Archive
-
Date
Protesters rally as the A491 inquiry looms
SAFETY campaigners opposed to plans to close off dangerous junctions along the A491 have stepped up their crusade as a public inquiry into the scheme looms. A final decision on the £100,000 project to close off crossover points along the dual carriageway
-
Date
End of the road
WORCESTER Carnival Day has been scrapped after a lack of public support for the event. Organisers said today they were "gutted" but had been forced to make the tough decision after receiving only seven responses to an appeal for floats. But prospective
-
Date
High-tech status could be nearer
HOPES were raised today that Worcester could be a step closer to having its first "specialist" school. Department of Education officials are due to visit Elgar High School tomorrow to see if it should be granted Technology status, which would mean a cash
-
Date
Cash to fight drugs
WORCESTER doctors are ploughing in extra cash to help heroin users struggling to come off the addictive drug. The additional funds will be used to employ a doctor to work alongside GPs in providing help to clients. Neill Bucktin, chief officer of Worcester
-
Date
Represent your city
YOUNG Worcester women are being given another chance to become this year's Carnival Queen. Organisers of the event are looking for someone who is committed to lead the event and accept a host of invitations from groups across the city. This year's winner
-
Date
Charity club calls for a new home
A SOCIAL club for people with learning difficulties is urgently seeking a new meeting place after being forced out of its home. Droitwich Challengers has been established for more than 20 years and gets together on Thursday nights. The charity was based
-
Date
Super women reach the final
BROMSGROVE Hockey Club's ladies made their presence felt in the annual FISSC Tournament at Stratford on Sunday. The super squad of second and third team players came top of their group after beating Evesham, FISSC, Banbury and Chipping Campden in hard-fought
-
Date
CRICKET
DROITWICH Spa Cricket Club is hoping England's inspirational winter form will result in more youngsters joining their thriving junior ranks this summer. The successful under-15 and under-16 sections began preparations for the forthcoming season on Monday
-
Date
Prior get back to form
WHAT a difference a week makes! After last week's inconsistency, the Stoke Prior teams faired much better in their respective leagues. In Warwickshire and Worcestershire Premier Division Seven, Stoke gave an almighty thrashing to their visitors, Barn
-
Date
Over 40's lead the way with semi win
THE Droitwich and District League's main team in the Inter League came unstuck when they lost to a very good Kidderminster A side in the semi finals of the two-leg competition. However, the D&D over-40's team defeated Stourbridge to march proudly
-
Date
DEPOT LOOKS DOOMED AS UNION STEPS IN
TOP level talks to secure redundancy packages for anxious workers at a beleaguered Droitwich Spa factory are planned this week. Christian Salvesen directors and General Municipal Boilermakers' Union (GMB) representatives were scheduled to meet today to
-
Date
OAP home plan refused
A RESIDENTIAL home in Droitwich has had a controversial planning application knocked back. The Haven, in Worcester Road, wanted to extend its premises to meet new Government legislation. The laws mean manager Simon Greaves can only have one double room
-
Date
Children also a voting issue
AS A local resident and campaigner for the NSPCC, I am writing to tell you about the Children's Manifesto. Produced by the NSPCC, Barnardo's and Child Poverty Action Group, this document sets out a blueprint for Government on children's issues. In the
-
Date
Failing to do what is right
ANOTHER set of statistics from Robin King (Letters, April 14) shows Labour politicians and their supporters haven't yet understood how effectively they spend our money is as important as how much they spend. Labour's cock-eyed priorities for the NHS -
-
Date
RSPCA is playing its part in crisis
IN some quarters the RSPCA has been unreasonably criticised with suggestions it is not doing enough in the current foot and mouth crisis. This is very disappointing as the RSPCA and its inspectors have been working incredibly hard since this crisis began
-
Date
Spending on the priorities
I DON'T usually write to the Letters Page but recent comments by local Conservatives ignore and misrepresent the core reason behind Labour's ability to increase spending in schools and hospitals. Worcestershire's unemployment rate fell to just 2.5 per
-
Date
Debenhams will attract business
I AM sorry to hear Mrs W Cave finds her weekly shop an ordeal (Letters, April 25). I can understand how difficult it must be for her. Unfortunately, I think the Kingfisher Centre managers will be unable to force supermarkets to open there unless there
-
Date
Disgusted by garden mess
I SYMPATHISE with the lady who wrote about her garden being fouled by a dog. We are now enduring the same problem. We have lived here 22 years but it's only in the past few weeks we've been disgusted by this mess. Somebody is letting their dog off its
-
Date
Give shoppers first hour free
IN response to your article "multi-storey upgrade" (Advertiser, April 18), would it not be a good idea to follow some other countries and give the first hour free in the car park? This would encourage people to stay and shop longer in the town centre.
-
Date
Town has say on councillors' pay
TOWNSFOLK could determine how much Redditch Councillors get paid in allowances if plans to form a revolutionary panel are given the green light tonight. A special meeting is taking place with 29 Redditch councillors at the town hall, which will see proposals
-
Date
£1m spend planned for Redditch roads
MORE than £1 million is to be spent on improving and upgrading Redditch roads this year, writes Becky Procter. Worcestershire County Council revealed the Highways Partnership Unit for Redditch has been given a 26 per cent increase compared to last year
-
Date
Council objects to homes figure
REDDITCH Council has objected to a blueprint for future housing which dictates 450 new homes should be built in the town over the next 15 years as it does not believe there is enough land in the borough. The increase is included in the county's draft
-
Date
What a load of rubbish
TOWNSFOLK were left frustrated and angry on Sunday after being turned away from a Redditch tip just a few weeks after it was opened, writes Becky Procter. The household waste tip in Park Farm has undergone a major refurbishment but scores of motorists
-
Date
Mast plans for village twin towers
TWO huge 50ft mobile towers are to be put up in Wythall if a planning application goes ahead. Both mobile masts have been planned on Packhorse Lane for telecommunication giants British Telecom and Dolphin Communications. Last year, residents had rejected
-
Date
Redditch roll over rivals
REDDITCH RFC finished the season with a flourish on Saturday, racking up half a century in a hastily-arranged friendly against arch-rivals Alcester. A depleted Redditch side, hungover from their annual presentation the previous evening, ran riot at Kings
-
Date
New image for interior firm
A BROMSGROVE interior design firm has been transformed thanks to a professional business ma-keover. Northstar Consulting hosted an event which gave companies the opportunity to transform their image. And Pacific Interiors, in the Strand, took up the offer
-
Date
Czech-of-all trades in note form
LEOS JANACEK - Choruses for Male Voices Moravian Teachers Choir IT'S not often this column brings you the vocal talents of the Moravian Teachers Choir, so make the most of it. Seriously though, this wouldn't be the first thing you might reach for in a
-
Date
Show to go on as procession stalls
THE introduction of new police guidelines have forced organisers of Wythall Carnival and Classic Car Show to cancel its annual procession. The carnival and car show will still go ahead on August 12 but a new draft policy document drawn up by the Association
-
Date
Fire service in animal rescue
TWO dogs, six cats and four chinchillas were rescued by firefighters after a blaze broke out in a Batchley home. Fire crews were called to the kitchen blaze at about 1.50pm on Saturday and used a thermal imaging camera to locate the pets at the Bridley
-
Date
Greens are shown up by Rangers
Paget Rangers (1) 2 Bromsgrove Rovers (1) 1 Dr Martens League Western Division Saturday April 28 RICHARD Brown's brace sentenced Rovers to a disastrous reversal at Paget Rangers on Saturday. The defeat dumped Rovers into one of the two relegation spots
-
Date
Lion hurt by sharp Darts
Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger District Football League IT was another frustrating Sunday for Droitwich Red Lion as they narrowly went down 3-2 at Division One leaders Alvechurch Darts. Lion made a couple of changes to last week's line up with the out
-
Date
Millie reaches for the top
A Redditch dancer will be performing at the newly-refurbished Birmingham Hippodrome later this year after being accepted into the prestigious Junior Associate section of the National Youth Ballet. Rutleigh Norris Ballet School pupil Millie Coles, of Birmingham
-
Date
Combo scores
REDDITCH and South Warwickshire Combin-ation League results: Worcester Premier Cup Final: Black Horse 1 Fordrough1 (aet: Ford-rough won 4-2 on penalties). Premier Division: Hym-atic/Allendale 3 Sherwood Rangers 0. South Redditch 0 Bromsgrove General 3
-
Date
Movement ban set to be lifted
TIGHT movement restrictions placed on farmers around Astwood Bank following two outbreaks of foot and mouth look set to be lifted, writes Becky Procter. MAFF has announced 3km restricted zones in Astwood Bank could be some of the first to be lifted in
-
Date
Austin host Welsh wizards
AUSTIN Sports and Social Club FC's under-12s were the perfect hosts when they entertained a touring side from South Wales. Richard Eades organised the tour for Austin, which saw Tenby AFC under-12s come to Longbridge to play a few friendlies over Easter
-
Date
Driver is taken to hospital
A WOMAN was taken to the Alexandra Hospital suffering from shock after the car she was driving was in collision with a bus in Headless Cross on Monday. The incident happened in Evesham Road at about 7.50am and an ambulance was called by police. The woman
-
Date
Kate takes the crown
A STUDLEY teenager has been chosen as this year's Astwood Bank carnival queen. Kate Bewley will be officially crowned at a 1940s night at Ridgeway Middle School, Evesham Road, on May 18. The 17 year old was selected by a small panel of judges, who are
-
Date
Co-op set to close
THE Co-op store in Wythall will close its doors to the public at the end of June. Councillor Sue Baxter said: "In a very short space of time we will not have a local shop in Drake's Cross." Peter Vaughan, head of corporate affairs for Midlands Co-operative
-
Date
Breath of fresh air from choir
THE freedom to go anywhere is what young Kayleigh Thomas really craves. But for the nine-year-old Batchley youngster, that liberty is severely limited because of the constant need not to stray too far from her nebuliser - a life saving piece of equipment
-
Date
Hall's peerless piers
VISITORS to Hanbury Hall, near Droitwich Spa, will find an impressive new feature in the historic grounds Nearly 20 tons of Forest of Dean stone has been used to construct two pairs of gate piers leading into and out of the parterre. Staff are working
-
Date
Town's raft race set to resurface
TEAMS of charitable residents will be rafting along the town's canal at a charity bash this summer. Droitwich Canals Trust is organising a weekend of events to raise cash for an ambitious project to restore the town's landlocked waterways. Volunteers
-
Date
Title agony for Addison
IAN Rodgerson's last minute winner ended the promotion hopes of former Bulls' manager Colin Addison and his Yeovil team as Hereford United grabbed a 3-2 win at Huish Park last night. The home side needed to avoid defeat to take the Con-ference title race
-
Date
Boulton makes County debut
WORCESTERSHIRE called up Nick Boulton for his debut in today's Benson and Hedges Cup clash against Glamorgan at Cardiff. The 22-year-old former Somerset batsman came in for Paul Pollard who suffered a hamstring injury during his Gold Award batting performance
-
Date
Malvern Town Council Referendum Result
The question put was: "Do you think that the entire council should resign and that the councillors should stand for re-election to give the taxpayers the opportunity to express their views on the performance and increased expenditure by the town council
-
Date
Unlucky Rovers preparing for crunch
BROMSGROVE Rovers were unlucky not to come away with all three Dr Martens Lea-gue Western Division points in a spirited 2-2 draw at Glouc-ester City. But after Cinderford pulled off a 2-0 win at Cirencester last night, Rovers' point may not be enough
-
Date
Westfields draw as Pugh stars
WESTFIELDS and Star Bridg-north battled out a 0-0 draw at Rotherwas last night in the Banks's Brewery League Premier Division when both goalkeepers, and in particular Ian Pugh of Westfields, gave five-star displays. Pugh was in the thick of it as Star
-
Date
Arabie for Brighton boost
Arabie takes time off from helping with Curtain Time's preparation for the Vodafone Derby to boost his own racecourse career at Brighton tomorrow. And Henry Cecil's charge can show he is a fair performer in his own right by opening his account in the
-
Date
Young gun Cottrell proves his quality
Droitwich 43 Hereford A 19 DROITWICH produced a fine performance to beat Hereford A at the Glyn Mitchell Memorial Ground on Saturday. The Spa side chose to introduce some young and fringe players into the starting line up, notably full-back Ben Cottrell
-
Date
Searchers swing in
ONE of the most influential groups from the Swinging Sixties will return by popular demand to the Palace Theatre this weekend. The Searchers followed the success of The Beatles and capitalised upon the then Mersey sound, clocking up 14 chart hits and
-
Date
Beware the fire burning in the south
FOR nearly three months now, as the foot-and-mouth tragedy has swept back and forth across Britain's green acres, the trench lines occupied by the now-familiar protagonists have acquired a kind of grim permanency. One might have thought that sniping between
-
Date
Studley open with a draw
STUDLEY captain Mark Lewis was happy after his side started the Birmingham and District Premier season with a draw. The weakened visitors were on course for 200 plus after stand-in wicketkeeper Simon Stamenkovic hit 76 and Stuart Harris 33. But with Studley
-
Date
Shifnal storm stops Redditch
REDDITCH were frustrated by a last minute hailstorm at Shifnal on Saturday. With the pitch playable but damp as the visitors arrived, the heavens opened and the match was off without a ball bowled. But the club has been boosted by the confirmation of
-
Date
Great Scott returns
WYTHALL lost to Highgate on Saturday in the only pre-season friendly they managed to stage but hopes are high for prodigal son Tom Scott who knocked an unbeaten 85. Scott was missing last season as he went travelling but is back to boost the Warwickshire
-
Date
MP's pledge refusal is 'appalling'
IT is with great sadness I feel obliged to write concerning the decision of Bromsgrove's MP not to sign the anti-race pledge that William Hague signed along with the other main political party leaders. Julie Kirkbride enjoys a high profile in the media
-
Date
Cookhill confident
COOKHILL captain Mick Hill is confident of starting the season with a win at Stourbridge Social on Saturday (2pm start). The Worcester Six side did the double over their Black Country opponents last season and Hill wants more of the same. "We have a strong
-
Date
Ragley after new home
ALCESTER and Ragley Park skipper Mark Fawthrop is trying to rearrange his side's first two home fixtures because of the foot and mouth crisis. The disease has forced the closure of Alcester's Ragley Park base for months and although the Park will provisionally
-
Date
Alne hopeful of winning start
GREAT Alne are hopeful of staging the opening fixture of their Cotswold Two campaign. The outfield and the square have been prepared at the club's Henley Road home but captain Craig Millard has a doubt over batsman Rob German. German has yet to decide
-
Date
Player appeal at Inkberrow
INKBERROW have appealed for players ahead of the new season. The Inkberrow Playing Fields side were set to open at home to Lapworth at the weekend but the weather intervened and captain Phil Scrafton wants to boost his squad. "We have a nucleus of about
-
Date
Polished show was faultless
UNDER the direction of Kevin Hirons, this production showed without doubt how professional an amateur production can be. The story centres on the Smith family who are eagerly awaiting the St Louis World Fair of 1904. However, Mr Smith gets promotion at
-
Date
Play held up as rain came down
PLANS to open a £35,000 playground at the Alexandra Hospital this month have been delayed again because of the poor weather conditions. Members of the hospital's League of Friends have now virtually reached the target to create a playground for able-bodied
-
Date
Back us plea by town GPs
PATIENTS are being urged to support Redditch doctors who are 'beginning to drown under a sea of paper work,' writes Becky Procter. The call follows yesterday's National Doctor Day, which saw GPs across the country call off surgeries in protest over ever
-
Date
Chiefs welcome changes
IT'S 'business as usual' according to Worcestershire health chiefs after the Government announced its intention to pare down the 99 existing health authorities to 30. Worcestershire Health Authority chief executive Pat Archer-Jones told patients services
-
Date
Birmingham to Worcester canal is still closed
Angling news with TONY BRUNN THERE has been a lot of confusion for the past couple of weeks over which stretches of canals have been re-opened for fishing. Well, at going to press, I can confirm that the BAA's Birmingham-Worcester Canal is still closed
-
Date
Last call
A WELL-RECOGNISED Bromsgrove worker has taken her last call at a town-based construction company after 30 years on the switchboard there. Dorothy Simmonds' time at Weaver PLC, in Worcester Road, has spanned three generations of the family-run business
-
Date
Welsh wonder at Redditch
EMBASSY World Championships quarter finalist Matthew Stevens is heading for Redditch next weekend. And the Welsh snooker ace could be making his first appearance after being crowned World Champion at Redditch Liberal Club. Stevens, who plays in the last
-
Date
Skippers on form
STUDLEY Blue and White Rope Skippers continued their European travels with success in Belgium at the weekend. Rachael Dale won the 12-14yrs Masters section with Beci Dale 3rd Sian Edwards 7th and Katherine Fisher 15th. Lauren Brown (13th) and Gemma Wong
-
Date
Too hot to handle
SUPERBIKES star Andy Tinsley is beset by problems ahead of the Superstocks meeting at Snetterton at the weekend. After numerous problems with the settings on his new GSXR 1000 Suzuki, Tinsley has ordered a new suspension unit from Sweden. The Astwood
-
Date
Zetec Stefan still hopeful
FORMULA Ford hopeful Stefan Hodgetts endured another grim weekend in the Zetec Championship at Donington. The Headless Cross teenager failed to finish for the second time in the opening three rounds after a disappointing time in qualifying. Hodgetts was
-
Date
RARE ALLERGY KILLS OP DAD STUART, 28
A 28-YEAR-OLD footballer who would have become a dad for the second time in September died during a routine operation from a rare condition which affects just one in 30,000 people. Stuart Thompson's death from a cardiac arrest triggered by a reaction
-
Date
Murdered paperboy's dad backs couple's campaign
THE father of murdered paperboy Stuart Gough has backed a Catshill couple's campaign for life imprisonment to mean life, after an appeal in last week's Advertiser/Mess-enger. Geoff Gough, from West Hagley, whose son was killed 13 years ago, saw the appeal
-
Date
More Cowley stuff
MARK Lazenby (You Say, April 14) quotes Rousseau "The English people believes itself to be free... it is greatly mistaken." I realise I am very cramped financially (due to my circumstances) but, after a lifetime of struggle, I'm convinced I am now mentally
-
Date
Top Tory to visit town high school
THE Shadow Education Secretary is due to visit Redditch today amid the ongoing campaign for fairer funding for Worcestershire schools. Theresa May will visit St Augustine's RC High School with Tory prospective Parliamentary candidate Karen Lumley. They
-
Date
New head looks to future success
THE new headteacher of a Hollywood school received a warm welcome from teachers and pupils after she was appointed last week, writes Matt Smith. Melanie Warnes was welcomed as new headteacher at Woodrush High School last Monday. Ms Warnes, previously
-
Date
Dolphins storm to league win
DROITWICH Dolphins' young swimmers were in commanding form at Stetchford in the first round of the prestigious Nuneaton League for under-12's. Full credit goes to the girls' team, who were seriously depleted as a result of a number of conflicting local
-
Date
£2.6m plans drawn up for village site
TENDERS have now been put out for a scheme which will bring important developments to Bidford. The extensive scheme, costing £2.6 million and devised as part of multi-agency policy, will eventually include a new primary school, a public library, a nursery
-
Date
Eric's farewell to a great year
AS he prepares to end his year in office and hand over the reigns of power, Eric Payne has reflected on a rewarding 12 months as Alcester Mayor. Mr Payne said there were countless high points during the year, including the opening of Alcester's skatepark
-
Date
From our archives
April 30, 1976 ALCESTER trader Mr David Burden, a founder member of the town's Round Table, was due for retirement this year after reaching the compulsive age limit. But what David thought was to be his last Round Table night turned out to be a very special
-
Date
Revenge attack youths detained
FOUR Redditch teenagers have each been sentenced to 18 months detention for a planned revenge attack on a college student. Warren Lowe,18, was returning to his home in Chedworth Close, Redditch, when he was surrounded by a gang of 15 youths. He suffered
-
Date
Theft not in vain as spire's star returns
THE weather vane which adorned the top of St Stephen's Church for nearly 100 years has been safely returned after a brief disappearance at the hands of thieves. The vane was stolen last Wednesday by vandals who climbed scaffolding around the 140ft spire
-
Date
Punch-up witness plea
WITNESSES to a fight between two women are being sought by Redditch police. The fight, between women aged 20 and 23 happened in a car parking area in Acton Close, Church Hill at about 4.50pm on Tuesday, April 17. Several witnesses have already come forward
-
Date
Junior rugby update
IN their last games of the season, Bromsgrove U11s started the Stratford Tournament in convincing style. Excellent play from the backs and good support from the forwards gave them a 25-0 win against Shipton. In the second game with Stratford it was the
-
Date
Bees Urn final win
Studley BKL 2 Malvern Town 0 STUBBORN Studley won their first trophy of the season after a hard-fought, fractious Urn final. The Bees traded blows with holders Malvern throughout a bitty stop-start game constantly interrupted by over-zealous refereeing
-
Date
Dismay at land plans and alcohol licence
WHEN we moved into our property in Mulberry Tree Hill, Droitwich, a year ago, we had to have all the usual searches carried out for a mortgage. One of which came back saying the empty plot of land in Primsland Way would not be built on because it used
-
Date
'Deceitful' comment
IT is deceitful of Bromsgrove District Council's leader to say there is free bus travel for pensioners up to £1.20. What about the outlying areas of Rubery and Romsley? They will still be paying half fare. Cllr Peter McDonald was justified in alerting
-
Date
Headless women run around Marconi
HEADLESS Cross Ladies did arch rivals Redditch United Women a favour at the weekend by thumping bottom club Marconi 8-1. The Abbey Stadium side stayed on course for third place. Headless sit fourth but closed the gap on third-placed Southam to three points
-
Date
Parade disgust
THE English language is rich in words, but I find it difficult if not impossible to put adequately my disgust at the chief constable's refusal to give cover so the youth movements of Bromsgrove could have their annual St George's Day parade. We are all
-
Date
Have golves will travel...
ALVECHURCH goalkeeper Paul Hammond had a hectic time last night playing three matches - and turning out twice for the Lye Meadow club. The Church have a goalkeeping crisis for Saturday's Challenge Cup semi final against Nuneaton Griffs. First choice Dave
-
Date
'Lesser guns' taking pot shots at Tories
IT is interesting to note the lesser guns of the Bromsgrove Labour Party are now being brought into the fray to attack my criticisms of their administration regarding the handling of Bromsgrove District Council's reserves. My comments obviously struck
-
Date
Voting record is 'an absolute disgrace'
IT came as no surprise last week to discover that residents of Bromsgrove are represented in the House of Commons by a part time MP. While reading numerous articles and noticing the frequency of TV appearances I have often wondered how on earth Miss Kirkbride
-
Date
Farmers facing animal welfare crisis
THERE is one point made by Neil Godwin, of Sidemoor, (Advertiser/-Messenger April 18) on which we obviously both agree. The situation is serious. Farms throughout the country are now predictably faced with a crisis over animal welfare. In excess of 1.5
-
Date
Litter problems
WITH regard to Bromsgrove's litter problem, it should be obvious to a blind person that the litter bins provided are inadequate in size and badly sited. Day after day I pass overflowing bins. The bins in most situations would need emptying twice daily
-
Date
Campion out to spoil the Studley party
FECKENHAM manager Clive Campion has no qualms about derailing cousin Mark Chambers' title ambitions. The Millers take on Studley at home on Bank Holiday Monday (ko 7.30pm) and are bidding to avoid a third loss after a 1-0 reverse in the league and 4-0
-
Date
Make your voice heard
MEETING after meeting, more often than not, there are no members of the public at Droitwich Spa Town Council's public question time. I'm sure readers do not realise they can attend meetings, raise concerns and make comments. All we ask is that the questions
-
Date
Test story
Test story for Changing face of Wyre Forest on thisiskidderminster.co.uk
-
Date
100 years ago
May 4, 1901 THE ball which took place in the Public Hall in Redditch on Tuesday in aid of the fund providing the much needed additional nurse at the Smallwood Hospital will long be remembered by those who were present as one of the pleasantest functions
-
Date
50 years ago
April 28, 1951 ON Sunday last, the nearest to St George's Day, the Fourth County of Worcestershire Cadets regiment celebrated the first anniversary of its formation with a church parade at Redditch Parish Church. More than 120 officers and cadets attended
-
Date
25 years ago
April 30, 1976 OVER 50 valuable racing pigeons had their wings savagely hacked off before being left to their flightless fate by a busy Redditch road. Before the RSPCA and local people could rescue them, over 14 were killed by cars and cats as they waddled
-
Date
Boy knocked to ground for car
AN 11-year-old boy was pushed to the ground during the "shocking" robbery of a £20,000 sports car at Grafton Manor Hotel. The youngster, a wedding reception guest at the Grafton Lane venue, was collecting photographs from his grandfather's sports car
-
Date
Jolly hockeysticks!
SEEN here early last century is the Enfield ladies' hockey team. Little is known about the picture, which appeared on a postcard. Councillor Jack Cookson supplied it. Meanwhile, readers have kindly responded to a request for details about the Memory Lane
-
Date
Row erupts as council takes on ex-officer
CONTROLLING Tories on Bromsgrove District Council were accused of operating an "old boys' network" this week by engaging a former chief officer as a consultant. The leader of the opposition Labour group, Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley), said
-
Date
Gloucester City 2 Bromsgrove Rovers 2
Tuesday, May 1, 2001 BROMSGROVE Rovers were unlucky not to come away with all three Dr Martens Lea-gue Western Division points in a spirited 2-2 draw at Glouc-ester City. But after Cinderford pulled off a 2-0 win at Cirencester last night, Rovers' point
-
Date
Couple first to win with Loyalty Card
A LUCKY Rubery couple have scooped a rollover prize of £80 in the Advertiser/Messenger's loyalty card prize draw. Alan and Sylvia Lee, from Windmill Avenue, found the numbers on their card came up trumps to win them the top prize. As the first to come
-
Date
MP backs campaign to keep killer caged
BROMSGROVE MP Julie Kirkbride is supporting a Catshill couple who are lobbying the Prime Minister to keep the 'wicked' paedophile who killed their young son behind bars. The town's Tory representative was moved when she saw Tony and Sue Edmonston's campaign
-
Date
Guild statue comes under the hammer
A LEAD figure of a young girl crafted by the world famous Bromsgrove Guild is set to come under the hammer later this month. Auctioneers Sotheby's South say it is expected to make between £12,000 to £18,000. It stands some 44 inches tall and was made
-
Date
Villagers heading for polls as councillors quit
RESIDENTS in Catshill and Hagley will go to the polls on June 7, the same day as county council elections, to elect new district councillors. It follows the not unexpected resignations last week of two Tory members, Len Boden at Catshill and Helen Whitehouse
-
Date
Barnt Green crash in opener
BARNT Green Cricket Club's First XI opened the 2001 campaign with a heavy loss at Halesowen. Put into bat on a slow, low wicket, Green struggled all day against an accurate and experienced home attack. New Worcestershire signing Nick Boulton (52) was
-
Date
Boyfriend cleared of causing death
THE boyfriend of popular Bromsgrove company director Sarah Hampton who was killed when his car hit the kerb and overturned has been cleared of causing death by dangerous driving. But motorist David Barnard was convicted of an alternative charge of careless
-
Date
Hurdman pots onto pro tour
DROITWICH snooker star Ian Hurdman has qualified for the main professional snooker circuit next season. In the four-event challenge tour, the 28-year-old finished in ninth place from 433 entrants. He reached the quarter-finals in the first event last
-
Date
Feckenham Forest History Society
THE first part of the April meeting, the AGM, was conducted speedily, with all officers of the committee being re-elected for another year. A token of appreciation was given to the three members who provide refreshments at each meeting. Special thanks
-
Date
Laura's a real golden girl
THE Bromsgrove Distrct Sports Personality Awards proved to be a huge success at the Spadesbourne Suite on Friday night. And over the next few weeks, your No.1 paper will publish pictures of each of the 16 winners from this prestigious ceremony. North
-
Date
Friends of Coughton Court
THE first meeting of the year got off to an excellent start with Dixie Atkins, who spoke about the six wives of Henry VIII. Each wife had her own distinct personality. Catherine of Aragon was originally betrothed to Henry's older brother, Arthur, and
-
Date
OAPs given concessions for six months
PENSIONERS meeting at a community centre in Rubery hit by a massive increase in charges have won concessions -- for six months. Charges at Rubery Youth and Community Centre, in New Road, virtually quadrupled after Worcestershire County Council brought
-
Date
Hopwood WI
OUTINGS seemed to occupy a large part of the business at the April meeting. Names were taken for forthcoming trips to Hartlebury, Jodrell Bank and Oxford. There were also details of numbers taking part or attending Perdiswell craft show. Due to the foot
-
Date
Chemical firm in safety talks
MANAGERS of a large chemical firm in Stoke Prior made their first appearance at the annual parish meeting to explain new safety regulations protecting villagers living near the plant. PolymerLatex managing director Graham Reed gave a presentation on Monday
-
Date
Probus Club of Alcester
THE Men's Probus Club met at the Swan Hotel, Alcester, for their 165th meeting on March 28. There were no visitors at the meeting. Two new members, John Sivyer and John Stanfield, were presented with their name badges, ties and rule books. Horace Jobson
-
Date
Health shake-up is announced
THE future of the health authority serving Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa has been thrown into doubt after a massive shake-up of the NHS was announced. Health Secretary Alan Milburn revealed last Wednesday that the 99 health authorities will be merged into
-
Date
Drug addict's trolley dash raids
A WOMAN used "trolley dash" methods to raid a series of Worcestershire stores including two in Bromsgrove, a court was told. Magistrates in Droitwich Spa heard how Jacqueline Burbridge, of De Wyche Road, Wychbold, was caught after making off with £432
-
Date
Minister considers change to subsidies
CHANGES to agricultural subsidies which would pay English farmers to look after the landscape rather than produce ever more food are being considered by Agriculture Minister Nick Brown, it was confirmed today. Among the recommendations made by the Ministry
-
Date
MP calls town hall meeting
HEREFORD'S MP Paul Keetch has said that changes to the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme announced by the Government on Friday will hit farmers most hurt by the current foot-and-mouth crisis. He is also asking farmers who can leave their farms to meet
-
Date
Flying the flag
FLAGS were flying to celebrate the 25th anniversary of a school for Bromsgrove pupils with special needs. Chadsgrove School, in Catshill, raised a new flag with the school logo to mark the occasion and celebrated with a disco and a reunion. Pupils at
-
Date
Light at the end of the tunnel
A HARD-hitting TV commercial depicting the emotional impact of foot-and-mouth is being launched today by The Samaritans. The advice group has compiled clips from news footage showing the horror of the epidemic on Britain's farming community, tourism and
-
Date
Pensioner uses pedal power
A DETERMINED pensioner is set to embark on a gruelling cycle ride during which he will clock up around 1,000 miles as he raises cash for a Stoke Prior woman. John Simmonds, a regular at The Butchers Arms, in Stoke Works, will be using a tricycle to travel
-
Date
Town hospitals are among the best
HOSPITALS serving Bro-msgrove and Droitwich Spa have been named as among the best in the country -- according to the international firm of health consultants which has produced the first NHS performance tables. Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
-
Date
Duo from Devon at folk club
A NORTH Devon duo will be performing at the next Redditch Folk Club event above the White Hart pub, Headless Cross, on Saturday. Tom and Barbara Brown have been performing together for 30 years and are influenced by the singing traditions in Devon and
-
Date
Society's last stand
REDDITCH Music Society's final concert of the current season takes place at the town's Ecumenical Centre on Saturday. The concert will be given by The LITmus Trio - flautist Hannah Lang, cellist Toby Turton and pianist Peter Hewitt - who all have extensive
-
Date
What's on guide
Thursday, May 3 Bjorn Again, Warwick Arts Centre. And May 4. Tickets from 024 7652 4524. Tony Martin, Ronnie Scott's, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 643 4525. Money, Money, Money by Roger Harvey, Dovehouse Theatre, Olton, Solihull. And May 4. Tickets from
-
Date
Time to reach for the tissues
A Walk to Remember, Nicholas Sparks. (Bantam Books, £5.99) IT is 1958 and Landon Carter is 17. He lives in North Carolina, near the beach side of Beaufort, a small southern town. Everyone knows everyone else and their business. Church life is important
-
Date
Battle continues
THE Peter Luff versus Tony Blair battle rages on -- but the Prime Minister is still boxing clever. Before the MPs took an Easter break, Mr Luff was enraged by a seven-word Parliamentary written answer from the PM. He had been upset that rural MPs had
-
Date
Where was number 27?
AS a Tory whip, Peter Luff has to make sure his colleagues are in the right place at the right time. If they are needed in the Commons, he makes absolutely certain they turn up. So the Mid-Worcestershire MP was left a little red faced this week...after
-
Date
Warning for firms over bank holiday
A WARNING has gone out to Worcestershire businesses to be extra vigilant when asking employees to work extra hours. With the first of a double dose of May bank holidays fast approaching, Risk Managers Smithson Mason Group (SMG) is advising businesses
-
Date
Drinkers urged to have a mild day
REAL ale lovers are being invited to join in the spirit of things and try a pint of mild this month. CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, will be celebrating National Mild Day on Saturday to promote what they say is one of Britain's finest beer styles. As
-
Date
Drugs war cash boost
THE fight against drug-related crime in Redditch will get a cash boost of nearly £216,000 over the next three years, writes Julian Seva. And more money could be in the pipeline after the Home Office this week announced a round of grants for community
-
Date
Dad's fight to keep son off heroin
A DISTRAUGHT Redditch father whose son was left paralysed after a heroin overdose has spoken of his constant battle to keep the boy's brother away from drugs. Trevor Woods' 24-year-old son spent four days in a coma four years ago and needs round-the-clock
-
Date
Marlow strikes hammer blow
Racing Club Warwick (1) 1 Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Dr Martens League Western Division Sunday April 29 ROVERS will have to perform miracles in the last week of the season if they are to avoid a return to a regional level of grass roots football -- a level
-
Date
Applause for CHC decision
FOLLOWING the Government's recent defeat in the House of Lords on Community Health Council (CHC) abolition, representatives from the Redditch branch have voiced their approval. Bromsgrove and Redditch CHC Chief Officer Moira Morris said: "I think all
-
Date
Hospital staff in room rage!
CALLS to provide a staff room at the Alexandra Hospital have been made after health bosses announced plans to spend £7.5 million on improvements and new facilities, writes Becky Procter. The hospital's union revealed staff had no where to go and their
-
Date
Yeovil Town 2 Hereford United 3
Tuesday, May 1, 2001 IAN Rodgerson's last minute winner ended the promotion hopes of former Bulls' manager Colin Addison and his Yeovil team as Hereford United grabbed a 3-2 win at Huish Park last night. The home side needed to avoid defeat to take the
-
Date
2/5/01 - Robins beaten in final
THE Worcestershire FA Senior Cup has gone outside the county for the first time in several years. Moor Green won the trophy for the first time with a 4-2 extra-time success over Evesham United in the second leg of the final at Common Road last night.
-
Date
Bowling contest at the Abbey
REDDITCH Borough Council is holding the Redditch Town Open Bowls Tournament 2001. The contest is set to start next month and run until September with matches played at the Abbey Stadium Sports Centre. A range of trophies and cash prizes are on offer in
-
Date
Palmer out for another top finish
TEAM Legs Eleven starlet Tristan Palmer is chasing a second consecutive top 15 finish at Snetterton on Monday after making a stir on his last outing. The Redditch-based superbikes team have been forced to raise the ride height for the prodigiously talented
-
Date
Marathon effort from B&R stars
A NUMBER of Bromsgrove & Redditch runners took part in this year's London Marathon with pride of place going to Dave Cleverley. More of a fun runner over the last few years Cleverley got down to serious training over winter in preparation for his
-
Date
Redditch riders battle against the elements
WARWICKSHIRE Road Club riders secured top placings in their latest club train on the K37 10-mile course. Despite being hampered by strong winds and heavy showers, Mick Harborne (Warwicks) rode to victory in 25 mins 42 secs. Mark Bennett (Redditch Triathletes
-
Date
Try your hand at Wythall club
WYTHALL Tennis Club is taking part in the Play Tennis scheme to promote the sport. The fun starts at 11am on Saturday and runs all day, juniors will have team games, coaching and awards. Rackets are available. There is the unique 'tennis factory' for
-
Date
Race on for Caterhams Matthew
SAMBOURNE speedster Gordon Matthew is in a race against time to get his car ready for the second round of the Auto-sport Caterham Road-sport Challenge at Brands Hatch. Matthew developed serious problems with the Rover engine in his Caterham during testing
-
Date
Engine trouble hampers Mucci
OAKENSHAW ace Enzo Mucci's Alfa Championship hopes have been dealt a major blow by serious engine problems. After starting the season with a bang at Donington, the Alfa 147 racing engine blew on a testing machine forcing the JS Motorsports team to install
-
Date
2/5/01 - Cup triumph could lead to greater glory
NOW that Worcester City have rediscovered the trophy-winning habit, can they land an even bigger prize next season? Winning the Dr Martens League Cup last week could be a huge psychological boost towards their main ambition - winning the Premier Division
-
Date
School boost for IT
MORE than £150,000 has been spent on new technology for teachers and pupils at Trinity High School, opening in September. All teachers will be provided with their own personal laptop, which they will be testing out in June. With the 70 new laptops, teachers
-
Date
Scientific spending
A school has spent nearly £70,000 on refurbishing a science laboratory for its pupils. Ridgeway Middle School, Astwood Bank, received the money after a successful Government bid. The new lab has state-of-the-art equipment to benefit all pupils. Headteacher
-
Date
Paying share for education
SOME may admire Stephen Clee's persistence in writing to You Say as he seeks re-election to the county council but surely no one can admire his logic. For example, he knows education and other county council services are funded by two sources i.e. directly
-
Date
New school takes shape
RAPID changes are afoot at a Lodge Park school due to re-open in September following the Redditch review. Oak Hill First School, formed from the merger of Ipsley and Arrowcrest first schools, has already chosen its new uniform and badge and work on a
-
Date
Help is at hand
6 OSTEOARTHRITIS of the knee can cause excruciating pain - but until quite recently there was little that could be done. Over the past decade or so, continual improvements in surgical techniques and materials have made knee replacement surgery a highly
-
Date
Rocketing glory for explosive pair
YOUNGSTERS at Abbey High School rocketed to success when they beat five other schools in an explosive competition. Contestants turned up at Abbey High School on Sunday morning to build the rockets. They then launched them at Bridley Moor High School's
-
Date
Taking the credit
6 I SEE that Mike Foster's latest gimmick is to seek credit for the new hospital in the same way that he tried to fool the people by standing in front of Shrub Hill station to have his photograph taken when he heard that it was to be renovated. His sole
-
Date
Musical marvels
St Stephen's Middle School is once again celebrating a 100 per cent pass rate after four pupils were successful in the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music examinations. Musical marvels Rebecca Chaney, Jenna Garey, Charlotte Hynes and Sophie
-
Date
How can park-ride be hailed a success?
6 M SIMPKIN'S letter (You Say, April 14) regarding a report from the Transport Research Laboratory that said "bus lanes are a waste of space", is timely. Behind the predictable euphoria over Perdiswell's first days are some interesting statistics. Usage
-
Date
The RSPCA needs your support, not criticism
6 IN some quarters the RSPCA has been unreasonably criticised with suggestions it is not doing enough in the current foot- and-mouth crisis. This is very disappointing, as the RSPCA and its inspectors have been working incredibly hard since this crisis
-
Date
2/5/01 - Victory rewards players for their efforts
IT was a great trip back on the coach when we won the Dr Martens League Cup at Crawley Town. When you look around, there are a lot of players in the side who may be experienced in terms of games, but who haven't had a great deal of success to show for
-
Date
Stage show sets world record
AN Oversley Green man has proved making a song and dance about something can pay off after receiving official recognition for an outstanding dramatic feat, writes Helen Clarke. PendaBede Stally, a student at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and his
-
Date
Wendy to take the hot seat
AS a successful year as Alcester Mayor finally draws to a close, Eric Payne is set to hand over the chain of office to Councillor Wendy Weatherhead. Mrs Weatherhead was due to be elected as new mayor at the town council meeting last night. Mrs Weatherhead
-
Date
Shop aims to fill a gap in the town
A NEW shop is just days away from opening in the centre of Alcester, which promises townsfolk something a little bit different. Not only is the new shop, called Shannara, to sell women's day wear, something which is not particularly well catered for in
-
Date
Big date for PTA
A live band will provide the entertainment when Alcester High School's PTA hold its first ever Midsummer Dinner-Dance. The event will take place in the school hall on Saturday, June 16, and doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost £10, which includes the price
-
Date
Friends' May fair
The League of Friends will be holding a May Fair at Alcester Hospital to help boost funds and buy much needed equipment. There will be a tombola, cakes, bric-a-brac, gift stall and nearly new stall, raffle and competitions. The event is in the day room
-
Date
Hall to re-open
Ragley Hall has set a provisional date for re-opening, providing there are no further cases of foot and mouth in the area. The hall has been closed to corporate business since February to try to prevent the spread of the infection. A spokesman said: "
-
Date
Police warning to lone women
WOMEN are being warned to avoid walking alone late at night after a man tried to drag a woman towards an area of trees in Greenlands. Redditch police are investigating the incident which happened in Wishaw Close at about 11.25pm on Sunday, April 22. A
-
Date
Man hit with bat in attack
A 53-year-old man was treated at the Alexandra Hospital after being attacked with a baseball bat outside his Church Hill home. The unprovoked attack, described as savage, occurred just before midnight last Tuesday, after the man let his dog out into the
-
Date
Bus move thwarts violence
NO assaults or incidents have happened on Redditch buses since the launch of a police operation, it has been revealed. Uniformed and undercover police officers began travelling on the buses to stamp out assaults on drivers and instill confidence in passengers
-
Date
Wheels warning
Redditch Neighbourhood Watch representatives have warned vehicle owners to take extra precautions to prevent the theft of alloy wheels after several incidents in the town. A spokesman said: "We'd urge people to use an extra lock, as well as the manufacturer's
-
Date
Driver is banned
A Winyates West man was banned from driving for a year and fined £40 after admitting drink-driving on the Warwick Highway. David Flye, 46, of Croft Close, was found to have 59 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35
-
Date
Bad night for BKL
Results went against Studley last night as both their promotion rivals banked three points. Meir KA kept their faint hopes alive with a 2-0 win at Alvechurch and Romulus won by the same margin at home to Feckenham. The results leave Studley needing nine
-
Date
Who let the Bees out?
MARK Chambers' all-conquering Bees completed the first part of the treble on Monday lifting the Worcestershire Senior Urn for the first time in the club's history. Studley won an ill-tempered final against holders Malvern Town at Worcester City's St George's
-
Date
Cup draw in the County's hands
KINGS Heath manager Sean Lawless was set to wield the axe for the visit of Handrahan Timbers tonight (Wednesday, ko 7.45pm). Lawless was fuming after watching his side slump to a 3-0 defeat to Coventry Sphinx on Saturday and was ready to make five changes
-
Date
Busy times for Church
ALVECHURCH manager Mick Preece's squad will be tested to the limit as he prepares for a run of at least 16 matches in 26 days. Pitch problems and a Lye Meadow groundshare with Kings Heath have caused a nightmare fixture backlog which will force Preece
-
Date
Red Women hustled
REDDITCH United Women were knocked out of their stride by a physical Chelmsley side at the weekend. But the Abbey Stadium outfit can gain instant revenge in the home fixture on Sunday (ko 2pm). A number of players picked up knocks in the 3-1 defeat but
-
Date
Park on a roll
A REDDITCH pub team are set to end their debut season in style. Spartak Park are on course for promotion from the Stratford-on-Avon Cutler Division as runners-up. And the Park Inn side, who play at South Redditch, play Railway Lions tonight (Wednesday
-
Date
ROVERS CLOSE TO RELEGATION
TROUBLED Bromsgrove Rovers teeter on the brink of only the third relegation in their 116-year history. Weekend defeats to already relegated Paget Rangers and then Racing Club Warwick leaves the Greens perilously close to crashing out of the Southern League
-
Date
Charged with theft
THREE female juveniles were arrested in Coronation Street, Evesham, on suspicion of theft on Tuesday at 6.40pm. Two of the youngsters have been charged and bailed to appear before Droitwich Youth Courts on June 13. Police have formally cautioned the other
-
Date
Showdown over rubbish collection criticism
A SHOWDOWN was set to take place yesterday after the publication of a damning report which is highly critical of the district council's services -- including rubbish collection. Bromsgrove District Council dema-nded the meeting after seeing a draft copy
-
Date
Cox strikes to dent survival hopes
Gloucester City (1) 2 Bromsgrove Rovers (1) 2 Dr Martens League Western Division Tuesday May 1 BROMSGROVE were unlucky not to come away with all three points in a spirited display at Meadow Park. But after Cinderford Town pulled off a 2-0 win at Cirencester
-
Date
Bad start for Bromsgrove CC
BROMSGROVE First XI got off to a losing start in their new Birmingham League campaign when they visited Wellington last Saturday. Wellington did well to create a reasonably good pitch with little help from the weather but, with so little practice for
-
Date
2 May 2001
Benson & Hedges v. Glamorgan at Cardiff
-
Date
Art goes on show
THE work of local artists and members of Bromsgrove Arts Association are on show as part of the town's fringe festival at All Saints' Church, in Birmingham Road. The exhibition is open daily until Saturday May 12 from 10am to 4pm. Admission is £1 which
-
Date
MS sufferer to fight on for pub
A DETERMINED Stoke Prior woman, who has multiple sclerosis, is returning a special favour to fundraising regulars at a village pub threatened with closure. Linda Brown, who drinks at The Butchers Arms, in Shaw Lane, is spearheading a campaign to keep
-
Date
Inner Wheel Club of Redditch
THE April meeting was special. President Elizabeth Ostroumoff and members helped three colleagues - Iris Rogers, Audrey Stubbings and Olive Smith - to celebrate birthdays and giving 74 years of dedicated service to Inner Wheel. Ida Parkinson was thanked
-
Date
Have a say on church's future
WORRIED Lickey residents concerned about the future of their historic parish church are being urged to have their say on its possible development. Scores of householders packed into Lickey Parish Hall on Monday night to hear from an architect about the
-
Date
Royal Marine band entertains crowds
BROMSGROVE Festival organisers held their breath on Saturday that the unpredictable April weather would stay fine long enough to allow one of this year's major attractions to go ahead uninterrupted. Fortunately, the sun came out in time to highlight the
-
Date
Rowney Green Horticultural Society
THE recent meeting started with chairman Sandra Alder thanking all those who helped the society achieve a profit of £300 at the April jumble sale. Unfortunately, not many people turned up to hear Mr Pope give an illustrated talk on gardening through the
-
Date
£7m spending plan unveiled at hospital
A FURTHER £7m of spending over the next year is planned for the hospital that serves Bromsgrove to upgrade facilities and improve comfort for patients and visitors. The proposals for the Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, were announced at last Wednesday's
-
Date
Wythall Flower Club
AT the meeting on April 18, Mrs Rita Cartwright gave the demonstration and her chosen title was On the Wings of Time. Both flowers and foliage were beautiful and though it was cold and wintry outside, she brought spring indoors. The members' competition
-
Date
Tackling drug use
A GOVERNMENT grant of £81,000 has been given to Bromsgrove to cut down drug use and crime. It will be used over the next three years to target drug dealers and the crimes which fund addictions such as burglary, theft and robbery. Funding was allocated
-
Date
May 4, 1901
THE funerals of Sarah Broomfield and her mother, Harriet Laugher, took place at Bromsgrove cemetery. 100 years ago May 4, 1901 THE funerals of Sarah Broomfield and her mother, Harriet Laugher, took place at Bromsgrove cemetery. Last week Broomfield had
-
Date
Museum director's new lottery role
THE director of Bromsgrove's top tourist attraction has been appointed to sit on a new influential committee which will allocate lottery cash to heritage projects in the West Midlands. Dr Simon Penn, from Avoncroft Museum, in Stoke Heath, will join five
-
Date
Protection zones are set to be lifted
PROTECTION zones around foot-and-mouth infected farms in east Worcestershire could be lifted following a reduction in new cases. The Ministry of Agriculture said today five of the 3km zones looked likely to be the first cluster of premises in the county
-
Date
MP backs volunteers
KIND-HEARTED Bromsgrove residents who help others could be nominated for an award as part of an initiative which town MP Julie Kirkbride is backing. She is calling on organisations to identify older people who are volunteer "heroes." The scheme is being
-
Date
Still time to apply
ORGANISERS of one of the country's biggest dog shows have extended the deadline for entries. The Three Counties Championship Dog Show, to be staged at the Three Counties Showground, is going ahead as planned from Monday, June 11 and Thursday, June 14.
-
Date
Deadline delayed
FARMERS have been given extra time to submit applications for the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme. The closing date has been moved back to Thursday, May 31, but applications are still being welcomed by MAFF, despite
-
Date
Driver, 18, died after collision
A TEENAGE driver from Bromsgrove was fatally injured when his car was involved in a collision with a six-and-a-half ton truck. Benjamin Jan-Paul Thomas Townsend had just dropped his sister off when a Ford Iveco recovery lorry ploughed into his Metro.
-
Date
Family fun day on hills
ORGANISERS of a family event on the Lickey Hills are fighting back against the foot and mouth epidemic. What was due to be a wildlife and farm animals day has now become the Lickey Hills countryside event on Sunday May 13. Attractions include conservation
-
Date
Have a say on future of local government
FORWARD-THI-NKING Bromsgrove residents are invited to attend a series of public meetings to discuss the future shape of local government in the district. Councillors and off-icers from Bromsgrove District Council will be visiting various venues this month
-
Date
Scouts need adults to start taking the lead
THE march of 600 Beaver Scouts, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts on St George's Day was an ideal chance to take a snapshot of how Bromsgrove and Droit-wich Spa's 88-year-old organisation is faring. As the youngsters made their way to St John's Church,
-
Date
Recipes for success in rearing your new arrival
Aromatherapy For Your Child by Valerie Ann Worwood (Thorsons, £14.99) and Real Food For Your Baby by Catherine Atkinson (Foulsham, £3.99) HERE'S two books from different publishers but both with the same aim in mind - caring for that new or nearly-new
-
Date
On the cusp of change
Dinner of Herbs by Carla Grissmann. (Arcadia, £10.99) CARLA Grissmann, American by birth and now in her early 70s, divides her time between London and Afghanistan. This travelogue is about the year she spent in the early 1960s living with a family in
-
Date
Jack's the Hula Hoop man
JACK Straw has been called many things in his time, but Mike Foster's kids have come up with a new one. The Hula Hoop man. The city MP was watching television with his two young daughters when the Home Secretary came on the screen to announce a boost
-
Date
Merry Xmas, Mike
MIKE Foster enjoyed a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings this week. Sounds funny, given we are approaching the end of April. But it was actually quite a serious business. For the bash had been organised by the residents of Waverley Street and Cavendish
-
Date
Locked in satirical spotlight
SATIRICAL rag Private Eye seems to be well-acquainted by now with Wyre Forest MP David Lock. Mr Lock has made his way into the pages of the magazine's latest edition, not for the first time, as part of an ongoing wrangle with the group Health Concern.
-
Date
Rural divide rules apply
THE Campaign for the Protection of Rural England appears determined to make few converts among "townies" who have arrived in Worcestershire. The lobbying outfit has published a leaflet, Flight From the Cities, warning of the dangers of city-dwellers leaving
-
Date
Bureaucracy expected to play second fiddle
THE West Midlands Regional Chamber looks likely to bid for some Government cash in June, probably in the order of £1.5m. A report prepared for the Chamber, the Blairite talking shop whose members include representatives from Worcestershire local authorities
-
Date
Homes show a chance to shine
A HANDFUL of Worcestershire firms will be showcasing their work next month at the BBC Good Homes Show. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend this year's event at the NEC in Birmingham. The show features a host of homes and ideas, TV personalities
-
Date
Dogs to have their day
A HOLLYWOOD woman whose dogs won at Crufts last year has a chance of a repeat performance thanks to the postponement of the show due to the foot and mouth crisis. Mother-of-two Sue Boone has been showing her Afghan hounds for seven years and last year
-
Date
'They just don't want this'
A WORCESTER farm park is to close its gates after seeing a catastrophic fall in visitor numbers. Only 50 people visited Bennett's Farm, in Lower Wick, over Easter. The attraction normally sees 10 times that number of customers. Owner John Bennett said
-
Date
Market town cash suspicion
A £1m Government boost for a Worcestershire market town is a "stunt" which fails to address the real problems, according to mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff. The MP said he was extremely cynical about John Prescott's announcement yesterday to plough cash
-
Date
Mum drove car she had bought for its wheels
A WORCESTER woman getting her life back on track after being depressed and turning to drugs was caught driving an uninsured car after buying it to use its wheels. Paula Harrison bought the Vauxhall Cavalier in September last year. Wheels from her Vauxhall
-
Date
Animal welfare collection aims to raise £250,000 in cash
TESCO shoppers in Worcester will be urged to dig deep this week as leading animal welfare charity, the RSPCA, rattles collecting tins. The money-spinner, part of the seventh annual RSPCA Week, is predicted to raise more than £250,000 for the organisation's
-
Date
'I saw driver hit cyclist three times' court told
AN engineer has told a jury how he saw a motorist ram a cyclist three times on a country road near Pershore. Henry Walker was on a 50-mile Sunday bike ride with civil servant Eric Gorton when the shunts allegedly took place. Mr Walker claimed Ford Orion
-
Date
And finally: Freda - friend to the poor and needy
A WORCESTER woman who helped transform the lives of hundreds of poverty-stricken pensioners in the post Second World War years has died, aged 93. Freda Lowndes made a huge impact on the Faithful City when she launched the Good Neighbours Service in 1955
-
Date
Man, 76, found dead in bath
A RECLUSIVE pensioner found fully clothed in a bathtub with cuts to his neck and wrists may also have swallowed bleach, an inquest heard. The body of Walter Bennett was discovered in his Kidderminster home on Thursday, April 12. Despite the cuts, there
-
Date
Police campaign to warn drivers
A NEW campaign aimed at cutting vehicle crime in town centre car parks is being launched next week. Kidderminster police will be visiting sites in the centre to raise awareness of ways in which the public can protect themselves and their vehicles. In
-
Date
Lickey close in on title glory
IN the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League Division One last week, Lickey Monarchs had two resounding victories which virtually ensures they win the league. In their first game against Himbleton A, their team of Eric Hardman, Roy Norton and Martin
-
Date
Close racing for Olympique riders
THE new racing season is now in full swing for many young and not-so-young Bromsgrove Olympique members. Events were contested at Curborough, Victoria Park, Leamington, Birmingham Wheels and Birmingham Bus-iness Park. The Victoria Park races saw some
-
Date
Safety advice backfires
THE efforts of Spa firefighters to raise awareness of safety issues have backfired - with potentially dangerous consequences. Following a blaze in Westlands last week, the town's crew delivered fire safety leaflets to houses on the estate. But since the
-
Date
Owners must be responsible
AS a dog owner who uses all of the parks in Redditch, please allow me to comment upon the letters about Morton Stanley Park. There may be no law about 'dogs on leads' but there is a MAFF recommendation that all dogs near an outbreak of foot and mouth
-
Date
Door still open for route
AT the recent Stratford District Council planning meeting held in Studley, councillors unanimously passed a resolution recommending to Warwickshire County Council that the Studley western bypass be built as a matter of urgency. This followed full consideration
-
Date
With regret
TODAY appears to signal the end of the road for Worcester Carnival's annual centre-piece parade. We're taking the rare step of allowing the organising committee use of the We Say column, because we share their thoughts. WE have experience of the event
-
Date
Our children are being penalised
I AM not a person to stand on a soap box and belittle the Government, whatever their political persuasions. I don't even moan that much about life in general. However, if there is one thing which makes me very cross it is injustice towards those who cannot
-
Date
Near miss is a warning...
I WAS reading the Advertiser (April 18) and I noticed S Badger complained about the lack of road signs from Crabbs Cross to Foxlydiate. My daughter, aged six, was nearly knocked down one afternoon two weeks ago when a driver failed to stop on a red light
-
Date
Green's setting the benchmark
STUDLEY MP John Maples dropped in on Friday to see for himself the hard work put in by volunteers to create the village's Millennium Green. Work is still under way on the project but chairman of the green's trustees, Gill Harris, is pleased with how it
-
Date
Not a load of rubbish
AT least a third of the contents of the average wheelie bin could be turned into compost, claims Redditch Council as it prepares for National Composting Awareness Week. To mark the week, cut-price compost bins and water butts will be on sale at Arrow
-
Date
Council seeks villagers' view
WYTHALL residents are invited to attend a meeting discussing the future shape of local government in the district. Bromsgrove councillors and officers will be attending the meeting on Thursday, May 17, at Park Hall in Silver Street at 6.30pm to talk about
-
Date
Free links for groups
TOWN community and voluntary groups are set to benefit from the expansion of Redditch Council's website. Non-profit groups interested in having their own websites linked to the council's site can contact communications manager Jo Barker on 534169 or by
-
Date
Traffic causing 999 delay fears
A DISTRICT councillor is concerned the volume of traffic through Bordesley could be delaying emergency vehicles. June Griffiths, of Bromsgrove Council, is seeking action from county highways chiefs to ease the situation along Birmingham Road. Mrs Griffiths
-
Date
Richard is chosen
THE Redditch branch of the Green Party has announced Richard Armstrong, 47, of Winyates East will be its candidate for the General Election. The party is compiling a petition for a door-to-door recycling scheme. Three hundred signatures have been collected
-
Date
Jo faces up to starry career
A FORMER NEW College student will be rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous when she starts work as a make-up artist on the forthcoming Harry Potter film, based on the popular children's books by JK Rowling. Jo Glover will be working alongside special
-
Date
Group's moving session
THE Break-a-Leg Theatre Company is offering youngsters the chance to get involved in a new movement group. Sessions aimed at seven to 13 year olds, kick off on Friday, May 11, and run from 6-7.15pm. The Advertiser recently reported the charity's search
-
Date
The heat is on for drivers
DRIVERS and escorts from Redditch Community Transport (RCT) had their temperatures raised as part of their essential training last Wednesday. They all took part in a fire evacuation course which showed them exactly what to do and how to act promptly to
-
Date
Cyclists' cash collection
TWO Redditch cyclists are appealing for their sponsorship money after completing a gruelling 885-mile journey across France. Headteacher Tom Revell and assistant headteacher Tim Jones, from Birchensale Middle School, actually finished their cycling trip
-
Date
Teacher hopes to be in peak condition
A BRAVE Redditch teacher has reached a major sponsorship milestone after deciding to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for Whiz Kids. Robert Young, from Walkwood Middle School, reached the £5,000 mark last week after a £500 donation from Howard Yarnold Window Systems
-
Date
Webheath (1) 4 Wychbold RBL Reserves (0) 1 Ken Parfitt Cup Final
WEBHEATH convincingly beat a young RBL Reserve side in the final of the Ken Parfitt Cup. Played on an excellent pitch at Wychbold, Webheath took control from the start but could only manage one goal just before the break, as RBL always looked second best
-
Date
Act now or miss relief
BUSINESSES around Inkberrow suffering at the hands of the foot and mouth epidemic may be eligible for business rate relief. But Wychavon District Council is advising businesses such as hotels, pubs, bed and breakfasts to act now or risk missing out. Farms
-
Date
New teams wanted
BROMSGROVE Corporate Six-a-Side Football League is looking for teams for the new season starting in May. All games are played on Thursday evenings, on state of the art astroturf pitch in Bromsgrove. The league is professionally organised with on site
-
Date
Hoping for top plaice
TWO NEW College students hoped to know their crab from their cockles when they competed in the semi-final of the National Seafish Cookery competition yesterday. Hospitality and catering students Daniel Crawley and Laura Emes worked together to prepare
-
Date
Junior football headlines
CATSHILL U8s 5 Crusaders U8s 1. A well fought first half by both teams saw Catshill take the lead with goals from Sam Brown and James Lund. Crusaders pulled a goal back during the second half but Catshill proved too strong and a penalty by Brown and a
-
Date
Eyes down for new nightclub
THE former Gala Bingo Hall in the town centre has been taken over by the UK's largest late-night entertainment operator, writes Becky Procter. Millennium Leisure Ltd had bought the venue in Church Road to transform into a nightclub similar to Club Euphoria
-
Date
Goals galore for busy Garringtons
Garringtons Sunday (1) 5 Bromsgrove General (0) 2 Worcester Nursing Cup semi-final (at Garringtons) BOTH sides played the first half in typical cup tie fashion but it was Garringtons who took the lead on the stroke of half time when Steve Evans crossed
-
Date
Bike event off
A junior bike ride due to take place on May 6 in aid of the British Heart Foundation has been scrapped because of a poor response. The event, for children under 12, was to take place at Arrow Valley Lake in conjunction with the Heart of Worcestershire
-
Date
Tide turning against arson
THE 'corner has been turned' in the fight against car fires after a combined initiative between the police and fire brigade. Station officer Richard Lawrence, of Redditch Fire Station, said fire fighters were reaping the rewards of monthly meetings to
-
Date
Out of work unchanged
The unemployment rate in Redditch stayed the same during the past year at three per cent. Figures from the National Statistics Office showed that on March 8, a total of 1,346 people were claiming unemployment benefit. Of those, 962 were men and 384 were
-
Date
Fire crews at post box
Redditch fire crews were called to a post box blaze in Woodrow Centre at 12.15am last Friday.
-
Date
The grandfather of all rows!
A PROPOSAL to install a 'granddad' statue in Alvechurch has resulted in a backlash from villagers, who have labelled it a 'monstrosity' and a 'frivolous waste of money,' writes Melina Cannon. The parish council's village improvements committee is looking
-
Date
Carer stole cash from stroke victim's purse
A WOMAN said she stole money from a Droitwich stroke victim she looked after because she was trying to expose the "bad attitude" of two fellow carers. Caroline Godfrey was one of five carers employed to look after Dorothy Seymour at her Droitwich home
-
Date
Old woman tricked by bogus workmen
TWO men stole £300 from the home of an elderly Droitwich woman and fled when caught red-handed. The Spa pensioner let the men into her Ombersley Road property last Wednesday when they claimed to be doing repair work. While one man kept the OAP talking
-
Date
Starring role for Joshua
A MIDSUMMER night's dream has come true for a Droitwich Spa boy set to star in a Royal Shakes-peare Company production. Joshua Dale, aged 12, has been selected to play a prominent role in The Prisoner's Dilemma. He impressed at tough auditions and will
