn and trek around Stottesdon on quad bikes. The group is always looking for new members

AN interesting fire drill was set to take place in Bromsgrove next week. The Norwich Union Brigade was to come to Bromsgrove for a combined exercise. The visit was being greatly anticipated as the Worcester crew was bringing its new motor steam fire engine

TG - The national council meeting in Harrogate on July 4 was attended by Dorothy White and Edna Plimley Rodriguez. The debates were held in the morning and a talk was given by Peter Barron on being a dad. Further information is in this month's magazine

WORCestershire and SHERWOOD FORESTERS REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATION - The next meeting will be at 11am on Sunday at The TA Centre, Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, Details from Ron Harris on 01562 820855. SEVERN SIDE RAMBLERS - A walk of about eight miles duration

HOME, away (Southern League Midlands Division fixtures unless stated) JULY Sat 15 HEDNESFORD TOWN 3-2 (Snape, Burgess, Francis) Thu 20 MOOR GREEN (friendly) 1-0 (Lamey) Sun 23 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 0-4 Sat 29 REDDITCH UNITED 0-2 AUGUST Tue 01 Alvechurch

BULLDOZERS will be moving in on a pair of school sites in Redditch after vandalism has forced the county council to demolish them. Worcestershire County Council will flatten buildings at the former Claybrook and Marlfield Farm first schools to combat

AN Alvechurch man narrowly escaped injury after he was dragged out of his Vauxhall Astra in a car-jacking. The man, in his 30s, was attacked as he pulled up on a drive in Redditch Road at about 5.45pm last Tuesday. He was approached by three men, who

Monday, August 28, 2006 WORCESTER City failed to capitalise on their superb away form as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Alfreton Town at St George's Lane. Andy Preece's side, Nation-wide North leaders before the start of play, were unable to break down

NEW charges are being introduced to the town's Taxibus service. Worcestershire County Council has announced the changes after concerns were raised over people using return tickets from other operators and then travelling for free. Conservative group leader

TALENTED teenagers in Redditch and Studley are again celebrating a bumper crop of GCSE results. Kingsley College scored an all-time high, with 54 per cent of students gained five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C. Headteacher Lesley McGuigan said: "These

IT'S not often that one of the country's most renowned guitarists teaches the secrets of how to master the instrument, but that's just what happening when John Etheridge holds a workshop and concert at the the Artrix this Saturday. Etheridge is widely

Review - West Side Story at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. YOUNG people come in for a lot of stick these days, so it's nice to be able to heap praise on 120 very talented youngsters. The cast of West Side Story, many of whom are under 16, took to

WHILE visitors to our local nature reserves can't have failed to notice the many changes that have taken place over the years as a result of various ongoing management projects, perhaps the most obvious example can be seen on the lowland heath site at

Wednesday, August 30 Dora the Explorer Live, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Until September 3. Tickets on 0870 607 7533 or www.getlive.co.uk/birmingham Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Hippodrome, Hurst Street, Birmingham. Until September 2. Tickets on www.birminghamhippodrome.com

ONE of the country's most popular comedians will be treading the boards at the town's Palace Theatre on Saturday. The Bernie Clifton Summer Spectacular offers Bernie's own unique brand of family entertainment. The entertainer became a household name on

UNIQUE band The Searchers return to Redditch's Palace Theatre on Friday. The group, who have produced classic hits including Sweets for My Sweet, Don't Throw Your Love Away, Needles and Pins and When You Walk in the Room, are back by popular demand for

ADULTS will be given a glimpse of what it's really like to be seven-years-old and children are set to be entertained when Dora the Explorer Live comes to the Alexandra Theatre between August 30 and September 3. Dora the Explorer is the smash hit show

DANCERS from the 1940s, 50s and 60s are invited to take part in a big band concert at Kidderminster Town Hall on September 2. The NC Big Band and Singers will be getting the town hall into the swing of things. Tickets for a seat in the ball room cost

DIRECTOR of cricket Steve Rhodes doesn't envisage his players having any problems switching back into four-day mode after a scintilating run of form in one-day cricket. Worcestershire host Essex today (11am) in a Liverpool Victoria County Champion-ship

Stourport Swifts 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 2 DAIRE Doyle grabbed a 92nd minute goal to seal a hard fought win at Walshes Meadow for Bromsgrove Rovers on Tuesday night. In a game of few chances striker Neil Davies opened the scoring in the 58th minute and Rovers

ADAM Webster is hoping he won't need surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Kidderminster Har-riers. Scan results last Friday showed the Worcester City striker ruptured a ligament in his left ankle following the tackle by Mark Creigthon in the

WORCESTER'S Jo Yapp will lead England into their Wo-men's World Cup curtain-raiser against the US Eagles tomorrow night at Ellerslie Park in Edmonton, Canada. The scrum-half is joined by club-mates Kim Shaylor and Nicola Crawford, both of whom play on

A DISABLED Alcester councillor is angry about wheelchair access in the town centre - and believes it will lead to an accident. David Rose, from Blackthorn Way, said he thought the £180,000 town centre enhancements made earlier this year had caused more

MUSIC mavericks the Hamsters are set to rock the Artrix this Friday when they perform classic tracks by some legendary musicians. The band, which is now its its 20th year, is widely regarded as the best interpreters of ZZ Top and Jimi Hendrix in the country

STOURPORT Hockey Club's ladies section are gearing up for the new season with their annual club day at their home pitches at Stourport Sports Club, next door to Stourport High School, on Saturday. The ladies, who field four sides of various abliities,

ADAM Webster is hoping he won't need surgery on the ankle injury he sustained against Kidderminster Har-riers. Scan results last Friday showed the Worcester City striker ruptured a ligament in his left ankle following the tackle by Mark Creigthon in the

WORCESTER Warriors chairman Cecil Duckworth wants supporters to join his crusade to make Sixways the cleanest ground in Guinness Premier-ship rugby. He's calling on them to leave the ground litter-free and environmentally-friendly and to do the same with

A TEENAGE athlete from Malvern has dreams of competing for England following a string of successes. Jenny White surpassed her own expectations when she took gold in the 75 metres hurdles at the Amateur Athletic Association of England Under 15 Championships

BRIGHT Alcester students were celebrating when they picked up their GCSE results last week. Alcester Grammar School pupils achieved a 97 per cent pass rate of grades A* to C, close to last year's 100 per cent result. Headteacher Iain Blaikie said he was

THE River Arrow Nature Reserve near Alcester has won a prestigious Green Flag award. The accolade is given to the nation's best parks and green spaces and the River Arrow reserve was among 423 sites across England and Wales to receive the award. The reserve

BROMSGROVE Rovers face a difficult task to repeat last season's FA Cup heroics when they take on Eastwood Town in the preliminary round this Saturday. Rovers take on the Nottinghamshire side which has only lost once in the Unibond Northern League so far

Review - West Side Story at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. YOUNG people come in for a lot of stick these days, so it's nice to be able to heap praise on 120 very talented youngsters. The cast of West Side Story, many of whom are under 16, took to

QUICK-thinking action by three youngsters helped to save the life of a wheelchair-bound woman who fell into the River Severn in Worcester. The teenagers were among a group of 10 who were relaxing by the Diglis Hotel when one saw the woman rolling towards

THREE people are in hospital - one critically ill - following two separate traffic accidents near Worcester. A teenager had to be cut free from the wreckage of his car following a crash on the A4103 Worcester-Hereford road in the early hours of Monday

The people of Ombersley, near Worcester, have been thrown a lifeline by the British Heart Foundation and members of a doctors' surgery who have helped fund a defibrillator for the village's medical centre. Patients raised half the money for the machine

WORCESTER'S Queen Victoria statue should be floodlit and shown off as part of a general clean-up, conservation chiefs have said. The city's council's conservation officer Will Scott said the sculpture, outside the Crown Court in Foregate Street, would

Stourport Swifts 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 2 DAIRE Doyle grabbed a 92nd minute goal to seal a hard fought win at Walshes Meadow for Bromsgrove Rovers on Tuesday night. In a game of few chances striker Neil Davies opened the scoring in the 58th minute and Rovers

TWO junior golfers have done something that many older players only dream of by bagging holes-in-one at Gaudet Luce Golf Club. Seven year-old George Cook and Ashley Jarvis, students at Russell Adams' Golf Academy, showed that age is no barrier to pulling

THE leader of Redditch Council has written to Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust voicing the council's unanimous objections to the possible scrapping of full maternity and paediatric services at the Alex. And Councillor Phil Mould said the trust

A NEW ''bug-busting'' weapon against hospital superbugs has been launched at the Alexandra Hospital. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is trialling a new decontamination method in three wards in a bid to beat infections such as MRSA. The wards

Wednesday, August 30 THEATRE: Dora the Explorer Live, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham (until September 3). Thursday, August 31 CINEMA: Calendar Girls, Artrix, School Drive, Bromsgrove. THEATRE: The History Boys, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Chamberlain

WITH the return of the BBC's popular Dragons Den programme, many entrepreneurs may well be wondering how they can attract the vital cash injection needed to build their business dreams. For entrepreneurs in Worcester there is a solution to this problem

Company plugged into a storehouse of university talent RECRUITING graduates on to the company payroll has long been recognised as a way of advancing a firm's profile. Each year, more employers look to take graduates into their businesses, but what many

REDDITCH and Studley cricket clubs are both preparing for a huge weekend which could set the seal on relegation for both of the Birmingham League clubs. The bank holiday weekend which so often proves crucial in the cricketing calendar was kind to neither

A MAN died after falling from a bridge in Rubery. In a brief statement yesterday (Tuesday) Bromsgrove police confirmed information given to the Advertiser/Messenger that an incident resulting in a death had occurred. Officers were called to the scene

UPTON'S annual Water Festival attracted thousands of visitors to the town over the bank holiday weekend. Now in its 16th year, the event offered entertainment for all ages, from outdoor concerts by local bands to a boat race, fireworks, fairground and

TORRENTIAL rain and electrical storms wreaked havoc across Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. The thunder, lightning and heavy rain deluged the two towns last Wednesday night (August 23) when Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service received more than

UPTON residents had a close look at a £150,000 scheme hoping to make flooding a thing of the past. A public open day at the Memorial Hall gave people the chance to see plans for a trial flood defence scheme, and speak to experts about how it would work

IF you have recently tidied your shed, garage or sewing cupboard and been left with a lot of unwanted, but still servicable items a Bromsgrove church can help you find them a new home. All Saints' in Birmingham Road is staging an open weekend on September

MOURNERS packed Dodford's picturesque church to say farewell to a woman who, during her lifetime, did much to ease the suffering of children and who enriched the lives of those with whom she came into contact. They were there for the funeral of Dr Mary

A QUANTITY of cash and cigarettes were stolen by armed robbers at an off-licence in Wythall. The incident happened at around 9.25pm last Thursday when three males, one holding a knife, went into the Threshers store, in Station Road, and demanded money

BRAINY Bromsgrove pupils proved they were top of the class when they received their GCSE results. An array of brilliant results were collected by pupils in Bromsgrove and Rubery last Thursday. Bomsgrove School had its best ever GCSE results with 134 candidates

A RECREATION centre in a village near Bromsgrove has clinched a lottery grant for new security equipment. The £9,000 grant will pay for security measures at Belbroughton Recreation Centre. The scheme is one of a number of projects in Worcestershire and

A SERVICE is to be held to pray for staff whose jobs are to be axed at the Alexandra hospital and elsewhere in a bid to reduce Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust's cash deficit. Prayers will also be said for hospital chaplains who will lose their jobs as

A STOKE Prior company helped top TV reality show Big Brother create its colourful decor in the main house and house next door. The colourful finish that helped make the house one of the most visual television sets of the year was achieved in part by using

THE trade union representing doctors and nurses has said it is against plans that would see all women in the county giving birth in Worcester. Health chiefs at Worcest-ershire Royal Hospital have proposed moving all of the county's maternity, paediatrics

ALMOST 700 people attended a series of summer roadshows to receive advice on the biggest expansion yet of the wheelie bin recycling service in Worcester. Environmental health boss Mike Harrison said the six summer roadshows had gone "very well" as the

TODAY could be a bad day if you are in a relationship. Wednesday, August 30, has been labelled as Relationship Black Wednesday by a relationship advice service. This is the day that couples are more likely to have an argument than any other day in the

ACTOR, comedian, TV presenter, straight man, raconteur - Nicholas Parsons is all of these and more, as the ageless entertainer proved when he brought his one man show A Laugh A Minute to Worcester's Swan Theatre. The sprightly octogenarian, arriving in

ESSENTIAL advice on working with children is being dished out by the experts. Worcester residents who are interested in working with youngsters are being urged not to miss a series of information-packed sessions being run by Worcestershire County Council's

BIRMINGHAM Repertory Theatre's autumn season opens in style with a multi-award winning production of Alan Bennett's The History Boys. The play, which starts tomorrow and runs until Saturday, September 16, is based on an unruly bunch of Sixth Form boys

A DAY centre in Malvern for people with physical disabilities is to change hands after nine years, much to the disgust of those who use it. The service has been run by the cj in Newtown Road since 1997 and helps people with conditions such as MS, epilepsy

A MASSIVE lightning strike hit Droitwich Spa High School, in Briar Mill, at 9.50pm last Wednesday causing around £60,000 worth of damage. A hole was blown out of the roof of the school's mathematics and Special Educational Needs block by the strike and

UNIQUE band The Searchers return to Redditch's Palace Theatre on Friday. The group, who have produced classic hits including Sweets for My Sweet, Don't Throw Your Love Away, Needles and Pins and When You Walk in the Room, are back by popular demand for

SMASH hit show Dora the Explorer Live! hits the stage at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre tonight. The US show Dora's Pirate Adventure will run at the theatre until Sunday. The Birmingham performances are part of a 15-location tour including Nottingham,

BARNT Green's title hopes were finally ended as they failed to get the results needed off the top two sides. The reigning champions will no longer be able to defend their title after a Bank Holiday weekend they failed to beat Walsall and West Bromwich

TWO victories over the Bank Holiday weekend have turned Bromsgrove's season around. Wins over Walmley and Stratford mean that the Boars have ended any fears of relegation and can now concentrate on a top two finish in the Birmingham and District League

Droitwich 229-8 Barnards Green 140 all out Droitwich won by 89 runs DROITWICH strengthened their position in the top two of the Worcestershire League Division One after captain Paul Bryan led the way with the bat on Bank Holiday Monday. Bryan's 85 helped

REDDITCH Choral Society is starting rehearsals again for a new season of music making. The mixed choir has about 50 members. It was formed 42 years ago for people who enjoyed singing popular and lesser-known classical works. The society gives two concerts

A WEBHEATH motorist was literally stopped in her tracks when she fell victim to the effects of last Wednesday's storm. Former Advertiser chief reporter Emily Bridgewater was on the way to Birmingham Airport when she got locked in the shop at the Texaco

BANDS from Redditch and beyond will be descending on the town on Friday for a live music festival. CrossFest 2006 will see local groups joined by bands from as far afield as Wales gather at the Golden Cross pub for the festival to raise cash for Cancer

I HAVE reason to bring to the attention of readers the ever increasing problems relating to Bromsgrove's Homeless. Homeless you might say? What homeless? I'm not defending those people and families, who, after warning after warning, have lost the roof

I AM disappointed to see only two shops come out of all the disruption caused by this promise of a better more user-friendly shopping centre in Droitwich. Argos was good, but did we really need another mobile phone shop. The hardest thing to come to terms

LIVING at the end of Crabtree Lane in Bromsgrove has advantages - near the town centre but surrounded by countryside. However, I am increasingly become aware of the disadvantages of living in this location. To get to our driveway we have to navigate a

AN agonising four-run defeat at home to Romsley on Monday has left Alvechurch's first division future in the balance. Martin Curtice's side had a potentially terminal bank holiday weekend, following a five-wicket reverse against Brockhampton with Monday's

THREE men from a Studley company are proving raising cash for good causes is as easy as ABC. Andy Clee, Alan Carter and Simon Beacham from ABC Solutions (UK) Ltd, are preparing for the 100-mile Salisbury 100 bike ride, to be completed in one day on Sunday

A second half triple substitution breathed life into a lack lustre performance by Rovers against a stubborn Rothwell side at The Victoria Ground on Saturday. Neal Davis came off the bench to equalise to preserve Bromsgrove's unbeaten start to the season

FAIRFIELD Villa suffered top turvy results as the team continued its nervous start to the Midland Combination Division One over the Bank Holliday weekend. Villa started the weekend with a 4-0 loss to Stockingford AA but bounced back with a 2-2 draw away

Barnt Green Spartak 3 Massey Ferguson 1 STRIKER Nathan Glanville bagged his third goal of the Bank Holiday weekend as Spartak held off an adventurous Massey side at the Victoria Ground on Monday night. It was the striker's fourth goal in three games as

Droitwich Spa 2 Kenilworth Town Reserves 1 Jack Mould Trophy round one DROITWICH made a winning start to their season with a hard fought victory over Kenilworth's industrious second string on Saturday at King George's playing fields. Spa got off to a

BROMSGROVE Athletico got the better of Bromsgrove General 6-2 in the Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination League Premier Division on Sunday. Broadhurst (3), Bimmer and Rudge bagged the goals, cancelling out strikes by Hopkinson and Nickhell. Westbury

FAIRFIELD Villa Ladies kick off the West Midlands League with a testing away trip to West Bromwich Strollers this Sunday (2pm start). The Villa face a tough game against a side that finished the Division One South last season in third place. In contrast

BIRMINGHAM City Ladies claim they were robbed of a draw at Everton on Sunday after a controversial decision by the lineswoman. Blues' defenders were furious with what they claim was an offside winner by Everton's Emily Westwood. With the flag staying

THERE will be a lot of noise in Studley on Friday when a group of local youngsters get together. The project, dubbed The Noise, is set to make life a bit better for residents. There will be a free cafe in Studley Village Hall from 10am-4pm, a free bouncy

BIRMINGHAM writer and acclaimed crime fiction novelist Chris Collett recently visited the town to talk to Redditch Library's readers group. The author discussed her novels, which include Worm in the Bud, Blood of the Innocents and Written in Blood, along

A NEWLY established Studley photographer snapped up a top award in a prominent national competition. Laurence Jones, 47, of Green Lane, won a prize in the Fuji Envisage Photography Awards, run by photographic company Fujifilm. His winning photo - which

GOALSCORERS 2 - Lamey, McHale, Davis 1 - Burgess, Doyle ADVERTISER/MESSENGER MAN OF THE MATCH Taylor (19/08/06) McHale (22/08/06) Williams (29/08/06) Up to and including Saturday, April 28, 2007

SIR - John Phillpott (August 19) mentioned corporal punishment in a recent article. My late dad only had to say a firm "no" and I knew to obey. He was strict but kind, a wonderful dad, the salt of the earth. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.

I READ the letter allegedly from Waterside Residents Association calling my concerns about Chapel Bridge development "absurd exaggeration" and denying any past parking problems. I referred to articles, photographs, and residents own letters that appeared

RESIDENTS are finding it even harder to register with NHS dentists since new contracts were introduced in April, claims a Redditch councillor. Nigel Hicks said the contracts, which have changed the way NHS dentists are paid, had done nothing to attract

SIR - Regarding the photograph of munition workers in a foundry (Letters, August 14), second on right back row was my father Toby Atkins. He was a great fisherman and had a clock presented to him in 1922 by Lord Carlton at the Albion pub, Diglis. Seventh

SIR - Whatever Councillor David Candler is drinking or smoking I want some of that. If it changes the real world to the one that he sees, it is a short-term trip to Utopia. The EU has robbed England of the ability to defend her own borders, to make her

A HUNT End man has criticised work carried out by Worcestershire County Council on an Oakenshaw traffic island a year ago, labelling it a "complete fiasco". John Shopland, of Ditchford Close, said the £100,000 project had actually made navigating the

SIR - David Candler seems a little confused regarding support for the EU. He doesn't specify which report shows the highest support for the EU since the 1980s but I assume it was the EU's own Euro-barometer report which showed an increase in support for

SIR - I do not know what EU polls David Candler is referring to in his recent letter talking about the EU in glowing terms. What unadulterated tripe! Some 70 per cent of the British people would like to learn more about the impact the EU has on their

FOR some time, this newspaper has not minced its words regarding the perceived excesses of some of our young people. In particular, problems on the riverbank at Worcester have been highlighted both in our news and comment columns. Basically, a minority

YOUNGSTERS at Alvechurch Library know the dangers of telling lies and misbehaving after being treated to a performance of Pinocchio. A puppet show of the classic children's tale was performed by Clive Chandler and his wooden friends as part of the library's

RESIDENTS are in with a chance of winning £200 as part of a feedback exercise on composting. Worcestershire County Council is trying to find out about residents' composting experience since the start of its scheme two years ago. Questionnaires are being

DANCERS from the 1940s, 50s and 60s are invited to take part in a big band concert at Kidderminster Town Hall on September 2. The NC Big Band and Singers will be getting the town hall into the swing of things. Tickets for a seat in the ball room cost