Archive
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30/4/03 Hull hell is sad end to travels
HULL 4 HARRIERS 1 IT was a shame Kidderminster Harriers' largely impressive away form in Division Three had to end on such a sour note at Hull on Saturday. Harriers' displays on their travels had provided a firm base for a long-running play-off challenge
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Toyah misses life at home
JUST three days into the I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here experience Toyah Willcox is missing home. But the 80s popstar, who has a house in Pershore, was uncharacteristically quiet throughout last night's episode. But she did say that the experience
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Auctioneer's guilty plea in saleroom pistol case
AUCTIONEER Andrew Grant has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations after a professional violinist shot off the end of a finger while examining a starting pistol. On Monday, businessman Grant, of Lypiatt Road, Cheltenham, was committed
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Burglars ruin chance of family holiday
A FAMILY will miss out on their summer holiday because they fear they will fall victim to burglars yet again. Michelle Price said her family of five wanted to make sure their Worcester home was not a target after they were burgled for the second time.
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Sars threat ruins Canadian dream
THE deadly Sars virus sweeping the globe forced a social club to cancel a dream trip to Canada just days before a travel ban was lifted. Eight couples from the Droitwich Spa and Saltway Rotary Club were due to jet off to Toronto last Thursday for a once-in-a-lifetime
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Labour trio step down from city council
WORCESTER City councillors have paid tribute to three Labour colleagues retiring from the authority after the local elections tomorrow. Nurul Haque, who was the city's first Asian councillor, is among those stepping down. At a meeting of the full council
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I simply wanted to find my son, says ex-daughter-in-law told to stay away
A GRANDMOTHER has won a court order banning her former daughter-in-law from contacting her. Kathleen Roper, of The Glebe, Abberley, applied for an interim injunction against Elizabeth Roper which was granted by Worcester County Court yesterday. The court
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Casting your vote is price of freedom
WORCESTER'S MP Mike Foster has urged residents to go to the polls tomorrow and cast their vote. He made his plea as candidates and activists of all political persuasions made their last rounds of the wards, dropping leaflets and a talking to voters, in
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30/04/03 - Frost's award
STEVE Frost will be named as the Advertiser/Messenger's Bromsgrove Rovers player of the season this Saturday. Ever-improving Frost has won eight of our man of the match awards and cannot be caught. Paul Danks is next on five. Frost, who has also scored
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Taking peek behind the toilet door
HISTORY fans and children will have a rare chance to peek at Victorian toilets at Hanbury Hall. The toilets, normally off-limits to the public, will be opened up along with the rarely seen Victorian dairy, which still has the original slate shelving and
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Weston-Super-Mare 0 Bromsgrove Rovers 1
Saturday, April 26, 2003 GRANT Beckett curled a David Beckham-like free-kick home to give Bromsgrove Rovers a 1-0 victory over already promoted Weston-Super-Mare at Woodspring Park. Bromsgrove were the more enterprising side in this clash last Saturday
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Let battle commence
MUSICAL talent from all over the world will take to the Bromsgrove stage to vie for a prestigious award this weekend. The Bromsgrove Festival is once again hosting its International Young Musician's Platform at the New Guesten Hall, Avoncroft Museum,
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Country time again
COUNTRY-music lovers can look forward to a special double bill show in Droitwich Spa next weekend. The End of the Trail Country Music Club has invited two popular acts from across Britain to play at the Royal British Legion Club on Friday week (May 9)
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And fringe folk
MUSICAL partners Pete Harris and Mick Ryan will be entertaining folk-music lovers at a gig next week. The popular duo will be playing for the Bromsgrove Folk Club on May 8, at their regular haunt The Ladybird in Aston Fields. Club spokesperson Bob Bignell
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Midge is in county
MIDGE Ure has had hits across the last four decades, and has scooped Ivor Novello and Grammy awards along the way and he'll be in Worcestershire in May. He'll be appearing at the Huntingdon Arts in Worcester on May 14 (8pm). In the early part of this
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£100 reward to catch the tyre slashers
A FAST food vendor is offering a reward to catch the tyre slashers roaming on a Droitwich estate. Malcolm Ward will give £100 for information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for slashing tyres on his transit minibus. On Friday, April 25
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Housing cash aid prod for Prescott
DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott must find more money to help older and disabled people live in their own homes, warned Worcestershire housing experts. Malvern Hills District Council's housing officers wrote to Mr Prescott, the Minister responsible
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Low paid are urged to act over benefits
PARENTS and those in low paid work are being urged to act fast to claim cash benefits. In April, extra money became available for those with children, and others requiring a boost to their earnings, through the child tax credit and the working tax credit
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Rescue package to keep Cafe 27 open
A RESCUE package is under way to keep the doors to Caf 27, Tenbury's flagship youth project, open. With costs running at around £40,000 per annum, and initial funding ending in March, serious financial difficulties had to be tackled and urgent action
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Verdict of accidental death recorded on former pupil
A VERDICT of accidental death was recorded by deputy coroner Tim Sherwood at an inquest at Stourport on former Tenbury High School pupil John Adam Wilson, 18, who died in a crash on the A443 at Newnham Bridge last August. His red Vauxhall Astra was in
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50 years ago
May 1, 1953 Side-car racing was introduced for the first time last Sunday to a scramble held by the Redditch Motorcycle and Car Club. The occasion was the club's open-to-centre spring scramble held at Rollswood Farm, Haselor, near Alcester. A record crowd
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25 years ago
April 28, 1978 Protesting Crabbs Cross householders have won a stay of execution on the proposed development of an 11-acre field which backs onto their homes. The angry Yvonne Road residents claim that contractors' lorries moving onto the exclusive residential
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Court hears of kidnap ordeal
A teenager was tied up, beaten and ordered to carry out a robbery to pay off a drug debt, Worcester Crown Court heard. Victim Leonard Broome tried to hide in a loft when two youths broke into the house where he was staying. But he was caught, had his
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The title contenders
WITH two games to play Alvechurch are in the driving seat in the race with rivals Coventry Marconi for the ICIS Combination title. Church sit a point behind Marconi with a game in hand, a better goal difference and better goals scored. Unless Marconi
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Elderly woman trapped
AN elderly woman had to be cut free from her car after an accident on Icknield Street Drive on Sunday. The crash happened at about 5.25pm when the 78-year-old woman was driving along Icknield Street Drive and collided with the roundabout close to the
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Own interests are driving us
AFTER reading Howard Bellaby's impeccable history lesson on Iraq and Saddam Hussein (Letters, April 16), I can't believe that it slipped his mind to mention the construction of the 'Super Gun' under Thatcher's regime in the late 1980s, or was it only
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What happened to democracy?
I AM writing about our democracy and our right to speak. I had the opportunity to watch in confusion the planning committee in action at Redditch Town Hall on April 15. The meeting was to discuss the application for 30 houses off Rough Hill Drive/Grangers
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Arrows blunt Warriors
South Wales Warriors 12 Redditch Arrows 27 ARROWS recorded their first win of the season at the third attempt. After successive away day defeats, the Ash Lane side eased to a 15 point win in Cardiff. Warriors won the toss and elected to receive. A breakaway
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Lack of footpath is a big problem
THE lack of a footpath from the bus station to Plymouth Road has been raised at Neighbourhood Group meetings and the County Contact meeting and I have written to the Kingfisher Centre management but all with no positive response. There is obviously a
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Ink-bury Littleton
LAST year's runners-up Littleton stuttered to a 3-1 defeat in their opening Prudden Road Surfacing Summer Tennis League Division One fixture. Unkberrow profited to win a close encounter 3-1. Inkberrow's Adam Hill and Jonathan Bradshaw opened with a two-set
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Crucial time was wasted
I AM dismayed and disappointed at the decision to grant planning permission to build on the Grangers Lane/Rough Hill Drive site. I felt the way the planning committee meeting was conducted was unfair and I refer particularly to the interrogating manner
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Meeting was a disgrace
I ATTEND planning committee meetings regularly and can say that the handling of the application for the 30 homes on the Grangers Lane/Rough Hill Drive greenfield site was disgraceful. It was a blot on the normally good procedure I've become used to. The
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Letter from Westminster
Last week, figures were released of a worldwide survey of reading skills for 10 year olds. It revealed that our children now out-perform every other English speaking nation and are third in the World behind Sweden and the Netherlands. This is a great
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Can we drop 'island' please
I AM becoming increasingly irritated by the 'debate' about the new-look Sainsbury's roundabout. When the lines were being applied it did, indeed, cause considerable jamming, particularly considering the coning was not moved back when there was no work
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Cross-hatching is a hazard to be avoided
THE Sainsbury's roundabout saga does not appear to be turning out quite as the county council planned. There is no dispute among users of the roundabout that the changes made have introduced more hazards to what previously was a busy but free-flowing
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What a laughable layout!
THE new layout at Sainsbury's roundabout is enough to make one chuckle. Informative and directive in every way? For the first time today, I encountered a driver with her horrified elderly passenger merrily negotiating the roundabout in the wrong direction
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Victory for incinerator campaign
YOUR front-page headline 'It's back to square one' (Advertiser, April 23) certainly brought me down to earth with a bump. Your report concluded that Popes Lane By-Products' withdrawal from the appeal was a 'shock blow' to ABAI's campaign. On the contrary
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I can see no reason for Pagan gripes
C HABGOOD objects to Britain being referred to as a Christian nation (Letters, April 23). It seems to me he might as well also object to it being described as English speaking as a proportion of the population (significantly larger than the number of
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Tribute to a brother
I HAVE been in Australia for the past 43 years and have never regretted leaving the old country until recently, when I learned of the death of my younger brother, Alan Brandy. We were quite close during the war years, being part of a large family living
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Well stroll on!
I REFER to the article 'Boys stroll home' (Advertiser, April 16). It states I am one of the Walking Bus helpers, which I'm not. I'm the county council Walking Bus Co-ordinator. It does not bother me - the Walking Bus helpers do a great job - but I would
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30/4/03 - Number one shirt stays in Danny's safe hands
THEY say nice guys don't come first but Danny McDonnell dispelled that myth by capturing the supporters and players' player of the year awards. It was richly deserved for the City goalkeeper who has been simply brilliant at times throughout a long, hard
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Reds result
Studley FC tenants Redditch United Women held a strong Ross team to a surprise 1-1 draw. Considering the hosts were down to their last 11 players and had to hand an inspired Sam Tayler the keeper's gloves, Auld will have left the game happy. United have
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Marconi make Millers miserable
FECKENHAM finished a disappointing season with a 4-0 defeat which propelled Coventry Marconi dramatically into the Midland Combination title race. With Leamington faltering badly, Marconi have emerged as Alvechurch's chief title threat and the Millers
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Bass called up
BIRMINGHAM City Ladies skipper Laura Bassett was jubilant after learning of her latest England call-up. Bassett, who came off the bench in a recent friendly in Italy to make her senior international debut, has been called up for three friendlies in North
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Facts, figures and fixtures 2002/2003 season
Pre-season 20/07/02 - Redditch United 0 Peterborough United 3 (Forsythe, Fenn, Bullard) 25/07/02 - Redditch United 3 (Hall, Knight, 2) Stourbridge 1 (Lee) 30/07/02 - Redditch United 1 (MacVarish) Burton Albion 1 (Garner) League 17/08/02 - Redditch United
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Alert on pill theft
Painkillers, antidepressants and beta blockers were among pills stolen from a house in Greenlands last Tuesday. The theft happened in Netherfield Close between 1-5.15pm. Police have warned serious harm could be caused to anyone taking the tablets. Anyone
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May Day polls ready to open
TOMORROW will be a nail-biting day for the big political parties as voters go to the polls in the local elections. The Tories will be hoping to capitalise on gains made last year at the expense of Labour and if they take three more seats, will win overall
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Market move 'no problem'
THERE should be no problem with Redditch Market moving back to Market Place, according to highway bosses. Redditch Council officers asked their counterparts at Worcestershire County Council if they would object to a permanent site in Market Place. The
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Fixtures
Wednesday, April 30 FOOTBALL Midland Football Combination Division One - Handsaker v Fairfield Villa (6.45pm). Division Two - Barnt Green Spartak v Earlswood Town (7.45pm). Advertiser/Messenger Football League Division One - Woodbourne Sports v Meadow
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Rogers steers Spa to victory
MIKE Rogers took a career best 7-44 from 16.2 overs as Droitwich Spa Cricket Club First XI began their league season with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Ombersley. Spa skipper Steve Walsh won the toss and put the hosts in for last Saturday's Worcestershire
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Reds in bid for top six
REDDITCH United wind down an eventful season with two games in four days this week. The Reds have lost the impetus generated by their phenomenal post Christmas run since the slim chance of promotion disappeared but can still secure the top six finish
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Boars off to perfect start
BROMSGROVE Cricket Club First XI made the perfect start to their competitive season with a 62-run victory against rivals Worcester in the ECB club cricket knock out last Sunday. Following a rain delay, Bromsgrove batted first and struggled as Simon Keyte
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Croft lose warm up
AVONCROFT Cricket Club's final warm-up game for the new season ended with a narrow two-run defeat at home to Warwickshire league side Ward End Unity. On a fairly slow wicket last Saturday, Unity's unique, aggressive style made for some entertaining cricket
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Practice begins
NEW season outdoor practice for juniors at Bromsgrove Cricket Club begins on Friday, May 9 at 6.15pm. The club is running three sides for youngsters this term at U13s, U14s and U15s level. Bromsgrove CC has four qualified English Cricket Board coaches
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Warriors may go semi-pro
CECIL Duckworth has revealed that Worcester could go semi-professional if the Rugby Football Union drops automatic promotion to the Premiership. The Sixways chairman is still waiting to see just which division the Warriors will be playing in next season
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County openers ripped out by Blain
WORCESTERSHIRE soon lost Stephen Peters and Anurag Singh after being put in to bat on the opening day of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire at New Road today. Peters made a bright and breezy 17 and Singh scored
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Hereford pair are banned
TWO Hereford Rugby Club players have been handed suspensions by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel following a stormy Midlands Two West game at Bedworth. Scrum-half Ben Jenkins was banned for six weeks and lock Chris Fairley for three weeks after
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Future of Rovers' duo in balance
BROMSGROVE Rovers duo Gary Hackett and Jon Ford will hold clear-the-air talks with chairman Tom Herbert tomorrow. Rumours have been circulating that the management team could be replaced despite overseeing promotion from the Midland Alliance last season
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Westfields close on title
WESTFIELDS closed in on the West Midlands Premier Division title with a 3-0 win at Sedgley last night. Only a mathematical disaster can prevent the Hereford side taking the championship with nearest rivals Kington Town needing to win all four of their
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Cup of cheer for Worcester
WORCESTER Rugby Club's U16 ladies' team beat Widnes 19-10 in the final of the RFUW National Cup at Broadstreet RFC. Kicking with a strong wind Worcester built up a 12-0 half-time lead with tries from Ruth Clewer and Alice Richardson, the latter converted
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Shoot-out joy for Broadway
Broadway United Reserves became the first team to win an internal cup on penalties in the Birdseye Sports Evesham League, lifting the Bluck Cup in a superb final at Common Road. Before a large crowd Broadway started brighter but failed to take chances
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30/4/03 - Hi-Flyers land division three prize
The Wednesday divisions of the E & E Engineering Worcester Friendly Skiitle league have one game left and it's all still to play for in Division One with the top four playing each other. Division Two has four teams chasing the runner-up spot behind
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A 'knight' of laughs
A 'KNIGHT' of comedy is on the bill at Redditch's Palace Theatre next week. The Barron Knights have had more comedy hit records than any other group in the world and show no signs of hanging up their guitars. They return by popular demand to the Alcester
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Junior rugby
BROMSGROVE RFC U7s finished their season off on style with victory at a tournament in Stratford. Victories over Shipston and draws with Stratford Leopards and Sandal, from Wakefield, saw them through the group stage. The side defeated Stratford seven
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Cup of cheer
COFFEE and conversation is now on offer at a new Redditch caf following its official launch on Friday. The Coffee Mill, run by staff and users of Millfields day service for people with learning disabilities, is based at the former Knowledge Caf in Park
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Quartet for the Palace
A TALENTED string quartet is set to play at Redditch's Palace Theatre as part of the town's summer Community Arts Festival Event (CAF). The Arcarto String Quartet is made up of young musicians who have graduated from either Birmingham Conservatoire or
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Daniela in tragic tale
ONE of the greatest love stories, Camille, comes to Malvern's Festival Theatre on Tuesday. The inspiration for both Verdi's La Traviata and the smash hit film Moulin Rouge, the Lyric Hammersmith production returns to the original novel to portray the
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Bad boy on trial for African crimes
A PRODUCTION incorporating drama, African ritual, comedy, music, dance and film is being staged at Birmingham Repertory Theatre next week. Ragamuffin offers "a powerful insight into the black experience within Britain today", played out against the rhythms
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Folk to flock to city venue
WORCESTER'S Huntingdon Hall is the venue for an appearance by Maddy Prior MBE on Saturday. Described as 'the voice of English folk music' Maddy's career has so far spanned three decades. Her song writing combines her favourite themes of history, mythology
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Reborn in the USA Various Artists
Three star POP Idol and Fame Academy's older and uglier relative has reared its head in the form of Reborn in the USA. Not a Bruce Springsteen tribute band but a mutant hybrid of 'reality TV' and a talent contest featuring a group of singers, many of
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Town group's season finale
AN evening of Elizabethan music takes place on Saturday when Redditch Music Society holds its final concert of this year's season. Diabolus in Musica are Paul Baker and David Jarratt-Knock who sing the popular music of Elizabethan England and play on
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Testimony of love and woe
ALVECHURCH Dramatic Society focuses on the loves, traumas and disputes of a Midlands family in its latest play being staged this week. A Warwickshire Testimony centres on the lives of Edie Cox in the 1930s, desperate to escape from her family and from
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Skate call
Visitors to Redditch Skate Park on Sunday will help celebrate the second birthday of the Suspect Skate Shop, in Bates Hill. The event, from noon-6pm includes competitions and bands will be performing.
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30/4/03 - Second crown in last three years
The Nationwide Doors & Windows Worcester Billiards League title has been won for the second time in three years by St Johns B. St Stephens A finished runners up in what was for much of the season a two-horse race. The highest break in recent weeks
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Junior football round-up
Bromsgrove Town U13s 8 Hunt End Hunters U13s 0 Sam Partridge scored a hat-trick while there was two apiece for Chris Bishop, Joe Mayo and Dan Nicklin. Charles Eden got the other in a comfortable win. Chris Bishop was man of the match. Bromsgrove Town
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Rubery's cup
TWO goals from Marc Holland ensured Rubery Football Club defeated Selly Oak Eagles 2-0 to win the John Smiths' Cup last Sunday. Holland provided the strikes during an outstanding performance from Anthony McKeever's side at Solihull's Glades Centre.
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30/4/03 - Norton girls bid for national final
Worcester Norton bid to enter their second national girls' final in successive years tonight. Last season the U15 team became national champions in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out at the National Stadium, Milton Keynes. This time the U18 team are hoping
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Use the cash for social housing?
DEAR EDITOR -- I have just read that Primsland Way in Droitwich is to be awarded £50,000 to develop waste land, surely it should be allocated for social housing as every other nook and cranny in Droitwich has. Or would it not be a better site for the
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50 years ago May 2, 1953
THE Rev Glenmore Jenkins, the congregational minister in Rubery, was standing as an independent in the forthcoming local council elections. At his first meeting in St Chad's Hall, just 30 people turned up and agreed among themselves, as befitted a man
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100 years ago May 2, 1903
A WORCESTERSHIRE Model Laundry was to open for business at Blackmore Mill in Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove. The firm took out a large advert in the Messenger to emphasise the fact that the premise was fortunate to be supplied by soft spring water, ideal
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Delegates opt for leafy St John's to learn the international language
IF students in Worcester think it's hard to get into university then spare a thought for the Chinese. To be able to enter onto any undergraduate course, students have to take three exams. The catch is that two must be in English. Fourteen delegates have
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Derby crunch to start for village neighbours
AMBITIOUS Exhall and Wixford are hoping to better last season's third place by winning the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division title. Chairman John Canning said a side featuring three new recruits was also aiming for a good run in the National Village
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Redditch will look to future
REDDITCH skipper Nev Mason says his side could suffer in their opening Birmingham League match on Saturday after being left without a match at the weekend. The Bromsgrove Road side first team were set to take on rivals Studley in a friendly but were told
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Crusader forces of occupation
THE Western media recently has been full of - often the same - pictures of Iraqis laden with goods, furniture and electrical items from the latest looting spree. The endless pre-occupation with looting is not without reason. First, it serves to justify
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Breakdown of order in war-torn country
LAST week, somebody wrote in the Evening News asking where were the anti-Iraq war letter writers now that the war was won. We are still here. As it becomes more obvious by the day that Bush and Blair made no arrangements to contain the inevitable breakdown
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Grin and bear it
PETS are being asked to bear their gnashers and get their canines polished for 'Pet Smile Month.' The scheme is designed to encourage animal lovers to look after their pets' teeth and Bromsgrove vets are offering free dental check ups to help prevent
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One step closer
AFTER six years of tireless fundraising, Tardebigge residents are one step closer to their new community hall. Construction work has finally begun on the hall, which will be built on land behind St Bartholomew's Church. It will provide much-needed accommodation
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Diamond days
SHARED interests and a bit of 'give and take' have been the ingredients for one Cofton Hackett couple's diamond romance. Dennis and Irene Munns of Oakfield Drive, celebrated 60 years of wedded bliss on Monday. The couple first met in Northampton when
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Colourful fun
FUN was top of the agenda for kids relaxing at a Bromsgrove leisure centre. During the Easter break, the Dolphin Centre, in School Drive, has been catering for as many as 60 children a day. Youngsters, aged between six and 12, have been trying out arts
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Girls are fighting fit
TEENAGE girls have been getting fit in a new and trendy way thanks to an Easter scheme at the Ryland Centre. The youngsters have been trying out Chi-Bo classes, the latest exercise craze which combines kick-boxing with funky music. The classes at the
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Switched on Scouts go hi-tech
A RUBERY Scouting group is preparing to move with the times by launching its own website. The Beacon Scout Group officially launched its website last Friday. It offers internet visitors the opportunity to access up-to-date information about the club.
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Teacher's £50,000 pay out
A TEACHER who was unfairly sacked from Droitwich Spa High School has been offered a £50,000 settlement. Ruta Rusenieks won an unfair dismissal tribunal earlier this year and says Worcestershire County Council has now offered her compensation. Both the
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30/4/03 - Season of promise ends in frustration
THEY think it's all over but it's not quite because there is still the small matter of Dover on Saturday. We've still got a chance of securing third spot and while there is hope we battle on. No doubt travelling back from the match thoughts will inevitably
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Iraq calling
MAJOR David Jones may be hundreds of miles away from his home and family while serving with the British forces in Iraq but it's not stopping him keeping up to date with all the latest local news. David, aged 35, a territorial officer from Stoke Prior
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Rehab man back in court
A REFORMED heroin addict who made a fresh start in Cornwall was arrested for abusing police officers when he returned home to Droitwich. Christopher Swan moved to Truro as part of his rehabilitation in 2000 and was doing well until he met a group of alcoholics
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You can stick your ripples
A CROSS resident has branded traffic calming measures in Bromsgrove costly and unnecessary. Graham Reddie of East Road is angered by Bromsgrove District Council's hasty decision to lay special 'Rippleprint' surfacing material without further consultation
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Key talks on canals
UNLOCKING the potential of the Droitwich Canals is the title of a business seminar being held in the town this Friday. British Waterways is hosting the event on behalf of Droitwich Spa Association for Retail, Tourism and Services (DARTS) and the canals
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Competition ends
LICKEY Monarchs finished the Bromsgrove and Redditch Table Tennis League season in typical fashion with a 10-0 whitewash victory at SPSP. Runners-up Carter Retail A also had a comfortable 8-2 win at home to West Midland Phones B despite the Phones leading
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Third place at gala
BROMSGROVE Swimming Club finished third as they embarked on their Mercian Summer League campaign last Saturday. In the individual races, Lucie Edmunds won the U14s girls 100m backstroke in a personal best time of 1 minute 12.9 seconds while Adrian Rose
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Duo win play-off
STEVE Gaskin and Phil Moore won a dramatic play-off to win Bromsgrove Golf Club's Winter League Pairs Final. In wet and windy conditions last Sunday, the pair fought back after trailing by two holes early on to Andrea Kiernan and Lis Stirling. The match
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Luctonians fail in bid to join national league
Luctonians 3 pts Macclesfield 17- ANY hopes Luctonians had of moving up to the Powergen National League Three (North) next season were shattered by a powerful, and streetwise, Macclesfield. Having earned the right of home advantage for this one-off promotion
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President's friendly on Saturday
TENBURY complete their season with a match against the pres-ident Roger Bowkett's Invitation XV at Palm-er's Meadow, on Saturday (3.00pm). Club captain Steve Price, delighted with the form shown by his team in the second half of the North Midlands 2 campaign
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Cleobury enjoy the social side after friendly victory
Stoke Old Boys 7 pts Cleobury Mortimer 14- HAVING enjoyed matches against Stoke Old Boys when they were briefly paired in the Midlands Four West (South) several years ago the clubs still meet up for a friendly get together at the end of the season. Cleobury
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St George put Seconds to the sword after the rain
Ludlow Reserves 145-9 St George's 146-5 LUDLOW Reserves got themselves into a winning position in their Shropshire Premier Reserve League opener but a couple of heavy showers saw them handicapped by a wet ball and St George's, aided by a sparkling knock
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Decimal point separates the leading birds in a fast race
LUDLOW Borough Flying Club sent 70 birds to Frome. Liber-ated at 9.20 into a south east wind, it turned out to be a very fast race with a decimal point splitting the first two birds. The red card goes to Richard and Tony Bradley with G Hicks winning the
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Andy's goal sets up a final league win for the Town
Ludlow Town 1 Boldmere 0- LUDLOW ended their season on a winning note to finish as Shropshire's highest placed team in a very competitive Midland Alliance League. They immediately went on the attack and put their visitors under pressure. Moving the ball
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Centre cleared in scare
SHOPPERS were evacuated from the Kingfisher Centre yesterday after a suspicious package was found in one of the car parks. Police were called and both the centre and the ring road were shut off from 10.50-11.45am. The package, discovered in Car Park 5
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New camera for fire crew
REDDITCH Fire Brigade will be one of the first crews in the country to be equipped with one of the latest thermal imaging cameras. Nearly £6,000 has been spent on the 13 new Argus 3 thermal imagers by Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade, ensuring each
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Noises Off, Malvern Theatres
TO bill a play as 'the funniest comedy ever written' is to take a big risk. Albeit the quote is from Time Out in New York, the level of expectation aroused is daunting. I was reminded of the debate over whether David Seaman's save in the cup semi-final
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The Taming of the Shrew, RST, Stratford
FOR modern audiences the subject matter of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew - the subjugation of a feisty woman by her bullying husband - is understandably hard to stomach. Of course, there may be a few unreconstructed males around wishing things
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Churches and Church Organisations
CHURCH OF ENGLAND All Saints, The Wyche, Malvern Wells with St Andrew's: Vicar Rev P Finch, 01684 575123. Christ Church, Malvern, with St Mary's Sherrards Green: Vicar, the Rev P Furber, 01684 574106. Church Army Officer: Captain M Thompson, Church Army
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30/4/03 - County openers ripped out by Blain
WORCESTERSHIRE soon lost Stephen Peters and Anurag Singh after being put in to bat on the opening day of the Frizzell County Championship Division Two match against Northamptonshire at New Road today. Peters made a bright and breezy 17 and Singh scored
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As you Like It, The Swan, Stratford
AS You Like was not the most carefully penned of Shakespeare's plays, bearing all the hallmarks of being produced in great haste having a thin plot and a quick ending which seems to suggest that the author had had enough. Having said that, this production
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Digging in for villagers' hall
A 'TURNING of the sod' ceremony took place to mark the construction of a much-needed community hall in Tardebigge. The ceremony was held last Tuesday and the new venue, which will be built on land behind St Bartholomew's Church hall and next to Tardebigge
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Grant bends it like Becks
GRANT Beckett curled a David Beckham-like free-kick home to give Bromsgrove Rovers a 1-0 victory over already promoted Weston-Super-Mare at Woodspring Park. Bromsgrove were the more enterprising side in this clash last Saturday and signalled their attentions
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Droitwich defend trophy
DROITWICH Spa RFC retained the Jack Andrews Trophy against Worcester Wanderers in their traditional end of season match last Saturday. The match, decided by the aggregate score of First and Second XV games, saw Spa claim victory by ten points. The Firsts
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Junior football round-up
Bromsgrove Town U13s 8 Hunt End Hunters U13s 0 Sam Partridge scored a hat-trick while there was two apiece for Chris Bishop, Joe Mayo and Dan Nicklin. Charles Eden got the other in a comfortable win. Chris Bishop was man of the match. Bromsgrove Town
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School's upgrade slammed
PLANS for a huge upgrade to Alcester High School have been revealed. The proposals, which include extending the art, music, administration blocks and the main hall, changing rooms and a new performing arts room were recommended to be granted and discussed
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Hut hit by late night fire
ALCESTER'S unused Guide hut was at the centre of a suspected arson attack on Saturday night. Fire crews from Alcester, Studley and Stratford were called to the hut, between Stratford Road and Gas House Lane, at about 10.30pm. The wooden panelled building
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Charity tribute
A TOWN centre pub has joined forces with Specsavers Opticians for a charity event this evening. Chicago Rock Caf is supporting the Specsavers Mountain Challenge to climb three UK mountains within 24 hours in aid of Sightsavers International. Specsavers
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In the running
STAFF from the Wilkinson store in the Kingfisher Centre will be donning running shoes and fancy dress outfits for charity. Employees Bev Farrow, Kevin Lakin and Lizeta Fellows and Wendy Gibbons will be taking part in Run For Home, organised by Heart FM
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Blue is the colour...
A RARE sight around the country can be seen in full bloom at Coughton Court. A sea of native British bluebells have been grown in the court's woodland garden. Plant lovers across the UK have become worried after the Spanish strain of the bluebell invaded
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Event aims to inform
A SPECIAL information evening aimed at people with arthritis takes place at St Stephen's Church next month. Guest speaker Mike Salmon, a professor of experimental rheumatology from the University of Birmingham, will be talking about rheumatoid arthritis
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First milks the marketplace with Nestl partnership
FIRST Milk's ground-breaking dairy supply partnership with Nestl has exceeded both companies' expectations, with a positive response to an offer of full membership. First Milk, a dairy co-operative based in Hallow, Worcester, representing 4,000 farmers
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Come for a splash
A REDDITCH club for disabled children and adults is appealing for new members. Otters Disabled Swimming Club, which was formed about 15 years ago, meets at Kingsley Sports Centre on Tuesday evenings. The club caters for physically and mentally disabled
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Home and dry!
THE winners of our Good Homes Show competition are Mrs Sarah Magee, of Wishaw Close, Greenlands, Mrs J Wishart, of Gaydon Close, Lodge Park, Jo Pitt, of Otter Close, Winyates Green, Mrs V Ackrill, of Brookhampton Close and Hayley Moran, of Hollywood Lane
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Dixons' diamond day
REDDITCH couple Jim and Ede Dixon celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday. Jim and Ede, of Lightoak Close, Walkwood, spent the day with their only son Derek and granddaughters Rachel and Elizabeth.
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Kingfisher WI
SUGGESTIONS were made at the April meeting for future social afternoons - playing carpet bowls or skittles, or possibly a beetle drive and ideas to complete the new programme for 2004 were invited. Speaker Bob Burton kept members intrigued with his collection
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Studley Local History Group
Mr M Clarke gave the history of Bentley Manor at the last meeting. The manor was demolished in 1950 because its owner, Colonel L Greycheap, said it had been damaged by occupying forces, had dry rot and was too big for him! From the late 1890s the 'Squire
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Trinity College of Music
THE Redditch Centre of Trinity College, London, held its annual concert of music, organised by Mrs Anne Stevens, at the Ecumenical Centre, on April 12. In a varied programme, a packed audience gave every sign of enjoyment and appreciation of the high
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Baby boomer!
THOUSANDS of proud parents, grandparents and family friends have voted for the tot they want crowned as the Evening News' Baby of the Year in a record-breaking poll. The staggering total of 53,198 is four times as many as last year's record of 12,500
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Bishops' anti-racism plea
THE Bishop of Worcester is urging people to use their vote to stamp out the threat of racist candidates in the local elections. The Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, and the Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Rev David Walker, issued a joint statement reinforced their united
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Let's hand it to Hans!
A GERMAN scientist has just the tonic to help banish smoky fumes and nasty odours from pubs throughout Worcestershire. Hans Willi Babka has already transformed the look of The Fleece pub in Bretforton, near Evesham, with the invention of Claypaint. The
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Man grabbed and punched teenager
A MAN who grabbed a 14-year-old boy by the neck and punched him after seeing the teenager pushing a younger boy, has been found guilty of assault. Worcester Magistrates said 38-year-old Karl Ford, had "overreacted" in his response after he believed an
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£50,000 county garage car raid
EIGHT cars worth an estimated £50,000 were snatched from a garage forecourt in Droitwich. The thieves forced out the window of the offices of Quality Cars in Worcester Road, Droitwich, before helping themselves to sets of keys between the evening of Monday
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Vulnerable elderly may have to move
ELDERLY deaf and blind people could be moved out of the home they have lived in for up to 20 years because of a funding crisis. The voluntary organisation Sense, which runs Tanglewood Home in Malvern, has told the home's staff and residents' relatives
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Firm in bid for bigger offices
A WHITTINGTON-based firm, which was refused permission to extend its offices has lodged an appeal against the decision. Pemberstone Partnership Ltd was refused planning permission to build additional offices at Whittington Hall, Worcester, by Wychavon
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Ray makes his final journey the traditional way
A TRADITIONAL horse-drawn funeral cortge helped to pay respect to a well-loved Pershore family man. Father-of-seven Ray Fletcher, from Cherry Orchard, Pershore, died at the age of 69, following a heart attack on Good Friday. The retired care-assistant
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30/04/03 - Duo in talks over future
GARY Hackett and Jon Ford are due for showdown talks with chairman Tom Herbert this week over their future as managers of Bromsgrove Rovers. The duo are seeking clarification amid rumours they could be replaced in the close season despite their Rovers
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Gas released into atmosphere after accident
A ROAD was closed when a lorry was in collision with a gas pressure reduction machine on a grass verge on Worcester's Blackpole industrial estate. The incident happened near the sales area of the Plumb Centre, Cosgrove Close, at 9.10am yesterday. A spokesman
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Giving a bright future back to our youngsters
IT would be nice to think that, with the aid of a De Lorean car and a mad inventor, you could pinpoint the day when modern society's problems began. The catalyst of today's crime, unemployment, poverty and anti-social behaviour could be nipped in the
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Salmon facing illegal fishing threat
ILLEGAL salmon fishing could pose a further threat to falling salmon stocks in the River Severn. There are strict prohibitions on netting wild salmon at this time of year, and members of the public are being asked to check whether fish offered for sale
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Nurses' training now paying dividends
A NEW in-house training programme has meant speedier training for specialist nurses on the blood-testing unit at Worcester's hospital. Seven nurses have received certificates after finishing their course in administering chemotherapy to cancer patients
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Clash over hospital
THE region's MPs have clashed once again in the Commons over the state of Worcester's hospital. Worcester MP Mike Foster urged Health Minister John Hutton to praise the £96m hospital after being shortlisted for the Sunday Times' Hospital of the Year award
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Kempsey karaoke cacophony concern
THE wording of an official form has been blamed for raising worries about karaoke in Kempsey. Kempsey Parish Council was led to believe that karaoke could be on the cards after considering an application for a public entertainment licence at the Seaborne
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Conservative leader promises to act on issues raised by town visit
CONSERVATIVE Party Leader, Iain Duncan-Smith, has promised the Advertiser he will look-into reasons why Tenbury Wells has been left out of Advantage West Midlands cash distribution plans under the Market Towns Initiative scheme. Accompanied by MP Bill
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Windsor date for Pony Club trio
THREE Tenbury riders will join Pony Club members from across the country to represent Ludlow in the Royal Windsor Pony Club Ride. They will ride through the Great Park and castle grounds into the floodlit arena for an evening performance on May 17. Amy
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Pump Rooms hosts dream wedding day
IT was a dream come true for James Dovey on Saturday when he married his Polish bride Joanna Partyka in the first marriage ceremony to be held at Tenbury's refurbished Pump Rooms. And it proved a real family affair with his mother Gail Dovey conducting
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100 years ago
May 2, 1903 Crabbs Cross - The proposed new schoolroom. A meeting of officials of St Peter's Church was held last week when the matter of the erection of the new schoolroom was considered. Plans were submitted and explained by Mr E M Coleman and were
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Shot cat put down
A TREASURED cat had to be put down after being shot twice by a pellet gun. The RSPCA has launched an appeal for witnesses after x-rays showed Misty, an 11-year-old tortoiseshell and white cat, had a pellet in her side and another lodged in her spine,
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Order for fraud mum
A mother-of-three who fiddled more than £10,000 in benefits was warned the offence merited a custodial sentence. Karen McFarlane fraudulently claimed income support for two years when she was working, Worcester Crown Court heard. She pleaded guilty to
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One down two to go
Pershore Town 1 Alvechurch 3 A BECKHAM-ESQUE free kick from Alvechurch veteran Ross Knight four minutes from time finally eased fraying nerves at Pershore as the Churchmen ground out another nailbiting win in what is fast becoming a stumble to the finish
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Tonks' Euro hope dies at Grand Prix
BROMSGROVE and Redditch star Sharon Tonks European Cham-pionships dream is over. Racewalker Tonks was unsuccesful in her aim of achieving a qualifying time at the final attampt in the fourth Leamington Grand Prix of Race Walking at the weekend. And with
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Advertiser ace shows 'pro's' how it's done
THE Redditch Advertiser's own Becky Procter, running under her married name of Becky Hancox, romped home in front of most of the field at Stratford's Shakespeare Half Marathon to be the sixth woman across the line. Chief reporter Procter, who finished
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Tinsley out to win it
THE Bank Holiday weekend brings another round of motorsports meetings and Astwood Bank's Andy Tinsley has made his intentions clear ahead of the British Superstocks meeting at Oulton Park. Magnum Motorsports lead rider Kelvin Reilly will be hoping to
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Alcester win
Alcester eased into the next round of the cup after a comfortable win over Colebrook B. The home four secured a 45 shot advantage with Peter Barber 21-4 and Ron Hawksley the best efforts. The Away four earned an 18 shot advantage with John Alderson (21
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Use quotes in their context
THE Rev DM Vaughan writes (Letters, April 16) that Jesus said 'I come not to send peace but a sword' in an attempt to imply divine support for war. The Reverend totally ignores the fact that the passage from which he quotes has nothing to do with war
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It's enough to drive us mad
I HAVE recently read in your newspaper of a further cutback to the buses, ie the 61 route. All we have heard of late is council and Government departments telling us to 'leave your car at home, use public transport', yet they fail to provide it. In fact
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Three cheers for Saltways
HAVING lived in Alvechurch for 55 years, being disabled by paralysis for the last 41, I moved to Saltways Home a few weeks ago and am greatly enjoying life here. The staff, nurses and organisers are very helpful to me and to other residents. The home
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What did this chaos cost?
AS payers of council tax, and especially road tax, we should be allowed to know what the new layout at Sainsbury's island has cost. Not just the paint but the whole cost, from the planning stage to the sourcing of contractors, the committee stage and
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The tailbacks ARE there!
I BEG to differ with Richard Attwood, the county council senior project manager, over the new layout for Sainsbury's island. I live on Birmingham Road and can assure him there are dreadful tailbacks, going back further than Weights Lane at times. This
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Earning the right to have your say
COME local election time, the Evening News traditionally takes soundings to find out what the public want their councillors to do - and how much their would-be representatives are prepared to pledge in fighting for it. We deliberately avoid the risk of
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Children wowed us
BREAK A Leg Theatre Company's Cabaret 2003 at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, was the most amazing performance. The full company started the night with Beatles' renditions and even the young starters, who perform from the age of four, sang All You
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Litter danger
WE are fortunate to live near lovely countryside in Redditch. However, we have noticed over the past few weeks the pavements and fields have been scattered with lager cans, broken bottles and wrappers. In recent weeks, many have been lucky to indulge
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Bees do three-peat
STUDLEY made it four trophies in three seasons by winning the Worcestershire Senior Urn against Lye Town last week. The Bees bagged the Urn for the third year running joining Malvern Town (1973-76) and Stourport Swifts (1992-95) as the only teams to complete
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Cross roll call for first final
THE decision to allow the Herefordshire County Cup finalists the option of naming five subs has saved Headless Cross Ladies manager Rob Auld from a difficult decision. The Lye Meadow tenants have a 16 strong squad so the whole club will be available for
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Probe into house fire
POLICE are investigating a suspected arson attack which began outside a house in Church Hill last Wednesday. Two fire crews were called to Donnington Close at about 4.30pm to deal with the blaze, which began in a bush at the back of a terraced home. The
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A recycling revolution
THE first phase of a revolutionary new way in which household rubbish is collected in Redditch kicks off on Monday. More than 2,000 homes in the town have already received special recycling containers and information leaflets as part of the environmentally
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'No-go' area is targeted
A PART of Southcrest considered a 'no-go' area by residents because of gangs of troublesome youngsters is being targeted in a joint project. Redditch Council, police and neighbours have joined forces to stamp out the problem, which is blighting people's
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Barnt Green cruise into last four
BARNT Green Cricket Club First XI eased into the semi-finals of the inaugural Birmingham League Cup with a seven-wicket victory at Shrewsbury last Saturday. Despite missing several regulars, Lyndon Jones' side showed good early season form to beat a keen
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Robins sunk by late goal
Sutton Coldfield Tn 3, Evesham Utd 2 ANOTHER late strike sentenced United to a sixth defeat in eight matches after Nick Heath's first goal in an Evesham shirt had levelled matters 14 minutes from time. However, just like defeats at the hands of Clevedon
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Cricket teams
WEEKEND teams for Bromsgrove Cricket Club. First XI v Leamington (11.45am for 1pm) - N Husbands, J Campbell, R Liddell, N Davies, S Keyte, J Duffy, N Reade, J Farrow, K Patel, M Evenson, T Hill. Studley v Second XI (12.15pm for 1.30pm) - I Walker, M Bennison
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Avoncroft juniors
OUTDOOR training has started for juniors at Avoncroft Cricket Club. Youngsters meet at the club's Hanbury Road ground, in Stoke Heath, on Saturdays, between 9am and 10.30am for U11s, U13s and U14s, and from 10.30am to 12.30pm for U15s and U16s. New members
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Late strike's a sickener
OLD favourite Phil Preedy was denied a dream comeback in Evesham colours when Stourport snatched a last-gasp leveller on Monday night. Preedy, who left Common Road for Ledbury earlier this season, marked his surprise return with the opening goal ten minutes
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Norton girls bid for national final
Worcester Norton bid to enter their second national girls' final in successive years tonight. Last season the U15 team became national champions in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out at the National Stadium, Milton Keynes. This time the U18 team are hoping
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Colts win the Plate
BROMSGROVE RFC Colts delivered a fine 17-0 victory over Dudley Kingswinford to win the North Midlands Plate. Vernon Nibbs and Nigel Witcombe's side led from the first minute at Droitwich Spa RFC last Sunday, thanks to Tom Crook's uncoverted try. Warren
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Signs all point to moving tale
AN eagle-eyed Redditch resident was left baffled when a new road name put up in his street said it was in a different district to the sign opposite. Ian Williams, of Tidbury Close, said the old sign stated Walkwood underneath the close name, while the
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Brum date for Clary
JULIAN Clary brings his show Natural Born Mincer to Birmingham's Symphony Hall next Wednesday as part of his first UK tour for four years. The show is described as 'colourful, extravagant and daringly revealing' and Julian crams in as many costume changes
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My Little Eye (18)
Three star THIS film had the potential to be a classic with a great plot and satisfying end, but from the start it lacked something. Five strangers are brought together to live in a remote house for six months under the constant glare of dozens of cameras
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Couldn't Have Said It Better Meatloaf
Three star Meat fans will be satisfied and to be fair, no-one will be expecting the big lad to produce an album which breaks the mould. Same old, same old - Couldn't have Said It Better! The opening track features a tinkly piano, Mr Loaf's gruff, growling
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BBC Sessions Cream
Four star A WELCOME addition for any purveyor of sixties music and long overdue. Cream were on the cusp of the decade's movement from light-hearted jangly rock 'n' roll aping to something altogether more 'rock', albeit with a strong blues vein. The band's
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American Life Madonna
Four stars OH MADGE, just a little less rapping and fondness for Cher's voice synthesiser and you'd have all five stars! When Madonna sticks to what she does best - using that beautiful voice in acoustic-backed ballads - she is unbeatable. But when she
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Fargo - DVD
Four star YOU'RE in debt up to your eyeballs so what do you do? Well, you could pay two insane men to kidnap your rich wife and hold her to ransom for a cool £1 million. That's what desperate car sales executive Jerry Lundegaard plans to get him out of
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Box and be clever
A NEW form of exercise known as Boxercise is being offered from this week at Arrow Vale Sports Centre. The non-contact exercise combines boxing and aerobic moves to music. Classes are open to those over 16. Courses cost £26 with a Reddicard and £35 without
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Steaming ahead
MODEL railway buffs will enjoy the 24th Redditch Model Railway Exhibition on May 10 and 11 at Redditch Town Hall. There will be 12 working layouts of scale models along with sales stands and other demonstrations. The exhibition will also include the club's
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What's On Guide
Thursday, May 1 Alvechurch Dramatic Society: A Warwickshire Testimony, Alvechurch Village Hall. Until May 3. Tickets from Alvechurch Post Office or 0121 445 1174. Studley Operatic Society: High Society, Palace Theatre. Until May 3. Tickets from 65203.
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Duo in talks over future
GARY Hackett and Jon Ford are due for showdown talks with chairman Tom Herbert this week over their future as managers of Bromsgrove Rovers. The duo are seeking clarification amid rumours they could be replaced in the close season despite their Rovers
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Villa count cost of fixture pile-up
FAIRFIELD Villa paid the cost of an under strength team as they were hammered 5-1 at home by Blackheath. Cliff Hughes' side was missing six regular players for last Saturday's Midland Combination division one clash at the Recreation Ground. Villa, who
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Frost's award
STEVE Frost will be named as the Advertiser/Messenger's Bromsgrove Rovers player of the season this Saturday. Ever-improving Frost has won eight of our man of the match awards and cannot be caught. Paul Danks is next on five. Frost, who has also scored
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Grant bends it like Becks
GRANT Beckett curled a David Beckham-like free-kick home to give Bromsgrove Rovers a 1-0 victory over already promoted Weston-Super-Mare at Woodspring Park. Bromsgrove were the more enterprising side in this clash last Saturday and signalled their attentions
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Sunday on for a cup treble
ROVERS Sunday kept their cup treble hopes alive after securing their second piece of silverware this season with a 2-0 victory in the Bridgwater Cup final against Cofton Falcons. Rovers, who won the LMS Shield earlier this season, defeated their Advertiser
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Juniors finish runners-up
A JUNIOR football team from Hanbury has excelled itself by finishing runners-up in their league. Hanbury U10s secured second spot, and with it promotion, in Central Warwickshire Youth League Division E this season after only two years together as a unit
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Results
SELECTED results from the Central Sports Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination. Premier Division Bromsgrove Athletico 2 Hymatic/Allendale 1; Sherwood Rangers 4 Fairfield Sunday 0; South Redditch 2 HAD 1; Black Horse 0 Austin Ex-Apps 3; Garringtons
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Portway side's cup final date
SOLIHULL took a big step to completing a league and cup double with another North Midlands Shield giant-killing at the weekend. After shocking higher league Kings Norton and Selly Oak in earlier rounds, Richard Gamlin's side knocked out Midlands Four
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So profitable for Kings club
Kings Norton are set to announce a £4,000 profit after a £2,700 deficit three seasons ago. A deal struck to rent part of the club car park to Severn Trent for sewage works in Hopwood is a major factor and three football clubs and Redditch Arrows American
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Champions too strong
Alcester were edged out in the final of their annual seven a side tournament at the weekend. The King's Coughton club battled their way through to their first ever final only to lose out to defending champions Camp Hill. Alcester piled on the early pressure
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Regional breaks will be costly
DEAR EDITOR -- John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister, the man in charge of local funding and the targeting of extortionate council tax rises on Tory constituencies is now trying to convince us that regional assemblies would be a good idea. It is not. Having
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We're looking back with pleasure . . .
DEAR EDITOR -- On April 12 five friends and myself spent an enjoyable evening in pleasant surroundings and excellent entertainment. I refer of course to the Walrus Productions' Look Back in Anger, the modern play in the medieval surroundings of the New
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Charges will drive the cars away
DEAR EDITOR --I read Mrs Richmond's comments about the Bromsgrove railway car park (Letters April 23) with considerable interest. I must applaud the council for the new car park, but not its charges. However my major concern is about the overall parking
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25 years ago April 28, 1978
AROUND 1,000 Scouts and their leaders from the Bromsgrove area, together with a number of Girl Guides, marched through the town on Sunday for their annual St George's Day service. PLANS to twin Bromsgrove with a town in Germany near the Dutch border had
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Society stage famous show
ALMOST half a century ago Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmonds and Marlon Brando starred in the original silver screen version of the classic musical Guys and Dolls. Now, the Bromsgrove Operatic Society is preparing to stage their version of the hit show at the
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Snap up farce tickets
RESIDENTS looking for a rib tickling night out are being urged to get their mitts on tickets for a comedy show, which opened last night (Tuesday). The Chaddesley Corbett Amateur Dramatics Society (CATS) are staging a five-night run of Out of Order, a
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Show opens
VILLAGERS looking for a funny and poignant night out will love a new play opening near Bromsgrove tomorrow (Thursday). The Alvechurch Dramatic Society is staging their version of April de Angelis' play, A Warwickshire Testimony. Disputes The play illustrates
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30/4/03 - Warriors may go semi-pro
CECIL Duckworth has revealed that Worcester could go semi-professional if the Rugby Football Union drops automatic promotion to the Premiership. The Sixways chairman is still waiting to see just which division the Warriors will be playing in next season
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Church Cookin' in new league
ALVECHURCH enjoyed a dream start to life in Division Two of the Crusader Worcestershire County League with maximum points at home to Cookley on Saturday. It was a day for captains old and new with skipper John Rose taking four for 31 after the visitors
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Wythall turn to youth
WYTHALL are hoping to reap the benefits from the latest crop of stars at Saltley School's Asian Academy. The Silver Street side, newly-promoted to Division Three of the Warwickshire League, have seen youngsters Kabir Ali and Kadir Ali go on to Warwickshire
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More fun with Town's festival
REVELLERS can look forward to another week jam-packed with a wide variety of events as part of this year's Bromsgrove Festival. A round up of this weeks events are as follows: Thursday, May 1 l Bromsgrove's favourite street-side musician, Sid the Busker
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Studley opener
STUDLEY captain Brandon Miller admitted he knows very little about Bedworth, the club's opponents on the opening day of the Birmingham League season. Last year's runners-up, denied the title and promotion by defeat on the last day of the season, start
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Talk on prisons
THE work of a prison visitor will be the next topic at a meeting of the Friendship Club of Barnt Green. Justice of the Peace Denzil Smith will talk about the subject at the Meeting House, in Sandhills Road, on Tuesday, May 20. For times and further details
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Harmony
IN Islamic Spain, Christians, Muslims and Jews lived in peaceful harmony for almost 800 years. Why can't we today see Muslims as fellow human beings, not as fanatics? GEORGE COWLEY, Worcester.
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What's on guide
Wednesday, April 30 Film: Divine Intervention, Cinemac, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 8.30pm. Show: Heaven Can Wait, Belgrade Theatre, Belgrade Square, Coventry. Until Saturday. Thursday May 1 Show: Noises Off, Festival Theatre, Priory Road, Malvern
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What happens when armies leave?
HOW reassuring of Mike Cartwright (You Say, Saturday, April 19) to tell the anti-war protesters the TV pictures proved how wrong they were. They didn't convey Saddam Hussein was dead nor where there was any weapons of mass destruction on display. And
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Those monsters
I HAVE to reply to Ahmed Raza, (You Say, Thursday, April 17). For a start, he refers to ETA as a "Protestant" terror group, presumably referring to men of violence in the Six Counties. In fact, ETA is a Spanish Basque Roman Catholic terrorist mob. He
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Palestinian question is the next issue that the West must tackle
IN response to M A Clarke's recent letter, the creation of a Palestinian State is not only essential to peace within the Middle East, but its creation is a moral obligation to the Western World. The West has done much to raise the tension between the
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No ducking out of this event!
LOVERS of the great outdoors are invited to enjoy the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend on the towpath at Tardebigge. The Worcester-Birmingham Canal Society is holding a weekend of events at Tyler's Lock, London Lane, as part of National Outdoor Week. There
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Young stars zoom to the top
WANNABE actors at a Bromsgrove school had an opportunity to show off their skills with two dramatic productions in one day. Children in year three at Catshill First School put on a production of Roald Dahl's version of Snow White. And year four pupils
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An award of epic proportions
A FASHIONABLE Bromsgrove brasserie has devoured its rivals to scoop 'best food outlet' in a competition. The Epic Bar Brasserie, in Hanbury Road, Stoke Heath, was awarded the title for 2002/3 in the contest which is organised by Enterprise Inns, one the
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Falling foul of red tape
A BELBROUGHTON parish councillor has been banned from public office for a year for refusing to reveal information about her work. It's the first verdict of its type in Worcestershire. Belbroughton Parish Council signed up to a new member's code of conduct
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Bins spark a war of words
HOUSEHOLDERS in Bromsgrove are being assured that they have nothing to fear and everything to gain from proposed changes to the way their refuse will be collected. Labour claims residents will be "short changed" by proposals to scrap the traditional back
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SARS SCARE BLOCKS TOWN TORONTO TRIP
THE deadly Sars virus sweeping the globe forced a social club to cancel a dream trip to Canada just days before a travel ban was lifted. Eight couples from the Droitwich Spa and Saltway Rotary Club were due to jet off to Toronto last Thursday for a once-in-a-lifetime
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Ambulance crews' Sars procedures
AMBULANCE staff are taking precautionary measures to cope with any possible Sars outbreak in the county. Worcestershire paramedics have been advised to check patients' travel history before taking them to hospital. If a patient displays symptoms associated
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They've been beavering away
HAND painted flower pots have been given to the town's older residents who are too frail to tend their own gardens. Beaver Scouts from First Droitwich Colony made green gifts for residents at Ravenstone Nursing Home, in St Andrew's Street and Rashwood
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Inferno batters toffee factory
PLUMES of smoke could be seen from miles away when a large fire ripped across the grounds of an industrial park near Bromsgrove last week. More than 40 firefighters including crews from Bromsgrove doused blazing palettes outside the Blue Bird Park building
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£100 reward to net vandals
AN angry Chawson dad is stumping up a £100 cash reward to catch vandals who attacked his two cars. Malcolm Ward, of the Tyning, was fuming when he discovered his Ford mini-bus and Isuzu Trooper had been deliberately damaged. Slashed Tyres were slashed
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Watchdogs defend press
MEMBERS of a health watchdog leapt to the defence of the Bromsgrove press at a meeting last Wednesday evening. Graham Vickery, chairman of the Bromsgrove and Redditch Primary Care Trust, accused the Advertiser/Messenger of 'scare mongering' about the
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Boy mugged by mobile raiders
A 15-YEAR-old boy was attacked and had his mobile phone stolen. The teenager was walking in Watt Close, Bromsgrove, with two friends at about 1pm last Thursday, when the incident happened. They were going towards the town when they noticed two men walking
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Weighty matters
INSPIRATIONAL dieting guru Rosemary Conley will tell parishioners the story of her success when she visits a Bromsgrove church next week. The calorie counting queen will be dropping it at the NewSong Community Church in Broad Street, Sidemoor, next Wednesday
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Abandoned
A HIKE in the number of stray dogs reported across the district means two families per day, on average, are missing mutts. During the Easter Bank Holiday, five strays were picked up by Wychavon District Council's dog warden. And now pet owners are being
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New Spa fish fryer goes one batter
A PRIMSLAND chippy has taken the sea fish challenge and come out with 'frying' colours. Andrew Ellinas enjoyed a double celebration at his Mulberry Tree Hill takeaway yesterday. Town Mayor Terry Spencer paid a visit to officially open the shop and Droitwich
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New hopes for safety measures
MEASURES to improve the safety of a notorious Rubery road could be one step closer, according to a local councillor. Bromsgrove District Councillor Peter McDonald (Lab-Uffdown and Waseley) says that after years of campaigning, improvements to part of
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Mystery blaze hero thanked
FIRE crews who fought to extinguish a blazing car transporter on the M5, near Droitwich Spa, have thanked the mystery motorist who put himself between them and oncoming traffic. The unknown man put his own life at risk when he stopped, flicked on his
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Going to the polls
RESIDENTS in Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas go to the polls tomorrow (Thursday) to elect a new district council. The 52 polling stations will be open from 8am to 9pm. A total of 69 candidates are standing for the 36 district council seats, however
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We help war vet beret the hatchet
THERE'S glimmer of hope around the corner for a Spa World War II veteran seeking a coveted white beret. Last week, 83-year-old William Sparkes shared his tales of life in the Royal Marines with the Droitwich Spa Advertiser. He served for 12 years and
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Talent centre court
YOUNG talent was thrashed out at town tennis tournament on Friday. Droitwich Spa Tennis Club organised the competition for children aged eight plus to mark the end of Easter holiday coaching sessions. Using the skills acquired after a week of coaching
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Sports cash will be spent on hall
CASH set aside for a Westlands kickabout area will instead fund emergency repairs at the estate's community hall. Wychavon District Council had budgeted £10,000 for the sporty project but its executive board has unanimously backed proposals by Councillor
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Dognapped
AN 80-year-old dog breeder from Droitwich Spa is enduring sleepless nights after the theft of two priceless puppies. The Bernese Mountain bitches were snatched from Diana Cochrane's Martin Hussingtree home. Mrs Cochrane, who brought the Swiss breed to
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Mapping it out
THERE could be changes ahead for Spa voters following the launch of an electoral boundary review. The Boundary Committee for England is examining Worcestershire County Council's election arrangements. The aim of the investigation is to make sure every
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Centre launch sparks rise in class demand
DEMAND to learn a streetwise self-defence has soared since a new martial arts centre opened in Bromsgrove. Classes in British Free Fighting for juniors and adults have gone from once a week to four times a week since the centre launched. More than 200
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Curse of the 'cold callers'
EVERYONE likes to think they wouldn't be fooled by rogue tradesmen offering "good value, quality services" on their doorstep. But "cold callers" will try every trick in the book - relying on emotions ranging from human kindness to fear - in a bid to secure
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Former player makes Ludlow suffer with a hard-hitting 80
St George's 206-8 Ludlow 131- LUDLOW skipper Mark Port-eous won the toss and invited St George's, last season's runners-up in the Shropshire Premier League, to bat on a typical slow early season wicket with unpredictable bounce. Although the Ludlow bowling
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Close results as four per cent seprarates all six pairs
At the latest Cleobury Mortimer Bridge Club duplicate competition held on Tuesday, April 22, a Mitchell movement was played over six tables with some very close results. On the East/West side there was only four per cent separating all six pairs. In first
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Ludlow triumphs again in chase for cider prize
Ludlow Cycling Club once again won the 'Cider Prize' for most finishers in the Hereford and District Wheelers 25 mile time-trial. For the past few years the Ludlow team has entered as many riders as possible and winning the prize has almost become a tradition
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Victory a fitting tribute to former club captain
Tenbury United 1 Norton Celtic 0- TENBURY paid a fitting tribute to recently deceased former club captain Justin Dipper by beating Kidderminster Premier League rivals Norton Celtic at Palmer's Meadow to win the Tenbury Hospital Cup. It was exactly 50
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'Lucky to be alive'
FIREFIGHTERS are stressing the importance of smoke alarms after a Redditch man nearly died in a blaze. Daniel Byrne was rescued by firefighters from a blazing flat in Lygon Close at about 11.40pm on Thursday. He was barely conscious and crews believe
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Overcoming taboos was a feat in itself
TWENTY years ago, if you admitted using alternative health remedies, you would be considered to be more than a bit weird and probably treated with suspicion. Treatments such as acupuncture or homoeopathy were regarded with disdain by those who favoured
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Company takes on popular services
A KIDDERMINSTER bus company has started operating in Redditch after stepping in to take over a popular route axed by the town's main operator. Daytime services on route 60, through Matchborough and Winyates, had been withdrawn by First. It would have
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Markings monitored
CHANGES will be made to controversial new markings on a busy traffic island if monitoring work currently taking place highlights any problems, highway bosses have pledged. The new markings on the roundabout by Sainsbury's supermarket have prompted outrage
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High flier Barry
THE battle for hearts and minds and distributing aid is now the agenda for British forces in Iraq. Corporal Barry Kennedy, 32, of Church Hill, who has been in the Royal Air Force for 12 years, is part of that agenda. The former Abbey High School student
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By George! What a party...
ALVECHURCH residents celebrated all that is English with a day of specially-organised events on St George's Day. Activities kicked off on Wednesday with the unfurling on the St George's flag on St Laurence's Church tower and a morning of traditional English
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Lee and Clive fly the Crucible flag
BROMSGROVE-born snooker star Stephen Lee has seen off two of the sport's legends to reach the last eight of the Embassy World Snooker Championships. Lee defeated six-times champion Steve Davis 10-6 in the first round before edging out crowd favourite
