SKIPPER Mark Mansell is urging Kidderminster to strive for extra points as they bid to steer clear of the Birmingham Premier Cricket League relegation zone. Fourth-from-bottom Kidderminster have a key home game with Coventry and NW on Saturday, a team
A DEPLETED Bewdley proved no match for Worcestershire League Division One leaders Old Elizabethans who romped to a 150-run victory. An ailing Mark Bennett had to withdraw from the attack as openers Proctor and D Phillips put on 67. A couple of quick wickets
A magnificent unbeaten century by New Zealander Jim Blakeley helped Cookley keep up their challenge near the top of Worcestershire League Division Two. Blakeley smashed 143 while Robbie Perkins was unbeaten on 43 as Cookley made light of their target
STRUGGLING Victoria and Blakeley Hall were dealt a blow in Worcestershire League Division Three as they slipped to a 101-run defeat against Martley. The third-from-bottom Vics were bowled out for 143 with 20 overs still to be bowled. Playing at home,
CHAINWIRE'S Jason Williams took 6-33 at Cookhill in a Worcestershire League Division Six encounter, helping his side to a six-wicket victory and 20 points. Chainwire are lying second in the division, behind Hewell, some 29 points ahead of third-placed
LEE Shewry scored 146 for Old Tumbling Sailors/Fire on Sunday in a Stainweld Cricket League Cup match. Shewry put his side on their way to a massive 131-run victory over Wolverley Social. Another centurion was Julian Varley, of Hard-Done-Boys, who beat
A SWEET-toothed Worcester heavyweight who feared his unhealthy lifestyle would see him miss out on enjoying his grandchildren, has shed more than seven stone after joining a city slimming club. Terry Vicarage had to juggle trips to Weightwatchers with
A WARNING has gone out to parents with young children after a Worcester newsagent discovered a sharp piece of plastic in a packet of crisps. Josh Sunsoa opened a bag of KP Skips and cut his finger on the 2in piece after buying two 48-packet boxes of the
MORE than 400 balloons have been launched at County Hall as a special send-off for a playbus touring the country to promote foster care. Avriel Reader, Worcestershire County Council's head of children's services, launched the balloons to promote the start
POLICE have renewed their appeal for witnesses after a woman was punched in the face by a teenage mugger in Droitwich Spa. The woman was attacked by the teenage girl who snatched her purse as she walked along the pathway known as The Long Walk, by Farriers
THE jobless total in Worcestershire fell by more than 270 last month. Herefordshire was also down, with the figure falling by 205 from 1,866 in April to 1,661 in May. Nationally the number of people claiming benefit dropped by 3,200 last month to 976,800
GOURMANDS will be heading for Evesham on Saturday, when the town will boast a food and drink fair. Heart of England Fine Foods has arranged the event at Evesham Country Park and is offering the chance to sample everything from game to ice-cream, made
THE hammer fell for the final time on the magistrates' table when Worcester Magistrates' Court furniture was sold at auction. The large oak table and other items created widespread interest from dealers and collectors at the sale at Malvern Auction Centre
MUD, Mulch and Marigolds feature in a new theatrical show coming to Hanbury. The National Trust's forthcoming tour invites people to take on the role of an outside broadcast audience and enter the fictional work of Mary Gold. This prima donna is more
Droitwich Spa Salvation Army kept shoppers intrigued at the weekend with their second annual public relations day in the town centre. The hall, based in Ombersley Way, took centre stage in Salter's Shopping Centre on Friday and Saturday. A marquee displaying
A LOYAL wife who has supported her husband's political career for more than 30 years has stepped into the limelight as the town's new mayor. Droitwich Spa town councillor Maureen Lawley (Con, Droit.Central) has taken over the prestigious role from her
NEW ideas for the town's traders' group have been well received. Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) is back -- with a new image. A questionnaire recently sent to shopkeepers showed that people want the group to focus more
AN enraged father tried to strangle his partner in a Droitwich Spa telephone box as she called a friend for help. Engineer Craig Burgess left Samantha Hemming screaming and gasping for breath after he attacked her during a night out. Last Thursday, Droitwich
A DISABLED swimming champion from Droitwich Spa got in training -- and had lots of fun -- during an overseas trip she won after scooping a Child of Achievement Award. Kim Briggs, of Belfry Road, has cerebral palsy and is one of 150 youngsters, aged 16
THE ballot box battle is over and voters have selected an experienced team to represent the town at Worcestershire County Council. All of the sitting candidates were re-elected in Thursday's county council elections. Two long-standing Spa politicians
TRIUMPHANT Peter Luff was celebrating a General Election victory after securing his title as Droitwich Spa's Tory MP. The Conservative polled 22,937 votes, 10,627 more than Labour's David Bannister. Lib-Dem Robert Browne was a further 3,890 behind with
WITH 12,310 votes and a 27.3 per cent majority, Labour's David Bannister rolled in second. He said: "We can fight the Tories and I promise -- we'll be back." Lib Dem candidate Robert Browne saw his votes fall from the last election. He picked up 8,420
A "PROUD and pleased" town politician will lead Labour members of Worcestershire County Council. Cllr Peter Pinfield (Lab, Droit.Town) was elected as group leader on Monday night. He takes over the reins from Carol Warren (Lab) who failed to secure her
The play area in Oak Tree Avenue, Batchley, will close down from next Monday to allow a £48,000 refurbishment to take place. It will be enlarged and revamped to include new play equipment for children and toddlers. The work forms part of a massive play
People trying to telephone the Abbey Stadium in the last few days may have experienced a number of difficulties getting though. A fault on the telephone line, number 60206, has meant many people may have been met by no response. Staff have apologised
HOPWOOD Community Centre may be leased to Alvechurch Football Club to save it from financial disaster, writes Melina Cannon. Alvechurch Parish Council drew up a list of options after calculating a £4,000 loss if the centre continued to operate as it was
A TEENAGE "wildcat" and her mate were sentenced to eight months detention last week after a long reign of terror in an area of the city. The two foul-mouthed girls - they rained abuse on all and sundry - were no strangers to the courts, having appeared
MOTOR SPORT: British champion kart racer Nathaniel Freke competed in the second round of the British Short Circuit Gearbox Kart Championships at the weekend at Three Sisters track, near Wigan. Freke raced in three heats against the country's top drivers
JUDO: Amy Darch hit the gold medal trail again at the Bushido Open in Wolverhampton as Kidderminster's Samurai Judo Club scooped seven medals. Darch, 13, destroyed a quality field of blue belts with her last two contests lasting a total of just 16 seconds
ATHLETICS: Tom Kenderdine led the Kidderminster Running Club team with fifth overall place in the Bromsgrove 10k in a time of 35 minutes 26 seconds. This was the second race in the Worcestershire Mid-week 10k series. Rob Chrzan was second for Kidderminster
TENNIS: Stourport ladies A team easily beat Ledbury 7-0 with Hilary Hatt and Carole Lewis keeping their 100 per cent record. The other successful pairings were Sally Smith and Helen Bradley along with Zena Seer and Rhian Robinson. The ladies now take
GOLF: The Men's May Stableford at Wharton Park Golf Club was closely-fought with Division One winner Kevin Lane just one point ahead of Simon Connolly. Lane managed 39 points with Connolly on 38 and Simon Leigh third with 37. Division Two: Lars Jacobsen
GYMNASTICS: Wyre Forest Gymnast School's annual summer course will be held at Harry Cheshire High School in Kidderminster. Both complete beginners and advanced performers are catered for with boys and girls aged from four to 18 welcome. They can follow
CHESS: John Wrench and Jim Friar will do battle to decide the new Kidderminster chess champion. At the semi-final stage, Wrench caught Maurice Bissell napping, winning a piece, and Friar capitalised on John Gittus' unusual opening. In Division One of
GOLF: Margaret Greenfield took the honours for best gross in the Ladies Open at Kidderminster Golf Club during a fine spell. Greenfield also finished runner-up in the May Medal's Silver Division. Ladies Open best nett silver: Barbara Evans; runner-up:
A REDDITCH man died after his car collided with another on the A435 dual-carriageway, near Bransons Cross. Martin Stephen Cox, 33, from Linton Close, Winyates East, died after his Toyota was in collision with a Citroen Saxo on Sunday, at 4.15pm. Two women
A MULTI-million pound agreement has been drawn up to help a Redditch company strengthen its position in the American market. Cirrus Technologies Ltd, Washford Industrial Estate, called in Warwickshire firm Mark Bull Consulting. The consultants drafted
A TOWN organisation has been relaunched after a Redditch Council budget cut prompted staff shortages and a reduction in services, writes Melina Cannon. Redditch Council for Voluntary Service is set to thrive again thanks to a successful bid for almost
A NEIGHBOURHOOD alliance to cover Winyates and Matchborough has been launched in an attempt to tackle concerns over residents' quality of life, writes Becky Procter. The move comes after the success of similar initiatives set up in Batchley, Smallwood
BREAK A Leg Theatre Company has made its first recording at Bridley Moor High School's studio. Members of all ages were involved in the production of the first track for a CD compilation, which it is hoped will be released next year. The CD will be funded
THIRD-PLACED Bromsgrove were asked to bat by local rivals Redditch in this Second XI match on Saturday. Openers Dave Keyte (19) and Mark Bilborough put down a firm platform of 49 from 13 overs for the home side. A relative failure by Julian Court (15)
THE junior section at Avoncroft Cricket Club had mixed fortunes in cup competitions over the weekend. On Friday night, the U15s lost by 14 runs to Alvechurch in a closely fought contest. Alvechurch's total of 126-4 was dominated by a knock of 38 from
ENGLAND international Dave Harrell will be angling for support on Mondays during the forthcoming summer school holidays. Expert fisherman Harrell is running angling tuition for newcomers to the sport on July 23, 30 and August 6, 13 and 20 at Moorlands
THE footballers of Club Inter are going from strength to strength after securing a treble during the 2000/2001 season. They won the Worcestershire Sunday Junior Cup, the Kidderminster Fire Shield and were promoted to Kidderminster and District League
MARK'S Tackle won the Spring League at Poole Hall Fisheries with 14 points, ahead of the host team on 15 and Pelsall Guinness on 20. The first three individual places went to Strettons. Individuals: Carl Jones (Strettons) 34lb, Adam Jones (Strettons)
THE Beaver, Cub and Scout Five-a-side Football Festival was held at Habberley Playing Fields. It was the first time all sections had competed together. Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Dean Bennett presented trophies and medals. Beavers Trophy, winners
BUDDING coaches can head to a county course, thanks to Worcestershire FA. The venue is Droitwich Spa High School over three weekends on June 30, July 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 from 9am to 5.30pm. Those interested can call Andy Norman on 0779 089 4121.
FOLLOWING the trials and tribulations of Silverstone, Steve Watton renewed his HSCC Historic Road Sports Championship challenge with a superb second place, following a poor qualifying session. Having made the wrong choice of both tyres and damper settings
WORCESTER'S Perdiswell Golf Club had had a tough with defeats in two recent seniors matches. The first against Wyre Forest Golf Club at Stour-port ended in a disastrous defeat with the home team triumphing by five and a half games to a half. Perdiswell's
Judicious, a six-length winner on his latest start, looks a knock-out bet to strike again at Newbury tomorrow. Geoff Wragg's charge fairly scooted up from Sloane in a Classified Stakes at Thirsk last week to complete a treble for jockey Darryll Holland
REDDITCH folk will be able to enjoy a theatrical treat next month when the MDCC Theatre gives an open-air performance at the Quality Hotel. The theatre company will be presenting William Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona on Sunday, July 1, from 2.30pm
EARL Va'a is the latest big name star to be axed in Worcester Rugby Club's summer clear-out. The 29-year-old, who scored in Samoa's 36-27 win over Fiji in the Pacific Rim Championship clash on Saturday, has been told he is not needed for Worcester's promotion
PLANS have been submitted to Redditch Council for two new developments at the Alexandra Hospital costing hundreds of thousands of pounds. The plans include extensions and alterations to provide a single-storey coronary care unit and a multi-faith centre
HEWELL captain Mark Allcock has brushed aside suggestions his league leaders are favourites for the Worcester Six title. The Donkey Hole Lane side brushed aside Knighton on Saturday without the loss of a wicket to record their sixth win in six but says
WYTHALL are anchored firmly at the foot of the Warwickshire Four Central table after a disappointing loss to fellow strugglers Thimblemill. Shorn of three batsman, the Silver Street side fell five runs short of their 144 target and leading scorer Matthew
COOKHILL vice captain Mick Hill said his side face a make-or-break three week spell to save their flagging season. A slow start has seen the Nevill Arms side at the wrong end of the Worcester Six table, and defeat to second in the table Chainwire deepened
GREAT Alne captain Craig Millard is preparing his side for a tough month which could decide their Cotswold Two fate. The Henley Road side slumped against Rowington at the weeknd despite an improvement with the bat to leave them in the relegation mire.
THE Worcester-Birmingham Canal is finally open for fishing but some of the restriction signs have not been taken down as I found out on Thursday when I fished at Astwood Lane, near Stoke Works. Before I started fishing I thought I should check with the
TWO loyal dental receptionists in Droitwich Spa have celebrated a unique 25-year working partnership. Carol Rowland not-ched up a quarter of a century at the Peter Davis Surgery, in Corbett Avenue, two years ago. And now her colleague, Viv Wagstaff, has
THERE'S good news for folk aged 50 and over in Bromsgrove. The town's branch of Age Concern is now an accredited sub agency for Age Concern Insurance Services. Chief officer Sheelagh Keen said: "We had offered the service in the past on an occasional
JUMBO help is at hand for Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove DIY fanatics. L G Harris and Co, based in Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, has launched a unique product. The company says that scraped and bruised knuckles will be a thing of the past thanks to the launch
Thursday June 14 l Music:John Martyn, Danny Thompson and Kathryn Williams, Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester, 8pm. l Music: West Side Story, Alexandra Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham, Until June 23. l Music: The Willard Grant Conspiracy, mac,
REDDITCH Arrows stayed on course for their target of a 4-4 record with their first win of the season on Saturday. Team manager Chris Halford hopes four wins will be enough to earn a play-off place in Redditch's first season back in the top flight. He
ASTWOOD Bank biker Andy Tinsley is aiming to kick start his season at Brands on Sunday after switching tyres. Knotts Motorcycles star Tinsley has endured a torrid season on a new machine, culminating in his withdrawal from the last round of the Superstocks
PUPILS moving to new schools next term may find themselves studying in temporary classrooms despite parents' objections, writes Helen Clarke. Several schools are merging sites in the Redditch Review to reduce surplus places. But building delays mean work
YOUNGSTERS at a village school prepared for lift-off on Wednesday as they launched rockets made at their school's engineering club. Children at Inkberrow First School were helped in their quest by Bill Broome, who runs the engineering club and village
A REDDITCH teacher has won three silver medals at the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships held last month. Michelle Kimberley, from Walkwood Middle School, won her medals at the competition, held in Eastbourne, Sussex, with the England women's team.
PUPILS at a pair of Redditch schools are cementing their ties as part of the first Schools' Architecture Week 2001, writes Melina Cannon. Moatfield and St Peter's CE middle schools will be united in the Redditch Review and students are working with architect
HUNDREDS of jobs could be axed at one of Bromsgrove's biggest employers which has gone into administration. UEF at Aston Fields, more popularly known as Garringtons, is part of the largest independent forgings businesses in the UK and one of the largest
TEN villagers fighting to abolish a parish council in Lickey End made history after gaining a landslide victory in the elections. In what has been dubbed "a unique" and "bizarre" event the ten were elected after a three-hour count on Friday morning in
FANS of Andizap can log on to find out more about the Tardebigge tunester or even have a chat to him as the singer goes hi-tech. Andizap has set up a website at www.andizap.co.uk and can be e-mailed at andi@Andizap.co.uk
BROMSGROVE singer/songwriter Will Hunt hails from a musical background, but his own talent shines through in his band's first CD. Three-piece Indie/ melodic rock band Soapbox Story is fronted by Will -- his dad was keyboard/French horn player in ELO and
WHAT have I ever done to Peter Burgess (You Say, June 4) that makes him keep venting his spleen on me? Why doesn't he get a life? He's now called my letters "insane", "crass" and "esoteric" (I had to look that one up, it means "meant only for initiates
NOW that the election's over again, perhaps it's time to reflect humorously on politics. I offer my thoughts. Isn't it time there was third column in the voting machinery.... a space for "remarks"? Darwin's theory of first baboons then man - politics
GEORGE Cowley appears to doubt my contention that " a society which neglects the elderly is a society without motive" (Evening News, June 1). This correspondent claims to be a God-fearing man. Clearly, people are exhorted to have respect and consideration
FOLLOWING the county council elections, perhaps it would be a good time for our elected councillors to work for the overall good of the community, instead of complaining that the six seats gained by the Kidderminster Health Concern representatives have
IN response to June Longmuir's comments as reported by the Evening News on Saturday, June 9, I would like to say that, as one of the "woolly" Liberal Democrats, I hope we're not in for a season of Tory arrogance. In our country, fortunately, nothing is
I WOULD like to express a few words of thanks following last Thursday's General Election result. I'm very grateful to all my party workers and supporters and to the voters who placed their cross next to my name on the ballot paper. I'd have been delighted
I WAS annoyed at R L Davidson's trivialisation of the park-and-ride discussion (You Say, June 9) and the fact that he jumped to illogical conclusions. Why did he assume that M Burcher lives on a bus route because he was able "to watch the buses go by"
JUNE is Male Cancer Awareness Month. The third most common cancer in men is prostate cancer, a cancer that has, and continues to have, the lowest research funds allocated to it here in the UK. One of the most controversial talking points about prostate
STOKE Prior are now second in the Warwickshire and Worcest-ershire Premier Division Seven after an emphatic 81-shot victory over Northfield-based Royal British Legion Austin Branch. The Bromsgrove side produced ten winning games from 12. The best performance
DROITWICH Dolphins continued in impressive form by securing second place in the second round of the PGL-sponsored league for nine to 13-year-olds when they swam against Stourbridge and Wyre Forest. Alex Dunn got the team off to a flying start when she
THERE were defeats for Barnt Green and Droitwich Spa wom-en's tennis teams in Sunday's National Club League games. Green lost 4-2 at Queenswood and Spa were beaten by the same score at Leominster.
NOW that the election is over and we know for sure that Labour is to govern the country for the next five years, we can start looking forward and asking ourselves exactly what it will mean to us in our everyday lives. As with the last election, Labour
A MAN has been arrested and released on police bail following an allegation of a serious sexual assault at the Alexandra Hospital. The alleged victim, an inmate at Brockhill Prison, Hewell Lane, later died of natural causes after being found in a hospital
OFF-licences in south west Redditch will be targeted by police after a growing underage drinking problem, writes Becky Procter. Police have received scores of complaints from residents about the problem, which led to a spate of criminal damage. Last weekend
With the arrival of summer, Redditch police have issued a warning for householders to be mindful of security. Sgt Tony Higgins said: 'In particular, people should lock doors and close windows when not at home and not leave valuables in vehicles which
THE prospect of Alcester getting an additional CCTV camera is looking less likely after councillors were told it would cost three times more than original estimates. Councillors wanted to focus the camera on Swan Street, Evesham Street, Priory Road and
ALCESTER Town Council is going to organise an inspection of the skate park after youngsters warned of potentially dangerous flaws. Councillors Eric Payne and Jim Kenyon were shown where the equipment at the Conway Fields venue had deteriorated. They said
A CANTEEN manager who forged bank paying-in slips to cover up the loss of money he had 'borrowed' from his employers has been fined by a judge at Warwick Crown Court. Former Army caterer Adrian Bonsell, 41, of The Leys, Bidford, pleaded guilty on the
Reference Red Square moving to Lickey End THE fed up Lickey End resident should be thankful the parish council has not yet been established because if it had then he would have the privilege of paying for it by way of a parish rate. Angus Malcolm, Old
STUDLEY manager Mark Chambers is set to make Alvechurch captain Martin Keight his first close season signing. Chambers is chasing five targets and hopes imposing defender Keight will be the first to join his Alliance-bound side. He is also targeting a
SOURCES have revealed boss Jan Molby is interested in signing Icelandic midfielder Bjarni Larusson. The 25-year-old former Walsall man has been released by Scunthrorpe United. Larusson could provide the bite in the Harriers engine room that Molby is searching
THIS old Redditch picture hails from the early to mid 1920s and shows tinsmith shop workers at the old BSA works in Union Street. The mounted photograph was kindly supplied by Jean Wright of Ivor Road, Southcrest.
FANS of Bromsgrove Rovers have voted almost unanimously in favour of the Bannisters leaving the club. Out of 940 people who took part in the survey, just six said they hoped the family would stay in charge - 99.4 per cent want them to go. The poll was
A FRIENDLY war of words has broken out in Bromsgrove between the town's highway boss and a village poet after a story appeared in your No.1 newspaper. Last week the Advertiser/Messenger reported a complaint by Lickey End resident John Slim who had been
WORRIED residents at an old people's home in Bromsgrove may have to be re-housed because the future of Blackmore House is under threat. Pensioners could be moved elsewhere and the doors forced to close at the 28-bed home in School Drive because the lease
TRAFFIC signs ordering motorists to Halt at Major Road Ahead, a flaming torch, a cross on a shield, a right angle triangle and a steam engine could once be seen in their millions along the highways and byways of Britain. Drivers then, as now, spent many
BROMSGROVE Rovers manager Steve Daniels is convinced he can bring success back to the club - but the squabbling behind the scenes is holding him back. Daniels is in talks with a host of players he wants to bring to the Victoria Ground next season as the
BROMSGROVE'S traditional Court Leet fair day procession which attracts hundreds of visitors to the town each June, will go ahead as usual this year, despite police not being on hand to control traffic. Members of the ancient organisation have each paid
ANGLER Ken Renshaw is preparing for the biggest contest of his life - the world championships. The Droitwich Spa resident has been selected to take part in the English trials on the River Nene, in Peterborough, on June 27. Ken, who is wheelchair-bound
MAJOR repair works have begun to renew an historic tower at a Bromsgrove church. The project, which is believed to need a cash injection of £100,000, is to maintain All Saint's Church's crumbling sandstone tower. Churchgoers have collected £60,000 with
THE recent meeting saw the welcome return of Tim Bridges, whose illustrated talk was entitled 'Warwickshire and Worcestershire Churches.' Copies of his book were on sale during the meeting and proved very popular. Mr Bridges displayed an almost encyclopaedic
CHILDREN usually drive their parents up the wall. Hannah and Abigail Pask are doing the climbing themselves. The Bromsgrove youngsters are indoor rock-climbers and they competed in the national championships on Saturday just six months after taking up
AS the Conservative party picks up the pieces from its failed election campaign, Bromsgrove may show it the way forward, according to the town's re-elected MP. Julie Kirkbride, who saw her majority increase to 8,138 from 4,845 while nationally the party
THE former Labour leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Trevor Porter, returned from two years in the political wilderness in Thursday's local council elections which saw few changes to the political map. A win for Labour's Bill Newnes by 62 votes in
AT the May meeting a very interesting talk was given by Mrs Lesley Busher on 'Leading the fight against Crime.' The raffle winner was Maureen Hill. In June, Romey Allison will be giving a talk on The Samaritans.
FOUR Birmingham men John Moore, Frederick Marriott, Henry Swatkins and Peter Farrell all said to be of dubious character and known associates of thieves, card sharpers and pickpockets appeared before Bromsgrove magistrates on felony charges committed
FOR the May meeting, members were joined by Mrs Pat Hoare, president of Arrow WI and others to discuss the resolutions. President Mrs Angela Watson announced the sudden death of Mrs Nan Aldredge. Thanks were extended to Mrs Hoare for organising the evening
AT the May meeting, the resolutions to be presented at the Cardiff IGM were discussed with many lively comments. Beryl Parsons, delegate for the Weatheroak Group, will convey the decisions to the meeting. President Brenda Dainty reported on the recent
FOR more than 30 years haggling added spice to car dealer Dennis Waldron's daily life. And even when he knew he was dying he couldn't resist striking one last deal. He got the undertaker to knock 20 per cent off the bill! His daughter Lynda, from Stoke
THE group held their meeting on June 5 in the Greig Hall lounge. Events included a silent auction with an excellent quiz, created by Mandy Williams, and also delicious food. An extremely enjoyable informal evening was had by all. The next meeting takes
EVERY week at one Bromsgrove school, a group of pupils with a reputation for causing trouble gang up -- and rehearse for a variety show. A teacher at Parkside Middle School came up with the idea for the show as a chance for pupils to prove their critics
THE June meeting, a 'talk and dabble' evening, was held in St Peter's Church with president Hilary Taylor in the chair. Members were thanked for contributing tinned or dried foods to be distributed to farming families affected by the foot and mouth crisis
A MAN has been arrested and released on police bail following an allegation of a serious sexual assault at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital. The alleged victim, an inmate at Brockhill Prison, Hewell Lane, later died of natural causes after being found in
YOUNG vandals loitering by a Sidemoor play area are breaking fences and throwing stones at people living nearby, according to residents. Homeowners, who last year were promised metal railings would be erected around the play area to protect their property
BROMSGROVE is at risk from outbreaks of measles because of exaggerated public fears over vaccines, a leading doctor has claimed. Only 90 per cent of children in the town have taken the triple jab for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), while a 95 per cent
HUNDREDS of Bromsgrove runners put on running shoes to raise £2,000 for the Leukaemia Research Fun Run this year -- and sponsorship money is still rolling in. An injury kept Fast Show comedian and film actor Mark Williams from running but he still gave
GARDENERS have been reminded of Bromsgrove's Best Kept Garden Competition when planning their colourful summer bedding schemes. The competition is organised annually by Bromsgrove District Council. Its environmental strategy officer Keith James, who is
REDDITCH will be the Tories' top priority in the Midlands at the next election after the party inflicted serious damage to Labour's already marginal hold on the seat. Jacqui Smith was re-elected on Thursday with a 2,484 (6.17 per cent) majority but it
A NEW scheme helping Redditch youngsters achieve in sports has started, writes Matt Smith. The Redditch Sports Development Unit, at the Abbey Stadium, will work with schools, sports clubs and education services to take charge of a nationwide scheme called
THE election in Bromsgrove saw Conservative Julie Kirkbride returned as MP with an increased majority. Ms Kirkbride was re-elected to the safe seat, which includes Alvechurch and Wythall, with 23,640 votes (51.57 per cent), a 4.22 per cent swing from
THE magic of Motown will be revealed at the Palace Theatre on Friday. Sisters of Soul features siblings Joy, Donna and Sheenaz, who will take the audience on a musical journey spanning five decades of soul and features songs by divas, including Aretha
Thursday, June 14 Guns 'N' Roses, Birmingham NEC Arena. Tickets from 0870 909 4133. The Willard Grant Conspiracy, Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 440 3838. Dr Robert Band, Ronnie Scott's, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 643 4525. Luke
CRISIS-hit farmers were raising a glass to the Government this week after hearing their woes were at an end, thanks to the internet. Ministers are fine-tuning a strategy to "catalyse broadband roll-out in rural areas". The strategy is to ensure that the
REDDITCH'S re-elected MP Jacqui Smith was settling into her new office in Whitehall yesterday after being promoted to Minister of State in the Health Department. Ms Smith re-took the seat in Thursday's General Election on a greatly reduced majority after
CUSTOMERS at Safeway enjoyed the operatic genius of 'Pavarotti' on Saturday. The Warwick Highway store invited the wannabe singing star, with a variety of guests, to celebrate its Italian month.
BOOKS of walks based on pubs serving good food as the starting or finishing point are not new. But what is different about a new publication called Pub Strolls in Worcestershire is that it is printed in full colour, contains 30 circular walks none of
A WINNING draw against last season's champions Cannock kept Kidderminster's heads above water in Birmingham and District Premier League. They used home advantage to blaze the division's highest score of the day, a big 256-7 from their 55 overs. But Cannock
CHADDESLEY Corbett's recent good form continued with a winning draw at Lye on Saturday, lifting the villagers to sixth in Worcestershire League Division One. Kevin Truswell hit his first century of the season - 104 off 117 balls - and shared in stands
HIGH-FLYING Stourport continued their impressive form with an 83-run Worcestershire League Division Three victory at Rushwick. The promotion chasers elected to bat and struggled early in the innings. Dave Cook (36) was the pick of the top order batsmen
COMBERTON Middle School claimed the Worton Rock Kwik Cricket Festival in Wyre Forest on Monday at Kidderminster Cricket Club. They will represent the district in a county competition at Malvern Ramblers CC next week after defeating Sladen Middle School
A DRIVER had a miraculous escape after his car was torn apart during a pile-up on the M5 at Worcester. The vehicle, which was too badly damaged to be identified, disintegrated into a heap of twisted metal, lying trapped between two lorries. But its driver
FIFTY firefighters from across Worcestershire were scrambled to two crashes on the M5. Emergency services including the air ambulance, flying doctors and the environmental agency were called to the two major incidents between Junctions 6 and 8 in just
PROTESTERS have halted a Worcester school safety project by complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman. Worcestershire County Council and Worcester City Council are both promoting the Safer Routes to School programme, describing it as an "initiative
A 78-YEAR-old widow lay on a trolley for 21 hours in Worcester's Ronkswood Hospital while she awaited treatment. Mary Conway arrived at Accident and Emergency at 2pm on Monday and was finally admitted to a ward at 11am yesterday. Hospital managers today
DRUNKEN under-age youths who hang around Bromsgrove's streets and recreation grounds at night, causing nuisance and damage, are being targetted in a police crackdown. Bromsgrove Police are halfway through a six-week initiative which has seen them patrolling
TENANTS living in Worcester council houses are being given a chance to have a say about the management of their homes. They are invited to attend Worcester City Council tenant board's annual meeting in Angel Place tomorrow. The board is a panel of tenants
A STRIKE at three Worcestershire magistrates courts this week has been averted. The Association of Magisterial Officers (AMO) has locked horns with the West Mercia Magistrates' Court Service over relocation of workers to privately-funded courts. New courts
A MAN strode up and punched an innocent passer-by as he walked through a Worcester shopping centre because of "an impulsive reaction." Wesley Dimmock, admitted sending Christopher Smith "reeling backwards" as they passed outside CrownGate's Early Learning
A KIDDERMINSTER RAC patrolman has reached the finals of the automobile club's national search to find their Ambassador of the Year. Stewart Barnett will attend a glittering awards ceremony at a surprise location on Saturday, June 23, where the winner
A WORCESTER school has entered a team of 80 runners in the Imperial Cancer Research Fund's Race for Life, due to take place this Sunday. The team from St Mary's Convent, in Mount Battenhall - made up of pupils, staff, parents and friends - will be part
COMMUNITY-MINDED villagers in and around Droitwich Spa can help decide where extra homes should by built in the future. Wychavon District Council has rescheduled a series of consultation days to hear the views of people living in its hamlets and villages
SHED-OWNERS in Droitwich Spa are being urged to lock up any outbuildings after a spate of thefts in the town. Droitwich police have issued the warning after ten premises were targeted last month. These included theft of garden equipment and toys. In each
A SPECIAL needs housing development in the Spa is set to be given an historic address. The area of the development, which falls in between Worcester Road and Queen Street, is to be known as Bullock's Court after Droitwich Spa town councillors put their
KIND bookworms are being asked to forsake their favourite reads to help needy children in South Africa. Wychavon Tenants' Association, in Queen Street, is supporting Nelson Mandela's Rainbow Nation Book Appeal. The former political prisoner is urging
ALL creatures great and small could benefit from enhanced health services in Droitwich Spa. A medical centre and a veterinary surgery could be built off Bromsgrove Road. An outline planning application has been submitted to Wychavon District Council by
A REDDITCH woman has hit out against the decision to widen a footpath for fear a narrower road will endanger lives, writes Matt Smith. Audrey Hancox, who lives on High Street, Astwood Bank, believes work on widening the path on the junction of High Street
HOW to allocate £20,000 to community groups across the town will be decided in the next couple of weeks. Redditch Community Safety Partnership has been given the grant by Worcestershire County Council. Last year the partnership allocated money to several
WE wouldn't be surprised if the halting of a Worcester school safety project by protesters has worried hundreds of parents in the area. Residents objecting to Safer Routes to Schools traffic-calming plans near Red Hill Primary have called in the Local
HORSE RACING: A trainer and her horse galloped away with a prestigious title at Stratford Racecourse. Helen Needham was delighted to see seven-year-old Philtre triumph with top amateur jockey Adrian Wintle in the Wetherbys Champion Novices Hunters Steeplechase
CYCLING: Ferndale road racer James Shaw is the new U-23 national cycling champion. The win guarantees the 19-year-old Bristol University student a place in the team for the World Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, in October. Shaw, who has been working
KARATE: The Great Britain team was inspired by the displays of Tsunami Kimura Shukokai Karate club members at the KSI European Championships. Competitors from Kidderminster and Bewdley took a host of medals among six golds, eight silvers and seven bronzes
SWIMMING: Wyre Forest Swimming Club finished fourth in the Stourbridge Centenary Gala at Wolverhampton. Each section, other than the nine-year-olds, covered two ages which had to be represented equally. The open age group had to include one or two between
ATHLETICS: Amazing Feet Running Club members carried off several prizes at the third Warndon Villages fun run in Worcester. John Amos recorded his second personal best of the week to finish second in the 10km race in 38 minutes one second and first in
GOLF: The lady captain's charity day at Little Lakes Golf Club raised £126 for Kemp Hospice. Result: Ann Heaton, June Darley, Alf Heaton and Matt Whitehouse 104, Judith Davies, Doreen Fellows, Kevin Phillips and Mike Wood 102, Diane Whitehouse, Alison
A CANCER charity claims townsfolk can add years to their lives by making a will early. Startling figures from legacy advisors Smee and Ford show that people who die without making a will do so at the average age of 69. However, people who made a will
CYCLING: Wyre Forest Fabricolor Cycle Racing Club member Adrian Manning set a personal best time when he beat the hour, riding a 25-mile time trial in Wales in 59 minutes 6 seconds. Clubmate Rob Coles rode the same course a few days later and recorded
HORSE TRIALS: Greg Dickens finished ninth in a novice show-jumping section at the Keysoe BE Horse Trials in Bedfordshire. The Kidderminster man, riding Exit Lift, had one penalty in an otherwise fine performance.
YOUTH workers have been drafted in to mix with youngsters on a Redditch estate and combat roving gangs, writes Becky Procter. The move comes from Redditch Community Safety Partnership after concerns over tension between gangs in the town. The pilot project
THE former ABC cinema in the town centre is set to be transformed into a Chicago Rock Caf. Bath based firm E&J Developments have struck a deal with cinema bosses to buy the Unicorn Hill site. David Edwards, of E&J, said: 'It has gone in for planning
A 27-year-old woman died after collapsing at a town fitness centre on Monday, June 4, writes Melina Cannon. The woman, who is believed to have suffered from a heart condition, collapsed at HiLife, Alcester Street, at about 6.30pm. She was taken to the
A PIONEERING initiative aimed at teaching essential fire skills to women prisoners at HMP Brockhill has been launched, writes Becky Procter. Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade has created a programme designed for prisoners at the Tardebigge jail who
MEMBERS of Studley's clergy are looking forward to taking on all-comers in a five-a-side football tournament at the parish church summer fair. Curate Simon Betteridge and theRev Richard Deimel have signed themselves up to play in an over-35s team at the
AN inquest into the death of a Brockhill Prison inmate has been opened and adjourned by Worcestershire Coroner Victor Round. Annette Jenner, 31, died after being found slumped in an Alexandra Hospital toilet. Miss Jenner, of Coventry, had been serving
ALL-ROUNDER Nick Davies was the star for Bromsgrove Cricket Club Firsts on Saturday but his feats could not prevent the rain from depriving Town of an almost certain victory. The Birmingham and District League Division One game at bottom placed Kenilworth
DROITWICH Spa CC's First XI slumped to their third consecutive defeat after travelling to Herefordshire side Luctonians on Sat-urday in Division One of the Worcestershire County League. After being asked to bat first, Spa were under immediate pressure
DROITWICH Spa First XI suffered a disappointing defeat in Sunday's Berry and Company Premier League game at St Peter's Fields against old adversaries Aston Manor. Batting first, Spa made yet another poor start losing Dave Scott-Walker, Nigel Haddock and
SPA Seconds continued their recent fine form with a convincing six-wicket win over Luctonians. It puts Gareth Thomas and his troops within sight of the top of the table. Spa put Luctonians into bat and it didn't take opener Karl Goddard long to make a
AVONCROFT Cricket Club's First XI continued their fine batting form as they scored a creditable 238 for nine away to Coombs Wood, who boast one of the best bowling attacks in the Worcest-ershire County League Division Four. But it was not enough as steady
A LOUD message was sent out by title-chasing Avon-croft Second XI on Saturday as they crushed third-placed Coombs Wood by 174 runs. Croft were put into bat by an aggressive and vocal visiting side. They soon managed to silence the fielders by smashing
ANDY Bichel has vowed to concentrate on making a good impression with Worcestershire as he hopes to get an Ashes call-up with Australia. Bichel is the prime candidate, as the only Australian quick bowler outside tourists' squad playing county cricket,
TRIALIST paceman Steve Ellis was the pick of Worcestershire's bowlers on the opening day of their Second Eleven Championship match against Glamorgan at Abergavenny . He grabbed 5-58 to help dismiss Glamorgan for 356 in 92.5 overs after they had been put
ALAMGIR Sheriyar made an early breakthrough for Worcestershire in their County Championship Division Two match against arch-rivals Warwickshire at New Road today. The lively left-arm seamer struck to remove Ian Bell after the "Old Enemy" had decided to
PROMOTED Stourport Swifts have another reason to be happy after capturing all five players they targeted at the end of last season. Centre-backs David Davies, snapped up from Oldbury and put on contract, and Quentin Townsend, an ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers
SERIAL Chillers had an impressive 5-1 victory over Mostyn Rangers in the Kidderminster Six-a-Side Soccer League. FC Magic were also on the goal trail at Stourport High School with an 8-1 win over Sporting Madrid. Results: Deviate 0, Three Lions 5; Sureal
THE future development of girls' football in Worcestershire is to be discussed. Everyone from players, coaches, referees, club officials and parents are welcome at the meeting at University College, Worcester, next Wednesday from 7.15pm. More details
BUBBLING Bewdley Town Rugby Club are waiting restlessly to begin their first season of competitive action. Bewdley have been accepted into North Midlands Division Three, home of fellow county club Chaddesley Corbett. And president Martin Saunders was
PROMISING Chris Pinner has been picked to train with Leicester Tigers juniors. The 14-year-old, of Hartlebury, held off fierce competition from 70 other players to land one of 10 prized places at the Premiership champions' youth academy. Pinner plays
EARL Va'a is the latest big name star to be axed in Worcester Rugby Club's summer clear-out. The 29-year-old, who scored in Samoa's 36-27 win over Fiji in the Pacific Rim Championship clash on Saturday, has been told he is not needed for Worcester's promotion
ALAMGIR Sheriyar made an early breakthrough for Worcestershire in their County Championship Division Two match against arch-rivals Warwickshire at New Road today. The lively left-arm seamer struck to remove Ian Bell after the "Old Enemy" had decided to
ANDY Bichel has vowed to concentrate on making a good impression with Worcestershire as he hopes to get an Ashes call-up with Australia. Bichel is the prime candidate, as the only Australian quick bowler outside tourists' squad playing county cricket,
BUDDING Alex Fergusons can pick up a heap of useful tips in a junior team management course being run at University College, Worcester. Mick Ford, a physical education technician at UCW, runs the ten-hour course, which includes sections on codes of conduct
Worcester Saints (6) 20 Cardiff Demons (32) 50. FOR the third match running the Saints conceded a try from the kick off - and it did not bode well for the Bromsgrove-based team. The Demons won a scrum ten metres from the Saints try line and Craig Clements
THE second variety show by producer Dee Sharp is being staged at the Palace Theatre next week following the huge success of last year's Musical Magic. Summer Magic takes place from 7.30pm on Saturday, June 23, and features a wealth of local talent, well-known
REDDITCH CC continued their Jekyll and Hyde season by following the morale-boosting Knockout Cup win over Bromsgrove with defeat to Penn. Guy Muspratt's troops shocked first division Bromsgrove in the Birmingham League limited overs competition last week
ALCESTER and Ragley Park have been forced to abandon plans to return to their Ragley Park home at the weekend. The Cotswold One side were hoping to play their first home match after switching their opening fixtures around because of the foot and mouth-enforced
STUDLEY skipper Mark Lewis admitted he is concentrating at the bottom end of the table eight matches into the new season. The lofty hopes of pre-season have disintegrated after a slow start which saw the Washford Fields finish with a losing draw in their
ROWNEY Green residents could owe their lives to their fridges - under a new scheme to help the emergency services, writes Melina Cannon. The plan involves family details being stored in fridges. Paramedics treating someone incapable of communicating can
IN response to Mr Williams' letter that was published in the Advertiser, I would like to reaffirm that the NewSong Community Church is committed to developing and growing a church that meets the needs of the community today. Rather than seeing numbers
UNDER-ACHIEVING Alvechurch slumped yet again at the weekend after an England-style collapse against league leaders Oldswinford. Chasing a 144 target, the Worcester Three side raced to 100 for two only to end up six short after falling to 112 for nine.
AUSTRALIA was the theme for a charity fun day held at a Redditch firm last Thursday. Staff at Ikon Office Solutions, Moons Moat, dressed the part for a fun day to raise cash for the Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends.
INBERROW captain Phil Scrafton says his side face a tough task to extend their winning run to four matches at Wellesbourne on Sunday (2.30pm start). The Inkberrow Playing Fields side made it three in a row with a friendly win over Overbury on Saturday
Plans to transform Redditch Primary Care Group into a trust will come under the spotlight during a public meeting on Thursday, June 28. The meeting has been set up by Worcestershire Health Authority to hear the views of townsfolk and will take place from
ASTWOOD Bank captain Alex Robinson was bullish ahead of the derby day visit of Feckenham. The Sambourne Lane skipper said his league leaders would go into the match full of confidence despite seeing Evesham end their perfect start to the season. Bank's
THE time taken to see a social worker in the town has been cut dramatically after the introduction of surgery-based social workers, writes Matt Smith. Before the scheme, patients needing to see a social worker could have to go through up to three different
BIDFORD will find their Cotswold Premier title credentials tested this month with a tough run of fixtures starting with the visit of second placed Wellesbourne on Saturday (2pm start). The Crown Meadow side stayed top of the table with a three wicket
EXHALL and Wixford put their slow start to the season behind them on Saturday and proved last week's win over leaders Bidford was no fluke by taking another big scalp. Second placed Wellesbourne were beaten by Scott Carmichael's men as Exhall, languishing
THE society provided audiences with a rich menu of entertainment at their concert at the Greig Centre. This was no straight 'stand up and sing' but a veritable pot-pourri of songs, dance and fun, provided at a fast-moving pace, interspersed with humour
COOKHILL were beaten at home by Chainwire by seven wickets. On a lively wicket, Cookhill were bowled out for 73 and although the bowlers created many chances a handful of dropped catches meant Chainwire reached their total comfortably. Cookhill managed
CATSHILL Juniors U9s 2 Callowbrook Swifts U9s 1. Michael Chambers was Swifts' player of the tournament at the Churchill FC five-a-side competition. He hit four fantastic goals in a blistering display in a tournament where goals were hard to come by. But
A BARREL of laughs is promised by a Stoke Heath-based acting club which is putting on a comedy -- opening night is tonight. Avoncroft Drama Group is treading the boards with the play Look No Hans, penned by John Chapman and Michael Pertwee. It is about
RESIDENTS can pamper themselves on Saturday now busy beauty students in Bromsgrove have opened up their salon at the weekend. The NEW College beauty salon, in Blackwood Road, offers a variety of treatments throughout the week and in evenings. And, from
REDDITCH-based superbikes outfit Team Legs Eleven are hoping to roar back to form at the weekend after rider Tristan Palmer crashed out in his last outing at Oulton Park. The teenage speedster returns to competitive action in the Superstocks Championship
CALLOW Hill superbiker Jason Wilshaw pulled out of the Post TT at Mallory because of a 'gut feeling'. Wilshaw's father Chris was released from Solihull Hospital last week after a horror crash on the circuit five weeks ago but Wilshaw denied the smash
A WEBHEATH youngster picked up his first Ju Jitsu gold when he won the Midlands Championship at Worcester. Nine-year-old Joshua Butler won the under 35kg section at Perdiswell Leisure Centre to make it a good day for the Butler family after 12-year-old
HUNDREDS of pounds worth of sports equipment was destroyed after a games store was set on fire at a Redditch school, writes Becky Procter. The incident happened at St Stephen's Middle School in Lakeside and was just one of a spate of attacks on schools
ASTWOOD Bank First School pupils had a taste of Swedish life last week when a day was held to promote the country's culture. There are eight different nationalities including Thai, Polish, Australian and Filipino represented at the Evesham Road school
REDDITCH high school children will be swotting up on their language skills next month as they visit France. Year 9 pupils at Abbey High School will be off to Disneyland Paris as part of the school's European Year of Languages. Fifty-seven pupils will
A SMOKE house and a purpose-built railway track are just some of the features at Redditch Town Hall this week. School pupils from across the town have been taking part in Redditch Keep Safe Week, aimed at delivering vital safety messages, from stranger
A COMMUNITY and education boat is set to take to the waters tomorrow after a restoration project part-funded by Bromsgrove District Council. British Waterways will launch Leo, which is the latest addition to its ten-strong team of vessels which tour the
JUNE has been a bust month for Bromsgrove band The Planetaires who took part in their first London gig at a Soho joint called Gossips. Plans are also a-rollin' for their next CD called Thermos Crisp, which should be out in August under the band's own
I COULDN'T agree more with the letter written by Mr Holmes, from Wyld's Lane, Worcester. When I was in better health, I made a few visits to Merry Hill Shopping Centre and thought how nice it would be if we had something similar in Worcester. I was therefore
6 IT'S refreshing to see that, on a day of low turnouts generally in the polling booths, the people of Wyre Forest weren't swayed by apathy and voted with conviction for - surprisingly - the only candidate who's not a practising politician. It was naive
THERE were medals galore for Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletics Club at the Midland Veterans' Track and Field Championship at Solihull on Sunday - including 14 golds. Sandra Turner took gold in the W40 shot putt (9.22m), javelin (33.41m) and discus (22.57m
ALAMGIR Sheriyar made an early breakthrough for Worcestershire in their County Championship Division Two match against arch-rivals Warwickshire at New Road today. The lively left-arm seamer struck to remove Ian Bell after the "Old Enemy" had decided to
OVER-21 MALE AWARD: Roger Green. ROGER deserves recognition for his tandem cycling achievements. The story began at the age of 16 when he developed RP, a retina problem, which meant he would eventually lose his sight. He has been blind for some 20 years
OLYMPIQUE'S riders of all ages took part in several disciplines at the weekend - with varied success. On Friday night, the good weather saw 12 Olympique members and nine guests take part in the Bromsgrove club's ten-mile time trial event at Hanbury. Fastest
SHE just gets better and better. That's Rubery gymnast Abigail Walker who was the overall winner at the Birmingham Gymnastics Champion-ships on May 19, and is now the city's level two champion. The ten-year-old had to perform voluntary routines on bars
POLICE have launched an investigation after racist graffiti was daubed across walls on a mile-long route from the town centre to Lodge Park at the weekend. The graffiti attacks, which Redditch police believe were committed by one individual or group,
A man appeared before Redditch magistrates on Wednesday charged with possession with intent to supply 300kg of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of £1 million. Clive Gray, 34, of Belstone Close, Kings Heath, was one of four men arrested after
SIX men ran off without paying a £20 taxi fare after being dropped off in Sandhurst Close, Church Hill, at about 4pm on Saturday, May 26. The men ran from a gold coloured Toyota taxi after being picked up in the Hall Green area of Birmingham and police
SECURITY has been stepped up at the Alexandra Hospital after a recent spate of thefts, writes Becky Procter. Mobile phones have been the main target for thieves but wallets and other personal property belonging to staff have been snatched. Anyone who
A SPATE of criminal damage in Oakenshaw has prompted police to step up patrols in the area. A number of windows have been smashed along Paddock Lane in the last fortnight and police believe youths are responsible. Beat manager for Redditch south sector
Police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in which a golf club was thrown at a house damaging guttering. It is believed a group of children were in the area of Langley Close, Matchborough, at 7.40pm on Saturday, May 12, when the damage happened
ALCESTER folk can now have their say on what they think of community sports and leisure facilities in the town. A consultation paper will be delivered to every house in the town to discuss the development and possible relocation of the Greig Centre. The
A Bidford man has been killed after he and his 17-year-old girlfriend were involved in a collision with a lorry. The incident took place just after midnight yesterday as the two walked north on the A46 near Salford Priors. The 22-year-old unnamed man
STAFF from the Moat House Inn, Kings Coughton, have made a 'wheel' effort to help a national children's charity. The employees took part in a sponsored bike ride to raise money for the NSPCC. Old English Inns, the national chain that owns The Moat House
THE streets of the town were transformed into a blaze of colour last week as the fantastic flowers for Alcester in Bloom arrived. And committee chairman Maggie Payne said the whole town was pulling together and coming up smelling of roses for the competition
VILLAGERS in Wootton Wawen have been told the area of land known as 'The Patch' has been granted village green status. The land had belonged to Warwickshire County Council but after a development on part of the land was finished, the remaining area was
AN Alcester couple had a superb surprise when they believed their Golden Wedding Anniversary was to go off without anything remarkable happening. Stan and Mary Stanton were told they were invited to a friend's 40th birthday party, but their family had
The reader who moved from Redditch to Barnt Green rightly blames the change of postcode, from B98 to B45, for increased insurance premiums. But it is false to think that Barnt Green suffers less from burglary or car crime than the rest of B45, which is
MAY we as proud parents, through the column of your newspaper, send grateful thanks to the doctors and nurses attached to the Delivery Suite and Special Care Baby Unit at the Alexandra Hospital. Kimberley and Rebecca arrived eight weeks premature, and
WITH reference to your article 'Plan to bin the bin and bag it instead' page three, May 30. Whilst the tidy bag is convenient and cleaner for the refuse collection personnel to handle, there must still be somewhere animal proof to store the bags while
ON Saturday, June 2, we organised a charity line dance at Garringtons Sports and Social Club. The event was in aid of three cancer charities and the total amount raised was £305. We would like to thank all those who attended and also to the social club
ALVECHURCH want former West Brom and Aberdeen star Gary Hackett to replace Mick Preece as manager. Hackett, player-coach at Stourport and assistant at Halesowen Town and Bromsgrove Rovers has been approached and is considering his options. He has also
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers supremo Lionel Newton has insisted he only had the club's welfare at heart when he voted against a two-up two-down system between Division Three and the Conference. Newton, who originally intended to back the proposal, was among
June 15, 1901 Church of England Band of Hope. Through the kindness of Mrs A Gutch of Dunstall Court, the whole of the members of the Church Band of Hope were entertained to tea on Wednesday. The members, to the number of seventy, assembled at the Court
June 16, 1951 Three members of the Studley Darby and Joan Club have been mentioned by Queen Mary in a letter written to the club by a lady-in-waiting in answer to members' congratulations of Queen Mary's 84th Birthday. They are Mrs Morrell who at 93 is
June 11, 1976 Redditch-born band leader Garry Allcock will be leading the Midland All Stars Big band back down the lanes of nostalgia when they make a television appearance tonight. They are featured in a BBC Midland Big Band special from the Pebble Mill
NEWS of a commemorative plaque which was put up outside a Pershore pub has spread to Suffolk. The plaque, which is outside The Brandy Cask in High Street, Pershore, marked the 58th anniversary of the death of five airmen on board a Wellington bomber.
HUNDREDS of pounds worth of damage was caused by "mindless vandals" who set fire to the skate ramp in Sanders Park. Fire crews were called to the blaze in the early hours of Friday morning (June 8) after offenders set the rubber surfacing of the ramp
A HEARTBROKEN Catshill couple are battling to bury their still-born son's organs alongside him after discovering he was "butchered" without their consent. Sharon and Ian Henfield were devastated when they buried their first-born, Jack, in 1990 but the
ASTON Fields band Neon Tetra are hitting the big smoke when they headline a showcase. The band will be at Camden Town's Dublin Castle venue and have even arranged transport from Bromsgrove for fans who want to see them perform in the capital and possibly
TRAMPOLINE ace Stuart Lightfoot has jeopardised his chances of competing in the British championships - by breaking his foot. The 11-year-old Rubery resident is now in a race against time to be fit for the two-day competition, at Birmingham's National
TWO smashes halted Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa drivers using the M5 network yesterday. The first incident was reported at 12.30pm, southbound, between Junctions 7 and 8. Two lorries were involved and one lane was closed for a period while 250 litres
SKIPPER Quentin Townsend has quit Bromsgrove Rovers to join Stourport Swifts. The central defender joins Swifts as they prepare for their first season in the Dr Martens Western Division.
MOURNERS from all over Britain travelled to St John's Church, Bromsgrove, on Monday for the funeral of town photographer Michael Mackenzie. He died, aged 53, in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, on May 28 from a pancreas problem. Glasgow-born
THE Club met at The Swan Hotel on May 23. The president reported the sad loss of Ron Bray and gave details of the funeral. There were several birthdays - Doug Bond, Cyril Hallam, Leslie Hare and John Watts - and members extended their best wishes. A trip
