Archive
-
Date
Cor! Luv a duck Gulliver
A LONELY widower is on a high after finding a new girlfriend to settle down with. Gulliver the duck was left out in the cold after his partner died last month, leaving him broken-hearted and looking for a new bird in his life to fit the bill. But the
-
Date
£80,000 price tag on an 1890s car
BRITAIN'S earliest petrol driven car, made in Malvern in the 1890s, is expected to fetch £80,000 when it goes under the hammer at a Christie's auction. Charles and Walter Santler began building the Santler 3hp Dogcart at Malvernia, their father's Malvern
-
Date
Death of a Worcester milliner
ONE of Worcester's best-known milliners, who spent more than 40 years in business in the city, has died. Janet Wheeler died at Ronkswood on Sunday, aged 64, following a fight against cancer. Miss Wheeler fell into millinery after starting out designing
-
Date
Special school could be moving to the city
A WORCESTERSHIRE special school could move to a new site close to mainstream schools in Worcester. A county council-owned site at Merrimans Hill has been recommended as the ideal spot to relocate Cliffey House Special School, which is currently near Hanley
-
Date
Safety work plans set to be unveiled
PLANS for safety improvements at a road junction which was the site of a fatal crash earlier this year are being unveiled tomorrow. The Highways Agency is revealing the proposals for the A449 Waresley Turn junction, near Hartlebury, at Hartlebury Village
-
Date
Bid to revive 'Middle Way' on hunting
CONSERVATIVE MP Peter Luff wants to revive the "Middle Way" option on hunting with dogs. He is one of six MPs to table an amendment to a House of Commons motion which originally called for the controversial pursuit to be banned. The amendment is for a
-
Date
Residents see red over a raised road
FED-up residents claim a raised road has caused them a costly sum in car repairs. The neighbours from Warndon Villages say the underside of their vehicles are being hit by the stretch of road because it is too high. They want the developers of the road
-
Date
Con burglars in raids spree
DISTRACTION burglars struck in a spate of incidents from Martley to Blakedown in the same day. Kidderminster police are warning people to be on their guard after conmen struck across the area on Monday. The first incident took place in Forge Lane, Blakedown
-
Date
Suzanne is switched on
FAIRY tale starlet Cinderella will switch on the Christmas lights in Droitwich Spa this Saturday. The Advertiser and Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) launched the Get Switched On competition to find a special child to
-
Date
Councillors vote in rise in expenses
COUNTY councillors have voted to give themselves a 40 per cent increase in their expenses. An independent panel was appointed to decide whether councillors should receive an increase in the amount of money they are given for expenses every year. The panel
-
Date
Arrests after stabbing
POLICE have arrested three people in connection with an alleged stabbing in Droitwich. A woman and two men were arrested last week after a 34-year-old man was allegedly stabbed in the back at Wey Close, in Chawson, on Monday November 12. The trio have
-
Date
Town's issues under spotlight
PEOPLE in Bromsgrove are being encouraged to find out what is happening in their neighbourhood. The district council has joined forces with Worcestershire County Council, West Mercia police, and Worcestershire Health Authority to hold a series of public
-
Date
It's a snore-away success
CARING staff at a town nursery were only too happy to work late on Friday night. Safehands employees held a slumber party to raise cash for BBC Children in Need. They were locked into their newly-opened Old Coach Road premises from 6pm to 9am with just
-
Date
Mum a step nearer target
A BEREAVED Droitwich woman, who set up a charity fund when her son died, has sent a heartfelt thanks to the people who supported a fundraising event. Mandie Grimley, from Chawson, organised a sponsored walk to raise money for Ben's Fund. It was set up
-
Date
School conference
DROITWICH Spa is to host Worcestershire's first conference for school governors and parents. Education funding and teacher retention will be among items for discussion tomorrow night at Droitwich Spa High School. The Briar Mill site will welcome hundreds
-
Date
Switched on to licence dodgers
A CAMPAIGN to snare TV licence dodgers in Droitwich Spa is under way. Inspectors are targeting homes in the WR postcode and anyone caught watching the box without a licence can expect a fine of up to £1,000. A TV licensing spokesman said: "With many different
-
Date
Seven new homes could be built
SIX houses and a garage court could be bulldozed to make way for a new development in Westlands. Spa Housing Association, based in Queen Street, wants to build seven new homes in Woodmans Way. Wychavon district councillors will consider blueprints shortly
-
Date
Cars attacked
VANDALS have been causing havoc by throwing eggs in Droitwich Spa. On Thursday, between 6pm and 7.45pm, eggs were hurled at a house and a BMW in Lyttleton Road. A green Renault Clio was targeted in York Road on Friday between 10pm and 8am the following
-
Date
Winter wonderland
EXCITED youngsters were in the Christmas spirit this weekend then they flocked to a Wychbold garden centre to meet Santa. Children were delighted by the winter wonderland at Webbs of Wychbold, in Worc-ester Road. The young visitors were transported to
-
Date
Holding back the cheers over cash
IT'S good to report the news today that progress is being made in the fight to secure a fair deal for the funding of our schools in Worcestershire. But what a lot of resources are having to be expended to reach this point. We can't help thinking that
-
Date
100 years ago
November 23, 1901 SARAH Andrews, married woman, residing in Ipsley Street, was charged with stealing a china ornament and bronze bust of the late Queen Victoria belonging to Harriet Milward on November 9th. Prosecutrix said the two ornaments produced
-
Date
25 years ago
November 19, 1976 REDDITCH councillors have ended a 12-year-old ban on angels in the town's three municipal cemeteries. They have also given the green light to crosses, hearts, books and other traditional gravestone designs. And after years of regimented
-
Date
Search on for soldiers
I AM writing to you on behalf of 260 Signal Squadron (SAM) Royal Signals Association. We are trying to trace more than 200 former soldiers who served with 260 Signal Squadron (SAM), 654 Signal Troop (SAM) and 655 Signal Troop (SAM) in the period 1965-
-
Date
Fancy a twirl?
I HAVE organised the Redditch Kingfisher Twirlers, based at Church Hill YMCA, for eight years and at Christmas I am retiring due to work commitments. I would like to thank all the families of majorettes past and present for their help and support, to
-
Date
Letter from Westminster
I HAD the pleasure of visiting Trinity College on Friday to meet sixth formers and to see for myself some of the excellent new facilities at the school. There was a real excitement in the school and a sense of purpose. New staff and pupils have really
-
Date
Call for parent lessons
A REDDITCH county councillor has spoken of the need for children to have two parents at home and for both, if young, to be trained to cope. Tom Wareing spoke after a meeting of Worcestershire County Council's Children and Young People Panel which is formulating
-
Date
Talks over Alcad site
FINAL plans for a new 53-home development in Smallwood were set to be discussed by Redditch Council last night. Details of the development, next to the new B&Q superstore and mosque on the old Alcad site, were outlined for councillors on the planning
-
Date
Ship to set sail
A model of HMS Kingfisher could be sailing for new waters. Councillor Pat Wilson wants the model boat, which was on display in the Kingfisher Centre, to be docked in Redditch Council's One Stop Shop, where she says more people will notice it. Until the
-
Date
Surveys spur calming action
FURTHER safety schemes are to be carried out on Redditch roads following various studies and feasibility tests. A £50,000 project to design a scheme for the A441 between Middlehouse Lane and the Coventry Highway is currently underway to be implemented
-
Date
Road set for re-opening
THE re-opening of a Redditch road has been delayed to allow for white lining to be carried out. Part of Coldfield Drive, Southcrest, has been closed for 12 weeks and was due to open last Friday. But Worcestershire County Council's highways manager for
-
Date
21/11/01 - Mixed emotions at the Lane
ST George's Lane was a mixture of highs and lows at the weekend as Worcester City produced a battling performance that almost earned a deserved draw against Third Division Rushden & Diamonds. There were highs for Carl Heeley, making his debut in the
-
Date
Alcester's shock loss
ALCESTER slumped to a shock defeat at lowly Rugby St Andrews on Saturday leaving captain Alan Williams mystified. The Warwickshire One side were handily placed at the start of the day but with leaders Marconi maintaining their 100 per cent start to the
-
Date
21/11/01 - Bumper crowd expected for Sixways clash
WORCESTER Rugby Club are hopeful of a capacity crowd for tonight's clash between the English National Divisions side and South Africa 'A' at Sixways (8pm). Tickets will be on sale on the gate tonight, and club officials are hopeful of reaching their 5,000
-
Date
Kings in cup ties
KINGS Norton could be in for a busy weekend with a possible double-header in the North Midlands Cup. Captain Mark Waudby is unavailable through work commitments and player-coach Rory McLean is ruled out with a leg injury as the Midlands West Four South
-
Date
Hi-tech boost for special needs
CHARITY begins at home for a big-hearted Bromsgrove firm which is enjoying global success. Campus Systems has donated £1,200 worth of computer equipment to the special needs department at Wood-rush High School, in Hollywood. The gift marked the opening
-
Date
STUART BROCK - Goalkeeper. 26/9/76, 6ft 1ins. Squad number 1.
Released by Aston Villa, Brock signed for Harriers in September 1997 after a short spell at Northampton Town where he failed to make an appearance. He made his Harriers first-team debut in November of the same year and has proved himself a fine shot-stopper
-
Date
SCOTT STAMPS - Left-back, left midfield. 20/3/75, 5ft 10ins. Squad number 3.
Stamps started with Torquay United despite being brought up in Birmingham and his obvious talent earned him a £10,000 move to Colchester United in 1997. The left-footer moved to Harriers on a free in September 1999 after playing in the Second Division
-
Date
DANNY WILLIAMS - Midfield 12/7/79. 6ft 1in. Squad number 8.
After starting off as a trainee at Liverpool, Williams was released at the age of 19 to return to his native Wrexham. The Wales U-21 international played on-off for the Second Division club but made a good impression with many for his uncompromising style
-
Date
SAM SHILTON - Left midfield 21/7/78. 5ft 10ins. Squad number 11.
The son of former England goalkeeping legend Peter spent the past two seasons at Hartlepool before his free transfer move to Third Division opposition Harriers. An attacking midfielder who also filled in at wing-back, he moved from Plymouth Argyle to
-
Date
DEAN BENNETT - Midfield 13/12/77. 5ft 10ins. Squad number 20.
Bennett was a then club record buy of £30,000 from rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in January 1999 and proved a goal-scoring menace to Conference opponents in the title-winning season. The ex-England semi-professional international signed a two-year deal at
-
Date
TONY BIRD - Midfield, forward. 1/9/74. 5ft 10ins. Squad number 19.
Bird started off at Cardiff City and proved a good young Welsh hope, gaining youth and U-21 honours for the country. Scoring 13 goals in 75 games, he eventually ended up with League of Wales Barry under Harriers assistant manager Gary Barnett. The prolific
-
Date
IAN FOSTER - Forward, wide midfield. 11/11/76. 5ft 7ins. Squad number 10.
Pacy Foster was top scorer during the Conference-winning season but has been hit by injury throughout his professional footballer days. An England schoolboy and later semi-professional international, he was released by Liverpool after being a reserve
-
Date
COLIN LARKIN - Striker. 27/4/82. 5ft 9ins. Squad number 27.
LARKIN joined Harriers on a month's loan on Friday, September 14, but suffered a dead leg in training and lasted only 45 minutes on his debut against Plymouth. The Wolverhampton Wanderers man continued to develop steadily for his club last term, mostly
-
Date
RSPCA issues plea for help
A CHARITY that rehomes abandoned animals has made a desperate plea for volunteer home visitors for the Malvern Hills area. The Mid-Worcestershire branch of the RSPCA has just three people in the Malvern and Upton area to visit the homes of people who
-
Date
Barton playing waiting game
WORCESTER City manager John Barton is waiting to hear if attempts to boost his squad following their FA Cup exit have been successful. Barton has approached up to six players with a view to a move to City. He said: "On Saturday and Sunday I made several
-
Date
Question time after excellent Cup show
THE performance against Rushden & Diamonds was outstanding especially as at one point on the Wednesday before the game we didn't have 11 fit players. But it raised a few questions as to why we can't do it more often and we have now got to start putting
-
Date
Mixed emotions at the Lane
ST George's Lane was a mixture of highs and lows at the weekend as Worcester City produced a battling performance that almost earned a deserved draw against Third Division Rushden & Diamonds. There were highs for Carl Heeley, making his debut in the
-
Date
Girls on top
STRATFORD Civic Hall is the venue for a modern play set in the Restoration period which explores the lives of the first actresses allowed onto the English stage. Playhouse Creatures features Nell Gwyn, famous as the mistress of Charles II, Elizabeth Barry
-
Date
History in the making at RSC
AN American theatre company is making history as the first Stateside group invited to perform at Stratford by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The RSC presents Theatre for a New Audience's production of William Shakespeare's Cymbeline at The Other Place
-
Date
Neil is blurring boundaries
NEIL Pearson stars as a witty playwright who learns a tough lesson about true love in a Tom Stoppard comedy at Malvern Theatres next week. Neil, who has appeared in Bridget Jones' Diary, Drop the Dead Donkey and Between the Lines, plays Henry, the smartest
-
Date
Echoes - The Best of Pink Floyd
Four star Not a greatest hits album because Pink Floyd aren't that kind of band. But Echoes is a useful introduction to Floyd, albeit an overlong one - 26 tracks and more than two-and-a-half hours of music. Two CDs cover the band's history from the acid-soaked
-
Date
Shrek (U) - DVD
Five star MAKERS of children's movies today have finally come to terms with one vital fact - that adults (parents, big brothers, babysitters etc) have to sit through them too. So having cottoned onto this fact, they are aiming many of the jokes at people
-
Date
Bromsgrove Ladies' Second XI 1 Camphill Ladies XI 1
BROMSGROVE knew that this was going to be their toughest game yet against a strong Camphill side. The first half produced good hockey in a fair but hard game. Continuous end-to-end play gave both sides chances at goal, only to be well defended and turned
-
Date
Pub scoops special prize
TWO Stoke Prior publicans have picked up a prestigious prize in a national gardening competition. Boat and Railway licensees Moira and George Fairfax-Watts scooped a special award for their hanging baskets. The colourful floral displays at the Shaw Lane
-
Date
Hotel's plan to beat snoring
A UNIQUE service for travellers is being offered in Bromsgrove in a bid to create a snore-free zone. The manager of Innkeeper's Lodge, in Birmingham Road, Marlbrook, has introduced no snoring rooms by offering afflicted guests the use of a herbal remedy
-
Date
Stourport Swifts FC - Fixtures and Results - 2001/2
August 18 Shepshed (h) 2-0 Booth 2 21 RC Warwick (a) 1-0 (og) 25 Clevedon (a) 0-2 27 Evesham (h) 2-3 (og), Cowley September 1 Rugby Utd (h) (FA Cup preliminary round) 5-1 Marsh 2, Charlton, Booth 2 8 Gresley (h) 2-0 Booth 2 11 Redditch (a) 2-1 Langford
-
Date
Girls, 11, staging demo over Lido development
TWO strong-minded girls are staging a protest to save Droitwich Spa's historic Lido pool from developers. Lauren Hampton and Carla Hallett, both aged 11, are hoping for a huge turnout at their meeting this Sunday in the Lido car park, off Worcester Road
-
Date
Introducing Rod Brown
Redditch United's new boss is cutting his teeth in management after an impressive playing career north of the border. The Scottish striker starred for Dundee United in the top flight before stepping down with Arbroath. He returned to Division One with
-
Date
Reds win in derby
Redditch Ladies 1 Stratford Ladies 0 A superb team goal, epitomising their performance, gave Redditch three vital points in this closely-contested match against neighbours Stratford. With only two points separating the top seven, it was vital for Redditch
-
Date
Staving off opposition
TALENTED young musicians from two town colleges will be performing at Huntingdon Hall on Friday at the prestigious Worcestershire Young Musician of the Year Awards. Adam Evans, 15, of Arrow Vale Community High School, will perform Andrew Lloyd Webber's
-
Date
Red letter day
REDDITCH MP Jacqui Smith teamed up with Worcester MP Michael Foster to take their demands for fairer funding for Worcestershire schools to the department ultimately in charge of dishing it out. Ms Smith, a former education minister herself and now a health
-
Date
School bags equipment
RAVENSBANK First School is one of seven in the borough to benefit from a successful lottery bid which will ultimately provide a wider variety of activities for youngsters. Staff at the Church Hill school will undergo training, specialist coaches will
-
Date
Act places pets at risk
THE Government is trying to rush through legislation which would give them frighteningly widespread powers to slaughter animals during disease outbreaks. Under the Animal Health (Amendment) Bill, the Government will be able to kill animals even if they
-
Date
Schools boss slams boost
A COUNTY education chief has slammed the prospect of a £10,500 windfall for all secondary schools as requiring education to be delivered on the cheap, writes Melina Cannon. County council director of education Julien Kramer said the cash, announced by
-
Date
Deadline alert
REDDITCH parents whose children are transferring schools in September are being warned the deadline for returning applications indicating their preferences is Friday. Worcestershire County Council is reminding parents who have not completed and returned
-
Date
Tommy guns the rest to move up
STOKE Heath martial artist Tommy Walker stormed to success in the San Shou National Hardcore Event in London on Saturday. As a result of his fight, Tommy will now train with the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts with a view to competing in the
-
Date
TABLE TENNIS
THE two top teams in the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis league Division One both had easy victories last week. Champions Lickey Monarchs' team of Sid Hodgetts, Martin Clark and Steve Mullard had a 9-1 victory over Barnt Green A. The Green's only
-
Date
Bowls
A NEW and exciting venture has been launched by the Big Crown Bowling League for 2002. The new Big Crown Monday Masters will see each team comprising four people playing on a league basis, with games scheduled to start at 11am. The new initiative will
-
Date
First steps on road to stardom
TWO young boys had their first experience of motor racing last Sunday in the final meeting of the season at Grimley Raceway. Thirteen-year-old George Brown, of Leycroft, Droitwich, and ten-year-old Ashley Bird, from Sale Green, spent the last few months
-
Date
Historic outing reaps rewards
BROMSGROVE rally duo Jesse Shakespeare and Dean Brady were in action again on the Bulldog Rally recently, organised by Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club. Entered in the historic event covering cars built before 1972, the pair were confident
-
Date
21/11/01 - Question time after excellent Cup show
THE performance against Rushden & Diamonds was outstanding especially as at one point on the Wednesday before the game we didn't have 11 fit players. But it raised a few questions as to why we can't do it more often and we have now got to start putting
-
Date
A riverbank reconnoitre!
OVER the last year, several Alcestrians have been offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to work on projects all over the world, writes Helen Clarke. Several months ago, Susan Richardson returned from Chile, where she was supporting the environmental charity
-
Date
Group funding
Alcester Opportunities Group has not secured £90,000 from the Single Regeneration Budget. This is contrary to information in a Stratford Council agenda which was reported in the Alcester Chronicle.
-
Date
A boost for day hospital
ABOUT £2,000 has been raised for Alcester Day Hospital after an evening of entertainment was organised by a hospital worker. Voluntary worker Mark Belsey organised a charity show at the Greig Hall for the benefit of patients. His cabaret act, The Mad
-
Date
Outrage at attack
A CAR used to transport an eight-year-old wheelchair-bound Redditch boy was daubed in paint stripper during a spate of similar attacks at the weekend, writes Becky Procter. Sharon Robbinson, of Batchley Road, is outraged after vandals poured the liquid
-
Date
Bandstand cash beggars belief
DEAR EDITOR - I will be delighted to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee next year. However the decision by the Tory controlled Bromsgrove District Council to spend over £50,000 on a bandstand in Sanders Park really does beggar belief. This will be Bromsgrove
-
Date
Headless 4 Reds 0
UNBEATEN Headless Cross Ladies took a step nearer the West Midlands One South title with a 4-0 derby win over groundshare rivals Redditch United women. The result put Headless a point clear of second placed Fairfield Villa with a game in hand, and pushed
-
Date
Redditch thumped
Headless Cross Ladies 4 Redditch United Women 0 The match began at a furious pace as both teams vied for an early goal. It was Cross who broke the deadlock. Alison Johnson's free kick was disallowed for offside but she scored from the retake. Headless
-
Date
Five jobs will be lost
DEAR EDITOR - Being the proprietor of Ants Snack Bar in the lay-by at the golf centre, I thought I'd express my point of view on the matter of its possible closure. I employ five people who would all be out of work if the lay-by was closed. Two of them
-
Date
BKL after a trophy
STUDLEY BKL manager Mark Chambers this week insisted he was taking last night's Tony Allden Memorial Trophy final seriously. The Bees were set for a break from Midland Alliance action after being invited, as Midland Combination runners-up last season,
-
Date
Alternative view
DEAR EDITOR - Coverage of the proposed closure of the slip road adjacent to Bromsgrove Golf Centre has so far put only one side of the argument. We would now appreciate the opportunity to offer an alternative view. The location of the snack bar attracts
-
Date
Alvechurch complaint
WITH reference to my letter re lack of publishing by way of match reports and your Sports Editor's reply published in last week's newspaper. Mr Fred Evans has not imposed a press blackout as stated. He is in constant liaison with our manager to ascertain
-
Date
Ernie says...
AS A SUPPORTER of Redditch United I think that the team has been unfairly criticised. The present team gives 100 per cent effort but the results have not gone as I would have hoped. If the new manager can just sign two or three quality players we shall
-
Date
Stand up if you're rested
A REDDITCH health and fitness club recently played host to Hereford United FC before their FA Cup 1-0 win over Wrexham. The team enjoyed a day's relaxation at Club Ventura, Battens Drive, in preparation for the game after being invited by general manager
-
Date
13/11/01 - Rampant Reds ground Swifts
Stourport Swifts 4 Redditch United 5 CRISIS? What crisis. Caretaker manager Paul West saw the same side who folded against lowly Swindon Supermarine turn the tables on their Worcestershire rivals and soar into a 4-0 lead after 34 minutes. Goal-getter
-
Date
Wythall Gardening Club
A journey back through time from the earliest occupation of Wythall, its inhabitants, also its invaders, was taken by members and friends at the October meeting via Sheila Richardson's talk - Wythall through the ages. Society member Sheila had researched
-
Date
Wythall Gardening Club
AT the November meeting, speaker Dr Page gave a talk on alpines. He imparted a wealth of ideas and information on how to grow them to their best advantage and on the conditions needed to obtain good quality plants. Members were amazed at the vast variety
-
Date
What's On Guide
Thursday, November 22 Hey Rock 'n' Roll, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham. Tickets from 0870 607 7544. City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets from 0121 780 3333. Gabrielle, Birmingham NIA Academy. Tickets from 0870 909
-
Date
Kit's out for the lads
IT'S been a while, but Bromsgrove Rovers' new kit is finally out. The strip, sponsored by Banks's breweries, sees the team revert back to the club's traditional pattern of green and white stripes. It is available to buy at the club shop, which is open
-
Date
Boars charging to league whitewash
Bromsgrove RFC 51 Shrewsbury RFC 17 Midlands Two West BROMSGROVE Rugby Club's first team continued their charge for the league championship and promotion on Saturday when they swept aside newly-promoted Shrewsbury. The win made it eight straight league
-
Date
Studley Daytime WI
AT THE meeting on November 7, the new committee was introduced individually to members. As an innovation, Mrs Hazel Wright asked for any good news that members would like to share. Members were also reminded of the arrangements for the pre-Christmas meeting
-
Date
Show set to be larger than life
A LARGER-than-life exhibition by a Midlands-based artist who started his career from an engineering background is under way at Solihull. The exhibition, entitled Sculpture in Steel and Ceramic by Mark Tilley, runs at the new Gallery, within the Library
-
Date
Dutton's back in form of his life
Bromsgrove Advertiser/Messenger District Football League BROMSGROVE Town cruised into the next round of the Gordon Bridgewater Cup after surviving an early set-back in a 7-2 win over Abbeydale Wanderers. Town went behind to a superb free-kick in the third
-
Date
Ballet classic
NEXT week sees an acclaimed production of The Nutcracker return to the Birmingham Hippodrome after two years as part of the Christmas season. Birmingham Royal Ballet presents Sir Peter Wright's production from Friday, November 30, to Saturday, December
-
Date
Mile Oak Rovers (1) 1 Fairfield Villa (0) 0 Midland Combination Division One
AFTER a fine 2-0 win over Tamworth-based side Polesworth last week, where Dane Wood and Waine Devey scored, Villa went down in a closely-fought game on Saturday. The match started with both sides having difficulty in controlling the ball on a bumpy and
-
Date
Alcester Flower Club
AT the meeting on November 5 at the Greig Hall, demonstrator Sue Gregory's theme was Christmas at Home. She used lots of different foliage to make designs of a traditional nature, with red amaryllis, carnations, lilies and orchids. New members and visitors
-
Date
Barnt Green Spartak (0) 2 West Hagley (1) 1 Midland Combination Division Two
SPARTAK continued their good league form with this narrow home win which made it 24 points from 27. Hagley took the lead after eight minutes when a mistake by recalled keeper John Slade led to a forward converting a simple tap-in. It was a below-par performance
-
Date
Crabbs Cross & Hunt End WI
THE recent meeting was the AGM, chaired by president Hilary Taylor. Members were informed of the refurbishment of WI House in Worcester and the invitation to visit on November 15. Also, an invitation for two members to attend the Webheath WI party in
-
Date
Hopwood WI
AT the AGM, treasurer Jeanne Bovett presented a healthy state of accounts thanks to successful fund-raising activities throughout the year. Retiring president Sylvia Cartwright's report reminded members of all the varied events in which they had taken
-
Date
Redditch Pictorial History Society
THE November meeting will be on Tuesday 27 at 8pm. Doors open 7.30pm and the venue will be the White Hart, Headless Cross. The talk by John Stroud will be on Sounds of Yesteryear. He will talk on the history of sound recording from the days of the early
-
Date
New school on the cards
PLANS are under way to raze the former Moatfield Middle School building and replace it with new premises. County officers want to build a new Matchborough First School on the site instead of the original proposals under the Redditch Review, which earmarked
-
Date
Busy month at centre
PLANS to make Arrow Valley Countryside Centre completely self sufficient have been put in place with a bid for solar panels to be installed, writes Becky Procter. The centre's popularity has rocketed and visitor numbers have gone from 70,000 in its first
-
Date
Bosses hope to save RCT
TOWN businesses have pledged financial backing to help keep Redditch Community Transport on the road. Companies including Prudden Road Surfacing Ltd, Headless Cross, hope to form a consortium to provide vital support which could save the troubled charity
-
Date
Blair's helper or David to the PM's Goliath?
DURING a Commons debate on the future of Kidderminster General Hospital, Dr Richard Taylor told the story of his visit to a local school. He said: ''After introducing me, the headteacher asked a five-year-old what my job was. ''The five-year-old said,
-
Date
A day against cruelty
A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness of domestic violence is being launched on Sunday. The County Forum for Domestic Violence is taking part in International Day Against Violence Against Women. It has also released figures showing that in Redditch and Bromsgrove
-
Date
No quick route to front benches, says Sir Michael
IT may have taken three months and ruined the summer holidays of many a Tory activist, but the man who organised the party's leadership contest believes it went well. In an interview with ePolitix.com, Sir Michael Spicer, chairman of the Conservative
-
Date
Opportunity knocks for Thomas
OPPORTUNITY knocked for a budding singer-songwriter from Weatheroak when his demo tape was played on Heart FM. Thomas Graham, 17, of Watery Lane, gave the radio station a taste of his repertoire by sending in a CD which was premiered on the New Music
-
Date
Town raises a smile
YOUNGSTERS at Lucy Locket Nursery used their creative skills to help the Children In Need appeal, writes Melina Cannon. The children, aged from 12 months to four, used the Pudsey Bear logo to create coasters and place mats which their parents then had
-
Date
Web feat joy
A REDDITCH man has been picked from thousands to be writer of the week on a literary website. Richard Warrior, 26, aka funky_seagull was chosen for ABCtales' prestigious award because of the high quality of his writing. It was only when Mr Warrior's life
-
Date
Ash plan could save wildlife
WILDLIFE areas which could be used for scattering human ashes have been proposed in an in-depth action plan for Redditch. The suggestion is just one of many made to Redditch Council in an attempt to preserve habitats and wildlife under threat in the town
-
Date
Driver's escape
A driver had a lucky escape after his car turned over on the Bromsgrove Highway last Monday. Police and fire crews were called to the westbound carriageway at about 11.45pm to find a Vauxhall Nova on its roof. Fire crews dealt with a petrol spillage and
-
Date
New rules for cutting hours
PARENTS of young children will have the right to take their employer to a tribunal to demand shorter working hours. The planned new laws fall short of forcing companies to automatically grant flexible hours to their staff. But employers will be forced
-
Date
21/11/01 - Strike threat to Harriers contest
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are today facing up to the prospect of their Nationwide League Division Three clash against Luton Town at Aggborough on December 1 being hit by an all-out strike by players. The Professional Footballers' Association has issued strike
-
Date
£10m extra to schools
WORCESTERSHIRE schools could receive a £10m cash boost in the latest education settlement, it was revealed today. Government insiders said lobbying, letters and other efforts by parents, governors, teachers and MPs had clinched the argument that Worcestershire
-
Date
Evesham boy dies after street accident with car
A TEENAGE boy has died after being in an accident with a car in Evesham. A 14-year-old girl was also reported to be injured in the accident, which occured yesterday teatime in the town. Police are appealing for information about the incident, which involved
-
Date
John calls it a day after 28 years fighting fires
ONE of the county's longest-serving firefighters has retired after 28 years in the service. Leading Firefighter John Head is pictured in the cab of a fire engine receiving a warm send- off by colleagues of Red Watch outside Worcester Fire Station. John
-
Date
Mother terrified to be home alone
A WORCESTER mother-of-three claims she is terrified to be alone in her home after thieves used bundles of abandoned newspapers to scale her fence. The raiders clambered into Helen Heavens' garden in St John's and stole a petrol lawnmower - feet away from
-
Date
Police officers injured by drunken girl
TWO Droitwich police officers were injured by a drunken teenage girl who attacked them outside their station. Lucie Palmer flew into a rage after her boyfriend Simon Burn was arrested and tried to free him, Worcester Crown Court was told. She pulled PC
-
Date
Councillors under fire in crime fight
CITY councillors have been criticised for failing to pull their weight in the fight against anti-social behaviour. Although it has been confirmed that Worcester will be allocated extra police officers in the New Year, MP Mike Foster said councillors should
-
Date
New police call centre 'will cut response times'
A NEW police call centre has gone live on air and should make response times quicker for people dialling 999. The opening of the purpose-built centre at West Mercia Police's headquarters in Hindlip Hall is due to be further enhanced with a new digital
-
Date
Hotel's High Court music ban
A DROITWICH Spa hotel boss has been told to pay up or shut up by London's High Court for playing music without a licence. Music is now banned at St Andrew's House Hotel, off Worcester Road, following the ultimatum given by one of the country's top judges
-
Date
Petition to put bobbies on beat
A DETERMINED pensioner has launched a petition to get bobbies back on the beat in Droitwich Spa. Jean-Marie Sparkes has collected more than 200 signatures from folk who want a police officer patrolling Westlands. The position was axed 12 months ago. With
-
Date
Drunk woman assaulted officers
TWO Droitwich police officers were injured by a drunken woman who attacked them outside their station, Worcester Crown Court heard yesterday. Lucie Palmer flew into a rage after her boyfriend, Simon Burn, was arrested. She pulled WPC Clare Ryan so violently
-
Date
Midland Red flying high
FUND-raising by First Midland Red in Worcester has raised a massive £1,000 for charity. A cricket fun day arranged by the company's Sports and Social Club, saw rival garages from different depots take up the sporting challenge for the County Air Ambulance
-
Date
Tree of Light to shine again
DROITWICH will be sparkling this Christmas thanks to an electrifying charity venture in memory of loved ones. By taking part in the Tree of Light project, townspeople can sponsor a Christmas light which will burn on the tree in Victoria Square in memory
-
Date
Outstanding architecture wins awards in Worcester
CELEBRATING in style is precisely what Worcester City Council had in mind when it announced the winners of this year's City of Worcester Awards. The awards have now been granted to three equally deserving recipients who the council believes have made
-
Date
Protesters make call for inquiry
A PRESSURE group in Droitwich is urging the Government to probe decision makers at Wych-avon District Council. Members of Action for Droitwich (AFD) want the authority investigated following a number of controversial planning issues. Letters outlining
-
Date
Rock on down to Fred Zeppelin gig
LICKEY will be unled-ed on Friday night with the welcome return of terrific tribute band Fred Zeppelin. Four Midland men will storm the stage with classic hits by seventies rock legends Led Zeppelin, at Lickey End Working Men's Club. Steven Gale, Kev
-
Date
Pupils raise cash to help homeless
YOUNGSTERS at a Worcester school are helping to feed the homeless with proceeds made from their harvest festival. Pupils from Warndon Infants School raised £50 for the Maggs Day Centre, which serves more than 100 hot meals every day to people who live
-
Date
School musical to promote citizenship
SUPERSTAR students from schools in Bromsgrove are putting on a special show to promote citizenship. Around 100 pupils from four town schools are taking part in the musical extravaganza at South Bromsgrove High School. The production is being staged in
-
Date
Cancer victim support group
A DROITWICH group, whose main aim is to offer support and friendship to cancer victims, has this week urged more sufferers to come forward. Droitwich Cancer Support Group has around 25 members who meet once a month at Rotary House, in Corbett Avenue.
-
Date
Bid to steal man's caravan
A CARAVAN owner peered out of his front window to see his prize holiday home being carted off up the road. Alex Batchelor and a handful of friends had hooked the caravan up to an Isuzu Trooper they had taken from another address the day before and sneaked
-
Date
Bliss-ful hunt for money
LITTLE treasures from a village school near Droitwich Spa raised bags of cash for Children in Need. Youngsters at Cutnall Green First School, in School Lane, teamed up with their favourite teddy, Pudsey, on Friday and took part in a fun-packed treasure
-
Date
Actor gives youngsters a real chance to shine
IT'S probably a fair assumption that when the young Richard Swerrun snuggled up to listen to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, he took it as stage direction for the future. Since his teens, Richard has been a glittering example of how talent, determination
-
Date
Stamp dismay
SUB post offices in Droitwich and the surrounding villages could receive a helping hand from the Government, thanks to town MP Peter Luff. Mr Luff has urged the Government to stop supermarkets from selling cheap stamps. The Mid-Worcestershire Tory has
-
Date
Bromsgrove Ladies' First XI 1 W'cester Norton Ladies' 2nds 1
WORCESTER Norton were widely thought to be the team to beat this season after some crushing victories over other teams in the Worcester-shire League. However, spirits were high for the most part on Saturday and visiting side Bromsgrove made more running
-
Date
Down the pub
THIS was the old Talbot pub on the corner of Evesham Street and Worcester Road in Redditch town centre. The pub was built in 1926 on the site of the Vine Inn but was later demolished to make way for the Kingfisher Centre shopping centre. The picture was
-
Date
Beware implications of scheme
THOSE of you in council houses will have received a proposal for something described as a 'hands-off management scheme'. Social housing only works if it is fair, council- controlled housing only works if the link between the tenant and the council is
-
Date
50 years ago
November 24, 1951 THE Redditch Carnival balloon race has been won by a balloon which travelled across the North Sea, probably over Denmark, and landed on the coast of Sweden. It was picked up by O Moller of Varberg, Sweden, at Helmsted on September 29
-
Date
MPs' chance to be caring
ON November 30, the Home Energy Conservation Bill has its second reading in Parliament. This Bill is to close present loopholes, such as protecting people living in 'homes in multiple cccupation' - students, young people etc - presently at risk. If 100
-
Date
Cut out the fairy stories
WHY does Councillor Gavin Smithers read what he wants into letters rather than what is there? (Letters, November 7) I have not referred to him standing against Jacqui Smith, merely pointing out he wishes to be an MP. After all, he did fail in a recent
-
Date
Expectation just too high
WOULDN'T it be nice if there were a policeman on every street corner, just waiting to be summoned instantly by a demanding public? Recently there was an incident in Redditch where a resident waited 18 minutes before the police were able to respond to
-
Date
There's only one saviour
ANDREW Marshall of the Pagan Federation suggests the creation of a local inter-faith forum 'to promote understanding and mutual respect between all faiths', presumably including paganism (Letters, November 14). The Lord of the Church is Jesus Christ.
-
Date
Council honours war hero
A REDDITCH war hero who died while on active service in the Middle East is to be forever remembered when a town close is named after him, writes Becky Procter. A cul-de-sac off Evesham Road, in Crabbs Cross, is to be named after Kenneth Vincent, who died
-
Date
Triangle is out of review
THE Winyates Green Triangle, earmarked for housing, has been removed from Stratford Council's Local Plan review. Councillors backed the move on Friday. The land off Far Moor Lane falls under the district council's jurisdiction and English Partnership
-
Date
Homes cash boost
ABOUT £20,000 has been made available to improve housing support services for vulnerable people in Redditch. The £19,953 boost, part of Government allocations of £42 million to local authorities, will help Redditch Council set up the infrastructure for
-
Date
Safety drive cuts crashes
SAFETY schemes carried out on accident cluster spots in Redditch have proved to be a success in cutting traffic incidents according to new statistics, writes Becky Procter. The news follows the release of Worcestershire County Council's annual progress
-
Date
Gritters ready to roll
REDDITCH roads were gritted for the first time last Wednesday night as temperatures fell below freezing. The move marked the start of a long haul for the winter maintenance teams which cover three main routes across the town. Last year, gritters were
-
Date
Tree lights up centre
REDDITCH Mayor Dot Dudley switched on the Tree of Light in the Kingfisher Centre on Sunday. The switching-on ceremony is the start of an annual campaign to raise cash for the Primrose Hospice, which cares for people with cancer. A big crowd turned out
-
Date
Kingfishers held up
REDDITCH skipper Mark Rose pointed the finger at Saturday's match official after his side slipped to a disappointing 9-5 home defeat to Bromyard. The official was stuck in traffic and did not arrive until 3pm for the North Midlands One fixture which was
-
Date
5 Ways in sight
FIVE Ways Old Edwardians hoisted themselves to within sight of the leaders with an 18-7 win over an Edwardians team who led the table a fortnight ago. The result leaves Jez Williams' mid-table side within two points of the leaders in an unpredictable
-
Date
Facts, figures and fixtures 2001/2002 season
Pre-season 21/07/01 - Redditch United 0 Kidderminster Harriers 3 (Hadley, Hinton, Middleton) (friendly) 24/07/01 - Redditch United 2 (Danks 2) Gloucester United 3 (Tatton, Meadows, Freeman) (friendly) 28/07/01 - Weston St Johns 2 Redditch United 6 (Campbell
-
Date
CRAIG HINTON - Centre-back, right-back, midfield. 26/11/77, 6ft. Squad number 5.
Versatile Hinton began his career at right-back before reverting to a centre-half role during the Conference championship-winning season. The change of position proved the making of the former Birmingham City trainee who is now rated at £1 million and
-
Date
IAN CLARKSON - Right-back. 4/12/70, 5ft 10ins. Squad number 12.
A broken tibia temporarily ended his professional career and Clarkson was forced to play outside the Football League, signing for Harriers in November 1999. But the break from full-time football allowed the injury to recover and he was allowed to return
-
Date
ABDOU SALL - Centre-back. 1/11/80, 6ft 3ins. Squad number 26.
Senegal-born Sall began his career with French Third Division Montauban and impressed enough to be snapped up by Toulouse. However, a switch to England earned the giant defender a trial with Harriers and a two-year move in August 2001. Powerful in aerial
-
Date
MARK BLAKE - Midfield. 16/12/70. 5ft 11ins. Squad number 24.
Ex-England schools, youth and U-21 international Blake was a big hope at Aston Villa before moving to Portsmouth, Leicester, Walsall and Mansfield. A central midfielder with a big engine, an eye for goal and a competitive attitude, Blake switched to Aggborough
-
Date
ANDY DUCROS - Forward. 16/9/77. 5ft 4ins. Squad number 14.
Ex-England youth and schoolboy international Ducros has been used by Harriers both behind a front-two and in attack. He was a record signing for £80,000-plus from Nuneaton Borough in July 2000 after only 12 months at the Conference side. The diminutive
-
Date
DREWE BROUGHTON - Forward. 25/10/78. 6ft 3ins. Squad number 9.
Tall target-man who made an immediate impact with his aggression, spirit and goal-scoring on being signed for £50,000 from Peterborough in January 2001. Despite his disciplinary problems, Broughton is a first choice when fit and wins a lot of aerial challenges
-
Date
21/11/01 - Barton playing waiting game
WORCESTER City manager John Barton is waiting to hear if attempts to boost his squad following their FA Cup exit have been successful. Barton has approached up to six players with a view to a move to City. He said: "On Saturday and Sunday I made several
-
Date
Newton blasts absent fans
CHAIRMAN Lionel Newton today launched a stinging attack on football followers in the Wyre Forest area for their lack of support for Kidderminster Harriers. His outburst comes in the wake of Harriers' FA Cup clash against Darlington at Aggborough on Saturday
-
Date
Strike threat to Harriers contest
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers are today facing up to the prospect of their Nationwide League Division Three clash against Luton Town at Aggborough on December 1 being hit by an all-out strike by players. The Professional Footballers' Association has issued strike
-
Date
Bumper crowd expected for Sixways clash
WORCESTER Rugby Club are hopeful of a capacity crowd for tonight's clash between the English National Divisions side and South Africa 'A' at Sixways (8pm). Tickets will be on sale on the gate tonight, and club officials are hopeful of reaching their 5,000
-
Date
Bennett strikes to pep Harriers
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers moved to within three points of a play-off spot after a late goal by Dean Bennett earned them a 1-0 victory in last night's Nationwide League Division Three clash against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank. Midfielder Bennett struck in
-
Date
Rob eyes top 20 Network Q finish
MALVERN driver Robert Ceen is today tuning up for what he hopes will be a top 20 finish in the forthcoming Network Q Rally of Great Britain. For the 46-year-old it will be his 11th Great Britain rally on the trot and he's as determined as ever to eclipse
-
Date
Ace McClean stars
Droitwich First XV 29 Dunlop First XV 24 Midlands Division Four West (South) DROITWICH Rugby Club got back to winning ways on Saturday against Coventry side Dunlop. The Spa side started brightly with back row forwards Nick Godfrey and Gareth Knight taking
-
Date
Filling fears of a cavity coward
THE envelope flopped out of the slit situated halfway up the front door, did a quick roll, and hit the mat with a "phut" sound. Noticing that it had a window, my first instinct was automatically to ignore this particular missive, reasoning that any letter
-
Date
Group shows Gallic charm
THE well-known characters featured in popular sitcom 'Allo 'Allo will be brought back to life by the Rowney Green Players this week. The action takes place in wartorn France at Caf Rene and even includes the priceless portrait of 'the fallen Madonna with
-
Date
A medley of music
A MUSICAL medley is on the bill at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, with a mixture of pop and good old rock 'n' roll. Tonight is a tribute to Swedish supergroup Abba with Abba Mania, featuring recreations of all the classics, including Mamma Mia, Voulez
-
Date
Merchant sailing in
ONE of Shakespeare's most cruel and controversial plays begins a two-month run at Stratford's Swan Theatre next week. The Merchant of Venice, a study of justice, mercy, love and the power of money, runs from Wednesday, November 28 until January 19. The
-
Date
Man of the Moment, Wythall Theatre Company
Palace Theatre Three star THE thing about Wythall Theatre Company is that they're not afraid to try something a bit different. WTC has a habit of putting on comedies, whether it's because members are good at them or they simply enjoy having a laugh, and
-
Date
I Believe In Christmas - The Tweenies
Released December 3. Three star WHEN the Tweenies' single was produced it was placed at 14/1 as being the Christmas Number 1. Before even being released, it has risen to 2/1, which will inevitably lead to the Tweenies' creators rubbing their hands in
-
Date
Greatest Hits Vol 2 - Madonns
Four star THE second collection further proves why Madonna has clung to her crown as the Queen of Pop for two decades. This selection from the 90s reveals a confident and relaxed Madonna as she muses on her favourite topics - love and sex. The diva-actress-icon
-
Date
Driving Rain - Paul McCartney
Three star THE first album featuring all-new material from Sir Paul after the death of Linda turns out to be not only a tribute to her but the new love of his life, Heather. And he takes us on a gentle journey through the highs and lows that have brought
-
Date
Jubilee bandstand plan strikes discord
DEAR EDITOR - I agree Bromsgrove should play its part in celebrating the Queen's Golden Jubilee but the £50,000 that the district council plans to spend on a bandstand seems a little over the top. Bromsgrove Swimming Club have some very enthusiastic and
-
Date
Nesbitt spares blushes
Droitwich Sports (2) 3 Chasetown Reserves (1) 2 Midland Combination Division Three DROITWICH can count themselves lucky to have come away with all three points in this match. Sports were 2-0 up and cruising against a well-drilled Chasetown team, only
-
Date
South Redditch (0) 0 Garringtons Sunday (1) 2 Terry Cup round two
PLAYING up the slope, Garringtons weathered the early attacks by South Redditch and played some entertaining football. But for some brilliant goal keeping by the South Redditch keeper and the woodwork, Garringtons could have had a good lead by half time
-
Date
Fordrough (0) 1 Fairfield Sunday (1) 3 Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination Premier Division
WITH the game only four minutes old Fairfield had a great chance to take the lead when Danny Walker's cross was met by Rob Hall, who hit his shot straight at the keeper. On 30 minutes Fairfield were awarded a penalty when a jinking run by Matt Mogg was
-
Date
Combination scorelines
REDDITCH and South Warwickshire Combination results for Sunday November 18: Terry Cup round two: Rocklands Social 0 Bromsgrove Athletico 7. Pat Sanders Cup semi-final: Hayes Harriers 5 Bournbrook United 2. Premier Division: Sherwood Rangers 0 Austin Ex
-
Date
New strip fails to finish the look as Rovers are wasteful
Bromsgrove Rovers (0) 0 Barwell (1) 3 Midland Football Alliance ROVERS slumped to their first home defeat for three months as mid-table Barwell took advantage of the home team's inability to turn possession into goals. Parading their new green and white-striped
-
Date
Match-winning junior soccer in your No.1 paper
CCC Boys U15s 4 Hanbury U15s 2. Going ahead in the third minute through Dean Palmer's volley, Hanbury conceded the equaliser three minutes later, but then held top-of-the-table Boys until the break with a committed display. Liam Jones brought the scores
-
Date
Pickup's carp snatches the top spot
A COLD chill wind greeted the contestants of Tuesday's Woodlands View's Affordable Open. And catches were severely curtailed with winner Steve Pickup (Fishermans Friend) needing just 25-10-0 of carp for victory, aided by a last minute tail hooked carp
-
Date
Dancing delight
SPARKLING students from a Bromsgrove dance school dazzled judges at a competition and scooped scores of awards. Pupils from The Stage Door Dance Academy picked up 45 prizes at the Solihull Dance Festival held on Sunday October 28 and Sunday 4 November
-
Date
Strut your funky stuff
TOWN teenagers can boogie on down to the Spadesbourne Suite on Saturday night for a special disco. The Burcot Lane venue is offering 14 to 17 year-olds the chance to party hard, with a strict no alcohol policy. Bromsgrove police will be present to help
-
Date
Bromsgrove Men's Third XI 0 Old Silhillians XI 2
THIS sums up another disappointing game for the thirds in DTZ West Midland League Division One. The visitors took control in the first half, scoring two good goals. Nick Frizzel missed two open goals, which seemed to demonstrate that luck was against
-
Date
Harborne Ladies' Fourth XI 0 Droitwich Ladies' Second XI 4
DROITWICH have now won all five league games after a positive display at Harborne. Droitwich made a good start and found themselves with most of the possession in the first half, with several chances missing the finishing touch. Numerous short corner
-
Date
On the lookout
ENGINEERING apprentices are being employed by a forward-thinking Bromsgrove company. In the face of industry cut backs, commercial heating specialist Mikrofill Systems is seeking new blood. The Buntsford Park Road firm is concerned about the lack of trained
-
Date
What's on guide
Thursday November 22 l Music: Cheryl Beer, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 7.30pm. l Show: Spanish Riding School of Vienna, NEC Arena, Birmingham, 8pm. l Tribute: G2enesis, Robin RnB 1 Club, Merryhill. Friday November 23 l Tribute: Talon, Best of the
-
Date
Reds spy on Knight
NEWLY-installed Reds boss Rod Brown hopes to have United old boy Lee Knight back in the fold for the visit of league leaders Chippenham on Saturday. Defender Knight defected for Dr Martens Western rivals Halesowen Town in the summer but has had his chances
-
Date
Tennis star at La Manga
TEENAGE tennis prodigy Michael Crooks has qualified for the Sunday Telegraph/David Lloyd Leisure Junior Tennis Grand Prix final. The Winyates Green 17-year-old, who plays for Pershore Tennis Club, is in La Manga, Spain until Wednesday. Crooks has spent
-
Date
Ollie does the treble
CYCLIST Ollie Braithwaite took three awards at the recent dinner and prize presentation, held by Redditch Road and Path Club. He won trophies for Club events points, the fastest 25-mile and the best improved novice. The Club Service award was presented
-
Date
Table tennis top dogs record easy wins
THE two top teams in Division 1 of the Bromsgrove & Redditch Table Tennis League enjoyed easy victories with champions Lickey Monarchs beating Barnt Green 9-1 and Newton Works comfortable 10-0 winners at SPSP. Astwood Bank beat Droitwich 6-4. For
-
Date
Top TV star to open Christmas bazaar
One of the stars of the Tweenies will welcome children to a Redditch nursery's Christmas bazaar on Saturday. Milo will be at Noah's Ark Nursery's annual festive event alongside Father Christmas, who will be expecting letters from the youngsters. There
-
Date
Painting for numbers!
THERE was some lively activities at an Inkberrow after-school club as youngsters raised £170 for Children in Need. Members of The Fun Club washed parents' cars, had their faces painted and hair braided to raise money for needy children.
-
Date
Sense of awe
PAUL Turton complains (You Say, November 7) of "waffle about God". If we all lived on this earth for ever, in perfect health, if there were no wars, murders, rapes, lying, hatred, evil in the world, then perhaps we could forget God. But we all have to
-
Date
Video plea
I WONDER if one of your readers videotaped the events of September 11 in New York. I have a daughter working in Japan as a teaching assistant who needs video footage in English for a presentation she is doing to other teachers and students. If someone
-
Date
Gifted youngsters
IPSLEY Middle School pupils launched a full-scale operation when asked to help children in eastern Europe. The youngsters are taking part in Operation Christmas Child, run by Samaritan's Purse International. The aim is for pupils and staff to make up
-
Date
Reduction in differentials desirable
IN reply to John Norwood (You Say, November 9), as far as I know, no one believes that everyone should receive the same wage packet, irrespective of education or position in employment. Such a system would be totally unworkable in a sophisticated economy
-
Date
Worcester's lack of foreign films
WHY am I having to go all the way to Rubery to see the internationally- acclaimed Amelie? I think that the Odeon may be struggling since Warner Brothers moved into the area. The person to whom I spoke at Warner Brothers said that he had only just started
-
Date
Sporting gesture
REDDITCH schools deprived of a sports hall could soon benefit from a £3.1 million lottery windfall. The money has been allocated to the county from the New Opportunities Fund to improve sports facilities on offer within schools. The announcement was made
-
Date
Yet again, he gets to heart of the problem
JOHN Phillpott paints a picture in words, of moral, social and economic decadence, his article being difficult to refute. He writes of a society all-too-familiar to those of us that have not succumbed to lying propaganda and brainwashing. Yet the propagators
-
Date
Parents told to air views
ALVECHURCH Parish Council is urging concerned parents whose children are no longer automatically entitled to attend parish schools to air their views at a meeting next week. Youngsters from Rowney Green and Bordesley have been excluded from the Bromsgrove
-
Date
There ain't no studio like...
A CONSTRUCTION company has enabled music-mad Trinity High School students to sing with chart toppers S Club 7, writes Melina Cannon. Greswolde Construction pulled out the stops to finish the Easemore Road school's new high-tech recording studio in time
-
Date
College students go dutch for trip
STUDENTS from Kingsley College, Woodrow, have just returned from a cultural exchange visit to Oss in the Netherlands. Dutch families accommodated 18 of the students for a week and a return visit for the Dutch pupils is being organised for March. During
-
Date
Plans for a flexible exam system for all
IT'S this time of year when Year 11 students start to worry about mock exams. Their final year of GCSE courses has begun and the last chance to bump up predicted grades is around the corner. Some look upon the mocks as something of a breeze, others will
-
Date
SWIMMING
DROITWICH Dolphins finished third in the second round of the prestigious Speedo League, which ensured plenty of support for the local team. Once again Dolphins notched up several first places, with outstanding swims from Kate Hull, Mark Draper and David
-
Date
No six-cess for Spa's finest
A DISAPPOINTING week for Droitwich boxers saw six of them in action -- and they all lost. But three of the losses were by dreaded split decisions in bouts which could so easily have gone the other way. Perhaps the highlight of the week was the return
-
Date
Snooker
DROITWICH and District Snooker League results November 13: Division One: MILL A 0 BUC A 5. BPC A 2 CWMC A 3. AFSC C 2 AFSC A 3. DSC A 5 DSC B 0. CWMC C 1 BLC A 4. Division Two: DRBL B 5 AFSC B 0. BRBL B 4 BRBL A 1. CWMC B 1 DGC A 4. BUC C 2 BPC B 3. BUC
-
Date
Firm in homes survey
DEVELOPERS hoping to build 400 homes in Alcester are launching a pre-emptive strike to try to stop land being pulled out of the new Local Plan, writes Helen Clarke. Stratford Council originally allocated the site, off Allimore Lane, for housing but is
-
Date
Choir's set for seconds
NOT satisfied with performing at the country's most prestigious music venue just once, an Alcester group are returning to the Albert Hall for a second time. Alcester Male Voice Choir, now in its 28th year, has achieved notable success nationally and internationally
-
Date
Student firm jumps to IT
STUDENTS at Alcester Grammar School are helping young children get on with IT after launching a Young Enterprise company, writes Helen Clarke. The company, which the youngsters have named Wokka and the Pansies, will manufacture and market ICT lessons
-
Date
Probe into fire at warehouse
A TOTAL of 80 firefighters were despatched in the early hours of the morning as flames ripped through a warehouse in Salford Priors. The fire service was alerted to the blaze at Bomford Farm at about 1.30am last Wednesday. Thirteen appliances from across
-
Date
CCTV's launch arrest
POLICE were called to a town centre street brawl on Friday after being alerted by CCTV camera operators. The incident resulted in the first arrest police have made since the town centre CCTV system was officially switched on just a week ago. Eight police
-
Date
Text traps thief
A Redditch house burglar was trapped by a text message found on a mobile phone left at the crime scene, Worcester Crown Court heard. Stephen Crowe, 23, was put to flight by a householder who found the phone attached to the raider's bike. Police discovered
-
Date
New year date for contracts
NEW ammunition in the fight against anti-social behaviour in Redditch will be used for the first time in January, writes Becky Procter. Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) will be issued to known troublemakers aged 10-18 in an attempt to combat the
-
Date
Probe into flat blaze launched
POLICE have been called in to investigate a fire which was deliberately started in a Hollywood flat on Monday. The living area of the ground floor flat in Shawfield Road was completely destroyed in the blaze, which is being treated as arson. A fire crew
-
Date
Witness plea on keys theft
POLICE are investigating a bizarre theft in which a man's car keys were stolen while he was stuck in traffic, writes Julian Seva. The 28-year-old man was driving along Evesham Road last Tuesday at about 4.10pm when his dark blue Peugeot 306 was in collision
-
Date
Latest junior rugby scorelines
DROITWICH U12s 49 Bromsgrove U12s 14. Droitwich's forwards dealt effectively with any threat posed by the larger Bromsgrove pack, leaving the visitors with little attacking options. MoM James Brazier had an excellent game at scrum half and proved too
-
Date
Hero Hobbs keeps his cool
Bromsgrove Colts 15 Willenhall Colts 13 ANOTHER fine victory for the Colts on Saturday at Finstall Park. Willenhall started brightly but it was Bromsgrove who went ahead first with a well worked forwards' try scored by hooker Adam Kelleher. For another
-
Date
Rowlands goal enough for BKL
Studley BKL 1 Nuneaton Griffs 0 Despite a shaky start a goal netted seconds after the restart secured a deserved victory for Studley in the Tony Allden Memorial Trophy. Chances were at a premium in a first half both teams would rather forget. The best
-
Date
Best finish for Millers
FECKENHAM manager Clive Campion has set his side the target of a best ever finish in the Midland Combination. The Millers finished seventh in their first season in the top flight and the Valley tenants want to better that. But Campion reluctantly conceded
-
Date
Tonic for Heath
KINGS Heath picked themselves up after the disappointment of last week's Challenge Vase exit at the hands of Continental Star, with a morale-boosting 4-2 win over Southam. Kingsmen boss Sean Lawless said his side needed to stay in the Vase, their final
-
Date
The workforce deserves more consideration
DEAR EDITOR - I am totally outraged at the comments made by the leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Nick Psirides, concerning the fate of UEF and its employees. He should be pursuing any opening that would enable UEF, formerly Garringtons, to
-
Date
Row over lay-by closure plan is rumbling on
DEAR EDITOR - As residents living on the Old Stratford Road, next to the Bromsgrove Golf Centre, we feel our voice should be heard in the debate on whether the road should be closed off. The road is primarily for the use of local residents and people
-
Date
Proposed changes in the Spa
DEAR EDITOR - Both Wychavon District and Droitwich Town councils were elected to serve the people, but despite many vociferous protestations from the townspeople of Droitwich Spa, the council members continue with their hare-brained schemes. A supermarket
-
Date
Keep lido in the open air
DEAR EDITOR - The consultation meeting at the Community Hall in Droitwich, held between Wychavon Council, the proposed developers Calypso Ltd, and the general public regarding the redevelopment of the lido site, produced a massive attendance, with standing
-
Date
Not too surprised
DEAR EDITOR - The public are not gullible and are fully aware of the power, influence, position and personal advancement eagerly sought by our so-called representative councillors of Wychavon and Droitwich. They refuse a supermarket development off Salwarpe
-
Date
Planners have 'wrecked' town over the years
DEAR EDITOR - Thank you for informing us of the mean manner in which Wychavon District Council deprived High Street traders of their parking spots. Such shabby treatment. Why did they not display a planning notice or inform the traders? Ever since the
-
Date
KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS FC MATCH FACTS - 2001/2002
Sat July 14 Bromsgrove Rovers (a) 4-0 Broughton, Hadley 2, Bird Mon July 16 Halesowen Harriers (a) 6-1 Middleton, Bird 2, Shilton, Shail, Ducros Wed July 18 Evesham United (a) 1-1 Faulds Sat July 21 Redditch United (a) 3-0 Hadley, Hinton, Middleton Tues
-
Date
Hall help flows in to committee
CASH is flowing in to an appeal to help furnish the new Studley Village Hall once it is built. And more will follow when the hall is the setting for a fund-raising concert called Hello December. Hello December will be a gala concert of all-age talent,
-
Date
New hall in pipeline
PLANS could be in the offing to build a new community hall in Tardebigge. A committee has been set up to develop a piece of land at the back of the church and side of Tardebigge School, off Church Lane. When finished, the single storey T-shaped building
-
Date
17/11/01 - Reds lose in late show
Shepshed Dynamo 3 Redditch United 2 ROD Brown's influence on United was evident before kick-off with the first team taken through a series of warm-up exercises on the pitch and the squad seemed to have taken the new man's ideas to heart with a fighting
-
Date
Directors 'want Daniels sacked'
THE future of in-demand Bromsgrove Rovers boss Steve Daniels is still unclear after reports that two acting board members want him sacked. A club insider has told the Advertiser/Messenger that over the last month the un-named pair called for Daniels to
-
Date
Chimney fire
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a chimney fire which also damaged a beam at a house in The Leys, Evesham, last Saturday. The blaze, which was reported at 9.25pm, caused damage to a small ornamental beam by the fire, which had started as the asbestos covering
-
Date
Evening of praise
STUDLEY Baptist Church is holding a musical praise and worship evening on Saturday. Two bands are set to appear and refreshments will be available. Tickets are £3 and are available on the door. The event at the New Road Church runs from 7.30- 9.30pm.
-
Date
Amnesty evening
A NIGHT of music, magic and dance is in store to raise funds for Amnesty International at Alvechurch Social Club on Saturday. The event will be a celebration of local entertainment, including flamenco and belly dancers, acoustic music and two magicians
-
Date
Webheath WI
THE October meeting took the form of a members' evening and the theme was The Forties. Ration books were needed for refreshments and the 40s quiz was won by the president, Miss Smedley. The sing-song concluded with There'll always be an England. The speaker
-
Date
A date with Kiri
ONE of the world's greatest operatic stars will be performing in a gala performance in Warwick next week. Dame Kiri Te Kanawa stars in an evening of classical arias by Mozart, Richard Strauss and Puccini, accompanied by pianist Julian Reynolds, at Warwick
-
Date
Royal British Legion
THE AGM of the Rous Lench & Inkberrow branch took place at The Flyford Arms, Flyford Flavel, on November 6 and was the occasion of the retirement from office of Nancy Reynolds, one of the longest serving members. Miss Reynolds, who has been a member
-
Date
Male choir in concert
THE acclaimed Alcester Male Voice Choir's next concert in the area takes place at the Ecumenical Centre next month. The concert, on Saturday, December 15, is in aid of the Where Next Association, a town charity which provides work experience and training
-
Date
Feckenham Forest History Society
AT the November meeting, Captain DI Rhodes, Master of the Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick, talked about the building's history. Complete with excellent slides, he took members from the 12th century to the present day, showing also how the buildings had
-
Date
Hollywood WI
AT the November meeting, the AGM, the committee was re-elected. Mrs Christine Thomas, former president, thanked Mrs Pauline Robertson and her committee for an exciting year's programme. Details were given about the Christmas meal to be held at the golf
-
Date
Inner Wheel Club of Redditch
SUSAN Whiteside, a prospective new member, lit the Candle of Friendship for Blackfriers Club, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Members were reminded of future events including a coffee morning to raise funds for overseas, Christmas dinner with Rotarian husbands
-
Date
Redditch & District Supper Club
THE club held its AGM at the Quality Hotel, Southcrest, on Wednesday, November 14. Jack Moss was re-elected president and David Turner as chairman. The meeting was followed by a talk by the chairman on his experiences as a wartime evacuee in Wales. David
-
Date
Redditch Welsh Society
THE November meeting was well attended. Chairman Essillt Thomas reminded members that the Christmas party will be a bring-and-share supper on November 30 at 7.30pm at St Luke's Church Hall, Headless Cross. Next year's St David's Day lunch is on March
-
Date
Rowney Green Horticultural Society
AT a recent meeting, members and guests were entertained by Elaine Horton of Tinpenny Plants, near Tewkesbury, who demonstrated how to get the best out of hardy plants. Elaine showed that plants being hardy did not mean that they were more demanding than
-
Date
Alert on gas blaze
FIRE crews battled a 30ft wall of gas-fuelled flame after vandals set a gas box alight at a Redditch factory on Sunday night, writes Becky Procter. Thousands of pounds of damage was caused to SG Springs Ltd in Park Farm and fire chiefs fear a spate of
-
Date
Dressed for the part
Year 11 pupils at St Augustine's RC High School who are studiously working towards a GCSE in drama donned exquisite period costumes to perform a variety of duologues on Thursday. The prepared pieces presented by the colourfully dressed 15 and 16 year
-
Date
Biker so lucky to be saved
A MOTORCYCLIST who crashed through a hedge on a rural Redditch road was lucky to have been found in time to save his life. The accident, which happened early on Friday afternoon on a bend at The Saltway between Cookhill and Feckenham, was witnessed and
-
Date
Church for poor has a rich history
A REDDITCH church which - according to rumour - was built to serve the poorer people in Redditch, will be celebrating its 125th birthday on Sunday with a special service, writes Melina Cannon. The parish church of St George the Martyr, better known as
-
Date
Search for old school tie
An Alvechurch man is being sought by an old schoolmate. Brian Wilton, who lives in Norfolk, is looking for Patrick Wood, who was known as Fred and attended Oldswinford Hospital Boarding School, Stourbridge, from 1956-1959. Anyone with information can
