STAFF at a Worcester primary school were celebrating their success today after learning that an error had left them out of an awards list. The Department for Education and Employment published a list last month of local schools which had received extra
THE town's MP has attacked Tony Blair for claiming Worcestershire was "open for business." Droitwich Spa Tory MP Peter Luff said the Prime Minister's comments, made a day after visiting Worcester last week, showed his ignorance of foot and mouth disease
A SHORTAGE of facilities for patients with eating and personality disorders in Worcestershire is putting a £567,000 hole in health authority finances. Doctors in Worcester, Malvern and the Wyre Forest are having to use expensive private sector clinics
THE Princess Royal spent time talking to youngsters and parents when she officially opened a new £650,000 respite centre in Malvern. Blue skies prevailed as Worcestershire's Lord Lieutenant Sir Thomas Dunne and Osborne Court centre manager Hilary Raitt
A SCHEME to bring young people into work has proved a resounding success in Wyre Forest. The Government's New Deal initiative, which is run by the Employment Service, found work for 331 18-24-year-olds last year, taking the figure to 643 since it began
THERE were only three cup games in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League last week. In the semi- final of the Clements Cup for Division One teams, Newton Works A had a comfortable 2-1 win over Himbleton A. Chris Maiden and Michael Kendall won
DROITWICH played a double header of Division One West games, firstly travelling on Saturday to Birmingham based Kynoch and bagging three points. Droitwich went behind but came back with a goal from Barry Williams before half time. Spa were then awarded
PUPILS who arrive late at school are being targeted by an innovative scheme. In a bid to tackle tardy children at Westlands First School, headteacher Pam Tildesley plans to install a time clock. Youngsters at the Farmers Way site will be expected to clock
I WOULD like to respond to the article 'Speed limits snubbed' (Advertiser, March 28). Drivers drive at a speed they consider safe for a particular road, at the particular time they are travelling on it. Good drivers take into consideration the law when
MAY I, through your paper, ask the new owners of the Kingfisher Centre if they have any regard for the shoppers of Redditch or the small retailers? My reason for asking is threefold: 1 Why are there so many outlets for the same thing - mobile phones with
IS the countryside open? I suggest anyone who wants to find out should visit Morton Stanley Park. Indeed, I visited there with my two young grandchildren last Thursday. As it was the first bit of sunshine for a long time, I decided the park would be a
How quaint Jim Waugh still believes in Santa Claus (Letters, March 28). Oh! Hang on, he's a Tory. Is he then, in his inability to distinguish between myth and reality, following the lead of William Hague and Michael Portillo, or is possession of such
AS parents, we would like to congratulate Mrs Armstrong (headteacher ), all staff and children at Moatfield Middle School on receiving the School Achievement Award from the DFEE - the only school in Redditch to do so. The award is a triumph considering
I AM sad G Hazleton can't remember what it was really like under a Tory Government (Letters, March 28). Both the married person's allowance and mortgage relief began to be phased out under the Conservatives, the latter I believe was reduced from 30 per
WHETHER it be a tree that needs trimming or a request for a new green area, the people of Redditch are to be allowed their say on how to spend £1 million to upgrade their neighbourhood. For the first time, townsfolk will be consulted on an unprecedented
STOURPORT Swifts crushed West Midlands Police 8-0 in last night's home Midland Alliance clash. It strengthened their title bid and further stretched their im-pressive goal difference. Lea Shaw's first time volley found the roof of the net on 19 minutes
WORK on a new plaque for the war memorial in Redditch town centre is planned to start by November. Redditch Royal British Legion had reported it is happy to change the plaque from stone to brass. The change of plaque with brass names will be cheaper to
Redditch Music Society has been awarded £100 from the County Council Arts Service. The money is part of First Base, which was set up to encourage community and voluntary groups to start new arts projects. The society will spend the money on the ever-increasing
A CRUNCH decision will be made next week on the possibility of creating up to 120 jobs in Beoley - but numerous objections will have to be overcome. The contentious planning application for a new food processing facility at Oakland Poultry Farm in Seafield
PENSIONERS and disabled people in Alvechurch and Wythall will have a new concessionary bus fares scheme by the end of April, writes Matt Smith. After talks with bus companies, Bromsgrove District Council has revised the scheme from paying half fare for
ALCESTER'S friendly A fixture against Pershore on Saturday is in doubt because of the absence of a number of key players. Work and social commitments have ruled out at least five regulars for the Kings Coughton fixture and with the chance of an early
KINGS Norton centre Pete May had to undergo emergency surgery on Sunday after almost losing an ear in Saturday's 22-5 loss to Old Coventrians. May was injured after a clash on the field and skipper Mark Waudby said teammates feared the worst. "It was
THIRTY staff and residents were evacuated from an Alvechurch hotel on Saturday when a fire broke out in the kitchen as staff were in the throes of catering for a wedding. Redditch firefighters were called to the blaze at The Westmead Hotel and Restaurant
MORE than 100 jobs are to be created at a car interior manufacturer in Redditch. Magna Interior Systems, based at Ravensbank Business Park, North Moons Moat, has announced the jobs after major investment into the company. Over the past year the company
ALVECHURCH residents will be celebrating all that is English this month with a day of specially-organised events on St George's Day. The English flag will be flying from the village's church tower at 7am on April 23, accompanied by bell ringing. Children
Redditch firefighters had to call in a scientific expert after they were unable to identify a chemical on a road. About 10kg of unknown substance was discovered on Broad Ground Road in Lakeside on Thursday. Worcestershire County Council's scientific adviser
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular Redditch man who has died, aged 89. James Bough, former director of Huntleys Funeral Directors, the oldest family-owned funeral firm in Redditch, died on March 23. Born in Oakley Road, Redditch, Mr Bough worked for
IMAGINE the strain of having to spend nine hours each week undergoing kidney dialysis treatment, writes Julian Seva. Now think of the strain and the boredom when the patient concerned is just 12 years old. But for one chirpy Batchley child, haemodialysis
REDDITCH YMCA volunteers have just returned from a second successful trip to Bulgaria to help those less fortunate than themselves. A nine-strong group from the Church Hill organisation travelled to the town of Plovdiv to offer training courses for YMCA
THE search is on for information about the history of a Victorian hotel in Mount Pleasant. Little is known about the Montville Hotel but owners Andrew and Joanna Hodges are keen to contact people who can fill in the missing gaps in what appears to be
SUPER Steven Mole helped Turks Head Reserves through to the final of the Rosebowl on Sunday with a valuable strike. Mole's goal added to Stuart Glover's effort as Turks beat Queens Head Rovers 2-0. They will face a tough final against Boars Head Exiles
GARRINGTONS showed a lot more commitment this week, being first to the tackle and running better off the ball. Although well on top, it took until the 23rd minute when Steve Evans played a ball over the top of the Warndon defence and Bromsgrove Rovers
FAIRFIELD travelled to lowly Wellesbourne and ran out easy winners. From the kick off Villa dominated the play and went in front with a goal from Junior McKeon. Later in the first half the visitors went further ahead when Wayne Davey scored. At the start
DROITWICH Red Lion, bottom of Bromsgrove and District League Division One, took the Redditch League Division One leaders all the way to extra time and were unlucky to lose by the odd goal in nine. RBL's Robbie New eased the hosts in front on ten minutes
FAIRFIELD, playing their first game in three weeks, had to settle for a share of the points. Fairfield started brightly and soon had South Redditch on the back foot, with Lee Porter causing problems down the left. The Redditch defence were under a lot
MEMBERS of a Bromsgrove football club will be keeping their eyes firmly on the ball in their new kit thanks to a £500 donation from GPU Power UK. Meadow Park under-12s received the flash new strip after GPU Power UK employee Brian Turner applied for the
CHILDREN from a village near Droitwich Spa donned their wellies for a day of gardening last Monday. Hanbury First School pupils welcomed horticulturalist Mr Rotavator to class. He spent a day with the 90 students, teaching them about planting and the
A RESIDENTIAL home for the elderly has resubmitted a controversial planning application. The Haven, in Worcester Road, Droitwich, needs to extend its premises to meet new legislation. Manager Simon Greaves can only have one double room to every three
A DROITWICH Spa toastmaster took charge at a military dinner attended by many famous faces. David Tilt was chosen to lead proceedings at a London event celebrating the ten surviving field marshals of the British Army at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. The
A WHITE witch from Droitwich Spa appeared on television on Friday with fellow pagans to defend their faith. Four months after the Advertiser revealed how she was being harassed by children, Pam Johnson, from Paddock Hill, told ITV's Central Weekend Live
WORCESTERSHIRE aim to beat the clock and get their flood damaged ground ready on time for the start of the new cricket season. During the winter the New Road ground has experienced some of the worst flooding since the record levels of 1947. It has given
NEW chief executive Mark Newton has underlined the need for Worcestershire to gain first division status as quickly as possible. During a Press conference at New Road yesterday, he said: "We must do whatever we can to help Tom Moody, Graeme Hick and the
HEREFORD United's dismal Nationwide Conference form continued at Edgar Street with a second successive home defeat against in-form Woking who won 1-0 at Edgar Street last night. United have now failed to win in five matches since their FA Umbro Trophy
STOURPORT Swifts crushed West Midlands Police 8-0 in last night's home Midland Alliance clash. It strengthened their title bid and further stretched their im-pressive goal difference. Lea Shaw's first time volley found the roof of the net on 19 minutes
THE inaugural match for the President's Cup between North and South Bromsgrove High Schools was played at Finstall Park, home of the town's rugby football club, last Thursday. Because currently South Bromsgrove High School have a significant edge in rugby
THE Princess Royal spent time talking to youngsters and parents when she officially opened a new £650,000 respite centre in Malvern. Blue skies prevailed as Worcestershire's Lord Lieutenant Sir Thomas Dunne and Osborne Court centre manager Hilary Raitt
WORCESTERSHIRE aim to beat the clock and get their flood damaged ground ready on time for the start of the new cricket season. During the winter the New Road ground has experienced some of the worst flooding since the record levels of 1947. It has given
COOKHILL are recruiting for the new season and hold a meeting at the ground on Sunday. A Junior Gala of six-a-side Kwik Cricket has been organised for Sunday, June 17 and the club visits Torquay on tour on Monday, August 6. Anyone interested in joining
A Birmingham-based band which boasts two Redditch members has been invited to London to perform a series of high-profile gigs at some prestigious venues. The Cooler Kings, who have been performing in and around the city since June last year, have caught
A HEALTH watchdog has praised Alexandra Hospital A&E staff following the results of 'snapshot' survey of waiting times for ward admissions. The survey, conducted between 4.30-5pm on Monday, March 26, showed three patients waited more than the four-hour
A £2,500 HEART defibrillator has been installed in the custody suite at Redditch police station following a forcewide review. West Mercia Police looked at all custody suites in the force and realised the benefits of having the potentially life-saving
A SUPERB all round performance saw Rovers brush aside highflying Mangotsfield at Crossham Street to secure three vital points in the fight against relegation. Mangotsfield were the better side for the opening 30 minutes. Rob Claridge went close on a couple
NORTHFIELD matchman Ken Hall was the latest winner of the Starlets Veterans contest on Tuesday, drawing peg 16 on the Moorlands Farm Meadow Pool. He short pole fished maggots for a level 20-0-0 of mixed fish. Second Clive Humphries (Bewdley) 12-3-0, third
A DROITWICH Spa car dealership claims gas guzzling motorists can escape the effects of a tax clampdown on company cars. Regulations aimed at curbing CO2 emissions will penalise many car drivers next year. But Droitwich Saab, off Worcester Road, claims
A BUSY Rubery businesswoman who has been styling and snipping hair for 38 years has hung up her scissors. Astrid Evans is a familiar face around Rubery and managed Astrid's Hair Design, in New Road, for 15 years. The 52-year-old decided to retire from
A MOTHER and daughter team has thrown open the doors to a new-look pub in Droitwich Spa. The Westcroft Inn, in Ombersley Street, has reopened for business following a major refurbishment and extension project. At the helm is Droitwich born and bred mum
WORCESTER City have arranged to play their twice postponed Dr Martens League Cup semi-final against Newport County at St George's Lane next Tuesday (7.45pm). Newport have agreed to switch the match to St George's Lane because of difficulties with their
REDDITCH Ladies were relegated at the weekend despite a battling performance against promotion hopefuls Charnwood. The Bromsgrove Road side, promoted to the Midlands A two seasons ago, went down 2-1 after conceding a goal with the last action of the game
WINYATES biking ace Jason Wilshaw is pulling out of the Post Classics series next year, and could be hanging up his leathers for good. Wilshaw, runner-up in the superbikes series last year, is hoping to compete on the international stage next season but
TEENAGE prodigy Stefan Hodgetts is poised to sign a contract with Formula Ford team Sweeney Hopper Racing despite failing to finish in the first round of the Zetec Championship at Silverstone. The 18-year-old is hoping to commit to the Heathrow-based
REDDITCH Hockey Club will finish the season fourth in the West Midlands One regardless of the result in their final match of the season. The Bromsgrove Road side cannot catch third-placed Droitwich after beating West Bromwich 3-1 on Sunday to condemn
REDDITCH Regents basketballers finished fourth after winning their last six games and will regroup after the weekend's end-of-season tournament at Caister. The Regents start the West Midlands Summer League on Sunday, May 13. And the club will be entering
REDDITCH Arrows face a six week gap before their first competitive action because of the fixture computer. The American Football season kicked off at the weekend but last year's National Two champions do not start until the trip to Gateshead Senators
REDDITCH'S Kate Peachey stole the show at the County Swimming Championships by claiming ten of the 11 events she entered. A silver in the 100m backstroke was the only time the Worcester Swimming Club star did not lead the field. Although more of a breaststroke
THE Brenda brothers will be fencing for glory at the National under 16 Championships in Scotland in the summer. Alcester High School twins Richard and Thomas stormed through the qualifiers at Kidderminster with 14-year-old Richard the overall winner.
THE site of a former abattoir, which for more than a quarter of a century was one of Bromsgrove's largest employers, is set to be transformed into a housing development. On Monday, Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee is set to discuss the
PUPILS at the soon-to-be opened Trinity High School will be looking at some new faces next year thanks to the recruitment of more teachers. The school. which opens in September on the site of the Abbey High School, has secured the talents of three new
A REDDITCH parent governor has thrown down the gauntlet to the country's political leaders by inviting them to Worcestershire to see the effects of poor funding on children's education, writes Melina Cannon. Juliet Lote, parent governor at Claybrook and
ROCKET science was added to the curriculum when pupils from Abbey High School prepared to blast off at Royal Ordnance's defence research station at Summerfield. It was all systems go as experts at the site, near Kidderminster, showed 120 pupils from 12
BRIDLEY Moor High School has formed its own art gallery to display students' GCSE and A-Level coursework. The exhibition contains a mixture of paintings and sculptures by Year 11, 12 and 13 pupils and has been organised by head of art Jo Harrison. She
IF I am sent to a desert island (Peter Lea, You Say, March 20) could you ensure that Sue Beardsmore is on a nearby island? I cannot swim but I'm certain I would quickly learn. GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.
IT'S marvellous that Elgar High School in Worcester is receiving cash to put a pupil anti-bullying system in place. All the feedback that the charity Bullying Online receives suggests that peer group schemes are the most effective and most popular of
I'M writing to ask your readers to organise a very special walk this May. Hundreds of people up and down the country will be "Walking With WellBeing" to raise funds for a charity close to my heart, WellBeing (the health research charity for women and
WITH reference to E Young, who asked the question "we won the war, so why are the losers and others trying to take over?" (You Say, March 17) his letter doesn't say who are the "losers" or the "others". I suppose the losers and others - whoever they may
I AM unsure of Worcester Liberal Democrat Paul Griffiths' knowledge of local government funding affairs, but all parties at County Hall produced a Worcestershire response to the Green Paper on Local Government Finance in November. We all know that a change
BROMSGROVE kept their slim chances of promotion alive by bagging two points at Sutton on Saturday. The Finstall Park outfit are now relying on Luctonions to drop points in their remaining fixtures in order for them to have a chance of promotion. Bromsgrove
THE Worcestershire Games executive committee has decided that this year's games -- which Bromsgrove won last year -- should be postponed until the Autumn because of the foot-and-mouth crisis. Terry Hobbs, chairman of the Worcestershire Games, said: "We
TWO Bromsgrove School boys have been picked to represent the England under-16 hockey team after final trials at Seaford College, West Sussex last month. Euan Corbett and Ben Taylor's selection sees Ben represent his country in the Four Nations Tournament
AN ASTWOOD Bank businessman has been disqualified from acting as a company director for three years. Philip Hodges, of Foregate Street, and co-defendant Charles Collier, of Gwynedd, were disqualified for three and four years respectively because of their
Electrical goods worth more than £1,000 were stolen from a Hollywood garage on Thursday. The theft happened at about 9pm at Alcester Road and items including a chainsaw, electric sander, jigsaw and power saw were taken.
Townsfolk are being warned not to leave handbags visible in cars after a Mercedes was broken into between 11.15am and noon last Wednesday. Police said the vehicle was attacked at Morton Stanley Park while the owner was out walking the dog. Thieves smashed
PLANS to launch a multi-agency campaign to tackle truancy are being developed by Redditch police. The move comes after high numbers of youngsters have been found congregating around town estates. Sgt Terry Shutt, of Redditch police, hopes the project
DROITWICH Spa Civic Society's committee recently considered again the difficult question of the location of a skateboard facility in town. We recognise the need for such a facility and the need for it to be established in an acceptable manner: a second
Feckenham 3 Continental Star 2 A STUNNING 87th minute strike from captain Justin Dankenbring saved Feckenham's blushes against Continental, writes Matt Smith. The Millers should have put the result beyond doubt in the first half after several clear-cut
ALVECHURCH'S marathon run-in has been further complicated by Challenge Cup controversy. Church were set to visit Alveston in the quarter final tomorrow night after knocking high-fliers Romulus out 2-0 at the weekend. But the competition has been held
WITH reference to your article 'Village at war over council,' Mr Smith knows that we the 'Anti Parish Council' candidates have always declared our intentions. If elected, we will: return Lickey End to its unparished status (our one and only act); not
KINGS Heath manager Sean Lawless is at full strength for Saturday's cup tester against West Brom. And the Kings gaffer says he has a selection headache because his 17 regulars are all battling for a place after an injury-hit start to the campaign. The
THE management letter on which all the big guns of the Bromsgrove Labour Party are having so much say refers to the financial year 1999-2000. The budget against which the performance is being compared was of course set in 1998-1999. Guess who set the
SOLIHULL Borough are enjoying a happy stint at the Valley after two wins from two matches at their adopted home. Borough followed up a 1-0 win over injury-hit Sutton Coldfield Town last week with a 2-1 win over Rugby on Sunday. Guy Russell and Chris Smith
REDS manager Rob Smith has a clutch of injury worries ahead of the visit of second placed Mangotsfield on Saturday (ko 3pm). Hitman Paul Danks is out for at least a fortnight after picking up a hamstring injury in Saturday's impressive 0-0 draw against
HEADLESS Cross Ladies' promotion hopes were hit by a 2-1 weekend reverse at Bustleholme Ladies. With defender Tina Waugh, right back Claire Skidmore and striker Claire Maxwell ruled out, the Ladies lost and saw their opponents leapfrog them into fourth
CLIVE Campion's injury-hit Feckenham suffered another blow with a 2-1 loss to Northfield. And midfielder James Harper is out for a fortnight after being hospitalised by an aerial challenge with the visiting keeper. Harper needed six stitches in an eye
UNHAPPY residents are being urged to join forces to decide on whether to hold a referendum to force Bromsgrove District Council to resign. Bromsgrove District Tenants' Association is calling for residents in sheltered accommodation to contact their representatives
A TALENTED Rubery pupil needs another string to his bow after proving he has an ear for the double bass. Eleven-year-old Matthew Broadfield, who is in year six at Hollywell Primary and Nursery School, in Gunner Lane, has had to make do with playing a
YOUNGSTERS who don't know what to do with their well-read magazines can now exchange them -- free of charge. Bromsgrove Library, in Windsor Street, has introduced a magazine swap box into the junior section. It means children and teenagers can now exchange
CAR maker MG Rover was branded a "bad neighbour" this week after it apparently washed its hands of a problem which is bringing misery to scores of residents living near the giant Longbridge plant. TV viewers in Cofton Hackett claim a large building, erected
GLENIS Dyer, of Welford-on-Avon, gave a slides talk on Clematis to a meeting of members and friends at the Swan Hotel on March 15. Besides concentrating on the wide range of Clematis varieties, especially the less common and herbaceous ones, she gave
THE Victorian Pleasure Gardens in Warwick were the subject of the most recent illustrated talk at the society when the speaker was Dr Christine Hodgetts, who is treasurer of the Hill Close Gardens Trust. The whole talk proved to be a fascinating surprise
FINDING out about the vast and varied work of the Primrose Hospice will soon be just a click away -- thanks to a new website. Staff at the Finstall-based hospice and cancer help centre are currently designing an Internet site where visitors will be able
A RUBERY man who amazed art-lovers by filling galleries with scarecrows has been putting the finishing touches to his latest creation -- a complex of six art studios and a gallery in Tardebigge. Steve Haywood, a children's author and artist from Rednal
PRESIDENT Christine Crabtree welcomed members and the minutes of the 350th meeting were read and approved. Speaker Mrs Collett gave a talk on her experiences while travelling through the Kakadu National Park in Australia, with some interesting slides,
ON Tuesday, March 27, at the Greig Hall, the merry wives held the AGM. Committee issues and a resume of this year's interesting speakers and other highlights, such as winning first prize in the Alcester Street fair last June, was given by chairwoman Noreen
April 6, 1901 Crabbs Cross - accident. On Saturday, a serious accident happened to the six-year-old son of Mr Albert Hill, baker. From some cause or other, a sack of oats fell across the poor little fellow's leg, breaking the thigh in two places. The
WATCHDOGS have attacked health chiefs who run hospitals serving Bromsgrove and Droitwich for poor management and refusing to be accountable. Members of Bromsgrove and Redditch Community Health Council (CHC) criticised Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS
AT the last meeting, Professor Guy Higgins spoke of his life in the entertainment world. Professor Higgins is a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats and also a member of the Inner Magic Circle. He started his career in music hall, singing as G H Elliot
April 7, 1951 The recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the district gave topical as well as general interest to a talk by Mr T N Gold, the Redditch veterinary surgeon, to members of the Redditch branch of the National Farmers Union at the Foxlydiate
THE controversial subject of hunting sparked a heated debate during a meeting in the town. It happened after Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley), the leader of the opposition Labour group on Bromsgrove District Council, urged members to back him
April 2, 1976 THE council should keep tight control on the newly stocked Arrow Valley Lake when it opens for fishing in a year's time, councillors were told last week. Instead of the formation of an angling club to run and administer fishing, an enthusiasts
TEAMS are needed to take part in a pram race to raise money for repairs to Belbroughton's Holy Trinity Church. The Real Millennium Pram Race, which should have taken place on January 1 but was postponed due to bad weather, will now take place on Monday
KIND-HEARTED Catshill Parish Council is helping a cash-strapped charity which provides needy villagers with trips to hospital. The council has earmarked £200 for WRVS Bromsgrove Rural Rides scheme after receiving letters of appeal from the organisation
THE society won the monochrome cup in the MidPhot 2001 annual exhibition. Dave Keel CPAGB won the creative panel of prints section and Jude Lucas LRPS won a highly commended. Wythall beat Northfield Phoenix and Birmingham, Kings Heath and Hall Green in
SPORTS shop staff helped to catch a serial burglar when he used a stolen cheque to buy two pairs of trousers, Worcester Crown Court heard. Mark Eades aroused suspicion by insisting he pay the £49 bill by cheque without a guarantee card. His description
PUPILS playing whip and top at Stoke Prior School were annoying people living nearby. Mr Carter had made an unsuccessful attempt to claim 3/- (15p) from Bromsgrove School Board for broken windows at his home caused by tops spinning out of control. 100
PENSIONERS in Bromsgrove have been helping to make life better for Russian children. Residents at St James' Court, in the Strand, have been busy raising money and donating items to support Chernobyl 2000. The charity is dedicated to improving the lives
GREEN-FINGERED residents are being urged to donate plants for a special sale for charity. A bring and buy plant sale is being organised to raise cash for Christian Aid at Chadsgrove School, in Meadow Road, Catshill, on Saturday, May 19. Houseplants and
YOUNGSTERS in Bromsgrove could benefit from a proposed £78,000 scheme to provide after-school activities at the town's Dolphin Centre. Bromsgrove District Council has applied for the cash from the national Lottery's New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to provide
WESTMINSTER hopefuls in Bromsgrove have welcomed the Government's decision to postpone the county council elections. They were set to go ahead on May 3 but after mounting pressure following the foot and mouth epidemic, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced
THE National Childbirth Trust, with 400 branches in Britain, is the largest and best-known childbirth and parenting charity in Europe. It offers members a wide range of information, advice on making informed and intelligent choices, ante-natal classes
HEREFORD-based horse sales firm Brightwells is to sponsor a new hurdles race at Ascot. The £30,000 race over two-and-a-half miles will be run for the first time in April next year. Brightwell's auctioneer, Richard Botterill, said the firm took over Ascot
A MOTABILITY specialist has been appointed to Droitwich Land Rover in a bid to introduce more disabled motorists to driving a 4x4. Michael Wollacott from Bromsgrove is the man in the driving seat as the new Motability expert and aims to boost the dealership's
A KEMPSEY pub was named in a coveted food guide as a "top country pub for grub" - the only one recognised in the county. Walter de Cantelupe Inn is listed in The Which? Guide to Country Pubs, which was published yesterday. It has been given a single rosette
WORRIED tenants turned out in force to take action over Bromsgrove District Council's plans to hit sheltered housing residents with extra service charges. Around 20 campaigners attended the emergency talks, called by Bromsgrove District Tenants' Association
EMPLOYEES at a Worcester engineering firm turned up at work this morning to discover their office had been severely damaged by fire. The blaze broke out at S&B Engineering at Blackpole just after 8pm yesterday and, by the time firefighters arrived
PARENTS are being told to keep an eye on their wayward children who are running riot in Warndon Villages. Gangs of noisy youngsters are making residents' lives a misery - and the blame has been firmly laid at the feet of mums and dads with their "out
A SICK youngster whose plight touched the hearts of Worcester people is enjoying life at her new home in Whitbourne. Ballet classes, school lessons and caring for her pet chickens have now become part of Hannah Jones' routine. The five-year-old was diagnosed
A WOMAN whose dog attacked a teenage girl has been told to pay £600 compensation. Droitwich magistrates heard Natalie Layton was left in "unbearable agony" when Dudley the basset-hound sank his jaws into her arm. Mike Cowley, prosecuting, said Anna Robinson
DORMA Urwin, principal of the University College Worcester, has been made a director of a Government scheme to provide top-class education over the internet. She was appointed to the key role in the e-Universities project by Education Secretary David
A MAN mounted two sex attacks on a nine-year-old schoolgirl, a jury was told. George Finch allegedly left his hand on her private parts over her clothing for five minutes. William Rickarby, prosecuting, claimed he then ran his finger along the inside
SEVERE winter flooding and a spell of bad weather have forced Worcestershire County Cricket Club to postpone its planned open day. The popular event, which was scheduled for this Sunday, may be given the go-ahead at a later date. Continued bad weather
A COMPETITION for the best rural enterprise architecture has been postponed due to foot-and-mouth disease. The Country Land and Business Association was due to be judging entries in the CLA Farm and Country Buildings Award, which assesses the quality
MP Peter Luff has demanded animals should not be burned at Throckmorton airfield. He has tabled a written Parliamentary question backing calls from Bishampton and Throckmorton Parish Council. It calls for the Ministry of Agriculture to make its policy
A THIRTY-three-year breeding programme at Hindlip College could be wiped out within days after a neighbouring farm was confirmed with foot-and-mouth. The college's pedigree herd of Holstein Friesians was today under threat from a preventative cull after
THE head of a special needs school has welcomed a bill to end discrimination against disabled children. Ian Hardicker, of Stourminster School, Kidderminster, backs the Special Education Needs and Disability Bill. This extends the Disability Discrimination
DROITWICH and District Snooker League results for March 27: Division One: BUC A 3 CWMC A 2. AFSC A 4 MILL B 1. BPC A 5 DGC A 0. DRBL B 2 BLC A 3. CWMC C 3 AFSC C 2. Division Two: BRBL B 4 DRBL A 1. CWMC B 1 BPC B 4. MILL A 4 MILL YB 1. DSC B 4 BUC C 1
AN impressive display by 12-year-old Droitwich Amateur Boxing Club fighter Glen Hodgkins secured him a Midland Counties Minor Schoolboys title, for Year Seven pupils, at Castle Vale, Birmingham. Hodgkins showed both skill and aggression as he took all
CHARFORD Bowling Club in Bromsgrove has agreed a £30,000 contract with Fieldtech -- a provider of artificial surfaces -- to upgrade their bowling surface. The deal will see FieldTech upgrade the bowling club's existing surface with a laser levelled regulating
DROITWICH youths are playing a potentially deadly game - putting themselves and residents in danger. Fishermen around Herriots Pool, off Worcester Road, have seen teenagers lighting aerosol cans and throwing them. On Saturday afternoon, the pool bailiff
NOW is your chance to support the Spa and find a bargain with the launch of the town's new loyalty card scheme. Special deals for Advertiser readers are available in more than 100 shops and businesses, thanks to support from town traders and Wychavon
THAT responsible, thrifty people who made or are making provision for retirement, by savings or in contributing to occupational pension schemes, should be penalised by a huge hike in council tax (45 per cent county precept increase in four years) is bad
THE League of Friends of the Alexandra Hospital would like to acknowledge donations received in memory of the following: Phyllis Batchelor, Mr Biggs, Lynne Bradbury, Gladys Cave, Kenneth Cook, Betty Cooper, Barbara Fisher, Dorothy Foster, Frances Grantham
MAY I, through your Letters Page (March 21), thank Robin King for the culinary lesson? His instructions on how to make an omelette was most instructive. I now realise why my omelettes are not up to standard. Very edible on the surface, but full of nasty
AFTER losing my Nan on New Year's Day, Mothering Sunday was a difficult time for my family. On the day, many of us visited her grave at Redditch Crematorium and left flowers. However, we were horrified to discover some small minded person had stolen the
TOWNSFOLK are being invited to see how effective Redditch Council is as it outlines its own performance in a 94-page document for public inspection. The council's 'Best Value Performance Plan' outlines how the council got on in 2000 and the first part
DARK and dingy subways in Redditch are to be radically improved with up to £30,000 spent on those chosen for the upgrade, writes Matt Smith. County Safer Routes To Schools cash is to be spent on at least six subway routes in the town after a successful
NEARLY £50,000 is to be ploughed into improving Redditch Library and building a new entrance as an increase in pedestrian flow is predicted for the town centre. It is thought the redevelopment of the centre, which will result in Redditch market operating
MAJOR construction to a Wythall traffic island is soon to take place. After a spate of accidents and complaints about the Hollywood Lane traffic island, Bromsgrove Council has decided to improve its appearance. The roads around the island, at the junctions
ADDITIONAL rubbish facilities in the town centre and increased liaising between relevant town organisations is helping to tackle the problems of litter in Redditch town centre, according to the town centre manager. At a meeting in January, councillors
REDDITCH RFC lost their final chance to escape the bottom three with a 13-7 defeat to second-placed Pershore on Saturday. The result leaves the Kingfishers' Midlands Four West South future hinging on a promotion/relegation picture which will not become
TEENAGE entrepreneurs from Rubery dazzled sho-ppers with their wares at a trade fair. Young Enterprise group Viva! was set up by pupils at Waseley Hills High School, in School Road. Earlier this month, Viva! took part in a trade fair at Redditch where
ASTWOOD Bank Carnival may be put back until autumn after a second case of foot and mouth was confirmed in the area. The carnival committee is considering alternative dates in September but is keen to avoid a clash of dates with Redditch Carnival. Publicity
A DAY of prayer and giving will be held in Studley and Mappleborough Green this month for those affected by the foot and mouth crisis. Services take place on Sunday, April 22, at 9.30am at Ascension Church, Mappleborough Green, and 8am, 10.45am and 6.30pm
THE strain of the foot and mouth crisis appears to be taking more of a toll on today's Redditch farmers than the 1967 outbreak. But reports from the Redditch Indicator in November and December of that year suggest that although there was not a case in
AN inquest has been opened into the death of a man who was found by police and ambulance crews at a house in Northleach Close, Church Hill, at about 11pm on Saturday, March 24. Originally, police were treating the death of Alan Beddell, 30, of Laurel
PRIMROSE Hospice staff have reported increased turnover during the last six months. The hospice has charity shops in Alcester Street, Redditch and High Street, Studley, as well as Bromsgrove and Rubery. All of them raise funds for the charity's cancer-help
A verdict of suicide has been recorded after a 54-year-old man was found dead at his home. James Ridgewell, an incinerator worker who lived in Exhall Close, Church Hill, was found hanging on March 12. Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round passed his verdict
MANY people would love their own indoor heated swimming pool. And one Hopwood couple have designed and built their own - but it's just for dogs. Lynda and Kelvin Moore, of Birmingham Road, originally created the swimming pool for their German shepherd
THE first steelwork was lowered into place this week as work on the town's new multi-million pound transport interchange began. Contractor Ballast Construction reported building work is on schedule for an autumn 2002 opening. Last week, two huge cranes
THREE 12ft crosses are to be erected at a hilltop site in Mappleborough Green on Saturday, to mark the Easter period and its religious meaning. The crosses will be put up by Jon Richards in his high field overlooking Henley Road near the roundabout by
THE Territorial Army rolled into town on Saturday to hold a recruitment day in the Kingfisher Centre.
WEST Hagley U8s 0 Callowbrook Swifts U8s 0. Swifts' display was superb, creating some good chances and the whole team battled to the final whistle. Joseph Esposito made a number of outstanding saves to keep the score- sheet blank. A great team performance
A DROITWICH Spa man fought with his Russian wife as her 11-year-old son screamed in the background, a court was told. Mark Broadist and his wife, Titania, fought at their home after tensions reached boiling point. In a statement read to Droitwich magistrates
A CELEBRATION of the town's historic salt industry was set to pull in the crowds last night. The new replica of the Upwych Brine Pit, in Vines Park, was ready to be unveiled, coinciding with St Richard's Day. People could witness brine reduced to Droit-wich
MAGISTRATES have pleased council bosses who are taking legal action to make a rates rebel pay up. Wychavon District Council welcomed the outcome of a hearing at Droitwich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday March 27 involving pensioner Nellie Copson. The High
A COUNCILLOR is calling for regulations to be imposed on all new starter homes to stop people extending them. Droitwich Spa town councillor Frank Payne (Lab, Droit.West) wants to crack down on residents who extend homes which have two bedrooms or less
PENSIONERS were forced to pay up yesterday when they hopped on the bus - even though they should travel free. First Midland Red drivers asked OAPs for half the fare after ignoring their free travel passes. Baffled pensioners approached Droitwich Spa town
A HEROIN addict from Droitwich wanted no part in his friend's plan to steal from a widow as she tended her husband's grave - but had a change of heart. Worcester magistrates heard Jason Priest had been injecting himself with heroin in his car with Adam
RESIDENTS who put birthday messages on road signs could be putting lives in danger, a Spa councillor has claimed. Droitwich Spa Town Council leader Cllr Pam Davey (Con, Droit.South) said she was shocked to see a birthday greeting covering a luminous bollard
THE North Midlands President's XV put up spirited resistance before they were beaten 59-24 by a star-studded Crawshay's Welsh XV at Worcester's Sixways ground last night. Crawshay's, the Welsh Barbarians, included six full internationals in Matthew Cardey
A YOUNG Farmers Club event in Hanbury in May has been cancelled to avoid the spread of foot and mouth disease. The County Show, in which members from all 12 Worcestershire clubs compete for 40 trophies, was due to have been held at Great Lodge Farm. Organisers
WORCESTER City have arranged to play their twice postponed Dr Martens League Cup semi-final against Newport County at St George's Lane next Tuesday (7.45pm). Newport have agreed to switch the match to St George's Lane because of difficulties with their
ROTARIANS are preparing for their biggest ever event. The Droitwich Spa Saltway Rotary Club will welcome Rotarians from across Worcestershire to a bash in Droitwich Spa tomorrow. Two hundred members will gather at the Raven Hotel, in St Andrew's Street
THE sounds of Spanish guitar music and the smell of paella filled the air in Droitwich Spa on Saturday. A touch of Spain was driven into Salters' Shopping Centre on Saturday when car dealer Droitwich Garage Ltd celebrated adding the SEAT range to its
EVESHAM United moved into the second round of the Worc-ester Royal Infirmary Cup following a 4-0 win against Mal-vern Town at Common Road last night. In a game played in a continual downpour, honours were even at half time, although the home side had
SEE More Business, denied the chance to regain the Tote Gold Cup because of the cancellation of the Cheltenham Festival, can find consolation in a second successive win in the Martell Cup Chase on the opening day of Aintree tomorrow. Rarely has the three-day
A TEENAGE drink-driver caught veering across a road in Malvern nearly collided with two pedestrians. Droitwich magistrates heard that Lisa Phillips had been at a nightclub before heading home in the early hours last Saturday. John Barnett, prosecuting
NEW chief executive Mark Newton has underlined the need for Worcestershire to gain first division status as quickly as possible. During a Press conference at New Road yesterday, he said: "We must do whatever we can to help Tom Moody, Graeme Hick and the
IN reply to Stephen Rowe's letter in last week's Advertiser/Messenger, we would like it known that in the 16 years we have lived in Maple Road behind 23 Beacon Hill, we have never used his land as a dumping refuge and have never seen any of our neighbours
PULSES will be sent racing at the Alexandra Hospital as years of determination, dedication and hard work pay off and Radio Pulse officially hits the airwaves. On Sunday, Redditch Mayor Mark Shurmer and Jacqui Smith MP joined members of the station as
A REDDITCH pharmacist is prescribing himself a healthy dose of exercise as he prepares for the London Marathon in aid of a cancer charity, writes Julian Seva. John Turner, 57, has decided to go the extra mile for The Prostate Cancer Charity after he had
THE North Midlands President's XV put up spirited resistance before they were beaten 59-24 by a star-studded Crawshay's Welsh XV at Worcester's Sixways ground last night. Crawshay's, the Welsh Barbarians, included six full internationals in Matthew Cardey
Tuesday, April 4, 2000 HEREFORD United's dismal Nationwide Conference form continued at Edgar Street with a second successive home defeat against in-form Woking who won 1-0 at Edgar Street last night. United have now failed to win in five matches since
EVESHAM United moved into the second round of the Worc-ester Royal Infirmary Cup following a 4-0 win against Mal-vern Town at Common Road last night. In a game played in a continual downpour, honours were even at half time, although the home side had
REDDITCH Regals have been forced to abandon their National League dream because of a cash shortage. The Arrow Vale High ladies basketball team have applied for national status but cannot raise the estimated £5,000 required to fund a debut top flight season
AROUND 1,000 sportsmen and women have been affected after the decision was taken to postpone the Worcestershire Games. The annual contest, won by Bromsgrove last year, was set to run from Sunday, April 22 until Saturday, June 9 but has been put back to
ASTWOOD Bank biker Andy Tinsley had a nightmare start to the Superstock Championship at Donington on Sunday. With practice and testing times hampered by a lack of sponsorship, Tinsley's inexperience on the more powerful GSXR 1000 Suzuki was exposed as
Newton Works beat Himbleton 8-1 to earn a place in the Clements Cup final. Chris Maiden and Michael Kendall won their games for Newton, with veteran captain Ron Batterton getting the other two. Fellow Bromsgrove and Redditch League side Studley Road Nomads
Bromsgrove and Redditch triumphed in the Carl Lisseman Relays at Wolverhampton. Bernie Jones ran the opening leg in 16min 52sec to bring the team back in third place in a race held in memory of a Wolverhampton and Bilston runner who died at the age of
NEVER before has so much pressure been exerted on family life in this country. Mums and dads are facing demands to work harder - and longer - to keep the money rolling in to pay for lifestyles which were pie-in-the-sky for their parents and beyond the
YOUNGSTERS travelled through time and across continents last week as background research for two projects. Pupils at Feckenham First School dressed in traditional Indian dress while others kitted themselves out in Victorian clothes. Teacher Mr Payne said
A CHILDREN'S out-of-school club has proved it is top of the class after receiving international recognition for its achievements. Funzone, based at Walkwood Middle School, was selected by the Worcestershire Early Years Partnership to represent the UK
IN response to D E Margrett's letter (You Say, March 26) regarding poor attendances at the Swan Theatre, I suggest he asks the manager at the Huntingdon Hall how he often gets full houses for most of his shows. It is called variety, not play after play
I WAS amazed to read in the Evening News that Droitwich Town Council was once again prosecuting Nellie Copson. It raises an interesting point concerning another property right in the heart of Droitwich, namely The Worcestershire Hotel. This fine building
SO Stephen Clee in his letter to the Evening News (You Say, March 29) says that we ignore the Americans' misgivings about a European army at our peril. How opportune that this letter was published on the same day that the Americans renounced the Kyoto
WE read that the Government has claimed a "possible source", of the foot and mouth epidemic. The named possibilities include illegally imported meat being added to pigswill. This explanation has been broadcast on English-speaking satellite news programs
DESPITE having to contend with an extremely busy car boot sale at Matchborough, in Redditch, Bromsgrove Olympique's two road races were very successful, with over a hundred riders competing in excellent weather for a change. The three mile circuit didn't
by CHRIS VAUGHAN chrisv@newsquestmidlands.co.uk CONFERENCE football is the long-term aim for Bromsgrove Rovers if Steve Daniels has his way. The straight-talking director of football is desperate to make the managerial hot-seat his own. And after hitting
DROITWICH refound their league form on Saturday against fellow promotion chasers Southam at the Memorial Ground. The game started scrappily with both sides trying to break the other down at close quarters. The deadlock was broken when Droitwich ran a
The winners in our Winter Warmth competition were: Mrs M Pearce, of Kimberley Close, Church Hill North, Mrs P Makepeace, of Oakwood Road, Hollywood and Mrs Ann Chester, of Norbury Close, Church Hill.
DROITWICH U12s 0 Bromsgrove U12s 28. Bromsgrove's two first half tries demonstrated the full range of skills within the team. The first coming from good handling in the backs, feeding wing Sam Schofield, and then good forward support recycled the ball
STUDLEY dented Meir KA's fading promotion hopes with a 3-2 weekend win despite the dismissal of midfielder Steve Duncan. Meir, already six games behind the leaders, switched their home league match to the Beehive on Saturday to get the match played and
Studley 0 Kidderminster Harriers Reserves 2 Studley's treble dreams were shattered by a Matthew Reeves brace as Worcestershire Senior Urn favourites Harriers booked a place in the final. The hosts controlled much of the game but a torrential downpour
WHEN the bulbs were planted along the bypass between Charford Road traffic lights and the Stratford Road island, in Bromsgrove, I'm sure everyone agreed that it really helped to enhance the area. But it has been a great disappointment over the last two
WELL done A Davies for highlighting the problems with dog mess in Cofton park. This has angered me and other parents for a while. The park is a beautiful place for all to visit and, especially in the summer, an ideal spot for taking the children to run
REDDITCH United Women's survival bid was dented with a 2-0 loss to Villa Veterans at the weekend. The Abbey Stadium side went down despite recalling goalkeeper Sonia Crow after injury. But manager Steve Tayler said a win and a draw from the last seven
REDDITCH & South Warwickshire Combination Sunday Football League have vacancies in all divisions for season 2001-2002. The League provides its own insurance cover, match referees on all games and grounds can be provided subject to availability. All
BARNT Green Cricket Club are optimistic about the forthcoming season after capturing the signature of Gavin Haynes. The ex-Worcestershire county player joins the Cherry Hill Road outfit as the club's player/ coach for the next two years. Haynes was forced
BREDON'S railway bridge and five vehicles were partially sprayed pink during an overnight vandalism spree. Around £100 worth of damage was caused to the vehicles, all parked at separate addresses in Church Street. They were a white Bedford Mini Landroma
A RISING star from Bromsgrove has had a taste of the 'big apple' of success after being plucked from thousands of youngsters to tour with a national theatre company. Ten-year-old Joshua Byrne, of Hanbury Close, came through three rounds of gruelling auditions
SPORTS equipment stolen from a champion athlete before she flew to America for training has been recovered thanks to a sharp-eyed neighbour. Commonwealth Games silver medal-winner Emma Hornby was staying with fellow England pole-vaulter Hilary Smith,
THE organisers of two major events which delight tho-usands of onlookers in Bromsgrove each summer are having to rethink their plans after police announced they will no longer control traffic. Now Bromsgrove Court Leet, which for decades has carried out
TEN two-storey flats are set to be built on the site of a former service station, in Stoke Heath. The scheme, earmarked for land where Stoke Turn Garage, in Worcester Road, used to be, will be discussed by Bromsgrove District Council's planning committee
SIXTEEN homes could be built on former British Rail land in Stoke Prior if planners give the scheme the green light. The project includes five one-bedroom and 11 two-bed homes being built on the site, in Shaw Lane. The houses would be set in four terraces
FOOT and mouth disease could have "a disastrous economic impact" on tourism and other businesses in Bromsgrove, a report has warned. Bromsgrove District Council's health and leisure scrutiny committee was set to hear a report last night which said the
PRESIDENT Angela Watson welcomed members to the March meeting and a former member who had been away for a while through illness. Items from the news sheet included a trip to Cheddar Gorge and Saltair in Yorkshire. Members were reminded of the group meeting
IN the absence of the president, Mrs B Clifford took the chair for the March meeting. Attendance was good with two new members. During the business part of the meeting, members heard of an invitation to join Alcester WI to join them at their resolutions
AN appalled Bromsgrove resident is calling for action over offensive graffiti in the town which he feels could upset overseas visitors. Andy Sheppard noticed the swastikas -- the emblem of the German Nazi Party -- daubed on a wooden building in Market
POLICE numbers in Bromsgrove will not recover within two years, the town's Conservative MP has warned after a meeting with police chiefs. Julie Kirkbride met with Superintendent Patsy Lord and Inspector Angela Burnet last Friday after the MP heard that
ON March 20, the society was given a very informative and entertaining lecture by Abbey Stonehall, who is a professional photographer. Abbey currently has an exhibition at the Palace Theatre and gave an insight into the events and incidents she had encountered
THE annual concert held at the Palace Theatre on March 24 was a sell-out. A donation will be made to the Dysphasia Support Organisation. Rhos Orpheus Male Choir, musical director Mr J G Williams, provided a superb musical experience. Their programme included
GUY Fawkes - or should it be Guy Fireworks? Bonfires, although enjoyable, are not now compulsory, but they used to be. From 1606 until as recently as 1850, every parish in the land was by law obliged to have a bonfire on November 5. This was one of the
THIS picture is a little younger than the typical photographs printed in Memory Lane as it only harks back about 25 years. It shows the L & D Dynmans football team at Valley Stadium in about April 1976. The lads did well that season, reaching the
TRADERS are to be encouraged to take over the running of the kiosk in Sanders Park after volunteers called it a day. Worcestershire County Council's Padstone Day Service took over its running, from St John's Fundraising Committee, last year and provided
A FRUSTRATED district council has slammed an organisation which is monitoring its standards -- even though it notched up top marks. Bromsgrove District Council is trying to figure out the results of the Audit Commission's Performance indicators and challenges
THE musical achievements of the world-famous Gibb brothers will be chronicled when tribute band Bee Gees Gold perform at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre on Saturday. Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel will also be performing at the Birmingham venue on Friday
Rosemary Ashe's one-woman show will wow audiences at the Palace Theatre on Sunday. The soprano, who has combined star status in West End shows with an equally glittering operatic reputation, will take to the stage from 7pm. Rosemary created the role of
A YOUNG British pianist will be performing at the next Redditch Music Society event at the Ecumenical Centre on Saturday. Yuri Paterson-Olenich is well-known in Russia and has launched a critically acclaimed CD in the UK. His programme includes Beethoven's
A CHURCH Hill man has spoken of his fear of using public transport in Redditch after a brick was thrown through the window of the bus he was on, writes Helen Clarke. It was just the latest in a string of attacks on buses and drivers which are putting
POLICE are investigating the possibility a team of criminals is operating in Studley after the latest in a spate of robberies. At about 10pm on Monday, two men entered Dillons One Stop Shop in Alcester Road, which was staffed by two women. One man stood
THE classic fairytale Cinderella has been playing to packed audiences at a Wythall school this week. The performances have been staged by budding thespians in Years 5 and 6 at Coppice Primary School. Headteacher Mark Slater said: "We've almost sold out
