Archive
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City's first Asian Deputy Mayor
WORCESTER has elected an Asian Deputy Mayor for the first time in its history. Councillor Allah Ditta, who represents the All Saints ward, was sworn in as the city's second citizen at the annual meeting of the council last night. The Mayor for the next
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And they make it look so easy...
TEETERING on a thin wire with only a Venezuelan soap star for support, I begin to realise how incredibly difficult tightrope walking actually is. Vaguif Khamdoulaev, a tightrope walker with the Moscow State Circus and star of the Venezuelan equivalent
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Charity bid for church scheme
WORSHIPPERS working to restore a crumbling Droitwich church want to dub their cause a charity. The Cornerstone group is trying to rejuvenate St Andrew's Church, off High Street. This month's parish newsletter reveals the committee is considering applying
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Owner 'chuffed to bits' as skate aces claim prizes
JUBILANT skateboarders came home with a clutch of prizes after Worcester's RampAge skate park fielded its first competition team. Competing against skateboarders from all over the country at Radlands, Northampton, the boys achieved placings in both the
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14/05/03 - Board duo quit
TWO of Bromsgrove Rovers' leading and longest serving board members have stood down from their posts and another could soon follow suit. Club secretary Phil Baker and Pete O'Connell have both resigned from the Victoria Ground board with immediate affect
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14/05/03 - Rooney in frame
GEORGE Rooney remains the hot favourite to take over for his second stint as Bromsgrove Rovers manager. Rooney, Rovers boss for four months in 2000, is believed to be top of the list to succeed Gary Hackett and Jon Ford at the Victoria Ground, who were
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14/05/03 - Fans voice anger
GARY Hackett and Jon Ford's departure from Bromsgrove Rovers has sparked anger among the club's fans. Many supporters have aired their views on the club's official website, while others have contacted the Advertiser/Messenger with their responses. With
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Report to help ease residents' anxieties
ANIMAL health minister Elliot Morley hopes the independent report into Throckmorton will allay people's fears about the safety of the burial site. Since 2001, there have been reports that chemicals were leaking from the pits, threatening water systems
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npower denies overcharging
WORCESTER'S electricity supplier has denied it is ripping customers off following a damning report that claims customers are being overcharged. npower disputed the National Audit Office report, which claims energy firms are passing on only a fraction
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07/05/03 - The end
GARY Hackett and Jon Ford have left Bromsgrove Rovers by mutual consent. The decision came at a meeting with chairman Tom Herbert at the Victoria Ground last night (Tuesday). It ends speculation about the pair's future and brings the curtain down on their
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Probation service clinches £2m grant
WEST Mercia probation service has clinched a £2.4m grant to improve links between prisoners and the community. The European Social Fund cash, to be spread over two years, will be ploughed into strengthening the relationship between offenders and their
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Racing for life is good for the soul!
A "SENSE of godliness" overcomes one Worcester runner when she takes part in the annual Race for Life in aid of cancer sufferers. Karen Payne, from Claines, Worcester, has run in every Race for Life since it started in Worcester five years ago. She says
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You might find yourself barking up the right tree
LOVE is in the air at the National Canine Defence League's (NCDL) Evesham re-homing centre. The League has issued an invite to people to find their perfect four-legged match during their special "Lurve Fortnight". NCDL Evesham has hundreds of rescue dogs
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Garden ornaments found after arrests
A HAUL of garden ornaments and plant pots have been discovered after the arrest of two men in Hartlebury, near Kidderminster. They were arrested on Sunday, May 11 in Woodbury Close, Hartlebury, at 1.35pm on suspicion of theft. Worcester police have released
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New city Mayor sworn into office
THE new Mayor of Worcester promised to serve the city to the best of his ability as he was sworn into office last night. At a special meeting of the city council, members elected Councillor Gareth Jones as the first citizen of Worcester. The 52-year-old
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Plan 'won't solve car crisis'
PLANS to create 300 new parking spaces at Worcestershire Royal Hospital are not enough to solve the parking problems there and in the nearby streets of Warndon Villages, says the chairman of the parish council. The problems with hospital users and employees
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Grant gives project new lease of life
RESEARCH into the history of Dodderhill parish, near Wychbold, has been given a new lease of life with a £25,000 grant. The money approved by the Local Heritage Initiative will enable specialists to be brought in to assist the research of volunteers from
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Talented group
DROITWICH Spa residents are in for a musical treat at the Salvation Army this Saturday night. CELEBR8, a group of eight Salvation Army musicians, will be performing at the Ombersley Street venue from 7.30pm onwards. The group originally formed in 1997
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Your chance to bid for a silver Ferrari
Anyone who wishes to own a Ferrari can buy one at an auction in Worcestershire. The silver 1982 400 model with red interior is going under the hammer at Philip Serrell Auctioneers and Valuers in Malvern tomorrow with a starting price of around £2,000.
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Tribute classics
MUSTANG Sally and Jailhouse Rock will be just a few of the classic Blues Brother hits to raise the roof of a Rubery club this weekend. Retro Flyer, an impressive nine-piece band from the Black Country, will be performing a medley of Soul hits at the British
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Winning baby is selected
THE waiting is nearly over for proud family and friends desperate to hear who has won the Evening News Baby of the Year Competition. Promotions manager Sarah Taylor said eight little champions and one overall winner had now been chosen and parents would
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Open day and talk
AN open day for people suffering from the condition's myalgic encephalopathy(ME) and fibromyalgia has been arranged for this weekend. The Worcestershire ME Support Group has arranged the event for Saturday, starting at noon at Unity House, in Stanley
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Bed show
CHARITY fundraisers in Alcester are planning their annual garden walkabout in aid of Cancer Research UK. The popular event, which opens up private gardens in the town centre for an afternoon, has been set for Sunday, June 8. For more details, call Norman
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100 years ago
May 16, 1903 Charge of Attempted Suicide - Jacob Ruchstall, a Swiss, was charged in custody with attempting to commit suicide by shooting himself in the head with a revolver on April 28th. Mary Ann Tongue, wife of Albert Tongue, 49 Unicorn Hill, Redditch
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25 years ago
May 12, 1978 Redditch councillors this week decided to begin paying themselves for civic duties. At the annual meeting of the council, members agreed to have the opportunity of claiming expenses for council and committee meetings. This includes attendance
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Skinner time
THE performance was described as 'shocking' and 'awful' by joint manager Andy Hibbert but, after a tense penalty shootout, Alvechurch forward Brett Skinner slotted home the decisive spot kick at Moor Green to secure only the third Combination league and
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Hunt for flasher
POLICE are appealing for witnesses following reports of two acts of indecency in Nine Days Lane, Wirehill. A 29-year-old woman was walking her dog with her five-year-old son along the footpath between Nine Days Lane and the bridge over Green Lane when
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Man in knife threat
A 37-year-old man was threatened at knifepoint as he was walking back from Matchborough Centre at about 9pm on Thursday, May 1. The victim was approached by a man who demanded money before pulling out a small pocket knife. The man did not hand over any
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Car stereo snatched
A stereo was stolen from a car parked outside HMP Blakenhurst shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday. The thief smashed the driver's side window to get into the car.
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French exchanges at the Norbury
Review: Don't Dress For Dinner (adapted by Robin Hawdon, directed by Margaret Burton), Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa. A SMALL first-night audience enjoyed Marc Camoletti's French farce The curtains opened, with the Can-Can playing in the background,
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More cops hit streets
TACKLING anti-social behaviour is at the forefront of plans to introduce up to five new community support officers to the streets of Redditch. The Government recently announced £206,000 funding for a scheme which should bring as many as 30 Community Support
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Driving ban
A Batchley man has been banned from driving for three years after admitting to drink driving. Mark Roy Smith, aged 50, of Beech Tree Close, had 58 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. Redditch Magistrates also fined
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Class theft
An overhead projector was reported stolen from Blakenhurst Prison. The projector was taken from the learning centre at the Tardebigge jail.
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Maureen qualifies
REDDITCH triathlete Maureen Langston won herself a plce in the World and/or European Champion-ships by finishing second at the National Duathlon Championships at the weekend. The Redditch Triathlon Club star came second in the over 50s age group at Cambridge
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Tonks takes title
REIGNING county champion Sharon Tonks defended her title with ease at Stourport at the weekend. The 3km county record holder broke the tape with a time of 14min 28sec for her 11th county title. Tonks had time trialled the whole field after expecting tough
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it
I have read many letters in the Advertiser concerning the subject of the new-look Sainsbury's roundabout with interest, but none more so than Heather Berry's letter (Advertiser, April 30). While I agree with some of Mrs Berry's points, I feel she may
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Frustration for Enzo
OAKENSHAW'S Enzo Mucci endured a disappointing outing at Knockhill in the British GT Championship. And the Redditch driver says his Atlanta Motorsport team will be unable to compete in the British GT Cup until a planned-for new engine arrives. Mucci ended
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Tin Man target
ASTWOOD Bank's Andy Tinsley says he is gunning for National Superstocks Championship leader David Jefferies at Knockhill. Tinsley heads north of the border at the weekend hoping to continue his impressive start to the season. And he wants to take the
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Andy off again
WINYATES Green biker Andy Burbidge achieved his aim of finishing in one piece at Cadwell Park - but only just. The MRO newcomer came off the track three times before coming home at the back of the field. The reigning EMRA 400 champion was up to 15th when
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Pair triumph in the cup
Mike Stanton and Julie Gifford won the En Tout Cup at Wythall Tennis Club. Stanton's regular doubles partner Kevin Turner was on the other side of the net, partnering Helen Hill. Wythall began their Warwickshire Summer League campaign in Division Seven
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Redditch golfers head for finals
TWO pairs of champion golfers from Redditch Golf Club have been invited to compete in the prestigious European finals of a major tournament. Diane Brian and Jayne Freeman won the Ladies title for the second year running, the first pair to retain the national
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Alcester bowled out of it
Alcester entertained Ye Olde Knowle in the Northfield League and went down by 18 shots overall despite winning the home leg by 35. Alcester's Heart of England League side opened with a solid win over Greet by 52 shots. Victories in the first half for
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Protests are unbelievable
I CAN'T believe residents are protesting at the plans for a snowdome, ice rink and cinema at the Abbey Stadium (Advertiser, May 7). What is it with some people? It sounds pretty selfish to me. Yes, I'm sure there will be a little rubbish and noise around
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Disgusting
I READ with disgust that they are now closing Headless Cross post office. They say there is Mason Road post office but this is a long walk from where I live and a steep hill for people collecting their pensions. It is bad enough we have lost our bus service
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Ron's strong start
Hymatic Angling Club's second canal match of the season saw them fishing on the Birmingham to Worcester canal at Whitford Bridge near Stoke Works. Continuing his strong start to the season, new club member Ron Evans took the honours for the second match
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Chance to help on offer
RESIDENTS are being offered the chance to start tackling crime in their neighbourhoods. People are needed to join a youth offender panel which is run by Worcestershire and Herefordshire Youth Offending Service. Since April 2002, most youth offenders who
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Middle schools go under microscope
The three-tier education system comes under scrutiny again this week. Dan Kendrick looks at how the debate surrounding Wyre Forest middle schools could affect the rest of the county. MIDDLE schools will once again come under the microscope when Worcestershire
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Time to spare?
PEOPLE with a few hours to spare and a desire to do something good for the community can help Redditch and Bromsgrove Victim Support in its vital work. Anyone who thinks they can help people who have suffered as a result of crime can ring 66462 for more
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It's out of order!
EAGLE-eyed townsfolk have spotted even more errors on road and direction signs throughout Redditch. A Riverside resident recently contacted the Advertiser to report a road sign spelling mistake which has been in place for up to two years. On one side
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Croft close to home victory
AVONCROFT Cricket Club First XI fell 14 runs short of victory as they held Old Vigornians to a losing draw in Worcestershire County League division four at their Stoke Heath ground. Old Vigornians got off to a flying, if slightly lucky, start last Saturday
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Picture this
The Kingfisher Centre will be the picture perfect place on Saturday when Redditch Art Circle holds an exhibition. The display will be on all day in Worcester Square and will feature more than 100 paintings by talented artists, several of whom will be
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Mixed fortunes
BARNT Green Cricket Club's First XI endured a weekend of mixed fortunes. Lyndon Jones' side had to settle for a losing draw at Coventry and North Warwickshire in the Birmingham Premier League but romped to a 143-victory against second division Walmley
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Everywoman's Circle
SAVAGE beasts and noble savages was the title of the talk given by speaker Rose Morris on April 19. Rose, who is the chairman of Cookhill and Studley Camera Club, shared her enthusiasm for filming nature, showing stunning slides of wild animals, birds
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Friends of Coughton Court
AT the April meeting, Peter Lee spoke about 'A very ordinary house'. Peter had been looking for a house to buy when he saw a very ordinary house in Napton. It appealed to him because, behind its ordinariness, it had character. When an old corrugated roof
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Malvern & Worcester Breathe Easy Group
AT the last meeting speaker Gill Smith from Air Products gave an interesting talk about her company's services and products. She also talked about holidays for people with oxygen requirements. Chairman Mike Bowker asked for volunteers to sit in chairs
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Fair for funds
MONEY raised from a spring fair on Saturday will benefit children as far apart as Alvechurch and the townships around Johannesburg, South Africa. The fair takes place at Alvechurch Baptist Church from 10am-2pm and includes stalls for antique hunters,
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Musical magic
THERE will be a musical treat at St Luke's Church, Headless Cross, as Alcester Male Voice Choir makes a welcome return. On Saturday, the choir will perform a variety of musical items from traditional pieces to songs from hit shows. Joining the 50-strong
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Bikes galore
KEEN bikers are being urged to visit Forge Mill Museum on Sunday for a special event. A bike day is being held in connection with the Royal Enfield exhibition currently on at the Riverside museum. Royal Enfield owners and enthusiasts will be given tours
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Royal Enfield Owners Club
THE April 16 meeting at the Moat House, Kings Coughton, resulted in a good turnout of members riding their Royal Enfields and taking advantage of the unusually warm weather. Chairman Ray Tew informed everyone that preparations for the forthcoming exhibition
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Beauty show
Colour and natural beauty will be on show to the public as part of the National Gardens Scheme next month. The grounds of Red House Farm in Bradley Green will be open tomorrow from 11am-5pm offering visitors the sight of an acre of mature cottage garden
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Sixways farewell for lock Morgan
MARTIN Morgan is the first big name player to head for the Sixways exit. The lock has signed for the new Gwent regional team, an amalgamation of Ebbw Vale and Newport in the new Welsh format, after deciding his future lay away from Worcester. The former
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Britton releases Scott, McAuley
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Ian Britton has released two players -- Dion Scott and Hugh McAuley. The Aggborough boss blames the financial climate for his decision not to offer the pair fresh deals for next year's Nationwide League Division Three campaign
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Bright future tipped for City youngsters
WORCESTER City manager John Barton is predicting a bright future for three of the club's rising stars. Barton was speaking after Dean Smith, Dan Parker and Liam McDonald all signed full contracts with the St George's Lane club. The trio are the first
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White quick out of blocks to land titles
KIRSTY White showed a clean pair of heels to rivals in the 100m and 200m finals at the Worcestershire Athletic Championships held at Stourport. The Worcester Athletic Club member ran times of 13.3s and 27.1s to beat Jade Peak from the Bromsgrove &
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Saints fail to shine
INJURY-depleted Worcestershire Saints were pummelled 78-6 at Gloucester Warriors in the totalrl.com Rugby League Conference South-West Division. It was back in 1998 that the Saints recorded their last win at Gloucester and without several key players
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Close season
WITH the rugby season now over, this section of the website will not be updated as often as others. Please e-mail any rugby news by clicking on the above name.
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It's the Price of success!
AN evening with Alan Price takes place at Redditch's Palace Theatre on Friday. The show, which begins at 7.30pm, includes music from the 1950s onwards and covers Alan's time with groups The Animals, The Alan Price Set, Georgie Fame and Alan Price and
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Just happy to call the tune
ALCESTER Amateur Operatic Society presents Get Happy at the Greig Theatre from May 22-24. There will be a selection of different music on offer, including rock 'n' roll, Austin Powers, Pop Idol and Sounds from the Seventies. Tickets for the show, which
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To go or not to go to Stratford
THE Royal Shakespeare Company is holding an Open Day on Sunday with events, talks, demonstrations and workshops taking place. Events include a chance to work with the RSC voice department, a behind-the-scenes look at how the stage crew works, together
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Building on a sci-fi history
SCI-FI star Patrick Stewart OBE takes on the title role in a brand new interpretation of Henrik Ibsen's The Master Builder, which premieres at Malvern Theatres tomorrow. Famous as Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek and star of X-men, Patrick Stewart returns
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Residents rush to recycle
THERE was an excellent response to Redditch Council's new house-to-house recycling collection scheme last week, according to the man running it. Recycling project officer Andy Walker said he was pleasantly surprised by the number of people who put their
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Later with Jools Holland - Louder
Three star 'IT'S all about music.' So says Dave Grohl about Later with Jools Holland. And it is. In this case, going back to basics with raw, unadulterated rock in its purest form - a couple of guys on guitar, one on drums and plenty of grunge thrown
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X2: X-Men 2 (12A)
Four star WHEN do blockbuster film sequels ever live up to their predecessor? Rarely ever, but X-Men 2 breaks the mould with a movie as classy if not more so as the first. This time the X-Men face General Stryker, who tries to rid the world of mutant-kind
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Possession (12)
Three star BASED on a novel by AS Byatt, Possession tells the story of a love affair between Victorian poets Randolph Henry Ash and Christabelle LaMott. The affair is uncovered in the 21st century by American history scholar Roland Mitchell (Aaron Eckhart
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Clockstoppers (PG)
Three star FOR anyone brought up to believe that Lassie films were the ultimate in family entertainment, this sort of film is a dream. It's good, clean fun, with touches of Back To The Future, Star Trek and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. It may lack a little
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Thomas on fire as Spa triumph
GREG Thomas scored four and set up the fifth as Droitwich Spa 'A' made a successful defence of the Martley Cup. Spa's 5-0 thrashing of Bransford Rovers at Worcester City's St George's Lane last Thursday secured their second piece of silverware in as many
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Rooney in frame
GEORGE Rooney remains the hot favourite to take over for his second stint as Bromsgrove Rovers manager. Rooney, Rovers boss for four months in 2000, is believed to be top of the list to succeed Gary Hackett and Jon Ford at the Victoria Ground, who were
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Spartak miss double
BARNT Green Spartak missed out on a league and cup double after producing a disappointing performance to lose 3-1 against Earlswood Town in the Challenge Vase final at Studley FC. Earlswood took the lead on 20 minutes into the game on Bank Holiday Monday
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Angling round-up
MAY Day bank holiday saw some big weights taken at the Broad Acres Open held on the Stock pool. Leading the field was John Harris (Triplex AC) who pole fished luncheon meat at peg five for 88-6-8. Club mate Geoff Hunt was second with 77-10-0; third, Pete
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Jewellery can help save lives
DEAR EDITOR -- I wonder if your readers know that their unwanted or broken jewellery and collectables can help the Royal National Lifeboat Institution save lies at sea. Since 1986 our Jewellery Appeal has raised nearly £465,000 for lifeboat funds, which
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Remedy is found in verse
DEAR EDITOR -- Discourtesy at Salters? Oh, surely you must joke Whenever I attend there, I find them friendly folk True, they are always busy and dealing with a queue But as with any practice this is nothing new It would be quite invidious to mention
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25 years ago May 12, 1978
THE octagonal 19th century counting house in Bromsgrove Cattle Market was to be moved in one piece to Avoncroft Museum of Buildings in Stoke Heath where it would be used as a ticket office. The town centre site had to be sold off to make way for a supermarket
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50 years ago May 16, 1953
THE Messenger itself made news this week when its new press broke down as the paper was about to be printed. Managers faced the prospect of it not being published for the first time in its 93-year history when the Birmingham Post and Mail stepped in to
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14/5/03 - Britton releases Scott, McAuley
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Ian Britton has released two players -- Dion Scott and Hugh McAuley. The Aggborough boss blames the financial climate for his decision not to offer the pair fresh deals for next year's Nationwide League Division Three campaign
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14/5/03 - Sixways farewell for lock Morgan
MARTIN Morgan is the first big name player to head for the Sixways exit. The lock has signed for the new Gwent regional team, an amalgamation of Ebbw Vale and Newport in the new Welsh format, after deciding his future lay away from Worcester. The former
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Double win for Wixford
EXHALL and Wixford enjoyed a good weekend, opening their account in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division and winning in the National Village Knockout. Scott Carmichael's side will face Leicestershire opposition again in the knockout after beating
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Cookhill cruising
Cotswold Hills newcomers Cookhill made it two out of two since switching leagues despite only having ten players for their first home game. Billy Harris hit a century for the Nevill Arms side as they finished with 176-8 in constant drizzle. Opponents
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Millers out of the cup
Feckenham missed the chance to set up a derby clash with Astwood Bank when they lost to Eastnor in the second round on Sunday. The victors are sitting second in the Crusader League. Feckenham were also the victim of an abandonment in Saturday's Division
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Hewell riding high
Hewell stayed second in Division Five despite a losing draw to Teme Valley on Saturday. The Donkey Hole Lane side doggedly hung on for 151-9 after their opponents had racked up 192-7. Eight league points kept Mark Allcock's side just a point behind Stourbridge
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Artist launches scheme in Spa
A PROLIFIC Droitwich Spa artist is helping to launch a scheme to encourage talent of the future. Neill Lowdon is working in partnership with Droitwich Library's Val Booler to give residents the chance to exhibit a piece of work there for a month. A self-portrait
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Prison insight
MAGISTRATE Denzil Smith will be speaking about the work of a prison visitor at a meeting in Barnt Green on Tuesday. He will be giving the talk at a meeting of the Friendship Club of Barnt Green, in Sandhills Road. For further details, including times,
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Salsa classes to start
HIP-SWINGING Spa residents looking to spice up their lives are being invited to join a new dance class being launched next month. Dawn Westwood, famed for her line dancing classes in the town, is starting a new ten-week Salsa class at Witton Middle School
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Light brigade
IN your article about light pollution (Evening News, Tuesday, May 8) Peter Yates claimed that city planners regulate sports pitch lighting to minimise light pollution. They seem to have missed the Nunnery Wood athletics track. During the winter months
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14/5/03 - Bright future tipped for City youngsters
WORCESTER City manager John Barton is predicting a bright future for three of the club's rising stars. Barton was speaking after Dean Smith, Dan Parker and Liam McDonald all signed full contracts with the St George's Lane club. The trio are the first
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Thanks to city electors
I WOULD like to thank the people of St Clement Ward for electing me at the local elections. I am currently investigating venues to hold surgeries in the ward. Once this has been arranged, I shall advertise the time, date and venue of these surgeries.
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Up to their necks in muck and nest debris
THE authorities at St John's parish church, Bromsgrove, are counting the cost of having to remove a giant birds' nest from inside the top of the lofty spire. The cost of clearing the 15 feet thick almost impenetrable tangle of debris and droppings, accumulated
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Inner-city mission to the States
TEN town churchgoers are bidding farewell to Bromsgrove and heading stateside on an important mission. Parishioners from the NewSong Community Church in Sidemoor are jetting to America to help out in some of the poorest inner city regions on May 27. One
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Adventure day
TOTS and teens enjoyed a fun-packed adventure day at St John's CofE Middle School, thanks to the Bromsgrove Anglican Group. Around 160 children attended the 'Lord of sea and sky' themed day. The children took part in art and craft workshops, during the
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Animals could lose their home
A BLACKWELL animal sanctuary is facing closure and hundreds of animals could be put down if it cannot raise £40,000 in two months. Hillfields Animal Sanctuary, on Greenhill, is holding a open day on Sunday, May 25 between noon and 4pm to try and raise
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A close shave for Dave
EXCITED tots at a Bromsgrove nursery have been looking after a sheepish new arrival. Dave the lamb has been receiving special attention from youngsters at the Home Farm Day Nursery in Birmingham Road, since his arrival last week. Nursery manager Jackie
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Places where breast is best
BREAST-feeding mums are guaranteed a warm welcome in the town, thanks to the National Childbirth Trust. The trust has compiled a leaflet to give mums a rundown of places they can breast-feed as part of National Breast-Feeding week. McDonalds, Brewsters
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Vandals hit playgroup
MINDLESS vandals have caused misery for a group of tots at a town playgroup. Staff at Sidemoor Pre-school and Playgroup found the Wendy house in the garden had been callously wrecked by yobs over the weekend. Teresa Tipton, one of the managers of the
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Town hit by yellow fever
TOWNSFOLK are being urged to go mellow-yellow next month and raise pots of cash for the Primrose Hospice. Schools, businesses and clubs are also being invited to join in the fun, by hosting yellow events including daring to wear yellow, along with colour-coded
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Curb your speed
Traffic chiefs keen to slam the brakes on speeding motorists have introduced new measures to catch offenders in villages near Bromsgrove. The new flashing signs, which warn drivers they are exceeding the speed limit, are the first of their kind in Bromsgrove
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Get me to the church in time
Wedding bells will be chiming for a navy nurse in Bromsgrove this summer now that the war in Iraq is over. Lisa Mullen, who was stationed on the hospital ship RFA Argus in the Gulf for four months, has finally returned to England in time for her wedding
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Talented teams get awards
TWO talented teams complete the Advertiser/Messenger's coverage of Bromsgrove District Sports Council's awards evening. First up, the Female Team award was presented to the Ryland U19s Netball team. In the last season they have competed in both the Redditch
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School is one step ahead
A Bromsgrove high school is set to become one of the first in the country to use an interactive website to improve communications between pupils, parents and teachers. Staff at South Bromsgrove High School, in Charford Road, will soon be able to communicate
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No change at council house
THERE will be no change in the leadership at both Bromsgrove district and Worcestershire county councils for the next 12 months. At the district council's annual meeting last night (Tuesday), Tory councillor Dennis Norton was set to be appointed leader
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Rachel's celebrity London lifestyle
DROITWICH Spa resident Paul Freeman sacrificed a prize celebrity-style weekend in London for his sister. On Saturday, Paul was due to enjoy 24 hours of partying, shopping, eating out and rubbing shoulders with the stars. He scooped the glittering once-in-a-life-time
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Top displays
THREE female athletes from Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic Club gave top performances at the Worcestershire AAA County Track and Field Championships last Saturday. Jade Peak, Jenni Mole and Sarah Gerner were in fine form at the Alan Moreton Stadium in
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Memorial day
BROMSGROVE and Redditch athletes have taken part in a meeting in memory of Ann Carter. Ann, a club member and athletics official, died in February after a battle with cancer. At last month's meeting, at Redditch's Abbey Stadium, Tuesday Bickley collected
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Croft Ambrey club comes of age
Croft Ambrey Running Club is celebrating its 21st birthday, which happily coincides with the coming of age of one of its younger members, Dave Rouse. Two of the founder members of the club are still running regularly, even if a little slower than in 1982
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Women's summer league formed
Following the success of the Women's Seven-a-Side tournament at Frankwell, Shrewsbury, in Sunday 9th March, a women's county summer league has been arranged with the Shropshire FA, Sports Partnership and Shrewsbury Leisure to see what interest we have
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Seconds claim first victory of the season with victory over Whitchurch
Whitchurch 2nd 131-5 Ludlow 2nd 132-6- LUDLOW claimed their first victory of the season in the Shropshire Premier Reserve League with a four-wicket win over visiting Whitchurch. Home skipper Steve Burgoyne won the toss and asked the visitors to bat on
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Castle end season on a high with Shropshire Cup
Bishop's Castle 27 pts Harper Adams 23- CASTLE completed a wonderful season when they won the Shropshire Cup for the first time, a superb complement to go with their promotion to North Midlands One. They showed the tremendous spirit that has characterised
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Stretton golfers play for the chance to tee-off in the Algarve
A GOLF trip of a lifetime awaits amateur David Somerville and his Church Stretton PGA Professional James Townsend if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Somerville took his first big step towards
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Chairman confident new stadium will be ready
LUDLOW Town chairman Peter Gwilliam is confident that the new Coors Stadium at Bromfield Road will be ready for the pre-season matches in July. "Building work is progressing well", said Mr Gwilliam, "and the playing surfaces on all the pitches are getting
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Breast is best for baby - and it's free
ALL the experts agree - breast is best when it comes to feeding your baby. It should be the most natural process in the world for a mother to breastfeed her baby. The health benefits for both mother and child are significant and well documented. It also
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Model ambition
A REDDITCH woman could one day be gracing the catwalks of Paris and Milan after sashaying her way through to the final of a national modelling competition. Hayley Evans, a 20-year-old beautician, will soon find out if she will be heading to Majorca for
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Inquest on baby
AN inquest into the death of an eight-month-old baby boy was due to be opened today. Kieran Bray, of Mickleton Close, Oakenshaw, was pronounced dead at the Alexandra Hospital last Tuesday. Hospital staff informed police, who are preparing a report for
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Social club in licence shock
IT looks like last orders at Hewell Road Social Club after magistrates refused to renew its licence following police complaints about under-age drinking, assaults and scores of fights. But club secretary John Cullinan said trouble had only started about
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Crews on three car call-out
Redditch fire crews were called to three car fires within 90 minutes last Wednesday night. The first car was deliberately set on fire in Forge Mill Lane, Riverside, at about 10pm and just 15 minutes later another car in Lydham Close, Riverside, was set
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Steel lorry in accident
FIREFIGHTERS helped ambulance crews tend to casualties after an accident involving three vehicles and a lorry carrying steel on the Alcester Highway. Redditch fire station officer Mark Preece said nobody was trapped but people suffered whiplash, cuts
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Thank you
A Redditch woman has thanked people who supported her with donations when she took part in the Macmillan Miles Challenge. Sue Underwood, from Southcrest, took nine-month-old daughter Minna along for the charity stroll, which took them four miles to her
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Delayed road works begin
LONG-awaited work to install a £60,000 traffic calming scheme in Alvechurch is due to start on Monday. The scheme will see mini roundabouts at the junctions of Birmingham Road, Red Lion Street and Tanyard Lane and also at Snake Lane with Callow Hill Road
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Everyone a winner
IT was back to the wild for Studley air cadets as they tested their skills as part of a survival weekend recently. Six cadets from 480 Studley Squadron were selected to take part in the annual basic aircrew survival weekend in the Army training ground
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A cool winner
RIDGEWAY Middle School has won a water cooler in the national 'water is cool in school' competition. Water cooler firm, AquAid Midlands, donated it in support of a national campaign to improve the health of school children. The aim of the campaign is
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Village to face road closures
HOLLYWOOD residents will be bracing themselves for 'extremely disruptive' sewerage work lasting more than three months on three roads in the village. Severn Trent Water will be carrying out the important replacement work to sewers in September, which
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Nursery bonus
More Redditch youngsters are set to benefit after the New Opportunities Fund announced a further cash handout. The Fund, which is the biggest good cause lottery distributor, has just allotted nearly £22,000 to Sneaker's Childcare Limited. The money will
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Road rally call made to village
ANONYMOUS letters have been sent to Alvechurch residents calling for them to lobby Bromsgrove Council over the state of a road in the village. The letters stated Enterprise - contractors for Severn Trent Water - carried out work along Birmingham Road
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Hollywood thrills
THERE were cries of 'lights, camera, action' on Friday when a BBC film crew went to a Hollywood school. Youngsters at Woodrush High School took part in the filming for the BBC children's television programme XCHANGE. In the morning, the crew filmed 10
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Cash share for schools
STAFF at several schools in and around Redditch are to share more than £67,000 for excellent improvement or impressive Ofsted reports. More than £7 million has been handed out across the region as part of the Department for Education and Skills' School
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Ceramic student fired with success
AN Astwood Bank ceramics student has fought off stiff competition from the rest of the country to scoop a top award. Shirley George was one of only 109 from more than 750,000 eligible candidates to win a City and Guilds Medal for Excellence for her outstanding
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HQ plans unveiled
PLANS for a new £200,000 Guides and Scouts joint headquarters have been revealed. Residents gathered at the town hall last week for two meetings which outlined the proposals for a joint base for the huge community of Alcester Guides and Scouts. The groups
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Pool that effort for new look
RESIDENTS are being asked to help make a splash and a difference by joining in a makeover at Batchley pool. Redditch Council is working in partnership with BBC Hereford and Worcester to clean out the pond, replace old shrubs and repair broken wall cladding
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New gym on target
THE final phase of refurbishment of a £1million health, fitness and spa club in Redditch town centre is drawing to a close before it opens later this month. The Life of Leisure club in Alcester Street will offer a gym with the latest Technogym equipment
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Sounds a great win
A HEADLESS Cross woman scooped £15,000 in radio station BRMB's Guess the Birmingham Sound competition. Jane Campion, of Marlpit Lane, won the top prize and was recently presented with the cheque.
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A blaze of glory
ALCESTER'S Leading Firefighter, Paul Stephens, was rewarded for his long and loyal service at a presentation at Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service headquarters. Sub officer Stephens, 46, joined the brigade in 1981 as a retained firefighter at Bidford
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Crusaders net a rural triumph
CAMPAIGNERS in Alcester and Bidford have won their bids to bring Broadband internet services to rural Warwickshire. BT has confirmed the Alcester exchange will be online from July 16 after more than 350 people registered their interest, with Bidford following
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Building on a theme
CAN we build it? 'Yes we can,' say budding builders at Dunnington Primary School after they spent a day making their own mini-houses. The pupils got hands-on experience of building their own house out of miniature bricks and mortar. In the morning, the
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Residents in mast shock
PLANS for a 15-metre radio mast for emergency services is causing concern for Oversley Green residents. The proposals for the monopole mast, supporting three antennas, one dish and equipment cabin based at the Severn Trent Water site, Mill Lane, has been
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Elvis winner
The winner of our competition for tickets to Elvis - The Concert at the NEC Arena on Sunday, May 25, was Sandra Bent, of Wychwood Drive, Hunt End.
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Cadet thanks
Redditch and Bromsgrove Sea Cadets have thanked all who gave to their recent collection. In all, £1,250 was raised, which will be used to support the cadets, staff and the TS Kingfisher base at Upper Crossgate Road, Park Farm.
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Alvechurch Village Society
Members will have their appetites whetted for a summer visit to Birmingham Botanical Gardens when Philip Aubury gives a talk later this month. Mr Aubury is the director of the gardens and the talk, entitled Past, Present and Future, takes place at Alvechurch
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Choice course on kids
A FREE course for people keen to learn about working with children kicked off at Redditch YMCA this week. The six-week course, organised by the Worcestershire Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership, runs at the Loxley Close venue from 9.30am-noon
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This ancient landscape
BREDON Hill is a Cotswold outlier, cut off from the main escarpment by glacial meltwater at the end of the Ice Age, and left stranded in the Vale of Evesham. It has a gentle dip slope, a much steeper scarp slope and panoramic views from the top. The dip
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Stress hell at burial pit
THOSE living close to the Throckmorton foot and mouth burial site have increased stress levels, an independent report into the effects of the pit has revealed. However, the report says physical health risks from the airfield were negligible. The impact
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Question setters rush to revise May's papers after raid on GCSE exam van
HALF-a-million students will sit replacement exams this summer after a van carrying copies of the original papers was stolen. An unknown quantity of GCSE English and English Literature papers were taken from a Parcelforce delivery van in the West Midlands
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Badger attack leaves victim scarred for life
A VICTIM of the rogue Evesham badger will be scarred for life after his frightening ordeal. Mike Fitzgerald underwent plastic surgery on injuries to his arm and leg at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham yesterday. The 67-year-old from Greenhill was the
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Visit to centre by Anne Diamond
TV presenter Anne Diamond is paying a flying visit to Droitwich this week open a new centre for young families. Famed for her role alongside Nick Owen on BBC 1's Good Morning with Anne and Nick and, more recently, Celebrity Big Brother, Anne will cut
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Firms count cost of 'illegal invasion'
A CLEAN-up operation estimated at tens of thousands of pounds will be needed after a group of travellers left a trail of destruction at a business park. More than 50 caravans camped illegally on private property in Wassage Way on the Hampton Lovett Industrial
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14/05/03 - End of season awards
STEVE Frost has been named Bromsgrove Rovers Advertier/Messenger player of the season. Frost, manager at the town's Dolphin Centre, in School Drive, won the accolade after picking up eight man of the match awards throughout the season. He said: "It's
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Choir entertain
A DELICIOUS ploughman's supper will accompany a night of fantastic entertainment at a Bromsgrove pub next month. The Primrose Choir will be performing their summer concert at the Gate Hangs Well, in Woodgate, on Saturday, June 7. The show will be held
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'Pay litter picker £5'
PAYING someone to pick up litter at Pixham Ferry, on the River Severn, could be cheaper than constantly replacing stolen or vandalised bins. Powick Parish Council heard that the bin, which was housed in a concrete base, had disappeared and litter was
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Former pupils to be reunited at school
HUNDREDS of former pupils at a Worcester-shire school are meeting up again after finding each other on the internet. The pupils, from Chantry High School, in Martley, near Worcester, got in touch with one another through Friends Reunited which aims to
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New hotel on course
A MULTI-MILLION pound hotel and restaurant in Evesham is on schedule to be completed next month. The £2.7m Orchards Brewers Fayre and Travel Inn is being built at Twyford and work is expected to be completed by Monday, June 16. The restaurant and 40-bedroom
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50 years ago
May 15, 1953 Under an Act of parliament dated 1831 which makes it an offence to make "unreasonable use of the highway", Redditch police hope to put an end to the prevalent practice of using the streets as a daytime garage. Ten kerbside parking places
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Man on bail after fall
A 51-year-old bricklayer has been released on conditional bail by Redditch magistrates after being charged with grievous bodily harm and intimidation of a witness. Peter Harris appeared in court on Monday, after an incident on Friday night in which his
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Search on for driver
POLICE are looking for the driver of a Mitsubishi Shogun who drove off after a collision on the Bromsgrove Highway. A woman, who had two children with her, was driving her Rover 214 along the road between the Foxlydiate turning and Bromsgrove at about
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Crashing driver took bag
A WOMAN driver had her bag snatched from her car after being crashed into by another vehicle in Bell Green Lane, Wythall. The woman was driving a blue Rover Metro and when she reached the junction with Icknield Street, a black car collided with her from
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Club awards
NICK Frizzell was named player of the season at Bromsgrove Hockey Club's awards evening. More than 50 members from all teams attended the event at the end of last month at the town's Perry Hall Ramada Jarvis Hotel. Graham Johns was voted most-improved
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Traffic island
YOUR readers don't seem to have picked up the point that the changes to Sainsbury's roundabout is all part of the 20-year plan to frustrate motorists enough to make them prefer to use public transport. All over the country, traffic calming is going on
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Don't stop the letters
I NOTICE one letter writer is fed up with the roundabout corrrespondance. Well, I am fed up with the roundabout and can everyone please keep writing until some thing is done. I note your article quotes the head of highways management saying they will
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County Champs
WORCESTERSHIRE have been crowned British Darts Organisation Inter-Counties League Division three champions after winning their title decider with Wiltshire. A 19-17 triumph made it nine straight wins for the county who are looking for players for the
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Am I on the wrong road?
MARMITE, the sharpest of my two cats, had us all laughing out loud the other night when she said she agreed the discussion on the Sainsbury's roundabout ought to cease as the debate was 'going round in circles'. There are few things in this world as rewarding
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Restrictions are just rididiculous
I WRITE as someone very dependent on Dial-A-Ride, an excellent service which never lets me down. Booking transport for and endeavouring to accommodate all who rely on them is not an easy task, now made more stressful by a 'buses only' ruling which means
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Parrott falls to members
TWO Redditch snooker players have added the name of a former world champion to the list of opponents they have beaten, writes Steve Carley. John Leach and Alan Belfield, who play for Rocklands and Batchley respectively, each won their frame against John
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Abbey project vital for town
WHEN I first moved to Church Hill in 1983, I didn't expect to have my area ruined by the great big, hideous-looking detached houses built in Hither Green Lane. But tough, I had to put up with it or move. Those who live in that area have the same choice
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Monumental joy to behold
IT seems strange to be writing a letter in praise of Redditch Council but someone in the depths of the town hall has seen fit to renovate and repaint the old lych gate in Rectory Road, Headless Cross, near St Luke's cottages. It is now much more visible
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Letter from Westminster
MY parents ran a sub post office for several years and I know how important it was to the local community. I have lodged official objections to the planned closure of the Rectory Road and Beoley Road post offices. I know both of these post offices and
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Human cost of 130,000 carcases
IT'S welcome news that, according to an independent report, the Throckmorton airfield site containing 130,000 animal carcases buried during the foot-and-mouth crisis isn't a timebomb waiting to go off. Defra says the impact on the environment is negligible
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Pain sufferers lose vital clinic
A SERVICE dedicated to helping ease the pain brought on by such crippling conditions as arthritis is being axed at the Alexandra Hospital. Health watchdog Redditch and Bromsgrove Community Health Council has launched an investigation after it was revealed
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Alex centre is complete
AFTER months of hard work and years of planning, the building work on the Alexandra Hospital's multi-faith centre is finally complete. The purpose of the centre is to provide a quiet, peaceful area where people can sit and pray or just sit and think.
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Give blood
People can save a life by giving blood at a National Blood Service session at St Luke's Memorial Hall, Evesham Road, Headless Cross on Friday, May 23, from 2-3.45pm and 5-7.15pm.
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Blues could be on the move
BIRMINGHAM City Ladies are looking at an unnamed ground with a view to moving back to the Second City next season. The Valley Stadium tenants have the option of another year in Redditch but have yet to confirm they will take the option. The club were
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Catch that yellow fever
PEOPLE will have the chance to go yellow for charity as the Primrose Hospice launches its main fund-raising campaign for the year. Go Yellow week will give Redditch schools, businesses and clubs the chance to organise events such as 'wear yellow day',
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Physio patients in wait
HEALTH officials have moved to allay fears that a physiotherapy service in Studley is about to be transferred to Alcester causing major upheaval for users. South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (SWPCT), which runs the service at Studley Health Centre,
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One for Women
REDDITCH United Women earned themselves a place in the Southam Invitational Cup semi finals by beating the hosts 3-1 in a game which doubled as a West Midlands regional League fixture. Goals from Becky Jones, Caroline Staples and Rachel Hopkins earned
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High spirits for school rivals
Nearly fifty teams spanning three age groups contested the 15th annual Alcester Police School's 5-a-side football tournament at St Benedict's School, Alcester on Saturday. St Faith's won the Stratford Crime Prevention Panel Shield, beating Temple Grafton
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Bus service spared axe
A VITAL bus service due to be axed at the end of the month is due to be taken over - by the very firm which stopped operating the route more than 18 months ago. It has been announced First will start running the 61a from May 27, a day after rival company
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Visiting
THE county council's fostering and adoption team will be visiting Redditch tomorrow to give out advice as part of national fostering fortnight. Staff and foster carers will be handing out information at the town hall from about 2pm.
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Fixtures
Wednesday, May 14 FOOTBALL Advertiser/Messenger Football League Division One - Bromsgrove Town v Victoria Barnt Green. Thursday, May 15 FOOTBALL Advertiser/Messenger Football League Division One - Alvechurch Darts v Rovers Sunday. Division Three - Blackwell
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Seek Haydn
The Midland Sinfonia continues its series of summer concerts in St Laurence's Church, Alvechurch, with an evening of Haydn's early symphonies on Saturday. The concert starts at 7.30pm and admission is £9 (£8 concessions) on the door.
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Martin is a hat-trick hero
VETERAN Droitwich Spa skipper Martin Woodward made his own piece of history last Sunday by taking the first hat-trick of his career. Woodward called on all his experience to claim the mesmerising treble during Spa's First XI's last ball two wicket victory
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Confusion is almost costly
A VENUE mix-up almost spoiled Bromsgrove Cricket Club's chances of a double success last weekend. Nick Husbands' won by 16 runs at Kenilworth Wardens in Birmingham and District division one on Saturday and saw off Cheltenham by eight wickets in the National
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Green draw
Green draw CUTNALL Green recorded a winning home draw in the rain against Barnards Green in Worcester County League division five last Saturday. Matthew Harris' side, rained off against Worcester Corinthians last week, lost two wickets in the first six
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Bel Canto Singers
BEL Canto now have a new accompanist and new musical director and are looking for more singers to increase an already wide repertoire. Rehearsals are every Monday at 7.30pm at the Polish Club, Oakley Road. Everyone wishing to join is invited to come along
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Redditch Art Circle
THE visiting speaker for the May meeting was Mike Skidmore, whose topic was oil painting. He explained that he was a figurative painter with a preference for portraiture, in spite of being trained at a time when figurative painting was not encouraged.
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Redditch Folk Club
NOTTS Alliance appears at Redditch Folk Club on Saturday. Their repertoire includes arrangements of songs from some of the best of today's songwriters including Richard Thompson, Pete Morton, Maggie Holland as well as traditional material. For details
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Studley Women's Country Club
MEMBERS met on May 1 to hear a very interesting talk by Wolff Wahle on his experiences as a German prisoner of war in camps in Europe and here in the Midlands. He came to this country towards the end of the Second World War. Before that he was in Belgium
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Forum tackles illness
AN information evening aimed at people with arthritis takes place at St Stephen's Church on Tuesday. The St Stephen's Forum event, which starts at 7.30pm, features guest speaker Mike Salmon, professor of experimental rheumatology from the University of
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Wythall WI
Members were told about arrangements for a trip to the Lowry Museum at Salford, a guided tour around Oxford and a group walk around Alvechurch. It was decided to run two stalls at Wythall Carnival on 10th August and the Craft Group are already busy making
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Wythall History Society
Mr Kenneth Hughes, with long connections with the Heart of England Tourist Board, spoke about a number of splendid properties going back many centuries, some linked with words and catchphrases still in use today, such as 'up the wooden hill', 'the bread
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An eye-deal opportunity
TO celebrate national Mill Day on Sunday, Forge Mill Museum and Bordesley Visitors Centre welcomed the public free of charge. Forge Mill has the only water-powered needle scouring mill in the UK which is still operational. For details on forthcoming events
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Bric-a-brac battlecry
A welfare charity which helps animals in both Redditch and Bromsgrove is desperate for fund-raising bric- a-brac. The Blue Cross Animal Adoption Centre needs items such as toys, books, glass china and games. Items can be collected by calling 0121 453
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Church is setting for Rossini choral work
REDDITCH'S St Stephen's Church hosts a late spring concert by Redditch Choral Society on Saturday. Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, a choral work operatic in style, will be performed at the concert, which begins at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6 (£5 concessions
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County make cautious opening
Worcestershire made a cautious start after winning the toss and electing to bat first in their latest Frizzell County Championship Division Two clash with Durham, which started at Stockton today. Openers Stephen Peters and Anurag Singh began against the
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Woodward bows out with a win
GEOFF Woodward's final match in charge of Fernhill County Sports ended with a 1-0 win at Continental Star last night. Gary Beadling's spectacular 12th minute strike in which he beat three defenders before smashing the ball into the roof of the net from
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Poupart Springs into action in road race
GAVIN Poupart was the top Worcester finisher at Worcester St John's Cycling Club's Spring Road Race. Poupart came in 10th in the race held on the Inkberrow circuit as a full field of 70 riders competed. Action was fast and furious from the start with
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He's a rebel with a cause
THE original Cockney Rebel Steve Harley appears on Sunday at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. And former Rebel Jim Cregan will accompany him on guitar, the first time they have played together for 20 years. Cregan went on to join Rod Stewart and has
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A show to feast upon
DANCE company Protein Dance performs The Banquet at DanceXchange's The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome tomorrow. Described as 'a refreshing combination of dance, drama and comedy', the production is suitable for over 12s. Protein Dance began in
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Busted Busted
Three star CHART friendly, guitar-led pop is the name of the game for the Busted boys who seem to be onto a winner with their refreshing style and skate sound. Mixing fun, energy and the odd naughty word with a healthy dose of teenage angst has served
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Kelly Price Priceless
Four star WITH a voice as powerful and distinctive as Whitney Houston, great lyrics and a good look to match, Kelly Price will go far. With a mix of R&B tunes, soul and more upbeat numbers, Priceless has everything you could possibly want from an
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What's On Guide
Thursday, May 15 The Master Builder, Festival Theatre, Mavern. Until May 24. Tickets from 01684 892277. Protein Dance: The Banquet, DanceXchange, The Patrick Centre, Birmingham Hippodrome (suitable for over 12s). Tickets from 0121 689 3040. Paul Young
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Board duo quit
TWO of Bromsgrove Rovers' leading and longest serving board members have stood down from their posts and another could soon follow suit. Club secretary Phil Baker and Pete O'Connell have both resigned from the Victoria Ground board with immediate affect
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Fans voice anger
GARY Hackett and Jon Ford's departure from Bromsgrove Rovers has sparked anger among the club's fans. Many supporters have aired their views on the club's official website, while others have contacted the Advertiser/Messenger with their responses. With
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End of season awards
STEVE Frost has been named Bromsgrove Rovers Advertier/Messenger player of the season. Frost, manager at the town's Dolphin Centre, in School Drive, won the accolade after picking up eight man of the match awards throughout the season. He said: "It's
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Sunday favourites for title
ROVERS Sunday are the new leaders of Advertiser/Messenger League division one after three more commanding victories. Gary Walmsley's side trounced title rivals Meadow Park 6-0 before turning a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 victory against Sporting Harborne.
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Charity cash
AROUND £5,000 was raised for the Meningitis Trust when Bromsgrove Rovers Old Stars defeated Aston Villa Old Stars 2-0 at the Victoria Ground last Sunday. Rob Shilvock and Chris Hanks were on target for the hosts in front of a crowd of 830. Villa, who
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Combination results
LATEST results from the Central Sports Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination. Premier Division Fairfield Sunday 0 Hymatic/Allendale 1 (R Phillips); Mayfly 3 (I Hughet, Aston, Barnett) H.D.A 8 (Whittingham 2, Blake 3, Whitmoore, Piper, Walford);
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Junior football round-up
Highgate United U10s 1 C'brook Swifts U10s A 0 Swifts entered this match as Division D champions and the first Callowbrook team in the club's seven-year history to reach a cup final in one season. Highgate, Division F champions, took the lead on ten minutes
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Sols march on to double joy
SOLIHULL skipper Richard Gamlin is confident of adding a handful of new faces to his squad for the club's first crack at Midlands Four rugby. The North Midlands champs crowned another tremendous season by beating the odds a fifth time to lift the North
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Defending the motor works
DEAR EDITOR -- I am writing regarding the bomb at Austin Motor Company in 1940. My mother, who lived in Farren Road - not far from the factory, was cleaning her living room windows at the time and heard the explosion. She actually saw the bomb split in
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Defending the motor works
DEAR EDITOR -- The correspondence on the "bombing" of the Austin Works intrigues me, having served as an under-age member of the Home Guard; in the anti-aircraft unit that provided a Box Barrage over the Austin complex, a "Z" battery of 64 rocket projectors
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Don't cut off garden service
DEAR EDITOR -- I have just read in the Advertiser/Messenger of the plans by David Payne Homes Ltd to build on the Willow Road site of the old button factory. While I can appreciate that building houses on this brown-field site is preferable to extending
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'On yer bikes' is the call . . .
DEAR EDITOR -- National Bike Week organisers estimate that there are 10 million 'missing' cycles in the UK. Worcestershire residents are being urged to find some of them in time for this year's Bike Week (June 14-22). Retail sales figures and Government
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Bandstand has been a bonus
DEAR EDITOR -- In the film 'Field of Dreams' Kevin Costner was told "build it and they will come Well, thanks to Terri Matthews on Bromsgrove District Council a beautiful thing was built in Bromsgrove last year and the people of Bromsgrove did come. At
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100 years ago May 16, 1903
THE annual medical report for Droitwich Town prepared by medical officer Dr Roden revealed that last year there had been 102 births, but for the second year running there had not been any child born to unmarried mothers. There had been only 62 deaths,
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Nev stays positive
REDDITCH skipper Nev Mason is hopeful of shocking title-favourites Smethwick despite a disappointing reverse at Shifnal on Saturday. The Bromsgrove Road side lost by nine wickets in a rain-affected match but Mason said his side suffered after losing a
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Studley stumble
STUDLEY skipper Brandon Miller has pointed out this year's crop are better have started better than last year's title-hopefuls in the wake of a dispiriting defeat to newly-promoted Dorridge. The hosts were beaten by 105 runs but the Washford Fields skipper
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Bards batter Bidford
When top played bottom the result went by the form book with Bidford slumping to an 82 run defeat to Stratford Bards. The league leaders posted 186-7 and lowly Bidford could only manage 104-9 in reply to prop up the league with nine points from the opening
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Alcester top table
Alcester and Ragley Park sit proudly at the head of Division One after picking up 20 points in a ten wicket win over Rowington. The Ragley Park side have already opened up a 14 point gap on third placed Winchcombe and hope to keep their good form going
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Great result for villagers
After the frustration of an abandonment in their first match in Division Four, newly-promoted Great Alne returned to winning ways with a 38 run win at Earlswood II. The village side won all 15 of the matches they completed after voluntarily dropping into
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Alvechurch stay in touch
ALVECHURCH stayed in touch with the early Division Two leaders after recording a winning draw in a rain-affected match against Worcester Nomads. The hosts went third ahead of Saturday's derby at neighbours Astwood Bank (2pm start). Two divisions separated
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Double defeats
NEIGHBOURS Five Ways Old Edwardians and Wythall suffered the same fate at the weekend. Wythall are yet to win since both sides were promoted to Division Three and lost a rain-affected game against newly-formed Highcroft/Great Barr Unity. Highcroft had
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What's on guide
Wednesday, May 14 Exhibition: Urban Diffusion, Foyle Gallery, mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, 12 until 8pm. Until June 29 Dance: Elemental Passions, Arena Theatre, Wulfrana Street, Wolverhampton, 7.30pm. Dance: The Four Seasons, mac, Cannon Hill Park
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Historian talks
CELEBRATED Black Country historian Ned Williams will be giving an illustrated talk to members of the Clent History Society tonight (Wednesday). He will be speaking about the history of the Englishman's home from the elegant buildings, now centuries old
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Labour
NOW that the Tories have won overall control on Worcester City Council, the Labour group can no longer lay the blame for their own continuing failings at the door of the Independents. Perhaps we will now see the controlling Tories addressing the disgraceful
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I was traumatised by this awful Experience
IN response to M Burcher's letter (You Say, Tuesday, May 6) regarding the George Cowley Experience, I would like to say that like him/her, I am puzzled! Due to all the hype about this band, I went along to see for myself what it was all about. Being a
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A little of what you fancy does you good
AS a teacher I am amazed at the reaction of schools to the Collection of Cadbury wrappers for sports equipment. Most schools collected Tesco vouchers. Did we ask the parents what they had bought to get them? It would not mean promoting the eating of more
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The Villages are not a hotbed of crime
I WAS very disturbed by the headline on the front page of the Evening News (Tuesday, April 29) and the substance of the report of our open meeting. To begin with, there were only 30 residents present, not 100. We wished there had been. The overall impression
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Saddling up
AN adventurous mother and daughter duo are saddling up for the charity ride of their life. Annie, aged 51, and Lizzy Allington, 22, are heading to the Canadian Rocky Mountains in August to raise cash for the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The pioneer
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Firm's safety pledge
SAFETY standards will not be compromised following the take over of a chemical firm situated in the heart of a Bromsgrove village, residents were assured this week. It follows news that the PolymerLatex plant at Stoke Prior has been sold to the giant
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Family is in hit and run
BROMSGROVE police are appealing for information after a woman and her two children were involved in a car crash where the driver of the other vehicle drove off. The collision took place on the A448, between the Foxlydiate turning and Bromsgrove and involved
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'Stab' threat phone snatch
A FRIGHTENED teenage boy was forced to hand over his mobile phone after being threatened by two men in Bromsgrove's Sanders Park. The 16-year-old boy was sitting on the wall at the entrance of the Kidderminster Road park, when he was approached by two
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Banking on easy access
A TOWN firm is banking on better business after investing cash on a revamp and improved disabled facilities. Former mayor John Clarke, who is wheelchair bound, was invited to open the new look NatWest on Monday. It now features a ramp, lower cash points
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Kindergarten cops top learning award
HIGH standards have been rewarded at a top venue for town tots. Droitwich Spa Nursery and Kindergarten, off the Worcester Road, has been accredited by the Pre-School Learning Alliance. This recognises excellent provision of education and care at The Hollies
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Cash boost for schools
STAFF at a Bromsgrove school are celebrating after scooping they're fourth award of the year. Lickey Hills Primary School, in Old Birmingham Road, was just one of the town schools to be awarded a cash sum from the Government's Department of Education
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Spa camp faces eviction
SCORES of Irish travellers have invaded a paddock in Droitwich Spa. Caravans, cars, trailers and horses currently occupy lush acres off the Bromsgrove Road (A38). Their arrival has created concern for the Chateau Impney, the site owner, and amongst the
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Medieval dig abandoned
WORSHIPPERS working to restore crumbling Spa church, St Andrews want to dub their cause a charity. The Cornerstone group wants to rejuvenate St Andrew's Church, off High Street. This month's parish newsletter reveals the committee is considering applying
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Diamond is a Spa mum's best friend
PERKY TV presenter Anne Diamond is paying a flying visit to Droitwich Spa to open a new centre for young families. Famed for her heyday role alongside Nick Owen on BBC 1's Good Morning with Nick and Anne, and more recently Celebrity Big Brother, will
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Bomb trial stirs painful memories
by SARAH CHAMBERS THE first trial of men accused of last year's Bali bombing, which killed a 39-year-old man with family in Droitwich, began on Monday. Relatives and friends of victim Tom Holmes will be anxiously following the case of more than 30 suspects
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Brindley makes canal comeback
VISIONARY engineer James Brindley, who gave Droitwich Spa its wonderful waterways, could finally stand proud above his canal creations. Droitwich Canals Trust director Jon Axe wants a bronze statue of the famous pioneer erected in Vines Park, as part
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Ela sizzles at soap awards
Spa actress Ela Kay dazzled fans when she attended the British Soap Awards 2003 on Saturday. Accompanied by her mum Annette Westray, Ela, who plays Caroline Shaw in BBC show Doctors, strutted her stuff down the red carpet at the London bash. The show
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Burton seals his hat-trick
INJURY prevented Richard Burton taking last year's national rider's championship but with just a few weeks of the point-to point season remaining the Shropshire rider put a hand on the trophy after riding a treble at the Wheatland fixture at Chaddesley
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Swimmers win gala
BROMSGROVE Swimming Club's diddy team turned in 17 first places and a whole host of personal best time to win the second round of the Diddy League by 50 points. Katy Masters and Stephen Muddiman opened last Saturday's gala at Leamington Spa by winning
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Jessica swims into final
A SWIMMER from Cutnall Green has shown her potential in the sport by helping her team reach a prestigious national final. Jessica Roach, aged 12, was part of a five-girl swimming team from Worcester's St Mary's Convent Preparatory School who were runners-up
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Joy for cyclists
THREE Bromsgrove cyclists rode to superb finishes for Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club last weekend. Tony Richardson, Chris Poole and Len Holbeche achieved two firsts and one fourth place between them at events on Saturday. Richardson finished a creditable
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It's mind over matter in this Chess game...
TIM Rice and half of Abba have made sure that Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society has its work cut out. The society is taking on Chess, written by Sir Tim, Benny Andersson and Bjrn Ulvaeus, considered to be one of the most challenging of all musicals
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What to do with baby?
I OFTEN sit at work and wonder what my baby is doing. Blowing bubbles at an inanimate object, chasing another child around the room on all four podgy pink limbs or curled up in a cot dreaming of Norbert, the cat. For a few moments I'm miles away, smiling
