Archive
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Don't expect a jing-a-long Christmas
Illuminaire Carols for a New Millennium, BBC Singers CAROLS for a new millennium (the 21st Century) by composers born in the last century (sometime between 1934 and shock horror, even the composers are younger than me these days 1971). Following Charlotte
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Noisy raiders nabbed
NIGHT raiders made so much noise breaking into a parked car in Mart Lane, Stourport, at 3.20am, that they roused the owners. Their number was taken and police intercepted them on their way home through Kiddermin-ster, magistrates heard. One of the thieves
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Light-fingered thieves
AN outbreak of thefts of Christmas lights has led Kidderminster Police to warn the public to give added protection to their decorations. Several sets of lights were stolen over the weekend after thieves cut wires and removed them from the front of people's
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Blaze hits landmark
FIREFIGHTERS from across the county were called to tackle a blaze at a historic Droitwich Spa building on Monday. Twenty-two firefighters fought flames at the Chateau Impney Hotel, off Bromsgrove Road, after a fire broke out in the staff quarters at 8.21am
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Killer handed a 'joke' sentence
THE dismayed family of a Droitwich Royal Marine whose life was tragically cut short after a street fight has branded his killer's five-year sentence a joke. Cpl Kevin Weaver, aged 36, died of head injuries after being attacked during a fancy dress night
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Ban bangers for pets' sake
WE recently had a Christmas bargain leaflet pushed through our door from a major superstore and could not believe that among the items, they were offering fireworks! Is it not time the law was reviewed regarding the sale of fireworks? We own a four-year-old
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Harking on about crises
Every week we read about various crises that are affecting our lives. Crisis in the NHS, crisis on the railways, crisis on the value of pensions, etc. Is it not a fact that the present Government is spending and has plans to spend more in all these areas
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Neglect to blame for state of rivers
WITH the floods continuing, our concern must be for those affected by these events and the question of prevention or minimisation for such in the future. Global warming seems to be the reason given by parties responsible for the river system. This is
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Paying price for postcode
I FEEL I must reply to the letter from Councillor Carol Warren, Leader of Worcestershire County Council (Advertiser, December 6), when she criticises the settlement that Worcestershire has received from central government. She carefully omits the fact
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Pedestrians using cycle track
I OFTEN cycle down Ipsley Street and I am writing for the benefit of other cyclists. At the bottom of Ipsley Street there is an underpass. One side is a path for pedestrians and the other is for cyclists. Each side contains a blind corner. Cyclists have
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Enchanted by magical lights
May I please, through the pages of your newspaper, offer my congratulations and thanks to those responsible for the exceptionally lovely Christmas illuminations in Alcester? I had intended to write last year but you know how it is... The simplicity and
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19/12/00 - Keeping it dry this Christmas
A booze-free Christmas and New Year -- that's what our players can expect with us facing such a hectic holiday schedule. It's very important that they look after themselves during the festivities and we are going to have to put some restrictions on them
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Reward offer over attack on cabbie
A £500 reward has been offered by a businessman for information leading to the arrest and conviction of three youths who viciously attacked a taxi driver. Three white youths attacked the man in an alleyway in the Lingen Close area of Winyates at about
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Alcester put to the sword
Alcester 3 Spartans 6 Alcester slumped to their second successive home league defeat after a narrow loss in a dour contest at King's Coughton. The match was played in near darkness near the end and the fading light seemed to affect both sides, who both
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Flynn set for return
ALCESTER skipper Andy Flynn was set to learn tomorrow whether he will get the all clear to return to action. The crocked skipper has been sidelined for weeks after suffering a knee injury and is set to see a specialist. Initial fears he had suffered the
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Two-month skip delay
MAJOR work on upgrading a Redditch tip will not be completed until next year thanks to a two-month delay due to poor weather and September's fuel strike, writes Becky Procter. Severn Waste Services, which runs the transfer station and household waste
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Merge or go under - Woodrush coach
WOODRUSH coach Chris Parsons has warned clubs will go to the wall within two years if they do not look at survival measures. The Icknield Street side were forced to pull out of the Midlands West Three South on the eve of the season and are struggling
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Chemists rota
REDDITCH chemists will be open during the Christmas period as follows: On Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, Foxlydiate Chemist, Batchley Road, Batchley will be open between 10pm-12noon. Boots the Chemist, Kingfisher Centre, will open between 10.30am
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Cars barred from access
CAR drivers have stopped using a bus only access road to a Lakeside industrial estate following complaints from a number of residents. Arthur Street was being used as a short cut to the estate but police mounted an operation to put an end to it. Sgt Terry
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Plans draw just one objection
IT was crunch time last night for Kingfisher Centre owners Thornfield as Redditch councillors met to rubber-stamp ambitious redevelopment plans, writes Julian Seva. There will not have been too many stumbling blocks for Thornfield as just one formal objection
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Three-year car ban
A WINYATES man has been banned for three years after being convicted of drink-driving by Redditch magistrates. Thirty-year-old Andrew Sutor, of Leysters Close, was found to have 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres in breath. The legal limit
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Kitchen fire
Two Redditch fire crews used breathing apparatus whenthey were called to a kitchen blaze in Hopyard Lane on Thursday night.
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Festive cheer over 53 years
IN 1947, members of St Luke's Church choir got together to bring some musical cheer to Headless Cross on the two days leading up to Christmas, writes Helen Clarke. The 19-strong group visited Smallwood Hospital, the White Hart Hotel and the Seven Stars
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Anger as party is left off panel
A REDDITCH councillor is outraged over a decision affecting the town which is to be made without Liberal Democrat input, writes Helen Clarke. Councillor Diane Thomas believes the interview panel which will select the next borough director should consist
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Festive fun for pupils
CHILDREN from Feckenham First School have being showing off their acting skills as they entertained audiences with their Christmas plays. The older children performed The Selfish Giant, which was adapted from a story by Oscar Wilde. And the younger children
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Jobless totals below average
THE Redditch job scene still seems buoyant after statistics released by Worcestershire County Council showed the unemployment rate was below the national average. But there was a slight increase in those claiming benefit from 3.1 per cent to 3.2 per cent
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Masked trio in cigs raid
SEVERAL motorists blasted their horns as they drove past a service station which was being raided by three masked men, writes Becky Procter. The incident happened at the Truemans Heath Service Station, Truemans Heath Lane, Hollywood, at about 6.25pm last
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Help plea from family charity
A REDDITCH-based organisation is trying to recruit more volunteers to enable it to continue giving support to parents and their children, writes Helen Clarke. Homestart, based at Community House, Easemore Road, offers advice, practical support and friendship
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Barton furious at Trophy exit
WORCESTER City boss John Barton hit out at referee Andrew Hendley as his side's FA Umbro Trophy hopes went up in smoke last night. City were beaten 3-2 at home by Hendon in their second round replay -- and Barton believed the game turned on a controversial
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Players keen to impress
A WHOLE host of Worcester Rugby Club stars aim to stake a claim for next weekend's trip to Henley by impressing for the Warriors tonight at Rugby. Wingers Nick Baxter and Ally McLean will be bidding to prove a point to coach Adrian Skeggs while scrum-half
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Rovers 'escape' with FA fine
BROMSGROVE Rovers have escaped with a £250 fine after fears they may have had to replay their FA Umbro Trophy tie at Lancaster City. Rovers won the second round tie 1-0 on December 2, but Lancaster protested after three Rovers players wore different numbers
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Piearce poised for United recall
STEVE Piearce is standing by for a recall to Hereford United's starting line-up for tonight's LDV Vans Trophy first round clash with Yeovil Town at Edgar Street (7.45). The injury-plagued striker, who has been on the bench in recent games, will get his
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19/12/00 - Rovers on lookout for win lift
BROMSGROVE Rovers chief executive Pat Bannister believes one win will kick-start their season into life. Despite their FA Trophy run, Rovers are on the edge of the Dr Martens League Western Divi-sion relegation zone after eight successive defeats, going
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£4.47m not worth shouting about?
THE sound of a doleful violin solo was all that was missing from the politicos' speeches at County Hall when it was revealed that Worcestershire County Council had taken the wooden spoon in the funding stakes last month. Worcestershire was the county
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Your starter for a seat, candidates
LABOUR party hacks eager to become Worcestershire county councillors in next spring's elections will find themselves having to take a test. As part of the selection process, Labour insists on candidates sitting an examination. Prior to their interviews
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Redditch Ram it home
REDDITCH keeper Alistair Shute is on holiday for the rearranged visit of Kynock on Saturday (1.30pm start). The fixture was switched to Bromsgrove Road after the Aston side's pitch was waterlogged last week. Seconds keeper Ashley Freeman is set to step
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Geilgud memories to whet the appetite
John Geilgud - An Actor's Life by Gyles Brandreth (Sutton Publishing, £12.99). IN his preface, the author admits that this is but a brief account of the long life of the giant of 20th Century theatre. Indeed, how could such a lengthy, distinguished and
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Woman bursts into MP's London home
BROMSGROVE MP Julie Kirkbride has spoken of her family's horror when a screaming woman burst into their London home late on Sunday. It comes just seven months after the 40-year-old MP was woken by a knife-wielding burglar who entered her bedroom after
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Museum plea thrown out
A PLEA by Labour to save cash by transferring the Norton collection of artefacts at the Bromsgrove Museum to Avoncroft was set to be thrown out at a meeting of the full district council last night. The motion was put forward by Labour group leader Cllr
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Studley strikers cup-tied
STUDLEY boss Mark Chambers was set to be without two of his first choice strikers for the much-postponed Birmingham Senior Cup clash against Atherstone last night (Tuesday). Goal machine Brian Powell was sitting out the final week of a 35 day suspension
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Rost-ing for Kingsmen
KINGS Heath manager Sean Lawless is back on the trail of Northfield Town striker Keith Rostill. Lawless has until the weekend to sign the forward after making a seven day approach for him a month ago and was hoping to tie up the deal this week. There
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Millers back to strength
FECKENHAM are back to full strength for the trip to Blackheath Invensys on Saturday (ko 2.45pm). Clive Campion's side rode their luck to record a morale-boosting win over Massey Ferguson on Saturday to lift the Millers within sight of mid-table. Campion
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Shipston sunk
Shipston Reserves 1 Railway Lions 7 After a first minute Matt Somner goal, Railway dominated and 15 minutes later Laight made it 2-0, followed by a third from Nick Bevan five minutes later. Tony Findley and Laight (two) added goals before the break. Tony
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Hayden double helps Halfords
FISSC 0 Halfords 3 A fully committed performance saw Adam Hanrahan and Mark Edwards dominate the midfield, while new recruit Paul Hayden linked well down the left with Mick Perkins and John Crane. Midway through the half Hayden released Richard Skan who
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Dainter does it for Millers
Feckenham 2 Massey Ferguson 1 Massey had a couple of chances to take an early lead but 17-year-old keeper Duncan McDonald denied Sievwright before Matt Betts cleared off the line to deny Woodhouse. The Millers came back and Carl Dainter's corner was flicked
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Pensioner dies in road accident
TRAGEDY struck when a pensioner was struck by a car and killed as he crossed the road in his village. Dickie Daw, aged 90, of Hands Paddock, Newbold, near Shipston, died in the accident, which happened at 9.45pm last Friday. Police say he was crossing
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Police warn drivers over drink driving at Christmas
EVEN Father Christmas could be breathalysed, said police this week as they prepared to launch the annual blitz on drink driving over the festive season today (Tuesday). Warwickshire's campaign for this year echoes the national campaign seen on the television
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100 years ago
December 22, 1900 Feckenham Accident - On Thursday night in last week, Mrs A Hewish met with a serious accident by falling into a 9 feet cutting which had been made during the day for the new scheme of sewering the village. The unfortunate woman sustained
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25 years ago
December 19, 1975 THE first step towards providing Redditch with an attractive and efficient transport system to serve the needs of the expanding New Town will be put into effect next month. The scheme comprises four basic proposals: a) More frequent
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Keetch called away from Clinton
HEREFORD MP Paul Keetch turned down an invitation from 10 Downing Street to hear President Bill Clinton speak at Warwick University. But the Liberal Democrat MP insisted this was not meant as an insult to the outgoing US President. "Unfortunately I had
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Joy for golden girl
A YOUNG gold medal-winning disabled athlete is zooming into the future thanks to her dad's kind-hearted bosses, who forked out the final £500 towards a brand new wheelchair. Charlotte Street, who has spina bifida, scooped gold in the 100m wheelchair sprint
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Bids hope to extend CCTV
FOUR ambitious bids worth hundreds of thousands of pounds were submitted to the Government today in the hope of providing more than 30 CCTV cameras across Redditch. The project, set up by Redditch Community Safety Partnership, is more than double the
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Project leaves legacy of learning
UNFORTUNATELY, all good things must come to an end. Once again we must say goodbye to a well-worth project that has existed in Redditch for the past five years. Community Works is due to end but it leaves behind a legacy of community-based ventures that
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Six extra bays are available
MAY I add some information regarding disabled parking in Redditch town centre during the ongoing refurbishment of the bus station? Currently, town centre buses and taxis are having to use the Church Green area. This has resulted to changes in the road
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Village event a big success
ON behalf of Studley Village Hall Committee, I would like to thank, through your paper, all the people who contributed to making the recent Christmas Celebration at Studley Village Hall a resounding success. The committee would especially like to thank
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19/12/00 - Talented winger ready to make his Harriers return
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers winger Thomas Skovbjerg will return to first team action for the first time since March when he lines up against Solihull Borough in tonight's Worcestershire Senior Cup quarter-final at Aggborough (7.45). The talented Dane has already
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Fashions are a-changing in festive era
THE frost glints silver white on the grass, gleaming in the glare of the torch. Above the cobby tree, a full moon hangs like a pale, yellow orb suspended in the heavens, the greatest Christmas bauble of all. The stars are now at their brightest, having
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Redditch woe
REDDITCH slipped back into the mire with a 16-8 loss to Pershore, who went top of the table. The latest league reverse plunged the Kingfishers to second from bottom. Fellow strugglers Trinity Guild upset the form book to beat mid-table Berkswell B 15-
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Search is on for armed raiders
GUN-wielding masked raiders left empty handed after threatening a member of staff at a Wythall restaurant last Wednesday night. The incident happened at about 9.45pm at Becketts Restaurant when two men entered the upstairs of the premises after forcing
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Fire crew to rescue
A RESIDENT had to be rescued by Redditch fire crews from a block of flats in the town centre late last Wednesday evening. Two fire engines attended the scene at Evesham Mews near the Kingfisher Centre and brought one person out via the front door. The
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Dilemma as no more room left
A FECKENHAM committee may apply to the National Lottery charities board for a grant to help it meet the increasing demand for space in the village hall, writes Helen Clarke. At present, the hall is lacking storage space and large items are on the floor
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School's good show
FOUR weeks of rehearsals resulted in a pantomime production going down a storm at an Alvechurch school. Youngsters aged between seven and nine from Crown Meadow First School staged a grand performance of Hansel and Gretel. Headteacher at the Tanyard Lane
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Dressing up the past
CHILDREN at St George's First School brought the past to life when they dressed up as Saxons for the day as part of a history project. Pupils and teachers, of Years 3 and 4 took part in a number of workshops helped by the Longship Company, who are Saxon
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Firm is in hot water
REDDITCH Magistrates fined a Lincolnshire poultry importer £12,500 after it was found guilty of selling a Park Farm North company frozen chicken containing excessive water. Two 10kg samples taken from a batch sold to Seagull Foods Ltd, showed that in
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Bypass band go it alone
RESIDENTS will get a second chance to inspect options for a controversial bypass around Studley following recent concerns over consultation. The A435 Option 3a Action Group has decided to go it alone and hold its own exhibition of the 10 options to alleviate
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Having designs on town's future
PLANNING chiefs at Redditch Council are hoping to encourage children to take an active part in the future of their town. Officers will soon be compiling Redditch's Local Plan, which sets out the way the town should develop over the next 15 years. As a
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Tricksters took cash from home
A MAN posing as a council officer tricked his way into an elderly woman's home while an accomplice stole cash, police believe. The theft happened at about 4pm last Tuesday in Dilwyn Close, Matchborough, when a man called at the victim's home and said
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Hick keeps place in Sri Lankan party
WORCESTERSHIRE'S Graeme Hick has kept his place in England's Test squad despite five failures in six innings in Pakistan. Speculation about his international future ended when he was named in the 15-man party for the forthcoming Test series in Sri Lanka
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The floods strike again. More pictures...
As the main river bridge in Worcester was closed for only the second time in 50 years, the county was again under threat from the rising rivers.
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Rovers on lookout for win lift
BROMSGROVE Rovers chief executive Pat Bannister believes one win will kick-start their season into life. Despite their FA Trophy run, Rovers are on the edge of the Dr Martens League Western Divi-sion relegation zone after eight successive defeats, going
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Roberts ready for Robins return
DEAN Roberts is poised to spearhead Evesham United's attack in tonight's FA Umbro Trophy second round tie at Cinderford Town (7.45). Roberts is likely to return to the starting line-up in place of Shaun Prattt, who suffered a dead leg in Saturday's home
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Mister Ermyn worth following
MISTER Ermyn has his idiosyncrasies but look-ed in good heart last time out when second at Cheltenham and can keep up the good work in the Tote Quick Pick Hurdle at Newbury to-morrow. The Les Montague Hall-trained gelding landed a bit of a touch at Stratford
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19/12/00 - Rovers 'escape' with FA fine
BROMSGROVE Rovers have escaped with a £250 fine after fears they may have had to replay their FA Umbro Trophy tie at Lancaster City. Rovers won the second round tie 1-0 on December 2, but Lancaster protested after three Rovers players wore different numbers
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Time to mount the boneshaker, Coun Tucker?
BACK in the good old days of 1984, a story was published about Hereford-Worcester county councillor Liz Tucker, now deputy leader of the Worcestershire authority, cycling around Upton Snodsbury looking for potholes. The world has changed a great deal
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19/12/00 - Players keen to impress
A WHOLE host of Worcester Rugby Club stars aim to stake a claim for next weekend's trip to Henley by impressing for the Warriors tonight at Rugby. Wingers Nick Baxter and Ally McLean will be bidding to prove a point to coach Adrian Skeggs while scrum-half
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Avon calling ...off fixture
REDDITCH Regents basketball club are expecting to be awarded a win over Avon Valley after their league opponents failed to show on Sunday. A lack of players prompted an eleventh hour withdrawal and left Regents playing out an inter-club friendly. Coach
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Newton B worked over by Monarchs
THE three games in Division One of the Bromsgrove & Redditch Table Tennis League last week were all rather one-sided affairs. Newton Works were too good for Droitwich, winning 10-0 but Newton Works B were on the end of a 9-1 drubbing from Lickey Monarchs
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The chronicle of an enduring icon
Morgan: First and Last of the Real Sports Cars, by Brian Laban (Virgin, £25) BY the year 2000, the eponymous Mr Honda's once reputed to have said, there would only be five car manufacturers in the world. Then he added ...and Morgan. Who cares whether
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Heartache and hope of a family at war
One Family's War by Muriel Gane Pushman (Tempus £12.99) THERE will come a time when the last living links with the Second World War will be no longer be with us and the story of the conflict consigned to history books. In this year of anniversaries, those
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Church washout
IT was the same old story for Alvechurch manager Mick Preece at the weekend when his side's trip to Bolehall Swifts was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. The postponement ended another frustrating week after the Rameses Midland Invitation Cup
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Leisure Leagues
THE 5-a-side Leisure Leagues Wednesday night League at Abbey High School saw Bruno's Boys move back to the top of the Premier after a comfortable 8-1 win over a Warriors side who had previously lost only once this season. T&R Sports went second after
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Mother pays tribute to son
THE mother of a missing Drakes Broughton teenager whose body has been found in the River Severn at Worcester has paid tribute to her 'cheerful and smiling' son. Andrew Read was last seen by his mum Mary when she dropped him off outside the Old Rectifying
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50 years ago
December 23, 1950 THE recent blocking of a main sewer in Birmingham Road, Studley, which might have placed an extra burden on local ratepayers, prompted members of Studley Parish Council to issue an appeal to all households to exercise great care to ensure
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The Bell
MEMORY Lane takes a trip back to the early part of last century with this photograph of The Bell pub in Britten Street. The date the picture was taken is uncertain but the building seen is still there today, although no longer a pub. The photograph was
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Worcester City 2 Hendon 3
Monday, December 18, 2000. WORCESTER City boss John Barton hit out at referee Andrew Hendley as his side's FA Umbro Trophy hopes went up in smoke last night. City were beaten 3-2 at home by Hendon in their second round replay -- and Barton believed the
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Foster's wheels of real fortune
SOME people are born winners, others become winners and some are just lucky. Worcester Labour MP Mike Foster seems to fit into at least one of these categories. Hastings and Rye Labour MP Mike Foster may feel he doesn't. Ford held a reception at the Aquarium
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Choice over MMR
PAEDOPHILES, mobile phone communication masts and the MMR vaccination are three areas which have caused difficulties for the Government. And there is likely to be more tough questioning on at least one of these next year. Bromsgrove Tory MP Julie Kirkbride
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Armed raid on Tesco
THREE masked raiders brandishing sawn-off shotguns burst into the wages office of Tesco in Oakenshaw today (Tuesday) and made off with cash, writes Julian Seva. Staff at the Coldfield Drive supermarket were uninjured despite the gang spraying a noxious
