Archive
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It's child's play
FUN days await children at Astwood Bank First School as fund-raising continues for a new soft play area. NatWest business development manager Chris Coward, who is a school governor and whose son will be attending the school next year, has been busy fund-raising
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28/05/03 - Danks on the move?
PAUL Danks has left Bromsgrove Rovers for Willenhall Town. Danks, who joined Rovers from rivals Redditch United last year, is thought to have joined the Midland Alliance outfit last week. But Rovers manager George Rooney, currently interviewing players
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Off to a flier after a six-hit starter
Bretforton 6, Bournville 2 THIS was Bretforton's first match of the Summer League hosted by Stourport. It some became clear that the opposition weren't as strong as some of Bretforton's previous opponents during the winter and there was intense pressure
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Runaway lovers haven't paid up
RUNAWAY lovers Matthew Brooks and Naomi Mills are set to make £100,000 after pedalling their story - but have yet to pay for the car they fled in. Car salesman, John Hemming, of BJH Motors in Worcester, says he is "furious" that the couple, who sparked
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Fears grow over missing man
FAMILY and friends have become increasingly worried for the safety of an Evesham man who was last seen nine days ago. Work colleagues dropped off Anthony Fallon-Williams, pictured left, in the centre of the town at 3.30pm on Monday, May 19. Half an hour
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Show birds stolen in garden raid
SEVEN ducks and a distinctive pure white drake have been stolen from a Kempsey garden in an overnight raid. All were show birds and are unable to fly, but they disappeared from their pen between 10.30pm on Sunday and 7am on Monday. Three of the ducks
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Man's grieving bride speaks out
A GRIEVING bride, whose husband overdosed on prescription drugs, has hit out at the health system for allowing him to obtain the medication. Paul Goulding, of Watercroft, Warndon, Worcester, was found slumped at the bottom of his stairs with empty tablet
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Illegal rave is at an end
AN illegal "rave" that attracted around 3,000 people to Herefordshire has been dispersed. Large numbers of vehicles left the gathering at Stretford Court farm, Stretford, near Leominster, yesterday afternoon after police officers gained access to the
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Soldier's Gulf syndrome claim
A SOLDIER from Worcestershire is threatening to sue the Government, claiming he is suffering symptoms similar to Gulf War Syndrome. Stephen Cartwright, aged 24, of Kidderminster, is one of four troops suffering "severe physical and psychological symptoms
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Get in mood
RESIDENTS are being invited to get in the mood for this year's Bromsgrove Folk Festival at a sing-a-long session tomorrow night (Thursday). With the 2003 festival just around the corner, townsfolk are being urged to join a 'Singin and Suppin' at the Ladybird
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Safari wildlife will listen to sweet sounds
THEY'RE getting in tune at the West Midlands Safari Park near Bewdley for their first ever open air evening concert to celebrate their 30th Birthday. Symphony on Safari is planned for Sunday, June 8, with the music being performed live in the grounds
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Mixed reaction to on-the-spot fines
PLANS to introduce on-the-spot fines for anti-social behaviour have received mixed feelings from the people of Worcester. Under the plans, police officers will be able to hand out fines for behaviour such as graffiti, abusive language and drunken behaviour
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Snap up a concert pass
DON'T forget to bag your tickets for the Primrose Choir's Summertime Concert next month. The medley of light, seasonal songs will be performed in the marquee of the Gate Hangs Well in Woodgate Road, Stoke Prior on June 7. All proceeds from tickets, which
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GP has high hopes for new health centre
PATIENTS will not have to travel to Worcester for treatment when a new Malvern health centre opens, its owners hope. One of the GPs set to make the move to the proposed Pickersleigh Road development wants to enable the patients access to a variety of
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Nursery care cash
Parents and children are celebrating after the county was awarded more than £100,000 for nursery care. The £129,568 grant from the National Lottery will be used for the development of a new 48-place neighbourhood nursery within the grounds of Elbury Mount
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Duo's charity car push
BriAn Davies and Jeremy Mole will tonight find out if they have set a new world record for pushing a car as far as possible in 24 hours. The two prison officers from Long Lartin Prison, near Evesham, are raising funds for the Wish Upon A Star charity,
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Footie stars
NEARLY 100 years ago, these were the young footballers of the Marsden Road Swifts, based in Smallwood. The picture was taken in 1906 or 1907 and was supplied by Colin Hopcroft, of Greenlands Avenue. His father, Arthur Benjamin Hopcroft, who was about
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100 years ago
May 30, 1903 A PAINFUL feeling was caused in Redditch on Tuesday afternoon on the rumour gaining currency that an employee of the Enfield Cycle Company had been killed in a motor accident. Subsequent enquiries, however, led to the conclusion that the
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50 years ago
May 29, 1953 STUDLEY Parish Council decided at its annual meeting last Thursday to consider schemes to relieve traffic congestion on the main street. The decision followed the submission of a letter from the Divisional Surveyor setting out reasons for
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Jail for farmers who flouted ban
TWO Redditch farmers have been jailed for breaching a court order banning them from keeping livestock. Brothers David and Steven Tongue and their father Harold were convicted of a string of offences relating to the mistreatment of farm animals and given
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Is this knifeman?
POLICE have issued an e-fit of a man wanted in connection with an attempted robbery at knifepoint at a cashpoint outside Safeway. The 25 year old had parked near the cash machines and noticed another man was using one of them, who then left in a blue
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Off to winning start
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club kicked-off their Summer League campaign with a 2-0 victory over New Sihillians. With goalkeeper Ben Dudley available for the first time for this season, and a mixture of first and second team players, Bromsgrove started strongly
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Difference was notable
IT was chalk and cheese, the Planning Committee Meeting on May 20 compared to that on April 15. I wrote last month about the disgraceful behaviour of councillors dealing with the campaign against a housing plan totally unsuitable for the Grangers Lane
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Double joy for Stefan
HEADLESS Cross ace Stefan Hodgetts took a major step towards the Seat Cupra Championship with two wins at his home circuit at the weekend. With a drive in next year's European Touring Cars series up-for-grabs for the winner, Hodgetts is chasing the dream
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Thank you for decency
AN event happened last week to restore my faith in human nature. I lost my diary on the bus, which was quite a big inconvenience as it had all my exam dates and times written in it. It also contained a letter carrying a lot of sentimental value. Having
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Poor turnout
WE WENT to the Palace Theatre last Friday evening to see Alan Price in concert. He was excellent but why was the theatre only half full? This singer/songwriter deserves better. We have also seen him at the Symphony Hall. So why the lack of support in
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Memories of band come marching back
I WRITE in reply to Mr Sly's letter remarking on the Redditch Jazz Band uniform. Do you remember what the uniform was in 1933? It was white and red. If you look in the book of Old Redditch (series Number One), there is a photo in there and I am in it.
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Runaway couple step into limelight
THERE are plenty of people who believe 22-year-old former probationary policeman Matthew Brooks and his 16-year-old fiance Naomi Mills should be left to rebuild their lives away from prying eyes - ours and the public's. The Sunday newspaper coverage guarantees
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Break it like Kelvin
REDDITCH superbikes outfit Magnum Motorsport have no riders left after Kelvin Reilly broke his thumb playing football. The National Superstocks team have gone from two riders to none in the space of a fortnight after renegotiating contract terms with
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Letter from Westminster
I AM pleased that not only have we retained accident and emergency services at the Alexandra Hospital, under threat in the late 1990s, but the service is going from strength to strength with new investment and new staff. Now, recent figures show sharp
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Mucci picks up at Silverstone
OAKENSHAW ace Enzo Mucci had a brighter outing in Round Five of the British GT Championship at Silverstone. The Atlanta Motorsport team are battling against the odds in the Cup class with a developmental car which is slower than their rivals but managed
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Andy in points
WINYATES Green biker Andy Burbidge bagged his first national points at the weekend. The young rider got among the points at the fourth time of asking after stepping up to the MRO Series this year. The club champion finished 14th to collect two championship
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Coppice champs
COPPICE Primary School won the national Floor and Vault title for a second time. The four times national team champions won the under 11s title at Fenton Manor, Stoke, after narrowly missing another team title in March. And stars Lloyd Glasspool and Glen
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Andy tops class
Redditch Sailing Club hosted an Open Meeting for Topper dinghies at the weekend. Purple Marine sponsored the event, which attracted 17 sailors of all ages from throughout the Midlands. Andrew Audley, from Redditch Sailing Club, currently leading the Midlands
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Waiting slashed at A&E
PATIENTS attending the accident and emergency department at the Alexandra Hospital are being seen quicker than ever, according to new figures. Last year, 80 per cent of patients were treated at A&E within the Health Department's target of four hours
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Help seal x-ray 'fete'
THE Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends are hoping their next event will give a massive boost to their bid to buy new mobile x-ray equipment. The friends have set themselves the target of raising the £25,000 needed to buy the equipment and are hoping
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Cross lines
Confusion should now come to an end in Elcock's Brook after Redditch Council's executive committee agreed on the name of a section of road. There were questions whether the section was called Cross Lanes Road or Sillins Lane. Residents said they had always
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Plans get go-ahead
A £4 MILLION luxury apartment block is set to be built in Evesham Road after all - despite initial worries from council planning officers. The plan for 24 flats at 632 Evesham Road, just south of Crabbs Cross Island, was originally recommended for refusal
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Hotel worker's benefit fraud
A BATCHLEY man was found guilty of benefit fraud by Redditch Magistrates last Wednesday. Paul Smith, aged 32, of Hewell Road, was prosecuted for failing to declare work at the Abbey Hotel in Redditch while claiming benefits for himself and his partner
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Fixtures
Saturday, May 31 CRICKET Birmingham & District Premier League First XI Premier Division - Barnt Green v Old Hill (1pm). First Division - Bromsgrove v West Bromwich Dartmouth (1pm). Premier Division Second XI - Old Hill v Barnt Green (1.30pm). Worcestershire
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Surprises at prize night
THERE were plenty of surprises at Evesham United's annual presentation at the Northwick Hotel last Friday. The best was saved until last when chairman Jim Cockerton revealed that an agreement had been reached on the sale of Common Road - a move that means
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Wine and roses
White Cottage in Stock Green, near Inkberrow, will be opening in aid of the National Gardens Scheme on Wednesday, June 11, from 6-8pm. Admission costs £2.75 including a glass of wine and plants will be on sale in an adjacent nursery. For more details,
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Swarm along
There will be a buzz in the air when the vicar of Alvechurch, The Rev David Martin, gives an illustrated talk on bee-keeping. Mr Martin will be sharing his expertise at the Where Next charity, off Easemore Road, on June 18 at 2.30pm. The talk will be
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Fielding wins day
A DYNAMIC fielding display from Avoncroft CC First XI saw them kick-start their season with a 59-run victory at Tenbury. Paul Athey's side lost the toss and were put in to bat last Saturday following a heavy shower just before the scheduled start. Avoncroft's
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First loss of season
IT was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Droitwich Spa Cricket Club First XI with the joys of victory and the gloom of defeat. Steve Walsh's side suffered their first loss last Saturday, a four-wicket defeat at Kington, but returned to see off Pershore
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Seconds poor at home
BROMSGROVE Cricket Club Seconds endured a disappointing holiday weekend with a draw and losing draw to show for their efforts from two home fixtures. The St Godwald's Park side drew with Sutton Coldield on Monday but suffered a losing draw against Dorridge
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Fighting fit
Freestyle Kickboxing Association were back in action at the Cheltenham Open Championships with a nine-strong team including instructor Adam Laurence. Freestyle opened their account with newcomer Davie Wright competing in the under 155cm novice points
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Double
BROMSGROVE and Redditch table tennis champions Lickey Monarchs did the double by winning the Clements Brothers Cup. Third placed Astwood Bank were beaten in the final. Barnt Green Sports B beat Carter Retail C in the Field and Son Cup and West Midlands
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Gough strikes early blow against Worcs
WORCESTERSHIRE soon lost Stephen Peters after they were put into bat by holders Yorkshire in today's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy Fourth round clash at sunny New Road. The opening batsman was dismissed by England fast bowler Darren Gough for five
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Holmes to have double groin op
WORCESTER City midfielder David Holmes will undergo surgery on both groins next month. The 30-year-old goes under the knife on June 17 to clear up the condition known as Gilmore's Groin, which is caused by wear and tear. Holmes, who signed from Ilkeston
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Bailey bags silver to earn GB call up
LES Bailey from Worcester Triathlon Club won a silver medal at the British Duathlon Championships held at Swindon. He was competing in the 65-69 category and finished in a time of 2hrs23min-16seconds behind current world Duathlon champion Cyril Leigh.
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Five lose in play-off
THE North Midlands rugby team, featuring five members of Bromsgrove RFC First XV, missed out on promotion to next season's Tetley's County Championship with a 38-12 play-off defeat to Hertfordshire. Jon Taylor, Tom Churchill, Richard Arnold and coaches
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Royal years in spotlight
BBC royal Correspondent Jennie Bond gives a insight into her years following the royal family with her talk Reporting Royalty at Malvern's Forum Theatre on Tuesday. Jennie has reported on one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the royal family
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Plan shock
A PLANNING application for 24 homes on the site of the Jaffar garage in Crabbs Cross was withdrawn at the last minute. The plans by Wimpey Homes, for the Evesham Road site, were withdrawn after planning officers recommended they be refused by councillors
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Joe's reward
THE man who founded Solihull Borough FC has been rewarded for his efforts by the FA. Wootton Wawen resident Joe McGorian has won a Football Association medal for 50 years of continuous service to the sport. Joe, of North Drive, had a short-lived post-war
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Soccer success
CHILDREN from Pitcheroak School in Batchley excelled themselves on Thursday when they took to the playing fields of Worcester University for a county soccer tournament. The event, which was the first of its kind, was organised by the Worcestershire Football
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Red Dragon (15)
Three star RED Dragon is the prequel to Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal and tells the story of FBI agent Will Graham's battle to catch The Tooth Fairy, a psychotic killer who preys on families. Although it does not have the same gore factor as its predecessors
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K-19: The Widowmaker (12)
Three star ALL-American hero Harrison Ford and Brit Liam Neeson play the leads in this '60s Cold War drama based on a true story. Russian submarine K-19, named the Widowmaker by its crew after a handful of men died building it, is readied and launched
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Bands in live show
REDDITCH Liberal Club is the venue for Bigshoes' event Shoestock 2003 on Saturday. The line-up comprises Lukash, Season, Loophole and The Blunts. The doors open at 8pm and admission costs £4.
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Danks on the move?
PAUL Danks has left Bromsgrove Rovers for Willenhall Town. Danks, who joined Rovers from rivals Redditch United last year, is thought to have joined the Midland Alliance outfit last week. But Rovers manager George Rooney, currently interviewing players
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Bromsgrove's bin blight
DEAR EDITOR -- The invitation to therecent Bromsgrove 'Spotlight' meeting is headed 'Your chance to have your say on local issues'. I went prepared to voice my strong objection to the environmental effects of 'wheelie bins' on our residential districts
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Local politics kills the Spa
DEAR EDITOR -- In the late 1940's I visited my mother who had been referred by a Sunderland medical practice for in-patient treatment at the Highfield Hospital, with an associated brine baths in Droitwich Spa. Given our family associations with railways
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Young want local amenities
DEAR EDITOR - I am writing in response to Mr P Roberts' letter "That great disappearing act!" earlier this month. Teenagers who hang around in the shopping precinct are not "idiots"; they just have nowhere else to go. The population of Droitwich Spa is
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25 years ago May 26, 1978
A 'SIMPLE meal' was staged in All Saints Church Hall in Burcot Lane and proceeds were donated to Christian Aid. Many families gave up their traditional Sunday lunch for a small portion of bread and cheese. TWO hundred employees had come forward to take
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RNLI Lifeboats
The May meeting of the Bromsgrove branch of the RNLI started on sad note. A tribute was made to Ken Reed who had recently passed away. Ken was a very valued committee member who held three different jobs; The 49 Club, the press officer and collecting
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Romsley ramble
ENERGETIC residents are invited to take a ramble around Romsley this Saturday. The Fairfield Ramblers will be meeting at the Romsley recreation ground, in St Kenelms Road, at 10.15am. The walk will take around two and a half hours. For further details
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Lickey WI
President Sue Taylor was welcomed back to Lickey WI after her slightly longer than planned absence in New Zealand. Following the business meeting, Sue gave a short account of her recent travel experiences, including attending a WI meeting in New Zealand
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What's on guide
Wednesday, May 28 Film: About Schmidt, Cinemac, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 6pm Classical: Youth Lunchtime Concert, Huntingdon Hall, Crowngate, Worcester. Show: Larkin With Women, Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry. Until Saturday. Show
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Conservative Ladies Luncheon
A happy group of ladies met at the usual venue, the Ladybird Inn, to enjoy lunch and to listen to a good speaker afterwards. Bernard Mills, of Kays of Worcester, is the chairman of the Kays Heritage Group, and as such has the 200 years of the history
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Craft fair will offer fascinating browse
KNITWEAR, jewellery and lace will be just some of the items on show at a craft fair in Blackwell next month. Abstract paintings, as well as more traditional artwork in oils and watercolours, will also be on sale at the event being held at the village
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Summers shines with all kinds of fish
Evesham Jubilee Society SATURDAY'S Open match at the Fishery produced some encouraging catches for the future with roach, skimmers, chub, tench and dace all in the nets. All types of carp were also netted on a day when Gary Sum-mers took first place ahead
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An expert's view of painting boats
THE beauty of painting boats using watercolours will be explained at a meeting of a town art society next month. The Lickey Hills Art Society has invited Graham Blaine to share his expertise with the group on June 7. It will take place at the Lickey Parish
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Wacky art show up in the hills
RESIDENTS are being rounded up for a wacky new art show on the Lickey Hills this weekend. Gallery in the Trees, a touring group of artists who aim to bring all types of art to rural areas, will be displaying their work this Saturday and Sunday. Warwickshire-based
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RAOB, Droitwich
The George Pinner Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes welcomed The Provincial Grand Primo of Worcestershire, together with several officers into the Lodge. The Provincial Grand Primo spoke about his Appeal for 2003, which is for the three
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Tesco protest growing
WORCESTER City Council has received 200 letters of objection to Tesco's new plans for Christopher Whitehead High School. This represents an increase of 150 per cent over the 80 objections to the previous plans, which were withdrawn last October. The huge
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Fairfield WI
Our president Mary Fairbairn welcomed members to the meeting, which proved to be a most enjoyable evening. All members who visited Droitwich Brine Baths (including supper) had a great time. Shirley Walker announced that the summer outing in August will
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In no need of speed
LET me dispel the myth that speed cameras are solely revenue collectors for the police. They're operated by a partnership of the Highways Agency, the Magistrates County Service, West Mercia police, the county council, and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals
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Wychbold Women's Fellowship
The March meeting was held in St Mary de Wyche Church when curate, the Rev. Pat Barford, was guest speaker. She told members about her recent stay in New Zealand and of the many Anglican churches which has been built in South Island by 19th Century colonists
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Don't fall for Tory spin, Mrs Donovan
I'M sorry Helen Donovan and Conservative councillor Adrian Hardman believe I'm blaming teachers for any lack of cash in our schools ('It's not the teachers to blame, Mr Foster", Thursday, May 22). May I respectfully suggest she reads what I said about
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Wychbold WI
The May meeting, chaired by president Dot Waldron, was given over to discussion of the three resolutions to be presented at the June AGM at the Albert Hall. The first, on children's diet, exercise and health, was explained by Dot Waldron; the second,
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Why Faithful City's tired, poor and dirty
I HAVE to agree entirely with DE Margrett (You Say, Thursday, May 22). Travelling to various parts of the country recently, it's becoming more evident to me that other cities and towns are light years ahead of Worcester when it comes to attracting tourists
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Chaddesley Corbett WI
A most interesting and sometimes amusing talk was given by member Ricky Day. She suffers from the eye disease age related macular degeneration and has already appeared on television and in the press. Ricky is anxious that as many people as possible are
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Mixed bag of fortune
STUDLEY suffered mixed fortunes over Bank Holiday weekend to leave them rooted in the bottom half of the Division Two East table after five fixtures. A three wicket win over fourth placed Blossomfield on Saturday was followed by a six wicket reverse to
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Two not out
REDDITCH Cricket Club kick-started their season in style at the weekend. After waiting three weeks for their first win, two came along at once for Nev Mason's side who beat Wednesbury on Saturday before destroying Penkridge on Monday. Bowlers Dan Fredrick
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Boys ex-cel in knockout
EXHALL and Wixford reached the regional semi final of the National Village Knockout at the weekend. The villagers travelled to Leicestershire where they beat Bardon Hill to reach the last four of the Warwickshire and Leicestershire section. The visitors
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Bidford on the climb
Bidford continue to climb the table by beating Twyning by three wickets. The Big Meadow side posted 179-7 before bowling out their opponents for 141 to pocket 19 points and climb to mid-table. Bidford visit a Shipston-on-Stour side immediately below them
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Cookhill retain lead
Cookhill strengthened their grip on Division Six with a win over bottom club Claverdon II at the weekend. Claverdon finished on 89-8 and the Cotswold League newcomers responded for the loss of three wickets to go 18 points ahead of Evesham III and give
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Bank try again
ASTWOOD Bank have to try again on Sunday in the National Village Knockout but at least they will have home advantage. The Round Three clash with Eastnor is an all Crusader League affair but has been switched to Sambourne Lane after Sunday's tie at Eastnor
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Hewell promotion push
Hewell opened up a 17 point gap on third placed Alvechurch and Hopwood III in Division Five. The Donkey Hole Lane side sit in the second promotion place and took a firmer grip with a seven wicket win at home to Knighton-on-Teme at the weekend. With Church
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DESIGN GLITCH HALTS SEWER WORKS
A SUMMER programme of major sewer and road enhancements in Droitwich Spa has been cancelled. Design problems have this week forced Severn Trent to ditch its June start date for work to rejuvenate the Victorian sewerage system in High Street and the Saltway
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Birthday bash in safe hands
PARTY fever sizzled among youngsters celebrating the ninth birthday of well-known childcare group. Safehands marked its anniversary at the Youth House, in Old Coach Road, with a bash for all its after-school club members. Sixty-five children aged four
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Multi-storey starts here
WORK has started on Bromsgrove's first multi-storey car park. Diggers moved onto the Churchfields site to scoop out the foundations for the three-storey town centre car park on Monday. Council leader, Councillor Dennis Norton, (Con-St Johns) said: "This
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New dawn for Spa club
A PARTNERSHIP between a sports club and school is set revive athletics in Droitwich Spa. The town's athletics club, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is ready to move forward in leaps and bounds now that it uses the six-lane 400-metre track
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Partners preserve wildlife
RARE mammals living in the Bromsgrove area, including bats, otters and newts, will be better protected in the future thanks to a pioneering partnership. Bromsgrove District Council has teamed up with the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to improve the conservation
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Our little life-saver
SWIMMER Stacey Foulkes made a splash into the record books on her 14th birthday when she became the Spa's youngest ever lifeguard. Stacey, a year nine pupil at Droitwich Spa High School in Briar Mill successfully passed her life-saving test as she turned
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Five Ways slump
Five Ways Old Edwardians' disappointing season continued with a washout on Saturday and a defeat on Monday. The Masshouse side had Saturday's match against Castle Bromwich abandoned and worse was to follow at the hands of Leek Wootton. Leek scored an
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Skatepark left to the experts
CATSHILL youngsters are being urged to play their part in the development of the village by designing a new skateboard park. Members of the Catshill 2020 initiative are keen to involve the whole community in their project after a successful first meeting
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Blowing into area for top brass event
BRASS bands from across the country will be marching towards Rubery next month to take part in a prestigious competition. The Rubery Youth Marching Band is hosting the annual marching band competition at Waseley Hills High School on June 8. Fourteen youth
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Bus angst prompts demand for talks
by LISA HERITAGE A TOWN Labour councillor, who claims that bus services in Droitwich are "unacceptable" is calling for a public meeting. The town's transport representative, Cllr John Cook (Droitwich West) has decided enough is enough and is proposing
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The leading lady
IT is the beginning of a new era for Spa councillor, Jan Bolton who inherited the chains to become new town mayor at last Monday night's town council meeting. Reporter, Lisa Heritage popped along to her family business, Executive Cleaners in High Street
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Spa's fake tool mountain
DOZENS of fake power tools were seized when police raided a van in Droitwich. Principal trading standards officer Peter Holmes said the sting, which resulted in an arrest, was the first in a campaign. "This was the first in a number of raids we will be
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Did you see jewel thief?
DETECTIVES hunting a burglar who stole £3,500 worth of jewellery from a Spa home are hoping this picture could bring fresh leads. An e-fit of a man wanted in connection with a burglary in Westwood Park was released yesterday (Tuesday) by cops. The thief
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Leaders picked for Wychavon
THERE were fresh faces at the helm as a new district council leader and chairman were elected this week. Following his success in the May 2003 Bengeworth elections, Councillor Martin Jennings was elected leader of Wychavon District Council-taking over
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Bickerton to open new golf complex
TOP golfer John Bickerton is set to take time out from the European Tour to help the game at grassroots level. Droitwich Spa-based Bickerton, who is currently ranked number 29 on the European Order of Merit, will launch the new £80,000 Bromsgrove Golf
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Cyclists secure top finishes for Forest
BROMSGROVE cyclists Ian Smith and Joe Rowe claimed high finishes in the latest round of competition. Smith, riding for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing club, finished an excellent third in the Wrekinsport CC 10-mile time trial at Sambrook last Saturday. In wet
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Radford inspires a holiday double
MAXIMUM points were gathered as the weather relented and Evesham sent out a warning to their Crusader Worce-stershire County League championship rivals. The Avon Street outfit blasted more than 500 runs in their two outings, while shellshocked opposition
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10km run
RUBERY'S annual half marathon has been replaced this year with a 10km multi-terrain run. The run starts, and finishes, at Rubery Leisure Centre, in Holywell Lane. The race begins at 7pm on Wednesday, June 2. The course is over two 5km laps in Waseley
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Stoke Prior lose
STOKE Prior Bowling Club have lost their second game out of three in the Heart of England Bowling League division two. The club, who were victorious in their other match, lost 160-140 to Henley A with Charlie Wilkes winning his end 21-15. The result leaves
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Life through a lens...
THESE are the fruits of Droitwich Spa Photographic Society's current season which is now drawing to a close ahead of the summer break. Member Ric Harding shone in particular and he won a string of competitions. Ric scooped titles for both prints and slides
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28/5/03 - Gough strikes early blow against Worcs
WORCESTERSHIRE soon lost Stephen Peters after they were put into bat by holders Yorkshire in today's Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy Fourth round clash at sunny New Road. The opening batsman was dismissed by England fast bowler Darren Gough for five
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So proud of Steph
THE Redditch star of reality TV show Big Brother loves her home town and believes after her stint in the famous house she will return to her normal life, her mum told the Advertiser yesterday. The hugely popular phenomenon that is Big Brother began again
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People power at pool
THE people of Batchley came together with a common purpose on Saturday to start repairs to damage caused to their pool. Vandals had destroyed much of the hard work involved in a makeover project just hours after it was finished the previous weekend. The
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Don't let us flood again!
RESIDENTS in an Oakenshaw road are calling for action after their street was flooded for the third time in just 10 months. Last Tuesday evening, residents in Middleton Close looked out of their windows to discover a pipe had burst, shooting water out
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An Inspector Calls, Malvern Theatres
STEPHEN Daldry's extraordinary production of J B Priestley's play has become one of those 'must-see' productions since it opened in 1992. Friends who have seen it will insist that it is the best thing since... etc. And it's true. This is theatrical innovation
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Caf in asbestos violation
THE parent company of Chicago Rock Caf on Unicorn Hill has been fined for contravening health and safety regulations which exposed 17 workers to asbestos when the venue was being developed. Last Wednesday, Redditch magistrates fined Luminar Leisure, of
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Shuttle bus to rescue villagers
A TEMPORARY shuttle bus service will be provided while a £60,000 traffic calming scheme is installed in Alvechurch. The long-awaited work, which was due to start yesterday, meant bus drivers were unable to use their normal routes due to road closures.
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Still no nearer decision
CAMPAIGNERS for a Studley bypass are still no closer to finding out if they will ever see one built. News is still awaited as to whether the A435 through Studley and Mappleborough Green will be "detrunked" and responsibility handed from the Highways Agency
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Boy in plea for teacher
AN appeal has been launched to find a teacher to help a Vietnamese teenager learn basic English when he comes to Redditch this summer. Trung, from Hoi-An, a coastal city south of Danang on the South China Sea, was illiterate and could not afford to go
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Nursery place offer
FREE half-day nursery places are being offered for three year olds when Matchborough First School moves to its new site in September. The school, which is now split over two sites, is moving to its new base in Matchborough Way later this year. The nursery
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Jailed for bomb hoax
A JUDGE has warned that in the current international climate, people who make bomb hoax calls 'cannot expect any sympathy from the courts'. Judge James Pyke spoke out at Warwick Crown Court before jailing for 12 months a man who had threatened to detonate
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Porter pockets top prize
EVESHAM Archery Club's Spring Shoot attracted a strong field from around the Midlands. The round shot was an Albion for seniors and a Windsor for the juniors. With three dozen arrows shot at 80, 60, and 50 yards giving a total of 972, some high scores
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Chase term ends in style
SATURDAY'S 45th running of the Intrum Justitia Cup Champion Hunters' Chase (4.05) is the centrepiece of this weekend's two-day meeting at Stratford Racecourse that brings the curtain down on the 2003 Hunter Chase season. The three mile four furlong Intrum
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Trish is the tops
TWO wins and a draw from their opening trio of Evesham and District Lad-ies League fixtures represents a splendid start for Evesham Rowing Club. Trish Clarke, who played in all three matches, partnered Michelle Browne as the pair produced the best display
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Littletons hold leaders to draw
REIGNING champions Studley A regained their place at the top of the Premier Division of the Prudden Road Surfacing League. They lead the South Warw-ickshire table after drawing their game in hand against Stratford C following a second share of the spoils
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Dodwell hosts best in Autograss action
THIS weekend will see more than 400 leading Autograss racers from all over the country descend on Dodwell Raceway, near Stratford for the annual Midland Autograss Promotions Open Championships which incorporates the British Junior Championships. The MAP
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Forest launch
THE first ever Forest School in Warwickshire will be launched at Ragley Hall on Monday. Evesham College chose the estate to be the venue for the pioneering project and after several meetings and preliminary work was finished, nurseries and schools are
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Mural artist chosen
ARTISTS from all over the world have been vying for the honour of designing a Roman mural for one of Alcester's most prominent buildings, Globe House. There were nearly 200 inquiries from people as far away as Sweden, with 79 submitting formal applications
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Users' key to woods
OVERSLEY Wood has been made more user-friendly by the Forestry Commission. Wheelchair and pram users will now have to call Forester Richard Boles just once a year to get the combination for a new lock at the wood. In the past, users had to ask for the
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Dumping the Junk
JUNK e-mails have become one of the most stressful aspects of working life for many people in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. But many people are unwittingly making things worse by replying to the so-called "spam" messages, according to a new report
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Photos bound for exhibition
AN Alcester photographer will be displaying his work at the town library this month. Alan Board, of Chantry Crescent, started taking photos about four years ago after he was asked to compile a calendar out of a friend's wedding snaps. Mr Board is setting
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Store is profiting
SAINSBURY'S has announced preliminary results for the year to March 29, 2003, with a profit before tax for the group of £667m - up 16.8 per cent on last year. Total sales for the supermarket giant were £15,301m, up three per cent since 2002. Sir Peter
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Million dollar deal for soccer star at 13
A 13-year-old US soccer prodigy has signed a million dollar endorsement deal with Nike. Ghanaian-born Freddy Adu agreed terms with the footwear company worth £600,000 over several years. The striker turned down a lucrative contract to sign with Italian
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Boilers making all the difference
A PROMOTION by a Worcester company to raise awareness of the product it pioneered 30 years ago has proved a sizzling success. Worcester Bosch, which employs 750 people at its UK head office, in Cotswold Way, Warndon, offered three Worcester home owners
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Break appeal
A NATIONAL children's charity is calling for a Redditch couple to provide a short break for a seven-year-old autistic boy. Barnardo's has launched a countywide appeal to find a carer who can provide a break once a month for the boy, named David. The charity's
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Third place for cadets
TWO Redditch and Bromsgrove TS Kingfisher Sea Cadets came third at the annual district canoeing regatta in Birmingham. Rachel Hill and Danielle Lane scooped third place in the senior girls pairs race in Powell's Pool, Sutton Park. Anyone who would like
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Police join party
POLICE officers attended the Midlands' biggest gay and lesbian party at the weekend. West Mercia Constabulary was at Birmingham Pride on Sunday to forge closer links with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender communities. The event, which attracts
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Astwood Bank Carnival
EVENT winners - parade, overall: Astwood Bank First School, 'Harry Potter' Parade Floats: 1, Astwood Bank First School, 'Harry Potter'; 2, Redditch Irish Society, 'Finians Rainbow'; 3, Private entrant, 'Thunderbirds are Go!' Parade Walkers: 1, Sarah Houghton
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Astwood Bank Flower Club
THE May meeting was well attended. There was a good sales table with some variation on the green oasis. It is now also in pink and yellow. The demonstrator was Mark from Alcester Flowers. His demonstration was entitled My Favourite Things using his favourite
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Astwood Bank Royal British Legion
A BIG increase for poppy collections for 2002/3 was seen over the 2001/02 total of £675. Poppy Appeal organiser Pam Emery thanks everyone for their support. The Women's Section held a successful coffee morning - on a very wet day - at the home of David
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Inkberrow WI
AT the May meeting, president Sue Canfield was pleased to announce membership had increased. A lot of business and correspondence was dealt with - the group coffee morning and sale at Kington with Dormston Hall; the successful ACWW coffee morning and
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Fair was piles of fun
YOUNGSTERS from as far apart as Alvechurch and the townships around Johannesburg are set to benefit from funds raised during a spring fair. The event was held at Alvechurch Baptist Church last Saturday and visitors were able to browse for bargains among
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Charity dinner raised £1,200
A CHARITY dinner raised more than £1,200 for Macmillan Cancer Relief. NEW College catering students held the fund-raising event last Tuesday at the Old Library Restaurant in Church Green. More than 50 guests enjoyed a champagne reception followed by a
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Just models of kindness
YOUNGSTERS with special needs will be going on a trip to Legoland next month following an appeal in the Advertiser. We reported in March that WASP Special Needs Club organised a trip away once a year because many of its members never had a holiday. The
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Plea had shirts off their backs
NEW College students have been doing their bit to help disadvantaged South African youngsters. The Life Skills students from Redditch and Bromsgrove took part in BBC Radio 5 Live's Shirt Amnesty, which involved collecting old football shirts and sending
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28/05/03 - Duo get Stourbridge job
FORMER Bromsgrove Rovers managers Gary Hackett and Jon Ford have been named as the new managers of Stourbridge. The pair, axed by Rovers earlier this month after finishing third in the Dr Martens Western, succeed Joe Jackson at the War Memorial Ground
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Violent raid nets cash
MASKED bank robbers attacked two Securicor guards with a baton before fleeing with a "substantial" amount of cash. The raiders struck shortly before 10 o'clock last night as the guards were about to fill a cash machine at the Abbey National Bank, in Broad
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Reality jobs at risk after £590m sell-off
MORE than 1,000 jobs are under threat following the sale of Reality to the millionaire Barclay brothers. Reality, which incorporates the former Kays of Worcester, has a call centre in Newtown Road and a distribution centre in Bransford Road. Parent company
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Casey's the one
BONNY blonde Casey Jay Ranford-Norrey is the Evening News' Baby of the Year. Eight other tots also toddled off as winners and runners-up in the contest, which drew 53,198 votes from families and friends across the county. A panel of judges had the tricky
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The spirits told Nush she'd be on BB, says psychic
A CLAIRVOYANT predicted Big Brother housemate Nush would become a TV star during a psychic session. Yoga-loving Annuszka Nowak, of Malvern, known as Nush, went to spiritualist Julie Angel Trigg in around October last year for a tarot reading after applying
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Steam's deadly legacy killed engine driver
A RETIRED train driver, who worked for Great Western Railways for almost 25 years, died of an industrial disease, an inquest heard. Leslie Lewis, who was 83 years old when he died at his daughter's house in Christine Avenue, Rushwick, on Saturday, April
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Tim on brink of pop fame
A SENSATIONAL Spa singer/songwriter could be sharing the stage with pop's hottest property including Atomic Kitten, Mis-teeq and David Sneddon this weekend. Multi-talented Tim Jones will find out today (Wednesday) whether he has won the chance to star
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Country double
COUNTRY music fans are being treated to yet another double-bill of fantastic entertainment at a Droitwich Spa venue. The End of the Trail Country Music Club has invited Russ Jones and Steve Chase to perform at the Royal British Legion Club on Friday,
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Cash stolen in raid on Stourport garage
AROUND £200 worth of banknotes were snatched by robbers from a garage cash till in Stourport. The two men walked into the Total service station in Worcester Road on Sunday evening and began selecting items from the fridge. Pushed When they went to pay
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Time to pack your picnic
FAMILIES are being urged to pack a picnic and learn more about an ancient woodland. A jubilee walk and picnic is being held at Queenswood in Herefordshire, on Wednesday, June 25, as part of the Council for the Protection of Rural England's (CPRE) Great
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Lost service stands chance of being revived
A CHANCE to reinstate a lost service at Upton-upon-Severn is to be pursued by the town council. It is thought that a proposed new community medical centre at Tunnel Hill would provide an ideal base for a registrar, lost to the town more than two years
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25 years ago
May 29, 1953 STUDLEY Parish Council decided at its annual meeting last Thursday to consider schemes to relieve traffic congestion on the main street. The decision followed the submission of a letter from the Divisional Surveyor setting out reasons for
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Police in plea to bus users
Passengers who were on the number 143 First bus from Redditch to Bromsgrove at about 6.10pm last Monday are being urged to come forward following reports of a robbery and assault. Two men have been remanded in custody following the incident. Police are
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Sequel disappoints
Film review - The Matrix Reloaded (15): UGC cinema, Great Park, Rubery. THE long-awaited sequel to the 1999 box-office smash The Matrix came zipping into our cinemas at maximum speed this week but unfortunately fails to capture the imagination in the
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Set's haunting effect
Theatre review - An Inspector Calls. Festival Theatre. Malvern (until Saturday) AS thought-provoking as ever and very cleverly portrayed by the Royal National Theatre company. It's publicity says compelling and haunting, and it was every inch that --
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Tory leader failed to do his job
WITH reference to your report of Redditch Council's AGM last week (Advertiser, May 21), I attended as an observer. The Conservative group is, of course, now the largest political group on the council, although not with an overall majority. What I know
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Redditch CC out
REDDITCH'S Birmingham League Knockout Cup hopes fell at the first hurdle last night (Tuesday). The Bromsgrove Road side went out to Premier Division hopefuls Old Hill. The visitors won the toss and opted to bat, scoring 118ao. Redditch fell short of a
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Club licence shock is sad
IT was with great sadness and regret that I read that Hewell Road Sports and Social Club had its application for renewal of its licence turned down (Advertiser, May 14). It is a much-valued social club. I have been a member since it first opened and I
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Bikes ruining a quiet area
OH joy! Let's save up our pennies and go to live in the country - yes, Astwood Bank or Cookhill would be nice. We've worked hard, let's enjoy the peace and quiet of rural Worcestershire as we work towards retirement. Yes - we've done it! A little bungalow
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More teachers? Not here!
AS a parent, I feel I must reply to our MP claiming in your paper that increased teacher levels in Worcestershire will have an impact on our children's education. She is obviously not speaking about Redditch. I have a friend whose daughter is taking music
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Memories of band come marching back
I AM indebted to Doug Sly for his interest in my contribution to the item regarding the Redditch Charity Jazz Band and his description of the uniforms (Letters, May 21). When the band was first formed around the 1930s, a uniform similar to the end of
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Champs are back on top
REIGNING Champions Studley regained their place at the top of the Prudden Road Surfacing Premier Division. Studley drew their game in hand against Stratford C along with a second draw in last week's match at home to an improving Littleton. The draw puts
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Abbey club set for finals
THE Best Western Abbey Hotel is set to host two regional heats of a national competition for senior golfers. The Bordesley hotel will host two of the dozen Best Western Senior Masters heats. Competitors play in the 40-50; 51-60 and 61 and over age groups
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Help is heaven scent
THE Redditch branch of a recruitment consultancy has kick-started its adoption of a vital charity with a fragrant donation to the Alexandra Hospital's League of Friends. Big-hearted staff and customers of Pertempts in Church Green West donated more than
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Letters sent to dead man
A DAUGHTER has lashed out at Redditch Council for continuing to send council tax demands in the name of her late father. Claire Ridgewell, of Exhall Close, Church Hill, said she and her mother had received at least 10 letters, including tax demands, from
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Be part of prison life
REDDITCH residents who wonder what really goes on behind the fence at Blakenhurst Prison may soon be able to find out. An opportunity has arisen for people to become members of the Independent Monitoring Board. Board members have to satisfy themselves
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Boars land Old Hill ko
LIGHTNING has struck in the same place twice for Bromsgrove Cricket Club First XI after they despatched Birmingham and District Premier Division Old Hill from the National Knockout at St Godwald's Park. Last Sunday's five-wicket third round victory was
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Skipper's anger at seventh ball ruling
BARNT Green Cricket Club First XI captain Lyndon Jones has criticised the standard of umpiring in his side's four-wicket defeat at Knowle and Dorridge on Bank Holiday Monday. Jones was left frustrated after what Barnt Green claim was a seven-ball over
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Giles hits 50 in thrashing
ASHLEY Giles made 52 from 80 balls as England cruised to an innings and 92 runs victory against Zimbabwe in the First npower Test at Lord's inside three days. The Droitwich Spa-based Warwickshire spinner, who also took one wicket in the tourists' second
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Boars' fantastic double
BROMSGROVE Cricket Club First XI enjoyed two fantastic victories over the Bank Holiday weekend. Despite seeing their Birmingham and District division one game abandoned to the weather at Kidderminster last Saturday, the Boars saw off Old Hill and Sutton
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Mixed joy
REDDITCH Hockey Club stayed on track with an impressive win in a national mixed competition. The Bromsgrove Road side beat a strong Southampton side at home to win a spot in the third round. Emma Preston scored both in a 2-0 win to help erase the memories
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Sean takes prize
Our first visit to Tunnel Barn Farm, the venue for the Hymatic AC's second Stillwater match of the season proved to be a popular choice for our members. Fishing the Top Pool Sean O'Farrell showed us how it was done with a good bag of 22lbs 13ozs, mainly
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Swansea flanker Thomas signs on
WORCESTER Rugby Club have swooped for Swansea openside flanker Dean Thomas. The 27-year-old has not been offered a contract by the newly formed Swansea-Neath regional team and will link up with Keast and director of rugby John Brain after signing a one-year
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Sports first team has disbanded
FERNHILL County Sports Midland Combination Division Two team will continue next season playing their home games at King George's Playing fields in Droitwich. The Premier Division side has folded after only one-season. Formed for the 2002/03 season with
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Neil is set for Dublin experience
NEIL Samuel's of Worcester is in the final stages of preparing to represent Great Britain at the 11th Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin between June 20 and 29. Neil, a 27-year-old with Down's Syndrome, attended the final get together with
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Star names boost Wolves national bid
WORCESTER Wolves hopes of making an impact in the National Women's Basketball Lleague have been boosted by the arrival of star players Sam Rooke and Gloria Jenkins. The duo were among several players from across the Midlands who attended Wolves' first
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Four times the laughs
A SHOW starring four comics brings humour from the era of Granada TV's The Comedians to the Palace Theatre on Friday. The two-hour show, A Comedy Night Out, brings together a variety of humour from favourite Midland comics Johnny Carroll, Ian 'Sludge'
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Get up and in the aisles
BEE Gees Fever don Travolta-style white suits for their Saturday night show at the Palace Theatre. The five-piece tribute band sing chart classics such as Massachusetts, Words and Gotta Get A Message to You together with disco hits such as Night Fever
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What's On Guide
Thursday, May 29 Brassed Off, Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Until June 21. Tickets from 0121 236 4455. Floof! City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 780 3333. Miss Saigon, Birmingham Hippodrome. Until September
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Rep turns up trumps
HEART-WARMING northern tale Brassed Off brings the mining town of Grimley to Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Based on the well-loved film from the 1990s and adapted by Paul Allen, the production is a collaboration between Birmingham REP and Liverpool Everyman
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New music celebrated
A FOUR-DAY mini festival of new music - Floof! - takes place this week when the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra showcases the work of eight living composers. Artistic Director and Musical Director Sakari Oramo said the festival marked the fulfilment
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Baptism of fire for Blue Bass
BIRMINGHAM City Ladies skipper Laura Bassett had something of a baptism of fire when she made her full England debut. The Blues midfielder had only appeared as sub for Hope Powell's senior squad before the side's recent North American tour. Bass was left
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Sportsman's on a roll
A REDDITCH football team are celebrating after winning every competition they have entered this season. The Sportsman's Arms pub narrowly missed setting a Stratford League Division One record of twenty straight wins by drawing after 19 wins earlier in
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Be queen or king of spades
REDDITCH residents with gorgeous gardens and lovely lawns can enter a special competition. Organised by Redditch Council, the Best Garden Competition is an annual event which gives people the chance to show off their green-fingered skills. After many
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28 Days Later
Three star HAILED as one of the scariest British horror movies, this film is truly the stuff of nightmares. Animal rights activists break into a lab and liberate monkeys infected with a plague which locks the victim into a permanent murderous rage. The
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The Dandy Warhols Welcome To The Monkey House
Three star SORRY boys, there's no advertising gig here. After the astounding success of Bohemian Like You, hijacked by one mobile phone company and swiftly assumed as THE sound of Saturday afternoon football on Five Live radio, I was hoping for more of
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Cerys Matthews Cockahoop
Three star THE Welsh warbler from 90s indie band Catatonia may be Cockahoop about her comeback career as a solo artist but the gutsy voice from her Road Rage days is still taking a break. Catatonia disbanded in 2001 and Matthews was allegedly treated
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Donnie Darko (15)
Four star NOT so much thought provoking as plain puzzling, producer Richard Kelly should be applauded for making a film bound to leave viewers mystified. First-time viewers will be deep in conversation as the credits roll in a refreshing change from predictable
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Spa bid for promotion
DROITWICH Spa Football Club is all-set to build a new stand on its King George Playing Fields ground to aid a bid for promotion. The club, who finished third in Midland Combination division two, their highest position ever, has applied to join division
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Duo get Stourbridge job
FORMER Bromsgrove Rovers managers Gary Hackett and Jon Ford have been named as the new managers of Stourbridge. The pair, axed by Rovers earlier this month after finishing third in the Dr Martens Western, succeed Joe Jackson at the War Memorial Ground
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Spartak snap up Maguire
BARNT Green Spartak have made their first signing of the close season. The Midland Combination division two champions have snapped up Earlswood Town goalkeeper and captain Pete Maguire. Boss GJ Singh believes he has made a shrewd capture and said Maguire
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Hanbury win second promotion
HANBURY U11s have won their second promotion in as many years. The team jumped from Central Warwickshire Youth league division two to division one last year and has just secured promotion to the premier as runners-up. This season was also their first
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Rubery's double celebration
TWO junior football teams from Rubery have a double reason to celebrate after both were crowned league champions. Rubery U8s and U9s have won the Central Warwickshire Youth League Division C for their respective age groups. The U8s topped their league
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Run feast
BADSEY batsmen Dave Powell and Tony Cowley both scored centuries in Sunday's friendly with Ilmington but still finished on the losing side! After piling up 298-5, the Badsey bowlers were blasted to all parts of Ballards Park as opener Currall smashed
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Sorry Shipston stunned by Gillett's sharp attack
WHILE the 2001 and 2002 Cotswold Hills league champions were in winning mood, reigning champions Shipston suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of new Premier Division leaders Overbury. Paul Gillett was the man to put the London Roaders to the sword as
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Angling round-up
NOT many fisheries allow the use of macaroni cheese as a bait but where it is allowed it can have a devastating effect. Last Tuesday, May 20, Stan James (Bewdley) used this magic concoction to win the Northfield Starlets Veterans contest at Elmbridge
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Smashing! Jones books semi date
PAUL Jones blasted a matchwinning century as Bretforton booked a place in the group semi-final of the National Village Knockout. Jones, now playing alongside Daryl Mitchell at Birm-ingham League side Worc- ester on Saturdays, rescued the villagers after
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Collection went well
DEAR EDITOR -- I would like to extend thanks to everyone who helped us recently raise £269.16 with a collection for the St Richard's Hospice at the Kwiksave store in Droitwich. It was a wonderful effort by all and goes a little way towards our target
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Swimming is a vital skill
DEAR EDITOR -- As schools in this area are to embark on a huge rebuilding programme, I would ask all people involved to consider including swimming pools for the provision of adequate swimming lessons for Bromsgrove school children. At present, teaching
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Elderly care was excellent
DEAR EDITOR -- Please can I express my thanks and gratitude to Bromsgrove Social Services Team for Elderly People. During the past 12 months they have provided excellent care, counselling, advice, and most of all, support to myself and my father, helping
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Not in our back yard!
DEAR EDITOR -- I have always been under the impression that secrecy when voting at elections is paramount. Not so, apparently. I recently went to vote at the elections and presented my official poll card to the clerk. Observing him, I noticed that he
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50 years ago May 30, 1953
BROMSGROVE'S Coronation beacon was in the process of being built at Breakback with the assistance of Wilfred Dunn of East Lodge Farm and the Evergreen Rover Crew. In recognition of their hard work in preparing and guarding the beacon the Rovers drew lots
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100 years ago May 30, 1903
FRANCIS Knight of Stoke Prior was charged a £2 fine for not keeping his two dangerous dogs under control after one of his dogs bit a nine-year-old boy. GEORGE Harris of the Ewe and Lamb Inn, Stoke Heath, was granted a license to sell refreshments in a
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Success is what makes them special
SPECIALIST schools, a central aspect of the Government's reforms of secondary education, have come under fire. Dan Kendrick examines their success in Worcestershire A CROSS-party report has warned Education Secretary Charles Clarke there is not enough
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Ladies lose out in Mail event!
EVESHAM'S ladies lost out in the fourth round of the Mail on Sunday competition against The Worcest-ershire. Joan Hunt was the sole winner but Anne Cowley, Gillian Spencer and Jenny Marston couldn't find a second success on home soil. Former ladies captain
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Vale members in Open places
THE major event of the week at The Vale Golf and Country Club was the Seniors Open when 148 players represented 28 clubs. The eventual winner was D Stone, a veteran from Tewkesbury Park, who carded a magnificent score of 41 points. The nearest challenger
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28/5/03 - Hinshelwood to stay at Sixways
BEN Hinshelwood has handed Worcester Rugby Club a major boost by pledging his future to Sixways. The Scottish international centre was high on the shopping list of a number of Premiership clubs after Worcester's failure to gain promotion last season.
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Regional date for top pairing in Bader tester
A CLUB qualifier at Broadway for the 2003 Douglas Bader competition saw husband and wife team Shaun and Debbie Thornhill emerge victorious. Amassing 42 stableford points in the mixed greensome competition, the winning pair had only one point to spare
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28/5/03 - Swansea flanker Thomas signs on
WORCESTER Rugby Club have swooped for Swansea openside flanker Dean Thomas. The 27-year-old has not been offered a contract by the newly formed Swansea-Neath regional team and will link up with Keast and director of rugby John Brain after signing a one-year
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Mikey lands comedy role
A BRIGHT Rubery youngster is looking forward to his first night on stage in comedy play Brassed Off at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Eleven-year-old Mikey Lightfoot could not believe his luck when he landed the part in the funny and poignant tale
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School money
A SUMPTUOUS supper of homemade faggots and peas will accompany a rib-tickling comedy night to raise cash for a school in Clent. Sunfield School has organised a Black Country Show, which will star hilarious comics Tommy Mundon, Aynuk and Ali, and musical
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Chaddesley Corbett Gardeners
THE meeting was well attended and Chrissy Ching gave us an interesting talk about 'Pottagers and Decorative Vegetable Gardens' and showed us some plans of well- known gardens before their Pottagers became established. Bookings are going well for our annual
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Sidemoor WI
Maureen Smith, the president, welcomed members to the meeting. Good wishes were sent to two members who were ill, Barbara Moore and Judy Bridgewater. It was distressing to hear that a stalwart member, Doris Passy was also unwell. Good wishes were sent
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Parking luxury we can't afford
M S Fuller (You Say, Monday, May 19) argued that the proposed £2 parking charge at the new hospital isn't expensive for four hours. Maybe. But many visitors to the hospital don't stay for four hours, and £2 for half-an-hour is expensive. As regards finding
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Wychbold Flower Club
There was a smaller than usual attendance at the meeting held on May 13 but those who braved the rain were rewarded with a most enjoyable evening's entertainment. Each member had brought a box of foliage and flowers; the boxes were pooled and randomly
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Alcester top
Alcester and Ragley Park bounced back from defeat the previous week to stay top of Division One. The Ragley Park side returned 191 all out before bowling Winchcombe for 182 to pick up 19 points and with nearest rivals Earlswood suffering an abandonment
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Alne flying
Overseas star Dylan Thomson took eight wickets for 14 as Great Alne made it three wins out of three at the weekend. Eckington were bowled for 106 and Alne replied for the loss of just four to stay comfortably ahead in Division Four after promotion last
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Derby washout
The derby between Alvechurch and Hopwood and Feckenham was a damp squib with rain preventing a ball being bowled. Both sides had to settle for five league points and while Feckenham recorded a winning draw against Cookley on Monday, to climb 14 points
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Shortages affected our soldiers
THE shortage of equipment and personnel in the field hospital litter David Wood's story of his experiences in Iraq. David was issued with combat body armour on arrival in Kuwait but he had to give it up to a soldier who was going to fight in the front
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New domestic violence lifeline
EXTRA Home Office cash has funded a freephone domestic violence Worcestershire helpline. The successful bid of £25,000 was co-ordinated by FLARE, a body set up by the West Mercia Police Authority to fund community safety initiatives. An additional helpline
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Travellers move on eve of hearing
IRISH travellers who settled on a Droitwich Spa paddock have finally moved on - to the relief of two town councillors. After days of speculation as to when the families would leave the site off the A38, the caravans and trailers disappeared on Wednesday
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Trader left on the edge
AN angry town trader has hit out at Bromsgrove's planning chiefs after their failure to secure a dangerous drop at the back of his business, two years after he first raised concerns. Andrew Rowley, of Midland Computer Connections, has spent two unsuccessful
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Double delights
WYTHALL won the club's first ever Bank Holiday fixture to make it two wins out of two over the weekend. The Silver Street side had posted 147 before bowling Ansley Sports for 115 to pocket the maximum 24 points. And the Division Three side had beaten
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Rubbish revolution to spare sackings
BIN MEN in Bromsgrove could be saved from the sack by an ambitious £3.3m project to revolutionise rubbish collection. The town's head of environmental services, David Williams told the Health and Leisure Scrutiny Committee the plans to revolutionise refuse
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Baby buggy shoplifters
A COUPLE spotted pushing a baby and buggy around Spa shops are wanted in connection with the theft of £300 from a store. Police believe the pushchair pair struck in St Andrew's Square at 5pm on Monday, May 19 and are now seeking witnesses. The man is
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Women attacked
TWO young women were subjected to an unprovoked assault from a drunken man in the town centre on Friday night. The incident occurred in St Andrew's Street at about 10pm and police believe a motorist and an elderly couple witnessed the attack. A spokesman
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Parking problem site visit
HORRENDOUS parking problems on a Droitwich Spa estate are being steered towards a solution. In April, the Advertiser revealed the plight of Crofters Way and Paddock Way householders, who were being driven mad by car chaos in their community. Droitwich
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Garry has a snooker season to remember
A SNOOKER star from Droitwich Spa has rounded off a superb debut season by winning two trophies. Garry Ford was victorious in the Guardian Cup and John Yates Shield, defeating Scot Cater and Andy Kings respectively, earlier this month. That means he has
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Season gets fitting finale
BANK Holiday Monday's Albrighton Woodland point-to-point at Chaddesley Corbett provided a fitting finale to the season in the West Midlands for the capacity crowd who enjoyed competitive racing and some close finishes in the sunshine. Jockeys Julian Pritchard
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Eight under
JOHN Bickerton put in another solid performance to finish eight under par at the Volvo PGA Championship. The 33-year-old Droitwich Spa golf ace hit a final round four under par last Sunday to finish joint 23rd and ten shots behind winner Ignacio Garrido
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Fun at tennis club for sporty children
FUN loving children from Bromsgrove can let their hair down at an activities day tomorrow (Thursday). Team games and sports for six to 12-year-olds are available at the town's tennis club, in St Godwald's Road, between 10am and 3pm. Youngsters can compete
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Surprises at prize night
THERE were plenty of surprises at Evesham United's annual presentation at the Northwick Hotel last Friday. The best was saved until last when chairman Jim Cockerton revealed that an agreement had been reached on the sale of Common Road - a move that means
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Sports award
A BROMSGROVE school has been rewarded for giving its pupils sporting opportunities. Parkside Middle School, in Stourbridge Road, has received a National Sportsmark from Sport England in recognition of its commitment to physical education and providing
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Giving kids a new hope
The Taylor family has been fostering children for nine years. Chris and Linda, from Friarscroft, have two children of their own and came to fostering by accident when a girl they knew needed somewhere to stay. Lin had been a nurse at Barnsley Hall hospital
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Dog's corpse found in pool
AN investigation has been launched after the body of a small dog was discovered in a sack floating on the surface of a Redditch pool. Fishermen called police after seeing a white bag floating on Ipsley Pool, off Old Forge Drive, last Wednesday. Redditch
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Mosque funding frenzy
AN impressive £2,000 was raised in just 30 minutes when more than 200 people gathered for a celebration on Sunday. For the first time, Muslims marched from land earmarked for a new mosque in Smallwood to their current mosque on Easemore Road to mark the
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Stirring up wild recipes
THERE will be some culinary fun for youngsters at the Wacky Warehouse in the New Tardebigge pub as they have been set a crazy cooking challenge. The Warehouse is challenging Redditch children to come up with some wild recipes for the chance of winning
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What, no ghoulash!
DINERS were treated to a taste of Transylvanian terror when NEW College students transformed the Old Library Restaurant into a house of horror on Thursday. The event was organised by hospitality management students and featured culinary delights including
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Victorian day caps them all
YOUNGSTERS at a Redditch school stepped back in time to bring their history lessons to life. Pupils at St Bede's Middle School have spent the last term studying the Victorians and bought the topic to an end with a Victorian Day. The youngsters had the
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New dawn for Spa club
A PARTNERSHIP between a sports club and school is set revive athletics in Droitwich Spa. The town's athletics club, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, is ready to move forward in leaps and bounds now that it uses the six-lane 400-metre track
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Treat on the tarmac as top racers take to track
FOR two days solid, a patch of tarmac just outside of Stratford-Upon-Avon is expecting to be treated to the most blistering motoring imaginable. The UK Modified Nationals is a new event to the race calender at Shakespeare County Race-way, Long Marston
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Heir of tycoon dies, 33
THE son of a self-made multi-millionaire who owned more than 5,500 acres in Coughton has died aged just 33. Nick Boler, of Spernal House, who owned Spernal Estates, died of a suspected heart attack last Tuesday. Mr Boler inherited the land after the death
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Walters' last wood win is a Top Club highlight
BROADWAY played Bredon in two National competitions over the Bank Holiday weekend and emerged victorious on each occasion. The Cotswolds club recorded another comprehensive win in their second game in the EBA Top Club competition when they won on all
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Region's best boy
EVESHAM Wheeler Ben Stockdale had another successful day's racing on Sunday. Competing at East Park, Wolv-erhampton he won the Under-14 race to secure the British Sch-ools Regional Championships in his age group. Meanwhile, brother Tom scored a creditable
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Pickford lands a win double
SAILING at the Common Road club has enjoyed excellent winds and some very strong competition this year and last Sunday was no exception. With a very variable breeze from the south west, that did eventually hold up all afternoon, racing couldn't have been
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Chairman's in 'top' form
TEN months after work began on the new Tattersalls Concourse at Cheltenham Race-course, the development team of contractors, consultants and specialist sub-contractors downed tools to celebrate the building's 'topping out'. Marking the project's halfway
